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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_______________

 

Form 10-K

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended January 3, 20161, 2017

 

Commission File No.: 001-33994

 

      Interface, Inc.      

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Georgia

 

58-1451243

(State of incorporation)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

   

2859 Paces Ferry Road, Suite 2000

  

Atlanta, Georgia

 

30339

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(zip code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:          (770) 437-6800          

 

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered:

Common Stock, $0.10 Par Value Per Share

Nasdaq Global Select Market

Series B Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

Nasdaq Global Select Market

 

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 ☑ NO ☐

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. YES ☐ NO ☑

 

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 ☑ NO ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Date File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES ☑ 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. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and a “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. (Check one):

 

Large Accelerated Filer ☑

Accelerated Filer ☐

Non-Accelerated Filer ☐

Smaller Reporting Company ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES ☐ NO ☑

 

Aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of July 2, 2015: $1,585,000,222 (64,040,4131, 2016: $1,199,061,440 (63,275,010 shares valued at the closing sale price of $24.75$15.42 on July 2, 2015)1, 2016). See Item 12.

 

Number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of Common Stock, as of February 19, 2016:17, 2017:

 

Class

Number of Shares

Common Stock, $0.10 par value per share

65,884,82564,230,649

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 20162017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.

 



 

Table Ofof Contents
 

 

TABLEOF CONTENTS

PART I

2
ITEM 1. BUSINESS2
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS12
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS15
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES15
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS1615
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES1615

PART II

16
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES16
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA19
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS20
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK3132
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA34
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS34
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME35
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS36
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS37
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS38
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM69
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM70
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE71
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES71
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION71

PART III

71
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE71
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION72
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS72
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE72
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES72

PART IV

72
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES72
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY75

SIGNATURES

79

EXHIBIT INDEX

80
EX-10.15
EX-21 

EX-23

 

EX-24

 

EX-31.1

 

EX-31.2

 

EX-32.1

 

EX-32.2

 
EX-101.INS

EX-101.SCH

EX-101.CAL 

EX-101.LAB

EX-101.PRE

EX-101.DEF

 

 

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PARTI

 

ITEM1.        BUSINESS

 

Introduction and General

 

References in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to “Interface,” “the Company,” “we,” “our,” “ours” and “us” refer to Interface, Inc. and its subsidiaries or any of them, unless the context requires otherwise.otherwise.

 

We are a worldwide leader in design, production and sales of modular carpet, also known as carpet tile. For the past several years, modular carpet sales growth in the floorcovering industry has significantly outpaced the growth of the overall industry, as architects, designers and end users increasingly recognized the unique and superior attributes of modular carpet, including its dynamic design capabilities, greater economic value (which includes lower costs as a result of reduced waste in both installation and replacement), and installation ease and speed.

 

As a global company with a reputation for high quality, reliability and premium positioning, we market modular carpet in over 110 countries under the established brand namesInterface®and FLOR®.Our principal geographic markets are the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific, where the percentages of our total net sales were approximately 59%, 26%25% and 15%16%, respectively, for fiscal year 2015.2016.

 

Capitalizing on our leadership in modular carpet for the corporate office market segment, we are executing a market diversification strategy to increase our presence and market share for modular carpet in non-corporate office market segments, such as government, education, healthcare, hospitality and retail space, which combined are more than twice the size of the approximately $1 billion U.S. corporate office market segment.space. Our diversification strategy also targets the approximately $9 billion U.S. residential market segment for carpet. As a result of our efforts, our mix of corporate office versus non-corporate office modular carpet sales in the Americas was 44% and 56%, respectively, for 2015.2016. Company-wide, our mix of corporate office versus non-corporate office sales was 59% and 41%, respectively, in 2015.2016. We believe the appeal and utilization of modular carpet is growing in non-corporate office market segments, and we are using our considerable skills and experience with designing, producing and marketing modular products that make us the market leader in the corporate office segment to support and facilitate our penetration into these segments around the world.

In July 2012, a fire occurred at our manufacturing facility in Picton, Australia, causing extensive damage and rendering the facility inoperable. In January 2014, we commenced operations at a new manufacturing facility in Minto, Australia. For additional information, please see Items 6-8 of this Annual Report.

In August 2012, we sold our Bentley Prince Street business segment, which designed, manufactured and marketed high-end, designer-oriented broadloom and modular carpet. For additional information, please see Items 6-7 of this Annual Report.

 

Our Strengths

 

Our principal competitive strengths include:

 

Market Leader in Attractive Modular Carpet Segment. We are the world’s leading manufacturer of carpet tile. Modular carpet has become more prevalent across all commercial interiors markets as designers, architects and end users have become more familiar with its unique attributes. We continue to drive this trend with our product innovations and designs discussed below. According to the annual Floor Focus interiors industry survey of the top 250 designers in the United States, carpet tile was ranked as the number one “hot product” for each of the years 2002 through 2012, and was ranked number two for each of the years 2013 through 2015.2016. We believe that we are well positioned to lead and capitalize upon the continued shift to modular carpet, both domestically and around the world.

 

Established Brands and Reputation for Quality, Reliability and Leadership.  Our products are known in the industry for their high quality, reliability and premium positioning in the marketplace, and our established brand names are leaders in the industry. The 20152016Floor Focus survey ranked Interface first in “Best Overall Business Experience” among carpet companies, and it ranked ourInterface brand second in the survey categories of service, quality, design and performance. In the North American residential market segment, ourFLOR brand is known for its high style carpet design squares that consumers assemble to create custom rugs, runners or wall-to-wall designs in the home. On the international front, Interface is a well-recognized brand name in carpet tiles for commercial and institutional use. More generally, we believe that as the appeal and utilization of modular carpet continues to expand into market segments such as government, healthcare, education, hospitality, and retail and residential space, our reputation as the pioneer of modular carpet — as well as our established brands and leading market position for modular carpet in the corporate office segment — will enhance our competitive advantage in marketing to the customers in these new markets.

Innovative Product Design and Development Capabilities.  Our product design and development capabilities have long given us a significant competitive advantage, and we believe they continue to do so as modular carpet’s appeal and utilization expand across virtually every market segment and around the globe. One of our recent design innovations is the introduction of long and narrow rectangular carpet tiles in the shape of planks, and even more narrow versions known asSkinny Planks. The use of planks andSkinny Planks increases the design versatility of our carpet tile, as these products can create aesthetics (such as a herringbone pattern) that are different from, or enhance, that of our traditional square carpet tiles.

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The award-winning design firm David Oakey Designs has had a pivotal role in developing our plank andSkinny Plank products, as well as many of our other innovative product designs, and our long-standing exclusive relationship with David Oakey Designs remains vibrant and augments our internal research, development and design staff. As another example, David Oakey Designs has developed products that are manufactured using state-of-the-art tufting technology which allows us to pinpoint tufts of different colored yarns in virtually any arrangement within a carpet tile. These unique designs are best exemplified by ourUrban Retreat®,Net Effect® andHuman Nature® collections, which are sold throughout our international operations.

Historically, one of our best design innovations is our i2™ modular product line, which includes our popular Entropy® product for which we received a patent in 2005 on the key elements of its design. The i2 line introduced and features mergeable dye lots, and includes a number of carpet tile products that are designed to be installed randomly without reference to the orientation of neighboring tiles. The i2 line offers cost-efficient installation and maintenance, interactive flexibility, and recycled and recyclable materials. Another more recent innovation is ourTacTiles®carpet tile installation system, which uses small squares of adhesive plastic film to connect intersecting carpet tiles, thus eliminating the need for traditional carpet adhesive and resulting in a reduction in installation time and waste materials.

Made-to-Order and Global Manufacturing Capabilities. We have a distinct competitive advantage in meeting two principal requirements of the specified products markets we primarily target — that is, providing custom samples quickly and on-time delivery of customized final products. We also can generate realistic digital samples that allow us to create a virtually unlimited number of new design concepts and distribute them instantly for customer review, while at the same time reducing sampling waste. About half of our modular carpet products worldwide are made-to-order. Our made-to-order capabilities not only enhance our marketing and sales, they significantly improve our inventory turns. Our global manufacturing capabilities in modular carpet production are an important component of this strength, and give us an advantage in serving the needs of multinational corporate customers that require products and services at various locations around the world. Our manufacturing locations across four continents enable us to compete effectively with local producers in our international markets, while giving international customers more favorable delivery times and freight costs.

Recognized Global Leadership in Ecological Sustainability. Our long-standing goal and commitment to be ecologically “sustainable” — that is, the point at which we are no longer a net “taker” from the earth and do no harm to the biosphere — have emerged as a competitive strength for our business and remain a strategic initiative. It includes Mission Zero®, our global branding initiative, which represents our mission to eliminate any negative impact our companies may have on the environment by the year 2020. It also includes a bold new mission calledClimate Take Back™, in which we seek to lead the industry in designing and making products in ways that will maintain a climate fit for life. Our acknowledged leadership position and expertise in this area resonate deeply with many of our customers and prospects around the globe, and provide us with a differentiating advantage in competing for business among architects, designers and end users of our products, who often make purchase decisions based on “green” factors. The 2016 Floor Focus survey named our Interfacebusiness the top among “Green Leaders,” and gave us the top “Green Kudos” honors for ourNet-Works®recycled fishing net partnership as well as our newClimate Take Back mission.

Experienced and Motivated Management and Sales Force.  An important component of our competitive position is the quality of our management team and its commitment to developing and maintaining an engaged and accountable workforce. Our team is highly skilled and dedicated to guiding our overall growth and expansion into our targeted market segments, while maintaining our leadership in traditional markets and our high contribution margins. We utilize an internal marketing and predominantly commissioned sales force of more than 650 experienced personnel, stationed at over 70 locations in over 30 countries, to market our products and services in person to our customers. Our incentive compensation and our sales and marketing training programs are tailored to promote performance and facilitate leadership by our executives both in strategic areas as well as the Company as a whole.

Our Business Strategy and Principal Initiatives

Our business strategy is to continue to use our leading position in modular carpet and our product design and global made-to-order capabilities as a platform from which to drive acceptance of modular carpet products across several industry segments, while maintaining our leadership position in the corporate office market segment. We will seek to increase revenues and profitability by capitalizing on the above strengths and pursuing the following key strategic initiatives:

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Continue to Penetrate Non-Corporate Office Market Segments. We will continue our strategic focus on product design and marketing and sales efforts for non-corporate office market segments such as government, education, healthcare, hospitality, retail and residential space. We began this initiative as part of a market diversification strategy to reduce our exposure to the more severe economic cyclicality of the corporate office segment, and it has become a principal strategy generally for growing our business and enhancing profitability. To implement this strategy, we:

introduced specialized product offerings tailored to the unique demands of these segments, including specific designs, functionalities and prices;

created special sales teams dedicated to penetrating these segments at a high level, with a focus on specific customer accounts rather than geographic territories; and

realigned incentives for our corporate office segment sales force generally in order to encourage their efforts, and where appropriate, to assist our penetration of these other segments.

As part of this strategy, our FLOR line of products focuses on the U.S. residential carpet and rugs market segment. These products were specifically created to bring high style modular carpet and rugs to the North American residential market. Historically, we offeredFLOR in three primary sales channels – catalogs, the Internet, and in ourFLOR retail stores.In the fourth quarter of 2016, we adopted a restructuring plan that includes the closure ofFLOR’s headquarters office and most retailFLOR stores. When the restructuring plan is completed,FLOR will focus on internet sales as well as crossover sales by our commercial sales force.

Penetrate Expanding Geographic Markets for Modular Products. The popularity of modular carpet continues to increase compared with other floorcovering products across most markets, internationally as well as in the United States. While maintaining our leadership in the corporate office segment, we will continue to build upon our position as the worldwide leader for modular carpet in order to promote sales in all market segments globally. A principal part of our international focus – which utilizes our global marketing capabilities and sales infrastructure – is the significant opportunities in several emerging geographic markets for modular carpet. These emerging markets, such as China, India and Eastern Europe, represent large and growing economies that are essentially new markets for modular carpet products. Other expanding geographic markets, such as Germany and Italy, are established markets that are transitioning to the use of modular carpet from historically low levels of penetration. Each of these geographic markets represents a significant growth opportunity for our modular carpet business.

Continue to Minimize Expenses and Invest Strategically. We have steadily trimmed costs from our operations for several years through multiple initiatives, which have made us leaner today and for the future. Our supply chain and other cost containment initiatives have improved our cost structure and yielded operating efficiencies. While we still seek to minimize our expenses in order to increase profitability, we will also take advantage of strategic opportunities to invest in systems, processes and personnel that can help us grow our business and increase profitability and value.

Sustain Leadership in Product Design and Development. As discussed above, our leadership position for product design and development is a competitive advantage and key strength. Our plank,Skinny Plank, andi2 products andTacTiles installation system have confirmed our position as an innovation leader in modular carpet. We will continue initiatives to sustain, augment and capitalize upon that strength to continue to increase our market share in targeted market segments. Our Mission Zero andClimate TakeBack initiatives, which draw upon and promote our ecological sustainability commitment, are part of those initiatives and include placing our Mission ZeroandClimate Take Back logos on many of our marketing and merchandising materials distributed throughout the world.

Use Strong Free Cash Flow Generation to Strengthen Our Balance Sheet. Our principal business has been structured – including through our rationalization and repositioning initiatives – to yield high contribution margins and generate strong free cash flow (by which we mean cash available to apply towards debt service and potential stock repurchases, strategic acquisitions and the like). Our historical investments in global manufacturing capabilities and mass customization techniques and facilities, which we have maintained, also contribute to our ability to generate substantial levels of free cash flow. We expect to use our strong free cash flow generation capability to potentially repurchase shares and strengthen our financial position, or re-invest in our operations. We will also continue to execute programs to reduce costs further and enhance free cash flow.  In addition, our existing capacity to increase production levels without significant capital expenditures will further enhance our generation of free cash flow as demand for our products rises.

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Challenges

In order to capitalize on our strengths and to implement successfully our business strategy and the principal initiatives discussed above, we will have to handle successfully several challenges that confront us or that affect our industry in general. As discussed in the Risk Factors in Item 1A of this Report, several factors could make it difficult for us, including:

sales of our principal products have been and may continue to be affected by adverse economic cycles in the renovation and construction of commercial and institutional buildings;

we compete with a large number of manufacturers in the highly competitive commercial floorcovering products market, and some of these competitors have greater financial resources than we do;

our success depends significantly upon the efforts, abilities and continued service of our senior management executives and our principal design consultant, and our loss of any of them could affect us adversely;

our substantial international operations are subject to various political, economic and other uncertainties that could adversely affect our business results;

large increases in the cost of petroleum-based raw materials could adversely affect us if we are unable to pass these cost increases through to our customers;

unanticipated termination or interruption of any of our arrangements with our primary third party suppliers of synthetic fiber could have a material adverse effect on us; and

we have a significant amount of indebtedness, which could have important negative consequences to us.

We believe our business model is strong enough, and our strategic initiatives are properly calibrated, for us to handle these and other challenges we will encounter in our business.

Seasonality

Historically, our first quarter has typically been our slowest quarter while our fourth quarter has typically been our best quarter, with sales generally increasing throughout the course of the fiscal year.  However, in recent years, as our sales efforts and results in the education market segment (which has a heavy buying season in the summer months) have increased and currency fluctuations have impacted us, our third quarter sales have been the highest.

Our Products and Services

Modular Carpet

Interface is the world’s largest manufacturer and marketer of modular carpet. Our modular carpet system, which is marketed under the established global brands Interface andFLOR, utilizes carpet tiles cut in precise, dimensionally stable squares (usually 50 cm x 50 cm) or rectangles (such as planks andSkinny Planks) to produce a floorcovering that combines the appearance and texture of traditional soft floorcovering with the advantages of a modular carpet system. Our GlasBac®technology employs a fiberglass-reinforced polymeric composite backing that provides dimensional stability and reduces the need for adhesives or fasteners. We also make carpet tiles with a backing containing post-industrial and/or post-consumer recycled materials, which we market under the GlasBacRE brand. In addition, we make carpet tile with yarn containing varying degrees of post-consumer nylon, depending on the style and color.

Our carpet tile has become popular for a number of reasons. Carpet tile incorporating our reinforced backing may be easily removed and replaced, permitting rearrangement of furniture without the inconvenience and expense associated with removing, replacing or repairing other soft surface flooring products, including broadloom carpeting. Because a relatively small portion of a carpet installation often receives the bulk of traffic and wear, the ability to rotate carpet tiles between high traffic and low traffic areas and to selectively replace worn tiles can significantly increase the average life and cost efficiency of the floorcovering. In addition, carpet tile facilitates access to sub-floor air delivery systems and telephone, electrical, computer and other wiring by lessening disruption of operations. It also eliminates the cumulative damage and unsightly appearance commonly associated with frequent cutting of conventional carpet as utility connections and disconnections are made. We believe that, within the overall floorcovering market, the worldwide demand for modular carpet is increasing as more customers recognize these advantages.

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We use a number of conventional and technologically advanced methods of carpet construction to produce carpet tiles in a wide variety of colors, patterns, textures, pile heights and densities. These varieties are designed to meet both the practical and aesthetic needs of a broad spectrum of commercial interiors – particularly offices, healthcare facilities, airports, educational and other institutions, hospitality spaces, and retail facilities – and residential interiors. Our carpet tile systems permit distinctive styling and patterning that can be used to complement interior designs, to set off areas for particular purposes and to convey graphic information. While we continue to manufacture and sell a substantial portion of our carpet tile in standard styles, most of our modular carpet sales in the Americas and Asia-Pacific are custom or made-to-order products designed to meet customer specifications.

In addition to general uses of our carpet tile, we produce and sell a specially adapted version of our carpet tile for the healthcare facilities market. Our carpet tile possesses characteristics — such as the use of the Intersept® antimicrobial, static-controlling nylon yarns, and thermally pigmented, colorfast yarns — which make it suitable for use in these facilities in place of hard surface flooring. Moreover, we launched our FLOR line of products to specifically target modular carpet sales to the residential market segment. We also have created modular carpet products (some of which are part of our i2 product line) specifically designed for each of the education, hospitality and retail market segments.

We also manufacture and sell two-meter roll goods that are structure-backed and offer many of the advantages of both carpet tile and broadloom carpet. These roll goods are often used in conjunction with carpet tiles to create special design effects. Our current principal customers for these products are in the education, healthcare and government market segments.

Modular Resilient Flooring

In 2016, we began offering a category of products that we call “modular resilient flooring”, and our first product introductions into this category were luxury vinyl tile (“LVT”) products in a four-city test market in the U.S. We recognize that our customers are buying multiple flooring types to service individual projects, while also looking to partner with fewer suppliers that can offer more products and services. In the annualFloor FocusModular Carpet survey ranked our

Interface brand first in is the survey categoriesworld’s largest manufacturer and marketer of service, quality, design and performance. Inmodular carpet. Our modular carpet system, which is marketed under the North American residential market segment, ourFLOR brand is known for its high style carpet design squares that consumers assemble to create custom rugs, runners or wall-to-wall designs in the home. On the international front,established global brands Interface is a well-recognized brand name inandFLOR, utilizes carpet tiles cut in precise, dimensionally stable squares (usually 50 cm x 50 cm) or rectangles (such as planks andSkinny Planks) to produce a floorcovering that combines the appearance and texture of traditional soft floorcovering with the advantages of a modular carpet system. Our GlasBac®technology employs a fiberglass-reinforced polymeric composite backing that provides dimensional stability and reduces the need for commercialadhesives or fasteners. We also make carpet tiles with a backing containing post-industrial and/or post-consumer recycled materials, which we market under the GlasBacRE brand. In addition, we make carpet tile with yarn containing varying degrees of post-consumer nylon, depending on the style and institutional use. More generally, wecolor.

Our carpet tile has become popular for a number of reasons. Carpet tile incorporating our reinforced backing may be easily removed and replaced, permitting rearrangement of furniture without the inconvenience and expense associated with removing, replacing or repairing other soft surface flooring products, including broadloom carpeting. Because a relatively small portion of a carpet installation often receives the bulk of traffic and wear, the ability to rotate carpet tiles between high traffic and low traffic areas and to selectively replace worn tiles can significantly increase the average life and cost efficiency of the floorcovering. In addition, carpet tile facilitates access to sub-floor air delivery systems and telephone, electrical, computer and other wiring by lessening disruption of operations. It also eliminates the cumulative damage and unsightly appearance commonly associated with frequent cutting of conventional carpet as utility connections and disconnections are made. We believe that, aswithin the appeal and utilization of modular carpet continues to expand intooverall floorcovering market, segments such as government, healthcare, education, hospitality, and retail and residential space, our reputation as the pioneer of modular carpet — as well as our established brands and leading market positionworldwide demand for modular carpet in the corporate office segment — will enhance our competitive advantage in marketing to theis increasing as more customers inrecognize these new markets.

advantages.

 

 
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Innovative Product DesignWe use a number of conventional and Development Capabilities.  Our product design and development capabilities have long given us a significant competitive advantage, and we believe they continuetechnologically advanced methods of carpet construction to do so as modular carpet’s appeal and utilization expand across virtually every market segment and around the globe. One of our recent design innovations is the introduction of long and narrow rectangularproduce carpet tiles in a wide variety of colors, patterns, textures, pile heights and densities. These varieties are designed to meet both the shapepractical and aesthetic needs of planks,a broad spectrum of commercial interiors – particularly offices, healthcare facilities, airports, educational and even more narrow versions known asSkinny Planks. The use of planksother institutions, hospitality spaces, andSkinny Planks increases the design versatility retail facilities – and residential interiors. Our carpet tile systems permit distinctive styling and patterning that can be used to complement interior designs, to set off areas for particular purposes and to convey graphic information. While we continue to manufacture and sell a substantial portion of our carpet tile as these products can create aesthetics (such as a herringbone pattern) that are different from, or enhance, that of our traditional square carpet tiles.

The award-winning design firm David Oakey Designs has had a pivotal role in developing our plank andSkinny Plank products, as well as many of our other innovative product designs, and our long-standing exclusive relationship with David Oakey Designs remains vibrant and augments our internal research, development and design staff. As another example, David Oakey Designs has developed products that are manufactured using state-of-the-art tufting technology which allows us to pinpoint tufts of different colored yarns in virtually any arrangement within a carpet tile. These unique designs are best exemplified by ourUrban Retreat®,Net Effect® andHuman Nature® collections, which are sold throughout our international operations.

Historically, one of our best design innovations is our i2™ modular product line, which includes our popular Entropy® product for which we received a patent in 2005 on the key elements of its design. The i2 line introduced and features mergeable dye lots, and includes a number of carpet tile products that are designed to be installed randomly without reference to the orientation of neighboring tiles. The i2 line offers cost-efficient installation and maintenance, interactive flexibility, and recycled and recyclable materials. Another more recent innovation is ourTacTiles®carpet tile installation system, which uses small squares of adhesive plastic film to connect intersecting carpet tiles, thus eliminating the need for traditional carpet adhesive and resulting in a reduction in installation time and waste materials.

Made-to-Order and Global Manufacturing Capabilities. We have a distinct competitive advantage in meeting two principal requirements of the specified products markets we primarily target — that is, providing custom samples quickly and on-time delivery of customized final products. We also can generate realistic digital samples that allow us to create a virtually unlimited number of new design concepts and distribute them instantly for customer review, while at the same time reducing sampling waste. Approximately 60% to 65%standard styles, most of our modular carpet productssales in the United StatesAmericas and Asia-Pacific markets are nowcustom or made-to-order and we are increasing our made-to-order production in Europe as well. Our made-to-order capabilities not only enhance our marketing and sales, they significantly improve our inventory turns. Our global manufacturing capabilities in modular carpet production are an important component of this strength, and give us an advantage in serving the needs of multinational corporate customers that require products and services at various locations around the world. Our manufacturing locations across four continents enable usdesigned to compete effectively with local producers in our international markets, while giving international customers more favorable delivery times and freight costs.meet customer specifications.

 

Recognized Global Leadership in Ecological Sustainability. Our long-standing goal and commitmentIn addition to be ecologically “sustainable” — that is, the point at which we are no longer a net “taker” from the earth and do no harm to the biosphere — have emerged as a competitive strength for our business and remain a strategic initiative. It includes Mission Zero®, our global branding initiative, which represents our mission to eliminate any negative impact our companies may have on the environment by the year 2020. Our acknowledged leadership position and expertise in this area resonate deeply with manygeneral uses of our customerscarpet tile, we produce and prospects around the globe, and provide us withsell a differentiating advantage in competing for business among architects, designers and end usersspecially adapted version of our products, who often make purchase decisions based on “green” factors. The 2015 Floor Focus survey named our Interfacebusinesscarpet tile for the top among “Green Leaders,” and gave us the top “Green Kudos” honors for ourNet Effect product and itsNet-Works®recycled fishing net partnership as well as ourFLOR residentialhealthcare facilities market. Our carpet tile.

Experienced and Motivated Management and Sales Force.  An important component of our competitive position is the quality of our management team and its commitment to developing and maintaining an engaged and accountable workforce. Our team is highly skilled and dedicated to guiding our overall growth and expansion into our targeted market segments, while maintaining our leadership in traditional markets and our high contribution margins. We utilize an internal marketing and predominantly commissioned sales force of more than 650 experienced personnel, stationed at over 70 locations in over 30 countries, to market our products and services in person to our customers. Our incentive compensation and our sales and marketing training programs are tailored to promote performance and facilitate leadership by our executives both in strategic areas as welltile possesses characteristics — such as the Company as a whole.use of the Intersept

Our Business Strategy® antimicrobial, static-controlling nylon yarns, and Principal Initiatives

Our business strategy is to continue tothermally pigmented, colorfast yarns — which make it suitable for use our leading position in modular carpet and our product design and global made-to-order capabilities as a platform from which to drive acceptancethese facilities in place of modular carpet products across several industry segments, while maintaining our leadership position in the corporate office market segment. We will seek to increase revenues and profitability by capitalizing on the above strengths and pursuing the following key strategic initiatives:

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Continue to Penetrate Non-Corporate Office Market Segments. We will continue our strategic focus on product design and marketing and sales efforts for non-corporate office market segments such as government, education, healthcare, hospitality, retail and residential space. We began this initiative as part of our market diversification strategy in 2001 (when our initial objective was reducing our exposure to the more severe economic cyclicality of the corporate office segment), and it has become a principal strategy generally for growing our business and enhancing profitability. To implement this strategy, we:

introduced specialized product offerings tailored to the unique demands of these segments, including specific designs, functionalities and prices;

created special sales teams dedicated to penetrating these segments at a high level, with a focus on specific customer accounts rather than geographic territories; and

realigned incentives for our corporate office segment sales force generally in order to encourage their efforts, and where appropriate, to assist our penetration of these other segments.

As part of this strategy,hard surface flooring. Moreover, we launched our FLOR line of products focuses onto specifically target modular carpet sales to the U.S. residential carpet and rugs market segment. These products were specificallyWe also have created to bring high style modular carpet products (some of which are part of our i2 product line) specifically designed for each of the education, hospitality and rugsretail market segments.

We also manufacture and sell two-meter roll goods that are structure-backed and offer many of the advantages of both carpet tile and broadloom carpet. These roll goods are often used in conjunction with carpet tiles to create special design effects. Our current principal customers for these products are in the North American residential market. We offereducation, healthcare and government market segments.

FLORModular Resilient Flooring

In 2016, we began offering a category of products that we call “modular resilient flooring”, and our first product introductions into this category were luxury vinyl tile (“LVT”) products in three primary sales channels – catalogs, the Internet, and in ourFLOR retail stores.We currently have 20FLOR stores (19a four-city test market in the U.S. and one in Canada), whereWe recognize that our customers have the opportunityare buying multiple flooring types to experience the modular carpet concept and bring their carpet design ideasservice individual projects, while also looking to life. The services offered by our FLOR stores also include in-store design appointments, in-home design consultations and installation services. Through these sales channels, FLOR sales have grown more than 200% from 2005 to 2015.

Penetrate Expanding Geographic Markets for Modular Products. The popularity of modular carpet continues to increase comparedpartner with other floorcovering products across most markets, internationally as well as in the United States. While maintaining our leadership in the corporate office segment, we will continue to build upon our position as the worldwide leader for modular carpet in order to promote sales in all market segments globally. A principal part of our international focus – which utilizes our global marketing capabilities and sales infrastructure – is the significant opportunities in several emerging geographic markets for modular carpet. These emerging markets, such as China, India and Eastern Europe, represent large and growing economies that are essentially new markets for modular carpet products. Other expanding geographic markets, such as Germany and Italy, are established markets that are transitioning to the use of modular carpet from historically low levels of penetration. Each of these geographic markets represents a significant growth opportunity for our modular carpet business.

Continue to Minimize Expenses and Invest Strategically. We have steadily trimmed costs from our operations for several years through multiple initiatives, which have made us leaner today and for the future. Our supply chain and other cost containment initiatives have improved our cost structure and yielded operating efficiencies. While we still seek to minimize our expenses in order to increase profitability, we will also take advantage of strategic opportunities to invest in systems, processes and personnelfewer suppliers that can help us grow our businessoffer more products and increase profitability and value.

Sustain Leadership in Product Design and Development. As discussed above, our leadership position for product design and development is a competitive advantage and key strength. Our plank,Skinny Plank, andi2 products andTacTiles installation system have confirmed our position as an innovation leader in modular carpet. We will continue initiatives to sustain, augment and capitalize upon that strength to continue to increase our market share in targeted market segments. Our Mission Zero global branding initiative, which draws upon and promotes our ecological sustainability commitment, is part of those initiatives and includes placing our Mission Zero logo on many of our marketing and merchandising materials distributed throughoutservices. In the world.

Use Strong Free Cash Flow Generation to De-leverage Our Balance Sheet. Our principal business has been structured – including through our rationalization and repositioning initiatives – to yield high contribution margins and generate strong free cash flow (by which we mean cash available to apply towards debt service and potential stock repurchases, strategic acquisitions and the like). Our historical investments in global manufacturing capabilities and mass customization techniques and facilities, which we have maintained, also contribute to our ability to generate substantial levels of free cash flow. We expect to use our strong free cash flow generation capability to continue to repay debt, potentially repurchase shares, and strengthen our financial position. We will also continue to execute programs to reduce costs further and enhance free cash flow.  In addition, our existing capacity to increase production levels without significant capital expenditures will further enhance our generation of free cash flow as demand for our products rises.

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Challenges

In order to capitalize on our strengths and to implement successfully our business strategy and the principal initiatives discussed above, we will have to handle successfully several challenges that confront us or that affect our industry in general. As discussed in the Risk Factors in Item 1A of this Report, several factors could make it difficult for us, including:

sales of our principal products have been and may continue to be affected by adverse economic cycles in the renovation and construction of commercial and institutional buildings;

we compete with a large number of manufacturers in the highly competitive commercial floorcovering products market, and some of these competitors have greater financial resources than we do;

our success depends significantly upon the efforts, abilities and continued service of our senior management executives and our principal design consultant, and our loss of any of them could affect us adversely;

our substantial international operations are subject to various political, economic and other uncertainties that could adversely affect our business results;

large increases in the cost of petroleum-based raw materials could adversely affect us if we are unable to pass these cost increases through to our customers;

unanticipated termination or interruption of any of our arrangements with our primary third party suppliers of synthetic fiber could have a material adverse effect on us; and

we have a significant amount of indebtedness, which could have important negative consequences to us.

We believe our business model is strong enough, and our strategic initiatives are properly calibrated, for us to handle these and other challenges we will encounter in our business.

Seasonality

Our first quarter has typically been our slowest quarter while our fourth quarter has typically been our best quarter, with sales generally increasing throughout the course of the fiscal year.  However, in some recent years, as our sales efforts and results in the education market segment (which has a heavy buying season in the summer months) have increased and currency fluctuations have impacted us, our second or third quarter sales have occasionally been the highest. 

Our Products and Services

annualModular Carpet

 

Interface is the world’s largest manufacturer and marketer of modular carpet. Our modular carpet system, which is marketed under the established global brands Interface andFLOR, utilizes carpet tiles cut in precise, dimensionally stable squares (usually 50 cm x 50 cm) or rectangles (such as planks andSkinny Planks) to produce a floorcovering that combines the appearance and texture of traditional soft floorcovering with the advantages of a modular carpet system. Our GlasBac®technology employs a fiberglass-reinforced polymeric composite backing that provides dimensional stability and reduces the need for adhesives or fasteners. We also make carpet tiles with a backing containing post-industrial and/or post-consumer recycled materials, which we market under the GlasBacRE brand. In addition, we make carpet tile with yarn containing varying degrees of post-consumer nylon, depending on the style and color.

 

Our carpet tile has become popular for a number of reasons. Carpet tile incorporating our reinforced backing may be easily removed and replaced, permitting rearrangement of furniture without the inconvenience and expense associated with removing, replacing or repairing other soft surface flooring products, including broadloom carpeting. Because a relatively small portion of a carpet installation often receives the bulk of traffic and wear, the ability to rotate carpet tiles between high traffic and low traffic areas and to selectively replace worn tiles can significantly increase the average life and cost efficiency of the floorcovering. In addition, carpet tile facilitates access to sub-floor air delivery systems and telephone, electrical, computer and other wiring by lessening disruption of operations. It also eliminates the cumulative damage and unsightly appearance commonly associated with frequent cutting of conventional carpet as utility connections and disconnections are made. We believe that, within the overall floorcovering market, the worldwide demand for modular carpet is increasing as more customers recognize these advantages.

