Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's common stock, as of February 5, 2016,3, 2017, was 44,159,340.43,983,489.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General
HNI Corporation (the “Corporation”, “we”, “us” or “our”) is an Iowa corporation incorporated in 1944. The Corporation is a provider of office furniture and hearth products. Office furniture products include panel-based and freestanding furniture systems, and complementary products such as seating, storage and tables. These products are sold primarily through a national system of dealers, wholesalers and office product distributors but also directly to end-user customers and federal, state and local governments. Hearth products include a full array of gas, wood and pellet burning fireplaces, inserts, stoves, facings and accessories. These products are sold through a national system of dealers and distributors, as well as Corporation-owned distribution and retail outlets. In fiscal 20152016, the Corporation had net sales of $2.32.2 billion, of which approximately $1.8$1.7 billion or 77%77 percent was attributable to office furniture products and $0.5$0.5 billion or 23%23 percent was attributable to hearth products. Please refer to Reportable Segment Information in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about operating segments.
The Corporation is organized into a corporate headquarters and operating units with offices, manufacturing plants, distribution centers and sales showrooms in the United States, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Taiwan, Mexico and Taiwan.Dubai. See Item"Item 2."Properties" for additional related discussion.
Nine operating units, marketing under various brand names, participate in the office furniture industry. These operating units include:
The HON Company LLC ("HON"),
Allsteel Inc., ("Allsteel")
Maxon Furniture Inc.,
The Gunlocke Company L.L.C., LLC
Paoli LLC
Hickory Business Furniture, LLC (“HBF”), Artco-Bell Corporation
OFM LLC ("Artcobell"OFM"),
HNI Hong Kong Limited (“Lamex”) and
BP Ergo Limited ("BP Ergo").
Each of these operating units provides products, which are sold through various channels of distribution and segments of the industry. HNI International Inc. (“HNI International”)Export sells office furniture products manufactured by the Corporation’s operating units in select markets outside the United States and Canada.
The operating unit Hearth & Home Technologies LLC (“Hearth & Home”) participates in the hearth products industry. The retail and distribution brand for this operating unit is Fireside Hearth & Home. During fiscal 2014, the Corporation completed the acquisition of Vermont Castings Group ("VCG"), a leading manufacturer of free-standing hearth stoves and fireplaces, for a purchase price of approximately $62 million.
The Corporation has been committed to systematically eliminating waste through its process improvement approach known as Rapid Continuous Improvement (“RCI”), which focuses on streamlining design, manufacturing and administrative processes. The Corporation's RCI program has contributed to increased productivity, lower costs, improved product quality, and enhanced workplace safety. In addition, the Corporation's RCI efforts enable it to offer shortsafety and shorter average lead times, from receipt of order to delivery and installation, for most products.times.
The Corporation's product development efforts are focused on developing and providing relevant and differentiated solutions, delivering quality, aesthetics and style.
An important element of the Corporation's success has been its member-owner culture, which has enabled it to attract, develop, retain and motivate skilled, experienced and efficient members (i.e., employees). Each of the Corporation's eligible members has the opportunity to own stock in the Corporation through a number of stock-based plans, including a member stock purchase plan and a profit-sharing retirement plan, which drivesplan. These ownership opportunities drive a unique level of commitment to the Corporation’s success throughout the workforce.
For further financial-related information with respect to acquisitions, divestitures, operating segment information, restructuring and the Corporation’s operations in general, refer to “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II of this report and the following sections in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements: Nature of Operations, Business Combinations and Reportable Segment Information.
Industry
According to the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer's Association (“BIFMA”), U.S.North American 2016 sales of office and institutional furniture industrygrew 2 percent from 2015 levels. During 2016, BIFMA changed the data reporting structure whereby reporting elements are not historically comparable. Under the previous methodology, BIFMA reported 2015 shipments were estimated to be $10.2 billion in 2015, an increase of 5% compared toup 5 percent from 2014 which was a 4% increase from 2013 levels.
The U.S. office furniture market consists of two primary channels—the contract channel and the supplies-driven channel. The contract channel has traditionally been characterized by sales of office furniture and services to large corporations, primarily for new office facilities, relocations or department or office redesigns, whichredesigns. Sales to the contract channel are frequently customized to meet specific client and designer preferences. Contract furniture is generally purchased through office furniture dealers who typically prepare a custom-designed office layout emphasizing image and design. The selling process is complex, and lengthy and generally has several manufacturers competing for the same projects.
The supplies-driven channel of the market, in which the Corporation is a leader, primarily represents smaller orders of office furniture purchased by small/medium businessesbusinesses. Sales in this channel are driven on the basis of price, quality, selection, and speed and reliability of delivery. Office products dealers, wholesalers and national office product distributors are the primary distribution channels in this market. Office furniture and products dealers publish content on the internet and periodic catalogs displaying office furniture and products from various manufacturers.
The Corporation also competes in the hearth products industry, where it is a market leader. Hearth products are typically purchased by builders during the construction of new homes and homeowners during the renovation of existing homes. Both types of purchases involve seasonality with remodel/retrofit activity being concentrated in the September to December time-frame. Distribution is primarily through independent dealers, who may buy direct from the manufacturer or from an intermediate distributor.
Strategy
The Corporation's strategy is to build on its position as a leading manufacturer of office furniture and hearth products in North America and pursue select global markets where opportunities exist to create shareholder value. The components of this growth strategy are to introduce new products, build brand equity, provide outstanding customer satisfaction, by focusing on the end-user, strengthen the distribution network, respond to global competition, pursue complementary strategic acquisitions, enter markets not currently served and continually reduce costs.
The Corporation’s strategy has a dual focus: working continuously to extract new growth from its core markets while identifying and developing new, adjacent potential areas of growth. The Corporation focuses on extracting new growth from each of its existing businesses by deepening its understanding of end-users and using newthe insights gained to refine branding, selling, and marketing and developing new products to serve them better.product development. The Corporation also pursues opportunities in potential growth drivers related to its core business, such as vertical markets or new distribution models.
Employees/Members
As of January 2,December 31, 2016, the Corporation employed approximately 10,4009,400 persons, 10,0008,900 of whom were full-time and 400500 of whom were temporary personnel. The Corporation believes its labor relations are good.
Products and Solutions
Office Furniture
The Corporation designs, manufactures and markets a broad range of office furniture systems and seating across a range of price points. The Corporation's portfolio includes panel-based and freestanding furniture systems and complementary products such as seating, storage, tables and tables.relocatable architectural walls. The Corporation offers a complete line of office panel system products and freestanding desks, classroom solutions, bookshelves and credenzas in order to meet the needs of a wide spectrum of organizations. The Corporation offers a variety of storage options designed either to be integrated into the Corporation's office systems products or to function as freestanding furniture in office applications. The Corporation's seating line includes chairs designed for all types of office work. The chairs are available in a variety of frame colors, coverings and a wide range of price points.
To meet the demands of various markets, the Corporation's products are sold under various private labels in addition to the Corporation's brands – brands:
HON®
, Allsteel®
, Maxon®
, Gunlocke®
, Paoli®,
HBF®
, artcobellOFMTM®
, Midwest Folding ProductsTM, American DeskTM, basyx® by HON
Lamex®
and ERGO®TM, as well as private labels.
Hearth Products
The Corporation is North America’s largest manufacturer and marketer of prefabricated fireplaces, hearth stoves and related products. These products are primarily for the home which it sellsand are sold under itsthe following widely recognized brands:
Heatilator®,
Heat & Glo®
, Majestic®
, Monessen®
, Quadra-Fire®,
Harman StoveTM
, Vermont Castings®
and PelProTMbrand names.
The Corporation’s line of hearth products includes a full array of gas, wood and pellet burning fireplaces, inserts, stoves, facings and accessories. Heatilator®, Heat & Glo®, Majestic® and Monessen® are brand leaders in the two largest segments of the home fireplace market: gas and wood fireplaces. The Corporation is the leader in “direct vent” fireplaces, which replace the chimney-venting system used in traditional fireplaces with a less expensive vent through the roof or an outer wall. In addition, the Corporation is the market leader in wood and pellet-burning stoves and furnaces with its Quadra-Fire®, Harman StoveTM,Vermont Castings® and PelProTM product lines which provide home heating solutions using renewable fuels. See “Intellectual Property” under Item"Item 1. "Business"Business" for additional details.
Manufacturing
The Corporation manufactures office furniture in Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, New York, North Carolina, Texas, China and India. The Corporation manufactures hearth products in Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Washington.
The Corporation purchases raw materials and components from a variety of suppliers, and generally most items are available from multiple sources. Major raw materials and components include coil steel, aluminum, zinc, castings, lumber, veneer, particleboard, fabric, paint, lacquer, hardware, glass, plastic products and shipping cartons.
Since its inception, the Corporation has focused on making its manufacturing facilities and processes more flexible while at the same time reducing cost, eliminating waste and improving product quality. The Corporation applies the principles of RCI and a lean manufacturing philosophy leveraging the creativity of its members to eliminate and reduce costs. To achieve flexibility and attain efficiency goals, the Corporation has adopted a variety of production techniques, including cellular manufacturing, focused factories, just-in-time inventory management, value engineering, business simplification and 80/20 principles. The application of RCI has increased productivity by reducing set-up, and processing times, square footage, inventory levels, product costs and delivery times, while improving quality and enhancing member safety. The Corporation's RCI process involves production and administrative employees, management,members, customers and suppliers. The Corporation has facilitators, coaches and consultants dedicated to the RCI process and strives to involve all members in the RCI process. Manufacturing also plays a key role in the Corporation's concurrent product development process in order to design new products for ease of manufacturability.
Product Development
The Corporation's product development efforts are primarily focused on developing relevant and differentiated end-user solutions focused on quality, aesthetics, style, sustainable design and on reducingreduced manufacturing costs. The Corporation accomplishes this through improving existing products, extending product lines, and platforms, applying ergonomic research, improving manufacturing processes, applyingleveraging alternative materials and providing engineering support and training to its operating units. The Corporation conducts its product development efforts at both the corporate and operating unit level. The Corporation invested approximately $31.1$28.1 million,, $29.7 $31.1 million and $27.3$29.7 million in product development during fiscal 20152016, 20142015 and 20132014, respectively.
Intellectual Property
As of January 2,December 31, 2016, the Corporation owned 245197 U.S. and 262223 foreign patents with expiration dates through 2040 and had applications pending for 2530 U.S. and 8471 foreign patents. In addition, the Corporation holds 198200 U.S. and 460467 foreign trademark registrations and has applications pending for 29 U.S. and 2615 foreign trademarks.
The Corporation's principal office furniture products do not require frequent technical changes. The Corporation believes neither any individual office furniture patent nor the Corporation's office furniture patents in the aggregate are material to the Corporation's business as a whole.
The Corporation’s patents covering its hearth products protect various technical innovations. While the acquisition of patents reflects Hearth & Home’s position in the market as an innovation leader, the Corporation believes neither any individual hearth product patent nor the Corporation’s hearth product patents in the aggregate are material to the Corporation’s business as a whole.
The Corporation applies for patent protection when it believes the expense of doing so is justified and the Corporation believes the duration of its registered patents is adequate to protect these rights. The Corporation also pays royalties in certain instances for the use of patents on products and processes owned by others.
The Corporation applies for trademark protection for brands and products when it believes the expense of doing so is justified. The Corporation actively protects trademarks it believes have significant value. The Corporation believes neither the loss of any individual trademark nor the loss of the Corporation's trademarks in the aggregate would materially or adversely affect the Corporation's business as a whole, except for HNI, HON, Allsteel, Heat & Glo and Allsteel.Heatilator.
Sales and Distribution: Customers
The Corporation sells its office furniture products through five principal distribution channels. The first channel, consisting of independent, local office furniture and office products dealers, specializes in the sale of a broad range of office furniture and office furniture systems to business, government, education and health care entities.
The second distribution channel comprisesis comprised of national office product distributors including Staples, Inc. and Office Depot, Inc. which have announced a planned merger. These distributorsthat sell furniture along withand office supplies through a national network of dealerships and sales offices, which assist their customers with the evaluation of office space requirements, systems layout and product selection and design and office solution services provided by professional designers.offices. These distributors also sell through on-line and retail office products stores.
The third distribution channel is whereinvolves the Corporation hashaving the lead selling relationship with the end-user.
The fourth distribution channel comprisesis comprised of wholesalers serving as distributors of the Corporation's products to independent dealers and national office products distributors. The Corporation sells to the nation's largest office supply/furniture wholesalers, Essendant and S.P. Richards Company. Wholesalers maintain inventory of standard product lines for resale to the various dealers and national office products distributors. They also special order products from the Corporation in customer-selected models and colors. The Corporation's wholesalersWholesalers maintain warehouse locations throughout the United States, which enables the Corporation to make its products available for rapid delivery to resellers anywhere in the country.
The fifth distribution channel comprisesis comprised of direct sales of the Corporation's products to federal, state and local government offices.
The Corporation's office furniture sales force consists of regional sales managers, salespersons and firms of independent manufacturers' representatives who collectively provide national sales coverage. Sales managers and salespersons are compensated by a combination of salary and variable performance compensation.
Office products dealers, national wholesalers and national office product distributors market their products over the Internetinternet and through catalogs published periodically. These catalogs areperiodically and distributed to existing and potential customers.
The Corporation also makes export sales through HNI InternationalExport to office furniture dealers and wholesale distributors serving select foreign markets. Distributors are principally located in the Middle East, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean. Through Lamex and BP Ergo, the Corporation manufactures and distributes office furniture directly to end-users and through independent dealers and distributors in Asia, primarily China and India.
