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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT of 1934
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For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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Commission File Number 000-30833
BRUKER CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
Incorporation or organization)
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04-3110160
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
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40 Manning Road, Billerica, MA
(Address of principal executive offices)
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01821
(Zip Code)
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Registrant's
telephone number, including area code:
(978) 663-3660
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of Each Class
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Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
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Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
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The Nasdaq Global Select Market
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Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) 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
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No
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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
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No
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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
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No
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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
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No
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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 the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment
to this Form 10-K.
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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:
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Large accelerated filer
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Accelerated filer
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Non-accelerated filer
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(do not check if smaller reporting company)
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Smaller reporting company
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Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes
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No
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The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2009 (the last
business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was $475,443,866, based on the reported last sale price on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. This amount excludes an
aggregate of 112,744,010 million shares of common stock held by officers and directors and each person known by the registrant to own 10% or more of the outstanding common stock of the registrant as
of June 30, 2009. Exclusion of shares held by any person should not be construed to indicate that such person possesses the power, direct or indirect, to direct or cause the direction of
management or policies of the registrant, or that such person is controlled by or under common control with the registrant. The number of shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding as of
March 8, 2010 was 164,469,556.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The information required by Part III of this report (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) is incorporated by reference from
Bruker Corporation's definitive Proxy Statement for its 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
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BRUKER CORPORATION
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Any
statement contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning
of Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. Without limiting the foregoing, the words believes, anticipates, plans, expects, seeks, estimates, should and similar expressions are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations, but are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. The factors
that could cause actual future results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to adverse changes in the global economy and
volatility in the capital markets, the integration of businesses we have acquired or may acquire in the future, changing technologies, product development and market acceptance of our products, the
cost and pricing of our products, manufacturing, competition, dependence on collaborative partners and key suppliers, capital spending and government funding policies, changes in governmental
regulations, intellectual property rights, litigation, exposure to foreign currency fluctuations and other factors, many of which are described in more detail in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K under Item 1A. "Risk Factors" and from time to time
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in
other filings we may make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. While the Company may elect to update forward-looking statements in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do
so, even if the Company's estimates change, and readers should not rely on those forward-looking statements as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of the filing of
this report.
References
to "we," "us," "our" or the "Company" refer to Bruker Corporation and, in some cases, its subsidiaries, as well as all predecessor entities.
Our
principal executive offices are located at 40 Manning Road, Billerica, MA 01821, and our telephone number is (978) 663-3660. Information about Bruker Corporation
is available at
www.bruker.com
. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into and does not form a part of this report. All
trademarks, trade names or copyrights referred to in this report are the property of their respective owners.
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PART I
ITEM 1.
BUSINESS
Our Business
We are a global manufacturer of scientific instruments that address the rapidly evolving needs of a diverse array of customers in life
science, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and molecular diagnostics research, as well as in materials and chemical analysis in various industries and government applications. Our core technology
platforms include X-ray technologies, magnetic resonance technologies, mass spectrometry technologies, optical emission spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy
technologies. We also manufacture and distribute a broad range of field analytical systems for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives, or CBRNE, detection. We also develop and
manufacture low temperature and high temperature superconducting wire and superconducting devices for use in advanced magnet technology, physics research, and energy applications. We maintain major
technical and manufacturing centers in Europe, North America, and Japan, and we have sales offices located throughout the world. Our corporate headquarters are located in Billerica, Massachusetts.
Strategy and Competitive Strengths
Our business strategy is to capitalize on our ability to innovate, generating rapid revenue growth, both organically and through
acquisitions. If we can execute on this strategy while improving our gross margins and effectively leveraging our research and development, sales and marketing and distribution investments, and
general and administrative expenses, we believe we will enhance our operating margins and improve our earnings in the future.
Our
key competitive strengths include our:
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broad product and service offerings in the markets we serve;
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commitment to innovative, reliable, and performance-leading products and solutions for our customers;
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premier global brand;
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extensive intellectual property portfolio; and
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global manufacturing, distribution, and logistics networks.
In
the current global economic environment, we believe we benefit from our broad product portfolio, including our new product introductions. We also believe, through our relationships
with government, academic, and not-for-profit customers, we may benefit from government economic stimulus programs enacted to provide funding for investment in a variety of
industries, including life science research and development.
Business Segments
On February 26, 2008, we completed our acquisition of Bruker BioSpin. Both Bruker Corporation and Bruker BioSpin were majority
owned by six affiliated stockholders prior to the acquisition. As a result, the acquisition of Bruker BioSpin is considered a combination of companies under common control and has been accounted for
at historical carrying values. Historical consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations, statements of cash flows, and notes to the consolidated financial statements have been restated by
combining the historical audited consolidated financial statements of Bruker Corporation with those of Bruker BioSpin.
We
are organized into five operating segments: Bruker AXS, Bruker BioSpin, Bruker Daltonics, Bruker Optics, and Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies, or BEST. Bruker AXS is in
the business of designing, manufacturing, and distributing advanced X-ray, spark optical emission spectroscopy, or
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spark-OES,
and atomic force microscopy, or AFM, instrumentation used in molecular, materials, and elemental analysis. Bruker BioSpin is in the business of manufacturing and distributing
life science tools based on magnetic resonance technology. Bruker Daltonics is in the business of designing, manufacturing, and distributing life-science mass spectrometry instruments and
solutions for proteomics, metabolomics, and clinical research applications. Bruker Daltonics also designs, manufactures, and distributes various analytical instruments for CBRNE detection. Bruker
Optics is in the business of designing, manufacturing, and distributing research, analytical, and process analysis instruments and solutions based on infrared and Raman molecular spectroscopy
technologies.
Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies is in the business of developing and producing low temperature superconducting wire used primarily in magnetic resonance technologies,
high-energy physics and nuclear fusion research magnet applications, and high temperature superconductors for use in energy and other applications, as well as superconducting devices for
these same markets.
In
2009, we acquired a business engaged in developing and manufacturing superconducting devices and other advanced technologies for alternative energy research. Following this
acquisition management reevaluated its reportable segments and determined, based on the changes in the organizational structure, our business consists of two reportable segments. For financial
reporting purposes, we combine the Bruker AXS, Bruker BioSpin, Bruker Daltonics, and Bruker Optics operating segments into the Scientific Instruments reporting segment because each has similar
economic characteristics, product processes and services, types and classes of customers, methods of distribution, and regulatory environments. As such, management reports its financial results based
on the following segments:
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Scientific Instruments.
The operations of this segment
include the design, manufacture, and distribution of advanced instrumentation and automated solutions based on X-ray technology, spark-OES technology, atomic force microscopy,
magnetic resonance technology, mass spectrometry technology and infrared and Raman molecular spectroscopy technology. Typical customers of the Scientific Instruments segment include pharmaceutical,
biotechnology, and diagnostic companies; academic institutions; medical schools; other nonprofit organizations; clinical microbiology laboratories; government departments and agencies; nanotechnology,
semiconductor, chemical, cement, metals, and petroleum companies; and food, beverage and agricultural analysis companies and laboratories.
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Energy & Supercon Technologies.
The operations of
this segment include development and production of low temperature superconducting and high temperature superconducting wires for use in advanced magnet technology and energy applications as well as
electron and ion linear accelerators, superconducting and normal conducting accelerator cavities, other accelerator components, insertion devices, prototype superconducting fault current limiters,
prototype crystal growth magnets, and highly specialized manufacturing services for physics and energy research, and a variety of other scientific applications. Typical customers of the
Energy & Supercon Technologies segment include companies in the medical, power and energy, and processing industries; private and public research and development laboratories in the fields of
fundamental and applied sciences and energy research; and academic institutions and government agencies.
Scientific Instruments Segment
Bruker AXS manufactures and distributes advanced X-ray, spark-OES, and AFM instrumentation used in molecular,
materials, and elemental analysis. Bruker AXS' systems are advanced instruments that use electromagnetic radiation with extremely short wavelengths to determine the characteristics of matter and the
three-dimensional structure of molecules. Using modular platforms, we often combine each of these three technology applications with sample preparation tools, automation, consumables, and data
analysis software. Bruker AXS products, which have particular application in structural proteomics, drug discovery, nanotechnology research, and materials science fields, provide customers with the
ability to determine the three-dimensional structure of specific molecules, such as proteins, and to characterize and determine the composition of materials down to the dimensions used in
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nanotechnology.
Bruker AXS also sells thermal analyzers, which measure the physical characteristics of materials as a function of temperature and can be used in development, production, and
characterization of materials in a variety of industries. Customers of our Bruker AXS division include biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, nanotechnology companies, semiconductor companies,
raw material manufacturers, chemical companies, academic institutions, governmental customers, and other businesses involved in materials analysis.
Bruker
BioSpin manufactures and distributes enabling life science tools based on magnetic resonance technology. Magnetic resonance is a natural phenomenon occurring when a molecule
placed in a magnetic field gives off a signature radio frequency. The signature radio frequency is characteristic of the particular molecule and provides a multitude of precise chemical and structural
information. Depending on the intended application, we market and sell to our customers a magnetic resonance imaging system, known as pre-clinical MRI; a nuclear magnetic resonance system,
known as NMR; or an electron paramagnetic resonance system, known as EPR. Bruker BioSpin's products, which have particular application in structural proteomics, drug discovery, research, and food and
materials science fields, provide customers with the ability to determine the structure, dynamics, and function of specific molecules, such as proteins, and to characterize and determine the
composition of mixtures. Customers of our Bruker BioSpin division include pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic institutions, medical schools, other nonprofit laboratories, and
government agencies, as well as chemical, food and beverage, and polymer companies. Bruker BioSpin also offers high-field OEM MRI magnets to medical device manufacturers.
Bruker
Daltonics manufactures and distributes life-science mass spectrometry instruments that can be integrated and used along with other sample preparation or chromatography
instruments, as well as our CBRNE detection products. Our mass spectrometers are sophisticated devices that measure the mass or weight of a molecule and can provide accurate information on the
identity, quantity, and primary structure of molecules. Mass spectrometrybased solutions often combine advanced mass spectrometry instrumentation; automated sampling and sample
preparation robots; reagent kits and other disposable products, known as "consumables," which are used in conducting tests, or assays; and powerful bioinformatics software. We offer mass spectrometry
systems and integrated solutions for applications in multiple existing and emerging life-science markets, including expression proteomics, clinical proteomics, metabolic and peptide
biomarker profiling, drug discovery and development, molecular diagnostics research, and molecular and systems biology, as well as basic molecular medicine research and clinical microbiology (for
research use only outside the European Union). Customers of our Bruker Daltonics division include pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and diagnostics companies, academic institutions, medical schools,
other nonprofit or for-profit forensics, food/beverage safety, environmental and clinical microbiology laboratories, and government departments and agencies. We are also a worldwide leader
in supplying various systems based on mass spectrometry, ion mobility spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, and radiological/nuclear detectors for CBRNE detection in emergency response, homeland
security, and defense applications.
