ARROW INTERNATIONAL INC
11-K, 2000-02-25
SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS
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                            UNITED STATES
                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                        Washington, DC  20549

                              FORM 11-K


(Mark One)

[  X ]  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
        EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (FEE REQUIRED)

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1999

                                  OR

[  ]     TRANSITION  REPORT  PURSUANT TO  SECTION  15(d)  OF  THE
         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED)

For    the   transition   period   from   _________  to ____________


                    Commission file number 0-20212


                ARROW INTERNATIONAL, INC. 401(k) PLAN
                       (full title of the plan)

                      Arrow International, Inc.
                           P. O. Box 12888
                     Reading, Pennsylvania  19612
          (Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to
     the plan and the address of its principal executive offices)

  Registrant's telephone number, including area code (610) 378-0131

     Notices and communications from the Securities and Exchange
      Commission relative to this report should be forwarded to:

                          Frederick J. Hirt
                      Arrow International, Inc.
                           P. O. Box 12888
                     Reading, Pennsylvania  19612
                            (610) 378-0131



This is the first of 13 pages.  The Index to Exhibit is on Page 13.

<PAGE>

              ARROW INTERNATIONAL, INC. 401(k) PLAN

                        FINANCIAL REPORT

                         AUGUST 31, 1999
<\PAGE>




<PAGE>

                         C O N T E N T S




[S]                                                             Page

                                                               [C]
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
  ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
  SCHEDULES                                                      1

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  Statements of net assets available for benefits                2
  Statements of changes in net assets available for benefits     3
  Notes to financial statements                                 4-8

SCHEDULES

  Schedule of assets held for investment purposes                9
  Schedule of reportable transactions                           10

</PAGE>



<PAGE>


                  INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT




To the Plan Administrator
Arrow International, Inc. 401(k) Plan
Reading, Pennsylvania


        We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets
available  for benefits of Arrow International, Inc. 401(k)  Plan
as  of  August  31, 1999 and 1998, and the related statements  of
changes  in net assets available for benefits for the years  then
ended.  These financial statements are the responsibility of  the
Plan's  management.  Our responsibility is to express an  opinion
on these financial statements based on our audits.


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


       In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above
present  fairly,  in  all  material  respects,  the  net   assets
available  for benefits of the Arrow International,  Inc.  401(k)
Plan  as  of  August 31, 1999 and 1998, and the  changes  in  net
assets  available  for  benefits for  the  years  then  ended  in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.


       Our audits were made for the purpose of forming an opinion
on  the  financial statements taken as a whole.  The supplemental
schedules   of   assets  held  for  investment   and   reportable
transactions  as of or for the year ended August  31,  1999,  are
presented  for the purpose of additional analysis and are  not  a
required  part of the financial statements, but are supplementary
information  required  by the Department  of  Labor's  Rules  and
Regulations  for  Reporting  and Disclosure  under  the  Employee
Retirement   Income  Security  Act  of  1974.   The  supplemental
schedules have been subjected to the auditing procedures  applied
in  our  audit  of  the basic financial statements  and,  in  our
opinion,  are fairly stated in all material respects in  relation
to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.





Reading, Pennsylvania
February 9, 2000
<\PAGE>




                                -1-
<PAGE>

ARROW INTERNATIONAL, INC. 401(k) PLAN
STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS


August 31,                                          1999         1998

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                      --------------------------
<S>                                            <C>            <C>

    ASSETS

Investments, at fair value:
 Arrow International Stock Fund                $ 2,000,390    $ 1,622,753
 Participant Loan Fund                           1,537,118      1,295,828
 Fidelity Retirement Growth Fund                         -      3,872,942
 Fidelity Puritan Fund                                   -      4,304,248
 Contribution/Distribution Account                       -             62
 T. Rowe Price Prime Reserve Fund                2,999,502      2,522,388
 T. Rowe Price Balance Fund                      8,791,821      2,706,897
 T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund            17,975,161      7,243,898
 T. Rowe Price International Stock Fund            919,523        630,516
 T. Rowe Price Spectrum Income Fund                 75,091              -
 T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund                   87,447              -
 T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund             1,001,405              -
                                               --------------------------
                                                35,387,458     24,199,532

