UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

x

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2017

OR

 (Mark One)  

¨

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTIONAnnual Report Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15 (d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OFor 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from________to________

 
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2019
or
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: 001-10883
WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
tv505206img03.jpg
52-1375208
(State of Incorporation)(IRS Employer Identification Number)
  

Commission File Number: 1-10883

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

1000 Sagamore Parkway South
 
LafayetteIndiana47905

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

1000 Sagamore Parkway South

Lafayette, Indiana

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

52-1375208

(IRS Employer

Identification Number)

47905

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (765) (765) 771-5300

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s)Name of each exchangeon which registered
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value WNCNew 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. Yesx No¨

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¨Nox

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. Yesx No¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, 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). Yesx    No ¨

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.¨

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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filerxAccelerated filer¨
Non-accelerated filer¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)Smaller reporting company¨
Emerging growth company¨

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.¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes¨ Nox

The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 201728, 2019 was $1,267,688,443$881,067,878 based upon the closing price of the Company'sCompany’s common stock as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange composite tape on such date.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant'sregistrant’s common stock as of February 16, 201814, 2020 was 57,650,183.

53,082,095.

Part III of this Form 10-K incorporates by reference certain portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed within 120 days after December 31, 2017.

2019.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017

2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS
  PagesPage
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
   
   
 95


FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Annual Report”) of Wabash National Corporation (together with its subsidiaries, “Wabash,” “Company,” “us,” “we,” or “our”) contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements may include the words “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue,” “believe,” “expect,” “plan” or “anticipate” and other similar words. Our “forward-looking statements” include, but are not limited to, statements regarding:

·
our business plan;

·
our ability to effectively integrate Supreme and realize expected synergies and benefits from the Supreme acquisition;

·
our expected revenues, income or loss;

·
our ability to manage our indebtedness;

·
our strategic plan and plans for future operations;

·
financing needs, plans and liquidity, including for working capital and capital expenditures;

·
our ability to achieve sustained profitability;

·
reliance on certain customers and corporate relationships;

·
availability and pricing of raw materials;materials, including the impact of tariffs or other international trade developments;

·
availability of capital and financing;

·
dependence on industry trends;

·
the outcome of any pending litigation or notice of environmental dispute;

·
export sales and new markets;

·
engineering and manufacturing capabilities and capacity;capacity, including our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;

·
our ability to develop and commercialize new products;

·
acceptance of new technologies and products;

·
government regulations; and

·
assumptions relating to the foregoing.

Although we believe that the expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in our forward-looking statements. Our future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to change and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, such as those disclosed in this Annual Report. Each forward-looking statement contained in this Annual Report reflects our management’s view only as of the date on which that forward-looking statement was made. We are not obligated to update forward-looking statements or publicly release the result of any revisions to them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Annual Report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

Currently known risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are described throughout this Annual Report, including in “Item 1A.Risk Factors.” We urge you to carefully review that section for a more complete discussion of the risks of an investment in our securities.

3


PART I

ITEM 1—BUSINESS

Overview

Wabash National Corporation, (together with its subsidiaries,which we refer to herein as “Wabash,” “Wabash National,” “the Company,the “Company,” “us,” “we,” or “our”)“our,” is changing how the world reaches you. Wabash was founded in 1985incorporated as a start-up companycorporation in Delaware in 1991, with its principal executive offices in Lafayette, Indiana. WeIndiana, as a dry van trailer manufacturer. Today we are now a diversified industrial manufactureran innovation leader of engineered solutions for the transportation, logistics, and a leading producer of semi-trailers, truck bodies, specialized commercial vehicles,distribution industries. Our mission is to enable customers to succeed with breakthrough ideas and liquid transportation systems. Wesolutions that help them move everything from first to final mile.
To that end, we design manufacture and marketmanufacture a diverse range of products, including dry freight and refrigerated trailers, platform trailers, bulk tank trailers, dry and refrigerated truck bodies, truck-mounted tanks, intermodal equipment, aircraft refueling equipment, structural composite panels and products, trailer aerodynamic solutions, and specialty food grade and pharmaceutical equipment. We have achieved this diversification through acquisitions, organic growth, and product innovation. We continue to search for acquisitions that will increase margins, enhance business stability, create new products, reduce cyclicality, and provide operational synergies.

We believe our position as a leader in our key industries is the result of longstanding relationships with our core customers, our demonstrated ability to attract new customers, our broad and innovative product lines, our technological leadership, and our extensive distribution and service network. Our management teamMore importantly, we believe our leadership position is focused on growing the company in a profitable and sustainable manner, while continuing to optimize operations to match the current demand environment, implementing cost savings initiatives and lean manufacturing techniques, strengthening our capital structure, developing innovative products that enable our customers to succeed, improving earnings and continuing diversificationindicative of the business into higher margin opportunitiesvalues and leadership principles that leverageguide our intellectual and process capabilities.

Wabash was incorporated in Delaware in 1991 and is the successor by merger to a Maryland corporation organized in 1985. Our internet website is www.wabashnational.com. We make our electronic filings with the Securities Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports available on our website free of charge as soon as practicable after we file them with or furnish them to the SEC. Information on the website is not part of this Annual Report. We are listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “WNC”.

actions.

Operating Segments

Previously, we managed

We manage our business in twothree reportable segments: Commercial Trailer Products and(“CTP”), Diversified Products. In the third quarter of 2017, we completed the acquisition of Supreme Industries, Inc.Products (“Supreme”DPG”). As a result, we created a new reporting segment in the fourth quarter referred to as the, and Final Mile Products segment, which includes(“FMP”). Each of these reportable segments offers a diverse portfolio of industrial solutions for the Supreme operationsend markets and certain other truck body operations which were previously included in our industries that they serve.
Commercial Trailer ProductsDiversified ProductsFinal Mile Products
■ Dry and Refrigerated Van Trailers■ Tank Trailers and Truck-Mounted Tanks■ Truck-Mounted Dry Bodies
■ Platform Trailers■ Composite Panels and Products■ Truck-Mounted Refrigerated Bodies
■ Aftermarket Parts and Service■ Food, Dairy, and Beverage Equipment■ Service and Stake Bodies
■ Containment and Aseptic Systems■ Fiberglass Reinforced Plywood Panels
■ Aftermarket Parts and Service■ Upfitting Parts and Service
Commercial Trailer Products
Commercial Trailer Products segment. Certain corporate-related administrative costs, interestdesigns and income taxes are not allocated to these segments, but are reported in our Corporatemanufactures dry and Eliminations segment. Financial results by operating segment, including information about revenue, measures of profit and loss, and financial information regarding geographic areas and export sales are discussed in Note 13, Segments, of the accompanying consolidated financial statements. By operating segment, net sales, prior to the elimination of intersegment sales, were as follows (dollars in thousands):

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
Sales by Segment            
Commercial Trailer Products $1,348,382  $1,506,110  $1,582,240 
Diversified Products Group  361,358   352,404   456,927 
Final Mile Products  70,461   -   - 
Corporate and Eliminations  (13,040)  (13,070)  (11,679)
Total $1,767,161  $1,845,444  $2,027,488 

4

Commercial Trailer Products

Commercial Trailer Products segment sales as a percentage of our consolidated net sales and gross margin measured prior to intersegment eliminations were:

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
Percentage of net sales  75.7%  81.0%  77.6%
Percentage of gross profit  70.1%  77.0%  64.9%

The Commercial Trailer Products segment manufactures standard and customized dry van, refrigerated van, andvans, platform trailers and other transportation related equipment. Commercial Trailer Products’ transportation equipment is marketed under the Wabash®, DuraPlate®, DuraPlateHD®, ArcticLite®, Transcraft® and Benson® brands. In addition, we recently introduced DuraPlate® Cell Core, a modified DuraPlate® panel that reduces the weight of a conventional 53 foot DuraPlate® trailer by 300 pounds. Commercial Trailer Products sells directly to customers who purchase directly from us or through independent dealers. We have been one of largest producers of van trailers in North America since 1994, with onemany of the most widely recognized brandslargest companies in the industry. We seek to identify and produce proprietary custom products that offer exceptional value to customers with the potential to generate higher profit margin than standardized products. We believe that we have the engineering and manufacturing capability to produce these products efficiently. We introduced our proprietary composite product, DuraPlateâ, in 1996 and have experienced widespread truck trailertrucking industry, acceptance. Since 2002, sales of our DuraPlateâ trailers have represented approximately 95% of our total new dry van trailer sales. We are a significant producer of refrigerated trailer products as well as other specialty products, including converter dollies. Through our Transcraft subsidiary we arethrough a network of the one the leading producers of steel and aluminum flatbed and dropdeck trailers. Ourindependent dealers. Commercial Trailer Products segment also operates a wood flooring production facility that manufactures laminated hard wood oak products for our van trailer products.

Commercial Trailer Products’ transportation equipment is marketed under the Wabashâ, DuraPlateâ, DuraPlateHDâ, DuraPlateâ XD-35®, ArcticLite®, RoadRailer®, Transcraft® and Benson® trademarks directly to customers and through independent dealers. Historically, we have focused on our longstanding core customers representing many of the largest companies in the trucking industry, but have expanded this focus over the past several years to include numerous additional key accounts. Our relationships with our core customers have been central to our growth since inception. We have also actively pursued the diversification of our customer base through our network of independent dealers. For our van business we utilize a total of 27 independent dealers with approximately 73 locations throughout North America to market and distribute our trailers. We distribute our flatbed and dropdeck trailers through a network of 75 independent dealers with approximately 124 locations throughout North America. In addition, we maintain a used fleet sales center to focus on selling both large and small fleet trade packages to the wholesale market.

Diversified Products

Diversified Products segment sales as a percentage of our consolidated net sales and gross margin measured prior to intersegment eliminations were:

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
Percentage of net sales  20.3%  19.0%  22.4%
Percentage of gross profit  26.8%  23.0%  35.1%

5

The Diversified Products segment ishas historically been comprised of four strategic business units: Tank Trailer, Process Systems, Composites, and Aviation &and Truck Equipment. On January 22, 2019, the Company announced that it completed a transaction to divest the Aviation and Truck Equipment business unit to Garsite Progress, LLC, an entity formed by AFI Partners, a New York-based private equity firm. The Tank Trailer business sells products through several brands including Walker Transport, Brenner® Tank, Bulk Internationaldesigns and Beall® Trailers. These brands represent leading positions inmanufactures liquid transportation systems, and include a full line ofincluding stainless steel and aluminum tank trailers, for the North American chemical, dairy, food and beverage, and petroleum and energy servicesservice markets. Tank Trailers are marketed under the Walker Transport, Brenner® Tank, Bulk International and Beall® Trailer brands. Our Process Systems business includes brands such as Walker® Engineered Productsdesigns and Extract Technology® and represent what we estimate to be leading positions inmanufactures isolators, stationary silos and downflow booths around the world for the chemical, dairy, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and nuclear markets. The Aviation & Truck Equipment business is a leading manufacturer of truck-mounted tanks used in the aviation, refined fuel, heating oil, propane and liquid waste industries with products offeredProcess Systems markets its product offerings under the GarsiteWalker® Engineered Products and Progress TankExtract Technology® brands. Our Composites business includes offerings under our DuraPlate® composite panel technology, which contains unique properties of strength and durability that can be utilized in numerous applications in addition to truck trailers and truck bodies. The Diversified Products segment has leveragedLeveraging our DuraPlate® panel technology, to developour Composites business has designed and


manufactured numerous proprietary products, including a full line of aerodynamic solutions designed to improve overall trailer aerodynamics and fuel economy, most notably the DuraPlate® AeroSkirt®, AeroSkirt CX™CX, Ventix DRSTM and AeroFin XLTM®. In addition, we utilize our DuraPlate® technology in the production of truck bodies, overhead doors, foldable portable storage containers, truck boxes, decking systems, and other industrial applications. These DuraPlate® composite products are sold to original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket customers.

The Diversified Products segment focuses on our commitment to expand our customer base, diversify our product offerings, end markets and revenues, and extend our market leadership by leveraging our intellectual property and technology, including our proprietary DuraPlate® panel technology, drawing on our core manufacturing expertise and making available products that are complementary to the truck and tank trailers and transportation equipment we offer. This segment includes a wide array of products and customer-specific solutions. Leveraging our intellectual property and technology and core manufacturing expertise into new applications and market sectors enables us to deliver greater value to our customers and shareholders.

Through these brands and product offerings, our Diversified Products segment now serves a variety of end markets. We expect to continue to focus on diversifying our Diversified Products segment to enhance our business model, strengthen our revenues and become a more diverse company that can deliver greater value to our shareholders.

Final Mile Products

The Company added the Final Mile Products reportable segment following the acquisition of Supreme Industries, Inc. (“Supreme”) completed on September 27, 2017. The Final Mile Products segment was established after completing the Supreme acquisition on September 27, 2017. Since this date, Final Mile Products segment sales as a percentage of our consolidated net salesdesigns and gross margin measured prior to intersegment eliminations were:

Year Ended December 31,
2017
Percentage of net sales4.0%
Percentage of gross profit3.1%

Supreme is one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of specialized commercial vehicles, includingmanufactures cutaway, and dry-freight, van bodies, refrigerated, units, and stake bodies. This acquisition allows us to accelerateaccelerated our growth and expandexpanded our presence in the final mile space, with increased distribution paths and greater customer reach, and supports our objectivemission to transform our business into a more diversified industrial manufacturer.enable customers to succeed with breakthrough ideas and solutions that help them move everything from first to final mile. Final Mile Product truck bodies are offered in aluminum, FiberPanel PW, FiberPanel HC, or DuraPlate®, and are marketed under Kold King®King®, Iner-City®Iner-City®, Spartan, as well as other Wabash brands that leverage our fleet-proven DuraPlate® technology utilized in dry van trailers. Our Final Mile Products also include our molded structural composite panels.truck bodies and fiberglass reinforced plywood used on some of our truck bodies. In addition, we have recently introduced our molded structural composites technology to our truck bodies. With the acquisition of Supreme, our truck body line was expanded to include Classes 2 through 5, allowing us to serve a large variety of end customers in the final mile space. TheFinal Mile Products sells both direct to customers and through a large independent dealer network.

Strategy
Wabash National has established a strategic framework for value creation with three pillars focused on innovation, business optimization and distributor network for truck bodies consistsstrategic growth, all supported by a company culture of more than 1,000 commercial dealers and a limited numbercontinuous improvement.
INNOVATE■ Continue innovation leadership
■ Develop new capabilities and capacity to enable growth
■ Improve durability and reduce weight with material technologies
OPTIMIZE■ Margin enhancement through integration, alignment and shared service activities
■ Utilize the Wabash Management System and lean manufacturing to drive margin enhancement through continuous focus on efficiency
GROW■ Expand Final Mile platform
■ Commercialize Molded Structural Composites refrigerated van and truck bodies
■ Increase business development capabilities
We believe that if we are successful in focusing on each of truck equipment distributors.

Strategy

In additionthese three pillars, we will be well-positioned to advance our commitment to deliver long-term profitable growth within each of our reportingreportable segments, our strategic initiatives include a focus on diversification efforts, both organicsupport margin enhancement through lean manufacturing principles and strategic, to further transformthe Wabash into a diversified industrial manufacturer with a higher growth and margin profileManagement System, and successfully deliver greater value to our shareholders. Organically, our focus is on profitably growingBy continuing to be an innovation leader in the transportation, logistics, and diversifying our operations by leveragingdistribution industries we expect to leverage our existing assets capabilities, and technologycapabilities into higher margin products and markets and thereby providingby delivering value-added customer solutions. Strategically, we continue to focus onOptimizing our transition into a more diversified industrial manufacturer, profitably growing and further broadening the product portfolio, we offer,operations and processes to enhance manufacturing efficiency and agility is expected to well-position the customersCompany to drive margin expansion and end markets we servereinforce our customer relationships. Growing strategically may diversify our revenue stream and strengthening our geographic presence. In addition to our acquisition of Supreme, future acquisitions may further provide us the opportunity to move forward on this strategic initiative and our long-term plan to become a more diversified industrial manufacturer. Our most recent acquisitions have enabledallow us to recognize top-lineleverage our technology across more markets.

Acquisition Strategy
We believe that our businesses have significant opportunities to grow through disciplined strategic acquisitions. When evaluating acquisition targets, we generally look for opportunities that exhibit the following attributes:
Customer-focused solutions;
Access to new technology and innovation;
Strong management team that is a cultural fit;
Aligned with our core competencies in purchasing, operations, distribution and product development; and
Growth markets, whether end-markets or geographical, within the transportation, logistics, and distribution industries.

Capital Allocation Strategy
We believe that a balanced and disciplined capital allocation strategy is necessary to support our growth improved profitability,initiatives and margin expansion; provided us access to additional markets while expanding our manufacturing footprint;create shareholder value. The objectives and allowed us to offer onegoals of the broadest product portfolios in the transportation equipment industry.

Company’s capital allocation strategy are summarized below:
Maintain Liquidity:
§  Manage the business for the long-term
 6
§  Be equipped for changes in market conditions and strategic growth opportunities
 
Debt Management:
§  Reduce debt and de-lever the Company
Reinvest for Growth:
§  Fund capital expenditures and research and development that support growth and productivity initiatives
Dividends:
§  Maintain our regular dividend which has been paid for the last three consecutive years
Share Repurchases:
§  Opportunistically repurchase shares
§  Offset dilution from stock based compensation

Industry and Competition

Trucking in the U.S., according to the American Trucking Association (ATA)(“ATA”), was estimated to be a $676$796.7 billion industry in 2016,2018, representing approximately 80% of the total U.S. transportation industry revenue. Furthermore, ATA estimates that approximately 71% of all freight tonnage in 20162018 was carried by trucks. Trailer demand is directly impacted bya direct function of the amount of freight to be transported. ATA estimates that total freight tonnage carried by trucks will grow 34% by 2028. To meet this continued high demand for freight, truck carriers will need to replace and expand their fleets, which typically results in increased trailer orders.

Transportation in the U.S., including trucking, is a cyclical industry that has experienced three cycles over the last 20 years. In each of the last three cycles the decline in freight tonnage preceded the general U.S. economic downturn by approximately two and one-half years and the recovery has generally preceded that of the economy as a whole. The trailer industry generally follows the transportation industry, experiencing cycles in the early and late 90’s lasting approximately 58 and 67 months, respectively. Truck freight tonnage, according to ATA statistics, started declining year-over-year in 2006 and remained at depressed levels through 2009. The most recent cycle concluded in 2009, lasting a total of 89 months. After three consecutive years with total trailer demand well below normal replacement demand levels estimated to be approximately 220,000 trailers, the period ending December 201731, 2019 demonstrated fivesix consecutive years of healthy demand in which it is estimated there were total trailer shipments of approximately 234,000, 269,000, 308,000, 286,000, 288,000, 323,000, and 287,000328,000 for the years ended 2013,ending 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2017,2019, respectively. WeIn our view, we expect to see continued strongsoftened demand for new trailer equipment as the economicin 2020 going forward to be more consistent with historical levels. However, overall demand is expected to be in excess of replacement demand and industry specific indicators we track, including ATA’s truck tonnage index, carrier/fleet profitability, employment growth, housing and auto sectors, as well as the overall gross domestic product, appearcontinue to be trending in a positive direction.

Wabash, Great Dane, Utility and Hyundai Translead, are generally viewed as the top manufacturers in U.S. trailer shipments by volume. Our share of U.S. total trailer shipments in 2017 was approximately 19%. indicators.

Trailer manufacturers compete primarily through the quality of their products, customer relationships, innovative technology, and price. We have seen others in the industry also pursue the development and use of composite sidewalls that compete directly with our DuraPlateâ® products. Our product development is focused on maintaining a leading position with respect to these products and on development of new products and markets, leveraging our proprietary DuraPlate® product, as well as our expertise in the engineering and design of customized products.

The table below sets forth new trailers shipped for Wabash and, as provided by Trailer Body Builders Magazine, the principal producers within North America. The data represents all segments of the industry, except containers and chassis. For the years included below, we have participated primarily in the van, platform, and tank trailer segments. Van trailer demand, the largest segment within the trailer industry, has recovered from a low of approximately 52,000 trailers in 2009 to an estimated 223,000 van trailers in 2017.

  2017  2016  2015  2014  2013 
Wabash  54,000   60,000   63,000   56,000   46,000 
Hyundai Translead  58,000   49,000   43,000   34,000   27,000 
Great Dane  46,000   48,000   52,000   48,000   44,000 
Utility  43,000   46,000   49,000   41,000   39,000 
Stoughton  15,000   16,000   15,000   13,000   12,000 
Other principal producers  32,000   33,000   40,000   37,000   31,000 
Total Industry  282,000   283,000   302,000   265,000   232,000(1)

(1)Data revised by publisher in a subsequent year.

Our Diversified Products segment, in most cases, participates in markets different than our traditionalhistorical core van and platform trailer product offerings. The customers and end markets that our Diversified Products segment serve are broader and more diverse than the trailer industry, including environmental, pharmaceutical, biotech, oil and gas, moving and storage, and specialty vehicle markets. In addition, our diversification efforts pertain to new and emerging markets and many of the products are driven by regulatory requirements or, in most cases, customer-specific needs. However, some of our diversification efforts are considered to be in the early growth stages and future success is largely dependent on continued customer adoption of our product solutions and general expansion of our customer base and distribution channels.

7

Our Final Mile Products segment competes in the specialized vehicle industry, which is highly competitive with only a few national competitors and many smaller, regional companies. As a result of this broad competition, we are often faced with competitive pricing pressures. Other competitive factors include quality of product, lead times, geographic proximity to customers, and the ability to manufacture a product customized to customer specifications. With our national presence, and diverse product offerings, and broad customer relationships, we believe that we are well positioned to meet the competitive challenges presented.

Competitive Strengths

We believe our core competitive strengths include:

·
Long-Term Core Customer Relationships – We are the leading provider of trailers to a significant number of top tier trucking companies, generating a revenue base that has helped to sustain us as one of the market leaders. Our van products are preferred by many of the industry’s leading carriers. We are also a leading provider of liquid-transportation systems and engineered products and we have a strong customer base, consisting of mostly private fleets, and have earned a leading market position across many of the markets we serve. In addition, we are a leading manufacturer of truck bodies, and we have a strong customer base of large national fleet leasing companies.


by many of the industry’s leading carriers. We are also a leading provider of liquid-transportation systems and engineered products and we have a strong customer base, consisting of mostly private fleets, and have earned a leading market position across many of the markets we serve. In addition, we are a leading manufacturer of truck bodies, and we have a strong customer base of large national fleet leasing companies and large retailers.
·
Technology and Innovation –We continue to be recognized by the trucking industry as a leader in developing technology to provide value-added solutions for our customers that reduce trailer operating costs, improve revenue opportunities, and solve unique transportation problems. Throughout our history, we have been and we expect we will continue to be a leading innovator in the design and production of trailers and related products. RecentAs discussed above, we recently introduced DuraPlate® Cell Core, a modified DuraPlate® panel that reduces the weight of a conventional 53 foot DuraPlate® trailer by 300 pounds. In addition, recent new trailer introductions and value-added options include the introduction of the Molded Structural Composite (MSCt) Refrigerated Van, the commercial launch of the Cold Chain Series Refrigerated Truck Body with molded structural composite technology, both offering advanced thermal and operational performance; Lean Duplex tank trailer, a stainless steel option that reduces weight while providing enhanced performance characteristics over typical chemical tank trailers; Trustlock Plus®, a proprietary single-lock rear door mechanism; and the DuraPlate® AeroSkirt®, Ventix DRSTM, AeroFin XLTM® and AeroSkirt CXTM, durable aerodynamic solutions that based on verified laboratory and track testing, providesprovide improved fuel efficiencies of 9% or greater when used in specific combinations.

Our DuraPlateâ® proprietary technology offers what we believe to be a superior trailer, which customers value. A DuraPlateâ® trailer is a composite plate trailer using material that contains a high-density polyethylene core bonded between high-strength steel skins. We believe that the competitive advantages of our DuraPlateâ® trailers compared to standard trailers include providing a lower total cost of ownership through the following:

-       Extended Service Life – operate three to five years longer;

-       Lower Operating and Maintenance Costs – greater durability and performance;

-       Less Downtime – higher utilization for fleets;

-       Extended Warranty – warranty period for DuraPlateâ panels is ten years; and

-       Improved Resale Value – higher trade-in and resale values.

Extended Service Life – operate three to five years longer;
Lower Operating and Maintenance Costs – greater durability and performance;
Less Downtime – higher utilization for fleets;
Extended Warranty – warranty period for DuraPlate® panels is ten years; and
Improved Resale Value – higher trade-in and resale values.
We have been manufacturing DuraPlateâ® trailers for over 2224 years and through December 20172019 have sold approximately 700,000nearly 800,000 DuraPlate® trailers. We believe that this proven experience, combined with ownership and knowledge of the DuraPlateâ® panel technology, will help ensure continued industry leadership in the future.

8

We have also focused on a customer-centered approach in developing product enhancements for other industries we serve. Some of the more recent innovations include: the development of mobile clean rooms, or self-contained laboratories, which are configured to provide isolation and containment solutions into a rapidly deployable and flexible manufacturing facility for pharmaceutical and other technology applications; the development of a Refined Fuel truck with integrated Auxiliary Power Unit designed to improve fuel efficiency and prolong the useful operating life of fuel delivery vehicles; introduction of a prototype Side Impact Guard (SIG) designed to prevent passenger car under ride in side collisions, introduction of advanced materials to remove over 300 pounds fromDuraPlate® Cell Core technology, the standard Dry Van; introduction of RIG-16 offset rear under ride guard, and the introduction of the Truck Body line leveraging our fleet-proven DuraPlate® technology for dry truck bodies as well as the introduction of a revolutionary proprietary composite designed to improve weight and thermal efficiency in refrigerated truck body applications. We will also be introducing a new modified core DuraPlate to remove 300 pounds from a dry van trailer in 2018. ThisThese technology innovations will allow us to continue providing unrivaled value to our customers and differentiate Wabash from our competitors.

·
Significant Market Share and Brand Recognition –We have been one of the three largest manufacturers of trailers in North America since 1994, with one of the most widely recognized brands in the industry. We are currently one of the largest producers of van trailers in North Americaindustry and according to data published by Trailer Body Builders Magazine, our Transcraft subsidiary is one of the leading producers of platform trailers.We are also the largest manufacturer of liquid stainless steel and aluminum tank trailers in North America through our Walker Transport, Brenner® Tank, Bulk International and Beall® brands. In addition, we are the second largest manufacturer of truck bodies in North America through our Supreme, Iner-City®, Spartan, and Kold King® brands. We participate broadly in the transportation industry through all of our business segments. As a percentage of our consolidated net sales, new trailer sales for our dry and refrigerated vans, platforms and tanks represented approximately 80% in 2017.

·
Committed Focus on Operational Excellence
Enterprise Lean and the Wabash Management System (WMS) – Safety, quality, on-time delivery, productivitycost, morale, and cost reductionenvironment are the core elements of our program of continuous improvement. We currently maintain an ISO 14001 registration of the Environmental Management System at five facilities, which include our Lafayette, Indiana; Cadiz, Kentucky; San JoseJosé Iturbide, Mexico; Frankfort, Indiana;Portland, Oregon; and Harrison, Arkansas facilities.locations. In addition, we have achieved ISO 9001 registration of the Quality Management Systems at our Lafayette, Indiana and Cadiz, Kentucky facilities.

We recently institutionalized the WMS, which standardizes best practices throughout the company and allows us to efficiently scale the business. By codifying what makes our Company great into four key areas (Team, Strategy, Execution, and Governance), WMS drives increased focus on the processes that are critical for our success.
·
Corporate Culture – We believe strong human capital acts as a competitive differentiator and our focus is not only on ensuring we have the right leaders in place to drive our strategic initiatives today, but also to nurture our talent pipeline to develop strong leaders for our company’s future. To that end, we benefit from an experienced, value-driven management team and dedicated workforce focused on operational excellence. Safety of our associates is our number one value and highest priority.workforce.

We strive to achieve alignment at every layer and throughout all functional areas of our business and are focused on ensuring the right systems are in place to facilitate all team members working toward the same shared goals. Critical to this is the perspective that our business is constructed of three interlinked segments that benefit from one another and are stronger as a result of being part of Wabash National.

·
Extensive Distribution Network– We utilize a network of 27 independent dealers with approximately 7380 locations throughout North America to distribute our van trailers, and our Transcraft distribution network consists of 7565 independent dealers with approximately 12493 locations throughout North America. Our tank trailers are distributed through a network of 5854 independent dealers with 5955 locations throughout North America. Additionally, our truck body dealer network consists of more than 1,000 commercial dealers. Our dealers primarily serve mid-market and smaller sized carriers and private fleets in the geographic region where the dealer is located and occasionally may sell to large fleets.

Regulation

Truck trailer length, height, width, maximum weight capacity and other specifications are regulated by individual states. The federal government also regulates certain safety and environmental sustainability features incorporated in the design and use of truck and tank trailers, as well as truck bodies. These regulations include,include: requirements to install Electronic Logging Devices, the use of aerodynamic devices and fuel saving technologies, as well as operator restrictions as to hours of service and minimum driver safety standards (see the section on “Industry Trends” in Item 7 for more details on these regulations). In addition, most tank trailers we manufacture have specific federal regulations and restrictions that dictate tank design, material type and thickness. Manufacturing operations are subject to environmental laws enforced by federal, state and local agencies (see "Environmental Matters"“Environmental Matters”).

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Products

Products

Since our inception, we have expandedworked to expand our product offerings from a single truck trailer dry van product to a broad range of engineered solutions for the transportation, equipmentlogistics, and diversified industrial products. Wabash National managesdistribution industries. We manage a diverse product portfolio, maintainsmaintain long-standing customer relationships, and focuses on innovative and breakthrough technologies within three operating segments.

Commercial Trailer Products segment sales represented approximately 76%, 81% and 78% of our consolidated net sales in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Our current Commercial Trailer Products segment primarily includes the following products:

·
Dry Van Trailers. The dry van market represents our largest product line and includes trailers sold under the DuraPlateâ, DuraPlateHDâ, and DuraPlate® XD-35 DuraPlateHD®trademarks. Our DuraPlate® trailers utilize a proprietary technology that consists of a composite plate wall for increased durability and greater strength.

·
Platform Trailers. Platform trailers are sold under the Transcraft® and Benson® trademarks. Platform trailers consist of a trailer chassis with a flat or “drop” loading deck without permanent sides or a roof. These trailers are primarily utilized to haul steel coils, construction materials and large equipment. In addition to our all steel and combination steel and aluminum platform trailers, we also offer a premium all-aluminum platform trailer.

·
Refrigerated Trailers. Refrigerated Our refrigerated trailers provide thermal efficiency, maximum payload capacity, and superior damage resistance. Our refrigerated trailers are sold under the ArcticLite® trademark and use our proprietary SolarGuard® technology, coupled with our foaming process, which we believe enables customers to achieve lower costs through reduced operating hours of refrigeration equipment and therefore reduced fuel consumption. In 2016, Wabash introducedlaunched a proprietary molded structural composite with thermal technology which, based on our testing, provides improved thermal performance for refrigerated trailers by up to 25% and is up to 20% lighter than standard refrigerated trailers while still maintaining strength and durability.

·
Specialty Trailers. These products include a wide array of specialty equipment and services generally focused on products that require a higher degree of customer specifications and requirements. These specialty products include converter dollies, Big Tire Hauler, and Steel Coil Hauler and RoadRailer®trailers.

·
Aftermarket Parts and Service. Aftermarket component products are manufactured to provide continued support to our customers throughout the life cyclelife-cycle of the trailer. Aurora Parts & Accessories, LLC is the exclusive supplier of the aftermarket component products for the company’sour dry van, refrigerated and platform trailers. Utilizing our onsiteon-site service centers, we provide a wide array of quality aftermarket parts and services to our customers. Additionally, rail components are sold to provide continued support of the Road Railer® product line as well as to expand our offerings in the rail markets.

·
Used Trailers. These products includes the sale of used trailers through our used fleet sales center to facilitate new trailer sales with a focus on selling both large and small fleet trade packages to the wholesale market as well as through our branch network to enable us to remarketre-market and promote new trailer sales.

·
Wood Products. We manufacture laminated hardwood oak flooring used primarily in our dry van trailer segment at our manufacturing operations located in Harrison, Arkansas.

Diversified Products segment sales represented approximately 20%, 19% and 22% of our consolidated net sales in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Our current Diversified Products segment primarily includes the following products:

·
Tank Trailers.Tank Trailers currently has several principal brands dedicated to transportation products including Walker Transport, Brenner® Tank, Bulk Tank International, and Beall® Trailers. Equipment sold under these brands include stainless steel and aluminum liquid and dry bulk tank trailers and other transport solutions for the dairy, food and beverage, chemical, environmental, petroleum and refined fuel industries. We also provide parts and maintenance and repair services for tank trailers and other related equipment through our sixfive Brenner Tank Service centers.

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Walker Transport – Founded as the original Walker business in 1943, the Walker Transport brand includes stainless steel tank trailers for the dairy, food and beverage end markets.

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Brenner® Tank – Founded in 1900, Brenner®Tank manufactures stainless steel and aluminum tank trailers, dry bulk trailers, and fiberglass reinforced poly tank trailers, as well as vacuum tank trailers for the oil and gas, chemical, energy and environmental services end markets.

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Bulk Tank International – Manufactures stainless steel tank trailers for the oil and gas and chemical end markets.

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Beall® Trailers – With tank trailer production dating to 1928, the Beall® brand includes aluminum tank trailers and related tank trailer equipment for the dry bulk and petroleum end markets.

·
Process Systems.Process Systems currently sells products under the Walker Engineered Products and Extract Technology® brands and specializes in the design and production of a broad range of products including: a portfolio of products for storage, mixing and blending, including process vessels, as well as round horizontal and vertical storage silo tanks; containment and isolation systems for the pharmaceutical, chemical, and nuclear industries, including custom designed turnkey systems and spare components for full service and maintenance contracts; containment systems for the pharmaceutical, chemical and biotech markets; and mobile water storage tanks used in the oil and gas industry to pump high-pressure water into underground wells.markets.

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Walker Engineered Products – Since the 1960s, Walker has marketed stainless steel storage tanks and silos, mixers, and processors for the dairy, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical, craft brewing, and biotech end markets under the Walker Engineered Products brand.

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Extract Technology® – Since 1981, the Extract Technology® brand has included stainless steel isolators and downflow booths, as well as custom-fabricated equipment, including workstations and drum booths for the pharmaceutical, fine chemical, biotech and nuclear end markets.

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Aviation & Truck Equipment.Aviation & Truck Equipment currently sells products under the Garsite and Progress Tank brands, which are dedicated to serving aircraft refuelers and hydrant dispensers for in-to-plane fueling companies, airlines, freight distribution companies and fuel marketers around the globe; military grade refueling and water tankers for applications and environments required by the military; truck mounted tanks for fuel delivery; and vacuum tankers.

-Progress Tank – Since 1920, the Progress Tank brand has included aluminum and stainless steel truck-mounted tanks for the oil and gas and environmental end markets.

-Garsite – Founded in 1952, Garsite is a value-added assembler of aircraft refuelers, hydrant dispensers, and above-ground fuel storage tanks for the aviation end market.

·
Composites. Our composite products expandComposites business is focused on the use of DuraPlate® composite panels already a proven product inbeyond the semi-trailer market for over 20 years. Other composite productmarket. Product offerings include truck bodies, overhead doors, foldable portable storage containers, and other industrial applications. We continue to develop new products and actively explore markets that can benefit from the proven performance of our proprietary technology. In 2016, we entered into a collaboration with EconCore N.V. to manufacture and sell their patented honeycomb core production technology in the containment and transportation industries. We offer three solutions designed to significantly improve trailer aerodynamics and fuel economy featuring a trailer drag reduction system to manage airflow across the entire length of trailer, or Ventix DRSTM, an aerodynamic tail devised to direct airflow across the rear of the trailer, or AeroFin XLTM®, and a new lighter version of our AeroSkirt design called AeroSkirt CXTM. We also offer our EPA Smartway® approved DuraPlate®approved DuraPlate AeroSkirt® AeroSkirt®.

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The Final Mile Products segment, established after the acquisition of Supreme hadin 2017, sales representing approximately 4% of our consolidated net sales in 2017. The Final Mile Products segment primarily includes the following products:

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Signature Van Bodies.Signature van bodies range from 108 to 28 feet in length with exterior walls assembled from one of several material options including pre-painted aluminum, FiberPanel PW, FiberPanel HC, or DuraPlate®DuraPlate®. Additional features include molded composite front and side corners, LED marker lights, sealed wiring harnesses, hardwood or pine flooring, and various door configurations to accommodate end-user loading and unloading requirements. This product is adaptable for a diverse range of uses in dry-freight transportation.

·
Iner-City®
Iner-City® Cutaway Van Bodies.An ideal route truck for a variety of commercial applications, the Iner-City bodies are manufactured on cutaway chassis which allow access from the cab to the cargo area. Borrowing many design elements from Supreme’s larger van body, the Iner-City is shorter in length (10(8 to 18 feet) than a typical van body.

·
Spartan Service Bodies.Built on a cutaway chassis and constructed of FiberPanel PW or DuraPlate®, the Spartan cargo van provides the smooth maneuverability of a commercial van with the full-height and spacious cargo area of a truck body. In lengths of 108 to 14 feet and available with a variety of pre-designed options, the Spartan cargo van is a bridge product for those moving up from a traditional cargo van into the truck body category.

·
Kold King®King® Insulated Van Bodies.Kold King® insulated bodies, in lengths up to 28 feet, provide versatility and dependability for temperature controlled applications. Flexible for either hand-load or pallet-load requirements, they are ideal for multi-stop distribution of both fresh and frozen products.

·
Stake Bodies.Stake bodies are flatbeds with various configurations of removable sides. The stake body is utilized for a broad range of agricultural and construction industriesindustries’ transportation needs.

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Final Mile Series and Cold Chain Series.Introduced in 2015, we have combined fleet-proven equipment designs and advanced materials to create a line of high performance refrigerated and dry freight truck bodies for Class 6, 7, and 8 chassis. The truck body product leverages our fleet-proven DuraPlate® technology utilized in dry van trailers and also introduces a revolutionary proprietary molded structural composite designed to improve weight and thermal efficiency in refrigerated truck body applications.


Customers

Our customer base has historically included many of the nation’s largest truckload (TL) common carriers, leasing companies, private fleet carriers, less-than-truckload (LTL) common carriers, and package carriers. We continue to expand our customer base and diversify into the broader trailer marketachieve diversification through acquisitions, organic growth, product innovation, and through our independent dealerextensive distribution and company-owned retail networks, as well as through strategic acquisitions. Furthermore, we continue to diversify our products organically by expanding the use of DuraPlate® composite panel technology through products such as DuraPlate® AeroSkirts®, truck bodies, overhead doors and portable storage containers as well as strategically through our acquisitions.service network. All of these efforts have been accomplished while maintaining our relationships with our core customers. Our five largest customers together accounted for approximately 24%27%, 24%25%, and 25%24% of our aggregate net sales in 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 2015,2017, respectively. No individual customer accounted for more than 10% or more of our aggregate net sales during the past three years. International sales accounted for less than 10% of net sales for each of the last three years.

We have

Our Commercial Trailer Products segment has established relationships as a supplier to many large customers in the transportation industry, including the following:

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Truckload Carriers: Averitt Express, Inc.; Celadon Group, Inc.; Covenant Transportation Group, Inc.; Cowan Systems, LLC; Crete Carrier Corporation; Heartland Express, Inc.; J.B Hunt Transport, Inc.; KnightKnight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc.; Schneider National, Inc.; Swift Transportation Corporation; U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc.; and Werner Enterprises, Inc.

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Less-Than-Truckload Carriers: FedEx Corporation; Old Dominion Freight Lines, Inc.; R&L Carriers Inc.; Saia, Inc.:; and YRC Worldwide, Inc.

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Refrigerated Carriers: CR England, Inc.; K&B Transportation, Inc.; Prime, Inc.; and Southern Refrigerated Transport, Inc.

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Leasing Companies: Matlack Leasing; Penske Truck Leasing Company; Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, Inc.; and Xtra Lease, Inc.

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Private Fleets: C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc.; Dollar General Corporation; and Safeway, Inc.

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Liquid Carriers: Dana Liquid Transport Corporation; Evergreen Tank Solutions LLC; Kenan Advantage Group, Inc.; Oakley Transport, Inc.; Quality Carriers, Inc.; Superior Tank, Inc.; and Trimac Transportation.

Through our Diversified Products segment we also sell our products to several other customers including, but not limited to: Atlantic Aviation; GlaxoSmithKline Services Unlimited; W.M. Sprinkman; Dairy Farmers of America; Southwest Airlines Company; Nestlé; Matlack Leasing LLC; and Wabash Manufacturing, Inc. (an unaffiliated company)

.

Through our Final Mile Products segment we sell to fleet leasing customers and direct customers including, but not limited to: Penske Truck Leasing Company; Ryder System, Inc.; Amazon.com; Budget Truck Rental, LLC; Enterprise Holdings, Inc.; Flowers Foods, Inc.; Penske Truck Leasing Company; Rent-A-Center; Ryder System, Inc.; and Southern Glazer’s Leasing, LLC.

Rent-A-Center.

Marketing and Distribution

We market and distribute our products through the following channels:

·
Factory direct accounts; and

·
Independent dealerships.

Factory direct accounts are generally large fleets that are high volume purchasers. Historically, we have focused on the factory direct market in which customers are highly knowledgeable of the life-cycle costs of equipment and, therefore, are best equipped to appreciate the innovative design and value-added features of our products, as well as the value proposition for lower total cost of ownership over the lifecyclelife-cycle of our products.

