10-K 1 the10k_2011.htm THE 2011 ANNUAL 10-K REPORT the10k_2011.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
FORM 10-K

X
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011

__ 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number 0-27078
 
 HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE
135 Duryea Road
(State or other jurisdiction of
Melville, New York
incorporation or organization)
(Address of principal executive offices)
11-3136595
11747
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
(Zip Code)

 (631) 843-5500
(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 $.01 per share
The NASDAQ Global Select Market

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:  X     NO: __

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
YES:  __     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: __

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
YES:  X     NO: __

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of 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. X

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:  X                                                                 Accelerated filer: __                                                                     Non-accelerated filer: __                                                                          Smaller reporting company: __
                                                                                                        (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
YES:  __     NO: X

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the closing sales price as quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on June 25, 2011 was approximately $6,422,578,000.
 
As of February 6, 2012, there were 89,775,409 shares of registrant’s Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, outstanding.

Documents Incorporated by Reference:
Portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year (December 31, 2011) are incorporated by reference in Part III hereof.
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
Number
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART I.
 
 
 
3
 
 
16
 
 
25
 
 
26
 
 
26
 
 
26
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
27
 
 
30
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32
 
 
53
 
 
54
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
103
 
 
103
 
 
105
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART III
 
 
 
105
 
 
105
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
106
 
 
106
 
 
106
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART IV
 
 
 
107
 
 
 
108
 
 
 
111


PART I


General

We believe we are the largest distributor of healthcare products and services primarily to office-based healthcare practitioners.  We serve nearly 775,000 customers worldwide, including dental practitioners and laboratories, physician practices and animal health clinics, as well as government and other institutions.  We believe that we have a strong brand identity due to our more than 79 years of experience distributing healthcare products.

We are headquartered in Melville, New York, employ nearly 15,000 people (of which over 6,500 are based outside the United States) and have operations in the United States, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.  We also have affiliates in Iceland, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

We have established strategically located distribution centers to enable us to better serve our customers and increase our operating efficiency.  This infrastructure, together with broad product and service offerings at competitive prices, and a strong commitment to customer service, enables us to be a single source of supply for our customers’ needs.  Our infrastructure also allows us to provide convenient ordering and rapid, accurate and complete order fulfillment.

We conduct our business through two reportable segments: healthcare distribution and technology.  These segments offer different products and services to the same customer base.  The healthcare distribution reportable segment aggregates our dental, medical, animal health and international operating segments.  This segment consists of consumable products, small equipment, laboratory products, large dental equipment, equipment repair services, branded and generic pharmaceuticals, vaccines, surgical products, diagnostic tests, infection-control products and vitamins.  Our technology group provides software, technology and other value-added services to healthcare practitioners, primarily in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.  Our value-added practice solutions include practice management software systems for dental and medical practitioners and animal health clinics.  Our technology group offerings also include financial services on a non-recourse basis, e-services and continuing education services for practitioners.

Industry

The healthcare products distribution industry, as it relates to office-based healthcare practitioners, is highly fragmented and diverse.  This industry, which encompasses the dental, medical and animal health markets, was estimated to produce revenues of approximately $28 billion in 2011 in the combined North American, European and Australian/New Zealand markets.  The industry ranges from sole practitioners working out of relatively small offices to group practices or service organizations ranging in size from a few practitioners to a large number of practitioners who have combined or otherwise associated their practices.

Due in part to the inability of office-based healthcare practitioners to store and manage large quantities of supplies in their offices, the distribution of healthcare supplies and small equipment to office-based healthcare practitioners has been characterized by frequent, small quantity orders, and a need for rapid, reliable and substantially complete order fulfillment.  The purchasing decisions within an office-based healthcare practice are typically made by the practitioner or an administrative assistant.  Supplies and small equipment are generally purchased from more than one distributor, with one generally serving as the primary supplier.


The healthcare products distribution industry continues to experience growth due to the aging population, increased healthcare awareness, the proliferation of medical technology and testing, new pharmacology treatments and expanded third-party insurance coverage, partially offset by the affects of increased unemployment on insurance coverage.  In addition, the physician market continues to benefit from the shift of procedures and diagnostic testing from acute care settings to alternate-care sites, particularly physicians’ offices.

We believe that consolidation within the industry will continue to result in a number of distributors, particularly those with limited financial and marketing resources, seeking to combine with larger companies that can provide growth opportunities.  This consolidation also may continue to result in distributors seeking to acquire companies that can enhance their current product and service offerings or provide opportunities to serve a broader customer base.

In recent years, the healthcare industry has increasingly focused on cost containment.  This trend has benefited distributors capable of providing a broad array of products and services at low prices.  It also has accelerated the growth of HMOs, group practices, other managed care accounts and collective buying groups, which, in addition to their emphasis on obtaining products at competitive prices, tend to favor distributors capable of providing specialized management information support.  We believe that the trend towards cost containment has the potential to favorably affect demand for technology solutions, including software, which can enhance the efficiency and facilitation of practice management.

Competition

The distribution and manufacture of healthcare supplies and equipment is highly competitive.  Many of the healthcare distribution products we sell are available to our customers from a number of suppliers.  In addition, our competitors could obtain exclusive rights from manufacturers to market particular products.  Manufacturers also could seek to sell directly to end-users, and thereby eliminate or reduce our role and that of other distributors.

In North America, we compete with other distributors, as well as several manufacturers, of dental, medical and animal health products, primarily on the basis of price, breadth of product line, customer service and value-added products and services.  In the sale of our dental products, our primary competitors are the Patterson Dental division of Patterson Companies, Inc. and Benco Dental Supply Company.  In addition, we compete against a number of other distributors that operate on a national, regional and local level.  Our primary competitors in the sale of medical products are McKesson Corp., PSS World Medical, Inc. and Cardinal Health, Inc., which are national distributors.  In the animal health market, our primary competitors are MWI Veterinary Supply Inc. and the Webster Veterinary division of Patterson Companies, Inc.  We also compete against a number of regional and local medical and animal health distributors, as well as a number of manufacturers that sell directly to physicians and veterinarians.  With regard to our dental practice management software, we compete against numerous companies, including Carestream Health, Inc. and the Patterson Dental division of Patterson Companies, Inc.  The medical practice management and electronic medical records market is very fragmented and therefore we compete with numerous companies such as NextGen Healthcare Information Systems, Inc., eClinicalWorks, Allscripts, LLC and athenahealth, Inc.  In the animal health practice management market, our primary competitors are IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. and the Webster Veterinary division of Patterson Companies, Inc.

We also face significant competition internationally, where we compete on the basis of price and customer service against several large competitors, including the GACD Group, Pluradent AG & Co., Planmeca Oy, Arseus NV, Billericay Dental Supply Co. Ltd., National Veterinary Services and Alcyon SA, as well as a large number of dental, medical and animal health product distributors and manufacturers in Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.


Significant price reductions by our competitors could result in a similar reduction in our prices.  Any of these competitive pressures may materially adversely affect our operating results.

Competitive Strengths

We have more than 79 years of experience in distributing products to healthcare practitioners resulting in strong awareness of the “Henry Schein” brand.  Our competitive strengths include:

Direct sales and marketing expertise.  Our sales and marketing efforts are designed to establish and solidify customer relationships through personal visits by field sales representatives, frequent direct marketing and telesales contact, emphasizing our broad product lines, including exclusive distribution agreements, competitive prices and ease of order placement.  The key elements of our direct sales and marketing efforts are:
 
 
Field sales consultants.  We have approximately 3,200 field sales consultants, including equipment sales specialists, covering major North American, European and other international markets.  These consultants complement our direct marketing and telesales efforts and enable us to better market, service and support the sale of more sophisticated products and equipment.

 
Direct marketing.  During 2011, we distributed approximately 28.1 million pieces of direct marketing material, including catalogs, flyers, order stuffers and other promotional materials to existing and potential office-based healthcare customers.

 
Telesales.  We support our direct marketing effort with approximately 1,625 inbound and outbound telesales representatives, who facilitate order processing and generate new sales through direct and frequent contact with customers.


Broad product and service offerings at competitive prices.  We offer a broad range of products and services to our customers, at competitive prices, in the following categories:

 
Consumable supplies and equipment.  We offer over 90,000 Stock Keeping Units, or SKUs, to our customers.  Of the SKUs offered, approximately 51,000 are offered to our dental customers, approximately 38,000 to our medical customers and approximately 19,000 to our animal health customers.  We offer over 100,000 additional SKUs to our customers in the form of special order items.

 
Technology and other value-added products and services.  We sell practice management software systems to our dental, medical and animal health customers.  Our practice management solutions provide practitioners with electronic medical records, patient treatment history, billing, accounts receivable analyses and management, appointment calendars, electronic claims processing and word processing programs.  As of December 31, 2011, we have an active user base of more than 70,000 practices, including Dentrix®, Easy Dental®, Oasis® and EXACT® for dental practices, MicroMD® for physician practices and Advantage+, AVImark®, DVM Manager®, Infinity, Sunpoint, Triple Crown ® and Vetech Advantage for animal health practices.

 
Repair services.  We have 194 equipment sales and service centers worldwide that provide a variety of repair, installation and technical services for our healthcare customers.  Our ProRepair technicians provide installation and repair services for: dental handpieces; dental, medical and animal health small equipment; table top sterilizers; and large dental equipment.

 
Financial services.  We offer our customers solutions in operating their practices more efficiently by providing access to a number of financial services and products (including non-recourse financing for equipment, technology and software products; non-recourse patient financing; collection services and credit card processing) at rates that we believe are generally lower than what they would be able to secure independently. We also provide dental practice valuation and brokerage services.


Commitment to superior customer service.  We maintain a strong commitment to providing superior customer service.  We frequently monitor our customer service through customer surveys, focus groups and statistical reports.  Our customer service policy primarily focuses on:

 
Exceptional order fulfillment.  Approximately 99% of items ordered are shipped without back ordering and are shipped on the same business day the order is received.

 
Streamlined ordering process.  Customers may place orders 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by mail, fax, telephone, e-mail, Internet and by using our computerized order entry systems.

Integrated management information systems.  Our information systems generally allow for centralized management of key functions, including accounts receivable, inventory, accounts payable, payroll, purchasing, sales and order fulfillment.  These systems allow us to manage our growth, deliver superior customer service, properly target customers, manage financial performance and monitor daily operational statistics.

Cost-effective purchasing.  We believe that cost-effective purchasing is a key element to maintaining and enhancing our position as a competitive-pricing provider of healthcare products.  We continuously evaluate our purchase requirements and suppliers’ offerings and prices in order to obtain products at the lowest possible cost.  In 2011, our top 10 healthcare distribution suppliers and our single largest supplier accounted for approximately 33% and 8%, respectively, of our aggregate purchases.

Efficient distribution.  We distribute our products from our strategically located distribution centers.  We strive to maintain optimal inventory levels in order to satisfy customer demand for prompt delivery and complete order fulfillment.  These inventory levels are managed on a daily basis with the aid of our management information systems.  Once an order is entered, it is electronically transmitted to the distribution center nearest the customer’s location and a packing slip for the entire order is printed for order fulfillment.


Products

The following table sets forth the percentage of consolidated net sales by principal categories of products offered through our healthcare distribution and technology reportable segments:

 
 
 
 
 
2011 
 
2010 
 
2009 
Healthcare Distribution
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dental:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumable dental products, dental laboratory products
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and small equipment (1)
 
40.5 
%
 
42.2 
%
 
45.9 
%
 
 
Large dental equipment (2)
 
14.7 
 
 
15.5 
 
 
17.1 
 
 
 
 
Total dental
 
55.2 
 
 
57.7 
 
 
63.0 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Medical products (3)
 
18.4 
 
 
19.2 
 
 
23.4 
 
 
Animal health products (4)
 
23.5 
 
 
20.4 
 
 
11.0 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Healthcare Distribution  
 
97.1 
 
 
97.3 
 
 
97.4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Technology
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Software and related products and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
other value-added products (5)
 
2.9 
 
 
2.7 
 
 
2.6 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total  
 
100.0 
%
 
100.0 
%
 
100.0 
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)
   Includes X-ray products, infection-control products, handpieces, preventatives, impression materials, composites, anesthetics,
 
   teeth, dental implants, gypsum, acrylics, articulators and abrasives.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2)
   Includes dental chairs, delivery units and lights, X-ray equipment, equipment repair and high-tech equipment.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(3)
   Includes branded and generic pharmaceuticals, vaccines, surgical products, diagnostic tests, infection-control products, X-ray products,
 
   equipment and vitamins.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(4)
   Includes branded and generic pharmaceuticals, surgical and consumable products and services and equipment.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(5)
   Includes software and related products and other value-added products, including financial products and continuing education.


Business Strategy

Our objective is to continue to expand as a value-added distributor of healthcare products and services to office-based healthcare practitioners.  To accomplish this, we will apply our competitive strengths in executing the following strategies:

 
Increase penetration of our existing customer base.  We have nearly 775,000 customers worldwide and we intend to increase sales to our existing customer base and enhance our position as their primary supplier.

 
Increase the number of customers we serve.  This strategy includes increasing the number and productivity of field sales consultants, as well as using our customer database to focus our marketing efforts.

 
Leverage our value-added products and services.  We continue to increase cross-selling efforts for key product lines.  In the dental business, we have significant cross-selling opportunities between our dental practice management software users and our dental distribution customers.  In the medical business, we have opportunities to expand our vaccine, injectables and other pharmaceuticals sales to medical distribution customers, as well as cross-selling core products and practice management software with these key products.  In the animal health business, we have opportunities to cross-sell practice management software and other products.

 
Pursue strategic acquisitions and joint ventures.  Our acquisition strategy includes acquiring businesses and entering into joint ventures complementary to ours that will provide, among other things, additional sales to be channeled through our existing distribution infrastructure, access to additional product lines and field sales consultants and an opportunity to further expand into new geographic markets.

Markets Served

Demographic trends indicate that our markets are growing, as an aging U.S. population is increasingly using healthcare services.  Between 2011 and 2021, the 45 and older population is expected to grow by approximately 14%.  Between 2011 and 2031, this age group is expected to grow by approximately 27%.  This compares with expected total U.S. population growth rates of approximately 9% between 2011 and 2021 and approximately 18% between 2011 and 2031.

In the dental industry, there is predicted to be a rise in oral healthcare expenditures as the 45 and older segment of the population increases.  Cosmetic dentistry is another growing aspect of dental practices as new technologies allow dentists to offer cosmetic solutions that patients seek.  At the same time, there is an expected increase in dental insurance coverage.

We support our dental professionals through the many SKUs that we offer, as well as through important value-added services, including practice management software, electronic claims processing, financial services and continuing education, all designed to help maximize a practitioner’s efficiency.

There continues to be a migration of procedures from acute-care settings to physicians’ offices, a trend that we believe provides additional opportunities for us.  There also is the continuing use of vaccines, injectables and other pharmaceuticals in alternate-care settings.  We believe we have established a leading position as a vaccine supplier to the office-based physician practitioner.

We believe our international group is a leading European healthcare supplier servicing office-based dental, medical and animal health practices.  We are in the process of implementing SAP software across continental Europe.  Additionally, we are expanding our dental full-service model and our animal health presence in Europe, as well as our medical offerings in countries where opportunities exist.  Through our “Schein Direct” program, we also have the capability to provide door-to-door air package delivery to practitioners in over 200 countries around the world.

For information on revenues and long-lived assets by geographic area, see Note 15 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” which is incorporated herein by reference.


Seasonality and Other Factors Affecting Our Business and Quarterly Results

We experience fluctuations in quarterly earnings.  As a result, we may fail to meet or exceed the expectations of securities analysts and investors, which could cause our stock price to decline.

Our business is subject to seasonal and other quarterly fluctuations.  Net sales and operating profits generally have been higher in the third and fourth quarters due to the timing of sales of seasonal products (including influenza vaccine, equipment and software products), purchasing patterns of office-based healthcare practitioners and year-end promotions.  Net sales and operating profits generally have been lower in the first quarter, primarily due to increased sales in the prior two quarters.  We expect our historical seasonality of sales to continue in the foreseeable future.  Quarterly results also may be adversely affected by a variety of other factors, including:

 
timing and amount of sales and marketing expenditures;

 
timing of pricing changes offered by our vendors;

 
timing of the introduction of new products and services by our vendors;

 
timing of the release of upgrades and enhancements to our technology-related products and services;

 
changes in or availability of vendor contracts or rebate programs;

 
vendor rebates based upon attaining certain growth goals;

 
changes in the way vendors introduce or deliver products to market;

 
costs of developing new applications and services;

 
exclusivity requirements with certain vendors may prohibit us from distributing competitive products manufactured by other vendors;

 
loss of sales representatives;

 
costs related to acquisitions and/or integrations of technologies or businesses;

 
costs associated with our self-insured medical insurance program;

 
general economic conditions, as well as those specific to the healthcare industry and related industries;

 
our success in establishing or maintaining business relationships;

 
unexpected difficulties in developing and manufacturing products;

 
product demand and availability or recalls by manufacturers;

 
exposure to product liability and other claims in the event that the use of the products we sell results in injury;

 
increases in the cost of shipping or service issues with our third-party shippers;

 
restructuring costs; and

 
changes in accounting principles.

Any change in one or more of these or other factors could cause our annual or quarterly operating results to fluctuate.  If our operating results do not meet market expectations, our stock price may decline.


Governmental Regulations

Operating, Security and Licensure Standards

Certain of our businesses involve the distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and in this regard we are subject to various local, state, federal and foreign governmental laws and regulations applicable to the distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical devices.  Among the federal laws applicable to us are the Controlled Substances Act, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended, the Prescription Drug Marketing Act of 1987, and Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act.  We are also subject to comparable foreign regulations.

The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act generally regulates the introduction, manufacture, advertising, labeling, packaging, storage, handling, reporting, marketing and distribution of, and record keeping for, pharmaceuticals and medical devices shipped in interstate commerce, and states may similarly regulate such activities within the state.  Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act, which provides authority to prevent the spread of communicable diseases, serves as the legal basis for the United States Food and Drug Administration’s regulation of human cells, tissues, and cellular and tissue-based products, also known as HCT/P products.

The Prescription Drug Marketing Act of 1987 (“PDMA”), which amended the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and its implementing regulations, establishes certain requirements applicable to the wholesale distribution of prescription drugs, including the requirement that wholesale drug distributors be licensed by each state in which they conduct business, provide certain drug pedigree information on the distribution of prescription drugs and act in accordance with federally established guidelines on storage, handling and record maintenance.

Under the Controlled Substances Act, as a distributor of controlled substances, we are required to obtain and renew annually registrations from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration permitting us to handle controlled substances.  We are also subject to other statutory and regulatory requirements relating to the sale, marketing, handling and distribution of such drugs, in accordance with specified rules and regulations, and these requirements have been subject to heightened enforcement activity in recent times.  We are subject to inspection by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.

Certain of our businesses are required to register for permits and/or licenses with, and comply with operating and security standards of, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Food and Drug Administration, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and various state boards of pharmacy, state health departments and/or comparable state agencies as well as foreign agencies, and certain accrediting bodies depending on the type of operations and location of product distribution, manufacturing or sale.  These businesses include those that distribute, manufacture and/or repackage prescription pharmaceuticals and/or medical devices and/or HCT/P products, or own pharmacy operations, or install, maintain or repair equipment.  In addition, Section 301 of the National Organ Transplant Act, and a number of comparable state laws, impose civil and/or criminal penalties for the transfer of certain human tissue (for example human bone products) for valuable consideration, while generally permitting payments for the reasonable costs incurred in procuring, processing, storing and distributing that tissue. The United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Food and Drug Administration and state regulatory authorities have broad enforcement powers, including the ability to suspend or limit the distribution of products by our distribution centers, seize or order the recall of products and impose significant criminal, civil and administrative sanctions for violations of these laws and regulations.  Our customers are also subject to significant federal, state, local and foreign governmental regulation.

Certain of our businesses are subject to various additional federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations, including with respect to the sale, transportation, storage, handling and disposal of hazardous or potentially hazardous substances, and safe working conditions.  In recent years, some states have passed or proposed laws and regulations that are intended to protect the integrity of the medical supply channel.  For example, Florida and certain other states have implemented or are implementing drug pedigree requirements that require that prescription drugs be distributed with records or information documenting the prior distribution of the drug, from distributors and potentially back to the manufacturers.  California has enacted a law requiring the implementation of an electronic drug pedigree system that provides track and trace chain of custody technologies, such as radio frequency identification, or RFID, technologies, although the effective date has been postponed until January 1, 2015 for pharmaceutical manufacturers, and July 1, 2016 for pharmaceutical wholesalers and repackagers.  There have been increasing efforts by various levels of government to regulate the pharmaceutical distribution system in order to prevent the introduction of counterfeit, adulterated or misbranded pharmaceuticals into the distribution system.
 
 
At the federal level, the United States Food and Drug Administration issued final regulations pursuant to PDMA that became effective in December 2006. The regulations impose drug pedigree and other chain of custody requirements that increase the costs and/or burden to us of selling our products and handling product returns.  In early December 2006, the federal District Court for the Eastern District of New York issued a preliminary injunction enjoining the implementation of certain of the federal drug pedigree requirements, including the requirement to identify transactions back to the manufacturer.  Nonetheless, prescription drug pedigrees are required under federal regulations and the PDMA, and the pedigree must track back to the last manufacturer or authorized distributor of record, or ADR, that handled the drug.

The United States Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007, which went into effect on September 27, 2007, requires the United States Food and Drug Administration to establish standards and identify and validate effective technologies for the purpose of securing the pharmaceutical supply chain against counterfeit drugs.  These standards include any track and trace or authentication technologies, such as RFID and other technologies.  The United States Food and Drug Administration has continued to develop its policies in this area, such as issuing a Final Guidance in 2010 regarding standardized numerical identification for prescription drug packages, and announcing its work on developing draft regulations for unique medical device identifiers.

Certain of our businesses also maintain contracts with governmental agencies and are subject to certain regulatory requirements specific to government contractors.

Healthcare Fraud

Certain of our businesses are subject to federal and state (and similar foreign) healthcare fraud and abuse, referral and reimbursement laws, and regulations with respect to their operations.  Such laws prohibit, among other things, the submission or causing the submission of false or fraudulent claims for reimbursement, and soliciting, offering, receiving or paying remuneration in order to induce the referral of a patient or ordering, purchasing, leasing or arranging for or recommending ordering, purchasing or leasing, of items or services that are paid for by government health care programs (known as “anti-kickback” laws). Violations of these laws could result in civil and criminal penalties.  The fraud and abuse laws and regulations have been subject to heightened enforcement activity over the past few years, particularly through “relators,” who serve as whistleblowers by filing complaints in the name of the United States (and if applicable, particular states) under federal and state False Claims Act statutes, and can be entitled to receive up to 30% of total recoveries.  Also, violations of the False Claims Act can result in treble damages, and each false claim submitted can be subject to a penalty of up to $11,000 per claim.  These laws and regulations are subject to frequent modification and varied interpretation, and can have a material adverse impact on us if a violation is found.  The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, each enacted in March 2010, generally known as the Health Care Reform Law, significantly strengthened the federal False Claims Act, and the anti-kickback provisions, which could lead to the possibility of increased whistleblower or relator suits, and among other things made clear that an anti-kickback law violation can be a basis for False Claims Act liability.

Healthcare Reform

The Health Care Reform Law also included other provisions to reduce fraud and abuse and Medicare expenditures and the cost of healthcare generally, to increase federal oversight of private health insurance plans and to provide access to health coverage for an additional 32 million people, some of which impact and further regulate some of our businesses. In addition to the foregoing, the Health Care Reform Law imposed new reporting and disclosure requirements for pharmaceutical and device manufacturers with regard to payments or other transfers of value made to certain practitioners, including physicians, dentists and teaching hospitals, and imposes new reporting and disclosure requirements for pharmaceutical and device manufacturers and group purchasing organizations with regard to certain ownership interests held by physicians in the reporting entity.  Data collection obligations were to commence in January 2012, and reporting requirements are to be implemented in 2013.  On December 14, 2011, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued proposed regulations to implement these provisions and sought substantial comments, thus apparently delaying the January 1, 2012 start of information collection.  These proposed regulations are broadly drafted and still subject to change, and it is possible that when these regulations are finalized, they will treat us or one or more of our subsidiaries as an entity subject to these reporting and disclosure requirements.  In addition, through business arrangements we have with drug and device manufacturers, we may be required to collect and report detailed information in order for these manufacturers to comply with the new requirements.

 
A provision in the Health Care Reform Law often referred to as the “individual mandate,” which requires individuals without health insurance to pay a penalty, was recently declared unconstitutional by certain federal courts, while certain other federal courts have affirmed its constitutionality   Appeals are pending, and the United States Supreme Court will review this issue during its 2012 term.

Regulated Software; Electronic Health Records

The United States Food and Drug Administration has become increasingly active in addressing the regulation of computer software intended for use in healthcare settings, and has been developing policies on regulating clinical decision support tools as medical devices.  Certain of our businesses involve the development and sale of software and related products to support physician and dental practice management, and it is possible that the FDA could determine that one or more of our products is a medical device, which could subject us or one or more of our businesses to substantial additional requirements with respect to these products.

Certain of our businesses involve access to personal health, medical, financial and other information of individuals, and are accordingly directly or indirectly subject to numerous federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations that protect the privacy and security of such information, and require, among other things, the implementation of various recordkeeping, operational, notice and other practices intended to safeguard that information, limit its use to allowed purposes, and notify individuals in the event of privacy and security breaches.  Failure to comply with these laws can result in substantial penalties and other liabilities. As a result of the federal Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (“HITECH Act”), which was passed in 2009, some of our businesses that were previously only indirectly subject to federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) privacy and security rules became directly subject to such rules because such businesses serve as “business associates” of HIPAA covered entities, such as health care providers. Additional rules under the HITECH Act are expected to be issued in early 2012, further expanding the privacy and security requirements applicable to some of our businesses.

In addition, the HITECH Act established a program of Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments available to certain health care providers including, among others, physicians and dentists, if they meaningfully use certified electronic health record technology (“EHR”).  Also, eligible providers that fail to adopt certified EHR systems may be subject to Medicare reimbursement reductions beginning in 2015.  Qualification for the incentive payments requires the use of EHRs that are certified as having certain capabilities for meaningful use pursuant to standards adopted by the Department of Health and Human Services.  While initial standards have been established, new versions are expected to be issued over the next several years, and the content of those standards is not certain.  Certain of our businesses involve the manufacture and sale of certified EHR systems, and so must maintain compliance with these evolving governmental criteria.

Also, HIPAA requires certain health care providers, such as physicians, to use certain transaction and code set rules for specified electronic transactions, such as transactions involving claims submissions.  As of January 1, 2012, subject to 90 days of CMS enforcement discretion, electronic claim submissions and related electronic transactions were required to be conducted under a new HIPAA transaction standard, called Version 5010.  CMS is requiring this upgrade in connection with another new requirement applicable to the industry, the implementation of new diagnostic code sets to be used in claims submission.  The new diagnostic code sets are called the ICD-10-CM, and are to be implemented on October 1, 2013.  Certain of our businesses provide electronic practice management products that must meet those requirements, and while we believe we are prepared to timely adopt the new standards, it is possible that the transition to these new standards, particularly the transition to ICD-10-CM, may result in a degree of disruption and confusion, thus potentially increasing the costs associated with supporting this product.

International Transactions

In addition, United States and international import and export laws and regulations require us to abide by certain standards relating to the importation and exportation of products.  We also are subject to certain laws and regulations concerning the conduct of our foreign operations, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and anti-bribery laws and laws pertaining to the accuracy of our internal books and records, as well as other types of requirements similar to those imposed in the United States.

 
While we believe that we are substantially compliant with the foregoing laws and regulations promulgated thereunder and possess all material permits and licenses required for the conduct of our business, there can be no assurance that regulations that impact our business or customers’ practices will not have a material adverse impact on our business.  As a result of political, economic and regulatory influences, the healthcare distribution industry in the United States is under intense scrutiny and subject to fundamental changes.  We cannot predict what further reform proposals, if any, will be adopted, when they may be adopted, or what impact they may have on us.

See “ITEM 1A. Risk Factors” for a discussion of additional regulatory developments that may affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Proprietary Rights

We hold trademarks relating to the “Henry Schein” name and logo, as well as certain other trademarks.  Pursuant to agreements executed in connection with our reorganization in 1994, both Henry Schein, Inc. and Schein Pharmaceutical, Inc. (which was acquired by Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in 2000), a company previously engaged in the manufacture and distribution of multi-source pharmaceutical products, are entitled to use the “Schein” name in connection with their respective businesses, but Schein Pharmaceutical, Inc. must always use “Schein” in combination with the word “Pharmaceutical” and is not entitled to use the name “Henry Schein” or to use “Schein” alone or with any other word (other than “Pharmaceutical”).  We intend to protect our trademarks to the fullest extent practicable.

Employees

As of December 31, 2011, we employed nearly 15,000 full-time employees, including approximately 1,625 telesales representatives, 3,200 field sales consultants, including equipment sales specialists, 2,725 warehouse employees, 625 computer programmers and technicians, 1,375 management employees and 5,200 office, clerical and administrative employees.  Approximately 309 or 2.1% of our employees were subject to collective bargaining agreements.  We believe that our relations with our employees are excellent.

Available Information

We make available free of charge through our Internet Web site, www.henryschein.com, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, statements of beneficial ownership of securities on Forms 3, 4 and 5 and amendments to these reports and statements filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) and Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC.

The above information is also available at the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy at United States Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-0213 or obtainable by calling the SEC at (800) 732-0330.  In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet Web site at www.sec.gov, where the above information can be viewed.

Our principal executive offices are located at 135 Duryea Road, Melville, New York 11747, and our telephone number is (631) 843-5500.  Unless the context specifically requires otherwise, the terms the “Company,” “Henry Schein,” “we,” “us” and “our” mean Henry Schein, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries.


Executive Officers of the Registrant

The following table sets forth certain information regarding our executive officers:

Name
 
Age
 
Position
 
 
 
 
 
Stanley M. Bergman
 
62 
 
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Director
Gerald A. Benjamin
 
59 
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, Director
James P. Breslawski
 
58 
 
President, Chief Operating Officer, Director
Leonard A. David
 
63 
 
Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer
James Harding
 
56 
 
Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer
Stanley Komaroff
 
76 
 
Senior Advisor
Mark E. Mlotek
 
56 
 
Executive Vice President, Global Corporate Strategy, Director
Steven Paladino
 
54 
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Director
Michael Racioppi
 
57 
 
Senior Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer
Lonnie Shoff
 
53 
 
President, Global Healthcare Specialties Group
Michael Zack
 
59 
 
President, International Group

Stanley M. Bergman has been our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since 1989 and a director since 1982.  Mr. Bergman held the position of President from 1989 to 2005.  Mr. Bergman held the position of Executive Vice President from 1985 to 1989 and Vice President of Finance and Administration from 1980 to 1985.

Gerald A. Benjamin has been our Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer since 2000 and a director since 1994.  Prior to holding his current position, Mr. Benjamin was Senior Vice President of Administration and Customer Satisfaction since 1993.  Mr. Benjamin was Vice President of Distribution Operations from 1990 to 1992 and Director of Materials Management from 1988 to 1990.  Before joining us in 1988, Mr. Benjamin was employed for 13 years in various management positions at Estée Lauder, Inc., where his last position was Director of Materials Planning and Control.

James P. Breslawski has been our President and Chief Operating Officer since 2005 and a director since 1992.  Mr. Breslawski held the position of Executive Vice President and President of U.S. Dental from 1990 to 2005, with primary responsibility for the North American Dental Group.  Between 1980 and 1990, Mr. Breslawski held various positions with us, including Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of Finance and Administration and Controller.

Leonard A. David has been our Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer since 2006.  Mr. David held the position of Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer from 2005 to 2006.  Mr. David held the position of Vice President of Human Resources and Special Counsel from 1995 to 2005.  Mr. David held the position of Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary from 1990 through 1994 and practiced corporate and business law for eight years prior to joining us.

