UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-K
 
ý Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 30, 201728, 2019
or
¨ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Commission File No. 1-9973
 
THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 36-3352497
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (IRS Employer Identification Number)
1400 Toastmaster Drive,Elgin,Illinois 60120
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 847-741-3300
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:(847)741-3300
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock,par value $0.01 per share The MIDDNASDAQ StockGlobal Market LLC
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.     Yes ý    No ¨
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.    
Yes ¨    No ý
 Note – Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from their obligations under those Sections.
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.                             Yes ý     No ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).                                                     Yes ý    No ¨


Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “accelerated filer, large" "large accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and smaller reporting"emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filerx
Accelerated filero
Non-accelerated filero
Smaller reporting companyo
Emerging growth companyo


If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes ¨    No ý
 
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the Registrant as of June 30, 201729, 2019 was approximately $6,845,527,9477,494,902,608.
 
The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s class of common stock, as of February 26, 2018,24, 2020, was 55,730,62456,189,686 shares. 


Documents Incorporated by Reference
 
Part III of Form 10-K incorporates by reference the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A in connection with the 20182020 annual meeting of stockholders.








THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
DECEMBER 30, 201728, 2019
FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS








PART I


Item 1.      Business
 
General
 
The Middleby Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Middleby” or the “company”), through its operating subsidiary Middleby Marshall Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Middleby Marshall”) and its subsidiaries, is a leader in the design, manufacture, marketing, distribution, and service of a broad line of (i) foodservice equipment used in all types of commercial restaurants and institutional kitchens, (ii) food preparation, cooking, baking, chilling and packaging equipment for food processing operations, and (iii) premium kitchen equipment including ranges, ovens, refrigerators, ventilation and dishwashers primarily used in the residential market.
 
Founded in 1888 as a manufacturer of baking ovens, Middleby Marshall Oven Company was acquired in 1983 by TMC Industries Ltd., a publicly traded company that changed its name in 1985 to The Middleby Corporation. The company has established itself as a leading provider of (i) commercial restaurant equipment, (ii) food processing equipment and (iii) residential kitchen equipment as a result of its acquisition of industry leading brands and through the introduction of innovative products within each of these segments.
 
The company's annual reports on Form 10-K, including this Form 10-K, as well as the company's quarterly reports on Form
10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to such reports are available, free of charge, on the company's internet website, www.middleby.com. These reports are available as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
 
Business Segments and Products
 
The company conducts its business through three principal business segments: the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group, the Food Processing Equipment Group and the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group. See Note 910 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the company's business segments.
 
Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group
 
The Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group has a broad portfolio of foodservice equipment, which enable it to serve virtually any cooking, or warming, refrigeration, freezing and beverage application within a commercial kitchen or foodservice operation. This cooking and warming equipment is used across all types of foodservice operations, including quick-service restaurants, full-service restaurants, convenience stores, retail outlets, hotels and other institutions.
 
This commercial foodservice equipment is marketed under a portfolio of forty-sixsixty brands, including Anets, Bear Varimixer,APW Wyott, Bakers Pride, Beech, BKI, Blodgett, Blodgett Combi, Blodgett Range, Bloomfield, Britannia, CTX, Carter-Hoffmann, Celfrost, Concordia, CookTek, Crown, CTX, Desmon, Doyon, Eswood, EVO, Firex, Follett, Frifri, Giga, Globe, Goldstein, Holman, Houno, IMC, Induc, Jade, JoeTap, Josper, L2F, Lang, Lincat, MagiKitch’n, Market Forge, Marsal, Middleby Marshall, MPC, Nieco, Nu-Vu, PerfectFry, Pitco, Powerhouse Dynamics, QualServ, Southbend, Ss Brewtech, Star, Starline, Sveba Dahlen, Synesso, Taylor, Toastmaster, TurboChef, Ultrafryer, Varimixer, Wells and Wunder-Bar.


The products offered by this group include conveyor ovens, combi-ovens, convection ovens, baking ovens, proofing ovens, deck ovens, speed cooking ovens, hydrovection ovens, ranges, fryers, rethermalizers, steam cooking equipment, food warming equipment, catering equipment, heated cabinets, charbroilers, ventless cooking systems, kitchen ventilation, induction cooking equipment, countertop cooking equipment, toasters, griddles, charcoal grills, professional mixers, stainless steel fabrication, custom millwork, professional refrigerators, blast chillers, coldrooms, ice machines, freezers, andsoft serve ice cream equipment, coffee and beverage dispensing equipment.equipment, home and professional craft brewing equipment and IoT solutions.
 


Food Processing Equipment Group
 
The Food Processing Equipment Group offers a broad portfolio of processing solutions for customers producing pre-cooked meat products, such as hot dogs, dinner sausages, poultry and lunchmeats and baked goods such as muffins, cookies and bread. Through its broad line of products, the company is able to deliver a wide array of cooking solutions to service a variety of food processing requirements demanded by its customers. The company can offer highly integrated solutions that provide a food processing operation a uniquely integrated solution providing for the highest level of food quality, product consistency, and reduced operating costs resulting from increased product yields, increased capacity, greater throughput and reduced labor costs thoughthrough automation.



This food processing equipment is marketed under a portfolio of eighteentwenty-two brands, including Alkar, Armor Inox, Auto-Bake, Baker Thermal Solutions, Burford, Cozzini, CVP Systems, Danfotech, Drake, Emico, Glimek, Hinds-Bock, Maurer-Atmos, MP Equipment, M-TEK, Pacproinc, RapidPak, Scanico, Spooner Vicars, Stewart Systems, Thurne and Thurne.Ve.Ma.C.


The products offered by this group include a wide array of cooking and baking solutions, including batch ovens, baking ovens, proofing ovens, conveyor belt ovens, continuous processing ovens, frying systems and automated thermal processing systems. The company also provides a comprehensive portfolio of complementary food preparation equipment such as grinders, slicers, reduction and emulsion systems, mixers, blenders, battering equipment, breading equipment, seeding equipment, water cutting systems, food presses, food suspension equipment, filling and depositing solutions and forming equipment, as well as a variety of automated loading and unloading systems, food safety, food handling, freezing, defrosting and packaging equipment. This portfolio of equipment can be integrated to provide customers a highly efficient and customized solution.


Residential Kitchen Equipment Group


The Residential Kitchen Equipment Group manufactures, sells and distributes kitchen equipment for the residential market. Principal product lines of this group are ranges, cookers, stoves, ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, cooktops, refrigerators, wine coolers, ice machines, ventilation equipment and outdoor equipment. These products are sold and marketed under a portfolio of nineteen brands, including AGA, AGA Cookshop, Brigade,Brava, EVO, Fired Earth, Grange, Heartland, La Cornue, Leisure Sinks, Lynx, Marvel, Mercury, Rangemaster, Rayburn, Redfyre, Sedona, Stanley, TurboChef, U-Line and Viking.
 
Acquisition Strategy
 
The company has pursued a strategy to acquire and assemble a leading portfolio of brands and technologies for each of its three business segments. Over the past two years, the company has completed ninesixteen acquisitions to add to its portfolio of brands and technologies of the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group, the Food Processing Equipment Group and the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group. These acquisitions have added elevennineteen brands to the Middleby portfolio and positioned the company as a leading provider of equipment in each respective industry. Significant acquisitions included Taylor Company, acquired for a purchase price of $1.0 billion, net of cash acquired, and Cooking Solutions Group Inc., acquired for a purchase price of $106.1 million, net of cash acquired. All other acquisitions were acquired for an aggregate purchase price totaling $359.1 million, net of cash acquired.
 
Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group


May 2016:March 2018: The company acquired substantially allcompleted its acquisition of thecertain assets of Follett Corporation ("Follett"),JoeTap, a leading manufacturerinnovator of ice machines, iceon-demand nitro and watercold brew coffee dispensing equipment ice storage and transport products and medical grade refrigeration products for the commercial foodservice and healthcare industries headquartered in Easton, Pennsylvania, for a purchase price of approximately $206.9 million, net of cash acquired.industry.


June 2017:April 2018: The company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of Sveba Dahlen GroupFirex S.r.l. ("Sveba Dahlen"Firex"), a developer andleading manufacturer of ovens and bakingsteam cooking equipment for the commercial foodservice and industrial baking industries headquarteredindustry located in Fristad, Sweden, for a purchase price of $81.4 million, net of cash acquired.Sedico, Italy.


August 2017:May 2018: The company completed its acquisition of substantially all of the assetsissued share capital of QualServ Solutions LLCJosper S.A. ("QualServ"Josper"), a globalleading manufacturer of charcoal grill and oven cooking equipment for commercial kitchen design, manufacturing, engineering, project managementfoodservice and equipment solutions providerresidential industries located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, for a purchase price of $40.2 million, net of cash acquired.Pineda de Mar, Spain.


October 2017:June 2018: The company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of Globe Food Equipmentthe Taylor Company ("Globe"Taylor"), a leading brandworld leader in slicersbeverage solutions, soft serve and mixersice cream dispensing equipment, frozen drink machines, and automated double-sided grills, for the commercial foodservice industry, located in Dayton, Ohio, for a purchase price of $104.6 million, net of cash acquired.Rockton, Illinois.


October 2017:
December 2018: The company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of L2F Inc.the Crown Food Service Equipment, Ltd. ("L2F"Crown"), an integratora leading design and manufacturer of robotics and automation systems,steam cooking equipment for the commercial foodservice industry located in Fremont, California for a purchase price of $7.5 million, net of cash acquired.Toronto, Canada.

Food Processing Equipment Group

May 2016: The company completed its acquisition of certain assets of Emico Automated Bakery Equipment Solutions ("Emico"), manufacturer of high speed dough make-up bakery equipment located in Sante Fe Springs, California, for a purchase price of approximately $1.0 million.



May 2017:December 2018: The company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of Burford Corp.EVO America, Inc. ("Burford"EVO"). Burford is, a leading design and manufacturer of industrial bakingventless cooking equipment for the food processingcommercial foodservice industry, located in Maysville, Oklahoma, for a purchase price of approximately $14.8 million, net of cash acquired.near Portland, Oregon.

June 2017: theApril 2019: The company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of CVP Systems,Cooking Solutions Group, Inc. ("CVP Systems"Cooking Solutions Group") from Standex International Corporation, which consists of the brands APW Wyott, Bakers Pride, BKI and Ultrafryer and locations in Texas, South Carolina and Mexico.
April 2019: The company completed the acquisition of all of the capital stock of Powerhouse Dynamics, Inc. ("Powerhouse"), a leadingleader in cloud-based IoT solutions for the commercial foodservice industry located near Boston.
April 2019: The company completed the acquisition of all of the assets related to the Starline Product line ("Starline") non-carbonated beverage dispensers for the commercial foodservice industry.
June 2019: The company completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Ss Brewtech, a market leader in professional craft brewing and beverage equipment based in Santa Ana, California.
November 2019: The company completed the acquisition of all of the capital stock of Synesso, Inc. ("Synesso"), a designer and manufacturer of high-speed packaging systemssemi-automatic espresso machines for the meat processingcommercial foodservice industry, located in Downers Grove, Illinois, for a purchase price of approximately $30.3 million, net of cash acquired.Seattle, Washington.

Food Processing Equipment Group
December 2017: the
February 2018: The company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of Scanico A/SHinds-Bock Corporation ("Scanico"Hinds-Bock"), a leading manufacturer of industrial coolingsolutions for filling and freezing equipmentdepositing bakery and food product located in Bothell, Washington.

April 2018: The company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of Ve.Ma.C S.r.l. ("Ve.Ma.C"), a leading designer and manufacturer of handling, automation and robotics solutions for theprotein food processing industrylines located in Aalborg, Denmark,Castelnuovo Rangone, Italy.

October 2018: The company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of the M-TEK Corporation ("M-TEK"), a leading manufacturer of Modified Atmospheric Packaging (MAP) systems located in Elgin, Illinois.
July 2019: The company completed the acquisition of all of the capital stock of Packaging Progressions, Inc. ("Pacproinc"), a market leader in automated packaging technologies for customers in the protein and baker segments based in Souderton, Pennsylvania.

Residential Kitchen Equipment Group

November 2019: The company completed its acquisition of Brava Home, Inc. ("Brava"), a purchase price of $34.9 million, net of cash acquired.company known for its advanced residential light cooking technology located in Redwood City, California.



The Customers and Market
 
Commercial Foodservice Equipment Industry
 
The company's end-user customers include: (i) fast food, fast casual and quick-service restaurants, (ii) full-service restaurants, including casual-theme restaurants, (iii) retail outlets, such as convenience stores, supermarkets and department stores and (iv) public and private institutions, such as hotels, resorts, schools, hospitals, long-term care facilities, correctional facilities, stadiums, airports, corporate cafeterias, military facilities and government agencies. The company's domestic sales are primarily through independent dealers and distributors and are marketed by the company's sales personnel and network of independent manufacturers' representatives. Many of the dealers in the U.S. belong to buying groups that negotiate sales terms with the company. Certain large multi-national restaurant and hotel chain customers have purchasing organizations that manage product procurement for their systems. Included in these customers are several large multi-national restaurant chains, which account for a meaningful portion of the company's business, although no single customer accounts for more than 10% of net sales.
 
Over the past several decades, the commercial foodservice equipment industry has enjoyed steady growth in the United States due to the development of new quick-service and casual-theme restaurant chain concepts, the expansion of foodservice into nontraditional locations such as convenience stores and store equipment modernization driven by efforts to improve efficiencies within foodservice operations. In the international markets, foodservice equipment manufacturers have been experiencing stronger growth than the U.S. market due to expanding international economies and increased opportunity for expansion by U.S. chains into developing regions.
 
The company believes that the worldwide commercial foodservice equipment market has sales in excess of $20.0 billion. The cooking, warming, refrigeration, freezing and beverage dispensing equipment segment of this market is estimated by management to exceed $3.0 billion in North America and $5.0 billion worldwide. The company believes that continuing growth in demand for foodservice equipment will result from the development of new restaurant concepts in the U.S. and the expansion of U.S. and foreign chains into international markets, the replacement and upgrade of existing equipment and new equipment requirements resulting from menu changes.
 
Food Processing Equipment Industry
 
The company's customers include a diversified base of leading food processors. Customers include several large international food processing companies, which account for a significant portion of the revenues of this business segment, although none of which is greater than 10% of net sales. A large portion of the company's revenues have been generated from producers of pre-cooked meat products such as hot dogs, dinner sausages, poultry, and lunchmeats and producers of baked goods such as muffins, cookies and bread; however, the company believes that it can leverage its expertise and product development capabilities in thermal processing to organically grow into new end markets.
 
Food processing has quickly become a highly competitive landscape dominated by a few large conglomerates that possess a variety of food brands. The consolidation of food processing plants associated with industry consolidation drives a need for more flexible and efficient equipment that is capable of processing large volumes in quicker cycle times. In recent years, food processors have had to conform to the demands of “big-box” retailers and the restaurant industry, including, most importantly, greater product consistency and exact package weights. Food processors are beginning to realize that their old equipment is no longer capable of efficiently producing adequate uniformity in the large product volumes required, and they are turning to equipment manufacturers that offer product consistency, innovative packaging designs and other solutions. To protect their own brands and reputations, retailers and large restaurant chains are also dictating food safety standards that are often more strict than government regulations.



A number of factors, including raw material prices, labor and health care costs, are driving food processors to focus on ways to improve their generally thin profitability margins. In order to increase the profitability and efficiency in processing plants, food processors pay increasingly more attention to the performance of their machinery and the flexibility in the functionality of the equipment. Food processors are continuously looking for ways to make their plants safer and reduce labor-intensive activities. Food processors have begun to recognize the value of new technology as an important vehicle to drive productivity and profitability in their plants. Due to customer requirements, food processors are expected to continue to demand new and innovative equipment that addresses food safety, food quality, automation and flexibility.


Improving living standards in developing countries is spurring increased worldwide demand for pre-cooked and convenience food products. As industrializing countries create more jobs, consumers in these countries will have the means to buy pre-cooked food products. In industrialized regions, such as Western Europe and the U.S., consumers are demanding more pre-cookedpre-


cooked and convenience food products, such as deli tray variety packs, frozen food products and ready-to-eat varieties of ethnic foods.
 
The global food processing equipment industry is highly fragmented, large and growing. The company estimates demand for food processing equipment is approximately $5.0 billion in North America and $40.0 billion worldwide. The company’s product offerings compete in a subsegment of the total industry, and the relevant market size for its products is estimated by management to exceed $3.0 billion in North America and $5.0 billion worldwide.


Residential Kitchen Equipment Industry


The company’s end-userend-users include customers with high-end residential kitchens.  The premium segment of the residential kitchen equipment industry is estimated to be in excess of $1.0 billion annually in North America and $3.0 billion worldwide. The market potential for such equipment has continued to broaden due to an increase in interest from the consumer to have professional style higher performing appliances in their home.  The kitchen has been an area in which consumers have invested over the past several decades to increase the personal satisfaction and the value of their home.  Other important factors which affect the market size and growth include the level of new home starts, home remodels and general macro-economic factors. Macro-economic factors such as GDP growth, employment rates, inflation and consumer confidence, which impact the overall economy, impact the residential kitchen equipment industry and cause variability in the revenues at this segment.


Backlog
 
Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group
 
The backlog of orders for the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group was $105.2$128.7 million at December 30, 2017,28, 2019, most all of which is expected to be filled during 2018.2020. The acquired Sveba Dahlen, Qualserv, GlobeEVO, Cooking Solutions Group, Powerhouse, Ss Brewtech and L2FSynesso businesses accounted for $27.2$16.3 million of the backlog. The Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group's backlog was $77.7$134.5 million at December 31, 2016.29, 2018. The backlog is not necessarily indicative of the level of business expected for the year, as there is generally a short time between order receipt and shipment for the majority of this segment's products.
 
Food Processing Equipment Group
 
The backlog of orders for the Food Processing Equipment Group was $61.6$137.8 million at December 30, 2017,28, 2019, all of which is expected to be filled during 2018.2020. The acquired Burford, CVP Systems and ScanicoPacproinc business accounted for $11.5$5.2 million of the backlog. The Food Processing Equipment Group's backlog was $115.9$103.5 million at December 31, 2016.29, 2018.


Residential Kitchen Equipment Group


The backlog of orders for the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group was $35.0$41.0 million at December 30, 2017,28, 2019, all of which is expected to be filled during 2018.2020. The acquired Brava business accounted for less than $0.1 million of the backlog. The Residential Kitchen Equipment Group's backlog was $44.2$47.8 million at December 31, 2016.29, 2018. The backlog is not necessarily indicative of the level of business expected for the year, as there is generally a short time between order receipt and shipment for the majority of this segment's products.










Marketing and Distribution
 
Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group
 
Middleby's products and services are marketed in the U.S. and in over 100 countries through a combination of the company's sales and marketing personnel, together with an extensive network of independent dealers, distributors, consultants, sales representatives and agents.
 
In the United States, the company distributes its products to independent end-users primarily through a network of non-exclusive dealers nationwide, who are supported by manufacturers' marketing representatives. Sales are made direct to certain large restaurant chains that have established their own procurement and distribution organization for their franchise system. The company's relationships with major restaurant chains are primarily handled through an integrated effort of top-level executive and sales management at the corporate and business division levels to best serve each customer's needs. International sales are primarily made through a network of company owned and local independent distributors and dealers.
 


Food Processing Equipment Group
 
The company maintains a direct sales force to market the brands and maintain direct relationships with each of its customers. In North America, the company employs regional sales managers, each with responsibility for a group of customers and a particular region. This sales force is complimented with involvement of executive management to maintain relationships with customer executives and facilitate coordination amongst the brands for the key global accounts. Internationally, the company maintains sales and distribution offices along with global sales managers supported by a network of independent sales representatives.
 
The company’s sale process is highly consultative due to the highly technical nature of the equipment. During a typical sales process, a salesperson makes several visits to the customer’s facility to conceptually discuss the production requirements, footprint and configuration of the proposed equipment. The company employs a technically proficient sales force, many of whom have previous technical experience with the company as well as education backgrounds in food science.


Residential Kitchen Equipment Group


The company’s products are marketed through a network of distributors, dealers, designers, and home builders to the residential customers. The company markets and sells its products to these channels through a company-employed sales force. The company’s products are distributed through a combination of an independent network of distributors and its wholly owned distribution operations. The company's wholly owned distribution operations were established in connection with the Viking and related Viking Distributors' acquisitions and include two primary customer support centers and regional warehouse and logistic operations, which stock products and service parts for the respective region.


Marketing support is provided to and coordinated with its network of dealers, designers, and home builders sales partners to allow for coordinated efforts to market jointly to the end-user customers. The company in certain cases offers incentive based financial programs to invest in local marketing activities with these sales partners.
 
Services and Product Warranty
 
The company is an industry leader in equipment installation programs and after-sales support and service. The company provides a warranty on its products typically for a one year period and in certain instances greater periods. The emphasis on global service increases the likelihood of repeat business and enhances Middleby's image as a partner and provider of quality products and services.
 
Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group
 
The company's domestic service network consists of over 100 authorized service parts distributors and 3,000 independent certified technicians who have been formally trained and certified by the company through its factory training school and on-site installation training programs. Technicians work through service parts distributors, which are required to provide around-the-clock service. The company provides real-time technical support to the technicians in the field through factory-based technical service engineers. The company maintains sufficient service parts inventory to ensure short lead times for service calls.




It is critical to major foodservice chains that equipment providers be capable of supporting equipment on a worldwide basis. The company's international service network covers over 100 countries with thousands of service technicians trained in the installation and service of the company's products and supported by internationally-based service managers along with the factory-based technical service engineers.
 
Food Processing Equipment Group
 
The company maintains a technical service group of employees that oversees and performs installation and startup of equipment and completes warranty and repair work. This technical service group provides services for customers both domestically and internationally. Service technicians are trained regularly on new equipment to ensure the customer receives a high level of customer service. From time to time the company utilizes trained third party technicians supervised by company employees to supplement company employees on large projects.



Residential Kitchen Equipment Group


The company maintains a network of independent authorized service agents throughout North America. Authorized service agents are supported and trained by regional factory-support centers of the company. Trained technical support personnel are available to support independent service agents with technical information and assist in repair issues. The factory-support centers also dispatch service technicians to the customer and provide follow-up and monitoring to ensure field issues are resolved. The company's independent service agents maintain a stock of factory-supplied parts to allow for a high first-call completion rate for service and warranty repairs. The company maintains a substantial amount of service parts at each of its manufacturing operations and distribution operations to provide for quick ship of parts to service agents and end-user customers when necessary.


Internationally, the company has a network of company owned and independent distributors that provide sales and technical service support in their respective markets. These distributors are required to have a team of factory-trained service technicians and maintain a required stock of service parts to support the equipment in the market. The factory supports the international distributors with technical trainers which travel to the various markets to provide on-hands training and monitoring of the distributor service operations.


Competition
 
The commercial foodservice, food processing and residential kitchen equipment industries are highly competitive and fragmented. Within a given product line the company may compete with a variety of companies, including companies that manufacture a broad line of products and those that specialize in a particular product category. Competition is based upon many factors, including brand recognition, product features, reliability, quality, price, delivery lead times, serviceability and after-sale service. The company believes that its ability to compete depends on strong brand equity, exceptional product performance, short lead-times and timely delivery, competitive pricing and superior customer service support. In the international markets, the company competes with U.S. manufacturers and numerous global and local competitors.
 
The company believes that it is one of the largest multiple-line manufacturers of commercial kitchen, food processing and residential kitchen equipment in the U.S. and worldwide although some of its competitors are units of operations that are larger than the company and possess greater financial and personnel resources. Among the company's major competitors to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group are: Welbilt, Inc.; Vulcan-Hart and Hobart Corporation, subsidiaries of Illinois Tool Works Inc.; Electrolux; Groen, a subsidiary of Dover Corporation; Rational AG; and the Ali Group. Major competitors to the Food Processing Equipment Group include AMF Bakery Systems, The GEA Group, JBT Technologies, Marel, and Provisur. The residential kitchen appliance sector is highly competitive and includes a number of large global competitors including, Whirlpool Corporation, Electrolux, GE Appliances, LG Corporation, Panasonic Corporation and Samsung Group. However, within the premium segment of this kitchen equipment market, there are fewer competitors and the company’s competition includes Wolf and Sub-Zero, subsidiaries of Sub-Zero Group, Inc.; Thermador, Bosch and Gaggenau, subsidiaries of Bosch Siemens; Dacor, subsidiary of Samsung Electronics America; and Miele.











Manufacturing and Quality Control
 
The company’s manufacturing operations provide for an expertise in the design and production of specific products for each of the three business segments. The company has from time to time either consolidated manufacturing facilities producing similar product or transferred production of certain products to another existing operation with a higher level of expertise or efficiency.
 
The Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group manufactures its products in sixteentwenty domestic and twelveseventeen international production facilities. These production facilities are located in Fort Smith, Arkansas; Brea, California; Vacaville, California; Windsor, California; Elgin, Illinois; Mundelein, Illinois; Rockton, Illinois; Menominee, Michigan; Bow, New Hampshire; Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina; Dayton, Ohio; Tualatin, Oregon; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Easton, Pennsylvania; Smithville, Tennessee; Carrollton, Texas; Essex Junction, Vermont;Vermont (two separate facilities); Redmond, Washington; Seattle, Washington; New South Wales, Australia; Shanghai,Toronto, Canada; Humen, China, Qingdao City, China; Brondby,Brøndby, Denmark; Randers, Denmark; Viljandi, Estonia; Nusco, Italy; Scandicci, Italy; Sedico, Italy; Nogales, Mexico; Laguna, the Philippines; Wislina, Poland; Pineda de Mar, Spain; Fristad, Sweden; Lincoln, the United Kingdom; and Wrexham, the United Kingdom.


The Food Processing Equipment Group manufactures its products in nineeleven domestic and fivesix international production facilities. These production facilities are located in Gainesville, Georgia; Chicago,Elgin, Illinois; DownersElk Grove, Illinois; Algona, Iowa; Clayton, North Carolina; Maysville, Oklahoma; Souderton, Pennsylvania; Plano, Texas; Waynesboro, Virginia; Bothell, Washington; Lodi, Wisconsin; Aalborg, Denmark; Mauron, France; Reichenau, Germany; Bangalore, IndiaIndia; Castelnuovo Rangone, Italy and Norwich, the United Kingdom.



The Residential Kitchen Equipment Group manufactures its products in six domestic and ninefive international production facilities. These production facilities are located in Downey, California; Greenville, Michigan; Greenwood, Mississippi (three(four separate facilities); Brown Deer, Wisconsin; Rosyl St. Pierre, France; Saint Ouen L'aumone, France; Saint Symhorien, France; Waterford, Ireland; Gee Targu Mures, Romania; Coalbrookdale, the United Kingdom; Ketley, the United Kingdom; Leamington Spa, the United Kingdom and Nottingham, the United Kingdom.
 
Metal fabrication, finishing, sub-assembly and assembly operations are conducted at each manufacturing facility. Equipment installed at individual manufacturing facilities includes numerically controlled turret presses and machine centers, shears, press brakes, welding equipment, polishing equipment, CAD/CAM systems and product testing and quality assurance measurement devices. The company's CAD/CAM systems enable virtual electronic prototypes to be created, reviewed and refined before the first physical prototype is built.
 
Detailed manufacturing drawings are quickly and accurately derived from the model and passed electronically to manufacturing for programming and optimal parts nesting on various numerically controlled punching cells. The company believes that this integrated product development and manufacturing process is critical to assuring product performance, customer service and competitive pricing.
 
The company has established comprehensive programs to ensure the quality of products, to analyze potential product failures and to certify vendors for continuous improvement. Products manufactured by the company are tested prior to shipment to ensure compliance with company standards.
 
Sources of Supply
 
The company purchases its raw materials and component parts from a number of suppliers. The majority of the company’s material purchases are standard commodity-type materials, such as stainless steel, electrical components and hardware. These materials and parts generally are available in adequate quantities from numerous suppliers. Some component parts are obtained from sole sources of supply. In such instances, management believes it can substitute other suppliers as required. The majority of fabrication is done internally through the use of automated equipment. Certain equipment and accessories are manufactured by other suppliers for sale by the company. The company believes it enjoys good relationships with its suppliers and considers the present sources of supply to be adequate for its present and anticipated future requirements.
 











Research and Development
 
The company believes its future success will depend in part on its ability to develop new products and to improve existing products. Much of the company's research and development efforts at the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group, the Food Processing Equipment Group and the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group are directed to the development and improvement of products designed to reduce cooking and processing time, increase capacity or throughput, reduce energy consumption, minimize labor costs, improve product yield and improve safety, while maintaining consistency and quality of cooking production and food preparation. The company has identified these issues as key concerns for most of its customers. The company often identifies product improvement opportunities by working closely with customers on specific applications. Most research and development activities are performed by the company's technical service and engineering staff located at each manufacturing location. On occasion, the company will contract outside engineering firms to assist with the development of certain technical concepts and applications. See Note 3(o)3(n) to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the company's research and development activities.
 
Trademarks, Patents and Licenses
 
The company has developed, acquired and assembled a leading portfolio of trademarks and trade names. The company believes that these trademarks and trade names provide for a significant competitive advantage due to a long-standing recognition in the marketplace with customers, restaurant operators, distribution partners, sales and service agents, and foodservice consultants that specify foodservice equipment. The company has historically maintained a high level of market share of products sold with these trademarks and trade names.
 
The company's leading portfolio of trade names of its Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group include Anets, Bear Varimixer,APW Wyott, Bakers Pride, Beech, BKI, Blodgett, Blodgett Combi, Blodgett Range, Bloomfield, Britannia, CTX, Carter-Hoffmann, Celfrost, Concordia, CookTek, Crown, CTX, Desmon, Doyon, Eswood, EVO, Firex, Follett, Frifri, Giga, Globe, Goldstein, Holman, Houno, IMC, Induc, Jade, JoeTap, Josper, L2F, Lang, Lincat, MagiKitch’n, Market Forge, Marsal, Middleby Marshall, MPC, Nieco, Nu-Vu, PerfectFry, Pitco, Powerhouse Dynamics, QualServ, Southbend, Ss Brewtech, Star, Starline, Sveba Dahlen, Synesso, Taylor, Toastmaster, TurboChef, Ultrafryer, Varimixer, Wells and Wunder-Bar.


 
The company’s leading portfolio of trade names of its Food Processing Equipment Group include Alkar, Armor Inox, Auto-Bake, Baker Thermal Solutions, Burford, Cozzini, CVP Systems, Danfotech, Drake, Emico, Glimek, Hinds-Bock, Maurer-Atmos, MP Equipment, M-TEK, Pacproinc, RapidPak, Scanico, Spooner Vicars, Stewart Systems, Thurne and Thurne.Ve.Ma.C.


The company’s leading portfolio of trade names of its Residential Kitchen Equipment Group include AGA, AGA Cookshop, Brigade,Brava, EVO, Fired Earth, Grange, Heartland, La Cornue, Leisure Sinks, Lynx, Marvel, Mercury, Rangemaster, Rayburn, Redfyre, Sedona, Stanley, TurboChef, U-Line and Viking.
 
The company holds a broad portfolio of patents and licenses covering technology and applications related to various products, equipment and systems. Management believes the expiration of any one of these patents would not have a material adverse effect on the overall operations or profitability of the company.


Employees

As of December 28, 2019, 9,778 persons were employed by the company and its subsidiaries among the various groups as described below.

Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group
 
As of December 30, 2017, 4,49628, 2019, 5,999 persons were employed within the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group. Of this amount, 1,8272,436 were management, administrative, sales, engineering and supervisory personnel; 2,2453,084 were hourly production non-union workers; and 424479 were hourly production union members. Included in these totals were 1,7412,179 individuals employed outside of the United States, of which 9091,170 were management, sales, administrative and engineering personnel, 757841 were hourly production non-union workers and 75168 were hourly production union workers, who participate in an employee cooperative. At its Windsor, California facility, the company has a union contract with the Sheet Metal Workers International Association that expires on December 31, 2020. At its Elgin, Illinois facility, the company has a union contract with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters that expires on July 31, 2022. At its Easton, Pennsylvania facility, the company has a union contract with the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union that expires on May 4, 2019.2023. The company also has a union workforce at its manufacturing facility in the Philippines, under a contract that expires on June 30, 2021. Management believes that the relationships between employees, unions and management are good.
 




Food Processing Equipment Group
 
As of December 30, 2017, 1,24828, 2019, 1,532 persons were employed within the Food Processing Equipment Group. Of this amount, 599776 were management, administrative, sales, engineering and supervisory personnel; 523636 were hourly production non-union workers; and 126120 were hourly production union members. Included in these totals were 479633 individuals employed outside of the United States, of which 244368 were management, sales, administrative and engineering personnel and 235265 were hourly production non-union workers. At its Lodi, Wisconsin facility, the company has a contract with the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Ironworkers that expires on December 31, 2018.2021. At its Algona, Iowa facility, the company has a union contract with the United Food and Commercial Workers that expires on December 31, 2018.30, 2022. Management believes that the relationships between employees, unions and management are good.
     
Residential Kitchen Equipment Group


As of December 30, 2017, 2,71928, 2019, 2,205 persons were employed within the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group. Of this amount, 1,3071,090 were management, administrative, sales, engineering and supervisory personnel and 1,4121,115 were hourly production workers. Included in these totals were 1,5941,160 individuals employed outside of the United States, of which 900665 were management, sales, administrative and engineering personnel and 694495 were hourly non-union production workers. Management believes that the relationships between employees and management are good.


Corporate
 
As of December 30, 2017, 3028, 2019, 42 persons were employed at the corporate office.
 


Seasonality
 
The company’s revenues at the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group historically have been slightly stronger in the second and third quarters due to increased purchases from customers involved with the catering business and institutional customers, particularly schools, during the summer months. Revenues at the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group are historically stronger in the second and third quarters, due to increased purchases of outdoor cooking equipment and greater new home construction and remodels during the summer months, and the fourth quarter, due to increased holiday purchases in the European markets.






Item 1A.      Risk Factors
 
The company’s business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition are subject to various risks, including, but not limited to those set forth below. If any of the following risks actually occurs, the company’s business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. These risk factors should be carefully considered together with the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “SpecialSpecial Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements"Statements.
 
Economic conditions may cause a decline in business and consumer spending which could adversely affect the company’s business and financial performance.
 
The company’s operating results are impacted by the health of the North American, European, Asian and Latin American economies. The company’s business and financial performance, including collection of its accounts receivable, may be adversely affected by the current and future economic conditions that caused, and may cause in the future, a decline in business and consumer spending, a reduction in the availability of credit and decreased growth by its existing customers, resulting in customers electing to delay the replacement of aging equipment. Higher energy costs, rising interest rates, weakness in the residential construction, housing and home improvement markets, financial market volatility, recession and acts of terrorism may also adversely affect the company’s business and financial performance. Additionally, the company may experience difficulties in scaling its operations due to economic pressures in the U.S. and International markets.
 
Uncertainty surrounding the terms of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union may have a negative effect on global economic conditions, financial markets or the Company’s business.

In June 2016, a majority of voters in the United Kingdom elected to withdraw from the European Union in a national referendum. On January 31, 2020, the U.K. officially exited the European Union and entered into a transition period to negotiate the final terms of Brexit. The transition period is expected to end on December 31, 2020. Many potential future impacts of Brexit remain unclear and could adversely impact certain areas of labor and trade in addition to creating further short-term uncertainty and currency volatility. In the absence of a future trade deal, the U.K.’s trade with the European Union and the rest of the world would be subject to tariffs and duties set by the World Trade Organization. Additionally, the movement of goods between the U.K. and the remaining member states of the European Union will be subject to additional inspections and documentation checks, leading to possible delays at ports of entry and departure. These changes to the trading relationship between the U.K. and European Union would likely result in increased cost of goods imported into and exported from the U.K. and may decrease the profitability of the company's U.K. and other operations. Additional currency volatility could drive a weaker British pound, which increases the cost of goods imported into the U.K. operations and may decrease the profitability of the U.K. operations. A weaker British pound versus the U.S. dollar also causes local currency results of U.K. operations to be translated into fewer U.S. dollars during a reporting period. With a range of outcomes still possible, the impact from Brexit remains uncertain and will depend, in part, on the final outcome of tariff, trade, regulatory and other negotiations.


The company’s level of indebtedness could adversely affect its business, results of operations and growth strategy.
 
The company now has and may continue to have a significant amount of indebtedness. At December 30, 2017,28, 2019, the company had $1,028.9$1,873.1 million of borrowings and $7.5$13.3 million in letters of credit outstanding. To the extent the company requires additional capital resources, there can be no assurance that such funds will be available on favorable terms, or at all. The unavailability of funds could have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition, results of operations and ability to expand the company’s operations.
 
The company’s level of indebtedness could adversely affect it in a number of ways, including the following:
 
the company may be unable to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;
a significant portion of the company’s cash flow from operations must be dedicated to debt service, which reduces the amount of cash the company has available for other purposes;
the company may be more vulnerable in the event of a downturn in the company’s business or general economic and industry conditions;
the company may be disadvantaged competitively by its potential inability to adjust to changing market conditions, as a result of its significant level of indebtedness; and
the company may be restricted in its ability to make strategic acquisitions and to pursue new business opportunities.

















