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Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

 

x  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended January 1, 2011

 

OR

 

o  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                        to                      

 

Commission file number: 0-21116

 


 

USANA HEALTH SCIENCES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Utah

 

87-0500306

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

3838 West Parkway Blvd., Salt Lake City, Utah 84120

(Address of principal executive offices, Zip Code)

 

(801) 954-7100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

(Title of each class)

 

(Name of each exchange on which registered)

Common Stock, Par Value $0.001 Per Share

 

New York Stock Exchange

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

 

None

 


 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o No x

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o No x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer x

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes o No x

 

The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of July 2, 2010 was approximately $259,102,000, based on a closing market price of $37.07 per share.

 

There were 15,843,837 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of March 7, 2011.

 

Documents incorporated by reference. The registrant incorporates information required by Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14) of this report by reference to the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A for its 2011 Annual Shareholders Meeting.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

USANA HEALTH SCIENCES, INC.

FORM 10-K

For the Fiscal Year Ended January 1, 2011

 

INDEX

 

 

 

Page

 

Part I

 

 

 

 

Item 1

Business

3

Item 1A

Risk Factors

19

Item 1B

Unresolved Staff Comments

28

Item 2

Properties

28

Item 3

Legal Proceedings

28

Item 4

(Removed and Reserved)

28

 

 

 

 

Part II

 

 

 

 

Item 5

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

28

Item 6

Selected Financial Data

30

Item 7

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

31

Item 7A

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

46

Item 8

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

47

Item 9

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

47

Item 9A

Controls and Procedures

47

Item 9B

Other Information

48

 

 

 

 

Part III

 

 

 

 

Item 10

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

48

Item 11

Executive Compensation

48

Item 12

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

48

Item 13

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

48

Item 14

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

48

 

 

 

 

Part IV

 

 

 

 

Item 15

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

48

 

 

 

Signatures

 

51

 

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Table of Contents

 

The statements contained in this report on Form 10-K that are not purely historical are considered to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).  These statements represent our expectations, beliefs, anticipations, commitments, intentions, and strategies regarding the future and include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties outlined in Item 1A Risk Factors and Item 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.  Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations that are expressed in forward-looking statements within this report.  The forward-looking statements included in this report speak only as of the date hereof.

 

In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, references to “dollars” and “$” are to United States dollars.

 

All references to our “Associates” and “Preferred Customers” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K also now include the non-employee distributor sales force and preferred customers of our wholly-owned subsidiary, BabyCare, Ltd. (“BabyCare”) in China.  Additionally, for ease of reference, and unless otherwise noted in this Annual Report, USANA’s compensation plan and BabyCare’s compensation plan are sometimes referred to in this report collectively as “Compensation Plan.”

 

PART I

 

Item 1.  Business

 

General

 

USANA Health Sciences, Inc. (“we,” “USANA” or the “Company”) is a Utah corporation, founded in 1992 by Myron W. Wentz, Ph.D.  We develop and manufacture high-quality, science-based nutritional and personal care products with a focus on reducing the risk of chronic degenerative disease and promoting long-term health.  In so doing, we are committed to continuous product innovation and sound scientific research.  We have operations in 15 markets worldwide where we distribute and sell our products by way of direct selling.  Our net sales in fiscal year 2010 were $517.6 million, which marks the first year in which we have exceeded a half billion dollars in net sales.

 

Our customer base is comprised of two types of customers: “Associates” and “Preferred Customers.”  Associates are independent distributors of our products, who also purchase our products for personal use.  Preferred Customers purchase our products strictly for personal use and are not permitted to resell or to distribute the products.  As of January 1, 2011, we had 228,000 active Associates and 77,000 active Preferred Customers worldwide.  For purposes of this report, we only count as active customers those Associates and Preferred Customers who have purchased product from us at any time during the most recent three-month period, either for personal use or for resale.

 

Recent Developments

 

In August 2010, we indirectly acquired BabyCare, Ltd, a direct selling company organized under the laws of China.  BabyCare is principally engaged in developing, manufacturing and selling nutritional products for the entire family, with an emphasis on infant nutrition.  BabyCare has been granted a license to engage in direct selling in the municipality of Beijing and is working to obtain additional direct selling licenses in other Chinese provinces and cities.  BabyCare’s products are sold through both a distributor sales force and a chain of retail centers in China.  This acquisition added $7.4 million in net sales during 2010 and reduced net earnings by approximately $3.1 million, which includes $2.0 million in acquisition costs, as well as other corporate items related to the BabyCare operation.  BabyCare also added 12,000 Associates and 14,000 Preferred Customers to the total number of our active customers at year-end.  Our acquisition of BabyCare is significant to us, as it provides a growth opportunity for USANA in China.  In accordance with Chinese law, BabyCare continues to operate independently from USANA in China.  We are, however, working closely with regulatory agencies in China to have USANA products registered and approved for sale by BabyCare in China.

 

Also in August 2010, we launched new products and a new manufacturing technology, introduced a new interactive presentation tool for our Associates, and announced enhancements to our Associate recognition and rewards programs.  Our new manufacturing technology, which we call Nutritional Hybrid Technology™, allows us to combine two distinct formulas into one bi-layered tablet, allowing for advanced ingredient combinations, while providing product stability.  Our new interactive presentation tool, called Health and Freedom Solution™, was created and designed to help our Associates, many of whom are new to network marketing, explain and share the USANA opportunity, including the benefits of our products and our Associate Compensation Plan.

 

Finally, the difficult global economic conditions continue to hamper growth in many of the markets where we have operations, particularly in our North America region.  During these difficult economic times, North America experienced a decline in the number of Associates and Preferred Customers purchasing our products and building a home-based business.  To offset these declines, we will be introducing several key initiatives in 2011, including a greater emphasis on brand recognition, to grow sales and the number of Associates and Preferred Customers in North America.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Products

 

Our primary product lines consist of USANAâ Nutritionals and Sensé — beautiful science® (“Sensé”), a unique line of skin and personal care products.  The USANAâ Nutritionals product line is further categorized into three separate classifications: Essentials, Optimizers, and Foods (formerly Macro-Optimizers).  BabyCare’s core nutritional products are categorized similarly.

 

USANA® Nutritionals

 

-Essentials

 

The Essentials category includes core vitamin and mineral supplements that provide a foundation of advanced total body nutrition for every age group beginning with children 13 months of age.  Two of our three top selling products, the USANA® Essentials and the HealthPak 100, are from this category.  The USANA® Essentials consist of two products: Mega Antioxidant and Chelated Mineral.  The HealthPak 100includes the USANA® Essentials and some key Optimizers conveniently packaged in a daily pillow pack form.  USANA’s customers in the United States also have the option of creating their own customized pre-packaged supplement regimen, similar to the HealthPak 100, called MyHealthPak.  MyHealthPaks can include virtually any of the Optimizers and Essentials.  Additionally, BabyCare offers a line of core vitamin and mineral supplements very similar to the Essentials that provide a foundation of advanced nutrition with three products designed specifically for prenatal, infant, and young child age groups.

 

-Optimizers

 

The Optimizers category consists of our targeted supplements that are designed to meet individual health and nutritional needs.  These products support needs such as cardiovascular health, skeletal/structural health, and digestive health, and are intended to be used in conjunction with the Essentials.  Our third top selling product, Proflavanol, is from this category.  Other key products in this category include BiOmega-3, CoQuinone® 30, Active Calcium, and Procosa® II.  BabyCare offers a line of targeted supplements very similar to the Optimizers.

 

As is customary at USANA, during the second half of 2010 we launched some new products, two of which feature our new Nutritional Hybrid Technology.  The first of these products is Proflavanol® C100, which is a combination of two of our most popular Optimizers, Proflavanol® and Poly C®.  The second of these products is Hepasil DTX, a comprehensive liver support formula. The other products that we introduced include a Digestive Enzyme tablet; Fibergy® Plus, a flavorless fiber blend additive; and Booster C 600, a lemon-berry flavored immune support supplement.

 

-Foods

 

USANA Foods rounds out the USANA Nutritionals product line and includes low-glycemic meal replacement shakes, snack bars, and other related products that provide optimal macro-nutrition (complex carbohydrates, complete proteins, and beneficial fats) in great tasting and convenient formats.  USANA Foods can be used along with Essentials and Optimizers to provide a complete and healthy diet and sustained energy throughout the day.  Also included in this category is our RESET weight-management program and accompanying RESET kit, which is conveniently packaged in a self-contained box with all of the USANA products that are needed to complete a five-day regimen designed to assist adults in losing weight and to begin a positive, long-term change in their diet.

 

Sensé — beautiful science®

 

The Sensé — beautiful science product line includes premium, science-based, personal care products that support healthy skin and hair by providing advanced topical nourishment, moisturization, and protection.  These products are designed to complement inner nutrition for the skin provided by the USANA® Nutritionals.  Sensé products are manufactured with our patented, self-preserving technology, which uses a unique blend of botanicals, antioxidants, and active ingredients to keep products fresh, without adding traditional chemical preservatives.

 

All Other

 

In addition to our primary product lines, we develop and sell materials and online tools that are designed to assist our Associates in building their businesses and in marketing our products.  These include items such as product brochures, business forms, and DVD’s.  New Associates are required to purchase a starter kit, which contains USANA training materials that help them build their businesses.  The kit includes an online training system that we call eApprentice™, which was developed to provide new Associates with immediate access to network marketing training that is both simple to use and easy to understand.  BabyCare offers similar resource materials and business tools to assist their Associates in building their businesses and marketing BabyCare products.  We do not pay any commissions on the sale of starter kits or sales tools.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Key Products Sales Data

 

The following table summarizes the approximate percentages of total product sales that were contributed by our major product lines for the last three fiscal years:

 

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

USANA® Nutritionals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Essentials

 

34

%

33

%

30

%

Optimizers

 

41

%

43

%

47

%

USANA Foods

 

12

%

12

%

12

%

Sensé — beautiful science®

 

10

%

9

%

8

%

All Other

 

3

%

3

%

3

%

 

The following table highlights sales data for our top-selling products as a percentage of total product sales for the last three fiscal years.

 

 

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

USANA® Essentials

 

20

%

19

%

18

%

HealthPak 100™

 

12

%

12

%

10

%

Proflavanol® 

 

10

%

11

%

11

%

 

Geographic Presence

 

Our products are distributed and sold in 15 markets.  We present information for these markets in two geographic regions: North America and Asia Pacific, with three sub-regions under Asia Pacific.  Markets are categorized into these regions as follows:

 

·                  North America —

 

·                  United States (including direct sales from the United States to the United Kingdom and the Netherlands)

 

·                  Canada

 

·                  Mexico

 

·                  Asia Pacific —

 

·                  Southeast Asia/Pacific — Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines

 

·                  Greater China(1) — Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China(2)

 

·                  North Asia — Japan and South Korea

 


(1) Formerly referred to as East Asia.

(2) Our business in China is that of BabyCare, which we indirectly acquired on August 16, 2010.

 

As a U.S.-based multi-national company with an expanding international presence, our operating results are becoming more sensitive to currency fluctuations, as well as economic and political conditions in markets throughout the world.  Net sales reported for each geographic region are determined by the location from which the product shipment originates and are reported for the last three fiscal years in the table that follows.  Additional financial information relating to our geographic regions can be found in Note M to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

Years Ended

 

Region

 

2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

North America

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

161,194

 

37.6

%

$

151,663

 

34.7

%

$

150,893

 

29.2

%

Canada

 

74,979

 

17.5

%

65,682

 

15.1

%

69,411

 

13.4

%

Mexico

 

23,630

 

5.5

%

22,384

 

5.1

%

21,843

 

4.2

%

 

 

259,803

 

60.6

%

239,729

 

54.9

%

242,147

 

46.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asia Pacific

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southeast Asia/Pacific

 

91,348

 

21.3

%

95,185

 

21.8

%

99,311

 

19.2

%

Greater China

 

61,410

 

14.3

%

81,455

 

18.6

%

152,280

 

29.4

%

North Asia

 

16,451

 

3.8

%

20,571

 

4.7

%

23,906

 

4.6

%

 

 

169,209

 

39.4

%

197,211

 

45.1

%

275,497

 

53.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

429,012

 

100.0

%

$

436,940

 

100.0

%

$

517,644

 

100.0

%

 

Research and Development

 

Our research and development efforts are focused on developing and providing high-quality, science-based products that reduce the risk of chronic degenerative disease and promote long-term health.  Our research and development activities include developing products that are new to USANA and new to the industry, updating existing formulas to keep them current with the latest science, and adapting existing formulas to meet ever-changing regulations in new and existing international markets.  Our scientific staff includes experts on human nutrition, cellular biology, biochemistry, natural product chemistry, and clinical research.  These experts continually review the latest published research on nutrition, attend scientific conferences, and work with a number of third-party research institutions and researchers to identify possible new products and opportunities to reformulate our existing products.

 

In 2010, we continued our relationship with the Linus Pauling Institute (“LPI”) at Oregon State University.  Our goal is to better determine and understand the function and role of micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in promoting optimal health and preventing disease.  As part of this relationship, our in-house research team works closely with LPI on nutritional and clinical research.  In 2011, we plan to continue our research efforts with LPI and maintain our ongoing nutrition research in preventing oxidative stress, glycemic stress, and chronic inflammation.

 

Our goal is to maintain a sharp focus on nutrition — both inside and outside the body — in promoting health and preventing chronic degenerative disease.  Because we believe in focusing primarily on key health issues within our society rather than on fads, we typically do not introduce a new product unless we believe that it can provide health benefits to a significant number of our customers.  As a result, we maintain a focused and compact line of products, which we believe simplifies the selling and buying process for our Associates and Preferred Customers.

 

We follow pharmaceutical standards established by the U.S. Pharmacopeia and other pharmacopeias in the development and formulation of our products.  Our ingredients are selected to meet a number of criteria, including, but not limited to: safety, potency, purity, stability, bio-availability, and natural versus synthetic.  We control the quality of our products beginning at the formulation stage, and we maintain our quality control through controlled sourcing of raw ingredients, manufacturing, packaging, and labeling.  In fiscal years 2008, 2009, and 2010, we expended $3.3 million, $3.6 million, and $3.8 million respectively, on product research and development activities.  We intend to continue dedicating resources at similar levels for research and development in future years.

 

Manufacturing and Quality Assurance

 

We conduct nearly all of the manufacturing, production and quality control operations for our nutritional and personal care products in-house.  We have established and maintain manufacturing and quality control facilities in Salt Lake City, Utah and Draper, Utah.  We also have a manufacturing and quality control facility in Tianjin, China.  Currently, however, this facility does not manufacture any of our products.  BabyCare manufactures and produces nearly all of its products in-house and maintains manufacturing and quality control facilities in Beijing, China, and will also utilize our facility in Tianjin, China.  Additional information about our U.S. manufacturing, production and quality control operations is set out below.

 

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Tablet Manufacturing

 

Tablet manufacturing is conducted at our Salt Lake City, Utah manufacturing facility.  Our tablet production process uses automatic and semi-automatic equipment and includes the following activities: identifying and evaluating suppliers of raw materials, acquiring raw materials, analyzing raw material quality, weighing or otherwise measuring raw materials, mixing raw materials into batches, forming mixtures into tablets, coating and sorting the tablets, analyzing tablet quality, packaging finished products, and analyzing finished product quality.  We conduct sample testing of raw materials, in-process materials, and finished products for purity, potency, and composition to determine whether our products conform to our internal specifications, and we maintain complete documentation for each of these tests.  We employ a qualified staff of professionals to develop, implement and maintain a quality system designed to assure that our products are manufactured to our internal and applicable regulatory agency specifications.

 

Our Salt Lake City manufacturing facility is registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”), Health Canada Natural Health Products Directorate, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (“TGA”), and other governmental agencies, as required.  This facility is audited regularly by various organizations and government agencies to assess, among other things, compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice regulations (“GMPs”) and with labeling claims.  Based on these audits, our Salt Lake City manufacturing facility has received and maintains certifications from the Islamic Foods and Nutrition Counsel of America in compliance with Halal, NSF International in compliance with product testing and GMPs, and the TGA in compliance with the Therapeutic Goods Act of 1989.

