Table of Contents



UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20172019

Or

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from            to

 

Commission File Number 001-34627


GENERAC HOLDINGS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWAREDelaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

20-5654756

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

  

S45 W29290 Hwy 59, Waukesha, WI

(Address of principal executive offices)

53189

(Zip Code)

(262) 544-4811

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value

GNRC

New York Stock Exchange

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT:

Common Stock, $0.01 par value
(Title of class)

New York Stock Exchange
(Name of exchange on which registered)

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(G) 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 Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒  No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “ emerging“emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company  

 

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

 

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

 

The aggregate market value of the voting common equity held by non-affiliatesnon-affiliates of the registrant on June 30, 2017,28, 2019, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $2,189,264,580$4,191,188,195 based upon the closing price reported for such date on the New York Stock Exchange.

 

As of February 16, 2018, 62,325,71619, 2020, 62,567,525 shares of registrant's common stock were outstanding.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the registrant’sregistrant’s Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 20172019 furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission are incorporated by reference into Part II of this Form 10-K. Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 20182020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2018“2020 Proxy Statement”), which will be filed by the registrant on or prior to 120 days following the end of the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2017,2019, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.



 

 

 

 

20172019 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  

Page

PART I

Item 1.

Business

12

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

8

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

15

16

Item 2.

Properties

16

16

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

16

17

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

16

17
 

PART II

Item 5.

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

16

17

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

18

19

Item 7.

Management’sManagement’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

23

24

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

35

36

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

37

37

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

69

72

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

69

72

Item 9B.

Other Information

70

73
 

PART III

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

70

73

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

70

73

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

70

73

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

70

73

Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

70

73
 

PART IV

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

73

70Item 16.

Form 10-K Summary

77

 

 


 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This annual report contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations and projections relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “confident,” “may,” “should,” “can have,” “likely,” “future,” “optimistic” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events.

 

The forward-looking statements contained in this annual report are based on assumptions that we have made in light of our industry experience and on our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. As you read and consider this report, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect our actual financial results and cause them to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this annual report include estimates regarding:

 

 

our business, financial and operating results,, and future economic performance;

 

proposed new product and service offerings; and

proposed new product and service offerings; and

 

management's goals, expectations and objectives and other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts.

 

Factors that could affect our actual financial results and cause them to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements include:

 

 

frequency and duration of power outages impacting demand for our products;

 

availability, cost and quality of raw materials and key components used from our global supply chain and labor needed in producing our products;

 

the impact on our results of possible fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodities, product mix and product mix;regulatory tariffs;

the possibility that the expected synergies, efficiencies and cost savings of our acquisitions will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period;

 

the possibilityrisk that the expected synergies, efficiencies and cost savings of our acquisitions will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period;integrated successfully;

the risk that our acquisitions will not be integrated successfully;

 

difficulties we may encounter as our business expands globally;globally or into new markets;

our dependence on our distribution network;

 

our dependence on our distribution network;ability to invest in, develop or adapt to changing technologies and manufacturing techniques;

 

loss of our ability to invest in, develop or adapt to changing technologieskey management and manufacturing techniques;employees;

loss of our key management and employees;

 

increase in product and other liability claims or recalls;

failures or security breaches of our networks or information technology systems; and

 

changes in environmental, health and safety, or product compliance laws and regulations. affecting our products or operations.

 

Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of these assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in any forward-looking statements. A detailed discussion of these and other factors that may affect future results is contained in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Stockholders, potential investors and other readers should consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements.

 

Any forward-looking statement made by us in this report speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

 


Table of Contents

PART I

 

Item 1. Business

 

Founded in 1959, Generac Holdings Inc. (the Company or Generac) is a leading global designer and manufacturer of a wide range of energy technology solutions. The Company provides power generation equipment, energy storage systems, and other engine poweredpower products serving the residential, light commercial and industrial markets.

Power generation is our primarya key focus of the Company, which differentiates us from our main competitors thatwho also have broad operations outside of the power equipment market. As the only significant market participant focused predominantly on these products, we havemaintain one of the leading market positions in the power equipment market in North America and an expanding presence internationally. We believe we have one of the widest ranges of products in the marketplace, including residential, commercial and industrial standby generators; as well as portable and mobile generators used in a variety of applications. A key strategic focus for the Company in recent years has been leveraging our leading position in the growing market for cleaner burning, more cost-effective natural gas fueled generators to expand into applications beyond standby power. We have also been focused on “connecting” the equipment we manufacture to the users of that equipment, helping to drive additional value to our customers and our distribution partners over the product lifecycle.

During 2019, we began providing energy storage systems as a clean energy solution for residential use that capture and store electricity from solar panels or other power sources and help reduce home energy costs while also protecting homes from brief power outages.