We also sell our van, platform, and tank trailers through a network of 27 independent dealers with approximately 73 locations throughout North America. Our platform trailers are sold through 75 independent dealers with approximately 124 locations throughout North America. Our tank trailers are distributed through a network of 58 independent dealers with 59 locations throughout North America.dealers. Additionally, our truck body dealer network consists of more than 1,000products are sold through commercial dealers. Our dealers primarily serve mid-market and smaller sized carriers and private fleets in the geographic region where the dealer is located and occasionally may sell to large fleets. The dealers may also perform service and warranty work for our customers.

Raw Materials

We utilize a variety of raw materials and components including specialty steel coil, stainless steel, plastic, aluminum, lumber, tires, landing gear, axles and suspensions, which we purchase from a limited number of suppliers. Costs of raw materials and component parts represented approximately 61%, 59%, and 63% of our consolidated net sales in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Raw material costs as a percentage of our consolidated net sales realized throughout 2017 are up compared to prior year as we have seen some increasing raw material costs. Significantfor 2019 were relatively consistent with 2018. However, significant price fluctuations or shortages in raw materials or finished components have had, and could have further,in the future, adverse effects on our results of operations. In 20182020 and for the foreseeable future, we expect that the raw materials used in the greatest quantity will be steel, aluminum, plastic, and wood. We will endeavor to pass along any raw material and component cost increases. Price increases and,used to offset inflation or disruption of supply in core materials have generally been successful, although sometimes are delayed. Increases in prices for these purposes represent a risk in execution. In an effort to minimize the effect of price fluctuations, we only hedge certain commodities that have the potential to significantly impact our results of operations.

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Backlog

Orders that have been confirmed by customers in writing, have defined delivery timeframes and can be produced during the next 18 months are included in our backlog. Orders that comprise our backlog may be subject to changes in quantities, delivery, specifications, terms or cancellation. Our backlog of orders at December 31, 20172019 and 20162018 was approximately $1,213$1,127 million and $802$1,788 million, respectively, and werespectively. We expect to complete the majority of our backlog orders as of December 31, 20172019 within the next 12 months of this date.

months.

Patents and Intellectual Property

We hold or have applied for 141159 patents in the U.S. on various components and techniques utilized in our manufacture of transportation equipment and engineered products. In addition, we hold or have applied for 169193 patents in foreign countries.

Our patents include intellectual property related to the manufacture of trailers, containers, and aerodynamic-related products using our proprietary DuraPlate® product products as well as other lightweight panel products, truck body, trailer, and aerodynamic-related products utilizing other composite materials, our containment and isolation systems, and other engineered products – all of which we believe offer us a significant competitive advantage in the markets in which we compete.

Our DuraPlate®patent portfolio includes several patents and pending patent applications, which cover not only utilization of our DuraPlate® product products in the manufacture of trailers, but also cover a number of aerodynamic-related products aimed at increasing the fuel efficiency of trailers. U.S. and foreign patents and patent applications in our DuraPlate® patent portfolio have expiration dates extending until 2036. Certain U.S. patents relating to the combined use of DuraPlate® panels and logistics systems within the sidewalls of our dry van trailers will not expire until 2027 or after; several other issued U.S. patents and pending patent applications relating to the use of DuraPlate®DuraPlate® panels, or other composite materials, within aerodynamic-related products as well as modular storage and shipping containers will not begin to expire until after 2030. Additionally, we also believe that our proprietary DuraPlate® and DuraPlate® Cell Core production process,processes, which hashave been developed and refined since 1995, offersoffer us a significant competitive advantage in the industry – above and beyond the benefits provided by any patent protection concerning the use and/or design of our DuraPlate® products. We believe the proprietary knowledge of this processthese processes and the significant intellectual and capital hurdles in creating a similar production processprocesses provide us with an advantage over others in the industry who utilize composite sandwich panel technology.

Our intellectual property portfolio further includes a number of patent applications related to the manufacture of truck bodies and trailers using our high-performance MSC Technologypolymer composite component parts. These patents and patent applications cover the polymer composite component structure and method of manufacturing the same. We believe the intellectual property related to this emerging use of polymer composite technology in our industry, including proprietary knowledge of the processes involved in manufacturing these components and the resulting products, will offer us a significant market advantage to continue to create proprietary products exploiting this technology. These patent applications will not begin to expire until 2036. Additionally, our intellectual property portfolio includes patents and patent applications related to the rear impact guard (RIG) and to a side impact guard (SIG) of a trailer.(“RIG”). The RIG patents and patent applications include new RIG designs which surpass the current and proposed federal regulatory RIG standards for the U.S. and Canada while the SIG patent applications include new and innovative designs for effectively protecting against side underride.

Canada.

In addition, our intellectual property portfolio includes patents and patent applications covering many of our engineered products, including our containment and isolation systems, as well as many trailer industry components. These products have become highly desirable and are recognized for their innovation in the markets we serve. The engineered products patents and patent applications relate to our industry leading isolation systems, sold under the Extract Technologies® brand name. These patents will not begin to expire until 2021.2021 and 2022. The patents and patent applications relating to our proprietary trailer-industry componentry include, for example, those covering the Trust Lock Plus® door locking mechanism, the Max Clearance® Overhead Door System, which provides additional overhead clearance when an overhead-style rear door is in the opened position that would be comparable to that of swing-door models, the use of bonded intermediate logistics strips, the bonded D-ring hold-down device, bonded skylights, and the DuraPlate® arched roof. The patents covering these products will not expire before 2029. Further, another patented product sold by the Diversified Products segment includes the ShakerTank® trailer, a vibrating bulk tank trailer used in transporting viscous materials, whose patents will not expire before 2026. We believe all of these proprietary products offer us a competitive market advantage in the industries in which we compete.

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We also hold or have applied for 4948 trademarks in the U.S. as well as 6463 trademarks in foreign countries. These trademarks include the Wabash®, Wabash National®, Transcraft®, Benson®, Extract Technology®, Beall®, Brenner®, and Supreme® brand names as well as trademarks associated with our proprietary products such as DuraPlate®, RoadRailer®, Transcraft Eagle®, Arctic Lite®, Kold King®, and Iner-City®. Additionally, we utilize several tradenames that are each well-recognized in their industries, including Walker Transport, Walker Stainless Equipment, Walker Engineered Products Garsite,and Bulk Tank International and Progress Tank.International. Our trademarks associated with additional proprietary products include MSC Technology™, MaxClearance® Overhead Door System, Trust Lock Plus®, EZ-7®, DuraPlate Aeroskirt®, Aeroskirt CX®, DuraPlate XD-35®, DuraPlate HD®, SolarGuard®, VentixDRS®, AeroFin®, AeroFin XL® and EZ-Adjust®. We believe these trademarks are important for the identification of our products and the associated customer goodwill; however, our business is not materially dependent on such trademarks.

Research and Development

Research and development expenses are charged to earnings as incurred and were $3.9 million, $6.4 million and $4.8 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.


Environmental Matters

Our facilities are subject to various environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to air emissions, wastewater discharges, the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes and occupational safety and health. Our operations and facilities have been, and in the future may become, the subject of enforcement actions or proceedings for non-compliance with such laws or for remediation of company-related releases of substances into the environment. Resolution of such matters with regulators can result in commitments to compliance abatement or remediation programs and, in some cases, the payment of penalties (see “Legal Proceedings” in Item 3 for more details).

We believe that our facilities are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations. Our facilities have incurred, and will continue to incur, capital and operating expenditures and other costs in complying with these laws and regulations. However, we currently do not anticipate that the future costs of environmental compliance will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Employees

As of December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, we had approximately 6,5006,900 and 5,1007,100 full-time employees, respectively. Throughout 2017,2019, essentially all of our active employees were non-union. Our temporary employees represented approximately 10%14% of our overall production workforce as of December 31, 20172019 as compared to approximately 14%11% at the end of the prior year period. We place a strong emphasis on maintaining good employee relations and development through competitive compensation and related benefits, a safe work environment, and promoting educational programs and quality improvement teams.

We believe strong human capital acts as a competitive differentiator and our focus is not only on ensuring we have the right leaders in place to drive our strategic initiatives today, but also to nurture our talent pipeline to develop strong leaders for Wabash’s future.

Website Access to Company Reports
We use our Investor Relations website, ir.wabashnational.com, as a channel for routine distribution of important information, including news releases, presentations and financial information. We post filings as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our annual, quarterly, and current reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, our proxy statements and any amendments to those reports or statements. All such postings and filings are available on our Investor Relations website free of charge. The SEC also maintains a website, www.sec.gov, that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The content on any website referred to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K unless expressly noted.
Information About Our Executive Officers of Wabash National Corporation

The following are the executive officers of the Company:

Name Age Position
Richard J. Giromini64Chief Executive Officer, Director
Brent L. Yeagy 4749 President and Chief OperatingExecutive Officer, Director
M. Kristin Glazner42Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
Melanie D. Margolin48Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Corporate Secretary
Kevin J. Page 5658 Senior Vice President and Group President, Diversified Products Groupand Final Mile Products
Michael N. Pettit 4345 Senior Vice President – Group President, Final Mile Products
William D. Pitchford63Senior Vice President – Human Resources and Assistant SecretaryChief Financial Officer
Dustin T. Smith 4042 Senior Vice President and Group President, Commercial Trailer Products
Jeffery L. Taylor52Senior Vice President – Chief Financial Officer

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Richard J. Giromini.Brent L. Yeagy.  Mr. Giromini has served as ourYeagy was appointed to President and Chief Executive Officer since January 2007, and served as our President from that date until October 2016. On December 14, 2017, Mr. Giromini notified the Company that he will step down from his position as Chief Executive Officer oneffective June 1,2, 2018. Mr. Giromini is expected to then continue his employment with the Company through June 1, 2019 to assist in the leadership transition. On June 1, 2019 Mr. Giromini will retire from the Company, and he will not stand for reelection to the Board of Directors at the 2019 Annual Meeting. Mr. Giromini joined the Company in July 2002, as Senior Vice President - Chief Operating Officer and served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from February 2005 until December 2005 when he was appointed President and a Director of the Company. Earlier experience includes 26 years in the transportation industry, having begun his career with General Motors Corporation (1976 – 1985), then serving in a variety of positions of increasing responsibility within the Tier 1 automotive and transportation sectors, most recently with Accuride Corporation (Senior Vice President and General Manager), AKW LP (President and CEO), and ITT Automotive (Director of Manufacturing). Mr. Giromini holds a Master of Science degree in Industrial Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, both from Clarkson University. He is also a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at the Duke University Fuqua School of Management.

Brent L. Yeagy. Mr. Yeagy has served as ourhad been President and Chief Operating Officer, and a Director of the Company since October 2016. On December 15, 2017 the Board of Directors announced the appointment of Mr. Yeagy to servePreviously, he served as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer effective June 2, 2018. Mr. Yeagy had been Senior Vice President - Group President of Commercial Trailer Products Group from June 2013 to October 2016. Previously, he served as2016 and Vice President and General Manager for the Commercial Trailer Products Group from 2010 to 2013.  Mr. Yeagy has held numerous operations related roles since joining Wabash National in February 2003. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Yeagy held various roles within Human Resources, Environmental Engineering and Safety Management for Delco Remy International from July 1999 through February 2003. Mr. Yeagy served in various Plant Engineering roles at Rexnord Corporation from December 1995 through June 1999. Mr. Yeagy is a veteran of the United States Navy, serving from 1991 to 1994. He received his Masters of Business Administration from Anderson University and his Master and Bachelor degrees in Science from Purdue University. He is also a graduate of the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business Program in Executive Management and the Stanford Executive Program.


M. Kristin Glazner.  Ms. Glazner was appointed to Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of the Company on November 14, 2018. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Glazner served as Vice President - Corporate Human Resources of the Company. She first joined the Company in February 2010 as Corporate Counsel and served in that role until October 2017, when she was appointed to the position of Vice President - Human Resources and Legal Administration. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Glazner was an attorney with the law firm Baker & Daniels LLP (now known as Faegre Baker Daniels LLP) from 2002 to 2010. She holds a Juris Doctor degree from Indiana University Maurer School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Butler University.
Melanie D. Margolin.  Ms. Margolin was appointed Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Corporate Secretary in May 2018. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Margolin was Deputy General Counsel at Cummins Inc., leading the Global Litigation function and serving as lead lawyer for the Engine/Power Systems Business Units and Latin America legaloperations. She joined Cummins, a $20 billion (2017) global company that designs, manufactures, and distributes power solutions, in 2013. Prior to Cummins, Ms. Margolin was an equity partner with Frost Brown Todd in Indianapolis, Indiana. Past experience also includes practicing law at Alholm, Monahan in Chicago, Illinois, and at the Chicago Housing Authority. 
Kevin J. Page.  Mr. Page was appointed to Senior Vice President -and Group President, of Diversified Products Group onand Final Mile Products in January 2020, after serving as the Senior Vice President and Group President, Diversified Products since October 1, 2017. Mr. Page joined the Company in February 2017 as Vice President and General Manager, Final Mile and Distributed Services within Commercial Trailer Products.Services. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Page was Interim President of Truck Accessories Group, LLC manufacturer of fiberglass and aluminum truck caps and tonneaus, from June 2015 to September 2016, and Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Business Development from April 2012 to June 2015. Additionally, he served as President of Universal Trailer Cargo Group from June 2008 to December 2011. Mr. Page also had a 23-year tenure at Utilimaster Corporation serving in various sales roles, including Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Mr. Page has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Wabash College and an MBA (Executive) from Notre Dame. Throughout his career he has also completed executiveprograms at the University of Chicago, Harvard Business School, University of Michigan, and American Management Association.

Michael N. Pettit.  Mr. Pettit was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective January 16, 2020. Mr. Pettit had been Senior Vice President and Group President, of Final Mile Products effectivesince January 1, 2018. Mr. Pettit previously served as Vice President – Finance/of Finance and Investor Relations since 2014, and has recently served as the Company’s Final Mile Products segment integration leader, following the Company’s acquisition of Supreme Industries, Inc. in September 2017. He joined Wabash National in 2012 and has held a number of positions with increasing responsibility, including Director of Finance for Commercial Trailer Products. Prior to Wabash National, from 1998 to 2012, Mr. Pettit held various finance positions with increasing responsibility at Ford Motor Company. Mr. Pettit earned his Masters of Business Administration from Indiana University and his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management from Purdue University.

William D. Pitchford. Mr. Pitchford was promoted to Senior Vice President – Human Resources and Assistant Secretary in June 2013. He joined the Company in December 2011 as Vice President – Human Resources with an extensive Human Resource background including executive leadership, talent management, training and development, labor relations, employee engagement, compensation design and organizational development. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Pitchford served as Vice President - Human Resources for Rio Tinto Alcan Corporation in Chicago, Illinois, from January 2009 to December 2010 and was with Ford Motor Company for more than 30 years where he held a variety of key leadership positions including Human Resources Director, Labor Relations Director and Senior Human Resources Manager. Mr. Pitchford holds a Master of Arts degree in Human Resources from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana State University.

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Dustin T. Smith.  Mr. Smith was appointedhas served as Senior Vice President and Group President, Commercial Trailer Products onsince October 1, 2017. Most recently he served as Senior Vice President and General Manager, Commercial Trailer Products. Mr. Smith joined Wabash National in 2007 and has held a number of positions with increasing responsibility, including Director of Finance, Director of Manufacturing, and Vice President of Manufacturing.Manufacturing for Wabash National. Prior to Wabash National, from 2000 to 2007, Mr. Smith held various positions at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn Michigan, across both product development and manufacturing divisions, including Plant Controller. His more than 1719+ years of experience in finance and operations gives Mr. Smith a unique understanding of how manufacturing systems directly affect financial results. Mr. Smith holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and an MBA in Corporate Finance from Purdue University. He has also attended several executive programs at the Booth School of Management from University of Chicago, as well as Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.

Jeffery L. Taylor. Mr. Taylor was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in January 2014. Mr. Taylor joined the company in July 2012 as Vice President of Finance and Investor Relations and was promoted to Vice President – Acting Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer in June 2013. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Taylor was with King Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from May 2006 to July 2011 as Vice President, Finance – Technical Operations, and with Eastman Chemical Company from June 1997 to May 2006 where he served in various positions of increasing responsibility within finance, accounting, investor relations and business management, including its Global Business Controller – Coatings, Adhesives, Specialty Polymers & Inks. Mr. Taylor earned his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin and his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Arizona State University.

ITEM 1A—RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risks described below in addition to other information contained or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report before investing in our securities. Realization of any of the following risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

Risks Related to Our Business, Strategy and Operations

Our business is highly cyclical which has had, and a downturn could have further,a material adverse effectseffect on our salesbusiness, financial condition and results of operations.

The truck trailer manufacturing industry historically has been and is expected to continue to be cyclical, as well as affected by overall economic conditions. Customers historically have replaced trailers in cycles that run from five to 12 years, depending on service and trailer type. Poor economic conditions can adversely affect demand for new trailers and has led to an overall aging of trailer fleets beyond a typical replacement cycle. Customers’ buying patterns can also be influenced by regulatory changes, such as federal hours-of-service rules as well as overall truck safety and federal emissions standards.


The steps we have taken to diversify our product offerings through the implementation of our strategic plan do not insulate us from this cyclicality. During downturns, we operate with a lower level of backlog and have had to temporarily slow down or halt production at some or all of our facilities, including extending normal shut down periods and reducing salaried headcount levels. An economic downturn may reduce, and in the past has reduced, demand for trailers and our other products, resulting in lower sales volumes and lower prices and decreased profits or losses.

could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Demand for our products is sensitive to economic conditions over which we have no control and that may adversely affecthave a material adverse effect on our revenuesbusiness, financial condition and profitability.

results of operations.

Demand for our products is sensitive to changes in economic conditions, including changes related to unemployment, consumer confidence, consumer income, new housing starts, industrial production, government regulations, and the availability of financing and interest rates. The status of these economic conditions periodically have an adverse effect on truck freight and the demand for and the pricing of our products, and have also resulted in, and could in the future result in, the inability of customers to meet their contractual terms or payment obligations, which could causehave a material adverse effect on our operating revenuesbusiness, financial condition and profits to decline.

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results of operations.

Global economic weakness could negatively impacthave a material adverse effect on our operationsbusiness, financial condition and financial performance.

results of operations.

While the trailer industry has recently experienced a period of strong demand levels, we cannot provide any assurances that we will be profitable in future periods or that we will be able to sustain or increase profitability in the future. Increasing our profitability will depend on several factors including our ability to increase our overall trailer volumes, improve our gross margins, gain continued momentum on our product diversification efforts and manage our expenses.If we are unable to sustain profitability in the future, we may not be able to meet our payment and other obligations under our outstanding debt agreements.

We continue to be reliant on the credit, housing and construction-related markets in the U.S. The same general economic concerns faced by us are also faced by our customers. We believe that some of our customers are highly leveraged and have limited access to capital, and their continued existence may be reliant on liquidity from global credit markets and other sources of external financing. Lack of liquidity by our customers could impact our ability to collect amounts owed to us.us and our failure to collect these amounts could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Changes in US trade policy, including the imposition of tariffs and the resulting consequences, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The U.S. government has announced, and in some cases implemented, a new approach to trade policy, including renegotiating or potentially terminating certain trade agreements, as well as implementing or increasing tariffs on foreign goods and raw materials such as steel and aluminum. These tariffs and potential tariffs have resulted, or may result, in increased prices for certain imported goods and raw materials. While we have taken steps to address these concerns throughsource the implementationmajority of our strategic plan,materials and components domestically, tariffs and potential tariffs have caused, and may continue to cause, increases and volatility in prices for domestically sourced goods and materials that we arerequire for our products, particularly aluminum and steel. When the costs of our components and raw materials increase, we may not immunebe able to the pressures being faced byhedge or pass on these costs to our industry or the global economy,customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and our results of operations may decline.

operations.

We may not be able to execute on our long-term strategic plan and growth initiatives, or meet our long-term financial goals.

goals, and this may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our long-term strategic plan is intended to generate long-term value for our shareholders while delivering profitable growth through all our business segments.  The long-term financial goals that we expect to achieve as a result of our long-term strategic plan and organic growth initiatives are based on certain assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect. We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to fully execute on our strategic plan or growth initiatives, which are subject to a variety of risks including our ability to: diversify the product offerings of our non-trailer businesses; leverage acquired businesses and assets to grow sales with our existing products; design and develop new products to meet the needs of our customers; increase the pricing of our products and services to offset cost increases and expand gross margins; and execute potential future acquisitions, mergers, and other business development opportunities. If we are unable to successfully execute on our strategic plan, we may experience increased competition, material adverse financial consequences and a decrease in the value of our stock. Additionally, our management’s attention to the implementation of the strategic plan, which includes our efforts at diversification, may distract them from implementing our core business which may also have material adverse financial consequences.

We have a limited number of suppliers of raw materials and components; increases in the price of raw materials or the inability to obtain raw materials could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We currently rely on a limited number of suppliers for certain key components and raw materials in the manufacturing of our products, such as tires, landing gear, axles, suspensions, specialty steel coil, stainless steel, plastic, aluminum and lumber. From time to time, there have been and may in the future be shortages of supplies of raw materials or components, or our suppliers may

place us on allocation, which would have an adverse impact on our ability to meet demand for our products. Shortages and allocations may result in inefficient operations and a build-up of inventory, which can negatively affect our working capital position. In addition, price volatility in commodities we purchase that impacts the pricing of raw materials could have negative impacts on our operating margins. The loss of any of our suppliers or their inability to meet our price, quality, quantity and delivery requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our diversification strategy may not be successfully executed, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition to our commitment to long-term profitable growth within each of our existing reporting segments, our strategic initiatives include a focus on diversification, both organic and strategic, to continue to transform Wabash into a more diversified industrial manufacturerlean, innovation leader of engineered solutions with a higher growth and margin profile and successfully deliver a greater value to our shareholders. Organically, our focus is on profitably growing and diversifying our operations by leveraging our existing assets, capabilities, and technology into higher margin products and markets and thereby providing value-added customer solutions. Strategically, we continue to focus on becoming a more diversified industrial manufacturer, broadening the product portfolio we offer, the customers and end markets we serve, and our geographic reach.

Some of our existing diversification efforts are in the early growth stages and future success is largely dependent on continued customer adoption of our new product solutions and general expansion of our customer base and distribution channels.  We also expect future acquisitions to form a key component of strategic diversification. Diversification through acquisitions involve identifying and executing on transactions and managing successfully the integration and growth of acquired companies and products, all of which involve significant resources and risk of failure. Diversification efforts put a strain on our administrative, operational and financial resources and make the determination of optimal resource allocation difficult. If our efforts to diversify the business organically and/or strategically do not meet the expectations we have, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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We have a limited number of suppliers of raw materials and components; increases in the price of raw materials or the inability to obtain raw materials could adversely affect our results of operations.

We currently rely on a limited number of suppliers for certain key components and raw materials in the manufacturing of our products, such as tires, landing gear, axles, suspensions, specialty steel coil, stainless steel, plastic, aluminum and lumber. From time to time, there have been and may in the future be shortages of supplies of raw materials or components, or our suppliers may place us on allocation, which would have an adverse impact on our ability to meet demand for our products. Shortages and allocations may result in inefficient operations and a build-up of inventory, which can negatively affect our working capital position. In addition, price volatility in commodities we purchase that impacts the pricing of raw materials could have negative impacts on our operating margins. The loss of any of our suppliers or their inability to meet our price, quality, quantity and delivery requirements could have a significant adverse impact on our results of operations.

Volatility in the supply of vehicle chassis and other vehicle components could adversely affecthave a material adverse effect on our Final Mile Products business.

With the exception of some specialty vehicle products, we generally do not purchase vehicle chassis for our inventory and accept shipments of vehicle chassis owned by dealers or end-users for the purpose of installing and/or manufacturing our specialized truck bodies on such chassis. Historically, General Motors CorporationCompany (“GM”) and Ford Motor Company (“Ford”) have been the primary suppliers of chassis. In the event of a disruption in supply from one major supplier, we would attempt to use another major supplier, but there can be no assurance that this attempt would be successful. Nevertheless, in the event of chassis supply disruptions, there could be unforeseen consequences that may have a significantmaterial adverse effect on our truck body operations.

We also face risks relative to finance and storage charges for maintaining an excess supply of chassis from GM and Ford. Under the converter chassis pool agreements, if a chassis is not delivered to a customer within a specified time frame, we are required to pay finance or storage charges on such chassis.

A change in our customer relationships or in the financial condition of our customers has had, and could have further,a material adverse effectseffect on our business.

business, financial condition and results of operations.

We have longstanding relationships with a number of large customers to whom we supply our products. We do not have long-term agreements with these customers. Our success is dependent, to a significant extent, upon the continued strength of these relationships and the growth of our core customers. We often are unable to predict the level of demand for our products from these customers, or the timing of their orders. In addition, the same economic conditions that adversely affect us also often adversely affect our customers. Furthermore, we are subject to a concentration of risk as the five largest customers together accounted for approximately 24%27% of our aggregate net sales in 2017. While no customers over2019. Over the previous three years, haveno customer has individually accounted for greater than 10% of our aggregate net sales, we have historically had individual customers who have accounted for greater than 10% of ourannual aggregate net sales. The loss of a significant customer or unexpected delays in product purchases could further adversely affecthave a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Significant competition in the industries in which we operate may result in our competitors offering new or better products and services or lower prices, which could result inhave a lossmaterial adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of customers and a decrease in our revenues.

operations.

The industries in which we participate are highly competitive. We compete with other manufacturers of varying sizes, some of which have substantial financial resources. Manufacturers compete primarily on the quality of their products, customer relationships, service availability and price. Barriers to entry in the standard trailer and truck body manufacturing industry are low. As a result, it is possible that additional competitors could enter the market at any time. In the recent past, manufacturing over-capacity and high leverage of some of our competitors, along with bankruptcies and financial stresses that affected the industry, contributed to significant pricing pressures.


If we are unable to successfully compete with other manufacturers, we could lose customers and our revenues may decline. In addition, competitive pressures in the industry may affect the market prices of our new and used equipment, which, in turn, may adversely affecthave a material adverse effect on our sales marginsbusiness, financial condition and results of operations.

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Our Final Mile Products segment competes in the highly competitive specialized vehicle industry which may impact its financial results.

The competitive nature of the specialized vehicle industry creates a number of challenges for our Final Mile Products segment. Important factors include product pricing, quality of product, lead times, geographic proximity to customers, and the ability to manufacture a product customized to customer specifications. Specialized vehicles are produced by a number of smaller, regional companies which create product pricing pressures that could adversely impacthave a material adverse effect on our profits. Chassis manufacturers have not generally shown an interest in manufacturing specialized vehicles, including truck bodies, because such manufacturers’ highly-automated assembly line operations do not lend themselves to the efficient productionbusiness, financial condition and results of a wide variety of highly-specialized vehicles with various options and equipment.

operations.

Our technology and products may not achieve market acceptance or competing products could gain market share, which could adversely affecthave a material adverse effect on our competitive position.

business, financial condition and results of operations.

We continue to optimize and expand our product offerings to meet our customer needs through our established brands, such as DuraPlate®, DuraPlateHD®, DuraPlate® XD-35 Cell Core, DuraPlate AeroSkirt®, DuraPlate AeroSkirtArcticLite®, ArcticLiteTranscraft®, TranscraftBenson®, BensonMSC Technology®, Walker Transport, Brenner® Tank, Garsite, Progress Tank, Bulk Tank International, and Extract Technology®, Supreme Iner-City®, Iner-City®, Spartan, and Kold King®. While we target product development to meet customer needs, there is no assurance that our product development efforts will be embraced and that we will meet our strategic goals, including sales projections. Companies in the truck transportation industry, a very fluid industry in which our customers primarily operate, make frequent changes to maximize their operations and profits.

We have seen a number of our competitors follow our leadership in the development and use of composite sidewalls that bring them into direct competition with our DuraPlateâ® products. Our product development is focused on maintaining our leadership for these products but competitive pressures may erode our market share or margins. We hold patents on various components and techniques utilized in our manufacturing of transportation equipment and engineered products with expiration dates ranging from 20182020 to 2036.2038. We continue to take steps to protect our proprietary rights in our products and the processes used to produce them. However, the steps we have taken may not be sufficient or may not be enforced by a court of law. If we are unable to protect our intellectual properties, other parties may attempt to copy or otherwise obtain or use our products or technology. If competitors are able to use our technology, our ability to effectively compete could be harmed.harmed and this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, litigation related tointellectual property could result in substantial costs and efforts which may not result in a successful outcome.

Our backlog may not be indicative of the level of our future revenues.

Our backlog represents future production for which we have written orders from our customers that can be produced in the next 18 months. Orders that comprise our backlog may be subject to changes in quantities, delivery, specifications and terms, or cancellation. Our reported backlog may not be converted to revenue in any particular period and actual revenue from such orders may not equal our backlog. Therefore, our backlog may not be indicative of the level of our future revenues.

Disruption of our manufacturing operations could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We manufacture our van trailer products at two facilities in Lafayette, Indiana, a flatbed trailer facility in Cadiz, Kentucky, a hardwood floor facility in Harrison, Arkansas, six liquid-transportation systems facilities in New Lisbon, Wisconsin; Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; Portland, Oregon; and Queretaro, Mexico, three engineered products facilities in New Lisbon, Wisconsin; Elroy, Wisconsin; Huddersfield, United Kingdom, seven truck body facilities in Goshen, Indiana; Ligonier, Indiana; Cleburne, Texas; Griffin, Georgia; Jonestown, Pennsylvania; Moreno Valley, California; and Lafayette, Indiana, and produce composite products at facilities in Lafayette, Indiana and Frankfort, Indiana. An unexpected disruption in our production at any of these facilities for any length of time could have material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
International operations are subject to increased risks, which could harmhave a material adverse effect on our business, operatingfinancial condition and results and financial condition.

of operations.

Our ability to manage our business and conduct operations internationally requires considerable management attention and resources and is subject to a number of risks, including the following:

challenges caused by distance, language and cultural differences and by doing business with foreign agencies and governments;

longer payment cycles in some countries;

uncertainty regarding liability for services and content;

credit risk and higher levels of payment fraud;

currency exchange rate fluctuations and our ability to manage these fluctuations;

foreign exchange controls that might prevent us from repatriating cash earned outside the U.S.;

import and export requirements that may prevent us from shipping products or providing services to a particular market and may increase our operating costs;

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challenges caused by distance, language and cultural differences and by doing business with foreign agencies and governments;
longer payment cycles in some countries;
uncertainty regarding liability for services and content;
credit risk and higher levels of payment fraud;

currency exchange rate fluctuations and our ability to manage these fluctuations;
foreign exchange controls that might prevent us from repatriating cash earned outside the U.S.;
import and export requirements that may prevent us from shipping products or providing services to a particular market and may increase our operating costs;
potentially adverse tax consequences;
higher costs associated with doing business internationally;
different expectations regarding working hours, work culture and work-related benefits; and
different employee/employer relationships and the existence of workers’ councils and labor unions.

potentially adverse tax consequences;

higher costs associated with doing business internationally;

different expectations regarding working hours, work culture and work-related benefits; and

different employee/employer relationships and the existence of workers’ councils and labor unions.

Compliance with complex foreign and U.S. laws and regulations that apply to international operations may increase our cost of doing business and could expose us or our employees to fines, penalties and other liabilities. These numerous and sometimes conflicting laws and regulations include import and export requirements, content requirements, trade restrictions, tax laws, environmental laws and regulations, sanctions, internal and disclosure control rules, data privacy requirements, labor relations laws, and U.S. laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and substantially equivalent local laws prohibiting corrupt payments to governmental officials and/or other foreign persons. Although we have policies and procedures designed to ensurecause compliance with these laws and regulations, there can be no assurance that our officers, employees, contractors or agents will not violate our policies. Any violation of the laws and regulations that apply to our operations and properties could result in, among other consequences, fines, environmental and other liabilities, criminal sanctions against us, our officers or our employees, and prohibitions on our ability to offer our products and services to one or more countries and could also materially damage our reputation, our brand, our efforts to diversify our business, our ability to attract and retain employees, our business and our operating results.

Disruption of our manufacturing operations wouldcould have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We manufacture our van trailer products at two facilities in Lafayette, Indiana, a flatbed trailer facility in Cadiz, Kentucky, a hardwood floor facility in Harrison, Arkansas, six liquid-transportation systems facilities in New Lisbon, Wisconsin; Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; Kansas City, Kansas; Portland, Oregon; and Queretaro, Mexico, three engineered products facilities in New Lisbon, Wisconsin; Elroy, Wisconsin; Huddersfield, United Kingdom, seven truck body facilities in Goshen, IN; Ligonier, IN; Cleburne, TX; Griffin, GA; Jonestown, PA; Moreno Valley, CA; and Lafayette, IN, and produce Composite products at facilities in Lafayette, Indiana and Frankfort, Indiana. An unexpected disruption in our production at any of these facilities for any length of time would have anmaterial adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The inability to attract and retain key personnel could adversely affecthave a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our ability to operate our business and implement our strategies depends, in part, on the efforts of our executive officers and other key associates. Our future success depends, in large part, on our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, including manufacturing personnel, sales professionals and engineers. The unexpected loss of services of any of our key personnel or the failure to attract or retain other qualified personnel could have ana material adverse effect on the operationour business, financial condition and results of our business.

operations.

We rely significantly on information technology to support our operations and if we are unable to protect against service interruptions or security breaches, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, could be adversely impacted.

financial condition and results of operations.

We depend on a number of information technologies to integrate departments and functions, to enhance the ability to service customers, to improve our control environment and to manage our cost reduction initiatives. We have put in place a number of systems, processes, and practices designed to protect against the failure of our systems, as well as the misappropriation, exposure or corruption of the information stored thereon. Unintentional service disruptions or intentional actions such as intellectual property theft, cyber-attacks, unauthorized access or malicious software, may lead to such misappropriation, exposure or corruption if our protective measures prove to be inadequate. Any issues involving these critical business applications and infrastructure may adversely impact our ability to manage operations and the customers we serve. We could also encounter violations of applicable law or reputational damage from the disclosure of confidential business, customer, or employee information or the failure to protect the privacy rights of our employees in their personal identifying information. In addition, the disclosure of non-public information could lead to the loss of our intellectual property and diminished competitive advantages. Should any of the foregoing events occur, we may be required to incur significant costs to protect against damage caused by these disruptions or security breaches in the future.

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future, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.


We are subject to extensive governmental laws and regulations, and our costs related to compliance with, or our failure to comply with, existing or future laws and regulations could adversely affecthave a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The length, height, width, maximum weight capacity and other specifications of truck and tank trailers are regulated by individual states. The federal government also regulates certain trailer safety features, such as lamps, reflective devices, tires, air-brake systems and rear-impact guards. In addition, most tank trailers we manufacture have specific federal regulations and restrictions that dictate tank design, material type and thickness. Changes or anticipation of changes in these regulations can have a material impact on our financial results, as our customers may defer purchasing decisions and we may have to re-engineer products. We are subject to various environmental laws and regulations dealing with the transportation, storage, presence, use, disposal and handling of hazardous materials, discharge of storm water and underground fuel storage tanks, and we may be subject to liability associated with operations of prior owners of acquired property. In addition, we are subject to laws and regulations relating to the employment of our employees and labor-related practices.

If we are found to be in violation of applicable laws or regulations in the future, it could have ana material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our costs of complying with these or any other current or future regulations may be material. In addition, if we fail to comply with existing or future laws and regulations, we may be subject to governmental or judicial fines or sanctions.

Regulations related to conflict-free minerals may force us to incur additional expenses

Product liability and otherwise adversely affect our business and results of operations.

As mandated by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted rules regarding disclosure of the use of certain minerals, known as conflict minerals, originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo or adjoining countries. These requirements require ongoing due diligence efforts and disclosure requirements. We may incur significant costs to determine the source of any such minerals used in our products. We may also incur costs with respect to potential changes to products, processes or sources of supply as a consequence of our diligence activities. Further, the implementation of these rules and their effect on customer and/or supplier behavior could adversely affect the sourcing, supply and pricing of materials used in our products, as the number of suppliers offering conflict-free minerals could be limited. We may incur additional costs or face regulatory scrutiny if we determine that some of our products contain materials not determined to be conflict-free or if we are unable to sufficiently verify the origins of all conflict minerals used in our products. Accordingly, compliance with these rulesother legal claims could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and/or financial condition.

Product liability and other legal claims could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

As a manufacturer of products widely used in commerce, we are subject to product liability claims and litigation, as well as warranty claims. From time to time claims may involve material amounts and novel legal theories, and any insurance we carry may not provide adequate coverage to insulate us from material liabilities for these claims.

In addition to product liability claims, we are subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business, such as workers'workers’ compensation claims, OSHA investigations, employment disputes and customer and supplier disputes arising out of the conduct of our business. Litigation may result in substantial costs and may divert management'smanagement’s attention and resources from the operation of our business, which could have ana material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations or financial condition.

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operations.

An impairment in the carrying value of goodwill and other long-lived intangible assets could negatively affect our operating results.

We have a substantial amount of goodwill and purchased intangible assets on our balance sheet as a result of acquisitions. At December 31, 2017,2019, approximately 59%62% of these long-lived intangible assets were concentrated in our Final Mile Products segment, 39%37% were concentrated in our Diversified Products segment, and 2% were1% was concentrated in our Commercial Trailer Products segment. The carrying value of goodwill represents the fair value of an acquired business in excess of identifiable assets and liabilities as of the acquisition date. The carrying value of other long-lived intangible assets represents the fair value of trademarks and trade names, customer relationships and technology as of the acquisition date, net of accumulated amortization. Under generally accepted accounting principles, goodwill is required to be reviewed for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if potential interim indicators exist that could result in impairment, and other long-lived intangible assets require review for impairment only when indicators exist. If any business conditions or other factors cause profitability or cash flows to significantly decline, we may be required to record a non-cash impairment charge, which could adversely affect our operating results. Events and conditions that could result in impairment include a prolonged period of global economic weakness, a decline in economic conditions or a slow, weak economic recovery, sustained declines in the price of our common stock, adverse changes in the regulatory environment, adverse changes in the market share of our products, adverse changes in interest rates, or other factors leading to reductions in the long-term sales or profitability that we expect.

Our ability to fund operations and pay dividends is limited by our operational results, cash on hand, and available borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility.

Our ability to fund our working capital needs and capital expenditures, and our ability to pay dividends on our common stock, is limited by the net cash provided by operations, cash on hand and available borrowings under our revolving credit facility. Declines in net cash provided by operations, increases in working capital requirements necessitated by an increased demand for our products and services, decreases in the availability under the revolving credit facility or changes in the credit our suppliers provide to us, could rapidly exhaust our liquidity.

We recently reinstituted a policy of paying regular quarterly dividends on our common stock, but there is no assurance that we will have the ability to continue a regular quarterly dividend.

In December 2016, our Board of Directors approved the reinstatement of a dividend program under which we will pay regular quarterly cash dividends to holders of our common stock. Prior to 2017, no dividends had been paid since the third quarter of

2008. Our ability to pay dividends, and our Board of Directors’ determination to maintain our current dividend policy, will depend on numerous factors, including:

·
the state of our business, competition, and changes in our industry;

·
changes in the factors, assumptions, and other considerations made by our Board of Directors in reviewing and revising our dividend policy;

·
our future results of operations, financial condition, liquidity needs, and capital resources; and

·
our various expected cash needs, including cash interest and principal payments on our indebtedness, capital expenditures, the purchase price of acquisitions, and taxes.

Each of the factors listed above could negatively affect our ability to pay dividends in accordance with our dividend policy or at all. In addition, the Board may elect to suspend or alter the current dividend policy at any time.

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Changes to U.S. or foreign tax laws could affect our effective tax rate and our future profitability.

Changes in tax legislation could significantly impact our overall profitability, the provisions for income taxes, the amount of taxes payable and our deferred tax asset and liability balances. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and& Jobs Act (the “Act”(“the Act”) was signed into law. The Act containscontained numerous new and changed provisions related to the U.S.US federal taxation of domestic and foreign corporate operations. Although mostMost of these provisions went into effect starting January 1, 2018 for calendar year corporate taxpayers and companies are stillwere required to record the income tax accounting effects within the financial statements in the period of enactment. As such, management has included the estimated effects of remeasuring deferred taxes for the new U.S. federal income tax rate of 21% going into effect in 2018, as well as assessed our ability to realize deferred income tax assets in the future under the new rules. At December 31, 2017, weWe have not completed our accounting for the tax effects of enactment of the Act including with respect to the effects on our existing deferred tax balances. Weand we will continue to monitor further regulatory guidance issued by the Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service with regard to new provisions under the Act, and make adjustments accordingly to these estimates over the one year measurement period as outlined under Staff Accounting Bulletin 118. However, the final impact of the Act may differ, possibly materially, from our current estimates.

Act.

Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations thereunder.

As of December 31, 2017,2019, we had approximately $558.5$461.0 million of total indebtedness, and approximately $169.6$167.6 million of additional borrowings were available and undrawn under the Revolving Credit Agreement (as defined below). We also have other contractual obligations and currently pay a regular quarterly dividend of approximately $0.075$0.08 per share, or approximately $4.7$4.3 million in the aggregate per quarter.

Our debt level could have significant consequences on future operations.operations and financial position. For example, it could:

·
negatively affect our ability to pay principal and interest on our debt;

·
increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

·
limit our ability to fund future capital expenditures and working capital, to engage in future acquisitions or development activities, or to otherwise realize the value of our assets and opportunities fully because of the need to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments of interest and principal or to comply with any restrictive terms of our debt;

·
limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;

·
impair our ability to obtain additional financing or to refinance our indebtedness in the future;

·
place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that may have proportionately less debt; and

·
impact our ability to continue to fund a regular quarterly dividend.

