UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10‑K10-K
(Mark One)

þANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20162019
OR
or
oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _______________ to _______________
Commission File No. file number 1-4347

ROGERS CORPORATIONCORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrantregistrant as specified in its charter)

Massachusetts06‑051386006-0513860
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I. R. S. Employer
Identification No.)
2225 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, Arizona85224-6155
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (480) 917-6000
P.O. Box 188, One Technology Drive, Rogers, Connecticut 06263-0188 (Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(860) 774-9605
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
   
Title of Each Classeach classTrading Symbol(s)Name of Each Exchangeeach exchange on Which Registeredwhich registered
Common Stock, $1 Par Valuepar value $1.00 per shareROGNew York Stock Exchange
Rights to Purchase Capital Stock
   
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
_______________________________
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes¨ýNo ý¨
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 ¨Noý
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.    YesýNo ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    YesýNo ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosurewhether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405“large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 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.    ¨Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filerýAccelerated filer
Non-accelerated filerSmaller 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 large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ý
Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨
 Smaller reporting company ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act)    Yes ¨No ý
The aggregate market value of the voting common equity held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2016,28, 2019, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $1,091,625,859.$3,172,358,484. Rogers has no non-voting common equity.
The number of shares outstanding of common stock as of February 13, 201714, 2020 was 18,035,944.18,613,717.








Documents Incorporated by Reference:

Portions of Rogers’ Definitive Proxy Statement for its 20172020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, currently scheduled for May 4, 2017,7, 2020, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.






ROGERS CORPORATION
FORM 10-K


December 31, 20162019


TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part I
Item 1.Business
Item 1A.Risk Factors
Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2.Properties
Item 3.Legal Proceedings
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures
Part II
Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Item 6.Selected Financial Data
Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Financial Position
Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Item 9A.Controls and Procedures
Item 9B.Other Information
Part III
Item 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 11.Executive Compensation
Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Item 14.Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Part IV
Item 15.Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
Item 16.Form 10-K Summary
 Signatures






Part I


Item 1. Business

In this Report, we useAs used herein, the terms “Company,” “Rogers,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “our” unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, to refer tosimilar terms include Rogers Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.amended (the Exchange Act). Such statements are generally accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “foresee,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “seek,” “target” or similar expressions that convey uncertainty as to future events or outcomes. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and beliefs that we believe to be reasonable; however, assumed facts almost always vary from actual results, and the differences between assumed facts and actual results could be material depending upon the circumstances. Where we express an expectation or belief as to future results, that expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and based on assumptions believed to have a reasonable basis. We cannot assure you, however, that the stated expectation or belief will occur or be achieved or accomplished. Among the factors that could cause our results to differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements are risks and uncertainties inherent in our business including, without limitation:
failure to capitalize on, or volatility within, or other adverse changes with respect to the Company’s growth drivers, including advanced mobility and advanced connectivity, clean energy, and safety and protection;such as delays in adoption or implementation of new technologies;
uncertain business, economic and political conditions in the United States (U.S.) and abroad, particularly in China, South Korea, Germany, Hungary and Belgium, where we maintain significant manufacturing, sales or administrative operations;
the trade policy dynamics between the U.S. and China reflected in trade agreement negotiations and the imposition of tariffs and other trade restrictions, including trade restrictions on Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei);
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
our ability to develop innovative products and have themthe extent to which they are incorporated into end-user products and systems;
the extent to which end-user products and systems incorporating our products achieve commercial success;
the ability of our sole or limited source suppliers to deliver certain key raw materials, including commodities, to us in a timely and cost-effective manner;
intense global competition affecting both our existing products and products currently under development;
business interruptions due to catastrophes or other similar events, such as natural disasters, war, terrorism or public health crises;
failure to realize, or delays in the realization of, anticipated benefits of acquisitions and divestitures due to, among other things, the existence of unknown liabilities or difficulty integrating acquired businesses;
our ability to attract and retain management and skilled technical personnel;
our ability to protect our proprietary technology from infringement by third parties and/or allegations that our technology infringes third party rights;
changes in effective tax rates or tax laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate;
failure to comply with financial and restrictive covenants in our credit agreement or restrictions on our operational and financial flexibility due to such covenants;
the outcome of ongoing and future litigation, including our asbestos-related product liability litigation;
changes in environmental laws and regulations applicable to our business; and
disruptions in, or breaches of, our information technology systems;systems.
asset impairment and restructuring charges; and
changes in accounting standards promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Our forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements, which you should consider carefully, along with the risks discussed under the heading “Item 1Aheadings “Item 1A. Risk Factors”Factors and “Item 7Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”Operations and Financial Position and elsewhere in this report, thatany of which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or anticipated results. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by law.
Overview

Rogers Corporation (NYSE: ROG) designs, develops, manufactures and sells high-qualityhigh-performance and high-reliability engineered materials and components for mission critical applications.to meet our customers’ demanding challenges. We operate principally three strategic business segments -operating segments: Advanced Connectivity Solutions (ACS), Elastomeric Material Solutions (EMS) and Power Electronics Solutions (PES). The remaining operations, which represent our non-core businesses, are reported in the Other operating segment. We have a history of innovation and have established the Rogers


Innovation Centers for our leading research and development activities. Rogers was foundedactivities in 1832Chandler, Arizona; Burlington, Massachusetts; Eschenbach, Germany; and incorporatedSuzhou, China. We are headquartered in Massachusetts in 1927. In August 2016, we announced plans to relocate our global headquarters from Rogers, Connecticut to Chandler, Arizona. The move will build upon our presence in Arizona, where we have significant business
Growth Strategy and manufacturing operations.


Recent Acquisitions
Our growth strategy is based upon the following principles: (1) market-driven organization, (2) innovation leadership, (3) synergistic mergers and acquisitions, and (4) operational excellence. As a market-driven organization, we are focused on growth drivers, including advanced mobility and advanced connectivity. More specifically, the key trends currently affecting our business include the increasing use of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and increasing electrification of vehicles, including electric and hybrid electric vehicles (EV/HEV), in the automotive industry and new technology adoption in the telecommunications industry, including next generation wireless infrastructure. In addition to our focus on advanced mobility and advanced connectivity clean energyin the automotive and safetytelecommunications industries, we sell into a variety of other markets including general industrial, portable electronics, connected devices, aerospace and protection.defense, mass transit and renewable energy.
Our sales and marketing approach is based on addressing these trends, while our strategy focuses on factors for success as a manufacturer of engineered materials and components: performance, quality, service, cost, efficiency, innovation and technology. We have expanded our capabilities through organic investment and acquisitions and strive to ensure high quality solutions for our customers. We continue to review and re-align our manufacturing and engineering footprint in an effort to attain a leading competitive position globally. We have established or expanded our capabilities in various locations in support of our customers’ growth initiatives.
We seek to enhance our operational and financial performance by investing in research and development, manufacturing and materials efficiencies, and new product initiatives that respond to the needs of our customers. We strive to evaluate operational and strategic alternatives to improve our business structure and align our business with the changing needs of our customers and major industry trends affecting our business.
In November 2016,executing on our growth strategy, we have completed the following strategic acquisitions in the last two fiscal years: (1) in July 2018, we acquired DeWAL Industries (DeWAL) for an aggregate purchase price of $135.5 million. DeWAL isGriswold LLC (Griswold), a leading manufacturer of polytetrafluoroethylene and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene films, pressure sensitive tapes and specialty products for the industrial, aerospace, automotive, and electronics markets. We believe DeWALs business is highly complementary to our EMS segment, and we expect the acquisition to result in an expansion of our product portfolio and technology capabilities in the aerospace and electronics markets and other attractive industry verticals.
In January 2017, we acquired the principal operating assets of Diversified Silicone Products, Inc. (DSP), a custom silicone product development and manufacturing business, serving a wide range of high reliability applications. We expect the acquisition to expand EMS’ portfolio ofhigh-performance engineered cellular spongeelastomer and specialty extruded silicone profile technologiesmicrocellular polyurethane products and to strengthen our existing expertisesolutions and (2) in precision-calendered siliconeAugust 2018, we acquired a production facility and silicone formulatingrelated machinery and compounding.equipment located in Chandler, Arizona from Isola USA Corp (Isola).

Our BusinessOperating Segments
We operate our business in three strategic business segments: ACS, EMS, and PES. The following table reflects the net sales of the reportable segments of the Company for the last three fiscal years:

(Dollars in thousands)201620152014
ACS$277,787
$267,630
$240,864
EMS203,181
180,898
173,671
PES152,367
150,288
171,832
Other22,979
42,627
24,544
Total$656,314
$641,443
$610,911

Additional financial information regarding each of our reportable segments, along with information regarding our revenues and long-lived assets by geographic area, is available in Note 16, “Business Segment and Geographic Information,” in “Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Advanced Connectivity Solutions
Our ACS operating segment designs, develops, manufactures and sells circuit materials and solutions enabling high-performance and high-reliability connectivity for applications in wireless communications infrastructure (e.g., power amplifiers, antennas and small cells and distributed antenna systems)cells), automotive (e.g., active safety, advanced driver assistance systems,ADAS, telematics and thermal management)solutions), aerospace and defense (e.g. antenna systems, communication systems and phased array radar systems), connected devices (e.g., mobile internet devices and Internet of Things),thermal solutions) and wired infrastructure (e.g., computing servers and storage), consumer electronicsIP infrastructure) markets. We believe these products have characteristics that offer performance and aerospace/defense. We sellother functional advantages in many market applications that serve to differentiate our products from other commonly available materials. ACS products are sold principally to independent and captive printed circuit materials under various tradeboard fabricators that convert our laminates to custom printed circuits. Trade names includingfor our ACS products include: RO4000® Series, RO3000®, RO4000 Series, RT/duroid®, RT/duroidCLTE Series®, AD Series®, CuClad® Series, TMM®, Kappa®, XTremeSpeed RO1200TM Laminates, DiClad® Series, IsoClad® Series, COOLSPAN®, MAGTREXTM, TC Series®, IM SeriesTM, 92MLTM, 2929 Bondply and CLTE SeriesTM.
Our3001 Bondply Film. As of December 31, 2019, our ACS operating segment hashad manufacturing and administrative facilities in Chandler, Arizona; Rogers, Connecticut; Bear, Delaware; Evergem, Belgium; and Suzhou, China.
Elastomeric Material Solutions
Our EMS operating segment designs, develops, manufactures and sells elastomericengineered material solutions for criticala wide variety of applications and markets. These include polyurethane and silicone materials used in cushioning, gasketing and sealing, impact protection and vibration management applications includingfor general industrial, portable electronics, (e.g., mobile internet devices), consumer goods (e.g., protective sports equipment), automotive, mass transportation, constructiontransit, aerospace and defense, footwear and impact mitigation and printing applications.markets; customized silicones used in flex heater and semiconductor thermal applications for general industrial, portable electronics, automotive, mass transit, aerospace and defense and medical markets; polytetrafluoroethylene and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene materials used in wire and cable protection, electrical insulation, conduction and shielding, hose and belt protection, vibration management, cushioning, gasketing and sealing, and venting applications for general industrial, automotive and aerospace and defense markets. We sell our elastomericbelieve these materials under various tradehave characteristics that offer functional advantages in many market applications which serve to differentiate Rogers’ products from other commonly available materials. EMS products are sold globally to converters, fabricators, distributors and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Trade names including DeWAL™, ARLON®, PORON®, XRD®, BISCO® and eSORBA®. As noted above, we acquired DeWAL and DSP in November 2016 and January 2017, respectively. We are in the process of integrating these businesses intofor our EMS segment.products include: PORON®, BISCO®, DeWAL®, ARLON®, eSorba®, Griswold®, Diversified Silicone Products®, XRD®, R/bak® and HeatSORB™.
OurAs of December 31, 2019, our EMS operating segment hashad administrative and manufacturing and administrative facilities in Woodstock,Moosup, Connecticut; Rogers, Connecticut; Woodstock, Connecticut; Bear, Delaware; Carol Stream, Illinois; Narragansett, Rhode Island; Santa Fe Springs, California;Ansan, South


Korea; and Suzhou, China; and Ansan, Korea.China. We also own 50% of:of two unconsolidated joint ventures: (1) Rogers Inoac Corporation (RIC), a joint venture established in Japan to design, develop, manufacture and sell PORON products predominantly for the Japanese market and (2) Rogers INOAC Suzhou Corporation (RIS), a joint venture established in China to design, develop, manufacture and sell PORON products primarily for RIC customers in various Asian countries. INOAC Corporation owns the remaining 50% of both RIC and RIS. RIC has manufacturing facilities at the INOAC facilities in Nagoya and Mie, Japan, and RIS has manufacturing facilities at Rogers’ facilities in Suzhou, China.


Power Electronics Solutions
Our PES operating segment designs, develops, manufactures and sells ceramic substrate materials, busbars and cooling solutions for power modulea variety of applications (e.g., variable frequency drives, vehicle electrification and renewable energy), laminated bus bars for power inverter and high power interconnect applications (e.g.,in EV/HEV, general industrial, mass transit, hybrid-electric and electric vehicles, renewable energy, aerospace and variable frequency drives),defense and micro-channel coolers (e.g., laser cutting equipment).wired infrastructure markets. We sell our ceramic substrate materials and micro channel coolerscooling solutions under the curamik® tradename, trade name and our bus barsbusbars under the ROLINX® tradename.
Our trade name. As of December 31, 2019, our PES operating segment hashad manufacturing and administrative facilities in Ghent,Evergem, Belgium; Eschenbach, Germany; Budapest, Hungary; and Suzhou, China.
Other
Our Other businesses consistoperating segment consists of elastomericelastomer components for applications in ground transportation, office equipment, consumer and other markets; elastomericgeneral industrial market, as well as elastomer floats for level sensing in fuel tanks, motors, and storage tanks; and inverters for portable communicationstanks applications in the general industrial and automotive markets. In 2015, the Other businesses included the Arlon polyimideWe sell our elastomer components under our ENDUR® trade name and thermoset laminate operations, which was the non-core divestiture in December 2015.our floats under our NITROPHYL® trade name.
Sales and Competition
We sell our materials and components primarily through direct sales channels positioned near major concentrations of our customers in North America, Europe and Asia. We sold to over 3,000approximately 4,400 customers worldwide in 2016,2019, primarily original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)OEMs and component suppliers. No individual customer represented more than 4.1%10% of our total net sales for 2016;2019; however, there are concentrations of OEM customers in our ACS (Chinese telecommunications equipment manufacturers) and PES (semiconductor and automotive manufacturers) operating segments. Although the loss of all of the sales made to any one of our larger customers would require a period of adjustment, during which the results of a particular operating segment wouldoperations could be materially adversely impacted, we believe that such events could be successfully mitigated over a period of time due to the diversity of our customer base.
We employ a technical sales and marketing approach pursuant to which we work collaboratively to provide design engineering, testing, product development and other technical support services to OEMs that incorporate our engineered materials and components in their products. Particularly in our ACS and EMS business segments, componentComponent suppliers convert, modify or otherwise incorporate our engineered materials and components into their components for these OEMs in accordance with their specifications. Accordingly, we provide similar technical support services to component suppliers.
We compete primarily with manufacturers of high-end materials, some of which are large, multi-national companies, principally on the basis of innovation, historical customer relationships, product quality, reliability, performance and performance,price, technical and engineering service and support, breadth of product line, and manufacturing capabilities. We also compete with manufacturers of commodity materials, including smaller regional producers with lower overhead costs and profit requirements located in Asia that attempt to upsell their products based principally upon price, particularly for products that have matured in their life cycle. We believe that we have a competitive advantage because of our reputation for innovation, the performance, quality and reliability of our materials and components, and our demonstrated commitment to technical support and customer service.
Research and Development
We have a history of innovation, and innovation leadership is a key component of our overall business strategy. The markets we serve are typically characterized by rapid technological changes and advances. Accordingly, the success of our strategy is in part dependent on our ability to develop market-leading products, which is primarily driven by efforts in research and development. We are focused on identifying technologies and innovations related to both our current product portfolio as well as other long term initiatives targeted at further diversifying and growing our business. As part of this technology commitment, we established thehave a Rogers Innovation Center co-located at Northeastern University in Burlington, Massachusetts, and, in 2015, opened an innovation centeras well as Rogers Innovation Centers at our facilityfacilities in Chandler, Arizona, Eschenbach, Germany and Suzhou, China. Our innovation centersInnovation Centers focus on the earliestearly stages of technical and commercial development of new high-tech materials solutions in close alignmentan effort to align with market direction and needs.
Patents and Other Intellectual Property
We have many domestic and foreign patents, licenses and have additional patent applications pending related to technology in each of our businessoperating segments. These patents and licenses vary in duration and provide some protection from competition.
We also own a number of registered and unregistered trademarks and have acquired and developed certain confidential and proprietary technology,technologies, including trade secrets that we believe to be of some importance to our business.


While we believe our patents and other intellectual property provide a competitive advantage to our businessoperating segments, we believe that a significant part of our competitive position and future success will be determined by factors such as the innovative skills,


systems and process knowledge, and technological expertise of our personnel; the range and success of new products we develop; and our customer service and support.
Manufacturing and Raw Materials
The key raw materials used in our business are as follows: for our ACS operating segment, copper, polymer, polytetraflouroethylene and polymerfiberglass materials; for our EMS operating segment, polyurethane, polytetraflouroethylene, polyethylene, silicone and siliconenatural rubber materials; and for our PES operating segment, copper, ceramic and ceramicbrazing paste materials.
Some of the raw materials used in our business are available through singlesole or limited-source suppliers. WeWhile we have expanded our supplier base for certain key raw materials and components for efficiency, cost reduction and quality and have sought to limit the number of suppliers who act as the single-source supplier for a particular raw material. We seekundertaken strategies to mitigate the impact of raw material supply disruptions by purchasing sufficient quantities of the particular raw material in advance to sustain production until alternative materials and production processes can be qualifiedrisks associated with customers. However, this strategysole or limited source suppliers, these strategies may not be effective in all cases, and price increases or disruptions in our supply of raw materials could negatively impact our production and have a material adverse impact on our business. For additional information, refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
Seasonality
Except for some minor seasonality for consumer products, which often aligns with year-end holidays and product launch cycles, the operations of our segments have not been seasonal.
Our Employees

As of December 31, 2016,2019, we employed approximately 3,100 people, including DeWAL employees.

3,600 people.
Backlog

Our backlog of firm orders was $106.5$130.6 million as of December 31, 2016, as2019, compared to $63.3$152.8 million as of December 31, 2015. ACS, EMS, PES, and Other operating segments experienced year over year increases in backlog of $13.22018. The $22.1 million $15.8 million, $13.8 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Contributing to the year over year changeyear-over-year decrease in backlog was an improvementmainly comprised of decreases in general market conditions. Additionally, the 2016 backlog contains $7.2for our EMS and PES operating segments of $9.1 million relatedand $8.7 million, respectively. The decrease in the backlog for our EMS operating segment was primarily due to lower outstanding orders year-over-year attributable to the DeWAL business.general industrial market. The decrease in the backlog for our PES operating segment was primarily due to lower outstanding orders year-over-year attributable to the general industrial and mass transit markets. The backlog of firm orders is expected to be filled within the next 12 months.




Information About Our Executive Officers

Our executive officers as of February 21, 201720, 2020 were as follows:
NameAgePresent PositionYear Appointed to Present PositionOther Positions Held During 2011-2017
     
Bruce D. Hoechner57President and Chief Executive Officer, Principal Executive Officer2017President and Chief Executive Officer, Rogers, from October 2011 to February 2017; President, Asia Pacific Region, Dow Advanced Materials Division, Rohm and Haas Company from 2009 to September 2011
     
Janice E. Stipp57
Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer

2017Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Treasurer, Principal Financial and Chief Accounting Officer, Rogers, from May 2016 to February 2017; Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Treasurer, Rogers, from November 2015 to May 2016; Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Tecumseh Products Company from October 2011 to November 2015; Chief Financial Officer, Revstone Industries, LLC from January 2011 to August 2011
     
Robert C. Daigle53Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer2009 
     
Gary M. Glandon58Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer2017Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Rogers, from July 2012 to February 2017; Chief Human Resources Officer, Solutia Inc. from October 2010 to July 2012
     
Jeffrey M. Grudzien55Senior Vice President and General Manager, Advanced Connectivity Solutions2017
Vice President, Advanced Connectivity Solutions, Rogers, from February 2012 to February 2017;
Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Rogers, September 2007 to February 2012
     
Jay B. Knoll53
Senior Vice President, Corporate Development, General Counsel and Secretary

2017Vice President and General Counsel, Rogers, from November 2014 to February 2017; Senior Vice President, General Counsel PKC Group Oyj - North America from June 2012 to November 2014; Director and Chief Restructuring Officer, Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. from November 2011 to June 2012; Interim President, Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. from May 2011 to November 2011; Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer, Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. from January 2011 to April 2011
     
Christopher R. Shadday50Senior Vice President and General Manager, Elastomeric Material Solutions2017Vice President and General Manager, Elastomeric Material Solutions, Rogers, from January 2016 to February 2017; Vice President of Marketing, Rogers, from November 2014 to December 2015; President, Viance, LLC from August 2011 to November 2014
     
Helen Zhang52Senior Vice President and General Manager, Power Electronics Solutions and President, Rogers Asia2017Vice President, Power Electronics Solutions and President, Rogers Asia, Rogers, from May 2012 to February 2017; Global General Manager of Interconnect Technology, Dow Chemical Company, Dow Electronic Materials from July 2010 to April 2012
NameAgePresent PositionYear Appointed to Present PositionOther Relevant Positions Held
Bruce D. Hoechner60President and Chief Executive Officer, Director, Principal Executive Officer2011 
Michael M. Ludwig58Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Principal Financial Officer2018Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, FormFactor, Inc., from May 2011 to March 2018.
Jonathan J. Rowntree48
Senior Vice President and
General Manager,
Advanced Connectivity
Solutions
2019
Senior Vice President and Global Head of Industrial Electronics, Henkel Electronic Materials, from January 2017 to May 2019;
Senior Vice President and General Manager, Henkel Electronic Materials, from July 2015 to December 2016; Global Product Management, Henkel Electronic Materials, from 2010 to June 2015.
R. Colin Gouveia56
Senior Vice President and
General Manager,
Elastomeric Material
Solutions
2019Vice President and General Manager, Eastman Chemical Co., from December 2014 to June 2019; Executive Vice President & President of North America, Taminco, from August 2012 to December 2014.
Jeff Tsao41Vice President and General Manager, Power Electronics Solutions2019Vice President, Rogers Corporation, from December 2018 to September 2019; Global Sales Director, Rogers Corporation, from August 2017 to November 2018; General Manager, Dow Chemical, from March 2015 to May 2017; Global Marketing Director, Dow Chemical, from March 2012 to March 2015.
Peter B. Williams57Senior Vice President, Global Operations and Supply Chain2019Vice President of Global Operations, MKS Instruments, 2011 to July 2019.
Robert C. Daigle56Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer2009 
Jay B. Knoll56
Senior Vice President, Corporate Development, General Counsel and Secretary

2017Vice President and General Counsel, Rogers Corporation, from November 2014 to February 2017; Senior Vice President, General Counsel PKC Group Oyj - North America, from June 2012 to November 2014.
Benjamin M. Buckley47
Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

2019Associate General Counsel and Director of Global Compliance and Integrity, Rogers Corporation, from October 2014 to January 2019. President and Chief Executive Officer, Verge America Ltd., from May 2013 to October 2014.




Available Information

We make available on our website (http://www.rogerscorp.com), or through a link posted on our website, free of charge, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, reports filed by our executive officers and directors pursuant to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and amendments to those reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In addition, the SEC maintains an internet site that contains these reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC (http://www.sec.gov).

We also make available on our website in a printable format, the charters for our Audit Committee, Compensation and Organization Committee, and Nominating and Governance Committee, in addition to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Bylaws, Code of Business Ethics, Related Party Transactions Policy and Compensation Recovery Policy. Our website is not incorporated into or a part of this Form 10-K.





Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our business, financial condition and results of operations and financial position are subject to various risks, including those discussed below, which may affect the value of our capital stock. The risks discussed below are those thatfollowing risk factors, which we believe are currentlyrepresent the most significant although additional risks not presently knownfactors that may make an investment in our capital stock risky, may cause our actual results to us or that we currently deem less significant may also impactdiffer materially from those projected in any forward-looking statement. You should carefully consider these factors, as well as the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the information set forth in “Item 1. Business - Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Position,” when evaluating an investment in our business, financial condition and results of operations, perhaps materially.

capital stock.
Failure to capitalize on, or volatility within, or other adverse changes with respect to the Company’s growth drivers, including connectivity, clean energyadvanced mobility and safety and protection,advanced connectivity, may adversely affect our business.
We derived approximately 32%, 25%24% and 11%27% of our net sales for the year ended December 31, 20162019 from sales relating to the connectivity, clean energy,key market growth drivers of advanced mobility and safety and protection growth drivers,advanced connectivity, respectively. These growth drivers are served by our direct and indirect customers in a variety of end markets, including the transportation, industrial, consumer electronicsautomotive (i.e. ADAS) and communications sectors.EV/HEV, wireless infrastructure and portable electronics. These growth drivers, as well as specific market and industry trends within them, may be volatile, cyclical and sensitive to a variety of factors, including general economic conditions, technology disruptions, consumer preferences and political priorities. Adverse or cyclical changes to and within these growth drivers, such as delays in adoption or implementation of new technologies, has resulted in, and may continue to result in, reduced demand for certain of our products, production overcapacity, increased inventory levels and related risks of obsolescence, as well as price erosion, ultimately leading to a decline in our revenuesoperating results. Acceleration within these growth drivers and gross margins.corresponding rapid increases in demand for certain products may also require us to make significant capital investments or acquisitions in order to increase production levels and to maintain customer relationships and market positions. However, we may not be able to increase our production levels with sufficient speed or efficiency to capitalize on such increases in demand.
We have extensive international operations, and events and circumstances that have general international consequence or specific impact in the countries in which we operate may materially adversely affect our business.
For the year ended December 31, 2016,2019, approximately 75%71% of our net sales resulted from sales in foreign markets, with approximately 52%49% and 23%21% of such net sales occurring in Asia and Europe, respectively. We expect our revenuesnet sales in foreign markets to continue to represent a substantial majority of our consolidated net sales. We maintain significant manufacturing and administrative operations in China, Belgium, Germany, South Korea Germany,and Hungary, and Belgium, and 62%approximately 61% of our employees arewere located outside the United States.U.S. as of December 31, 2019. Risks related to our extensive international operations include the following:
foreign currency fluctuations, particularly in the value of the Euro, the Hungarian forint, the Japanese yen,euro, the Chinese yuan andrenminbi, the South Korean won, the Japanese yen and the Hungarian forint against the U.S. dollar;
economic and political instability due to regional or country-specific events or changes in relations between the U.S. and the countries in which we operate;
accounts receivable practices across countries, including longer payment cycles;
export control or customs matters, including tariffs and trade restrictions;
changes in multilateral and bilateral trade policy, tariff regulations or other trade restrictions;relations
complications in complying, and failure to comply, with a variety of laws and regulations applicable to our foreign laws,operations, including due to unexpected changes in the laws or regulations of the countries in which we operate;
failure to comply with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or other applicable anti-corruption laws;
greater difficulty protecting our intellectual property;
compliance with foreign employment regulations, as well as work stoppages and labor and union disputes.

The foregoing risks may be particularly acute in emerging markets such as China and India, where our operations are subject to greater uncertainty due to increased volatility associated with the developing nature of the economic, legal and governmental systems of these countries.countries, changes in bilateral and multilateral arrangements with the U.S. and other governments, and challenges that some multinational customers that are headquartered in emerging markets may have complying fully with U.S. and other developed market extraterritorial regulations. In addition, our business has been, - and may continue to be, - adversely affected by the lack of development, or disruptions, of transportation or other critical infrastructure, including wireless infrastructure, in emerging markets. If we are unable to successfully manage the risks associated with expanding our global business, or to adequately manage operational fluctuations, it may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.operations and financial position.
Deteriorating trade relations between the U.S. and China, other trade conflicts and barriers, economic sanctions, and Chinese policies to decrease dependence on foreign suppliers could limit or prevent certain existing or potential customers from doing business with us and materially adversely affect our business.
The increased trade conflicts between the U.S. and its major trading partners, evidenced by trade restrictions such as tariffs, taxes, export controls, economic sanctions, and enhanced policies designed to protect national security, could adversely impact our business. In particular, we have experienced and expect that we may in the future experience impacts on our business due to the increase in trade conflicts between the U.S. and China. In May 2019, the U.S. Department of Commerce designated Huawei to its


“entity list,” which limits the ability of U.S. companies to export products and license technologies to Huawei. We generally sell our products to fabricators that are not subject to such limitations, which incorporate them into products they sell to Huawei. Although the impact of the Huawei export controls on 5G demand and the demand for our products is currently uncertain, such export controls, as well as retaliatory controls and tariffs that China has imposed and which remain in place to a certain extent under the Phase 1 agreement reached between the U.S. and China on January 15, 2020, could restrict our ability to do business with Huawei and other Chinese customers. Further U.S. government actions to protect domestic economic and security interests could lead to further restrictions. China continues to be a fast-developing market, and an area of potential growth for us. Sales to customers located in China and the Asia Pacific region have typically accounted for nearly half of our total sales and a substantial majority of our overall sales to customers located outside the U.S. In addition, certain of the end products created in China that incorporate our products are ultimately sold outside of the Asia Pacific region. We expect that revenue from these sales generally, and sales to China and the Asia Pacific region specifically, will continue to be a material component of our total revenue. Therefore, any financial crisis, trade war or dispute or other major event causing business disruption in international jurisdictions generally, and China and the Asia Pacific region in particular, could negatively affect our business, results of operations and financial position.
China’s stated policy of reducing its dependence on foreign manufacturers and technology companies has resulted and may continue to result in reduced demand for our products in China. These trends could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial position. In addition, there are risks that the Chinese government may, among other things, require the use of local suppliers, compel companies that do business in China to partner with local companies to conduct business, or provide incentives to government-backed local customers to buy from local suppliers rather than companies like ours, all of which could adversely impact our business, results of operations and financial position.
Our business is dependent upon our development of innovative products and our customers’ incorporation of those products into end user products and systems that achieve commercial success.

As a manufacturer and supplier of engineered materials and components, our business depends upon our ability to innovate and sell our new and improved materials and components for inclusion in other products that are developed, manufactured and sold by our customers. We strive to differentiate our products and secure long-term demand through our engagement with our customers to design in our materials and components as part of their product development processes. The value of any design indesign-in largely depends upon the decision of our customers to manufacture their products or systems in sufficient production quantities, the commercial success of the ultimateend product and the extent to which the design of our customers’ products or systems could accommodate substitution of competitor products. A consistent failure to introduce new products in a timely manner, achieve design insdesign-ins or achieve market acceptance on commercially reasonable terms could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Also, theoperations and financial position. The introduction of new products presents particularly significant business challenges in our business because product development commitments and expenditures must be made well in advance of product sales.



Our dependence on sole or limited source suppliers for certain of our raw materials could materially adversely affect our ability to manufacture products and materially increase our costs.

We rely on sole and limited source suppliers for certain of the raw materials that are critical to the manufacturing of our products. This reliance subjects us to risks related to our potential inability to obtain an adequate supply of required raw materials, particularly given our use of lean manufacturing and just-in-time inventory techniques, and our reduced control over pricing and timing of delivery of raw materials. Our operating results could be materially adversely affected if we were unable to obtain adequate supplies of these materials in a timely manner or if their cost increased significantly.

While we believe we could obtain and qualify alternative sources for most sole and limited source supplier materials if necessary, the transition time could be long, particularly if the change requires us to redesign our systems. Ultimately, we may be unable to redesign our systems, which could further increase delays or prevent us from manufacturing our products at all. Even if a system redesign is feasible, increased costs associated with such a redesign would decrease our profit margins, perhaps materially, if we could not effectively pass such costs along to our customers. Further, it would likely result in production and delivery delays, which could lead to lost revenuessales and damage to our relationships with current and potential customers.
We face intense global competition, which could reduce demand for our products or create additional pricing pressure on our products.
We operate in a highly competitive global environment and compete with domestic and international companies principally on the basis of the following:

innovation;
historical customer relationships;
product quality, reliability, performance and price;
technical and engineering service and support;
breadth of product line; and
manufacturing capabilities.


Our competitors include commodity materials suppliers, which offer product substitutions based mostly on price, and suppliers of alternate solutions, which offer product substitutions or eliminations based mostly on disruptive technology. Certain of these competitors have greater financial and other resources than we have and, in some cases, these competitors are well established in specific product niches. We expect that our competitors will continue to improve the design and performance of their products, which could result in the development of products that offer price or performance features superior to our products. Furthermore, our customers may engage in internal manufacturing of products that may result in reduced demand for our products. If we are unable to maintain our competitive advantage for any reason, demand for our products may be materially reduced, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.operations and financial position.
We have engaged in transactions in the past and may in the future acquire businesses,or dispose of businesses, or engage in other transactions, for which we may not realize anticipated benefits, or it may take longer than expectedexpose us to realize such benefits, which maya variety of risks that could materially adversely affect our business operating results and financial condition.position.
From time to time, we have explored and pursued transaction opportunities that we believe complement our core businesses, and we expect to do so again in the future. We have also divested and may again consider divesting businesses or assets that we do not regard as part of our core businesses. These transaction opportunities may come in the form of acquisitions, joint ventures, investments, divestitures or other structures. There are risks associated with such transactions, including, without limitation, general business risk, integration risk, technology risk, market acceptance risk, litigation risk, environmental risk, regulatory approval risk and risks associated with the failure to complete announced transactions. In the case of acquisitions, we may not be able to discover, during the due diligence process or otherwise, all known and unknown risks associated with the business we are acquiring, including the existence of liabilities. We may spend a significant portion of available cash, incur substantial debt or issue equity securities, which would dilute current shareholders’ equity ownership, to pay for the acquisitions. In addition, if we are unsuccessful in integrating any acquired company or business into our operations or if integration is more difficult than anticipated, we may experience disruptions that could harm our business and result in our failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisitions. In the case of divestitures, we may agree to indemnify acquiring parties for known or unknown liabilities arising from the businesses we are divesting. We have incurred, and may in the future incur, significant costs in the pursuit and evaluation of transactions that we do not consummate for a variety of reasons.
Acquisition and dispositionAs a result, these transactions may not ultimately create value for us or our stockholdersshareholders and may harm our reputation and materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.operations and financial position.
Our business may be materially adversely affected if we cannot protect our proprietary technology or if we infringe the proprietary rights of others.
Our proprietary technology supports our ability to compete effectively with other companies, and we seek to protect our intellectual property rights by obtaining U.S.domestic and foreign patents, trademarks and copyrights, and maintaining trade secrets for our manufacturing processes. It is possible, however, that our efforts to obtain such protection in the U.S. and abroad will be unsuccessful or that the protection afforded will not be sufficiently broad to protect our technology.


Even if U.S.domestic and foreign laws do grant initial protection to our technology, our competitors or other third parties may subsequently obtain and unlawfully copy, use or disclose our technologies, products, and processes. We believe that the risk of piracy of our technology is particularly acute in the foreign countries in which we operate. In circumstances in which we conclude that our proprietary technology has been infringed, we have pursued, and may again pursue, litigation to enforce our rights. The defense and prosecution of intellectual property infringement suits are both costly and time consuming, even if the outcome is favorable to us. If we are not successful in protecting our proprietary technology or if the protection afforded to us is not sufficiently broad, our competitors may be able to manufacture and offer products substantially similar to our own, thereby reducing demand for our products and adversely affecting our results of operations and financial condition.position. We may also be adversely affected by, and subject to increased competition as a result of, the normal expiration of our issued patents.
ThirdOur competitors or other third parties may also assert infringement or invalidity claims against us in the future. In addition to the significant costs associated with such suits, as noted above, an adverse outcome could subject us to significant liabilities to third parties and/orand require us to license rights from third parties or cease selling our products. Any of these events may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.operations and financial position.
The failure to attract and retain specialized technical and management personnel could impair our expected growth and future success.
We depend upon the continued services and performance of key executives, senior management and skilled technical personnel, particularly our sales engineers and other professionals with significant experience in the key industries we serve. Competition for these personnel from other companies, academic institutions and government entities is intense, and our expected growth and future success will depend, in large part, upon our ability to attract and retain these individuals.
Increases in our effective tax rates as

As a result of decisions to repatriate non-U.S. earnings or changes in the geographic mix of our earnings or in the tax laws and regulations applicable to us have adversely effected and may continue to materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

We are subject to income taxesmultinational corporation doing business in the U.S. and in various foreign jurisdictions, changes in tax laws or exposures to additional tax liability could negatively impact our operating results.
As a result of the variability and uncertainty in global taxation, we are subject to a wide variety of tax-related risks, any significant increaseof which could provoke changes in our future effective tax ratesglobal structure, international operations or intercompany agreements, which could materially reduce our net income in future periods.periods or result in restructuring costs, increased effective tax rates and other expenses. Given the global nature of our business, a number of factors may increase our effective tax rates or otherwise subject us to additional tax liability, including:

decisions to repatriate non-U.S.redeploy foreign earnings outside of their country of origin for which we have not previously provided for income taxes;
increased scrutiny of our transactions by taxing authorities;
changes in the geographic mix of our profits among jurisdictions with differing statutory income tax rates;
ability to utilize, or changes in the valuation of, deferred tax assets; and
changes in tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof or issuance of new interpretations of laws or regulations applicable to us, including the expiration, renewal or application of tax holidays.

us.
For instance, many foreign jurisdictions are actively considering changes to existing tax laws as a result of the base erosion and profit shifting project undertaken by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). If these changes are enacted, our net incometax obligations could increase in 2016 was impacted by $12.4 million of additional tax expense associated with distributions from China subsidiaries and a change in assertion that earnings would be permanently reinvested. This change resulted in payment of $6.3 million in withholding taxes and accrual of $6.1 million of foreign deferred taxes that will become payable upon future distributions. For additional information, see “Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

countries where we do business or sell our products.
The terms of our credit agreement requiresubject us to risks, including potential acceleration of our outstanding indebtedness if we fail to satisfy financial ratios and comply with numerous covenants, and our failure to do so could lead to acceleration of our outstanding indebtedness.

covenants.
Our credit agreement contains, and any future debt agreements into which we enter may contain, certain financial ratios and certain restrictive covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to incur indebtedness or liens, acquire other businesses, dispose of assets, or make investments. Our ability to make scheduled payments on these borrowings and to satisfy financial ratios may be adversely affected by changes in economic or business conditions beyond our control, while the restrictive covenants to which we are subject may limit our ability to take advantage of potential business opportunities as they arise. Failure to satisfy these financial ratios or to comply with the covenants in our credit agreement would constitute a default. An uncured default with respect to one or more of our covenants could result in outstanding borrowings thereunder being declared immediately due and payable, which may also trigger an obligation to repay other outstanding indebtedness. Any such acceleration of our indebtedness would have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, financial position and financial condition.results of operations.

Our credit agreement currently permits us to borrow euro-currency loans that bear interest based on the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR), plus a specified spread. In July 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to phase out LIBOR by the end of 2021. LIBOR borrowings may become unavailable before that date, and it remains unclear what reference rate or rates might replace it. If LIBOR becomes unavailable, the credit agreement presently provides for the interest rate on our loans to convert to a higher base reference rate plus a spread. Even if we agree with our lenders to amend the credit agreement to identify a new reference rate for borrowings thereunder, this rate may be higher than our present interest rate, thereby causing the cost of our borrowings to increase.
We may be adversely affected by litigation stemming from product liability and other claims.

Our products may contain defects that we do not detect before sale, which may lead to warranty or damage claims against us or product recalls. We are involved in various unresolved legal matters that arise in the ordinary course of our operations or otherwise, including asbestos-related product liability claims related to our operations before the 1990s. See “Item 3 -For additional information, refer to “Item 3. Legal Proceedings”Proceedings and Note 1512 – Commitments and Contingencies to “Item 8 -Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional information.Data.” We maintain insurance coverage with respect to certain claims, but we cannot be certain that the policy coverage limits willmay not be adequate or that the policies will cover anya particular loss.


Costs associated with, among other things, the defense of, or settlements or judgments relating to, claims against us that are not covered by insurance or that result in recoveries in excess of insurance coverage may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.operations and financial position. Irrespective of insurance coverage, claims against us could divert the attention of our senior management and/or result in reputational damage, thereby adversely affecting our business.

ProjectionsOur projections on the potential exposure and expected insurance coverage relating to our asbestos-related product liability claims are based on a number of assumptions, including the number of new claims to be filed each year, the average cost of disposing of such claims, the length of time it takes to dispose of such claims, coverage issues among insurers and the continuing solvency of various insurance companies.companies, as well as the numerous uncertainties surrounding asbestos litigation in the U.S. To the extent such assumptions are inaccurate, the net liabilities that we have recorded in our financial statements may fail to approximate the losses we could suffer in connection with such claims.


We are subject to many environmental laws and regulations as well as potential environmental liabilities that could adversely affect our business.

We are subject to a variety of federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules and regulations related to the use, storage, handling, discharge or disposal of certain toxic, volatile or otherwise hazardous chemicals, gases and other substances used in manufacturing our products. Some of these laws in the U.S. include the Federal Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, Toxic Substances Control Act, and similar state statutes and regulations. In the European Union (EU), we are subject to the EU regulation onregulations (and their related national implementing legislation) including the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals.Chemicals, the Regulation on the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures and the Industrial Emissions Directive. Compliance with these laws and regulations could require us to incur substantial expenses, including in connection with the acquisition of new equipment. Any failure to comply with present or future environmental laws, rules and regulations could result in criminal and civil liabilities, fines, suspension of production or cessation of certain operations, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.operations and financial position.

In addition, some environmental laws impose liability, sometimes without fault, for investigating and/or cleaning up contamination on, or emanating from, properties currently or formerly owned, leased or operated by us, as well as for damages to property or natural resources and for personal injury arising out of such contamination. Such liability may be joint and several, meaning that we could be held responsible for more than our share of the liability involved, or even the entire liability. See For additional information regarding our material legal proceedings, refer to “Note 15, “Commitments12 – Commitments and Contingencies” in “Item 8 -Contingencies” to “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”Data.”
If we suffer loss or disruption to our facilities, supply chains, distribution systems or information technology systems due to catastrophe or other events, our business could be seriously harmed.
Our facilities, supply chains, distribution systems and information technology systems are subject to catastrophic loss or disruption due to fire, flood, earthquake, hurricane, public health crisis, war, terrorism or other natural or man-made disasters or events. If any of these facilities, supply chains or systems were to experience a catastrophic loss or disruption, it could disrupt our operations, delay production and shipments, result in defective products or services, damage customer relationships and our reputation and result in legal exposure and large repair or replacement expenses. For instance, the recent spread of the novel coronavirus and related quarantines and work and travel restrictions in China has disrupted, and may continue to disrupt, production of and demand for additional information.

certain of our products, and the extent to which these events will affect our results of operations and financial position remains uncertain. The third-party insurance coverage that we maintain will vary from time to time in both type and amount depending on cost, availability and our decisions regarding risk retention, and may be unavailable or insufficient to protect us against losses or disruptions.
A significant disruption in, or breach in security of, our information technology systems or violations of data protection laws could materially and adversely affect our business orand reputation.