 

 
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We use a number of conventional and technologically advanced methods of carpet construction to produce carpet tiles in a wide variety of colors, patterns, textures, pile heights and densities. These varieties are designed to meet both the practical and aesthetic needs of a broad spectrum of commercial interiors – particularly offices, healthcare facilities, airports, educational and other institutions, hospitality spaces, and retail facilities – and residential interiors. Our carpet tile systems permit distinctive styling and patterning that can be used to complement interior designs, to set off areas for particular purposes and to convey graphic information. While we continue to manufacture and sell a substantial portion of our carpet tile in standard styles, an increasing percentagemost of our modular carpet sales isin the Americas and Asia-Pacific are custom or made-to-order productproducts designed to meet customer specifications.

 

In addition to general uses of our carpet tile, we produce and sell a specially adapted version of our carpet tile for the healthcare facilities market. Our carpet tile possesses characteristics — such as the use of the Intersept® antimicrobial, static-controlling nylon yarns, and thermally pigmented, colorfast yarns — which make it suitable for use in these facilities in place of hard surface flooring. Moreover, we launched our FLOR line of products to specifically target modular carpet sales to the residential market segment. Through our relationship with David Oakey Designs, weWe also have created modular carpet products (some of which are part of our i2 product line) specifically designed for each of the education, hospitality and retail market segments.

 

We also manufacture and sell two-meter roll goods that are structure-backed and offer many of the advantages of both carpet tile and broadloom carpet. These roll goods are often used in conjunction with carpet tiles to create special design effects. Our current principal customers for these products are in the education, healthcare and government market segments.

 

Broadloom CarpetModular Resilient Flooring

 

In August 2012,2016, we soldbegan offering a category of products that we call “modular resilient flooring”, and our Bentley Prince Street business segmentfirst product introductions into this category were luxury vinyl tile (“LVT”) products in a four-city test market in the U.S. We recognize that our customers are buying multiple flooring types to service individual projects, while also looking to partner with fewer suppliers that can offer more products and services. In the annualFloor Focussurvey described above, LVT has been ranked as the number one “hot product” each of the past four years. Expanding our product portfolio to include modular resilient flooring, and specifically LVT, allows us to meet this growing demand and pursue new or incremental sales opportunities. LVT also shares many of the same attributes and benefits with carpet tile, and we were able to leverage our experience in modular carpet tile in designing a product specification to meet our aesthetic and performance standards. We also selected a reputable third party. This business designed, manufacturedparty to manufacture the products to our specifications, thus allowing us to enter the product category with minimal capital commitments.

In 2017, we plan to launch our LVT products globally, beginning with the Level Set™ Collection which includes 36 styles of tiles with printed top layers in a variety of aesthetic looks, including natural woodgrains and marketed high-end, designer-oriented broadloomstones, textured woodgrains, and patterns. These products are modular and come in sizes that match certain of our modular carpet planks and squares. They also are engineered to the same height as our modular carpet, which means better coverage of irregularities in the sub-floor, lower sound transference from floor to floor, and the ability to install our LVT and modular carpet for commercialproducts side by side without transition strips or layering. In addition, the Level Set Collection is constructed with the same type of backing as our carpet tiles and residential markets. As a result of this sale, we no longer have a presence in the broadloom carpet market.can be installed with our TacTiles installation system.

 

Other Products and Services

 

We sell a proprietary antimicrobial chemical compound under the registered trademark Interseptthatwe incorporatein all of our modular carpet products and have licensedto another company for use in air filters. We also sell ourTacTiles carpet tile installation system, along with a variety of traditional adhesives and products for carpet installation and maintenance that are manufactured by a third party. In addition, we continue to manufacture and sell ourIntercell® brand raised/access flooring product in Europe. We also continue to provide “turnkey” project management services for national accounts and other large customers through ourInterfaceSERVICES business.

In August 2012, we sold our Bentley Prince Street broadloom carpet business segment to a third party. This business designed, manufactured and marketed high-end, designer-oriented broadloom and modular carpet for commercial and residential markets. As a result of this sale, we no longer have a presence in the broadloom carpet market.

 

Marketing and Sales

 

We have traditionally focused our carpet marketing strategy on major accounts, seeking to build lasting relationships with national and multinational end-users, and on architects, engineers, interior designers, contracting firms, and other specifiers who often make or significantly influence purchasing decisions. While most of our sales are in the corporate office segment, both new construction and renovation, we also emphasize sales in other segments, including retail space, government institutions, schools, healthcare facilities, tenant improvement space, hospitality centers, residences and home office space. Our marketing efforts are enhanced by the established and well-known brand names of our carpet products, includingInterfaceand FLOR. Our exclusive consulting agreement with the award-winning, premier design firm David Oakey Designs enabled us to introduce more than 25 new carpet designs in the United States in 2015 alone.

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An important part of our marketing and sales efforts involves the preparation of custom-made samples of requested carpet designs, in conjunction with the development of innovative product designs and styles to meet the customer’s particular needs. Our mass customization initiative simplified our carpet manufacturing operations, which significantly improved our ability to respond quickly and efficiently to requests for samples. In most cases, we can produce samples to customer specifications in less than five days, which significantly enhances our marketing and sales efforts and has increased our volume of higher margin custom or made-to-order sales. In addition, through our websites, we have made it easy to view and request samples of our products. We also use technology which allows us to provide digital, simulated samples of our products, which helps reduce raw material and energy consumption associated with our samples.

 

We primarily use our internal marketing and sales force to market our carpet products. In order to implement our global marketing efforts, we have product showrooms or design studios in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, India, Australia, Norway, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, China and elsewhere. We expect to open offices in other locations around the world as necessary to capitalize on emerging marketing opportunities.

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We distribute our products through two primary channels: (1) direct sales to end users; and (2) indirect sales through independent contractors or distributors. In each case, we may also call upon architects, engineers, interior designers, contracting firms and other specifiers who often make or substantially influence purchasing decisions.

 

Manufacturing

 

We manufacture carpet at two locations in the United States and at facilities in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Thailand, China and Australia.

 

Having foreign manufacturing operations enables us to supply our customers with carpet from the location offering the most advantageous delivery times, duties and tariffs, exchange rates, and freight expense, and enhances our ability to develop a strong local presence in foreign markets. We believe that the ability to offer consistent products and services on a worldwide basis at attractive prices is an important competitive advantage in servicing multinational customers seeking global supply relationships. We will consider additional locations for manufacturing operations in other parts of the world as necessary to meet the demands of customers in international markets.

 

Our raw materials are generally available from multiple sources – both regionally and globally – with the exception of synthetic fiber (nylon yarn).  For yarn, we principally rely upon two major global suppliers, but we also have significant relationships with at least two other suppliers.  Although our number of principal yarn suppliers is limited, we do have the capability to manufacture carpet using face fiber produced from two separate polymer feedstocks – nylon 6 and nylon 6,6 – which provides additional flexibility with respect to yarn supply inputs, if needed.  Our global sourcing strategy, including with respect to our principal yarn suppliers and dual polymer manufacturing capability, allows us to help guard against any potential shortages of raw materials or raw material suppliers in a specific polymer supply chain.

 

We have a flexible-inputs carpet backing line, which we call “Cool Blue™”, at our modular carpet manufacturing facility in LaGrange, Georgia. Using next generation thermoplastic technology, the custom-designed backing line dramatically improves our ability to keep reclaimed and waste carpet in the production “technical loop,” and further permits us to explore other plastics and polymers as inputs. We also have technology that more cleanly separates the face fiber and backing of reclaimed and waste carpet, thus making it easier to recycle some of its components and providing a purer supply of inputs for theCool Blue process. This technology, which is part of ourReEntry®2.0 carpet reclamation program, allows us to send some of the reclaimed face fiber back to our fiber supplier to be blended with virgin or other post-industrial materials and extruded into new fiber.

 

The environmental management systems of our floorcovering manufacturing facilities in LaGrange, Georgia, West Point, Georgia, Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, Thailand, China and Australia are certified under International Standards Organization (ISO) Standard No. 14001.

 

Our significant international operations are subject to various political, economic and other uncertainties, including risks of restrictive taxation policies, foreign exchange restrictions, changing political conditions and governmental regulations. We also receive a substantial portion of our revenues in currencies other than U.S. dollars, which makes us subject to the risks inherent in currency translations. Although our ability to manufacture and ship products from facilities in several foreign countries reduces the risks of foreign currency fluctuations we might otherwise experience, we also engage from time to time in hedging programs intended to further reduce those risks.

 

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Competition

 

We compete, on a global basis, in the sale of our modular carpet products with other carpet manufacturers and manufacturers of vinyl and other types of floorcoverings, including broadloom carpet. Although the industry has experienced significant consolidation, a large number of manufacturers remain in the industry. We believe we are the largest manufacturer of modular carpet in the world. However, a number of domestic and foreign competitors manufacture modular carpet as one segment of their business, and some of these competitors have financial resources greater than ours. In addition, some of the competing carpet manufacturers have the ability to extrude at least some of their requirements for fiber used in carpet products, which decreases their dependence on third party suppliers of fiber.

 

We believe the principal competitive factors in our primary floorcovering markets are brand recognition, quality, design, service, broad product lines, product performance, marketing strategy and pricing. In the corporate office market segment, modular carpet competes with various floorcoverings, of which broadloom carpet is the most common. We believe the quality, service, design, better and longer average product performance, flexibility (design options, selective rotation or replacement, use in combination with roll goods) and convenience of our modular carpet are our principal competitive advantages.

 

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We believe we have competitive advantages in several other areas as well. First, having both an internal design staff as well as our exclusive relationship with David Oakey Designs allows us to introduce numerous innovative and attractive carpet tile products to our customers. Additionally, we believe that our global manufacturing capabilities are an important competitive advantage in serving the needs of multinational corporate customers. We believe that the incorporation of the Intersept antimicrobial chemical agent into the backing of our modular carpet enhances our ability to compete successfully across all of our market segments generally, and specifically with resilient tile in the healthcare market.

 

In addition, we believe that our goal and commitment to be ecologically “sustainable” by 2020 is a brand-enhancing, competitive strength as well as a strategic initiative. Our customers are concerned about the environmental and broader ecological implications of their operations and the products they use in them. Our leadership, knowledge and expertise in the area, especially in the “green building” movement and the related LEEDenvironmental certification program,programs, resonate deeply with many of our customers and prospects around the globe. Our modular carpet products historically have had inherent installation and maintenance advantages that translated into greater efficiency and waste reduction. We are using raw materials and production technologies, such as ourCool Blue backing line and ourReEntry 2.0 reclaimed carpet separation process, that directly reduce the adverse impact of those operations on the environment and limit our dependence on petrochemicals.

 

Product Design, Research and Development

 

We maintain an active research, development and design staff of approximately 80 people and also draw on the research and development efforts of our suppliers, particularly in the areas of fibers, yarns and modular carpet backing materials. Our research and development costs were $14.3 million, $14.5 million and $13.9 million in 2016, 2015, and $12.6 million in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

 

Our research and development team provides technical support and advanced materials research and development for us. The team assisted in the development of our NexStep® backing, which employs moisture-impervious polycarbite precoating technology with a chlorine-free urethane foam secondary backing, and also helped develop a post-consumer recycled content, polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, extruded sheet process that has been incorporated into our GlasBacRE modular carpet backing. Our post-consumer recycled content PVC extruded sheet exemplifies our commitment to “closing-the-loop” in recycling. More recently, this team developed ourTacTiles carpet tile installation system, which uses small squares of adhesive plastic film to connect intersecting carpet tiles. The team also helped implement ourCool Blue flexible inputs backing line and ourReEntry 2.0reclaimed carpet separation technology and post-consumer recycling technology for nylon face fibers. With a goal of supporting sustainable product designs in floorcoverings applications, we continue to evaluate renewable polymers for use in our products.

 

Our research and development team also is the coordinator of our QUEST and EcoSense initiatives (discussed below under “Environmental Initiatives”) and supports the dissemination, consultancies and technical communication of our global sustainability endeavors. This team also provides all biochemical and technical support to Intersept antimicrobial chemical product initiatives.

 

Innovation and increased customization in product design and styling are the principal focus of our product development efforts, and this focus has led to several design breakthroughs such as our plank andSkinny Plank products, as well as our i2 product line. Our carpet design and development team is recognized as an industry leader in carpet design and product engineering for the commercial and institutional markets.

 

David Oakey Designs provides carpet design and consulting services to us pursuant to a consulting agreement.agreement, and this firm augments our internal research, development and design staff. David Oakey Designs’ services under the agreement include creating commercial carpet designs for use by our modular carpet businesses throughout the world, and overseeing product development, design and coloration functions for our modular carpet business in North America. The current agreement runs through August 2017. Whilecan be terminated by either party upon six months prior written notice to the agreement is in effect, David Oakey Designs cannot provide similar services to any other carpet company. Through our relationship with David Oakey Designs, we introduced more than 25 new carpet designs in 2015 alone, and have enjoyed considerable success in winning U.S. carpet industry awards.

party. David Oakey Designs also contributed to our ability to efficiently produce many products from a single yarn system. Our mass customization production approach evolved, in major part, from this concept. In addition to increasing the number and variety of product designs, which enables us to increase high margin custom sales, the mass customization approach increases inventory turns and reduces inventory levels (for both raw materials and standard products) and their related costs because of our more rapid and flexible production capabilities.

 

 
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Environmental Initiatives

 

In the latter part of 1994, we commenced a new industrial ecological sustainability initiative called EcoSense, inspired in part by the interest of customers concerned about the environmental implications of how they and their suppliers do business. EcoSense, which includes our QUEST waste reduction initiative, is directed towards the elimination of energy and raw materials waste in our businesses, and, on a broader and more long-term scale, the practical reclamation — and ultimate restoration — of shared environmental resources. The initiative involves a commitment by us:

 

• 

to learn to meet our raw material and energy needs through recycling of carpet and other petrochemical products and harnessing benign energy sources; and

• 

to pursue the creation of new processes to help sustain the earth’s non-renewable natural resources.

 

We have engaged some of the world’s leading authorities on global ecology as environmental advisors. The list of advisors includes: Paul Hawken, author of The Ecology of Commerce: A Declaration of Sustainability and The Next Economy, and co-author of Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution; Amory Lovins, energy consultant and co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute; John Picard, President of E2 Environmental Enterprises; Bill Browning, fellow and former director of the Rocky Mountain Institute’s Green Development Services; Janine M. Benyus, author of Biomimicry; and Bob Fox, renowned architect.

 

As more customers in our target markets share our view that sustainability is good business and not just good deeds, our acknowledged leadership position should strengthen our brands and provide a differentiated advantage in competing for business. To further raise awareness of our goal of becoming sustainable, we launched ourMission Zeroglobal branding initiative, which represents our mission to eliminate any negative impact our companies may have on the environment by the year 2020. As part of thisIn 2016, we launched theClimate TakeBack initiative, ourin which we seek to lead industry in designing and making products in ways that will maintain a climate fit for life. OurMission Zero logo appearsandClimate Take Back logos appear on many of our marketing and merchandising materials distributed throughout the world.

 

A high point in our pursuit ofMission Zero sustainability is our partnership with the Zoological Society of London on a program calledNet-Works®. Together we are working with communities in the Philippines to collect discarded fishing nets that are damaging a large coral reef, and diverting them to our yarn supplier where they are recycled into new carpet fiber.Net-Works provides a source of income for members of these communities in the Philippines, while also cleaning up the beaches and waters where they live and work. OurNet Effect Collection of carpet tile products, among others, contains yarn that is partly made from the recycled fishing nets collected through theNet-Works program. ThisThrough 2016, this program has collected more than 125 tons of discarded fishing nets.Net-Works is a big step in redesigning our supply chain from a linear take-make-waste process toward a closed loop system, and it advances our ultimate goal of becoming a restorative enterprise.

 

Backlog

 

Our backlog of unshipped orders was approximately $107.8 million at February 12, 2017, compared with approximately $111.4 million at February 14, 2016, compared with approximately $124.3 million at February 15, 2015.2016. Historically, backlog is subject to significant fluctuations due to the timing of orders for individual large projects and currency fluctuations. All of the backlog orders at February 14, 201612, 2017 are expected to be shipped during the succeeding six to nine months.

 

Patents and Trademarks

 

We own numerous patents in the United States and abroad on floorcovering products and on manufacturing processes. The duration of United States patents is between 14 and 20 years from the date of filing of a patent application or issuance of the patent; the duration of patents issued in other countries varies from country to country. We maintain an active patent and trade secret program in order to protect our proprietary technology, know-how and trade secrets. Although we consider our patents to be very valuable assets, we consider our know-how and technology even more important to our current business than patents, and, accordingly, believe that expiration of existing patents or nonissuance of patents under pending applications would not have a material adverse effect on our operations.

 

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We also own many trademarks in the United States and abroad. In addition to the United States, the primary jursidictionsjurisdictions in which we have registered our trademarks are the European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and various countries in Central America, South America and Asia. Some of our more prominent registered trademarks include: Interface, FLOR, Intersept, GlasBac, Mission Zero,andNet-Works.Trademark registrations in the United States are valid for a period of 10 years and are renewable for additional 10-year periods as long as the mark remains in actual use. The duration of trademarks registered in other jurisdictions varies.

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Financial Information by Operating Segments and Geographic Areas

 

The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 8 of this Report set forth information concerning our sales and long-lived assets by geographic areas, which are also our operating segments. Following the sale of Bentley Prince Street, we have only one reporting segment.Current and prior periods have been reclassified to include the results of operations and related disposal costs, gains and losses for the Bentley Prince Street business as discontinued operations. In addition, assets and liabilities of the Bentley Prince Street business have been reported in assets and liabilities held for sale for all reported periods.

 

Employees

 

At January 3, 2016,1, 2017, we employed a total of 3,3463,278 employees worldwide. Of such employees, 1,8561,962 were clerical, staff, sales, supervisory and management personnel and 1,4901,316 were manufacturing personnel. We also utilized the services of 204283 temporary personnel as of January 3, 2016.1, 2017. 

 

Some of our production employees in Australia and the United Kingdom are represented by unions. In the Netherlands, a Works Council, the members of which are Interface employees, is required to be consulted by management with respect to certain matters relating to our operations in that country, such as a change in control of Interface Europe B.V. (our modular carpet subsidiary based in the Netherlands), and the approval of the Council is required for some of our actions, including changes in compensation scales or employee benefits. Our management believes that its relations with the Works Council, the unions and all of our employees are good.

 

Environmental Matters

 

Our operations are subject to laws and regulations relating to the generation, storage, handling, emission, transportation and discharge of materials into the environment. The costs of complying with environmental protection laws and regulations have not had a material adverse impact on our financial condition or results of operations in the past and are not expected to have a material adverse impact in the future. The environmental management systems of our floorcovering manufacturing facilities in LaGrange, Georgia, West Point, Georgia, Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, Thailand, China and Australia are certified under ISO Standard No. 14001.

 

Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

Our executive officers, their ages as of January 3, 2016,1, 2017, and their principal positions with us are set forth below. Executive officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

 

Name

Age

Principal Position(s)

Daniel T. Hendrix

6162

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Jay D. Gould

5657

President and Chief Operating Officer

Robert BoogaardA. Coombs

4758

Senior Vice President (Europe)(President - Asia-Pacific)

Robert A. Coombs

57

Senior Vice President (Asia-Pacific)

Patrick C. LynchDavid B. Foshee

46

Senior Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer

John R. Wells

54

Senior Vice President (Americas)

Raymond S. Willoch

57

Senior Vice President-Administration, General Counsel and Secretary

Jo Ann Herold

50

Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer

Sanjay Lall

55

Vice President and Chief Information Officer

Matthew J. Miller

4748

Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer(President - Americas)

Kathleen R. Owen

5253

Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

Nigel StansfieldJ. Chadwick Scales

4853

Vice President and Chief InnovationsMarketing, Innovation & Design Officer

Nigel Stansfield

49

Vice President (President - Europe)

 

Mr. Hendrix joined us in 1983 after having worked previously for a national accounting firm. He was promoted to Treasurer in 1984, Chief Financial Officer in 1985, Vice President-Finance in 1986, Senior Vice President in October 1995, Executive Vice President in October 2000, and President and Chief Executive Officer in July 2001. He was elected to the Board in October 1996 and has served on the Executive Committee of the Board since July 2001. In October 2011, Mr. Hendrix was elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Hendrix currently serves as the Company’s principal financial officer while it searches for a Chief Financial Officer. As previously disclosed, Mr. Hendrix intends to retire from the role of Chief Executive Officer, effective March 3, 2017, after which he will remain a Director of the Company and continue to serve as non-executive Chairman. He also will continue to serve as the Company’s interim principal financial officer while the Company seeks to fill the position with a permanent appointment.

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Mr. Gouldjoined us as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in January 2015, and was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer in January 2016. From 2012 to January 2015, Mr. Gould was the Chief Executive Officer of American Standard Brands, a kitchen and bath products company. Prior to his employment with American Standard Brands, Mr. Gould held senior executive roles at Newell Rubbermaid Inc., a global marketer of consumer and commercial products, serving as President of its Home & Family business group from 2008 to 2012 and President of its Parenting Essentials business group from 2006 to 2008. He also previously held executive level positions at The Campbell Soup Company (2002-2006) and The Coca-Cola Company (1995-2002). As previously disclosed, Mr. Gould has been appointed to succeed Mr. Hendrix as Chief Executive Officer, effective March 3, 2017.

 

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Mr. Boogaardjoined us in 2011 as Senior Vice President of Sales for our European floorcovering division. Prior to joining Interface, Mr. Boogaard spent 18 years in the office furniture industry in the U.S. and Europe, followed by three years as Director of Global Strategy, Marketing and Commercial Services for a manufacturer of membrane filtration technology used in high end applications such as water purification. Mr. Boogaard was named Interim President of our Europe division in July 2013, and was appointed Senior Vice President of Interface and President of the Europe division in February 2015.

Mr. Coombs originally worked for us from 1988 to 1993 as a marketing manager for our Heuga carpet tile operations in the United Kingdom and later for all of our European floorcovering operations. In 1996, Mr. Coombs returned to us as Managing Director of our Australian operations. He was promoted in 1998 to Vice President-Sales and Marketing, Asia-Pacific, with responsibility for Australian operations and sales and marketing in Asia, which was followed by a promotion to Senior Vice President, Asia-Pacific. He was promoted to Senior Vice President, European Sales, in May 1999 and Senior Vice President, European Sales and Marketing, in April 2000. In February 2001, he was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer of Interface Overseas Holdings, Inc. with responsibility for all of our floorcoverings operations in both Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, and he became a Vice President of Interface. In September 2002, Mr. Coombs relocated back to Australia, retaining responsibility for our floorcovering operations in the Asia-Pacific region while another executive assumed responsibility for floorcovering operations in Europe. Mr. Coombs was promoted to Senior Vice President of Interface in July 2008.

 

Mr. LynchFoshee joined us in 1996 after having previously worked for a national accounting firm. He became Assistant Corporate Controller in 1998 and Assistant Vice President and Corporate Controller in 2000. Mr. Lynch was promoted to Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in July 2001. Mr. Lynch was promoted to Senior Vice President in March 2007.

Mr. Wells joined us in February 1994 as Vice President-Sales of Interface Flooring Systems, Inc. (now InterfaceFLOR, LLC), our principal U.S. modular carpet subsidiary. Mr. Wells was promoted to Senior Vice President-Sales & Marketing of Interface Flooring Systems in October 1994. He was promoted to Vice President of Interface and President of Interface Flooring Systems in July 1995. In March 1998, Mr. Wells was also named President of both Prince Street Technologies, Ltd. and Bentley Mills, Inc. (our former U.S. broadloom operations), making him President of all three of our U.S. carpet mills at that time. In November 1999, Mr. Wells was named Senior Vice President of Interface, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Interface Americas Holdings, LLC (formerly Interface Americas, Inc.), thereby assuming operations responsibility for all of our floorcovering businesses in the Americas.

Mr. Willoch, who previously practiced with an AtlantaAtlanta-based international law firm, joined us in June 1990October 1999 as CorporateAssociate Counsel. He was promoted to Assistant Secretary in 1991,April 2002, Senior Counsel in April 2006, Assistant Vice President in 1993,April 2007, Vice President in January 1996,July 2012, Associate General Counsel in May 2014, and Secretary and General Counsel in August 1996, and Senior Vice President in February 1998. In July 2001, he was named Senior Vice President-Administration and assumed corporate responsibility for various staff functions.

Ms. Herold joined us in July 2013 as Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, charged with harmonizing theInterface brand around the world and across multiple platforms. She oversees marketing and communications for the corporate brand, while also leading the senior marketing team, which is comprised of the Company’s marketing and communications teams globally. Ms. Herold has more than 25 years of marketing experience. Prior to joining Interface, she was Vice President of Brand Communications and Public Relations at Arby’s Restaurant Group, and previously spent 16 years at HoneyBaked Ham, where she served as Vice President of Marketing and then Chief Marketing Officer. She also has owned her own marketing firm.

Mr. Lall joined us in May 2012 and serves as Vice President and Chief Information Officer. In this role, Mr. Lall is responsible for the overall technology direction of Interface and for harmonizing and enhancing our information technology resources globally. Prior to Interface, he served as Vice President and Chief Information Officer at SimplexGrinnell, a $2 billion business unit of Tyco Corporation, a leader in fire and safety products and monitoring services highly dependent on technology. There he was responsible for activities across the enterprise related to technical infrastructure, architecture and application management. Before that, he served as Vice President and Chief Information Officer at STERIS Corporation, a global medical device manufacturer and marketer for infection prevention, contamination control and surgical and critical care products, and previously he was Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Suntory Water Group, the second largest U.S. manufacturer, marketer and distributor of bottled water.January 2017.

 

Mr. Millerjoined us in June 2015 and serves as Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer.Officer, and became President of our Americas business in June 2016. He is responsible for strategic planning across all business units, and came to Interface from American Standard Brands, where he was Senior Vice President of Innovation and Strategy from April 2013 to May 2015. Mr. Miller also was an independent consultant to American Standard Brands from February 2012 to April 2013. Previously, he served as Global Vice President-Finance of the Juvenile Products Segment of Newell Rubbermaid Inc. from 2008 to 2011, and as Director of Strategy and Corporate Development for Newell Rubbermaid from 2006-2008. He also has worked with a number of other global organizations, including Kraft Foods and Zyman Group.

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Ms. Owen joined us in June 2015 as Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. Ms. Owen is responsible for the development and oversight of human resources strategies and initiatives for talent management, organization development, learning, compensation, culture and diversity for Interface associates, globally. She came to Interface from Taylor Morrison Home Corporation, a $2.5 billion publicly traded North American real estate developer and home builder, where she served as Vice President of Human Resources from June 2005 to December 2014. Prior to that, she held several human resources positions with experience across the U.S. and Europe with companies including McKesson Technology Solutions, Check-Free Corporation and Lanier Worldwide.

Mr. Scales joined us in April 2016 as Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer with responsibility for the Company’s innovation strategy and platforms globally. In August 2016, he also became responsible for the Company’s marketing and design strategy, and was named Chief Marketing, Innovation and Design Officer. Prior to Interface, Mr. Scales served as Senior Vice President and General Manager for the Consumer Packaged Goods division of FOCUS Brands Inc. Prior to joining FOCUS Brands, Mr. Scales was Global Vice President of Marketing and Innovation for The Coca-Cola Company, and before that held a number of leadership positions with Unilever PLC.

 

Mr. Stansfield is our Vice President and Chief Innovations Officer, with global responsibility for developing and implementing Interface’s strategy to have a more open and collaborative approach to innovation. Mr. Stansfield was the Operations Manager for Firth Carpets (our former European broadloom operations) at the time it was acquired by us in 1997. For two years following that acquisition, Mr. Stansfield served as Manufacturing Systems Manager, part of a global project team that designed and implemented MRP manufacturing software systems at seven of our manufacturing plants. In 1999, he returned to Firth Carpets as Operations Director. In 2002, he became a member of our European research and development team focusing on our sustainability initiatives, and in 2004, he became Product and Innovations Director for all of our European Operations. In 2010, he joined our European management team as Senior Vice President of Product, Design and Innovation, before taking his current rolebeing named Vice President and Chief Innovations Officer for the Company in March 2012. In December 2016, he became President of our business serving Europe, the Middle East and Africa.   

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Available Information

 

We make available free of charge on or through our Internet website our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Our Internet address ishttp://www.interface.com.www.interface.com. The SEC maintains a website that contains annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information that issuers (including the Company) file electronically with the SEC. The SEC’s website ishttp://www.sec.gov.www.sec.gov.

 

Interface, Inc. was incorporated in 1973 as a Georgia corporation.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of our management team, as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results over time. Important factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties associated with economic conditions in the commercial interiors industry as well as the risks and uncertainties discussed below in Item 1A, “Risk Factors”.

 

ITEMITEM 1A.      RISK FACTORS 

 

You should carefully consider the following factors, in addition to the otherinformation included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other documents incorporated herein by reference, before deciding whether to purchase or sell our common stock. Any or all of the following risk factors could have a material adverse effecton our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

 

Sales of our principal products have been and may continue to be affected by adverse economic cycles in the renovation and construction of commercial and institutional buildings.

 

Sales of our principal products are related to the renovation and construction of commercial and institutional buildings. This activity is cyclical and has been affected by the strength of a country’s or region’s general economy, prevailing interest rates and other factors that lead to cost control measures by businesses and other users of commercial or institutional space. The effects of cyclicality upon the corporate office segment tend to be more pronounced than the effects upon the institutional segment. Historically, we have generated more sales in the corporate office segment than in any other market. The effects of cyclicality upon the new construction segment of the market also tend to be more pronounced than the effects upon the renovation segment. These effects may recur and could be more pronounced if global economic conditions do not improve or are further weakened.

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We compete with a large number of manufacturers in the highly competitive floorcovering products market, and some of these competitors have greater financialresources than we do.

 

The floorcovering industry is highly competitive. Globally, we compete for sales of floorcovering products with other carpet manufacturers and manufacturers of other types of floorcovering. Although the industry has experienced significant consolidation, a large number of manufacturers remain in the industry. Some of our competitors, including a number of large diversified domestic and foreign companies who manufacture modular carpet as one segment of their business, have greater financial resources than we do. Competing effectively may require us to make additional investments in our product development efforts, manufacturing facilities, distribution network and sales and marketing activities. Competitive forces may also result in pricing pressures, decreased demand for our products and the loss of market share.

 

Our success depends significantly upon the efforts, abilities and continued serviceof our senior management executives and our principal design consultant, and our lossof any of them could affect us adversely.

 

We believe that our success depends to a significant extent upon the efforts and abilities of our senior management executives. In addition, we rely significantly on the leadership that David Oakey of David Oakey Designs provides to our internal design staff. Specifically, David Oakey Designs provides product design/production engineering services to us under an exclusive consulting contract that contains non-competition covenants. Our current agreement with David Oakey Designs extendscan be terminated by either party upon six months prior written notice to August 2017.the other party. The loss of any of these key persons could have an adverse impact on our business because each has a great deal of knowledge, training and experience in the carpet industry – particularly in the areas of sales, marketing, operations, product design and management – and could not easily or quickly be replaced.

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Our substantial international operations are subject to various political, economicand other uncertainties that could adversely affect our business results, includingby restrictive taxation or other government regulation and by foreign currencyfluctuations.

 

We have substantial international operations. In 2015,2016, approximately half of our net sales and a significant portion of our production were outside the United States, primarily in Europe and Asia-Pacific. Our corporate strategy includes the expansion and growth of our international business on a worldwide basis. As a result, our operations are subject to various political, economic and other uncertainties, including risks of restrictive taxation policies, changing political conditions and governmental regulations. This includes, for example, the uncertainty surrounding the implementation and effect of the United Kingdom’s June 2016 referendum in which voters approved the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, including changes to the legal and regulatory framework that apply to the United Kingdom and its relationship with the European Union. We also make a substantial portion of our net sales in currencies other than U.S. dollars (approximately half of 20152016 net sales), which subjects us to the risks inherent in currency translations. The scope and volume of our global operations make it impossible to eliminate completely all foreign currency translation risks as an influence on our financial results. In addition, political unrest, terrorist acts, military conflict and disease outbreaks have increased the risks of doing business abroad generally.

 

Concerns regarding the Europeansovereigndebt crisis and market perceptionsabout the instability of the euro, the potential re-introduction of individual currencies within the Eurozone, the potential dissolution of the euro entirely, oror the possibility of the U.K. exiting the European Union,could adversely affect our business, results of operationsor financial condition.condition.

 

Following the European sovereign debt crisis that began in 2011, concerns still persist regarding the debt burden of certain countries using the euro as their currency (the “Eurozone”) and their ability to meet future financial obligations, the overall stability of the euro and the suitability of the euro as a single currency given the diverse economic and political circumstances in individual Eurozone countries. Despite remedial efforts undertaken by the European Commission and others, these concerns have caused instability in the euro and could lead to the re-introduction of individual currencies in one or more Eurozone countries, or, in more extreme circumstances, the possible dissolution of the euro currency entirely. Should the euro dissolve entirely, the legal and contractual consequences for holders of euro-denominated obligations would be determined by laws in effect at such time. These potential developments, or market perceptions concerning these and related issues, could adversely affect the value of our euro-denominated assets and obligations or increase the risks of foreign currency fluctuations or cause the failure of hedging programs intended to reduce those risks. In addition, concerns over the effect of this financial crisis on financial institutions in Europe and globally could have an adverse impact on the capital markets generally, and more specifically on our ability and the ability of our customers, suppliers and lenders to finance our and their respective businesses, to access liquidity at acceptable financing costs, if at all, on the availability of supplies and materials, and on the demand for our products.