Receivables:
 Accrued income                                          -         69,282
 Employee contributions                                  -         10,958
 Employer contributions                                  -          2,602

Cash                                                     -        769,677
                                               --------------------------
      Total assets                              35,387,458     25,052,051

LIABILITY, due to broker                                 -        599,506
                                               --------------------------
      NET ASSETS AVAILABLE
         FOR BENEFITS                          $35,387,458    $24,452,545
                                               ==========================
</TABLE>

See Notes to Financial Statements.

</PAGE>

                                  -2-

<PAGE>

ARROW INTERNATIONAL, INC. 401(k) PLAN
STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Years Ended August 31,                               1999          1998
                                               ---------------------------
<S>                                             <C>               <C>

Investment income:
 Net realized and unrealized
    appreciation (depreciation)
      in fair value of
       investments                             $  6,278,117    $  (384,137)
 Interest and dividends                             854,236      1,891,421
Contributions:
 Employee                                         3,386,808      3,025,626
 Employer                                         1,010,900        939,747
Conversion in C.R. Bard                           1,004,825              -
                                               ---------------------------
    Total additions                              12,534,886      5,472,657
                                               ---------------------------

Distributions paid to participants                1,578,488      2,257,814
Administrative expenses, net                         21,485         33,546
                                               ---------------------------
      Total deductions                            1,599,973      2,291,360
                                               ---------------------------
      Net increase (decrease)                    10,934,913      3,181,297

Net assets available for benefits:
 Beginning of year                               24,452,545     21,271,248
                                               ---------------------------
 End of year                                    $35,387,458    $24,452,545
                                               ===========================

</TABLE>


See Notes to Financial Statements.

</PAGE>

                               -3-

<PAGE>


ARROW INTERNATIONAL, INC. 401(k) PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS




1
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     Basis of accounting:
       The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the
       accrual basis of accounting.

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

     Valuation of investments and income recognition:
        CoreStates Bank, N.A. (subsequently merged with First Union National
        Bank)  acted as plan trustee and administered the Plan's  assets
        through September 30, 1998. T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services,
        Inc. was appointed plan trustee and administrator of the Plan's
        assets effective October 1, 1998.  The Plan maintains the following
        nine funds under First Union:  T. Rowe Price Prime Reserve Fund,
        T.  Rowe  Price Balanced Fund, T. Rowe Price Blue  Chip  Growth
        Fund, Arrow International, Inc. Stock Fund, T. Rowe Price
        International  Stock  Fund, T. Rowe Price Spectrum Income Fund,
        T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund, T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500
        Fund and a Loan Fund for the commingled investment of employee
        and company contributions.  On October 1, 1998, the Fidelity
        Retirement Growth Fund net assets were transferred to the T.
        Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund and the Fidelity Puritan's
        Fund's net assets were transferred to the T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund.


        The  T.  Rowe Price Prime Reserve Fund, T. Rowe Price Balanced
        Fund,  T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund, Arrow International,
        Inc. Stock Fund, T.  Rowe  Price International Stock Fund, T. Rowe
        Price Spectrum Income Fund, T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund and
        T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund are stated at fair  value  as
        determined  by  the  trustee who holds  the  investments.  The loans
        receivable  in  the  Loan  Fund are stated at their  unpaid
        principal balance  which  approximates their fair  value.   The
        change  in  the difference between fair value and the cost of
        investments is reflected in the statements of changes in net
        assets available for benefits as a component   of   the   net
        realized  and   unrealized   appreciation (depreciation) in fair
        value of investments.

        Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade date
        basis.   Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis.
        Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

     Payment of benefits:
        Benefits are recorded when paid.