 

Historically, the manufacture of nutritional or dietary supplements and related products in the United States has required compliance with food-model GMPs promulgated by the FDA.  In June 2007, however, the FDA published GMPs for dietary supplements, which became effective June 1, 2008.  The dietary supplement GMPs are based on the food-model GMPs, with additional requirements that are specific to dietary supplements.  We believe our manufacturing processes comply with the GMPs for dietary supplements.

 

Personal Care Manufacturing

 

We manufacture the majority of our personal care products at our Draper, Utah manufacturing facility.  The production process for personal care products includes identifying and evaluating suppliers of raw materials, acquiring raw materials, analyzing raw material quality, weighing or otherwise measuring the raw materials, mixing raw materials into batches, analyzing liquid batch quality, packaging finished products, and analyzing finished product quality.  We conduct sample testing of raw materials, in-process materials, and finished products for purity, potency, and composition to determine whether our products conform to our internal specifications, and we maintain complete documentation for each of these tests.

 

At our Draper facility, we have standard technology for producing batches of personal care items, and we have semi-automatic packaging equipment for packaging end products.  We employ qualified staff to develop, implement, and maintain a quality system.  Although the FDA has not promulgated GMPs for personal care items, it has issued guidelines for manufacturing personal care products.  We voluntarily maintain compliance with the guidance established by FDA and the Personal Care Products Council.

 

Third-Party Suppliers and Manufacturers

 

We contract with third-party suppliers and manufacturers for the production of some of our products, which account for approximately 27% of our product sales.  These third-party suppliers and manufacturers produce and, in most cases, package these products according to formulations that have been developed by, or in conjunction with, our in-house product development team.  These products include gelatin-capsulated supplements, Rev3 Energy™ Drink, Probiotic, our powdered drink mixes and nutrition bars, and certain of our personal care products.  Products manufactured at these locations must also go through quality control and assurance procedures to ensure they are manufactured in conformance with our specifications.

 

Quality Control/Assurance

 

We conduct quality control processes in two in-house laboratories that are located in Salt Lake City, Utah.  In our microbiology laboratory, scientists test for biological contamination of raw materials and finished goods.  In our analytical chemistry laboratory, scientists test for chemical contamination and accurate levels of active ingredients in both raw materials and finished products.  Both laboratories conduct stability tests on finished products to determine the shelf life of our products.  Our laboratory staff also performs chemical assays on vitamin and mineral constituents, using United States Pharmacopoeia methods and other internally validated methods.  In addition to our quality control and clinical laboratories, our headquarters facility also houses a laboratory designated for research and development.

 

Raw Materials

 

Most of the raw ingredients that are used in the manufacture of our products are available from a number of suppliers.  We have not generally experienced difficulty in obtaining necessary quantities of raw ingredients.  When supplies of certain raw materials have

 

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Table of Contents

 

tightened, we have been able to find alternative sources of raw materials, and believe we will be able to do so in the future, if the need arises. Accordingly, we are not subject to a single-source supplier for our required supplies of raw ingredients.  Our raw material suppliers must demonstrate stringent process and quality control before we use their products in our manufacturing process.

 

Distribution and Marketing

 

General

 

We distribute our products internationally through a network marketing system, which is a form of person-to-person direct selling.  Under this system, distributors purchase products at wholesale prices from the manufacturer for resale to consumers and for personal consumption.  The concept of network marketing is based on the strength of personal recommendations that frequently come from friends, neighbors, relatives, and close acquaintances.  We believe that network marketing is an effective way to distribute our products because it allows person-to-person product education and testimonials as well as higher levels of customer service, all of which are not as readily available through other distribution channels.

 

Structure of Network Marketing Program

 

Associates.  A person who wishes to sell USANA products must join our independent sales force as an Associate.  A person becomes an Associate by completing an application under the sponsorship of an existing Associate.  The new Associate then becomes part of the sponsoring Associate’s “down-line” sales organization.  New Associates sign a written contract and agree to adhere to the USANA policies and procedures.  Under the policies and procedures, Associates may not, among other things: (i) use deceptive or unlawful practices to sell USANA products; (ii) make deceptive or unlawful claims or representations concerning our products or Compensation Plan; and (iii) sell competitive products to other USANA Associates or solicit USANA Associates to participate in other network marketing opportunities.  New Associates are required to purchase a starter kit that includes a detailed manual describing our business and products as well as our policies and procedures.  We sell these kits at a nominal cost of less than $50 in each of our markets.  No other investment is required to become an Associate and start a home-based business with USANA.

 

Once a person becomes an Associate, he or she is able to purchase products directly from us at wholesale prices for personal use and resale to customers.  Our Associates are also entitled to build sales organizations by attracting and enrolling new Associates and establishing a network of product users.  The sponsoring of new Associates results in the creation of multiple levels within our network marketing structure.  Sponsored Associates are referred to as part of the “down-line” of the sponsoring Associate.  Down-line Associates may also sponsor new Associates, creating additional levels in their network, but also forming a part of the same down-line as the original sponsoring Associate.  As outlined below, Associates who are interested in earning additional income must successfully sell USANA products and establish a business network/down-line in order to qualify for commissions, including bonuses.  Subject to payment of a minimal annual account renewal fee, Associates may continue to distribute or consume our products as long as they adhere to our policies and procedures.

 

Individuals who reside in China and who are interested in being part of USANA’s organization in China may do so by joining BabyCare as an Associate. The process for becoming a BabyCare Associate is very similar to the process for joining USANA and requires an initial Associate application and an agreement by the Associate to adhere to BabyCare’s policies and procedures.  BabyCare, like USANA, provides an Associate with opportunities to build a sales organization and receive compensation for sales generated by that organization.  In accordance with the direct selling laws in China, however, BabyCare Associates do not participate in USANA’s Compensation Plan.  Instead, they are compensated under BabyCare’s compensation plan only, which has been created and implemented specifically for China.

 

Preferred Customers.  We also sell directly to customers who purchase products only for personal use.  This program is our “Preferred Customer” program.  Preferred Customers may not resell or distribute our products.  We believe this program gives us access to a market that would otherwise be missed, by targeting customers who enjoy USANA products, but who prefer not to maintain a distribution relationship with us.  Although our policies prohibit Preferred Customers from engaging in retail sales of products, they may enroll as Associates at any time, if they desire.  Preferred Customers are not eligible to earn commissions or to participate in our Compensation Plan.  BabyCare also utilizes a Preferred Customer program, which is similar to USANA’s Preferred Customer program.

 

Associate Training and Motivation

 

Initial training of Associates about the products, the Compensation Plan, network marketing, and about USANA is provided primarily by an Associate’s sponsor and others in their sales organization.  We develop and sell training materials and sales tools to assist Associates in building their businesses, as well as provide reprints from other commercial publications that feature USANA and may be used as sales tools.  We also sponsor and conduct regional, national, and international Associate events, as well as intensive leadership training seminars.  Attendance at these sessions is voluntary, and we undertake no generalized effort to provide individualized training to Associates, although experience shows that the most effective and successful Associates participate in training activities.  Although we

 

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provide leadership training and sales tools, we ultimately rely on our Associates to: (i) sell our products, (ii) attract new Associates and Preferred Customers to purchase our products, and (iii) educate and train new Associates regarding our products and Compensation Plan.

 

Associate Compensation

 

As outlined below, our Compensation Plan provides several opportunities for Associates to earn compensation, provided they are willing to consistently work at building, training, and retaining their down-line organizations to sell USANA products to consumers.  The purpose behind each form of compensation under our Compensation Plan is to reward Associates for generating product sales either directly or indirectly through their down-line sales organization and network of product consumers.  We believe our Compensation Plan is among the most generous in the network marketing industry and distinctive for its weekly payouts to Associates.

 

Associates can earn compensation in four ways:

 

·      Commissions.  The primary way an Associate is compensated is through earning commissions.  Associates earn commissions through generating sales volume points, which are a measure of the product sales of their down-line sales organization.  Sales volume points are assigned to each of our products and comprise a certain percent of the product price in U.S. dollars.  To be eligible to earn commissions, an Associate must purchase a certain amount of product each month (“Qualifying Purchases”), which they may resell to consumers or use personally.  Associates do not earn commissions on these Qualifying Purchases.  Associates only earn commissions on the purchase of products by Associates in their down-line organization and Preferred Customers.  Additionally, Associates do not earn commissions for simply recruiting and enrolling others in their down-line organization.  Commissions are paid only when products are sold.  We pay Associate commissions on a weekly basis.  As noted elsewhere in this report, BabyCare maintains its own compensation plan for its operations in China.  Commissions paid under the BabyCare compensation plan are structured differently than commissions paid by USANA in its other markets, as necessary to comply with Chinese direct selling law.

 

·      Bonuses.  We offer Associates several bonus opportunities, including our leadership bonus, elite bonus, and matching bonus.  Historically, leadership bonus has been our primary incentive bonus to Associates.  However, in 2008, we introduced two new ways for Associates to earn additional compensation: elite bonus and matching bonus.  These bonus opportunities are based on a pay-for-performance philosophy and, therefore, are paid out when the Associate achieves the required performance measures.

 

·      Retail Mark-Ups.  As discussed previously, our Associates purchase products from us at wholesale prices and resell them to consumers at higher retail prices.  The Associate retains the retail mark-up as another form of compensation.

 

·      Contests and Promotions.  We periodically sponsor contests and promotions designed to incentivize Associates to generate sales and grow their down-line organization and product users.  These promotions are also based on a pay-for-performance philosophy and, therefore, are only paid upon the achievement of the promotion objectives.

 

We endeavor to integrate our Compensation Plan seamlessly across all markets where legally permissible, allowing Associates to receive commissions for global—not merely local—product sales.  This seamless down-line structure is designed to allow an Associate to build a global network by establishing or expanding their down-line in any of the markets where we operate.  We believe our Compensation Plan significantly enhances our ability to expand internationally, and we intend, where permitted, to continue to integrate new markets into our Compensation Plan.  However, in light of the direct selling laws in China, BabyCare Associates do not participate in USANA’s Compensation Plan.  Instead, they are compensated under BabyCare’s compensation plan, which has been created and implemented specifically for China.

 

Industry Overview

 

As both a manufacturer and a direct seller of nutritional and personal care products, we compete within two industries: nutrition and direct selling.  The nutrition industry includes many companies that manufacture and distribute products that are generally intended to maintain the body’s health and general well-being, including the following:

 

·      Nutritional Supplements—products such as vitamins and minerals, specialty supplements, herbs and botanicals, meal replacements, dietary supplements, and derivative compounds;

 

·      Natural and Organic Foods—products such as cereals, milk, non-dairy beverages, and frozen entrees;

 

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·      Functional Foods—products with added ingredients or fortification that are designed specifically for health or performance purposes; and

 

·      Natural Personal Care—products combining nutrition with skin care.

 

In its November/December 2009 issue, the Nutrition Business Journal (“NBJ”) reported that global nutrition industry sales increased 8% to $270 billion in 2008 compared with 2007.  As noted in this issue, the 8% increase was down only slightly from the 8.6% compound annual growth rate achieved by the industry between 2001 and 2008.  According to NBJ, in 2008 functional foods and beverages represented 36% of global industry sales, nutritional supplements represented 28%, natural and organic foods represented 26%, and natural and organic personal care and household products represented 10%.  Notably, NBJ does not publish a Global Nutrition Industry Overview on an annual basis and, therefore, the most recent global sales information provided above does not reflect the impact of the global economic challenges that have been present since late 2008.

 

In its June/July 2010 issue, NBJ reported that U.S. consumer sales of nutrition products, which include the product categories listed above, increased an estimated 4.4% to $108.3 billion in 2009.  They noted that while any level of growth during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression should be viewed as a positive, 2009 was the lowest year-over-year growth rate that they have seen since they began tracking nutrition product sales in 1996.  According to NBJ, in 2009, functional foods and beverages represented 34% of industry sales in the U.S., natural and organic foods represented 31%, nutritional supplements represented 25%, and natural and organic personal care and household products represented 10%.  NBJ also noted in this issue that the U.S. nutrition industry is predicted to post a compound annual growth rate of 7% over the next four years (beginning with 2010).

 

We believe that the following factors drive growth in the nutrition industry:

 

·      The general public’s heightened awareness and understanding of the connection between diet and health;

 

·      The aging population, particularly the baby-boomer generation in the U.S., who tend to use more nutritional supplementation as they age;

 

·      Rising health care costs and the worldwide trend toward preventative health care; and

 

·      Product introductions in response to new scientific findings.

 

NBJ has also noted in a few of its issues published during 2009 and 2010 that, despite the economic downturn over the last few years, the nutrition industry has fared well because of growing consumer interest in self care.  In its June/July 2009 issue, it noted that dietary supplements in the U.S. have been particularly resilient because, as more people lose their jobs and ability to pay for healthcare, many are turning to supplements to remain healthy.  The global recession has, however, presented more of a growth challenge for premium products.  Another challenge for the nutrition industry that NBJ highlighted in its June/July 2010 issue is the increased regulatory and other scrutiny against companies within the industry for various reasons, including the fraudulent marketing of steroids as supplements, and the adulteration of supplements with prescription drugs or banned substances.

 

Nutritional products are distributed through six major sales channels:

 

·      Mass market retailers, including mass merchandisers, drug stores, supermarkets, and discount stores;

 

·      Natural health food retailers;

 

·      Network marketing;

 

·      Mail order;

 

·      Healthcare professionals and practitioners; and

 

·      The Internet.

 

We distribute our products through a network marketing system, which is a common form of direct selling.  According to the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (“WFDSA”), the direct selling industry currently generates approximately $117 billion annually in worldwide retail sales, through approximately 74 million independent distributors.

 

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Although U.S. retail sales in the direct selling industry have declined slightly over the last few years, according to statistics compiled by the Direct Selling Association (the U.S. member of WFDSA) the United States remains the largest market for direct selling, with $28.3 billion in annual retail sales and 16 million independent distributors in 2009.  According to the Direct Selling Association, wellness products, which include nutritional supplements and functional foods, accounted for 22.8% of the U.S. direct retail sales in 2009 and personal care products accounted for 21.3% of such sales.

 

Operating Strengths

 

Our principal objective is to be a leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of science-based nutritional and personal care products and to create a rewarding opportunity through network marketing for our Associates who distribute our products.  Our strategy is to capitalize on our operating strengths, which include: a strong research and development program; in-house manufacturing capability; science-based products; an attractive Associate compensation plan; a scalable business model; and an experienced management team.

 

Emphasis on Research and Development.  We have a technical team of experienced scientists, including several holding Ph.D. degrees, quality engineers, and regulatory specialists who contribute to our research and development activities.  In our research and development laboratories, our scientists and researchers:

 

·      Investigate activities of natural extracts and formulated products in both laboratory and in clinical settings;

 

·      Identify and research combinations of nutrients that may be candidates for new products;

 

·      Develop new nutritional ingredients for use in supplements;

 

·      Study the metabolic activities of existing and newly identified nutritional ingredients;

 

·      Enhance existing products, as new discoveries in nutrition and skin care are made; and

 

·      Formulate products to meet diverse regulatory requirements across all of our markets.

 

Our scientists and researchers also conduct double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical studies which are intended to further evaluate the efficacy of our products.  In addition, we work with outside research organizations to further support various aspects of our research and development efforts.  One of these organizations is the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.  Our work with the Linus Pauling Institute will advance the science of human nutrition and health, provide us with valuable information to formulate and upgrade our nutritional products, and better advise our customers on how to use USANA products.  We have also funded clinical research programs at Boston University, the University of Colorado, the University of Utah, and Sydney University in Australia.  Additionally, our Scientific Advisory Council, comprised of health care professionals worldwide, provides us with valuable insights into product applications and efficacy.  It is through our internal research and development efforts and our relationships with outside research organizations and health care providers that we can provide what we believe to be some of the highest quality health products in the industry.