Limited quantities of select finished goods inventories primarily built to order and awaiting shipment are at the Corporation's principal manufacturing plants and at its various distribution centers.
Hearth & Home sells its fireplace and stove products through dealers, distributors and Corporation-owned distribution and retail outlets. The Corporation has a field sales organization of regional sales managers, salespersons and firms of independent manufacturers' representatives.
In fiscal 20152016, the Corporation's five largest customers represented approximately 22%25 percent of its consolidated net sales. No single customer accounted for 10%10 percent or more of the Corporation’s consolidated net sales in fiscal 20152016. The substantial purchasing power exercised by large customers may adversely affect the prices at which the Corporation can successfully offer its products.
The above percentages do not include revenue from various government agencies. In aggregate, purchases by federal government entities collectively accounted for approximately 3%4 percent of the Corporation's consolidated net sales.
As of January 2,December 31, 2016, the Corporation had an order backlog of approximately $173.8$175.7 million, which will be filled in the ordinary course of business within the first few months of the fiscal year. This compares with $192.4$173.8 million as of January 3, 2015.2, 2016. Backlog, in terms of percentage of net sales, was 7.6%8.0 percent and 8.7%7.6 percent for fiscal 20152016 and 2014,2015, respectively. The Corporation’s products are typically manufactured and shipped within a few weeks following receipt of order or later upon customer request. TheTherefore, the dollar amount of the Corporation’s order backlog is therefore, not considered by management to be a leading indicator of the Corporation’s expected sales in any particular fiscal period.
Competition
The Corporation is a leading global office furniture manufacturer and believes it is the largest provider of furniture to small- and medium-sized workplaces. The Corporation is North America's largest manufacturer and marketer of fireplaces.
The office furniture industry is highly competitive, with a significant number of competitors offering similar products. The Corporation competes by emphasizing its ability to deliver compelling value products, solutions and a high level of tailored customer service. The Corporation competes with large office furniture manufacturers, which cover a substantial portion of the North America market share in the contract-oriented office furniture market including manufacturers such as Steelcase Inc., Haworth, Inc., Herman Miller, Inc. and Knoll, Inc. The Corporation also competes with a number of other office furniture manufacturers, including The Global Group (a Canadian company), Kimball International, Inc., Krueger International Inc. (KI), Virco Mfg. Corporation and Teknion Corporation (a Canadian company), as well as global importers. The Corporation faces significant price competition from its competitors and may encounter competition from new market entrants.
Hearth products, consisting of prefabricated fireplaces and related products, are manufactured by a number of national and regional competitors. The Corporation competes primarily against a broad range of manufacturers, including Travis Industries Inc., Innovative Hearth Products, Wolf Steel Ltd. (Napoleon) and FPI Fireplace Products International Ltd. (Regency).
Both office furniture and hearth products compete on the basis of performance, quality, price, customer service and complete and on-time delivery to the customer and customer service and support.delivery. The Corporation believes it competes principally by providing compelling value products designed to be among the best in their price range for product quality, and performance, superior customer service and short lead-times. This is made possible, in part, by the Corporation's on-going investment in brands, product development, highly efficient and low cost manufacturing operations and an extensive distribution network.
For further discussion of the Corporation's competitive situation, refer to “Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” later in this report.
Effects of Inflation
Certain business costs may, from time to time, increase at a rate exceeding the general rate of inflation. The Corporation’s objective is to offset the effect of normal inflation on its costs primarily through productivity increases in combinationimprovements combined with certain adjustments to the selling price of its products as competitive market and general economic conditions permit.
Investments are routinely made in modernizing plants, equipment, information technology capabilities and RCI programs. These investments collectively focus on business simplification and increasing productivity which helpshelp to offset the effect of rising material and labor costs. The Corporation also routinely employs ongoing cost control disciplines. In addition, the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") valuation method is used for most of the Corporation's inventories, whichinventories. The use of LIFO ensures changing material and labor costs are recognized in reported income and more importantly, these costs are recognized in pricing decisions.
Environmental
The Corporation is subject to a variety of environmental laws and regulations governing the use of materials and substances in products, the management of wastes resulting from use of certain material and the remediation of contamination associated with releases of hazardous substances used in the past. Although the Corporation believes it is in material compliance with all of the various regulations applicable to its business, there can be no assurance requirements will not change in the future or the Corporation will not incur material costs to comply with such regulations. The Corporation has trained staff responsible for monitoring compliance with environmental, health and safety requirements. The Corporation’s environmental staff works with responsible personnel at each manufacturing facility, the Corporation’s environmental legal counsel and consultants on the management of
environmental, health and safety issues. The Corporation’s environmental objective is to reduce and, when practical, eliminate the human and ecosystem impacts of materials and manufacturing processes.
The Corporation’s environmental management system has earned the recognition of numerous state and federal agencies as well as non-government organizations. Aligning continuous improvement initiatives with the Corporation’s environmental objectives creates a model of the triple bottom line of sustainable development where members work toward shared goals of personal growth, economic reward and a healthy environment for the future.
Over the past several years, the Corporation has expanded its environmental management system and established metrics to influence product design and development, supplier and supply chain performance, energy and resource consumption and the impacts of its facilities. In addition, the Corporation is providing sustainability training to senior decision makers and has assigned resources to documenting and communicating its progress to an increasingly knowledgeable market. Integrating sustainable objectives into core business systems is consistent with the Corporation’s vision and ensures its commitment to being a sustainable enterprise remains a priority for all members.
Compliance with federal, state and local environmental regulations has not had a material effect on the capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position of the Corporation to date. The Corporation does not anticipate financially material capital expenditures will be required during fiscal 20162017 for environmental control facilities. It isIn management’s judgment, that compliance with current regulations should not have a material effect on the Corporation’s financial condition or results of operations. However, there can be no assurance new environmental legislation, material science or technology in this area will not result in or require material capital expenditures.
Business Development
The development of the Corporation's business during the fiscal years ended January 2,December 31, 2016, January 3, 20152, 2016 and December 28, 2013January 3, 2015 is discussed in “Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”.Operations."
Available Information
Information regarding the Corporation’s annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to these reports, will be made available, free of charge, on the Corporation’s website at www.hnicorp.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Corporation electronically files such reports with or furnishes them to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Corporation’s information is also available from the SEC’s Public Reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, or on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this report to the extent they are not statements of historical or present fact, including statements as to plans, outlook, objectives and future financial performance, are “forward-looking” statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words, such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “confident,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “hope,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” and variations of such words and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Corporation’s actual results in the future to differ materially from expected results. The most significant factors known to the Corporation that may adversely affect the Corporation’s business, operations, industries, financial position or future financial performance are described later in this report under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” The Corporation cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement, which speaks only as of the date made, and to recognize forward-looking statements are predictions of future results, which may not occur as anticipated. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements and from historical results due to the risks and uncertainties described elsewhere in this report, including under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” as well as others that the Corporation may consider immaterial or does not anticipate at this time. The risks and uncertainties described in this report, including those under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” are not exclusive and further information concerning the Corporation, including factors that potentially could materially affect the Corporation’s financial results or condition, may emerge from time to time.
The Corporation assumes no obligation to update, amend or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. The Corporation advises you, however, to consult
any further disclosures made on related subjects in future quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed with or furnished to the SEC.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
The following risk factors and other information included in this report should be carefully considered. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, operating results, cash flows or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
The existence of various unfavorable macroeconomic and industry factors, or deterioration of economic conditions, for a prolonged period could adversely affect our business operating results or financial condition.
Office furniture industry sales are impacted by a variety of macroeconomic factors including service-sector employment levels, corporate profits, small business confidence, commercial construction and office vacancy rates. Industry factors, including corporate restructuring, technology changes, corporate relocations, health and safety concerns, including ergonomic considerations, and the globalization of companies also influence office furniture industry revenues. We experienced softening in the U.S. economy in fiscal 2015 and we expect economic uncertainty to continue into 2016, which could decrease demand for our office furniture products and have adverse effects on our operating results.
Hearth products industry sales are impacted by a variety of macroeconomic factors as well, including housing starts, overall employment levels, interest rates, consumer confidence, energy costs, disposable income and changing demographics. Industry factors, such as technology changes, health and safety concerns and environmental regulation, including indoor air quality standards, also influence hearth products industry revenues. Deterioration of the economic conditions or a slowdown in the recovery in the homebuilding industry and the hearth products market could decrease demand for our hearth products and have additional adverse effects on our operating results. Additionally, the recent decline in oil and other fuel prices has negatively impacted demand for our pellet stoves and we expect demand to remain soft in ourthe pellet business aswhile oil and other fuel prices are projected to remain low.
Economic growth has slowed, and may continue to slow, in several key international markets, including China and India, which could have adverse effects on our international office furniture sales and our operating results.
Deteriorating economic conditions could affect our business significantly, including: reduced demand for products; insolvency of our dealers resulting in increased provisions for credit losses; insolvency of our key suppliers resulting in product delays; inability of customers to obtain credit to finance purchases of our products; and decreased customer demand, including order delays or cancellations; and counter-party failures negatively impacting our treasury operations.cancellations.
We may need to take additional impairment charges related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, which would adversely affect our results of operations.
Goodwill and other acquired intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but are tested for impairment annually, and when an event occurs or circumstances change making it reasonably possible an impairment may exist. As of January 2, 2016, we had goodwill of $278 million recorded on our balance sheet. We test for impairment annually during the fourth quarter of the year and whenever indicators of impairment exist. We test goodwill for impairment by first comparing the carrying value of net assets to the fair value of the reporting unit. If the fair value is determined to be less than carrying value, a second step is performed to determine the implied fair value of goodwill associated with the reporting unit. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, the excess represents the amount of goodwill impairment, and accordingly, an impairment is recognized.
We estimate the fair values of the reporting units using discounted cash flows. Forecasts of future cash flows are based on our best estimate of longer term, broad market trends. We combine this trend data with estimates of current economic conditions in the U.S. and other countries where we have a presence, competitor behavior, the mix of product sales, commodity costs, wage rates, the level of manufacturing capacity and the pricing environment. In addition, estimates of fair value are impacted by estimates of the market-participant-derived weighted average cost of capital. Changes in these forecasts could significantly change the amount of impairment recorded, if any. As a result of impairment testing, we recorded goodwill and other long-lived asset impairments of $11$6 million during 2015.2016.
The office furniture and hearth products industries are highly competitive and, as a result, we may not always be successful.
Both the office furniture and hearth products industries are highly competitive, with a significant number of competitors in both industries offering similar products. While competitive factors vary geographically and between differing sales situations, typical
factors for both industries include: price; delivery and service; product design and features; product quality; strength of dealers and other distributors; and relationships with customers and key influencers, including architects, designers, home-builders and facility managers. Our principal competitors in the office furniture industry include The Global Group, Haworth, Inc., Kimball International, Inc., Steelcase Inc., Herman Miller, Inc., Teknion Corporation Virco Mfg. Corporaton, Krueger International Inc. (KI) and Knoll, Inc. Our principal competitors in the hearth products industry include Travis Industries Inc., Innovative Hearth Products, Wolf Steel Ltd. (Napoleon) and FPI Fireplace Products International Ltd. (Regency). In both industries, most of our top competitors have an installed base of products that can
be a source of significant future sales through repeat and expansion orders. These competitors manufacture products with strong acceptance in the marketplace and are capable of developing products that have a competitive advantage over our products.
Our continued success will depend on many factors, including our ability to continue to manufacture and market high quality, high performance products at competitive prices and our ability to adapt our business model to effectively compete in the highly competitive environments of both the office furniture and hearth products industries. Our success is also subject to our ability to sustain and grow our positive brand reputation and recognition among existing and potential customers and use our brands and trademarks effectively in entering new markets.
In both the office furniture and hearth products industries, we also face significant price competition from our competitors and from new market entrants who primarily manufacture and source products from lower cost countries. Price competition impacts our ability to implement price increases or, in some cases, even maintain prices, which could lower our profit margins. In addition, we may not be able to maintain or raise the prices of our products in response to rising raw material prices and other inflationary pressures.
The concentration of our customer base, changes in demand and order patterns from our customers, as well as the increased purchasing power of these customers, could adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.
We sell our products through multiple distribution channels. These distribution channels have been consolidating and may continue to consolidate in the future. Consolidation may result in a greater proportion of our sales being concentrated in fewer customers, including as a result of the recent mergers and announced mergers of national office product distributors.customers. The increased purchasing power exercised by larger customers may adversely affect the prices at which we can successfully offer our products. As a result of this consolidation, changes in the purchase patterns or the loss of a single customer may have a greater impact on our business, operating results or financial condition than the events would have had prior to the consolidation. In fiscal 2016, the Corporation's five largest customers represented approximately 25 percent of its consolidated sales. No single customer accounted for 10 percent or more of the Corporation's consolidated net sales in fiscal 2016.
The growth in sales of private-label products by some of our largest office furniture customers may reduce our revenue and adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.
Private-label products are products sold under the name of the distributor or retailer, but manufactured by another party. Some of our largest customers have aggressive private-label initiatives to increase their sales of office furniture. If successful, they may reduce our revenue and inhibit our ability to raise prices and may, in some cases, even force us to lower prices, which could result in an adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition.
Increases in basic commodity, raw material, component and transportation costs, as well as disruptions to the supply of basic commodities, raw materials and components or transportation and shipping challenges, could adversely affect our profitability.
Fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of the commodities, raw materials and components used by us in manufacturing could have an adverse effect on our costs of sales, profitability and our ability to meet customers' demand. We source commodities, raw materials and components from domestic and international suppliers for both our office furniture and hearth products. From both domestic and international suppliers, the cost, quality and availability of commodities, raw materials and components, including steel, one of our largest raw material categories, have been significantly affected in recent years by, among other things, changes in global supply and demand, changes in laws and regulations (including tariffs and duties), changes in exchange rates and worldwide price levels, natural disasters, labor disputes, terrorism and political unrest or instability. These factors could lead to further price increases or supply interruptions in the future. Our profit margins could be adversely affected if commodity, raw material and component costs remain high or escalate further, and we are either unable to offset such costs through strategic sourcing initiatives and continuous improvement programs or, as a result of competitive market dynamics, unable to pass along a portion of the higher costs to our customers.
We rely primarily on third-party freight and transportation providers to deliver our products to customers. Increasing demand for freight providers and a shortage of qualified drivers may cause delays in our shipments and increase the cost to ship our products, which may adversely affect our profitability. Additionally, we import and export products and components, primarily using container ships, which load and unload through several U.S. ports, including ports on the West Coast.North American ports. Port-caused delays in the
shipment or receipt of products and components, including labor disputes, could cause delayed receipt of our products and components. These delays could cause manufacturing disruptions, increased expense resulting from alternate shipping methods or the inability to meet customer delivery expectations, which may adversely affect our sales and profitability.
Our efforts to introduce new products to meet customer and workplace requirements may not be successful, which could limit our sales growth or cause our sales to decline.
To meet the changing needs of our customers and keep pace with market trends in both the office furniture and hearth products industries, we regularly introduce new products. Trends include changes in workplace and home design and increases in the use of technology and evolving regulatory and industry requirements, including environmental, health, safety and similar standards for the workplace and home and for product performance. The introduction of new products in both industries requires the coordination of the design, manufacturing and marketing of the products, which may be affected by factors beyond our control. The design and engineering of certain new products can take up to a year or more, and further time may be required to achieve client acceptance. In addition, we may face difficulties introducing new products if we cannot successfully align ourselves with independent architects, home-builders and designers who are able to design, in a timely manner, high quality products consistent with our image and our customers' needs. Accordingly, the launch of any particular product may be later or less successful than we originally anticipated. Difficulties or delays introducing new products or lack of customer acceptance of new products could limit our sales growth or cause our sales to decline and may result in an adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition.
We have grown, and may continue to grow, our business through acquisitions and alliances, which could adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.
One of our growth strategies is to supplement our organic growth through acquisitions of, and or strategic alliances with, businesses with technologies or products complimenting or augmenting our existing products or distribution or adding new products or distribution to our business. In the past few years, we acquired OFM, a small office furniture company, and Vermont Castings Group, a hearth stoves and fireplace company, Artcobell, an education furniture company, and BP Ergo, an office furniture company in India, each of which we continue to integrate into our business.company. The benefits of these acquisitions, or future acquisitions or alliances may take more time than expected to develop or integrate into our operations, and we cannot guarantee any completed or future acquisitions or alliances will in fact produce any benefits. In addition, acquisitions and alliances involve a number of risks, including, without limitation:
diversion of management’s attention, including significant management time devoted to integrating acquisitions;
difficulties in assimilating the operations and products of an acquired business or in realizing projected efficiencies, cost savings and revenue synergies;
potential loss of key employees or customers of the acquired businesses or adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers and customers;
adverse impact on overall profitability if acquired businesses do not achieve the financial results projected in our valuation models;
reallocation of amounts of capital from other operating initiatives or an increase in our leverage and debt service requirements to pay the acquisition purchase prices, which could in turn restrict our ability to access additional capital when needed or to pursue other important elements of our business strategy;
inaccurate assessment of undisclosed, contingent or other liabilities or problems and unanticipated costs associated with the acquisition; and
incorrect estimates made in accounting for acquisitions, incurrence of non-recurring charges and write-off of significant amounts of goodwill that could adversely affect our operatingfinancial results.
Our ability to grow through future acquisitions will depend, in part, on the availability of suitable acquisition candidates at an acceptable price, our ability to compete effectively for these acquisition candidates and the availability of capital to complete the acquisitions. These risks could be heightened if we complete several acquisitions within a relatively short period of time. In addition, there can be no assurance we will be able to continue to identify attractive opportunities or enter into any transactions with acceptable terms in the future. If an acquisition is completed, there can be no assurance we will be able to successfully integrate the acquired entity into our operations or achieve sales and profitability justifying our investment in the businesses. Any potential acquisition may not be successful and could adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.
Our continuing activities to reduce structural costs and drive consistent, flawless execution may result in customer disruption and may distract management from other activities.
As part of our commitment to taking structural cost out of our business, we regularly close, reconfigure or transform manufacturing and distribution facilities. InOver the past twoseveral years, we have closed severala number of facilities in the United States and internationally. We
have implemented, and will continue to implement, restructuring actions to transform our business and reduce our manufacturing footprint. These actions may take longer than anticipated, prove more costlycostlier than expected and may distract management from other activities. If we do not fully realize the expected benefits of our restructuring activities, our financial condition and ability to meet customer needs could be negatively affected.
We are subject to extensive environmental regulation and have exposure to potential environmental liabilities.
The past and present operation and ownership by us of manufacturing facilities and real property are subject to extensive and changing federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to discharges in air, water and land, the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous waste and the remediation of contamination associated with releases of hazardous substances. Compliance with environmental regulations has not had a material effect on our capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position to date; however, compliance with current laws or more stringent laws or regulations which may be imposed on us in the future, stricter interpretation of existing laws or discoveries of contamination at our real property sites which occurred prior to our ownership or the advent of environmental regulation may require us to incur additional expenditures in the future, some of which may be material.
Increasing healthcare costs could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
We provide healthcare benefits to the majority of our members and are self-insured. Healthcare costs have continued to rise over time, which increases our annual spending on healthcare and could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.
Our inability to improve the quality/capability of our network of independent dealers or the loss of a significant number of dealers could adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.
In both the office furniture and hearth products industries, we rely in large part on a network of independent dealers to market our products to customers. We also rely upon these dealers to provide a variety of important specification, installation and after-market services to our customers. ManySome of our dealers may terminate their relationships with us at any time and for any reason. The loss or termination of a significant number of dealer relationships could cause difficulties for us in marketing and distributing our products, resulting in a decline in our sales, which may adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.
Our international operations expose us to risks related to conducting business in multiple jurisdictions outside the United States.
We manufacture, market, and sell our products in international operations and sales,markets, including in China and India. We plan to continue to grow internationally. We primarily sell our products and report our financial results in U.S. dollars; however, our increased business in countries outside the United States exposes us to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, including the recent weakening of the Rupee in India and the Canadian Dollar.rates. Paying our expenses in other currencies can result in a significant increase or decrease in the amount of those expenses in terms of U.S. dollars, which may affect our profits. In the future, any foreign currency appreciation relative to the U.S. dollar would increase our expenses that are denominated in that currency. Additionally, as we report currency in the U.S. dollar, our financial position is affected by the strength of the currencies in countries where we have operations relative to the strength of the U.S. dollar.
Further, certain countries have complex regulatory systems which impose administrative and legal requirements which make managing international operations more difficult, including approvals to transfer funds into certain countries. If we are unable to provide financial support to our international operations in a timely manner, our business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.
We periodically review our foreign currency exposure and evaluate whether we should enter into hedging transactions.
Our international sales and operations are subject to a number of additional risks, including, without limitation:
social and political turmoil, official corruption and civil and labor unrest;
restrictive government actions, including the imposition of trade quotas and tariffs and restrictions on transfers of funds;
changes in labor laws and regulations affecting our ability to hire, retain or dismiss employees;
the need to comply with multiple and potentially conflicting laws and regulations, including environmental and corporate laws and regulations;
the failure of our compliance programs and internal training to prevent violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar anti-bribery laws;
preference for locally branded products and laws and business practices favoring local competition;
less effective protection of intellectual property and increased possibility of loss due to cyber-theft;
unfavorable business conditions or economic instability in any particular country or region;
infrastructure disruptions;
potentially conflicting cultural and business practices; and
difficulty in obtaining distribution and support.support; and
Ability to repatriate cash held overseas without paying substantial federal income tax.
Changes to border taxes or other international tax reforms
Restrictions imposed by the terms of our credit facility and note purchase agreement may limit our operating and financial flexibility.
Our credit facility and other financing arrangements including the note purchase agreement related to our senior notes which mature in April 2016,may limit our ability to finance operations, service debt or engage in other business activities that may be in our interest.interests. Specifically, our credit facility restricts our ability to incur additional indebtedness, create or incur certain liens with respect to any of our properties or assets, engage in lines of business substantially different than those currently conducted by us, sell, lease, license or dispose of any of our assets, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, make certain restricted payments or take certain restricted actions and enter into certain sale-leaseback arrangements. Our note purchase agreement contains customary restrictive covenants, among other things, placing limits on our ability to incur liens on assets, incur additional debt, transfer or sell our assets, merge or consolidate with other persons or enter into material transactions with affiliates. Our credit facility and note purchase agreement also requirerequires us to maintain certain financial covenants.
Our failure to comply with the obligations under our credit facility may result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, may cause accelerated repayment of the indebtedness under the credit facility. We cannot be certain we will have sufficient funds available to pay any accelerated repayments or we will have the ability to refinance accelerated repayments on terms favorable to us or at all.
Costs related to product defects, including product liability costs, could adversely affect our profitability.
We incur various expenses related to product defects, including product warranty costs, product recall and retrofit costs and product liability costs. These expenses relative to product sales vary and could increase. We use chemicals and materials in our products and include components in our products from external suppliers, which we believe are safe and appropriate for their designated use; however, harmful effects may become known which could subject us to litigation, including health-related litigation, and significant losses. We maintain reserves for product defect-related costs based on estimates and our knowledge of circumstances indicating the need for such reserves. We cannot, however, be certain these reserves will be adequate to cover actual product defect-related claims in the future. We also purchase insurance coverage to reduce our exposure to significant levels of product liability claims and maintain a reserve for our self-insured losses based upon estimates of the aggregate liability using claims experience and actuarial assumptions, but we cannot be certain insurance would cover all losses related to product claims. Incorrect estimates or any significant increase in the rate of our product defect expenses could have a material adverse effect on operations.
We may require additional capital in the future, which may not be available or may be available only on unfavorable terms.
Our capital requirements depend on many factors, including our need for capital improvements, tooling, new product development and acquisitions. To the extent our existing capital is insufficient to meet these requirements and cover any losses, we may need to raise additional funds through financings or curtail our growth and reduce our assets. Our ability to generate cash depends on economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that may be beyond our control. Future borrowings or financings may not be available to us under our credit facility or otherwise in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our debt or meet our liquidity needs.
Any equity or debt financing, if available at all, could have terms unfavorable to us. In addition, financings could result in dilution to our shareholders or the securities may have rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of our common stock. If our need for capital arises because of significant losses, the occurrence of these losses may make it more difficult for us to raise the necessary capital.
Our sales to the U.S. government have declined in recent years and our sales to the U.S. state and local governments are subject to uncertain future funding levels and federal, state and local procurement laws and are governed by restrictive contract terms; any of these factors could limit current or future business.
We derive a portion of our revenue from sales to various U.S. federal, state and local government agencies and departments. Our ability to compete successfully for and retain business with the U.S. government, as well as with state and local governments, is highly dependent on cost-effective performance. Our government business is highly sensitive to changes in procurement laws; national, international, state and local public priorities; and budgets at all levels of government, which have recently experienced downward pressure and, in the case of the federal budget, are subject to uncertainty due to continuing budget cuts.uncertainty. Sales to federal
government entities decreased by 8%less than 1 percent in 20152016 after being up 10%decreasing 8 percent in the prior year and they may decline going forward, which could adversely impact our operating results.
Our contracts with government entities are subject to various statutes and regulations that apply to companies doing business with the government. The U.S. government, as well as state and local governments, can typically terminate or modify their contracts with us either for their convenience or if we default by failing to perform under the terms of the applicable contract. A termination
arising out of our default could expose us to liability and impede our ability to compete in the future for contracts and orders with agencies and departments at all levels of government. Moreover, we are subject to investigation and audit for compliance with the requirements governing government contracts, including requirements related to procurement integrity, export controls, employment practices, the accuracy of records and reporting of costs. If we were found to not be a responsible supplier or to have committed fraud or certain criminal offenses, we could be suspended or debarred from all further federal, state or local government contracting.
Increased government focus onChanges in governmental regulation and enforcement priorities may significantly increase our operating costs.
The federal government has increased its focus on enforcement under a wide range of lawsLaws and regulations impacting our business, particularlyare subject to change and differing interpretations, including in the following areas:
areas of antitrust and competition;
competition, foreign corrupt practices;
practices, government contracting;
contracting, securities and public company reporting;
reporting, labor and employment practices;
practices, data protection, fraud and abuse;abuse and tax reporting. Changes in the political climate or in existing laws or regulations, or their interpretations, or the enactment of new laws or the issuance of new regulations or changes in enforcement priorities or activity could adversely affect us by, among other things:
increasing our administrative, compliance, and other costs;
increasing our tax obligations, including unfavorable outcomes from audits performed by various tax authorities;
affecting cash management practices and repatriation efforts;
forcing us to alter or restructure our relationships with dealers and customers; and
tax reporting.requiring us to implement additional or different programs and systems
Compliance with regulations is costly and time-consuming, and we may encounter difficulties, delays or significant expenses in connection with such compliance. Should we become the target of a governmentregulatory investigation or enforcement action, we could incur significant costs and suffer damage to our reputation which could adversely impact our business, operating results or financial condition.
