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July 17, 2003 at 7:06 AM EDT

CONMED Reports Record Quarterly Sales

- Sales Increase 11.9% (9.4% at Constant Currency) to $124.5 Million - - Excluding Charges, Net Income Increases 13.3% to $10.2 Million - - Reported Net Income, Including Financing and Other Charges, is $2.8 Million-

UTICA, N.Y., Jul 17, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- CONMED Corporation (Nasdaq: CNMD) today announced financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2003.

Total sales for the quarter increased 11.9% (9.4% at constant currency) to $124.5 million compared to $111.3 million in last year's second quarter. For the 2003 second quarter, CONMED posted net income, excluding financing, acquisition, and other charges, of $10.2 million, up 13.3% from net income of $9.0 million for last year's second quarter. Diluted earnings per share excluding the charges grew to $0.35, on a 7% increase in diluted shares outstanding, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.33 for the 2002 second quarter. In the 2003 second quarter, the Company recorded after-tax charges totaling $7.4 million related to the refinancing of the Company's senior subordinated 9% bonds, the acquisitions of Bionx and Core Dynamics, and settlement of certain pension obligations (please see below for full explanation). On a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis, including these charges, CONMED reported net income of $2.8 million, or $0.09 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2003.

Commenting on the quarter, Mr. Joseph J. Corasanti, President and Chief Operating Officer, said, "CONMED had a very strong second quarter, with revenue growth exceeding our projections across almost all product lines. Most notable was the performance of our powered instruments, electrosurgery and endoscopy business segments-all of which either met or exceeded our expectations thanks to the success of new products and the efforts of our devoted sales teams. Additionally, from an expense control standpoint, we were able to refinance all of our 9% senior subordinated bonds and as such will have substantially lower interest costs going forward."

The Company's Arthroscopy sales were $44.4 million, including $4.1 million in sales from Bionx Implants, Inc., which was acquired by CONMED on March 10, 2003, compared to $41.2 million in the second quarter of last year. Organic sales for arthroscopy were slightly softer than the prior year's second quarter, as a 5% increase in sales of resection shaver blades was offset by modest declines in sales of video systems and fluid management products. Second quarter Powered Surgical Instrument sales grew 10% to $29.7 million compared to $27.0 million last year, reflecting continued growth in demand for the PowerPro(R) group of products. Electrosurgery revenues increased 11% to $18.9 million compared to $17.0 million in the prior year's second quarter, due to strong sales of the Company's new generator. Patient Care sales grew 4% to $17.7 million over the $17.1 million recorded in the second quarter of 2002. Endoscopy sales increased 32% to $11.9 million compared to $9.0 million in the same quarter a year ago. Organic sales growth in Endoscopy was 12%, rebounding from flat sales in the first quarter of 2003. The remainder of sales growth in Endoscopy came from Core Dynamics, acquired by CONMED on December 31, 2002, which contributed $1.8 million for the second quarter. The Integrated Systems product line, which CONMED obtained through its acquisitions of ValMed and Nortrex in the fourth quarter of 2002, contributed $1.9 million to total revenue for the 2003 second quarter.

Mr. Corasanti continued, "As demonstrated by our strong powered instruments sales, our PowerPro(R) line of battery powered surgical instruments continues to build momentum within the medical community, fueled by a 21% increase in large bone product sales. Additionally, our distribution agreement with DePuy is moving forward, as PowerPro(R) sales to DePuy grew sequentially from the first quarter. In Electrosurgery, our 11% growth was led by our newly released Series 5000 electrosugical generators. We continue to be very excited by the many opportunities in Endoscopy and Integrated Systems and believe that these businesses will fuel much growth for CONMED over the coming years."

Mr. Corasanti added, "We are making solid progress in expanding our orthopedic sales force to maximize coverage in key markets for arthroscopy and powered instruments. Since announcing our sales strategy this past April, we have added 30 sales professionals and remain committed to our stated goal of adding a total of 50 professionals to our orthopedic sales team over the next twelve months."