Bruker
Optics manufactures and distributes research, analytical, and process analysis instruments and solutions based on infrared and Raman molecular spectroscopy technologies. These
products are utilized in industry, government, and academia for a wide range of applications and solutions for life science, pharmaceutical analysis, food and agricultural analysis in research and
development, quality control, and process analysis applications. Infrared and Raman spectroscopy are widely used in both research and industry as simple, rapid, nondestructive, and reliable techniques
for applications ranging from basic sample identification and quality control to advanced research. Bruker Optics utilizes Fourier transform and the dispersive Raman measurement techniques on an
extensive range of laboratory and process spectrometers. Infrared spectroscopy is a type of absorption spectroscopy that uses the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum. The Bruker Optics
product line is complemented by a wide range of sampling accessories and techniques, which include microanalysis,
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high-throughput
screening, and many others, to help users find suitable solutions to analyze their samples effectively.
Energy & Supercon Technologies Segment
Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies develops, manufactures and sells superconducting and normal conducting materials and
devices for a variety of commercial and scientific applications. Our products include specialty magnets, synchrotron beamline instruments, X-ray and laboratory systems, insertion devices,
turnkey linear and compact circular accelerators, normal and superconducting accelerator radio frequency, or rf, cavities, rf power couplers, electron and ion sources, beam diagnostic instrumentation
and particle beamlines, and other specialized products for use in manufacturing and research. In addition, BEST manufactures and sells conventional low-temperature superconducting, or LTS,
wire and both first-generation bismuth strontium calcium copper oxide, or 1G BSCCO, and second-generation yttrium barium copper oxide, or 2G YBCO, high-temperature superconductor, or HTS,
materials and HTS-enabled devices. These products are designed to provide energy efficient, reliability
enhancing solutions for our customers in established markets such as healthcare and life science research and diagnostics, nuclear and basic energy science and high energy physics and fusion research.
BEST is also developing superconducting materials and superconductor-enabled devices for applications both in existing markets and in emerging markets for alternative energy and smart grid
infrastructure development applications and clean technology, or cleantech, tools for industrial processes. Customers of our BEST division include manufacturers of healthcare and life sciences
diagnostic and research tools, power and energy companies, industrial manufacturers, private and public research facilities and development laboratories in the fields of applied sciences, energy
research, biotechnology and proteomics, and academic institutions and government agencies. BEST has developed and tested a single module of a prototype inductive superconducting fault current limiter,
or iSFCL, designed to enhance power grid reliability, and is also developing prototype crystal growth magnets for semiconductor and photovoltaic manufacturing applications.
Products and Solutions
We believe that our products and solutions offer the following advantages to our customers:
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high performance and specificity;
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integrated solutions for specific applications;
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reliability and increased productivity;
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high-quality results; and
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cost-efficiency.
Scientific Instruments Segment
Bruker AXS' X-ray systems integrate powerful detectors with advanced X-ray sources, computer-controlled
positioning systems, sample handling devices, and data collection and analysis software to acquire, analyze and manage elemental and molecular information. These integrated solutions address many of
the matter characterization and structure needs of the life science, pharmaceutical, semiconductor, raw materials, and research industries across a broad range of applications. We provide
high-speed, sensitive systems for a variety of areas, including three-dimensional structure determination, protein crystal screening, and molecular structure determination for the
structural proteomics market as well as the small molecule drug discovery market. Additionally, we provide high-speed, automated systems for elemental analysis as well as
high-throughput, cost-effective systems for other areas, including combinatorial screening. We also sell other systems, such as thermal analyzers, which measure the physical
characteristics of materials as a function of temperature and can be used in development, production, and characterization of materials in a variety of industries. During 2009, we added to the
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Bruker
AXS product line with the introduction of several new products, including a faster and more powerful benchtop X-ray diffraction, or XRD, system, a simultaneous wavelength-dispersive
X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, and a 'plug-and-play' high-performance XRD system.
Bruker
AXS X-ray systems are based on the following technology platforms:
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XRD
Polycrystalline X-ray diffraction, often
referred to as X-ray diffraction;
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XRF
X-ray fluorescence, also called
X-ray spectrometry, including handheld XRF systems;
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SC-XRD
Single crystal X-ray
diffraction, often referred to as X-ray crystallography;
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MA
X-ray microanalysis;
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Elemental Analysis
Optical emission spectroscopy for carbon,
sulfur, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen (CS/ONH) metals analysis; and
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AFM
Atomic force microscopy for high-resolution
imaging of surface topography.
XRD
systems investigate polycrystalline samples or thin films with single wavelength X-rays. The atoms in the polycrystalline
sample scatter the X-rays to create a unique diffraction pattern recorded by a detector. Computer software processes the pattern and produces a variety of information, including stress,
texture, qualitative and quantitative phase composition, crystallite size, percent crystallinity and layer thickness, composition, defects, and density of thin films and semiconductor material. Our
XRD systems combine modular, high-precision and high-quality ergonomic designs with broad applications for use in basic research and industrial process control. Our XRD systems
contribute to a reduction in the development cycles for new products in the catalyst, polymer, electronic, optical material, and semiconductor industries. Customers also use our XRD systems for
analyses in a variety of other fields, including forensics, art, and archaeology.
XRF
systems determine the elemental composition of a material and provide a full qualitative and quantitative analysis. Our XRF systems
direct X-rays at a sample, and the atoms in the sample absorb the X-ray energy. The elements in the sample then emit X-rays that are characteristic for each
element. The system collects the X-rays, and the software analyzes the resulting data to determine the elements that are present. Our XRF products provide automated solutions on a
turn-key basis in response to the industrial marketplace demand for automated, controlled production processes that reduce product and process cost, increase output, and improve product
quality. Our XRF products cover substantially all of the periodic table and can analyze solid, powder, or liquid samples. In addition, our XRF products require minimal sample preparation.
SC-XRD
systems determine the three-dimensional structures of molecules in a chemical, mineral, or biological substance being
analyzed. SC-XRD systems have the capability to determine structure in both small chemical molecules and larger biomolecules. SC-XRD systems direct an X-ray beam at
a solid, single crystal sample. The atoms in the crystal sample scatter the X-rays to create a precise diffraction pattern recorded by an electronic detector. Software then reconstructs a
model of the structure and provides the unique arrangement of the atoms in the sample. This information on the exact arrangement of atoms in the sample is a critical part of molecular analysis and can
provide insight into a variety of areas, including how a protein functions or interacts with a second molecule. Our SC-XRD systems combine high sensitivity and rapid data collection to
quickly generate accurate structures for use in the life sciences industry, academic research, and a variety of other applications.
MA
systems analyze the chemical composition of materials under investigation in electron microscopes by utilizing the fact that atoms of
different chemical elements, when exposed to the high energy electron beam generated by the microscope, irradiate X-rays of different, characteristic energy. The evaluation of the energy
spectrum collected by an energy dispersive X-ray detector allows the determination of the qualitative and quantitative chemical sample composition at the current beam position. This
technique provides high spatial resolution since the information is obtained from a small
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sample
volume on the order of only a few microns. MA systems allow for simultaneous analysis of all elements in the periodic table, beginning with atomic number 4 (beryllium). Our MA systems
are used for a wide range of applications including nanotechnology and advanced materials research, as well as materials analysis and quality control. Customers for MA systems include industrial
customers, academia, and government research facilities.
Elemental Analysis
systems, including spark-OES and CS/ONH instruments, are used for analyzing metals. Spark-OES
instruments cover a broad range of applications for metals analysis from pure metals trace analysis to high alloyed grades, and allow for analysis of a complete range of relevant elements
simultaneously. Spark-OES instruments pass an electric spark onto a sample, which burns the surface of the sample and causes atoms to jump to a higher orbit. Our detectors quantify the
light emitted by these atoms and help our customers to determine the elemental composition of the material. This technique is widely used in production control laboratories of foundries and steel
mills. CS/ONH systems incorporate a furnace, infrared detection and gas infusion techniques to analyze inorganic and organic materials for the determination of carbon, sulfur, nitrogen and oxygen, as
well as other elements. Combustion analyzers are used for applications in metal production and processing, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, ceramics and cement, coal processing and oil refining, and
semiconductors.
AFM
is relevant for applications in materials research, including semiconductors, data storage, electronic materials, solar cells,
polymers, and catalysts. AFM is a well-established method for ultra-high spatial resolution surface imaging and the characterization of surfaces down to atomic dimensions.
Bruker
BioSpin systems integrate a radio frequency source and transmitter, one or more sensitive detectors, a magnet sized for the particular application, and operating and analysis
software to acquire and analyze radio frequency signatures that are given off when a molecule is placed in a magnetic field. These systems address many of the matter characterization needs of the
pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and also have applications in advanced materials research, materials analysis, and quality control. During 2009, we launched a number of new products into
the Bruker BioSpin product line, including three ultra-high field NMR magnets and the first solid-state dynamic nuclear polarization NMR spectrometer offering greater than 50 times signal
enhancement for the study of bio-solids.
Bruker
BioSpin magnetic resonance systems are based on the following technology platforms:
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NMR
Nuclear magnetic resonance;
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MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging; and
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EPR
Electron paramagnetic resonance.
NMR
is a qualitative and quantitative analytical technique that is used to determine the molecular structure and purity of a sample.
Molecules are placed in a magnetic field and give off a radio frequency, or rf, signature that is recorded by a sensitive detector. Analysis software helps to determine the molecular structure of the
sample. The NMR technique is used in academia, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and by other industrial users in life science and material science research.
MRI
is a process of creating an image from the manipulation of hydrogen atoms in a magnetic field. In the presence of an external magnetic
field, atoms will align with or against the external magnetic field. Application of a radio frequency causes the atoms to jump between high and low energy states. MRI and magnetic resonance
spectroscopy, or MRS, include many methods including diffusion-weighted, perfusion-weighted, molecular imaging, and contrast-enhance. Customers use our MRI systems in pharmaceutical research,
including metabonomics, to study a number of diseases including degenerative joint diseases, oncology, and cardiovascular disorders.
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EPR
is a process of absorption of microwave radiation by paramagnetic ions or molecules with at least one unpaired electron that spins in
the presence of a static magnetic field. EPR detects unpaired electrons unambiguously, whereas other techniques can only provide indirect evidence of their presence. In addition, EPR can identify the
paramagnetic species that are detected, which present information on the molecular structure near the unpaired electron and give insight into dynamic processes such as molecular motions or fluidity.
Our EPR instruments are used for a wide range of applications including advanced materials research, materials analysis, and quality control.
Bruker
Daltonics has developed a suite of mass spectrometry instruments that address a wide range of life sciences applications. Mass spectrometry is the method of choice for primary
structure analysis, including the determination of amino acid sequence and post-translational modifications and protein quantification. As a result, mass spectrometry is a key enabling
technology of the expression proteomics laboratory. Mass spectrometers are also increasingly used for the discovery of peptide, protein, or metabolite biomarkers and panels or patterns of biomarkers.
These biomarkers can be used for toxicity screening or to assess drug efficacy in pre-clinical trials in pharmaceutical drug development. They are also used in clinical research and
validation studies in an effort to develop the emerging field of protein molecular diagnostics. Over the past 15 years, mass spectrometry has emerged as a powerful research tool in the life
sciences. For example, mass spectrometers can determine the identity, amount, structure, sequence, and other biological properties of small molecules, such as drug candidates and metabolites, as well
as large biomolecules, such as proteins and DNA. During 2009, we expanded the Bruker Daltonics product line with the launch of three new mass spectrometry platforms.
