Note 1 - Formation and Background Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Note 3 - Change in Accounting Principle Note 4 - Acquisitions Note 5 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments Note 6 - Accounts Receivable Note 7 - Inventories Note 8 - Other Current Assets Note 9 - Property, Plant and Equipment Note 10 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Note 11 - Accounts Payable Note 12 - Accrued and Other Current Liabilities Note 13 - Debt Note 14 - Commitments and Contingencies Note 15 - Stockholders' Equity Note 16 - Earnings Per Share Note 17 - Income Taxes Note 18 - Retirement Benefits Note 19 - Stock and Other Plans Note 20 - Restructuring and Other Charges Note 21 - Segment and Geographical Financial Information Note 22 - Related Parties Note 23 - Subsequent Events Note 24 - Accounting Pronouncements Note 25 - Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information NOTE 1 FORMATION AND BACKGROUND Fisher Scientific International Inc. (“Fisher” or the “Company”) was founded in 1902 and was incorporated as a Delaware corporation in 1991. The Company’s operations are conducted throughout North and South America, Europe, the Far East, Australia, the Middle East and Africa directly or through one or more subsidiaries, joint ventures, agents or dealers. The Company reports financial results on the basis of three business segments: domestic distribution, international distribution and laboratory workstations. The domestic distribution segment manufactures, sells and distributes products to three primary customer markets: scientific research, clinical laboratory and industrial safety. Additionally, this segment provides contract manufacturing, chemical manufacturing and custom chemical synthesis and pharmaceutical services for Phase III and Phase IV clinical trials. The international distribution segment sells and distributes products primarily to the scientific research market. The laboratory workstations segment engages in the manufacture and sale of laboratory furniture and fume hoods to the scientific research laboratory market and the manufacture and sale of consoles and enclosures to the technology, communication and financial markets. The Company serves scientists engaged in biomedical, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, chemical and other fields of research and development, and is a supplier to reference laboratories, hospitals, healthcare alliances, physicians’ offices, environmental testing centers, remediation companies, quality-control laboratories and many other customers.