James Harding has been our Chief Technology Officer since 2005 and Senior Vice President since 2001.  Prior to holding his current position, Mr. Harding was Chief Information Officer since 2001, with primary responsibility for worldwide information technology.

Stanley Komaroff has been our Senior Advisor since 2003.  Prior to joining us, Mr. Komaroff was a partner for 35 years in the law firm of Proskauer Rose LLP, counsel to us.  He served as Chairman of that firm from 1991 to 1999.


Mark E. Mlotek has been Executive Vice President of Global Corporate Strategy since 2004.  Mr. Mlotek was Senior Vice President of Corporate Business Development from 2000 to 2004.  Prior to that, Mr. Mlotek was Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary from 1994 to 1999 and became a director in 1995.  Prior to joining us, Mr. Mlotek was a partner in the law firm of Proskauer Rose LLP, counsel to us, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, corporate reorganizations and tax law from 1989 to 1994.

Steven Paladino has been our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since 2000.  Prior to holding his current position, Mr. Paladino was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 1993 to 2000 and has been a director since 1992.  From 1990 to 1992, Mr. Paladino served as Vice President and Treasurer and from 1987 to 1990 served as Corporate Controller.  Before joining us, Mr. Paladino was employed in public accounting for seven years, most recently with the international accounting firm of BDO USA, LLP.  Mr. Paladino is a certified public accountant.

Michael Racioppi has been our Senior Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer since 2008. Prior to holding his current position, Mr. Racioppi was President of the Medical Division from 2000 to 2008 and Interim President from 1999 to 2000, and Corporate Vice President from 1994 to 2008.  Mr. Racioppi served as Senior Director, Corporate Merchandising from 1992 to 1994.  Before joining us in 1992, Mr. Racioppi was employed by Ketchum Distributors, Inc. as the Vice President of Purchasing and Marketing.

Lonnie Shoff has been President of the Global Healthcare Specialties Group since 2009.  Prior to joining us, Ms. Shoff was employed with Roche Diagnostics, where she held a series of positions of increasing responsibility in the United States and Switzerland over the past 20 years, most recently as Senior Vice President General Manager, Applied Science.

Michael Zack has been President of our International Group since 2006.  Mr. Zack held the position of Senior Vice President of our International Group from 1989 to 2006.  Mr. Zack was employed by Polymer Technology (a subsidiary of Bausch & Lomb) as Vice President of International Operations from 1984 to 1989 and by Gruenenthal GmbH as Manager of International Subsidiaries from 1975 to 1984.



The risks described below could have a material adverse impact on our business, reputation, financial condition or the trading price of our common stock.  Although it is not possible to predict or identify all such risks and uncertainties, they may include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed below.  Our business operations could also be affected by additional factors that are not presently known to us or that we currently consider not to be material to our operations.  You should not consider this list to be a complete statement of all risks and uncertainties.  The order in which these factors appear should not be construed to indicate their relative importance or priority.

The healthcare products distribution industry is highly competitive and we may not be able to compete successfully.

We compete with numerous companies, including several major manufacturers and distributors.  Some of our competitors have greater financial and other resources than we do, which could allow them to compete more successfully.  Most of our products are available from several sources and our customers tend to have relationships with several distributors.  Competitors could obtain exclusive rights to market particular products, which we would then be unable to market.  Manufacturers also could increase their efforts to sell directly to end-users and thereby eliminate or reduce our role and that of other distributors.  Industry consolidation among healthcare products distributors, price competition, the unavailability of products, whether due to our inability to gain access to products or to interruptions in supply from manufacturers, or the emergence of new competitors also could increase competition.  In the future, we may be unable to compete successfully and competitive pressures may reduce our revenues.

Because substantially all of the products that we distribute are not manufactured by us, we are dependent upon third parties for the manufacture and supply of substantially all of our products.

We obtain substantially all of our products from third-party suppliers.  Generally, we do not have long-term contracts with our suppliers committing them to supply products to us.  Therefore, suppliers may not provide the products we need in the quantities we request.  Because we generally do not control the actual production of the products we sell, we may be subject to delays caused by interruption in production based on conditions outside of our control.  In the event that any of our third-party suppliers were to become unable or unwilling to continue to provide the products in required volumes, we would need to identify and obtain acceptable replacement sources on a timely basis.  There is no guarantee that we would be able to obtain such alternative sources of supply on a timely basis, if at all.  An extended interruption in the supply of our products, including the supply of our influenza vaccine and any other high sales volume product, would have an adverse effect on our results of operations, which most likely would adversely affect the value of our common stock.

Our revenues depend on our relationships with capable sales personnel as well as customers, suppliers and manufacturers of the products that we distribute.

Our future operating results depend on our ability to maintain satisfactory relationships with qualified sales personnel as well as customers, suppliers and manufacturers.  If we fail to maintain our existing relationships with such persons or fail to acquire relationships with such key persons in the future, our business may be adversely affected.

Our future success is substantially dependent upon our senior management.

Our future success is substantially dependent upon the efforts and abilities of members of our existing senior management, particularly Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, among others.  The loss of the services of Mr. Bergman could have a material adverse effect on our business.  We have an employment agreement with Mr. Bergman.  We do not currently have “key man” life insurance policies on any of our employees.  Competition for senior management is intense and we may not be successful in attracting and retaining key personnel.


We experience fluctuations in quarterly earnings.  As a result, we may fail to meet or exceed the expectations of securities analysts and investors, which could cause our stock price to decline.

Our business is subject to seasonal and other quarterly fluctuations.  Net sales and operating profits generally have been higher in the third and fourth quarters due to the timing of sales of seasonal products (including influenza vaccine, equipment and software products), purchasing patterns of office-based healthcare practitioners and year-end promotions.  Net sales and operating profits generally have been lower in the first quarter, primarily due to increased sales in the prior two quarters.  We expect our historical seasonality of sales to continue in the foreseeable future.  Quarterly results may also be adversely affected by a variety of other factors, including:

 
timing and amount of sales and marketing expenditures;

 
timing of pricing changes offered by our vendors;

 
timing of the introduction of new products and services by our vendors;

 
timing of the release of upgrades and enhancements to our technology-related products and services;

 
changes in or availability of vendor contracts or rebate programs;

 
vendor rebates based upon attaining certain growth goals;

 
changes in the way vendors introduce or deliver products to market;

 
costs of developing new applications and services;

 
exclusivity requirements with certain vendors may prohibit us from distributing competitive products manufactured by other vendors;

 
loss of sales representatives;

 
costs related to acquisitions and/or integrations of technologies or businesses;

 
costs associated with our self-insured medical insurance program;

 
general economic conditions, as well as those specific to the healthcare industry and related industries;

 
our success in establishing or maintaining business relationships;

 
unexpected difficulties in developing and manufacturing products;

 
product demand and availability or recalls by manufacturers;

 
exposure to product liability and other claims in the event that the use of the products we sell results in injury;

 
increases in the cost of shipping or service issues with our third-party shippers;

 
restructuring costs; and

 
changes in accounting principles.

Any change in one or more of these or other factors could cause our annual or quarterly operating results to fluctuate.  If our operating results do not meet market expectations, our stock price may decline.


Expansion of group purchasing organizations (“GPO”) or provider networks and the multi-tiered costing structure may place us at a competitive disadvantage.

The medical products industry is subject to a multi-tiered costing structure, which can vary by manufacturer and/or product. Under this structure, certain institutions can obtain more favorable prices for medical products than we are able to obtain. The multi-tiered costing structure continues to expand as many large integrated healthcare providers and others with significant purchasing power, such as GPOs, demand more favorable pricing terms. Additionally, the formation of provider networks and GPOs may shift purchasing decisions to entities or persons with whom we do not have a historical relationship. This may threaten our ability to compete effectively, which would in turn negatively impact our results of operations. Although we are seeking to obtain similar terms from manufacturers and obtain access to lower prices demanded by GPO contracts or other contracts and seeking to develop relationships with provider networks and new GPOs, we cannot assure such terms will be obtained or contracts will be executed.

Increases in the cost of shipping or service issues with our third-party shippers could harm our business.

Shipping is a significant expense in the operation of our business.  We ship almost all of our orders through third-party delivery services, and typically bear the cost of shipment.  Accordingly, any significant increase in shipping rates could have an adverse effect on our operating results.  Similarly, strikes or other service interruptions by those shippers could cause our operating expenses to rise and adversely affect our ability to deliver products on a timely basis.

Uncertain global macro-economic conditions could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Uncertain global macro-economic conditions that affect the economy and the economic outlook of the United States, Europe and other parts of the world could adversely affect our customers and vendors, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. These uncertainties, including, among other things, sovereign debt levels, the inability of national or international political institutions to effectively resolve economic or budgetary crises or issues, consumer confidence, unemployment levels (and a corresponding increase in the uninsured and underinsured population), interest rates, availability of capital, fuel and energy costs, tax rates, healthcare costs and the threat or outbreak of terrorism or public unrest, could adversely impact our customers and vendors, which could adversely affect us.  Recessionary conditions and depressed levels of consumer and commercial spending may cause customers to reduce, modify, delay or cancel plans to purchase our products and may cause vendors to reduce their output or change their terms of sales.  We generally sell products to customers with payment terms.  If customers’ cash flow or operating and financial performance deteriorates, or if they are unable to make scheduled payments or obtain credit, they may not be able to pay, or may delay payment to us.  Likewise, for similar reasons vendors may restrict credit or impose different payment terms.  Any inability of current and/or potential customers to pay us for our products and/or services or any demands by vendors for different payment terms may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Approximately 28% of our total consolidated net sales for the year ended December 31, 2011 were derived from Europe.  There have been continuing concerns and uncertainties about the state of the European economies and Europe’s political institutions.  Continued difficult, and/or declining, economic conditions in Europe may adversely affect our operations in Europe by adversely affecting our European customers and vendors in the ways described above.  Additionally, the inability of Europe’s political institutions to deal effectively with actual or perceived currency or budget crises could increase economic uncertainty in Europe, and globally, and may have an adverse effect on our customer’s cash flow or operating performance.  Further, debt and/or budget crises in the European countries may lead to reductions in government spending in certain countries, which could reduce overall healthcare spending, and/or higher income or corporate taxes, which could depress spending overall. In either event, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.


Disruptions in the financial markets may adversely affect the availability and cost of credit to us.

Our ability to make scheduled payments or refinance our obligations with respect to indebtedness will depend on our operating and financial performance, which in turn is subject to prevailing economic conditions and financial, business and other factors beyond our control.  Disruptions in the financial markets may adversely affect the availability and cost of credit to us.

The market price for our common stock may be highly volatile.

The market price for our common stock may be highly volatile.  A variety of factors may have a significant impact on the market price of our common stock, including:

the publication of earnings estimates or other research reports and speculation in the press or investment community;

changes in our industry and competitors;

our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and prospects;

stock repurchases;

any future issuances of our common stock, which may include primary offerings for cash, stock splits, issuances in connection with business acquisitions, restricted stock/units and the grant or exercise of stock options from time to time;

general market and economic conditions; and

any outbreak or escalation of hostilities in areas where we do business.

In addition, the NASDAQ Stock Market can experience extreme price and volume fluctuations that can be unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of the companies listed on NASDAQ.  Broad market and industry factors may negatively affect the market price of our common stock, regardless of actual operating performance.  In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against companies.  This type of litigation, if instituted, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources, which would have an adverse effect on our business.

The healthcare industry is experiencing changes that could adversely affect our business.

The healthcare industry is highly regulated and subject to changing political, economic and regulatory influences.  In recent years, the healthcare industry has undergone significant change driven by various efforts to reduce costs, including: trends toward managed care; consolidation of healthcare distribution companies; consolidation of healthcare manufacturers; collective purchasing arrangements and consolidation among office-based healthcare practitioners; and changes in reimbursements to customers.  Both our own profit margins and the profit margins of our customers may be adversely affected by laws and regulations reducing reimbursement rates for pharmaceuticals and/or medical treatments or services or changing the methodology by which reimbursement levels are determined.  If we are unable to react effectively to these and other changes in the healthcare industry, our operating results could be adversely affected.  In addition, the enactment of significant healthcare reforms could have a material adverse effect on our businesses.

The implementation of the Health Care Reform Law may adversely impact us.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, each enacted in March 2010, generally known as the Health Care Reform Law, significantly expands health insurance coverage to uninsured Americans and changes the way health care is financed by both governmental and private payers.  We expect expansion of access to health insurance to increase the demand for our products and services, but other provisions of the Health Care Reform Law could affect us adversely.  Additionally, further federal and state proposals for healthcare reform are likely.  We cannot predict what further reform proposals, if any, will be adopted, when they may be adopted, or what impact they may have on us.

 
The Health Care Reform Law also imposes new reporting and disclosure requirements for pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers with regard to payments or other transfers of value made to certain practitioners, including physicians, dentists and teaching hospitals, and imposes new reporting and disclosure requirements for pharmaceutical and device manufacturers and group purchasing organizations with regard to certain ownership interests held by physicians in the reporting entity.  Data collection obligations were to commence in January 2012, and reporting requirements are to be implemented in 2013.  On December 14, 2011, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued proposed regulations to implement these provisions and sought substantial comments, thus apparently delaying the January 1, 2012 start of information collection.  These proposed regulations are broadly drafted and still subject to change, and it is possible that when these regulations are finalized, they will treat us or one or more of our subsidiaries as an entity subject to these reporting requirements.  In addition, through business arrangements we have with drug and device manufacturers, we may be required to collect and report detailed information to these manufacturers in order for these manufacturers to comply with the new requirements.  In addition, several states require pharmaceutical and/or device companies to report expenses relating to the marketing and promotion of products as well as gifts and payments to individual practitioners in the states, or prohibit certain marketing related activities.  Other states, such as California, Nevada, Massachusetts and Connecticut, require pharmaceutical and/or device companies to implement compliance programs or marketing codes.  Wholesale distributors are covered by the laws in certain of these states.  In others, it is possible that our activities or the activities of one or more of our subsidiaries will subject us to the state’s reporting requirements and prohibitions.  Compliance activities with respect to these measures could increase our costs and adversely affect business operations.

The Health Care Reform Law contains many provisions designed to generate the revenues necessary to fund the coverage expansions and to reduce costs of Medicare and Medicaid, including imposing a 2.3% excise tax on domestic sales of medical devices by manufacturers and importers beginning in 2013, and a fee on branded prescription drugs and biologics that was implemented in 2011, both of which may affect sales.  The Health Care Reform Law also mandates pharmacy benefit manager transparency regarding rebates, discounts and price concessions with respect to drug benefits under Medicare Part D, and in 2014 with respect to drug benefits offered through qualified health plans offered through state exchanges, which could affect pricing and competition.

Failure to comply with existing and future regulatory requirements could negatively affect our business.

Our business is subject to requirements under various local, state, federal and international laws and regulations applicable to the distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and human cells, tissue, and cellular and tissue-based products, also known as HCT/P products.  Among the federal laws with which we must comply are the Controlled Substances Act, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended, the Prescription Drug Marketing Act of 1987, and Section 361 of the Public Health Services Act.  Among other things, such laws, and the regulations promulgated thereunder:

regulate the storage and distribution, labeling, packaging, handling, reporting, record keeping, introduction, manufacturing and marketing of drugs, HCT/P products and medical devices;

subject us to inspection by the United States Food and Drug Administration and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration;

regulate the storage, transportation and disposal of certain of our products that are considered hazardous materials;

require registration with the United States Food and Drug Administration and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and various state agencies;

require record keeping and documentation of transactions involving drug products;

require us to design and operate a system to identify and report suspicious orders of controlled substances to the United States Drug Enforcement Agency;

require us to manage returns of products that have been recalled and subject us to inspection of our recall procedures and activities; and

impose reporting requirements if a pharmaceutical, HCT/P products or medical device causes serious illness, injury or death.


Applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations also may require us to meet various standards relating to, among other things, licensure or registration, sales and marketing practices, product integrity and supply tracking to the manufacturer of the product, personnel, privacy and security of health or other personal information, installation, maintenance and repair of equipment, and the importation and exportation of products.  Our business also is subject to requirements of similar and other foreign governmental laws and regulations affecting our operations abroad.  The United States Food and Drug Administration and United States Drug Enforcement Administration have recently increased their regulatory and enforcement activities.

The failure to comply with any of these regulations, or new interpretations of existing laws and regulations, or the imposition of any additional laws and regulations, could negatively affect our business.  There can be no assurance that current government regulations will not adversely affect our business.  The costs to us associated with complying with the various applicable statutes and regulations, as they now exist and as they may be modified, could be material. Allegations by a governmental body that we have not complied with these laws could have a material adverse impact on our businesses.  If it is determined that we have not complied with these laws, we are potentially subject to penalties including warning letters, civil and criminal penalties, mandatory recall of product, seizure of product and injunction, and suspension or limitation of product sale and distribution.  If we enter into settlement agreements to resolve allegations of non-compliance, we could be required to make settlement payments or be subject to civil and criminal penalties, including fines and the loss of licenses.  Non-compliance with government requirements could adversely affect our ability to participate in federal and state government healthcare programs, and damage our reputation.  Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse impact on our businesses.  We believe that the healthcare services industry will continue to be subject to extensive domestic and foreign government regulation and that we have adequate compliance programs and controls in place to ensure substantial compliance with the laws and regulations.

If we fail to comply with laws and regulations relating to healthcare fraud, we could suffer penalties or be required to make significant changes to our operations.
 
We are subject to extensive and frequently changing federal and state laws and regulations relating to healthcare fraud.  These measures, which focus on our relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare providers, have been subject to varying interpretations, as well as heightened enforcement activity, over the past few years.  Significant enforcement activity has been the result of actions brought by “relators,” who file complaints in the name of the United States (and if applicable, particular states) under federal and state False Claims Act statutes and can be entitled to receive up to 30% of total recoveries.  Also, violations of the False Claims Act can result in treble damages, and each false claim submitted can be subject to a penalty of up to $11,000 per claim.  These healthcare fraud laws and regulations, among other things, (i) prohibit persons from soliciting, offering, receiving or paying any remuneration in order to induce the referral of a patient for treatment or to induce the ordering, purchasing, leasing or arranging for or recommending ordering, purchasing or leasing of items or services that are in any way paid for by government-sponsored healthcare programs and (ii) impose a number of restrictions upon referring physicians and providers of designated health services under government healthcare programs.  While we believe that we are substantially compliant with all applicable laws, many of the regulations applicable to us are vague or indefinite and have not been interpreted by the courts.  They may be interpreted or applied by a prosecutorial, regulatory or judicial authority in a manner that could require us to make changes in our operations.  If we fail to comply with applicable laws and regulations, we could suffer civil and criminal penalties, including the loss of licenses or our ability to participate in federal and state healthcare programs.


If we fail to comply with laws and regulations relating to the confidentiality of sensitive personal information or standards in electronic health data transmissions, we could be required to make significant changes to our products, or incur penalties or other liabilities.

State, federal and foreign laws, such as the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, regulate the confidentiality of sensitive personal information and the circumstances under which such information may be released.  These measures may govern the disclosure and use of confidential personal and patient medical record information and may require the users of such information to implement specified security measures, and to notify individuals in the event of privacy and security breaches.  Evolving laws and regulations in this area could restrict the ability of our customers to obtain, use or disseminate patient information, or could require us to incur significant additional costs to re-design our products in a timely manner to reflect these legal requirements, either of which could have an adverse impact on our results of operations.  Other health information standards, such as regulations under HIPAA, establish standards regarding electronic health data transmissions and transaction code set rules for specified electronic transactions, for example transactions involving claims submissions to third party payers.  These also continue to evolve and are often unclear and difficult to apply.  In addition, under the federal Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (“HITECH Act”), which was passed in 2009, some of our businesses that were previously only indirectly subject to federal HIPAA privacy and security rules became directly subject to such rules because the businesses serve as “business associates” to our customers.  Additional rules under the HITECH Act are expected to be issued in early 2012, further expanding the privacy and security requirements applicable to some of our businesses.  Failure to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive personal information in accordance with the applicable regulatory requirements, or to abide by electronic health data transmission standards, could expose us to breach of contract claims, fines and penalties, costs for remediation and harm to our reputation.

Our international operations are subject to inherent risks that could adversely affect our operating results.

International operations are subject to risks that may materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.  The risks that our international operations are subject to include, among other things:

difficulties and costs relating to staffing and managing foreign operations;

difficulties in establishing channels of distribution;

fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies;

longer payment cycles of foreign customers and difficulty of collecting receivables in foreign jurisdictions;

repatriation of cash from our foreign operations to the United States;

regulatory requirements;

unexpected difficulties in importing or exporting our products;

imposition of import/export duties, quotas, sanctions or penalties;

difficulties and delays inherent in sourcing products and contract manufacturing in foreign markets;

limitations on our ability under local laws to protect our intellectual property;

unexpected regulatory, legal, economic and political changes in foreign markets;

civil disturbances, geopolitical turmoil, including terrorism, war or political or military coups; and

public health emergencies.


Our expansion through acquisitions and joint ventures involves risks.

We have expanded our domestic and international markets in part through acquisitions and joint ventures, and we expect to continue to make acquisitions and enter into joint ventures in the future.  Such transactions involve numerous risks, including possible adverse effects on our operating results or the market price of our common stock.  Some of our acquisitions and future acquisitions may also give rise to an obligation by us to make contingent payments or to satisfy certain repurchase obligations, which payments could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.  In addition, integrating acquired businesses and joint ventures:

may result in a loss of customers or product lines of the acquired businesses or joint ventures;

requires significant management attention;

may place significant demands on our operations, information systems and financial resources; and

results in additional acquisition and integration expenses.

There can be no assurance that our future acquisitions or joint ventures will be successful.  Our ability to continue to successfully effect acquisitions and joint ventures will depend upon the following:

the availability of suitable acquisition or joint venture candidates at acceptable prices;

our ability to consummate such transactions, which could potentially be prohibited due to U.S. or foreign antitrust regulations;

the availability of financing on acceptable terms, in the case of non-stock transactions; and

the liquidity of our investments and our ability to raise capital could be affected by the financial credit markets.

Our acquisitions may not result in the benefits and revenue growth we expect.

We are in the process of integrating companies that we acquired and including the operations, services, products and personnel of each company within our management policies, procedures and strategies.  We cannot be sure that we will achieve the benefits of revenue growth that we expect from these acquisitions or that we will not incur unforeseen additional costs or expenses in connection with these acquisitions.  To effectively manage our expected future growth, we must continue to successfully manage our integration of these companies and continue to improve our operational systems, internal procedures, working capital management, financial and operational controls.  If we fail in any of these areas, our business could be adversely affected.

We face inherent risk of exposure to product liability and other claims in the event that the use of the products we sell results in injury.

Our business involves a risk of product liability and other claims in the ordinary course of business, and from time to time we are named as a defendant in cases as a result of our distribution of pharmaceutical products, medical devices, bone regeneration and other healthcare products.  Additionally, we own interests in companies that manufacture certain dental products. As a result, we are subject to the potential risk of product liability or other claims relating to the manufacture and distribution of products by those entities.  One of the potential risks we face in the distribution of our products is liability resulting from counterfeit or tainted products infiltrating the supply chain.  In addition, some of the products that we transport and sell are considered hazardous materials.  The improper handling of such materials or accidents involving the transportation of such materials could subject us to liability.  We have various insurance policies, including product liability insurance, covering risks and in amounts that we consider adequate.  In many cases in which we have been sued in connection with products manufactured by others, the manufacturer of the product provides us with indemnification.  There can be no assurance that the insurance coverage we maintain is sufficient or will be available in adequate amounts or at a reasonable cost, or that indemnification agreements will provide us with adequate protection.  A successful claim brought against us in excess of available insurance or not covered by indemnification agreements, or any claim that results in significant adverse publicity against us, could have an adverse effect on our business and our reputation.

 
Our technology segment depends upon continued software and e-services product development, technical support and successful marketing.

Competition among companies supplying practice management software and/or e-services is intense and increasing.  Our future sales of practice management software and e-services will depend on, among other factors:

the effectiveness of our sales and marketing programs;

our ability to enhance our products and services; and

our ability to provide ongoing technical support.

We cannot be sure that we will be successful in introducing and marketing new software, software enhancements or e-services, or that such software, software enhancements and e-services will be released on time or accepted by the market.  Our software and applicable e-services products, like software products generally, may contain undetected errors or bugs when introduced or as new versions are released.  We cannot be sure that future problems with post-release software errors or bugs will not occur.  Any such defective software may result in increased expenses related to the software and could adversely affect our relationships with the customers using such software.  We do not have any patents on our software or e-services, and rely upon copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, as well as contractual and common law protections.  We cannot provide assurance that such legal protections will be available or enforceable to protect our software or e-services products.

We may not be able to respond to technological change effectively.
 
        Traditional healthcare supply and distribution relationships are being challenged by electronic online commerce solutions.  Our distribution business is characterized by rapid technological developments and intense competition.  The continued advancement of online commerce will require us to cost-effectively adapt to changing technologies, to enhance existing services and to develop and introduce a variety of new services to address changing demands of consumers and our clients on a timely basis, particularly in response to competitive offerings.  Our inability to anticipate and effectively respond to changes on a timely basis could have an adverse effect on our business.

Risks generally associated with our information systems could adversely affect our results of operations.

We rely on information systems (IS) in our business to obtain, rapidly process, analyze and manage data to, among other things:

maintain and manage worldwide systems to facilitate the purchase and distribution of thousands of inventory items from numerous distribution centers;

receive, process and ship orders on a timely basis;

manage the accurate billing and collections for thousands of customers;

process payments to suppliers; and

maintain certain of our customers’ electronic medical records.
 
A cyber-attack that bypasses our IS security systems causing an IS security breach may lead to a material disruption of our IS business systems and/or the loss of business information resulting in adverse business impact.  Risks may include, among other things:

future results could be adversely affected due to the theft, destruction, loss, misappropriation or release of confidential data or intellectual property;

operational or business delays resulting from the disruption of IS systems and subsequent clean-up and mitigation activities; and

negative publicity resulting in reputation or brand damage with our customers, partners or industry peers.

Our results of operations could be adversely affected if our IS systems are interrupted, damaged by unforeseen events, cyber-attacks or fail for any extended period of time.
 
 
We have various insurance policies, including cyber liability insurance, covering risks and in amounts that we consider adequate.  There can be no assurance that the insurance coverage we maintain is sufficient or will be available in adequate amounts or at a reasonable cost.  Successful claims for misappropriation or release of confidential or personal data brought against us in excess of available insurance or fines or other penalties assessed or any claim that results in significant adverse publicity against us, could have an adverse effect on our business and our reputation.

Certain provisions in our governing documents and other documents to which we are a party may discourage third-party offers to acquire us that might otherwise result in our stockholders receiving a premium over the market price of their shares.
 
        The provisions of our certificate of incorporation and by-laws may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, may discourage acquisition bids and may limit the price that certain investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.  These provisions, among other things:

require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 60% of the shares of common stock entitled to vote to approve a merger, consolidation, or a sale, lease, transfer or exchange of all or substantially all of our assets; and

require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of our common stock entitled to vote to (i) remove a director; and (ii) to amend or repeal our by-laws, with certain limited exceptions.
 
In addition, our 1994 Stock Incentive Plan and 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive Plan provide for accelerated vesting of stock options upon a change in control.  These incentive plans also authorize the committee under the plans to provide for accelerated vesting of other types of equity awards in connection with a change in control at grant or thereafter, and certain other awards made under these incentive plans (such as restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards) accelerate upon a change in control or upon certain termination events in connection with a change in control.  Further, certain agreements between us and our executive officers provide for increased severance payments and certain benefits if those executive officers are terminated without cause by the Company or if they terminate for good reason in each case, within two years after a change in control or within ninety days prior to the effective date of the change in control or after the first public announcement of the pendency of the change in control.
 
Tax legislation initiatives could adversely affect our net earnings and tax liabilities.

We are subject to the tax laws and regulations of the United States federal, state and local governments, as well as foreign jurisdictions.  From time to time, various legislative initiatives may be proposed that could adversely affect our tax positions. There can be no assurance that our effective tax rate will not be adversely affected by these initiatives.  In addition, tax laws and regulations are extremely complex and subject to varying interpretations.  Although we believe that our historical tax positions are sound and consistent with applicable laws, regulations and existing precedent, there can be no assurance that our tax positions will not be challenged by relevant tax authorities or that we would be successful in any such challenge.


We have no unresolved comments from the staff of the SEC that were issued 180 days or more preceding the end of our 2011 fiscal year.



We own or lease the following properties:

 
 
 
 
Own or
 
Approximate
 
Lease Expiration
Property
 
Location
 
Lease
 
Square Footage
 
Date
Corporate Headquarters
 
Melville, NY
 
Own
 
105,000 
 
N/A
Corporate Headquarters
 
Melville, NY
 
Lease
 
185,000 
 
July 2020
Office and Distribution Center
 
West Allis, WI
 
Lease
 
106,000 
 
October 2017
Distribution Center
 
Denver, PA
 
Lease
 
613,000 
 
February 2013
Distribution Center
 
Indianapolis, IN
 
Own
 
287,000 
 
N/A
Distribution Center
 
Indianapolis, IN
 
Lease
 
380,000 
 
February 2019
Distribution Center
 
Grapevine, TX
 
Lease
 
242,000 
 
July 2013
Distribution Center
 
Gallin, Germany
 
Own
 
215,000 
 
N/A
Distribution Center
 
Jacksonville, FL
 
Lease
 
212,000 
 
June 2013
Office and Distribution Center
 
Niagara on the Lake, Canada
 
Lease
 
128,000 
 
September 2016
Distribution Center
 
Sparks, NV
 
Lease
 
338,000 
 
February 2013
Office and Distribution Center
 
Gillingham, United Kingdom
 
Lease
 
103,000 
 
April 2020
Office and Distribution Center
 
Tours, France
 
Own
 
161,000 
 
N/A
Office and Distribution Center
 
Lyssach, Switzerland
 
Lease
 
180,000 
 
July 2016

The properties listed in the table above are our principal properties primarily used by our healthcare distribution segment.  In addition, we lease numerous other distribution, office, showroom, manufacturing and sales space in locations including the United States, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

We believe that our properties are in good condition, are well maintained and are suitable and adequate to carry on our business.  We have additional operating capacity at certain distribution center facilities.


From time to time, we may become a party to legal proceedings, including, without limitation, product liability claims, employment matters, commercial disputes and other matters arising out of the ordinary course of our business.  In our opinion, pending matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

We have various insurance policies, including product liability insurance, covering risks in amounts that we consider adequate.  In many cases in which we have been sued in connection with products manufactured by others, the manufacturer provides us with indemnification.  There can be no assurance that the insurance coverage we maintain is sufficient or will be available in adequate amounts or at a reasonable cost, or that indemnification agreements will provide us with adequate protection.

As of December 31, 2011, we had accrued our best estimate of potential losses relating to product liability and other claims that were probable to result in a liability and for which we were able to reasonably estimate a loss.  This accrued amount, as well as related expenses, was not material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  Our method for determining estimated losses considers currently available facts, presently enacted laws and regulations and other external factors, including probable recoveries from third parties.


Not applicable.


PART II


Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market tier of the NASDAQ Stock Market, or NASDAQ, under the symbol HSIC.  On October 2, 2007, our common stock became a component of the NASDAQ-100 stock market index.  The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low reported sales prices of our common stock as reported on NASDAQ for each quarterly period in fiscal 2011 and 2010:

 
 
High
   
Low
 
Fiscal 2011:
 
 
   
 
 
1st Quarter
  $ 69.98     $ 61.26  
2nd Quarter
    74.48       67.21  
3rd Quarter
    74.98       58.50  
4th Quarter
    71.13       58.56  
 
               
Fiscal 2010:
               
1st Quarter
  $ 58.50     $ 51.49  
2nd Quarter
    62.63       53.41  
3rd Quarter
    57.60       50.96  
4th Quarter
    62.62       55.55  

On February 6, 2012, there were approximately 998 holders of record of our common stock and the last reported sales price was $72.99.


Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer

Our current share repurchase program, announced on June 21, 2004, originally allowed us to repurchase up to $100 million of shares of our common stock, which represented approximately 3.5% of the shares outstanding at the commencement of the program.  As summarized in the table below, subsequent additional increases totaling $500 million, authorized by our Board of Directors, to the repurchase program provide for a total of $600 million of shares of our common stock to be repurchased under this program.

Date of
 
Amount of Additional
 
Authorization
 
Repurchases Authorized
 
October 31, 2005
 
$
100,000,000 
 
March 28, 2007
 
 
100,000,000 
 
November 16, 2010
 
 
100,000,000 
 
August 18, 2011
 
 
200,000,000 
 

As of December 31, 2011, we had repurchased $500.0 million of common stock (9,819,009 shares) under these initiatives, with $100.0 million available for future common stock share repurchases.

The following table summarizes repurchases of our common stock under our stock repurchase program during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2011:

 
   
 
 
 
 
 
Total Number
 
Maximum Number
 
   
Total
 
 
 
 
of Shares
 
of Shares
 
   
Number
 
Average
 
Purchased as Part
 
that May Yet
 
   
of Shares
 
Price Paid
 
of Our Publicly
 
Be Purchased Under
Fiscal Month
 
Purchased (1)
 
Per Share
 
Announced Program
 
Our Program (2)
09/25/11 through 10/29/11
 
524,112 
 
$
61.82 
 
524,112 
 
1,903,694 
10/30/11 through 11/26/11
 
370,000 
 
 
62.91 
 
370,000 
 
1,864,434 
11/27/11 through 12/31/11
 
195,377 
 
 
60.65 
 
195,377 
 
1,552,044 
 
 
1,089,489 
 
 
 
 
1,089,489 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1)   
All repurchases were executed in the open market under our existing publicly announced authorized program.
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2)   
The maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under this program is determined at the end of each month based on the
   
closing price of our common stock at that time.

Dividend Policy

We have not declared any cash dividends on our common stock during fiscal years 2011 or 2010.  We currently do not anticipate declaring any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.  We intend to retain earnings to finance the expansion of our business and for general corporate purposes, including our stock repurchase program.  Any declaration of dividends will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon the earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, contractual restrictions with respect to payment of dividends and other factors.


Stock Performance Graph

The graph below compares the cumulative total stockholder return on $100 invested, assuming the reinvestment of all dividends, on December 30, 2006, the last trading day before the beginning of our 2007 fiscal year, through the end of fiscal 2011 with the cumulative total return on $100 invested for the same period in the Dow Jones U.S. Health Care Index and the NASDAQ Stock Market Composite Index.

COMPARISON OF 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ASSUMES $100 INVESTED ON DECEMBER 30, 2006
ASSUMES DIVIDENDS REINVESTED
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 30,
 
December 29,
 
December 27,
 
December 26,
 
December 25,
 
December 31,
 
2006
 
2007
 
2008
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
Henry Schein, Inc.
$ 100.00   $ 126.68   $ 72.23   $ 108.23   $ 126.91   $ 131.54
 
                                 
Dow Jones U.S. Health
                                 
   Care Index
  100.00     109.30     81.49     102.79     107.12     118.91
 
                                 
NASDAQ Stock Market
                                 
   Composite Index
  100.00     111.03     64.44     97.23     114.59     113.16



The following selected financial data, with respect to our financial position and results of operations for each of the five fiscal years in the period ended December 31, 2011, set forth below, has been derived from, should be read in conjunction with and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.  The selected financial data presented below should also be read in conjunction with ITEM 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and ITEM 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
Years ended
 
 
 
December 31,
   
December 25,
   
December 26,
   
December 27,
   
December 29,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
 
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Income Statement Data:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Net sales
  $ 8,530,242     $ 7,526,790     $ 6,538,336     $ 6,380,413     $ 5,889,884  
Gross profit
    2,418,055       2,170,876       1,916,820       1,874,295       1,706,092  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    1,835,906       1,637,460       1,449,715       1,431,769       1,319,153  
Restructuring costs (1)
    -       12,285       3,020       23,240       -  
Operating income
    582,149       521,131       464,085       419,286       386,939  
Other expense, net
    (12,842 )     (19,096 )     (11,365 )     (23,837 )     (8,430 )
Income from continuing operations before taxes,
                                       
    equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates and
                                       
    noncontrolling interests
    569,307       502,035       452,720       395,449       378,509  
Income taxes
    (180,212 )     (160,069 )     (127,521 )     (131,210 )     (128,556 )
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates
    15,561       10,165       5,243       5,037       (73 )
Income from continuing operations
    404,656       352,131       330,442       269,276       249,880  
Income (loss) from discontinued
                                       
    operations, net of tax (2)
    -       -       2,715       (7,902 )     (20,704 )
Net income
    404,656       352,131       333,157       261,374       229,176  
Less: Net income attributable to
                                       
    noncontrolling interests
    (36,995 )     (26,342 )     (22,004 )     (21,917 )     (17,442 )
Net income attributable to Henry Schein, Inc.
  $ 367,661     $ 325,789     $ 311,153     $ 239,457     $ 211,734  
 
                                       
Amounts attributable to Henry Schein, Inc.:
                                       
  Income from continuing operations
  $ 367,661     $ 325,789     $ 308,551     $ 247,347     $ 232,529  
  Income (loss) from discontinued
                                       
     operations, net of tax
    -       -       2,602       (7,890 )     (20,795 )
  Net income
  $ 367,661     $ 325,789     $ 311,153     $ 239,457     $ 211,734  
 
                                       
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to
                                       
    Henry Schein, Inc.:
                                       
 
                                       
From continuing operations:
                                       
    Basic
  $ 4.08     $ 3.62     $ 3.47     $ 2.78     $ 2.63  
    Diluted
    3.97       3.49       3.41       2.71       2.55  
 
                                       
From discontinued operations:
                                       
    Basic
  $ -     $ -     $ 0.03     $ (0.09 )   $ (0.24 )
    Diluted
    -       -       0.03       (0.08 )     (0.23 )
 
                                       
From net income:
                                       
    Basic
  $ 4.08     $ 3.62     $ 3.50     $ 2.69     $ 2.39  
    Diluted
    3.97       3.49       3.44       2.63       2.32  
 
                                       
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
                                       
    Basic
    90,120       90,097       88,872       89,080       88,559  
    Diluted
    92,620       93,268       90,556       91,221       91,163  
 
 
 
 
Years ended
 
 
December 31,
   
December 25,
   
December 26,
   
December 27,
   
December 29,
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
 
(in thousands)
Net Sales by Market Data:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
Healthcare distribution (3):
                                     
    Dental (4)
  2,861,100     2,678,830     2,509,921     2,567,064     2,447,841
    Medical (5)
    1,412,470       1,290,428       1,217,020       1,210,875       1,340,146
    Animal health (6)
    993,183       889,303       240,082       218,093       200,123
    International (7)
    3,012,869       2,468,277       2,398,105       2,221,092       1,769,881
        Total healthcare distribution
    8,279,622       7,326,838       6,365,128       6,217,124       5,757,991
Technology (8)
     250,620        199,952        173,208        163,289        131,893
        Total
   8,530,242      7,526,790      6,538,336      6,380,413      5,889,884
 
 
 
As of
 
 
December 31,
   
December 25,
   
December 26,
   
December 27,
   
December 29,
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
 
(in thousands)
Balance Sheet Data:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
Total assets
  $ 4,740,144     $ 4,547,471     $ 3,835,985     $ 3,599,210     $ 3,313,472
Long-term debt
    363,524       395,309       243,373       256,648       407,627
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
    402,050       304,140       178,570       233,035       150,028
Stockholders' equity
    2,433,623       2,412,957       2,161,508       1,772,354       1,674,987
 
                                     
 
(1)  
Restructuring costs for the year ended December 25, 2010 consist primarily of severance costs, including severance pay and benefits of $8.8 million, facility closing costs of $3.4 million and other professional and consulting costs of $0.1 million.  Restructuring costs for the year ended December 26, 2009 consist primarily of employee severance costs, including severance pay and benefits of $1.5 million and facility closing costs of $1.5 million.  Restructuring costs for the year ended December 27, 2008 consist primarily of employee severance costs, including severance pay and benefits of $18.6 million, facility closing costs of $3.8 million and other professional and consulting costs of $0.8 million.  See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Plans of Restructuring” herein and the consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in ITEM 8.
 
(2)  
On August 5, 2009, we completed the sale of a wholesaler of dental consumables for aggregate consideration of $14.2 million, of which $13.2 million had been received as of December 26, 2009.  As a result of this sale, included in operating results from discontinued operations for 2009 is a net gain, net of tax, of $2.6 million or $0.03 per diluted share.
 
During the fourth quarter of 2008, included in operating results from discontinued operations, we recorded an impairment charge of $11.2 million ($7.3 million, net of tax), or $0.08 per diluted share, related to the exit from our wholesale ultrasound business.
 
During 2007, we sold substantially all of the assets of our oncology pharmaceutical and specialty pharmacy businesses, previously reported as part of our healthcare distribution reportable segment.  The aggregate sales price was $14.3 million, which was received during the third and fourth quarters of 2007.  As a result of these sales, included in the operating results from discontinued operations for 2007 is a net gain, net of tax, of approximately $0.7 million or $0.01 per diluted share. We recorded an impairment charge to our related long-lived assets of approximately $20.6 million, net of tax, or $(0.23) per diluted share in 2007.
 
On April 1, 2006, we sold substantially all of the assets of our Hospital Supply Business, previously reported as part of our healthcare distribution reportable segment.  As a result of this sale, included in the operating results from discontinued operations for 2007 is a $0.3 million ($0.2 million after-tax) expense relating to contract contingencies.
 
(3)  
Consists of consumable products, small equipment, laboratory products, large dental and medical equipment, equipment repair services, branded and generic pharmaceuticals, vaccines, surgical products, diagnostic tests, infection-control products and vitamins.
 
(4)  
Consists of products sold in the United States and Canadian dental markets.
 
(5)  
Consists of products sold in the United States’ medical market.
 
(6)  
Consists of products sold in the United States’ animal health market.
 
(7)  
Consists of products sold in the dental, medical and animal health markets, primarily in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
 
(8)  
Consists of practice management software, financial services and other value-added products and services, which are distributed primarily to healthcare providers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.
 


Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

In accordance with the “Safe Harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, we provide the following cautionary remarks regarding important factors that, among others, could cause future results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, expectations and assumptions expressed or implied herein.  All forward-looking statements made by us are subject to risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance.  These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance and achievements or industry results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  These statements are identified by the use of such terms as “may,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “anticipate” or other comparable terms.

Risk factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from current and historical results include, but are not limited to: effects of a highly competitive market; our dependence on third parties for the manufacture and supply of our products; our dependence upon sales personnel, customers, suppliers and manufacturers; our dependence on our senior management; fluctuations in quarterly earnings; risks from expansion of customer purchasing power and multi-tiered costing structures; possible increases in the cost of shipping our products or other service issues with our third-party shippers; general global macro-economic conditions; disruptions in financial markets; possible volatility of the market price of our common stock; changes in the healthcare industry; implementation of healthcare laws; failure to comply with regulatory requirements and data privacy laws; risks associated with our international operations; transitional challenges associated with acquisitions and joint ventures, including the failure to achieve anticipated synergies; financial risks associated with acquisitions and joint ventures; litigation risks; the dependence on our continued product development, technical support and successful marketing in the technology segment; risks from rapid technological change; risks from disruption to our information systems; certain provisions in our governing documents that may discourage third-party acquisitions of us; and changes in tax legislation. The order in which these factors appear should not be construed to indicate their relative importance or priority.

We caution that these factors may not be exhaustive and that many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict.  Accordingly, any forward-looking statements contained herein should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results.  We undertake no duty and have no obligation to update forward-looking statements.

Executive-Level Overview

We believe we are the largest distributor of healthcare products and services primarily to office-based healthcare practitioners.  We serve nearly 775,000 customers worldwide, including dental practitioners and laboratories, physician practices and animal health clinics, as well as government and other institutions.  We believe that we have a strong brand identity due to our more than 79 years of experience distributing healthcare products.

We are headquartered in Melville, New York, employ nearly 15,000 people (of which over 6,500 are based outside the United States) and have operations in the United States, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.  We also have affiliates in Iceland, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

We have established strategically located distribution centers to enable us to better serve our customers and increase our operating efficiency.  This infrastructure, together with broad product and service offerings at competitive prices, and a strong commitment to customer service, enables us to be a single source of supply for our customers’ needs.  Our infrastructure also allows us to provide convenient ordering and rapid, accurate and complete order fulfillment.



We conduct our business through two reportable segments: healthcare distribution and technology.  These segments offer different products and services to the same customer base.  The healthcare distribution reportable segment aggregates our dental, medical, animal health and international operating segments.  This segment consists of consumable products, small equipment, laboratory products, large equipment, equipment repair services, branded and generic pharmaceuticals, vaccines, surgical products, diagnostic tests, infection-control products and vitamins.

Our dental group serves office-based dental practitioners, schools and other institutions in the combined United States and Canadian dental market.  Our medical group serves office-based medical practitioners, surgical centers, other alternate-care settings and other institutions throughout the United States.  Our animal health group serves animal health practices and clinics throughout the United States.  Our international group serves dental, medical and animal health practitioners in 22 countries outside of North America and is what we believe to be a leading European healthcare supplier serving office-based practitioners.

Our technology group provides software, technology and other value-added services to healthcare practitioners, primarily in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.  Our value-added practice solutions include practice management software systems for dental and medical practitioners and animal health clinics.  Our technology group offerings also include financial services on a non-recourse basis, e-services and continuing education services for practitioners.

Industry Overview

In recent years, the healthcare industry has increasingly focused on cost containment.  This trend has benefited distributors capable of providing a broad array of products and services at low prices.  It also has accelerated the growth of HMOs, group practices, other managed care accounts and collective buying groups, which, in addition to their emphasis on obtaining products at competitive prices, tend to favor distributors capable of providing specialized management information support.  We believe that the trend towards cost containment has the potential to favorably affect demand for technology solutions, including software, which can enhance the efficiency and facilitation of practice management.

Our operating results in recent years have been significantly affected by strategies and transactions that we undertook to expand our business, domestically and internationally, in part to address significant changes in the healthcare industry, including consolidation of healthcare distribution companies, potential healthcare reform, trends toward managed care, cuts in Medicare and collective purchasing arrangements.

Our current and future results have been and could be impacted by the current economic environment and uncertainty, particularly impacting overall demand for our products and services.

Industry Consolidation

The healthcare products distribution industry, as it relates to office-based healthcare practitioners, is highly fragmented and diverse.  This industry, which encompasses the dental, medical and animal health markets, was estimated to produce revenues of approximately $28 billion in 2011 in the combined North American, European and Australian/New Zealand markets.  The industry ranges from sole practitioners working out of relatively small offices to group practices or service organizations ranging in size from a few practitioners to a large number of practitioners who have combined or otherwise associated their practices.

Due in part to the inability of office-based healthcare practitioners to store and manage large quantities of supplies in their offices, the distribution of healthcare supplies and small equipment to office-based healthcare practitioners has been characterized by frequent, small quantity orders, and a need for rapid, reliable and substantially complete order fulfillment.  The purchasing decisions within an office-based healthcare practice are typically made by the practitioner or an administrative assistant.  Supplies and small equipment are generally purchased from more than one distributor, with one generally serving as the primary supplier.



We believe that consolidation within the industry will continue to result in a number of distributors, particularly those with limited financial and marketing resources, seeking to combine with larger companies that can provide growth opportunities.  This consolidation also may continue to result in distributors seeking to acquire companies that can enhance their current product and service offerings or provide opportunities to serve a broader customer base.

Our trend with regard to acquisitions and joint ventures has been to expand our role as a provider of products and services to the healthcare industry.  This trend has resulted in expansion into service areas that complement our existing operations and provide opportunities for us to develop synergies with, and thus strengthen, the acquired businesses.

As industry consolidation continues, we believe that we are positioned to capitalize on this trend, as we believe we have the ability to support increased sales through our existing infrastructure.

As the healthcare industry continues to change, we continually evaluate possible candidates for merger or acquisition and intend to continue to seek opportunities to expand our role as a provider of products and services to the healthcare industry.  There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully pursue any such opportunity or consummate any such transaction, if pursued.  If additional transactions are entered into or consummated, we would incur merger and/or acquisition-related costs, and there can be no assurance that the integration efforts associated with any such transaction would be successful.

Aging Population and Other Market Influences

The healthcare products distribution industry continues to experience growth due to the aging population, increased healthcare awareness, the proliferation of medical technology and testing, new pharmacology treatments and expanded third-party insurance coverage, partially offset by the affects of increased unemployment on insurance coverage.  In addition, the physician market continues to benefit from the shift of procedures and diagnostic testing from acute care settings to alternate-care sites, particularly physicians’ offices.

The U.S. Census Bureau’s “Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2011,” reports that, in 2010, more than five million Americans were aged 85 or older, the segment of the population most in need of long-term care and elder-care services.  By the year 2050, that number is projected to more than triple to more than 19 million.  The population aged 65 to 84 years is projected to more than double in the same time period.

As a result of these market dynamics, annual expenditures for healthcare services continue to increase in the United States.  Given current operating, economic and industry conditions, we believe that demand for our products and services will grow at slower rates.  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS,  published “National Health Expenditure Projections 2010 – 2020” indicating that total national healthcare spending reached approximately $2.6 trillion in 2010, or 17.6% of the nation’s gross domestic product, the benchmark measure for annual production of goods and services in the United States.  Healthcare spending is projected to reach approximately $4.6 trillion in 2020, approximately 19.8% of the nation’s gross domestic product.



Government

Certain of our businesses involve the distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and in this regard we are subject to extensive local, state, federal and foreign governmental laws and regulations applicable to the distribution of pharmaceuticals and medical devices.  Additionally, government and private insurance programs fund a large portion of the total cost of medical care.  Many of these laws and regulations are subject to change and may impact our financial performance.
 
Healthcare Reform
 
For example, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, each enacted in March 2010, generally known as the Health Care Reform Law, increased federal oversight of private health insurance plans and included a number of provisions designed to reduce Medicare expenditures and the cost of healthcare generally, to reduce fraud and abuse, and to provide access to health coverage for an additional 32 million people.  The Health Care Reform Law requirements include, for example (i) a 2.3% excise tax on domestic sales of medical devices by manufacturers and importers beginning in 2013, and a fee on branded prescription drugs and biologics that was implemented in 2011, both of which may affect sales, and (ii) mandated pharmacy benefit manager transparency regarding rebates, discounts and price concessions with respect to drug benefits under Medicare Part D, and in 2014 with respect to drug benefits offered through qualified health plans offered through state exchanges, which could affect pricing and competition.  A provision in the Health Care Reform Law, often referred to as the “individual mandate,” which requires individuals without health insurance to pay a penalty, was recently declared unconstitutional by certain federal courts, while certain other federal courts have affirmed its constitutionality.  Appeals are pending, and the United States Supreme Court will review this issue during its 2012 term.

In addition to the foregoing, the Health Care Reform Law imposed new reporting and disclosure requirements for pharmaceutical and device manufacturers with regard to payments or other transfers of value made to certain practitioners, including physicians, dentists and teaching hospitals, and imposes new reporting and disclosure requirements for pharmaceutical and device manufacturers and group purchasing organizations with regard to certain ownership interests held by physicians in the reporting entity.  Data collection obligations were to commence in January 2012, and reporting requirements are to be implemented in 2013.  On December 14, 2011, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued proposed regulations to implement these provisions and sought substantial comments, thus apparently delaying the January 1, 2012 start of information collection.   These proposed regulations are broadly drafted and still subject to change, and it is possible that when these regulations are finalized, they will treat us or one or more of our subsidiaries as an entity subject to these reporting and disclosure requirements.   In addition, through business arrangements we have with drug and device manufacturers, we may be required to collect and report detailed information to these manufactures in order for these manufacturers to comply with the new requirements.  In addition, several states require pharmaceutical and/or device companies to report expenses relating to the marketing and promotion of products as well as gifts and payments to individual practitioners in the states, or prohibit certain marketing related activities.  Other states, such as California, Nevada, Massachusetts and Connecticut, require pharmaceutical and/or device companies to implement compliance programs or marketing codes.  Wholesale distributors are covered by the laws in certain of these states.  In others, it is possible that our activities, including on behalf of manufacturers, or the activities of one or more of our subsidiaries, will subject us to the state’s reporting requirements and prohibitions.


Healthcare Fraud
 
Certain of our businesses are subject to federal and state (and similar foreign) healthcare fraud and abuse, referral and reimbursement laws, and regulations with respect to their operations.  Such laws prohibit, among other things, the submission or causing the submission of false or fraudulent claims for reimbursement, and soliciting, offering, receiving or paying remuneration in order to induce the referral of a patient or ordering, purchasing, leasing or arranging for or recommending ordering, purchasing or leasing, of items or services that are paid for by government health care programs (known as “anti-kickback” laws). Violations of these laws could result in civil and criminal penalties.  The fraud and abuse laws and regulations have been subject to heightened enforcement activity over the past few years, particularly through “relators,” who serve as whistleblowers by filing complaints in the name of the United States (and if applicable, particular states) under federal and state False Claims Act statutes, and can be entitled to receive up to 30% of total recoveries.  Also, violations of the False Claims Act can result in treble damages, and each false claim submitted can be subject to a penalty of up to $11,000 per claim.  These laws and regulations are subject to frequent modification and varied interpretation, and can have a material adverse impact on us if a violation is found.  The Health Care Reform Law significantly strengthened the federal False Claims Act, and the anti-kickback provisions, which could lead to the possibility of increased whistleblower or relator suits, and among other things made clear that an Anti-Kickback Law violation can be a basis for False Claims Act liability.  We also are subject to certain laws and regulations concerning the conduct of our foreign operations, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and anti-bribery laws and laws pertaining to the accuracy of our internal books and records, which have been the focus of increasing enforcement activity in recent years.

Operating and Security Standards
 
Regulations adopted under the federal Prescription Drug Marketing Act (“PDMA”), effective December 2006, require the identification and documentation of transactions involving the receipt and distribution of prescription drugs, that is, drug pedigree information.  These requirements include tracking sales and distribution of prescription drug products from distributors and potentially manufacturers.  In early December 2006, the federal District Court for the Eastern District of New York issued a preliminary injunction enjoining the implementation of certain parts of the federal drug pedigree requirements, including the requirement to identify transactions back to the manufacturer.  On July 14, 2011, the FDA published a proposed rulemaking that would remove the requirement that a pedigree track back to the manufacturer and that certain information be identified on the pedigree.  As a result of the FDA’s intent to resolve these issues, the case was voluntarily dismissed in August 2011.  FDA policies in this area are still evolving.

Many states have implemented or are considering similar drug pedigree laws and regulations.  There have been increasing efforts by various levels of government, including state departments of health, state boards of pharmacy and comparable agencies, to regulate the pharmaceutical distribution system in order to prevent the introduction of counterfeit, adulterated or mislabeled pharmaceuticals into the distribution system.  A number of states, including Florida, have already implemented pedigree requirements, including drug tracking requirements, which are intended to protect the integrity of the pharmaceutical distribution system.  California has enacted a statute that, beginning in 2015, will require manufacturers to identify each package of a prescription pharmaceutical with a standard, machine-readable unique numerical identifier, and will require manufacturers and distributors to participate in an electronic track-and-trace system and provide or receive an electronic pedigree for each transaction in the drug distribution chain.  Other states have passed or are reviewing the same type of requirements.  Bills have been proposed in Congress that would impose similar requirements at the federal level.
 
The Combat Methamphetamine Enhancement Act of 2010, which became effective in April 2011, requires retail sellers of products containing certain chemicals, such as pseudoephedrine, to self certify to the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) that they are in compliance with the laws and regulations regarding such sales. The law also prohibits distributors from selling these products to retailers who are not registered with the DEA or who have not self-certified compliance with the laws and regulations.  Various states also impose restrictions on the sale of certain products containing pseudoephedrine and other chemicals.  The Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, signed by President Obama in October 2010, is intended to allow patients to deliver unused controlled substances to designated entities to more easily and safely dispose of controlled substances while reducing the chance of diversion.  The law authorizes the DEA to promulgate regulations to allow, but not require, designated entities to receive unused controlled substances.
 
 
Regulated Software; Electronic Health Records
 
The United States Food and Drug Administration has become increasingly active in addressing the regulation of computer software intended for use in healthcare settings, and has been developing policies on regulating clinical decision support tools as medical devices.  Certain of our businesses involve the development and sale of software and related products to support physician and dental practice management, and it is possible that the FDA could determine that one or more of our products is a medical device, which could subject us or one or more of our businesses to substantial additional requirements with respect to these products.
 
Certain of our businesses involve access to personal health, medical, financial and other information of individuals, and are accordingly directly or indirectly subject to numerous federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations that protect the privacy and security of such information, such as the privacy and security provisions of the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended (“HIPAA”), and require, among other things, the implementation of various recordkeeping, operational, notice and other practices intended to safeguard that information, limit its use to allowed purposes, and notify individuals in the event of privacy and security breaches.  Failure to comply with these laws can result in substantial penalties and other liabilities.  As a result of the federal Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (“HITECH Act”), which was passed in 2009, some of our businesses that were previously only indirectly subject to federal HIPAA privacy and security rules became directly subject to such rules because such businesses serve as “business associates” of HIPAA covered entities, such as health care providers. Additional rules under the HITECH Act are expected to be issued in early 2012, further expanding the privacy and security requirements applicable to some of our businesses.

In addition, the HITECH Act established a program of Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments available to certain health care providers including, among others, physicians and dentists, if they meaningfully use certified electronic health record technology (“EHR”).  Also, eligible providers that fail to adopt certified EHR systems may be subject to Medicare reimbursement reductions beginning in 2015.  Qualification for the incentive payments requires the use of EHRs that are certified as having certain capabilities for meaningful use pursuant to standards adopted by the Department of Health and Human Services.  While initial standards have been established, new versions are expected to be issued over the next several years, and the content of those standards is not certain.  Certain of our businesses involve the manufacture and sale of certified EHR systems, and so must maintain compliance with these evolving governmental criteria.

Also, HIPAA requires certain health care providers, such as physicians, to use certain transaction and code set rules for specified electronic transactions, such as transactions involving claims submissions.   As of January 1, 2012, subject to 90 days of CMS enforcement discretion, electronic claim submissions and related electronic transactions were required to be conducted under a new HIPAA transaction standard, called Version 5010.  CMS is requiring this upgrade in connection with another new requirement applicable to the industry, the implementation of new diagnostic code sets to be used in claims submission.  The new diagnostic code sets are called the ICD-10-CM, and are to be implemented on October 1, 2013.  Certain of our businesses provide electronic practice management products that must meet those requirements, and while we believe we are prepared to timely adopt the new standards, it is possible that the transition to these new standards, particularly the transition to ICD-10-CM, may result in a degree of disruption and confusion, thus potentially increasing the costs associated with supporting this product.

There may be additional legislative initiatives in the future impacting healthcare.

E-Commerce

Traditional healthcare supply and distribution relationships are being challenged by electronic online commerce solutions.  Our distribution business is characterized by rapid technological developments and intense competition.  The advancement of online commerce will require us to cost-effectively adapt to changing technologies, to enhance existing services and to develop and introduce a variety of new services to address the changing demands of consumers and our customers on a timely basis, particularly in response to competitive offerings.

Through our proprietary, technologically-based suite of products, we offer customers a variety of competitive alternatives.  We believe that our tradition of reliable service, our name recognition and large customer base built on solid customer relationships position us well to participate in this growing aspect of the distribution business.  We continue to explore ways and means to improve and expand our Internet presence and capabilities.



Results of Operations

The following tables summarize the significant components of our operating results and cash flows for each of the three years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009 (in thousands):
 
 
 
Years Ended
 
 
 
December 31,
   
December 25,
   
December 26,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
 
     
Operating results:
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Net sales
  $  8,530,242     $  7,526,790      6,538,336  
Cost of sales
    6,112,187       5,355,914       4,621,516  
    Gross profit
    2,418,055       2,170,876       1,916,820  
Operating expenses
                       
    Selling, general and administrative
    1,835,906       1,637,460       1,449,715  
    Restructuring costs
    -        12,285       3,020  
        Operating income
   582,149     521,131     464,085  
                         
Other expense, net     (12,842    (19,096    (11,365
Income from continuing operations       404,656        352,131        330,442  
Income from continuing operations attributable                         
    to Henry Schein, Inc.       367,661        325,789        308,551  
 
 
 
Years Ended
 
 
 
December 31,
   
December 25,
   
December 26,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
 
     
Cash flows:
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 554,625     $ 395,480     398,029  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (196,069     (388,033     (98,587
Net cash used in financing activities
    (354,367     (330,233     (197,675
 
Plans of Restructuring

On November 5, 2008, we announced certain actions to reduce operating costs.  These actions included the elimination of approximately 430 positions from our operations and the closing of several smaller facilities.  Also, during the first quarter of 2010, we completed an additional restructuring in order to further reduce operating expenses.  This restructuring included headcount reductions of 184 positions, as well as the closing of a number of smaller locations.

During the years ended December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009, we recorded restructuring costs of approximately $12.3 million (approximately $8.3 million after taxes) and $3.0 million (approximately $2.1 million after taxes), respectively.  These costs primarily consisted of employee severance pay and benefits, facility closing costs, representing primarily lease termination and asset write-off costs, and outside professional and consulting fees directly related to the restructuring plans.  The costs associated with these restructurings are included in a separate line item, “Restructuring costs,” within our consolidated statements of income.
 
During 2012, we will be implementing a restructuring with the goal of improving profitability.  We expect to record restructuring charges of approximately $11 million to $13 million, or approximately $0.08 to $0.10 per diluted share, during the first half of 2012 as a result of this restructuring.

 
2011 Compared to 2010

Net Sales

Net sales for 2011 and 2010 were as follows (in thousands):

       
% of
       
% of
   
Increase
 
   
2011
 
Total
   
2010
 
Total
       %  
Healthcare distribution (1):
                             
Dental  (2)
  $ 2,861,100     33.6 %   $ 2,678,830     35.6 %   $ 182,270   6.8 %
Medical  (3)
    1,412,470     16.6       1,290,428     17.1       122,042   9.5  
Animal health  (4)
    993,183     11.6       889,303     11.8       103,880   11.7  
International  (5)
    3,012,869     35.3       2,468,277     32.8       544,592   22.1  
Total healthcare distribution
    8,279,622     97.1       7,326,838     97.3       952,784   13.0  
Technology  (6)
    250,620     2.9       199,952     2.7       50,668   25.3  
Total
  $ 8,530,242     100.0 %   $ 7,526,790     100.0 %   $ 1,003,452   13.3  
                                         

(1)
Consists of consumable products, small equipment, laboratory products, large equipment, equipment repair services, branded and generic pharmaceuticals, vaccines, surgical products, diagnostic tests, infection-control products and vitamins.
 
(2)
Consists of products sold in the United States and Canadian dental markets.
 
(3)
Consists of products sold in the United States’ medical market.
 
(4)
Consists of products sold in the United States’ animal health market.
 
(5)
Consists of products sold in the dental, medical and animal health markets, primarily in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
 
(6)
Consists of practice management software and other value-added products and services, which are distributed primarily to healthcare providers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

The fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 consisted of 53 weeks as compared to the fiscal year ended December 25, 2010, which consisted of 52 weeks.

The $1,003.5 million, or 13.3%, increase in net sales for the year ended December 31, 2011 includes an increase of 10.9% local currency growth (4.5% increase in internally generated revenue, 1.5% impact from extra week and 4.9% growth from acquisitions) as well as an increase of 2.4% related to foreign currency exchange.