Bruker
Daltonics' life science solutions are based on the following technology platforms:
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MALDI-TOF
Matrix-assisted laser desorption
ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, including tandem time-of-flight systems (MALDI-TOF/TOF);
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ESI-TOF
Electrospray ionization
time-of-flight spectrometry, including tandem mass spectrometry systems based on ESI-quadrupole-TOF mass spectrometry
(ESI-Q-q-TOF);
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FTMS
Fourier transform mass spectrometry, including hybrid
systems with a quadrupole front end (Q-q-FTMS); and
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ITMS
Ion trap mass spectrometry.
MALDI-TOF
mass spectrometers utilize an ionization process to analyze solid samples using a laser that combines high sample
throughput with high mass range and sensitivity. Our MALDI-TOF mass spectrometers are particularly useful for applications in clinical diagnostics, environmental and taxonomical research,
and food processing and quality control. Specific applications include: (a) oligonucleotide and synthetic polymer analysis; (b) protein identification and quantification;
(c) peptide de novo sequencing; (d) determination of post-translational modifications of proteins; (e) interaction proteomics and protein function analysis;
(f) drug discovery and development; and (g) fast body fluid and tissue peptide or protein biomarker detection. MALDI mass spectrometry allows users to classify and identify
microorganisms quickly and reliably using high throughput. This robust technology requires minimal sample preparation efforts and life cycle costs. Our MALDI Biotyper solution enables identification,
taxonomical classification, or dereplication of microorganisms like bacteria, yeasts, and fungi.
ESI-TOF
mass spectrometers utilize an electrospray ionization process to analyze liquid samples. This ionization process,
which does not dissociate the molecules, allows for rapid data acquisition and analysis of large biological molecules. ESI-TOF mass spectrometers are particularly useful for:
(a) identification, protein analysis and functional complex analysis in proteomics and protein function; (b) molecular identification in metabonomics, natural product and drug metabolite
analysis; (c) combinatorial chemistry high throughput screening; and (d) fast liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, or liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC/MS), in drug
discovery and development.
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FTMS
systems utilize high-field superconducting magnets to offer the highest resolution, selectivity, and mass accuracy
currently achievable in mass spectrometry. Our systems based on this technology often eliminate the need for time-consuming separation techniques in complex mixture analyses. In addition,
our systems can fragment molecular ions to perform exact mass analysis on all fragments to determine molecular structure. FTMS systems are particularly useful for: (a) the study of structure
and function of biomolecules including proteins, DNA, and natural products;
(b) complex mixture analysis including body fluids or combinatorial libraries; (c) high-throughput proteomics and metabonomics; and (d) top-down proteomics
of intact proteins without the need for enzymatic digestion of the proteins prior to analysis. We offer next-generation hybrid FTMS systems that combine a traditional external quadrupole
mass selector and hexapole collision cell, with a high-performance FTMS for further ion dissociation, top-down proteomics tools, and ultra-high resolution
detection.
ITMS
systems collect all ions simultaneously, which improves sensitivity relative to previous quadrupole mass spectrometers. Ion trap mass
spectrometers are particularly useful for: (a) sequencing and identification based on peptide structural analysis; (b) quantitative liquid chromatographymass spectrometry;
(c) identification of combinatorial libraries; and (d) generally enhancing the speed and efficiency of the drug discovery and development process.
We
sell a wide range of portable analytical and bioanalytical detection systems and related products for CBRNE detection. Our customers use these devices for nuclear, biological agent
and chemical agent defense applications, anti-terrorism, law enforcement, and process and facilities monitoring. Our CBRNE detection products use many of the same technology platforms as
our life science products, as well as additional technologies, including infrared remote detection and ion mobility spectrometry for handheld chemical detectors. We also provide integrated,
comprehensive detection suites that include our multiple detection systems, consumables, training, and simulators.
Bruker
Optics' research, analytical, and process analysis instruments are based on infrared (or IR), near-infrared (or NIR), Raman, and time-domain nuclear
magnetic resonance (or TD-NMR), spectroscopy. Bruker Optics utilizes Fourier Transform (FT-IR, FT-NIR, and FT-Raman) and the dispersive Raman
measurement techniques on an extensive range of laboratory and process spectrometers. Infrared spectroscopy is a type of absorption spectroscopy that uses the infrared part of the electromagnetic
spectrum. Raman spectroscopy relies on the Raman scattering of a monochromatic light that yields similar and complementary analytical information. Infrared and Raman spectroscopy are widely used in
both research and industry as simple, rapid, nondestructive, and reliable techniques for applications ranging from basic sample identification and quality control to advanced research. The Bruker
Optics product line is complemented by a wide range of sampling accessories and techniques, which include microanalysis, high-throughput screening, and many others, to help users find the
best solution to analyze their samples effectively. During 2009, we expanded the Bruker Optics product line with a number of new products targeted at pharmaceutical monitoring and production control.
Bruker
Optics systems are based on the following technology platforms:
-
-
FT-IR
Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy;
-
-
NIR
Near-infrared spectroscopy; and
-
-
Raman
Raman spectroscopy.
FT-IR
is a spectroscopic method that utilizes the mid- and far-infrared regions of the electromagnetic
spectrum. It is a very popular molecular spectroscopy technique that is commonly used for various quality control and materials research applications.
NIR
is a spectroscopic method that utilizes the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. This technique is
heavily utilized for quality and process control applications in the pharmaceutical, food/agriculture, and chemical industries. The pharmaceutical industry is the leading user of NIR instruments, and
applications include quality control, research and development, and
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process
analytical technology. The food and agricultural industry is the second largest user of NIR instrumentation, with an increasing demand for food, forage, and beverage quality control.
Raman
spectroscopy is the measurement of the wavelength and intensity of inelastically scattered light. The Raman scattered light occurs
at wavelengths that are shifted from the incident light by the energies of molecular vibrations. Like infrared spectroscopy (IR), the Raman spectrum provides information on molecular structure. The
mechanism of Raman scattering is different from that of infrared absorption, in that Raman and IR spectra provide complementary information. Raman is useful for the identification of both organic and
inorganic compounds and functional groups. It is a nondestructive technique, and can be used for the analysis of both liquids and solids. Raman is well suited for use in the polymer and pharmaceutical
industries, and has applications in the metals, electronics, and semiconductors industries. The technique also has applications in life sciences, forensics, and artwork authentication.
Energy & Supercon Technologies Segment
Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies is a leader in the development and manufacturing of superconducting and normal conducting
rf cavities and systems, linear accelerators, and special products for physics and energy research, as well as superconducting devices, specialty magnets, circular accelerators, vacuum systems, and
X-ray and particle beamlines. BEST manufactures and sells over 20,000 miles of niobium-titanium and niobium-tin LTS wire annually. BEST is also a leading manufacturer of both
1G BSCCO and 2G YBCO HTS materials and devices, based on its broad HTS technology platform. BEST has developed and tested a single module of a proprietary prototype inductive superconducting fault
current limiter designed to enhance power grid reliability, and offers HTS current leads intended to significantly reduce electrical losses in large industrial and research magnets. Conductors and
components made by BEST are being used by strategic partners to build new generations of compact high-power devices such as HTS motors, generators, cables, and transformers, as well as
high field magnets for medical and research applications. BEST also offers a lightweight conductor for the aviation industry and is also developing prototype crystal growth magnets for semiconductor
and photovoltaic manufacturing applications.
Sales and Marketing
We maintain direct sales forces throughout North America, Europe, Japan, Asia Pacific and Australia. We also utilize indirect sales
channels to reach customers. We have various international distributors, independent sales representatives, and various other representatives in parts of Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. These
entities augment our direct sales force and provide coverage in areas where we do not have direct sales personnel. In addition, we have adopted a distribution business model in which we engage in
strategic distribution alliances with other companies to address certain market segments. The sales cycle for our products is dependent on the size and complexity of the system and budgeting cycles of
our customers. Our sales cycle is typically 3 to 24 months for academic products and 6 weeks to 12 months for industrial products.
We
have well-equipped application and demonstration facilities and qualified application personnel who assist customers and provide product demonstrations in specific
application areas. We maintain our primary demonstration facilities at our production facilities as well as in other key markets.
Customers
We have a broad and diversified global life sciences and advanced and raw materials customer base. Our life science customer base is
composed primarily of end-users and includes pharmaceutical, biotechnology, proteomics, food/feed/agricultural, biotechnology, molecular diagnostics, and fine chemical companies, as well
as commercial laboratories, university laboratories, medical schools, and other not-for-profit research institutions and government laboratories. We sell our X-ray
materials
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research
and infrared Raman molecular spectroscopy solutions to the above customer groups as well as to a number of semiconductor, polymer, automotive, cement, steel, aluminum, and combinatorial
materials design companies. Our customers generally do not have a need to buy numerous systems at one time, and historically we have not depended on any single customer. No single customer accounted
for more than 10% of revenue in any of the last three fiscal years.
Competition
Our existing products and solutions and any products and solutions that we develop in the future may compete in multiple, highly
competitive markets. Many of our potential competitors in these markets have substantially greater financial, technical, and marketing resources than we do. In addition, there has been a trend towards
consolidation in our industry, including Agilent Technologies, Inc.'s pending acquisition of Varian, Inc. and Danaher Corporation's acquisition of an ownership position in the Applied
Biosystems/MDS Sciex joint venture, a mass spectrometry business, and acquisition of Molecular Devices Corporation, an analytical instrumentation company. Our competitors may offer or succeed in
developing products that could render our products or those of our strategic partners obsolete or noncompetitive. In addition, many of these competitors have significantly more experience in the life
sciences and materials markets. Our ability to compete successfully will depend on our ability to develop proprietary products that reach the market in a timely manner and are technologically superior
to and/or less expensive, or more cost effective, than other products marketed by our competitors. Current competitors or other companies may possess or develop technologies and products that are more
effective than ours. Our technologies and products may be rendered obsolete or uneconomical by technological advances or entirely different approaches developed by one or more of our competitors.
We
also compete with other companies that provide analytical or automation tools based on other technologies. These technologies may prove to be more successful in meeting demands in the
markets that our products and solutions serve. In addition, other companies may choose to enter our fields in the future. We believe that the principal competitive factors in our markets are
technology-based
applications expertise, product specifications and functionality, reliability, marketing expertise, distribution capability, proprietary patent portfolios, cost, and cost effectiveness.