For the six months ended June 30, 2003, CONMED reported revenues of $242.6 million, up 8% from the $224.5 million in the first half of last year. Net income, excluding special charges and credits, for the first half of this year grew to $20.2 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, on a 10.5% increase in diluted shares outstanding, compared to net income of $18.0 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2002 (please see below for full explanation of the special charges and credits). On a GAAP basis, including these charges and credits, CONMED reported net income of $17.3 million, or $0.59 per diluted share for the six months ended June 30, 2003.

Mr. Corasanti concluded, "Seasonally, the upcoming third quarter tends to be our softest in terms of sales, due to the combination of fewer elective surgeries performed and overall slowness in European business during the summer months. Accordingly, for the 2003 third quarter, we expect to generate revenues of approximately $117 million to $122 million, and diluted earnings per share, reflecting the reduced interest rates, in the range of $0.35 to $0.38, excluding special charges, if any. For the full year of 2003, we remain comfortable with our forecast for top-line growth of 10% over 2002 levels and diluted earnings per share, reflecting the reduced interest costs, in the range of $1.47 to $1.51 excluding the special charges and credits. (Please see paragraph below on reconciliation of forecasted earnings per share).

Explanation of Unusual Charges and Credits

As previously disclosed, on June 30, 2003, the Company refinanced all of its outstanding 9% senior subordinated notes with the proceeds of a $160 million expansion of the term loan component of its senior credit facility. The Company expensed a total of $7.9 million of pre-tax costs in the second quarter of 2003 associated with the refinancing consisting of the call premium on the notes of $5.7 million and $2.2 million (non-cash) for the unamortized deferred financing fees associated with original issue of the notes. The current interest rate on the term loan expansion is equivalent to LIBOR plus 2.75%, for an approximate total of 4.0%.

During the second quarter of 2003, CONMED recorded pre-tax acquisition related charges associated with the acquisitions of Bionx and Core Dynamics amounting to $1.5 million for various transitional activities.

In the second quarter of 2003, the Company's pension plan settled pension obligations with certain terminated employees, primarily with regard to the sales-force reorganization on April 1, 2003, by lump-sum payment of accrued benefits. Because Department of Labor rules with respect to lump-sum payment calculations are different than the pension plan's assumptions regarding discount rates, a non-cash, pre-tax loss was incurred amounting to $2.1 million. The Company recorded this expense in the second quarter of 2003.

In the first quarter of 2003, the Company recorded a special credit to income that, together with first quarter acquisition charges, affected the Company's results for the six months ended June 30, 2003. As previously announced, in March 2003, the Company received $9.5 million as a settlement of a dispute related to the 1997 acquisition of its orthopedic subsidiary, Linvatec Corporation. Accordingly, the Company recorded the settlement, less estimated legal expenses of $0.5 million, as a pre-tax gain of $9.0 million in the first quarter of 2003. Offsetting this gain in the first quarter of 2003, were pre-tax charges totaling $1.7 million associated with the integration of the Company's previously announced Bionx, Core and ValMed acquisitions. In addition, the Company incurred a $0.2 million pre-tax expense related to the purchase on the open market of $2.6 million of the Company's 9% subordinated bonds.

Reconciliation of Forecasted Earnings Per Share

The diluted earnings per share forecasted range of $0.35 to $0.38 for the third quarter 2003 excludes any potential additional pension settlement charges and acquisition related charges for the Bionx acquisition which, if they occur, are not presently quantifiable. The Company expects to record in an in-process research and development write-off associated with the Bionx acquisition once an independent valuation has been completed, most likely in the third quarter of 2003.

The diluted earnings per share forecasted range of $1.47 to $1.51 for the year 2003 excludes the earnings per share net benefit of the lawsuit settlement gain, acquisition, financing and pension settlement related charges recorded in the first and second quarters of 2003 (explained above), and any potential pension settlement and acquisition related charges which may occur in the third and fourth quarters of 2003 which, if they occur, are not presently quantifiable.