Our implementation and use of a new business software system, and accompanying transformation of our business processes, could result in problems that could negatively impact our business and results of operations.
We are engaged in a multi-year, broad-based program, which we refer to as business systems transformation ("BST"), to implement new integrated software systems to support and streamline our business processes. In 2016 we implemented BST across several of our smaller operating companies. We expect full implementation across domestic furniture operations during 2017. We anticipate implementation of BST will require transformation of business and financial processes to realize the full benefits of the project. Significant efforts are required to design, test and implement BST, requiring investment of resources, including additional selling, general and administrative and capital expenditures. There can be no assurance other issues relating to BST implementation will not occur, including compatibility issues, integration challenges and delays, and higher than expected implementation costs. Additionally, when implemented, BST could function improperly or not deliver the projected benefits, which could significantly disrupt our business, including our ability to provide quotes, process orders, ship products, invoice customers, process payments, generate management and financial reports and otherwise run our business. Our business and results of operations may be adversely affected if we experience problems related to BST.
We rely on information technology systems to manage numerous aspects of our business, and a disruption or failure of these systems could adversely affect our business.
In the ordinary course of business, weWe rely upon information technology networks and systems to process, transmit and store electronic information andas well as to manage numerous aspects of our business and provide information to management. Additionally, we collect and store sensitive data of our customers, and suppliers as well as personally identifiable information of ourand employees in data centers and on information technology networks. The secure operation of these information technology networks and the processing and maintenance of this information is critical to our business operations and strategy. These networks and systems, despite security and precautionary measures, are vulnerable to among other things, damagenatural events and interruption from power loss or natural disasters, computer system and network failures, loss of telecommunications services, physical and electronic loss of data, security breaches, hackers and employee misuse. We may face unauthorized attempts by hackers seeking to harm us or as a result of industrial espionage to penetrate our network security and gain access to our network, steal intellectual or other proprietary data, including design, sales or personally identifiable information, introduce malicious software or interrupt our internal systems, manufacturing or distribution.activity. Though we attempt to preventdetect and detectprevent these incidents, we may not be successful. Any disruption of our information technology networks or systems, or access to or disclosure of information stored in or transmitted by our
systems, could result in legal claims and damages, loss of intellectual property or other proprietary information, including customer data, disrupt operations, result in competitive disadvantage and damage our reputation, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations. We are also required to comply with certain information technology standards, including standards imposed by credit card providers regarding the storage, processing and transmission of cardholdercard holder data. These standards continue to become more challenging to meet, and anyAny failure of our systems to meet these standards could result in our inability to accept certain forms of customer payments or risk of cardholdercard holder data being breached as described above.
Our results of operations and earnings may not meet guidance or expectations.
We provide public guidance on our expected results of operations for future periods. This guidance is comprised of forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our other public filings and public statements, and is based necessarily on assumptions we make at the time we provide such guidance. Our guidance may not always be accurate. If, in the future, our results of operations for a particular period do not meet our guidance or the expectations of investment analysts or if we reduce our guidance for future periods, the market price of our common stock could decline significantly.
Iowa law and provisions in our charter documents may have the effect of preventing or hindering a change in control and adversely affecting the market price of our common stock.
Our Articles of Incorporation give our Board of Directors the authority to issue up to two million shares of preferred stock and to determine the rights and preferences of the preferred stock without obtaining shareholder approval. The existence of this preferred stock could make it more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of the Corporation by means of a tender offer, merger, proxy contest or otherwise. Furthermore, this preferred stock could be issued with other rights, including economic rights, senior to our common stock, thereby having a potentially adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.
Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes. Our classified Board, along with other provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and Iowa corporate law, could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us or remove our directors by means of a proxy contest, even if doing so would be beneficial to our shareholders. For example, Section 490.1110 of the Iowa Business Corporation Act prohibits publicly held Iowa corporations to which it applies from engaging in a business combination with an interested shareholder for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested shareholder unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. Further, Section 490.1108A of the Iowa Business Corporation Act permits a board of directors, in the context of a takeover proposal, to consider not only the effect of a proposed transaction on shareholders, but also on a corporation’s employees, suppliers, customers, creditors and on the communities in which the corporation operates. These provisions could discourage others from bidding for our shares and could, as a result, reduce the likelihood of an increase in our stock price that would otherwise occur if a bidder sought to buy our stock.
We may, in the future, adopt other measures (such as a shareholder rights plan or “poison pill”) that could have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing an unsolicited takeover, even if such a change in control were at a premium price or favored by a majority of unaffiliated shareholders. These measures may be adopted without any further vote or action by our shareholders.
An inability to protect our intellectual property could have a significant impact on our business.
We attempt to protect our intellectual property rights, both in the United States and in foreign countries, through a combination of patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws, as well as licensing agreements and third-party nondisclosure and assignment agreements. Because of the differences in foreign trademark, copyright, patent and other laws concerning proprietary rights, our intellectual property rights do not generally receive the same degree of protection in foreign countries as they do in the United States. In some parts of the world, we have limited protections, if any, for our intellectual property. The degree of protection offered by the claims of the various patents, copyrights, trademarks and service marks may not be broad enough to provide significant proprietary protection or competitive advantages to us, and patents, copyrights, trademarks or service marks may not be issued on our pending or contemplated applications. In addition, not all of our products are covered by patents or similar intellectual property protections. It is also possible that our patents, copyrights, trademarks and service marks may be challenged, invalidated, canceled, narrowed or circumvented.
In the past, certain of our products have been copied and sold by others. We try to enforce our intellectual property rights, but we have to make choices about where and how we pursue enforcement and where we seek and maintain intellectual property protection. In many cases, the cost of enforcing our rights is substantial, and we may determine that the costs of enforcement outweigh the potential benefits.
If third parties claim that we infringe upon their intellectual property rights, we may incur liabilities and costs and may have to redesign or discontinue an infringing product.
We face the risk of claims that we have infringed upon third parties’ intellectual property rights. Companies operating in our industry routinely seek patent protection for their product designs, and many of our principal competitors have large patent portfolios. Prior to launching major new products in our key markets, we normally evaluate existing intellectual property rights. However, our competitors and suppliers may have filed for patent protection which is not, at the time of our evaluation, a matter of public knowledge. Our efforts to identify and avoid infringing upon third parties’ intellectual property rights may not always be successful. Any claims of patent or other intellectual property infringement, even those without merit, could be expensive and time consuming to defend; cause us to cease making, licensing or using products that incorporate the challenged intellectual property; require us to redesign, re-engineer, or re-brand our products or packaging, if feasible; or require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements in order to obtain the right to use a third party’s intellectual property.
Natural disasters, acts of God, force majeure events or other catastrophic events may impact the Corporation's production capacity and, in turn, negatively impact profitability.
Natural disasters, acts of God, force majeure events or other catastrophic events, including severe weather, military action, terrorist attacks, power interruptions and fires, could disrupt operations and likewise the ability to produce or deliver our products. Several of our production facilities, members and key management are located within a small geographic area in eastern Iowa and a natural disaster or catastrophe in the area could have a significant adverse effect on our results of operations and business conditions. Further, several of our production facilities are single-site manufacturers of certain products, and an adverse event affecting any of those facilities could significantly delay production of certain products and adversely affect our operations and business conditions. Members are an integral part of our business and events including an epidemic could reduce the availability of members reporting for work. In the event we experience a temporary or permanent interruption in our ability to produce or deliver product, revenues could be reduced, and business could be materially adversely affected. In addition, any continuing disruption in our computer system could adversely affect our ability to receive and process customers' orders, manufacture products and ship products on a timely basis and could adversely affect relations with customers, potentially resulting in reduction in orders from customers or loss of customers. We maintain insurance to help protect us from costs relating to some of these events, but it may not be sufficient or paid in a timely manner in the event we suffer such an event.
Our business is subject to a number of other miscellaneous risks that may adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.
Other miscellaneous risks include, without limitation:
reduced demand for our storage products caused by changes in office technology, including the change from paper record storage to electronic record storage;
our ability to realize cost savings and productivity improvements from our cost containment, business simplification, manufacturing consolidation and logistical realignment initiatives;
volatility in the market price and trading volume of equity securities may adversely affect the market price for our common stock;
our ability to protect our intellectual property, including trade secrets and key business operations data;
labor or other manufacturing inefficiencies due to items including new product introductions, a new operating system or turnover in personnel;
our ability to effectively manage working capital and maintain our effective tax rate;
potential claims by third parties that we infringed upon their intellectual property rights;
our insurance may not adequately (1) insulate us from expenses for product defects and the negligent acts and omissions of our members and agents and (2) compensate us for damages to our facilities and equipment and loss of business; and
our ability to retain our experienced management team and recruit other key personnel.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Corporation maintains its corporate headquarters in Muscatine, Iowa, and conducts operations at locations throughout the United States, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India and Taiwan, which house manufacturing, distribution and retail operations and offices totaling an aggregate of approximately 10.710.2 million square feet. Of this total, approximately 1.62.0 million square feet are leased.
Although the plants are of varying ages, the Corporation believes they are well maintained, equipped with modern and efficient equipment, in good operating condition and suitable for the purposes for which they are being used. The Corporation has sufficient capacity to increase output at most locations by increasing the use of overtime or the number of production shifts employed.
The Corporation's principal manufacturing and distribution facilities (200,000 square feet in size or larger) are as follows:
|
| | | |
Location | Approximate Square Feet | Owned or Leased | Description of Use |
Cedartown, Georgia | 550,000 | Owned | Manufacturing office furniture (1) |
Dongguan, China | 1,007,716 | Owned | Manufacturing office furniture (1) |
Hickory, North Carolina | 206,316 | Owned | Manufacturing office furniture |
Lake City, Minnesota | 241,500 | Owned | Manufacturing fireplaces |
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania | 400,000 | Leased | Warehousing office furniture |
Milan, Illinois | 244,017 | Leased | Warehousing office furniture components |
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa | 288,006 | Owned | Manufacturing fireplaces (1) |
Muscatine, Iowa | 272,900 | Owned | Manufacturing office furniture |
Muscatine, Iowa | 578,284 | Owned | WarehousingManufacturing office furniture (1) |
Muscatine, Iowa | 236,100 | Owned | Manufacturing office furniture |
Muscatine, Iowa | 636,250 | Owned | Manufacturing office furniture (1) |
Muscatine, Iowa | 237,800 | Owned | Manufacturing office furniture |
Nagpur, India | 355,135 | Owned | Manufacturing office furniture |
Orleans, Indiana | 1,196,946 | Owned | Manufacturing office furniture (1) |
Paris, Kentucky | 300,000 | Owned | Manufacturing fireplaces |
Temple, Texas | 395,428 | Owned | Manufacturing office furniture |
Temple, Texas | 354,000 | Leased | Warehousing office furniture |
Wayland, New York | 716,484 | Owned | Manufacturing office furniture (1) |
| |
(1) | Also includes a regional warehouse/distribution center |
Other Corporation facilities, under 200,000 square feet in size, are located in various communities throughout the United States, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, Dubai and Taiwan. These facilities total approximately 2.62.9 million square feet with approximately 1.41.7 million square feet used for the selling, manufacture and distribution of office furniture, and approximately 1.0 million square feet for hearth products.products and approximately 0.2 million square feet used for corporate administration. Of this total, approximately 1.01.6 million square feet are leased. The Corporation also leases sales showroom space in office furniture market centers in several major metropolitan areas.
There are no major encumbrances on Corporation-owned properties. Refer to Property, Plant, and Equipment in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for related cost, accumulated depreciation and net book value data.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Withdrawal Liability From Multi-Employer Pension
On February 2, 2017, the Corporation was notified of a withdrawal liability from a multi-employer pension fund associated with a business sold by the Corporation as a going concern in 2013. The business subsequently ceased operations, triggering the liability for which it was responsible. The trustee of the pension fund has asserted a claim against the Corporation as a prior indirect owner of the business. The Corporation has not recorded any liability associated with this claim because it believes the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome is neither probable nor remote. The Corporation believes it has strong legal and factual defenses, and intends to vigorously defend itself against this claim.
