JJ Pellegrino
Chief Financial Officer
Thanks, Dave. I’d now like to say a few words about our gross margin, operating expenses and guidance. Gross margin in Q4, 2013 was 67%, down from 71% in Q4, 2012, a result of higher production costs as well as sales mix. Our XenoSure start-up manufacturing in Burlington and our continued operation of the Clinical Instruments’ facility both negatively impacted margins, but our changing sales mix maybe the more important point. Sales to lower margin geographies such as China and other export markets totaled over $1.8 million in Q4, while XenoSure which carries a 50% gross margin continued to grow briskly. In addition, lower margin European growth was once again higher than domestic sales growth. In total, this less attractive sales mix reduced our Q4 operating gross margin by 3% to 4% versus the prior year quarter. Going forward, we expect to close the Clinical Instruments facility shortly, and Burlington made XenoSure will ramp significantly over the coming weeks. Both of these will improve the gross margin. With respect to sales mix however, we remain bullish on XenoSure export and European sales and they will apply some pressure on margins going forward. In summary, we believe our gross margin will recover to 68% to 69% for Q2 and then move into the 70% to 71% range for Q4, 2014. In Q4, 2013 we posted operating expenses of $10.8 million, 13% over the prior year, driven by increased administrative costs and higher selling costs. In an effort to combat these higher expenses, we have planned 10% workforce reductions. This includes an approximate 20% U.S. RIF, which was completed in February, closure of the Clinical Instruments factory and a potential international headcount reduction. We estimate 2014 savings of $2 million. This program may carry one-time charge of $200,000 to $400,000. In addition to the RIF, we will be implementing a cost reduction program. I hope this background helps to clarify our 2014 guidance as lower operating margins in Q1, 2014 are expected to improve market [indiscernible] quarters. We are guiding Q1, 2014 sales of $17.1 million, up 11% versus Q1, 2013 and operating income of $600,000. We are also guiding full year 2014 sales of $70.2 million, up 9% versus 2013 and operating income of $5.5 million. We will be presenting at several upcoming investor conferences. Cowen and Company’s 34th Annual Healthcare Conference on March 3 in Boston; the 26th Annual ROTH Healthcare Conference on March 10 in Dana Point, California; the BTIG Inaugural Snowbird Medical Technology and Healthcare Conference on March 18 in Snowbird, Utah; the Benchmark Company One-on-One Investor Conference on May 29th in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; the Wells Fargo Healthcare Conference on June 18th in Boston and the Canaccord Genuity 34th Annual Growth Conference on August 13 in Boston Massachusetts. With that, I will turn it back over to Chris for Q&A.