 

In-house Manufacturing.  We manufacture products that account for approximately 73% of our product sales.  We believe that our ability to manufacture our own products in-house is a significant competitive advantage for the following reasons:

 

·      We can better control the quality of raw materials and finished products;

 

·      We can more reliably monitor the manufacturing process to better guarantee potency and bioavailability and to reduce the risk of product contamination;

 

·      We can better control production schedules to increase the likelihood of maintaining an uninterrupted supply of products for our customers;

 

·      We are able to produce most of our own prototypes in the research phase of product development; and

 

·      We are better able to manage the underlying costs associated with manufacturing our products.

 

Science-based Products.  As a result of our emphasis on research and development and our in-house manufacturing capabilities, we have developed a focused and relatively limited line of high-quality health products that we believe provides health benefits to our customers.  Our products have been developed based on a combination of published research, in-house laboratory and third-party clinical

 

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studies, and sponsored research.  Additionally, we design, manufacture, package, and label our products in a manner that we believe is consistent with the more stringent pharmaceutical standards, rather than the standards set for dietary supplements.

 

Attractive Associate Compensation Plan and Support.  We are committed to increasing our product sales by providing a highly competitive compensation plan to attract and retain Associates who constitute our sales force.  We believe that our Compensation Plan is one of the most financially rewarding in the network marketing industry.  We further incent our Associates by paying incentives on a weekly basis.  Additionally, our Compensation Plan is, where legally permissible, a global-seamless plan, meaning that Associates can be compensated each week for their business success in any market in which they have a down-line organization where we conduct business.  As discussed elsewhere in this report, in accordance with the direct selling laws in China, BabyCare Associates do not participate in USANA’s Compensation Plan. Instead, they are compensated under BabyCare’s compensation plan, which has been created specifically to comply with the regulations in China. We believe that BabyCare’s compensation plan is among the most rewarding distributor compensation plans in China.

 

To support our Associates, we sponsor meetings and events throughout the year, which offer information about our products and our network marketing system.  These meetings are designed to assist Associates in business development and to provide a forum for interaction with some of our Associate leaders and with members of the USANA management team.  We also provide low-cost sales tools and resources, which we believe are an integral part of building and maintaining a successful home-based business for our Associates.  For example, during the third quarter of 2010, we introduced a new interactive presentation tool, called Health and Freedom Solution, which was created and designed to help our Associates easily explain and share the USANA opportunity, including the benefits of our products and our Compensation Plan.

 

In addition to Company-sponsored meetings and sales tools and resources, we maintain a website exclusively for our Associates, where they can keep up on the latest USANA news, obtain training materials, manage their personal information, enroll new customers, shop for products, and register for Company-sponsored events.  Additionally, through this website, Associates can access other online services to which they may subscribe.  For example, we offer an online business management service, which includes a tool that helps Associates track and manage their business activity, a personal webpage to which prospects or retail customers can be directed, e-cards for advertising, and a tax tracking tool.

 

We also believe that recognition is an important factor in supporting and retaining our Associates.  We understand that being a successful USANA Associate requires hard work and dedication.  We frequently hold a variety of contests and promotions, rewarding our Associates for their achievements to help motivate them and recognize their efforts.  We also celebrate key achievements and rank advancements of our Associates.  We believe that our recognition programs and contests greatly contribute to our ability to retain our Associates.

 

Business Model.  We believe that our business model provides, among others, the following advantages:

 

·      Our business model does not require a company-employed sales force to sell our products, and we experience a minimal incremental cost to add a new Associate;

 

·      Commissions paid to our Associates are tied to sales performance;

 

·      Because payment is required at the time an Associate or Preferred Customer purchases product, accounts receivable are avoided on the sale of products;

 

·      We have a monthly product subscription program known as “Autoship,” which we utilize in all of our markets and provides a stream of recurring revenue (for the year ended January 1, 2011, this program represented 40% of our sales); and

 

·      We can readily expand into new international markets with only moderate investment because, for markets other than China, we generally maintain only one administrative and customer support office and one or two warehouses in each of these markets.

 

Experienced Management Team.  Our management team includes individuals with expertise in various scientific and managerial disciplines, including nutrition, product research and development, international development, marketing, customer network development, information technology, finance, and operations.  This team is responsible for supporting growth, research and development, international expansion, strengthening our financial condition, and improving our internal controls.

 

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Growth Strategy

 

We seek to grow our business by pursuing the following strategies:

 

Attract and Retain Associates.  Our Associates are the key to the growth of our business.  Accordingly, we must continue to attract and retain Associates.  For this reason, our management team maintains a close working relationship with our Associate leaders.  In addition to our Annual International Convention and our Asia Pacific Convention, we hold several regional events in key growth areas to provide support and training to new Associates.  Additionally, we continue to increase our investment in these events and in the marketing of our Compensation Plan to aid Associates in improving the productivity of their businesses.  Over the last couple of years we have worked closely with certain of our Associate leaders to develop new and unique training tools to assist in the personal development and growth of our new Associates.  These training tools are designed to serve as a guide for someone new to USANA and network marketing who has the entrepreneurial spirit to own and operate a home-based business.  In addition to these new sales tools, we have also increased our emphasis on building global awareness of the USANA brand.  This includes our enhanced partnership with the Women’s Tennis Association (“WTA”).  Not only are we the official health supplement supplier to the WTA, but we now have six top players who are dedicated to promoting our products and brand.  We seek to leverage this relationship to build brand credibility and increase product consumption and loyalty.  While these branding efforts have a global reach, the primary objective of this initiative is to grow sales and the number of Associates in North America.

 

Successfully Develop China.  In light of the rapid growth in our Asia Pacific region and our successful Asian Associate base, we believe that China represents the most significant and imminent growth opportunity for us.  To capitalize on this opportunity, in August 2010, we indirectly acquired BabyCare, a direct selling company organized under the laws of China.  We believe our acquisition of BabyCare accelerates our growth potential in China for several reasons, including: (i) the license granted to BabyCare from the Chinese government, which allows BabyCare to engage in direct selling in the municipality of Beijing; and (ii) BabyCare’s existing management team, which has agreed to continue to operate BabyCare and has extensive experience in the Chinese direct selling market as well as in Chinese government relations.  BabyCare is working to obtain similar direct selling licenses in other provinces within China.  We are also working with the Chinese government to have several USANA products approved for sale by BabyCare in China.  We hope to have many of these products approved in 2011.

 

Introduce New and Re-formulate Existing Products.  Our research and development team is continually reviewing the latest scientific findings related to nutrition, conducting in-house research and clinical trials, looking at new technologies, and attending scientific conferences.  If, in the process, we see potential for a new product or ingredient that provides a measurable and important health benefit, and if we believe this benefit can be realized by our customers, we will generally pursue development of that product.  During the third and fourth quarters of 2010, we launched some new products, two of which feature our new Nutritional Hybrid Technology, which allows us to combine two distinct formulas into one bi-layered tablet for advanced ingredient combinations and improved product stability.  The first of these products is Proflavanol® C100, which is a combination of two of our most popular Optimizers, Proflavanol® and Poly C®.  The second of these products is Hepasil DTX, a comprehensive liver support formula.  The other products that we introduced include a Digestive Enzyme tablet; Fibergy® Plus, a flavorless fiber blend additive; and Booster C 600, a lemon-berry flavored immune support supplement.

 

Enter New Markets.  We believe that significant growth opportunities continue to exist in markets where we currently conduct business and in new international markets.  New markets are selected following an assessment of several factors, including market size, anticipated demand for USANA products, receptiveness to network marketing, and the market entry process, which includes consideration of possible regulatory restrictions on our products or our network marketing system.  We have begun to register certain products with regulatory and government agencies in preparation for further international expansion.  Wherever possible, we expect to seamlessly integrate the Compensation Plan in each market to allow Associates to receive commissions for global—not merely local—product sales.  This seamless down-line structure is designed to allow an Associate to build a global network by creating a down-line across national borders.  We believe our seamless Compensation Plan significantly enhances our ability to expand internationally, and we intend, where permitted, to integrate the future markets that we open into this plan.  While we deem new market expansion as a key growth strategy, given the significant opportunity that currently exists in China, we plan to focus the majority of our time and resources on growing sales in that market.

 

Pursue Strategic Acquisitions.  We believe that attractive acquisition opportunities may arise in the future.  We intend to pursue strategic acquisition opportunities that would grow our customer base, expand our product lines, enhance our manufacturing and technical expertise, allow vertical integration, or otherwise complement our business or further our strategic goals.

 

Competition

 

We compete with manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of nutritional products for consumers, and with network marketing companies for distributors.  On both fronts, some of our competitors are significantly larger than we are, have longer operating history, higher visibility and name recognition, and greater financial resources than we do.  We compete with these entities by emphasizing the

 

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underlying science, value, and superior quality of our products, the simplicity in our product offerings, and the convenience and financial benefits afforded by our network marketing system and global seamless Compensation Plan.

 

Our business is driven primarily by our distributors, whom we refer to as Associates.  Our ability to compete with other network marketing companies depends, in significant part, on our success in attracting and retaining Associates.  There can be no assurance that our programs for attracting and retaining Associates will be successful.  The pool of individuals interested in network marketing is limited in each market and is reduced to the extent other network marketing companies successfully attract these individuals into their businesses.  Although we believe that we offer an attractive opportunity for our Associates, there can be no assurance that other network marketing companies will not be able to recruit our existing Associates or deplete the pool of potential Associates in a given market.

 

We believe that the leading network marketing company in the world, based on total sales, is Amway Corporation and its affiliates, and that Avon Products, Inc. is the leading direct seller of beauty and related products worldwide.  Leading competitors in the nutritional network marketing and nutritional product industry include Herbalife Ltd., Inc.; Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc; NBTY, Inc.; and Schiff Nutrition International, Inc.  Based on information that is publicly available, 2009 net sales of the aforementioned companies range from $205 million to $10.3 billion.  We believe there are other manufacturers of competing product lines that may launch direct selling enterprises that will compete with us in certain product lines and in the recruiting of Associates.  There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully meet the challenges posed by increased competition.

 

Product Returns

 

Product returns have not been a material factor in our business, totaling approximately 1.6% in both 2008 and 2009, and 1.1% in 2010.  Because our emphasis on customer satisfaction is a hallmark of our business model, our standard policy allows Associates to return any unused product from their first purchase within the first 30 days following their purchase for a 100% refund of the sales price.  Thereafter, any returned product that is unused and resalable is refunded up to one year from the date of purchase at 100% of the sales price, less a 10% restocking fee.  According to the terms of the Associate agreement, return of product where the purchase amount exceeds $100 and was not damaged at the time of receipt by the Associate may result in cancellation of the Associate’s distributorship.  Depending upon the conditions under which product was returned Associates and Preferred Customers may either receive a refund based on their original form of payment, or credit on account for a product exchange.  This standard policy differs slightly in a few of our international markets due to the regulatory environment in those markets.

 

Major Customers

 

Sales are made to independent Associates and Preferred Customers.  No single customer has ever accounted for 10% or more of net sales in any fiscal year.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the nature of our business model results in a significant amount of sales to several different Associate leaders and their downline sales organizations.  Although no single Associate has ever accounted for 10% or more of our net sales, the loss of a key Associate leader or that Associate’s downline sales organization would adversely affect our net sales and our overall operating results.

 

Compliance by Associates

 

We continually monitor and review our Associates’ compliance with our policies and procedures as well the laws and regulations applicable to our business. Part of this review entails an assessment of our Associates’ sales activities to ensure that Associates are actually selling products to consumers.  Our policies and procedures require Associates to present our products and the USANA opportunity ethically and honestly.  Associates are not permitted to make claims about our products or Compensation Plan that are not consistent with our policies and procedures and applicable laws and regulations.  The majority of our Associates must use marketing and promotional materials provided by USANA.  Associates who have achieved a certain leadership threshold are permitted, however, to produce marketing and promotional materials, but only if such materials are approved by USANA prior to use.

 

From time to time, some Associates fail to adhere to our policies and procedures. We systematically review reports of alleged Associate misbehavior.  Infractions of the policies and procedures are reported to our compliance group, who determine what disciplinary action is warranted in each case.  More serious infractions are reported to our Compliance Committee, which includes USANA executives.  If we determine that an Associate has violated any of our policies and procedures, we may take a number of disciplinary actions, such as warnings, fines or probation.  We may also withdraw or deny awards, suspend privileges, withhold commissions until specific conditions are satisfied, or take other appropriate actions in our discretion.  More serious infractions may result in termination of the Associate’s purchase and distribution rights.

 

We believe that Associate compliance is critical to the integrity of our business, and, therefore, we are aggressive in ensuring that our Associates comply with our policies and procedures.  As explained above, when an Associate fails to comply with our policies and procedures, we may terminate their purchase and distribution rights.  From time to time, we become involved in litigation with an Associate whose purchase and distribution rights have been terminated.  We consider such litigation to be routine and incidental to our business and will continue to be aggressive in ensuring that our Associates comply with our policies and procedures.

 

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Information Technology

 

We believe that the ability to efficiently manage distribution, compensation, manufacturing, inventory, and communication functions through the use of sophisticated and dependable information processing systems is critical to our success.  Our information technology resources are maintained primarily by our in-house staff to optimally support our customer base and core business processes.  Our IT staff manages an array of systems and processes which support our global operations 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.  Three of our critical applications include the following:

 

·      A web-based application that provides online services to Associates, such as training sessions and presentations, online shopping, enrollment, Company and product information, and other tools to help Associates effectively manage their business and down-line organizations.

 

·      A web-enabled order-entry system that handles order entry, customer information, compensation, the hierarchy of Associates, returns, invoices, and other transactional-based processes.

 

·      A fully integrated world-wide Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) system that handles accounting, human resources, inventory management, production processes, quality assurance, and reporting requirements in a multinational environment.  This Oracle-based ERP system supports global data integrity and multinational corporate governance and compliance.

 

Our web applications are supported by a clustered environment and a redundant system outside of our home office, which serves as a disaster recovery site.

 

Regulatory Matters

 

Product Regulation.  Numerous governmental agencies in the United States and other countries regulate the manufacturing, packaging, labeling, advertising, promoting, distributing, and the selling of nutrition, health, beauty, and weight-management products.  In the United States, advertisement of our products is regulated by the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) under the FTC Act and, where such advertising is considered to be product labeling by the FDA, under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”) and the regulations thereunder.  USANA products in the U.S. are also subject to regulation by, among others, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency.  The manufacturing, labeling, and advertising of our products are also regulated by various governmental agencies in each country in which they are distributed.  For example, in Australia, product registration, labeling and manufacturing is regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and, in Japan, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.  In our newest market, China, the State Food and Drug Administration (“SFDA”) regulates product registration, labeling and manufacturing.

 

Our largest selling product group includes products that are regulated as dietary supplements under the FDCA.  Dietary supplements are also regulated in the United States under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (“DSHEA”), which we believe is generally favorable to the dietary supplement industry.  Some of our powdered drink, food bar, and other nutrition products are regulated as foods under the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 (“NLEA”).  The NLEA establishes requirements for ingredient and nutritional labeling including product labeling claims.

 

Under these regulations, a dietary supplement that contains a new dietary ingredient (defined as an ingredient not on the market before October 15, 1994) must have a history of use or other evidence of safety establishing that it is reasonably expected to be safe.  The manufacturer must notify the FDA at least 75 days before marketing products containing new dietary ingredients and must provide the FDA with the information upon which the manufacturer has based its conclusion that the product has a reasonable expectation of safety.

 

Historically, the manufacture of nutritional or dietary supplements and related products in the United States has required compliance with food-model GMPs promulgated by the FDA.  In June 2007, however, the FDA published GMPs for dietary supplements, which became effective June 1, 2008.  The dietary supplement GMPs are based on the food-model GMPs, with additional requirements that are specific to dietary supplements.  We believe our manufacturing processes comply with these GMPs for dietary supplements.