CONMED Profile

CONMED is a medical technology company specializing in instruments, implants, and video equipment for arthroscopic sports medicine, and powered surgical instruments, such as drills and saws, for orthopedic, ENT, neuro- surgery, and other surgical specialties. The Company is also a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of RF electrosurgery systems used routinely to cut and cauterize tissue in nearly all types of surgical procedures worldwide, endoscopy products such as trocars, clip appliers, scissors, and surgical staplers. The Company offers integrated operating room design and intensive care unit service managers. The Company also manufactures and sells a full line of ECG electrodes for heart monitoring and other patient care products. Headquartered in Utica, New York, the Company's 2,600 employees distribute its products worldwide from eleven manufacturing locations.

Forward Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on certain assumptions and contingencies that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and relate to the Company's performance on a going-forward basis. The forward-looking statements in this press release involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results, performance or trends, including the above mentioned anticipated revenues and earnings, to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements herein or in previous disclosures. The Company believes that all forward-looking statements made by it have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs or projections as expressed in the forward-looking statements will actually occur or prove to be correct. In addition to general industry and economic conditions, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to: (i) the failure of any one or more of the assumptions stated above, to prove to be correct; (ii) the risks relating to forward-looking statements discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002; (iii) cyclical purchasing patterns from customers, end-users and dealers; (iv) timely release of new products, and acceptance of such new products by the market; (v) the introduction of new products by competitors and other competitive responses; (vi) the possibility that any new acquisition or other transaction may require the Company to reconsider its financial assumptions and goals/targets; and/or (vii) the Company's ability to devise and execute strategies to respond to market conditions.


                              CONMED CORPORATION
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                   (in thousands except per share amounts)
                                 (unaudited)

                                Three months ended           Six months ended
                                      June 30,                   June 30,
                               2002            2003        2002           2003

    Net sales                $111,269        $124,540    $224,474     $242,574

    Cost of sales              51,711          59,082     105,815      115,048
    Cost of sales,
     nonrecurring - Note A         --             327          --          739

    Gross profit               59,558          65,131     118,659      126,787

    Selling and
     administrative            35,141          39,353      69,609       76,498
    Research and development    4,078           4,378       7,902        8,081
    Other expense - Note B, C      --          11,222          --        3,730
                               39,219          54,953      77,511       88,309

    Income from operations     20,339          10,178      41,148       38,478

    Interest expense            6,355           5,861      12,983       11,399

    Income before income taxes 13,984           4,317      28,165       27,079

    Provision for income taxes  5,034           1,554      10,139        9,748

    Net income               $  8,950        $  2,763    $ 18,026     $ 17,331


    Per share data:

    Net Income
      Basic                  $    .34        $    .10    $    .70     $    .60
      Diluted                     .33             .09         .68          .59

    Weighted average
     common shares
      Basic                    26,584          28,910      25,735       28,892
      Diluted                  27,359          29,212      26,422       29,195

Note A - Included in cost of sales in the three and six months ended June 30, 2003 are $.3 million and $.7 million, respectively, in acquisition-related costs

Note B - Included in other expense in the three months ended June 30, 2003 are the following: $7.9 million in losses on the early extinguishment of debt; $2.1 million in pension settlement costs; and $1.2 million in other acquisition-related costs.

Note C - Included in other expense in the six months ended June 30, 2003 are the following: a $9.0 million gain on the settlement of a contractual dispute; $8.1 million in losses on the early extinguishment of debt; $2.1 million in pension settlement costs; and $2.5 million in other acquisition-related costs.