 

In addition, inthe results of a June 2016 a referendum will take placevote in the U.K. as to whether or notwere in favor of the U.K. should remain a member of the European Union. In the event of a decision by the U.K. to exitexiting the European Union there could be(the “Brexit Vote”). The uncertainty leading up to and following the Brexit Vote has had a negative impact on our business and demand for our products in Europe, and particularly in the U.K. In addition, the Brexit Vote has had a detrimental effect, and could have further detrimental effects, on the value of either or both of the Euro and the British Pound Sterling, which could negatively impact our business (principally from the translation of sales and earnings in those foreign currencies into our reporting currency of U.S. dollars). Such a development could have other unpredictable adverse effects, including a material adverse effect on demand for office space and our carpet products in the U.K. and in Europe if a U.K. exit leads to economic difficulties in Europe.

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Large increases in the cost of petroleum-based raw materials could adversely affectus if we are unable to pass these cost increases through to our customers.

 

Petroleum-based products comprise the predominant portion of the cost of raw materials that we use in manufacturing. While we attempt to match cost increases with corresponding price increases, continued volatility in the cost of petroleum-based raw materials could adversely affect our financial results if we are unable to pass through such price increases to our customers.

 

Unanticipated termination or interruption of any of our arrangements with our primarythird party suppliers of synthetic fiber could have a material adverse effect on us.

 

The unanticipated termination or interruption of any of our supply arrangements with our current suppliers of synthetic fiber (nylon) could have a material adverse effect on us because we do not have the capability to manufacture our own fiber for use in our carpet products.  If any of our supply arrangements with our primary suppliers of synthetic fiber is terminated or interrupted, we likely would incur increased manufacturing costs and experience delays in our manufacturing process (thus resulting in decreased sales and profitability) associated with shifting more of our synthetic fiber purchasing to another synthetic fiber supplier.

 

The worldwide financial and credit crisis could have a material adverse effecton our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The worldwide financial and credit crisis, which began in 2008 and continued in varying degrees for several years thereafter, has reduced the availability of liquidity and credit to fund the continuation and expansion of many business operations worldwide.  This shortage of liquidity and credit, combined with substantial losses in worldwide equity markets, could lead to a worldwide economic recession and result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  Specifically, the limited availability of credit and liquidity adversely affects the ability of customers and suppliers to obtain financing for significant purchases and operations.  Consequently, customers may defer, delay or cancel renovation and construction projects where our carpet is used, resulting in decreased orders and sales for us, and they also may not be able to pay us for those products and services we already have provided to them.  For the same reasons, suppliers may not be able to produce and deliver raw materials and other goods and services that we have ordered from them, thus disrupting our own manufacturing operations.  In addition, our ability to obtain funding from capital markets may be severely restricted at a time when we would like, or need, to access those markets.  This inability to obtain that funding could prevent us from pursuing important strategic growth plans, from reacting to changing economic and business conditions, and from refinancing existing debt (which in turn could lead to a default on our debt).  The financial and credit crisis also could have an impact on the lenders under our credit facilities, causing them to fail to meet their obligations to provide us with loans and letters of credit, which are important sources of liquidity for us.

Our Syndicated Credit Facility matures in October 2019.  We cannot assure you that we will be able to renegotiate or refinance this debt on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, especially given the effects of the worldwide financial and credit crisis.

We have a significant amount of indebtedness, which could have important negativeconsequences to us.

 

Our significant indebtedness could have important negative consequences to us, including:

 

making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to such indebtedness;

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increasing our vulnerability to adverse general economic and industry conditions;

 

limiting our ability to obtain additional financing to fund capital expenditures, acquisitions or other growth initiatives, and other general corporate requirements;

 

requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to interest and principal payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund capital expenditures, acquisitions or other growth initiatives, and other general corporate requirements;

 

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

 

placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our less leveraged competitors; and

 

limiting our ability to refinance our existing indebtedness as it matures.

 

As a consequence of our level of indebtedness, a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations must be dedicated to debt service requirements. In addition, borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility have variable interest rates, and therefore our interest expenses will increase if the underlying market rates (upon which the variable interest rates are based) increase. The terms of our Syndicated Credit Facility also limit our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends or make certain other restricted payments or investments in certain situations, consummate certain asset sales, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, create liens, merge or consolidate with any other person, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. They also require us to comply with certain other reporting, affirmative and negative covenants and meet certain financial tests. If we fail to satisfy these tests or comply with these covenants, a default may occur, in which case the lenders could accelerate the debt as well as any other debt to which cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions apply. Our Syndicated Credit Facility matures in October 2019. We cannot assure you that we would be able to renegotiate, refinance or otherwise obtain the necessary funds to satisfy these obligations.

 

It is important for you to consider that we have a significant amount of indebtedness. We cannot assure you that we will be able to renegotiate or refinance any of our debt on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. If we are unable to refinance our debt or obtain new financing, we would have to consider other options, such as selling assets to meet our debt service obligations and other liquidity needs, or using cash, if available, that would have been used for other business purposes.

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The market price of our common stock has been volatile and the value of your investment may decline.

 

The market price of our common stock has been volatile in the past and may continue to be volatile going forward. Such volatility may cause precipitous drops in the price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and may cause your investment in our common stock to lose significant value. As a general matter, market price volatility has had a significant effect on the market values of securities issued by many companies for reasons unrelated to their operating performance. We thus cannot predict the market price for our common stock going forward.

 

Our earnings in a future period could be adversely affected by non-cash adjustmentsto goodwill, if a future test of goodwill assets indicates a material impairment ofthose assets.

 

As prescribed by accounting standards governing goodwill and other intangible assets, we undertake an annual review of the goodwill asset balance reflected in our financial statements. Our review is conducted during the fourth quarter of the year, unless there has been a triggering event prescribed by applicable accounting rules that warrants an earlier interim testing for possible goodwill impairment. In the past, we have had non-cash adjustments for goodwill impairment as a result of such testings ($61.2 million in 2008 and $44.5 million in 2007). A future goodwill impairment test may result in a future non-cash adjustment, which could adversely affect our earnings for any such future period.

 

Our business operations could suffer significant losses from natural disasters, catastrophes, fire or other unexpected events.

 

While we manufacture our products in several facilities and maintain insurance covering our facilities, including business interruption insurance, our manufacturing facilities could be materially damaged by natural disasters, such as floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes, or by fire or other unexpected events such as adverse weather conditions or other disruptions to our facilities, supply chain or our customers’ facilities. For example, in July 2012, a fire occurred at our manufacturing facility in Picton, Australia, causing extensive damage and rendering the facility inoperable. In January 2014, we commenced operations at a new manufacturing facility in Minto, Australia. We could incur uninsured losses and liabilities arising from such events, including damage to our reputation, and/or suffer material losses in operational capacity, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Our Rights Agreement could discourage tender offers or other transactions for our stock that could result in shareholders receiving a premium over the market price for our stock.

 

Our Board of Directors has adopted a Rights Agreement pursuant to which holders of our common stock will be entitled to purchase from us a fraction of a share of our Series B Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock if a third party acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of our common stock without our consent. In addition, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to purchase the stock of an Acquiring Person (as defined in the Rights Agreement) at a discount upon the occurrence of triggering events. These provisions of the Rights Agreement could have the effect of discouraging tender offers or other transactions that could result in shareholders receiving a premium over the market price for our common stock.

 

ITEM1B.      UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

None.

 

ITEM2.         PROPERTIES

 

We maintain our corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia in approximately 20,000square feet of leased space. The following table lists our principal manufacturing facilities and other material physical locations (some locations are comprised of multiple buildings), all of which we own except as otherwise noted:

 

Location

Floor

Space

(Sq.    (Sq. Ft.)

Bangkok, Thailand

275,946

Craigavon, N. Ireland(1)

80,986

LaGrange, Georgia

539,545

LaGrange, Georgia(1)

209,337

Union City, Georgia(1)

209,337

370,000

Valley, Alabama(1)

338,086

Minto, Australia

259,356

Scherpenzeel, the Netherlands

366,935

West Point, Georgia

250,000

Taicang, China(1)

142,500

__________

(1)

Leased.

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We maintain marketing offices in over 70 locations in over 30 countries and distribution facilities in approximately 40 locations in six countries. Most of our marketing locations and many of our distribution facilities are leased.

 

We believe that our manufacturing and distribution facilities and our marketing offices are sufficient for our present operations. We will continue, however, to consider the desirability of establishing additional facilities and offices in other locations around the world as part of our business strategy to meet expanding global market demands. Substantially all of our owned properties in the United States are subject to mortgages, which secure borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility.

 

ITEM3.         LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

We are subject to various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, none of which we believe are required to be disclosed under this Item 3.

 

ITEM4.         MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIESPARTII

 

Prior to March 5, 2012, the Company had two classes of common stock – Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. On March 5, 2012, the number of issued and outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock constituted less than 10% of the aggregate number of issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, as the cumulative result of varied transactions that caused the conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock into shares of Class A Common Stock. Accordingly, the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are now, irrevocably from March 5, 2012, a single class of Common Stock in all respects.

ITEM5.

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

 

Our Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol TILE. As of February 19, 2016,17, 2017, we had 629622 holders of record of our Common Stock. We estimate that there are in excess of 10,000 beneficial holders of our Common Stock. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sale prices of the Company’s Common Stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market as well as dividends paid during such periods.

 

 

High

  

Low

  

DividendsPer Share

 

2017

            

First Quarter (through February 17, 2017)

 $19.30  $17.18  $0.00 
 

High

  

Low

  

Dividends Per Share

             

2016

                        

First Quarter (through February 19, 2016)

 $18.99  $15.30  $0.00 

Fourth Quarter

 $19.10  $14.59  $0.06 

Third Quarter

  18.45   15.02   0.06 

Second Quarter

  18.71   14.56   0.05 

First Quarter

  18.99   13.70   0.05 
            

2015

                        

Fourth Quarter

 $24.44  $17.89  $0.05  $24.44  $17.89  $0.05 

Third Quarter

  27.17   22.13   0.05   27.17   22.13   0.05 

Second Quarter

  25.59   19.86   0.04   25.59   19.86   0.04 

First Quarter

  21.38   15.13   0.04   21.38   15.13   0.04 
            

2014

            

Fourth Quarter

 $16.74  $12.98  $0.04 

Third Quarter

  19.41   15.72   0.04 

Second Quarter

  21.13   17.11   0.03 

First Quarter

  22.46   18.63   0.03 

 

On February 24, 2016,22, 2017, our Board also declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.05$0.06 per share, payable March 25, 201624, 2017 to shareholders of record as of March 11, 2016.10, 2017. Future declaration and payment of dividends is at the discretion of our Board, and depends upon, among other things, our investment policy and opportunities, results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, future prospects, and other factors that may be considered relevant by our Board at the time of its determination. Such other factors include limitations contained in the agreement for our Syndicated Credit Facility, which specifies conditions as to when any dividend payments may be made. As such, we may discontinue our dividend payments in the future if our Board determines that a cessation of dividend payments is proper in light of the factors indicated above.

 

 
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Stock Performance

 

The following graph and table compare, for the five-year period ended January 3, 2016,1, 2017, the Company’s total returns to shareholders (stock price plus dividends, divided by beginning stock price) with that of (i) all companies listed on the Nasdaq Composite Index, and (ii) a self-determined peer group comprised primarily of companies in the commercial interiors industry, assuming an initial investment of $100 in each on January 2, 20111, 2012 (the last day of the fiscal year 2010)2011).

1/2/11

1/1/12

12/30/12

12/29/13

12/28/14

1/3/16

 

1/1/12

  

12/30/12

  

12/29/13

  

12/28/14

  

1/3/16

  

1/1/17

 

Interface, Inc.

$100

$74

$102

$140

$109

$126

 $100  $138  $189  $147  $171  $168 

NASDAQ Composite Index

$100

$99

$114

$162

$190

$200

 $100  $115  $164  $192  $202  $220 

Self-Determined Peer Group (14 Stocks)

$100

$97

$137

$205

$227

$244

 $100  $141  $212  $235  $252  $289 

 

Notes to Performance Graph

 

(1)

The lines represent annual index levels derived from compound daily returns that include all dividends.

(2)

The indices are re-weighted daily, using the market capitalization on the previous trading day.

(3)

If the annual interval, based on the fiscal year-end, is not a trading day, the preceding trading day is used.

(4)

The index level was set to $100 as of January 2, 20111, 2012 (the last day of fiscal year 2010)2011).

(5)

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Sunday nearest December 31.

(6)

The following companies are included in the Self-Determined Peer Group depicted above: Acuity Brands, Inc.; Albany International Corp.; Apogee Enterprises, Inc.; Armstrong World Industries, Inc.; BE Aerospace, Inc.; The Dixie Group, Inc.; Herman Miller, Inc.; HNI Corporation; Kimball International, Inc.; Knoll, Inc.; Mohawk Industries, Inc.; Steelcase, Inc.; Unifi, Inc.; and USG Corp.

 

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

 

See Item 12 of Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 
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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

The following table contains information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of the Company, or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), of our common stock during our fourth quarter ended January 3, 2016:1, 2017:

 

Period(1)

 

Total

Number

of Shares

Purchased(2)

  

Average

Price

Paid

Per Share

  

Total Number

of Shares Purchased

as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs(2)

  

Maximum Number

of Shares that May

Yet Be Purchased

Under the Plans orPrograms(2)

 
                 
October 5 -31, 2015  0  $0.00   0   0 
November 1 -30, 2015  0   0.00   0   500,000 
December 1 -31, 2015  150,000   18.87   150,000   350,000 
January 1 -3, 2016  0   0.00   0   350,000 

Total

  150,000  $18.87   150,000   350,000 

Period(1)

 

Total

Number

of Shares

Purchased

  

Average

Price

Paid

Per Share

  

Total Number

of Shares Purchased

as Part of Publicly

Announced Plans or

Programs(2)

  

Approximate Dollar

Value of Shares that

May Yet Be

Purchased Under the

Plans orPrograms(2)

 
                 

October 3 - 31, 2016

  222,726  $15.50   222,726   36,197,879 

November 1 – 30, 2016

  292,421   15.67   292,421   31,614,891 

December 1 – 31, 2016(3)

  19,201   18.42   0   31,614,891 

January 1, 2017

  0   0.00   0   31,614,891 

Total

  534,348  $15.69   515,147   31,614,891 

 

(1)The monthly periods identified above correspond to the Company’s fiscal fourth quarter of 2015,2016, which commenced October 5, 20153, 2016 and ended January 3, 2016.1, 2017.

(2)(2) On October 7, 2014,In April 2016, the Company announced aamended its share purchase program to authorize the repurchase of up to 500,000 shares$50 million of common stock per fiscal year, commencing with the 2014 fiscal year. In November 2015, the Board of Directorsstock. This amended the program to provide that the 500,000has no specific expiration date.

(3) Represents shares of common stock previously approved for repurchases for the 2016 fiscal year may be repurchasedacquired by the Company from employees to satisfy income tax withholding obligations in management’s discretion, duringconnection with the period commencing November 19, 2015 and ending at the conclusionvesting of fiscal year 2016.previous grants of restricted stock.

 

 
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ITEM6.         SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

We derived the summary consolidated financial data presented below from our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto for the years indicated. You should read the summary financial data presented below together with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included within this document. Amounts for all periods presented have been adjusted for discontinued operations.

 

 

Selected Financial Data(1)

  

Selected Financial Data(1)

 
 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

  

2012

  

2011

  

2016

  

2015

  

2014

  

2013

  

2012

 
 

(in thousands, exceptpershare data and ratios)

 

(in thousands, exceptpershare data and ratios)

Net sales

 $1,001,863  $1,003,903  $959,989  $932,020  $953,045  $958,617  $1,001,863  $1,003,903  $959,989  $932,020 

Cost of sales

  618,974   663,876   618,880   614,841   618,303   589,973   618,974   663,876   618,880   614,841 

Operating income(2)

  113,593   70,295   95,630   64,648   85,700   84,937   113,593   70,295   95,630   64,648 

Income from continuing operations(3)

  72,418   24,808   48,255   22,899   38,270   54,162   72,418   24,808   48,255   22,899 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

  0   0   0   (16,956)  451   0   0   0   0   (16,956)

Net income

  72,418   24,808   48,255   5,943   38,721   54,162   72,418   24,808   48,255   5,943 

Income from continuing operations per common share attributable to Interface, Inc.

                                        

Basic

 $1.10  $0.37  $0.73  $0.35  $0.59  $0.83  $1.10  $0.37  $0.73  $0.35 

Diluted

 $1.10  $0.37  $0.73  $0.35  $0.58  $0.83  $1.10  $0.37  $0.73  $0.35 

Average Shares Outstanding

                                        

Basic

  66,027   66,389   66,194   65,767   65,291   65,098   66,027   66,389   66,194   65,767 

Diluted

  66,075   66,448   66,297   65,900   65,486   65,136   66,075   66,448   66,297   65,900 

Cash dividends per common share

 $0.18  $0.14  $0.11  $0.09  $0.08  $0.22  $0.18  $0.14  $0.11  $0.09 

Property additions

  27,188   38,922   91,851   42,428   38,050   28,071   27,188   38,922   91,851   42,428 

Depreciation and amortization(4)

  44,751   34,675   32,605   29,175   35,317   36,505   44,751   34,675   32,605   29,175 

Working capital

 $245,391  $240,881  $257,918  $273,213  $271,625  $321,829  $245,391  $240,881  $257,918  $273,213 

Total assets

  756,549   774,914   796,335   789,367   772,272   839,573   756,549   774,914   796,335   789,367 

Total long-term debt

  213,531   263,338   273,826   275,000   294,507   270,347   213,531   263,338   273,826   275,000 

Shareholders’ equity

  342,366   306,639   340,787   295,702   281,039   340,729   342,366   306,639   340,787   295,702 

Current ratio(5)

  2.6   2.7   3.0   2.7   2.8   3.0   2.6   2.7   3.0   2.7 

__________   

 

(1)

In the third quarter of 2012, we sold our Bentley Prince Street business. The balances have been adjusted to reflect the discontinued operations of this business.

  

(2)

The following charges and items are included in our operating income. In 2016 we recorded restructuring and asset impairment charges of $19.8 million. In 2014, we recorded restructuring and asset impairment charges of $12.4 million. In 2013, we recorded a gain of approximately $7.0 million related to the final settlement of our insurance claim relating to the Australia fire. In 2012, we recorded restructuring and asset impairment charges of $19.4 million as well as expenses related to the Australia fire of $1.7 million. In 2011, we recorded a restructuring and asset impairment charge of $5.8 million. 

  

(3)

Included in 2014 net income is $9.2 million of pre-tax expenses related to the premium paid to redeem senior note debt as well as $2.8 million related to the unamortized debt cost that related to these notes at redemption. Included in the 2013 net income are $1.7 million of expenses related to the retirement of debt, and a one-time tax dispute resolution benefit of $1.9 million.

  

(4)

Includes stock compensation amortization.

  

(5)

Current ratio is the ratio of current assets to current liabilities. For purposes of computing our current ratio: (a) current assets include assets of businesses held for sale of $60.7 million for 2011.  Current liabilities include liabilities of businesses held for sale of $8.3 million for 2011.

 

 
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ITEM7.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

General

 

Our revenues are derived from sales of floorcovering products, primarily modular carpet (we sold our broadloom carpet operations in August 2012).carpet. Our business, as well as the commercial interiors industry in general, is cyclical in nature and is impacted by economic conditions and trends that affect the markets for commercial and institutional business space. The commercial interiors industry, including the market for floorcovering products, is largely driven by reinvestment by corporations into their existing businesses in the form of new fixtures and furnishings for their workplaces. In significant part, the timing and amount of such reinvestments are impacted by the profitability of those corporations. As a result, macroeconomic factors such as employment rates, office vacancy rates, capital spending, productivity and efficiency gains that impact corporate profitability in general, also affect our business.

 

During the past several years, we have successfully focused more of our marketing and sales efforts on non-corporate office segments to reduce somewhat our exposure to economic cycles that affect the corporate office market segment more adversely, as well as to capture additional market share. Our mix of corporate office versus non-corporate office modular carpet sales in the Americas has shifted over the past several years to 44% and 56%, respectively, for 20152016 compared with 64% and 36%, respectively, in 2001. Company-wide, our mix of corporate office versus non-corporate office sales was 59% and 41%, respectively, in 2015.2016. We expect a further shift in the future as we continue to implement our market diversification strategy.

During 2016, we had net sales of $958.6 million, down 4.3% compared to $1.0 billion in 2015. Operating income for 2016 was $84.9 million as compared to $113.6 million for 2015. Net income for 2016 was $ 54.2 million, or $0.83 per share, compared with $72.4 million, or $1.10 per diluted share in 2015. Included in our results for 2016 is a restructuring and asset impairment charge of $19.8 million, as discussed below.

 

During 2015, we had net sales of $1.0 billion, essentially flat as compared to $1.0 billion in 2014. Operating income for 2015 was $113.6 million as compared to $70.3 million for 2014. Net income for 2015 was $72.4 million, or $1.10 per diluted share, compared with $24.8 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, in 2014.

Included in our results for 2014 are $12.4 million of restructuring and asset impairment charges, as discussed below. Also included in our results for 2014 are $9.2 million of expenses for the premiums paid to redeem our 7.625% Senior Notes as well as $2.8 million of expenses related to the unamortized debt costs for the retired notes at redemption. Included in our results for 2013 is a $7.0 million gain related to the settlement of our insurance claim related to the fire at our Australian manufacturing facility, as discussed below. Also included in our 2013 results are a one-time tax dispute resolution benefit of $1.9 million related to the execution of bilateral pricing agreements, and $1.7 million of expenses for the retirement of debt.

 

Fire at Australia Facility

 

In July 2012, a fire destroyed our manufacturing facility in Picton, Australia, which served customers throughout Australia and New Zealand. As a result, there were business disruptions and delays in shipments that affected sales in the region following the fire. While it is difficult to quantify the financial impacts of the fire, we believe it negatively affected net sales by approximately $13-18 million during the balance of 2012, and by approximately $18-23 million during 2013. We completed the build-out of a new manufacturing facility in Minto, Australia, which commenced operations in January 2014. For additional

2016RestructuringPlan

In the fourth quarter of 2016, we committed to a new restructuring plan in our continuing efforts to improve efficiencies and decrease costs across our worldwide operations, and more closely align our operating structure with our business strategy.  The plan involves (i) a substantial restructuring of the FLOR business model that includes closure of its headquarters office and most retail FLOR stores, (ii) a reduction of approximately 70 FLOR employees and a number of employees in the commercial carpet tile business, primarily in the Americas and Europe regions, and (iii) the write-down of certain underutilized and impaired assets that include information on the fire, please see the Note entitled “Fire at Australian Manufacturing Facility” in Item 8technology assets, intellectual property assets, and obsolete manufacturing, office and retail store equipment.

As a result of this Report.plan, we incurred a pre-tax restructuring and asset impairment charge of $19.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, and we expect to record an additional charge in the first quarter of 2017 of approximately $7-9 million.  (The charge in the first quarter of 2017 is primarily related to exit costs associated with the FLOR retail stores, a majority of which are expected to stay open for the first quarter of 2017.)

 

The aggregate amount of the charges is expected to be approximately $27-29 million, estimated to be comprised of severance expenses ($10-11 million), lease exit costs ($6-8 million), impairment of assets ($9-10 million) and other items (approximately $1 million).  Approximately $17 million of the anticipated charges is expected to result in future cash expenditures, primarily for severance payments (approximately $10 million) and lease exit costs (approximately $7 million). We expect the restructuring plan to be substantially completed in the first half of 2017.

 

 
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2014RestructuringPlan

 

In the third quarter of 2014, we committed to a new restructuring plan in our continuing efforts to reduce costs across our worldwide operations. In connection with this restructuring plan, we incurred a pre-tax restructuring and asset impairment charge in the third quarter of 2014 in an amount of $12.4 million. The charge was comprised of severance expenses of $9.7 million for a reduction of 100 employees, other related exit costs of $0.1 million, and a charge for impairment of assets of $2.6 million. Approximately $10 million of the charge has resulted in cash expenditures, primarily severance expense.

 

7.625% Senior Notes

 

In 2010, we completed a private offering of $275 million aggregate principal amount of 7.625% Senior Notes due 2018. Interest on the 7.625% Senior Notes was payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 (the first payment was on June 1, 2011). In November 2013, we redeemed $27.5 million aggregate principal amount of the 7.625% Senior Notes at a price equal to 103% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed, plus accrued interest to the redemption date. In November 2014, we redeemed $27.5 million aggregate principal amount of these notes at a price equal to 103% of the principal amount of notes redeemed, plus accrued interest to the redemption date. In December 2014, we redeemed the remaining $220 million of these notes at a price equal to 103.813% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest to the redemption date.

 

11.375% Senior Secured Notes

In 2009, we completed a private offering of $150 million aggregate principal amount of 11.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2013.

Following the sale of our 7.625% Senior Notes and the repurchase of $141.9 million aggregate principal amount of our 11.375% Senior Secured Notes with the proceeds, $8.1 million aggregate principal amount of our 11.375% Senior Secured Notes remained outstanding. These remaining 11.375% Senior Secured Notes were repaid at maturity in November 2013.

Analysis of Results of Operations 

 

The following discussion and analyses reflect the factors and trends discussed in the preceding sections.

 

Our net sales that were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar were approximately 48% in 2016 and 2015, and 51% in 2014, and 52% in 2013.2014. Because we have such substantial international operations, we are impacted, from time to time, by international developments that affect foreign currency transactions. During 2016, our sales and operating income were negatively impacted by the strengthening of the U.S. dollar and euro against the British Pound Sterling, with smaller impacts due to weakening of the Australian dollar and Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar. In 2015, the strengthening of the U.S. dollar led to a significant impact on our consolidated operations. In particular, the Euro,euro, Australian dollar and Canadian dollar were translated at lower rates compared to prior years. The following table presents the amount (in U.S. dollars) by which the exchange rates for converting Euros,euros, Australian dollars and Canadian dollars into U.S. dollars have affected our net sales and operating income during the past three years:

 

  

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 
  

(in millions) 

 
             

Net sales

 $(79.5) $(9.5) $(2.2)

Operating income

 $(9.8)  (1.0)  (0.2)
  

2016

  

2015

  

2014

 
  

(in millions) 

 
             

Impact of changes in foreign currency on net sales

 $(10.9) $(79.5) $(9.5)

Impact of changes in foreign currency on operating income

  (1.0) $(9.8)  (1.0)

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The following table presents, as a percentage of net sales, certain items included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations during the past three years:

 

  

Fiscal Year

 
  

2015

  

2014

  

2013 

 

Net sales

  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%

Cost of sales

  61.8   66.1   64.5 

Gross profit on sales

  38.2   33.9   35.5 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

  26.9   25.6   26.3 

Restructuring and asset impairment charges

  0.0   1.2   0.0 

Expenses (gain) related to Australia fire

  0.0   0.0   (0.7)

Operating income

  11.3   7.0   10.0 

Interest/Other expense

  0.7   2.3   2.6 

Debt retirement expenses

  0.0   1.2   0.2 

Income before income tax expense

  10.6   3.6   7.2 

Income tax expense

  3.3   1.1   2.2 

Net income

  7.2   2.5   5.0 

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Fiscal Year

 
  

2016 

  

2015

  

2014

 

Net sales

  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%

Cost of sales

  61.5   61.8   66.1 

Gross profit on sales

  38.5   38.2   33.9 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

  27.5   26.9   25.6 

Restructuring and asset impairment charges

  2.1   0.0   1.2 

Operating income

  8.9   11.3   7.0 

Interest/Other expense

  0.6   0.7   2.3 

Debt retirement expenses

  0.0   0.0   1.2 

Income before income tax expense

  8.3   10.6   3.6 

Income tax expense

  2.6   3.3   1.1 

Net income

  5.7   7.2   2.5 

 

Net Sales

 

Below we provide information regarding our net sales and analyze those results for each of the last three fiscal years. Fiscal year 2015 was a 53 week53-week period. Fiscal years 20142016 and 20132014 were 52-week periods. (As

  

Fiscal Year

  

Percentage Change

 
  

2016

  

2015

  

2014

  

2016 compared

  

2015 compared

 
 

(in thousands)

 

with 2015

  

with 2014

 
                     

Net Sales

 $958,617  $1,001,863  $1,003,903   (4.3%)  (0.2%)

Net sales for 2016 compared with 2015

For 2016, our net sales declined $43.3 million (4.3%) as compared to 2015. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates had a negative impact on the comparison of approximately $10.9 million, meaning that if currency levels had remained constant year over year, our 2016 sales would have been higher by this amount. On a geographic basis, we experienced sales declines in the Americas (down 4.2%) and Europe (down 8.1%), partially offset by an increase of 2% in Asia-Pacific.

In the Americas, our weighted average selling price per square yard increased approximately 1% in 2016 compared with 2015. The sales decline in the Americas was experienced across the majority of our customer segments, with the most significant decline occurring in the corporate office segment (down 5%), which is the largest single customer segment in the Americas. We saw lower levels of customer orders during the first three quarters of the year, although this trend somewhat reversed during the fourth quarter, as sales in the corporate segment were effectively flat for the quarter. We also experienced a decline in the residential market segment of 15%, due largely to the performance of our FLOR consumer business. Other declines were seen in the government (down 19%) and retail (down 5%) market segments. The decline in government segment sales in the region was primarily a result of reduced order activity in light of the sale of our Bentley Prince Street Segmentelection cycle. The hospitality market segment in 2012,the region increased 11% versus 2015, as we currently have only one segment for segment reporting purposes.)continue to convert customers to modular carpet.

 

  

Fiscal Year

  

Percentage Change

 
  

2015

  

2014

  

2013

  

2015 compared

  

2014 compared

 
 

(in thousands)

 

with 2014

  

with 2013

 
                     

Net Sales

 $1,001,863  $1,003,903  $959,989   (0.2%)  4.6%

In Europe, our weighted average selling price per square meter declined approximately 3% in 2016 compared with 2015. The largest single factor impacting our performance in this region was the turmoil surrounding the decision of the United Kingdom to exit the European Union. This had a significant negative impact on our sales performance in the United Kingdom, which has historically been our third largest market. Not only were sales impacted by the uncertainty around the exit vote, the significant decline in the British Pound led to a translation effect on sales in the U.K. as reported in U.S. dollars. In local currency, the sales decline in the U.K. was 13%, but when translated into U.S. dollars the decline was over 25%. This decrease was partially offset by double digit increases in other countries, notably Germany, Spain and Italy. On a market segment basis, the decline was most significant in the corporate office market (down 6%), which represents the majority of sales within Europe. With the exception of the hospitality (up 19%) and healthcare (up 17%) market segments, all other non-office market segments in the region were down year over year, with the most significant declines occurring in the education (down 29%) and government (down 13%) market segments.

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In the Asia-Pacific region, our weighted average selling price per square meter declined approximately 1% in 2016 compared with 2015. The 2% sales increase in the region was evenly split between Australia and Asia, with both geographic markets seeing a 2% increase in revenue. In local currency, the increase in Australia was approximately 3%. The increase in sales in the Asia-Pacific region was experienced in the corporate office market segment (up 5%), which represents the majority of sales within the region. This increase was a result of large development projects that led to increases in the first half of the year, particularly in Australia. The only other market segment in the region that experienced an increase of significance was the hospitality segment (up 24%), due to investment in additional selling resources in the region which led to greater market share. Within the region, the sales increases in corporate and hospitality segments were offset by declines in the retail (down 31%) and education (down 11%) market segments.

 

Net Sales for 2015 compared with 2014

 

For 2015, our net sales were essentially flat as compared to 2014. As discussed above, the largest global driver of this result was the significant devaluation of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar. The approximate negative impact on sales from the decline of foreign currencies was $79.5 million, meaning that if currency levels had remained consistent year over year, our 2015 sales would have been higher by this amount. On a geographic basis, we experienced a sales increase in the Americas of 3.4%, and decreases in Europe of 5.1% and Asia-Pacific of 4.9%. The declines in Europe and Asia-Pacific are largely a result of the currency impacts discussed above.

 

In the Americas, our weighted average selling price per square yard increased approximately 3.5% for the year, reflecting that the sales growth in the region was largely due to increased selling prices as overall sales volume remained relatively constant versus 2014. In the Americas, the sales increase in dollars occurred almost equally in the corporate office (up 4%) and hospitality (up 36%) market segments. The increase in hospitality is due to the continued sales efforts in this segment, as the Company has continued to invest resources in building our sales force in this market. The adoption rate for modular carpet in hospitality spaces has increased due to these efforts, and our sales continue to improve. The increase in the corporate office segment is due to the steady improvement in the U.S. economy as well as our conversion of customers from other flooring surfaces (such as broadloom carpet) to modular carpet. These increases were partially offset by small declines in the government (down 3%) and retail (down 1%) market segments, with sales in our other non-office market segments essentially flat.

 

In Europe, the sales increase in local currency was 13.6%, but this was offset entirely by the impacts of a weaker Euro and, as translated into U.S. dollars, the decline was 5.1%. In local currency, the weighted average selling price per square yard for the region increased approximately 5%. In local currency, the corporate office segment was up 16%, which was largely due to the recovery in the European economy during the year which led to carpet purchases for new and refurbished office environments. In Europe, the majority of sales for the region occur in the corporate office market. In addition, we had sales increases in the retail (up 26%) and education (up 33%) market segments in Europe. The increase in education sales is due to a targeted focus on higher education customers across the region, particularly in the United Kingdom and France. The increase in the retail segment sales is due to the successes of our segmentation strategy in the region and was experienced across Europe.

