UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ý☒ Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 20172020
oor
☐ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Transition Period from to
Commission file number: 1-8649
THE TORO COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
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| Delaware | | 1-8649 | | 41-0580470 |
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | | (Commission File Number) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)No.) |
8111 Lyndale Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55420-1196
Telephone number:Number: (952) 888-8801
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: |
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Title of Each Classeach class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of Each Exchangeeach exchange on Which Registeredwhich registered |
| Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share | TTC | New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ý☒ No o☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o☐ No ý☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý☒ No o☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ý☒ No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ý☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company," and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filerý | ☒ | Accelerated filer | Accelerated filer o☐
| Non-accelerated filer | Non-accelerated filer o☐
| | Smaller reporting companyo | ☐ | Emerging growth companyo | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o☐ No ý☒
The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based on the closing price of the common stock on May 5, 2017,1, 2020, the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange, was approximately $7.2$6.7 billion.
The number of shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding as of December 15, 201711, 2020 was 106,620,468.107,628,246.
Documents Incorporated by Reference: Portions of the registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for the 20182021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders expected to be held March 20, 201816, 2021 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
THE TORO COMPANY
FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Introduction
The Toro Company was incorporated in Minnesota in 1935 as a successor to a business founded in 1914 and reincorporated in Delaware in 1983. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms "company," "Toro,"TTC," "we," "our," or "us" refer to The Toro Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. Our executive offices are located at 8111 Lyndale Avenue South, Bloomington, Minnesota, 55420-1196, and our telephone number is (952)-888-8801. Our web sitewebsite for corporate and investor information is www.thetorocompany.com, which also contains links to our branded product sites. The information contained on our web siteswebsites or connected to our web siteswebsites is not incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K (this "report") and should not be considered part of, this report.Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We design, manufacture, and market professional turf maintenance equipment and services,services; turf irrigation systems,systems; landscaping equipment and lighting products,products; snow and ice management products,products; agricultural micro-irrigation systems,irrigation ("ag-irrigation") systems; rental, specialty and specialtyunderground construction equipment,equipment; and residential yard and snow thrower products. We produced our first mower for golf course use in 1921 when we mounted five reel mowers on a Toro tractor, and we introduced our first lawn mower for residential use in 1935. We have continued to enhance our product lines through innovation and strategic acquisitions over the more than 100 years we have been in business.
We classify our operations into threetwo reportable business segments: Professional Residential, and Distribution.Residential. Our Distribution segment, which consistsremaining activities are presented as "Other" due to their insignificance. These Other activities consist of earnings (loss) from our wholly ownedwholly-owned domestic distributorship, has been combined with ourdistribution companies, corporate activities, and the elimination of intersegment revenues and expenses and is presented as “Other."expenses. Net sales of our three reportable segments and Other activities accounted for the following percentages of our consolidated net sales for fiscal 2017:2020: Professional, 7274.7 percent; Residential, 2724.3 percent; and Other, 11.0 percent.
Our products are advertised and sold worldwide through a network of distributors, dealers, mass retailers, hardware retailers, equipment rental centers, home centers, as well as online (direct to end-users) under the primary trademarks of Toro®, Exmark®eXmark®, BOSS®, Irritrol®Ventrac®, Hayter®Ditch Witch®, Pope®American Augers®, PERROT®Subsite®, HammerHead®, Trencor®, Radius®, Irritrol®, Unique Lighting Systems®, Rain Master®, Pope®, PERROT®, Hayter®, and Lawn-Boy®, most of which are registered in the United States ("U.S.") and/or in the primary countries outside the U.S. where we market our products branded under such products. This report also contains trademarks, trade names, and service marks that are owned by other persons or entities, such as The Home Depot, Inc. ("The Home Depot").trademarks.
We emphasize qualityinnovation and innovationquality in our products, customer service, manufacturing, and marketing. We strive to provide innovative, well-built, and dependable products supported by an extensive service network. We have committedcommit to funding for research, development, and engineering activities in order to improve and enhance existing products and develop new products. Through these efforts, we seek to be
responsive to trends that may affect our target markets now and in the future. A significant portion of
our net sales has historically been, and we expect will continue to be, attributable to new and enhanced products. We define new products as those introduced in the current and previous two fiscal years. We plan to continue to leverage a strategic and disciplined approach to pursue targeted acquisitions using a disciplined approach that addsadd value whileto TTC by complementing our existing brands and product portfolio.
Our purpose is to help our customers enrich the beauty, productivity, and sustainability of the land. Our vision is to be the most trusted leader in solutions for the outdoor environment. Every day. Everywhere. Our mission is to deliver superior innovation and to deliver superior customer care.
Impact of COVID-19
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19," "the pandemic," or "the virus") outbreak a global pandemic. COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the U.S. and the rest of the world and has negatively impacted portions of the global economy, disrupted global supply chains, and created volatility in financial markets. COVID-19 caused government authorities around the world to implement stringent measures to attempt to help control the spread of the virus, including business shutdowns and curtailments, travel restrictions, prohibitions on group events and gatherings, quarantines, "shelter-in-place" and "stay-at-home" orders, curfews, social distancing, and other measures. The adverse global economic impact of this pandemic has had a material impact on parts of our business, customers, and suppliers and caused many challenges for our business and manufacturing operations during fiscal 2020. Additional information regarding the impact of COVID-19 on our business can be found under the section titled "Impact of COVID-19" included within Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and risks related to COVID-19 can be found under Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Business Combinations
Acquisition of Venture Products, Inc.
On March 2, 2020, during the second quarter of fiscal 2020, we completed our acquisition of Venture Products, Inc. ("Venture Products"), a privately held Ohio corporation. Venture Products designs, manufactures, and markets articulating turf, landscape, and snow and ice management equipment for grounds, landscape contractor, golf, municipal, and rural acreage customers and provides innovative product offerings that broadened and strengthened our Professional segment and expanded our dealer network. We also acquired from an affiliate of Venture Products the real estate used by Venture Products. The total acquisition consideration was $163.2 million, of which $25.0 million is expected to be paid
by the end of fiscal 2021 to the former Venture Products shareholders, subject to any indemnification claims. We funded the acquisition consideration with borrowings under our existing $600.0 million five-year unsecured senior revolving credit facility ("revolving credit facility"). For additional information regarding the Venture Products acquisition and our revolving credit facility utilized to fund the aggregate consideration, refer to Note 2, Business Combinations, and Note 6, Indebtedness, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Acquisition of The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
On April 1, 2019, during the second quarter of fiscal 2019, we completed our acquisition of The Charles Machine Works, Inc. ("CMW"), a privately held Oklahoma corporation. CMW designs, manufactures, and markets a range of professional products to serve the underground construction market, including horizontal directional drills, walk and ride trenchers, stand-on skid steers, vacuum excavators, asset locators, pipe rehabilitation solutions, and after-market tools. CMW provides innovative product offerings that broadened and strengthened our Professional segment product portfolio and expanded our dealer network, while also providing a complementary geographic manufacturing footprint. The total acquisition consideration was $685.0 million, which we funded by using a combination of cash proceeds from the issuance of borrowings under our $500.0 million unsecured senior term loan credit agreement and borrowings from our revolving credit facility. For additional information regarding the CMW acquisition and the financing agreements utilized to fund the aggregate merger consideration, refer to Note 2, Business Combinations, and Note 6, Indebtedness, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Products by Market
We strive to be a leader in adapting advanced technologies to products and services that provide innovative solutions for turf care maintenance, landscapes,maintenance; landscapes; agricultural fields,fields; rental, specialty, and specialty construction,underground construction; snow and ice management,management; and residential demands. The following is a summary of our products, by market, for our Professional segment and our products for our Residential segment:segment.
Professional Segment
We design professional turf,turf; landscape and lighting,lighting; rental, specialty, and specialty construction,underground construction; snow and ice management,management; and agricultural productsproducts. We market and market themsell Professional segment products worldwide through a network of distributors and dealers, as well as directly to government customers, rental companies, and large retailers. These channel partners then sell or rent our products primarily to professional users engaged in creating, renovating, and illuminating landscapes; irrigating turf and agricultural fields; installing, repairing, and replacing underground utilities; managing snow and ice needs; maintaining turf, such as golf courses, sports fields, municipal properties, as well as
residential and commercial landscapes; installing, repairing, and replacing underground pipe and utilities; managing snow and ice demands; irrigating turf and agricultural fields; and creating, renovating, and illuminating landscapes. The following sections describe our Professional segment products by market.
Golf Market
Products for the golf course market include large reel and rotary riding products for fairway, rough, and trim cutting; riding and walking mowers for putting greens and specialty areas; greens rollers; all-wheel drive articulating tractors; turf sprayer equipment; utility vehicles; aeration equipment; and bunker maintenance equipment. Our Reelmaster® 3555-D and Reelmaster® 3575-D, fairwayIn fiscal 2020, we introduced a new line of flex-head walk-behind greens mowers, the Greensmaster® Flex™ 1018/1021 Series, which feature a lighter design and are engineeredpatented Flex suspension that is intended to be more productive and fuel efficient with reduced turf compaction. These mowers, as well as most other Reelmaster® and Greensmaster® models, include our EdgeSeries™ Reels that feature enhanced reel material and geometry designedallow the cutting unit to facilitateeasily follow the contours of the green to deliver a more accurate cut and improved after-cut appearance while reducing required maintenance.superior quality of cut.
We also manufacture and market underground irrigation systems for the golf course market, including sprinkler heads, controllers, turf sensors, and electric, battery-operated, and hydraulic valves. TheseFrom our Lynx® central control software platform, to a dual offering of field control system technology, including the Lynx Smart Module two-wire and satellite, to the innovative INFINITY® sprinkler, Toro-branded golf irrigation systemsproducts are designed to use computerized management systems and a varietyhelp customers reduce the cost of other
technologies to help users manage their consumption of water. Several of our golf course sprinklers are equipped with an innovative TruJectory™ feature that provides an adjustable angle of nozzle trajectory, as well as enhanced water distribution control. Our Network VP® Satellite combines modular flexibility, ease of use, and increased control in a single controller with programming to the individual station level that supports station-based flow management. Our Turf Guard® wireless soil monitoring systems are designed to measure and communicate soil moisture, salinity, and temperature through sensors to a user's software. Our R Series™ conversion assemblies enable the upgrade of select competitive sprinklers to our technologies, such as the above-mentioned TruJectory™ or ratcheting riser. Our INFINITY® Series golf course sprinklers with the Smart Access® feature are designed to provide easy access to critical components of the sprinkler without needing to dig. Our popular Lynx® central control system allows superintendents to control the irrigation of their course from a web-enabled device, or via our National Support Network, which provides remote troubleshooting. Our Geolink® precision spray system for Multi Pro® sprayers is the industry's first turf-based precision spray system designed to allow repeatable sub-inch location accuracy and individual nozzle control that benefits distribution control.
Landscape Contractor Equipment Market
We market products to landscape contractors under the Toro and Exmark brands. Products for the landscape contractor market include zero-turn radius riding mowers, heavy-duty walk behind mowers, mid-size walk behind mowers, stand-on mowers, as well as turf renovation and tree care equipment. We offer some products with electronic fuel injection engine options, which are designed to provide improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions.operational inputs while delivering exceptional playing conditions. In fiscal 2017,2020, we unveiled our next-generation RED™ Technology,launched Lynx 7.0, which utilizes our RED™ controller that is designed to provide operatorsirrigation precision, uniformity, and control with on-board intelligence and machine health monitoring to enhance performance, power, and efficiency on Exmark Lazer Z® and Lazer Z® diesel zero-turn mowers.
In late fiscal 2016, we introduced the Exmark Radius® line of zero-turn radius riding mowers featuring a heavy-duty fabricated frame and improved control and handling in order to provide commercial durability, reliability, and comfort. Additionally, we introduced the Toro TITAN® HD line of zero-turn radius riding mowers which features a heavy-duty fabricated frame, our patented Turbo Force® deck and the ability to attach tools and other accessories to the mower with innovative tool-mounting brackets.such as water-to-the-second.
Sports Fields and Grounds Equipment Market
ProductsEquipment products for the sports fields and grounds market include riding rotary and reel mowers and attachments, aerators, infield grooming equipment, all-wheel drive articulating tractors, multipurpose vehicles and debris management products, which include versatile debris vacuums, blowers, and sweepers. In 2017addition to equipment products, we acquiredalso manufacture and market irrigation systems under the Regnerbau Calw GmbH ("Perrot") irrigation business which manufacturesToro and markets PERROT®-branded irrigation products that provide solutionsPERROT brands for a variety of applications. The PERROT®
VP3, our piston drive, valve-in-head, pop-up sprinkler is designed to provide full coverage ofthe sports fields without the need to have sprinklers installed on the field. The new nozzle technology on the VP3 is designed to provide casting ranges with high distribution conformity while saving water. In addition, we offer the PERROT® TRITON-L which is designed to have high rotation speed, high stability of the water jet, and top-serviceability. Other products include infield grooming equipmentgrounds market, including sprinkler heads, controllers, turf sensors, and multipurpose vehicles, such as the Toro Workman® GTX introduced in late fiscal 2016, that can be used for turf maintenance, towing,electric, battery-operated, and industrial hauling.hydraulic valves. These products are sold through distributors and dealers, who then sell to owners and/or managers of sports fields, governmental properties, and residential and commercial landscapes, as well as directly to government customers. Our acquisition of Venture Products added Ventrac-branded products that are designed to meet the needs of customers in the sports fields and grounds market, including the 4500 Tractor, which is an all-wheel drive articulating tractor designed for use in all seasons with over 30 professional grade Ventrac Mount attachments available. Apart from its predominant use by sports fields and grounds professionals, the 4500 Tractor is also sold to customers in the snow and ice management, golf, and landscape contractor markets. For additional information regarding our acquisition of Venture
Products, refer to Note 2, Business Combinations, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Landscape Contractor Market
We market products to landscape contractors under the Toro, Exmark, and Ventrac brands. Products for the landscape contractor market include zero-turn radius riding mowers, heavy-duty walk behind mowers, mid-size walk behind mowers, stand-on mowers, and all-wheel drive articulating tractors, as well as lawn solution, turf renovation, and tree care equipment. We offer products with electronic fuel injection engine options, which are designed to provide improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions.
Underground Construction Market
We design, manufacture, and market a range of professional grade products to serve the underground construction market, including horizontal directional drills, walk and ride trenchers, vacuum excavators, horizontal directional drilling guidance and support equipment, utility locators, utility inspection systems, pipe rehabilitation and replacement solutions, as well as after-market tools, including drive chucks and sub savers, drill pipe, starter rods and quick connects, bits and blades, rock tools, reamers, and swivels. Such products are utilized by specialty contractors worldwide to install water, gas, electric, telecommunication, and other utility distribution systems. Our acquisition of CMW in fiscal 2019 added a breadth of new products to our underground construction product portfolio with a family of brands sold under the trade names of Ditch Witch, American Augers, Trencor, HammerHead, Subsite, and Radius. Ditch Witch has built a legacy in the underground construction market as a result of innovative product offerings such as the new JT24 horizontal directional drill, which is designed to deliver high levels of torque, thrust, and pullback while maintaining stability in a small footprint for a wide range of urban and residential utility, gas, and fiber-optic jobs, including the distribution of 5G cellular service. For additional information regarding our acquisition of CMW, refer to Note 2, Business Combinations, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
During fiscal 2019, after the completion of the CMW acquisition, we announced the wind down of our Toro-branded large horizontal directional drill and riding trencher product categories ("Toro underground wind down") as part of our integration plan for the CMW business and to allow us to maximize efficiencies and cost synergies post-acquisition and adapt to changing underground construction market conditions regarding our underground product portfolio. We completed the Toro underground wind down during fiscal 2020. For additional information regarding the Toro underground wind down, refer to Note 7, Management Actions, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Rental and Specialty Construction Market
Products for the rental and specialty construction market include Toro and Ditch Witch-branded stand-on skid steers, walk-behind trenchers, stump grinders, and turf renovation products. We also have a line of Toro-branded rental products that feature concrete and mortar mixers, material handlers, compaction equipment, and other concrete construction equipment. Our rental and specialty construction products are mainly sold to rental companies and large retailers who subsequently rent the products to end-users, as well as through dealers, who then sell to end-users that in many cases are the same customers as those in our landscape contractor market. Toro-branded stand-on skid steers are the cornerstone products for our Toro-branded rental and specialty construction business, which are designed to improve the efficiency in creation and renovation of landscapes. In fiscal 2020, we introduced the Toro e-Dingo™, our first battery-powered stand-on skid steer, which is designed to offer powerful, quiet operation, and no exhaust emissions, making it suitable for both outdoor and indoor construction use. Ditch Witch-branded stand-on skid steer products are marketed and sold primarily to contractors, municipalities, and other governmental entities through a comprehensive dealer network. In fiscal 2020, we introduced the Ditch Witch SK3000 full-size, stand-on skid steer, which has a lift capacity of 3,100 pounds. The SK3000 stand-on skid steer is designed to effectively handle landscape, hardscape, and tree-care projects usually reserved for traditional cab configured skid steers.
Snow and Ice Management Market
Products for the snow and ice management market are marketed mainly in North America under the BOSS and Ventrac brands. Products under the BOSS brand are designed to provide innovative solutions to contractors, municipalities, and includeother governmental entities, including snowplows, salt and sand spreaders, and related parts, as well as accessories for light and medium duty trucks, all-terrain vehicles, utility task vehicles, ("UTVs"), skid steers, and front-end loaders. These products are mainly sold through distributors and dealers, who then sell to end-users that in many cases are the same customers as those in our landscape contractor and sports fields and grounds equipment markets, such as contractors, municipalities,markets. Our acquisition of Venture Products added Ventrac-branded products and other governmental entities. In fiscal 2017, we introduced the QuickCube™ system, a de-icingrelated attachments to our snow and ice management product for use with skid-steers that utilizes weather-sealed refillable totes for both active salting and long-term, off-site, salt storage and the Forge™ 2.0 V-Box Spreader, a stainless steel hopper spreader with 2 cubic yards of capacity designed for optimal durability and serviceability. In addition, in fiscal 2017, we began offering the D-Force® systemportfolio. The Sidewalk Snow Vehicle ("SSV®") is designed to maintain consistent hydraulic down forceenable easy and efficient management of snow and ice on straight blade plowssidewalks, with available commercial quality snow removal attachments and de-icing options intended to improve scraping performance while back-dragging.
Rentalserve various snow and Specialty Construction Market
ice management applications. For additional information regarding our acquisition of Venture Products, forrefer to Note 2, Business Combinations, in the rentalNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and specialty construction market include compact utility loaders, walk-behind trenchers, stump grinders, and turf renovation products, manySupplementary Data," of which are also sold to landscape contractors. We also have a line of rental products that feature concrete and mortar mixers, material handlers, compaction equipment, and other concrete equipment. Our compact utility loaders are the cornerstone products for our rental and specialty construction businesses, which are designed to improve the efficiency in creation and renovation of landscapes. Our Dingo® TX 1000 compact utility loader provides market leading operating capacity in a lightweight, maneuverable design. We offer over 35 attachments for our compact utility loaders, including trenchers, augers, vibratory plows, and backhoes. In fiscal 2017, we introduced our MB TX 2500 Tracked Mud Buggy® featuring Endless Kevlar® reinforced tracks designed to increase job-site productivity by delivering high performance and outstanding tractionthis Annual Report on a wide range of terrains.Form 10-K.
Underground Construction Market
We manufacture a line of directional drills and riding trenchers used to install water, gas, electric, and telecommunication distribution systems. Our underground products are used by specialty contractors worldwide. In late fiscal 2017, we unveiled our innovative DD2226 directional drill featuring increased thrust, pull-back, and rotational torque designed to allow operators to pull back and turn larger reamers in tough ground conditions. The DD2226 also features our new SmartTouch® control mode designed to streamline pipe handling, reduce pipe loading cycle times, and increase overall productivity.
Residential/Commercial Irrigation and Lighting Market
Turf irrigation products marketed under the Toro and Irritrol brands include rotors; sprinkler bodies and nozzles; plastic, brass, and hydraulic valves; drip tubing and subsurface irrigation; electric control devices; and wired and wireless rain, freeze, climate, and soil sensors. These products are installed by professional contractors and are designed for use in residentialcommercial and commercialresidential turf irrigation applications and can be installed into new systems or used to replace or retrofit existing systems. Most of the product lines are designed for professionally installed, underground automatic irrigation. ElectricElectronic controllers activate valves and sprinklers in a typical irrigation system. Both the Toro and Irritrol brands have received the theseveral U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") WaterSense award,awards, as well as the EPA WaterSense certification for numerous irrigation controller families and models. OurIn addition, in fiscal 2020, TTC received the EPA WaterSense Excellence in Outreach and Training Award. In fiscal 2020, we added the Irritrol Climate Logic® smart device automatically adjusts irrigation system watering times based on real-time weather data from an on-site sensor combined with historical averages, whileRain Dial® to our award-winning Toro Precision™ Soil Sensor wirelessly transmits soil moisture content to an irrigation controller and signals whether or not watering is needed. Our Precision™ Spray Nozzles & Precision™ Soil Sensor are intended to deliver an optimum precipitation rate and superior distribution uniformity, resulting inSMRT Logic™ offering of compatible controllers. The complete list of compatible controls now includes the use of less water without affectingIrritrol Rain Dial®, the health of landscapes. The EVOLUTION® controller is designed to be an intuitive, menu-based controller family that offers computer programming, lighting control, multiple soil sensors, smart add-ons, and downloadable updates through a USB device. The T5 Rotor with RapidSet® technology allows convenient arc adjustment with no tools,Irritrol KD2 Series and the stainless steel model is designed for areas subjectToro Evolution®.
In addition to heavy foot traffic and sandy soil conditions. Our SMRT LogicTM landscape control solution enables cloud-based landscape control of existing Toro and Irritrol irrigation controllers from any location when paired with our SMRTscapeTM mobile app, or website, and an internet connection.
Our retailturf irrigation products, are designed for homeowner installation and include sprinkler heads, valves, timers, sensors, and drip irrigation systems. The XTRA SMART® ECXTRA™ sprinkler timer and its intuitive, online Scheduling Advisor™ are designed to recommend the proper watering schedule based on the local weather, plant type, and sprinkler type.
Wewe manufacture and market lighting products under the Unique Lighting Systems brand name consisting of a line of high quality, professionally installed lighting fixtures and transformers for residentialcommercial and commercialresidential landscapes. Our lighting product line is offered through distributors and landscape contractors that also purchase our turf irrigation products. TheOur SMRT Logic™ (formerly known as Light Logic™) remote control system provides operators with wireless scene control for landscape lighting and can upgrade existing systems with expanded control. Our LightThe SMRT Logic™ Plus system is designed to deliver cloud-based control from any location using a web-enabled computer or device for outdoor landscape features such as lighting, irrigation, and pond or fountain pumps.
Micro-IrrigationAg-Irrigation Market
Products for the micro-irrigationag-irrigation market include products that are designed to applyfor efficient means of water precisely,application and usage, including Aqua-Traxx® PBX drip tape, Neptune® flat emitter dripline, Blue Stripe® polyethylene tubing, BlueLine® drip line, and NGE® emitters, all used in agriculture, mining,agricultural and landscapegreenhouse applications. Global food demand and increased water use restrictions have continued to drive the need for more efficient irrigation solutions for agriculture, including our Aqua-Traxx® FC (flow control) drip tape that is designed to allow growers to achieve water uniformity while retaining flexibility to adjust system flow rates when needed. In addition to these core products, we offer a full complement of design software, control devices, and connection options to complete the system, including a software package used to help design drip irrigation systems. In fiscal 2017, we released the new Evolution® Ag controller that features simple and intuitive programming designed specifically for agricultural and horticultural growers to enable the grower to control the opening and closing of irrigation and fertilizer valves reliably at any determined schedule. Theseag-irrigation system. Our ag-irrigation products are sold mainly through dealers and distributors who then sell to end-users for use primarily in vegetable fields, fruit and nut orchards vineyards, landscapes, and mines.vineyards. In fiscal 2020, we launched Aqua-Traxx Azul™, which is designed to be a more clog resistant drip tape and is intended to offer a greater filtration area and effectively deliver water and fertilizer in precise applications.
Residential Segment
We market and sell our Residential segment products to homeowners through a variety of distribution channels, including outdoor power equipment distributors and dealers, mass retailers, hardware retailers, home centers, as well as online (direct to end-users). We also license our trademark on certain home solutions products as a means of expanding our brand presence. The following sections describe our Residential segment products.
Walk Power Mower Products
We manufacture and market numerous walk power mower models under our Toro and Lawn-Boy brand names, as well as the Hayter brand in the United Kingdom. Models differ as to cutting width, type of starter mechanism, method of grass clipping discharge, deck type, operational controls, and power sources, and are either self-propelled or operator-propelled push mowers. For the United Kingdom market,In fiscal 2020, we offer aexpanded upon our existing line of rear-rollerToro-branded battery-powered products within the Flex-Force Power System® featuring 60V lithium-ion technology. Such expansion of this product line included a new 21-inch Recycler® 60V walk power mower that features a steel deck that is intended to provide for superior durability. All of the products in our 60V Flex-Force Power System line feature lithium-ion smart batteries, which are designed to be interchangeable among products in the 60V Flex-Force Power System line and reduce exhaust emissions and noise.
For our gas powered walk power mower product offerings, in fiscal 2020, we launched an upgraded version of the Toro-branded Super Recycler® product line and successfully introduced the offering into our expanded mass retail channel. The upgraded Super Recycler walk power mowers a design that provides a striped finish. In fiscal 2017, we launched our PoweReverse® technologyoffer SMARTSTOW™ capabilities designed to allow the mower to be stored upright, reducing the storage footprint. We also continued to provide enhanced features on our Recycler®Recycler walk power mowers, including the Personal Pace® walk power mowerself-propel system that is designed to enable homeownersautomatically adjust to mow challenging areas with less effort
by seamlessly propelling the mower through forward and backward operation.
Zero-Turn Riding ProductsMowers
We manufacture and market residential zero-turn riding productsmowers under the Toro brand name. Riding products primarily consist of zero-turn radius mowersname that are designed to save homeowners time by using superior maneuverability to cut around obstacles more quickly and easily than tractor technology. Our TimeCutter® SS and TimeCutter® MX zero-turn radius riding mowers are equipped with our Smart Speed® control system, which is designed to allow the operator to choose different ground speed ranges with the flip of a lever without changing the blade or engine speed. In fiscal 2017, we released the TimeCutter® HD that is designed to have improved comfort and strength but with the traditional versatility of our zero-turn radius mowers. We sell direct-collect riding mowers that are manufactured and sold in the European market. Many models of our residential zero-turn riding productsmowers are available with a variety of engines, decks, transmissions, and accessories.
Home Solutions Products
We design and market home solutions products under the Toro and Pope brand names. Our Toro brand name products include yard tools such as electric, gas, and cordless grass trimmers; electric and cordless hedge trimmers; and electric, gas, and cordless blower-vacuums. In Australia, we design and market garden product offerings, such as underground, hose and hose-end retail irrigation products under the Pope brand name. In fiscal 2017,2020, we released new lines of TimeCutter® and TITAN® series residential zero-turn riding mowers and successfully introduced these offerings into our expanded mass retail channel. The new line of TimeCutter® utilizes a heavy duty fabricated deck ranging from 42 to 60 inch cutting widths and features our IronForged® cutting system that is designed to efficiently and effectively handle challenging cutting conditions. Our new line of TITAN® series residential zero-turn riding mowers are designed for the all-new PowerPlex® familyhome owner with acreage and
feature available cutting widths ranging from 48 to 60 inches and easy-to-use products that rival the powerheavy-duty air cleaners, commercial engines, and performance of gas powered models.upgraded transmissions.
Snow Thrower Products
We manufacture and market a range of gas-powered single-stage and two-stage snow thrower models, as well as a range of electric and battery-powered single-stage snow thrower models. Single-stage snow throwers are walk behind units with lightweight four-cycle gasoline engines. Most single-stage snow thrower models include our Power Curve® snow thrower technology, and some feature our Quick Shoot™ control system that is designed to enable operators to quickly change snow-throwing direction. Our pivoting scraper is designed to keep the rotor in constant contact with the pavement. Our two-stage snow throwers are generally designed for relatively large areas of deep and heavy snow. Our two-stageelectric and battery-powered snow throwers include a line of models featuring our patented Anti-Clogging System and Quick Stick® chute control technology. The Toro SnowMaster® snow thrower combines the power of a two-stage snow throwerare designed to handle deep snow with the handling and maneuverability of a lightweight, single-stage snow thrower in a design intended to increase efficiency by clearing more snow per minute. Our electric snow throwers arebe lightweight and ideal for clearing up to sixtwelve inches of snow from decks, steps, sidewalks, and small driveways. In fiscal 2020, we introduced a refreshed line of Toro Power Max® HD gas-powered, two-stage snow throwers. These models are designed to effectively handle challenging snow conditions and are built with our patented Anti-Clogging System, which is designed to prevent power loss in heavy snow conditions and features a hardened gear box and auger shafts.
Home Solutions Products
We design and market home solutions products under the Toro and Pope brand names. Our Toro-branded products include yard tools such as electric, gas, and battery-powered grass trimmers; electric and battery-powered hedge trimmers; and electric, gas, and battery-powered blower-vacuums. In fiscal 2020, we expanded our battery-powered product offering through the addition of the 60V Flex-Force chainsaw, hedge trimmer, and Power Shovel, which are designed to complement the existing string trimmer and leaf blower to give customers a wider range of yard tools that utilize the same 60V Flex-Force batteries. All of the 60V Flex-Force products are designed for extended life with low maintenance and each feature our lithium-ion smart batteries.
In Australia and New Zealand, we design and market garden product offerings, such as underground, hose, and hose-end retail irrigation products under the Pope brand name. These garden watering and irrigation solutions include hoses; reels, carts and hangers; sprinklers; hand sprays and wands; hose end fittings; tap timers; various irrigation tools; and pots and accessories designed to develop and maintain gardens. In fiscal 2020, we again received an "advanced" classification from the Australian Packaging Covenant in relation to our sustainability efforts. Additionally, we continued to refine and grow our offering of Pope-branded micro irrigation products and also introduced an incredibly simple, yet effective "square pattern" hose-end sprinkler.
Financial Information about International Operations and Business Segments
We currently manufacture our products in the U.S., Mexico, Australia, the United Kingdom, Italy, Romania, Germany, Poland, and China for sale throughout the world. We maintain sales offices in the U.S., Belgium, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, Japan, China, Italy, Poland, Germany, Spain, and Germany.France. New product development is pursued primarily in the U.S. with the intention of global distribution. Our net sales outside the U.S. were 24.420.1 percent, 24.223.1 percent, and 25.524.6 percent of total consolidated net sales for fiscal 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015,2018, respectively.
A portion of our cash flows is derived from sales and purchases denominated in foreign currencies. To reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate movements on these sales and purchase commitments, we enter into various derivative instruments to hedge certain foreign currency transactions. For additional information regarding our derivative instruments, see Part II, Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk" of this report. For additional financial information regarding our international operations and geographical areas, and each of our three reportable business segments, seerefer to Note 12 of3, Segment Data, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the section entitled "Segment Data," included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data"Data," of this report.Annual Report on Form 10-K.
As a result of our international operations, we are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk arising from transactions in the normal course of business. For additional information regarding our foreign currency exchange rate risk exposure, refer to Part II, Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Engineering and Research
We believe that our longstanding commitment to quality and innovation in our products has been a key driver of our history of market success. Engineering and research activities are performed at our global test sites and facilities and our products are tested in conditions and locations similar to those in which they are intended to be used. We are committed to an ongoing engineering program dedicated to developing innovative new products and improvements in the quality and performance of existing products. However, a focus on innovation also carries certain risks that new technology could be slow to be accepted or not accepted by the marketplace. We attempt to mitigate these risks through our focus on and commitment to understanding our customers' needs and requirements. We invest time upfrontup front with customers, using "Voice of the Customer" tools, to help us develop innovative products that are intended to meet or exceed customer expectations. We use Design for Manufacturing and Assembly ("DFM/A") tools to ensure early manufacturing involvement in new product designs intended to reduce production costs. DFM/A focuses on reducing the number of parts required to assemble new products, as well as designing products to move more efficiently through the manufacturing process. We strive to make improvements to our new product development system as part of our continuing focus on Lean methods to shorten development time and reduce costs, and improvewhile also improving quality.
Our engineering expenses are primarily incurred in connection with the development of new products that may have additional applications or represent extensions of existing product lines, improvements to existing products, and cost reduction efforts. Our expenditures for engineering and research were $80.4 million (3.2 percent of net sales) in fiscal 2017, $77.4 million (3.2 percent of net sales) in fiscal 2016, and $73.6 million (3.1 percent of net sales) in fiscal 2015.
Manufacturing and Production
WeOur manufacturing facilities are designed to provide efficient and flexible assembly-line manufacturing of our products. In addition to most final assembly, we have strategically identified specific core manufacturing competencies for vertical integration, such as injection molding, extrusion, welding, stamping, fabrication, laser cutting, painting, machining, and aluminum die casting, and have chosen outside vendors to provide other services. services, where applicable.
We design component parts in cooperationthrough collaboration with our vendors, contract with them for the development of tooling, and thensubsequently enter into agreements with thesesuch vendors to purchase component parts manufactured using the tooling. We also have some agreements with third partythird-party manufacturers to manufacture certain productsstandalone end-products on our behalf. In addition, our vendors regularly test new technologies to be applied in the design and production of component parts. ManufacturingOur manufacturing operations include robotic and computer-automated equipment intended to speed production, reduce costs, and improve the quality, fit, and finish of our products. OperationsOur operations are also designed to be flexible enough to accommodate product design changes that are necessary to respond to market conditions and changing customer requirements.
In order to utilize our manufacturing facilities and technology more efficiently and effectively, we pursue continuous improvements in our manufacturing processes with the use of Lean methods that are intended to streamline work and eliminate waste. Additionally, we use computer-aided design and manufacturing systems to shorten the time between initial concept and final production. DFM/A principles are used throughout the product development process to optimize product quality and reduce cost. We spend considerable effort to reduce manufacturing costs through Lean methods and process improvement, product and platform design, application of advanced technologies, enhanced environmental management systems, safety improvements, and improved supply-chain management.
Our Professional segment products are manufactured throughout the year. Ourand Residential segment lawn and garden products are also generally manufactured throughout the year. However, our Residential segment snow thrower products are generally manufactured in the summer and fall months but may be extended into the winter months, depending upon demand. Our products are testedweather conditions in conditionskey regions and locations similar to those in which they are used. We use computer-aided design and manufacturing systems to shorten the time between initial concept and final production. DFM/A principles are used throughout the product development process to optimize product quality and cost.
related demand for such products. Our production levels and inventory management goals are based on estimates of wholesale and retail demand for our products, taking into account production capacity, labor availability, timing of shipments, and field inventory levels. Our production system utilizes Kanban, supplier pull, and build-to-order methodologies in our manufacturing facilities, as appropriate, for the business units they support in order to better align the production of our products to meet customer demand. We believe this has resulted in improved service levels for our participating suppliers, distributors, dealers, and other channels.
We periodically shut down production at our manufacturing facilities in order to allow for maintenance, rearrangement, capital equipment installation, seasonality, and as needed, to adjust for market demand.demand, facility renovation projects, and other factors. Production shut downs of this nature are generally not materially disruptive to our business and are considered to be normal. However, as a result of the adverse impact of COVID-19 on our operations during fiscal 2020, we experienced intermittent partial or full factory closures during timeframes that have historically been considered
Raw Materialspeak production periods for our manufacturing operations and such intermittent partial or full factory closures deviated from the historical timeframes in which our periodic production shutdowns have historically occurred. As a result, we experienced various degrees of manufacturing inefficiencies and disruptions above and beyond the historical levels of manufacturing inefficiencies and disruptions experienced. The intermittent partial or full factory closures were largely driven by reduced demand for products in certain of our Professional segment businesses, the reconfiguration of our manufacturing processes in order to implement and adhere to social distancing protocols and other safety measures, and government mandated business curtailment measures. For additional information regarding the impact of COVID-19 on our manufacturing and production activities, refer to the section titled "Impact of COVID-19" included within Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Commodities, Components, Parts, and Accessories
We purchase raw materialscommodities, components, parts, and accessories for use in our manufacturing process and end-products or to be sold as stand-alone end-products. Our primary cost exposures for such asitems used in our products are with steel, aluminum, petroleum and natural gas-based resins, copper, lead, rubber, linerboard, and other commodities, and components, such as engines, transmissions, transaxles, hydraulics, and electric motors, and others, all of which we purchase from several suppliers around the world. We generally purchase commodities, components, parts, and accessories based upon market prices that are established with suppliers as part of the purchase process and generally attempt to obtain firm pricing from most of our suppliers for usevolumes consistent with planned production and estimates of wholesale and retail demand for our products. However, most of the commodities, components, parts, and accessories used in our products. In addition, we are a purchaser of componentsmanufacturing process and parts containing various commodities, including steel, aluminum, copper, lead, rubber, and others that are integrated into our end products. During fiscal 2017, we experienced higher commodity prices compared to the average prices paid for commodities in fiscal 2016. We anticipate commodity prices in fiscal 2018end-products, or to be higher than average prices paid for commodities during fiscal 2017. Historically, we have mitigated, and we currently expect that we would mitigate, anysold as stand-alone end-products, are exposed to commodity cost increases,changes, including, for example, as a result of inflation, deflation, changing prices, foreign currency fluctuations, tariffs, duties, the inability of suppliers to continue operations or otherwise remain in part, by collaborating with suppliers, reviewing alternative sourcing options, substituting materials, utilizationbusiness as a result of Lean methods, engagingCOVID-19, financial difficulties, or otherwise, changes to international trade policies, agreements, and/or regulation and supplier and/or competitor activity, including antidumping and countervailing duty petitions on certain products imported from foreign countries, including current petitions regarding certain engines imported into the U.S. from China. For additional information regarding changing costs of commodities, refer to Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K in internal cost reduction efforts,the section entitled "Commodity Cost Changes" and increasing pricesPart II, Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk," of this Annual Report on someForm 10-K in the section entitled "Commodity Cost Risk."
Most of the raw materialscommodities, components, parts, and components usedaccessories utilized in our products are affected by commodity cost pressures, aregenerally commercially available from a number of sources, and are in adequate supply. However, certainAs of the date of the filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we have not experienced any significant impacts to our global manufacturing operations due to disruptions in the procurement of commodities, components, are sourced from single suppliers. In fiscal 2017,parts, and accessories through our global supply chain as a result of COVID-19. Although we experienced no significant work stoppages becauseregularly monitor the adequacy of shortagessupply and financial health of raw materials the companies in our supply chain, financial hardship and/or commodities. The largest spend for raw materialsgovernment mandated restrictions on our suppliers caused by COVID-19, the loss of supplier workforce due to the spread of COVID-19 and the related contact tracing quarantine or otherwise, and/or the inability of companies throughout our supply chain to deliver on supply commitments, requirements, and/or demands as a result of COVID-19 or otherwise, could cause a disruption in our ability to procure the commodities, components, are generally for steel, engines, hydraulicand parts required to manufacture our products. For additional information regarding the impact of COVID-19 on our ability to procure commodities, components, transmissions, resin,parts, and electric motors, allaccessories, refer to the section titled "Impact of which we purchase from several suppliers around the world.COVID-19" included within Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Service and Warranty
Our products are warranted to ensure customer confidence in design, workmanship, and overall quality. Warranty coverage is generally for specified periods of time and on select products' hours of usage, and generally covers parts, labor, and other expenses for non-maintenance repairs. Warranty coverage generally does not cover operator abuse or improper use. An authorized company distributor or dealer must perform warranty work. Distributors and dealers submit claims for warranty reimbursement and are credited for the cost of repairs, labor, and other expenses as long as the repairs meet our prescribed standards. Warranty expense is accrued at the time of sale based on the estimated number of products under warranty, historical average costs incurred to service warranty claims, the trend in the historical ratio of claims to sales, the historical length of time between the sale and resulting warranty claim, and other minor factors. Special warranty reserves are also accrued for major rework campaigns. Service support outside of the warranty period is provided by authorized distributors and dealers at the customer's expense. We also sell extended warranty coverage on select products for a prescribed period after the original warranty period expires.
Product Liability
We have rigorous product safety standards and continually work to improve the safety and reliability of our products. We monitor for accidents and possible claims and establish liability
estimates based on internal evaluations of the merits of individual claims. We purchase insurance coverage for catastrophic product liability claims for incidents that exceed our self-insured retention levels.
Patents and Trademarks
We own patents, trademarks, and trade secrets related to our products in the U.S. and certain countries outside the U.S. in which we conduct business. We expect to apply for future patents and trademarks, as appropriate, in connection with the development of innovative new products, services, and enhancements. Although we believe that, in the aggregate, our patents are valuable, and patent protection is beneficial to our business and competitive positioning, our patent protection will not necessarily deter or prevent competitors from attempting to develop similar products. We are not materially dependent on any one or more of our patents; however, certain ToroTTC trademarks that contribute to our identity and the recognition of our products and services, including but not limited to the Toro® name and logo, are an integral part of our business.
We regularly review certain patents issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO") and internationalforeign patent offices to help avoid potential liability with respect to others' patents. Additionally, we periodically review competitors' products to prevent possible infringement of our patents by others. We believe these activities help us minimize our risk of being a defendant in patent infringement litigation. We are currently involved in patent litigation cases, including cases by or against competitors, where we are asserting our patents against competitors andor defending against claims of patent infringement assertions by others.infringement. Such cases are at varying stages in the litigation process.
Similarly, we periodically monitor various trademark registers and the market to prevent infringement of and damage to our trademarks by others. From time to time, we are involved in trademark oppositions where we are asserting our trademarks against third partiesthird-parties who are attempting to establish rights in trademarks that are confusingly similar to ours. We believe these activities help minimize risk of harm to our trademarks, and help maintain distinct products and services that we believe are well regarded in the marketplace.
Seasonality
ShipmentsAs a result of our Residential segment products, which accounted for 27 percent of total consolidated net salesglobal presence in fiscal 2017,key markets that are seasonal, with shipments of lawn and garden products occurring primarily between February and June, depending uponsubject to seasonal weather conditionspatterns and our diverse product portfolio, some of our businesses are seasonal. Overall, our seasonal shipment volumes are generally a function of the key selling seasons of our channel partners based on their industry, geographic location, and the nature and intended purpose of our products in relation to the correlating season. Seasonal weather patterns can impact the timing of the key selling seasons of our channel partners, which may cause our quarterly financial results to differ between fiscal years as demand for our products. Shipments of snow thrower products occur primarilyand related shipment volumes can shift between July and January, depending upon pre-seasonquarters. Such shifts in the demand in-season snowfalls, and product availability. Opposite seasons in global markets in which we sellfor our products somewhat moderate this seasonalityand related shipment volumes may result in a negative or positive impact on our net sales and Results of Operations for a particular period.
Our shipment volumes generally precede and overlap the key selling seasons of our Residential segment product sales. Seasonalitychannel partners in order to better allow our channel partners to align field inventory levels with
business offersthe anticipated retail demand from end-customers and as a portfolio of counter-seasonal products inresult, our Professional segment with our shipments of snowplows and salt and sand spreaders occurring primarily between April and December, which can result in variability of shipment volumes due to dependency on snowfalls for these products.
Overall, our worldwide shipment volumes arehave historically been the highest in our fiscal second quarter and retail demand for our products is generally highest in our fiscal third quarter. Typically, our accounts receivable balances increase between January and April becauseas a result of higher shipment volumes and extended payment terms made available to our customers. Accounts receivable balances typically decrease between May and December when payments are received. Our financing requirements are subject to variations due to seasonal changes in working capital levels, which typically increase in the first half of our fiscal year and decrease in the second half of our fiscal year. Seasonal cash requirements of our business are financed from a combination of cash balances, cash flows from operations, cash on hand, and short-term borrowings under our revolving credit facilities.facility, as applicable.
Shipments of our Residential segment products, which accounted for 24.3 percent of total consolidated net sales in fiscal 2020, are seasonal, with shipments of lawn and garden products occurring primarily between February and June, depending upon seasonal weather conditions and demand for our products. Shipments of snow thrower products occur primarily between July and January, depending upon pre-season demand, in-season snowfalls, and product availability. Opposite seasons in global markets in which we sell our Residential products somewhat moderate this seasonality of our Residential segment product sales.
Seasonality of Professional segment product sales also exists, but is tempered because the selling season in the Southern U.S. and our markets in the Southern hemisphere generally continue for a longer portion of the year than in Northern regions of the world. Our BOSS and Ventrac brands offer a portfolio of counter-seasonal snow and ice management products in our Professional segment with our shipments of snow and ice management products occurring primarily between April and December, which can result in variability of shipment volumes depending upon pre-season demand, in-season snowfalls, and product availability. Additionally, our rental, specialty, and underground construction business is generally less seasonal than certain of our Professional segment businesses primarily due to the strong presence of certain of the underlying brands in the Southern U.S. markets and the inherent nature of the underground construction market being less impacted by seasonal factors.
The following table showspresents total consolidated net sales and net earnings for each fiscal quarter as a percentage of the total fiscal year:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years | | 20204 | | 2019 |
| Quarter | | Net Sales | | Net Earnings | | Net Sales | | Net Earnings |
First1 | | 23 | % | | 21 | % | | 19 | % | | 22 | % |
Second1,2,3 | | 27 | % | | 30 | % | | 31 | % | | 42 | % |
Third2,3 | | 25 | % | | 27 | % | | 27 | % | | 22 | % |
Fourth2 | | 25 | % | | 22 | % | | 23 | % | | 14 | % |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years | | 2017 | | 2016 |
| Quarter | | Net Sales | | Net Earnings | | Net Sales | | Net Earnings |
| First | | 21 | % | | 17 | % | | 20 | % | | 17 | % |
| Second | | 35 |
| | 45 |
| | 35 |
| | 46 |
|
| Third | | 25 |
| | 25 |
| | 25 |
| | 24 |
|
| Fourth | | 19 | % | | 13 | % | | 20 | % | | 13 | % |
2 Fiscal 2020 net sales and net earnings for our second, third, and fourth quarters were impacted by the incremental net sales and net earnings from our acquisition of Venture Products. Refer to Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and Note 2, Business Combinations, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding Venture Products and its impact to our fiscal 2020 Results of Operations.
3 During fiscal 2019, CMW's financial position, results of operations, and cash flows were reported on a calendar month end. Accordingly, April 30, 2019 and July 31, 2019 were the quarterly period end dates closest to our quarterly fiscal periods ended May 3, 2019 and August 2, 2019, respectively. This reporting period difference did not have material impact on our Consolidated Results of Operations during our second and third fiscal quarters of fiscal 2019. For our fiscal 2019 fourth quarter and all quarters of fiscal 2020, the reporting period ends for both CMW and TTC were aligned.
4 The seasonality of our business and the related recognition of net sales and net earnings for fiscal 2020 were impacted by COVID-19 as a result of shifts in timing of customer demand as our channel partners adjusted their inventory purchases to align with the softened retail demand experienced during the second quarter of fiscal 2020. As a result, fiscal 2020 does not follow our historical seasonal patterns.
Effects of Weather
From time to time, seasonal weather conditions in particular geographic regions or markets, particularly severe wet or dry conditions, as well as significant weather events such as fires, hurricanes, tornados, drought, rainfall, unseasonably warm winter months, or other weather events, including those exacerbated by global climate change, may adversely or positively affect sales, demand, and field inventory levels of some of our products. In addition, weather conditions in key regions can cause disruption in our supply chain, which may impact our ability to procure the commodities, components, parts, and accessories needed to manufacture our products to meet the needs of our customers, and such disruptions may
adversely or positively affect sales, demand, and field inventory levels and result in a negative or positive impact on our future net sales. If the percentageof some of our net sales from outside the U.S. increases, our dependency on weather in any one part of the world decreases. Nonetheless, weather conditions could materially affect our future net sales.products.
Working Capital
Our businesses are seasonally working capital intensive and require funding for purchases of raw materials used in production; replacement parts inventory; payroll and other administrative costs; capital expenditures; establishment of new facilities; expansion, renovation, and upgrading of existing facilities; as well as for financing receivables from customers that are not financed with Red Iron Acceptance, LLC ("Red Iron"), our joint venture with TCF Inventory Finance, Inc. ("TCFIF"). We fund our operations through a combination of cash and cash equivalents, cash flows from operations, short-term borrowings under our credit facilities, and long-term debt. Cash management is centralized, and intercompany financing is used, wherever possible, to provide working capital to wholly owned subsidiaries as needed. In addition, our credit facilities
are available for additional working capital needs, acquisitions, or other investment opportunities.
Distribution and Marketing
We market and sell the majority of our products through 3668 domestic and 110140 international equipment distributors, as well as a large number of equipment dealers, irrigation dealers and distributors, mass retailers, hardware retailers, home centers, and online (direct to end-users) in more than 125129 countries worldwide. Our distribution systemsnetworks are intended to assure quality of sales and market presence, as well as to provide effective after-purchase service and support.
Professional segment products are sold to distributors and dealers primarily for resale to golf courses, sports fields, industrial facilities, contractors, and government customers, and in some markets for resale to dealers. We sell some Professional segment products directly to government customers and municipalities, rental companies, and agricultural irrigationag-irrigation dealers, as well as to end-users in certain international markets. Select residential/commercial irrigation and lighting products are sold to professional irrigation and lighting distributors and dealers, and certain professional-grade retail irrigation products are sold to home centers. Products for the rental, specialty, and specialtyunderground construction marketmarkets are sold to dealers and rental companies. Toro and Exmark landscapeLandscape contractor turf products are also sold to dealers in certain regions of North America. BOSS snowSnow and ice management products are primarily sold to distributors and dealers for resale to contractors.
Residential segment products, such as walk power mowers, zero-turn radius riding mowers, and snow throwers, are generally sold to home centers, mass retailers, dealers, hardware retailers, as well as online (direct to end-users). In certain markets, these same products are sold to distributors for resale to hardware retailers and dealers. Home solutions products are primarily sold to home centers, mass retailers, and hardware retailers. Internationally, Residential segment products are sold to dealers and mass merchandisers in Australia, Canada, and select countries in Europe. In most other countries, Residential segment products are mainly sold to distributors for resale to dealers and mass retailers.
On November 27, 2015, in our30, 2018, during the first quarter of fiscal 2016,2019, we completed the saleour acquisition of our Northwesterna Northeastern U.S. distribution company. During the remainder of fiscal 20162019 and through fiscal 2017,2020, we owned two domestic distribution companies. During fiscal 2018, we owned one wholly-owned domestic distribution company. Our primary purpose for continuing to own ain owning domestic distributorshipdistributorships is to improve operations as well as toand test and deploy new strategies and business practices that could be replicated by our independent distributors.distributors, as well as facilitating ownership transfers.
Our current marketing strategy is to maintain distinct brands and brand identification for Toro®, Exmark®, BOSS®, Irritrol®, Hayter®, Pope®, PERROT®,Toro, Exmark, BOSS, Ventrac, Ditch Witch, American Augers, Trencor, Subsite, HammerHead, Radius, Unique Lighting Systems®,Systems, Rain Master, Irritrol, Pope, PERROT, Hayter, and Lawn-Boy®Lawn-Boy products.
Across our brands, we market our Professional
segment and Residential segment products during the appropriate season through multiple channels, including television, radio, print,
direct mail, email, digital and online media, radio, print, direct mail, email, television, and social media. Most of our advertising and marketing efforts emphasize our brands, products, features, and other valuable trademarks. Advertising is purchased by us, through our agency partners, as well as through cooperative programs with distributors, dealers, and retailers.
Customers and Customer Financing Arrangements
Overall, we believe that in the long-term we are not dependent on any single customer; however, the Residential segment of our business is dependent on The Home Depot as a customer, which accounted for approximately 10 percent of our total consolidated gross sales in fiscal 2017 and 11 percent of our total consolidated gross sales in fiscal 2016.customer. While the loss of any substantial customer including The Home Depot, could have a material adverse short-term impact on our business, we believe that our diverse distribution channels and customer base should reduce the long-term impact of any such loss.
Wholesale Financing
We are party to a joint venture with TCF Inventory Finance, Inc. ("TCFIF"), a subsidiary of TCF National Bank, established as Red Iron Acceptance, LLC ("Red Iron"). The primary purpose of Red Iron is to provide inventory financing to certain distributors and dealers of certain of our products in the U.S. In addition, TCF Commercial Finance Canada, Inc. ("TCFCFC") provides inventory financing to dealers of certain of our products in Canada.
Under separate agreements between Red Iron and the dealers and distributors, Red Iron provides loans to the dealers and distributors for the advances paid by Red Iron to us. Under these financing arrangements, down payments are not required, and depending on the finance program for each product line, finance charges are incurred by us, shared between us and the distributor and/or the dealer, or paid by the distributor or dealer. Red Iron retains a security interest in the distributors' and dealers' financed inventories and such inventories are monitored regularly. Financing terms to the distributors and dealers require payment as the equipment, which secures the indebtedness, is sold to customers or when payment otherwise becomes due under the agreements between these financing entities and the distributors and dealers, whichever occurs first. Rates are generally indexed to LIBOR, or an alternative variable rate, plus a fixed percentage that differs based on whether the financing is for a distributor or dealer. Rates may also vary based on the product that is financed. We also have floor plan financing agreements with other third-party financial institutions to provide floor plan financing to certain dealers and distributors not financed through Red Iron, which include agreements with third-party financial institutions in the U.S. and internationally.
Additionally, we continue to provide financing in the form of open account terms directly to home centers and mass retailers, general line irrigation dealers, certain domestic and international distributors and dealers, ag-irrigation dealers and distributors, government customers, and rental companies.
End-User Financing
We have agreements with third-party financing companies to provide financing options to end-customers throughout the world. The purpose of these agreements is to provide end-users of our products alternative financing options when purchasing our products.
Backlog of Orders
Our backlog of orders is dependent upon when customers place orders and is not necessarily an indicator of our expected results for our fiscal 20182021 net sales. The approximate backlog of orders as of October 31, 20172020 and 20162019 was $83.5$370.9 million and $92.4$112.5 million, respectively, a decreasean increase of 9.6 percent. Backlog orders were lower mainly$258.4 million. The manufacturing inefficiencies experienced during fiscal 2020 due to the timing of finalizing pricing programsCOVID-19, coupled with manyhigher than anticipated retail demand in certain of our international Professional segment customers;businesses during our fiscal 2020 third and fourth quarters, have decreased field inventories for our Professional segment businesses and resulted in a significant increase in orders as of October 31, 2020 as compared to October 31, 2019. Additionally, continued strength in the retail demand for our Residential segment products and incremental order backlog as a result of our acquisition of Venture Products contributed to the increase in order backlog. For additional information regarding the acquisition of Venture Products, refer to Note 2, Business Combinations, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this decrease was partially offset by increased orders of new products.Annual Report on Form 10-K. We expect the existing backlog of orders will be filled in early fiscal 2018.2021.
Competition
Our products are sold in highly competitive markets throughout the world. The principal competitive factors in our markets are product innovation, quality and reliability, pricing, product support and customer service, warranty, brand awareness, reputation, distribution, shelf space, and financing options. We believe we offer total solutions and full service packages with high quality products that have the latest technology and design innovations. In addition, by selling our products through a network of distributors, dealers, mass retailers, hardware retailers, home centers, as well as online (direct to end-users), users are offered comprehensive service support during and after the warranty period. We compete in many product lines with numerous manufacturers, some of which have substantially larger operations and financial resources than us. We believe that we have a competitive advantage because we manufacture a broad range of product lines, we are committed to product innovation and customer service, we have a strong history in and focus on professional and residential landscapes,the markets in which our business operates, and our distribution channels position us well to compete in various markets.
Internationally, our Residential segment products face more competition because many foreign competitors design, manufacture, and market products in their respective countries. We experience this competition primarily in
Europe. In addition, fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar affect the
price of our products in foreign markets, thereby impacting their competitiveness. We provide pricing support, as needed,appropriate, to foreign customers to remain competitive in international markets.
Human Capital Resources and Management
During fiscal 2020, we employed an average of 9,979 employees. The total number of employees as of October 31, 2020 was 10,385. As of October 31, 2020, approximately 13.2 percent of our employees were represented by a union under a collective bargaining agreement. From time to time, our collective bargaining agreements expire and come up for renegotiation. As of October 31, 2020, we had four collective bargaining agreements that expire in March 2022, May 2022, October 2022, and October 2023. We consider our employee relations to be good.
We believe our commitment to our human capital resources is key to our mission of delivering superior innovation and customer care. A highlight of our commitment to our employees is our Sustainability Endures initiative, which includes "People" as one of our three core "Pillars" that represent key areas of focus for our company. Among the critical elements included in the "People Pillar" are the following:
•Employee Engagement: We provide all employees with the opportunity to share their opinions and feedback on our culture through a culture survey that is generally performed every two years. Results of the culture survey are measured and analyzed to enhance the employee experience, promote employee retention, drive change, and leverage the overall success of our organization.
•Talent Development: We provide all employees a wide range of professional development experiences, both formal and informal, at all stages in their careers. Our formal offerings include tuition reimbursement, a diverse curriculum of learning programming, leadership development experiences, vocational training and external partnerships across the globe. One of our unique leadership development programs is Leadership in Motion, a program that combines skill building with an opportunity to put skills into practice. Another is our Front-Line Leadership Excellence program ("FLEX"), which focuses on building the leadership capabilities of our manufacturing supervisors globally, those with direct oversight of the people building our products. FLEX is designed to focus on helping our supervisors work through obstacles and communication challenges in order to enable the success of their teams.
•Focus on Safety: The safety of our employees is a paramount value for us. We provide mandatory safety trainings each month in our production facilities, which are designed to focus on empowering our employees with the knowledge and tools they need to make safe choices and to mitigate risks. Supervisors complete safety management courses. In addition to traditional training, we use safety scorecards, standardized signage,
and visual management throughout our facilities. Safety best practices are also regularly featured in our employee newsletters and town halls. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we implemented significant changes that we determined were in the best interest of our employees, as well as the communities in which we operate, and which comply with government orders. This includes having our office employees work from home to the extent they are able and implementing additional safety measures for our production and other employees continuing critical on-site work. For additional information regarding our COVID-19 employee safety measures, refer to the section titled "Impact of COVID-19" included within Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
•Health and Wellness: The health and wellness of our employees are critical to our success. We provide our employees with access to a variety of innovative, flexible and convenient health and wellness programs. Such programs are designed to support employees' physical and mental health by providing tools and resources to help them improve or maintain their health status and encourage engagement in healthy behaviors. For fiscal 2020, we adopted a special COVID-19 employee leave policy that provided for two weeks of pay for employees who contracted the virus, were involuntarily quarantined because of the virus, or were without work due to changes in our production schedules as a result of the virus.
•Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: We recognize that our best performance comes when our teams are diverse, and accordingly, diversity, equity and inclusion ("DEI") is one of our core values. In 2019, we reemphasized our focus on DEI when we designated DEI as part of the formal responsibilities of one of our senior leaders in our Human Resources Department.
•Compensation and Benefits: We provide robust compensation and benefits. In addition to salaries, these programs, which vary by country/region, can include annual bonuses, stock-based compensation awards, a 401(k) plan with employee matching opportunities, healthcare and insurance benefits, health savings and flexible spending accounts, paid time off, family leave, family care resources, flexible work schedules, adoption and surrogacy assistance, employee assistance programs, tuition assistance and on-site services, such as health centers and fitness centers, among many others.
•Community Involvement: Our employees around the world volunteer with local charitable organizations and civic projects including supporting the beautification and preservation of outdoor environments, water conservation, community health and housing and youth enrichment. We extend the impact of our employees’ efforts through matching gifts and the donation of products and expertise, and by providing all full-time salaried employees with the opportunity to volunteer up to 20 hours of their time during the workday each year.
In addition, as part of our Land. Water. Thrive. effort, we provide immersion experiences for our employees to work with smallholder farmers in developing countries. Our Land. Water. Thrive. Program is designed to improve productivity and agricultural water practices while also strengthening our employees’ empathy and customer-focused approach to problem solving.
Environmental Matters and Other Governmental Regulation
We are subject to numerous international, federal, state, and other governmental laws, rules, and regulations relating to, among others, climate change; emissions to air, including Tier 4 or similar engine emission regulations; discharges to water; restrictions placed on water usage and water availability; product and associated packaging; use of certain chemicals; restricted substances, including "conflict minerals" disclosure rules; import and export compliance, including country of origin certification requirements; worker and product user health and safety; energy efficiency; product life-cycles; outdoor noise laws; and the generation, use, handling, labeling, collection, management, storage, transportation, treatment, and disposal of hazardous substances, wastes, and other regulated materials. For example:
•The U.S. EPA, the California Air Resources Board, and similar regulators in other U.S. states and foreign jurisdictions in which we sell our products have phased in, or are phasing in, emission regulations setting maximum emission standards for certain equipment. Specifically, these agencies from time to time adopt increasingly stringent engine emission regulations. Following the EPA implementation of Tier 4 emission requirements applicable to diesel engines several years ago, China, and the European Union ("EU") and related countries, and the United Kingdom also have adopted similar regulations, and similar emission regulations are also being considered in other global markets, including Australia, in which we sell our products.
•The U.S. federal government, several U.S. states, and certain international jurisdictions in which we sell our products, including the EU and each of its member states, and related countries, have implemented one or more of the following: (i) product life-cycle laws, rules, or regulations, which are intended to reduce waste and environmental and human health impact, and require manufacturers to label, collect, dispose, and recycle certain products, including some of our products, at the end of their useful life, including (i) the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment directive, which mandates the labeling, collection, and disposal of specified waste electrical and electronic equipment; (ii) the Restriction on the use of Hazardous Substances directive or similar substance level laws, rules, or regulations, which restrict the use of several specified hazardous materials in the manufacture of specific types of electrical and electronic equipment; (iii) the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals directive or
similar substance level laws, rules, or regulations that require notification of use of certain chemicals, or ban or restrict the use of certain chemicals; (iv) the Battery Directive, which regulates the manufacture and disposal of batteries; (v) country of origin laws, rules, or regulations, which require certification of the geographic origin of our finished goods products and/or components used in our products through documentation and/or physical markings, as applicable;
(v) energy efficiency laws, rules, or regulations, which are intended to reduce the use and inefficiencies associated with energy and natural resource consumption and require specified efficiency ratings and capabilities for certain products; (vi) outdoor noise laws, which are intended to reduce noise emissions in the environment from outdoor equipment; (vii) conflict minerals laws, such as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the rules promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), which require specific procedures for the determination and disclosure of the use of certain minerals, known as "conflict minerals," which are mined from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and adjoining countries; and (viii) other product substance restriction laws, some of which require certain labeling of product,products, such as California Proposition 65.65; (ix) electromagnetic compatibility laws and regulations, such as the EU Electromagnetic Compatibility directive, and similar laws and regulations in other markets; (x) wireless product type approvals and licenses in global markets and the EU Radio Equipment Directive and similar laws and regulations related to wireless and radio usage; and (xi) supply chain transparency laws and regulations addressing modern slavery and human trafficking.
•Our products when used by residential users, may be subject to various federal, state, and international laws, rules, and regulations that are designed to protect consumers,users, including rules and regulations of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
•Our vehicle and trailered products may be subject to various federal, state and international laws, rules and regulations related to vehicle safety and compliance with road regulations and safety, including the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.
•The manufacture and assembly of products within our facilities must comply with environmental regulations addressing air emissions, wastewater discharge, storm water run-off, and hazardous waste disposal.
Although we believe that we are in substantial compliance with currently applicable laws, rules, and regulations, we are unable to predict the ultimate impact of adopted or future laws, rules, and regulations on our business, properties or products. Such laws, rules, or regulations may cause us to incur significant expenses to achieve or maintain compliance, may require us to modify our products, may adversely affect the price of or demand for some of our products, and may ultimately affect the way we conduct our operations. Failure to comply with these current or future laws, rules, or regulations could result in harm to our reputation and/or
could lead to fines and other penalties, including restrictions on the importation of our products into, or the sale of our products in, one or more jurisdictions until compliance is achieved.
We are also involved in the evaluation and environmental clean-up of a limited number of properties currently and previously owned. We do not expect that these matters will have a material adverse effect on our Consolidated Financial Position or Results of Operations.
Customer Financing
Wholesale Financing
We are party to a joint venture with TCFIF, a subsidiary of TCF National Bank, established as Red Iron. The primary purpose of Red Iron is to provide inventory financing to certain distributors and dealers of our products in the U.S. Under a separate arrangement, TCF Commercial Finance Canada, Inc. ("TCFCFC") provides inventory financing to dealers of our products in Canada. Under these financing arrangements, down payments are not required, and depending on the finance program for each product line, finance charges are incurred by us, shared between us and the distributor and/or the dealer, or paid by the distributor or dealer. Red Iron retains a security interest in the distributors' and dealers' financed inventories, and those inventories are monitored regularly. Floor plan terms
to the distributors and dealers require payment as the equipment, which secures the indebtedness, is sold to customers or when payment terms become due, whichever occurs first. Rates are generally indexed to LIBOR plus a fixed percentage that differs based on whether the financing is for a distributor or dealer. Rates may also vary based on the product that is financed.
We continue to provide financing in the form of open account terms directly to home centers and mass retailers; general line irrigation dealers; international distributors and dealers other than the Canadian distributors and dealers to whom Red Iron provides financing arrangements; micro-irrigation dealers and distributors; government customers; and rental companies. Some products sold to independent dealers in Australia are financed by a third-party finance company.
End-User Financing
We have agreements with third party financing companies to provide lease-financing options to golf course and sports fields and grounds equipment customers in the U.S, Australia, and select countries in Europe. The purpose of these agreements is to increase sales by giving buyers of our products alternative financing options when purchasing our products.
We also have agreements with third party financing companies to provide financing programs under both generic and private label programs in the U.S. and Canada. These programs, offered primarily to Toro and Exmark dealers, provide end-user customers revolving and installment lines of credit for Toro and Exmark products, parts, and services.
Distributor Financing
Occasionally, we enter into long-term loan agreements with some distributors. These transactions are used for expansion of the distributors' businesses, acquisitions, refinancing working capital agreements, or ownership transitions.
Employees
During fiscal 2017, we employed an average of 6,853 employees. The total number of employees as of October 31, 2017 was 6,779. We consider our employee relations to be good. As of October 31, 2017, we had four collective bargaining agreements that expire in March 2018, May 2018, October 2019 and October 2020, and cover approximately 16 percent of our total employees.
Available Information
We are a U.S. public reporting company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"), and file reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. Copies of these reports, proxy statements, and other information can be inspected and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Because we make filings to the SEC electronically, you may
also access this informationaccessed from the SEC's home page on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov.
We make available, free of charge on our web sitewebsite www.thetorocompany.com (select the "Investor Information""Investors" link and then the "Financials""Financials & Filings" link), our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Proxy Statements on Schedule 14A, Section 16 reports, amendments to those reports, and other documents filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. The information contained on our web sitewebsite or connected to our web sitewebsite is not incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K and should not be considered part of, this report.Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains, or incorporates by reference, not only historical information, but also forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act and that are subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. In addition, we or others on our behalf may make forward-looking statements from time to time in oral presentations, including telephone conferences and/or web casts open to the public, in press releases or reports, on our web siteswebsites or otherwise. Statements that are not historical are forward-looking and reflect expectations and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations of future events, and often can be identified in this report and elsewhere by using words such as "expect," "strive," "looking ahead," "outlook," "guidance," "forecast," "goal," "optimistic," "anticipate," "continue," "plan," "estimate," "project," "believe," "should," "could," "will," "would," "possible," "may," "likely," "intend," "can," "seek," "potential," "pro forma," or the negative thereof and similar expressions or future dates. Our forward-looking statements generally relate to our future performance, including our anticipated operating results, liquidity requirements, financial condition, and financial condition;anticipated impacts of COVID-19; our business strategies and goals; the integration of each of the
CMW and Venture Products acquisitions; and the effect of laws, rules, policies, regulations, tax reform, new accounting pronouncements, and outstanding litigation on our business and future performance.
Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied. The most significant factors known to us that could materially adversely affect our business, reputation, operations, industry, financial position, or future financial performance are described below in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors." We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement which speaks only as of the date made and to recognize that 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,Annual Report on Form 10-K, including in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," as well as others that we may consider immaterial or do not anticipate at this time. The risks and uncertainties
described in this report,Annual Report on Form 10-K, including in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," are not exclusive and further information concerning our company and our businesses, including factors that potentially could materially affect our operating results or financial condition, may emerge from time to time.
We make no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect actual results, events or circumstances occurring or existing after the date any forward-looking statement is made, or changes in factors or assumptions affecting such forward-looking statements. We advise you, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our future Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K that we file with, or furnish to, the SEC.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
The following are significantmaterial risk factors known to us that could materially adversely affect our business, reputation, operating results, industry, financial position, or future financial performance.
Economic and Operational Risks
Our net sales and earnings have been and could continue to be adversely affected by economic conditions and outlook in the U.S. and in other countries in which we conduct business.
Adverse economic conditions and outlook in the U.S. and in other countries in which we conduct business, canincluding as a result of COVID-19, have and could continue to impact demand for our products and, ultimately, our net sales and earnings. These include, but are not limited to, business closures, slowdowns, suspensions or delays of production and commercial activity; recessionary conditions; slow or negative economic growth rates; slowdowns or reductions in levels of golf course activity, including food and beverage spending, development, renovation, and improvement; golf
course closures; reduced governmental or municipal spending; reduced levels of home ownership, construction, and sales; home foreclosures; negative consumer confidence; reduced consumer spending levels; further increased unemployment rates; prolonged high unemployment rates; higher costs of commodities, components, parts, and accessories and/or transportation-related costs, including as a result of inflation, changing prices, foreign currency fluctuations, tariffs, and/or duties; inflationary or deflationary pressures; reduced infrastructure spending; the impact of U.S. federal debt, state debt, and sovereign debt defaults and austerity measures by certain European countries; slow down or reductions in levels of golf course development, renovation, and improvement; golf course closures; reduced levels of home ownership, construction, and sales; home foreclosures; negative consumer confidence; reduced consumer spending levels resulting from tax increases or other factors; increased unemployment rates; prolonged high unemployment rates; higher commodity and components costs and fuel prices; inflationary or deflationary pressures; reduced credit availability or unfavorable credit terms for our distributors, dealers, and end-user customers; higher short-term, mortgage, and other interest rates; and general economic and political conditions and expectations. In the past, some of these factors have caused our distributors, dealers, and end-user customers to reduce spending and delay or forego purchases of our products, which have had an adverse effect on our net sales and earnings.