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, which may not be successful.

Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt obligations depends on our financial condition and operating performance, which are subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business, legislative, regulatory and other factors beyond our control. We may be unable to maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to fund our day-to-day operations or to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness.

If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, and other cash requirements, we could face substantial liquidity problems and could be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures or to sell assets or operations, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. We may not be able to effect any such alternative measures, if necessary, on commercially reasonable terms or at all and, even if successful, such alternative actions may not allow us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. The indenture governing the Senior Notes, the Revolving Credit Agreement, and Term Loan Credit Agreement (as(each, as defined below) restrict (a) our ability to dispose of assets and use the proceeds from any such dispositions and (b) the Company’s and our subsidiaries’ ability to raise debt or certain equity capital to be used to repay the our indebtedness when it becomes due. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions or to obtain proceeds in an amount sufficient to meet any debt service obligations then due.

24


Our inability to generate sufficient cash flows to satisfy our debt obligations, or to refinance our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all, would materially and adversely affect our financial position and results of operations and our ability to satisfy our indebtedness.

If we cannot make scheduled payments on our debt, it will be in default and, as a result, holders of Senior Notes could declare all outstanding principal and interest to be due and payable, the lenders under the Revolving Credit Agreement and Term Loan Credit Agreement could terminate their commitments to loan money, our secured lenders could foreclose against the assets securing such borrowings and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.

Despite current indebtedness levels, we may still be able to incur substantially more debt. This could further exacerbate the risks described above.

We and our subsidiaries have incurred substantial indebtedness in connection with the Supreme acquisition and may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. Although the indenture governing the Senior Notes, the Revolving Credit Agreement, and Term Loan Credit Agreement contain, restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, these restrictions are and will be subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions and the additional indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. If new debt is added to our current debt levels, the related risks that we and our subsidiaries now face could intensify.

Provisions of the Convertible Notes and the Senior Notes could discourage a potential future acquisition of us by a third party.

Certain provisions of the Convertible Notes and the Senior Notes (each as defined below) could make it more difficult or more expensive for a third party to acquire us. Upon the occurrence of certain transactions constituting a fundamental change, holders of the Convertible Notes or the Senior Notes will have the right, at their option, to require us to repurchase all of their Convertible Notes or Senior Notes, as applicable, or any portion of the principal amount of such Convertible Notes or the Senior Notes, as applicable. We also may be required to issue additional shares upon conversion in the event of certain corporate transactions. In addition, the indentures governing the Convertible Notes and the Senior Notes prohibit us from engaging in certain mergers or acquisitions unless, among other things, the surviving entity assumes our obligations under the Convertible Notes and the Senior Notes. These and other provisions of the Convertible Notes and the Senior Notes could prevent or deter a third party from acquiring us even where the acquisition could be beneficial to our stockholders.

Our Term Loan Credit Agreement, Senior Notes indenture, and Revolving Credit FacilityAgreement contain restrictive covenants that, if breached, could limit our financial and operating flexibility and subject us to other risks.

Our Term Loan Credit Agreement, Senior Notes indenture, and revolving credit facility include customary covenants limiting our ability to, among other things, pay cash dividends, incur debt or liens, redeem or repurchase stock, enter into transactions with affiliates, merge, dissolve, repay subordinated indebtedness, make investments and dispose of assets. As required under our Revolving Credit Agreement, we are required to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.11.0 to 1.0 as of the end of any period of 12 fiscal months when excess availability under the facility is less than 10% of the total revolving commitment.

If availability under the Revolving Credit Agreement is less than 12.5%15.0% of the total revolving commitment or if there exists an event of default, amounts in any of the Borrowers’ and the Revolver Guarantors’ deposit accounts (other than certain excluded accounts) will be transferred daily into a blocked account held by the Revolver Agent and applied to reduce the outstanding amounts under the facility.

As of December 31, 2017,2019, we believe we are in compliance with the provisions of our Term Loan Credit Agreement, Senior Notes indenture, and our revolving credit facility. Our ability to comply with the various terms and conditions in the future may be affected by events beyond our control, including prevailing economic, financial and industry conditions.

25

Risks Related to an Investment in Our Common Stock

Future sales of our common stock in the public market could lower the market price for our common stock.

In the future, we may sell additional shares of our common stock to raise capital. In addition, a substantial number of shares of our common stock are reserved for issuance upon the exercise of stock options and upon conversion of the Convertible Notes. We cannot predict the size of future issuances or the effect, if any, that they may have on the market price for our common stock. The issuance and sale of substantial amounts of common stock, or the perception that such issuances and sales may occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities.

Our common stock has experienced, and may continue to experience, price and trading volume volatility.

The trading price and volume of our common stock has been and may continue to be subject to large fluctuations. The market price and volume of our common stock may increase or decrease in response to a number of events and factors, including:

·
trends in our industry and the markets in which we operate;

·
changes in the market price of the products we sell;

·
the introduction of new technologies or products by us or by our competitors;


·
changes in expectations as to our future financial performance, including financial estimates by securities analysts and investors;

·
operating results that vary from the expectations of securities analysts and investors;

·
announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, financings or capital commitments;

·
changes in laws and regulations;

·
general economic and competitive conditions; and

·
changes in key management personnel.

This volatility may adversely affect the prices of our common stock regardless of our operating performance. To the extent that the price of our common stock declines, our ability to raise funds through the issuance of equity or otherwise use our common stock as consideration will be reduced. These factors may limit our ability to implement our operating and growth plans.

Also, shareholders may from time to time engage in proxy solicitations, advance shareholder proposals or otherwise attempt to effect changes or acquire control over the Company. Such shareholder campaigns could disrupt the Company’s operations and divert the attention of the Company’s Board of Directors and senior management and employees from the pursuit of business strategies and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

Risks Related to the Supreme Acquisition

It

We may be difficultcontinue to integrate the businessexperience difficulties with our integration of Supreme into our current business.

If weSupreme.

We have experienced, and may continue to experience, greater than anticipated costs to integratedifficulties in our integration of Supreme into our existing operations or arewe may not be able to achieve the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, including cost savings and other synergies, our business and results of operations could be negatively affected.synergies. In addition, it is possible that the ongoingcontinued integration process could result in the loss of key employees, errors or delays in systems implementation, the disruption of our ongoing business or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies that adversely affect our ability to maintain relationships with customers and employees or to achieve the anticipated benefits of the acquisition. Integration efforts also may divert management attention and resources. These integration matters may have an adverse effect on us, particularly during any transition period. In addition, although Supreme is subject to many of the same risks and uncertainties that we face in our business, the acquisition also involves our entering into or significantly expanding our existing presence in new product areas, markets and industries, which presents risks resulting from our relative inexperience in these new areas. We face the risk that we will not be successful with these products or in these new markets.

26

In addition, uncertainty about the effect of the acquisition on Supreme’s customers, employees or suppliers may have an adverse effect on Supreme. These uncertainties may impair our ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel through the transition and into the future, and could cause disruptions in its relationships with customers, suppliers and other parties with which it deals.

We also expect that integration-related issuesour ongoing integration of Supreme will place a significant burden on our and Supreme’s management, employees, and internal resources, which could otherwise have been devoted to other business opportunities and improvements.

We These continued integration matters may have made certain assumptions relating to the Supreme acquisition that may prove to be materially inaccurate.

We have made certain assumptions relating to the Supreme acquisition which may prove to be inaccurate, including as a result of the failure to realize the expected benefits of the acquisition, higher than expected transaction and integration costs and unknown liabilities, as well as general economic and business conditions that adversely affect the combined company following the acquisition. These assumptions relate to numerous matters, including:

·our assessments of the asset quality and value of Supreme and its assets;

·our projections of Supreme’s business and its future financial performance;

·our ability to realize synergies related to supply chain optimization, commercialization and distribution of new and existing products, back office and administrative consolidation, and further implementation of manufacturing best practices;

·costs to comply with, and liabilities related to, laws and regulations applicable to Supreme, including environmental laws and regulations;

·our ability to maintain, develop and deepen relationships with Supreme’s customers;

·our belief that the Final Mile Products segment served by Supreme will grow substantially in the future and tends to be less cyclical than the van and platform trailer markets historically served by Wabash; and

·other financial and strategic risks of operating the acquired business.

If one or more of these assumptions are incorrect, it could have a materialan adverse effect on us, our business, financial position and operating results and the perceived benefits from the acquisition may not be realized.

of operations.

ITEM 1B—UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.


ITEM 22—PROPERTIES

We have manufacturing and retail operations located throughout the United States as well as facilities in Mexico and the United Kingdom. Properties owned by Wabash are subject to security interests held by our lenders. We believe the facilities we are now using are adequate and suitable for our current business operations and the currently foreseeable level of operations. The following table provides information regarding the locations of our major facilities. In addition, we have other facilities which are in the following areas in the United States Mexico and one in the United Kingdom:

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Location Owned or Leased Description of Activities at Location Segment
Ashland, KentuckyLeasedParts distributionDiversified Products
Baton Rouge, LouisianaLeasedService and parts distributionDiversified Products
Cadiz, Kentucky Owned/Leased Manufacturing Commercial Trailer Products
Chicago, IllinoisLeasedService and parts distributionDiversified Products
Cleburne, Texas OwnedOwned/Leased Manufacturing Final Mile Products
Elroy, WisconsinOwnedManufacturingDiversified Products
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin OwnedManufacturingDiversified Products
Frankfort, IndianaLeased Manufacturing Diversified Products
Goshen, Indiana Owned Manufacturing Final Mile Products
Griffin, Georgia Owned Manufacturing Final Mile Products
Harrison, ArkansasOwnedManufacturingCommercial Trailer Products
Houston, TexasLeasedService and parts distributionDiversified Products
Huddersfield, United KingdomLeased property/Owned buildingManufacturingDiversified Products
Jonestown, Pennsylvania OwnedOwned/Leased Manufacturing Final Mile Products
Kansas City, KansasLeasedManufacturingDiversified Products
Lafayette, Indiana OwnedOwned/Leased Corporate Headquarters, Manufacturing, and used trailersUsed Trailers Commercial Trailer Products, Diversifed Products and Final Mile Products
Ligonier, IndianaOwnedManufacturingFinal Mile Products
Little Falls, MinnesotaOwnedManufacturingCommercial Trailer Products
Mauston, WisconsinLeasedService and parts distributionDiversified Products
Moreno Valley, California Owned/Leased Manufacturing Final Mile Products
New Lisbon, Wisconsin Owned/LeasedManufacturingDiversified Products
Portland, OregonOwned Manufacturing Diversified Products
Queretaro,San Jose Iturbidé, Mexico Owned Manufacturing Diversified Products
Tavares, FloridaLeasedManufacturingDiversified Products
West Memphis, ArkansasLeasedService and parts distributionDiversified Products

ITEM 3—LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are involved in a number of legal proceedings concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of our business activities, and are periodically subject to governmental examinations (including by regulatory and tax authorities), and information gathering requests (collectively, "governmental examinations").

As of December 31, 2017,2019, we were named as a defendant or were otherwise involved in numerous legal proceedings and governmental examinations, in connection with the conduct of our business activities, in various jurisdictions, both in the United States and internationally.

We have recorded liabilities for certain On the basis of our outstanding legalinformation currently available to us, management does not believe that existing proceedings and governmental examinations. A liability is accrued when it is both (a) probable that a loss with respect to the legal proceeding has occurred and (b) the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We evaluate, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal proceedings and governmental examinations that could cause an increase or decrease in the amount of the liability that has been previously accrued. These legal proceedings, as well as governmental examinations, involve various lines of business and a variety of claims (including, but not limited to, common law tort, contract, antitrust and consumer protection claims), some of which present novel factual allegations and/or unique legal theories. While some matters pending against us specify the damages claimed by the plaintiff, many seek a not-yet-quantified amount of damages or are at very early stages of the legal process. Even when the amount of damages claimed against Wabash is stated, the claimed amount may be exaggerated and/or unsupported. As a result, it is not currently possible to estimate a range of possible loss beyond previously accrued liabilities relating to some matters including those described below. Such previously accrued liabilities may not represent our maximum loss exposure. The legal proceedings and governmental examinations underlying the estimated rangeinvestigations will change from time to time and actual results may vary significantly from the currently accrued liabilities.

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Based on our current knowledge, and taking into consideration litigation-related liabilities, we believe we are not a party to, nor are any of our properties the subject of, any pending legal proceeding or governmental examination other than the matters below, which are addressed individually, that could have a material adverse effectimpact on our consolidated financial condition or liquidity if determined in a manner adverse to us.the Company. However, in light of the uncertainties involved in such matters the ultimate outcome of a particular matterare unpredictable, and we could be material toincur judgments or enter into settlements for current or future claims that could materially and adversely affect our operating results for a particular period depending on, among other factors, the size of the loss or liability imposed and the level of our income for that period.financial statements. Costs associated with the litigation and settlements of legal matters are reported withinGeneral and Administrative Expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Brazil Joint Venture

In March 2001, Bernard Krone Indústria e Comércio de Máquinas Agrícolas Ltda. (“BK”) filed suit against Wabash in the Fourth Civil Court of Curitiba in the State of Paraná, Brazil. Because of the bankruptcy of BK, this proceeding is now pending before the Second Civil Court of Bankruptcies and Creditors Reorganization of Curitiba, State of Paraná (No. 232/99).

The case grows out of a joint venture agreement between BK and Wabash related to marketing of RoadRailer trailers in Brazil and other areas of South America. When BK was placed into the Brazilian equivalent of bankruptcy late in 2000, the joint venture was dissolved. BK subsequently filed its lawsuit against Wabash alleging that it was forced to terminate business with other companies because of the exclusivity and non-compete clauses purportedly found in the joint venture agreement. BK asserted damages, exclusive of any potentially court-imposed interest or inflation adjustments, of approximately R$20.8 million (Brazilian Reais). BK did not change the amount of damages it asserted following its filing of the case in 2001.

A bench (non-jury) trial was held on March 30, 2010 in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. On November 22, 2011, the Fourth Civil Court of Curitiba partially granted BK’s claims, and ordered Wabash to pay BK lost profits, compensatory, economic and moral damages in excess of the amount of compensatory damages asserted by BK. The total ordered damages amount was approximately R$26.7 million (Brazilian Reais), which was approximately $8.1 million U.S. dollars using current exchange rates and exclusive of any potentially court-imposed interest, fees or inflation adjustments. On October 5, 2016, the Court of Appeals re-heard all facts and legal questions presented in the case, and ruled in favor of Wabash on all claims at issue. In doing so, the Court of Appeals dismissed all claims against Wabash and vacated the judgment and damages amounts previously ordered by the Fourth Civil Court of Curitiba. On September 30, 2017, BK filed its notice for a special appeal of the Court of Appeals ruling to the Superior Court of Justice and the Supreme Federal Court. However, unless these higher courts find in favor of BK on any of its claims, the judgment of the Court of Appeals is final. As a result of the Court of Appeals ruling, Wabash does not expect that this proceeding will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations; however, it will continue to monitor these legal proceedings.

Intellectual Property

In October 2006, we filed a patent infringement suit against Vanguard National Corporation (“Vanguard”) regarding our U.S. Patent Nos. 6,986,546 and 6,220,651 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana (Civil Action No. 4:06-cv-135). We amended the Complaint in April 2007. In May 2007, Vanguard filed its Answer to the Amended Complaint, along with Counterclaims seeking findings of non-infringement, invalidity, and unenforceability of the subject patents. We filed a reply to Vanguard’s counterclaims in May 2007, denying any wrongdoing or merit to the allegations as set forth in the counterclaims. The case was stayed by agreement of the parties while the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“Patent Office”) undertook a reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 6,986,546. In June 2010, the Patent Office notified Wabash that the reexamination was completed and the Patent Office reissued U.S. Patent No. 6,986,546 without cancelling any claims of the patent. The parties have not yet petitioned the Court to lift the stay, and it is unknown at this time when the parties may do so.

We believe that our claims against Vanguard have merit and that the claims asserted by Vanguard are without merit. We intend to vigorously defend our position and intellectual property. We believe that the resolution of this lawsuit will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity or future results of operations. However, at this stage of the proceeding, no assurance can be given as to the ultimate outcome of the case.

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Walker Acquisition

In connection with our acquisition of Walker in May 2012, there is an outstanding claim of approximately $2.9 million for unpaid benefits owed by Walker that is currently in dispute and that, if required to be paid by us, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Environmental Disputes

In August 2014, we were noticedthe Company received notice as a potentially responsible party (“PRP”) by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (“DHEC”(the “DHEC”) pertaining to the Philip Services Site located in Rock Hill, South Carolina pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) and corresponding South Carolina statutes. PRPs include parties identified through manifest records as having contributed to deliveries of hazardous substances to the Philip Services Site between 1979 and 1999. The DHEC’s allegation that we arethe Company was a PRP arises out of four manifest entries in 1989 under the name of a company unaffiliated with Wabash National (or any of its former or current subsidiaries) that purport to be delivering a de minimis amount of hazardous waste to the Philip Services Site “c/o Wabash National Corporation.” As such, the Philip Services Site PRP Group (“PRP(the “PRP Group”) notified Wabash in August 2014 that isit was offering usthe Company the opportunity to resolve any liabilities associated with the Philip Services Site by entering into a Cash Out and Reopener Settlement Agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) with the PRP Group, as well as a Consent Decree with the DHEC. WeThe Company has accepted anthe offer from the PRP Group to enter into the Settlement Agreement and Consent Decree, while reserving ourits rights to contest ourits liability for any deliveries of hazardous materials to the Philips Services Site. The requested settlement payment is immaterial to Wabash’sthe Company’s financial conditions or operations, and as a result, if the Settlement Agreement and Consent Decree are finalized, the payment to be made by usthe Company thereunder is not expected to have a material adverse effect on ourthe Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In January 2006, we

On November 13, 2019, the Company received a letter fromnotice as a PRP by the North CarolinaIndiana Department of EnvironmentEnvironmental Management related to substances found at a property located at 817 South Earl Avenue, Lafayette, Indiana (“the Site”). The Site is not owned by the Company but is in close proximity to certain of our owned properties. The notice alleges that the Company is a PRP in addition to several other PRPs for hazardous substances contaminating the site under both Indiana state law and Natural Resources indicatingthe

CERCLA. Review of publicly available records reveal that a site that we formerlythe Site is owned near Charlotte, North Carolina has been includedby Raisor Development Group, LLC and currently operates as “Premier Auto Detailing & Wash”. As of December 31, 2019, based on the state's October 2005 Inactive Hazardous Waste Sites Priority List. The letter states that we were being notified in fulfillment ofinformation available the state's “statutory duty” to notify those who own and those who at present are known to be responsible for each Site on the Priority List. Following receipt of this notice, no action has ever been requested from Wabash, and since 2006 we haveCompany does not received any further communications regardingexpect this matter from the state of North Carolina. We do not expect that this designation willto have a material adverse effect on ourits financial condition or results of operations.

Supreme Litigation

Prior to our acquisition of Supreme, a complaint was filed against Supreme Corporation, a subsidiary of Supreme, in a suit (SVI, Inc. v. Supreme Corporation, Hometown Trolley (a/k/a Double K, Inc.) and Dustin Pence) in the United States District Court, District of Nevada on May 16, 2016.  The plaintiff is Supreme’s former trolley distributor.  The plaintiff filed an amended complaint on January 3, 2017, which alleges that Supreme’s sale of its trolley assets to another trolley manufacturer was improper.  Supreme filed a motion to dismiss, which was granted in part on May 30, 2017.  The remaining claims alleged against Supreme include: (i) misappropriation of trade secrets; (ii) civil conspiracy/collusion; (iii) tortious interference with contractual relationships; (iv) breach of contract; and (v) breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing.  The plaintiff alleges damages amounting to approximately $40 million.  However, due to the inherent risk of litigation, the outcome of this case is uncertain and unpredictable; and, further, management believes that the allegations are without merit and is vigorously defending the matter.  As a result, management does not believe this matter will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

30

Prior to our acquisition of Supreme on November 4, 2016, a putative class action lawsuit was filed against our subsidiary, Supreme, Mark D. Weber (Supreme’s former Chief Executive Officer) and Matthew W. Long (Supreme’s former Chief Financial Officer) in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging the defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 by making material, misleading statements in July 2016 regarding projected backlog.  The plaintiff seeks to recover unspecified damages.  On February 14, 2017, the court transferred the venue of the case to the Northern District of Indiana upon the joint stipulation of the plaintiff and the defendants.  An amended complaint was filed on April 24, 2017 challenging statements made during a putative class period of October 22, 2015 through October 21, 2016.  Due to the inherent risk of litigation, the outcome of this case is uncertain and unpredictable; however, at this time, management believes that the allegations are without merit and is vigorously defending the matter.  As a result, management does not believe this matter will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

ITEM 4—MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not Applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON STOCK, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Information Regarding our Common Stock

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: WNC).under the ticker symbol “WNC.” The number of record holders of our common stock at February 16, 201814, 2020 was 619.

596.

In December 2016, our Board of Directors approved the reinstatement of a dividend program under which we pay regular quarterly cash dividends to holders of our common stock. We paid quarterly dividends of $0.06 per share on our common stock throughout 2017. On December 18, 2017 our Board of Directors approved an increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.075 per share payable beginning January 25, 2018 to holders of record on January 4, 2018. Prior to 2017, no dividends had been paid since the third quarter of 2008. Payments of cash dividends depends on our future earnings, capital availability, financial condition, and the discretion of our Board of Directors.

Our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended and approved by our stockholders, authorizes 225 million shares of capital stock, consisting of 200 million shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 25 million shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share.

High and low stock prices as reported on the New York Stock Exchange for the last two years were:

  High  Low 
2017      
First Quarter $22.21  $15.79 
Second Quarter $24.16  $19.01 
Third Quarter $23.81  $18.25 
Fourth Quarter $23.12  $18.38 
         
2016        
First Quarter $13.57  $9.68 
Second Quarter $14.97  $11.81 
Third Quarter $14.72  $12.23 
Fourth Quarter $16.30  $10.74 


Performance Graph

The following graph shows a comparison of cumulative total returns for an investment in our common stock, the S&P 500 Composite Index and the Dow Jones Transportation Index. It covers the period commencing December 31, 20122014 and ending December 31, 2017.2019. The graph assumes that the value for the investment in our common stock and in each index was $100 on December 31, 2012.

31
2014.

Comparative of Cumulative Total Return

December 31, 20122014 through December 31, 2017

2019

among Wabash National Corporation, the S&P 500 Index

and the Dow Jones Transportation Index

 

chart-406575b551695407a79.jpg
  
Base Period
December 31,
 
Indexed Returns
Years ended December 31,
Company/Index 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Wabash National Corporation $100.00 $95.71 $127.99 $177.51 $108.80 $125.59
S&P 500 Index $100.00 $99.27 $108.74 $129.86 $121.76 $156.92
Dow Jones Transportation Index $100.00 $82.15 $98.95 $116.11 $100.33 $119.27
Purchases of Our Equity Securities

The Company’s share repurchase program (“Repurchase Program”) was approved by our Board of Directors and

In November 2018, the Company announced in February 2016. On February 24, 2017,that the Board of Directors approved the repurchase of an additional $100 million in shares of common stock over a twothree year period. Stock repurchases underThis authorization was an increase to the Repurchase Program may be madeprevious $100 million repurchase programs approved in the open market or in private transactions at timesFebruary 2017 and in amounts that management deems appropriate. Management may limit or terminate the Repurchase Program at any time basedFebruary 2016. The repurchase program is set to expire on market conditions, liquidity needs, or other factors.February 28, 2022. During the fourth quarter of 2017,2019, there were 1,414,348707,461 shares repurchased pursuant to our Repurchase Program. Additionally, for the quarter ended December 31, 2017,2019, there were 6,8229,396 shares surrendered or withheld to cover minimum employee tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock awards. As of December 31, 2017, we had outstanding authorization from2019, $69.1 million remained available under the Board of Directors to purchase up to $52.9 million of common stock based on settled trades as of that date.

Period Total Number of
Shares Purchased
  Average Price
Paid per Share
  Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
  

Maximum Amount

That May Yet Be

Purchased Under the

Plans or Programs

($ in millions)

 
October 2017  1,999  $11.81   0  $80.7 
November 2017  920,697  $19.36   920,697  $62.8 
December 2017  498,474  $20.09   493,651  $52.9 
Total  1,421,170  $19.60   1,414,348  $52.9 

program.

Period Total Number of Shares Purchased Average Price Paid per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs 
Maximum Amount That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
($ in millions)
October 2019 75,090
 $13.40
 68,547
 $79.1
November 2019 126,476
 $15.72
 126,476
 $77.1
December 2019 515,291
 $15.64
 512,438
 $69.1
Total 716,857
 $15.42
 707,461
 $69.1

ITEM 6—SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected consolidated financial data with respect to Wabash National for each of the five years in the period ending December 31, 2017,2019, have been derived from our consolidated financial statements. The following information should be read in conjunction withManagement'sManagement’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

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  Years Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015  2014  2013 
  (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) 
Statement of Comprehensive Income Data:                    
Net sales $1,767,161  $1,845,444  $2,027,489  $1,863,315  $1,635,686 
Cost of sales  1,506,286   1,519,910   1,724,046   1,630,681   1,420,563 
                     
Gross profit $260,875  $325,534  $303,443  $232,634  $215,123 
                     
Selling, general and administrative expenses  103,413   101,399   100,728   88,370   89,263 
Amortization of intangibles  17,041   19,940   21,259   21,878   21,786 
Acquisition expenses  9,605   -   -   -   883 
Impairment of goodwill and other intangibles  -   1,663   1,087   -   - 
                     
Income from operations $130,816  $202,532  $180,369  $122,386  $103,191 
                     
Interest expense  (16,400)  (15,663)  (19,548)  (22,165)  (26,308)
Other, net  8,122   (1,452)  2,490   (1,759)  740 
                     
Income before income taxes $122,538  $185,417  $163,311  $98,462  $77,623 
                     
Income tax expense (benefit)  11,116   65,984   59,022   37,532   31,094 
                     
Net income $111,422  $119,433  $104,289  $60,930  $46,529 
                     
Dividends declared per share $0.255  $0.060  $-  $-  $- 
                     
Basic net income per common share $1.88  $1.87  $1.55  $0.88  $0.67 
                     
Diluted net income per common share $1.78  $1.82  $1.50  $0.85  $0.67 
                     
Balance Sheet Data:                    
Working capital $292,723  $314,791  $318,430  $298,802  $232,638 
Total assets $1,351,513  $898,733  $950,126  $928,651  $912,245 
Total debt and capital leases $551,413  $237,836  $315,633  $332,527  $370,595 
Stockholders' equity $506,063  $472,391  $439,811  $390,832  $322,379 

 Years Ended December 31,
 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
 (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Statement of Operations Data: 
  
  
  
  
Net sales$2,319,136
 $2,267,278
 $1,767,161
 $1,845,444
 $2,027,489
Cost of sales2,012,754
 1,983,627
 1,506,286
 1,519,910
 1,724,046
Gross profit306,382
 283,651
 260,875
 325,534
 303,443
Selling, general and administrative expenses143,125
 128,160
 103,413
 101,399
 100,728
Amortization of intangibles20,471
 19,468
 17,041
 19,940
 21,259
Acquisition expenses
 68
 9,605
 
 
Impairment
 24,968
 
 1,663
 1,087
Income from operations142,786
 110,987
 130,816
 202,532
 180,369
Interest expense(27,340) (28,759) (16,400) (15,663) (19,548)
Other, net2,285
 13,776
 8,122
 (1,452) 2,490
Income before income taxes117,731
 96,004
 122,538
 185,417
 163,311
Income tax expense28,156
 26,583
 11,116
 65,984
 59,022
Net income$89,575
 $69,421
 $111,422
 $119,433
 $104,289
          
Dividends declared per share$0.320
 $0.305
 $0.255
 $0.060
 $
Basic net income per common share$1.64
 $1.22
 $1.88
 $1.87
 $1.55
Diluted net income per common share$1.62
 $1.19
 $1.78
 $1.82
 $1.50
   
 
   

Balance Sheet Data: 
 
 
   

Working capital$282,011
 $277,743
 $292,723
 $314,791
 $318,430
Total assets$1,304,591
 $1,304,393
 $1,351,513
 $898,733
 $950,126
Total debt and finance leases$456,091
 $505,911
 $551,413
 $237,836
 $315,633
Stockholders’ equity$520,988
 $473,849
 $506,063
 $472,391
 $439,811
ITEM 7—MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A)(“MD&A”) describes the matters that we consider to be important to understanding the results of our operations for each of the threetwo years in the period ended December 31, 2017,2019, and our capital resources and liquidity as of December 31, 2017.2019. Our discussion begins with our assessment of the condition of the North American trailer industry along with a summary of the actions we have taken to strengthen the Company. We then analyze the results of our operations for the last threetwo years, including the trends in the overall business and our operating segments, followed by a discussion of our cash flows and liquidity, capital markets events and transactions, our credit facilitydebt obligations, and our contractual commitments. We also provide a review of the critical accounting judgments and estimates that we have made that we believe are most important to an understanding of our MD&A and our consolidated financial statements. These are the critical accounting policies that affect the recognition and measurement of our transactions and the balances in our consolidated financial statements. We conclude our MD&A with information on recent accounting pronouncements that we adopted during the year, if any, as well as those not yet adopted that may have an impact on our financial accounting practices.

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As a result of the acquisition of Supreme in the third quarter of 2017, we now manage our business in three segments: Commercial Trailer Products, Diversified Products, and Final Mile Products. The Commercial Trailer Products segment manufactures standard and customized van and platform trailers and other transportation related equipment for customers who purchase directly from us or through independent dealers. The Diversified Products segment, comprised of fourthree strategic business units including, Tank Trailer, Aviation & Truck Equipment, Process Systems, and Composites, focuses on our commitment to expand our customer base and diversify our product


offerings and revenues. The Diversified Products segment also seeks to extend our market leadership by leveraging the proprietary DuraPlate® panel technology, drawing on our core manufacturing expertise and making available products that are complementary to truck and tank trailers and transportation equipment. The Final Mile Products segment manufactures specialized commercial vehicles that are attached to a truck chassis, including cutaway and dry-freight van bodies, refrigerated units, and stake bodies, for customers who purchase directly from us or through independent dealers. The acquisition of Supreme, a leading manufacturer of specialized commercial vehicles, is the continuation of our growth and diversification strategy into the rapidly growing final mile space. The Final Mile Products segment was created in the fourth quarter of 2017.

For discussion of results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017, see Item 7—Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2019.
Executive Summary

2017 provided

2019 was another strong year of strong overall demand for trailers.the trailer industry. According to ACT estimates, total new trailer industry shipments were 287,000production in the United States was 333,400 units in 2017, consistent with shipment2019, which represents a 3.2% increase from production volumes in 2016. It also2018. This represents the second best year in the past fifteen and is the seventhninth consecutive year that total trailer demand exceeded normal replacement demand levels, currently estimated to be approximately 220,000 trailers per year.

The overall strength in the Company’s operating performance highlights the success of our growth and diversification initiatives driven by our long-term strategic plan to continue to transform the Company into a diversified industrial manufacturer with a higher growthan innovation leader of engineered solutions for the transportation, logistics, and margin profile,distribution industries, while maintaining our focus and expertise in lean and six sigma optimization initiatives. After five consecutive years of record profitability,initiatives to support a small reset was seemingly inevitable at some point. higher growth and margin profile.
Operating income in 20172019 totaled $130.8$142.8 million and operating income margin was 7.4%, both are the third best performance in our history only surpassed by 2015 and 2016 performance.6.2%. The addition of the Supreme truck body business in September 2017 was a key accomplishment as it has not only adds immediateadded revenue and profit opportunity, but has also providesprovided, and will continue to provide, significant diversification into a high-growth segment driven by the ever-increasing adoption of e-commerce.

In addition to our commitment to sustain profitable growth within each of our existing reporting segments, our long-term strategic initiatives includedinclude a focus on diversification efforts, both organic and strategic, to continue to transform Wabash into a diversified industrial manufacturerlean, innovation leader of engineered solutions with a higher growth and margin profile and successfully deliver a greater value to our shareholders. Our ability to generate solid margins and cash flows and a healthy balance sheet positionsshould position the Company with ample resources to (1) fund our internal capital needs to support both organic growth and productivity improvements, (2) assure continuedcontinue the planned reduction of our debt obligations, (3) return capital to shareholders and (4) selectively pursue strategic acquisitions. As evidenced by our purchase of Supreme in September 2017, we continue our internal effort to strategically identify potential acquisition targets that we believe can create shareholder value and accelerate our growth and diversification efforts, while leveraging our strong competencies in manufacturing execution, sourcing and innovative engineering leadership to assure strong value creation. Organically, our focus is on profitably growing and diversifying our operations through leveraging our existing assets, capabilities and technology into higher margin products and markets and thereby providing value-added customer solutions.

Throughout 20172019 we demonstrated our commitment to be responsible stewards of the business by maintaining a balanced approach to capital allocation. Our continuing strong operational performance, healthy backlog and industry outlook, and financial position provided us the opportunity to take specific actions as part of the ongoing commitment to prudently manage the overall financial risks of the Company, returning capital to our shareholders and deleveraging our balance sheet. These actions included completing $70$30.9 million in share repurchases as authorized by our Board of Directors, in both February 2016 and February 2017, executing agreements with existing holders ofvoluntarily making prepayments on our outstanding Convertible Notes to purchase approximately $4Term Loan Credit Agreement totaling $50.0 million in principal,, and paying dividends in excessto our shareholders of $15$17.8 million. In December 2017, we announced an increase of the regular quarterly dividend paid to the holders of our common stock. Collectively, these actions demonstrate our confidence in the financial outlook of the companyCompany and our ability to generate cash flow, both near and long term, and reinforces our overall commitment to deliver shareholder value while maintaining the flexibility to continue to execute our strategic plan for profitable growth and diversification.

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The outlook for the overall trailer market for 2018 continues2020 indicates a softer demand environment compared to indicate a strong demand environment. In fact,the last several years. However, the most recent estimates from industry forecasters, ACT and FTR, indicate demand levels expected to be in excess of the estimated replacement demand in every year through 2022.2024. More specifically, ACT is currently estimating 20182020 demand will be approximately 299,000239,000 trailers, an increasea decrease of 4.3%28.3% as compared to the previous year period,2019, with 20192021 through 20222024 industry demand levels ranging between 256,000241,900 and 285,000283,600 trailers. In addition, FTR anticipates trailer production for 2018 to remain strong2020 at approximately 290,000270,000 trailers, an increasea decrease of 1.8%17.9% as compared to 20172019 levels. This continued strongIn addition, industry forecasters indicate that further reductions in demand environment for new trailer equipment as well asare unlikely and that production has shifted to a more sustainable rate from the positive economic andhigh levels the last couple years.

In addition to the softening industry specific indicators we monitor reinforce our belief that the current trailer demand, cycle will be an extended cycle with a strong likelihood for several more years of demand above replacement levels.

In spite of a strong forecasted demand environment, there remainare downside risks relating to issues with both the domestic and global economies, including the housing, energy and construction-related markets in the U.S. Other potential risks as we proceed into 2018 will2020 primarily relate to our ability to effectively manage our manufacturing operations as well as the cost and supply of raw materials, commodities and components. Significant increases in the cost of certain commodities, raw materials or components have had, and may continue to have, an adverse effect on our results of operations. As has been our practice, we will endeavor to pass raw material and component price increases to our customers in addition to continuing our cost management and hedging activities in an effort to minimize the risk that changes in material costs could have on our operating results. In addition, we rely on a limited number of


suppliers for certain key components and raw materials in the manufacturing of our products, including tires, landing gear, axles, suspensions, aluminum extrusions, chassis and specialty steel coil. At the current and expected demand levels, there may be shortages of supplies of raw materials or components which would have an adverse impact on our ability to meet demand for our products. Despite these risks, we believe we are well positioned to capitalize on the expected strong overall demand levels while maintaining or growing margins through improvements in product pricing as well as productivity and other operational excellence initiatives.

We remain committed to enhancing and diversifying our business model through the organic and strategic initiatives discussed above in the Annual Report. We believe we remain well-positioned for long-term success in the transportation industry because: (1) our core customers are among the dominant participants in the trucking industry; (2) our DuraPlate® and other industry leading brands continue to have a strong market acceptance; (3) our focus is on developing solutions that reduce our customers’ trailer maintenance and operating costs providing the best overall value; and (4) our presence throughout North America utilizing our extensive dealer network to market and sell our products. Continuing to identify attractive opportunities to leverage our core competencies, proprietary technology and core manufacturing expertise into new applications and end markets enables us to deliver greater value to our customers and shareholders.

Operating Performance

We measure our operating performance in five key areas – Safety/Morale, Quality, Delivery, Cost Reduction, and Environment. We maintain a continuous improvement mindset in each of these key performance areas. Our mantra of being better today than yesterday and better tomorrow than we are today is simple, straightforward, and easily understood by all our employees.

Safety/Morale. The safety of our employees is our number one value and highest priority. We continually focus on reducing the severity and frequency of workplace injuries to create a safe environment for our employees and minimize workers compensation costs. We believe that our improved environmental, health and safety management translates into higher labor productivity and lower costs as a result of less time away from work and improved system management. In eleven of the last thirteen years at least one of our manufacturing sites has been recognized for safety, including recent awards from the Truck Trailer Manufacturer Association’s Plant Safety Awards granted to our New Lisbon, Wisconsin and San José Iturbide, Mexico facilities. In 2017, our Cadiz, Kentucky facility received the Governor’s Award for Safety and Health. Our focus on safety also extends beyond our facilities. We are a founding member of the Cargo Tank Risk Management Committee, a group dedicated to reducing the hazards faced by workers on and around cargo tanks.
Quality. We monitor product quality on a continual basis through a number of means for both internal and external performance as follows:
·Safety/Morale. The safety of our employees is our number one value and highest priority.  We continually focus on reducing the severity and frequency of workplace injuries to create a safe environment for our employees and minimize workers compensation costs. We believe that our improved environmental, health and safety management translates into higher labor productivity and lower costs as a result of less time away from work and improved system management. In ten of the last eleven years at least one of our manufacturing sites has been recognized for safety including recent awards from the Truck Trailer Manufacturer Association’s Plant Safety Awards granted to our New Lisbon, Wisconsin and San Jose, Mexico facilities. In 2017, our Cadiz, Kentucky facility received the Governor’s Award for Safety and Health. Our focus on safety also extends beyond our facilities. We are a founding member of the Cargo Tank Risk Management Committee, a group dedicated to reducing the hazards faced by workers on and around cargo tanks.

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·Quality.  We monitor product quality on a continual basis through a number of means for both internal and external performance as follows:

-Internal performance.  Our primary internal quality measurement is Process Yield. Process Yield is a performance metric that measures the impact of all aspects of the business on our ability to ship our products at the end of the production process.  As with previous years, the expectations of the highest quality product continue to increase while maintaining Process Yield performance and reducing rework. In addition, we currently maintain an ISO 9001 registration of our Quality Management System at our Lafayette operations.

-
External performance.  We actively track our warranty claims and costs to identify and drive improvement opportunities in quality and reliability. Early life cycle warranty claims for our van trailers are trended for performance monitoring. Using a unit basedunit-based warranty reporting process to track performance and document failure rates, early life cycle warranty units per 100 trailers shipped averaged approximately 3.3, 2.6,2.4, 2.5, and 2.03.3 units in 2017, 2016,2019, 2018 and 2015,2017, respectively. Continued low claim rates have been driven by our successful execution of continuous improvement programs centered on process variation reduction, and responding to the input from our customers. We expect that these activities will continue to drive down our total warranty cost profile.

Delivery/Productivity. We measure productivity on many fronts. Some key indicators include production line cycle-time, labor-hours per trailer or truck body and inventory levels. Improvements over the last several years in these areas have translated into significant improvements in our ability to better manage inventory flow and control costs.
·Delivery/Productivity. We measure productivity on many fronts. Some key indicators include production line cycle-time, labor-hours per trailer and inventory levels. Improvements over the last several years in these areas have translated into significant improvements in our ability to better manage inventory flow and control costs.

-During the past several years, Commercial Trailer Products haswe have focused on productivity enhancements within manufacturing assembly and sub-assembly areas through developing the capability for mixed model production. These efforts have resulted in throughput improvements in our Lafayette, Indiana, Goshen, Indiana, and Cadiz, Kentucky facilities.

-
Through deployment of the Wabash Management System, all of our business reporting segments have focused on increasing velocity at all our manufacturing locations. We have engaged in extensive lean training and deployed purposeful capital to accelerate our productivity initiatives.

·Cost Reduction and our Operating System. The Wabash Manufacturing System allows us to develop and scale high standards of excellence across the organization. We believe in a “One Wabash” approach and standardized processes to drive and monitor performance inside our manufacturing facilities. Continuous improvement is a fundamental component of our operational excellence focus. Our balanced scorecard process, one example, has allowed us to improve all areas of manufacturing including safety, quality, on-time delivery, cost reduction, employee morale and environment. By focusing on continuous improvement and utilizing our balanced scorecard process we have realized total cost per unit reductions as a result of increased capacity utilization of all facilities while maintaining a lower level of fixed overhead. We are investing capital in our processes to reduce variable cost, lower inherent safety risk in our processes, and improve overall consistency in our manufacturing processes. This approach continues to drive value in both the products we offer our customers and the processes our associates work within.