The $182.3 million, or 6.8%, increase in dental net sales for the year ended December 31, 2011 includes an increase of 6.3% in local currencies (3.2% increase in internally generated revenue, 2.0%, impact from extra week and 1.1% growth from acquisitions) as well as an increase of 0.5% related to foreign currency exchange.  The 6.3% increase in local currency sales was due to increases in dental equipment sales and service revenues of 5.7% (1.3% increase in internally generated revenue and 4.4% impact from extra week) and dental consumable merchandise sales growth of 6.5% (3.8% increase in internally generated revenue, 1.2% impact from extra week and 1.5% growth from acquisitions).

The $122.0 million, or 9.5%, increase in medical net sales for the year ended December 31, 2011 includes an increase in internally generated revenue of 6.4%, 1.6% impact from extra week and acquisition growth of 1.5%.

The $103.9 million, or 11.7%, increase in animal health net sales for the year ended December 31, 2011 includes an increase in internally generated revenue of 8.8%, 1.9% impact from extra week and acquisition growth of 1.0%.

The $544.6 million, or 22.1%, increase in international net sales for the year ended December 31, 2011 includes sales growth of 15.2% in local currencies (3.0% internally generated revenue, 0.8% impact from extra week and 11.4% growth from acquisitions) as well as an increase of 6.9% related to foreign currency exchange.

The $50.7 million, or 25.3%, increase in technology net sales for the year ended December 31, 2011 includes an increase of 24.4% local currency growth (9.6% internally generated growth, 1.9% impact from extra week and 12.9% growth from acquisitions) as well as an increase of 0.9% related to foreign currency exchange.

 
Gross Profit

Gross profit and gross margins for 2011 and 2010 by segment and in total were as follows (in thousands):

     
Gross
     
Gross
 
Increase
 
2011
 
Margin %
 
2010
 
Margin %
     %  
Healthcare distribution
$ 2,253,814     27.2 %     $ 2,033,860     27.8 %   $ 219,954   10.8 %
Technology
  164,241     65.5         137,016     68.5       27,225   19.9  
Total
$ 2,418,055     28.3       $ 2,170,876     28.8     $ 247,179   11.4  

Gross profit increased $247.2 million, or 11.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to the prior year period.  As a result of different practices of categorizing costs associated with distribution networks throughout our industry, our gross margins may not necessarily be comparable to other distribution companies.  Additionally, we realize substantially higher gross margin percentages in our technology segment than in our healthcare distribution segment.  These higher gross margins result from being both the developer and seller of software products and services, as well as certain financial services. The software industry typically realizes higher gross margins to recover investments in research and development.
 
Within our healthcare distribution segment, gross profit margins may vary from one period to the next.  Changes in the mix of products sold as well as changes in our customer mix have been the most significant drivers affecting our gross profit margin.  For example, sales of pharmaceutical products are generally at lower gross profit margins than other products.  Conversely, sales of our private label products achieve gross profit margins that are better than average.  With respect to customer mix, sales to our large-group customers are typically completed at lower gross margins due to the higher volumes sold as opposed to the gross margin on sales to office-based practitioners who normally purchase lower volumes at higher frequencies.

Healthcare distribution gross profit increased $220.0 million, or 10.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to the prior year period.  Healthcare distribution gross profit margin decreased to 27.2% for the year ended December 31, 2011 from 27.8% for the comparable prior year period.  The decrease in our healthcare distribution gross profit margin is primarily due to growth in sales within our animal health businesses, which typically include a greater percentage of lower-margin pharmaceutical products than our other operating units.  The increase in animal health sales results from internal growth in the United States and the acquisition of Provet Holdings Limited (see Note 9 “Business Acquisitions, Discontinued Operation and Other Transactions” within our notes to our consolidated financial statements) at the beginning of our 2011 fiscal year.

Technology gross profit increased $27.2 million, or 19.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to the prior year period.  Technology gross profit margin decreased to 65.5% for the year ended December 31, 2011 from 68.5% for the comparable prior year period, primarily due to changes in the product sales mix.  Specifically, revenues generated from hardware sales and installations, which generally are completed at a lower than average gross margin, grew at a greater rate than electronic services (claims processing, statements generation, etc.) or software sales, which typically generate higher than average gross margins.

Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative expenses by segment and in total for 2011 and 2010 were as follows (in thousands):

     
% of
     
% of
         
     
Respective
     
Respective
 
Increase
 
2011
 
Net Sales
 
2010
 
Net Sales
     %  
Healthcare distribution
$ 1,742,519     21.0 %   $ 1,566,915     21.4 %   $ 175,604   11.2 %
Technology
  93,387     37.3       70,545     35.3       22,842   32.4  
Total
$ 1,835,906     21.5     $ 1,637,460     21.8     $ 198,446   12.1  

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $198.4 million, or 12.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2011 from the comparable prior year period.  As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 21.5% from 21.8% for the comparable prior year period.

 
As a component of total selling, general and administrative expenses, selling expenses increased $101.0 million, or 9.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2011 from the comparable prior year period.  As a percentage of net sales, selling expenses decreased to 13.8% from 14.3% for the comparable prior year period.

As a component of total selling, general and administrative expenses, general and administrative expenses increased $97.4 million, or 17.5%, for the year ended December 31, 2011 from the comparable prior year period.  As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expenses increased to 7.7% from 7.4% for the comparable prior year period.

Other Expense, Net

Other expense, net for the years ended 2011 and 2010 was as follows (in thousands):

             
Variance
 
 
2011
   
2010
       %  
Interest income
$ 15,593     $ 14,098     $ 1,495   10.6 %
Interest expense
  (30,377 )     (33,641 )     3,264   9.7  
Other, net
  1,942       447       1,495   334.5  
Other expense, net
$ (12,842 )   $ (19,096 )   $ 6,254   32.8  

Other expense, net decreased $6.3 million to $12.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 from the comparable prior year period.  Interest income increased $1.5 million primarily due to higher investment income partially offset by a decrease in late fee income.  Interest expense decreased $3.3 million primarily due to reduced interest expense from the redemption of our 3% convertible contingent notes originally due in 2034 (the “Convertible Notes”) on September 3, 2010, partially offset by increased interest expense related to borrowings under our private placement shelf facilities, as well as interest expense related to our credit lines. Other, net increased by $1.5 million due primarily to a gain associated with the acquisition of the remaining interest in an equity investment and proceeds received from a litigation settlement.

Income Taxes

For the year ended December 31, 2011, our effective tax rate from continuing operations was 31.7% compared to 31.9% for the prior year period.  The net reduction in our 2011 effective tax rate results from additional tax planning, settlements of tax audits and higher income from lower taxing countries.  The difference between our effective tax rate and the federal statutory tax rate for both periods related primarily to foreign and state income taxes.  For 2012, we expect our effective tax rate to approximate 31.0%.

Net Income

Net income increased $52.5 million, or 14.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to the prior year period due to the factors noted above.  Excluding sales of seasonal influenza vaccines from both periods, net income increased by approximately 16.9%.

 
2010 Compared to 2009

Net Sales

Net sales for 2010 and 2009 were as follows (in thousands):

       
% of
       
% of
   
Increase
 
   
2010
 
Total
   
2009
 
Total
       %  
Healthcare distribution (1):
                             
Dental  (2)
  $ 2,678,830     35.6 %   $ 2,509,921     38.4 %   $ 168,909   6.7 %
Medical  (3)
    1,290,428     17.1       1,217,020     18.6       73,408   6.0  
Animal health  (4)
    889,303     11.8       240,082     3.7       649,221   270.4  
International  (5)
    2,468,277     32.8       2,398,105     36.7       70,172   2.9  
Total healthcare distribution
    7,326,838     97.3       6,365,128     97.4       961,710   15.1  
Technology  (6)
    199,952     2.7       173,208     2.6       26,744   15.4  
Total
  $ 7,526,790     100.0 %   $ 6,538,336     100.0 %   $ 988,454   15.1  
                                         

(1)
Consists of consumable products, small equipment, laboratory products, large equipment, equipment repair services, branded and generic pharmaceuticals, vaccines, surgical products, diagnostic tests, infection-control products and vitamins.
 
(2)
Consists of products sold in the United States and Canadian dental markets.
 
(3)
Consists of products sold in the United States’ medical market.
 
(4)
Consists of products sold in the United States’ animal health market.
 
(5)
Consists of products sold in the dental, medical and animal health markets, primarily in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
 
(6)
Consists of practice management software and other value-added products and services, which are distributed primarily to healthcare providers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

The $988.5 million, or 15.1%, increase in net sales for the year ended December 25, 2010 includes an increase of 15.4% local currency growth (3.1% increase in internally generated revenue and 12.3% growth from acquisitions) offset by a decrease of 0.3% related to foreign currency exchange.

The $168.9 million, or 6.7%, increase in dental net sales for the year ended December 25, 2010 includes an increase of 5.7% in local currencies (2.2% increase in internally generated revenue and 3.5% growth from acquisitions) as well as an increase of 1.0% related to foreign currency exchange.  The 5.7% increase in local currency sales was due to increases in dental equipment sales and service revenues of 2.5% (2.3% increase in internally generated revenue and 0.2% growth from acquisitions) and dental consumable merchandise sales growth of 6.7% (2.2% increase in internally generated revenue and 4.5% growth from acquisitions).

The $73.4 million, or 6.0%, increase in medical net sales for the year ended December 25, 2010 includes an increase in internally generated revenue of 2.3% and acquisition growth of 3.7%.

The $649.2 million, or 270.4%, increase in animal health net sales for the year ended December 25, 2010 includes acquisition growth of 269.8% due to the acquisition of a majority interest in Butler Animal Health Supply, LLC as of December 31, 2009, as well as internally generated revenue of 0.6%.

The $70.2 million, or 2.9%, increase in international net sales for the year ended December 25, 2010 includes sales growth of 4.9% in local currencies (4.2% internally generated revenue and 0.7% growth from acquisitions) offset by a decrease of 2.0% related to foreign currency exchange.

The $26.7 million, or 15.4%, increase in technology net sales for the year ended December 25, 2010 includes an increase of 14.8% local currency growth (10.4% internally generated growth and 4.4% growth from acquisitions) as well as an increase of 0.6% related to foreign currency exchange.

 
Gross Profit

Gross profit and gross margins for 2010 and 2009 by segment and in total were as follows (in thousands):

     
Gross
     
Gross
 
Increase
 
2010
 
Margin %
 
2009
 
Margin %
     %  
Healthcare distribution
$ 2,033,860     27.8 %   $ 1,792,516   28.2 %   $ 241,344   13.5 %
Technology
  137,016     68.5       124,304   71.8       12,712   10.2  
Total
$ 2,170,876     28.8     $ 1,916,820   29.3     $ 254,056   13.3  

Gross profit increased $254.1 million, or 13.3%, for the year ended December 25, 2010 compared to the prior year period.  As a result of different practices of categorizing costs associated with distribution networks throughout our industry, our gross margins may not necessarily be comparable to other distribution companies.  Additionally, we realize substantially higher gross margin percentages in our technology segment than in our healthcare distribution segment.  These higher gross margins result from being both the developer and seller of software products and services, as well as certain financial services. The software industry typically realizes higher gross margins to recover investments in research and development.
 
Within our healthcare distribution segment, gross profit margins may vary from one period to the next.  Changes in the mix of products sold as well as changes in our customer mix have been the most significant drivers affecting our gross profit margin.  For example, sales of pharmaceutical products are generally at lower gross profit margins than other products.  Conversely, sales of our private label products achieve gross profit margins that are better than average.  With respect to customer mix, sales to our large-group customers are typically completed at lower gross margins due to the higher volumes sold as opposed to the gross margin on sales to office-based practitioners who normally purchase lower volumes at higher frequencies.

Healthcare distribution gross profit increased $241.3 million, or 13.5%, for the year ended December 25, 2010 compared to the prior year period.  Healthcare distribution gross profit margin decreased to 27.8% for the year ended December 25, 2010 from 28.2% for the comparable prior year period.  The decrease in our healthcare distribution gross profit margin is primarily due to growth in sales within our animal health businesses, which typically include a greater percentage of lower-margin pharmaceutical products than our other operating units.

Technology gross profit increased $12.7 million, or 10.2%, for the year ended December 25, 2010 compared to the prior year period.  Technology gross profit margin decreased to 68.5% for the year ended December 25, 2010 from 71.8% for the comparable prior year period, primarily due to changes in the product sales mix.  Specifically, revenues generated from hardware sales and installations, which generally are completed at a lower than average gross margin, grew at a greater rate than electronic services (claims processing, statements generation, etc.) or software sales, which typically generate higher than average gross margins.

Selling, General and Administrative

Selling, general and administrative expenses by segment and in total for 2010 and 2009 were as follows (in thousands):

     
% of
     
% of
         
     
Respective
     
Respective
 
Increase
 
2010
 
Net Sales
 
2009
 
Net Sales
     %  
Healthcare distribution
$ 1,566,915     21.4 %   $ 1,387,581     21.8 %   $ 179,334   12.9 %
Technology
  70,545     35.3       62,134     35.9       8,411   13.5  
Total
$ 1,637,460     21.8     $ 1,449,715     22.2     $ 187,745   13.0  

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $187.7 million, or 13.0%, for the year ended December 25, 2010 compared to the prior year period.  As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 21.8% from 22.2% from the comparable prior year period.

 
As a component of total selling, general and administrative expenses, selling expenses increased $117.7 million, or 12.2%, for the year ended December 25, 2010 from the prior year period.  As a percentage of net sales, selling expenses decreased to 14.3% from 14.7% for the comparable prior year period.

As a component of total selling, general and administrative expenses, general and administrative expenses increased $70.0 million, or 14.4%, for the year ended December 25, 2010 from the prior year period.  As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expenses decreased to 7.4% from 7.5% for the comparable prior year period.

Other Expense, Net

Other expense, net for the years ended 2010 and 2009 was as follows (in thousands):

             
Variance
 
 
2010
   
2009
         %  
Interest income
$ 14,098     $ 9,979     $ 4,119     41.3 %
Interest expense
  (33,641 )     (23,370 )     (10,271 )   (43.9 )
Other, net
  447       2,026       (1,579 )   (77.9 )
Other expense, net
$ (19,096 )   $ (11,365 )   $ (7,731 )   (68.0 )

Other expense, net increased $7.7 million to $19.1 million for the year ended December 25, 2010 from the comparable prior year period.  Interest expense increased $10.3 million primarily due to debt associated with the acquisition of a majority interest in Butler Animal Health Supply, LLC, partially offset by reduced interest expense from the redemption of all of our Convertible Notes on September 3, 2010 and from repayment of our $130.0 million senior notes on June 30, 2009.  Interest income increased $4.1 million as a result of increased late fee income, partially offset by lower interest income on our invested funds.  Other, net decreased by $1.6 million due primarily to net proceeds received from litigation settlements in the third quarter of 2009, partially offset by the impact of foreign currency exchange.

Income Taxes

For the year ended December 25, 2010, our effective tax rate from continuing operations was 31.9% compared to 28.2% for the prior year period.  The difference resulted primarily from the reduction of a valuation allowance in 2009 as explained below.  Without the effect of the reduction of the valuation allowance described below, our effective tax rate from continuing operations for the year ended December 26, 2009 would have been 32.8%.  The net reduction in our 2010 effective tax rate results from additional tax planning, settlements of tax audits, a reduction of valuation allowances and higher income from lower taxing countries.  The difference between our effective tax rate and the federal statutory tax rate for both periods related primarily to foreign and state income taxes.

During the third quarter of 2009, we substantially completed a plan of reorganization outside the United States that allowed us to utilize tax loss carryforwards to offset taxable income beginning in 2010 in certain foreign tax jurisdictions.  As a result, we determined that it is more likely than not that a portion of deferred tax assets previously fully reserved will be realized.  Therefore, the 2009 provision for income taxes includes a $20.9 million reduction of the valuation allowance which is based on an estimate of future taxable income available to be offset by the tax loss carryforwards.

Loss from Discontinued Operations

During the year ended December 26, 2009, we recognized aggregate gains of $2.6 million, net of tax, related to a discontinued operation (see Note 9 in the accompanying annual consolidated financial statements for further discussion).

Net Income

Net income increased $19.0 million, or 5.7%, for the year ended December 25, 2010 compared to the prior year period.  The increase in net income is primarily due to increased net sales.  Excluding sales of seasonal influenza vaccines from both periods, net income increased by approximately 3.5%.

 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our principal capital requirements include funding of acquisitions, purchases of additional noncontrolling interests, repayments of debt principal, the funding of working capital needs, purchases of securities and fixed assets and repurchases of common stock.  Working capital requirements generally result from increased sales, special inventory forward buy-in opportunities and payment terms for receivables and payables.  Historically, sales have tended to be stronger during the third and fourth quarters and special inventory forward buy-in opportunities have been most prevalent just before the end of the year, causing our working capital requirements to have been higher from the end of the third quarter to the end of the first quarter of the following year.

We finance our business primarily through cash generated from our operations, revolving credit facilities and debt placements.  Our ability to generate sufficient cash flows from operations is dependent on the continued demand of our customers for our products and services, and access to products and services from our suppliers.

Our business requires a substantial investment in working capital, which is susceptible to fluctuations during the year as a result of inventory purchase patterns and seasonal demands.  Inventory purchase activity is a function of sales activity, special inventory forward buy-in opportunities and our desired level of inventory.  We anticipate future increases in our working capital requirements.

We finance our business to provide adequate funding for at least 12 months.  Funding requirements are based on forecasted profitability and working capital needs, which, on occasion, may change.  Consequently, we may change our funding structure to reflect any new requirements.

We believe that our cash and cash equivalents, our ability to access private debt markets and public equity markets, and our available funds under existing credit facilities provide us with sufficient liquidity to meet our currently foreseeable short-term and long-term capital needs.  We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Net cash flow provided by operating activities was $554.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $395.5 million for the comparable prior year period.  The net change of $159.1 million was primarily attributable to favorable working capital changes as well as net income improvements, after taking into account depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense and deferred taxes.

Net cash used in investing activities was $196.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $388.0 million for the comparable prior year period.  The net change of $191.9 million was primarily due to decreases in payments for equity investments and business acquisitions.

Net cash used by financing activities was $354.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $330.2 million for the comparable prior year period.  The net change of $24.2 million was primarily due to increased repurchases of common stock and an increase in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries, partially offset by decreased net payments of debt.

We expect to invest approximately $50 million to $60 million during 2012 in capital projects to modernize and expand our facilities and computer systems and to integrate certain operations into our existing structure.

The following table summarizes selected measures of liquidity and capital resources (in thousands):

   
December 31,
   
December 25,
   
2011
   
2010
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 147,284     $ 150,348
Available-for-sale securities - long-term
    11,329       13,367
Working capital
    1,000,868       1,001,215
               
Debt:
             
Bank credit lines
  $ 55,014     $ 41,508
Current maturities of long-term debt
    22,819       4,487
Long-term debt
    363,524       395,309
Total debt
  $ 441,357     $ 441,304

 Our cash and cash equivalents consist of bank balances and investments in money market funds representing overnight investments with a high degree of liquidity.


Available-for-sale securities

As of December 31, 2011, we have approximately $12.5 million ($11.3 million net of temporary impairments) invested in auction-rate securities (“ARS”), consisting of investments backed by student loans (backed by the federal government) and investments in closed-end municipal bond funds.  ARS are publicly issued securities that represent long-term investments, typically 10-30 years, in which interest rates had reset periodically (typically every 7, 28 or 35 days) through a “dutch auction” process.  Our ARS portfolio is comprised of investments that are rated investment grade by major independent rating agencies.  Since the middle of February 2008, these auctions have failed to settle due to an excess number of sellers compared to buyers.  The failure of these auctions has resulted in our inability to liquidate our ARS in the near term.  We are currently not aware of any defaults or financial conditions that would negatively affect the issuers’ ability to continue to pay interest and principal on our ARS.  We continue to earn and receive interest at contractually agreed upon rates.  We believe that the current lack of liquidity related to our ARS investments will have no impact on our ability to fund our ongoing operations and growth opportunities.  As of December 31, 2011, we have classified ARS holdings as long-term, available-for-sale and they are included in the Investments and other line within our consolidated balance sheets.

Accounts receivable days sales outstanding and inventory turns
 
Our accounts receivable days sales outstanding from operations increased to 40.6 days as of December 31, 2011 from 40.4 days as of December 25, 2010.  During the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, we wrote off approximately $6.2 million and $6.7 million, respectively, of fully reserved accounts receivable against our trade receivable reserve.  Our inventory turns from operations increased to 6.6 for the year ended December 31, 2011 from 6.5 for the year ended December 25, 2010.  Our working capital accounts may be impacted by current and future economic conditions.

Contractual obligations

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations related to fixed and variable rate long-term debt, including interest (assuming an average long-term rate of interest of 3.8%), as well as operating and capital lease obligations, capital expenditure obligations and inventory purchase commitments as of December 31, 2011:
 
 
 
Payments due by period (in thousands)
 
 
 
< 1 year
   
2 - 3 years
   
4 - 5 years
   
> 5 years
   
Total
 
Contractual obligations:
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Long-term debt, including interest
  $ 35,887     $ 123,990     $ 181,798     $ 115,160     $ 456,835  
Inventory purchase commitments
    69,534       73,090       43,845       101,634       288,103  
Operating lease obligations
    65,640       79,030       40,259       34,619       219,548  
Capital lease obligations, including interest
    2,701       2,265       430       -       5,396  
Total
  $ 173,762     $ 278,375     $ 266,332     $ 251,413     $ 969,882  

Inventory purchase commitments include obligations to purchase certain pharmaceutical products from a manufacturer through 2013, which require us to pay a price based on the prevailing market price or formula price in each respective year.  The amounts included in the above table related to these purchase commitments were determined using current market conditions.  We also have obligations to purchase certain pharmaceutical products from another manufacturer.  Actual amounts may differ.


Redemption of convertible debt

On September 3, 2010, we paid approximately $240 million in cash and issued 732,422 shares of our common stock in connection with the redemption of our $240.0 million of Convertible Notes, which were issued in 2004.

The Convertible Notes were senior unsecured obligations bearing a fixed annual interest rate of 3.0% and were due to mature on August 15, 2034.  The Convertible Notes were convertible into our common stock at a conversion ratio of 21.58 shares per one thousand dollars of principal amount of notes, which is equivalent to a conversion price of $46.34 per share, under the following circumstances:

·  
if the price of our common stock was above 130% of the conversion price measured over a specified number of trading days;

·  
during the five-business-day period following any 10-consecutive-trading-day period in which the average of the trading prices for the Convertible Notes for that 10-trading-day period was less than 98% of the average conversion value for the Convertible Notes during that period;

·  
if the Convertible Notes have been called for redemption; or

·  
upon the occurrence of a fundamental change or specified corporate transactions, as defined in the Convertible Note agreement.

Credit Facilities

On September 5, 2008, we entered into a $400 million revolving credit facility with a $100 million expansion feature.  The borrowings outstanding on this revolving credit facility were $25.0 million as of December 31, 2011.  The $400 million credit line expires in September 2013.  The interest rate, which was 0.75% during the year ended December 31, 2011, is based on the USD LIBOR plus a spread based on our leverage ratio at the end of each financial reporting quarter.  As of December 31, 2011, we had various other short-term bank credit lines available, of which approximately $30.0 million was outstanding.  As of December 31, 2011, borrowings under all of our credit lines had a weighted average interest rate of 1.29%.  As of December 31, 2011, there were $9.7 million of letters of credit provided to third parties.

Private Placement Facilities

On August 10, 2010, we entered into $400 million private placement facilities with two insurance companies.  These shelf facilities are available through August 2013 on an uncommitted basis.  The facilities allow us to issue senior promissory notes to the lenders at a fixed rate based on an agreed upon spread over applicable treasury notes at the time of issuance.  The term of each possible issuance will be selected by us and can range from five to 15 years (with an average life no longer than 12 years). The proceeds of any issuances under the facilities will be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital and capital expenditures, to refinance existing indebtedness and/or to fund potential acquisitions.  As of December 31, 2011, we have an outstanding balance under the facilities of $100.0 million at a fixed rate of 3.79%, which is due on September 2, 2020.

On January 20, 2012, we drew down $100.0 million from our existing private placement facilities, consisting of $50.0 million for 12 years at 3.45% and $50.0 million for ten years with annual payments starting in 2016 at 3.09%.
 

Butler Animal Health Supply

Effective December 31, 2009, Butler Animal Health Supply, LLC (“BAHS”), a majority-owned subsidiary whose financial information is consolidated with ours, had incurred approximately $320.0 million of debt (of which $37.5 million was provided by Henry Schein, Inc.) in connection with our acquisition of a majority interest in BAHS.

On May 27, 2011, BAHS refinanced the terms and amount of its debt.  The refinanced debt consists of the following three components:

 
Term loan A -  $100.0 million repayable in 13 quarterly installments in payment amounts ranging from $1.2 million per quarter for the period September 30, 2011 through June 30, 2012, approximately $1.8 million per quarter for the period September 30, 2012 through June 30, 2013, $2.5 million per quarter for the period September 30, 2013 through June 30, 2014, approximately $3.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 and a final installment of approximately $72.9 million due on December 31, 2014.  Interest on the $100.0 million term loan is charged at LIBOR plus a margin of 3%.  During 2011, BAHS made a prepayment on this loan, which resulted in a reduction to the future quarterly and final installment amounts due.  Future prepayments by BAHS, if any, will result in reductions to remaining quarterly and final installment amounts due.

 
Term loan B -  $216.0 million ($55.0 million provided by Henry Schein, Inc.) repayable in 17 quarterly installments of $530 thousand from September 30, 2011 through September 30, 2015, and a final installment of approximately $202.9 million due on December 31, 2015.  Interest on the $216.0 million term loan is charged at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.25% with a LIBOR floor of 1.25%.  During 2011, BAHS made a prepayment on this loan, which resulted in a reduction to the future quarterly and final installment amounts due.  Future prepayments by BAHS, if any, will result in reductions to remaining quarterly and final installment amounts due.

 
Revolver of $50.0 million with interest charged at LIBOR plus a margin of 3%.

The outstanding balance of $251.7 million is reflected in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011.

Prior to the debt refinancing discussed above, the debt incurred as part of the acquisition of BAHS was repayable in 23 quarterly installments of $0.8 million through September 30, 2015, and a final installment of $301.6 million was due on December 31, 2015.  Interest on the BAHS debt was charged at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.5% with a LIBOR floor of 2%.

The revised debt agreement continues to provide, among other things, that BAHS maintain certain interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios, and contains restrictions relating to subsidiary indebtedness, capital expenditures, liens, employee and shareholder loans, disposal of businesses and certain changes in ownership.  In addition, the revised debt agreement continues to contain provisions which, under certain circumstances, require BAHS to make prepayments based on excess cash flows of BAHS as defined in the debt agreement.  The revised debt agreement also contains provisions that require BAHS to hedge risks related to potential rising interest rates.  As a result, BAHS entered into a series of interest rate caps, for which we have elected hedge accounting treatment, with a notional amount of $160.0 million, protecting against LIBOR interest rates rising above 3.0% through March 30, 2012.

Acquisitions

On December 31, 2010, we acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Provet Holdings Limited (ASX: PVT), Australasia's largest wholesale distributor of veterinary products with sales in its 2010 fiscal year of approximately $278 million, for approximately $91 million, in a cash-for-stock exchange.

Stock repurchases

From June 21, 2004 through December 31, 2011, we repurchased $500.0 million, or 9,819,009 shares, under our common stock repurchase programs.  On August 18, 2011, our Board of Directors authorized an additional $200.0 million for additional repurchases of our common stock, $100.0 million of which is available as of December 31, 2011 for future common stock share repurchases.

 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests

Some minority shareholders in certain of our subsidiaries have the right, at certain times, to require us to acquire their ownership interest in those entities at fair value.  ASC Topic 480-10 is applicable for noncontrolling interests where we are or may be required to purchase all or a portion of the outstanding interest in a consolidated subsidiary from the noncontrolling interest holder under the terms of a put option contained in contractual agreements.  The components of the change in the Redeemable noncontrolling interests for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009 are presented in the following table:

   
December 31,
   
December 25,
   
December 26,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 304,140     $ 178,570     $ 233,035  
Decrease in redeemable noncontrolling interests due to
                       
redemptions
    (160,254 )     (143,988 )     (71,951 )
Increase in redeemable noncontrolling interests due to
                       
business acquisitions
    13,618       206,302       -  
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
    36,514       26,054       21,975  
Dividends declared
    (15,212 )     (12,360 )     (5,973 )
Effect of foreign currency translation gain (loss) attributable to
                       
redeemable noncontrolling interests
    (889 )     (2,281 )     2,065  
Change in fair value of redeemable securities
    224,133       51,843       (581 )
Balance, end of period
  $ 402,050     $ 304,140     $ 178,570  

Changes in the estimated redemption amounts of the noncontrolling interests subject to put options are adjusted at each reporting period with a corresponding adjustment to Additional paid-in capital.  Future reductions in the carrying amounts are subject to a “floor” amount that is equal to the fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests at the time they were originally recorded.  The recorded value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests cannot go below the floor level.  These adjustments do not impact the calculation of earnings per share.

Additionally, some prior owners of such acquired subsidiaries are eligible to receive additional purchase price cash consideration if certain financial targets are met.  For acquisitions completed prior to 2009, we accrue liabilities that may arise from these transactions when we believe that the outcome of the contingency is determinable beyond a reasonable doubt.  For 2009 and future acquisitions, as required by ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations,” we have and will accrue liabilities for the estimated fair value of additional purchase price adjustments at the time of the acquisition.  Any adjustments to these accrual amounts will be recorded in our consolidated statement of income.

On December 30, 2011, we acquired all of Oak Hill Capital Partners’ (“OHCP”) remaining direct and indirect interests in BAHS (including its interest in W.A. Butler Company) for $155 million in cash.  As a result of this transaction, our ownership in BAHS increased to approximately 71.7%.  The amount paid to OHCP for their remaining interests in BAHS was in excess of the previously agreed upon annual limits (see Note 9. “Business Acquisitions, Discontinued Operation and Other Transaction” within our notes to our consolidated financial statements), but such limits were waived by all parties involved.

Unrecognized tax benefits

As more fully disclosed in Note 12 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” we cannot reasonably estimate the timing of future cash flows related to the unrecognized tax benefits, including accrued interest, of $24.5 million as of December 31, 2011.

 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities.  We base our estimates on historical data, when available, experience, industry and market trends, and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the combined results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  However, by their nature, estimates are subject to various assumptions and uncertainties.  Reported results are therefore sensitive to any changes in our assumptions, judgments and estimates, including the possibility of obtaining materially different results if different assumptions were to be applied.

We believe that the following critical accounting policies, which have been discussed with our audit committee, affect the significant estimates and judgments used in the preparation of our financial statements:

Revenue Recognition

We generate revenue from the sale of dental, medical and animal health consumable products, as well as equipment, software products and services and other sources.  Provisions for discounts, rebates to customers, customer returns and other contra-revenue adjustments are recorded based upon historical data and estimates and are provided for in the period in which the related sales are recognized.

Revenue derived from the sale of consumable products is recognized when products are shipped to customers.  Such sales typically entail high-volume, low-dollar orders shipped using third-party common carriers.  We believe that the shipment date is the most appropriate point in time indicating the completion of the earnings process because we have no post-shipment obligations, the product price is fixed and determinable, collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured and product returns are reasonably estimable.

Revenue derived from the sale of equipment is recognized when products are delivered to customers.  Such sales typically entail scheduled deliveries of large equipment primarily by equipment service technicians.  Some equipment sales require minimal installation, which is typically completed at the time of delivery.

Revenue derived from the sale of software products is recognized when products are shipped to customers.  Such software is generally installed by customers and does not require extensive training due to the nature of its design.  Revenue derived from post-contract customer support for software, including annual support and/or training, is recognized over the period in which the services are provided.

Revenue derived from the sale of products consisting of multiple elements (i.e., hardware, software, installation, training and technical support) is allocated to the various elements based upon vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value or deferred until such time as vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value is obtained.

Revenue derived from other sources including freight charges, equipment repairs and financial services, is recognized when the related product revenue is recognized or when the services are provided.