COVID-19 materially adversely impacted portions of our business, financial condition and operating results and will likely continue to adversely impact portions of our business, financial condition and operating results and such impact could continue to be material.
COVID-19 created significant worldwide volatility, uncertainty and disruption. In particular, COVID-19 resulted in a substantial curtailment of business activities, a significant number of business closures, slowdowns, suspensions or delays of production and commercial activity, and weakened economic conditions, both in the U.S. and around the world. As such, COVID-19 has materially directly and indirectly adversely impacted portions of our business and such adverse impact will likely continue. However, the extent to which COVID-19 will continue to adversely impact portions of our business, financial condition and operating results, which could continue to be material, will depend on numerous evolving factors, including:
•the duration, scope, and severity of COVID-19;
•global governmental, business and individual actions that have been, and continue to be, taken in response to COVID-19, including business and travel restrictions, "stay-at-home" and "shelter-in-place" directives, quarantines, and slowdowns, suspensions or delays of commercial activity;
•the effect of COVID-19 on our dealers, distributors, mass retailers, and other channel partners and customers, including their ability to remain open, continue to sell and service our products, pay for the products purchased from us, collect payment from their customers, adoption of reduced or experiencing constrained budgets, or enacting cash preservation efforts;
•our ability during COVID-19 to continue operations and/or adjust our production schedules, including by the temporary suspension of production activity mandated or otherwise made necessary by governmental authorities,
as a result of current and anticipated weakened demand and/or production delays at certain of our facilities;
•continued reductions or volatility in demand for one or more of our products or services and/or higher demand for moderately-priced products;
•the effect of COVID-19 on our suppliers and companies throughout our supply chain and any such supplier's ability to meet supply commitments, requirements, and/or demands and our ability to continue to obtain commodities, components, parts, and accessories on a timely basis through our supply chain and at anticipated costs;
•logistics costs and challenges, including availability of transportation and at previously anticipated costs;
•costs incurred as a result of necessary actions and preparedness plans to help ensure the health and safety of our employees and continued operations, including remote working accommodations, enhanced cleaning processes, protocols designed to implement appropriate social distancing practices, and/or adoption of additional wage and benefit programs to assist employees;
•potential future restructuring, impairment or other charges;
•availability of employees, their ability to continue to conduct work away from normal working locations and/or under revised work environment protocols, the general willingness of employees to come to normal working locations and perform work, as well as our ability, and/or the ability of companies throughout our supply chain, to adequately staff manufacturing and/or other business processes in the event an employee, or multiple employees, contract COVID-19 and must remain away from work locations for an extended period of time;
•our ability to establish and maintain appropriate estimates and assumptions used to prepare the Consolidated Financial Statements;
•the continued impact of COVID-19 on the financial and credit markets and economic activity generally;
•our ability to access lending, capital markets, and other sources of liquidity when needed on reasonable terms or at all;
•our ability to comply with the financial covenants in our debt agreements if the material economic downturn as a result of COVID-19 results in substantially increased indebtedness and/or lower adjusted EBITDA for us; and
•the continued exasperation of negative impacts as a result of the continuance of a global or national recession, depression or other sustained adverse market event as a result of COVID-19, including without limitation substantially reduced demand for our products.
In addition, the impacts from COVID-19 and efforts to contain it have heightened the other risks described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Weather conditions, may reduceincluding conditions exacerbated by climate change, have previously impacted demand for some of our products and/or caused disruption in our operations, including as a result of disruption in our supply chain, and may impact such items in the future which may adversely affect our net sales or otherwise adversely affect our operating results.
From time to time, weather conditions in a particular geographic region have in the past, and may again in the future, adversely affect sales, demand, and field inventory levels of some of our products. In addition, weather conditions have caused disruption in our supply chain, which has impacted our ability to manufacture product to fulfill customer demand, and such disruptions may occur in the future. For example, in the past, drought or unusually wet conditions have had an adverse effect on sales of certain mowing equipment products, unusually rainy weather or severe drought conditions that result in watering bans, or otherwise, have
had an adverse effect on sales of our irrigation products, and lower snowfall accumulations in key markets have had an adverse effect on sales of our Residential snow thrower products and products of our BOSS professionalProfessional snow and ice management business. Similarly, adverse weather conditions in one season may negatively impact customer purchasing patterns and net sales for some of our products in another season. For example, lower snowfall accumulations may result in lower winter season revenues for landscape contractor professionals, causing such customers to forego or postpone spring purchases of our mowing equipment products. To the extent that unfavorable weather conditions are exacerbated by global climate change, such as fires, hurricanes, tornados, drought, rainfall, unseasonably warm winter months, or otherwise,other weather events, many of which have increased in severity and intensity in recent years, in geographic areas where our products are distributed, sold, and used and where our supply chains our located, our sales and operating results may be affected to a greater degree than we have previously experienced.
Our Professional segment includes a variety of products that are dependent upon certain and varied factors.
Our Professional segment includes a variety of products that are sold by distributors or dealers, or directly to government customers, rental companies, construction companies, and professional users engaged in maintaining and creating properties and landscapes, such as golf courses, sports fields, residential and commercial properties and landscapes, and governmental and municipal properties. Among other things, any one or a combination of the following factors, many of which have been adversely impacted by COVID-19, could result in a decrease in spending and demand for our products and have an adverse effect on our Professional segment net sales:
•reduced levels of investment in golf course renovations and improvements and new golf course development; reduced revenue for golf courses resulting from a decrease in rounds played, memberships, and/or food
and beverage sales, as applicable; and increased number of golf course closures;
•reduced consumer and business spending on property maintenance, such as lawn care and snow and ice removal activities, and/or unfavorable weather conditions, causing property owners and landscape contractor professionals to forego or postpone purchases of our products;
•low or reduced levels of residential, commercial, and/or municipal construction projects and/or infrastructure improvements;
•decreased oil and gas construction activities, which has negatively impacted the demand for our products in the rental, specialty, and underground construction market;
•a decline in acceptance of and demand for ag-irrigation solutions for agricultural production;
•availability of cash or credit on acceptable terms for our customers to finance new product purchases; and
•customer and/or government budgetary constraints resulting in reduced spending for grounds maintenance or construction equipment.
Our Residential segment net sales are dependent upon consumers buying our Residential segment products at dealers, mass retailers, and home centers; the amount of product placement at mass retailers and home centers; consumer confidence and spending levels; changing buying patterns of customers; and the impact of significant sales or promotional events.
The elimination or reduction of shelf space assigned to our Residential segment products or other changes to the placement of our products by or at mass retailers and home centers, could adversely affect our Residential segment net sales. Our Residential segment net sales also are dependent upon the buying patterns of consumers and changing buying patterns of consumers could result in reduced sales of one or more of our Residential segment products. For example, as consumers purchase products at home centers and mass retailers that offer broader and lower price points than dealers, we have experienced increased demand and sales of our Residential segment products purchased at mass retailers and home centers. We believe that our diverse distribution channels and customer base should reduce the long-term impact on us if we were to lose any substantial customer. However, the loss of any substantial customer, a significant reduction in sales to such customers, or our inability to maintain adequate product placement at mass retailers and home centers or our inability to respond to future changes in buying patterns of consumers or new distribution channels could have a material adverse impact on our business and operating results. Furthermore, our quarterly or annual results can be impacted as a result of the timing of significant sales or promotional events for our Residential products.
Changes in our product mix between reportable segments and/or within a reportable segment could adversely impact our financial performance, including profit margins and net earnings.
Our Professional segment products generally have higher profit margins than our Residential segment products. Accordingly, our financial performance, including our profit margins and net earnings, have been and will continue to be impacted depending on the mix of products we sell during a given period. For example, if we experience lower sales of our Professional segment products that generally carry higher profit margins than our Residential segment products, our financial performance, including profit margins and net earnings, have been and could continue to be negatively impacted. Similarly, within each reportable segment, if we experience lower sales of products that generally carry higher profit margins, our financial performance, including profit margins and net earnings, have been and could continue to be negatively impacted.
We face intense competition in all of our product lines with numerous manufacturers, including some that have larger operations and greater financial resources than us. We may not be able to compete effectively against competitors' actions, which could harm our business and operating results.
Our products are sold in highly competitive markets throughout the world. Principal competitive factors in our markets include product innovation, quality and reliability, pricing, product support and customer service, warranty, brand awareness, reputation, distribution, product availability, product placement and shelf space, and financing options. We compete in many product lines with numerous manufacturers, some of which have substantially larger operations and greater financial resources than us. As a result, they may be able to adapt more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer preferences, or devote greater resources to the development, promotion, and sale of their products or disruptive new products or technologies than we can. In addition, competition could increase if new companies enter the market, existing competitors combine or consolidate their operations or if existing competitors expand their product lines or intensify efforts within existing product lines. Our current products, products under development, and our ability to develop new and improved products may be insufficient to enable us to compete effectively with our competitors. Internationally, our Residential segment products typically face more competition because many foreign competitors design, manufacture, and market products in their respective countries. We experience this competition primarily in Europe. In addition, fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar may affect the price of our products in foreign markets, thereby impacting their competitiveness. We may not be able to compete effectively against competitors' actions, which may include the movement by competitors with manufacturing operations to low cost countries for significant cost and price reductions, and which could harm our business and operating results.
If we are unable to continue to enhance existing products, as well as develop and market new products, that respond to customer needs and preferences and achieve market acceptance, we may experience a decrease in demand for our products, and our net sales, which have historically benefited from the introduction of new products, may be adversely affected.
One of our strategies is to develop innovative, customer-valued products to generate revenue growth. In the past, our sales from new products, which we define as those introduced in the current and previous two fiscal years, have represented a significant component of our net sales and are expected to continue to represent a significant component of our future net sales. We may not be able to compete as effectively with our competitors, and ultimately satisfy the needs and preferences of our customers, unless we can continue to enhance existing products and develop new innovative products for the markets in which we compete, including by incorporating new, emerging, and/or disruptive technologies that may become preferred by our customers. Product development requires significant financial, technological, talent, and other resources. Product improvements and new product introductions also require significant research, planning, design, development, engineering, and testing at the technological, product, and manufacturing process levels and we may not be able to timely develop and introduce product improvements or new products. Our competitors' new products may beat our products to market, be higher quality or more reliable, be more effective with more features and/or less expensive than our products, incorporate new, emerging, and/or disruptive technologies, obtain better market acceptance, or render our products obsolete. Any new products that we develop may not receive market acceptance or otherwise generate any meaningful net sales or profits for us relative to our expectations based on, among other things, existing and anticipated investments in manufacturing capacity and commitments to fund advertising, marketing, promotional programs, and research and development.
Increases in the cost of commodities, components, parts, and accessories that we purchase and/or increases in our other costs of doing business, have, and could continue to, adversely affect our profit margins and businesses.
We purchase commodities, components, parts, and accessories for use in our manufacturing process and end-products or to be sold as stand-alone end-products. Most of the commodities, components, parts, and accessories used in our manufacturing process and end-products are exposed to commodity cost changes, including, for example, as a result of inflation, deflation, changing prices, foreign currency fluctuations, tariffs, and/or duties. Our primary cost exposures for such items are with steel, aluminum, petroleum and natural gas-based resins, copper, lead, rubber, linerboard, engines, transmissions, transaxles, hydraulics, electric motors, and others. To the extent that commodity, component, parts, or accessories costs increase, as a result of inflation, tariffs, duties, foreign currency fluctuations, or the
inability of suppliers to absorb incremental costs resulting from COVID-19-related inefficiencies, continue operations or otherwise remain in business as a result of COVID-19, financial difficulties or otherwise, and we do not have firm pricing from such suppliers, or our suppliers are not able to honor such prices, we may experience a decline in our profit margins. Furthermore, changes to international trade policies, agreements, and/or regulation industry or competitor activity, including antidumping and countervailing duty petitions on certain products imported from foreign countries, including current petitions regarding certain engines imported into the U.S. from China, could result in additional tariffs, duties or other charges on commodities, components, parts or accessories we import into the U.S. and/or use in our products. In addition, increases in other costs of doing business may also adversely affect our profit margins and businesses. For example, an increase in fuel costs and/or freight rates may result in an increase in our transportation costs, which also could adversely affect our operating results and businesses.
Historically, we have mitigated commodity, component, parts, or accessories cost increases, in part, by collaborating with suppliers, reviewing alternative sourcing options, substituting materials, utilizing Lean methods, engaging in internal cost reduction efforts, and increasing prices on some of our products, all as appropriate. However, we may not be able to fully offset increased commodity, component, parts, or accessories costs in the future. Further, if our price increases are not accepted by our customers and the market, our net sales, profit margins, earnings, and market share could be adversely affected.
Disruption and/or shortages in the availability of commodities, components, parts, or accessories used in our products has, and could continue to, adversely affect our business.
The availability of commodities, components, parts, and accessories used in our products have, to various and differing degrees, been impacted by COVID-19, recent social unrest, natural disasters, and antidumping and countervailing duty petitions regarding certain engines imported into the U.S. from China. In addition, while most of the commodities, components, parts, or accessories used in our products are generally commercially available from a number of sources, certain items are sourced from single suppliers. Any continued or new disruption or shortages in the availability of commodities, components, parts, or accessories used in our products or sold as standalone products, including as a result of labor staffing or other challenges that may be experienced by our suppliers as a result of financial hardship and/or government mandated restrictions caused by COVID-19, the loss of supplier workforce due to COVID-19 or otherwise, pandemics and/or epidemics, natural disasters, adverse weather, or other events, our inability to timely or otherwise obtain substitutes for such items, or any deterioration in our relationships with, the financial viability or quality of, or the personnel relationships at, our suppliers, could adversely affect our business and operating results.
Any disruption at any of our facilities or in our manufacturing or other operations, or those of our distribution channel customers or suppliers, or our inability to cost-effectively expand existing, open and manage new or acquired, and/or move production between manufacturing facilities could adversely affect our business and operating results.
We are a global company and have been impacted in a variety of ways by COVID-19, including by manufacturing inefficiencies and work force availability at our locations and those in our supply chain. We currently manufacture most of our products at 17 locations in the U.S., two locations in both Mexico and China, and one location in each of Australia, Italy, the United Kingdom, Romania, Germany, and Poland. We also have several global locations that serve as distribution centers, warehouses, test labs, service centers, and corporate offices. In addition, we have agreements with other third-party manufacturers to manufacture products on our behalf. We also market our products through domestic and international distributors, as well as a large number of dealers, hardware retailers, home centers, mass retailers and online, and source commodities, components, parts, and accessories from a variety of international and domestic suppliers.
Our facilities and our manufacturing and other operations and those of our distribution channel customers and suppliers have incurred losses as a result of natural disasters and may continue to incur losses or experience disruptions due to additional natural disasters, inclement weather, and/or climate change-related events, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, typhoons, drought, fire, other extreme weather conditions, and other natural disasters and events that occur as a result of such events, such as water or other natural resource shortages, rising sea levels, power shortages, or telecommunications failures. In addition, losses or disruptions could occur as a result of man-made disasters and other external events, such as terrorist acts or acts of war, pandemics and/or epidemics, including COVID-19, boycotts and sanctions, widespread criminal activities such as drug cartel-related violence that may disrupt our production activities and maquiladora operations based in Juarez, Mexico, or protests and/or social unrest, or other events, at or in proximity to any of our facilities or in our manufacturing or other operations, or those of our distribution channel customers, mass retailers or home centers where our products are sold, or suppliers. A work slowdown, strike, or similar action could occur at any one of our facilities (or the facilities of our distribution channel customers and suppliers) currently operating under a collective bargaining agreement, such facilities could fail to renew or enter into new collective bargaining agreements, or we may have to enter into a new collective bargaining agreement at a facility not currently covered by an agreement. Furthermore, we could decide, or be forced, to shift production to one of our other manufacturing facilities or we may decide to open new or acquired manufacturing or distribution facilities or move
production between our facilities to align production capacity with production goals.
Such events and disruptions could make it difficult or impossible to manufacture or to deliver products to our distribution channel customers, produce or maintain sufficient inventory of our products, meet the demands of our customers, receive commodities, components, parts or accessories from our suppliers, or perform critical functions, which could adversely affect our business globally or in certain regions. Such events also may result in shortages of commodities, components, parts, or accessories, higher fuel and commodity costs, and delays in shipments to our distribution channel customers. Our business and operating results could be impacted to a greater degree than we previously experienced to the extent that unfavorable weather conditions are exacerbated by global climate change or otherwise. Our insurance coverage with respect to natural disasters and other disruptions is limited and is subject to deductibles and coverage limits. Such coverage may not be adequate, or may not continue to be available at commercially reasonable rates and terms. The occurrence of any such events could negatively impact our business and operating results.
Our labor needs, and those of our suppliers and distribution channel partners, fluctuate throughout the year and by region. During fiscal 2020, such labor needs have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and such impact is expected to continue. Any failure by us, or our suppliers or distribution channel partners, to hire and/or retain a labor force to adequately staff manufacturing operations, perform service or warranty work, or other necessary activities, by such labor force to adequately and safely perform their jobs, or as a result of increased costs in connection with necessary actions and preparedness plans to help ensure the health and safety of employees and continued operations, have, among other things, resulted in disruptions in our manufacturing and other processes and adversely affected our business and operating results and such adverse impacts could continue.
Our labor needs, and those of our suppliers and distribution channel partners, fluctuate throughout the year and by region. During periods of peak manufacturing activity it is often necessary to sharply increase the number of production staff by utilizing new hires and temporary labor. Production staff hired during such periods of peak manufacturing activity may not have the same level of training, competency, experience, or commitment as regular production employees. In addition, due to limited workforce populations in areas around the locations where we, or our suppliers and distribution channel partners, manufacture products or conduct business, or other factors, we, or our suppliers and distribution channel partners, may not have a sufficient pool of experienced and competent individuals with the right skills available to fulfill labor requirements on a cost-effective basis or otherwise. During fiscal 2020, our labor needs, and those of our suppliers and distribution channel partners, have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and COVID-19 has
exacerbated many of the challenges faced in retaining and maintaining an adequate production staff, including as a result of global governmental, business and individual actions that have been, and continue to be, taken in response to COVID-19, and such impacts are expected to continue. Furthermore, we have incurred additional costs as a result of necessary actions and preparedness plans to help ensure the health and safety of our employees and continued operations, including remote working accommodations, enhanced cleaning processes, protocols designed to implement appropriate social distancing practices, and/or adoption of additional wage and benefit programs to assist employees. If we, or our suppliers and distribution channel partners, continue to be unable to hire and/or retain a labor force to adequately staff manufacturing operations, perform service or warranty work, or other necessary activities, particularly during periods of peak manufacturing activity, if such labor force is not adequately trained or does not adhere to protocols established to create a safe workplace, or we incur additional costs to help ensure the health and safety of our employees and operations, we could continue to experience, among other things, disruptions in our manufacturing and other processes, which have and could continue to adversely impact our business, operating results and reputation.
If we underestimate or overestimate demand for our products and do not maintain appropriate inventory levels, our net sales and/or working capital could be negatively impacted.
Our ability to manage our inventory levels to meet our customers' demand for our products is important for our business. Our production levels and inventory management goals for our products are based on estimates of demand for our products, taking into account production capacity, timing of shipments, and field inventory levels. Managing inventory levels in the current COVID-19 commercial environment is particularly difficult as a result of changes to production operations, locations and schedule, as well as demand volatility. Such manufacturing inefficiencies have resulted in unfavorable manufacturing variances that have negatively impacted our financial results. If such manufacturing inefficiencies continue, we underestimate or overestimate both channel and retail demand for our products, are not able to manufacture product to fulfill customer demand, and/or do not produce or maintain appropriate inventory levels, our net sales, gross margins, net earnings, and/or working capital could be negatively impacted. Furthermore, such impacts hinder our ability to meet customer demand, result in loss of customers, and could cause us to incur charges associated with inventory valuation adjustments for excess and obsolete inventories.
Our business and operating results are subject to the inventory management decisions of our distribution channel customers.
We are subject to risks relating to the inventory management decisions and operational and sourcing practices of our distribution network. Our distribution channel customers carry inventories of our products as part of their ongoing operations and adjust those inventories based on their assessments of future needs, including anticipated end-customer demand. Such adjustments have impacted our inventory management and working capital goals as well as operating results, and such adjustments may impact us in the future. If the inventory levels of our distribution channel customers are higher than they desire, they may postpone product purchases from us, which could cause our sales to be lower than the end-user demand for our products and negatively impact our inventory management and working capital goals as well as our operating results. Similarly, our results could be negatively impacted through the loss of sales if either we do not produce an adequate supply of products for our distribution channel and/or our distribution channel customers do not maintain field inventory levels sufficient to meet end-user demand.
Changes in composition of, financial viability of, and the relationships with, our distribution channel customers could negatively impact our business and operating results.
If we fail to maintain an effective network of dealers and distributors for our products, we may not have adequate market coverage for the optimal level of sales of our products. Additionally, our distribution channel customers may not commit the necessary resources to market and sell our products to the level of our expectations, and, regardless of the resources they commit, they may not be successful. Any weak demand for, or quality issues with, our products may cause our distribution channel customers to reduce or terminate their relationships with us or adversely affect our ability to engage new dealers and distributors. Changes in the ownership or control of our distribution channel customers could also adversely affect our relationships with them. If we are not able to maintain effective distribution channels, if our distribution channel customers are not successful in the marketing and selling our products, or if we experience a significant reduction in, cancellation or change in the size and timing of orders from our distribution channel customers, our sales could decline and have an adverse effect on our business and operating results.
In addition, if adverse economic conditions continue as a result of COVID-19 or otherwise or business conditions worsen or other events cause a decline in sales by our distribution channel customers or weakens their financial condition, our net sales and earnings could be adversely affected. Such situation could adversely affect the ability of such customers to pay amounts owed, which could require us to repurchase financed product.
We are dependent upon the availability of floor plan financing, including through our Red Iron financing joint venture with TCFIF or otherwise, to provide competitive inventory financing programs to certain distributors and dealers of our products. Any material change in the availability or terms of credit offered to our customers by our floor plan arrangements, challenges or delays in transferring new distributors and dealers from any business we might acquire or otherwise to available floor plan platforms, any termination or disruption of our floor plan arrangements, or any delay in securing replacement credit sources could adversely affect our net sales and operating results.
We are a party to various floor plan arrangements, including a financing joint venture with TCFIF and TCFCFC, for the primary purpose of providing reliable, competitive floor plan financing to certain of our distributors and dealers primarily in the U.S. and Canada, as applicable, to support their businesses, as well as to improve our working capital for our other strategic purposes. As a result, we are dependent upon such arrangements for our inventory financing programs.
The availability of financing from our floor plan arrangements is affected by many factors, including, among others, the overall credit markets, the credit worthiness of our dealers and distributors, and regulations that may affect such financing providers. Any material change in the availability or terms of credit offered to our customers by our floor plan financing providers, challenges or delays in transferring new distributors and dealers from any business we might acquire or otherwise to our available financing platforms, any termination or disruption of our floor plan arrangements, or any delay in securing replacement credit sources could adversely affect our sales and operating results.
Management information systems are critical to our business. If our management information systems or those of our business partners or third-party service providers fail to adequately perform, or if we, our business partners, or third-party service providers experience an interruption in the operation of such systems, our business, reputation, financial condition, and operating results could be adversely affected.
We have many management information systems that are critical to our business, some of which are managed by third-parties. These management information systems are used to record, process, summarize, transmit, and store electronic information, and to manage or support a variety of business processes and activities, including, among other things, our accounting and financial functions, including maintaining our internal controls; our manufacturing and supply chain processes; and the data related to our research and development efforts.
We may be unable to enhance our existing management information systems or implement new management information systems when necessary, may experience unanticipated delays, complications or expenses in implementing, integrating and operating our systems, and/or
require substantial expenditures as well as interruptions in operations in connection with any system changes we might pursue, including as may be necessary during the integration of the CMW and Venture Products acquisitions. The failure of our management information systems or those of our business partners or third-party service providers to perform properly, or difficulties encountered in the development of or transfer over to new systems or the modification or upgrade of existing systems, could disrupt our business and harm our reputation, which may result in decreased sales, increased overhead costs, excess or obsolete inventory, and product shortages, causing our business, reputation, financial condition, and operating results to suffer.
Additionally, we take steps to secure our management information systems and any access provided by our business partners or third-party service providers, including our computer systems, intranet and internet sites, email and other telecommunications and data networks. However, the security measures we have implemented may not be effective and our systems may be vulnerable to theft, loss, damage, and interruption from a number of potential sources and events, including unauthorized access or security breaches, natural or man-made disasters, cyber attacks, computer viruses, malware, phishing, denial of service attacks, power loss, or other disruptive events. Information technology security threats have been increasing in frequency and sophistication. Cyber attacks may be random, coordinated, or targeted, including sophisticated computer crime threats. These threats pose a risk to the security of our systems and networks, and those of our business partners and third-party service providers, and to the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of our data. Our business, reputation, operating results, and financial condition could be adversely affected if, as a result of a significant cyber event or otherwise, our operations are disrupted or shutdown; our confidential, proprietary information is stolen or disclosed; our intranet and internet sites are compromised; data is manipulated or destroyed; we incur costs, are required to pay fines, or our customers lose confidence in our ability to adequately protect their information in connection with stolen or disclosed customer, employee, or other confidential or sensitive information; we must dedicate significant resources to system repairs or increase cyber security protection; or we otherwise incur significant litigation or other costs.
A significant percentage of our consolidated net sales is generated outside of the U.S., a portion of which is financed by third-parties, and we intend to expand our international operations. Our international operations require significant management attention and financial resources, expose us to difficulties presented by international economic, political, legal, regulatory, accounting, and business factors, and may not be successful or produce desired levels of net sales.
We currently manufacture our products in the U.S., Mexico, Australia, the United Kingdom, Italy, Romania, Germany, Poland, and China for sale throughout the world. We maintain sales offices in the U.S., Belgium, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, China, Italy, Poland, Germany,
Spain, and France. Our net sales outside the U.S. were 20.1 percent, 23.1 percent, and 24.6 percent of our total consolidated net sales for fiscal 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. International markets have been, and will continue to be, a focus for us for revenue growth, both organically and through acquisitions. We believe many opportunities exist in the international markets, and over time, we intend for international net sales to comprise a larger percentage of our total consolidated net sales. Several factors, including the implications of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the EU, implications of withdrawal by the U.S. from, or revisions to, international trade agreements, foreign trade or other policy changes between the U.S. and other countries, weakened international economic conditions or the impact of sovereign debt defaults by certain European countries, could adversely affect our international net sales. Additionally, the expansion of our existing international operations and entry into additional international markets require significant management attention and financial resources. Many of the countries in which we manufacture or sell our products, or otherwise have an international presence are, to some degree, subject to political, economic, and/or social instability, has been heightened as a result of COVID-19. Our international operations expose us and our representatives, agents, and distribution channel customers to risks inherent in operating in foreign jurisdictions. These risks include:
•pandemics and/or epidemics, including COVID-19;
•increased costs of customizing products for foreign countries;
•difficulties in managing and staffing international operations and increases in infrastructure costs including legal, tax, accounting, and information technology;
•the imposition of additional U.S. and foreign governmental controls or regulations;
•new or enhanced trade restrictions and restrictions on the activities of foreign agents, representatives, and distribution channel customers;
•withdrawal from or revisions to international trade policies or agreements and the imposition or increases in import and export licensing and other compliance requirements, customs duties and tariffs, import and export quotas and other trade restrictions, license obligations, and other non-tariff barriers to trade;
•the imposition of U.S. and/or international sanctions against a country, company, person, or entity with whom we do business that would restrict or prohibit our business with the sanctioned country, company, person, or entity;
•international pricing pressures;
•laws, business practices, trade regulation, and/or industry activity that favors domestic companies, including antidumping and countervailing duty petitions on certain products imported from foreign countries, including certain engines imported into the U.S. from China;
•adverse currency exchange rate fluctuations;
•longer payment cycles and difficulties in enforcing agreements and collecting receivables through certain foreign legal systems;
•higher tax rates and potentially adverse tax consequences, including restrictions on repatriating cash and/or earnings to the U.S.;
•fluctuations in our operating performance based on our geographic mix of sales;
•transportation delays and interruptions;
•national and international conflicts, including foreign policy changes, acts of war or terrorist acts;
•difficulties in protecting, enforcing or defending intellectual property rights; and
•multiple, changing, and often inconsistent enforcement of laws, rules, regulations and standards, including rules relating to taxes, environmental, health and safety matters.
Our international operations may not produce desired levels of net sales or, among other things one or more of the factors listed above may harm our business and operating results. Any material decrease in our international sales or profitability could also adversely impact our operating results. In addition, a portion of our international net sales is financed by third-parties. The termination of our agreements with these third-parties, any material change to the terms of our agreements with these third-parties or in the availability or terms of credit offered to our international customers by these third-parties, or any delay in securing replacement credit sources, could adversely affect our sales and operating results.
Brexit and the uncertainty regarding its implementation and effect could disrupt our operations and adversely affect our operating results.
We have manufacturing operations and a sales office in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU, commonly referred to as “Brexit,” has caused significant legal, political, and economic uncertainty in both the United Kingdom and the EU. The impact of Brexit and the resulting turmoil on the political and economic future of the United Kingdom and the EU is uncertain, and we may be adversely affected in ways we cannot currently anticipate. The ultimate effects of Brexit will depend on any agreements the United Kingdom makes to retain access to the EU markets, and vice versa, either during a transitional period, which ends on December 31, 2020, or more permanently. Brexit may result in significant changes in the British regulatory environment, which could increase our compliance efforts and costs. We may find it more difficult to conduct business in the United Kingdom and the EU as a result of increased regulatory complexity and possible new restrictions on the movement of goods, capital, and personnel, as well as possible tariffs on imports to and exports from the United Kingdom. These developments also may have a material adverse effect on foreign currency exchange rates and global economic and financial conditions. Any of these effects of Brexit, and other similar referenda
that we cannot anticipate, could disrupt our operations and adversely affect our operating results.
We are expanding and renovating certain of our facilities and could experience disruptions to our operations in connection with such efforts.
We are continually expanding and renovating our facilities, primarily driven by the growth of our business and the need to expand the capacity available for our manufacturing operations and office space, as applicable. Our current expansion efforts include an ongoing project at our Iron Mountain, Michigan manufacturing facility. We have historically financed, and expect to continue to finance, such efforts with cash on hand and cash from operating activities. The expansion and renovation of our facilities entail risks that could cause disruption in the operations of our business. Such risks include potential interruption in manufacturing processes, delivery of raw materials, shipping finished goods, and data flow; unforeseen construction, scheduling, engineering, environmental, or geological problems; and unanticipated cost increases.
Strategic Risks
We intend to grow our business in part through acquisitions and alliances, strong customer relations, and new joint ventures, investments, and partnerships, which could be risky and may harm our business, reputation, financial condition, and operating results.
One of our strategies is to drive growth in our businesses and accelerate opportunities to expand our global presence through targeted acquisitions and alliances, strong customer relations, and new joint ventures, investments, and partnerships that add value while supplementing and complementing our existing brands and product portfolio. On April 1, 2019 and March 2, 2020, we completed the CMW and Venture Products acquisitions, respectively. The CMW acquisition is the largest acquisition in our history and the Venture Products acquisition is among one of the largest acquisitions in our history.
Our continued ability to grow through acquisitions will depend, in part, on the availability of suitable candidates at acceptable prices, terms, and conditions, our ability to compete effectively for acquisition candidates, and the availability of capital and personnel resources to complete such acquisitions and run and integrate the acquired business effectively. Any acquisition, alliance, joint venture, investment, or partnership could impair our business, financial condition, reputation, and operating results. For instance, the benefits of an acquisition, or new alliance, joint venture, investment, or partnership may take more time than expected to develop or integrate into our operations, and we cannot guarantee that previous or future acquisitions, alliances, joint ventures, investments, or partnerships will, in fact, produce any benefits. Acquisitions, including our recent CMW and Venture Products acquisitions, alliances, joint ventures, investments, and partnerships may involve a number of risks, the occurrence of which could adversely
affect our business, reputation, financial condition, and operating results, including:
•diversion of management's attention to manage and integrate the acquired business;
•disruption to our existing operations and plans;
•inability to effectively manage our expanded operations;
•difficulties or delays, which may be exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19, in integrating and assimilating information and financial systems, internal controls, operations, manufacturing processes and products of an acquired business or other business venture or in realizing projected efficiencies, growth prospects, cost savings, and other synergies;
•inability to successfully integrate or develop a distribution channel for acquired product lines;
•potential loss of key employees, customers, distributors, or dealers of the acquired businesses or adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers, customers, distributors, and dealers;
•write-off of significant amounts of goodwill, other intangible assets, and/or long-lived assets as a result of deterioration in the performance of an acquired business or product line, adverse market conditions, changes in the competitive landscape, changes in laws or regulations that restrict activities of an acquired business or product line, or as a result of a variety of other circumstances;
•delays or challenges in transitioning distributors and dealers of acquired businesses to available floor plan financing arrangements;
•violation of confidentiality, intellectual property, and non-compete obligations or agreements by employees of an acquired business or lack of or inadequate formal intellectual property protection mechanisms in place at an acquired business;
•adverse impact on overall profitability if our expanded operations do not achieve the growth prospects, net sales, net earnings, cost and/or revenue synergies, or other financial results projected in our valuation models, delays in the realization thereof or costs or charges incurred to achieve any revenue or cost synergies;
•reallocation of amounts of capital from other operating initiatives and/or an increase in our leverage and debt service requirements to pay acquisition purchase prices or other business venture investment costs, which could in turn restrict our ability to access additional capital when needed, result in a decrease in our credit rating, or limit our ability to pursue other important elements of our business strategy;
•failure by acquired businesses or other business ventures to comply with applicable international, federal, and state product safety or other regulatory standards;
•infringement by acquired businesses or other business ventures of valid intellectual property rights of others;
•inaccurate assessment of additional post-acquisition or business venture investments, undisclosed, contingent or other liabilities or problems, unanticipated costs associated with an acquisition or other business venture,
and despite the existence of representations, warranties and indemnities in any definitive agreement and, in the case of the CMW acquisition or as may be applicable to future acquisitions, a representation and warranty insurance policy, an inability to recover or manage such liabilities and costs; and
•impacts as a result of purchase accounting adjustments, incorrect estimates made in the accounting for acquisitions, incurrence of non-recurring charges, or other potential financial accounting or reporting impacts.
In addition, effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable and accurate financial reports and to effectively prevent fraud. The integration of acquired businesses may result in our systems and controls becoming increasingly complex and more difficult to manage. We devote significant resources and time to comply with the internal control over financial reporting requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. However, we cannot be certain that these measures will ensure that we design, implement, and maintain adequate control over our financial processes and reporting in the future, particularly in the context of acquisitions of other businesses, regardless of whether such acquired business was previously privately or publicly held. Any difficulties in the assimilation of acquired businesses into our internal control framework could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our financial reporting obligations. Also, some acquisitions may require the consent of the lenders under our credit agreements. We cannot predict whether such approvals would be forthcoming or the terms on which the lenders would approve such acquisitions. These risks, among others, could be heightened if we complete a large acquisition or other business venture or multiple transactions within a relatively short period of time.
Failure to successfully complete divestitures or other restructuring activities could negatively affect our operations.
From time to time, we may divest of all or a portion of certain businesses, joint venture or minority equity investment interests, subsidiaries, or product categories. Divestitures involve risk, including, potential increased expense associated with the divestitures, potential issues with the customers or suppliers of the divested business or products, and potential issues with the acquirers of any divested business. Additionally, from time to time, we may wind down certain business activities, product lines, and/or perform other organizational restructuring projects in an effort to reduce costs and streamline operations. Such activities involve risks as they may divert management's attention from our core businesses, increase expenses on a short‑term basis and lead to potential issues with employees, customers or suppliers. If these activities are not completed in a timely manner, anticipated cost savings, synergies and efficiencies are not realized, business disruption occurs during the pendency of or following such activities, or unanticipated charges are incurred, particularly if material, there may be a negative effect on our business, Financial Condition, Results of Operations and Cash Flows.
If we are unable to retain our executive officers or other key employees, attract and retain other qualified employees, or successfully implement executive officer, key employee or other leadership or employee transitions, we may not be able to meet strategic objectives and our business could suffer.
Our ability to meet our strategic objectives and otherwise profitably grow our business will depend to a significant extent on the continued contributions of our leadership team. Our future success will also depend in large part on our ability to identify, attract, engage, develop, and retain other highly qualified employees worldwide, including in particular managerial, functional support, technical, engineering, sales and marketing, operations, and customer service employees. Competition for these individuals is intense, and we may not succeed in identifying, attracting, or retaining qualified employees. The loss or interruption of the services of any of our executive officers or other key employees, the inability to identify, attract, or retain qualified leaders in the future, the inability to successfully implement executive officer or other employee transitions, delays in hiring qualified employees, the inability to hire necessary office or production employees due to employment conditions or otherwise, or any employee work slowdowns, strikes, or similar actions could make it difficult for us to conduct and manage our business and meet key objectives, which could harm our business, financial condition, and operating results.
We may not achieve our financial projections or other business initiatives in the time periods that we anticipate, or at all, which could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition.
We generally provide financial projections such as our expected revenue growth and net earnings per share. These financial projections are based on management’s assumptions and expectations at the time made. The failure to achieve our financial projections could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
We also set goals and objectives for the timing of certain accomplishments, initiatives and milestones regarding our business or operating results. Whether we achieve our goals and objectives of such initiatives can vary due to a number of factors, including the risk factors described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. As a result, there can be no assurance that we will succeed in achieving the goals and objectives of our initiatives in the time periods that we anticipate, or ever. The failure to achieve such goals and objectives in the time periods that we anticipate, or at all, could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
Financial Risks
We may be required to incur impairment and other charges resulting from the impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets recorded in connection with acquisitions.
We recently completed the CMW and Venture Products acquisitions and expect to continue to complete selected acquisitions in the future as a component of our growth strategy. In connection with acquisitions, applicable accounting standards generally require the net tangible and intangible assets of the acquired business to be recorded on the balance sheet of the acquiring company at their fair values as of the date of acquisition. As a result, any excess in the purchase price paid by us over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets of any acquired business is recorded as goodwill. Finite lived-intangible assets other than goodwill are required to be amortized over their estimated useful lives and this amortization expense may be significant. If it is later determined that the anticipated future cash flows from the acquired business may be less than the carrying values of the assets and goodwill of the acquired business, the assets, including both definite-lived and indefinite-lived intangible assets, or goodwill may be deemed to be impaired. If this occurs, we may be required under applicable accounting rules to write down the value of the assets or goodwill on our balance sheet to reflect the extent of any such impairment. Any such write-down of assets or goodwill would generally be recognized as a non-cash expense in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the accounting period during which any such write down occurs. As of October 31, 2020, we had goodwill of $424.1 million, which is maintained in various reporting units, including goodwill from the CMW and Venture Products acquisitions, and other intangible assets of $408.3 million, which together comprise 29.2 percent of our total assets as of October 31, 2020. If we determine that our goodwill or other intangible assets recorded in connection with the CMW, Venture Products, or any other prior or future acquisitions have become impaired, we will be required to record a charge resulting from the impairment. Impairment charges, including such charges that could arise as a result of COVID-19, could be significant and could adversely affect our consolidated Results of Operations and Financial Position.
Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates have affected our operating results and could continue to result in declines in our reported net sales and net earnings.
Because the functional currency of most of our foreign operations is the applicable local currency, and because our financial reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements requires that we translate the assets, liabilities, expenses, and revenues of our foreign operations into U.S. dollars at the applicable exchange rates.rate. Accordingly, we are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk arising from transactions in the normal course of business, such as sales and loans to wholly owned subsidiaries, sales to third partythird-party customers, purchases from suppliers, and bank lines of credit with creditors
denominated in foreign currencies. Our primary foreign currency exchange rate exposure is with the Euro, the Australian dollar, the Canadian dollar, the British pound, the Mexican peso, the Japanese yen, the Chinese Renminbi, and the Romanian New Leu against the U.S. dollar, as well as the Romanian New Leu against the Euro.
Our reported net sales and net earnings are subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that have affected our operating results and could continue to result in declines in our reported net sales and net earnings. Because our products are manufactured or sourced primarily from the U.S. and Mexico, a stronger U.S. dollar and Mexican peso generally have a negative impact on our operating results, while a weaker U.S. dollar and Mexican peso generally have a positive effect. In addition, currency exchange rate fluctuations may affect the comparative prices between products we sell and products our foreign competitors sell in the same market, which may adversely affect demand for our products. Substantial exchange rate fluctuations as a result of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar or otherwise, may have an adverse effect on our operating results, financial condition, and cash flows, as well as the comparability of our Consolidated Financial Statements between reporting periods. Our primaryFurther, we may also experience foreign currency exchange rate exposure is with the Euro, the Australian dollar, the Canadian dollar, the British pound, the Mexican peso, the Japanese yen, the Chinese Renminbi, and the Romanian New Leu against the U.S. dollar, as well as the Romanian New Leu against the Euro including exposure as a result of the volatility and uncertainty that may arise as a result of the United Kingdom's process for exitingwithdrawal from the EU.
While we actively manage the exposure of our foreign currency market risk in the normal course of business by entering into various foreign exchange contracts,derivative instruments to hedge against such risk, these derivative instruments involve risks and may not effectively limit our underlying exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations or minimize our net
earnings and cash volatility associated with foreign currency exchange rate changes. Further, the failure of one or more counterparties to our foreign currency exchange rate contracts to fulfill their obligations to us could adversely affect our operating results.
Increases inThe terms of our credit arrangements and the costindentures governing our senior notes, term loans, and debentures could limit our ability to conduct our business, take advantage of raw materials, components, partsbusiness opportunities and accessories thatrespond to changing business, market, and economic conditions. Additionally, we purchase and/or increasesare subject to counterparty risk in our credit arrangements.
Our credit arrangements, including our revolving credit facility and term loans, and the indentures governing our 3.81 percent Series A Senior Notes, 3.91 percent Series B Senior Notes, 6.625 percent senior notes, and 7.8 percent debentures include a number of financial and operating restrictions. For example, our credit arrangements contain financial covenants that, among other coststhings, require us to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum leverage ratio.
Our credit arrangements and/or indentures also contain provisions that restrict our ability, subject to specified exceptions, to, among other things:
•create liens or other encumbrances on our assets;
•dispose of assets;
•engage in mergers or consolidations; and
•pay dividends that are significantly higher than those currently being paid, make other distributions to our shareholders, or redeem shares of our common stock.
These provisions may limit our ability to conduct our business, take advantage of business opportunities, and respond to changing business, market, and economic conditions. In addition, they may place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to other companies that may be subject to fewer, if any, restrictions or may otherwise adversely affect our profit margins and businesses.
We purchase raw materialsbusiness. Transactions that we may view as important opportunities, such as steel, aluminum, petroleum and natural gas-based resins, linerboard, and other commodities, and components, such as engines, transmissions, transaxles, hydraulics, and electric motors, for use in our products. In addition, we are a purchaser of components and parts containing various commodities, including steel, aluminum, copper, lead, rubber, and others that are integrated into our end products. To the extent that commodity prices increase and we do not have firm pricing from our suppliers, or our suppliers are not able to honor such prices, increases in the cost of such raw materials, components, parts and accessories may adversely affect our profit margins. Furthermore, changes to international trade agreements could result in additional tariffs, duties or other charges on raw materials, components, parts or accessories we import into the U.S. In addition, increases in other costs of doing business may also adversely affect our profit margins and businesses. For example, an increase in fuel costs may result in an increase in our transportation costs, which also could adversely affect our operating results and businesses.
Historically, we have mitigated cost increases, in part, by collaborating with suppliers, reviewing alternative sourcing options, substituting materials, engaging in internal cost reduction efforts, and increasing prices on some of our products, all as appropriate. However, we may not be able to fully offset such increased costs in the future. Further, if our price increases are not accepted by our customers and the market, our net sales, profit margins, earnings, and market share could be adversely affected.
Disruption in the availability of raw materials, components, parts and accessories used in our products may adversely affect our business.
Although most of the raw materials, components, parts and accessories used in our products are generally commercially available from a number of sources and in adequate supply, certain items are sourced from single suppliers. Any disruption in the availability of raw materials, components, parts and accessories used in our products, our inability to timely or otherwise obtain substitutes for such items, or any deterioration in our relationships with, the financial viability or quality of, or the personnel relationships at, our suppliers, could adversely affect our business.
Our Professional segment net sales are dependent upon certain factors, including golf course revenues and the amount of investment in golf course renovations and improvements; the level of new golf course development and golf course closures; the extent to which property owners outsource their lawn care and snow and ice removal activities; residential and commercial construction activity; continued acceptance of, and demand for, micro-irrigation solutions for agricultural markets; the timing and occurrence of winter weather conditions; the demand for our products in the rental and specialty construction markets; the availability of cash or credit to Professional segment customers on acceptable terms to finance new product purchases; and the amount of government revenues, budget, and spending levels for grounds maintenance equipment.
Our Professional segment products are sold by distributors or dealers, or directly to government customers, rental companies, and professional users engaged in maintaining and creating properties and landscapes, such as golf courses, sports fields, residential and commercial properties and landscapes, and governmental and municipal properties. Accordingly, our professional segment net sales are impacted by golf course revenues and the amount of investment in golf course renovations and improvements; the level of new golf course development and golf course closures; the extent to which property owners outsource their lawn care and snow and ice removal activities; continued acceptance of, and demand, for micro-irrigation solutions for agricultural markets; the timing and occurrence of winter weather conditions; the demand for our products in the rental and specialty construction markets; residential and commercial construction activity; availability of cash or credit on acceptable terms to finance new product purchases; and the amount of government spending for new grounds maintenance equipment. Among other things, any one or a combination of the following factors could have an adverse effect on our Professional segment net sales:
reduced levels of investment in golf course renovations and improvements and new golf course development; reduced revenue for golf courses resulting from a decrease in rounds played and/or memberships, as applicable; and increased number of golf course closures, any one of which or any combination of which could result in a decrease in spending and demand for our products;
reduced consumer and business spending on property maintenance and/or unfavorable weather conditions, causing property owners and landscape contractor professionals to forego or postpone purchases of our products;
low or reduced levels of commercial and residential construction, resulting in a decrease in demand for our products;
a decline in acceptance of and demand for micro-irrigation solutions for agricultural markets and our products in the rental and specialty construction markets; and
government budgetary constraints resulting in reduced government spending for grounds maintenance equipment.
Our Residential segment net sales are dependent upon consumers buying our Residential segment products at dealers, mass retailers, and home centers, such as The Home Depot, Inc.; the amount of product placement at mass retailers and home centers; consumer confidence and spending levels; changing buying patterns of customers; and the impact of significant sales or promotional events.
The elimination or reduction of shelf space assigned to our residential products or other changes to the placement of our products by mass retailers and home centers, such as The Home Depot, could adversely affect our Residential segment net sales. Our Residential segment net sales also are dependent upon buying patterns of customers and changing buying patterns of our customers could result in reduced sales of one or more of our Residential segment products. For example, as consumers purchase products at home centers and mass retailers that offer broader and lower price points than dealers, we have experienced increased demand and sales of our Residential segment products purchased at mass retailers and home centers. The Home Depot is a substantial customer of ours, which accounted for approximately 10 percent of total consolidated gross sales in fiscal 2017 and 11 percent of total consolidated gross sales in fiscal 2016 and 2015. We believe that our diverse distribution channels and customer base should reduce the long-term impact on us if we were to lose The Home Depot or any other substantial customer. However, the loss of any substantial customer, a significant reduction in sales to The Home Depot or other customers, or our inability to maintain adequate product placement at retailers and home centers or our inability to respond to future changes in buying patterns of customers or new distribution channels could have a material adverse impact on our business and operating results. Furthermore, our quarterly or annual results can be impacted as a result of significant sales or promotional events for our Residential products.
Changes in our product mix impact our financial performance, including profit margins and net earnings.
Our Professional segment products generally have higher profit margins than our Residential segment products. Our financial performance, including our profit margins and net earnings, can be impacted depending on the mix of products we sell during a given period. For example, if we experience lower sales of our Professional segment products that generally carry higher profit margins than our Residential segment products, our financial performance, including profit margins and net earnings, could be negatively impacted. Similarly, within each segment, if we experience lower sales of products that generally carry higher profit margins, our financial performance, including profit margins and net earnings, could be negatively impacted.
We intend to grow our business in part through acquisitions and alliances, strong customer relations, and new joint ventures and partnerships, which could be risky and may harm our business, reputation, financial condition, and operating results.
One of our growth strategies is to drive growth in our businesses and accelerate opportunities to expand our global presence through targeted acquisitions and alliances, strong customer relations, and new joint ventures and partnerships that add value while supplementing our existing brands and product portfolio. Our ability to grow through acquisitions will depend, in part, on the availability of suitable candidates at acceptable prices, terms, and conditions, our ability to compete effectively for acquisition candidates, and the availability of capital and personnel to complete such acquisitions and run the acquired business effectively. Any acquisition, alliance, joint venture, or partnership could impair our business, financial condition, reputation, and operating results. The benefits of an acquisition, or new alliance, joint venture, or partnership may take more time than expected to develop or integrate into our operations, and we cannot guarantee that previous or future acquisitions, alliances, joint ventures, or partnerships will, in fact, produce any benefits. Acquisitions, alliances, joint ventures, and partnerships may involve a number of risks, the occurrence of which could adversely affect our business, reputation, financial condition, and operating results, including:
diversion of management's attention;
disruption to our existing operations and plans;
inability to effectively manage our expanded operations;
difficulties or delays in integrating and assimilating information and financial systems, operations, manufacturing processes and products of an acquired business or other business venture or in realizing projected efficiencies, growth prospects, cost savings, and synergies;
inability to successfully integrate or develop a distribution channel for acquired product lines;
potential loss of key employees, customers, distributors, or dealers of the acquired businesses or adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers, customers, distributors, and dealers;
delays or challenges in transitioning distributors and dealers of acquired businesses to using our Red Iron financing joint venture with TCFIF;
violation of any non-compete agreement by any key employee of an acquired business;
adverse impact on overall profitability if our expanded operations do not achieve the financial results projected in our valuation models;
reallocation of amounts of capital from other operating initiatives and/or an increase in our leverage and debt service requirements to pay acquisition purchase prices or other business venture investment costs, which could in turn restrict our ability to access additional capital when needed or pursue other important elements of our business strategy;
failure by acquired businesses or other business ventures to comply with applicable international, federal, and state product safety or other regulatory standards;
infringement by acquired businesses or other business ventures of intellectual property rights of others;
inaccurate assessment of additional post-acquisition or business venture investments, undisclosed, contingent or other liabilities or problems, unanticipated costs associated with an acquisition or other business venture, and an inability to recover or manage such liabilities and costs;
incorrect estimates made in the accounting for acquisitions and incurrence of non-recurring charges; and
write-off of significant amounts of goodwill or other assets as a result of deterioration in the performance of an acquired business or product line, adverse market conditions, changes in the competitive landscape, changes in laws or regulations that restrict activities of an acquired business or product line, or as a result of a variety of other circumstances.
In addition, effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable and accurate financial reports and to effectively prevent fraud. The integration of acquired businesses may result in our systems and controls becoming increasingly complex and more difficult to manage. We devote significant resources and time to comply with the internal control over financial reporting requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. However, we cannot be certain that these measures will ensure that we design, implement, and maintain adequate control over our financial processes and reporting in the future, especially in the context of acquisitions of other businesses. Any difficulties in the assimilation of acquired businesses into our control system could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our financial reporting obligations. Also, some acquisitions, may requirebe subject to the consent of the lenders under our credit agreements. We cannot predict whether such approvals wouldarrangements, which consent may be forthcomingwithheld or granted subject to conditions specified at the terms on whichtime that may affect the lenders would approve such acquisitions. These risks, among others, could be heightened ifattractiveness or viability of the transaction.
Although we completehave in place a large acquisition$600.0 million revolving credit facility that does not expire until June 2023, market deterioration or other business venturefactors could jeopardize the counterparty obligations of one or multiple transactions within a relatively short period of time.
If we underestimate or overestimate demand for our products and do not maintain appropriate inventory levels, our net sales and/or working capital could be negatively impacted.
Our ability to manage our inventory levels to meet our customers' demand for our products is important for our business. For example, our residential lawn and garden products are generally manufactured throughout the year and our residential snow thrower products are manufactured in the summer and fall months but may be extended into the winter months, depending upon demand. However, our production levels and inventory management goals for our Residential segment products are based on estimates of retail demand for our products, taking into account production capacity, timing of shipments, and field inventory levels. If we overestimate or underestimate demand for any of our products during a given season, we may not maintain appropriate inventory levels, which could negatively impact our net sales or working capital,
hinder our ability to meet customer demand, or cause us to incur excess and obsolete inventory charges.
Our business and operating results are subject to the inventory management decisions of our distribution channel customers.
We are subject to risks relating to the inventory management decisions and operational and sourcing practices of our distribution network. Our distribution channel customers carry inventories of our products as part of their ongoing operations and adjust those inventories based on their assessments of future needs. Such adjustments may impact our inventory management and working capital goals as well as operating results. If the inventory levels of our distribution channel customers are higher than they desire, they may postpone product purchases from us, which could cause our sales to be lower than the end-user demand for our products and negatively impact our inventory management and working capital goals as well as our operating results. Similarly, our results could be negatively impacted through the loss of sales if our distribution channel customers do not maintain field inventory levels sufficient to meet end-user demand.
Changes in composition of, and the relationships with, our distribution channel customers could negatively impact our business and operating results.
If we fail to maintain an effective network of dealers and distributors for our products, we may not have adequate market coverage for the optimal level of sales of our products. Our distribution channel customers may not commit the necessary resources to market and sell our products to the level of our expectations, and, regardlessmore of the resources they commit, they may not be successful. If we are not able to maintain effective distribution channels, ifbanks participating in our distribution channel customers are not successful in the marketing and selling our products, or if we experience a significant reduction in, cancellation or change in the size and timing of orders from our distribution channel customers, our salesrevolving credit facility, which could decline and have an adverse effect on our business and operating results. Any weak demand for, or quality issues with, our products may cause our distribution channel customers to reduce or terminate their relationships with us or adversely affect our ability to engage new dealers and distributors. If adverse economic or business conditions or other events causes a decline in sales by our distribution channel customers or weakens their financial condition, our net sales and earnings could be adversely effected. In addition, this could adversely affect the ability of such customers to pay amounts owed, which could require us to repurchase financed product. Changes in the ownership or control of our distribution channel customers could also adversely affect our relationships with them.
We face intense competition in all of our product lines with numerous manufacturers, including some that have larger operations and financial resources than us. We mayif we are not be able to compete effectively against competitors' actions, which could harm our business and operating results.
Our products are sold in highly competitive markets throughout the world. Principal competitive factors in our markets include
product innovation, quality and reliability, pricing, product support and customer service, warranty, brand awareness, reputation, distribution, product placement and shelf space, and financing options. We compete in many product lines with numerous manufacturers, somereplace such revolving credit facility or find other sources of which have substantially larger operations and financial resources than us. As a result, they may be able to adapt more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer preferences, or devote greater resources to the development, promotion, and sale of their products than we can. In addition, competition could increase if new companies enter the market, existing competitors consolidate their operations or if existing competitors expand their product lines or intensify efforts within existing product lines. Our current products, products under development, and our ability to develop new and improved products may be insufficient to enable us to compete effectively with our competitors. Internationally, our Residential segment products typically face more competition because many foreign competitors design, manufacture, and market products in their respective countries. We experience this competition primarily in Europe. In addition, fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar may affect the price of our products in foreign markets, thereby impacting their competitiveness. We may not be able to compete effectively against competitors' actions, which may include the movement by competitors with manufacturing operations to low cost countries for significant cost and price reductions, and could harm our business and operating results.
A significant percentage of our consolidated net sales is generated outside of the U.S., a portion of which is financed by third parties, and we intend to continue to expand our international operations. Our international operations require significant management attention and financial resources, expose us to difficulties presented by international economic, political, legal, regulatory, accounting, and business factors, and may not be successful or produce desired levels of net sales.
We currently manufacture our products in the U.S., Mexico, Australia, the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Poland, Romania, and China for sale throughout the world. We maintain sales offices in the U.S., Belgium, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, Japan, China, Italy, Poland, and Germany. Our net sales outside the U.S. were 24.4 percent, 24.2 percent, and 25.5 percent of our total consolidated net sales for fiscal 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. International markets have been, and will continue to be, a focus for us for revenue growth, both organically and through acquisitions. We believe many opportunities exist in the international markets, and over time, we intend for international net sales to comprise a larger percentage of our total consolidated net sales. Several factors, including the implications of the United Kingdom's process for exiting the EU, implications of withdrawal by the U.S. from, or revisions to, international trade agreements, foreign policy changes between the U.S. and other countries, weakened international economic conditions or the impact of sovereign debt defaults by certain European countries, could adversely affect our international net sales. Additionally, the expansion
of our existing international operations and entry into additional international markets require significant management attention and financial resources. Many of the countries in which we manufacture or sell our products, or otherwise have an international presence are, to some degree, subject to political, economic, and/or social instability. Our international operations expose us and our representatives, agents, and distribution channel customers to risks inherent in operating in foreign jurisdictions. These risks include:
increased costs of customizing products for foreign countries;
difficulties in managing and staffing international operations and increases in infrastructure costs including legal, tax, accounting, and information technology;
the imposition of additional U.S. and foreign governmental controls or regulations;
new or enhanced trade restrictions and restrictionsliquidity on the activities of foreign agents, representatives, and distribution channel customers;
withdrawal from or revisions to international trade agreements and the imposition or increases in import and export licensing and other compliance requirements, customs duties and tariffs, import and export quotas and other trade restrictions, license obligations, and other non-tariff barriers to trade;
the imposition of U.S. and/or international sanctions against a country, company, person, or entity with whom we do business that would restrict or prohibit our business with the sanctioned country, company, person, or entity;
international pricing pressures;
laws and business practices favoring local companies;
adverse currency exchange rate fluctuations;
longer payment cycles and difficulties in enforcing agreements and collecting receivables through certain foreign legal systems;
higher tax rates and potentially adverse tax consequences, including restrictions on repatriating cash and/or earnings to the U.S.;
fluctuations in our operating performance based on our geographic mix of sales;
transportation delays and interruptions;
national and international conflicts, including foreign policy changes, acts of war or terrorist acts;
difficulties in protecting, enforcing or defending intellectual property rights; and
multiple, changing, and often inconsistent enforcement of laws, rules, regulations and standards, including rules relating to taxes, environmental, health and safety matters.
Our international operations may not produce desired levels of net sales or, among other things one or more of the factors listed above may harm our business and operating results. Any material decrease in our international sales or profitability could also adversely impact our operating results.
In addition, a portion of our international net sales is financed by third parties. The termination of our agreements with these third parties, any material change to the terms of our agreements with these third parties or in the availability or terms of credit
offered to our international customers by these third parties, or any delay in securing replacement credit sources, could adversely affect our sales and operating results.acceptable terms.
If we are unable to continue to enhance existing products, as well as developcomply with the terms of our credit arrangements and market new products, that respond to customer needs and preferences and achieve market acceptance, we may experience a decrease in demand forindentures, especially the financial covenants, our products,credit arrangements could be terminated and our net sales, which have historically benefited from the introduction of new products, may be adversely affected.senior notes, term loans, debentures, and any amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility could become due and payable.
One of our growth strategies is to develop innovative, customer-valued products to generate revenue growth. In the past, our sales from new products, whichWe cannot assure that we define as those introduced in the current and previous two fiscal years, have represented a significant component of our net sales and are expected to continue to represent a significant component of our future net sales. We may notwill be able to compete as effectivelycomply with our competitors, and ultimately satisfyall of the needs and preferencesterms of our customers, unless we can continuecredit arrangements, term loans, senior notes, and indentures, particularly the financial covenants. Our ability to enhance existing products and develop new innovative products forcomply with such terms depends on the markets in which we compete, including by incorporating new or emerging technologies that may become preferred by our customers. Product development requires significant financial, technological, talent and other resources. Product improvements and new product introductions also require significant research, planning, design, development, engineering, and testing at the technological, product, and manufacturing process levels and we may not be able to timely develop and introduce product improvements or new products. Our competitors' new products may beat our products to market, be higher quality or more reliable, be more effective with more features and/or less expensive than our products, incorporate new or emerging technologies, obtain better market acceptance, or render our products obsolete. Any new products that we develop may not receive market acceptance or otherwise generate any meaningful net sales or profits for us relative to our expectations based on, among other things, existing and anticipated investments in manufacturing capacity and commitments to fund advertising, marketing, promotional programs, and research and development.
Any disruption at anysuccess of our facilities or in our manufacturing or other operations, or those of our distribution channel customers or suppliers, or our inability to cost-effectively expand existing, open and manage new, and/or move production between manufacturing facilities could adversely affect our business and our operating results.
We currently manufacture most Various risks, uncertainties, and events beyond our control could affect our ability to comply with the terms of our products at ten locations incredit arrangements, term loans, senior notes, and/or indentures. If we were out of compliance with any covenant required by our credit arrangements following any applicable cure periods, the U.S., two locations in Mexico, and one location in eachbanks could terminate their commitments unless we could negotiate a covenant waiver. The banks could condition such waiver on amendments to the terms of Australia, Italy, the United Kingdom, Romania, Germany, Poland, and China. We have several locationsour credit arrangements that serve as distribution centers, warehouses, test labs, and corporate offices.may be unfavorable to us. In addition, our 3.81 percent Series A Senior Notes, 3.91 percent Series B Senior Notes, 6.625 percent senior notes, and 7.8 percent debentures, and any amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility and term loans could become due and payable if we have agreements with other third-party manufacturerswere unable to manufacture products onobtain a covenant waiver or refinance our behalf. We also marketdebt under our products through domestic and international distributors, as well as a large number of dealers, hardware retailers, home centers, mass retailers and online, and sourcecredit arrangements. If our debt rating falls below investment grade and/or our leverage ratio rises
raw materials, components, parts and accessories from a variety of international and domestic suppliers.
Our facilities andabove 1.50, the interest rate we currently pay on outstanding debt under our manufacturing and other operations and those of our distribution channel customers and suppliers may incur losses or experience disruptions as a result of natural disasters and/or climate change-related events, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, typhoons, drought, fire, other extreme weather conditions, and other natural disasters and events that occur as a result of such events, such as water or other natural resource shortages, rising sea levels, power shortages, or telecommunications failures. In addition, losses or disruptionsrevolving credit facility could occur as a result of man-made disasters and other external events, such as terrorist acts or acts of war, pandemics, boycotts and sanctions or widespread criminal activities such as drug cartel-related violence that may disrupt our production activities and maquiladora operations based in Juarez, Mexico. A work slowdown, strike, or similar action could occur at any one of our facilities (or the facilities of our distribution channel customers and suppliers) currently operating under a collective bargaining agreement, such facilities could fail to renew or enter into new collective bargaining agreements, or we may have to enter into a new collective bargaining agreement at a facility not currently covered by an agreement. Furthermore, we could decide, or be forced, to shift production to one of our other manufacturing facilities or we may decide to open new manufacturing or distribution facilities or move production between our facilities to align production capacity with production goals.
Such events and disruptions could make it difficult or impossible to manufacture or to deliver products to our distribution channel customers, produce or maintain sufficient inventory of our products, meet the demands of our customers, receive raw materials, components, parts or accessories from our suppliers, or perform critical functions,increase, which could adversely affect our operating results.
A downgrade in our credit ratings could increase our cost of funding and/or adversely affect our access to capital markets or the availability of funding from a variety of lenders.
Our credit ratings are important to our cost and availability of capital. The major rating agencies routinely evaluate our credit profile and assign credit ratings to us. This evaluation is based on a number of factors, which include financial strength, business globally or in certain regions. Such events also mayand financial risk, as well as transparency with rating agencies and timeliness of financial reporting. The addition of further leverage to our capital structure could result in shortages of raw materials, components, parts and accessories, higher fuel and commodity costs and delays in shipmentsa downgrade to our distribution channel customers. Our business and operating resultscredit ratings in the future. For instance, if our credit rating falls below investment grade and/or our leverage ratio rises above 1.50, the interest rate we currently pay on outstanding debt under our revolving credit facility could be impactedincrease. As such, failure to a greater degree than we previously experienced to the extent that unfavorable weather conditions are exacerbated by global climate change or otherwise. Our insurance coverage with respect to natural disasters and other disruptions is limited and is subject to deductibles and coverage limits. Such coverage may not be adequate, or may not continue to be available at commercially reasonable rates and terms. The occurrence of any such events could negatively impact our business and operating results.
Our production labor needs fluctuate throughout the year. Any failure by us to hire and/or retain a production labor force to adequately staff our manufacturing operations or by our production labor force to adequately and safely perform their jobsmaintain investment grade credit ratings could adversely affect our business, operating results,cost of funding and reputation.
Our production labor needs fluctuate throughoutour liquidity by limiting the year. During periodsaccess to capital markets or the availability of peak manufacturing activity it is necessary
to sharply increase the number of production staff by utilizing new hires and temporary labor. Production staff that we hire during such periods of peak manufacturing activity may not have the same level of training, competency, experience, or commitment as our regular production employees. In addition, as a result of low unemployment rates, a limited workforce population available in areas around the locations where we manufacture our products, or other factors, we may not have available to us a sufficient pool of experienced and competent individuals to fulfill our production labor requirements on a cost-effective basis or otherwise. If we are unable to hire and/or retain a production labor force to adequately staff our manufacturing operations, particularly during periods of peak manufacturing activity, or if our production staff are not adequately trained or do not adhere to protocols we have established to create a safe workplace, our business, operating results, and reputation could suffer.
Management information systems are critical to our business. If our management information systems or those of our business partners or third party service providers fail to adequately perform, or if we, our business partners, or third party service providers experience an interruption in the operation of such systems, our business, reputation, financial condition, and operating results could be adversely affected.
We have many management information systems that are critical to our business, some of which are managed by third parties.
These management information systems are used to record, process, summarize, transmit, and store electronic information, and to manage or supportfunding from a variety of business processeslenders.
The expected phase out of LIBOR could impact the interest rates paid on our variable rate indebtedness and activities, including, among other things,cause our accounting and financial functions, including maintaining our internal controls; our manufacturing and supply chain processes; and the data relatedinterest expense to our research and development efforts. The failureincrease.
A portion of our management information systems or thoseborrowing capacity and outstanding indebtedness bears interest at a variable rate based on LIBOR. In July 2017, the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to phase out LIBOR by the end of calendar 2021. The U.S. Federal Reserve, in conjunction with the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, a steering committee comprised of large U.S. financial institutions, is considering replacing LIBOR with the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), a new index calculated based on transactions in the market for short-term treasury securities.
Certain of our business partnersfinancing agreements include language to determine a replacement rate for LIBOR, if necessary. However, if LIBOR ceases to exist, we may need to renegotiate certain of our financing agreements extending beyond calendar 2021 that utilize LIBOR as a factor in determining the interest rate. We are evaluating the potential impact of the eventual replacement of the LIBOR benchmark interest rate, however, we are not able to predict whether LIBOR will cease to be available after calendar 2021, whether SOFR will become a widely accepted benchmark in place of LIBOR, or third party service providerswhat the impact of such a possible transition to perform properly, or difficulties encountered in the development of new systems or the upgrade of existing systems, could disrupt our business and harm our reputation, which may result in decreased sales, increased overhead costs, excess or obsolete inventory, and product shortages, causing our business, reputation, financial condition, and operating results to suffer. We take steps to secure our management information systems and any access provided by our business partners or third party service providers, including our computer systems, intranet and internet sites, email and other telecommunications and data networks. However, the security measures we have implemented may not be effective and our systemsSOFR may be vulnerable to theft, loss, damage, and interruption from a number of potential sources and events,on our Financial Condition.
Changes in accounting or tax standards, policies, or assumptions utilized in determining accounting estimates could adversely affect our financial statements, including unauthorized access or security breaches, natural or man-made disasters, cyber attacks, computer viruses, malware, phishing, denial of service attacks, power loss, or other disruptive events. Information technology security threats are increasing in frequency and sophistication. Cyber attacks may be random, coordinated, or targeted, including sophisticated computer crime threats. These threats pose a risk to the security of our systems and networks, and those of our
business partners and third party service providers, and to the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of our data. Our business, reputation, operating results and financial condition couldcondition.
In preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP"), we must make decisions that impact our Results of Operations and/or Financial Condition. Such decisions include the selection of the appropriate accounting and/or tax principles to be adversely affected if,applied and the assumptions on which to base accounting and tax estimates. In reaching such decisions, we apply judgments based on our understanding and analysis of the relevant circumstances, historical experience, and actuarial and other independent external third-party specialist valuations, all as appropriate. As a result, actual amounts could differ from those estimated at the time the Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared. In addition, various authoritative accounting or regulatory entities, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board, Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and the SEC may amend, expand, and/or eliminate the financial accounting or reporting standards or tax positions that govern the preparation of a significant cyber eventour Consolidated Financial Statements or could reverse their previous interpretations or positions on how various financial accounting and/or reporting standards or tax positions should be applied. We disclose the impact of accounting pronouncements that have been issued but not yet adopted within our annual and quarterly reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, respectively. However, we do not provide an assessment of proposed accounting pronouncements, as such proposals are subject to change through the exposure process and therefore, we cannot meaningfully assess their effects on our Consolidated Financial Statements. Future changes to accounting or tax standards could modify the accounting or tax policies and procedures that are currently utilized in the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements. Such changes may be difficult to predict and implement and could materially, or otherwise, impact how we prepare and report our operations are disrupted or shutdown;Consolidated Financial Statements, Results of Operations, and Financial Condition. For additional information regarding our confidential, proprietary information is stolen or disclosed; our intranetaccounting policies, accounting pronouncements adopted, and internet sites are compromised; data is manipulated or destroyed; we incur costs, are requiredaccounting pronouncements not yet adopted, refer to pay fines, or our customers lose confidencePart II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," in our abilitythe section entitled "Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" and Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Related Data, of the Notes to adequately protect their informationConsolidated Financial Statements included in connection with stolen or disclosed customer, employee, or other confidential or sensitive information; we must dedicate significant resources to system repairs or increase cyber security protection; or we otherwise incur significant litigation or other costs.Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance Risks
Our reliance upon patents, trademark laws, and contractual provisions to protect our proprietary rights may not be sufficient to protect our intellectual property from others who may sell similar products. In addition, our products may infringe the valid proprietary rights of others.