·Environment. We strive to manufacture products that are both socially responsible and environmentally sustainable.  We demonstrate our commitment to sustainability by maintaining ISO 14001 registration of our Environmental Management System at our Lafayette, Indiana; Cadiz, Kentucky; San Jose Iturbide, Mexico; Frankfort, Indiana; Portland, Oregon; and Harrison, Arkansas locations. In 2005, our Lafayette, Indiana facility was one of the first trailer manufacturing operations in the world to be ISO 14001 registered. Being ISO 14001 registered requires us to demonstrate quantifiable and third-party verified environmental improvements.  In 2017, our Frankfort, Indiana facility also achieved ISO 14001 registration. At our facilities, we have initiated employee-based recycling programs that reduce waste being sent to the landfill, installed a fifty-five foot wind turbine to produce electricity and reduce our carbon emissions, and restored a natural wildlife habitat to enhance the environment and protect native animals.  Our Portland, Oregon facility also received the City of Portland’s Sustainability at Work certification in 2017.

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Cost Reduction and our Operating System. The Wabash Management System allows us to develop and scale high standards of excellence across the organization. We believe in a “One Wabash” approach and standardized processes to drive and monitor performance inside our manufacturing facilities. Continuous improvement is a fundamental component of our operational excellence focus. Our balanced scorecard process, for example, has allowed us to improve all areas of manufacturing including safety, quality, on-time delivery, cost reduction, employee morale and environment. By focusing on continuous improvement and utilizing our balanced scorecard process, we have realized total cost per unit reductions as a result of increased capacity utilization of all facilities, while maintaining a lower level of fixed overhead. We are investing capital in our processes to reduce variable cost, lower inherent safety risk in our processes, and improve overall consistency in our manufacturing processes. This approach continues to drive value in both the products we offer our customers and the processes our associates work within.

Environment. We strive to manufacture products that are both socially responsible and environmentally sustainable.  We demonstrate our commitment to sustainability by maintaining ISO 14001 registration of our Environmental Management System


at our Lafayette, Indiana; Cadiz, Kentucky; San José Iturbide, Mexico; Frankfort, Indiana; Portland, Oregon; and Harrison, Arkansas locations. In 2005, our Lafayette, Indiana facility was one of the first trailer manufacturing operations in the world to be ISO 14001 registered. Being ISO 14001 registered requires us to demonstrate quantifiable and third-party verified environmental improvements. At our facilities, we have pursued a wide-range of environmental initiatives including employee-based recycling programs that reduce waste being sent to the landfill, energy improvement projects to reduce carbon emissions, restored a natural wildlife habitat to enhance the environment and protect native animals. Our Portland, Oregon facility is using renewable energy and also received the City of Portland’s Sustainability at Work certification in 2017. Our San José Iturbide, Mexico facility was recognized with Clean Industry certification from Mexico’s Federal Agency of Environmental Protection for adhering to environmental care in its manufacturing processes.
Industry Trends

Truck transportation

Trucking in the U.S., according to the ATA,American Trucking Association (“ATA”), was estimated to be a $676$796.7 billion industry in 2016.2018, representing approximately 80% of the total U.S. transportation industry revenue. This represents an increase of 13.8% from ATA’s 2017 estimate. Furthermore, ATA estimates that approximately 71% of all freight tonnage isin 2018 was carried by trucks. Trailer demand is a direct function of the amount of freight to be transported. To monitor the state of the industry, we evaluate a number of indicators related to trailer manufacturing and the transportation industry. Recent trends we have observed include the following:

Transportation / Trailer Cycle. The trailer industry generally follows the transportation industry cycles. After three consecutive years with total trailer demand well below normal replacement demand levels estimated to be approximately 220,000 trailers, the five year period ending December 2015 demonstrated consecutive years of significant improvement in which the total U.S. trailer market increased year-over-year. In 2016, trailer shipments decreased but rebounded in 2017 and 2018, with 2018 representing an all-time industry record. This all-time industry record set in 2018 was surpassed in 2019 with trailer shipments totaling approximately 328,000.
 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
New Trailer Shipments204,000
 232,000 234,000 269,000 308,000 286,000 290,000 323,000 328,000
Year-Over-Year Change (%)64% 14% 1% 15% 14% (7%) 1% 11% 2%
As we enter the eleventh year of economic growth, ACT is estimating softened, more historically consistent production levels within the trailer industry in 2020 at approximately 239,000 and forecasting annual new trailer production levels for the four year period ending 2024 of approximately 241,900, 267,500, 275,300, and 283,600, respectively. Our view is generally consistent with ACT that trailer demand will soften in 2020 to more historically normalized levels and then begin growth in the years thereafter, and remain above replacement demand for 2020.
New Trailer Orders. According to ACT, total orders in 2019 were approximately 205,000 trailers, a 51% decrease from 421,000 trailers ordered in 2018. Total orders for the dry van segment, the largest within the trailer industry, were approximately 115,000, a decrease of 56% from 2018. These decreases are generally consistent with our expectations due to the high levels of orders and production the last couple of years.
Transportation Regulations and Legislation. There are several different areas within both federal and state government regulations and legislation that are expected to have an impact on trailer demand, including:
·
Transportation / Trailer Cycle.
The trailer industry generally follows the transportation industry cycles. After three consecutive years with total trailer demand well below normal replacement demand levels estimated to be between 200,000 trailers and 220,000 trailers, the five year period ending December 2015 demonstrated consecutive years of significant improvement in which the total trailer market increased year-over-year approximately 64%, 14%, 1%, 15% and 15% for 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively, with total shipments of approximately 204,000, 232,000, 234,000, 269,000 and 308,000, respectively. The 2015 trailer shipments represent an all-time industry record. In 2016, trailer shipments decreased to approximately 286,000 units, but increased in 2017 by approximately 0.3% year-over-year to approximately 287,000 units. As we enter the ninth year of an economic recovery, ACT is estimating demand within the trailer industry in 2018 at approximately 299,000 and forecasting continued strong demand levels into the foreseeable future with estimated annual average demand for the four year period ending 2022 to be approximately 265,000 new trailers. Our view is generally consistent with ACT that trailer demand will remain significantly above replacement levels for 2018 and has the potential to remain above replacement levels for several years beyond 2018.

·New Trailer Orders. According to ACT, total orders in 2017 were approximately 314,000 trailers, a 38% increase from 227,000 trailers ordered in 2016.  Total orders for the dry van segment, the largest within the trailer industry, were approximately 204,000, an increase of 54% from 2016.

·Transportation Regulations and Legislation.There are several different areas within both federal and state government regulations and legislation that are expected to have an impact on trailer demand, including:

-The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (the “FMCSA”) has taken steps in recent years to improve truck safety standards, particularly by implementing the Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (“CSA”) program as well as requiring Electronic Logging Devices (“ELDs”). CSA is considered a comprehensive driver and fleet rating system that measures both the freight carriers and drivers on several safety related criteria, including driver safety, equipment maintenance and overall condition of trailers. This system drives increased awareness and action by carriers since enforcement actions were targeted and implemented beginning in June 2011. CSA is generally believed to have contributed to the tightening of the supply of drivers and capacity after 2011 as carriers took measures to improve their rating. The FMCSA issued a mandate that all carriers must install ELDs by December 2017. Industry estimates on carrier productivity losses as a result of ELDs range from 3% to 10%. We believe this ruling is likely to have a more significant impact on capacity than anticipated and may ultimately drive increased demand for new equipment as carriers attempt to recover lost productivity. While industry estimates vary, it is likely that only roughly half the industry utilizes ELDs right now, meaning that a good portion of owner-operators and carriers will either adopt the new technology, shut down, or be acquired starting in 2018.

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-In July 2013, a new FMCSA hours-of-service rule went into effect, reducing total driver hours from 82 hours per week to 70 hours. Congress included language in the 2016 spending package that requires the agency to meet an appropriate safety, driver health and driver longevity standard before re-imposing those restrictions. Specifically, the language prohibits FMCSA from reinstating certain sections of the rule’s 34-hour restart provisions unless an FMCSA study finds that they result in statistically significant improvements in safety and driver health, among other things. In 2017, the DOT released the findings of the study that failed to “explicitly identify a net benefit” from two suspended provisions of the hours of service rules regarding the 34-hour restart. We believe, the simple 34-hour restart rule, with no additional restrictions, will likely remain in place for the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, we believe the rule will keep trucking equipment utilization at record-high levels and, therefore, increase the general need for equipment.

-The USU.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) proposed new greenhouse gas regulations in July 2015, in an effort to reduce fuel consumption and production of carbon dioxide of heavy duty commercial vehicles. Following a comment period, the final rule was released in August 2016. The regulations are presently under review processes in Congress, within the EPA, and NHTSA that will ultimately determine whether this rule actually goes into effect. The Phase 2 greenhouse gas trailer (“GHG2”) rules were initially set to require compliance starting in January 2018. The Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association (“TTMA”) filed a petition in the U.S. Court of Appeals seeking review of the rule as it relates to the authority of the agencies to regulate trailers under the Clean Air Act. In addition, TTMA also filed for a Stay to suspend enforcement of the rule, to allow time for the EPA and NHTSA to reconsider the trailer provisions in the rule. In October 2017, the Court of Appeals granted the motion for Stay of the GHG2 rule as it applies to trailers. Ultimately, while compliance is on hold, the final impact on the trailer industry will not be known until there is a final ruling on the TTMA lawsuit. The rule itself focuses mainly on van trailers, and is divided into four increasingly stringent greenhouse gas reduction standards. The rule requires fuel saving technologies on van trailers, such as trailer side skirts, low rolling resistance tires, and automatic tire inflation systems. For tank trailers and flatbed trailers, the rule will require low rolling resistant tires and automotive tire inflation systems. More stringent van trailer standards would come into play in model years 2021, 2024 and 2027 – requiring more advanced fuel efficiency technologies, such are rear boat tails and higher percentage improvement side skirts and tires. In addition to increasing the cost of a trailer, these regulations may also lead to a higher demand for various aerodynamic device products.


-
In December 2017, the California Air Resource Board (“CARB”) has unveiled its own proposal for new greenhouse gas standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks and trailers that operatingoperate in California. The CARB rules are similar to the EPA’s current GHG2 standards for the vehicles, but CARB made additions to counter pending EPA challenges to repeal rules pertaining to trailers. It is likely that CARB’sOn September 27, 2018, CARB approved for adoption of the regulations - currently scheduled to take place at a Feb. 2018 meeting – thatCalifornia Phase 2 GHG regulation. That regulation largely aligns California’s GHG emission standards and test procedures with the federal Phase 2 GHG emission standards and test procedures and provides nationwide consistency for engine and vehicle manufacturers, which will require trailers be equipped with the fuel savings technologies outlined in the EPA GHG2 rules. We believebelieved the likely start date will be inwas 2020. However, considering the uncertainty presented by the EPA GHG2 circumstances, including the stay of the federal standards, CARB has suspended its enforcement of the California GHG trailer standards for a period of at least two years (calendar years 2020 and 2021). We will continue to monitor the CARB rulemaking.

Other Developments. Other developments and potential impacts on the industry include:
·Other Developments. Other developments and potential impacts on the industry include:

-While we believe the need for trailer equipment will be positively impacted by the legislative and regulatory changes addressed above, these demand drivers could be offset by factors that contribute to the increased concentration and density of loads, including the miniaturization of electronic products and packaging optimization of bulk goods. Increases in load concentration or density could contribute to decreased need or demand for dry van trailers.loads.

-
Trucking company profitability, which can be influenced by factors such as fuel prices, freight tonnage volumes, and government regulations, is highly correlated with the overall economy of the U.S. Carrier; carrier profitability significantly impacts demand for, and the financial ability to purchase new trailers.

-
Fleet equipment utilization has been rising due to increasing freight volumes, new government regulations and shortages of qualified truck drivers. As a result, trucking companies are under increased pressure to look for alternative ways to move freight, leading to more intermodal freight movement. We believe that railroads are at or near capacity, which will limit their ability to respond to freight demand pressures. Therefore, we expect that the majority of freight in our industry will continue to be moved by truck and, according to ATA, while trucking’s share of total freight tonnage will decrease slightly in 2030 from the current year, freight tonnage carried by trucks is expected to increase approximately 34% by 2028.to 14.2 billion tons in 2030 from the current 11.7 billion tons.

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth certain operating data as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated:

  Years Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
Net sales  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%
Cost of sales  85.2   82.0   85.0 
Gross profit  14.8   18.0   15.0 
             
General and administrative expenses  4.4   4.0   3.6 
Selling expenses  1.5   1.5   1.3 
Amortization of intangibles  1.0   1.1   1.1 
Other Operating Expenses  0.5   0.1   0.1 
Income from operations  7.4   11.3   8.9 
             
Interest expense  (1.0)  (0.8)  (0.9)
Other, net  0.5   (0.1)  0.1 
Income before income taxes  6.9   10.4   8.1 
             
Income tax expense (benefit)  0.6   3.6   3.1 
Net income  6.3%  6.8%  5.0%

2017

 Years Ended December 31,
 2019 2018 2017
Net sales100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %
Cost of sales86.8 % 87.5 % 85.2 %
Gross profit13.2 % 12.5 % 14.8 %
      
General and administrative expenses4.7 % 4.2 % 4.4 %
Selling expenses1.5 % 1.5 % 1.5 %
Amortization of intangibles0.9 % 0.8 % 1.0 %
Other operating expenses % 1.1 % 0.5 %
Income from operations6.2 % 4.9 % 7.4 %
      
Interest expense(1.2)% (1.3)% (1.0)%
Other, net0.1 % 0.6 % 0.5 %
Income before income taxes5.1 % 4.2 % 6.9 %
      
Income tax expense1.2 % 1.1 % 0.6 %
Net income3.9 % 3.1 % 6.3 %

2019 Compared to 2016

2018

Net Sales

Net sales in 2017 decreased $78.32019 increased $51.9 million, or 4.2%2.3%, compared to the 2016 period.2018. By business segment, net sales prior to intersegment eliminations and related trailer units sold were as follows (dollars in thousands):

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  Year Ended December 31, 
(prior to elimination of intersegment sales)       Change 
  2017  2016  $  % 
Sales by Segment                
Commercial Trailer Products $1,348,382  $1,506,110  $(157,728)  (10.5)
Diversified Products  361,358   352,404   8,954   2.5 
Final Mile Products  70,461   -   70,461     
Eliminations  (13,040)  (13,070)        
Total $1,767,161  $1,845,444  $(78,283)  (4.2)
                 
New Trailers  (units)         
Commercial Trailer Products  52,800   58,850   (6,050)  (10.3)
Diversified Products  2,250   2,100   150   7.1 
Final Mile Products  -   -         
Eliminations  -   -         
Total  55,050   60,950   (5,900)  (9.7)
                 
Used Trailers  (units)         
Commercial Trailer Products  1,050   950   100   10.5 
Diversified Products  100   100   -   - 
Final Mile Products  -   -         
Eliminations  -   -         
Total  1,150   1,050   100   9.5 

 Year Ended December 31, Change
 2019 2018 Amount %
 (prior to elimination of intersegment sales)
Sales by Segment       
Commercial Trailer Products$1,521,541
 $1,536,939
 $(15,398) (1.0%)
Diversified Products384,516
 393,971
 (9,455) (2.4%)
Final Mile Products441,910
 358,249
 83,661
 23.4 %
Eliminations(28,831) (21,881)    
Total$2,319,136
 $2,267,278
 $51,858
 2.3 %
        
New Trailers(units)    
Commercial Trailer Products54,650
 59,500
 (4,850) (8.2%)
Diversified Products2,850
 2,650
 200
 7.5 %
Total57,500
 62,150
 (4,650) (7.5%)
        
Used Trailers(units)    
Commercial Trailer Products75
 950
 (875) (92.1%)
Diversified Products75
 150
 (75) (50.0%)
Total150
 1,100
 (950) (86.4%)
Commercial Trailer Products segment sales, prior to the elimination of intersegment sales, were $1.3$1.5 billion in 2017,2019, a decrease of $157.7$15.4 million, or 10.5%1.0%, compared to 2016.2018. The decrease in sales was primarily due to a 10.3%an 8.2% decrease in new trailer shipments as 52,80054,650 trailers were shipped in 20172019 compared to 58,85059,500 trailer shipments in 2018. Pricing efforts undertaken in response to increases in commodity and labor costs experienced in 2018 partially offset the prior year.decrease in volume of new trailer sales. Used trailer sales decreased $1.3$9.2 million, or 10.6%95.5%, compared to the prior year2018 primarily due to the product mix available through fleet trade packages.an 875 unit decrease in used trailer sales. Parts and service sales in 2017 decreased $8.02019 increased $5.4 million, or 14.3%15.3%, compared to 2016 primarily due2018, which is attributable to fewer retail branch locations throughout 2017 as compared to the prior year.

a stronger focus on servicing this market.

Diversified Products segment sales, prior to the elimination of intersegment sales, were $361.4$384.5 million in 2017, an increase2019, a decrease of $9.0$9.5 million, or 2.5%2.4%, compared to 2016.2018. New trailer sales increased $10.5$33.3 million, or 8.1%20.2%, due to a 7.1%7.5% increase in new trailer shipments, as approximately 2,2502,850 trailers were shipped in 20172019 compared to 2,1002,650 trailers shipped in the prior year2018 on higher demand for tank trailers. Also contributing to the sales increase of new trailer sales were the pricing efforts undertaken in response to increases in commodity and labor costs experienced in 2018. Equipment and other sales decreased $32.2 million, or 31.1%, primarily due to a $30.5 million decrease as a result of the divestiture of the AVTE business in January 2019. Sales of our components, parts and service product offerings in 2017 increased $6.3 million, or 5.9%, compared to the prior year due to strong demand for our composite product offerings. Equipment and other sales2019 decreased $7.5$9.1 million, or 7.4%, compared to 2018, primarily due to $2.1 million of lower sales as a result of the sale of the AVTE business and lower demand for our non-trailer truck mounted equipmentdecking systems and other engineered products.

trailer parts and accessories.

Final Mile ProductProducts segment sales, prior to the eliminations of intersegment sales, were $70.5$441.9 million in 20172019 compared to $358.2 million in 2018, a 23.4% increase. Truck body unit shipments increased 15.3%, which combined with pricing efforts undertaken in response to increases in commodity and labor costs experienced in 2018 drove a $77.3 million increase in new truck body sales compared to 2018. The increase in truck body unit shipments is attributable to improved chassis availability compared to prior year, our efforts to increase the visibility of chassis supply resulting in improved production scheduling and less production disruptions compared to prior year, and overall demand for our products within the final mile market. The remaining increase in sales is attributable to increased sales of parts and services as a result of an increased focus of servicing this newly created segment.

market, which included opening a new facility in 2019.


Cost of Sales

Cost of sales was $1.5$2.0 billion in both 2017 and 2016.2019, an increase of $29.1 million, or 1.5%, compared to 2018. Cost of sales is comprised of material costs, a variable expense, and other manufacturing costs, comprised of both fixed and variable expenses, including direct and indirect labor, outbound freight, and overhead expenses. 

Commercial Trailer Products segment cost of sales was $1.2$1.3 billion in 2017,2019, a decrease of $88.4$24.2 million, or 7.0%1.8%, compared to the prior year period.2018. The decrease was primarily driven by a $70.3$27.8 million reductiondecrease in materials costs asdriven by lower productionnew trailer sales volumes, more thanpartially offset theby an increase in commodity coststhe price of materials due to cost inflation as compared to the prior year period.2018. Other manufacturing costs decreased $18.1increased $3.6 million as compared to the prior year period due to lower new trailer production volumes.

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2018, including direct and indirect labor, outbound freight and overhead expenses.

Diversified Products segment cost of sales, prior to the elimination of intersegment sales, was $291.2$309.9 million in 2017,2019, a decrease of $15.6 million, or 4.8%, compared to 2018. This decrease was the result of the divestiture of the AVTE business which resulted in a $32.8 million decrease in cost of sales which was partially offset by a $17.2 million increase in material costs and other manufacturing costs in 2019 compared to 2018, which is in line with the increase in new trailer shipments.

Final Mile Products segment cost of sales was $384.1 million in 2019 compared to $309.5 million in 2018, an increase of $14.4$74.6 million or 5.2%, compared to the prior period.24.1%. The increase was primarily driven by a $10.5$48.7 million increase in materials costs due to increased commodity costs and a $3.9$25.9 million increase in other manufacturing costs related to increased volumesales volumes and product mix.

Final Mile Product segment cost of sales was $62.3 million in 2017 for this newly created segment.

Gross Profit

Gross profit was $260.9$306.4 million in 2017, a decrease2019, an increase of $64.7$22.7 million, or 19.9%8.0% from 2016.2018. Gross profit as a percentage of sales, or gross margin, was 14.8%13.2% in 20172019 as compared to 18.0%12.5% in 2016.2018. Gross profit by segment was as follows (in thousands):

  Year Ended December 31, 
        Change 
  2017  2016  $  % 
Gross Profit by Segment:                
Commercial Trailer Products $183,912  $253,274  $(69,362)  (27.4)
Diversified Products  70,159   75,630   (5,471)  (7.2)
Final Mile Products  8,150   -   8,150     
Corporate and Eliminations  (1,346)  (3,371)  2,025     
Total $260,875  $325,533  $(64,658)  (19.9)

 Year Ended December 31, Change
 2019 2018 $ %
Gross Profit by Segment       
Commercial Trailer Products$177,190
 $168,343
 $8,847
 5.3%
Diversified Products74,588
 68,428
 6,160
 9.0%
Final Mile Products57,815
 48,771
 9,044
 18.5%
Corporate and Eliminations(3,211) (1,891) (1,320)  
Total$306,382
 $283,651
 $22,731
 8.0%
Commercial Trailer Products segment gross profit was $183.9$177.2 million in 20172019 compared to $253.3$168.3 million in the prior year, a decrease2018, an increase of $69.4$8.8 million. Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales prior to the elimination of intersegment sales, was 13.6%11.6% in 20172019 as compared to 16.8%11.0% in 2016, a decrease2018, an increase of 32060 basis points. The decreasesincreases in gross profit and gross profit margin as compared to 2018 were attributable to our pricing efforts to mitigate the prior year was primarily driven by lower shipmentsimpact of new trailers, increases in commodity costs,higher material and labor constraints resulting in higher overtime requirements to meet current demand.

operating costs.

Diversified Products segment gross profit was $70.2$74.6 million in 20172019 compared to $75.6$68.4 million in 2016.2018. Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales prior to the elimination of intersegment sales, was 19.4% in 20172019 compared to 21.5%17.4% in 2016.2018, an increase of 200 basis points. The decreaseincrease in gross margin is primarily due to the divestiture of the AVTE business which had a gross margin of (0.5)% in 2018. The remaining gross margin improvement and the increase in gross profit as a percentage of net sales, as comparedis attributable to the prior year, was due primarily to product mixoperational efficiencies and higher commodity costs.

sales volumes.

Final Mile ProductProducts segment gross profit was $8.2$57.8 million in 2017 for this newly created segment.2019 compared to $48.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. Gross profit, as a percentage of sales, was 11.6%13.1% in 2017.

2019, compared to 13.6% in 2018. The increase in gross profit compared to 2018 was primarily driven by higher sales volumes and our pricing efforts. The 50 basis point decrease in gross margin is primarily due to increased material costs as a result of a higher take rate on lower margin options.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses were $108.3 million in 2017 increased $3.72019, an increase of $13.2 million, or 5.0%13.8%, from the prior year.compared to 2018. The increase was largely due to the inclusion of Supreme, which added expenses of $6.8an approximate $8.0 million increase in the current year period. The Supreme expensesemployee-related costs, including benefits and incentive programs, and increases in various other administrative expenses. These increases were partially offset by lower general and administrative expenses as a $3.0 million decreaseresult of the sale of the AVTE business in employee related costs, including costs associated with employee incentive programs.January 2019. General and administrative expenses, as a percentage of net sales, were 4.4%4.7% in 20172019 compared to 4.0%4.2% in 2016.

2018.

Selling Expenses

Selling expenses were $25.6$34.9 million in 2017, a decrease2019, an increase of $1.7$1.8 million, or 6.2%5.5%, compared to the prior year.2018. The decreaseincrease was largely due to lower employee relateda $2.2 million increase in employee-related costs, including costs associated with employeebenefits and incentive programs, whichand a $1.6 million increase in advertising

and promotion efforts. These increases were partially offset by lower selling expenses as a result of the inclusionsale of Supreme, which added $3.0 millionthe AVTE business in expense during the current year.January 2019. As a percentage of net sales, selling expenses were 1.5% in both 20172019 and 2016.

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2018.

Amortization of Intangibles

Amortization of intangibles was $17.0$20.5 million in 20172019 compared to $19.9$19.5 million in 2016.2018. Amortization of intangibles for both periods primarily includes amortization expense recognized for intangible assets recorded from the acquisition of Walker in May 2012, and certain assets acquired from Beall in February 2013.

Acquisition Expenses

Acquisition expenses totaling $9.62013, and Supreme in September 2017.

Impairment
There was no impairment expense in 2019, however, during 2018 impairment expense totaled $25.0 million for 2017 represent costs incurred, which was attributable to the AVTE business within the Diversified Products reportable segment. In the third quarter of 2018, the Company identified indicators of impairment and performed an impairment analysis of the goodwill, intangible assets and long-lived assets, resulting in connectiona $12.0 million impairment charge. In the fourth quarter of 2018, with the acquisitionfinancial framework of Supreme including fees paidan agreement to sell the Aviation and Truck Equipment business largely agreed to with the buyers, the Company evaluated the remaining assets for impairment based on the economics of the, then proposed, transaction. As a result of the Company’s impairment analysis, an investment banker for acquisition services andimpairment of $13.0 million was recorded to fully impair all current assets of the related bridge financing commitment, as well as professional fees for diligence, legal, and accounting.

business.

Other Income (Expense)

Interest expense in 20172019 totaled $16.4$27.3 million compared to $15.7$28.8 million in the prior year.2018. Interest expense for both periodsin the current year is primarily related to interest and non-cash accretion charges on our Convertible Notes and Term Loan Credit Agreement.Agreement and Senior Notes. The increasedecrease from the prior year is primarily2018 was due to our voluntary prepayments totaling approximately $50.0 million against our Term Loan Credit Agreement during 2019 and the issuance of our Senior Notes in September 2017 related to the financing of a portion of the Supreme acquisition, partially offset by the repurchaseretirement of the Convertible Notes completed over the previous year.

in 2018.

Other, netfor 20172019 represented income of $8.1$2.3 million as compared to expenseincome of $1.5$13.8 million for 2018. Income for the current year is primarily related to interest income and the sale of a building asset that resulted in an immaterial gain. Income for the prior year period. The current year periodwas primarily consists of a gainrelated to the gains recognized on the sale of certain retailformer branch assets.

locations throughout 2018.

Income Taxes

We recognized income tax expense of $11.1$28.2 million in 20172019 compared to $66.0$26.6 million in the prior year.2018. The effective tax rate for 20172019 was 9.1%23.9%, which differs from the U.S. Federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the impact of the revaluation of deferred income taxes associated with the change in the US federal income tax rate with the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on December 22, 2017. In addition, the rate for 2017 includes a tax benefit related to the release of income tax reserves resulting from the closing of open tax years to which those reserves related. Cash taxes paid in 2017 were $41.2 million.

2016 Compared to 2015

Net Sales

Net sales in 2016 decreased $182.0 million, or 9.0%, compared to the 2015 period. By business segment, net sales prior to intersegment eliminations and related units sold were as follows (dollars in thousands):

42

  Year Ended December 31, 
(prior to elimination of intersegment sales)       Change 
  2016  2015  $  % 
Sales by Segment                
Commercial Trailer Products $1,506,110  $1,582,241  $(76,131)  (4.8)
Diversified Products  352,404   456,927   (104,523)  (22.9)
Eliminations  (13,070)  (11,679)        
Total $1,845,444  $2,027,489  $(182,045)  (9.0)
                 
New Trailers  (units)             
Commercial Trailer Products  58,850   61,300   (2,450)  (4.0)
Diversified Products  2,100   3,400   (1,300)  (38.2)
Eliminations  -   -         
Total  60,950   64,700   (3,750)  (5.8)
                 
Used Trailers  (units)             
Commercial Trailer Products  950   1,900   (950)  (50.0)
Diversified Products  100   150   (50)  (33.3)
Eliminations  -   -         
Total  1,050   2,050   (1,000)  (48.8)

Commercial Trailer Products segment sales, prior to the elimination of intersegment sales, were $1.5 billion in 2016, a decrease of $76.1 million, or 4.8%, compared to 2015. The decrease in sales was primarily due to a 4.0% decrease in new trailer shipments as 58,850 trailers were shipped in 2016 compared to 61,300 trailer shipments in 2015. Used trailer sales decreased $19.0 million, or 61.3%, compared to 2015 due to decreased availability and selective management of product through fleet trade packages as approximately 950 fewer used trailers shipped in 2016 as compared to the prior year. Parts and service sales in 2016 decreased $4.3 million, or 7.1%, compared to 2015 primarily due to fewer retail branch locations throughout 2016 as compared to the prior year.

Diversified Products segment sales, prior to the elimination of intersegment sales, were $352.4 million in 2016, down $104.5 million, or 22.9%, compared to 2015. New trailer sales decreased $88.4 million, or 40.1%, due to a 38.2% decrease in new trailer shipments, as approximately 2,100 trailers were shipped in 2016 compared to 3,400 trailers shipped in 2015. Sales of our components, parts and service product offerings in 2016 were comparable to 2015. Equipment and other sales decreased $13.5 million, or 11.1%, due to lower demand for our non-trailer truck mounted equipment and other engineered products.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales was $1.5 billion, a decrease of $204.1 million, or 11.8%, as compared to 2015.  Cost of sales is comprised of material costs, a variable expense, and other manufacturing costs, comprised of both fixed and variable expenses, including direct and indirect labor, outbound freight, and overhead expenses. 

Commercial Trailer Products segment cost of sales, prior to the elimination of intersegment sales, was $1.3 billion in 2016, a decrease of $131.6 million, or 9.5%, compared to 2015.  The decrease was primarily driven by a $131.2 million reduction in materials costs attributable to lower new trailer production volumes, as well as lower commodity costs and continued optimization through product design and sourcing.

Diversified Products segment cost of sales, prior to the elimination of intersegment sales, was $276.8 million in 2016, an decrease of $73.1 million, or 20.9%, compared to 2015.  The decrease was primarily driven by a $58.7 million reduction in materials costs and a $14.4 million decrease in other manufacturing due primarily to decreased sales volumes resulting from weaker tank trailer demand, lower material costs and continued operational efficiencies as compared to 2015.

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Gross Profit

Gross profit was $325.5 million in 2016, an improvement of $22.1 million, or 7.3% from 2015. Gross profit as a percentage of sales was 18.0% in 2016 as compared to 15.0% in 2015. Gross profit by segment was as follows (in thousands):

  Year Ended December 31, 
        Change 
  2016  2015  $  % 
Gross Profit by Segment:                
Commercial Trailer Products $253,274  $197,777  $55,497   28.1 
Diversified Products  75,630   107,023   (31,393)  (29.3)
Corporate and Eliminations  (3,370)  (1,357)  (2,013)    
Total $325,534  $303,443  $22,091   7.3 

Commercial Trailer Products segment gross profit was $253.3 million in 2016 compared to $197.8 million in 2015, an increase of $55 million. Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales prior to the elimination of intersegment sales, was 16.8% in 2016 as compared to 12.5% in 2015, an increase of 430 basis points. The increases in gross profit and profit margin as compared to 2015 was primarily driven by improved pricing, favorable material costs, including cost optimization through product design and sourcing, and continued operational efficiencies.

Diversified Products segment gross profit was $75.6 million in 2016 compared to $107.0 million in 2015. Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales prior to the elimination of intersegment sales, was 21.5% in 2016 compared to 23.4% in 2015. The decrease in gross profit as a percentage of net sales, as compared to 2015, was due primarily to lower sales volume and the reduced leverage of fixed costs from lower production levels which more than offset the favorable material costs and continued operational efficiencies.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses in 2016 increased $0.6 million, or 0.9%, from 2015 as a result of a $2.7 million increase in outside service and professional fee expenditures, as well as a $0.9 million increase in various other operating expenses, primarily information technology related costs. These increases were offset by a $3.0 million decrease in employee related costs, including costs associated with employee incentive programs. General and administrative expenses, as a percentage of net sales, were 4.0% in 2016 compared to 3.6% in 2015.

Selling Expenses

Selling expenses were $27.3 million in 2016, an increase of $0.1 million, or 0.1%, compared to 2015 as a $0.3 million increase in advertising and promotional efforts were partially offset by lower employee related costs, including costs associated with employee incentive programs. As a percentage of net sales, selling expenses were 1.5% in 2016 compared to 1.3% in 2015.

Amortization of Intangibles

Amortization of intangibles was $19.9 million in 2016 compared to $21.3 million in 2015. Amortization of intangibles for both periods primarily includes amortization expense recognized for intangible assets recorded from the acquisition of Walker in May 2012 and certain assets acquired from Beall in February 2013.

Other Operating Expenses

Other operating expenses of $1.7 million in 2016 is the impairment of goodwill recognized during the second quarter of 2016. Based on an analysis we performed to determine the allocations of goodwill with the realignment of our reporting segments, we determined a portion of goodwill allocated to our retail branch operations was impaired as the fair value of reporting did not exceed its carrying value resulting in an impairment charge for the Commercial Trailer Products reporting segment.

44

Other Income (Expense)

Interest expense in 2016 totaled $15.7 million compared to $19.5 million in 2015. Interest expense for both periods primarily related to interest and non-cash accretion charges on our Convertible Notes and Term Loan Credit Agreement. The decrease from the prior year is primarily due to Convertible Notes repurchases completed in late 2015 and during the first and fourth quarters of 2016.

Other, netfor 2016 represented expense of $1.5 million as compared to income of $2.5 million for 2015. The current year expense includes $1.9 million loss on debt extinguishment for voluntary purchases of our outstanding Convertible Notes partially offset by a $0.3 million gain on the transition of our retail branches to independent dealer facilities. The 2015 period primarily consists of an $8.3 million gain on the sale of our former retail branch real estate in Fontana, California and Portland, Oregon partially offset by $5.3 million of accelerated amortization and related fees in connection with the refinancing of our Term Loan Credit Agreement in March 2015 and $0.3 million of charges incurred in connection with the amendment to our Credit Agreement in June 2015.

Income Taxes

We recognized income tax expense of $66.0 million in 2016 compared to $59.0 million in 2015. The effective tax rate for 2016 was 35.6%, which differs from the U.S. Federal statutory rate of 35%21% primarily due to the impact of state and local taxes offset by the benefit of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code domestic manufacturing deduction. In addition, the rate for 2016 includes aand tax benefitcredits related to employee share-based payment awards, which are now recorded as anresearch and development expenses. Cash paid for income tax expense (or benefit)taxes in earnings effective with the adoption of a new accounting standard. Cash taxes paid in 20162019 and 2018 were $68.9 million.

$20.4 million and $24.2 million, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Capital Structure

Our capital structure is comprised of a mix of debt and equity. As of December 31, 2017,2019, our debt to equity ratio was approximately 1.1:0.9:1.0. Our long-term objective is to generate operating cash flows sufficient to support the growth within our businesses and increase shareholder value. We intend to achieve thisThis objective will be achieved through a balanced capital allocation strategy of maintaining strong liquidity, deleveraging our balance sheet, investing in the business, both organically and strategically, and returning capital to our shareholders. Throughout 2017,2019, and in keeping to this balanced approach, several actions were taken to demonstrate our commitment to prudently manage the overall financial risk and increase shareholder value through a return of capital. These actions include the repurchase of $70.1we repurchased $30.9 million of our common stock under the share repurchase program approved by our Board of Directors, reinstatingpaid dividends of $17.8 million, and made voluntary prepayments totaling approximately $50.0 million against our quarterly dividend in 2017 totaling $0.24 per share and $15.3 million, as well as completing the purchase of $4.4 million in principal of our outstanding Convertible Notes (see “Debt Agreements and Related Amendments”section below for details).Term Loan Credit Agreement. For 2018,2020, we expect to continue our commitment to fund our working capital requirements and capital expenditures while also returning capital to our shareholders and deleveraging our balance sheet through cash flows from operations as well as available borrowings under our existing Revolving Credit Agreement.

Agreement and returning capital to our shareholders.

Debt Agreements and Related Amendments

Convertible Senior Notes

In April 2012, we issued Convertible Senior Notes due 2018 (the “Convertible Notes”) in a public offering with an aggregate principal amount of $150 million.million in a public offering. The Convertible Notes bear interest at thea rate of 3.375% per annum from the date of issuance, payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1, and maturematured on May 1, 2018. The Convertible Notes arewere senior unsecured obligations and rankranked equally with our existing and future senior unsecured debt. We used the net proceeds of $145.1 million from the sale of the Convertible Notes to fund a portion of the purchase price of the acquisition of Walker Group Holdings (“Walker”) in May 2012.

45

As of December 31, 2017, and at any time until the close of business on the second business day immediately preceding the maturity date, the Convertible Notes are convertible by their holders into cash, shares of our common stock or any combination thereof at our election, at an initial conversion rate of 85.4372 shares of our common stock per $1,000 in principal amount of Notes, which is equal to an initial conversion price of approximately $11.70 per share.

If the Convertible Notes outstanding at December 31, 2017 had been converted as of December 31, 2017, the if-converted value would exceed the principal amount by approximately $38 million. It is our intent to settle conversions in cash for both the principal portion and the excess of the conversion value over the principal portion. The Convertible Notes mature on May 1, 2018 and are classified as current within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

We accountaccounted separately for the liability and equity components of the Convertible Notes in accordance with authoritative guidance for convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion. The guidance requires the carrying amount of the liability component

During 2018, we used $80.2 million in cash, excluding interest, to be estimated by measuring the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an associated conversion feature. We determined that senior, unsecured corporate bonds traded on the market represent a similar liability to the Convertible Notes without the conversion option. Based on market data available for publicly traded, senior, unsecured corporate bonds issued by companiessettle $44.6 million in the same industry and with similar maturity, we estimated the implied interest rateprincipal of the Convertible Notes to be 7.0%, assuming no conversion option. Assumptions used in the estimate represent what market participants would use in pricing the liability component, including market interest rates, credit standing, and yield curves, all of which are defined as Level 2 observable inputs.none were converted to common shares. The estimated implied interest rate was applied toexcess of the Convertible Notes, which resulted in a faircash settlement amount over the principal value of the liability componentConvertible

Notes was accounted for as a reacquisition of $123.8equity, resulting in a $35.5 million upon issuance, calculated as the present value of implied future payments based on the $150.0 million aggregate principal amount. The $21.7 million difference between the cash proceeds before offering expenses of $145.5 million and the estimated fair value of the liability component was recorded inreduction to additional paid-in capital. The discount on the liability portion of the Convertible Notes is being amortized over the life of the Convertible Notes using the effective interest rate method.

During 2017, we acquired $4.4 million in principal of such Convertible Notes for $8.0 million, excluding accrued interest. Additionally, in 2016 we acquired $82.0 million in principal for $98.9 million, excluding accrued interest.capital during 2018. For the years ended December 31, 20172018 and 20162017, we recognized a loss on debt extinguishment of $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively related to settlements and $1.9 million, respectively, for repurchase activity,the retirement of the Convertible Notes, which is included inOther, net on the Condensedour Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Senior Notes

On September 26, 2017, we issued Senior Notes due 2025 (the “Senior Notes”) in an offering pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with an aggregate principal amount of $325 million. The Senior Notes bear interest at the rate of 5.50% per annum from the date of issuance, and will pay interest semi-annually in cash on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on April 1, 2018.year. We used the net proceeds of $318.9 million from the sale of the Senior Notes to finance a portion of the acquisition of Supreme and to pay related fees and expenses.

The Senior Notes will mature on October 1, 2025. At any time prior to October 1, 2020, we may redeem some or all of the Senior Notes for cash at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes being redeemed plus an applicable make-whole premium set forth in the indenture for the Senior Notes and accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. Prior to October 1, 2020, we may redeem up to 40% of the Senior Notes at a redemption price of 105.50% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date, with the proceeds of certain equity offerings so long as if, after any such redemption occurs, at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes remains outstanding. On and after October 1, 2020, we may redeem some or all of the Senior Notes at redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) equal to 102.750% for the twelve-month period beginning on October 1, 2020, 101.375% for the twelve-month period beginning October 1, 2021 and 100.000% beginning on October 1, 2022, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the indenture for the Senior Notes), unless we have exercised our optional redemption right in respect of the Senior Notes, the holders of the Senior Notes have the right to require us to repurchase all or a portion of the Senior Notes at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of repurchase.

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The Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all of our direct and indirect existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries, subject to certain restrictions.exceptions. The Senior Notes and related guarantees are our and the guarantors’ general unsecured senior obligations and are subordinate to all of our and the guarantors’ existing and future secured debt to the extent of the assets securing that secured obligation.debt. In addition, the Senior Notes are structurally subordinate to any existing and future debt and other obligations of any of our subsidiaries that are not guarantors, to the extent of the assets of those subsidiaries.

The indenture for the Senior Notes restricts our ability and the ability of certain of itsour subsidiaries to: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or make other distributions in respect of, or repurchase or redeem, itsour capital stock or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, itsour profits; (iii) make loans and certain investments; (iv) sell assets; (v) create or incur liens; (vi) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (vii) consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of itsour assets. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. During any time when the Senior Notes are rated investment grade by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and no event of default has occurred orand is continuing, many of such covenants will be suspended and the Company and its subsidiaries will not be subject to such covenants during such period.

The indenture for the Senior Notes contains customary events of default, including payment defaults, breaches of covenants, failure to pay certain judgments and certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the principal amount of the Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, may be declared immediately due and payable. These amounts automatically become due and payable if an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occurs.