In the ordinary course of business, we collect and store confidential information, including proprietary business information belonging to us, our customers, suppliers, business partners and suppliersother third parties and personally identifiable information of our employees. We rely on information technology systems to protect this information and to keep financial records, process orders, manage inventory, coordinate shipments to customers, and operate other critical functions. Our information technology systems may beare susceptible to damage, disruptions or shutdowns due to power outages, hardware failures, telecommunication failures, systems upgrades and user errors. If we experience a disruption in theour information technology systems, it could result in the loss of sales and customers and significant incremental costs, which could materially adversely affect our business.

We mayare also be subject to security breaches caused by computer viruses, illegal break-ins or hacking, sabotage, or acts of vandalism by disgruntled employees or third parties. The risk of a security breach or disruption, particularly through cyberattack or cyber intrusion, including by computer hackers, foreign governments and cyber terrorists, has increased as the number, intensity and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions from around the world have increased.increased, in part because of evolving technologies, the ubiquitous use of the Internet and telecommunications technologies (including mobile devices) to conduct business transactions. Our information technology network and systems have been and, we believe, continue to be under constant attack. Accordingly, despite our security measures or those of our third party service providers, awe have experienced and may in the future experience security breachbreaches, including breaches that we may occur but not be detected.able to detect. Security breaches of our information technology systems, including through mobile devices, could result in the misappropriation or unauthorized disclosure of confidential information belonging to us or to our customers, suppliers, business partners, suppliersemployees or employees,other third parties, which could result in our suffering significant financial orand reputational damage. If we are unable to protect sensitive information, our customers or governmental authorities could question the adequacy of our security processes and procedures and our compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including evolving government cyber security requirements for government contractors.
In addition, the processing and storage of certain information is increasingly subject to privacy and data security regulations, and many such regulations are country-specific. The interpretation and application of data protection laws in the U.S., Europe, and elsewhere, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation and the California Consumer Privacy Act, are uncertain, evolving


and may be inconsistent among jurisdictions. Compliance with these various laws may be onerous and require us to incur substantial costs or to change our business practices in a manner that adversely affects our business, while failure to comply with such laws may subject us to substantial penalties.
Employee benefit cost increases could reduce our profitability.

Our profitability is affected by employee benefit costs, particularly medical, pension and other employee benefits. In recent years, employee medical costs have increased due to factors such as the increase in health care costs in the U.S. These factors will continue to put pressure on our business and financial performance, as employee benefit costs continue to escalate. We may not succeed in limiting future cost increases. Continued employee benefit cost increases could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.position.



We also sponsor various defined benefit pension plans that cover certain employees. Our costs of providing defined benefit pension plans have risen dramatically in recent years, and are dependent upon a number of factors and assumptions that drive our projected liabilities and annual expenses, such as discount rates, the actual and projected rates of return on the plansassets, governmental regulation, global equity prices, portfolio composition, mortality rates and our required and/or voluntary contributions to the plans. Changes in assumptions, the abilityinability to grow our pension investments over time to increase the value of the plans’ assets, and other factors relating to worldwide and domestic economic trends and financial market conditions, could all have a negative impact on our pension plans, which could result in an increase in our pension liabilities, a reduction in the funded status of our plan, increases in annual expense recognized related to the plans, and requirements to increase funding for some or all of our defined benefit pension plans, among other factors, all of which could negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition.position.







Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.






Item 2. Properties

We operate various general offices and manufacturing facilities and sales offices throughout the United States,U.S., Europe and Asia. In August 2016, we announced plans to relocate our headquarters from Rogers, Connecticut to Chandler, Arizona. The following table provides certain information about the principalmaterial general offices and manufacturing facilities used by our businessoperating segments:

Location Floor Space (Sq Ft)(Square Feet) Type of Facility Leased / Owned
 Operating Segment
United States      
 Rogers, Connecticut 388,131Manufacturing / Administrative OfficesOwned
Chandler, Arizona 147,000 Manufacturing OwnedACS
Chandler, Arizona 105,100 Manufacturing OwnedACS
Chandler, Arizona100,000ManufacturingOwnedACS
Chandler, Arizona 75,000 Administrative Offices OwnedAll
    Chandler, ArizonaRogers, Connecticut 17,000388,100 Warehouse/Manufacturing / Administrative Offices Leased through 03/2020OwnedAll
Moosup, Connecticut185,500ManufacturingOwnedEMS
Woodstock, Connecticut150,600ManufacturingOwnedEMS
Carol Stream, Illinois 216,600 Manufacturing Owned
    Woodstock, Connecticut 150,636ManufacturingOwnedEMS
Bear, Delaware 125,000 Manufacturing / Administrative Offices OwnedACS & EMS
Burlington, Massachusetts 4,0006,000 R&D Lab and Office Space/ Administrative Offices Leased through 2/20182021All
Narragansett, Rhode Island 84,600 Manufacturing OwnedEMS
    North Kingston, Rhode IslandEurope 10,000WarehouseLeased through 3/2017
    Santa Fe Springs, California*42,000Manufacturing / Administrative OfficesLeased through 7/2019
       
Europe
Eschenbach, Germany 149,000 Manufacturing / Administrative Offices Leased through 6/2021PES
    Ghent, BelgiumEschenbach, Germany 114,00024,100 ManufacturingWarehouse / Administrative Offices OwnedLeased through 12/2020PES
Evergem, Belgium 77,000122,000 Manufacturing / Administrative Offices OwnedACS & PES
Evergem, Belgium55,700Warehouse / Administrative OfficesLeased through 5/2021ACS & PES
Ghent, Belgium45,000WarehouseLeased through 3/2021ACS & EMS
Budapest, Hungary 42,00064,000 Manufacturing Leased through 2/20192023PES
Asia       
Asia
Suzhou, China 821,000 Manufacturing / Administrative Offices OwnedAll
Ansan, South Korea 40,000 Manufacturing Leased through 10/2018
    Tokyo, Japan2021 3,094Sales OfficeLeased through 2/2018
    Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.1,000Sales OfficeLeased through 7/2018
    Anyang, Korea500Sales OfficeLeased through 7/2018
    Anyang, Korea500Sales OfficeLeased through 12/2017
    Singapore1,000Sales OfficeLeased through 12/2018
    Shanghai, China1,000Sales OfficeLeased through 3/2017
    Shenzhen, China1,000Sales OfficeLeased through 5/2018
    Beijing, China1,000Sales OfficeLeased through 5/2018EMS


* Early in 2017, we acquired the principal operating assets of Diversified Silicone Products, Inc. (DSP). This is the property that DSP utilizes and is a leased facility.


Item 3. Legal Proceedings

Asbestos Products Litigation
AsbestosWe, like many other industrial companies, have been named as a defendant in a number of lawsuits filed in courts across the country by persons alleging personal injury from exposure to products litigation
containing asbestos. We were a defendant in 605592 asbestos-related product liability cases as of December 31, 2016,2019, compared to 489745 cases as of December 31, 2015,2018, with the change reflecting new cases, dismissals, settlements and other dispositions. We have never mined, milled, manufactured or marketed asbestos; rather, we made and provided to industrial users a limited number of products that contained encapsulated asbestos, but we stopped manufacturing these products in the late 1980s. In virtually all of the cases against us, the plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages above a jurisdictional minimum against multiple defendants who may have manufactured, sold or used asbestos-containing products to which the plaintiffs were allegedly exposed and from which they purportedly suffered injury. Most of these cases are being litigated in Maryland, Illinois, MarylandMissouri and Missouri,New York; however, we are also defending cases in other states. We intend to vigorously defend these cases, primarily on the basis of the plaintiffs’ inability to establish compensable loss as a result of exposure to our products. As of December 31, 2016,2019, the estimated liability and estimated insurance recovery for the ten-year periodall current and future indemnity and defense costs projected through 2026 were $52.02064 was $85.9 million and $48.4$78.3 million, respectively.
The defenseindemnity and settlementdefense costs of our asbestos-related product liability litigation to date have been substantially covered by insurance, and we have recorded a $3.6insurance. As of December 31, 2019, our consolidated statements of financial position include $7.6 million accrual for the amount by whichof estimated asbestos-related expenses that exceed asbestos-related insurance coverage over a 10-year projection period. See Note 15, “Commitmentsfor all current and Contingencies” to “Item 8 - Financial Statementsfuture indemnity and Supplementary Data” fordefense costs projected through 2064. For additional information regarding our asbestos-related product liability litigation.litigation, refer to “Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies” to “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Other mattersMatters
We are currently involved in a variety of other legal proceedings that we view as ordinary, routine litigation incidental to our business, including commercial disputes, intellectual property matters, personal injury claims, tax claims and employment matters. Although the outcome of no legal matter can be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the outcome of any of these legal


proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations, cash flows or cash flows.financial position. In addition, we are involved in certain environmental matters, principally investigations, thatwhich we do not view as material legal proceedings, either pending or known to be contemplated. See For additional information regarding certain of these matters, refer to “Note 15, “Commitments12 – Commitments and Contingencies”Contingencies to “Item 8 -Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional information regarding these matters.Data.”






Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.





Part II


Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Capital Stock Market Prices and Dividend Policy

Our capital stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ROG”. As of the end of business on February 13, 2017,14, 2020, we had 347310 shareholders of record. On the same date, the trading price of our capital stock closed at $80.50 per share.

The following table sets forth the high and low prices during each quarter of the last two fiscal years on a per share basis:
 20162015
 High LowHigh Low
Fourth$78.35 $51.98$57.15 $46.23
Third69.26 54.1466.99 51.65
Second67.91 56.6783.85 66.07
First61.64 41.9284.92 73.19
We did not pay any dividends on our capital stock in fiscal 2016 and 2015. We expect to maintain a policy of emphasizing longer-term growth of capital rather than immediate dividend income and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Our Third Amended Credit Agreement (as defined herein), entered into as
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the cumulative total return on Rogers’ capital stock over the past five fiscal years with the cumulative total return on the Standard & Poor’s Industrials Index (S&P Industrials) and the S&P Small Cap 600 Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components Index. The graph tracks the performance of February 17, 2017, generally permits us to pay cash dividends to our shareholders, provided that (i) no default or eventa $100 investment in the Company’s common stock and in each of default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the dividend payment and (ii) our leverage ratio does not exceed 2.75 to 1.00. If our leverage ratio exceeds 2.75 to 1.00, we may nonetheless make up to $20.0 million in restricted payments, including cash dividends, duringindexes (with the fiscal year, provided that no default or eventreinvestment of default has occurred and is continuing or would result fromall dividends) on the payments. Our leverage ratio did not exceed 2.75 to 1.00 as of February 17, 2017.date specified.
a2019returncomparison2a01.gif
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
On August 6,In 2015, we initiated a share repurchase program (“the Program”)(the Program) of up to $100.0 million of the Company’s capital stock. We initiated the Program to mitigate the dilutive effects of stock option exercises and vesting of restricted stock units granted by the Company, in addition to enhancing shareholder value. The Program has no expiration date, and may be suspended or discontinued at any time without notice. We initiated this program to mitigate potentially dilutive effects of stock options and shares of restricted stock granted by the Company,There were no share repurchases in addition to enhancing shareholder value.
All repurchases were made using cash from operations and cash on hand.2019. As of December 31, 2016, $52.02019, $49.0 million remained available to purchase under the program. See Program. For additional information regarding share repurchases, refer to “Note 9 “Share Repurchase”18 – Share Repurchases to “Item 8Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for information regarding dividends and share repurchases for the year.Data.”
There were no shares repurchased in the fourth quarter of 2016.







Item 6. Selected Financial Data

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)2016 2015 2014 2013 20122019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Financial Results                  
         
Net sales$656,314
 $641,443
 $610,911
 $537,482
 $498,761
$898,260
 $879,091
 $821,043
 $656,314
 $641,443
Income before income taxes$82,280
 $66,173
 $81,224
 $49,722
 $23,273
Net Income$48,283
 $46,320
 $53,412
 $38,203
 $67,473
         
Income before income tax expense$55,126
 $110,589
 $132,925
 $82,280
 $66,173
Net income$47,319
 $87,651
 $80,459
 $48,283
 $46,320
Per Share Data         


       
         
Basic$2.68
 $2.52
 $2.94
 $2.22
 $4.11
Diluted$2.65
 $2.48
 $2.86
 $2.15
 $3.97
Basic earnings per share$2.55
 $4.77
 $4.43
 $2.68
 $2.52
Diluted earnings per share$2.53
 $4.70
 $4.34
 $2.65
 $2.48
Book value$35.28
 $32.55
 $31.91
 $31.38
 $25.93
$50.27
 $46.12
 $41.99
 $35.28
 $32.55
         
Financial Position         


       
         
Current assets$458,401
 $428,665
 $438,174
 $383,623
 $312,472
$464,102
 $485,786
 $454,523
 $458,401
 $428,665
Current liabilities$101,185
 $78,648
 $120,445
 $90,040
 $84,502
$100,225
 $107,180
 $113,808
 $101,185
 $78,648
Ratio of current assets to current liabilities4.5 to 1
 5.5 to 1
 3.6 to 1
 4.3 to 1
 3.7 to 1
4.6 to 1 4.5 to 1 4.0 to 1 4.5 to 1 5.5 to 1
         
Cash and cash equivalents$227,767
 $204,586
 $237,375
 $191,884
 $114,863
$166,849
 $167,738
 $181,159
 $227,767
 $204,586
Net working capital$357,216
 $350,017
 $317,729
 $293,583
 $227,970
$363,877
 $378,606
 $340,715
 $357,216
 $350,017
Property, plant and equipment, net$176,916
 $178,661
 $150,420
 $146,931
 $149,017
$260,246
 $242,759
 $179,611
 $176,916
 $178,661
Total assets$1,056,500
 $930,355
 $840,435
 $811,321
 $764,267
$1,273,181
 $1,279,344
 $1,125,134
 $1,056,500
 $930,355
Long-term debt$235,877
 $173,557
 $25,000
 $60,000
 $77,500
Borrowings under revolving credit facility$123,000
 $228,482
 $130,982
 $235,877
 $173,557
Shareholders’ equity$635,786
 $584,582
 $587,281
 $560,314
 $438,395
$933,900
 $848,324
 $766,573
 $635,786
 $584,582
Long-term debt as a percentage of shareholders’ equity37.1% 29.7% 4.3% 10.7% 17.7%
         
Borrowings under revolving credit facility as a percentage of shareholders’ equity13.2% 26.9% 17.1% 37.1% 29.7%
Other Data         


       
Depreciation and amortization$37,847
 $34,054
 $26,268
 $26,351
 $27,130
$49,162
 $50,073
 $44,099
 $37,847
 $34,054
Research and development expenses$28,582
 $27,644
 $22,878
 $21,646
 $19,311
$31,685
 $33,075
 $29,547
 $28,582
 $27,644
Capital expenditures$18,136
 $24,837
 $28,755
 $16,859
 $23,774
$51,597
 $90,549
 $27,215
 $18,136
 $24,837
Number of employees (approximate)3,100
 2,800
 2,800
 2,500
 2,441
3,600
 3,700
 3,400
 3,100
 2,800
Net sales per employee$212
 $229
 $218
 $215
 $204
$250
 $238
 $241
 $212
 $229
Number of shares outstanding at year end18,021
 17,957
 18,403
 17,855
 16,904
Number of shares outstanding as of December 3118,577
 18,395
 18,255
 18,021
 17,957

Amounts disclosed above have been adjusted for the Company’s 2015 change in accounting principle from the last in, first out (LIFO) cost method to the first in, first out (FIFO) cost method for valuing inventory for all operations that were using the LIFO cost method. The financial data included within the preceding table should be read in conjunction with our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Financial Position as well as the Financial Statements and Supplementary Data (Itemsincluded in Items 7 and 8, respectively, of this Form 10-K),10-K, and with our previously filed Forms 10-K.





Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Financial Position

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations and financial position should be read together with theour consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, which are contained in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” as well as “Item 6. Selected Financial Data.”
The discussion of the comparison of our 2018 and our Consolidated Financial Statements and2017 results was previously presented in the related notes that appear elsewhereManagement’s Discussion & Analysis in this Form 10-K.

In the following discussion and analysis, we sometimes provide financial measures that were not prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), such as adjusted selling, general and administrative expense as a percentagePart II, Item 7 of net sales or adjusted operating income as a percentage of net sales. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company’s performance by excluding certain expenses that are generally non-recurring or otherwise may not be indicativeAnnual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 21, 2019, and has been omitted from this section pursuant to Instruction 1 to Item 303(a) of the core business operating results. In general, the Company believes that the additional non-GAAP financial measures provided herein are useful to management and investors in analyzing trends in the Company’s business and planning and forecasting future periods. However, non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation from, or solely as an alternative to, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Where we provide non-GAAP financial measures in the following narrative, we have identified the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and provided the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as the information necessary to reconcile the two measures.

Regulation S-K.
Business Overview

Rogers Corporation designs, develops, manufactures and sells high-qualityhigh-performance and high-reliability engineered materials and components for mission critical applications.to meet our customers’ demanding challenges. We operate principally three strategic businessoperating segments: Advanced Connectivity Solutions (ACS), Elastomeric Material Solutions (EMS) and Power Electronics Solutions (PES). WeThe remaining operations, which represent our non-core businesses, are currently headquarteredreported in Rogers, Connecticut, but we plan to relocate our headquarters to Chandler, Arizona, where we have major business and manufacturing operations, during 2017.the Other operating segment. We have a history of innovation and have established two Rogers Innovation Centers for our leading research and development activities in MassachusettsChandler, Arizona; Burlington, Massachusetts; Eschenbach, Germany; and Suzhou, China. We are headquartered in Chandler, Arizona.
Growth Strategy and Recent Acquisitions
Our growth strategy is based upon the following principles: (1) market-driven organization, (2) innovation leadership, (3) synergistic mergers and acquisitions, and (4) operational excellence. As a market-driven organization, we are focused on growth drivers, including advanced mobility and advanced connectivity. More specifically, the key trends currently affecting our business include the increasing use of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and increasing electrification of vehicles, including electric and hybrid electric vehicles (EV/HEV), in the automotive industry and new technology adoption in the telecommunications industry, including next generation wireless infrastructure. In addition to our focus on advanced mobility and advanced connectivity clean energy,in the automotive and safetytelecommunications industries, we sell into a variety of other markets including general industrial, portable electronics, connected devices, aerospace and protection.defense, mass transit and renewable energy.
Our sales and marketing approach is based on addressing these trends, while our strategy focuses on factors for success as a manufacturer of engineered materials and components: performance, quality, service, cost, efficiency, innovation and technology. We have expanded our capabilities through organic investment and acquisitions and strive to ensure high quality solutions for our customers. We continue to review and re-align our manufacturing and engineering footprint in an effort to attain a leading competitive position globally. We have established or expanded our capabilities in various locations in support of our customers’ growth initiatives.
We seek to enhance our operational and financial performance by investing in research and development, manufacturing and materials efficiencies, and new product initiatives that respond to the needs of our customers. We strive to evaluate operational and strategic alternatives to improve our business structure and align our business with the changing needs of our customers and major industry trends affecting our business.
In executing on our growth strategy, we have completed threethe following strategic acquisitions:acquisitions in the last two fiscal years: (1) in January 2017,July 2018, we acquired the principal operating assets of Diversified Silicone Products, Inc. (DSP)Griswold LLC (Griswold), a custom silicone product development and manufacturing business, servingmanufacturer of a wide range of high reliability applications,high-performance engineered cellular elastomer and microcellular polyurethane products and solutions and (2) in November 2016,August 2018, we acquired DeWAL Industries (DeWAL), a leading manufacturer of polytetrafluoroethylene and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene films, pressure sensitive tapes and specialty products for the industrial, aerospace, automotive, and electronics markets, and (3) in January 2015, we acquired Arlon LLC and its subsidiaries, other than Arlon India (Pvt) Limited (the acquired subsidiaries, collectively, Arlon), a leading manufacturer of high performance materials for the printed circuit board industry and silicone rubber-based materials.
2016 Executive Summary
In 2016 as compared to 2015, our net sales increased 2.3% to $656.3 million, gross margin increased 130 bps to 38.0%, and operating income increased 10.0% to $83.9 million. The following key factors should be considered when reviewing our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity for the periods discussed:

Our net sales increase in 2016 was attributable to sales increases in all of our strategic business segments, offset in part by a 2015 divestiture and a negative currency impact. Net sales in each of our strategic business segments increased (ACS: 3.8%, EMS: 12.3%; PES: 1.4%), while net sales in our Other segment declined 2.3% due to the 2015 divestiture of the non-core Arlon polyimide and thermoset business. Additionally, net sales in 2016 in each of our strategic business segments was negatively impacted by currency fluctuations. Net sales from DeWAL were approximately $5.4 million from the acquisition date through December 31, 2016. See “Segment Sales and Operations.”

Our gross margin improved 130 basis points and our operating margin increased 90 basis points in 2016 compared to 2015. Gross margin and operating margin were favorably impacted by the increase in net sales, combined with operational excellence initiatives across our business units. The increase in gross margin and operating margin were also driven by our divestiture of the lower margin Arlon polyimide and thermoset business during 2015. Operating results for 2016 included an increase of selling, general and administrative costs principally due to incentive compensation costs and costs associated with strategic projects. See “Results of Operations.”



Our net income was impacted by $12.4 million of additional tax expense associated with distributions from China subsidiaries and a change in assertion that earnings would be permanently reinvested. We historically treated foreign earnings in China as permanently reinvested; however, we changed our assertion due to changes in our business circumstances and our long-term business plan. This change resulted in payment of $6.3 million in withholding taxes and an accrual of $6.1 million of foreign deferred taxes that will become payable upon future distributions. As a consequence, our effective tax rate for 2016 increased to 41.3%. See “Results of Operations.”

We acquired DeWAL (in late 2016) and DSP (in early 2017), as we continue to execute on our synergistic acquisition strategy. Acquisitions are a core part of our growth strategy, and these particular acquisitions extend the product portfolio and technology capabilities of our EMS segment, with complementary high-end, high performance elastomeric materials. DeWAL is a leading manufacturer of polytetrafluoroethylene and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene films, pressure sensitive tapes and specialty products for the industrial, aerospace, automotive, and electronics markets, and DSP is a custom silicone product development and manufacturing business, serving a wide range of high reliability applications.

We financed our recent acquisitions with borrowings under our revolving creditproduction facility and cash. We borrowed $166.0 million under our credit facility during 2016 to finance part of the DeWALrelated machinery and DSP acquisitions. As a result, outstanding borrowings under our credit facility increased to $241.2 million as of December 31, 2016.equipment located in Chandler, Arizona from Isola USA Corp (Isola).

We are an innovation company and in 2016 spent 4.4% of our net sales on research and development, an increase from 4.3% in 2015. Research and development (R&D) expenses were $28.6 million in 2016, an increase of 3.4% from $27.6 million in 2015. The increased spending was due to increased investments that are targeted at developing new platforms and technologies. We have made concerted efforts to realign our R&D organization to better fit the future direction of our Company, including dedicating resources to focus on current product extensions and enhancements to meet our short term technology needs.






Results of Operations

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected operations data expressed as a percentage of net sales.

 2016 2015 2014
Net sales100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 %
Gross margin38.0 % 36.7 % 38.4 %
 

    
Selling, general and administrative expenses20.8 % 20.5 % 20.5 %
Research and development expenses4.4 % 4.3 % 3.7 %
Restructuring and impairment charges0.1 % 
 0.9 %
Operating income12.8 % 11.9 % 13.3 %
      
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures0.6 % 0.5 % 0.7 %
Interest income (expense), net(0.6)% (0.7)% (0.5)%
Other income (expense), net(0.3)% (1.3)% (0.2)%
Income before income taxes12.5 % 10.3 % 13.3 %
      
Income tax expense5.2 % 3.1 % 4.6 %
      
Income from operations7.4 % 7.2 % 8.7 %

2016 vs. 2015

 2019 2018
Net sales100.0 % 100.0 %
Gross margin35.0 % 35.4 %
    
Selling, general and administrative expenses18.8 % 18.7 %
Research and development expenses3.5 % 3.8 %
Restructuring and impairment charges0.3 % 0.5 %
Other operating (income) expense, net0.1 % (0.4)%
Operating income12.3 % 12.8 %
    
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures0.6 % 0.6 %
Pension settlement charges(5.9)%  %
Other income (expense), net(0.1)% (0.1)%
Interest expense, net(0.8)% (0.7)%
Income before income tax expense6.1 % 12.6 %
Income tax expense0.8 % 2.6 %
Net income5.3 % 10.0 %
Net Sales
(Dollars in thousands) 2016 2015 Percent Change
Net Sales $656,314
 $641,443
 2.3%

Net sales increased by 2.3% in 2016 from 2015, driven primarily by the ACS and EMS operating segments. The ACS operating segment net sales increased 3.8%, including a negative currency impact of 1.0%. The EMS operating segment net sales increased 12.3%, including a negative currency impact of 1.8%. The PES operating segment net sales increased 1.4%, including a negative currency impact of 0.9%. In total, the increase in net sales in 2016 included a negative currency impact of 1.2%. Sales in 2016 were also negatively impacted by 2.9% for the sales related to the non-core divestiture of the Arlon polyimide and thermoset laminate business, which was sold in December 2015.

Gross Margin
(Dollars in thousands) 2016 2015 Percent Change
Gross Margin $249,485
 $235,362
 6.0%
Percentage of sales 38.0% 36.7%  
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018
Net sales$898,260
 $879,091
Gross margin$314,292
 $310,783
Percentage of net sales35.0% 35.4%

Net sales increased by 2.2% in 2019 compared to 2018. Our ACS and EMS operating segments had net sales increases of 7.6% and 5.9%, respectively, partially offset by a net sales decrease in our PES operating segment of 11.1%. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by higher net sales in 5G wireless infrastructure in our ACS operating segment and the $15.0 million of net sales in the first half of the year related to Griswold, which we acquired in July 2018. Net sales were also favorably impacted by higher net sales in the aerospace and defense market in our ACS operating segment, higher net sales in the portable electronics market in our EMS operating segment and higher net sales in the mass transit and power semiconductor substrate EV/HEV markets in our PES operating segment, partially offset by lower net sales in the general industrial, vehicle electrification, ROLINX® EV/HEV power interconnects and renewable energy markets in our PES operating segment, lower net sales in 4G wireless infrastructure in our ACS operating segment and lower net sales in the general industrial market in our EMS operating segment. Net sales were unfavorably impacted by the effects of trade tensions in 2019. Net sales were additionally unfavorably impacted by $20.9 million, or 2.4%, due to the depreciation in value of the euro, Chinese renminbi and South Korean won relative to the U.S. dollar.
Gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased by 130decreased approximately 40 basis points to 38.0%35.0% in 20162019 compared to 36.7%35.4% in 2015. In 2016, gross2018. Gross margin in 2019 was favorablynegatively impacted by lower volumes, unfavorable absorption of fixed costs, lower productivity and higher fixed overhead costs in our PES operating segment, as well as an increase in net salestariffs and lower commodities pricing, combined with operational excellence initiatives acrossduties in our business unitsACS and EMS operating segments. This was partially offset by higher volumes, favorable product mix and productivity improvements in our ACS and EMS operating segments, as well as the divestitureresolution of the lowercertain process issues that had negatively impacted gross margin Arlon polyimide and thermoset business in 2015. Our 2015 results included $1.6 million of expense for a non-recurring purchase accounting fair value adjustment for inventory related to the Arlon acquisition.









2018.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
(Dollars in thousands) 2016 2015 Percent Change2019 2018
Selling, general and administrative expenses $136,317
 $131,463
 3.7%$168,682
 $164,046
Percentage of sales 20.8% 20.5% 
Percentage of net sales18.8% 18.7%

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A)SG&A expenses increased by 3.7%2.8% in 2016 compared with 2015. Our 2016 results increased principally2019 from 2018, primarily due to $7.7a $7.0 million increase in total compensation and benefits, a $1.2 million increase in other intangible assets amortization, most of incentive compensation duewhich was related to the Company meeting performance incentive targetsour acquisition of Griswold, a $1.0 million increase in asbestos-related charges and $4.5a $0.8 million of costs associated with non-acquisition related strategic projects. These increases wereincrease in environmental charges. This was partially offset by cost savings from cost containment initiatives. Our 2016 results include $3.8a $2.7 million of acquisitiondecrease in professional service costs, related to DeWALa $1.5 million decrease in depreciation expense and DSPa $1.1 million decrease in travel and 2015 included $4.8 million in integration expenses related to the Arlon acquisition and $3.2 million related to the establishment of an environmental reserve.entertainment expenses.


Research and Development Expenses
(Dollars in thousands) 2016 2015 Percent Change
Research and development expense $28,582
 $27,644
 3.4%
Percentage of sales 4.4% 4.3%  
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018
Research and development expenses$31,685
 $33,075
Percentage of net sales3.5% 3.8%

Research and development (R&D) expenses increased by 3.4% in 2016 compared with 2015. As a percentage of sales, R&D costs increasedexpenses decreased 4.2% in 2019 from 4.3% in 2015 to 4.4% in 2016. The overall increase is2018, primarily due to continued investments that are targeted at developingthe timing of new platformsproduct initiatives and technologies focusedlower compensation and benefits costs due to a lower average headcount during 2019.
Restructuring and Impairment Charges and Other Operating (Income) Expense, Net
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018
Restructuring and impairment charges$2,485
 $4,038
Other operating (income) expense, net$959
 $(3,087)
We recognized impairment charges of $1.5 million in both 2019 and 2018 primarily relating to certain assets in connection with the Isola asset acquisition, which were allocated to our ACS operating segment. We incurred restructuring charges associated with the relocation of our global headquarters from Rogers, Connecticut to Chandler, Arizona and the consolidation of our Santa Fe Springs, California operations into our facilities in Carol Stream, Illinois and Bear, Delaware. In 2019, we recognized $0.9 million of restructuring charges associated with the facility consolidation. In 2018, we recognized $2.0 million and $0.6 million of restructuring charges associated with facility consolidation and the global headquarters relocation, respectively.
Other operating (income) expense, net decreased by $4.0 million in 2019 from 2018. In 2019 and 2018, we recognized lease income of $1.0 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and related depreciation expense on long-term growth initiatives at our innovation centersleased assets of $1.9 million and $3.5 million, respectively, in connection with the transitional leaseback of a portion of the facility and certain machinery and equipment acquired from Isola. In 2018, we recorded a gain from the settlement of antitrust litigation in the U.S.amount of $4.2 million and Asia.

recognized income of $0.6 million from economic incentive grants related to the physical relocation of our global headquarters from Rogers, Connecticut to Chandler. Additionally, we recorded a gain of $0.7 million in both 2019 and 2018 for the settlement of indemnity claims related to the Isola asset acquisition and the DSP acquisition, respectively.
Equity Income in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
(Dollars in thousands) 2016 2015 Percent Change2019 2018
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures $4,146
 $2,890
 43.5%$5,319
 $5,501

As of December 31, 2019, we had two unconsolidated joint ventures, each 50% owned: Rogers INOAC Corporation (RIC) and Rogers INOAC Suzhou Corporation (RIS). Equity income in those unconsolidated joint ventures increased 43.5%decreased 3.3% in 20162019 from 2015. The increase was2018 due to the appreciation of the Japanese Yen against the U.S. dollar, as the currency value significantly changed. Excluding the impact of the currency change,lower net sales increased due to higher demand primarilyfor RIC and RIS in the portable electronics market.and automotive markets.

Interest Income (Expense), Net
(Dollars in thousands) 2016 2015 Percent Change
Interest income (expense), net $(3,930) $(4,480) (12.3)%

Interest income (expense), net, was lower expense by 12.3% in 2016 from 2015. The decrease year over year was driven by $103.4 million of debt repayments in 2016 on borrowings incurred in January 2015 associated with the Arlon acquisition.

Pension Settlement Charges and Other Income (Expense), Net
(Dollars in thousands) 2016 2015 Percent Change2019 2018
Pension settlement charges$(53,213) $
Other income (expense), net $(1,788) $(8,492) (78.9)%$(592) $(994)
In 2019, we recorded a $53.2 million non-cash pre-tax settlement charge in connection with the termination of the Rogers Corporation Defined Benefit Pension Plan (following its merger with the Hourly Employees Pension Plan of Arlon LLC, Microwave Material and Silicone Technologies Divisions, Bear, Delaware (collectively, the Merged Plan)). We expect to incur an additional non-cash pre-tax settlement charge in connection with the remaining settlement efforts of the Merged Plan of approximately $0.7 million during the first half of 2020. For additional information, refer to Note 11 – Pension Benefits, Other Postretirement Benefits and Employee Savings and Investment Plan to “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Other income (expense), net improved to a net expense of $0.6 million in 2019 compared to a net expense of $1.0 million in 2018 due to favorable impacts from our copper derivatives contracts, partially offset by higher costs associated with our defined benefit plans and unfavorable impacts from our foreign currency transactions, including foreign currency derivatives.

In 2015,
Interest Expense, Net
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018
Interest expense, net$(6,869) $(6,629)
Interest expense, net, increased by 3.6% in 2019 from 2018 due to a higher average outstanding revolving credit facility balance as well as a higher weighted average interest rate on our results included $4.8revolving credit facility in 2019 compared to 2018, partially offset by an increase in interest income year-over-year. The higher average outstanding balance on our revolving credit facility was a result of $102.5 million of a loss on the sale of the Arlon specialty polyimide and epoxy-based laminates business and $2.4 million of receivables related to the tax indemnities that were reversed, which related to the release of uncertain tax positions. Comparing 2016 to 2015, we recognized a net favorable impact of $1.5 million due to copper hedging transactions and a net unfavorable impact of $1.9 million due to foreign currency transactions. Additionally, innew borrowing under our revolving credit facility during the third quarter of 2016, we had $0.82018 to fund the acquisition of Griswold and our voluntary pension contribution in connection with the proposed plan termination process. This was partially offset by $105.5 million of expense for tax indemnity receivables that were reversed,discretionary principal payments on our revolving credit facility in 2019, the majority of which related to the release of uncertain tax positions, andoccurred in the first quartersecond and third quarters of 2016, we recorded an additional loss related to the sale of the Arlon polyimide and thermoset laminate business of $0.2 million.






2019.
Income Tax Expense
(Dollars in thousands) 2016 2015 Percent Change2019 2018
Income tax expense $33,997
 $19,853
 71.2%$7,807
 $22,938
Effective tax rate 41.3% 30.0% 
14.2% 20.7%
Our effective income tax rate for 20162019 was 41.3%14.2% compared to 30.0%20.7% for 2018. The 2019 rate decrease was due to the beneficial impact of changes in 2015. Thevaluation allowance against deferred tax assets associated with carried over research and development credits, excess tax deductions on stock-based compensation, and the international provisions from the U.S. tax reform enacted in 2017. This decrease was partially offset by a disproportionate tax impact from the non-cash settlement charge in connection with the termination of the Merged Plan, increase from 2015 is primarily related to withholdingin taxes on off-shore cash movements, a change to our assertion that certainassociated with the repatriation of foreign earnings, are permanently reinvested and a change in the mix of earnings attributable to higher-taxing jurisdictions, offset by benefits associated with an increase in the reversalcurrent accruals of reserves for uncertain tax positions. This increase was offset by the prior year being unfavorably impacted by adjustments related to finalization of 2014 income tax year returns. The prior year also included a benefit due to a change of the state tax rate as a result of a legal reorganization and release of valuation allowance on certain state tax attributes.

Historically, our intention was to permanently reinvest the majority of our foreign earnings indefinitely or to distribute them only when it is tax efficient to do so. As a result of changes in business circumstances and our long-term business plan, with respect to offshore distributions, we modified our assertion of certain accumulated foreign subsidiary earnings considered permanently reinvested during 2016. This change resulted in accrual of a deferred tax liability of $6.1 million associated with distribution related foreign taxes on undistributed earnings of our Chinese subsidiaries that are no longer considered permanently reinvested. In the event that we distributed these funds to other offshore subsidiaries, these taxes would become due. In addition, we incurred $6.3 million of withholding taxes related to distributions from China.

Backlog

Our backlog of firm orders was $106.5 million as of December 31, 2016, as compared to $63.3 million as of December 31, 2015. ACS, EMS, PES, and Other operating segments experienced year over year increases in backlog of $13.2 million, $15.8 million, $13.8 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Contributing to the year over year change in backlog was an improvement in general market conditions. Additionally, the 2016 backlog contains $7.2 million related to the DeWAL business. The backlog of firm orders is expected to be filled within the next 12 months.


2015 vs. 2014

Net Sales
(Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 Percent Change
Net Sales $641,443
 $610,911
 5.0%

Net sales increased by 5.0% in 2015 from 2014. The increase in net sales in 2015 was composed of an organic sales decrease of 6.9% and a negative currency impact of 4.5%, offset by Arlon acquisition related growth of 16.4%. The decline in organic sales was the result of a decline in all operating segments. The ACS operating segment net sales increased 11.1%: organic sales decline of 11.4% and negative currency impact of 1.3%, which partially offset acquisition growth of 23.8%. The EMS operating segment net sales increased 4.2%: organic sales decline of 7.9% and negative currency impact of 1.8%, which partially offset acquisition growth of 13.8%. The PES operating segment net sales declined 12.5%: organic sales decline of 0.5% combined with a negative currency impact of 12.0%. See “Segment Sales and Operations” below for further discussion on segment performance.

Gross Margin
(Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 Percent Change
Gross Margin $235,362
 $234,753
 0.3%
Percentage of sales 36.7% 38.4%  

Gross margin as a percentage of net sales declined by 170 basis points to 36.7% in 2015 compared to 38.4% in 2014. Our 2015 results included approximately $1.8 million of purchase accounting related to the Arlon acquisition, of which, $1.6 million was the non-recurring fair value adjustment for inventory. The year over year decline was primarily the result of lower organic net sales and lower gross margin contribution related to the Arlon business. This was partially offset by improvements in supply chain, product quality and procurement, which favorably impacted margin performance.



Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
(Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 Percent Change
Selling, general and administrative expenses $131,463
 $125,244
 5.0%
Percentage of sales 20.5% 20.5%  

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased by 5.0% in 2015 compared with 2014. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 20.5% for each of 2015 and 2014. Our 2015 results included approximately $9.6 million of charges comprised of $1.6 million of severance related charges, $4.8 million in integration expenses related to the Arlon acquisition and $3.2 million related to the establishment of an environmental reserve. Our 2014 results included approximately $2.3 million of acquisition costs.

Excluding the charges noted above, SG&A expense decreased $1.1 million and as a percentage of sales, decreased by 110 basis points from 20.1% in 2014 to 19.0% in 2015. The decrease in expenses, excluding these charges, is due to a variety of factors, including $12.0 million of lower incentive and equity compensation costs, $1.1 million of lower costs related to asbestos related liabilities, $1.0 million of lower severance and lower operational spending and other discrete items incurred in 2014 of $2.2 million. Partially offsetting these amounts are increases in expenses due to a variety of factors, including $13.5 million of SG&A expenses related to the Arlon business (including $5.8 million of intangible amortization associated with the acquisition) and $1.8 million of defined benefit pension and retirement plan costs.

Research and Development Expenses
(Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 Percent Change
Research and development expense $27,644
 $22,878
 20.8%
Percentage of sales 4.3% 3.7%  

Research and development (R&D) expenses increased by 20.8% in 2015 compared with 2014. As a percentage of sales, R&D costs increased from 3.7% in 2014 to 4.3% in 2015. The overall increase is due to $1.8 million of expenses related to the Arlon business as well as an increase in investments that are targeted at developing new platforms and technologies focused on long term growth initiatives at our innovation centers in the U.S. and Asia.

Equity Income in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
(Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 Percent Change
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures $2,890
 $4,123
 (29.9)%

Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures declined approximately 29.9% in 2015 from 2014. The decrease was due to lower demand due to weakness in the Japanese domestic and export markets, particularly LCD TVs, domestic mobile phones and general industrial applications, change in product mix and unfavorable currency exchange rate shifts, including depreciation of the Japanese yen.

Interest Income (Expense), Net
(Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 Percent Change
Interest income (expense), net $(4,480) $(2,946) 52.1%

Interest income (expense), net, was higher expense by 52.1% in 2015 from 2014. The increase year over year was driven by the increase in long term debt associated with the Arlon acquisition, which occurred in January of 2015.

Other Income (Expense), Net
(Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 Percent Change
Other income (expense), net $(8,492) $(1,194) 611.2%



Other income (expense), net was higher expense of $7.3 million from 2014 to 2015. Our 2015 results included charges of $4.8 million due to a loss on the sale of the Arlon specialty polyimide and epoxy-based laminates business and $2.4 million due to receivables related to tax indemnities that were reversed, which related to the release of uncertain tax positions.

Income Tax Expense
(Dollars in thousands) 2015 2014 Percent Change
Income tax expense $19,853
 $27,812
 (28.6)%
Effective tax rate 30.0% 34.2%  
In 2015, the difference between the our effective tax rate and the statutory federal tax rate was favorably impacted by taxable income generated in countries with a lower tax rate to that of the United States, research and development credits, a tax benefit related to a change in the effective state rate and release of valuation allowance on certain state tax attributes. The rate was unfavorably impacted by reserves for uncertain tax positions, change to prior estimates and nondeductible expenses. The rate decreased from 2014 primarily due to a reduction in the level of repatriation of current foreign earnings, increased reversals of uncertain tax benefits and deferred state tax benefits due to the acquisition of Arlon, partially offset with a shift of earnings from low tax to high tax jurisdictions.

Backlog

Our backlog of firm orders was $63.3 million as of December 31, 2015, as compared to $77.0 million as of December 31, 2014. The decrease at the end of 2015 was primarily related to PES, ACS and our Other businesses, which experienced decreases in backlog of $7.3 million, $9.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively. These declines were slightly offset by EMS, which experienced an increase of $2.8 million in the backlog. Contributing to the year over year change in backlog were customer delivery improvements, which reduced customer ordering cycles, combined with general market conditions. Additionally, the 2015 backlog contains $7.4 million related to the Arlon businesses.