Scientific Instruments Segment
Bruker AXS competes with companies that offer analytical X-ray solutions and OES systems, primarily Rigaku (a private
Japanese company), Oxford Instruments (including WAS AG), Thermo Fisher Scientific, Ametek's Spectro division, PANalytical (formerly a division of Philips, now a division of Spectris, a public U.K.
company) and Innov-X. There are also several smaller companies we compete with that specialize in various markets. Bruker BioSpin competes with companies that offer magnetic resonance
spectrometers, mainly Varian, JEOL, and Oxford Instruments. Bruker Daltonics competes with a variety of companies that offer mass spectrometrybased systems. Bruker Daltonics' competitors
in the life sciences area include a division of Danaher Corporation, Agilent, Varian, GE-Healthcare, Waters, Thermo Fisher Scientific (which includes Finnigan), Shimadzu/Kratos, Hitachi,
JEOL, and various other smaller players. Bruker Daltonics' CBRNE detection customers are highly fragmented, and we compete with a number of companies in this area, of which the most significant
competitor is Smith's Detection (located in the U.K.). Bruker Optics competes with a variety of companies that offer molecular spectrometrybased systems, including Thermo Fisher
Scientific, Perkin Elmer, Varian, Foss, ABB Bomem, Renishaw, Buchi, Shimadzu, and Jasco. There are also several smaller companies we compete with, specializing in various markets.
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Energy & Supercon Technologies Segment
Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies competes with a variety of companies in the different markets that it serves, including
Zanon (Italy), Mitsubishi Electric (Japan) and AES Corporation in the development of accelerator cavities; Thales (France), Toshiba (Japan) and CPI International, Inc. in the development of rf
couplers; and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan) in the development of superconducting accelerator modules. Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies also competes with Oxford Scientific
Instruments and Luvata in LTS wire and American Superconductor, Superpower and Fujikura in the development of HTS materials and devices.
Seasonal Nature of Business
We experience highly variable and fluctuating revenues in the first three quarters of the year, while our fourth quarter revenues have
historically been stronger than the rest of the year.
Manufacturing and Supplies
Several of our manufacturing facilities are certified under ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 13485, the most rigorous of the
international quality standards. We manufacture and test our X-ray and OES products at our facilities in Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A.; Karlsruhe, Germany; Berlin, Germany; Kalkar, Germany;
Kennewick, Washington, U.S.A.; and Yokohama, Japan. We manufacture and test our magnetic resonance products at our facilities in Karlsruhe, Germany; Wissembourg, France; Zurich, Switzerland; and
Billerica, Massachusetts, U.S.A. We manufacture and test our mass spectrometry products, including CBRNE detection products, at our facilities in Billerica, Massachusetts, U.S.A.; Bremen, Germany; and
Leipzig, Germany. In addition, we manufacture and test our molecular spectroscopy products at our facilities in Billerica, Massachusetts, U.S.A.; The Woodlands, Texas, U.S.A.; and Ettlingen, Germany.
We manufacture and test the majority of our energy and superconducting products at our facilities in Hanau, Germany; Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; and Perth, Scotland. Manufacturing processes at our
facilities in Germany include all phases of manufacturing, such as machining, fabrication, subassembly, system assembly, and final testing. Our other facilities primarily perform
high-level assembly, system integration, and final testing. We typically insource the manufacturing of critical components to ensure in-house key competence.
We
purchase material and components from various suppliers that are either standard products or built to our specifications. We obtain some of the components included in our products
from a limited group of suppliers or from a single-source supplier for items such as charge coupled device (CCD) area detectors, X-ray tubes, robotics, and infrared optics. Bruker AXS has
an ongoing collaboration and joint development project with the Siemens AG X-ray tube division (now Siemens Medical Solutions Vacuum Technology Division) in Germany for the development of
X-ray tubes. Some Bruker AXS subsidiaries, Bruker Nano GmbH, Bruker Elemental GmbH, and Bruker AXS Handheld Inc., presently procure key X-ray detector
chips and certain OES optical detectors and miniaturized X-ray sources from single-source suppliers.
Research and Development
We commit substantial capital and resources to internal and collaborative research and development projects in order to provide
innovative products and solutions to our customers. We conduct research primarily to enhance system performance and improve the reliability of existing products, and to develop new products and
solutions. We expensed $126.4 million, $133.8 million and $110.8 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, for research and development purposes. Our research and development
efforts are conducted for the relevant products within each of the operating segments, as well as in collaboration on areas such as microfluidics, automation and workflow management software.
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Scientific Instruments Segment
The research and development performed in the Scientific Instruments segment is primarily conducted at our facilities in Karlsruhe,
Bremen, Leipzig, and Ettlingen, Germany; Faellanden, Switzerland; Wissembourg, France; Billerica, Massachusetts, U.S.A.; Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A; and Kennewick, Washington, U.S.A.
Bruker
AXS maintains technical competencies in core X-ray technologies and capabilities, including detectors used to sense X-ray diffraction patterns,
X-ray sources and optics that generate and focus the X-rays, robotics and sample handling equipment that holds and manipulates the experimental material, and software that
generates the structural data. Recent projects include refining next-generation high brilliancy optics and microsources, developing new high-power X-ray sources for
X-ray diffraction and protein crystallography applications, developing a system with combined XRD and Raman technology for applications in high-throughput combinatorial
analysis, developing a new large solid angle, high-resolution, high-throughput energy dispersive X-ray detector for microanalysis, creating a high sensitivity area
detector system, and developing other solution-based technologies and software applications. In the past, Bruker AXS accepted some sponsored research contracts, mainly from private sources.
Bruker
BioSpin maintains technical competencies in core magnetic resonance technologies and capabilities, including MRI, NMR, and EPR. Recent advancements include the development of
compact ultra-high field NMR magnets and the world's first 1 Gigahertz NMR spectrometer. Other recent developments include the development of a 7-tesla whole-body
magnet that was developed as an OEM product for medical imaging suppliers, a joint development with Philips on magnetic particle imaging and a low-cost NMR instrument for routine chemical
analysis and education, called the Fourier 300. Finally, we have continue to develop further applications for our solid state dynamic nuclear polarization device which enables research in biological
solids that are made possible by large signal enhancements. Bruker BioSpin has accepted some sponsored research contracts, primarily from the German government.
Bruker
Daltonics maintains technical competencies in core mass spectrometry technologies and capabilities, including MALDI and ESI ion sources; TOF, TOF/TOF, and MS analyzers;
bioinformatics; and related software. Recent developments include the introduction of three new mass spectrometry platforms. Bruker Daltonics also accepts some sponsored research contracts from
external agencies,
such as government or private sources. Historically, we have been the recipient of government grants from Germany and the United States for various projects related to early-stage research and
development. We have generally retained at least non-exclusive rights to any items or enhancements we develop under these grants. The German government requires that we use and market
technology developed under grants in order to retain our rights to the technology.
Bruker
Optics maintains technical competencies in core vibrational spectroscopy technologies and capabilities, including FT-IR, NIR, and Raman. Recent advancements include an
application to detect counterfeit drugs in conjunction with the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration. Another recent development is the ALPHA FT-IR, which is Bruker Optics' smallest
FT-IR and is based on our patented ROCKSOLID interferometer design. In the past, Bruker Optics has accepted some sponsored research contracts, primarily from the German government.
Energy & Supercon Technologies Segment
The research and development performed in the Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies segment is primarily conducted at our
facilities in Hanau, Bergisch Gladbach and Alzenau, Germany.
Bruker
Energy & Supercon Technologies maintains technical competencies in the production of low and high temperature superconducting wire, as well as electron and ion linear
accelerators, superconducting and normal conducting accelerator cavities, insertion devices, fault current limiters and
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crystal
growth magnets. Recent advancements include the development of superconducting magnets for process technology, especially for the production of monocrystalline silicon for semiconductor and
photovoltaic applications. Another recent development was a successful test of a single module of a 13 million volt-amperes single-phase, shielded-type iSFCL in
cooperation with AREVA's Transmission and Distribution division. In the past, Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies has accepted some sponsored research contracts, from both government and
private sources.
Intellectual Property
Our intellectual property consists of patents, copyrights, trade secrets, know-how, and trademarks. Protection of our
intellectual property is a strategic priority for our business because of the length of time and expense associated with bringing new products through the development process and to the marketplace.
We have a substantial patent portfolio, and we intend to file additional patent applications as appropriate. We believe our owned and licensed patent portfolio provides us with a competitive
advantage. This portfolio permits us to maintain access to a number of key technologies. We license our owned patent rights where appropriate. We intend to enforce our patent rights against
infringers, if necessary. The patent positions of life sciences tools companies involve complex legal and factual questions. As a result, we cannot predict the enforceability of our patents with
certainty. In addition, we are aware of the existence from time to time of patents in certain countries which, if valid, could impair our ability to manufacture and sell products in these countries.
We
also rely upon trade secrets, know-how, trademarks, copyright protection, and licensing to develop and maintain our competitive position. We generally require the
execution of confidentiality agreements by our employees, consultants, and other scientific advisors. These agreements provide that all confidential information made known during the course of a
relationship with us will be held in confidence and used only for our benefit. In addition, these agreements provide that we own all inventions generated during the course of the relationship. Our
management considers Bruker, Bruker Corporation, Bruker BioSciences, Bruker AXS, Bruker BioSpin, Bruker Daltonics, Bruker Optics and Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies to be our material
trademarks.
Government Contracts
We are a party to various government contracts. Under some of these government contracts, the government may receive license or similar
rights to intellectual property developed under the contract. However, under government contracts we enter we generally receive no less than non-exclusive rights to any items or
technologies we develop. Although we transact business with various government agencies, we believe that no government contract is of such magnitude that a renegotiation of profits or termination of
the contract or subcontracts at the election of the government would have a material adverse effect on our financial results.
Government Regulation
We are required to comply with federal, state, and local environmental protection regulations. We do not expect this compliance to have
a significant impact on our capital spending, earnings, or competitive position.
Prior
to introducing a product in the U.S., Bruker AXS provides notice to the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, in the form of a Radiation Safety Abbreviated Report, which provides
identification information and operating characteristics of the product. If the FDA finds that the report is complete, it provides approval in the form of what is known as an accession number. Bruker
AXS may not market a product until it has received an accession number. In addition, Bruker AXS submits an annual report to the FDA that includes the radiation safety history of all products it sells
in the U.S. Bruker AXS is required to report to the FDA incidents of accidental exposure to radiation arising from the manufacture, testing, or use of any of its products. Bruker AXS also reports to
state governments
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which
products it sells in their states. For sales in Germany, Bruker AXS registers each system with the local authorities. In some countries where Bruker AXS sells systems, Bruker AXS uses the
license we obtained from the federal authorities in Germany to assist it in obtaining a license from the country in which the sale occurs. In addition, as indicated above, we are subject to various
other foreign and domestic environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations in connection with our operations. Apart from these areas, we are subject to the laws and regulations generally
applicable to businesses in the jurisdictions in which we operate.
Bruker
AXS possesses low-level radiation materials licenses from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for its facility in Madison, Wisconsin; from the local radiation safety
authority, Gewerbeaufsichtsamt Karlsruhe, for its facility in Karlsruhe, Germany; and from the local radiation safety authority, Kanagawa Prefecture, for its facility in Yokohama, Japan, as well as
from various other countries in which it sells its products. Bruker Daltonics possesses low-level radiation licenses for facilities in Billerica, Massachusetts, and Leipzig, Germany. The
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission also has regulations concerning the exposure of our employees to radiation.