 

In general, our personal care products, which are regulated as cosmetic products by the FDA, are not subject to pre-market approval by that agency.  Cosmetics, however, are subject to regulation by the FDA under the FDCA adulteration and misbranding provisions.  Cosmetics also are subject to specific labeling regulations, including warning statements, if the safety of a cosmetic is not adequately substantiated or if the product may be hazardous, as well as ingredient statements and other packaging requirements under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act.  Cosmetics that meet the definition of a drug (i.e., that are intended to treat or prevent disease or affect the structure or function of the body), such as sunscreens, are regulated as drugs.  Over-the-counter (“OTC”) drug products, including cosmetics, may be marketed if they conform to the requirements of the OTC monograph that is applicable to that drug.  Drug products not conforming to monograph requirements require an approved New Drug Application (“NDA”) before marketing may begin.  Under

 

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these provisions, if the agency were to find that a product or ingredient of one of our OTC drug products is not generally recognized as safe and effective or is not included in a final monograph that is applicable to one of our OTC drug products, we would be required to reformulate or cease marketing that product until it is the subject of an approved NDA or until the time, if ever, that the monograph is amended to include such product.

 

Advertising of our products in the U.S. is subject to regulation by the FTC under the FTC Act.  Section 5 of the FTC Act prohibits unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce.  Section 12 of the FTC Act provides that disseminating any false advertisement pertaining to drugs or foods, which includes dietary supplements, is an unfair or deceptive act or practice.  Under the FTC’s Substantiation Doctrine, an advertiser is required to have a “reasonable basis” for all objective product claims before the claims are made.  Failure to adequately substantiate claims may be considered either deceptive or unfair practices.  Pursuant to this FTC requirement, we are required to have adequate substantiation for all material advertising claims that we make for our products in the U.S.

 

In recent years, the FTC has initiated numerous investigations of and actions against companies that sell dietary supplement, weight-management, and cosmetic products.  The FTC has issued guidance to assist companies in understanding and complying with its substantiation requirement.  We believe that we have adequate substantiation for all material advertising claims that we make for our products in the U.S., and we believe that we have organized the documentation to support our advertising and promotional practices in compliance with these guidelines.  However, no assurance can be given that the FTC would reach the same conclusion if it were to review or question our substantiation for our advertising claims in the U.S.

 

The FTC may enforce compliance with the law in a variety of ways, both administratively and judicially, using compulsory process, cease and desist orders, and injunctions.  FTC enforcement can result in orders requiring, among other things, limits on advertising, corrective advertising, consumer redress, divestiture of assets, rescission of contracts, and such other relief as the agency deems necessary to protect the public.  Violation of these orders could result in substantial financial or other penalties.  Although, to our knowledge, we have not been the subject of any action by the FTC, no assurance can be given that the FTC will not question our advertising or other operations in the U.S. in the future.  Any action in the future by the FTC could materially and adversely affect our ability to successfully market our products in the U.S.

 

In December 2007, the Dietary Supplement & Nonprescription Drug Consumer Protection Act went into effect and requires manufacturers of dietary supplement and over-the-counter products to notify the FDA when they receive reports of serious adverse events occurring within the United States.  We have an internal adverse event reporting system that has been in place for several years and believe that we are in compliance with this law.

 

In markets outside the United States, prior to commencing operations or marketing products, we may be required to obtain approvals, licenses, or certifications from a country’s Food Administration, Ministry of Health or comparable agency.  Approvals or licensing may be conditioned on reformulation of USANA products for the market or may be unavailable with respect to certain products or product ingredients.  We must also comply with local product labeling and packaging regulations that vary from country to country.  For example, China, our newest market, extensively regulates the registration, labeling and marketing of our products.  In China, our nutritional products are typically classified as “health foods” and our personal care products are typically classified as “non-special purpose cosmetics”.    The registration process for health foods is complex and generally requires extensive analysis and approval by the SFDA.  As a result, it may take several years to register a product as a health food in China.  BabyCare has successfully completed the registration process for its health food products.  We have completed the registration process for several of our health food products and anticipate having these products available for sale through BabyCare in 2011.  We continue to work through the registration process for other health food products and certain cosmetic products, which we also hope to begin selling through BabyCare in 2011.

 

We cannot predict the nature of any future laws, regulations, interpretations, or applications, nor can we determine what effect additional governmental regulations or administrative orders, when and if promulgated, would have on our business.  Future changes could include requirements for the reformulation of certain products to meet new standards, the recall or discontinuation of certain products that cannot be reformulated, additional record keeping, expanded documentation of the properties of certain products, expanded or different labeling, and additional scientific substantiation.  Any or all of these requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.

 

Network Marketing Regulation.  Laws and regulations in each country in which we operate prevent the use of deceptive or fraudulent practices that have sometimes been inappropriately associated with legitimate direct selling and network marketing activities.  Generally these laws are directed at ensuring that product sales ultimately are made to consumers and that advancement within sales organizations is based on sales of the enterprise’s products, rather than on investments in the organizations or on other criteria or activity that are not related to retail sales.  Where required by law, we obtain regulatory approval of our network marketing system, or, where approval is not required or available, the favorable opinion of local counsel as to regulatory compliance.

 

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In addition to federal regulation in the United States by the FTC, each state has enacted its own “Little FTC Act” to regulate sales and advertising.  Occasionally, we receive requests to supply information regarding our network marketing plan to regulatory agencies.  Although we have, from time to time, modified our network marketing system to comply with interpretations of various regulatory authorities, we believe that our network marketing program is in compliance with the laws and regulations relating to network marketing activities in our current markets.  Nevertheless, we remain subject to the risk that, in one or more of our present or future markets, the marketing system or the conduct of certain Associates could be found not to be in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.  Failure by an Associate or by us to comply with these laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business in a particular market or in general.

 

In April 2006, the FTC released a proposed New Business Opportunity Rule.  As initially drafted, the proposed rule would have required pre-sale disclosures for all business opportunities, which may have included network marketing compensation plans such as ours.  However, in March 2008 the FTC issued a revised notice of proposed rulemaking, which indicates that the New Business Opportunity Rule as drafted will not apply to multi-level marketing companies. The comment and rebuttal periods regarding the proposed rule have closed, but the FTC has not yet issued a final rule. The New Business Opportunity Rule is currently only a proposed rule and may change before it is implemented, if it is implemented at all.  If this proposed rule were adopted as it is currently proposed, it would not require us to change any of our current marketing practices.

 

The direct selling laws and regulations in China require us to operate under a business model, which is different from our global business model.  To expand into China and comply with these regulations, we indirectly acquired BabyCare in August 2010 and will utilize BabyCare’s existing business model, which has been designed specifically for China.  China’s direct selling regulations contain both financial and operational restrictions for direct selling companies.  For example, BabyCare, and other direct selling companies, are not permitted to pay multi-level compensation to sales representatives and are also limited in the amount of single-level compensation that they may pay to sales representatives.  Additionally, BabyCare is required to obtain various licenses and approvals to conduct its direct selling business in China.  BabyCare has been granted a license to engage in direct selling activities in the municipality of Beijing and is working to obtain similar licenses in other cities and provinces.  This license allows BabyCare to operate under its direct selling business model in Beijing by utilizing non-employee sales representatives to sell products away from fixed retail locations.  In cities and provinces where BabyCare has not been issued a direct selling license, it must operate under a retail sales model.  Under this retail model, BabyCare utilizes non-employee sales representatives to sell its products through retail stores in the applicable city or province.  BabyCare has also engaged independent service providers that meet both the requirements to operate their own business under Chinese law as well as the conditions set forth by BabyCare to sell products and provide services to BabyCare customers.  If, and when, BabyCare receives a direct selling license in other cities and provinces, it will continue to transition away from this retail model and integrate its direct selling business model in these cities and provinces.

 

We cannot predict the nature of any future law, regulation, interpretation, or application, nor can we predict what effect additional governmental legislation or regulations, judicial decisions, or administrative orders, when and if promulgated, would have on our business.  It is possible that future legal requirements may require that we revise our network marketing program.  Such new requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.

 

Transfer Pricing Regulation.  In the U.S. and many other countries, we are subject to transfer pricing and other tax regulations that are designed to ensure that appropriate levels of income are reported by our U.S. or international entities and are taxed accordingly.  We have adopted transfer prices, which are supported by a formal transfer pricing study for the sale of products to our subsidiaries in accordance with applicable transfer pricing laws.  In addition, agreements between our subsidiaries and us have been entered into for services and contractual obligations, such as the payment of Associate incentives that are also supported by the same formal transfer pricing study.  If the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or the taxing authorities of any other jurisdiction were to successfully challenge these agreements or require changes in our standard transfer pricing practices for products, we could become subject to higher taxes and our earnings may be adversely affected.  The tax treaties between the U.S. and most countries provide for competent authority relief to avoid any double taxation.  We believe that we operate in compliance with all applicable transfer pricing regulations.  There can be no assurance, however, that we will continue to be found to be operating in compliance with transfer pricing regulations or that those laws will not be modified, which may require that we change our operating procedures.

 

Intellectual Property

 

Trademarks.  We have developed and we use registered trademarks in our business, particularly relating to our corporate and product names.  We own 14 trademarks that are registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.  Federal registration of a trademark enables the registered owner of the mark to bar the unauthorized use of the registered mark in connection with a similar product in the same channels of trade by any third-party anywhere in the United States, regardless of whether the registered owner has ever used the trademark in the area where the unauthorized use occurs.  We have filed applications and own trademark registrations, and we intend to register additional trademarks in countries where USANA products are or may be sold in the future.  Protection of registered trademarks in some jurisdictions may not be as extensive as the protection in the United States.

 

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We also claim ownership and protection of certain product names, unregistered trademarks, and service marks under common law.  Common law trademark rights do not provide the same level of protection that is afforded by the registration of a trademark.  In addition, common law trademark rights are limited to the geographic area in which the trademark is actually used.  We believe these trademarks, whether registered or claimed under common law, constitute valuable assets, adding to recognition of USANA and the effective marketing of USANA products.  Trademark registration once obtained is essentially perpetual, subject to the payment of a renewal fee.  We therefore believe that these proprietary rights have been and will continue to be important in enabling us to compete.

 

Trade Secrets.  We own certain intellectual property, including trade secrets that we seek to protect, in part, through confidentiality agreements with employees and other parties.  Even where these agreements exist, there can be no assurance that these agreements will not be breached, that we would have adequate remedies for any breach, or that our trade secrets will not otherwise become known to or independently developed by competitors.  Our proprietary product formulations are generally considered trade secrets, but are not otherwise protected under intellectual property laws.

 

Patents.  We have three U.S. patents.  Two of our patents relate to the method of extracting an antioxidant from olives and the byproducts of olive oil production.  These patents were issued in 2002 and will continue in force until December 20, 2019. In 2003, we entered into a licensing agreement with a supplier to make olive extract using our patented process.  Our third patent relates to a method of self preserving our Sensé™ line of personal care products.  This patent was issued in May 2007 and will continue in force until August 5, 2024.

 

We intend to protect our legal rights concerning intellectual property by all appropriate legal action.  Consequently, we may become involved from time to time in litigation to determine the enforceability, scope, and validity of any of the foregoing proprietary rights.  Any patent litigation could result in substantial cost and divert the efforts of management and technical personnel.

 

Seasonality

 

We typically see a decrease in the activity of many of our North American Associates during the third quarter due to the summer vacation season.  Additionally, many Associates reduce their spending prior to our International Convention, which is held toward the end of the third quarter every year, in anticipation of new product launches or product upgrades.

 

Similarly, we typically see a decrease in the activity of many of our Asia Pacific Associates during the first quarter due to cultural events such as Chinese New Year.

 

Backlog

 

Our products are typically shipped within 72 hours after receipt of an order.  As of March 7, 2011 we had no significant backlog of orders.

 

Working Capital Practices

 

We maintain sufficient amounts of inventory in stock in order to provide a high level of service to our Associates and Preferred Customers.  Substantial inventories are required to meet the needs of our dual role as manufacturer and distributor.  We also watch seasonal commodity markets and may buy ahead of normal demand to hedge against cost increases and supply risks.

 

Environment

 

We are not aware of any instance in which we have contravened federal, state, or local laws relating to protection of the environment or in which we otherwise may be subject to liability for environmental conditions that could materially affect operations.

 

Employees

 

As of March 7, 2011 we had approximately 1,240 employees worldwide, as measured by full-time equivalency.  Our employees are not currently represented by a collective bargaining agreement, and we have not experienced work stoppages as a result of labor disputes.  We believe that we have a good relationship with our employees.

 

Additional Available Information

 

We maintain executive offices and principal facilities at 3838 West Parkway Boulevard, Salt Lake City, Utah 84120.  Our telephone number is (801) 954-7100.  We maintain a World Wide Web site at www.usanahealthsciences.com.  The information on our web site should not be considered part of this report on Form 10-K.

 

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We make available, free of charge at our corporate web site, copies of our annual reports on SEC Form 10-K, quarterly reports on SEC Form 10-Q, current reports on SEC Form 8-K, proxy statements, and all amendments to these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.  This information may also be obtained from the SEC’s on-line database, which is located at www.sec.gov.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

Forward-Looking Statements and Certain Risks

 

Statements contained in this report that are not purely historical are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Exchange Act.  These statements relate to our expectations, hopes, beliefs, commitments, intentions, and strategies regarding the future.  They may be identified by the use of words or phrases, such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “plan,” “estimate,” and “potential,” among others.  Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements contained in “Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” regarding our financial performance, revenue and expense levels in the future, and the sufficiency of our existing assets to fund future operations and capital spending needs.  Actual results could differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements for the reasons discussed below.  The forward-looking statements in this report are made as of the date of this report, and we assume no obligation to update them or to update the reasons why our actual results could differ from those that we have projected in these forward-looking statements.

 

We encounter substantial risks in our business, any one of which may adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.  The fact that some of these risk factors may be the same or similar to those that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in past reports, means only that the risks are present in multiple periods.  We believe that many of the risks that are described here are part of doing business in the industry in which we operate and will likely be present in all periods.  The fact that certain risks are endemic to the industry does not lessen their significance.  These risk factors should be read together with the other items in this report, including Item 1, “Business,” and Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”  Among others, risks and uncertainties that may affect our business, financial condition, performance, development, and results of operations include the following:

 

Our Hong Kong market accounts for a significant part of our business. Any decline in sales or customers in this market, without a corresponding increase in sales and customers in our China market through BabyCare, would harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.  Over the past few years, the majority of our sales and Associate growth has occurred in our Hong Kong market, which represented 23.5% of our 2010 net sales.  In 2010, we announced our acquisition of BabyCare in China, and in 2011, we announced that we would shift our international attention to assisting BabyCare with customer growth in China. As a result of our 2011 strategy, we will likely experience a decline in sales and/or customers in our Hong Kong market.  Factors that could contribute to a decline in Hong Kong include, among other things: (i) that we have many Associate leaders in Hong Kong who qualify to do business in both Hong Kong and China and who may shift their attention to growing their businesses in China through BabyCare; and (ii) that many of our Associates, who act simply as consumers of our products and have historically purchased our products in Hong Kong, may begin to purchase our products in China through BabyCare, if and when our products are available for sale by BabyCare in China.  Any decline in the performance of our Hong Kong market without a corresponding increase in the performance of BabyCare in China would harm our business, financial condition and results of operations. We must comply with significant legal and regulatory requirements to engage in direct selling in China.  Chinese laws and regulations require, among other things, that we use a business model and Associate compensation plan that is different from all of our other markets and that has been developed specifically to comply with the regulations in China — namely, BabyCare’s business model and Associate compensation plan. Although we believe that, in light of our successful Asian Associate base, we will be successful in growing BabyCare’s business in China, it is difficult to assess the extent to which BabyCare’s business model and Associate compensation plan will be accepted or successful in China.  Although we are required to conduct our operations in China through BabyCare, we believe that our success in China will depend on our ability to successfully integrate, to the extent legally possible, our operations with BabyCare’s operations.  This includes, among other things, registering USANA products, in a timely manner, for sale by BabyCare in China. In light of the factors listed above, and the other risks to our business, there can be no assurance that we will not experience a decline in sales and / or customers in our Hong Kong market or that we will be successful in assisting BabyCare with growing sales and customers in China.