We hold patents relating to various aspects of our products and believe that proprietary technical know-how is important to our business and theirthe loss of such intellectual property could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results. Proprietary rights relating to our products are protected from unauthorized use by third partiesthird-parties only to the extent that they are covered by valid and enforceable
patents or are maintained in confidence as trade secrets. We cannot be certain that we will be issued any patents from any pending or future patent applications owned by or licensed to us, or that the claims allowed under any issued patents will be sufficiently broad to protect our technology. In the absence of enforceable patent protection, we may be vulnerable to competitors who attempt to copy our products or gain access to our trade secrets and know-how. Others may initiate litigation to challenge the validity of our patents, allege that we infringe their patents, or use their resources to design comparable products that do not infringe our patents. We may incur substantial costs if our competitors or others initiate litigation to challenge the validity of our patents, or allege that we infringe their patents, or if we initiate any proceedings to protect our proprietary rights. If the outcome of any such litigation is unfavorable to us, our business, operating results, and financial condition could be adversely affected.
We also cannot be certain that our products or technologies have not infringed or will not infringe the valid proprietary rights of others. Any such infringement could cause third parties,third-parties, including our competitors, to bring claims against us, resulting in significant costs, possible damages and substantial uncertainty. We could also be forced to develop an alternative that could be costly and time-consuming, or acquire a license, which we might not be able to do on terms favorable to us, or at all.
We rely on trade secrets and proprietary know-how that we seek to protect, in part, by confidentiality agreements with our employees, suppliers, consultants, and others. These agreements may be breached, and we may not have adequate remedies for any such breach. Even if these confidentiality agreements are not breached, our trade secrets may otherwise become known or be independently developed by competitors.
Our company, business, properties, and products are subject to governmental regulationpolicies and regulations, with which compliance may require us to incur expenses, or modify our products or operations, and non-compliance may result in harm to our reputation and/or expose us to penalties. Governmental regulationpolicies and regulations may also adversely affect the demand for some of our products and our operating results.
Our company, business, properties, and products are subject to numerous international, federal, state, and other governmental laws, rules, policies, and regulations relating to, among other things; climate change; emissions to air, including Tier 4 or similar engine emission requirements; discharges to water; restrictions placed on water usage and water availability; product and associated packaging; use of certain chemicals; restricted substances, including "conflict minerals" disclosure rules; import and export compliance, including country of origin certification requirements; worker and product user health and safety; energy efficiency; product life-cycles; outdoor noise laws; the generation, use, handling, labeling, collection, management, storage, transportation, treatment,
and disposal of hazardous substances, wastes, and other regulated materials; and the registration of certain technologies with various government agencies throughout the world and operation of those technologies within the limits imposed by those agencies, including but not limited to radio frequency, broadband or other wireless technologies and technologies within the airspace of commercial airplanes, such as unmanned aerial systems. In addition, our company and business is subject to numerous international, federal, state, municipal, and other governmental laws, rules, policies, regulations, and regulationsorders that may adversely affect our operating results, including, (i) to address COVID-19 or other health and safety requirements, (ii) taxation and tax policy changes, tax rate changes, new tax laws, or revised tax law interpretations or guidance, including as a result of Public Law No. 115-97 ("Tax Act" or "U.S. Tax Reform"), which individually or in combination may cause our effective tax rate to increase (ii)or result in tax charges, (iii) healthcare laws or regulations, which may cause us to incur higher employee healthcare costs, or (iii)(iv) changes to U.S. or international trade policies or agreements, or trade regulation and/or industry activity, including antidumping and countervailing duty petitions on certain products imported from foreign countries, including certain engines imported in the U.S. from China, that could result in additional tariffs, duties or other charges on raw materials,commodities, components, parts or accessories that we import.import and/or use in our products. Although we believe that we are in substantial compliance with currently applicable laws, rules, policies, regulations, and regulations,orders, we are unable to predict the ultimate impact of adopted or future laws, rules, policies, regulations, and regulationsorders on our company, business, properties, or products. Any of these laws, rules, policies, regulations, or regulationsorders may cause us to incur significant expenses to achieve or maintain compliance, require us to modify our products, adversely affect the price of, or demand for, some of our products or manufacturing processes, and ultimately affect the way we conduct our operations. Failure to comply with any of these laws, rules, policies, regulations, or regulationsorders could result in harm to our reputation and/or could lead to fines and other penalties, including restrictions on the importation of our products into, and the sale of our products in, one or more jurisdictions until compliance is achieved. In addition, our competitors may adopt strategies with respect to regulatory compliance with any such laws, rules, policies or regulations that differ significantly from our strategies. This may have the effect of changing customer preferences and our markets in ways that we did not anticipate which may adversely affect market demand for our products and, ultimately, our net sales and financial results.
Changes in accounting standards Other laws or assumptions in applying accounting policies could adversely affectregulations impacting our financial statements, including our operating results and financial condition.
Our accounting policies and methods are fundamental to how we account for our operating results and financial condition and prepare our Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"). We must make decisions that impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures. Such decisions include the selection of the appropriate accounting principles to be applied and the assumptions on which to base accounting estimates. In reachingsupply chain, such decisions, we apply judgments based on our understanding and analysis of the relevant circumstances, historical experience and actuarial valuations, as appropriate. As a result, actual amounts could differ from those estimated at the time the Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared. In addition, various authoritative accounting or regulatory entities, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"), Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the SEC, may change the financial accounting or reporting standards that govern the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements or could reverse their previous interpretations or positions on how various financial accounting or reporting standards should be applied. These changes may be difficult to predict and implement and could materially or otherwise impact how we prepare and report our Consolidated Financial Statements, operating results and financial condition. For example, in March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-09, Stock-based Compensation ("ASU 2016-09") and in May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). We adopted ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and we expect to adopt ASU 2014-09 on November 1, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2016-09 has added, and we expect that it will continue to add, variability to our provision for income taxes, mainly due to the timing of stock option exercises, vesting of restricted stock units, and the trading price of our common stock. For additional information on some of our critical accounting policies and recent accounting changes, see Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of this report in the section entitled "Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” and Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, in the section entitled "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Related Data," included in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this report.
Climate change legislation, regulations, or accords may adversely impact our operations.
We are currently subject to rules limiting emissions and other climate related rules and regulations in certain jurisdictions where we operate. In addition, we may become subject to additional legislation, regulations, or accords regarding climate change, and compliance with any new rules could be difficult and costly as a result of increased energy, environmental, and
other costs and capital expenditures to comply with any such legislation, regulation, or accord. Due to uncertainty in the regulatory and legislative processes and the negotiation and adoption of international climate change accords, as well as the scope ofUnited Kingdom Modern Slavery Act, or data privacy requirements, such requirements and initiatives, we cannot currently determineas the effect any such legislation, regulation, or accordGeneral Data Protection Regulation, may have on our products and operations.similar consequences.
The costs of complying with the various environmental laws related to our ownership and/or lease of real property, such as clean-up costs and liabilities that may be associated with certain hazardous waste disposal activities, could adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.
Because we own and lease real property, various environmental laws may impose liability on us for the costs of cleaning up and responding to hazardous substances that may have been released on our property, including releases unknown to us. These environmental laws and regulations could also require us to pay for environmental remediation and response costs at third-party locations where we disposed of or recycled hazardous substances. We are currently involved in the evaluation and clean-up of a limited number of properties we either currently or previously owned. Although we do not expect that these current matters will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or operating results, our future costs of complying with the various environmental requirements, as they now exist or may be altered in the future, could adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.
Legislative enactments could impact the competitive landscape within our markets and affect demand for our products.
Various legislative proposals, if enacted, could put us in a competitively advantaged or disadvantaged position and affect customer demand for our products relative to the product offerings of our competitors. For example, any fiscal-stimulus or other legislative enactment that inordinately impacts the lawn and garden, outdoor power equipment, or irrigation industries generally by promoting the purchase, such as through customer rebate or other incentive programs, of certain types of mowing, snow and ice management, or irrigation equipment or other products that we sell, could impact us positively or negatively, depending on whether we manufacture products that meet the specified legislative criteria, including in areas such as fuel efficiency, alternative energy or water usage, or if, as a result of such legislation, customers perceive our product offerings to be relatively more or less attractive than our competitors' product offerings. We cannot currently predict whether any such legislation will be enacted, what any such legislation's specific terms and conditions would encompass, how any such legislation would impact the competitive landscape within our markets, or how, if at all, any such legislation might ultimately affect customer demand for our products or our operating results.
Changes to or withdrawal from trade regulation, quotas, duties, agreements, policies, or tariffs, caused by the changing U.S. and geopolitical environments or otherwise, may negatively impact our business, operating results and financial condition.We operate in many different jurisdictions and we could be adversely affected by violations ofUncertainty exists regarding the future relationship between the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA") and similar worldwide anti-corruption laws.other countries with respect to trade regulation, quotas, duties, agreements, policies, and tariffs. The current U.S. administration has called for support for implementing and, in some instances, has proposed or taken action with respect to major changes to certain trade agreements or policies. Furthermore, the U.S. or other countries that are parties to various trade agreements may not approve or ratify any new or revised trade agreements. Implications of withdrawal by the U.S. from, or revisions to, international trade agreements, foreign trade or other policy changes between the U.S. and other countries could adversely and materially affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.
The U.S. FCPAcosts of complying with the various environmental laws related to our ownership and/or lease of real property, such as clean-up costs and similar worldwide anti-corruptionliabilities that may be associated with certain hazardous waste disposal activities, could adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.
Because we own and lease real property, various environmental laws generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making certain improper paymentsmay impose liability on us for the purposecosts of obtainingcleaning up and responding to hazardous substances that may have been released on our property, including releases unknown to us. These environmental laws and regulations could also require us to pay for environmental remediation
and response costs at third-party locations where we disposed of or retaining business. The continued expansion of our international operations could increase the risk of violations of these lawsrecycled hazardous substances. We are currently involved in the future. Significant violationsevaluation and clean-up of a limited number of properties we either currently or previously owned. Although we do not expect that these laws, or allegations of such violations, could harm our reputation, disrupt our business, and result in significant fines and penalties that couldcurrent matters will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or operating results, our future costs of operationscomplying with the various environmental requirements, as they now exist or may be altered in the future, could adversely affect our financial condition.condition and operating results.
Climate change legislation, regulations, or accords may adversely impact our operations.
We are currently subject to rules limiting emissions and other climate-related rules and regulations in certain jurisdictions where we operate. In addition, we may become subject to additional legislation, regulations, or accords regarding climate change, and compliance with any new rules could be difficult and costly as a result of increased energy, environmental, and other costs and capital expenditures to comply with any such legislation, regulation, or accord. Due to uncertainty in the regulatory and legislative processes and the negotiation and adoption of international climate change accords, as well as the scope of such requirements and initiatives, we cannot currently determine the effect any such legislation, regulation, or accord may have on our products and operations.
We are subject to product quality issues, product liability claims, and other litigation from time to time that could adversely affect our business, reputation, operating results or financial condition.
The manufacture, sale, and use of our products expose us to significant risks associated with product quality issues and product liability claims. If a product liability claim or series of claims is brought against us for uninsured liabilities or in excess of our insurance coverage, and it is ultimately determined that we are liable, our business could suffer. While we believe that we appropriately instruct our customers on the proper usage of our products, we cannot ensure that they will implement our instructions accurately or completely. If our products are defective or used incorrectly by our customers, injury may result and this could give rise to product quality issues and/or product liability claims against us or adversely affect our brand image or reputation. Any losses that we may suffer from product quality issues and/or product liability claims, and the effect that any product quality and/or product liability litigation may have upon the reputation and marketability of our products, may have a negative impact on our business, reputation, and operating results. Product defects can occur through our own product development, design, and manufacturing processes or through our reliance on third partiesthird-parties for certain component design and manufacturing activities. Some of our products or product improvements were developed relatively recently and defects or risks that we have not yet identified, such as unanticipated use of our products, may give rise to product quality issues and/or product liability claims. Additionally,
we could experience a material design, testing, or manufacturing failure in our products, a quality system failure, failures in our products and other challenges that are associated with our inability to properly manage changes in the suppliers and components that we use in our products, insufficient testing procedures, other safety issues, or heightened regulatory scrutiny that could warrant a recall of some of our products. A recall of some of our products could also result in increased product liability claims. Unforeseen product quality and/or product liability problems in the development and production of new and existing products could also result in loss of market share, decreased demand, reduced sales, rework costs, and higher warranty expense.
We are also subject to other litigation from time to time that could adversely affect our business, reputation, operating results or financial condition.
IfWe operate in many different jurisdictions and we are unable to retain our executive officerscould be adversely affected by violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA") and similar worldwide anti-corruption laws.
The U.S. FCPA and similar worldwide anti-corruption laws generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making certain improper payments for the purpose of obtaining or other key employees, attract and retain other qualified personnel, or successfully implement executive officer, key employee or other personnel transitions, we may not be able to meet strategic objectives and our business could suffer.
Our ability to meet our strategic objectives and otherwise grow our business will depend to a significant extent on theretaining business. The continued contributionsexpansion of our leadership team. Our future success will also depend in large part on our ability to identify, attract, and retain other highly qualified managerial, technical, sales and marketing,international operations and customer service personnel. Competition forcould increase the risk of violations of these individuals is intense, and we may not succeed in identifying, attracting, or retaining qualified personnel. The loss or interruption of the services of any of our executive officers or other key employees, the inability to identify, attract, or retain qualified personnellaws in the future, the inability to successfully implement executive officer, key employeefuture. Significant violations of these laws, or other personnel transitions, delays in hiring qualified personnel, or any employee work slowdowns, strikes, or similar actionsallegations of such violations, could make it difficult for us to conduct and manageharm our reputation, disrupt our business, and meet key objectives, which could harm our business, financial condition,result in significant fines and operating results.
As a result of our Red Iron financing joint venture with TCFIF, we are dependent upon the joint venture to provide competitive inventory financing programs to certain distributors and dealers of our products. Any material change in the availability or terms of credit offered to our customers by the joint venture, challenges or delays in transferring new distributors and dealers from any business we might acquire or otherwise to this financing platform, any termination or disruption of our joint venture relationship or any delay in securing replacement credit sources could adversely affect our net sales and operating results.
We are a party to a financing joint venture with TCFIF for the primary purpose of providing reliable, competitive financing to certain of our distributors and dealers in the U.S. to support their businesses and increase our net sales, as well as to free up our working capital for our other strategic purposes. As a result, we are dependent upon the joint venture for our inventory financing programs. Additionally, we are dependent upon TCFCFC to provide inventory financing to dealers of our products in Canada.
The availability of financing from our joint venture or otherwise will be affected by many factors, including, among others, the overall credit markets, the credit worthiness of our dealers and distributors, and regulationspenalties that may affect TCFIF, as the majority owner of the joint venture and a subsidiary of TCF National Bank, a national banking association. Any material change in the availability or terms of credit offered to our customers by the joint venture, challenges or delays in transferring new distributors and dealers from any business we might acquire or otherwise to this financing platform, any
termination or disruption of our joint venture relationship or any delay in securing replacement credit sources could adversely affect our sales and operating results.
The terms of our credit arrangements and the indentures governing our senior notes and debentures could limit our ability to conduct our business, take advantage of business opportunities and respond to changing business, market, and economic conditions. Additionally, we are subject to counterparty risk in our credit arrangements.
Our credit arrangements and the indentures governing our 6.625 percent senior notes and 7.8 percent debentures include a number of financial and operating restrictions. For example, our credit arrangements contain financial covenants that, among other things, require us to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio and a maximum debt to earnings ratio. Our credit arrangements and/or indentures also contain provisions that restrict our ability, subject to specified exceptions, to, among other things:
make loans and investments, including acquisitions and transactions with affiliates;
create liens or other encumbrances on our assets;
dispose of assets;
enter into contingent obligations;
engage in mergers or consolidations; and
pay dividends that are significantly higher than those currently being paid, make other distributions to our shareholders, or redeem shares of our common stock.
These provisions may limit our ability to conduct our business, take advantage of business opportunities, and respond to changing business, market, and economic conditions. In addition, they may place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to other companies that may be subject to fewer, if any, restrictions or may otherwise adversely affect our business. Transactions that we may view as important opportunities, such as significant acquisitions, may be subject to the consent of the lenders under our credit arrangements, which consent may be withheld or granted subject to conditions specified at the time that may affect the attractiveness or viability of the transaction.
Although we have in place a $150 million revolving credit facility that does not expire until October 2019, market deterioration or other factors could jeopardize the counterparty obligations of one or more of the banks participating in our revolving credit facility, which could have ana material adverse effect on our business if we are not able to replace such revolving credit facilityResults of Operations or find other sources of liquidity on acceptable terms.Financial Condition.
If we are unable to comply with the terms of our credit arrangements and indentures, especially the financial covenants, our credit arrangements could be terminated and our senior notes, debentures, term loan, and any amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility could become due and payable.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with all of the terms of our credit arrangements and indentures, especially the financial covenants. Our ability to comply with
such terms depends on the success of our business and our operating results. Various risks, uncertainties, and events beyond our control could affect our ability to comply with the terms of our credit arrangements and/or indentures. If we were out of compliance with any covenant required by our credit arrangements following any applicable cure periods, the banks could terminate their commitments unless we could negotiate a covenant waiver. The banks could condition such waiver on amendments to the terms of our credit arrangements that may be unfavorable to us. In addition, our 6.625 percent senior notes and 7.8 percent debentures, term loan, and any amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility could become due and payable if we were unable to obtain a covenant waiver or refinance our medium-term debt under our credit arrangements. If our credit rating falls below investment grade and/or our debt to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA") ratio rises above 1.50, the interest rate we currently pay on outstanding debt under our credit arrangements would increase, which could adversely affect our operating results.
We are expanding and renovating our corporate and other facilities and could experience disruptions to our operations in connection with such efforts.
We are expanding and renovating our corporate and other facilities, primarily driven by our need to expand the space available for our product development and test capacities, manufacturing operations, and our need for additional information technology and office space. These expansion efforts included the construction of a new corporate facility that was completed in fiscal 2014, and we are renovating our corporate facilities located in Bloomington, Minnesota and expanding certain of our other manufacturing facilities to accommodate such expansion needs. We financed, and expect to continue to finance, such efforts with cash on hand and cash from operating activities. The expansion and renovation of our corporate and other facilities entail risks that could cause disruption in the operations of our business. Such risks include potential interruption in data flow; unforeseen construction, scheduling, engineering, environmental, or geological problems; and unanticipated cost increases.
We may not achieve our projected financial information or other business initiatives in the time periods that we anticipate, or at all, which could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results, and financial condition.
We generally provide projected financial information, such as our expected revenue growth and net earnings per share. These financial projections are based on management’s current assumptions and expectations. The failure to achieve our financial projections could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
We also set goals and objectives for the timing of certain accomplishments, initiatives and milestones regarding our business or operating results, including for example the organic revenue growth and operating earnings goals of our recently announced employee initiative, Vision 2020. Whether we achieve our goals and objectives of such initiatives can vary due to a number of factors, including the risk factors described in this report. As a result, there can be no assurance that we will succeed in achieving the goals and objectives of our initiatives in the time periods that we anticipate, or ever. The failure to achieve such goals and objectives in the time periods that we anticipate, or at all, could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
As of October 31, 2017,2020, we utilized manufacturing, distribution, warehouse, engineering, and office facilities totaling approximately 6.49.0 million square feet of space worldwide. We had approximately 72 acresworldwide, compared to 8.3 million square feet of excess landspace worldwide as of October 31, 2019. The increase in Wisconsin adjacentutilized square feet of space from October 31, 2019 to a distribution center, 70 acresOctober 31, 2020 is primarily due to our acquisition of landVenture Products, as well as expansions and additions to certain of our existing facilities. For additional information regarding our acquisition of Venture Products, refer to Note 2, Business Combinations, in Minnesota utilized as a testingthe Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and storage facility, and 21 acresSupplementary Data," of land in California used as a testing site. Plantthis Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Manufacturing plant utilization varies during the year depending on the production cycle. We consider each of our current facilities to be in good operating condition. Management believescondition and we believe that we have sufficient manufacturing capacity for production. We are renovatingproduction in fiscal 2021, although efforts for the expansion and expanding our corporate facilities located in Bloomington, Minnesota, which includes renovation of a portioncertain facilities for future operational growth are underway as of October 31, 2020. These expansion and renovation efforts include an ongoing project at our original corporate facility to accommodate additional expansion needs of the company. Iron Mountain, Michigan manufacturing facility.
Our significant facilities are listed below by location, ownership, and function as of October 31, 2017:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Location | | Ownership | | Products Manufactured / Facility Type/Use |
Bloomington, MNAbilene, TX | | Owned/Leased | | Corporate headquarters, warehouse,Professional products manufacturing facility, service area, and test facilityoffice |
El Paso, TXAlbany, GA | | Owned/LeasedOwned | | Components for professionalProfessional products service area and residential products, warehouse and distribution centeroffice |
Ankeny, IAAlbis, France | | Leased | | ResidentialProfessional products service area and professional distribution centeroffice |
Juarez, MexicoAlthengstett, Germany | | LeasedOwned | | Professional and residential products |
Plymouth, WI | | Owned | | Professional and residential parts distribution center |
Tomah, WI | | Owned/Leased | | Professional products manufacturing and distribution center |
Windom, MN | | Owned/Leased | | Residential and professional products and warehouse |
Beatrice, NE | | Owned/Leased | | Professional products, test facility, and office |
Iron Mountain, MI | | Owned/Leased | | Professional products, distribution facility and office |
Riverside, CAAnkeny, IA | | Owned/Leased | | Professional products, test facility, distribution center, and office |
Althengstett, Germany | | Owned | | Professional products, distribution facility, and office |
Ustron, Poland | | Owned | | Professional products, distribution facility, and office |
Xiamen City, China | | Leased | | ProfessionalResidential products distribution center and office |
Braeside,Banyo, Australia | | Leased | | Distribution center, service area, and office |
Hertfordshire, United Kingdom | | Owned | | Professional and residential products, distribution center, test lab, and office |
Ploiesti, Romania | | Owned | | Professional products, distribution center, test facility, and office |
Shakopee, MN | | Owned | | Components for professional and residential products |
Beverley, Australia | | Owned | | ProfessionalResidential products distribution center, service area, and office |
| Baraboo, WI | | Leased | | Professional and residential distribution center |
El Cajon, CA | | Owned/Leased | | Professional and residentialResidential products distribution center test site, and office |
Brooklyn Center,Barcelona, Spain | | Leased | | Professional products warehouse and office |
| Beatrice, NE | | Owned/Leased | | Professional products manufacturing and test facility and office |
| Beijing, China | | Leased | | Professional products manufacturing and distribution facility and office |
| Beverley, Australia | | Owned | | Professional products manufacturing and distribution facility, service area, and office |
| Bloomington, MN | | Owned/Leased | | Corporate headquarters, warehouse, and test facility |
| Boulder, CO | | Leased | | Professional office |
| Braeside, Australia | | Leased | | Professional and Residential products distribution facility, service area, and office |
| Branchburg, NJ | | Owned | | Distribution facility, service area, and office |
Capena, ItalyBrooklyn Center, MN | | Leased | | Distribution center |
Fresno, CA | | Leased | | Professional products warehouse |
Sanford, FL | | Leased | | Professional products and distribution center |
Fiano Romano, Italy | | Owned/Leased | | Professional products, distribution center, and office |
St. Louis, MO | | Leased | | Distribution facility, service area, and office |
| Capena, Italy | | Leased | | Professional and Residential products distribution center |
| Corpus Christi, TX | | Owned | | Professional products service area and office |
| El Cajon, CA | | Owned/Leased | | Professional products manufacturing and distribution facility, test site, and office |
| El Paso, TX | | Owned/Leased | | Residential component parts and Professional products manufacturing and distribution facility |
| Fiano Romano, Italy | | Owned/Leased | | Professional products manufacturing and distribution facility and office |
| Forest Park, GA | | Leased | | Professional products service area and office |
| Fresno, CA | | Leased | | Professional products warehouse |
| Grandville, MI | | Leased | | Professional products service area and office |
| Harlingen, TX | | Leased | | Professional products service area and office |
| Hertfordshire, United Kingdom | | Owned | | Professional and Residential products manufacturing, distribution, and test facility and office |
| Howell, MI | | Owned | | Professional products service area and office |
| Iron Mountain, MI | | Owned/Leased | | Professional products manufacturing and distribution facility and office |
| Juarez, Mexico | | Leased | | Professional and Residential products manufacturing facility and warehouse |
| Kalkaska, MI | | Leased | | Professional products service area and office |
| Lake Mills, WI | | Owned | | Professional products manufacturing and distribution facility and office |
| Leuven, Belgium | | Leased | | Professional office |
| Ludwigsburg, Germany | | Leased | | Professional office |
| Marne, MI | | Owned | | Professional products service area and office |
| Oevel, Belgium | | Owned | | DistributionProfessional and Residential products distribution center, service area, and office |
Abilene, TXOrrville, OH | | LeasedOwned | | Office, professionalProfessional products manufacturing and distribution facility and office |
| Perry, OK | | Owned/Leased | | Professional products manufacturing, distribution, and test facility and office |
| Petaluma, CA | | Leased | | Professional products manufacturing and distribution facility, service area, and office |
| Ploiesti, Romania | | Owned | | Professional products manufacturing, distribution, and test facility and office |
| Plymouth, WI | | Owned | | Professional and Residential parts distribution center |
| Pune, India | | Leased | | Corporate information technology service center |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Location | | Ownership | | Facility Type/Use |
| Riverside, CA | | Owned/Leased | | Professional products manufacturing, distribution, and test facility and office |
| Ronkonkoma, NY | | Owned | | Distribution facility, service area, and office |
| Sanford, FL | | Leased | | Professional products manufacturing and distribution facility |
| Savannah, GA | | Leased | | Professional products service area and office |
| Shakopee, MN | | Owned | | Professional and Residential component parts manufacturing facility |
| St. Louis, MO | | Leased | | Distribution facility, service area, and office |
| Sterling, KY | | Leased | | Professional products manufacturing and distribution facility, service area, and office |
| Tomah, WI | | Owned/Leased | | Professional products manufacturing facility and distribution center |
| Ustron, Poland | | Owned | | Professional products manufacturing and distribution facility and office |
| Wangara, Australia | | Leased | | Professional and Residential products distribution center, service area, and office |
| Weatherford, TX | | Owned | | Professional products manufacturing and distribution facility and office |
| West Salem, OH | | Owned | | Professional products manufacturing and distribution facility and office |
| Wetherill, Australia | | Leased | | Professional and Residential products distribution center, service area, and office |
| Windom, MN | | Owned/Leased | | Residential and Professional products manufacturing facility and warehouses |
| Xiamen City, China | | Leased | | Professional and Residential products and component parts manufacturing and distribution facility and office |
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are a party to litigation in the ordinary course of business. Litigation occasionally involves claims for punitive, as well as compensatory, damages arising out of the use of our products. Although we are self-insured to some extent, we maintain insurance against certain product liability losses. We are also subject to litigation and administrative and judicial proceedings with respect to claims involving asbestos and the discharge of hazardous substances into the environment. Some of these claims assert damages and liability for personal injury, remedial investigations or clean-up, and other costs and damages. We are also typically involved in commercial disputes, employment disputes, and patent litigation cases in the ordinary course of business. To prevent possible infringement of our patents by others, we periodically review competitors' products. To avoid potential liability with respect to others' patents, we regularly review certain patents issued by the USPTO and foreign patent offices. We believe these activities help us minimize our risk of being a defendant in patent infringement litigation. We are currently involved in patent litigation cases, including cases by or against competitors, where we are asserting and defending against claims of patent infringement. Such cases are at varying stages in the litigation process. For a description of our material legal proceedings, seerefer to Note 1312, Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 18, Subsequent Events, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the section entitled "Commitments and Contingent Liabilities – Litigation" included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data"Data," of this report,Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated into this Item 3 by reference.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicableapplicable.
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The list below identifies those persons designated by our Board of Directors as executive officers of the company. The list sets forth each such person's age and position with the company as of December 15, 2017,11, 2020, as well as other positions held by him or her for at least the last five years. There are no family relationships between any director, executive officer, or person nominated to become a director or executive officer of the company. There are no arrangements or understandings between any executive officer and any other person pursuant to which he or she was selected as an officer of the company.
|
| | | | | | | |
| Name, Age, and Position | | Business Experience during the Last Five or More Years |
Richard M. Olson 53,56, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
| | Chairman of the Board since November 2017 and President and Chief Executive Officer since November 2016. From September 2015 through October 2016, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer. From June 2014 through August 2015, he served as Group Vice President, International Business, Global Micro-IrrigationAg-Irrigation Business and Distributor Development. From March 2013 through May 2014, he served as |
Jody M. Christy 52, Vice President, International Business. From March 2012 to March 2013, he served as BOSS | | Vice President, Exmark. |
David H. Alkire
55, Vice President, Residential and
Landscape Contractor Businesses
| | Vice President, Residential and Landscape Contractor BusinessesBOSS since November 2014.December 2018. From June 2012 through October 2014,2016 to November 2018, he served as General Manager, Residential and Landscape Contractor Businesses. |
Judy L. Altmaier
56, Vice President, Exmark
| | Vice President, Exmark since June 2013. From October 2011BOSS. At the time of the acquisition of BOSS in November 2014 to June 2013, she served as Vice President, Operations and Quality Management. |
William E. Brown, Jr.
56, Group Vice President, Residential and Contractor Businesses
| | Group Vice President, Residential and Contractor Businesses since February 2016. From March 2013 through JanuaryMay 2016, he served as Group Vice President, Commercial and Irrigation Businesses. From March 2012 to March 2013, he served as Group Vice President, International and Commercial Businesses. |
Philip A. Burkart
55, Vice President, Irrigation and
Lighting Businesses
| | Vice President, Irrigation and Lighting Businesses since January 2011.Director, Engineering for BOSS. |
Amy E. Dahl 43,46, Vice President, Human Resources and General Counsel
| | Vice President, Human Resources and General Counsel since November 2020. From January 2020 through October 2020 she served as Vice President, Human Resources, Distributor Development and General Counsel. From December 2016 through December 2019, she served as Vice President, Human Resources and Distributor Development | | Development. From April 2015 through November 2016, she served as Vice President, Human Resources since April 2015, and in December 2016 she assumed responsibility for our distributor development activity.Resources. From June 2013 through March 2015, she served as Managing Director, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations. From July 2012 to JuneMay 2013, she served as Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary. |
Timothy P. DordellAngie C. Drake
55,48, Vice President, Secretary and General CounselConstruction
| | Vice President, Secretary and General CounselConstruction since May 2007.April 2020. From April 2019 through March 2020, she served as Senior Managing Director, Integration. From February 2011 through March 2019, she served as Chief Financial Officer for The Charles Machine Works, Inc. |
Blake M. Grams 50,53, Vice President, Global Operations
| | Vice President, Global Operations since June 2013. From December 2008 to JuneMay 2013, he served as Vice President, Corporate Controller. |
Bradley A. Hamilton 53,56, Group Vice President, Commercial, International, Ventrac and Irrigation Businesses
| | Group Vice President, Commercial, International, Ventrac, and Irrigation Businesses since March 2020. From October 2018 to February 2020 he served as Group Vice President, Commercial, International and Irrigation Businesses. From November 2017 to September 2018, he served as Group Vice President, Commercial and International Businesses | | Group Vice President, Commercial and International Businesses since November 2017.Businesses. From October 2016 to NovemberOctober 2017, he served as Vice President, Commercial Business. From April 2015 to OctoberSeptember 2016, he served as General Manager, Commercial Business. |
Gregory S. Janey 42, Vice President, Residential and Landscape Contractor Businesses | | Vice President, Residential and Landscape Contractor Businesses since November 2019. From June 2014November 2017 to October 2019, he served as General Manager, Residential and Landscape Contractor Businesses. From April 2015 to October 2017, he served as Director, Marketing International Business. From January 2013 through March 2015, he served as Managing Director, Distributor DevelopmentResidential Mass Sales and Financial Services.National Accounts in our Residential Business. |
Peter D. Moeller 43, Vice President, International | | Vice President, International since November 2020. From March 2012 through May 2014,November 2019 to October 2020, he served as Vice President, Sitework Systems Business. From November 2017 to October 2019, he served as General Manager, Sitework Systems Business. From April 2015 to October 2017, he served as Managing Director, Distributor Development.Business Development and Strategic Planning. |
Renee J. Peterson 56,59, Vice President, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer | | Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer since July 2013. From August 2011 to July 2013, she served as Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer. |
Darren L. Redetzke 53,56, Vice President, Strategic Technologies
| | Vice President, Strategic Technologies since November 2020. From April 2015 to October 2020, he served as Vice President, International BusinessBusiness. |
Richard W. Rodier | | 60, Group Vice President, InternationalConstruction, Contractor and Residential Businesses | | Group Vice President, Construction, Contractor and Residential Business since May 2020. From April 2015. From August 20102019 to April 2015,2020 he served as Group Vice President, Construction Businesses. From November 2017 to April 2019, he served as Vice President, Commercial Business. |
Richard W. Rodier
57, Vice President, Commercial Business
| | Vice President, Commercial Business since November 2017. From October 2016 to November 2017, he served as Vice President, Sitework Systems. From February 2009 to October 2016, he served as General Manager, Sitework Systems. |
Kurt D. Svendsen 51,54, Vice President, Strategy, Corporate and Channel Development
| | Vice President, Strategy, Corporate and Channel Development since November 2020. From June 2013 to October 2020 he served as Vice President, Information Services | | Vice President, Information Services since June 2013. From September 2011 to June 2013, he served as Managing Director, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations.Services. |
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Common Stock and Cash Dividends
Our common stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol "TTC." The high, low,As of October 31, 2020 and last sales prices for2019, we had 175,000,000 shares of common stock authorized, $1.00 par value. As of October 31, 2020 and 2019, we had 107,582,670 and 106,742,082 shares of common stock outstanding, respectively. In each quarter of fiscal 2020, our Board of Directors declared a common stock cash dividend of $0.25 per share, which was an 11.1 percent increase over our common stock andcash dividend of $0.225 per share paid in each quarter of fiscal 2019. As announced on December 1, 2020, our Board of Directors increased our fiscal 2021 first quarter common stock cash dividend by 5.0 percent to $0.2625 per share from the quarterly common stock cash dividend of $0.25 paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Future common stock cash dividends paid for eachwill depend upon our Financial Condition, Results of the quarterly periods for fiscal 2017Operations, capital requirements, and 2016 were as follows:other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors. Restrictions on our ability to pay dividends are disclosed in Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended | | October 31, 2017 | | October 31, 2016 |
| Quarter | | First | | Second | | Third | | Fourth | | First | | Second | | Third | | Fourth |
| Market price per share of common stock | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | | | | | | | |
| High sales price | | $ | 59.91 |
| | $ | 66.75 |
| | $ | 73.00 |
| | $ | 73.86 |
| | $ | 39.24 |
| | $ | 44.71 |
| | $ | 46.50 |
| | $ | 49.50 |
|
| Low sales price | | 46.37 |
| | 58.00 |
| | 64.57 |
| | 58.39 |
| | 32.35 |
| | 34.79 |
| | 40.42 |
| | 44.90 |
|
| Last sales price | | 59.05 |
| | 66.67 |
| | 72.37 |
| | 62.85 |
| | 37.26 |
| | 43.23 |
| | 45.98 |
| | 47.88 |
|
Cash dividends per share of common stock1 | | $ | 0.175 |
| | $ | 0.175 |
| | $ | 0.175 |
| | $ | 0.175 |
| | $ | 0.15 |
| | $ | 0.15 |
| | $ | 0.15 |
| | $ | 0.15 |
|
| |
1
| Future cash dividends will depend upon our financial condition, capital requirements, results of operations, and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors. Restrictions on our ability to pay dividends are disclosed in Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." |
Common Stock – 175,000,000 shares authorized, $1.00 par value, asAs of October 31, 20172020 and 2016. 106,882,972 and 108,427,393 shares outstanding as of October 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Preferred Stock -2019, we had 1,000,000 voting shares and 850,000 non-voting shares of preferred stock authorized, $1.00 par value, novalue. No shares outstanding.of preferred stock were outstanding as of October 31, 2020 and 2019.
Shareholders -
As of December 15, 2017,11, 2020, we had approximately 3,0952,741 shareholders of record.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities -
The following table sets forth information with respect to shares of our common stock purchased by the company during each of the three fiscal months in our fourth quarter ended October 31, 2017.2020.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Period | | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased1, 2 | | Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit) | | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased As Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs1 | | Maximum Number of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs1 |
| August 1, 2020 through September 4, 2020 | | — | | | $ | — | | | — | | | 7,042,256 | |
| September 5, 2020 through October 2, 2020 | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 7,042,256 | |
| October 3, 2020 through October 31, 2020 | | 1,586 | | | 72.34 | | | — | | | 7,042,256 | |
| Total | | 1,586 | | | $ | 72.34 | | | — | | | |
1 On December 3, 2015, the company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of 8,000,000 shares of the company's common stock in open-market or in privately negotiated transactions. On December 4, 2018, the company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional 5,000,000 shares of the company’s common stock in open-market or privately negotiated transactions. This authorized stock repurchase program has no expiration date but may be terminated by the company's Board of Directors at any time. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, we curtailed share repurchases under this authorized stock repurchase program to focus on repaying outstanding indebtedness, as well as to enhance our liquidity position in response to COVID-19; and thus, no shares were repurchased. As of October 31, 2020, 7,042,256 shares remained available to repurchase under this authorized stock repurchase program.
2 Includes 1,586 shares of the company's common stock purchased in open-market transactions at an average price of $72.34 per share on behalf of a rabbi trust formed to pay benefit obligations of the company to participants in deferred compensation plans. These 1,586 shares were not repurchased under the company's repurchase programs described in footnote 1 above.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Period | | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased1,2 | | Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit) | | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased As Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs1 | | Maximum Number of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs1 |
| August 5, 2017 through September 1, 2017 | | 158,223 |
| | $ | 64.80 |
| | 158,223 |
| | 5,867,929 |
|
| September 2, 2017 through September 29, 2017 | | 653,897 |
| | 60.93 |
| | 653,897 |
| | 5,214,032 |
|
| September 30, 2017 through October, 31 2017 | | 233,502 |
| | 62.39 |
| | 232,154 |
| | 4,981,878 |
|
| Total | | 1,045,622 |
| | $ | 61.84 |
| | 1,044,274 |
| | |
|
| |
| On December 3, 2015, the company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of 8,000,000 shares of the company's common stock in open-market or in privately negotiated transactions. This program has no expiration date but may be terminated by the company's Board of Directors at any time. The company repurchased 1,044,274 shares during the period indicated above under this program and 4,981,878 shares remain available to repurchase under this program. |
| |
2
| Includes 1,348 units (shares) of the company's common stock purchased in open-market transactions at an average price of $62.82 per share on behalf of a rabbi trust formed to pay benefit obligations of the company to participants in deferred compensation plans. These 1,348 shares were not repurchased under the company's repurchase program described in footnote 1 above. |
The Toro Company Common Stock Comparative Performance Graph
The information contained in The Toro Company Common Stock Comparative Performance Graph section shall not be deemed to be "soliciting material" or "filed" or incorporated by reference in future filings with the SEC, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, except to the extent that we specifically request that it be treated as soliciting material or incorporate it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
The following graph and table depict the cumulative total shareholder return (assuming reinvestment of dividends) on $100 invested in each of ToroTTC common stock, the S&P 500 Index, and an industry peer group for the five-year period from October 31, 20122015 through October 31, 2017.2020:
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among The Toro Company, the S&P 500 Index,
and Peer Group
*$100 invested on 10/31/1215 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal years ending October 31.
| | | Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2012 | | 2013 | | 2014 | | 2015 | | 2016 | | 2017 | Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2015 | | 2016 | | 2017 | | 2018 | | 2019 | | 2020 |
| The Toro Company | | $ | 100.00 |
| | $ | 141.28 |
| | $ | 149.87 |
| | $ | 185.47 |
| | $ | 239.34 |
| | $ | 317.72 |
| The Toro Company | | $ | 100.00 | | | $ | 129.05 | | | $ | 171.31 | | | $ | 155.54 | | | $ | 215.90 | | | $ | 233.04 | |
| S&P 500 | | 100.00 |
| | 127.18 |
| | 149.14 |
| | 156.89 |
| | 163.97 |
| | 202.72 |
| S&P 500 | | 100.00 | | | 104.51 | | | 129.21 | | | 138.70 | | | 158.57 | | | 173.97 | |
| Peer Group | | $ | 100.00 |
| | $ | 123.97 |
| | $ | 138.46 |
| | $ | 121.07 |
| | $ | 141.79 |
| | $ | 207.18 |
| Peer Group | | $ | 100.00 | | | $ | 117.23 | | | $ | 171.29 | | | $ | 157.55 | | | $ | 194.09 | | | $ | 224.15 | |
The industry peer group is based on companies previously included in the Fortune 500 Industrial and Farm Equipment Index, which was discontinued after 2002 and currently includes: AGCO Corporation, The Alpine Group, Briggs & Stratton Corporation, Caterpillar Inc., Crane Co., Cummins Inc., Deere & Company, Dover Corporation, Flowserve Corporation, General Cable Corporation, Harsco Corporation, Illinois Tool Works Inc., International Game Technology Plc, ITT Inc., Kennametal Inc., Lennox International Inc., NACCO Industries, Inc., Parker-Hannifin Corporation, Pentair Plc, Snap-On Inc., Teleflex Inc., Terex Corporation, and The Timken Company. Walter Energy Inc., whichBriggs & Stratton Corporation was previously included in the peer group but has been removedeliminated from the peer group due to a bankruptcy proceeding.its July 20, 2020 filing of voluntary petition for relief under chapter 11 of title 11 of the U.S. Code ("Bankruptcy Code") in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Eastern District of Missouri and its subsequent stock and asset sale pursuant to Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code to Bucephalus Buyer, LLC, an affiliate of KPS Capital Partners.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table presents our selected financial data for each of the fiscal years in the five-year period ended October 31, 2017.2020. The table should be read in conjunction with Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.10-K and the respective Annual Reports on Form 10-K for all preceding fiscal years presented herein.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 20201,2,3,4 | | 20194 | | 20185 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
| Consolidated Statements of Earnings data: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net sales | | $ | 3,378,810 | | | $ | 3,138,084 | | | $ | 2,618,650 | | | $ | 2,505,176 | | | $ | 2,392,175 | |
| Net earnings | | 329,701 | | | 273,983 | | | 271,939 | | | 267,717 | | | 230,994 | |
| Basic net earnings per share of common stock | | 3.06 | | | 2.57 | | | 2.56 | | | 2.47 | | | 2.10 | |
| Diluted net earnings per share of common stock | | $ | 3.03 | | | $ | 2.53 | | | $ | 2.50 | | | $ | 2.41 | | | $ | 2.06 | |
| Consolidated Balance Sheets data: | | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets3 | | $ | 2,853,228 | | | $ | 2,330,547 | | | $ | 1,570,984 | | | $ | 1,493,787 | | | $ | 1,384,572 | |
| Long-term debt, including current portion | | $ | 791,123 | | | $ | 700,813 | | | $ | 312,549 | | | $ | 331,887 | | | $ | 350,961 | |
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows data: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cash dividends per share of TTC common stock | | $ | 1.00 | | | $ | 0.90 | | | $ | 0.80 | | | $ | 0.70 | | | $ | 0.60 | |
1 Our Consolidated Statement of Earnings for fiscal 2020 includes incremental results from the acquisition of Venture Products from March 2, 2020, the date of acquisition, including charges incurred for acquisition-related purchase accounting adjustments and transaction and integration costs. Additionally, our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of October 31, 2020 includes the incremental assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with such acquisition. Refer to the sections entitled "Acquisition of Venture Products," "Results of Operations," and "Business Segments" included in Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and Note 2, Business Combinations, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding our acquisition of Venture Products and its impact to our business and fiscal 2020 Results of Operations and Consolidated Financial Statements.
2 Our Consolidated Statements of Earnings were adversely impacted by COVID-19 during fiscal 2020. Refer to the sections entitled "Impact of COVID-19," "Results of Operations," and "Business Segments" included in Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding COVID-19 and its impact on our business and Results of Operations.
3 Our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of October 31, 2020 was impacted by our adoption of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 842, Leases, on November 1, 2019. Upon adoption of ASC 842, we recorded $78.1 million of right-of-use assets and $77.1 million of corresponding lease liabilities within the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of November 1, 2019. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As permitted under the amended guidance, prior period amounts were not restated, but are and will continue to be reported under the legacy accounting guidance that was in effect for the respective prior periods. Refer to Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Related Data, included within Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding our adoption of ASC 842.
4 Our Consolidated Statements of Earnings for fiscal 2020 and 2019 include incremental results from the acquisition of CMW from April 1, 2019, the date of acquisition, including charges incurred for acquisition-related purchase accounting adjustments and transaction and integration costs. Additionally, our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2019 and 2020 include the incremental assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with such acquisition. Refer to the sections entitled "Acquisition of CMW," "Results of Operations," and "Business Segments" included in Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and Note 2, Business Combinations, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding our acquisition of CMW and its impact to our business and fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019 Results of Operations and Consolidated Financial Statements.
5 Net earnings and basic and diluted net earnings per share were significantly impacted by the enactment of the Tax Act during fiscal 2018. Refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, for additional information regarding U.S. Tax Reform and its impact to our fiscal 2018 Results of Operations.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data) Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 1 | | 2016 1 | | 2015 1,2 | | 2014 2 | | 2013 2 |
| OPERATING RESULTS: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net sales | | $ | 2,505,176 |
| | $ | 2,392,175 |
| | $ | 2,390,875 |
| | $ | 2,172,691 |
| | $ | 2,041,431 |
|
| Net sales growth from prior year | | 4.7 | % | | 0.1 | % | | 10.0 | % | | 6.4 | % | | 4.2 | % |
| Gross profit as a percentage of net sales | | 36.8 | % | | 36.6 | % | | 35.0 | % | | 35.6 | % | | 35.5 | % |
| Selling, general, and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales | | 22.6 | % | | 22.6 | % | | 22.5 | % | | 23.5 | % | | 24.2 | % |
| Operating earnings | | $ | 355,110 |
| | $ | 334,396 |
| | $ | 299,114 |
| | $ | 263,157 |
| | $ | 230,662 |
|
| As a percentage of net sales | | 14.2 | % | | 14.0 | % | | 12.5 | % | | 12.1 | % | | 11.3 | % |
| Net earnings | | $ | 267,717 |
| | $ | 230,994 |
| | $ | 201,591 |
| | $ | 173,870 |
| | $ | 154,845 |
|
| As a percentage of net sales | | 10.7 | % | | 9.7 | % | | 8.4 | % | | 8.0 | % | | 7.6 | % |
| Basic net earnings per share | | $ | 2.47 |
| | $ | 2.10 |
| | $ | 1.81 |
| | $ | 1.54 |
| | $ | 1.34 |
|
| Diluted net earnings per share | | $ | 2.41 |
| | $ | 2.06 |
| | $ | 1.78 |
| | $ | 1.51 |
| | $ | 1.31 |
|
| Return on average stockholders' equity | | 44.7 | % | | 43.0 | % | | 44.7 | % | | 45.3 | % | | 46.1 | % |
| SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL POSITION: | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Total assets3 | | $ | 1,493,787 |
| | $ | 1,384,572 |
| | $ | 1,300,429 |
| | $ | 1,188,904 |
| | $ | 993,432 |
|
Average net working capital as a percentage of net sales4 | | 13.8 | % | | 15.9 | % | | 16.0 | % | | 15.1 | % | | 16.6 | % |
Long-term debt, including current portion3 | | $ | 331,887 |
| | $ | 350,961 |
| | $ | 374,723 |
| | $ | 350,445 |
| | $ | 220,197 |
|
| Stockholders' equity | | $ | 617,092 |
| | $ | 550,035 |
| | $ | 462,165 |
| | $ | 408,727 |
| | $ | 358,738 |
|
| Debt-to-capitalization ratio | | 35.0 | % | | 39.0 | % | | 44.8 | % | | 47.6 | % | | 38.0 | % |
| CASH FLOW DATA: | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
Cash provided by operating activities5 | | $ | 360,748 |
| | $ | 384,285 |
| | $ | 249,592 |
| | $ | 196,894 |
| | $ | 234,352 |
|
| Purchases of Toro common stock | | $ | 159,354 |
| | $ | 109,986 |
| | $ | 105,964 |
| | $ | 101,674 |
| | $ | 98,842 |
|
| Cash dividends per share of Toro common stock | | $ | 0.70 |
| | $ | 0.60 |
| | $ | 0.50 |
| | $ | 0.40 |
| | $ | 0.28 |
|
| OTHER STATISTICAL DATA: | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Market price range: | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| High sales price | | $ | 73.86 |
| | $ | 49.50 |
| | $ | 37.91 |
| | $ | 33.68 |
| | $ | 29.75 |
|
| Low sales price | | $ | 46.37 |
| | $ | 32.35 |
| | $ | 30.10 |
| | $ | 27.88 |
| | $ | 20.12 |
|
| Average number of employees | | 6,853 |
| | 6,834 |
| | 6,682 |
| | 5,979 |
| | 5,002 |
|
| |
| The company's Consolidated Financial Statements include results of the BOSS business from November 14, 2014, the date of acquisition. |
| |
2
| Per share data and sales prices have been adjusted for prior periods presented to reflect the impact of the company's two-for-one stock split effective September 16, 2016. |
| |
3
| Amounts have been retrospectively adjusted due to the adoption of FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. For additional information regarding the adoption of ASU No. 2015-03, see Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, in the section entitled "New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted" included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this report.
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4
| Average net working capital is defined as average net accounts receivable plus net inventory, less accounts payable. |
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5
| Amounts have been retrospectively adjusted due to the adoption of FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Stock-based Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-based Payment Accounting and ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. For additional information regarding the adoptions of ASU No. 2016-09 and ASU No. 2016-15, see Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, in the section entitled "New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted" included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this report.
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") is intended to provide a reader of our financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of management on our financial condition, resultsFinancial Condition, Results of operations, liquidity,Operations, Liquidity, and certain other factors that may affect our future results. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the comparisons presented in this MD&A refer to the prior fiscal year. Our MD&A is presentedyear-over-year comparison of changes in five sections:
Company Overview
our Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Business Segments
as of and for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019. Discussion of fiscal 2018 items and the year-over-year comparison of changes in our Financial Position
Critical Accounting PoliciesCondition and Estimates
Results of Operations as of and for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2019 and October 31, 2018 can be found in Part II, Item 7, "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019. Statements that are not historical are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors"Factors," and elsewhere in this report.Annual Report on Form 10-K. These risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from any future performance suggested below.throughout this MD&A.
Our MD&A is presented as follows:
•Company Overview
•Results of Operations
•Business Segments
•Financial Position
•Non-GAAP Financial Measures
•Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Throughout this MD&A, we have provided non-GAAP financial measures, which are not calculated or presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as information supplemental and in addition to the most directly comparable financial measures presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We use these non-GAAP financial measures in making operating decisions because we believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our core operational performance and provide us with a better understanding of how to allocate resources to both ongoing and prospective business initiatives. Additionally, these non-GAAP financial measures facilitate our internal comparisons to both our historical operating results and to our competitors' operating results by factoring out potential differences caused by charges not related to our regular, ongoing business, including, without limitation, non-cash charges, certain large and unpredictable charges, acquisitions and dispositions, legal settlements, and tax positions.
We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, provide investors with useful supplemental financial information to better understand our core operational performance. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable reported U.S. GAAP financial measures are included in the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" within this MD&A. These non-GAAP financial measures, however, should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for, or as an alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures. Further, these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from similar measures used by other companies.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
The Toro Company is in the business of designing, manufacturing, and marketing professional turf maintenance equipment and services,services; turf irrigation systems,systems; landscaping equipment and lighting products,products; snow and ice management products, agricultural micro-irrigation systems,products; ag-irrigation systems; rental, specialty, and specialtyunderground construction equipment,equipment; and residential yard and snow thrower products. We sell our products worldwide through a network of distributors, dealers, mass retailers, hardware retailers, equipment rental centers, home centers, as well as online (direct to end-users). We classify our operations into three reportable business segments: Professional, Residential, and Distribution. Our Distribution segment, which consists of our wholly owned domestic distributorship, has been combined with our corporate activities and elimination of intersegment revenues and expenses and is presented as “Other."
We strive to provide innovative, well-built, and dependable products supported by an extensive service network. A significant portion of our net sales has historically been, and we expect will continue to be, attributable to new and enhanced products. We define new products as those introduced in the current and previous two fiscal years.
SharesWe classify our operations into two reportable business segments: Professional and per share data have been adjustedResidential. Our remaining activities are presented as "Other" due to their insignificance. Such Other activities consist of earnings (loss) from our wholly-owned domestic distribution companies, corporate activities, and the elimination of intersegment revenues and expenses.
Business Combinations
Acquisition of Venture Products
On March 2, 2020, during the second quarter of fiscal 2020, we completed our acquisition of Venture Products, a privately held Ohio corporation. Venture Products designs, manufactures, and markets articulating turf, landscape, and snow and ice management equipment for prior periods presented to reflect the impact of our two-for-one stock split effective September 16, 2016.
Summary of Fiscal 2017 Results
In fiscal 2017, we achieved net sales of $2,505.2 milliongrounds, landscape contractor, golf, municipal, and net earnings growth of 15.9 percent. Our fiscal 2017 results included the following items of significance:
Net sales for fiscal 2017 increased by 4.7 percent to $2,505.2 million when compared to fiscal 2016. The sales
increase was primarily attributable to strong demand forrural acreage customers and provides innovative product offerings that broadened and strengthened our Professional segment products, as well asand expanded our dealer network. We also acquired from an affiliate of Venture Products the successful introductionreal estate used by Venture Products. The total acquisition consideration was $163.2 million, of new innovative products in the Professional and Residential segments.
Professional segment net sales grew 6.2 percent in fiscal 2017 comparedwhich $25.0 million is expected to fiscal 2016.
Residential segment net sales increased 0.6 percent in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016.
International net sales for fiscal 2017 increasedbe paid by 5.6 percent compared to fiscal 2016 despite unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. International net sales comprised 24.4 percent of our total consolidated net sales in fiscal 2017 compared to 24.2 percent in fiscal 2016 and 25.5 percent in fiscal 2015.
Fiscal 2017 net earnings of $267.7 million increased 15.9 percent compared to fiscal 2016, and diluted net earnings per share increased 17.0 percent to $2.41 in fiscal 2017 compared to $2.06 in fiscal 2016.
Gross margin was 36.8 percent in fiscal 2017, an increase of 20 basis points from 36.6 percent in fiscal 2016.
Selling, general, and administrative ("SG&A") expense was up 4.7 percent in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016, or consistent at 22.6 percent as a percentage of net sales.
Receivables increased by 12.1 percent as of the end of fiscal 2017 compared2021 to the endformer Venture Products shareholders, subject to any indemnification claims. We funded the acquisition
consideration with borrowings under our revolving credit facility. For additional information regarding the end of fiscal 2017 comparedVenture Products acquisition and our revolving credit facility utilized to fund the end of fiscal 2016.
Our field inventory levels were up as of the end of fiscal 2017 compared to the end of fiscal 2016, mainly due to higher Professional segment field inventory levels primarily due to anticipated strong retail demand for early fiscal 2018.
We continued our history of paying quarterly cash dividends in fiscal 2017. We increased our fiscal 2017 quarterly cash dividend by 16.7 percent to $0.175 per share compared to our quarterly cash dividend in fiscal 2016 of $0.15 per share.
Pleaseaggregate consideration, refer to Note 2, Business Combinations, and Note 6, Indebtedness, in the sections entitled “Results of Operations", "Business Segments", and "Financial Position"Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 78, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this reportAnnual Report on Form 10-K.
Subsequent to the Venture Products closing date, results of operations for Venture Products have been included within our Professional reportable segment within our Consolidated Financial Statements. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, Venture Products results of operations had an incremental impact on our Professional segment net sales of $58.3 million. Venture Product's results of operations had an immaterial impact on Professional segment earnings for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020.
Acquisition of CMW
On April 1, 2019, during the second quarter of fiscal 2019, we completed our acquisition of CMW, a privately held Oklahoma corporation. CMW designs, manufactures, and markets a range of professional products to serve the underground construction market, including horizontal directional drills, walk and ride trenchers, stand-on skid steers, vacuum excavators, asset locators, pipe rehabilitation solutions, and after-market tools. CMW provides innovative product offerings that broadened and strengthened our Professional segment product portfolio and expanded our dealer network, while also providing a complementary geographic manufacturing footprint. The total acquisition consideration was $685.0 million, which we funded by using a combination of cash proceeds from the issuance of borrowings under our unsecured senior term loan credit agreement and borrowings from our revolving credit facility. For additional details concerninginformation regarding the CMW acquisition and financing agreements utilized to fund the aggregate merger consideration, refer to Note 2, Business Combinations, and Note 6, Indebtedness, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Subsequent to the CMW closing date, results of operations for CMW are included within our Professional reportable segment within our Consolidated Financial Statements. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, CMW's results of operations had an incremental impact on our Professional segment net sales and segment earnings of $291.8 million and $19.4 million, respectively.
Impact of COVID-19
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the U.S. and the rest of the world and has negatively impacted portions of the global economy, disrupted global supply chains, and created volatility in financial resultsmarkets. COVID-19 caused government authorities
around the world to implement stringent measures to attempt to help control the spread of the virus, including business shutdowns and curtailments, travel restrictions, prohibitions on group events and gatherings, quarantines, "shelter-in-place" and "stay-at-home" orders, curfews, social distancing, and other measures. The adverse global economic impact of this pandemic has had a material impact on parts of our business, as well as our customers and suppliers, and caused many challenges for 2017.
Destination PRIMEour business and manufacturing operations during fiscal 2020, some of which we expect to continue in fiscal 2021. As of October 31, 2020, many jurisdictions around the world had eased restrictions, as compared to the initial onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, in an effort to reopen their economies and global economic activity had begun to stabilize and gradually recover. However, subsequent to October 31, 2020, several jurisdictions around the world have begun to again implement and increase restrictions in an effort to curb the spread of the virus amid rising case numbers worldwide. The ultimate longevity of these restrictions, the future of these restrictions, and the ultimate impact on our business, operations, and Results of Operations, Financial Position, and Cash Flows is unknown at this time.
Our multi-yearmain focus from the beginning of the pandemic has been, and will continue to be, the health, safety, and well-being of our employees, customers, suppliers and communities around the world. In support of continuing our global manufacturing and business operations, we have adopted, and continue to adhere to, rigorous and meaningful safety measures recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and federal, state, local, and foreign authorities in an effort to protect our employees, customers, suppliers, and communities. These important safety measures enacted at our facilities and other sites include, but are not limited to, implementing social distancing protocols such as the reconfiguration of manufacturing processes and other workspaces, instituting work from home arrangements for those employees that do not need to be physically present at our facilities and sites to perform their job responsibilities, suspending non-essential travel, extensively and frequently disinfecting our facilities and workspaces, suspending non-essential visitors, and providing or accommodating the wearing of face coverings and other sanitary measures to those employees who must be physically present at our facilities and sites to perform their job responsibilities and where face coverings are required by government mandates. We expect to continue such safety measures until we determine that COVID-19 is adequately contained for purposes of our global manufacturing and business operations and we may take further actions as government authorities require or recommend or as we determine to be in the best interests of our employees, customers, suppliers, and communities. For fiscal 2020, we also adopted a special COVID-19 employee leave policy that provided for two weeks of pay for employees who contracted the virus, were involuntarily quarantined because of the virus, or were
without work due to changes in our production schedules as a result of the virus.
In addition to our vigilant safety measures, we have also maintained our focus on our responsibility to meet the needs of our customers as we supply products that are critical to maintaining essential infrastructure globally, agricultural food production, and the enablement of safe areas for outdoor spaces. Government mandated shutdowns or curtailments generally exclude certain essential businesses and services, including businesses that manufacture and sell products that are considered essential to daily lives or otherwise operate in essential or critical sectors. Our operations have been and continue to be considered essential under applicable government mandated orders relating to COVID-19 allowing us to continue our global manufacturing and business operations since the beginning of the pandemic during fiscal 2020 and through the date of the filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. While we continued manufacturing our products and our facilities have remained largely operational during fiscal 2020, we experienced intermittent partial or full factory closures during timeframes that have historically been considered peak production periods for our manufacturing operations and such intermittent partial or full factory closures deviated from the historical timeframes in which our typical planned periodic production shutdowns have historically occurred. As a result, we experienced various degrees of manufacturing inefficiencies and disruptions above and beyond the historical levels of manufacturing inefficiencies and disruptions experienced. The intermittent partial or full factory closures were largely driven by reduced demand for products in certain of our Professional segment businesses, the reconfiguration of our manufacturing processes in order to implement and adhere to social distancing protocols and other safety measures, and government mandated business curtailment measures. Such manufacturing inefficiencies and intermittent partial or full facility closures adversely impacted our gross margins during fiscal 2020 and may continue to adversely impact our gross margins going forward. Additionally, as of the date of the filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we have not experienced any significant impacts to our global manufacturing operations due to disruptions in our global supply chain as a result of COVID-19. Although we regularly monitor the adequacy of supply and financial health of the companies in our supply chain, financial hardship and/or government mandated restrictions on our suppliers caused by COVID-19, the loss of supplier workforce due to the spread of COVID-19 and the related contact tracing quarantine or otherwise, and/or the inability of companies throughout our supply chain to deliver on supply commitments, requirements, and/or demands as a result of COVID-19 or otherwise, could cause a disruption in our ability to procure the commodities, components, and parts required to manufacture our products. Ongoing communications continue with our suppliers in an attempt to identify and mitigate such risks and to proactively manage inventory levels of commodities, components, and parts to align with anticipated demand for our products and other government
actions. We currently expect our global manufacturing facilities to remain operational through fiscal 2021; however, such expectation is dependent upon future events and circumstances related to COVID-19, including, but not limited to, future government mandates and restrictions, demand for our products, supply chain stability, and our ability to adequately staff our manufacturing and/or other business processes due to the spread of COVID-19 and the related contact tracing and quarantine.
During fiscal 2020, while we benefited from incremental net sales from our CMW and Venture Products acquisitions, we experienced softer demand from channel partners in certain of our Professional segment businesses. Most notably, our golf and grounds; rental, specialty, and underground construction; and landscape contractor businesses were affected by COVID-19. Reduced demand for our golf and grounds products continued as a result of the curtailment and closure of certain business activities for golf courses and municipalities across the globe resulting in lower overall revenues and budget constraints and a preference for repairs and deferrals over new equipment purchases. Our rental, specialty, and underground construction business experienced reduced demand as a result of curtailed investments by end-customers in the oil and gas and construction industries. Our landscape contractor business experienced reduced channel demand throughout the first and second quarters of fiscal 2020 primarily due to channel partners aligning field inventory levels with anticipated reduced retail demand from end-customers. However, through the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2020, we experienced stronger than anticipated retail demand for our landscape contractor zero-turn riding mowers, resulting in decreased field inventory levels as of October 31, 2020 as compared to October 31, 2019. We currently expect the reduced demand in certain of our Professional segment businesses to continue throughout fiscal 2021, particularly if the global economy destabilizes or worsens. Contrary to the adverse impact experienced in certain of our Professional segment businesses as a result of COVID-19, our Residential segment experienced strong retail demand during fiscal 2020 for zero-turn riding mowers and walk power mowers, which we believe was partially due to our new and enhanced walk power mower and zero-turn riding mower product offerings coupled with the impacts of COVID-19 as end-customers were subject to government mandated "shelter-in-place" and "stay-at-home" orders, among other reasons, and experienced favorable weather conditions for property enhancement and maintenance activities in key regions of the globe. While the strong retail demand experienced in our Residential segment is a positive event in light of COVID-19, the shift to a greater percentage of Residential segment net sales as a percentage of consolidated net sales adversely impacted our gross margins for fiscal 2020 and we expect it will continue to adversely impact our gross margins in fiscal 2021.
In an effort to minimize the anticipated adverse impacts of COVID-19 on our fiscal 2020 Results of Operations, Financial Position, and Cash Flows as a result of lower
demand we experienced in certain of our Professional segment businesses, we took certain meaningful cost reduction measures across our organization to align our costs with the lower sales volumes experienced in fiscal 2020. These cost reduction measures included adjusting production levels to align with anticipated sales volumes; enacting tiered salary reductions and suspending merit-based salary increases and discretionary retirement fund contributions for the remainder of fiscal 2020; reducing discretionary spending; limiting hiring of new employees; and delaying, reducing, or eliminating purchased services. We currently expect to continue certain of these cost reduction measures for portions or all of fiscal 2021, including adjusting production levels to align with anticipated sales volumes and continuing to prudently manage our expenses. Additionally, during fiscal 2020, we proactively managed our working capital through various measures, including, but not limited to, refinancing outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility with the net proceeds from a new three-year term loan for $190.0 million, which also added incremental liquidity; reducing capital expenditures; continuing the curtailment of share repurchases under our Board authorized repurchase plan; adjusting production levels to manage finished goods inventory levels to align with anticipated sales volumes; aligning commodity, component, and parts inventory purchases with production levels; and monitoring and participating in government economic stabilization efforts and certain legislative provisions, such as deferring certain tax payments, as applicable. Although we implemented these working capital management measures, we continued to pay our quarterly cash dividend to shareholders during fiscal 2020 and we expect to continue paying our quarterly cash dividend to shareholders in fiscal 2021, as evidenced by our December 1, 2020 declaration of our fiscal 2021 first quarter cash dividend. As a result of our cost reduction and working capital management measures, our balance sheet and liquidity profile remained strong with available liquidity of $1,077.4 million as of October 31, 2020.
Significant uncertainty still exists concerning the impact and duration of COVID-19. We intend to continue to monitor the situation and the guidance from global government authorities, as well as federal, state, local and foreign public health authorities, and may take additional meaningful actions based on their requirements and recommendations in an attempt to protect the health and well-being of our employees, customers, suppliers, and communities. In these circumstances, there may be developments outside our control requiring us to adjust our operating plan and implement cost reduction measures and such developments could occur rapidly. If the adverse impacts from COVID-19 continue for an extended period of time or worsen, our business and related Results of Operations, Financial Position, or Cash Flows could continue to be adversely impacted. Sustained adverse impacts to our business and certain suppliers or customers may also affect the future valuation of certain of our assets and therefore, may increase the likelihood of a charge related to an impairment, write-off, valuation adjustment, or reserve associated with such assets,
including, but not limited to, goodwill, indefinite and finite-lived intangible assets, inventories, accounts receivable, deferred income taxes, and property, plant and equipment. Such a charge could be material to our future Results of Operations, Financial Position, or Cash Flows. For additional information regarding risks associated with COVID-19, refer to Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Vision 2020
Our previous three-year employee initiative, "Destination PRIME,"Vision 2020," which began with our 20152018 fiscal year, continued our journey into our second century. Fiscal 2017 was our final year of this three-year initiative, which was intended to help us drive revenue and earnings growth and further improve productivity, while also continuing our century-long commitment to innovation, relationships, and excellence. Through our Destination PRIME initiative, we strove to achieve organic revenue growth, operating earnings, and working capital goals.
Organic Revenue Growth
Our organic revenue growth goal was to achieve five percent or more organic revenue growth each fiscal year during this initiative. For purposes of this goal, we defined organic revenue
growth as the increase in net sales, less net sales from acquisitions that occurred in the current fiscal year.
In fiscal years 2017, 2016, and 2015, we fell short of this goal by achieving 4.2 percent, 0.1 percent, and 4.1 percent organic revenue growth, respectively.
Operating Earnings
Our operating earnings goal was to raise operating earnings as a percentage of net sales to more than 13 percent by the end of fiscal 2017. We achieved this goal as we realized 14.2 percent of operating earnings as a percentage of net sales by the end of fiscal 2017.
Working Capital
Our working capital goal was to drive down average net working capital as a percentage of net sales to 13 percent or less by the end of fiscal 2017. We define average net working capital as net accounts receivable plus net inventory, less accounts payable as a percentage of net sales for a twelve month period. Our average net working capital as a percentage of net sales was 13.8 percent at the end of fiscal 2017.
New Three-Year Initiative
Our new multi-year initiative, "Vision 2020", will focusfocused on driving profitable growth with an emphasis on innovation and serving our customers, whichcustomers. Through the first two fiscal years of our Vision 2020 initiative, we believe will generate further momentum for the organization. We have set specific financial goals, intended to help us drivewhich included organic revenue and operating earnings growth. While there is not a specific goal for working capital inAfter our newtransformational acquisition of CMW and before the COVID-19 outbreak, we changed the focus of our third and final fiscal year of our Vision 2020 initiative it isto a revised enterprise-wide performance goal of achieving non-GAAP operating earnings of $485.0 million. As a result of COVID-19 and its global impact that adversely affected our intent to maintainfiscal 2020 Results of Operations, we did not meet this enterprise-wide performance goal for fiscal 2020 with non-GAAP operating earnings of $433.4 million; however, we believe our Vision 2020 employee initiative generated further momentum for the progress we madeorganization through our previousemphasis on innovation and serving our customers.
New One-Year Employee Initiative
Significant uncertainty still exists concerning the duration of COVID-19 and its impact on the global economy, supply chains, and financial markets. However, we recognize the need for employee initiatives that are aligned with defined enterprise financial goals. As a result, we have implemented a new one-year employee initiative, "Power Forward," which is intended to help us drive revenue and to not lose sight of this important metric.