Operating Segment Net Sales and Operations
Core StrategicOperating Income
Advanced Connectivity Solutions
(Dollars in millions)2016 2015 2014
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018
Net sales$277.8
 $267.6
 $240.9
$316,592
 $294,154
Operating income$44.0
 $45.1
 $44.0
$48,654
 $33,827
The ACS operating segment is comprised of high frequency circuit material products used for making circuitry that receives, processes and transmits high frequency communications signals, in a wide variety of markets and applications, including wireless communications, high reliability, wired infrastructure and automotive, among others.
2016 vs. 2015

Netnet sales in this segment increased by 3.8%7.6% in 20162019 compared to 2015. Currency fluctuations decreased net sales by 1.0%.2018. The increase in net sales iswas primarily driven primarily by automotive radar applications for advanced driver assistance systems (23.1%)higher net sales in 5G wireless infrastructure and aerospace and defense applications (8.7%) and other applications (30.0%),markets, partially offset by a declinelower net sale in 4G wireless infrastructure. Net sales were unfavorably impacted by the wireless telecom market (-3.5%)effects of trade tensions in 2019. Net sales were additionally unfavorably impacted by $6.1 million, or 2.1%, due to the depreciation in value of the Chinese renminbi and lower demand ineuro relative to the satellite TV dish applications (-22.2%).

U.S. dollar.
Operating income declinedincreased by 2.6%43.8% in 20162019 from 2015. As a percentage of net sales, 20162018. The increase in operating income was 15.8%, a 110 basis point decrease as comparedprimarily due to the 16.9% reported in 2015. Operating income in 2016 was positively impacted by higher sales, however this increase was offset by unfavorable mix, unfavorable volume pricing and absorption, higher incentive compensation and additional corporate selling, general and administrative expense allocations. 2015 results included $5.3 million of charges comprised of $2.6 million of integration expenses related to the Arlon acquisition, $1.0 million of Arlon purchase accounting expenses related to the non-recurring fair value adjustment for inventory, $1.4 million of allocated environmental charge and $0.4 million of allocated severance related charges.


2015 vs. 2014
Net sales in this segment increased by 11.1% in 2015. Organic sales declined 11.4%, currency fluctuations decreased net sales, by 1.3%favorable product mix, productivity improvements and the acquisitionresolution of Arlon added 23.8% net sales growth as compared to the same periodcertain process issues that had negatively impacted gross margin in the prior year. The year over year increase in net sales, including the acquisition, was driven2018, partially offset by an increase in automotive radar applications for Advanced Drive Assistance Systems (33.4%)tariffs and aerospace and defense applications (54.4%) and the wireless telecom market (1.5%). These increases were partially offset by weaker demand in 4G LTE base stations, primarily in China (-25%).
Operating income improved by 2.5% in 2015.duties. As a percentage of net sales, operating income in 20152019 was 16.9%15.4%, a 140an approximately 390 basis point declineincrease as compared to the 18.3% reported11.5% in 2014. Our 2015 operating income included approximately $2.6 million of integration expenses related to the Arlon acquisition, $1.0 million of Arlon purchase accounting expenses related to the non-recurring fair value adjustment for inventory, a $1.4 million environmental charge and $0.4 million of severance related charges. Our 2014 operating income included approximately $1.9 million in charges from the early payment of certain long term pension obligations, $0.9 million in charges related to acquisition costs and $0.1 million in charges related to the impairment of the BrightVolt investment. As a percentage of sales, excluding the 2015 and 2014 charges noted above, 2015 operating income was 18.8%, a 70 basis point decline as compared to the 19.5% achieved in 2014. This decline is primarily due to the lower organic net sales partially offset by the addition of the operating income from the acquisition, combined with favorable results from the continuous efforts targeted at manufacturing efficiency improvements and favorable inventory absorption.2018.
Elastomeric Material Solutions
(Dollars in millions)2016 2015 2014
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018
Net sales$203.2
 $180.9
 $173.7
$361,603
 $341,364
Operating income$26.6
 $20.0
 $23.3
$57,080
 $52,502
The EMS operating segment is comprised of polyurethane and silicone foam products, which are sold into a wide variety of markets for various applications such as general industrial, portable electronics, consumer and transportation markets for gasketing, sealing, impact protection and cushioning applications. In November 2016, we completed an acquisition of DeWAL, a leading manufacturer of polytetrafluoroethylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene films, pressure sensitive tapes and specialty products for the industrial, aerospace, automotive, and electronics markets. In January 2017, we acquired the principal operating assets of DSP, a custom silicone product development and manufacturing business, serving a wide range of high reliability applications. We are in the process of integrating DeWAL and DSP into our EMS segment.
2016 vs. 2015

Netnet sales in this segment increased by 12.3%5.9% in 2016 from 2015. Currency fluctuations decreased net sales by 1.8%.2019 compared to 2018. The increase in net sales was driven primarily by portable electronics applications (23.9%), automotive applications (41.4%) and general industrial (1.6%). These increases were partially offset by declines in demand in consumer applications (-15.2%) and mass transit applications (-1.9%). The results of DeWAL have been included in our consolidated financial statements only for the period subsequent to the completion of our acquisition. During this period, net sales attributable to DeWAL totaled $5.4 million.

Operating income increased by 33.1% in 2016 from 2015. As a percentage of net sales, 2016 operating income was 13.1%, a 210 basis point increase as compared to the 11.0% reported in 2015. The increase in operating income in 2016 is primarily due to an increase in net sales, partially offset by corporate selling, general and administrative expense allocations and higher incentive compensation. 2016 results also include $3.8 million of acquisition costs related to the DeWAL and DSP acquisitions, along with $0.9 million of expenses related to the non-recurring fair value adjustment for DeWAL inventory. The results of DeWAL have been included in our consolidated financial statements only for the period subsequent to the completion of our acquisition. During this period, operating income attributable to DeWAL totaled $2.0 million. 2015 results included $3.2 million of charges comprised of $1.6 million of integration expenses related to the Arlon acquisition, $0.5 million of Arlon purchase accounting expenses related to the non-recurring fair value adjustment for inventory, $0.8 million of allocated environmental charge and $0.3 million of allocated severance related charges.
2015 vs. 2014

Net sales in this segment increased by 4.2% in 2015. Organic sales declined 7.9%, currency fluctuations decreased net sales by 1.8% and the acquisition of Arlon added 13.8% of sales growth as compared to the prior year. The increase in net sales, including the acquisition, was driven by increased demand in mass transit (26.2%) and general industrial (26.1%) applications. Offsetting these increases, this operating segment experienced a decline in net sales into the portable electronics segment (mobile internet devices and feature phone applications) (-22.7%) and consumer applications (-11.0%).


Operating income declined by 14.4% in 2015. As a percentage of net sales, the 2015 operating income was 11.0%, a 240 basis point decline as compared to the 13.4% reported in 2014. Our 2015 operating income includes approximately $1.6 million of integration expenses related to the Arlon acquisition, $0.5 million of Arlon purchase accounting expenses related to the non-recurring fair value adjustment for inventory, a $0.8 million environmental charge and $0.3 million of severance related charges. Our 2014 operating income includes approximately $1.3 million in charges for the early payment of certain long term pension obligations and $0.6 million of acquisition costs. As a percentage of net sales, excluding the 2015 and 2014 charges noted above, 2015 operating income was 12.8%, a 180 basis point decline as compared to the 14.6% achieved in 2014. This decline is primarily due to the lower organic$15.0 million of net sales partially offset byin the additionfirst half of the operating income from the acquisition.
Power Electronics Solutions
(Dollars in millions)2016 2015 2014
Net sales$152.4
 $150.3
 $171.8
Operating income$6.0
 $3.8
 $5.7
The PES operating segment is comprised of two product lines - curamik® direct-bonded copper (DBC) substrates that are used primarilyyear related to Griswold, which we acquired in July 2018, as well as higher net sales in the design of intelligent power management devices, such as IGBT (insulated gate bipolar transistor) modules that enable a wide range of products including highly efficient industrial motor drives, wind and solar energy converters and electrical systems in automobiles, and ROLINX® busbars that are used primarily in power distribution systems products in electric and hybrid electric vehicles and clean technology applications.

2016 vs. 2015

Net sales in this segment increased by 1.4% in 2016 from 2015. Currency fluctuations decreased net sales by 0.9%. The increase in net sales was driven by demand in electric and hybrid electric vehicles (15.6%), variable frequency motor drives (7.9%) and certain renewable energy applications (2.0%). These increased net sales wereportable electronics market, partially offset by lower demand in rail applications (-40.6%).

Operating income increased 59.1% in 2016 from 2015. As a percentage of net sales 2016 operating income was 3.9%, a 140 basis point increase as compared toin the 2.5% reported in 2015. This increase is primarily due to operational efficiency programs and an increase in net sales partially offset by unfavorable product mix, increased incentive compensation and corporate selling, general and administrative expense allocations. 2015 included approximately $2.0 million of allocated charges comprised of $1.1 million of an environmental charge and $0.9 million of severance related charges.

2015 vs. 2014

Net sales in this segment decreased by 12.5% in 2015. Organic net sales declined 0.5% as compared to 2014.industrial market. Net sales were unfavorably impacted by 12.0%the effects of trade tensions in 2019. Net sales were additionally unfavorably impacted by $5.9 million, or 1.7%, due to currency fluctuations. The net sales decline was impacted by weaker demandthe depreciation in variable frequency motor drives (-19.1%), vehicle electrification (x-by-wire) (-25.2%)value of the Chinese renminbi, South Korean won and certain renewable energy applications (-21.8%). These declines were partially offset by an increase in demand in electric vehicle applications (41.5%) and laser diode applications (11.5%).
euro relative to the U.S. dollar.
Operating income declinedincreased by 33.7%8.7% in 2015. As a percentage of net sales, the 20152019 from 2018. The increase in operating income was 2.5%, a 80 basis point decline as compared to the 3.3% reported in 2014. Our 2015 operating income included approximately $1.1 million of an environmental charge and $0.9 million of severance related charges. Our 2014 operating income includes approximately $1.9 million in charges for the early payment of certain long term pension obligations and $0.9 million of acquisition costs. As a percentage of net sales, excluding the 2015 and 2014 previously noted charges, 2015 operating income was 3.8%, a 110 basis point decline as compared to the 4.9% achieved in 2014. This decrease was due to the lower organic net sales as well as the unfavorable foreign currency exchange impact.
Other
(Dollars in millions)2016 2015 2014
Net sales$23.0
 $42.6
 $24.5
Operating income$7.3
 $7.4
 $8.2

Our Other segment consists of our elastomer rollers and floats business, as well as our inverter distribution business. Additionally, this segment included the acquired Arlon polymide and thermoset laminate business from January 2015 until it was sold in December 2015.



2016 vs 2015

Net sales decreased by 46.1% in 2016 from 2015, due principally to the impact of the divestiture of the Arlon polyimide and thermoset laminate business in December 2015. Net sales were unfavorably impacted by 1.4%, due to currency fluctuations.

Operating income decreased 1.1% in the 2016 from 2015. The decline was primarily due to lowerhigher net sales, favorable product mix, productivity improvements and a reduction in facility consolidation costs, partially offset by $0.6the non-recurring $4.2 million gain from the settlement of integration expenses related to the Arlon acquisition that are includedantitrust litigation in 2015 results, which didn’t repeat2018 and an increase in 2016.

tariffs and duties. As a percentage of net sales, operating income increased to 31.9% in 2016 from 17.4% in 2015, due principally to the sale of the lower margin Arlon polyimide and thermoset laminate business.

2015 vs 2014

Net sales increased by 73.7% in 2015. The acquisition of Arlon added 76.0% sales growth2019 was 15.8%, an approximately 40 basis point increase as compared to the same period15.4% in 2018.


Power Electronics Solutions
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018
Net sales$198,535
 $223,338
Operating income (loss)$(1,437) $19,648
PES net sales decreased by 11.1% in 2019 compared to 2018. The decrease in net sales was primarily driven by lower net sales in the prior year.general industrial, vehicle electrification, ROLINX® EV/HEV power interconnects and renewable energy markets, partially offset by higher net sales in the mass transit and power semiconductor substrate EV/HEV markets. Net sales were unfavorably impacted primarily by 2.2%unfavorable currency fluctuations of $8.4 million, or 3.8%, due to currency fluctuations.the depreciation in value of the euro and Chinese renminbi relative to the U.S. dollar.
Operating income decreased 10.0%by 107.3% in 2015.2019 from 2018. The decline is comprised of lowerdecrease in operating profit of $0.6 millionincome was primarily due to lower organicnet sales, volume, $0.6unfavorable absorption of fixed overhead costs, lower productivity and higher fixed overhead expenses. As a percentage of net sales, PES had an operating loss of 0.7% in 2019, an approximately 950 basis point decrease as compared to operating income of 8.8% in 2018.
Other
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018
Net sales$21,530
 $20,235
Operating income$6,184
 $6,734
Net sales in this segment increased by 6.4% in 2019 from 2018. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by higher net sales for our NITROPHYL® floats product line and a last-time buy in the Durel business. Net sales were impacted by unfavorable currency fluctuations of $0.5 million, of integration expenses relatedor 2.4%, due to the Arlon acquisition,depreciation in value of the Chinese renminbi relative to the U.S. dollar.
Operating income decreased by 8.2% in 2019 from 2018. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to unfavorable absorption of fixed overhead costs and unfavorable product mix, partially offset by the performancehigher net sales. As a percentage of the specialty polyimide and epoxy-based laminates and bonding materials business.

net sales, operating income in 2019 was 28.7%, an approximately 460 basis point decrease as compared to 33.3% in 2018.
Product and Market Development

Our research and development team is dedicated to growing our business by developing cost effective solutions that improve the performance of customers’ products and by identifying business and technology acquisition or development opportunities to expand our market presence. Currently, R&D spend is approximately 4.4% of net sales.

Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Position
We believe that our existing sources of liquidity and cash flows that are expected to be generated from our operations, together with our available credit facilities, will be sufficient to fund our operations, currently planned capital expenditures, research and development efforts and our debt service commitments, as well as our other operating and investing needs, for at least the next twelve12 months. We regularly review and evaluate the adequacy of our cash flows, borrowing facilities and banking relationships, seeking to ensure that we have the appropriate access to cash to fund both our near-term operating needs and our long-term strategic initiatives.
(Dollars in thousands)
As of December 31,
Key Balance Sheet Accounts:2016 2015
Cash and cash equivalents$227,767
 $204,586
Accounts receivable, net$119,604
 $101,428
Inventories$91,130
 $91,824
Outstanding borrowings on credit facilities$241,188
 $178,626
(Dollars in thousands)
For the year ended December 31,
Key Cash Flow Measures:2016 2015
Cash provided by operating activities$116,967
 $73,922
Cash used in investing activities$(151,804) $(180,297)
Cash provided by financing activities$57,869
 $83,027
At December 31, 2016, cash and cash equivalents were $227.8 million as compared to $204.6 million at the end of 2015, an increase of $23.2 million, or approximately 11.3%. This increase was due primarily to strong cash from operations, proceeds from debt of $166.0 million, offset by $133.9 million (net) paid for the acquisition of DeWAL, $8.0 million in share repurchases, $18.1 million in capital expenditures and $103.8 million in debt and capital lease payments. We used the remaining cash proceeds from the drawdown on our credit facility, along with cash on hand, to fund the DSP acquisition in January 2017.
(Dollars in thousands)
As of December 31,
Key Financial Position Accounts:2019 2018
Cash and cash equivalents$166,849
 $167,738
Accounts receivable, net122,285
 144,623
Contract assets22,455
 22,728
Inventories132,859
 132,637
Borrowings under revolving credit facility123,000
 228,482



The following table illustrates the location of our cash and cash equivalents by our three major geographic areas:
As of December 31,As of December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2016 2015 20142019 2018
U.S.$95,481
 $37,263
 $96,721
United States$39,354
 $41,833
Europe37,791
 66,295
 71,802
31,166
 31,244
Asia94,495
 101,028
 68,852
96,329
 94,661
Total cash and cash equivalents$227,767
 $204,586
 $237,375
$166,849
 $167,738
CashApproximately $127.5 million of our cash and cash equivalents were held in certain foreign locations could be subject to additional taxes if we distributed such amounts back to other offshoreby non-U.S. subsidiaries or repatriated them to the U.S. As a resultas of December 31, 2019. We did not make any changes in 2019 to our business circumstances and long-term business plan, we have changedposition on the permanent reinvestment of our estimatehistorical earnings from foreign operations. With the exception of the amount of foreign subsidiary earnings considered permanently reinvested. Undistributed earningscertain of our Chinese subsidiaries, where a substantial portion of our Asia cash and cash equivalents are no longer consideredheld, we continue to assert that historical foreign earnings are indefinitely reinvested and may be distributed to other offshore subsidiaries. This change resulted in payment of $6.3 million in withholding taxes and accrual of $6.1 million of foreign deferred taxes during 2016 that will become payable upon future distributions. We have not changed our assertion during 2016 with respect to distributions of earnings that would require the accrual of U.S. income tax.reinvested.
Net working capital was $357.2 million, $350.0$363.9 million and $317.7$378.6 million as of December 31, 2016, 20152019 and 2014,2018, respectively.
Significant changes in our balance sheetstatement of financial position accounts from December 31, 20152018 to December 31, 20162019 were as follows:
Accounts receivable increased $18.2
Accounts receivable, net decreased 15.4% to $122.3 million or 17.9% from $101.4 million at December 31, 2015 to $119.6 million at December 31, 2016. The increase is primarily due to increased demand across all business units.
Goodwill increased $33.0 million or 18.8% from $175.5 million at December 31, 2015 to $208.4 million at December 31, 2016. This increase is due to the acquisition of DeWAL. There were no impairments of goodwill during the year ended December 31, 2016.
Other intangible assets increased $61.7 million or 82.2% from $75.0 million at December 31, 2015 to $136.7 million at December 31, 2016. This increase is due to the acquisition of DeWAL. There were no impairments of Other intangible assets during the year ended December 31, 2016.
Overall, our debt position increased $63.0 million from $176.5 million at December 31, 2015 to $239.5 million at December 31, 2016. The increase is due to borrowings of $136.0 million to finance the DeWAL acquisition and an additional $30.0 million in borrowings to partially fund the DSP acquisition. These borrowings were offset by $103.8 million of debt repayments in 2016. Outstanding debt is presented on the consolidated statements of financial position net of debt issuance costs.
During 2016, $151.8 million of net cash was used for investing activities as compared to $180.3 million in 2015 and $28.5 million in 2014. Investing activity for 2016 included the acquisition of DeWAL, which used $133.9 million in investing cash (net), compared to $158.4 million in investing cash (net) used for the Arlon acquisition in 2015. Capital expenditures were $18.1 million, $24.8 million and $28.8 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $57.9 million, $83.0 million and $1.9 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Financing activities in 2016 included borrowings of $166.0 million to finance acquisitions, offset by $103.8 million in debt and capital lease repayments and $8.0 million of cash used for the share buyback program.
Credit Facilities
Second Amended Credit Agreement
On June 18, 2015, we entered into a secured five year credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto (the “Second Amended Credit Agreement”). The Second Amended Credit Agreement provided (1) a $55.0 million term loan; (2) up to $295.0 million of revolving loans, with sublimits for multicurrency borrowings, letters of credit and swing-line notes; and (3) a $50.0 million expansion feature. Borrowings could be used to finance working capital needs, for letters of credit and for general corporate purposes in the ordinary course of business, including the financing of permitted acquisitions (as defined in the Second Amended Credit Agreement).


In 2016, we borrowed $136.0 million under the line of credit to fund the acquisition of DeWAL and an additional $30.0 million to partially fund the acquisition of Diversified Silicone Products. We borrowed $125.0 million under the line of credit under our prior credit agreement in the first quarter of 2015 to fund the acquisition of Arlon, and this amount was refinanced under our Second Amended Credit Agreement in June 2015. During 2016 and 2015, we made principal payments of $103.4 million, and $6.4 million, respectively, on the outstanding debt. At December 31, 2016, our outstanding debt balance was comprised of a term loan of $50.2 million and $191.0 million borrowed on the revolving line of credit. In addition, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had a $1.22019, from $144.6 million standby letter of credit (LOC) to guarantee Rogers workers compensation plans that were backed by the Second Amended Credit Agreement. No amounts were drawn on the LOC as of December 31, 2016 or 2015.2018. The decrease was primarily due to lower net sales at the end of 2019 compared to at the end of the 2018, as well as a reduction in our income taxes receivable year-over-year.
We incurred interest expense on our outstanding debtContract assets decreased 1.2% to $22.5 million as of $3.1 million, $3.5 million, and $1.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Cash paid for interest was $3.12019, from $22.7 million $3.3 million, and $2.5 million for 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Atas of December 31, 2016,2018, mainly attributable to the rate chargeddecrease in no alternative use inventory for which we have the right to payment in our PES operating segment.
Inventories increased 0.2% to $132.9 million as of December 31, 2019, from $132.6 million as of December 31, 2018, primarily driven by higher raw material purchases for long lead times in our ACS and PES operating segments during the third quarter of 2019 in anticipation of demand increases through the first half of 2020, almost entirely offset by inventory reduction efforts in our EMS operating segment.
(Dollars in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
Key Cash Flow Measures:2019 2018
Net cash provided by operating activities$161,323
 $66,820
Net cash used in investing activities(48,963) (167,437)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities(111,843) 88,682
In 2019, cash and cash equivalents decreased $0.9 million, primarily due to $105.5 million of principal payments made on our outstanding borrowings on our revolving credit facility, $51.6 million in capital expenditures, as well as $7.6 million in tax payments related to net share settlement of equity awards, almost entirely offset by cash flows generated by operations.
In 2018, cash and cash equivalents decreased $13.4 million, primarily due to the $78.0 million paid for the Griswold acquisition, net of cash acquired, $47.1 million in capital expenditures, $43.4 million paid for the Isola asset acquisition, and $25.4 million in pension and other postretirement benefits contributions, along with $6.6 million in tax payments related to net share settlement of equity awards, $5.0 million of principal payments made on our outstanding borrowings on our revolving credit facility and $3.0 million in repurchases of capital stock. This activity was partially offset by proceeds of $102.5 million from additional borrowings under the Second Amended Credit Agreement was the 1-month LIBOR at 0.6250% plus a spreadour revolving credit facility, of 1.375%.
We also incurred an unused commitment fee of $0.4 million, $0.3which $82.5 million and $0.4$20.0 million forwere used to fund the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015Griswold acquisition and 2014, respectively.the voluntary pension plan contribution, respectively, and by cash flows generated by operations.
The financial covenantsIn 2020, we expect capital spending to be in the Second Amendedrange of approximately $40.0 million to $45.0 million, which we plan to fund with cash from operations.
Revolving Credit Agreement included requirements to maintain (1) a leverage ratio of no more than 3.25 to 1.00, subject to a one-time election to increase the maximum leverage ratio to 3.50 to 1.00 for one fiscal year in connection with a permitted acquisition, and (2) an interest coverage ratio of no less than 3.00 to 1.00. As of December 31, 2016, we were in compliance with all of the financial covenants in the Second Amended Credit Agreement.Facility
The Second Amended Credit Agreement required mandatory quarterly repayment of principal on amounts borrowed under the term loan, and payment in full of outstanding borrowings by June 30, 2020, which are described in the Contractual Obligations table in this Item 7.
All obligations under the Second Amended Credit Agreement were guaranteed by each of the Company’s existing and future material domestic subsidiaries, as defined in the Second Amended Credit Agreement (the “Previous Guarantors”). The obligations were also secured by a Second Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of June 18, 2015, entered into by the Company and the Previous Guarantors which granted to the administrative agent, for the benefit of the lenders, a security interest, subject to certain exceptions, in substantially all of the non-real estate assets of the Guarantors. These assets included, but were not limited to, receivables, equipment, intellectual property, inventory, and stock in certain subsidiaries.
Third Amended Credit Agreement
OnIn February 17, 2017, we entered into a secured five year credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto (the “ThirdThird Amended Credit Agreement”)Agreement), which amended and restated the Second Amended Credit Agreement. The Third Amended Credit Agreement refinancesrefinanced the Second Amended Credit Agreement, eliminateseliminated the term loan under the Second Amended Credit Agreement, increasesincreased the principal amount of theour revolving credit facility to up to $450.0 million of borrowing capacity, with sublimits for multicurrency borrowings, letters of credit and swing-line notes, and providesprovided an additional $175.0 million accordion feature. Borrowings may be used to finance working capital needs, for letters of credit and for general corporate purposes in the ordinary course of business, including the financing of permitted acquisitions (as defined in the Third Amended Credit Agreement). 
BorrowingsAll revolving loans under the Third Amended Credit Agreement can be made as alternate base rate loans or euro-currency loans. Alternate base rate loans bear interest that includes a base reference rate plus a spread of 37.5 to 75.0 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio. The base reference rate is the greater of the prime rate; federal funds effective rate (or the overnight bank funding rate, if greater) plus 50 basis points; or adjusted 1-month LIBOR plus 100 basis points. Euro-currency loans bear interest based on adjusted LIBOR plus a spread of 137.5 to 175.0 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio.
In addition to interest payable on the principal amount of indebtedness outstanding from time to time under the Third Amended Credit Agreement, the Company is required to pay a quarterly fee of 20 to 30 basis points (based upon our leverage ratio) of the unused amount of the lenders’ commitments under the Third Amended Credit Agreement.
The Third Amended Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants, mandatory prepayments and events of default under which the Company’s payment obligations may be accelerated. If an event of default occurs, the lenders may, among other things, terminate their commitments and declare all outstanding borrowings to be immediately due and payable together with accrued interest and fees. The financial covenants include requirements to maintain (1) a leverage ratio of no more than 3.25 to 1.00, subject to an election to increase the maximum leverage ratio to 3.50 to 1.00 for one fiscal year in connection with a permitted acquisition, and (2) an interest coverage ratio of no less than 3.00 to 1.00.


All obligations under the Third Amended Credit Agreement are guaranteed by each of the Company’s existing and future material domestic subsidiaries, as defined in the Third Amended Credit Agreement (the “Guarantors”). The obligations are also secured by a Third Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of February 17, 2017, entered into by the Company and the Guarantors which grants to the administrative agent, for the benefit of the lenders, a security interest, subject to certain exceptions, in substantially all of the non-real estate assets of the Guarantors. These assets include, but are not limited to, receivables, equipment, intellectual property, inventory, and stock in certain subsidiaries.
All revolving loans are due on the maturity date, February 17, 2022. We are not required to make any quarterly principal payments under the Third Amended Credit Agreement. In 2019 and 2018, we made


discretionary principal payments of $105.5 million and $5.0 million, respectively, on the outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility. As of December 31, 2019, we had $123.0 million in outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility. For additional information regarding the Third Amended Credit Agreement, refer to “Note 9 – Debt” to “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Restriction on Payment of Dividends
OurThe Third Amended Credit Agreement generally permits us to pay cash dividends to our shareholders, provided that (i) no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the dividend payment and (ii) our leverage ratio does not exceed 2.75 to 1.00. If our leverage ratio exceeds 2.75 to 1.00, we may nonetheless make up to $20.0 million in restricted payments, including cash dividends, during the fiscal year, provided that no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the payments. Our leverage ratio did not exceed 2.75 to 1.00 as of February 17, 2017.December 31, 2019.



Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our significant contractual obligations as of December 31, 2016.  2019.
(Dollars in thousands)Payments Due by Period
 Total Less than 1 Year 1-3 Years 3-5 Years More than 5 Years
Operating leases$9,707
 $3,352
 $3,677
 $1,644
 $1,034
Capital lease5,343
 349
 726
 4,268
 
Interest payments on capital lease525
 133
 239
 153
 
Inventory purchase obligations1,163
 1,163
 
 
 
Capital commitments (1)
3,588
 3,588
 
 
 
Outstanding borrowings on credit facility (2)
241,188
 4,125
 10,313
 226,750
 
Interest payments on outstanding borrowings (3)
26,319
 6,318
 15,999
 4,002
 
Retiree health and life insurance benefits3,007
 513
 630
 473
 1,391
Pension obligation funding417
 339
 78
 
 
Total$291,257
 $19,880
 $31,662
 $237,290
 $2,425
 Payments Due by Period
 Total Less than
1 Year
 1 - 3 Years 3 - 5 Years More than
5 Years
Operating lease obligations$5,044
 $2,442
 $2,339
 $261
 $2
Finance lease obligations4,540
 400
 4,140
 
 
Interest payments on finance lease obligations194
 132
 62
 
 
Inventory purchase obligations277
 277
 
 
 
Capital commitments(1)
16,263
 16,263
 
 
 
Borrowings under revolving credit facility(2)
123,000
 
 123,000
 
 
Interest payments on borrowings under revolving credit facility(3)
9,042
 4,210
 4,832
 
 
Other postretirement benefits1,584
 282
 281
 247
 774
Total contractual obligations$159,944
 $24,006
 $134,654
 $508
 $776
(1) 
This amount represents non-cancelable vendor purchase commitments.
(2) 
As noted above in the description of our Third Amended Credit Agreement, we are no longer required to make quarterly principal payments onAll outstanding borrowings under our term loan. Accordingly, all outstanding borrowings under ourrevolving credit facility are now due on February 17, 2022.
(3) 
Estimated future interest payments are based on a leveragedleverage ratio based spread that ranges from 1.375% to 1.75%, plus projected forward 1-month LIBOR rates.rates, and have been adjusted for the impact of the floating to fixed rate interest rate swap on $75.0 million of the outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility. For additional information, refer to “Note 3 – Hedging Transactions and Derivative Financial Instruments” to “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” Actual future interest payments could differ from those set forth here due to the expected phase-out of LIBOR by the end of 2021.

Unfunded pension benefit obligations, which amount to $5.9 million at December 31, 2016, are expected to be paid from operating cash flows and the timing of payments is not definitive. Retiree health and life insuranceOther postretirement benefits, which amount to $2.1$1.6 million, are expected to be paid from operating cash flows.
Other long-term liabilities, such as deferred taxes, unrecognized tax benefits and asbestos-related product liability reserves, have been excluded from the table due to the uncertainty of the timing of payments combined with the absence of historical trends to be used as a predictor for such payments.

Effects of Inflation

We do not believe that inflation had a material impact on our business, net sales, or operating results during the periods presented.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are, in the opinion of management, reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

operations or financial position.
Critical Accounting Policies

Estimates
Our Consolidated Financial Statementsconsolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which require management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances and believe that appropriate reserves have been established basedusing on reasonable methodologies and appropriate assumptions based on facts and circumstances that are known; however, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. AnCertain accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires anpolicies may require a choice between acceptable accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions that are highly judgmental and uncertain at the time the estimate is made, if different estimates could reasonably have been used,methods or if changes to those estimates are reasonably likely to periodically occur that could affect the amounts carriedmay require substantial judgment or estimation in the financial statements. Thesetheir application. A summary of our critical accounting policies are as follows:estimates is presented below:



Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when all of the following criteria are met: (1) we have entered into a binding agreement, (2) the product has shipped and title and risk of ownership have passed, (3) the sales price to the customer is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. We recognize revenue based upon a determination that all criteria for revenue recognition have been met, which, based on the majority of our shipping terms, is considered to have occurred upon shipment of the finished product. Some shipping terms require the goods to be through customs or be received by the customer before title passes. In those instances, revenue is not recognized until either the customer has received the goods or they have passed through customs, depending on the circumstances. As appropriate, we record estimated reductions to revenue for customer returns and allowances and warranty claims. Provisions for such allowances are made at the time of sale and are typically derived from historical trends and other relevant information. See further discussion in Note 19, “Recent Accounting Standards” to “Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”


Inventory Valuation

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or marketnet realizable value with costs determined primarily on a first-in first-out basis. We also maintain a reserve for excess, obsolete and slow-moving inventory that is primarily developed by utilizing both specific product identification and historical product demand as the basis for our analysis. Products and materials that are specifically identified as obsolete are fully reserved. In general, most products that have been held in inventory greater than one year are fully reserved unless there are mitigating circumstances, including forecasted sales or current orders for the product. The remainder of the allowance is based on our estimates and fluctuates with market conditions, design cycles and other economic factors. Risks associated with this allowance include unforeseen changes in business cycles that could affect the marketability of certain products and an unexpected decline in current production. We closely monitor the marketplace and related inventory levels and have historically maintained reasonably accurate allowance levels. Our obsolescence reserve has ranged from 11.0%9% to 14.2%12% of gross inventory over the last three fiscal years.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Intangible Assets
We have made acquisitions over the years that included the recognition of goodwill andintangible assets. Intangible assets are classified into three categories: (1) goodwill; (2) other intangible assets. assets with definite lives subject to amortization; and (3) other intangible assets with indefinite lives not subject to amortization. Other intangible assets can include items such as trademarks and trade names, licensed technology, customer relationships and covenants not to compete, among other things. Each definite-lived other intangible asset is amortized over its respective economic useful life using the economic attribution method.
Goodwill and indefinite lived intangibles areis tested for impairment annually or more frequentlyand between annual impairment tests if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may be impaired. If it is more likely than not that our goodwill is impaired, then we compare the estimated fair value of each of our reporting units to its respective carrying value. If a reporting unit’s carrying value is greater than its fair value, then an impairment is recognized for the excess and charged to operations. We currently have been impaired. Applicationfour reporting units with goodwill: ACS, EMS, curamik® and Elastomer Components Division (ECD). Consistent with historical practice, the annual impairment test on these reporting units was performed as of November 30, 2019.
The application of the annual goodwill impairment test requires significant judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assignment of assets and liabilities to reporting units and determination of the fair value of each reporting unit. Determining the fair value of a reporting unit is subjective and requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including revenue growth ratesfinancial projections for net sales, gross margin and operating margins,margin, discount rates, terminal growth rates and future market conditions, among others. We test goodwill for impairment using a two-step process. The first step of the impairment test requires a comparison of the implied fair value of each of our reporting units to the respective carrying value. If the carrying value of a reporting unit is less than its implied fair value, no indication of impairment exists and a second step is not performed. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit is higher than its fair value, there is an indication that impairment may exist and a second step must be performed. In the second step, the impairment is computed by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of the goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill is greater than the implied fair value of its goodwill, an impairment loss must be recognized for the excess and charged to operations.

In 2016, we estimated the fair value of our reporting units using an income approach based on the present value of future cash flows.flows through a five year discounted cash flow analysis. The discounted cash flow analysis utilized the discount rates for each of the reporting units ranging from 10.3% for EMS to 11.9% for ACS, and terminal growth rates ranging from 3.3% for curamik® to 4.6% for ACS. We believe this approach yields the most appropriate evidence of fair value as our reporting units are not easily compared to other corporations involved in similar businesses. We further believe that the assumptions and rates used in our annual goodwill impairment test are reasonable, but inherently uncertain. We currently have fourThere were no impairment charges resulting from our goodwill impairment analysis for the year ended December 31, 2019. Our ACS, EMS, curamik® and ECD reporting units with goodwill: ACS, EMS, curamik®had allocated goodwill of $51.7 million, $142.0 million, $67.0 million and $2.2 million respectively, as of December 31, 2019.
Indefinite-lived other intangible assets are tested for impairment annually and between annual impairment tests if events or changes in circumstances indicate the Elastomer Components Division (ECD).carrying value may be impaired. If it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived other intangible asset is impaired, then we compare the estimated fair value of that indefinite-lived other intangible asset to its respective carrying value. If an indefinite-lived other intangible asset’s carrying value is greater than its fair value, then an impairment charge is recognized for the excess and charged to operations. Consistent with historical practice, the annual impairment test on these reporting units was performed inas of November 30, 2019. The application of the fourth quarterannual indefinite-lived other intangible asset impairment test requires significant judgment, including the determination of 2016. No impairment charges resulted from this analysis. The excess of fair value over carrying value for ACS, EMS, curamik® and ECD was 281.6%, 76.0%, 75.8% and 225.7%, respectively. From a sensitivity perspective, if the fair value of each of these reporting units declined by 10%, the excess of fairindefinite-lived other intangible asset. Fair value over carrying value for ACS, EMS, curamik® and ECD would be 243.4%, 58.4%, 58.2% and 193.1%, respectively. These valuations areis primarily based on a five yearincome approaches using discounted cash flow models, which have significant assumptions. Such assumptions are subject to variability from year to year and are directly impacted by global market conditions. There were no impairment charges resulting from our indefinite-lived other intangible assets impairment analysis which utilized discount rates ranging from 12.0% for ACS to 12.9% forthe year ended December 31, 2019. Our curamik® reporting unit had an indefinite-lived other intangible asset of $4.4 million as of December 31, 2019.
Definite-lived other intangible assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The recoverability test involves comparing the estimated sum of the undiscounted cash flows for each definite-lived other intangible asset to its respective carrying value. If a definite-lived other intangible asset’s carrying value is greater than the sum of its undiscounted cash flows, then the definite-lived other intangible asset’s carrying value is compared to its estimated fair value and a terminalan impairment charge is recognized for the excess and charged to operations. The application of the recoverability test requires significant judgment, including the identification of the asset group and determination of undiscounted cash flows and fair value of the underlying definite-lived other intangible asset. Determination of undiscounted cash flows requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including certain financial projections. Fair value is primarily based on income approaches using discounted cash flow models, which have significant assumptions. Such assumptions are subject to variability


from year growth rate of 3%to year and are directly impacted by global market conditions. There were no impairment charges resulting from our definite-lived other intangible assets impairment analysis for all four reporting units. Thethe year ended December 31, 2019. Our ACS, EMS and curamik® and ECD reporting units had allocated goodwilldefinite-lived other intangible assets of approximately $51.7$4.7 million, $91.5 million, $63.0$140.4 million and $2.2$9.5 million, respectively, atas of December 31, 2016.

Intangible assets, such as purchased technology, customer relationships, and the like, are generally recorded in connection with a business acquisition. Values assigned to intangible assets are determined based on estimates and judgments regarding expectations of the success and life cycle of products and technology acquired and the value of the acquired businesses customer base. These assets are reviewed at least annually if facts and circumstances surrounding such assets indicate a possible impairment of the asset exists. In 2016, there were no indicators of impairment on any of our other intangible assets.




2019.
Product LiabilityLiabilities

For product liability claims, we typicallyWe endeavor to maintain insurance coverage with reasonable deductible levels to protect us from potential exposures.exposures to product liability claims. Any liability associated with such claims is based on management’s best estimate of the potential claim value, while insurance receivables associated with related claims are not recorded until verified by the insurance carrier.

For asbestos relatedasbestos-related claims, we recognize projected asbestos liabilities and related insurance receivables, with any difference between the liability and related insurance receivable recognized as an expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Projecting future asbestos costsOur estimates of asbestos-related contingent liabilities and related insurance coverage is subject toreceivables are based on an independent actuarial analysis and an independent insurance usage analysis prepared annually by third parties. The actuarial analysis contains numerous variables that are extremely difficult to predict,assumptions, including the number of claims that might be received, the type and severity of the disease alleged by each claimant, the long latency period associated with asbestos exposure, dismissal rates, average indemnity costs, average defense costs, costs of medical treatment, the financial resources of other companies that are co-defendants in claims, uncertainties surrounding the litigation process from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and from case to case, and the impact of potential changes in legislative or judicial standards, including potential tort reform.

We believe the assumptions used in our models for determining our potential exposure and related insurance coverage are reasonable at the present time, but such Furthermore, any predictions with respect to these assumptions are inherently uncertain. We determined that a ten-yearsubject to even greater uncertainty as the projection period is appropriatelengthens. The insurance usage analysis considers, among other things, applicable deductibles, retentions and policy limits, the solvency and historical payment experience of various insurance carriers, the likelihood of recovery as we have experience in addressing asbestos related lawsuits over the last few years to use as a baseline to project theestimated by external legal counsel and existing insurance settlements.
The liability over ten years. However, we do not believe we have sufficient data to justify a longer projection period at this time. As of December 31, 2016, the estimated liability and estimated insurance recovery for the ten-year period through 2026 was $52.0 million and $48.4 million, respectively.

Given the inherent uncertainty in making projections, we plan to re-examine periodically the projections ofcovers all current and future indemnity and defense costs through 2064, which represents the expected end of our asbestos liability exposure with no further ongoing claims and we will update them if neededexpected beyond that date. This conclusion was based on our history and experience changeswith the claims data, the diminished volatility and consistency of observable claims data, the period of time that has elapsed since we stopped manufacturing products that contained encapsulated asbestos and an expected downward trend in claims due to the assumptions underlyingaverage age of our models, and other relevant factors, such as changes inclaimants, which is approaching the tort system. There can be no assurance that ouraverage life expectancy.
Our accrued asbestos liabilities willmay not approximate our actual asbestos-related settlementindemnity and defense costs, or thatand our accrued insurance recoveries willmay not be realized. We believe that it is reasonably possible that we willmay incur additional charges for our asbestos liabilities and defense costs in the future whichthat could exceed existing reserves and insurance recoveries. We plan to continue to vigorously defend ourselves and believe we have substantial unutilized insurance coverage to mitigate future costs related to this matter.
We review our asbestos-related projections annually in the fourth quarter of each year unless facts and circumstances materially change during the year, at which time we would analyze these projections. We believe the assumptions made on the potential exposure and expected insurance coverage are reasonable at the present time, but cannot reasonably estimateare subject to uncertainty based on the actual future outcome of our asbestos litigation.
As of December 31, 2019, the estimated liabilities and estimated insurance recoveries for all current and future indemnity and defense costs projected through 2064 were $85.9 million and $78.3 million, respectively.
Revenue Recognition
Recognition of revenue occurs when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the providing entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. We recognize revenue when all of the following criteria are met: (1) we have entered into a binding agreement, (2) the performance obligations have been identified, (3) the transaction price to the customer has been determined, (4) the transaction price has been allocated to the performance obligations in the contract, and (5) the performance obligations have been satisfied. The majority of our shipping terms permit us to recognize revenue at point of shipment. Some shipping terms require the goods to be cleared through customs or be received by the customer before title passes. In those instances, revenue is not recognized until either the customer has received the goods or they have passed through customs, depending on the circumstances. Shipping and handling costs are treated as fulfillment costs. Sales tax or value added tax (VAT) are excluded from the measurement of the transaction price.
The Company manufactures some products to customer specifications which are customized to such excess amountsa degree that it is unlikely that another entity would purchase these products or that we could modify these products for another customer. These products are deemed to have no alternative use to the Company whereby we have an enforceable right to payment evidenced by contractual termination clauses. In accordance with ASC 606, for those circumstances we recognize revenue on an over-time basis. Revenue recognition does not occur until the product meets the definition of “no alternative use” and therefore, items that have not yet reached that point in the production process are not included in the population of items with over-time revenue recognition.
As appropriate, we record estimated reductions to revenue for customer returns, allowances, and warranty claims. Provisions for such reductions are made at this time.the time of sale and are typically derived from historical trends and other relevant information.


Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

We provide various defined benefit pension plans for our U.S. employees and we sponsor three defined benefit health caremultiple fully insured or self-funded medical plans and afully insured life insurance plan.plans for retirees. The costs and obligations associated with these plans are dependent upon various actuarial assumptions used in calculating such amounts. These assumptions include discount rates, long-term rates of return on plan assets, mortality rates and other factors. The assumptions used were determined as follows: (i) the discount rate used is based on the PruCurve high quality corporate bond index, with comparisons against other similar indices; and (ii) the long-term rate of return on plan assets is determined based on historical portfolio results, market conditions and our expectations of future returns. We determine these assumptions based on consultation with outside actuaries and investment advisors. Any changes in these assumptions could have a significant impact on future recognized pension costs, assets and liabilities.