The company’s current credit agreement limits its ability to conduct business, which could negatively affect the company’s ability to finance future capital needs and engage in other business activities.
 
The covenants in the company’s existing credit agreement contain a number of significant limitations on its ability to, among other things:
 
pay dividends;
incur additional indebtedness;
create liens on the company’s assets;
engage in new lines of business;
make investments;
make capital expenditures and enter into leases; and
acquire or dispose of assets.


These restrictive covenants, among others, could negatively affect the company’s ability to finance its future capital needs, engage in other business activities or withstand a future downturn in the company’s business or the economy.
 
Under the company’s current credit agreement, the company is required to maintain certain specified financial ratios and meet financial tests, including certain ratios of leverage and fixed chargeinterest coverage. The company’s ability to comply with these requirements may be affected by matters beyond its control, and, as a result, there can be no assurance that the company will be able to meet these ratios and tests. A breach of any of these covenants would prevent the company from being able to draw under the company's revolver and would result in a default under the company’s current credit agreement. In the event of a default under the company’s current credit agreement, the lenders could terminate their commitments and declare all amounts borrowed, together with accrued interest and other fees, to be immediately due and payable. Borrowings under other debt instruments that contain cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions may also be accelerated and become due and payable at such time. The company may be unable to pay these debts in these circumstances.
 


Fluctuations in interest rates could adversely affect our results of operations and financial position.

Our profitability may be adversely affected during any periods of unexpected or rapid increases in interest rates. We maintain a
revolving credit facility, which, at December 28, 2019, bore interest at either 1.625% above LIBOR per annum or 0.625% above the highest of the prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.50% and one month LIBOR plus 1.00%. A significant increase in any of the forgoing rates would significantly increase our cost of borrowings, reduce the availability and increase the cost of
obtaining new debt and refinancing existing indebtedness and/or negatively impact the market price of our common stock. For
additional detail related to this risk, see Part II, Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk."

The company has a significant amount of goodwill and indefinite life intangibles could suffer losses due to asset impairment charges.


The company’s balance sheet includes a significant amount of goodwill and indefinite life intangibles, which representsrepresent approximately 38%37% and 20%, respectively, of its total assets as of December 30, 2017.28, 2019. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets, and liabilities assumed in conjunction with acquisitions is recorded as goodwill. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350 “Intangibles-GoodwillIntangibles-Goodwill and Other”Other, the company’s long-lived assets (including goodwill and other intangibles) are reviewed for impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In assessing the recoverability of long-lived assets, the company considers changes in economic conditions and makes assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors. Various uncertainties, including continued adverse conditions in the capital markets or changes in general economic conditions, could impact the future operating performance at one or more of the company’s businesses, which could significantly affect the company’s valuations and could result in additional future impairments. Also, estimates of future cash flows are judgments based on the company’s experience and knowledge of operations. These estimates can be significantly impacted by many factors, including changes in global and local business and economic conditions, operating costs, inflation, competition, and consumer and demographic trends. If the company’s estimates or the underlying assumptions change in the future, the company may be required to record impairment charges. Any such charge could have a material adverse effect on the company’s reported net earnings.
 
The company's defined benefit pension plans are subject to financial market risks that could adversely affect the company's financial statements.


The performance of the financial markets and interest rates impact our defined benefit pension plan expenses and funding obligations. Significant changes in market interest rates, decreases in fair value of plan assets, investment losses on plan assets and changes in discount rates may increase the company's funding obligations and adversely impact our financial statements. In addition, upward pressure on the cost of providing healthcare coverage to current employees and retirees may increase our future funding obligations and adversely affect our financial statements.




Competition in the commercial foodservice, food processing, and residential kitchen equipment industries is intense and could impact the company’s results of operations and cash flows.
 
The company operates in highly competitive industries. In each of the company’s three business segments, competition is based on a variety of factors including product features and design, brand recognition, reliability, durability, technology, energy efficiency, breadth of product offerings, price, customer relationships, delivery lead-times, serviceability and after-sale service. The company has numerous competitors in each business segment. Many of the company’s competitors are substantially larger and enjoy substantially greater financial, marketing, technological and personnel resources. These factors may enable them to develop similar or superior products, to provide lower cost products and to carry out their business strategies more quickly and efficiently than the company can. In addition, some competitors focus on particular product lines or geographic regions or emphasize their local manufacturing presence or local market knowledge. Some competitors have different pricing structures and may be able to deliver their products at lower prices. Although the company believes that the performance and price characteristics of its products will provide competitive solutions for its customers’ needs, there can be no assurance that the company’s customers will continue to choose the company’s products over products offered by its competitors.









Further, the markets for the company’s products are characterized by changing technology and evolving industry standards. The company’s ability to compete in the past has depended in part on the company’s ability to develop innovative new products and bring them to market more quickly than the company’s competitors. The company’s ability to compete successfully will depend, in large part, on its ability to enhance and improve its existing products, to continue to bring innovative products to market in a timely fashion, to adapt the company’s products to the needs and standards of its current and potential customers and to continue to improve operating efficiencies and lower manufacturing costs. Moreover, competitors may develop technologies or products that render the company’s products obsolete or less marketable. If the company’s products, markets and services are not competitive, the company’s business, financial condition and operating results will be materially harmed.


The company is subject to risks associated with developing products and technologies, which could delay product introductions and result in significant expenditures.
 
The product, program and service needs of the company’s customers change and evolve regularly, and the company invests substantial amounts in research and development efforts to pursue advancements in a wide range of technologies, products and services. Also, the company continually seeks to refine and improve upon the performance, utility and physical attributes of its existing products and to develop new products. As a result, the company’s business is subject to risks associated with new product and technological development, including unanticipated technical or other problems, meeting development, production, certification and regulatory approval schedules, execution of internal and external performance plans, availability of supplier- and internally-produced parts and materials, performance of suppliers and subcontractors, hiring and training of qualified personnel, achieving cost and production efficiencies, identification of emerging technological trends in the company’s target end-markets, validation of innovative technologies, the level of customer interest in new technologies and products, and customer acceptance of the company’s products and products that incorporate technologies that the company develops. These factors involve significant risks and uncertainties. Also, any development efforts divert resources from other potential investments in the company’s businesses, and these efforts may not lead to the development of new technologies or products on a timely basis or meet the needs of the company’s customers as fully as competitive offerings. In addition, the markets for the company’s products or products that incorporate the company’s technologies may not develop or grow as the company anticipates. The company or its suppliers and subcontractors may encounter difficulties in developing and producing these new products and services, and may not realize the degree or timing of benefits initially anticipated. Due to the design complexity of the company's products, the company may in the future experience delays in completing the development and introduction of new products. Any delays could result in increased development costs or deflect resources from other projects. The occurrence of any of these risks could cause a substantial change in the design, delay in the development, or abandonment of new technologies and products. Consequently, there can be no assurance that the company will develop new technologies superior to the company’s current technologies or successfully bring new products to market.
 
Additionally, there can be no assurance that new technologies or products, if developed, will meet the company’s current price or performance objectives, be developed on a timely basis, or prove to be as effective as products based on other technologies. The inability to successfully complete the development of a product, or a determination by the company, for financial, technical or other reasons, not to complete development of a product, particularly in instances in which the company has made significant expenditures, could have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition and operating results.
 




The company has depended, and will continue to depend, on key customers for a material portion of its revenues. As a result, changes in the purchasing patterns of such key customers could adversely impact the company’s operating results.
 
Many of the company’s key customers are large restaurant chains and major food processing companies. The demand for the company’s equipment can vary from quarter to quarter depending on the company’s customers’ internal growth plans, construction, seasonality and other factors. In addition, during an economic downturn, key customers could both open fewer facilities and defer purchases of new equipment for existing operations. Either of these conditions could have a material adverse effect on the company’s financial condition and results of operations.
 











Price changes in some materials and disruptions in supply could affect the company’s profitability.

The company uses large amounts of stainless steel, aluminized steel and other commodities in the manufacture of its products. A significant increase in the price of steel or any other commodity that the company is not able to pass on to its customers would adversely affect the company’s operating results. In addition, an unanticipated delay in delivery of raw materials and component inventories by suppliers—including a delay due to capacity constraints, labor disputes, the financial condition of suppliers, weather emergencies, or other natural disasters—may impair the ability of the company to satisfy customer demand. An interruption in or the cessation of an important supply by any third party and the company’s inability to make alternative arrangements in a timely manner, or at all, could have a material adverse effect on the company’s business, financial condition and operating results.

The company’s acquisition, investment and alliance strategy involves risks. If the company is unable to effectively manage these risks, its business will be materially harmed.
 
To achieve the company’s strategic objectives, the company has pursued and may continue to pursue strategic acquisitions and investments or invest in other companies, businesses or technologies. Acquisitions entail numerous risks, including the following:
 
•     difficulties in the assimilation of acquired businesses or technologies;
 
inability to operate acquired businesses or utilize acquired technologies profitably;
 
diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns;
 
potential assumption of unknown material liabilities;
 
failure to achieve financial or operating objectives;
 
•     unanticipated costs relating to acquisitions or to the integration of the acquired businesses;
 
loss of customers, suppliers, or key employees; and
 
the impact on the company's internal controls and compliance with the regulatory requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
The company may not be able to successfully integrate any operations, personnel, services or products that it has acquired or may acquire in the future.
 
The company may seek to expand or enhance some of its operations by forming joint ventures or alliances with various strategic partners throughout the world. Entering into joint ventures and alliances also entails risks, including difficulties in developing and expanding the businesses of newly formed joint ventures, exercising influence over the activities of joint ventures in which the company does not have a controlling interest and potential conflicts with the company’s joint venture or alliance partners.








An inability to identify or complete future acquisitions could adversely affect future growth.
 
The company has historically followed a strategy of identifying and acquiring businesses with complementary products and services. As part of its growth strategy, the company intends to pursue acquisitions that provide opportunities for profitable growth and which enable it to leverage its competitive strengths. While the company continues to evaluate potential acquisitions, it may not be able to identify and successfully negotiate suitable acquisitions, obtain financing for future acquisitions on satisfactory terms, obtain regulatory approval for certain acquisitions, or otherwise complete acquisitions in the future. An inability to identify or complete future acquisitions could limit the company’s growth.



Expansion of the company’s operations internationally involves special challenges that it may not be able to meet. The company’s failure to meet these challenges could adversely affect its business, financial condition and operating results.
 
The company plans to continue to expand its operations internationally. The company faces certain risks inherent in doing business in international markets. These risks include:
 
extensive regulations and oversight, tariffs, including recently with respect to certain products imported from China or exported to China, retaliatory tariffs by China and certain other countries in response to tariffs implemented by the United States, and other trade barriers;


•     reduced protection for intellectual property rights;
withdrawal from or renegotiation of international trade agreements and other restrictions on trade between the United States and China, the European Union, Canada, Mexico and other countries;

effects of the United Kingdom's decision to exit the European Union and related potential disruption to trade;

recent outbreak of coronavirus in China and other jurisdictions and uncertain impact on operations, suppliers and customers;

reduced protection for intellectual property rights;
 
difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations;
 
potentially adverse tax consequences;
 
limitations on ownership and on repatriation of earnings;
 
transportation delays and interruptions;
 
political, social, and economic instability and disruptions;
 
labor unrests;
 
•      potential for nationalization of enterprises; and
 
•      limitations on the company’s ability to enforce legal rights and remedies.
 
In addition, the company is and will be required to comply with the laws and regulations of foreign governmental and regulatory authorities of each country in which the company conducts business.
 
There can be no assurance that the company will be able to succeed in marketing its products and services in international markets. The company may also experience difficulty in managing its international operations because of, among other things, competitive conditions overseas, management of foreign exchange risk, established domestic markets, language and cultural differences and economic or political instability. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on the success of the company’s international operations and, consequently, on the company’s business, financial condition and operating results.


The company is subject to currency fluctuations and other risks from its operations outside the United States.
 
The company has manufacturing and distribution operations located in Asia, Europe and Latin America. The company’s operations are subject to the impact of economic downturns, political instability and foreign trade restrictions, which may adversely affect the company’s business, financial condition and operating results. The company anticipates that international sales will continue to account for a significant portion of consolidated net sales in the foreseeable future. Some sales and operating costs of the company’s foreign operations are realized in local currencies, and an increase in the relative value of the U.S. dollar against such currencies would lead to a reduction in consolidated sales and earnings. Additionally, foreign currency exposures are not fully hedged, and there can be no assurances that the company’s future results of operations will not be adversely affected by currency fluctuations. Furthermore, currency fluctuations may affect the prices paid to the company’s suppliers for materials the company uses in production. As a result, operating margins may also be negatively impacted by worldwide currency fluctuations that result in higher costs for certain cross-border transactions.
 





The company faces risks related to health epidemics and other widespread outbreaks of contagious disease, which could significantly disrupt our operations and impact our operating results.

In December 2019, a strain of coronavirus was identified in Wuhan, China. The spread of this virus and other contagious diseases, or other adverse public health developments, could have a material and adverse effect on our business operations. These could include disruptions or restrictions on our ability to travel, as well as temporary closures of our facilities or the facilities of our suppliers or customers. Any disruption of our suppliers or customers would likely impact our sales and operating results. The extent to which the coronavirus may impact our results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the coronavirus.

The company may not be able to adequately protect its intellectual property rights, and this inability may materially harm its business.
 
The company relies primarily on trade secret, copyright, service mark, trademark and patent law and contractual protections to protect the company’s proprietary technology and other proprietary rights. The company has filed numerous patent applications covering the company’s technology. Notwithstanding the precautions the company takes to protect its intellectual property rights, it is possible that third parties may copy or otherwise obtain and use the company’s proprietary technology without authorization or may otherwise infringe on the company’s rights. In some cases, including with respect to a number of the company’s most important products, there may be no effective legal recourse against duplication by competitors.competitors as the legal systems of certain countries, particularly certain developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents and other intellectual property protection. This could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement of our patents and future patents we may own, or marketing of competing products in violation of our proprietary rights generally. Further, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect proprietary rights to the same extent or in the same manner as the laws of the U.S. In the future, the company may have to rely on litigation to enforce its intellectual property rights, protect its trade secrets, determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others or defend against claims of infringement or invalidity. Any such litigation, whether successful or unsuccessful, could result in substantial costs to the company and diversions of the company’s resources, either of which could adversely affect the company’s business.
 
Any infringement by the company on patent rights of others could result in litigation and adversely affect its ability to continue to provide, or could increase the cost of providing, the company’s products and services.
 
Patents of third parties may have an important bearing on the company’s ability to offer some of its products and services. The company’s competitors, as well as other companies and individuals, may obtain patents related to the types of products and services the company offers or plans to offer. There can be no assurance that the company is or will be aware of all patents containing claims that may pose a risk of infringement by its products and services. In addition, some patent applications in the United States are confidential until a patent is issued and, therefore, the company cannot evaluate the extent to which its products and services may be covered or asserted to be covered by claims contained in pending patent applications. In general, if one or more of the company’s products or services were to infringe patents held by others, the company may be required to stop developing or marketing the products or services, to obtain licenses from the holders of the patents to develop and market the services, or to redesign the products or services in such a way as to avoid infringing on the patent claims. The company cannot assess the extent to which it may be required in the future to obtain licenses with respect to patents held by others, whether such licenses would be available or, if available, whether it would be able to obtain such licenses on commercially reasonable terms. If the company were unable to obtain such licenses, it also may not be able to redesign the company’s products or services to avoid infringement, which could materially adversely affect the company’s business, financial condition and operating results.



The company may be the subject of product liability claims or product recalls, and it may be unable to obtain or maintain insurance adequate to cover potential liabilities.
 
Product liability is a significant commercial risk to the company. The company’s business exposes it to potential liability risks that arise from the manufacture, marketing and sale of the company’s products. In addition to direct expenditures for damages, settlement and defense costs, there is a possibility of adverse publicity as a result of product liability claims. Some plaintiffs in some jurisdictions have received substantial damage awards against companies based upon claims for injuries allegedly caused by the use of their products. In addition, it may be necessary for the company to recall products that do not meet approved specifications, which could result in adverse publicity as well as costs connected to the recall and loss of revenue.
 
The company cannot be certain that a product liability claim or series of claims brought against it would not have an adverse effect on the company’s business, financial condition or results of operations. If any claim is brought against the company, regardless of the success or failure of the claim, the company cannot assure you that it will be able to obtain or maintain product liability insurance in the future on acceptable terms or with adequate coverage against potential liabilities or the cost of a recall. The company currently maintains insurance programs consisting of self-insurance up to certain limits and excess insurance coverage for claims over established limits. There can be no assurance that the company will be able to obtain insurance on acceptable terms or that its insurance programs will provide adequate protection against actual losses. In addition, the company is subject to the risk that one or more of its insurers may become insolvent or become unable to pay claims that may be made in the future.


An increase in warranty expenses could adversely affect the company’s financial performance.
 
The company offers purchasers of its products warranties covering workmanship and materials typically for one year and, in certain circumstances, for periods of up to ten years, during which periods the company or an authorized service representative will make repairs and replace parts that have become defective in the course of normal use. The company estimates and records its future warranty costs based upon past experience. These warranty expenses may increase in the future and may exceed the company’s warranty reserves, which, in turn, could adversely affect the company’s financial performance.



The company may be subject to litigation, environmental, and other legal compliance risks.
 
In addition to product liability claims, the company is subject to a variety of litigation, tax, and legal compliance risks. These risks include, among other things, possible liability relating to personal injuries, intellectual property rights, contract-related claims, taxes, environmental matters, and compliance with U.S. and foreign export laws, competition laws, and laws governing improper business practices. The company or one of its business units could be charged with wrongdoing as a result of such matters. If convicted or found liable, the company could be subject to significant fines, penalties, repayments, or other damages.
 
The company is subject to potential liability under environmental laws.
 
The company’s operations are regulated under a number of federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations that govern, among other things, the discharge of hazardous materials into the air and water as well as the handling, storage and disposal of these materials. Compliance with these environmental laws and regulations is a significant consideration for the company because it uses hazardous materials in its manufacturing processes. In addition, because the company is a generator of hazardous wastes, even if it fully complies with applicable environmental laws, it may be subject to financial exposure for costs associated with an investigation and remediation of sites at which it has arranged for the disposal of hazardous wastes if these sites become contaminated. In the event of a violation of environmental laws, the company could be held liable for damages and for the costs of remedial actions. Environmental laws could also become more stringent over time, imposing greater compliance costs and increasing risks and penalties associated with any violation, which could negatively affect the company’s operating results. There can be no assurance that identification of presently unidentified environmental conditions, more vigorous enforcement by regulatory authorities, or other unanticipated events will not arise in the future and give rise to additional environmental liabilities, compliance costs, and penalties that could be material. Environmental laws and regulations are constantly evolving, and it is impossible to predict accurately the effect they may have upon the financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows of the company.




We are subject to risks associated with possible climate change legislation, regulation and international accords.
Government mandates, standards or regulations intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or projected climate change impacts have resulted, or are likely to result, in increased energy, manufacturing, transportation and raw material costs. Governmental requirements directed at regulation of greenhouse gas emissions could cause us to incur expenses that we cannot recover or that will require us to increase the price of products we sell to the point that it impacts demand for those products.

Unfavorable tax law changes and tax authority rulings may adversely affect results.


The company is subject to income taxes in the United States and in various foreign jurisdictions. Domestic and international tax liabilities are based on the income and expenses in various tax jurisdictions. The amount of the company’s income and other tax liability is subject to ongoing audits by U.S. federal, state and local tax authorities and by non-U.S. authorities. If these audits result in assessments different from amounts recorded, future financial results may include unfavorable tax adjustments.


The company’s reputation, ability to do business, and results of operations may be impaired by improper conduct by any of its employees, agents, or business partners.


While the company strives to maintain high standards, the company cannot provide assurance that its internal controls and compliance systems will always protect it from acts committed by its employees, agents, or business partners that would violate U.S. and/or foreign laws or fail to protect the company’s confidential information, including the laws governing payments to government officials, bribery, fraud, anti-kickback and false claims rules, competition, export and import compliance, money laundering, and data privacy laws, as well as the improper use of proprietary information or social media. Any such violations of law or improper actions could subject the company to civil or criminal investigations in the U.S. and in other jurisdictions, could lead to substantial civil or criminal, monetary and non-monetary penalties, and related shareholder lawsuits, could lead to increased costs of compliance and could damage the company’s reputation.


















The company’s financial performance is subject to significant fluctuations.
 
The company’s financial performance is subject to quarterly and annual fluctuations due to a number of factors, including:
 
•      general economic conditions;
 
the lengthy, unpredictable sales cycle for commercial foodservice equipment, food processing equipment and residential kitchen equipment group;


•      the gain or loss of significant customers;
 
•      unexpected delays in new product introductions;
 
the level of market acceptance of new or enhanced versions of the company’s products;


•      unexpected changes in the levels of the company’s operating expenses; and
 
•      competitive product offerings and pricing actions.
 
Each of these factors could result in a material and adverse change in the company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.


The company may be unable to manage its growth.
 
The company has recently experienced rapid growth in business. Continued growth could place a strain on the company’s management, operations and financial resources. There also will be additional demands on the company’s sales, marketing and information systems and on the company’s administrative infrastructure as it develops and offers additional products and enters new markets. The company cannot be certain that the company’s operating and financial control systems, administrative infrastructure, outsourced and internal production capacity, facilities and personnel will be adequate to support the company’s future operations or to effectively adapt to future growth. If the company cannot manage the company’s growth effectively, the company’s business may be harmed.
 



The company’s business could suffer in the event of a work stoppage by its unionized labor force.
 
Because the company has a significant number of workers whose employment is subject to collective bargaining agreements and labor union representation, the company is vulnerable to possible organized work stoppages and similar actions. Unionized employees accounted for approximately 6% of the company’s workforce as of December 30, 2017.28, 2019. The company has union contracts with employees at its facilities in Windsor, California; Algona, Iowa; Elgin, Illinois; Easton, Pennsylvania and Lodi, Wisconsin that extend through December 2020, December 2018,2022, July 2022, May 20192023 and December 2018,2021, respectively. The company also has a union workforce at its manufacturing facility in the Philippines under a contract that extends through June 2021. Approximately 2%Less than 1% of the company's workforce is covered by collective bargaining agreements that expire within one year. Any future strikes, employee slowdowns or similar actions by one or more unions, in connection with labor contract negotiations or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on the company’s ability to operate the company’s business.


The company depends significantly on its key personnel.
 
The company depends significantly on the company’s executive officers and certain other key personnel, whom could be difficult to replace. While the company has employment agreements with certain key executives, the company cannot be certain that it will succeed in retaining this personnel or their services under existing agreements. The incapacity, inability or unwillingness of certain of these people to perform their services may have a material adverse effect on the company. There is intense competition for qualified personnel within the company’s industry, and there can be no assurance that the company will be able to continue to attract, motivate and retain personnel with the skills and experience needed to successfully manage the company's business and operations.







The company may be subject to information technology system failures, network disruptions, cybersecurity attacks and breaches in data security, which may materially adversely affect the company’s operations, financial condition and operating results.


The company depends on information technology as an enabler to improve the effectiveness of its operations and to interface with its customers, as well as to maintain financial accuracy and efficiency. Information technology system failures, including suppliers’ or vendors’ system failures, could disrupt the company’s operations by causing transaction errors, processing inefficiencies, delays or cancellation of customer orders, the loss of customers, impediments to the manufacture or shipment of products, other business disruptions, or the loss of or damage to intellectual property through security breach.


The company’s information systems, or those of its third-party service providers, could also be penetrated by outside parties intent on extracting information, corrupting information or disrupting business processes. Such unauthorized access could disrupt the company’s business, andincrease costs and/or could result in the loss of assets. Cybersecurity attacks are becoming more sophisticated and include, but are not limited to, malicious software, attempts to gain unauthorized access to data, and other electronic security breaches that could lead to disruptions in critical systems, unauthorized release of confidential or otherwise protected information, corruption or destruction of data and corruptionother manipulation or improper use of data.systems or networks. These events could negatively impact the company’s customers andand/or reputation and lead to financial losses from remediation actions, loss of business, production downtimes, operational delays or potential liability, penalties, fines or an increaseother increases in expense, all of which may have a material adverse effect on the company’s business. In addition, as security threats and cybersecurity and data privacy and protection laws and regulations, including those related to the collection, storage, handling, use, disclosure, transfer, and security of personally identifiable information, continue to evolve and increase in terms of sophistication, we may invest additional resources in the security of our systems. Any such increased level of investment could adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations. Further, as governmental authorities around the world continue to consider legislative and regulatory proposals concerning data protection, we may face substantial penalties if we fail to comply with regulations and laws regarding data protection.


The impact of future transactions on the company’s common stock is uncertain.
 
The company periodically reviews potential transactions related to products or product rights and businesses complementary to the company’s business. Such transactions could include mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, alliances or licensing agreements. In the future, the company may choose to enter into such transactions at any time. The impact of transactions on the market price of a company’s stock is often uncertain, but it may cause substantial fluctuations to the market price. Consequently, any announcement of any such transaction could have a material adverse effect upon the market price of the company’s common stock. Moreover, depending upon the nature of any transaction, the company may experience a charge to earnings, which could be material and could possibly have an adverse impact upon the market price of the company’s common stock.



The trading price of the company's common stock has been volatile, and investors in the company's common stock may experience substantial losses.


The trading price of the company's common stock has been volatile and may become volatile again in the future. The trading price of the company's common stock could decline or fluctuate in response to a variety of factors, including:


the company's failure to meet the performance estimates of securities analysts;


changes in buy/sell recommendations by securities analysts;


fluctuations in our operating results;


substantial sales of the company's common stockstock;


general stock market conditions; or


other economic or external factors.
 
Item 1B.      Unresolved Staff Comments
 
Not applicable.






Item 2.      Properties
 
The company's principal executive offices are located in Elgin, Illinois. The company operates thirty-onethirty-seven manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and twenty-sixtwenty-eight manufacturing facilities internationally.
 
The principal properties of the company used to conduct business operations are listed below:
Location Principal Function Square

Footage
 Owned/

Leased
 Lease

Expiration
Commercial Foodservice:      
Fort Smith, AR Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 30,000440,200

 Leased August 2024Aug-31
Brea, CA Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 80,700

 Leased September 2020Sep-20
Vacaville, CA Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 81,200

 Leased May 2027May-27
Windsor, CA Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 75,000

 Leased October 2022Apr-22
Elgin, IL Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 207,000

 Owned N/A
Mundelein, IL Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 70,000

 Owned N/A
Rockton, ILManufacturing, Warehousing and Offices339,400
OwnedN/A
South Beloit, ILWarehousing130,900
LeasedJun-23
Menominee, MI Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 60,000

OwnedN/A
Fuquay-Varina, NCManufacturing, Warehousing and Offices183,900
 Owned N/A
Bow, NH Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 100,000

 Owned N/A
Concord, NHWarehousing39,000
LeasedMar-20
Pembroke, NH Warehousing 111,900136,200

 Leased July 2024
Fuquay-Varina, NCManufacturing, Warehousing and Offices138,900
OwnedN/ANov-24
Dayton, OH Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 37,700

 Owned N/A
Tualatin, ORManufacturing, Warehousing and Offices16,500
LeasedDec-20
Bethlehem, PA Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 71,70072,900

 Leased December 2024Dec-24
Easton, PA Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 156,700

 Owned N/A
Smithville, TN Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 268,000

 Owned N/A
Allen, TXWarehousing33,100
LeasedFeb-24
Carrollton, TX Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 132,400

 Leased August 2022Aug-22
Essex Junction, VT Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices * 180,000270,000

 Owned N/A
Redmond, WA Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 42,400

 Leased May 2022May-22
Seattle, WAManufacturing, Warehousing and Offices12,200
LeasedAug-22
New South Wales, Australia Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 204,900

 Owned N/A
Shanghai,Toronto, CanadaManufacturing, Warehousing and Offices101,500
OwnedN/A
Humen, ChinaManufacturing, Warehousing10,900
LeasedMar-20
Qingdao City, China Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 74,000113,500

 Leased April 2020Jul-29
Brøndby, Denmark Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 50,900

 Owned N/A
Randers, Denmark Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 78,50050,100

 Owned N/A
Viljandi, Estonia Manufacturing Warehousing and Offices 47,000

 Owned N/A
Nusco, Italy Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 24,200260,600

 Owned N/A
Scandicci, Italy Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 37,600

 Leased April 2025Apr-25
Sedico, ItalyManufacturing, Warehousing and Offices52,500
LeasedFeb-24
Nogales, MexicoManufacturing, Warehousing and Offices127,000
OwnedN/A
Laguna, the Philippines Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 115,200

 Owned N/A
Wiślina, Poland Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 77,500

OwnedN/A
Pineda de Mar, SpainManufacturing, Warehousing and Offices50,100
 Owned N/A
Fristad, Sweden Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 158,100173,800

 Owned N/A
Lincoln, the United Kingdom Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 100,000

 Owned N/A
Wrexham, the United Kingdom Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 62,600

 Owned N/A
         


LocationPrincipal FunctionSquare
Footage
Owned/
Leased
Lease
Expiration
Food Processing:        
Gainesville, GA Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 107,000107,400

 Owned N/A
Chicago,Elgin, IL Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 64,40025,000

 LeasedOwned March 2019N/A
DownersElk Grove, IL Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 18,000101,500

 Leased April 2020Nov-29
Algona, IA Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 70,100

 Owned N/A
Clayton, NC Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 65,30065,000

 Leased October 2019Oct-24
Maysville, OK Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 36,700

 LeasedOwned December 2018N/A
Souderton, PAManufacturing, Warehousing and Offices35,000
OwnedN/A
Plano, TX Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 339,100

 Leased April 2022Apr-22
Waynesboro, VA Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 26,400

 Owned N/A
Bothell, WAManufacturing, Warehousing and Offices23,600
LeasedMay-25
Lodi, WI Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 114,600

 Owned N/A
Aalborg, Denmark Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 64,00068,300

 Leased December 2022Dec-22
Mauron, France Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 98,000112,400

 Leased January 2023Dec-22
Reichenau, Germany Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 57,900

 OwedOwned N/A
Bangalore, India Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 75,000

 Leased February 2022Mar-24
Castelnuovo Rangone, ItalyManufacturing, Warehousing and Offices26,900
LeasedDec-23
Norwich, the United Kingdom Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 39,20030,000

 Owned N/A


LocationPrincipal FunctionSquare
Footage
Owned/
Leased
Lease
Expiration
Residential Kitchen:        
Chino, CA Warehousing and Offices 100,000

 Leased April 2021Feb-22
Downey,Redwood City, CA Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 122,50020,600

 Leased December 2019Jan-20
Burford,Buford, GA Warehousing and Offices 178,000178,100

 Leased June 2022
Suwanee, GAWarehousing and Offices142,000
LeasedJanuary 2018Feb-23
Greenville, MI Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 225,000

 Owned N/A
Greenwood, MS Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices *** 738,000

 Owned N/A
Brown Deer, WI Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 165,400

 Leased May 2022
Rosyl St Pierre, FranceManufacturing and Warehousing40,900
OwnedN/AMay-22
Saint Ouen L'aumone, France Manufacturing, and Warehousing 30,400
LeasedApril 2021
Saint Symphorien, FranceManufacturing and Warehousing138,000

 Owned N/A
Waterford, Ireland Manufacturing, Warehousing and Offices 73,000

 Leased July 2027
Gee Targu Mures, RomaniaManufacturing and Warehousing48,000
OwnedN/AJul-27
Adderbury, the United Kingdom Warehousing and Offices 82,500

 Leased August 2020
Coalbrookdale, the United KingdomManufacturing and Offices153,100
OwnedN/AAug-20
Ketley, the United Kingdom Manufacturing and Offices 217,300

 Owned N/A
Leamington Spa, the United Kingdom Manufacturing and Offices 270,200

 Owned N/A
Leamington Spa, the United Kingdom Warehousing and Offices 100,300

 Leased August 2019Aug-29
Nottingham, the United Kingdom Manufacturing and Offices 153,100

 Owned N/A


 * Contains threetwo separate manufacturing facilities.

** Contains four separate manufacturing facilities.

At various other locations the company leases small amounts of space for administrative, manufacturing, distribution and sales functions, and in certain instances limited short-term inventory storage. These locations are in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dubai, France, India, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Spain, the United Kingdom and various locations in the United States.
 
Management believes that these facilities are adequate for the operation of the company's business as presently conducted.
 
Item 3.      Legal Proceedings
 
The company is routinely involved in litigation incidental to its business, including product liability claims, which are partially covered by insurance or in certain cases by indemnification provisions under purchase agreements for recently acquired companies. Such routine claims are vigorously contested and management does not believe that the outcome of any such pending litigation will have a material effect upon the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of the company.
 




Item 4. Mine Safety Issues
 
Not applicable.






PART II
 
Item 5.      Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Principal Market
 
The company's Common Stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "MIDD". The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing sale prices per share of Common Stock, as reported by the Nasdaq Global Market. 
 Closing Share Price
 High Low
Fiscal 2017   
First quarter$141.74
 $128.59
Second quarter141.07
 120.04
Third quarter131.74
 115.72
Fourth quarter134.95
 108.72
Fiscal 2016 
  
First quarter$108.38
 $80.62
Second quarter126.52
 103.39
Third quarter132.17
 112.94
Fourth quarter142.38
 109.23
 
Shareholders
 
The company estimates there were approximately 68,71460,247 record holders of the company's common stock as of February 26, 2018.24, 2020.
 
Dividends
 
The company does not currently pay cash dividends on its common stock. Any future payment of cash dividends on the company’s common stock will be at the discretion of the company’s Board of Directors and will depend upon the company’s results of operations, earnings, capital requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors. The company’s Board of Directors currently intends to retain any future earnings to support its operations and to finance the growth and development of the company’s business and does not intend to declare or pay cash dividends on its common stock for the foreseeable future. In addition, the company’s revolving credit facility limits its ability to declare or pay dividends on its common stock.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

For information pertaining to securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans and the related weighted
average exercise price, see Part III, Item 12, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters.”
 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased

 
Average
Price Paid
per Share

 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plan or
Program

 Maximum
Number of
Shares that May
Yet be
Purchased
Under the Plan
or Program (1)

October 1 to October 28, 2017
 $
 
 709,270
October 29 to November 25, 201720,000
 116.40
 20,000
 2,480,000
November 26 to December 30, 2017106,200
 117.84
 106,200
 2,373,800
Quarter ended December 30, 2017126,200
 $117.61
 126,200
 2,373,800
Total Number of Shares PurchasedAverage Price Paid per ShareTotal Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan or ProgramMaximum Number of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plan or Program (1)
September 29 to October 26, 2019
$

2,373,800
October 27 to November 23, 2019


2,373,800
November 24 to December 28, 2019


2,373,800
Quarter ended December 28, 2019
$

2,373,800


(1) OnIn November 7, 2017, the company's Board of Directors resolved to terminate the company's existing share repurchase program, effective as of such date, which was originally adopted in 1998, and approved a new stock repurchase program. This program authorizes the company to repurchase in the aggregate up to 2,500,000 shares of its outstanding common stock.stock in open market purchases or negotiated transactions. As of December 30, 2017, 28, 2019, 126,200 shares had been purchased under the 2017 stock repurchase program. At December 30, 2017,28, 2019, the company had a total of 6,889,2416,940,089 shares in treasury amounting to $445.1$451.3 million.


In the consolidated financial statements, the company also treats shares withheld for tax purposes on behalf of employees in connection with the vesting of restricted share grants as common stock repurchases because they reduce the number of shares that would have been issued upon vesting. These withheld shares are not considered common stock repurchases under the authorized common stock repurchase plan and accordingly are not included in the common stock repurchase totals in the preceding table.