Accounts Receivable and Reserves

The carrying amount of accounts receivable is reduced by a valuation allowance that reflects our best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected.  The reserve for accounts receivable is comprised of allowance for doubtful accounts and sales returns. In addition to reviewing delinquent accounts receivable, we consider many factors in estimating our reserve, including historical data, experience, customer types, credit worthiness and economic trends.  From time to time, we may adjust our assumptions for anticipated changes in any of these or other factors expected to affect collectability.  Although we believe our judgments, estimates and/or assumptions related to accounts receivable and reserves are reasonable, making material changes to such judgments, estimates and/or assumptions could materially affect our financial results.

 
Inventories and Reserves

Inventories consist primarily of finished goods and are valued at the lower of cost or market.  Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out method for merchandise or actual cost for large equipment and high tech equipment.  In accordance with our policy for inventory valuation, we consider many factors including the condition and salability of the inventory, historical sales, forecasted sales and market and economic trends. 

From time to time, we may adjust our assumptions for anticipated changes in any of these or other factors expected to affect the value of inventory.  Although we believe our judgments, estimates and/or assumptions related to inventory and reserves are reasonable, making material changes to such judgments, estimates and/or assumptions could materially affect our financial results.

Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets (primarily trademarks) are not amortized, but are subject to impairment analysis at least once annually.  Such impairment analyses for goodwill require a comparison of the fair value to the carrying value of reporting units.  We regard our reporting units to be our operating segments (dental, medical, animal health and international) and technology.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, we adopted the provisions of Accounting Standards Update 2011-08, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment” (“ASU 2011-08”) which allows us to use qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair values of our reporting units are less than their carrying values.  The factors that we considered in developing our qualitative assessment included:

•  
Macroeconomic conditions consisting of the overall sales growth of our business and the overall sales growth of each of our operating segments.  We also considered our growth in market share in the markets in which we compete;

•  
Credit markets and our ability to access debt facilities at favorable terms;

•  
Key personnel and management expertise, as well as our growth strategies for the next several years; and

•  
Our expectations of selling or disposing all, or a portion, of a reporting unit.

Prior to the adoption of ASU 2011-08, measuring fair value of a reporting unit was generally based on valuation techniques using multiples of sales or earnings.  Goodwill was allocated to such reporting units, for the purposes of preparing our impairment analyses, based on a specific identification basis.  Our impairment analysis for indefinite-lived intangibles consists of a review of historical, current and forecasted sales and gross profit levels, as well as a review of any factors that may indicate potential impairment.  We assess the potential impairment of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets annually (at the beginning of our fourth quarter) and on an interim basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.  For certain indefinite-lived intangible assets, a present value technique, such as estimates of future cash flows, is utilized.  There were no events or circumstances from the date of that assessment through December 31, 2011 that impacted our analysis.

Some factors we consider important that could trigger an interim impairment review include:

•  
significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results;

•  
significant changes in the manner of our use of acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business (e.g., decision to divest a business); or

•  
significant negative industry or economic trends.

If we determine through the impairment review process that goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible assets are impaired, we record an impairment charge in our consolidated statements of income.

For the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009, the results of our goodwill impairment analysis did not result in any impairments.

 
Supplier Rebates

Supplier rebates are included as a reduction of cost of sales and are recognized over the period they are earned.  The factors we consider in estimating supplier rebate accruals include forecasted inventory purchases and sales in conjunction with supplier rebate contract terms which generally provide for increasing rebates based on either increased purchase or sales volume.  Although we believe our judgments, estimates and/or assumptions related to supplier rebates are reasonable, making material changes to such judgments, estimates and/or assumptions could materially affect our financial results.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, other than goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangibles, are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable through the estimated undiscounted future cash flows derived from such assets.

Definite-lived intangible assets primarily consist of non-compete agreements, trademarks, trade names, customer lists, customer relationships and intellectual property.   For long-lived assets used in operations, impairment losses are only recorded if the asset’s carrying amount is not recoverable through its undiscounted, probability-weighted future cash flows.  We measure the impairment loss based on the difference between the carrying amount and the estimated fair value.  When an impairment exists, the related assets are written down to fair value.  Although we believe our judgments, estimates and/or assumptions used in estimating cash flows and determining fair value are reasonable, making material changes to such judgments, estimates and/or assumptions could materially affect such impairment analyses and our financial results.

Stock-Based Compensation

We measure stock-based compensation at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award.  Prior to March 2009, awards principally included a combination of at-the-money stock options and restricted stock (including restricted stock units).  Since March 2009, equity-based awards have been granted solely in the form of restricted stock and restricted stock units, with the exception of stock options for certain pre-existing contractual obligations.

We estimate the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model which requires us to make assumptions about the expected life of options, stock price volatility, risk-free interest rates and dividend yields.

We issue restricted stock that vests solely based on the recipient’s continued service over time (four-year cliff vesting) and restricted stock that vests based on our achieving specified performance measurements and the recipient’s continued service over time (three-year cliff vesting).

With respect to time-based restricted stock, we estimate the fair value on the date of grant based on our closing stock price.  With respect to performance-based restricted stock, the number of shares that ultimately vest and are received by the recipient is based upon our performance as measured against specified targets over a three-year period as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.  Though there is no guarantee that performance targets will be achieved, we estimate the fair value of performance-based restricted stock, based on our closing stock price at time of grant.  Adjustments to the performance-based restricted stock targets are provided for significant events such as acquisitions, divestitures, new business ventures and share repurchases.  Over the performance period, the number of shares of common stock that will ultimately vest and be issued and the related compensation expense is adjusted upward or downward based upon our estimation of achieving such performance targets.  The ultimate number of shares delivered to recipients and the related compensation cost recognized as an expense will be based on our actual performance metrics as defined.

Although we believe our judgments, estimates and/or assumptions related to stock-based compensation are reasonable, making material changes to such judgments, estimates and/or assumptions could materially affect our financial results.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Accounting pronouncements adopted by us and recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted by us are included in “Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies” to the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.



We are exposed to market risks, which include changes in interest rates, as well as changes in foreign currency exchange rates as measured against the U.S. dollar and each other, and changes to the credit markets.  We attempt to minimize these risks by using an interest rate cap agreement and foreign currency forward contracts and through maintaining counter-party credit limits.  These hedging activities provide only limited protection against interest rate and currency exchange and credit risks.  Factors that could influence the effectiveness of our programs include volatility of the interest rate and currency markets and availability of hedging instruments and liquidity of the credit markets.  All interest rate cap and foreign currency forward contracts that we enter into are components of hedging programs and are entered into for the sole purpose of hedging an existing or anticipated interest rate or currency exposure.  We do not enter into such contracts for speculative purposes.  We manage our credit risks by diversifying our investments, maintaining a strong balance sheet and having multiple sources of capital.

Interest Rate Hedges

On May 27, 2011, BAHS refinanced the terms and amount of its debt into three separate components.  Interest on the refinanced debt ranges from LIBOR plus a margin of 3% to LIBOR plus a margin of 3.25%.  One component of the refinanced debt contains a provision for minimum interest to be charged at a LIBOR floor of 1.25%.  The revised debt agreement contains a provision that requires BAHS to hedge risks related to potential rising interest rates.  As a result, BAHS has entered into series of interest rate caps, with a notional amount of $160.0 million, protecting against LIBOR interest rates rising above 3% through March 30, 2012.

As of December 31, 2011, the fair value of our interest rate cap agreements recorded in current and other non-current assets in our consolidated balance sheet was $0, which represented the amount that would be received upon unwinding the interest rate cap agreements based on market conditions at that time.  Changes in the fair value of these interest rate cap agreements are reflected as an adjustment to current and non-current assets or liabilities with an offsetting adjustment to Accumulated other comprehensive income since the hedge is deemed fully effective.

Foreign Currency Agreements

The value of certain foreign currencies as compared to the U.S. dollar may affect our financial results.  Fluctuations in exchange rates may positively or negatively affect our revenues, gross margins, operating expenses and retained earnings, all of which are expressed in U.S. dollars.  Where we deem it prudent, we engage in hedging programs using primarily foreign currency forward contracts aimed at limiting the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on earnings.  We purchase short-term (i.e., 18 months or less) foreign currency forward contracts to protect against currency exchange risks associated with intercompany loans due from our international subsidiaries and the payment of merchandise purchases to foreign suppliers.  We do not hedge the translation of foreign currency profits into U.S. dollars, as we regard this as an accounting exposure, not an economic exposure.

As of December 31, 2011, the net fair value of our foreign currency exchange agreements, which expire through December 27, 2012, recorded in other current liabilities was $0.8 million, as determined by quoted market prices.  A hypothetical 5% change in the value of the U.S. dollar would change the fair value of our foreign currency exchange agreements by $(1.7) million.

Short-Term Investments

We limit our credit risk with respect to our cash equivalents, available-for-sale securities, short-term investments and derivative instruments, by monitoring the credit worthiness of the financial institutions who are the counter-parties to such financial instruments.  As a risk management policy, we limit the amount of credit exposure by diversifying and utilizing numerous investment grade counter-parties.


 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
55
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
56
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
57
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
58
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
59
 
 
 
 
 
60
 
 
 
 
109
 
 
 
 
 
 
110
 
 
 
 
All other schedules are omitted because the required information is either inapplicable or is included in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.




Board of Directors and Stockholders
Henry Schein, Inc.
Melville, New York

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Henry Schein, Inc. as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010 and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Henry Schein, Inc. at December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Henry Schein, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated February 15, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.


/s/ BDO USA, LLP

New York, New York
February 15, 2012


             
             
             
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
             
   
December 31,
   
December 25,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 147,284     $ 150,348  
Accounts receivable, net of reserves of $65,853 and $56,267
    888,248       885,784  
Inventories, net
    947,849       870,206  
Deferred income taxes
    54,970       48,951  
Prepaid expenses and other
    234,157       214,013  
Total current assets
    2,272,508       2,169,302  
Property and equipment, net
    262,088       252,573  
Goodwill
    1,497,108       1,424,794  
Other intangibles, net
    409,612       405,468  
Investments and other
    298,828       295,334  
Total assets
  $ 4,740,144     $ 4,547,471  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 621,468     $ 590,029  
Bank credit lines
    55,014       41,508  
Current maturities of long-term debt
    22,819       4,487  
Accrued expenses:
               
Payroll and related
    191,173       172,746  
Taxes
    121,234       91,581  
Other
    259,932       267,736  
Total current liabilities
    1,271,640       1,168,087  
Long-term debt
    363,524       395,309  
Deferred income taxes
    188,739       190,225  
Other liabilities
    80,568       76,753  
Total liabilities
    1,904,471       1,830,374  
                 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
    402,050       304,140  
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Stockholders' equity:
               
   Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized,
               
none outstanding
    -       -  
Common stock, $.01 par value, 240,000,000 shares authorized,
               
89,928,082 outstanding on December 31, 2011 and
               
91,939,477 outstanding on December 25, 2010
    899       919  
Additional paid-in capital
    401,262       601,014  
Retained earnings
    2,007,477       1,779,178  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    22,584       30,514  
Total Henry Schein, Inc. stockholders' equity
    2,432,222       2,411,625  
Noncontrolling interests
    1,401       1,332  
Total stockholders' equity
    2,433,623       2,412,957  
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and stockholders' equity
  $ 4,740,144     $ 4,547,471  

See accompanying notes.
 
56


 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
Years Ended
 
 
 
December 31,
   
December 25,
   
December 26,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
Net sales
  $ 8,530,242     $ 7,526,790     $ 6,538,336  
Cost of sales
    6,112,187       5,355,914       4,621,516  
      Gross profit
    2,418,055       2,170,876       1,916,820  
Operating expenses:
                       
    Selling, general and administrative
    1,835,906       1,637,460       1,449,715  
    Restructuring costs
    -       12,285       3,020  
      Operating income
    582,149       521,131       464,085  
Other income (expense):
                       
    Interest income
    15,593       14,098       9,979  
    Interest expense
    (30,377 )     (33,641 )     (23,370 )
    Other, net
    1,942       447       2,026  
      Income from continuing operations before taxes, equity in earnings
                       
of affiliates and noncontrolling interests
    569,307       502,035       452,720  
Income taxes
    (180,212 )     (160,069 )     (127,521 )
Equity in earnings of affiliates
    15,561       10,165       5,243  
Income from continuing operations
    404,656       352,131       330,442  
    Income from discontinued operation, net of tax
    -       -       2,715  
Net income
    404,656       352,131       333,157  
    Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (36,995 )     (26,342 )     (22,004 )
Net income attributable to Henry Schein, Inc.
  $ 367,661     $ 325,789     $ 311,153  
 
                       
Amounts attributable to Henry Schein, Inc.:
                       
    Income from continuing operations
  $ 367,661     $ 325,789     $ 308,551  
    Income from discontinued operation, net of tax
    -       -       2,602  
    Net income
  $ 367,661     $ 325,789     $ 311,153  
 
                       
Earnings per share attributable to Henry Schein, Inc.:
                       
 
                       
From continuing operations:
                       
    Basic
  $ 4.08     $ 3.62     $ 3.47  
    Diluted
  $ 3.97     $ 3.49     $ 3.41  
 
                       
From discontinued operation:
                       
    Basic
  $ -     $ -     $ 0.03  
    Diluted
  $ -     $ -     $ 0.03  
 
                       
From net income:
                       
    Basic
  $ 4.08     $ 3.62     $ 3.50  
    Diluted
  $ 3.97     $ 3.49     $ 3.44  
 
                       
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
                       
    Basic
    90,120       90,097       88,872  
    Diluted
    92,620       93,268       90,556  

See accompanying notes.
 
57


 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
 
                           
Accumulated
             
   
Common Stock
   
Additional
         
Other
         
Total
 
   
$.01 Par Value
   
Paid-in
   
Retained
   
Comprehensive
   
Noncontrolling
   
Stockholders'
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Income
   
Interests
   
Equity
 
Balance, December 27, 2008
    89,351,849     $ 894     $ 560,023     $ 1,181,454     $ 29,721     $ 262     $ 1,772,354  
Net income (excluding $21,975 attributable to Redeemable
                                                       
noncontrolling interests)
    -       -       -       311,153       -       29       311,182  
Foreign currency translation gain (excluding $2,065
                                                       
attributable to Redeemable noncontrolling interests)
    -       -       -       -       46,364       -       46,364  
Unrealized loss from foreign currency hedging activities,
                                                       
net of tax benefit of $3,228
    -       -       -       -       (8,238 )     -       (8,238 )
Unrealized investment loss, net of tax benefit of $105
    -       -       -       -       (120 )     -       (120 )
Pension adjustment loss, net of tax benefit of $1,086
    -       -       -       -       (3,533 )     -       (3,533 )
Total comprehensive income
                                                    345,655  
                                                         
Purchase of noncontrolling interest
    -       -       -       -       -       (262 )     (262 )
Change in fair value of redeemable securities
    -       -       581       -       -       -       581  
Shares issued to 401(k) plan
    100,778       1       5,300       -       -       -       5,301  
Stock issued upon exercise of stock options,
                                                       
including tax benefit of $2,642
    445,916       4       14,508       -       -       -       14,512  
Stock-based compensation expense
    802,068       8       25,916       -       -       -       25,924  
Shares withheld for payroll taxes
    (69,722 )     (1 )     (2,149 )     -       -       -       (2,150 )
Liability for cash settlement stock-based compensation awards
    -       -       (407 )     -       -       -       (407 )
                                                         
Balance, December 26, 2009
    90,630,889     $ 906     $ 603,772     $ 1,492,607     $ 64,194     $ 29     $ 2,161,508  
                                                         
Net income (excluding $26,054 attributable to Redeemable
                                                       
noncontrolling interests)
    -       -       -       325,789       -       288       326,077  
Foreign currency translation loss (excluding $2,281
                                                       
attributable to Redeemable noncontrolling interests)
    -       -       -       -       (28,303 )     -       (28,303 )
Unrealized loss from foreign currency hedging activities,
                                                       
net of tax benefit of $255
    -       -       -       -       (885 )     -       (885 )
Unrealized investment gain, net of tax of $215
    -       -       -       -       145       -       145  
Pension adjustment loss, net of tax benefit of $1,710
    -       -       -       -       (4,637 )     -       (4,637 )
Total comprehensive income
                                                    292,397  
                                                         
Dividends paid
    -       -       -       -       -       (501 )     (501 )
Reclassification of noncontrolling interest no longer
                                                       
subject to redemption
    -       -       -       -       -       1,516       1,516  
Initial noncontrolling interests and adjustments related to
                                                       
business acquisitions
    -       -       (22,077 )     -       -       -       (22,077 )
Change in fair value of redeemable securities
    -       -       (51,843 )     -       -       -       (51,843 )
Stock issued upon conversion of convertible senior notes
    732,422       7       12,129       -       -       -       12,136  
Shares issued to 401(k) plan
    107,662       1       5,720       -       -       -       5,721  
Repurchase and retirement of common stock
    (1,005,869 )     (10 )     (18,507 )     (39,218 )     -       -       (57,735 )
Stock issued upon exercise of stock options,
                                                       
including tax benefit of $8,304
    1,248,643       12       46,729       -       -       -       46,741  
Stock-based compensation expense
    285,742       3       29,907       -       -       -       29,910  
Shares withheld for payroll taxes
    (60,012 )     -       (4,260 )     -       -       -       (4,260 )
Liability for cash settlement stock-based compensation awards
    -       -       (556 )     -       -       -       (556 )
                                                         
Balance, December 25, 2010
    91,939,477     $ 919     $ 601,014     $ 1,779,178     $ 30,514     $ 1,332     $ 2,412,957  
                                                         
Net income (excluding $36,514 attributable to Redeemable
                                                       
noncontrolling interests)
    -       -       -       367,661       -       481       368,142  
Foreign currency translation loss (excluding $889
                                                       
attributable to Redeemable noncontrolling interests)
    -       -       -       -       (1,421 )     -       (1,421 )
Unrealized loss from foreign currency hedging activities,
                                                       
net of tax benefit of $94
    -       -       -       -       (618 )     -       (618 )
Unrealized investment gain, net of tax of $215
    -       -       -       -       347       -       347  
Pension adjustment loss, net of tax benefit of $1,534
    -       -       -       -       (6,238 )     -       (6,238 )
Total comprehensive income
                                                    360,212  
                                                         
Dividends paid
    -       -       -       -       -       (457 )     (457 )
Other adjustments
    -       -       -       -       -       45       45  
Initial noncontrolling interests and adjustments related to
                                                       
business acquisitions
    -       -       4,155       -       -       -       4,155  
Change in fair value of redeemable securities
    -       -       (224,133 )     -       -       -       (224,133 )
Shares issued to 401(k) plan
    93,204       1       5,797       -       -       -       5,798  
Repurchase and retirement of common stock
    (3,179,188 )     (31 )     (60,609 )     (139,362 )     -       -       (200,002 )
Stock issued upon exercise of stock options,
                                                       
including tax benefit of $7,246
    941,701       9       41,756       -       -       -       41,765  
Stock-based compensation expense
    175,980       2       36,930       -       -       -       36,932  
Shares withheld for payroll taxes
    (43,092 )     (1     (2,989 )     -       -       -       (2,990 )
Liability for cash settlement stock-based compensation awards
    -       -       (659 )     -       -       -       (659 )
                                                         
Balance, December 31, 2011
    89,928,082     $ 899     $ 401,262     $ 2,007,477     $ 22,584     $ 1,401     $ 2,433,623  

See accompanying notes.
 
 
58


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
                   
   
Years Ended
 
   
December 31,
   
December 25,
   
December 26,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
                   
Cash flows from operating activities:
                 
Net income
  $ 404,656     $ 352,131     $ 333,157  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
                       
operating activities:
                       
Gain on sale of discontinued operation, net of tax
    -       -       (2,382 )
Depreciation and amortization
    115,896       101,214       81,493  
Amortization of bond discount
    -       4,007       5,990  
Stock-based compensation expense
    36,932       29,910       25,924  
Provision for losses on trade and other accounts receivable
    6,156       5,564       4,747  
Benefit from deferred income taxes
    (19,319 )     (6,051 )     (26,214 )
Stock issued to 401(k) plan
    5,798       5,721       5,301  
Equity in earnings of affiliates
    (15,561 )     (10,165 )     (5,243 )
Distributions from equity affiliates
    14,883       6,606       1,139  
Other
    6,352       3,702       2,373  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
                       
Accounts receivable
    36,204       (76,129 )     20,445  
Inventories
    (44,155 )     (21,307 )     (19,242 )
Other current assets
    (10,493 )     (26,640 )     375  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    17,276       26,917       (29,834 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    554,625       395,480       398,029  
                         
Cash flows from investing activities:
                       
Purchases of fixed assets
    (45,176 )     (39,000 )     (51,627 )
Payments for equity investments and business
                       
acquisitions, net of cash acquired
    (149,403 )     (352,598 )     (56,648 )
Cash received from business divestiture
    -       -       12,716  
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
    -       (26,984 )     -  
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities
    2,600       6,000       9,955  
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities
    -       26,984       -  
Other
    (4,090 )     (2,435 )     (12,983 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (196,069 )     (388,033 )     (98,587 )
                         
Cash flows from financing activities:
                       
Proceeds from (repayments of) bank borrowings
    13,316       40,500       (4,481 )
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
    3,101       110,000       -  
Principal payments for long-term debt
    (33,722 )     (313,028 )     (154,329 )
Proceeds from issuance of stock upon exercise of stock options
    34,519       38,437       11,870  
Payments for repurchases of common stock
    (200,002 )     (57,735 )     -  
Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation
    8,765       11,292       4,680  
Distributions to noncontrolling shareholders
    (10,055 )     (12,531 )     (2,604 )
Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries
    (170,199 )     (146,811 )     (52,453 )
Other
    (90 )     (357 )     (358 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (354,367 )     (330,233 )     (197,675 )
                         
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    4,189       (322,786 )     101,767  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    (7,253 )     1,980       (183 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    150,348       471,154       369,570  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 147,284     $ 150,348     $ 471,154  

See accompanying notes.
 
59

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

We distribute healthcare products and services primarily to office-based healthcare practitioners with operations in the United States, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.  We also have affiliates in Iceland, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.  

Principles of Consolidation

Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Henry Schein, Inc. and all of our controlled subsidiaries.  All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.  Investments in unconsolidated affiliates, which are greater than or equal to 20% and less than or equal to 50% owned or investments in unconsolidated affiliates of less than 20% in which we have the ability to influence the operating or financial decisions, are accounted for under the equity method.  See Note 6 for accounting treatment of Redeemable noncontrolling interests.  Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fiscal Year

We report our results of operations and cash flows on a 52-53 week basis ending on the last Saturday of December.  The year ended December 31, 2011 consisted of 53 weeks and the years ended December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009 consisted of 52 weeks.

Revenue Recognition

We generate revenue from the sale of dental, medical and animal health consumable products, as well as equipment, software products and services and other sources.  Provisions for discounts, rebates to customers, customer returns and other contra-revenue adjustments are recorded based upon historical data and estimates and are provided for in the period in which the related sales are recognized.

Revenue derived from the sale of consumable products is recognized when products are shipped to customers.  Such sales typically entail high-volume, low-dollar orders shipped using third-party common carriers.  We believe that the shipment date is the most appropriate point in time indicating the completion of the earnings process because we have no post-shipment obligations, the product price is fixed and determinable, collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured and product returns are reasonably estimable.

Revenue derived from the sale of equipment is recognized when products are delivered to customers.  Such sales typically entail scheduled deliveries of large equipment primarily by equipment service technicians.  Some equipment sales require minimal installation, which is typically completed at the time of delivery.
 
 
60

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies – (Continued)

Revenue derived from the sale of software products is recognized when products are shipped to customers.  Such software is generally installed by customers and does not require extensive training due to the nature of its design.  Revenue derived from post-contract customer support for software, including annual support and/or training, is recognized over the period in which the services are provided.

Revenue derived from the sale of products consisting of multiple elements (i.e., hardware, software, installation, training and technical support) is allocated to the various elements based upon vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value or deferred until such time as vendor-specific evidence of fair value is obtained.

Revenue derived from other sources including freight charges, equipment repairs and financial services, is recognized when the related product revenue is recognized or when the services are provided.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  Outstanding checks in excess of funds on deposit of $49.1 million and $44.7 million, primarily related to payments for inventory, were classified as accounts payable as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010.

Available-for-sale Securities

As of December 31, 2011, we have approximately $12.5 million ($11.3 million net of temporary impairments) invested in auction-rate securities (“ARS”), consisting of investments backed by student loans (backed by the federal government) and investments in closed-end municipal bond funds.  ARS are publicly issued securities that represent long-term investments, typically 10-30 years, in which interest rates had reset periodically (typically every 7, 28 or 35 days) through a “dutch auction” process.

We determine cost of investments in available-for-sale securities on a specific identification basis.  As of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, unrealized losses, which are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income within the equity section of our consolidated balance sheets, on our available-for-sale securities totaled $1.2 million and $1.7 million, respectively.  Gross realized gains and losses were immaterial in all periods presented.

Accounts Receivable and Reserves

The carrying amount of accounts receivable is reduced by a valuation allowance that reflects our best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected.  The reserve for accounts receivable is comprised of allowance for doubtful accounts and sales returns.  In addition to reviewing delinquent accounts receivable, we consider many factors in estimating our reserve, including historical data, experience, customer types, credit worthiness and economic trends.  From time to time, we adjust our assumptions for anticipated changes in any of these or other factors expected to affect collectability.

Inventories and Reserves

Inventories consist primarily of finished goods and are valued at the lower of cost or market.  Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out method for merchandise or actual cost for large equipment and high tech equipment.  In accordance with our policy for inventory valuation, we consider many factors including the condition and salability of the inventory, historical sales, forecasted sales and market and economic trends.  From time to time, we adjust our assumptions for anticipated changes in any of these or other factors expected to affect the value of inventory.

 
61

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies – (Continued)

Direct Shipping and Handling Costs

Freight and other direct shipping costs are included in cost of sales.  Direct handling costs, which represent primarily direct compensation costs of employees who pick, pack and otherwise prepare, if necessary, merchandise for shipment to our customers are reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses.  Direct shipping and handling costs from continuing operations were $62.2 million, $57.0 million and $46.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009.

Advertising and Promotional Costs

We generally expense advertising and promotional costs as incurred.  Total advertising and promotional expenses from continuing operations were $13.1 million, $12.7 million and $12.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009.  Additionally, advertising and promotional costs incurred in connection with direct marketing, including product catalogs and printed material, are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the period which is benefited, generally not exceeding one year.  As of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, we had $4.2 million and $3.5 million of deferred direct marketing expenses included in other current assets.

Supplier Rebates

Supplier rebates are included as a reduction of cost of sales and are recognized over the period they are earned.  The factors we consider in estimating supplier rebate accruals include forecasted inventory purchases and sales, in conjunction with supplier rebate contract terms, which generally provide for increasing rebates based on either increased purchase or sales volume.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation or amortization.  Depreciation is computed primarily under the straight-line method (see Note 2. Property and Equipment, Net for estimated useful lives).  Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed using the straight-line method over the lesser of the useful life of the assets or the lease term.

Capitalized software costs consist of costs to purchase and develop software.  Costs incurred during the application development stage for software bought and further customized by outside suppliers for our use and software developed by a supplier for our proprietary use are capitalized.  Costs incurred for our own personnel who are directly associated with software development are capitalized.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes under an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns.  In estimating future tax consequences, we generally consider all expected future events other than enactments of changes in tax laws or rates.  The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates will be recognized as income or expense in the period that includes the enactment date.  We file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return with our 80% or greater owned U.S. subsidiaries.

Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions

The financial position and results of operations of our foreign subsidiaries are determined using local currency as the functional currency.  Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated at the exchange rate in effect at each year-end.  Income statement accounts are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during the year.  Translation adjustments arising from the use of differing exchange rates from period to period are included in Accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity.  Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in earnings.

 
62

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies – (Continued)

Risk Management and Derivative Financial Instruments

We use derivative instruments to minimize our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.  Our objective is to manage the impact that interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations could have on recognized asset and liability fair values, earnings and cash flows.  Our risk management policy requires that derivative contracts used as hedges be effective at reducing the risks associated with the exposure being hedged and be designated as a hedge at the inception of the contract.  We do not enter into derivative instruments for speculative purposes.  Our derivative instruments primarily include interest rate caps related to our long-term floating rate debt and foreign currency forward agreements related to certain intercompany loans and certain forecasted inventory purchase commitments with foreign suppliers.

Our interest rate cap agreements are designated as cash flow hedges.  At each balance sheet date, the interest rate caps are recorded at estimated fair value.  Changes in the fair value of the cap are expected to be highly effective in offsetting the unpredictability in expected future cash flows on floating rate indebtedness attributable to fluctuations in interest rates.  Unrealized gains and losses on the outstanding balances of the interest rate caps are recorded as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income.  Gains and losses realized at the time of our quarterly interest payments due to the expiration of applicable portions of the interest rate caps are reclassified to Interest expense.

Our foreign currency forward agreements related to forecasted inventory purchase commitments are designated as cash flow hedges.  Our foreign currency forward agreements related to foreign currency balance sheet exposure provide economic hedges but are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes.

For agreements not designated as hedges, changes in the value of the derivative, along with the transaction gain or loss on the hedged item, are recorded in earnings.  For cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the changes in the fair value of the derivative, along with any gain or loss on the hedged item, is recorded as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period(s) during which the hedged transaction affects earnings.

We classify the cash flows related to our hedging activities in the same category on our consolidated statements of cash flows as the cash flows related to the hedged item.

Acquisitions

The net assets of businesses purchased are recorded at their fair value at the acquisition date and our consolidated financial statements include their results of operations from that date.  Any excess of acquisition consideration over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill.  The major classes of assets and liabilities that we generally allocate purchase price to, excluding goodwill, include identifiable intangible assets (i.e., trademarks and trade names, customer relationships and lists and non-compete agreements), property, plant and equipment, deferred taxes and other current and long-term assets and liabilities.  The estimated fair value of identifiable intangible assets is based on critical estimates, judgments and assumptions derived from: analysis of market conditions; discount rate; discounted cash flows; customer retention rates; estimated useful lives; and multiples based on factors such as EBIT.  Some prior owners of such acquired subsidiaries are eligible to receive additional purchase price cash consideration if certain financial targets are met.  For acquisitions completed prior to 2009, we accrue liabilities that may arise from these transactions when we believe that the outcome of the contingency is determinable beyond a reasonable doubt.  Starting in our 2009 fiscal year, as required by ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations,” we have accrued liabilities for the estimated fair value of additional purchase price adjustments at the time of the acquisition.  Any adjustments to these accrual amounts will be recorded in our consolidated statement of income.  For the year ended December 31, 2011, there were no material adjustments recorded in our consolidated statement of income relating to changes in estimated contingent purchase price liabilities.

 
63

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies – (Continued)

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

Some minority shareholders in certain of our subsidiaries have the right, at certain times, to require us to acquire their ownership interest in those entities at fair value.  Factors considered in determining the fair value amounts include multiples of financial values, such as EBIT and EBITDA.  Changes in the estimated redemption amounts of the noncontrolling interests subject to put options are adjusted at each reporting period with a corresponding adjustment to Additional paid-in capital.  Future reductions in the carrying amounts are subject to a “floor” amount that is equal to the fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests at the time they were originally recorded.  The recorded value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests cannot go below the floor level.  These adjustments do not impact the calculation of earnings per share.

Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets (primarily trademarks) are not amortized, but are subject to impairment analysis at least once annually.  Such impairment analyses for goodwill require a comparison of the fair value to the carrying value of reporting units.  We regard our reporting units to be our operating segments (dental, medical, animal health and international) and technology.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, we adopted the provisions of Accounting Standards Update 2011-08, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment” (“ASU 2011-08”) which allows us to use qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair values of our reporting units are less than their carrying values.  The factors that we considered in developing our qualitative assessment included:

•  
Macroeconomic conditions consisting of the overall sales growth of our business and the overall sales growth of each of our operating segments.  We also considered our growth in market share in the markets in which we compete;

•  
Credit markets and our ability to access debt facilities at favorable terms;

•  
Key personnel and management expertise, as well as our growth strategies for the next several years; and

•  
Our expectations of selling or disposing all, or a portion, of a reporting unit.