The rates used to determine our costs and obligations under our pension and postretirement plans are disclosed in Note 10, “Pension11 – Pension Benefits, Other Postretirement Benefits and Retirement HealthEmployee Savings and Life Insurance Benefits”Investment Plan to “Item 8 -Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.Data.” Each assumption has different sensitivity characteristics. For the year ended December 31, 2016,2019, a 25 basis point decrease in the discount rate would have increased our total pension expense by approximately $17,500. This number represents the aggregate increase in expense for the four pension plans:Rogers Corporation Employees’ Pension Plan Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Bear Pension Plan(the Union Plan) and the Restoration Plan.Merged Plan by a de minimis amount. A 25 basis point decrease in the discount rate would increasehave decreased the other post-employmentpostretirement benefits (OPEB) expense by approximately $3,000.a de minimis amount. A 25 basis point decrease in the expected return on assets would increasehave increased the total 20162019 pension expense approximately $0.4 million. This number represents the aggregate increase in the expense for the three qualified pension plans. SinceUnion Plan and the OPEB and non-qualifiedMerged Plan by a de minimis amount. As the other postretirement benefit plans are unfunded, those plansthey would not be impacted by this assumption change.

Equity Compensation
Income Taxes

We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and in numerous foreign jurisdictions. The Company accounts for income taxes following ASC 740 (Accounting for Income Taxes) recognizing deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between book and tax basis of recorded assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.


U.S. income taxes have not been provided on $210.9 million of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries since it is the Company’s intention to permanently reinvest such earnings offshore or to repatriate them only when it is tax efficient to do so. It is impracticable to estimate the total tax liability, if any, that would be created by the future distribution of these earnings. If circumstances change and it becomes apparent that some, or all of these undistributed earnings as of December 31, 2016 will not be indefinitely reinvested, the provision for the tax consequences, if any, will be recorded in the period when circumstances change. As of each of December 31, 2016 and 2015, $1.1 million of U.S. income taxes had been provided on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are not considered permanently reinvested.
As a result of changes in business circumstances and our long-term business plan with respect to offshore distributions, we modified our assertion of certain accumulated foreign subsidiary earnings considered permanently reinvested. As of December 31, 2016, $6.1 million of deferred foreign taxes have been provided on undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries that are not considered permanently reinvested. In the event that we distributed these funds to other offshore subsidiaries, these taxes would become due. In addition, we incurred $6.3 million of withholding taxes in 2016 related to distributions from China to lower tier, non-U.S. subsidiaries. Distributions out of current and future earnings are permissible to fund discretionary activities such as business acquisitions. However, when distributions are made, this could result in a higher effective tax rate.
We record benefits for uncertain tax positions based on an assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained by the taxing authorities. If this threshold is not met, no tax benefit of the uncertain position is recognized. If the threshold is met, we recognize the largest amount of the tax benefit that is more than fifty percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement.
We recognize interest and penalties within the income tax expense line in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Accrued interest and penalties are included within the related tax liability line in the consolidated statements of financial position.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense associated with time-based and performance-based restricted stock units, deferred stock units, stock options and related awards is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. Determining the amount of stock-basedequity compensation expense to be recorded requires us to develop estimates to be used in calculating the grant-date fair value of stock-based compensation.

The amount of stock-based compensation expense recognized during a period is based on the value of the portion of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The term “forfeitures” is distinct from “cancellations” or “expirations” and represents only the unvested portion of the surrendered option. Based on an analysis of our historical forfeitures, we have applied an annual forfeiture rate of 12% to all unvested stock-based awards as of December 31, 2016. The rate of 12% represents the portion that is expected to be forfeited each year over the vesting period. This analysis is re-evaluated annually and the forfeiture rate is adjusted as necessary. Ultimately, the actual expense recognized over the vesting period will only be for those awards that vest.performance-based restricted stock units.
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
Compensation expense related to ourAs of December 31, 2019, we had performance-based restricted stock units is recognized usingfrom 2019, 2018 and 2017 outstanding. These awards generally cliff vest at the straight-line method overend of a three-year measurement period. However, employees whose employment terminates during the vestingmeasurement period due to death, disability, or, in certain cases, retirement may receive a pro-rata payout based on the number of days they were employed during the measurement period. Participants are eligible to be awarded shares ranging from 0% to 200% of the original award amount, based on certain defined performance measures.
The outstanding 20142019, 2018 and 20152017 awards have twoone measurement criteria on whichcriteria: the final payout of the award is based - (i) the three year return on invested capital (ROIC) compared to that of a specified group of peer companies, and (ii) the three yearthree-year total shareholder return (TSR) on the performance of our capital stock as compared to that of a specified group of peer companies. The outstanding 2016 awards have oneTSR measurement criteria the three year total shareholder return (TSR) on the performance of our capital stock as compared to that of a specified group of peer companies. In accordance with the applicable accounting literature, the ROIC portion of the award is considered a performance condition. As such, the fair value of the ROIC portion is determined based on the market value of the underlying stock price at the grant date with cumulative compensation expense recognized to date being increased or decreased based on changes in the forecasted pay out percentage at the end of each reporting period. The TSR portion of the awards is considered a market condition. As such, the fair value of these awardsthis measurement criteria was determined on the grant date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model with relatedmodel. We recognize compensation expense fixed on the grant date and expensedall of these awards on a straight-line basis over the life of the awards that ultimately vestvesting period with no changes for the final projected payout of the award. Theawards. We account for forfeitures as they occur.
Below were the assumptions used in the Monte Carlo are as follows:calculation for each material award granted in 2019, 2018 and 2017:
 June 3, 2019 February 7, 2019 September 17, 2018 February 8, 2018 February 9, 2017
Expected volatility39.7% 36.7% 36.6% 34.8% 33.6%
Expected term (in years)2.6 2.9 3.0 3.0 3.0
Risk-free interest rate1.78% 2.43% 2.85% 2.28% 1.38%
Expected volatility – In determining expected volatility, we have considered a number of factors, including historical volatility.
Expected term – We use the vestingmeasurement period of the award to determine the expected term assumption for the Monte Carlo simulation valuation model.


Risk-free interest rate – We use an implied “spot rate” yield on U.S. Treasury Constant Maturity rates as of the grant date for our assumption of the risk-free interest rate.
Expected dividend yield – We do not currently pay dividends on our capital stock; therefore, a dividend yield of 0% was used in the Monte Carlo simulation valuation model.
Time-Based Restricted Stock Units
In 2011, we began granting time-based restricted stock units to certain key executives and other key members of the Company’s management team. We currently have grants from 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 outstanding. The majority of the grants ratably vest on the first, second and third anniversaries of the original grant date. We recognize compensation expense on all of these awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The fair value of the award is determined based on the market value of the underlying stock price at the grant date.

Deferred Stock Units
We grant deferred stock units to non-management directors. These awards are fully vested on the date of grant and the related shares are generally issued on the 13th month anniversary of the grant date unless the individual elects to defer the receipt of these shares. Each deferred stock unit results in the issuance of one share of Rogers’ stock. The grant of deferred stock units is typically done annually in the second quarter of each year. The fair value of the award is determined based on the market value of the underlying stock price at the grant date.

Stock Options

Historically, we granted stock options to certain key executives and other key members of the Company’s management team and our last grant was in 2012. To value stock options, we calculated the grant-date fair values using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The use of valuation models required us to make estimates for the following assumptions:

Expected volatility - In determining expected volatility, we consider a number of factors, including historical volatility and implied volatility.

Expected term - We use historical employee exercise data to estimate the expected term assumption for the Black-Scholes valuation model.

Risk-free interest rate - We use the yield on zero-coupon U.S. Treasury securities for a period commensurate with the expected term assumption as the risk-free interest rate.
Expected dividend yield – We do not currently pay dividends on our capital stock; therefore, a dividend yield of 0% was used in the Black-Scholes model.

The amount of stock-based compensation expense recognized during a period is based on the value of the portion of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The term “forfeitures” is distinct from “cancellations” or “expirations” and represents only the unvested portion of the surrendered option. Based on an analysis of our historical forfeitures, we have applied an annual forfeiture rate of 3% to all unvested stock-based awards as of December 31, 2016. The rate of 3% represents the portion that is expected to be forfeited each year over the vesting period. This analysis is re-evaluated annually and the forfeiture rate is adjusted as necessary. Ultimately, the actual expense recognized over the vesting period will only be for those awards that vest.




Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market Risk

Foreign Currency Risk

Our financial results are affected by changes in foreign exchange rates and economic conditions in foreign countries in which we operate. Our primary overseas markets are in Europe and Asia, thus exposing us to exchange rate risk from fluctuations in the Euroeuro, the Chinese renminbi and the variouscertain other currencies used in Asia. ExposureWe seek to mitigate exposure to variability in currency exchange rates, is mitigated, when possible, through the use of natural hedges, whereby purchases and sales in the same foreign currency and with similar maturity dates offset one another. We further seek to mitigate this exposure through hedging activities by entering into foreign exchange forward contracts with third parties when the use of natural hedges is not possible or desirable. We currently do not use derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. We monitor foreign exchange risks and at times manage such risks on specific transactions. Our risk management process primarily uses analytical techniques and sensitivity analysis. In 2016,2019, a 10% increase/decrease in exchange ratesstrengthening of the U.S dollar relative to other currencies would have resulted in an approximate increase/a decrease to net sales and net income of $21.8approximately $38 million and $2.0$3 million, respectively, while a 10% weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies would have resulted in an increase to net sales and net income of approximately $46 million and $4 million, respectively.

Interest Rate Risk

As of December 31, 2016,2019, we have borrowed $241.2had $123.0 million againstin borrowings outstanding under our existingrevolving credit facilities to finance strategic acquisitions.facility. The interest charged on this credit facilitythese borrowings fluctuates with movements in the benchmark LIBOR. AtAs of December 31, 2016,2019, the effective all-in rate of interest on the debtour revolving credit facility was 2.0%. To illustrate, based on3.30%, net of the outstanding debt asimpact of December 31, 2016 of $241.2 million,our interest rate swap, and a 100 basis point increase in LIBOR would increasehave increased the amount of interest expense by $2.4approximately $1.2 million annually.

for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Commodity Risk

We are subject to fluctuations in the cost of raw materials used to manufacture our materials and products. In particular, we are exposed to market fluctuations in commodity pricing as we utilize certain materials, such as copper and ceramic, thatwhich are key materials in certain of our products. In order to minimize the risk of market driven price changes in these commodities, we utilize hedging strategies to insulate us against price fluctuations of copper, the commodity most frequently used commodity in our manufacturing processes. We currently do not use hedging strategies to minimize the risk of price fluctuations on other commodity-based raw materials; however, we regularly review such strategies to hedge market risk on an ongoing basis.

For additional discussion, see refer to “Note 2 “Fair– Fair Value Measurements”Measurements and Note 3 “Hedging– Hedging Transactions and Derivative Financial Instruments” in “Item 8Instruments” to “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.Data.






Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data


MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTINGOF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


The managementTo the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Rogers Corporation
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Rogers Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the Company is responsiblethree years in the period ended December 31, 2019, including the related notes and schedule of valuation and qualifying accounts for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting was designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparationeach of the Company’s financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally acceptedthree years in the United States of America. Our internal control overperiod ended December 31, 2019 appearing under Item 8 (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

-pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
-provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and
-provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our 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 tostatements”). We also have audited 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.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’sCompany's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016. In making its assessment of internal control over financial reporting, management used the2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). Based on the results of this assessment, management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, has concluded that, as of December 31, 2016, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, has audited the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016.

On November 23, 2016, the Company acquired DeWAL Industries (DeWAL). As a result, management has excluded DeWAL from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting. DeWAL is a wholly-owned subsidiary whose total assets and total net sales represent 3.1% and 0.8%, respectively, of the Company’s total assets and net sales as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016.


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Rogers Corporation

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements of financial position and the related consolidated statements of operations, of comprehensive income (loss), of shareholders’ equity and of cash flowsreferred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Rogers Corporation and its subsidiaries atthe Company as of December 31, 20162019 and December 31, 2015,2018, and the results of theirits operations and theirits cash flows for each of the twothree years in the period ended December 31, 20162019 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule for the year ended December 31, 2016 listed in the index appearing under Item 15(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016,2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations ofCOSO.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 14 to the Treadway Commission (COSO). consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for revenues from contracts with customers in 2018.
Basis for Opinions
The Company’sCompany's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 8.9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on thesethe Company’s consolidated financial statements on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company’sCompany's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence supportingregarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessingstatements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, andas well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statement presentation.statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
As discussed in Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it presents debt issuance costs as well as deferred tax assetsDefinition and liabilities in the consolidated statementsLimitations of financial position in 2016.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 (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with 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 (iii) provide reasonable


assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. 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.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters 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 matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Goodwill Impairment Assessment - curamik® Reporting Unit
As described in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management has excluded DeWAL Industries, Inc. (“DeWAL”) from its assessment of internal control overNotes 1 and 6 to the consolidated financial reportingstatements, the Company’s consolidated goodwill balance was $262.9 million as of December 31, 2016 because DeWAL2019, and the goodwill associated with the curamik® reporting unit was acquired by$67.0 million. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually as of November 30 and between annual impairment tests if events or changes in circumstances indicate the Company incarrying value may be impaired. If a purchase business combination during 2016. We have also excluded DeWAL fromreporting unit’s carrying value is greater than its fair value, then an impairment is recognized for the excess and charged to operations. Management estimated the fair value of the curamik® reporting unit using an income approach based on the present value of future cash flows through a five year discounted cash flow analysis. Determining the fair value is subjective and requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including financial projections for net sales, gross margin and operating margin, discount rate, terminal year growth rate and future market conditions, among others.
The principal considerations for our auditdetermination that performing procedures relating to the goodwill impairment assessment of internal control over financial reporting. DeWALthe curamik® reporting unit is a wholly-owned subsidiary whose total assets and total revenues represent 3.1% and 0.8%, respectively,critical audit matter are there was significant judgment by management when developing the fair value measurement of the relatedreporting unit; this in turn led to a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and in evaluating audit evidence over management’s cash flow projections and significant assumptions, including the financial projections for net sales, gross margin, and discount rate. In addition, the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in performing these procedures and evaluating the audit evidence obtained.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statement amountsstatements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s goodwill impairment assessment, including controls over the valuation of the Company’s reporting units. These procedures also included, among others, testing management’s process for developing the fair value estimate; evaluating the appropriateness of the discounted cash flow analysis; testing the completeness, accuracy, and relevance of underlying data used in the analysis; and evaluating the reasonableness of the significant assumptions used by management, including the financial projections for net sales, gross margin, and discount rate. Evaluating the reasonableness of management’s assumptions related to the financial projections for net sales and gross margin involved evaluating whether the assumptions used by management were reasonable considering (i) the current and past performance of the reporting unit, (ii) the consistency with external market and industry data, and (iii) whether these assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in the evaluation of the appropriateness of the discounted cash flow analysis and certain significant assumptions, including the discount rate.
Asbestos-Related Liabilities and Insurance Receivables
As described in Notes 1 and 12 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s consolidated asbestos-related liabilities and asbestos-related insurance receivables balances were $85.9 million and $78.3 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2019. Management reviews the asbestos-related projections annually in the fourth quarter of each year unless facts and forcircumstances materially change during the year, ended December 31, 2016.at which time management would analyze these projections. Management recognizes a liability for asbestos-related contingencies that are probable of occurrence and reasonably estimable. In connection with the recognition of liabilities for asbestos related matters, management records asbestos-related insurance receivables that are deemed probable. Estimates of asbestos-related contingent liabilities and related insurance receivables are based on an independent actuarial analysis and an independent insurance usage analysis, respectively, prepared annually by third parties. The actuarial analysis contains numerous assumptions, including the number of claims that may be received, the type and severity of the disease alleged by each claimant, the long latency period associated with asbestos exposure, dismissal rates, average indemnity costs, average defense costs, costs of medical treatment, the financial resources of other companies that are co-defendants in claims, uncertainties surrounding the litigation process from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and from case to case, and the impact of potential changes in legislative or judicial standards, including potential tort reform. The insurance usage analysis considers, among other things,


applicable deductibles, retentions and policy limits, the solvency and historical payment experience of various insurance carriers, the likelihood of recovery as estimated by external legal counsel and existing insurance settlements.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to asbestos-related liabilities and insurance receivables is a critical audit matter are there was significant judgment by management when determining the asbestos-related liabilities and insurance receivables; this in turn led to a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and in evaluating management’s analyses and significant assumptions, including the number of claims that may be received, type and severity of the disease alleged by each claimant, average indemnity costs, average defense costs, and dismissal rates. In addition, the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in performing these procedures and evaluating the audit evidence obtained.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the analyses of the asbestos-related liabilities and insurance receivables. These procedures also included, among others, testing management’s process for developing the estimates; evaluating the appropriateness of the analyses; testing the completeness and accuracy of underlying data used in the analyses; and evaluating the reasonableness of significant assumptions used by management, including the number of claims that may be received, type and severity of the disease alleged by each claimant, average indemnity costs, average defense costs, and dismissal rates. Evaluating reasonableness of management’s assumptions involved evaluating whether the assumptions used by management were reasonable considering (i) the current and past asbestos litigation trends and (ii) the consistency with external industry projections. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in the evaluation of management’s analyses and certain significant assumptions, including the number of claims that may be received, the type and severity of the disease alleged by each claimant, average indemnity costs, average defense costs, and dismissal rates.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
 
Hartford, Connecticut
February 20, 2020
 
February 21, 2017We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2015.







REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Rogers Corporation
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity and cash flows of Rogers Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2014. Our audit also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated results of Rogers Corporation’s operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.


/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
February 18, 2015
Except for note 1, as to which the date is
February 23, 2016




ROGERS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)2019
2016 2015 2014
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)2019 2018 2017
Net sales$656,314
 $641,443
 $610,911
$898,260
 $879,091
 $821,043
Cost of sales406,829
 406,081
 376,158
583,968
 568,308
 502,468
Gross margin249,485
 235,362
 234,753
314,292
 310,783
 318,575
          
Selling, general and administrative expenses136,317
 131,463
 125,244
168,682
 164,046
 161,651
Research and development expenses28,582
 27,644
 22,878
31,685
 33,075
 29,547
Restructuring and impairment charges734
 
 5,390
2,485
 4,038
 3,567
Other operating (income) expense, net959
 (3,087) (5,329)
Operating income83,852
 76,255
 81,241
110,481
 112,711
 129,139
          
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures4,146
 2,890
 4,123
5,319
 5,501
 4,898
Interest income (expense), net(3,930) (4,480) (2,946)
Pension settlement charges(53,213) 
 
Other income (expense), net(1,788) (8,492) (1,194)(592) (994) 5,019
Income before income taxes82,280
 66,173
 81,224
Interest expense, net(6,869) (6,629) (6,131)
Income before income tax expense55,126
 110,589
 132,925
Income tax expense33,997
 19,853
 27,812
7,807
 22,938
 52,466
Net income$48,283
 $46,320
 $53,412
$47,319
 $87,651
 $80,459
          
Earnings per share:     
Basic$2.68
 $2.52
 $2.94
Diluted$2.65
 $2.48
 $2.86
Basic earnings per share$2.55
 $4.77
 $4.43
Diluted earnings per share$2.53
 $4.70
 $4.34
          
Weighted average shares used in computing earnings per share:     
Basic17,991
 18,371
 18,177
Diluted18,223
 18,680
 18,698
Shares used in computing:     
Basic earnings per share18,573
 18,374
 18,154
Diluted earnings per share18,713
 18,659
 18,547



The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
4333











ROGERS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
For each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016
(Dollars in thousands)2019
 2016 2015 2014
Net income$48,283
 $46,320
 $53,412
      
Foreign currency translation adjustments(5,081) (27,172) (36,949)
Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges:     
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments held at year end (net of taxes of $0 in 2016, $5 in 2015, $50 in 2014)
 (2) (93)
Unrealized gain (loss) reclassified into earnings11
 84
 209
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) pension and post-retirement benefits:
    
  Actuarial net gain (loss) incurred in fiscal year1,106
 2,760
 (20,715)
  Amortization of gain (loss)160
 966
 3,904
Other comprehensive income (loss)(3,804) (23,364) (53,644)
Comprehensive income (loss)$44,479
 $22,956
 $(232)
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018 2017
Net income$47,319
 $87,651
 $80,459
      
Foreign currency translation adjustment(4,990) (12,505) 28,463
Pension and other postretirement benefits:     
Pension settlement charges, net of tax (Note 4)43,934
 
 
Actuarial net loss incurred, net of tax (Note 4)(6,079) (1,678) (1,481)
Amortization of loss, net of tax (Note 4)390
 176
 99
Derivative instrument designated as cash flow hedge:     
Change in unrealized (loss) gain before reclassifications, net of tax (Note 4)(1,171) 519
 (6)
Unrealized (gain) loss reclassified into earnings, net of tax (Note 4)(155) (191) 32
Other comprehensive income (loss)31,929
 (13,679) 27,107
Comprehensive income$79,248
 $73,972
 $107,566




The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
4434











ROGERS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
As of December 31,
(Dollars and share amounts in thousands, except par value of capital stock)As of December 31,2019 2018
2016 2015
Assets      
Current assets      
Cash and cash equivalents$227,767
 $204,586
$166,849
 $167,738
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,952 and $695119,604
 101,428
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,691 and $1,354122,285
 144,623
Contract assets22,455
 22,728
Inventories91,130
 91,824
132,859
 132,637
Prepaid income taxes3,020
 5,058
4,524
 3,093
Deferred income taxes
 9,565
Asbestos-related insurance receivables7,099
 8,245
Land held for sale871
 
Asbestos-related insurance receivables, current portion4,292
 4,138
Other current assets8,910
 7,959
10,838
 10,829
Total current assets458,401
 428,665
464,102
 485,786
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation176,916
 178,661
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $341,119 and $317,414260,246
 242,759
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures16,183
 15,348
16,461
 18,667
Deferred income taxes14,634
 8,594
17,117
 8,236
Goodwill208,431
 175,453
262,930
 264,885
Other intangible assets136,676
 75,019
Asbestos-related insurance receivables41,295
 45,114
Other intangible assets, net of amortization158,947
 177,008
Pension assets12,790
 19,273
Asbestos-related insurance receivables, non-current portion74,024
 59,685
Other long-term assets3,964
 3,501
6,564
 3,045
Total assets$1,056,500
 $930,355
$1,273,181
 $1,279,344
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity   
   
Current liabilities   
   
Accounts payable$28,379
 $22,251
$33,019
 $40,321
Accrued employee benefits and compensation31,104
 23,263
29,678
 30,491
Accrued income taxes payable10,921
 3,599
10,649
 7,032
Current portion of lease obligation350
 284
Current portion of long term debt3,653
 2,966
Asbestos-related liabilities7,099
 8,245
Asbestos-related liabilities, current portion5,007
 5,547
Other accrued liabilities19,679
 18,040
21,872
 23,789
Total current liabilities101,185
 78,648
100,225
 107,180
Long term debt235,877
 173,557
Long term lease obligation4,993
 5,549
Pension liability8,501
 12,623
Retiree health care and life insurance benefits1,992
 2,185
Asbestos-related liabilities44,883
 48,390
Borrowings under revolving credit facility123,000
 228,482
Pension and other postretirement benefits liabilities1,567
 1,739
Asbestos-related liabilities, non-current portion80,873
 64,799
Non-current income tax6,238
 11,863
10,423
 8,418
Deferred income taxes13,883
 9,455
9,220
 10,806
Other long-term liabilities3,162
 3,503
13,973
 9,596
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 15)

 

Shareholders’ Equity   
Capital Stock - $1 par value; 50,000 authorized shares; 18,021 and 17,957 shares outstanding18,021
 17,957
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10 and Note 12)


 


Shareholders’ equity   
Capital stock - $1 par value; 50,000 authorized shares; 18,577 and 18,395 shares issued and outstanding, respectively18,577
 18,395
Additional paid-in capital118,678
 112,017
138,526
 132,360
Retained earnings591,349
 543,066
823,702
 776,403
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(92,262) (88,458)(46,905) (78,834)
Total shareholders’ equity635,786
 584,582
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$1,056,500
 $930,355
Total shareholders' equity933,900
 848,324
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$1,273,181
 $1,279,344


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
4535











ROGERS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended December 31, 20162019
(Dollars in thousands)
 Capital Stock/Capital Shares Additional Paid-In Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total Shareholders’ Equity
Balance at December 31, 2013$17,855
 $110,577
 $443,334
 $(11,450) $560,316
          
Net income
 
 53,412
 
 53,412
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 (53,644) (53,644)
Stock options exercised465
 20,048
 
 
 20,513
Stock issued to directors16
 (16) 
 
 
Shares issued for employees stock purchase plan16
 677
 
 
 693
Shares issued for restricted stock52
 (1,594) 
 
 (1,542)
Stock-based compensation expense
 7,533
 
 
 7,533
Balance at December 31, 201418,404
 137,225
 496,746
 (65,094) 587,281
          
Net income
 
 46,320
 
 46,320
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 (23,364) (23,364)
Stock options exercised175
 6,792
 
 
 6,967
Stock issued to directors16
 (16) 
 
 
Shares issued for employees stock purchase plan13
 714
 
 
 727
Shares issued for restricted stock77
 (2,817) 
 
 (2,740)
Shares repurchased(728) (39,265) 
 
 (39,993)
Tax shortfalls on share-based compensation
 (259) 
 
 (259)
Stock-based compensation expense
 9,643
 
 
 9,643
Balance at December 31, 201517,957
 112,017
 543,066
 (88,458) 584,582
          
Net income
 
 48,283
 
 48,283
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 (3,804) (3,804)
Stock options exercised95
 4,048
 
 
 4,143
Stock issued to directors24
 (24) 
 
 
Shares issued for employees stock purchase plan23
 835
 
 
 858
Shares issued for restricted stock63
 (1,440) 
 
 (1,377)
Shares repurchased(141) (7,854) 
 
 (7,995)
Tax adjustments on share-based compensation
 (179) 
 
 (179)
Stock-based compensation expense
 11,275
 
 
 11,275
Balance at December 31, 2016$18,021
 $118,678
 $591,349
 $(92,262) $635,786
(Dollars and share amounts in thousands)2019 2018 2017
Capital Stock     
Balance, beginning of period$18,395
 $18,255
 $18,021
Shares issued for vested restricted stock units, net of cancellations for tax withholding144
 117
 121
Stock options exercised11
 22
 83
Shares issued for employee stock purchase plan15
 12
 15
Shares issued to directors12
 12
 15
Shares repurchased
 (23) 
Balance, end of period18,577
 18,395
 18,255
Additional Paid-In Capital     
Balance, beginning of period132,360
 128,933
 118,678
Shares issued for vested restricted stock units, net of cancellations for tax withholding(7,694) (6,717) (5,430)
Stock options exercised333
 839
 3,002
Shares issued for employee stock purchase plan1,234
 1,070
 880
Shares issued to directors(12) (12) (15)
Equity compensation expense12,305
 11,223
 11,818
Shares repurchased
 (2,976) 
Balance, end of period138,526
 132,360
 128,933
Retained Earnings     
Balance, beginning of period776,403
 684,540
 591,349
Net income47,319
 87,651
 80,459
Cumulative-effect adjustment for lease accounting(20) 
 
Cumulative-effect adjustment for revenue recognition
 4,212
 
Cumulative-effect adjustment for change in accounting for share-based compensation
 
 12,732
Balance, end of period823,702
 776,403
 684,540
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss     
Balance, beginning of period(78,834) (65,155) (92,262)
Other comprehensive income (loss)31,929
 (13,679) 27,107
Balance, end of period(46,905) (78,834) (65,155)
Total Shareholders’ Equity$933,900
 $848,324
 $766,573




The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
4636











ROGERS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended December 31, 20162019
(Dollars in thousands)2016 2015 2014
Operating Activities:     
Net income$48,283
 $46,320
 $53,412
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash from operating activities:   
  
Depreciation and amortization37,847
 34,054
 26,268
Stock-based compensation expense11,275
 9,643
 7,533
Deferred income taxes7,382
 3,668
 8,435
Equity in income of unconsolidated joint ventures(4,146) (2,890) (4,123)
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint ventures2,757
 3,463
 3,849
Pension and postretirement benefits(2,822) (1,512) 1,976
Loss from the disposal of property, plant and equipment225
 295
 (69)
Impairment of assets/investments
 150
 
Bad debt expense1,321
 1,085
 250
Loss on disposition of a business
 4,819
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities excluding effects of acquisition and disposition of businesses:   
  
Accounts receivable(13,005) 8,971
 (10,438)
Inventories9,689
 (10,608) (6,054)
Pension contribution(842) (7,737) (14,645)
Other current assets1,933
 (1,278) 1,063
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses21,472
 (17,632) 16,638
Other, net(4,402) 3,111
 1,112
Net cash provided by operating activities116,967
 73,922
 85,207

Investing Activities:
   
  
Capital expenditures(18,136) (24,837) (28,755)
Proceeds from life insurance275
 2,682
 
Loss from the sale of property, plant and equipment, net
 
 69
Other investing activities
 (1,000) 166
Proceeds from the sale of a business
 1,265
 
Acquisition of business, net of cash received(133,943) (158,407) 
Net cash used in investing activities(151,804) (180,297) (28,520)

Financing Activities:
   
  
Proceeds from long term borrowings166,000
 125,000
 
Repayment of debt principal and long term lease obligation(103,760) (6,641) (17,797)
Debt issuance costs
 (293) 
Repurchases of capital stock(7,995) (39,993) 
Proceeds from issuance of capital stock, net4,143
 6,967
 20,513
Issuance of restricted stock(1,377) (2,740) (1,542)
Proceeds from issuance of shares to employee stock purchase plan858
 727
 693
Net cash provided by financing activities57,869
 83,027
 1,867
      
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash149
 (9,441) (13,063)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents23,181
 (32,789) 45,491
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year204,586
 237,375
 191,884
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year$227,767
 $204,586
 $237,375
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018 2017
Operating Activities:     
Net income$47,319
 $87,651
 $80,459
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:     
Depreciation and amortization49,162
 50,073
 44,099
Equity compensation expense12,305
 11,223
 11,818
Deferred income taxes(17,549) (3,325) 17,513
Equity in undistributed income of unconsolidated joint ventures(5,319) (5,501) (4,898)
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint ventures5,375
 4,431
 3,529
Pension settlement charges53,213
 
 
Pension and other postretirement benefits(943) (1,552) (1,561)
Asbestos-related charges1,720
 704
 3,400
Loss (gain) on sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment756
 (164) (5,154)
Impairment charges1,537
 1,506
 807
Provision (benefit) for doubtful accounts437
 236
 (439)
Changes in assets and liabilities:     
Accounts receivable20,677
 (3,824) (14,059)
Contract assets273
 (22,728) 
Inventories(1,200) (19,013) (14,208)
Pension and postretirement benefit contributions(103) (25,354) (906)
Other current assets(1,519) (648) (576)
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses(9,139) (7,886) 12,341
Proceeds from insurance related to operations
 
 932
Other, net4,321
 991
 5,885
Net cash provided by operating activities161,323
 66,820
 138,982
      
Investing Activities:     
Acquisition of business, net of cash received
 (77,969) (60,191)
Isola asset acquisition
 (43,434) 
Capital expenditures(51,597) (47,115) (27,215)
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment, net9
 1,081
 8,095
Proceeds from insurance claims
 
 1,041
Return of capital from unconsolidated joint ventures2,625
 
 
Net cash used in investing activities(48,963) (167,437) (78,270)
      
Financing Activities:     
Proceeds from borrowings under revolving credit facility
 102,500
 
Line of credit issuance costs
 
 (1,169)
Repayment of debt principal and finance lease obligations(105,886) (6,162) (110,689)
Payments of taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards(7,550) (6,600) (5,309)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options, net344
 861
 3,085
Proceeds from issuance of shares to employee stock purchase plan1,249
 1,082
 895
Share repurchases
 (2,999) 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities(111,843) 88,682
 (113,187)
      
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash(1,406) (1,486) 5,867
      
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents(889) (13,421) (46,608)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period167,738
 181,159
 227,767
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$166,849
 $167,738
 $181,159
      
Supplemental Disclosures:     
Accrued capital additions$3,420
 $2,744
 $2,376
Cash paid during the year for:     
Interest, net of amounts capitalized$7,762
 $7,040
 $5,787
Income taxes$17,593
 $29,161
 $36,918


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
4737











ROGERS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTENote 1 ‑ ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES– Basis of Presentation, Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

As used herein, the terms “Company,” “Rogers,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms mean Rogers Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.
Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and our wholly‑ownedwholly-owned subsidiaries, after elimination of inter-company accountsintercompany balances and transactions.

In 2015, we changed our method for accounting for certain inventory items from the last in, first out (LIFO) method to the first in, first out (FIFO) method. Adjustments have been made to all periods and amounts presented to appropriately reflect the retrospective application of this accounting change. See the discussion below entitled “Inventories” for further information.

The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP), requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Organization

Our reporting structure is comprised of the following3 strategic operating segments: Advanced Connectivity Solutions (ACS), Elastomeric Material Solutions (EMS) and Power Electronics Solutions (PES). The remaining operations are accumulated and reported underas our Other business.

operating segment.
Advanced Connectivity Solutions

Our ACS operating segment designs, develops, manufactures and sells circuit materials and solutions enabling high-performance and high-reliability connectivity for applications in wireless communications infrastructure (e.g., power amplifiers, antennas and small cells and distributed antenna systems)cells), automotive (e.g., active safety, advanced driver assistance systems,ADAS, telematics and thermal management)solutions), aerospace and defense (e.g. antenna systems, communication systems and phased array radar systems), connected devices (e.g., mobile internet devices and Internet of Things),thermal solutions) and wired infrastructure (e.g., computing servers and storage), consumer electronicsIP infrastructure) markets. We believe these products have characteristics that offer performance and aerospace/defense. We sellother functional advantages in many market applications that serve to differentiate our products from other commonly available materials. ACS products are sold principally to independent and captive printed circuit materials under various tradeboard fabricators that convert our laminates to custom printed circuits. Trade names includingfor our ACS products include: RO4000® Series, RO3000®, RO4000 Series, RT/duroid®, RT/duroidCLTE Series®, AD Series®, CuClad® Series, TMM®, Kappa®, XTremeSpeed RO1200TM Laminates, DiClad® Series, IsoClad® Series, COOLSPAN®, MAGTREXTM, TC Series®, IM SeriesTM, 92MLTM, 2929 Bondply and CLTE SeriesTM.
Our3001 Bondply Film. As of December 31, 2019, our ACS operating segment hashad manufacturing and administrative facilities in Chandler, Arizona; Rogers, Connecticut; Bear, Delaware; Evergem, Belgium; and Suzhou, China.
Elastomeric Material Solutions

Our EMS operating segment designs, develops, manufactures and sells elastomericengineered material solutions for criticala wide variety of applications and markets. These include polyurethane and silicone materials used in cushioning, gasketing and sealing, impact protection and vibration management applications includingfor general industrial, portable electronics, (e.g., mobile internet devices), consumer goods (e.g., protective sports equipment), automotive, mass transportation, constructiontransit, aerospace and defense, footwear and impact mitigation and printing applications. We sell our elastomeric materials under various trade names, including DeWAL™, ARLON®, PORON®, XRD®, BISCO®markets; customized silicones used in flex heater and eSORBA®. In November 2016, we acquired DeWAL Industries, a leading manufacturer ofsemiconductor thermal applications for general industrial, portable electronics, automotive, mass transit, aerospace and defense and medical markets; polytetrafluoroethylene and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene films, pressure sensitive tapesmaterials used in wire and specialty products.cable protection, electrical insulation, conduction and shielding, hose and belt protection, vibration management, cushioning, gasketing and sealing, and venting applications for general industrial, automotive and aerospace and defense markets. We believe these materials have characteristics that offer functional advantages in many market applications which serve to differentiate Rogers’ products from other commonly available materials. EMS products are sold globally to converters, fabricators, distributors and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Trade names for our EMS products include: PORON®, BISCO®, DeWAL®, ARLON®, eSorba®, Griswold®, Diversified Silicone Products®, XRD®, R/bak® and HeatSORB™.
As of December 31, 2016,2019, our EMS operating segment had administrative and manufacturing facilities in Woodstock,Moosup, Connecticut; Rogers, Connecticut; Woodstock, Connecticut; Bear, Delaware; Carol Stream, Illinois; Narragansett, Rhode Island; Ansan, Korea,South Korea; and Suzhou, China. We also own 50% of two unconsolidated joint ventures: (1) Rogers Inoac Corporation (RIC), a joint venture established in Japan to design, develop, manufacture and sell PORON products predominantly for the Japanese market and (2) Rogers INOAC Suzhou Corporation (RIS), a joint venture established in China to design, develop, manufacture and sell PORON products primarily for RIC customers in various Asian countries. INOAC Corporation owns the remaining 50% of both RIC and RIS. RIC has manufacturing facilities at the INOAC facilities in Nagoya and Mie, Japan, and RIS has manufacturing facilities at Rogers’ facilities in Suzhou, China.
In July 2018, we acquired 100% of the membership interests in Griswold LLC (Griswold), a manufacturer of a wide range of high-performance engineered cellular elastomer and microcellular polyurethane products and solutions, for an aggregate purchase price of $78.0 million, net of cash acquired.



Power Electronics Solutions

Our PES operating segment designs, develops, manufactures and sells ceramic substrate materials, busbars and cooling solutions for power modulea variety of applications (e.g., variable frequency drives, vehicle electrification and renewable energy), laminated bus bars for power inverter and high power interconnect applications (e.g.,in EV/HEV, general industrial, mass transit, hybrid-electric and electric vehicles, renewable energy, aerospace and variable frequency drives),defense and micro-channel coolers (e.g., laser cutting equipment).wired infrastructure markets. We sell our ceramic substrate materials and micro channel coolerscooling solutions under the curamik® tradename, trade name and our bus barsbusbars under the ROLINX® tradename.

Our trade name. As of December 31, 2019, our PES operating segment hashad manufacturing and administrative and manufacturing facilities in Ghent,Evergem, Belgium; Eschenbach, Germany; Budapest, Hungary; and Suzhou, China.
Other

Our Other businessoperating segment consists of elastomericelastomer components for applications in ground transportation, office equipment, consumer and other markets; elastomericgeneral industrial market, as well as elastomer floats for level sensing in fuel tanks, motors, and storage tanks; and inverters for portable communicationstanks applications in the general industrial and automotive markets. The Arlon polyimideWe sell our elastomer components under our ENDUR® trade name and thermoset laminate business, which was divested in December 2015, was also included within our Other businesses in 2015.floats under our NITROPHYL® trade name.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Cash Equivalents
Highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less are considered cash equivalents. These investments are stated at cost, which approximates fair value.

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

We account for our investments in and advances to unconsolidated joint ventures, allboth of which are 50% owned, using the equity method of accounting.

Foreign Currency

All balance sheet accounts of foreign subsidiaries are translated or remeasured at exchange rates in effect at each year end, and income statement items are translated using the average exchange rates for the year. Resulting translationTranslation adjustments for those entities that operate under thea local currency are maderecorded directly to a separate component of shareholders’ equity, while remeasurement adjustments for those entities that operate under the parent’s functional currency are maderecorded to the income statement as a component of “Other income (expense), net.” Currency transaction gains and losses are reported as income or expense, respectively, in the consolidated statements of operations as a component of “Other income (expense), net.” Such adjustments resulted in a losslosses of $2.7$0.9 million in 2016 and a gain2019, losses of $0.3$0.7 million in 2015. There were no material foreign currency transaction gains/losses2018 and gains of $0.9 million in 2014.

2017.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined based on a variety of factors that affect the potential collectability of the related receivables, including the length of time receivables are past due, customer credit ratings, financial stability of customers, specific one-time events and past customer history. In addition, in circumstances where we are made aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, a specific allowance is established. The majority of accounts are individually evaluated on a regular basis and appropriate reserves are established as deemed appropriate based on the criteria previously mentioned. The remainder of the reserve is based on management’sour estimates and takes into consideration historical trends, market conditions and the composition of our customer base.

Inventories

Inventories are valuedstated at the lower of cost or market. Effective October 1, 2015, the Company changed its method for inventory costing from the last in, first out (LIFO)net realizable value. The cost method toof inventories is determined using the first in, first out (FIFO) method. An allowance is made for estimated losses due to obsolescence. The allowance is determined for groups of products based on purchases in the recent past and/or expected future demand and market conditions. Abnormal amounts of idle facility expense and waste are not capitalized in inventory. The allocation of fixed production overheads to the inventory cost method for all operations that were using the LIFO cost method. This change in accounting method was deemed preferable because this change causes inventory to be valued on a consistent basis throughout the entire Company and on a more comparable basis with industry peer companies.

This change in accounting method was completed in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 250 Accounting changes and error corrections, and all periods presented have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new accounting principle.



The following table summarizes the effect of this accounting changeis based on the Company’snormal capacity of the production facilities.
Our “Inventories” line item in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014:

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) As Originally Reported under LIFO As Adjusted under FIFO Effect of Change
Cost of sales $376,972
 $376,158
 $(814)
Net income $52,883
 $53,412
 $529
Basic earnings per share $2.91
 $2.94
 $0.03
Diluted earnings per share $2.83
 $2.86
 $0.03

There was no impact on cash provided by operating activities as a result of the above changes.