                              CONMED CORPORATION
                    CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED  BALANCE SHEETS
                                (in thousands)

                                    ASSETS

                                                                  (unaudited)
                                                    December 31,    June 30,
                                                        2002          2003

    Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents                       $  5,626      $  2,360
     Accounts receivable, net                          58,093        63,242
     Inventories                                      120,443       128,099
     Other current assets                               9,504         9,851
       Total current assets                           193,666       203,552
    Property, plant and equipment, net.                95,608        96,109
    Goodwill and other assets, net                    452,866       497,299
       Total assets                                  $742,140      $796,960

              LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Current liabilities:
     Current portion of long-term debt               $  2,631      $  4,061
     Accrued interest                                   3,794           510
     Other current liabilities                         51,549        50,699
       Total current liabilities                       57,974        55,270
    Long-term debt                                    254,756       285,451
    Other long-term liabilities                        42,471        46,466
       Total liabilities                              355,201       387,187

    Shareholders' equity:
     Capital accounts                                 231,701       234,361
     Retained earnings                                162,391       179,722
     Accumulated other comprehensive loss              (7,153)       (4,310)
       Total equity                                   386,939       409,773

       Total liabilities and shareholders' equity    $742,140      $796,960


                         OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                          (unaudited, in thousands)

                             Three months ended         Six months ended
                                   June 30,                 June 30,
                            2002            2003       2002           2003

    Depreciation         $  2,198        $  2,534   $  4,404       $ 4,908
    Amortization            3,029           3,375      5,809         6,321
    Capital expenditures    5,220           2,241      8,428         3,951


                              CONMED CORPORATION
             RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED NET INCOME TO NET INCOME
                          BEFORE NONRECURRING ITEMS
                   (In thousands except per share amounts)
                                 (unaudited)

                                                         Three months ended
                                                              June 30,
                                                         2002          2003

    Reported net income (loss)                        $  8,950      $  2,763

    Acquisition-related costs included
      in cost of sales                                      --           327

    Pension settlement costs                                --         2,081

    Other acquisition-related costs                         --         1,229

    Loss on early extinguishment of debt                    --         7,912

    Other expense                                           --        11,222

    Nonrecurring expense before income taxes                --        11,549

    Provision (benefit) for income taxes on
     nonrecurring expense                                   --        (4,157)

    Net income before nonrecurring items.             $  8,950      $ 10,155


    Per share data:

    Reported net income
      Basic                                           $   0.34      $   0.10
      Diluted                                             0.33          0.09

    Net income before nonrecurring items
      Basic                                           $   0.34      $   0.35
      Diluted                                             0.33          0.35

Management has provided the above reconciliation of net income before nonrecurring items as an additional measure that investors can use to compare operating performance between reporting periods. Management believes this reconciliation provides a useful presentation of operating performance.


                              CONMED CORPORATION
             RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED NET INCOME TO NET INCOME
                          BEFORE NONRECURRING ITEMS
                   (In thousands except per share amounts)
                                 (unaudited)

                                                           Six months ended
                                                               June 30,
                                                           2002        2003

    Reported net income                                $  18,026   $  17,331

    Acquisition-related costs included
     in cost of sales                                         --         739

    Gain on settlement of a contractual dispute,
     net of legal costs                                       --      (9,000)

    Pension settlement costs                                  --       2,081

    Other acquisition-related costs                           --       2,571

    Loss on early extinguishment of debt                      --       8,078

    Other expense                                             --       3,730

    Nonrecurring expense before income taxes                  --       4,469

    Provision (benefit) for income taxes on
     nonrecurring expense                                     --      (1,608)

    Net income before nonrecurring items.              $  18,026   $  20,192


    Per share data:

    Reported net income
      Basic                                            $    0.70   $    0.60
      Diluted                                               0.68        0.59

    Net income before nonrecurring items
      Basic                                            $    0.70   $    0.70
      Diluted                                               0.68        0.69

Management has provided the above reconciliation of net income before nonrecurring items as an additional measure that investors can use to compare operating performance between reporting periods. Management believes this reconciliation provides a useful presentation of operating performance.

SOURCE CONMED Corporation

Robert Shallish, Chief Financial Officer of CONMED Corporation,
+1-315-624-3206; Investors - Lauren Levine, or Lanie Fladell, Media - Sean
Leous, all of Morgen-Walke Associates, +1-212-850-5600, for CONMED
Corporation
(CNMD)