Item 6. Selected Financial Data
 
(amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Fiscal Year Ended(1, 2)
 
2017
 2016
 2015
 2014
 2013
2019
 2018
 2017
 2016
 2015
Income Statement Data:                  
Net sales$2,335,542
 $2,267,852
 $1,826,598
 $1,636,538
 $1,428,685
$2,959,446
 $2,722,931
 $2,335,542
 $2,267,852
 $1,826,598
Cost of sales1,422,801
 1,366,672
 1,120,093
 995,953
 878,674
1,855,949
 1,718,791
 1,422,801
 1,366,672
 1,120,093
Gross profit912,741
 901,180
 706,505
 640,585
 550,011
1,103,497
 1,004,140
 912,741
 901,180
 706,505
Selling, general, and administrative expenses436,491
 444,431
 375,148
 339,594
 296,448
593,813
 538,842
 468,219
 471,638
 378,366
Restructuring expenses19,951
 10,524
 28,754
 7,078
 9,101
10,480
 19,332
 19,951
 10,524
 28,754
Gain on litigation settlement
 
 
 (6,519) 
(14,839) 
 
 
 
Gain on sale of plant(12,042) 
 
 
 

 
 (12,042) 
 
Impairment of intangible asset58,000
 
 
 
 

 
 58,000
 
 
Income from operations410,341
 446,225
 302,603
 300,432
 244,462
514,043
 445,966
 378,613
 419,018
 299,385
Net interest expense and deferred financing amortization, net25,983
 23,880
 16,967
 15,592
 15,901
Other expense, net829
 1,040
 4,469
 4,050
 2,780
Interest expense and deferred financing amortization, net82,609
 58,742
 25,983
 23,880
 16,967
Net periodic pension benefit (other than service costs)(28,857) (38,114) (31,728) (27,207) (3,218)
Other (income) expense, net(2,328) 1,825
 829
 1,040
 4,469
Earnings before income taxes383,529
 421,305
 281,167
 280,790
 225,781
462,619
 423,513
 383,529
 421,305
 281,167
Provision for income taxes85,401
 137,089
 89,557
 87,478
 71,853
110,379
 106,361
 85,401
 137,089
 89,557
Net earnings$298,128
 $284,216
 $191,610
 $193,312
 $153,928
$352,240
 $317,152
 $298,128
 $284,216
 $191,610
                  
Net earnings per share: 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
Basic$5.26
 $4.98
 $3.36
 $3.41
 $2.76
$6.33
 $5.71
 $5.26
 $4.98
 $3.36
Diluted$5.26
 $4.98
 $3.36
 $3.40
 $2.74
$6.33
 $5.70
 $5.26
 $4.98
 $3.36
                  
Weighted average number of shares outstanding: 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
Basic56,715
 57,030
 56,951
 56,764
 55,831
55,647
 55,576
 56,715
 57,030
 56,951
Diluted56,719
 57,085
 56,973
 56,784
 56,148
55,656
 55,604
 56,719
 57,085
 56,973
                  
Balance Sheet Data: 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
Working capital$458,236
 $323,290
 $285,191
 $285,817
 $234,349
$616,059
 $502,642
 $458,236
 $323,290
 $285,191
Total assets3,339,713
 2,917,136
 2,761,151
 2,066,131
 1,819,206
5,002,143
 4,549,781
 3,339,713
 2,917,136
 2,761,151
Total debt1,028,881
 732,126
 766,061
 598,167
 571,598
1,873,140
 1,892,105
 1,028,881
 732,126
 766,061
Stockholders' equity1,361,148
 1,265,318
 1,166,830
 1,006,760
 838,347
1,946,814
 1,665,203
 1,361,148
 1,265,318
 1,166,830
 
(1)The company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to December 31.
(2)The company has acquired numerous businesses in the periods presented. Please see Note 2 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.








Item 7.      Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
 
This report contains "forward-looking statements" subject to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the company's actual results, performance or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. The following are some of the important factors that could cause the company's actual results, performance or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements:
 
changing market conditions;
volatility in earnings resulting from goodwill impairment losses, which may occur irregularly and in varying amounts;
variability in financing costs;
quarterly variations in operating results;
dependence on key customers;
risks associated with the company's foreign operations, including market acceptance and demand for the company's products and the company's ability to manage the risk associated with the exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations;
the company's ability to protect its trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property;
the impact of competitive products and pricing;
the impact of announced management and organizational changes;
the state of the residential construction, housing and home improvement markets;


the state of the credit markets, including mortgages, home equity loans and consumer credit;


the company's ability to maintain and grow the Viking reputation and brand image;


intense competition in the company's business segments including the impact of both new and established global competitors;


unfavorable tax law changes and tax authority rulings;


cybersecurity attacks and other breaches in security;


the continued ability to realize profitable growth through the sourcing and completion of strategic acquisitions;


the timely development and market acceptance of the company's products; and
the availability and cost of raw materials.


The company cautions readers to carefully consider the statements set forth in the section entitled "Item 1A. Risk Factors" of this filing and discussion of risks included in the company's SEC filings.
 



NET SALES SUMMARY
(dollars in thousands)
 
Fiscal Year Ended(1)
Fiscal Year Ended(1)
Fiscal Year Ended(1)
2017 2016 20152019 2018 2017
Sales Percent Sales Percent Sales PercentSales Percent Sales Percent Sales Percent
Business Segments: 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
                      
Commercial Foodservice$1,382,108
 59.2% $1,266,955
 55.9% $1,121,046
 61.4%$1,984,345
 67.1% $1,729,814
 63.5% $1,382,108
 59.2%
                      
Food Processing352,717
 15.1
 342,235
 15.1
 297,712
 16.3
400,951
 13.5
 389,594
 14.3
 352,717
 15.1
                      
Residential Kitchen600,717
 25.7
 658,662
 29.0
 407,840
 22.3
574,150
 19.4
 603,523
 22.2
 600,717
 25.7
                      
Total$2,335,542
 100.0% $2,267,852
 100.0% $1,826,598
 100.0%$2,959,446
 100.0% $2,722,931
 100.0% $2,335,542
 100.0%
 
(1)The company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to December 31.






Results of Operations
 
The following table sets forth certain items in the consolidated statements of earnings as a percentage of net sales for the periods presented:
 
Fiscal Year Ended(1)
Fiscal Year Ended(1)
2017 2016 20152019 2018 2017
Net sales100.0% 100.0% 100.0%100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of sales60.9
 60.3
 61.3
62.7
 63.1
 60.9
Gross profit39.1
 39.7
 38.7
37.3
 36.9
 39.1
Selling, general and administrative expenses18.7
 19.6
 20.6
20.1
 19.8
 20.0
Restructuring expenses0.9
 0.5
 1.6
Restructuring0.3
 0.7
 0.9
Gain on litigation settlement(0.5) 
 
Gain on sale of plant(0.5) 
 

 
 (0.5)
Impairment of intangible asset2.5
 
 
Impairment of intangible assets
 
 2.5
Income from operations17.5
 19.6
 16.5
17.4
 16.4
 16.2
     
Interest expense and deferred financing amortization, net1.1
 1.1
 0.9
2.9
 2.2
 1.1
Other expense, net
 
 0.2
Net periodic pension benefit (other than service costs)(1.0) (1.4) (1.3)
Other (income) expense, net(0.1) 0.1
 
Earnings before income taxes16.4
 18.5
 15.4
15.6
 15.5
 16.4
Provision for income taxes3.7
 6.0
 4.9
3.7
 3.9
 3.7
Net earnings12.7% 12.5% 10.5%11.9% 11.6% 12.7%
 
(1)The company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to December 31.





Fiscal Year Ended December 30, 201728, 2019 as Compared to December 31, 201629, 2018
 
Net salesNET SALES. Net sales in fiscal 20172019 increased by $67.6$236.5 million, or 3.0%8.7%, to $2,335.5$2,959.4 million as compared to $2,267.9$2,722.9 million in fiscal 2016.2018. The increase in net sales of $161.9$278.9 million, or 7.1%10.2%, was attributable to acquisition growth, resulting from the fiscal 2016 acquisition2018 acquisitions of FollettHinds-Bock, Ve.Ma.C, Firex, Josper, Taylor, M-TEK, and Crown and the fiscal 20172019 acquisitions of Burford, CVP Systems, Sveba Dahlen, QualServ, L2F, GlobeEVO, Cooking Solutions Group, Powerhouse, Ss Brewtech, Pacproinc, Synesso, and Scanico.Brava.  Excluding acquisitions and closure of a non-core business, net sales decreased $94.3$33.3 million, or 4.2%1.2%, from the prior year. The impact of foreign exchange rates on foreign sales translated into U.S. Dollars for fiscal 2017 reduced2019 decreased net sales by approximately $12.0$36.1 million or 0.5%1.3%. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, acquisitions and acquisitions,closure of a non-core business, sales decreased 3.6%increased 0.1% for the year, including a net sales decreaseincrease of 1.8%1.6% at the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group, a net sales decrease of 3.5%3.3% at the Food Processing Equipment Group and a net sales decrease of 7.2%2.0% at the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group.
 
Net sales of the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group increased by $115.1$254.5 million, or 9.1%14.7%, to $1,382.1$1,984.3 million in fiscal 2017,2019 as compared to $1,267.0$1,729.8 million in fiscal 2016.2018. Net sales from the acquisitions of Follett, Sveba Dahlen, QualServ, L2FFirex, Josper, Taylor, Crown, EVO, Cooking Solutions Group, Powerhouse, Ss Brewtech, and Globe,Synesso, which were acquired on April 27, 2018, May 10, 2018, June 22, 2018, December 3, 2018, December 31, 2016,2018, April 1, 2019, April 1, 2019, June 30, 2017, August 31, 2017, October 6, 201715, 2019, and October 17, 2017,November 27, 2019, respectively, accounted for an increase of $140.2$247.1 million during fiscal 2017.2019. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, net sales of the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group decreased $25.1increased $7.4 million, or 2.0%0.4%, as compared to the prior year. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange and acquisitions, net sales decreased $22.5increased $27.2 million, or 1.8%1.6% at the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group. Domestically, the company realized a sales increase of $85.3$158.8 million, or 10.0%13.5%, to $939.2$1,334.8 million, as compared to $853.9$1,176.0 million in the prior year. This includes an increase of $102.5$158.3 million from recent acquisitions. Excluding acquisitions, net sales decreased $17.2 million, or 2.0%. The domestic sales decrease reflects slower purchases from major restaurant chains as equipment upgrade and replacement purchases were delayed.relatively flat. International sales increased $29.8$95.7 million, or 7.2%17.3%, to $442.9$649.5 million, as compared to $413.1$553.8 million in the prior year. This includes the increase of $37.7$88.8 million from recent acquisitions and a decrease of $19.8 million related to the unfavorable impact of exchange rates. Excluding acquisitions and foreign exchange, the net sales increase in international sales was $26.7 million, or 4.8%. The increase in international revenues reflects strengthening of sales in the Asian and Latin American markets.

Net sales of the Food Processing Equipment Group increased by $11.4 million, or 2.9%, to $401.0 million in fiscal 2019, as compared to $389.6 million in fiscal 2018. Net sales from the acquisitions of Hinds-Bock, Ve.Ma.C, M-TEK and Pacproinc, which were acquired on February 16, 2018, April 3, 2018, October 1, 2018, and July 16, 2019 respectively, accounted for an increase of $29.3 million. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, net sales of the Food Processing Equipment Group decreased $17.9 million, or 4.6%. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange and acquisitions net sales decreased $12.7 million, or 3.3% at the Food Processing Equipment Group. Domestically, the company realized a sales decrease of $17.1 million, or 6.5%, to $246.6 million, as compared to $263.7 million in the prior year. This includes an increase of $24.1 million from recent acquisitions. Excluding acquisitions, net sales decreased $41.2 million, or 15.6%. International sales increased $28.5 million, or 22.6%, to $154.4 million, as compared to $125.9 million in the prior year. This includes the increase of $5.2 million from the recent acquisitions offset by $2.6and a decrease of $5.2 million related to the unfavorable impact of exchange rates. Excluding acquisitions and foreign exchange, the net sales decrease in international sales was $5.3$28.5 million, or 22.6%. Revenues for the Food Processing Equipment Group have been affected by the timing and deferral of certain larger projects.

Net sales of the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group decreased by $29.4 million, or 4.9%, to $574.1 million in fiscal 2019, as compared to $603.5 million in fiscal 2018. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, the acquisition of Brava, acquired November, 19, 2019, and closure of a non-core business, net sales decreased $11.7 million, or 2.0% at the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group. Domestically, the company realized a sales decrease of $4.0 million, or 1.1%, to $362.7 million, as compared to $366.7 million in the prior year. Excluding acquisitions and closure of a non-core business the net sales decrease in domestic sales was $4.7 million, or 1.3%. The declineInternational sales decreased $25.4 million, or 10.7% to $211.4 million, as compared to $236.8 million in the prior year. This includes an unfavorable impact of exchange rates of $11.1 million. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, acquisition, and closure of a non-core business the net sales decrease in international sales was $7.0 million, or 3.1%. The decrease in international revenues reflects strong chain rolloutsdecline of sales in the European market.


GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit increased by $99.4 million to $1,103.5 million in fiscal 2019 from $1,004.1 million in fiscal 2018, reflecting the impact of increased sales from acquisitions and unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates of $12.1 million. The gross margin rate increased from 36.9% in 2018 to 37.3% in 2019. The gross margin rate in fiscal 2019 excluding acquisitions and impact of foreign exchange was 37.9%.
Gross profit at the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group increased by $88.1 million, or 13.4%, to $746.6 million in fiscal 2019 as compared to $658.5 million in fiscal 2018. Gross profit from the acquisitions of Firex, Josper, Taylor, Crown, EVO, Cooking Solutions Group, Powerhouse, Ss Brewtech, and Synesso, accounted for approximately $73.3 million of the increase in gross profit during fiscal 2019. Excluding acquisitions, the gross profit increased by approximately $14.8 million largely due to selling prices. The impact of foreign exchange rates decreased gross profit by approximately $6.1 million. The gross profit margin rate decreased to 37.6% as compared to 38.1% in the prior year, that were not repeatedprimarily due to lower margins at recent acquisitions. The gross margin rate in fiscal 2019 excluding acquisitions and disruptionimpact of foreign exchange was 38.7%.

Gross profit at the Food Processing Equipment Group increased by $8.6 million, or 6.4%, to $142.2 million in fiscal 2019 as compared to $133.6 million in fiscal 2018. Gross profit from the acquisitions of Hinds-Bock, Ve.Ma.C, M-TEK and Pacproinc, accounted for approximately $12.8 million of the increase in gross profit during fiscal 2019. Excluding acquisitions, the gross profit decreased by approximately $4.2 million based on lower sales volumes. The impact of foreign exchange rates decreased gross profit by approximately $2.1 million. The gross profit margin rate increased to 35.5% in fiscal 2019 as compared to 34.3% in the Latin America market dueprior year, reflecting the impact of acquisitions. The gross margin rate in partfiscal 2019 excluding acquisitions and impact of foreign exchange was 34.9%.

Gross profit at the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group decreased by $0.3 million, or 0.1%, to $216.8 million in fiscal 2019 as compared to $217.1 million in fiscal 2018. Gross profit was offset by unfavorable foreign exchange rates of $3.9 million. The gross margin rate increased to 37.8% in fiscal 2019 as compared to 36.0% in the prior year. The gross margin rate in fiscal 2019 excluding acquisitions and impact of foreign exchange was 37.7%.

SELLING, GENERAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Combined selling, general, and administrative expenses increased by $55.0 million to natural disasters$593.8 million in fiscal 2019 from $538.8 million in 2018. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses amounted to 20.1% in fiscal 2019 and 19.8% in fiscal 2018.
Selling, general and administrative expenses reflect increased costs of $64.3 million associated with the fiscal 2018 acquisitions of Hinds-Bock, Ve.Ma.C, Firex, Josper, Taylor, M-TEK, and Crown and the fiscal 2019 acquisitions of EVO, Cooking Solutions Group, Powerhouse, Ss Brewtech, Pacproinc, Synesso, and Brava, including $19.6 million of non-cash intangible amortization expense. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $10.0 million related to transition costs with the former Chairman and CEO upon his retirement in February 2019 and $5.6 million related to higher non-cash share based compensation. The increase was offset by the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates of $7.6 million and $13.6 million related to lower compensation costs.

RESTRUCTURING EXPENSES. Restructuring expenses decreased $8.8 million to $10.5 million from $19.3 million in the region.prior year period. In fiscal 2019, restructuring charges related primarily to headcount reductions and cost reduction initiatives related to facility consolidations at the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group and Residential Kitchen Equipment Group. During fiscal 2018, restructuring charges related primarily to exiting operations of a non-core business in the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group, as well as headcount reductions at the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group and additional cost reduction initiatives related to the AGA Group.

GAIN ON LITIGATION SETTLEMENT. During the fourth quarter, we reached a settlement with respect to a lawsuit filed by the Company arising from a prior acquisition included in the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group. The gain associated with this settlement, which is net of the release of funds in escrow, is reflected in the consolidated statement of earnings.



INCOME FROM OPERATIONS. Income from operations increased $68.0 million to $514.0 million in fiscal 2019 from $446.0 million in fiscal 2018. Operating income as a percentage of net sales amounted to 17.4% in 2019 as compared to 16.4% in 2018. The increase in operating income resulted from the increase in net sales and gross profit, offset partially by increased operating expenses. Operating income in fiscal 2019 included the gain on litigation settlement, offset by the transition costs related to the former Chairman and CEO. Excluding the impact of restructuring expenses and gain on litigation settlement, offset by the transition costs related to the former Chairman and CEO, operating income increased $54.5 million to $519.8 million in fiscal 2019 from $465.3 million in fiscal 2018. Operating income as a percentage of net sales, excluding those items, amounted to 17.6% in 2019 in comparison to 17.1% in 2018.
Income from operations in 2019 included $110.0 million of non-cash expenses, including $37.9 million of depreciation expense, $64.0 million of intangible amortization related to acquisitions and $8.1 million of stock based compensation. This compares to $98.3 million of non-cash expenses in the prior year, including $35.8 million of depreciation expense, $60.0 million of intangible amortization related to acquisitions and $2.5 million of stock based compensation costs.
NON-OPERATING EXPENSES. Non-operating expenses increased $29.0 million to $51.4 million of expense in fiscal 2019 from $22.4 million of income in fiscal 2018. Net interest expense and deferred financing increased $23.9 million to $82.6 million in fiscal 2019 from $58.7 million in fiscal 2018 reflecting higher interest rates and higher debt balances related to the funding of acquisitions. Net periodic pension benefit (other than service costs) increased $9.2 million to $28.9 million in fiscal 2019 from $38.1 million in fiscal 2018, related to the increase in discount rate used to calculate the interest cost and lower expected returns on assets driven by lower asset values for fiscal 2019.
INCOME TAXES. A tax provision of $110.4 million, at an effective rate of 23.9%, was recorded for fiscal 2019 as compared to $106.4 million at an effective rate of 25.1%, in fiscal 2018. In comparison to the prior year the tax provision reflects favorable tax adjustments for a refund of foreign taxes, enacted tax rate changes in several foreign jurisdictions and adjustments for the finalization of 2018 tax returns. The effective rates in 2019 and 2018 are higher than the federal tax rate of 21% primarily due to state taxes, non-deductible expenses and foreign tax rate differentials.


Fiscal Year Ended December 29, 2018 as Compared to December 30, 2017
NET SALES. Net sales in fiscal 2018 increased by $387.4 million, or 16.6%, to $2,722.9 million as compared to $2,335.5 million in fiscal 2017. The increase in net sales of $375.2 million, or 16.1%, was attributable to acquisition growth, resulting from the fiscal 2017 acquisitions of Burford, CVP Systems, Sveba Dahlen, QualServ, L2F, Globe, and Scanico and the fiscal 2018 acquisitions of Hinds-Bock, Ve.Ma.C, Firex, Josper, Taylor, M-TEK, and Crown.  Excluding acquisitions, net sales increased $12.2 million, or 0.5%, from the prior year. The impact of foreign exchange rates on foreign sales translated into U.S. Dollars for fiscal 2018 increased net sales by approximately $9.4 million or 0.4%. The adoption of ASC 606 increased net sales by approximately $20.6 million primarily related to previously recognized revenue on long-term equipment sales and contracts at the Food Processing Equipment Group. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, acquisitions and the adoption of ASC 606, sales decreased 0.8% for the year, including a net sales increase of 3.1% at the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group, a net sales decrease of 15.7% at the Food Processing Equipment Group and a net sales decrease of 0.9% at the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group.
Net sales of the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group increased by $347.7 million, or 25.2%, to $1,729.8 million in fiscal 2018 as compared to $1,382.1 million in fiscal 2017. Net sales from the acquisitions of Sveba Dahlen, QualServ, L2F, Globe, Firex, Josper, Taylor, and Crown which were acquired on June 30, 2017, August 31, 2017, October 6, 2017, October 17, 2017, April 27, 2018, May 10, 2018, June 22, 2018, and December 3, 2018, respectively, accounted for an increase of $304.7 million during fiscal 2018. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, net sales of the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group increased $43.0 million, or 3.1%, as compared to the prior year. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange and acquisitions, net sales increased $42.9 million, or 3.1% at the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group. Domestically, the company realized a sales increase of $207.5 million, or 21.4%, to $1,176.0 million, as compared to $968.5 million in the prior year. This includes an increase of $166.6 million from recent acquisitions. Excluding acquisitions, net sales increased $40.9 million, or 4.2%, related to increased sales with major chain restaurants and retail customers. International sales increased $140.2 million, or 33.9%, to $553.8 million, as compared to $413.6 million in the prior year. This includes the increase of $138.1 million from recent acquisitions and an increase of $0.1 million related to the favorable impact of exchange rates. Excluding acquisitions and foreign exchange, the net sales increase in international sales was $2.0 million, or 0.5%.

Net sales of the Food Processing Equipment Group increased by $10.5$36.9 million, or 3.1%10.5%, to $389.6 million in fiscal 2018, as compared to $352.7 million in fiscal 2017, as compared to $342.2 million in fiscal 2016.2017. Net sales from the acquisitions of Burford, CVP Systems, Scanico, Hinds-Bock, Ve.Ma.C, and Scanico,M-TEK which were acquired on May 1, 2017, June 30, 2017, and December 7, 2017, February 16, 2018, April 3, 2018, and October 1, 2018, respectively, accounted for an increase of $21.7$70.5 million. Excluding the impact of these acquisitions, net sales of the Food Processing Equipment Group decreased $11.2$33.6 million, or 3.3%9.5%. The adoption of ASC 606 increased net sales by approximately $20.6 million. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, acquisitions, and acquisitions,ASC 606 net sales decreased $12.1$55.4 million, or 3.5%15.7% at the Food Processing Equipment Group. Domestically, the company realized a sales increase of $8.0$7.0 million, or 3.1%2.7%, to $262.4$263.7 million, as compared to $254.4$256.7 million in the prior year. This includes an increase of $14.9$33.2 million from recent acquisitions. Excluding acquisitions, net sales decreased $6.9$26.2 million, or 2.7%10.2%. International sales increased $2.5$29.9 million, or 2.8%31.1%, to $90.3$125.9 million, as compared to $87.8$96.0 million in the prior year. This includes the increase of $6.8$37.3 million from the recent acquisitions and $0.9an increase of $1.2 million related to the favorable impact of exchange rates. Excluding acquisitions and foreign exchange, the net sales decrease in international sales was $8.6 million, or 9.0%. Revenues for the Food Processing Equipment Group have been affected by the timing and deferral of certain larger projects.


Net sales of the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group decreasedincreased by $58.0$2.8 million, or 8.8%0.5%, to $603.5 million in fiscal 2018, as compared to $600.7 million in fiscal 2017, as compared to $658.7 million in fiscal 2016.2017. Excluding the impact of foreign currency,exchange, net sales decreased $47.7$5.3 million, or 7.2%0.9% at the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group. Domestically, the company realized a sales decreaseincrease of $15.6$22.5 million, or 4.3%6.5%, to $346.7$366.7 million, as compared to $362.3$344.2 million in the prior year. Domestic sales declined primarily due to lower sales ofSales at Viking products, reflecting the residual impact of a product recall.increased by approximately 15% in fiscal 2018. International sales decreased $42.4$19.7 million, or 14.3%7.7% to $254.0$236.8 million, as compared to $296.4$256.5 million in the prior year, includingyear. This includes a reduction of $10.3 million related to the unfavorablefavorable impact of exchange rates.rates of $8.1 million. Excluding foreign exchange, the net sales decrease in international sales was $32.1$27.8 million, or 10.8%. The, related to slower conditions in the UK market. In addition, sales decrease reflectsdecreased at non-core businesses, acquired in connection with AGA, and have been impacted by restructuring initiatives. Restructuring initiatives at Grange, one of the impact of product rationalizationnon-core businesses, was substantially completed at the AGA Group in conjunction with acquisition integration initiatives and restructuring actions impacting sales related to non-core businesses within that group.end of fiscal 2018.











Gross profitGROSS PROFIT. Gross profit increased by $11.5$91.4 million to $1,004.1 million in fiscal 2018 from $912.7 million in fiscal 2017, from $901.2 million in fiscal 2016. The increase in the gross profit reflectsreflecting the impact of increased sales from acquisitions, offset by theadoption of ASC 606 and favorable impact of foreign exchange rates which reduced gross profit by $4.5of $3.9 million. The gross margin rate decreased from 39.7% in 2016 to 39.1% in 2017.2017 to 36.9% in 2018. The gross margin rate in fiscal 2018 excluding acquisitions, adoption of ASC 606 and impact of foreign exchange was 38.4%.
 
Gross profit at the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group increased by $19.0$106.6 million, or 3.6%19.3%, to $658.5 million in fiscal 2018 as compared to $551.9 million in fiscal 2017 as compared to $532.9 million in fiscal 2016.2017. Gross profit from the acquisitions of Follett, Sveba Dahlen, QualServ, L2F, Globe, Firex, Josper, Taylor, and GlobeCrown accounted for approximately $38.0$80.5 million of the increase in gross profit during fiscal 2017.2018. Excluding the recent acquisitions, the gross profit decreasedincreased by approximately $19.0$26.1 million due to lowerhigher sales volume and product mix in comparison to the prior year.volume. The impact of foreign exchange rates reducedincreased gross profit by approximately $0.6 million. The gross profit margin rate decreased to 39.9%38.1% as compared to 42.1%39.9% in the prior year, primarily due to lower margins at recent acquisitions. The gross margin rate in fiscal 2018 excluding acquisitions and impact of foreign exchange was 40.5%.


Gross profit at the Food Processing Equipment Group increaseddecreased by $5.4$9.5 million, or 3.9%6.6%, to $133.6 million in fiscal 2018 as compared to $143.1 million in fiscal 2017 as compared to $137.7 million in fiscal 2016.2017. Gross profit from the acquisitions of Burford, CVP Systems, Scanico, Hinds-Bock, Ve.Ma.C, and ScanicoM-TEK accounted for approximately $8.9$25.1 million of the increase in gross profit during fiscal 2017.2018. The adoption of ASC 606 increased gross profit by approximately $5.3 million. Excluding the recent acquisitions and adoption of ASC 606, the gross profit decreased by approximately $3.5$39.9 million based on lower sales volumes. The impact of foreign exchange rates increased gross profit by approximately $0.1$0.8 million. The gross profit margin rate increaseddecreased to 34.3% in fiscal 2018 as compared to 40.6% in fiscal 2017 as compared to 40.2% in fiscal 2016.the prior year, reflecting the impact of lower volumes and unfavorable product mix resulting from lesser sales of protein equipment which generally have higher margins. The increase in the gross margin rate reflects the favorablein fiscal 2018 excluding acquisitions, adoption of ASC 606, and impact of ongoing cost efficiency initiatives.foreign exchange was 34.4%.


Gross profit at the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group decreased by $9.8$5.8 million, or 4.2%2.6%, to $222.9$217.1 million in fiscal 20172018 as compared to $232.7$222.9 million in fiscal 2016.2017. The impact of foreign exchange rates reducedincreased gross profit by approximately $4.0$2.5 million. The gross margin rate increaseddecreased to 36.0% in fiscal 2018 as compared to 37.1% in fiscal 2017 as compared to 35.3% in fiscal 2016, duethe prior year, primarily related to the impact of improved margins atdomestic distribution changes and sales incentives for the AGA Group, U-Line and Lynx as a resultViking brand. The gross margin rate in fiscal 2018 excluding the impact of cost reduction and acquisition integration initiatives.
foreign exchange was 36.0%.


Selling, general and administrative expensesSELLING, GENERAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Combined selling, general, and administrative expenses decreasedincreased by $7.9$70.6 million to $436.5$538.8 million in fiscal 20172018 from $444.4$468.2 million in 2016.2017. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses amounted to 18.7%19.8% in fiscal 20172018 and 19.6%20.0% in fiscal 2016.2017.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses reflect increased costs of $36.3$78.3 million associated with the Follett,fiscal 2017 acquisitions of Burford, CVP Systems, Sveba Dahlen, QualServ, L2F, Globe, and Scanico and the fiscal 2018 acquisitions of Hinds-Bock, Ve.Ma.C, Firex, Josper, Taylor, M-TEK, and Crown, including $8.3$27.1 million of non-cash intangible amortization expense. The unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates increased selling, general and administrative expenses by approximately $1.0$3.0 million. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $3.9 million related to net periodic pension benefit and $3.1 million related to trade advertising, offset by an increase of $6.9 million related to strategic expenses associated with acquisition activities. Additionally, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $19.8 million related to lower salaries and bonuses due to reorganization activities and $21.7by $3.7 million related to lower non-cash share based compensation.compensation and $5.7 million related to lower intangible amortization expense.


Restructuring expenses.RESTRUCTURING EXPENSES. Restructuring expenses increased $9.5decreased $0.7 million to $20.0$19.3 million from $10.5$20.0 million in the prior year period. In fiscal 2018, restructuring charges primarily related to exiting operations of a non-core business in the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group, headcount reductions at the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group and additional cost reduction initiatives related to the AGA Group. Restructuring expenses during fiscal 2017 included cost reduction initiatives primarily related to headcount reductions at all three operating segments.

GAIN ON SALE OF PLANT. In fiscal 2017, the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group, Food Processing Equipment Group and Residential Kitchen Equipment Group. Restructuring expenses during fiscal 2016 were primarily associated with acquisition integration initiatives at AGA.

Gain on sale of plant. Gaingain on sale of plant in the amount of $12.0 million was related to the sale of a manufacturing facility, proceeds of which were used to purchase a larger manufacturing facility to gain efficiencies in workflow and allow for future manufacturing consolidation efforts.


Impairment of intangible assetIMPAIRMENT OF INTANGIBLE ASSET. TheIn fiscal 2017, the impairment of intangible asset in the amount of $58.0 million was recognized related to the Viking tradename within the company's annual impairment assessment of goodwill and indefinite-lived assets. The impairment resulted from weaker than expected revenue performance in the current year2017 and a corresponding reduction in the future revenue expectations. The decline in revenues was attributable, in part, to the product recall announced in 2015 related to products manufactured prior to the acquisition of Viking.
 







Income from operationsINCOME FROM OPERATIONS. Income from operations decreased $35.9increased $67.4 million to $410.3$446.0 million in fiscal 20172018 from $446.2$378.6 million in fiscal 2016. The decrease in operating income resulted from the increased restructuring expenses and the impairment of intangible assets, offset by the increase in net sales, gross profit and the gain on sale of plant.2017. Operating income as a percentage of net sales amounted to 17.5%16.4% in 20172018 as compared to 19.6%16.2% in 2016.2017. The increase in operating income resulted from the increase in net sales and gross profit, offset partially by increased operating expenses. Operating income in fiscal 2017 included the gain on sale of plant and impairment of intangible assets. Excluding the impact of restructuring expenses, gain on sale of plant, and impairment of intangible assets, operating income increased $19.6$20.7 million to $476.3$465.3 million in fiscal 20172018 from $456.7$444.6 million in fiscal 2016.2017. Operating income as a percentage of net sales, excluding those items, amounted to 20.4%17.1% in 20172018 in comparison to 20.1%19.0% in 2016,2017, reflecting an increase in the net periodic pension benefit and ongoing cost reduction initiatives.impact of acquisitions.
 
Income from operations in 20172018 included $74.5$98.3 million of non-cash expenses, including $35.8 million of depreciation expense, $60.0 million of intangible amortization related to acquisitions and $2.5 million of stock based compensation. This compares to $132.5 million of non-cash expenses in the prior year, including $29.7 million of depreciation expense, $38.6 million of intangible amortization related to acquisitions, and $6.2$58.0 million of stock based compensation. This comparesrelated to $84.0 million of non-cash expenses in the prior year, including $26.2 million of depreciation expense, $29.9 millionimpairment of intangible amortization related to acquisitions,asset and $27.9$6.2 million of stock based compensation costs.
 
Non-operating expensesNON-OPERATING EXPENSES. Non-operating expenses increased $1.9$27.3 million to $26.8$22.4 million of expense in fiscal 20172018 from $24.9$4.9 million of income in fiscal 2016.2017. Net interest expense and deferred financing increased $2.1$32.7 million from $23.9to $58.7 million in fiscal 2016 to2018 from $26.0 million in fiscal 2017 reflecting increasedhigher interest due torates and higher debt balances related to the funding of acquisitions. Other expense was $0.8Net periodic pension benefit (other than service costs) increased $6.4 million to $38.1 million in fiscal 2017 as compared to $1.02018 from $31.7 million in fiscal 2016 and consists mainly of net foreign exchange gains and losses.2017.
 
Income taxesINCOME TAXES. A tax provision of $106.4 million, at an effective rate of 25.1%, was recorded for fiscal 2018 as compared to $85.4 million at an effective rate of 22.3%, was recorded forin fiscal 2017 as compared2017. In comparison to $137.1 million at an effectivethe prior year period, the tax provision reflects a lower federal tax rate of 32.5%,21.0% as opposed to 35.0% in fiscal 2016.2017, partially offset by additional taxes due under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The effective2017 tax rate for 2017 isprovision was lower than the statutory tax rate of 35%35.0% primarily due to deferred tax adjustments resulting from the impact of complying withtax rate reduction to 21% under the Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017. The Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017, includes adiscrete tax benefit for revaluing the U.S. deferred taxes based on the 2018 enacted corporate income tax raterecognized as a result of 21%, partially offset by additional taxes related to the transition tax for the move from a worldwide tax system to a territorial tax system. Additionally, the effective tax rate was impacted by excess stock compensation tax benefits from the adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU")ASU No. 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share Based Accounting." The effective tax rates for both 2017Share-Based Accounting" and 2016 similarly benefited from the U.S. domestic manufacturers deduction, permanent tax deductions and favorable foreign rate differentials.reversal of a valuation allowance.



Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2016 as Compared to January 2, 2016
Net sales. Net sales in fiscal 2016 increased by $441.3 million or 24.2% to $2,267.9 million as compared to $1,826.6 million in fiscal 2015. The increase in net sales of $409.6 million, or 22.4%, was attributable to acquisition growth, resulting from the fiscal 2015 acquisitions of Goldstein Eswood, Marsal, Induc, Thurne, AGA and Lynx and the fiscal 2016 acquisition of Follett.  Excluding acquisitions, net sales increased $31.7 million, or 1.7%, from the prior year. The impact of foreign exchange rates on foreign sales translated into U.S. Dollars for fiscal 2016 reduced net sales by approximately $39.9 million or 2.2%. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, organic sales growth amount to 3.9% for the year, including a net sales increase of 5.5% at the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group, a net sales increase of 13.7% at the Food Processing Equipment Group and a net sales decrease of 7.7% at the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group.
Net sales of the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group increased by $146.0 million or 13.0% to $1,267.0 million in fiscal 2016, as compared to $1,121.0 million in fiscal 2015. Net sales from the acquisitions of Goldstein Eswood, Marsal, Induc and Follett which were acquired on January 30, 2015, February 10, 2015, May 30, 2015, and May 31, 2016, respectively, accounted for an increase of $106.0 million during fiscal 2016. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, net sales of the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group increased $40.0 million, or 3.6%, as compared to the prior year. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, organic net sales increased $62.2 million, or 5.5% at the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group. Domestically, the company realized a sales increase of $70.1 million, or 8.9%, to $853.9 million, as compared to $783.8 million in the prior year. This includes an increase of $90.4 million from recent acquisitions. Excluding acquisitions, net sales decreased $20.3 million, or 2.6%. The decline in domestic sales reflect the impact of several large rollouts with major restaurant chain customers in the prior year period. International sales increased $75.9 million, or 22.5%, to $413.1 million, as compared to $337.2 million in the prior year. This includes the increase of $15.6 million from the recent acquisitions, offset by $22.2 million related to the unfavorable impact of exchange rates. Excluding acquisitions and exchange effect, net sales increased $82.5 million, or 24.5%. Strong international growth continued in all regions due to more favorable market conditions than in the prior year and growth with local restaurant chain concepts.

Net sales of the Food Processing Equipment Group increased by $44.5 million or 14.9% to $342.2 million in fiscal 2016, as compared to $297.7 million in fiscal 2015. Net sales from the acquisition of Thurne which was acquired on April 7, 2015, accounted for an increase of $5.6 million. Excluding the impact of this acquisition, net sales of the Food Processing Equipment Group increased $38.9 million, or 13.1%. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, organic net sales increased $40.7 million, or 13.7% at the Food Processing Equipment Group. Domestically, the company realized a sales increase of $58.0 million, or 29.5%, to $254.4 million, as compared to $196.4 million in the prior year. This includes an increase of $5.3 million from the recent acquisition. Excluding this acquisition, net sales increased $52.7 million, or 26.8%. International sales decreased $13.5 million, or 13.3%, to $87.8 million, as compared to $101.3 million in the prior year. This includes the increase of $0.3 million from the recent acquisition, offset by $1.8 million related to the unfavorable impact of exchange rates. The overall net sales growth at the Food Processing Equipment Group reflects revenue recognized from a strong backlog and continued strong incoming order levels as customers continue to upgrade facilities to new technologies and expand capacity to meet growing demand. The variability in growth rates for domestic and international sales reflects the shift in mix related to the timing of certain larger projects in differing geographic regions that regularly occur between comparative periods.

