Inventoriesfinancial position consisted of the following:
 As of December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018
Raw materials$61,338
 $59,321
Work-in-process30,043
 30,086
Finished goods41,478
 43,230
Total inventories$132,859
 $132,637
 As of December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2016 2015
Raw materials$29,788
 $35,499
Work-in-process26,440
 22,804
Finished goods34,902
 33,521
Total inventories$91,130
 $91,824



Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated on the basis of cost. For financial reporting purposes, provisions for depreciation are calculated on a straight‑linestraight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives of the underlying assets:
Property, Plant and Equipment ClassificationYearsEstimated Useful Lives
Buildings and improvements30-40 years
Machinery and equipment5-15 years
Office equipment3-10 years


Software Costs

We capitalize certain internal and external costs of computer software and software development costs incurred in connection with developingdeveloped or obtaining computer softwareobtained for internal use, when bothprincipally related to software coding, software configuration, designing system interfaces and installation and testing of the preliminary project stage is completed and it is probable that the software will be used as intended. Capitalizedsoftware. We amortize capitalized internal use software costs include only (i) external direct costs of materials and services utilized in developing or obtaining computer software, and (ii) compensation and related benefits for employees who are directly associated withusing the software project. Capitalized software costs are amortized on a straight-line basis when placed into servicemethod over the estimated useful lives of the software, which approximatesgenerally from three to five years. Net capitalized software and development costs were $7.7$0.2 million and $6.7$1.7 million for the years ended December 31, 20162019 and 2015,2018, respectively. Capitalized software is included within “Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation” in the consolidated statements of financial position.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets and Goodwill

We have made acquisitions over the years that included the recognition of intangible assets. Intangible assets are classified into three categories: (1) goodwill; (2) other intangible assets with definite lives subject to amortization; (2)and (3) other intangible assets with indefinite lives not subject to amortization; and (3) goodwill. We review goodwill, which has an indefinite life, andamortization. Other intangible assets with indefinite livescan include items such as trademarks and trade names, licensed technology, customer relationships and covenants not to compete, among other things. Each definite-lived other intangible asset is amortized over its respective economic useful life using the economic attribution method.
Goodwill is tested for impairment annually and/orand between annual impairment tests if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may be impaired. If it is more likely than not that our goodwill is impaired, then we compare the estimated fair value of each of our reporting units to its respective carrying value. If a reporting unit’s carrying value is greater than its fair value, then an asset mayimpairment is recognized for the excess and charged to operations. We currently have been impaired.4 reporting units with goodwill: ACS, EMS, curamik® and Elastomer Components Division (ECD). Consistent with historical practice, the annual impairment test on these reporting units was performed as of November 30, 2019.
The application of the annual goodwill impairment test requires significant judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assignment of assets and liabilities to reporting units and determination of the fair value of each reporting unit. Determining the fair value is subjective and requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including financial projections for net sales, gross margin and operating margin, discount rates, terminal growth rates and future market conditions, among others. We reviewestimated the fair value of our reporting units using an income approach based on the present value of future cash flows through a five year discounted cash flow analysis. The discounted cash flow analysis utilized the discount rates for each of the reporting units ranging from 10.30% for EMS to 11.90% for ACS, and terminal growth rates ranging from 3.3% for curamik® to 4.6% for ACS. We believe this approach yields the most appropriate evidence of fair value as our reporting units are not easily compared to other corporations involved in similar businesses. We further believe that the assumptions and rates used in our annual goodwill impairment test are reasonable, but inherently uncertain. There were no impairment charges resulting from our goodwill impairment analysis for the year ended December 31, 2019. Our ACS, EMS, curamik® and ECD reporting units had allocated goodwill of $51.7 million, $142.0 million, $67.0 million and $2.2 million respectively, as of December 31, 2019.
Indefinite-lived other intangible assets with definite livesare tested for impairment annually and between annual impairment tests if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may be impaired. If it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived other intangible asset is impaired, then we compare the estimated fair value of that indefinite-lived other intangible asset to its respective carrying value. If an indefinite-lived other intangible asset’s carrying value is greater than its fair value, then an impairment charge is recognized for the excess and charged to operations. Consistent with historical practice, the annual impairment test on these reporting units was performed as of November 30, 2019. The application of the annual indefinite-lived other intangible asset impairment test requires significant judgment, including the determination of fair value of each indefinite-lived other intangible asset. Fair value is primarily based on income approaches using discounted cash flow models, which have significant assumptions. Such assumptions are subject to variability from year to year and are directly impacted by global market conditions. There were no impairment charges resulting from our indefinite-lived other intangible assets impairment analysis for the year ended December 31, 2019. The curamik® reporting unit had an indefinite-lived other intangible asset of $4.4 million as of December 31, 2019.
Definite-lived other intangible assets are tested for recoverability whenever conditions exist thatevents or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The recoverability test involves comparing the estimated sum of the undiscounted cash flows for each definite-lived other intangible asset to its respective carrying value. If a definite-lived other intangible asset’s carrying value




Goodwill is assessed for impairment by comparinggreater than the net booksum of its undiscounted cash flows, then the definite-lived other intangible asset’s carrying value of a reporting unitis compared to its estimated fair value.value and an impairment charge is recognized for the excess and charged to operations. The application of the recoverability test requires significant judgment, including the identification of the asset group and determination of undiscounted cash flows and fair value of the underlying definite-lived other intangible asset. Determination of undiscounted cash flows requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including certain financial projections. Fair values are estimatedvalue is primarily based on income approaches using a discounted cash flow methodology. The determination of discounted cash flows is based on the reporting unit’s strategic plans and long-term operating forecasts. The revenue growth rates included in the plans are management’s best estimates based on current and forecasted market conditions, and the profit marginmodels, which have significant assumptions. Such assumptions are projectedsubject to variability from year to year and are directly impacted by each segment based onglobal market conditions. There were no impairment charges resulting from our definite-lived other intangible assets impairment analysis for the current cost structureyear ended December 31, 2019. Our ACS, EMS and expected strategic changes to the cost structure.

Purchased or acquired patents, covenants-not-to-compete, customer relationshipscuramik® reporting units had definite-lived other intangible assets of $4.7 million, $140.4 million and licensed technology are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line over their estimated useful lives.

$9.5 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2019.
Environmental and Product Liabilities

We accrue for our environmental investigation, remediation, operating and maintenance costs when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. For environmental matters, the most likely cost to be incurred is accrued based on an evaluation of currently available facts with respect to each individual site, including existing technology, current laws and regulations and prior remediation experience. For sites with multiple potential responsible parties (PRPs), we consider our likely proportionate share of the anticipated remediation costs and the ability of the other parties to fulfill their obligations in establishing a provision for those costs. When no amount within a range of estimates is more likely to occur than another, we accrue to the low end of the range and disclose the range. When future liabilities are determined to be reimbursable by insurance coverage, an accrual is recorded for the potential liability and a receivable is recorded for the estimated insurance reimbursement amount. We are exposed to the uncertain nature inherent in such remediation and the possibility that initial estimates will not reflect the final outcome of a matter.

We periodically perform a formal analysisreview our asbestos-related projections annually in the fourth quarter of each year unless facts and circumstances materially change during the year, at which time we would analyze these projections. We believe the assumptions made on the potential exposure and expected insurance coverage are reasonable at the present time, but are subject to determine potentialuncertainty based on the actual future liabilityoutcome of our asbestos litigation. Our estimates of asbestos-related contingent liabilities and related insurance coverage for asbestos-related matters. Projecting future asbestos costs is subject toreceivables are based on an independent actuarial analysis and an independent insurance usage analysis prepared annually by third parties. The actuarial analysis contains numerous variables that are extremely difficult to predict,assumptions, including the number of claims that might be received, the type and severity of the disease alleged by each claimant, the long latency period associated with asbestos exposure, dismissal rates, average indemnity costs, average defense costs, costs of medical treatment, the financial resources of other companies that are co-defendants in claims, uncertainties surrounding the litigation process from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and from case to case, and the impact of potential changes in legislative or judicial standards, including potential tort reform. Furthermore, any predictions with respect to these variablesassumptions are subject to even greater uncertainty as the projection period lengthens.

The insurance usage analysis considers, among other things, applicable deductibles, retentions and policy limits, the solvency and historical payment experience of various insurance carriers, the likelihood of recovery as estimated by external legal counsel and existing insurance settlements.
We believe the assumptions used in our models for determining our potential exposure and related insurance coverage are reasonable at the present time, but such assumptions are inherently uncertain. Given the inherent uncertainty in making projections, we plan to re-examine periodically the assumptions used in the projections of current and future asbestos claims, and we will update them if needed based on our experience, changes in the assumptions underlying our models, and other relevant factors, such as changes in the tort system. Our accrued asbestos liabilities may not approximate our actual asbestos-related indemnity and defense costs, and our accrued insurance recoveries may not be realized. We determinedbelieve that a ten-year projection periodit is appropriate asreasonably possible that we have experiencemay incur additional charges for our asbestos liabilities and defense costs in addressing asbestos related lawsuits over the last few years to use as a baseline to project the liability over ten years. However, we do not believe we have sufficient data to justify a longer projection period at this time.

future that could exceed existing reserves and insurance recoveries.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Management believes that the carrying values of financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value based on the maturities of these instruments. The fair valuesvalue of our long-term debtborrowings under credit facility are determined using discounted cash flows based upon our estimated current interest cost for similar type borrowings or current market value, which falls under Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. TheBased on our credit characteristics as of December 31, 2019, borrowings would generally bear interest at London interbank offered rate (LIBOR) plus 137.5 basis points. As the current borrowings under the Third Amended Credit Agreement bear interest at adjusted 1-month LIBOR plus 137.5 basis points, we believe the carrying valuesvalue of our borrowings approximates fair value. For additional information on the calculation of fair value measurements, refer to “Note 2 – Fair Value Measurements.”
Hedging Transactions and Derivative Financial Instruments
From time to time, we use derivative instruments to manage commodity, interest rate and foreign currency exposures. Derivative instruments are viewed as risk management tools and are not used for trading or speculative purposes. To qualify for hedge accounting treatment, derivatives used for hedging purposes must be designated and deemed effective as a hedge of the long-term debt approximateidentified underlying risk exposure at the inception of the contract. Accordingly, changes in fair market value.value of the derivative contract must be


highly correlated with changes in the fair value of the underlying hedged item at inception of the hedge and over the life of the hedge contract.
Derivatives used to hedge forecasted cash flows associated with interest rates, foreign currency commitments, or forecasted commodity purchases are accounted for as cash flow hedges. For those derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting treatment, if the hedge is highly effective, all changes in the fair value of the derivative hedging instrument are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). The derivative hedging instrument will be reclassified to earnings when the hedged item impacts earnings. For those derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, any related gains and losses are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations as a component of “Other income (expense), net.” For additional information, refer to “Note 3 – Hedging Transactions and Derivative Financial Instruments.”
Concentration of Credit and Investment Risk

We extend credit on an uncollateralized basis to almost all customers. Concentration of credit and geographic risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited due to the large number and general dispersion of accounts that constitute our customer base. We routinely perform credit evaluations on our customers. AtAs of December 31, 20162019 and 2015,2018, there were no customers that individually accounted for more than ten percent10% of total accounts receivable. We have purchased credit insurance coverage for certain accounts receivable. We did not0t experience significant credit losses on customers’ accounts in 2016, 20152019, 2018 or 2014.2017.
We are subject to credit and market risk by using derivative instruments. If a counterparty fails to fulfill its performance obligations under a derivative contract, our credit risk will equal the fair value of the derivative instrument. We seek to minimize counterparty credit (or repayment) risk by entering into derivative transactions with major financial institutions with investment grade credit ratings.

We invest excess cash principally in investment grade government securities and time deposits. We have established guidelines relative to diversification and maturities in order to maintain safety and liquidity. These guidelines are periodically reviewed and modified to reflect changes in market conditions.



Income Taxes

We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and in numerous foreign jurisdictions. The Company accountsWe account for income taxes following ASCAccounting Standards Codification (ASC) 740, (Accounting for Income Taxes)Taxes, recognizing deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between book and tax basis of recorded assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.
U.S. income taxesWe did not make any changes in 2019 to our position on the permanent reinvestment of our historical earnings from foreign operations. With the exception of certain of our Chinese subsidiaries, we continue to assert that historical foreign earnings are indefinitely reinvested. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we recorded a deferred tax liability of $1.6 million and $1.8 million, respectively, for Chinese withholding tax on undistributed earnings that are not indefinitely reinvested. The other remaining foreign subsidiaries have not been provided on $210.9both the intent and ability to indefinitely reinvest their undistributed earnings and we expect that these undistributed earnings may give rise to an estimated $3.5 million of undistributed earningsadditional tax liabilities as a result of foreign subsidiaries since it is the Company’s intention to permanently reinvest such earnings or to repatriate them only when it is tax efficient to do so. It is impracticable to estimate the total tax liability, if any, that would be created by the future distribution of thesesuch earnings. If circumstances change and it becomes apparent that some, or all of the undistributed earnings as of December 31, 20162019 will not be indefinitely reinvested, the provision for the tax consequences, if any, will be recorded in the period when circumstances change. Distributions out of current and future earnings are permissible to fund discretionary activities such as business acquisitions. However, when distributions are made, this could result in a higher effective tax rate.
We record benefits for uncertain tax positions based on an assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained by the taxing authorities. If this threshold is not met, no tax benefit of the uncertain position is recognized. If the threshold is met, we recognize the largest amount of the tax benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement.
We recognize interest and penalties within the income“Income tax expenseexpense” line item in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Accrued interest and penalties are included within the related tax liability line item in the consolidated statements of financial position.
Revenue Recognition

Recognition of revenue occurs when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the providing entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. We recognize revenue when all of the following criteria are met: (1) we have entered into a binding agreement, (2) the product has shipped and title and risk of ownershipperformance obligations have passed,been identified, (3) the salestransaction price to the customer is fixed or determinable,has been determined, (4) the transaction price has been allocated to the performance obligations in the contract, and (4) collectability is reasonably assured. We consider that(5) the criteria for revenue recognitionperformance obligations have been met upon shipment of the finished product, based on thesatisfied. The majority of our shipping terms.terms permit us to recognize revenue at point of shipment. Some shipping terms require the goods to be cleared through customs or be received by the customer before title passes. In those instances, revenue is not recognized until either the customer has received the goods or they have passed through customs, depending on the circumstances. As appropriate, we record estimated reductions to revenue for customer returnsShipping and allowances and warranty claims. Provisions for such allowanceshandling costs are made attreated as fulfillment costs. Sales tax or VAT are excluded from the timemeasurement of sale and are typically derived from historical trends and other relevant information. See further discussion in Note 19, “Recent Accounting Standards” to “Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”the transaction price.

Shipping and Handling Charges

Costs that we incur for shipping and handling charges are charged to “Cost of sales” and payments received from our customers for shipping and handling charges are included in “Net sales” on our consolidated statements of operations.


Pension and Retiree Health Care and Life InsuranceOther Postretirement Benefits

We provide various defined benefit pension plans for our U.S. employees and we sponsor multiple fully insured or self-funded medical plans and fully insured life insurance plans for retirees. In 2013, the defined benefit pension plans were frozen, so that future benefits no longer accrue. The costs and obligations associated with these plans are dependent upon various actuarial assumptions used in calculating such amounts. These assumptions include discount rates, long-term raterates of return on plan assets, mortality rates, and other factors. The assumptions used in these models are determined as follows: (i) the discount rate used is based on the PruCurve bond index; (ii) the long-term rate of return on plan assets is determined based on historical portfolio results, market resultsconditions and our expectations of future returns, as well as current market assumptions related to long-term return rates;returns; and (iii) the mortality rate is based on a mortality projection that estimates current longevity rates and their impact on the long-term plan obligations. We determine these assumptions based on consultation with outside actuaries and investment advisors. Any changes in these assumptions could have a significant impact on future recognized pension costs, assets and liabilities. We review these assumptions periodically throughout the year and update as necessary.



Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forthWe are required, as an employer, to: (a) recognize in our consolidated statements of financial position an asset for a plan’s overfunded status or a liability for a plan’s underfunded status; (b) measure a plan’s assets and a plan’s obligations that determine our funded status as of the computationend of basicthe year; and diluted earnings per share:
 Years Ended December 31,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)2016 2015 2014
Numerator:     
Net income$48,283
 $46,320
 $53,412
Denominator:     
Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic17,991
 18,371
 18,177
Effect of dilutive shares232
 309
 521
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted18,223
 18,680
 18,698
Basic earnings per share:$2.68
 $2.52
 $2.94
Diluted earnings per share:$2.65
 $2.48
 $2.86

Certain potential options to purchase shares were excluded from(c) recognize changes in the calculationfunded status of diluted weighted-average shares outstanding becausea defined benefit postretirement plan in the exercise price was greater thanyear in which the average market price of our capital stock during the year. For 2015, 44,350 shares were excluded. No shares were excludedchanges occur and report these changes in 2016 and 2014.

Hedging Activity

From time to time, we use derivative instruments to manage commodity, interest rate and foreign currency exposures. Derivative instruments are viewed as risk management tools andaccumulated other comprehensive loss. In addition, actuarial losses (gains) that are not used for trading or speculative purposes. To qualify for hedge accounting treatment, derivatives used for hedging purposes must be designated and deemed effectiveimmediately recognized as net periodic pension cost (credit) are recognized as a hedgecomponent of accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) and amortized into net periodic pension cost (credit) in future periods.
Investments were stated at fair value as of the identified underlying risk exposuredates reported. Securities traded on a national securities exchange were valued at the inceptionlast reported sales price on the last business day of the contract. Accordingly, changes inplan year. Fixed-income bonds were valued using price evaluations provided by independent pricing services. The fair value of the derivative contract must be highly correlated with changes in theguaranteed deposit account was determined through discounting expected future investment cash flow from both investment income and repayment of principal for each investment purchased. The estimated fair valuevalues of the underlying hedged item at inceptionparticipation units owned by the plan in pooled separate accounts were based on quoted redemption values and adjusted for management fees and asset charges, as determined by the recordkeeper, on the last business day of the hedge and overrelevant plan year. Pooled separate accounts are accounts established solely for the lifepurpose of investing the hedge contract.

Derivatives used to hedge forecasted cash flows associated with foreign currency commitmentsassets of one or forecasted commodity purchases are accounted for as cash flow hedges. For those derivative instruments that qualify for hedge accounting treatment, gains and losses are recorded in other comprehensive income and reclassified to earningsmore plans. Funds in a manner that matches the timing of the earnings impact of the hedged transactions. The ineffective portion of all hedges, if any, is recognized currently in earnings. For those derivative instruments that doseparate account are not qualifycommingled with other Company assets for hedge accounting treatment, any related gains and losses are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations as a component of “Other income (expense), net.”

investment purposes.
Advertising Costs

Advertising iscosts are expensed as incurred and amounted to $3.0$3.6 million, $3.8 million and $4.4 million for 2016, $3.2 million for 2015the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and $3.3 million for 2014.2017, respectively.

Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and all dilutive potential common shares outstanding.
Equity Compensation

Stock-basedEquity compensation is comprisedmainly consists of expense related to restricted stock units and deferred stock options. units.
Performance-based restricted stock unit compensation expense is based on achievement of certain performanceboth market and service conditions. The fair value of these awards is determined based on a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model on the grant date. We recognize compensation expense on all of these awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period with no changes for final projected payout of the awards.
Time-based restricted stock unit compensation expense is based on the achievement of only service conditions. The fair value of these awards is determined based on the market value of the underlying stock price aton the grant date. We recognize compensation expense on all of these awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
Deferred stock units, which are granted to non-management directors, are fully vested on the date of grant and the related shares are generally issued on the 13-month anniversary of the grant date and markedunless the director elects to market overdefer the vesting period based on probabilities and projectionsreceipt of the underlying performance measures.

Time-based restricted stock units compensation is expensed over the vesting period, which is typically three years.those shares. The fair value of thethese awards is determined based on the market value of the underlying stock price aton the grant date.

Stock option fair value The compensation related to these grants is measured at the grant date, basedexpensed immediately on the grant-date fair valuedate of the awards ultimately expected to vest and, in most cases, is recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, which is typically four years. A provision in our stock option agreements requires us to accelerate the expense for retirement eligible employees, as any unvested options would immediately vest upon retirement for such employees. We develop estimates used in calculating the grant-date fair value of stock options to determine the amount of stock-based compensation to be recorded. We calculate the grant-date fair value using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The use of this valuation model requires estimates of assumptions such as expected volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rate, expected dividend yield and forfeiture rates.




grant.



NOTENote 2 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTSFair Value Measurements
The accounting guidance for fair value measurements establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value.
Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
From time to time we enter into various instruments that require fair value measurement, including foreign currency contracts, copper derivative contracts and interest rate swaps and copper derivative contracts. Assetsswaps. Derivative instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized by the level of inputs used in the valuation, include:
Derivative Instruments at Fair Value as of December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)As of
December 31, 2016
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
Total(1)
Foreign currency contracts$(170) $
 $(170) $
$
 $(6) $
 $(6)
Copper derivative contracts$1,277
 $
 $1,277
 $
$
 $1,147
 $
 $1,147
Interest rate swap$
 $
 $
 $
Interest rate swap contract$
 $(1,254) $
 $(1,254)
Derivative Instruments at Fair Value as of December 31, 2018
(Dollars in thousands)As of
December 31, 2015
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 
Total(1)
Foreign currency contracts$(78) $
 $(78) $
$
 $522
 $
 $522
Copper derivative contracts$193
 $
 $193
 $
$
 $583
 $
 $583
Interest rate swap$(18) $
 $(18) $
Interest rate swap contract$
 $461
 $
 $461
(1) All balances were recorded in the “Other current assets” or “Other accrued liabilities” line items in the consolidated statements of financial position, except the 2019 and 2018 interest rate swap balance, which was recorded in the “Other long-term liabilities” and “Other long-term assets” line items, respectively, in the consolidated statements of financial position.
For further discussionadditional information on our derivative contracts, see refer to “Note 3 “Hedging– Hedging Transactions and Derivative Financial Instruments.Instruments.


NOTENote 3 – HEDGING TRANSACTIONS AND DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTSHedging Transactions and Derivative Financial Instruments
We are exposed to certain risks related to our ongoing business operations. The primary risks being managed through theour use of derivative instruments are foreign currency exchange rate risk, and commodity pricing risk (primarily related to copper). We previously hedged our and interest rate risk through use of an interest rate swap, which expired as of June 30, 2016.risk. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The valuation of derivative contracts used to manage each of these risks is described below:
Foreign Currency - The fair value of any foreign currency option derivative is based upon valuation models applied to current market information such as strike price, spot rate, maturity date and volatility, and by reference to market values resulting from an over-the-counter market or obtaining market data for similar instruments with similar characteristics.
Commodity - The fair value of copper derivatives is computed using a combination of intrinsic and time value valuation models. The intrinsic valuation model reflects the difference between the strike price of the underlying copper derivative instrument and the current prevailing copper prices in an over-the-counter market at period end. The time value valuation model incorporates the constant changes in the price of the underlying copper derivative instrument, the time value of money, the underlying copper derivative instrument’s strike price and the remaining time to the underlying copper derivative instrument’s expiration date from the period end date. Overall, fair value is a function of five primary variables: price of the underlying instrument, time to expiration, strike price, interest rate, and volatility.
Interest Rates - The fair value of any interest rate swap instruments is derived by comparing the present value of the interest rate forward curve against the present value of the swap rate, relative to the notional amount of the swap. The net value represents the estimated amount we would receive or pay to terminate such agreements. Settlement amounts for an “in the money” swap would be adjusted down to compensate the counterparty for cost of funds, and the adjustment would be directly related to the counterparty’s credit ratings.
Foreign Currency – The fair value of any foreign currency option derivative is based upon valuation models applied to current market information such as strike price, spot rate, maturity date and volatility, and by reference to market values resulting from an over-the-counter market or obtaining market data for similar instruments with similar characteristics.
Commodity The fair value of copper derivatives is computed using a combination of intrinsic and time value valuation models, which are collectively a function of five primary variables: price of the underlying instrument, time to expiration, strike price, interest rate and volatility. The intrinsic valuation model reflects the difference between the strike price of the underlying copper derivative instrument and the current prevailing copper prices in an over-the-counter market at period end. The time value valuation model incorporates changes in the price of the underlying copper derivative instrument, the time value of money, the underlying copper derivative instrument’s strike price and the remaining time to the underlying copper derivative instrument’s expiration date from the period end date.
Interest Rates– The fair value of interest rate swap instruments is derived by comparing the present value of the interest rate forward curve against the present value of the swap rate, relative to the notional amount of the swap. The net value represents the estimated amount we would receive or pay to terminate the agreements. Settlement amounts for an “in the money” swap would be adjusted down to compensate the counterparty for cost of funds, and the adjustment is directly related to the counterparties’ credit ratings.



The guidance for the accounting and disclosure of derivatives and hedging transactions requires companies to recognize all of their derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in the consolidated statements of financial position. The accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies for hedge accounting treatment as defined under the applicable accounting guidance. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify for hedge accounting treatment as cash flow hedges (i.e., hedging the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that is attributable to a particular risk), the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). This gain or loss is reclassified into earnings in the same line item of the consolidated statements of operations associated with the forecasted transaction and in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The remaining gain or loss on the derivative instrument in excess of the cumulative change in the present value of the future cash flows of the hedged item (i.e., the ineffective portion) if any, is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations during the current period. As of December 31, 2016, we did not have any contracts that are designated2019 and qualify for hedge accounting treatment. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had contracts outstanding that qualify2018, only our interest rate swap qualified for hedge accounting treatment as a cash flow hedge, and therethe hedge was no hedge ineffectiveness.highly effective.
Foreign Currency
In 2016,2019, we entered into Hungarian Forint,U.S. dollar, Korean won, Japanese Yen,yen, euro, Chinese yuan and Korean WonChinese renminbi forward contracts. We entered into these foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate certain global transactional exposures. These contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. As a result, theany fair value adjustments forrequired on these contracts are recorded in other“Other income (expense), netnet” in our consolidated statements of operations.operations in the period in which the adjustment occurred.
As of December 31, 20162019 the notional values of these foreign currency forward contracts were:were as follows:
Notional Values of Foreign Currency Derivatives
USD/KRWKRW/USD10,537,789,00010,413,450,000

USD/CNY$17,131,000
EUR/JPYUSD13,408,000
JPY/EUR¥309,000,000125,000,000
EUR/HUFFt169,000,000


Commodity
As of December 31, 2016,2019, we had twenty-eight30 outstanding contracts to hedge our exposure related to the purchase of copper byin our Power Electronics SolutionsPES and Advanced Connectivity SolutionsACS operating segments. These contracts are held with financial institutions and minimize our risk associated with a potential rise in copper prices. These contracts are intended to provide coverage over the forecasted 2017 monthlyoffset rising copper exposureprices and do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. As a result, any fair value adjustments required on these contracts are recorded in “Other“Other income (expense), net” in our consolidatedconsolidated statements of operations. operations in the period in which the adjustment occurred.
As of December 31, 2016,2019, the notional valuesvolume of our copper contracts outstanding were:were as follows:
Notional ValueVolume of Copper Derivatives
January 20172020 - March 20172020122202 metric tons per month
April 20172020 - June 20172020122202 metric tons per month
July 20172020 - September 20172020122201 metric tons per month
October 20172020 - December 20172020122201 metric tons per month
January 2021 - March 2021256 metric tons per month

Interest Rates
In July 2012,March 2017, we entered into an interest rate swap to hedge the variable interest rate on $75.0 million of our term loan debt.$450.0 million revolving credit facility. This swap expiredtransaction has been designated as of June 30, 2016.a cash flow hedge and qualifies for hedge accounting treatment. For additional information regarding our revolving credit facility, refer to “Note 9 – Debt.”




Effects on Financial Statements
The following table presents the impact from these instruments on the statement of Operationsoperations and Statementsstatements of Comprehensive Income (Loss):comprehensive income:
  Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)Financial Statement Line Item2019 2018 2017
Foreign Currency Contracts      
Contracts not designated as hedging instrumentsOther income (expense), net$(779) $(333) $(7)
Copper Derivatives Contracts      
Contracts not designated as hedging instrumentsOther income (expense), net$(716) $(2,101) $1,928
Interest Rate Swap Contract      
Contract designated as hedging instrumentOther comprehensive income (loss)$(1,715) $420
 $41

(Dollars in thousands)
  The Effect of Current Derivative Instruments on the Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2016
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments as of December 31, 2016
Foreign Exchange Contracts
Location Gain/(Loss)
Other Assets
(Liabilities)
Contracts not designated as hedging instruments
Other income (expense), net $(170)
$(170)
Copper Derivative Instruments
   

 
Contracts not designated as hedging instruments
Other income (expense), net $625

$1,277
(Dollars in thousands)   The Effect of Current Derivative Instruments on the Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 Fair Values of Derivative Instruments as of December 31, 2015
Foreign Exchange Contracts Location Gain/(Loss) Other Assets
(Liabilities)
Contracts not designated as hedging instruments Other income (expense), net $(78) $(78)
Copper Derivative Instruments    
  
Contracts not designated as hedging instruments Other income (expense), net $(666) $193
Interest Rate Swap Instrument      
Contracts designated as hedging instruments Other income (expense), net $126
 $(18)




NOTENote 4 - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)– Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)loss by component for each of the yearfiscal years in the two-year period ended December 31, 20162019 were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)Foreign currency translation adjustments Funded status of pension plans and other postretirement benefits (1) Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments (2) Total
Beginning Balance December 31, 2015$(41,365) $(47,082) $(11) $(88,458)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications(5,081) 
 
 (5,081)
Actuarial net gain (loss) incurred in the fiscal year
 1,106
 
 1,106
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
 160
 11
 171
Net current-period other comprehensive income(5,081) 1,266
 11
 (3,804)
Ending Balance December 31, 2016$(46,446) $(45,816) $
 $(92,262)
(Dollars and accompanying footnotes in thousands)Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments 
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits(1)
 
Derivative Instrument Designated as Cash Flow Hedge(2)
 Total
Balance as of December 31, 2017$(17,983) $(47,198) $26
 $(65,155)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications(12,505) (1,678) 519
 (13,664)
Amounts reclassified to earnings
 176
 (191) (15)
Net other comprehensive income (loss) for period(12,505) (1,502) 328
 (13,679)
Balance as of December 31, 2018(30,488) (48,700) 354
 (78,834)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications(4,990) (6,079) (1,171) (12,240)
Amounts reclassified to earnings
 44,324
 (155) 44,169
Net other comprehensive income (loss) for period(4,990) 38,245
 (1,326) 31,929
Balance as of December 31, 2019$(35,478) $(10,455) $(972) $(46,905)
(1) Net of taxes of $9,160$2,368, $9,984 and $9,879$9,563 for the years ended December 31, 20162019, 2018 and December 31, 2015,2017, respectively.
(2) Net of taxes of $0$282, ($106) and $5($15) for the years ended December 31, 20162019, 2018 and December 31, 2015,2017, respectively.

The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component forimpacts to the year ended December 31, 2015consolidated statements of operations related to items reclassified to earnings were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)Foreign currency translation adjustments Funded status of pension plans and other postretirement benefits (3) Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments (4) Total
Beginning Balance December 31, 2014$(14,193) $(50,808) $(93) $(65,094)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications(27,172) 
 (2) (27,174)
Actuarial net gain (loss) incurred in the fiscal year
 2,760
 
 2,760
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
 966
 84
 1,050
Net current-period other comprehensive income(27,172) 3,726
 82
 (23,364)
Ending Balance December 31, 2015$(41,365) $(47,082) $(11) $(88,458)
  Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)Financial Statement Line Item2019 2018
Amortization/settlement of pension and other postretirement benefits    
 Pension settlement charges$(53,213) $
 
Other income (expense), net(1)
(504) (227)
 Income tax (expense) benefit9,393
 51
 Net income$(44,324) $(176)
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instrument(2)
    
 Other income (expense), net$200
 $247
 Income tax (expense) benefit(45) (56)
 Net income$155
 $191
(3) Net of taxes of $9,879 and $11,952 for the periods ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
(4) Net of taxes of $5 and $50 for the periods ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.




The reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2016 were as follows:
Details about accumulated other comprehensive income componentsAmounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the period ended December 31, 2016Affected line item in the statement where net income is presented
Unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments:  
 $16
Other income (expense), net
 (5)Income tax expense
 $11
Net of tax
Amortization of defined benefit pension and other post-retirement benefit items:

Actuarial losses (gains)$246
Total before tax (5)
 (86)Income tax expense
 $160
Net of tax
(5)(1) These accumulated other comprehensive incomeloss components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See For additional details, refer to “Note 10 - “Pension11 – Pension Benefits, Other Postretirement Benefits and Retirement HealthEmployee Savings and Life Insurance Benefits” for additional details.Investment Plan.”

The reclassifications out(2) This relates to the derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge and held as of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) forthe end of the year ended December 31, 2015 were as follows:
Details about accumulated other comprehensive income componentsAmounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the period ended December 31, 2015Affected line item in the statement where net income is presented
Unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments:  
 $129
Realized gain (loss)
 (45)Income tax expense
 $84
Net of tax
Amortization of defined benefit pension and other post-retirement benefit items:  
Actuarial losses (gains)$1,486
Total before tax (6)
 (520)Income tax expense
 $966
Net of tax
(6) These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 10 - “Pension Benefits and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans” for additional details.

each year presented.
NOTE 5 - ACQUISITIONS

DeWAL
On November 23, 2016, we acquired all of the membership interests in DeWAL Industries (“DeWAL”), pursuant to the terms of the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated November 23, 2016, by and among the Company and the members of DeWAL Industries LLC (the “DeWAL Purchase Agreement”) for an aggregate purchase price of $135.5 million.
We used borrowings of $136.0 million under our credit facility to fund the acquisition.
DeWAL is a leading manufacturer of polytetrafluoroethylene and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene films, pressure sensitive tapes and specialty products for the industrial, aerospace, automotive, and electronics markets.


The acquisition has been accounted for in accordance with applicable purchase accounting guidance. We recorded goodwill, primarily related to the expected synergies from combining operations and the value of the existing workforce. We also recorded intangible assets primarily related to trademarks, developed technology and customer relationships. As of the filing date of this Form 10-K, the final purchase accounting and purchase price allocation for the DeWAL acquisition are substantially complete; however, we continue to refine our preliminary valuation of certain acquired assets such as intangible assets. The following table represents the preliminary fair values assigned to the acquired assets and liabilities in the transaction:

(Dollars in thousands)November 23, 2016
Assets: 
Cash and cash equivalents$1,539
Accounts receivable7,513
Other current assets691
Inventory9,915
Property, plant & equipment9,929
Intangible assets73,500
Goodwill35,638
Other long-term assets221
Total assets138,946
  
Liabilities: 
Accounts payable2,402
Other current liabilities1,062
Total liabilities3,464
  
Fair value of net assets acquired$135,482


The intangible assets consist of customer relationships valued at $46.7 million, developed technology valued at $22.0 million, trademarks valued at $4.3 million, and a covenant not to compete valued at $0.5 million. The fair value of acquired identified intangible assets was determined by applying the income approach, using several significant unobservable inputs for projected cash flows and a discount rate. These inputs are considered Level 3 under the fair value measurements and disclosure guidance.
The weighted average amortization period for the intangible asset classes are 9.6 years for customer relationships, 6.3 years for developed technology, 3.4 years for trademarks and 2.5 years for a covenant not to compete, resulting in amortization expenses ranging from $5.2 million to $5.3 million, annually. The future estimated annual amortization expense is $5.3 million for each of the years ending 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, and $5.2 million in 2021.
During 2016, we incurred transaction costs of $2.1 million related to this acquisition, which were recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.
The results of DeWAL have been included in our consolidated financial statements only for the period subsequent to the completion of our acquisition. During this period, net sales attributable to DeWAL totaled $5.4 million and operating income attributable to DeWAL totaled $2.0 million.

Arlon
On January 22, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Arlon and its subsidiaries, other than Arlon India (Pvt) Limited (collectively, “Arlon”), pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated December 18, 2014, by and among the Company, Handy & Harman Group, Ltd. (“H&H Group”) and its subsidiary Bairnco Corporation (“Bairnco”), as amended, (the “Arlon Purchase Agreement”).
Pursuant to the terms of the Arlon Purchase Agreement, we acquired Arlon and assumed certain liabilities related to the acquisition for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $157.0 million. We used borrowings of $125.0 million under our bank credit facility in addition to cash on hand to fund the acquisition.
Arlon manufactures high performance materials for the printed circuit board industry and silicone rubber-based materials.


The acquisition has been accounted for in accordance with applicable purchase accounting guidance. We recorded goodwill, primarily related to the expected synergies from combining operations and the value of the existing workforce. We also recorded intangible assets related to trademarks, technology and customer relationships. As of the filing date of this Form 10-K, the process of valuing the net assets of the business is complete. The following table represents the fair market values assigned to the acquired assets and liabilities in the transaction:
(Dollars in thousands)January 22, 2015
Assets: 
Cash$142
Accounts receivable17,301
Other current assets856
Inventory9,916
Deferred income tax assets, current1,084
Property, plant & equipment30,667
Intangible assets50,020
Goodwill85,565
Other long-term assets106
Total assets195,657
  
Liabilities: 
Accounts payable4,958
Other current liabilities4,385
Deferred tax liability23,225
Other long-term liabilities4,540
Total liabilities37,108
  
Fair value of net assets acquired$158,549

The intangible assets consist of developed technology valued at $15.8 million, customer relationships valued at $32.7 million and trademarks valued at $1.6 million. The fair value of acquired identified intangible assets was determined by applying the income approach, using several significant unobservable inputs for projected cash flows and a discount rate. These inputs are considered Level 3 under the fair value measurements and disclosure guidance.
The weighted average amortization period for the intangible asset classes are 5.7 years for developed technology, 6.0 years for customer relationships and 3.2 years for trademarks, resulting in amortization expenses ranging from $1.8 million to $5.8 million annually. The estimated annual future amortization expense is $5.8 million for each of the years ending 2017, 2018 and 2019.
During 2015, we incurred transaction costs of $1.5 million related to the Arlon acquisition, which were recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.
The results of Arlon have been included in our consolidated financial statements only for the period subsequent to the completion of our acquisition. During the year ended December 31, 2015, net sales attributable to Arlon totaled $100.0 million and operating income attributable to Arlon totaled $25.1 million.
On December 21, 2015 we sold an Arlon business, which makes polyimide and thermoset epoxy laminate products. This operation was acquired as part of our acquisition of Arlon. The operations were previously reported with our Other business. We received proceeds of $1.3 million and recognized a loss of $4.8 million, which was recorded in “Other income (expense), net” within the consolidated statements of operations.



Pro Forma Financial Information
The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the combined results of operations of Rogers, DeWAL and Arlon, as if the DeWAL acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2015 and the Arlon acquisition occurred on January 1, 2014. The unaudited pro forma financial information is not intended to represent or be indicative of our consolidated results of operations that would have been reported had the DeWAL and Arlon acquisitions been completed as of January 1, 2015 and January 1, 2014, respectively, and should not be taken as indicative of our future consolidated results of operations.
(Dollars in thousands)Year Ended December 31, 2016Year Ended December 31, 2015Year Ended December 31, 2014
Net sales$703,603
$693,462
$714,303
Net income47,556
40,559
63,751

NOTE 6 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENTNote 5 – Property, Plant and Equipment
 As of December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2016 2015
Land$15,855
 $16,726
Buildings and improvements138,493
 141,082
Machinery and equipment220,238
 191,459
Office equipment54,013
 42,696
 428,599
 391,963
Accumulated depreciation(259,178) (237,150)
Property, plant and equipment, net169,421
 154,813
Equipment in process7,495
 23,848
Total property, plant and equipment, net$176,916
 $178,661

In the fourth quarter of 2016, we signed an agreement to sell vacant land located in Evergem, Belgium for $1.6 million. The land has a book value of $0.9 million. We expect the transaction to close in the first quarter of 2017. The land is classified as held for saleOur “Property, plant and equipment, net” line item in the consolidated statements of financial position asconsisted of December 31, 2016.the following:
 As of December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018
Land$21,697
 $21,525
Buildings and improvements165,968
 175,279
Machinery and equipment281,771
 256,301
Office equipment68,349
 64,886
Property plant and equipment, gross537,785
 517,991
Accumulated depreciation(341,119) (317,414)
Property, plant and equipment, net196,666
 200,577
Equipment in process63,580
 42,182
Total property, plant and equipment, net$260,246
 $242,759

Depreciation expense was $26.6$31.4 million in 2016, $23.22019, $33.5 million in 2015,2018 and $20.1$29.3 million in 2014.2017. Additionally, we recognized $1.5 million of impairment charges in both 2019 and 2018, respectively, primarily relating to certain assets from the Isola asset acquisition.



NOTE 7Note 6GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill
On November 23, 2016, we acquired DeWAL. For further detail on the goodwill and intangible assets recorded on the acquisition date, see Note 5 - Acquisitions. The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the period ending December 31, 2016,2019, by reportableoperating segment, were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)Advanced Connectivity Solutions Elastomeric Material Solutions Power Electronics Solutions Other Total
December 31, 2018$51,694
 $142,588
 $68,379
 $2,224
 $264,885
Foreign currency translation adjustment
 (558) (1,397) 
 (1,955)
December 31, 2019$51,694
 $142,030
 $66,982
 $2,224
 $262,930

(Dollars in thousands)Advanced Connectivity Solutions Elastomeric Material Solutions Power Electronics Solutions Other Total
December 31, 2015$51,931
 $56,269
 $65,029
 $2,224
 $175,453
Arlon adjustment(238) 
 
 
 (238)
DeWAL acquisition
 35,638
 
 
 35,638
Foreign currency translation adjustment
 (376) (2,046) 
 (2,422)
December 31, 2016$51,693
 $91,531
 $62,983
 $2,224
 $208,431

Annual Impairment Testing

We perform our annual goodwill impairment testing in the fourth quarter of the year. In 2016, we estimated the fair value of our reporting units using an income approach based on the present value of future cash flows. We believe this approach yields the most appropriate evidence of fair value as our reporting units are not easily compared to other corporations involved in similar businesses. We further believe that the assumptions and rates used in our annual impairment test are reasonable, but inherently uncertain.

We currently have four reporting units with goodwill - ACS, EMS, curamik® and the Elastomer Components Division (ECD). No impairment charges resulted from this analysis. The excess of fair value over carrying value for ACS, EMS, curamik® and ECD was 281.6%, 76.0%, 75.8% and 225.7%, respectively. These valuations are based on a five year discounted cash flow analysis, which utilized discount rates ranging from 12.0% for ACS to 12.9% for curamik® and a terminal year growth rate of 3% for all four reporting units. The ACS, EMS, curamik® and ECD reporting units had allocated goodwill of approximately $51.7 million, $91.5 million, $63.0 million and $2.2 million, respectively, at December 31, 2016.
Other Intangible Assets
The changes in the carrying amount of other intangible assets for the two-year period ending December 31, 2016,2019, were as follows:

 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
(Dollars in thousands)Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount
Customer relationships$149,317
 $39,018
 $110,299
 $149,753
 $30,078
 $119,675
Technology80,938
 45,190
 35,748
 81,535
 38,624
 42,911
Trademarks and trade names11,994
 4,361
 7,633
 12,019
 3,213
 8,806
Covenants not to compete1,340
 505
 835
 1,340
 249
 1,091
Total definite-lived other intangible assets243,589
 89,074
 154,515
 244,647
 72,164
 172,483
Indefinite-lived other intangible asset4,432
 
 4,432
 4,525
 
 4,525
Total other intangible assets$248,021
 $89,074
 $158,947
 $249,172
 $72,164
 $177,008
 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
(Dollars in thousands)Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount
Trademarks and patents$6,825
 $1,156
 $5,669
 $2,543
 $718
 $1,825
Developed technology68,880
 24,365
 44,515
 47,724
 19,681
 28,043
Covenant-not-to-compete1,419
 932
 487
 943
 943
 
Customer relationships96,148
 14,311
 81,837
 49,948
 9,100
 40,848
Total definite lived intangible assets173,272
 40,764
 132,508
 101,158
 30,442
 70,716
Indefinite lived intangible assets4,168
 
 4,168
 4,303
 
 4,303
Total intangible assets$177,440
 $40,764
 $136,676
 $105,461
 $30,442
 $75,019

In the table above, gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization may differ from prior periods due to foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

The indefinite-lived trademark intangible assets were acquired in our acquisition of curamik® and are assessed for impairment annually or when changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying values may be recoverable. The definite-lived intangibles are amortized using a fair value methodology that is based on the projected economic use of the related underlying asset.