Organic Revenue Growth
We intend to pursue strategicoperating earnings growth of our existing businesses and product categories with an organic revenue goal. One of ourwill focus on enterprise-wide performance goals of our new Vision 2020 initiative is to achieve at least five percent or more organic revenue growth each of the three fiscal years of this initiative. For purposes of this goal, we define organic revenue growth as the increase in net sales lessof $3.7 billion and non-GAAP operating earnings of $485.0 million for fiscal 2021.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Summary of Fiscal 2020 Results
Our fiscal 2020 results included the following items of significance:
•Worldwide consolidated net sales from acquisitions that occurredfor fiscal 2020 were $3,378.8 million, an increase of 7.7 percent compared to $3,138.1 million in the current fiscal year.2019.
Operating Earnings•Professional segment net sales for fiscal 2020 were $2,523.5 million, an increase of 3.3 percent compared to $2,443.4 million in fiscal 2019.
Additionally, as part•Residential segment net sales for fiscal 2020 were $820.7 million, an increase of our new Vision24.1 percent compared to $661.3 million in fiscal 2019.
•Gross margin was 35.2 percent in fiscal 2020 initiative growth goals, we have setcompared to 33.4 percent in fiscal 2019, an operating earnings goalincrease of 180 basis points.
•Non-GAAP gross margin was 35.4 percent in fiscal 2020 compared to 35.1 percent in fiscal 2019, an increase operating earningsof 30 basis points.
•SG&A expense as a percentage of net sales in fiscal 2020 was 22.6 percent compared to 15.523.0 percent in fiscal 2019, an improvement of 40 basis points.
•Net earnings for fiscal 2020 were $329.7 million, or higher$3.03 per diluted share, compared to $274.0 million, or $2.53 per diluted share, in fiscal 2019.
•Non-GAAP net earnings for fiscal 2020 were $327.7 million, or $3.02 per diluted share, compared to $324.3 million, or $3.00 per diluted share, in fiscal 2019.
•We continued our history of paying quarterly cash dividends in fiscal 2020. We increased our fiscal 2020 quarterly cash dividend by 11.1 percent to $0.25 per share compared to our fiscal 2019 quarterly cash dividend of $0.225 per share.
•Field inventory levels were lower as of the end of fiscal 2020.2020 compared to the end of fiscal 2019, primarily as a result of reduced Professional segment field inventory in our landscape contractor business as channel partners experienced stronger than anticipated retail demand throughout the turf management season and into the fall, as well as decreased field inventory in our golf and grounds business as our channel partners aligned field inventory levels with softer than anticipated retail demand for our products in fiscal 2020 as a result of the adverse impact of COVID-19 on golf courses and municipalities.
Please refer to the remaining portions of this "Results of Operations" section, as well as the sections entitled "Business Segments" and "Financial Position" within this MD&A, for more specific disclosures regarding the above items of significance and additional details concerning our Financial Condition, Results of Operations, and Liquidity for fiscal 2020. Additionally, refer to the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" within this MD&A for reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable reported U.S. GAAP financial measures.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONSOverview
The following table summarizes our resultsResults of operationsOperations as a percentage of our consolidated net sales:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Net sales | | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % |
| Cost of sales | | (64.8) | | | (66.6) | | | (64.1) | |
| Gross margin | | 35.2 | | | 33.4 | | | 35.9 | |
| SG&A expense | | (22.6) | | | (23.0) | | | (21.7) | |
| Operating earnings | | 12.6 | | | 10.4 | | | 14.2 | |
| Interest expense | | (1.0) | | | (0.9) | | | (0.7) | |
| Other income, net | | 0.4 | | | 0.8 | | | 0.7 | |
| Earnings before income taxes | | 12.0 | | | 10.3 | | | 14.2 | |
| Provision for income taxes | | (2.2) | | | (1.6) | | | (3.8) | |
| Net earnings | | 9.8 | % | | 8.7 | % | | 10.4 | % |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Net sales | | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % |
| Cost of sales | | (63.2 | ) | | (63.4 | ) | | (65.0 | ) |
| Gross margin | | 36.8 |
| | 36.6 |
| | 35.0 |
|
| SG&A expense | | (22.6 | ) | | (22.6 | ) | | (22.5 | ) |
| Operating earnings | | 14.2 |
| | 14.0 |
| | 12.5 |
|
| Interest expense | | (0.8 | ) | | (0.8 | ) | | (0.8 | ) |
| Other income, net | | 0.7 |
| | 0.6 |
| | 0.4 |
|
| Provision for income taxes | | (3.4 | ) | | (4.1 | ) | | (3.7 | ) |
| Net earnings | | 10.7 | % | | 9.7 | % | | 8.4 | % |
Fiscal 2017 Compared with Fiscal 2016
Net Sales
Worldwide consolidated net sales in fiscal 20172020 were $2,505.2$3,378.8 million compared to $2,392.2$3,138.1 million in fiscal 2016,2019, an increase of 4.77.7 percent. This net sales increase was primarily attributable todriven by the following factors:
Increased•incremental net sales ofin our Professional segment products wereas a result of our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products;
•incremental shipments of our Residential segment zero-turn riding mowers and walk power mowers primarily driven from the successful introductionas a result of our expanded mass retail channel; and
•strong retail demand for our Residential segment zero-turn riding mowers and walk power mowers primarily due to a combination of new and enhanced products, favorable weather in key regions, and strong demand forcustomer focus on the care of their homes due to COVID-19.
Somewhat offsetting these increases were the following items:
•fewer shipments of our golf and grounds equipment successful introductionas a result of the curtailment and closure of certain business activities for golf courses and municipalities across the globe primarily as a result of COVID-19 resulting in lower overall revenues and budget constraints and a preference for repairs and deferrals over new landscape contractor equipment continued growth in our rental and specialty construction businesses, increasedpurchases;
•fewer shipments of our snowlandscape contractor zero-turn riding mowers during the first and ice management products, andsecond quarters of fiscal 2020 as our acquisitionchannel partners aligned field inventory levels with anticipated reduced retail demand from end-customers at the onset of the Perrot irrigation businessCOVID-19 outbreak; and
•reduced sales volumes for our rental, specialty, and underground construction equipment products as a result of curtailed investments by end-customers in the first quarteroil and gas and construction industries primarily as a result of fiscal 2017.
Increased sales of Residential segment products were primarily due to increased demand for our Pope-branded irrigation products and increased shipments of snow products, partially offset by decreased shipments of zero-turn radius riding mowers.COVID-19.
Net sales in international markets increased by 5.6 percentwere $678.1 million for fiscal 2020 compared to $724.9 million in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016, mainly due to strong demand for our golf and grounds equipment, our acquisition2019, a decrease of the Perrot irrigation business, and increased demand for our Pope-branded irrigation products, partially offset by fluctuations6.5 percent. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates that reducedresulted in a decrease in our total net sales by approximately $3.3of $6.4 million in fiscal 2017.2020. This decrease in international net sales was primarily due to the unfavorable impacts of COVID-19 resulting in decreased shipments of golf and grounds and irrigation equipment, partially offset by incremental sales as a result of our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products.
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Gross marginprofit represents gross profit (netnet sales less cost of sales)sales and gross margin represents gross profit as a percentage of net sales. SeeRefer to Note 1,Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Related Data, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements inwithin the section entitled "Cost of Sales," included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data"Data," of this reportAnnual Report on Form 10-K for a description of expenses included in cost of sales. Gross profit for fiscal 2020 was $1,189.8 million, up 13.5 percent compared to gross profit of $1,048.0 million in fiscal 2019.
Gross margin increased by 20 basis points to 36.8was 35.2 percent in fiscal 2017 from 36.62020 compared to 33.4 percent in fiscal 2016.2019, an increase of 180 basis points. This increase in gross margin was primarily driven by the following factors:
•the favorable impact of strategic productivity and synergy initiatives,
•decreased charges related to purchase accounting adjustments for the fiscal 2020 acquisition of Venture Products as compared to the fiscal 2019 acquisition of CMW, and
•favorable net price realization within our Professional segment.
Partially offsetting those favorable gross margin factors were the following:
•unfavorable product mix primarily due to higher sales of our Residential segment products as a percentage of total consolidated net sales and
•manufacturing inefficiencies as a result of the COVID-19-related reconfiguration of certain of our manufacturing processes in order to implement social distancing protocols within our facilities, adjusting production levels within our manufacturing facilities to align with anticipated sales volumes, and COVID-19-related facilities closures.
Non-GAAP gross profit was $1,194.6 million, up 8.5 percent compared to non-GAAP gross profit of $1,101.2 million in fiscal 2019. Non-GAAP gross margin was 35.4 percent in fiscal 2020 compared to 35.1 percent in fiscal 2019, an increase of 30 basis points. This non-GAAP gross margin increase was mainly driven by:
•the favorable impact of strategic productivity and synergy initiatives and
•favorable net price realization within our Professional segment.
Partially offsetting those favorable non-GAAP gross margin factors were the following:
•unfavorable product mix primarily due to higher sales of our Residential segment products as a percentage of total consolidated net sales and
•manufacturing inefficiencies as a result of the following factors:COVID-19-related reconfiguration of certain of our manufacturing processes in order to implement social distancing protocols within our facilities, adjusting production levels within our manufacturing facilities to align with anticipated sales volumes, and COVID-19-related facilities closures.
Non-GAAP gross profit and non-GAAP gross margin exclude the impact of acquisition-related costs related to our acquisitions of Venture Products and CMW, including charges incurred for the take-down of the inventory fair value step-up amounts resulting from purchase accounting adjustments in both acquisitions and the amortization of the backlog intangible asset resulting from purchase accounting adjustments for the CMW acquisition. Non-GAAP gross
Favorable operational productivity dueprofit and non-GAAP gross margin also exclude the impact of management actions, including charges incurred for inventory write-downs, inventory retail support activities, and accelerated depreciation of fixed assets related to production efficienciesthe Toro underground wind down and Lean method initiatives.restructuring charges incurred for our fiscal 2019 corporate restructuring event. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable reported U.S. GAAP financial measures are included in the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" within this MD&A.
Favorable segment mix from a higher mix of Professional segment product sales.
Somewhat offsetting those favorable factors were:
Higher costs of commodities, primarily steel and resin.
Higher freight costs.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense
SG&A expense increased $25.5$40.5 million, or 4.75.6 percent, in fiscal 20172020 compared to fiscal 2016. See2019. Refer to Note 1,Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Related Data, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements inwithin the section entitled "Selling, General and Administrative Expense,"Expense" included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data"Data," of this reportAnnual Report on Form 10-K for a description of expenses included in SG&A expense. The SG&A expense rate represents SG&A expense as a percentage of net sales. The SG&A expense rate in fiscal 2017 stayed consistent with the2020 was 22.6 percent compared to 23.0 percent in fiscal 2019, an improvement of 40 basis points. This SG&A expense rate improvement was primarily driven by:
•reduced administrative costs as a result of proactive measures taken to mitigate the adverse impacts of COVID-19, including tiered salary reductions and the suspension of discretionary retirement fund contributions and employee merit-based salary increases during fiscal 2020,
•lower integration and transaction costs incurred for our acquisition of Venture Products in fiscal 2016 at 22.6 percent. As a percentage2020 as compared to our acquisition of net sales,CMW in fiscal 2019, and
•reduced restructuring costs due to our fiscal 2019 corporate restructuring event.
These favorable SG&A expense rate was mainly impacted by decreased administrativefactors were partially offset by:
•incremental warranty and engineering costs as a result of our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products,
•higher warranty costs in certain of our Professional segment businesses, and
•a discretionary employee recognition bonus.
Interest Expense
Interest expense primarily dueconsists of interest costs incurred on outstanding borrowings related to favorable health care claims experience in fiscal 2017, offset, in large part, by higher incentive expense due to improved company performance in fiscal 2017.
Interest Expense
our fixed and variable interest rate debt arrangements, as well as amortization of the debt issuance costs associated with our debt arrangements. Interest expense for fiscal 2017 decreased $0.22020 increased $4.3 million compared to fiscal 2016.2019. This increase was due to higher average outstanding borrowings under our debt arrangements as a result of our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products, partially offset by the reduction in LIBOR as a result of the impact of COVID-19 on the global capital markets.
Other Income, Net
Other income, net consists mainly of our proportionate share of income or losses from equity investments (fromour Red Iron),Iron joint venture, realized foreign currency exchange rate gains and losses, litigation settlementsinterest and recoveries, interest income, dividend income, gains or losses recognized on actuarial valuation changes for our pension and post-retirement plans, retail financing revenue, and other miscellaneous income. Refer to Note 17, Other Income, Net, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding the components of other income, and retail financing revenue. net.
Other income, net for fiscal 20172020 was $17.2$13.9 million compared to $15.4$25.9 million in fiscal 2016, an increase2019, a decrease of $1.8$12.1 million. The increasedecrease in other income, net was primarily due to higherthe following factors:
•a realized gain on actuarial valuation changes for our pension and post-retirement plans recognized in fiscal 2019 that did not reoccur in fiscal 2020 and a settlement charge incurred for the termination of our U.S. defined benefit pension plan during fiscal 2020;
•lower income from our equity investment in Red Iron joint venture as a result of $2.0 million, foreign currency contract exchange gains of $0.6 million,the amendments to certain agreements pertaining to the joint venture, the reduction in LIBOR, and higherlower sales volume; and
•lower interest income of $0.5 million,on marketable securities.
These decreases were partially offset by a fiscal 2016 litigation recovery that was not repeatedlegal charges recognized in fiscal 2017 of $1.3 million.2019 that did not reoccur in fiscal 2020.
Provision for Income Taxes
The effective tax rate for fiscal 20172020 was 24.219.0 percent compared to 30.114.9 percent in fiscal 2016.2019. The decreaseincrease in the effective tax rate for fiscal 2020 was driven by the following factors:
•fewer favorable discrete items, including tax benefits recorded as excess tax deductions for stock-based compensation,
•lower foreign-derived intangible income tax benefits in fiscal 2020 as compared to fiscal 2019, and
•increased earnings in less favorable tax jurisdictions.
The non-GAAP effective tax rate for fiscal 2020 was 20.9 percent, compared to a non-GAAP effective tax rate of 19.3 percent in fiscal 2019. The increase in the non-GAAP effective tax rate or fiscal 2020 was primarily driven by the result of the adoption of ASU 2016-09following factors:
•lower foreign-derived intangible income tax benefits in fiscal 2017, which resulted2020 as compared to fiscal 2019 and
•increased earnings in less favorable tax jurisdictions.
The non-GAAP effective tax rate excludes the impact of acquisition-related costs related to our acquisitions of Venture Products and CMW, including charges incurred related to certain purchase accounting adjustments and integration and transaction costs; the impact of management actions, including the charges related to the Toro
underground wind down, our fiscal 2019 corporate restructuring event, and the divestiture of a used underground construction equipment business; the impact of discrete tax benefitbenefits recorded as excess tax deductions for stock-based compensation; and one-time charges incurred under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Reconciliations of $19.7 million.non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable reported U.S. GAAP financial measures are included in the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" within this MD&A.
Net Earnings and Net Earnings per Diluted Share
Fiscal 20172020 net earnings were $267.7$329.7 million compared to $231.0$274.0 million in fiscal 2016,2019, an increase of 15.920.3 percent. Fiscal 20172020 diluted net earnings per share were $2.41,$3.03, an increase of 17.019.8 percent from $2.06$2.53 per diluted share in fiscal 2016.2019. The primary factors contributingnet earnings increase for fiscal 2020 was primarily driven by the following factors:
•the favorable impact of strategic productivity and synergy initiatives,
•decreased purchase accounting charges and integration and transaction costs for our fiscal 2020 acquisition of Venture Products as compared to our fiscal 2019 acquisition of CMW,
•favorable net price realization within our Professional segment, and
•reduced administrative costs as a result of proactive measures taken the mitigate the adverse impacts of COVID-19.
The net earnings increase was a lower effective tax rate, mainly drivenpartially offset by the adoption of ASU
2016-09 in fiscal 2017, along with net sales and gross margin improvement.
Fiscal 2016 Compared with Fiscal 2015
Net Sales
Worldwide net sales in fiscal 2016 were $2,392.2 million compared to $2,390.9 million in fiscal 2015, an increase of 0.1 percent. This net sales increase was primarily attributable to the following factors:
Increased sales of Professional segment products were driven by (i) higher shipments and demand for golf, landscape contractor, and rental and specialty equipment products•unfavorable product mix primarily due to continued market growth and increased demand for our innovative product offerings and the successful introduction of new products, and (ii) our micro-irrigation and irrigation product sales increased mainly due to improved product placement and higher project sales, partially offset by lower sales of snow and ice management products primarily due to decreased pre-season demand.
Decreased sales of Residential segment products were mainly driven by lower sales and pre-season retail demand for snow thrower products, decreased shipments of zero-turn radius riding mowers, and unfavorable weather conditions in many of our markets, partially offset by increased sales of our walk power mowers mainly due to strong shipments driven by our innovative product offerings and favorable growing season weather in key markets.
Net sales in international markets decreased by 5.1 percent in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 due to unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations that reduced our total net sales by approximately $30.6 million in fiscal 2016.
Gross Margin
Gross margin increased by 160 basis points to 36.6 percent in fiscal 2016 from 35.0 percent in fiscal 2015. This increase was mainly the result of the following factors:
Lower costs of commodities, primarily steel and resin, and favorable operational productivity.
FavorableResidential segment mix from a higher mix of Professional segment product sales, which generally carry higher gross margins.
Somewhat offsetting those positive factors were unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expense
SG&A expense increased $3.4 million, or 0.6 percent, in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015. SG&A expense rate in fiscal 2016 increased 10 basis points to 22.6 percent compared to 22.5 percent in fiscal 2015. Our SG&A expense rate was primarily impacted by the following factorsproducts as a percentage of total consolidated net sales:
•manufacturing inefficiencies as a result of COVID-19;
Continued investments in engineering and new product development.
Increased warranty expense driven by higher claims experience for fiscal 2016.
Somewhat offsetting those increases were:
Decreased incentive expense due to actual performance against specified goals.
Decreased administrative expense.
Interest Expense
Interest expense for fiscal 2016 increased $0.6 million compared to fiscal 2015.
Other Income, Net
Other income for fiscal 2016 was $15.4 million compared to $10.7 million in fiscal 2015, an increase of $4.7 million. The increase in•lower other income, net, was primarily due to foreign currency contract exchange gainsas a result of $1.8 million,the gain recognized on actuarial valuation changes for our pension and post-retirement plans recognized in fiscal 2019 that did not reoccur in fiscal 2020 and a settlement charge incurred for the termination of our U.S. defined benefit pension plan during fiscal 2016 litigation recovery of $1.3 million, and higher earnings from our equity investment in2020, as well as lower Red Iron of $1.2 million.income; and
Provision for Income Taxes
The•a higher effective tax rate for fiscal 2016 was 30.1 percent2020 as compared to 30.7 percentfiscal 2019 primarily due to fewer favorable discrete items, including tax benefits recorded as excess tax deductions for stock-based compensation, lower foreign-derived intangible income tax benefits in fiscal 2015. The decrease was primarily the result of more2020 as compared to fiscal 2019, and increased earnings in less favorable one-time adjustments relatedtax jurisdictions in fiscal 2020 as compared to prior years, and the permanent extension of the federal research credit.fiscal 2019.
Net Earnings
Fiscal 2016Non-GAAP net earnings for fiscal 2020 were $231.0$327.7 million, or $3.02 per diluted share, compared to $201.6$324.3 million, or $3.00 per diluted share, in fiscal 2015,2019, an increase of 14.6 percent. Fiscal 20160.7 percent per diluted net earnings per share were $2.06, an increase of 15.7 percent from $1.78 per share in fiscal 2015.share. The primary factors contributing to thenon-GAAP net earnings increase were gross margin improvementfor fiscal 2020 was primarily driven by:
•the favorable impact of strategic productivity and synergy initiatives;
•favorable net price realization within our Professional segment; and
•reduced administrative costs as a decrease in our effective tax rate. However, these improvementsresult of proactive measures taken the mitigate the adverse impacts of COVID-19.
These increases to non-GAAP net earnings were partially offset by an increasethe following factors:
•unfavorable product mix primarily due to higher sales of our Residential segment products as a percentage of total consolidated net sales;
•manufacturing inefficiencies as a result of COVID-19;
•lower other income, net, primarily as a result of the gain recognized on actuarial valuation changes for our pension and post-retirement plans recognized in fiscal 2019 that did not reoccur in fiscal 2020 and a settlement charge incurred for the termination of our U.S. defined benefit pension plan during fiscal 2020, as well as lower Red Iron income; and
•a higher effective tax rate for fiscal 2020 as compared to fiscal 2019, primarily due to lower foreign-derived intangible income tax benefits and increased earnings in less favorable tax jurisdictions in fiscal 2020 as compared to fiscal 2019.
Non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP net earnings per diluted share exclude the impact of acquisition-related costs related to our acquisitions of Venture Products and CMW, including charges incurred related to certain purchase accounting adjustments and integration and transaction costs; the impact of management actions, including charges incurred for inventory write-downs related to the Toro underground wind down, our fiscal 2019 corporate restructuring event, and the divestiture of a used underground construction equipment business; the impact of discrete tax benefits recorded as excess tax deductions for stock-based compensation; and one-time charges incurred under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable reported U.S. GAAP financial measures are included in the section titled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" within this MD&A.
Commodity Cost Changes
Commodities, components, parts, and accessories purchased for use in our SG&A expense.manufacturing process and end-products or to be sold as stand-alone end-products are exposed to commodity cost changes. These changes may be affected by several factors, including, for example, as a result of inflation, tariffs, duties, foreign currency fluctuations, the inability of suppliers to absorb incremental costs resulting from COVID-19 related inefficiencies, continue operations or otherwise remain in business as a result of COVID-19 financial difficulties, or otherwise, changes to international trade policies, agreements, and/or regulation and competitor activity, including antidumping and countervailing duty petitions on certain products imported from foreign countries, including current petitions regarding certain engines imported into the U.S. from China. During fiscal 2020, the average cost of commodities, components, parts, and accessories
purchased, including the impact of inflation and tariff costs, was lower compared to the average cost of commodities, components, parts, and accessories purchased in fiscal 2019. The decrease in the average cost of commodities, components, parts, and accessories had a slightly favorable impact on our gross margins during fiscal 2020 as compared to fiscal 2019.
In any given year, we strategically work to mitigate any potential unfavorable impact as a result of changes in the cost of commodities, components, parts, and accessories that affect our product lines. Historically, we have mitigated, and we currently expect that we would continue to mitigate, any commodity, components, parts, and accessories cost increases, in part, by collaborating with suppliers, reviewing alternative sourcing options, substituting materials, utilizing Lean methods, engaging in internal cost reduction efforts, utilizing tariff exclusions and duty drawback mechanisms, and increasing prices on some of our products, all as appropriate. We anticipate the costs associated with commodity, components, parts, and accessories in fiscal 2021 to be higher than the average cost of commodities, components, parts, and accessories purchased during fiscal 2020, primarily as a result of general inflationary and other COVID-19-related pressures. To the extent that commodity, component, parts, or accessories costs increase and we do not have firm pricing from our suppliers, or our suppliers are not able to honor such prices, we may experience a decline in our gross margins to the extent we are not able to increase selling prices of our products or obtain manufacturing efficiencies to offset increases in commodity, component, parts, and accessories costs. Further information regarding commodity cost risk is presented in Part II, Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K in the section entitled "Commodity Cost Risk."
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
As more fully described in Note 123, Segment Data, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included within Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we operate in threetwo reportable business segments: Professional Residential, and Distribution. Our Distribution segment, which consists of our wholly owned domestic distributorship, has been combined with our corporate activities and is shown as "Other." OperatingResidential. Segment earnings for our Professional and Residential reportable segments are defined as earnings from operations plus other income, net. Our remaining activities are presented as "Other" due to their insignificance. Operating loss for theour Other segmentactivities includes earnings (loss) from our wholly ownedwholly-owned domestic distribution company,companies, corporate activities, other income, and interest expense. Corporate activities include general corporate expenditures (finance, human resources, legal, information services, public relations, business development, and similar activities) and other unallocated corporate assets and liabilities, such as corporate facilities and deferred tax assets and liabilities. The following information provides perspective on our business segments'the net sales and operating results.results of our reportable business segments' and Other activities.
Professional Segment
Professional segment net sales represented approximately 7274.7 percent of consolidated net sales for fiscal 2017, 712020, 77.9 percent for fiscal 2016,2019, and 6974.4 percent for fiscal 2015.2018. The following table shows thepresents our Professional segment's net sales, segment earnings, and segment earnings as a percentage of segment net sales operating earnings, and operating earnings as a percent of net sales:(dollars in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Net sales | | $ | 2,523.5 | | | $ | 2,443.4 | | | $ | 1,947.0 | |
| Percentage change from prior year | | 3.3 | % | | 25.5 | % | | 7.5 | % |
| Segment earnings | | $ | 426.6 | | | $ | 380.9 | | | $ | 399.8 | |
| Segment earnings as a percentage of segment net sales | | 16.9 | % | | 15.6 | % | | 20.5 | % |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (Dollars in millions) | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Net sales | | $ | 1,811.7 |
| | $ | 1,705.3 |
| | $ | 1,639.7 |
|
| % change from prior year | | 6.2 | % | | 4.0 | % | | 11.0 | % |
| Operating earnings | | $ | 379.5 |
| | $ | 352.1 |
| | $ | 308.0 |
|
| As a percent of net sales | | 20.9 | % | | 20.6 | % | | 18.8 | % |
Professional Segment Net Sales
Worldwide net sales for theour Professional segment in fiscal 2017 were up by 6.22020 increased 3.3 percent compared to fiscal 20162019. This increase was primarily driven by incremental sales as a result of our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products. Somewhat offsetting the increase were the following items:
•fewer shipments of our golf and grounds equipment primarily as a result of the following factors:curtailment and closure of certain business activities for golf courses and municipalities across the globe as a result of COVID-19, resulting in lower overall revenues and budget constraints and a preference for repairs and deferrals over new equipment purchases;
Higher•fewer shipments of golfour landscape contractor zero-turn riding mowers during the first and grounds equipment, primarily due to strongsecond quarters of fiscal 2020 as our channel partners aligned field inventory levels with anticipated reduced retail demand from end-customers at the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak; and
•reduced sales volumes for our innovative product offerings.
Higher shipments of landscape contractor equipment, primarily driven by strong demand for new products.
Increased shipments of rental, specialty and specialtyunderground construction equipment mainly drivenproducts as a result of curtailed investments by strong demand, and positive customer response for new products.
Increased sales of snow and ice management products, mainly driven by new product offerings and favorable snowfallsend-customers in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.
Increased sales of irrigation products mainly driven by the acquisition of the Perrot business.
Somewhat offsetting those increases were unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.
Worldwide net sales for the Professional segment in fiscal 2016 were up by 4.0 percent compared to fiscal 2015oil and gas and construction industries primarily as a result of the following factors:COVID-19.
Higher shipments of golf equipment and irrigation products, mainly due to demand for our innovative product offerings, the successful introduction of new products, increased golf irrigation projects, and favorable weather conditions.Professional Segment Earnings
Increased sales of landscape contractor equipment driven by strong demand for our riding and stand-on mower product lines.
Higher sales of micro-irrigation products mainly driven by improved product placement.
Increased sales driven by strong demand and market growth for rental and specialty construction equipment, as well as positive customer response for new products.
Somewhat offsetting those positive factors were:
Unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.
A decline in sales of snow and ice management products which was driven mainly from decreased pre-season demand.
Operating Earnings
Operating earnings for the Professional segment earnings increased 12.0 percent in fiscal 2017 increased 7.8 percent2020 compared to fiscal 2016. Expressed2019, and when expressed as a percentage of Professional segment net sales, Professional segment operating margins increased by 30 basis points to 20.916.9 percent in fiscal 2017 compared to 20.6 percent in fiscal 2016.from 15.6 percent. The following factors positively impacted Professional segment operating earnings as a percentage of Professional segment net sales for fiscal 2017:2020:
Higher gross margin in•decreased purchase accounting charges for our fiscal 20172020 acquisition of Venture Products as compared to our fiscal 2016 mainly due to 2019 acquisition of CMW;
•favorable operationalnet price realization; and
•the favorable impact of strategic productivity from production efficiencies and Lean method initiatives, partially offset by higher commoditysynergy initiatives.
Somewhat offsetting these positive factors were the following items:
•incremental administrative, engineering, and warranty costs and unfavorable product mix.
A decline in SG&A expense rate in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 primarily due to lower administration and engineering expense as a percentageresult of net sales.our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products;
Operating earnings for the•manufacturing inefficiencies primarily as a result of COVID-19; and
•higher warranty costs in certain of our other Professional segment in fiscal 2016 increased 14.3 percent compared to fiscal 2015. Expressed as a percentage of net sales, Professional segment operating margins increased by 180 basis points to 20.6 percent in fiscal 2016 compared to 18.8 percent in fiscal 2015. The following factors impacted Professional segment operating earnings as a percentage of net sales for fiscal 2016:
Higher gross margin in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 mainly due to lower commodity costs and productivity improvements, as well as favorable product mix, partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.
A decline in SG&A expense rate in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 due to a lower administration expense rate.
The domestic field inventory levels of our Professional segment products were higher as of the end of fiscal 2017 compared to the end of fiscal 2016, primarily due to anticipated strong retail demand in early fiscal 2018.businesses.
Residential Segment
Residential segment net sales represented approximately 2724.3 percent of consolidated net sales for fiscal 2017, 282020, 21.1 percent for fiscal 2016,2019, and 3024.9 percent for fiscal 2015.2018. The following table shows thepresents our Residential segment's net sales, segment earnings, and segment earnings as a percentage of segment net sales operating earnings, and operating earnings as a percent of net sales:(dollars in millions):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (Dollars in millions) | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Net sales | | $ | 673.2 |
| | $ | 669.1 |
| | $ | 725.7 |
|
| % change from prior year | | 0.6 | % | | (7.8 | )% | | 7.9 | % |
| Operating earnings | | $ | 74.7 |
| | $ | 73.7 |
| | $ | 85.0 |
|
| As a percent of net sales | | 11.1 | % | | 11.0 | % | | 11.7 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Net sales | | $ | 820.7 | | | $ | 661.3 | | | $ | 654.4 | |
| Percentage change from prior year | | 24.1 | % | | 1.0 | % | | (2.8) | % |
| Segment earnings | | $ | 113.7 | | | $ | 65.2 | | | $ | 64.8 | |
| Segment earnings as a percentage of segment net sales | | 13.8 | % | | 9.9 | % | | 9.9 | % |
Residential Segment Net Sales
Worldwide net sales for theour Residential segment in fiscal 2017 were up2020 increased by 0.624.1 percent compared to fiscal 20162019. This increase was primarily driven by the following factors:
•incremental shipments of our zero-turn riding mowers and walk power mowers as a result of the following factors:our expanded mass retail channel and
Higher sales of Pope-branded irrigation products in Australia mainly•strong retail demand for our zero-turn riding mowers and walk power mowers primarily due to strong demanda combination of new and enhanced products, favorable weather conditions.in key regions, and customer focus on the care of their homes due to COVID-19.
IncreasedThe increase was partially offset by decreased shipments of snow products mainly driven by favorable snowfalls in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.thrower products.
Somewhat offsetting those increases were:Residential Segment Earnings
Lower shipments of our zero-turn radius riding mowers due to lower demand for our steering wheel zero-turn radius mower models and higher demand for our new lines of Professional segment contractor grade zero-turn radius mowers.
Unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.
Worldwide net sales for the Residential segment earnings increased 74.5 percent in fiscal 2016 were down by 7.8 percent2020 compared to fiscal 2015 primarily2019, and when expressed as a resultpercentage of the following factors:
Decreased shipments and lower retail demand for snow products due to low snowfall totals in the 2015/2016 season.
Lower sales of zero-turn radius riding mowers primarily driven by variable weather conditions throughout the year and a slight reduction in retail placement.
Unfavorable weather conditions in many of our markets.
Somewhat offsetting the decrease in Residential segment net sales, in fiscal 2016 when comparedincreased to fiscal 2015, were higher sales of walk power mowers driven by increased demand for our product offerings and strong customer response for our innovative models, including our SMARTSTOW® and all-wheel drive models.
Operating Earnings
Operating earnings for the13.8 percent from 9.9 percent. The following factors positively impacted Residential segment inearnings as a percentage of Residential segment net sales for fiscal 2017 increased 1.4 percent compared to fiscal 2016. Expressed2020:
•the favorable impact of strategic productivity and synergy initiatives and
•reduced SG&A expense as a percentage of net sales Residential segment operating margins increased 10 basis pointsdue to 11.1 percent in fiscal 2017 compared to 11.0 percent in fiscal 2016. Theleveraging expense over higher sales volumes.
Somewhat offsetting these positive factors were the following factors impacted Residential segment operating earningsitems:
•unfavorable product mix and
•manufacturing inefficiencies as a percentageresult of netCOVID-19.
Other Activities
Net sales for fiscal 2017:
Higher gross margin in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 mainly due to favorable product mix and favorable operational productivity from production efficiencies, partially offset by higher commodity costs and freight expense.
An increased SG&A expense rate attributable to higher incentive and engineering expense as a percentage of net sales.
Operating earnings for the Residential segment in fiscal 2016 decreased 13.3 percent compared to fiscal 2015. Expressed as a percentage of net sales, Residential segment operating
margins decreased 70 basis points to 11.0 percent in fiscal 2016 compared to 11.7 percent in fiscal 2015. The following factors impacted Residential segment operating earnings as a percentage of net sales for fiscal 2016:
Higher gross margin in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015 mainly due to lower commodity costs and freight expense, partially offset by unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.
Increased SG&A expense rate attributable to lower sales as well as increased engineering, marketing and warehousing expenses as a percentage of net sales.
The domestic field inventory levels of our Residential segment products as of the end of fiscal 2017 were consistent with the levels of fiscal 2016.
Other Segment
Other segment net sales,activities, which includes sales from our wholly ownedwholly-owned domestic distributor,distribution companies less sales from our Professional and Residential business segments to the wholly-owned domestic distribution companies, represented approximately 11.0 percent of consolidated net sales for each of fiscal 2017, 2016,2020, 1.0 percent for fiscal 2019, and 2015. During the first quarter of0.7 percent for fiscal 2016, we sold our Northwestern U.S. distribution company.2018. The following table shows the other segmentpresents net sales and operating losses:loss for our Other activities (dollars in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Net sales | | $ | 34.6 | | | $ | 33.4 | | | $ | 17.2 | |
| Percentage change from prior year | | 3.7 | % | | 93.5 | % | | (14.8) | % |
| Operating loss | | $ | (133.2) | | | $ | (123.9) | | | $ | (92.2) | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (Dollars in millions) | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Net sales | | $ | 20.2 |
| | $ | 17.7 |
| | $ | 25.5 |
|
| % change from prior year | | 14.1 | % | | (30.6 | )% | | 12.6 | % |
| Operating losses | | $ | (101.0 | ) | | $ | (95.3 | ) | | $ | (101.9 | ) |
Other Net Sales
Net sales for theour Other segment includesactivities in fiscal 2020 increased $1.3 million compared to fiscal 2019, primarily as a result of COVID-19, which led to reduced intercompany sales eliminations for sales from our wholly owned domestic distribution company less sales from the Professional and Residential segments to thatour wholly-owned domestic distribution company. The companies as a result of reduced retail demand, partially offset by reduced sales of our Professional and Residential segment products by our wholly-owned distribution companies due to reduced retail demand.
Other segment net salesOperating Loss
Operating loss for our Other activities increased $9.2 million in fiscal 2017 were up $2.5 million2020 compared to fiscal 2016, primarily due to strong demand for our golf and grounds equipment that2019. This operating loss increase was sold through our wholly owned domestic distribution company.
The Other segment net sales in fiscal 2016 were down $7.8 million compared to fiscal 2015, primarily due to the salefollowing factors:
•a realized gain on actuarial valuation changes for our pension and post-retirement plans recognized in fiscal 2019 that did not reoccur in fiscal 2020 and a settlement charge incurred for the termination of our Northwestern U.S. distribution company in the first quarter ofdefined benefit pension plan during fiscal 2016.2020;
Operating Loss
Operating loss for the Other segment in fiscal 2017 increased by 6.0 percent compared to fiscal 2016. This loss increase was primarily attributable to higher incentive expense due to improved company performance.
Operating loss for the Other segment in fiscal 2016 decreased by 6.5 percent compared to fiscal 2015. This loss decrease was primarily attributable to increased•lower income from our investment in Red Iron joint venture as a result of the amendments to certain agreements pertaining to the joint venture, the reduction in LIBOR, and lower sales volume; and
•higher interest expense incurred on higher average outstanding borrowings under our debt arrangements as a result of our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products.
Partially offsetting these negative factors were the following items:
•decreased integration and transaction costs for our fiscal 2016 litigation settlement recovery.2020 acquisition of Venture Products as compared to our fiscal 2019 acquisition of CMW and
•favorable healthcare costs.
FINANCIAL POSITION
Working Capital
Our working capital strategy going into fiscal 2020 continued to place emphasis on improving asset utilization with a focus on reducing the amount of working capital in the supply chain, adjusting production plans, and maintaining or improving order replenishment and service levels to end-users. We definecalculate our average net working capital as average net accounts receivable plus average net inventory, less average accounts payable as a percentage of net sales for a twelve month period. As of the end of fiscal 2017,2020, our average net working capital decreased to 13.8was 20.2 percent compared to 15.916.3 percent as of the end of fiscal 20162019. This increase was mainly due to a higher levels of incremental average net inventory and average net accounts receivable than the corresponding increase to average net accounts payable as a percentage of net sales due to our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products, as well as higher net sales.inventories in certain of our Professional segment businesses throughout our fiscal 2020 second and third quarters as compared to the same periods in fiscal 2019 as a result of decreased channel demand in certain of our Professional segment businesses due to COVID-19.
The following table highlights several key measures of our working capital performance:performance (dollars in millions):
| | | (Dollars in millions) | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Average cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 266.3 |
| | $ | 194.3 |
| |
| Average receivables, net | | $ | 208.4 |
| | $ | 205.7 |
| Average receivables, net | | $ | 296.5 | | | $ | 265.4 | |
| Average inventories, net | | $ | 367.0 |
| | $ | 375.0 |
| Average inventories, net | | $ | 705.1 | | | $ | 560.5 | |
| Average accounts payable | | $ | 228.7 |
| | $ | 199.4 |
| Average accounts payable | | $ | 319.5 | | | $ | 315.5 | |
| Average days outstanding for receivables | | 30.4 |
| | 31.4 |
| Average days outstanding for receivables | | 32.0 | | | 30.9 | |
| Average inventory turnover (times) | | 4.3 |
| | 4.1 |
| |
| Average inventory turnover (times per fiscal year) | | Average inventory turnover (times per fiscal year) | | 3.1 | | | 3.7 | |
The following factors impacted our working capital:capital during fiscal 2020:
•Average net receivables increased by 11.7 percent in fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019, primarily due to incremental receivables related to our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products and higher sales within the expanded mass retail channel of our Residential segment. Our average days outstanding for receivables increased to 32.0 days in fiscal 2020 compared to 30.9 days in fiscal 2019.
•Average net inventories increased by 25.8 percent in fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019, primarily due to incremental inventories as a result of our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products, as well as higher inventories in certain of our Professional segment businesses throughout our fiscal 2020 second and third quarters as compared to the same periods in fiscal 2019 as a result of decreased channel demand in certain of our Professional segment businesses due to COVID-19.
•Average accounts payable increased by 1.3 percent in fiscal 20172020 compared to fiscal 2016 due to increased sales in fiscal 2017. Our average days outstanding for receivables decreased to 30.4 days in fiscal 2017 compared to 31.4 days in fiscal 2016.
Average inventories decreased by 2.1 percent in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016. Inventory levels as of the end of fiscal 2017 compared to the end of fiscal 2016 were up by $22.0 million, or 7.2 percent, primarily due to higher Professional segment forecasted retail demand.
Average accounts payable increased by 14.7 percent in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016,2019, mainly due to initiatives to manageincremental payables as a result of our payables, which included extending payment terms with suppliers.
Capital Expendituresacquisitions of CMW and Other Long-Term Assets
Fiscal 2017 capital expenditures of $58.3 million were higher by $7.6 million compared to fiscal 2016. This increase was mainly attributable to fiscal 2017 facilities renovations, replacement of production process equipment, investments in new technology, and expanded capacity. Capital expenditures for fiscal 2018 are expected to be approximately $75 million as we plan to invest in our facilities, new product tooling, new technology in production processes and equipment, replacement of production equipment, and expanded capacity.
Long-term assets as of October 31, 2017 were $633.9 million compared to $605.6 million as of October 31, 2016, an increase of $28.3 million. This increase was driven mainly by the acquisition of the Perrot business in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and an increase in deferred tax assets. Included in long-term assets as of October 31, 2017 was goodwill in the amount of $205.0 million. Based on our annual impairment analysis, we determined there was no goodwill impairment for any ofVenture Products.
our reporting units as their related fair values were substantially in excess of their carrying values.
Cash FlowFlows
Cash flows provided by/(used in) operating, investing, and financing activities during the past three fiscal years are shown in the following table:table (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Cash Provided by/(Used in) |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Operating activities | | $ | 539.4 | | | $ | 337.4 | | | $ | 364.8 | |
| Investing activities | | (216.1) | | | (772.9) | | | (127.9) | |
| Financing activities | | 2.4 | | | 299.5 | | | (252.1) | |
| Effect of exchange rates on cash | | 2.4 | | | (1.3) | | | (5.9) | |
| Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | 328.1 | | | (137.3) | | | (21.1) | |
| Cash and cash equivalents as of fiscal year end | | $ | 479.9 | | | $ | 151.8 | | | $ | 289.1 | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (Dollars in millions) | | Cash Provided by/(Used in) |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Operating activities | | $ | 360.7 |
| | $ | 384.3 |
| | $ | 249.6 |
|
| Investing activities | | (83.8 | ) | | (48.9 | ) | | (254.5 | ) |
| Financing activities | | (245.3 | ) | | (182.9 | ) | | (181.8 | ) |
| Effect of exchange rates on cash | | 5.0 |
| | (5.2 | ) | | (1.8 | ) |
| Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | 36.7 |
| | 147.3 |
| | (188.6 | ) |
| Cash and cash equivalents as of fiscal year end | | $ | 310.3 |
| | $ | 273.6 |
| | $ | 126.3 |
|
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Our primary source of funds is cash generated from operations. In fiscal 2017, cash provided by operating activities decreased by $23.5 million, or 6.1 percent, from fiscal 2016. This decrease was mainly due to higher net receivables as a result of higher sales, as well as increased net inventories due to higher amounts of inventory purchased to support higher Professional segment forecasted retail demand. This decrease was partially offset by higher net earnings, higher payables due to continued working capital initiatives, and a Red Iron exclusivity incentive payment.
In fiscal 2016,2020, cash provided by operating activities increased $134.7by $202.0 million, or 54.059.9 percent, from fiscal 2015.2019. This increase was mainlyprimarily due to lower net receivablesless cash utilized for inventory purchases as more net receivables were financed through Red Irona result of higher than anticipated demand for our products, which exceeded our procurement of commodities, components, parts, and favorable movement in net inventories from focused production planning inaccessories during the latter halffourth quarter of fiscal 2016.2020, as well as higher net earnings.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital expenditures and acquisitions are a significant use of our capital resources. These investments are intended to enable sales growth in new and expanding markets, help us to meet product demand, and increase our manufacturing efficiencies and capacity. Cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2017 increased2020 decreased by $34.8$556.9 million from fiscal 2016 mainly2019 primarily due to less cash utilized for the acquisition of the Perrot business in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and higher purchases of property, plant, and equipment.
Cash used in investing activitiesVenture Products in fiscal 2016 decreased $205.6 million from fiscal 2015 due to cash utilized2020 than was used for the acquisitions of CMW and a Northeastern U.S. distribution company in fiscal 2015 for the acquisition of the BOSS business and lower purchases of2019, as well as reduced property, plant, and equipment partially offset by proceeds from the sale of our Northwestern distribution companypurchases in fiscal 2016.2020 as a result of actions taken to preserve our liquidity position in light of COVID-19.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Cash provided by financing activities in fiscal 2020 was $2.4 million compared to $299.5 million of cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2017 was $245.3 million compared to $182.9 million in fiscal 2016. The increase in cash used in financing activities2019, a decrease of $297.1 million. This decrease was mainly due to more cash used for common stock repurchases, lower proceeds from stock-based compensation,borrowings under our debt arrangements, higher repayments of outstanding indebtedness, and increased cash utilized for dividends paid on our common stock in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016.
Cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2016 was $182.9 million compared to $181.8 million in fiscal 2015. The increase in cash used in financing activities was mainly due to an increase in cash dividends paid onshares of our common stock and higher amounts ofwas partially offset by reduced cash utilized for repurchases of our common stock repurchases, partially offset by favorable benefits from stock-based compensation and less cash utilized for repayments of debtunder our Board authorized repurchase program in fiscal 2016 compared fiscal 2015.2020.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents as of the end of fiscal 20172020 increased by $36.7$328.1 million compared to the end of fiscal 2016.2019.
As of October 31, 2020, cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries were $106.3 million. We consider that $30.0 million of cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries are intended to be indefinitely reinvested. Should these cash and cash equivalents be distributed in the future in the form of dividends or otherwise, we may be subject to foreign withholding taxes, state income taxes, and/or additional federal taxes for currency fluctuations. As of October 31, 2020, the unrecognized deferred tax liabilities for temporary differences related to our investment in non-U.S. subsidiaries, and any withholding, state, or additional federal taxes upon any future repatriation, are not material and have not been recorded.
Capital Expenditures
Fiscal 2020 capital expenditures of $78.1 million were $14.8 million lower than fiscal 2019. This decrease was mainly attributable to decreased capital expenditures due to the actions taken to improve our liquidity position in light of COVID-19, partially offset by incremental capital expenditures as a result of our acquisitions of CMW and Venture Products. Capital expenditures for fiscal 2021 are expected to be approximately $115.0 million as we plan to continue to invest in our facilities, new product tooling, productivity improvements in our manufacturing and distribution processes, and continued replacement of production equipment.
Other Long-Term Assets
Other long-term assets as of October 31, 2020 were $1,425.6 million compared to $1,207.7 million as of October 31, 2019, an increase of $217.9 million. This increase was primarily driven by our acquisition of Venture Products, which resulted in increases to other intangible assets; property, plant and equipment; and goodwill. Additionally, our adoption of ASC 842, Leases, on November 1, 2019, resulted in the recognition of $78.8 million of right-of-use assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of October 31, 2020. Refer to Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Related Data, included within Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding our adoption of ASC 842. These increases to other long-term assets were partially offset by depreciation of property, plant and equipment and the amortization of other intangible assets during fiscal 2020.
Included in other long-term assets as of October 31, 2020 was goodwill in the amount of $424.1 million. Based on our annual goodwill impairment analysis, we determined there was no impairment of goodwill during fiscal 2020 for any of our reporting units as the fair values of the reporting units exceeded their carrying values, including goodwill.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our businesses are seasonally working capital intensive and require funding for purchases of raw materials used in production, replacement parts inventory, payroll and other administrative costs, capital expenditures, establishment of new facilities, expansion and renovation of existing facilities, as well as for financing receivables from customers that are not financed with Red Iron.Iron or other third-party financial institutions. Our accounts receivable balances historically increase between January and April as a result of typically higher sales volumes and extended payment terms made available to our customers, and typically decrease between May and December when payments are received.
We generally fund cash requirements for working capital needs, capital expenditures, acquisitions, investments, debt repayments, interest payments, quarterly cash dividend payments, and common stock repurchases, all as applicable, through cash provided by operating activities, availability under our existing revolving credit facility, and in certain instances, other forms of financing arrangements. Our revolving credit facility has been adequate for these purposes, although we have negotiated and completed additional financing arrangements as needed to allow us to complete acquisitions. Although there is uncertainty regarding COVID-19 and its impact on our future results, we believe we are well-positioned to manage our business and took the appropriate actions during fiscal 2020 to increase our liquidity position, including refinancing outstanding borrowings on our revolving credit facility with a new three-year term loan for $190.0 million, which also added incremental liquidity; reducing capital expenditures; curtailing share repurchases under our Board authorized repurchase program; and monitoring and participating in government economic stabilization efforts and certain legislative provisions, such as deferring certain tax payments, as applicable. As a result, we believe that our existing liquidity position, including the funds available through existing, and potential future, financing arrangements and forecasted cash flows from operations will be sufficient to provide the necessary capital resources for our anticipated working capital needs, capital expenditures, investments, debt repayments, interest payments, quarterly cash dividend payments, and common stock repurchases, all as applicable, for at least the next twelve months. As of October 31, 2017, cash2020, we had available liquidity of $1,077.4 million.
Indebtedness
The following is a summary of our indebtedness (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | October 31, 2020 | | October 31, 2019 |
| Revolving credit facility | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| $200 million term loan | | 100,000 | | | 100,000 | |
| $300 million term loan | | 180,000 | | | 180,000 | |
| $190 million term loan | | 90,000 | | | — | |
| 3.81% series A senior notes | | 100,000 | | | 100,000 | |
| 3.91% series B senior notes | | 100,000 | | | 100,000 | |
| 7.8% debentures | | 100,000 | | | 100,000 | |
| 6.625% senior notes | | 123,978 | | | 123,916 | |
| Less: unamortized discounts, debt issuance costs, and deferred charges | | 2,855 | | | 3,103 | |
| Total long-term debt | | 791,123 | | | 700,813 | |
| Less: current portion of long-term debt | | 99,873 | | | 79,914 | |
| Long-term debt, less current portion | | $ | 691,250 | | | $ | 620,899 | |
In addition to our long-term debt, our domestic and short-term investments heldnon-U.S. operations maintain credit lines for import letters of credit during the normal course of business, as required by our foreign subsidiaries that are not available to fund domestic operations unless repatriated were $133.5 million. We currently do not intend to repatriate this cash held by our foreign subsidiaries; however, if circumstances changedsome vendor contracts. Collectively, these import letters of credit had a maximum availability of $13.4 million and these funds were needed for our U.S. operations,$13.3 million as of October 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019, respectively. As of October 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019, we would be required to accruehad $3.9 million and pay U.S. taxes to repatriate these funds. Determination$4.7 million, respectively, outstanding on such import letters of the unrecognized deferred tax liability related to these earnings is not practicable because of the complexities with its hypothetical calculation.credit.
Revolving Credit Facility
Seasonal cash requirements are financed from operations, cash on hand, and with short-term financing arrangements, includingborrowings under our $150.0$600.0 million unsecured senior five-year revolving credit facility that expires in October 2019. Included in our $150.0 millionJune 2023, as applicable. The revolving credit facility isincludes a $20.0$10.0 million sublimit for standby letters of credit and a $20.0$30.0 million sublimit for swingline loans. At our election, and with the approval of the named borrowers on the revolving credit facility
and the election of the lenders to fund such increase, the aggregate maximum principal amount available under the facility may be increased by an amount up to $100.0$300.0 million. Funds are available under the revolving credit facility for working capital, capital expenditures, and other lawful corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, acquisitions and common stock repurchases. Interest expense on thisrepurchases, subject in each case to compliance with certain financial covenants described below.
Outstanding loans under the revolving credit line is determinedfacility (other than swingline loans), if applicable, bear interest at a variable rate generally based on a LIBOR or an alternative variable rate (or other rates quoted bybased on the Administrative Agent,highest of the Bank of America N.A.) plusprime rate, the federal funds rate or a rate generally based on LIBOR, in each case subject to an additional basis point spread that is calculated based on the better of the leverage ratio (as measured quarterly and defined inas the credit agreement. In addition,ratio of total indebtedness to consolidated earnings before interest and taxes plus depreciation and amortization expense) and our non-U.S. operations maintain unsecured short-term linesdebt rating. Swingline loans under the revolving credit
facility bear interest at various rates dependinga rate determined by the swingline lender or an alternative variable rate based on the rateshighest of the Bank of America prime rate, the federal funds rate or a rate generally based on LIBOR, in their respective countrieseach case subject to an additional basis point spread that is calculated based on the better of operation. Asthe leverage ratio and our debt rating. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears. Our debt rating for long-term unsecured senior, non-credit enhanced debt was unchanged during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 by Standard and Poor's Ratings Group at BBB and by Moody's Investors Service at Baa3. If our debt rating falls below investment grade and/or our leverage ratio rises above 1.50, the basis point spread we currently pay on outstanding debt under the revolving credit facility would increase. However, the credit commitment could not be canceled by the banks based solely on a ratings downgrade. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 20172020 and October 31, 20162019, we had noincurred interest expense of $0.8 million and $1.9 million, respectively, on the outstanding short-term debt under these lines of credit. As of October 31, 2017, we had $10.2 million of outstanding letters of credit and $149.0 million of unutilized availabilityborrowings under our revolving credit agreements.
Additionally, as of October 31, 2017, we had $331.9 million outstanding in long-term debt that includes $100.0 million of 7.8 percent debentures due June 15, 2027, $123.8 million of 6.625 percent senior notes due May 1, 2037, a $100.8 million term loan, a $10.0 million note due November 14, 2017 to the former owners of the BOSS business, and partially offsetting debt issuance costs and deferred charges of $2.7 million related to our outstanding long-term debt. The term loan bears interest based on a LIBOR rate (or other rates quoted by the Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A.) plus a basis point spread defined in the credit agreement. The term loan can be repaid in part or in full at any time without penalty, but in any event must be paid in full by October 2019.facility.
Our revolving and term loan credit facility contains standardcustomary covenants, including, without limitation, financial covenants, such as the maintenance of minimum interest coverage and maximum debt to EBITDAleverage ratios; and negative covenants, which among other things, limit loans and investments, disposition of assets, consolidations and mergers, transactions with affiliates, restricted payments, contingent obligations, liens, and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. Most of these restrictions are subject to certain minimum thresholds and exceptions. Under the revolving credit facility, we are not limited in the amount for payments of cash dividends and common stock repurchases as long as, both before and after giving pro forma effect to such payments, our debt to EBITDAleverage ratio from the previous quarter compliance certificate is less than or equal to 3.25,3.5 (or, at our option (which we may exercise twice during the term of the facility) after certain acquisitions with aggregate consideration in excess of $75.0 million, for the first four quarters following the exercise of such option, is less than or equal to 4.0), provided that immediately after giving effect of any such proposed action, no default or event of default would exist. As of October 31, 2017,2020, we were not limited in the amount for payments of cash dividends and common stock repurchases. We were in compliance with all covenants related to ourthe credit agreement for our revolving credit facility as of October 31, 2017,2020, and we expect to be in compliance with all covenants during fiscal 2018.2021. If we were out of compliance with any covenant required by this credit agreement following the applicable cure period, the banks could terminate their commitments unless we could negotiate a covenant waiver from the banks. In addition, our long-term senior notes, debentures, term loan facilities, and any amounts
outstanding under the revolving credit facility could become due and payable if we were unable to obtain a covenant waiver or refinance our short-term debtborrowings under our credit agreement. If
As of October 31, 2020, we had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility and $2.5 million outstanding under the sublimit for standby letters of credit, resulting in $597.5 million of unutilized availability
under our revolving credit rating falls below investment grade and/facility. As of October 31, 2019, we had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility and $1.9 million outstanding under the sublimit for standby letters of credit, resulting in $598.1 million of unutilized availability under our revolving credit facility.
$500.0 Million Term Loan Credit Agreement
In March 2019, we entered into a term loan credit agreement with a syndicate of financial institutions for the purpose of partially funding the CMW purchase price and the related fees and expenses incurred in connection with such acquisition. The term loan credit agreement provided for a $200.0 million three-year unsecured senior term loan facility maturing on April 1, 2022 and a $300.0 million five-year unsecured senior term loan facility maturing on April 1, 2024 (collectively, the "$500.0 million term loan"). The funds under the $500.0 million term loan were received on the CMW closing date.
There are no scheduled principal amortization payments prior to maturity on the $200.0 million three-year unsecured senior term loan facility. For the $300.0 million five-year unsecured senior term loan facility, we are required to make quarterly principal amortization payments of 2.5 percent of the original aggregate principal balance reduced by any applicable prepayments beginning with the last business day of the thirteenth calendar quarter ending after April 1, 2019, with the remainder of the unpaid principal balance due at maturity. No principal payments are required during the first three and one-quarter (3.25) years of the $300.0 million five-year unsecured senior term loan facility. The term loan facilities may be prepaid and terminated at our election at any time without penalty or our averagepremium. Amounts repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. As of October 31, 2020, we have prepaid $100.0 million and $120.0 million of the outstanding principal balances of the $200.0 million three-year unsecured senior term loan facility and $300.0 million five-year unsecured senior term loan facility, respectively. Thus, as of October 31, 2020, there was $100.0 million and $180.0 million outstanding under the $200.0 million three-year unsecured senior term loan facility and the $300.0 million five-year unsecured senior term loan facility, respectively. As of October 31, 2020, we have reclassified $10.0 million of the outstanding principal balance of the $300.0 million five-year unsecured senior term loan facility, net of the related proportionate share of deferred debt issuance costs, to EBITDA ratio rises above 1.50,current portion of long-term debt within the Consolidated Balance Sheets as this is the amount we intend to repay utilizing anticipated cash flows from operations within the next twelve months. As of October 31, 2019, we had prepaid $100.0 million and $120.0 million of the outstanding principal balances of the $200.0 million three-year unsecured senior term loan facility and $300.0 million five-year unsecured senior term loan facility, respectively. Thus, as of October 31, 2019, there was $100.0 million and $180.0 million outstanding under the $200.0 million three-year unsecured senior term loan facility and the $300.0 million five-year unsecured senior term loan facility, respectively.
Outstanding borrowings under the $500.0 million term loan bear interest at a variable rate generally based on LIBOR or an alternative variable rate, based on the highest of the Bank of America prime rate, the federal funds rate, or a rate generally based on LIBOR, in each case subject to an additional basis point spread over LIBORas defined in the $500.0 million term loan. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, we incurred interest expense of $5.2 million and $7.5 million, respectively, on the outstanding borrowings under the $500.0 million term loan.
The $500.0 million term loan contains customary covenants, including, without limitation, financial covenants generally consistent with those applicable under our revolving credit facility, such as the maintenance of minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios; and negative covenants, which among other things, limit disposition of assets, consolidations and mergers, restricted payments, liens, and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. Most of these restrictions are subject to certain minimum thresholds and exceptions. Under the $500.0 million term loan, we are not limited in the amount for payments of cash dividends and common stock repurchases as long as, both before and after giving pro forma effect to such payments, our leverage ratio from the previous quarter compliance certificate is less than or equal to 3.5 (or, other rates quotedat our option (which we may exercise twice during the term of the facility) after certain acquisitions with aggregate consideration in excess of $75.0 million, for the first four quarters following the exercise of such option, is less than or equal to 4.0), provided that immediately after giving effect of any such proposed action, no default or event of default would exist. As of October 31, 2020, we were in compliance with all covenants related to our $500.0 million term loan and were not limited in the amount for payments of cash dividends and common stock repurchases. We expect to be in compliance with all covenants related to our $500.0 million term loan during fiscal 2021. If we were out of compliance with any covenant required by the Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A.) we currently pay on$500.0 million term loan credit agreement following the applicable cure period, our term loan facilities, long-term senior notes, debentures, and any amounts outstanding debt under the revolving credit facility could become due and payable if we were unable to obtain a covenant waiver or refinance our borrowings under our $500.0 million term loan credit agreement.
$190.0 Million Term Loan Credit Agreement
On March 30, 2020, we entered into a $190.0 million term loan credit agreement would increase. However,("$190.0 million term loan") with certain financial institutions for the credit commitment couldpurpose of refinancing certain of our outstanding borrowings incurred in connection with the acquisition of Venture Products on March 2, 2020, as well as a precautionary measure to increase our liquidity and preserve financial flexibility in light of the uncertainty in the global financial and commercial markets as a result of COVID-19. The $190.0 million term loan provided for a $190.0 million three-year unsecured senior term loan facility maturing on June 19, 2023.
Beginning with the last business day of March 2021, we are required to make quarterly amortization payments on the $190.0 million term loan equal to 5.0 percent for the first four payments and 7.5 percent thereafter of the original aggregate principal amount reduced by any applicable prepayments. The $190.0 million term loan may be prepaid and terminated at our election at any time without penalty or premium. Amounts repaid or prepaid may not be canceledreborrowed. As of October 31, 2020, we have prepaid $100.0 million of the outstanding principal balance of the $190.0 million term loan. As of October 31, 2020, we have reclassified the remaining $89.9 million outstanding principal balance of the $190.0 million term loan, net of the related proportionate share of deferred debt issuance costs, to current portion of long-term debt within the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of October 31, 2020, $13.5 million of the $89.9 million that has been reclassified to current portion of long-term debt within the Consolidated Balance Sheet represents required quarterly amortization payments due within the next twelve months and the remaining $76.4 million represents the amount we intend to prepay utilizing anticipated cash flows from operations within the next twelve months. As of the date of the filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we have repaid $50.0 million of the remaining $89.9 million outstanding principal balance of the $190.0 million term loan that was reclassified to current portion of long-term debt within the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of October 31, 2020.
Outstanding borrowings under the $190.0 million term loan bear interest at a variable rate based on LIBOR or an alternative variable rate with a minimum rate of 0.75 percent, subject to an additional basis point spread as defined in the term loan credit agreement. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, we incurred interest expense of $2.4 million on the outstanding borrowings under the $190.0 million term loan.
The $190.0 million term loan contains customary covenants, including, without limitation, financial covenants generally consistent with those applicable under the our revolving credit facility, such as the maintenance of minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios; and negative covenants, which among other things, limit disposition of assets, consolidations and mergers, restricted payments, liens, and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. Most of these restrictions are subject to certain minimum thresholds and exceptions. We were in compliance with all covenants related to the $190.0 million term loan as of October 31, 2020 and we expect to be in compliance with all covenants during fiscal 2021.
3.81% Series A and 3.91% Series B Senior Notes
On April 30, 2019, we entered into a private placement note purchase agreement with certain purchasers ("holders") pursuant to which we agreed to issue and sell an aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million of 3.81% Series A Senior Notes due June 15, 2029 ("Series A Senior Notes") and $100.0 million of 3.91% Series B Senior Notes due June 15,
2031 ("Series B Senior Notes" and together with the Series A Senior Notes, the "Senior Notes"). On June 27, 2019, we issued $100.0 million of the Series A Senior Notes and $100.0 million of the Series B Senior Notes pursuant to the private placement note purchase agreement. The Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of TTC.
No principal is due on the Senior Notes prior to their stated due dates. We have the right to prepay all or a portion of either series of the Senior Notes in amounts equal to not less than 10.0 percent of the principal amount of the Senior Notes then outstanding upon notice to the holders of the series of Senior Notes being prepaid for 100.0 percent of the principal amount prepaid, plus a make-whole premium, as set forth in the private placement note purchase agreement, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of prepayment. In addition, at any time on or after the date that is 90 days prior to the maturity date of the respective series, we have the right to prepay all of the outstanding Senior Note of such series for 100.0 percent of the principal amount so prepaid, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of prepayment. Upon the occurrence of certain change of control events, we are required to offer to prepay all Senior Notes for the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of prepayment.
Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semiannually on the 15th day of June and December in each year. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, we incurred interest expense of $7.7 million and $2.6 million, respectively, on the Senior Notes.
Our private placement note purchase agreement contains customary representations and warranties, as well as certain customary covenants, including, without limitation, financial covenants, such as the maintenance of minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios, and other covenants, which, among other things, provide limitations on transactions with affiliates, mergers, consolidations and sales of assets, liens and priority debt. Under the private placement note purchase agreement, we are not limited in the amount for payments of cash dividends and common stock repurchases as long as, both before and after giving pro forma effect to such payments, our leverage ratio from the previous quarter compliance certificate is less than or equal to 3.5 (or, at our option (which we may exercise twice during the term of the facility) after certain acquisitions with aggregate consideration in excess of $75.0 million, for the first four quarters following the exercise of such option, is less than or equal to 4.0), provided that immediately after giving effect of any such proposed action, no default or event of default would exist. As of October 31, 2020, we were not limited in the amount for payments of cash dividends and common stock repurchases. We were in compliance with all covenants related to the private placement note purchase agreement as of October 31, 2020 and we expect to be in compliance with all covenants during fiscal 2021. If we were out of compliance with any covenant required by this private placement note purchase agreement following the banks based solelyapplicable cure period, our term loan facilities, long-term senior notes,
debentures, and any amounts outstanding under the revolving credit facility would become due and payable if we were unable to obtain a covenant waiver or refinance our borrowings under our private placement note purchase agreement.
7.8% Debentures
In June 1997, we issued $175.0 million of debt securities consisting of $75.0 million of 7.125 percent coupon 10-year notes and $100.0 million of 7.8 percent coupon 30-year debentures. The $75.0 million of 7.125 percent coupon 10-year notes were repaid at maturity during fiscal 2007. In connection with the issuance of $175.0 million in long-term debt securities, we paid $23.7 million to terminate three forward-starting interest rate swap agreements with notional amounts totaling $125.0 million. These swap agreements had been entered into to reduce exposure to interest rate risk prior to the issuance of the new long-term debt securities. As of the inception of one of the swap agreements, we had received payments that were recorded as deferred income to be recognized as an adjustment to interest expense over the term of the new debt securities. As of the date the swaps were terminated, this deferred income totaled $18.7 million. The excess termination fees over the deferred income recorded was deferred and is being recognized as an adjustment to interest expense over the term of the debt securities issued. Interest on the debentures is payable semiannually on the 15th day of June and December in each year. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, we incurred interest expense of $8.0 million, $7.9 million, and $8.0 million, respectively.
6.625% Senior Notes
On April 26, 2007, we issued $125.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.625 percent senior notes due May 1, 2037 and priced at 98.513 percent of par value. The resulting discount of $1.9 million is being amortized over the term of the notes using the straight-line method as the results obtained are not materially different from those that would result from the use of the effective interest method. Although the coupon rate of the senior notes is 6.625 percent, the effective interest rate is 6.741 percent after taking into account the issuance discount. The senior notes are our unsecured senior obligations and rank equally with our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The indentures under which the senior notes were issued contain customary covenants and event of default provisions. We may redeem some or all of the senior notes at any time at the greater of the full principal amount of the senior notes being redeemed or the present value of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest discounted to the redemption date on a ratings downgrade. Our debtsemi-annual basis at the treasury rate plus 30 basis points, plus, in both cases, accrued and unpaid interest. In the event of the occurrence of both (i) a change of control of the company, and (ii) a downgrade of the notes below an investment grade rating for long-term unsecured senior, non-credit enhanced debt was unchanged during fiscal 2017 by Standard and Poor's Ratings Group at BBB and byboth Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor's Ratings Services within a specified period, we would be required to make an offer to
purchase the senior notes at Baa3.a price equal to 101 percent of the principal amount of the senior notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase. Interest on the senior notes is payable semiannually on the 1st day of May and November in each year. For each of the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, we incurred interest expense of $8.4 million, respectively.
Capital Structure
The following table details the components of our total capitalization and debt-to-capitalization ratio:ratio (in millions, except percentage data):
| | | | | | | | | | | October 31, 2020 | | October 31, 2019 |
| (Dollars in millions) | | | | | |
| October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | |
| Short-term debt | | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| |
| | Long-term debt, including current portion | | $ | 331.9 |
| | $ | 351.0 |
| Long-term debt, including current portion | | $ | 791.1 | | | $ | 700.8 | |
| Stockholders' equity | | $ | 617.1 |
| | $ | 550.0 |
| Stockholders' equity | | $ | 1,114.8 | | | $ | 859.6 | |
| Debt-to-capitalization ratio | | 35.0 | % | | 39.0 | % | Debt-to-capitalization ratio | | 41.5 | % | | 44.9 | % |
Our debt-to-capitalization ratio decreased in fiscal 20172020 compared to fiscal 20162019 primarily due to an increase inhigher stockholders' equity fromin fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019 as a result of higher net earnings as well as repaymentsand reduced repurchases of our long-term debt,common stock under our Board authorized repurchase program, partially offset by increased cash dividend payments on shares of our common stock. The decrease to our debt-to-capitalization ratio was partially offset by an increase in dividends paid and repurchasesour indebtedness driven by the issuance of our common stock in fiscal 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016.$190.0 million term loan, partially offset by repayments of outstanding borrowings on our debt arrangements.
Cash Dividends
In each quarter of fiscal 2017,2020, our Board of Directors declared a common stock cash dividend of $0.175$0.25 per share, which was a 16.711.1 percent increase over our common stock cash dividend of $0.15$0.225 per share paid each quarter in fiscal 2016. As announced on2019. On December 7, 2017,1, 2020, our Board of Directors increased our fiscal 20182021 first quarter common stock cash dividend by 14.35.0 percent to $0.20$0.2625 per share from the quarterly common stock cash dividend of $0.25 per share paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.2020. Future common stock cash dividends will depend upon our Financial Condition, Results of Operations, capital requirements, and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.
Share Repurchases
DuringIn fiscal 2017,2019, we continued to repurchasecurtailed repurchasing shares of our common stock under our Board authorized stock repurchase program to focus on repaying the outstanding borrowings issued to fund the purchase price for our CMW acquisition. In March 2020, we announced our intention to continue to curtail share repurchases as a prudent measure to enhance our liquidity position in the open market, thereby reducing our total shares outstanding.response to COVID-19. As of October 31, 2017, 4,981,8782020, 7,042,256 shares remained available for repurchase under our Board authorization.authorized stock repurchase program. Our Board authorized stock repurchase program also provides shares for use in connection with our equitystock-based compensation plans.plans and has no expiration. We currently
expect to continue repurchasing shares of our common stockresume share repurchases in fiscal 2018,2021, depending uponon market conditions.conditions and other factors.