Other Litigation
The Corporation is involved in various disputes and legal proceedings that have arisen in the ordinary course of its business, including pending litigation, environmental remediation, taxes and other claims. It is the Corporation’s opinion, after consultation with legal counsel, that liabilities, if any, resulting from these matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s financial condition, cash flows or on the Corporation’s quarterly or annual operating results when resolved in a future period.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
TABLE I
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
January 2, 2016
| | Name | Age | Family Relationship | Position | Position Held Since | Other Business Experience During Past Five Years | Age | Family Relationship | Position | Position Held Since | Other Business Experience During Past Five Years |
Julie M. Abramowski | 40 | None | Vice President, Corporate Controller | 2015 | Director, Financial Reporting (2014-2015); Director, Financial Planning and Analysis, Leveraged Furniture Operations (2013-2014); Corporate Controller, The HON Company (2007-2013) | 41 | None | Vice President, Corporate Controller | 2015 | Director, Financial Reporting (2014-2015); Director, Financial Planning and Analysis, Leveraged Furniture Operations (2013-2014); Corporate Controller, The HON Company (2007-2013) |
Stan A. Askren | 55 | None | Chairman of the Board Chief Executive Officer President Director | 2004 2004 2003 2003 | | 56 | None | Chairman of the Board Chief Executive Officer President Director | 2004 2004 2003 2003 | |
Vincent P. Berger | | 44 | None | President, Hearth & Home Technologies Group | 2016 | Senior Vice President, Sales and Operations, Hearth & Home Technologies Group (2014-2016); Senior Vice President, Operations, Hearth & Home Technologies Group (2011-2014) |
Steven M. Bradford | 58 | None | Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | 2015 | Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary (2008-2015) | 59 | None | Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | 2015 | Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary (2008-2015) |
Bradley D. Determan | 54 | None | Executive Vice President President, Hearth & Home Technologies Group | 2005 2015 | President, Hearth & Home Technologies LLC (2003-2015) | |
Marshall H. Bridges | | 47 | None | Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | 2017 | Vice President, Finance, HNI Contract Furniture Group (2014-2017); Vice President, Finance, Allsteel (2010-2014) |
Jerald K. Dittmer | 58 | None | Executive Vice President President, The HON Company LLC | 2008 2008 |
| 59 | None | Executive Vice President, HNI Corporation; President, The HON Company LLC | 2008
2008 |
|
Jeffrey D. Lorenger | 50 | None | Executive Vice President President, HNI Contract Furniture Group | 2010 2014 | President, Allsteel, Inc. (2008-2014) | 51 | None | Executive Vice President; HNI Corporation; President, HNI Contract Furniture Group | 2010
2014 | President, Allsteel, Inc. (2008-2014) |
Donald T. Mead | 56 | None | Executive Vice President President, The Gunlocke Company L.L.C. | 2011 2008 | | |
Donald T. Mead* | | 57 | None | Executive Vice President; HNI Corporation President, The Gunlocke Company L.L.C. | 2011
2008 | |
Donna D. Meade | 50 | None | Vice President, Member Relations | 2014 | Vice President, Member and Community Relations, Allsteel Inc. (2009-14) | 51 | None | Vice President, Member Relations | 2014 | Vice President, Member and Community Relations, Allsteel Inc. (2009-14) |
Marco V. Molinari | 56 | None | Executive Vice President President, HNI International Inc. | 2006 2003 | | |
Kurt A. Tjaden | 52 | None | Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | 2015 | Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (2008-2015) | 53 | None | President, HNI International; Senior Vice President, HNI Corporation | 2017 2015
| Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (2015-2017) Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (2008-2015) |
* Mr. Mead will be retiring effective February 28, 2017.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
The Corporation’s common stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the trading symbol HNI. As of year-end 20152016, the Corporation had 7,1717,055 stockholders of record.
Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, St. Paul, Minnesota, serves as the Corporation’s transfer agent and registrar of its common stock. Shareholders may report a change of address or make inquiries by writing or calling: Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, P.O. Box 64874, St. Paul, MN 55164-0854 or telephone 800/468-9716.800-468-9716.
Information regarding historical sale prices of and dividends paid on the Corporation's common stock is presented in the Investor Information section which follows the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements filed as part of this report and is incorporated herein by reference.
The Corporation expects to continue its policy of paying regular quarterly cash dividends. Dividends have been paid each quarter since the Corporation paid its first dividend in 1955. The average dividend payout percentage for the most recent three-year period has been 77%60% of prior year earnings. Future dividends are dependent on future earnings, capital requirements and the Corporation’s financial condition, and are declared in the sole discretion of the Corporation’s Board of Directors.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities:
The following is a summary of share repurchase activity during the quarter ended January 2,December 31, 2016.
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
Period | | (a) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased (1) | | (b) Average Price Paid per Share or Unit | | (c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | | (d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs |
10/04/15 - 10/31/15 | | 2,000 |
| | $42.48 | | 2,000 |
| | $194,514,152 |
11/01/15 - 11/28/15 | | 38,000 |
| | $42.91 | | 38,000 |
| | $192,883,610 |
11/29/15 - 1/02/16 | | 3,700 |
| | $43.80 | | 3,700 |
| | $192,721,564 |
Total | | 43,700 |
| | | | 43,700 |
| | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Period | | (a) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased (1) | | (b) Average Price Paid per Share or Unit | | (c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | | (d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs |
10/02/16 - 10/29/16 | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | $162,315,178 |
10/30/16 - 11/26/16 | | 96,650 |
| |
| $49.99 |
| | 96,650 |
| | $157,483,908 |
11/27/16 - 12/31/16 | | 377,788 |
| |
| $54.50 |
| | 377,788 |
| | $136,895,702 |
Total | | 474,438 |
| | | | 474,438 |
| | |
(1) No shares were purchased outside of a publicly announced plan or program.
The Corporation repurchases shares under previously announced plans authorized by the Board as follows:
Plan announced November 9, 2007, providing share repurchase authorization of $200,000,000 with no specific expiration date, with increase announced November 7, 2014, providing additional share repurchase authorization of $200,000,000 with no specific expiration date.
No repurchase plans expired or were terminated during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015,2016, nor do any plans exist under which the Corporation does not intend to make further purchases.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA — FIVE-YEAR SUMMARY
| | | 2015 | | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2012 | | 2011 | 2016 |
| | 2015 |
| | 2014 |
| | 2013 |
| | 2012 |
|
Operating Results (Thousands of Dollars) | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Net Sales | $ | 2,304,419 |
| | $ | 2,222,695 |
| | $ | 2,059,964 |
| | $ | 2,004,003 |
| | $ | 1,833,450 |
|
| $2,203,489 |
| |
| $2,304,419 |
| |
| $2,222,695 |
| |
| $2,059,964 |
| |
| $2,004,003 |
|
Gross Profit as a % of Net Sales | 36.8 | % | | 35.3 | % | | 34.7 | % | | 34.4 | % | | 34.9 | % | |
Gross Profit as a Percentage of Net Sales | | 37.9 | % | | 36.8 | % | | 35.3 | % | | 34.7 | % | | 34.4 | % |
Net Income Attributable to HNI Corporation | $ | 105,436 |
| | $ | 61,471 |
| | $ | 63,683 |
| | $ | 48,967 |
| | $ | 45,986 |
|
| $85,577 |
| |
| $105,436 |
| |
| $61,471 |
| |
| $63,683 |
| |
| $48,967 |
|
Net Income Attributable to HNI Corporation as a % of Net Sales | 4.6 | % | | 2.8 | % | | 3.1 | % | | 2.4 | % | | 2.5 | % | |
Net Income Attributable to HNI Corporation as a Percentage of Net Sales | | 3.9 | % | | 4.6 | % | | 2.8 | % | | 3.1 | % | | 2.4 | % |
Share and Per Share Data (Basic and Dilutive) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Income Attributable to HNI Corporation – basic | $ | 2.38 |
| | $ | 1.37 |
| | $ | 1.41 |
| | $ | 1.08 |
| | $ | 1.03 |
|
| $1.93 |
| |
| $2.38 |
| |
| $1.37 |
| |
| $1.41 |
| |
| $1.08 |
|
Net Income Attributable to HNI Corporation – diluted | $ | 2.32 |
| | $ | 1.35 |
| | $ | 1.39 |
| | $ | 1.07 |
| | $ | 1.01 |
|
| $1.88 |
| |
| $2.32 |
| |
| $1.35 |
| |
| $1.39 |
| |
| $1.07 |
|
Cash Dividends | $ | 1.045 |
| | $ | 0.99 |
| | $ | 0.96 |
| | $ | 0.95 |
| | $ | 0.92 |
|
| $1.09 |
| |
| $1.045 |
| |
| $0.99 |
| |
| $0.96 |
| |
| $0.95 |
|
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding During Year – basic (in Thousands) | 44,285 |
| | 44,760 |
| | 45,251 |
| | 45,211 |
| | 44,803 |
| 44,414 |
| | 44,285 |
| | 44,760 |
| | 45,251 |
| | 45,211 |
|
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding During Year – diluted (in Thousands) | 45,441 |
| | 45,579 |
| | 45,956 |
| | 45,820 |
| | 45,694 |
| 45,502 |
| | 45,441 |
| | 45,579 |
| | 45,956 |
| | 45,820 |
|
Financial Position (Thousands of Dollars) | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Current Assets | $ | 438,370 |
| | $ | 455,559 |
| | $ | 433,228 |
| | $ | 402,375 |
| | $ | 431,504 |
|
| $433,041 |
| |
| $438,370 |
| |
| $455,559 |
| |
| $433,228 |
| |
| $402,375 |
|
Current Liabilities | $ | 435,900 |
| | $ | 457,333 |
| | $ | 411,584 |
| | $ | 389,171 |
| | $ | 382,270 |
|
| $463,473 |
| |
| $435,900 |
| |
| $457,333 |
| |
| $411,584 |
| |
| $389,171 |
|
Working Capital | $ | 2,470 |
| | $ | (1,774 | ) | | $ | 21,644 |
| | $ | 13,204 |
| | $ | 49,234 |
|
| ($30,432 | ) | |
| $2,470 |
| |
| ($1,774 | ) | |
| $21,644 |
| |
| $13,204 |
|
Total Assets | $ | 1,263,925 |
| | $ | 1,239,334 |
| | $ | 1,134,705 |
| | $ | 1,077,066 |
| | $ | 1,051,722 |
|
| $1,330,234 |
| |
| $1,263,925 |
| |
| $1,239,334 |
| |
| $1,134,705 |
| |
| $1,077,066 |
|
% Return on Beginning Assets Employed | 13.3 | % | | 9.9 | % | | 9.8 | % | | 8.3 | % | | 8.2 | % | 10.6 | % | | 13.2 | % | | 9.9 | % | | 9.8 | % | | 8.3 | % |
Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ | 185,000 |
| | $ | 197,736 |
| | $ | 150,197 |
| | $ | 150,372 |
| | $ | 150,540 |
|
| $180,000 |
| |
| $185,000 |
| |
| $197,736 |
| |
| $150,197 |
| |
| $150,372 |
|
Shareholders’ Equity | $ | 476,954 |
| | $ | 414,587 |
| | $ | 436,328 |
| | $ | 420,359 |
| | $ | 419,057 |
|
| $500,603 |
| |
| $476,954 |
| |
| $414,587 |
| |
| $436,328 |
| |
| $420,359 |
|
% Return on Average Shareholders’ Equity | 23.7 | % | | 14.4 | % | | 14.9 | % | | 11.7 | % | | 11.1 | % | |
Percent Return on Average Shareholders’ Equity | | 17.5 | % | | 23.7 | % | | 14.4 | % | | 14.9 | % | | 11.7 | % |
2014 reflects a 53-week yearyear.
Reflects Artcobell acquisition beginning in 2011, BP Ergo acquisition beginning in 2012 and VCG acquisition beginning in 2014.Q4 2014, OFM acquisition in Q1 2016 and Artcobell divestiture December 31, 2016.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of the Corporation’s historical results of operations and of its liquidity and capital resources should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Corporation and related notes. Statements that are not historical are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this report.
Overview
The Corporation has two reportable segments: office furniture and hearth products. The Corporation is a leading global office furniture manufacturer and North America’sthe leading manufacturer and marketer of gas and wood burning fireplaces.hearth products. The Corporation utilizes itsa split and focus, with leverage,focused, decentralized business model to deliver value to its customers withvia various brands and selling models. The Corporation is focused on growing its existing businesses while seeking out and developing new opportunities for growth.
The Corporation delivered another strong year in 2015 with top-line growth in both the office furniture2016, generating significant cash flow and hearth products segments.increasing dividends. Our businesses performed well as we strategically repositioned and simplified our portfolio to increase profitability. The Corporation continued to invest in a challenging, slow-growth economic environment. Growthour businesses to drive long term profitable growth. Sales decreased in the office furniture segment was led by continued momentum in the contract channel. The supplies channel of the office furniture segment was flat due to muted small business confidence.strategic portfolio moves and a soft market environment. The Corporation's hearth products segment saw mixed results as solid growth in new construction and retail/retrofit businessesbusiness was partiallymore than offset by a significant declinedeclines in the biomass businessretail gas and retail pellet businesses due to comparatively low oilenergy prices and unseasonably warm weather. Strong operational performance, consistent flawless execution for our customers and benefits from operational investments were key drivers for increased earnings over 2014. The Corporation remains committed to long-term profitable growth across its core businesses and continued focused investments in selling, marketing, manufacturing and product initiatives.
Net sales during 20152016 were $2.3 billion, an increase$2,203 million, a decrease of 3.74.4 percent, compared to net sales of $2.2 billion$2,304 million in 2014.2015. The sales increasedecrease was driven by increaseddecreased volume in the contract channel of the office furniture segment as well as the new construction channelretail gas and retail pellet businesses of the hearth products segment. The Corporation completed the acquisitionacquisitions and divestitures of Vermont Castings Group ("VCG"),small office furniture companies resulted in a manufacturernet increase in sales of free-standing hearth stoves and fireplaces, during the fourth quarter of 2014. The VCG acquisition increased sales $62.7$27.2 million incompared to 2015.
FiscalThe Corporation recorded $10.5 million of restructuring costs and $9.3 million of transition costs in 2016 in connection with the previously announced closures of the Paris, Kentucky hearth manufacturing facility and the Orleans, Indiana office furniture manufacturing facility and structural realignments among office furniture facilities in Muscatine, Iowa and China. Specific items incurred include severance, accelerated depreciation and production move costs. Of these charges, $14.6 million were included in cost of sales. The Corporation recorded $4.4 million of expense in conjunction with the charitable donation of a building. The Corporation also recorded a $22.6 million non-cash loss on the sale of Artcobell, a K-12 education furniture company, which was partially offset by a $2.0 million gain on a nonrecurring litigation settlement. The Corporation recorded $5.8 million of goodwill and intangible impairment charges during the year related to a reporting unit in the office furniture segment. These impairment charges are the result of current and projected market conditions and product and operational transformation.