On November 23, 2016, we acquired DeWAL, and on January 22, 2015, we acquired Arlon. For further detail on the goodwill and intangible assets recorded on the acquisition, see Note 5 - Acquisitions.
In November 2015, we entered into a technology license agreement with Saber, Inc., which resulted in a $1.0 million intangible asset that is being amortized on a straight-line basis over 5 years.
Amortization expense was approximately $11.2$17.8 million, $10.9$16.5 million and $6.1$14.8 million in 2016, 20152019, 2018 and 2014,2017, respectively. The estimated annual future amortization expense is $15.3$14.6 million, $14.7$13.8 million, $14.3$13.3 million, $10.8$12.7 million and $9.9$11.4 million in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2021,2024, respectively. These amounts could vary based on changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
The weighted average amortization period as of December 31, 2016,2019, by definite-lived other intangible asset class, is presented in the table below:


Definite-Lived Other Intangible Asset ClassWeighted Average Remaining Amortization Period
Trademarks and patents3.4
Developed technology5.0
Customer relationships7.77.3
CovenantTechnology4.1
Trademarks and trade names4.9
Covenants not to compete2.51.6
Total definite-lived other intangible assets6.66.4




Note 7 – Earnings Per Share
NOTEBasic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and all dilutive potential common shares outstanding.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
 Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)2019 2018 2017
Numerator:     
Net income$47,319
 $87,651
 $80,459
Denominator:     
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic18,573
 18,374
 18,154
Effect of dilutive shares140
 285
 393
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted18,713
 18,659
 18,547
Basic earnings per share$2.55
 $4.77
 $4.43
Diluted earnings per share$2.53
 $4.70
 $4.34

Dilutive shares are calculated using the treasury stock method and primarily include unvested restricted stock units. Anti-dilutive shares are excluded from the calculation of diluted shares and diluted earnings per share. For 2019 and 2018, 20,520 and 36,642 shares were excluded, respectively. NaN shares were excluded in 2017.
Note 8 – SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF UNCONSOLIDATED JOINT VENTURESCapital Stock and Equity Compensation
Capital Stock
Our 2019 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan, which was approved by our shareholders in May 2019, permits the granting of restricted stock units and certain other forms of equity awards to officers and other key employees. Under this plan, we also grant each non-management director deferred stock units, which permit non-management directors to receive, at a later date, one share of Rogers capital stock for each deferred stock unit, with no payment of any consideration by the director at the time the shares were received.
Shares of capital stock reserved for possible future issuance were as follows:
 As of December 31,
 2019 2018
Shares reserved for issuance under outstanding restricted stock unit awards315,571
 413,294
Deferred compensation to be paid in stock, including deferred stock units7,681
 13,498
Additional shares reserved for issuance under Rogers Corporation 2019 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan1,063,920
 777,385
Shares reserved for issuance under the Rogers Corporation Global Stock Ownership Plan for Employees91,670
 106,344
Total1,478,842
 1,310,521

Equity Compensation
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
As of December 31, 2016,2019, we had two joint ventures,performance-based restricted stock units from 2019, 2018 and 2017 outstanding. These awards generally cliff vest at the end of a three-year measurement period. However, employees whose employment terminates during the measurement period due to death, disability, or, in certain cases, retirement may receive a pro-rata payout based on the number of days they were employed during the measurement period. Participants are eligible to be awarded shares ranging from 0% to 200% of the original award amount, based on certain defined performance measures.


The outstanding awards have one measurement criteria: the three-year total shareholder return (TSR) on our capital stock as compared to that of a specified group of peer companies. The TSR measurement criteria of the awards is considered a market condition. As such, the fair value of this measurement criteria is determined on the grant date using a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model. We recognize compensation expense on all of these awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period with no changes for final projected payout of the awards. We account for forfeitures as they occur.
Below were the assumptions used in the Monte Carlo calculation for each 50% owned, which are accountedmaterial award granted in 2019, 2018 and 2017:
 June 3, 2019 February 7, 2019 September 17, 2018 February 8, 2018 February 9, 2017
Expected volatility39.7% 36.7% 36.6% 34.8% 33.6%
Expected term (in years)2.6 2.9 3.0 3.0 3.0
Risk-free interest rate1.78% 2.43% 2.85% 2.28% 1.38%

Expected volatility – In determining expected volatility, we have considered a number of factors, including historical volatility.
Expected term – We use the vesting period of the award to determine the expected term assumption for under the equity methodMonte Carlo simulation valuation model.
Risk-free interest rate – We use an implied “spot rate” yield on U.S. Treasury Constant Maturity rates as of accounting.the grant date for our assumption of the risk-free interest rate.

Expected dividend yield – We do not currently pay dividends on our capital stock; therefore, a dividend yield of 0% was used in the Monte Carlo simulation valuation model.
A summary of activity of the outstanding performance-based restricted stock units for 2019, 2018 and 2017 is presented below:
Joint VentureLocationReportable SegmentFiscal Year-End
Rogers INOAC Corporation (RIC)JapanElastomeric Material SolutionsOctober 31
Rogers INOAC Suzhou Corporation (RIS)ChinaElastomeric Material SolutionsDecember 31
 2019 2018 2017
 Awards Outstanding Weighted-
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
 Awards Outstanding Weighted-
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
 Awards Outstanding Weighted-
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Awards outstanding as of January 1142,434
 $110.19
 169,202
 $97.16
 151,769
 $89.72
Awards granted112,160
 114.22
 75,760
 163.55
 56,147
 110.77
Stock issued(135,032) 69.10
 (81,230) 131.72
 (34,442) 86.59
Awards forfeited(12,619) 152.22
 (21,298) 114.40
 (4,272) 99.35
Awards outstanding as of December 31106,943
 $161.33
 142,434
 $110.19
 169,202
 $97.16
Equity incomeWe recognized $5.0 million, $4.4 million and $4.7 million of compensation expense related to performance-based restricted stock units for the joint venturesyears ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of $4.1December 31, 2019, there was $7.5 million $2.9of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested performance-based restricted stock units. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.9 years.
Time-Based Restricted Stock Units
As of December 31, 2019, we had time-based restricted stock unit awards from 2019, 2018 and 2017 outstanding. The outstanding awards all ratably vest on the first, second and third anniversaries of the original grant date. However, employees whose employment terminates during the measurement period due to death, disability, or, in certain cases, retirement may receive a pro-rata payout based on the number of days they were employed subsequent to the last grant anniversary date. Each time-based restricted stock unit represents a right to receive one share of the Rogers’ capital stock at the end of the vesting period. The fair value of the award is determined by the market value of the underlying stock price at the grant date. We recognize compensation expense on all of these awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. We account for forfeitures as they occur.


A summary of activity of the outstanding time-based restricted stock units for 2019, 2018 and 2017 is presented below:
 2019 2018 2017
 Awards Outstanding Weighted-
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
 Awards Outstanding Weighted-
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
 Awards Outstanding Weighted-
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Awards outstanding as of January 1117,476
 $116.10
 173,331
 $69.10
 239,189
 $57.71
Awards granted62,115
 126.92
 46,810
 143.93
 80,535
 83.17
Stock issued(68,111) 81.53
 (82,921) 84.92
 (140,208) 58.18
Awards forfeited(9,795) 116.52
 (19,744) 112.06
 (6,185) 60.70
Awards outstanding as of December 31101,685
 $122.68
 117,476
 $116.10
 173,331
 $69.10

We recognized $5.8 million, $5.6 million and $4.1$5.7 million of compensation expense related to time-based restricted stock units for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, there was $7.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested time-based restricted stock units. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.9 years.
Deferred Stock Units
We grant deferred stock units to non-management directors. These awards are fully vested on the date of grant and the related shares are generally issued on the 13-month anniversary of the grant date unless the individual elects to defer the receipt of those shares. Each deferred stock unit results in the issuance of 1 share of Rogers’ capital stock. The grant of deferred stock units is typically done annually during the second quarter of each year. The fair value of the award is determined by the market value of the underlying stock price at the grant date.
A summary of activity of the outstanding deferred stock units for 2019, 2018 and 2017 is presented below:
 2019 2018 2017
 Awards Outstanding Weighted-
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
 Awards Outstanding Weighted-
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
 Awards Outstanding Weighted-
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Awards outstanding as of January 18,400
 $108.86
 9,250
 $109.48
 11,900
 $58.82
Awards granted5,950
 183.40
 8,400
 108.86
 9,250
 109.48
Stock issued(7,200) 108.86
 (9,250) 109.48
 (11,900) 58.82
Awards outstanding as of December 317,150
 $170.89
 8,400
 $108.86
 9,250
 $109.48

We recognized compensation expense related to deferred stock units of $1.1 million, $0.9 million and $1.0 million, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 20152019, 2018 and 2014, respectively, is included in the consolidated statements of operations.2017, respectively.
Stock Options
Stock options have previously been granted under various equity compensation plans. The summarized financial informationmaximum contractual term for the joint ventures for the periods indicatedall options was as follows:
 As of December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2016 2015
Current assets$33,951
 $28,239
Noncurrent assets$5,545
 $7,207
Current liabilities$7,485
 $4,608
Shareholders’ equity$32,011
 $30,838

 For the Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2016 2015 2014
Net sales$47,321
 $43,438
 $48,259
Gross profit$16,829
 $11,993
 $14,277
Net income$8,292
 $5,753
 $8,246
Receivables from and payables to joint ventures arise during the normal course of business from transactions between us and the joint ventures. We had receivables of $2.4 million, and $1.8 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which were included in accounts receivable on our consolidated statements of financial position.



NOTE 9 – SHARE REPURCHASE

On August 6, 2015, we initiated a share repurchase program of up to $100.0 million of the Company’s capital stock. We initiated this program to mitigate potentially dilutive effects of stock options and shares of restricted stock granted by the Company, in addition to enhancing shareholder value. The share repurchase program has no expiration date, and may be suspended or discontinued at any time without notice.normally 10 years. As of December 31, 2016, $52.0 million remained of our $100.0 million share repurchase program.

We repurchased the following shares of common2019, there were 0 remaining outstanding stock through our share repurchase program during the years presented below:

(Dollars in thousands)December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015
Shares of capital stock repurchased140,498
 727,573
Value of capital stock repurchased$7,995
 $39,993

No shares of capital stock were repurchased during 2014. All repurchases were made using cash from operations and cash on hand. Refer to Part II, Item 5 for further detail of the share repurchase program.


NOTE 10 – PENSION BENEFITS AND RETIREMENT HEALTH AND LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS

We have three qualified noncontributory defined benefit pension plans for unionized hourly employees, all other U.S. employees hired before December 31, 2007 and employees of the acquired Arlon business. We also have established a nonqualified unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension plan to restore certain retirement benefits that might otherwise be lost due to limitations imposed by federal law on qualified pension plans, as well as to provide supplemental retirement benefits, for certain senior executives of the Company.

In addition, we sponsor multiple fully insured or self-funded medical plans and life insurance plan for certain retirees.option awards. The measurement date for all plans is December 31 for each respective plan year.

We are required, as an employer, to: (a) recognize in our consolidated statements of financial position an asset for a plan’s overfunded status or a liability for a plan’s underfunded status; (b) measure a plan’s assets and our obligations that determine our funded status as of the end of the fiscal year; and (c) recognize changes in the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan in the year in which the changes occur and report these changes in accumulated other comprehensive income. In addition, actuarial gains and losses that are not immediately recognized as net periodic pension cost are recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and amortized into net periodic pension cost in future periods.

Defined Benefit Pension Plan Amendments and Retiree Medical Plan Amendments

During the fourth quarter of 2015, we changed the benefits related to the salaried and non-union hourly participants of the retirement health insurance benefits program. This program had been frozen to new participants in 2007. The 2015 amendment to the plan was approved on October 2, 2015 and resulted in a negative prior service cost, which is being amortized over the average expected remaining years of future benefit payments for this group. This change resulted in a remeasurement event requiring us to remeasure the plan liabilities, as well as the expense related to the plan, as of October 31, 2015.

All qualified noncontributory defined benefit pension plans have ceased accruing benefits. The Arlon pension plan (the “Bear Plan”) was frozen previous to our acquisition of Arlon. Effective June 30, 2013, for salaried and non-union hourly employees in the U.S., and effective December 31, 2013 for union employees in the U.S., benefits under the Rogers defined benefit pension plans no longer accrue.




(Dollars in thousands)Pension Benefits Retirement Health and Life Insurance Benefits
Change in benefit obligation:20162015 20162015
Benefit obligation at beginning of year$182,359
$187,882
 $2,722
$9,839
Addition of Bear Plan
4,169
 

Service cost

 133
411
Interest cost7,530
7,523
 75
216
Actuarial (gain) loss(3,621)(8,674) 72
(1,362)
Benefit payments(8,572)(8,541) (860)(766)
Plan Amendment

 
(5,616)
Benefit obligation at end of year$177,696
$182,359
 $2,142
$2,722
Change in plan assets:20162015 20162015
Fair value of plan assets at the beginning of the year$171,007
$170,600
 $
$
Addition of Bear Plan
2,171
 

Actual return on plan assets8,999
(194) 

Employer contributions344
6,971
 860
766
Benefit payments(8,572)(8,541) (860)(766)
Fair value of plan assets at the end of the year171,778
171,007
 

Unfunded status$(5,918)$(11,352) $(2,142)$(2,722)
Amounts included in the consolidated statements of financial position consist of:
(Dollars in thousands)Pension Benefits Retirement Health and Life Insurance Benefits
 20162015 20162015
Noncurrent assets$2,583
$1,273
 $
$
Current liabilities
(1) (150)(537)
Noncurrent liabilities(8,501)(12,624) (1,992)(2,185)
Net amount recognized at end of year$(5,918)$(11,352) $(2,142)$(2,722)
(Dollars in thousands)Pension Benefits Retirement Health and Life Insurance Benefits
 20162015 20162015
Net actuarial (loss) gain$(59,377)(62,972) $523
643
Prior service benefit

 3,878
5,368
Net amount recognized at end of year$(59,377)$(62,972) $4,401
$6,011

The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation, and fairtotal intrinsic value of plan assets foroptions exercised (i.e., the pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excessdifference between the market price at time of plan assets were $148.6exercise and the price paid by the individual to exercise the options) was $1.6 million, $148.6$2.4 million and $140.1$6.0 million respectively, as of December 31, 2016 and $151.9 million, $151.9 million and $139.3 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2015.

The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation, and fair value of plan assets for the pension plans with plan assets in excess of an accumulated benefit obligation were $29.1 million, $29.1 million and $31.7 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2016. For 2015, the projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation, and fair value of plan assets for the pension plans with plan assets in excess of an accumulated benefit obligation were $30.5 million, $30.5 million, and $31.7 million, respectively.





Components of Net Periodic (Benefit) Cost
(Dollars in thousands)Pension Benefits Postretirement Health and Life Insurance Benefits
 2016 2015 2014 2016 2015 2014
Service cost$
 $
 $
 $133
 $411
 $556
Interest cost7,530
 7,523
 8,015
 75
 216
 305
Expected return of plan assets(10,808) (11,148) (12,909) 
 
 
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)
 
 
 (1,489) (248) 
Amortization of net loss1,784
 1,690
 686
 (47) (12) 
Settlement charge
 57
 5,321
 
 
 
Net periodic benefit cost (benefit)$(1,494) $(1,878) $1,113
 $(1,328) $367
 $861
In the fourth quarter of 2014, certain eligible participants in the defined benefit pension plans were given a lump sum payout offer. The payout of this program resulted in a settlement charge of $5.2 million.

The estimated net loss for the defined benefit pension plans that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year is $1.7 million. The estimated net benefit for the defined benefit postretirement plans that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year is $1.5 million.
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31:
 Pension Benefits Retirement Health and Life Insurance Benefits
 20162015 20162015
Discount rate4.25%4.25% 3.25%3.00%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net benefit cost for the years ended December 31:
 Pension Benefits Retirement Health and Life Insurance Benefits
 20162015 20162015
Discount rate4.25%4.00% 3.00%3.00%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets5.51%6.50% 

Rate of compensation increase - An expected rate of compensation increase was not included in the weighted average assumptions as there would be no impact to the net benefit cost, as the plans have been previously frozen.

Discount rate - To determine the discount rate, we review current market indices of high quality corporate bonds, particularly the PruCurve index, to ensure that the rate used in our calculations is consistent31, 2019, 2018 and within an acceptable range based on these indices, which reflect current market conditions. The market-based rates are modified to be Rogers-specific, and this is done by applying our pension benefit cash flow projections to the generic index rate.

Long-term rate of return on assets - To determine the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, we review historical and projected portfolio performance, the historical long-term rate of return, and how any change in the allocation of the assets could affect the anticipated returns. Adjustments are made to the projected rate of return if it is deemed necessary based on those factors and other current market trends.



Health care cost trend rates - For measurement purposes as of December 31, 2016 we assumed annual health care cost trend rates of 7.50% and 7.50% for covered health care benefits for retirees pre-age 65 and post-age 65,2017, respectively. The rates were assumed to decrease gradually by 0.25% annually until reaching 4.50%total amount of cash received from the exercise of these options was $0.3 million, $0.9 million and 4.50%, respectively, and remain at those levels thereafter. For measurement purposes as of December 31, 2015, we assumed annual health care cost trend rates of 7.00% and 7.50% for covered health care benefits for retirees pre-age 65 and post-age 65, respectively. Assumed health care cost trend rates may have a significant effect on the amounts reported$3.1 million, for the health care plans. A one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would be expected to have the following effects:
(Dollars in thousands)Increase Decrease
Effect on total service and interest cost$12
 $(11)
Effect on other postretirement benefit obligations78
 (74)

Plan Assets

Our defined benefit pension assets are invested with the objective of achieving a total rate of return over the long-term that is sufficient to fund future pension obligations. In managing these assets and our investment strategy, we take into consideration future cash contributions to the plans, as well as the potential of the portfolio underperforming the market, which is partially mitigated by maintaining a diversified portfolio of assets.

In order to meet our investment objectives, we set asset allocation target ranges based on current funding status and future projections in order to mitigate the risk in the plan while maintaining its funded status. In November of 2014 we implemented a pension risk reduction strategy related to our investments, which included a change in our asset mix to hold a larger amount of fixed income securities. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, we held approximately 27% equity securities and 73% fixed income and short term cash securities in our portfolio.

In determining our investment strategy and calculating the net benefit cost, we utilized an expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. This rate is developed based on several factors, including the plans’ asset allocation targets, the historical and projected performance on those asset classes, and on the plans’ current asset composition. To justify our assumptions, we analyze certain data points related to portfolio performance. For example, we analyze the actual historical performance of our total plan assets, which has generated a return of approximately 8.3% over the past 20 year period. Based on the historical returns and the projected future returns we determined that a target return of 5.5% is appropriate for the current portfolio. Investments were stated at fair value as of the dates reported.

The following table presents the fair value of the pension plan net assets by asset category as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:
(Dollars in thousands)2016 2015
Pooled separate accounts$7,587
 $6,782
Fixed income bonds111,070
 110,427
Mutual funds44,054
 43,454
Guaranteed deposit account9,067
 10,344
Total investments at fair value$171,778
 $171,007

Securities traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price on the last business day of the plan year. The fair value of the guaranteed deposit account was determined through discounting expected future investment cash flow from both investment income and repayment of principal for each investment purchased.

The estimated fair values of the participation units owned by the plan in pooled separate accounts were based on quoted redemption values and adjusted for management fees and asset charges, as determined by the record keeper, on the last business day of the Plan year. Pooled separate accounts are accounts established solely for the purpose of investing the assets of one or more plans. Funds in a separate account are not commingled with other assets of the Company for investment purposes.


The following tables set forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the assetscarried at fair value as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.
 Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2016
(Dollars in thousands)Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Pooled separate accounts$
 $7,587
 $
 $7,587
Fixed income bonds
 111,070
 
 111,070
Mutual funds44,054
 
 
 44,054
Guaranteed deposit account
 
 9,067
 9,067
Total assets at fair value$44,054
 $118,657
 $9,067
 $171,778
        
 Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2015
(Dollars in thousands)Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Pooled separate accounts$
 $6,782
 $
 $6,782
Fixed income bonds
 110,427
 
 110,427
Mutual funds43,454
 
 
 43,454
Guaranteed deposit account
 
 10,344
 10,344
Total assets at fair value$43,454
 $117,209
 $10,344
 $171,007
The table below sets forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the guaranteed deposit account’s Level 3 assetsfor the yearyears ended December 31, 2016:
(Dollars in thousands)Guaranteed Deposit Account
Balance at beginning of year$10,344
Unrealized gains relating to instruments still held at the reporting date329
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements (net)(1,606)
Balance at end of year$9,067
2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Cash Flows

Contributions

At December 31, 2016, we had metA summary of the minimum funding requirementsactivity under our stock option plans for all of our qualified defined benefit pension plans due to a required contribution to the Bear Plan of $0.3 million for 20162019, 2018 and we estimate that we will be required to make a contribution of $0.3 million for 2017. In 2015, we made mandatory contributions of $0.3 million and voluntary contributions of $6.5 million. As there2017, is no funding requirement for the nonqualified defined benefit pension plans nor the Retiree Health and Life Insurance benefit plans, we fund the amount of benefit payments made during the year.

Estimated Future Payments

The following pension benefit payments are expected to be paid through the utilization of plan assets for the funded plans and from the Company’s operating cash flows for the unfunded plans. The Retiree Health and Life Insurance benefits, for which no funding has been made, are expected to be paid from the Company’s operating cash flows. The benefit payments are based on the same assumptions used to measure our benefit obligation at the end of fiscal 2016.presented below:
 2019 2018 2017
 Options
Outstanding
 Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
Per Share
 Options
Outstanding
 Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
Per Share
 Options
Outstanding
 Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
Per Share
Options outstanding, vested and exercisable as of January 110,950
 $31.99
 33,283
 $36.40
 116,575
 $37.76
Options exercised(10,650) 32.21
 (22,333) 38.57
 (83,292) 37.04
Options forfeited(300) 23.86
 
 
 
 
Options outstanding, vested and exercisable as of December 31
 $
 10,950
 $31.99
 33,283
 $36.40
(Dollars in thousands)Pension Benefits Retiree Health and Life Insurance Benefits
2017$8,916
 $513
2018$9,043
 $345
2019$9,201
 $285
2020$9,404
 $280
2021$9,694
 $193
2022-2026$52,583
 $1,391





Note 9 – Debt
NOTE 11 ‑ EMPLOYEE SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLANS

We sponsor the Rogers Employee Savings and Investment Plan (RESIP), a 401(k) plan for domestic employees. Employees can defer an amount they choose, up to the yearly IRS limit of $18,000 in 2016 and 2015. Certain eligible participants are also allowed to contribute the maximum catch-up contribution per IRS regulations. Our matching contribution is 6% of an eligible employee’s annual pre-tax contribution at a rate of 100% for the first 1% and 50% for the next 5% for a total match of 3.5%. Unless otherwise indicated by the participant, the matching dollars are invested in the same funds as the participant’s contributions. RESIP related expense amounted to $3.0 million in 2016, $3.2 million in 2015 and $2.7 million in 2014, which related solely to our matching contributions.

We acquired DeWAL in November 2016. Eligible DeWAL employees are covered under the DeWAL Industries, Inc. 401k Profit Sharing Plan (DeWAL Plan). The DeWAL Plan matching contribution is 100% of the first 3% of employee pre-tax contributions. Compensation expense related to the DeWAL Plan was de minimis for the period in 2016 subsequent to the acquisition.


NOTE 12 - DEBT

On June 18, 2015,In February 2017, we entered into a secured five yearfive-year credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A,N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto (the “SecondThird Amended Credit Agreement”). The Second Amended Credit Agreement provided (1) a $55.0 million term loan; (2)Agreement), which increased the principal amount of our revolving credit facility to up to $295.0$450.0 million of revolving loans,borrowing capacity, with sublimits for multicurrency borrowings, letters of credit and swing-line notes;notes, and (3) a $50.0provided an additional $175.0 million expansionaccordion feature. Borrowings couldmay be used to finance working capital needs, for letters of credit and for general corporate purposes in the ordinary course of business, including the financing of permitted acquisitions (as defined in the SecondThird Amended Credit Agreement).

In 2016, we borrowed $136.0 million under the line of credit to fund the acquisition of DeWAL and an additional $30.0 million to partially fund the acquisition of Diversified Silicone Products. We borrowed $125.0 million under the line of credit under our prior credit agreement in the first quarter of 2015 to fund the acquisition of Arlon, and this amount was refinanced under our Second Amended Credit Agreement in June 2015. During 2016 and 2015, we made principal payments of $103.4 million, and $6.4 million, respectively, on the outstanding debt. We remain obligated to pay $4.1 million on this debt obligation in the next 12 months under the term loan. At December 31, 2016, our outstanding debt balance was comprised of a term loan of $50.2 million and $191.0 million borrowed on the revolving line of credit. In addition, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 we had a $1.2 million standby letter of credit (LOC) to guarantee Rogers’ workers compensation plans that were backed by the Second Amended Credit Agreement. No amounts were drawn on the LOC as of December 31, 2016 or 2015.

Borrowings under the Second Amended Credit Agreement could be made as alternate base rate loans or Euro-currency loans. Alternate base rate loans bore interest that included a base reference rate plus a spread of 37.5 to 75.0 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio. The base reference rate was the greater of the prime rate; federal funds effective rate plus 50 basis points; or adjusted 1-month LIBOR plus 100 basis points. Euro-currency loans bore interest based on adjusted LIBOR plus a spread of 137.5 to 175.0 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio. At December 31, 2016, the rate charged on our outstanding borrowings under the Second Amended Credit Agreement was the 1-month LIBOR at 0.6250% plus a spread of 1.375%. We incurred interest expense on our outstanding debt of $3.1 million, $3.5 million, and $1.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Cash paid for interest was $3.1 million, $3.3 million, and $2.5 million for 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

In addition to interest payable on the principal amount of indebtedness outstanding from time to time under the Second Amended Credit Agreement, we were required to pay a quarterly fee of 20 to 30 basis points (based upon our leverage ratio) of the unused amount of the lenders’ commitments under the Second Amended Credit Agreement. We incurred an unused commitment fee of $0.4 million, $0.3 million, and $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The financial covenants under the Second Amended Credit Agreement included requirements to maintain (1) a leverage ratio of no more than 3.25 to 1.00, subject to a one-time election to increase the maximum leverage ratio to 3.50 to 1.00 for one fiscal year in connection with a permitted acquisition, and (2) an interest coverage ratio, calculated as defined in the Second Amended Credit Agreement, of no less than 3.00 to 1.00. As of December 31, 2016, we were in compliance with all of the financial covenants in the Second Amended Credit Agreement.



The Second Amended Credit Agreement required mandatory quarterly repayment of principal on amounts borrowed under the term loan, and payment in full of outstanding borrowings by June 30, 2020.

As of December 31, 2016, the aggregate mandatory principal payments were as follows:

Year Payments Due
2017 
$4.1 million
2018 
$4.8 million
2019 
$5.5 million
2020 
$226.8 million

All obligations under the SecondThird Amended Credit Agreement wereare guaranteed by each of our existing and future material domestic subsidiaries, as defined in the SecondThird Amended Credit Agreement (the “Previous Guarantors”)Guarantors). The obligations wereare also secured by a SecondThird Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of June 18, 2015,February 17, 2017, entered into by the Companyus and the Previous Guarantors which grantedgrants to the administrative agent, for the benefit of the lenders, a security interest, subject to certain exceptions, in substantially all of the non-real estate assets of the Guarantors. These assets include, but are not limited to, receivables, equipment, intellectual property, inventory, and stock in certain subsidiaries.
At December 31, 2016, we had $1.6 million of remaining deferred debt issuance costs. These costs will be amortized over the life of the Second Amended Credit Agreement. We incurred amortization expense of $0.5 million in each of the years ended 2016, 2015 and 2014, related to these deferred costs.
In July 2012, we entered into an interest rate swap to hedge the variable interest rate on our term loan debt. This swap expired as of June 30, 2016.
Interest paid on the debt was $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.
On February 17, 2017, we entered into the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto (the “Third Amended Credit Agreement”), which amends and restates the Second Amended Credit Agreement. The Third Amended Credit Agreement refinances the Second Amended Credit Agreement, eliminates the term loan under the Second Amended Credit Agreement, and increases the principal amount of the revolving credit facility to up to $450.0 million borrowing capacity, with an additional $175.0 million accordion feature. All revolving loans under the Third Amended Credit Agreement are due on the maturity date, February 17, 2022. We are not required to make any quarterly principal payments
Borrowings under the Third Amended Credit Agreement. For additional information regardingAgreement can be made as alternate base rate loans or euro-currency loans. Alternate base rate loans bear interest that includes a base reference rate plus a spread of 37.5 to 75.0 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio. The base reference rate is the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (NYFRB) Rate in effect on such day plus ½ of 1% and (c) the adjusted LIBOR for a one month interest period in dollars on such day (or if such day is not a business day, the immediately preceding business day) plus 1%. Euro-currency loans bear interest based on adjusted LIBOR plus a spread of 137.5 to 175.0 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio. Based on our leverage ratio as of December 31, 2019, the spread was 137.5 basis points.
In addition to interest payable on the principal amount of indebtedness outstanding from time to time under the Third Amended Credit Agreement, see “Item 7, Management’s Discussionwe are required to pay a quarterly fee of 20 to 30 basis points (based upon our leverage ratio) of the unused amount of the lenders’ commitments under the Third Amended Credit Agreement.
The Third Amended Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants, mandatory prepayments and Analysisevents of Financial Conditiondefault under which our payment obligations may be accelerated. If an event of default occurs, the lenders may, among other things, terminate their commitments and Resultsdeclare all outstanding borrowings to be immediately due and payable together with accrued interest and fees. The financial covenants include requirements to maintain (1) a leverage ratio of Operations.”no more than 3.25 to 1.00, subject to an election to increase the maximum leverage ratio to 3.50 to 1.00 for one fiscal year in connection with a permitted acquisition, and (2) an interest coverage ratio of no less than 3.00 to 1.00.
Restriction on Payment of Dividends
Our SecondThe Third Amended Credit Agreement generally permittedpermits us to pay cash dividends to our shareholders, provided that (i) no default or event of default hadhas occurred and wasis continuing or would result from the dividend payment and (ii) our leverage ratio diddoes not exceed 2.002.75 to 1.00. If our leverage ratio exceeded 2.00exceeds 2.75 to 1.00, under the Second Amended Credit Agreement, we could havemay nonetheless mademake up to $10.0$20.0 million in restricted payments, including cash dividends, during the fiscal year, provided that no default or event of default hadhas occurred and wasis continuing or would result from the payments. As of December 31, 2016, ourOur leverage ratio did not exceed 2.002.75 to 1.00.1.00 as of December 31, 2019.
Capital LeaseIn March 2017, we entered into an interest rate swap to hedge the variable interest rate on $75.0 million of our $450.0 million revolving credit facility. For additional information regarding the interest rate swap, refer to “Note 3 – Hedging Transactions and Derivative Financial Instruments.”
We are not required to make any quarterly principal payments under the Third Amended Credit Agreement, however, we made discretionary principal payments totaling $105.5 million, $5.0 million and $110.2 million on our revolving credit facility in 2019,


2018 and 2017, respectively. We had $123.0 million in outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2019.
We incurred interest expense on our outstanding debt, net of the impacts of our interest rate swap, of $7.2 million, $6.1 million, and $5.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We incurred an unused commitment fee of $0.6 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
We had $1.2 million and $1.7 million of outstanding line of credit issuance costs as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which will be amortized over the life of the Third Amended Credit Agreement. We recorded amortization expense of $0.6 million, $0.6 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to these deferred costs.
Note 10 Leases
Finance Leases
We have a capitalfinance lease obligation related to our manufacturing facility in Eschenbach, Germany. Under the terms of the leasinglease agreement, we have an option to purchase the property upon the expiration of the lease in 2021 at a price which is the greater of (i) the then-current market value or (ii) the residual book value of the land including the buildings and installations thereon. The totalOur finance lease obligation recorded for the leaserelated to this facility was $4.5 million and $5.0 million as of December 31, 20162019 and 20152018, respectively. The finance lease right-of-use asset balance for this facility was $5.3$6.3 million and $5.8$6.7 million respectively. Depreciation expense related to the capital lease was $0.3 million, $0.3 million and $0.4 million for the years ending December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Accumulated depreciation as of December 31, 20162019 and 20152018, respectively. Accumulated amortization related to our finance lease right-of-use assets was $3.4$3.8 million and $3.3$3.5 million as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. These expenses areAll other finance lease obligations, finance lease right-of-use assets and accumulated amortization were cumulatively immaterial as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Amortization expense related to our finance lease right-of-use assets, which is primarily included as depreciation expense in costthe “Cost of sales on oursales” line item of the consolidated statements of operations.
We also incurred interest expense on the capital leaseoperations, was immaterial for each of $0.3 million, $0.4 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 20152019 and 2014, respectively.2018. Interest expense related to the debt recorded on the capitalour finance lease obligations, which is included in interestthe “Interest expense, onnet” line item of the consolidated statements of operations.operations, was immaterial for each of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. Payments made on the principal portion of our finance lease obligations were immaterial for each of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Operating Leases

We have operating leases primarily related to building space and vehicles. Renewal options are included in the lease term to the extent we are reasonably certain to exercise the option. The exercise of lease renewal options is at our sole discretion. We account for lease components separately from non-lease components. The incremental borrowing rate represents our ability to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar lease term.
Our expenses and payments for operating leases were as follows:
 Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018 2017
Operating leases expense$3,119
 $3,850
 $3,819
Short-term leases expense$192
 $112
 $236
Payments on operating lease obligations$2,967
 $3,850
 $3,819

Our assets and liabilities balances related to finance and operating leases reflected in the consolidated statements of financial position, were as follows:
  As of December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)Financial Statement Line Item2019 2018
Finance lease right-of-use assetsProperty, plant and equipment, net$6,280
 $6,750
Operating lease right-of-use assetsOther long-term assets$4,656
 $
     
Finance lease obligations, current portionOther accrued liabilities$400
 $420
Finance lease obligations, non-current portionOther long-term liabilities$4,140
 $4,629
Total finance lease obligations $4,540
 $5,049
     
Operating lease obligations, current portionOther accrued liabilities$2,343
 $
Operating lease obligations, non-current portionOther long-term liabilities$2,334
 $
Total operating lease obligations $4,677
 $


NOTE 13 – INCOME TAXES

Net Future Minimum Lease Payments
Consolidated income before income taxes consisted of:The following table includes future minimum lease payments under finance and operating leases together with the present value of the net future minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2019:
 Finance Operating
(Dollars in thousands)Leases in Effect Leases Signed Less: Leases Not Yet Commenced Leases in Effect
2020$532
 $2,570
 $(128) $2,442
20214,202
 1,649
 (128) 1,521
2022
 919
 (101) 818
2023
 332
 (101) 231
2024
 131
 (101) 30
Thereafter
 2
 
 2
Total lease payments4,734
 5,603
 (559) 5,044
Less: Interest(194) (389) 22
 (367)
Present Value of Net Future Minimum Lease Payments$4,540
 $5,214
 $(537) $4,677

(Dollars in thousands)2016 2015 2014
Domestic$10,888
 $14,832
 $9,604
International71,392
 51,341
 71,620
    Total$82,280
 $66,173
 $81,224
The following table includes information regarding the lease term and discount rates utilized in the calculation of the present value of net future minimum lease payments:
Foreign earnings repatriated
 Finance
Leases
 Operating
Leases
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term1.5 years 2.5 years
Weighted Average Discount Rate3.00% 6.07%

Transition
We adopted Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 842, Leases, in the first quarter of 2019 using the optional transition method, which applies the new lease requirements through a cumulative-effect adjustment to the U.S. previously reportedopening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption without restatement of comparative periods. The guidance was applied to all leases that were not completed at the date of implementation. The adoption primarily affected our consolidated statements of financial position through the recognition of $6.2 million of operating lease right-of-use assets and $6.2 million of operating lease obligations, as U.S. incomewell as an immaterial impact to retained earnings, as of January 1, 2019. We recognized $0.8 million of operating lease right-of-use assets and $0.8 million of operating lease obligations for the year ended December 31, 2019. The total operating lease right-of use assets and operating lease obligations recognized was $7.0 million and $7.0 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Practical Expedients
We have been reclassified in 2014elected to conform to the current year presentation.
The income tax expenserecognize lease payments in the consolidated statements of operations consisted of:
(Dollars in thousands)Current Deferred Total
2016     
    Domestic$2,078
 $3,376
 $5,454
    International24,537
 4,006
 28,543
        Total$26,615
 $7,382
 $33,997
      
2015     
    Domestic$993
 $4,272
 $5,265
    International15,192
 (604) 14,588
        Total$16,185
 $3,668
 $19,853
      
2014     
    Domestic$2,205
 $6,984
 $9,189
    International17,172
 1,451
 18,623
        Total$19,377
 $8,435
 $27,812

Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, were comprised of the following:
(Dollars in thousands)2016 2015
Deferred tax assets   
    Accrued employee benefits and compensation9,899
 9,284
    Postretirement benefit obligations3,335
 5,434
    Tax loss and credit carryforwards7,146
 9,318
    Reserves and accruals6,361
 6,225
    Other2,792
 3,474
Total deferred tax assets29,533
 33,735
Less deferred tax asset valuation allowance(6,388) (6,202)
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance23,145
 27,533
Deferred tax liabilities   
    Depreciation and amortization14,965
 17,492
    Unremitted earnings7,239
 1,150
    Other190
 187
Total deferred tax liabilities22,394
 18,829
Net deferred tax asset$751
 $8,704



At December 31, 2016, the Company had state net operating loss carryforwards ranging from $0.4 million to $6.4 million in various state taxing jurisdictions, which expire between 2017 and 2036. We also had approximately $8.0 million of credit carryforwards in Arizona, which will expire between 2017 and 2031, and a $1.3 million capital loss carryforward, which will expire in 2017. We believe that it is more likely than not that the benefit from the state net operating loss carryforwards, state credits and capital loss carryforwards will not be realized. In recognition of this risk, we have provided a valuation allowance of $6.4 million relating to these carryforwards.

We currently have approximately $6.3 million of foreign tax credits that begin to expire in 2021, $7.0 million of research and development credits that begin to expire in 2026, and $0.5 million of minimum tax credits that can be carried forward indefinitely.

As a result of certain realization requirements, the table of deferred tax assets and liabilities shown above does not include certain deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2016 for which the benefit thereof was postponed by tax deductions related to equity compensation in excess of compensation recognized for financial reporting. Those deferred tax assets include foreign tax credits of $6.3 million, research and development credits of $6.7 million and minimum tax credits of $0.4 million. Equity will be increased by these amounts if and when such deferred tax assets are ultimately realized by a reduction of taxes payable.

We had a valuation allowance of $6.4 million at December 31, 2016 and $6.2 million at December 31, 2015, against certain of our deferred tax assets, primarily carryforwards expected to expire unused. In 2015, we reversed the valuation allowance on California deferred tax assets due to positive factors from the Arlon acquisition. No valuation allowance has been provided on our other deferred tax assets, as we believe it is more likely than not that all such assets will be realized in the applicable jurisdictions. We reached this conclusion after considering the availability of taxable income in prior carryback years, tax planning strategies, and the likelihood of future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards in the respective jurisdictions or entities. Differences between forecasted and actual future operating results or changes in carryforward periods could adversely impact the amount of deferred tax asset considered realizable.

In appropriate circumstances we have the opportunity to undertake a tax planning strategy to ensure that our tax credit carryforwards do not expire unutilized. This strategy is based upon our ability to make a federal tax election to capitalize certain expenses that will result in generating taxable income to allow us to utilize our tax credit carryforwards before they expire. We would undertake such a strategy to realize these tax credit carryforwards prior to expiration as it is reasonable, prudent, and feasible.

Income tax expense differs from the amount computed by applying the United States federal statutory income tax rate to income before income taxes. The reasons for this difference were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)2016 2015 2014
Tax expense at Federal statutory income tax rate$28,798
 $23,161
 $28,429
International tax rate differential(2,260) (4,792) (6,772)
Foreign source income, net of tax credits7,559
 2,449
 5,195
State tax, net of federal(200) (416) 
Unrecognized tax benefits(5,555) 148
 603
General business credits(1,125) (908) (604)
Acquisition related expenses
 453
 590
Taxes on unremitted earnings6,089
 
 
Valuation allowance change171
 (1,489) 388
Other520
 1,247
 (17)
Income tax expense (benefit)$33,997
 $19,853
 $27,812

The Company’s effective tax rate for 2016 was 41.3% compared to 30.0% in 2015 and 34.2% in 2014. The increase from 2015 is primarily related to withholding taxes on off-shore cash movements, a change to our assertion that certain foreign earnings are permanently reinvested and a change in the mix of earnings attributable to higher-taxing jurisdictions, offset by benefits associated with an increase in the reversal of reserves for uncertain tax positions. This increase was offset by the prior year being unfavorably impacted by adjustments related to finalization of 2014 income tax year returns. The prior year also included a benefit due to a change of the state tax rate as a result of a legal reorganization and release of valuation allowance on certain state tax attributes. Included in the 2016 effective tax rate are releases of reserves for uncertain tax positions for which an indemnity receivable had been recorded. The reversal of the receivable has been recorded in “Other income (expense), net”.



Historically our intention was to permanently reinvest the majority of our foreign earnings indefinitely or to distribute them only when it is tax efficient to do so. As a result of changes in business circumstances and our long-term business plan, with respect to offshore distributions, we modified our assertion of certain accumulated foreign subsidiary earnings considered permanently reinvested during 2016. This change resulted in accrual of a deferred tax liability of $6.1 million associated with distribution related foreign taxes on undistributed earnings of our Chinese subsidiaries that are no longer considered permanently reinvested. In the event that we distributed these funds to other offshore subsidiaries, these taxes would become due. In addition, we incurred $6.3 million of withholding taxes related to distributions from China.

U.S. income taxes have not been provided on $210.9 million of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries since it is the Company’s intention to permanently reinvest such earnings offshore or to repatriate them only when it is tax efficient to do so. It is impracticable to estimate the total tax liability, if any, that would be created by the future distribution of these earnings. If circumstances change and it becomes apparent that some, or all of these undistributed earnings as of December 31, 2016 will not be indefinitely reinvested, the provision for the tax consequence, if any, will be recorded in the period when circumstances change. As of each of December 31, 2016 and 2015, $1.1 million of U.S. income taxes had been provided on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are not considered permanently reinvested.