The following table provides information with respect to repurchases of our common stock during the past three fiscal years:years (in millions, except share and per share data):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Shares of Board authorized common stock purchased | | — | | | 359,758 | | | 2,579,864 | |
| Cost to repurchase common stock | | $ | — | | | $ | 20.0 | | | $ | 160.4 | |
| Average price paid per share | | $ | — | | | $ | 55.71 | | | $ | 62.19 | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (Dollars in millions, except share and per share data) | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 1 |
| Shares of Board authorized common stock purchased | | 2,710,837 |
| | 2,625,913 |
| | 3,122,358 |
|
| Cost to repurchase common stock | | $ | 159.4 |
| | $ | 110.0 |
| | $ | 106.0 |
|
| Average price paid per share | | $ | 58.78 |
| | $ | 41.88 |
| | $ | 33.94 |
|
| |
1
| Share and per share data have been adjusted for prior year periods presented to reflect the impact of our two-for-one stock split effective September 16, 2016. |
Customer Financing Arrangements
Wholesale Financing
We are party to a joint venture with TCFIF, established as Red Iron, the primary purpose of which is to provide inventory financing to certain distributors and dealers of certain of our products in the U.S. that enables them to carry representative inventories of our products. Under a separate arrangement,In addition, TCFCFC provides inventory financing to dealers of certain of our products in Canada. On December 20, 2019, during the first quarter of fiscal 2020, we amended certain agreements pertaining to the Red Iron joint venture. The purpose of these amendments was, among other things, to: (i) adjust certain rates under the floor plan financing rate structure charged to our distributors and dealers participating in financing arrangements through the Red Iron joint venture; (ii) extend the term of the Red Iron joint venture from October 31, 2024 to October 31, 2026, subject to two-year extensions thereafter unless either we or TCFIF provides written notice to the other party of non-renewal at least one year prior to the end of the then-current term; (iii) amend certain exclusivity-related provisions, including the definition of our products that are subject to exclusivity, inclusion of a two-year review period by us for products acquired in future acquisitions to assess, without a commitment to exclusivity, the potential benefits and detriments of including such acquired products under the Red Iron financing arrangement, and the pro-rata payback over a five-year period of the exclusivity incentive payment we received from TCFIF in 2016; (iv) extend the maturity date of the revolving credit facility used by Red Iron primarily to finance the acquisition of inventory from us by our distributors and dealers from October 31, 2024 to October 31, 2026 and to increase the amount available under such revolving credit facility from $550.0 million to $625.0 million; and (v) memorialize certain other non-material amendments.
Under separate agreements between Red Iron and the dealers and distributors, Red Iron provides loans to the dealers and distributors for the advances paid by Red Iron to us. Under these financing arrangements, down payments are not required, and depending on the finance program for each product line, finance charges are incurred by us, shared between us and the distributor and/or the dealer, or paid by the distributor or dealer. Red Iron retains a security interest in the distributors' and dealers' financed inventories and those such
inventories are monitored regularly. Financing terms to the distributors and dealers require payment as the equipment, which secures the indebtedness, is sold to customers or when payment termsotherwise become due under the agreements between these financing entities and the distributors and dealers, whichever occurs first. Rates are generally indexed to LIBOR, or an alternative variable rate, plus a fixed percentage that differs based on whether the financing is for a distributor or dealer. Rates may also vary based on the product that is financed. Red IronThe net amount of receivables financed $1,847.7 million of new receivables for dealers and distributors under these financing arrangements during fiscal 2017, of which $407.52020 and 2019 were $1,832.5 million and $1,924.9 million, respectively. The total amount of net receivables were outstanding under this arrangement as of October 31, 2017.
Some independent international dealers continue to finance their products with a third-party financing company. This third-party financing company purchased $32.12020 and 2019 was $386.8 million and $486.8 million, respectively. The total amount of receivables due from Red Iron to us during fiscal 2017, of which $13.1 million was outstanding as of October 31, 2017.2020 and 2019 were $12.6 million and $21.9 million, respectively.
We enteralso have floor plan financing agreements with other third-party financial institutions to provide floor plan financing to certain dealers and distributors not financed through Red Iron, which include agreements with third-party financial institutions in the U.S. and internationally. These third-party financial institutions financed $410.7 million and $235.4 million of receivables for such dealers and distributors during the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of October 31, 2020 and 2019, $137.6 million and $148.4 million of receivables financed by these third-party financing companies, excluding Red Iron, respectively, were outstanding.
We entered into a limited inventory repurchase agreement with Red Iron. Under such limited inventory repurchase agreement, we have agreed to repurchase products repossessed by Red Iron and TCFCFC, up to a maximum aggregate amount of $7.5 million in a calendar year. Additionally, as a result of our floor plan financing agreements with the separate third-party financial institutions, we have also entered into inventory repurchase agreements with third party financing companies and Red Iron for receivables financedthe separate third-party financial institutions. Under such inventory repurchase agreements, we have agreed to repurchase products repossessed by them.the separate third-party financial institutions. As of October 31, 2017,2020 and 2019, we were contingently liable to repurchase up to a maximum amount of $10.7$128.1 million and $125.9 million, respectively, of inventory related to receivables under these inventory repurchase agreements. Our financial exposure under these inventory repurchase agreements is limited to the difference between the amount paid to Red Iron or other third-party financing arrangements.institutions for repurchases of inventory and the amount received upon subsequent resale of the repossessed product. We have repurchased immaterial amounts of inventory from third party financing companies and Red Ironpursuant to such arrangements over the past three fiscal years. However, a decline in retail sales or financial difficulties of our distributors or dealers could cause this situation to change and thereby require us to repurchase financed product, up to but not exceeding our limited
obligation, which could have an adverse effect on our operating results.Results of Operations, Financial Position, or Cash Flows.
We continue to provide financing in the form of open account terms directly to home centers and mass retailers;retailers, general line irrigation dealers;dealers, certain domestic and international distributors and dealers other than the Canadian distributors and dealers to whom Red Iron providesor other third-party financing arrangements; micro-irrigationinstitutions provide financing arrangements, ag-irrigation dealers and distributors;distributors, government customers;customers, and rental companies.
End-User Financing
We have agreements with third partythird-party financing companies to provide lease-financingfinancing options to golf course and sports fields and grounds equipment customers inend-customers throughout the U.S., Australia, and select countries in Europe.world. The purpose of these agreements is to increase sales by giving buyersprovide end-users of our products alternative financing options when purchasing our products. We have no material contingent liabilities for residual value or credit collection risk under these agreements with third partythird-party financing companies.
From time to time, we enter into agreements where we provide recourse to third-party finance companies in the event of default by the customer for leasefinancing payments to the third-party finance company. Our maximum exposure for credit collection under those arrangements as of October 31, 20172020 and 2019 was $6.6 million.$12.5 million and $10.1 million, respectively.
Termination or any material change to the terms of our end-user financing arrangements, availability of credit for our customers, including any delay in securing replacement credit sources, or significant financed product repurchase requirements could have a material adverse impact on our future operating results.
Distributor Financing
Occasionally, we enter into long-term loan agreements with some distributors. These transactions are used for expansion of the distributors' businesses, acquisitions, refinancing working capital agreements, or facilitation of ownership transitions. As of October 31, 2017, we had outstanding notes receivable in the amount of $1.6 million, which is included in other current and long-term assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations
We are obligated to make future payments under various existing contracts, such as debt agreements, operating lease agreements, noncancellable purchase obligations, and other long-term obligations. The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of October 31, 2017:2020 (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Payments Due by Period |
| Contractual Obligations | | Total | | Less Than 1 Year | | 1-3 Years | | 3-5 Years | | More Than 5 Years |
Long-term debt1 | | $ | 795.0 | | | $ | 13.5 | | | $ | 203.5 | | | $ | 153.0 | | | $ | 425.0 | |
Interest payments2 | | 286.0 | | | 29.3 | | | 54.6 | | | 48.4 | | | 153.7 | |
Purchase obligations3 | | 33.4 | | | 33.4 | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Operating leases4 | | 90.2 | | | 18.1 | | | 27.7 | | | 20.8 | | | 23.6 | |
Other5 | | 37.1 | | | 29.4 | | | 5.5 | | | 1.4 | | | 0.8 | |
| Total | | $ | 1,241.7 | | | $ | 123.7 | | | $ | 291.3 | | | $ | 223.6 | | | $ | 603.1 | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (Dollars in thousands) | | Payments Due by Period |
Contractual Obligations | | Less Than 1 Year | | 1-3 Years | | 3-5 Years | | More than 5 Years | | Total |
Long-term debt1 | | $ | 26,258 |
| | $ | 84,500 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 223,792 |
| | $ | 334,550 |
|
Interest payments2 | | 18,697 |
| | 34,822 |
| | 32,163 |
| | 156,129 |
| | 241,811 |
|
Deferred compensation arrangements3 | | 541 |
| | 89 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 630 |
|
Purchase obligations4 | | 11,057 |
| | 1,740 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 12,797 |
|
Operating leases5 | | 16,789 |
| | 27,454 |
| | 21,337 |
| | 28,511 |
| | 94,091 |
|
Other6 | | 8,486 |
| | 523 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 9,009 |
|
| Total | | $ | 81,828 |
| | $ | 149,128 |
| | $ | 53,500 |
| | $ | 408,432 |
| | $ | 692,888 |
|
| |
1
| Principal payments in accordance with our credit facilities and long-term debt agreements. |
| |
2
| 2Interest payments for outstanding long-term debt obligations. Interest on variable rate debt was calculated using the interest rate as of October 31, 2017. |
| |
3
| The unfunded deferred compensation arrangements, covering certain current and retired management employees, consist primarily of salary and bonus deferrals under our deferred compensation plans. Our estimated distributions in the contractual obligations table are based upon a number of assumptions including termination dates and participant elections. |
| |
4
| Purchase obligations represent contracts or commitments for the purchase of raw materials. |
| |
5
| Operating lease obligations do not include payments to property owners covering real estate taxes and common area maintenance. |
| |
6
| Payment obligations in connection with renovations of our corporate facilities located at Bloomington, Minnesota and corporate information technology payment obligations. |
As of October 31, 2017, we also had $10.2 million in outstanding letters2020.
3 Purchase obligations represent contracts or firm, noncancellable commitments for the purchase of credit issued, including standby letterscommodities, components, parts,
and import letters of credit, during the normal course of business, as required by some vendor contracts,accessories, as well as $5.4 millioncontracts or firm, noncancellable commitments to purchase property, plant, and equipment, as applicable.
4 Operating lease obligations represent contracts that convey our right to use certain property, plant, or equipment assets in surety bonds, whichexchange for consideration and do not include workers compensation self-insured bonds. future obligations related to short-term and variable lease agreements, as well as payments to property owners covering real estate taxes and common area maintenance.
5 Payment obligations for the purchase price holdback associated with our acquisition of Venture Products, corporate information technology software and services, and other miscellaneous contractual obligations.
In addition to the contractual obligations described in the preceding table, we may be obligated for additional net cash outflows related to $2.2$2.9 million of unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties. The payment and timing of any such payments is affected by the ultimate resolution of the tax years that are under audit or remain subject to examination by the relevant taxing authorities.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have off-balance sheet arrangements with Red Iron, our joint venture with TCFIF, and TCFCFCother third-party financial institutions in which inventory receivables for certain dealers and distributors are financed by Red Iron or TCFCFC. Morethe other third-party financial institutions. Additional information regarding such agreements is disclosed within the terms and our arrangements with Red Iron and TCFCFC are disclosed herein undersection titled "Wholesale Financing" included in Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"Operations," and Note 38, Investment in Joint Venture, and Note 12, Commitments and Contingencies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We also have off-balance sheet arrangements relating to certain short-term operating lease agreements, which have a lease term of 12 months or less, and variable operating lease agreements based on actual utilization of the identified asset. Refer to Note 13, Leases, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding our short-term operating lease agreements and variable operating lease agreements based on actual utilization of the identified asset.
Additionally, we use standby letters of credit under our revolving credit facility, import letters of credit, and surety bonds in the ordinary course of business to ensure the performance of contractual obligations, as required under certain contracts. As of October 31, 2020, we had $10.0 million of maximum availability and $2.5 million outstanding under the sublimit for standby letters of credit under our revolving credit facility. As of October 31, 2020, we had $13.4 million of maximum availability and $3.9 million in outstanding import letters of credit issued. As of October 31, 2020, we did not have an outstanding balance on our surety bonds.
Market Risk
Due to the nature and scope of our operations, we are subject to exposures that arise from fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, and commodity prices.costs. We are also exposed to equity market risk pertaining to the trading price of our common stock. Additional information regarding such market risks is presenteddisclosed in Part II, Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk," and Note 14, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.Statements within Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
We have provided non-GAAP financial measures, which are subjectnot calculated or presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, as information supplemental and in addition to the effectsmost directly comparable financial measures presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We use these non-GAAP financial measures in making operating decisions because we believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our core operational performance and provide us with a better understanding of inflation, deflation,how to allocate resources to both ongoing and changing prices. During fiscal 2017, average prices paidprospective business initiatives. Additionally, these non-GAAP financial measures facilitate our internal comparisons to both our historical operating results and to our competitors' operating results by factoring out potential differences caused by charges not related to our regular, ongoing business, including, without limitation, non-cash charges, certain large and unpredictable charges, acquisitions and dispositions, legal settlements, and tax positions. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, provide investors with useful supplemental financial information to better understand our core operational performance. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for, commoditiesor as an alternative to, and components we purchased were higher comparedshould be considered in conjunction with, the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures may differ from similar measures used by other companies.
The following table provides a reconciliation of financial measures calculated and reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP to the average prices paidmost directly comparable non-GAAP financial measures for commoditiesthe fiscal years ended October 31, 2020 and componentsOctober 31, 2019:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(In thousands, except per share and percentage data) Fiscal Years Ended | | October 31, 2020 | | October 31, 2019 |
| Gross profit | | $ | 1,189,774 | | | $ | 1,047,963 | |
Acquisition-related costs1 | | 3,950 | | | 42,958 | |
Management actions2 | | 857 | | | 10,316 | |
| Non-GAAP gross profit | | $ | 1,194,581 | | | $ | 1,101,237 | |
| | | | |
| Gross margin | | 35.2 | % | | 33.4 | % |
Acquisition-related costs1 | | 0.2 | % | | 1.4 | % |
Management actions2 | | — | % | | 0.3 | % |
| Non-GAAP gross margin | | 35.4 | % | | 35.1 | % |
| | | | |
| Operating earnings | | $ | 426,357 | | | $ | 325,029 | |
Acquisition-related costs1 | | 6,183 | | | 62,333 | |
Management actions2 | | 857 | | | 16,311 | |
| Non-GAAP operating earnings | | $ | 433,397 | | | $ | 403,673 | |
| | | | |
| Earnings before income taxes | | $ | 407,070 | | | $ | 322,133 | |
Acquisition-related costs1 | | 6,183 | | | 62,333 | |
Management actions2 | | 857 | | | 17,167 | |
| Non-GAAP earnings before income taxes | | $ | 414,110 | | | $ | 401,633 | |
| | | | |
| Net earnings | | $ | 329,701 | | | $ | 273,983 | |
Acquisition-related costs1 | | 5,021 | | | 51,149 | |
Management actions2 | | 677 | | | 13,817 | |
Tax impact of stock-based compensation3 | | (7,652) | | | (13,677) | |
U.S. Tax Reform4 | | — | | | (1,012) | |
| Non-GAAP net earnings | | $ | 327,747 | | | $ | 324,260 | |
| | | | |
| Diluted EPS | | $ | 3.03 | | | $ | 2.53 | |
Acquisition-related costs1 | | 0.05 | | | 0.47 | |
Management actions2 | | 0.01 | | | 0.13 | |
Tax impact of stock-based compensation3 | | (0.07) | | | (0.12) | |
U.S. Tax Reform4 | | — | | | (0.01) | |
| Non-GAAP diluted EPS | | $ | 3.02 | | | $ | 3.00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended | | October 31, 2020 | | October 31, 2019 |
| Effective tax rate | | 19.0 | % | | 14.9 | % |
Acquisition-related costs1 | | — | % | | (0.3) | % |
Management actions2 | | — | % | | 0.1 | % |
Tax impact of stock-based compensation3 | | 1.9 | % | | 4.3 | % |
U.S. Tax Reform4 | | — | % | | 0.3 | % |
| Non-GAAP effective tax rate | | 20.9 | % | | 19.3 | % |
1 On March 2, 2020, we completed the acquisition of Venture Products and on April 1, 2019, we completed the acquisition of CMW. For additional information regarding these acquisitions, refer to Note 2, Business Combinations, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Acquisition-related costs for the fiscal 2016. We intendyear ended October 31, 2020 represent transaction costs incurred for our acquisition of Venture Products, as well as integration costs and charges incurred for the take-down of the inventory fair value step-up amounts resulting from purchase accounting adjustments related to continuethe acquisitions of Venture Products and CMW. Acquisition-related costs for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 represent transaction and integration costs, as well as charges incurred for the take-down of the inventory fair value step-up amount and amortization of the backlog intangible asset resulting from purchase accounting adjustments related to closely follow pricesour acquisition of commoditiesCMW.
2 During the third quarter of fiscal 2019, we announced the wind down our Toro-branded large horizontal directional drill and componentsriding trencher product line. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, we incurred charges for a corporate restructuring event and a loss on the divestiture of a used underground construction equipment business. Management actions for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020 represent inventory write-down charges incurred for the Toro underground wind down. Management actions for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 represent charges incurred for the Toro underground wind down, including charges related to the write-down of inventory, anticipated inventory retail support activities, and accelerated depreciation on fixed assets; the corporate restructuring event, including employee severance charges; and the divestiture of a used underground construction equipment business, including the loss on the sale of the business. Refer to Note 7, Management Actions, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding these management actions.
3 The accounting standards codification guidance governing employee stock-based compensation requires that affectany excess tax deduction for stock-based compensation be immediately recorded within income tax expense. Employee stock-based compensation activity, including the exercise of stock options under our product lines,2010 equity plan, can be unpredictable and we anticipate average prices paidcan significantly impact our net earnings, diluted EPS, and effective tax rate. These amounts represent the discrete tax benefits recorded as excess tax deductions for some commoditiesstock-based compensation during the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020 and componentsOctober 31, 2019.
4 Signed into law on December 22, 2017, the Tax Act reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35.0 percent to be higher21.0 percent, effective January 1, 2018. This reduction in fiscal 2018 as compared to fiscal 2017. Historically, we have mitigated, and we currently expect that we would mitigate, any commodity cost increases, in part, by collaborating with suppliers, reviewing alternative sourcing options, substituting materials, utilization of Lean methods, engaging in internal cost reduction efforts, and increasing prices on somerate required the re-measurement of our products, allnet deferred taxes as appropriate.of the date of enactment. The Tax Act also imposed a one-time deemed repatriation tax on our historical undistributed earnings and profits of foreign affiliates. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, we recorded a tax benefit of $1.0 million related to a prior year true-up of the Tax Act. The Tax Act did not impact our Results of Operations for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
In preparing our Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, we must make decisions that impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures. Such decisions include the selection of the appropriate accounting principles to be applied and the assumptions on which to base accounting estimates. In reaching such decisions, we apply judgmentsjudgment based on our understanding and analysis of the relevant circumstances, historical experience, and actuarial valuations. Actualand other independent external third-party specialist valuations, when applicable. As a result, actual amounts could differ from those estimated at the time the Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared.
Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Some of those significant accounting policies require us to make difficult, subjective, or complex judgments or estimates. An accounting estimate is considered to be critical if it meets both of the following criteria: (i) the estimate requires assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate is made, and (ii) different estimates reasonably could have been used, or changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period may have a material impact on the presentation of our financial condition, changes in financial condition,Financial Condition or resultsResults of operations.Operations. Our critical accounting policies and estimates include the following:
Product Warranty Guarantees
Warranty Reserve
Our products are warranted to provide assurance that the product will function as expected and to ensure customer confidence in design, workmanship, and overall quality. Warranty coverage on our products is generally provided for specified periods of time and on select products' hours of usage, and generally covers parts, labor, and other expenses for non-maintenance repairs. Warranty coverage generally does not cover operator abuse or improper use. In addition to the standard warranties offered on our products, we also sell separately priced extended warranty coverage on select products for a prescribed period after the original warranty period expires.
At the time of sale, we accrue a warranty reserverecognize expense and record an accrual by product line for estimated costs in connection with future warranty claims. We also establish reserveswarranty accruals for major rework campaigns. The amount of our warranty reservesaccruals is based primarily on the estimated number of products under warranty, historical average costs incurred to service warranty claims, the trend in the historical ratio of claims to sales, and the historical length of time between the sale and resulting warranty claim. We periodically assess the adequacy of our warranty reservesaccruals based on changes in these factors and record any necessary adjustments if actual claim experience indicates that adjustments are necessary. Actual claims could be higher or lower than amounts estimated, as the number and value of warranty claims can vary due to such factors as performance of new products, significant
manufacturing or design defects not discovered until after the product is delivered to customers, product failure rates, and higher or lower than expected service costs for a repair. We believe that analysis of historical trends and knowledge of potential manufacturing or design problems provide sufficient information to establish a reasonable estimate for warranty claims at the time of sale. However, since we cannot predict with certainty future warranty claims or costs associated with servicing those claims, our actual warranty costs may differ from our estimates. An unexpected increase in warranty claims or in the costs associated with servicing those claims would result in an increase in our warranty accrualaccruals and a decrease in our net earnings.
Sales Promotions and Incentives
AtRevenue is recognized based on the timetransaction price, which is measured as the amount of saleconsideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring product or rendering services pursuant to the terms of the contract with a customer,customer. The amount of consideration we record anreceive and the revenue we recognize varies with changes in the variable consideration associated with the estimated expense of our sales promotions and incentives programs offered to customers. We estimate forvariable consideration related to products sold under our sales promotion and incentive costs thatprograms using the expected value method, which is based on the terms of the sales arrangements with customers, historical payment and rebate claims experience, field inventory levels, volume purchases, and expectations for changes in relevant trends in the future. Actual results may differ from these estimates if competitive factors dictate the need to enhance or reduce sales promotion and incentive accruals or if customer usage and field inventory levels vary from historical trends. Adjustments to sales promotions and incentive accruals are made from time to time as actual usage becomes known in order to properly estimate the amounts necessary to generate consumer demand based on market conditions as of the balance sheet date. The estimated expense of each program is classified and recorded as a reduction from gross sales or as a component of SG&A expense.selling, general and administrative expense when revenue is recognized, depending on the nature of the respective program.
Examples of significant sales promotions and incentive programs in which the related expense is classified as a reduction from gross sales are as follows:
•Off-Invoice Discounts: Our costs for off-invoice discounts represent a reduction in the selling price of our products given at the time of sale.
•Rebate Programs: Our rebate programs are generally based on claims submitted from either our direct customers or end-users of our products, depending upon the program. The amount of the rebate varies based on the specific program and is either a dollar amount or a percentage of the purchase price and can also be based on actual retail price as compared to our selling price.
•Incentive Discounts: Our costs for incentive discount programs are based on our customers’ purchasespurchase or retail sales goals of certain quantities or mixes of product during a specified time period, which are tracked on an annual basis.
•Financing Programs: Our costs for financing programs, namelyconsist of wholesale floor planningplan financing with Red Iron and separate third-party financial institutions and end-user retail financing. Costs incurred for wholesale floor plan financing programs represent financing costs associated with programs under which we pay a portionshare the expense of the interest cost to financefinancing distributor and dealer inventories through third partythird-party financing arrangements for a specific period of time. RetailThis charge represents interest for a pre-established length of time based on a predefined rate from the contract between the company and Red Iron or the separate third-party financial institution to finance distributor and dealer inventory purchases. End-user retail financing is similar to floor planning with the difference being that retail financing programs are offered to end-user customers under which we pay a portion of interest costs on behalf of end-users for financing purchases of our equipment.
•Commissions Paid to Service Home Center Customers: Centers:We pay commissions to representative agencies to service home center customers as an off-invoice discount. These commissions do not represent any selling effort by thecenters to ensure appropriate store sets for all TTC product. In addition, TTC dealers are paid a commission to set up and deliver riding product purchased at certain home center customer but rather is a discount from the selling price of the product.
centers.Examples of significant sales promotions and incentive programs in which the related expense is classified as a component of selling, general, and administrative expense are as follows:
•Commissions Paid to Distributors and Dealers: For certain products, we use a distribution network of dealers and distributors that purchase and take possession of products for sale to the end customer. In addition, we have dealers and distributors that act as sales agents for us on certain products using a direct-selling type model. Under this direct-selling type model, our network of distributors and dealers facilitates a sale directly to the dealer or end-user customer on our behalf. Commissions to distributors and dealers in these instances represent commission payments to sales agents that are also our customers.
•Cooperative Advertising: Cooperative advertising programs are based on advertising costs incurred by distributors and dealers for promoting our products. We support a portion of those advertising costs in which claims are submitted by the distributor or dealer along with evidence of the advertising material procured/produced and evidence of the cost incurred in the form of third partythird-party invoices or receipts.
The estimates for sales promotion and incentive costs are based on the terms of the arrangements with customers, historical payment experience, field inventory levels, volume purchases, and expectations for changes in relevant trends in the future. Actual results may differ from these estimates if competitive factors dictate the need to enhance or reduce sales promotion and incentive accruals or if customer usage and field inventory levels vary from historical trends. Adjustments to sales promotions and incentive accruals are made from time to time as actual usage becomes known in order to properly estimate the amounts necessary to generate consumer demand based on market conditions as of the balance sheet date.
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but are tested at least annually for impairment and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. We test goodwill and
indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at the reporting unit level and test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at the individual indefinite-lived intangible asset or asset group level, respectively. as appropriate. A reporting unit is an operating segment or, under certain circumstances, a component of an operating segment that constitutes a business. Our reporting units are the same as its operating segments as defined in Note 3, Segment Data, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
Our impairment testing for goodwill is performed separately from our impairment testing of indefinite-lived intangible assets; however, for both types of assets butwe may elect to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether changes in events or circumstances since our most recent quantitative test for impairment indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset, or asset group, is less than its respective carrying amount. For both types of assets, we have an unconditional option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset, or asset group, and proceed directly to performing the respective quantitative analysis. If elected, in conducting the initial qualitative assessment, we analyze actual and projected growth trends for net sales, gross margin, and earnings for each reporting unit and indefinite-lived intangible asset, or asset group, as applicable, as well as historical versus planned performance. Additionally, each reporting unit and indefinite-lived intangible asset, or asset group, is assessed for critical areas that may impact its business or brand, including macroeconomic conditions, market-related exposures, competitive changes, new or discontinued products, changes in key personnel, or any other potential risks to projected financial results, such as regulatory changes or otherwise, all as applicable. All assumptions used in the qualitative assessment require significant judgment. If, after evaluating the weight of the changes in events and circumstances, both positive and negative, we conclude that an impairment of goodwill or an indefinite-lived intangible asset, or asset group, may exist, a quantitative test for impairment is performed.
If performed due to identified impairment indicators under the qualitative assessment or our election to bypass the qualitative assessment and move directly to the quantitative analysis, the quantitative impairment analysis for both goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles assets is conducted under the income approach is utilized for both to determine fair value when a quantitative analysis is required.approach. Under the income approach, we calculate the fair value of our reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets using the present value of future cash flows. Assumptions utilized in determining fair value under the income approach, such as forecasted growth rates and weighted-average cost of capital ("WACC"), are consistent
with internal projections and operating plans. Materially different assumptions regarding future performance of our businesses or a different WACC rate could result in impairment losses.losses and such losses could be material.
Individual indefinite-lived intangible assets, or asset groups, are quantitatively tested for impairment by comparing the carrying amounts of the respective asset, or asset group, to its estimated fair value. Our estimate of the fair value for an indefinite-lived intangible assetsasset, or asset group, uses projected revenues from our forecasting process, assumed royalty rates, and a discount rate. If the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset, or asset group, is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess.
In conducting our goodwill impairment test, we first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether changes in events or circumstances since our most recent quantitative test for goodwill impairment indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. In conducting the initial qualitative assessment, we analyze actual and projected growth trends for net sales, gross margin, and earnings for each reporting unit, as well as historical versus planned performance. Additionally, each reporting unit is assessed for critical areas that may impact its business, including macroeconomic conditions, market-related exposures, competitive changes, new or discontinued products, changes in key personnel, or any other potential risks to projected financial results. All assumptions used in the qualitative assessment require significant judgment. If, after evaluating the weight of the changes in events and circumstances, both positive and negative, we conclude that an impairment may exist, a two-step quantitative test for goodwill impairment is performed.
If performed due to identified impairment indicators or the duration of time since the most recent quantitative goodwill impairment test, theThe quantitative goodwill impairment test is a two-stepone-step process. First,In performing the quantitative analysis, we compare the carrying value of a reporting unit, including goodwill, to its fair value. The carrying amount of each reporting unit is determined based on the amount of equity required for the reporting unit's activities, considering the specific assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. We do not assign corporate assets and liabilities to reporting units that do not relate to the operations of the reporting unit or are not considered in determining the fair value of the reporting unit. Our estimate of the fair value of our reporting units under the income approach utilizes various inputs and assumptions, including projected operating results and growth rates from our forecasting process, applicable tax rates, and a WACC rate. Where available, and as appropriate, comparable market multiples and our company's market capitalization are also used to corroborate the results of the discounted cash flow models.model under the income approach. If the first step indicatesfair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, exceedsgoodwill of the fairreporting unit is not impaired. If the carrying value of a reporting unit then a second step mustexceeds its fair value, an impairment charge would be completed in order to determinerecognized for the
amount of goodwill impairment that should be recorded. Inby which the second step, the implied faircarrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill is determined by allocatingunit exceeds the reporting unit'sits fair value, not to all of its assets and liabilities other than goodwill. The implied fair value ofexceed the goodwill that results from the application of this second step is then compared to the carryingtotal amount of the goodwill. If the carrying amount of the goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equalallocated to that excess.reporting unit.
Inventory Valuation
WeFor the majority of our inventories, we value our inventories at the lower of the cost of inventory or net realizable value, with cost determined by either the first-in, first-out or average cost method. All remaining inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined under the last-in, first-out method for most U.S. inventories or the first-in, first-out method for all other inventories.method. We establish reservesrecord an inventory valuation adjustment for excess, slow moving, and obsolete inventory that is equal to the excess of the cost of the inventory over the estimated net realizable value or market value for the inventory depending on inventory costing method. The inventory valuation adjustment to net realizable value or market value establishes a new cost basis of the inventory that cannot be subsequently reversed. Inventory valuation adjustments are based on inventory levels, expected product life, and forecasted sales demand. Valuation of inventorydemand and can also be affected by significant redesign of existing products or replacement of an existing product by an
entirely new generation product. In assessing the ultimate realization of inventories, we are required to make judgments as to future demand requirements compared with inventory levels. ReserveInventory valuation adjustment requirements are developed according to our projected demand requirements based on historical demand, competitive factors, and technological and product life cycle changes. It is possible that an increase in our reserveinventory valuation adjustment may be required in the future if there is a significant decline in demand for our products and we do not adjust our production schedule accordingly.
We record a reserve for inventory shrinkage. Our inventory shrinkage reserve represents anticipated physical inventory losses that are recorded based on historical loss trends, ongoing cycle-count and periodic testing adjustments, and inventory levels.
Though management considers reserveour inventory valuation adjustment balances adequate and proper, changes in economic conditions in specific markets in which we operate could have an effect on the reserveinventory valuation adjustment balances required for excess, slow moving and obsolete inventory.
New Accounting PronouncementsBusiness Combinations
We account for the acquisition of a business in accordance with the accounting standards codification guidance for business combinations, whereby the total consideration transferred is allocated to be Adopted
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, that updates the principles for recognizing revenue. The core principleassets acquired and liabilities assumed, including amounts attributable to non-controlling interests, when applicable, based on their respective estimated fair values as of the guidance isdate of acquisition. Goodwill represents the excess of consideration transferred over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired in a business combination.
Assigning estimated fair values to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires the use of significant estimates, judgments, inputs, and assumptions regarding the fair value of intangibles assets that are separately identifiable from goodwill, inventory, and property, plant, and equipment. Such significant estimates, judgments, inputs, and assumptions include, when applicable, the selection of an entity should recognize revenueappropriate valuation method depending on the nature of the respective asset, such as the income approach, the market or sales comparison approach, or the cost approach; estimating future cash flows based on projected revenues and/or margins that we expect to depictgenerate subsequent to an acquisition; applying an appropriate discount rate to estimate the transferpresent value of promised goodsthose projected cash flows we expect to generate subsequent to an acquisition; selecting an appropriate royalty rate or servicesestimating a customer attrition or technological obsolescence factor where necessary and appropriate given the nature of the respective asset; assigning the appropriate contributory asset charge where needed; determining an appropriate useful life and the related depreciation or amortization method for the respective asset; and assessing the accuracy and completeness of other historical financial metrics of the acquiree used as standalone inputs or as the basis for determining estimated projected inputs such as margins, customer attrition, and costs to customers inhold and sell product.
In determining the estimated fair value of intangible assets that are separately identifiable from goodwill, we typically utilize the income approach, which discounts the projected
future cash flows using an amountappropriate discount rate that reflects the considerationrisks associated with the projected cash flows. However, in certain instances, particularly in relation to whichdeveloped technology or patents, we may utilize the entity expectscost approach depending on the nature of the respective intangible asset and the recency of the development or procurement of such technology. In determining the estimated fair value of acquired inventory, we typically utilize the cost approach for raw materials and the sales comparison approach for work in process, finished goods, and service parts. In determining the estimated fair value of acquired property, plant, and equipment, we typically utilize the sales comparison approach or the cost approach depending on the nature of the respective asset and the recency of the construction or procurement of such asset.
Estimated fair values of intangible assets that are separately identifiable from goodwill, inventory, and property, plant, and equipment are based on available historical information, future expectations, and assumptions determined to be entitledreasonable but are inherently uncertain with respect to in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance providesfuture events, including economic conditions, competition, the useful life of the acquired assets and other factors. We may refine the estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, if necessary, over a five-step analysis of transactionsperiod not to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures regardingexceed one year from the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which deferred the effective date of this standardacquisition by one year. The guidance permits the use of either a retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We have elected to use a cumulative effect transition
method for adoptiontaking into consideration new information that, if known as of the amended guidance. We expectdate of acquisition, would have affected the estimated fair values ascribed to adopt this guidance on November 1, 2018,the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Estimates that are sensitive include judgments as required, based onto whether information gathered during the new effective date. We are currently assessing our contracts with customers and developing related financial disclosures in ordermeasurement period relate to evaluate the impact of the amended guidance on our existing revenue recognition policies, procedures, and internal controls. The majority of our revenue arrangements generally consist of a single performance obligation to transfer promised goods or services. While we have not identified any material differences in the amount and timing of revenue recognition related to ASU 2014-09, our evaluation is not complete and, accordingly, we haveinformation that was not yet reached a conclusion on the overall impacts of adopting ASU 2014-09.
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. This amended guidance changes the measurement principle for inventory from the lower of costavailable or market to lower of cost and net realizable value. The amended guidance will become effective for us commencing in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this amended guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, which, among other things, requires lessees to recognize most leases on-balance sheet. The standard requireswhether subsequent developments have occurred that indicate the recognition of leaseother asset or liabilities should be recorded within net earnings. The judgments made in determining the estimated fair value assigned to assets acquired and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classifiedassumed, as operating leases under previous U.S. GAAP. The amended guidance will become effective for us commencingwell as the estimated useful life and depreciation or amortization method of each asset, can materially impact the net earnings of the periods subsequent to an acquisition through depreciation and amortization, and in certain instances through impairment charges, if the asset becomes impaired in the first quarterfuture. During the measurement period, any purchase price allocation changes that impact the carrying value of fiscal 2020. Entities are requiredgoodwill will affect any measurement of goodwill impairment taken during the measurement period, if applicable.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For information regarding recent accounting pronouncements, refer to use a modified retrospective approach, with early adoption permitted. We are currently reviewing the revised guidance, assessingNote 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Related Data, in our leases, and related impact on ourNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
In January 2017,Statements under the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwillsections entitled "New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted" and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairments by eliminating step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The amended guidance will become effective for us commencing"New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted" included in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. We are currently evaluating the impactPart II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this new standardAnnual Report on our Consolidated Financial Statements.Form 10-K.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting, which provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting under Topic 718. The amended guidance will become effective for us commencing in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, which amends the hedge accounting recognition and presentation requirements in ASC 815. The amended guidance will become effective for us commencing in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new standard on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
No other new accounting pronouncement that has been issued but not yet effective for us during fiscal 2017 has had, or is expected to have, a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to market risk stemming from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, and commodity prices.costs. We are also exposed to equity market risk pertaining to the trading price of our common stock. Changes in these factors could cause fluctuations in our earnings and cash flows. See further discussion on these market risks below.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk arising from transactions in the normal course of business, such as sales to third partythird-party customers, sales and loans to wholly ownedwholly-owned foreign subsidiaries, costs associated with foreign plant operations, and purchases from suppliers. Our primary foreign currency exchange rate exposures are with the Euro, the Australian dollar, the Canadian dollar, the British pound, the Mexican peso, the Japanese yen, the Chinese Renminbi, and the Romanian New Leu against the U.S. dollar, andas well as the Romanian New Leu against the Euro, including exposure as a result of the volatility and uncertainty that may arise as a result of the United Kingdom's process for exiting the EU.Euro. Because our products are manufactured or sourced primarily from the U.S. and Mexico, a stronger U.S. dollar and Mexican peso generally have a negative impact on our results from operations, while a weaker U.S. dollar and Mexican peso generally have a positive effect.
To reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk, we actively manage the exposure of our foreign currency exchange rate risk by entering into various derivative instruments to hedge against such risk, authorized under a company policiespolicy that placeplaces controls on these hedging activities, with counterparties that are highly rated financial institutions. Our policy does not allow the use of derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. We use derivative instruments only in an attempt to limit underlying exposure from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and to minimize earnings and cash flow volatility associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.
Our hedging activities primarily involve the use of forward currency contracts to hedge most foreign currency transactions, including existing foreign currency assets, liabilities and probable commitments and forecasted sales and purchases denominated in foreign currencies. We may also utilize forward
currency contracts or cross currency swaps to offset intercompany loan exposures. Decisions on whether to use such derivative instruments are primarily based on the amount of exposure to the currency involved and an assessment of the near-term market value for each currency. Our worldwide foreign currency exchange rate exposures are reviewed monthly. The gains and losses on our derivative instruments offset the changes in values of the related underlying exposures. Therefore, changes in the values of our derivative instruments are highly correlated with changes in the market values of underlying hedged items both at inception and over the life of the derivative instrument. For additional information regarding gains and losses on our derivative instruments, refer to Note 14, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, in ourthe Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the section entitled "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities", included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data"Data," of this report.Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The foreign currency exchange contracts in the table below have maturity dates in fiscal 20182021 through fiscal 2019.2023. All items are non-trading and stated in U.S. dollars. Certain derivative instruments we hold do not meetAs of October 31, 2020, the cash flow hedge accounting criteria; therefore, changes in their fair value are recorded in other income, net.
The average contracted rate, notional amount, pre-taxfair value, and the gain (loss) at fair value of outstanding derivative instruments in accumulated other comprehensive loss, and fair value impact of derivative instruments in other income, net, as of, and for the fiscal year ended, October 31, 2017 were as follows:follows (in thousands, except average contracted rate):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Average Contracted Rate | | Notional Amount | | Fair Value | | Gain (Loss) at Fair Value |
(Dollars in thousands, except average contracted rate) | | Average Contracted Rate | | Notional Amount | | Pre-Tax Gain (Loss) in AOCL | | Fair Value Impact Gain (Loss) | |
| Buy U.S. dollar/Sell Australian dollar | | 0.7613 |
| | $ | 44,205.2 |
| | $ | (293.8 | ) | | $ | (1,019.1 | ) | Buy U.S. dollar/Sell Australian dollar | | 0.6965 | | | $ | 102,499 | | | $ | 101,468 | | | $ | (1,031) | |
| Buy U.S. dollar/Sell Canadian dollar | | 1.2939 |
| | 10,008.4 |
| | (73.6 | ) | | 99.0 |
| Buy U.S. dollar/Sell Canadian dollar | | 1.3451 | | | 32,666 | | | 32,328 | | | (338) | |
| Buy U.S. dollar/Sell Euro | | 1.1415 |
| | 48,994.6 |
| | (1,745.9 | ) | | 1,560.3 |
| Buy U.S. dollar/Sell Euro | | 1.1646 | | | 115,400 | | | 114,289 | | | (1,111) | |
| Buy U.S. dollar/Sell British pound | | 1.3270 |
| | 37,342.1 |
| | (50.0 | ) | | 104.7 |
| Buy U.S. dollar/Sell British pound | | 1.3050 | | | 40,964 | | | 41,201 | | | 237 | |
| Buy Mexican peso/Sell U.S. dollar | | 21.3747 |
| | 11,686.2 |
| | 681.6 |
| | (525.2 | ) | Buy Mexican peso/Sell U.S. dollar | | 22.7345 | | | $ | 19,462 | | | $ | 20,153 | | | $ | 691 | |
| Buy Japanese yen/Sell U.S. dollar | | 113.6620 |
| | $ | 24.6 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| |
|
Our net investment in foreign subsidiaries translated into U.S. dollars is not hedged. Any changes in foreign currency exchange rates would be reflected as a foreign currency translation adjustment, a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and would not impact net earnings.
Interest Rate Risk
Our marketinterest rate risk on interest rates relates primarily to fluctuations in LIBOR-based short-term debtinterest rates on our revolving credit facility and a term loan from commercial banks,credit agreements, as well as the potential increase in the fair value of our fixed-rate long-term debt resulting from a potential decrease in interest rates. We generally do not use interest rate swaps to mitigate the impact of fluctuations in interest rates. Included in long-
We have no earnings or cash flow exposure due to interest rate risks on our fixed-rate long-term debt obligations.term debt is $223.8Our indebtedness as of October 31, 2020 includes $424.0 million of fixed-rategross fixed rate debt that is not subject to variable interest rate fluctuations a fixed-rate promissory note for the principal amountand $370.0 million of $10.0 million issued to the former owners of the BOSS business, and a $100.8 milliongross LIBOR-based borrowings under our term loan which is subject to market risk based on changes in LIBOR rates. We have no earnings or cash flow exposure due to market risks on our fixed-rate long-term debt obligations.credit agreements. As of October 31, 2017,2020, we did not have an outstanding balance on our LIBOR-based revolving credit facility. As of October 31, 2020, the estimated fair value of gross long-term debt with fixed interest rates was $282.4$508.2 million compared to its carrying amount of $231.1$424.0 million. MarketInterest rate risk for fixed-rate, long-term debt is estimated as the potential increase in the fair value of fixed rate debt, resulting from a hypothetical 1010.0 percent decrease in interest rates, and amounts to approximately $13.3$14.4 million. The estimated fair value of gross fixed rate debt is estimated by discounting the projected cash flows of our gross fixed rate debt using the current interest rate that could be obtained for similar amounts and terms of debt could currentlyand a similar financing term.
Commodity Cost Risk
Most of the commodities, components, parts, and accessories used in our manufacturing process and end-products, or to be borrowed.sold as standalone end-products, are exposed to commodity cost changes. These changes may be affected by several factors, including, for example, as a result of inflation, deflation, changing prices, foreign currency fluctuations, tariffs, duties, trade regulatory actions, industry actions, the inability of suppliers to absorb incremental costs resulting from COVID-19 related inefficiencies, continue operations or otherwise remain in business as a result of COVID-19 financial difficulties, or otherwise, changes to international trade policies, agreements, and/or regulation and competitor activity, including antidumping and countervailing duty petitions on certain products imported from foreign countries, including current petitions regarding certain engines imported into the U.S. from China.
Commodity Risk
WeOur primary cost exposures for commodities, components, parts, and accessories items are subject to market risk from fluctuating market prices of certain purchased commodity raw materials includingwith steel, aluminum, petroleum and natural gas-based resins, and linerboard. In addition, we are a purchaser of components and parts containing various commodities, including steel, aluminum, copper, lead, rubber, linerboard, engines, transmissions, transaxles, hydraulics, electric motors, and others, thatfor use in our products. Our largest spend for commodities, components, parts, and accessories are integrated into our end products. While such materials are typically availablegenerally for steel, engines, hydraulic components, transmissions, resin, aluminum, and electric motors, all of which we purchase from numerousseveral suppliers commodity raw materials are subject to price fluctuations.around the world. We generally buy thesepurchase commodities, components, parts, and componentsaccessories based upon market prices that are established with the vendorsuppliers as part of the purchase process. Weprocess and generally attempt to obtain firm pricing from most of our suppliers for volumes consistent with planned production. Toproduction and estimates of wholesale and retail demand for our products.
In any given year, we strategically work to mitigate any potential unfavorable impact as a result of changes to the cost of commodities, components, parts, and accessories that affect our product lines. Historically, we have mitigated, and we currently expect that we would continue to mitigate, any commodity, components, parts, and accessories cost increases, in part, by collaborating with suppliers, reviewing alternative sourcing options, substituting materials, utilizing Lean methods, engaging in internal cost reduction efforts, utilizing tariff exclusions and duty drawback mechanisms, and increasing prices on some of our products, all as appropriate. However, to the extent that commodity pricesand component costs increase and we do not have firm pricing from our suppliers, or our suppliers are not able to honor such prices, we may experience a decline in our gross margins to the extent we are not able to increase selling prices of our products or obtain manufacturing efficiencies to offset increases in commodity, component, parts, and accessories costs. In fiscal 2020, the average cost of commodities, components, parts, and accessories purchased, including the impact of inflation and tariff costs, was lower compared to the average cost of commodities, components, parts, and accessories purchased in fiscal 2019. Further information regarding rising prices forchanging costs of commodities is
presented in Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"Operations," of this reportAnnual Report on Form 10-K in the section entitled "Inflation."Commodity Cost Changes." We enter into fixed-price contracts for future purchases of natural gas in the normal course of operations as a means to manage natural gas price risks. In fiscal 2017, our manufacturing facilities entered into these fixed-price contracts for approximately 50 percent of their monthly-anticipated usage.
Equity PriceMarket Risk
The trading price volatility of our common stock impacts compensation expense related to our stock-based compensation plans. Refer to Note 10, Stock-Based Compensation Plans, in ourthe Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the section entitled "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities", included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data"Data," of this reportAnnual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding our stock-based compensation plans.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for The Toro Company and its subsidiaries. This system of internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S.accounting principles generally accepted accounting principles.in the United States.
The company's system of internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S.accounting principles generally accepted accounting principles,in the United States, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements, and even when determined to be effective, can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. In addition, projection of any evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods is subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree orof compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management, with the participation of the company's Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the company's internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2017.2020. In making this evaluation, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013). Based on this assessment, management concluded that the company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of October 31, 2017. 2020. As permitted by guidance issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2020 the operations of Venture Products, Inc., which was acquired on March 2, 2020 and accounted for approximately 6.6 percent of total assets and 1.7 percent of total net sales included within the Consolidated Financial Statements of The Toro Company and its subsidiaries as of and for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020.
Our internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2017,2020, has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included herein.
|
| | | | | | | |
| /s/ Richard M. Olson | | |
| Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer | | |
| /s/ Renee J. Peterson | | |
| Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer | | |
| | |
December 22, 201718, 2020 | | |
Further discussion of the company's internal controls and procedures is included in Part II, Item 9A, "Controls and Procedures" of this report.Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
TheTo the Stockholders and Board of Directors and Stockholders
The Toro Company:
Opinions on the Consolidated Financial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Toro Company and subsidiaries (the Company) as of October 31, 20172020 and 2016 and2019, the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, stockholders'stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended October 31, 2017. 2020, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
In connection with our audits ofopinion, the consolidated financial statements we have auditedreferred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial statement schedule listedposition of the Company as of October 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in Item 15(a) 2. We have also audited The Torothe three-year period ended October 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
Management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2017 based2020 the operations of Venture Products, Inc. (Venture Products), which was acquired on criteria establishedMarch 2, 2020 and accounted for approximately 6.6 percent of total assets and 1.7 percent of total net sales included in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizationsconsolidated financial statements of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Company as of and for the year ended October 31, 2020. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of the Company also excluded an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Venture Products.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for leases as of November 1, 2019, due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), and related amendments.
Basis for Opinions
The Toro Company'sCompany’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, and the identified financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on thesethe Company’s consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule and an opinion on the Company'sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and financial statement scheduleperforming procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence supportingregarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessingstatements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, andas well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statement presentation.statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company'scompany’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company'scompany’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company'scompany’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion,Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements referredthat were communicated or required to above present fairly,be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in all material respects, the financial position of The Toro Company and subsidiaries as of October 31, 2017 and 2016 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended October 31, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Inany way our opinion on the identified financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, presents fairly,and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Acquisition Date Fair Value of Trade Name Intangible Asset
As discussed in all material respects,Note 2 to the information therein. Alsoconsolidated financial statements, on March 2, 2020, the Company acquired Venture Products in our opinion, a business combination. As part of the transaction, the Company acquired a trade name intangible asset with an acquisition date fair value of $56.2 million, which was determined using the relief from royalty method.
We identified the evaluation of the acquisition date fair value of the trade name intangible asset as a critical audit matter. Testing the assumptions regarding future revenue growth rates and discount rate, which were used to determine the fair value, involved a high degree of subjectivity. In addition, the fair value of the intangible asset was challenging to test due to its sensitivity to changes in these assumptions.
The Torofollowing are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the Company’s acquisition-date valuation process over the trade name intangible asset. This included certain controls related to the development of the relevant assumptions as listed above. We performed sensitivity analyses over the relevant assumptions to assess the impact of changes in those assumptions on the Company’s determination of the fair value of the intangible asset. We evaluated the Company’s future revenue growth rates by comparing them to historical results and those of the Company’s peers and industry reports. In addition, we involved valuation professionals with specialized skills and knowledge who assisted in:
•Evaluating the Company’s discount rate, by comparing it against a discount rate range that was independently developed using publicly available market data for comparable entities; and
•Developing an estimate of the fair value of the trade name intangible asset acquired using the Company’s revenue forecasts and discount rate and comparing the results to the Company’s fair value estimate.
Accrued Sales Promotions and Incentives
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reportingrecorded an accrual of $98.9 million for sales promotions and incentives as of October 31, 20172020. At the time of sale, the Company records an estimate for sales promotion and incentive costs. The Company’s estimates for sales promotion and incentive costs are based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizationsterms of the Treadway Commission.arrangements with customers, historical payment experience, field inventory levels, volume purchases, and expectations for changes in relevant trends in the future.
We identified the evaluation of the accrued sales promotions and incentives as a critical audit matter. To evaluate the Company’s expectations for changes in relevant trends in the future that were used to develop the estimate, a high degree of auditor judgment was required. Historical experience was an input used to develop expectations for changes in relevant trends in the future. Changes in relevant trends in the future could have an impact to the accrual for sales promotions and incentives.
The following are the primary procedures performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the Company’s sales promotions and incentives process. This included controls related to the evaluation of the input described above. We evaluated the Company’s ability to estimate the sales promotions and incentives accruals by comparing the prior year's accrual with subsequent payments. We developed an expectation of the Company’s accrual considering historical experience and current year field inventory levels. Additionally, we tested sales promotions and incentives paid subsequent to the balance sheet date by tracing a sample of payments to underlying documentation supporting the program terms to evaluate the accrual estimate.
/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1928.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
December 22, 201718, 2020
THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Net sales | | $ | 2,505,176 |
| | $ | 2,392,175 |
| | $ | 2,390,875 |
|
| Cost of sales | | 1,584,339 |
| | 1,517,580 |
| | 1,554,940 |
|
| Gross profit | | 920,837 |
| | 874,595 |
| | 835,935 |
|
| Selling, general and administrative expense | | 565,727 |
| | 540,199 |
| | 536,821 |
|
| Operating earnings | | 355,110 |
| | 334,396 |
| | 299,114 |
|
| Interest expense | | (19,113 | ) | | (19,336 | ) | | (18,757 | ) |
| Other income, net | | 17,187 |
| | 15,400 |
| | 10,674 |
|
| Earnings before income taxes | | 353,184 |
| | 330,460 |
| | 291,031 |
|
| Provision for income taxes | | 85,467 |
| | 99,466 |
| | 89,440 |
|
| Net earnings | | $ | 267,717 |
| | $ | 230,994 |
| | $ | 201,591 |
|
| | | | | | | |
| Basic net earnings per share of common stock | | $ | 2.47 |
| | $ | 2.10 |
| | $ | 1.81 |
|
| | | | | | | |
| Diluted net earnings per share of common stock | | $ | 2.41 |
| | $ | 2.06 |
| | $ | 1.78 |
|
| | | | | | | |
| Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding – Basic | | 108,312 |
| | 109,834 |
| | 111,130 |
|
| | | | | | | |
| Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding – Diluted | | 111,252 |
| | 111,987 |
| | 113,514 |
|
Shares and per share data have been adjusted for prior periods presented to reflect a two-for-one stock split effective September 16, 2016. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Net sales | | $ | 3,378,810 | | | $ | 3,138,084 | | | $ | 2,618,650 | |
| Cost of sales | | 2,189,036 | | | 2,090,121 | | | 1,677,639 | |
| Gross profit | | 1,189,774 | | | 1,047,963 | | | 941,011 | |
| Selling, general and administrative expense | | 763,417 | | | 722,934 | | | 567,926 | |
| Operating earnings | | 426,357 | | | 325,029 | | | 373,085 | |
| Interest expense | | (33,156) | | | (28,835) | | | (19,096) | |
| Other income, net | | 13,869 | | | 25,939 | | | 18,408 | |
| Earnings before income taxes | | 407,070 | | | 322,133 | | | 372,397 | |
| Provision for income taxes | | 77,369 | | | 48,150 | | | 100,458 | |
| Net earnings | | $ | 329,701 | | | $ | 273,983 | | | $ | 271,939 | |
| | | | | | |
| Basic net earnings per share of common stock | | $ | 3.06 | | | $ | 2.57 | | | $ | 2.56 | |
| | | | | | |
| Diluted net earnings per share of common stock | | $ | 3.03 | | | $ | 2.53 | | | $ | 2.50 | |
| | | | | | |
| Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding – Basic | | 107,658 | | | 106,773 | | | 106,369 | |
| | | | | | |
| Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding – Diluted | | 108,663 | | | 108,090 | | | 108,657 | |
The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Dollars in thousands)
| | | Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 | Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Net earnings | | $ | 267,717 |
| | $ | 230,994 |
| | $ | 201,591 |
| Net earnings | | $ | 329,701 | | | $ | 273,983 | | | $ | 271,939 | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: | | |
| | |
| | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: | | | | | | |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $0, $(161), and $(51), respectively | | 10,127 |
| | (7,102 | ) | | (11,792 | ) | |
| Pension and retiree medical benefits, net of tax of $2,536, $(1,294), and $299, respectively | | 4,347 |
| | (973 | ) | | (120 | ) | |
| Derivative instruments, net of tax of $(1,123), $(605), and $(933), respectively | | (158 | ) | | (518 | ) | | (2,226 | ) | |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $0, $(16), and $(222), respectively | | Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $0, $(16), and $(222), respectively | | 6,517 | | | (1,314) | | | (8,408) | |
| Derivative instruments, net of tax of $(2,782), $(862), and $2,899, respectively | | Derivative instruments, net of tax of $(2,782), $(862), and $2,899, respectively | | (8,485) | | | (2,498) | | | 7,415 | |
| Pension and post-retirement benefits, net of tax of $45, $(1,305), and $254, respectively | | Pension and post-retirement benefits, net of tax of $45, $(1,305), and $254, respectively | | (245) | | | (4,300) | | | 1,035 | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | | 14,316 |
| | (8,593 | ) | | (14,138 | ) | Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | | (2,213) | | | (8,112) | | | 42 | |
| Comprehensive income | | $ | 282,033 |
| | $ | 222,401 |
| | $ | 187,453 |
| Comprehensive income | | $ | 327,488 | | | $ | 265,871 | | | $ | 271,981 | |
The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
| | | October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| ASSETS | | |
| | |
| ASSETS | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 310,256 |
| | $ | 273,555 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 479,892 | | | $ | 151,828 | |
| Receivables, net: | | |
| | |
| Receivables, net: | | | | |
| Customers, net of allowances (2017 - $2,147; 2016 - $1,609) | | 176,008 |
| | 157,908 |
| |
| Customers, net of allowances (2020 - $4,586; 2019 - $3,270) | | Customers, net of allowances (2020 - $4,586; 2019 - $3,270) | | 223,105 | | | 220,534 | |
| Receivables from finance affiliate | | Receivables from finance affiliate | | 12,619 | | | 21,873 | |
| Other | | 7,065 |
| | 5,357 |
| Other | | 25,411 | | | 26,361 | |
| Total receivables, net | | 183,073 |
| | 163,265 |
| Total receivables, net | | 261,135 | | | 268,768 | |
| Inventories, net | | 328,992 |
| | 307,034 |
| Inventories, net | | 652,433 | | | 651,663 | |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | 37,565 |
| | 35,155 |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | 34,188 | | | 50,632 | |
| Total current assets | | 859,886 |
| | 779,009 |
| Total current assets | | 1,427,648 | | | 1,122,891 | |
| Property, plant and equipment, net | | 235,230 |
| | 222,038 |
| Property, plant and equipment, net | | 467,919 | | | 437,317 | |
| Deferred income taxes | | 64,083 |
| | 57,228 |
| |
| Goodwill | | 205,029 |
| | 194,782 |
| Goodwill | | 424,075 | | | 362,253 | |
| Other intangible assets, net | | 103,743 |
| | 108,093 |
| Other intangible assets, net | | 408,305 | | | 352,374 | |
| Right-of-use assets | | Right-of-use assets | | 78,752 | | | — | |
| Investment in finance affiliate | | Investment in finance affiliate | | 19,745 | | | 24,147 | |
| Deferred income taxes | | Deferred income taxes | | 6,466 | | | 6,251 | |
| Other assets | | 25,816 |
| | 23,422 |
| Other assets | | 20,318 | | | 25,314 | |
| Total assets | | $ | 1,493,787 |
| | $ | 1,384,572 |
| Total assets | | $ | 2,853,228 | | | $ | 2,330,547 | |
| | | | | | |
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | | |
| | |
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | | | | |
| Current portion of long-term debt | | $ | 26,258 |
| | $ | 22,484 |
| Current portion of long-term debt | | $ | 99,873 | | | $ | 79,914 | |
| Accounts payable | | 211,752 |
| | 174,668 |
| Accounts payable | | 363,953 | | | 319,230 | |
| Short-term lease liabilities | | Short-term lease liabilities | | 15,447 | | | — | |
| Accrued liabilities: | | |
| | |
| Accrued liabilities: | | | | |
| Warranty | | 74,155 |
| | 72,158 |
| Warranty | | 107,121 | | | 96,604 | |
| Advertising and marketing programs | | 85,934 |
| | 81,315 |
| Advertising and marketing programs | | 98,883 | | | 103,417 | |
| Compensation and benefit costs | | 58,576 |
| | 52,139 |
| Compensation and benefit costs | | 58,789 | | | 76,862 | |
| Insurance | | 6,887 |
| | 7,502 |
| Insurance | | 13,452 | | | 11,164 | |
| Interest | | 7,542 |
| | 7,931 |
| Interest | | 10,065 | | | 9,903 | |
| Other | | 50,692 |
| | 45,642 |
| Other | | 88,214 | | | 59,876 | |
| Total accrued liabilities | | Total accrued liabilities | | 376,524 | | | 357,826 | |
| Total current liabilities | | 521,796 |
| | 463,839 |
| Total current liabilities | | 855,797 | | | 756,970 | |
| Long-term debt, less current portion | | 305,629 |
| | 328,477 |
| Long-term debt, less current portion | | 691,250 | | | 620,899 | |
| Deferred revenue | | 24,761 |
| | 11,830 |
| |
| Long-term lease liabilities | | Long-term lease liabilities | | 66,641 | | | — | |
| Deferred income taxes | | 1,726 |
| | — |
| Deferred income taxes | | 70,435 | | | 50,579 | |
| Other long-term liabilities | | 22,783 |
| | 30,391 |
| Other long-term liabilities | | 54,277 | | | 42,521 | |
| | Stockholders' equity: | | |
| | |
| Stockholders' equity: | | | | |
| Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, authorized 1,000,000 voting and 850,000 non-voting shares, none issued and outstanding | | — |
| | — |
| |
| Common stock, par value $1.00 per share, authorized 175,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 106,882,972 shares as of October 31, 2017 and 108,427,393 shares as of October 31, 2016 | | 106,883 |
| | 108,427 |
| |
| Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, authorized 1,000,000 voting and 850,000 non-voting shares, NaN issued and outstanding | | Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, authorized 1,000,000 voting and 850,000 non-voting shares, NaN issued and outstanding | | 0 | | | 0 | |
| Common stock, par value $1.00 per share, authorized 175,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 107,582,670 shares as of October 31, 2020 and 106,742,082 shares as of October 31, 2019 | | Common stock, par value $1.00 per share, authorized 175,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 107,582,670 shares as of October 31, 2020 and 106,742,082 shares as of October 31, 2019 | | 107,583 | | | 106,742 | |
| Retained earnings | | 534,329 |
| | 480,044 |
| Retained earnings | | 1,041,507 | | | 784,885 | |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | (24,120 | ) | | (38,436 | ) | Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | (34,262) | | | (32,049) | |
| Total stockholders' equity | | 617,092 |
| | 550,035 |
| Total stockholders' equity | | 1,114,828 | | | 859,578 | |
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | | $ | 1,493,787 |
| | $ | 1,384,572 |
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | | $ | 2,853,228 | | | $ | 2,330,547 | |
The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in thousands)
| | | Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 | Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Cash flows from operating activities: | | |
| | |
| | |
| Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | |
| Net earnings | | $ | 267,717 |
| | $ | 230,994 |
| | $ | 201,591 |
| Net earnings | | $ | 329,701 | | | $ | 273,983 | | | $ | 271,939 | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: | | |
| | |
| | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | |
| Non-cash income from finance affiliate | | (9,960 | ) | | (9,588 | ) | | (8,353 | ) | Non-cash income from finance affiliate | | (7,663) | | | (11,948) | | | (11,143) | |
| Distributions from finance affiliate, net | | 8,050 |
| | 9,848 |
| | 4,264 |
| Distributions from finance affiliate, net | | 12,066 | | | 10,343 | | | 9,228 | |
| Provision for depreciation, amortization and impairment loss | | 64,986 |
| | 64,097 |
| | 63,143 |
| |
| Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | | Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | | 76,108 | | | 69,314 | | | 53,484 | |
| Amortization of other intangible assets | | Amortization of other intangible assets | | 19,507 | | | 18,384 | | | 7,793 | |
| Fair value step-up adjustment to acquired inventory | | Fair value step-up adjustment to acquired inventory | | 3,951 | | | 39,368 | | | 0 | |
| Stock-based compensation expense | | 13,517 |
| | 10,637 |
| | 10,836 |
| Stock-based compensation expense | | 15,408 | | | 13,429 | | | 12,161 | |
| Deferred income taxes | | (6,887 | ) | | 10,075 |
| | 200 |
| Deferred income taxes | | 2,269 | | | (6,190) | | | 25,255 | |
| Other | | 202 |
| | (464 | ) | | (128 | ) | Other | | 492 | | | 6,357 | | | 507 | |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions: | | |
| | |
| | |
| |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effect of acquisitions: | | Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effect of acquisitions: | | | | | | |
| Receivables, net | | (17,701 | ) | | 15,785 |
| | (25,647 | ) | Receivables, net | | 15,206 | | | (11,042) | | | (10,365) | |
| Inventories, net | | (15,611 | ) | | 23,192 |
| | (52,656 | ) | Inventories, net | | 20,963 | | | (104,832) | | | (29,770) | |
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | | (3,424 | ) | | (905 | ) | | (607 | ) | Prepaid expenses and other assets | | 11,828 | | | 9,747 | | | (11,744) | |
| Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities | | 59,859 |
| | 30,614 |
| | 56,949 |
| |
| Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, deferred revenue and other liabilities | | Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, deferred revenue and other liabilities | | 39,538 | | | 30,458 | | | 47,460 | |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | | 360,748 |
| | 384,285 |
| | 249,592 |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | | 539,374 | | | 337,371 | | | 364,805 | |
| Cash flows from investing activities: | | |
| | |
| | |
| Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | | |
| Purchases of property, plant and equipment | | (58,276 | ) | | (50,723 | ) | | (56,374 | ) | Purchases of property, plant and equipment | | (78,068) | | | (92,881) | | | (90,124) | |
| Proceeds from asset disposals | | 199 |
| | 310 |
| | 179 |
| Proceeds from asset disposals | | 216 | | | 4,669 | | | 151 | |
| Proceeds from sale of a business | | — |
| | 1,500 |
| | — |
| Proceeds from sale of a business | | 0 | | | 12,941 | | | 0 | |
| Purchase of noncontrolling interest | | (1,500 | ) |
| — |
|
| — |
| |
| Investments in unconsolidated entities | | Investments in unconsolidated entities | | 0 | | | (200) | | | (6,750) | |
| Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | | (24,181 | ) | | — |
| | (198,329 | ) | Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | | (138,225) | | | (697,471) | | | (31,202) | |
| Net cash used in investing activities | | (83,758 | ) | | (48,913 | ) | | (254,524 | ) | Net cash used in investing activities | | (216,077) | | | (772,942) | | | (127,925) | |
| Cash flows from financing activities: | | |
| | |
| | |
| Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | |
| Short-term debt repayments, net | | — |
| | (1,161 | ) | | (21,283 | ) | |
| Payments on long-term debt | | (19,136 | ) | | (24,107 | ) | | (7,227 | ) | |
| | Borrowings under debt arrangements | | Borrowings under debt arrangements | | 636,025 | | | 900,000 | | | 0 | |
| Repayments under debt arrangements | | Repayments under debt arrangements | | (546,025) | | | (511,000) | | | (19,757) | |
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options | | 10,274 |
| | 20,226 |
| | 9,203 |
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options | | 22,198 | | | 29,336 | | | 17,243 | |
| Payments of withholding taxes for stock awards | | (1,294 | ) | | (2,013 | ) | | (1,000 | ) | Payments of withholding taxes for stock awards | | (2,146) | | | (2,662) | | | (4,095) | |
| Purchases of Toro common stock | | (159,354 | ) | | (109,986 | ) | | (105,964 | ) | |
| Dividends paid on Toro common stock | | (75,758 | ) | | (65,890 | ) | | (55,549 | ) | |
| Net cash used in financing activities | | (245,268 | ) | | (182,931 | ) | | (181,820 | ) | |
| Purchases of TTC common stock | | Purchases of TTC common stock | | 0 | | | (20,043) | | | (160,435) | |
| Dividends paid on TTC common stock | | Dividends paid on TTC common stock | | (107,698) | | | (96,133) | | | (85,031) | |
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | 2,354 | | | 299,498 | | | (252,075) | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents | | 4,979 |
| | (5,161 | ) | | (1,846 | ) | Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents | | 2,413 | | | (1,223) | | | (5,937) | |
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | 36,701 |
| | 147,280 |
| | (188,598 | ) | Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | 328,064 | | | (137,296) | | | (21,132) | |
| Cash and cash equivalents as of the beginning of the fiscal period | | 273,555 |
| | 126,275 |
| | 314,873 |
| Cash and cash equivalents as of the beginning of the fiscal period | | 151,828 | | | 289,124 | | | 310,256 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents as of the end of the fiscal period | | $ | 310,256 |
| | $ | 273,555 |
| | $ | 126,275 |
| Cash and cash equivalents as of the end of the fiscal period | | $ | 479,892 | | | $ | 151,828 | | | $ | 289,124 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | | |
| | |
| | |
| Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | | | | | | |
| Cash paid during the fiscal year for: | | |
| | |
| | |
| Cash paid during the fiscal year for: | | | | | | |
| Interest | | $ | 19,457 |
| | $ | 19,883 |
| | $ | 18,133 |
| Interest | | $ | 34,109 | | | $ | 30,167 | | | $ | 19,979 | |
| Income taxes | | 97,057 |
| | 82,225 |
| | 77,043 |
| Income taxes | | $ | 69,524 | | | $ | 54,738 | | | $ | 75,805 | |
| Shares issued in connection with stock-based compensation plans | | 7,036 |
| | 6,985 |
| | 7,705 |
| |
| Payment obligations issued in connection with acquisitions | | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 31,161 |
| |
|
The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Common Stock | | Retained Earnings | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | Total Stockholders' Equity |
| Balance as of October 31, 2014 | | $ | 111,356 |
| | $ | 313,076 |
| | $ | (15,705 | ) | | $ | 408,727 |
|
| Cash dividends paid on common stock - $0.50 per share | | — |
| | (55,549 | ) | | — |
| | (55,549 | ) |
| Issuance of 1,096,972 shares for stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested | | 1,098 |
| | 7,138 |
| | — |
| | 8,236 |
|
| Stock-based compensation expense | | — |
| | 10,836 |
| | — |
| | 10,836 |
|
| Contribution of stock to a deferred compensation trust | | — |
| | 967 |
| | — |
| | 967 |
|
| Purchase of 3,151,978 shares of common stock | | (3,152 | ) | | (103,812 | ) | | — |
| | (106,964 | ) |
| Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards | | — |
| | 8,459 |
| | — |
| | 8,459 |
|
| Other comprehensive loss | | — |
| | — |
| | (14,138 | ) | | (14,138 | ) |
| Net earnings | | — |
| | 201,591 |
| | — |
| | 201,591 |
|
| Balance as of October 31, 2015 | | 109,302 |
| | 382,706 |
| | (29,843 | ) | | 462,165 |
|
| Cash dividends paid on common stock - $0.60 per share | | — |
| | (65,890 | ) | | — |
| | (65,890 | ) |
| Issuance of 1,801,136 shares for stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested | | 1,801 |
| | 17,225 |
| | — |
| | 19,026 |
|
| Stock-based compensation expense | | — |
| | 10,637 |
| | — |
| | 10,637 |
|
| Contribution of stock to a deferred compensation trust | | — |
| | 1,200 |
| | — |
| | 1,200 |
|
| Purchase of 2,675,575 shares of common stock | | (2,676 | ) | | (109,323 | ) | | — |
| | (111,999 | ) |
| Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards | | — |
| | 12,495 |
| | — |
| | 12,495 |
|
| Other comprehensive loss | | — |
| | — |
| | (8,593 | ) | | (8,593 | ) |
| Net earnings | | — |
| | 230,994 |
| | — |
| | 230,994 |
|
| Balance as of October 31, 2016 | | 108,427 |
| | 480,044 |
| | (38,436 | ) | | 550,035 |
|
| Cash dividends paid on common stock - $0.70 per share | | — |
| | (75,758 | ) | | — |
| | (75,758 | ) |
| Issuance of 1,185,601 shares for stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested | | 1,186 |
| | 8,268 |
| | — |
| | 9,454 |
|
| Stock-based compensation expense | | — |
| | 13,517 |
| | — |
| | 13,517 |
|
| Contribution of stock to a deferred compensation trust | | — |
| | 820 |
| | — |
| | 820 |
|
| Purchase of 2,730,022 shares of common stock | | (2,730 | ) | | (157,918 | ) | | — |
| | (160,648 | ) |
| Cumulative effect adjustment ASU 2016-16 | | — |
| | (2,361 | ) | | — |
| | (2,361 | ) |
| Other comprehensive income | | — |
| | — |
| | 14,316 |
| | 14,316 |
|
| Net earnings | | — |
| | 267,717 |
| | — |
| | 267,717 |
|
| Balance as of October 31, 2017 | | $ | 106,883 |
| | $ | 534,329 |
| | $ | (24,120 | ) | | $ | 617,092 |
|
Shares and per share data have been adjusted for prior periods presented to reflect a two-for-one stock split effective September 16, 2016. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Common Stock | | Retained Earnings | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | | Total Stockholders' Equity |
| Balance as of October 31, 2017 | | $ | 106,883 | | | $ | 534,329 | | | $ | (24,120) | | | $ | 617,092 | |
| Cash dividends paid on common stock - $0.80 per share | | — | | | (85,031) | | | — | | | (85,031) | |
| Issuance of 1,495,367 shares for exercised stock options and vested restricted stock units and performance share awards | | 1,496 | | | 14,310 | | | — | | | 15,806 | |
| Stock-based compensation expense | | — | | | 12,161 | | | — | | | 12,161 | |
| Contribution of stock to a deferred compensation trust | | — | | | 1,437 | | | — | | | 1,437 | |
| Purchase of 2,777,687 shares of common stock | | (2,778) | | | (161,752) | | | — | | | (164,530) | |
Reclassification due to the adoption of ASU 2018-12 | | — | | | (141) | | | 141 | | | 0 | |
| Other comprehensive income | | — | | | — | | | 42 | | | 42 | |
| Net earnings | | — | | | 271,939 | | | — | | | 271,939 | |
| Balance as of October 31, 2018 | | 105,601 | | | 587,252 | | | (23,937) | | | 668,916 | |
| Cash dividends paid on common stock - $0.90 per share | | — | | | (96,133) | | | — | | | (96,133) | |
| Issuance of 1,544,962 shares for exercised stock options and vested restricted stock units and performance share awards | | 1,545 | | | 26,387 | | | — | | | 27,932 | |
| Stock-based compensation expense | | — | | | 13,429 | | | — | | | 13,429 | |
| Contribution of stock to a deferred compensation trust | | — | | | 1,404 | | | — | | | 1,404 | |
| Purchase of 403,532 shares of common stock | | (404) | | | (22,301) | | | — | | | (22,705) | |
Cumulative transition adjustment due to the adoption of ASU 2014-09 | | — | | | 864 | | | — | | | 864 | |
| Other comprehensive loss | | — | | | — | | | (8,112) | | | (8,112) | |
| Net earnings | | — | | | 273,983 | | | — | | | 273,983 | |
| Balance as of October 31, 2019 | | 106,742 | | | 784,885 | | | (32,049) | | | 859,578 | |
| Cash dividends paid on common stock - $1.00 per share | | — | | | (107,698) | | | — | | | (107,698) | |
| Issuance of 870,011 shares for exercised stock options and vested restricted stock units and performance share awards | | 870 | | | 18,760 | | | — | | | 19,630 | |
| Stock-based compensation expense | | — | | | 15,408 | | | — | | | 15,408 | |
| Contribution of stock to a deferred compensation trust | | — | | | 2,568 | | | — | | | 2,568 | |
| Purchase of 29,422 shares of common stock | | (29) | | | (2,117) | | | — | | | (2,146) | |
| Other comprehensive loss | | — | | | — | | | (2,213) | | | (2,213) | |
| Net earnings | | — | | | 329,701 | | | — | | | 329,701 | |
| Balance as of October 31, 2020 | | $ | 107,583 | | | $ | 1,041,507 | | | $ | (34,262) | | | $ | 1,114,828 | |
The financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
• THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES •
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
|
| | | | |
| 1 | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING
POLICIES AND RELATED DATA
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Related Data |
The Toro Company is in the business of designing, manufacturing, and marketing professional turf maintenance equipment and services; turf irrigation systems; landscaping equipment and lighting products; snow and ice management products; agricultural irrigation ("ag-irrigation") systems; rental, specialty, and underground construction equipment; and residential yard and snow thrower products. The Toro Company sells its products worldwide through a network of distributors, dealers, mass retailers, hardware retailers, equipment rental centers, home centers, as well as online (direct to end-users). The Toro Company strives to provide innovative, well-built, and dependable products supported by an extensive service network.