                                  -4-

<PAGE>


ARROW INTERNATIONAL, INC. 401(k) PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS




2
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN

     General:
        The  Arrow  International, Inc. 401(k) Plan (the  Plan)  is  a
        contributory,  defined contribution plan which was  adopted
        effective September  1,  1991  to establish a deferred compensation
        arrangement under  the  provisions of Section 401(a) of the Internal
        Revenue  Code (the  Code).  The  Plan is subject to the provisions of
        the  Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and is
        intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code.

        The 401(k) portion of the Plan is available to all employees of
        the  Company  and  its U.S. affiliates immediately upon hire,
        contingent upon scheduled annual work hours, following their
        date of hire and reaching age 21.  Prior to September 1, 1998,
        eligible employees were permitted to enter the Plan after one
        year  of service following their date of hire.

     Participant accounts:
        Each  participant's account is credited with the participant's
        share  of  the Company's match, if any, and of the earnings,
        expenses, appreciation  and  depreciation attributable to the
        participant's  and the  Company's  contributions.  The benefit
        to which a participant  is entitled  is the benefit that can be
        provided from the vested  portion of the participant's account.

     Summary plan description:
       Additional information about the Plan agreement is contained in
       the  summary  plan description. Copies of the summary plan
       description are available from the Administrative Committee.

     Termination:
       The Company has the right to terminate the Plan, subject to the
       provisions  of ERISA.  In the event of Plan termination,
       participants will become 100% vested in their accounts.

     Forfeitures:
       Forfeitures will be used to reduce Company contributions.

     Vesting:
       A participant becomes 20% vested in the employer's contribution
       to  the  Plan after one year of service.  Vesting increases  20%
       each year  until  the  participant  is fully vested  after  five
       years  of credited service.

     Funding policy:
        Participants may contribute up to 10% of their earnings.   The
        Company  may  match an amount equal to a percentage of  the
        employee contribution  as determined for the plan year.  The
        Company  can  also make  discretionary contributions based on the
        profits of the  Company as   determined   by   the  Board  of
        Directors.   No   discretionary contribution was made for the
        years ended August 31, 1999 and 1998.


                             -5-

</PAGE>


<PAGE>


ARROW INTERNATIONAL, INC. 401(k) PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS




2
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN (CONTINUED)

     Plan benefits:
        Included in plan benefits at August 31, 1998 are approximately
        $416,368 of distributions to employees whose division was sold
        by the Company.  All funds were rolled over to qualified plans.




3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENTS

      The investments at August 31, 1999 and 1998 as determined by the
trustee are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                              1999                    1998
                           ------------------------------------------------
                             Cost        Fair Value   Cost      Fair Value
                           ------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>            <C>          <C>       <C>

Money market fund,
  T. Rowe Price Prime
     Reserve Fund          $ 2,999,502  $2,999,502*  $2,522,450  $2,522,450*   -
                           ------------------------------------------------

Balanced funds:
  T. Rowe Price
     Balanced Fund           7,873,768   8,791,821*   3,005,603   2,706,897*   -
                           ------------------------------------------------

Equity funds:
  T. Rowe Price Blue Chip
     Growth Fund            14,421,416  17,975,161*   8,739,861   7,243,898*
  T. Rowe Price International
     Stock Fund                779,550     919,523      717,747     630,516
  T. Rowe Price Spectrum
     Income Fund                78,930      75,091            -           -
  T. Rowe Price Equity
     Income Fund                87,790      87,447            -           -
  T. Rowe Price Equity
     Index 500 Fund            991,556   1,001,405            -           -
  Fidelity Retirement
     Growth Fund                     -           -    4,035,768   3,872,942*
  Fidelity Puritan Fund              -           -    3,919,600   4,304,248*
                            -----------------------------------------------

                            16,359,242  20,058,627   17,412,976  16,051,604
                            -----------------------------------------------

     Stock fund, Arrow
     International, Inc.     2,120,414   2,000,390*   1,894,863   1,622,753*
                           ------------------------------------------------
     Participant loan fund   1,537,118   1,537,118    1,295,828   1,295,828*
                           ------------------------------------------------
                           $30,890,044 $35,387,458  $26,131,720 $24,199,532
                           ================================================
</TABLE>

        * Investment represents 5% or more of the Plan's net assets.