 

In Asia-Pacific, the sales decline of 4.9% as reported in U.S. dollars is reflective of the impact of the devaluation of the Australian dollar during the year. In local currency, the sales increase Asia-Pacific was approximately 5%. The weighted average selling price per square yard for the region declined approximately 7%. This percentage decline was also largely driven by the decline in the Australian dollar, as in local currency in Australia the weighted average selling price per square yard increased approximately 3% and the average selling price per square yard in Asia was down less than 1%. The sales increase in local currency in the region was driven by the corporate office segment, which is the bulk of the region’s sales. In U.S. dollars, the corporate office segment was up approximately 1%, and the hospitality segment was up nearly 12%, as the efforts to penetrate this growing market in the region continue. All other market segments in the region experienced declines for the year as compared to 2014.

 

Net Sales for 2014 Compared with 2013

For 2014, net sales increased $43.9 million (4.6%) versus 2013. This increase primarily occurred in our Americas and Europe businesses, due largely to the continued economic recoveries in those regions. On a geographic basis, we experienced sales increases in each of our major operating regions, with the Americas up 5%, Europe up 5% (6% in local currency) and Asia-Pacific up 1% (5% in local currency). On a consolidated basis, fluctuations in currency had a small (approximately 1%) negative impact on net sales, primarily in Australia, which is within our Asia-Pacific region.

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In the Americas, the increase was due largely to the continued strength and recovery of the corporate office market segment, where our sales grew 4%. We also had sales growth in all non-office market segments with the exception of healthcare, which was down less than 1%. The most significant of the non-office segment increases were in the hospitality (up 55%) and residential (up 15%) segments. The sales increase in the hospitality segment is due to our continued focus on penetrating this segment through large hotel chains, with most success occurring in the U.S. The increase in the residential segment primarily occurred in the multi-family residential channel, as our FLOR consumer business experienced essentially even sales compared with 2013. The weighted average selling price per square yard in the Americas was up approximately 1% in 2014 versus 2013.

In Europe, the sales increase was due primarily to growth in the corporate office market (up 9% in U.S. dollars, 11% in local currency), mostly in Western Europe and particularly in the United Kingdom and Germany. The government segment (down 10% in U.S. dollars, 8% in local currency) experienced the most significant decrease in the region, mostly due to the continued austerity measures that were in place during the year. The weighted average selling price per square yard in Europe increased approximately 4% during 2014, a result of the continued economic recovery in the region as well as the premium positioning of our products. Notably, the euro experienced a significant decline versus the U.S. dollar during the fourth quarter of 2014, and as a result our sales in Europe for that quarterly period experienced an increase of 6% in local currency but a 2% decrease as reported in U.S. dollars.

In Asia-Pacific, the sales increase occurred mostly in the corporate office (up 3%), healthcare (up over 100%) and education (up 15%) market segments. However, these increases were almost entirely offset by declines in the government (down 42%) and retail (down 20%) segments. On a consolidated basis, the translation of Australian dollars into U.S. dollars had a negative impact on this region’s 2014 sales performance – in local currency, Australia sales were up more than 9%, but up only 2% as reported in U.S. dollars. This currency impact was particularly acute in the fourth quarter of 2014, when the increase in Australia dollars was approximately 20% but was approximately 11% as reported in U.S. dollars. Outside of Australia, sales in the remainder of the Asia-Pacific region were essentially flat in 2014 versus 2013. The weighted average selling price per square yard in Asia-Pacific in 2014 decreased approximately 1%, largely due to the impact of the decline of the Australian dollar versus the U.S. dollar.

Cost and Expenses

 

The following table presents our overall cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses during the past three years:

 

Cost and Expenses

 

Fiscal Year

  

Percentage Change 

  

Fiscal Year

  

Percentage Change

 
 

2015

  

2014

  

2013 

  

2015 comparedwith 2014

  

2014 comparedwith 2013

  

2016

  

2015

  

2014

  

2016 compared

with 2015

  

2015 compared

with 2014

 
 

(in thousands)

          

(in thousands)

         

Cost of Sales

 $618,974  $663,876  $618,880   (6.8%)  7.3% $589,973  $618,974  $663,876   (4.7%)  (6.8%)

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

  269,296   257,346   252,433   4.6%  1.9%  263,919   269,296   257,346   (2.0%)  4.6%

Total

 $888,270  $921,222  $871,313   (3.6%)  5.7% $853,892  $888,270  $921,222   (3.9%)  (3.6%)

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For 2016, our cost of sales decreased $29.0 million (4.7%) compared with 2015. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates did not have a significant impact (less than 1%) on the comparison. In absolute dollars, the decrease in cost of sales was due to lower sales and production versus the prior year, as production for 2016 was down 11% in Americas, 3% in Europe and 3% in Asia-Pacific versus 2015. As a percentage of sales, our cost of sales declined to 61.5% in 2016 versus 61.8% in 2015. The most significant reason for this decline was lower raw materials costs during the year as a result of lower feedstock prices for our raw materials, primarily yarn. These lower prices produced a benefit in cost of sales of approximately $12 million, meaning that our raw materials costs for 2016 were lower by this amount. We also experienced more favorable production and utilization efficiencies in 2016 versus 2015. Our cost of sales was, however, negatively impacted by approximately $5 million in the second half of 2016, as there were additional costs within our Americas business as a result of the transition to a new centralized warehouse and distribution center operated by a third party for the region. We believe this situation has stabilized and will not continue to significantly impact our cost of sales in 2017.

 

For 2015, our cost of sales decreased $44.9 million (6.8%) compared with 2014. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates had an approximately $30 million favorable impact on our cost of sales – absent the foreign currency devaluations, our cost of sales would have declined approximately $15 million versus 2014. As a percentage of sales, our cost of sales declined to 61.8% in 2015, versus 66.1% in 2014. The primary reasons for this decline were (1) lower raw materials costs related to lower oil and related feedstock costs (raw material costs were down approximately 6-8% versus 2014), (2) higher absorption of fixed manufacturing costs associated with higher production volumes, particularly in the Americas (up 5%) and Europe (up nearly 10%), (3) continued stabilization of the supply chain and manufacturing footprint in the Asia-Pacific region with the normalization of the new carpet tile production facility in Australia during 2015 compared with 2014, (4) the resolution in 2015 of yarn supply issues that hampered the Company on a global basis in 2014, particularly during the second half of the year, and (5) a full year impact from our significant restructuring actions in the third quarter of 2014, particularly in Europe.

 

For 2014, our cost of sales increased $45.0 million (7.3%) versus 2013. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates had a slight negative impact (1%) year over year. On a per-unit basis, we did not experience any significant difference in the cost of our raw materials in 2014 versus 2013. Most of the $45.0 million year over year increase in cost of sales was directly attributable to additional raw materials costs (approximately $30 million) and labor costs (approximately $4 million) associated with higher production volumes in 2014, particularly in the second half of the year. Of the remainder of the year over year increase, the majority is related to both the increased fixed costs as well as the inefficiencies associated with the start-up of our new and larger manufacturing facility in Australia which opened in January of 2014. These inefficiencies occurred primarily in the first six months of 2014. As a result of these items, as a percentage of sales, cost of sales increased to 66.1% in 2014, compared with 64.5% in 2013.

For 2015,2016, our selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses decreased $5.4 million (2.0%) versus 2016. Currency fluctuations had only a slight (less than 1%) favorable impact on SG&A expenses. On an absolute dollar basis, the decrease was almost entirely related to lower administrative expenses of $9.4 million resulting from lower incentive-based compensation, including share-based compensation, due to performance targets not being met in 2016 to the same degree as in 2015. These declines were primarily at the corporate and Americas level. Other declines were lower selling expenses of $1.2 million due to reduced commissions on lower sales volumes. These decreases were partially offset by higher marketing expenses in 2016 of approximately $5.2 million, as we continued to expand our marketing efforts related to the early rollout of our modular resilient flooring (“MRF”) products as well as other initiatives to drive product adoption. These marketing increases were most significant in the Americas region (up $1.7 million) due to the MRF rollout and in the Asia-Pacific region (up $1.9 million), primarily in Asia related to additional customer events, product rollout support and increased marketing management. Despite the overall decline in SG&A expenses in absolute dollars, due to the lower sales in 2016 versus 2015 our SG&A expenses increased as a percentage of sales to 27.5% in 2016 versus 26.9% in 2015, as the decline in SG&A expenses was less than the decline in net sales. We expect SG&A expenses to decline as a percentage of sales in 2017 due to the restructuring activities discussed above.

For 2015, our SG&A expenses increased $12.0 million (4.6%) versus 2014. Currency exchange rates had a favorable impact on SG&A expenses; if currency rates had remained the same for 2015 versus that of 2014, our SG&A expenses would have been approximately $28 million higher than the 2014 levels. The largest factor driving the increase in SG&A expense increase year-over-year is additional administrative expense attributed to higher incentive-based compensation (approximately $12 million) and performance-based stock compensation (approximately $10 million), as performance targets were met in 2015 to a higher degree than in 2014. The majority of these expenses were at the corporate level and in the Americas region, and as a result they were not as impacted by foreign currency devaluations as other components of SG&A expense. These increases were offset by declines in marketing expense (down $4.1 million) and selling expense (down $2.8 million). While fluctuations in currency exchange rates were the driving factors in these declines, as a percentage of sales, selling and marketing expenses were lower in 2015, a direct result of our restructuring actions which took place in the third quarter of 2014. As a percentage of sales, our consolidated SG&A expenses increased to 26.9% in 2015 versus 25.6% in 2014. This percentage increase was entirely attributable to the performance-based stock compensation and incentive-based compensation discussed above, as absent these amounts SG&A expenses would have been lower as a percentage of sales in 2015 than in 2014.

 

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For 2014, our SG&A expenses increased $4.9 million (1.9%) versus 2013. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates did not have a significant impact on the comparison. The largest driver of the increase was $5.6 million of higher selling expenses commensurate with the sales growth in each of our three operating regions. We also had increased marketing expenses of approximately $1.2 million, split evenly between our European modular carpet business and our FLOR consumer business. The increased marketing expense in Europe related to campaigns designed to further engage the architect and design community, while the increase in our FLOR business related to web-based marketing efforts. These increases were offset by a decline in administrative expenses of approximately $1.9 million, mostly due to lower incentive compensation in 2014 versus 2013, as well as the impacts of our restructuring actions in the third quarter of 2014. The benefits of the restructuring actions were particularly evident in the fourth quarter of 2014, when our SG&A expenses, as a percentage of sales, declined to 23.8% versus 26.6% for the fourth quarter of 2013. For the full year 2014, our SG&A expenses, as a percentage of sales, declined to 25.6%, versus 26.3% in 2013.

Interest Expense

For 2016, our interest expense decreased $0.3 million to $6.1 million, versus $6.4 million in 2015. This decrease was due to lower average outstanding debt balances in 2016 versus 2015. During 2016, we repaid a net amount of $6.2 million under our Syndicated Credit Facility, and this lower level of debt led to lower interest expense during 2016. We did incur additional Syndicated Credit Facility borrowings of approximately $63.5 million in December of 2016, but this debt was outstanding for only the final month of 2016 and did not have a significant impact on interest expense (less than $0.1 million).

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For 2015, our interest expense decreased $14.4 million to $6.4 million, versus $20.8 million in 2014. This substantial decrease in interest is due to the debt refinancing activities we undertook in the fourth quarter of 2014, in which we redeemed all of our $247.5 million of outstanding 7.625% Senior Notes and replaced them with borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility. This facility, which is comprised of a term loan as well as a multi-currency revolving debt facility, incurs interest at a significantly lower rate (currently approximately 2.0%) than the interest rate on the notes that were refinanced. In addition to the lower borrowing rates, we also reduced our borrowings under the facility by over $45 million during 2015, which contributed to our lower interest expense.

 

For 2014, interest expense decreased $3.0 million to $20.8 million, versus $23.8 million in 2013. The primary reasons for the decrease were the redemption of $27.5 million of our 7.625% Senior Notes and the repayment at maturity of the remaining $8.1 million of our 11.375% Senior Secured Notes, each in the fourth quarter of 2013. In addition, as described above, we redeemed all of the remaining 7.625% Senior Notes in the fourth quarter of 2014, which also contributed to the interest expense decline. Although we incurred borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility to refinance the notes that were repaid and redeemed during 2013 and 2014, the borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility were at a significantly lower interest rate (less than 2.5% annually) than the interest rates on the notes that were refinanced.

Tax

 

Our effective tax rate in 2016 was 31.6%, compared with an effective tax rate of 31.5% in 2015. The 2016 effective tax rate was favorably impacted by a higher portion of income earned in foreign jurisdictions which are taxed at lower tax rates than the U.S federal tax rate. The favorable impact to the 2016 effective tax rate was offset by a decrease in the release of valuation allowances related to state net operating loss carryforwards utilized in 2016 compared to 2015. For additional information on taxes and a reconciliation of effective tax rates to statutory tax rates, see the Note entitled “Taxes on Income” in Item 8 of this Report.

Our effective tax rate in 2015 was 31.5%, compared with an effective tax rate of 30.6% in 2014. This increase in effective tax rate was primarily attributable to having a larger proportion of U.S. earnings in 2015, which are taxed at higher federal and state rates than our foreign earnings. The increase in effective rate was partially offset by a decreaserelease in valuation allowances related to state net operating loss carryforwards utilized in 2015. For additional information on taxes and a reconciliation of effective tax rates to statutory tax rates, see the Note entitled “Taxes on Income” in Item 8 of this Report.

Our effective tax rate in 2014 was 30.6%, compared with an effective tax rate of 30.1% in 2013. This relative consistency in effective tax rate was primarily attributable to favorable tax effects related to foreign operations realized in both years. In addition, there was less of an increase due to valuation allowances related to state net operating loss carryforwards in 2014, which offset the decrease we realized in 2013 related to the favorable settlement of our Canada-U.S. bilateral advanced pricing agreement. For additional information on taxes and a reconciliation of effective tax rates to statutory tax rates, see the Note entitled “Taxes on Income” in Item 8 of this Report.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

General

 

In our business, we require cash and other liquid assets primarily to purchase raw materials and to pay other manufacturing costs, in addition to funding normal course SG&A expenses, anticipated capital expenditures, interest expense and potential special projects. We generate our cash and other liquidity requirements primarily from our operations and from borrowings or letters of credit under our Syndicated Credit Facility discussed below. We believe that we will be able to continue to enhance the generation of free cash flow through the following initiatives:

 

Improving our inventory turns by continuing to implement a made-to-order model throughout our organization;

  

Reducing our average days sales outstanding through improved credit and collection practices; and

  

Limiting the amount of our capital expenditures generally to those projects that have a short-term payback period.

 

Historically, we use more cash in the first half of the fiscal year, as we fund insurance premiums, tax payments, incentive compensation and inventory build-up in preparation for the holiday/vacation season of our international operations.

 

In addition, we have a high contribution margin business with low capital expenditure requirements. Contribution margin represents variable gross profit margin less the variable component of SG&A expenses, and for us is an indicator of profit on incremental sales after the fixed components of cost of sales and SG&A expenses have been recovered. While contribution margin should not be construed as a substitute for gross margin, which is determined in accordance with GAAP, it is included herein to provide additional information with respect to our potential for profitability. In addition, we believe that investors find contribution margin to be a useful tool for measuring our profitability on an operating basis.

In December 2016, one of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries borrowed 61 million euros (approximately $63.5 million) under the Syndicated Credit Facility. The funds were distributed to its U.S. parent company to fund current and projected U.S. cash needs. A significant portion of these borrowings are expected to be repaid (but is not required to be repaid) in the first quarter of 2017.

 

At January 3, 2016,1, 2017, we had $75.7$165.7 million in cash. Approximately $14.3$69.5 million of this cash was located in the U.S., and the remaining $61.4$96.2 million was located outside of the U.S. The cash located outside of the U.S. is indefinitely reinvested in the respective jurisdictions (except as identified below). We believe that our strategic plans and business needs, particularly for working capital needs and capital expenditure requirements in Europe, Asia and Australia, support our assertion that our cash in foreign locations will be reinvested and remittance will be postponed indefinitely.  Of the $61.4$96.2 million of cash in foreign jurisdictions, approximately $3.6$4.8 million represents earnings which we have determined are not permanently reinvested, and as such we have provided for U.S. federal and state income taxes on these amounts in accordance with applicable accounting standards.

 

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As of January 3, 2016,1, 2017, we had $213.5$270.3 million of borrowings and $3.1$2.9 million in letters of credit outstanding under our Syndicated Credit Facility. Of those borrowings outstanding, $197.5$185.0 million were Term Loan A borrowings and $16.0$85.3 million were revolving loan borrowings. As of January 3, 2016,1, 2017, we could have incurred $230.9$161.7 million of additional revolving loan borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility. In addition, we could have incurred the equivalent of $14.6$14.8 million of borrowings under our other credit facilities in place at other non-U.S. subsidiaries.

 

We have approximately $52.7$81.6 million in contractual cash obligations due by the end of fiscal year 2016,2017, which includes, among other things, pension cash contributions, interest payments on our debt and lease commitments. Based on current interest rate and debt levels, we expect our aggregate interest expense for 20162017 to be between $6 million and $8$9 million. We estimate aggregate capital expenditures in 20162017 to be between $40$55 million and $50$65 million, although we are not committed to these amounts.

 

In 2010, we completed a private offering of $275 million aggregate principal amount of 7.625% Senior Notes. Interest on the 7.625% Senior Notes was payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 (the first payment was made on June 1, 2011). In the fourth quarter of 2013, we redeemed $27.5 million aggregate principal amount of the 7.625% Senior Notes at a price equal to 103% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed, plus accrued interest to the redemption date. In the fourth quarter of 2014, we redeemed $27.5 million aggregate principal amount of the 7.625% Senior Notes at a price equal to 103% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest, and redeemed the remaining $220 million aggregate principal amount of these notes at a price equal to 103.813% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest. The redemption transactions in the fourth quarter of 2014 required an aggregate of $266.1 million (including principal payments, premiums and accrued interest), which was funded through a combination of term loan and revolving loan borrowings under the Syndicated Credit Facility and cash on hand.

 

It is important for you to consider that we have a significant amount of indebtedness. Our Syndicated Credit Facility matures in October 2019. We cannot assure you that we will be able to renegotiate or refinance any of our debt on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. If we are unable to refinance our debt or obtain new financing, we would have to consider other options, such as selling assets to meet our debt service obligations and other liquidity needs, or using cash, if available, that would have been used for other business purposes.

It is also important for you to consider that borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility comprise the substantial majority of our indebtedness, and that these borrowings are based on variable interest rates (as described below) that expose the Company to the risk that short-term interest may increase. For information regarding the current variable interest rates of these borrowings and the potential impact on our interest expense from hypothetical increases in short term interest rates, please see the discussion under the heading 'Interest Rate Risk' in Item 7A of this Report.

 

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Syndicated Credit Facility 

 

We have a syndicated credit facility (the “Syndicated Credit Facility” or “Facility”) pursuant to which the lenders provide to us and certain of our subsidiaries a multicurrency revolving credit facility and provide to us a term loan. The key features of the Facility are as follows:

 

 

The Facility matures on October 3, 2019.

 

The Facility includes (i) a multicurrency revolving loan facility made available to the Company and our principal subsidiaries in Europe and Australia not to exceed $240 million in the aggregate at any one time outstanding, and (ii) a revolving loan facility made available to our principal subsidiary in Thailand not to exceed the equivalent of $10 million in the aggregate at any one time outstanding. A sublimit of $40 million exists for the issuance of letters of credit under the Facility.

 

The Facility includes $200 million of Term Loan A borrowing availability which could be used (and was in fact used) to refinance our 7.625% Senior Notes due 2018.

 

The Facility provides for required amortization payments of the Term Loan A borrowing, as well as mandatory prepayments of the Term Loan A borrowing (and any term loans made available pursuant to any future multicurrency loan facility increase) from certain asset sales, casualty events and debt issuances, subject to certain qualifications and exceptions as provided for therein.

 

Advances under the Facility are secured by a first-priority lien on substantially all of Interface, Inc.’s assets and the assets of each of our material domestic subsidiaries, which have guaranteed the Facility.

 

The Facility contains financial covenants (specifically, a consolidated net leverage ratio and a consolidated interest coverage ratio) that must be met as of the end of each fiscal quarter.

 

We have the option to increase the borrowing availability under the Facility, either for revolving loans or term loans, by up to $150 million, subject to the receipt of lender commitments for the increase and the satisfaction of certain other conditions.

 

Interest Rates and Fees. Interest on base rate loans is charged at varying rates computed by applying a margin ranging from 0.25% to 1.50% over the applicable base interest rate (which is defined as the greatest of the prime rate, a specified federal funds rate plus 0.50%, or a specified LIBOR rate), depending on our consolidated net leverage ratio as of the most recently completed fiscal quarter. Interest on LIBOR-based loans and fees for letters of credit are charged at varying rates computed by applying a margin ranging from 1.25% to 2.50% over the applicable LIBOR rate, depending on our consolidated net leverage ratio as of the most recently completed fiscal quarter. In addition, we pay a commitment fee ranging from 0.20% to 0.35% per annum (depending on our consolidated net leverage ratio as of the most recently completed fiscal quarter) on the unused portion of the Facility.

 

Amortization Prepayments. We are required to make amortization payments of the Term Loan A borrowing. The amortization payments are due on the last day of the calendar quarter, commencing with an initial amortization payment of $2.5 million that was made on December 31, 2015. The quarterly amortization payment amount increasesincreased to $3.75 million on December 31, 2016.

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Covenants. The Facility contains standard and customary covenants for agreements of this type, including various reporting, affirmative and negative covenants. Among other things, these covenants limit our ability to:

 

 

create or incur liens on assets;

 

make acquisitions of or investments in businesses (in excess of certain specified amounts);

 

incur indebtedness or contingent obligations;

 

sell or dispose of assets (in excess of certain specified amounts);

 

pay dividends or repurchase our stock (in excess of certain specified amounts);

 

repay other indebtedness prior to maturity unless we meet certain conditions; and

 

enter into sale and leaseback transactions.

 

The Facility also requires us to remain in compliance with the following financial covenants as of the end of each fiscal quarter, based on our consolidated results for the year then ended:

 

 

Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio: Must be no greater than (i) 4.50:1.00 through and including the fiscal quarter ending December 28, 2014, (ii) 4.00:1.00 from and including the fiscal quarter ending April 5, 2015 through and including the fiscal quarter ending January 3, 2016, and (iii) 3.75:1.00 for each fiscal quarter thereafter.

 

Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio: Must be no less than 2.25:1.00 as of the end of any fiscal quarter.

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Events of Default. If we breach or fail to perform any of the affirmative or negative covenants under the Facility, or if other specified events occur (such as a bankruptcy or similar event or a change of control of Interface, Inc. or certain subsidiaries, or if we breach or fail to perform any covenant or agreement contained in any instrument relating to any of our other indebtedness exceeding $20 million), after giving effect to any applicable notice and right to cure provisions, an event of default will exist. If an event of default exists and is continuing, the lenders’ Administrative Agent may, and upon the written request of a specified percentage of the lender group shall:

 

 

declare all commitments of the lenders under the facility terminated;

 

declare all amounts outstanding or accrued thereunder immediately due and payable; and

 

exercise other rights and remedies available to them under the agreement and applicable law.

 

Collateral. Pursuant to a Security and Pledge Agreement executed on the same date, the Facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of Interface, Inc. and our domestic subsidiaries (subject to exceptions for certain immaterial subsidiaries), including all of the stock of our domestic subsidiaries and up to 65% of the stock of our first-tier material foreign subsidiaries. If an event of default occurs under the Facility, the lenders’ Administrative Agent may, upon the request of a specified percentage of lenders, exercise remedies with respect to the collateral, including, in some instances, foreclosing mortgages on real estate assets, taking possession of or selling personal property assets, collecting accounts receivables, or exercising proxies to take control of the pledged stock of domestic and first-tier material foreign subsidiaries.

 

As of January 3, 2016,1, 2017, we had $197.5$185.0 million of Term Loan A borrowings and $16.0$85.3 million of revolving loan borrowings outstanding under the Facility, and had $3.1$2.9 million in letters of credit outstanding under the Facility.

 

We are presently in compliance with all covenants under the Syndicated Credit Facility and anticipate that we will remain in compliance with the covenants for the foreseeable future.

 

Senior Notes

 

As described above, all of our remaining 7.625% Senior Notes were redeemed in full in the fourth quarter of 2014, and our remaining 11.375% Senior Secured Notes were repaid at maturity in the fourth quarter of 2013.2014.

 

Analysis of Cash Flows

We exited 2016 with $165.7 million in cash, an increase of $90.0 million during the year. The most significant increase in cash was a result of borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility, the largest portion of which was borrowings of $63.5 million in the December 2016 borrowing transaction discussed above. We also borrowed an additional $23.9 million under our Syndicated Credit Facility during 2016. Outside of these borrowings, our cash flow from operating activities of $93.2 million was the most significant factor in our cash generation. The significant components of this cash flow from operations were (1) net income of $54.2 million, (2) a $7.3 million increase in accounts payable and accruals, and (3) a $2.7 million decrease in inventory. These increases were partially offset by a $7.7 million increase in prepaid expenses and other assets. Other primary uses of cash during 2016 were (1) capital expenditures of $28.1 million, (2) $18.5 million used to repurchase and retire 1.2 million shares of our outstanding common stock pursuant to our established share repurchase plan, (3) $17.6 million of repayments under our Syndicated Credit Facility, (4) $14.3 million for the payment of dividends, and (5) $12.5 million for repayment of term loan borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility as required by the applicable amortization schedule.

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We exited 2015 with $75.7 million in cash, an increase of $20.8 million during the year. The increase in cash was primarily due to improved cash flow from operating activities of $125.4 million in 2015, compared with $46.4 million in 2014. The factors driving the increase in cash flow from operating activities were (1) higher net income in 2015 due to improved operational performance, (2) a $16.2 million reduction in cash paid for interest, as a result of our 2014 debt refinancing discussed above, (3) an $18.7 million reduction in accounts receivable, and (4) a $14.5 million increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses. The increase in cash from operating activities was partially offset by an increase in inventories of $26.5 million and an increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $8.3 million. Our other primary uses of cash during 2015 were (1) $45.3 million of repayments of revolving loan borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility, (2) $27.2 million of capital expenditures, primary related to our manufacturing locations, (3) $13.3 million used to repurchase and retire 650,000 shares of our outstanding common stock, pursuant to our established share repurchase plan, (4) $11.9 million for the payment of dividends, and (5) $2.5 million for repayment of term loan borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility as required by the applicable amortization schedule.

 

Our primary sources of cash during 2014 were: (1) $200 million of Term Loan A borrowings and $48.9 million of revolving loan borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility; (2) $15.4 million due to an increase in accounts payable and accruals; and (3) $2.8 million due to a decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets. Our primary uses of cash during 2014 were: (1) $256.8 million used to redeem our formerly outstanding 7.625% Senior Notes (comprised of $247.5 million for principal payments, and $9.3 million for premium payments); (2) $29.3 million due to an increase in accounts receivable; (3) $9.9 million used to repay a portion of our outstanding revolving loan borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility; (4) $9.3 million used to pay dividends on our common stock; and (5) $7.7 million used to repurchase 500,000 shares of our common stock.

 

Our primary sources of cash during 2013 were: (1) $56.0 million of proceeds received from our insurance company on our claim related to the fire at our Australia manufacturing facility in 2012; (2) $26.3 million of borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility; and (3) $3.5 million due to a reduction in accounts receivable. Our primary uses of cash in 2013 were: (1) $91.9 million of capital expenditures, which included expenditures for the purchase and build-out of our new manufacturing facility in Minto, Australia; (2) $35.6 million of cash used to retire the remainder ($8.1 million aggregate principal amount) of our 11.375% Senior Secured Notes and a portion ($27.5 million aggregate principal amount) of our 7.625% Senior Notes; and (3) $17.3 million due to a decrease in accounts payable and accruals.

We believe that our liquidity position will provide sufficient funds to meet our current commitments and other cash requirements for the foreseeable future.

 

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FundingObligations

 

We have various contractual obligations that we must fund as part of our normal operations. The following table discloses aggregate information about our contractual obligations and the periods in which payments are due. The amounts and time periods are measured from January 3, 2016.1, 2017.

 

     

Payments Due by Period

      

Payments Due by Period

 
 

Total PaymentsDue

  

Less than

1 year

  

1-3 years

  

3-5 years

  

More than

5 years

  

Total

PaymentsDue

  

Less than

1 year

  

1-3 years

  

3-5 years

  

More than

5 years

 

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

Long-Term Debt Obligations

 $213,531  $11,250  $30,000  $172,281  $0  $270,347  $15,000  $255,347  $0  $0 

Operating Lease Obligations(1)

  72,639   20,757   32,889   10,954   8,039   119,906   36,763   40,549   18,334   24,260 

Expected Interest Payments(2)

  22,234   4,522   9,044   8,668   0   15,942   5,534   10,408   0   0 

Unconditional Purchase Obligations(3)

  8,104   6,437   1,413   254   0   23,992   14,523   8,979   490   0 

Pension Cash Obligations(4)

  109,068   9,735   20,453   22,546   56,334   105,139   9,797   20,516   21,244   53,582 
                    

Total Contractual Cash Obligations(5)

 $425,576  $52,701  $93,799  $214,703  $64,373  $535,326  $81,617  $335,799  $40,068  $77,842 

______________________  

 

 

(1)

Our capital lease obligations are insignificant.

 

 

(2)

Expected interest payments to be made in future periods reflect anticipated interest payments related to the $197.5$185.0 million of Term Loan A borrowings outstanding and the $16.0$85.3 million of revolving loan borrowings outstanding under our Syndicated Credit Facility as of January 3, 2016.1, 2017. We have also assumed in the presentation above that these borrowings will remain outstanding until maturity.maturity with the exception of the required amortization payments for our Term Loan A Borrowings.

 

 

(3)

Unconditional purchase obligations do not include unconditional purchase obligations that are included as liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Our capital expenditure commitments are not significant.

 

 

(4)

We have two foreign defined benefit plans and a domestic salary continuation plan. We have presented above the estimated cash obligations that will be paid under these plans over the next ten years. Such amounts are based on several estimates and assumptions and could differ materially should the underlying estimates and assumptions change. Our domestic salary continuation plan is an unfunded plan, and we do not currently have any commitments to make contributions to this plan. However, we do use insurance instruments to hedge our exposure under the salary continuation plan. Contributions to our other employee benefit plans are at our discretion.

 

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(5)

The above table does not reflect unrecognized tax benefits of $28.3$27.9 million, the timing of which payments are uncertain. See the Note entitled “Taxes on Income” in Item 8 of this Report for further information.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The policies discussed below are considered by management to be critical to an understanding of our consolidated financial statements because their application places the most significant demands on management’s judgment, with financial reporting results relying on estimations about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain. Specific risks for these critical accounting policies are described in the following paragraphs. For all of these policies, management cautions that future events may not develop as forecasted, and the best estimates routinely require adjustment.

 

Revenue Recognition.The vast majority of our revenue is recognized at the date of shipment when the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, price to the buyer is fixed and determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Delivery is not considered to have occurred until the customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership, which is generally on the date of shipment. Provisions for discounts, sales returns and allowances are estimated using historical experience, current economic trends, and the Company’s quality performance. The related provision is recorded as a reduction of sales and cost of sales in the same period that the revenue is recognized. Accordingly, our estimates and assumptions regarding revenue recognition primarily relate to sales returns and allowances, which historically have been in the range of 2.5-3.0% of gross sales. Over the last several years, we have not experienced any significant fluctuation in sales returns and allowances, our estimates and assumptions related thereto have not changed significantly, and we believe our estimates and assumptions to be reasonably accurate. Management also believes this past experience can be relied upon for such estimates and assumptions in future periods, as our business model and customer mix have not changed significantly.

 

A small percentage (approximately 5%) of our revenue relates to flooring installation projects, which generally involve short time periods (typically less than two weeks) and therefore present little risk of material difference due to changes in experience.

 

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Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are classified in net sales in the consolidated statements of operations. Shipping and handling costs incurred are classified in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets.Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment at the asset group level whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment is indicated. A loss is then recognized for the difference, if any, between the fair value of the asset (as estimated by management using its best judgment) and the carrying value of the asset. If actual market value is less favorable than that estimated by management, additional write-downs may be required.

 

Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities.The carrying values of deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflect the application of our income tax accounting policies in accordance with applicable accounting standards, and are based on management’s assumptions and estimates regarding future operating results and levels of taxable income, as well as management’s judgment regarding the interpretation of the provisions of applicable accounting standards. The carrying values of liabilities for income taxes currently payable are based on management’s interpretations of applicable tax laws, and incorporate management’s assumptions and judgments regarding the use of tax planning strategies in various taxing jurisdictions. The use of different estimates, assumptions and judgments in connection with accounting for income taxes may result in materially different carrying values of income tax assets and liabilities and results of operations.