 

As a network marketing company, we are dependent upon an independent sales force and we do not have direct control over the marketing of our products.  We rely on non-employee, independent Associates to market and sell our products and to generate our sales.  Associates typically market and sell our products on a part-time basis and likely will engage in other business activities, some of which may compete with us.  We have a large number of Associates and a relatively small corporate staff to implement our marketing programs and to provide motivational support to our Associates.  We rely primarily upon our Associates to attract, train and motivate new Associates. Our sales are directly dependent upon the efforts of our Associates.  Our ability to maintain and increase sales in the future will depend in large part upon our success in increasing the number of new Associates, retaining and motivating our existing Associates, and in improving the productivity of our Associates.

 

We can provide no assurances that the number of Associates will increase or remain constant or that their productivity will increase. We experienced a 14.6% increase in the number of active Associates during 2010, a 0.5% increase during 2009, and a 12.5%

 

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increase during 2008.  The number of active Associates may not increase and could decline in the future.  Associates may terminate their services at any time, and, like most direct selling companies, we experience a high turnover among new Associates from year to year.  We cannot accurately predict any fluctuation in the number and productivity of Associates because we primarily rely upon existing Associates to sponsor and train new Associates and to motivate new and existing Associates.  Our operating results could be adversely affected if we and our existing Associates do not generate sufficient interest in our business to successfully retain existing Associates and attract new Associates.

 

The loss of a significant USANA Associate or downline sales organization could adversely affect our business.  We rely on the successful efforts of our Associates that become leaders within our Compensation Plan.  Our Compensation Plan is designed to permit Associates to sponsor new Associates, creating multiple “business centers,” or levels in the downline organization.  Sponsored Associates are referred to as “downline” Associates within the sponsoring Associate’s “downline network.”  If these downline Associates in turn sponsor new Associates, additional business centers are created, with the new downline Associates becoming part of the original sponsoring Associate’s downline network.  As a result of this network marketing system, Associates develop business relationships with other Associates.  The loss of a key Associate or group of Associates, large turnover or decreases in the size of the key Associate force, seasonal or other decreases in purchase volume, sales volume reduction, the costs associated with training new Associates, and other related expenses may adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.  Moreover, our ability to continue to attract and retain Associates can be affected by a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control, including:

 

·                  General business and economic conditions;

 

·                  Adverse publicity or negative misinformation about us or our products;

 

·                  Public perceptions about network marketing programs;

 

·                  High-visibility investigations or legal proceeding against network marketing companies by federal or state authorities or private citizens;

 

·                  Public perceptions about the value and efficacy of nutritional, personal care, or weight management products generally;

 

·                  Other competing network marketing organizations entering into the marketplace that may recruit our existing Associates or reduce the potential pool of new Associates; and

 

·                  Changes to the Compensation Plan required by law or implemented for business reasons that make attracting and retaining Associates more difficult.

 

There can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to attract and retain Associates in sufficient numbers to sustain future growth or to maintain our present growth levels, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

 

The violation of marketing or advertising laws by Associates in connection with the sale of our products or the improper promotion of our Compensation Plan could adversely affect our business.  All Associates sign a written contract and agree to adhere to our policies and procedures.  Although these policies and procedures prohibit Associates from making false, misleading and other improper claims regarding products or income potential from the distribution of the products, Associates may, from time to time, without our knowledge and in violation of our policies, create promotional materials or otherwise provide information that does not accurately describe our marketing program.  They also may make statements regarding potential earnings, product claims, or other matters in violation of our policies or applicable laws and regulations concerning these matters.  These violations may result in legal action against us by regulatory agencies, state attorneys general, or private parties.  Legal actions against our Associates or others who are associated with us could lead to increased regulatory scrutiny of our business, including our network marketing system.  We take what we believe to be commercially reasonable steps to monitor the activities of our Associates to guard against misrepresentation and other illegal or unethical conduct by Associates and to assure that the terms of our policies and procedures and Compensation Plan are observed.  There can be no assurance, however, that our efforts in this regard will be sufficient to accomplish this objective.  Adverse publicity resulting from such activities could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain Associates and may have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

Network marketing is subject to intense government scrutiny and regulation, which adds to the expense of doing business and the possibility that changes in the law might adversely affect our ability to sell some of our products in certain markets.  Network marketing systems, such as ours, are frequently subject to laws and regulations, both in the U.S. and internationally, that are directed at ensuring that product sales are made to consumers of the products and that compensation, recognition, and advancement within the marketing organization are based on the sale of products rather than on investment in the sponsoring company.

 

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Regulatory authorities, in one or more of our present or future markets, could determine that our network marketing system does not comply with these laws and regulations or that it is prohibited.  Failure to comply with these laws and regulations or such a prohibition could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.  Further, we may simply be prohibited from distributing products through a network-marketing channel in some countries, or we may be forced to alter our Compensation Plan.

 

We are also subject to the risk that new laws or regulations might be implemented or that current laws or regulations might change, which could require us to change or modify the way we conduct our business in certain markets.  This could be particularly detrimental to us if we had to change or modify the way we conduct business in markets that represent a significant percentage of our net sales.  For example, the FTC released a proposed New Business Opportunity Rule in April 2006. As initially drafted, the proposed rule would have required pre-sale disclosures for all business opportunities, which may have included network marketing compensation plans such as ours.  However, in March 2008 the FTC issued a revised notice of proposed rulemaking, which indicates that the New Business Opportunity Rule as drafted will not apply to multi-level marketing companies. The comment and rebuttal periods regarding the proposed rule have closed, but the FTC has not yet issued a final rule. The New Business Opportunity Rule is currently only a proposed rule and may change before it is implemented, if it is implemented at all.

 

We may have or incur obligations relating to the activities of our Associates.  Our Associates are subject to taxation, and, in some instances, legislation or governmental agencies impose an obligation on us to collect taxes, such as sales taxes or value added taxes, and to maintain appropriate records of such transactions.  In addition, we are subject to the risk in some jurisdictions of being responsible for social security and similar taxes with respect to our Associates.  In the event that local laws and regulations or the interpretation of local laws and regulations change to require us to treat our independent Associates as employees, or if our Associates are deemed by local regulatory authorities in one or more of the jurisdictions in which we operate to be our employees rather than independent contractors, under existing laws and interpretations, we may be held responsible for a variety of obligations that are imposed upon employers relating to their employees, including social security and related taxes in those jurisdictions, plus any related assessments and penalties, which could harm our financial condition and operating results.

 

Our business is subject to the effects of adverse publicity and negative public perception.  Our ability to attract and retain Associates and to sustain and enhance sales through our Associates can be affected by adverse publicity or negative public perception regarding our industry, our competition, or our business generally.  This negative public perception may include publicity regarding the legality of network marketing, the quality or efficacy of nutritional supplement products or ingredients in general or our products or ingredients specifically, and regulatory investigations, regardless of whether those investigations involve us or our Associates or the business practices or products of our competitors or other network marketing companies.  In 2007, we were the victim of false statements made to the press and regulatory agencies, causing us to incur significant expense in defending and dispelling the allegations during 2007 and 2008.  This adverse publicity also adversely impacted the market price of our stock and caused insecurity among our Associates.  There can be no assurance that we will not be subject to adverse publicity or negative public perception in the future or that such adverse publicity will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

 

The loss of key management personnel could adversely affect our business.  Our Founder, Dr. Myron Wentz, is a highly visible spokesman for our products and our business, and our message is based in large part on his vision and reputation, which helps distinguish us from our competitors.  Any loss or limitation on Dr. Wentz as a lead spokesman for our mission, business, and products could have a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition, or results of operations.  In addition, our executive officers are primarily responsible for our day-to-day operations, and we believe our success depends in part on our ability to retain our executive officers, to compensate our executive officers at attractive levels, and to continue to attract additional qualified individuals to our management team.  We cannot guarantee continued service by our key executive officers.  We do not maintain key man life insurance on any of our executive officers, nor do we have an employment agreement with any of our executive officers.  The loss or limitation of the services of any of our executive officers or the inability to attract additional qualified management personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

 

The beneficial ownership of a significant percentage of our common stock gives our founder and parties related to or affiliated with him effective control, and limits the influence of other shareholders on important policy and management issues. Gull Holdings, Ltd., an entity that is solely owned and controlled by Dr. Wentz, owned 50.1% of our outstanding common stock at January 1, 2011.  By virtue of this stock ownership, Dr. Wentz is able to exert significant influence over the election of the members of our Board of Directors and our business affairs.  This concentration of ownership could also have the effect of delaying, deterring, or preventing a change in control that might otherwise be beneficial to shareholders.  In addition, Dr. Wentz also currently serves as Chairman of our Board of Directors.  There can be no assurance that conflicts of interest will not arise with respect to this directorship or that conflicts will be resolved in a manner favorable to other shareholders of the Company.

 

Sales by our shareholders of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.  A large number of outstanding shares of our common stock are held by several of our principal shareholders.  If any of these principal shareholders were to decide to sell large amounts of stock over a short period of time such sales could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.

 

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Our stock price has been volatile and subject to various market conditions.  There can be no assurance that an active market in our stock will be sustained.  The trading price of our common stock has been subject to wide fluctuations.  The price of our common stock may fluctuate in the future in response to quarter-to-quarter variations in operating results, material announcements by us or our competitors, governmental regulatory action, conditions in the nutritional supplement industry, negative publicity, or other events or factors, many of which are beyond our control.  In addition, the stock market has historically experienced significant price and volume fluctuations, which have particularly affected the market prices of many dietary and nutritional supplement companies and which have, in certain cases, not had a strong correlation to the operating performance of these companies.  Our operating results in future quarters may be below the expectations of securities analysts and investors.  If that were to occur, the price of our common stock would likely decline, perhaps substantially.

 

Our products and manufacturing activities are subject to extensive government regulation, which could limit or prevent the sale of our products in some markets.  The manufacture, packaging, labeling, advertising, promotion, distribution, and sale of our products are subject to regulation by numerous national and local governmental agencies in the United States and other countries, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”). For example, failure to comply with FDA regulatory requirements may result in, among other things, injunctions, product withdrawals, recalls, product seizures, fines, and criminal prosecutions. Any action of this type by the FDA could materially adversely affect our ability to successfully market our products. With respect to FTC matters, if the FTC has reason to believe the law is being violated (e.g., failure to possess adequate substantiation for product claims), it can initiate an enforcement action. The FTC has a variety of processes and remedies available to it for enforcement, both administratively and judicially, including compulsory process authority, cease and desist orders, and injunctions. FTC enforcement could result in orders requiring, among other things, limits on advertising, consumer redress, divestiture of assets, rescission of contracts, or such other relief as may be deemed necessary. Violation of these orders could result in substantial financial or other penalties. Any action against us by the FTC could materially and adversely affect our ability to successfully market our products.

 

In December 2007, the Dietary Supplement & Nonprescription Drug Consumer Protection Act went into effect and requires manufacturers of dietary supplement and over-the-counter products to notify the FDA when they receive reports of serious adverse events occurring within the United States. Potential FDA responses to any such report could include injunctions, product withdrawals, recalls, product seizures, fines, or criminal prosecutions. We have an internal adverse event reporting system that has been in place for several years and believe that we are in compliance with this new law. Nevertheless, any action by the FDA in response to a serious adverse event report that may be filed by us could materially and adversely affect our ability to successfully market our products.

 

In markets outside the United States, prior to commencing operations or marketing our products, we may be required to obtain approvals, licenses, or certifications from a country’s ministry of health or a comparable agency. For example, our manufacturing facility has been registered with the FDA and Health Canada and is certified by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration. Approvals or licensing may be conditioned on reformulation of products or may be unavailable with respect to certain products or product ingredients. We must also comply with product labeling and packaging regulations that vary from country to country. These activities are also subject to regulation by various agencies of the countries in which our products are sold.

 

We cannot predict the nature of any future laws, regulations, interpretations, or applications, nor can we determine what effect additional governmental regulations or administrative orders, when and if promulgated, could have on our business. These potential effects could include, however, requirements for the reformulation of certain products to meet new standards, the recall or discontinuance of certain products, additional record keeping and reporting requirements, expanded documentation of the properties of certain products, expanded or different labeling, or additional scientific substantiation. Any or all of these requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

 

Risks associated with operating in international markets could restrict our ability to expand globally and harm our business and prospects, and we could be adversely affected by our failure to comply with the laws applicable to our foreign activities, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other similar worldwide anti-bribery laws.  Our international operations are presently conducted in various foreign countries, and we expect that the number of countries in which we operate could expand over the next few years. Economic conditions, including those resulting from wars, civil unrest, acts of terrorism and other conflicts or volatility in the global markets, may adversely affect our customers, their demand for our products and their ability to pay for our products. In addition, there are numerous risks inherent in conducting our business internationally, including, but not limited to, potential instability in international markets, changes in regulatory requirements applicable to international operations, currency fluctuations in foreign countries, political, economic and social conditions in foreign countries and complex U.S. and foreign laws and treaties, including tax laws and the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). These risks could restrict our ability to sell products to or to obtain international customers or to operate our international business profitably, and our overall business and results of operations could be negatively impacted by our foreign activities.

 

The FCPA and similar anti-bribery laws in other jurisdictions prohibit U.S.-based companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to non-U.S. officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. We pursue opportunities in certain parts of the world that experience government corruption, and in certain circumstances, compliance with anti-bribery laws may conflict with local customs

 

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and practices. Our policies mandate compliance with all applicable anti-bribery laws. Further, we require our partners, subcontractors, agents and others who work for us or on our behalf to comply with the FCPA and other anti-bribery laws. Although we have policies and procedures designed to ensure that we, our employees, our agents and others who work with us in foreign countries comply with the FCPA and other anti-bribery laws, there is no assurance that such policies or procedures will protect us against liability under the FCPA or other laws for actions taken by our agents, employees and intermediaries. If we are found to be liable for FCPA violations (either due to our own acts or our inadvertence, or due to the acts or inadvertence of others), we could suffer from severe criminal or civil penalties or other sanctions, which could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, detecting, investigating and resolving actual or alleged FCPA violations is expensive and could consume significant time and attention of our senior management.

 

Our net sales are significantly affected by our success in growing existing markets, as well as opening new markets. As we continue to expand into international markets, our business becomes increasingly subject to political, economic, legal and other risks. Changes in these markets could adversely affect our business.  We have a history of expanding into new international markets. We believe that our ability to achieve future growth is dependent in part on our ability to continue our international expansion efforts. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to grow in our existing international markets, enter new international markets on a timely basis, or that new markets will be profitable. We must overcome significant regulatory and legal barriers before we can begin marketing in any international market. Also, before marketing commences in a new country or market, it is difficult to assess the extent to which our products and sales techniques will be accepted or successful in any given country. In addition to significant regulatory barriers, we may also encounter problems conducting operations in new markets with different cultures and legal systems from those encountered elsewhere. We may be required to reformulate certain of our products before commencing sales in a given country. Once we have entered a market, we must adhere to the regulatory and legal requirements of that market. No assurance can be given that we will be able to successfully reformulate our products in any of our current or potential international markets to meet local regulatory requirements or to attract local customers. Our failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain and retain necessary permits and approvals in new markets, or that we will have sufficient capital to finance our expansion efforts in a timely manner.

 

In many market areas, other network marketing companies already have significant market penetration, the effect of which could be to desensitize the local Associate population to a new opportunity, such as USANA, or to make it more difficult for us to attract qualified Associates. Even if we are able to commence operations in new markets, there may not be a sufficient population of persons who are interested in our network marketing system. We believe our future success will depend in part on our ability to seamlessly integrate our Compensation Plan across all markets where legally permissible. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to utilize our Compensation Plan seamlessly in all existing or future markets. For example, in August 2010, we indirectly acquired BabyCare, a nutritional supplement company that is licensed by the government of the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC” or “China”) to engage in direct selling in the Municipality of Beijing. Under Chinese law, single-level compensation models are permitted, but multi-level compensation models, as practiced by USANA and many other direct selling companies, are not. BabyCare utilizes a single-level compensation model in connection with its business in China, which is separate and different from our Compensation Plan in our other markets. In order to comply with China law, BabyCare will continue to utilize its compensation model, and USANA’s Compensation Plan will not be integrated into BabyCare or utilized in China.