Prior to the adoption of ASU 2011-08, measuring fair value of a reporting unit was generally based on valuation techniques using multiples of sales or earnings.  Goodwill was allocated to such reporting units, for the purposes of preparing our impairment analyses, based on a specific identification basis.  Our impairment analysis for indefinite-lived intangibles consists of a review of historical, current and forecasted sales and gross profit levels, as well as a review of any factors that may indicate potential impairment.  We assess the potential impairment of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets annually (at the beginning of our fourth quarter) and on an interim basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.  For certain indefinite-lived intangible assets, a present value technique, such as estimates of future cash flows, is utilized.  There were no events or circumstances from the date of that assessment through December 31, 2011 that impacted our analysis.

Some factors we consider important that could trigger an interim impairment review include:

•  
significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results;

•  
significant changes in the manner of our use of acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business (e.g., decision to divest a business); or

•  
significant negative industry or economic trends.

 
Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies – (Continued)

If we determine through the impairment review process that goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible assets are impaired, we record an impairment charge in our consolidated statements of income.

For the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009, the results of our goodwill impairment analysis did not result in any impairments.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, other than goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangibles, are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable through the estimated undiscounted future cash flows derived from such assets.

Definite-lived intangible assets primarily consist of non-compete agreements, trademarks, trade names, customer lists, customer relationships and intellectual property.   For long-lived assets used in operations, impairment losses are only recorded if the asset’s carrying amount is not recoverable through its undiscounted, probability-weighted future cash flows.  We measure the impairment loss based on the difference between the carrying amount and the estimated fair value.  When an impairment exists, the related assets are written down to fair value.

Cost of Sales

The primary components of cost of sales include the cost of the product (net of purchase discounts, supplier chargebacks and rebates) and inbound and outbound freight charges.  Costs related to purchasing, receiving, inspections, warehousing, internal inventory transfers and other costs of our distribution network are included in selling, general and administrative expenses along with other operating costs.

As a result of different practices of categorizing costs associated with distribution networks throughout our industry, our gross margins may not necessarily be comparable to other distribution companies.  Total distribution network costs from continuing operations were $58.6 million, $57.1 million and $54.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income includes certain gains and losses that, under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, are excluded from net income as such amounts are recorded directly as an adjustment to stockholders’ equity.  Our comprehensive income is primarily comprised of net income, foreign currency translation adjustments, unrealized gains (losses) on hedging and investment activity and pension adjustments.

 
65

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies – (Continued)

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-08, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill Impairment” which is intended to simplify goodwill impairment testing by permitting the assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether events and circumstances lead to the conclusion that it is necessary to perform the traditional two-step impairment test.  Under this update, we are not required to calculate the fair value of our reporting units unless we conclude that it is more likely than not (likelihood of more than 50%) that the carrying value of our reporting units is greater than the fair value of such units based on our assessment of events and circumstances.  This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted.  We have adopted the provisions of this update at the beginning of our fourth quarter.  The adoption of this provision did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-29, which contains updated accounting guidance to clarify the acquisition date that should be used for reporting pro forma financial information when comparative financial statements are issued.  This update requires that a company should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only.  This update also requires disclosure of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments.

During February 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-09, “Subsequent Events (Topic 855)”.  The amended guidance in ASU 2010-09 states that an entity that is an SEC filer is required to evaluate subsequent events through the date that the financial statements are issued, but is not required to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated.

During January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements.” ASU 2010-06 includes new disclosure requirements related to fair value measurements, including transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 and information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements for Level 3 fair value measurements.  This update also clarifies existing disclosure requirements relating to levels of disaggregation and disclosures of inputs and valuation techniques.  The new disclosures are required in interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except the disclosures relating to Level 3 activity, which were effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and for interim periods within those fiscal years.  Effective December 27, 2009, we have adopted the provisions relating to Level 1 and Level 2 disclosures and such provisions did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.  Effective December 26, 2010, we adopted the provisions relating to Level 3 disclosures and such provisions did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

During October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13 which amended guidance contained within ASC Topic 605-25 related to revenue recognition for multiple-element arrangements.   The amendments in this update establish a selling price hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable.  These amendments also replace the term fair value in the revenue allocation guidance with selling price to clarify that the allocation of revenue is based on entity-specific assumptions rather than assumptions of a marketplace participant.  The guidance in this update requires that a vendor determine its best estimate of selling price in a manner that is consistent with that used to determine the price to sell the deliverable on a standalone basis.  We adopted the provisions of this update effective December 26, 2010.  The provisions of this update did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 
66

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies – (Continued)

In June 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-01, “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (ASC Topic 105) which establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“the Codification” or “ASC”) as the official single source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).  All existing accounting standards are superseded.  All other accounting guidance not included in the Codification will be considered non-authoritative.  The Codification also includes all relevant Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) guidance organized using the same topical structure in separate sections within the Codification.  Following the Codification, the FASB will not issue new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff Positions or Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts.  Instead, it will issue Accounting Standards Updates which will serve to update the Codification, provide background information about the guidance and provide the basis for conclusions on the changes to the Codification.

The Codification is not intended to change GAAP, but it will change the way GAAP is organized and presented.  The Codification was effective for our third quarter 2009 financial statements and the principal impact on our financial statements is limited to disclosures as all future references to authoritative accounting literature will be referenced in accordance with the Codification.

In May 2009, the FASB issued guidance within Topic 855-10 relating to subsequent events.  This guidance establishes principles and requirements for subsequent events.  This guidance defines the period after the balance sheet date during which events or transactions that may occur would be required to be disclosed in a company’s financial statements.  Public entities are required to evaluate subsequent events through the date that financial statements are issued.  This guidance also provides guidelines in evaluating whether or not events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date should be recognized in the financial statements.  This guidance requires disclosure of the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated.

In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance within ASC Topic 825-10 concerning interim disclosures about fair value instruments.  This guidance requires that disclosures about the fair value of a company’s financial instruments be made whenever summarized financial information for interim reporting periods is made.  The provisions of this guidance are effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009.  The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued, within ASC 820, additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with ASC 820 when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased.  The provisions of this additional guidance are effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009.  The adoption of this additional guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB amended previous guidance and issued additional guidance within ASC 320 relating to the disclosure requirements for other-than-temporary impairments for debt and equity securities.  This guidance addresses the determination as to when an investment is considered impaired, whether that impairment is other than temporary, and the measurement of an impairment loss.  The provisions of this guidance are effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009.  The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance within ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations.”  ASC Topic 805 amends the initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement and accounting, and disclosure of assets and liabilities arising from contingencies in a business combination.  This guidance is effective for assets or liabilities arising from contingencies in business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008.  The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 
67

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies – (Continued)

New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income” which requires an entity to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In the two-statement approach, the first statement should present total net income and its components followed consecutively by a second statement that should present total other comprehensive income, the components of other comprehensive income and the total of comprehensive income.  This update, which should be applied retrospectively, is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and is thus effective for us beginning with our fiscal year ended December 29, 2012.  We are in the process of determining whether we will present other comprehensive income in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, “Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) of Fair Value Measurement – Topic 820.”  ASU 2011-04 is intended to provide a consistent definition of fair value and improve the comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and IFRS.  The amendments include those that clarify the FASB’s intent about the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements, as well as those that change a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements.  This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and is thus effective for us beginning with our fiscal year ended December 29, 2012.

 
68

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 2 – Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation or amortization.  Depreciation is computed primarily under the straight-line method over the estimated useful life:  Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed using the straight-line method over the lesser of the useful life of the assets or the lease term.  Property and equipment, including related estimated useful lives, consisted of the following:
 
   
December 31,
   
December 25,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Land
  $ 13,238     $ 13,151  
Buildings and permanent improvements
    104,126       98,501  
Leasehold improvements
    64,762       58,228  
Machinery and warehouse equipment       64,664        60,927  
Furniture, fixtures and other       93,100        72,406  
Computer equipment and software      229,998        209,095  
      569,888        512,308  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization       (307,800      (259,735
         Property and equipment, net     262,088      252,573  
 
 
 
Estimated Useful
 
 
Lives (in years)
Buildings and permanent improvements
 
40
Machinery and warehouse equipment
 
5-10
Furniture, fixtures and other
 
3-10
Computer equipment and software
 
3-10
 
The net carrying value of equipment held under capital leases amounted to approximately $2.7 million and $3.2 million as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010.  Property and equipment related depreciation expense, from continuing operations, for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009 was $54.1 million, $49.1 million and $46.4 million.
 
 
69

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 3 – Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010 were as follows:

 
 
Healthcare
Distribution
   
Technology
   
Total
 
Balance as of December 26, 2009
  $ 912,670     $ 73,725     $ 986,395  
Adjustments to goodwill:
                       
Acquisitions
    445,089       5,530       450,619  
Foreign currency translation
    (10,934 )     (1,286 )     (12,220 )
Balance as of December 25, 2010
    1,346,825       77,969       1,424,794  
Adjustments to goodwill:
                       
Acquisitions
    52,613       20,630       73,243  
Foreign currency translation
    (1,190 )     261       (929 )
Balance as of December 31, 2011
  $ 1,398,248     $ 98,860     $ 1,497,108  

Other intangible assets consisted of the following:
 
 
December 31, 2011
 
December 25, 2010
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
   
 
 
 
 
Accumulated
   
 
 
 
Cost
 
Amortization
   
Net
 
Cost
 
Amortization
   
Net
 
Non-compete agreements
$ 46,327   $ (6,186 )   $ 40,141   $ 44,309   $ (6,089 )   $ 38,220  
Trademarks / trade names - definite lived
  52,619     (18,770 )     33,849     40,346     (13,666 )     26,680  
Trademarks / trade names - indefinite lived
  24,850     -       24,850     25,059     -       25,059  
Customer relationships and lists
  412,194     (135,723 )     276,471     384,365     (98,906 )     285,459  
Other
  48,005     (13,704 )     34,301     42,309     (12,259 )     30,050  
      Total
$ 583,995   $ (174,383 )   $ 409,612   $ 536,388   $ (130,920 )   $ 405,468  

Non-compete agreements represent amounts paid primarily to key employees and prior owners of acquired businesses, as well as certain sales persons, in exchange for placing restrictions on their ability to pose a competitive risk to us.  Such amounts are amortized, on a straight-line basis over the respective non-compete period, which generally commences upon termination of employment or separation from us.  The weighted-average non-compete period for agreements currently being amortized was approximately five years as of December 31, 2011.

Trademarks, trade names, customer lists and customer relationships were established through business acquisitions.  Definite-lived trademarks and trade names are amortized on a straight-line basis over a weighted-average period of approximately six years as of December 31, 2011.  Customer relationships and customer lists are definite-lived intangible assets that are amortized on a straight-line basis over a weighted-average period of approximately 11 years as of December 31, 2011.
 
Amortization expense, attributable to continuing operations, related to definite-lived intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009 was $57.9 million, $47.2 million and $30.6 million.  The annual amortization expense expected for the years 2012 through 2016 is $58.2 million, $49.2 million, $43.3 million, $39.3 million and $34.9 million.

 
70

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 4 – Investments and Other

Investments and other consisted of the following:

 
 
 
December 31,
 
December 25,
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates
  $ 212,860   $ 198,613
Non-current deferred foreign, state and local income taxes
    33,259     30,894
Notes receivable (1)
    5,834     17,098
Auction rate securities, net of temporary impairment
    11,329     13,367
Distribution rights and exclusivity agreements, net of amortization
    4,134     4,978
Security deposits
    3,431     3,435
Debt issuance costs, net of amortization
    8,668     9,015
Other long-term assets
    19,313     17,934
 
Total
  $ 298,828   $ 295,334
 
 
           
 
 
           
(1) 
Long-term notes receivable carry interest rates ranging from 4.72% to 12.0% and are due in varying installments through 2020.

Amortization of other long-term assets, from continuing operations, for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009 was $3.9 million, $4.9 million and $4.5 million.

Note 5 – Debt

Credit Facilities

On September 5, 2008, we entered into a $400 million revolving credit facility with a $100 million expansion feature.  The borrowings outstanding on this revolving credit facility were $25.0 million as of December 31, 2011.  The $400 million credit line expires in September 2013.  The interest rate, which was 0.75% during the year ended December 31, 2011, is based on USD LIBOR plus a spread based on our leverage ratio at the end of each financial reporting quarter.  The agreement provides, among other things, that we maintain certain interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios, and contains restrictions relating to subsidiary indebtedness, liens, employee and shareholder loans, disposal of businesses and certain changes in ownership.  As of December 31, 2011, there were $9.7 million of letters of credit provided to third parties.

As of December 31, 2011, we had various other short-term bank credit lines available, of which approximately $30.0 million was outstanding.  As of December 31, 2011, borrowings under all of our credit facilities and lines had a weighted average interest rate of 1.29%.

Private Placement Facilities

On August 10, 2010, we entered into $400 million private placement facilities with two insurance companies.  These shelf facilities are available through August 2013 on an uncommitted basis.  The facilities allow us to issue senior promissory notes to the lenders at a fixed rate based on an agreed upon spread over applicable treasury notes at the time of issuance.  The term of each possible issuance will be selected by us and can range from five to 15 years (with an average life no longer than 12 years). The proceeds of any issuances under the facilities will be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital and capital expenditures, to refinance existing indebtedness and/or to fund potential acquisitions.  The agreement provides, among other things, that we maintain certain maximum leverage ratios, and contains restrictions relating to subsidiary indebtedness, liens, employee and shareholder loans, disposal of businesses and certain changes in ownership.  As of December 31, 2011, we have an outstanding balance under the facilities of $100.0 million at a fixed rate of 3.79%, which is due on September 2, 2020.

 
71

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Note 5 – Debt – (Continued)

Butler Animal Health Supply

Effective December 31, 2009, Butler Animal Health Supply, LLC, or BAHS, a majority-owned subsidiary whose financial information is consolidated with ours, had incurred approximately $320.0 million of debt (of which $37.5 million was provided by Henry Schein, Inc.) in connection with our acquisition of a majority interest in BAHS.

On May 27, 2011, BAHS refinanced the terms and amount of its debt.  The refinanced debt consists of the following three components:

• 
Term loan A -  $100.0 million repayable in 13 quarterly installments in payment amounts ranging from $1.2 million per quarter for the period September 30, 2011 through June 30, 2012, approximately $1.8 million per quarter for the period September 30, 2012 through June 30, 2013, $2.5 million per quarter for the period September 30, 2013 through June 30, 2014, approximately $3.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 and a final installment of approximately $72.9 million due on December 31, 2014.  Interest on the $100.0 million term loan is charged at LIBOR plus a margin of 3%.  During 2011, BAHS made a prepayment on this loan, which resulted in a reduction to the future quarterly and final installment amounts due.  Future prepayments by BAHS, if any, will result in reductions to remaining quarterly and final installment amounts due.

• 
Term loan B -  $216.0 million ($55.0 million provided by Henry Schein, Inc.) repayable in 17 quarterly installments of $530 thousand from September 30, 2011 through September 30, 2015, and a final installment of approximately $202.9 million due on December 31, 2015.  Interest on the $216.0 million term loan is charged at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.25% with a LIBOR floor of 1.25%.  During 2011, BAHS made a prepayment on this loan, which resulted in a reduction to the future quarterly and final installment amounts due.  Future prepayments by BAHS, if any, will result in reductions to remaining quarterly and final installment amounts due.

•    Revolver of $50.0 million with interest charged at LIBOR plus a margin of 3%.

The outstanding balance of $251.7 million is reflected in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011.  Borrowings incurred as part of the acquisition of BAHS are collateralized by assets of BAHS with an aggregate net carrying value of $727.1 million.

Certain of our other subsidiaries maintain credit lines which are collateralized by assets of those subsidiaries with an aggregate net carrying value of $144.3 million.

Prior to the debt refinancing discussed above, the debt incurred as part of the acquisition of BAHS was repayable in 23 quarterly installments of $0.8 million through September 30, 2015, and a final installment of $301.6 million was due on December 31, 2015.  Interest on the BAHS debt was charged at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.5% with a LIBOR floor of 2%.

The revised debt agreement continues to provide, among other things, that BAHS maintain certain interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios, and contains restrictions relating to subsidiary indebtedness, capital expenditures, liens, employee and shareholder loans, disposal of businesses and certain changes in ownership.   In addition, the revised debt agreement continues to contain provisions which, under certain circumstances, require BAHS to make prepayments based on excess cash flows of BAHS as defined in the debt agreement.  The revised debt agreement also contains provisions that require BAHS to hedge risks related to potential rising interest rates.  As a result, BAHS entered into a series of interest rate caps, for which we have elected hedge accounting treatment, with a notional amount of $160.0 million, protecting against LIBOR interest rates rising above 3.0% through March 30, 2012.

 
72

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 5 – Debt – (Continued)

Long-term debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

 
 
December 31,
   
December 25,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
Private placement debt
  $ 100,000     $ 100,000  
Notes payable to banks (net of discount of $1.1 million and $1.3 million)
               
at an interest rate of 4.24%
    262,825       279,055  
Various collateralized and uncollateralized loans payable with interest,
               
in varying installments through 2016 at interest rates ranging
               
from 3.3% to 6.25%
    18,627       16,522  
Capital lease obligations (see Note 17)
    4,891       4,219  
Total
    386,343       399,796  
Less current maturities
    (22,819 )     (4,487 )
Total long-term debt
  $ 363,524     $ 395,309  
 
               

As of December 31, 2011, the aggregate amounts of long-term debt, including capital leases, maturing in each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows:

2012
  $ 22,819
2013
    11,691
2014
    85,730
2015
    163,471
2016
    2,632
Thereafter
    100,000
Total
  $ 386,343
 
 
73

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 6 – Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

Some minority shareholders in certain of our subsidiaries have the right, at certain times, to require us to acquire their ownership interest in those entities at fair value.  ASC Topic 480-10 is applicable for noncontrolling interests where we are or may be required to purchase all or a portion of the outstanding interest in a consolidated subsidiary from the noncontrolling interest holder under the terms of a put option contained in contractual agreements.  The components of the change in the Redeemable noncontrolling interests for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009 are presented in the following table:

   
December 31,
   
December 25,
   
December 26,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 304,140     $ 178,570     $ 233,035  
Decrease in redeemable noncontrolling interests due to
                       
redemptions
    (160,254 )     (143,988 )     (71,951 )
Increase in redeemable noncontrolling interests due to
                       
business acquisitions
    13,618       206,302       -  
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
    36,514       26,054       21,975  
Dividends declared
    (15,212 )     (12,360 )     (5,973 )
Effect of foreign currency translation gain (loss) attributable to
                       
redeemable noncontrolling interests
    (889 )     (2,281 )     2,065  
Change in fair value of redeemable securities
    224,133       51,843       (581 )
Balance, end of period
  $ 402,050     $ 304,140     $ 178,570  

Changes in the estimated redemption amounts of the noncontrolling interests subject to put options are adjusted at each reporting period with a corresponding adjustment to Additional paid-in capital.  Future reductions in the carrying amounts are subject to a “floor” amount that is equal to the fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests at the time they were originally recorded.  The recorded value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests cannot go below the floor level.  These adjustments do not impact the calculation of earnings per share.

Some prior owners of such acquired subsidiaries are eligible to receive additional purchase price cash consideration if certain financial targets are met.  For acquisitions completed prior to 2009, we accrue liabilities that may arise from these transactions when we believe that the outcome of the contingency is determinable beyond a reasonable doubt.  Starting in our 2009 fiscal year, as required by ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations,” we have accrued liabilities for the estimated fair value of additional purchase price adjustments at the time of the acquisition.  Any adjustments to these accrual amounts will be recorded in our consolidated statement of income.  For the year ended December 31, 2011, there were no material adjustments recorded in our consolidated statement of income relating to changes in estimated contingent purchase price liabilities.  See Note 9. “Business Acquisitions, Discontinued Operation and Other Transaction” for a discussion of our acquisition of additional interests in BAHS effective December 30, 2011.

 
74

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 7 – Comprehensive Income
 
Comprehensive income includes certain gains and losses that, under U.S. GAAP, are excluded from net income as such amounts are recorded directly as an adjustment to stockholders’ equity.  Our comprehensive income is primarily comprised of net income, foreign currency translation adjustments, unrealized losses on hedging and investment activity and pension adjustments.

The following table summarizes our Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes as of:

   
December 31,
   
December 25,
   
December 26,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Attributable to Redeemable noncontrolling interests:
                 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
  $ (1,753 )   $ (864 )   $ 1,417  
                         
Attributable to Henry Schein, Inc.:
                       
Foreign currency translation adjustment
  $ 39,717     $ 41,138     $ 69,441  
Unrealized loss from foreign currency hedging activities
    (1,678 )     (1,060 )     (175 )
Unrealized investment loss
    (829 )     (1,176 )     (1,321 )
Pension adjustment loss
    (14,626 )     (8,388 )     (3,751 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
  $ 22,584     $ 30,514     $ 64,194  
                         
Total Accumulated other comprehensive income
  $ 20,831     $ 29,650     $ 65,611  


The following table summarizes other comprehensive income attributable to our Redeemable noncontrolling interests as follows:

 
December 31,
 
December 25,
 
December 26,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
           
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)
$ (889 ) $ (2,281 ) $ 2,065

The following table summarizes our total comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes as follows:

   
December 31,
 
December 25,
 
December 26,
   
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Comprehensive income attributable to
           
Henry Schein, Inc.
  $ 359,731   $ 292,109   $ 345,626
Comprehensive income attributable to
                 
noncontrolling interests
    481     288     29
Comprehensive income attributable to
                 
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
    35,625     23,773     24,040
Comprehensive income
  $ 395,837   $ 316,170   $ 369,695

 
75

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 8 – Fair Value Measurements

ASC Topic 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC Topic 820”) establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  ASC Topic 820 applies under other previously issued accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements but does not require any new fair value measurements.

ASC Topic 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  ASC Topic 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs).

The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under ASC Topic 820 are described as follows:
 
• 
Level 1— Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that are accessible at the measurement date.

• 
Level 2— Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.  Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
 
• 
Level 3— Inputs that are unobservable for the asset or liability.
 
The following section describes the valuation methodologies that we used to measure different financial instruments at fair value.

Cash equivalents and trade receivables

Due to the short-term maturity of such investments, the carrying amounts are a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Long-term investments and notes receivable

There are no quoted market prices available for investments in unconsolidated affiliates and long-term notes receivable; however, we believe the carrying amounts are a reasonable estimate of fair value.

 
76

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)


Note 8 – Fair Value Measurements – (Continued)

Auction-rate securities

As of December 31, 2011, we have approximately $12.5 million ($11.3 million net of temporary impairments) invested in auction-rate securities (“ARS”).  These investments are backed by student loans (backed by the federal government) and investments in closed-end municipal bond funds, which are included as part of Investments and other within our consolidated balance sheets.  ARS are publicly issued securities that represent long-term investments, typically 10-30 years, in which interest rates had reset periodically (typically every 7, 28 or 35 days) through a “dutch auction” process.  Our ARS portfolio is comprised of investments that are rated investment grade by major independent rating agencies.  Since the middle of February 2008, ARS auctions have failed to settle due to an excess number of sellers compared to buyers.  The failure of these auctions has resulted in our inability to liquidate our ARS in the near term.  We are currently not aware of any defaults or financial conditions that would negatively affect the issuers’ ability to continue to pay interest and principal on our ARS.  We continue to earn and receive interest at contractually agreed upon rates.

During 2011, we received approximately $2.6 million of redemptions of our ARS.  As of December 31, 2011, we have continued to classify our ARS as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy due to the lack of observable inputs and the absence of significant refinancing activity.

Based upon the information currently available and the use of a discounted cash flow model, including assumptions for estimated interest rates, timing and amount of cash flows and expected holding period for the ARS portfolio, in accordance with applicable authoritative guidance, our previously recorded cumulative temporary impairment at December 25, 2010 of $1.7 million related to our ARS decreased by $0.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2011.  The temporary impairment has been recorded as part of Accumulated other comprehensive income within the equity section of our consolidated balance sheet.

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

Financial liabilities with carrying values approximating fair value include accounts payable and other accrued liabilities.  The carrying value of these financial instruments approximates fair value due to their short maturities.

Debt

The fair value of our debt is estimated based on quoted market prices for our traded debt and on market prices of similar issues for our private debt.  The fair value of our debt as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010 was estimated at $441.4 million and $441.3 million, respectively.

Derivative contracts

Derivative contracts are valued using quoted market prices and significant other observable and unobservable inputs.  We use derivative instruments to minimize our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.  Our derivative instruments primarily include interest rate caps related to our long-term floating rate debt and foreign currency forward agreements related to intercompany loans and certain forecasted inventory purchase commitments with suppliers.

The fair values for the majority of our foreign currency and interest rate derivative contracts are obtained by comparing our contract rate to a published forward price of the underlying market rates, which is based on market rates for comparable transactions and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 
77

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 8 – Fair Value Measurements – (Continued)

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

Some minority shareholders in certain of our subsidiaries have the right, at certain times, to require us to acquire their ownership interest in those entities at fair value based on third-party valuations.  Factors considered in determining the fair value amounts include multiples of financial values, such as EBIT and EBITDA.  The noncontrolling interests subject to put options are adjusted to their estimated redemption amounts each reporting period with a corresponding adjustment to Additional paid-in capital.  Future reductions in the carrying amounts are subject to a “floor” amount that is equal to the fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests at the time they were originally recorded.  The recorded value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests cannot go below the floor level.  These adjustments will not impact the calculation of earnings per share.  The values for Redeemable noncontrolling interests are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.  The details of the changes in Redeemable noncontrolling interests are presented in Note 6.

The following table presents our assets and liabilities that are measured and recognized at fair value on a recurring basis classified under the appropriate level of the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010:

 
December 31, 2011
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
               
Assets:
             
Available-for-sale securities
$ -   $ -   $ 11,329   $ 11,329
Derivative contracts
  -     1,273     -     1,273
Total assets
$ -   $ 1,273   $ 11,329   $ 12,602
                       
Liabilities:
                     
Derivative contracts
$ -   $ 2,062   $ -   $ 2,062
Total liabilities
$ -   $ 2,062   $ -   $ 2,062
                       
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
$ -   $ -   $ 402,050   $ 402,050
                       
                       
 
December 25, 2010
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
                       
Assets:
                     
Available-for-sale securities
$ -   $ -   $ 13,367   $ 13,367
Derivative contracts
  -     1,213     -     1,213
Total assets
$ -   $ 1,213   $ 13,367   $ 14,580
                       
Liabilities:
                     
Derivative contracts
$ -   $ 2,771   $ -   $ 2,771
Total liabilities
$ -   $ 2,771   $ -   $ 2,771
                       
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
$ -   $ -   $ 304,140   $ 304,140

 
78

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)


Note 8 – Fair Value Measurements – (Continued)

As of December 31, 2011, we have estimated the value of our closed-end municipal bond fund ARS portfolio and our student loan backed ARS portfolio based upon a discounted cash flow model.  The assumptions used in our valuation model include estimates for interest rates, timing and amount of cash flows and expected holding periods for the ARS portfolio.  As a result of these analyses, our previously recorded cumulative temporary impairment at December 25, 2010 of $1.7 million was decreased by $0.6 million to $1.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2011.

The following table presents a reconciliation of our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3):

     
Level 3 (1)
 
Balance, December 27, 2008
  $ 266,581  
Change in redeemable noncontrolling interests
    (54,465 )
Redemptions at par
    (13,227 )
Gains reported in accumulated other comprehensive income
    275  
Balance, December 26, 2009
  $ 199,164  
Change in redeemable noncontrolling interests
    125,728  
Redemptions at par
    (7,781 )
Gains reported in accumulated other comprehensive income
    396  
Balance, December 25, 2010
  $ 317,507  
Change in redeemable noncontrolling interests
    97,910  
Redemptions at par
    (2,600 )
Gains reported in accumulated other comprehensive income
    562  
Balance, December 31, 2011
  $ 413,379  
           
           
(1) 
Level 3 amounts consist of ARS that are backed by student loans (backed by the federal government) and investments in
  closed-end municipal bond funds, money market fund and redeemable noncontrolling interests.  See Note 6 for the components of 
 
the changes in Redeemable noncontrolling interests.

 
79

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 9Business Acquisitions, Discontinued Operation and Other Transaction

Acquisitions

The operating results of all acquisitions are reflected in our financial statements from their respective acquisition dates.

On December 31, 2010, we acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Provet Holdings Limited (ASX: PVT), an Australasian wholesale distributor of veterinary products with sales in its 2010 fiscal year of approximately $278 million, for approximately $91 million, in a cash-for-stock exchange.  As a result of the acquisition, we recorded $27.0 million of goodwill.

In addition to the Provet Holdings Limited acquisition, we completed other acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2011, the operating results of which are reflected in our financial statements from their respective acquisition dates.  These other acquisitions individually and in the aggregate had an immaterial impact on our reported operating results and resulted in the recording of approximately $38.8 million of initial goodwill through preliminary purchase price allocations.  Total acquisition transaction costs incurred in the year ended December 31, 2011 were immaterial to our financial results.

Effective December 31, 2009, we acquired a majority interest in Butler Animal Health Holding Company, LLC (“Butler Holding”), the holding company of BAHS, a distributor of companion animal health supplies to veterinarians.  BAHS further complements our domestic and international animal health operations and accordingly has been included in our Animal health operating segment, which is reported as part of Healthcare distribution.  We contributed certain assets and liabilities with a net book value of approximately $86.0 million related to our United States animal health business to BAHS and paid approximately $42.0 million in cash to acquire 50.1% of the equity interests in Butler Holding indirectly through W.A. Butler Company, a holding company that was partially owned by Oak Hill Capital Partners (“OHCP”).  As part of a recapitalization at closing, BAHS combined with our animal health business to form Butler Schein Animal Health (“BSAH”), while incurring approximately $127.0 million in incremental debt used primarily to finance Butler Holding stock redemptions.  As a result, BSAH had incurred $320.0 million of debt at closing, $37.5 million of which was provided by Henry Schein, Inc. and is eliminated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  See below for a discussion of the refinancing of debt incurred as part of the acquisition of BAHS.

Total consideration for the acquisition of BAHS, including $96.1 million of value for noncontrolling interests, was $351.1 million, summarized as follows:

Net cash consideration paid by Henry Schein, Inc.
  $ 41,990  
Net book value of the United States animal health operations' assets and liabilities contributed
    86,048  
Fair value of noncontrolling interest in BAHS
    96,110  
Incremental debt incurred
    127,000  
Total consideration
  $ 351,148  

We estimated the $96.1 million fair value of noncontrolling interest in BAHS as of the acquisition date by applying an income approach as our valuation technique.  Our income approach followed a discounted cash flow method, which applied our best estimates of future cash flows and an estimated terminal value discounted to present value at a rate of return taking into account the relative risk of the cash flows.  To confirm the reasonableness of the value derived from the income approach, we also analyzed the values of comparable companies which are publicly traded.