Net sales of the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group increased by $250.9 million or 61.5% to $658.7 million in fiscal 2016, as compared to $407.8 million in fiscal 2015. Net sales from the acquisitions of AGA and Lynx which were acquired on September 23, 2015 and December 15, 2015, respectively, accounted for an increase of $298.0 million. Excluding the impact of these acquisitions, net sales of the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group decreased $47.1 million, or 11.5%. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, organic net sales decreased $31.2 million, or 7.7% at the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group. This decrease is net of price increases, which are estimated to have added 2.0% to net sales in comparison to the prior year. Domestically, the company realized a sales increase of $67.7 million, or 23.0%, to $362.3 million, as compared to $294.6 million in the prior year. This includes an increase of $93.0 million from recent acquisitions. Excluding acquisitions, net sales decreased $25.3 million, or 8.6%. International sales increased $183.2 million, or 161.8% to $296.4 million, as compared to $113.2 million in the prior year. This includes an increase of $205.0 million from recent acquisitions and a reduction of $15.9 million related to the unfavorable impact of exchange rates. Excluding acquisitions and exchange effect, net sales decreased $5.9 million, or 5.2%. Organic sales growth for the year was adversely impacted by lower sales at U-Line due to a prior year new product launch resulting in higher sales to dealers. Additionally, sales continued to be affected by the 2015 recall of certain Viking products manufactured prior to 2013 and Middleby's acquisition of Viking.

Gross profit. Gross profit increased by $194.7 million to $901.2 million in fiscal 2016 from $706.5 million in fiscal 2015. The increase in the gross profit reflects the impact of increased sales from revenue growth and acquisition sales, offset by the impact of foreign exchange rates, which reduced gross profit by $13.2 million. The gross margin rate increased from 38.7% in 2015 to 39.7% in 2016.
Gross profit at the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group increased by $75.0 million, or 16.4%, to $532.9 million in fiscal 2016 as compared to $457.9 million in fiscal 2015. Gross profit from the acquisitions of Goldstein Eswood, Marsal, Induc, and Follett accounted for approximately $36.9 million of the increase in gross profit during fiscal 2016. Excluding the recent acquisitions, the gross profit increased by approximately $38.1 million on the higher sales volumes. The impact of foreign exchange rates reduced gross profit by approximately $5.8 million. The gross profit margin rate increased to 42.1% as compared to 40.8% in the prior year, due primarily to changes in sales mix and efficiency gains, as compared to the prior year period.

Gross profit at the Food Processing Equipment Group increased by $21.6 million, or 18.6%, to $137.7 million in fiscal 2016 as compared to $116.1 million in fiscal 2015. Gross profit from the acquisition of Thurne accounted for approximately $3.0 million of the increase in gross profit during fiscal 2016. Excluding the recent acquisition, the gross profit increased by approximately $18.6 million on higher sales volumes. The impact of foreign exchange rates reduced gross profit by approximately $1.6 million. The gross profit margin rate increased to 40.2% in fiscal 2016 as compared to 39.0% in fiscal 2015. The increase in the gross margin rate reflects the favorable impact of ongoing cost efficiency initiatives related to recent acquisitions and favorable sales mix.

Gross profit at the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group increased by $101.8 million, or 77.8%, to $232.7 million in fiscal 2016 as compared to $130.9 million in fiscal 2015. Gross profit from the acquisitions of AGA and Lynx accounted for approximately $96.3 million of the increase in gross profit during fiscal 2016. Excluding the recent acquisitions, the gross profit increased by approximately $5.5 million on lower sales volumes offsetting price increases. The impact of foreign exchange rates reduced gross profit by approximately $5.8 million. The gross margin rate increased to 35.3% in fiscal 2016 as compared to 32.1% in fiscal 2015, due to improved margins at Viking as a result of continued efficiency gains and AGA profitability improvements recognized in connection with ongoing integration initiatives.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Combined selling, general, and administrative expenses increased by $69.3 million to $444.4 million in fiscal 2016 from $375.1 million in 2015. As a percentage of net sales, operating expenses amounted to 19.6% in fiscal 2016 and 20.5% in fiscal 2015, excluding restructuring charges.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $80.0 million associated with the Goldstein Eswood, Thurne, Induc, AGA, Lynx, and Follett acquisitions, including $8.8 million of non-cash intangible amortization expense. This increase was offset by the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates of $3.4 million, reduced compensation and commissions of $2.5 million, lower trade advertising expense of $2.1 million and the net periodic pension benefit related to the AGA pension plans which amount to $24.5 million.





Restructuring expenses. Restructuring expenses decreased $18.3 million to $10.5 million from $28.8 million in the prior year period. Restructuring expenses during fiscal 2016 are related to acquisition integration initiatives to reduce costs related to AGA. Restructuring expenses during fiscal 2015 were associated with cost reductions initiatives related to AGA, the closure and consolidation of distribution facilities at the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group and the consolidation of two production facilities at the Food Processing and Commercial Foodservice Equipment Groups.
Income from operations. Income from operations increased $143.6 million to $446.2 million in fiscal 2016 from $302.6 million in fiscal 2015. The increase in operating income resulted from the increase in net sales and gross profit, offset in part by increased operating and restructuring expenses. Operating income as a percentage of net sales amounted to 19.6% in 2016 as compared to 16.5% in 2015. Excluding the impact of restructuring expenses, operating income as a percentage of net sales amounted to 20.1% in 2016 in comparison to 18.1% in 2015, reflecting an increase in the net periodic pension benefit and ongoing cost reduction initiatives.
Income from operations in 2016 included $84.0 million of non-cash expenses, including $26.2 million of depreciation expense, $29.9 million of intangible amortization related to acquisitions and $27.9 million of stock based compensation. This compares to $68.8 million of non-cash expenses in the prior year, including $25.5 million of depreciation expense, $27.4 million of intangible amortization related to acquisitions, and $15.9 million of stock based compensation costs.
Non-operating expenses. Non-operating expenses increased $3.4 million to $24.9 million in fiscal 2016 from $21.5 million in fiscal 2015. Net interest expense increased $6.9 million from $17.0 million in fiscal 2015 to $23.9 million in fiscal 2016 reflecting increased interest due to higher debt balances related to the funding of acquisitions. Other expense was $1.0 million in fiscal 2016 as compared to $4.5 million in fiscal 2015 and consists mainly of net foreign exchange losses attributable to the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar.
Income taxes. A tax provision of $137.1 million, at an effective rate of 32.5%, was recorded for fiscal 2016 as compared to $89.6 million at an effective rate of 31.9%, in fiscal 2015. The effective tax rates for both years were lower than the statutory tax rate of 35.0% primarily due to tax benefits from the U.S. domestic manufacturers deduction, permanent tax deductions and favorable foreign rate differentials.




Financial Condition and Liquidity
 
Total cash and cash equivalents increased by $21.2$22.8 million to $89.7$94.5 million at December 30, 201728, 2019 from $68.5$71.7 million at December 31, 2016.29, 2018. Net borrowings increaseddecreased to $1,028.9$1,873.1 million at December 30, 2017,28, 2019, from $732.1$1,892.1 million at December 31, 2016.29, 2018.
 
Operating activitiesOPERATING ACTIVITIES. Net cash provided by operating activities before changes in assets and liabilities amounted to $408.7$457.2 million as compared to $391.7$405.7 million in the prior year. Adjustments to reconcile 2017 net earnings to operating cash flows before changes in assets and liabilities included $29.7 million of depreciation expense and $40.1 million of amortization expense, $6.2 million of non-cash stock compensation expense, $58.0 million of impairment of intangible asset, $3.1 million of impairment of equipment, $12.0 million of gain on sale of plant and $14.5 million of deferred tax benefit.
Net cash provided by operating activities after changes in assets and liabilities amounted to $304.5$377.4 million as compared to $294.1$368.9 million in the prior year.


During fiscal 2017,2019, net cash used to fund changes in assets and liabilities amounted to $104.2 million. These changes included a $26.2$79.7 million, decrease in accounts receivable dueprimarily related to the impact of lower sales volumes and due to the impact of lower receivable balances at the Food Processing Equipment Group due tohigher working capital levels. This resulted from the timing of projects which are often paid in advance. Inventory increased $9.7 millionpayments and accounts payables decreased by $21.6 million duecollections and inventory increases largely attributable to several factors including normal business seasonality affecting working capital, the timing of large orders for the Food Processing Equipment Group and lower sales volumes. Prepaid expenses and other assets increased $34.1 million primarily due to an increase in prepaid taxes. Accrued expenses and other non-current liabilities decreased by $65.0 million due in part to reduced customer deposits due to timing of projects related to the Food Processing Equipment Group, reduced incentive compensation in comparison to the prior year and payments related to restructuring initiatives.mitigating risks around order fulfillment rates managing ongoing facility consolidations efforts.

In connection with the company’s acquisition activities during the year, the company added assets and liabilities from the opening balance sheets of the acquired businesses in its consolidated balance sheets and accordingly these amounts are not reflected in the net change in working capital.
 
Investing activities.INVESTING ACTIVITIES. During 2017,2019, net cash used for investing activities amounted to $345.5$327.7 million. This included $300.2$281.3 million of the 20172019 acquisitions of Burford, CVP Systems, Sveba Dahlen, QualServ, Globe, L2F,EVO, Cooking Solutions Group, Powerhouse, Ss Brewtech, Pacproinc, Brava and Scanico, $5.9 million related to deferredSynesso, and contingent consideration payments from previous years' acquisitions and $54.5$46.6 million primarily associated with additions and upgrades of production equipment and the purchase of a manufacturing facility. During 2017, the company completed the sale of an existing manufacturing facility. The $14.3 million proceeds from the sale were used to purchase a larger facility to gain efficiencies in workflow and allow for future manufacturing consolidation efforts.facilities.
 
Financing activities.FINANCING ACTIVITIES. Net cash flows provided byused for financing activities amounted to $55.8$25.4 million in 2017.2019. The company borrowed $296.8company's borrowing activities included $17.1 million of net repayments under its $2.5$3.0 billion Credit Facility and repaid $1.1Facility. Additionally, the company used $6.1 million under foreign borrowing facilities.
The company repurchased $239.8 million of Middleby common shares during 2017. This was comprised of $24.6 million used to repurchase 177,09750,848 shares of itsMiddleby common stock that were surrendered to the company by employees in lieu of cash for payment for withholding taxes related to restricted stock vestings that occurred during 2017the quarter. During 2018, financing cash flows were primarily impacted by the purchase of Taylor, which resulted in approximately $1.0 billion of borrowings, as well as other acquisitions. Subsequent to the end of fiscal year December 28, 2019, the company entered into an amended and $215.2 million usedrestated credit agreement. See Note 14 to repurchase 1,806,595 shares of its common stock under a stock repurchase program. See Part 1, Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 13 - Share Repurchasesthe consolidated financial statements for further details.information.
At December 30, 2017,28, 2019, the company was in compliance with all covenants pursuant to its borrowing agreements. Management believes that future cash flows from operating activities and borrowings from current lenders will provide the company with sufficient financial resources to meet its anticipated requirements for working capital, capital expenditures and debt amortization for the foreseeable future.


 



Contractual Obligations
 
The company's contractual cash payment obligations are set forth below (dollars in thousands):
Amounts
Due Sellers
From
Acquisition

 Debt
 
Estimated
Interest
on Debt

 
Operating
Leases

 
Total
Contractual
Cash
Obligations

Amounts
Due Sellers
From
Acquisition

 
Debt (1)

 
Estimated
Interest
on Debt (1)

 
Operating
Leases

 
Total
Contractual
Cash
Obligations

Less than 1 year$2,020
 $5,149
 $31,575
 $25,689
 $64,433
$2,522
 $2,894
 $72,831
 $24,563
 $102,810
1-3 years
 501
 63,046
 37,946
 101,493
6,720
 680
 143,234
 39,299
 189,933
4-5 years
 1,023,231
 19,192
 26,428
 1,068,851

 164
 140,972
 22,876
 164,012
After 5 years
 
 721
 19,815
 20,536

 1,869,402
 11,550
 25,514
 1,906,466
                  
$2,020
 $1,028,881
 $114,534
 $109,878
 $1,255,313
$9,242
 $1,873,140
 $368,587
 $112,252
 $2,363,221
(1) Excludes amortization of the term loan as described in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements.

The company has obligations to make $2.0$9.2 million of estimated contingent purchase price payments to the sellers of Desmon, Emico and Scanico that were deferred in conjunction with thevarious acquisitions.
 
As of December 30, 2017,28, 2019, the company had $1,022.9 million1.9 billion outstanding under its Credit Facility. The average interest rate on this debt amounted to 2.72%3.37% at December 30, 2017.the end of the period. On January 31, 2020, the company entered into an amended and restated five-year, $3.5 billion multi-currency senior secured credit agreement. This facility replaces the company's pre-existing $3.0 billion Credit Facility, which had an original maturity of July 2021. The newly amended and restated facility (the "Amended Facility") consists of (i) a $750.0 million term loan facility and (ii) a $2.75 billion multi-currency revolving credit facility, with the potential under certain circumstances, to increase the amount of the credit facility to up to a total of $4.0 billion (plus additional amounts, subject to compliance with a senior secured net leverage ratio). The Amended Facility matures on July 28, 2021. January 31, 2025. At inception, the Amended Facility bears an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 1.625%, which is adjusted quarterly based upon the company's leverage ratio. The Amended Facility provides the availability to fund working capital, capital expenditures, to support the issuance of letters of credit and other general corporate purposes.

As of December 30, 2017,28, 2019, the company also has $5.83.6 million of debt outstanding under various foreign credit facilities. The estimated interest payments reflected in the table above assume that the level of debt and average interest rate on the company’s revolving credit line under its senior credit agreementAmended Facility does not change until the facility reaches maturity in July 2021.maturity. The estimated payments also assume that relative to the company’s foreign borrowings: all scheduled term loan payments are made; the level of borrowings does not change; and the average interest rates remain at their December 30, 201728, 2019 rates. Also reflected in the table above is $0.14.9 million of payments to be madereceived related to the company’s interest rate swap agreements in 2018.2020.


The contractual maturities reflected above give effect to the Amended Facility.

As indicated in Note 1011 to the consolidated financial statements, the company’s projected benefit obligation under its defined benefit plans exceeded the plans’ assets by $334.5289.1 million at the end of 20172019 as compared to $323.0253.1 million at the end of 2016.2018. The unfunded benefit obligations were comprised of a $15.818.7 million underfunding of the company's U.S. Plans and $318.7270.4 million underfunding of the company’s Non-U.S. Plans. The company made minimum contributions required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) of $1.5$1.2 million and $0.8$0.9 million in 20172019 and 2016,2018, respectively, to the company’s U.S. Plans. The company expects to continue to make minimum contributions to the U.S. Plans as required by ERISA, of $0.9$1.3 million in 2018.2020. The company expects to contribute $5.4$5.8 million to the Non-U.S. Plans in 2018.2020.
 
The company places purchase orders with its suppliers in the ordinary course of business. These purchase orders are generally to fulfill short-term manufacturing requirements of less than 90 days and most are cancelable with a restocking penalty. The company has no long-term purchase contracts or minimum purchase obligations with any supplier.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The company has no activities, obligations or exposures associated with off-balance sheet arrangements.







Related Party Transactions
 
From January 1, 2017December 30, 2018 through the date hereof, there were no transactions between the company, its directors and executive officers that are required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K, promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.






Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates


Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon the company's consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires the company to make significant estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses as well as related disclosures. On an ongoing basis, the company evaluates its estimates and judgments based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions and any such differences could be material to our consolidated financial statements. 


Revenue Recognition. At
On December 31, 2017, the company adopted the new accounting standard ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606) using the modified retrospective method to contracts that were not completed as of December 30, 2017. Revenue is recognized when the control of the promised goods or services are transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services.

A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer and represents the unit of account in ASC 606. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. The company’s contracts can have multiple performance obligations or just a single performance obligation. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, the contract’s transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation using the company’s best estimate of the standalone selling price of each distinct good or service in the contract.

Within the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group and Residential Foodservice Equipment Groups, the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group, the company recognizes revenue on the saleestimated standalone selling price of its products where title transfers and when risk of loss has passed to the customer, which occurs at the time of shipment, and collectibilityequipment is reasonably assured. The sale prices of the products sold are fixed and determinable at the time of shipment. Sales are reported net of sales returns, sales incentives and cash discounts based on prior experience and other quantitative and qualitative factors.
Atobservable prices. Within the Food Processing Equipment Group, the company enters into long-term sales contracts for certain products that are often significant relativeestimates the standalone selling price based on expected cost to manufacture the good or complete the service plus an appropriate profit margin.

Control may pass to the business.customer over time or at a point in time. In general, the Commercial Foodservice Equipment and Residential Foodservice Equipment Groups recognize revenue at the point in time control transfers to their customers based on contractual shipping terms. Revenue from equipment sold under theseour long-term sales contracts within the Food Processing Equipment group is recognized over time as the equipment is manufactured and assembled. Installation services provided in connection with the delivery of the equipment are also generally recognized as those services are rendered. Over time transfer of control is measured using the percentage of completion method defined within ASC 605-35 “Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts” due to the length of time to fully manufacture and assemble the equipment. The company measures revenue recognized based on the ratio of actualan appropriate input measure (e.g., costs incurred or direct labor hours incurred in relation to the total estimated labor hours to be incurred related to the contract. Because estimated labor hours to complete a project areestimate). These measures include forecasts based upon forecasts usingon the best information available information, the actual hours may differ from original estimates. The percentage of completion method of accounting for these contracts most accurately reflects the status of these uncompleted contracts inand therefore reflect the company's financial statements and most accurately measuresjudgment to faithfully depict the matching of revenues with expenses. At the time a loss on a contract becomes known, the amounttransfer of the estimated loss is recognized in the consolidated financial statements. Revenue for sales of products and services not covered by long-term sales contracts is recognized when risk of loss has passed to the customer, which occurs at the time of shipment, and collectibility is reasonably assured. The sale prices of the products sold are fixed and determinable at the time of shipment. Sales are reported net of sales returns, sales incentives and cash discounts based on prior experience and other quantitative and qualitative factors.goods.
 
Inventories.Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or marketnet realizable value using the first-in, first-out method for the majority of the company’s inventories. The company evaluates the need to record valuation adjustments for inventory on a regular basis. The company’s policy is to evaluate all inventories including raw material, work-in-process, finished goods, and spare parts. Inventory in excess of estimated usage requirements is written down to its estimated net realizable value. Inherent in the estimates of net realizable value are estimates related to our future manufacturing schedules, customer demand, possible alternative uses, and ultimate realization of potentially excess inventory.
 
Goodwill and OtherIndefinite-Life Intangibles.
The company’s business acquisitions result in the recognition of goodwill and other intangible assets, which are a significant portion of the company’s total assets. The company recognizes goodwill and other intangible assets under the guidance of ASC Topic 350-10, “IntangiblesIntangibles — Goodwill and Other.”Other.  Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition costs over the fair value of the net tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Identifiable intangible assets are recognized separately from goodwill and include trademarks and trade names, technology, customer relationships and other specifically identifiable assets. Trademarks and trade names are deemed to be indefinite-lived. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but are subject to impairment testing.








On an annual basis on the first day of the fourth quarter, or more frequently if triggering events occur, the company comparesperforms an impairment assessment for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. The company considers qualitative factors to assess if it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value toof goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets is below the carrying value.

In conducting a qualitative assessment, the company analyzes a variety of events or factors that may influence the fair value of the reporting unit including, but not limited to: the results of prior quantitative assessments performed; changes in the carrying amount of the reporting unit; actual and projected revenue and operating margin; relevant market data for both the company and its peer companies; industry outlooks; macroeconomic conditions; liquidity; changes in key personnel; and the company's competitive position. Significant judgment is used to determine if a potentialevaluate the totality of these events and factors to make the determination of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit or indefinite-life intangible is less than its carrying value.

Goodwill Valuations
The reporting units at which we test goodwill for impairment exists.are our operating segments. These consist of the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group, the Food Processing Equipment Group and the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group. If the fair value is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss, if any, is recorded for the difference between the implied fair value and the carrying value of goodwill.

In performing a quantitative assessment, if required, we estimate each reporting unit's fair value under an income approach using a discounted cash flow model. The income approach uses each reporting unit's projection of estimated operating results and cash flows that are discounted using a market participant discount rate based on a weighted-average cost of capital. The financial projections reflect management's best estimate of economic and market conditions over the projected period including forecasted revenue growth, operating margins, tax rate, capital expenditures, depreciation, amortization and changes in working capital requirements. Other assumptions include discount rate and terminal growth rate. The estimated fair value of each reporting unit is compared to their respective carrying values. Additionally, we validate our estimates of fair value under the income approach by comparing the fair value estimate using a market approach. A market approach estimates fair value by applying cash flow multiples to the reporting unit's operating performance. The multiples are derived from comparable publicly traded companies with similar operating and investment characteristics of the reporting units. We consider the implied control premium and conclude whether it is reasonable based on other recent market transactions.

We performed a qualitative assessment as of September 29, 2019 over all three reporting units and determined it is more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting units are greater than the carrying amounts.

In estimating the fair value of specific intangible assets,our reporting units, management relies on a number of factors, including operating results, business plans, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, comparable transactions and other market data. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and management’s judgment in applying them in the impairment tests of goodwill. If actual results are not consistent with management's estimate and assumptions, a material impairment could have an adverse effect on the company's financial condition and results of operations.

Indefinite-Life Intangible Valuations
In performing a quantitative assessment of indefinite-life intangible assets other than goodwill, primarily trademarks and trade names, we estimate the fair value of these intangible assets using the relief-from-royalty method which requires assumptions related to projected revenues from our long-range plans; assumed royalty rates that could be payable if we did not own the trademark; and a discount rate using a market based weighted-average cost of capital. If the estimated fair value of the indefinite-life intangible asset is less than its carrying value, we would recognize an impairment loss.

Based on the qualitative assessment as of September 29, 2019, the company identified several trademarks and trade names with indicators of potential risk for impairment and performed quantitative assessment. In performing the quantitative analysis on these trademark assets, significant assumptions used in our relief-from-royalty model included revenue growth rates, assumed royalty rates and the discount rate, which are discussed further below.

Revenue growth rates relate to projected revenues from our long-range plans and vary from brand to brand. Adverse changes in the operating environment or our inability to grow revenues at the forecasted rates may result in a material impairment charge.







In determining royalty rates for the valuation of our trademarks, we considered factors that affect the assumed royalty rates that would hypothetically be paid for the use of the trademarks. The most significant factors in determining the assumed royalty rates include the overall role and importance of the trademarks in the particular industry, the profitability of the products utilizing the trademarks, and the position of the trademarked products in the given market segment.

In developing discount rates for the valuation of our trademarks, we used the market based weighted average cost of capital, adjusted for higher relative level of risks associated with doing business in other countries, as applicable, as well as the higher relative levels of risks associated with intangible assets.

As a result of quantitative testing the company determined there were no impairments of trademarks. The gross value of the trademarks tested was approximately $75.0 million. The fair values of the trademarks tested exceeded their carrying values by more than 10%. The company believes the assumptions utilized within the quantitative analysis are reasonable.

We performed a qualitative assessment as of September 29, 2019 over all the other trademarks and trade names and determined it is more likely than not that the fair value of our other indefinite-life intangible assets are greater than the carrying amounts.

If actual results are not consistent with management's estimate and assumptions, a material impairment charge of our trademarks and trade names could occur, which could have an adverse effect on the company's financial condition and results of operations.

Pension Benefits.Benefits
The company provides pension benefits to certain employees and accounts for these benefits in accordance with ASC 715, "Compensation-Retirement Benefits"Compensation-Retirement Benefits. For financial reporting purposes, long-term assumptions are developed through consultations with actuaries. Such assumptions include the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and discount rates.






The amount of unrecognized actuarial gains and losses recognized in the current year’s operations is based on amortizing the unrecognized gains or losses for each plan that exceed the larger of 10% of the projected benefit obligation or the fair value of plan assets, also known as the corridor. The amount of unrecognized gain or loss that exceeds the corridor is amortized over the average future service of the plan participants or the average life expectancy of inactive plan participants for plans where all or almost all of the plan participants are inactive. While we believe that our assumptions are appropriate, significant differences in our actual experience or significant changes in our assumptions may materially affect our pension obligations and our future expense.


Income taxes.
The company provides deferred income tax assets and liabilities based on the estimated future tax effects of differences between the financial and tax bases of assets and liabilities based on currently enacted tax laws. The company’s deferred and other tax balances are based on management’s interpretation of the tax regulations and rulings in numerous taxing jurisdictions. Income tax expense and liabilities recognized by the company also reflect its best estimates and assumptions regarding, among other things, the level of future taxable income, the effect of the company’s various tax planning strategies and uncertain tax positions. Future tax authority rulings and changes in tax laws, changes in projected levels of taxable income and future tax planning strategies could affect the actual effective tax rate and tax balances recorded by the company. The company follows the provisions under ASC 740-10-25 that provides a recognition threshold and measurement criteria for the financial statement recognition of a tax benefit taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Tax benefits are recognized only when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the benefits will be sustained on examination. Tax benefits that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured using a probability weighting of the largest amount of tax benefit that has greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. Whether the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is met for a particular tax benefit is a matter of judgment based on the individual facts and circumstances evaluated in light of all available evidence as of the balance sheet date.





New Accounting Pronouncements
 
See Note 33(r) to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the new accounting pronouncements.



Certain Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results
 
An investment in shares of the company's common stock involves risks. The company believes the risks and uncertainties described in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and in "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" are the material risks it faces. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the company or that it currently deems immaterial may impair its business operations. If any of the risks identified in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" actually occurs, the company's business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected, and the trading price of the company's common stock could decline.






Item 7A.          Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
The company is exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates. The following table summarizes the maturity of the company's debt obligations:obligations, and considers the company’s entering into an amended and restated five-year, $3.5 billion multi-currency senior secured credit agreement described below:
 
 Variable Rate Debt
  
2018$5,149
2019338
2020163
20211,023,098
2022 and thereafter133
 $1,028,881
 Variable Rate Debt
  
2020$2,894
2021378
2022302
202382
2024 and thereafter1,869,484
 $1,873,140
 
On July 28, 2016, the company entered into an amended and restated five-year $2.5 billion multi-currency senior secured revolving credit agreement (the "Credit Facility"), with. On December 18, 2018, the potential under certain circumstancescompany entered into an amendment to increase the amount of the Credit Facility, increasing the revolving commitments under the Credit Facility by $500.0 million to a total of $3.0 billion. Subsequent to the end of fiscal year December 28, 2019, the company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement. See Note 14 to the consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the Amended Facility. As of December 30, 2017,28, 2019, the company had $1,022.9 million1.9 billion of borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility, including $1,015.5 million$1.8 billion of borrowings in U.S. Dollars and $7.4$47.9 million of borrowings denominated in British Pounds.Euros. The company also has $7.513.3 million in outstanding letters of credit as of December 30, 2017,28, 2019, which reduces the borrowing availability under the Credit Facility. Remaining borrowing availability under the Credit Facility was $1.51.1 billion at December 30, 2017.28, 2019.
 
At December 30, 2017,28, 2019, borrowings under the Credit Facility accrued interest at a rate of 1.25%1.625% above LIBOR per annum or 0.25%0.625% above the highest of the prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.50% and one month LIBOR plus 1.00%. The average interest rate per annum on the debt under the Credit Facility was equal to 2.72% for3.37% at the end of the period. The interest rates on borrowings under the Credit Facility may be adjusted quarterly based on the company’s Funded Debt Less Unrestricted Cash to Pro Forma EBITDA (the "Leverage Ratio") on a rolling four-quarter basis. Additionally, a commitment fee based upon the Leverage Ratio is charged on the unused portion of the commitments under the Credit Facility. This variable commitment fee was equal to 0.20%0.25% per annum as of December 30, 2017.28, 2019.
 
In addition, the company has other international credit facilities to fund working capital needs outside the United States and the United Kingdom. At December 30, 2017,28, 2019, these foreign credit facilities amounted to $5.8$3.6 million in U.S. Dollars with a weighted average per annum interest rate of approximately 6.06%5.18%.


The company uses floating-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements to hedge variable interest rate risk associated with the Credit Facility. At December 30, 2017,28, 2019, the company had outstanding floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps totaling $399.0$51.0 million notional amount carrying an average interest rate of 1.47%1.27% maturing in less than 12 months and $897.0 million of notional amount carrying an average interest rate of 2.27% that mature in more than 12 months but less than 8472 months.


The CreditAmended Facility matures on July 28, 2021,January 31, 2025, and accordingly has been classified as a long-term liability on the consolidated balance sheet.
 
















The terms of the CreditAmended Facility limit the ability of the company and its subsidiaries to, with certain exceptions: incur indebtedness; grant liens; engage in certain mergers, consolidations, acquisitions and dispositions; make restricted payments; enter into certain transactions with affiliates; and requires, among other things, the company to satisfy certain financial covenants: (i) a minimum Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in the CreditAmended Facility) of 3.00 to 1.00 and (ii) a maximum Leverage Ratio of Funded Debt less Unrestricted Cash to Pro Forma EBITDA (each as defined in the CreditAmended Facility) of 3.504.00 to 1.00, which may be adjusted to 4.004.50 to 1.00 for a four consecutive fiscal quarter period in connection with certain qualified acquisitions, subject to the terms and conditions contained in the CreditAmended Facility. The CreditAmended Facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of Middleby Marshall, the company and the company's domestic subsidiaries and is unconditionally guaranteed by, subject to certain exceptions, the company and certain of the company's direct and indirect material foreign and domestic subsidiaries. The CreditAmended Facility contains certain customary events of default, including, but not limited to, the failure to make required payments; bankruptcy and other insolvency events; the failure to perform certain covenants; the material breach of a representation or warranty; non-payment of certain other indebtedness; the entry of undischarged judgments against the company or any subsidiary for the payment of material uninsured amounts; the invalidity of the company guarantee or any subsidiary guaranty; and a change of control of the company. At December 30, 2017,28, 2019, the company was in compliance with all covenants pursuant to its borrowing agreements.
 
Financing Derivative Instruments
 
The company has entered into interest rate swaps to fix the interest rate applicable to certain of its variable-rate debt. The agreements swap one-month LIBOR for fixed rates. The company has designated these swaps as cash flow hedges and all changes in fair value of the swaps are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. As of December 30, 2017,28, 2019, the fair value of these instruments was an asseta liability of $10.3$23.3 million. The change in fair value of these swap agreements in fiscal 20172019 was a gainloss of $1.5$24.1 million, net of taxes. The potential net loss on fair value for such instruments from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in quoted interest rates would not have a material impact on the company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
 
Foreign Exchange Derivative Financial Instruments
 
The company uses derivative financial instruments, principally foreign currency forward purchase and sale contracts with terms of less than one year, to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The company’s primary hedging activities are to mitigate its exposure to changes in exchange rates on intercompany and third party trade receivables and payables. The company does not currently enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. In managing its foreign currency exposures, the company identifies and aggregates naturally occurring offsetting positions and then hedges residual balance sheet exposures. The potential loss on fair value for such instruments from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in quoted foreign exchange rates would not have a material impact on the company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
 
The company accounts for its derivative financial instruments in accordance with ASC 815, "DerivativesDerivatives and Hedging."Hedging. In accordance with ASC 815, these instruments are recognized on the balance sheet as either an asset or a liability measured at fair value. Changes in the market value and the related foreign exchange gains and losses are recorded in the statement of earnings.








Item 8.      Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
 
All other schedules for which provision is made to applicable regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instruction or are inapplicable and, therefore, have been omitted.






REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of The Middleby Corporation


Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited The Middleby Corporation's internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2017,28, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework), (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, The Middleby Corporation (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2017,28, 2019, based on the COSO criteria.


As indicated in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Globe, Qualserv, L2F, Burford, Sveba Dahlen, Scanico,EVO, Cooking Solutions Group, Powerhouse, Ss Brewtech, Pacproinc, Brava and CVP SystemsSynesso which are included in the 20172019 consolidated financial statements of the Company and constituted 11.9%6.4% and 0.1%(0.3%) of total and net assets, respectively, as of December 30, 201728, 2019 and 3.9%3.6% and (0.7%(1.7%) of revenues and net income, respectively, for the year then ended. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of the Company also did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Globe, Qualserv, L2F, Burford, Sveba Dahlen, Scanico,EVO, Cooking Solutions Group, Powerhouse, Ss Brewtech, Pacproinc, Brava and CVP Systems.Synesso.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 30, 201728, 2019 and December 31, 2016,29, 2018, the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders'stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 30, 2017,28, 2019, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 8 and our report dated February 28, 201826, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.


Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Controls over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
  
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.


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


Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.


Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.


/s/ Ernst & Young LLP


Chicago, Illinois
February 28, 201826, 2020



REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of The Middleby Corporation


Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Middleby Corporation (the Company) as of December 30, 201728, 2019 and December 31, 2016,29, 2018, the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders'stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 30, 2017,28, 2019, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 8, (collectively referred to as the “financial“consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company at December 30, 201728, 2019 and December 31, 2016,29, 2018, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 30, 2017,28, 2019, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.


We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2017,28, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated February 28, 201826, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.


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

Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) 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.
Acquisition of Taylor Company
Description of the Matter
As described in Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements, the Company completed its acquisition of Taylor Company for net consideration of approximately $1.0 billion on June 22, 2018. The transaction was accounted for as a business combination.

Auditing the Company's accounting for its acquisition of Taylor Company was complex due to the significant estimation uncertainty in determining the fair value of identified intangible assets of approximately $604 million, which principally consisted of the Taylor trade name and customer relationships. The significant estimation uncertainty was primarily due to the sensitivity of the respective fair values to underlying assumptions about the future performance of the acquired business. The Company used a discounted cash flow model to measure the trade name and customer relationship intangible assets. The significant assumptions used to estimate the value of the intangible assets include revenue growth rates, projected profit margins, discount rates, royalty rates, and customer attrition rates. These significant assumptions are forward-looking and could be affected by future economic and market conditions.


How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit
We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of the Company's controls over accounting for the acquisition of Taylor Company, including controls over the determination of the fair value of the acquired trade name and customer relationships intangible assets, and management's evaluation of the underlying assumptions described above. We also tested management's controls over the completeness and accuracy of the data used in the valuation models.

To test the estimated fair value of the trade name and customer relationships intangible assets, we performed audit procedures that included, among others, evaluating the Company's selection of the valuation methodology, evaluating the methods and significant assumptions used by the Company's valuation specialist, and evaluating the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data supporting the significant assumptions and estimates. We compared the assumptions related to the revenue growth rate and projected profit margin, to the past performance of Taylor Company, the Company's history related to similar acquisitions, and third party industry data. We tested the assumptions related to discount rates and royalty rates to the Company’s history related to similar acquisitions and third-party industry data. We involved a valuation specialist to assist with our evaluation of the methodologies used by the Company and significant assumptions included in the fair value estimates.
Impairment tests of indefinite-lived intangible assets
Description of the Matter
At December 28, 2019, the Company's indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of 69 trademarks and tradenames with an aggregate carrying value of approximately $997 million and represented 19.9% of total assets. As described in Note 3 of the consolidated financial statements, trademarks and tradenames with indefinite lives are tested by the Company’s management for impairment at least annually, in the fiscal fourth quarter, unless there are indications of impairment at other points throughout the year. If the fair value of the intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the difference.

Auditing the impairment tests of indefinite-lived intangible assets is complex due to the significant management judgments and estimates required to determine the fair value of the trademarks and tradenames, including assumptions as to forecasted net sales, discount rates and royalty rates, all of which are sensitive to and affected by economic, industry and company-specific qualitative factors.
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit
We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of the Company's controls over the impairment tests of indefinite-lived intangible assets. This included evaluating controls over the Company’s process used to develop the forecasts of future net sales and the selection of royalty rates and discount rates used in estimating the fair value of the trademarks and tradenames with indefinite lives. We also tested controls over management’s review of the completeness and accuracy of data used in their valuation models.

To test the estimated fair value of the Company’s trademarks and tradenames, we performed audit procedures that included, among others, assessing the methodologies, testing the significant assumptions discussed above and testing the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data. We compared the significant assumptions used by management to current industry and economic trends, the Company’s historical results and other guideline companies within the same industry and evaluated whether changes in the Company’s business would affect the significant assumptions. We assessed the historical accuracy of management’s estimates by comparing them to actual operating results and performed sensitivity analyses of significant assumptions to evaluate the change in the fair value of the trademarks and tradenames with indefinite lives resulting from changes in these assumptions. We involved our valuation specialists to assist in reviewing the valuation methodology and testing the discount rates and royalty rates.


/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2012.