Working Capital Requirements
To effectively operate our business, we are required to hold significant demonstration inventory and systems shipped but not yet
accepted by the customer, or finished goods
in-transit. We recognize revenue from system sales upon customer acceptance. As a result, a significant percentage of our inventory represents systems shipped but not yet accepted by the
customer. Finished goods in-transit are $80.8 million and $91.6 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. We also have well-equipped application
and demonstration facilities and qualified application personnel who assist customers and provide product demonstrations in specific application areas. In total, we held $41.3 million and
$36.7 million of demonstration inventory at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
There
are no credit terms extended to customers that would have a material adverse effect on our working capital.
Employees
As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, we had approximately 4,500 and 4,400 full-time employees worldwide, respectively.
Of these employees, approximately 560 and 550 were located in the United States as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Our employees in the United States are not unionized or
affiliated with any labor organizations. Employees based outside the U.S. are primarily located in Europe. Several of our international subsidiaries are parties to contracts with labor unions and
workers' councils. We believe that we have good relationships with our employees.
As
of December 31, 2009 we had approximately 2,280 full-time and part-time employees in production and distribution, 980 full-time and
part-time employees in selling and marketing and 790 full-time and part-time employees in research and development. As of December 31, 2008 we had
approximately 2,250 full-time and part-time employees in production and distribution, 940 full-time and part-time employees in selling and marketing and
800 full-time and part-time employees in research and development.
Financial Information about Geographic Areas and Segments
Financial information about our geographic areas and segments as required by Item 1 of Form 10-K may be found
in Note 20 to our Financial Statements in this Form 10-K, included as part of Item 8 to this report, which includes information about our revenues from external
customers, measure of profit and total assets by reportable segment.
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Available Information
Our website is located at
www.bruker.com
. We make available free of charge through this
website our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed
with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after
they are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC.
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
The following risk factors should be considered in conjunction with the other information included in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K. This report may include forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. In addition to those risk factors discussed elsewhere in this report, we identify
the following risk factors, which could affect our actual results and cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
A prolonged downturn in global economic conditions may materially adversely affect our business.
Our business and results of operations are affected by international, national and regional economic conditions. The world's financial
markets have experienced extreme disruption in the past year, including, among other things, extreme volatility in security prices, severely diminished liquidity and credit availability, ratings
downgrades of certain investments and declining values of others. These disruptions are likely to have an ongoing adverse impact on the global economy and we are unable to predict the likely duration
and severity of the effect of these disruptions on financial markets, credit availability, and adverse economic conditions throughout the world. These economic developments affect businesses such as
ours and those of our customers in a number of ways that could result in unfavorable consequences to us. A continuing economic downturn in the United
States and elsewhere, or reductions in the level of government funding for scientific research, may cause our current or potential customers to delay or reduce purchases which could, in turn, result
in reductions in sales of our products, materially and adversely affecting our results of operations and cash flows. Volatility and disruption of global financial markets could limit our customers'
ability to obtain adequate financing to maintain operations and proceed with planned or new capital spending initiatives, leading to a reduction in sales volume that could materially and adversely
affect our results of operations and cash flow. In addition, a decline in our customers' ability to pay as a result of the economic downturn may lead to increased difficulties in the collection of our
accounts receivable, higher levels of reserves for doubtful accounts and write-offs of accounts receivable, and higher operating costs as a percentage of revenues.
We may not realize anticipated benefits from global stimulus packages.
Many governments around the world, including the U.S. federal government, have enacted various stimulus packages that are intended to
increase investment and business activity, and in particular to provide funding for life science research, equipment and facilities. Although we believe there is opportunity for Bruker to benefit from
these economic stimulus spending programs, including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, there is no assurance that any of these programs will have a material positive impact on our
revenues and profits. The magnitude and timing of any benefits that we might realize from stimulus funding initiatives are uncertain and are subject to a number of factors beyond our control,
including government appropriations processes in various countries in which we and our customers do business, governmental determinations regarding the allocation of stimulus funds to the academic
institutions, not-for-profit research organizations and businesses that may utilize our products and technologies, the success of our customers in obtaining stimulus grants,
and our customers' decisions to use any stimulus funds they receive to purchase products from us. It is not possible to predict whether or when we will realize benefits from stimulus
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packages
enacted in the U.S. or elsewhere, or what impact, if any, stimulus packages will have on our business, results of operations or financial condition or the trading price of our common stock.
If our products fail to achieve and sustain sufficient market acceptance across their broad intended range of applications, we will not generate expected revenue.
Our business strategy depends on our ability to successfully commercialize a broad range of products based on our core technology
platforms, including X-ray technologies, magnetic resonance technologies, mass spectrometry technologies, vibrational spectroscopy technologies and superconducting magnet technologies for
use in a variety of life science, chemistry and materials analysis applications. Some of our products have only recently been commercially launched and have achieved only limited sales to date. The
commercial success of our products depends on our
obtaining continued and expanding market acceptance of our products by our diverse industrial, academic, medical research and governmental customers around the world. We may fail to achieve or sustain
substantial market acceptance for our products across the full range of our intended applications or in one or more of our principal intended applications. Any such failure could decrease our sales
and revenue. To succeed, we must convince substantial numbers of potential customers to invest in new systems or replace their existing techniques with X-ray, magnetic resonance, mass
spectrometry and vibrational spectroscopy techniques employing our systems. Limited funding available for capital acquisitions by our customers, as well as our customers' own internal purchasing
approval policies, could hinder market acceptance of our products. Our intended customers may be reluctant to make the substantial capital investment generally needed to acquire our products or to
incur the training and other costs involved with replacing their existing systems with our products. We also may not be able to convince our intended customers that our systems are an attractive and
cost-effective alternative to other technologies and systems for the acquisition, analysis and management of molecular information. Because of these and other factors, our products may
fail to gain or sustain market acceptance.
Our products compete in markets that are subject to rapid technological change, and one or more of the technologies underlying our products could be made obsolete by new
technology.
The market for discovery and analysis tools is characterized by rapid technological change and frequent new product introductions.
Rapidly changing technology could make some or all of our product lines obsolete unless we are able to continually improve our existing products and develop new products. Because substantially all of
our products are based on our core technology platforms, including X-ray technologies, magnetic resonance technologies, mass spectrometry technologies, vibrational spectroscopy and
superconducting magnet technologies, we are particularly vulnerable to any technological advances that would make certain of these techniques obsolete as the basis for analytical systems in any of our
markets. To meet the evolving needs of our customers, we must rapidly and continually enhance our current and planned products and services and develop and introduce new products and services. In
addition, our product lines are based on complex technologies which are subject to rapid change as new technologies are developed and introduced in the marketplace. We may have difficulty in keeping
abreast of the rapid changes affecting each of the different markets we serve or intend to serve. If we fail to develop and introduce products in a timely manner in response to changing technology,
market demands or the requirements of our customers, our product sales may decline, and we could experience significant losses.
Our new technologies and product developments may not succeed.
We are currently developing a number of new key technologies and products in all of our divisions, including various new LTS and HTS
superconductors, prototype crystal growth magnets, and prototype superconducting fault current limiters at Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies, new magnet types at Bruker BioSpin, new mass
spectrometry technologies and applications at Bruker Daltonics, and new CBRNE detection products that may not succeed technically, or may not be able to be manufactured
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reliably
and economically. Any technology, product or manufacturing ramp-up failure could decrease our opportunities for additional revenues and increased margins.
If we are unable to make or complete future mergers, acquisitions or strategic alliances as a part of our growth strategy, or integrate recent or future mergers,
acquisitions or strategic alliances, our business development may suffer.
Our strategy potentially includes expanding our technology base through selected mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances. We may
seek to continue to expand our technology base through mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances. If we fail to effect mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances, our technology base may not
expand as quickly and efficiently as possible. Without such complementary growth from selected mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances, our ability to keep up with the evolving needs of the
markets we serve and to meet our future performance goals could be adversely affected. However, we may not be able to find attractive candidates, or enter into mergers, acquisitions or strategic
alliances on terms that are favorable to us, or successfully integrate the operations of companies that we acquire. In addition, we may compete with other companies for these merger, acquisition or
strategic alliance candidates, which could make such a transaction more expensive for us. If we are able to successfully identify and complete a merger, acquisition or strategic alliance, it could
involve a number of risks, including, among others:
-
-
the difficulty of coordinating or consolidating geographically separate organizations and integrating personnel with
different business backgrounds and corporate cultures;
-
-
the difficulty of integrating previously autonomous departments in accounting and finance, sales and marketing,
distribution, and administrative functions, and expanding and integrating information and management systems;
-
-
the diversion of resources and management time;
-
-
the potential disruption of our ongoing business;
-
-
the potential impairment of relationships with customers as a result of changes in management or otherwise arising out of
such transactions; and
-
-
the significantly increased risk of key management or key employees leaving the acquired companies within the first
1-2 years after the acquisition, including the risk that they may compete with us subsequently.
If
we are not able to successfully integrate acquired businesses, we may not be able to realize all of the cost savings and other benefits that we expect to result from the transactions.
Our business could be harmed if our collaborations fail to advance our product development.
Demand for our products will depend in part upon the extent to which our collaborations with pharmaceutical, biotechnology and
proteomics companies are successful in developing, or helping us to develop, new products and new applications for our existing products. In addition, we collaborate with academic institutions and
government research laboratories on product development. We have limited or no control over the resources that any collaborator may devote to our products. Any of our present or future collaborators
may not perform their obligations as expected. If we fail to enter into or maintain appropriate collaboration agreements, or if any of these events occur, we may not be able to develop some of our new
products, which could materially impede our ability to generate revenue or profits.
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We face substantial competition.
We face substantial competition and we expect that competition in all of our markets will increase further. Currently, our principal
competition comes from established companies providing products using existing technologies, including mass spectrometry, X-ray technology, magnetic resonance technologies, optical
emission spectrometry technology, vibrational spectroscopy, CBRNE detection technologies, TD-NMR technologies and other technologies, which perform many of the same functions for which we
market our products. Other companies also may choose to enter our fields in the future. Our competitors may develop or market products that are more effective or commercially attractive than our
current or future products or that may render our products obsolete. Competition has in the past and is likely in the future to subject our products to pricing pressure. Many of our competitors have
more experience in the market and substantially greater financial, operational, marketing and technical resources than we do which could give them a competitive edge in areas such as research and
development, production, marketing and distribution. Our ability to compete successfully will depend, in part, on our ability to develop proprietary products that reach the market in a timely manner
and are technologically superior to, less expensive than, or more cost-effective than, other currently marketed products.
If we are unable to recover significant development costs of one or more of our products or product lines, our business, results of operations and financial condition may
suffer.
We offer and plan to continue to offer a broad product line and incur and expect to continue to incur substantial expenses for the
development of new products and enhanced versions of our existing products. Our business model calls for us to derive a significant portion of our revenues each year from products that did not exist
in the previous two years. However, we may experience difficulties which may delay or prevent the successful development, introduction and marketing of new products or product enhancements. The speed
of technological change in the markets we serve may prevent us from successfully marketing some or all of our products for the length of time required to recover their often significant development
costs. If we fail to recover the development costs of one or more products or product lines, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be harmed.
If we lose our strategic partners, our marketing efforts could be impaired.