 

We evaluate the recoverability of these deferred tax assets by assessing the adequacy of future expected taxable income from all sources, including reversal of taxable temporary differences, forecasted operating earnings and available tax planning strategies. These sources of income inherently rely heavily on estimates. We use our historical experience and our short and long-term business forecasts to provide insight. Further, our global business portfolio gives us the opportunity to employ various prudent and feasible tax planning strategies to facilitate the recoverability of future deductions. To the extent we do not consider it more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will be recovered, a valuation allowance is established. As of January 1, 2017, we had no U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards. As of January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, we had approximately $26.2million and $100.1 million of U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards, respectively.carryforwards. In addition, as of January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, we had state net operating loss carryforwards of $139.3$108.9 million and $209.0$139.3 million, respectively. As of January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, we had approximately$3.7million3.8million and $4.0$3.7 million of foreign net operating loss carryforwards, respectively.   Certain of these carryforwards are reserved with a valuation allowance because, based on the available evidence, we believe it is more likely than not that we would not be able to utilize those deferred tax assets in the future. The remaining year-end 20152016 amounts are expected to be fully recoverable within the applicable statutory expiration periods. If the actual amounts of taxable income differ from our estimates, the amount of our valuation allowance could be materially impacted.impacted

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Goodwill. Pursuant to applicable accounting standards, we test goodwill for impairment at least annually using a two step approach. In the first step of this approach, we prepare valuations of reporting units, using both a market comparable approach and an income approach, and those valuations are compared with the respective book values of the reporting units to determine whether any goodwill impairment exists. In preparing the valuations, past, present and expected future performance is considered. If impairment is indicated in this first step of the test, a step two valuation approach is performed. The step two valuation approach compares the implied fair value of goodwill to the book value of goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, including both recognized and unrecognized intangible assets, in the same manner as goodwill is determined in a business combination under applicable accounting standards. After completion of this step two test, a loss is recognized for the difference, if any, between the fair value of the goodwill associated with the reporting unit and the book value of that goodwill. If the actual fair value of the goodwill is determined to be less than that estimated, an additional write-down may be required.

 

During the fourth quarters of 2016, 2015 2014 and 2013,2014, we performed the annual goodwill impairment test. We perform this test at the reporting unit level. For our reporting units which carried a goodwill balance as of January 3, 2016,1, 2017, no impairment of goodwill was indicated. As of January 3, 2016,1, 2017, if our estimates of the fair value of our reporting units were 10% lower, we believe no additional goodwill impairment would have existed.

 

Inventories.We determine the value of inventories using the lower of cost or market. We write down inventories for the difference between the carrying value of the inventories and their net realizable value. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional write-downs may be required.

 

We estimate our reserves for inventory obsolescence by continuously examining our inventories to determine if there are indicators that carrying values exceed net realizable values. Experience has shown that significant indicators that could require the need for additional inventory write-downs are the age of the inventory, the length of its product life cycles, anticipated demand for our products and current economic conditions. While we believe that adequate write-downs for inventory obsolescence have been made in the consolidated financial statements, consumer tastes and preferences will continue to change and we could experience additional inventory write-downs in the future. Our inventory reserve on January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, was $15.5$17.6 million and $14.8$15.5 million, respectively. To the extent that actual obsolescence of our inventory differs from our estimate by 10%, our 20152016 net income would be higher or lower by approximately $1.0$1.1 million, on an after-tax basis.

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Pension Benefits.Net pension expense recorded is based on, among other things, assumptions about the discount rate, estimated return on plan assets and salary increases. While management believes these assumptions are reasonable, changes in these and other factors and differences between actual and assumed changes in the present value of liabilities or assets of our plans above certain thresholds could cause net annual expense to increase or decrease materially from year to year. The actuarial assumptions used in our salary continuation plan and our foreign defined benefit plans reporting are reviewed periodically and compared with external benchmarks to ensure that they appropriately account for our future pension benefit obligation. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption is based on weighted average expected returns for each asset class. Expected returns reflect a combination of historical performance analysis and the forward-looking views of the financial markets, and include input from actuaries, investment service firms and investment managers. The table below represents the changes to the projected benefit obligation as a result of changes in discount rate assumptions:

 

Foreign Defined Benefit Plans

 

Increase (Decrease) in

Projected Benefit Obligation

  

Increase (Decrease) in

Projected Benefit Obligation

 
 

(in millions)

  

(in millions)

 

1% increase in actuarial assumption for discount rate

 $(33.9) $(49.4)

1% decrease in actuarial assumption for discount rate

 $42.9  $55.8 

 

Domestic Salary Continuation Plan

 

Increase (Decrease) in

Projected Benefit Obligation

  

Increase (Decrease) in

Projected Benefit Obligation

 
 

(in millions)

  

(in millions)

 

1% increase in actuarial assumption for discount rate

 $(2.7) $(2.9)

1% decrease in actuarial assumption for discount rate

 $3.2  $3.4 

 

Environmental Remediation.We provide for environmental remediation costs and penalties when the responsibility to remediate is probable and the amount of associated costs is reasonably determinable. Remediation liabilities are accrued based on estimates of known environmental exposures and are discounted in certain instances. We regularly monitor the progress of environmental remediation. Should studies indicate that the cost of remediation is to be more than previously estimated, an additional accrual would be recorded in the period in which such determination is made. As of January 3, 2016,1, 2017, no significant amounts were provided for remediation liabilities.

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Allowances for Doubtful Accounts.We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. Estimating this amount requires us to analyze the financial strengths of our customers. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. By its nature, such an estimate is highly subjective, and it is possible that the amount of accounts receivable that we are unable to collect may be different than the amount initially estimated. Our allowance for doubtful accounts on January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, was $4.5$3.8 million and $5.9$4.5 million, respectively. To the extent the actual collectability of our accounts receivable differs from our estimates by 10%, our 20152016 net income would be higher or lower by approximately $0.3 million, on an after-tax basis, depending on whether the actual collectability was better or worse, respectively, than the estimated allowance.

 

Product Warranties.We typically provide limited warranties with respect to certain attributes of our carpet products (for example, warranties regarding excessive surface wear, edge ravel and static electricity) for periods ranging from ten to twenty years, depending on the particular carpet product and the environment in which the product is to be installed. We typically warrant that any services performed will be free from defects in workmanship for a period of one year following completion. In the event of a breach of warranty, the remedy typically is limited to repair of the problem or replacement of the affected product. We record a provision related to warranty costs based on historical experience and periodically adjust these provisions to reflect changes in actual experience. Our warranty and sales allowance reserve on January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, was $4.8$5.5 million and $4.0$4.8 million, respectively. Actual warranty expense incurred could vary significantly from amounts that we estimate. To the extent the actual warranty expense differs from our estimates by 10%, our 20152016 net income would be higher or lower by approximately $0.3 million, on an after-tax basis, depending on whether the actual expense is lower or higher, respectively, than the estimated provision.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We are not a party to any material off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standard regarding recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. In summary, the core principle of this standard is that an entity recognizes revenue from the transfer of 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. The guidance for this standard was initially effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. However, in August of 2015, the FASB delayed the effective date of the standard for one full year. While we are currently reviewing this new standard, and the method by which the standard will be adopted, we do not believe that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

In January 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard which eliminates the concept of extraordinary items from generally accepted accounting principles. The standard does not affect disclosure guidance for events or transactions that are unusual in nature or infrequent in their occurrence. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. The standard allows prospective or retrospective application. Early adoption is permitted if applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. We do not believe the adoption of this standard will have any significant effect on our ongoing financial reporting. 

In February 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard which changes the way reporting enterprises evaluate whether (a) they should consolidate limited partnerships and similar entities, (b) fees paid to a decision maker or service provider are variable interests in a variable interest entity (“VIE”), and (c) variable interests in a VIE held by related parties of the reporting enterprise require the reporting enterprise to consolidate the VIE. The new accounting standard is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, this standard will have on our ongoing financial reporting, but we do not believe the adoption of this standard will have any significant effect on our ongoing financial reporting.

In April 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. This accounting standard requires debt issuance costs to be presented on the balance sheet as a direct reduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability. In August 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard update that allows the presentation of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements as an asset on the balance sheet under the simplified guidance, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the related arrangements. The guidance in these accounting standards is to be applied retrospectively and is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. As these standards relate to presentation only, we do not believe the adoption of these accounting standards will have a material impact on our financial statements.

 

In July 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard to simplify the accounting for inventory. This standard requires all inventories to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value, except for inventory that is accounted for using the LIFO or the retail inventory method, which will be measured under existing accounting standards. The new guidance must be applied on a prospective basis and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this new standard and do not expect it to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In November 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard which requires deferred tax assets and liabilities, as well as any related valuation allowance, be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. As a result, each jurisdiction will only have one net noncurrent deferred tax asset or liability. This standard does not change the existing requirement that only permits offsetting within a jurisdiction. The amendments in the standard may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively to all prior periods presented. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. AsWe intend to adopt this standard impacts only presentation, we do not expect itin the first quarter of 2017. If the balances as of the end of 2016 were to remain unchanged as of the adoption date, the estimated impact to our consolidated balance sheet is a reduction of current assets of $10.0 million and increase in long term assets of $6.0 million, and a reduction in long term liabilities of $4.0 million.

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In March 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to simplify several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and the classification on the statement of cash flows. In addition, an entity can make an entity-wide accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest, which is the current U.S. GAAP practice, or account for forfeitures when they occur.  This update will be effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. The element of the new standard that will have any significant effectthe most impact on our financial statements will be income tax consequences. Excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies on stock-based compensation awards will now be included in our tax provision within our consolidated statement of operations as discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur, rather than our current accounting of recording in additional paid-in capital on our consolidated financial statements.balance sheets. At this time, we estimate that the adoption of this standard will result in an increase in our deferred tax assets of approximately $5.8 million, with a corresponding increase to equity accounts.   There will also be an impact on our consolidated statement of cash flows, upon adoption in the first quarter of 2017, as under the standard when an employer withholds shares for tax withholding purposes those related tax payments will be treated as financing activities, not as operating activities. Upon adoption in the first quarter of 2017, this will result in a reclassification of approximately $5.0 million of such tax payments in the first quarter of 2016 from operating activities to financing activities. We also have elected to continue our current policy of estimating forfeitures of stock-based compensation awards at the time of grant and revising in subsequent periods to reflect actual forfeitures, which is allowable under the new standard.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard regarding leases. The new standard establishes a right-of-use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. We are currently evaluating the impact of our pending adoption of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements.

 

ITEM7A.      QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Market Risk

 

As a result of the scope of our global operations, we are exposed to an element of market risk from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. Our results of operations and financial condition could be impacted by this risk. We manage our exposure to market risk through our regular operating and financial activities and, to the extent we deem appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments.

 

We employ derivative financial instruments as risk management tools and not for speculative or trading purposes. We monitor the use of derivative financial instruments through objective measurable systems, well-defined market and credit risk limits, and timely reports to senior management according to prescribed guidelines. We have established strict counter-party credit guidelines and enter into transactions only with financial institutions with a rating of investment grade or better. As a result, we consider the risk of counter-party default to be minimal.

 

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Interest Rate Market Risk Exposure

 

Changes in interest rates affect the interest paid on certain of our debt. To mitigate the impact of fluctuations in interest rates, our management monitors interest rates and has developed and implemented a policy to maintain the percentage of fixed and variable rate debt within certain parameters, subject to approval by our Board of Directors. In the past, we have maintained a fixed/variable rate mix within these parameters either by borrowing on a fixed rate basis or entering into interest rate swap transactions. In the interest rate swaps, we agreed to exchange, at specified levels, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon notional principal linked to LIBOR. As of January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, no such interest rate swaps were in place.

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Market Risk Exposure

 

A significant portion of our operations consists of manufacturing and sales activities in foreign jurisdictions. We manufacture our products in the United States, Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, China, Thailand and Australia, and sell our products in more than 100 countries. As a result, our financial results have been, and could be, significantly affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in the foreign markets in which we distribute our products. Our operating results are exposed to changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and many other currencies, including the euro, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, Thai baht and Japanese yen. When the U.S. dollar strengthens against a foreign currency, the value of anticipated sales in those currencies decreases, and vice versa. Additionally, to the extent our foreign operations with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar transact business in countries other than the United States, exchange rate changes between two foreign currencies could ultimately impact us. Finally, because we report in U.S. dollars on a consolidated basis, foreign currency exchange fluctuations could have a translation impact on our financial position.

 

At January 3, 2016,1, 2017, we recognized a $32.6$19.0 million decrease in our foreign currency translation adjustment account compared with December 28, 2014,January 3, 2016, because of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against certain foreign currencies during 2015,2016, particularly the euro and the Australia dollar.British pound

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Sensitivity Analysis

 

For purposes of specific risk analysis, we use sensitivity analysis to measure the impact that market risk may have on the fair values of our market-sensitive instruments.

 

To perform sensitivity analysis, we assess the risk of loss in fair values associated with the impact of hypothetical changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates on market-sensitive instruments. The market value of instruments affected by interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate risk is computed based on the present value of future cash flows as impacted by the changes in the rates attributable to the market risk being measured. The discount rates used for the present value computations were selected based on market interest and foreign currency exchange rates in effect at January 3, 2016.1, 2017. The values that result from these computations are then compared with the market values of the financial instruments. The differences are the hypothetical gains or losses associated with each type of risk.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Our weighted average interest rate for our outstanding borrowings in 2016 and 2015 was 2.1% and 2014 was 2.0% and 7.4%, respectively.

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As discussed above, in the fourth quarterour Syndicated Credit Facility is comprised of 2014, we refinanced our outstanding 7.625% Senior Notes with a combination of term loan and revolving loan borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility, plus cash on hand.borrowings. The following table summarizes our market risks associated with our debt obligations as of January 3, 2016.1, 2017. For debt obligations, the table presents principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates by year of maturity. Variable interest rates presented for variable-rate debt represent the weighted average interest rate on our Syndicated Credit Facility borrowings as of January 3, 2016.1, 2017.

 

 

2016

  

2017

  

2018

  

2019

  

Thereafter

  

Total

  

Fair Value

  

2017

  

2018

  

2019

  

2020

  

Thereafter

  

Total

  

Fair Value

 
 

(in thousands)

      

(in thousands)

     

Rate-Sensitive Liabilities

                                                        

Long-term Debt:

                                                        

Variable Rate

 $11,250  $15,000  $15,000  $172,281  $0  $213,531  $213,531  $15,000  $15,000  $240,347  $0  $0  $270,347  $270,347 

Variable Interest Rate

  2.0%  2.0%  2.0%  2.0%  --           2.1%  2.1%  2.1%  --   --         

 

An increase in our effective interest rate of 1% would increase annual interest expense by approximately $2.1$2.7 million. We will continue to review our exposure to interest rate fluctuations and evaluate whether we should manage such exposures through interest rate swap transactions.

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

 

As of January 3, 2016,1, 2017, a 10% decrease or increase in the levels of foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar, with all other variables held constant, would result in a decrease in the fair value of our short-term financial instruments (primarily cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable) of $9.9$12.9 million or an increase in the fair value of our financial instruments of $12.1$15.8 million, respectively. As the impact of offsetting changes in the fair market value of our net foreign investments is not included in the sensitivity model, these results are not indicative of our actual exposure to foreign currency exchange risk.

 

 
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ITEM8.         FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

INTERFACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

FISCAL YEAR

  

FISCAL YEAR

 
 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

  

2016

  

2015

  

2014

 
 

(in thousands, exceptpershare data)

  

(in thousands, exceptpershare data)

 

Net sales

 $1,001,863  $1,003,903  $959,989  $958,617  $1,001,863  $1,003,903 

Cost of sales

  618,974   663,876   618,880   589,973   618,974   663,876 

Gross profit on sales

  382,889   340,027   341,109   368,644   382,889   340,027 
                        

Selling, general and administrative expenses

  269,296   257,346   252,433   263,919   269,296   257,346 

Restructuring and asset impairment charges

  0   12,386   0   19,788   0   12,386 

Gain related to Australia fire

  0   0   (6,954)
                        

Operating income

  113,593   70,295   95,630   84,937   113,593   70,295 
                        

Interest expense

  6,401   20,785   23,810   6,130   6,401   20,785 

Debt retirement expenses

  0   11,989   1,667   0   0   11,989 

Other expense

  1,426   1,779   1,149 

Other expense (income)

  (329)  1,426   1,779 
                        

Income before income tax expense

  105,766   35,742   69,004   79,136   105,766   35,742 

Income tax expense

  33,348   10,934   20,749   24,974   33,348   10,934 
                        

Net income

 $72,418  $24,808  $48,255  $54,162  $72,418  $24,808 
                        

Net income per share – basic

 $1.10  $0.37  $0.73  $0.83  $1.10  $0.37 
                        
            

Net income per share – diluted

 $1.10  $0.37  $0.73  $0.83  $1.10  $0.37 
                       ��

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

  66,027   66,389   66,194   65,098   66,027   66,389 

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

  66,075   66,448   66,297   65,136   66,075   66,448 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 
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INTERFACEINTERFACE,, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVEINCOME

 

 

FISCAL YEAR

  

FISCAL YEAR

 
 

2015

  

2014

  

2013 

  

2016

  

2015

  

2014 

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Net income

 $72,418  $24,808  $48,255  $54,162  $72,418  $24,808 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

                        

Foreign currency translation adjustment

  (32,575)  (28,351)  (5,241)  (19,011)  (32,575)  (28,351)

Pension liability adjustment

  6,072   (15,280)  1,409   (11,572)  6,072   (15,280)
                        

Comprehensive income (loss)

 $45,915  $(18,823) $44,423  $23,579  $45,915  $(18,823)

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 
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INTERFACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

END OF FISCAL YEAR

 
 

2015

  

2014

  

2016

  

2015

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

ASSETS

                

Current

                

Cash and cash equivalents

 $75,696  $54,896  $165,672  $75,696 

Accounts receivable, net

  130,322   157,093   126,004   130,322 

Inventories

  161,174   142,167   156,083   161,174 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

  22,490   20,780   23,123   22,490 

Deferred income taxes

  8,726   9,732   10,030   8,726 

Total current assets

  398,408   384,668   480,912   398,408 

Property and equipment, net

  211,489   227,347   204,508   211,489 

Deferred tax asset

  20,110   33,138   27,221   20,110 

Goodwill

  63,890   70,509   61,218   63,890 

Other assets

  62,652   59,252   65,714   62,652 
                
 $756,549  $774,914  $839,573  $756,549 
                

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Current liabilities

                

Accounts payable

 $52,834  $49,464  $45,380  $52,834 

Accrued expenses

  88,933   94,323   98,703   88,933 

Current portion of long-term debt

  11,250   0   15,000   11,250 

Total current liabilities

  153,017   143,787   159,083   153,017 

Long term debt

  202,281   263,338   255,347   202,281 

Deferred income taxes

  10,505   11,002   8,862   10,505 

Other

  48,380   50,148   75,552   48,380 
                

Total liabilities

  414,183   468,275   498,844   414,183 
                

Commitments and contingencies

                
                

Shareholders’ equity

                

Preferred stock

  0   0   0   0 

Common stock

  6,570   6,597   6,424   6,570 

Additional paid-in capital

  370,327   368,603   359,451   370,327 

Retained earnings

  100,270   39,737   140,238   100,270 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss – foreign currency translation

  (91,511)  (58,936)  (110,522)  (91,511)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss – pension liability

  (43,290)  (49,362)  (54,862)  (43,290)
                

Total shareholders’ equity

  342,366   306,639   340,729   342,366 
                
 $756,549  $774,914  $839,573  $756,549 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 
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INTERFACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

FISCAL YEAR

 
 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

  

FISCAL YEAR

 

     

(in thousands)

      

2016

  

2015

  

2014

 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                 

(in thousands)

     

Net income

 $72,418  $24,808  $48,255  $54,162  $72,418  $24,808 

Adjustments to reconcile income to cash provided by operating activities

                        

Depreciation and amortization

  30,803   30,677   24,670   30,632   30,803   30,677 

Stock compensation amortization expense

  13,948   3,998   7,935   5,873   13,948   3,998 

Bad debt expense

  763   137   253   145   763   137 

Deferred income taxes and other

  9,052   (3,534)  9,349   468   9,052   (3,534)

Cash received from insurance company

  0   0   25,973 

Working capital changes:

                        

Accounts receivable

  18,738   (29,255)  3,478   (372)  18,738   (29,255)

Inventories

  (26,452)  1,343   (10,610)  2,686   (26,452)  1,343 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

  (8,332)  2,785   (25,354)  (7,720)  (8,332)  2,785 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

  14,497   15,421   (17,316)  7,289   14,497   15,421 

Cash provided by operating activities

  125,435   46,380   66,633   93,163   125,435   46,380 
                        

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                        

Capital expenditures

  (27,188)  (38,922)  (91,851)  (28,071)  (27,188)  (38,922)

Other

  731   2,415   3,074   1,642   731   2,415 

Cash received from insurance company

  0   0   23,024 

Cash used in investing activities

  (26,457)  (36,507)  (65,753)  (26,429)  (26,457)  (36,507)
                        

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                        

Credit facility borrowing

  0   48,850   26,326   87,400   0   48,850 

Credit facility repayments

  (45,267)  (9,905)  0   (17,575)  (45,267)  (9,905)

Term loan borrowings

  0   200,000   0   0   0   200,000 

Term loan repayments

  (2,500)  0   0   (12,500)  (2,500)  0 

Repurchase of common stock

  (13,306)  (7,669)  0   (18,496)  (13,306)  (7,669)

Dividends paid

  (11,885)  (9,297)  (7,283)  (14,285)  (11,885)  (9,297)

Debt issuance costs

  0   (1,099)  (1,308)  0   0   (1,099)

Redemption/repurchase of senior notes

  0   (247,500)  (35,610)  0   0   (247,500)

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

  359   408   1,881   0   359   408 

Cash used in financing activities

  (72,599)  (26,212)  (15,994)

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

  24,544   (72,599)  (26,212)
                        

Net cash provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities

  26,379   (16,339)  (15,114)  91,278   26,379   (16,339)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

  (5,579)  (1,648)  (2,536)  (1,302)  (5,579)  (1,648)
                        

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:

                        

Net increase (decrease)

  20,800   (17,987)  (17,650)  89,976   20,800   (17,987)

Balance, beginning of year

  54,896   72,883   90,533   75,696   54,896   72,883 
                        

Balance, end of year

 $75,696  $54,896  $72,883  $165,672  $75,696  $54,896 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 
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INTERFACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTE

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES


Nature of Operations

 

The Company is a recognized leader in the worldwide commercial interiors market, offering modular carpet. The Company manufactures modular carpet focusing on the high quality, designer-oriented sector of the market, and provides specialized carpet replacement, installation and maintenance services. Additionally, the Company offersIntersept, a proprietary antimicrobial used in a number of interior finishes.finishes, and recently introduced a line of new luxury vinyl tile flooring products.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All of our subsidiaries are wholly-owned, and we are not a party to any joint venture, partnership or other variable interest entity that would potentially qualify for consolidation. All material intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. Investments in which the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence are carried at fair value. The Company monitors investments for other than temporary declines in value and makes reductions in carrying values when appropriate. As of January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, the Company did not hold significant investments of this nature.


Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Examples include provisions for returns, bad debts, product claims reserves, rebates, inventory obsolescence and the length of product life cycles, accruals associated with restructuring activities, income tax exposures and valuation allowances, environmental liabilities, and the carrying value of goodwill and property and equipment. Actual results could vary from these estimates.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Revenue is recognized when the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, price to the buyer is fixed and determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Delivery is not considered to have occurred until the customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership, which is generally on the date of shipment. Provisions for discounts, sales returns and allowances are estimated using historical experience, current economic trends, and the Company’s quality performance. The related provision is recorded as a reduction of sales and cost of sales in the same period that the revenue is recognized. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of net sales for any period if management makes different judgments or uses different estimates.

 

Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are classified in net sales in the consolidated statements of operations. Shipping and handling costs incurred are classified in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

Research and Development

 

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and are included in the selling, general and administrative expense caption in the consolidated statements of operations. Research and development expense was $14.3 million, $14.5 million $13.9 million and $12.6$13.9 million for the years 2016, 2015 and 2014, and 2013, respectively.

 

 
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Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

 

Highly liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risk and with original maturities of three months or less are classified as cash and cash equivalents. Investments with maturities greater than three months and less than one year are classified as short-term investments. The Company did not hold any significant amounts of cash equivalents and short-term investments at January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016 or December 28, 2014.2016.

 

Cash payments for interest amounted to approximately $5.5 million, $4.8 million $21.0 million and $22.9$21.0 million for the years 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013,2014, respectively. Income tax payments amounted to approximately $12.8 million, $7.2 million $7.5 million and $8.7$7.5 million for the years 2016, 2015 2014 and 2013,2014, respectively. During the years 2016, 2015 2014 and 2013,2014, the Company received income tax refunds of $0.2 million, $3.1 million $5.0 million and $1.4$5.0 million, respectively.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are carried at the lower of cost (standards approximating the first-in, first-out method) or market. Costs included in inventories are based on invoiced costs and/or production costs, as applicable. Included in production costs are material, direct labor and allocated overhead.The Company writes down inventories for the difference between the carrying value of the inventories and their estimated net realizable value. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional write-downs may be required.

 

Management estimates its reserves for inventory obsolescence by continuously examining its inventories to determine if there are indicators that carrying values exceed net realizable values. Experience has shown that significant indicators that could require the need for additional inventory write-downs are the age of the inventory, the length of its product life cycles, anticipated demand for the Company’s products, and current economic conditions. While management believes that adequate write-downs for inventory obsolescence have been made in the consolidated financial statements, consumer tastes and preferences will continue to change and the Company could experience additional inventory write-downs in the future.

 

Rebates

 

The Company has agreements to receive cash consideration from certain of its vendors, including rebates and cooperative marketing reimbursements. The amounts received from its vendors are generally presumed to be a reduction of the prices the Company pays for their products and, therefore, such amounts are reflected as either a reduction of cost of sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, or, if the product inventory is still on hand at the reporting date, it is reflected as a reduction of “Inventories” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Vendor rebates are typically dependent upon reaching minimum purchase thresholds. The Company evaluates the likelihood of reaching purchase thresholds using past experience and current year forecasts. When rebates can be reasonably estimated and receipt becomes probable, the Company records a portion of the rebate as the Company makes progress towards the purchase threshold.

 

When the Company receives direct reimbursements for costs incurred in marketing the vendor’s product or service, the amount received is recorded as an offset to selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

 

Assets and Liabilities of Businesses Held for Sale

 

The Company considers businesses to be held for sale when the Board or management, having the relevant authority to do so, approves and commits to a formal plan to actively market a business for sale and the sale is considered probable. Upon designation as held for sale, the carrying value of the assets of the business are recorded at the lower of their carrying value or their estimated fair value, less costs to sell. The Company ceases to record depreciation expense at that time.

 

 
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Property and Equipment and Long-Lived Assets

 

Property and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: buildings and improvements – ten to forty years; and furniture and equipment – three to twelve years. Interest costs for the construction/development of certain long-term assets are capitalized and amortized over the related assets’ estimated useful lives. The Company capitalized net interest costs on qualifying expenditures of approximately $0.3$0.5 million, $0.8$0.3 million and $0.8 million for the fiscal years 2016, 2015 2014 and 2013,2014, respectively. Depreciation expense amounted to approximately $30.1 million, $30.4 million $30.3 million and $24.4$30.3 million for the years 2016, 2015 2014 and 2013,2014, respectively.

 

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the asset. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to operating expense as incurred.

 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations accounted for as acquisitions. Accumulated amortization amounted to approximately $77.3 million at both January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, and cumulative impairment losses recognized were $212.6 million as of both January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016 and December 28, 2014.2016.

 

As of January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, the net carrying amount of goodwill was $63.9$61.2 million and $70.5$63.9 million, respectively. Other intangible assets were $4.8$0.9 million and $4.7$4.8 million as of January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, respectively. Amortization expense related to intangible assets during the years 2016, 2015 and December 28, 2014 respectively. was $0.5 million, $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively

The Company capitalizes patent defense costs when it determines that a successful defense is probable. Any patent defense costs are amortized over the remaining useful life of the patent. Amortization expenseDuring 2016 the company determined that approximately $3.4 million of patent defense costs related to intangible assets during the years 2015, 2014ourTacTiles®carpet tile installation system should be impaired as a successful defense was deemed no longer probable. This impairment is included in “Restructuring and 2013 was $0.3 million, $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively.Asset Impairment Charges” in our consolidated statement of operations.

 

During the fourth quarters of 2016, 2015 2014 and 2013,2014, as of the last day of the third quarter of each year, the Company performed the annual goodwill impairment test required by applicable accounting standards. The Company performs this test at the reporting unit level, which is one level below the segment level for the Modular Carpet segment. In effecting the impairment testing, the Company prepared valuations of reporting units on both a market comparable methodology and an income methodology in accordance with the applicable standards, and those valuations were compared with the respective book values of the reporting units to determine whether any goodwill impairment existed. In preparing the valuations, past, present and future expectations of performance were considered. The annual testing indicated no potential of goodwill impairment in any of the years presented.

 

Each of the Company’s reporting units maintained fair values in excess of their respective carrying values as of the measurement date, and therefore no impairment was indicated during the impairment testing. As of January 3, 2016,1, 2017, if the Company’s estimates of the fair values of its reporting units which carry a goodwill balance were 10% lower, the Company still believes no goodwill impairment would have existed.

 

The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill for the year ended January 3, 20161, 2017 are as follows:

 

BALANCE DECEMBER 28, 2014

  

ACQUISITIONS

  

IMPAIRMENT

  

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

  

BALANCE JANUARY 3, 2016

 

BALANCE

JANUARY 3,2016

BALANCE

JANUARY 3,2016

  

ACQUISITIONS

  

IMPAIRMENT

  

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

  

BALANCE

JANUARY 1,2017

 

(in thousands)

(in thousands)

 

(in thousands)

 
$70,509  $0  $0  $(6,619) $63,890 63,890  $0  $0  $(2,672) $61,218 

 

 

 
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Product Warranties

 

The Company typically provides limited warranties with respect to certain attributes of its carpet products (for example, warranties regarding excessive surface wear, edge ravel and static electricity) for periods ranging from ten to twenty years, depending on the particular carpet product and the environment in which it is to be installed. The Company typically warrants that services performed will be free from defects in workmanship for a period of one year following completion. In the event of a breach of warranty, the remedy typically is limited to repair of the problem or replacement of the affected product.

 

The Company records a provision related to warranty costs based on historical experience and periodically adjusts these provisions to reflect changes in actual experience. Warranty and sales allowance reserves amounted to $4.8$5.5 million and $4.0$4.8 million as of January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, respectively, and are included in “Accrued Expenses” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

Taxes on Income

 

The Company accounts for income taxes under an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns. In estimating future tax consequences, the Company generally considers all expected future events other than enactments of changes in tax laws or rates. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates will be recognized as income or expense in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will expire before realization of the benefit or that future deductibility is not probable. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets depends on the ability to generate sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character in the future. This requires us to use estimates and make assumptions regarding significant future events such as the taxability of entities operating in the various taxing jurisdictions. 

 

The Company does not record taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities on a gross basis.

 

For uncertain tax positions, the Company applies the provisions of relevant authoritative guidance, which requires application of a “more likely than not” threshold to the recognition and derecognition of tax positions. The Company’s ongoing assessments of the more likely than not outcomes of tax authority examinations and related tax positions require significant judgment and can increase or decrease the Company’s effective tax rate as well as impact operating results. For further information, see the Note 13 entitled “Taxes on Income.”

 

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

 

Fair values of cash and cash equivalents and short-term debt approximate cost due to the short period of time to maturity. Fair values of debt are based on quoted market prices or pricing models using current market rates.

 

Translation of Foreign Currencies

 

The financial position and results of operations of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured generally using local currencies as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at each year-end. Income and expense items are translated at average exchange rates for the year. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded in the foreign currency translation adjustment account. In the event of a divestiture of a foreign subsidiary, the related foreign currency translation results are reversed from equity to income. Foreign currency exchange gains and losses are included in net income (loss). Foreign exchange translation gains (losses)losses were ($32.6)$19.0 million, ($28.4)$32.6 million and ($5.2)$28.4 million for the years 2016, 2015 2014 and 2013,2014, respectively.

 

Income (Loss) Per Share

 

Basic income (loss) per share is computed based on the average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted income (loss) per share reflects the increase in average common shares outstanding that would result from the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options, calculated using the treasury stock method.

 

 
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Stock-Based Compensation

 

As of fiscal year 2015,2016, the Company has stock-based employee compensation plans, which are described more fully in theNote 10 entitled “Shareholders’ Equity” Note below..

 

The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. However, there were no stock options granted in 2016, 2015 2014 or 2013.2014.

 

The Company recognizes expense related to its restricted stock and performance share grants based on the grant date fair value of the stock issued, as determined by its market price at date of grant.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Accounting standards require a company to recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Derivatives that do not meet the criteria of an accounting hedge must be adjusted to fair value through income. If the derivative is a fair value hedge, changes in the fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments are recognized through earnings. If the derivative is a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivative’s change in fair value is immediately recognized in earnings. As of January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, the Company was not party to any significant derivative instruments.

 

Pension Benefits

 

Net pension expense recorded is based on, among other things, assumptions about the discount rate, estimated return on plan assets and salary increases. While the Company believes these assumptions are reasonable, changes in these and other factors and differences between actual and assumed changes in the present value of liabilities or assets of the Company’s plans above certain thresholds could cause net annual expense to increase or decrease materially from year to year. The actuarial assumptions used in the Company’s salary continuation plan and foreign defined benefit plans reporting are reviewed periodically and compared with external benchmarks to ensure that they appropriately account for our future pension benefit obligation. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption is based on weighted average expected returns for each asset class. Expected returns reflect a combination of historical performance analysis and the forward-looking views of the financial markets, and include input from actuaries, investment service firms and investment managers.

 

Environmental Remediation

 

The Company provides for remediation costs and penalties when the responsibility to remediate is probable and the amount of associated costs is reasonably determinable. Remediation liabilities are accrued based on estimates of known environmental exposures and are discounted in certain instances. The Company regularly monitors the progress of environmental remediation. Should studies indicate that the cost of remediation is to be more than previously estimated, an additional accrual would be recorded in the period in which such determination is made. As of January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, no significant amounts were provided for remediation liabilities.