The following are The Toro Company's significant accounting policies in addition to those included in the other Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included within this Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted ("GAAP") in the United States ("U.S.") and include the accounts of The Toro Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the "company")wholly-owned subsidiaries. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms "company," "TTC," "we," "our," or "us" refer to The Toro Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. In the opinion of management, the Consolidated Financial Statements include all adjustments, consisting primarily of recurring accruals, considered necessary for the fair presentation of the company's Consolidated Financial Position, Results of Operations, and Cash Flows for the periods presented.
The company's businesses are organized, managed, and internally grouped into segments based on similarities in products and services. The company classifies its operations into 2 reportable business segments: Professional and Residential. The company's remaining activities are presented as "Other" due to their insignificance. Such Other activities consist of earnings (loss) from the company's wholly-owned domestic distribution companies, corporate activities, and the elimination of intersegment revenues and expenses. For additional information regarding the company's reportable business segments refer to Note 3, Segment Data.
The company uses the equity method to account for equity investments in unconsolidated entities over which it has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies. Consolidated net earnings include theThe company's share of the net earnings (losses) of these equity method investments. The cost method is used to account forinvestments are recorded
within other income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Equity investments in companiesunconsolidated entities that the company does not control and for which it does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies. These cost method investmentspolicies are recorded at cost.cost, less impairment, as applicable, within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated from the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Stock SplitImpact of COVID-19
On August 18, 2016,In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19" or "the pandemic") outbreak a global pandemic. The global outbreak of COVID-19 negatively impacted portions of the global economy, disrupted global supply chains, and created volatility in financial markets. COVID-19 has had a material impact on the company announced that its Board of Directors declared a two-for-one stock splitand the future broader implications of the company's common stock, effected inpandemic on the form of a 100 percent stock dividend. The stock split dividend was distributed or paidcompany remain uncertain and will depend on September 16, 2016, to stockholders of record as of September 1, 2016. Earningscertain future developments, including the duration, scope, and dividends declared per share and weighted-average shares outstanding are presented in this report after the effectseverity of the 100 percent stock dividend. The two-for-one stock split is reflectedpandemic; its impact on the company's employees, customers, and suppliers; and the range of government mandated restrictions and other measures. This uncertainty could have a material impact on accounting estimates and assumptions utilized to prepare the Consolidated Financial Statements in future reporting periods, which could result in a material adverse impact on the share amounts for prior periods presented in this report.company's Consolidated Financial Position, Results of Operations, and Cash Flows.
Accounting Estimates
In preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with United States ("U.S.") generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"),GAAP, management must make decisions that impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and the related disclosures, including disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Such decisions include the selection of the appropriate accounting principles to be applied and the assumptions on which to base accounting estimates. Estimates are used in determining, among other items, sales promotionspromotion and incentivesincentive accruals, incentive compensation accruals, income tax accruals, inventory valuation, warranty reserves, earn-out liabilities, allowance for doubtful accounts, pension and post-retirement accruals, self-insurance accruals, right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, useful lives for tangible and definite-livedfinite-lived intangible assets, and future cash flows associated with impairment testing for goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets and other long-lived assets.assets, and valuations of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination, when applicable. These estimates and assumptions are based on management's best estimates and judgments at the time they are made.made and are generally derived from management's understanding and analysis of the relevant and current circumstances, historical experience, and actuarial and other independent external third-party specialist valuations, when applicable. Management evaluates its estimates and
assumptions on an ongoing basis using
historical experience and other factors that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, including the current economic environment.environment and other factors, as applicable. Management adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, including those impacted by COVID-19, actual amounts could differ significantly from those estimated at the time the Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared. Changes in those estimates will be reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements in future periods.
Business Combinations
The company accounts for the acquisition of a business in accordance with the accounting standards codification ("ASC") guidance for business combinations, whereby the total consideration transferred is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including amounts attributable to non-controlling interests, when applicable, based on their respective estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. Goodwill represents the excess of consideration transferred over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired in a business combination.
Assigning estimated fair values to the net assets acquired requires the use of significant estimates, judgments, inputs, and assumptions regarding the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on available historical information, future expectations, and assumptions determined to be reasonable but are inherently uncertain with respect to future events, including economic conditions, competition, the useful life of the acquired assets, and other factors. The company may refine the estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, if necessary, over a period not to exceed one year from the date of acquisition by taking into consideration new information that, if known at the date of acquisition, would have affected the estimated fair values ascribed to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The judgments made in determining the estimated fair value assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as well as the estimated useful life and depreciation or amortization method of each asset, can materially impact the net earnings of the periods subsequent to the acquisition through depreciation and amortization, and in certain instances through impairment charges, if the asset becomes impaired in the future. During the measurement period, any purchase price allocation changes that impact the carrying value of goodwill affects any measurement of goodwill impairment taken during the measurement period, if applicable. Refer to Note 2, Business Combinations, for additional information regarding the company's accounting for recent business combinations.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are stated at cost,
which approximates fair value. As of October 31, 2017,2020 and 2019, cash and short-term investmentscash equivalents held by the company's foreign subsidiaries that are not available to fund domestic operations unless repatriated were $133,488.$106.3 million and $97.5 million, respectively.
Receivables, Net
The company's financial exposure related to the collection of accounts receivable is primarily reduced due to its Red Iron Acceptance, LLC ("Red Iron") joint venture with TCF Inventory Finance, Inc. ("TCFIF") and separate arrangement with TCF Commercial Finance Canada, Inc. ("TCFCFC"), as further discussed in Note 3.8, Investment in Joint Venture. The company also has floor plan financing agreements with separate third-party financial institutions to provide inventory financing to certain dealers not financed through Red Iron, which include agreements with third-party financial institutions in the U.S. and internationally in Australia. For receivables not serviced through Red Iron or other third-party floor plan financing agreements, the company grants credit to customersprovides financing in the form of open account terms in the normal course of business and performs on-going credit evaluations of customers.
Receivables are recorded at original carrying amount less estimated allowance for doubtful accounts.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The company estimates the balance of allowance for doubtful accounts by analyzing the age of accounts and notes receivable balances and applying historical write-off trend rates. The company also estimates and reserves separately, specific customer balances when it is deemed probable that the balance is uncollectible. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when all collection efforts have been exhausted.
Inventory ValuationsConcentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the company to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of accounts receivable and derivative instruments. Accounts receivable balances are concentrated in the Professional and Residential business segments. The credit risk associated with these business segments is limited because of the large number of customers in the company's customer base and their geographic dispersion. The credit risk associated with the company's derivative instruments is limited as the company enters into derivative instruments with multiple counterparties that are highly rated financial institutions.
Inventories, Net
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined by the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method for a majority of the company's inventories. The first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method is usedand average cost methods for all other inventories, constituting 31approximately 53.0 percent and 3354.0 percent of total net inventories as of October 31, 20172020 and 2016,2019, respectively. TheAll remaining inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined under the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method. During fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, LIFO layers were not materially reduced. Additionally, the company establishes a reserverecords an inventory valuation adjustment for excess, slow-moving, and obsolete inventory that is equal to the difference betweenexcess of the cost andof the inventory over the estimated net realizable value or market value for that inventory. These reserves arethe
inventory depending on the inventory costing method. Such inventory valuation adjustment is based on a review and comparison of current inventory levels to planned production, as well as planned and historical sales of the inventory. During fiscal 2017 LIFO layers were not
reduced; however, in fiscal 2016 LIFO layers were reduced, which resulted in charging lower inventory costs prevailing in previous years to cost of sales, thus reducing cost of sales by $60.
Inventories, net were as follows:follows (in thousands): | | | October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Raw materials and work in process | | $ | 100,077 |
| | $ | 90,463 |
| Raw materials and work in process | | $ | 168,759 | | | $ | 179,967 | |
| Finished goods and service parts | | 295,716 |
| | 274,929 |
| Finished goods and service parts | | 565,761 | | | 553,767 | |
| Total FIFO value | | 395,793 |
| | 365,392 |
| Total FIFO value | | 734,520 | | | 733,734 | |
| Less: adjustment to LIFO value | | 66,801 |
| | 58,358 |
| Less: adjustment to LIFO value | | 82,087 | | | 82,071 | |
| Total inventories, net | | $ | 328,992 |
| | $ | 307,034 |
| Total inventories, net | | $ | 652,433 | | | $ | 651,663 | |
Property, Plant and DepreciationEquipment, Net
Property, plant and equipment assets are carried at cost.cost less accumulated depreciation. The company providesgenerally accounts for depreciation of property, plant and equipment utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Buildings includingand leasehold improvements are generally depreciated over 10 to 40 years. Machineryyears, machinery and equipment are generally depreciated over two to 15 years, tooling is generally depreciated over three to five years, and toolingcomputer hardware and software and website development costs are generally depreciated over three to five years. Software and web site development costs are generally amortized over two to five years. Expenditures for major renewals and improvements, which substantially increase the useful lives of existing assets, are capitalized, and expenditurescapitalized. Expenditures for general maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expenses as incurred. Interest is capitalized during the construction period for significant capital projects. During the fiscal years ended October 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015,2018, the company capitalized $344, $549,$1.0 million, $1.3 million, and $897$0.9 million of interest, respectively.
Property, plant and equipment, net was as follows:follows (in thousands): | | | October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Land and land improvements | | $ | 38,060 |
| | $ | 34,744 |
| Land and land improvements | | $ | 57,387 | | | $ | 55,613 | |
| Buildings and leasehold improvements | | 194,995 |
| | 182,121 |
| Buildings and leasehold improvements | | 301,848 | | | 276,556 | |
| Machinery and equipment | | 349,976 |
| | 325,595 |
| Machinery and equipment | | 499,312 | | | 453,314 | |
| Tooling | | 197,299 |
| | 200,842 |
| Tooling | | 231,142 | | | 226,870 | |
| Computer hardware and software | | 88,152 |
| | 85,173 |
| Computer hardware and software | | 102,312 | | | 94,409 | |
| Construction in process | | 17,132 |
| | 9,561 |
| Construction in process | | 48,157 | | | 34,937 | |
| Property, plant and equipment | | 885,614 |
| | 838,036 |
| |
| Property, plant and equipment, gross | | Property, plant and equipment, gross | | 1,240,158 | | | 1,141,699 | |
| Less: accumulated depreciation | | 650,384 |
| | 615,998 |
| Less: accumulated depreciation | | 772,239 | | | 704,382 | |
| Property, plant and equipment, net | | $ | 235,230 |
| | $ | 222,038 |
| Property, plant and equipment, net | | $ | 467,919 | | | $ | 437,317 | |
During fiscal years 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015,2018, the company recorded depreciation expense of $54,679, $53,355,$76.1 million, $69.3 million, and $50,322,$53.5 million, respectively.
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the cost of acquisitionsbusiness combinations in excess of the fair values assigned to the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is assigned to reporting units based upon the expected benefit of the synergies of the acquisition. Goodwill and certain trade names, which are considered to have indefinite lives, are not amortized; however, the company reviews them for impairment annually during the fourth quarter of each fiscal
year or more frequently if changes in circumstances or the occurrence of events suggestindicate that the fair value may not be recoverable.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017,2020, the company performed its annual goodwill impairment test. In performing the annual goodwill impairment test, the company first reviewed its reporting units and determined that it has nine11 reporting units, which are the same as its nine11 operating segments. SevenNaN reporting units contain goodwill on their respective balance sheets. Next, the company performed anelected to bypass the qualitative assessment and move directly to the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis. In performing the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis, the company compared the carrying value of qualitative factorseach reporting unit, including goodwill, to determine whether changesits respective fair value. The carrying value of each reporting unit was determined based on the amount of equity required for the reporting unit's activities, considering the specific assets and liabilities of the reporting unit. The company did not assign corporate assets and liabilities that do not relate to the operations of the reporting unit, or are not considered in events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not thatdetermining the fair value of athe reporting unit, is less thanto the reporting units. The company's estimate of the respective fair values of its carrying amountreporting units was determined under the income approach, which utilized various inputs and accordingly, whether it is necessaryassumptions, including projected operating results and growth rates from the company's forecasting process, applicable tax rates, and a weighted-average cost of capital rate. Where available, and as appropriate, comparable market multiples and the company's market capitalization were also utilized to perform a quantitative two-step goodwill impairment test.corroborate the results of the discounted cash flow models under the income approach. Based on the company'squantitative goodwill impairment analysis, of qualitative factors, the company determined that itthere was not necessary to perform a quantitative two-step0 impairment of goodwill impairment testduring fiscal 2020 for any of its reporting units.units as the fair values of the reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values, including goodwill. Further, 0 impairment of goodwill was recorded during fiscal years 2019 and 2018.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017,2020, the company also performed an assessment ofa quantitative impairment analysis for its indefinite-lived intangible assets, which consist of certain trade names. The company's estimate of the fair valuevalues of its trade names are based on a discounted cash flow model, usingwhich utilized various inputs which included:and assumptions. Such inputs and assumptions included projected revenues from the company's forecasting process;process, assumed royalty rates that could be payable if the company did not own the trade name;name, and a discount rate. Based on this quantitative impairment analysis, which was also performed in prior fiscal years, the
company concluded its indefinite-lived intangible assets were not0t impaired during fiscal 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, or 2015.2018.
Other Long-Lived Assets
Other long-lived assets consist of property, plant and equipmentequipment; right-of-use assets associated with operating lease agreements, capitalized implementation costs for hosted cloud-computing arrangements; and definite-livedfinite-lived intangible assets. The company's definite-livedfinite-lived intangible assets are identifiable assets that arose from purchase acquisitions consistingwere acquired as a result of business combinations and primarily consist of patents, non-compete agreements, customer relationships and lists, backlog, trade names, and developed technology and are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from one to 20 years.
The company reviews other long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset, (oror asset group)group, may not be recoverable. Asset groups have identifiable cash flows and are largely independent of other asset groups. An impairment loss is recognized when estimated undiscounted future cash flows from the operation or disposition of the asset group are less than the carrying amount of the asset group. Measurement of an impairment loss is based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset group over its fair value. Fair value is generally measured using a discounted cash flow model or independent appraisals, as appropriate. Based on the company's impairment analysis for other long-lived assets, the company did not0t have any impairment losses for fiscal 20172020, 2019, and 2016. For fiscal 2015, the company wrote down $1,383 of other long-lived assets.2018.
For other long-lived assets to be abandoned, the company tests for potential impairment. If the company commits to a plan to abandon or dispose of an other long-lived asset, or asset group, before the end
of its previously estimated useful life, depreciation or amortization estimates are revised.
Leases
The company enters into contracts for operating lease agreements that convey the company's right to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from, an identified asset for a defined period of time in exchange for consideration. The lease term begins and is determined upon lease commencement, which is the point in time when the company takes possession of the identified asset, and includes all non-cancelable periods.
Lease liabilities represent the company's obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease agreement. The company accounts for operating lease liabilities at lease commencement and on an ongoing basis as the present value of the minimum remaining lease payments under the respective lease term. Lease payments are determined at lease commencement and represent fixed lease payments as defined within the respective lease agreement or, in the case of certain lease agreements, variable lease payments that are measured as of the lease commencement date based on the prevailing index or market rate. Future adjustments to variable lease payments are defined and scheduled within the respective lease agreement and are determined based upon
the prevailing market or index rate at the time of the adjustment relative to the market or index rate determined at lease commencement. Certain other lease agreements contain variable lease payments that are determined based upon actual utilization of the identified asset. Such future adjustments to variable lease payments and variable lease payments based upon actual utilization of the identified asset are not included within the determination of lease payments at commencement but rather, are recorded as variable lease expense in the period in which the variable lease cost is incurred. The company has operating leases with both lease components and non-lease components. For purposes of determining lease payments, the company accounts for lease components separately from non-lease components based on the relative market value of each component. Non-lease components typically consist of common area maintenance, utilities, and/or other repairs and maintenance services. The costs related to non-lease components are not included within the determination of lease payments at commencement. Minimum remaining lease payments are discounted to present value based on the rate implicit in the operating lease agreement or the estimated incremental borrowing rate at lease commencement if the rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable.
Right-of-use assets represent the company's right to use an underlying asset throughout the lease term and are measured as the amount of the corresponding operating lease liability for the respective operating lease agreement, adjusted for prepaid or accrued lease payments, the remaining balance of any lease incentives received, unamortized initial direct costs, and impairment of the operating lease right-of-use asset, as applicable.
Lease expense for the company's operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is recorded within either cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings depending on the nature and use of the identified asset underlying the respective operating lease arrangement. The company does not recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, but does recognize expense on a straight-line basis, for short-term operating leases which have a lease term of 12 months or less and do not include an option to purchase the underlying asset.
Accounts Payable
The company has a customer-managedsupply chain finance service agreement with a third partythird-party financial institution to provide a web-based platform that facilitates the ability of participating suppliers' abilitysuppliers to finance payment obligations from the company with a designated third partythe third-party financial institution. Participating suppliers may, at their sole discretion, make offers to finance one or more payment obligations of the company prior to their scheduled due dates at a discounted price to a participatingthe third-party financial institution.
The company's obligations to its suppliers, including amounts due and scheduled payment dates, are not affected by suppliers' decisions to finance amounts under this supply chain finance arrangement. As of October 31, 2017 2020
and 2016, $24,4552019, $63.5 million and $16,249,$46.7 million, respectively, of the company's outstanding payment obligations had been placed on the accounts payable tracking system.third-party financial institution's supply chain finance web-based platform.
Insurance
The company is self-insured for certain losses relating to employee medical, dental, workers' compensation, and certain product liability claims. Specific stop loss coverages are provided for catastrophic claims in order to limit exposure to significant claims. Losses and claims are charged to operationsnet earnings when it is probable a loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Self-insured liabilities are based on a number of factors, including historical claims experience, an estimate of claims incurred but not reported, demographic and severity factors, and utilizing valuations provided by independent third-party actuaries.
Accrued WarrantiesProduct Warranty Guarantees
The company’s products are warranted to provide assurance that the product will function as expected and to ensure customer confidence in design, workmanship, and overall quality. Warranty coverage is generally provided for specified periods of time and on select products’ hours of usage, and generally covers parts, labor, and other expenses for non-maintenance repairs. Warranty coverage generally does not cover operator abuse or improper use. An authorized company distributor or dealer must perform warranty work. Distributors and dealers submit claims for warranty reimbursement and are credited for the cost of repairs, labor, and other expenses as long as the repairs meet the company's prescribed standards. Service support outside of the warranty period is provided by authorized distributors and dealers at the customer's expense. In addition to the standard warranties offered by the company on its products, the company also sells separately priced extended warranty coverage on select products for a prescribed period after the original warranty period expires.
The company recognizes expense and providesrecords an accrual for estimated future warranty costs at the time of sale and also establishes accruals for major rework campaigns. Warranty accruals are based primarily on the estimated number of products under warranty, historical average costs incurred to service warranty claims, the trend in the historical ratio of claims to sales, and the historical length of time between the sale and resulting warranty claim. The company periodically assesses the adequacy of its warranty accruals based on changes in these factors and records any necessary adjustments if actual claims experience indicates that adjustments are necessary.
The changes in accrued warranties were as follows:follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Beginning balance | | $ | 96,604 | | | $ | 76,214 | | | $ | 74,155 | |
| Warranty provisions | | 60,273 | | | 57,277 | | | 49,160 | |
| Acquisitions | | 2,557 | | | 18,418 | | | 0 | |
| Warranty claims | | (67,241) | | | (58,878) | | | (45,662) | |
| Changes in estimates | | 14,928 | | | 3,573 | | | (1,439) | |
| Ending balance | | $ | 107,121 | | | $ | 96,604 | | | $ | 76,214 | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
| Beginning balance | | $ | 72,158 |
| | $ | 70,734 |
|
| Warranty provisions | | 46,150 |
| | 44,260 |
|
| Warranty claims | | (40,940 | ) | | (41,102 | ) |
| Changes in estimates | | (3,213 | ) | | (1,734 | ) |
| Ending balance | | $ | 74,155 |
| | $ | 72,158 |
|
DerivativesDerivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Derivative instruments, consisting mainlyprimarily of forward currency contracts, are used to hedge most foreign currency transactions,
including forecasted sales and purchases denominated in foreign currencies. The company may also utilize forward currency contracts or cross currency swaps to offset intercompany loan exposures. All derivative instruments are recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value as either assets or liabilities. If the derivative instrument is designated as a cash flow hedging instrument, the effective portion of the changechanges in the fair valuevalues of the derivative instrument is recorded as aspot rate component of outstanding, highly effective cash flow hedging instruments included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness are recorded in other comprehensive income within accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are subsequently reclassified to net earnings within the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income andEarnings during the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity until net earnings is affected by the variability ofsame period in which the cash flows of the underlying hedged transaction.transaction affect net earnings. Changes in the fair values of hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized immediately in net earnings under the mark-to-market approach. Derivatives that doare not meet the requirements fordesignated as cash flow hedge accountinghedging instruments are adjusted to fair value through other income, net, on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions
The functional currency of the company's foreign operations is generally the applicable local currency. The functional currency is translated into U.S. dollars for balance sheet accounts using the respective current exchange ratesrate in effect as of the balance sheet date for balance sheet accounts and for revenue and expense accounts using athe respective weighted-average exchange rate during the fiscal year.year for revenue and expense accounts. The resulting translation adjustments are deferred as a component of other comprehensive income within the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity. Gains or losses resulting from transactions denominated in foreign currencies are included in other income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Debt Issuance Costs
Debt issuance costs incurred in connection with securing the company’s financing arrangements are capitalized and amortized over the term of the respective financing arrangement under the straight-line method as the results obtained are not materially different from those that would result from the use of the effective interest method. Debt issuance costs are generally presented in the Consolidated
Balance Sheets as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the outstanding borrowings, consistent with debt discounts. However, the company classifies the debt issuance costs related to its $600.0 million five-year senior unsecured revolving credit facility ("revolving credit facility") within other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, regardless of whether the company has any outstanding borrowings on the revolving credit facility. Debt issuance costs related to borrowings that are extinguished early are charged to expense at the time of retirement. Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization, were $3.9 million and $4.5 million as of October 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years that those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income tax expense in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided when, in management's judgment, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The company has reflected the necessary deferred tax assets and liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Management believes the future tax deductions will be realized principally through carryback tofuture taxable income, in prior years, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, and futurecarryback to taxable income.income in prior years.
The company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 5050.0 percent likely of beingto be realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The company
also records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits inwithin income tax expense.
Revenue Recognition
The company's primary source of revenue is generated through the sale of equipment and irrigation products and services to its customers, which primarily consist of a worldwide network of distributors, dealers, mass retailers, hardware retailers, home centers, as well as online (direct to end-users). The company enters into contracts with its customers for the sale of products or rendering of services in the ordinary course of business. A contract with commercial substance exists at the time the company receives and accepts a purchase order under a sales contract with a customer. The company recognizes revenue forwhen, or as, performance obligations under the terms of a contract with its customer are satisfied, which occurs with the transfer of control of product sales when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, title and risk of ownership passesor services. Control is typically transferred to the customer the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is probable. These criteria are typically met at
the time a product is shipped, or in the case of certain agreements, when a product is delivered.delivered or as services are rendered. Revenue is recognized based on the transaction price, which is measured as the amount of consideration the company expects to receive in exchange for transferring product or rendering services pursuant to the terms of the contract with a customer. The amount of consideration the company receives and the revenue the company recognizes varies with changes in the variable consideration associated with the estimated expense of the company's sales promotions and incentives programs offered to customers, as well as anticipated product returns. A provision is made at the time the related revenue is recognized as a reduction of the transaction price for estimatedvariable consideration, consisting primarily of expected product returns, rebates, floor plan costs, rebates, and other sales promotion and incentive program expenses. Sales, use, value-addedIf a contract contains more than one performance obligation, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on the relative standalone selling price of the respective promised good or service. The company does not recognize revenue in situations where collectability from the customer is not probable, and other excise taxesdefers the recognition of revenue until collection is probable or payment is received and performance obligations are not recognized in revenue. Freight revenue billed to customers is included in net sales.satisfied.
TheAdditionally, the company ships some of its products to a keymass retailer's seasonal distribution centers on a consignment basis. The company retains title tocontrol of its products stored at the seasonalmass retailer's distribution centers. As the company's products are removed from the seasonal distribution centers by the keymass retailer and shipped to the keymass retailer's stores, title passescontrol is transferred from the company to the keymass retailer. At that time, the company invoices the keymass retailer and recognizes revenue for these consignment transactions. The company does not offer a right of return for products shipped to the keymass retailer's stores from the seasonal distribution centers. From time to time, the company also stores inventory on a consignment basis at other customers' locations. The amountvalue of consignment inventory as of October 31, 20172020 and 20162019 was $19,327$24.6 million and $22,443,$19.9 million, respectively.
Revenue earned fromFreight and shipping revenue billed to customers concurrent with revenue producing activities is included within revenue and the cost for freight and shipping is recognized as an expense within cost of sales when control has transferred to the customer. Shipping and handling activities that occur after control of the related products is transferred are treated as a fulfillment activity rather than a promised service, and maintenance contracts is recognized ratably overtherefore, are not considered a performance obligation. Sales, use, value-added, and other excise taxes the contractual period. Revenuecompany collects concurrent with revenue producing activities are excluded from extended warranty programs is deferred atrevenue. Incremental costs of obtaining a contract for which the timeperformance obligations will be satisfied within the next twelve months are expensed as incurred. Incidental items, including goods or services, that are immaterial in the context of the contract is sold and amortized into net sales using the straight-line method over the extended warranty period.are recognized as expense when incurred.
Sales Promotions and Incentives
At the time of sale, theThe company records an estimate for the variable consideration associated with the estimated expense of the company's sales promotionpromotions and incentives programs offered to customers when revenue is recognized. The company estimates variable consideration related to products sold under its sales promotions and incentive costs. The company's estimates of sales promotion and incentive costs areprograms using the expected value method, which is based on the terms of the sales arrangements with customers, historical payment and rebate claims experience, field inventory levels, volume purchases, and expectations for changes in relevant trends in the future. The estimated expense of each program is classified as a reduction from gross sales or as a component of selling, general and administrative expense.expense, depending on the nature of the respective program.
Examples of significant sales promotions and incentive programs in which the related expense is classified as a reduction from gross sales are as follows:
•Off-Invoice Discounts: The company's costs for off-invoice discounts represent a reduction in the selling price of its products given at the time of sale.
•Rebate Programs: The company's rebate programs are generally based on claims submitted from either its direct customers or end-users of its products, depending upon the program. The amount of the rebate varies based on the
specific program and is either a dollar amount or a percentage of the purchase price and can also be based on actual retail price as compared to the company's selling price.
•Incentive Discounts: The company's costs for incentive discount programs are based on its customers’ purchasespurchase or retail sales goals of certain quantities or mixes of product during a specified time period, which are tracked on an annual basis.
or quarterly basis depending on the program.•Financing Programs:The company's costs for financing programs, namelyconsist of wholesale floor planningplan financing programs with Red Iron and separate third-party financial institutions and end-user retail financing. Costs incurred for wholesale floor plan financing programs represent financing costs associated with programs under which it pays a portionthe company shares the expense of the interest cost to financefinancing distributor and dealer inventories through third partythird-party financing arrangements for a specific period of time. RetailThis charge represents interest for a pre-established length of time based on a predefined rate from the contract between the company and Red Iron or the separate third-party financial institution to finance distributor and dealer inventory purchase. The wholesale financing costs for distributor and dealer inventories were $24.1 million, $44.5 million, and $37.1 million for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. End-user retail financing is similar to floor planning with the difference being that retail financing programs are offered to end-user customers under which the company, paysat its discretion, may pay a portion of
interest costs on behalf of end-users for financing purchases of itsthe company's equipment.
•Commissions Paid to Service Home Center Customers: Centers: The company pays commissions to representative agencies to service home center customers as an off-invoice discount. These commissions do not represent any selling effort by the home center customer but rather is a discount from the selling pricecenters to ensure appropriate store sets for all of the product.
company's products. In addition, the company's dealers are paid a commission to set up and deliver riding product purchased at certain home centers.Examples of significant sales promotions and incentive programs in which the related expense is classified as a component of selling, general, and administrative expense are as follows:
•Commissions Paid to Distributors and Dealers: For certain products, the company uses a distribution network of dealers and distributors that purchase and take possession of products for sale to the end customer. In addition, the company has dealers and distributors that act as sales agents for it on certain products using a direct-selling type model. Under this direct-selling type model, the company's network of distributors and dealers facilitates a sale directly to the dealer or end-user customer on its behalf. Commissions to distributors and dealers in these instances represent commission payments to sales agents that are also its customers.
•Cooperative Advertising: Cooperative advertising programs are based on advertising costs incurred by distributors and dealers for promoting the company's products. The company supports a portion of those advertising costs in which claims are submitted by the distributor or dealer along with evidence of the advertising material procured/produced and evidence of the cost incurred in the form of third partythird-party invoices or receipts.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales is primarily comprised of direct materials and supplies consumed to manufacture the company's products, as well as manufacturing labor and direct overhead expense necessary to convert purchaseddirect materials and supplies into finished product. Cost of sales also includes inbound freight costs for direct materials and supplies; outbound freight costs for shipping products to
customers, obsolescence customers; charges associated with inventory valuation adjustments for excess, slow-moving, and obsolete inventory; depreciation and amortization expense on manufacturing-related tangible and intangible assets; operating lease expense related to leased manufacturing assets; cost of services provided,provided; and cash discounts on payments to vendors.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense
Selling, general and administrative expense is primarily comprisescomprised of payroll and benefitbenefits costs, occupancy and operating costs of distribution and corporate facilities, warranty expense, depreciation and amortization expense on non-manufacturing tangible and intangible assets, operating lease expense related to leased non-manufacturing assets; advertising and marketing expenses, selling expenses,
engineering and research costs, information systems costs, incentive and profit sharing expense, and other miscellaneous administrative costs, such as legal costs for internal and outside services that are expensed as incurred.
Cost of Financing Distributor / Dealer Inventory
The company enters into limited inventory repurchase agreements with Red Iron and in limited instances, a third-party financing company for certain of the company's independent dealers in Australia. The company has repurchased immaterial amounts of inventory under these repurchase agreements over the last three fiscal years.
Included as a reduction to gross sales are costs associated with programs under which the company shares the expense of financing distributor and dealer inventories, referred to as floor plan expenses. This charge represents interest for a pre-established length of time based on a predefined rate from a contract with third party financing sources to finance distributor and dealer inventory purchases. These financing arrangements are used by the company to assist customers in financing inventory. The financing costs for distributor and dealer inventories were $30,106, $28,773, and $24,130 for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Advertising Expense
General advertising expenditures are expensed the first time advertising takes place. Production costs associated with advertising are expensed in the period incurred. Cooperative advertising represents expenditures for shared advertising costs that the company reimburses to customers and is classified as a component of selling, general and administrative expense.expense within the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. These obligations are accrued and expensed when the related revenues are recognized in accordance with the programs established for various product lines. Advertising costs were $42,963, $41,837,$50.3 million, $43.5 million, and $42,843$46.4 million for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015,2018, respectively.
Engineering and Research Expense
The company's engineering and research costs are expensed as incurred as a component of selling, general and administrative expense within the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and are primarily incurred in connection with the development of new products that may have additional applications or represent extensions of existing product lines, improvements to existing products, and cost reduction efforts. Costs incurred for engineering and research activities were $124.1 million, $109.1 million, and $83.5 million for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
The company's stock-based compensation awards are generally granted to executive officers, other employees, and non-employee members of the company's Board of Directors ("Board"), and include unrestricted common stock awards, performance share awards that are contingent on the achievement of performance goals of the company, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock units, and restricted stock awards.units. Generally, compensation expense equal to the grant date fair value is recognized for these awards over the vesting period and is classified in selling, general and administrative expense. For stock options and restricted stock units, expense recognized for other employees not considered executive officers and non-employee members of the company's Board is net of estimated forfeitures, which is based on historical forfeiture experience. Stock options granted to executive
officers and other employees are subject to accelerated expensing if the option holder meets the retirement definition set forth in The Toro Company Amended and Restated 2010 Equity and Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the "2010 plan"). In that case, the fair value of the options is expensed in the fiscal year of grant because generally, if the option holder must beis employed as of the end of the fiscal year in which the options are granted, in order for thesuch options towill not be forfeited but continue to vest according to their schedule following retirement. Similarly, if a non-employee director has served on the company's Board of Directors for ten full fiscal years or more, the awards vest immediately upon retirement; and therefore, the fair value of the options granted is fully expensed on the date of the grant. See Note 10 for additional information regarding stock-based compensation plans.
Net Earnings Per Share
Basic net earnings per share is calculated usingas net earnings available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year plus the assumed issuance of contingent shares.shares related to performance share awards under the 2010 plan. Diluted net earnings per share is similar to basic net earnings per share except that the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus the assumed issuance of contingent shares is increased to include the number of additional shares of common stock that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of all potentially dilutive shares, such as common stock to be issued upon exercise of options, contingently issuable shares, and restricted stock units.
Reconciliations of basic and diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding are as follows:follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Basic | | | | | | |
| Weighted-average number of shares of common stock | | 107,647 | | | 106,762 | | | 106,356 | |
| Assumed issuance of contingent shares | | 11 | | | 11 | | | 13 | |
| Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding – Basic | | 107,658 | | | 106,773 | | | 106,369 | |
| | | | | | |
| Diluted | | | | | | |
| Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding – Basic | | 107,658 | | | 106,773 | | | 106,369 | |
| Effect of dilutive securities | | 1,005 | | | 1,317 | | | 2,288 | |
| Weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding – Diluted | | 108,663 | | | 108,090 | | | 108,657 | |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| (Shares in thousands) | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 1 |
| Basic | | | | | | |
| Weighted-average number of shares of common stock | | 108,299 |
| | 109,816 |
| | 111,107 |
|
| Assumed issuance of contingent shares | | 13 |
| | 18 |
| | 23 |
|
| Weighted-average number of shares of common stock and assumed issuance of contingent shares | | 108,312 |
| | 109,834 |
| | 111,130 |
|
| | | | | | | |
| Diluted | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Weighted-average number of shares of common stock and assumed issuance of contingent shares | | 108,312 |
| | 109,834 |
| | 111,130 |
|
| Effect of dilutive securities | | 2,940 |
| | 2,153 |
| | 2,384 |
|
| Weighted-average number of shares of common stock, assumed issuance of contingent shares, and effect of dilutive securities | | 111,252 |
| | 111,987 |
| | 113,514 |
|
| |
1
| Share data has been adjusted for prior periods presented to reflect a two-for-one stock split effective September 16, 2016. |
Incremental shares from options and restricted stock units are computed by the treasury stock method. Options for the purchase of 353,897, 310,566,447,032, 716,343, and 290,120424,089 shares of common stock during fiscal 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015,2018, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted net earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.
Cash Flow Presentation
The Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows are prepared using the indirect method, which reconciles net earnings to cash flow from operating activities. The necessary adjustments include the removal of timing differences between the occurrence of operating receipts and payments and their recognition in net earnings. The adjustments also remove from operating activities cash flows arising from investing and financing activities, which are presented separately from operating activities. Cash flows from foreign currency transactions and operations are translated at an average exchange rate for the period. Cash paid for acquisitions is classified as investing activities.
New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted
In April 2015,February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2015-03, Interest-Imputation2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASU 2016-02"), which, among other things, requires lessees to recognize most leases on-balance sheet. The standard requires the recognition of Interest (Subtopic 835-30)right-of-use assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under legacy accounting guidance at ASC Topic 840, Leases. The standard also requires a greater level of quantitative and qualitative disclosures regarding the nature of the entity’s leasing activities than were previously required under U.S. GAAP. In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-01, Leases (Topic 842): SimplifyingLand Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842, which provides an optional transition practical expedient to not evaluate existing or expired land easements under the Presentationamended lease guidance. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842 (Leases), which provides narrow
amendments to clarify how to apply certain aspects of the new lease standard. Additionally, in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, which provides an alternative transition method that debt issuance costs relatedpermits an entity to use the effective date of ASU No. 2016-02 as the date of initial application through the recognition of a recognized debt liability becumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings upon adoption. Consequently, an entity's reporting for the comparative periods presented in the balance sheetfinancial statements in which it adopts the new lease standard will continue to be in accordance with previous U.S. GAAP under ASC Topic 840, Leases.
ASU No. 2016-02, as a direct deduction fromaugmented by ASU No. 2018-01, ASU No. 2018-10, and ASU No. 2018-11 (the "amended guidance"), was adopted by the carrying amountcompany on November 1, 2019, the first quarter of fiscal 2020, under the modified retrospective transition method with no cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings within the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of such date. Under such transition method, the company elected the following practical expedients:
•The transition package of practical expedients, which among other things, allows the company to carryforward the historical lease classification determined under previous U.S. GAAP.
•The transition practical expedient to not reassess the company's accounting for land easements that exist as of the adoption of the amended guidance.
•The short-term lease exemption to not record right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet for leases with an initial lease term of 12 months or less, which has resulted in recognizing the lease payments related debt liability. Thisto such leases within the company's Consolidated Statements of Earnings on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
The company did not elect the transition practical expedient to use hindsight in determining the lease term and in assessing the impairment of right-of-use assets.
Upon adoption of the amended guidance, the company recorded $78.1 million of right-of-use assets and $77.1 million of corresponding lease liabilities within the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of November 1, 2019. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the company's Consolidated Statements of Earnings, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, business processes, internal controls, and information systems. As permitted under the amended guidance, prior period amounts were not restated, but are and will continue to be reported under the legacy accounting guidance that was retrospectivelyin effect for the respective prior periods.
In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which amends ASC Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, to include share-based payment
transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. The standard requires that most of the guidance related to stock compensation granted to employees be followed for nonemployees, including the measurement date, valuation approach, and performance conditions. The amended guidance was adopted in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Prior periods have been retrospectively adjusted for the adoption of this amended guidance2020 and are reclassified in the Consolidated Balance Sheets presentation as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In April 2015,June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, Customer’s Accounting2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which modifies the measurement approach for Fees Paid incredit losses on financial assets measured on an amortized cost basis from an 'incurred loss' method to an 'expected loss' method. Such modification of the measurement approach for credit losses eliminates the requirement that a Cloud Computing Arrangement.
Thiscredit loss be considered probable, or incurred, to impact the valuation of a financial asset measured on an amortized cost basis. The amended guidance requires customersthe measurement of expected credit losses to determine whether or not an arrangement containsbe based on relevant information, including historical experience, current conditions, and a software license element. Ifreasonable and supportable forecast that affects the arrangement contains a software element,collectability of the related fees paid should be accounted for as an acquisitionfinancial asset. This amendment affects trade receivables, off-balance-sheet credit exposures, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope of a software license. Ifthis amendment that have the arrangement does not contain a software license, it is accounted for as a service contract. Thiscontractual right to receive cash. The company will adopt the amended guidance was adoptedon November 1, 2020, the first quarter of fiscal 2021, under the modified retrospective transition method. The adoption of the amended guidance will not have a material impact on the company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, modifying, or adding certain disclosures. The company will adopt the amended guidance on November 1, 2020, the first quarter of fiscal 2021, and such adoption will not have a material impact on the company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans (Topic 715), which modifies the disclosure requirements for defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement plans. The company will adopt the amended guidance on November 1, 2020, the first quarter of fiscal 2021, and such adoption will not have a material impact on the company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which eliminates certain exceptions related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period, and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. The amended guidance also clarifies and
simplifies other aspects of the accounting for income taxes under ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes. The amended guidance will become effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.2022. Early adoption is permitted. The adoptioncompany is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance did not have an impactnew standard on the company'sits Consolidated Financial Statements.
In March 2016,January 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Stock-based Compensation: Improvements2020-01, Investments - Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), which clarified that before applying or upon discontinuing the equity method of accounting for an investment in equity securities, an entity should consider observable transactions that require it to Employee Share-based Payment Accounting. Thisapply or discontinue the equity method of accounting for the purposes of applying the fair value measurement alternative. The amended guidance simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, statutory tax withholding requirements, and statement of cash flow classification. The company elected to early adopt this amended guidancewill become effective November 1, 2016, which was the first day of the company's first quarter of fiscal 2017.
The impact of the early adoption resulted in the following:
The company recorded a discrete tax benefit of $19,719 related to the excess tax benefit on share-based awards
within income tax expense for the twelve months ended October 31, 2017. Prior to the adoption of this standard, these tax benefits were included in additional paid-in capital on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Adoption of this standard could add increased variability to the company's provision for income taxes mainly due to timing of stock option exercises, vesting of restricted stock units and the company's common stock price.
The company elected not to change its policy on accounting for forfeitures and will continue to estimate a requisite forfeiture rate.
The company has elected to change its policy on tax withholding requirements and will allow participants to withhold up to the maximum statutory rate prospectively on new awards. As of November 1, 2016, the company did not have any outstanding liabilities on awards which would require a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings.
The company no longer presents the cash received from excess tax benefits within cash flows from financing activities as this benefit is now reflected within cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The company elected to apply this change retrospectively and the change resulted in a $19,719, $12,495, and $8,459 increase in cash flows from operating activities for the twelve months ended October 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than
Inventory. This amended guidance removes the prohibition against the immediate recognition of the current and deferred tax effects of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. This amended guidance was early adopted in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 using a modified retrospective basis.2022. Early adoption is permitted. The company recorded a cumulative effect adjustment tois currently evaluating the beginning balanceimpact of this standard on its retained earnings in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 for remaining unamortized deferred tax expense of intra-entity transfers of fixed assets totaling $2,361.Consolidated Financial Statements.
In August 2016,March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classificationthe Effects of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash PaymentsReference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which amendsprovides temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden of accounting for reference rate reform due to the cessation of the London Interbank Offered Rate, commonly referred to as "LIBOR." The temporary guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, relationships, and transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The provisions of the temporary optional guidance are only available until December 31, 2022, when the reference rate reform activity is expected to be substantially complete. When adopted, entities may apply the provisions as of the beginning of the reporting period when the election is made. The company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its Consolidated Financial Statements and has yet to elect an adoption date.
The company believes that all other recently issued accounting pronouncements from the classificationFASB that the company has not noted above, will not have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements or do not apply to its operations.
Venture Products, Inc. ("Venture Products")
On March 2, 2020 ("Venture Products closing date"), pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of certain cash receiptsMerger ("Venture Products merger agreement") and paymentsan agreement to purchase the real property used by Venture Products ("Venture Products purchase agreement") both dated January 20, 2020, the company completed its acquisition of Venture Products ("Venture Products transaction"), a privately held Ohio corporation and the manufacturer of Ventrac-branded products. Venture Products designs, manufactures, and
markets articulating turf, landscape, and snow and ice management equipment for grounds, landscape contractor, golf, municipal, and rural acreage customers and provides innovative product offerings that broadened and strengthened the company's Professional segment and expanded its dealer network.
The Venture Products transaction was structured as a merger, pursuant to which a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company merged with and into Venture Products, with Venture Products continuing as the surviving entity and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. As a result of the merger, all of the outstanding equity securities of Venture Products were canceled and now only represent the right to receive the applicable consideration as described in the statementVenture Products merger agreement. The Venture Products purchase agreement was with an affiliate of Venture Products and was for the real estate used by Venture Products. As of the Venture Products closing date, the company paid preliminary merger consideration of $165.9 million, which consisted of a cash flows.payment of $136.4 million and a $29.5 million holdback to satisfy any indemnification or certain other obligations of Venture Products to TTC. The preliminary merger consideration was subject to certain customary adjustments based on, among other things, the amount of actual cash, debt, and working capital in the business of Venture Products as of the Venture Products closing date. During the third quarter of fiscal 2020, the company elected to early adopt this amended guidance retrospectively effective November 1, 2016. The retrospective early adoptionfinalized the customary adjustments, which resulted in an $8,050, $9,848,aggregate merger consideration of $163.2 million ("Venture Products purchase price"). As a result, $4.5 million of the holdback set aside for such customary adjustments was released accordingly and $4,264 increase inthe remaining holdback of $25.0 million is expected to expire during the company's fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. The company funded the cash flows from operating activities forpayment with borrowings under its existing revolving credit facility. For additional information regarding the twelve monthscompany's revolving credit facility utilized to fund the Venture Products purchase price, refer to Note 6, Indebtedness.
As a result of the acquisition, the company incurred $0.6 million of acquisition-related transaction costs during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017, 2016,2020. Acquisition-related transaction costs are recorded within selling, general and 2015, respectively.administrative expense within the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Preliminary Venture Products Purchase Price Allocation
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which clarifies the definition of a business in Accounting Standards Codification 805. The company electedaccounted for the acquisition in accordance with the accounting standards codification guidance for business combinations, whereby the Venture Products purchase price was allocated to early adopt this amended guidance retrospectivelythe acquired net tangible and intangible assets of Venture Products based on their fair values as of the Venture Products closing date. Such fair values are based on internal company and independent external third-party valuations and are subject to change as certain asset and liability valuations are finalized. As of October 31, 2020, the company has substantially completed its process for measuring the fair values of the assets acquired
and liabilities assumed based on information available as of the Venture Products closing date, with the exception of the company's valuation of income taxes as the company requires additional information to finalize its valuation of income taxes. Thus, the preliminary measurements of fair value reflected for income taxes are subject to change as additional information becomes available and as additional analysis is performed. The company expects to finalize its preliminary valuation of income taxes as soon as practicable, but no later than one year from the Venture Products closing date, as required.
The following table summarizes the allocation of the Venture Products purchase price to the fair values assigned to the Venture Products assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | |
| | March 2, 2020 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 3,476 | |
| Receivables | | 6,342 | |
| Inventories | | 23,000 | |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | 239 | |
| Property, plant and equipment | | 26,976 | |
| Goodwill | | 62,252 | |
| Other intangible assets | | 75,300 | |
| Accounts payable | | (4,075) | |
| Accrued liabilities | | (5,959) | |
| Deferred income tax liabilities | | (20,850) | |
| Total fair value of net assets acquired | | 166,701 | |
| Less: cash and cash equivalents acquired | | (3,476) | |
| Total Venture Products purchase price | | $ | 163,225 | |
The goodwill recognized is primarily attributable to the value of the workforce, the reputation of Venture Products, expected future cash flows, and expected synergies, including customer and dealer growth opportunities and integrating and expanding existing product lines. Key areas of expected cost synergies include increased purchasing power for commodities, components, parts, and accessories, and supply chain consolidation. The goodwill resulting from the acquisition of Venture Products was recognized within the company's Professional segment and is the primary driver for the increase in the company's Professional segment goodwill to $412.1 million as of October 31, 2020 from $350.3 million as of October 31, 2019. Goodwill is 0n-deductible for tax purposes.
Other Intangible Assets Acquired
The allocation of the Venture Products purchase price to the net assets acquired resulted in the recognition of $75.3 million of other intangible assets as of the Venture Products closing date. The fair values of the acquired trade name and customer-related intangible assets were determined using the income approach. Under the income approach, an intangible asset's fair value is equal to the present value of future economic benefits to be derived from ownership of the asset. The fair value of the trade name was determined using the relief from royalty method, which is based on the hypothetical royalty stream that would be received if the
company were to license the trade name and was based on expected future revenues. The fair value of the customer-related intangible asset was determined using the excess earnings method and was based on the expected operating cash flows attributable to the customer-related intangible asset, which were determined by deducting expected economic costs, including operating expenses and contributory asset charges, from revenue expected to be generated from the customer-related intangible asset. The useful lives of the trade name and customer-related intangible assets were determined based on the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the respective intangible assets adjusted as appropriate for entity-specific factors including legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic, and/or other factors that may limit the useful life of the respective intangible asset.
The fair values of the other intangible assets acquired on the Venture Products closing date, related accumulated amortization from the Venture Products closing date through October 31, 2020, and weighted-average useful lives in years were as follows (in thousands, except weighted-average useful life in years):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Weighted-Average Useful Life in Years | | Gross Carrying Amount | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net |
| Finite-lived - customer-related | | 16.0 | | $ | 19,100 | | | $ | (796) | | | $ | 18,304 | |
| Indefinite-lived - trade name | | | | 56,200 | | | — | | | 56,200 | |
| Total other intangible assets, net | | | | $ | 75,300 | | | $ | (796) | | | $ | 74,504 | |
Results of Operations
Venture Product's results of operations have been included within the company's Professional reportable segment in the company's Consolidated Financial Statements from the Venture Products closing date. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the company recognized $58.3 million of net sales from Venture Product's operations. Venture Product's operations had an immaterial impact on Professional segment earnings for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020. Unaudited pro forma financial information has not been disclosed as the Venture Products acquisition was not considered material to the company's Consolidated Results of Operations.
The Charles Machine Works, Inc. ("CMW")
On April 1, 2019 ("CMW closing date"), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated February 14, 2019 ("CMW merger agreement"), the company completed the acquisition of CMW ("CMW transaction"), a privately held Oklahoma corporation. CMW designs, manufactures, and markets a range of professional products to serve the underground construction market, including horizontal directional drills, walk and ride trenchers, stand-on skid steers, vacuum excavators, asset locators, pipe rehabilitation solutions, and after-market tools. CMW provides innovative product offerings that broadened and strengthened the company's Professional segment product portfolio and expanded its dealer network, while also providing a complementary geographic manufacturing footprint.
The CMW transaction was structured as a merger, pursuant to which a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company merged with and into CMW, with CMW continuing as the surviving entity and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. As a result of the merger, all of the outstanding equity securities of CMW were canceled and now only represent the right to receive the applicable consideration as described in the CMW merger agreement. At the CMW closing date, the company paid preliminary merger consideration of $679.3 million that was subject to customary adjustments based on, among other things, the amount of actual cash, debt, and working capital in the business of CMW at the CMW closing date. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.2019, the company finalized such cash, debt, and working capital adjustments and these adjustments resulted in an aggregate merger consideration of $685.0 million ("CMW purchase price"). The adoptioncompany funded the CMW purchase price by using a combination of this guidance did
not have an impact oncash proceeds from the issuance of borrowings under the company's unsecured senior term loan credit agreement and borrowings from the company's revolving credit facility. For additional information regarding the financing agreements utilized to fund the CMW purchase price, refer to Note 6, Indebtedness.
As a result of the acquisition, the company incurred $10.2 million of acquisition-related transaction costs, all of which were incurred during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 and recorded within selling, general and administrative expense within the Consolidated Financial Statements.Statements of Earnings for such fiscal period.
CMW Purchase Price Allocation The company accounted for the acquisition in accordance with the accounting standards codification guidance for business combinations, whereby the CMW purchase price was allocated to the acquired net tangible and intangible assets of CMW based on their estimated fair values as of the CMW closing date. Such fair values are based on internal company and independent external third-party valuations.
The following table summarizes the allocation of the CMW purchase price to the fair values assigned to the CMW assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands): | | | | | | | | |
| | April 1, 2019 |
2Cash and cash equivalents | ACQUISITION | $ | 16,341 | |
| Receivables | | 65,674 | |
| Inventories | | 241,429 | |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | 8,050 | |
| Property, plant and equipment | | 142,779 | |
| Goodwill | | 134,657 | |
| Other intangible assets: | | |
| Customer-related | | 130,800 | |
| Developed technology | | 20,900 | |
| Finite-lived trade names | | 5,200 | |
| Indefinite-lived trade names | | 103,700 | |
| Backlog | | 3,590 | |
| Other long-term assets | | 7,971 | |
| Accounts payable | | (35,892) | |
| Accrued liabilities | | (51,943) | |
| Deferred income tax liabilities | | (85,277) | |
| Other long-term liabilities | | (6,665) | |
| Total fair value of net assets acquired | | 701,314 | |
| Less: cash and cash equivalents acquired | | (16,341) | |
| Total CMW purchase price | | $ | 684,973 | |
EffectiveThe goodwill recognized is primarily attributable to the value of the workforce, the reputation of CMW and its brands, customer and dealer growth opportunities, and expected synergies. Key areas of expected cost synergies include increased purchasing power for commodities, components, parts, and accessories, supply chain consolidation, and administrative efficiencies. The goodwill resulting from the acquisition of CMW was recognized within the company's Professional segment and is mostly non-deductible for tax purposes. During the second quarter of fiscal 2020, the company completed its valuation of income taxes to finalize the CMW purchase price allocation, which resulted in a decrease to the carrying amount of Professional segment goodwill of $0.9 million from $350.3 million as of October 31, 2019.
The allocation of the purchase price to the net assets acquired resulted in the recognition of $264.2 million of other intangible assets as of the CMW closing date. The fair values of the acquired trade name, customer-related, developed technology and backlog intangible assets were determined using the income approach whereby an intangible asset's fair value is equal to the present value of future economic benefits to be derived from ownership of the asset. The useful lives of the other intangible assets were determined based on the period of expected cash flows used to measure the fair value of the intangible assets adjusted as appropriate for entity-specific factors including legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic, and/or other factors that may limit the useful life of the respective intangible asset. As of the CMW closing date, the acquired finite-lived intangible assets had a weighted average useful life of 16.6 years. The fair values of both the indefinite-lived and finite-live trade names were
determined using the relief from royalty method, which is based on the hypothetical royalty stream that would be received if the company were to license the trade name and was based on expected future revenues. The weighted-average useful life of the finite-lived trade name intangible assets was determined to be 20.0 years as of the CMW closing date. The fair values of the customer-related, developed technology, and backlog intangible assets were determined using the excess earnings method and were based on the expected operating cash flows attributable to the respective other intangible asset, which were determined by deducting expected economic costs, including operating expenses and contributory asset charges, from revenue expected to be generated from the respective intangible asset. As of the CMW closing date, the weighted-average useful lives of the customer-related, developed technology, and backlog intangible assets were determined to be 18.3 years, 7.8 years, and 6 months, respectively.
Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information
Unaudited pro forma financial information was prepared as if the CMW acquisition had taken place on November 1, 2017 for comparative purposes only. The unaudited pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results that would have been achieved had the acquisition actually taken place on November 1, 2017 and the unaudited pro forma financial information does not purport to be indicative of future Consolidated Results of Operations. The unaudited pro forma financial information does not reflect any synergies, operating efficiencies, and/or cost savings that have been and may continue to be realized from the integration of the acquisition.
The unaudited pro forma results for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2019 and October 31, 2018 were adjusted to exclude the pro forma impact of the take-down of the inventory fair value step-up amount and amortization of the backlog intangible asset; include the pro forma impact of amortization of other intangible assets, excluding backlog, based on the purchase price allocations and useful lives; include the pro forma impact of the depreciation of property, plant, and equipment based on the purchase price allocations and useful lives; include the pro forma impact of additional interest expense relating to the acquisition; exclude the pro forma impact of transaction costs incurred by the company directly attributable to the acquisition; and include the pro forma tax effect of both earnings before income taxes and the pro forma adjustments.
The following table presents unaudited pro forma financial information for fiscal 2019 and 2018 (in thousands, except per share data):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | October 31, 2019 | | October 31, 2018 |
| Net sales | | $ | 3,437,335 | | | $ | 3,332,636 | |
Net earnings1 | | 363,452 | | | 276,722 | |
| Basic net earnings per share of common stock | | 3.40 | | | 2.60 | |
Diluted net earnings per share of common stock1 | | $ | 3.36 | | | $ | 2.55 | |
1 On January 1, 2017,2019, CMW amended its retiree medical plans so that no employee hired, or rehired, after that date would be eligible for such retiree medical plans. CMW further amended its retiree medical plans on February 14, 2019 so that no employee who terminates employment after February 14, 2019 is eligible to participate in the retiree medical plans and to terminate its retiree medical plans effective December 31, 2019. The amendments and resulting termination of CMW's retiree medical plans resulted in a gain of $45.8 million. This gain is reflected within net earnings in the unaudited pro forma financial information for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019. The impact on diluted net earnings per share of common stock for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 was $0.42 per diluted share of common stock.
Northeastern U.S. Distribution Company
Effective November 30, 2018, during the first quarter of fiscal 2017,2019, the company completed the acquisition of substantially all of the outstanding sharesassets of, Regnerbau Calw GmbH ("Perrot"),and assumed certain liabilities of, a privately held manufacturer of professional irrigation equipment. The addition of these products broadens and strengthens the company's irrigation solutions for the sport, agricultural, and industrial markets. The acquisition was funded with existing foreign cash and cash equivalents.
Northeastern U.S. distribution company. The purchase price of this acquisition was allocated to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimates of their fair value, with the excess purchase price recorded as goodwill. As of October 31, 2017, the company has finalized the purchase accounting for the acquisition. This acquisition was immaterial based on the company's Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Additional purchase accounting disclosures have been omitted given the immateriality of this acquisition in relation to the company's Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Effective March 19, 2018, during the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the company completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of, and assumed certain liabilities of, L.T. Rich Products, Inc., a manufacturer of professional zero-turn spreader/sprayers, aerators, and snow and ice management equipment. The addition of these products broadened and strengthened the company’s Professional segment solutions for landscape contractors and grounds professionals. The purchase price of this acquisition was allocated to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimates of their fair value, with the excess purchase price recorded as goodwill. This acquisition was immaterial based on the company's Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Additional purchase accounting disclosures have been omitted given the immateriality of this acquisition in relation to the company's Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
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| 3 | INVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURESegment Data |
InThe company's businesses are organized, managed, and internally grouped into segments based on similarities in products and services. Segment selection is based on the manner in which management organizes segments for making operating and investment decisions and assessing performance. The company has identified 11 operating segments and has aggregated certain of those segments into 2 reportable segments: Professional and Residential. The aggregation of the company's segments is based on the segments having the following similarities: economic characteristics, types of products and services, types of production processes, type or class of customers, and method of distribution. The company's remaining activities are presented as "Other" due to their insignificance.
The Professional reportable business segment consists of turf and landscape equipment; rental, specialty, and underground construction equipment; snow and ice management equipment; and irrigation and lighting products. Turf and landscape equipment products include sports fields and grounds mowing and maintenance equipment, golf course mowing and maintenance equipment, landscape contractor mowing equipment, landscape creation and renovation equipment, and other maintenance equipment. Rental, specialty, and underground construction equipment products include horizontal directional drills, walk and ride trenchers, stand-on skid steers, vacuum excavators, stump grinders, turf renovation products, asset locators, pipe rehabilitation solutions, materials handling equipment, and other after-market tools. Snow and ice management equipment products primarily include snowplows; stand-on snow and ice removal equipment, including the related snowplow, snow brush, and snow thrower attachments; salt and sand spreaders; and related parts and accessories for light and medium duty trucks, utility task vehicles, skid steers, and front-end loaders. Irrigation and lighting products consist of sprinkler heads, electric and hydraulic valves, controllers, computer irrigation central control systems, coupling systems, and ag-irrigation drip tape and hose products, as well as professionally installed landscape lighting products offered through distributors and landscape contractors that also purchase irrigation products. Professional reportable business segment products are marketed and sold mainly through a network of distributors and dealers to professional users engaged in maintaining golf courses, sports fields, municipal properties, agricultural fields, residential and commercial landscapes, and removing snow and ice, as well as directly to government customers, rental companies, and large retailers.
The Residential reportable business segment consists of walk power mowers, zero-turn riding mowers, snow throwers, replacement parts, and home solutions products, including grass trimmers, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, blower-vacuums, chainsaws, Power Shovels, string trimmers, and underground, hose, and hose-end retail irrigation products sold in Australia and New Zealand. Residential reportable
business segment products are marketed and sold to homeowners through a network of distributors and dealers, and through a broad array of home centers, hardware retailers, and mass retailers, as well as online.
The company's Other activities consist of the company's wholly-owned domestic distribution companies, the company's corporate activities, and the elimination of intersegment revenues and expenses. Corporate activities include general corporate expenditures (finance, human resources, legal, information services, public relations, business development, and similar activities) and other unallocated corporate assets and liabilities, such as corporate facilities and deferred tax assets and liabilities.
The accounting policies of the reportable business segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Related Data. The company evaluates the performance of its Professional and Residential reportable business segment results based on earnings from operations plus other income, net. The reportable business segment's operating profits or losses include direct costs incurred at the reportable business segment's operating level plus allocated expenses, such as profit sharing and manufacturing expenses. The allocated expenses represent costs that these operations would have incurred otherwise, but do not include general corporate expenses, interest expense, and income taxes. Operating loss for the company's Other activities includes earnings (loss) from the company's domestic wholly-owned distribution companies, corporate activities, other income, and interest expense. The company accounts for intersegment gross sales at current market prices.
The following tables present summarized financial information concerning the company's reportable business segments and Other activities (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020 | | Professional | | Residential | | Other | | Total |
| Net sales | | $ | 2,523,452 | | | $ | 820,745 | | | $ | 34,613 | | | $ | 3,378,810 | |
| Intersegment gross sales (eliminations) | | 46,703 | | | 80 | | | (46,783) | | | — | |
| Earnings (loss) before income taxes | | 426,560 | | | 113,669 | | | (133,159) | | | 407,070 | |
| Total assets | | 1,940,844 | | | 282,061 | | | 630,323 | | | 2,853,228 | |
| Capital expenditures | | 49,975 | | | 13,669 | | | 14,424 | | | 78,068 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | $ | 70,460 | | | $ | 12,607 | | | $ | 12,548 | | | $ | 95,615 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2019 | | Professional | | Residential | | Other | | Total |
| Net sales | | $ | 2,443,448 | | | $ | 661,274 | | | $ | 33,362 | | | $ | 3,138,084 | |
| Intersegment gross sales (eliminations) | | 59,453 | | | 310 | | | (59,763) | | | — | |
| Earnings (loss) before income taxes | | 380,914 | | | 65,151 | | | (123,932) | | | 322,133 | |
| Total assets | | 1,592,065 | | | 430,495 | | | 307,987 | | | 2,330,547 | |
| Capital expenditures | | 57,246 | | | 16,970 | | | 18,665 | | | 92,881 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | $ | 63,885 | | | $ | 11,897 | | | $ | 11,916 | | | $ | 87,698 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2018 | | Professional | | Residential | | Other | | Total |
| Net sales | | $ | 1,946,999 | | | $ | 654,413 | | | $ | 17,238 | | | $ | 2,618,650 | |
| Intersegment gross sales (eliminations) | | 29,798 | | | 312 | | | (30,110) | | | — | |
| Earnings (loss) before income taxes | | 399,806 | | | 64,807 | | | (92,216) | | | 372,397 | |
| Total assets | | 916,106 | | | 199,273 | | | 455,605 | | | 1,570,984 | |
| Capital expenditures | | 58,109 | | | 16,014 | | | 16,001 | | | 90,124 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | $ | 38,585 | | | $ | 9,999 | | | $ | 12,693 | | | $ | 61,277 | |
During fiscal 2009,2020, 2019, and 2018 no customer accounted for 10.0 percent or more of total consolidated gross sales.
The following table presents the details of operating loss before income taxes for the company's Other activities (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Corporate expenses | | $ | (108,396) | | | $ | (124,422) | | | $ | (92,541) | |
| Interest expense | | (33,156) | | | (28,835) | | | (19,096) | |
| Earnings from wholly-owned domestic distribution companies and other income, net | | 8,393 | | | 29,325 | | | 19,421 | |
| Total operating loss | | $ | (133,159) | | | $ | (123,932) | | | $ | (92,216) | |
The following table presents net sales for groups of similar products and services (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Equipment | | $ | 2,985,295 | | | $ | 2,747,935 | | | $ | 2,210,047 | |
| Irrigation and lighting | | 393,515 | | | 390,149 | | | 408,603 | |
| Total net sales | | $ | 3,378,810 | | | $ | 3,138,084 | | | $ | 2,618,650 | |
The following geographic area data includes net sales based on product shipment destination and long-lived assets, which consist of property, plant and equipment, net, and is based on physical location in addition to allocated capital tooling from U.S. plant facilities (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | United States | | International Countries | | Total |
| 2020 | | | | | | |
| Net sales | | $ | 2,700,694 | | | $ | 678,116 | | | $ | 3,378,810 | |
| Long-lived assets | | $ | 426,378 | | | $ | 41,541 | | | $ | 467,919 | |
| 2019 | | | | | | |
| Net sales | | $ | 2,413,153 | | | $ | 724,931 | | | $ | 3,138,084 | |
| Long-lived assets | | $ | 395,937 | | | $ | 41,380 | | | $ | 437,317 | |
| 2018 | | | | | | |
| Net sales | | $ | 1,975,562 | | | $ | 643,088 | | | $ | 2,618,650 | |
| Long-lived assets | | $ | 230,246 | | | $ | 41,213 | | | $ | 271,459 | |
The company enters into contracts with its customers for the sale of products or rendering of services in the ordinary course of business. A contract with commercial substance exists at the time the company receives and TCFIF,accepts a subsidiarypurchase order under a sales contract with a customer. The company recognizes revenue when, or as, performance obligations under the terms of TCF National Bank, established Red Iron, a joint venturecontract with its customer are satisfied, which occurs with the transfer of control of product or services. Control is typically transferred to the customer at the time a product is shipped, or in the formcase of certain agreements, when a Delaware limited liabilityproduct is delivered or as services are rendered. Revenue is recognized based on the transaction price, which is measured as the amount of consideration the company expects to receive in exchange for transferring product or rendering services pursuant to the terms of the contract with a customer. The amount of consideration the company receives and the revenue the company recognizes varies with changes in sales promotions and incentives offered to customers, as well as anticipated product returns. A provision is made at the time revenue is recognized as a reduction of the transaction price for expected product returns, rebates, floor plan costs, and other sales promotion and incentive expenses. If a contract contains more than one performance obligation, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on the relative standalone selling price of the respective promised good or service. The company does not recognize revenue in situations where collectability from the customer is not probable, and defers the recognition of revenue until collection is probable or payment is received and performance obligations are satisfied.