Chicago, Illinois
February 28, 201826, 2020











THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 30, 201728, 2019 AND DECEMBER 31, 201629, 2018
(amounts in thousands, except share data)
 
2017 20162019 2018
ASSETS 
  
 
  
Current assets: 
  
 
  
Cash and cash equivalents$89,654
 $68,485
$94,500
 $71,701
Accounts receivable, net of reserve of doubtful accounts of $13,182 and $12,600328,421
 325,868
Accounts receivable, net of reserve for doubtful accounts of $14,886 and $13,608447,612
 398,660
Inventories, net424,639
 368,243
585,699
 521,810
Prepaid expenses and other55,427
 42,704
61,224
 50,940
Prepaid taxes33,748
 6,399
20,161
 18,483
Total current assets931,889
 811,699
1,209,196
 1,061,594
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $142,278 and $119,435281,915
 221,571
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $197,629 and $167,737352,145
 314,569
Goodwill1,264,810
 1,092,722
1,849,747
 1,743,175
Other intangibles, net of amortization of $207,334 and $168,369780,426
 696,171
Other intangibles, net of amortization of $333,507 and $268,4141,443,381
 1,361,024
Long-term deferred tax assets44,565
 51,699
36,932
 32,188
Other assets36,108
 43,274
110,742
 37,231
Total assets$3,339,713
 $2,917,136
$5,002,143
 $4,549,781
      
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 
  
 
  
Current liabilities: 
  
 
  
Current maturities of long-term debt$5,149
 $5,883
$2,894
 $3,207
Accounts payable146,333
 146,921
173,693
 188,299
Accrued expenses322,171
 335,605
416,550
 367,446
Total current liabilities473,653
 488,409
593,137
 558,952
Long-term debt1,023,732
 726,243
1,870,246
 1,888,898
Long-term deferred tax liability87,815
 77,760
133,500
 113,896
Accrued pension benefits334,511
 322,988
289,086
 253,119
Other non-current liabilities58,854
 36,418
169,360
 69,713
Stockholders' equity: 
  
 
  
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; nonvoting; 2,000,000 shares authorized; none issued
 

 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 62,619,865 and 62,445,315 shares issued in 2017 and 2016, respectively145
 144
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 63,129,775 and 62,592,707 shares issued in 2019 and 2018, respectively145
 145
Paid-in capital374,922
 355,287
387,402
 377,419
Treasury stock at cost; 6,889,241 and 4,905,549 shares in 2017 and 2016, respectively(445,118) (205,280)
Treasury stock, at cost; 6,940,089 and 6,889,241 shares in 2019 and 2018(451,262) (445,118)
Retained earnings1,697,618
 1,399,490
2,361,462
 2,009,233
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(266,419) (284,323)(350,933) (276,476)
      
Total stockholders' equity1,361,148
 1,265,318
1,946,814
 1,665,203
      
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$3,339,713
 $2,917,136
$5,002,143
 $4,549,781
 
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.






THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 28, 2019, DECEMBER 29, 2018
AND DECEMBER 30, 2017 DECEMBER 31, 2016
AND JANUARY 2, 2016
(amounts in thousands, except per share data)
 
2017 2016 20152019 2018 2017
Net sales$2,335,542
 $2,267,852
 $1,826,598
$2,959,446
 $2,722,931
 $2,335,542
Cost of sales1,422,801
 1,366,672
 1,120,093
1,855,949
 1,718,791
 1,422,801
Gross profit912,741
 901,180
 706,505
1,103,497
 1,004,140
 912,741
Selling, general, and administrative expenses436,491
 444,431
 375,148
593,813
 538,842
 468,219
Restructuring expenses19,951
 10,524
 28,754
10,480
 19,332
 19,951
Gain on litigation settlement(14,839) 
 
Gain on sale of plant(12,042) 
 

 
 (12,042)
Impairment of intangible asset58,000
 
 

 
 58,000
Income from operations410,341
 446,225
 302,603
514,043
 445,966
 378,613
Interest expense and deferred financing amortization, net25,983
 23,880
 16,967
82,609
 58,742
 25,983
Other expense, net829
 1,040
 4,469
Net periodic pension benefit (other than service costs)(28,857) (38,114) (31,728)
Other (income) expense, net(2,328) 1,825
 829
Earnings before income taxes383,529
 421,305
 281,167
462,619
 423,513
 383,529
Provision for income taxes85,401
 137,089
 89,557
110,379
 106,361
 85,401
Net earnings$298,128
 $284,216
 $191,610
$352,240
 $317,152
 $298,128
          
Net earnings per share: 
  
  
 
  
  
Basic$5.26
 $4.98
 $3.36
$6.33
 $5.71
 $5.26
Diluted$5.26
 $4.98
 $3.36
$6.33
 $5.70
 $5.26
          
Weighted average number of shares 
  
  
 
  
  
Basic56,715
 57,030
 56,951
55,647
 55,576
 56,715
Dilutive common stock equivalents4
 55
 22
9
 28
 4
Diluted56,719
 57,085
 56,973
55,656
 55,604
 56,719
 
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.






THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 28, 2019, DECEMBER 29, 2018
AND DECEMBER 30, 2017 DECEMBER 31, 2016
AND JANUARY 2, 2016
(amounts in thousands)


2017 2016 20152019 2018 2017
          
Net earnings$298,128
 $284,216
 $191,610
$352,240
 $317,152
 $298,128
          
Other comprehensive income:     
Other comprehensive (loss) income:     
Foreign currency translation adjustments46,690
 (63,569) (28,187)7,066
 (43,050) 46,690
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax(29,669) (149,815) (17,039)(57,398) 32,125
 (29,669)
Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps, net of tax883
 5,473
 245
Unrealized (loss) gain on interest rate swaps, net of tax(24,125) 868
 883
Other comprehensive (loss) income:$(74,457) $(10,057) $17,904
     
Comprehensive income$316,032
 $76,305
 $146,629
$277,783
 $307,095
 $316,032


The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.










THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 28, 2019, DECEMBER 29, 2018
AND DECEMBER 30, 2017 DECEMBER 31, 2016
AND JANUARY 2, 2016
(amounts in thousands)
 
Common
Stock

 
Paid-in
Capital

 
Treasury
Stock

 
Retained
Earnings

 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income/(loss)

 
Total
Stockholders'
Equity

Common
Stock

 
Paid-in
Capital

 
Treasury
Stock

 
Retained
Earnings

 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income/(loss)

 
Total
Stockholders'
Equity

Balance, January 3, 2015$144
 $310,409
 $(196,026) $923,664
 $(31,431) $1,006,760
Net earnings
 
 
 191,610
 
 191,610
Currency translation adjustments
 
 
 
 (28,187) (28,187)
Change in unrecognized pension benefit costs, net of tax of $(3,740)
 
 
 
 (17,039) (17,039)
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap, net of tax of $163
 
 
 
 245
 245
Stock compensation
 15,863
 
 
 
 15,863
Tax benefit on stock compensation
 2,414
 
 
 
 2,414
Purchase of treasury stock
 
 (4,836) 
 
 (4,836)
Balance, January 2, 2016$144
 $328,686
 $(200,862) $1,115,274
 $(76,412) $1,166,830
Net earnings
 
 
 284,216
 
 284,216
Currency translation adjustments
 
 
 
 (63,569) (63,569)
Change in unrecognized pension benefit costs, net of tax of $(30,717)
 
 
 
 (149,815) (149,815)
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap, net of tax of $3,649
 
 
 
 5,473
 5,473
Stock compensation
 27,905
 
 
 
 27,905
Tax benefit on stock compensation
 (1,304) 

 
 
 (1,304)
Purchase of treasury stock
 
 (4,418) 
 
 (4,418)
Balance, December 31, 2016$144
 $355,287
 $(205,280) $1,399,490
 $(284,323) $1,265,318
$144
 $355,287
 $(205,280) $1,399,490
 $(284,323) $1,265,318
Net earnings
 
 
 298,128
 
 298,128

 
 
 298,128
 
 298,128
Currency translation adjustments
 
 
 
 46,690
 46,690

 
 
 
 46,690
 46,690
Change in unrecognized pension benefit costs, net of tax of $(5,588)
 
 
 
 (29,669) (29,669)
 
 
 
 (29,669) (29,669)
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap, net of tax of $588
 
 
 
 883
 883

 
 
 
 883
 883
Stock compensation
 6,237
 
 
 
 6,237

 6,237
 
 
 
 6,237
Stock issuance1
 13,398
 
 
 
 13,399
1
 13,398
 
 
 
 13,399
Purchase of treasury stock
 
 (239,838) 
 
 (239,838)
 
 (239,838) 
 
 (239,838)
Balance, December 30, 2017$145
 $374,922
 $(445,118) $1,697,618
 $(266,419) $1,361,148
$145
 $374,922
 $(445,118) $1,697,618
 $(266,419) $1,361,148
Net earnings
 
 
 317,152
 
 317,152
Adoption of ASU 2018-02 (1)

 
 
 (1,132) 1,132
 
Adoption of ASU 2014-09 (2)

 
 
 (4,405) 
 (4,405)
Currency translation adjustments
 
 
 
 (43,050) (43,050)
Change in unrecognized pension benefit costs, net of tax of $6,386
 
 
 
 32,612
 32,612
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap, net of tax of $(81)
 
 
 
 (751) (751)
Stock compensation
 2,497
 
 
 
 2,497
Balance, December 29, 2018$145
 $377,419
 $(445,118) $2,009,233
 $(276,476) $1,665,203
Net earnings
 
 
 352,240
 
 352,240
Adoption of ASU 2017-12 (3)

 
 
 (11) 11
 
Currency translation adjustments
 
 
 
 7,066
 7,066
Change in unrecognized pension benefit costs, net of tax of $(11,914)
 
 
 
 (57,398) (57,398)
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap, net of tax of $(8,516)
 
 
 
 (24,136) (24,136)
Stock compensation
 8,133
 
 
 
 8,133
Stock issuance
 1,850
 
 
 
 1,850
Purchase of treasury stock
 
 (6,144) 
 
 (6,144)
Balance, December 28, 2019$145
 $387,402
 $(451,262) $2,361,462
 $(350,933) $1,946,814

(1) As of December 31, 2017, the company adopted ASU No. 2018-02,Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The adoption of this guidance resulted in the reclassification of $1.1 million, including $1.6 million related to interest rate swap and $(0.5) million related to pensions, of stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings.
(2) As of December 31, 2017, the company adopted ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606) using the modified retrospective method to contracts that were not completed as of December 30, 2017. The adoption of this guidance resulted in the recognition of $(4.4) million as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings.
(3) As of December 30, 2018, the company adopted ASU No. 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities" using the modified retrospective method. The adoption of this guidance resulted in the recognition of less than $(0.1) million as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings.


The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.






THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 28, 2019, DECEMBER 29, 2018
AND DECEMBER 30, 2017 DECEMBER 31, 2016
AND JANUARY 2, 2016
(amounts in thousands)
2017 2016 20152019 2018 2017
Cash flows from operating activities— 
  
  
 
  
  
Net earnings$298,128
 $284,216
 $191,610
$352,240
 $317,152
 $298,128
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities 
    
 
    
Depreciation and amortization69,774
 58,234
 54,074
103,428
 97,238
 69,774
Non-cash share-based compensation6,237
 27,905
 15,864
8,133
 2,497
 6,237
Deferred income taxes(14,492) 21,363
 1,919
22,212
 20,489
 (14,492)
Net periodic pension benefit (other than service costs)(28,857) (38,114) (31,728)
Gain on sale of plant(12,042) 
 

 
 (12,042)
Impairment of equipment3,114
 
 

 783
 3,114
Impairment of intangible asset58,000
 
 

 
 58,000
Non-cash restructuring
 5,637
 
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions     
     
Accounts receivable, net26,180
 (33,908) 17,112
(27,748) (25,347) 26,180
Inventories, net(9,744) (22,246) 7,826
(28,288) (28,378) (9,744)
Prepaid expenses and other assets(34,122) (11,550) (5,685)5,067
 18,145
 (34,122)
Accounts payable(21,631) (7,730) (18,036)(29,396) 13,611
 (21,631)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities(64,947) (22,174) (15,092)634
 (14,799) (33,219)
Net cash provided by operating activities304,455
 294,110
 249,592
377,425
 368,914
 304,455
Cash flows from investing activities— 
  
  
 
  
  
Additions to property and equipment(54,493) (24,817) (22,362)(46,609) (36,040) (54,493)
Proceeds on sale of plant14,278
 
 

 
 14,278
Purchase of tradename
 (5,399) 
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired(305,251) (210,921) (348,625)(281,058) (1,197,984) (305,251)
Net cash used in investing activities(345,466) (235,738) (370,987)(327,667) (1,239,423) (345,466)
Cash flows from financing activities— 
  
  
 
  
  
Net proceeds (repayments) under revolving credit facilities296,771
 (2,482) 145,500
Proceeds under Credit Facility543,294
 1,611,110
 758,883
Repayments under Credit Facility(560,363) (746,281) (462,112)
Net repayments under foreign bank loan(1,062) (26,821) (6,058)(405) (7,088) (1,062)
Net repayments under other debt arrangement(35) (35) (262)(179) (3) (35)
Payments of deferred purchase price(1,648) (1,234) 
Repurchase of treasury stock(239,838) (4,418) (4,836)(6,144) 
 (239,838)
Debt issuance costs
 (6,310) 

 (375) 
Excess tax benefit related to share-based compensation
 (1,304) 2,414
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities55,836
 (41,370) 136,758
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities(25,445) 856,129
 55,836
          
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents6,344
 (4,045) (3,780)(1,514) (3,573) 6,344
Changes in cash and cash equivalents— 
  
  
 
  
  
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents21,169
 12,957
 11,583
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents22,799
 (17,953) 21,169
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year68,485
 55,528
 43,945
71,701
 89,654
 68,485
          
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year$89,654
 $68,485
 $55,528
$94,500
 $71,701
 $89,654
          
Non-cash investing and financing activities:          
Stock issuance related to acquisitions$13,399
 $
 $
$
 $
 $13,399
 
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.






THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 28, 2019, DECEMBER 29, 2018
AND DECEMBER 30, 2017 DECEMBER 31, 2016
AND JANUARY 2, 2016
 
(1)NATURE OF OPERATIONS


The Middleby Corporation (the "company") is engaged in the design, manufacture and sale of commercial foodservice, food processing equipment and residential kitchen equipment. The company manufactures and assembles this equipment at thirty-oneNaN U.S. and twenty-sixNaN international manufacturing facilities. The company operates in three3 business segments: 1) the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group, 2) the Food Processing Equipment Group and 3) the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group.
 
The Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group has a broad portfolio of cooking and warmingfoodservice equipment, which enablesenable it to serve virtually any cooking, or warming, refrigeration, freezing and beverage application within a commercial kitchen or foodservice operation. This cooking and warming equipment is used across all types of foodservice operations, including quick-service restaurants, full-service restaurants, convenience stores, retail outlets, hotels and other institutions. The products offered by this group include conveyor ovens, combi-ovens, convection ovens, baking ovens, proofing ovens, deck ovens, speed cooking ovens, hydrovection ovens, ranges, fryers, rethermalizers, steam cooking equipment, food warming equipment, catering equipment, heated cabinets, charbroilers, ventless cooking systems, kitchen ventilation, induction cooking equipment, countertop cooking equipment, toasters, griddles, charcoal grills, professional mixers, stainless steel fabrication, custom millwork, professional refrigerators, blast chillers, coldrooms, ice machines, freezers, andsoft serve ice cream equipment, coffee and beverage dispensing equipment.equipment, home and professional craft brewing equipment and IoT solutions.
 
The Food Processing Equipment Group offers a broad portfolio of processing solutions for customers producing pre-cooked meat products, such as hot dogs, dinner sausages, poultry and lunchmeats and baked goods such as muffins, cookies and bread. Through its broad line of products, the company is able to deliver a wide array of cooking solutions to service a variety of food processing requirements demanded by its customers. The company can offer highly integrated solutions that provide a food processing operation a uniquely integrated solution providing for the highest level of food quality, product consistency, and reduced operating costs resulting from increased product yields, increased capacity and greater throughput and reduced labor costs through automation. The products offered by this group include a wide array of cooking and baking solutions, including batch ovens, baking ovens, proofing ovens, conveyor belt ovens, continuous processing ovens, frying systems and automated thermal processing systems. The company also provides a comprehensive portfolio of complementary food preparation equipment such as grinders, slicers, reduction and emulsion systems, mixers, blenders, battering equipment, breading equipment, seeding equipment, water cutting systems, food presses, food suspension equipment, filling and depositing solutions, and forming equipment, as well as a variety of automated loading and unloading systems, food safety, food handling, freezing, defrosting and packaging equipment. This portfolio of equipment can be integrated to provide customers a highly efficient and customized solution.


The Residential Kitchen Equipment Group has a broad portfolio of innovative and professional-style residential kitchen equipment. The products offered by this group include ranges, cookers, stoves, ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, cooktops, refrigerators, wine coolers, ice machines, ventilation equipment and outdoor equipment.
 


 



(2) ACQUISITIONS AND PURCHASE ACCOUNTING


The company operates in a highly fragmented industry and has completed numerous acquisitions over the past several years as a component of its growth strategy. The company has acquired industry leading brands and technologies to position itself as a leader in the commercial foodservice equipment, food processing equipment and residential kitchen equipment industries.
 
The company has accounted for all business combinations using the acquisition method to record a new cost basis for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The difference between the purchase price and the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed has been recorded as goodwill in the financial statements. The company also recognizes identifiable intangible assets, primarily trade names and customer relationships, using a discounted cash flow model. The significant assumptions used to estimate the value of the intangible assets include revenue growth rates, projected profit margins, discount rates, royalty rates, and customer attrition rates. These significant assumptions are forward-looking and could be affected by future economic and market conditions. The results of operations are reflected in the consolidated financial statements of the company from the dates of acquisition.


The following represents the company's more significant acquisitions in 20172019 and 2016.2018 as well as summarized information on various acquisitions that were not individually material. The company also made smaller acquisitions not listedpresented below which are individually and collectively immaterial.
FollettTaylor
On May 31, 2016, the company completed its acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Follett Corporation ("Follett"), a leading manufacturer of ice machines, ice and water dispensing equipment, ice storage and transport products and medical grade refrigeration products for the foodservice and healthcare industries headquartered in Easton, Pennsylvania, for a purchase price of approximately $206.9 million, net of cash acquired. During the first quarter of 2017, the company finalized the working capital provision provided for by the purchase agreement resulting in an additional payment to the seller of $0.7 million.
The final allocation of cash paid for the Follett acquisition is summarized as follows (in thousands):
 (as initially reported) May 31, 2016 Measurement Period Adjustments (as adjusted) May 31, 2016
Cash$22,620
 $2,888
 $25,508
Current assets41,602
 (2,249) 39,353
Property, plant and equipment19,868
 8,598
 28,466
Goodwill76,220
 (35,656) 40,564
Other intangibles82,450
 41,810
 124,260
Other assets1,358
 170
 1,528
Current liabilities(11,779) (10,801) (22,580)
Other non-current liabilities(616) (4,064) (4,680)
      
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed$231,723
 $696
 $232,419
The goodwill and $67.8 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350 "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other". Other intangibles also includes $55.2 million allocated to customer relationships and $1.3 million allocated to backlog, which are to be amortized over periods of 8 years and 3 months, respectively. Goodwill and other intangibles of Follett are allocated to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.









Burford
On May 1, 2017,June 22, 2018, the company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of Burford Corp.the Taylor Company ("Burford"Taylor"). Burford is, a leading manufacturer of industrial bakingworld leader in beverage solutions, soft serve and ice cream dispensing equipment, for the food processing industryfrozen drink machines, and automated double-sided grills, located in Maysville, Oklahoma,Rockton, Illinois, for a purchase price of approximately $14.8 million,$1.0 billion, net of cash acquired. During the fourth quarter of 2017,2018, the company finalized the working capital provision provided for by the purchase agreement resulting in a refund from the seller of $0.3$11.5 million.
The final allocation of consideration paid for the Taylor acquisition is summarized as follows (in thousands):
 
(as initially
reported)
June 22, 2018
 
Measurement
Period
Adjustments
 
(as adjusted)
June 22, 2018
Cash$2,551
 $64
 $2,615
Current assets71,162
 (2,011) 69,151
Property, plant and equipment21,187
 (556) 20,631
Goodwill491,339
 (120,497) 370,842
Other intangibles484,210
 119,550
 603,760
Other assets
 361
 361
Long-term deferred tax asset
 227
 227
Current liabilities(48,417) (4,099) (52,516)
Other non-current liabilities(8,161) (648) (8,809)
      
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed$1,013,871
 $(7,609) $1,006,262

The goodwill and $304.7 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350. Other intangibles also include $290.9 million allocated to customer relationships, $1.7 million of existing developed oven technology, $4.4 million of equipment backlog, and $2.1 million of deferred service backlog, which are being amortized over periods up to 15 years, 5 years, 3 months, and 3 years, respectively. Goodwill and other intangibles of Taylor are allocated to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. A significant portion of the assets are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.





Cooking Solutions Group
On April 1, 2019, the company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of Cooking Solutions Group, Inc. ("Cooking Solutions Group") from Standex International Corporation, which consists of the brands APW Wyott, Bakers Pride, BKI and Ultrafryer with locations in Texas, South Carolina and Mexico for a purchase price of approximately $106.1 million, net of cash acquired. During the third quarter of 2019, the company finalized the working capital provision provided for by the purchase agreement resulting in a payment due to the sellers of $0.1 million.
The following estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are provisional and are based on the information that was available as of the acquisition date to estimate the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):
 
(as initially
reported)
April 1, 2019
 Preliminary Measurement
Period
Adjustments
 (as adjusted)
April 1, 2019
Cash$843
 $
 $843
Current assets33,666
 (1,325) 32,341
Property, plant and equipment15,959
 (243) 15,716
Goodwill31,207
 5,327
 36,534
Other intangibles53,450
 (5,850) 47,600
Other assets
 1,470
 1,470
Current liabilities(15,130) (368) (15,498)
Long-term deferred tax liability(13,082) 2,226
 (10,856)
Other non-current liabilities
 (1,163) (1,163)
      
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed$106,913
 $74
 $106,987
 (as initially reported) May 1, 2017 Preliminary Measurement Period Adjustments (as adjusted) May 1, 2017
Cash$2,514
 $
 $2,514
Current assets6,424
 126
 6,550
Property, plant and equipment656
 (13) 643
Goodwill7,289
 808
 8,097
Other intangibles4,900
 1,840
 6,740
Current liabilities(2,254) (961) (3,215)
Long term deferred tax liability(1,840) 612
 (1,228)
Other non-current liabilities
 (2,761) (2,761)
      
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed$17,689
 $(349) $17,340

The long term deferred tax liability amounted to $1.2$10.9 million. The net deferred tax liability is comprised of $2.7 million of deferred tax liability related to the difference between the book and tax basis of identifiable intangible assets, net of $0.7 million related to federal and state net operating loss carryforwards and $0.8 million of deferred tax asset arising from the difference between the book and tax basis of identifiable tangible asset and liability accounts.
The goodwill and $2.7 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350. Other intangibles also include $3.1 million allocated to customer relationships, $0.7 million allocated to developed technology and $0.3 million allocated to backlog, which are to be amortized over periods of 6 years, 7 years and 3 months, respectively. Goodwill and other intangibles of Burford are allocated to the Food Processing Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
The company believes that information gathered to date provides a reasonable basis for estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed but the company is waiting for additional information necessary to finalize those fair values. Thus, the provisional measurements of fair value set forth above are subject to change. The company expects to complete the purchase price allocation as soon as practicable but no later than one year from the acquisition date.










CVP Systems
On June 30, 2017, the company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of CVP Systems, Inc. ("CVP Systems"), a leading manufacturer of high-speed packaging systems for the meat processing industry located in Downers Grove, Illinois, for a purchase price of approximately $30.3 million, net of cash acquired. The purchase price included $17.9 million in cash and 106,254 shares of Middleby common stock valued at $12.3 million. The purchase price is subject to adjustment based upon a working capital provision provided for by the purchase agreement. The company expects to finalize this in the first quarter of 2018.
The following estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are provisional and are based on the information that was available as of the acquisition date to estimate the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):
 (as initially reported) June 30, 2017 Preliminary Measurement Period Adjustments (as adjusted) June 30, 2017
Cash$621
 $
 $621
Current assets5,973
 (1,435) 4,538
Property, plant and equipment238
 (91) 147
Goodwill20,297
 432
 20,729
Other intangibles8,700
 4,350
 13,050
Current liabilities(1,532) (514) (2,046)
Long term deferred tax liability(3,168) (633) (3,801)
Other non-current liabilities
 (2,362) (2,362)
      
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed$31,129
 $(253) $30,876
The long term deferred tax liability amounted to $3.8 million. The net liability is comprised of $5.0 million of deferred tax liability related to the difference between the book and tax basis of identifiable intangible assets, net of $0.4 million related to federal and state net operating loss carryforwards and $0.8 million of deferred tax assets arising from the difference between the book and tax basis of identifiable tangible asset and liability accounts.
The goodwill and $6.2 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350. Other intangibles also include $5.7 million allocated to customer relationships, $0.8 million allocated to developed technology and $0.3 million allocated to backlog, which are to be amortized over periods of 5 years, 7 years and 3 months, respectively. Goodwill and other intangibles of CVP Systems are allocated to the Food Processing Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
The company believes that information gathered to date provides a reasonable basis for estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed but the company is waiting for additional information necessary to finalize those fair values. Thus, the provisional measurements of fair value set forth above are subject to change. The company expects to complete the purchase price allocation as soon as practicable but no later than one year from the acquisition date.










Sveba Dahlen
On June 30, 2017, the company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of Sveba Dahlen Group ("Sveba Dahlen"), a developer and manufacturer of ovens and baking equipment for the commercial foodservice and industrial baking industries headquartered in Fristad, Sweden, for a purchase price of $81.4 million, net of cash acquired.
The following estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are provisional and are based on the information that was available as of the acquisition date to estimate the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):
 (as initially reported) June 30, 2017 Preliminary Measurement Period Adjustments (as adjusted) June 30, 2017
Cash$4,569
 $
 $4,569
Current assets22,686
 (767) 21,919
Property, plant and equipment9,128
 (332) 8,796
Goodwill33,785
 (2,843) 30,942
Other intangibles34,175
 7,775
 41,950
Other assets1,170
 (3) 1,167
Current portion of long-term debt
 (14) (14)
Current liabilities(11,782) 649
 (11,133)
Long term debt
 (140) (140)
Long term deferred tax liability(7,751) (2,600) (10,351)
Other non-current liabilities(42) (1,725) (1,767)
      
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed$85,938
 $
 $85,938
The long term deferred tax liability amounted to $10.4 million. The liability is comprised of $9.2 million of deferred tax liability related to the difference between the book and tax basis of identifiable intangible assets and $1.2$11.6 million of deferred tax liability related to the difference between the book and tax basis on identifiable intangible asset and liability accounts and $0.7 million of deferred tax asset related to the difference between the book and tax basis on identifiable tangible assetassets and liability accounts.
The goodwill and $22.2$24.7 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name areis subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350. Other intangibles also include $18.1$22.5 million allocated to customer relationships and $1.6$0.4 million allocated to backlog, which are to bebeing amortized over periods of 69 years and 3 months, respectively. Goodwill and other intangibles of Sveba DahlenCooking Solutions Group are allocated to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
The company believes that information gathered to date provides a reasonable basis for estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, but the company is waiting for additional information necessary to finalize those fair values. Thus, the provisional measurements of fair value set forth above are subject to change. The company expects towill complete the purchase price allocation as soon as practicable but no later than one year from the acquisition date.









QualServ
On August 31, 2017, the company completed its acquisition of substantially all of the assets of QualServ Solutions LLC ("QualServ"), a global commercial kitchen design, manufacturing, engineering, project management and equipment solutions provider located in Fort Smith, Arkansas, for a purchase price of $40.2 million, net of cash acquired. The purchase price is subject to adjustment based upon a working capital provision provided by the purchase agreement. The company expects to finalize this in the first quarter of 2018.fiscal 2020.










Other 2018 Acquisitions
During 2018 the company completed various other acquisitions that were not individually material. The following estimated fair valuesfinal allocation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are provisional and are based onconsideration paid for the information that was availableother 2018 acquisitions is summarized as of the acquisition date to estimate the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumedfollows (in thousands):
 Preliminary Opening Balance Sheet Measurement
Period
Adjustments
 Adjusted Opening Balance Sheet
Cash$16,293
 $(37) $16,256
Current assets38,048
 115
 38,163
Property, plant and equipment22,340
 3,658
 25,998
Goodwill126,647
 (14,312) 112,335
Other intangibles46,902
 15,900
 62,802
Other assets14
 
 14
Current portion of long term debt(3,329) 
 (3,329)
Current liabilities(23,606) (1,521) (25,127)
Long term debt(2,677) 
 (2,677)
Long-term deferred tax liability(8,937) (4,923) (13,860)
Other non-current liabilities(3,699) 
 (3,699)
      
Consideration paid at closing$207,996
 $(1,120) $206,876
      
Contingent consideration3,454
 
 3,454
      
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed$211,450
 $(1,120) $210,330
 (as initially reported) August 31, 2017 Preliminary Measurement Period Adjustments (as adjusted) August 31, 2017
Cash$1,130
 $
 $1,130
Current assets18,031
 (64) 17,967
Property, plant and equipment4,785
 
 4,785
Goodwill14,590
 195
 14,785
Other intangibles9,600
 
 9,600
Current liabilities(6,810) (131) (6,941)
      
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed$41,326
 $
 $41,326
The goodwill and $6.2 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350. Other intangibles also include $3.3 million allocated to customer relationships and $0.1 million allocated to backlog, which are to be amortized over periods of 6 years and 3 months, respectively. Goodwill and other intangibles of QualServ are allocated to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
The company believes that information gathered to date provides a reasonable basis for estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed but the company is waiting for additional information necessary to finalize those fair values. Thus, the provisional measurements of fair value set forth above are subject to change. The company expects to complete the purchase price allocation as soon as practicable but no later than one year from the acquisition date.















Globe
On October 17, 2017, the company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of Globe Food Equipment Company ("Globe"), a leading brand in slicers and mixers for the commercial foodservice industry located in Dayton, Ohio, for a purchase price of $104.6 million, net of cash acquired. The purchase price is subject to adjustment based upon a working capital provision provided by the purchase agreement. The company expects to finalize this in the first quarter of 2018.
The following estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are provisional and are based on the information that was available as of the acquisition date to estimate the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):
 (as initially reported) October 17, 2017
Cash$3,420
Current assets17,197
Property, plant and equipment1,120
Goodwill67,176
Other intangibles43,444
Current liabilities(5,994)
Long term deferred tax liability(16,456)
Other non-current liabilities(1,907)
  
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed$108,000

The long term deferred tax liability amounted to $16.5$13.9 million. The net deferred tax liability is comprised of $16.3 million of deferred tax liability related to the difference between the book and tax basis of identifiable intangible assets and $0.2 million of deferred tax liability related to the difference between the book and tax basis on identifiable tangible asset and liability accounts.
The goodwill and $28.2 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350. Other intangibles also include $14.9 million allocated to customer relationships and $0.3 million allocated to backlog, which are to be amortized over periods of 5 years and 3 months, respectively. Goodwill and other intangibles of Globe are allocated to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
The company believes that information gathered to date provides a reasonable basis for estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed but the company is waiting for additional information necessary to finalize those fair values. Thus, the provisional measurements of fair value set forth above are subject to change. The company expects to complete the purchase price allocation as soon as practicable but no later than one year from the acquisition date.











Scanico
On December 7, 2017, the company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of Scanico A/S ("Scanico"), a leading manufacturer of industrial cooling and freezing equipment for the food processing industry located in Aalborg, Denmark, for a purchase price of $34.9 million, net of cash acquired. The purchase price is subject to adjustment based upon a working capital provision provided for by the purchase agreement. The company expects to finalize this in the first quarter of 2018. An additional payment is also due upon the achievement of certain financial targets.
The following estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are provisional and are based on the information that was available as of the acquisition date to estimate the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):
 (as initially reported) December 7, 2017
Cash$6,766
Current assets3,428
Property, plant and equipment447
Goodwill30,072
Other intangibles11,491
Current liabilities(7,236)
Long term deferred tax liability(3,305)
  
Consideration paid at closing$41,663
  
Contingent consideration(751)
  
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed$40,912
The long term deferred tax liability amounted to $3.3 million. The net liability is comprised of $2.5$13.1 million of deferred tax liability related to the difference between the book and tax basis of identifiable intangible assets and $0.8 million of deferred tax liability related to the difference between the book and tax basis on identifiable tangible asset and liability accounts.
The goodwill and $6.6$30.7 million of other intangibles associated with the trade namenames are subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350. Other intangibles also include $2.0$28.6 million allocated to customer relationships, $0.9$0.3 million allocated to developed technology and $2.0$3.3 million allocated to backlog, which are to bebeing amortized over periods of 5 to 7 years, 5 years, and 3 months to 1 year, respectively. Goodwill of $85.4 million and other intangibles of Scanico$42.9 million of the companies are allocated to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group. Goodwill of $26.9 million and other intangibles of $19.9 million are allocated to the Food Processing Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. TheseOf these assets, are notgoodwill of $22.1 million is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
The ScanicoOne purchase agreement includes an earnout provision providing for a contingent paymentpayments due to the sellers to the extent certain financial targets are exceeded. ThisThe earnout is payable duringbetween 2020 and 2021, if the third quarter of 2018, if Scanicocompany exceeds certain sales and earnings targets for the twelve months ended June 30, 2018.targets. The contractual obligation associated with thisthe contingent earnout provision recognized on the acquisition date is $0.8$3.5 million.


Other 2019 Acquisitions
During 2019 the company completed various other acquisitions that were not individually material. The following estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on the information that was available as of the acquisition date to estimate the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):
 Preliminary Opening Balance Sheet Measurement
Period
Adjustments
 Adjusted Opening Balance Sheet
Cash$2,683
 $(10) $2,673
Current assets21,525
 980
 22,505
Property, plant and equipment8,920
 18
 8,938
Goodwill99,838
 (3,096) 96,742
Other intangibles64,019
 199
 64,218
Long-term deferred tax asset1,288
 1,478
 2,766
Other assets137
 854
 991
Current liabilities(20,437) (535) (20,972)
Other non-current liabilities(6,170) (529) (6,699)
      
Consideration paid at closing$171,803
 $(641) $171,162
      
Deferred payments2,404
 
 2,404
Contingent consideration4,258
 
 4,258
      
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed$178,465
 $(641) $177,824

The long term deferred tax asset amounted to $2.8 million. The net deferred tax asset is comprised of $3.0 million of deferred tax asset related to tax loss carryforwards, $0.9 million of deferred tax liability related to the difference between the book and tax basis of identifiable intangible assets, and $0.7 million of deferred tax asset related to the difference between the book and tax basis on other book to tax differences and liability accounts.
The goodwill and $29.6 million of other intangibles associated with the trade names are subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350. Other intangibles also include $23.9 million allocated to customer relationships, $9.2 million allocated to developed technology and $1.5 million allocated to backlog, which are being amortized over periods of 2 to 10 years, 5 to 7 years, and 3 months, respectively. Goodwill of $43.6 million and other intangibles of $35.2 million of the companies are allocated to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group. Goodwill of $43.6 million and other intangibles of $21.3 million are allocated to the Food Processing Equipment Group. Goodwill of $9.5 million and other intangibles of $7.7 million are allocated to the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. Of these assets, goodwill of $85.5 million and intangibles of $54.1 million are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
One purchase agreement includes deferred payments and earnout provisions providing for contingent payments due to the sellers to the extent certain financial targets are exceeded. The deferred payments are payable between 2020 and 2022. The contractual obligation associated with the deferred payments on the acquisition date is $2.4 million. The earnout is payable in 2022, if the company exceeds certain sales and earnings targets. The contractual obligation associated with the contingent earnout provision recognized on the acquisition date is $4.3 million.
The company believes that information gathered to date provides a reasonable basis for estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, but the company is waiting for additional information necessary to finalize those fair values.values for substantially all 2019 acquisitions. Thus, the provisional measurements of fair value set forth above are subject to change. The company expects towill complete the purchase price allocation as soon as practicable but no later than one year from the acquisition date.allocations during 2020.