 

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts

 

The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. Estimating this amount requires the Company to analyze the financial strengths of its customers. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. By its nature, such an estimate is highly subjective, and it is possible that the amount of accounts receivable that the Company is unable to collect may be different than the amount initially estimated. The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts on January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, was $4.5$3.8 million and $5.9$4.5 million, respectively.

 

 

 
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Reclassifications

 

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year financial statement presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on reported income, comprehensive income, cash flows, total assets or shareholders’ equity as previously reported.

 

Fiscal Year

 

The Company’s fiscal year is the 52 or 53 week period ending on the Sunday nearest December 31. All references herein to “2015,“2016,“2014,“2015,” and “2013,“2014,” mean the fiscal years ended January 1, 2017, January 3, 2016 and December 28, 2014, and December 29, 2013, respectively. Fiscal year 2015 was comprised of 53 weeks, while fiscal years 20142016 and 20132014 were each comprised of 52 weeks.

 

NOTE 2 –RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standard regarding recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. In summary, the core principle of this standard is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of 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. The guidance for this standard was initially effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. However, in August of 2015, the FASB delayed the effective date of the standard for one full year. While the Company is currently reviewing this new standard, and the method by which it will be adopted, it does not believe that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on its financial condition or results of operations.

In January 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard which eliminates the concept of extraordinary items from generally accepted accounting principles. The standard does not affect disclosure guidance for events or transactions that are unusual in nature or infrequent in their occurrence. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. The standard allows prospective or retrospective application. Early adoption is permitted if applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company does not believe the adoption of this standard will have any significant effect on its ongoing financial reporting. 

In February 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard which changes the way reporting enterprises evaluate whether (a) they should consolidate limited partnerships and similar entities, (b) fees paid to a decision maker or service provider are variable interests in a variable interest entity (“VIE”), and (c) variable interests in a VIE held by related parties of the reporting enterprise require the reporting enterprise to consolidate the VIE. The new accounting standard is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company is evaluating the impact, if any, this standard will have on its ongoing financial reporting, but currently does not believe the adoption of this standard will have any significant effect on its ongoing financial reporting.

In April 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. This accounting standard requires debt issuance costs to be presented on the balance sheet as a direct reduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability. In August 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard update that allows the presentation of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements as an asset on the balance sheet under the simplified guidance, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the related arrangements. The guidance in these accounting standards is to be applied retrospectively and is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. As these standards relate to presentation only, the Company does not believe the adoption of this accounting standard will have a significant impact on its financial statements.

 

In July 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard to simplify the accounting for inventory. This standard requires all inventories to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value, except for inventory that is accounted for using the LIFO or the retail inventory method, which will be measured under existing accounting standards. The new guidance must be applied on a prospective basis and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this new standard and does not expect it to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In November 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standard which requires deferred tax assets and liabilities, as well as any related valuation allowance, be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. As a result, each jurisdiction will only have one net noncurrent deferred tax asset or liability. This standard does not change the existing requirement that only permits offsetting within a jurisdiction. The amendments in the standard may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively to all prior periods presented. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. AsIf the balances as of the end of 2016 were to remain unchanged as of the adoption date, the estimated impact to the consolidated balance sheet is a reduction of current assets of $10.0 million and a corresponding increase in long term assets of $6.0 million and a reduction of long term liabilities of $4.0 million.

In March 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standards update to simplify several aspects of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and the classification on the statement of cash flows. In addition, an entity can make an entity-wide accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest, which is the current U.S. GAAP practice, or account for forfeitures when they occur.  This update will be effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. The element of the new standard that will have the most impact on the company’s financial statements will be income tax consequences. Excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies on stock-based compensation awards will now be included in the tax provision within the consolidated statement of operations as discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur, rather than the current accounting of recording in additional paid-in capital on our consolidated balance sheets. At this time we estimate that the adoption of this standard impacts only presentation,will result in an increase in deferred tax assets of approximately $5.8 million, with a corresponding increase to equity accounts.   There will also be an impact on the Company doesconsolidated statement of cash flows, in the first quarter of 2017 upon adoption, as under the standard as when an employer withholds shares for tax- withholding purposes those related tax payments will be treated as financing activities, not expect itas operating activities. Upon adoption in the first quarter of 2017 this will result in a reclassification of approximately $5.0 million of such tax payments in the first quarter of 2016 from operating activities to have any significant effect on its ongoing financial reporting.financing activities. The company has elected to continue our current policy of estimating forfeitures of stock-based compensation awards at the time of grant and revising in subsequent periods to reflect actual forfeitures, which is allowable under the new standard.

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In February 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard regarding leases. The new standard establishes a right-of-use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of our pending adoption of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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NOTE 3 –RECEIVABLES

 

The Company has adopted credit policies and standards intended to reduce the inherent risk associated with potential increases in its concentration of credit risk due to increasing trade receivables from sales to owners and users of commercial office facilities and with specifiers such as architects, engineers and contracting firms. Management believes that credit risks are further moderated by the diversity of its end customers and geographic sales areas. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and requires collateral as deemed necessary. The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of its customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. As of January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, the allowance for bad debts amounted to $4.5$3.8 million and $5.9$4.5 million, respectively, for all accounts receivable of the Company. Reserves for warranty and returns allowances amounted to $4.8$5.5 million and $4.0$4.8 million as of January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, respectively.

 

NOTE 4 –FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The Company does not have significant assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis under applicable accounting standards as of the end of 2015.2016. The Company does have approximately $24.8$23.1 million of Company-owned life insurance which is measured on readily determinable cash surrender value on a recurring basis. Due to the short maturity of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, their carrying values approximate fair value. As of January 3, 2016,1, 2017, the carrying value of the Company’s borrowings under its Syndicated Credit Facility approximates fair value as the Facility bears interest rates that are similar to existing market rates.

 

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NOTE 5 –INVENTORIES

 

Inventories are summarized as follows:

 

 

END OF FISCAL YEAR

 
 

2015

  

2014

  

2016

  

2015

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Finished goods

 $101,697  $89,688  $104,742  $101,697 

Work-in-process

  9,865   9,898   8,711   9,865 

Raw materials

  49,612   42,581   42,630   49,612 
                
 $161,174  $142,167  $156,083  $161,174 

 

Reserves for inventory obsolescence amounted to $15.5$17.6 million and $14.8$15.5 million as of January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, respectively, and have been netted against amounts presented above.

 

NOTE 6 –PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

 

 

END OF FISCAL YEAR

 
 

2015

  

2014 

  

2016

  

2015 

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Land

 $16,501  $15,862  $16,063  $16,501 

Buildings

  125,568   124,476   121,216   125,568 

Equipment

  342,986   347,965   350,539   342,986 
                
  485,055   488,303   487,818   485,055 

Accumulated depreciation

  (273,566)  (260,956)  (283,310)  (273,566)
                
 $211,489  $227,347  $204,508  $211,489 

 

The estimated cost to complete construction-in-progress for which the Company was committed at January 3, 2016,1, 2017, was approximately $13.1$61.9 million.

 

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NOTE 7 –ACCRUED EXPENSES

 

Accrued expenses are summarized as follows:

 

 

END OF FISCAL YEAR

 
 

2015

  

2014

  

2016

  

2015

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Compensation

 $62,435  $56,354  $58,927  $62,435 

Interest

  442   709   114   442 

Restructuring

  104   7,179   10,291   104 

Taxes

  9,299   17,962   11,467   9,299 

Accrued purchases

  4,104   2,966   3,101   4,104 

Warranty and sales allowances

  4,759   3,957   5,529   4,759 

Other

  7,790   5,196   9,274   7,790 
                
 $88,933  $94,323  $98,703  $88,933 

 

Other non-current liabilities include pension liability of $29.3$47.3 million and $37.9$29.3 million as of January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, respectively (see the discussion below in the Note 15 entitled “Employee Benefit Plans”).

 

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NOTE 8 –BORROWINGS

 

Syndicated Credit Facility

 

The Company has a syndicated credit facility (the “Facility”) pursuant to which the lenders provide to the Company and certain of its subsidiaries a multicurrency revolving credit facility and provide to the Company a term loan. The key features of the Facility are as follows:

 

 

The Facility matures on October 3, 2019.

 

The Facility includes (i) a multicurrency revolving loan facility made available to the Company and its principal subsidiaries in Europe and Australia not to exceed $240 million in the aggregate at any one time outstanding, and (ii) a revolving loan facility made available to the Company’s principal subsidiary in Thailand not to exceed the equivalent of $10 million in the aggregate at any one time outstanding. A sublimit of $40 million exists for the issuance of letters of credit under the Facility.

 

The Facility includes $200 million of Term Loan A borrowing availability which could be used (and was in fact used) to refinance the Company’s 7.625% Senior Notes due 2018 (discussed below).

 

The Facility provides for required amortization payments of the Term Loan A borrowing, as well as mandatory prepayments of the Term Loan A borrowing (and any term loans made available pursuant to any future multicurrency loan facility increase) from certain asset sales, casualty events and debt issuances, subject to certain qualifications and exceptions as provided for therein.

 

Advances under the Facility are secured by a first-priority lien on substantially all of the Company’s assets and the assets of each of its material domestic subsidiaries, which have guaranteed the Facility.

 

The Facility contains financial covenants (specifically, a consolidated net leverage ratio and a consolidated interest coverage ratio) that must be met as of the end of each fiscal quarter.

 

The Company has the option to increase the borrowing availability under the Facility, either for revolving loans or term loans, by up to $150 million, subject to the receipt of lender commitments for the increase and the satisfaction of certain other conditions.

 

Interest Rates and Fees. Interest on base rate loans is charged at varying rates computed by applying a margin ranging from 0.25% to 1.50% over the applicable base interest rate (which is defined as the greatest of the prime rate, a specified federal funds rate plus 0.50%, or a specified LIBOR rate), depending on the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio as of the most recently completed fiscal quarter. Interest on LIBOR-based loans and fees for letters of credit are charged at varying rates computed by applying a margin ranging from 1.25% to 2.50% over the applicable LIBOR rate, depending on the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio as of the most recently completed fiscal quarter. In addition, the Company pays a commitment fee ranging from 0.20% to 0.35% per annum (depending on the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio as of the most recently completed fiscal quarter) on the unused portion of the Facility.

 

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Amortization Payments. The Company is required to make amortization payments of the Term Loan A borrowing. The amortization payments are due on the last day of the calendar quarter, commencing with an initial amortization payment of $2.5 million that was made on December 31, 2015. The quarterly amortization payment amount increasesincreased to $3.75 million on December 31, 2016.

 

Covenants. The Facility contains standard and customary covenants for agreements of this type, including various reporting, affirmative and negative covenants. Among other things, these covenants limit the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to:

 

 

create or incur liens on assets;

 

make acquisitions of or investments in businesses (in excess of certain specified amounts);

 

incur indebtedness or contingent obligations;

 

sell or dispose of assets (in excess of certain specified amounts);

 

pay dividends or repurchase the Company’s stock (in excess of certain specified amounts);

 

repay other indebtedness prior to maturity unless the Company meets certain conditions; and

 

enter into sale and leaseback transactions.

 

The Facility also requires the Company to remain in compliance with the following financial covenants as of the end of each fiscal quarter, based on the Company’s consolidated results for the year then ended:

 

 

Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio: Must be no greater than (i) 4.50:1.00 through and including the fiscal quarter ending December 28, 2014, (ii) 4.00:1.00 from and including the fiscal quarter ending April 5, 2015 through and including the fiscal quarter ending January 3, 2016, and (iii) 3.75:1.00 for each fiscal quarter thereafter.

 

Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio: Must be no less than 2.25:1.00 as of the end of any fiscal quarter.

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Events of Default. If the Company breaches or fails to perform any of the affirmative or negative covenants under the Facility, or if other specified events occur (such as a bankruptcy or similar event or a change of control of Interface, Inc. or certain subsidiaries, or if the Company breaches or fails to perform any covenant or agreement contained in any instrument relating to any of the Company’s other indebtedness exceeding $20 million), after giving effect to any applicable notice and right to cure provisions, an event of default will exist. If an event of default exists and is continuing, the lenders’ Administrative Agent may, and upon the written request of a specified percentage of the lender group shall:

 

 

declare all commitments of the lenders under the facility terminated;

 

declare all amounts outstanding or accrued thereunder immediately due and payable; and

 

exercise other rights and remedies available to them under the agreement and applicable law.

 

Collateral. Pursuant to a Security and Pledge Agreement executed on the same date, the Facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and its domestic subsidiaries (subject to exceptions for certain immaterial subsidiaries), including all of the stock of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries and up to 65% of the stock of its first-tier material foreign subsidiaries. If an event of default occurs under the Facility, the lenders’ Administrative Agent may, upon the request of a specified percentage of lenders, exercise remedies with respect to the collateral, including, in some instances, foreclosing mortgages on real estate assets, taking possession of or selling personal property assets, collecting accounts receivables, or exercising proxies to take control of the pledged stock of domestic and first-tier material foreign subsidiaries.

 

As described below, in the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company redeemed $27.5 million in aggregate principal amount of its 7.625% Senior Notes due 2018 at a price equal to 103% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest to the redemption date of November 26, 2014, and redeemed the remaining $220 million in aggregate principal amount of the 7.625% Senior Notes that had not previously been called for redemption at a price equal to 103.813% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest to the redemption date of December 1, 2014. These redemptions transactions were funded through a combination of term loan and revolving loan borrowings under the Facility and cash on hand.

 

In December 2016, one of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries borrowed 61 million euros (approximately $63.5 million) under the Syndicated Credit Facility. The funds were distributed to its U.S. parent company to fund current and projected U.S. cash needs. A significant portion of these borrowings are expected to be repaid (but is not required to be repaid) in the first quarter of 2017.

As of January 3, 2016,1, 2017, the Company had outstanding $197.5$185.0 million of Term Loan A borrowing and $16.0$85.3 million of revolving loan borrowings outstanding under the Facility, and had $3.1$2.9 million in letters of credit outstanding under the Facility. As of January 3, 20161, 2017 the weighted average interest rate on borrowings outstanding under the Facility was 2.0%2.1%.

 

The Company is currently in compliance with all covenants under the Facility and anticipates that it will remain in compliance with the covenants for the foreseeable future.

 

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7.625% Senior Notes

 

On December 3,In 2010, the Company completed a private offering of $275 million aggregate principal amount of 7.625% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “7.625% Senior Notes”). Interest on the 7.625% Senior Notes was payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 (the first payment was made on June 1, 2011). The 7.625% Senior Notes were guaranteed, fully, unconditionally, and jointly and severally, on an unsecured senior basis by certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries. The Company had the option to redeem some or all of these notes at any time prior to December 1, 2014, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a make-whole premium. Prior to December 1, 2014, the Company had the option to redeem up to 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the 7.625% Senior Notes per 12-month period at a redemption price equal to 103% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, the notes became redeemable for cash after December 1, 2014 at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, initially at a redemption price equal to 103.813% of the principal amount, declining to 100% of the principal amount on December 1, 2016, plus accrued interest thereon to the date fixed for redemption.

In November 2013, the Company redeemed $27.5 million aggregate principal amount of the 7.625% Senior Notes at a price equal to 103% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed, plus accrued interest to the redemption date. As discussed above, onIn November 26, 2014, the Company redeemed $27.5 million in aggregate principal amount of its 7.625% Senior Notes at a price equal to 103% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest, and onin December 1, 2014, the Company redeemed the remaining $220 million in aggregate principal amount of the 7.625% Senior Notes at a price equal to 103.813% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest. The aggregate premiums paid in connection with the redemptions in 2014 was $9.3 million. The estimated fair value of the 7.625% Senior Notes as of December 29, 2013, based on then current market prices, was $265.8 million.

 

11.375% Senior Secured Notes

On June 5, 2009, the Company completed a private offering

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Table of $150 million aggregate principal amount of 11.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2013. Interest on the 11.375% Senior Secured Notes was payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 (the first payment was made on November 1, 2009). The 11.375% Senior Secured Notes were guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior secured basis by certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries. The 11.375% Senior Secured Notes were secured by a second-priority lien on substantially all of the Company’s and certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries’ assets that secure the Company’s Syndicated Credit Facility on a first-priority basis.

Contents

 

Other Lines of Credit

 

Subsidiaries of the Company have an aggregate of the equivalent of $14.6$14.8 million of other lines of credit available at interest rates ranging from 2%2.5% to 7%6.5%. As of January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, there were no borrowings outstanding under these lines of credit.

 

Borrowing Costs

 

Deferred borrowing costs, which include underwriting, legal and other direct costs related to the issuance of debt, net of accumulated amortization, were $1.9$1.4 million and $2.4$1.9 million, as of January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, respectively. The Company amortizes these costs over the life of the related debt. Expenses related to such costs for the years 2016, 2015 2014 and 20132014 amounted to $0.5 million, $3.8$0.5 million, and $2.0$3.8 million, respectively. The expense for 2014 included $2.8 million related to the writedown of debt costs associated with the refinancing actions discussed above. The expense for the year 2013 included $0.8 million of expense related to the write-down of debt costs associated with note repurchases and the termination of our former $100 million domestic revolving credit facility.

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Future Maturities

 

The aggregate maturities of borrowings for each of the five fiscal years subsequent to 20152016 are as follows:

 

FISCAL YEAR

 

AMOUNT

  

AMOUNT

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

2016

 $11,250 

2017

  15,000  $15,000 

2018

  15,000   15,000 

2019

  172,281   240,347 

2020

  0   0 

2021

  0 

Thereafter

  0   0 
 $213,531  $270,347 

 

NOTE 9 –PREFERRED STOCK

 

The Company is authorized to designate and issue up to 5,000,000 shares of $1.00 par value preferred stock in one or more series and to determine the rights and preferences of each series, to the extent permitted by the Articles of Incorporation, and to fix the terms of such preferred stock without any vote or action by the shareholders. The issuance of any series of preferred stock may have an adverse effect on the rights of holders of common stock and could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of common stock. In addition, any issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company. As of January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, there were no shares of preferred stock issued.

 

Preferred Share Purchase Rights 

 

The Company has previously issued one purchase right (a “Right”) in respect of each outstanding share of Common Stock pursuant to a Rights Agreement it entered into in March 2008. Each Right entitles the registered holder of the Common Stock to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a share (a “Unit”) of Series B Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”).

 

The Rights may have certain anti-takeover effects. The Rights will cause substantial dilution to a person or group that acquires (without the consent of the Company’s Board of Directors) 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or if other specified events occur without the Rights having been redeemed or in the event of an exchange of the Rights for Common Stock as permitted under the Shareholder Rights Plan.

 

The dividend and liquidation rights of the Series B Preferred Stock are designed so that the value of one Unit of Series B Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of each Right will approximate the same economic value as one share of Common Stock, including voting rights. The exercise price per Right is $90, subject to adjustment. Shares of Series B Preferred Stock will entitle the holder to a minimum preferential dividend of $1.00 per share, but will entitle the holder to an aggregate dividend payment of 100 times the dividend declared on each share of Common Stock. In the event of liquidation, each share of Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to a minimum preferential liquidation payment of $1.00, plus accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, but will be entitled to an aggregate payment of 100 times the payment made per share of Common Stock. In the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which Common Stock is exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash or other property, each share of Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive 100 times the amount received per share of Common Stock. Series B Preferred Stock is not convertible into Common Stock.

 

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Each share of Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to 100 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Company, and shares of Series B Preferred Stock will generally vote together as one class with the Common Stock and any other voting capital stock of the Company on all matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s shareholders.

 

Further, whenever dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock are in arrears in an amount equal to six quarterly payments, the Series B Preferred Stock, together with any other shares of preferred stock then entitled to elect directors, shall have the right, as a single class, to elect one director until the default has been cured.

 

Prior to entering into the March 2008 Rights Agreement, the Company maintained a substantially similar Rights Agreement that was entered into in 1998.

 

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NOTE 10 –SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Prior to March 5, 2012, the Company had two classes of common stock – Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. The Company was authorized to issue 80 million shares of $0.10 par value Class A Common Stock and 40 million shares of $0.10 par value Class B Common Stock. The Class A and Class B Common Stock had identical voting rights except for the election or removal of directors. Holders of Class B Common Stock were entitled as a class to elect a majority of the Board of Directors. Under the terms of the Class B Common Stock, its special voting rights to elect a majority of the Board members would terminate irrevocably if the total outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock ever comprised less than ten percent of the Company’s total issued and outstanding shares of Class A and Class B Common Stock.

On March 5, 2012, the number of issued and outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock of the Company constituted less than 10% of the aggregate number of issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, (that is, 6,459,556 shares of an aggregate of 65,372,375 shares), as the cumulative result of varied transactions that caused the conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock into shares of Class A Common Stock. Accordingly, in accordance with the respective terms for the Class B Common Stock and the Class A Common Stock in Article V of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation (the “Articles”), the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are now, irrevocably from March 5, 2012, a single class of Common Stock in all respects, with no distinction whatsoever between the voting rights or any other rights and privileges of the holders of Class A Common Stock and the holders of Class B Common Stock.  The Company intends to eliminate uses of (or references to) the terms “Class A” and “Class B” in connection with the Common Stock, except for historical purposes or to facilitate transition by certain stock listing or administrative services organizations who are accustomed to the old designations for the Common Stock.respects. Following the March 5, 2012 event, the Company is authorized to issue 120 million shares of $0.10 par value Common Stock.

 

The Company’s Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol TILE.

 

The Company paid dividends totaling $0.22 per share in 2016, $0.18 per share in 2015 and $0.14 per share during 2014, and $0.11 per share during 2013, to each share of Common Stock. The future declaration and payment of dividends is at the discretion of the Company’s Board, and depends upon, among other things, the Company’s investment policy and opportunities, results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, future prospects, and other factors that may be considered relevant at the time of the Board’s determination. Such other factors include limitations contained in the agreement for its syndicated credit facility, which specifies conditions as to when any dividend payments may be made.As such, the Company may discontinue its dividend payments in the future if its Board determines that a cessation of dividend payments is proper in light of the factors indicated above.

 

On October 7, 2014, the Company announced a program to repurchase up to 500,000 shares of common stock per fiscal year, commencing with the 2014 fiscal year. During 2014, the Company repurchased and retired 500,000 shares of common stock at an average purchase price of $15.30 per share. On November 19, 2015,the Board of Directors amended the program to provide that the 500,000 shares of common stock previously approved for repurchases for the 2016 fiscal year may be repurchased by the Company, in management’s discretion, during the period commencing on November 19, 2015 and ending at the conclusion of fiscal year 2016.During2016. In the second quarter of 2016, the Company amended the share purchase program to authorize the repurchase of up to $50 million of common stock. This amended program has no specific expiration date. During 2016, the Company repurchased and retired 1,177,600 shares of common stock at a weighted average purchase price of $15.68 per share. During 2015, the Company repurchased and retired 650,000 shares of common stock at an average purchase price of $20.47 per share.

 

All treasury stock is accounted for using the cost method.

 

 
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The following tables depict the activity in the accounts which make up shareholders equity for the years 2016, 2015 2014, and 2013.2014.

 

 

SHARES

  

AMOUNT

  

ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL

  

RETAINED EARNINGS

(DEFICIT)

  

PENSION LIABILITY

  

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENT

  

SHARES

  

AMOUNT

  

ADDITIONAL

PAID-IN

CAPITAL

  

RETAINED EARNINGS

(DEFICIT)

  

PENSION

LIABILITY

  

FOREIGN

CURRENCY TRANSLATION

ADJUSTMENT

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Balance, at December 30, 2012

  66,062  $6,606  $366,677  $(16,746) $(35,491) $(25,344)

Balance, at December 29, 2013

  66,311  $6,631  $374,597  $24,226  $(34,082) $(30,585)

Net income

  0   0   0   48,255   0   0   0   0   0   24,808   0   0 

Stock issuances under employee option plans

  201   20   1,814   0   0   0   55   5   381   0   0   0 

Other issuances of common stock

  670   67   10,805   0   0   0   489   49   10,361   0   0   0 

Unamortized stock compensation expense related to restricted stock awards

  0   0   (10,872)  0   0   0   0   0   (10,410)  0   0   0 

Cash dividends paid

  0   0   0   (7,283)  0   0   0   0   0   (9,297)  0   0 

Forfeitures and compensation expense related to stock awards

  (622)  (62)  6,173   0   0   0   (387)  (38)  1,293   0   0   0 

Share repurchases

  (500)  (50)  (7,619)  0   0   0 

Pension liability adjustment

  0   0   0   0   1,409   0   0   0   0   0   (15,280)  0 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

  0   0   0   0   0   (5,241)  0   0   0   0   0   (28,351)

Other

  0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0 

Balance, at December 29, 2013

  66,311  $6,631  $374,597  $24,226  $(34,082) $(30,585)

Balance, at December 28, 2014

  65,968  $6,597  $368,603  $39,737  $(49,362) $(58,936)

 

 

SHARES

  

AMOUNT

  

ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL

  

RETAINED EARNINGS

(DEFICIT)

  

PENSION LIABILITY

  

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENT

  

SHARES

  

AMOUNT

  

ADDITIONAL

PAID-IN

CAPITAL

  

RETAINED EARNINGS

(DEFICIT)

  

PENSION

LIABILITY

  

FOREIGN

CURRENCY TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENT

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Balance, at December 29, 2013

  66,311  $6,631  $374,597  $24,226  $(34,082) $(30,585)

Balance, at December 28, 2014

  65,968  $6,597  $368,603  $39,737  $(49,362) $(58,936)

Net income

  0   0   0   24,808   0   0   0   0   0   72,418   0   0 

Stock issuances under employee option plans

  55   5   381   0   0   0   39   4   355   0   0   0 

Other issuances of common stock

  489   49   10,361   0   0   0   597   59   9,746   0   0   0 

Unamortized stock compensation expense related to restricted stock awards

  0   0   (10,410)  0   0   0   0   0   (9,806)  0   0   0 

Cash dividends paid

  0   0   0   (9,297)  0   0   0   0   0   (11,885)  0   0 

Forfeitures and compensation expense related to stock awards

  (387)  (38)  1,293   0   0   0   (253)  (25)  14,670   0   0   0 

Share repurchases

  (500)  (50)  (7,619)  0   0   0   (650)  (65)  (13,241)  0   0   0 

Pension liability adjustment

  0   0   0   0   (15,280)  0   0   0   0   0   6,072   0 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

  0   0   0   0   0   (28,351)  0   0   0   0   0   (32,575)

Other

  0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0 

Balance, at December 28, 2014

  65,968  $6,597  $368,603  $39,737  $(49,362) $(58,936)

Balance, at January 3, 2016

  65,701  $6,570  $370,327  $100,270  $(43,290) $(91,511)

 

 

 
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SHARES

  

AMOUNT

  

ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL

  

RETAINED EARNINGS

(DEFICIT)

  

PENSION LIABILITY

  

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENT

  

SHARES

  

AMOUNT

  

ADDITIONAL

PAID-IN

CAPITAL

  

RETAINED EARNINGS

(DEFICIT)

  

PENSION

LIABILITY

  

FOREIGN

CURRENCY TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENT

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Balance, at December 28, 2014

  65,968  $6,597  $368,603  $39,737  $(49,362) $(58,936)

Balance, at January 3, 2016

  65,701  $6,570  $370,327  $100,270  $(43,290) $(91,511)

Net income

  0   0   0   72,418   0   0   0   0   0   54,162   0   0 

Stock issuances under employee option plans

  39   4   355   0   0   0 

Stock issuances under employee plans

  17   2   251   0   0   0 

Other issuances of common stock

  597   59   9,746   0   0   0   277   28   4,726   0   0   0 

Unamortized stock compensation expense related to restricted stock awards

  0   0   (9,806)  0   0   0   0   0   (4,754)  0   0   0 

Cash dividends paid

  0   0   0   (11,885)  0   0   0   0   0   (14,285)  0   0 

Forfeitures and compensation expense related to stock awards

  (253)  (25)  14,670   0   0   0   (579)  (58)  979   0   0   0 

Share repurchases

  (650)  (65)  (13,241)  0   0   0 

Share Repurchases

  (1,178)  (118)  (18,378)  0   0   0 

Pension liability adjustment

  0   0   0   0   6,072   0   0   0   0   0   (11,572)  0 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

  0   0   0   0   0   (32,575)  0   0   0   0   0   (19,011)

Windfall tax benefit - share-based payment awards

  0   0   6,300   0   0   0 

Other

  0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   0   91   0   0 

Balance, at January 3, 2016

  65,701  $6,570  $370,327  $100,270  $(43,290) $(91,511)

Balance, at January 1, 2017

  64,238  $6,424  $359,451  $140,238  $(54,862) $(110,522)

 

Stock Options

 

The Company has an Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (“Omnibus Plan”) under which a committee of independent directors is authorized to grant directors and key employees, including officers, options to purchase the Company’s Common Stock. Options are exercisable for shares of Common Stock at a price not less than 100% of the fair market value on the date of grant. The options become exercisable either immediately upon the grant date or ratably over a time period ranging from one to five years from the date of the grant. The Company’s options expire at the end of time periods ranging from three to ten years from the date of the grant. In May 2015, the shareholders approved an amendment and restatement of the Omnibus Plan. This amendment and restatement extended the term of the Omnibus Plan until February 2025, and set the number of shares authorized for issuance or transfer on or after the effective date of the amendment and restatement at 5,161,020 shares, except that each share issued pursuant to an award other than a stock option reduces the number of such authorized shares by 1.33 shares.

 

Accounting standards require that the Company measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair market value of the award. That cost will be recognized over the period in which the employee is required to provide the services – the requisite service period (usually the vesting period) – in exchange for the award. The grant date fair value for options and similar instruments will be estimated using option pricing models. Under accounting standards, the Company is required to select a valuation technique or option pricing model. The Company uses the Black-Scholes model. Accounting standards require that the Company estimate forfeitures for stock options and reduce compensation expense accordingly. The Company has reduced its expense by the assumed forfeiture rate and will evaluate actual experience against the assumed forfeiture rate going forward. This expense reduction is not significant to the Company.

 

The Company recognized stock option compensation expense of $0.1 million in 2013. All outstanding stock options vested prior to 2014 and therefore there were no stock option compensation expenses during 2014, 2015 or 2015.2016. The expense for stock options is included in selling, general and administrative expense on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations, as none of these stock options have been issued to production personnel.

 

 

 
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The following table summarizes stock options outstanding as of January 3, 2016,1, 2017, as well as activity during the previous fiscal year:

 

 

Shares

  

Weighted Average

Exercise Price

  

Shares

  

Weighted Average

Exercise Price

 

Outstanding at December 28, 2014

  126,000  $9.23 

Outstanding at January 3, 2016

  87,500  $8.75 

Granted

  0   0   0   0 

Exercised

  38,500   9.27   0   0 

Forfeited or cancelled

  0   0   0   0 

Outstanding at January 3, 2016 (a)

  87,500  $8.75 

Outstanding at January 1, 2017 (a)

  87,500  $8.75 
                

Exercisable at January 3, 2016 (b)

  87,500  $8.75 

Exercisable at January 1, 2017 (b)

  87,500  $8.75 

 

(a) At January 3, 2016,1, 2017, the weighted-average remaining contractual life of options outstanding was 3.92.9 years.

(b) At January 3, 2016,1, 2017, the weighted-average remaining contractual life of options exercisable was 3.92.9 years.

 

At January 3, 2016,1, 2017, the aggregate intrinsic values of in-the-money options outstanding and options exercisable were $0.9 million and $0.9 million, respectively (the intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option).

 

The intrinsic value of stock options exercised in 2015 2014 and 20132014 was $0.4 million $0.6 million and $1.9$0.6 million, respectively. The cash proceeds related to stock options exercised in 2015 2014 and 20132014 were $0.4 million $0.4 million and $1.9$0.4 million, respectively.

 

The tax benefit recognized with respect to stock options during all presented years was not significant.

 

    

Options Outstanding

  

Options Exercisable

     

Options Outstanding

  

Options Exercisable

 

Range of

Exercise Prices

Range of

Exercise Prices

  

Number

Outstanding at

January 3, 2016

  

Weighted Average

Remaining

ContractualLife

(years)

  

Weighted Average

Exercise Price

  

Number

Exercisable at

January 3,

2016

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise Price

 

Range of

Exercise Prices

  

Number

Outstanding at

January 1, 2017

  

Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise Price

  

Number

Exercisable at

January 1,2017

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise Price

 
                                              
$4.01-$5.00   40,000   3.0  $4.31   40,000  $4.31 $5.00   40,000   2.0  $4.31   40,000  $4.31 
$12.00-$14.00   47,500   4.7   12.49   47,500   12.49 $14.00   47,500   3.7   12.49   47,500   12.49 
     87,500   3.9  $8.75   87,500  $8.75      87,500   2.9  $8.75   87,500  $8.75 

 

Restricted Stock Awards

 

During fiscal years 2016, 2015 2014 and 2013,2014, the Company granted restricted stock awards totaling 277,000, 597,000 489,000, and 670,000489,000 shares, respectively, of Common Stock. These awards (or a portion thereof) vest with respect to each recipient over a two to five year period from the date of grant, provided the individual remains in the employment or service of the Company as of the vesting date. Additionally, these shares (or a portion thereof) could vest earlier upon the attainment of certain performance criteria, in the event of a change in control of the Company, or upon involuntary termination without cause.

 

Compensation expense related to the vesting of restricted stock was $4.7 million, $13.9 million and $4.0 million for 2016, 2015 and $7.9 million for 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. These grants are made primarily to executive-level personnel at the Company and, as a result, no compensation costs have been capitalized. Accounting standards require that the Company estimate forfeitures for restricted stock and reduce compensation expense accordingly. The Company has reduced its expense by the assumed forfeiture rate and will evaluate actual experience against the assumed forfeiture rate going forward. The forfeiture rate has been developed using historical data regarding actual forfeitures as well as an estimate of future expected forfeitures under our restricted stock grants.