<\PAGE>

                                 -6-
<PAGE>

ARROW INTERNATIONAL, INC. 401(k) PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS




3
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

    During 1999 and 1998, the Plan's investments (including gains
    and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held during
    the year) appreciated (depreciated) in value by $6,278,117 and
    (384,137) as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                         1999              1998

                                        -------------------------------
                                         <C>               <C>

   Arrow International Stock Fund         $  112,852       $  (189,374)
   Fidelity Retirememt Growth Fund           432,822          (602,459)
   Fidelity Puritan Fund                     139,151          (113,001)
   T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund             1,164,625           128,007
   T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund     4,289,752           413,293
   T. Rowe Price International Stock Fund    132,209           (20,603)
   T. Rowe Price Spectrum Income Fund         (4,679)                -
   T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund           (1,130)                -
   T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund        12,515                 -
                                        --------------------------------
                                          $6,278,117       $  (384,137)
                                        ================================
</TABLE>




4
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME TAX STATUS

      The  Internal Revenue Service has determined that the Plan meets
      the  requirements of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue  Code
      and is,  therefore, not subject to federal income tax. As a
      condition  of continued qualification under Section 401(a), the
      Plan is required  to meet   the  qualification  rules  in  operation.
      The  Administrative Committee  is  not  aware of any circumstances
      that  might  adversely affect the Plan's qualified status.


5
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSACTIONS WITH PARTIES-IN-INTEREST

     Fees paid during the year for administrative services rendered by
     parties-in-interest were based on customary and reasonable  rates
     for such services.




                         -7-

<\PAGE>


<PAGE>

ARROW INTERNATIONAL, INC. 401(k) PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


6
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
CHANGE IN INVESTMENT OPTIONS


   Effective October 1, 1998, investments in the Fidelity Retirement
   Growth Fund transferred to the T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund
   and the Fidelity Puritan Funds investments transferred to the T. Rowe
   Price Balanced Fund.



7
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLAN MERGER

   On April 1, 1999, the C.R. Bard/Arrow International, Inc. 401(k) Plan
   was merged into the Arrow International, Inc. 401(k) Plan.  Prior to the
   merger, the plans covered eligible employees at Arrow Internationl and
   its subsidiary, Arrow Interventional, Inc.  The transferred net assets
   have been recognized in the accounts of Arrow International, Inc. Plan
   as of April 1, 1999, at their balances as previously carried in the
   accounts of the C.R. Bard/Arrow International, Inc. 401(k) Plan.  The
   changes in the net assets of the combined plans are included in the
   accompanying statement of changes in net assets available for benefits
   from April 1, 1999.  A summary of transferred net assets follows:


<TABLE>
<S>                                                 <C>


      T. Rowe Price Prime Reserve Fund              $   138,203
      T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund                        44,425
      T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund               347,268
      T. Rowe Price International Stock Fund              3,161
      T. Rowe Price Spectrum Income Fund                 34,186
      T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund                   16,720
      T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund               370,752
      T. Rowe Price Participant Loan Fund                50,110
                                                   ------------
                                                   $  1,004,825
                                                   ============
</TABLE>


8
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBSEQUENT EVENT


  Effective January 1, 2000, Medical Parameters Inc.'s 401(k) Plan
  was merged into Arrow International, Inc. 401(k) Plan which received
  $698,876.  Medical Parameters Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
  Arrow International, Inc.