 
80

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Note 9 – Business Acquisitions, Discontinued Operation and Other Transaction – (Continued)

The total consideration of $351.1 million was allocated as follows:

Net assets of BAHS at fair value:
     
Current assets
  $ 164,789  
Intangible assets:
       
    Trade name (useful life 3 years)
    10,000  
    Customer relationships (useful life 12 years)
    140,000  
    Non-compete agreements (useful life 2 years)
    2,600  
Goodwill
    270,714  
Other assets
    14,138  
Current liabilities
    (62,770 )
Bank indebtedness
    (200,100 )
Deferred income tax liabilities
    (74,271 )
Net book value of our assets and liabilities contributed
    86,048  
    Total allocation of consideration
  $ 351,148  

The goodwill recognized is primarily attributable to expected synergies and the assembled workforce of BAHS. The goodwill is not expected to be tax deductible for income tax purposes.  As a result of our contributed business being under the control of Henry Schein, Inc. before and after the transaction, the assets and liabilities of this business remain at their original historical accounting basis in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

In connection with the acquisition of a majority interest in BAHS, we entered into (i) a Put Rights Agreement with OHCP and Butler Holding (the “Oak Hill Put Rights Agreement”), and (ii) a Put Rights Agreement with Burns Veterinary Supply, Inc. (“Burns”) and Butler Holding (the “Burns Put Rights Agreement” and together with the Oak Hill Put Rights Agreement, the “Put Rights Agreements”), which provide each of OHCP and Burns with certain rights to require us to purchase their respective direct and indirect ownership interests in Butler Holding at fair value based on third-party valuations (“Put Rights”).  Our maximum annual payment to OHCP under the Oak Hill Put Rights Agreement will not exceed $125.0 million for the first year during which OHCP can exercise its put rights, $137.5 million for the second year and $150.0 million for the third year and for each year thereafter.  Pursuant to the Burns Put Rights Agreement, Burns can exercise its Put Rights from and after December 31, 2014, at which time Burns will be permitted to sell to us up to 20% of its closing date ownership interest in Butler Holding each year.  If OHCP still holds ownership interests in Butler Holding at the time the Burns Put Rights begin, then the put amounts payable by us to OHCP and Burns in any year will not exceed $150.0 million in the aggregate.  As a result of the Put Right Agreements, the noncontrolling interest in BAHS has been reflected as part of Redeemable noncontrolling interests in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

On December 30, 2011, we acquired all of OHCP’s remaining direct and indirect interests in BAHS (including its interest in W.A. Butler Company) for $155 million in cash.  As a result of this transaction, our ownership in BAHS increased to approximately 71.7%.  The amount paid to OHCP for their remaining interests in BAHS was in excess of the previously agreed upon annual limits, as discussed above, but such limits were waived by all parties involved.

On May 27, 2011, BAHS refinanced the terms and amount of its debt.  The refinanced debt consists of the following three components:

• 
Term loan A -  $100.0 million repayable in 13 quarterly installments in payment amounts ranging from $1.2 million per quarter for the period September 30, 2011 through June 30, 2012, approximately $1.8 million per quarter for the period September 30, 2012 through June 30, 2013, $2.5 million per quarter for the period September 30, 2013 through June 30, 2014, approximately $3.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 and a final installment of approximately $72.9 million due on December 31, 2014.  Interest on the $100.0 million term loan is charged at LIBOR plus a margin of 3%.  During 2011, BAHS made a prepayment on this loan, which resulted in a reduction to the future quarterly and final installment amounts due.  Future prepayments by BAHS, if any, will result in reductions to remaining quarterly and final installment amounts due.

 
81

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Note 9 – Business Acquisitions, Discontinued Operation and Other Transaction – (Continued)

• 
Term loan B -  $216.0 million ($55.0 million provided by Henry Schein, Inc.) repayable in 17 quarterly installments of $530 thousand from September 30, 2011 through September 30, 2015, and a final installment of approximately $202.9 million due on December 31, 2015.  Interest on the $216.0 million term loan is charged at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.25% with a LIBOR floor of 1.25%.  During 2011, BAHS made a prepayment on this loan, which resulted in a reduction to the future quarterly and final installment amounts due.  Future prepayments by BAHS, if any, will result in reductions to remaining quarterly and final installment amounts due.

•  Revolver of $50.0 million with interest charged at LIBOR plus a margin of 3%.

Prior to the debt refinancing discussed above, the debt incurred as part of the acquisition of BAHS was repayable in 23 quarterly installments of $0.8 million through September 30, 2015, and a final installment of $301.6 million was due on December 31, 2015.  Interest on the BAHS debt was charged at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.5% with a LIBOR floor of 2%.

The revised debt agreement continues to contain provisions which, under certain circumstances, require BAHS to make prepayments based on excess cash flows of BAHS as defined in the debt agreement.  The revised debt agreement also continues to contain provisions that require BAHS to hedge risks related to potential rising interest rates.  As a result, BAHS entered into a series of interest rate caps, for which we have elected hedge accounting treatment, with a notional amount of $160.0 million, protecting against LIBOR interest rates rising above 3.0% through March 30, 2012.

In addition to the BAHS acquisition, we completed certain other acquisitions during the year ended December 25, 2010, which were immaterial to our financial statements individually and in the aggregate and resulted in the recording of approximately $162.9 million of initial goodwill through preliminary purchase price allocations.

We completed certain acquisitions during the year ended December 26, 2009, which were immaterial to our financial statements individually and in the aggregate.

Discontinued Operation

On August 5, 2009, we completed the sale of a wholesaler of dental consumables for aggregate consideration of $14.2 million.  Prior results for this business have been presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.  The total pretax income from discontinued operations for the year ended December 26, 2009 was $6.5 million ($2.6 million after taxes) consisting of a $6.0 million ($2.4 million after taxes) gain on the sale and $0.5 million ($0.2 million after taxes) income from operations.

Net sales generated by our wholesaler of dental consumables were $8.0 million for the year ended December 26, 2009.

 
82

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Note 9 – Business Acquisitions, Discontinued Operation and Other Transaction – (Continued)

Loan and Investment Agreement

On December 12, 2008, we converted $10.4 million of loan receivables and related accrued interest into an equity interest of 15.33% in D4D Technologies, LLC (“D4D”).  Due to the conversion, we now account for our equity interest in D4D under the equity method of accounting prospectively from the date of conversion.

In addition, under our previous agreement, if certain product specification and performance milestones occurred, we were required to pay additional amounts (as equity contributions) to certain of D4D’s members equal to $16.0 million.  On August 3, 2009, we entered into an amendment whereby we paid certain of D4D’s members approximately $8.0 million and agreed to make two contingent payments of up to $4.0 million each based on D4D meeting certain financial performance criteria in 2009, 2010 and 2011.  A total of $2.6 million of these amounts have been earned, of which $1.3 million was paid during 2011 and the remaining $1.3 million will be paid upon receipt of audited financial statements for fiscal 2011.  A contingent payment with respect to fiscal 2011 of up to an additional $2.7 million may be earned based on D4D’s financial performance.  The August 3, 2009 payment of approximately $8.0 million is included in Investments and other in our consolidated financial statements and is being amortized over a period of 15 years.  Amounts due under the amended agreement are being accounted for as increases in the carrying value of our investment in D4D when paid or at such earlier time as the payment is determined to be probable.  Any underlying allocations to intangible assets will be determined at that time.

Note 10 – Plans of Restructuring

On November 5, 2008, we announced certain actions to reduce operating costs.  These actions included the elimination of approximately 430 positions from our operations and the closing of several smaller facilities.

For the year ended December 26, 2009, we incurred restructuring costs of approximately $3.0 million (approximately $2.1 million after taxes) consisting of employee severance pay and benefits, facility closing costs, representing primarily lease termination and asset write-off costs, and outside professional and consulting fees directly related to the restructuring plan.
 
During the first quarter of 2010, we completed an additional restructuring in order to further reduce operating expenses.  This restructuring included headcount reductions of 184 positions, as well as the closing of a number of smaller locations.

For the year ended December 25, 2010, we recorded restructuring costs of approximately $12.3 million (approximately $8.3 million after taxes) consisting of employee severance pay and benefits, facility closing costs, representing primarily lease termination and asset write-off costs, and outside professional and consulting fees directly related to the restructuring plan.

The costs associated with these restructurings are included in a separate line item, “Restructuring costs” within our consolidated statements of income.
 
 
83

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 10 – Plans of Restructuring – (Continued)

The following table shows the amounts expensed and paid for restructuring costs that were incurred during our 2011, 2010 and 2009 fiscal years and the remaining accrued balance of restructuring costs as of December 31, 2011, which is included in Accrued expenses: Other and Other liabilities within our consolidated balance sheet:
 
       
Facility
     
   
Severance
 
Closing
     
   
Costs (1)
 
Costs (2)
 
Total
 
Balance, December 27, 2008
$ 14,849   $ 3,688   $ 18,537  
Provision
  1,568     1,452     3,020  
Payments and other adjustments
  14,150     3,110     17,260  
Balance, December 26, 2009
$ 2,267   $ 2,030   $ 4,297  
Provision
  8,930     3,355     12,285  
Payments and other adjustments
  9,205     3,034     12,239  
Balance, December 25, 2010
$ 1,992   $ 2,351   $ 4,343  
Provision
  -     -     -  
Payments and other adjustments
  1,423     1,800     3,223  
Balance, December 31, 2011
$ 569   $ 551   $ 1,120  
                     
                     
(1) 
Represents salaries and related benefits for employees separated from the Company.
 
                       
(2) 
Represents costs associated with the closing of certain smaller facilities (primarily lease termination costs) and property and
 
 
equipment write-offs.
 
 
The following table shows, by reportable segment, the restructuring costs incurred during 2011, 2010 and 2009 and the remaining accrued balance of restructuring costs as of December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009:

   
Healthcare
         
   
Distribution
 
Technology
 
Total
 
Balance, December 27, 2008
  $ 18,457   $ 80   $ 18,537  
Provision
    3,020     -     3,020  
Payments and other adjustments
    17,252     8     17,260  
Balance, December 26, 2009
  $ 4,225   $ 72   $ 4,297  
Provision
    12,063     222     12,285  
Payments and other adjustments
    11,945     294     12,239  
Balance, December 25, 2010
  $ 4,343   $ -   $ 4,343  
Provision
    -     -     -  
Payments and other adjustments
    3,223     -     3,223  
Balance, December 31, 2011
  $ 1,120   $ -   $ 1,120  
 
 
84

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 11 – Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to Henry Schein, Inc. by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Our diluted earnings per share is computed similarly to basic earnings per share, except that it reflects the effect of common shares issuable upon vesting of restricted stock and upon exercise of stock options using the treasury stock method in periods in which they have a dilutive effect.

On September 3, 2010, we redeemed all of our 3% convertible contingent notes originally due in 2034 (the “Convertible Notes”) for approximately $240 million in cash and issued 732 shares of our common stock.  For the year ended December 25, 2010, diluted earnings per share includes the effect of common shares issuable upon conversion of our Convertible Notes since during this period, the debt was convertible at a premium as a result of the conditions of the debt.  As a result, the amount in excess of the principal was presumed to be settled in common shares and is reflected in our calculation of diluted earnings per share.  The effect of assumed conversion of our Convertible Notes, as it relates to the impact on diluted earnings per share, was included through September 3, 2010.  For the year ended December 26, 2009, our Convertible Notes were not convertible at a premium and thus the impact of an assumed conversion was not applicable.

A reconciliation of shares used in calculating earnings per basic and diluted share follows:

     
Years Ended
     
December 31,
 
December 25,
 
December 26,
     
2011 
 
2010 
 
2009 
Basic
 
90,120 
 
90,097 
 
88,872 
Effect of dilutive securities:
           
 
Stock options, restricted stock and restricted units
 
2,500 
 
2,271 
 
1,684 
Effect of assumed conversion of convertible debt
 
 
900 
 
 
Diluted
 
92,620 
 
93,268 
 
90,556 

Weighted-average options to purchase 8, 991 and 2,738 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $69.45 and ranging from $59.89 to $62.05 and $47.31 to $62.05 per share that were outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share  In each of these years, such options’ exercise prices exceeded the average market price of our common stock, thereby causing the effect of such options to be anti-dilutive.

 
85

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 12 – Income Taxes
 
Income from continuing operations before taxes, equity in earnings of affiliates and noncontrolling interests was as follows:

 
Years ended
 
 
December 31,
 
December 25,
 
December 26,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
Domestic
$ 403,171   $ 343,502   $ 308,238  
Foreign
  166,136     158,533     144,482  
Total
$ 569,307   $ 502,035   $ 452,720  

The provisions for income taxes attributable to continuing operations were as follows:

 
 
Years ended
 
 
 
December 31,
   
December 25,
   
December 26,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Current income tax expense:
 
 
   
 
   
 
 
U.S. Federal
  $ 125,148     $ 108,540     $ 101,092  
State and local
    30,423       22,227       16,649  
Foreign
    43,960       35,353       35,965  
Total current
    199,531       166,120       153,706  
 
                       
Deferred income tax expense (benefit):
                       
U.S. Federal
    (12,466 )     (9,096 )     (5,059 )
State and local
    (1,782 )     (1,299 )     (722 )
Foreign
    (5,071 )     4,344       (20,404 )
Total deferred
    (19,319 )     (6,051 )     (26,185 )
Total provision
  $ 180,212     $ 160,069     $ 127,521  

 
86

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Note 12 – Income Taxes – (Continued)

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to our deferred income tax asset (liability) were as follows:

 
 
 
Years Ended
 
 
 
 
December 31,
   
December 25,
 
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
Current deferred income tax assets:
 
 
   
 
 
 
Inventory, premium coupon redemptions and accounts receivable
 
 
   
 
 
 
      valuation allowances
  $ 21,960     $ 18,047  
 
Uniform capitalization adjustments to inventories
    7,944       8,131  
 
Other current assets
    23,749       19,244  
 
Current deferred income tax asset (1)
    53,653       45,422  
 
 
               
Non-current deferred income tax asset (liability):
               
 
Property and equipment
    (12,312 )     (13,131 )
 
Stock-based compensation
    43,025       38,663  
 
Other non-current liabilities
    (213,459 )     (215,162 )
 
Net operating losses of domestic subsidiaries
    6,715       8,300  
 
Net operating losses of foreign subsidiaries
    48,678       49,107  
 
      Total non-current deferred tax liability
    (127,353 )     (132,223 )
 
      Valuation allowance for non-current deferred tax assets (2)
    (28,136 )     (27,108 )
 
Net non-current deferred tax liability (1)
    (155,489 )     (159,331 )
Net deferred income tax liability
  $ (101,836 )   $ (113,909 )
 
 
               
 
 
               
(1)
   Certain deferred tax amounts do not have a right of offset and are therefore reflected on a gross basis in current assets
 
 
   and non-current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.
 
 
 
               
(2)
   Primarily relates to operating losses of acquired foreign subsidiaries, the benefits of which are uncertain. Any future reductions
 
 
   of such valuation allowances will be reflected as a reduction of income tax expense in accordance with the provisions of
 
 
   ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations.”
 

All net deferred income tax assets are realizable as we have sufficient taxable income in prior years and anticipate sufficient taxable income in future years to realize the tax benefit for deductible temporary differences.

As of December 31, 2011, we have federal net operating loss carryforwards of $17.4 million relating to our domestic subsidiaries.  Of such losses, $15.2 million can be utilized against future federal income through 2026, and $2.2 million can be utilized against future federal income through 2027.  We have state net operating loss carryforwards of $7.0 million relating to our domestic subsidiaries, which can be utilized against future state income through 2029.  Foreign net operating loss carryforwards totaled $173.3 million as of December 31, 2011.  Of such losses, $0.8 million can be utilized against future foreign income through 2012, $1.4 million can be utilized against future foreign income through 2013, $2.3 million can be utilized against future foreign income through 2014, $2.8 million can be utilized against future foreign income through 2015, $1.5 million can be utilized against future foreign income through 2016, $1.1 million can be utilized against future foreign income through 2017, $1.0 million can be utilized against future foreign income through 2018 and $162.4 million has an indefinite life.

 
87

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Note 12 – Income Taxes – (Continued)

The tax provisions from continuing operations differ from the amount computed using the federal statutory income tax rate as follows:

 
 
Years ended
 
 
 
December 31,
   
December 25,
   
December 26,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Income tax provision at federal statutory rate
  $ 199,256     $ 175,713     $ 158,452  
State income tax provision, net of federal income tax effect
    18,035       13,224       10,078  
Foreign income tax benefit
    (20,169 )     (17,109 )     (16,743 )
Valuation allowance
    442       (7,085 )     (19,467 )
Interest expense related to loans
    (14,394 )     (9,714 )     (7,014 )
Other
    (2,958 )     5,040       2,215  
Total income tax provision
  $ 180,212     $ 160,069     $ 127,521  

For the year ended December 31, 2011, our effective tax rate from continuing operations was 31.7% compared to 31.9% for the prior year period.  The net reduction in our 2011 effective tax rate results from additional tax planning, settlements of tax audits and higher income from lower taxing countries.  The difference between our effective tax rate and the federal statutory tax rate for both periods related primarily to foreign and state income taxes.

During the third quarter of 2009, we substantially completed a plan of reorganization outside the United States that allowed us to utilize tax loss carryforwards to offset taxable income beginning in 2010 in certain foreign tax jurisdictions.  As a result, we determined that it is more likely than not that a portion of deferred tax assets previously fully reserved will be realized.  Therefore, the 2009 provision for income taxes includes a $20.9 million reduction of the valuation allowance which is based on an estimate of future taxable income available to be offset by the tax loss carryforwards.  For the year ended December 26, 2009, our effective tax rate from continuing operations was 28.2%.

Provision has not been made for U.S. or additional foreign taxes on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, which have been, and will continue to be reinvested.  These earnings could become subject to additional tax if they were remitted as dividends, if foreign earnings were loaned to us or a U.S. affiliate, or if we should sell our stock in the foreign subsidiaries.  It is not practicable to determine the amount of additional tax, if any, that might be payable on the foreign earnings.  As of December 31, 2011, the cumulative amount of reinvested earnings was approximately $469.9 million.

ASC Topic 740 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial statements in accordance with other provisions contained within this guidance.  This topic prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities.  The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate audit settlement. 

 
88

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Note 12 – Income Taxes – (Continued)

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2011 was approximately $24.5 million, all of which would affect the effective tax rate if recognized.  It is expected that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change in the next 12 months; however, we do not expect the change to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

The total amounts of interest and penalties, which are classified as a component of the provision for income taxes, were approximately $5.3 million and $0, respectively, as of December 31, 2011.  It is expected that the amount of interest will change in the next twelve months. However, we do not expect the change to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

The tax years subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions include the years 2009 and forward by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the years 1997 and forward for certain states and the years 2003 and forward for certain foreign jurisdictions.

The following table provides a reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits excluding the effects of deferred taxes, interest and penalties:

 
 
December 31,
   
December 25,
 
 
 
2011
   
2010
 
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 21,800     $ 17,000  
Additions based on current year tax positions
    2,200       2,500  
Additions based on prior year tax positions
    1,900       5,100  
Reductions based on prior year tax positions
    (700 )     (700 )
Reductions resulting from settlements with taxing authorities
    (5,900 )     (2,100 )
Reductions resulting from lapse in statutes of limitations
    (100 )     -  
Balance, end of period
  $ 19,200     $ 21,800  

 
89

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 13 – Concentrations of Risk

Certain financial instruments potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk.  These financial instruments consist primarily of cash equivalents, available-for-sale securities, trade receivables, long-term investments, notes receivable and derivative instruments.  In all cases, our maximum exposure to loss from credit risk equals the gross fair value of the financial instruments.  We continuously assess the need for reserves for such losses, which have been within our expectations.  We do not require collateral or other security to support financial instruments subject to credit risk, except for long-term notes receivable.

We limit our credit risk with respect to our cash equivalents, available-for-sale securities, short-term and long-term investments and derivative instruments, by monitoring the credit worthiness of the financial institutions who are the counter-parties to such financial instruments.  As a risk management policy, we limit the amount of credit exposure by diversifying and utilizing numerous investment grade counter-parties.

With respect to our trade receivables, our credit risk is somewhat limited due to a relatively large customer base and its dispersion across different types of healthcare professionals and geographic areas.  No single customer accounted for more than 4.3% of our net sales in 2011.  With respect to our sources of supply, our top 10 healthcare distribution suppliers and our single largest supplier accounted for approximately 33% and 8%, respectively, of our aggregate purchases in 2011.

Our long-term notes receivable represent strategic financing arrangements with certain industry affiliates and amounts owed to us from sales of certain businesses.  Generally, these notes are secured by certain assets of the counter-party; however, in most cases our security is subordinate to other commercial financial institutions.  While we have exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by these counter-parties, we conduct ongoing assessments of their financial and operational performance.

Note 14Derivatives and Hedging Activities

We are exposed to market risks, which include changes in interest rates, as well as changes in foreign currency exchange rates as measured against the U.S. dollar and each other, and changes to the credit markets.  We attempt to minimize these risks by primarily using interest rate cap agreements, foreign currency forward contracts and by maintaining counter-party credit limits.  These hedging activities provide only limited protection against interest rate, currency exchange and credit risks.  Factors that could influence the effectiveness of our hedging programs include interest rate volatility, currency markets and availability of hedging instruments and liquidity of the credit markets.  All foreign currency forward and interest rate cap contracts that we enter into are components of hedging programs and are entered into for the sole purpose of hedging an existing or anticipated interest rate and currency exposure.  We do not enter into such contracts for speculative purposes and we manage our credit risks by diversifying our investments, maintaining a strong balance sheet and having multiple sources of capital.

Fluctuations in the value of certain foreign currencies as compared to the U.S. dollar may positively or negatively affect our revenues, gross margins, operating expenses and retained earnings, all of which are expressed in U.S. dollars.  Where we deem it prudent, we engage in hedging programs using primarily foreign currency forward and interest rate caps contracts aimed at limiting the impact of foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations on earnings.  We purchase short-term (i.e., 18 months or less) foreign currency forward contracts to protect against currency exchange risks associated with intercompany loans due from our international subsidiaries and the payment of merchandise purchases to our foreign suppliers.  We purchase interest rate caps to protect against interest rate risk on variable rate debt payable to third parties.  We do not hedge the translation of foreign currency profits into U.S. dollars, as we regard this as an accounting exposure, not an economic exposure.  The impact of our hedging activities has historically not had a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.  Accordingly, additional disclosures related to derivatives and hedging activities required by ASC Topic 815 have been omitted.

 
90

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 15 – Segment Data

We conduct our business through two reportable segments: healthcare distribution and technology.  These segments offer different products and services to the same customer base.  The healthcare distribution reportable segment aggregates our dental, medical, animal health and international operating segments.  This segment consists of consumable products, small equipment, laboratory products, large equipment, equipment repair services, branded and generic pharmaceuticals, vaccines, surgical products, diagnostic tests, infection-control products and vitamins.

Our dental group serves office-based dental practitioners, schools and other institutions in the combined United States and Canadian dental market.  Our medical group serves office-based medical practitioners, surgical centers, other alternate-care settings and other institutions throughout the United States.  Our animal health group serves animal health practices and clinics throughout the United States.  Our international group serves dental, medical and animal health practitioners in 22 countries outside of North America.

Our technology group provides software, technology and other value-added services to healthcare practitioners, primarily in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.  Our value-added practice solutions include practice management software systems for dental and medical practitioners and animal health clinics.  Our technology group offerings also include financial services on a non-recourse basis, e-services and continuing education services for practitioners.

The following tables present information about our business segments:

     
Years Months Ended
 
     
December 31,
 
December 25,
 
December 26,
 
     
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
Net Sales:
           
 
Healthcare distribution (1):
           
   
Dental (2)
$ 2,861,100   $ 2,678,830   $ 2,509,921  
   
Medical (3)
  1,412,470     1,290,428     1,217,020  
   
Animal health (4)
  993,183     889,303     240,082  
   
International (5)
  3,012,869     2,468,277     2,398,105  
   
      Total healthcare distribution
  8,279,622     7,326,838     6,365,128  
 
Technology (6)
  250,620     199,952     173,208  
   
Total
$ 8,530,242   $ 7,526,790   $ 6,538,336  
                       
                       
(1)  
Consists of consumable products, small equipment, laboratory products, large equipment, equipment repair services, branded and
 
   
generic pharmaceuticals, vaccines, surgical products, diagnostic tests, infection-control products and vitamins.
 
                       
(2)  
Consists of products sold in the United States and Canadian dental markets.
 
                       
(3)  
Consists of products sold in the United States’ medical market.
 
                       
(4)  
Consists of products sold in the United States’ animal health market.
 
                       
(5)  
Consists of products sold in dental, medical and animal health markets, primarily in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
 
                       
(6)  
Consists of practice management software and other value-added products and services, which are distributed primarily to healthcare
 
   
providers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.
 

 
91

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Note 15 – Segment and Geographic Data – (Continued)

 
 
Years ended
 
 
 
December 31,
 
December 25,
 
December 26,
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
Operating Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Healthcare distribution
  $ 511,295   $ 454,882   $ 401,915  
Technology
    70,854     66,249     62,170  
Total
  $ 582,149   $ 521,131   $ 464,085  
 
                   
Income from continuing operations before taxes, equity in
                   
earnings of affiliates and noncontrolling interests:
                   
Healthcare distribution
  $ 500,467   $ 437,971   $ 392,431  
Technology
    68,840     64,064     60,289  
Total
  $ 569,307   $ 502,035   $ 452,720  
 
                   
Depreciation and Amortization:
                   
Healthcare distribution
  $ 107,284   $ 95,267   $ 75,290  
Technology
    8,612     5,947     6,203  
Total
  $ 115,896   $ 101,214   $ 81,493  
 
                   
Income Tax Expense Attributable to Continuing Operations:
                   
Healthcare distribution
  $ 157,390   $ 132,785   $ 99,000  
Technology
    22,822     27,284     28,521  
Total
  $ 180,212   $ 160,069   $ 127,521  
 
                   
Interest Income:
                   
Healthcare distribution
  $ 15,531   $ 14,088   $ 9,929  
Technology
    62     10     50  
Total
  $ 15,593   $ 14,098   $ 9,979  
 
                   
Interest Expense:
                   
Healthcare distribution
  $ 30,350   $ 33,627   $ 23,362  
Technology
    27     14     8  
Total
  $ 30,377   $ 33,641   $ 23,370  
 
                   
Purchases of Fixed Assets:
                   
Healthcare distribution
  $ 42,751   $ 37,158   $ 49,282  
Technology
    2,425     1,842     2,345  
Total
  $ 45,176   $ 39,000   $ 51,627  
 
                   
 
 
As of
 
 
 
December 31,
 
December 25,
 
December 26,
 
 
    2011     2010     2009  
Total Assets:
                   
Healthcare distribution
  $ 4,567,231   $ 4,429,787   $ 3,725,299  
Technology
    172,913     117,684     110,686  
Total
  $ 4,740,144   $ 4,547,471   $ 3,835,985  

 
92

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Note 15 – Segment and Geographic Data – (Continued)

The following table sets forth our net sales by principal categories of products offered through our healthcare distribution and technology reportable segments:

 
 
 
Years Ended
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
December 25,
 
December 26,
 
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
Healthcare Distribution
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dental:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumable dental products, dental laboratory products
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      and small equipment (1)
$ 3,449,732   $ 3,180,366   $ 2,994,714  
 
 
Large dental equipment (2)
  1,257,802     1,167,934     1,118,500  
 
 
      Total dental
  4,707,534     4,348,300     4,113,214  
 
 
 
                 
 
Medical products (3)
  1,566,285     1,441,396     1,530,704  
 
Animal health products (4)
  2,005,803     1,537,142     721,210  
 
 
 
                 
 
Total Healthcare Distribution  
  8,279,622     7,326,838     6,365,128  
 
 
 
                 
Technology
                 
 
 
Software and related products and
                 
 
 
      other value-added products (5)
  250,620     199,952     173,208  
 
 
 
                 
Total
$ 8,530,242   $ 7,526,790   $ 6,538,336  
 
 
 
                 
 
 
 
                 
(1)  
Includes X-ray products, infection-control products, handpieces, preventatives, impression materials, composites, anesthetics,
 
   
teeth, dental implants, gypsum, acrylics, articulators and abrasives.
 
   
 
                 
(2)  
Includes dental chairs, delivery units and lights, X-ray equipment, equipment repair and high-tech equipment.
 
   
 
                 
(3)  
Includes branded and generic pharmaceuticals, vaccines, surgical products, diagnostic tests, infection-control products, X-ray
 
   
products, equipment and vitamins.
 
   
 
                 
(4)  
Includes branded and generic pharmaceuticals, surgical and consumable products and services and equipment.
 
   
 
                 
(5)  
Includes software and related products and other value-added products, including financial products and continuing education.
 

The following table presents information about our operations by geographic area as of and for the three years ended December 31, 2011.  Net sales by geographic area are based on the respective locations of our subsidiaries.  No country, except for the United States and Germany, generated net sales greater than 10% of consolidated net sales.  There were no material amounts of sales or transfers among geographic areas and there were no material amounts of export sales.

 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
 
 
Net Sales
 
Long-Lived
Assets
 
Net Sales
 
Long-Lived
Assets
 
Net Sales
 
Long-Lived
Assets
 
United States
  $ 5,212,861   $ 1,279,913   $ 4,777,172   $ 1,248,837   $ 3,902,353   $ 590,917  
Germany
    744,221     159,231     689,159     187,112     699,309     182,590  
Other
    2,573,160     729,664     2,060,459     646,886     1,936,674     676,909  
Consolidated total
  $ 8,530,242   $ 2,168,808   $ 7,526,790   $ 2,082,835   $ 6,538,336   $ 1,450,416  

 
93

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 16 – Employee Benefit Plans

Stock-based Compensation

Our accompanying consolidated statements of income reflect pre-tax share-based compensation expense of $36.9 million ($25.2 million after-tax), $29.9 million ($20.4 million after-tax) and $25.9 million ($17.5 million after-tax) for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009.

Our accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows present our stock-based compensation expense as an adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities for all periods presented.  In the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows, we presented $8.8 million, $11.3 million and $4.7 million of benefits associated with tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation as a cash inflow from financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009.

Stock-based compensation represents the cost related to stock-based awards granted to employees and non-employee directors.  We measure stock-based compensation at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award, and recognize the cost (net of estimated forfeitures) as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.  Our stock-based compensation expense is reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of income.

Stock-based awards are provided to certain employees and non-employee directors under the terms of our 1994 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, and our 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (together, the “Plans”).  The Plans are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.  Prior to March 2009, awards under the Plans principally included a combination of at-the-money stock options and restricted stock (including restricted stock units).  Since March 2009, equity-based awards have been granted solely in the form of restricted stock and restricted stock units, with the exception of stock options for certain pre-existing contractual obligations.  As of December 31, 2011, there were 27,079 shares authorized and 4,927 shares available to be granted under the 1994 Stock Incentive Plan and 800 shares authorized and 129 shares available to be granted under the 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive Plan.

Stock options are awards that allow the recipient to purchase shares of our common stock at a fixed price.  Stock options are granted at an exercise price equal to our closing stock price on the date of grant.  These awards, which generally vest 25% per year based on the recipient’s continued service subject to the terms and conditions of the Plans, are fully vested four years from the grant date and have a contractual term of ten years from the grant date.  Additionally, recipients may not sell any shares that they acquire through exercising their stock options until the third anniversary of the date of grant of such options.  We estimate the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model.

Grants of restricted stock are common stock awards granted to recipients with specified vesting provisions.  We issue restricted stock that vests solely based on the recipient’s continued service over time (four-year cliff vesting) and restricted stock that vests based on our achieving specified performance measurements and the recipient’s continued service over time (three-year cliff vesting).

With respect to time-based restricted stock, we estimate the fair value on the date of grant based on our closing stock price.  With respect to performance-based restricted stock, the number of shares that ultimately vest and are received by the recipient is based upon our performance as measured against specified targets over a three-year period as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.  Although there is no guarantee that performance targets will be achieved, we estimate the fair value of performance-based restricted stock based on our closing stock price at time of grant.
 
 
94

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Note 16 – Employee Benefit Plans – (Continued)

The Plans provide for adjustments to the performance-based restricted stock targets for significant events such as acquisitions, divestitures, new business ventures and share repurchases.  Over the performance period, the number of shares of common stock that will ultimately vest and be issued and the related compensation expense is adjusted upward or downward based upon our estimation of achieving such performance targets.  The ultimate number of shares delivered to recipients and the related compensation cost recognized as an expense will be based on our actual performance metrics as defined under the Plans.