A substantial portion of our sales of selected products consists of sales to third parties who incorporate our products in their
systems. These third parties are responsible for the marketing and sales of their systems. We have little or no control over their marketing and sales activities or how they use their resources. Our
present or future strategic partners may or may not purchase sufficient quantities of products from us or perform appropriate marketing and sales activities. In addition, if we are unable to maintain
our relationships with strategic partners, our business may suffer. Failures by our present or future strategic partners, or our inability to maintain or enter into new arrangements with strategic
partners for product distribution, could materially impede the growth of our business and our ability to generate sufficient revenue and profits.
Health care reform in the U.S. could adversely affect our revenue.
President Obama has stated that health care reform in the U.S. is one of his top priorities, and it has recently been a topic of active
discussion and debate. It is too soon to predict what form this reform may take, or whether and when it will happen. However, because many of our products are used for life science and health care
applications, it is possible that health care reform in the U.S. could adversely affect our revenue.
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If general health care spending patterns decline, our ability to generate revenue may suffer.
We are dependent, both directly and indirectly, upon general health care spending patterns, particularly in the research and
development budgets of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, as well as upon the financial condition and funding priorities of various governments and government agencies. Since our
inception, both we and our academic collaborators and customers have benefited from various governmental contracts and research grants. Whether we or our academic collaborators will continue to be
able to attract these grants depends not only on the quality of our products, but also on general spending patterns of public institutions.
Any reduction in the capital resources or government funding of our customers could reduce our sales and impede our ability to generate revenue.
A significant portion of our sales are capital purchases by our customers. The spending policies of our customers could have a
significant effect on the demand for our products. These policies are based on a wide variety of factors, including the resources available to make purchases, the spending priorities among various
types of equipment, policies regarding spending during
recessionary periods and changes in the political climate. Any changes in capital spending or changes in the capital budgets of our customers could significantly reduce demand for our products. The
capital resources of our life science and other corporate customers may be limited by the availability of equity or debt financing. Any significant decline in research and development expenditures by
our life science customers could significantly decrease our sales. In addition, we make a substantial portion of our sales to non-profit and government entities which are dependent on
government support for scientific research. Any decline in this support could decrease the ability of these customers to purchase our products.
Our operations are dependent upon a limited number of suppliers and contract manufacturers.
We currently purchase components used in our products from a limited number of outside suppliers. Our reliance on a limited number of
suppliers could result in time delays associated with redesigning a product due to an inability to obtain an adequate supply of required components and reduced control over pricing, quality and timely
delivery. Any of these factors could adversely affect our revenues and profitability. For example, we currently purchase key components used in our mass spectrometry, vibrational spectroscopy and
X-ray systems from certain suppliers. In particular, the X-ray microanalysis business of Bruker AXS, which manufactures and sells accessories for electron microscopes, is
partially dependent on cooperation from larger manufacturers of electron microscopes. Additionally, our Bruker-Elemental subsidiary purchases certain optical detectors from a single supplier,
PerkinElmer, Inc., the sole supplier of these detector components. Bruker Daltonics purchases detectors and power supplies from sole or limited source suppliers. Bruker Optics purchases its
focal plane array detectors from a single supplier, Lockheed Martin Corporation. Similarly, Bruker BioSpin obtains various components from sole or limited source suppliers and Bruker Energy &
Supercon Technologies obtains various raw materials and uses key production equipment from sole or limited source suppliers or subcontractors. There are limited, if any, available alternatives to
these suppliers. The existence of shortages of these components or the failure of delivery with regard to these components could have a material adverse effect upon our revenues and margins. In
addition, price increases from these suppliers or subcontractors could have a material adverse effect upon our gross margins.
Because
of the scarcity of some components, we may be unable to obtain an adequate supply of components, or we may be required to pay higher prices or to purchase components of lesser
quality. Any delay or interruption in the supply of these or other components could impair our ability to manufacture and deliver our products, harm our reputation and cause a reduction in our
revenues. In addition, any increase in the cost of the components that we use in our products could make our products less competitive and decrease our gross margins. We may not be able to obtain
sufficient
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quantities
of required components on the same or substantially the same terms. Additionally, consolidations among our suppliers could result in other sole source suppliers for us in the future.
Increasing prices of metal raw materials could adversely affect the gross margins and profitability of our Bruker BioSpin subsidiary, and of our Bruker Energy &
Supercon Technologies business.
The last few years have seen sharp increases in the prices for various raw materials, in part due to high demand from developing
countries. Both Bruker BioSpin and Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies rely on some of these materials for the production of their products. In particular, for its superconducting magnet
production, both for the horizontal and vertical magnet series, Bruker BioSpin relies on the availability of copper, steel and the metallic raw materials for traditional low-temperature
superconducting wires. Similarly, Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies relies on the availability of niobium titanium for its production of low-temperature superconducting
materials and devices. Higher prices for these commodities will increase the production cost of superconducting wires and superconducting magnets and may adversely affect gross margins.
The
prices of copper and certain other raw materials used for superconductors have increased significantly over the last decade. Since copper is a main constituent of low temperature
superconductors, this may affect the price of superconducting wire. This type of increase would have an immediate effect on the production costs of superconducting magnets and may negatively affect
the profit margins for those products. In addition, an increase in raw material cost affects the production cost of the superconducting wire produced by Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies
and of superconducting wire used by Bruker BioSpin.
The demand for NMR, EPR, MRI and FTMS products may be adversely impacted by increases in the price of liquid helium.
The demand for helium has risen sharply over the last decade. The superconducting magnets used in magnetic resonance rely on liquid
helium for their operation. The high global demand, in combination with a shortage in supply, has caused prices for liquid helium to rise significantly. This has an adverse effect on the operating
costs for magnetic resonance equipment, and may dampen demand for NMR, EPR, MRI and FTMS magnets in the future.
Our manufacture and sale of products could lead to product liability claims for which we could have substantial liability.
The manufacture and sale of our products exposes us to product liability claims if any of our products cause injury or are found
otherwise unsuitable during manufacturing, marketing, sale or customer use. In particular, if one of our CBRNE detection products malfunctions,
this could lead to civilian or military casualties in a time of unrest, exposing us to increased potential for high-profile liability. If our CBRNE detection products malfunction by
generating a false-positive to a potential threat, we could be exposed to liabilities associated with actions taken that otherwise would not have been required. Additionally, the nuclear magnetic
resonance, research magnetic resonance imaging, Fourier transform mass spectrometry and certain electron paramagnetic resonance magnets of Bruker BioSpin utilize high magnet fields and cryogenics to
operate at approximately 4 Kelvin, the temperature of liquid helium. There is an inherent risk of potential product liability due to the existence of these high magnetic fields, associated stray
fields outside the magnet, and the handling of the cryogens associated with superconducting magnets. In addition, the Bruker Daltonics MALDI Biotyper has an IVD-CE mark and is used for the
identification of microorganisms. Misidentification or a false-negative of certain bacteria, yeasts or fungi could lead to inappropriate treatment for patients, and could expose Bruker Daltonics to
product liability.
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A
successful product liability claim brought against us in excess of, or outside the coverage of, our insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations. We may not be able to maintain product liability insurance on acceptable terms, if at all, and insurance may not provide adequate coverage against potential
liabilities.
Responding to claims relating to improper handling, storage or disposal of hazardous chemicals and radioactive and biological materials which we use could be time consuming
and costly.
We use controlled hazardous and radioactive materials in our business and generate wastes that are regulated as hazardous wastes under
United States federal, and Massachusetts, California, Washington and Wisconsin state, environmental and atomic energy regulatory laws and under equivalent provisions of law in those jurisdictions in
which our research and manufacturing facilities are located. Our use of these substances and materials is subject to stringent, and periodically changing, regulation that can impose costly compliance
obligations on us and have the potential to adversely affect our manufacturing activities. The risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials cannot be completely eliminated. If an
accident with these substances occurs, we could be held liable for any damages that result, in addition to incurring clean-up costs and liabilities, which can be substantial. Additionally,
an accident could damage our research and manufacturing facilities resulting in delays and increased costs.
In addition to the risks applicable to our life science and materials analysis products, our CBRNE detection products are subject to a number of additional risks, including
lengthy product development and contract negotiation periods and certain risks inherent in long-term government contracts.
Our CBRNE detection products are subject to many of the same risks associated with our life science products, including vulnerability
to rapid technological change, dependence on mass spectrometry and other technologies and substantial competition. In addition, our CBRNE detection products and certain FT-IR products are
generally sold to government agencies under long-term contracts. These contracts generally involve lengthy pre-contract negotiations and product development. We may be required
to devote substantial working capital and other resources prior to obtaining product orders. As a result, we may incur substantial costs before we recognize revenue from these products. Moreover, in
return for larger, longer-term contracts, our customers for these products often demand more stringent acceptance criteria. These criteria may also cause delays in our ability to recognize
revenue from sales of these products. Furthermore, we may not be able to accurately predict in advance our costs to fulfill our obligations under these long-term contracts. If we fail to
accurately predict our costs, due to inflation or other factors, we could incur significant losses. Also, the presence or absence of such contracts may cause substantial variation in our results of
operations between fiscal periods and, as a result, our results of operations for any given fiscal period may not be predictive of our results for subsequent fiscal periods. The resulting uncertainty
may have an adverse impact on our stock price.
We are subject to existing and potential additional regulation and government inquiry, which can impose burdens on our operations and narrow the markets for our products.
We are subject, both directly and indirectly, to the adverse impact of existing and potential future government regulation of our
operations and markets. For example, exportation of our products, particularly our CBRNE detection products, is subject to strict regulatory control in a number of jurisdictions. The failure to
satisfy export control criteria or obtain necessary clearances could delay or prevent shipment of products, which could adversely affect our revenues and profitability. Moreover, the life sciences
industry, which is the market for our principal products, has historically been heavily regulated. There are, for example, laws in several jurisdictions restricting research in genetic engineering,
which can operate to narrow our markets. Given the evolving nature of this industry,
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legislative
bodies or regulatory authorities may adopt additional regulation that adversely affects our market opportunities. Additionally, if ethical and other concerns surrounding the use of genetic
information, gene therapy or genetically modified organisms become widespread, we may have less demand for our products. Our business is also directly affected by a wide variety of government
regulations applicable to business enterprises generally and to companies operating in the life sciences industry in particular. We note that, as a result of developing and selling products which are
the subject
of such regulation, we have been, are, and expect to be in the future, subject to inquiries from the government agencies which enforce these regulations, including the U.S. Department of State, the
U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Justice, the Securities and
Exchange Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Department of Defense, among others, as well as from state or foreign governments and their
departments and agencies. As a result, from time to time, the attention of our management and other resources may be diverted to attend to these inquiries. In addition, failure to comply with these
regulations or obtain or maintain necessary permits and licenses could result in a variety of fines or other censures or an interruption in our business operations which may have a negative impact on
our ability to generate revenues.
Our success depends on our ability to operate without infringing or misappropriating the proprietary rights of others.