Pro forma financial informationForma Financial Information
 
In accordance with ASC 805 “Business Combinations”Business Combinations, the following unaudited pro forma results of operations for the yearstwelve months ended December 30, 201728, 2019 and December 31, 2016,29, 2018, assumes the 2016 acquisition of Follett2018 and the 20172019 acquisitions of Burford, CVP Systems, Sveba Dahlen, QualServ, L2F, Globe and Scanico were completed on January 3, 2016December 31, 2017 (first day of fiscal 2016)year 2018). The following pro forma results include adjustments to reflect additional interest expense to fund the acquisition,acquisitions, amortization of intangibles associated with the acquisition,acquisitions, and the effects of adjustments made to the carrying value of certain assets (in thousands, except per share data):
Twelve Months Ended
December 30, 2017 December 31, 2016December 28, 2019 December 29, 2018
Net sales$2,500,434
 $2,606,379
$3,022,279
 $3,078,487
Net earnings305,770
 281,680
344,823
 285,642
      
Net earnings per share: 
  
 
  
Basic5.39
 4.94
$6.20
 $5.14
Diluted5.39
 4.93
$6.20
 $5.14
 
The historical consolidated financial information of the Company and the acquisitions have been adjusted in the pro forma information to give effect to pro forma events that are (1) directly attributable to the transactions, (2) factually supportable and (3) expected to have a continuing impact on the combined results. Pro forma data may not be indicative of the results that would have been obtained had these acquisitions occurred at the beginning of the periods presented, nor is it intended to be a projection of future results. Additionally, the pro forma financial information does not reflect the costs which the company has incurred or may incur to integrate Follett, Burford, CVP Systems, Sveba Dahlen, QualServ, L2F, Globe and Scanico.the acquired businesses.








 
(3)    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES


(a)Basis of Presentation


The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The company's consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires the company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses as well as related disclosures. Significant items that are subject to such estimates and judgments include allowances for doubtful accounts, reserves for excess and obsolete inventories, long-lived and intangible assets, warranty reserves, insurance reserves, income tax reserves and post-retirement obligations. On an ongoing basis, the company evaluates its estimates and assumptions based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
 
The company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest December 31. Fiscal years 2017, 2016,2019, 2018, and 20152017 ended on December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016, respectively, with each year including 52 weeks.


Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to be consistent with current year presentation, including combining sellingthe non-operating components of pension benefit previously reported in accrued expenses and distribution expenses with generalother liabilities within the changes in assets and administrative expenses.liabilities, net of acquisitions to an individual adjustment to reconcile net earnings to cash provided by operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

(b)Cash and Cash Equivalents


The company considers all short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents. The company’s policy is to invest its excess cash in interest-bearing deposits with major banks that are subject to minimal credit and market risk.
 
(c)Accounts Receivable


Accounts receivable, as shown in the consolidated balance sheets, are net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $13.214.9 million and $12.613.6 million at December 30, 201728, 2019 and December 31, 2016,29, 2018, respectively. At December 30, 2017,28, 2019, all accounts receivable are expected to be collected within one year.


(d)    Inventories


Inventories are composed of material, labor and overhead and are stated at the lower of cost or market.net realizable value. Costs for inventory have been determined using the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method. The company estimates reserves for inventory obsolescence and shrinkage based on its judgment of future realization. Inventories at December 30, 201728, 2019 and December 31, 201629, 2018 are as follows:follows (in thousands):
 
 2019 2018
Raw materials and parts$277,394
 $245,976
Work in process58,663
 51,164
Finished goods249,642
 224,670
 $585,699
 $521,810
 2017 2016
 (dollars in thousands)
Raw materials and parts$180,559
 $154,647
Work in process38,917
 35,975
Finished goods205,163
 177,621
 $424,639
 $368,243

 



(e)Property, Plant and Equipment


Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost as follows:
follows (in thousands):
 2019 2018
Land$43,467
 $32,523
Building and improvements229,025
 196,743
Furniture and fixtures67,992
 64,586
Machinery and equipment209,290
 188,454
 549,774
 482,306
Less accumulated depreciation(197,629) (167,737)
 $352,145
 $314,569
 2017 2016
 (dollars in thousands)
Land$28,996
 $21,309
Building and improvements175,678
 134,158
Furniture and fixtures54,362
 56,851
Machinery and equipment165,157
 128,688
 424,193
 341,006
Less accumulated depreciation(142,278) (119,435)
 $281,915
 $221,571

 
Property, plant and equipment are depreciated or amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives based on management's estimates of the period over which the assets will be utilized to benefit the operations of the company. The useful lives are estimated based on historical experience with similar assets, taking into account anticipated technological or other changes. The company periodically reviews these lives relative to physical factors, economic factors and industry trends. If there are changes in the planned use of property and equipment or if technological changes were to occur more rapidly than anticipated, the useful lives assigned to these assets may need to be shortened, resulting in the recognition of increased depreciation and amortization expense in future periods.
 
Following is a summary of the estimated useful lives:
Description Life
Building and improvements 20 to 40 years
Furniture and fixtures 3 to 7 years
Machinery and equipment 3 to 10 years

 
Depreciation expense amounted to $37.9 million, $35.8 million and $29.7 million, $26.2 million and $25.5 million in fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
 
Expenditures which significantly extend useful lives are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Asset impairments are recorded whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the recorded value of an asset is greater than the sum of its expected future undiscounted cash flows. 




(f)Goodwill and Other Intangibles


In accordance with ASC 350 “Goodwill-Intangibles and Other”,The company’s business acquisitions result in the company’srecognition of goodwill and other indefinite lived intangiblesintangible assets, which are revieweda significant portion of the company’s total assets. The company recognizes goodwill and other intangible assets under the guidance of ASC Topic 350-10, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other.  Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition costs over the fair value of the net tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Identifiable intangible assets are recognized separately from goodwill and include trademarks and trade names, technology, customer relationships and other specifically identifiable assets. Trademarks and trade names are deemed to be indefinite-lived. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but are subject to impairment testing.

The company performs the annual impairment assessment for impairment annually on thegoodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets as of first day of the fourth quarter and whenevermore frequently if indicators of impairment exist. The goodwill impairment test is performed at the reporting unit level. The company initially performs a qualitative analysis to determine if it is more likely than not that the goodwill balance or indefinite-life intangible asset is impaired. In conducting a qualitative assessment, the Company analyzes a variety of events or changes in circumstances indicatefactors that may influence the carrying amountfair value of an asset maythe reporting unit or indefinite-life intangible, including, but not be recoverable. In assessing the recoverability of goodwilllimited to: macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, share price and other indefinite lived intangibles,relevant factors.

If an indicator of impairment is determined from the qualitative analysis, then the company considers changes in economic conditions and makes assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors. Estimateswill perform a two-step quantitative analysis. First, the fair value of future cash flows are judgmentseach reporting unit is compared to its carrying value. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the company performs a hypothetical purchase price allocation based on the company’s experience and knowledgereporting unit’s fair value to determine the fair value of operations. These estimates canthe reporting unit’s goodwill. Any resulting difference will be significantly impacted by many factors including changes in global and local business and economic conditions, operating costs, inflation, competition, and consumer and demographic trends. If the company’s estimates or the underlying assumptions changea charge to impairment of intangible assets in the future,Consolidated Statements of Earnings in the period in which the determination is made. Fair value is determined using a combination of present value techniques and market prices of comparable businesses.

The company may be requiredcompleted its annual impairment test for goodwill as of September 29, 2019. The company performed a qualitative assessment to record impairment charges. Any such charge could have a material adverse effectevaluate goodwill for all reporting units. Based on the company’s reported net earnings.qualitative assessment it was determined there was 0 impairment of goodwill. The company has not recognized any goodwill impairments and therefore 0 accumulated impairment loss.



Goodwill is allocated to the business segments as follows (in thousands):
 
Commercial
Foodservice
 
Food
Processing
 Residential Kitchen Total
Balance as of December 30, 2017$631,451
 $198,278
 $435,081
 $1,264,810
        
Goodwill acquired during the year487,032
 30,624
 
 517,656
Measurement period adjustments to goodwill acquired in prior year(1,559) (5,679) 
 (7,238)
Exchange effect(14,857) (4,169) (13,027) (32,053)
        
Balance as of December 29, 2018$1,102,067
 $219,054
 $422,054
 $1,743,175
        
Goodwill acquired during the year81,339
 43,613
 9,503
 134,455
Measurement period adjustments to goodwill acquired in prior year(27,929) (3,722) 
 (31,651)
Exchange effect(1,925) (1,266) 6,959
 3,768
        
Balance as of December 28, 2019$1,153,552
 $257,679
 $438,516
 $1,849,747
 
Commercial
Foodservice
 
Food
Processing
 Residential Kitchen Total
Balance as of January 2, 2016$473,127
 $134,092
 $376,120
 $983,339
        
Goodwill acquired during the year76,972
 1,958
 
 78,930
Measurement period adjustments to goodwill acquired in prior year(503) 
 86,822
 86,319
Exchange effect(7,506) (1,370) (46,990) (55,866)
        
Balance as of December 31, 2016$542,090
 $134,680
 $415,952
 $1,092,722
        
Goodwill acquired during the year118,419
 58,899
 
 177,318
Measurement period adjustments to goodwill acquired in prior year(36,408) 41
 
 (36,367)
Exchange effect7,350
 4,658
 19,129
 31,137
        
Balance as of December 30, 2017$631,451
 $198,278
 $435,081
 $1,264,810

 
The company has not recognized any goodwill impairments and therefore no accumulated impairment loss.



Intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):
 December 28, 2019 December 29, 2018
 
Estimated
Weighted Avg
Remaining
Life
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization

 
Estimated
Weighted Avg
Remaining
Life
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization

Amortized intangible assets:            
Customer relationships9.2 $717,397
 $(283,846) 9.5 $644,145
 $(222,661)
Backlog1.3 29,426
 (28,283) 2.8 27,065
 (24,755)
Developed technology5.2 32,999
 (21,378) 5.9 39,624
 (20,998)
   $779,822
 $(333,507)   $710,834
 $(268,414)
Indefinite-lived assets:   
  
    
  
Trademarks and tradenames  $997,066
  
   $918,604
  
 December 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
 
Estimated
Weighted Avg
Remaining
Life
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization

 
Estimated
Weighted Avg
Remaining
Life
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization

Amortized intangible assets:            
Customer lists5.2 $330,496
 $(171,005) 5.5 $251,025
 $(136,895)
Backlog0.8 19,689
 (18,081) 0.0 13,550
 (13,550)
Developed technology4.2 22,485
 (18,248) 4.8 24,874
 (17,924)
   $372,670
 $(207,334)   $289,449
 $(168,369)
Indefinite-lived assets:   
  
    
  
Trademarks and tradenames  $615,090
  
   $575,091
  

 
The company performedcompleted its annual impairment for trademarksother intangibles as of September 29, 2019. We identified indicators of impairment associated with certain tradenames within the Food Processing and tradenames (indefinite-lived intangible assets) on the first day of the fourth quarter andResidential Kitchen reporting units based on the qualitative assessment, which required the completion of a quantitative impairment assessment. The primary indicator of impairment was lower than expected revenue performance in the current year. Based on the results of the quantitative assessment, the company determined there was 0 impairment of any of the indefinite-lived intangible assets.

In performing the quantitative assessment of indefinite-life intangible assets, primarily tradenames, the company estimated the fair value using the relief-from-royalty method which requires assumptions related to projected revenues; assumed royalty rates that could be payable if we did not own the brand; and a market participant discount rate based on a weighted-average cost of capital.

The company elected to perform a qualitative assessment on the other indefinite-life intangible assets noting no events that indicated that the fair value was less than carrying value that would require a quantitative impairment assessment.

The estimates of future cash flows used in determining the fair value of goodwill and intangible assets involve significant management judgment and are based upon assumptions about expected future operating performance, economic conditions, market conditions and cost of capital. Inherent in estimating the future cash flows are uncertainties beyond our control, such as changes in capital markets. The actual cash flows could differ materially from management's estimates due to changes in business conditions, operating performance and economic conditions.
During 2017 testing, the company determined that the Viking tradename, within the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group, was impaired. The company estimated the fair value of tradenamesthe tradename using a relief from royalty method under the income approach. The decline in fair value of the Viking tradename was primarily the result of weaker than expected revenue performance in the current year2017 and a corresponding reduction of future revenue expectations. The impairment resulted from the decline in revenues attributable, in part, to the product recall announced in 2015 related to products manufactured prior to the acquisition of Viking. The fair value of the Viking tradename was estimated to be $93.0 million as compared to the carrying value of $151.0 million and resulted in a $58.0 million indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment charge.


The aggregate intangible amortization expense was $38.6$64.0 million,, $29.9 $60.0 million and $27.4$38.6 million in 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 2015,2017, respectively. The estimated future amortization expense of intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):
2020$66,177
202162,246
202257,921
202351,916
202440,456
2025 and thereafter167,599
 $446,315

2018$39,017
201929,423
202028,560
202125,153
202221,056
2023 and thereafter22,127
 $165,336




(g)Accrued Expenses

 (g)    Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consist of the following at December 30, 201728, 2019 and December 31, 2016, respectively:29, 2018, respectively (in thousands):
 2019 2018
Accrued payroll and related expenses$81,541
 $74,952
Contract liabilities74,511
 57,913
Accrued warranty66,374
 59,451
Accrued customer rebates51,709
 45,740
Accrued short-term leases21,827
 
Accrued sales and other tax19,862
 19,452
Accrued product liability and workers compensation15,164
 16,284
Accrued agent commission13,816
 11,969
Accrued professional fees13,368
 17,313
Other accrued expenses58,378
 64,372
    
 $416,550
 $367,446
 2017 2016
 (dollars in thousands)
Accrued payroll and related expenses$67,935
 $74,505
Accrued warranty52,834
 40,851
Accrued customer rebates48,590
 49,923
Advanced customer deposits31,069
 41,735
Accrued sales and other tax20,881
 13,565
Accrued professional fees18,250
 16,605
Accrued product liability and workers compensation11,976
 11,417
Accrued agent commission11,035
 12,834
Product recall6,068
 7,003
Restructuring1,715
 2,295
Other accrued expenses51,818
 64,872
    
 $322,171
 $335,605

 
(h)Litigation Matters


From time to time, the company is subject to proceedings, lawsuits and other claims related to products, suppliers, employees, customers and competitors. The company maintains insurance to partially cover product liability, workers compensation, property and casualty, and general liability matters. The company is required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters as well as potential ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of accrual required, if any, for these contingencies is made after assessment of each matter and the related insurance coverage.  The required accrual may change in the future due to new developments or changes in approach such as a change in settlement strategy in dealing with these matters. The company does not believe that any such matter will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of the company.

During the fourth quarter, we reached a settlement with respect to a lawsuit filed by the company arising from a prior acquisition included our Residential Kitchen Equipment Segment. The gain associated with this settlement, which is net of the release of funds in escrow, is reflected in the consolidated statement of earnings.

(i)Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)


The following table summarizes the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as reported in the consolidated balance sheets:sheets (in thousands):
 2019 2018
Unrecognized pension benefit costs, net of tax of ($48,633) and ($36,719)$(228,336) $(170,938)
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap, net of tax of ($5,973) and $2,543(16,892) 7,233
Currency translation adjustments(105,705) (112,771)
    
 $(350,933) $(276,476)
 2017 2016
 (dollars in thousands)
Unrecognized pension benefit costs, net of tax of ($43,592) and ($38,004)$(203,063) $(173,394)
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap, net of tax of $4,243 and $3,6556,365
 5,482
Currency translation adjustments(69,721) (116,411)
    
 $(266,419) $(284,323)

 












Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (1)were as follows (in thousands):
 Currency Translation Adjustment Pension Benefit Costs Unrealized Gain/(Loss) Interest Rate Swap Total
Balance as of December 30, 2017$(69,721) $(203,063) $6,365
 $(266,419)
Adoption of ASU 2018-02 (2)

 (487) 1,619
 1,132
Other comprehensive income before reclassification(43,050) 29,527
 (1,166) (14,689)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
 3,085
 415
 3,500
Net current-period other comprehensive income$(43,050) $32,125
 $868
 $(10,057)
Balance as of December 29, 2018$(112,771) $(170,938) $7,233
 $(276,476)
Adoption of ASU 2017-12 (3)

 
 11
 11
Other comprehensive income before reclassification7,066
 (59,238) (25,392) (77,564)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
 1,840
 1,256
 3,096
Net current-period other comprehensive income$7,066
 $(57,398) $(24,125) $(74,457)
Balance as of December 28, 2019$(105,705) $(228,336) $(16,892) $(350,933)

 Currency Translation Adjustment Pension Benefit Costs(1) Unrealized Gain/(Loss) Interest Rate Swap(1) Total
Balance as of January 2, 2016$(52,842) $(23,579) $9
 $(76,412)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification(63,569) (149,907) 6,703
 (206,773)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
 92
 (1,230) (1,138)
Net current-period other comprehensive income$(63,569) $(149,815) $5,473
 $(207,911)
Balance as of December 31, 2016$(116,411) $(173,394) $5,482
 $(284,323)
Other comprehensive income before reclassification46,690
 (31,683) 1,822
 16,829
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
 2,014
 (939) 1,075
Net current-period other comprehensive income$46,690
 $(29,669) $883
 $17,904
Balance as of December 30, 2017$(69,721) $(203,063) $6,365
 $(266,419)
(1) PensionAs of December 28, 2019 pension and interest rate swap amounts are net of tax.tax of $(48.6) million and $(6.0) million, respectively. During the twelve months ended December 28, 2019, the adjustments to pension benefit costs and unrealized gain/(loss) interest rate swap were net of tax of $(11.9) million and $(8.5) million, respectively.
(2) As of December 31, 2017, the company adopted ASU No. 2018-02,Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The adoption of this guidance resulted in the reclassification of $1.1 million of stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings.
(3) As of December 30, 2018, the company adopted ASU No. 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities" using the modified retrospective method. The adoption of this guidance resulted in the recognition of less than $(0.1) million as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings.


(j)
Fair ValueMeasures


(j)    Fair ValueMeasures

ASC 820 “FairFair Value Measurements and Disclosures”Disclosures defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value into the following levels:
 
Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2 – Inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on our own assumptions

The company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value are categorized using the fair value hierarchy at December 30, 201728, 2019 and December 31, 201629, 2018 are as follows (in thousands):
 
Fair Value
Level 1
 
Fair Value
Level 2
 
Fair Value
Level 3
 Total
As of December 28, 2019 
  
  
  
Financial Assets: 
  
  
  
Interest rate swaps$
 $1,830
 $
 $1,830
        
Financial Liabilities: 
  
  
  
Interest rate swaps$
 $25,120
 $
 $25,120
Contingent consideration$
 $
 $6,697
 $6,697
Foreign exchange derivative contracts$
 $901
 $
 $901
        
As of December 29, 2018 
  
  
  
Financial Assets:       
Interest rate swaps$
 $13,487
 $
 $13,487
        
Financial Liabilities: 
  
  
  
Interest rate swaps$
 $4,125
 $
 $4,125
Contingent consideration$
 $
 $3,566
 $3,566
Foreign exchange derivative contracts$
 $854
 $
 $854

 
Fair Value
Level 1
 
Fair Value
Level 2
 
Fair Value
Level 3
 Total
As of December 30, 2017 
  
  
  
        
Financial Assets: 
  
  
  
Interest rate swaps$
 $10,266
 $
 $10,266
        
Financial Liabilities: 
  
  
  
Interest rate swaps$
 $
 $
 $
Contingent consideration$
 $
 $1,780
 $1,780
        
As of December 31, 2016 
  
  
  
        
Financial Assets:       
Interest rate swaps$
 $8,842
 $
 $8,842
        
Financial Liabilities: 
  
  
  
Interest rate swaps$
 $100
 $
 $100
Contingent consideration$
 $
 $6,612
 $6,612




The contingent consideration, as of December 30, 201728, 2019 and December 29, 2018, relates to the earnout provisions recorded in conjunction with the acquisitions of Desmon and Scanico. The contingent consideration as of December 31, 2016 relates to the earnout provisions recorded in conjunction with the acquisitions of PES, Desmon, Goldstein Eswood and Induc.various purchase agreements.


The earnout provisions associated with these acquisitions are based upon performance measurements related to sales and earnings, as defined in the respective purchase agreements. On a quarterly basis, the company assesses the projected results for each of the acquisitions in comparison to the earnout targets and adjusts the liability accordingly.
 
(k)Foreign Currency


Foreign currency transactions are accounted for in accordance with ASC 830 “ForeignForeign Currency Translation”Translation. The income statements of the company’s foreign operations are translated at the monthly average rates. Assets and liabilities of the company’s foreign operations are translated at exchange rates at the balance sheet date. These translation adjustments are not included in determining net income for the period but are disclosed and accumulated in a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Exchange gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are included in determining net income for the period in which they occur. These transactions amounted to a gain of $0.9 million, and loss of $2.4 million, $1.9$2.6 million and $6.8$2.4 million in 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 2015,2017, respectively, and are included in other expense on the statements of earnings.


(l)Revenue Recognition

At the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group and Residential Kitchen Equipment Group, the company recognizes revenue on the sale of its products where title transfers and when risk of loss has passed to the customer, which occurs at the time of shipment, and collectibility is reasonably assured. The sale prices of the products sold are fixed and determinable at the time of shipment. Sales are reported net of sales returns, sales incentives and cash discounts based on prior experience and other quantitative and qualitative factors.
At the Food Processing Equipment Group, the company enters into long-term sales contracts for certain products. Revenue under these long-term sales contracts is recognized using the percentage of completion method defined within ASC 605-35 “Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts” due to the length of time to fully manufacture and assemble the equipment. The company measures revenue recognized based on the ratio of actual labor hours incurred in relation to the total estimated labor hours to be incurred related to the contract. Because estimated labor hours to complete a project are based upon forecasts using the best available information, the actual hours may differ from original estimates. Under ASC 605, the company records the asset for revenue recognized but not yet billed on contracts accounted for under the percentage of completion method in Prepaid Expenses and Other on the consolidated balance sheets. For 2017 and 2016, the amount of this asset was $19.5 million and $12.2 million, respectively. The percentage of completion method of accounting for these contracts most accurately reflects the status of these uncompleted contracts in the company's financial statements and most accurately measures the matching of revenues with expenses. At the time a loss on a contract becomes known, the amount of the estimated loss is recognized in the consolidated financial statements.
(m)Shipping and Handling Costs


Fees billed to the customer for shipping and handling are classified as a component of net revenues. Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of products sold.
 


(n)(m)Warranty Costs


In the normal course of business, the company issues product warranties for specific product lines and provides for the estimated future warranty cost in the period in which the sale is recorded. The estimate of warranty cost is based on contract terms and historical warranty loss experience that is periodically adjusted for recent actual experience. Because warranty estimates are forecasts that are based on the best available information, claims costs may differ from amounts provided. Adjustments to initial obligations for warranties are made as changes in the obligations become reasonably estimable.
 









A rollforward of the warranty reserve for the fiscal years 20172019 and 20162018 are as follows:follows (in thousands):
 2019 2018
Beginning balance$59,451
 $52,834
Warranty reserve related to acquisitions7,353
 5,884
Warranty expense68,842
 62,314
Warranty claims paid(69,272) (61,581)
Ending balance$66,374
 $59,451

 2017 2016
 (dollars in thousands)
Beginning balance$40,851
 $37,901
Warranty reserve related to acquisitions7,769
 2,446
Warranty expense58,398
 48,975
Warranty claims paid(54,184) (48,471)
Ending balance$52,834
 $40,851


(o)(n)Research and Development Costs


Research and development costs, included in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of earnings, are charged to expense when incurred. These costs were $29.1$41.2 million,, $26.3 $35.3 million and $22.4$29.1 million in fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
 
(o)Non-Cash Share-Based Compensation
(p)    Non-Cash Share-Based Compensation

The company estimates the fair value of restricted share grants and stock options at the time of grant and recognizes compensation costs over the vesting period of the awards and options. Non-cash share-based compensation expense of $6.2$8.1 million,, $27.9 $2.5 million and $15.9$6.2 million was recognized for fiscal 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 2015,2017, respectively, associated with restricted share grants. The company recorded a related tax benefit of $2.4$0.5 million,, $10.5 less than $0.1 million and $6.0$2.4 million in fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.


As of December 30, 2017,28, 2019, there was $6.8$52.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted share grant compensation arrangements, which will be recognized over aif all performance conditions are fully achieved. The remaining weighted average life of 1.2is 1.65 years.
 
Share grant awards not subject to market conditions for vesting are valued at the closing share price of the company’s stock as of the date of the grant. The company issued 76,788537,059 and 382,125132,038 restricted share grant awards in 20172019 and 2016,2018, respectively, with a fair value of $10.5$60.8 million and $36.0$13.3 million, respectively. Share grant awards issued in 20172019 and 20162018 are generally performance based and were not subject to market conditions. The fair value of $136.29$113.26 and $94.19$100.50 per share for the awards for 20172019 and 2016,2018, respectively, represent the closing share price of the company’s stock as of the date of grant.

(q)(p)Earnings Per Share


“Basic earnings per share” is calculated based upon the weighted average number of common shares actually outstanding, and “diluted earnings per share” is calculated based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and other dilutive securities.
 
The company’s potentially dilutive securities consist of shares issuable on exercise of outstanding options and vesting of restricted stock grants computed using the treasury method and amounted to 4,0009,000, 55,00028,000, and 22,0004,000 for fiscal 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 2015,2017, respectively. There were no anti-dilutive equity awards excluded from common stock equivalents for 2017, 20162019, 2018 or 2015.2017.
 
(r)(q)Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


Cash paid for interest was $80.9 million, $55.3 million and $25.9 million, $21.0 million and $14.8 million in fiscal 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 2015,2017, respectively. Cash payments totaling $91.5 million, $79.0 million, and $123.3 million, $89.0 million, and $94.6 million were made for income taxes during fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.














(s)(r)New Accounting Pronouncements


Accounting Pronouncements - Recently Adopted


In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory,” which is intended to simplify the subsequent measurement of inventories by replacing the current lower of cost or market test with a lower of cost and net realizable value test. The guidance applies only to inventories for which cost is determined by methods other than last-in first-out and the retail inventory method. Application of the standard, which should be applied prospectively, is required for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption was permitted. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2017 and it did not have an impact on the company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.


In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17 "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes". The amendments in ASU 2015-17 simplify the accounting for, and presentation of, deferred taxes by eliminating the need to separately classify the current amount of deferred tax assets or liabilities. Instead, aggregated deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified and reported as non-current assets or liabilities. The update is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within those reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. The company early adopted ASU 2015-17 effective April 3, 2016 on a prospective basis. Adoption of this ASU resulted in a reclassification of the company's net current deferred tax asset to the net non-current deferred tax liability in the company's Consolidated Balance Sheet as of July 2, 2016.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-05, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Effect of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships". The amendments in ASU 2016-05 clarify that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as the hedging instrument under Topic 815 does not, in and of itself, require dedesignation of the hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met. The amendments in this update may be applied on either a prospective basis or a modified retrospective basis. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods with those reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2017 and it did not have an impact on the company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718)". The amendments in ASU-09 simplify the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods with those reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. The company adopted ASU No. 2016-09 effective January 1, 2017 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this guidance resulted in the recognition of excess tax benefits in the company's provision for income taxes within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income rather than paid-in-capital of approximately $8.1 million for the twelve months period ended December 30, 2017. Additionally, the company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows now presents excess tax benefits as an operating activity rather than a financing activity.

Accounting Pronouncements - To be adopted
In May 2014, the Financial Accounts Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. This update amends the current guidance on revenue recognition related to contracts with customers. Under ASU No. 2014-09, an entity should recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU No. 2014-09 also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. In early 2016, the FASB issued additional updates: ASU No. 2016-10, 2016-11 and 2016-12. These updates provide further guidance and clarification on specific items within the previously issued update. In July 2015, the FASB decided to delay the effective date of the new revenue standard to be effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017 for public companies. The guidance can be applied using one of two retrospective application methods.







The company has substantially completed its evaluation of significant contracts and the review of its current accounting policies and practices to identify potential differences that would result from applying the requirements of the new standard to the company's revenue contracts. The company has also identified and implemented appropriate changes to business processes, systems and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new standard. While the company continues to assess all potential impacts of the new standard, the company will adopt the new revenue standard in the first quarter of 2018 applying the modified retrospective transition method. Under the modified retrospective method, we will recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The company estimates this adjustments to be approximately $4.0 million to $6.0 million. The main impact is related to the deferral of equipment revenue associated with long term contracts for the Food Processing Equipment Group when the contract does not specifically provide for an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date. We do not expect other significant changes to our business processes, systems or internal controls as a result of the standard. The company is finalizing updates to the accounting policies and processes to address the variations from current practices, inclusive of the required additional disclosures in the period subsequent to adoption.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "LeasesLeases (Topic 842)". The amendments under this pronouncement will change the way all leases with a duration of one year ofor more are treated. Under this guidance, lessees will beare required to capitalize virtually all leases on the balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and an associated financing lease liability or operating lease liability. The right-of-use asset representscompany adopted this guidance on December 30, 2018 using the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the specified lease term. The lease liability represents the lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease, measured on a discounted basis. Based on certain characteristics, leases are classified as financing leases or operating leases. Financing lease liabilities, those that contain provisions similar to capitalized leases, are amortized like capital leases are under current accounting, as amortization expense and interest expense in the statement of operations. Operating lease liabilities are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease as lease expense in the statement of operations. This update is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within those reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2018. The ASU requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the date of initial adoption.method. The company is currently in processhas elected the package of identifying the populationpractical expedients to not reassess prior conclusions related to contracts containing leases, lease classification and initial direct costs. The adoption of leases, evaluating technology solutions and collecting lease data. We expect most of our operating lease commitments as disclosed in Note 8 Lease Commitments will be subject to the new standard and recognized as lease liabilities and right-of-use assets upon adoption, increasing ourthis guidance increased total assets and liabilities reported. The company is evaluatingdue to the overallrecognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities amounting to approximately $96.8 million. For additional information related to the impact of adopting this standard will have on its policies and procedures pertaining to its existing and future lease arrangements, disclosure requirements andguidance, see Note 9 of the company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows.Consolidated Financial Statements.


In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities". The amendments in ASU-12 provide new guidance about income statement classification and eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness. The entire change in fair value for qualifying hedge instruments included in the effectiveness is recorded in other comprehensive income (OCI) and amounts deferred in OCI are reclassified to earnings in the same income statement line item in which the earnings effect of the hedged item is reported. The adoption of this guidance on December 30, 2018 did not have a material impact on the company's Consolidated Financial Statements. For additional information related to the impact of adopting this guidance, see Note of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, "Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting". The amendments in ASU-08 simplify several aspects of the accounting for nonemployee share-based payment transactions resulting from expanding the scope of Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. The adoption of this guidance on December 30, 2018 did not have an impact on the company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August of 2018, the SEC published Final Rule Release No. 33-10532, "Disclosure Update and Simplification". This guidance streamlines disclosure requirements by removing certain redundant topics and is effective for quarterly and annual reports submitted after November 5, 2018. The adoption of this guidance on December 30, 2018 resulted in the presentation and expansion of the company's Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity to display quarter-to-quarter details.

Accounting Pronouncements - To be adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, "Statement2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash ReceiptsCredit Losses on Financial Instruments”, and Cash Payments"has since modified the standard with several ASUs (collectively, the “new credit loss standard”). The amendments in ASU-15 address eight specific cash flow classification issuesnew credit loss standard requires a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to reducebe presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions and potential future diversity in practice. Thisreasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods with those reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. The company2019. As a result of the company's assessment process on its receivables and contract assets portfolio, which is evaluating the impact the applicationonly financial instrument in scope of this ASU will have, if any, onstandard, the company's cash flows.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory". The amendments in ASU-16 prohibit the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer other than inventory until the asset has been sold to an outside party. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods with those reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. The company is evaluating the impact the application of this ASU will have, if any, on the company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business". The amendments in ASU-01 clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of businesses. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods with those reporting periods, beginning after December15, 2017. The company is evaluating the impact the application of this ASU. The company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.Consolidated Financial Statements.  


In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment". The amendments in ASU-04 simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, by removing the second step of the goodwill impairment test. An entity will apply a one-step quantitative test and record the amount of goodwill impairment as the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value. The new guidance does not amend the optional qualitative assessment of goodwill impairment. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for testing dates after January 1, 2017. The company is evaluating the application of this ASU on the company's annual impairment test. The company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.Consolidated Financial Statements.







In March 2017,August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, "Compensation-Retirement Benefits2018-13, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 715)820): ImprovingDisclosure Framework - Changes to the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost"Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement". The amendments in ASU-07 require that an employer reportASU-13 remove, modify and add various disclosure requirements around the service costs componenttopic in order to clarify and improve the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other componentscost-benefit nature of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations. In addition, the new standard will allow only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization, when applicable. Application of the standard, which should be applied retrospectively for the income statement presentation changes and prospectively for the capitalization changes, is required for the annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. As reported in Note 10 - Employee Retirement Plans the 2017 and 2016 net periodic pension benefit were $27.3 million and $23.4 million, respectively, and the 2015 net periodic pension costs were $1.5 million. The service cost component of these amounts in 2017, 2016 and 2015, which will remain as a component of operating profit, was $4.4 million, $3.8 million and $1.7 million, respectively. Net income will not change as a result of the adoption of this standard. The company will adopt the standard in the first quarter of 2018.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities". The amendments in ASU-12 provide new guidance about income statement classification and eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness. The entire change in fair value for qualifying hedge instruments included in the effectiveness will be recorded in other comprehensive income (OCI) and amounts deferred in OCI will be reclassified to earnings in the same income statement line item in which the earnings effect of the hedged item is reported.disclosures. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods with those reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 20182019 with early adoption permitted. The company is currently evaluatingdoes not expect the impacts theadoption of this ASU willto have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.Consolidated Financial Statements.


In FebruaryAugust 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, "Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income"2018-14, "Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20)". The amendments in ASU-02 allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive incomeASU-14 remove, modify and add various disclosure requirements around the topic in order to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting fromclarify and improve the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and require certain disclosures about stranded tax effects.cost-benefit nature of disclosures. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods with those reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2020 with early adoption permitted. The amendments must be applied on a retrospective basis for all periods presented. The company is currently evaluating the impacts the adoption of this ASU will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40)". The amendments in ASU-15 align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs in a service contract hosting arrangement with those of developing or obtaining internal-use software. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods with those reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted. The company will be adoptingdoes not expect the standard in fiscal 2018 retrospectivelyadoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for the effects recognized in 2017Income Taxes (Topic 740) which removes certain exceptions related to the changeapproach for intra-period tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. This guidance also clarifies and simplifies other areas of ASC 740. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods with those reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2020 with early adoption permitted. Certain amendments in this update must be applied on a prospective basis, certain amendments must be applied on a retrospective basis, and certain amendments must be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate inperiod of adoption. The company is currently evaluating the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.impacts the adoption of this ASU will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.




(4)REVENUE RECOGNITION

Revenue is recognized when the control of the promised goods or services are transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services.

A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer and represents the unit of account. A contract's transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. The company’s contracts can have multiple performance obligations or just a single performance obligation. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, the contracts transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation using the company’s best estimate of the standalone selling price of each distinct good or service in the contract.

Within the Commercial Foodservice Equipment and Residential Foodservice Equipment Groups, the estimated standalone selling price of equipment is based on observable prices. Within the Food Processing Equipment Group, the company estimates the standalone selling price based on expected cost to manufacture the good or complete the service plus an appropriate profit margin.

Control may pass to the customer over time or at a point in time. In general, the Commercial Foodservice Equipment and Residential Foodservice Equipment Groups recognize revenue at the point in time control transfers to their customers based on contractual shipping terms. Revenue from equipment sold under our long-term contracts within the Food Processing Equipment group is recognized over time as the equipment is manufactured and assembled. Installation services provided in connection with the delivery of the equipment are also generally recognized as those services are rendered. Over time transfer of control is measured using an appropriate input measure (e.g., costs incurred or direct labor hours incurred in relation to total estimate). These measures include forecasts based on the best information available and therefore reflect the company's judgment to faithfully depict the transfer of the goods.




Contract Estimates
Accounting for long-term contracts within the Food Processing Equipment group involves the use of various techniques to estimate total contract revenue and costs. For the company’s long-term contracts, estimated profit for the equipment performance obligations is recognized as the equipment is manufactured and assembled. Profit on the equipment performance obligations is estimated as the difference between the total estimated revenue and expected costs to complete a contract. Contract cost estimates are based on labor productivity and availability, the complexity of the work to be performed; the cost and availability of materials and labor, and the performance of subcontractors.

Contracts within the Commercial Foodservice and Residential Foodservice Equipment groups may contain variable consideration in the form of volume rebate programs. The company’s estimate of variable consideration is based on its experience with similarly situated customers using the portfolio approach.

Adoption of ASC 606

On December 31, 2017, we adopted the new accounting standard ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606) using the modified retrospective method to contracts that were not completed as of December 30, 2017. We recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings of $4.4 million.

As a result of the adoption of ASC 606, the company has changed its accounting policy for revenue recognition as detailed below.