 

Our operations in China are subject to significant government scrutiny and may be harmed by the results of such scrutiny.   Because of the government’s significant concerns about direct selling activities, government regulators in China closely scrutinize activities of direct selling companies or activities that resemble direct selling. The regulatory environment in China with regard to direct selling is evolving, and officials in multiple national and local levels in the Chinese government often exercise broad discretion in deciding how to interpret and apply applicable regulations. In the past, the government has taken significant actions against companies that the government has found have been engaging in direct selling activities in violation of applicable law, including shutting down their businesses and imposing substantial fines.

 

Any determination that our operations or activities, or the activities of our sales employees, contractual sales promoters, direct sellers or Associates are not in compliance with applicable regulations could result in substantial fines, extended interruptions of business, termination of necessary licenses and permits, including our direct selling licenses, or restrictions on our ability to open new stores, obtain approvals for service centers or expand into new locations, all of which could harm our business.

 

Our business will be adversely affected if Chinese regulatory authorities view our direct selling and other corporate activities as non-compliant with applicable Chinese laws and regulations.  Our operations in China may be deemed to be subject to numerous Chinese commercial laws, including restrictions on foreign investments.  In addition, the Chinese regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over our operations may change applicable laws and regulations or impose additional requirements and conditions with which we may be unable to comply.  BabyCare is licensed to engage in direct selling activity in the Municipality of Beijing. We have not sought confirmation from Chinese regulatory governmental authorities whether our structure and business arrangement with BabyCare comply with applicable Chinese laws and regulations, including regulation of direct selling business in China.  If:

 

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·                  Chinese authorities deem BabyCare’s corporate activities as violating applicable Chinese laws and regulations (including  restrictions on foreign investments);

 

·                  Chinese regulatory authorities change applicable laws and regulations or impose additional requirements and conditions with which BabyCare is unable to comply; or

 

·                  BabyCare is found to violate any existing or future Chinese laws or regulations;

 

the relevant Chinese authorities would have broad discretion to deal with such a violation by levying fines, revoking business licenses, requiring us to restructure BabyCare’s ownership or operations, and requiring BabyCare and/or USANA to discontinue some or all of their business in China. Any of these actions would adversely affect our business.

 

The direct selling license granted to BabyCare is limited in its scope. To engage in direct selling activity outside the Municipality of Beijing, BabyCare will be required to obtain licenses from other municipalities and provinces within China.  If BabyCare is unable to obtain additional necessary national and local government approvals in China as quickly as we would like, our ability to expand and grow our business could be negatively impacted.  The process for obtaining the necessary government approvals to conduct direct selling continues to evolve. The process is time-consuming and expensive.  The complexity of the approval process, as well as the government’s continued cautious approach as direct selling develops in China, makes it difficult to predict the timeline for obtaining additional approvals. If the results of the government’s evaluation of our direct selling activities result in further delays in obtaining licenses elsewhere, or if the current processes for obtaining approvals are delayed further for any reason or are changed or are interpreted differently than currently understood, BabyCare’s ability to expand direct selling in China and its growth prospects in this market, could be negatively impacted.  BabyCare currently is only allowed by the PRC to sell through direct selling the limited number of products that are manufactured by BabyCare itself.  If BabyCare wishes to sell additional products (other than those already approved) through the direct-selling channel, it must successfully complete a product approval process similar to the process described above.  We cannot assure that BabyCare will be successful in obtaining such additional product approvals on a timely basis or at all.

 

A return to profit repatriation controls may limit the ability to expand business and reduce the attractiveness of investing in Chinese business opportunities.  Chinese law allows enterprises owned by foreign investors to remit their profits, dividends and bonuses earned in China to other countries, and the remittance does not require prior approval by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”).  SAFE regulations require extensive documentation and reporting, some of which are burdensome and slows payments.  If there is a return to payment restrictions and reporting, the ability of a Chinese company to attract investors will be reduced.  Also, current investors may not be able to obtain the profits of the businesses they own for other reasons.  Relevant Chinese law and regulation permit payment of dividends only from retained earnings, if any, determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations.  It is possible that the Chinese tax authorities may require changes in the calculation of distributable net income of BabyCare that may limit its ability to pay dividends and other distributions to stockholders.  Chinese law requires companies to set aside a portion of net income to fund certain reserves, which amounts are not distributable as dividends.  These rules and possible changes could restrict BabyCare from repatriating funds.

 

Our ability to enforce BabyCare’s material agreements in China is uncertain. Chinese law will govern BabyCare’s material operating agreements. There is no assurance that BabyCare will be able to enforce those material agreements or that remedies will be available outside China. The Chinese judiciary is relatively inexperienced in enforcing corporate and commercial laws, leading to a substantial degree of uncertainty as to the outcome of litigation. The inability to enforce or obtain a remedy under our agreements may have a material adverse impact on our operations.

 

Intellectual property rights are difficult to enforce in China.   Chinese commercial law is relatively undeveloped compared to most of our other major markets, and, as a result, we may have limited legal recourse in the event we encounter significant difficulties with patent or trademark infringers. Limited protection of intellectual property is available under Chinese law, and the local manufacturing of our products may subject us to an increased risk that unauthorized parties may attempt to manufacture and sell counterfeited products or copy or otherwise obtain or use our product formulations. As a result, we cannot assure that we will be able to adequately protect our product formulations or other intellectual property in China.

 

An increase in the amount of incentives paid to Associates reduces our profitability.  The payment of Associate incentives is our most significant expense.  These incentives include commissions, bonuses, and certain awards and prizes.  From time to time, we adjust our Compensation Plan to better manage these incentives as a percentage of net sales.  We closely monitor the amount of Associate incentives that are paid as a percentage of net sales, and may periodically adjust our Compensation Plan to prevent Associate incentives from having a significant adverse effect on our earnings.  There can be no assurance that changes to the Compensation Plan or product pricing will be successful in achieving target levels of Associate incentives as a percentage of net sales.  Furthermore, such changes may make it difficult to attract and retain qualified and motivated Associates or cause us to lose some of our longer-standing Associates.

 

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Our business is subject to the risks associated with intense competition from larger, wealthier, and more established competitors.  We face intense competition in the business of distributing and marketing nutritional supplements, vitamins and minerals, personal care products, and other nutritional products, as described in greater detail in “Business — Competition.”  Numerous manufacturers, Associates, and retailers compete actively for consumers and, in the case of other network marketing companies, for Associates.  There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete in this intensely competitive environment.  In addition, nutrition and personal care products can be purchased in a wide variety of channels of distribution, including retail stores.  Our product offerings in each product category are also relatively small, compared to the wide variety of products offered by many of our competitors.

 

We are also subject to significant competition from other network marketing organizations for the time, attention, and commitment of new and existing Associates.  Our ability to remain competitive depends, in significant part, on our success in recruiting and retaining Associates.  There can be no assurance that our programs for recruiting and retaining Associates will be successful.  The pool of individuals who may be interested in network marketing is limited in each market, and it is reduced to the extent other network marketing companies successfully recruit these individuals into their businesses.  Although we believe we offer an attractive opportunity for Associates, there can be no assurance that other network marketing companies will not be able to recruit our existing Associates or deplete the pool of potential Associates in a given market.

 

Taxation and transfer pricing considerations affect our operations.  In many countries, including the United States, we are subject to transfer pricing and other tax regulations that are designed to ensure that appropriate levels of income are reported by our U.S. and foreign entities and are taxed appropriately.  Although we believe that we are in compliance with all material regulations and restrictions in this regard, we are subject to the risk that taxing authorities could audit our transfer pricing and related practices and assert that additional taxes are owed.  We are also subject to the risk that taxing authorities in any of our markets could change the laws in a manner that may increase our effective tax rate and/or duties on our products.  Under tax treaties, we are eligible to receive foreign tax credits in the United States for foreign taxes actually paid abroad.  In the event any audits or assessments are concluded adversely to us, we may or may not be able to offset the consolidated effect of foreign income tax assessments through the use of U.S. foreign tax credits.  Currently, we are utilizing all foreign tax credits in the year in which they arise.  Because the laws and regulations governing U.S. foreign tax credits are complex and subject to periodic legislative amendment, we cannot be sure that we would in fact be able to take advantage of any foreign tax credits in the future.  As a result, adverse outcomes in these matters could have a material impact on our financial condition or operating results.

 

Fluctuation in the value of currency exchange rates with the U.S. dollar affects our operations and our net sales and earnings.  Over the past several years, a significant portion of our net sales have been generated outside the United States.  Such sales for the year ended January 1, 2011 represented 70.9% of our total net sales.  We will likely continue to expand our operations into new markets, exposing us to expanding risks of changes in social, political, and economic conditions, including changes in the laws and policies that govern investment or exchange in these markets.  Because a significant portion of our sales are generated outside the United States, exchange rate fluctuations will have a significant effect on our sales and earnings.  Further, if exchange rates fluctuate dramatically, it may become uneconomical for us to establish or to continue activities in certain countries.  For instance, changes in currency exchange rates may affect the relative prices at which we and our competitors sell similar products in the same market.  As our business expands outside the United States, an increasing share of our net sales and operating costs will be transacted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.  Accounting practices require that our non-U.S. financial results be converted to U.S. dollars for reporting purposes.  Consequently, our reported net earnings may be significantly affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates, with earnings generally increasing with a weaker U.S. dollar and decreasing with a strengthening U.S. dollar.  Product purchases by our subsidiaries are transacted in U.S. dollars.  As our operations expand in countries where transactions may be made in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, our operating results will be increasingly subject to the risks of exchange rate fluctuations and we may not be able to accurately estimate the impact that these changes might have on our future business, product pricing, results of operations, or financial condition.  In addition, the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to other currencies may also adversely affect our sales to customers outside the United States.  At times we have sought to reduce exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates by creating offsetting positions through the use of currency exchange contracts on cash that we repatriate.  We did not enter into any such contracts during 2010.  We do not use derivative instruments for speculative purposes.  There can be no assurance that currency contract transactions will protect our operating results or cash flows from potentially adverse effects of currency exchange fluctuations.  Any such adverse effects could also adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

 

Disruptions to shipping channels that we use to distribute our products to international warehouses may adversely affect our margins and profitability in those markets.  In the past, we have felt the impact of disruptions to the shipping channels used to distribute our products; these disruptions have included increased port congestion, a lack of capacity on the railroads, and a shortage of manpower.  Although we have not recently experienced significant shipping disruptions, we continue to watch for signs of upcoming congestion.  Congestion to ports can affect previously negotiated contracts with shipping companies, resulting in unexpected increases in shipping costs and reduction in our net sales.

 

The inability to obtain adequate supplies of raw materials for products at favorable prices, or at all, or the inability to obtain certain products from third-party suppliers, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or

 

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results of operations.  We acquire all of our raw materials for the manufacture of our products from third-party suppliers.  Materials used in manufacturing our products are purchased through purchase order, often invoking pre-negotiated annual supply agreements.  We have very few long-term agreements for the supply of these materials.  We also contract with third-party manufacturers and suppliers for the production of some of our products, including gelatin-capsuled supplements, Probiotic, Rev3 Energy™ Drink, our powdered drink mixes and nutrition bars, and certain of our personal care products.  These third-party suppliers and manufacturers produce and, in most cases, package these products according to formulations that have been developed by, or in conjunction with, our in-house product development team.  There is a risk that any of our suppliers or manufacturers could discontinue manufacturing our products or selling their products to us.  Although we believe that we could establish alternate sources for most of our products, any delay in locating and establishing relationships with other sources could result in product shortages or back orders for products, with a resulting loss of net sales.  In certain situations, we may be required to alter our products or to substitute different products from another source.  We have, in the past, discontinued or temporarily stopped sales of certain products that were manufactured by third parties while those products were on back order.  There can be no assurance that suppliers will provide the raw materials or manufactured products that are needed by us in the quantities that we request or at the prices that we are willing to pay.  Because we do not control the actual production of certain raw materials and products, we are also subject to delays caused by any interruption in the production of these materials, based on conditions not within our control, including weather, crop conditions, transportation interruptions, strikes by supplier employees, and natural disasters or other catastrophic events.

 

Shortages of raw materials may temporarily adversely affect our margins or our profitability related to the sale of those products.  In the past, we have experienced temporary shortages of the raw materials used in certain of our nutritional products.  Although we had identified multiple sources to supply such raw material ingredients, quantities of the materials we purchased during these shortages were at higher prices, which negatively impacted our gross margins for those products.  While we periodically experience price increases due to unexpected raw material shortages and other unanticipated events, this has historically not resulted in a material effect on our overall cost of goods sold.  However, there is no assurance that our raw materials will not be significantly adversely affected in the future, causing our profitability to be reduced.

 

Nutritional supplement products may be supported by only limited availability of conclusive clinical studies.  Our products include nutritional supplements that are made from vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other substances for which there is a long history of human consumption.  Some of our products contain innovative ingredients or combinations of ingredients.  Although we believe that all of our products are safe when taken as directed, there is little long-term experience with human consumption of certain of these product ingredients or combinations of ingredients in concentrated form.  We conduct research and test the formulation and production of our products, but we have performed or sponsored only limited clinical studies.  Furthermore, because we are highly dependent on consumers’ perception of the efficacy, safety, and quality of our products, as well as similar products distributed by other companies, we could be adversely affected in the event that those products prove or are asserted to be ineffective or harmful to consumers or in the event of adverse publicity associated with any illness or other adverse effects resulting from consumers’ use or misuse of our products or similar products of our competitors.

 

As a manufacturer, we may be subject to product liability claims.  As a manufacturer and a distributor of products for human consumption and topical application, we could become exposed to product liability claims and litigation.  Additionally, the manufacture and sale of these products involves the risk of injury to consumers due to tampering by unauthorized third parties or product contamination.  To date, we have not been a party to any product liability litigation, although, like any dietary supplement company, we have received reports from individuals who have asserted that they suffered adverse consequences as a result of using our products.  The number of reports we have received to date is nominal.  These matters historically have been settled to our satisfaction and have not resulted in material payments.  We are aware of no instance in which any of our products are or have been defective in any way that could give rise to material losses or expenditures related to product liability claims.  Although we maintain product liability insurance, which we believe to be adequate for our needs, there can be no assurance that we will not be subject to such claims in the future or that our insurance coverage will be adequate.

 

Our business is subject to particular intellectual property risks.  Most of our products are not protected by patents.  The labeling regulations governing our nutritional supplements require that the ingredients of such products be precisely and accurately indicated on product containers.  Accordingly, patent protection for nutritional supplements often is impractical given the large number of manufacturers who produce nutritional supplements having many active ingredients in common.  Additionally, the nutritional supplement industry is characterized by rapid change and frequent reformulations of products, as the body of scientific research and literature refines current understanding of the application and efficacy of certain substances and the interactions among various substances.  In this respect, we maintain an active research and development program that is devoted to developing better, purer, and more effective formulations of our products.  We protect our investment in research, as well as the techniques we use to improve the purity and effectiveness of our products, by relying on trade secret laws.  We have also entered into confidentiality agreements with certain of our employees involved in research and development activities.  Additionally, we endeavor to seek, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, trademark and trade dress protection for our products, which protection has been sought in the United States, Canada, and in many of the other countries in which we are either presently operating or plan to commence operations in the future.  Notwithstanding our efforts, there can be no assurance that our efforts to protect our trade secrets and trademarks will be successful.  Nor can there be any assurance that third-parties

 

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will not assert claims against us for infringement of their intellectual proprietary rights.  If an infringement claim is asserted, we may be required to obtain a license of such rights, pay royalties on a retrospective or prospective basis, or terminate our manufacturing and marketing of our infringing products.  Litigation with respect to such matters could result in substantial costs and diversion of management and other resources and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or operating results.