 

 

 
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The following table summarizes restricted stock activity as of January 3, 2016,1, 2017, and during the previous fiscal year:

 

 

Shares

  

Weighted Average

Grant Date

Fair Value

  

Shares

  

Weighted Average

Grant Date

Fair Value

 

Outstanding at December 28, 2014

  1,391,000  $17.12 

Outstanding at January 3, 2016

  1,470,000  $17.92 

Granted

  597,000   16.43   277,000   17.32 

Vested

  314,000   14.28   1,009,500   18.46 

Forfeited or cancelled

  204,000   13.71   232,500   16.73 

Outstanding at January 3, 2016

  1,470,000  $17.92 

Outstanding at January 1, 2017

  505,000  $17.05 

 

As of January 3, 2016,1, 2017, the unrecognized total compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock was $9.7$2.8 million. That cost is expected to be recognized by the end of 2020.2019.

 

As stated above, accounting standards require the Company to estimate forfeitures in calculating the expense related to stock-based compensation, as opposed to only recognizing these forfeitures and the corresponding reduction in expense as they occur.

 

The tax benefit recognized with respect to restricted stock during the years 2016, 2015 and 2014 and 2013 was $2.0 million, $5.5 million $1.0 million and $3.0$1.0 million, respectively.

 

Performance Share Awards

In 2016, the Company issued awards of performance shares to certain employees. These awards vest based on the achievement of certain performance-based goals over a performance period of one to three years, subject to the employee’s continued employment through the last date of the performance period, and will be settled in shares of our common stock or in cash at the Company’s election. The number of shares that may be issued in settlement of the performance shares to the award recipients may be greater (up to 200%) or lesser than the nominal award amount depending on actual performance achieved as compared to the performance targets set forth in the awards. The expense related to these performance shares is captured in selling, general and administrative expense on the consolidated statement of operations.

The following table summarizes the performance shares outstanding as of January 1, 2017, as well as the activity during the year:

  

Performance

Shares

  

Weighted

Average Grant

Date Fair Value

 

Outstanding at January 3, 2016

  0  $0 

Granted

  444,000   17.21 

Vested

  17,000   17.22 

Forfeited or canceled

  58,000   17.22 

Outstanding at January 1, 2017

  369,000  $17.20 

Compensation expense related to the performance shares for 2016 was $1.2 million. Unrecognized compensation expense related to these performance shares was approximately $4.3 million as of January 1, 2017. No performance shares were granted or outstanding during 2015 or 2014. There was no significant tax benefit recognized with regard to the performance shares in 2016.

NOTE 11 –INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

 

The Company computes basic earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) by dividing net income (loss), by the weighted average common shares outstanding, including participating securities outstanding, during the period as depicted below. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution beyond shares for basic EPS that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised, converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that would have shared in the Company’s earnings. Income attributable to non-controlling interest is included in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share, where applicable.

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The Company includes all unvested stock awards which contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, in the number of common shares outstanding in our basic and diluted EPS calculations when the inclusion of these shares would be dilutive. Unvested share-based awards of restricted stock are paid dividends equally with all other shares of common stock. As a result, the Company includes all outstanding restricted stock awards in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS. Distributed earnings include common stock dividends and dividends earned on unvested share-based payment awards. Undistributed earnings represent earnings that were available for distribution but were not distributed. The following tables show distributed and undistributed earnings:

 

  

Fiscal Year

 
  

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 

Earnings per share:

            

Basic earnings per share

            

Distributed earnings

 $0.18  $0.14  $0.11 

Undistributed earnings

  0.92   0.23   0.62 
  $1.10  $0.37  $0.73 
             

Diluted earnings per share

            

Distributed earnings

 $0.18  $0.14  $0.11 

Undistributed earnings

  0.92   0.23   0.62 
  $1.10  $0.37  $0.73 

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Fiscal Year

 
  

2016

  

2015

  

2014

 

Earnings per share:

            

Basic earnings per share

            

Distributed earnings

 $0.22  $0.18  $0.14 

Undistributed earnings

  0.61   0.92   0.23 
  $0.83  $1.10  $0.37 
             

Diluted earnings per share

            

Distributed earnings

 $0.22  $0.18  $0.14 

Undistributed earnings

  0.61   0.92   0.23 
  $0.83  $1.10  $0.37 

  

The following table presents net income that was attributable to participating securities:

 

  

Fiscal Year

 
             
  

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 
  

(in millions)

 

Net income

 $1.6  $0.5  $1.2 
  

Fiscal Year

 
             
  

2016

  

2015

  

2014

 
  

(in millions)

 

Net income

 $0.4  $1.6  $0.5 

 

The weighted average shares for basic and diluted EPS were as follows:

 

 

Fiscal Year

  

Fiscal Year

 
                        
 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

  

2016

  

2015

  

2014

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

  64,557   64,998   64,486   64,593   64,557   64,998 

Participating Securities

  1,470   1,391   1,708   505   1,470   1,391 

Shares for Basic Earnings Per Share

  66,027   66,389   66,194   65,098   66,027   66,389 

Dilutive Effect of Stock Options

  48   59   103   38   48   59 

Shares for Diluted Earnings Per Share

  66,075   66,448   66,297   65,136   66,075   66,448 

 

For all periods presented, there were no stock options excluded from the determination of diluted EPS.

 

NOTE 12 –RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

 

In the thirdfourth quarter of 2014,2016, the Company committed to a new restructuring plan in its continuing efforts to reduceimprove efficiencies and decrease costs across its worldwide operations. In connectionoperations, and more closely align its operating structure with its business strategy. The plan involves (i) a substantial restructuring of the FLOR business model that includes closure of its headquarters office and most retail FLOR stores, (ii) a reduction of approximately 70 FLOR employees and a number of employees in the commercial carpet tile business, primarily in the Americas and Europe regions, and (iii) the write-down of certain underutilized and impaired assets that include information technology assets, intellectual property assets, and obsolete manufacturing, office and retail store equipment.

As a result of this restructuring plan, the Company incurred a pre-tax restructuring and asset impairment charge in the thirdfourth quarter of 2014 in an amount2016 of $12.4$19.8 million. The company expects an additional charge was comprisedin the first quarter of severance expenses2017 of $9.7 million for a reductionapproximately $7-9 million. (The charge in the first quarter of 100 employees, other2017 is primarily related to exit costs associated with the FLOR retail stores, a majority of $0.1 million, and a chargewhich are expected to stay open for impairmentthe first quarter of assets2017.)

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A summary of these restructuring activities is presented below:

 

  

Total

RestructuringCharge

  

Costs Incurred

in 2014

  

Costs Incurred

in 2015

  

Balance at

Jan. 3, 2016

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Workforce Reduction

 $9,669  $2,732  $6,833  $104 

Fixed Asset Impairment

  2,584   2,584   0   0 

Other Related Exit Costs

  133   133   0   0 

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Total

Restructuring

Charge

  

Costs Incurred

in 2016

  

Balance at

Jan. 1, 2017

 
  

(in thousands)

 

Workforce Reduction

 $10,058  $1,451  $8,607 

Asset Impairment

  8,019   8,019   0 

Lease Exit Costs

  1,711   27   1,684 

 

NOTE 13 – TAXES ON INCOME

 

Provisions for federal, foreign and state income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations consisted of the following components:

 

 

FISCAL YEAR

  

FISCAL YEAR

 
 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

  

2016

  

2015

  

2014

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Current expense/(benefit):

                        

Federal

 $1,524  $224  $473  $6,886  $1,524  $224 

Foreign

  9,279   5,555   2,605   12,934   9,279   5,555 

State

  1,403   712   627   1,633   1,403   712 
                        
  12,206   6,491   3,705   21,453   12,206   6,491 

Deferred expense/(benefit):

                        

Federal

  19,971   3,856   3,246   6,186   19,971   3,856 

Foreign

  3,795   493   8,692   (1,937)  3,795   493 

State

  (2,624)  94   5,106   (728)  (2,624)  94 
                        
  21,142   4,443   17,044   3,521   21,142   4,443 
                        
 $33,348  $10,934  $20,749  $24,974  $33,348  $10,934 

  

Income before taxes on income consisted of the following:

 

 

FISCAL YEAR

 
 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

  

FISCAL YEAR

 
 

(in thousands)

  

2016

  

2015

  

2014

 
             

(in thousands)

 

U.S. operations

 $58,318  $10,345  $21,292  $38,357  $58,318  $10,345 
            

Foreign operations

  47,448   25,397   47,712   40,779   47,448   25,397 
                        
 $105,766  $35,742  $69,004  $79,136  $105,766  $35,742 

 

Deferred income taxes for the years ended January 1, 2017, and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.

 

The Company expects to utilize in its 2016 U.S. federal tax return $18.0 million of its federal net operating loss carryforwards from share-based payment awards and has recorded a related tax benefit of $6.3 million to additional paid-in capital in accordance with applicable accounting standards.

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At January 3, 2016,1, 2017, the Company had approximately $57$14 million in U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards with expiration dates through 2032, of which $30.8$14 million is from share-based payment awards. In accordance with applicable accounting standards, a financial statement benefit has not been recorded for the net operating loss carryforward related to the share-based payment awards. The Company’s foreign subsidiaries had approximately $3.7$3.8 million in net operating losses,loss carryforwards, the majority of which is available for an unlimited carryforward period. The Company expects to utilize all of its U.S. federal and foreign carryforwards prior to their expiration. The Company had approximately $139.3$108.9 million in state net operating loss carryforwards relating to continuing operations with expiration dates through 2034.2035. The Company hadhas provided a valuation allowance against $70.5$40.2 million of such losses, which the Company does not expect to utilize. In addition, the Company has approximately $126.6$58.7 million in state net operating loss carryforwards relating to discontinued operations against which a full valuation allowance has been provided.

 

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The sources of the temporary differences and their effect on the net deferred tax asset are as follows:

 

 

2015

  

2014

  

2016

  

2015

 
 

ASSETS

  

LIABILITIES

  

ASSETS

  

LIABILITIES

  

ASSETS

  

LIABILITIES

  

ASSETS

  

LIABILITIES

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Basis differences of property and equipment

 $0  $16,254  $0  $15,958  $0  $14,419  $0  $16,254 

Basis difference of intangible assets

  0   368   0   384   978   0   0   368 

Foreign currency

  0   5,375   0   3,848   0   3,216   0   5,375 

Net operating loss carryforwards

  5,575   0   28,463   0   3,627   0   5,575   0 

Valuation allowances on net operating loss carryforwards

  (4,457)  0   (10,298)  0   (2,500)  0   (4,457)  0 

Federal tax credits

  4,580   0   2,751   0   5,711   0   4,580   0 

Deferred compensation

  26,352   0   21,190   0   26,546   0   26,352   0 

Basis difference of inventory

  4,009   0   2,390   0 

Basis difference of prepaids, accruals and reserves

  7,971   0   7,816   0   6,273   0   6,556   0 

Pensions

  1,075   0   3,152   0   3,435   0   1,075   0 

Tax effects of undistributed earnings from foreign subsidiaries not deemed to be indefinitely reinvested

  0   1,226   0   948 

Undistributed earnings from foreign subsidiaries not deemed to be indefinitely reinvested

  0   1,704   0   1,226 

Basis difference of other assets and liabilities

  458   0   0   68   0   351   0   517 
                                
 $41,554  $23,223  $53,074  $21,206  $48,079  $19,690  $42,071  $23,740 

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are included in the accompanying balance sheets as follows:

 

 

FISCAL YEAR

  

FISCAL YEAR

 
 

2015

  

2014

  

2016

  

2015

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Deferred income taxes (current asset)

 $8,726  $9,732  $10,030  $8,726 

Deferred tax asset (non-current asset)

  20,110   33,138   27,221   20,110 

Deferred income taxes (non-current liabilities)

  (10,505)  (11,002)  (8,862)  (10,505)
 $18,331  $31,868  $28,389  $18,331 

 

Management believes, based on the Company’s history of taxable income and expectations for the future, that it is more likely than not that future taxable income will be sufficient to fully utilize the federal deferred tax assets at January 3, 2016.1, 2017.

 

As ofJanuary 1, 2017, and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, non-current deferred tax assetswere reduced by approximately $14.2$5.0 million and $21.8$14.2 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits.

 

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The Company’s effective tax rate was 31.5%31.6%, 30.6%31.5% and 30.1%30.6% for fiscal years 2016, 2015 2014 and 2013,2014, respectively. The following summary reconciles income taxes at the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% to the Company’s actual income tax expense:

  

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FISCAL YEAR

  

FISCAL YEAR

 
 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

  

2016

  

2015

  

2014

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Income taxes at U.S federal statutory rate

 $37,018  $12,510  $24,151  $27,698  $37,018  $12,510 

Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:

                        

State income taxes, net of federal tax effect

  3,003   57   496   1,861   3,003   57 

Non-deductible business expenses

  614   570   601   538   614   570 

Non-deductible employee compensation

  168   491   409   361   168   491 

Tax effects of Company owned life insurance

  128   (395)  (1,117)  (199)  128   (395)

Tax effects of undistributed earnings from foreign subsidiaries not deemed to be indefinitely reinvested

  458   362   562   463   458   362 

Foreign and U.S. tax effects attributable to foreign operations

  (3,347)  (3,021)  (3,958)  (3,963)  (3,347)  (3,021)

Valuation allowance effect – State NOL

  (3,797)  468   3,232   (1,272)  (3,797)  468 

Non-deductible reserve against capital asset

  0   0   (218)

Advance pricing agreements with tax authorities

  0   0   (2,492)

Federal tax credits

  (352)  0   (595)  (494)  (352)  0 

Other

  (545)  (108)  (322)  (19)  (545)  (108)

Income tax expense

 $33,348  $10,934  $20,749  $24,974  $33,348  $10,934 

  

The Company does not provide for deferred U.S. income taxes on the undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries that are considered to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the U.S. as determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred U.S. income tax liability related to the indefinitely reinvested earnings is not practicable because of the complexities associated with its hypothetical calculation. At January 3, 2016,1, 2017, approximately $259$279 million of undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are deemed to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the U.S., on which foreign withholding taxes of approximately $5.6$5.9 million would be payable upon remittance. This amount represents the estimated accumulated earnings and profits for all foreign subsidiaries excluding subsidiaries within Canada. Any future dividend distributions of these foreign earnings may be subject to both U.S. federal and state income taxes, as adjusted for foreign tax credits, and withholding taxes payable.

 

At January 3, 2016,1, 2017, the Company has provided for approximately $1.2$1.6 million in U.S. federal income taxes and approximately $0.2 million in foreign withholding taxes on approximately $3.6$4.8 million of undistributed earnings from foreign subsidiaries within Canada that are not deemed to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the U.S.

As of January 3, 2016 and December 28, 2014, the Company had $28.3 million and $27.3 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits. If the $28.3 million of unrecognized tax benefits as of January 3, 2016 are recognized, there would be a favorable impact on the Company’s effective tax rate in future periods. If the unrecognized tax benefits are not favorably settled, $6.3 million of the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits would require the use of cash in future periods.

The Company recognizes accrued interest and income tax penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. As of January 3, 2016, the Company had accrued interest and penalties of $1.5 million, which is included in the total unrecognized tax benefit noted above.

 

The Company’s federal income tax returns are subject to examination for the years 2003 to the present. The Company files returns in numerous state and local jurisdictions and in general it is subject to examination by the state tax authorities for the years 20102011 to the present. The Company files returns in numerous foreign jurisdictions and in general it is subject to examination by the foreign tax authorities for the years 20042006 to the present.

 

During 2013,As of January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, the Company executed advance pricing agreements (“APA”) withhad $27.9 million and $28.3 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits. If the Canadian$27.9 million of unrecognized tax authorities (“CRA”)benefits as of January 1, 2017 are recognized, there would be a favorable impact on the Company’s effective tax rate in future periods. If the unrecognized tax benefits are not favorably settled, $18.3 million of the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits would require the use of cash in future periods. The Company recognizes accrued interest and the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), forincome tax years 2006 through 2011, with respectpenalties related to certain intercompany transactions (“Covered Transactions”) between Interface, Inc. (including its U.S. subsidiaries) and its Canadian subsidiary, InterfaceFLOR Canada, Inc. The Covered Transactions include intercompany buy-sale distribution, contract manufacturing, provisionunrecognized tax benefits as a component of management services, and licensing intangibles.

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The APAs encompass the final resolution resulting from the bilateral negotiations between the CRA and the IRS under the Canada-U.S. bilateral advance pricing agreement program (“BAPA”), whichincome tax expense. As of January 1, 2017, the Company was accepted into during 2008, with respect tohad accrued interest and penalties of $1.4 million, which is included in the Covered Transactions fortotal unrecognized tax years 2006 through 2011.

During 2013, the Company recognized tax benefits of $1.9 million relating to the final resolution of the BAPA and a reduction of $0.6 million in federal income taxes and foreign withholding taxes previously provided on undistributed earnings, from its Canadian subsidiary, that were not deemed to be indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S.benefit noted above.

 

Management believes changes to our unrecognized tax benefits that are reasonably possible in the next 12 months will not have a significant impact on our financial positions or results of operations.  The timing of the ultimate resolution of the Company’s tax matters and the payment and receipt of related cash is dependent on a number of factors, many of which are outside the Company’s control.

 

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A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

 

FISCAL YEAR

  

FISCAL YEAR

 
 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

  

2016

  

2015

  

2014

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Balance at beginning of year

 $27,301  $27,361  $25,186  $28,271  $27,301  $27,361 

Increases related to tax positions taken during the current year

  641   875   911   690   641   875 

Increases related to tax positions taken during the prior years

  1,230   1,157   3,938   148   1,230   1,157 

Decreases related to tax positions taken during the prior years

  (194)  (697)  (9)  (695)  (194)  (697)

Decreases related to settlements with taxing authorities

  0   0   (1,928)  0   0   0 

Decreases related to lapse of applicable statute of limitations

  (367)  (919)  (397)  (403)  (367)  (919)

Changes due to foreign currency translation

  ( 340)  (476)  (340)  (123)  ( 340)  (476)

Balance at end of year

 $28,271  $27,301  $27,361  $27,888  $28,271  $27,301 

  

NOTE 14 –COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company leases certain production, distribution and marketing facilities and equipment. At January 3, 2016,1, 2017, aggregate minimum rent commitments under operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more consisted of the following:

 

FISCAL YEAR

 

AMOUNT

  

AMOUNT

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

2016

 $20,757 

2017

  17,266  $36,763 

2018

  15,623   25,044 

2019

  6,427   15,505 

2020

  4,527   10,227 

2021

  8,106 

Thereafter

  8,039   24,260 

 

Rental expense amounted to approximately $24.5 million, $24.4 million, $24.6 million, and $24.5$24.6 million for the years 2016, 2015 2014, and 2013,2014, respectively.

 

The Company is from time to time a party to routine litigation incidental to its business. Management does not believe that the resolution of any or all of such litigation will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

NOTE 15 –EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

 

Defined Contribution and Deferred Compensation Plans

 

The Company has a 401(k) retirement investment plan (“401(k) Plan”), which is open to all otherwise eligible U.S. employees with at least six months of service. The 401(k) Plan calls for Company matching contributions on a sliding scale based on the level of the employee’s contribution. The Company may, at its discretion, make additional contributions to the 401(k) Plan based on the attainment of certain performance targets by its subsidiaries. The Company’s matching contributions are funded bi-monthly and totaled approximately $3.1 million, $2.9 million $2.7 million and $2.6$2.7 million for the years 2016, 2015 2014 and 2013,2014, respectively. No discretionary contributions were made in 2016, 2015 2014 or 2013.2014.

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Under the Company’s nonqualified savings plans (“NSPs”), the Company provides eligible employees the opportunity to enter into agreements for the deferral of a specified percentage of their compensation, as defined in the NSPs. The NSPs call for Company matching contributions on a sliding scale based on the level of the employee’s contribution. The obligations of the Company under such agreements to pay the deferred compensation in the future in accordance with the terms of the NSPs are unsecured general obligations of the Company. Participants have no right, interest or claim in the assets of the Company, except as unsecured general creditors. The Company has established a rabbi trust to hold, invest and reinvest deferrals and contributions under the NSPs. If a change in control of the Company occurs, as defined in the NSPs, the Company will contribute an amount to the rabbi trust sufficient to pay the obligation owed to each participant. Deferred compensation in connection with the NSPs totaled $24.3$28.3 million at January 3, 2016.1, 2017. The Company invests the deferrals in insurance instruments with readily determinable cash surrender values. The value of the insurance instruments was $25.3 million as of January 1, 2017.

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Foreign Defined Benefit Plans

 

The Company has trusteed defined benefit retirement plans which cover many of its European employees. The benefits are generally based on years of service and the employee’s average monthly compensation. Pension expense was $1.2 million, $2.1 million $0.1 million and $1.0$0.1 million for the years 2016, 2015 2014 and 2013,2014, respectively. Plan assets are primarily invested in equity and fixed income securities. The Company uses a year-end measurement date for the plans. As of January 3, 2016,1, 2017, for the European plans, the Company had a net liability recorded of $4.4$19.4 million, an amount equal to their underfunded status, and has recorded in Other Comprehensive Income an amount equal to $39.1$48.9 million (net of taxes) related to the future amounts to be recorded in net post-retirement benefit costs.

 

The tables presented below set forth the funded status of the Company’s significant foreign defined benefit plans and required disclosures in accordance with applicable accounting standards

 

 

FISCAL YEAR

  

FISCAL YEAR

 
 

2015

  

2014

  

2016

  

2015

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Change in benefit obligation

                

Benefit obligation, beginning of year

 $275,762  $251,181  $243,717  $275,762 

Service cost

  1,061   705   1,032   1,061 

Interest cost

  8,384   10,563   6,580   8,384 

Benefits and expenses paid

  (10,004)  (9,542)  (8,551)  (10,004)

Actuarial loss (gain)

  (13,591)  41,631   73,600   (13,591)

Member contributions

  239   294   225   239 

Currency translation adjustment

  (18,134)  (19,070)  (38,790)  (18,134)
                

Benefit obligation, end of year

 $243,717  $275,762  $277,813  $243,717 

  

FISCAL YEAR

 
  

2016

  

2015

 
  

(in thousands)

 

Change in plan assets

        

Plan assets, beginning of year

 $239,281  $261,026 

Actual return on assets

  59,364   753 

Company contributions

  4,990   5,001 

Benefits paid

  (8,551)  (10,004)

Currency translation adjustment

  (36,719)  (17,496)
         

Plan assets, end of year

 $258,365  $239,280 
         

Reconciliation to balance sheet

        

Funded status benefit asset/(liability)

 $(19,448) $(4,437)
         

Net amount recognized

 $(19,448) $(4,437)
         

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (after tax)

        

Unrecognized actuarial loss

 $49,547  $39,411 

Unamortized prior service costs

  (311)  (347)

Total amount recognized

 $49,236  $39,064 

 

 

 
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FISCAL YEAR

 
  

2015

  

2014

 
  

(in thousands)

 

Change in plan assets

        

Plan assets, beginning of year

 $261,026  $253,761 

Actual return on assets

  753   29,280 

Company contributions

  5,001   5,815 

Benefits paid

  (10,004)  (9,542)

Currency translation adjustment

  (17,496)  (18,288)
         

Plan assets, end of year

 $239,280  $261,026 
         

Reconciliation to balance sheet

        

Funded status benefit asset/(liability)

 $(4,437) $(14,736)
         

Net amount recognized

 $(4,437) $(14,736)

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (after tax)

        

Unrecognized actuarial loss

 $39,411  $45,836 

Unamortized prior service costs

  (347)  (423)

Total amount recognized

 $39,064  $45,413 

  

The above disclosure represents the aggregation of information related to the Company’s two defined benefit plans which cover many of its European employees. As of January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, one of these plans, which primarily covers certain employees in the United Kingdom (the “UK Plan”), had an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of the plan assets. The other plan, which covers certain employees in Europe (the “Europe Plan”), had assets in excess of the accumulated benefit obligation. The following table summarizes this information as of January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016 and December 28, 2014.2016.

 

 

END OF FISCAL YEAR

 
 

2015

  

2014

  

2016

  

2015

 

 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 
UK Plan                

Projected Benefit Obligation

 $168,178  $190,303  $171,172  $168,178 

Accumulated Benefit Obligation

  168,178   190,303   171,172   168,178 

Plan Assets

  167,360   179,205   153,132   167,360 
                
        

Europe Plan

                

Projected Benefit Obligation

 $75,539  $85,459  $106,641  $75,539 

Accumulated Benefit Obligation

  71,005   81,353   103,242   71,005 

Plan Assets

  71,920   81,821   105,233   71,920 

  

 

FISCAL YEAR

  

FISCAL YEAR

 
 

2015

  

2014

  

2013

  

2016

  

2015

  

2014

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Components of net periodic benefit cost

                        

Service cost

 $1,061  $705  $804  $1,032  $1,061  $705 

Interest cost

  8,384   10,563   9,610   6,580   8,384   10,563 

Expected return on plan assets

  (8,764)  (11,904)  (10,150)  (7,553)  (8,764)  (11,904)

Amortization of prior service cost

  33   19   89   33   33   19 

Recognized net actuarial (gains)/losses

  1,359   648   684   1076   1,359   648 
                        

Net periodic benefit cost

 $2,073  $31  $1,037  $1,168  $2,073  $31 

  

The Company reconciles the components of net periodic pension expense by comparing the beginning balance of assets and the beginning projected obligation against the assumptions of asset return and interest costs. Any significant differences will be explained. There were no such differences in 2016.

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The increase in projected benefit obligation and plan assets in the Europe plan was primarily as a result of a decision by the company to include in the 2016 valuation an additional indexation benefit to plan participants. This additional benefit was a result of favorable asset returns in the past four years and the anticipation that such returns would continue in the future. As a result included in the projected benefit obligation was an indexation benefit of $32.2 million. This additional benefit is not a guarantee to plan participants but the histories of asset performance suggest it will be given to participants and as a result has been included. If asset performance in the future is below management expectations this indexation benefit will be removed. As this indexation benefit is fully financed by excess asset returns the indexation amount has also been included as a plan asset, as without the additional returns there will be no indexation. As a result plan assets increased by the amount of the indexation in 2016. This amount is included in return on plan assets in the table above depicting the increase in asset values. This indexation benefit has been included in plan assets and characterized as a “Level 3” asset for classification purposes.

 

For 2016,2017, it is estimated that approximately $1.1$1.3 million of expenses related to the amortization of unrecognized items will be included in the net periodic benefit cost. During 2015,2016, other comprehensive income was impacted by approximately $6.4$21.1 million comprised of actuarial gainloss of approximately $5.5$21.8 million and amortization of $0.9$0.7 million.

 

  

FISCAL YEAR

 
  

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 

Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost

            

Discount rate

  3.0%  4.0%  4.0%

Expected return on plan assets

  4.0%  4.2%  4.7%

Rate of compensation

  2.0%  2.0%  2.0%

Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations

            

Discount rate

  3.4%  3.2%  4.25%

Rate of compensation

  2.0%  2.0%  2.0%
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FISCAL YEAR

 
  

2016

  

2015

  

2014

 

Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost

            

Discount rate

  2.7%  3.0%  4.0%

Expected return on plan assets

  3.1%  4.0%  4.2%

Rate of compensation

  2.0%  2.0%  2.0%

Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations

            

Discount rate

  2.3%  3.4%  3.2%

Rate of compensation

  2.0%  2.0%  2.0%

 

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption is based on weighted average expected returns for each asset class. Expected returns reflect a combination of historical performance analysis and the forward-looking views of the financial markets, and include input from actuaries, investment service firms and investment managers.

 

The Company’s foreign defined benefit plans’ fair value of plan assets were in excess of the accumulated benefit obligations. The projected benefit obligations, accumulated benefit obligations and fair value of these plans are as follows:

 

 

FISCAL YEAR

  

FISCAL YEAR

 
 

2015

  

2014

  

2016

  

2015

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Projected benefit obligation

 $243,717  $275,762  $277,813  $243,717 

Accumulated benefit obligations

  239,183   271,656   274,414   239,183 

Fair value of plan assets

  239,280   261,026   258,365   239,280 

  

The investment objectives of the foreign defined benefit plans are to maximize the return on the investments without exceeding the limits of the prudent pension fund investment, to ensure that the assets would be sufficient to exceed minimum funding requirements, and to achieve a favorable return against the performance expectation based on historic and projected rates of return over the short term. The goal is to optimize the long-term return on plan assets at a moderate level of risk, by balancing higher-returning assets, such as equity securities, with less volatile assets, such as fixed income securities. The assets are managed by professional investment firms and performance is evaluated periodically against specific benchmarks. The plans’ net assets did not include the Company’s own stock at January 1, 2017 or January 3, 2016 or December 28, 2014.2016.

 

The Company’s actual weighted average asset allocations for 20152016 and 2014,2015, and the targeted asset allocation for 2016,2017, of the foreign defined benefit plans by asset category, are as follows:

 

 

FISCAL YEAR

  

FISCAL YEAR

 
 

2016

  

2015

  

2014

  

2017

  

2016

  

2015

 
 

Target Allocation

  

Percentage of Plan Assets at Year End

  

Target Allocation

  

Percentage of Plan Assets at Year End

 

Asset Category:

                         

Equity Securities

 45%  -55%   49%  63% 40%-50%   43%  49%

Debt and Debt Securities

 35%  -45%   41%  34% 35%-45%   36%  41%

Other

 0%  -10%   10%  3% 10-20%   21%  10%
                         
  100%    100%  100%  100%    100%  100%

 

 

 
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Fair Value Measurements of Plan Assets

 

Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure estimated fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under applicable accounting standards are described below:

 

Level 1

Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

   

Level 2

Inputs to the valuation methodology include:

  

●quoted prices for similar assets in active markets;

  

●quoted prices for identical or similar assets in inactive markets;

  

●inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset; and

  

●inputs that are derived principally or corroborated by observable data by correlation or other means.

   

Level 3

Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

 

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

The following table sets forth by level within the fair value hierarchy the foreign defined benefit plans’ assets at fair value, as of January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016 and December 28, 2014.2016. As required by accounting standards, assets are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

 

Pension Plan Assets by Category as ofJanuary 3, 2016

  

Pension Plan Assets by Category as of January 1, 2017

 
 

Europe Plan

  

UK Plan

  

Total

  

Europe Plan

  

UK Plan

  

Total

 
     

(in thousands)

         

(in thousands)

    

Level 1

 $71,920  $93,846  $165,766  $73,042  $80,048  $153,090 

Level 2

  0   59,228   59,228   0   50,364   50,364 

Level 3

  0   14,286   14,286   32,191   22,720   54,911 

Total

 $71,920  $167,360  $239,280  $105,233  $153,132  $258,365 

 

 

Pension Plan Assets by Category as of December 28, 2014

  

Pension Plan Assets by Category as of January 3, 2016

 
 

Europe Plan

  

UK Plan

  

Total

  

Europe Plan

  

UK Plan

  

Total

 
     

(in thousands)

         

(in thousands)

    

Level 1

 $81,821  $173,271  $255,092  $71,920  $93,846  $165,766 

Level 2

  0   0   0   0   59,228   59,228 

Level 3

  0   5,934   5,934   0   14,286   14,286 

Total

 $81,821  $179,205  $261,026  $71,920  $167,360  $239,280 

 

The tables below detail the foreign defined benefit plans’ assets by asset allocation and fair value hierarchy:

 

 

2015

  

2016

 
 

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

  

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

 
    

(in thousands)

        

(in thousands)

    

Asset Class

                        

Equity Securities

 $117,889  0  0  $110,738  $0  $0 

Debt and Debt Securities

  45,953   41,725   9,576   37,175   36,378   19,224 

Other (including cash)

  1,924   17,503   4,710   5,177   13,986   35,687 
 $165,766  $59,228  $14,286  $153,090  $50,364  $54,911 

 

 

 
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2014

  

2015

 
 

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

  

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

 
    

(inthousands)

        

(in thousands)

    

Asset Class

                        
            

Equity Securities

 $171,224  $0  $0  $117,889  $0  $0 

Debt and Debt Securities

  81,821   0   0   45,953   41,725   9,576 

Other (including cash)

  2,047   0   5,934   1,924   17,503   4,710 
 $255,092  $0  $5,934  $165,766  $59,228  $14,286 

 

TheWith the exception of the $32.2 million indexation asset in 2016, the assets identified as level 3 above in 2016 and 2015 relate to insured annuities and direct lending assets held by the UK Plan. The fair value of these assets was calculated using the present value of the future cash flows due under the insurance annuities and for the direct lending assets the value is based on the asset value from the latest available valuation with adjustments for any drawdowns and distribution payments made between the valuation date and the reporting date. The table below indicates the change in value related to these level 3 assets during 2015:2016:

 

 

2015

  

2016

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Balance of level 3 assets, beginning of year

 $5,934  $14,286 

Interest cost

  199   492 

Benefits paid

  (776)  (606)

Assets transferred in to Level 3

  9,877   11,988 

Actuarial loss

  (367)

Actuarial gain (loss)

  32,429 

Translation adjustment

  (581)  (3,678)

Ending Balance of level 3 assets

 $14,286  $54,911 

Actuarial gain (loss) includes the indexation asset of $32.2 million as discussed above.