Equipment
Under the company’s historical accounting policies, revenue under long-term sales contracts within the Food Processing Equipment Group was recognized using the percentage of completion method. Upon adoption, a number of contracts that were not completed as of December 31, 2017 did not meet the requirements for recognition of revenue over time under ASC 606. As such the revenue was deferred and recognized at a point in time.
Installation Services
Under the company’s historical accounting policies, the company used the completed contract method for installation services associated with equipment sold within the Food Processing Equipment Group. Under ASC 606, the Company recognizes revenue from installation services over the period the services are rendered.
Product Maintenance
These services are generally recognized on a straight-line basis, because the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefit as we perform the services.
Practical Expedients and Policy Elections

The company has taken advantage of the following practical expedients:
The company does not disclose information about remaining performance obligations that have original expected durations of one year or less.
The company generally expenses sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period would have been less than one year. These costs are recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses.
As the company’s standard payment terms are less than one year, the company does not assess whether a contract has a significant financing component.


The company has made the following accounting policy elections:
The company treats shipping and handling activities performed after the customer obtains control of the good as a contract fulfillment activity.
Sales, use and value added taxes assessed by governmental authorities are excluded from the measurement of the transaction price within the company’s contracts with its customers.
Disaggregation of Revenue
We disaggregate our net sales by reportable operating segment and geographical location as we believe it best depicts how the nature, timing and uncertainty of our net sales and cash flows are affected by economic factors. In general, the Commercial Foodservice Equipment and Residential Foodservice Equipment Groups recognize revenue at the point in time control transfers to their customers based on contractual shipping terms. Revenue from equipment sold under our long-term contracts within the Food Processing Equipment group is recognized over time as the equipment is manufactured and assembled. The following table summarizes our net sales by reportable operating segment and geographical location (in thousands):
 
Commercial
 Foodservice
 Food Processing Residential Kitchen Total
Twelve Months Ended December 28, 2019 
  
    
United States and Canada$1,334,776
 $246,572
 $362,753
 $1,944,101
Asia221,422
 31,250
 5,760
 258,432
Europe and Middle East349,613
 98,814
 198,672
 647,099
Latin America78,534
 24,315
 6,965
 109,814
Total$1,984,345
 $400,951
 $574,150
 $2,959,446
        
Twelve Months Ended December 29, 2018       
United States and Canada$1,176,006
 $263,743
 $366,679
 $1,806,428
Asia180,409
 36,578
 7,155
 224,142
Europe and Middle East315,935
 64,666
 221,126
 601,727
Latin America57,464
 24,607
 8,563
 90,634
Total$1,729,814
 $389,594
 $603,523
 $2,722,931
        
Twelve Months Ended December 30, 2017       
United States and Canada$968,483
 $256,739
 $344,204
 $1,569,426
Asia144,702
 25,175
 8,099
 177,976
Europe and Middle East226,697
 42,473
 240,456
 509,626
Latin America42,226
 28,330
 7,958
 78,514
Total$1,382,108
 $352,717
 $600,717
 $2,335,542


Contract Balances

Contract assets primarily relate to the company's right to consideration for work completed but not billed at the reporting date and are recorded in prepaid expenses and other in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Contract assets are transferred to receivables when the right to consideration becomes unconditional. Accounts receivable are not considered contract assets under the new revenue standard as contract assets are conditioned upon the company's future satisfaction of a performance obligation. Accounts receivable, in contracts, are unconditional rights to consideration.

Contract liabilities relate to advance consideration received from customers for which revenue has not been recognized. Current contract liabilities are recorded in accrued expenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Non-current contract liabilities are recorded in other non-current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Contract liabilities are reduced when the associated revenue from the contract is recognized.



The following table provides information about contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with customers (in thousands):
 December 28, 2019 December 29, 2018
Contract assets$22,675
 $14,048
Contract liabilities$74,511
 $57,913
Non-current contract liabilities$12,870
 $12,170


During the twelve months period ended December 28, 2019, the company reclassified $9.1 million to accounts receivable which was included in the contract asset balance at the beginning of the period. During the twelve months period ended December 28, 2019, the company recognized revenue of $51.8 million which was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the period. Additions to contract liabilities representing amounts billed to clients in excess of revenue recognized to date were $71.4 million during the twelve months period ended December 28, 2019. Substantially all of the company's outstanding performance obligations will be satisfied within 12 to 36 months. There were 0 contract asset impairments during twelve months period ended December 28, 2019.


(5)FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS


The following is a summary of long-term debt at December 30, 201728, 2019 and December 31, 2016:29, 2018 (in thousands):
 
 2019 2018
Senior secured revolving credit line$1,869,402
 $1,887,764
Foreign loans3,622
 4,166
Other debt arrangement116
 175
Total debt$1,873,140
 $1,892,105
    
Less current maturities of long-term debt2,894
 3,207
    
Long-term debt$1,870,246
 $1,888,898
 2017 2016
 (dollars in thousands)
Senior secured revolving credit line$1,022,935
 $725,500
Foreign loans5,768
 6,413
Other debt arrangement178
 213
Total debt$1,028,881
 $732,126
    
Less current maturities of long-term debt5,149
 5,883
    
Long-term debt$1,023,732
 $726,243

 
On July 28, 2016, the company entered into an amended and restated five year $2.5 billion multi-currency senior secured revolving credit agreement (the "Credit Facility"), with. On December 18, 2018, the potential under certain circumstancescompany entered into an amendment to increase the amount of the Credit Facility, increasing the revolving commitments under the Credit Facility by $500.0 million to a total of $3.0 billion. Subsequent to the end of fiscal year December 28, 2019, the company entered into an amended and restated facility ("Amended Facility"). See Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements for further information. As of December 30, 2017,28, 2019, the company had $1,022.9 million$1.9 billion of borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility, including $1,015.5 million$1.8 billion of borrowings in U.S. Dollars and $7.4$47.9 million of borrowings denominated in British Pounds.Euro. The company also has $7.5$13.3 million in outstanding letters of credit as of December 30, 2017,28, 2019, which reduces the borrowing availability under the Credit Facility. Remaining borrowing availability under this facility was $1.5$1.1 billion at December 30, 2017.28, 2019.
 
At December 30, 2017,28, 2019, borrowings under the Credit Facility accrued interest at a rate of 1.25%1.625% above LIBOR per annum or 0.25%0.625% above the highest of the prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.50% and one month LIBOR plus 1.00%. The average interest rate per annum on the debt under the Credit Facility was equal to 2.72% for3.37% at the end of the period. The interest rates on borrowings under the Credit Facility may be adjusted quarterly based on the company’s Funded Debt Less Unrestricted Cash to Pro Forma EBITDA (the "Leverage Ratio") on a rolling four-quarter basis. Additionally, a commitment fee based upon the Leverage Ratio is charged on the unused portion of the commitments under the Credit Facility. This variable commitment fee was equal to 0.20%0.25% per annum as of December 30, 2017.28, 2019.


In addition, the company has other international credit facilities to fund working capital needs outside the United States and the United Kingdom. At December 30, 2017,28, 2019, these foreign credit facilities amounted to $5.8$3.6 million in U.S. Dollars with a weighted average per annum interest rate of approximately 6.06%5.18%.


The company’s debt is reflected on the balance sheet at cost. The company believes its interest rate margins on its existing debt are consistent with current market conditions and, therefore, the carrying value of debt reflects the fair value. The interest rate margin is based on the company's Leverage Ratio.
The company estimated the fair value of its loans by calculating the upfront cash payment a market participant would require to assume the company’s obligations. The upfront cash payment is the amount that a market participant would be able to lend to achieve sufficient cash inflows to cover the cash outflows under the company’s senior secured revolving credit facility assuming the facility was outstanding in its entirety until maturity. Since the company maintains its borrowings under a revolving credit facility and there is no predetermined borrowing or repayment schedule, for purposes of this calculation the company calculated the fair value of its obligations assuming the current amount of debt at the end of the period was outstanding until the maturity of the company’s Credit Facility in July 2021.January 2025. Although borrowings could be materially greater or less than the current amount of borrowings outstanding at the end of the period, it is not practical to estimate the amounts that may be outstanding during future periods. The carrying value and estimated aggregate fair value, a level 2 measurement, based primarily on market prices, of debt is as follows (in thousands): 
 December 28, 2019 December 29, 2018
 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value
Total debt$1,873,140
 $1,873,140
 $1,892,105
 $1,892,105
 December 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value
Total debt$1,028,881
 $1,028,881
 $732,126
 $732,126

 


The company uses floating-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements to hedge variable interest rate risk associated with the Credit Facility. At December 30, 2017,28, 2019, the company had outstanding floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps totaling $399.0$51.0 million notional amount carrying an average interest rate of 1.47%1.27% maturing in less than 12 months and $897.0 million of notional amount carrying an average interest rate of 2.27% that mature in more than 12 months but less than 8472 months.
The terms of the CreditAmended Facility limit the ability of the company and its subsidiaries to, with certain exceptions: incur indebtedness; grant liens; engage in certain mergers, consolidations, acquisitions and dispositions; make restricted payments; enter into certain transactions with affiliates; and requires, among other things, the company to satisfy certain financial covenants: (i) a minimum Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in the CreditAmended Facility) of 3.00 to 1.00 and (ii) a maximum Leverage Ratio of Funded Debt less Unrestricted Cash to Pro Forma EBITDA (each as defined in the CreditAmended Facility) of 3.504.00 to 1.00, which may be adjusted to 4.004.50 to 1.00 for a four consecutive fiscal quarter period in connection with certain qualified acquisitions, subject to the terms and conditions contained in the CreditAmended Facility. The CreditAmended Facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of Middleby Marshall, the company and the company's domestic subsidiaries and is unconditionally guaranteed by, subject to certain exceptions, the company and certain of the company's direct and indirect material foreign and domestic subsidiaries. The CreditAmended Facility contains certain customary events of default, including, but not limited to, the failure to make required payments; bankruptcy and other insolvency events; the failure to perform certain covenants; the material breach of a representation or warranty; non-payment of certain other indebtedness; the entry of undischarged judgments against the company or any subsidiary for the payment of material uninsured amounts; the invalidity of the company guarantee or any subsidiary guaranty; and a change of control of the company. At December 30, 2017,28, 2019, the company was in compliance with all covenants pursuant to its borrowing agreements.
The aggregate amount of debt payable during each of the next five years, which includes the amendment and restatement to our multi-currency senior secured credit agreement disclosed in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements, is as follows (in thousands):
2020$2,894
2021378
2022302
202382
2024 and thereafter1,869,484
  
 $1,873,140

2018$5,149
2019338
2020163
20211,023,098
2022 and thereafter133
  
 $1,028,881





(5)
(6)    COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK


(a)    Shares Authorized and Issued


At December 30, 201728, 2019 and December 31, 2016,29, 2018, the company had 95,000,000 authorized shares of common stock and 2,000,000 authorized shares of non-voting preferred stock. At December 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there were 55,730,624 and 57,539,766, respectively, issued and outstanding shares of common stock.
 
(b)    Treasury Stock


OnIn November 7, 2017, the company's Board of Directors resolved to terminate the company's existing shareapproved a stock repurchase program effective as of such date, which was originally approved in 1998, and approved a new stock repurchase program. This program authorizesauthorizing the company to repurchase in the aggregate up to 2,500,000 shares of its outstanding common stock. During fiscal year 2017, the company repurchased 1,680,395 shares of its common stock under the 1998 program for $200.4 million, including applicable commissions, which represented an average price of $119.23. Additionally, during fiscal year 2017, the company repurchased 126,200 shares of its common stock under the 2017 program for $14.8 million, including applicable commissions, which represented an average price of $117.61. As of December 30, 2017,28, 2019, 126,200 shares had been purchased under the 2017 stock repurchase program and 2,373,800 remain authorized for repurchase.
At December 30, 2017, the company had a total of 6,889,241 shares in treasury amounting to $445.1 million.










(c)    Share-Based Awards


The company maintains several stock incentive plans under which the company's Board of Directors issues stock options and makes restricted share grants to key employees. Stock options issued under the plans provided key employees with rights to purchase shares of common stock at specified exercise prices. Options were exercised upon certain vesting requirements being met, but expired to the extent unexercised within a maximum of ten years from the date of grant. Restricted share grants issued to employees are transferable upon certain vesting requirements being met.
2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2007 Plan"), as amended on May 7, 2009. Effective August 11, 2011 and in accordance with plan parameters, the company is no longer permitted to make grants under the 2007 Plan. Accordingly, zero additional shares are available for issuance under the 2007 Plan.

As of December 30, 2017, a total of 2,683,554 share-based awards have been issued under the 2007 Plan. This includes 2,672,667 restricted share grants, all of which have vested. This also includes 10,887 stock options, of which 2,124 have been exercised, 7,791 have been forfeited and zero remain outstanding.
The 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2011 Plan"), was adopted on April 1, 2011, under which the company's Board of Directors issues stock grants to key employees. On July 11, 2017 the company increased the maximum amount of shares reserved for issuance under the 2011 Plan by 1,000,000. A maximum amount of 2,650,000 shares can be issued under the 2011 Plan. Stock grants issued to employees are transferable upon certain vesting requirements.

As of December 30, 2017,28, 2019, a total of 929,4241,652,175 share-based awards have been issued under the 2011 Plan. This includes 929,4241,652,175 restricted share grants, of which 159,203527,085 remain outstanding and unvested. For fiscal year ended December 28, 2019, the approximate fair value of shares vested were $16.5 million.
     
A summary of the company’s nonvested restricted share grant activity for fiscal years ended December 30, 201728, 2019 and December 31, 201629, 2018 is as follows:
 
 Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value

Nonvested shares at December 30, 2017159,203
 $104.44
    
Granted132,038
 100.50
Vested(6,203) 126.09
Forfeited(159,196) 100.84
    
Nonvested shares at December 29, 2018125,842
 $103.29
    
Granted537,059
 113.26
Vested(135,816) 105.81
Forfeited
 
    
Nonvested shares at December 28, 2019527,085
 $112.60
 Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value

Nonvested shares at January 2, 2016340,904
 $94.86
    
Granted382,125
 94.19
Vested(100,511) 101.17
Forfeited(6,393) 107.81
    
Nonvested shares at December 31, 2016616,125
 $91.76
    
Granted76,788
 136.29
Vested(418,125) 86.70
Forfeited(115,585) 121.65
    
Nonvested shares at December 30, 2017159,203
 $104.44

 




(6)


(7)     INCOME TAXES


Earnings before taxes is summarized as follows (in thousands):
 
 2019 2018 2017
Domestic$336,688
 $328,870
 $290,866
Foreign125,931
 94,643
 92,663
Total$462,619
 $423,513
 $383,529
 2017 2016 2015
Domestic$290,866
 $336,625
 $266,831
Foreign92,663
 84,680
 14,336
Total$383,529
 $421,305
 $281,167

 
The provision for income taxes is summarized as follows (in thousands):
 
 2019 2018 2017
Federal$69,074
 $66,359
 $48,688
State and local16,203
 16,035
 9,076
Foreign25,102
 23,967
 27,637
Total$110,379
 $106,361
 $85,401
      
Current$88,167
 $85,872
 $99,893
Deferred22,212
 20,489
 (14,492)
Total$110,379
 $106,361
 $85,401
 2017 2016 2015
Federal$48,688
 $94,621
 $78,617
State and local9,076
 13,107
 9,515
Foreign27,637
 29,361
 1,425
Total$85,401
 $137,089
 $89,557
      
Current$99,893
 $115,726
 $87,638
Deferred(14,492) 21,363
 1,919
Total$85,401
 $137,089
 $89,557

 
Reconciliation of the differences between income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate to the effective rate are as follows:


 2019 2018 2017
U.S. federal statutory tax rate21.0 % 21.0 % 35.0 %
      
State taxes, net of federal benefit3.2
 3.0
 1.5
U.S. domestic manufacturers deduction
 
 (2.1)
Permanent differences0.6
 0.2
 (0.7)
Foreign income tax rate at rates other than U.S. statutory0.2
 1.3
 (1.6)
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 deferred tax changes
 0.2
 (10.0)
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 transition tax
 (0.1) 2.0
Change in valuation allowances (1)
0.1
 (0.5) (2.0)
Tax on unremitted earnings0.3
 
 1.5
Other(1.5) 
 (1.3)
Consolidated effective tax23.9 % 25.1 % 22.3 %

 2017 2016 2015
U.S. federal statutory tax rate35.0 % 35.0 % 35.0 %
      
State taxes, net of federal benefit1.5
 2.3
 2.1
U.S. domestic manufacturers deduction(2.1) (2.4) (2.6)
Permanent differences(0.7) (1.6) (1.1)
Foreign income tax rate at rates other than 35%(1.6) (1.1) (2.1)
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 deferred tax changes(10.0) 
 
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 transition tax2.0
 
 
Change in valuation allowances(2.0) 
 
Tax on unremitted earnings1.5
 
 
Other(1.3) 0.3
 0.6
Consolidated effective tax22.3 % 32.5 % 31.9 %
(1) Net of changes in related tax attributes.


The company’s effective tax rate for 20172019 was 22.3%23.9% as compared to 32.5%25.1% in 2016.2018. The effective tax rate for 20172019 reflects the impactfavorable tax adjustments for a refund of complying with the Tax Cuts and Job Act of 2017 (the Tax Act or tax reform), signed into law on December 22, 2017 and the adoption of ASU 2016-09 "Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting" on January 1, 2017. The tax impact of these items in addition to the reversal of a valuation allowance are the primary causes of the 2017foreign taxes, enacted tax rate being lowerchanges in several foreign jurisdictions and adjustments for the finalization of 2018 tax returns. The effective tax rate is higher than the federal statutory tax rate of 35.0%21.0% primarily due to state taxes, non-deductible expenses and lower than the effectiveforeign tax rate for 2016.differentials.









The company is still evaluating the impact of the Tax Act and how it will affect the company’s capital structure and permanent reinvestment assertions for its foreign subsidiaries as the United States international taxation moves from a worldwide tax system to a territorial tax system. Prior to the Tax Act the company largely asserted its foreign earnings where permanently reinvested, while there were several entities whose earnings were only partially reinvested. As result of the Tax Act and the transition tax the foreign earnings are being currently taxed, resulting in a net transition tax liability of approximately $7.5 million. The company has accordingly modified its partial reinvestment assertions for several foreign subsidiaries to provide funds to help cover the transition tax liability. This is reflected as an increase in tax on unremitted earnings in the effective tax rate reconciliation and increase in other deferred tax liabilities as shown in the components of deferred taxes. The company’s impact of tax reform is based on current information and guidance available at this time and reflects our best provisional estimates in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118. The provisional estimates will be subject to refinement in 2018.

At December 30, 201728, 2019 and December 31, 2016,29, 2018, the company had recorded the following deferred tax assets and liabilities:liabilities (in thousands):
 
 2019 2018
Deferred tax assets: 
  
Compensation related$4,744
 $3,776
Pension and post-retirement benefits48,716
 41,502
Inventory reserves15,166
 14,441
Accrued liabilities and reserves17,321
 13,835
Warranty reserves16,550
 10,641
Operating lease liability17,521
 
Net operating loss carryforwards17,873
 36,629
Other22,579
 10,531
Gross deferred tax assets160,470
 131,355
Valuation allowance(7,754) (26,023)
Deferred tax assets$152,716
 $105,332
    
Deferred tax liabilities: 
  
Intangible assets$(203,721) $(167,197)
Depreciable assets(18,020) (13,617)
Operating lease right-of-use assets(17,542) 
Other(10,001) (6,226)
    
Deferred tax liabilities$(249,284) $(187,040)
    
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)$(96,568) $(81,708)
    
Long-term deferred asset36,932
 32,188
Long-term deferred liability(133,500) (113,896)
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)$(96,568) $(81,708)
 2017 2016
 (dollars in thousands)
Deferred tax assets: 
  
Compensation related3,129
 25,650
Pension and post-retirement benefits56,502
 60,986
Inventory reserves11,342
 14,379
Accrued liabilities and reserves9,813
 4,550
Warranty reserves7,232
 10,141
Net operating loss carryforwards37,911
 35,591
Other19,826
 41,198
Gross deferred tax assets145,755
 192,495
Valuation allowance(23,190) (29,893)
Deferred tax assets$122,565
 $162,602
    
Deferred tax liabilities: 
  
Intangible assets$(137,871) $(173,673)
Depreciable assets(10,426) (2,957)
Other(17,518) (12,033)
    
Deferred tax liabilities$(165,815) $(188,663)
    
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)$(43,250) $(26,061)
    
Long-term deferred asset44,565
 51,699
Long-term deferred liability(87,815) (77,760)
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)$(43,250) $(26,061)

 
The company has recorded a transition tax reserves on undistributed foreign earnings as required by the Tax Act. Additional the company provided $3.9 million on undistributed earnings not permanently reinvested.reinvested of $5.6 million and $4.1 million at December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, respectively. No further provisions were made for income taxes that may result from future remittances of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are determined to be permanently reinvested, which were $197.0$369.0 million on December 30, 2017.28, 2019. Determination of the total amount of unrecognized deferred income taxes on undistributed earnings net of foreign subsidiaries is not practicable.
 
The company has a deferred tax asset on net operating loss carryforwards totaling $37.9$17.9 million as of December 30, 2017.28, 2019. These net operating losses are available to reduce future taxable earnings of certain domestic and foreign subsidiaries. United States federal loss carryforwards total $37.9$19.5 million of which $13.4 million will expire through 2037 and $6.1 million have no expiration date. State loss carryforwards total $104.4 million and expire through 2037, state loss carryforwards total $124.2 million and expire through 20372039 and international loss carryforwards total $86.1$38.2 million and expire through 2030;2038; however, some have no expiration date. Of these carryforwards, $80.4$5.2 million isare subject to full valuation allowance. During 2019, the company wrote off $18.4 million of deferred tax assets on foreign loss carryforwards that had full valuation allowances. The deferred tax assets were written off as the entities were dissolved or otherwise disposed of during 2019.




As of December 30, 2017,28, 2019, the total amount of liability for unrecognized tax benefits related to federal, state and foreign taxes was approximately $29.9$31.6 million (of which $29.531.2 million would impact the effective tax rate if recognized) plus approximately $4.55.5 million of accrued interest and $7.57.2 million of penalties. The company recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Interest recognized in fiscal years 2019, 2018 and 2017 2016was $0.4 million, $0.6 million and 2015 was $0.7 million, $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Penalties recognized in fiscal years 2019, 2018 and 2017 2016was $(0.9) million, $0.6 million and 2015 was $1.3 million, $1.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively.
    


Although the company believes its tax returns are correct, the final determination of tax examinations may be different than what was reported on the tax returns. In the opinion of management, adequate tax provisions have been made for the years subject to examination.
 
The following table summarizes the activity related to the unrecognized tax benefits for the fiscal years ended January 2, 2016, December 31, 201630, 2017, December 29, 2018 and December 30, 201728, 2019 (in thousands):
  
Balance at December 30, 2017$29,930
  
Increases to current year tax positions3,912
Increase to prior year tax positions2,860
Decrease to prior year tax positions(569)
Lapse of statute of limitations(4,221)
  
Balance at December 29, 2018$31,912
  
Increases to current year tax positions4,216
Increase to prior year tax positions254
Lapse of statute of limitations(4,823)
  
Balance at December 28, 2019$31,559

Balance at January 2, 2016$14,419
  
Increases to current year tax positions6,367
Increase to prior year tax positions601
Decrease to prior year tax positions(233)
Settlements
Lapse of statute of limitations(865)
  
Balance at December 31, 2016$20,289
  
Increases to current year tax positions11,843
Increase to prior year tax positions201
Decrease to prior year tax positions(9)
Settlements(439)
Lapse of statute of limitations(1,955)
  
Balance at December 30, 2017$29,930


It is reasonably possible that the amounts of unrecognized tax benefits associated with state, federal and foreign tax positions may decrease over the next twelve months due to expiration of a statute or completion of an audit. The company believes that it is reasonably possible that $4.3$5.3 million of its remaining unrecognized tax benefits may be recognized by the end of 20182020 as a result of settlements with taxing authorities or lapses of statutes of limitations.

In the normal course of business, income tax authorities in various income tax jurisdictions both in the United States and internationally conduct routine audits of our income tax returns filed in prior years. These audits are generally designed to determine if individual income tax authorities are in agreement with our interpretations of complex tax regulations regarding the allocation of income to the various income tax jurisdictions. Income tax years are open from 20142016 through the current year for the United States federal jurisdiction. Income tax years open for our other major jurisdictions range from 20132014 through the current year.









(7)(8)FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS


ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging” requires an entity to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value. Derivatives that do not qualify as a hedge must be adjusted to fair value in earnings. If thea derivative does qualify as a hedge under ASC 815, changes in the fair value will either be offset against the change in the fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments or recognized in other accumulated other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The
On December 30, 2018, the company adopted the new accounting standard ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities" using the modified retrospective method. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2017-12, the ineffective portion of a hedge's change in fair value will be immediatelywas recognized in earnings. Upon adoption of ASU 2017-12, the company no longer recognizes hedge ineffectiveness in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, but instead recognizes the entire change in the fair value of the hedge contract in other accumulated comprehensive income.
 
(a)Foreign Exchange


The company periodically enters into derivative instruments, principally forward contracts to reduce exposures pertaining to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. The fair value of these forward contracts was an unrealized loss of $0.5$0.9 million at the end of the year.
 
(b)Interest Rate


The company has entered into interest rate swaps to fix the interest rate applicable to certain of its variable-rate debt. The agreements swap one-month LIBOR for fixed rates. The company has designated these swaps as cash flow hedges and all changes in fair value of the swaps are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. As of December 30, 2017, theThe fair value of these instruments was a liability of $23.3 million and an asset of $10.3$9.4 million. as of December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, respectively. The change in fair value of these swap agreements in 20172019 was a gainloss of $1.524.1 million, net of taxes.
 
A summary of the company’s interest rate swaps is as follows (in thousands):
   Twelve Months Ended
 Location Dec 28, 2019
 Dec 29, 2018
Fair valueOther assets $1,830
 $13,487
Fair valueOther non-current liabilities $25,120
 $4,125
Amount of gain/(loss) recognized in other comprehensive incomeOther comprehensive income $(31,396) $(561)
Gain/(loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (effective portion)Interest expense $1,256
 $415
Gain/(loss) recognized in income (ineffective portion)Other expense $
 $72

   Twelve Months Ended
 Location Dec 30, 2017
 Dec 31, 2016
Fair valueOther assets $10,266
 $8,842
Fair valueOther liabilities $
 $(100)
Amount of gain/(loss) recognized in other comprehensive incomeOther comprehensive income $531
 $7,892
Gain/(loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (effective portion)Interest expense $(939) $(1,230)
Gain/(loss) recognized in income (ineffective portion)Other expense $54
 $32


Interest rate swaps are subject to default risk to the extent the counterparty is unable to satisfy its settlement obligations under the interest rate swap agreements. The company reviews the credit profile of the financial institutions that are counterparties to such swap agreements and assesses their creditworthiness prior to entering into the interest rate swap agreements and throughout the term. The interest rate swap agreements typically contain provisions that allow the counterparty to require early settlement in the event that the company becomes insolvent or is unable to maintain compliance with its covenants under its existing debt agreement.



















(8)(9)LEASE COMMITMENTS

Accounting Policy
On December 30, 2018, the company adopted the new accounting standard ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases"(ASC 842) using the modified retrospective method and elected to use the effective date as the date of initial application on transition. The company has elected the package of practical expedients to not reassess prior conclusions related to contracts containing leases, lease classification and initial direct costs.

The adoption of ASC 842 represents a change in accounting principle that changes the way all leases with a duration of one year or more are treated. Under this guidance, lessees are required to capitalize virtually all leases on the balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and an associated financing lease liability or operating lease liability. The company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception of a contract. Additionally, the guidance requires additional disclosure to enable users of the financial statements to assess the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases.

The most material impact of the new standard is the recognition of new right-of-use (ROU) assets and lease liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet for operating leases. Operating lease ROU assets are included in other assets and operating lease liabilities are included accrued expenses and other non-current liabilities. The lease liabilities are measured based upon the present value of minimum future payments and the ROU assets to be recognized will be equal to lease liabilities, adjusted for prepaid and accrued rent balances.
Leases
The company leases warehouse space, office facilities and equipment under operating leases. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. The company's lease terms include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for these leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The company has operating lease costs of $31.0 million, $30.2 million and $27.1 million in fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017 respectively, including short-term lease expense and variable lease costs, which expirewere immaterial in the year.
Rent expense under the company's operating leases during fiscal 2018 and thereafter. Future2017, prior to the company's adoption of ASC 842, was $30.2 million and $27.1 million, respectively. The company's future minimum paymentlease obligations under these leases are as follows:
 
Total Operating Lease
Commitments

  
2018$25,689
201920,953
202016,993
202114,828
202211,600
2023 and thereafter19,815
  
 $109,878
Rental expense pertaining to thenon-cancelable operating leases was $27.1 million, $23.5 million and $17.6 million in fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015 respectively.as of December 29, 2018 were comparable to those as of December 28, 2019.
Leases (in thousands)December 28, 2019
Operating lease right-of-use assets$96,655
  
Operating Lease Liability: 
Current21,827
Non-current75,018
Total Liability$96,845


Total Lease Commitments (in thousands)Operating Leases
2020$24,563
202121,424
202217,875
202312,742
202410,134
2025 and thereafter25,514
Total future lease commitments112,252
Less imputed interest15,407
Total$96,845



Other Lease Information (in thousands, except lease term and discount rate)Twelve Months Ended December 28, 2019
Supplemental cash flow information 
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: 
Operating cash flows for operating leases$24,794
  
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: 
Operating leases25,306
  
 December 28, 2019
  
Weighted-average remaining lease terms leases - Operating6.3 years
  
Weighted-average discount rate - Operating3.4%




(9)



(10)    SEGMENT INFORMATION


The company operates in three3 reportable operating segments defined by management reporting structure and operating activities.
 
The Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group manufactures, sells, and distributes foodservice equipment for the restaurant and institutional kitchen industry. This business segment has manufacturing facilities in Arkansas, California, Illinois, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, Australia, China, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, the Philippines, Spain, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Principal product lines of this group include conveyor ovens, combi-ovens, convection ovens, baking ovens, proofing ovens, deck ovens, speed cooking ovens, hydrovection ovens, ranges, fryers, rethermalizers, steam cooking equipment, food warming equipment, catering equipment, heated cabinets, charbroilers, ventless cooking systems, kitchen ventilation, induction cooking equipment, countertop cooking equipment, toasters, griddles, charcoal grills, professional mixers, stainless steel fabrication, custom millwork, professional refrigerators, blast chillers, coldrooms, ice machines, freezers, andsoft serve ice cream equipment, coffee and beverage dispensing equipment.equipment, home and professional craft brewing equipment and IoT solutions. These products are sold and marketed under the brand names: Anets, Bear Varimixer,APW Wyott, Bakers Pride, Beech, BKI, Blodgett, Blodgett Combi, Blodgett Range, Bloomfield, Britannia, CTX, Carter-Hoffmann, Celfrost, Concordia, CookTek, Crown, CTX, Desmon, Doyon, Eswood, EVO, Firex, Follett, Frifri, Giga, Globe, Goldstein, Holman, Houno, IMC, Induc, Jade, JoeTap, Josper, L2F, Lang, Lincat, MagiKitch’n, Market Forge, Marsal, Middleby Marshall, MPC, Nieco, Nu-Vu, PerfectFry, Pitco, Powerhouse Dynamics, QualServ, Southbend, Ss Brewtech, Star, Starline, Sveba Dahlen, Synesso, Taylor, Toastmaster, TurboChef, Ultrafryer, Varimixer, Wells and Wunder-Bar.
 
The Food Processing Equipment Group manufactures preparation, cooking, packaging food handling and food safety equipment for the food processing industry. This business segment has manufacturing operations in Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Principal product lines of this group include batch ovens, baking ovens, proofing ovens, conveyor belt ovens, continuous processing ovens, frying systems and automated thermal processing systems, grinders, slicers, reduction and emulsion systems, mixers, blenders, battering equipment, breading equipment, seeding equipment, water cutting systems, food presses, food suspension equipment, filling and depositing solutions, forming equipment, automated loading and unloading systems, food safety, food handling, freezing, defrosting and packaging equipment. These products are sold and marketed under the brand names: Alkar, Armor Inox, Auto-Bake, Baker Thermal Solutions, Burford, Cozzini, CVP Systems, Danfotech, Drake, Emico, Glimek, Hinds-Bock, Maurer-Atmos, MP Equipment, M-TEK, Pacproinc, RapidPak, Scanico, Spooner Vicars, Stewart Systems, Thurne and Thurne.Ve.Ma.C.
 



The Residential Kitchen Equipment Group manufactures, sells and distributes kitchen equipment for the residential market. This business segment has manufacturing facilities in California, Michigan, Mississippi, Wisconsin, France, Ireland Romania and the United Kingdom. Principal product lines of this group are ranges, cookers, stoves, ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, cooktops, refrigerators, wine coolers, ice machines, ventilation equipment and outdoor equipment. These products are sold and marketed under the brand names: AGA, AGA Cookshop, Brigade,Brava, EVO, Fired Earth, Grange, Heartland, La Cornue, Leisure Sinks, Lynx, Marvel, Mercury, Rangemaster, Rayburn, Redfyre, Sedona, Stanley, TurboChef, U-Line and Viking.


The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The chief operating decision maker evaluates individual segment performance based on operating income. Management believes that intersegment sales are made at established arm's length transfer prices.



The following table summarizes the results of operations for the company’s business segments(1)1) (dollars in thousands): 
 
Commercial
Foodservice

 
Food
Processing

 Residential Kitchen
 
Corporate
and Other(3)

 Total
2017 
  
    
  
Net sales$1,382,108
 $352,717
 $600,717
 $
 $2,335,542
Operating income (4,5,6)
356,776
 88,121
 30,972
 (65,528) 410,341
Depreciation and amortization expense29,981
 7,357
 30,551
 1,885
 69,774
Net capital expenditures41,457
 5,519
 7,637
 (120) 54,493
Total assets1,693,820
 450,932
 1,140,668
 54,293
 3,339,713
Long-lived assets (2)
148,565
 25,346
 167,486
 21,191
 362,588
          
2016 
  
    
  
Net sales$1,266,955
 $342,235
 $658,662
 $
 $2,267,852
Operating income (4)
350,315
 87,039
 89,435
 (80,564) 446,225
Depreciation and amortization expense19,548
 5,696
 29,897
 3,093
 58,234
Net capital expenditures11,958
 5,667
 6,961
 231
 24,817
Total assets1,347,441
 340,088
 1,179,640
 49,967
 2,917,136
Long-lived assets (2)
84,475
 21,763
 175,206
 35,100
 316,544
          
2015 
  
    
  
Net sales$1,121,046
 $297,712
 $407,840
 $
 $1,826,598
Operating income (4)
296,061
 64,650
 4,653
 (62,761) 302,603
Depreciation and amortization expense17,117
 5,839
 29,515
 1,603
 54,074
Net capital expenditures12,123
 2,164
 7,935
 140
 22,362
Total assets1,115,840
 308,677
 1,250,503
 86,131
 2,761,151
Long-lived assets (2)
61,835
 20,307
 129,751
 21,327
 233,220
 
Commercial
Foodservice

 
Food
Processing

 Residential Kitchen
 
Corporate
and Other(2)

 Total
2019 
  
    
  
Net sales$1,984,345
 $400,951
 $574,150
 $
 $2,959,446
Operating income (3,4)
429,946
 68,935
 89,312
 (74,150) 514,043
Depreciation expense21,054
 4,944
 11,742
 112
 37,852
Amortization expense (5)
45,906
 8,162
 9,896
 1,612
 65,576
Net capital expenditures29,353
 6,683
 9,168
 1,405
 46,609
Total assets3,188,304
 621,619
 1,157,211
 35,009
 5,002,143
Long-lived assets (6)
261,466
 57,403
 176,834
 4,116
 499,819
          
2018 
  
    
  
Net sales$1,729,814
 $389,594
 $603,523
 $
 $2,722,931
Operating income (3)
393,380
 62,435
 53,959
 (63,808) 445,966
Depreciation expense17,374
 5,207
 12,838
 363
 35,782
Amortization expense (5)
35,224
 7,527
 17,226
 1,479
 61,456
Net capital expenditures17,444
 7,373
 11,721
 (498) 36,040
Total assets2,906,373
 513,189
 1,089,103
 41,116
 4,549,781
Long-lived assets (6)
181,636
 33,127
 146,897
 22,328
 383,988
          
2017 
  
    
  
Net sales$1,382,108
 $352,717
 $600,717
 $
 $2,335,542
Operating income (3,7,8)
357,085
 88,121
 (377) (66,216) 378,613
Depreciation expense12,643
 3,677
 12,984
 406
 29,710
Amortization expense (5)
17,338
 3,680
 17,567
 1,479
 40,064
Net capital expenditures41,457
 5,519
 7,637
 (120) 54,493
Total assets1,693,820
 450,932
 1,140,668
 54,293
 3,339,713
Long-lived assets (6)
148,565
 25,346
 167,486
 21,191
 362,588


(1)Non-operating expenses are not allocated to the reportable segments. Non-operating expenses consist of interest expense and deferred financing amortization, foreign exchange gains and losses and other income and expense items outside of income from operations.
(2)Includes corporate and other general company assets and operations.
(3)Restructuring expenses are included in operating income of the segment to which they pertain. See note 13 for further details.
(4)Gain on litigation settlement is included in Residential Kitchen.
(5)Includes amortization of deferred financing costs.
(6)Long-lived assets consist of property, plant and equipment, long-term deferred tax assets and other assets.
(3)Includes corporate and other general company assets and operations.
(4)Restructuring expenses are allocated in operating income by segment. See note 12 for further details.
(5)(7)Gain on sale of plant allocated tois included in Commercial Foodservice.
(6)(8)Impairment of intangible assets allocated tois included in Residential Kitchen.