Restricted stock units are awards that we grant to certain employees that entitle the recipient to shares of common stock upon vesting.  We grant restricted stock units with the same time-based and performance-based vesting that we use for restricted stock.  The fair value of restricted stock units is determined on the date of grant, based on our closing stock price.

We record deferred income tax assets for awards that will result in future deductions on our income tax returns based on the amount of compensation cost recognized and our statutory tax rate in the jurisdiction in which we will receive a deduction.  Differences between the deferred income tax assets recognized for financial reporting purposes and the actual tax deduction reported on our income tax return are recorded in additional paid-in capital (if the tax deduction exceeds the deferred income tax asset) or in earnings (if the deferred income tax asset exceeds the tax deduction and no additional paid-in capital exists from previous awards).

Stock-based compensation grants for the three years ended December 31, 2011 primarily consisted of restricted stock and restricted stock unit grants.  Certain stock-based compensation granted may require us to settle in the form of a cash payment.  During the year ended December 31, 2011, we have recorded a liability of $0.7 million relating to the grant date fair value of this stock-based compensation, as well as an expense of $0.3 million relating to the change in the fair value of these grants.  The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock-based awards granted before forfeitures was $68.25, $55.59 and $34.35 per share during the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009.

Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested awards as of December 31, 2011 was $62.5 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.2 years.

A summary of the stock option activity under the Plans is presented below:

 
Years Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 25,
 
December 26,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009 
                           
     
Weighted
     
Weighted
   
Weighted
     
Average
     
Average
   
Average
     
Exercise
     
Exercise
   
Exercise
 
Shares
 
Price
 
Shares
 
Price
 
Shares
Price
Outstanding at beginning of year
5,012 
 
$
43.05 
 
6,295 
 
$
40.66 
 
6,792 
$
39.85 
Granted
10 
   
69.45 
 
10 
   
56.03 
 
42 
 
38.33 
Exercised
(942)
   
36.84 
 
(1,249)
   
30.84 
 
(446)
 
26.62 
Forfeited
(21)
   
48.35 
 
(44)
   
50.12 
 
(93)
 
48.83 
Outstanding at end of year
4,059 
 
$
44.53 
 
5,012 
 
$
43.05 
 
6,295 
$
40.66 
                           
Options exercisable at end of year
3,778 
 
$
43.47 
 
4,252 
 
$
40.58 
 
4,835 
$
36.31 
 
 
95

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 16 – Employee Benefit Plans – (Continued)

The following weighted-average assumptions were used in determining the fair values of stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model:

   
2011 
 
2010 
 
2009 
Expected dividend yield
 
%
 
%
 
%
Expected stock price volatility
 
20 
%
 
20 
%
 
28 
%
Risk-free interest rate
 
2.13 
%
 
2.37 
%
 
1.88 
%
Expected life of options (years)
 
4.75 
   
4.5 
   
4.5 
 

We have not declared cash dividends on our stock in the past and we do not anticipate declaring cash dividends in the foreseeable future.  The expected stock price volatility is based on the evaluation of implied volatilities from traded call options on our stock and from call options embedded in our convertible debt, historical volatility of our stock and other factors.  The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect on the date of grant in conjunction with considering the expected life of options.  The expected life of options represents the approximate period of time that granted options are expected to be outstanding and is based on historical data, including, among other things, option exercises, forfeitures and cancellations.  Estimates of fair value are not intended to predict actual future events or the value ultimately realized by recipients of stock options, and subsequent events are not indicative of the reasonableness of the original estimates of fair value made by us.

The following table represents the intrinsic values of:

 
As of
 
 
December 31,
 
December 25,
 
December 26,
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
Stock options outstanding
$ 80,821   $ 95,777   $ 84,880  
Stock options exercisable
  79,202     91,741     82,476  

The total cash received as a result of stock option exercises for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009 was approximately $34.5 million, $38.4 million and $11.9 million.  In connection with these exercises, the tax benefits that we realized for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009 were $7.2 million, $8.3 million and $2.6 million.  We settle employee stock option exercises with newly issued common shares.
 
 
96

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 16 – Employee Benefit Plans – (Continued)

The total intrinsic value of restricted stock (including RSUs) that vested was $8.9 million, $12.3 million and $8.7 million during the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009.  The following table summarizes the status of our non-vested restricted shares/units for the year ended December 31, 2011:
 
 
Time-Based Restricted Stock/Units
     
Weighted Average
   
     
Grant Date Fair
 
Aggregate Intrinsic
 
Shares/Units
 
Value
 
 Value
Outstanding at beginning of period
743 
 
$
34,804 
     
Granted
237 
   
16,443 
     
Vested
(87)
   
(4,520)
     
Forfeited
(23)
   
(1,113)
     
Outstanding at end of period
870 
 
$
45,614 
 
$
56,070 
               
 
Performance-Based Restricted Stock/Units
     
Weighted Average
   
     
Grant Date Fair
 
Aggregate Intrinsic
 
Shares/Units
 
Value
 
 Value
Outstanding at beginning of period
1,347 
 
$
42,083 
     
Granted
417 
   
29,632 
     
Vested
(46)
   
(2,768)
     
Forfeited
(20)
   
(949)
     
Outstanding at end of period
1,698 
 
$
67,998 
 
$
109,394 
 
401(k) Plans

We offer qualified 401(k) plans to substantially all our domestic full-time employees.  As determined by our Board of Directors, matching contributions to these plans generally do not exceed 100% of the participants’ contributions up to 7% of their base compensation, subject to applicable legal limits.  Matching contributions include both cash and our common stock.  Forfeitures attributable to participants whose employment terminates prior to becoming fully vested are used to reduce our matching contributions.
 
Assets of the 401(k) and other defined contribution plans are held in self-directed accounts enabling participants to choose from various investment fund options.  Matching contributions and administrative expenses related to these plans charged to operations during the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009 amounted to $23.0 million, $21.2 million and $18.1 million.

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

We offer an unfunded, non-qualified supplemental executive retirement plan to eligible employees.  This plan generally covers officers and certain highly-compensated employees after they have reached the maximum IRS allowed pre-tax 401(k) contribution limit.  Our contributions to this plan are equal to the 401(k) employee-elected contribution percentage applied to base compensation for the portion of the year in which such employees are not eligible to make pre-tax contributions to the 401(k) plan.  The amounts charged to operations during the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009 amounted to $0.7 million, $0.6 million and $1.9 million.
 
 
97

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 16 – Employee Benefit Plans – (Continued)

Deferred Compensation Plan

During 2011, we began to offer a deferred compensation plan to a select group of management or highly compensated employees of the Company and certain associated companies.  This plan allows for the elective deferral of base salary, bonus and/or commission compensation by eligible employees.  During 2011, the total amount of deferrals invested in the plan was approximately $1.6 million and is recorded within Other liabilities within our consolidated balance sheets.  As of December 31, 2011, the fair market value of the funds deferred was approximately $1.6 million.

Note 17 – Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Leases

We lease facilities and equipment under non-cancelable operating leases expiring through 2025.  We expect that in the normal course of business, leases will be renewed or replaced by other leases.

Future minimum annual rental payments under our non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2011 were:

2012
  $ 65,640  
2013
    47,587  
2014
    31,443  
2015
    23,345  
2016
    16,914  
Thereafter
    34,619  
Total minimum operating lease payments
  $ 219,548  

Total rental expense attributable to continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009 was $65.5 million, $62.6 million and $56.1 million.

Capital Leases

We lease certain equipment under capital leases.  Future minimum annual lease payments under our capital leases together with the present value of the minimum capital lease payments as of December 31, 2011 were:

2012
  $ 2,701  
2013
    1,491  
2014
    774  
2015
    308  
2016
    122  
Thereafter
    -  
Total minimum capital lease payments
    5,396  
Less: Amount representing interest at 0.50% to 16.44%
    (505 )
Total present value of minimum capital lease payments
  $ 4,891  

 
98

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Note 17 – Commitments and Contingencies – (Continued)

Purchase Commitments

In our healthcare distribution business, we sometimes enter into long-term purchase commitments to ensure the availability of products for distribution.  Future minimum annual payments for inventory purchase commitments as of December 31, 2011 were:

2012
  $ 69,534  
2013
    50,660  
2014
    22,430  
2015
    21,388  
2016
    22,457  
Thereafter
    101,634  
Total minimum inventory purchase commitment payments
  $ 288,103  

We have obligations to purchase certain pharmaceutical products from a manufacturer through 2013, which require us to pay a price based on the prevailing market price or a formula price in each respective year.  The amounts included in the above table related to these purchase commitments were determined using current market conditions.  We also have obligations to purchase certain pharmaceutical products from another manufacturer.  Actual amounts may differ.

Litigation

From time to time, we may become a party to legal proceedings, including, without limitation, product liability claims, employment matters, commercial disputes and other matters arising out of the ordinary course of our business.  In our opinion, pending matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

We have various insurance policies, including product liability insurance, covering risks in amounts that we consider adequate.  In many cases in which we have been sued in connection with products manufactured by others, the manufacturer provides us with indemnification.  There can be no assurance that the insurance coverage we maintain is sufficient or will be available in adequate amounts or at a reasonable cost, or that indemnification agreements will provide us with adequate protection.

As of December 31, 2011, we had accrued our best estimate of potential losses relating to product liability and other claims that were probable to result in a liability and for which we were able to reasonably estimate a loss.  This accrued amount, as well as related expenses, was not material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  Our method for determining estimated losses considers currently available facts, presently enacted laws and regulations and other external factors, including probable recoveries from third parties.

Employment, Consulting and Non-Compete Agreements

We have definite-lived employment, consulting and non-compete agreements expiring through 2016 that have varying base aggregate annual payments of approximately $14.6 million in 2012, which decrease periodically to approximately $1.2 million in 2016.  We also have a lifetime consulting agreement that provides for current compensation of $0.4 million per year, increasing $25 every fifth year with the next increase in 2012.  In addition, some agreements have provisions for additional incentives and compensation.

 
99

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 18 – Quarterly Information (Unaudited)

The following tables present certain quarterly financial data:
 
 
 
Quarters ended
 
 
March 26,
 
June 25,
 
September 24,
 
December 31,
 
 
2011
 
2011
 
2011
 
2011
Net sales
  1,947,761   2,130,640   2,111,693   2,340,148
Gross profit
    565,822     612,224     587,420     652,589
Operating income
    124,300     151,215     143,261     163,373
Net income
    82,971     105,056     100,808     115,821
 
                       
Amounts attributable to
                       
      Henry Schein, Inc.:                         
Net income      76,495      94,475      91,961      104,730
                         
Earnings per share attributable to                         
      Henry Schein, Inc.:                        
                         
From net income:                        
      Basic    0.84    1.04    1.02    1.18
      Diluted      0.82      1.01      0.99      1.15

 
 
Quarters ended
 
 
March 27,
 
June 26,
 
September 25,
 
December 25,
 
 
2010
 
2010
 
2010
 
2010
Net sales
  1,760,310   1,849,401   1,893,511   2,023,568
Gross profit
    513,033     545,644     537,456     574,743
Operating income
    103,759     138,006     137,368     141,998
Net income
    67,252     93,163     94,490     97,226
 
                       
Amounts attributable to
                       
      Henry Schein, Inc.:                         
Net income      60,900     84,001      87,893     92,995
                         
Earnings per share attributable to                         
      Henry Schein, Inc.:                        
                         
From net income:                        
      Basic    0.68    0.93    0.97    1.03
      Diluted      0.66      0.90      0.94      1.00
 
 
100

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Note 18 – Quarterly Information (Unaudited) – (Continued)

We experience fluctuations in quarterly earnings.  As a result, we may fail to meet or exceed the expectations of securities analysts and investors, which could cause our stock price to decline.

Our business is subject to seasonal and other quarterly fluctuations.  Net sales and operating profits generally have been higher in the third and fourth quarters due to the timing of sales of seasonal products (including influenza vaccine, equipment and software products), purchasing patterns of office-based healthcare practitioners and year-end promotions.  Net sales and operating profits generally have been lower in the first quarter, primarily due to increased sales in the prior two quarters.  We expect our historical seasonality of sales to continue in the foreseeable future.  Quarterly results also may be adversely affected by a variety of other factors, including:

•  timing and amount of sales and marketing expenditures;

•  timing of pricing changes offered by our vendors;

•  timing of the introduction of new products and services by our vendors;

•  timing of the release of upgrades and enhancements to our technology-related products and services;
 
•  changes in or availability of vendor contracts or rebate programs;

•  vendor rebates based upon attaining certain growth goals;

•  changes in the way vendors introduce or deliver products to market;

•  costs of developing new applications and services;

•  exclusivity requirements with certain vendors may prohibit us from distributing competitive products manufactured by other vendors;
 
•  loss of sales representatives;

•  costs related to acquisitions and/or integrations of technologies or businesses;

•  costs associated with our self-insured medical insurance program;

•  general economic conditions, as well as those specific to the healthcare industry and related industries;
 
•  our success in establishing or maintaining business relationships;

•  unexpected difficulties in developing and manufacturing products;

•  product demand and availability or recalls by manufacturers;

•  exposure to product liability and other claims in the event that the use of the products we sell results in injury;

•  increases in the cost of shipping or service issues with our third-party shippers;

•  restructuring costs; and

•  changes in accounting principles.

Any change in one or more of these or other factors could cause our annual or quarterly operating results to fluctuate.  If our operating results do not meet market expectations, our stock price may decline.

 
101

HENRY SCHEIN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
(in thousands, except per share data)

Note 19 – Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Cash paid for interest and income taxes was:

 
Years ended
 
December 31,
 
December 25,
 
December 26,
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
Interest
$ 30,847   $ 25,531   $ 22,202
Income taxes
  173,318     145,758     170,024

There was approximately $16.7 million, $286.3 million and $3.7 million of debt assumed as a part of the acquisitions for the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009, respectively.  Debt assumed during the year ended December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010 primarily relates to the acquisitions of Provet Holdings Limited and BAHS, respectively.  On September 3, 2010, we redeemed all of our 3% Convertible Notes originally due in 2034 for approximately $240 million in cash and issued 732 shares of our common stock.  During the years ended December 31, 2011, December 25, 2010 and December 26, 2009, we had $0.7 million, $1.1 million and $11.5 million of non-cash net unrealized losses related to foreign currency hedging activities.  During the year ended December 26, 2009, we exchanged a loan receivable from D4D in the amount of $7.6 million for equity securities in D4D.



None.


Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this annual report as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based on this evaluation, our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2011 to ensure that all material information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to them as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and that all such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The combination of continued acquisition activity, ongoing acquisition integrations and systems implementations undertaken during the quarter and carried over from prior quarters, when considered in the aggregate, represents a material change in our internal control over financial reporting.

During the quarter ended December 31, 2011, we completed system integration activities for the European Dental, Medical and Animal Health businesses with aggregate annual revenues of approximately $744.0 million.  In addition, post-acquisition related activities continued for the International and North American Animal Health and Medical businesses acquired during 2011, representing aggregate annual revenues of approximately $305.0 million.  These acquisitions, the majority of which utilize separate information and financial accounting systems, have been included in our consolidated financial statements.  During the quarter ended December 31, 2011, we completed the acquisitions of a North American Dental Laboratory distribution business and a Technology business with approximate aggregate annual revenues of $9.0 million.

All acquisitions, acquisition integrations and systems implementations involved necessary and appropriate change-management controls that are considered in our annual assessment of the design and operating effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f).  Our internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.  Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, or the COSO Framework. Based on our evaluation under the COSO Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective at a reasonable assurance level as of December 31, 2011.
 
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011 has been independently audited by BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, and their attestation is included herein.

Limitations of the Effectiveness of Internal Control

A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the internal control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations of any internal control system, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues, if any, within a company have been detected.


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors
Henry Schein, Inc.
Melville, New York

We have audited Henry Schein, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Henry Schein, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Item 9A, “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.” Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Henry Schein, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Henry Schein, Inc. as of December 31, 2011 and December 25, 2010, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011 and our report dated February 15, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

New York, New York
February 15, 2012



None.

PART III


Information required by this item regarding our directors and executive officers and our corporate governance is hereby incorporated by reference to the Section entitled “Election of Directors”, with respect to directors, and the first paragraph of the Section entitled “Corporate Governance - Board of Directors Meetings and Committees - Audit Committee”, with respect to corporate governance, in each case in our definitive 2012 Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A and to the Section entitled “Executive Officers of the Registrant” in Part I of this report, with respect to executive officers.
 
There have been no changes to the procedures by which stockholders may recommend nominees to our Board of Directors since our last disclosure of such procedures, which appeared in our definitive 2011 Proxy Statement filed pursuant to Regulation 14A on April 8, 2011.

Information required by this item concerning compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is hereby incorporated by reference to the Section entitled “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in our definitive 2012 Proxy Statement.

We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Corporate Finance.  We make available free of charge through our Internet Web site, www.henryschein.com, under the “About Henry Schein--Corporate Governance” caption, our Code of Ethics.  We intend to disclose on our Web site any amendment to, or waiver of, a provision of the Code of Ethics that applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Vice President of Corporate Finance.


The information required by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to the Section entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”, “Compensation Committee Report” (which information shall be deemed furnished in this Annual Report on Form 10-K), “Executive and Director Compensation” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in our definitive 2012 Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.



We maintain several stock incentive plans for the benefit of certain officers, directors and employees.  Certain plans are subject to stockholder approval, while other plans have been authorized solely by the Board of Directors.  Descriptions of these plans appear in the notes to our consolidated financial statements.  The following table summarizes information relating to these plans as of December 31, 2011:

 
Number of Common
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares to be Issued Upon
 
Weighted- Average
 
Number of Common
 
Exercise of Outstanding
 
Exercise Price of
 
Shares Available for
 
Options and Rights
 
Outstanding Options
 
Future Issuances
Plans Approved by Stockholders
4,059,084 
 
$
44.53 
 
5,055,665 
Plans Not Approved by Stockholders
 
 
 
Total
4,059,084 
 
$
44.53 
 
5,055,665 

The other information required by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to the Section entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in our definitive 2012 Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.


The information required by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to the Section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Corporate Governance – Board of Directors Meetings and Committees – Independent Directors” in our definitive 2012 Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.


The information required by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to the Section entitled “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees and Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures” in our definitive 2012 Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.


PART IV


1.
Financial Statements:
 
Our Consolidated Financial Statements filed as a part of this report are listed on the index on
 
page 54.
   
2.
Financial Statement Schedules:
 
Schedule II
 
No other schedules are required.
   
3.
Exhibits:
 
The exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K and filed herewith are listed in the Exhibit
 
List immediately preceding the exhibits.



Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
Henry Schein, Inc.
   
 
By: /s/ STANLEY M. BERGMAN
 
Stanley M. Bergman
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
February 15, 2012

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature
 
Capacity
 
Date
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ STANLEY M. BERGMAN
 
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
 
February 15, 2012
Stanley M. Bergman
 
and Director (principal executive officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ STEVEN PALADINO
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
 
February 15, 2012
Steven Paladino
 
Officer and Director (principal financial and
 
 
 
 
accounting officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ JAMES P. BRESLAWSKI
 
Director
 
February 15, 2012
James P. Breslawski
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ GERALD A. BENJAMIN
 
Director
 
February 15, 2012
Gerald A. Benjamin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ MARK E. MLOTEK
 
Director
 
February 15, 2012
Mark E. Mlotek
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ BARRY J. ALPERIN
 
Director
 
February 15, 2012
Barry J. Alperin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ PAUL BRONS
 
Director
 
February 15, 2012
Paul Brons
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ DONALD J. KABAT
 
Director
 
February 15, 2012
Donald J. Kabat
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ PHILIP A. LASKAWY
 
Director
 
February 15, 2012
Philip A. Laskawy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ KARYN MASHIMA
 
Director
 
February 15, 2012
Karyn Mashima
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ NORMAN S. MATTHEWS
 
Director
 
February 15, 2012
Norman S. Matthews
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ BRADLEY T. SHEARES, PH. D.
 
Director
 
February 15, 2012
Bradley T. Sheares, Ph. D.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ LOUIS W. SULLIVAN, MD
 
Director
 
February 15, 2012
Louis W. Sullivan, MD
 
 
 
 



Board of Directors and Stockholders
Henry Schein, Inc.
Melville, New York

The audits referred to in our report dated February 15, 2012 relating to the consolidated financial statements of Henry Schein, Inc. which is contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, included the audits of the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index.  This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statement schedule based upon our audits.

In our opinion such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.


/s/ BDO USA, LLP

New York, New York
February 15, 2012


 
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at
 
Charged to
 
Charged to
 
 
 
Balance at
 
 
 
 
 
beginning of
 
statement of
 
other
 
 
 
end of
 
Description
 
period
 
income (1)
 
accounts (2)
 
Deductions (3)
 
period
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year ended December 31, 2011:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
sales returns and other
  $ 56,267   $ 6,156   $ 9,665   $ (6,235 ) $ 65,853  
 
 
 
                               
Year ended December 25, 2010:
                               
 
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts,
                               
 
 
sales returns and other
  $ 51,724   $ 5,564   $ 5,700   $ (6,721 ) $ 56,267  
 
 
 
                               
Year ended December 26, 2009:
                               
 
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts,
                               
 
 
sales returns and other
  $ 42,855   $ 4,747   $ 10,269   $ (6,147 ) $ 51,724  
 
 
 
                               
(1)  
Represents amounts charged to bad debt expense.
 
   
 
                               
(2)  
Amounts charged to net sales primarily relate to increases in allowances for sales returns.
 
   
 
                               
(3)  
Deductions primarily consist of fully reserved accounts receivable that have been written off.
 



3.1 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Henry Schein, Inc. dated November 2, 1995. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006 filed on February 28, 2007.)

3.2 
Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Henry Schein, Inc. dated November 12, 1997. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006 filed on February 28, 2007.)

3.3 
Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Henry Schein, Inc. dated June 16, 1998. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to our Registration Statement on Form S-3, Reg. No. 333-59793 filed on July 24, 1998.)

3.4 
Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Henry Schein, Inc. dated May 25, 2005. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 25, 2005 filed on August 4, 2005.)

3.5 
Amended and Restated By-Laws. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1, Reg. No. 33-96528 filed on October 10, 1995.)

3.6 
Amendments to the Amended and Restated By-Laws adopted July 15, 1997. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to our Registration Statement on Form S-4, Reg. No. 33-36081 filed on September 22, 1997.)

4.1 
Master Note Facility, dated as of August 9, 2010, by and among us, New York Life Investment Management LLC and each New York Life affiliate which becomes party thereto.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 26, 2011 filed on May 3, 2011.)*

4.2 
Amendment No. 1 to Master Note Facility, dated as of February 14, 2012, by and among us, New York Life Investment Management LLC and each New York Life affiliate which becomes party thereto.+

4.3 
Private Shelf Agreement, dated as of August 9, 2010, by and among the Company, Prudential Investment Management, Inc. and each Prudential affiliate which becomes party thereto. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 26, 2011 filed on May 3, 2011.)*

10.1 
Henry Schein, Inc. 1994 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective as of March 27, 2007. (Incorporated by reference to Appendix A to our definitive 2007 Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 10, 2007.)**

10.2 
Amendment Number One to the Henry Schein, Inc. 1994 Stock Incentive Plan, effective as of January 1, 2005. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2008 filed on February 24, 2009.)**

10.3 
Amendment Number Two to the Henry Schein, Inc. 1994 Stock Incentive Plan, effective as of May 28, 2009. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 27, 2009 filed on August 4, 2009.)**

10.4 
Amendment Number Three to the Henry Schein, Inc. 1994 Stock Incentive Plan, effective as of February 23, 2010. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 27, 2010 filed on May 4, 2010.)**


Exhibits
 
10.5 
Amendment Number Four to the Henry Schein, Inc. 1994 Stock Incentive Plan, effective as of May 18, 2011. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 25, 2011 filed on August 2, 2011.)**

10.6 
Amendment Number Five to the Henry Schein, Inc. 1994 Stock Incentive Plan, effective as of May 18, 2011. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 25, 2011 filed on August 2, 2011.)**

10.7 
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for time-based restricted stock awards pursuant to the Henry Schein, Inc. 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective as of March 27, 2007). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 27, 2010 filed on May 4, 2010.)**

10.8 
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for performance-based restricted stock awards pursuant to the Henry Schein, Inc. 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective as of March 27, 2007). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 27, 2010 filed on May 4, 2010.)**

10.9 
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for time-based restricted stock awards pursuant to the Henry Schein, Inc. 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective as of March 27, 2007). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 27, 2010 filed on May 4, 2010.)**

10.10 
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for performance-based restricted stock awards pursuant to the Henry Schein, Inc. 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective as of March 27, 2007). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 27, 2010 filed on May 4, 2010.)**

10.11 
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for time-based restricted stock awards pursuant to the Henry Schein, Inc. 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective as of April 1, 2003, and as further amended effective as of April 1, 2004 and January 1, 2005). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 27, 2010 filed on May 4, 2010.)**

10.12 
Henry Schein, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, amended and restated effective as of January 1, 2008. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2008 filed on February 24, 2009.)**

10.13 
Amendment Number One to the Henry Schein, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, amended and restated effective as of January 1, 2008. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 27, 2009 filed on August 4, 2009.)**

10.14 
Amendment Number Two to the Henry Schein, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, amended and restated effective as of January 1, 2008. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2010 filed on February 22, 2011.)**

10.15 
Henry Schein, Inc. 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive Plan, as amended by Amendment Number One, effective as of May 25, 2004. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit C to our definitive 2004 Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 27, 2004.)**


Exhibits
 
10.16 
Amendment Number Two to the Henry Schein, Inc. 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive Plan, effective as of January 1, 2005. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2008 filed on February 24, 2009.)**

10.17 
Amendment Number Three to the Henry Schein, Inc. 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive Plan, effective as of May 10, 2010. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 26, 2010 filed on August 2, 2010.)**

10.18 
2001 Henry Schein, Inc. Section 162(m) Cash Bonus Plan effective as of June 6, 2001. (Incorporated by reference to Appendix B to our definitive 2001 Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 30, 2001.)**

10.19 
Amendment Number One to the 2001 Henry Schein, Inc. Section 162(m) Cash Bonus Plan, effective as of May 24, 2005. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit B to our definitive 2005 Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed on April 22, 2005.)**

10.20 
Amendment Number Two to the Henry Schein, Inc. Section 162(m) Cash Bonus Plan, effective as of January 1, 2007. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2008 filed on February 24, 2009.)**

10.21 
Amendment Number Three to the Henry Schein, Inc. Section 162(m) Cash Bonus Plan effective as of December 31, 2009. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 27, 2009 filed on August 4, 2009.)**

10.22 
Henry Schein, Inc. 2001 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2002 filed on March 24, 2003.)**

10.23 
Henry Schein, Inc. 2004 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, effective as of May 25, 2004. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit D to our definitive 2004 Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed on April 27, 2004.)**

10.24 
Henry Schein, Inc. Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan, amended and restated effective as of January 1, 2005. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2008 filed on February 24, 2009.)**

10.25 
Henry Schein, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan effective as of January 1, 2011. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2010 filed on February 22, 2011.)**

10.26 
Amendment to the Henry Schein, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan effective as of January 1, 2011.+**

10.27 
Henry Schein Management Team Performance Incentive Plan and Plan Summary, effective as of January 1, 2010. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 27, 2010 filed on May 4, 2010.)**

10.28 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of December 31, 2011 between us and Stanley M. Bergman. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 11, 2011.)**

10.29 
Restricted Stock Unit Agreement pursuant to the Henry Schein, Inc. 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective as of March 27, 2007) (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 11, 2011.)**


Exhibits
 
10.30 
Amended and Restated Letter Agreement effective as of December 11, 2008 between us and Stanley Komaroff. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2008 filed on February 24, 2009.)**

10.31 
Form of Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreements dated December 12, 2008 between us and certain executive officers who are a party thereto (Gerald Benjamin, James Breslawski, Leonard David, Stanley Komaroff, Mark Mlotek, Steven Paladino, Michael Racioppi and Michael Zack, respectively). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2008 filed on February 24, 2009.)**

10.32 
Form of Amendment to Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreements effective January 1, 2012 between us and certain executive officers who are a party thereto (Gerald Benjamin, James Breslawski, Leonard David, Stanley Komaroff, Mark Mlotek, Steven Paladino, Michael Racioppi and Michael Zack, respectively). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 20, 2012.)**

10.33 
Credit Agreement among us, the several lenders parties thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and HSBC Bank USA, N.A., UniCredit Markets and Investment Banking, acting through Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG, New York Branch and The Bank of New York Mellon, as co-syndication agents, dated as of September 5, 2008. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 26, 2011 filed on May 3, 2011.)*

10.34 
Amendment dated November 29, 2009 to the Credit Agreement among us, the several lenders parties thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and HSBC Bank USA, N.A., The Bank of New York Mellon, and UniCredit Markets and Investment Banking, acting through Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG, New York Branch, as co-syndication agents, dated as of September 5, 2008. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 26, 2011 filed on May 3, 2011.)*

10.35 
Second Amendment dated August 9, 2010 to the Credit Agreement among us, the several lenders parties thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and HSBC Bank USA, N.A., The Bank of New York Mellon, and UniCredit Markets and Investment Banking, acting through Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG, New York Branch, as co-syndication agents, dated as of September 5, 2008. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2010 filed on February 22, 2011.)

10.36 
Third Amendment dated October 29, 2010 to the Credit Agreement among us, the several lenders parties thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and HSBC Bank USA, N.A., The Bank of New York Mellon, and UniCredit Markets and Investment Banking, acting through Bayerische Hypo- und Vereinsbank AG, New York Branch, as co-syndication agents, dated as of September 5, 2008. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2010 filed on February 22, 2011.)

10.37 
Credit Agreement among Butler Animal Health Supply, LLC, the several lenders parties thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, dated as of December 31, 2009. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the fiscal quarter ended March 26, 2011 filed on August 3, 2011.)*
 
 
Exhibits
 
10.38 
First Amendment dated December 21, 2010 to the Credit Agreement among Butler Animal Health Supply, LLC, the several lenders parties thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, dated as of December 31, 2009. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 26, 2011 filed on May 3, 2011.)*

10.39 
Second Amendment dated May 27, 2011 to the Credit Agreement among Butler Animal Health Supply, LLC, the several lenders parties thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, dated as of December 31, 2009. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 25, 2011 filed on August 2, 2011.)

10.40 
Omnibus Agreement, dated November 29, 2009, by and among Henry Schein, Inc., National Logistics Services, LLC, Winslow Acquisition Company, Butler Animal Health Holding Company LLC, Butler Animal Health Supply, LLC, Oak Hill Capital Partners II, L.P., Oak Hill Capital Management Partners II, L.P., W.A. Butler Company, Burns Veterinary Supply, Inc. and certain other persons party thereto. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 30, 2009.)

10.41 
Amendment No. 1 to the Omnibus Agreement, dated December 31, 2009, by and between Henry Schein, Inc. and Butler Animal Health Holding Company LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 4, 2010.)

10.42 
Put Rights Agreement, dated December 31, 2009, by and among Henry Schein, Inc., Burns Veterinary Supply, Inc. and Butler Animal Health Holding Company, LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 4, 2010.)

10.43 
First Amendment dated December 1, 2010 to Put Rights Agreement among Henry Schein, Inc., Burns Veterinary Supply, Inc. and Butler Animal Health Holding Company, LLC. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2010 filed on February 22, 2011.)
 
21.1 
List of our Subsidiaries.+
 
23.1 
Consent of BDO USA, LLP.+
 
31.1 
Certification of our Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.+

31.2 
Certification of our Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.+

32.1 
Certification of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.+


 
Exhibits
 
101.INS 
XBRL Instance Document***

101.SCH 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document***

101.CAL 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document***

101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document***

101.LAB 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document***

101.PRE 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document***

_________
+        Filed herewith.
*        Pursuant to a request for confidential treatment, portions of this Exhibit have been redacted from the publicly filed document and have been furnished separately to the Securities and Exchange Commission as required by Rule 24b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
**      Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or agreement.
*** 
This exhibit will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78r), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such exhibit will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or Securities Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference.
 
 
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