  

During 2016,2017, the Company expects to contribute $5.0$3.0 million to the plan trust. It is anticipated that future benefit payments for the foreign defined benefit plans will be as follows:

 

FISCAL YEAR  

EXPECTED PAYMENTS

 

FISCAL YEAR

 

EXPECTED PAYMENTS

 
  

(in thousands)

    

(in thousands)

 
           
2016  $8,726 
2017   8,936    $7,907 
2018   9,268     8,134 
2019   9,518     8,323 
2020   9,797     8,532 
2021 - 2025   44,925 

2021

    8,653 
2022-2026  43,723 

 

Domestic Defined Benefit Plan

 

The Company maintains a domestic nonqualified salary continuation plan (“SCP”), which is designed to induce selected officers of the Company to remain in the employ of the Company by providing them with retirement, disability and death benefits in addition to those which they may receive under the Company’s other retirement plans and benefit programs. The SCP entitles participants to: (i) retirement benefits upon normal retirement at age 65 (or early retirement as early as age 55) after completing at least 15 years of service with the Company (unless otherwise provided in the SCP), payable for the remainder of their lives (or, if elected by a participant, a reduced benefit is payable for the remainder of the participant’s life and any surviving spouse’s life) and in no event less than 10 years under the death benefit feature; (ii) disability benefits payable for the period of any total disability; and (iii) death benefits payable to the designated beneficiary of the participant for a period of up to 10 years. Benefits are determined according to one of three formulas contained in the SCP, and the SCP is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, which has full discretion in choosing participants and the benefit formula applicable to each. The Company’s obligations under the SCP are currently unfunded (although the Company uses insurance instruments to hedge its exposure thereunder). The Company is required to contribute the present value of its obligations thereunder to an irrevocable grantor trust in the event of a change in control as defined in the SCP. The Company uses a year-end measurement date for the domestic SCP.

 

 

 
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The tables presented below set forth the required disclosures in accordance with applicable accounting standards, and amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements related to the domestic SCP.

 

 

FISCAL YEAR

  

FISCAL YEAR

 
 

2015

  

2014

  

2016

  

2015

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Change in benefit obligation

                

Benefit obligation, beginning of year

 $24,016  $20,947  $25,860  $24,016 

Service cost

  594   500   440   594 

Interest cost

  1,113   1,071   1,269   1,113 

Benefits paid

  (847)  (847)  (1,012)  (847)

Actuarial loss (gain)

  984   2,345   3,143   984 
                

Benefit obligation, end of year

 $25,860  $24,016  $29,700  $25,860 

 

The amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets are as follows:

 

 

2015

  

2014

  

2016

  

2015

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Current liabilities

 $1,009  $847  $1,890  $1,009 

Non-current liabilities

  24,850   23,169   27,810   24,850 
 $25,859  $24,016   29,700  $25,859 

  

The components of the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income, after tax, are as follows:

 

  

2015

  

2014

 
  

(in thousands)

 

Unrecognized actuarial loss

 $4,226  $3,949 
  

2016

  

2015

 
  

(in thousands)

 

Unrecognized actuarial loss

 $5,626  $4,226 

 

The accumulated benefit obligation related to the SCP was $23.6$29.7 million and $20.3$23.6 million as of January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, respectively. The SCP is currently unfunded; as such, the benefit obligations disclosed are also the benefit obligations in excess of the plan assets. The Company uses insurance instruments to help limit its exposure under the SCP.

 

  

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 
  

(in thousands, except for assumptions)

 

Assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost

            

Discount rate

  4.0%  4.5%  4.0%

Rate of compensation

  4.0%  4.0%  4.0%
             

Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations

            

Discount rate

  4.25%  4.0%  4.5%

Rate of compensation

  4.0%  4.0%  4.0%
             

Components of net periodic benefit cost

            

Service cost

 $594  $500  $534 

Interest cost

  1,113   1,072   997 

Amortizations

  522   291   489 
             

Net periodic benefit cost

 $2,229  $1,863  $2,020 

 
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2016

  

2015

  

2014

 
  

(in thousands, except for assumptions)

 

Assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost

            

Discount rate

  4.25%  4.0%  4.5%

Rate of compensation

  4.0%  4.0%  4.0%
             

Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations

            

Discount rate

  3.85%  4.25%  4.0%

Rate of compensation

  4.0%  4.0%  4.0%
             

Components of net periodic benefit cost

            

Service cost

 $440  $594  $500 

Interest cost

  1,269   1,113   1,072 

Amortizations

  811   522   291 
             

Net periodic benefit cost

 $2,520  $2,229  $1,863 

 

The changes in other comprehensive income during 20152016 related to this Plan were approximately $0.3$1.4 million, after tax, primarily comprised of a net loss during the period of $0.6$1.9 million and amortization of loss of $0.3$0.5 million.

 

For 2016,2017, the Company estimates that approximately $0.8$0.4 million of expenses related to the amortization of unrecognized items will be included in net periodic benefit cost for the SCP.

 

During 2015,2016, the Company contributed $0.8$1.0 million in the form of direct benefit payments for its domestic SCP. It is anticipated that future benefit payments for the SCP will be as follows:

 

FISCAL YEAR

  

EXPECTED PAYMENTS

 

FISCAL YEAR

 

EXPECTED PAYMENTS

 
  

(in thousands)

    

(in thousands)

 

2016

  $1,009 

2017

   1,124    $1,890 

2018

   1,124     2,029 

2019

   1,124     2,029 

2020

   2,108     2,029 
2021-2025   11,409 

2021

    2,029 

2022

-2026  9,859 

 

FIRE AT AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURING FACILITY

In July 2012, a fire occurred at the Company’s manufacturing facility in Picton, Australia, causing extensive damage and rendering the facility inoperable. As a result of the fire, in 2012, the Company recorded a charge of approximately $22.3 million for impairment of fixed assets, and incurred approximately $21.3 million of excess production costs as the Company utilized its other manufacturing facilities to service customers in Australia and New Zealand. Each of these amounts for impairment of fixed assets and excess production costs previously were recorded as a receivable on the Company’s balance sheet, because they were subject to a claim for reimbursement under the Company’s insurance policy. In 2012, the Company received $20.7 million in reimbursement from its insurance company related to the fire. Following the receipt of those proceeds, as of the end of 2012, the Company had an insurance recovery receivable on the fire claim of approximately $22.9 million.

In addition to the excess production costs described above, in 2012 the Company incurred approximately $1.7 million of costs related to the fire that were non-production related and were not the subject of a claim under the Company’s insurance policy. As a result, this amount was included in the determination of operating income as shown in the line item “Expenses related to Australia fire” in the Company’s consolidated condensed statement of operations. 

In 2013, the Company recorded further impairment of fixed assets of $2.7 million and excess production costs of $23.4 million related to the fire. (Thus, the aggregate of the amounts for impairment of fixed assets and excess production costs recorded during 2012 and 2013 totaled $69.7 million). In the first nine months of 2013, the Company received $33.7 million of further reimbursements related to the fire insurance claim, and in the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company received a final settlement payment of $22.3 million from its insurance company. (Thus, the aggregate cash insurance proceeds received during 2012 and 2013 totaled $76.7 million.)

At the time of the final insurance settlement payment, the amount of proceeds received exceeded the amount that the Company had recorded as a receivable. (Certain amounts claimed with the insurance company had not been recorded in the Company’s financial statements, in accordance with applicable accounting standards.) Accordingly, the amount of reimbursement received in excess of the insurance receivable, approximately $7.0 million, was recorded as a gain during 2013 in the consolidated statement of operations. There was no insurance recovery receivable as of the end of 2013, or since that time, and the Company does not expect to incur any additional fire related expenses or record any additional fire related recoveries from the insurer.

As described in Items 1 and 7 of this report, the Company’s new manufacturing facility in Minto, Australia commenced operations in January 2014.

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NOTE 16 –ENTERPRISE-WIDE DISCLOSURES

 

Based on applicable accounting standards, the Company has determined that it has three operating segments – namely, the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific geographic regions. Pursuant to accounting standards, the Company has aggregated the three operating segments into one reporting segment because they have similar economic characteristics, and the operating segments are similar in all of the following areas: (a) the nature of the products and services; (b) the nature of the production processes; (c) the type or class of customer for their products and services; (d) the methods used to distribute their products or provide their services; and (e) the nature of the regulatory environment.

 

While the Company operates as one reporting segment for the reasons discussed, included below is selected information on our operating segments.

 

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Summary information by operating segment follows:

 

 

AMERICAS

  

EUROPE

  

ASIA-PACIFIC

  

TOTAL

  

AMERICAS

  

EUROPE

  

ASIA-PACIFIC

  

TOTAL

 
 

(in thousands)

 

2016

                

Net Sales

 $568,138  $241,463  $149,016  958,617 

Depreciation and amortization

  14,639   5,698   8,729   29,066 

Total assets

  237,900   261,182   238,317   737,399 
 

(in thousands)

                 

2015

                                

Net Sales

 $593,163  $262,671  $146,029   1,001,863  $593,163  $262,671  $146,029  1,001,863 

Depreciation and amortization

  15,390   5,007   9,167   29,564   15,390   5,007   9,167   29,564 

Total assets

  223,085   249,241   175,940   648,266   223,085   249,241   175,940   648,266 
                                

2014

                                

Net Sales

 $573,458  $276,845  $153,600  $1,003,903  $573,458  $276,845  $153,600  $1,003,903 

Depreciation and amortization

  14,719   4,803   9,412   28,934   14,719   4,803   9,412   28,934 

Total assets

  221,324   258,847   174,335   654,506 
                

2013

                

Net sales

 $545,882  $262,640  $151,467  $959,989 

Depreciation and amortization

  13,317   3,777   6,332   23,426 

 

A reconciliation of the Company’s total operating segment depreciation and amortization, and assets to the corresponding consolidated amounts follows:

 

  

FISCAL YEAR ENDED

 
  

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 
  

(in thousands)

 

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION

            

Total segment depreciation and amortization

 $29,564  $28,934  $23,426 

Corporate depreciation and amortization

  1,239   1,743   1,244 
             

Reported depreciation and amortization

 $30,803  $30,677  $24,670 
             

ASSETS

            

Total segment assets

 $648,266  $654,506     

Corporate assets and eliminations

  108,283   120,408     
             

Reported total assets

 $756,549  $774,914     

  

FISCAL YEAR ENDED

 
  

2016

  

2015

  

2014

 
  

(in thousands)

 

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION

            

Total segment depreciation and amortization

 $29,066  $29,564  $28,934 

Corporate depreciation and amortization

  1,566   1,239   1,743 
             

Reported depreciation and amortization

 $30,632  $30,803  $30,677 
             
             

ASSETS

            

Total segment assets

 $737,399  $648,266     

Corporate assets and eliminations

  102,174   108,283     
             

Reported total assets

 $839,573  $756,549     

 

 
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The Company has a large and diverse customer base, which includes numerous customers located in foreign countries. No single unaffiliated customer accounted for more than 10% of total sales in any year during the past three years. Sales to customers in foreign markets in 2016, 2015 2014 and 20132014 were approximately 48%, 51%48% and 52%51%, respectively, of total net sales. These sales were primarily to customers in Europe, Canada, Asia, Australia and Latin America. With the exception of the United States, no one country represented more than 10% of the Company’s net sales. Revenue and long-lived assets related to operations in the United States and other countries are as follows:

  

  

FISCAL YEAR

 
  

2016

  

2015

  

2014

 
  

(in thousands)

 

SALES TO UNAFFILIATED CUSTOMERS(1)

            

United States

 $501,206  $520,375  $487,001 

United Kingdom

  58,266   72,445   83,182 

Australia

  78,141   76,600   79,922 

Other foreign countries

  321,004   332,443   353,798 
             

Net sales

 $958,617  $1,001,863  $1,003,903 
             

LONG-LIVED ASSETS(2)

            

United States

 $79,365  $79,279     

United Kingdom

  8,122   10,653     

Netherlands

  43,907   42,808     

Australia

  44,209   47,557     

China

  9,675   11,733     

Other foreign countries

  19,230   19,459     
             

Total long-lived assets

 $204,508  $211,489     

 

  

FISCAL YEAR

 
  

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 
  

(in thousands)

 

SALES TO UNAFFILIATED CUSTOMERS(1)

            

United States

 $520,375  $487,001  $458,585 

United Kingdom

  72,445   83,182   75,076 

Australia

  76,600   79,922   78,569 

Other foreign countries

  332,443   353,798   347,759 
             

Net sales

 $1,001,863  $1,003,903  $959,989 

LONG-LIVED ASSETS(2)

            

United States

 $79,279  $86,856     

United Kingdom

  10,653   10,604     

Netherlands

  42,808   38,086     

Australia

  47,557   57,410     

China

  11,733   14,007     

Other foreign countries

  19,459   20,384     
             

Total long-lived assets

 $211,489  $227,347     

                              

 

(1) Revenue attributed to geographic areas is based on the location of the customer.

(2) Long-lived assets include tangible assets physically located in foreign countries.

 

NOTE 17 –QUARTERLY DATA AND SHARE INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

 

The following tables set forth, for the fiscal periods indicated, selected consolidated financial data and information regarding the market price per share of the Company’s Common Stock. The prices represent the reported high and low sale prices during the period presented.

 

  

FISCAL YEAR 2016

 
  

FIRST

QUARTER

  

SECOND

QUARTER

  

THIRD

QUARTER

  

FOURTH

QUARTER(1)

 
  

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

Net sales

 $222,554  $248,207  $248,349  $239,507 

Gross profit

  86,632   99,126   92,918   89,968 

Net income

  12,894   20,657   15,904   4,707 
                 
                 

Basic income per share

 $0.20  $0.32  $0.25  $0.07 
                 
                 

Diluted income per share

 $0.20  $0.32  $0.25  $0.07 
                 

Share prices

                

High

 $18.99  $18.71  $18.45  $19.10 

Low

 $13.70  $14.56  $15.02  $14.59 

 

  

FISCAL YEAR 2015

 
  

FIRST

QUARTER

  

SECOND

QUARTER

  

THIRD

QUARTER

  

FOURTH

QUARTER

 
  

(in thousands, except per share data)

 

Net sales

 $236,904  $263,637  $254,686  $246,636 

Gross profit

  85,432   101,252   97,966   98,239 

Net income

  12,322   21,722   20,127   18,247 
                 
                 

Basic income per share

 $0.19  $0.33  $0.31  $0.28 
                 
                 

Diluted income per share

 $0.19  $0.33  $0.31  $0.28 
                 

Share prices

                

High

 $21.38  $25.59  $27.17  $24.44 

Low

 $15.13  $19.86  $22.13  $17.89 

(1) Results for the fourth quarter of 2016 include restructuring and asset impairment charges of $19.8 million.

 

 

 
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FISCAL YEAR 2014

 
  

FIRST

QUARTER

  

SECOND

QUARTER

  

THIRD

QUARTER(1)

  

FOURTH

QUARTER(2)

 
  

(in thousands, exceptpershare data)

 

Net sales

 $218,992  $260,624  $252,191  $272,096 

Gross profit

  74,686   90,385   83,595   91,361 

Net income (loss)

  4,025   13,071   (376)  8,088 
                 
                 

Basic income (loss) per share

 $0.06  $0.20  $(0.01) $0.12 
                 
                 

Diluted income (loss) per share

 $0.06  $0.20  $(0.01) $0.12 
                 

Share prices

                

High

 $22.46  $21.13  $19.41  $16.74 

Low

 $18.63  $17.11  $15.72  $12.98 

  

FISCAL YEAR 2015

 
  

FIRST

QUARTER

  

SECOND

QUARTER

  

THIRD

QUARTER

  

FOURTH

QUARTER

 
  

(in thousands, exceptpershare data)

 

Net sales

 $236,904  $263,637  $254,686  $246,636 

Gross profit

  85,432   101,252   97,966   98,239 

Net income

  12,322   21,722   20,127   18,247 
                 
                 

Basic income per share

 $0.19  $0.33  $0.31  $0.28 
                 
                 

Diluted income per share

 $0.19  $0.33  $0.31  $0.28 
                 

Share prices

                

High

 $21.38  $25.59  $27.17  $24.44 

Low

 $15.13  $19.86  $22.13  $17.89 

 

(1) Results for the third quarter of 2014 include restructuring and asset impairment charges of $12.4 million.

(2) Results for the fourth quarter of 2014 include debt retirement expenses of $12.0 million.

NOTE 18 –ITEMS RECLASSIFIED FROM OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

During 2015,2016, the Company did not reclassify any significant amounts out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The only reclassifications that occurred in that period were comprised of $1.9 million related to the Company’s defined retirement benefit plans and salary continuation plan. These reclassifications were included in the selling, general and administrative expenses line item of the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.

 

 

 
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Reportof Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Board of Directors and Shareholders of Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Atlanta, Georgia

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016 and December 28, 2014 and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 3, 2016.1, 2017. In connection with our audits of the financial statements, we have also audited the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and schedule.statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries at January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 3, 2016,1, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Also, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of January 3, 2016,1, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated March 2, 20162017 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

 

Atlanta, Georgia

March 2, 20162017

 

 

 
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Reportof Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Board of Directors and Shareholders of Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Atlanta, Georgia

 

We have audited Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of January 3, 2016,1, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ 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 Item 9A, Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’scompany’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether 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, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

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.

 

In our opinion, Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of January 3, 2016,1, 2017, based on the COSO criteria.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016, and December 28, 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 3, 20161, 2017 and our report dated March 2, 20162017 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

 

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

 

Atlanta, Georgia

March 2, 20162017

 

 

 
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ITEM9.         CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIALDISCLOSURE

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM9A.      CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Disclosure Controls andProcedures. As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our President and Chief Executive Officerprincipal executive officer and our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(c) under the Act. Based on that evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officerprincipal executive officer and our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officerprincipal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

 

Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of January 3, 20161, 2017 based on the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in “Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013).” Based on that assessment, management concluded that, as of January 3, 2016,1, 2017, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.

 

Our independent auditors have issued an audit report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. This report immediately precedes Item 9 of this Report.

 

ITEM9B.      OTHER INFORMATION

 

None

PARTIII

 

ITEM10.       DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

The information contained under the captions “Nomination and Election of Directors,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and “Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 20162017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of our 20152016 fiscal year, is incorporated herein by reference. Pursuant to Instruction 3 to Paragraph (b) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K, information relating to our executive officers is included in Item 1 of this Report.

 

We have adopted the “Interface Code of Business Conduct and Ethics” (the “Code”) which applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.principal financial officer. The Code may be viewed on our website at www.interface.com.www.interface.com. Changes to the Code will be posted on our website. Any waiver of the Code for executive officers or directors may be made only by our Board of Directors and will be disclosed to the extent required by law or Nasdaq rules on our website or in a filing on Form 8-K.

 

 
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ITEM11.       EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

The information contained under the captions “Executive Compensation and Related Items,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Committee Report,” “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” and “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 20162017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of our 20152016 fiscal year, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 12.     SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS12.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

The information contained under the captions “Principal Shareholders and Management Stock Ownership” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 20162017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of our 20152016 fiscal year, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

For purposes of determining the aggregate market value of our voting and non-voting stock held by non-affiliates, shares held by our directors and executive officers have been excluded. The exclusion of such shares is not intended to, and shall not, constitute a determination as to which persons or entities may be “affiliates” as that term is defined under federal securities laws.

 

ITEM13.       CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

The information contained under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Director Independence” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 20162017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of our 20152016 fiscal year, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM14.       PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

 

The information contained under the captions “Audit and Non-Audit Fees” and “Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditors” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 20162017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of our 20152016 fiscal year, is incorporated herein by reference.

  

PARTIV

 

ITEM15.       EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

1. Financial Statements 

 

The following Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto of Interface, Inc. and subsidiaries and related Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are contained in Item 8 of this Report:

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income — fiscal years ended January 1, 2017, January 3, 2016 and December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013.2014.

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets — January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016 and December 28, 2014.2016.

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — fiscal years ended January 1, 2017, January 3, 2016 and December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013.

2014. 

 

 
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

2. Financial Statement Schedule

 

The following Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule of Interface, Inc. and subsidiaries and related Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are included as part of this Report (see the pages immediately preceding the signatures in this Report).

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves

 

3. Exhibits

 

The following exhibits are included as part of this Report:

 

Exhibit

Number

 

 

Description of Exhibit

3.1

Restated Articles of Incorporation and accompanying Clarification Certificate (included as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed on May 10, 2012, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).

3.2

Bylaws, as amended and restated October 28, 2015February 22, 2017 (included as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on October 28, 2015,February 27, 2017, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).

4.1

See Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 for provisions in the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws defining the rights of holders of Common Stock of the Company.

4.2

Rights Agreement dated March 7, 2008 and effective as of March 17, 2008 between the Company and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (included as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on March 7, 2008, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference). 

10.1

Salary Continuation Plan, dated May 7, 1982 (included as Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 2-82188, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.2

Form of Salary Continuation Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2008 (as used for Daniel T. Hendrix and Raymond S. Willoch and John R. Wells)Willoch) (included as Exhibit 99.5 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 7, 2008, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.3

Interface, Inc. Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective February 18, 2015) (included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on May 20, 2015, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Forms of Restricted Stock Agreement, as used for directors, executive officers and other key employees/consultants (included as Exhibits 99.1, 99.2 and 99.3, respectively, to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 14, 2005, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, as used for executive officers (included as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2007, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); and Form of Performance Share Agreement (included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 20, 2016, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.4

Interface, Inc. Executive Bonus Plan, as amended October 28, 2015 (included as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on October 28, 2015, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

 

 

 
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10.5

— 

Interface, Inc. Nonqualified Savings Plan (as amended and restated effective January 1, 2002) (included as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2001, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); First Amendment thereto, dated as of December 20, 2002 (included as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 29, 2003, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Second Amendment thereto, dated as of December 30, 2002 (included as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 29, 2003, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Third Amendment thereto, dated as of May 8, 2003 (included as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2003 (the “2003 10-K”), previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); and Fourth Amendment thereto, dated as of December 31, 2003 (included as Exhibit 10.7 to the 2003 10-K, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.6

Amended and Restated Employment and Change in Control Agreement of Daniel T. Hendrix dated January 1, 2008 (included as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 7, 2008, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).* 

10.7

Amended and Restated Employment and Change in Control Agreement of Patrick C. Lynch dated January 1, 2008 (included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 7, 2008, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.8

Amended and Restated Employment and Change in Control Agreement of John R. Wells dated January 1, 2008 (included as Exhibit 99.3 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 7, 2008, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.9

Amended and Restated Employment and Change in Control Agreement of Raymond S. Willoch dated January 1, 2008 (included as Exhibit 99.4 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 7, 2008, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.1010.9

Employment and Change in Control Agreement of Jay D. Gould dated January 9, 2015 (included as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 13, 2015, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.1110.10

Split Dollar Insurance Agreement, dated February 21, 1997, between the Company and Daniel T. Hendrix (included as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 4, 1998, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); and Amendment thereto, dated December 29, 2008 (included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2009, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.1210.11

Form of Indemnity Agreement of Director (as used for directors of the Company) (included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on November 30, 2005, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.1310.12

Form of Indemnity Agreement of Officer (as used for certain officers of the Company, including Daniel T. Hendrix, Jay D. Gould, John R. Wells, Patrick C. Lynch, and Raymond S. Willoch) (included as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on November 30, 2005, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.1410.13

Interface, Inc. Long-Term Care Insurance Plan and related Summary Plan Description (included as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on December 20, 2005, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.1510.14

Interface, Inc. Nonqualified Savings Plan II, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2009 (included as Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2012 (the “2012 10-K”), previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference; First Amendment thereto, dated February 26, 2009 (included as Exhibit 10.19 to the 2012 10-K, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Second Amendment thereto, dated December 9, 2009 (included as Exhibit 10.20 to the 2012 10-K, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Third Amendment thereto, dated April 15, 2010 (included as Exhibit 10.21 to the 2012 10-K, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); and Fourth Amendment thereto, dated August 9, 2012 (included as Exhibit 10.22 to the 2012 10-K, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

 

 

 
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10.1610.15

Syndicated Facility Agreement, dated as of October 22, 2013, among Interface, Inc., certain subsidiaries of the Company as borrowers, certain subsidiaries of the Company as guarantors, Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent, The Royal Bank of Scotland, as Syndication Agent, and SunTrust Bank and Regions Bank, as Co-Documentation Agents, and the other lenders party thereto (included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on October 23, 2013, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); and First Amendment thereto, dated as of October 3, 2014 (included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on October 7, 2014, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).; and Consent Agreement related thereto, dated as of November 8, 2016.

10.1710.16

Security and Pledge Agreement, dated as of October 22, 2013, among Interface, Inc., certain subsidiaries of the Company as obligors, and Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent (included as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on October 23, 2013, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).

21

Subsidiaries of the Company.

23

Consent of BDO USA, LLP.

24

Power of Attorney (see signature page of this Report).

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer with respect to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2016.1, 2017.

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officerprincipal financial officer with respect to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2016.1, 2017.

32.1

— 

Certification Pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of United States Code by Chief Executive Officer with respect to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2016.1, 2017.

32.2

— 

Certification Pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of United States Code by Chief Financial Officerprincipal financial officer with respect to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2016.1, 2017.

101.INS

— 

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH

— 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document 

101.CAL

— 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB

— 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document 

101.PRE

— 

XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

— 

XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document

__________

* Management contract or compensatory plan or agreement required to be filed pursuant to Item 15(b) of this Report.

  

ITEM16.      FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

 

 
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Board of Directors and Shareholders of Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Atlanta, Georgia

 

The audits referred to in our report dated March 2, 2016,2017 relating to the consolidated financial statements of Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries, which is contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K, also included the audit of the Financial Statement Schedule II (Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves) listed in the accompanying index. This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement schedule based on our audits.

 

In our opinion such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

 

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

 

Atlanta, Georgia

March 2, 2016

2017 

 

 
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INTERFACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

SCHEDULE II – VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES

 

 

COLUMN A

BALANCE, AT

BEGINNING OF YEAR

  

COLUMN B CHARGED TO COSTS AND EXPENSES (A)

  

COLUMN C

CHARGED TO OTHER ACCOUNTS

  

COLUMN D

DEDUCTIONS (DESCRIBE) (B)

  

COLUMN E

BALANCE, AT END OF YEAR

  

COLUMN A

BALANCE, AT

BEGINNING OF YEAR

  

COLUMN B CHARGED TO COSTS AND EXPENSES (A)

  

COLUMN C

CHARGED TO OTHER ACCOUNTS

  

COLUMN D

DEDUCTIONS (DESCRIBE) (B)

  

COLUMN E

BALANCE, AT END OF YEAR

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:

                                        

Year Ended:

                                        

January 1, 2017

 $4,479  $(243) $0  $456  $3,780 

January 3, 2016

 $5,896  $212  $0  $1,629  $4,479   5,896   212   0   1,629   4,479 

December 28, 2014

  7,646   (730)  0   1,020   5,896   7,646   (730)  0   1,020   5,896 

December 29, 2013

  8,818   253   0   1,425   7,646 

______________   

 

(A) Includes changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

(B) Write off of bad debt, and recovering of previously provided for amounts.

  

  

COLUMN A

BALANCE, AT

BEGINNING OF YEAR

  

COLUMN B CHARGED TO COSTS AND EXPENSES (A)

  

COLUMN C

CHARGED TO OTHER ACCOUNTS(B)

  

COLUMN D

DEDUCTIONS (DESCRIBE) (C)

  

COLUMN E

BALANCE, AT END OF YEAR

 
  

(in thousands)

 

Restructuring Reserve:

                    

Year Ended:

                    

January 3, 2016

 $7,179  $(481) $0  $6,594  $104 

December 28, 2014

  519   9,315   2,717   5,372   7,179 

December 29, 2013

  4,350   0   0   3,831   519 

  

COLUMN A

BALANCE, AT

BEGINNING OF YEAR

  

COLUMN B CHARGED TO COSTS AND EXPENSES (A)

  

COLUMN C

CHARGED TO OTHER ACCOUNTS(B)

  

COLUMN D

DEDUCTIONS (DESCRIBE) (C)

  

COLUMN E

BALANCE, AT END OF YEAR

 
  

(in thousands)

 

Restructuring Reserve:

                    

Year Ended:

                    

January 1, 2017

 $104  $11,769  $8,019  $1,582  $10,291 

January 3, 2016

  7,179   (481)  0   6,594   104 

December 28, 2014

  519   9,315   2,717   2,655   7,179 

______________   

 

(A) Includes changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

(B) ReductionDirect reduction of asset carrying value.value, not included in restructuring reserve.

 

(C) Cash payments.

 

 
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COLUMN A

BALANCE, AT

BEGINNING

OF YEAR

  

COLUMN B CHARGED TO COSTS AND EXPENSES (A)

  

COLUMN C

CHARGED TO OTHER ACCOUNTS

  

COLUMN D

DEDUCTIONS (DESCRIBE) (B)

  

COLUMN E

BALANCE, AT END OF YEAR

  

COLUMN A

BALANCE, AT

BEGINNING

OF YEAR

  

COLUMN B CHARGED TO COSTS AND EXPENSES (A)

  

COLUMN C

CHARGED TO OTHER ACCOUNTS

  

COLUMN D

DEDUCTIONS (DESCRIBE) (B)

  

COLUMN E

BALANCE, AT END OF YEAR

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Warranty and Sales Allowances Reserves :

                    

Warranty and Sales Allowances Reserves:

                    

Year ended:

                                        

January 1, 2017

 $4,759  $3,149  $0  $2,379  $5,529 

January 3, 2016

 $3,954  $2,584  $0  $1,779  $4,759   3,954   2,584   0   1,779   4,759 

December 28, 2014

  4,935   457   0   1,438   3,954   4,935   457   0   1,438   3,954 

December 29, 2013

  4,331   1,806   0   1,202   4,935 

______________   

 

(A) Includes changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

(B) Represents credits and costs applied against reserve and adjustments to reflect actual exposure.

 

 

COLUMN A

BALANCE, AT

BEGINNING

OF YEAR

  

COLUMN B CHARGED TO COSTS AND EXPENSES (A)

  

COLUMN C

CHARGED TO OTHER ACCOUNTS

  

COLUMN D

DEDUCTIONS (DESCRIBE) (B)

  

COLUMN E

BALANCE, AT END OF YEAR

  

COLUMN A

BALANCE, AT

BEGINNING

OF YEAR

  

COLUMN B CHARGED TO COSTS AND EXPENSES (A)

  

COLUMN C

CHARGED TO OTHER ACCOUNTS

  

COLUMN D

DEDUCTIONS (DESCRIBE) (B)

  

COLUMN E

BALANCE, AT END OF YEAR

 
 

(in thousands)

  

(in thousands)

 

Inventory Reserves :

                    

Inventory Reserves:

                    

Year ended:

                                        

January 1, 2017

 $15,467  $4,736  $0  $2,578  $17,625 

January 3, 2016

 $14,784  $3,758  $0  $3,075  $15,467   14,784   3,758   0   3,075   15,467 

December 28, 2014

  13,416   4,819   0   3,451   14,784   13,416   4,819   0   3,451   14,784 

December 29, 2013

  12,946   3,445   0   2,975   13,416 

______________   

 

(A) Includes changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

(B) Represents costs applied against reserve and adjustments to reflect actual exposure.

 

(All other Schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission are omitted because they are either not applicable or the required information is shown in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements or the Notes thereto.)

 

 
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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.

 

Date: March 2, 20162017

 

INTERFACE, INC.

 

By:     

/s/ DANIEL T. HENDRIX                    

By:

/s/ DANIEL T. HENDRIX

Daniel T. Hendrix

Chief Executive Officer

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Daniel T. Hendrix as attorney-in-fact, with power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

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 and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

 

Capacity

 

Date

 

/s/ DANIEL T. HENDRIX

 

Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

March 2, 20162017

Daniel T. Hendrix

 

(and Director (Principal Executive Officer and Principal ExecutiveFinancial Officer)

  
     

/s/ PATRICK C. LYNCH

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

March 2, 2016

Patrick C. Lynch

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 
 

/s/ JOHN P. BURKE

 

Director

 

March 2, 20162017

John P. Burke

    
     

/s/ EDWARD C. CALLAWAY

Director

March 2, 2016

Edward C. Callaway

 
 

/s/ ANDREW B. COGAN

 

Director

 

March 2, 20162017

Andrew B. Cogan

    
     

/s/ CARL I. GABLE

 

Director

 

March 2, 20162017

Carl I. Gable

    
     

/s/ JAY D. GOULD

Director

March 2, 2017

Jay D. Gould

/s/ CHRISTOPHER G. KENNEDY

 

Director

 

March 2, 20162017

Christopher G. Kennedy

    
     

/s/ K. DAVID KOHLER

 

Director

 

March 2, 20162017

K. David Kohler

    
     

/s/ ERIN A. MATTS

Director

March 2, 2017

Erin A. Matts

/s/ JAMES B. MILLER, JR.

 

Director

 

March 2, 20162017

James B. Miller, Jr.

    
     

/s/ SHERYL D. PALMER

 

Director

 

March 2, 20162017

Sheryl D. Palmer

    
     

/s/ HAROLD M. PAISNER

Director

March 2, 2016

Harold M. Paisner

 

 

 
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EXHIBITINDEX

 

Exhibit

ExhibitNumber

Description of Exhibit

10.15

Consent Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2016

21

Subsidiaries of the Company.

23

Consent of BDO USA, LLP.

24

Power of Attorney.

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer with respect to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2016.1, 2017.

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officerprincipal financial officer with respect to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2016.1, 2017.

32.1

Certification Pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of United States Code by Chief Executive Officer with respect to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2016.1, 2017.

32.2

Certification Pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of United States Code by Chief Financial Officerprincipal financial officer with respect to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2016.1, 2017.

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document   

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document   

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document   

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document   

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document   

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document   

 

 

 
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