Income taxes paid, net of refunds, were $24.0 million, $18.7 million, and $14.5 million in 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

Unrecognized tax benefits, excluding potential interest and penalties, for the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)2016 2015
Beginning balance$10,571
 $9,368
Gross increases - current period tax positions520
 4,229
Gross increases - tax positions in prior periods
 1,428
Gross decreases - tax positions in prior periods(498) 
Foreign currency exchange(137) (475)
Lapse of statute of limitations(4,573) (3,979)
Ending balance$5,883
 $10,571

Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2016 were $5.9 million of tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate. Also included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefit as of December 31, 2016 were $0.2 million of tax benefits that, if recognized, would result in adjustments to other tax accounts; primarily deferred taxes.

We recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefit as income tax expense. Related to the unrecognized tax benefits noted above, at December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had accrued potential interest and penalties of approximately $0.4 million and $1.3 million, respectively. We have recorded a net tax benefit of $0.9 million during 2016 and net income tax expense of $0.1 million and $0.1 million during 2015 and 2014, respectively. It is possible that up to $1.7 million of our currently unrecognized tax benefits could be recognized within 12 months as a result of projected resolutions of worldwide tax disputes or the expiration of the statute of limitations.

We are subject to taxation in the U.S. and various state and foreign jurisdictions. Our tax years from 2012 through 2016 are subject to examination by the tax authorities. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, local and foreign examinations by tax authorities for the years before 2012.


NOTE 14 - SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND EQUITY COMPENSATION
Capital Stock and Equity Compensation Awards

Under the Rogers Corporation 2009 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan, we may grant stock options to officers, directors, and other key employees at exercise prices that are at least equal to the fair market value of our stock on the date of grant. Under our older plans, stock options to officers, directors, and other key employees could be granted at exercise prices that were as low as 50% of the fair market value of our stock as of the date of grant. However, in terms of these older plans, virtually all such options were granted at exercise prices equal to the fair market value of our stock as of the date of grant. Stock options granted to employees in the United States generally become exercisable over a four-year period from the grant date and expire ten years after such grant.



We award each non-management director deferred stock units, which permit non-management directors to receive, at a later date, one share of Rogers stock for each deferred stock unit with no payment of any consideration by the director at the time the shares are received. For director stock options, the exercise price was equal to the fair market value of our stock as of the grant date, were immediately exercisable, and expire ten years after the date of grant. Our 2005 Equity Compensation Plan and our 2009 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan also permit the granting of restricted stock units and certain other forms of equity awards to officers and other key employees, although no new equity awards have been made pursuant to the 2005 plan since shareholder approval of our 2009 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan.

Shares of capital stock reserved for possible future issuance were as follows:

 As of December 31,
 2016 2015
Shares reserved for issuance under the stock acquisition program (1)
120,883
 120,883
Shares reserved for issuance under outstanding stock options and restricted stock unit awards659,302
 641,265
Additional shares reserved for issuance under Rogers Corporation 2009 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan892,163
 1,078,291
Shares reserved for issuance under the Rogers Employee Savings and Investment Plan (2)
169,044
 169,044
Shares reserved for issuance under the Rogers Corporation Global Stock Ownership Plan for Employees133,113
 153,357
Deferred compensation to be paid in stock, including deferred stock units22,752
 37,207
Total1,997,257
 2,200,047
(1)
As of December 31, 2016, the Company no longer offers capital stock under the stock acquisition program.
(2)
As of December 31, 2016, the Company no longer offers its capital stock as an investment option under the Rogers Employee Savings and Investment Plan.

Each outstanding share of Rogers capital stock has attached to it a stock purchase right. One stock purchase right entitles the holder to buy one share of Rogers capital stock at an exercise price of $240.00 per share. The rights become exercisable only under certain circumstances related to a person or group acquiring or offering to acquire a substantial block of Rogers capital stock. In certain circumstances, holders may acquire Rogers stock, or in some cases the stock of an acquiring entity, with a value equal to twice the exercise price. The rights expire on March 30, 2017, but may be exchanged or redeemed earlier. If such rights are redeemed, the redemption price would be $0.01 per right.
Stock Options
Stock options have been granted under various equity compensation plans. While we may grant options to employees that become exercisable at different times or within different periods, we have generally granted options to employees that vest and become exercisable in one-third increments on the second, third and fourth anniversaries of the grant dates. The maximum contractual term for all options is normally ten years. We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to calculate the grant-date fair value of an option. We have not granted any stock options since the first quarter of 2012.
In most cases, we recognize expense using the straight-line attribution method for stock option grants. The amount of stock-based compensation recognized during a period is based on the value of the portion of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest. Forfeitures are required to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The term “forfeitures” is distinct from “cancellations” or “expirations” and represents only the unvested portion of the surrendered option. We currently expect, based on an analysis of our historical forfeitures, an annual forfeiture rate of approximately 3% and applied that rate to the grants issued. This assumption will be reviewed periodically and the rate will be adjusted as necessary based on these reviews. Ultimately, the actual expense recognized over the vesting period will only be for those options that vest.

Our employee stock option agreements contain a retirement provision, which results in the vesting of any unvested options immediately upon retirement. This provision affects the timing of option expense recognition for options meeting the criteria for retirement. We recognize compensation expense over the period from the date of grant to the date retirement eligibility is met, if it is shorter than the required service period, or upon grant if the employee is eligible for retirement on that date.

As of December 31, 2016, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock option awards.



The first quarter of 2016 was the final quarter in which we recognized stock based compensation expense related to previously issued stock option grants, and the amount of such expense recorded in 2016 was de minimis. We recognized $0.2 million and $0.3 million of compensation expense related to stock options for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

A summary of the activity under our stock option plans as of December 31, 2016 and changes during the year then ended, is presented below:
 Options Outstanding Weighted- Average Exercise Price Per Share Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding at December 31, 2015212,038
 $40.47
 3.2 2,557,193
Options exercised(95,113) 43.56
    
Options forfeited(350) 44.32
    
Options outstanding at December 31, 2016116,575
 37.76
 3.2 4,552,580
Options exercisable at December 31, 2016116,575
 37.76
 3.2 4,552,580
Options vested at December 31, 2016116,575
 37.76
 3.2 4,552,580

During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the total intrinsic value of options exercised (i.e., the difference between the market price at time of exercise and the price paid by the individual to exercise the options) was $2.1 million and $6.7 million, respectively. The total amount of cash received from the exercise of these options was $4.1 million and $7.0 million, respectively. The total grant-date fair value of stock options that vested during 2016 was de minimis and in 2015 was $0.2 million.

A summary of the activity under our stock option plans for the fiscal years ended 2016, 2015 and 2014, is presented below:

 2016 2015 2014
  
 
Options
Outstanding
 Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
Per Share
  
 
Options
Outstanding
 Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
Per Share
  
 
Options
Outstanding
 Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
Per Share
Outstanding at beginning of year212,038
 $40.47
 393,347
 $40.72
 893,139
 $43.23
Options exercised(95,113) 43.56
 (178,759) 40.90
 (476,793) 44.60
Options forfeited(350) 44.32
 (2,550) 40.09
 (22,999) 57.07
Outstanding at year-end116,575
 37.76
 212,038
 40.47
 393,347
 40.72
Options exercisable at year-end116,575
   204,394
   364,770
  
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
We currently have performance-based restricted stock unit awards from 2014, 2015 and 2016 outstanding. These awards generally cliff vest at the end of a three year measurement period. With respect to the 2015 and 2016 awards, however, employees whose employment terminates during the measurement period due to death, disability, or, in certain cases, retirement may receive a pro-rata payout based on the number of days they were employed during the vesting period. Participants are eligible to be awarded shares ranging from 0% to 200% of the original award amount, based on certain defined performance measures. Compensation expense is recognized using the straight line method over the vesting period, unless the employee has an accelerated vesting schedule.
The 2014 and 2015 awards have two measurement criteria on which the final payout of each award is based - (i) the three year return on invested capital (ROIC) compared to that of a specified group of peer companies, and (ii) the three year total shareholder return (TSR) on the performance of our capital stock as compared to that of a specified group of peer companies. The 2016 awards have one measurement criteria, the three year total shareholder return (TSR) on the performance of our capital stock as compared to that of a specified group of peer companies. In accordance with the applicable accounting literature, the ROIC portion of the award is considered a performance condition. As such, the fair value of the ROIC portion is determined based on the market value of the underlying stock price at the grant date with cumulative compensation expense recognized to date being increased or decreased based on changes in the forecasted pay out percentage at the end of each reporting period. The TSR portion of the award is considered a market condition. As such, the fair value of this award was determined on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model with related compensation expense fixed on the grant date and expensed on a straight-line basis over the lifeterm of the awardslease for short-term leases. We also elected the package of practical expedients that ultimately vest with no changesallows us to carry forward the historical lease classification and accounting for the final projected payout of the award.indirect costs for any existing leases.


Note 11 – Pension Benefits, Other Postretirement Benefits and Employee Savings and Investment Plan
Below were the assumptions used in the Monte Carlo calculation:Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
 2016 2015
Expected volatility29.6% 28.2%
Expected term (in years)3
 3
Risk-free interest rate0.93% 0.96%
Expected volatility – In determining expected volatility, we have considered a number of factors, including historical volatility.
Expected term – We use the vesting period of the award to determine the expected term assumption for the Monte Carlo simulation valuation model.
Risk-free interest rate – We use an implied “spot rate” yield on U.S. Treasury Constant Maturity rates as of the grant date for our assumption of the risk-free interest rate.
Expected dividend yield – We do not currently pay dividends on our capital stock; therefore, a dividend yield of 0% was used in the Monte Carlo simulation valuation model.
A summary of activity under the performance-based restricted stock units plans for the fiscal years ended 2016, 2015 and 2014 is presented below:

 2016 2015 2014
 Awards Outstanding Weighted-
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
 Awards Outstanding Weighted-
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
 Awards Outstanding Weighted-
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested awards outstanding at beginning of year107,229
 $66.13
 92,437
 $52.75
 71,175
 $47.49
Awards granted84,443
 69.01
 51,475
 78.01
 51,850
 58.61
Stock issued(25,397) 72.68
 (20,910) 41.27
 (14,383) 47.89
Awards forfeited or expired(14,506) 104.83
 (15,773) 59.45
 (16,205) 52.71
Non-vested awards outstanding at end of year151,769
 $89.72
 107,229
 $66.13
 92,437
 $52.75

We recognized $4.6 million, $3.2 million and $2.3 million of compensation expense related to performance-based restricted stock units for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, there2019, we had two qualified noncontributory defined benefit pension plan, the Rogers Corporation Employees’ Pension Plan (the Union Plan) and the Rogers Corporation Defined Benefit Pension Plan (following its merger with the Hourly Employees Pension Plan of Arlon LLC, Microwave Material and Silicone Technologies Divisions, Bear, Delaware (collectively, the Merged Plan)), which were frozen and had ceased accruing benefits. The Merged Plan was $5.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested performance-based restricted stock units. That cost isterminated and substantially settled in late 2019, with remaining settlement efforts expected to be recognized overcompleted in the first half of 2020. There are no plans to terminate the Union Plan.
Additionally, we sponsor other postretirement benefit plans including multiple fully insured or self-funded medical plans and life insurance plans for certain retirees. The measurement date for all plans is December 31st for each respective plan year.
Pension Plan Termination
During the second quarter of 2019, following receipt of a weighted-average period of 1.5 years.determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Company amended the Merged Plan to (a) terminate the Merged Plan (subject to discretionary approval by the Company’s Chief Executive

Time-Based Restricted Stock Units
Officer) and (b) add a lump sum distribution option in connection with the termination of the Merged Plan, if approved. The Company subsequently provided participants of the Merged Plan an option to elect either a lump sum distribution or an annuity.
On October 17, 2019, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer approved the termination of the Merged Plan. A group annuity contract was purchased with an insurance company for all participants who did not elect a lump sum distribution, for $123.5 million, with a cash settlement date of October 24, 2019. The insurance company is responsible for administering and paying pension benefit payments effective January 1, 2020. The lump sum distributions, which totaled $38.9 million, were all paid out prior to December 31, 2019. The Merged Plan paid an additional $1.3 million of monthly pension benefit payments subsequent to the annuity purchase date during the transition period ending December 31, 2019. The Merged Plan had sufficient assets to satisfy all transaction obligations. The Merged Plan had $9.0 million of net assets remaining as of December 31, 2019.
In addition, we recorded a total non-cash pre-tax settlement charge in connection with the termination of the Merged Plan of $53.2 million during the fourth quarter of 2019. This settlement charge consisted of the immediate recognition into expense of the related unrecognized losses within “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in the consolidated statements of financial position as of the plan termination date. The settlement charge was recognized in “Pension settlement charges” in the consolidated statements of operations. We currently have time-based restricted stock unit grants from 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 outstanding. The majorityexpect to incur an additional non-cash pre-tax settlement charge in connection with the remaining settlement efforts of 2013 grants ratably vest onthe Merged Plan of approximately $0.7 million during the first secondhalf of 2020.
Plan Assets and third anniversariesPlan Benefit Obligations
The following table summarizes the change in plan benefit obligations and changes in plan assets:
 Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018 2019 2018
Change in plan benefit obligations:       
Benefit obligation as of January 1$172,608
 $185,760
 $1,803
 $2,037
Service cost
 
 61
 73
Interest cost5,641
 6,758
 59
 62
Actuarial (gain) loss23,797
 (10,805) (51) (5)
Benefit payments(9,262) (9,105) (273) (364)
Pension settlements(162,484) 
 
 
Benefit obligation as of December 31$30,300
 $172,608
 $1,599
 $1,803
Change in plan assets:       
Fair value of plan assets as of January 1$191,652
 $180,056
 $
 $
Actual return on plan assets22,888
 (4,299) 
 
Employer contributions41
 25,000
 273
 364
Benefit payments(9,262) (9,105) (273) (364)
Pension settlements(162,484) 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets as of December 31$42,835
 $191,652
 $
 $
        
Amount overfunded (underfunded)$12,535
 $19,044
 $(1,599) $(1,803)

The decrease in our plan benefit obligations in 2019 was primarily driven by the termination and settlement of our Merged Plan benefit obligations, in addition to actuarial gains and benefit payments, partially offset by interest costs. The decrease in our benefit obligation in 2018 was primarily driven by actuarial gains and benefit payments made, partially offset by interest costs.


Our pension-related balances reflected in the consolidated statements of financial position consisted of the original grant date. following:
 Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits
 As of December 31, As of December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018 2019 2018
Assets & Liabilities:       
Non-current assets$12,790
 $19,273
 $
 $
Current liabilities(5) (4) (282) (334)
Non-current liabilities(250) (225) (1,317) (1,469)
Net assets (liabilities)$12,535
 $19,044
 $(1,599) $(1,803)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss:       
Net actuarial (loss) gain$(13,085) $(59,972) $54
 $68
Prior service benefit
 
 209
 1,220
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income$(13,085) $(59,972) $263
 $1,288

The 2014, 2015projected benefit obligation (PBO), accumulated benefit obligation (ABO), and 2016 grants all ratably vest on the first, second and third anniversaries of the original grant date. We recognize compensation expense on all of these awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The fair value of plan assets for the award is determined based on the marketpension plan with a PBO or ABO in excess of its plan assets were immaterial as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
The PBO, ABO, and fair value of plan assets for the underlying stock price atpension plan with plan assets in excess of its PBO or ABO were $30.0 million, $30.0 million and $42.8 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2019. The PBO, ABO, and fair value of plan assets for the grant date.pension plans with plan assets in excess of their PBO or ABO were $172.4 million, $172.4 million and $191.7 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2018.

The PBO and ABO of plan assets for the other postretirement benefit plans with a PBO or ABO in excess of plan assets were both $1.6 million as of December 31, 2019. The PBO and ABO of plan assets for the other postretirement benefit plans with a PBO or ABO in excess of plan assets were both $1.8 million as of December 31, 2018. The other postretirement benefit plans did not have any plan assets as of December 31, 2019 or 2018.

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)

The components of net periodic benefit cost (credit) were as follows:
 Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits
 Years Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018 2017 2019 2018 2017
Service cost$
 $
 $
 $61
 $73
 $80
Interest cost5,641
 6,758
 7,356
 59
 62
 71
Expected return of plan assets(6,932) (8,662) (9,221) 
 
 
Amortization of prior service credit
 
 
 (1,011) (1,602) (1,602)
Amortization of net loss (gain)1,514
 1,828
 1,755
 
 
 
Settlement charge53,213
 
 
 
 
 
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)$53,436
 $(76) $(110) $(891) $(1,467) $(1,451)

Plan Assumptions
 2016 2015 2014
 Awards Outstanding Weighted-
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
 Awards Outstanding Weighted-
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
 Awards Outstanding Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested awards outstanding at beginning of year208,318
 $64.27
 238,386
 $53.80
 231,026
 $48.54
Awards granted118,660
 51.70
 75,160
 77.15
 93,780
 61.70
Stock issued(60,326) 64.03
 (93,813) 48.35
 (62,378) 47.19
Awards forfeited or expired(27,463) 64.60
 (11,415) 61.32
 (24,042) 51.19
Non-vested awards outstanding at end of year239,189
 $57.71
 208,318
 $64.27
 238,386
 $53.80
 Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits
 2019 2018 2019 2018
Weighted average assumptions used in benefit obligations:       
Discount rate3.25% 4.25% 2.75% 3.75%
Weighted average assumptions used in net periodic benefit costs:       
Discount rate4.25% 3.70% 3.75% 3.25%
Expected long-term rate of return on assets4.69% 4.94% % %
For measurement purposes as of December 31, 2019, we assumed an annual health care cost trend rate of 6.75% for covered health care benefits for retirees pre-age 65 or post-age 65. The rate was assumed to decrease gradually by 0.25% annually until reaching 4.50% and remain at that level thereafter. For measurement purposes as of December 31, 2018, we assumed an annual health care cost trend rate of 7.00% for covered health care benefits for retirees pre-age 65 or post-age 65.


Our pension plan assets are invested with the objective of achieving a total rate of return over the long-term that is sufficient to fund future pension obligations. In managing these assets and our investment strategy, we consider future cash contributions to the plan as well as the potential of the portfolio underperforming the market. We recognized $5.6 million, $5.0 millionset asset allocation target ranges based on current funding status and $3.6 millionfuture projections in order to mitigate the portfolio performance risk while maintaining its funded status. Fixed income securities comprise a substantial percentage of compensation expense related to time-based restricted stock units for years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.our plan assets portfolio. As of December 31, 2016, there2019, we held approximately 92% fixed income and short-term cash securities and 8% equity securities in our portfolio, compared to December 31, 2018 when we held approximately 99% fixed income and short-term cash securities and 1% equity securities.
In determining our investment strategy and calculating the net benefit cost, we utilized an expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, which was $7.3 million of total unrecognized compensation costdeveloped based on several factors, including the plans’ asset allocation targets, the historical and projected performance on those asset classes, as well as the plan’s current asset composition. To justify our assumptions, we analyzed certain data points related to unvested time-based restricted stock units. That cost is expected to be recognizedportfolio performance. For example, we analyze the actual historical performance of our total plan assets, which has generated a return of approximately 6.32% over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years.
Deferred Stock Units
We grant deferred stock units to non-management directors. These awards are fully vestedthe past 20-year period. Based on the date of granthistorical returns and the related shares are generally issued on the 13th month anniversaryprojected future returns, we determined that a target return of the grant date unless the individual elects to defer the receipt of these shares. Each deferred stock unit results in the issuance of one share of Rogers’ stock. The grant of deferred stock units4.91% is typically done annually in the second quarter of each year. The fair value of the award is determined based on the market value of the underlying stock price at the grant date.

 2016 2015 2014
 Awards Outstanding Weighted-
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
 Awards Outstanding Weighted-
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
 Awards Outstanding Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested awards outstanding at beginning of year23,950
 $27.22
 30,150
 $24.43
 31,550
 $26.77
Awards granted11,900
 58.82
 10,300
 73.79
 14,700
 58.45
Stock issued(23,950) 52.69
 (16,500) 51.20
 (16,100) 60.08
Non-vested awards outstanding at end of year11,900
 $58.82
 23,950
 $27.22
 30,150
 $24.43

We recognized compensation expense related to deferred stock units of $0.7 million, $0.8 million and $0.8 million,appropriate for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.current portfolio.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
We have an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) that allows eligible employees to purchase, through payroll deductions, shares of our capital stock at a discount to fair market value. The ESPP has two 6 month offering periods each year, the first beginning in January and ending in June and the second beginning in July and ending in December. The ESPP contains a look-back feature that allows the employee to acquire stock at a 15% discount from the underlying market price at the beginning or end of the applicable period, whichever is lower. We recognize compensation expense on this plan ratably over the offering period based onfollowing table presents the fair value of the anticipated numberpension plan net assets by asset category and level, within the fair value hierarchy, as of shares that will be issued at the endDecember 31, 2019 and 2018.
 Fair Value of Plan Assets as of December 31, 2019
(Dollars in thousands)Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Fixed income bonds$
 $27,704
 $
 $27,704
Mutual funds3,277
 
 
 3,277
Pooled separate accounts
 10,516
 
 10,516
Guaranteed deposit account
 
 1,338
 1,338
Total plan assets at fair value$3,277
 $38,220
 $1,338
 $42,835
 Fair Value of Plan Assets as of December 31, 2018
(Dollars in thousands)Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Fixed income bonds$
 $186,385
 $
 $186,385
Mutual funds2,691
 
 
 2,691
Pooled separate accounts
 1,216
 
 1,216
Guaranteed deposit account
 
 1,360
 1,360
Total plan assets at fair value$2,691
 $187,601
 $1,360
 $191,652

The following table presents a summary of each offering period. Compensation expense is adjusted at the end of each offering period for the actual number of shares issued. Fair value is determined based on two factors: (i) the 15% discount amount on the underlying stock’s market value on the first day of the applicable offering period, and (ii)changes in the fair value of the look-back feature determined by using the Black-Scholes model. We recognized approximately $0.5 million of compensation expense associated with the plan guaranteed deposit account’s Level 3 assetsfor the yearsyear ended December 31, 2016, 20152019:
 Guaranteed Deposit Account
Balance as of January 1, 2019$1,360
Change in unrealized gain (loss)41
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements (net)(63)
Balance as of December 31, 2019$1,338

Cash Flows
We were not required to make any contributions to our qualified noncontributory defined benefit pension plans in 2019 and 2014, respectively.2018. We made a voluntary contribution of $25.0 million to the Merged Plan in 2018 as part of the proposed plan termination process. We made expected benefit payments for our defined benefit pension plans, as well as substantially settled the Merged Plan benefit obligations, through the utilization of plan assets for the funded pension plans in 2019 and 2018. As there is no funding requirement for the other postretirement benefit plans, we funded benefit payments, which were immaterial in 2019 and 2018, as incurred using cash from operations.


The benefit payments are based on the same assumptions used to measure our benefit obligations as of December 31, 2019. The following table sets forth the expected benefit payments to be paid for the pension plans and the other postretirement benefit plans:



 Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits
2020$2,780
 $282
2021$1,870
 $160
2022$1,818
 $121
2023$1,832
 $131
2024$1,818
 $116
2025-2029$8,928
 $774

Employee Savings and Investment Plan
We sponsor the Rogers Employee Savings and Investment Plan (RESIP), a 401(k) plan for domestic employees. Employees can defer an amount they choose, up to the annual IRS limit of $19,000. Certain eligible participants are also allowed to contribute the maximum catch-up contribution per IRS regulations. Our matching contribution is 6% of an eligible employee’s annual pre-tax contribution at a rate of 100% for the first 1% of the employee’s salary and 50% for the next 5% of the employee’s salary for a total match of 3.5%. Unless otherwise indicated by the participant, the matching dollars are invested in the same funds as the participant’s contributions. RESIP related expense amounted to $4.4 million in 2019, $5.6 million in 2018 and $4.0 million in 2017, which related solely to our matching contributions.
NOTE 15Note 12COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Leases

Our principal noncancellable operating lease obligations are for building spaceCommitments and vehicles. The leases generally provide that we pay maintenance costs. The lease periods typically range from one to five years and include purchase or renewal provisions. We have leases that are cancellable with minimal notice. Additionally, we have a capital lease on our manufacturing facility in Eschenbach, Germany, which was entered into in 2011.

The following table includes future minimum lease payments under capital leases together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2016:

(Dollars in thousands)  
Year Ending December 31,  
2017 $482
2018 482
2019 482
2020 482
2021 3,940
Thereafter 
Total 5,868
Less: Interest (525)
Present Value of Net Future Minimum Lease Payments $5,343

The following table includes future minimum lease payments required under operating leases that have initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2016:

(Dollars in thousands)  
Year Ending December 31,  
2017 $3,352
2018 2,437
2019 1,240
2020 924
2021 720
Thereafter 1,034
Total $9,707

The following table includes lease expense for the three years ended December 31, 2016:
 For the Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2016 2015 2014
Operating leases$3,567
 $3,531
 $2,716
Capital lease$564
 $667
 $747



Contingencies
Environmental & Legal
We are currently engaged in the following environmental and legal proceedings:
Voluntary Corrective Action Program
The Rogers corporate headquarters locatedOur location in Rogers, Connecticut is part of the Connecticut Voluntary Corrective Action Program (VCAP). As part of this program, we partnered with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) to determine the corrective actions to be taken at the site related to contamination issues. We evaluated this matter and completed internal due diligence work related to the site in the fourth quarter of 2015. We recorded an accrual of $3.2 million as of December 31, 2015 for remediation costs expected to be incurred based on the facts and circumstances known to us at that time. During the third quarter of 2016, the CT DEEP approved a change to our remediation plan for the site that will reduce our overall expected costs. Accordingly, we reduced the accrual by $0.9 million as a result of change in the level of remediation that needs to take place as an offset to selling, general, and administrative expenses in the consolidated financial statements. Remediation activities on the site continued during 2016are ongoing and are recorded as reductions to the accrual as they are incurred. We have incurred aggregate remediation costs of $1.4 million through December 31, 2016,2019, and the remaining accrual for future remediation efforts was $1.9is $1.5 million.
Superfund Sites
We are currently involved as a potentially responsible party (PRP) in one active case involving a waste disposal site, the Chatham Superfund Site. The costs incurred since inception for this claim have been immaterial and have been primarily covered by insurance policies, for both legal and remediation costs. In this matter we have been assessed a cost sharing percentage of approximately 2% in relation to the range for estimated total cleanup costs of $18.8 million to $29.6 million. We believe we are a de minimis participant and, as such, have been allocated an insignificant percentage of the total PRP cost sharing responsibility. We believe that we have sufficient insurance coverage to fully cover this liability and have recorded a liability and related insurance receivable of approximately $0.4 million as of December 31, 2016, which approximates our share of the low end of the estimated range. Based on facts presently known to us, we believe that the potential for the final results of this case having a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows is remote. This case has been ongoing for many years and we believe that it will continue on for the indefinite future. No time frame for completion can be estimated at the present time.

PCB Contamination

We have been working with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region I, in connection with certain polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination at our facility in Woodstock, Connecticut. The issue was originally discovered in the soil at the facility in the late 1990s, and this initial issue was remediated in 2000. Further contamination was later found in the groundwater beneath the property, which was addressed with the installation of a pump and treat system in 2011. Additional PCB contamination at this facility was found in the facility’s original buildings, courtyards and surrounding areas including an on-site pond. Remediation costs related to this contamination were expected to approximate $0.7 million. Remediation activities of the affected buildings and courtyards were completed in 2014 at a total cost of $0.5 million. Currently, we have an accrual of $0.2 million for the pond remediation recorded on our consolidated statements of financial position. We believe this accrual will be adequate to cover the remaining remediation work related to the soil and pond contamination based on the information known at this time. However, if additional contamination is found, the cost of the remaining remediation may increase.
Overall, we have spent approximately $2.3 million in remediation and monitoring costs related to these PCB contamination issues. The future costs related to the maintenance of the groundwater pump and treat system now in place at the site are expected to be minimal. We believe that the remaining remediation activity will continue for several more years and no time frame for completion can be estimated at the present time.

Asbestos

Overview
We, like many other industrial companies, have been named as a defendant in a number of lawsuits filed in courts across the country by persons alleging personal injury from exposure to products containing asbestos. We have never mined, milled, manufactured or marketed asbestos; rather, we made and provided to industrial users a limited number of products that contained encapsulated asbestos, but we stopped manufacturing these products in the late 1980s. Most of the claims filed against us involve numerous defendants, sometimes as many as several hundred.


The following table presents information about our recentsummarizes the change in number of asbestos claims activity:outstanding during 2019 and 2018:
For the Year Ended December 31,2019 2018
20162015
Claims outstanding at beginning of year489
440
Claims outstanding as of January 1745
 687
New claims filed288
231
251
 275
Pending claims concluded*(172)(182)(404) (217)
Claims outstanding at end of year605
489
Claims outstanding as of December 31592
 745

* For the year ended December 31, 2016, 1552019, 373 claims were dismissed and 1731 claims were settled. For the year ended December 31, 2015, 1762018, 192 claims were dismissed and 625 claims were settled.Settlements totaled approximately $4.4$5.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016,2019, compared to $1.6$7.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.2018.

Impacts on Financial Statements
We recognize a liability for asbestos-related contingencies that are probable of occurrence and reasonably estimable. In connection with the recognition of liabilities for asbestos relatedasbestos-related matters, we record asbestos-related insurance receivables that are deemed probable. Our estimates
The liability projection period covers all current and future indemnity and defense costs through 2064, which represents the expected end of asbestos-related contingent liabilitiesour asbestos liability exposure with no further ongoing claims expected beyond that date. This conclusion was based on


our history and related insurance receivables are based on an independent actuarial analysisexperience with the claims data, the diminished volatility and consistency of observable claims data, the period of time that has elapsed since we stopped manufacturing products that contained encapsulated asbestos and an independent insurance usage analysis prepared annually by third parties. The actuarial analysis contains numerous assumptions, including general assumptions regardingexpected downward trend in claims due to the asbestos-related product liability litigation environment and company-specific assumptions regarding claims rates (including diseases alleged), dismissal rates, average settlement costs andage of our claimants, which is approaching the average defense costs. The insurance usage analysis considers, among other things, applicable deductibles, retentions and policy limits, the solvency and historical payment experience of various insurance carriers, the likelihood of recovery as estimated by external legal counsel and existing insurance settlements. We review our asbestos-related forecasts annually in the fourth quarter of each year unless facts and circumstances materially change during the year, at which time we would analyze these forecasts. Currently, these analyses project liabilities and related insurance receivables over a 10-year period. It is probable we will incur additional costs for asbestos-related claims following this 10-year period, but we do not believe that any related contingencies are reasonably estimable beyond such period based on, among other things, the significant proportion of future claims included in the analysis and the lag time between the date a claim is filed and its resolution. Accordingly, no liability (or related asset) has been recorded for claims that may be asserted subsequent to 2026.

For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, our forecasted asbestos-related claims and insurance receivables for the 10-year projection period were as follows:
(Dollars in millions)20162015
Asbestos-related claims$52.0
$56.6
Asbestos-related insurance receivables$48.4
$53.4

life expectancy.
To date, the defenseindemnity and settlementdefense costs of our asbestos-related product liability litigation have been substantially covered by insurance. WeAlthough we have identified continuousexhausted coverage under some of our insurance policies, we believe that we have applicable primary, excess and/or umbrella coverage for primary, excess and umbrella insurance from the 1950s through the mid-1980s, except for a period in the early 1960s,claims arising with respect to most of the years during which we have entered into an agreement for primary, but not excess or umbrella, coverage.manufactured and marketed asbestos-containing products. In addition, we have entered into a cost sharing agreement with most of our primary, excess and umbrella insurance carriers to facilitate the ongoing administration and payment of claims covered by the carriers. The cost sharing agreement may be terminated by any party, but will continue until a party elects to terminate it. As of the filing date for this report, the agreement has not been terminated.terminated, and no carrier had informed us it intended to terminate the agreement. We expect to continue to exhaust individual primary, excess and umbrella coverages over time, and there is no assurance that such exhaustion will not accelerate due to additional claims, damages and settlements or that coverage will be available as expected. Accordingly, while we believe it is reasonably possible that we may incur lossesWe are responsible for uninsured indemnity and defense costs, in excess of our accruals in the future, we do not have sufficient data to provide a reasonable estimate or range of such losses and defense costs, at this time.



Impact on Financial Statements

Projections on the potential exposure and expected insurance coverage are based numerous assumptions. We believe the assumptions made are reasonable at the present time, but are subject to uncertainty based on the actual future outcome of our asbestos litigation. We determined that a ten-year projection period is appropriate as we have experience in addressing asbestos related lawsuits over the last few years to use as a baseline to project the liability over ten years. However, we do not believe we have sufficient data to justify a longer projection period at this time. As of December 31, 2016, the estimated liability and estimated insurance recovery for the ten-year period through 2026 was $52.0 million and $48.4 million, respectively. Each year we evaluate the changes in the estimated liability and estimated insurance recovery based on the projections of asbestos litigation and corresponding insurance coverage for that litigation and record the resulting expense or income. For the years ended December 31, 20162019 and 2014,2018, we recognized expense of $0.3paid $0.7 million and $0.8$1.2 million, respectively, and for the year ended December 31, 2015 we recorded income of $0.3 million.

related to such costs.
The amounts recorded for the asbestos-related liability and the related insurance receivables described above wereare based on facts known at the time and a number of assumptions. However, projecting future events, such as the number of new claims to be filed each year, the average cost of disposing of such claims, the length of time it takes to dispose of such claims, coverage issues among insurers and the continuing solvency of various insurance companies, as well as the numerous uncertainties surrounding asbestos litigation in the United States,U.S., could cause the actual liability and insurance recoveries for us to be higher or lower than those projected or recorded.

There can be no assurance that our accrued asbestos liabilities will approximate our actual asbestos-related settlement and defense costs, or that our accrued insurance recoveries will be realized. We believe that it is reasonably possible that we will incur additional charges for our asbestos liabilities and defense costsChanges recorded in the future, which could exceed existing accruals, but such excess amount cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. We will continue to vigorously defend ourselvesliability and believe we have substantial unutilizedestimated insurance recovery based on the projections of asbestos litigation and corresponding insurance coverage, result in the recognition of expense or income. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, we recognized expense of $1.7 million, $0.7 million and $3.4 million, respectively. The increase in expense in 2019 compared to mitigate future costs related2018 was due to this matter.an unfavorable change in the defense cost assumptions and the inclusion of non-mesothelioma cases in the cost projections, partially offset by a corresponding favorable change in our insurance recovery expectations. The higher expense recognized in 2017 was primarily attributable to the change in the forecast period from 10 years to 40 years, partially offset by a corresponding favorable change in our insurance recovery expectations.

Our projected asbestos-related claims and insurance receivables were as follows:
 As of December 31,
(Dollars in millions)2019 2018
Asbestos-related liabilities$85.9
 $70.3
Asbestos-related insurance receivables$78.3
 $63.8

General

In addition to the above issues, the nature and scope of our business brings us in regular contact with the general public and a variety of businesses and government agencies. Such activities inherently subject us to the possibility of litigation, including environmental and product liability matters that are defended and handled in the ordinary course of business. We have established accruals for matters for which management considers a loss to be probable and reasonably estimable. It is the opinion of management that facts known at the present time do not indicate that such litigation after taking into account insurance coverage and the aforementioned accruals, will have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
Note 13 – Income Taxes
The “Income before income tax expense” line item in the consolidated statements of operations consisted of:
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018 2017
Domestic$(18,711) $14,381
 $39,751
International73,837
 96,208
 93,174
Total$55,126
 $110,589
 $132,925



The “Income tax expense” line item in the consolidated statements of operations consisted of:
(Dollars in thousands)Current Deferred Total
2019     
Domestic$3,372
 $(16,827) $(13,455)
International21,984
 (722) 21,262
Total$25,356
 $(17,549) $7,807
      
2018     
Domestic$(341) $(3,007) $(3,348)
International26,604
 (318) 26,286
Total$26,263
 $(3,325) $22,938
      
2017     
Domestic$7,535
 $21,936
 $29,471
International27,418
 (4,423) 22,995
Total$34,953
 $17,513
 $52,466

Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, were comprised of the following:
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018
Deferred tax assets   
Accrued employee benefits and compensation$5,730
 $4,269
Tax loss and credit carryforwards17,761
 18,604
Reserves and accruals5,996
 4,935
Operating leases904
 
Other2,210
 1,953
Total deferred tax assets32,601
 29,761
Less deferred tax asset valuation allowance(14,625) (16,889)
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance17,976
 12,872
Deferred tax liabilities   
Depreciation and amortization4,025
 8,335
Postretirement benefit obligations1,719
 3,234
Unremitted earnings1,624
 1,778
Operating leases908
 
Other1,803
 2,094
Total deferred tax liabilities10,079
 15,441
Net deferred tax asset (liability)$7,897
 $(2,569)

As of December 31, 2019, we had state net operating loss carryforwards ranging from $0.2 million to $5.0 million in various state taxing jurisdictions, which expire between 2022 and 2039 and approximately $8.7 million of credit carryforwards in Arizona, which will expire between 2020 and 2034. We also had $5.9 million of federal research and development credit carryforwards that begin to expire in 2026. We believe that it is more likely than not that the benefit from certain of the state net operating loss, state credits and federal research and development credits carryforwards will not be realized. In recognition of this risk, we have provided a valuation allowance of $13.4 million relating to these carryforwards. We currently have approximately $4.6 million of foreign tax credits that begin to expire in 2028.
We had a valuation allowance of $14.6 million as of December 31, 2019 and $16.9 million as of December 31, 2018, against certain of our deferred tax assets, primarily carryforwards expected to expire unused and deferred tax assets that are capital in nature. No valuation allowance has been provided on our other deferred tax assets, as we believe it is more likely than not that all such assets will be realized in the applicable jurisdictions. We reached this conclusion after considering the availability of taxable income in prior carryback years, tax planning strategies, and the likelihood of future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards in the respective jurisdictions or entities. Differences between forecasted and actual future operating results or changes in carryforward periods could adversely impact the amount of deferred tax asset considered realizable.


Income tax expense differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to income before income taxes. The reasons for this difference were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018 2017
Tax expense at Federal statutory income tax rate$11,576
 $23,224
 $46,529
Impact of foreign operations107
 826
 (9,603)
Foreign source income, net of tax credits(2,248) (197) 1,087
State tax, net of federal(690) 121
 279
Unrecognized tax benefits543
 (869) 2,874
U.S. Tax Reform
 209
 13,683
Equity compensation excess tax deductions(2,902) (2,238) (3,867)
General business credits(656) (2,172) (1,080)
Distribution related foreign taxes1,240
 1,916
 2,173
Valuation allowance change (excluding U.S. Tax Reform)(2,527) 602
 1,393
Disproportionate tax effect of pension settlement charges2,510
 
 
Other854
 1,516
 (1,002)
Income tax expense (benefit)$7,807
 $22,938
 $52,466

Our effective income tax rate for 2019 was 14.2% compared to 20.7% for 2018. The 2019 rate decrease was primarily due to the impact of changes in valuation allowance against deferred tax assets associated with carried over research and development credits, excess tax deductions on stock-based compensation, and the international provisions from the U.S. tax reform enacted in 2017. This decrease was partially offset by a disproportionate tax impact from the non-cash settlement charge in connection with the termination of the Merged Plan, increase in taxes associated with the repatriation of foreign earnings, and increase in current accruals of reserves for uncertain tax positions.
We did not make any changes in 2019 to our position on the permanent reinvestment of our historical earnings from foreign operations. With the exception of certain Chinese subsidiaries, we continue to assert that historical foreign earnings are indefinitely reinvested. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had recorded a deferred tax liability of $1.6 million and $1.8 million, respectively, for Chinese withholding tax on undistributed earnings that are not indefinitely reinvested. The other remaining foreign subsidiaries have both the intent and ability to indefinitely reinvest their undistributed earnings and we expect that these undistributed earnings may give rise to an estimated $3.5 million of additional tax liabilities as a result of distribution of such earnings. If circumstances change and it becomes apparent that some, or all of the undistributed earnings as of December 31, 2019 will not be indefinitely reinvested, the provision for the tax consequences, if any, will be recorded in the period when circumstances change. Distributions out of current and future earnings are permissible to fund discretionary activities such as business acquisitions. However, when distributions are made, this could result in a higher effective tax rate.
Unrecognized tax benefits, excluding potential interest and penalties, for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, were as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018
Beginning balance as of January 1$9,801
 $14,565
Gross increases - current period tax positions3,139
 2,583
Gross increases - tax positions in prior periods
 505
Gross decreases - tax positions in prior periods
 
Foreign currency exchange
 (142)
Lapse of statute of limitations(2,723) (7,710)
Ending balance as of December 31$10,217
 $9,801

Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2019 were $9.9 million of tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate. Also included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefit as of December 31, 2019 were $0.3 million of tax benefits that, if recognized, would result in adjustments to other tax accounts, primarily deferred taxes.
We recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefit as income tax expense. Related to the unrecognized tax benefits noted above, at December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had accrued potential interest and penalties of approximately $0.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively. We have recorded a net income tax expense of $0.2 million during 2019, net income tax expense of $0.1 million during 2018 and $0.9 million net income tax benefit during 2017.


We are subject to taxation in the U.S. and various state and foreign jurisdictions. Our tax years from 2015 through 2019 are subject to examination by the tax authorities. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, local and foreign examinations by tax authorities for the years before 2015.
NOTE 16Note 14BUSINESS SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Operating Segment and Geographic Information
Our reporting structure is comprised of the following strategic operating segments: ACS, EMS and PES. OurThe remaining operations, which represent our non-core businesses, are reported in the “Other” reportableOther operating segment.

Advanced Connectivity Solutions

The ACS operating segment includes circuit materials and solutions enabling high-performance and high-reliability connectivity for applications in wireless communications infrastructure (e.g., power amplifiers, antennas, small cells and distributed antenna systems), automotive (e.g., active safety, advanced driver assistance systems, telematics and thermal management), connected devices, (e.g., mobile internet devices and Internet of Things), wired infrastructure (e.g., computing, servers and storage), consumer electronics and aerospace/defense. These products have characteristics that offer performance and other functional advantages in many market applications and serve to differentiate our products from other commonly available materials. These products are sold principally to independent and captive printed circuit board fabricators that convert our laminates to custom printed circuits.

The polymer-based dielectric layers of our circuit board laminates are proprietary materials that provide highly specialized electrical and mechanical properties. We sell our circuit materials under various trade names, including RO3000®, RO4000®, RT/duroid®, AD SeriesTM and CLTE SeriesTM. All of these laminates are used for making circuitry that receive, transmit, and process high frequency communications signals, yet each laminate has varying properties that address specific needs and applications within the communications market.

Elastomeric Material Solutions



The EMS operating segment includes elastomeric material solutions for critical cushioning, sealing, impact protection and vibration management applications including general industrial, portable electronics (e.g., mobile internet devices), consumer goods (e.g., protective sports equipment), automotive, mass transportation, construction and printing applications. These materials have characteristics that offer functional advantages in many market applications which serve to differentiate Rogers’ products from other commonly available materials.

