Quarterlytics / Consumer Defensive / Packaged Foods / Natural Alternatives International, Inc.

Natural Alternatives International, Inc.

naii · NASDAQ Consumer Defensive
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Ticker naii
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Consumer Defensive
Industry Packaged Foods
Employees 51-200
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FY2000 Annual Report · Natural Alternatives International, Inc.
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N A T U R A L A L T E R N A T I V E S I N T E R N A T I O N A L ,   I N C .

A n n u a l   R e p o r t   2 0 0 0

M I L E S T O N E S

Successful start-up of our new Swiss manufacturing facility.

Expanded our capabilities with the installation of an in-house packaging facility.

(cid:2) Diversified our sales channels with the launch of our first direct-to-consumer 

physician branded product line.

Improved our long-term financial position through the termination of the 

Carlsbad lease obligation and the realignment of our operating structure.

(cid:2)
(cid:2)
(cid:2)
D E A R   S H A R E H O L D E R S ,

The past year has been a time of
repositioning Natural Alternatives
International. We are taking the 
necessary steps to return NAI to
profitability. We recognize certain
challenges remain. However, as a
management team, it is our priority
to bring NAI to the forefront of our
industry, where the science of nutri-
tion gets down to business.

C O R P O R A T E G O A L S

This year we strengthened our
board, management team and 
manufacturing capabilities for future
growth and earnings. We made criti-
cal changes to achieve our corporate
goals, including diversifying our rev-
enue base; improving quality control
and customer service; and restoring
our financial position.

“Where the science

of nutrition gets

down to business.”

We opened a new facility in
Switzerland, introduced a direct-
to-consumer physician’s branded 
product line, enhanced production
capabilities for better efficiency and
control, instituted higher levels of
quality control and developed a
profit restoration plan. We believe
these initiatives position NAI to
meet its goals of reducing overall
costs, diversifying revenues, and in-
creasing the efficiency of operations,
bringing us closer to profitability.
We are now positioned to focus 
our resources on our core business; 
expanding our customer base,
streamlining expenses, and expand-

ing new channels of distribution,
while continuing to produce innova-
tive customized nutritional supple-
ments for the benefit of people
around the world. 

A D D R E S S I N G C H A L L E N G E S

In response to losing a major cus-
tomer in December 1999, NAI initi-
ated a cost containment program in
January 2000 aimed at reducing
overall company expenses. After
much deliberation, we aggressively
reduced executive compensation and
cut the work force by 47% to a level
commensurate with our current 
operating levels. These cost contain-
ment initiatives, completed in May
2000, substantially reduced our com-
pensation expenses and were an inte-
gral part of our profit restoration
plan. 

Additionally, in an effort to
strengthen our balance sheet, we 
terminated our long-term lease
obligation for the Carlsbad office
and manufacturing facility in June
2000. Initially, we subleased the 
entire premises for five years. Shortly
thereafter, we completed a buyout of
the 15-year lease obligation from the
landlord. The agreement provided
for the sale of our leasehold interests
to the landlord for essentially the
same cost of performing our obliga-
tions pursuant to the sublease agree-
ments. The buyout terminated 
NAI’s interests and obligations in 
the facility that extended beyond the
subleases, saving NAI occupancy
costs of approximately $1.5 million
per year and the risk of continuing 
to sublease the premises over the 
remaining life of the lease. This
transaction eliminated a significant
financial burden to NAI.

“We believe the ability

to offer in-house 

packaging will help

control and reduce

manufacturing costs,

improve inventory 

and quality control,

simplify production 

logistics and provide

more dependable 

customer service.”

timely and cost-effective manner.
We believe this $2 million dollar in-
vestment in integrated packaging ca-
pabilities will realize several million
dollars in annual savings, plus addi-
tional soft cost savings in quality and
inventory control, as well as in pro-
viding dependable customer service.

M A I N T A I N I N G S T R I N G E N T
S T A N D A R D S

In October 1999, the prestigious
Therapeutic Goods Administration of
Australia (TGA) certified NAI’s en-
capsulating and tableting operations.
In March 2000, NAI was re-certified
TGA compliant in all areas includ-
ing its new packaging operations.
The TGA evaluates new therapeutic
products, prepares standards, develops
testing methods and conducts testing
programs to ensure that products are
high quality, safe and effective. 

During the past year, NAI also passed
Good Manufacturing Practices audit
compliances by certain of its current
and prospective customers. Adherence
to these stringent standards ensures
standardized manufacturing and
quality in all products manufactured
and sold worldwide. Compliance
with GMP standards facilitates access
to over 30 countries around the
world, greatly enhancing the ease
with which registration and sales into
key global markets can be achieved. 

B U I L D I N G N A I   G L O B A L L Y

In September 1999, we opened Natural
Alternatives International Europe S.A.
(NAIE) in Switzerland to diversify our
geographic presence and sales chan-
nels globally. NAIE is a full-service
operation that includes a complete
manufacturing plant, testing laboratory,
packaging facility, warehouse and
local administration. Over the last
six months, NAIE has been profitable
and sales are continually growing.
We are proud of this achievement
for a $1.5 million investment to date.