 

Our manufacturing activity is subject to certain risks.  We manufacture approximately 73% of the products sold to our customers.  As a result, we are dependent upon the uninterrupted and efficient operation of our manufacturing facilities.  Those operations are subject to power failures, the breakdown, failure, or substandard performance of equipment, the improper installation or operation of equipment, natural or other disasters, and the need to comply with the requirements or directives of government agencies, including the FDA.  There can be no assurance that the occurrence of these or any other operational problems at our facility would not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.  We are subject to a variety of environmental laws relating to the storage, discharge, handling, emission, generation, manufacture, use and disposal of chemicals, solid and hazardous waste, and other toxic and hazardous materials.  Our manufacturing operations presently do not result in the generation of material amounts of hazardous or toxic substances.  Nevertheless, complying with new or more stringent laws or regulations, or more vigorous enforcement of current or future policies of regulatory agencies, could require substantial expenditures by us that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.  Environmental laws and regulations require us to maintain and comply with a number of permits, authorizations, and approvals and to maintain and update training programs and safety data regarding materials used in our processes.  Violations of those requirements could result in financial penalties and other enforcement actions and could require us to halt one or more portions of our operations until a violation is cured.  The combined costs of curing incidents of non-compliance, resolving enforcement actions that might be initiated by government authorities, or of satisfying new legal requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

 

A failure of our information technology systems would harm our business.  The global nature of our business and our seamless global compensation plan requires the development and implementation of robust and efficiently functioning information technology systems.  Such systems are vulnerable to a variety of potential risks, including damage or interruption resulting from natural disasters and telecommunication failures and human error or intentional acts of sabotage, vandalism, break-ins and similar acts.  Although we have adopted and implemented a business continuity and disaster recovery plan, which includes routine back-up, off-site archiving and storage, and certain redundancies, the occurrence of any of these events could result in costly interruptions or failures adversely affecting our business and the results of our operations.

 

We may incur liability under our “Athlete Guarantee” program, if and to the extent participating athletes make a successful claim against USANA for testing positive for certain banned substances while taking USANA nutritional supplements.  USANA believes that its nutritional supplement products are free from substances that have been banned by world-class training and competitive athletic programs.  The Company retains independent testing agencies to conduct periodic checks for banned substances.  The Company further believes that, while its products promote good health, they are not otherwise considered to be “performance enhancing” as that term has been used in defining substances that are banned from use in international competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency (“WADA”).  For many years, USANA has been a sponsor of Olympic athletes and professional competitors around the world.  These athletes have been tested on many occasions and have never tested positive for banned substances as a result of taking USANA nutritional products.  To back up its claim that athletes who use the Company’s products as part of their training regimen will not be consuming banned substances, the Company has offered to enter into agreements with select athletes, some of whom have high-profiles and are highly compensated, which state that, during the term of the agreement, should the athlete test positive for a banned substance included in the WADA, and should such positive result be the result of taking USANA nutritional products, USANA will compensate that athlete two times their current annual earnings up to one million dollars, based on the athlete’s personal level of competition, endorsement, and other income, as well as other factors.  To mitigate potential exposure under these agreements, we:

 

·                  Designate lots identified as dedicated to the Athlete Guarantee program and retain additional samples;

 

·                  Store designated lot samples externally with a third-party; and

 

·                  Establish a chain of custody that requires signatures on behalf of USANA and the third-party to transfer possession of the product lots and that restricts access by USANA employees after the transfer.

 

All applicants to this Athlete Guarantee program are subject to screening and acceptance by the Company in its sole discretion.  Contracts are tailored to fit the athlete’s individual circumstances and the amount of the Company’s exposure is limited based on the level of sponsorship of the participating athlete.  Although the Company believes that the pool of current and potential participants in the program is small, there is no guarantee that an athlete who is accepted in the program will not successfully make a claim against us.  The Company currently has no insurance to protect it from potential claims under this program.

 

Based on the mitigating factors, screening process and the Company’s view that its products are not “performance enhancing,” management believes there is a less than remote chance that the Company will incur a liability under the Athlete Guarantee program.

 

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Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

 

None.

 

Item 2.  Properties

 

In Salt Lake City, Utah, we own a 354,000 square foot facility that we utilize as our world-wide corporate headquarters.  This facility includes space for manufacturing, distribution, and administrative functions and is located on a company-owned 16-acre parcel of land.

 

In addition to our corporate headquarters, we own two other facilities.  The first is a 45,000 square foot office/warehouse building in Sydney, Australia, and the second is a 31,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Tianjin, China, which is currently used for a nominal amount of third-party skin-care manufacturing.  Notably, we plan to manufacture our skin-care products that will be sold by BabyCare in China at the Tianjin facility, once they are approved by the appropriate authorities in China.

 

We lease regional offices and distribution warehouses located in each of the remainder of our markets.  Additionally, we lease a facility in Draper, Utah for the manufacture and packaging of our Sensé™ products. BabyCare also leases facilities in China, which include manufacturing space and retail centers.

 

We believe that the facilities referenced above are in good condition and are adequately utilized.  Further, we believe that our manufacturing facilities provide for the productive capacity to meet our foreseeable needs.

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time we are involved in litigation arising out of our operations.  We maintain liability insurance, including product liability coverage, in amounts our management believes is adequate.  We are not currently engaged in any legal proceedings that we expect would materially harm our business or financial condition.

 

Item 4. (Removed and Reserved)

 

PART II

 

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Market Information

 

Our common stock has historically traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “USNA.”  On January 3, 2011, however, we transferred the listing of our common stock to the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and have continued to use the symbol “USNA.”  The following table contains the reported high and low sale prices for our common stock as reported on The NASDAQ Global Select Market for the periods indicated:

 

2009

 

High

 

Low

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

$

33.95

 

$

17.72

 

Second Quarter

 

$

30.22

 

$

22.41

 

Third Quarter

 

$

36.93

 

$

23.58

 

Fourth Quarter

 

$

37.19

 

$

27.87

 

 

2010

 

High

 

Low

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

$

32.84

 

$

24.34

 

Second Quarter

 

$

39.20

 

$

30.11

 

Third Quarter

 

$

45.00

 

$

36.71

 

Fourth Quarter

 

$

45.50

 

$

39.00

 

 

The market price of our common shares is subject to fluctuations in response to variations in our quarterly operating results, general trends in the market for our products and product candidates, economic and currency exchange issues in the markets where we operate, as well as other factors, many of which are not within our control. In addition, broad market fluctuations, as well as general economic, business and political conditions may adversely affect the market for our common shares, regardless of our actual or projected performance.

 

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On March 7, 2011, the high and low sales prices of our common stock as reported by NYSE were $35.36 and $33.70, respectively.

 

Shareholders

 

As of March 7, 2011, we had 410 holders of record of our common stock.

 

Dividends

 

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock and we currently have no plans to do so.  Future cash dividends, if any, will be determined by our Board of Directors and will be based on earnings, available capital, our financial condition, and other factors that the Board of Directors deems to be relevant.

 

Share Repurchases

 

Purchases made during the quarter ended January 1, 2011 for each fiscal month therein are summarized in the following table:

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

(amounts in thousands, except per share data)

 

Period

 

Total 
Number of 
Shares 
Purchased

 

Average 
Price Paid 
per Share

 

Total Number of 
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs

 

Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be 
Purchased Under 
the Plans or 
Programs *

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal October

 

88

 

$

44.98

 

88

 

$

36,128

 

(Oct. 3, 2010 through Nov. 6, 2010)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal November

 

100

 

$

44.23

 

100

 

$

31,705

 

(Nov. 7, 2010 through Dec. 4, 2010)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal December

 

0

 

$

0.00

 

0

 

$

31,705

 

(Dec. 5, 2010 through Jan. 1, 2011)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

188

 

$

44.58

 

188

 

 

 

 


*  The Company’s share repurchase plan has been ongoing since the fourth quarter of 2000, with the Company’s Board of Directors periodically approving additional dollar amounts for share repurchases under the plan.  The Company began the fourth quarter with $40,106 remaining under the plan.  There currently is no expiration date on the approved repurchase amount.

 

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

 

The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto that are included in this report.

 

 

 

Fiscal Year (1)

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

 

 

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

Consolidated Statements of Earnings Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

365,166

 

$

423,149

 

$

429,012

 

$

436,940

 

$

517,644

 

Cost of sales

 

79,836

 

87,891

 

88,878

 

89,803

 

95,482

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

285,330

 

335,258

 

340,134

 

347,137

 

422,162

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Associate incentives

 

146,251

 

170,383

 

178,309

 

196,363

 

233,187

 

Selling, general and administrative (2)

 

76,566

 

94,174

 

113,828

 

99,983

 

120,759

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

222,817

 

264,557

 

292,137

 

296,346

 

353,946

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings from continuing operations

 

62,513

 

70,701

 

47,997

 

50,791

 

68,216

 

Other income (expense), net

 

1,408

 

471

 

(1,676

)

187

 

648

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes

 

63,921

 

71,172

 

46,321

 

50,978

 

68,864

 

Income taxes

 

22,679

 

25,530

 

16,376

 

17,422

 

23,213

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

41,242

 

45,642

 

29,945

 

33,556

 

45,651

 

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

(877

)

(612

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

40,365

 

$

45,030

 

$

29,945

 

$

33,556

 

$

45,651

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

2.29

 

$

2.73

 

$

1.87

 

$

2.19

 

$

2.94

 

Discontinued operations

 

(0.05

)

(0.04

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

2.24

 

$

2.69

 

$

1.87

 

$

2.19

 

$

2.94

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

2.20

 

$

2.65

 

$

1.85

 

$

2.17

 

$

2.86

 

Discontinued operations

 

(0.04

)

(0.03

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

2.16

 

$

2.62

 

$

1.85

 

$

2.17

 

$

2.86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

18,053

 

16,734

 

16,048

 

15,340

 

15,528

 

Diluted

 

18,724

 

17,206

 

16,163

 

15,432

 

15,942

 

Dividends per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flow Related Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

$

61,290

 

$

58,205

 

$

45,956

 

$

32,469

 

$

66,108

 

Investing activities

 

(11,680

)

(26,010

)

(15,206

)

(3,197

)

(46,853

)

Financing activities

 

(33,218

)

(46,886

)

(29,765

)

(29,502

)

(9,577

)

Purchase of property and equipment

 

(11,038

)

(26,264

)

(16,061

)

(4,128

)

(4,192

)

Repurchase of common stock

 

(40,958

)

(79,580

)

(39,873

)

(1,654

)

(17,031

)

 

30



Table of Contents

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 

Dec. 30,

 

Dec. 29,

 

Jan. 3,

 

Jan. 2,

 

Jan. 1,

 

 

 

2006

 

2007

 

2009

 

2010

 

2011

 

 

 

(in thousands, except other data)

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

27,029

 

$

12,865

 

$

13,281

 

$

13,658

 

$

24,222

 

Working capital

 

16,275

 

118

 

(1,860

)

11,448

 

22,648

 

Current assets

 

60,615

 

45,992

 

52,674

 

51,926

 

80,272

 

Total assets

 

100,002

 

109,128

 

122,572

 

123,438

 

203,802

 

Total current liabilities

 

44,340

 

45,874

 

54,534

 

40,478

 

57,624

 

Line of credit

 

 

28,000

 

34,990

 

7,000

 

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

2,305

 

1,212

 

1,587

 

1,012

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

55,662

 

32,949

 

31,836

 

74,373

 

145,166

 

Other Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active Associates

 

153,000

 

176,000

 

198,000

 

199,000

 

228,000

 

Active Preferred Customers

 

78,000

 

78,000

 

71,000

 

67,000

 

77,000

 

Total Active Customers

 

231,000

 

254,000

 

269,000

 

266,000

 

305,000

 

 


(1)  The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday that is closest to December 31.  The 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2010 fiscal years were 52-week years.  Fiscal year 2008 was a 53-week year.  The extra week in 2008 added nearly $7,000 to net sales.

(2)  During 2008, an unanticipated arbitration award was rendered against the Company in the amount of $7,020.

 

Item 7.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this report.

 

Overview

 

We develop and manufacture high-quality nutritional and personal care products that are distributed internationally through a network marketing system, which is a form of direct selling.  Our customer base comprises two types of customer: “Associates” and “Preferred Customers.”  Associates are independent distributors of our products who also purchase our products for their personal use.  Preferred Customers purchase our products strictly for their personal use and are not permitted to resell or to distribute the products.  As of January 1, 2011, we had approximately 228,000 active Associates and approximately 77,000 active Preferred Customers worldwide.  For purposes of this report, we only count as active customers those Associates and Preferred Customers who have purchased product from us at any time during the most recent three-month period, either for personal use or for resale.

 

We group and present the markets in which we have ongoing operations as follows:

 

·                  North America —

 

·                  United States

 

·                  Canada

 

·                  Mexico

 

·                  Asia Pacific —

 

·                  Southeast Asia/Pacific — Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines

 

·                  Greater China(1)  — Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China(2)

 

·                  North Asia — Japan and South Korea

 


(1) Formerly referred to as East Asia.

(2) Our business in China is that of BabyCare, Ltd. (“BabyCare”), which we indirectly acquired on August 16, 2010.

 

31



Table of Contents

 

Because we utilize a direct selling model for the distribution of our products the success and growth of our business is primarily based on our ability to attract new Associates and retain existing Associates to sell and consume our products.  Additionally, it is important to attract and retain Preferred Customers, many of whom are loyal consumers of our products.  Increases or decreases in product sales are typically the result of variations in product sales volumes relating to fluctuations in the number of active Associates and Preferred Customers purchasing our products.  Notably, sales to Associates account for the majority of our product sales, representing 90% of product sales during 2010.  In general, the volume of recurring monthly product purchases by an active Associate or Preferred Customer, in their local currency, remains relatively constant over time.  Accordingly, sales growth in local currencies is driven primarily by an increased number of active Associates and Preferred Customers.  The number of active Associates and Preferred Customers is, therefore, used by management as a key non-financial measure.

 

The tables below summarize the changes in our active customer base by geographic region.  These numbers have been rounded to the nearest thousand as of the dates indicated.

 

Active Associates By Region

 

 

 

As of

 

As of

 

Change from

 

Percent

 

 

 

January 2, 2010

 

January 1, 2011

 

Prior Year

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

57,000

 

28.6

%

51,000

 

22.4

%

(6,000

)

(10.5

)%

Canada

 

25,000

 

12.6

%

24,000

 

10.5

%

(1,000

)

(4.0

)%

Mexico

 

15,000

 

7.5

%

11,000

 

4.8

%

(4,000

)

(26.7

)%

North America Total

 

97,000

 

48.7

%

86,000

 

37.7

%

(11,000

)

(11.3

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asia Pacific:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southeast Asia/Pacific

 

46,000

 

23.1

%

41,000

 

18.0

%

(5,000

)

(10.9

)%

Greater China

 

48,000

 

24.2

%

93,000

 

40.8

%

45,000

 

93.8

%

North Asia

 

8,000

 

4.0

%

8,000

 

3.5

%

 

0.0

%

Asia Pacific Total

 

102,000

 

51.3

%

142,000

 

62.3

%

40,000

 

39.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

199,000

 

100.0

%

228,000

 

100.0

%

29,000

 

14.6

%

 

Active Preferred Customers By Region

 

 

 

As of

 

As of

 

Change from

 

Percent

 

 

 

January 2, 2010

 

January 1, 2011

 

Prior Year

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

39,000

 

58.2

%

36,000

 

46.7

%

(3,000

)

(7.7

)%

Canada

 

16,000

 

23.9

%

14,000

 

18.2

%

(2,000

)

(12.5

)%

Mexico

 

3,000

 

4.5

%

4,000

 

5.2

%

1,000

 

33.3

%

North America Total

 

58,000

 

86.6

%

54,000

 

70.1

%

(4,000

)

(6.9

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asia Pacific:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southeast Asia/Pacific

 

7,000

 

10.4

%

6,000

 

7.8

%

(1,000

)

(14.3

)%

Greater China

 

1,000

 

1.5

%

16,000

 

20.8

%

15,000

 

1500.0

%

North Asia

 

1,000

 

1.5

%

1,000

 

1.3

%

 

0.0

%

Asia Pacific Total

 

9,000

 

13.4

%

23,000

 

29.9

%

14,000

 

155.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

67,000

 

100.0

%

77,000

 

100.0

%

10,000

 

14.9

%

 

32



Table of Contents

 

Total Active Customers By Region

 

 

 

As of

 

As of

 

Change from

 

Percent

 

 

 

January 2, 2010

 

January 1, 2011

 

Prior Year

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

96,000

 

36.1

%

87,000

 

28.5

%

(9,000

)

(9.4

)%

Canada

 

41,000

 

15.4

%

38,000

 

12.5

%

(3,000

)

(7.3

)%

Mexico

 

18,000

 

6.8

%

15,000

 

4.9

%

(3,000

)

(16.7

)%

North America Total

 

155,000

 

58.3

%

140,000

 

45.9

%

(15,000

)

(9.7

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asia Pacific:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southeast Asia/Pacific

 

53,000

 

19.9

%

47,000

 

15.4

%

(6,000

)

(11.3

)%

Greater China

 

49,000

 

18.4

%

109,000

 

35.7

%

60,000

 

122.4

%

North Asia

 

9,000

 

3.4

%

9,000

 

3.0

%

 

0.0

%

Asia Pacific Total

 

111,000

 

41.7

%

165,000

 

54.1

%

54,000

 

48.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

266,000

 

100.0

%

305,000

 

100.0

%

39,000

 

14.7

%

 

We are currently most focused on the development of China through BabyCare, as well as growing our North American markets during a difficult economic environment.  Over the past several years, we have experienced significant growth in our Asia Pacific region, particularly in our Hong Kong market.  In light of this growth and our acquisition of BabyCare in China, we believe that we are well positioned for growth in China.  During 2011, our efforts in Asia Pacific will be targeted at integrating BabyCare into our business and motivating our successful Asian Associate base to grow BabyCare in China.  These efforts will require an investment of both time and resources.  This includes working with the Chinese government to assist BabyCare in obtaining direct selling licenses in additional Chinese provinces and cities beyond Beijing and registering USANA products for sale by BabyCare in China.  We are currently working with the Chinese government to allow several USANA products to be manufactured and sold by BabyCare in China.  We hope to have many of these products approved within 2011.