As of December 31, 2019, we were in compliance with all covenants.

Contractual coupon interest expense and accretion of discount and fees for the Senior Notes for the yearyears ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $18.5 million and $18.5 million and $4.8 million, respectively, and is included inInterest Expenseexpense on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Revolving Credit Agreement

In May 2012,

On December 21, 2018, we entered into the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as subsequently amended, the “Credit(the “Revolving Credit Agreement”), dated as of May 8, 2012, among us, certain of our subsidiaries from time to time party theretoas borrowers (together with us, the “Borrowers”), the several lenders from time to time party thereto, and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as the administrative agent, joint lead arranger and administrativejoint bookrunner (the “Revolver Agent”), and Citizens Business Capital, a division of Citizens Asset Finance, Inc., as syndication agent, (the “Agent”). The Credit Agreement provides for, among other things, (x) a $175 million senior securedjoint lead arranger and joint bookrunner, which amended and restated our existing amended and restated revolving credit facility that matures on June 4, 2020, subject to certain springing maturity events and (y) an uncommitted accordion feature allowing for an increase to the availability under the revolving credit facility of up to $50 million, subject to certain conditions (the “Revolving Credit Facility”).

The Revolving Credit Facility (i) bears interest, at the Borrowers’ election, at (x) LIBOR (subject to a floor of 0%) plus a margin ranging from 150 basis points to 200 basis points, or (y) a base rate plus a margin ranging from 50 basis points to 100 basis points, in each case, based upon the monthly average excess availability under the Revolving Credit Facility, (ii) requires us to pay a monthly unused line fee equal to 25 basis points times the average unused availability under the Revolving Credit Facility, (iii) provides that if availability under the Revolving Credit Facility is less than 12.5% of the total commitment under the Revolving Credit Facility or if there exists an event of default, amounts in any of the Borrowers’ and the subsidiary guarantors’ deposit accounts (other than certain excluded accounts) will be transferred daily into a blocked account held by the Agent and applied to reduce the outstanding amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility, and (iv) requires us to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.1 to 1.0agreement, dated as of the end of any period of 12 fiscal months when excess availability under theMay 8, 2012.

The Revolving Credit Facility is less than 10% of the total commitment under the Revolving Credit Facility.

In connection with, and in order to permit under the Credit Agreement, the Senior Notes offering and the acquisition of Supreme, on August 16, 2017, we entered into the Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement (the “Third Amendment”). The Third Amendment also permitted us to incur certain other indebtedness in connection with the acquisition of Supreme and to acquire certain liens and obligations of Supreme upon the consummation of the acquisition.

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The Credit Agreement is guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries (the “Revolver Guarantors”) and is secured by (i) first priority security interests (subject only to customary permitted liens and certain other permitted liens) in substantially all personal property of the Borrowers and the Revolver Guarantors, consisting of accounts receivable, inventory, cash, deposit and securities accounts and any cash or other assets in such accounts and, to the extent evidencing or otherwise related to such property,


all general intangibles, licenses, intercompany debt, letter of credit rights, commercial tort claims, chattel paper, instruments, supporting obligations, documents and payment intangibles (collectively, the “Revolver Priority Collateral”), and (ii) second-priority liens on and security interests in (subject only to the liens securing the Term Loan Credit Agreement (as defined below), customary permitted liens and certain other permitted liens) (A) equity interests of each direct subsidiary held by the BorrowerBorrowers and each Revolver Guarantor (subject to customary limitations in the case of the equity of foreign subsidiaries), and (B) substantially all other tangible and intangible assets of the Borrowers and the Revolver Guarantors including equipment, general intangibles, intercompany notes, insurance policies, investment property intellectual property and material owned realintellectual property (in each case, except to the extent constituting Revolver Priority Collateral), but excluding real property (collectively, including certain material owned real property that does not constitute collateral under the Revolving Credit Agreement, the “Term Priority Collateral”). The respective priorities of the security interests securing the Revolving Credit Agreement and the Term Loan Credit Agreement are governed by an Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of May 8, 2012, between the Revolver Agent and the Term Agent (as defined below), as amended (the “Intercreditor Agreement”).

The Revolving Credit Agreement has a scheduled maturity date of December 21, 2023, subject to certain springing maturity events.

Under the Revolving Credit Agreement, the lenders agree to make available to us a $175 million revolving credit facility. We have the option to increase the total commitment under the facility to up to $275 million, subject to certain conditions, including obtaining commitments from any one or more lenders, whether or not currently party to the Revolving Credit Agreement, to provide such increased amounts. Availability under the Revolving Credit Agreement will be based upon quarterly (or more frequent under certain circumstances) borrowing base certifications of the Borrowers’ eligible inventory and eligible accounts receivable, and will be reduced by certain reserves in effect from time to time. Subject to availability, the Revolving Credit Agreement provides for a letter of credit subfacility in an amount not in excess of $15 million, and allows for swingline loans in an amount not in excess of $17.5 million. Outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement will bear interest at an annual rate, at the Borrowers’ election, equal to (i) LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.25% to 1.75% or (ii) a base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.25% to 0.75%, in each case depending upon the monthly average excess availability under the revolving loan facility. The Borrowers are required to pay a monthly unused line fee equal to 0.20% times the average daily unused availability along with other customary fees and expenses of the Revolver Agent and the lenders.
The Revolving Credit Agreement contains customary covenants limiting our ability and the ability of certain of our affiliates to, among other things, pay cash dividends, incur debt or liens, redeem or repurchase stock, enter into transactions with affiliates, merge, dissolve, pay offrepay subordinated indebtedness, make investments and dispose of assets. In addition, we will be required to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.0 to 1.0 as of the end of any period of 12 fiscal months (commencing with the month ending December 31, 2018) when excess availability under the Revolving Credit Agreement is less than 10% of the total revolving commitment.
If availability under the Revolving Credit Agreement is less than 15% of the total revolving commitment or if there exists an event of default, amounts in any of the Borrowers’ and the Revolver Guarantors’ deposit accounts (other than certain excluded accounts) will be transferred daily into a blocked account held by the Revolver Agent and applied to reduce the outstanding amounts under the facility.
Subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, if the covenants under the Revolving Credit Agreement are breached, the lenders may, subject to various customary cure rights, require the immediate payment of all amounts outstanding and foreclose on collateral. Other customary events of default in the Revolving Credit Agreement include, without limitation, failure to pay obligations when due, initiation of insolvency proceedings, defaults on certain other indebtedness, and the incurrence of certain judgments that are not stayed, satisfied, bonded or discharged within 30 days.

As of December 31, 2017,2019 and 2018, we had no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement and were in compliance with all covenantscovenants. Our liquidity position, defined as cash on hand and available borrowing capacity on the Revolving Credit Agreement, amounted to $308.1 million as of December 31, 2019. In connection with the execution of the Revolving Credit Agreement.

Agreement, we recognized a loss on debt extinguishment of $0.1 million during 2018, which is included in Other, net on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Term Loan Credit Agreement

In May 2012, we entered into a Term Loan Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”), dated as of May 8, 2012, among us, the several lenders from time to time party thereto, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent (the “Term Agent”), joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner, which provides for, among other things, (x) a senior secured term loan of $188.0 million that matures on March 19, 2022, subject to certain springing maturity events (the “Term Loans”), and (y) an uncommitted accordion feature to provide for additional senior secured term loans of up to $75 million plus an unlimited amount provided that the senior secured leverage ratio would not exceed 3.00 to 1.00, subject to certain conditions (the “Term Loan Facility”).

On February 24, 2017, we entered into Amendment No. 3 to the Term Loan Credit Agreement (“Amendment No. 3”). As of February 24, 2017, $189.5 million of the Tranche B-2 Loans were outstanding. Under Amendment No. 3, the lenders agreed to

provide us term loans in the same aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Tranche B-2 Loans (the “Tranche B-3 Loans”), which were used to refinance the outstanding Tranche B-2 Loans.

In connection with, and in order to permit under the Term Loan Credit Agreement, the Senior Notes offering and the acquisition of Supreme, on August 18, 2017, we entered into Amendment No. 4 to the Term Loan Credit Agreement (“Amendment No. 4”). Amendment No. 4 also permitted us to incur certain other indebtedness in connection with the Supreme acquisition and to acquire certain liens and obligations of Supreme upon the consummation of the Supreme acquisition.

Furthermore, on November 17, 2017, we entered into Amendment No. 5 to the Term Loan Credit Agreement (“Amendment No. 5”). As of the Amendment No. 5 date, $188.0 million of the Term Loans were outstanding. Under Amendment No. 5, the lenders agreed to provide us term loans in the same aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Term Loans (“Tranche B-4 Loans”), which were used to refinance the outstanding Term Loans.

The Tranche B-4 Loans amortize in equal quarterly installments in aggregate amounts equal to 0.25% of the initial principal amount of the Tranche B-4 Loans, with the balance payable at maturity, and bear interest at a rate, at the Company’s election, equal to (i) LIBOR (subject to a floor of 0%) plus a margin of 225 basis points or (ii) a base rate (subject to a floor of 0%) plus a margin of 125 basis points. We are not subject to any financial covenants under the Term Loan Facility.

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The Term Loan Credit Agreement is guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries, and is secured by (i) first-priority liens on and security interests in the Term Priority Collateral, and (ii) second-priority security interests in the Revolver Priority Collateral.

The Term Loan Credit Agreement contains customary covenants limiting our ability to, among other things, pay cash dividends, incur debt or liens, redeem or repurchase stock, enter into transactions with affiliates, merge, dissolve, pay off subordinated indebtedness, make investments and dispose of assets. Subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, if the covenants under the Term Loan Credit Agreement are breached, the lenders may, subject to various customary cure rights, require the immediate payment of all amounts outstanding and foreclose on collateral. Other customary events of default in the Term Loan Credit Agreement include, without limitation, failure to pay obligations when due, initiation of insolvency proceedings, defaults on certain other indebtedness, and the incurrence of certain judgments that are not stayed, satisfied, bonded or discharged within 60 days.

As of December 31, 2019, we were in compliance with all covenants.

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 2015,2017, under the Term Loan Credit Agreement wethe Company paid interest of $7.4$7.8 million, $8.3$8.0 million and $8.5$7.4 million, respectively, and paid principal of $1.9$50.5 million, $1.9 million, and $1.4$1.9 million, respectively. WeDuring 2019, the Company recognized a losslosses on debt extinguishment totaling approximately $0.2 million in connection with the prepayment of $0.7 million during 2017 inprincipal. In connection with Amendment No. 3 and Amendment No. 5, which wasthe Company recognized a loss on debt extinguishment of approximately $0.7 million during 2017. The losses on debt extinguishment are included inOther, net on our Condensedthe Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2017, we2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had $187.6$135.2 million and $185.7 million, respectively, outstanding under the Term Loan Credit Agreement, of which none and $1.9 million, respectively, was classified as current on the CondensedCompany’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Sheets.

For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, 2016 and 2015 wethe Company incurred charges of $0.2 million $0.2 million, and $0.3 million, respectively,in each period for amortization of fees and original issuance discount which is included inInterest Expenseexpense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Cash Flow

2017

2019 compared to 2016

2018

Cash provided by operating activities for 2017 2019totaled $144.4$146.3 million, compared to $178.8$112.5 million in 2016.2018. The cash provided by operations during the current year period was the result of net income adjusted for various non-cash activities, including depreciation, amortization, net gain (loss) on the sale of assets, deferred taxes, loss on debt extinguishment, stock-based compensation, and accretion of debt discount and impairment of goodwill and intangibles, of $137.1$145.5 million, and a $7.3$0.8 million decrease in our working capital. Changes in key working capital accounts for 20172019 and 20162018 are summarized below (in thousands):

Source (Use) of cash: 2017  2016  Change 
Accounts receivable $31,943  $(809) $32,752 
Inventories $(13,158) $24,969  $(38,127)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $(963) $(13,002) $12,039 
Net (use) source of cash $17,822  $11,158  $6,664 

 2019 2018 Change
Source (use) of cash:     
Accounts receivable$8,327
 $(39,539) $47,866
Inventories(2,510) (18,713) 16,203
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(817) 32,653
 (33,470)
Net source (use) of cash$5,000
 $(25,599) $30,599
Accounts receivable decreased by $31.9$8.3 million in 2017 as2019 compared to an increase of $0.8$39.5 million in the prior year period.for 2018. Days sales outstanding, a measure of working capital efficiency that measures the amount of time a receivable is outstanding, decreased towas approximately 2527 days as of both December 31, 2017, compared to 30 days in 2016.2019 and 2018. The decrease in accounts receivable for 2017 was primarily the result of strong customer collections. Inventory increased by $13.2 million during 2017 as compared to a decrease of $25.0 million in 2016. The increase in inventory for the 2017 period2019 was primarily due to higher raw materials inventories forstrong customer collections during the expected strong demand environment for January 2018 as compared to January 2017. Ourcurrent year. Increases in inventory turns,in 2019 and 2018 resulted in a commonly used measure of working capital efficiency that measures how quickly inventory turns per year was approximately 7 times in 2017 compared to 8 times in 2016. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities decreased by $1.0 million in 2017 compared to a decrease of $13.0 million for 2016. The decrease in 2017 was primarily due to decreases in accruals pertaining to employee salaries and related incentive compensation offset by increased accounts payable due to timing of production. Days payable outstanding, a measure of working capital efficiency that measures the amount of time a payable is outstanding, was 21 days in 2017 and 16 days in 2016.

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Investing activities used $332.2 million during 2017 compared to $17.3 million used in 2016. Investing activities for 2017 was primarily related to the acquisition of Supreme completed in the third quarter for $323.5 million, netuse of cash acquired. It also includes capital expenditures to support growth and improvement initiatives at our facilities totaling $26.1 million. These uses of cash were partially offset by proceeds from sale of assets totaling $17.3 million, primarily related to the sale of our former branch locations. Cash used in investing activities in 2016 included capital expenditures to support growth and improvement initiatives at our facilities totaling $20.3 million, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of certain branch location assets totaling $3.0 million.

Financing activities provided $215.9 million during 2017, as the issuance of our new $325 million Senior Notes was partially offset by repurchases of common stock through our share repurchase program totaling $70.1 million, cash dividends paid to our shareholders and holders of our Convertible Notes of $15.3$2.5 million and the payment of principal under various debt and lease obligations totaling $18.3 million. Financing activities used $176.8 $18.7


million, during 2016 primarily due to the repurchases of common stock through our share repurchase program totaling $77.0 million and repurchase of Convertible Notes totaling $98.9 million, excluding accrued interest.

As of December 31, 2017, our liquidity position, defined as cash on hand and available borrowing capacity, amounted to $361.1 million, representing an increase of $28.1 million from December 31, 2016. Total debt and capital lease obligations amounted to $551.4 million as of December 31, 2017. As we continue to see a strong demand environment within the trailer industry and excellence in operational performance across all business segments, we believe our liquidity is adequate to fund our currently planned operations, working capital needs and capital expenditures for 2018.

2016 compared to 2015

Cash provided by operating activities for 2016 totaled $178.8 million, compared to $131.8 million in 2015. The cash provided by operations during the 2016 period was the result of net income adjusted for various non-cash activities, including depreciation, amortization, gain (loss) on the sale of assets, deferred taxes, loss on debt extinguishment, stock-based compensation, accretion of debt discount and impairment of goodwill and intangibles, of $179.4 million, and a $0.7 million increase in our working capital. Changes in key working capital accounts for 2016 and 2015 are summarized below (in thousands):

Source (Use) of cash: 2016  2015  Change 
Accounts receivable $(809) $(17,618) $16,809 
Inventories $24,969  $10,162  $14,807 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $(13,002) $(12,243) $(759)
Net (use) source of cash $11,158  $(19,699) $30,857 

Accounts receivable increased by $0.8 million in 2016 as compared to an increase of $17.6 million in the prior year period. Days sales outstanding, a measure of working capital efficiency that measures the amount of time a receivable is outstanding, increased to approximately 30 days as of December 31, 2016, compared to 25 days in 2015. The increase in accounts receivable for 2016 was primarily the result of the timing of shipments. Inventory decreased by $25.0 million during 2016 as compared to a decrease of $10.2 million in 2015. The decrease in inventory for the 2016 period was primarily due to lower finished goods inventories as customer shipments exceeded production, and lower raw materials inventories due to improved inventory management and expected lower demand volume for January 2017 as compared to January 2016.respectively. Our inventory turns, a commonly used measure of working capital efficiency that measures how quickly inventory turns per year was approximately 8 times in 20162019 compared to 10 times in 2018. The increase in inventory for 2019 resulted from higher finished goods and 2015.work in progress inventories partially offset by a decrease in raw materials inventory due to softer demand as of December 31, 2019 compared to December 31, 2018. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities decreased by $13.0$0.8 million in 20162019 compared to a decreasean increase of $12.2$32.7 million for 2015. The decrease in 2016 was primarily due to timing of production and a decrease in accruals pertaining to employee salaries and related incentive compensation.2018. Days payable outstanding, a measure of working capital efficiency that measures the amount of time a payable is outstanding, was 1624 days in 20162019 and 2015.

31 days in 2018. The decrease in 2019 was primarily due to lower raw materials inventory and the overall timing of payments compared to 2018, partially offset by an increase in accrued liabilities attributed to employee-related costs, including benefits and incentive programs.

Investing activities used $17.3$36.9 million during 20162019 compared to $7.6$13.2 million used in 2015.2018. Investing activities for 2016 include2019 included capital expenditures $37.6 million to support growth and improvement initiatives at our facilities partially offset by proceeds from the sale of assets totaling $0.8 million due to the sale of a building asset that resulted in an immaterial gain. Cash used in investing activities in 2018 was primarily related to capital expenditures to support growth and improvement initiatives at our facilities totaling $20.3$34.0 million, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of certain branch location assets totaling $3.0$17.8 million. Cash
Financing activities used in investing activities in 2015 was$101.6 million during 2019, primarily related to capital expenditures totaling $20.8principal payments on our Term Loan Credit Agreement of $50.5 million, partially offset by proceeds from the salecommon stock repurchases of property, plant$33.7 million, and equipment totaling $13.2 million, which was comprised primarilycash dividends paid to our shareholders of the sale of our former retail branch real estate.

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$17.8 million. Financing activities used $176.8$158.1 million during 2016,2018, primarily duerelated to the repurchase of Convertible Notes totaling $80.2 million, repurchases of common stock through our share repurchase program totaling $77.0$58.4 million, and repurchase of Notes totaling $98.9 million, excluding accrued interest. Financing activities used $91.4 million during 2015 primarily due to the repurchases of common stock through our share repurchase program totaling $60.1 million, repurchase of Notes totaling $22.9 million, excluding accrued interest, principal payments under existing debt and capital lease obligations of $6.1 million, and debt issuance costs of $2.6 million in relation to amendmentscash dividends paid to our Term Loan Credit Agreementshareholders and Credit Agreement.

Capital Expenditures

Capital spending amounted to $26.1 million for 2017 and is anticipated to be in the rangeholders of $40 million to $50 million for 2018. Capital spending for 2017 was primarily utilized to support maintenance, growth, and productivity improvement initiatives within our facilities. For 2018, the increase in expected capital spending is attributable to the acquisitionConvertible Notes of Supreme, which we expect to spend in the range of $10 to $12 million and our continued investment in growth and productivity improvement initiatives across all our facilities.

Off-Balance Sheet Transactions

$17.8 million.

As of December 31, 2017,2019, our liquidity position, defined as cash on hand and available borrowing capacity, amounted to $308.1 million, representing a decrease of $8.6 million from December 31, 2018. Total debt and finance lease obligations amounted to $456.1 million as of December 31, 2019. Based on the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2019, the expected demand environment within the trailer industry, and the current and anticipated operational performance of all three of our reportable segments, we had approximately $5.2 millionbelieve our cash on hand, available borrowing capacity, and future cash flows from operating activities will enable us to fund our planned operation levels, working capital requirements, capital expenditures, and debt service requirements in operating lease commitments, inclusive of Supreme. We did not enter into any material off-balance sheet debt or operating lease transactions during the year.

2020.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

A summary of payments of our contractual obligations and commercial commitments, both on and off balance sheet, as of December 31, 20172019 are as follows (in thousands):

  2018  2019  2020  2021  2022  Thereafter  Total 
DEBT:                            
Revolving Facility (due 2020) $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $- 
Convertible Senior Notes (due 2018)  44,561   -   -   -   -   -   44,561 
Term Loan Credit Facility (due 2022)  1,880   1,880   1,880   1,880   180,057   -   187,577 
Senior Notes (due 2025)  -   -   -   -   -   325,000   325,000 
Other Debt  92   -   -   -   -   -   92 
Capital Leases (including principal and interest)  361   361   361   361   30   -   1,474 
TOTAL DEBT $46,894  $2,241  $2,241  $2,241  $180,087  $325,000  $558,704 
                             
OTHER:                            
Operating Leases $2,466  $1,364  $688  $439  $254  $-  $5,211 
TOTAL OTHER $2,466  $1,364  $688  $439  $254  $-  $5,211 
                             
OTHER COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS:                            
Letters of Credit $5,303  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $5,303 
Raw Material Purchase Commitments  58,658   -   -   -   -   -   58,658 
Chassis Converter Pool Agreements  21,523   -   -   -   -   -   21,523 
TOTAL OTHER COMMERCIAL                            
COMMITMENTS $85,484  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $85,484 
                             
TOTAL OBLIGATIONS $134,844  $3,605  $2,929  $2,680  $180,341  $325,000  $649,399 

 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Thereafter Total
Debt:             
Revolving Facility (due 2023)$
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
Term Loan Credit Facility (due 2022)
 
 135,228
 
 
 
 135,228
Senior Notes (due 2025)
 
 
 
 
 325,000
 325,000
Finance Leases (including principal and interest)361
 361
 30
 
 
 
 752
Total debt361
 361
 135,258
 
 
 325,000
 460,980
Other:             
Operating Leases4,986
 4,477
 2,551
 1,855
 851
 1,242
 15,962
Total other4,986
 4,477
 2,551
 1,855
 851
 1,242
 15,962
Other commercial commitments:             
Letters of Credit7,432
 
 
 
 
 
 7,432
Raw Material Purchase Commitments83,922
 
 
 
 
 
 83,922
Chassis Agreements and Programs13,473
 
 
 
 
 
 13,473
Total other commercial commitments104,827
 
 
 
 
 
 104,827
Total obligations$110,174
 $4,838
 $137,809
 $1,855
 $851
 $326,242
 $581,769
Scheduled payments for our Revolving Credit Facility exclude interest payments as rates are variable. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a variable rate based on the London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR) or a base rate determined by the lender’s prime rate plus an applicable margin, as defined in the agreement. Outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate, at our election, equal to (i) LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.50%1.25% to 2.00%1.75% or (ii) a base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.50%0.25% to 1.00%0.75%, in each case depending upon the monthly average excess availability under the Revolving Credit Facility. We are required to pay a monthly unused line fee equal to 0.25%0.20% times the average daily unused availability along with other customary fees and expenses of our agent and lenders.

51


Scheduled payments for our Convertible Notes exclude interest payments. The Notes bear interest at the rate of 3.375% per annum from the date of issuance, payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1.

Scheduled payments for our Term Loan Credit Agreement, as amended, exclude interest payments as rates are variable. Borrowings under the Term Loan Credit Agreement, as amended, bear interest at a variable rate, at our election, equal to (i) LIBOR (subject to a floor of 0.00%) plus a margin of 2.25% or (ii) a base rate (subject to a floor of 0.00%) plus a margin of 1.25%. The Term Loan Credit Agreement matures in March 2022 subject to certain springing maturity events.

Scheduled payments for our Senior Notes exclude interest payments. The Senior Notes bear interest at the rate of 5.5% per annum from the date of issuance, payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1.

Capital

Finance leases represent future minimum lease payments including interest. Operating leases represent the total future minimum lease payments.

We have standby letters of credit totaling $5.3$7.4 million issued in connection with workers compensation claims and surety bonds.

We have $58.7$83.9 million in purchase commitments through December 20182020 for various raw material commodities, including aluminum, steel, polyethylene and nickel as well as other raw material components which are within normal production requirements.

We, through our subsidiary Supreme, obtain most vehicle chassis for ourits specialized vehicle products directly from the chassis manufacturers under converter pool agreements. Chassis are obtained from the manufacturers based on orders from customers, and in some cases, for unallocated orders. The agreements generally state that the manufacturer will provide a supply of chassis to be maintained at ourthe Company’s facilities with the condition that we will store such chassis and will not move, sell, or otherwise dispose of such chassis except under the terms of the agreement. In addition, the manufacturer typically retains the sole authority to authorize commencement of work on the chassis and to make certain other decisions with respect to the chassis including the terms and pricing of sales of the chassis to the manufacturer’s dealers. The manufacturer also does not transfer the certificate of origin to usthe Company nor permit usthe Company to sell or transfer the chassis to anyone other than the manufacturer (for ultimate resale to a dealer). Although we arethe Company is party to related financingfinance agreements with manufacturers, we havethe Company has not historically settled, nor do we expectexpects to in the future settle, any related obligations in cash. Instead, the obligation is settled by the manufacturer upon reassignment of the chassis to an accepted dealer, and the dealer is invoiced for the chassis by the manufacturer. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2019 the Company’s outstanding chassis converter pool with the manufacturer totaled $10.2 million and has included this financing agreement on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets within Prepaid expenses and other and Other accrued liabilities. All other chassis programs through its Supreme subsidiary are handled as consigned inventory belonging to the manufacturer and totaled approximately $3.3 million. Under these agreements, if the chassis is not delivered to a customer within a specified time frame we arethe Company is required to pay a finance or storage charge on the chassis. Additionally, wethe Company receives finance support funds from manufacturers when the chassis are assigned into ourthe Company’s chassis pool. Typically, chassis are converted and delivered to customers within 90 days of the receipt of the chassis.

chassis by the Company.

The total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions, including positions impacting only the timing of tax benefits, was $2.1 million at December 31, 2019. Payment of these obligations would result from settlements with taxing authorities. Due to the difficulty in determining the timing of settlements, these obligations are not included in the table above. We do not expect to make a tax payment related to these obligations within the next year that would significantly impact liquidity.
Significant Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates

Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements. Certain of our accounting policies require the application of significant judgment by management in selecting the appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates. By their nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. These judgments are based on our historical experience, terms of existing contracts, evaluation of trends in the industry, information provided by our customers and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate.

We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if it requires us to make assumptions about matters that were uncertain at the time we were making the estimate or changes in the estimate or different estimates that we could have selected would have had a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

52

The table below presentsWarranties. We estimate warranty claims based on our historical information aboutand the nature, frequency and rationaleaverage cost of claims of our various product lines, combined with our current understanding of existing claims, recall campaigns and discussions with our customers. Actual experience could differ from the amounts estimated requiring adjustments to these liabilities in future periods. Due to the uncertainty and potential volatility of the factors contributing to developing estimates, changes in our assumptions could materially affect our results of operations.

Legal and Other Contingencies. The outcomes of legal proceedings and claims brought against us and other loss contingencies are subject to significant uncertainty. We establish legal contingency reserves when we determine that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. In determining the appropriate accounting for loss contingencies, we consider the likelihood of loss or the incurrence of a liability, as well as our ability to reasonably estimate the

amount of loss. We regularly evaluate current information available to us to determine whether an accrual should be established or adjusted. Estimating the probability that a loss will occur and estimating the amount of a loss or a range of loss involves significant judgment and such matters are unpredictable. We could incur judgments or enter into settlements for current or future claims that could materially impact our results of operations.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Definite-Lived Intangible Assets.  We review, on at least a quarterly basis, the financial performance of each business unit for indicators of impairment. In reviewing for impairment indicators, we also consider events or changes in circumstances such as business prospects, customer retention, market trends, potential product obsolescence, competitive activities and other economic factors. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying value of an asset group exceeds the future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that asset group. The impairment loss recognized is the amount by which the carrying value of the asset group exceeds its fair value.
Goodwill.  We assess goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis as of October 1, after the annual planning process is complete. More frequent evaluations may be required if we experience changes in our business climate or as a result of other triggering events that may take place. If the carrying value exceeds fair value, the asset is considered impaired and is reduced to its fair value.
In assessing goodwill for impairment, we may choose to initially evaluate qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the qualitative assessment is not conclusive, then an impairment analysis for goodwill is performed at the reporting unit level using a quantitative approach. The quantitative test is a comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit, determined using a combination of the income and market approaches, to its recorded amount. If the recorded amount exceeds the fair value, an impairment is recorded to reduce the carrying amount to fair value, but will not exceed the amount of goodwill that is recorded.
The process of evaluating goodwill for impairment is subjective and requires significant judgment at many points during the analysis. If we elect to perform an optional qualitative analysis, we consider many factors including, but not limited to, general economic conditions, industry and market conditions, financial performance and key business drivers, long-term operating plans, and potential changes to significant assumptions used in the most recent fair value analysis for the reporting unit. When performing a quantitative goodwill impairment test, we generally determine fair value using a combination of an income-based approach and a market-based approach. The fair value determination consists primarily of using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) under the fair value measurement standards. We believe the most critical accounting estimates:

Balance Sheet
Caption
Critical
Estimate Item
Natureassumptions and estimates in determining the estimated fair value of Estimates
Required
Assumptions/
Approaches Used
Key Factors
Other accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilitiesWarrantyEstimating warranty requires us to forecast the resolution of existing claims and expected future claims on products sold.We base our estimate on historical trends of products sold and payment amounts, combined with our current understanding of the status of existing claims, recall campaigns and discussions with our customers.Failure rates and estimated repair costs
Accounts receivableAllowance for doubtful accountsEstimating the allowance for doubtful accounts requires us to estimate the financial capability of customers to pay for products.We base our estimates on historical experience, the length of time an account is outstanding, evaluation of customer’s financial condition and information from credit rating services.Customer financial condition
InventoriesLower of cost or market write-downsWe evaluate future demand for products, market conditions and incentive programs.Estimates are based on recent sales data, historical experience, external market analysis and third party appraisal services.

Market conditions

Product type

Property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, goodwill and other assetsImpairment of long- lived assetsWe are required periodically to review the recoverability of certain of our assets based on projections of anticipated future cash flows, including future profitability assessments of various product lines.We estimate cash flows using internal budgets based on recent sales data, and independent trailer production volume to assist with estimating future demand.

Future production estimates

In addition, there are other items within our financial statements that require estimation,reporting units include, but are not as critical aslimited to, the amounts and timing of expected future cash flows which is largely dependent on expected EBITDA margins, the discount rate applied to those discussed above. Changes in estimatescash flows, and terminal growth rates. The assumptions used in thesedetermining our expected future cash flows consider various factors such as historical operating trends and other items could have a significant effectlong-term operating strategies and initiatives. The discount rate used by each reporting unit is based on our consolidated financial statements.assumption of a prudent investor’s required rate of return of assuming the risk of investing in a particular company. The determinationterminal growth rate reflects the sustainable operating income a reporting unit could generate in a perpetual state as a function of revenue growth, inflation and future margin expectations. Future events and changing market conditions may, however, lead us to re-evaluate the assumptions we have used to test for goodwill impairment, including key assumptions used in our expected EBITDA margins and cash flows, as well as other key assumptions with respect to matters out of our control, such as discount rates and market multiple comparables.

Goodwill impairment test
As of December 31, 2019, goodwill allocated to our CTP, DPG, and FMP segments was approximately $2.6 million, $140.7 million, and $167.7 million, respectively. In connection with our annual goodwill impairment test, we performed a quantitative assessment for each reporting unit as of October 1, 2019, utilizing a combination of the income and market approaches, the results of which we weighted evenly. No impairment was indicated as the fair market value of our finished goods, primarily consistingeach reporting unit exceeded its respective carrying value.
In the fourth quarter of new trailers,2019, the FMP reporting unit did not perform in-line with internal expectations, driven by several operational inefficiencies, which we identified as an indicator of impairment. As a result, we performed an interim quantitative assessment as of December 31, 2019, utilizing a combination of the income and market approaches, which we weighted evenly. No impairment was indicated as the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying value. The results of the quantitative analysis performed indicated the fair value of the FMP reporting unit exceeded the carrying value by approximately 3%. Key assumptions used trailer inventories are subjectin the analysis were a discount rate of 16.0%, EBITDA margin, and a terminal growth rate of 3.0%. Since the acquisition of Supreme in 2017, which is when we added the FMP reporting unit, we have invested, and intend to variation, particularlycontinue to invest, in times of rapidlygrowth and productivity initiatives that will drive strong future profitability. While the financial benefits from these initiatives have not materialized as quickly as anticipated and thus have resulted in lower than projected post-acquisition EBITDA for the reporting unit, we continue to believe these projects will result in significant future earnings. Future events and changing market conditions. A 5% changeconditions may, however, lead us to re-evaluate the assumptions we have used to test for goodwill impairment, including key assumptions used in our expected EBITDA margins and cash flows, as well as other key assumptions with respect to matters out of our control,

such as discount rates and market multiple comparables. Based on the results of the interim quantitative test, we performed sensitivity analysis around the key assumptions used in the valuationanalysis, the results of our finished goodswhich were: (a) a 100 basis point decrease in the EBITDA margin used to determine expected future cash flows would have resulted in an impairment of approximately $19.5 million, (b) a 50 basis point increase in the discount rate would have resulted in an impairment of approximately $5.0 million, and used trailer inventories at(c) a 100 basis point decrease in the terminal growth rate would have resulted in an impairment of approximately $5.4 million.
Subsequent impairment indicators
Subsequent to December 31, 2017, would2019, the Company’s market capitalization has declined, which may be approximately $3.1 million.

an indicator of impairment. We believe this decline in our market capitalization is primarily due to softer trailer production estimates from ACT and FTR for 2020 and 2021 compared to 2019. The Company will continue to assess the impact of its market capitalization and any other indicators of potential impairment. It is possible that if the Company’s market capitalization decline is more than temporary, or if other indicators of impairment are identified, an interim impairment analysis may be necessary, which could result in an impairment of goodwill.

Other

Inflation

Inflation impacts prices paid for labor, materials and supplies. Significant increases in the costs of production or certain commodities, raw materials, and components could have an adverse impact on our results of operations. As has been our practice, we will endeavor to offset the impact of inflation through selective price increases, productivity improvements and hedging activities.

New Accounting Pronouncements

For information related to new accounting standards, see Note 23 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

ITEM 7A–QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

In addition to the risks inherent in our operations, we have exposure to financial and market risk resulting from volatility in commodity prices and interest rates. The following discussion provides additional detail regarding our exposure to these risks.

53

Commodity Price Risks

a.Commodity Price Risks

We are exposed to fluctuation in commodity prices through the purchase of various raw materials that are processed from commodities such as aluminum, steel, lumber, nickel, copper and polyethylene. Given the historical volatility of certain commodity prices, this exposure can significantly impact product costs. We manage some of our commodity price changes by entering into fixed price contracts with our suppliers.suppliers and through financial derivatives. To the extent that we are unable to offset the increased commodity costs in our product prices, our results would be materially and adversely affected. As of December 31, 2017,2019, we had $58.7$83.9 million in raw material purchase commitments through December 20182020 for materials that will be used in the production process, as compared to $57.8$147.5 million as of December 31, 2016.2018. We typically do not set prices for our products more than 45-90 days in advance of our commodity purchases and can, subject to competitive market conditions, take into account the cost of the commodity in setting our prices for each order. To the extent that we are unable to offset the increased commodity costs in our product prices, our results would be materially and adversely affected.

b.Interest Rates

As of December 31, 2017,2019, a hypothetical 100 basis-point change in commodity prices based on our raw material purchase commitments through December 2020 would result in a corresponding change in cost of goods sold over a one-year period of approximately $8.4 million. This sensitivity analysis does not account for the change in the competitive environment indirectly related to the change in commodity prices and the potential managerial action taken in response to these changes.

Interest Rates
As of December 31, 2019, we had no floating rate debt outstanding under our Revolving Credit Facility and for 20172019 we maintained no floating rate borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility. In addition, as of December 31, 2017,2019, we had outstanding borrowings under our Term Loan Credit Agreement, as amended, totaling $187.6$135.2 million that bear interest at a floating rate, subject to a minimum interest rate. Based on the average borrowings under our revolving facility and the outstanding indebtedness under our Term Loan Credit Agreement a hypothetical 100 basis-point change in the floating interest rate would result in a corresponding change in interest expense over a one-year period of $1.9approximately $1.4 million. This sensitivity analysis does not account for the change in the competitive environment indirectly related to the change in interest rates and the potential managerial action taken in response to these changes.

c.Foreign Exchange Rates

Foreign Exchange Rates
We are subject to fluctuations in the British pound sterling and Mexican peso exchange rates that impact transactions with our foreign subsidiaries, as well as U.S. denominated transactions between these foreign subsidiaries and unrelated parties. A fiveten percent change in the British pound sterling or Mexican peso exchange rates would have an immaterial impact on results of operations. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

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ITEM 8—FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 PagesPage
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

55


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The



To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Wabash National Corporation

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Wabash National Corporation (the “Company“)Company) as of December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders‘stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017,2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements“statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017,2019, in conformity with US generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017,2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control—IntegratedControl-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated February 28, 201825, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company‘sCompany’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company‘sCompany’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the USU.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 PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the account or disclosure to which it relates.
Valuation of Goodwill
Description of the MatterAt December 31, 2019, the Company’s goodwill was $311.0 million. As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate its carrying value may not be recoverable.
Auditing management’s annual goodwill impairment test was complex and highly judgmental due to the significant estimation required to determine the fair values of the reporting units. In particular, the fair value estimates were sensitive to significant assumptions, such as changes in the discount rate, EBITDA margin, and terminal growth rates, which are affected by expectations about future market or economic conditions.


How We Addressed the Matter in Our AuditWe obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s goodwill impairment testing process, including controls over management’s review of the significant data and assumptions described above.
To test the estimated fair values of the Company’s reporting units, we performed audit procedures that included, among others, assessing methodologies, testing the significant assumptions discussed above used to develop the prospective financial information and testing the underlying data used by the Company in its analysis. We compared the prospective financial information developed by management to the historical performance of each reporting unit as well as current industry and economic trends, and evaluated the expected impacts of the Company’s operating strategies and initiatives on the significant assumptions. In addition, we tested management’s reconciliation of the fair value of the reporting units to the market capitalization of the Company. We involved our internal valuation specialists to assist in our evaluation of the methodologies used by the Company, the discount rate assumptions and the calculations of each reporting unit’s fair value.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP 
  
We have served as the Company‘sCompany’s auditor since 2002. 
Indianapolis, Indiana 
February 28, 2018

5625, 2020 


WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)

  December 31, 
  2017  2016 
ASSETS        
CURRENT ASSETS        
Cash and cash equivalents $191,521  $163,467 
Accounts receivable  146,836   153,634 
Inventories  180,735   139,953 
Prepaid expenses and other  57,299   24,351 
Total current assets $576,391  $481,405 
         
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT  195,363   134,138 
         
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES  -   20,343 
         
GOODWILL  317,464   148,367 
         
INTANGIBLE ASSETS  237,030   94,405 
         
OTHER ASSETS  25,265   20,075 
  $1,351,513  $898,733 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY        
CURRENT LIABILITIES        
Current portion of long-term debt $46,020  $2,468 
Current portion of capital lease obligations  290   494 
Accounts payable  108,448   71,338 
Other accrued liabilities  128,910   92,314 
Total current liabilities $283,668  $166,614 
         
LONG-TERM DEBT  504,091   233,465 
         
CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS  1,012   1,409 
         
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES  36,955   499 
         
OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES  19,724   24,355 
         
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES        
         
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY        
Common stock 200,000,000 shares authorized, $0.01 par value, 57,564,493 and 60,129,631 shares outstanding, respectively  737   725 
Additional paid-in capital  653,435   640,883 
Retained earnings  98,728   3,591 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (2,385)  (2,847)
Treasury stock at cost, 16,207,740 and 12,474,109 common shares, respectively  (244,452)  (169,961)
Total stockholders' equity $506,063  $472,391 
  $1,351,513  $898,733 


 December 31,
 2019 2018
Assets   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$140,516
 $132,690
Accounts receivable, net172,737
 181,064
Inventories186,914
 184,404
Prepaid expenses and other41,222
 51,261
Total current assets541,389
 549,419
Property, plant, and equipment, net221,346
 206,991
Goodwill311,026
 311,084
Intangible assets189,898
 210,328
Other assets40,932
 26,571
Total assets$1,304,591
 $1,304,393
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity   
Current liabilities:   
Current portion of long-term debt$
 $1,880
Current portion of finance lease obligations327
 299
Accounts payable134,821
 153,113
Other accrued liabilities124,230
 116,384
Total current liabilities259,378
 271,676
Long-term debt455,386
 503,018
Finance lease obligations378
 714
Deferred income taxes37,576
 34,905
Other non-current liabilities30,885
 20,231
Total liabilities783,603
 830,544
Commitments and contingencies


 


Stockholders' equity:   
Common stock, $0.01 par value: 200,000,000 shares authorized; 53,473,620 and 55,135,788 shares outstanding, respectively750
 744
Additional paid-in capital638,917
 629,039
Retained earnings221,841
 150,244
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(3,978) (3,343)
Treasury stock, at cost: 21,640,109 and 19,372,735 common shares, respectively(336,542) (302,835)
Total stockholders' equity520,988
 473,849
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$1,304,591
 $1,304,393

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Statements.