Geographic Information


Long-lived assets, not including goodwill and other intangibles (in thousands):
 2019 2018 2017
United States and Canada$305,207
 $262,482
 $221,479
      
Asia22,312
 12,136
 14,033
Europe and Middle East165,781
 108,001
 126,264
Latin America6,519
 1,369
 812
Total International194,612
 121,506
 141,109
      
 $499,819
 $383,988
 $362,588
 2017 2016 2015
United States and Canada$221,479
 $181,317
 $149,299
      
Asia14,033
 14,729
 17,336
Europe and Middle East126,264
 119,511
 65,581
Latin America812
 987
 1,004
Total international141,109
 135,227
 83,921
      
 $362,588
 $316,544
 $233,220

 Net sales (in thousands):
 2017 2016 2015
United States and Canada$1,549,876
 $1,470,566
 $1,274,907
      
Asia192,638
 190,548
 165,541
Europe and Middle East501,247
 522,819
 319,387
Latin America91,781
 83,919
 66,763
Total international785,666
 797,286
 551,691
      
 $2,335,542
 $2,267,852
 $1,826,598
(10)(11)    EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS


(a)Pension Plans
    
U.S. Plans:


The company maintains a non-contributory defined benefit plan for its union employees at the Elgin, Illinois facility. Benefits are determined based upon retirement age and years of service with the company. This defined benefit plan was frozen on April 30, 2002, and no further benefits accrue to the participants beyond this date. Plan participants will receive or continue to receive payments for benefits earned on or prior to April 30, 2002 upon reaching retirement age.
 
The company maintains a non-contributory defined benefit plan for its employees at the Smithville, Tennessee facility, which was acquired as part of the Star acquisition. Benefits are determined based upon retirement age and years of service with the company. This defined benefit plan was frozen on April 1, 2008, and no further benefits accrue to the participants beyond this date. Plan participants will receive or continue to receive payments for benefits earned on or prior to April 1, 2008 upon reaching retirement age.
 
The company also maintains a retirement benefit agreement with its former Chairman ("Chairman Plan"). The retirement benefits are based upon a percentage of the Chairman’s final base salary with no expected future increase in compensation.


Non-U.S. Plans:


The company maintains a defined benefit plan for its employees at the Wrexham, the United Kingdom facility, which was acquired as part of the Lincat acquisition.facility. Benefits are determined based upon retirement age and years of service with the company. This defined benefit plan was frozen on April 30, 2010 prior to Middleby’s acquisition of the company. Noand no further benefits accrue to the participants beyond this date. Plan participants will receive or continue to receive payments for benefits earned on or prior to April 30, 2010 upon reaching retirement age.






The company maintains several pension plans related to AGA and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "AGA Group"), the most significant being the Aga Rangemaster Group Pension Scheme, which covers the majority of employees in the United Kingdom.  Membership in the plan on a defined benefit basis of pension provision was closed to new entrants in 2001.  The plan became open to new entrants on a defined contribution basis of pension provision in 2002, but was generally closed to new entrants on this basis during 2014. 


The other, much smaller, defined benefit pension plans operating within the AGA Group cover employees in France Ireland and the United Kingdom.  All pension plan assets are held in separate trust funds although the net defined benefit pension obligations are included in the company's consolidated balance sheet.























































A summary of the plans’ net periodic pension cost, benefit obligations, funded status, and net balance sheet position is as follows (dollars in thousands):
Fiscal 2017 Fiscal 2016Fiscal 2019 Fiscal 2018
U.S. Plans Non-U.S. Plans U.S. Plans Non-U.S. PlansU.S. Plans Non-U.S. Plans U.S. Plans Non-U.S. Plans
Net Periodic Pension Benefit: 
  
  
  
Net Periodic Pension Cost (Benefit): 
  
  
  
Service cost$402
 $4,013
 $456
 $3,364
$
 $2,457
 $365
 $3,754
Interest cost1,240
 32,748
 1,280
 41,606
1,253
 33,490
 1,082
 32,173
Expected return on assets(821) (70,630) (777) (68,845)(868) (67,542) (967) (75,017)
Amortization of net (gain) loss(330) 3,073
 126
 35
Curtailment loss (gain)
 3,305
 
 (632)
Amortization of net loss (gain)664
 721
 (129) 4,056
Amortization of prior service cost
 2,560
 
 437
Curtailment loss
 865
 
 906
Pension settlement gain
 (313) 
 

 
 
 (655)
$491
 $(27,804) $1,085
 $(24,472)$1,049
 $(27,449) $351
 $(34,346)
              
Change in Benefit Obligation: 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Benefit obligation – beginning of year$31,949
 $1,478,493
 $31,830
 $1,476,370
$31,559
 $1,377,575
 $31,908
 $1,615,244
Service cost402
 4,013
 456
 3,364

 2,457
 365
 3,754
Prior service cost
 
 
 53,586
Interest on benefit obligations1,240
 32,748
 1,280
 41,606
1,253
 33,490
 1,082
 32,173
Employee contributions
 345
 
 404
Actuarial (gain) loss(760) 21,058
 (722) 297,754
Member contributions
 313
 
 290
Actuarial loss (gain)4,173
 102,377
 (850) (163,746)
Pension settlement gain
 (4,017) 
 

 
 
 (873)
Net benefit payments(923) (65,160) (895) (64,466)(1,590) (62,355) (946) (72,095)
Curtailment loss (gain)
 3,305
 
 (706)
Curtailment loss
 865
 
 906
Exchange effect
 144,459
 
 (275,833)
 46,894
 
 (91,664)
Benefit obligation – end of year$31,908
 $1,615,244
 $31,949
 $1,478,493
$35,395
 $1,501,616
 $31,559
 $1,377,575
              
Change in Plan Assets: 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Plan assets at fair value – beginning of year$13,589
 $1,173,865
 $12,987
 $1,287,723
$14,634
 $1,141,381
 $16,102
 $1,296,539
Company contributions1,476
 3,062
 754
 17,758
1,191
 5,934
 877
 4,889
Investment gain1,960
 72,342
 743
 161,405
Employee contributions
 345
 
 404
Investment gain (loss)2,509
 107,368
 (1,399) (12,600)
Member contributions
 313
 
 290
Pension settlement loss
 (3,254) 
 

 
 
 (161)
Benefit payments and plan expenses(923) (65,160) (895) (64,466)(1,590) (62,355) (946) (72,095)
Exchange effect
 115,339
 
 (228,959)
 38,540
 
 (75,481)
Plan assets at fair value – end of year$16,102
 $1,296,539
 $13,589
 $1,173,865
$16,744
 $1,231,181
 $14,634
 $1,141,381
              
Funded Status: 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Unfunded benefit obligation$(15,806) $(318,705) $(18,360) $(304,628)$(18,651) $(270,435) $(16,925) $(236,194)
              
Amounts recognized in balance sheet at year end: 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
Accrued pension benefits$(15,806) $(318,705) $(18,360) $(304,628)$(18,651) $(270,435) $(16,925) $(236,194)
       
Pre-tax components in accumulated other comprehensive income at period end: 
  
  
  
Net actuarial loss$3,340
 $243,315
 $4,908
 $206,490
       
Pre-tax components in recognized in other comprehensive income for the period:       
Current year actuarial (gain) loss$(1,898) $44,316
 $(691) $181,384
Actuarial gain (loss) recognized330
 (7,041) (126) (35)
Pension settlement gain
 (763) 
 
Pension settlement gain recognized
 313
 
 
Total amount recognized$(1,568) $36,825
 $(817) $181,349
       
Accumulated Benefit Obligation$31,908
 $1,615,157
 $31,041
 $1,478,435
       
Salary growth raten/a
 0.6% n/a
 1.6%
Assumed discount rate3.5% 2.3% 3.9% 2.5%
Expected return on assets6.0% 6.2% 6.0% 6.2%





 Fiscal 2019 Fiscal 2018
 U.S. Plans Non-U.S. Plans U.S. Plans Non-U.S. Plans
Pre-tax components in accumulated other comprehensive income at period end: 
  
  
  
Net actuarial loss$6,853
 $270,116
 $4,985
 $202,672
        
Pre-tax components recognized in other comprehensive income for the period:       
Current year actuarial (gain) loss$2,532
 $69,228
 $1,516
 $(88,992)
Actuarial gain (loss) recognized(664) (798) 129
 (4,741)
Prior service cost
 
 
 53,586
Prior service cost recognized
 (986) 
 (437)
Pension settlement gain
 
 
 (713)
Pension settlement gain recognized
 
 
 654
Total amount recognized$1,868
 $67,444
 $1,645
 $(40,643)
        
Accumulated Benefit Obligation$35,395
 $1,501,616
 $31,559
 $1,377,532
        
Salary growth raten/a
 0.8% n/a
 0.8%
Assumed discount rate3.0% 2.0% 4.1% 2.7%
Expected return on assets6.0% 6.2% 6.0% 6.2%


On October 26, 2018, in Lloyds Banking Group Pensions Trustees Limited vs. Lloyds Bank plc and Others, the High Court of Justice in the United Kingdom issued a ruling ("Court Ruling") requiring Lloyds Bank plc to equalize benefits payable to men and women under its U.K. defined benefit pension plan. The Court Ruling noted that the formulas used to determine guaranteed minimum pension (GMP) benefits violated gender-pay equality laws due to differences in the way benefits were calculated for men and women. As a result of this ruling, the U.K. pension plan was required to amend its benefit formulas and account for the higher pension payments resulting from GMP equalization. In accordance with ASC 715, this Court Ruling represents a change to the company's U.K. pension plans resulting in a retroactive increase in benefit levels for plan participants and has been accounted for as a prior service cost deferred in other comprehensive income, to be amortized as a component of net periodic pension benefit in future periods. The U.K. pension plans projected benefit obligation increased $53.6 million as a result of the Court Ruling, subject to potential future adjustments as the calculations by participants are finalized.

The company has engaged non-affiliated third party professional investment advisors to assist the company to develop its investment policy and establish asset allocations. The company's overall investment objective is to provide a return, that along with company contributions, is expected to meet future benefit payments. Investment policy is established in consideration of anticipated future timing of benefit payments under the plans. The anticipated duration of the investment and the potential for investment losses during that period are carefully weighed against the potential for appreciation when making investment decisions. The company routinely monitors the performance of investments made under the plans and reviews investment policy in consideration of changes made to the plans or expected changes in the timing of future benefit payments.
 


The assets of the plans were invested in the following classes of securities (none of which were securities of the company):
 
U.S. Plans:
Target Allocation
 Percentage of Plan Assets Target Allocation Percentage of Plan Assets
  2017
 2016
  2019 2018
Equity48% 55% 51%48% 51% 42%
Fixed income40
 35
 39
40
 37
 49
Money market4
 3
 3
4
 2
 1
Other (real estate investment trusts & commodities contracts)8
 7
 7
8
 10
 8
     100% 100% 100%
100% 100% 100%

Non-U.S. Plans:

 Target Allocation Percentage of Plan Assets
   2019 2018
Equity17% 22% 23%
Fixed income38
 39
 52
Alternatives/Other32
 22
 9
Real Estate13
 13
 14
Cash and cash equivalents
 4
 2
 100% 100% 100%
 Target Allocation
 Percentage of Plan Assets 
   2017
 2016
Equity17% 26% 20%
Fixed income38
 48
 55
Alternatives/Other32
 12
 8
Real Estate13
 11
 12
Cash and cash equivalents
 3
 5
 100% 100% 100%




In accordance with ASC 820 “FairFair Value Measurements and Disclosures”Disclosures, the company has measured its defined benefit pension plans at fair value. In accordance with ASU 2015-04, "Practical Expedient for the Measurement Date of an Employer's Defined Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets", the company has elected to measure the pension plan assets and obligations as of the calendar month-end closest to the fiscal year end. The following tables summarize the basis used to measure the pension plans’ assets at fair value as of December 30, 2017 and28, 2019and December 31, 201629, 2018 (in thousands):
     
U.S. Plans:
  Fiscal 2019 Fiscal 2018
Asset Category Total
 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
 Net Asset Value
 Total
 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
 Net Asset Value
             
Short Term Investment Fund (a) $347
 $
 $347
 $175
 $
 $175
             
Equity Securities:  
  
        
Large Cap 3,957
 3,957
 
 2,615
 2,615
 
Mid Cap 417
 417
 
 329
 329
 
Small Cap 418
 418
 
 326
 326
 
International 3,657
 3,657
 
 2,937
 2,937
 
             
Fixed Income:  
  
        
Government/Corporate 4,992
 4,992
 
 5,994
 5,994
 
High Yield 1,260
 1,260
 
 1,102
 1,102
 
             
Alternative:  
  
        
Global Real Estate Investment Trust 1,358
 1,358
 
 591
 591
 
Commodities Contracts 338
 338
 
 565
 565
 
             
Total $16,744
 $16,397
 $347
 $14,634
 $14,459
 $175

  Fiscal 2017 Fiscal 2016
Asset Category Total
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)

 Net Asset Value
 Total
 Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)

 Net Asset Value
             
Short Term Investment Fund (a) $486
 $
 $486
 $368
 $
 $368
             
Equity Securities:  
  
        
Large Cap 3,485
 3,485
 
 3,055
 3,055
 
Mid Cap 474
 474
 
 512
 512
 
Small Cap 475
 475
 
 455
 455
 
International 4,507
 4,507
 
 2,917
 2,917
 
             
Fixed Income:  
  
        
Government/Corporate 4,744
 4,744
 
 4,367
 4,367
 
High Yield 809
 809
 
 971
 971
 
             
Alternative:  
  
        
Global Real Estate Investment Trust 469
 469
 
 539
 539
 
Commodities Contracts 653
 653
 
 405
 405
 
             
Total $16,102
 $15,616
 $486
 $13,589
 $13,221
 $368


(a)Represents collective short term investment fund, composed of high-grade money market instruments with short maturities.





Non-U.S. Plans:
  Fiscal 2019
Asset Category Total
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)

 
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

 Net Asset Value
           
Cash and cash equivalents $44,748
 $18,142
 $2,874
 $
 $23,732
           
Equity Securities:  
  
  
  
  
UK 101,922
 88,830
 
 
 13,092
International:          
Developed 165,709
 13,170
 
 
 152,539
Emerging 11,653
 650
 
 
 11,003
Unquoted/Private Equity 123
 
 
 
 123
           
Fixed Income:          
Government/Corporate:          
UK 189,513
 14,245
 2,867
 
 172,401
International 86,208
 
 
 
 86,208
Index Linked 189,463
 2,085
 
 
 187,378
Other 6,367
 
 
 
 6,367
Convertible Bonds 177
 
 
 
 177
           
Real Estate:          
Direct 154,494
 
 154,494
 
 
Indirect 8,155
 137
 7,603
 
 415
           
Hedge Fund Strategy:          
Equity Long/Short 21,683
 
 
 
 21,683
Arbitrage & Event 29,284
 
 
 
 29,284
Directional Trading & Fixed Income 9,361
 
 
 
 9,361
Cash & Other 163,058
 
 
 
 163,058
Direct Sourcing 2,269
 
 
 
 2,269
           
Leveraged Loans 21,635
 
 
 
 21,635
           
Alternative/Other 25,359
 1
 
 
 25,358
           
Total $1,231,181
 $137,260
 $167,838
 $
 $926,083
  Fiscal 2017
Asset Category Total
 Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)

 Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

 Net Asset Value
           
Cash and cash equivalents $42,857
 $8,135
 $15,851
 $
 $18,871
           
Equity Securities:  
  
  
  
  
UK 178,093
 98,408
 
 
 79,685
International:          
Developed 145,295
 16,627
 
 
 128,668
Emerging 7,261
 385
 
 
 6,876
Unquoted/Private Equity 3,687
 
 
 
 3,687
           
Fixed Income:          
Government/Corporate:          
UK 347,840
 12,247
 14,417
 
 321,176
International 46,065
 
 
 
 46,065
Index Linked 228,699
 4,055
 
 
 224,644
Other 3,750
 
 
 
 3,750
Convertible Bonds 187
 
 
 
 187
           
Real Estate:          
Direct 135,238
 
 135,238
 
 
Indirect 11,128
 191
 
 
 10,937
           
Hedge Fund Strategy:          
Equity Long/Short 79,035
 
 
 
 79,035
Arbitrage & Event 83,814
 
 
 
 83,814
Directional Trading & Fixed Income 34,107
 
 
 
 34,107
Cash & Other 48,440
 
 
 
 48,440
Direct Sourcing 1,675
 
 
 
 1,675
           
Leveraged Loans 30,755
 
 
 
 30,755
           
Alternative/Other (131,387) (4) 
 101
 (131,484)
           
Total $1,296,539
 $140,044
 $165,506
 $101
 $990,888

 



  Fiscal 2018
Asset Category Total
 Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)

 Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

 Net Asset Value
           
Cash and cash equivalents $28,434
 $4,325
 $2,656
 $
 $21,453
           
Equity Securities:  
  
  
  
  
UK 155,687
 78,938
 
 
 76,749
International:          
Developed 99,872
 14,497
 
 
 85,375
Emerging 7,488
 591
 
 
 6,897
Unquoted/Private Equity 1,752
 
 
 
 1,752
           
Fixed Income:          
Government/Corporate:          
UK 468,608
 11,860
 6,779
 
 449,969
International 75,980
 
 
 
 75,980
Index Linked 47,873
 3,614
 
 
 44,259
Other 650
 
 
 
 650
Convertible Bonds 188
 
 
 
 188
           
Real Estate:          
Direct 148,551
 
 148,551
 
 
Indirect 10,812
 188
 9,298
 
 1,326
           
Hedge Fund Strategy:          
Equity Long/Short 73,783
 
 
 
 73,783
Arbitrage & Event 73,261
 
 
 
 73,261
Directional Trading & Fixed Income 44,091
 
 
 
 44,091
Cash & Other 21,719
 
 
 
 21,719
Direct Sourcing 2,289
 
 
 
 2,289
           
Leveraged Loans 18,295
 
 
 
 18,295
           
Alternative/Other (137,952) 5
 
 86
 (138,043)
           
Total $1,141,381
 $114,018
 $167,284
 $86
 $859,993
















  Fiscal 2016
Asset Category Total
 Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)

 Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

 Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

 Net Asset Value
           
Cash and cash equivalents $58,131
 $4,730
 $2,886
 $
 $50,515
           
Equity Securities:  
  
  
  
  
UK 87,828
 2,098
 
 
 85,730
International:          
Developed 135,186
 3,547
 
 
 131,639
Emerging 6,803
 79
 
 
 6,724
Unquoted/Private Equity 3,189
 
 
 
 3,189
           
Fixed Income:          
Government/Corporate:          
UK 317,621
 11,203
 14,009
 
 292,409
International 107,882
 
 103
 
 107,779
Index Linked 212,327
 4,205
 
 
 208,122
Other 3,812
 
 
 
 3,812
Convertible Bonds 160
 
 
 
 160
           
Real Estate:          
Direct 121,612
 
 121,612
 
 
Indirect 10,693
 138
 
 
 10,555
           
Hedge Fund Strategy:          
Equity Long/Short 61,612
 
 
 
 61,612
Arbitrage & Event 64,961
 
 
 
 64,961
Directional Trading & Fixed Income 30,430
 
 
 
 30,430
Cash & Other 38,099
 
 
 
 38,099
Direct Sourcing 1,379
 
 
 
 1,379
           
Leveraged Loans 11,025
 
 
 
 11,025
           
Alternative/Other (98,885) 
 
 95
 (98,980)
           
Total $1,173,865
 $26,000
 $138,610
 $95
 $1,009,160


The fair value of the Level 1 assets is based on observable, quoted market prices of the identical underlying security in an active market. The fair value of the Level 2 assets is primarily based on market observable inputs to quoted market prices, benchmark yields and broker/dealer quotes. Level 3 inputs, as applicable, represent unobservable inputs that reflect assumptions developed by management to measure assets at fair value.
 


The expected return on assets is developed in consideration of the anticipated duration of investment period for assets held by the plan, the allocation of assets in the plan, and the historical returns for plan assets.
 
Estimated future benefit payments under the plans are as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 
U.S.
Plans
 
Non-U.S.
Plans
2020$1,738
 $63,856
20211,763
 65,110
20221,776
 66,177
20231,784
 66,332
2024 through 202911,267
 405,088
 
U.S.
Plans
 
Non-U.S.
Plans
2018$998
 $63,250
20191,003
 63,197
20201,023
 65,375
20211,685
 66,161
2022 through 202710,574
 411,011

 
Expected contributions to the U.S. Plans and Non-U.S. Plans to be made in 20182020 are $0.9$1.3 million and $5.4$5.8 million, respectively.
 
(b)Defined Contribution Plans


As of December 30, 2017,28, 2019, the company maintained two2 separate defined contribution 401K401(k) savings plans covering all employees in the United States. These two2 plans separately cover the union employees at the Elgin, Illinois facility and all other remaining union and non-union employees in the United States. The company also maintained defined contribution plans for its UK based employees.




(11)(12)         QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
 
1st
 
2nd
 
3rd
 
4th
 Total Year 
1st
 
2nd
 
3rd
 
4th
 Total Year
 (dollars in thousands, except per share data)    (dollars in thousands, except per share data)   
2017  
  
  
  
  
2019  
  
  
  
  
Net sales $530,297
 $579,343
 $593,043
 $632,859
 $2,335,542
 $686,802
 $761,004
 $724,014
 $787,626
 $2,959,446
Gross profit 209,450
 234,608
 228,519
 240,164
 912,741
 257,312
 286,479
 270,028
 289,678
 1,103,497
Income from operations 101,079
 122,136
 118,257
 68,869
 410,341
 101,061
 139,607
 121,345
 152,030
 514,043
Net earnings $70,702
 $77,569
 $74,671
 $75,186
 $298,128
 $69,013
 $92,210
 $82,020
 $108,997
 $352,240
                    
Basic earnings per share (1) $1.24
 $1.35
 $1.31
 $1.35
 $5.26
 $1.24
 $1.66
 $1.47
 $1.96
 $6.33
Diluted earnings per share (1) $1.24
 $1.35
 $1.31
 $1.35
 $5.26
 $1.24
 $1.66
 $1.47
 $1.96
 $6.33
                    
2016  
  
  
  
  
2018  
  
  
  
  
Net sales $516,355
 $580,456
 $574,224
 $596,817
 $2,267,852
 $584,800
 $668,128
 $713,331
 $756,672
 $2,722,931
Gross profit 196,773
 233,502
 231,728
 239,177
 901,180
 211,633
 250,759
 261,160
 280,588
 1,004,140
Income from operations 86,375
 111,913
 121,439
 126,498
 446,225
 86,992
 111,310
 107,677
 139,987
 445,966
Net earnings $54,538
 $72,891
 $75,851
 $80,936
 $284,216
 $65,420
 $83,988
 $72,905
 $94,839
 $317,152
                    
Basic earnings per share (1) $0.96
 $1.28
 $1.33
 $1.42
 $4.98
 $1.18
 $1.51
 $1.31
 $1.71
 $5.71
Diluted earnings per share (1) $0.96
 $1.28
 $1.33
 $1.41
 $4.98
 $1.18
 $1.51
 $1.31
 $1.70
 $5.70
 
(1)Sum of quarters may not equal the total for the year due to changes in the number of shares outstanding during the year.



(12)


(13)    RESTRUCTURING AND ACQUISITION INTEGRATION INITIATIVES

During the fiscal year 2017, the company incurred restructuring charges relative to each of its business segments. The costs and corresponding reserve balances (by segment) are summarized as follows (in thousands):


Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group:


During the fiscal year 2017,years 2019 and 2018, the company undertook cost reduction initiatives related to the entire Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group. This action, which is not material to the company's operations,These actions resulted in a charge of $6.2$6.4 million and $3.5 million in the twelve months ended December 30, 2017,28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, respectively, primarily for severance related to headcount reductions and consolidation of manufacturing operations.facility consolidations. These expenses are reflected in restructuring expenses in the consolidated statementsConsolidated Statements of earnings.Earnings. The company estimates that these 2017 restructuring initiatives will result in future cost savings of approximately $10.0 million annually. The realization ofto $15.0 million annually, beginning in fiscal 2020. At December 28, 2019, the saving began in 2017restructuring obligations accrued for these initiatives are immaterial and will continue into thebe substantially complete by first six monthsquarter of fiscal year 2018 and the restructuring costs in the future are not expected to be significant related to these actions.2020.


Food ProcessingResidential Kitchen Equipment Group:


DuringSince the fiscal year 2017,2015 acquisition of the AGA Group, the company undertook cost reductionvarious acquisition integration initiatives including
organizational restructuring, headcount reductions and consolidation and disposition of certain facilities and business
operations, including the impairment of equipment and facilities. Most recently during 2018, the company undertook
additional restructuring efforts related to Grange, a non-core business within the entire Food Processing Equipment Group.AGA Group, and elected to cease its
operations. This action, which is not material to the company's operations, resulted in a charge of $0.6 millionprocess was largely completed in the twelve monthsfourth quarter of 2018. During fiscal 2019, the initiatives within the AGA Group were primarily related to headcount reductions. The company recorded expense of $2.3 million, $15.1 million and $11.9 million, respectively in the years ended December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017, respectively.

Additionally within the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group, the company incurred restructuring costs, primarily for severance related to headcount reductions and is reflected in restructuring expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings. The company estimates that these 2017 restructuring initiatives will result in future cost savings of approximately $4.0 million annually. The realization of the savings began in 2017 and will continue into the first six months of fiscal year 2018 and no significant future costs related to this action are expected.

Residential Kitchen Equipment Group:

During the fiscal years 2016 and 2015, the company undertook acquisition integration initiatives primarily related to AGA within the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group. These initiatives included organizational restructuring and headcount reductions, consolidation and disposition of certain facilities and business operations. During fiscal year 2017, the company continued initiatives, primarily related the AGA Group, including additional headcount reductions and the impairment of equipment in conjunction of the disposition of certain facilities and business operations.facility consolidations. The company recorded expense in the amount of $13.1 million, $11.0$1.7 million and $25.5$1.2 million, respectively in the years ended December 28, 2019 and December 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and January 2, 2016, respectively. This expense is

These expenses are reflected in restructuring expenses in the consolidated statementsConsolidated Statements of earnings for such periods.Earnings. The cumulative expenses incurred to date for these initiatives is approximately $40.6$59.7 million. The primary realization of the cost savings began in 2017 and 2018 related to compensation and facility costs of approximately $20.0 million annually. The company estimated that theseestimates the 2019 restructuring initiatives in 2017 wouldwill result in future cost savings of approximately $20.0$3.0 million annually. The realization of the savings began in 2017restructuring obligations accrued for these initiatives are immaterial and will continue into the first six months of fiscal year 2018, primarily related to compensation and facility costs. The company anticipates that all severance obligations for the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group will be paid by the end of fiscal of 2018. The lease obligations extend through December 2019.2020.


The costs and corresponding reserve balances for the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group are summarized as follows (in thousands):
  Severance/Benefits Facilities/Operations Other Total
Balance as of December 31, 2016 $5,145
 $2,032
 $69
 $7,246
Expenses 8,662
 3,872
 601
 13,135
Exchange Effect 533
 358
 11
 902
Payments (10,642) (4,795) (524) (15,961)
Balance as of December 30, 2017 $3,698
 $1,467
 $157
 $5,322
Expenses 6,367
 3,771
 5,001
 15,139
Exchange Effect (49) (11) 23
 (37)
Payments/Utilization (9,150) (5,171) (4,394) (18,715)
Balance as of December 29, 2018 $866
 $56
 $787
 $1,709
Expenses 3,766
 684
 (476) 3,974
Exchange Effect 24
 (7) (55) (38)
Payments/Utilization (3,990) (632) (256) (4,878)
Balance as of December 28, 2019 $666
 $101
 $
 $767

  Severance/Benefits Facilities/Operations Other Total
Balance as of January 3, 2015 $147
 $
 $37
 $184
Expenses 18,142
 7,248
 108
 25,498
Payments (2,628) (2,606) (25) (5,259)
Balance as of January 2, 2016 $15,661
 $4,642
 $120
 $20,423
Expenses 9,816
 1,160
 10
 10,986
Exchange Effect (749) (73) (32) (854)
Payments (19,583) (3,697) (29) (23,309)
Balance as of December 31, 2016 $5,145
 $2,032
 $69
 $7,246
Expenses 8,662
 3,872
 601
 13,135
Exchange Effect 533
 358
 11
 902
Payments/Utilization (10,642) (4,795) (524) (15,961)
Balance as of December 30, 2017 $3,698
 $1,467
 $157
 $5,322





(13)




(14)    SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On February 16, 2018, subsequent toJanuary 31, 2020, the company entered into an amended and restated five-year, $3.5 billion multi-currency senior secured credit agreement. This facility replaces the company's fiscal 2017 year end,pre-existing $3.0 billion Credit Facility, which had an original maturity of July 2021. The Amended Facility consists of (i) a $750.0 million term loan facility and (ii) a $2.75 billion multi-currency revolving credit facility, with the company completed its acquisitionpotential under certain circumstances, to increase the amount of the stockcredit facility to up to a total of Hinds-Bock Corporation ("Hinds-Bock")$4.0 billion (plus additional amounts, subject to compliance with a senior secured net leverage ratio). The Amended Facility matures on January 31, 2025. At inception, the Amended Facility bears an interest rate of LIBOR plus a margin of 1.625%, a leading manufacturerwhich is adjusted quarterly based upon the company's leverage ratio. The term loan facility will amortize in equal quarterly installments due on the last day of solutionseach fiscal quarter, commencing with the first full fiscal quarter after January 31, 2020, in an aggregate annual amount equal to 2.50% of the original aggregate principal amount of the term loan facility, with the balance, plus any accrued interest, due and payable on January 31, 2025. The Amended Facility provides for fillingavailability to provide working capital, capital expenditures, to support the issuance of letters of credit and depositing bakery and food product for the food processing industry for a purchase price of approximately $26.5 million. The product offerings of Hinds-Bock include depositing and filling machines. Hinds-Bock is located in Bothell, Washington and has annual revenues of approximately $15.0 million.other general corporate purposes.







THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
 
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES
FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 28, 2019, DECEMBER 29, 2018
AND DECEMBER 30, 2017 DECEMBER 31, 2016
AND JANUARY 2, 2016

(amounts in thousands)
 
Balance
Beginning
Of Period

 
Additions/
(Recoveries)
Charged
to Expense

 Other Adjustments (1)
 
Write-Offs
During the
the Period

 
Balance
At End
Of Period

Balance
Beginning
Of Period

 
Additions/
(Recoveries)
Charged
to Expense

 Other Adjustments (1)
 
Write-Offs
During
the Period

 
Balance
At End
Of Period

Allowance for doubtful accounts; deducted from accounts receivable on the balance sheets- 
  
    
  
 
  
    
  
                  
2019$13,608
 $1,941
 $2,009
 $(2,672) $14,886
         
2018$13,182
 $3,160
 $1,121
 $(3,855) $13,608
         
2017$12,600,200
 $2,083,500
 $478,000
 $(1,979,400) $13,182,300
$12,600
 $2,084
 $478
 $(1,979) $13,182
         
2016$8,838,500
 $45,900
 $4,886,500
 $(1,170,700) $12,600,200
         
2015$9,091,000
 $121,800
 $1,103,400
 $(1,477,700) $8,838,500


(1) Amounts consist primarily of valuation allowances assumed from acquired companies.


 Balance
Beginning
Of Period

 Additions/
(Recoveries)
Charged
to Expense

 Write-Offs
During the
Period

 Balance
At End
Of Period

Valuation allowance - Deferred tax assets 
  
  
  
        
2019$26,023
 $129
 $(18,398) $7,754
        
2018$23,190
 $2,833
 $
 $26,023
        
2017$29,893
 $(6,703) $
 $23,190






 Balance
Beginning
Of Period

 Additions/
(Recoveries)
Charged
to Expense

 Write-Offs
During the
the Period

 Balance
At End
Of Period

Valuation allowance - Deferred tax assets 
  
  
  
        
2017$29,893,000
 $(6,703,000) $
 $23,190,000
        
2016$20,395,200
 $9,497,800
 $
 $29,893,000
        
2015$
 $20,395,200
 $
 $20,395,200





Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
None
 
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
The company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period covered by this report that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the company's Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the company's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
The company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the company's management, including the company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the company's disclosure controls and procedures as of December 30, 2017.28, 2019. Based on the foregoing, the company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of this period.
 
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
During the quarter ended December 30, 2017,28, 2019, there have been no changes in the company's internal controls over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the company's internal control over financial reporting.



































Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our 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. Our 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 our assets;


(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 our management and directors; and


(iii)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.
 
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (COSO). Our assessment of the internal control structure excluded BurfordEVO (acquired MayDecember 31, 2018), Cooking Solutions Group (acquired April 1, 2017) CVP Systems2019), Powerhouse (acquired April 1, 2019), Ss Brewtech (acquired June 30, 2017)15, 2019), Sveba DahlenPacproinc (acquired June 30, 2017)July 16, 2019), QualServBrava (acquired August 31, 2017), L2F (acquired October 6, 2017), Globe (acquired October 17, 2017)November 19, 2019), and ScanicoSynesso (acquired December 7, 2017)November 27, 2019).


These acquisitions constitute 0.1%(0.3)% and 11.9%6.4% of net and total assets, respectively, 3.9%3.6% of net sales and (0.7)(1.7)% of net income of the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 30, 2017.28, 2019. These acquisitions are included in the consolidated financial statements of the company as of and for the year ended December 30, 2017.28, 2019. Under guidelines established by the Securities Exchange Commission, companies are allowed to exclude acquisitions from their assessment of internal control over financial reporting during the first year of an acquisition while integrating the acquired companies.
 
Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 30, 2017.28, 2019.


Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, who audited and reported on the consolidated financial statements of the company included in this report, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2017.28, 2019.
 
The Middleby Corporation
February 28, 201826, 2020






Item 9B. Other Information
 
Not applicable.






PART III


Pursuant to General Instruction G (3), of Form 10-K, the information called for by Part III (ItemItem 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) and Item 14 (Principal Accountant Fees and Services), is incorporated herein by reference from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.








PART IV
 
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules


(a)1.    Financial Statements


The financial statements listed on Page 48 are filed as part of this Form 10-K.


3.Exhibits
 
2.1
3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

4.1Certificate of Designations dated October 30, 1987, and specimen stock certificate relating to the company Preferred Stock, incorporated by reference from the company’s Form 10-K, Exhibit (4), for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988, filed on March 15, 1989.

10.1

10.2*10.2
10.3*

10.3*10.4*

10.4*10.5*

10.5*10.6*


10.6*10.7*

10.7*10.8*



10.8*10.9*

10.9*10.10*

10.10*10.11*

10.11*10.12*

10.13*
10.14*
10.15*
10.16*
10.17*
10.18*
21

23.1

31.1

31.2

32.1

32.2

104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline Extensive Business Reporting Language (iXBRL) and contained in Exhibit 101).
*Designates management contract or compensation plan.
(c)See the financial statement schedule included under Item 8.


Item 16. Form 10-K Summary


None






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, on the 1st26th day of March 2017.February 2020.
 
THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
 
 BY:/s/ Timothy J. FitzGeraldBryan E. Mittelman
  Timothy J. FitzGerald
Vice President,Bryan E. Mittelman
  Chief Financial Officer
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on February 28, 2018.26, 2020.
 
Signatures Title
   
PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER  
   
/s/  Selim A. BassoulChairman of the Board, President,
Selim A. BassoulTimothy J. FitzGerald Chief Executive Officer and Director
Timothy J. FitzGerald
   
PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL AND  
ACCOUNTING OFFICER  
   
/s/  Timothy J. FitzGeraldBryan E. Mittelman Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
Timothy J. FitzGeraldBryan E. Mittelman Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal
  Principal Accounting Officer
DIRECTORS  
   
/s/  Robert LambGordon O'BrienChairman of the Board, Director
Gordon O'Brien
/s/  Sarah Palisi Chapin Director
Robert LambSarah Palisi Chapin
/s/  Cathy L. McCarthyDirector
Cathy L. McCarthy  
   
/s/  John R. Miller, III Director
John R. Miller, III  
   
/s/  Gordon O'BrienRobert Nerbonne Director
Gordon O'BrienRobert Nerbonne  
   
/s/  Nassem Ziyad Director
Nassem Ziyad  
/s/  Cathy L. McCarthyDirector
Cathy L. McCarthy
/s/  Sarah Palisi ChapinDirector
Sarah Palisi Chapin
 






91101