 

Difficult economic conditions continue to present a challenge for our overall business and Associate base, especially in our North American markets.  In light of these conditions, a number of our Associates and Preferred Customers have discontinued their product purchases as well as their activity in introducing new customers to our products.  During 2011, our primary corporate performance objectives will largely be tied to sales and Associate growth in North America.  The measures we are implementing to accomplish these objectives include (i) the introduction and promotion of new training and presentation tools, which we believe are of significant assistance in helping Associates grow their businesses; (ii) efforts to increase our global brand recognition, and (iii) the enhancement of our Associate Rewards and Recognition program.

 

Because we have operations in multiple markets, with sales and expenses being generated and incurred in multiple currencies, our reported U.S. dollar sales and earnings can be significantly affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates.  In general, our reported sales and earnings are affected positively by a weakening of the U.S. dollar and negatively by a strengthening of the U.S. dollar.

 

Presentation

 

Product sales and the shipping and handling fees billed to our customers are recorded as revenue net of applicable sales discounts when the product is delivered, title has transferred, and the risk of loss passes to the customer.  Payments received for undelivered products are recorded as deferred revenue and are included in other current liabilities.  Also reflected in net sales is a provision for product returns and allowances, which is estimated based on our historical experience.  Additionally, the Company collects an annual renewal fee from Associates that is deferred on receipt and is recognized as income on a straight-line basis over a twelve-month period.

 

Cost of sales primarily consists of expenses related to raw materials, labor, quality assurance, and overhead costs that are directly associated with the production and distribution of our products and sales materials, as well as duties and taxes that are associated with the import and export of our products.  As our international sales increase as a percentage of net sales, cost of sales are increasingly affected by additional duties, freight, and other factors, such as changes in currency exchange rates.

 

Associate incentives expense includes all forms of commissions, compensation, and other incentives paid to our Associates.  Compensation paid to BabyCare Associates, although under a different compensation plan, is also included in Associate incentives expense.  Incentives paid to Associates include bonuses earned, rewards from contests and promotions, and base commissions, which

 

33



Table of Contents

 

makes up the majority of our Associate incentives expense.  Bonuses are paid out to Associates based on certain business growth criteria, total base commission earnings, and leadership level.  Contests and promotions are offered as an incentive and reward to our Associates and are typically paid out only after an Associate achieves specific growth and advancement levels.  Base commissions are paid out on the sale of products.  USANA Associates earn their commissions based on sales volume points that are generated in their down-line organization.  Sales volume points are assigned to each commissionable product and comprise a certain percent of the product price. dollars.  Items such as our starter kits and sales tools have no sales volume point value, and commissions are not paid on the sale of these items.  Although insignificant to our financial statements, a USANA Associate may earn commissions on sales volume points that are generated from personal purchases that are not considered to be part of their “Qualifying Purchases.”  Qualifying Purchases are the amount of product that Associates must purchase each month, which they must either resell to consumers or personally use in order to qualify to earn commissions or bonuses under USANA’s Compensation Plan.  Commissions paid to USANA Associates on personal purchases are considered a sales discount and are reported as a reduction to our net sales.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses include wages and benefits, depreciation and amortization, rents and utilities, Associate event costs, advertising, professional fees, marketing, and research and development expenses.  Wages and benefits represent the largest component of selling, general and administrative expenses.  Significant depreciation and amortization expense is incurred as a result of investments in physical facilities, computer and telecommunications equipment, and systems to support our international operations.

 

Sales to customers outside the United States are transacted in the respective local currencies and are translated to U.S. dollars at weighted-average currency exchange rates for each monthly accounting period to which they relate.  Most of our raw material purchases from suppliers and our product purchases from third-party manufacturers are transacted in U.S. dollars.  Consequently, our sales and net earnings are affected by changes in currency exchange rates, with sales and earnings generally increasing with a weakening U.S. dollar and decreasing with a strengthening U.S. dollar.  In our net sales discussions that follow, we approximate the impact of currency fluctuations on net sales by translating current year net sales at the average exchange rates in effect during the comparable prior year periods.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table summarizes our consolidated operating results as a percent of net sales, respectively, for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

Fiscal Year

 

 

 

2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

Consolidated Statements of Earnings Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

Cost of sales

 

20.7

%

20.6

%

18.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

79.3

%

79.4

%

81.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Associate incentives

 

41.6

%

44.9

%

45.0

%

Selling, general and administrative *

 

26.5

%

22.9

%

23.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

68.1

%

67.8

%

68.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings from operations

 

11.2

%

11.6

%

13.3

%

Other income (expense), net

 

(0.4

)%

0.1

%

0.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

10.8

%

11.7

%

13.3

%

Income taxes

 

3.8

%

4.0

%

4.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

7.0

%

7.7

%

8.8

%

 


* Included in selling, general and administrative during 2008 was $7.0 million related to an unanticipated arbitration award, without which selling, general and administrative expense as a percent of net sales would have been 24.9%.

 

Summary of 2010 Financial Results

 

Net sales increased $80.7 million to $517.6 million, which is an 18.5% increase from 2009.  The most significant item impacting net sales during 2010 was an increase in product sales volumes resulting from an increase in the number of active Associates in Greater China, partially offset by a decrease in the number of active Associates in North America and Southeast Asia Pacific.  This increase includes the addition of $7.4 million in net sales from BabyCare, our newly acquired subsidiary in China.  Net sales during 2010 also benefited from favorable changes in currency exchange rates by approximately $21.0 million.

 

34



Table of Contents

 

Net earnings increased 36.0% to $45.7 million in 2010 from $33.6 million in 2009.  This year-over-year increase was primarily the result of higher net sales, improved gross profit margin, and a lower effective tax rate.  These improvements were partially offset by 10 basis point increase in Associate incentives as a percent of net sales, and a 40 basis point increase in selling, general and administrative expense.  Our acquisition of BabyCare reduced net earnings by approximately $3.1 million, which includes $2.0 million of acquisition costs.

 

Fiscal Year 2010 compared to Fiscal Year 2009

 

Net Sales

 

The following table summarizes the changes in our net sales by geographic region for the fiscal years ended January 2, 2010 and January 1, 2011:

 

 

 

Net Sales by Region
(in thousands)
Year Ended

 

Change 
from prior

 

Percent 

 

Approximate
impact of 
currency 

 

Change 
excluding 
the impact

 

 

 

2009

 

2010

 

year

 

change

 

exchange

 

of currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

151,663

 

34.7

%

$

150,893

 

29.2

%

$

(770

)

(0.5

)%

$

N/A

 

(0.5

)%

Canada

 

65,682

 

15.1

%

69,411

 

13.4

%

3,729

 

5.7

%

6,500

 

(4.2

)%

Mexico

 

22,384

 

5.1

%

21,843

 

4.2

%

(541

)

(2.4

)%

1,400

 

(8.7

)%

North America Total

 

239,729

 

54.9

%

242,147

 

46.8

%

2,418

 

1.0

%

7,900

 

(2.3

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asia Pacific:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southeast Asia/Pacific

 

95,185

 

21.8

%

99,311

 

19.2

%

4,126

 

4.3

%

10,400

 

(6.6

)%

Greater China

 

81,455

 

18.6

%

152,280

 

29.4

%

70,825

 

86.9

%

800

 

86.0

%

North Asia

 

20,571

 

4.7

%

23,906

 

4.6

%

3,335

 

16.2

%

1,900

 

7.0

%

Asia Pacific Total

 

197,211

 

45.1

%

275,497

 

53.2

%

78,286

 

39.7

%

13,100

 

33.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

436,940

 

100.0

%

$

517,644

 

100.0

%

$

80,704

 

18.5

%

$

21,000

 

13.7

%

 

North America:  The decrease in local currency net sales in this region was the result of lower product sales volume due to a decrease in the number of active Associates and Preferred Customers in this region.  As a manufacturer of premium products, we believe that continued economic challenges, particularly in the consumer products segment, have contributed meaningfully to the decrease in active Associates and Preferred Customers.  Part of the decrease in the number of active Associates is also due to an increase in the number of North America-based Associates building their businesses in Asia, which results in growth in sales and Associates in Asia Pacific rather than North America.  In the third quarter of 2010, we launched a new interactive presentation tool, called Health and Freedom Solution, which was created and designed to help our Associates explain and share the USANA opportunity, including the benefits of our products and our Compensation Plan.  Throughout 2011, we will heavily promote the use of this tool as well as our online training system in an effort to engage our Associates and help them become more effective at building their businesses, especially in light of the difficult economic environment.

 

The decrease in active Associates throughout the year was partially offset by an increase in customer spending, which was a result of two factors.  First, during the year we changed the structure of our compensation, recognition, and rewards programs in a way that we believe will encourage our Associates to build their businesses more effectively.  We believe that these changes were the primary reason for the increase in product sales volume per customer from 2009 to 2010.  Second, over the last couple of years we have implemented certain price increases, including a price increase of nearly ten percent on our products in Mexico.  While our profitability in Mexico has improved, we believe that the price increases in this market contributed to the decline in our active Associate count.

 

Asia Pacific:  The increase in net sales in this region was primarily due to higher product sales volume due to an increase in the number of active Associates.  This increase came predominantly from Greater China.  Growth in Greater China was led by Hong Kong, where the number of active Associates increased 100.0% year-over-year and net sales increased 103.8%.  Additionally, our acquisition of BabyCare added approximately $7.4 million in net sales, 12,000 active Associates, and 14,000 active Preferred Customers to this region.

 

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Excluding BabyCare, local currency net sales in this region increased 29.4%, the number of active Associates increased 27.5%, and the number of active Preferred Customers remained unchanged.

 

Importantly, while we have achieved significant growth in Hong Kong, we anticipate that 2011 will be a transitional year as we turn much of our attention to integrating and growing BabyCare in China.  As such, we expect sales in Hong Kong to decline in 2011.  We expect this change will be primarily the result of three key factors.  First, we believe that many of our key Associate leaders in Hong Kong, who qualify to do business in both Hong Kong and China, will shift their attention to growing their businesses in China through BabyCare.  Second, we believe that many of our Associates in Hong Kong, who are simply consumers of our products, will begin purchasing our products in China, if and when our products are registered for sale by BabyCare in China.  Third, the average initial purchase amount per Associate is lower at BabyCare than our other markets, causing a natural decrease to our sales as some of our Associates who qualify to do business in both Hong Kong and China, and would have otherwise built their business in Hong Kong, begin building in China through BabyCare.

 

Although smaller as a percent of sales, we also experienced double-digit local currency sales growth in the Philippines and South Korea.  The increase in total Asia Pacific sales, on a local currency basis, was partially offset by an overall decline in sales and Associates in Southeast Asia Pacific, which we believe, similar to North America, is largely the result of difficult economic conditions.

 

Gross Profit

 

The increase in gross profit as a percent of net sales can be attributed to a decrease in overall raw materials cost, currency benefits, lower relative freight costs on shipments to our customers, production and shipping efficiency due to capital investments, and leverage gained on increased net sales.  Additionally, we have implemented certain price increases, notably on some of our larger packs and flagship products, and we discontinued several of our lower gross margin product pack offerings, all of which contributed to our improved gross profit.

 

Associate Incentives

 

Although Associate incentives as a percent of sales increased slightly for the year, on a sequential quarter basis it has decreased modestly since the fourth quarter of 2009.  Notably, during the second quarter of 2010, we implemented a strategic initiative to reduce Associate incentives expense as a percent of net sales and, as a result, we expect a further decrease in 2011.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percent of net sales was primarily due to acquisition costs related to BabyCare.

 

In absolute terms, our selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $20.8 million in 2010, compared with 2009.  The most significant components of this increase in absolute terms were as follows:

 

·                  An increase in wage-related expenses of approximately $11.7 million, which includes $2.1 million of expenses related to BabyCare;

 

·                  Acquisition costs related to BabyCare of approximately $2.0 million;

 

·                  Expenses related to our Asia Pacific convention of approximately $1.7 million; and

 

·                  An increase in credit card fees of approximately $1.9 million related to the increase in sales.

 

We expect that selling, general and administrative expenses will increase in 2011 both in absolute terms and as a percent of net sales.  The reasons for this increase include; (i) increased investments in human resources and other integration-related costs for BabyCare, (ii) a full year of regular BabyCare expense, which is relatively higher than USANA due to the required infrastructure in China, and (iii) increased spending related to our corporate branding efforts.  Notably, in connection with the acquisition of BabyCare, we issued equity awards to certain BabyCare executives, which will be part of the full year of regular BabyCare expenses, and which added approximately $1.2 million to wage-related expenses in 2010.

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

Other income increased nearly $0.5 million due to a $0.5 million reduction in interest expense as a result of a lower average balance on our line of credit during the year.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Income Taxes

 

Income taxes totaled 33.7% of earnings before income taxes in 2010, compared to 34.2% in 2009.  This decrease is primarily due to increased tax benefits from the deduction for qualified production activities and tax benefits recognized from stock option exercises in 2010.

 

Diluted Earnings Per Share

 

Diluted earnings per share increased $0.69, or 31.8%, to $2.86 for the year.  This increase is the result of improved gross profit margins on higher net sales and a lower tax rate, partially offset by higher relative operating expenses and a higher average number of diluted shares outstanding.

 

Fiscal Year 2009 compared to Fiscal Year 2008

 

The tables below summarize the changes in our active customer base by geographic region as of the dates indicated.

 

Active Associates By Region

(rounded to the nearest thousand)

 

 

 

As of

 

As of

 

Change from

 

Percent

 

 

 

January 3, 2009

 

January 2, 2010

 

Prior Year

 

Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

63,000

 

31.8

%

57,000

 

28.6

%

(6,000

)

(9.5

)%

Canada

 

29,000

 

14.6

%

25,000

 

12.6

%

(4,000

)

(13.8

)%

Mexico

 

15,000

 

7.6

%

15,000

 

7.5

%

 

0.0

%

North America Total

 

107,000

 

54.0

%

97,000

 

48.7

%

(10,000

)

(9.3

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asia Pacific:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southeast Asia/Pacific

 

44,000

 

22.2

%

46,000