Both fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 included 52 weeks compared to 53 weeks in 2014. Due to the Corporation's holiday schedule and production shutdowns, the extra week in 2014 had minimal impact on net sales and operating income.
The Corporation recorded $11.2 millionremains committed to long-term profitable growth across its core businesses and $29.4 million of goodwill and intangible impairment charges during 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to reporting unitscontinued focused investments in the office furniture segment acquired over the past five years. These impairment charges are the result of current and projected market conditionsselling, marketing, manufacturing and product and operational transformation.initiatives.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth the percentage of consolidated net sales represented by certain items reflected in the Corporation’s Consolidated Statements of Income for the periods indicated.
| | Fiscal | 2015 | | 2014 | | 2013 | 2016 |
| | 2015 |
| | 2014 |
|
Net Sales | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % |
Cost of products sold | 63.2 |
| | 64.7 |
| | 65.3 |
| 62.1 |
| | 63.2 |
| | 64.7 |
|
Gross profit | 36.8 |
| | 35.3 |
| | 34.7 |
| 37.9 |
| | 36.8 |
| | 35.3 |
|
Selling and administrative expenses | 29.2 |
| | 29.2 |
| | 29.4 |
| 30.3 |
| | 29.2 |
| | 29.2 |
|
(Gain) loss on sale of assets | — |
| | (0.5 | ) | | 0.1 |
| 1.0 |
| | — |
| | (0.5 | ) |
Restructuring related charges | 0.5 |
| | 1.5 |
| | — |
| 0.5 |
| | 0.5 |
| | 1.5 |
|
Operating income | 7.1 |
| | 5.1 |
| | 5.1 |
| 6.1 |
| | 7.1 |
| | 5.1 |
|
Interest expense net | 0.3 |
| | 0.4 |
| | 0.5 |
| 0.2 |
| | 0.3 |
| | 0.4 |
|
Income before income taxes | 6.8 |
| | 4.7 |
| | 4.7 |
| 5.9 |
| | 6.8 |
| | 4.7 |
|
Income taxes | 2.2 |
| | 2.0 |
| | 1.6 |
| 2.0 |
| | 2.2 |
| | 2.0 |
|
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| |
Net income attributable to the non-controlling interest | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation | 4.6 | % | | 2.8 | % | | 3.1 | % | 3.9 | % | | 4.6 | % | | 2.8 | % |
Net Sales
Net sales during 2016 were $2,203 million, a decrease of 4.4 percent, compared to net sales of $2,304 million in 2015. The change was driven by a decrease in organic sales across both the office furniture and hearth products segments. Sales decreased in the office furniture segment due to strategic portfolio moves and a challenging market environment. The Corporation's hearth products segment saw mixed results as solid growth in new construction was more than offset by declines in the retail gas and retail pellet businesses due to comparatively low energy prices and unseasonably warm weather. The acquisitions and divestitures of small office furniture companies resulted in a net increase in sales of $27.2 million compared to 2015. Both segments experienced price realization compared to 2015.
Net sales during 2015 were $2.3 billion,$2,304 million, an increase of 3.7 percent, compared to net sales of $2.2 billion$2,223 million in 2014. Compared to 2014, the prior year, thefourth quarter 2014 acquisition of VCGVermont Castings Group ("VCG"), a manufacturer of free-stranding hearth stoves and fireplaces, increased sales $62.7 million. On an organic basis, sales increased 0.9 percent.million in 2015. Sales in the office furniture segment were driven by continued momentum in the contract channelbusiness while the supplies channelbusiness was flat due to muted small business confidence. Sales in the hearth products segment were driven by new construction growth while the remodel/retrofit channelretail pellet business declined due to the impact of warm weather and low oilenergy prices on biomassretail pellet sales. Both segments experienced price realization compared to 2014.
Net sales during 2014 were $2.2 billion, an increase of 7.9 percent, compared to net sales of $2.1 billion in 2013. Both the office furniture segmentFiscal 2016 and the hearth products segment experienced better price realization and increased volume. Compared to 2013, the acquisition of VCG, net of divestitures of several small businesses, including office furniture dealers, increased sales $7.5 million.
Fiscal 20142015 included 5352 weeks compared to 5253 weeks in 2015 and 2013.2014. Due to the Corporation's 2014 holiday schedule and production shutdowns, the extra week had minimal impact on net sales and operating income.sales.
Gross Profit Margin
Gross profit as a percentpercentage of net sales increased 110 basis points in 2016 as compared to 2015 driven by strong operational performance, favorable material cost and productivity and price realization partially offset by lower volume. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased 150 basis points in 2015 as compared to 2014 driven by strong operational performance, structural cost reductions, lower restructuring charges favorable material costs and price realization partially offset by lower volume and unfavorable product mix. Gross profit as a percent
Cost of net sales increased 60 basis points in 2014 as compared to 2013 due to higher volume, price realization and strong operational performance offset partially by unfavorable product mix, investments in operations, higher warranty2016 included $5.3 million of restructuring costs and increased$9.3 million of transition costs related to the previously announced closures of the hearth manufacturing facility in Paris, Kentucky and the office furniture manufacturing facility in Orleans, Indiana and structural realignments among office furniture companies in Muscatine, Iowa and China. Specific items incurred include accelerated depreciation and production move costs.
Cost of sales in 2015 included $0.8 million of restructuring costs related to the decision to exit a small line of business within the hearth products segment and $4.7 million of transition costs.costs related to previously announced closures and structural realignments in the office furniture segment. During 2014, the Corporation made decisions to close office furniture manufacturing facilities in Florence, Alabama; Chicago, Illinois; and Nalagarh, India and consolidate production into existing office furniture manufacturing
facilities. In connection with these decisions, the Corporation recorded $5.2 million of restructuring costs and $4.9 million of transition costs in cost of sales in 2014.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses increased 3.6 percent110 basis points in 2016 driven by the impact of lower volume, strategic investments and incentive based compensation. Selling and administrative costs decreased 100 basis points in 2015 but were flat as a percentage of net sales drivencompared to 2014 due to lower incentive based compensation, cost reductions and lower restructuring and impairments partially offset by higher freight costs, strategic investments and acquisition impact, offset by lower incentive based compensation and cost reductions. Sellingimpact.
The Corporation recorded $5.2 million of restructuring costs in 2016 as part of selling and administrative costs increased 7.0 percent in 2014 due to volume related expenses, higher freightthe previously announced closures of the Paris, Kentucky hearth manufacturing facility and Orleans, Indiana office furniture manufacturing facility. The Corporation also recorded $4.4 million of accelerated depreciation in conjunction with the announced charitable donation of a building.
In 2015 the Corporation recorded $0.5 million in restructuring costs investments inas part of selling and growth initiatives, increased group medicaladministrative costs higher incentive-based compensationrelated to previously announced closures. In 2014 the Corporation recorded $3.6 million of restructuring costs as part of selling and administrative costs associated with an acquisition.related to the closure of office furniture manufacturing facilities in Florence, Alabama; Chicago, Illinois and Nalagarh, India.
The Corporation recorded $5.8 million, $11.2 million, and $29.4 million of goodwill and intangible impairments as part of selling and administrative costs in 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively, related to reporting units in the office furniture segment. These impairment charges are the result of current and projected market conditions and product and operational transformation.
Selling and administrative expenses include freight expense for shipments to customers, product development costs and amortization expense of intangible assets. Refer to Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the comparative expense levels for these items.
Gain/Loss on Sale of Assets
The Corporation realized a non-cash loss of $22.6 million in 2016 related to the sale of Artcobell, a K-12 education furniture company in addition to other gains and losses incurred in the ordinary course of business. The Corporation recorded gains totaling $10.7 million on the sale of two facilities and California air emission credits in 2014. The Corporation realized a $2.5 million loss on the sale of a non-core office furniture business in 2013.
Restructuring and Impairment Charges
As a result of the Corporation's ongoing business simplification and cost reduction strategies, the Corporation made the decision to exit a small line of business within our hearth products segment during 2015. The Corporation incurred $0.9 million of restructuring charges as the result of this decision, of which $0.8 million were included in Cost of Sales.
During 2014, the Corporation made decisions to close three office furniture manufacturing facilities located in Florence, Alabama, Chicago, Illinois and Nalagarh, India and consolidate production into existing office furniture manufacturing facilities. In connection with these decisions, the Corporation recorded $8.8 million of pre-tax charges in 2014, which included $5.2 million of accelerated depreciation on machinery and equipment recorded in cost of sales and $3.6 million of severance and facility exit costs which were recorded as restructuring charges during the year. During 2015, the Corporation incurred $0.4 million of pre-tax restructuring charges related to these closures in the form of facility exit costs partially offset by lower than anticipated post employment costs.
During 2010, the Corporation completed the shutdown of an office furniture facility in South Gate, California and consolidated production into existing office furniture manufacturing facilities. During 2013, the Corporation incurred $0.3 million of restructuring charges due to ongoing costs related to a vacant building from this closure.
The Corporation recorded $11.2 million and $29.4 million of goodwill and intangible impairments in 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to reporting units in the office furniture segment acquired over the past five years. These impairment charges are the result of current and projected market conditions and product and operational transformation.
Operating Income
Operating income increased $50.9decreased $30.0 million to $133.7 million in 2016, compared to $163.7 million in 2015, driven by the non-cash loss on the sale of Artcobell and lower volume, partially offset by strong operational performance and cost reductions.
Operating income increased $50.9 million to $163.7 million in 2015, compared to $112.8$112.8 million in 2014,, driven by strong operational performance, structural cost reductions, lower restructuring and impairment charges, favorable material costs and price realization. These factors were offset partially by lower volume, unfavorable product mix, higher freight costs and strategic investments.
Operating income increased $6.9 million to $112.8 million in 2014, compared to $106.0 million in 2013. The increase was due to higher volume, price realization, strong operational performance and gains on sale of assets. These drivers were offset partially by investments in operations, unfavorable product mix, increased warranty costs, higher freight costs, increased group medical costs, higher incentive-based compensation and restructuring, impairment and transition costs
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes reflectreflects an effective tax rate of 33.6 percent, 32.9 percent and 41.7 percent for 2016, 2015 and 34.5 percent2014, respectively. The effective tax rate was higher in 2016 than 2015 primarily due to the one-time release of tax contingency reserves for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.personal goodwill in 2015. The 2015 decrease in the effective tax rate from 2014 was driven by the non-deductibility of goodwill impairment in 2014, an increased tax benefit for the U.S. Manufacturing Deduction and an increase in the R&D credit. The 2014 effective tax rate increase over 2013 was primarily driven by the non-deductibility of goodwill impairment.
Net Income Attributable to HNI Corporation
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation increased 71.5decreased 18.8 percent to $85.6 million in 2016 compared to $105.4 million in 2015 compared toand $61.5 million in 2014 and $63.7 million in 2013.2014. Net income per diluted share increased 71.9decreased 19.0 percent to $1.88 in 2016 compared to $2.32 in 2015 compared toand $1.35 in 2014 and $1.39 in 2013. 2014.
Office Furniture
Office furniture comprised 77 percent, 78 percent, and 82 percent of consolidated netNet sales for office furniture decreased $73.9 million or 4.2 percent in 2016 to $1,704 million compared to $1,778 million in 2015, including price realization of $12 million. The net impact of small office furniture acquisitions and divestitures increased sales $27.2 million. The Corporation experienced a decline in the contract business while the supplies business remained flat due to strategic portfolio moves and a soft market. BIFMA reported 2016 North American sales of office and institutional furniture grew 2 percent from 2015 levels. During 2016, BIFMA changed the data reporting structure whereby reporting elements are not historically comparable. Under the previous methodology, BIFMA reported 2015 shipments were up 5 percent from 2014 levels. 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Net sales for office furniture increased $38.8 million or 2.2 percent in 2015 to $1.778 billion$1,778 million compared to $1.739 billion$1,739 million in 2014 including price realization of $31 million. The Corporation experienced growth in the contract channelbusiness while the supplies channelbusiness remained flat. BIFMA reported 2015 shipments up 5 percent from 2014 levels, which were up 4 percent from 2013 levels.
Net sales for office furniture increased $53.8 million or 3.2 percent in 2014 to $1.739 billion compared to $1.685 billion in 2013 including price realization of $36 million. Compared to prior year, divestitures of several small businesses, including office furniture dealers, reduced sales by $17.7 million. The Corporation experienced growth in both the supplies-driven and contract channels.
Operating profit as a percent of net sales was 6.9 percent in 2016, 7.7 percent in 2015, and 5.0 percent in 2014. The decrease in operating profit for 2016 was driven by lower volume, strategic investments, and 5.8 percent in 2013.the impacts of the sale of Artcobell, previously announced closures, and impairments of goodwill and other intangibles. These factors were partially offset by strong operational performance, favorable material costs and productivity and cost reductions. The improvement in operating margins for 2015 was due to increased volume, strong operational performance, cost reductions, lower restructuring and impairment charges, favorable material costs and price realization. These drivers were partially offset by unfavorable product mix, higher freight costs, strategic investments, and incentive based compensation. The decrease in operating margins in 2014 from 2013 was due to unfavorable product mix, investment in operations, higher freight costs, increased incentive-based compensation,Total restructuring charges, goodwill and intangible impairments and transition costs. These factorscosts impacting office furniture in 2016 were partially offset by higher volume, better price realization, strong operational performance$12.2 million of which $9.2 million were recorded in cost of sales. Total restructuring and gains on saletransition costs impacting office furniture in 2015 were $3.7 million of assets.which $3.3 million were recorded in cost of sales.