57


WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
          
NET SALES $1,767,161  $1,845,444  $2,027,489 
             
COST OF SALES  1,506,286   1,519,910   1,724,046 
             
Gross profit $260,875  $325,534  $303,443 
             
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES  77,825   74,129   73,495 
             
SELLING EXPENSES  25,588   27,270   27,233 
             
AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLES  17,041   19,940   21,259 
             
ACQUISITON EXPENSES  9,605   -   - 
             
OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES  -   1,663   1,087 
             
Income from operations $130,816  $202,532  $180,369 
             
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):            
Interest expense  (16,400)  (15,663)  (19,548)
Other, net  8,122   (1,452)  2,490 
             
Income before income taxes $122,538  $185,417  $163,311 
             
INCOME TAX EXPENSE  11,116   65,984   59,022 
             
Net income $111,422  $119,433  $104,289 
             
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE $0.255  $0.060  $- 
             
BASIC NET INCOME PER SHARE $1.88  $1.87  $1.55 
             
DILUTED NET INCOME PER SHARE $1.78  $1.82  $1.50 


 Year Ended December 31,
 2019 2018 2017
Net sales$2,319,136
 $2,267,278
 $1,767,161
Cost of sales2,012,754
 1,983,627
 1,506,286
Gross profit306,382
 283,651
 260,875
General and administrative expenses108,274
 95,114
 77,825
Selling expenses34,851
 33,046
 25,588
Amortization of intangible assets20,471
 19,468
 17,041
Acquisition expenses
 68
 9,605
Impairment
 24,968
 
Income from operations142,786
 110,987
 130,816
Other income (expense):     
Interest expense(27,340) (28,759) (16,400)
Other, net2,285
 13,776
 8,122
Other expense, net(25,055) (14,983) (8,278)
Income before income tax117,731
 96,004
 122,538
Income tax expense28,156
 26,583
 11,116
Net income$89,575
 $69,421
 $111,422
      
Net income per share:     
Basic$1.64
 $1.22
 $1.88
Diluted$1.62
 $1.19
 $1.78
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands):     
Basic54,695
 56,996
 59,358
Diluted55,290
 58,430
 62,599
      
Dividends declared per share$0.320
 $0.305
 $0.255
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Statements.

58



WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Dollars in thousands)

  Year Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
          
NET INCOME $111,422  $119,433  $104,289 
             
Other comprehensive (loss) income:            
Foreign currency translation adjustment  487   (1,347)  (863)
Unrealized holding loss on investments  (25)  -   - 
Total other comprehensive (loss) income  462   (1,347)  (863)
             
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $111,884  $118,086  $103,426 


 Year Ended December 31,
 2019 2018 2017
Net income$89,575
 $69,421
 $111,422
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:     
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other712
 (193) 462
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments(1,347) (765) 
Total other comprehensive (loss) income(635) (958) 462
Comprehensive income$88,940
 $68,463
 $111,884

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Statements.

59



WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS'STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Dollars in thousands)

                      
              Accumulated       
        Additional  Retained  Other       
  Common Stock  Paid-In  Earnings  Comprehensive  Treasury    
  Shares  Amount  Capital  (Deficit)  Losses  Stock  Total 
                      
BALANCES, December 31, 2014  68,998,069  $709  $635,606  $(216,198) $(637) $(28,648) $390,832 
                             
Net income for the year              104,289           104,289 
Foreign currency translation                  (863)      (863)
Stock-based compensation  396,389   4   10,006               10,010 
Stock repurchase  (4,651,570)                  (61,757)  (61,757)
Equity component of convertible senior notes repurchase          (4,714)              (4,714)
Common stock issued in connection with:                            
Stock option exercises  186,622   2   2,010               2,012 
                             
BALANCES, December 31, 2015  64,929,510  $715  $642,908  $(111,909) $(1,500) $(90,405) $439,809 
                             
Net income for the year              119,433           119,433 
Foreign currency translation                  (1,347)      (1,347)
Stock-based compensation  615,066   6   12,031               12,037 
Stock repurchase  (5,832,387)                  (79,556)  (79,556)
Equity component of convertible senior notes repurchase          (18,883)              (18,883)
Common stock dividends              (3,933)          (3,933)
Common stock issued in connection with:                            
Stock option exercises  417,442   4   4,827               4,831 
                             
BALANCES, December 31, 2016  60,129,631  $725  $640,883  $3,591  $(2,847) $(169,961) $472,391 
                             
Net income for the year              111,422           111,422 
Foreign currency translation                  487       487 
Stock-based compensation  650,218   7   10,422               10,429 
Stock repurchase  (3,726,809)                  (74,491)  (74,491)
Equity component of convertible senior notes repurchase          (3,655)              (3,655)
Common stock dividends              (16,285)          (16,285)
Unrealized holding loss on investments, net of tax                  (25)      (25)
Common stock issued in connection with:                            
Stock option exercises  511,453   5 �� 5,785               5,790 
                             
BALANCES, December 31, 2017  57,564,493  $737  $653,435  $98,728  $(2,385) $(244,452) $506,063 



 Common Stock 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
(Deficit)
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Losses
 
Treasury
Stock
 Total
 Shares Amount     
              
Balances at December 31, 201660,129,631
 $725
 $640,883
 $3,591
 $(2,847) $(169,961) $472,391
Net income for the year      111,422
     111,422
Foreign currency translation and other        462
   462
Stock-based compensation650,218
 7
 10,422
       10,429
Stock repurchase(3,726,809)         (74,491) (74,491)
Equity component of convertible senior notes repurchase    (3,655)       (3,655)
Common stock dividends      (16,285)     (16,285)
Common stock issued in connection with:             
Stock option exercises511,453
 5
 5,785
       5,790
Balances at December 31, 201757,564,493
 $737
 $653,435
 $98,728
 $(2,385) $(244,452) $506,063
Net income for the year      69,421
     69,421
Foreign currency translation and other        (193)   (193)
Stock-based compensation404,628
 6
 10,163
       10,169
Stock repurchase(2,935,978)         (58,383) (58,383)
Equity component of convertible senior notes repurchase    (35,519)       (35,519)
Common stock dividends      (17,905)     (17,905)
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net of tax        (765)   (765)
Common stock issued in connection with:             
Stock option exercises102,645
 1
 960
       961
Balances at December 31, 201855,135,788
 $744
 $629,039
 $150,244
 $(3,343) $(302,835) $473,849
Net income for the year      89,575
     89,575
Foreign currency translation and other        712
   712
Stock-based compensation319,430
 5
 9,031
       9,036
Stock repurchase(2,072,798)         (33,707) (33,707)
Common stock dividends      (17,978)     (17,978)
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net of tax        (1,347)   (1,347)
Common stock issued in connection with:             
Stock option exercises91,200
 1
 847
       848
Balances at December 31, 201953,473,620
 $750
 $638,917
 $221,841
 $(3,978) $(336,542) $520,988

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Statements.

60


WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

  Years Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
          
Cash flows from operating activities            
Net income $111,422  $119,433  $104,289 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by            
operating activities            
Depreciation  18,012   16,830   16,739 
Amortization of intangibles  17,041   19,940   21,259 
Net (gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment  (8,046)  101   (8,299)
Loss on debt extinguishment  799   1,895   5,808 
Deferred income taxes  (14,682)  4,044   (7,749)
Stock-based compensation  10,429   12,038   10,010 
Non-cash interest expense  2,258   3,475   5,222 
Impairment of goodwill and other intangibles  -   1,663   1,087 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities            
Accounts receivable  31,943   (809)  (17,618)
Inventories  (13,158)  24,969   10,162 
Prepaid expenses and other  (2,014)  (10,147)  1,786 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  (963)  (13,002)  (12,243)
Other, net  (8,662)  (1,680)  1,342 
Net cash provided by operating activities $144,379  $178,750  $131,795 
             
Cash flows from investing activities            
Capital expenditures  (26,056)  (20,342)  (20,847)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment  10,860   19   13,203 
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired  (323,487)  -   - 
Other, net  6,443   3,014   - 
Net cash used in investing activities $(332,240) $(17,309) $(7,644)
             
Cash flows from financing activities            
Proceeds from exercise of stock options  5,790   4,831   2,012 
Borrowings under senior notes  325,000   -   - 
Dividends paid  (15,315)  -   - 
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities  713   618   1,134 
Payments under revolving credit facilities  (713)  (618)  (1,134)
Principal payments under capital lease obligations  (600)  (779)  (4,201)
Proceeds from issuance of term loan credit facility  377,519   -   192,845 
Principal payments under term loan credit facility  (386,577)  (1,928)  (194,291)
Principal payments under industrial revenue bond  (583)  (473)  (496)
Debt issuance costs paid  (6,783)  -   (2,587)
Convertible senior notes repurchase  (8,045)  (98,922)  (22,936)
Stock repurchase  (74,491)  (79,556)  (61,757)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities $215,915  $(176,827) $(91,411)
             
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents $28,054  $(15,386) $32,740 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year  163,467   178,853   146,113 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $191,521  $163,467  $178,853 
             
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information            
Cash paid during the period for            
Interest $8,394  $12,656  $14,578 
Income taxes $41,391  $68,870  $66,283 

 Year Ended December 31,
 2019 2018 2017
Cash flows from operating activities 
  
  
Net income$89,575
 $69,421
 $111,422
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:     
Depreciation21,886
 21,215
 18,012
Amortization of intangibles20,471
 19,468
 17,041
Net gain on sale of property, plant and equipment(109) (10,148) (8,046)
Loss on debt extinguishment165
 280
 799
Deferred income taxes3,420
 (2,976) (14,682)
Stock-based compensation9,036
 10,169
 10,429
Non-cash interest expense1,045
 1,745
 2,258
Impairment of goodwill and other assets
 24,968
 
Accounts receivable8,327
 (39,539) 31,943
Inventories(2,510) (18,713) (13,158)
Prepaid expenses and other(3,809) 4,548
 (2,014)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(817) 32,653
 (963)
Other, net(396) (620) (8,662)
Net cash provided by operating activities146,284
 112,471
 144,379
Cash flows from investing activities     
Capital expenditures(37,645) (34,009) (26,056)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment785
 17,776
 10,860
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 
 (323,487)
Other, net
 3,060
 6,443
Net cash used in investing activities(36,860) (13,173) (332,240)
Cash flows from financing activities     
Proceeds from exercise of stock options848
 961
 5,790
Borrowings under senior notes
 
 325,000
Dividends paid(17,797) (17,768) (15,315)
Borrowings under revolving credit facilities619
 937
 713
Payments under revolving credit facilities(619) (937) (713)
Principal payments under finance lease obligations(308) (290) (600)
Proceeds from issuance of term loan credit facility
 
 377,519
Principal payments under term loan credit facility(50,470) (1,880) (386,577)
Principal payments under industrial revenue bond
 (93) (583)
Debt issuance costs paid(164) (476) (6,783)
Convertible senior notes repurchase
 (80,200) (8,045)
Stock repurchase(33,707) (58,383) (74,491)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities(101,598) (158,129) 215,915
Cash and cash equivalents:     
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash7,826
 (58,831) 28,054
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of year132,690
 191,521
 163,467
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of year$140,516
 $132,690
 $191,521
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:     
Cash paid for interest$26,234
 $27,386
 $9,479
Cash paid for income taxes$20,379
 $24,243
 $41,391
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Statements.

61


WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS
Wabash National Corporation (the “Company,” “Wabash” or “Wabash National”) manufactures a diverse range of products including: dry freight and refrigerated trailers, platform trailers, bulk tank trailers, dry and refrigerated truck bodies, truck-mounted tanks, intermodal equipment, aircraft refueling equipment, structural composite panels and products, trailer aerodynamic solutions, and specialty food grade and pharmaceutical equipment. Its innovative products are sold under the following brand names: Wabash National®, Beall®, Benson®, Brenner® Tank, Bulk Tank International, DuraPlate®, Extract Technology®, Garsite, Progress Tank, Supreme Transcraft®, Transcraft®, Walker Engineered Products, and Walker Transport.

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

a.Basis of Consolidation

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Consolidation.The consolidated financial statements reflect the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany profits, transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

b.Use of Estimates

Reclassifications. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
Use of Estimates.The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that directly affect the amounts reported in its consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

c.Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of its products when the customer has made a fixed commitment to purchase a product for a fixed or determinable price, collection is reasonably assured under the Company’s normal billing

Cash and credit terms and ownership and all risk of loss has been transferred to the buyer, which is normally upon shipment to or pick up by the customer. Revenues on certain contracts are recorded on a percentage of completion method, measured by actual total cost incurred to the total estimated costs for each project. The Company excludes from revenue vehicle chassis obtained through its converter pool agreements as the original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) retains full rights and ownership of the chassis for ultimate sale to an authorized OEM dealer. Revenues exclude all taxes collected from the customer. Shipping and handling fees are included inNet Sales and the associated costs included inCost of Salesin the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

d.Used Trailer Trade Commitments and Residual Value Guarantees

In the normal course of business, the Company commits to accept used trailers on trade for new trailer purchases. These commitments arise related to future new trailer orders at the time a new trailer order is placed by the customer. The Company acquired used trailers on trade of $9.5 million, $4.6 million, and $12.8 million in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had $3.2 million in outstanding trade commitments which also represented the estimated net realizable value of the underlying used trailer. The Company had no outstanding trade commitments as of December 31, 2016. On occasion, the amount of the trade allowance provided for in the used trailer commitments, or cost, may exceed the net realizable value of the underlying used trailer. In these instances, the Company’s policy is to recognize the loss related to these commitments at the time the new trailer revenue is recognized. Net realizable value of used trailers is measured considering market sales data for comparable types of trailers.

e.Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase.

62

f.Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable.Accounts receivable are shown net of allowance for doubtful accounts and primarily include trade receivables. The Company records and maintains a provision for doubtful accounts for customers based upon a variety of factors including the Company’s historical collection experience, the length of time the account has been outstanding and the financial condition of the customer. If the circumstances related to specific customers were to change, the Company’s estimates with respect to the collectability of the related accounts could be further adjusted. The Company’s policy is to write-off receivables when they are determined to be uncollectible. Provisions to the allowance for doubtful accounts are charged toSellingand General and Administrative Expensesadministrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The following table presents the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts (in thousands):

  Years Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
Balance at beginning of year $951  $956  $1,047 
Provision  119   117   145 
Write-offs, net of recoveries  (201)  (122)  (236)
Balance at end of year $869  $951  $956 

g.Inventories

 Years ended December 31,
 2019 2018 2017
Balance at beginning of year$665
 $869
 $951
Provision282
 63
 119
Write-offs, net of recoveries(277) (267) (201)
Balance at end of year$670
 $665
 $869

Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined on either the first-in, first-out or average cost method, or market.net realizable value. The cost of manufactured inventory includes raw material, labor and overhead. Inventories, net of reserves, consist of the following (in thousands):

  December 31, 
  2017  2016 
Raw materials and components $83,834  $53,388 
Finished goods  54,000   57,297 
Work in progress  29,123   18,422 
Used trailers  7,330   2,490 
Aftermarket parts  6,448   8,356 
  $180,735  $139,953 

h.Prepaid Expenses and Other

Prepaid Expenses and Other. Prepaid expenses and other as of December 31, 20172019 and 20162018 consists of the following (in thousands):

  December 31, 
  2017  2016 
Chassis converter pool agreements $18,326  $- 
Income tax receivables  10,821   6,926 
Assets held for sale  10,777   5,788 
Insurance premiums & maintenance agreements  6,860   3,555 
All other  10,515   8,082 
  $57,299  $24,351 

 December 31,
 2019 2018
Chassis converter pool agreements$10,164
 $22,273
Income tax receivables8,701
 9,872
Insurance premiums & maintenance agreements3,217
 3,313
Assets held for sale3,020
 3,039
All other16,120
 12,764
 $41,222
 $51,261

Chassis converter pool agreements represent chassis transferred to the Company on a restricted basis by the manufacturer, who retains the sole authority to authorize commencement of work on the chassis and to make certain other decisions with respect to the chassis including the terms and pricing of sales to the manufacturer’s dealers. Assets held for sale are related to the Company’s former

locations which are being actively marketed for sale.sale and unused land parcels. Insurance premiums and maintenance agreements are charged to expense over the contractual life, which is generally one year or less. Other prepaid items consist primarily of costs in excess of billings oncontract assets related to contracts for which the Company recognizes revenue on a percentage of completionan over time basis and investments held by the Company’s captive insurance subsidiary.

63
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, there was no restricted cash included in prepaid expenses and other current assets.

i.Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment.Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, while expenditures that extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized. Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets. The estimated useful lives are up to 33 years for buildings and building improvements and range from three to ten years for machinery and equipment. Depreciation expense, which is recorded inCost of Sales andGeneral and Administrative Expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, as appropriate, on property, plant and equipment was $16.7 million, $15.9 million, and $16.0 million in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively, and includes amortization of assets recorded in connection with the Company’s capital lease agreements. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the assets related to the Company’s capital lease agreements are recorded withinProperty, Plant and Equipmentin the Consolidated Balance Sheet for the amount of $3.2 million and $4.3 million, respectively, net of accumulated depreciation of $1.4 million and $1.9 million, respectively.

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):

  December 31, 
  2017  2016 
Land $34,493  $20,958 
Buildings and building improvements  139,636   110,789 
Machinery and equipment  254,544   231,094 
Construction in progress  17,672   12,116 
  $446,345  $374,957 
Less: accumulated depreciation  (250,982)  (240,819)
  $195,363  $134,138 

j.Intangible Assets

As of December 31, 2017, the balances of intangible assets, other than goodwill, were as follows (in thousands):

  Weighted Average
Amortization Period
 Gross Intangible
Assets
  Accumulated
Amortization
  Net Intangible
Assets
 
Tradenames and trademarks 20 years $57,894  $(14,034) $43,860 
Customer relationships 10 years  290,415   (105,567)  184,848 
Technology 12 years  16,517   (8,694)  7,823 
Backlog less than 1 year  2,200   (1,701)  499 
Total   $367,026  $(129,996) $237,030 

As of December 31, 2016, the balances of intangible assets, other than goodwill, were as follows (in thousands):

  Weighted Average
Amortization Period
 Gross Intangible
Assets
  Accumulated
Amortization
  Net Intangible
Assets
 
Tradenames and trademarks 20 years $37,894  $(11,864) $26,030 
Customer relationships 10 years  151,090   (92,686)  58,404 
Technology 12 years  16,517   (6,546)  9,971 
Total   $205,501  $(111,096) $94,405 

64

Intangible asset amortization expense was $17.0 million, $19.9 million, and $21.3 million for 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. Annual intangible asset amortization expense for the next 5 fiscal years is estimated to be $20.4 million in 2018; $21.6 million in 2019; $23.1 million in 2020; $24.4 million in 2021; and $19.5 million in 2022.

k.Goodwill

Goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess purchase price over fair value of the net assets acquired. The Company determines its reporting units at the individual operating segment level, or one level below, when there is discrete financial information available that is regularly reviewed by segment management for evaluating operating results. The Company reviews goodwill for impairment, at the reporting unit level, annually on October 1 and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate its carrying value may not be recoverable. In accordance with ASC 350,Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, goodwill is reviewed for impairment utilizing either a qualitative assessment or a two-step quantitative process.

The Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. In assessingAn entity has an unconditional option to bypass the qualitative factorsassessment in any period and proceed directly to determine whether itperforming the quantitative impairment test, which is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount,option the Company assesses relevant events and circumstances that may impact the fair value and the carrying amount of the reporting unit. The identification of relevant events and circumstances and how these may impact a reporting unit's fair value or carrying amount involve significant judgments and assumptions. The judgments and assumptions include the identification of macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, overall financial performance and Company specific events and making the assessment on whether each relevant factor will impact the impairment test positively or negatively and the magnitude of any such impact. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, the Company determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary.

has historically chosen.

For reporting units in which the Company performs the two-step quantitative analysis, the first stepCompany compares the carrying value, including goodwill, of each reporting unit with its estimated fair value. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, the goodwill is not considered impaired. If the carrying value is greater than the fair value, this suggests that an impairment may exist and a second step is required in which the implied fair value of goodwill is calculated as the excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the fair values assigned to its assets and liabilities. If this implied fair value is less than the carrying value, the difference is recognized as an impairment loss charged to the reporting unit. In assessingAfter an impairment loss is recognized, the adjusted carrying amount of goodwill using thisshall be its new accounting basis.
The Company exercised its unconditional option to bypass the qualitative assessment of goodwill for all of its reporting units and instead prepared a quantitative approach, the Company establishes fair value for the purpose of impairment testing by averagingassessment to estimate the fair value using an income and market approach. Theof each reporting unit at the annual testing date of October 1, 2019 utilizing a combination of the income approach employs a discounted cash flow model incorporating similar pricing concepts used to calculate fair value in an acquisition due diligence process and a discount rate that takes into account the Company’s estimated average cost of capital. The market approach, employs market multiples basedweighted equally. Based on comparable publicly traded companies in similar industries as the reporting unit. Estimates of fair value are established using current and forward multiples adjusted for size and performance of the reporting unit relative to peer companies.

During the fourth quarters of 2017 and 2016, the Company completed its goodwill impairment test using the quantitative assessment. During the second quarter of 2016, in connection with the realignmentassessment performed, all of the Company’s reporting segments,units exceeded their carrying values; as such, there was no goodwill impairment as a result of the 2019 annual goodwill impairment test.

In the fourth quarter of 2019, the FMP reporting unit did not perform in-line with internal expectations, driven by several operational inefficiencies, which the Company identified as an indicator of impairment. As a result, the Company performed an analysis to determine the allocationsinterim quantitative assessment as of goodwill and test for impairment. Furthermore, for 2015, the Company completed its goodwill impairment testing during the fourth quarter using the qualitative approach. Based on these assessments and in connection with the realignmentDecember 31, 2019, utilizing a combination of the Company’s reporting segments in the second quarter of 2016, it determined that the portion of goodwill allocated to the retail branch operationsincome and market approaches, which were weighted evenly. No impairment was impairedindicated as the fair value of the reporting unit did not exceedexceeded its carrying value resulting in an impairment charge for the Commercial Trailer Products reporting segment of $1.7 million. Based on all other assessments performed in eachvalue. The results of the last three years, the Company believed it was more likely than not thatquantitative analysis performed indicated the fair value of itsthe FMP reporting unitsunit exceeded the carrying value by approximately 3%. Key assumptions used in the analysis were greater than theira discount rate of 16.0%, EBITDA margin, and a terminal growth rate of 3.00%. The primary driver in the reduction of the fair value of the FMP reporting unit was a reduction of expected future cash flows. Future events and changing market conditions may, however, lead the Company to re-evaluate the assumptions used to test for goodwill impairment, including key assumptions used in our expected EBITDA margins and cash flows, as well as other key assumptions with respect to matters out of our control, such as discount rates and market multiple comparables.
In the third quarter of 2018, the Aviation and Truck Equipment (“AVTE”) reporting unit within the Diversified Products reportable segment did not perform in-line with forecasted results driven by unfavorable market conditions that the Company believed would continue to impact the reporting unit for the foreseeable future. As a result, an indicator of impairment was identified, and the Company performed an interim quantitative assessment as of September 30, 2018, utilizing a combination of the income and market approaches. The results of the quantitative analysis indicated the carrying amountvalue of the reporting unit exceeded the fair value of the reporting unit and, no additionalaccordingly, a goodwill impairment of goodwill$4.9 million was recognized.

As of December 31, 2017, the carrying amount of goodwill totaled $317.5 million which was allocated to its reporting segment in the following amounts: Final Mile Products - $169.2 million; Diversified Products - $145.6 million; and, Commercial Trailer Products - $2.7 million. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill were as follows (in thousands):

65
recorded.

  2017  2016 
Balance as of January 1 $148,367  $149,718 
         
Acquisition of Supreme  169,235   - 
Effects of foreign currency  (138)  312 
Impairment of goodwill  -   (1,663)
         
Balance as of December 31 $317,464  $148,367 

l.Other Assets

The Company capitalizes the cost of computer software developed or obtained for internal use. Capitalized software is amortized using the straight-line method over three to seven years. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had software costs, net of amortization, of $7.3 million and $5.4 million, respectively. Amortization expense for 2017, 2016, and 2015 was $1.3 million, $1.0 million, and $0.7 million, respectively.

m.Long-Lived Assets

Long-Lived Assets.Long-lived assets, consisting primarily of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Specifically, this process involves comparing an asset’s carrying value to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows the asset is expected to generate over its remaining life. If this process were to result in the conclusion that the carrying value of a long-lived asset would not be recoverable, a write-down of the asset to fair value would be recorded through a charge to operations. Fair value is determined based upon discounted cash flows or appraisals as appropriate.

n.Other Accrued Liabilities

In the third quarter of 2018, due to the impairment indicators noted above related to the AVTE reporting unit with the Diversified Products reportable segment, the Company performed an interim impairment assessment of the long-lived assets of the AVTE

reporting unit, including intangible assets and property, plant and equipment. Based on the results of our analysis it was determined that the carrying values of the trade names and property, plant and equipment of the AVTE reporting unit exceeded their fair values and, accordingly, an asset impairment charge totaling $7.1 million was recorded.
AVTE Impairments. On January 22, 2019 the Company announced the divestiture of the AVTE business. In the fourth quarter of 2018, with the financial framework of the agreement to sell the AVTE business largely agreed to with the buyers, the Company evaluated the remaining assets of AVTE for impairment based on the economics of the, then proposed, transaction. As a result of the Company’s impairment analysis, an impairment of $13.0 million was recorded to fully impair all current assets of the AVTE business.
Other Assets.The following table presentsCompany capitalizes the major componentscost ofOther Accrued Liabilities (in thousands):

  December 31, 
  2017  2016 
Payroll and related taxes $27,840  $26,793 
Customer deposits  26,059   19,302 
Warranty  20,132   20,520 
Chassis converter pool agreements  18,326   - 
Self-insurance  9,996   8,387 
Accrued taxes  9,224   6,400 
All other  17,333   10,912 
  $128,910  $92,314 

The following table presents computer software developed or obtained for internal use. Capitalized software is amortized using the changes instraight-line method over three to seven years. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the product warranty accrual included inOther Accrued Liabilities (in thousands):

  2017  2016 
Balance as of January 1 $20,520  $19,709 
Provision for warranties issued in current year  5,873   6,601 
Supreme acquisition  1,421   - 
(Recovery of) Provision for pre-existing warranties  (970)  560 
Payments  (6,712)  (6,350)
Balance as of December 31 $20,132  $20,520 

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Company had software costs, net of amortization, of $7.2 million and $7.9 million, respectively. Amortization expense for 2019, 2018, and 2017 was $1.7 million, $1.5 million, and $1.3 million, respectively.

Warranties.The Company offers a limited warranty for its products with a coverage period that ranges between one and five years, except that the coverage period for DuraPlate® trailer panels is ten years. The Company passes through component manufacturers’ warranties to our customers. The Company’s policy is to accrue the estimated cost of warranty coverage at the time of the sale.

The following table presents the changes in the self-insuranceproduct warranty accrual included inOther Accrued Liabilitiesaccrued liabilities (in thousands):

  2017  2016 
Balance as of January 1 $8,387  $7,677 
Expense  38,817   41,470 
Supreme Acquisition  2,555   - 
Payments  (39,763)  (40,760)
Balance as of December 31 $9,996  $8,387 

 2019 2018
Balance as of January 1$22,247
 $20,132
Provision for warranties issued in current year8,027
 8,026
Liability adjustment due to divestiture of business
 (420)
Net adjustment to warranty accrual(2,320) 
Payments(5,379) (5,491)
Balance as of December 31$22,575
 $22,247

Self Insured Liabilities.The Company is self-insured up to specified limits for medical and workers’ compensation coverage. The self-insurance reserves have been recorded to reflect the undiscounted estimated liabilities, including claims incurred but not reported, as well as catastrophic claims as appropriate.

o.Income Taxes

The following table presents the changes in the self-insurance accrual included in Other accrued liabilities (in thousands):
 2019 2018
Balance as of January 1$9,890
 $9,996
Expense57,733
 66,493
Payments(54,689) (66,599)
Balance as of December 31$12,934
 $9,890

Income Taxes. The Company determines its provision or benefit for income taxes under the asset and liability method. The asset and liability method measures the expected tax impact at current enacted rates of future taxable income or deductions resulting from differences in the tax and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Future tax benefits of tax losses and credit carryforwards are recognized as deferred tax assets. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent management determines that it is more-likely-than-not the Company would not realize the value of these assets.

The Company accounts for income tax contingencies by prescribing a “more-likely-than-not” recognition threshold that a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements.

p.Concentration of Credit Risk

Used Trailer Trade Commitments.The Company may accept trade-in of used trailers when a customer enters into a contract to purchase a new trailer. However, in the contracts for the sale of the new trailers, there is no commitment to repurchase that trailer or a similar trailer in the future. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had $3.5 million in outstanding trade commitments, which also represented the estimated net realizable value of the underlying used trailer, and 0 outstanding trade commitments as of December 31, 2018. On occasion, the amount of the trade allowance provided for in the used trailer commitments, or cost, may exceed the net realizable value of the underlying used trailer. In these instances, the Company’s policy is to recognize the loss related to these commitments at the time the new trailer revenue is recognized. Net realizable value of used trailers is measured considering market sales data for comparable types of trailers.

Concentration of Credit Risk. Financial instruments that potentially subject us to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents and customer receivables. We place our cash and cash equivalents with high quality financial institutions. Generally, we do not require collateral or other security to support customer receivables.

q.Research and Development

receivables.

Research and Development.Research and development expenses are charged to earningsCost of sales and General and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as incurred and were $19.5 million, $8.8 million, and $3.9 million $6.4 millionin 2019, 2018 and $4.8 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

r.New Accounting Pronouncements

3. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In May 2014,February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”(“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09,Revenue from Contracts with Customers2016-02, “Leases (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605,Revenue. Furthermore, the FASB issued additional amendments and technical corrections related to ASU 2014-09 during 2016 and 2017, which are considered in our evaluation of this standard. This ASU is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. The Company has identified the revenue streams and the related performance obligations and pricing arrangements within each of its product lines. The Company has evaluated contractual terms, such as customer acceptance clauses, payment terms, transferring of control to the customer, shipping instructions, and timing of shipments, and the timing of revenue recognition against the new standards with no findings that impact the Company’s financial statements. The Company is using the modified retrospective method to transition to the new standard, which is effective January 1, 2018.

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In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02,Leases (Topic 842). This update requires lessees to recognize, on the balance sheet, assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases of greater than twelve months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement.  The Company has identified its existing lease contracts and calculated the right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, which are reflected in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and lease liabilities, which are reflected in the Other accrued liabilities and Other non-current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.This guidance will bewas effective for the Company as of January 1, 2019. A modified retrospectiveAdoption of the new standard resulted in the recording of ROU assets and lease liabilities of $9.9 million as of January 1, 2019. The FASB has issued further ASUs related to the standard providing an optional transition method is required.allowing entities to not recast comparative periods. The Company is currently evaluatingelected the impactpractical expedients upon transition that retained the lease classification and initial direct costs for any leases that existed prior to adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

the standard. The Company did not reassess whether any contracts entered into prior to adoption are leases. The Company has approximately $16.7 million of noncancelable future rental obligations as of December 31, 2019, as shown in Note 11.

In NovemberJune 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18,Statement2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses,” which introduced new guidance for an approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Restricted Cash,financial instruments. It also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provides for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination. Instruments in scope include loans, held-to-maturity debt securities, and net investments in leases as well as reinsurance and trade receivables. In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-19, which requires entities to showclarifies that operating lease receivables are outside the changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. When cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents are presented in more than one item on the balance sheet, a reconciliationscope of the totals in the statement of cash flows to the related captions in the balance sheet is required.new standard. This guidancestandard will be effective for the Company as ofus beginning January 1, 2018. Entities will be required to apply the guidance retrospectively.2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-4”). ASU 2017-4 eliminates Step 2 of the current goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation to measure goodwill impairment. A goodwill impairment loss will instead be measured at the amount by which a reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the recorded amount of goodwill. The new standard is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and should be applied on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted for annual or interim goodwill impairment testing performed after January 1, 2017. The Company believesexpects that the adoption of the provisions of ASU 2017-04new credit losses model will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial position, resultsstatements.

4. REVENUE RECOGNITION
The Company adopted FASB ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) effective January 1, 2018. The adoption of operationsTopic 606 did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of its products when obligations under the terms of a contract with our customers are satisfied; this occurs with the transfer of control of our products and replacement parts or cash flows.

3.ACQUISITION OF SUPREME INDUSTRIES, INC.

On September 27,throughout the completion of service work. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring promised goods or services to a customer and excludes all taxes collected from the customer. Shipping and handling fees are included in Net sales and the associated costs included in Cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For shipping and handling costs that take place after the transfer of control, the Company is applying the practical expedient and treating it as a fulfillment cost. Incidental items that are immaterial in the context of the contract are recognized as expense. For performance obligations satisfied over time, which include certain equipment-related sales within our Diversified Products reportable segment that have no alternative use and contain an enforceable right to payment, as well as service work whereby the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided, the Company recognizes revenue on the basis of the Company’s efforts or inputs to the satisfaction of these performance obligations, measured by actual total cost incurred to the total estimated costs for each project. Total revenue recognized over time was not material to the consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.

The Company has identified three separate and distinct performance obligations: 1) the sale of a trailer or equipment, 2) the sale of replacement parts, and 3) service work. For trailer, truck body, equipment, and replacement part sales, control is transferred and revenue is recognized from the sale upon shipment to or pick up by the customer in accordance with the contract terms. The Company does not have any material extended payment terms as payment is received shortly after the point of sale. Accounts receivable are recorded when the right to consideration becomes unconditional. The Company does have customers who pay for the product prior to the transfer of control which is recorded as customer deposits in Other accrued liabilities as shown in Note 8. Customer deposits are recognized as revenue when the Company performs its obligations under the contract and transfers control of the product.

5. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill.
During the fourth quarters of 2019, 2018, and 2017, the Company completed its goodwill impairment test using the acquisitionquantitative assessment. During the third quarter of Supreme Industries, Inc. (“Supreme”) following a cash tender offer by2018, the Company for all outstanding sharesperformed an interim impairment analysis after identifying indicators of Supreme’s Class A and Class B common stock for $21 per share and an aggregate consideration paid of $360.4 million. The Company financedimpairment based on the Supreme acquisition and related fees and expenses using the proceedsresults of the Company’s $325 million offering in aggregate principal amount of 5.50% senior unsecured notes due 2025 (as described in further detail in Note 6) and available cash and cash equivalents.

Supreme is oneAVTE reporting unit. Based on this assessment, it was determined that all of the nation’s leading manufacturers of specialized commercial vehicles, including cutaway and dry-freight van bodies, refrigerated units, and stake bodies. Supreme has manufacturing facilities in Goshen and Ligonier, Indiana; Jonestown, Pennsylvania; Cleburne, Texas; Griffin, Georgia; and Moreno Valley, California. Supreme will be part of a new Final Mile Products segment created by the Company in the fourth quarter of 2017. This acquisition allows the Company to accelerate our growth and greatly expand our presence in the final mile space, with increased distribution paths and greater customer reach, and supports the Company’s objective to transform it into a more diversified industrial manufacturer.

The Company incurred various costs related to the Supreme acquisition including fees paid to an investment banker for acquisition services and the related bridge financing commitment as well as professional fees for diligence, legal and accounting totaling $9.6 million. These costs have been recorded asAcquisition Expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The aggregate purchase price of $360.4 million wasgoodwill allocated to the opening balance sheetAVTE reporting unit was impaired resulting in an impairment charge for the Diversified Products reporting segment of Supreme at September 27, 2017,$4.9 million. Based on all other assessments performed in each of the datelast three years, the Company believed it was more likely than not that the fair value of acquisition, which is still preliminaryits reporting units were greater than their carrying amount and subject to adjustmentno additional impairment of goodwill was recognized.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill were as follows (in thousands):

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 Commercial Trailer Products Diversified Products Final Mile Products Total
Balance at December 31, 2017       
   Goodwill$4,288
 $145,604
 $169,235
 $319,127
   Accumulated impairment losses(1,663) 
 
 (1,663)
Net balance at December 31, 20172,625
 145,604
 169,235
 317,464
   Acquisition of Supreme
 
 (1,520) (1,520)
   Effects of foreign currency
 84
 
 84
   Goodwill impairments during 2018
 (4,944) 
 (4,944)
Balance at December 31, 2018       
Goodwill4,288
 145,688
 167,715
 317,691
   Accumulated impairment losses(1,663) (4,944) 
 (6,607)
Net balance as of December 31, 20182,625
 140,744
 167,715
 311,084
   Effects of foreign currency
 (58) 
 (58)
   Impact of divestiture on goodwill
 (4,944) 
 (4,944)
Impact of divestiture on accumulated impairment losses
 4,944
 
 4,944
Balance as of December 31, 2019       
Goodwill4,288
 140,686
 167,715
 312,689
   Accumulated impairment losses(1,663) 
 
 (1,663)
Net balance as of December 31, 2019$2,625
 $140,686
 $167,715
 $311,026

Cash $36,878 
Accounts receivable  25,146 
Inventories  34,084 
Prepaid expense and other  21,730 
Property, plant, and equipment  59,891 
Intangibles  161,200 
Goodwill  169,235 
Other assets  127 
Total assets acquired $508,291 
     
Current portion of long term debt $7,167 
Accounts payable  10,546 
Other accrued liabilites  55,350 
Deferred income taxes  71,946 
Long term liabilities  2,917 
Total liabilities assumed $147,926 
     
Net assets acquired $360,365 
     
Acquisition, net of cash acquired $323,487 


Intangible Assets.
As of December 31, 2019, the balances of intangible assets, other than goodwill, were as follows (in thousands):
 
Weighted Average
Amortization Period
 
Gross Intangible
Assets
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net Intangible
Assets
Tradenames and trademarks20 years $53,103
 $(17,962) $35,141
Customer relationships13 years 282,863
 (132,903) 149,960
Technology12 years 14,045
 (9,248) 4,797
Total  $350,011
 $(160,113) $189,898

As of $161.2December 31, 2018, the balances of intangible assets, other than goodwill, were as follows (in thousands):
 
Weighted Average
Amortization Period
 
Gross Intangible
Assets
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net Intangible
Assets
Tradenames and trademarks20 years $53,103
 $(15,307) $37,796
Customer relationships13 years 282,736
 (116,222) 166,514
Technology12 years 14,045
 (8,027) 6,018
Total  $349,884
 $(139,556) $210,328

Intangible asset amortization expense was $20.5 million, were preliminarily recorded as a result$19.5 million, and $17.0 million for 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. Annual intangible asset amortization expense for the next 5 fiscal years is estimated to be $21.4 million in 2020; $23.5 million in 2021; $18.1 million in 2022; $15.4 million in 2023; and $15.2 million in 2024.
6. INVENTORIES
Inventories, net of the acquisition andreserves, consist of the following (in thousands):

  Amount  Useful Life
Tradename $20,000  20 years
Customer relationships  139,000  15 years
Backlog  2,200  Less than 1 year
  $161,200   

Goodwill

 December 31,
 2019 2018
Raw materials and components$105,332
 $115,083
Finished goods58,224
 48,698
Work in progress14,269
 13,119
Used trailers2,499
 1,083
Aftermarket parts6,590
 6,421
 $186,914
 $184,404

7. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Depreciation expense, which is recorded in Cost of $169.2 million was preliminarily recorded as a result of the acquisition. The Company does not expect the amount recorded as goodwill for the Supreme acquisition to be deductible for tax purposes. The process of completing the valuations of the identified intangible assets, including tax assetssales and liabilities, is being completed.  Goodwill, calculated as the excess of the consideration transferred over the net assets recognizedGeneral and represents the estimated future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired that could not be individually identified and separately recognized, is comprised of operational synergies that are expected to be realized in both the short and long-term and the opportunity to enter new market sectors with higher margin potential, which will enable us to deliver greater value to our customers and shareholders.  During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company made certain adjustments to its purchase price allocation to adjust intangibles; property, plant, and equipment; and deferred tax liabilities, which resulted in a $3.8 million increase in goodwill.  Additional adjustments to intangibles, taxes and liabilities as well as resulting adjustments to goodwill may be necessary as the Company completes the valuation of acquired assets and liabilities. The Company expects the process of completing the valuations to be completed during the first quarter of 2018.  

Unaudited Pro forma Results

The results of Supreme are includedadministrative expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, from the date of acquisition, including $67.1as appropriate, on property, plant and equipment was $20.2 million, $19.7 million, and $16.7 million in revenue2019, 2018, and net loss2017, respectively, and includes amortization of $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The following unaudited pro forma information is shown below as if the acquisition of Supreme had been completed as of the beginning of the earliest period presented (in thousands):

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  Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
  2017  2016 
Sales $1,998,043  $2,139,404 
Net income $117,786  $124,323 

The information presented above is for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the actual results that would have occurred had the acquisition been consummated at the beginning of the respective periods, nor is it necessarily indicative of future operating results of the combined companies under the ownership and management of the Company.

4.PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK

Per share results have been calculated based on the average number of common shares outstanding. The calculation of basic and diluted net income per share is determined using net income applicable to common stockholders as the numerator and the number of shares includedassets recorded in the denominator as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

  Years Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
Basic net income per share:            
Net income applicable to common stockholders $111,422  $119,433  $104,289 
Weighted average common shares outstanding  59,358   63,729   67,201 
Basic net income per share $1.88  $1.87  $1.55 
             
Diluted net income per share:            
Net income applicable to common stockholders $111,422  $119,433  $104,289 
             
Weighted average common shares outstanding  59,358   63,729   67,201 
Dilutive shares from assumed conversion of convertible senior notes  1,726   794   1,128 
Dilutive stock options and restricted stock  1,515   1,239   1,039 
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding  62,599   65,762   69,368 
Diluted net income per share $1.78  $1.82  $1.50 

For the period ending December 31, 2017, there were no options excluded from average diluted shares outstanding as the average market price of the common shares was greater than the exercise price. The periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 exclude options to purchase common shares totaling 503 and 666, respectively, because the exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares. In addition, the calculation of diluted net income per share for each period includes the impact ofconnection with the Company’s Notes as the average stock price of the Company’s common stock during these periods was above the initial conversion price of approximately $11.70 per share.