EMS products are sold globally to converters, fabricators, distributors and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for use in general industrial applications, portable electronics including mobile internet devices, consumer goods, mass transportation, construction, printing applications and other markets. Trade names for our EMS products include: DeWAL™, ARLON®, PORON®, XRD®, BISCO® and eSORBA®.

In November 2016, we acquired DeWAL which is being integrated into our EMS segment. DeWAL is a leading manufacturer of polytetrafluoroethylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene films, pressure sensitive tapes and specialty products for the industrial, aerospace, automotive, and electronics markets.

We have two 50% owned joint ventures that extend and complement our worldwide business in Elastomeric Material Solutions. Rogers INOAC Corporation (RIC), a joint venture with Japan-based INOAC Corporation, manufactures high performance polyurethane foam materials in Mie and Taketoyo, Japan to predominantly serve the Japanese and Taiwanese markets. Rogers INOAC Suzhou Corporation (RIS) is a joint venture in China that was established with INOAC Corporation and provides polyurethane foam materials primarily to the Asian marketplace.

Power Electronics Solutions
The PES operating segment is comprised of direct bond copper (DBC) ceramic substrate products and busbar power distribution products. We believe thatthis structure aligns our advanced, customized components enable the performanceexternal reporting presentation with how we currently manage and reliability of today’s growing array of power electronic devices and serve to increase the efficiency of applications by managing heat and ensuring the reliability of these critical devices used in converting raw energy into controlled and regulated power that can be used and managed.view our business internally.
Trade names for our PES products include curamik® ceramic substrates and ROLINX® products. Our curamik® ceramic substrates are used in the design of intelligent power management devices, such as insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) modules, which enable a wide range of products including highly efficient industrial motor drives, wind and solar converters and electric and hybrid electric vehicle drive systems. ROLINX® products are used in high power electrical inverter and converter systems for use in mass transit (e.g. high speed trains); clean technology applications (e.g. wind turbines, solar farms and electric vehicles) and variable frequency drives for high to mid power applications.
Other

The remainder of operations are accumulated and reported as our Other business, which consists of elastomer components, floats and inverter distribution activities. Elastomer components are sold to OEMs for applications in ground transportation, office equipment, consumer and other markets. Trade names for our elastomer components include: NITROPHYL® floats for level sensing in fuel tanks, motors, and storage tanks and ENDUR® elastomer rollers and belts for document handling in copiers, printers, mail sorting machines and automated teller machines. Inverters are sold primarily to OEMs and fabricators that in turn sell to various other third parties primarily serving the portable communication and automotive markets. Arlon operations related to the manufacture of specialty polyimide, epoxy-based laminates and bonding materials were included in our Other segment until we divested those operations in December 2015.




The following table sets forth the information about our reportable segments for the periods indicated, with inter-segment sales eliminated:
(Dollars in thousands)Advanced Connectivity Solutions Elastomeric Material Solutions Power Electronics Solutions Other Total
2016         
Net sales$277,787
 $203,181
 $152,367
 $22,979
 $656,314
Operating income$43,965
 $26,593
 $5,965
 $7,329
 $83,852
Total assets$361,746
 $421,011
 $247,187
 $26,556
 $1,056,500
Capital expenditures$7,569
 $4,051
 $6,009
 $507
 $18,136
Depreciation & amortization$15,654
 $10,141
 $11,208
 $844
 $37,847
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures$
 $16,183
 $
 $
 $16,183
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures$
 $4,146
 $
 $
 $4,146
2015         
Net sales$267,630
 $180,898
 $150,288
 $42,627
 $641,443
Operating income$45,115
 $19,979
 $3,750
 $7,411
 $76,255
Total assets$315,358
 $264,982
 $320,755
 $29,260
 $930,355
Capital expenditures$15,532
 $4,103
 $4,185
 $1,017
 $24,837
Depreciation & amortization$15,403
 $9,280
 $7,855
 $1,516
 $34,054
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures$
 $15,348
 $
 $
 $15,348
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures$
 $2,890
 $
 $
 $2,890
2014         
Net sales$240,864
 $173,671
 $171,832
 $24,544
 $610,911
Operating income$44,007
 $23,350
 $5,654
 $8,230
 $81,241
Total assets$217,173
 $221,013
 $377,181
 $25,068
 $840,435
Capital expenditures$14,290
 $6,197
 $7,489
 $779
 $28,755
Depreciation & amortization$9,575
 $6,561
 $9,332
 $800
 $26,268
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures$
 $17,214
 $
 $
 $17,214
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures$
 $4,123
 $
 $
 $4,123
Operating Segment Information
The following table sets forthpresents a disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers and other pertinent financial information, for the periods indicated; inter-segment sales have been eliminated from the net sales data:
(Dollars in thousands)Advanced Connectivity Solutions Elastomeric Material Solutions Power Electronics Solutions Other Total
2019         
Net sales - recognized over time$
 $12,687
 $197,702
 $18,112
 $228,501
Net sales - recognized at a point in time$316,592
 $348,916
 $833
 $3,418
 $669,759
Total net sales$316,592
 $361,603
 $198,535
 $21,530
 $898,260
Operating income$48,654
 $57,080
 $(1,437) $6,184
 $110,481
Total assets$402,398
 $569,484
 $278,763
 $22,536
 $1,273,181
Capital expenditures$22,156
 $8,550
 $20,191
 $700
 $51,597
Depreciation & amortization$18,267
 $19,887
 $10,260
 $748
 $49,162
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures$
 $16,461
 $
 $
 16,461
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures$
 $5,319
 $
 $
 $5,319
2018         
Net sales - recognized over time$
 $5,788
 $221,896
 $16,973
 $244,657
Net sales - recognized at a point in time$294,154
 $335,576
 $1,442
 $3,262
 $634,434
Total net sales$294,154
 $341,364
 $223,338
 $20,235
 $879,091
Operating income$33,827
 $52,502
 $19,648
 $6,734
 $112,711
Total assets$396,075
 $588,841
 $273,212
 $21,216
 $1,279,344
Capital expenditures$61,425
 $10,917
 $18,051
 $156
 $90,549
Depreciation & amortization$20,121
 $18,501
 $10,640
 $811
 $50,073
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures$
 $18,667
 $
 $
 $18,667
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures$
 $5,501
 $
 $
 $5,501
2017         
Total net sales$301,092
 $312,661
 $184,954
 $22,336
 $821,043
Operating income$55,410
 $50,908
 $15,668
 $7,153
 $129,139
Total assets$353,786
 $489,456
 $261,034
 $20,858
 $1,125,134
Capital expenditures$9,900
 $7,563
 $9,238
 $514
 $27,215
Depreciation & amortization$16,351
 $16,270
 $10,572
 $906
 $44,099
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures$
 $18,324
 $
 $
 $18,324
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures$
 $4,898
 $
 $
 $4,898



Operating Segment Net Sales by Geographic Area
The following table presents net sales by our operating income reconciliationsegment operations by geographic area for the years indicated:
(Dollars in thousands) 
Net Sales(1)
Region/Country Advanced Connectivity Solutions Elastomeric Material Solutions Power Electronics Solutions Other Total
December 31, 2019          
United States $63,753
 $160,918
 $31,874
 $4,507
 $261,052
Other Americas 3,348
 9,208
 365
 913
 13,834
Total Americas 67,101
 170,126
 32,239
 5,420
 274,886
China 153,127
 95,653
 40,391
 6,086
 295,257
Other APAC 60,457
 55,402
 23,401
 2,920
 142,180
Total APAC 213,584
 151,055
 63,792
 9,006
 437,437
Germany 15,912
 13,702
 57,761
 573
 87,948
Other EMEA 19,995
 26,720
 44,743
 6,531
 97,989
Total EMEA 35,907
 40,422
 102,504
 7,104
 185,937
Total net sales $316,592
 $361,603
 $198,535
 $21,530
 $898,260
December 31, 2018          
United States $52,661
 $152,284
 $37,325
 $4,527
 $246,797
Other Americas 3,104
 14,453
 931
 773
 19,261
Total Americas 55,765
 166,737
 38,256
 5,300
 266,058
China 136,315
 101,036
 39,781
 4,959
 282,091
Other APAC 63,318
 40,788
 28,414
 2,892
 135,412
Total APAC 199,633
 141,824
 68,195
 7,851
 417,503
Germany 18,165
 9,907
 62,359
 584
 91,015
Other EMEA 20,591
 22,896
 54,528
 6,500
 104,515
Total EMEA 38,756
 32,803
 116,887
 7,084
 195,530
Total net sales $294,154
 $341,364
 $223,338
 $20,235
 $879,091
December 31, 2017          
United States $48,277
 $141,508
 $30,403
 $5,210
 $225,398
Other Americas 2,946
 9,709
 1,153
 699
 14,507
Total Americas 51,223
 151,217
 31,556
 5,909
 239,905
China 143,065
 93,039
 32,164
 5,123
 273,391
Other APAC 64,077
 36,233
 21,845
 3,421
 125,576
Total APAC 207,142
 129,272
 54,009
 8,544
 398,967
Germany 23,925
 9,211
 54,813
 657
 88,606
Other EMEA 18,802
 22,961
 44,576
 7,226
 93,565
Total EMEA 42,727
 32,172
 99,389
 7,883
 182,171
Total net sales $301,092
 $312,661
 $184,954
 $22,336
 $821,043
(1) Net sales are allocated to countries based on the location of the customer. The table above lists individual countries with 10% or more of net sales for the periods indicated.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, to achieve a consistent application of revenue recognition, resulting in a single revenue model to be applied by reporting companies under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Under the new model, recognition of revenue occurs when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the providing entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the new standard requires that reporting companies disclose the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09 retrospectively with the cumulative effect of applying the standard recognized at the date of implementation and without restatement of comparative periods. This application of the new standard resulted in an increase to the January 1, 2018 balance of retained earnings of approximately $4.2 million, net of tax.


The Company manufactures some products to customer specifications which are customized to such a degree that it is unlikely that another entity would purchase these products or that we could modify these products for another customer. These products are deemed to have no alternative use to the Company whereby we have an enforceable right to payment evidenced by contractual termination clauses. In accordance with ASC 606, for those circumstances we recognize revenue on an over-time basis. Revenue recognition does not occur until the product meets the definition of “no alternative use” and therefore, items that have not yet reached that point in the production process are not included in the population of items with over-time revenue recognition.
As appropriate, we record estimated reductions to revenue for customer returns, allowances, and warranty claims. Provisions for such reductions are made at the time of sale and are typically derived from historical trends and other relevant information.
We had contract assets primarily related to unbilled revenue for revenue recognized related to products that are deemed to have no alternative use whereby we have the right to payment. Revenue is recognized in advance of billing to the customer in these circumstances as billing is typically performed at the time of shipment to the customer. The unbilled revenue is included in the contract assets on the consolidated statements of operationsfinancial position.
Our contract assets by operating segment were as follows:
 As of December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018
Advanced Connectivity Solutions$
 $
Elastomeric Material Solutions1,077
 943
Power Electronics Solutions19,471
 19,738
Other1,907
 2,047
Total contract assets$22,455
 $22,728

We did not have any contract liabilities as of December 31, 2019 or 2018. No impairment losses were recognized for the periods indicated:years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 on any receivables or contract assets arising from our contracts with customers.
Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area
(Dollars in thousands)2016 2015 2014
Operating income$83,852
 $76,255
 $81,241
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures4,146
 2,890
 4,123
Other income (expense), net(1,788) (8,492) (1,194)
Interest income (expense), net(3,930) (4,480) (2,946)
Income before income taxes$82,280
 $66,173
 $81,224
Information relating to our operationsOur long-lived assets(1) by geographic area waswere as follows:
 As of December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018
United States$469,234
 $476,560
China55,078
 58,205
Germany120,869
 113,412
Other36,942
 36,475
Total long-lived assets$682,123
 $684,652

(1) Long-lived assets are based on the location of the asset and are comprised of goodwill, other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment. Countries with 10% of more of long-lived assets have been disclosed.
Note 15 – Supplemental Financial Information
Restructuring and Impairment Charges
The components of “Restructuring and impairment charges” were as follows:
 Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018 2017
Restructuring charges     
Global headquarters relocation$
 $550
 $2,760
Facility consolidation948
 1,982
 
Total restructuring charges948
 2,532
 2,760
Impairment charges     
Fixed assets impairment charges1,537
 1,506
 
Other impairment charges
 
 807
Total impairment charges1,537
 1,506
 807
Total restructuring and impairment charges$2,485
 $4,038
 $3,567
 
Net Sales (1)
 
Long-lived Assets (2)
(Dollars in thousands)2016 2015 2014 2016 2015 2014
United States$158,136
 $164,478
 $124,305
 $326,199
 $218,439
 $70,728
China236,961
 227,993
 236,488
 62,728
 65,994
 49,794
Germany79,480
 76,569
 93,478
 101,725
 110,240
 129,702
Other181,737
 172,403
 156,640
 32,242
 34,460
 36,999
Total$656,314
 $641,443
 $610,911
 $522,894
 $429,133
 $287,223
(1)
Net sales are allocated to countries based on the location of the customer. Countries with 10% or more of net sales have been disclosed.
(2)
Long-lived assets are based on the location of the asset and are comprised of goodwill and other intangibles and property, plant and equipment. Countries with 10% of more of long-lived assets have been disclosed.






NOTE 17 – RESTRUCTURING AND IMPAIRMENT CHARGESRelocation Charges - Facility Consolidation

In 2018, we made the decision to consolidate our Santa Fe Springs, California operations into our facilities in Carol Stream, Illinois and Bear, Delaware. We recorded $0.9 million and $2.0 million of expense in 2019 and 2018, respectively, related to the facility consolidation.
2016Relocation Charges - Global Headquarters Relocation
On August 8, 2016,In 2017, we announced plans to relocaterelocated our global headquarters from Rogers, Connecticut to Chandler, Arizona. The move will build upon our presence in Arizona, where we have major businessWe recorded $0.6 million and manufacturing operations. The decision supports our long-term strategy and is an integral part of our plans for growth and expansion. The new corporate headquarters location will be home to approximately 70 employees who support areas such as human resources, information technology, finance and supply chain, among others. The Rogers, Connecticut location will continue to have manufacturing, research and development and support services. In 2016, we recorded $0.7$2.8 million of expense in 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to this project.the headquarters relocation.
The fair value of the total severance benefits to be paid is $1.2Impairment Charges
We recognized $1.5 million of which $0.6 million was expensed in 2016. The remainder will be expensed ratably over the required service period for the affected employees.

2015

There were no restructuring or impairment charges in 2015.

2014
both 2019 and 2018 pertaining to our ACS operating segment, primarily relating to certain assets in connection with the Isola asset acquisition. In the fourth quarter of 2014,2017, we recognized a $0.2$0.3 million charge related to the impairment of theour remaining investment in BrightVolt, Inc. As this investment doesdid not specifically relate to any of oura specific operating segments,segment, we have allocated thisit ratably among ACS, EMS and PES. Also in 2017, we recognized a $0.5 million impairment charge on a basis similarrelated to the remaining net book value of an other Corporate allocations.intangible asset within the ROLINX® product line in our PES operating segment.
In the fourth quarterAllocation of 2014, certain eligible participants in the defined benefit pension plans were given a lump sum payout offer. The payout of this program resulted in a settlement charge of $5.2 million.


The following table summarizes changes in the severance accrual from September 30, 2016 through December 31, 2016:
(Dollars in thousands)Severance related to headquarters relocation
Balance at September 30, 2016$88
Provisions471
Payments(89)
Balance at December 31, 2016$470


















Restructuring and Impairment Charges to Operating Segments
The following table summarizes the allocation of restructuring and impairment charges to our operating segments:
 Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018 2017
Advanced Connectivity Solutions     
Allocated restructuring charges$
 $244
 $1,305
Allocated impairment charges1,537
 1,506
 161
Elastomeric Material Solutions     
Allocated restructuring charges948
 2,152
 834
Allocated impairment charges
 
 103
Power Electronics Solutions     
Allocated restructuring charges
 136
 621
Allocated impairment charges
 
 543
Total restructuring and impairment charges$2,485
 $4,038
 $3,567

Other Operating (Income) Expense, Net
The components of “Other operating (income) expense, net” were as follows:
 Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018 2017
Lease income$(989) $(948) $
Depreciation on leased assets1,907
 3,512
 
Loss (gain) on sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment756
 (164) (5,329)
Gain from antitrust litigation settlement
 (4,231) 
Indemnity claim settlements from acquisitions(715) (700) 
Economic incentive grants
 (556) 
Total other operating (income) expense, net$959
 $(3,087) $(5,329)

In connection with the transitional leaseback of a portion of the facility and certain machinery and equipment acquired from Isola in August 2018, we recognized lease income and related depreciation on leased assets of $1.0 million and $1.9 million, respectively, in 2019, and $0.9 million and $3.5 million, respectively, in 2018.
In 2019, we recorded a gain of $0.7 million for the settlement of indemnity claims related to these activitiesthe Isola asset acquisition.
In 2018, we recorded a gain from the settlement of antitrust litigation in our operating resultsthe amount of $4.2 million as a result of the settlement of a class action lawsuit, filed in 20162005, which alleged that Dow Chemical Company and 2014.
(Dollars in thousands)2016 2014
Elastomeric Material Solutions   
        Pension settlement charge$
 $1,332
Severance and other related costs176
 
        Allocated Solicore impairment
 42
Advanced Connectivity Solutions   
        Pension settlement charge
 1,954
Severance and other related costs375
 
        Allocated Solicore impairment
 62
Power Electronics Solutions   
        Pension settlement charge
 1,921
Severance and other related costs183
 
        Allocated Solicore impairment
 61
Other   
Pension settlement charge
 17
Severance and other related costs
 
        Allocated Solicore impairment
 1
Total Charges for Restructuring and Impairment$734
 $5,390
other urethane raw material suppliers unlawfully agreed to fix, raise, maintain or stabilize the prices of polyether polyol products sold in the U.S. from January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2004 in violation of the federal antitrust laws. We also recorded a gain of $0.7 million for the settlement



of indemnity claims related to the DSP acquisition and income of $0.6 million from economic incentive grants related to the relocation of our global headquarters from Rogers, Connecticut to Chandler, Arizona.
In 2017, we recognized other operating income of $5.3 million as a result of the sales of a facility and a parcel of land located in Belgium.
Interest Expense, Net
The components of “Interest expense, net” were as follows:
 Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018 2017
Interest on revolving credit facility$7,378
 $6,304
 $5,115
Interest rate swap settlements(200) (247) 51
Line of credit fees576
 573
 555
Debt issuance amortization costs552
 552
 549
Interest on finance leases127
 172
 169
Interest income(1,610) (804) (379)
Other46
 79
 71
Total interest expense, net$6,869
 $6,629
 $6,131

NOTE 18 – QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)2016
 First
Quarter
 Second
Quarter
 Third
Quarter
 Fourth
Quarter
Net sales$160,566
 $157,489
 $165,259
 $173,000
Gross margin$60,508
 $60,199
 $61,929
 $66,849
Net income$14,928
 $5,377
 $16,065
 $11,913
        
Net income per share:       
   Basic$0.83
 $0.30
 $0.89
 $0.66
   Diluted$0.82
 $0.29
 $0.88
 $0.65
        
 2015
 First
Quarter
 Second
Quarter
 Third
Quarter
 Fourth
Quarter
Net sales$165,051
 $163,098
 $160,366
 $152,928
Gross margin$62,425
 $60,661
 $59,672
 $52,604
Net income$13,643
 $13,554
 $12,546
 $6,577
 
      
Net income per share:
      
   Basic$0.74
 $0.73
 $0.68
 $0.37
   Diluted$0.72
 $0.71
 $0.67
 $0.37


NOTE 19Note 16RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDSRecent Accounting Standards

Recently Issued Standards
In April 2015,June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-03, Simplifying2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU replaces the Presentationincurred loss model with a new expected loss impairment model that applies to most assets measured at amortized cost and certain other financial instruments, including trade receivables and other receivables. This ASU is effective for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2020 and for the interim periods within that year. Early adoption of Debt Issuance Costs,this update is permitted and it is required to be applied with a modified-retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which changed the presentation of debt issuance costs in the balance sheet. The new guidance required that debt issuance costs no longer be classified asis effective. We expect this new guidance to have an asset, but rather as an offset to the outstanding debt. The amortization of these costs continues to be recorded as interest expense. We retrospectively adopted this standardimmaterial impact on its consolidated financial statements, however, we are still finalizing our analysis.
Recently Adopted Standards Reflected in the first quarter of 2016. The application of this guidance resulted in reclassifications of debt issuance costs of $0.5 million from current assets to the current portion of long-term debt as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. The application of this guidance resultedOur 2019 Financial Statements


in reclassifications of debt issuance costs from long term assets to long-term debt of $1.1 million and $1.6 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
In November 2015,August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Income Taxes: Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes.2018-14, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans, which modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit plans or other postretirement plans. This ASU requires all deferred tax assets and liabilities to be classified as non-current. ASU 2015-17 is effective for our fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning afteryear ending December 15, 201631, 2020, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2018-14 is required to be applied on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. We early adopted this guidance in October 2019. It did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements but it resulted in revised disclosures related to our defined benefit plans.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing the requirement to disclose the amount and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and the policy for timing of such transfers. This ASU expands the disclosure requirements for Level 3 fair value measurements, primarily focused on changes in unrealized gains and losses included in other comprehensive income (loss). This ASU is effective for our fiscal year ending December 31, 2020 and for the interim periods within that year. Early adoption is permitted. ASU 2018-13 is generally required to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date with the exception of certain amendments that should be applied prospectively to the most recent interim or annual period presented in the year of adoption. We early adopted this guidance in October 2019. It did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or impact our fair value measurement disclosures.
In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-16, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap (OIS) Rate as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes, which permits the use of the OIS rate based on the SOFR as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes. The amendments in this update were effective for the Company on January 1, 2019 and we will apply them to qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract,which aligns the requirements for capitalizing costs incurred in the implementation of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract


with the requirements for capitalizing costs incurred to develop or obtain internal use software. We adopted this ASU on January 1, 2019 on a prospective basis and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This ASU allows for reclassification of stranded tax effects resulting from U.S. Tax Reform from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings but it does not require this reclassification. We adopted this ASU on January 1, 2019 and elected to prospectively adopt ASU 2015-17 asnot reclassify the stranded tax effects resulting from U.S. Tax Reform. As a result of March 31, 2016. Had we applied this guidance retrospectively, $9.6 million would have been reclassified from current deferred tax assets to long term deferred tax assets in our consolidated statement of financial position as of December 31, 2015. Thethat election, the adoption of this guidanceASU 2018-02 did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements of operations or cash flows.and disclosures.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, to achieve a consistent application of revenue recognition within the U.S., resulting in a single revenue model to be applied by reporting companies under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Under the new model, recognition of revenue occurs when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the new standard requires that reporting companies disclose the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. On July 9, 2015, the FASB agreed to delay the effective date by one year. In accordance with the agreed upon delay, the updated standard is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2018. Early adoption is permitted, but not before the original effective date of the standard. During 2016, the FASB issued new accounting standards updates regarding principal versus agent considerations in determining revenue recognition identifying performance obligations and licensing, collectability, sales tax, non-cash considerations, completed contracts, contract modifications and effect of accounting change. The new standard is required to be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying it recognized at the date of initial application. We have initiated our implementation plan, which includes assessing the contracts the company has in place and quantifying the accounting impact in accordance with the new accounting standard, if any. We expect to be in full compliance with the accounting standard beginning in fiscal year 2018.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e., lessees and lessors). The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifyingclassify leases as either finance or operating leases based on whether the lease effectively finances a purchase by the lessee. This classification will determine whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method (finance lease) or on a straight line basis over the term of the lease (operating lease). A lessee is also required toand record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. LeasesAn accounting policy election may be made to account for leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases today. ASU No. 2016-22016-02 supersedes the existing guidance on accounting for leases. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, which allowed for an optional transition method for the adoption of Topic 842. The two permitted transition methods were the modified retrospective approach, which applies the lease requirements at the beginning of the earliest period presented, and the optional transition method, which applies the lease requirements through a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. We adopted this standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Earlyon January 1, 2019 using the optional transition method. We elected to use the practical expedients that allow us to carry forward the historical lease classification. For additional information regarding the impact of the adoption of this standard, is permittedrefer to “Note 10 Leases.”
Note 17 – Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
 2019
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)First
Quarter
 Second
Quarter
 Third
Quarter
 Fourth
Quarter
Net sales$239,798
 $242,852
 $221,842
 $193,768
Gross margin$85,394
 $85,828
 $78,867
 $64,203
Net income (loss)$28,399
 $24,293
 $23,387
 $(28,760)
Net income (loss) per share:       
Basic$1.53
 $1.31
 $1.26
 $(1.55)
Diluted$1.52
 $1.30
 $1.25
 $(1.55)

 2018
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)First
Quarter
 Second
Quarter
 Third
Quarter
 Fourth
Quarter
Net sales$214,611
 $214,675
 $226,863
 $222,942
Gross margin$76,606
 $76,672
 $79,130
 $78,375
Net income$26,136
 $17,329
 $19,734
 $24,452
Net income per share:       
Basic$1.43
 $0.94
 $1.07
 $1.33
Diluted$1.40
 $0.93
 $1.06
 $1.31

Note 18 – Share Repurchases
In 2015, we initiated a share repurchase program (the Program) of up to $100.0 million of the Company’s capital stock. We initiated the Program to mitigate potentially dilutive effects of stock options and it isshares of restricted stock granted by the Company, in addition to enhancing shareholder value. The share repurchase program has no expiration date and may be adopted using a modified retrospective approach. We have initiated our implementation plan, which includes ensuring appropriate classificationsuspended or discontinued at any time without notice. As of December 31, 2019, $49.0 million remained of our lease agreements and quantifying the accounting impact$100.0 million share repurchase program. There were no share repurchases in accordance with the new accounting standard. We expect to be in full compliance with the accounting standard beginning in fiscal year 2019.

In March 2016,
We repurchased the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which contains amendments intended to simplify various aspectsfollowing shares of share-based payment accounting and presentation in the financial statements, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, treatment of forfeitures and statutory tax withholding requirements, and classification in the statement of cash flows. The update is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The new standard generally requires a modified retrospective transition through a cumulative effect adjustment as of the beginning of the period of adoption, with certain provisions requiring either a prospective or retrospective transition. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2017. Upon adoption, the Company will recognize excess tax benefits of approximately $13 million in deferred tax assets that were previously not recognized in a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings. The Company will prospectively record a deferred tax benefit or expense associated with the difference between book and tax forcapital stock compensation expense. As we progress through the remainder of the adoption process in the first quarter of 2017, we will continue to evaluate any other impacts on our financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash ReceiptsProgram, using cash from operations and Cash Payments, with the intention to reduce diversity in practice, as well as simplify elements of classification within the statement of cash flows for certain transactions. The update is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The accounting update is to be adopted using a retrospective approach. We adopted ASU 2016-15 effective January 1, 2017, and it is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.



NOTE 20 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Acquisition
On January 6, 2017, we acquired the principal operating assets of Diversified Silicone Products, Inc. (DSP), a custom manufacturer of silicone sheet, extrusions, stripping and compounds for a stated purchase price of $60.0 million. We used cash on hand, and $30.0 million in borrowings under our existing credit facility to fund the purchase price. DSP, headquartered in Santa Fe Springs, California, sells to customers across the automotive, aerospace, medical and oil and gas industries and has sales in North America, Central America, Europe and Asia.
Due to the timing of the acquisition, disclosures relating to the acquisition, including the allocation of the purchase price, have been omitted because the initial accounting for the transaction was incomplete as of the filing date of this report.

Third Amended Credit Agreement
On February 17, 2017, we entered into the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto (the “Third Amended Credit Agreement”), which amends and restates the Second Amended Credit Agreement. The Third Amended Credit Agreement refinances the Second Amended Credit Agreement, eliminates the term loan under the Second Amended Credit Agreement, and increases the principal amount of the revolving credit facility to up to $450.0 million borrowing capacity, with an additional $175.0 million accordion feature. All revolving loans under the Third Amended Credit Agreement are due on the maturity date, February 17, 2022. We are not required to make any quarterly principal payments under the Third Amended Credit Agreement.
The Third Amended Credit Agreement generally permits us to pay cash dividends to our shareholders, provided that (i) no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the dividend payment and (ii) our leverage ratio does not exceed 2.75 to 1.00. If our leverage ratio exceeds 2.75 to 1.00, we may nonetheless make up to $20.0 million in restricted payments, including cash dividends, during the fiscal year, provided that no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the payments.years presented below:

 Years Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)2019 2018 2017
Shares of capital stock repurchased
 23,138
 
Value of capital stock repurchased$
 $2,999
 $






SCHEDULE II

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
(Dollars in thousands) Balance at Beginning of Period Charged to (Reduction of) Costs and Expenses Taken Against Allowance Other (Deductions) Recoveries Balance at End of Period
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts          
December 31, 2016 $695
 $1,321
 $(64) $
 $1,952
December 31, 2015 $476
 $1,085
 $(866) $
 $695
December 31, 2014 $1,655
 $250
 $(1,429) $
 $476

(Dollars in thousands) Balance at Beginning of Period Charged to (Reduction of) Costs and Expenses Taken Against Allowance Other (Deductions) Recoveries Balance at End of Period
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts          
December 31, 2019 $1,354
 $437
 $(100) $
 $1,691
December 31, 2018 $1,525
 $189
 $(360) $
 $1,354
December 31, 2017 $1,952
 $(275) $(152) $
 $1,525
(Dollars in thousands) Balance at Beginning of Period Charged to (Reduction of) Costs and Expenses Taken Against Allowance Other (Deductions) Recoveries Balance at End of Period
Valuation on Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets          
December 31, 2019 $16,889
 $656
 $(2,920) $
 $14,625
December 31, 2018 $8,754
 $8,135
 $
 $
 $16,889
December 31, 2017 $6,388
 $2,366
 $
 $
 $8,754


(Dollars in thousands) Balance at Beginning of Period Charged to (Reduction of) Costs and Expenses Taken Against Allowance Other (Deductions) Recoveries Balance at End of Period
Valuation on Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets          
December 31, 2016 $6,202
 $186
 $
 $
 $6,388
December 31, 2015 $7,691
 $(1,484) $
 $(5) $6,202
December 31, 2014 $7,302
 $159
 $
 $230
 $7,691




Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d- 15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of December 31, 2016.2019. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed (i) to ensure that information required to be disclosed by it in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2016.

2019.
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 20162019 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect its internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. This evaluation excluded the operations of DeWAL Industries LLC, which we acquired on November 23, 2016. As part
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The management of the ongoing integration activities, we will complete anCompany is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting was designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company’s financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our 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.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019. In making its assessment of DeWAL’s existing controlsinternal control over financial reporting, management used the criteria issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). Based on the results of this assessment, management, including our Chief Executive Officer and incorporate our controls and procedures intoChief Financial Officer, has concluded that, as of December 31, 2019, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.
The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP, has audited the acquired operations,effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as appropriate.

of December 31, 2019.
Item 9B. Other Information

None.




Part III


Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Pursuant to General Instruction G to Form 10-K, there is hereby incorporatedWe are incorporating by this reference the information with respect to the Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance set forth under the captions “Nominees for Director”, “DirectorDirector, Director Qualifications and Experience”, “Section“Delinquent Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance”Reports” and “Board of Directors - Meetings of the Board and Committees” in our Definitive Proxy Statement for our 20172020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, that will be filedwhich we intend to file within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act. Information with respect to Executive Officers of the Companyour executive officers is presented in Part I, Item 1 of this report and is hereby incorporated into this Item 10 by reference.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics policy, which applies to all employees, officers and directors of Rogers Corporation. The Rogers Corporation Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy is posted on our website at http://www.rogerscorp.com. We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirements regarding any amendment to, or waiver of, a provision of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics Policy for the Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officerour principal executive officer, principal financial officer or Principal Accounting Officerprincipal accounting officer (or others performing similar functions) by posting such information on our website. Our website is not incorporated into or a part of this Form 10-K.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Pursuant to General Instruction G to Form 10-K, there is hereby incorporatedWe are incorporating by this reference the information with respect to Executive Compensation set forth under the captions “Board of Directors - Directors’ Compensation”, “Board of Directors - Meetings of the Board and Committees”, “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”, “Compensation and Organization Committee Report” and “2016“2019 Compensation” in our Definitive Proxy Statement for our 20172020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, that will be filedwhich we intend to file within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act.



Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The table and footnotes below describe those equity compensation plans approved and not approved by security holders of Rogers Corporation as of December 31, 2016.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 20162019.
  (a) (b) (c)
Plan Category Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (1) Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under each equity compensation plan excluding securities referenced in column (a)
       
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders      
Rogers Corporation 2009 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan 605,094 (2) $37.21 892,163
Rogers 2005 Equity Compensation Plan 34,235 (3) 39.65 
Rogers 1998 Stock Incentive Plan 6,528 (4)  
Rogers 1990 Stock Option Plan 12,200 28.00 
Rogers Corporation Global Stock Ownership Plan For Employees (5)    133,113
       
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders      
Rogers Corporation Stock Acquisition Program (6) 797  120,883
Inducement Awards for the CEO (7) 23,200 37.05 
Total 682,054 $36.86 1,146,159
  (a) (b)
Plan Category Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights 
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under each equity compensation plan excluding securities referenced in column (a)
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders    
Rogers Corporation 2009 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan 
303,517(1)
 
(2)
Rogers Corporation 2019 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan 
19,204(3)
 1,063,920
Rogers Corporation Global Stock Ownership Plan For Employees(4)
  91,670
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders    
Rogers Corporation Stock Acquisition Program(5)
 531 
Total 323,252 1,155,590

(1)Weighted average exercise price does not take into account outstanding awards of deferred stock units, restricted stock units or phantom stock units.
(2)Consists of 50,467 shares for stock options, 542,727 shares for restricted stock unit awards and 11,900 shares for deferred stock unit awards.
(3)Consists of 30,708 shares for stock options and 3,527 shares for phantom stock unit awards.
(4)Consists of 6,528 shares for phantom stock unit awards.
(5)This is an employee stock purchase plan within the meaning of Section 432(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(6)
The purpose of the Stock Acquisition Program was to enable non-management directors to acquire shares of Rogerscommon stock in lieu of cash compensation, on either a current or deferred basis at the then current fair market value of such common stock. As of December 31, 2016, the Company no longer offers capital stock to its directors under the Stock Acquisition Program.
(7)Bruce D. Hoechner was granted an inducement option to purchase 23,200 shares of the Company’s common stock when he joined Rogers Corporation as its new President and Chief Executive Officer in October 2011. The Board of Directors (including a majority of its independent directors) approved this award in reliance on an employment inducement exception to shareholder approval in the New York Stock Exchange rules.


Pursuant(1) Consists of 302,317 shares for restricted stock units and 1,200 shares for deferred stock units.
(2) This plan expired in early February 2019.
(3) Consists of 13,254 shares for restricted stock units and 5,950 shares for deferred stock units.
(4) This is an employee stock purchase plan within the meaning of Section 432(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(5) The purpose of the Stock Acquisition Program was to General Instruction Genable non-management directors to Form 10-K, there is hereby incorporatedacquire shares of Rogers’ capital stock in lieu of cash compensation, on either a current or deferred basis at the then current fair market value of such capital stock. For the periods covered by this report, the Company no longer offered capital stock to its directors under the Stock Acquisition Program.
We are incorporating by reference the information with respect to Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters set forth under the captions “Stock Ownership of Management and Directors” and “Beneficial Ownership of More Than Five Percent of RogersRogers’ Stock” in our Definitive Proxy Statement for our 20172020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, that will be filedwhich we intend to file within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act.






Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Pursuant to General Instruction G to Form 10-K, there is hereby incorporatedWe are incorporating by this reference the information with respect to Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence as set forth under the captions “Related Party Transactions” and “Board of Directors-Director Independence” in our Definitive Proxy Statement for our 20172020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, that will be filedwhich we intend to file within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act.


Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Pursuant to General Instruction G to Form 10-K, there is hereby incorporatedWe are incorporating by this reference the information with respect to Accountant Feesaccountant fees and Servicesservices set forth under the caption “Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm”Auditor” in our Definitive Proxy Statement for our 20172020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, that will be filedwhich we intend to file within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act.


Part IV


Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(1) Financial Statements and Schedules

.
The following consolidated financial statements of the Company are included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(2) Financial Statement Schedules.

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Other than as set forth above, schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, or are not required, or because the information is included in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.

(3) Exhibits.

The following list of exhibits includes exhibits submitted with this Form 10-K as filed with the SEC and those incorporated by reference to other filings.

2.1Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2014, by and among Handy & Harman Group, Ltd., Bairnco, LLC and Rogers Corporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 22, 2014.

2.2Amendment No. 1 to Stock Purchase Agreement, dated January 22, 2015, by and among Handy & Harman Group, Ltd., Bairnco, LLC and Rogers Corporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 26, 2015.

3.1

3.2



4.1Shareholder Rights Agreement, dated as

10.1The Restated Rogers Corporation 1990 Stock Option Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 dated October 18, 1996.**  

10.1.1First Amendment to Rogers Corporation 1990 Stock Option Plan, dated December 21, 1999, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10e to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2000 (the 1999 Form 10-K) (File No. 001-04347).**  

10.1.2Second Amendment to Rogers Corporation 1990 Stock Option Plan, dated October 7, 2002, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10e to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2002 (the 2002 Form 10-K) (File No. 001-04347).**  

10.1.3Amendment to Plans, dated April 18, 2000, June 21, 2001, August 22, 2002 and December 5, 2002, incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10e through 10e-iii to the Registrant’s 2003 Form 10-K (File No. 001-04347).**  

10.1.4Amendments to Certain Stock Option Plans and Certain Other Employee Benefit or Compensation Plans, dated October 27, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10aab to the 2006 Form 10-K (File No. 001-04347).**

10.2Rogers Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Definitive Proxy Statement dated March 17, 1998 (File No. 001-04347).**  

10.2.1First Amendment and Second Amendment to Rogers Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, dated September 9, 1999 and December 21, 1999, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10l to the 1999 Form 10-K (File No. 001-04347).**  

10.2.2Fifth Amendment and Sixth Amendment to Rogers Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, dated October 10, 2001 and November 7, 2002, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10l to the 2002 Form 10-K (File No. 001-04347).**  

10.2.3Amendment to Plans, dated April 18, 2000, June 21, 2001, August 22, 2002 and December 5, 2002, incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10l through 10l-iii to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2003 (the 2003 Form 10-K) (File No. 001-04347).**  

10.2.4Seventh Amendment to Rogers Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, dated February 19, 2004, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10l-iv to the 2003 Form 10-K (File No. 001-04347).**

10.2.5Eighth Amendment to Rogers Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, dated April 28, 2005, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 2, 2005 (File No. 001-04347).**  

10.2.6Amendments to Certain Stock Option Plans and Certain Other Employee Benefit or Compensation Plans, dated October 27, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10aab to the 2006 Form 10-K (File No. 001-04347).**

10.3Rogers Corporation 2005 Equity Compensation Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on April 29, 2005.**

10.3.1First Amendment to Rogers Corporation 2005 Equity Compensation Plan, dated August 25, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10aj-1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed November 20, 2006 (File No. 001-04347).**

10.3.2Second Amendment to Rogers Corporation 2005 Equity Compensation Plan, dated October 27, 2006, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10aj-2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed November 20, 2006 (File No. 001-04347).**



10.3.3Third Amendment to Rogers Corporation 2005 Equity Compensation Plan, dated May 9, 2008, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 9, 2008 (File No. 001-04347).**

10.3.4Fourth Amendment to Rogers Corporation 2005 Equity Compensation Plan, dated October 3, 2008, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10aj-4 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 5, 2008 (File No. 001-04347).**

10.4

10.4.110.1.1

10.4.210.1.2

10.510.2

10.5.110.2.1


10.5.210.2.2

10.5.310.2.3

10.5.410.2.4

10.610.3

10.6.110.3.1
10.6.210.3.2

10.710.4

10.810.5

10.910.6Rogers Compensation Recovery Policy, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 19, 2009 (File No. 001-04347).**



10.10Amended

10.1110.7

10.1210.8

10.1310.9Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (for officers and employees) under the 2009

10.1410.10

10.1510.11Second Amended and Restated Credit

10.15.110.12Amendment No. 1, dated as of October 29, 2015, to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, by and among the Registrant, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as an Issuing Bank and Administrative Agent, HSBC Bank USA, National Association as a Lender and an Issuing Bank, and Citizens Bank, N.A., Fifth Third Bank, Citibank, N.A., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Registrant’s 2016 Form 10-K.

10.16

10.1710.13Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement between the Registrant and Bruce D. Hoechner, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed May 7, 2012.**

10.18Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement between the Registrant and Bruce D. Hoechner, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed May 7, 2012.**

10.19Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (4 Year Cliff Vested) between the Registrant and Bruce D. Hoechner, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed May 7, 2012.**

10.20

10.2110.14Rogers Corporation 2009 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan, as amended,

10.2210.15

10.2310.16Form of Officer Special



10.2410.17
10.18
10.19
10.20


10.21
21

23.1

23.2Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, filed herewith.

31.1

31.2

32

101The following materials from Rogers Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016,2019, formatted in XBRL (eXtensibleiXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Financial Position for the fiscal years ended December 31, 20162019 and 2015; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014; (iii)2018; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016, 20152019, 2018 and 2014; and (iv)2017; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016, 20152019, 2018 and 2014; and (v)2017; (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.Statements and (vii) Cover Page.


104The cover page from Rogers Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, formatted in iXBRL and contained in Exhibit 101.
**Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.



Item 16. Form 10-K Summary

Not Applicable.





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.


ROGERS CORPORATION
(Registrant)
/s/ Bruce D. Hoechner
Bruce D. Hoechner
President and Chief Executive Officer
Principal Executive Officer
 
Dated: February 21, 201720, 2020


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below on February 21, 2017,20, 2020, by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated.


   
/s/ Bruce D. Hoechner /s/ Carol R. JensenKeith L. Barnes
Bruce D. Hoechner
President and Chief Executive Officer
Director
Principal Executive Officer
 
Carol R. JensenKeith L. Barnes
Director
   
/s/ Janice E. StippMichael M. Ludwig /s/ William E. MitchellCarol R. Jensen
Janice E. StippMichael M. Ludwig
Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Principal Financial Officer
Carol R. Jensen
Director
/s/ Mark D. Weaver/s/ Jeffrey J. Owens
Mark D. Weaver
Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller
Principal Accounting Officer
 
William E. MitchellJeffrey J. Owens
Director
   
/s/ Michael F. Barry /s/ Ganesh Moorthy
Michael F. Barry
Director
 
Ganesh Moorthy
Director
   
/s/ Helene Simonet /s/ Peter C. Wallace
Helene Simonet
Director
 
Peter C. Wallace
Director
   
/s/ Keith L. Barnes
Keith L. Barnes
Director



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