Hearth Products
Hearth products sales increased $43.0decreased $27.0 million or 5.1 percent in 2016 to $500 million compared to $527 million in 2015 including price realization of $5 million. Sales in new construction grew as the housing market continued to recover but were offset by a declines in the retail pellet and retail gas businesses due to unseasonably warm weather and comparatively low energy prices.
Hearth products sales increased 8.9 percent in 2015 to $527 million compared to $484 million in 2014 including price realization of $6 million and incremental sales from the VCG acquisition of $63 million. Sales in the new construction channel grew as the housing market continued to recover but were offset by a decline in the biomass portion of the remodel/retrofit channelretail pellet business due to unseasonably warm weather and comparatively low oilenergy prices.
Hearth products sales increased 29.1 percent in 2014 to $484 million compared to $375 million in 2013 including price realization of $6 million and incremental sales from the VCG acquisition of $25 million. The sales increase was also due to an increase in both the new construction channel due to the continued housing market recovery and the remodel/retrofit channel due to strong biomass product sales.
Operating profit as a percent of sales in 20152016 was 14.814.0 percent compared to 14.8 percent in 2015 and 15.9 percent in 20142014. The 2016 change was caused by restructuring and 12.5 percenttransition costs related to the previously announced closure of the hearth manufacturing facility in 2013.Paris, Kentucky, lower volume and higher freight costs. These factors were partially offset by price realization, strong operational performance, favorable materials cost and productivity and cost reductions. The 2015 decrease in operating margins compared to 2014 was due to dilution caused by the VCG acquisition and decreased volume partially offset by by cost reductions, lower material costs, and price realization. The increaseTotal restructuring and transition costs impacting hearth product in operating margins2016 were $7.7 million of which $5.5 million were recorded in 2014 compared to 2013 was due to higher volumecost of sales. Total restructuring and better price realization, partially offset by increased materialtransition costs higher warranty expense, increased incentive-based compensation and acquisition impact.impacting hearth products in 2015 were $2.3 million of which $2.2 million were recorded in cost of sales.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flow – Operating Activities
Cash generated from operating activities in 20152016 totaled $173.4223.4 million compared to $167.8173.4 million generated in 20142015. The increase in cash generated was driven by higher net incomefavorable working capital changes partially offset by working capital.lower net income. Changes in working capital balances resulted in a $28.117.4 million usesource of cash in 20152016 compared to $2.328.1 million sourceuse of cash in the prior year. Cash generated from operating activities in 20132014 totaled $165.0$167.8 million and changes in working capital balances resulted in a $16.8$2.3 million source of cash.
The source of cash related to working capital changes in 2016 was primarily driven from lower accounts receivable of $11.2 million due to sales timing and higher accounts payable and accrued expense balances of $11.1 million due to timing of payments. This was partially offset by uses of cash for strategic investments in inventory.
The use of cash related to working capital balancechanges in 2015 was primarily driven from lower accounts payable of $26.3 million due to timing of payments. Other uses of cash include higher receivables due to sales timing and increased inventory due to strategic investments.
The use of cash related to working capital balance in 2014 was primarily driven from higher inventory of $23.4 million due to strategic initiatives, impact of west coast port congestion and timing of shipments. This use of cash was offset partially by an $8.6 million decrease in trade receivables due to strong collection efforts and timing and a $21.8 million increase in current liabilities from timing of accounts payable and higher compensation, benefits and marketing accruals partially offset by a decrease in tax related accruals.
The Corporation places special emphasis on management and control of working capital with a particular focus on trade receivables and inventory levels.capital. The success achieved in managing receivables is in large part a result of doing business with quality customers and maintaining close communication with them. Management believes recorded trade receivable valuation allowances at the end of 20152016 are adequate to cover the risk of potential bad debts. Allowances for non-collectible trade receivables, as a percent of gross trade receivables, totaled 0.9 percent, 1.7 percent 2.1 percent and 2.62.1 percent at the end of fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014, and 2013, respectively.
The Corporation’s inventory turns were 12, 12 and 15,12, for fiscal years 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013,2014, respectively. The decrease in inventory turns from 2013 is due to strategic initiatives.
Cash Flow – Investing Activities
Capital expenditures, including capitalized software, were $119.6 million in 2016, $115.0 million in 2015, and $112.7 million in 2014 and $78.9 million in 2013. These expenditures continue to focus on machinery, equipment and tooling required to support new products, continuous improvements and cost savings initiatives in our manufacturing processes as well as the implementation of new integrated information systems to support business process transformation. The Corporation anticipates capital expenditures for 20162017 to total $105$100 million to $110 million, primarily related to new products, operational process improvements and capabilities and the business process transformation project referred to above.
In 2016, the investing activities reflected a net cash outflow of $34.3 million related to the acquisition of OFM, an office furniture company, and also a small office furniture dealership that offered strategic value to the Corporation. In 2014, the investing activities reflected a net cash outflow of $61.8 million related to the acquisition of VCG. The acquisitionVCG as part of VCG adds brands, strong customer relationships and quality products to the Corporation's Hearth and Home Technologies business. Refer to the Business CombinationAcquisitions and Divestitures note in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
In 2014, the Corporation completed the sales of a facility located in South Gate, California, a facility and equipment located in Chicago, Illinois and California air emission credits. The proceeds from these sales of $16 million are reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows as “Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment” for 2014.
Cash Flow – Financing Activities
The Corporation, certain domestic subsidiaries of the Corporation, the lenders and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") on June 9, 2015.
The Credit Agreement amended and restated the Corporation's existing $250 million revolving credit facility dated September 28, 2011.
As of January 2, 2016, there was $40 million outstanding under the $250 million revolving credit facility of which $35 million was classified as long-term as the Corporation does not expect to repay the borrowings within a year and $5 million was classified as current as the Corporation does expect to repay the borrowings within a year.
The Corporation, certain domestic subsidiaries of the Corporation, the lenders and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, entered into the First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement Amendment"Agreement") on January 6, 2016. The Credit Agreement Amendment amends the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of June 9, 2015.
The Credit Agreement was amended to among other things, increase the revolving commitment of the lenders from $250 million to $400 million (while retaining the Corporation's option under the Credit Agreement to increase its borrowing capacity by an additional $150 million) in order to provide funding for the expected pay offpayoff of its maturing Senior Notessenior notes on April 6, 2016 and to extend the maturity date of the Credit Agreement from June 2020 to January 2021. The Corporation deferred the debt issuance costs related to the Credit Agreement, which were classified as assets, and is amortizing them over the term of the Credit Agreement.
As of December 31, 2016, there was $214 million outstanding under the $400 million revolving credit facility of which $180 million was classified as long-term as the Corporation does not expect to repay the borrowings within a year. Because the Corporation expects, but is not required, to repay the remaining $34 million during 2017 it is classified as current.
The revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement is the primary source of committed funding from which the Corporation finances its planned capital expenditures and strategic initiatives, such as acquisitions, repurchases of common stock and certain working capital needs. Non-compliance with the various financial covenant ratios in the revolving credit facility or the Senior NotesCredit Agreement could prevent the Corporation from being able to access further borrowings under the revolving credit facility, require immediate repayment of all amounts outstanding with respect to the revolving credit facility and Senior Notes and/or increase the cost of borrowing.
The Credit Agreement contains a number of covenants, including covenants requiring maintenance of the following financial ratios as of the end of any fiscal quarter:
a consolidated interest coverage ratio of not less than 4.0 to 1.0, based upon the ratio of (a) consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Agreement) for the last four fiscal quarters to (b) the sum of consolidated interest charges; and
a consolidated leverage ratio of not greater than 3.5 to 1.0, based upon the ratio of (a) the quarter-end consolidated funded indebtedness (as defined in the Credit Agreement) to (b) consolidated EBITDA for the last four fiscal quarters.
The most restrictive of the financial covenants is the consolidated leverage ratio requirement of 3.5 to 1.0 included in the Credit Agreement. Under the Credit Agreement, consolidated EBITDA is defined as consolidated net income before interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization of intangibles, as well as non-cash, nonrecurring charges and all non-cash items increasing net income. At January 2,On December 31, 2016, the Corporation was well below the maximum allowable ratio and was in compliance
with all of the covenants and other restrictions in the Credit Agreement and the note purchase agreement.Agreement. The Corporation expects to remain in compliance over the next twelve months.
In 2006, the Corporation refinanced $150 million of borrowings outstanding under its prior revolving credit facility with 5.54 percent, ten-year unsecured senior notes ("Senior Notes (due 2016)Notes") due April 6, 2016 issued through the private placement debt market. Interest payments arewere due semi-annually on April 16 and October 16 of each year and the principal is due in a lump sum on April 6, 2016. These Senior Notes were classified as long term as of January 2, 2016 since theyear. The Corporation will paypaid off the Senior Notes upon maturityon April 6, 2016 with revolving credit facility borrowings.
In March 2016, the Corporation entered in to an interest rate swap transaction to hedge $150 million of outstanding variable rate revolver borrowings expected to remain outstanding for more than twelve months.against future interest rate volatility. Under the terms of the interest rate swap, the Corporation pays a fixed rate of 1.29 percent and receives one month LIBOR on a $150 million notational value expiring January 2021. As of December 31, 2016, the fair value of the Corporation's interest rate swap was a net asset of $2.3 million reported net of tax as $1.5 million in accumulated other comprehensive income.
During 2015,2016, the Corporation repurchased 550,0001,082,938 shares of its common stock at a cost of approximately $26.7$55.8 million, or an average price of $48.47$51.55 per share. The Board authorized $200 million on November 9, 2007 and an additional $200 million on November 7, 2014 for repurchases of the Corporation’s common stock. As of January 2,December 31, 2016, approximately $192.7$136.9 million of this authorized amount remained unspent. During 2015, the Corporation repurchased 550,000 shares of its common stock at a cost of approximately $26.7 million, or an average price of $48.47 per share. During 2014, the Corporation repurchased 1,665,850 shares of its common stock at a cost of approximately $67.9 million, or an average price of $40.76 per share. During 2013, the Corporation repurchased 740,000 shares of its common stock at a cost of approximately $27.5 million, or an average price of $37.15 per share.
A cash dividend has been paid every quarter since April 15, 1955, and quarterly dividends are expected to continue. Cash dividends were $1.045$1.09 per common share for 2016, $1.045 for 2015 and $0.99 for 2014 and $0.96 for 2013.2014. The last quarterly dividend increase was from $0.25$0.265 to $0.265$0.275 per common share effective with the May 29, 2015June 1, 2016 dividend payment for shareholders of record at the close of business on May 15, 2015.20, 2016. The average dividend payout percentage for the most recent three-year period has been 7760 percent of prior year earnings or 2827 percent of prior year cash flow from operating activities.
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $32.8$38.6 million at the end of 20152016 compared to $37.2$32.8 million at the end of 20142015 and $72.3$37.2 million at the end of 2013.2014. These funds, coupled with cash from future operations, borrowing capacity under the existing facility as amended January 6, 2016 and the ability to access capital markets are expected to be adequate to fund operations and satisfy cash flow needs for at least the next twelve months. As of the end of 2015, $13.12016, $11.8 million of cash was held overseas and considered permanently reinvested. If such amounts were repatriated it could result in additional tax expense to the Corporation. The Corporation does not believe assertingtreating this cash as permanently reinvested will have any impact on the ability of the Corporation to meet its liquidity.obligations as they come due.
Contractual Obligations
The following table discloses the Corporation’s obligations and commitments to make future payments under contracts:
| | | Payments Due by Period | Payments Due by Period |
(In thousands) | Total |
| | Less than 1 Year |
| | 1 – 3 Years |
| | 3 – 5 Years |
| | More than 5 Years |
| Total | | Less than 1 Year | | 1 – 3 Years | | 3 – 5 Years | | More than 5 Years |
Long-term debt obligations, including estimated interest (1) | $ | 195,222 |
| | $ | 159,604 |
| | $ | 35,618 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
| $227,861 |
| |
| $37,871 |
| |
| $6,480 |
| |
| $183,510 |
| | — |
|
Operating lease obligations | 98,706 |
| | 30,241 |
| | 40,324 |
| | 17,873 |
| | 10,268 |
| 94,626 |
| | 27,671 |
| | 35,458 |
| | 17,962 |
| | $ | 13,535 |
|
Purchase obligations (2) | 64,403 |
| | 64,403 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| 51,405 |
| | 51,405 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Other long-term obligations (3) | 47,835 |
| | 7,034 |
| | 11,665 |
| | 3,197 |
| | 25,939 |
| 46,197 |
| | 5,444 |
| | 9,468 |
| | 4,529 |
| | 26,756 |
|
Total | $ | 406,166 |
| | $ | 261,282 |
| | $ | 87,607 |
| | $ | 21,070 |
| | $ | 36,207 |
|
| $420,089 |
| |
| $122,391 |
| |
| $51,406 |
| |
| $206,001 |
| |
| $40,291 |
|
| |
(1) | Interest has been included for all debt at the fixed or variable rate in effect as of January 2,December 31, 2016, as applicable. See Note"Note 10 "Long-TermLong-Term Debt" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. The Corporation has classified $34 million of long-term debt as current because the Corporation expects, but is not required, to repay this portion of debt in 2017. |
| |
(2) | Purchase obligations include agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable, legally binding and specify all significant terms, including the quantity to be purchased, the price to be paid and the timing of the purchase. |
| |
(3) | Other long-term obligations represent payments due to members who are participants in the Corporation’s deferred and long-term incentive compensation programs, liability for unrecognized tax liabilities and contribution and benefit payments expected to be made pursuant to the Corporation’s post-retirement benefit plans. It should be noted the obligations related to post-retirement benefit plans are not contractual and the plans could be amended at the discretion of the Corporation. The disclosure of contributions and benefit payments has been limited to 10 years, as information beyond this time period was not available. Other long term obligations of $34.3 million, primarily insurance reserves and long term warranty, are not included in the table above due to the Corporation's inability to predict their timing. |
Litigation and Uncertainties
The Corporation is involved in various kinds of disputesSee "Note 18 Guarantees, Commitments and legal proceedings that have arisenContingencies" in the ordinary course of business, including pending litigation, environmental remediation, taxes and other claims. It is the Corporation’s opinion, after consultation
with legal counsel, that additional liabilities, if any, resulting from these matters are not expectedNotes to have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s financial condition, cash flows or on the Corporation’s quarterly or annual operating results when resolved in a future period.Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Looking Ahead
Management remains optimistic about the office furniture and hearth markets and the Corporation's long-term prospects.