Freight and shipping revenue billed to customers concurrent with revenue producing activities is included within revenue and the cost for freight and shipping is recognized as an expense within cost of sales when control has transferred to the customer. Shipping and handling activities that occur after control of the related products is transferred are treated as a fulfillment activity rather than a promised service, and therefore, are not considered a performance obligation. Sales, use, value-added, and other excise taxes the company collects concurrent with revenue producing activities are excluded from revenue. Incremental costs of obtaining a contract for which the performance obligations will be satisfied within the next twelve months are expensed as incurred. Incidental items, including goods or services, that are immaterial in the context of the contract are recognized as expense when incurred. Additionally, the company has elected not to disclose the balance of unfulfilled performance obligations for contracts with a contractual term of twelve months or less.
The following tables disaggregate the company's reportable segment net sales by major product type and geographic market (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020 | | Professional | | Residential | | Other | | Total |
| Revenue by product type: | | | | | | | | |
| Equipment | | $ | 2,175,794 | | | $ | 787,716 | | | $ | 21,785 | | | $ | 2,985,295 | |
| Irrigation | | 347,658 | | | 33,029 | | | 12,828 | | | 393,515 | |
| Total net sales | | $ | 2,523,452 | | | $ | 820,745 | | | $ | 34,613 | | | $ | 3,378,810 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Revenue by geographic market: | | | | | | | | |
| United States | | $ | 1,976,690 | | | $ | 689,391 | | | $ | 34,613 | | | $ | 2,700,694 | |
| International Countries | | 546,762 | | | 131,354 | | | 0 | | | 678,116 | |
| Total net sales | | $ | 2,523,452 | | | $ | 820,745 | | | $ | 34,613 | | | $ | 3,378,810 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2019 | | Professional | | Residential | | Other | | Total |
| Revenue by product type: | | | | | | | | |
| Equipment | | $ | 2,097,965 | | | $ | 628,521 | | | $ | 21,449 | | | $ | 2,747,935 | |
| Irrigation | | 345,483 | | | 32,753 | | | 11,913 | | | 390,149 | |
| Total net sales | | $ | 2,443,448 | | | $ | 661,274 | | | $ | 33,362 | | | $ | 3,138,084 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Revenue by geographic market: | | | | | | | | |
| United States | | $ | 1,853,054 | | | $ | 526,737 | | | $ | 33,362 | | | $ | 2,413,153 | |
| International Countries | | 590,394 | | | 134,537 | | | 0 | | | 724,931 | |
| Total net sales | | $ | 2,443,448 | | | $ | 661,274 | | | $ | 33,362 | | | $ | 3,138,084 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2018 | | Professional | | Residential | | Other | | Total |
| Revenue by product type: | | | | | | | | |
| Equipment | | $ | 1,582,024 | | | $ | 617,827 | | | $ | 10,196 | | | $ | 2,210,047 | |
| Irrigation | | 364,975 | | | 36,586 | | | 7,042 | | | 408,603 | |
| Total net sales | | $ | 1,946,999 | | | $ | 654,413 | | | $ | 17,238 | | | $ | 2,618,650 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Revenue by geographic market: | | | | | | | | |
| United States | | $ | 1,441,815 | | | $ | 516,509 | | | $ | 17,238 | | | $ | 1,975,562 | |
| International Countries | | 505,184 | | | 137,904 | | | 0 | | | 643,088 | |
| Total net sales | | $ | 1,946,999 | | | $ | 654,413 | | | $ | 17,238 | | | $ | 2,618,650 | |
Product Revenue
The company's product revenues are generated through sales of manufactured equipment and irrigation products, including related replacement parts and accessories. For the majority of the company's products, control is transferred and revenue is recognized when the product is shipped from the company's manufacturing facilities or distribution centers to the company's customers, which primarily consist of distributors, dealers, and mass retailers. In certain situations, the company transfers control and recognizes revenue when delivery to the customer has occurred. Additionally, the company ships some of its products to a mass retailer's distribution centers on a consignment basis. The company retains control of its products stored at the mass retailer's distribution centers. As the company's products are removed from the distribution
centers by the mass retailer and shipped to the mass retailer's stores, control is transferred from the company to the mass retailer. At that time, the company invoices the mass retailer and recognizes revenue for these consignment transactions. The company does not offer a right of return for products shipped to the mass retailer's stores from the distribution centers.
Red Iron provides inventory financing to certain distributorsdealers and dealersdistributors of the company’s products in the U.S. On November 29, 2016, during the first quarter of fiscal 2017, the company entered into amended agreements for its Red Iron joint venture with TCFIF. As a result, the amended term of Red Iron will continue until October 31, 2024, subject to two-year extensions thereafter. Either the company or TCFIF may elect not to extend the amended term, or any subsequent term, by giving one-year written notice to the other party.
company's equipment and irrigation products. The company owns 45 percent of Red Iron and TCFIF owns 55 percent ofalso has floor plan financing arrangements with separate third-party financial institutions to provide floor plan financing to certain dealers not financed through Red Iron. The company accounts for its investment in Red Iron under the equity method of accounting. The company and TCFIF each contributed a specified amount of the estimated cash required to enable Red Iron to purchase the company's inventory financing receivables and to provide financial support for Red Iron's inventory financing programs. Red Iron borrows the remaining requisite estimated cash utilizing a $550,000 secured revolving credit facility established under a credit agreement between Red Iron and TCFIF. The company's total investment in Red Iron as of October 31, 2017 and 2016 was $20,626 and $18,719, respectively. The company has not guaranteed the outstanding indebtedness of Red Iron.
The company has agreed to repurchase products repossessedWhen product sales are financed by Red Iron andor other third-party financial institutions, the TCFIF Canadian affiliate, up to a maximum aggregate amount of $7,500 in a calendar year. Under the repurchase agreement between Red Iron and the company, Red Iron provides financing for certain dealers and distributors.
These transactions are structured as an advance in the form of a payment by Red Iron to the company on behalf of a distributordealer or dealerdistributor with respect to invoices financed by Red Iron.the financial institutions. These payments extinguish the obligation of thesuch dealer or distributor to make payment to the company under the terms of the applicable invoice. Under a separate agreementsagreement between Red Ironeach financial institution and the dealers and distributors, Red Irondealer or distributor, the financial institution provides loansa loan to the dealers and distributorsdealer or distributor for the advances paid by Red Ironthe financial institutions to the company. The company's sales of product to customers that do not elect to finance purchases through Red Iron or the third-party financial institutions are generally on open account with terms that generally approximate 30 to 120 days and the resulting receivables are included within receivables, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Product revenue is recognized based on the transaction price, which is measured as the amount of receivables financedconsideration the company expects to receive in exchange for dealerstransferring control of a product to a customer. When determining the transaction price, the company estimates variable consideration by applying the portfolio approach practical expedient under the accounting standards codification guidance for revenue from contracts with customers. The primary sources of variable consideration for the company are rebate programs, volume incentive programs, floor plan and distributorsretail financing programs, cash discounts, and product returns. These sales promotions and incentives are recorded as a reduction to revenue at the time of the initial sale. The company estimates variable consideration related to equipment and irrigation products sold under this arrangement duringits sales promotion and incentive programs using the expected value method, which is based on sales terms with customers, historical experience, field inventory levels, volume purchases, and known changes in relevant trends. There are no material instances where variable consideration is constrained and not recorded at the initial time of sale. Additionally, the company may offer to its customers the right to return eligible equipment and irrigation products, replacement parts, and accessories. Returns are recorded as a reduction to revenue based on anticipated sales returns estimated from sales terms, historical experience, and trend analysis. The company records obligations for returns within accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the
right-of-return asset in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The refund liability and right-of-return asset are remeasured for changes in the estimate at each reporting date with a corresponding adjustment to net sales and cost of sales within the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Service Revenue
In certain cases, the company renders service contracts to customers, which typically range from 12 to 36 months. The company receives payment at the inception of the service contract and recognizes revenue over the term of the agreement in proportion to the costs expected to be incurred in satisfying the performance obligations under the service contract.
Warranty Revenue
In addition to the standard warranties offered by the company on its equipment and irrigation products intended to provide assurance that the product will function as expected, the company also sells separately priced extended warranty coverage on select products for a prescribed period after the standard warranty period expires, which typically range from 12 to 24 months. The company receives payment at the inception of the separately priced extended warranty contract and recognizes revenue over the term of the agreement in proportion to the costs expected to be incurred in satisfying the performance obligations under the separately priced extended warranty contract.
Contract Liabilities
Contract liabilities relate to deferred revenue recognized for cash consideration received at contract inception in advance of the company's performance under the respective contract and generally relate to the sale of separately priced extended warranty contracts, service contracts, and non-refundable customer deposits. The company recognizes revenue over the term of the contract in proportion to the costs expected to be incurred in satisfying the performance obligations under the separately priced extended warranty and service contracts. For non-refundable customer deposits, the company recognizes revenue as of the point in time in which the performance obligation has been satisfied under the contract with the customer, which typically occurs upon change in control at the time a product is shipped. As of October 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019, $21.9 million and $22.0 million, respectively, of deferred revenue associated with outstanding separately priced extended warranty contracts, service contracts, and non-refundable customer deposits was reported within accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the fiscal 2017, 2016,year ended October 31, 2020, the company recognized $10.6 million of the October 31, 2019 deferred revenue balance. The company expects to recognize approximately $10.1 million of the October 31, 2020 deferred revenue balance within net sales in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings in fiscal 2021 and 2015 was $1,847,740, $1,713,588, and $1,430,855, respectively.$11.8 million thereafter.
Summarized financial information for Red Iron is presented as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Twelve Months Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Revenues | | $ | 35,158 |
| | $ | 31,812 |
| | $ | 27,483 |
|
| Interest and operating expenses, net | | (13,030 | ) | | (10,506 | ) | | (8,885 | ) |
| Net income | | $ | 22,128 |
| | $ | 21,306 |
| | $ | 18,598 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| As of October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
| Finance receivables, net | | $ | 407,533 |
| | $ | 370,169 |
|
| Other assets | | 2,888 |
| | 4,416 |
|
| Total assets | | $ | 410,421 |
| | $ | 374,585 |
|
| | | | | |
| Notes payable | | $ | 347,968 |
| | $ | 321,378 |
|
| Other liabilities | | 16,617 |
| | 11,607 |
|
| Partners' capital | | 45,836 |
| | 41,600 |
|
| Total liabilities and partners' capital | | $ | 410,421 |
| | $ | 374,585 |
|
|
| | | | |
45 | OTHER INCOME, NETGoodwill and Other Intangible Assets |
Other income (expense) is as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Interest income | | $ | 1,359 |
| | $ | 827 |
| | $ | 494 |
|
| Retail financing revenue | | 1,097 |
| | 1,087 |
| | 1,086 |
|
| Foreign currency exchange rate gain (loss) | | 1,543 |
| | 974 |
| | (324 | ) |
| Gain on sale of business | | — |
| | 340 |
| | — |
|
| Non-cash income from finance affiliate | | 9,960 |
| | 9,588 |
| | 8,353 |
|
| Litigation recovery (settlements), net | | (65 | ) | | 1,300 |
| | 125 |
|
| Miscellaneous | | 3,293 |
| | 1,284 |
| | 940 |
|
| Total other income, net | | $ | 17,187 |
| | $ | 15,400 |
| | $ | 10,674 |
|
|
| |
5 | GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE
ASSETS
|
Goodwill
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for fiscal 20172020 and 20162019 were as follows:follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Professional | | Residential | | Other | | Total |
| | | Professional Segment | | Residential Segment | | Total | |
| Balance as of October 31, 2015 | | $ | 184,766 |
| | $ | 10,767 |
| | $ | 195,533 |
| |
| Translation adjustments | | (428 | ) | | (323 | ) | | (751 | ) | |
| Balance as of October 31, 2016 | | 184,338 |
| | 10,444 |
| | 194,782 |
| |
| Balance as of October 31, 2018 | | Balance as of October 31, 2018 | | $ | 214,827 | | | $ | 10,463 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 225,290 | |
| Goodwill acquired | | 8,921 |
| | — |
| | 8,921 |
| Goodwill acquired | | 135,524 | | | 0 | | | 1,534 | | | 137,058 | |
| Translation adjustments | | 1,205 |
| | 121 |
| | 1,326 |
| Translation adjustments | | (101) | | | 6 | | | 0 | | | (95) | |
| Balance as of October 31, 2017 | | $ | 194,464 |
| | $ | 10,565 |
| | $ | 205,029 |
| |
| Balance as of October 31, 2019 | | Balance as of October 31, 2019 | | 350,250 | | | 10,469 | | | 1,534 | | | 362,253 | |
| Goodwill acquired | | Goodwill acquired | | 62,252 | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | 62,252 | |
| Purchase price allocation adjustment | | Purchase price allocation adjustment | | (866) | | | 0 | | | 0 | | | (866) | |
| Translation adjustments | | Translation adjustments | | 425 | | | 11 | | | 0 | | | 436 | |
| Balance as of October 31, 2020 | | Balance as of October 31, 2020 | | $ | 412,061 | | | $ | 10,480 | | | $ | 1,534 | | | $ | 424,075 | |
Other Intangible Assets
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, the company performed an evaluation of the company's definite-lived trade name intangible assets and determined that circumstances no longer continued to support a finite useful life for the company's BOSS® trade name intangible asset within the company’s Professional segment and accordingly, the company reclassified the definite-lived BOSS trade name to the company's indefinite-lived intangible asset portfolio. This determination was reached as BOSS's industry recognition and brand has strengthened, and the company plans to use the BOSS trade name into the foreseeable future.
The company performed a quantitative impairment analysis on the BOSS trade name as of October 31, 2017 by comparing the carrying value of the BOSS trade name to its fair value. The company’s estimate of the fair value of the BOSS trade name was based on a discounted cash flow model using inputs which included: projected revenues from the company's forecasting process, assumed royalty rates that could be payable if the company did not own the BOSS trade name, and a discount rate. Based on this analysis, the company concluded the BOSS trade name was not impaired as of October 31, 2017.
The cost basis of the definite-lived BOSS trade name reclassified to the company's indefinite-lived non-amortizable - trade names category was $23,120 as of October 31, 2017. The BOSS trade name had a remaining useful life of approximately 17 years at the time of the change in classification. The change in classification is estimated to reduce the company's annual amortization expense by approximately $1,360 for future fiscal years.
The components of other intangible assets were as follows:follows (in thousands, except weighted-average useful life in years):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| October 31, 2020 | | Weighted-Average Useful Life in Years | | Gross Carrying Amount | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net |
| Patents | | 9.9 | | $ | 18,257 | | | $ | (13,919) | | | $ | 4,338 | |
| Non-compete agreements | | 5.5 | | 6,892 | | | (6,831) | | | 61 | |
| Customer-related | | 18.2 | | 239,634 | | | (48,005) | | | 191,629 | |
| Developed technology | | 7.6 | | 51,995 | | | (35,208) | | | 16,787 | |
| Trade names | | 15.4 | | 7,530 | | | (2,552) | | | 4,978 | |
| Backlog and other | | 0.6 | | 4,390 | | | (4,390) | | | 0 | |
| Total finite-lived | | 15.5 | | 328,698 | | | (110,905) | | | 217,793 | |
| Indefinite-lived - trade names | | | | 190,512 | | | — | | | 190,512 | |
| Total other intangible assets, net | | | | $ | 519,210 | | | $ | (110,905) | | | $ | 408,305 | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| October 31, 2017 | | Gross Carrying Amount | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net |
| Patents | | $ | 15,162 |
| | $ | (11,599 | ) | | $ | 3,563 |
|
| Non-compete agreements | | 6,896 |
| | (6,775 | ) | | 121 |
|
| Customer-related | | 87,461 |
| | (18,940 | ) | | 68,521 |
|
| Developed technology | | 30,212 |
| | (26,939 | ) | | 3,273 |
|
| Trade names | | 2,330 |
| | (1,637 | ) | | 693 |
|
| Other | | 800 |
| | (800 | ) | | — |
|
| Total amortizable | | 142,861 |
| | (66,690 | ) | | 76,171 |
|
| Non-amortizable - trade names | | 27,572 |
| | — |
| | 27,572 |
|
| Total other intangible assets, net | | $ | 170,433 |
| | $ | (66,690 | ) | | $ | 103,743 |
|
| | | October 31, 2016 | | Gross Carrying Amount | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net | |
| October 31, 2019 | | October 31, 2019 | | Weighted-Average Useful Life in Years | | Gross Carrying Amount | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net |
| Patents | | $ | 15,151 |
| | $ | (10,866 | ) | | $ | 4,285 |
| Patents | | 9.9 | | $ | 18,230 | | | $ | (13,102) | | | $ | 5,128 | |
| Non-compete agreements | | 6,886 |
| | (6,681 | ) | | 205 |
| Non-compete agreements | | 5.5 | | 6,868 | | | (6,786) | | | 82 | |
| Customer-related | | 84,353 |
| | (14,434 | ) | | 69,919 |
| Customer-related | | 18.4 | | 220,390 | | | (33,547) | | | 186,843 | |
| Developed technology | | 28,648 |
| | (23,712 | ) | | 4,936 |
| Developed technology | | 7.6 | | 51,911 | | | (31,289) | | | 20,622 | |
| Trade names | | 28,715 |
| | (4,235 | ) | | 24,480 |
| Trade names | | 15.4 | | 7,496 | | | (2,109) | | | 5,387 | |
| Other | | 800 |
| | (800 | ) | | — |
| |
| Total amortizable | | 164,553 |
| | (60,728 | ) | | 103,825 |
| |
| Non-amortizable - trade names | | 4,268 |
| | — |
| | 4,268 |
| |
| Backlog and other | | Backlog and other | | 0.6 | | 4,390 | | | (4,390) | | | 0 | |
| Total finite-lived | | Total finite-lived | | 15.5 | | 309,285 | | | (91,223) | | | 218,062 | |
| Indefinite-lived - trade names | | Indefinite-lived - trade names | | 134,312 | | | — | | | 134,312 | |
| Total other intangible assets, net | | $ | 168,821 |
| | $ | (60,728 | ) | | $ | 108,093 |
| Total other intangible assets, net | | $ | 443,597 | | | $ | (91,223) | | | $ | 352,374 | |
Amortization expense for definite-livedfinite-lived intangible assets for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 20152018 was $9,876, $9,550,$19.5 million, $18.4 million, and $11,438,$7.3 million, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for the succeeding fiscal years is as follows: 2018, $6,656; 2019, $5,778; 2020, $5,222; 2021, $4,818;$19.5 million; 2022, $4,683;$18.3 million; 2023, $16.5 million; 2024, $15.5 million; 2025, $13.9 million; and after 2022, $49,014.2025, $134.1 million.
|
| | | | |
| 6 | SHORT-TERM CAPITAL RESOURCESIndebtedness |
AsThe following is a summary of October 31, 2017, the company's indebtedness (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | October 31, 2020 | | October 31, 2019 |
| Revolving credit facility | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
| $200 million term loan | | 100,000 | | | 100,000 | |
| $300 million term loan | | 180,000 | | | 180,000 | |
| $190 million term loan | | 90,000 | | | 0 | |
| 3.81% series A senior notes | | 100,000 | | | 100,000 | |
| 3.91% series B senior notes | | 100,000 | | | 100,000 | |
| 7.8% debentures | | 100,000 | | | 100,000 | |
| 6.625% senior notes | | 123,978 | | | 123,916 | |
| Less: unamortized discounts, debt issuance costs, and deferred charges | | 2,855 | | | 3,103 | |
| Total long-term debt | | 791,123 | | | 700,813 | |
| Less: current portion of long-term debt | | 99,873 | | | 79,914 | |
| Long-term debt, less current portion | | $ | 691,250 | | | $ | 620,899 | |
Principal payments required on the company's outstanding indebtedness, based on the maturity dates defined within the company's debt arrangements, for the succeeding five fiscal years are as follows: fiscal 2021, $13.5 million; fiscal 2022, $133.7 million; fiscal 2023, $69.8 million; fiscal 2024, $153.0 million; fiscal 2025, $0.0 million; and after fiscal 2025, $425.0 million.
Revolving Credit Facility
The company hadhas a $150,000 unsecured senior five-year revolving credit facility with a borrowing capacity of $600.0 million that expires in October 2019. Included in this $150,000June 2023. The revolving credit facility isincludes a $10.0 million sublimit of $20,000 for standby letters of credit and a $30.0 million sublimit for
swingline loans of $20,000.loans. At the company's election, of the company, and with the approval of the named borrowers on the revolving credit facility and the election of the lenders to fund such increase, the aggregate maximum principal amount available under the facility may be increased by an amount up to $100,000 in aggregate.$300.0 million. Funds are available under the revolving credit facility for working capital, capital expenditures, and other lawful corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, acquisitions and common stock repurchases. Interest expense on this credit line is determined based on a LIBOR rate (or other rates quoted by the Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A.) plus a basis point spread definedrepurchases, subject in the credit agreement. In addition, the company's non-U.S. operations also maintain short-term lines
of credit in the aggregate amount of $9,186. These facilities bear interest at various rates depending on the rates in their respective countries of operation. As of October 31, 2017 and October 31, 2016,2020, the company had no outstanding short-term debt0 borrowings under these lines of credit.
The credit agreement that contains the revolving credit facility and term loan,$2.5 million outstanding under the sublimit for standby letters of credit, which is describedresulted in more detail in Note 7,$597.5 million of unutilized availability under the revolving credit facility. As of October 31, 2019, the company had 0 borrowings under the revolving credit facility, $1.9 million outstanding under the sublimit for standby letters of credit, and $598.1 million of unutilized availability. Typically, outstanding borrowings under the company's revolving credit facility are classified as long-term debt within the company's Consolidated Balance Sheets as the company has the ability to extend the borrowings for the full-term of the facility. However, if the company intends to repay a portion of the outstanding balance within the next twelve months, the company reclassifies that portion to current portion of long-term debt within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of October 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019, 0 outstanding borrowings under the company's revolving credit facility were classified as current portion of long-term debt within the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The company's revolving credit facility contains standardcustomary covenants, including, without limitation, financial covenants, such as the maintenance of minimum interest coverage and maximum debt to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA")leverage ratios; and negative covenants, which among other things, limit loans and investments, disposition of assets, consolidations and mergers, transactions with affiliates, restricted payments, contingent obligations, liens, and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. Most of these restrictions are subject to certain minimum thresholds and exceptions. Under the revolving credit facility, the company is not limited in the amount for payments of cash dividends and stock repurchases as long as the debt to EBITDA ratio from the previous quarter compliance certificate is less than or equal to 3.25, provided that immediately after giving effect of any such proposed action, no default or event of default would exist. In fiscal 2017, 2016, and 2015, the company was not limited in the amount for payments of cash dividends and stock repurchases as its debt to EBITDA ratio was below the thresholds. As of October 31, 2017 and 2016, theThe company was in compliance with all covenants related to the credit agreement for the company's revolving credit facility.facility as of October 31, 2020.
A summary of long-term debt is as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | |
| October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
| Term loan, due October 25, 2019 | | $ | 100,750 |
| | $ | 110,500 |
|
| 7.800% Debentures, due June 15, 2027 | | 100,000 |
| | 100,000 |
|
| 6.625% Senior Notes, due May 1, 2037 | | 123,792 |
| | 123,730 |
|
| 4% Unsecured Note, due November 14, 2017 | | 10,008 |
| | 19,677 |
|
| Less: unamortized discounts, debt issuance costs and deferred charges | | (2,663 | ) | | (2,946 | ) |
| Total long-term debt | | 331,887 |
| | 350,961 |
|
| Less: current portion of long-term debt | | 26,258 |
| | 22,484 |
|
| Long-term debt, less current portion | | $ | 305,629 |
| | $ | 328,477 |
|
On November 14, 2014,Outstanding loans under the company issuedrevolving credit facility, if applicable, other than swingline loans, bear interest at a note withvariable rate generally based on LIBOR or an alternative variable rate based on the aggregate principal amount of $30,000 to the former ownerhighest of the BOSS business, Northern Star Industries, Inc., which was recorded at fair value of $31,161.
In October 2014, the company obtained a $130,000 term loan with various banks, which was a part of a new credit agreement that included a new revolving credit facility. Under the credit agreement, the term loan bears interest based on a LIBOR rate (or other rates quoted by the Administrative Agent, Bank of America N.A.) plusprime rate, the federal funds rate or a rate generally based on LIBOR, in each case subject to an additional basis point spread as defined in the credit agreement. Swingline loans under the revolving credit facility bear interest at a rate determined by the swingline lender or an alternative variable rate based on the highest of the Bank of America prime rate, the federal funds rate or a rate generally based on LIBOR, in each case subject to an additional basis point spread as defined in the credit agreement. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, the company incurred interest expense of $0.8
million, $1.9 million, and $1.3 million, respectively, under the revolving credit facility.
$500.0 Million Term Loan Credit Agreement
In March 2019, the company entered into a term loan credit agreement with a syndicate of financial institutions for the purpose of partially funding the CMW purchase price and the related fees and expenses incurred in connection with such acquisition. The term loan cancredit agreement provided for a $200.0 million three-year unsecured senior term loan facility maturing on April 1, 2022 and a $300.0 million five-year unsecured senior term loan facility maturing on April 1, 2024 (collectively, the "$500.0 million term loan"). The funds under the $500.0 million term loan were received on the CMW closing date.
There are no scheduled principal amortization payments prior to maturity on the $200.0 million three-year unsecured senior term loan facility. For the $300.0 million five-year unsecured senior term loan facility, the company is required to make quarterly principal amortization payments of 2.5 percent of the original aggregate principal balance reduced by any applicable prepayments beginning with the last business day of the thirteenth calendar quarter ending after April 1, 2019, with the remainder of the unpaid principal balance due at maturity. No principal payments are required during the first three and one-quarter (3.25) years of the $300.0 million five-year unsecured senior term loan facility. The term loan facilities may be repaid in part or in fullprepaid and terminated at the company's election at any
time without penalty butor premium. Amounts repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. As of October 31, 2020, the company had prepaid $100.0 million and $120.0 million of the outstanding principal balances of the $200.0 million three-year unsecured senior term loan facility and $300.0 million five-year unsecured senior term loan facility, respectively. Thus, as of October 31, 2020, there was $100.0 million and $180.0 million outstanding under the $200.0 million three-year unsecured senior term loan facility and the $300.0 million five-year unsecured senior term loan facility, respectively. As of October 31, 2020, the company has reclassified $10.0 million of the outstanding principal balance of the $300.0 million five-year unsecured senior term loan facility, net of the related proportionate share of deferred debt issuance costs, to current portion of long-term debt within the Consolidated Balance Sheets as this is the amount the company intends to repay utilizing anticipated cash flows from operations within the next twelve months. As of October 31, 2019, the company had prepaid $100.0 million and $120.0 million of the outstanding principal balances of the $200.0 million three-year unsecured senior term loan facility and $300.0 million five-year unsecured senior term loan facility, respectively. Thus, as of October 31, 2019, there was $100.0 million and $180.0 million outstanding under the $200.0 million three-year unsecured senior term loan facility and the $300.0 million five-year unsecured senior term loan facility, respectively.
Outstanding borrowings under the $500.0 million term loan bear interest at a variable rate based on LIBOR or an
alternative variable rate, subject to an additional basis point spread as defined in the $500.0 million loan credit agreement. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, the company incurred interest expense of $5.2 million and $7.5 million, respectively, on the outstanding borrowings under the $500.0 million term loan.
The $500.0 million term loan contains customary covenants, including, without limitation, financial covenants generally consistent with those applicable under the company's revolving credit facility, such as the maintenance of minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios; and negative covenants, which among other things, limit disposition of assets, consolidations and mergers, restricted payments, liens, and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. Most of these restrictions are subject to certain minimum thresholds and exceptions. The company was in compliance with all covenants related to the company's $500.0 million term loan as of October 31, 2020.
$190.0 Million Term Loan Credit Agreement
On March 30, 2020, the company entered into a $190.0 million term loan credit agreement ("$190.0 million term loan") with certain financial institutions for the purpose of refinancing certain of its outstanding borrowings incurred in connection with the company's acquisition of Venture Products on March 2, 2020, and as a precautionary measure to increase the company's liquidity and preserve financial flexibility in light of the uncertainty in the global financial and commercial markets from COVID-19. The $190.0 million term loan provided for a $190.0 million three year unsecured senior term loan facility maturing on June 19, 2023.
Beginning with the last business day of March 2021, the company is required to make quarterly amortization payments on the $190.0 million term loan equal to 5.0 percent for the first 4 payments and 7.5 percent thereafter of the original aggregate principal amount reduced by any event mustapplicable prepayments. The $190.0 million term loan may be prepaid and terminated at the company's election at any time without penalty or premium. Amounts repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed. As of October 31, 2020, the company had prepaid $100.0 million of the outstanding principal balance of the $190.0 million term loan. As of October 31, 2020, the company has reclassified the remaining $89.9 million outstanding principal balance of the $190.0 million term loan, net of the related proportionate share of deferred debt issuance costs, to current portion of long-term debt within the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of October 31, 2020, $13.5 million of the $89.9 million that has been reclassified to current portion of long-term debt within the Consolidated Balance Sheet represents required quarterly amortization payments due within the next twelve months and the remaining $76.4 million represents the amount the company intends to prepay utilizing anticipated cash flows from operations within the next twelve months.
Outstanding borrowings under the $190.0 million term loan bear interest at a variable rate based on LIBOR or an alternative variable rate with a minimum rate of 0.75 percent, subject to an additional basis point spread as defined in the term loan credit agreement. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the company incurred interest expense of $2.4 million on the outstanding borrowings under the $190.0 million term loan.
The $190.0 million term loan contains customary covenants, including, without limitation, financial covenants generally consistent with those applicable under the company's revolving credit facility, such as the maintenance of minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios; and negative covenants, which among other things, limit disposition of assets, consolidations and mergers, restricted payments, liens, and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. Most of these restrictions are subject to certain minimum thresholds and exceptions. The company was in compliance with all covenants related to the $190.0 million term loan as of October 31, 2020.
3.81% Series A and 3.91% Series B Senior Notes
On April 30, 2019, the company entered into a private placement note purchase agreement with certain purchasers ("holders") pursuant to which the company agreed to issue and sell an aggregate principal amount of $100.0 million of 3.81% Series A Senior Notes due June 15, 2029 ("Series A Senior Notes") and $100.0 million of 3.91% Series B Senior Notes due June 15, 2031 ("Series B Senior Notes" and together with the Series A Senior Notes, the "Senior Notes"). On June 27, 2019, the company issued $100.0 million of the Series A Senior Notes and $100.0 million of the Series B Senior Notes pursuant to the private placement note purchase agreement. The Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the company.
No principal is due on the Senior Notes prior to their stated due dates. The company has the right to prepay all or a portion of either series of the Senior Notes in an amount equal to not less than 10.0 percent of the principal amount of the Senior Notes then outstanding upon notice to the holders of the series of Senior Notes being prepaid for 100.0 percent of the principal amount prepaid, plus a make-whole premium, as set forth in the private placement note purchase agreement, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of prepayment. In addition, at any time on or after the date that is 90 days prior to the maturity date of the respective series, the company has the right to prepay all of the outstanding Senior Notes of such series for 100.0 percent of the principal amount so prepaid, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of prepayment. Upon the occurrence of certain change of control events, the company is required to prepay all of the Senior Notes for the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of prepayment.
Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semiannually on the 15th day of June and December in each year. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, the company
incurred interest expense of $7.7 million and $2.6 million, respectively, on the Senior Notes.
The private placement note purchase agreement contains customary representations and warranties of the company, as well as certain customary covenants, including, without limitation, financial covenants, such as the maintenance of minimum interest coverage and maximum leverage ratios, and other covenants, which, among other things, provide limitations on transactions with affiliates, mergers, consolidations and sales of assets, liens and priority debt. The company was in compliance with all representations, warranties, and covenants related to the private placement note purchase agreement as of October 31, 2020.
7.8% Debentures
In June 1997, the company issued $175.0 million of debt securities consisting of $75.0 million of 7.125 percent coupon 10-year notes and $100.0 million of 7.8 percent coupon 30-year debentures. The $75.0 million of 7.125 percent coupon 10-year notes were repaid at maturity during fiscal 2007. In connection with the issuance of $175.0 million in long-term debt securities, the company paid $23.7 million to terminate 3 forward-starting interest rate swap agreements with notional amounts totaling $125.0 million. These swap agreements had been entered into to reduce exposure to interest rate risk prior to the issuance of the new long-term debt securities. As of the inception of one of the swap agreements, the company had received payments that were recorded as deferred income to be recognized as an adjustment to interest expense over the term of the new debt securities. As of the date the swaps were terminated, this deferred income totaled $18.7 million. The excess termination fees over the deferred income recorded was deferred and is being recognized as an adjustment to interest expense over the term of the debt securities issued.
Interest on the debentures is payable semiannually on the 15th day of June and December in full byeach year. For the fiscal years ended October 2019.31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the company incurred interest expense of $8.0 million, $7.9 million, and $8.0 million, respectively.
6.625% Senior Notes
On April 26, 2007, the company issued $125,000$125.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.625 percent senior notes due May 1, 2037. The senior notes were2037 and priced at 98.513 percent of par value, and thevalue. The resulting discount of $1,859 associated with the issuance of these senior notes$1.9 million is being amortized over the term of the notes using the straight-line method as the results obtained are not materially different from those that would result from the use of the effective interest rate method. The underwriting fee and direct debt issue costs totaling $1,524 will be amortized over the life of the notes. Although the coupon rate of the senior notes is 6.625 percent, the effective interest rate is 6.741 percent after taking into account the issuance discount. Interest on the senior notes is payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 of each year. The senior notes are unsecured senior obligations of the company and rank equally with the company's other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The indentures under which the senior notes were issued contain customary covenants and event of default provisions. The company may redeem some or all of the senior notes at
any time at the greater of the full principal amount of the senior notes being redeemed or the present value of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the treasury rate plus 30 basis points, plus, in both cases, accrued and unpaid interest. In the event of the occurrence of both (i) a change of control of the company, and (ii) a downgrade of the notes below an investment grade rating by both Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor's Ratings Services within a specified period, the company would be required to make an offer to purchase the senior notes at a price equal to 101 percent of the principal amount of the senior notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase.
In June 1997,Interest on the senior notes is payable semiannually on the 1st day of May and November in each year. For each of the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, the company issued $175,000incurred interest expense of debt securities consisting$8.4 million, respectively.
Toro Underground Wind Down
On August 1, 2019, during the company's fiscal 2019 third quarter, the company announced a plan to wind down the company's Toro-branded large directional drill and riding trencher product categories within its Professional segment product portfolio ("Toro underground wind down"). As of $75,000 of 7.125 percent coupon 10-year notes and $100,000 of 7.8 percent coupon 30-year debentures. The $75,000 of 7.125 percent coupon 10-year notes were repaid at maturity during fiscal 2007.October 31, 2020, the company has completed the Toro underground wind down. In connection with the issuance of $175,000 in long-term debt securities,Toro underground wind down, for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the company paid $23,688recorded $0.9 million of pre-tax charges related to terminate three forward-starting interest rate swap agreements with notional amounts totaling $125,000. These swap agreements had been entered intowrite-downs to reduce exposurenet realizable value within cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, the company recorded $8.8 million of pre-tax charges related to interest rate risk priorinventory write-downs to net realizable value and accelerated depreciation on fixed assets that will no longer be used within cost of sales in the issuanceConsolidated Statements of Earnings as a result of the new long-term debt securities.Toro underground wind down. Additionally, the company recorded $1.2 million of pre-tax charges related to inventory retail support activities within net sales in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019. NaN pre-tax charges related to inventory retail support activities were incurred during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020. As of the inception of one of the swap agreements,October 31, 2019, the company had received paymentsa remaining accrual balance of $0.9 million related to the anticipated inventory retail support activities within accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. NaN accrual relating to inventory retail support activities was recorded within accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2020.
Corporate Restructuring
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, the company incurred corporate restructuring charges related to employee severance costs as the company focused on aligning the company's operations in the most strategic and cost-effective structure subsequent to the CMW transaction. As a result of such corporate restructuring, the company recorded pre-tax charges of $0.6 million within cost of sales and pre-tax charges of $6.0 million within selling, general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings during fiscal 2019. The company did not incur additional charges in fiscal 2020 related to this corporate restructuring event.
Divestiture
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, the company divested of a used underground construction equipment business, which was acquired as a result of the company's acquisition of CMW. Such divestiture was immaterial based on the company's Consolidated Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
| | | | | |
| 8 | Investment in Joint Venture |
In fiscal 2009, the company and TCFIF, a subsidiary of TCF National Bank, established Red Iron, a joint venture in the form of a Delaware limited liability company that were recorded as deferred incomeprimarily provides inventory financing to be recognized as an adjustmentcertain distributors and dealers of certain of the company’s products in the U.S. Under such joint venture, the company owns 45.0 percent of Red Iron and TCFIF owns 55.0 percent of Red Iron. Under a separate agreement, TCFCFC provides inventory financing to interest expense overdealers of the company's products in Canada.
On December 20, 2019, during the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the company amended certain agreements pertaining to the Red Iron joint venture. The purpose of these amendments was, among other things, to: (i) adjust certain rates under the floor plan financing rate structure charged to the company’s distributors and dealers participating in financing arrangements through the Red Iron joint venture; (ii) extend the term of the new debt securities. AsRed Iron joint venture from October 31, 2024 to October 31, 2026, subject to two-year extensions thereafter unless either the company or TCFIF provides written notice to the other party of non-renewal at least one year prior to the end of the then-current term; (iii) amend certain exclusivity-related provisions, including the definition of the company's products that are subject to exclusivity, inclusion of a two-year review period by the company for products acquired in future acquisitions to assess, without a commitment to exclusivity, the potential benefits and detriments of including such acquired products under the Red Iron financing arrangement, and the pro-rata payback over a five-year period of the exclusivity incentive payment the company received from TCFIF in 2016; (iv) extend the maturity date of the swaps were terminated, this deferred income totaled $18,710. revolving credit facility used by Red Iron primarily to finance the acquisition of inventory from the company by its
distributors and dealers from October 31, 2024 to October 31, 2026 and to increase the amount available under such revolving credit facility from $550.0 million to $625.0 million; and (v) memorialize certain other non-material amendments.
The excess termination fees overcompany accounts for its investment in Red Iron under the deferred income recordedequity method of accounting. The company and TCFIF each contributed a specified amount of the estimated cash required to enable Red Iron to purchase the company's inventory financing receivables and to provide financial support for Red Iron's inventory financing programs. Red Iron borrows the remaining requisite estimated cash utilizing a $625.0 million secured revolving credit facility established under a credit agreement between Red Iron and TCFIF. The company's total investment in Red Iron as of October 31, 2020 and 2019 was deferred$19.7 million and is being recognized$24.1 million, respectively. The company has not guaranteed the outstanding indebtedness of Red Iron.
Under the financing agreement between Red Iron and the company, Red Iron provides financing for certain dealers and distributors. These transactions are structured as an adjustmentadvance in the form of a payment by Red Iron to interest expense over the termcompany on behalf of a distributor or dealer with respect to invoices financed by Red Iron. These payments extinguish the obligation of the debt securities issued.
Principal payments required on long-term debt in eachdealer or distributor to make payment to the company under the terms of the next fiveapplicable invoice. The company has also entered into a limited inventory repurchase agreement with Red Iron and TCFCFC. Under such limited inventory repurchase agreement, the company has agreed to repurchase products repossessed by Red Iron and TCFCFC, up to a maximum aggregate amount of $7.5 million in a calendar year. The company's financial exposure under this limited inventory repurchase agreement is limited to the difference between the amount paid to Red Iron and TCFCFC for repurchases of repossessed product and the amount received upon the subsequent resale of the repossessed product. The company has repurchased immaterial amounts of inventory under this limited inventory repurchase agreement for the fiscal years endingended October 31, are2020, 2019, and 2018.
Under separate agreements between Red Iron and the dealers and distributors, Red Iron provides loans to the dealers and distributors for the advances paid by Red Iron to the company. The net amount of receivables financed for dealers and distributors under this arrangement during fiscal 2020, 2019, and 2018 was $1,832.5 million, $1,924.9 million, and $1,959.7 million, respectively. The total amount of receivables due from Red Iron to the company as follows: 2018, $26,258;of October 31, 2020 and 2019 $84,500; 2020, $0; 2021, $0; 2022, $0;were $12.6 million and after 2022, $223,792.
$21.9 million, respectively.
Summarized financial information for Red Iron is presented as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the Twelve Months Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Revenue | | $ | 31,040 | | | $ | 47,569 | | | $ | 42,051 | |
| Interest and operating expenses, net | | (14,177) | | | (21,011) | | | (17,288) | |
| Net income | | $ | 16,863 | | | $ | 26,558 | | | $ | 24,763 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Finance receivables, net | | $ | 386,781 | | | $ | 486,834 | |
| Other assets | | 2,929 | | | 3,733 | |
| Total assets | | $ | 389,710 | | | $ | 490,567 | |
| | | | |
| Notes payable | | $ | 332,838 | | | $ | 419,308 | |
| Other liabilities | | 12,994 | | | 17,594 | |
| Partners' capital | | 43,878 | | | 53,665 | |
| Total liabilities and partners' capital | | $ | 389,710 | | | $ | 490,567 | |
|
| | | | |
89 | STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITYIncome Taxes |
Shares have been adjusted for prior periods presented to reflect a two-for-one stock split effective September 16, 2016.
Stock Repurchase Program
On December 3, 2015, the company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of 8,000,000 shares of the company's common stock in open-market or in privately negotiated transactions. This repurchase program has no expiration date but may be terminated by the company's Board of Directors at any time.
During fiscal 2017, 2016, and 2015, the company paid $159,354, $109,986, and $105,964 to repurchase an aggregate of 2,710,837 shares, 2,625,913 shares, and 3,122,358 shares, respectively, under the Board's authorized stock repurchase program. As of October 31, 2017, 4,981,878 shares remained authorized by the company's Board of Directors for repurchase. The Board of Directors authorized shares for repurchase does not include shares of the company's common stock surrendered by employees to satisfy minimum tax withholding obligations upon vesting of certain equity securities granted under the company's stock-based compensation plans.
Treasury Shares
As of October 31, 2017, the company had a total of 21,245,028 treasury shares at a cost of $1,369,548. As of October 31, 2016, the company had a total of 19,700,607 treasury shares at a cost of $1,280,495.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss ("AOCL"), net of tax, within the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity are as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | | $ | 21,303 |
| | $ | 31,430 |
| | $ | 24,328 |
|
| Pension and post-retirement benefits | | 2,012 |
| | 6,359 |
| | 5,386 |
|
| Derivative instruments | | 805 |
| | 647 |
| | 129 |
|
| Total accumulated other comprehensive loss | | $ | 24,120 |
| | $ | 38,436 |
| | $ | 29,843 |
|
The components and activity of AOCL are as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments | | Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits | | Cash Flow Derivative Instruments | | Total |
| Balance as of October 31, 2016 | | $ | 31,430 |
| | $ | 6,359 |
| | $ | 647 |
| | $ | 38,436 |
|
| Other comprehensive income before reclassifications | | (10,127 | ) | | (4,347 | ) | | (233 | ) | | (14,707 | ) |
| Amounts reclassified from AOCL | | — |
| | — |
| | 391 |
| | 391 |
|
| Net current period other comprehensive (income) loss | | (10,127 | ) | | (4,347 | ) | | 158 |
| | (14,316 | ) |
| Balance as of October 31, 2017 | | $ | 21,303 |
| | $ | 2,012 |
| | $ | 805 |
| | $ | 24,120 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments | | Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits | | Cash Flow Derivative Instruments | | Total |
| Balance as of October 31, 2015 | | $ | 24,328 |
| | $ | 5,386 |
| | $ | 129 |
| | $ | 29,843 |
|
| Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications | | 7,102 |
| | 973 |
| | 1,116 |
| | 9,191 |
|
| Amounts reclassified from AOCL | | — |
| | — |
| | (598 | ) | | (598 | ) |
| Net current period other comprehensive loss | | 7,102 |
| | 973 |
| | 518 |
| | 8,593 |
|
| Balance as of October 31, 2016 | | $ | 31,430 |
| | $ | 6,359 |
| | $ | 647 |
| | $ | 38,436 |
|
For additional information on the components of AOCL associated with pension and post-retirement benefits refer to Note 11. For additional information on the components reclassified from AOCL to the respective line items in net earnings for derivative instruments refer to Note 14.
Earnings Before Income Taxes Earnings before income taxes were as follows:follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Earnings before income taxes: | | | | | | |
| U.S. | | $ | 369,016 | | | $ | 283,730 | | | $ | 333,136 | |
| Foreign | | 38,054 | | | 38,403 | | | 39,261 | |
| Total earnings before income taxes | | $ | 407,070 | | | $ | 322,133 | | | $ | 372,397 | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Earnings before income taxes: | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| U.S. | | $ | 307,136 |
| | $ | 292,184 |
| | $ | 254,276 |
|
| Foreign | | 46,048 |
| | 38,276 |
| | 36,755 |
|
| Total earnings before income taxes | | $ | 353,184 |
| | $ | 330,460 |
| | $ | 291,031 |
|
A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the company's consolidated effective tax rate is summarized as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Statutory federal income tax rate | | 21.0 | % | | 21.0 | % | | 23.3 | % |
| Excess deduction for stock compensation | | (1.7) | | | (3.7) | | | (3.5) | |
| Domestic manufacturer's deduction | | 0 | | | 0.1 | | | (0.9) | |
| State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit | | 2.4 | | | 1.1 | | | 1.3 | |
| Foreign operations | | (0.6) | | | (0.3) | | | (0.5) | |
| Federal research tax credit | | (1.7) | | | (1.5) | | | (1.2) | |
| Foreign-derived intangible income | | 0 | | | (1.3) | | | 0 | |
| Remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities | | 0 | | | (0.1) | | | 5.2 | |
| Deemed repatriation tax | | 0 | | | (0.2) | | | 3.6 | |
| Other, net | | (0.4) | | | (0.2) | | | (0.3) | |
| Effective tax rate | | 19.0 | % | | 14.9 | % | | 27.0 | % |
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. enacted Public Law No. 115-97 ("Tax Act"), originally introduced as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which significantly modified the Internal Revenue Code. The Tax Act reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35.0 percent to 21.0 percent, created a territorial-type tax system with an exemption for foreign dividends, and imposed a one-time deemed repatriation tax
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Statutory federal income tax rate | | 35.0 | % | | 35.0 | % | | 35.0 | % |
| Excess deduction for stock compensation | | (5.3 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
| Domestic manufacturer's deduction | | (1.2 | ) | | (0.8 | ) | | (1.7 | ) |
| State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit | | 0.5 |
| | 1.5 |
| | 2.2 |
|
| Foreign taxes | | (2.3 | ) | | (1.8 | ) | | (3.1 | ) |
| Federal research tax credit | | (1.5 | ) | | (1.5 | ) | | (0.9 | ) |
| Other, net | | (1.0 | ) | | (2.3 | ) | | (0.8 | ) |
| Consolidated effective tax rate | | 24.2 | % | | 30.1 | % | | 30.7 | % |
on a U.S. company's historical undistributed earnings and profits of foreign affiliates. The tax rate change was effective January 1, 2018, which resulted in a blended statutory tax rate of 23.3 percent for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018. The reduced tax rate of 21.0 percent was applicable to the fiscal years ended October 31, 2019 and 2020. Among other provisions, the Tax Act also increased expensing for certain business assets, created new taxes on certain foreign sourced earnings, provided an incentive on specified export activities, adopted limitations on business interest expense deductions, repealed deductions for income attributable to domestic production activities, and added other anti-base erosion rules.
As of October 31, 2018, the company completed the accounting for the effects of the Tax Act. Included within the company's provision for income taxes in the Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018 are tax expense of $19.3 million for the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and tax expense of $13.4 million for the one-time transition tax on deemed repatriation tax of its non-U.S. subsidiaries. Included within the company's provision for income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 are final adjustments related to the Tax Act, including a tax benefit of $0.3 million for the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities and a tax benefit of $0.7 million for the deemed repatriation.
The Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income ("GILTI") provisions under the Tax Act requires the company to include in its U.S. income tax return any foreign subsidiary earnings in excess of an allowable return on the foreign subsidiary’s tangible assets. The impact of GILTI is included in foreign operations in the company's reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the company's effective tax rate above.
The Foreign-Derived Intangible Income ("FDII") provisions of the Tax Act provide an incentive to domestic corporations in the form of a lower tax rate on income derived from tangible and intangible products and services in foreign markets. This lower tax rate is accomplished through an additional tax deduction based on a percentage of qualifying sales.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") was signed into law on March 27, 2020. Among others, the CARES Act delayed payment of employer payroll taxes and modified net operating loss carryback provisions. The company has reflected the impact of the CARES Act for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020 within its Consolidated Financial Statements and such impact was not material to the company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
Provision for Income Taxes
Components of the company's provision for income taxes were as follows:follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Current provision: | | | | | | |
| Federal | | $ | 58,243 | | | $ | 37,415 | | | $ | 64,375 | |
| State | | 11,322 | | | 7,495 | | | 6,192 | |
| Foreign | | 5,534 | | | 6,846 | | | 7,087 | |
| Total current provision | | $ | 75,099 | | | $ | 51,756 | | | $ | 77,654 | |
| Deferred provision (benefit): | | | | | | |
| Federal | | $ | 1,710 | | | $ | (37) | | | $ | 22,074 | |
| State | | 634 | | | (3,205) | | | 308 | |
| Foreign | | (74) | | | (364) | | | 422 | |
| Total deferred provision (benefit) | | 2,270 | | | (3,606) | | | 22,804 | |
| Total provision for income taxes | | $ | 77,369 | | | $ | 48,150 | | | $ | 100,458 | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Current provision: | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Federal | | $ | 83,091 |
| | $ | 77,685 |
| | $ | 75,496 |
|
| State | | 3,036 |
| | 6,929 |
| | 9,389 |
|
| Foreign | | 8,166 |
| | 6,295 |
| | 6,219 |
|
| Total current provision | | $ | 94,293 |
| | $ | 90,909 |
| | $ | 91,104 |
|
| Deferred provision (benefit): | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Federal | | $ | (8,774 | ) | | $ | 7,283 |
| | $ | 430 |
|
| State | | (101 | ) | | 297 |
| | — |
|
| Foreign | | 49 |
| | 977 |
| | (2,094 | ) |
| Total deferred provision (benefit) | | (8,826 | ) | | 8,557 |
| | (1,664 | ) |
| Total provision for income taxes | | $ | 85,467 |
| | $ | 99,466 |
| | $ | 89,440 |
|
The following table presents the tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred income tax assets (liabilities), net are presented below:(in thousands):
| | | October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Deferred income tax assets: | | |
| | |
| Deferred income tax assets: | | | | |
| Compensation and benefits | | $ | 38,753 |
| | $ | 37,200 |
| Compensation and benefits | | $ | 30,363 | | | $ | 27,969 | |
| Warranty and insurance | | 23,993 |
| | 17,443 |
| Warranty and insurance | | 28,480 | | | 25,788 | |
| Lease liabilities | | Lease liabilities | | 20,843 | | | — | |
| Advertising and sales allowance | | 10,428 |
| | 11,185 |
| Advertising and sales allowance | | 6,937 | | | 8,866 | |
| Inventory | | Inventory | | 4,937 | | | 4,005 | |
| Deferred revenue | | Deferred revenue | | 2,910 | | | 4,373 | |
| Other | | 12,234 |
| | 10,327 |
| Other | | 9,643 | | | 4,372 | |
| Valuation allowance | | (1,951 | ) | | (1,867 | ) | Valuation allowance | | (3,570) | | | (3,199) | |
| Total deferred income tax assets | | $ | 83,457 |
| | $ | 74,288 |
| Total deferred income tax assets | | $ | 100,543 | | | $ | 72,174 | |
| Deferred income tax liabilities: | | | | | Deferred income tax liabilities: | |
| Right-of-use assets | | Right-of-use assets | | $ | (20,179) | | | $ | — | |
| Depreciation | | $ | (13,259 | ) | | $ | (13,578 | ) | Depreciation | | (49,018) | | | (40,964) | |
| Amortization | | (7,841 | ) | | (3,482 | ) | Amortization | | (95,315) | | | (75,538) | |
| Total deferred income tax liabilities | | (21,100 | ) | | (17,060 | ) | Total deferred income tax liabilities | | (164,512) | | | (116,502) | |
| Deferred income tax assets, net | | $ | 62,357 |
| | $ | 57,228 |
| |
| Deferred income tax liabilities, net | | Deferred income tax liabilities, net | | $ | (63,969) | | | $ | (44,328) | |
The net change in the total valuation allowance as ofbetween the fiscal years ended October 31, 20172020 and 2016 principally applies2019 was an increase of $0.4 million. The change in valuation allowance is related to capital loss carryforwards,branch foreign tax credits, state credit carryforwards,tax credits, net operating losses, and foreign net operatingcapital loss carryforwards that are expected to expire prior to utilization.
As of October 31, 2017,2020, the company had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $6,569$3.7 million in foreign jurisdictions. The carryforward periodsjurisdictions, which are as follows: $3,327comprised of $2.2 million that do not
expire; expire and $3,242$1.5 million that expire between fiscal years 20182020 and 2026.fiscal 2037. The company also had domestic credit carryforwards of $1.7 million that expires between fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2035.
No provision has been made for U.S. federal income taxes on certainThe company considers that $19.0 million of the total undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiariesoperations are intended to be indefinitely reinvested. Should these earnings be distributed in the future in the form of dividends or otherwise, the company intends to permanently invest or that may be remitted substantially tax-free. The total of undistributed earnings that would be subject to foreign
withholding taxes, state income taxes, and/or additional federal income tax if remitted under existing law is approximately $159,003 astaxes for currency fluctuations. As of October 31, 2017. Determination of2020, the unrecognized deferred tax liabilityliabilities for temporary differences related to these earnings isthe company’s investment in non-U.S. subsidiaries, and any withholding, state, or additional federal taxes that may be applied upon any future repatriation, are expected to be immaterial and have not practicable because of the complexities with its hypothetical calculation. Upon distribution of these earnings, the company will be subject to U.S. taxes and withholding taxes payable to various foreign governments. A credit for foreign taxes already paid would be available to reduce the U.S. tax liability.been recorded.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | |
| Unrecognized tax benefits as of October 31, 2016 | | $ | 5,175 |
|
| Increase as a result of tax positions taken during a prior period | | 432 |
|
| Increase as a result of tax positions taken during the current period | | 948 |
|
| Decrease relating to settlements with taxing authorities | | (2,673 | ) |
| Reductions as a result of statute of limitations lapses | | (769 | ) |
| Unrecognized tax benefits as of October 31, 2017 | | $ | 3,113 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Unrecognized tax benefits as of October 31, 2019 | | $ | 2,673 | |
| Increase as a result of tax positions taken during a prior period | | 166 | |
| Decrease as a result of tax positions taken during the current period | | (183) | |
| Increase as a result of tax positions taken during the current period | | 291 | |
| | |
| Reductions as a result of statute of limitations lapses | | (87) | |
| Unrecognized tax benefits as of October 31, 2020 | | $ | 2,860 | |
The company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of the provision for income taxes.taxes within the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. In addition to the liability of $3,113 for unrecognized tax benefits of $2.9 million, which have been recorded as an other accrued liability within the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2017,2020, the company had an amount of approximately $236recorded $0.8 million of accrued interest and penalties.
penalties as an other accrued liability within the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2020. Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits as of October 31, 20172020 are potential benefits of $2,177$2.9 million that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate from continuing operations.rate.
The company and its wholly owned subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and numerous state and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, and foreign income tax examinations by tax authorities for taxable years before fiscal 2013. The Internal Revenue Service is completing an audit of fiscal 2015, with no material adjustments to tax expense or unrecognized tax benefits expected.2016. The company is under audit in severalcertain state jurisdictions and one foreign jurisdiction,jurisdictions and expects various statutes of limitation to expire during the next 12 months. Due to the uncertainuncertainty related to the response of taxing authorities, a range of outcomes cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.
|
| | | | |
| 10 | STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANSStock-Based Compensation Plans |
The company maintains the 2010 plan for executive officers, other employees, and non-employee members of the company's Board of Directors.Board. The 2010 plan allows the company to grant equity-basedstock-based compensation awards to such individuals, including unrestricted common stock awards, stock options, restricted stock units, restricted stock, and performance share awards.
Share and per share data have been adjusted for prior year periods presented to reflect a two-for-one stock split that was effective September 16, 2016.
The compensation costs related to stock-based awards were as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Stock option awards | | $ | 5,496 |
| | $ | 4,606 |
| | $ | 4,704 |
|
| Restricted stock and restricted stock units | | 2,300 |
| | 1,891 |
| | 1,756 |
|
| Performance share awards | | 5,183 |
| | 3,676 |
| | 3,964 |
|
| Unrestricted common stock awards | | 538 |
| | 464 |
| | 412 |
|
| Total compensation cost for stock-based awards | | $ | 13,517 |
| | $ | 10,637 |
| | $ | 10,836 |
|
| Related tax benefit from stock-based awards | | $ | 5,001 |
| | $ | 3,936 |
| | $ | 4,009 |
|
The number of unissued shares of common stock available for future equity-basedstock-based compensation award grants under the 2010 plan was 5,517,8973,740,799 as of October 31, 2017.2020. Shares of common stock issued upon the exercise, vesting, or
settlement of stock options, restricted stock units, and performance shares are issued from treasury shares.
Compensation costs related to stock-based compensation awards were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Unrestricted common stock awards | | $ | 693 | | | $ | 592 | | | $ | 530 | |
| Stock option awards | | 9,163 | | | 6,537 | | | 5,006 | |
| Performance share awards | | 2,123 | | | 3,070 | | | 3,628 | |
| Restricted stock unit awards | | 3,429 | | | 3,230 | | | 2,997 | |
| Total compensation cost for stock-based awards | | $ | 15,408 | | | $ | 13,429 | | | $ | 12,161 | |
| Related tax benefit from stock-based awards | | $ | 3,696 | | | $ | 3,200 | | | $ | 2,905 | |
Unrestricted Common Stock Awards
During fiscal 2017, 20162020, 2019, and 2015, 11,412, 12,3202018, 8,920, 10,090, and 13,3608,388 shares, respectively, of fully vested unrestricted common stock awards were granted to certain non-employee members of the company's Board of Directors as a component of their compensation for their service on the boardBoard and arewere recorded inwithin selling, general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Stock Option Awards
Under the 2010 plan, stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the closing price of the company's common stock on the date of grant, as reported by the New York Stock Exchange. Options are generally granted to executive officers, other employees, and non-employee members of the company's Board of Directors on an annual basis in the first quarter of the company's fiscal year. Options generally vest one-third each year over a three-year period and have a ten-year term. Other options granted to certain employees vest in full on the three-year anniversary of the date of grant and have a ten-year term. Compensation expensecost equal to the grant date fair value is generally recognized for these awards over the vesting period. Compensation cost recognized for other employees not considered executive officers and non-employee members of the company's Board is net of estimated forfeitures, which are determined at the time of grant based on historical forfeiture experience. Stock options granted to executive officers and other employees are subject to accelerated expensing if the option holder meets the retirement definition set forth in the 2010 plan. In that case, the fair value of the options is expensed in the fiscal year of
grant because generally, if the option holder must beis employed as of the end of the fiscal year in which the options are granted, in order for thesuch options towill not be forfeited but continue to vest according to their schedule following retirement. Similarly, if a non-employee director has served on the company's Board of Directors for ten full fiscal years or more, the awards vest immediately upon retirement, and therefore, the fair value of the options granted is fully expensed on the date of the grant.
The table below presents stock option activity for fiscal 2017:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Stock Option Awards | | Weighted-Average Exercise Price | | Weighted-Average Contractual Life (years) | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value |
| Outstanding as of October 31, 2016 | | 4,879,984 |
| | $ | 20.07 |
| | 5.3 | | $ | 135,697 |
|
| Granted | | 554,364 |
| | 55.82 |
| | | | |
|
| Exercised | | (954,909 | ) | | 11.48 |
| | | | |
|
| Canceled/forfeited | | (19,744 | ) | | 51.74 |
| | | | |
|
| Outstanding as of October 31, 2017 | | 4,459,695 |
| | $ | 26.22 |
| | 5.3 | | $ | 163,369 |
|
| Exercisable as of October 31, 2017 | | 3,331,979 |
| | $ | 19.64 |
| | 4.3 | | $ | 143,960 |
|
As of October 31, 2017, there was $3,129 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.99 years.
The table below presents the total market value of stock options exercised and the total intrinsic value of options exercised during the following fiscal years:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Market value of stock options exercised | | $ | 58,976 |
| | $ | 61,468 |
| | $ | 27,860 |
|
Intrinsic value of options exercised1 | | $ | 48,017 |
| | $ | 41,365 |
| | $ | 18,739 |
|
| |
1
| Intrinsic value is calculated as amount by which the stock price at exercise date exceeded the option exercise price. |
The fair value of each stock option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation method.method with the assumptions noted in the table below. The expected life is a significant assumption as it determines the period for which the risk-free interest rate, expected stock price volatility, and expected dividend yield must be applied. The expected life is the average length of time in which executive officers, other employees, and non-employee directorsmembers of the company's Board are expected to exercise their stock options, which is primarily based on historical exercise experience. The company groups executive officers and non-employee directors for valuation purposes based on similar historical exercise behavior. Expected stock price volatilities arevolatility is based on the daily movement of the company's common stock over the most recent historical period equivalent to the expected life of the option. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury rate over the expected life at the time of grant. DividendThe expected dividend yield is estimated over the expected life based on the company's historical cash dividends paid, expected future cash dividends and dividend yield, and expectedestimated changes in the company's stock price.
The table below illustrates the weighted-average valuation assumptions for options granted in the following fiscal periods:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Expected life of option in years | | 6.02 |
| | 5.97 |
| | 5.94 |
|
| Expected stock price volatility | | 22.15 | % | | 24.04 | % | | 29.66 | % |
| Risk-free interest rate | | 2.03 | % | | 1.80 | % | | 1.61 | % |
| Expected dividend yield | | 1.01 | % | | 1.24 | % | | 1.29 | % |
| Weighted-average fair value at date of grant | | $ | 12.55 |
| | $ | 8.79 |
| | $ | 8.41 |
|
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
Under the 2010 plan, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards are generally granted to certain employees that are not executive officers. Occasionally, restricted stock or restricted stock unit awards may be granted, including to executive officers, in connection with hiring, mid-year promotions, leadership transition, or retention. Restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards generally vest one-third each year over a three-year period, or vest in full on the three-year anniversary of the date of grant. Such restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards may have performance-based rather than time-based vesting requirements. Compensation expense equal to the grant date fair value, which is equal to the closing price of the company's common stock on the date of grant multiplied by the number of shares subject to the restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards, is recognized for these awards over the vesting period.
Factors related to the company's restricted stock and restricted stock units are as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Weighted-average fair value at date of grant | | $ | 66.09 |
| | $ | 41.83 |
| | $ | 33.88 |
|
| Fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units vested | | $ | 3,604 |
| | $ | 2,681 |
| | $ | 2,744 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Expected life of option in years | | 6.31 | | 6.31 | | 6.04 |
| Expected stock price volatility | | 19.53 | % | | 19.83 | % | | 20.58 | % |
| Risk-free interest rate | | 1.73 | % | | 2.77 | % | | 2.21 | % |
| Expected dividend yield | | 0.99 | % | | 1.18 | % | | 0.97 | % |
| Per share weighted-average fair value at date of grant | | $ | 15.23 | | | $ | 12.83 | | | $ | 14.25 | |
The table below summarizes thepresents stock option activity duringfor fiscal 2017 for unvested restricted stock units:2020:
|
| | | | | | | |
| | | Restricted Stock Units | | Weighted-Average Fair Value at Date of Grant |
| Unvested as of October 31, 2016 | | 139,480 |
| | $ | 34.51 |
|
| Granted | | 43,167 |
| | 66.09 |
|
| Vested | | (53,709 | ) | | 33.14 |
|
| Forfeited | | (4,666 | ) | | 37.38 |
|
| Unvested as of October 31, 2017 | | 124,272 |
| | $ | 45.66 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Stock Option Awards | | Weighted-Average Exercise Price | | Weighted-Average
Contractual Life (years) | | Aggregate Intrinsic
Value (in thousands) |
| Outstanding as of October 31, 2019 | | 2,848,120 | | | $ | 44.34 | | | 5.7 | | $ | 93,392 | |
| Granted | | 536,890 | | | 76.07 | | | | | |
| Exercised | | (734,398) | | | 31.10 | | | | | |
| Forfeited | | (4,009) | | | 75.23 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Outstanding as of October 31, 2020 | | 2,646,603 | | | $ | 54.40 | | | 6.2 | | $ | 73,305 | |
| Exercisable as of October 31, 2020 | | 1,609,770 | | | $ | 45.22 | | | 4.8 | | $ | 59,364 | |
As of October 31, 2017,2020, there was $2,953$2.8 million of total unrecognized compensation expensecost related to unvested restricted stock units.options. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.151.75 years.
The table below presents the total market value of stock options exercised and the total intrinsic value of options exercised during the following fiscal years (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Market value of stock options exercised | | $ | 56,761 | | | $ | 92,352 | | | $ | 70,775 | |
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised1 | | $ | 33,920 | | | $ | 62,288 | | | $ | 53,778 | |
1 Intrinsic value is calculated as the amount by which the stock price at exercise date exceeded the option exercise price.
Performance Share Awards
Under the 2010 plan, the company grants performance share awards to executive officers and other employees under which they are entitled to receive shares of the company's common stock contingent on the achievement of performance goals of the company, and businesses of the company, which are generally measured over a three-year period. The number of shares of common stock a participant receives can be increased (up to 200200.0 percent of target levels) or reduced (down to zero)0) based on the level of achievement of performance goals and will vest at the end of a three-year period. Performance share awards are generally granted on an annual basis in the first quarter of the company's fiscal year. Compensation expensecost is recognized for these awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period based on the per share fair value, aswhich is equal to the closing price of the company's common stock on the date of grant, and the probability of achieving each performance goal.
Factors related to the company's performance share awards are as follows:follows (in thousands, except per award data):
| | | Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 | Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Weighted-average fair value at date of grant | | $ | 54.52 |
| | $ | 38.89 |
| | $ | 32.84 |
| |
| Weighted-average fair value per award at date of grant | | Weighted-average fair value per award at date of grant | | $ | 77.33 | | | $ | 59.58 | | | $ | 65.40 | |
| Fair value of performance share awards vested | | $ | 7,018 |
| | $ | 7,454 |
| | $ | 7,989 |
| Fair value of performance share awards vested | | $ | 6,271 | | | $ | 6,300 | | | $ | 8,419 | |
The table below summarizes thepresents fiscal 2020 activity during fiscal 2017 for unvested performance share awards:
|
| | | | | | | |
| | | Performance Shares | | Weighted-Average Fair Value at Date of Grant |
| Unvested as of October 31, 2016 | | 317,850 |
| | $ | 33.95 |
|
| Granted | | 74,800 |
| | 54.52 |
|
| Vested | | (107,198 | ) | | 30.10 |
|
| Canceled/forfeited | | (3,301 | ) | | 47.96 |
|
| Unvested as of October 31, 2017 | | 282,151 |
| | $ | 40.71 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Performance Shares | | Weighted-Average Fair Value at Date of Grant |
| Unvested as of October 31, 2019 | | 192,854 | | | $ | 59.47 | |
| Granted | | 81,655 | | | 77.33 | |
| Vested | | (82,782) | | | 54.52 | |
| Forfeited | | (4,306) | | | 61.27 | |
| Unvested as of October 31, 2020 | | 187,421 | | | $ | 67.58 | |
As of October 31, 2017,2020, there was $5,108$3.4 million of total unrecognized compensation expensecost related to unvested performance share awards. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.671.75 years.
|
| |
11 | EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS |
Restricted Stock Unit Awards
Under the 2010 plan, restricted stock unit awards are generally granted to certain employees that are not executive officers. Occasionally, restricted stock unit awards may be granted, including to executive officers, in connection with hiring, mid-year promotions, leadership transition, or retention. Restricted stock unit awards generally vest one-third each year over a three-year period, or vest in full on the three-year anniversary of the date of grant. Such awards may have performance-based rather than time-based vesting requirements. Compensation cost equal to the grant date fair value, net of estimated forfeitures, is recognized for these awards over the vesting period. The grant date fair value is equal to the closing price of the company's common stock on the date of grant multiplied by the number of shares subject to the restricted stock unit awards and estimated forfeitures are determined on the grant date based on historical forfeiture experience.
Factors related to the company's restricted stock unit awards are as follows (in thousands, except per award data):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Weighted-average fair value per award at date of grant | | $ | 74.55 | | | $ | 66.26 | | | $ | 63.24 | |
| Fair value of restricted stock units vested | | $ | 3,410 | | | $ | 3,083 | | | $ | 4,888 | |
The table below presents fiscal 2020 activity for unvested restricted stock units:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Restricted Stock Units | | Weighted-Average Fair Value at Date
of Grant |
| Unvested as of October 31, 2019 | | 124,467 | | | $ | 65.30 | |
| Granted | | 27,161 | | | 74.55 | |
| Vested | | (48,212) | | | 64.97 | |
| Forfeited | | (3,136) | | | 70.40 | |
| Unvested as of October 31, 2020 | | 100,280 | | | $ | 67.69 | |
As of October 31, 2020, there was $3.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock units. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.76 years.