5.LEASE ARRANGEMENTS

The Company leases office space, manufacturing, warehouse and service facilities and equipment for varying periods under both operating and capitalfinance lease agreements. Future minimum lease payments required under these lease commitments asAs of December 31, 20172019 and 2018, the assets related to the Company’s finance lease agreements are as followsrecorded within Property, plant and equipment, net in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in the amount of $2.9 million and $3.1 million, respectively, net of accumulated depreciation of $1.7 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

Property, plant and equipment, net consist of the following (in thousands):

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 December 31,
 2019 2018
Land$36,794
 $35,485
Buildings and building improvements146,210
 141,098
Machinery and equipment287,332
 266,803
Construction in progress36,179
 31,772
 506,515
 475,158
Less: accumulated depreciation(285,169) (268,167)
 $221,346
 $206,991

  Capital
Leases
  Operating
Leases
 
2018  361   2,466 
2019  361   1,364 
2020  361   688 
2021  361   439 
2022  30   254 
Thereafter  -   - 
Total minimum lease payments $1,474  $5,211 
Interest  (172)    
Present value of net minimum lease payments $1,302     

Total rental expense was $6.5 million, $6.2 million, and $6.2 million for 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

6.DEBT



8. OTHER ACCRUED LIABILITIES
The following table presents the major components of Other accrued liabilities (in thousands):
 December 31,
 2019 2018
Customer deposits$19,324
 $23,483
Chassis converter pool agreements10,164
 22,273
Warranty22,575
 22,247
Payroll and related taxes25,263
 16,096
Self-insurance12,934
 9,890
Accrued interest4,696
 4,779
Operating lease obligations4,369
 
Accrued taxes10,344
 7,653
All other14,561
 9,963
 $124,230
 $116,384

9. LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):

  December 31,  December 31, 
  2017  2016 
Convertible senior notes due 2018 $44,561  $48,951 
Senior notes due 2025  325,000   - 
Term loan credit agreement  187,579   189,470 
Other debt  93   676 
  $557,233  $239,097 
Less: unamortized discount and fees  (7,122)  (3,164)
Less: current portion  (46,020)  (2,468)
  $504,091  $233,465 

 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Senior notes due 2025$325,000
 $325,000
Term loan credit agreement135,228
 185,699
 460,228
 510,699
Less: unamortized discount and fees(4,842) (5,801)
Less: current portion
 (1,880)
 $455,386
 $503,018

Convertible Senior Notes

In April 2012, the Company issued Convertible Senior Notes due 2018 (the “Convertible Notes”) with an aggregate principal amount of $150 million in a public offering. The Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 3.375% per annum from the date of issuance, payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1, and maturematured on May 1, 2018. The Convertible Notes arewere senior unsecured obligations of the Company ranking equally with its existing and future senior unsecured debt. The Company used the net proceeds of $145.1 million from the sale of the Convertible Notes to fund a portion of the purchase price of the acquisition of Walker Group Holdings (“Walker”) in May 2012.

As of December 31, 2017, and at any time until the close of business on the second business day immediately preceding the maturity date, the Convertible Notes are convertible by their holders into cash, shares of the Company’s common stock or any combination thereof at the Company’s election, at an initial conversion rate of 85.4372 shares of the Company’s common stock per $1,000 in principal amount of Convertible Notes, which is equal to an initial conversion price of approximately $11.70 per share.

If the Convertible Notes outstanding at December 31, 2017 had been converted as of December 31, 2017, the if-converted value would exceed the principal amount by approximately $38 million. It is the Company’s intent to settle conversions in cash for both the principal portion and the excess of the conversion value over the principal portion. The Convertible Notes mature on May 1, 2018 and are classified as current within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

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The Company accountsaccounted separately for the liability and equity components of the Convertible Notes in accordance with authoritative guidance for convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion. The guidance requires the carrying amount of the liability component to be estimated by measuring the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an associated conversion feature. The Company determined that senior, unsecured corporate bonds traded on the market represent a similar liability to the Convertible Notes without the conversion option. Based on market data available for publicly traded, senior, unsecured corporate bonds issued by companies in the same industry and with similar maturity,

During 2018, the Company estimated the impliedused $80.2 million in cash, excluding interest, rateto settle $44.6 million in principal of the Convertible Notes to be 7.0%, assuming no conversion option. Assumptions used in the estimate represent what market participants would use in pricing the liability component, including market interest rates, credit standing, and yield curves, all of which are defined as Level 2 observable inputs (as defined below).none were converted to common shares. The estimated implied interest rate was applied to the Convertible Notes, which resulted in a fair valueexcess of the liability component of $123.8 million upon issuance, calculated ascash settlement amount over the presentprincipal value of implied future payments based on the $150.0 million aggregate principal amount. The $21.7 million difference between the cash proceeds before offering expenses of $145.5 million and the estimated fair value of the liability component was recorded in additional paid-in capital. The discount on the liability portion of the Convertible Notes is being amortized over the lifewas accounted for as a reacquisition of the Convertible Notes using the effective interest rate method.

During 2017, the Company acquired $4.4equity, resulting in a $35.5 million in principal of such Convertible Notes for $8.0 million, excluding accrued interest. Additionally, in 2016 the Company acquired $82.0 million in principal for $98.9 million, excluding accrued interest.reduction to additional paid-in capital during 2018. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company, we recognized a loss on debt extinguishment of $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively, related to settlements and $1.9 million, respectively, for repurchase activity,the retirement of the Convertible Notes, which is included inOther, net on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The Company applies the treasury stock method in calculating the dilutive impact of the Convertible Notes. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Convertible Notes had a dilutive impact.

The following table summarizes information about the equity and liability components of the Convertible Notes (dollars in thousands):

  December 31,  December 31, 
  2017  2016 
Principal amount of the Notes outstanding $44,561  $48,951 
Unamortized discount and fees of liability component  (514)  (2,183)
Net carrying amount of liability component  44,047   46,768 
Less: current portion  (44,047)  - 
Long-term debt $-  $46,768 
Carrying value of equity component, net of issuance costs $(7,626) $(3,971)
Remaining amortization period of discount on the liability component   0.4 years    1.3 years 

Contractual coupon interest expense and accretion of discount and fees on the liability component for the Convertible Notes for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162019, 2018, and 20152017 included inInterest Expenseexpense on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows (in thousands):

  Years Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
Contractual coupon interest expense $1,570  $3,198  $5,063 
Accretion of discount and fees on the liability component $1,537  $2,902  $4,324 

 Year Ended December 31,
 2019 2018 2017
Contractual coupon interest expense$
 $470
 $1,570
Accretion of discount and fees on the liability component$
 $461
 $1,537


Senior Notes

On September 26, 2017, the Company issued Senior Notes due 2025 (the “Senior Notes”) in an offering pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with an aggregate principal amount of $325 million. The Senior Notes bear interest at the rate of 5.50% per annum from the date of issuance, and will pay interest semi-annually in cash on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on April 1, 2018.year. The Company used the net proceeds of $318.9 million from the sale of the Senior Notes to finance a portion of the acquisition of Supreme and to pay related fees and expenses.

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The Senior Notes will mature on October 1, 2025. At any time prior to October 1, 2020, the Company may redeem some or all of the Senior Notes for cash at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes being redeemed plus an applicable make-whole premium set forth in the indenture for the Senior Notes and accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. Prior to October 1, 2020, the Company may redeem up to 40% of the Senior Notes at a redemption price of 105.50% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date, with the proceeds of certain equity offerings so long as if, after any such redemption occurs, at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes remains outstanding. On and after October 1, 2020, the Company may redeem some or all of the Senior Notes at redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) equal to 102.750% for the twelve-month period beginning on October 1, 2020, 101.375% for the twelve-month period beginning October 1, 2021 and 100.000% beginning on October 1, 2022, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the indenture for the Senior Notes), unless the Company has exercised its optional redemption right in respect of the Senior Notes, the holders of the Senior Notes have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the Senior Notes at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of repurchase.

The Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all direct and indirect existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries, subject to certain restrictions. The Senior Notes and related guarantees are the Company and the guarantors’ general unsecured senior obligations and are subordinate to all of the Company and the guarantors’ existing and future secured debt to the extent of the assets securing that secured obligation. In addition, the Senior Notes are structurally subordinate to any existing and future debt of any of the Company’s subsidiaries that are not guarantors, to the extent of the assets of those subsidiaries.

The indenture for the Senior Notes restricts the Company’s ability and the ability of certain of its subsidiaries to: (i)incur additional indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or make other distributions in respect of, or repurchase or redeem, its capital stock or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits; (iii) make loans and certain investments; (iv) sell assets; (v) create or incur liens; (vi) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (vii) consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of its assets. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. During any time when the Senior Notes are rated investment grade by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and no event of default has occurred or is continuing, many of such covenants will be suspended and the Company and its subsidiaries will not be subject to such covenants during such period.

The indenture for the Senior Notes contains customary events of default, including payment defaults, breaches of covenants, failure to pay certain judgments and certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the principal amount of the Senior Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, may be declared immediately due and payable. These amounts automatically become due and payable if an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occurs.

As of December 31, 2019, the Company was in compliance with all covenants.

Contractual coupon interest expense and accretion of discount and fees for the Senior Notes for the yearyears ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, was $18.5 million, $18.5 million and $4.8 million, respectively and is included inInterest Expenseexpense on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Revolving Credit Agreement

In May 2012,

On December 21, 2018, the Company entered into the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as subsequently amended, the “Credit(the “Revolving Credit Agreement”), dated as of May 8, 2012, among the Company, certain of its subsidiaries of the Company from time to time party theretoas borrowers (together with the Company, the “Borrowers”), the several lenders from time to time party thereto, and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as the administrative agent, joint lead arranger and administrativejoint bookrunner (the “Revolver Agent”), and Citizens Business Capital, a division of Citizens Asset Finance, Inc., as syndication agent, (the “Agent”). The Credit Agreement provides for, among other things, (x) a $175 million senior securedjoint lead arranger and joint bookrunner, which amended and restated the Company’s existing amended and restated revolving credit facility that matures on June 4, 2020, subject to certain springing maturity events and (y) an uncommitted accordion feature allowing for an increase to the availability under the revolving credit facility of up to $50 million, subject to certain conditions (the “Revolving Credit Facility”).

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The Revolving Credit Facility (i) bears interest, at the Borrowers’ election, at (x) LIBOR (subject to a floor of 0%) plus a margin ranging from 150 basis points to 200 basis points, or (y) a base rate plus a margin ranging from 50 basis points to 100 basis points, in each case, based upon the monthly average excess availability under the Revolving Credit Facility, (ii) requires the Company to pay a monthly unused line fee equal to 25 basis points times the average unused availability under the Revolving Credit Facility, (iii) provides that if availability under the Revolving Credit Facility is less than 12.5% of the total commitment under the Revolving Credit Facility or if there exists an event of default, amounts in any of the Borrowers’ and the subsidiary guarantors’ deposit accounts (other than certain excluded accounts) will be transferred daily into a blocked account held by the Agent and applied to reduce the outstanding amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility, and (iv) requires the Company to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.1 to 1.0agreement, dated as of the end of any period of 12 fiscal months when excess availability under theMay 8, 2012.

The Revolving Credit Facility is less than 10% of the total commitment under the Revolving Credit Facility.

In connection with, and in order to permit under the Credit Agreement, the Senior Notes offering and the acquisition of Supreme, on August 16, 2017, the Company entered into the Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement (the “Third Amendment”). The Third Amendment also permitted the Company to incur certain other indebtedness in connection with the acquisition of Supreme and to acquire certain liens and obligations of Supreme upon the consummation of the acquisition.

The Credit Agreement is guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company’s subsidiariesCompany (the “Revolver Guarantors”) and is secured by (i) first priority security interests (subject only to customary permitted liens and certain other permitted liens) in substantially all personal property of the Borrowers and the Revolver Guarantors, consisting of accounts receivable, inventory, cash, deposit and securities accounts and any cash or other assets in such accounts and, to the extent evidencing or otherwise related to such property, all general intangibles, licenses, intercompany debt, letter of credit rights, commercial tort claims, chattel paper, instruments, supporting obligations, documents and payment intangibles (collectively, the “Revolver Priority Collateral”), and (ii)


second-priority liens on and security interests in (subject only to the liens securing the Term Loan Credit Agreement (as defined below), customary permitted liens and certain other permitted liens) (A) equity interests of each direct subsidiary held by the BorrowerBorrowers and each Revolver Guarantor (subject to customary limitations in the case of the equity of foreign subsidiaries), and (B) substantially all other tangible and intangible assets of the Borrowers and the Revolver Guarantors including equipment, general intangibles, intercompany notes, insurance policies, investment property intellectual property and material owned realintellectual property (in each case, except to the extent constituting Revolver Priority Collateral), but excluding real property (collectively, including certain material owned real property that does not constitute collateral under the Revolving Credit Agreement, the “Term Priority Collateral”). The respective priorities of the security interests securing the Revolving Credit Agreement and the Term Loan Credit Agreement are governed by an Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of May 8, 2012, between the Revolver Agent and the Term Agent (as defined below), as amended (the “Intercreditor Agreement”).

The Revolving Credit Agreement has a scheduled maturity date of December 21, 2023, subject to certain springing maturity events.

Under the Revolving Credit Agreement, the lenders agree to make available to the Company a $175 million revolving credit facility. The Company has the option to increase the total commitment under the facility to up to $275 million, subject to certain conditions, including obtaining commitments from any one or more lenders, whether or not currently party to the Revolving Credit Agreement, to provide such increased amounts. Availability under the Revolving Credit Agreement will be based upon quarterly (or more frequent under certain circumstances) borrowing base certifications of the Borrowers’ eligible inventory and eligible accounts receivable, and will be reduced by certain reserves in effect from time to time. Subject to availability, the Revolving Credit Agreement provides for a letter of credit subfacility in an amount not in excess of $15 million, and allows for swingline loans in an amount not in excess of $17.5 million. Outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit agreement will bear interest at an annual rate, at the Borrowers’ election, equal to (i) LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.25% to 1.75% or (ii) a base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.25% to 0.75%, in each case depending upon the monthly average excess availability under the revolving loan facility. The Borrowers are required to pay a monthly unused line fee equal to 0.20% times the average daily unused availability along with other customary fees and expenses of the Revolver Agent and the lenders.
The Revolving Credit Agreement contains customary covenants limiting the Company’s ability of the Company and certain of its affiliates to, among other things, pay cash dividends, incur debt or liens, redeem or repurchase stock, enter into transactions with affiliates, merge, dissolve, pay offrepay subordinated indebtedness, make investments and dispose of assets. In addition, the Company will be required to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.0 to 1.0 as of the end of any period of 12 fiscal months (commencing with the month ending December 31, 2018) when excess availability under the Revolving Credit Agreement is less than 10% of the total revolving commitment.
If availability under the Revolving Credit Agreement is less than 15% of the total revolving commitment or if there exists an event of default, amounts in any of the Borrowers’ and the Revolver Guarantors’ deposit accounts (other than certain excluded accounts) will be transferred daily into a blocked account held by the Revolver Agent and applied to reduce the outstanding amounts under the facility.
Subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, if the covenants under the Revolving Credit Agreement are breached, the lenders may, subject to various customary cure rights, require the immediate payment of all amounts outstanding and foreclose on collateral. Other customary events of default in the Revolving Credit Agreement include, without limitation, failure to pay obligations when due, initiation of insolvency proceedings, defaults on certain other indebtedness, and the incurrence of certain judgments that are not stayed, satisfied, bonded or discharged within 30 days.

In connection with the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the Company recognized a loss on debt extinguishment of $0.1 million during 2018, which is included in Other, net on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2017,2019 and 2018, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement and was in compliance with all covenants. The Company’s liquidity position, defined as cash on hand and available borrowing capacity on the Revolving Credit Facility, amounted to $361.2$308.1 million as of December 31, 2017.

2019 and $299.5 million as of December 31, 2018.

Term Loan Credit Agreement

In May 2012, the Company entered into the Term Lo anLoan Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Term Loan Credit Agreement”), dated as of May 8, 2012, among the Company, the several lenders from time to time party thereto, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent (the “Term Agent”), joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner, which provides for, among other things, (x) a senior secured term loan of $188.0 million that matures on March 19, 2022, subject to certain springing maturity events (the “Term Loans”), and (y) an uncommitted accordion feature to provide for additional senior secured term loans of up to $75 million plus an unlimited amount provided that the senior secured leverage ratio would not exceed 3.00 to 1.00, subject to certain conditions (the “Term Loan Facility”).

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On February 24, 2017, the Company entered into Amendment No. 3 to the Term Loan Credit Agreement (“Amendment No. 3”). As of February 24, 2017, $189.5 million of the Tranche B-2 Loans were outstanding. Under Amendment No. 3, the lenders agreed to provide to the Company term loans in the same aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Tranche B-2 Loans (the “Tranche B-3 Loans”), which were used to refinance the outstanding Tranche B-2 Loans.


In connection with, and in order to permit under the Term Loan Credit Agreement, the Senior Notes offering and the acquisition of Supreme, on August 18, 2017, the Company entered into Amendment No. 4 to the Term Loan Credit Agreement (“Amendment No. 4”). Amendment No. 4 also permitted the Company to incur certain other indebtedness in connection with the Supreme acquisition and to acquire certain liens and obligations of Supreme upon the consummation of the Supreme acquisition.

Furthermore, on November 17, 2017, the Company entered into Amendment No. 5 to the Term Loan Credit Agreement (“Amendment No. 5”). As of the Amendment No. 5 date, $188.0 million of the Term Loans were outstanding. Under Amendment No. 5, the lenders agreed to provide to the Company term loans in the same aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Term Loans (“Tranche B-4 Loans”), which were used to refinance the outstanding Term Loans.

The Tranche B-4 Loans shall amortize in equal quarterly installments in aggregate amounts equal to 0.25% of the initial principal amount of the Tranche B-4 Loans, with the balance payable at maturity, and bear interest at a rate, at the Company’s election, equal to (i) LIBOR (subject to a floor of 0%) plus a margin of 225 basis points or (ii) a base rate (subject to a floor of 0%) plus a margin of 125 basis points. The Company is not subject to any financial covenants under the Term Loan Facility.

The Term Loan Credit Agreement is guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, and is secured by (i) first-priority liens on and security interests in the Term Priority Collateral, and (ii) second-priority security interests in the Revolver Priority Collateral.

The Term Loan Credit Agreement contains customary covenants limiting the Company’s ability to, among other things, pay cash dividends, incur debt or liens, redeem or repurchase stock, enter into transactions with affiliates, merge, dissolve, pay off subordinated indebtedness, make investments and dispose of assets. Subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, if the covenants under the Term Loan Credit Agreement are breached, the lenders may, subject to various customary cure rights, require the immediate payment of all amounts outstanding and foreclose on collateral. Other customary events of default in the Term Loan Credit Agreement include, without limitation, failure to pay obligations when due, initiation of insolvency proceedings, defaults on certain other indebtedness, and the incurrence of certain judgments that are not stayed, satisfied, bonded or discharged within 60 days.

As of December 31, 2019, the Company was in compliance with all covenants.

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 2015,2017, under the Term Loan Credit Agreement the Company paid interest of $7.4$7.8 million, $8.3$8.0 million and $8.5$7.4 million, respectively, and paid principal of $1.9$50.5 million, $1.9 million, and $1.4$1.9 million, respectively. During 2019, the Company recognized losses on debt extinguishment totaling approximately $0.2 million in connection with the prepayment of principal. In connection with Amendment No. 3 and Amendment No. 5, the Company recognized a loss on debt extinguishment of approximately $0.7 million during 2017 which is2017. The losses on debt extinguishment are included inOther, net on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2017,2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had $187.6$135.2 million and $185.7 million, respectively, outstanding under the Term Loan Credit Agreement, of which NaN and $1.9 million, respectively, was classified as current on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Sheets.

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162019, 2018, and 2015,2017, the Company incurred charges of $0.2 million $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively,in each period for amortization of fees and original issuance discount which is included inInterest Expenseexpense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

10. FINANCIAL DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
Commodity Pricing Risk
As of December 31, 2019, the Company was party to commodity swap contracts for specific commodities with notional amounts of approximately $81.5 million. The Company uses commodity swap contracts to mitigate the risks associated with fluctuations in commodity prices impacting its cash flows related to inventory purchases from suppliers. The Company does not hedge all commodity price risk.
At inception, the Company designated the commodity swap contracts as cash flow hedges. The contracts mature at specified monthly settlement dates through January 2021. The change in fair value effective portion of the hedging transaction is recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”) and transferred to earnings when the forecasted hedged transaction takes place or when the forecasted hedged transaction is no longer probable to occur.

Financial Statement Presentation
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the fair value carrying amount of the Company’s derivative instruments were recorded as follows (in thousands):
    Asset / (Liability) Derivatives
  Balance Sheet Caption December 31, 2019
December 31, 2018
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments      
Commodity swap contracts Prepaid expenses and other $1,290
 $17
Commodity swap contracts Other accrued liabilities (3,216) (1,146)
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments   $(1,926) $(1,129)

The following table summarizes the gain or loss recognized in AOCI as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and the amounts reclassified from AOCI into earnings for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 (in thousands):
  Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in
AOCI on Derivatives
(Effective Portion, net of tax)
 Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Earnings
(Effective Portion)
 Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Earnings
    Year Ended December 31,
  December 31, 2019
December 31, 2018  2019 2018 2017
Derivatives instruments            
Commodity swap contracts $(2,112) $(765) Cost of sales $(2,297) $142
 $

Over the next 12 months, the Company expects to reclassify approximately $2.8 million of pretax deferred losses related to the commodity swap contracts from AOCI to cost of sales as inventory purchases are settled.
11. LEASES
The Company records a right-of-use ("ROU") asset and lease liability for substantially all leases for which it is a lessee, in accordance with ASC 842. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet; the Company recognizes lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company has no significant lease agreements in place for which the Company is a lessor. At inception of a contract, the Company considers all relevant facts and circumstances to assess whether or not the contract represents a lease by determining whether or not the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset, either explicit or implicit, for a period of time in exchange for consideration.
The Company leases certain industrial spaces, office space, land, and equipment. Some leases include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the lease term from generally one to 5 years. The exercise of lease renewal options is at the Company’s sole discretion, and are included in the lease term only to the extent such renewal options are reasonably certain of being exercised upon lease commencement. Certain leases also include options to purchase the leased property. The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain of exercise. Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities during the year ended December 31, 2019 were approximately $2.3 million. As of December 31, 2019, leases that the Company has signed but have not yet commenced are immaterial.

Leased assets and liabilities included within the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of the following (in thousands):
  Classification December 31, 2019
Right-of-Use Assets    
Operating Other assets $14,246
Finance Property, plant and equipment, net 2,945
Total leased ROU assets   $17,191
Liabilities    
Current    
Operating Other accrued liabilities $4,369
Finance Current portion of finance lease obligations 327
Noncurrent    
Operating Non-current liabilities 10,041
Finance Finance lease obligations 378
Total lease liabilities   $15,115

Lease costs included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations consist of the following (in thousands):
  Classification Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019
Operating lease cost Cost of sales, selling expenses and general and administrative expense $5,172
Finance lease cost    
Amortization of ROU leased assets Depreciation and amortization 144
Interest on lease liabilities Interest expense 65
Net lease cost   $5,381

Maturity of the Company’s lease liabilities is as follows (in thousands):
  Operating Leases Finance Leases Total
2020 $4,986
 $361
 $5,347
2021 4,477
 361
 4,838
2022 2,551
 30
 2,581
2023 1,855
 
 1,855
2024 851
 
 851
Thereafter 1,242
 
 1,242
Total lease payments $15,962
 $752
 $16,714
Less: interest 1,552
 47
  
Present value of lease payments $14,410
 $705
  


As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Remaining lease term and discount rates are as follows:
7.FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
December 31, 2019
Weighted average remaining lease term (years)
Operating leases4.0
Finance leases2.1
Weighted average discount rate
Operating leases5.17%
Finance leases6.16%

Lease costs included in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows are as follows (in thousands):
  Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities  
Operating cash flows from operating leases $5,016
Operating cash flows from finance leases $53
Financing cash flows from finance leases $308

12. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company’s fair value measurements are based upon a three-level valuation hierarchy. These valuation techniques are based upon the transparency of inputs (observable and unobservable) to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:

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·
Level 1 — Valuation is based on quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;

·
Level 2 — Valuation is based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, or other inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for the full term of the financial instrument; and

·
Level 3 — Valuation is based upon other unobservable inputs that are significant to the fair value measurement.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The Company maintains a non-qualified deferred compensation plan which is offered to senior management and other key employees. The amount owed to participants is an unfunded and unsecured general obligation of the Company. Participants are offered various investment options with which to invest the amount owed to them, and the plan administrator maintains a record of the liability owed to participants by investment. To minimize the impact of the change in market value of this liability, the Company has elected to purchase a separate portfolio of investments through the plan administrator similar to those chosen by the participant.

The investments purchased by the Company include mutual funds, $1.4 million of which are classified as Level 1, and life-insurance contracts valued based on the performance of underlying mutual funds, $13.8 million of which are classified as Level 2.

Additionally, upon the Company’s acquisition of Supreme, the Company acquired a pool of investments made by a wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary. These investments are comprised of mutual funds, $2.9 million of which are classified as Level 1.

The fair value of the Company’s derivatives is estimated with a market approach using third-party pricing services, which have been corroborated with data from active markets or broker quotes.

Fair value measurements and the fair value hierarchy level for the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2019 are shown below (in thousands):
  Frequency Asset / (Liability) Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
December 31, 2019          
Commodity swap contracts Recurring $(1,926) $
 $(1,926) $
Mutual funds Recurring $7,367
 $7,367
 $
 $
Life-insurance contracts Recurring $15,072
 $
 $15,072
 $
December 31, 2018          
Commodity swap contracts Recurring $(1,129) $
 $(1,129) $
Mutual funds Recurring $4,140
 $4,140
 $
 $
Life-insurance contracts Recurring $15,333
 $
 $15,333
 $

Estimated Fair Value of Debt

The estimated fair value of debt at December 31, 20172019 consists primarily of the Convertible Senior Notes due 2018, Senior Notes due 2025 and borrowings under the Term Loan Credit Agreement (see Note 6)10). The fair value of the Convertible Senior Notes due 2018, Senior Notes due 2025, Term Loan Credit Agreement, and the Revolving Credit Facility are based upon third party pricing sources, which generally do not represent daily market activity or represent data obtained from an exchange, and are classified as Level 2. The interest rates on the Company’s borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility are adjusted regularly to reflect current market rates and thus carrying value approximates fair value for these borrowings. All other debt and capital lease obligations approximateapproximates their fair value as determined by discounted cash flows and are classified as Level 3.

The Company’s carrying and estimated fair value of debt at December 31, 20172019 and December 31, 20162018 were as follows (in thousands):

  December 31, 2017  December 31, 2016 
  Carrying  Fair Value  Carrying  Fair Value 
  Value  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  Value  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3 
Instrument                                
Convertible senior notes due 2018 $44,046  $-  $83,605  $-  $46,768  $-  $69,721  $- 
Senior notes due 2025  319,377   -   328,250   -   -   -   -   - 
Term loan credit agreement  186,620   -   188,048   -   188,540   -   189,470   - 
Other debt  67   -   -   67   625   -   -   625 
Capital lease obligations  1,302   -   -   1,302   1,903   -   -   1,903 
  $551,412  $-  $599,903  $1,369  $237,836  $-  $259,191  $2,528 

8.STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

On February 24, 2017, the Board

 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
   Fair Value   Fair Value
 
Carrying
Value
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
Carrying
Value
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Instrument               
Senior notes due 2025$320,572
 $
 $320,572
 $
 $319,941
 $
 $278,688
 $
Term loan credit agreement134,814
 
 134,814
 
 184,957
 
 181,985
 
 $455,386
 $
 $455,386
 $
 $504,898
 $
 $460,673
 $

The fair value of Directors approved the extension of the company’s existing stock repurchase programdebt is based on current public market prices for an additional two-year period and authorizing up to an additional $100 million in repurchases. Stock repurchases under this program may be madedisclosure purposes only. Unrealized gains or losses are not recognized in the open marketfinancial statements as long-term debt is presented at the carrying value, net of unamortized premium or discount and unamortized deferred financing costs in private transactions at times and in amounts determined by the Company. financial statements.
13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
a.    Litigation
As of December 31, 2017, $52.9 million remained available under the program.

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The Board of Directors has the authority to issue common and unclassed preferred stock of up to 200 million shares and 25 million shares, respectively, with par value of $0.01 per share, as well as to fix dividends, voting and conversion rights, redemption provisions, liquidation preferences and other rights and restrictions.

9.STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

On May 18, 2017, the shareholders of the Company approved the 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2017 Incentive Plan”) which authorizes 3,150,000 shares for issuance under the plan. Awards granted under the 2017 Incentive Plan may be in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, other share-based awards and cash awards to directors, officers and other eligible employees of the Company.

The Company recognizes all share-based awards to eligible employees based upon their fair value. The Company’s policy is to recognize expense for awards that have service conditions only subject to graded vesting using the straight-line attribution method. Total stock-based compensation expense was $10.4 million, $12.0 million and $10.0 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The amount of compensation costs related to nonvested stock options and restricted stock not yet recognized was $11.6 million at December 31, 2017, for which the weighted average remaining life was 1.8 years.

Restricted Stock

Restricted stock awards vest over a period of one to three years and may be based on the achievement of specific financial performance metrics. These shares are valued at the market price on the date of grant and are forfeitable in the event of terminated employment prior to vesting.

A summary of all restricted stock activity during 2017 is as follows:

     Weighted 
     Average 
  Number of  Grant Date 
  Shares  Fair Value 
Restricted Stock Outstanding at December 31, 2016  1,963,725  $14.20 
Granted  794,700  $21.65 
Vested  (657,040) $14.33 
Forfeited  (255,758) $16.58 
Restricted Stock Outstanding at December 31, 2017  1,845,627  $17.11 

During 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company granted 794,700, 1,105,010 and 667,126 shares of restricted stock, respectively, with aggregate fair values on the date of grant of $17.2 million, $14.7 million and $9.9 million, respectively. The total fair value of restricted stock that vested during 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $13.5 million, $7.4 million and $5.6 million, respectively.

Stock Options

Stock options are awarded with an exercise price equal to the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, become fully exercisable three years after the date of grant and expire ten years after the date of grant. No stock options have been granted by the Company since February 2015.

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A summary of all stock option activity during 2017 is as follows:

  Number of
Options
  Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
  Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
  Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value ($ in
millions)
 
Options Outstanding at December 31, 2016  1,273,754  $11.13   5.1  $6.0 
Exercised  (511,453) $11.32      $4.4 
Forfeited  (8,753) $14.16         
Expired  (510) $13.32         
Options Outstanding at December 31, 2017  753,038  $10.96   4.4  $8.1 
                 
Options Exercisable at December 31, 2017  704,858  $10.74   4.2  $7.7 

The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $4.4 million, $1.3 million and $0.6 million, respectively.

10.EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLANS

Substantially all of the Company’s employees are eligible to participate in a defined contribution plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company also provides a non-qualified defined contribution plan for senior management and certain key employees. Both plans provide for the Company to match, in cash, a percentage of each employee’s contributions up to certain limits. The Company’s matching contribution and related expense for these plans was approximately $7.3 million, $7.0 million, and $7.3 million for 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

11.INCOME TAXES

a.Income Before Income Taxes

The consolidated income (loss) before income taxes for 2017, 2016 and 2015 consists of the following (in thousands):

  2017  2016  2015 
Domestic $121,897  $185,042  $163,325 
Foreign  641   375   (14)
Total income before income taxes $122,538  $185,417  $163,311 

b.Income Tax Expense

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) was enacted on December 22, 2017. The Act contains numerous new and changed provisions related to the US federal taxation of domestic and foreign corporate operations. Although most of these provisions go into effect starting January 1, 2018 for calendar year corporate taxpayers, companies are still required to record the income tax accounting effects within the financial statements in the period of enactment. As such, the Company has included the estimated effects of remeasuring deferred taxes for the new US federal income tax rate of 21% going into effect in 2018, as well as assessed its ability to realize deferred income tax assets in the future under the new rules. At December 31, 2017, we have not completed our accounting for the tax effects of enactment of the Act; however, in certain cases, as described below, we have made a reasonable estimate of the effects on our existing deferred tax balances.

The Company remeasured certain deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the rates that are expected to be in effect at the time the tax deduction or taxable item will be reported in the Company’s tax return (i.e. when they are expected to reverse in the future), which is generally 21%. However, the Company is still analyzing certain aspects of the Act and refining calculations, which could potentially affect the measurement of these balances or potentially give rise to new deferred tax amounts. The provisional amount recorded related to the remeasurement resulted in a decrease to our deferred tax balance of $19.7 million, which reduced the Company’s income tax expense for year ended December 31, 2017.

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The Company assessed the impacts of the new provisions associated with the deductibility of executive compensation under Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m), and the associated “grandfathering” rules within the Act to provide taxpayers transition relief when applying the change in law. Starting with the 2018 tax year, the Act will no longer permit the exclusion of performance-based compensation, as well as CFO compensation, from the deduction limits set forth in Section 162(m). Within the Act are transition relief provisions for which the Company believes it would qualify when assessing the future deductibility of executive compensation. As such, we are currently recognizing a deferred income tax asset associated with the future tax deductions of equity-based compensation for the executives whose compensation falls under the new limitation rules in the amount of $3.1 million. The Company will monitor future guidance set forth by the Department of Treasury with regard to Section 162(m) provisions under the Act, and true up this estimate as appropriate within the one year measurement period required under Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (SAB 118) issued by the SEC.

The consolidated income tax expense for 2017, 2016 and 2015 consists of the following components (in thousands):

  2017  2016  2015 
Current            
Federal $21,316  $51,489  $58,090 
State  4,327   10,307   8,627 
Foreign  155   144   54 
  $25,798  $61,940  $66,771 
Deferred            
Federal $(16,065) $3,448  $(7,930)
State  1,459   686   288 
Foreign  (76)  (90)  (107)
  $(14,682) $4,044  $(7,749)
Total consolidated expense $11,116  $65,984  $59,022 

The following table provides a reconciliation of differences from the U.S. Federal statutory rate of 35% as follows (in thousands):

  2017  2016  2015 
Pretax book income $122,538  $185,417  $163,311 
             
Federal tax expense at 35% statutory rate  42,888   64,896   57,159 
State and local income taxes (net of federal benefit)  5,047   7,145   6,190 
Benefit of domestic production deduction  (3,450)  (5,065)  (5,255)
Change in income tax reserves  (11,925)  862   641 
Remeasurement of deferred taxes  (19,796)  -   - 
Other  (1,648)  (1,854)  287 
Total income tax expense $11,116  $65,984  $59,022 

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c.Deferred Taxes

The Company’s deferred income taxes are primarily due to temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting for incentive compensation, depreciation of property, plant and equipment, amortization of intangibles, other accrued liabilities and net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”).

Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Companies are required to assess whether valuation allowances should be established against their deferred tax assets based on the consideration of all available evidence, both positive and negative, using a “more likely than not” standard. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified.

The Company assesses, on a quarterly basis, the realizability of its deferred tax assets by evaluating all available evidence, both positive and negative, including: (1) the cumulative results of operations in recent years, (2) the nature of recent losses, if applicable, (3) estimates of future taxable income, (4) the length of NOLs and (5) the uncertainty associated with a possible change in ownership, which imposes an annual limitation on the use of these carryforwards.

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company retained a valuation allowance of $1.2 million against deferred tax assets related to various state and local NOLs that are subject to restrictive rules for future utilization.

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had no U.S. federal tax NOLs. The Company had various multistate income tax NOLs aggregating approximately $53 million which will expire beginning in 2018, if unused.

The components of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows (in thousands):

  2017  2016 
Deferred tax assets        
Tax credits and loss carryforwards $1,710  $260 
Accrued liabilities  6,629   9,852 
Incentive compensation  13,867   21,206 
Other  2,852   4,084 
  $25,058  $35,402 
Deferred tax liabilities        
Property, plant and equipment $(12,813) $(5,823)
Intangibles  (45,960)  (5,299)
Other  (2,003)  (3,264)
  $(60,776) $(14,386)
         
Net deferred tax asset before valuation allowances and reserves $(35,718) $21,016 
Valuation allowances  (1,237)  (1,172)
Net deferred tax asset or liability $(36,955) $19,844 

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d.Tax Reserves

The Company’s policy with respect to interest and penalties associated with reserves or allowances for uncertain tax positions is to classify such interest and penalties inIncome Tax Expense on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the total amount of unrecognized income tax benefits was approximately $0.8 million and $12.7 million, respectively, all of which, if recognized, would impact the effective income tax rate of the Company. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had recorded a total of $0.3 and $2.1 million, respectively of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions. The year over year reduction in the accrual balances relates to the release of income tax reserves upon closing of the federal income tax audit for the 2014 tax year. The Company foresees no significant changes to the facts and circumstances underlying its reserves and allowances for uncertain income tax positions as reasonably possible during the next 12 months. As of December 31, 2017, the Company is subject to unexpired statutes of limitation for U.S. federal income taxes for the years 2015 and 2016. The Company is also subject to unexpired statutes of limitation for Indiana state income taxes for the years 2014 through 2016.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits was as follows (in thousands) and all balances as of December 31, 2017 were included inDeferred Income Taxesin the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet:

Balance at January 1, 2016 $10,625 
     
Decrease in prior year tax positions  - 
     
Balance at December 31, 2016 $10,625 
     
Decrease in prior year tax positions  (10,130)
     
Balance at December 31, 2017 $495 

12.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

a.Litigation

The Company is involved in a number of legal proceedings concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of its business activities, and is periodically subject to governmental examinations (including by regulatory and tax authorities), and information gathering requests (collectively, "governmental examinations"). As of December 31, 2017,2019, the Company was named as a defendant or was otherwise involved in numerous legal proceedings and governmental examinations, in connection with the conduct of its business activities, in various jurisdictions, both in the United States and internationally.

The Company has recorded liabilities for certain On the basis of its outstanding legalinformation currently available to it, management does not believe that existing proceedings and governmental examinations. A liability is accrued when it is both (a) probable that a loss with respect to the legal proceeding has occurred and (b) the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company evaluates, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal proceedings and governmental examinations that could cause an increase or decrease in the amount of the liability that has been previously accrued. These legal proceedings, as well as governmental examinations, involve various lines of business of the Company and a variety of claims (including, but not limited to, common law tort, contract, antitrust and consumer protection claims), some of which present novel factual allegations and/or unique legal theories. While some matters pending against the Company specify the damages claimed by the plaintiff, many seek a not-yet-quantified amount of damages or are at very early stages of the legal process. Even when the amount of damages claimed against the Company are stated, the claimed amount may be exaggerated and/or unsupported. As a result, it is not currently possible to estimate a range of possible loss beyond previously accrued liabilities relating to some matters including those described below. Such previously accrued liabilities may not represent the Company's maximum loss exposure. The legal proceedings and governmental examinations underlying the estimated rangeinvestigations will change from time to time and actual results may vary significantly from the currently accrued liabilities.

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Based on its current knowledge, and taking into consideration its litigation-related liabilities, the Company believes it is not a party to, nor are any of its properties the subject of, any pending legal proceeding or governmental examination other than the matters below, which are addressed individually, that would have a material adverse effectimpact on the Company'sour consolidated financial condition or liquidity if determined in a manner adverse to the Company. However, in light of the uncertainties involved in such matters the ultimate outcome of a particular matterare unpredictable, and we could be material to the Company's operating resultsincur judgments or enter into settlements for a particular period depending on, among other factors, the size of the losscurrent or liability imposedfuture claims that could materially and the level of the Company's income for that period.adversely affect our financial statements. Costs associated with the litigation and settlements of legal matters are reported withinGeneral and Administrative Expensesadministrative expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Brazil Joint Venture

In March 2001, Bernard Krone Indústria e Comércio de Máquinas Agrícolas Ltda. (“BK”) filed suit against the Company in the Fourth Civil Court of Curitiba in the State of Paraná, Brazil. Because of the bankruptcy of BK, this proceeding is now pending before the Second Civil Court of Bankruptcies and Creditors Reorganization of Curitiba, State of Paraná (No. 232/99).

The case grows out of a joint venture agreement between BK and the Company related to marketing of RoadRailer trailers in Brazil and other areas of South America. When BK was placed into the Brazilian equivalent of bankruptcy late in 2000, the joint venture was dissolved. BK subsequently filed its lawsuit against the Company alleging that it was forced to terminate business with other companies because of the exclusivity and non-compete clauses purportedly found in the joint venture agreement. BK asserted damages, exclusive of any potentially court-imposed interest or inflation adjustments, of approximately R$20.8 million (Brazilian Reais). BK did not change the amount of damages asserted following its filing of the case in 2001.