In addition to our European 
expansion, the development of a
sales presence in Japan has facilitated
NAI’s ability to offer products to the
Asian markets. In Japan, NAI has 
established an excellent reputation as
one of the first companies autho-
rized to introduce encapsulated 
nutritional supplements.

E X P A N D I N G O U R
C A P A B I L I T I E S

In March 2000, we completed our
Vista, California manufacturing 
expansion initiatives including ware-
housing, distribution, weighing and
blending operations. Additionally,
we installed a new state-of-the-art
finished goods packaging facility.
This new capability substantially
eliminates the need to use outside
packaging services for finished goods
manufactured by NAI. We believe
the ability to offer in-house packag-
ing will help control and reduce
manufacturing costs, improve inven-
tory and quality control, simplify
production logistics and provide
more dependable customer service.
The Vista facility enables us to 
package tablets, capsules, powders,
blister cards, and packettes. These
improvements increase our capacity
and efficiency levels, reduce manu-
facturing costs, streamline produc-
tion logistics and enable us to deliver
products to our clients in a more

NAI is certified TGA

compliant in all manu-

facturing areas includ-

ing its new packaging

operations. Additionally,

NAI meets all Good

Manufacturing Practices

(GMP) audit compli-

ances which ensures

standardized manufac-

turing and quality in all

products sold world-

wide. Compliance with

GMP facilitates access to

over 30 countries all

around the world.

NAI Management Team: (left to right) David

Lough, Peter Wulff, Doug Flaker, John Wise.

D I V E R S I F Y I N G C O R E
B U S I N E S S

Over the past year, we diversified
NAI’s sales channels and implemented
new growth strategies to further de-
velop our core customer base. These
channels include: fitness and health
clubs; physician branding; direct mail;
E-Commerce; as well as traditional
methods of retail and direct sales. 

In November 1999, NAI entered
into a joint venture agreement with
Fitness Age, Inc., a company in San
Diego, working to develop novel
fitness assessment measurement
software for both consumers and
healthcare professionals. Jointly we
created a new company, Custom
Nutrition LLC, where NAI has a
40% equity interest in the operating
profits derived from the retail rev-
enues of mass customized nutritional
supplements anticipated to be mar-
keted in health and fitness markets, 
E-Commerce and other consumer
health channels. NAI is also the ex-
clusive supplier to this new company.

In March 2000, NAI launched its
first direct-to-consumer physician-
branded product line, licensed 

exclusively from Dr. Reginald
Cherry M.D., offering an innovative
basic nutritional support product
through television and direct sales
mailings. NAI will be formulating
additional physician-branded 
lines and is seeking to expand its 
customized line of products sold
through direct-to-consumer 
channels in the upcoming year.

N E W M A N A G E M E N T T E A M

NAI’s management team was
strengthened this year with the 
addition of Peter C. Wulff as our
CFO and Treasurer in November
1999. We also welcomed Joe E.
Davis as a new member of the Board
of Directors in February 2000. Mr.
Davis replaced Bill Kellas who re-
signed in November 1999 after pro-
viding many years of service to NAI. 

We remain dedicated to providing
innovative, high quality products 
and services to our esteemed clients
and the consumer. We believe the
many changes to NAI’s foundation
and infrastructure over the past year
will position us for profitability. 
We appreciate your continued 
confidence, support and patience.

Sincerely,

MARK A. LE DOUX
FOUNDER, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S

Mark A. LeDoux, J.D.
Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer

Marie A. LeDoux
Director

Joe E. Davis
Director

J. Scott Schmidt
Director

Lee G. Weldon
Director

M A N A G E M E N T

Mark A. LeDoux, J.D.
Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer

Peter C. Wulff
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

R. David Lough
Executive Vice President

Dr. John A. Wise, Ph.D.
Vice President, Science and Technology

Douglas E. Flaker
Vice President, Marketing

Robert K. Clausen
Vice President, Operations

I N D E P E N D E N T A U D I T O R S

KPMG LLP
750 B Street 
San Diego, California 92101

C O R P O R A T E C O U N S E L

Fisher Thurber LLP
4225 Executive Square 
La Jolla, California 92037

T R A N S F E R A G E N T &   R E G I S T R A R

Chase Mellon Shareholders Services
85 Challenger Road
Ridgefield Park, New Jersey 07660
Tel: 800-522-6645
www.chasemellon.com  

I N V E S T O R A N D P U B L I C R E L A T I O N S

Susan E. Atkins & Associates
10650 Scripps Ranch Boulevard
Suite 224 
San Diego, California 92131

NAI™, NAIE™are registered trademarks of Natural Alternatives International, Inc.

This report includes forward-looking statements that reflect manage-
ment’s current views of future events. Actual results may differ materially
from the forward-looking statements due to a number of important 
factors described in the most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q.

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