Our commercial success depends on avoiding the infringement of other parties' patents and proprietary rights as well as avoiding the
breach of any licenses relating to our technologies and products. Given that there may be patents of which we are unaware, particularly in the U.S. where patent applications are confidential,
avoidance of patent infringement may be difficult. Various third-parties hold patents which may relate to our technology, and we may be found in the future to infringe these or other patents or
proprietary rights of third parties, either with products we are currently marketing or developing or with new products which we may develop in the future. If a third party holding rights under a
patent successfully asserts an infringement claim with respect to any of our current or future products, we may be prevented from manufacturing or marketing our infringing product in the country or
countries covered by the patent we infringe, unless we can obtain a license from the patent holder. We may not be able to obtain a license on commercially reasonable terms, if at all, especially if
the patent holder is a competitor. In addition, even if we can obtain the license, it may be non-exclusive, which will permit others to practice the same technology licensed to us. We also
may be required to pay substantial damages to the patent holder in the event of an infringement. Under some circumstances in the U.S., these damages could include damages equal to triple the actual
damages the patent holder incurs. If we have supplied infringing products to third parties for marketing by them or licensed third parties to manufacture, use or market infringing products, we may be
obligated to indemnify these third parties for any damages they may be required to pay to the patent holder and for any losses the third parties may sustain themselves as the result of lost sales or
license payments they are required to make to the patent holder. Any successful infringement action brought against us may also adversely affect marketing of the infringing product in other markets
not covered by the infringement action, as well as our marketing of other products based on similar technology. Furthermore, we will suffer adverse consequences from a successful infringement action
against us even if the action is subsequently reversed on appeal, nullified through another action or resolved by settlement with the patent holder. The damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may
be significant. As a result, any successful infringement action against us may harm our business.
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If we are unable to effectively protect our intellectual property, third parties may use our technology, which would impair our ability to compete in our markets.
Our continued success will depend in significant part on our ability to obtain and maintain meaningful patent protection for our
products throughout the world. We rely on patents to protect a significant part of our intellectual property and to enhance our competitive position. However, our presently pending or future patent
applications may not issue as patents, and any patent previously issued to us may be challenged, invalidated, held unenforceable or circumvented. Furthermore, the claims in patents which have been
issued, or which may be issued to us in the future, may not be sufficiently broad to prevent third parties from producing competing products similar to our products. In addition, the laws of various
foreign countries in which we compete may not protect our intellectual property to the same extent as do the laws of the U.S. Failure to obtain adequate patent protection for our proprietary
technology could materially impair our ability to be commercially competitive.
In
addition to patent protection, we also rely on the protection of trade secrets, know-how and confidential and proprietary information. To maintain the confidentiality of
trade secrets and proprietary information, we generally seek to enter into confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants and strategic partners upon the commencement of a relationship
with us. However, we may not obtain these agreements in all circumstances. In the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of this information, these agreements, even if obtained, may not provide
meaningful protection for our trade secrets or other confidential information. In addition, adequate remedies may not exist in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of this information. The loss
or exposure of our trade secrets and other proprietary information would impair our competitive advantages and could have a material adverse affect on our operating results, financial condition and
future growth prospects. Furthermore, others may have, or may in the future independently develop, substantially similar or superior know-how and technology.
We may be involved in lawsuits to protect or enforce our patents that are brought by us which could be expensive and time consuming and, if determined adversely, could
adversely affect our patent position.
In order to protect or enforce our patent rights, we may initiate patent litigation against third parties, and we may be similarly sued
by others. We may also become subject to interference proceedings conducted in the patent and trademark offices of various countries to determine the priority of inventions. The defense and
prosecution, if necessary, of intellectual property suits, interference proceedings and related legal and administrative proceedings is costly and diverts our technical and management personnel from
their normal responsibilities. We may not prevail in any of these suits. An adverse determination of any litigation or defense proceedings could put our patents at risk of being invalidated or
interpreted narrowly and could put our patent applications at risk of not issuing.
Furthermore,
because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could
be compromised by disclosure during this type of litigation. In addition, during the course of this kind of litigation, there could be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other
interim proceedings or developments in the litigation. If securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a substantial negative effect on the trading price of
our common stock.
We may not be able to maintain our sales and service staff to meet demand for our products and services.
Our future revenue and profitability will depend in part on our ability to maintain our team of marketing and service personnel.
Because our products are technical in nature, we believe that our marketing, sales and support staff must have scientific or technical expertise and experience. Competition for employees with these
skills is intense. We may not be able to continue to attract and
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retain
sufficient qualified sales and service people, and we may not be able to maintain and develop an efficient and effective sales, marketing and support department. If we fail to continue to
attract or retain qualified people, then our business could suffer.
We plan significant future growth, and there is a risk that we will not be able to manage this growth.
Our success will depend on the expansion of our operations. Effective growth management will place increased demands on our management,
operational and financial resources. To manage our future growth, we must expand our facilities, augment our operational, financial and management systems, and hire and train additional qualified
personnel. Our failure to manage this growth effectively could impair our ability to generate revenue or could cause our expenses to increase more rapidly than revenue, resulting in operating losses.
Armed hostilities could constrain our ability to conduct business internationally and could also disrupt our U.S. operations.
The current world unrest, or the responses of the United States, may lead to further acts of terrorism and civil disturbances in the
United States or elsewhere, which may further
contribute to the economic instability in the United States. These attacks or armed conflicts may affect our physical facilities or those of our suppliers or customers and could have an impact on our
domestic and international sales, our supply chain, our production capability, our insurance premiums or the ability to purchase insurance and our ability to deliver our products to our customers. The
consequences of these risks are unpredictable, and their long-term effect upon us is uncertain.
We derive a significant portion of our revenue from international sales and are subject to the risks of doing business in foreign countries.
International sales account and are expected to continue to account for a significant portion of our total revenues. Our international
operations are, and will continue to be, subject to a variety of risks associated with conducting business internationally, many of which are beyond our control. These risks, which may adversely
affect our ability to achieve and maintain profitability and our ability to sell our products internationally, include:
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changes in foreign currency exchange rates;
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changes in regulatory requirements;
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legislation and regulation, including tariffs, relating to the import or export of high technology products;
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the imposition of government controls;
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political and economic instability, including international hostilities, acts of terrorism and governmental restrictions,
inflation, trade relationships and military and political alliances;
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costs and risks of deploying systems in foreign countries;
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compliance with export laws and controls in multiple jurisdictions;
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limited intellectual property rights; and
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the burden of complying with a wide variety of complex foreign laws and treaties, including unfavorable labor regulations,
specifically those applicable to our European operations, as well as U.S. laws affecting the activities of U.S. companies abroad.
While
the impact of these factors is difficult to predict, any one or more of these factors could adversely affect our operations in the future.
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We may lose money when we exchange foreign currency received from international sales into U.S. dollars.
A significant portion of our business is conducted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, which is our reporting currency. As a
result, currency fluctuations among the U.S. dollar and the currencies in which we do business have caused and will continue to cause foreign currency transaction gains and losses. In addition,
currency fluctuations could cause the price of our products to be more or less competitive than our principal competitors' products. Currency fluctuations will increase or decrease our cost structure
relative to those of our competitors which could lessen the demand for our products and affect our competitive position. We cannot predict the effects of exchange rate fluctuations upon our future
operating results because of the number of currencies involved, the variability of currency exposures and the potential volatility of currency exchange rates. From time to time we enter into certain
hedging transactions and/or option and foreign currency exchange contracts which are intended to offset some of the market risk associated with our sales denominated in foreign currencies. We cannot
predict the effectiveness of these transactions or their impact upon our future operating results, and from time to time they may negatively affect our quarterly earnings.
Our reported financial results may be adversely affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
Our exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations results primarily from the currency translation exposure associated with the
preparation of our consolidated financial statements and from the exposure associated with transactions of our subsidiaries that are denominated in a currency other than the respective subsidiary's
functional currency. While our financial results are reported in U.S. Dollars, the financial statements of many of our subsidiaries outside the United States are prepared using the local currency as
the functional currency. During consolidation, these results are translated into U.S. Dollars by applying appropriate exchange rates. As a result, fluctuations in the exchange rate of the U.S. Dollar
relative to the local currencies in which our foreign subsidiaries report therefore could cause significant fluctuations in our reported results. Moreover, as exchange rates vary, revenue and other
operating results may differ materially from our expectations.
Additionally,
to the extent monetary assets and liabilities, including debt, are held in a different currency than the reporting subsidiary's functional currency, fluctuations in
currency exchange rates may have a significant impact on our reported financial results, and may lead to increased earnings volatility. We may record significant gains or losses related to both the
translation of assets and liabilities held by our subsidiaries into local currencies and the remeasurement of inter-company receivables and loan balances.
Our debt may adversely affect our cash flow and may restrict our investment opportunities or limit our activities.
Our ability to satisfy our obligations depends on our future operating performance and on economic, financial, competitive and other
factors beyond our control. Our business may not generate sufficient cash flow to meet these obligations. If we are unable to service our debt or obtain additional financing, we may be forced to delay
strategic acquisitions, capital expenditures or research and development expenditures. We may not be able to obtain additional financing on terms acceptable to us or at all.
Additionally,
the agreements governing our debt require that we maintain certain financial ratios related to maximum leverage and minimum interest coverage, and contain affirmative and
negative covenants that restrict our activities by, among other limitations, limiting our ability to make certain payments; incur additional debt; incur certain liens; make certain investments,
including derivative agreements; merge, consolidate, sell or transfer all or substantially all of our assets; and enter into certain transactions with affiliates. Our ability to comply with these
financial restrictions and covenants is dependent on our future performance, which is subject to prevailing economic conditions and other
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factors,
including factors that are beyond our control such as foreign exchange rates and interest rates. Our failure to comply with any of these restrictions or covenants may result in an event of
default under the applicable debt instrument, which could permit acceleration of the debt under that facility and require us to prepay that debt before its scheduled due date.
Goodwill and other intangible assets are subject to impairment.
As a result of our acquisitions we have recorded goodwill and other intangible assets which must be periodically evaluated for
potential impairment. We assess the realizability of the reported goodwill and other intangible assets annually, as well as whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets may be
impaired. These events or circumstances generally include operating losses or a significant decline in the earnings associated with the reporting segment these acquisitions are reported within. A
decline in our stock price and market capitalization may also cause us to consider whether goodwill and other intangible assets may require an impairment assessment. Our ability to realize the value
of the goodwill will depend on the future cash flows of the reporting segment in addition to how well we integrate the businesses acquired.
Various international tax risks could adversely affect our earnings and cash flows.
We are subject to international tax risks. Distributions of earnings and other payments received from our subsidiaries may be subject
to withholding taxes imposed by the countries where they are operating or are formed. If these foreign countries do not have income tax treaties with the United States or the countries where our
subsidiaries are incorporated, we could be subject to high rates of withholding taxes on these distributions and payments. We could also be subject to being taxed twice on income related to operations
in these non-treaty countries. Because we are unable to reduce the taxable income of one operating company with losses incurred by another operating company located in another country, we
may have a higher foreign effective income tax rate than that of other companies in our industry. The amount of the credit that we may claim against our U.S. federal income tax for foreign income
taxes is subject to many limitations which may significantly restrict our ability to claim a credit for all of the foreign taxes we pay.