                        -8-



<\PAGE>





<PAGE>

ARROW INTERNATIONAL, INC. 401 (k) PLAN

LINE 27a -SCHEDULE OF ASSETS HELD FOR INVESTMENTS PURPOSES
EIN: 23-1969991
PN: 004

August 31, 1999

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Number Of
        Description                             Shares       Cost    Fair Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        <S>                                   <C>         <C>       <C>
Short-term fund, T. Rowe Price Prime Reserve
    Fund
                                              2,999,502  $2,999,502  $2,999,502*
                                                        ------------------------
Balanced fund, T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund      465,915   7,873,768   8,791,821*
                                                        ------------------------
Equity funds:
  T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund           559,625  14,421,416  17,975,161*
  T. Rowe Price International Stock Fund         57,220     779,550     919,523
  T. Rowe Price Spectrum Income Fund              6,858      78,930      75,091
  T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund                3,168      87,790      87,447
  T. Rowe Price Equity Index 500 Fund            27,980     991,556   1,001,405
                                                        ------------------------
                                                         16,359,242  20,058,627

Arrow International, Inc. common stock           68,979   2,120,414   2,000,390*
                                                        ------------------------
Participant loan fund                         1,537,118   1,537,118   1,537,118
                                                        ------------------------
          Total investments                             $30,890,044 $35,387,458
                                                        ========================
</TABLE>

* Represents  5%  or  more  of the  net  assets  available  for benefits.

<\PAGE>

                                -9-



<PAGE>


ARROW INTERNATIONAL, INC. 401 (k) PLAN

LINE 27d -SCHEDULE OF REPORTABLE TRANSACTIONS
EIN: 23-1969991
PN: 004

Year Ended August 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                         Total     Total
                       Number Of  Number Of
                       Purchases   Sales     Dollar   Dollar  Cost of   Net
                        Within    Within    Value Of Value Of  Assets  Gain
Description Of Asset   Plan Year Plan Year Purchases   Sales    Sold  (Loss)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>     <C>       <C>        <C>      <C>     <C>

Short-term fund:
 T. Rowe Price Prime
    Reserve Fund       96       70   $3,520,098 $3,043,046 $3,043,046 $     -

Balance fund:
 T. Rowe Price
    Balanced Fund      83       97    8,709,469  3,758,330  3,841,304  (82,974)

Equity funds:
 Fidelity Retirement
    Growth Fund         3        2       38,695  4,401,982  4,074,463  327,519
 Fideliy Puritan Fund   3        2      390,124  4,563,369  4,309,724  253,645
 T. Rowe Price Blue
    Chip Growth Fund   94       84   15,507,116  8,971,503  9,825,561 (854,058)

Arrow International, Inc.
    common stock       76       76    2,386,500  2,155,393  2,160,949   (5,556)


</TABLE>

                                -10-
</PAGE>


<PAGE>

                              SIGNATURES


        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934,  the  trustees (or other persons who administer the  Plan)  have
duly  caused  this  annual  report to be  signed  by  the  undersigned
hereunto duly authorized.


                                        ARROW INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                                           401(k) PLAN




Date:  February 25, 2000                By:/s/ Frederick J. Hirt
       -----------------                   ----------------------
                                           Frederick J. Hirt
                                           Vice-President, Finance,  CFO
                                           and Treasurer


<\PAGE>


<PAGE>

                           Index to Exhibit
                           ----------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Exhibit No.
- ----------
<S>          <C>


23.1       Consent of Beard & Company, Inc., independent auditors


<\PAGE>


<PAGE>


                             EXHIBIT 23.1

        CONSENT OF BEARD & COMPANY, INC., INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We  consent  to  the  incorporation by reference in  the  Registration
Statement   (Form   S-8  No.  33-71568)  pertaining   to   the   Arrow
International,  Inc. 401(k) Plan, of the financial statements  of  the
Arrow  International, Inc. 401(k) Plan included in this Annual  Report
(Form 11-K) for the year ended August 31, 1998.




                                          BEARD & COMPANY, INC.





Reading, Pennsylvania
February 9, 2000

<\PAGE>


</TABLE>


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