Monday, April 5, 2010

Attention Shoppers, There are Deals to be Had

Recently, one of our industry sources mentioned rumor was circulating that Amedica was evaluating some of the early-growth stage companies in hope of acquiring hardware that would compliment their silicon nitride Valeo portfolio. Regardless whether there is truth, it really got me thinking about the industry as a whole and what has transpired over the past five years. In many respects there is a major shift in what the future will hold for many of us, and which technology will set a precedent for future ventures. Let's face it, "me too" products no longer are attracting investors, considering that there is "mucho dineros" sitting out there looking for the right investment.

The recent economic downturn has reigned in over investing, and decreased risk taking into many ventures that have done nothing but glut the industry with products that are really not changing the outcomes. No need to elaborate on those products since most of our readers know what they are. Many of these companies thought that by designing and manufacturing a product, they were going to be acquired because their design was better. Many of those features were and are insignificant. Just because you designed it doesn't mean its good or that it is worth something. Yes, many of you will argue that you still generate revenue, but TSB must ask how? By brokering a surgeon? By signing a consultant? By enlisting a surgeon investor? Investor due diligence usually sniffs out those deals.

As pricing continues to effect revenue, many of these so called "other" companies are becoming vulnerable to competitive pricing, in addition to finding newer ways to expand market share. In many respects it's a Mexican standoff. The company, the distributor and the hospital. These companies have been looking to de-leverage themselves by cutting commissions in addition to laying people off, while needing the distributor to be interested in these products. The distributor on the other hand is looking to maximize their profitability by getting the most for their service and potentially their surgeon , and then we have the hospitals which have become smarter, squeezing the market for every dollar that they can, or, even capitating price per construct. So the only alternative to survival is to either rely on their investing surgeons, or their surgeon consultants, or cut back door deals with distributors. Many of these companies are surviving on commercial paper rolling over their line of credit to the best of their ability.

Years ago the early-growth stage mantra was that smaller companies moved quicker, were more responsive and addressed the surgeons needs. That argument has fallen to the wayside. What once worked is falling on deaf ears. Another problem that these organizations face is that many executives continue to pay themselves salaries that are equivalent to working for a legacy company. It reminds one of the Wall Street brokers that looted the system only to bring it to the precipice of disaster. Unfortunately, the government will not be there to bail out these companies when they meet their destiny.

The potential payback will be limited. Therefore, if you were in it to win it, you're now in it for the long haul. Based on the preliminary backlash to Obamacare, the days of 100% growth and a quick flip are over. So, yes fellow readers, even if Amedica is in the market the question that must be asked is, will they set another ridiculous precedent if they buy some hardware to compliment their product portfolio? TSB wants to know if our readers have heard any scuttle butt on the street?

11 comments:

  1. I'm sure it was the rumor of the hour, but I heard they were looking at US Spine. OMG

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  2. I hear globus is about to proceed with an ipo, what kind of market cap do you think they get with 250 million in sales. what do they have that is truly differentiating. nuvasive at least has xlif. i would love to hear some estimates from folks who have a pulse on these companies.

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  3. Globus has been promising an IPO for years. They've given out so many shares to their employees and distributors that they'll be worthless when they do go public. Good Luck.

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  4. Anonymous 1:58

    We would much more information on the current cap structure such as EBITDA etc., its tough to gauge their market cap just from sales.

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  5. I am curious where you get your information on salaries of small private companies? You said "pay themselves salaries that are equivalent to working for a legacy company". Who is making huge salaries to lead these small companies? I am sure that a lot of CEO's for small companies could work for a legacy company as a regional manager and make more.

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  6. I assume you are not attending the SOLAS meeting this week. Any news/thoughts about this? Thanks! Love your blog.

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  7. 6:23 am I know that the CEO of a very small spine company that had just a "novel" pedicle screw, distributed another company's peek and finally has a cervical plate, was paying himself over 300K... on the other hand, I know that the CEO of another small start up hasn't taken a salary since Jan 2009. I know of a distibutor that was making over 750K per year, but now is doing six and half years in the federal prison system...

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  8. 10:24 - A CEO being paid 300K is very reasonable, the CEO that takes no salary probably made it big on another venture and has the flexibility to do that for more equity, and I am sure that the distributor isn't in federal prison for making over 750K but rather because of how he made the money.

    Small company or big, it is the BOD decision as to how much money a CEO will make. They don't set their own pay scale. If they do, its probably a ma and pa shop and you should run away anyway.

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  9. A CEO being paid 300K at an early growth stage company is ridiculous considering that many of these individuals have little or no experience. Since when did we start on the job training for CEO's? Then you wonder why some of these fly by night companies have evaporated into thin air. Get serious, a $12 million dollar company is not a $120 million dollar venture. Everything is relative. Maybe it says something about BOD or how inexperienced these charlatans really are.

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  10. TSB, interested in your thoughts about this article...

    http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20100406/hl_hsn/complexspinaloperationssoardespitedrawbacks

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  11. Articles makes no mention of success rates in spite of complications. Just a smear campaign.

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