Deferred Compensation Plan
The company maintains The Toro Company Investment, Savings,a deferred compensation plan that allows executive officers and Employee Stock Ownership Plan for eligible employees. Theother employees that receive performance share awards under the 2010 plan to defer receipt of shares of the company's expensescommon stock paid out under such awards to a date in the future. Participants can defer up to 100.0 percent of the common stock payout and are always 100.0 percent vested in their accounts. Common stock payout deferrals under this plan were $17,932, $16,986,are held in a rabbi trust and $17,400 for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2017, 2016,treated in a manner similar to treasury shares and 2015, respectively.
In addition, the company and its subsidiaries have defined benefit, supplemental, and other retirement plans covering certain employees in the U.S. and the United Kingdom. The projected benefit obligation of these plans as of October 31, 2017 and 2016 was $41,448 and $45,603, respectively, and the net liability amount recognizedare recorded at cost within stockholders' equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 20172020 and 2016 was $4,558 and $4,243, respectively.2019. The accumulated benefittotal of common stock required to settle this deferred compensation obligation of these plans
as of October 31, 2017 and 2016 was $41,448 and $45,603, respectively. The funded status of these plans as of October 31, 2017 and 2016 was $6,238 and $12,984, respectively. The fair value of the plan assets as of October 31, 2017 and 2016 was $35,211 and $32,619, respectively. The net expense recognizedis included in the Consolidated Financial Statements for these plans was $1,477, $1,220,denominator in both basic and $2,406 for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.diluted earnings per share calculations.
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss consisted of:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | Defined Benefit Pension Plans | | Post-retirement Benefit Plan | | Total |
| 2017 | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Net actuarial loss (gain) | | $ | 4,998 |
| | $ | (2,986 | ) | | $ | 2,012 |
|
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) | | $ | 4,998 |
| | $ | (2,986 | ) | | $ | 2,012 |
|
| 2016 | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Net actuarial loss | | $ | 5,496 |
| | $ | 554 |
| | $ | 6,050 |
|
| Net prior service cost | | 309 |
| | — |
| | 309 |
|
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | $ | 5,805 |
| | $ | 554 |
| | $ | 6,359 |
|
The following amounts are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of October 31, 2017 and are expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost during fiscal 2018:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| October 31, 2017 | | Defined Benefit Pension Plans | | Post-retirement Benefit Plan | | Total |
| Net actuarial loss (gain) | | $ | 128 |
| | $ | (377 | ) | | $ | (249 | ) |
| Total | | $ | 128 |
| | $ | (377 | ) | | $ | (249 | ) |
Amounts recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss (income) consisted of:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | Defined Benefit Pension Plans | | Post-retirement Benefit Plan | | Total |
| 2017 | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Net actuarial gain | | $ | (280 | ) | | $ | (3,534 | ) | | $ | (3,814 | ) |
| Prior service cost | | 51 |
| | — |
| | 51 |
|
| Amortization of unrecognized prior service credit | | (360 | ) | | — |
| | (360 | ) |
| Amortization of unrecognized actuarial gain | | (219 | ) | | (5 | ) | | (224 | ) |
| Total recognized in other comprehensive income | | $ | (808 | ) | | $ | (3,539 | ) | | $ | (4,347 | ) |
| Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss (income) | | $ | 22 |
| | $ | (2,892 | ) | | $ | (2,870 | ) |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | Defined Benefit Pension Plans | | Post-retirement Benefit Plan | | Total |
| 2016 | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Net actuarial loss | | $ | 469 |
| | $ | 619 |
| | $ | 1,088 |
|
| Prior service cost | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| Amortization of unrecognized prior service credit | | (42 | ) | | — |
| | (42 | ) |
| Amortization of unrecognized actuarial gain | | (73 | ) | | — |
| | (73 | ) |
| Total recognized in other comprehensive loss | | $ | 354 |
| | $ | 619 |
| | $ | 973 |
|
| Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss | | $ | 976 |
| | $ | 1,217 |
| | $ | 2,193 |
|
The company has omitted the remaining disclosures for its defined benefit plans and post-retirement healthcare plan as the company deems these plans to be immaterial to its Consolidated Financial Position and Results of Operations.
|
| | | | |
1211 | SEGMENT DATAStockholders' Equity |
TheStock Repurchase Program
On December 3, 2015, the company's businesses are organized, managed, and internally grouped into segments based on similarities in products and services. Segment selection is based onBoard authorized the manner in which management organizes segments for making operating and investment decisions and assessing performance. The company has identified nine operating segments and has aggregated those segments into three reportable segments: Professional, Residential, and Distribution. The aggregationrepurchase of 8,000,000 shares of the company's segments is based on the segments having the following similarities: economic characteristics, types of products and services, types of production processes, typecommon stock in open-market or class of customers and method of distribution. The company's Distribution segment, which consists of a wholly owned domestic distributorship, has been combined within privately negotiated transactions. On December 4, 2018, the company's corporate activities and eliminationBoard authorized the repurchase of intersegment revenues and expenses and is shownup to an additional 5,000,000 shares of common stock in open-market or in privately negotiated transactions under the authorized stock repurchase program. This authorized stock repurchase program has no expiration date but may be terminated by the Board at any time.
NaN shares were repurchased under the authorized stock repurchase program during fiscal 2020. The company curtailed the repurchase of shares of its common stock during fiscal 2020 as "Other" due to the insignificancea result of the segment.
The Professional business segment consistsVenture Products transaction and to enhance its liquidity position in response to COVID-19. During fiscal 2019 and 2018, the company paid $20.0 million and $160.4 million to repurchase an aggregate of turf359,758 shares and landscape equipment, snow and ice management equipment, and irrigation products. Turf and landscape equipment products include sports fields and grounds maintenance equipment, golf course mowing and maintenance equipment, landscape contractor mowing equipment, landscape creation and renovation equipment, rental and specialty construction equipment, and other maintenance equipment. Snow and ice management equipment products include snowplows, salt and sand spreaders, and related parts and accessories for light and medium duty trucks, UTVs, skid steers, and front-end loaders. Irrigation products consist of sprinkler heads, electric and hydraulic valves, controllers, computer irrigation central control systems, coupling systems, and micro-irrigation drip tape and hose products, as well as professionally installed lighting products offered through distributors and landscape contractors that also purchase irrigation products. Professional
business segment products are sold mainly through2,579,864 shares, respectively, under the authorized stock repurchase program. As a network of distributors and dealers to professional users engaged in maintaining golf courses, sports fields, municipal properties, agricultural fields, residential and commercial landscapes, and removing snow and ice, as well as directly to government customers, rental companies, and large retailers.
The Residential business segment consists of walk power mowers, riding mowers, snow throwers, replacement parts, and home solutions products, including trimmers, blowers, blower-vacuums, and underground and hose-end retail irrigation products sold in Australia. Residential business segment products are sold to homeowners through a network of distributors and dealers, and through a broad array of home centers, hardware retailers, and mass retailers, as well as online.
The Other segment consistsresult of the company's Distribution segment and corporate activities and eliminationCMW transaction, the company curtailed the repurchase of intersegment revenues and expenses. Corporate activities include general corporate expenditures (finance, human resources, legal, information services, public relations, and similar activities) and other unallocated corporate assets and liabilities, such as corporate facilities, parts inventory, and deferred tax assets and liabilities.
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1. The company evaluates the performanceshares of its Professional and Residential business segment results based on earnings from operations plus other income, net. Operating loss forcommon stock under the Other segment includes earnings (loss) fromauthorized stock repurchase program during the company's domestic wholly owned distribution company, corporate activities, other income,fiscal 2019 second, third, and interest expense. The business segment's operating profits or losses include direct costs incurred at the segment's operating level plus allocated expenses, such as profit sharing and manufacturing expenses. The allocated expenses represent costs that these operations would have incurred otherwise, but do not include general corporate expenses, interest expense, and income taxes. The company accounts for intersegment gross sales at current market prices.
The following tables present summarized financial information concerning the company's reportable segments:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2017 | | Professional | | Residential | | Other | | Total |
| Net sales | | $ | 1,811,705 |
| | $ | 673,247 |
| | $ | 20,224 |
| | $ | 2,505,176 |
|
| Intersegment gross sales | | 27,893 |
| | 332 |
| | (28,225 | ) | | — |
|
| Earnings (loss) before income taxes | | 379,496 |
| | 74,704 |
| | (101,016 | ) | | 353,184 |
|
| Total assets | | 836,600 |
| | 189,578 |
| | 467,609 |
| | 1,493,787 |
|
| Capital expenditures | | 29,786 |
| | 10,605 |
| | 17,885 |
| | 58,276 |
|
| Depreciation and amortization | | $ | 41,313 |
| | $ | 10,308 |
| | $ | 13,365 |
| | $ | 64,986 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2016 | | Professional | | Residential | | Other | | Total |
| Net sales | | $ | 1,705,312 |
| | $ | 669,131 |
| | $ | 17,732 |
| | $ | 2,392,175 |
|
| Intersegment gross sales | | 28,138 |
| | 354 |
| | (28,492 | ) | | — |
|
| Earnings (loss) before income taxes | | 352,060 |
| | 73,691 |
| | (95,291 | ) | | 330,460 |
|
| Total assets | | 774,762 |
| | 188,920 |
| | 420,890 |
| | 1,384,572 |
|
| Capital expenditures | | 27,296 |
| | 13,794 |
| | 9,633 |
| | 50,723 |
|
| Depreciation and amortization | | $ | 40,715 |
| | $ | 10,406 |
| | $ | 12,976 |
| | $ | 64,097 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2015 | | Professional | | Residential | | Other | | Total |
| Net sales | | $ | 1,639,659 |
| | $ | 725,682 |
| | $ | 25,534 |
| | $ | 2,390,875 |
|
| Intersegment gross sales | | 45,634 |
| | 406 |
| | (46,040 | ) | | — |
|
| Earnings (loss) before income taxes | | 308,010 |
| | 84,956 |
| | (101,935 | ) | | 291,031 |
|
| Total assets | | 805,686 |
| | 217,093 |
| | 277,650 |
| | 1,300,429 |
|
| Capital expenditures | | 29,016 |
| | 9,953 |
| | 17,405 |
| | 56,374 |
|
| Depreciation and amortization | | $ | 42,799 |
| | $ | 9,131 |
| | $ | 11,213 |
| | $ | 63,143 |
|
The following table presents the details of the Other segment operating loss before income taxes:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Corporate expenses | | $ | (100,928 | ) | | $ | (95,288 | ) | | $ | (95,167 | ) |
| Interest expense | | (19,113 | ) | | (19,336 | ) | | (18,757 | ) |
| Other income | | 19,025 |
| | 19,333 |
| | 11,989 |
|
| Total operating loss | | $ | (101,016 | ) | | $ | (95,291 | ) | | $ | (101,935 | ) |
The following table presents net sales for groups of similar products and services:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Equipment | | $ | 2,060,354 |
| | $ | 2,001,150 |
| | $ | 2,004,274 |
|
| Irrigation and lighting | | 444,822 |
| | 391,025 |
| | 386,601 |
|
| Total net sales | | $ | 2,505,176 |
| | $ | 2,392,175 |
| | $ | 2,390,875 |
|
Sales to one customer in the Residential segment accounted for 10 percent of total consolidated gross sales in fiscal 2017 and 11 percent of total consolidated gross sales in fiscal 2016 and 2015.
Geographic Data
The following geographic area data includes net sales based on product shipment destination and long-lived assets, which consist of net property, plant, and equipment, and is based on physical location in addition to allocated capital tooling from U.S. plant facilities:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | United States | | Foreign Countries | | Total |
| 2017 | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Net sales | | $ | 1,893,249 |
| | $ | 611,927 |
| | $ | 2,505,176 |
|
| Long-lived assets | | $ | 194,338 |
| | $ | 40,892 |
| | $ | 235,230 |
|
| 2016 | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Net sales | | $ | 1,812,587 |
| | $ | 579,588 |
| | $ | 2,392,175 |
|
| Long-lived assets | | $ | 188,869 |
| | $ | 33,169 |
| | $ | 222,038 |
|
| 2015 | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Net sales | | $ | 1,780,240 |
| | $ | 610,635 |
| | $ | 2,390,875 |
|
| Long-lived assets | | $ | 190,262 |
| | $ | 34,733 |
| | $ | 224,995 |
|
|
| |
13 | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES |
Leases
Total rental expense for operating leases was $27,865, $26,363 and $24,986 for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.fourth quarters. As of October 31, 2017, future2020, 7,042,256 shares remained authorized by the company's Board for repurchase. The authorized stock repurchase program does not include shares of the company's common stock surrendered by employees to satisfy minimum lease paymentstax withholding obligations upon vesting of certain stock-based compensation awards granted under noncancelable operating leases amountedthe company's 2010 plan.
Treasury Shares
Treasury shares generally consist of shares of the company's common stock repurchased under the company's Board authorized stock repurchase program. The company values treasury shares on an average cost basis. As of October 31, 2020, the company had a total of 20,545,330 treasury shares at an average cost of $1,323.2 million. As of October 31, 2019, the company had a total of 21,385,919 treasury shares at an average cost of $1,374.0 million.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The components of AOCL, net of tax, within the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | | $ | 24,508 | | | $ | 31,025 | | | $ | 29,711 | |
| Pension and post-retirement benefits | | 5,106 | | | 4,861 | | | 561 | |
| Cash flow derivative instruments | | 4,648 | | | (3,837) | | | (6,335) | |
| Total accumulated other comprehensive loss | | $ | 34,262 | | | $ | 32,049 | | | $ | 23,937 | |
The components and activity of AOCL, net of tax, were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments | | Pension Benefits | | Cash Flow Derivative Instruments | | Total |
| Balance as of October 31, 2019 | | $ | 31,025 | | | $ | 4,861 | | | $ | (3,837) | | | $ | 32,049 | |
| Other comprehensive (income) loss before reclassifications | | (6,517) | | | 245 | | | 14,159 | | | 7,887 | |
| Amounts reclassified from AOCL | | — | | | — | | | (5,674) | | | (5,674) | |
| Net current period other comprehensive (income) loss | | (6,517) | | | 245 | | | 8,485 | | | 2,213 | |
| Balance as of October 31, 2020 | | $ | 24,508 | | | $ | 5,106 | | | $ | 4,648 | | | $ | 34,262 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments | | Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits | | Cash Flow Derivative Instruments | | Total |
| Balance as of October 31, 2018 | | $ | 29,711 | | | $ | 561 | | | $ | (6,335) | | | $ | 23,937 | |
| Other comprehensive (income) loss before reclassifications | | 1,314 | | | 4,300 | | | (4,048) | | | 1,566 | |
| Amounts reclassified from AOCL | | — | | | — | | | 6,546 | | | 6,546 | |
| Net current period other comprehensive loss | | 1,314 | | | 4,300 | | | 2,498 | | | 8,112 | |
| Balance as of October 31, 2019 | | $ | 31,025 | | | $ | 4,861 | | | $ | (3,837) | | | $ | 32,049 | |
For additional information on the components reclassified from AOCL to $94,091 as follows: 2018, $16,789; 2019, $14,881; 2020, $12,573; 2021, $11,504; 2022, $9,833;the respective line items in net earnings for derivative instruments refer to Note 14, Derivative Instruments and after 2022, $28,511.Hedging Activities.
| | | | | |
| 12 | Commitments and Contingencies |
Customer Financing Arrangements
Wholesale Financing
The company is party to a joint venture with TCFIF, established as Red Iron. SeeIron, to provide wholesale financing to certain dealers and distributors of certain of the company's products. Refer to Note 38, Investment in Joint Venture, for additional information related to Red Iron. Some products soldFinancing agreements are also in place with separate third-party financial institutions to independentprovide financing to certain dealers not financed through Red Iron, including third-party financial institutions in Australia arethe U.S. and internationally in Australia. These
third-party financial institutions financed by a third-party finance company. This third-party financing company purchased $32,124$410.7 million and $235.4 million of receivables fromfor certain dealers and distributors during the company during fiscal 2017.years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of October 31, 2017, $13,1092020 and October 31, 2019, $137.6 million and $148.4 million of receivables financed by thethese third-party financing company,institutions, excluding Red Iron, wasrespectively, were outstanding.
TheAdditionally, as a result of the company's financing agreements with the separate third-party financial institutions, the company also entersentered into limited inventory repurchase agreements with third party financing companies and Red Iron for receivables financedthe separate third-party financial institutions. Under such inventory repurchase agreements, the company has agreed to repurchase products repossessed by third party financing companies and Red Iron. As ofthe separate third-party financial institutions. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2017,2020 and 2019, the company was contingently liable to repurchase up to a maximum amount of $10,712$128.1 million and $125.9 million, respectively, of inventory related to receivables under these financing arrangements.inventory repurchase agreements. The company's financial exposure under these inventory repurchase agreements is limited to the difference between the amount paid to the separate third-party financial institutions for repurchases of inventory and the amount received upon subsequent resale of the repossessed product. The company has repurchased only immaterial amounts of inventory under these repurchase agreements since inception.for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018.
End-User Financing
The company has agreements with third partythird-party financing companies to provide lease-financingfinancing options to golf course and sports fields and grounds equipment customers inend-customers throughout the U.S.,
Australia, and select countries in Europe.world. The company has no0 material contingent liabilities for residual value or credit collection risk under these agreements with third partythird-party financing companies.
From time to time, the company enters into agreements where it provides recourse to third partythird-party finance companies in the event of default by the customer for leasefinancing payments to the third-party finance company. The company's maximum exposure for credit collection as offor the fiscal years ended October 31, 20172020 and 2019 was $6,559.$12.5 million and $10.1 million, respectively.
Purchase Commitments
As of October 31, 2017,2020, the company had $12,797$33.4 million of noncancelable purchase commitments with somecertain of the company's suppliers for materialscommodities, components, and supplies as part of the normal course of business. The company also entered into a construction contract and related agreements for renovations at its corporate facilities located in Bloomington, Minnesota, for a maximum obligation, subject to certain exceptions, of $8,936. The amount of the remaining obligation asAs of October 31, 2017 was $7,806.2020, the company did not have any material noncancelable purchase commitments related to capital expenditures for renovation and expansion efforts at the company's facilities.
Letters of Credit
LettersThe company has access to a revolving credit facility that, among other things, includes a $10.0 million sublimit for standby letters of credit. As of October 31, 2020 and October 31, 2019, the company had $2.5 million and $1.9 million outstanding under the sublimit for standby letters of credit, are issued byrespectively. Refer to Note 6, Indebtedness, for additional information related to the companycompany's revolving credit facility.
The company's domestic and non-U.S. operations maintain credit lines for import letters of credit during the normal course of business, as required by some vendor contracts. AsCollectively, these import letters of credit had a maximum availability of $13.4 million and $13.3 million as of October 31, 20172020 and 2016,October 31, 2019, respectively. For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, the company had $10,220$3.9 million and $8,984,$4.7 million, respectively, in outstanding import letters of credit.
Litigation
The company is party to litigation in the ordinary course of business. Such matters are generally subject to uncertainties and to outcomes that are not predictable with assurance and that may not be known for extended periods of time. Litigation occasionally involves claims for punitive, as well as compensatory, damages arising out of the use of the company's products. Although the company is self-insured to some extent, the company maintains insurance against certain product liability losses. The company is also subject to litigation and administrative and judicial proceedings with respect to claims involving asbestos and the discharge of hazardous substances into the environment. Some of these claims assert damages and liability for personal injury, remedial investigations or clean upclean-up and other costs and damages. The company is also typically involved in commercial disputes, employment disputes, and patent litigation cases in which it is asserting or defending against patent infringement claims. To prevent possible infringement of the company's patents by others, the company periodically reviews competitors' products. To avoid potential liability with respect to others' patents, the company regularly reviews certain patents issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and foreign patent offices. ManagementThe company believes these activities help minimize its risk of being a defendant in patent infringement litigation. The company is currently involved in patent litigation cases, including cases by or against competitors, where it is asserting and defending against claims of patent infringement. Such cases are at varying stages in the litigation process.
The company records a liability in its Consolidated Financial Statements for costs related to claims, including future legal
costs, settlements, and judgments, where the company has assessed that a loss is probable and an amount can be reasonably estimated. If the reasonable estimate of a probable loss is a range, the company records the most probable estimate of the loss or the minimum amount when no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount.
The company discloses a contingent liability even if the liability is not probable or the amount is not estimable, or both, if there is a reasonable possibility that a material loss may have been incurred. In the opinion of management, the amount of liability, if any, with respect to these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not materially affect itsthe company's Consolidated Results of Operations, Financial Position, or Cash Flows. In situations where the company receives, or expects to receive, a favorable ruling related to a litigation settlement, the company follows the accounting standards codification guidance for gain contingencies. The company does not allow for the recognition of a gain contingency within its Consolidated Financial Statements prior to the settlement of the underlying events or contingencies associated with the gain contingency. As a result, the consideration related to a gain contingency is recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements during the period in which all underlying events or contingencies are resolved and the gain is realized.
The company enters into contracts that are, or contain, operating lease agreements for certain property, plant, or equipment assets utilized in the normal course of business, such as buildings for manufacturing facilities, office space, distribution centers, and warehouse facilities; land for product testing sites; machinery and equipment for research and development activities, manufacturing and assembly processes, and administrative tasks; and vehicles for sales, service, marketing, and distribution activities. Contracts that explicitly or implicitly relate to property, plant, and equipment are assessed at inception to determine if the contract is, or contains, a lease. Such contracts for operating lease agreements convey the company's right to direct the use of, and obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from, an identified asset for a defined period of time in exchange for consideration.
The lease term begins and is determined upon lease commencement, which is the point in time when the company takes possession of the identified asset, and includes all non-cancelable periods. The lease term may also include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that such options will be exercised after considering all relevant economic and financial factors. Options to extend or terminate a lease are generally exercisable at the company's sole discretion, subject to any required minimum notification period and/or other contractual terms as defined within the respective lease agreement, as applicable. The company's renewal options generally range from extended terms of two to ten years. Certain leases also include options to purchase the identified asset. Lease expense for the company's operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is recorded within cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expense within the Consolidated Statements of Earnings depending on the nature and use of the identified
asset underlying the respective operating lease arrangement. The company does not recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, but does recognize expense on a straight-line basis, for short-term operating leases which have a lease term of 12 months or less and do not include an option to purchase the underlying asset.
Lease payments are determined at lease commencement and represent fixed lease payments as defined within the respective lease agreement or, in the case of certain lease agreements, variable lease payments that are measured as of the lease commencement date based on the prevailing index or market rate. Future adjustments to variable lease payments are defined and scheduled within the respective lease agreement and are determined based upon the prevailing market or index rate at the time of the adjustment relative to the market or index rate determined at lease commencement. Certain other lease agreements contain variable lease payments that are determined based upon actual utilization of the identified asset. Such future adjustments to variable lease payments and variable lease payments based upon actual utilization of the identified asset are not included within the determination of lease payments at commencement but rather, are recorded as variable lease expense in the period in which the variable lease cost is incurred. Additionally, the company's operating leases generally do not include material residual value guarantees. The company has operating leases with both lease components and non-lease components. For all underlying asset classes, the company accounts for lease components separately from non-lease components based on the relative market value of each component. Non-lease components typically consist of common area maintenance, utilities, and/or other repairs and maintenance services. The costs related to non-lease components are not included within the determination of lease payments at commencement.
Right-of-use assets represent the company's right to use an underlying asset throughout the lease term and lease liabilities represent the company's obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease agreement. The company accounts for operating lease liabilities at lease commencement and on an ongoing basis as the present value of the minimum remaining lease payments under the respective lease term. Minimum remaining lease payments are discounted to present value based on the rate implicit in the operating lease agreement or the estimated incremental borrowing rate at lease commencement if the rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. Generally, the estimated incremental borrowing rate is used as the rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. The estimated incremental borrowing rate represents the rate of interest that the company would have to pay to borrow on a general and unsecured collateralized basis over a similar term, an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. The company determines the estimated incremental borrowing rate at lease commencement based on available information at such time, including lease term, lease currency, and geographical market. Right-of-use assets are measured as the amount of the corresponding operating lease
liability for the respective operating lease agreement, adjusted for prepaid or accrued lease payments, the remaining balance of any lease incentives received, unamortized initial direct costs, and impairment of the operating lease right-of-use asset, as applicable.
The following table presents the lease expense incurred on the company’s operating, short-term, and variable leases (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Year Ended October 31 | | 2020 |
| Operating lease expense | | $ | 19,637 | |
| Short-term lease expense | | 2,949 | |
| Variable lease expense | | 134 | |
| Total lease expense | | $ | 22,720 | |
The following table presents supplemental cash flow information related to the company's operating leases (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Year Ended October 31 | | 2020 |
| Operating cash flows for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities | | $ | 17,762 | |
| Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations | | $ | 22,667 | |
The following table presents other lease information related to the company's operating leases as of October 31, 2020:
| | | | | | | | |
| | October 31, 2020 |
14Weighted-average remaining lease term of operating leases in years | FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS | 7.1 |
| Weighted-average discount rate of operating leases | | 2.79 | % |
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments, which potentially subjectThe following table reconciles the company to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of accounts receivable that are concentrated intotal undiscounted future cash flows based on the Professional and Residential business segments. The credit risk associated with these segments is limited because of the large number of customers inanticipated future minimum operating lease payments by fiscal year for the company's customer baseoperating leases to the present value of operating lease liabilities recorded within the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2020 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | |
| | October 31, 2020 |
| 2021 | | $ | 18,077 | |
| 2022 | | 15,391 | |
| 2023 | | 12,293 | |
| 2024 | | 10,936 | |
| 2025 | | 9,919 | |
| Thereafter | | 23,604 | |
| Total future minimum operating lease payments | | 90,220 | |
| Less: imputed interest | | 8,132 | |
| Present value of operating lease liabilities | | $ | 82,088 | |
The following table presents future minimum operating lease payments by respective fiscal year for non-cancelable operating leases under the legacy lease accounting guidance at ASC Topic 840, Leases, as of October 31, 2019 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | |
| | October 31, 2019 |
| 2020 | | $ | 17,135 | |
| 2021 | | 15,764 | |
| 2022 | | 12,806 | |
| 2023 | | 9,772 | |
| 2024 | | 8,863 | |
| Thereafter | | 18,732 | |
| Total future minimum lease payments | | $ | 83,072 | |
Total lease expense related to the company's operating leases under the legacy lease accounting guidance was $34.1 million and their geographic dispersion, except$27.4 million for the Residential segment that has significant sales to The Home Depot.fiscal years ended October 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
| | | | | |
| 14 | Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities |
Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives
The company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk arising from transactions in the normal course of business, such as sales to third partythird-party customers, sales and loans to wholly owned foreign subsidiaries, costs associated with foreign plant operations, and purchases from suppliers. The company’s primary currency exchange rate exposures are with the Euro, the Australian dollar, the Canadian dollar, the British pound, the Mexican peso, the Japanese yen, the Chinese Renminbi, and the Romanian New Leu against the U.S. dollar, as well as the Romanian New Leu against the Euro.
To reduce its exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk, the company actively manages the exposure of its foreign currency exchange rate risk by entering into various derivative instruments to hedge against such risk, authorized under a company policiespolicy that placeplaces controls on these hedging activities, with counterparties that are highly rated financial institutions. The company’s policy does not allow the use of derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The company has also made an accounting policy election to use the portfolio exception with respect to measuring counterparty credit risk for derivative instruments, and to measure the fair value of a portfolio of financial assets and financial liabilities on the basis of the net open risk position with each counterparty.
The company’s hedging activities primarily involve the use of forward currency contracts to hedge most foreign currency transactions, including forecasted sales and purchases denominated in foreign currencies. The company may also utilize forward currency contracts or cross currency swaps to
offset intercompany loan exposures. The company uses derivative instruments only in an attempt to limit underlying exposure from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and to minimize earnings and cash flow volatility associated
with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Decisions on whether to use such derivative instruments are primarily based on the amount of exposure to the currency involved and an assessment of the near-term market value for each currency.
The company recognizes all derivative instruments at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as either assets or liabilities. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as a cash flow hedging instrument.
Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
The company formally documents relationships between cash flow hedging instruments and the related hedged transactions, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking cash flow hedging instruments. This process includes linking all cash flow hedging instruments to the forecasted transactions, such as sales to third parties,third-parties and costs associated with foreign plant operations, andincluding purchases from suppliers. Changes in fair values of outstanding cash flow hedging instruments, except the ineffective portion, are recorded in other comprehensive income within AOCL on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, until net earnings is affected by the variability of the cash flows of the hedged transaction. Gains and losses on the cash flow hedging instrument representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in net earnings. The Consolidated Statements of Earnings classification of effective cash flow hedge results is the same as that of the underlying exposure. Results of cash flow hedges of sales and foreign plant operations are recorded in net sales and cost of sales, respectively, when the underlying hedged transaction affects net earnings. The maximum amount of time the company hedges its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted trade sales and purchases is two years. Results of cash flow hedges of intercompany loans are recorded in other income, net as an offset to the remeasurement of the foreign loan balance.
The company formally assesses, atAt the cash flow hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, the company formally assesses whether the cash flow hedging instruments have been highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged transactions and whether those cash flow hedging instruments may be expected to remain highly effective in future periods.
Changes in the fair values of the spot rate component of outstanding, highly effective cash flow hedging instruments included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness are recorded in other comprehensive income within AOCL on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are subsequently reclassified to net earnings within the Consolidated Statements of Earnings during the same period in which the cash flows of the underlying hedged transaction affect net earnings. Changes in the fair values of hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized immediately in net earnings under the mark-to-market approach. The classification of gains or losses recognized on cash flow hedging instruments and excluded components within the Consolidated Statements of Earnings is the same as that of the underlying exposure. Results of cash flow hedging instruments, and the related excluded components, of sales and costs associated with foreign plant operations, including purchases from suppliers, are recorded in net sales and cost of sales, respectively. The maximum amount of time the company hedges its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted trade sales and purchases is two years.
When it is determined that a derivative instrument is not, or has ceased to be, highly effective as a cash flow hedge, the company discontinues cash flow hedge accounting prospectively. The gain or loss on the dedesignated derivative instrument remains in AOCL and is reclassified to net earnings within the same Consolidated Statements of Earnings line item as the underlying exposure when the forecasted transaction affects net earnings. When the company discontinues cash flow hedge accounting because it is no longer probable, but it is still reasonably possible that the forecasted transaction will occur by the end of the originally expected period or within an additional two-month period of time thereafter, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument remains in AOCL and is reclassified to net earnings within the same Consolidated Statements of Earnings line item as the underlying exposure when the forecasted transaction affects net earnings. However, if it is probable that a forecasted transaction will not occur by the end of the
originally specified time period or within an additional two-month period of time thereafter, the gains and losses that were in AOCL are immediately recognized in net earnings.earnings within other income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. In all situations in which cash flow hedge accounting is discontinued and the derivative instrument remains outstanding, the company carries the derivative instrument at its fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, recognizing future changes in the fair value inwithin other income, net.net in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
As of October 31, 2017,2020, the notional amount outstanding of outstanding forward currency contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments was $102,733. During the third quarter of fiscal 2016, the company terminated its one cross currency interest rate swap instrument outstanding with gains on the instrument recorded in other income, net.$259.6 million.
Derivatives Not Designated as Cash Flow Hedging Instruments
The company also enters into foreign currency contracts that include forward currency contracts to mitigate the remeasurement of specific assets and liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These contracts are not designated as cash flow hedging instruments. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of hedges of recorded balance sheet positions, such as cash, receivables, payables, intercompany notes, and other various contractual claims to pay or receive foreign currencies other than the functional currency, are recognized immediately in other income, net, on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings together with the transaction gain or loss from the hedged balance sheet position.
The following table presents the fair value and location of the company’s derivative instruments andon the Consolidated Balance Sheets location:(in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fair Value as of October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Derivative assets: | | | | |
| Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments: | | | | |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | | |
| Forward currency contracts | | $ | 802 | | | $ | 8,642 | |
| Derivatives not designated as cash flow hedging instruments: | | | | |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | | |
| Forward currency contracts | | 131 | | | 2,256 | |
| Total assets | | $ | 933 | | | $ | 10,898 | |
| Derivative liabilities: | | | | |
| Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments: | | | | |
| Accrued liabilities | | | | |
| Forward currency contracts | | $ | 2,687 | | | $ | 0 | |
| Derivatives not designated as cash flow hedging instruments: | | | | |
| Accrued liabilities | | | | |
| Forward currency contracts | | (203) | | | 9 | |
| Total liabilities | | $ | 2,484 | | | $ | 9 | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Fair Value as of October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
| Derivative assets: | | |
| | |
|
| Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments | | |
| | |
|
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | |
| | |
|
| Forward currency contracts | | $ | 1,014 |
| | $ | 1,535 |
|
| Derivatives not designated as cash flow hedging instruments | | |
| | |
|
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | |
| | |
|
| Forward currency contracts | | 27 |
| | 432 |
|
| Total assets | | $ | 1,041 |
| | $ | 1,967 |
|
| Derivative liabilities: | | |
| | |
|
| Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments | | |
| | |
|
| Accrued liabilities | | |
| | |
|
| Forward currency contracts | | $ | 1,563 |
| | $ | 973 |
|
| Derivatives not designated as cash flow hedging instruments | | |
| | |
|
| Accrued liabilities | | |
| | |
|
| Forward currency contracts | | 703 |
| | 792 |
|
| Total liabilities | | $ | 2,266 |
| | $ | 1,765 |
|
The company entered into an International Swap Dealers Association ("ISDA") Master Agreement with each counterparty that permits the net settlement of amounts owed under their respective contracts. The ISDA Master Agreement is an industry standardized contract that governs all derivative contracts entered into between the company and the respective counterparty. Under these master netting agreements, net settlement generally permits the company or the counterparty to determine the net amount payable or receivable for contracts due on the same date or in the same currency for similar types of derivative transactions. The company records the fair value of its derivative instruments at the net amount inon its Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The following tables showtable presents the effects of the master netting arrangements on the fair value of the company'scompany’s derivative instruments that are recorded inon the Consolidated Balance Sheets:Sheets (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fair Value as of October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Derivative assets: | | | | |
| Forward currency contracts: | | | | |
| Gross amounts of recognized assets | | $ | 1,139 | | | $ | 11,056 | |
| Gross liabilities offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | | (206) | | | (158) | |
| Net amounts of assets presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | | $ | 933 | | | $ | 10,898 | |
| Derivative liabilities: | | | | |
| Forward currency contracts: | | | | |
| Gross amounts of recognized liabilities | | $ | (3,233) | | | $ | (9) | |
| Gross assets offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | | 749 | | | 0 | |
| Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | | $ | (2,484) | | | $ | (9) | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Fair Value as of October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
| Derivative assets: | | |
| | |
|
| Forward currency contracts | | |
| | |
|
| Gross amounts of recognized assets | | $ | 1,055 |
| | $ | 2,264 |
|
| Gross liabilities offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | | (14 | ) | | (297 | ) |
| Net amounts of assets presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | | $ | 1,041 |
| | $ | 1,967 |
|
| Derivative liabilities: | | |
| | |
|
| Forward currency contracts | | |
| | |
|
| Gross amounts of recognized liabilities | | $ | (2,266 | ) | | $ | (1,765 | ) |
| Gross assets offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | | — |
| | — |
|
| Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | | $ | (2,266 | ) | | $ | (1,765 | ) |
The following table presents the impact and location of the amounts reclassified from AOCL into net earnings on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and the impact of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the effective portion of the company's derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments for(in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Gain Reclassified from AOCL into Income | | (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments: | | | | | | | | |
| Forward currency contracts: | | | | | | | | |
| Net sales | | $ | 5,023 | | | $ | 5,732 | | | $ | (8,232) | | | $ | (2,268) | |
| Cost of sales | | 651 | | | 814 | | | (253) | | | (230) | |
| Total derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments | | $ | 5,674 | | | $ | 6,546 | | | $ | (8,485) | | | $ | (2,498) | |
The company recognized immaterial gains within other income, net on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings during fiscal years ended October 31, 2017 and 2016:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCL into Income | | Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
| Forward currency contracts | | | | | | | | |
| Net sales | | $ | 1,547 |
| | $ | 2,094 |
| | $ | (2,007 | ) | | $ | (961 | ) |
| Cost of sales | | (1,156 | ) | | (2,598 | ) | | 1,849 |
| | 181 |
|
| Cross currency contracts | | | | | | | | |
| Other income, net | | — |
| | (94 | ) | | — |
| | 255 |
|
| Total derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments | | $ | 391 |
| | $ | (598 | ) | | $ | (158 | ) | | $ | (525 | ) |
2020 due to the discontinuance of cash flow hedge accounting on certain forward currency contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments. During fiscal 2019, the company did not discontinue cash flow hedge accounting on any forward currency contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments. As of October 31, 2017,2020, the company expects to reclassify approximately $1,017$3.3 million of losses from AOCL to earnings during the next twelve months.
The following tables present the impact and location of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the company’s derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments and the related components excluded from hedge effectiveness testing (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Gain Recognized in Earnings on Cash Flow Hedging Instruments |
| Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020 | | Net Sales | | Cost of Sales |
| Total Consolidated Statements of Earnings income (expense) amounts in which the effects of cash flow hedging instruments are recorded | | $ | 3,378,810 | | | $ | (2,189,036) | |
| Gain on derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments: | | | | |
| Forward currency contracts: | | | | |
| Amount of gain reclassified from AOCL into earnings | | 5,023 | | | 651 | |
| Gain on components excluded from effectiveness testing recognized in earnings based on changes in fair value | | $ | 3,229 | | | $ | 313 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Gain Recognized in Earnings on Cash Flow Hedging Instruments |
| Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2019 | | Net Sales | | Cost of Sales |
| Total Consolidated Statements of Earnings income (expense) amounts in which the effects of cash flow hedging instruments are recorded | | $ | 3,138,084 | | | $ | (2,090,121) | |
| Gain on derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments: | | | | |
| Forward currency contracts: | | | | |
| Amount of gain reclassified from AOCL into earnings | | 5,732 | | | 814 | |
| Gain on components excluded from effectiveness testing recognized in earnings based on changes in fair value | | $ | 5,358 | | | $ | 135 | |
The following table presents the impact and location of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the ineffective portion and components excluded from effectiveness testing for the company's derivatives designated as cash flow hedging instruments for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2017 and 2016:
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
| Forward currency contracts | | | | |
| Other income, net | | $ | 231 |
| | $ | 608 |
|
| Total ineffective portion and components excluded from effectiveness testing | | $ | 231 |
| | $ | 608 |
|
The ineffective portion of forward currency contracts reclassified into earnings as a result of the discontinuance of cash flow hedge accounting was not material for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2017 and 2016.
The following table presents the impact of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the company'scompany’s derivatives not designated as cash flow hedging instruments for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2017 and 2016:(in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
| Loss on derivative instruments not designated as cash flow hedging instruments: | | | | |
| Forward currency contracts: | | | | |
| Other income, net | | $ | (5,792) | | | $ | (2,087) | |
| Total loss on derivatives not designated as cash flow hedging instruments | | $ | (5,792) | | | $ | (2,087) | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | | Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
| Forward currency contracts | | | | |
| Other income, net | | $ | (4,251 | ) | | $ | (4 | ) |
| Cross currency contracts | | | | |
| Other income, net | | — |
| | (191 | ) |
| Total derivatives not designated as cash flow hedging instruments | | $ | (4,251 | ) | | $ | (195 | ) |
|
| | | | |
| 15 | FAIR VALUEFair Value Measurements |
The company categorizes its assets and liabilities into one of three levels based on the assumptions (inputs) used in valuing the asset or liability. Estimates of fair value for financial assets and financial liabilities are based on the framework established in the accounting guidance for fair value measurements. The framework defines fair value, provides guidance for measuring fair value, and requires certain disclosures. The framework discusses valuation techniques such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flows), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). The framework utilizes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. Level 1 provides the most reliable measure of fair value, while Level 3 generally requires significant management judgment. The three levels are defined as follows:
Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs reflecting management's assumptions about the inputs used in pricing the asset or liability.
There were no transfers between levels during the fiscal years ended October 31, 2017 and 2016.
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
ForwardThe company's derivative instruments consist of forward currency contracts that are valuedmeasured at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value of such forward currency contracts is determined based on observable market transactions of forward currency prices and spot currency rates as of the reporting date. The unfunded deferred compensation liability is primarily subject to changes in fixed-income investment contracts based on current yields.There were no transfers between the levels of the fair value hierarchy during the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019.
The following tables present, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the company's financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of October 31, 20172020 and 2016,2019, according to the valuation technique utilized to determine their fair values:values (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs Considered as: |
| October 31, 2020 | | Fair Value | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 |
| Assets: | | | | | | | | |
| Forward currency contracts | | $ | 933 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 933 | | | $ | 0 | |
| Total assets | | $ | 933 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 933 | | | $ | 0 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
| Forward currency contracts | | $ | 2,484 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 2,484 | | | $ | 0 | |
| Total liabilities | | $ | 2,484 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 2,484 | | | $ | 0 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs Considered as: |
| | | | | Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs Considered as: | |
| October 31, 2017 | | Fair Value | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | |
| October 31, 2019 | | October 31, 2019 | | Fair Value | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 |
| Assets: | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| Assets: | | | | | | | | |
| Forward currency contracts | | $ | 1,041 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 1,041 |
| | $ | — |
| Forward currency contracts | | $ | 10,898 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 10,898 | | | $ | 0 | |
| Total assets | | $ | 1,041 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 1,041 |
| | $ | — |
| Total assets | | $ | 10,898 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 10,898 | | | $ | 0 | |
| | Liabilities: | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| Liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
| Forward currency contracts | | $ | 2,266 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 2,266 |
| | $ | — |
| Forward currency contracts | | $ | 9 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 9 | | | $ | 0 | |
| Deferred compensation liabilities | | 630 |
| | — |
| | 630 |
| | — |
| |
| Total liabilities | | $ | 2,896 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 2,896 |
| | $ | — |
| Total liabilities | | $ | 9 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 9 | | | $ | 0 | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs Considered as: |
| October 31, 2016 | | Fair Value | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 |
| Assets: | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Forward currency contracts | | $ | 1,967 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 1,967 |
| | $ | — |
|
| Total assets | | $ | 1,967 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 1,967 |
| | $ | — |
|
| Liabilities: | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Forward currency contracts | | $ | 1,765 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 1,765 |
| | $ | — |
|
| Deferred compensation liabilities | | 1,149 |
| | — |
| | 1,149 |
| | — |
|
| Total liabilities | | $ | 2,914 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 2,914 |
| | $ | — |
|
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
The company measures certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include long-lived assets, goodwill, and indefinite-lived intangible assets, which arewould generally be recorded at fair value as a result of an impairment charge. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed as part of acquisitionsa business combination are also measured at fair value.value on a non-recurring basis during the measurement period allowed by the accounting standards codification guidance for business combinations, when applicable. For additional information on the company's business combinations and the related non-recurring fair value
measurement of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, refer to Note 2, Business Combinations.
Other Fair Value Disclosures
The carrying values of the company's short-term financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and short-term debt, including current maturities of long-term debt, when applicable, approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature.
As of October 31, 2020 and 2019, the company's long-term debt included $424.0 million and $423.9 million, respectively, of gross fixed-rate debt that is not subject to variable interest rate fluctuations. The estimated gross fair value of such long-term debt is determined using Level 2 inputs by discounting the projected cash flows based on quoted market rates at whichof the company's gross fixed rate debt using the current interest rate that could be obtained for similar amounts of debt could currently be borrowed.and a similar financing term. As of October 31, 2017,2020, the estimated gross fair value of long-term debt with fixed interest rates was $282,412$508.2 million compared to its carrying amount of $231,137.$424.0 million. As of October 31, 2016,2019, the estimated gross fair value of long-term debt with fixed interest rates was $293,295$493.8 million compared to its carrying amount of $240,461.$423.9 million. For additional information regarding long-term debt with fixed interest rates, refer to Note 6, Indebtedness.
|
| | | | |
| 16 | SUBSEQUENT EVENTSEmployee Retirement Plans |
Tax ReformDefined Contribution Plan
The company maintains The Toro Company Retirement Plan for eligible employees. Prior to a plan amendment that was effective as of January 1, 2020, this plan was named The Toro Company Investment, Savings and Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The company's expenses under this plan, which include costs related to matching contributions and discretionary retirement fund contributions, as applicable, were $17.4 million, $23.4 million, and $18.8 million for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. The decrease in expense for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, as compared to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, was primarily the result of the company's suspension of discretionary retirement fund contributions for fiscal 2020 as a proactive cost reduction measure to mitigate the anticipated adverse impacts of COVID-19.
Defined Benefit Plans
The company has a defined benefit pension plan covering certain employees in the United Kingdom. The company was also previously a sponsor to another defined benefit pension plan for certain employees in the U.S. (collectively, the "defined benefit retirement plans"). This defined benefit pension plan for certain employees in the U.S. has been terminated as of October 31, 2020 and all accumulated benefit obligations of the company related to such plan have been satisfied. The projected and accumulated benefit obligation of the defined benefit retirement plans were $33.4
million and $39.5 million as of October 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The fair value of the defined benefit retirement plans assets as of October 31, 2020 and 2019 was $29.5 million and $38.0 million, respectively. The net funded status of the defined benefit retirement plans as of October 31, 2020 and 2019 was underfunded at $3.9 million and $1.5 million, respectively. Amounts recognized in AOCL, net of tax, were $5.1 million and $4.9 million as of October 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Service costs of the defined benefit retirement plans are presented in selling, general and administrative expense within the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Non-service cost components of net periodic benefit cost (income), including realized gains or losses as a result of changes in actuarial valuation assumptions, are presented in other income, net within the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The company recognized income of $0.2 million and $6.6 million for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and recognized expense of $0.2 million for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, within the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the defined benefit retirement plans.
The company has omitted the remaining disclosures for the defined benefit retirement plans as the company deems these defined benefit retirement plans to be immaterial to its Consolidated Financial Statements.
The components of other income, net were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Interest income | | $ | 1,255 | | | $ | 2,753 | | | $ | 2,463 | |
| Retail financing revenue | | 1,080 | | | 1,178 | | | 1,232 | |
| Foreign currency exchange rate gain | | 2,034 | | | 1,558 | | | 1,127 | |
| Non-cash income from finance affiliate | | 7,663 | | | 11,948 | | | 11,143 | |
| Net periodic benefit income (loss) on defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans | | (1,344) | | | 6,822 | | | 0 | |
| Miscellaneous | | 3,181 | | | 1,680 | | | 2,443 | |
| Total other income, net | | $ | 13,869 | | | $ | 25,939 | | | $ | 18,408 | |
Litigation Settlement
On December 22, 2017, "An ActNovember 19, 2020, Exmark Manufacturing Company Incorporated ("Exmark"), a wholly owned-subsidiary of the company, and Briggs & Stratton Corporation (“BGG”) entered into a settlement agreement (“Settlement Agreement”) relating to providethe decade-long patent infringement litigation that Exmark originally filed in May 2010 against Briggs & Stratton Power Products Group, LLC (“BSPPG”), a former wholly-owned subsidiary of BGG (Case No.
8:10CV187, U.S. District Court for reconciliationthe District of Nebraska) (the “Infringement Action”). In the Infringement Action, Exmark alleged that certain mower decks manufactured by BSPPG infringed an Exmark mower deck patent. The Infringement Action was repeatedly decided in favor of Exmark, which BGG continued to appeal. However, recent actions by BGG potentially put in jeopardy the certainty and timing of the eventual receipt of the damages awarded to Exmark in the Infringement Action, including (i) the filing by BGG and certain of its subsidiaries for bankruptcy relief under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code (“BGG Bankruptcy”); (ii) the sale of substantially all the assets (but not certain liabilities, including the Infringement Action) of BGG and its subsidiaries to a third-party pursuant to titles II and VSection 363 of the concurrent resolution on the budgetUnited States Code; and (iii) a petition filed by BGG for fiscal year 2018," ("The Act"), was signed into law by President Trump and is expected to impact the company’s operating results, cash flows, and financial condition. The company is currently evaluating the potential impacts of The Act. The Act includes a number of provisions, including the loweringpanel rehearing of the U.S. corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, effective January 1, 2018. The Act also includes provisions that may partially offsetFederal Circuit's decision in the benefit of such rate reduction, including the repeal of the deduction for domestic production activities. The effect of the international provisions of The Act, which generally establish a territorial-style system for taxing foreign-source income of domestic multinational corporations, is uncertain. Infringement Action (“Rehearing Petition”).
As a result, of The Act,on November 19, 2020, Exmark entered into the company expects there will be one-time adjustments for the re-measurement of deferred tax assets (liabilities) and the deemed repatriation tax on unremitted foreign earnings and profits. Quantifying the impacts of The Act is not practicable at this time due,Settlement Agreement with BGG which provides, among other things, that (i) upon approval by the bankruptcy court, and such approval becoming final and nonappealable, BGG agreed to pay Exmark $33.65 million (“Settlement Amount”), (ii) BGG agreed to immediately withdraw the Rehearing Petition and otherwise not pursue additional appellate review regarding the Infringement Action, and (iii) after receipt of the Settlement Amount, Exmark agreed to release a supersedeas appeal bond that had been obtained by BGG to support payment of the damages award to Exmark in the Infringement Action. On November 20, 2020, BGG filed a motion to withdraw the Rehearing Petition and on December 16, 2020, the bankruptcy court approved the Settlement Agreement (“Bankruptcy Approval”). As of the time of the filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Bankruptcy Approval has not yet become final and nonappealable. Upon the Bankruptcy Approval becoming final and nonappealable, the Settlement Amount will be due to Exmark. The final amount to be received by Exmark in connection with the settlement of the Infringement Action, however, will be reduced by an amount of up to 50.0 percent of the Settlement Amount pursuant to a contingent fee arrangement with the company’s external legal counsel that is customary in patent infringement cases.
Although the company was previously awarded damages in the Infringement Action, due to the inherent complexities involved. Accordingly,status of the Infringement Action proceedings as of October 31, 2020, no amounts were recorded within the company's Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K related to this gain contingency as the company could provide no assurance as to the timing or eventual receipt of the awarded damages as of that time. In addition, as the Bankruptcy Approval is outstanding and the obligation under the contingent fee arrangement is dependent upon the receipt of the Settlement Amount by Exmark, and the timing and certainty of each event remains uncertain, the company has not recorded any amount in its Consolidated Financial Statements related to the loss contingency associated with the contingent fee arrangement as of October 31, 2020. The
company expects that the earliest the Bankruptcy Approval will become final and nonappealable, and therefore, the Settlement Amount will become due to continue to analyze such impacts and record any such amounts inExmark is during the company's fiscal 2021 first quarter of fiscal 2018.quarter.
The company has evaluated all additional subsequent events and concluded that no additional subsequent events have occurred that would require recognition in the Consolidated Financial
Statements or disclosure in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
|
| | | | |
1719 | QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATAQuarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
|
Summarized quarterly financial data for fiscal 20172020 and 20162019 are as follows:follows (dollars in thousands, except per share data):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Quarter |
| Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2020 | | First | | Second | | Third | | Fourth |
| Net sales | | $ | 767,483 | | | $ | 929,398 | | | $ | 840,972 | | | $ | 840,957 | |
| Gross profit | | 288,088 | | | 306,717 | | | 294,574 | | | 300,395 | |
| Net earnings | | 70,091 | | | 98,446 | | | 88,968 | | | 72,196 | |
Basic net earnings per share1 | | 0.65 | | | 0.92 | | | 0.83 | | | 0.67 | |
Diluted net earnings per share1 | | $ | 0.65 | | | $ | 0.91 | | | $ | 0.82 | | | $ | 0.66 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Quarter |
| Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2019 | | First | | Second 2 | | Third 2 | | Fourth |
| Net sales | | $ | 602,956 | | | $ | 962,036 | | | $ | 838,713 | | | $ | 734,379 | |
| Gross profit | | 215,617 | | | 321,298 | | | 265,981 | | | 245,067 | |
| Net earnings | | 59,540 | | | 115,570 | | | 60,607 | | | 38,266 | |
Basic net earnings per share1 | | 0.56 | | | 1.08 | | | 0.57 | | | 0.36 | |
Diluted net earnings per share1 | | $ | 0.55 | | | $ | 1.07 | | | $ | 0.56 | | | $ | 0.35 | |
1 The summation of quarterly basic and diluted net earnings per share amounts may not equal the fiscal year basic and diluted net earnings per share amounts presented in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings due to differences in the number of weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding during the respective quarterly and fiscal year periods and rounding.
2 During fiscal 2019, CMW's financial position, results of operations, and cash flows were reported on a calendar month end. Accordingly, April 30, 2019 and July 31, 2019 were the calendar quarterly period end dates closest to the company's quarterly fiscal periods ended May 3, 2019 and August 2, 2019, respectively. This reporting period difference did not have material impact on the company's Consolidated Results of Operations during the company's second and third fiscal quarters of fiscal 2019. For the company's fiscal 2019 fourth quarter, the reporting period end for both CMW and the company was October 31, 2019.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Quarter |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31, 2017 | | First | | Second | | Third | | Fourth |
| Net sales | | $ | 515,839 |
| | $ | 872,767 |
| | $ | 627,943 |
| | $ | 488,627 |
|
| Gross profit | | 193,480 |
| | 316,314 |
| | 226,785 |
| | 184,258 |
|
| Net earnings | | 44,990 |
| | 120,475 |
| | 68,404 |
| | 33,848 |
|
Basic net earnings per share1 | | 0.41 |
| | 1.11 |
| | 0.63 |
| | 0.31 |
|
Diluted net earnings per share1 | | $ | 0.41 |
| | $ | 1.08 |
| | $ | 0.61 |
| | $ | 0.31 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Quarter |
| Fiscal Years Ended October 31, 2016 | | First | | Second | | Third | | Fourth |
| Net sales | | $ | 486,398 |
| | $ | 836,441 |
| | $ | 600,980 |
| | $ | 468,356 |
|
| Gross profit | | 182,654 |
| | 303,187 |
| | 216,617 |
| | 172,137 |
|
| Net earnings | | 39,261 |
| | 105,681 |
| | 55,822 |
| | 30,230 |
|
Basic net earnings per share1 | | 0.36 |
| | 0.96 |
| | 0.51 |
| | 0.28 |
|
Diluted net earnings per share1 | | $ | 0.35 |
| | $ | 0.94 |
| | $ | 0.50 |
| | $ | 0.27 |
|
| |
1
| Net earnings per share amounts may not equal the full year total due to changes in the number of shares outstanding during the periods and rounding. |
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC")SEC's rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the company's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating its disclosure controls and procedures, the company recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible internal controls.
The company's management evaluated, with the participation of the company's Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of the company's disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on that
evaluation, the company's Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of such period to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in its Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information relating to the company and its consolidated subsidiaries is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Evaluation of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The company's management report on internal control over financial reporting is included in this report inAnnual Report on Form 10-K within Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data"Data," under the caption "Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting." The report of KPMG LLP, the company's independent registered public accounting firm, regarding the effectiveness of the company's internal control over financial reporting is included in this report inAnnual Report on Form 10-K within Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data"Data," under the caption "Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm." There
On March 2, 2020, during the second quarter of fiscal 2020, the company completed the acquisition of Venture Products and on April 1, 2019, during the second quarter of fiscal 2019, the company completed the acquisition of CMW. Prior to these acquisitions, both Venture Products and CMW were privately-held companies not subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the rules and regulations of the SEC, or other corporate governance requirements to which public companies may be subject. In accordance with guidance issued by the SEC, companies are permitted to exclude acquisitions from their final assessment of internal control over financial reporting during the year of acquisition. As part of the company's ongoing integration activities, the company is in the process of incorporating internal controls over significant processes specific to Venture Products that the company believes are appropriate and necessary to account for the acquisition and to consolidate and report the company's financial results. The company expects to complete its integration activities related to internal control over financial reporting for Venture Products during fiscal 2021 and as a result, has not included Venture Products within its assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2020. As of the end of fiscal 2020, the company has completed its integration activities related to internal control over financial reporting for CMW. Accordingly, the company has included CMW within its assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of October 31, 2020. Refer to the company's management report on internal control over financial reporting included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K within Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," under the caption "Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting" for additional information.
With the exception of internal control-related integration activities in connection with the company's acquisitions of Venture Products and CMW, there was no change in the company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the company's fourth fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2017period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company's internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.On November 19, 2020, Exmark Manufacturing Company Incorporated ("Exmark"), a wholly owned-subsidiary of the company, and Briggs & Stratton Corporation (“BGG”) entered into a settlement agreement (“Settlement Agreement”) relating to the decade-long patent infringement litigation that Exmark originally filed in May 2010 against Briggs & Stratton Power Products Group, LLC (“BSPPG”), a former wholly-owned subsidiary of BGG (Case No. 8:10CV187, U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska) (the “Infringement Action”). In the Infringement Action, Exmark alleged that certain mower decks manufactured by BSPPG infringed an Exmark mower deck patent. The Infringement Action was repeatedly decided in favor of Exmark, which BGG continued to appeal. However, recent
actions by BGG potentially put in jeopardy the certainty and timing of the eventual receipt of the damages awarded to Exmark in the Infringement Action, including (i) the filing by BGG and certain of its subsidiaries for bankruptcy relief under chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Code (“BGG Bankruptcy”); (ii) the sale of substantially all the assets (but not certain liabilities, including the Infringement Action) of BGG and its subsidiaries to a third-party pursuant to Section 363 of the United States Code; and (iii) a petition filed by BGG for a panel rehearing of the Federal Circuit's decision in the Infringement Action (“Rehearing Petition”).
As a result, on November 19, 2020, Exmark entered into the Settlement Agreement with BGG which provides, among other things, that (i) upon approval by the bankruptcy court, and such approval becoming final and nonappealable, BGG agreed to pay Exmark $33.65 million (“Settlement Amount”), (ii) BGG agreed to immediately withdraw the Rehearing Petition and otherwise not pursue additional appellate review regarding the Infringement Action, and (iii) after receipt of the Settlement Amount, Exmark agreed to release a supersedeas appeal bond that had been obtained by BGG to support payment of the damages award to Exmark in the Infringement Action. On November 20, 2020, BGG filed a motion to withdraw the Rehearing Petition and on December 16, 2020, the bankruptcy court approved the Settlement Agreement (“Bankruptcy Approval”). As of the time of the filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Bankruptcy Approval has not yet become final and nonappealable. Upon the Bankruptcy Approval becoming final and nonappealable, the Settlement Amount will be due to Exmark. The final amount to be received by Exmark in connection with the settlement of the Infringement Action, however, will be reduced by an amount of up to 50.0 percent of the Settlement Amount pursuant to a contingent fee arrangement with the company’s external legal counsel that is customary in patent infringement cases.
Although the company was previously awarded damages in the Infringement Action, due to the status of the Infringement Action proceedings as of October 31, 2020, no amounts were recorded within the company's Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K related to this gain contingency as the company could provide no assurance as to the timing or eventual receipt of the awarded damages as of that time. In addition, as the Bankruptcy Approval is outstanding and the obligation under the contingent fee arrangement is dependent upon the receipt of the Settlement Amount by Exmark, and the timing and certainty of each event remains uncertain, the company has not recorded any amount in its Consolidated Financial Statements related to the loss contingency associated with the contingent fee arrangement as of October 31, 2020. The company expects that the earliest the Bankruptcy Approval will become final and nonappealable, and therefore, the Settlement Amount will become due to Exmark is during the company's fiscal 2021 first quarter.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Information on executive officers required by this item is incorporated by reference from "Executive Officers of the Registrant""Information About Our Executive Officers" in Part I of this report.Annual Report on Form 10-K. Additional information on certain executive officers and other information required by this item is incorporated by reference to information to be contained under the captions "Stock Ownership -Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance," "Proposal One — Election of Directors — Information About BoardDirector Nominees and Continuing Directors," "Corporate Governance — Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics for our CEO and Senior Financial Personnel," and "Corporate Governance — Board Committees," in the company's proxy statement for its 20182021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017,2020, the company did not make any material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Board of Directors, as described in the company's proxy statement for its 20172020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The company has a Code of Ethics for its CEO and Senior Financial Personnel, a copy of which is posted on the company's web sitewebsite at www.thetorocompany.com (select the "Investor Information""Investors" link, and then the "Corporate Governance" link, then the "Code of Conduct and Ethics" link). The company
intends to satisfy the disclosure requirements of Item 5.05 of Form 8-K and applicable NYSE rules regarding amendments to or waivers from any provision of its codeCode of ethicsEthics by posting such information on its web sitewebsite at www.thetorocompany.com (select the "Investor Information""Investors" link, and then the "Corporate Governance" link, then the "Code of Conduct and Ethics" link).
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information required by this item is incorporated by reference to information to be contained under the captions "Executive Compensation" and "Corporate Governance – Director"Director Compensation" in the company's proxy statement for its 20182021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Information required by this item is incorporated by reference to information to be contained under the captions "Stock Ownership" and "Equity Compensation Plan Information" in the company's proxy statement for its 20182021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Information required by this item is incorporated by reference to information to be contained under the caption "Corporate Governance — Director Independence" and "Corporate Governance — Related Person Transactions and Policies and Procedures Regarding Related Person Transactions" in the company's proxy statement for its 20182021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANTACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Information required by this item is incorporated by reference to information to be contained under the captions "Proposal Two — Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm — Audit, Audit-Related, Tax and Other Fees" and "Proposal Two — Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm — Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures" in the company's proxy statement for its 20182021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC.
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS,EXHIBIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) 1. ListThe following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
1.Financial Statements
The following Consolidated Financial Statements of The Toro Company and its consolidated subsidiaries are included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data"Data," of this report:
Management'sAnnual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.Form 10-K:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. | | | | | |
| Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting | |
| Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | |
| Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 | |
| Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 | |
| Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2020 and 2019 | |
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 | |
| Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 | |
| Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | |
Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015.
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2017 and 2016.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(a) 2.List of Financial Statement Schedules
The followingAll financial statement schedule of The Toro Company and its subsidiaries is included herein:
Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
All other schedules arehave been omitted because the required information is either inapplicable, immaterial, or the information is presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements or related Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(a) 3.List of Exhibits
The following exhibits are incorporated herein by reference or are filed or furnished with this reportAnnual Report on Form 10-K as indicated below: |
| | | | | | | |
| Exhibit Number | | Description |
2.1 (1) | | |
2.2 (2) | | |
2.3 (3) | | |
2.4 (1) (4) | | |
| 2.5 (1) | | |
2.5
2.6 | | |
|
| 2.7 (2) | | |
2.6 (2)
| | |
2.72.8 (3)
| | |
2.8
2.9 | | |
| 2.10 | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| 2.11 | | |
2.92.12 (3)
| | |
2.10
2.13 (4) | | |
| 2.14 | | |
| 2.15 | | |
| 3.1 and 4.1 | | |
3.2 and 4.2 | | |
3.3 and 4.3 | | |
4.4 | | |
| 4.5 | | |
| 4.6 | | Indenture dated as of January 31, 1997 between Registrant and First National Trust Association, as Trustee, relating to The Toro Company's 7.80% Debentures due June 15, 2027 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 24, 1997, Commission File No. 1-8649). (Filed on paper - hyperlink not required pursuant to Rule 105 of Regulation S-T) |
4.6
4.7 | | |
4.7
4.8 | | |
4.8
4.9 | | |
10.1 | | |
10.2 | | |
| 10.3 | | |
10.3
10.4 | | |
10.4
| | |
10.5 | | |
10.6 | | |
10.7 | | |
|
| | |
10.8
| | |
10.9
10.8 | | |
10.10
| | |
10.11
10.9 | | |
| | | | | | | | |
10.12
10.10 | | |
10.13
| | |
10.14
10.11 | | |
10.15
10.12 | | |
10.16
10.13 | | |
10.17
10.14 | | |
10.18
10.15 | | |
10.19
10.16 | | |
10.20
10.17 | | |
10.21
10.18 | | |
10.22
10.19 | | |
10.23
10.20 | | |
10.24
10.21 | | |
10.25
10.22 | | |
|
| 10.23 | | |
10.26
| | |
10.27
10.24 | | |
10.28
| | Credit Agreement dated as of October 27, 2014June 19, 2018 among The Toro Company, Toro Manufacturing LLC, Exmark Manufacturing Company Incorporated, Toro International CompanyLuxembourg S. a. r. l. and certain subsidiaries, as Borrowers, the lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swingline Lender and Letter of Credit Issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Syndication Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant'sRegistrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 27, 2014,June 19, 2018, Commission File No. 1-8649). |
10.2910.25 (1)
| | |
10.3010.26 (2)
| | |
10.31
10.27 | | |
12
10.28 | | |
21
10.29 | | Term Loan Credit Agreement dated as of March 19, 2019, by and among The Toro Company, as Borrower, the lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Syndication Agents (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 19, 2019, Commission File No. 1-8649). |
| 10.30 | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| 10.31 | | Term Loan Credit Agreement dated as of March 30, 2020, by and among The Toro Company, as Borrower, lenders as parties thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Syndication Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 30, 2020, Commission File No. 1-8649). |
| 21 | | |
23
23.1 | | |
31.1 | | |
31.2 | | |
32 | | |
101 | | The following financial information from The Toro Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2017,2020, filed with the SEC on December 22, 2017,18, 2020, formatted in Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL)(Inline XBRL): (i) Consolidated Statements of Earnings for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended October 31, 2017,2020, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended October 31, 2017,2020, (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 20172020 and 2016,2019, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended October 31, 2017,2020, (v) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended October 31, 2017,2020, and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (furnished(filed herewith). |
| 104 | | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
(1) Portions of this exhibit have been redacted and are subject to an order granting confidential treatment under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (File No. 001-08649, CF #35552)# 35552). The redacted material was filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(2) Portions of this exhibit have been redacted and are subject to an order granting confidential treatment under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (File No. 001-08649, CF # 35553). The redacted material was filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(3) Portions of this exhibit have been redacted and are subject to an order granting confidential treatment under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (File No. 001-08649, CF # 34521). The redacted material was filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(4) Confidential portions of this exhibit have been redacted in compliance with Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K.
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
** All exhibits and schedules to this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. ToroTTC will furnish the omitted exhibits and schedules to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(b) Exhibits
See Item 15(a)(3) above.
(c) Financial Statement Schedules
See Item 15(a)(2) above.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
SCHEDULE II
THE TORO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (Dollars in thousands) | | Balance as of the Beginning of the Fiscal Year | | Charged to Costs and Expenses1 | | Deductions2 | | Balance as of the End of the Fiscal Year |
| Fiscal year ended October 31, 2017 | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Allowance for doubtful accounts and notes receivable reserves | | $ | 1,609 |
| | $ | 934 |
| | $ | 396 |
| | $ | 2,147 |
|
| Fiscal year ended October 31, 2016 | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Allowance for doubtful accounts and notes receivable reserves | | 1,378 |
| | 424 |
| | 193 |
| | 1,609 |
|
| Fiscal year ended October 31, 2015 | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Allowance for doubtful accounts and notes receivable reserves | | $ | 1,481 |
| | $ | 350 |
| | $ | 453 |
| | $ | 1,378 |
|
| |
2
| Uncollectible accounts charged off. |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (Dollars in thousands) | | Balance as of the Beginning of the Fiscal Year | | Charged to Costs and Expenses1 | | Deductions2 | | Balance as of the End of the Fiscal Year |
| Fiscal year ended October 31, 2017 | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Accrued advertising and marketing programs | | $ | 81,315 |
| | $ | 377,989 |
| | $ | 373,370 |
| | $ | 85,934 |
|
| Fiscal year ended October 31, 2016 | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Accrued advertising and marketing programs | | 76,689 |
| | 355,509 |
| | 350,883 |
| | 81,315 |
|
| Fiscal year ended October 31, 2015 | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Accrued advertising and marketing programs | | $ | 66,169 |
| | $ | 318,211 |
| | $ | 307,691 |
| | $ | 76,689 |
|
| |
1
| Provision consists of off-invoice discounts, rebate programs, incentive discounts, financing programs, various commissions, and cooperative advertising. The expense of each program is classified either as a reduction from gross sales or as a component of selling, general, and administrative expense as explained in more detail in the section entitled "Sales Promotions and Incentives" included in Part II, Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of this report and in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, in the section entitled "Sales Promotions and Incentives" included in Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this report. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | THE TORO COMPANY | | |
| | (Registrant) | | |
| By: | | /s/ Renee J. Peterson | Dated: | December 22, 201718, 2020 |
| | Renee J. Peterson
Vice President, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer
| | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Signature | | Title | | Date |
| /s/ Richard M. Olson | | Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and Director (principal executive officer) | | December 22, 201718, 2020 |
| Richard M. Olson | | | |
| /s/ Renee J. Peterson | | Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer)
| | December 22, 201718, 2020 |
| Renee J. Peterson | | | |
/s/ Robert C. Buhrmaster | | Director | | December 22, 2017 |
Robert C. Buhrmaster | | | | |
| /s/ Janet K. Cooper | | Director | | December 22, 201718, 2020 |
| Janet K. Cooper | | | | |
| /s/ Gary L. Ellis | | Director | | December 22, 201718, 2020 |
| Gary L. Ellis | | | | |
| /s/ Jeffrey M. Ettinger | | Director | | December 22, 201718, 2020 |
| Jeffrey M. Ettinger | | | | |
| /s/ Katherine J. Harless | | Director | | December 22, 201718, 2020 |
| Katherine J. Harless | | | | |
| /s/ Jeffrey L. Harmening | | Director | | December 18, 2020 |
| Jeffrey L. Harmening | | | | |
| /s/ D. Christian Koch | | Director | | December 22, 201718, 2020 |
| D. Christian Koch | | | | |
| /s/ Joyce A. Mullen | | Director | | December 18, 2020 |
| Joyce A. Mullen | | | | |
| /s/ James C. O'Rourke | | Director | | December 22, 201718, 2020 |
| James C. O'Rourke | | | | |
| /s/ Gregg W. Steinhafel | | Director | | December 22, 201718, 2020 |
| Gregg W. Steinhafel | | | | |
/s/ Christopher A. TwomeyMichael G. Vale | | Director | | December 22, 201718, 2020 |
Christopher A. TwomeyMichael G. Vale | | | | |