A bench (non-jury) trial was held on March 30, 2010 in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. On November 22, 2011, the Fourth Civil Court of Curitiba partially granted BK’s claims, and ordered Wabash to pay BK lost profits, compensatory, economic and moral damages in excess of the amount of compensatory damages asserted by BK. The total ordered damages amount was approximately R$26.7 million (Brazilian Reais), which was approximately $8.1 million U.S. dollars using the exchange rate as of December 31, 2017 and exclusive of any potentially court-imposed interest, fees or inflation adjustments. On October 5, 2016, the Court of Appeals re-heard all facts and legal questions presented in the case, and ruled in favor of the Company on all claims at issue. In doing so, the Court of Appeals dismissed all claims against the Company and vacated the judgment and damages previously ordered by the Fourth Civil Court of Curitiba. On September 30, 2017, BK filed its notice for a special appeal of the Court of Appeals ruling to the Superior Court of Justice and the Supreme Federal Court. However, unless these higher courts find in favor of BK on any of its claims, the judgment of the Court of Appeals is final. As a result of the Court of Appeals ruling, the Company does not expect that this proceeding will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations; however, it will continue to monitor these legal proceedings.

Intellectual Property

In October 2006, the Company filed a patent infringement suit against Vanguard National Corporation (“Vanguard”) regarding the Company’s U.S. Patent Nos. 6,986,546 and 6,220,651 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana (Civil Action No. 4:06-cv-135). The Company amended the Complaint in April 2007. In May 2007, Vanguard filed its Answer to the Amended Complaint, along with Counterclaims seeking findings of non-infringement, invalidity, and unenforceability of the subject patents. The Company filed a reply to Vanguard’s counterclaims in May 2007, denying any wrongdoing or merit to the allegations as set forth in the counterclaims. The case was stayed by agreement of the parties while the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“Patent Office”) undertook a reexamination of U.S. Patent No. 6,986,546. In June 2010, the Patent Office notified the Company that the reexamination was completed and the Patent Office reissued U.S. Patent No. 6,986,546 without cancelling any claims of the patent. The parties have not yet petitioned the Court to lift the stay, and it is unknown at this time when the parties may do so.

The Company believes that its claims against Vanguard have merit and that the claims asserted by Vanguard are without merit. The Company intends to vigorously defend its position and intellectual property. The Company believes that the resolution of this lawsuit will not have a material adverse effect on its financial position, liquidity or future results of operations. However, at this stage of the proceeding, no assurance can be given as to the ultimate outcome of the case.

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Walker Acquisition

In connection with the Company’s acquisition of Walker in May 2012, there is an outstanding claim of approximately $2.9 million for unpaid benefits that is currently in dispute and that, if required to be paid by the Company, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

Environmental Disputes

In August 2014, the Company was noticedreceived notice as a potentially responsible party (“PRP”) by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (“DHEC”(the “DHEC”) pertaining to the Philip Services Site located in Rock Hill, South Carolina pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) and corresponding South Carolina statutes. PRPs include parties identified through manifest records as having contributed to deliveries of hazardous substances to the Philip Services Site between 1979 and 1999. The DHEC’s allegation that the Company was a PRP arises out of four manifest entries in 1989 under the name of a company unaffiliated with Wabash National (or any of its former or current subsidiaries) that purport to be delivering a de minimis amount of hazardous waste to the Philip Services Site “c/o Wabash National Corporation.” As such, the Philip Services Site PRP Group (“PRP(the “PRP Group”) notified Wabash in August 2014 that it was offering the Company the opportunity to resolve any liabilities associated with the Philip Services Site by entering into a Cash Out and Reopener Settlement Agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) with the PRP Group, as well as a Consent Decree with the DHEC. The Company has accepted the offer from the PRP Group to enter into the Settlement Agreement and Consent Decree, while reserving its rights to contest its liability for any deliveries of hazardous materials to the Philips Services Site. The requested settlement payment is immaterial to the Company’s financial conditions or operations, and as a result, if the Settlement Agreement and Consent Decree are finalized, the payment to be made by the Company thereunder is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

In January 2006,

On November 13, 2019, the Company received a letter fromnotice as a PRP by the North CarolinaIndiana Department of Environment and Natural Resources indicating thatEnvironmental Management related to substances found at a siteproperty located at 817 South Earl Avenue, Lafayette, Indiana (“the Site”). The Site is not owned by the Company but is in close proximity to certain of our owned properties. The notice alleges that the Company formerlyis a PRP in addition to several other PRPs for hazardous substances contaminating the site under both Indiana state law and the CERCLA. Review of publicly available records reveal that the Site is owned near Charlotte, North Carolina has been includedby Raisor Development Group, LLC and currently operates as “Premier Auto Detailing & Wash”. As of December 31, 2019, based on the state's October 2005 Inactive Hazardous Waste Sites Priority List. The letter states thatinformation available the Company was being notified in fulfillment of the state's “statutory duty” to notify those who own and those who at present are known to be responsible for each Site on the Priority List. Following receipt of this notice, no action has ever been requested from the Company, and since 2006 the Company has not received any further communications regarding this matter from the state of North Carolina. The Company does not expect that this designation willmatter to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.

Supreme

b.    Environmental Litigation

Prior to the Company’s acquisition of Supreme, a complaint was filed against Supreme Corporation, a subsidiary of Supreme, in a suit (SVI, Inc. v. Supreme Corporation, Hometown Trolley (a/k/a Double K, Inc.) Commitments and Dustin Pence) in the United States District Court, District of Nevada on May 16, 2016.  The plaintiff is Supreme Corporation’s (“SC”) former trolley distributor.  The plaintiff filed an amended complaint on January 3, 2017, which alleges that SC’s sale of its trolley assets to another trolley manufacturer was improper.  SC filed a motion to dismiss, which was granted in part on May 30, 2017.  The remaining claims alleged against SC include: (i) misappropriation of trade secrets; (ii) civil conspiracy/collusion; (iii) tortious interference with contractual relationships; (iv) breach of contract; and (v) breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing.  The plaintiff alleges damages amounting to approximately $40 million.  However, due to the inherent risk of litigation, the outcome of this case is uncertain and unpredictable; and, further, management believes that the allegations are without merit and is vigorously defending the matter.  As a result, management does not believe this matter will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

Prior to the Company’s acquisition of Supreme, on November 4, 2016, a putative class action lawsuit was filed against the Company’s subsidiary, Supreme Industries, Inc., Mark D. Weber (Supreme’s Chief Executive Officer) and Matthew W. Long (Supreme’s former Chief Financial Officer) in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging the defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 by making material, misleading statements in July 2016 regarding projected backlog.  The plaintiff seeks to recover unspecified damages.  On February 14, 2017, the court transferred the venue of the case to the Northern District of Indiana upon the joint stipulation of the plaintiff and the defendants.  An amended complaint was filed on April 24, 2017 challenging statements made during a putative class period of October 22, 2015 through October 21, 2016.  Due to the inherent risk of litigation, the outcome of this case is uncertain and unpredictable; however, at this time, management believes that the allegations are without merit and is vigorously defending the matter.  As a result, management does not believe this matter will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

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Contingencies

b.Environmental Litigation Commitments and Contingencies

The Company generates and handles certain material, wastes and emissions in the normal course of operations that are subject to various and evolving federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations.

The Company assesses its environmental liabilities on an on-going basis by evaluating currently available facts, existing technology, presently enacted laws and regulations as well as experience in past treatment and remediation efforts. Based on these evaluations, the Company estimates a lower and upper range for treatment and remediation efforts and recognizes a liability for such probable costs based on the information available at the time. As of December 31, 2017,2019, the Company had reserved estimated remediation costs of $0.3$0.1 million for activities at existing and former properties which are recorded withinOther Accrued Liabilities inaccrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

c.Letters of Credit

Sheets.

c.    Letters of Credit
As of December 31, 2017,2019, the Company had standby letters of credit totaling $5.3$7.4 million issued in connection with workers compensation claims and surety bonds.

d.Purchase Commitments

d.    Purchase Commitments
The Company has $58.7$83.9 million in purchase commitments throughat December 20172019 for various raw material commodities, including aluminum, steel, nickel, and nickelpolyethylene, as well as other raw material components which are within normal production requirements.

e.Chassis Converter Pool Agreements

e.    Chassis Converter Pool Agreements
The Company, through its subsidiary Supreme, obtains most vehicle chassis for its specialized vehicle products directly from the chassis manufacturers under converter pool agreements. Chassis are obtained from the manufacturers based on orders from customers, and in some cases, for unallocated orders. The agreements generally state that the manufacturer will provide a supply of chassis to be maintained at the Company’s facilities with the condition that we will store such chassis and will not move, sell, or otherwise dispose of such chassis except under the terms of the agreement. In addition, the manufacturer typically retains the sole authority to authorize commencement of work on the chassis and to make certain other decisions with respect to the chassis including the terms and pricing of sales of the chassis to the manufacturer’s dealers. The manufacturer also does not transfer the certificate of origin to the Company nor permit the Company to sell or transfer the chassis to anyone other than the manufacturer (for ultimate resale to a dealer). Although the Company is party to related finance agreements with manufacturers, the Company has not historically settled, nor expects to in the future settle, any related obligations in cash. Instead, the obligation is settled by the manufacturer upon reassignment of the chassis to an accepted dealer, and the dealer is invoiced for the chassis by the manufacturer. Accordingly, as of December 31, 20172019 the Company’s outstanding chassis converter pool with the manufacturer totaled $18.3$10.2 million and has included this financing agreement on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets withinPrepaid

expenses and otherandOther accrued liabilities. All other chassis programs through its Supreme subsidiary are handled as consigned inventory belonging to the manufacturer and totaled approximately $3.2$3.3 million. Under these agreements, if the chassis is not delivered to a customer within a specified time frame the Company is required to pay a finance or storage charge on the chassis. Additionally, the Company receives finance support funds from manufacturers when the chassis are assigned into the Company’s chassis pool. Typically, chassis are converted and delivered to customers within 90 days of the receipt of the chassis by the Company.

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13.SEGMENTS

a.Segment Reporting

Previously,

14. PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK
Per share results have been calculated based on the average number of common shares outstanding. The calculation of basic and diluted net income per share is determined using net income applicable to common stockholders as the numerator and the number of shares included in the denominator as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 Year Ended December 31,
 2019 2018 2017
Basic net income per share:     
Net income applicable to common stockholders$89,575
 $69,421
 $111,422
Weighted average common shares outstanding54,695
 56,996
 59,358
Basic net income per share$1.64
 $1.22
 $1.88
      
Diluted net income per share:     
Net income applicable to common stockholders$89,575
 $69,421
 $111,422
      
Weighted average common shares outstanding54,695
 56,996
 59,358
Dilutive shares from assumed conversion of convertible senior notes
 455
 1,726
Dilutive stock options and restricted stock595
 979
 1,515
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding55,290
 58,430
 62,599
Diluted net income per share$1.62
 $1.19
 $1.78

For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, there were 0 options excluded from average diluted shares outstanding as the average market price of the common shares was greater than the exercise price. In addition, the calculation of diluted net income per share for the years ending December 31, 2018 and 2017 includes the impact of the Company’s Convertible Senior Notes as the average stock price of the Company’s common stock during these periods was above the initial conversion price of approximately $11.70 per share. The convertible notes matured in May 2018, so there were 0 dilutive shares in 2019.
15. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
On May 18, 2017, the shareholders of the Company managedapproved the 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2017 Incentive Plan”) which authorizes 3,150,000 shares for issuance under the plan. Awards granted under the 2017 Incentive Plan may be in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, other share-based awards, and cash awards to directors, officers, and other eligible employees of the Company.
The Company recognizes all share-based awards to eligible employees based upon their fair value. The Company’s policy is to recognize expense for awards that have service conditions only subject to graded vesting using the straight-line attribution method. Total stock-based compensation expense was $9.0 million, $10.2 million and $10.4 million in the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The amount of compensation costs related to nonvested stock options and restricted stock not yet recognized was $12.6 million at December 31, 2019, for which the weighted average remaining life was 1.8 years.
Restricted Stock
Restricted stock awards vest over a period of one to three years and may be based on the achievement of specific financial performance metrics and market conditions. These shares are valued at the market price on the date of grant and are forfeitable in the event of terminated employment prior to vesting.

A summary of all restricted stock activity during 2019 is as follows:
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Restricted Stock Outstanding at December 31, 20181,495,564
 $20.77
Granted853,994
 15.22
Vested(514,006) 12.53
Forfeited(143,853) 23.30
Restricted Stock Outstanding at December 31, 20191,691,699
 $20.24

During 2019, 2018, and 2017, the Company granted 853,994, 593,705 and 794,700 shares of restricted stock, respectively, with aggregate fair values on the date of grant of $13.0 million, $14.6 million, and $17.2 million, respectively. The total fair value of restricted stock that vested during 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $7.4 million, $15.0 million and $13.5 million, respectively.
Stock Options
Stock options are awarded with an exercise price equal to the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, become fully exercisable three years after the date of grant and expire ten years after the date of grant. NaN stock options have been granted by the Company since February 2015.
A summary of all stock option activity during 2019 is as follows:
 Number of Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life 
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
($ in millions)
Options Outstanding at December 31, 2018633,593
 $11.26
 3.8 $1.3
Exercised(91,200) $9.30
   $0.5
Forfeited
 $
    
Expired(10,451) $13.98
    
Options Outstanding at December 31, 2019531,942
 $11.54
 3.1 $1.7
        
Options Exercisable at December 31, 2019531,942
 $11.59
 3.2 $1.6

The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during 2019, 2018, and 2017 was $0.5 million, $1.5 million and $4.4 million, respectively.
16. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Share Repurchase Program
On November 14, 2018, the Board of Directors approved the extension of the Company’s existing stock repurchase program for an additional three-year period and authorizing up to an additional $100 million in repurchases. Stock repurchases under this program may be made in the open market or in private transactions at times and in amounts determined by the Company. As of December 31, 2019, $69.1 million remained available under the program.
Common and Preferred Stock
The Board of Directors has the authority to issue common and unclassed preferred stock of up to 200 million shares and 25 million shares, respectively, with par value of $0.01 per share, as well as to fix dividends, voting and conversion rights, redemption provisions, liquidation preferences, and other rights and restrictions.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Changes in AOCI by component, net of tax, for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
  
Foreign Currency Translation
and Other
 Derivative Instruments Total
Balances at December 31, 2016 $(2,847) $
 $(2,847)
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period 462
 
 462
Less: Net realized gains (losses) reclassified to net income 
 
 
Net change during the period 462


 462
Balances at December 31, 2017 (2,385)


(2,385)
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period(a)
 (193) (660) (853)
Less: Net realized gains (losses) reclassified to net income(b)
 
 105
 105
Net change during the period (193) (765) (958)
Balances at December 31, 2018 (2,578)
(765)
(3,343)
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period(c)
 712
 (3,059) (2,347)
Less: Net realized gains (losses) reclassified to net income(d)
 
 (1,712) (1,712)
Net change during the period 712

(1,347)
(635)
Balances at December 31, 2019 $(1,866) $(2,112) $(3,978)
—————————
(a) Derivative instruments net of $230 thousand of tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2018.
(b) Derivative instruments net of $37 thousand of tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2018.
(c) Derivative instruments net of $1,031 thousand of tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2019.
(d) Derivative instruments net of $585 thousand of tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2019.
17. EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLANS
Substantially all of the Company’s employees are eligible to participate in a defined contribution plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company also provides a non-qualified defined contribution plan for senior management and certain key employees. Both plans provide for the Company to match, in cash, a percentage of each employee’s contributions up to certain limits. The Company’s matching contribution and related expense for these plans was approximately $10.2 million, $7.9 million, and $7.3 million for 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.
18. INCOME TAXES
Income Before Income Taxes
The consolidated income before income taxes for 2019, 2018, and 2017 consists of the following (in thousands):
 Years Ended December 31,
 2019 2018 2017
Domestic$116,886
 $94,978
 $121,897
Foreign845
 1,026
 641
Total income before income taxes$117,731
 $96,004
 $122,538

Income Tax Expense
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“the Act”) was enacted on December 22, 2017, and, among other changes, reduced the federal statutory tax rate from 35.0% to 21.0%. In accordance with U.S. GAAP for income taxes, as well as SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”), the Company made reasonable estimates of the impact of the Act and recorded these estimates in its results for the year ended December 31, 2017. SAB 118 allowed for a measurement period of up to one year, from the date of enactment, to complete the Company’s accounting for the impact of the Act. During the provisional period prescribed by SAB 118, the Company reversed $1.3 million of deferred tax assets with regards to incentive compensation for executives whose compensation is subject to the updated Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) limitation amounts.

The Act also included a provision that functions as a global minimum tax referred to as Global Intangible Low-taxed Income (“GILTI”) that applies to certain income generated by Controlled Foreign Corporations (“CFC”). U.S. shareholders are required to include on a current basis the aggregate amount of certain income generated by its CFC, regardless of repatriation. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company calculated the tax but the impact on the financial statements is not material.
The consolidated income tax expense for 2019, 2018 and 2017 consists of the following components (in thousands):
 Years Ended December 31,
 2019 2018 2017
Current 
  
  
Federal$18,167
 $22,120
 $21,316
State6,233
 7,271
 4,327
Foreign336
 168
 155
 24,736
 29,559
 25,798
Deferred     
Federal2,760
 (1,613) (16,065)
State620
 (1,312) 1,459
Foreign40
 (51) (76)
 3,420
 (2,976) (14,682)
Total consolidated expense$28,156
 $26,583
 $11,116

The following table provides a reconciliation of differences from the U.S. Federal statutory rates as follows (in thousands):
 Years Ended December 31,
 2019 2018 2017
Pretax book income$117,731
 $96,004
 $122,538
      
Federal tax expense at applicable statutory rate24,723
 20,161
 42,888
State and local income taxes (net of federal benefit)5,513
 4,737
 5,047
Benefit of domestic production deduction
 
 (3,450)
Change in income tax reserves
 
 (11,925)
Tax credits(3,301) 
 
Remeasurement of deferred taxes
 (421) (19,796)
Nondeductible officer compensation

1,152


Compensation expense1,317

(1,009)
(1,943)
Other(96) 1,963
 295
Total income tax expense$28,156
 $26,583
 $11,116

Deferred Taxes
The Company’s deferred income taxes are primarily due to temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting for incentive compensation, depreciation of property, plant and equipment, amortization of intangibles, and other accrued liabilities.
Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Companies are required to assess whether valuation allowances should be established against their deferred tax assets based on the consideration of all available evidence, both positive and negative, using a “more likely than not” standard. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified.
The Company assesses, on a quarterly basis, the realizability of its deferred tax assets by evaluating all available evidence, both positive and negative, including: (1) the cumulative results of operations in recent years, (2) the nature of recent losses, if applicable, (3) estimates of future taxable income, (4) the length of net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) and (5) the uncertainty associated with a possible change in ownership, which imposes an annual limitation on the use of these carryforwards.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company retained a valuation allowance of $0.8 million and $0.8 million, respectively, against deferred tax assets related to various state and local NOLs that are subject to restrictive rules for future utilization.
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had no U.S. federal tax NOLs. The Company had various multi-state income tax NOLs aggregating approximately $46.4 million which will expire between 2020 and 2030, if unused.
The components of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows (in thousands):
 December 31,
 2019 2018
Deferred tax assets 
  
Tax credits and loss carryforwards$672
 $657
Accrued liabilities7,489
 7,285
Incentive compensation14,420
 12,132
Other5,423
 6,747
 28,004
 26,821
Deferred tax liabilities   
Property, plant and equipment(17,899) (14,695)
Intangibles(44,477) (42,343)
Other(2,379) (3,841)
 (64,755) (60,879)
Net deferred tax liability before valuation allowances and reserves(36,751) (34,058)
Valuation allowances(825) (847)
Net deferred tax liability$(37,576) $(34,905)

Tax Reserves
The Company’s policy with respect to interest and penalties associated with reserves or allowances for uncertain tax positions is to classify such interest and penalties in Income tax expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the total amount of unrecognized income tax benefits, including interest and penalties, was approximately $2.1 million and $1.8 million, respectively, all of which, if recognized, would impact the effective income tax rate of the Company. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had recorded a total of $0.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively, of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions. The Company expects no significant changes to the facts and circumstances underlying its reserves and allowances for uncertain income tax positions as reasonably possible during the next 12 months. As of December 31, 2019, the Company is subject to unexpired statutes of limitation for U.S. federal income taxes for the years 2016 through 2018. The Company is also subject to unexpired statutes of limitation for Indiana state income taxes for the years 2016 through 2018.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, was as follows (in thousands) and all balances as of December 31, 2019 were included in either Other noncurrent liabilities or Deferred income taxes in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets:
 Unrecognized Tax Benefits
Balance at January 1, 2018$495
Increase in prior year tax positions682
Balance at December 31, 20181,177
Increase in prior year tax positions245
Balance at December 31, 2019$1,422


19. SEGMENTS
Segment Reporting
The Company manages its business in two3 segments: Commercial Trailer Products, and Diversified Products. In the third quarter of 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of Supreme. As a result, the Company implemented a new reporting segment during the fourth quarter referred to as theProducts, and Final Mile Products segment, which includes the operations of Supreme and other truck body activities previously reported in the Company’s Commercial Trailer Products segment.Products. The Commercial Trailer Products segment manufactures standard and customized van and platform trailers and other transportation related equipment tofor customers who purchase directly from the Company or through independent dealers. The Diversified Products segment, comprised of four3 strategic business units including, Tank Trailer, Aviation & Truck Equipment, Process Systems and Composites, focuses on the Company’s commitment to expand its customer base, diversify its product offerings and revenues and extend its market leadership by leveraging its proprietary DuraPlate® panel technology, drawing on its core manufacturing expertise and making available products that are complementary to truck and tank trailers and transportation equipment.

The Final Mile Products segment manufactures truck bodies for customers in the final mile space.

Previously, the Company managed its business in 2 segments: Commercial Trailer Products and Diversified Products. In 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of Supreme. As a result, the Company created a new reporting segment referred to as the Final Mile Products segment, which includes the Supreme operations and certain other truck body operations which were previously included in the Commercial Trailer Products segment. The Company has not restated the historical comparative periods due to the immaterial impact of the existing truck body activities on the presented segments and periods.
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies except that the Company evaluates segment performance based on income from operations. The Company has not allocated certain corporate related administrative costs, interest and income taxes included in the corporate and eliminations segment to the Company’s other reportable segments. The Company accounts for intersegment sales and transfers at cost plus a specified mark-up.

Reportable segment information is as follows (in thousands):

85

 
Commercial
Trailer Products
 
Diversified
Products
 
Final Mile
Products
 
Corporate and
Eliminations
 Consolidated
2019         
Net sales         
External customers$1,519,592
 $357,634
 $441,910
 $
 $2,319,136
Intersegment sales1,949
 26,882
 
 (28,831) 
Total net sales$1,521,541
 $384,516
 $441,910
 $(28,831) $2,319,136
          
Depreciation and amortization$10,667
 $18,621
 $11,361
 $1,708
 $42,357
Income (Loss) from operations$145,877
 $29,748
 $9,804
 $(42,643) $142,786
Assets$362,328
 $317,246
 $511,862
 $113,155
 $1,304,591
          
2018         
Net sales         
External customers$1,536,687
 $372,342
 $358,249
 $
 $2,267,278
Intersegment sales252
 21,629
 
 (21,881) 
Total net sales$1,536,939
 $393,971
 $358,249
 $(21,881) $2,267,278
          
Depreciation and amortization$9,631
 $21,177
 $8,314
 $1,561
 $40,683
Income (Loss) from operations$141,795
 $(3,033) $7,907
 $(35,682) $110,987
Assets$355,183
 $349,423
 $484,634
 $115,153
 $1,304,393
          
2017         
Net sales         
External customers$1,348,251
 $348,449
 $70,461
 $
 $1,767,161
Intersegment sales131
 12,909
 
 (13,040) 
Total net sales$1,348,382
 $361,358
 $70,461
 $(13,040) $1,767,161
          
Depreciation and amortization$9,975
 $22,236
 $1,152
 $1,690
 $35,053
Income (Loss) from operations$151,999
 $20,376
 $(2,098) $(39,461) $130,816
Assets$311,705
 $340,651
 $404,246
 $294,911
 $1,351,513

  Commercial  Diversified  Final Mile  Corporate and    
  Trailer Products  Products  Products  Eliminations  Consolidated 
2017                    
Net sales                    
External customers $1,348,251  $348,449  $70,461  $-  $1,767,161 
Intersegment sales  131   12,909   -   (13,040)  - 
Total net sales $1,348,382  $361,358  $70,461  $(13,040) $1,767,161 
                     
Depreciation and amortization  9,975   22,236   1,152   1,690   35,053 
Income (Loss) from operations  151,999   20,376   (2,098)  (39,461)  130,816 
Reconciling items to net income                    
Interest expense                  16,400 
Other, net                  (8,122)
Income tax expense                  11,116 
Net income                 $111,422 
Assets $311,705  $340,651  $404,246  $294,911  $1,351,513 
                     
2016                    
Net sales                    
External customers $1,506,070  $339,374  $-  $-  $1,845,444 
Intersegment sales  40   13,030   -   (13,070)  - 
Total net sales $1,506,110  $352,404  $-  $(13,070) $1,845,444 
                     
Depreciation and amortization  12,345   22,970   -   1,454   36,769 
Income (Loss) from operations  212,351   24,595   -   (34,414)  202,532 
Reconciling items to net income                    
Interest expense                  15,663 
Other, net                  1,452 
Income tax expense                  65,984 
Net income                 $119,433 
Assets $312,848  $370,338  $-  $215,547  $898,733 
                     
2015                    
Net sales                    
External customers $1,582,019  $445,470  $-  $-  $2,027,489 
Intersegment sales  222   11,457   -   (11,679)  - 
Total net sales $1,582,241  $456,927  $-  $(11,679) $2,027,489 
                     
Depreciation and amortization  12,674   23,888   -   1,436   37,998 
Income (Loss) from operations  159,385   51,078   -   (30,094)  180,369 
Reconciling items to net income                    
Interest expense                  19,548 
Other, net                  (2,490)
Income tax expense                  59,022 
Net income                 $104,289 
Assets $336,235  $397,892  $-  $215,543  $949,670 

b.Customer Concentration



Customer Concentration
The Company is subject to a concentration of risk as the five largest customers together accounted for approximately 24%27%, 24%25% and 25%24% of the Company’s aggregate net sales in 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 2015,2017, respectively. In addition, for each of the last three years there were no customers whose revenue individually represented 10% or more of our aggregate net sales. International sales accounted for less than 10% in each of the last three years.

86

Product Information

c.Product Information

The Company offers products primarily in four general categories: (1) new trailers, (2) used trailers, (3) components, parts and service, and (4) equipment and other. The following table sets forth the major product categories and their percentage of consolidated net sales (dollars in thousands):

  Commercial  Diversified  Final Mile       
 Trailer Products  Products  Products  Eliminations  Consolidated 
Year ended December 31,
2017
 $  $  $  $  $  % 
New trailers  1,273,584   140,105   -   -   1,413,689   80.0 
Used trailers  10,720   3,278   -   -   13,998   0.8 
Components, parts and service  48,008   117,681   1,877   (13,040)  154,526   8.7 
Equipment and other  16,070   100,294   68,584   -   184,948   10.5 
Total net external sales  1,348,382   361,358   70,461   (13,040)  1,767,161   100.0 

  Commercial  Diversified  Final Mile       
  Trailer Products  Products  Products  Eliminations  Consolidated 
2016 $  $  $  $  $  % 
New trailers  1,421,586   129,639   -   (89)  1,551,136   84.1 
Used trailers  11,998   3,176   -   -   15,174   0.8 
Components, parts and service  56,191   111,519   -   (12,955)  154,755   8.4 
Equipment and other  16,335   108,070   -   (26)  124,379   6.7 
Total net external sales  1,506,110   352,404   -   (13,070)  1,845,444   100.0 

  Commercial  Diversified  Final Mile       
  Trailer Products  Products  Products  Eliminations  Consolidated 
2015 $  $  $  $  $  % 
New trailers  1,474,201   218,028   -   -   1,692,229   83.5 
Used trailers  31,022   4,558   -   -   35,580   1.8 
Components, parts and service  60,482   119,696   -   (11,628)  168,550   8.3 
Equipment and other  16,536   114,645   -   (51)  131,130   6.4 
Total net external sales  1,582,241   456,927   -   (11,679)  2,027,489   100.0 

14.CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

Year ended December 31, 2019 Commercial Trailer Products Diversified Products Final Mile Products Eliminations Consolidated
New trailers $1,464,636
 $198,043
 


 $
 $1,662,679
 71.7%
Used trailers 435
 2,044
 
 
 2,479
 0.1%
Components, parts and service 40,344
 113,024
 15,023
 (27,902) 140,489
 6.1%
Equipment and other 16,126
 71,405
 426,887
 (929) 513,489
 22.1%
Total net external sales $1,521,541
 $384,516
 $441,910
 $(28,831) $2,319,136
 100.0%
Year ended December 31, 2018 Commercial Trailer Products Diversified Products Final Mile Products Eliminations Consolidated
New trailers $1,473,583
 $164,790
 $
 $
 $1,638,373
 72.2%
Used trailers 9,618
 3,514
 
 
 13,132
 0.6%
Components, parts and service 34,994
 122,099
 9,968
 (21,811) 145,250
 6.4%
Equipment and other 18,744
 103,568
 348,281
 (70) 470,523
 20.8%
Total net external sales $1,536,939
 $393,971
 $358,249
 $(21,881) $2,267,278
 100.0%
Year ended December 31, 2017 Commercial Trailer Products Diversified Products Final Mile Products Eliminations Consolidated
New trailers $1,273,584
 $140,105
 $
 $
 $1,413,689
 80.0%
Used trailers 10,720
 3,278
 
 
 13,998
 0.8%
Components, parts and service 48,008
 117,681
 1,877
 (13,040) 154,526
 8.7%
Equipment and other 16,070
 100,294
 68,584
 
 184,948
 10.5%
Total net external sales $1,348,382
 $361,358
 $70,461
 $(13,040) $1,767,161
 100.0%


20. CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly results of operations for fiscal years 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 20152017 (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

87

  First  Second  Third  Fourth 
  Quarter  Quarter  Quarter  Quarter 
2017                
Net sales $362,716  $435,903  $425,098  $543,444 
Gross profit  59,357   67,679   60,963   72,876 
Net income  20,173   22,945   18,947   49,357 
Basic net income per share(1)  0.34   0.38   0.32   0.84 
Diluted net income per share(1)  0.32   0.36   0.30   0.80 
2016                
Net sales $447,676  $471,439  $464,272  $462,057 
Gross profit  79,526   91,064   83,459   71,485 
Net income  27,523   35,532   33,378   23,000 
Basic net income per share(1)  0.42   0.55   0.52   0.37 
Diluted net income per share(1)  0.42   0.53   0.51   0.36 
2015                
Net sales $437,597  $514,831  $531,350  $543,711 
Gross profit  57,197   72,405   86,022   87,819 
Net income  10,474   28,649   31,880   33,286 
Basic net income per share(1)  0.15   0.42   0.48   0.50 
Diluted net income per share(1)  0.15   0.41   0.47   0.50 

  
First
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Fourth
Quarter
2019        
Net sales $533,174
 $626,053
 $580,908
 $579,001
Gross profit $68,690
 $87,650
 $77,735
 $72,307
Net income $14,780
 $30,960
 $25,460
 $18,375
Basic net income per share(1)
 $0.27
 $0.56
 $0.47
 $0.34
Diluted net income per share(1)
 $0.27
 $0.56
 $0.46
 $0.34
2018        
Net sales $491,319
 $612,690
 $553,073
 $610,196
Gross profit $64,119
 $85,315
 $65,162
 $69,056
Net income $21,272
 $31,902
 $4,664
 $11,584
Basic net income per share(1)
 $0.37
 $0.55
 $0.08
 $0.21
Diluted net income per share(1)
 $0.35
 $0.54
 $0.08
 $0.21
2017        
Net sales $362,716
 $435,903
 $425,098
 $543,444
Gross profit $59,357
 $67,679
 $60,963
 $72,876
Net income $20,173
 $22,945
 $18,947
 $49,357
Basic net income per share(1)
 $0.34
 $0.38
 $0.32
 $0.84
Diluted net income per share(1)
 $0.32
 $0.36
 $0.30
 $0.80
—————————
(1)
Basic and diluted net income per share is computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly net income per share may differ from annual net income per share due to rounding.

ITEM 9—CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None

None.
ITEM 9A—CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and board of directors that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on an evaluation conducted under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2017,2019, including those procedures described below, we, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, determined that those controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in Internal Controls

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rules 13a-15(d) and 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act that occurred during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017year 2019 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

88

Report of Management on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The management of Wabash National Corporation (“the Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Company’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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 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 the financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; (3) provide reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (4) 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. 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 and procedures may deteriorate.

Management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Supreme Industries, Inc., which is included in the Company’s 2017 consolidated financial statements and constituted $404.2 million of the Company’s total assets as of December 31, 2017 and $67.1 million of the Company’s sales for the year then ended.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017,2019, based on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission(2013 (2013 framework) (COSO). Based on this assessment, management has concluded that internal control over financial reporting is effective as of December 31, 2017.

2019.

Ernst & Young LLP, an Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, has audited the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, and its report on internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 20172019 appears on the following page.

Richard J. Giromini
Brent L. YeagyPresident and Chief Executive Officer
Jeffery L. TaylorMichael N. PettitSenior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
  
February 28, 201825, 2020 

89 



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The


To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Wabash National Corporation

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited Wabash National Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017,2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Wabash National Corporation (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017,2019, based on the COSO criteria.

As indicated in the accompanying Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, management's assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Supreme Industries, Inc., which is included in the 2017 consolidated financial statements of Wabash National Corporation and constituted $404.2 million and $358.7 million of total and net assets, respectively, as of December 31, 2017, and $67.1 million and $1.6 million of sales and pretax loss, respectively, for the year then ended. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of Wabash National Corporation also did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Supreme Industries, Inc.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of Wabash National Corporationthe Company as of December 31, 20172019 and 2016, and2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 20172019, and the related notes and our report dated February 28, 201825, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible 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 Report of Management on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S.US federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company’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’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’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.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Indianapolis, Indiana

February 28, 2018

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 90
Indianapolis, Indiana
February 25, 2020 

ITEM 9B—OTHER INFORMATION

None.


PART III

ITEM 10—DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Company hereby incorporates by reference the information contained under the heading “Executive Officers of Wabash National Corporation”“Information About Our Executive Officers” from Item 1 Part I of this Annual Report.

The Company hereby incorporates by reference the information contained under the headings “Section“Delinquent Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” or “ElectionReports,” “Proposal 1 - Election of Directors” and “Corporate Governance” from its definitive Proxy Statement to be delivered to stockholders of the Company and filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report in connection with the 20182020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 17, 2018.

12, 2020.

Code of Ethics

As part of our system of corporate governance, our Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (“Code of Ethics”) that is specifically applicable to our Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers. This Code of Ethics is available within the Corporate Governance section of the Investor Relations page of our website at www.wabashnational.com. We will disclose any waivers for our Chief Executive Officer or Senior Financial Officers under, or any amendments to, our Code of Ethics by posting such information on our website at the address above.

ITEM 11—EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The Company hereby incorporates by reference the information contained under the headings “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Committee Report,” “Executive Compensation"Compensation Tables” and “Director“Corporate Governance—Director Compensation” from its definitive Proxy Statement to be delivered to the stockholders of the Company and filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report in connection with the 20182020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 17, 2018.

12, 2020.

ITEM 12—SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The Company hereby incorporates by reference the information contained under the headings "Beneficial“Beneficial Ownership Information—Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” from its definitive Proxy Statement to be delivered to the stockholders of the Company and filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report in connection with the 20182020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 17, 2018.

12, 2020.

ITEM 13—CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The Company hereby incorporates by reference the information contained under the headings “Election of Directors”“Corporate Governance—Board Structure and “Relatedits Role in Oversight—Director Independence” and “Corporate Governance—Related Persons Transactions Policy” from its definitive Proxy Statement to be delivered to the stockholders of the Company and filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report in connection with the 20182020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 17, 2018.

12, 2020.

ITEM 14—PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTINGACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Information required by Item 14 of this form and the audit committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures regarding the engagement of the principal accountant are incorporated herein by reference to the information contained under the heading “Ratification“Proposal 3—Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” from the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement to be delivered to the stockholders of the Company and filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report in connection with the 20182020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 17, 2018.

91
12, 2020.

PART IV

ITEM 15—EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)
Financial Statements:The Company has included all required financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report. The financial statement schedules have been omitted as they are not applicable or the required information is included in the Notes to the consolidated financial statements.

(b)
Exhibits:Reference is made to the Exhibit Index of this Annual Report for a list of exhibits filed with this Annual Report or incorporated herein by reference to the document.


ITEM 16 – FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

EXHIBIT INDEX

No. Description
 
2.02Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 8, 2017, by and among Wabash National Corporation, Supreme Industries, Inc. and Redhawk Acquisition Corporation (21)
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 
 
10.04#Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan (6)
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

92

10.14 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.21Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 16, 2017, by and among Wabash National Corporation, certain of its subsidiaries party thereto, Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as arranger and administrative agent, and each lender party thereto (22)
10.22Form of Tender and Voting Agreement, dated as of August 8, 2017, by and among Wabash National Corporation, Redhawk Acquisition Corporation and each of the officers and directors and certain holders of Class B common stock party thereto (21)
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101 The following materials from Wabash National Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 are filed herewith, formatted in iXBRL (Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2019 and 2018, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, and (vi) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. (28)
104Cover Page Interactive Data File Pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T(formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) (28)

 
#
 Management contract or compensatory plan
 +(1)Confidential treatment has been granted with respect to certain portions of this exhibit. Omitted portions have been filed separately with the SEC.
 (1)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-27317) filed on May 16, 1997
 (2)(2)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended JuneSeptember 30, 20022018 (File No. 1-10883)001-10883)
 (3)(3)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 (File No. 1-10883)001-10883)
 (4)(4)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2015 (File No. 1-10883)001-10883)
 (5)(5)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on January 8, 2007 (File No. 1-10883)Reserved
 (6)(6)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on May 24, 2007 (File No. 1-10883)001-10883)

(793) 

 (7)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 (File No. 1-10883)001-10883)
 (8)(8)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on June 10, 2015 (File No. 1-10883)001-10883)
 (9)(9)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 4, 2009 (File No. 1-10883)001-10883)
 (10)(10)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 (File No. 1-10883)001-10883)
 (11)(11)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on May 25, 2011 (File No. 1-10883)001-10883)
 (12)(12)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on September 14, 2011 (File No. 1-10883)001-10883)
 (13)(13)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on MarchDecember 27, 20122018 (File No.001-10883)
 (14)(14)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on April 23, 2012 (File No.001-10883)
 (15)(15)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on May 14, 2012 (File No 001-10883)
 (16)(16)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on April 29, 2013 (File No 001-10883)
 (17)(17)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on March 23, 2015 (File No 001-10883)
 (18)(18)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on February 27, 2017 (File No 001-10883)
 (19)(19)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on May 5, 2017 (File No. 1-10883)Reserved
 (20)(20)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form S-8 filed on May 18, 2017 (File No. 333-218085)
 (21)(21)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 9, 2017 (File No. 1-10883)001-10883)
 (22)(22)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 22, 2017 (File No. 1-10883)001-10883)
 (23)(23)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on September 15, 2017 (File No. 1-10883)001-10883)
 (24)(24)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on September 26, 2017 (File No. 1-10883)001-10883)
 (25)(25)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on November 22, 2017 (File No. 1-10883)001-10883)
 (26)(26)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on December 15, 2017 (File No. 1-10883)001-10883)
(27)(27)Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on December 15, 2017 (File No. 1-10883)001-10883)
 (28)(28)Filed herewith

94


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

February 28, 201825, 2020By:/s/ Jeffery L. TaylorMichael N. Pettit
  Jeffery L. TaylorMichael N. Pettit
  
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Date
Signature and Name Signature and TitleDate
    
February 28, 2018/s/ Brent L. Yeagy By:/s/ Richard J. Giromini
Richard J. Giromini
President and Chief Executive Officer, DirectorFebruary 25, 2020
Brent L. Yeagy(Principal Executive Officer)   (Principal Executive Officer)
    
February 28, 2018 By:
/s/ Jeffery L. Taylor
Jeffery L. Taylor
Michael N. Pettit Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (PrincipalFebruary 25, 2020
Michael N. Pettit(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
    
February 28, 2018By:/s/ Brent L. Yeagy
Richard J. Giromini
President and Chief Operating Officer, Director
 
February 28, 2018By:/s/ Martin C. Jischke
Dr. Martin C. Jischke
 Chairman of the Board of DirectorsFebruary 25, 2020
Dr. Martin C. Jischke    
February 28, 2018By:/s/ John G. Boss
   John G. Boss
/s/ Therese M. BassettDirectorFebruary 25, 2020
Therese M. Bassett   Director
    
February 28, 2018/s/ John G. Boss By:Director

/s/ John E. Kunz

February 25, 2020
John G. Boss   John E. Kunz
Director
    
February 28, 2018/s/ John E. Kunz By:Director/s/ Larry J. MageeFebruary 25, 2020
John E. Kunz   Larry J. Magee
Director
    
February 28, 2018/s/ Larry J. Magee By:Director/s/ Ann D. MurtlowFebruary 25, 2020
Larry J. Magee   Ann D. Murtlow
Director
    
February 28, 2018/s/ Ann D. Murtlow By:Director/s/ Scott K. SorensenFebruary 25, 2020
Ann D. Murtlow
   
/s/ Scott K. SorensenDirectorFebruary 25, 2020
Scott K. Sorensen
   Director

/s/ Stuart A. Taylor II 95DirectorFebruary 25, 2020
Stuart A. Taylor II 


76