The Corporation remains focused on creating long-term shareholder value by growing its business through investment in building brands, product solutions and selling models, enhancing its strong member-owner culture and remaining focused on its long-standing rapid continuous improvement programs to build best total cost and a lean enterprise.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Corporation does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future
material effect on the Corporation's financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures
or capital resources.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
General
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon the Consolidated Financial Statements, prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Senior management has discussed the development, selection and disclosure of these estimates with the Audit Committee of the Board. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
An accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate be made based on assumptions about matters uncertain at the time the estimate is made, and if different estimates that reasonably could have been used, or changes in the accounting estimates that are reasonably likely to occur periodically, could materially impact the financial statements. Management believes the following critical accounting policies reflect its more significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable – The allowance for doubtful accounts receivable is based on several factors, including overall customer credit quality, historical write-off experience, the length of time a receivable has been outstanding and specific account analysis that projects the ultimate collectability of the account. As such, these factors may change over time causing the Corporation to adjust the reserve level accordingly.
Long-lived assets - The Corporation reviews long-lived assets for impairment as events or changes in circumstances occur indicating the amount of the asset reflected in the Corporation’s balance sheet may not be recoverable. The Corporation compares an estimate of undiscounted cash flows produced by the asset, or the appropriate group of assets, to the carrying value to determine whether impairment exists. The estimates of future cash flows involve considerable management judgment and are based upon the Corporation’s assumptions about future operating performance. The actual cash flows could differ from management’s estimates due to changes in business conditions, operating performance and economic conditions. Asset impairment charges associated with the Corporation’s restructuring activities are discussed in Restructuring Related and Impairment Charges in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Goodwill and other intangibles – The Corporation evaluates its goodwill for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter or whenever indicators of impairment exist. Asset impairment charges associated with the Corporation’s goodwill impairment testing are discussed in Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Corporation reviews goodwill at the reporting unit level within its office furniture and hearth products operating segments. These reporting units constitute components for which discrete financial information is available and regularly reviewed by segment management. The accounting standards for goodwill permit entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its
carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform a two-step goodwill impairment test. If the two-step test is required, the Corporation estimates the fair value of its reporting units. In estimating the fair value, the Corporation relies on an average of the income approach and the market approach. In the income approach, the estimate of fair value of each reporting unit is based on management’s projection of revenues, gross margin, operating costs and cash flows considering historical and estimated future results, general economic and market conditions as well as the impact of planned business and operational strategies. The valuations employ present value techniques to measure fair value and consider market factors. In the market approach, the Corporation utilizes the guideline company method, which involved calculating valuation multiples based on operating data from guideline publicly-traded companies. These multiples are then applied to the operating data for the reporting units and adjusted for factors similar to those used in the discounted cash flow analysis. Management believes the assumptions used for the impairment test are consistent with those utilized by a market participant in performing similar valuations of its reporting units. Management bases its fair value estimates on assumptions they believe to be reasonable at the time, but such assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainty. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an additional step is required to determine the implied fair value of goodwill associated with that reporting unit. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by first allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities and then computing the excess of the reporting unit’s fair value over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, such excess represents the amount of goodwill impairment and, accordingly, such impairment is recognized.
Assessing the fair value of goodwill includes, among other things, making key assumptions for estimating future cash flows and appropriate market multiples. These assumptions are subject to a high degree of judgment and complexity. The Corporation makes every effort to estimate future cash flows as accurately as possible with the information available at the time the forecast is developed. However, changes in assumptions and estimates may affect the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, and could result in an impairment charge in future periods. Factors that have the potential to create variances in the estimated fair value of the reporting unit include but are not limited to economic conditions in the U.S. and other countries where the Corporation has a presence, competitor behavior, the mix of product sales, commodity costs, wage rates, the level of manufacturing capacity, the pricing environment and currency exchange fluctuations. In addition, estimates of fair value are impacted by estimates of the market-participant derived weighted average cost of capital.
Additionally, the Corporation compares the estimated aggregate fair value of its reporting units to its overall market capitalization.
The Corporation also evaluates the fair value of indefinite-lived trade names on an annual basis during the fourth quarter or whenever indication of impairment exists. The estimate of the fair value of the trade names is based on a discounted cash flow model using inputs which include: projected revenues from management’s long-term plan, assumed royalty rates that could be payable if the trade names were not owned and a discount rate.
The Corporation has definite-lived intangibles that are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Impairment losses are recognized if the carrying amount of an intangible, subject to amortization, is not recoverable from expected future cash flows and its carrying amount exceeds its fair value.
Key to recoverability of goodwill, indefinite-lived intangibles and long-lived assets is the forecast of economic conditions and its impact on future revenues, operating margins and cash flows. Management’s projection for the U.S. office furniture and domestic hearth markets and global economic conditions is inherently subject to a number of uncertain factors, such as global economic improvement, the U.S housing market, credit availability and borrowing rates, and overall consumer confidence. In the near term, as management monitors the above factors, it is possible it may change the revenue and cash flow projections of certain reporting units, which may require the recording of additional asset impairment charges.
Self-insured reserves – The Corporation is primarily self-insured or carries high deductibles for general, auto, and product liability, workers’ compensation, and certain employee health benefits. The general, auto, product, and workers’ compensation liabilities are managed via a wholly-owned insurance captive and the related liabilities are included in the accompanying financial statements. The Corporation’s policy is to accrue amounts in accordance with the actuarially determined liabilities. The actuarial valuations are based on historical information along with certain assumptions about future events. Changes in assumptions for such matters as the number or severity of claims, medical cost inflation, and magnitude of change in actual experience development could cause these estimates to change in the near term.
Income taxes – The provision for income taxes is determined using theCorporation uses an asset and liability approach taking intomethod to account guidance related to uncertainfor income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax positions. Deferred income taxesassets and liabilities are providedrecognized for the temporaryestimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial reporting basisstatement carrying values of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets are also recorded with respect to net operating losses and other tax attribute carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Valuation allowances are established when, based on currently available information, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the income of the period that includes the enactment date.
The ultimate recovery of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the amount and timing of future taxable income and other factors such as the taxing jurisdiction in which the asset is to be recovered. Significant judgment is applied to determine if, and the extent to which, valuation allowances should be recorded against deferred tax basisassets. Although the Corporation believes the approach to estimates and judgments as described herein is reasonable, actual results could differ and they may be exposed to increases or decreases in income taxes that could be material.
The Corporation recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the Corporation’s assetsposition. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Interest and liabilities. penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are reported as interest expense and operating expense, respectively.
The Corporation applies the intra-period tax allocation rules to allocate income taxes among continuing operations, discontinued operations, other comprehensive income (loss), and additional paid-in capital when they meet the criteria as prescribed in the guidance.
The Corporation provides for taxes that may be payable if
undistributed earnings of overseas subsidiaries were to be remitted to the United States, except for those earnings that it considers to be permanently reinvested. See the Income Tax note to the financial statements for further information.
RecentRecently Issued Accounting PronouncementsStandards Not Yet Adopted
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The new standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. The core principle of the ASUstandard requires companies to reevaluate when revenue is recorded on a transaction based upon newly defined criteria, either at a point in time or over time as goods or services are delivered. The ASUstandard requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and estimates, and changes in those estimates. The new standard becomes effective for usthe Corporation in fiscal 2018, and allows for both retrospective and modified-retrospective methods of adoption. WeThe Corporation has completed a preliminary review of the impact of the new standard and expects changes in the way the Corporation recognizes certain marketing programs and pricing incentives, which are not anticipated to be financially significant. The Corporation expects to adopt the standard in fiscal 2018 using the modified-retrospective approach.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. The new standard requires lessees to recognize most leases, including operating leases, on-balance sheet via a right of use asset and lease liability. Changes to the lessee accounting model may change key balance sheet measures and ratios, potentially effecting analyst expectations and compliance with financial covenants. The new standard becomes effective for the Corporation in fiscal 2019, but may be adopted at any time, and requires a modified retrospective transition. The Corporation is currently evaluating the effect if any, that the updated standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In April 2015,March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03,2016-07, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) - Simplifying Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The core principle of the ASU is that an entity should present debt issuance costs as a direct deduction from the face amount of that debt in the balance sheet similarTransition to the mannerEquity Method of Accounting. The new
standard eliminates the requirement for an investor to retroactively apply the equity method when an increase in which a debt discount or premium is presented, and not reflected as a deferred charge or deferred credit. The ASU requires additional disclosure about the nature of and reason for the changeownership interest in accounting principle, the transitionan investee triggers equity method a description of the prior-period information that has been retrospectively adjusted and the effect of the change on the financial statement line item (that is, the debt issuance cost asset and the debt liability).accounting. The new standard becomes effective for usthe Corporation in fiscal 2016, and requires retrospective implementation in which2017. The Corporation anticipates the balance sheet of each individual period presented is to be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance, early adoption is permitted. Subsequent to the issuance of ASU 2015-03 the SEC staff made an announcement regarding the presentation of debt issuance costs associated with line-of-credit arrangements, which was codified by the FASB in ASU 2015-15. This guidance, which clarifies the exclusion of line-of-credit arrangements from the scope of ASU 2015-03, is effective upon adoption of ASU 2015-03. We are currently evaluating the effect, if any, that the updated standard will have an immaterial effect on ourconsolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The new standard is intended to simplify accounting for share based employment awards to employees. Changes include: all excess tax benefits/deficiencies should be recognized as income tax expense/benefit; entities can make elections on how to account for forfeitures; and cash paid by an employer when directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes should be classified as a financing activity on the cash flow statement. The standard becomes effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The Corporation will implement the new standard in fiscal 2017.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The new standard provides classification guidance on eight cash flow issues including debt prepayment, settlement of zero-coupon bonds, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, proceeds from the settlements of insurance claims, proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies and distributions received from equity method investees. The new standard becomes effective for the Corporation in fiscal 2018. The Corporation anticipates the standard will have an immaterial effect on consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) - Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement. The ASU applies to cloud computing arrangements including software as a service, platform as a service, infrastructure as a service, and other similar hosting arrangements, and was issued to help entities evaluate the accounting for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement. The ASU provides guidance about whether the arrangement includes a software license. The core principle of the ASU is that if a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The guidance will not change U.S. GAAP for a customer’s accounting for service contracts. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. The company anticipates the adoption in the effective period and we are currently evaluating the effect, if any, that the ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. The ASU eliminates the requirement for an acquirer to retrospectively adjust the financial statements for measurement-period adjustments that occur in periods after a business combination is consummated. The core principle of the ASU is that entities will be required to recognize the cumulative impact of a measurement period adjustment (including the impact on prior periods) in the reporting period in which the adjustment is identified. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. However early adoption is permitted. The company anticipates the adoption for fiscal 2016 with minimal impact.
During the normal course of business, the Corporation is subjected to market risk associated with interest rate movements. Interest rate risk arises from our variable interest debt obligations. For information related to the Corporation’s long-term debt, refer to the Long-Term Debt disclosure in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements filed as part of this report. TheIn March 2016, the Corporation does not currently have anyentered in to an interest rate swap agreementstransaction to hedge $150 million of outstanding variable rate revolver borrowings against future interest rate volatility. Under the terms of the interest rate swap, the Corporation pays a fixed rate of 1.29 percent and receives one month LIBOR on a $150 million notational value expiring January 2021. As of December 31, 2016, the fair value of the Corporation's interest rate swap was a net asset of $2.3 million reported net of tax as $1.5 million in place.accumulated other comprehensive income. The interest rate swap derivative instrument is held and used by the Corporation as a tool for
The Corporation is exposed to risks arising from price changes for certain direct materials and assembly components used in its operations. The most significant material purchases and cost for the Corporation are for steel, plastics, textiles, wood particleboard and cartoning. Steel, aluminum and wood/wood related products are the most significant raw material used in the manufacturing of products. The market price of plastics and textiles, in particular, are sensitive to the cost of oil and natural gas. The cost of wood particleboard has been impacted by continued downsizing of production capacity as well as increased volatility in input and transportation costs. All of these materials are impacted increasingly by global market pressure. The Corporation works to offset these increased costs through global sourcing initiatives, product re-engineering and price increases on its products. Margins have been negatively impacted in the past due to the lag between cost increases and the Corporation’s ability to increase its prices. The Corporation believes future market price increases on its key direct materials and assembly components are likely. Consequently, it views the prospect of such increases as an outlook risk to the business.
The financial statements listed under Item 15(a)(1) and (2) are filed as part of this report and are incorporated herein by reference.
The Summary of Unaudited Quarterly Results of Operations follows the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements filed as part of this report and are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.