We
currently have reserves established on the statutory books of certain international locations. Within our audited consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared under
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, the potential tax liabilities associated with these reserves have been recorded as long-term deferred tax liabilities. If these
reserves are challenged, and we are unable to successfully defend the need for such reserves, these liabilities could become current resulting in a negative impact to our anticipated cash flows from
operations over the next twelve months.
The unpredictability and fluctuation of our quarterly results may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.
Our revenues and results of operations have in the past and may in the future vary from quarter to quarter due to a number of factors,
many of which are outside of our control and any of which may cause our stock price to fluctuate. The primary factors that may affect us include the following:
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the timing of sales of our products and services;
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the timing of recognizing revenue and deferred revenue under U.S. GAAP;
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changes in our pricing policies or the pricing policies of our competitors;
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increases in sales and marketing, product development or administration expenses;
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the mix of services provided by us and third-party contractors;
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our ability to attain and maintain quality levels for our products;
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costs related to acquisitions of technology or businesses; and
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the effectiveness of transactions entered into to hedge the risks associated with foreign currency and interest rate
fluctuations.
Historically,
we have experienced a decrease in revenue in the first, second and third quarters of each fiscal year relative to the prior fourth quarter, which we believe is due to our
customers' budgeting cycles. You should not rely on quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our results of operations as an indication of our future performance. It is likely that in
some future quarters, our results of operations may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors. In this event, the price of our common stock may fall.
Existing stockholders have significant influence over us.
As of March 8, 2010, our majority stockholders, including our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Frank Laukien, and
Director and Chief Operating Officer of Bruker BioSpin Joerg Laukien and other Laukien family members owned, in the aggregate, approximately 57% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, these
stockholders will be able to exercise substantial influence over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions.
This could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of our company and will make some transactions difficult or impossible to accomplish without the support of these stockholders.
Other companies may have difficulty acquiring us, even if doing so would benefit our stockholders, due to provisions under our corporate charter and bylaws, as well as
Delaware law.
Provisions in our certificate of incorporation, as amended, and our bylaws, as well as Delaware law could make it more difficult for
other companies to acquire us, even if doing so would benefit our stockholders. Our certificate of incorporation, as amended, and bylaws contain the following provisions, among others, which may
inhibit an acquisition of our company by a third party:
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staggered board of directors, where stockholders elect only a minority of the board each year;
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advance notification procedures for matters to be brought before stockholder meetings;
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a limitation on who may call stockholder meetings; and
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the ability of our board of directors to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock without a stockholder vote.
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ITEM 1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
We have not received any written comments from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding our periodic or current
reports that (1) we believe are material, (2) were issued not less than 180 days before the end of our 2009 fiscal year, and (3) remain unresolved.
ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES
We believe that our existing principal facilities are well maintained and in good operating condition and that they are adequate for
our foreseeable business needs.
In
addition to the principal facilities noted below we lease additional facilities for sales, applications and service support in various countries throughout the world including
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South
Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States. If we should require additional or alternative facilities, we believe that such facilities
can be obtained on short notice at competitive rates.
The
location and general character of our principal properties by operating segment as of December 31, 2009 are as follows:
Scientific Instruments Segment:
Bruker AXS' six principal facilities are located in Karlsruhe, Berlin and Kalkar, Germany; Madison, Wisconsin, USA, and Kennewick,
Washington, USA; and Yokohama, Japan. These facilities, which incorporate manufacturing, research and development, application and demonstration, marketing and sales and administration functions for
the businesses of Bruker AXS, include:
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an owned 97,000 square foot facility in Karlsruhe, Germany;
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an owned 43,000 square foot facility in Madison, Wisconsin, USA;
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an owned 25,000 square foot facility in Kalkar, Germany;
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a leased 16,000 square foot facility in Berlin, Germany;
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a leased 15,700 square foot facility in Kennewick, Washington, USA; and
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a leased 15,000 square foot facility in Yokohama, Japan.
Bruker
BioSpin's six principal facilities are located in Rheinstetten, Ettlingen and Karlsruhe, Germany; Faellanden, Switzerland; Wissembourg, France; and Billerica, Massachusetts, USA.
These facilities, which incorporate manufacturing, research and development, application and demonstration, marketing and sales and administration functions for the businesses of Bruker BioSpin,
include:
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an owned 475,000 square foot facility in Rheinstetten, Germany;
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an owned 360,000 square foot facility in Ettlingen, Germany;
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an owned 345,000 square foot facility in Karlsruhe, Germany;
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an owned 260,000 square foot facility and a leased 55,000 square foot facility in Faellanden, Switzerland;
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-
an owned 120,000 square foot facility, a leased 65,000 square foot facility and a leased 18,000 square foot facility in
Wissembourg, France; and
-
-
a leased 50,000 square foot facility in Billerica, Massachusetts, USA.
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Bruker
Daltonics' three principal facilities are located in Bremen and Leipzig, Germany; and Billerica, Massachusetts, USA. These facilities, which incorporate manufacturing, research
and development, application and demonstration, marketing and sales and administration functions for the mass spectrometry and CBRNE businesses of Bruker Daltonics, include:
-
-
an owned 180,000 square foot facility in Bremen, Germany;
-
-
an owned 90,000 square foot facility in Billerica, Massachusetts, USA; and
-
-
an owned 60,000 square foot facility in Leipzig, Germany.
Bruker
Optics' three principal facilities are located in Ettlingen, Germany; Billerica, Massachusetts, USA and The Woodlands, Texas, USA. These facilities, which incorporate
manufacturing, research and development, application and demonstration, marketing and sales and administration functions for the business of Bruker Optics, include:
-
-
an owned 165,000 square foot facility in Ettlingen, Germany;
-
-
a leased 25,000 square foot facility in Billerica, Massachusetts, USA; and
-
-
a leased 22,700 square foot facility in The Woodlands, Texas, USA.
Energy & Supercon Technologies:
Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies' four principal facilities are located in Hanau, Bergisch Gladbach and Alzenau, Germany
and Perth, Scotland. These facilities, which incorporate manufacturing, research and development, application and demonstration, marketing and sales and administration functions for the business of
Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies, include:
-
-
an owned 47,000 square foot facility in Perth, Scotland;
-
-
a leased 112,000 square foot facility in Hanau, Germany;
-
-
a leased 63,800 square foot facility in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; and
-
-
a leased 20,000 square foot facility in Alzenau, Germany.
ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Our subsidiary Bruker Daltonics is party to an Agreement with Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. regarding the manufacture and sale by
Isis, through its wholly owned subsidiary
Ibis BioSciences, Inc., of certain systems incorporating Bruker Daltonics mass spectrometers. A dispute arose in January 2008 regarding the performance of each party under the Agreement.
Pursuant to the Agreement's dispute resolution mechanism, the parties had a series of executive level meetings and engaged in mediation with a third party mediator. These efforts did not resolve the
dispute, and in May 2008 Bruker Daltonics filed suit against Isis and Ibis. Isis and Ibis have answered this complaint and asserted counterclaims that Bruker Daltonics breached the Agreement.
Discovery in this matter is ongoing. Bruker Daltonics believes that the counterclaims of Ibis and Isis are without merit and intends to pursue this litigation vigorously.
In
November 2008, Michael Willett, a former employee of Bruker Corporation, filed a complaint against Bruker Corporation with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination alleging
age discrimination. A position statement and response was submitted on behalf of the Company in December 2008, to which Mr. Willett submitted a rebuttal in February 2009. The Company believes
the allegations of Mr. Willett's complaint to be without merit and intends to defend this matter vigorously.
On
January 21, 2009, The Research Foundation of the State University of New York filed an action in federal district court in the Northern District of New York against the
Company, Bruker BioSpin GmbH, Bruker BioSpin Corporation and Varian alleging infringement by the Bruker entities
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and
Varian of a U.S. patent related to nuclear magnetic resonance held by the Research Foundation. The parties agreed to participate in a series of mediation hearings, which occurred from July to
November 2009. These efforts did not resolve the dispute and the matter is proceeding to litigation. Discovery in the case is ongoing. The Company believes the infringement allegations are without
merit and intends to defend this matter vigorously.
On
September 26, 2008, Roenalytic GmbH, previously known as Roentgenanalytik Appartebau GmbH ("RAA"), filed a civil proceeding in Germany against a Bruker AXS
subsidiary and one employee in connection with alleged improper use of certain intellectual property of RAA. An action for injunction against the Bruker AXS subsidiary brought by RAA is pending in the
regional court of Frankfurt am Main. Following a series of hearings, in December 2009 the court appointed an independent software expert to investigate the copyright infringement allegations made by
RAA and provide an opinion to the court relating to the alleged infringement. The German court has declared that the infringement claims made by RAA are limited to the territory of Germany.
RAA
also raised criminal allegations against three employees of the same Bruker AXS subsidiary, each of whom is a former RAA employee, charging them with misappropriation and theft of
intellectual property and trade secrets. RAA further alleged that an officer of the subsidiary committed libel by making an allegedly false statement regarding RAA's financial situation. The public
prosecutor in Berlin, Germany commenced an investigation in 2008 and confiscated the employees' computers and similar items to search for information relevant to its inquiry into this matter. During
the third quarter of 2009, RAA began its inspection of certain items authorized by the court. The inspection has not been completed.
The
Bruker AXS subsidiary continues to deny all allegations made by RAA in both proceedings. The Bruker AXS subsidiary continued to provide legal counsel to the employees in the criminal
inquiry.
ITEM 4.
[RESERVED]
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PART II
ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Prices
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "BRKR." The following table sets forth, for the period
indicated, the high and low sales prices for our common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
High
|
|
Low
|
|
First Quarter 2009
|
|
$
|
6.50
|
|
$
|
3.25
|
|
Second Quarter 2009
|
|
|
9.48
|
|
|
5.45
|
|
Third Quarter 2009
|
|
|
11.12
|
|
|
7.90
|
|
Fourth Quarter 2009
|
|
|
12.49
|
|
|
10.04
|
|
First Quarter 2008
|
|
$
|
16.66
|
|
$
|
9.62
|
|
Second Quarter 2008
|
|
|
16.59
|
|
|
11.40
|
|
Third Quarter 2008
|
|
|
17.22
|
|
|
11.53
|
|
Fourth Quarter 2008
|
|
|
13.64
|
|
|
3.07
|
|
As
of March 8, 2010, there were approximately 92 holders of record of our common stock. This number does not include individual beneficial owners of shares held in nominee name or
within clearinghouse positions of brokerage firms and banks. The official close price per share of our common stock on March 8, 2010, as reported by the Nasdaq Global Select Market was $14.31.
Dividends
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently anticipate that we will retain all available funds for
use in our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The terms of certain of our outstanding indebtedness restrict our ability to pay cash dividends.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table sets forth all purchases made by or on behalf of the Company or any "affiliated purchaser," as defined in
Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act, of shares of our common stock during each month in the fourth quarter of 2009.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period
|
|
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
|
|
Average Price
Paid per Share
|
|
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of
Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
|
|
Maximum
Number of Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs
|
|
October 1 - October 31, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November 1 - November 30, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 1 - December 31, 2009
|
|
|
3,570
|
|
|
11.20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,570
|
|
$
|
11.20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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