Other engine powered products that we design and manufacture include light towers which provide temporary lighting for various end markets; commercial and industrial mobile heaters and pumps used in the oil & gas, construction and other industrial markets; and a broad product line of outdoor power equipment for residential and commercial use.

1

Table of Contents

 

We design, manufacture, source and modify engines, alternators, transfer switches and other components necessary for our power products, which are fueled by natural gas, liquid propane, gasoline, diesel and Bi-Fuel™. We also design, source, modify and integrate batteries, inverters, power electronics, controls, energy monitoring devices and other components into our energy storage systems. Our products are available globally through a broad network of independent dealers, distributors, retailers, ecommerce partners, wholesalers and equipment rental companies under a variety of brand names. We also sell direct to certain national and regional account customers, as well as to individual consumers, that are the end users of our products.

 

We have a significant market share in the residential and light commercial markets for automatic standby generators, which we believe remain under-penetrated in the marketplace. We also have a leading market position for portable generators used in residential, light construction and recreational applications. We believe that our leading market position is largely attributable to our strategy of providing a broad product line of high-quality, innovative and affordable products through our extensive and multi-layered distribution network to whom we offer comprehensive support programs, and programsleads from the factory. In addition, we are a leading provider of light towers, mobile generators, flameless heaters, outdoor power equipment and industrial diesel generators ranging in sizes up to 3,250kW. As we enter the rapidly developing market for energy storage, we offer energy storage systems ranging in configurations up to 34kWh, and expect to gain share by leveraging our capabilities that we have developed to grow the residential standby generator market.

 

Over the years, wewe have executed a number of acquisitions that support our strategic plan. A summary of the recent acquisitions can be found in Note 1, “Description of Business,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Reportable Segments

The Company has two reportable segments for financial reporting purposes – Domestic and International. The Domestic segment includes the legacy Generac business and the impact of acquisitions that are based in the United States, all of which have revenues that are substantially derived from the U.S. and Canada. The International segment includes the Ottomotores, Tower Light, Pramac and Motortech acquisitions, all of which have revenues that are substantially derived from outside the U.S. and Canada. Both reportable segments design and manufacture a wide range of power generation equipment and other engine powered products, which are discussed in further detail below in the context of our product classes. Refer to Note 6, “Segment Reporting,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.

 

Products

 

We design and manufacture stationary, portable and mobile generators with single-engine outputs ranging between 800W and 3,250kW. We have the ability to expand the power range for certain stationary generator solutions to much larger multi-megawatt systems through an integrated paralleling configuration called Modular Power Systems (MPS). Other engine powered products and solutions that we design and manufactureprovide include light towers, mobile heaters, power washers and water pumps, along with a broad line of outdoor power equipment. We now have a complete line of energy storage systems and energy monitoring solutions as we enter the clean energy markets. We classify our products into three categories based on similar range of power output geared for varying end customer uses: Residential products, Commercial & Industrial (C&I) products and Other products.products & services. The following summary outlines our portfolio of products, including their key attributes and customer applications.

 

ResidentialResidential Products Products

 

Our residential automatic standby generators range in output from 6kW to 60kW, with manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRPs) from approximately $1,949 to $16,199. These products operate on natural gas, liquid propane or diesel, and are permanently installed with an automatic transfer switch, which we also manufacture. Air-cooled engine residential standby generators range in outputs from 6kW to 22kW, are available in steel and aluminum enclosures and serve as an emergency backup for small to medium-sized homes. Liquid-cooled engine generators serve as emergency backup for larger homes and small businesses and range in output from 22kW to 60kW.150kW. We also provide a cellular-based remote monitoring system with various options for home standby generators called Mobile Link, which. This remote monitoring capability is a standard, WiFi-enabled feature on every home standby generator that we offer, and allows our customers to check the status of their generator conveniently from a desktop PC, tablet computer or smartphone,online, and also provides the capability to similarly receive maintenance and service alerts. Our remote monitoring platform also allows our distribution partners to monitor their installed base of customers through a feature that we call “Fleet”, enabling them to offer a more proactive experience to service a customer’s generator.

2

 

We provide a broad product line of portable and inverter generators that are fueled predominantly by gasoline, with certain models running on propane and diesel fuel, which range in size from 800W to 17.5kW. These products serve as an emergency home backup source of electricity and are also used for construction and recreational purposes. Our portable generators are targeted at homeowners, with price points ranging between the consumer value end of the market through the premium homeowner market; at professional contractors, starting at the value end through the premium contractor segment; and at the recreational market with our inverter product line. In addition, we offer manual transfer switches to supplement our portable generator product offering.

 

2

Table of Contents

WeWe provide a broad product line of engine driven power washers for residential and commercial use, fueled by gasoline, which range in pressure from 2,500 to 4,200 PSI. Additionally, we offer a product line of water pumps built to meet the water removal needs of homeowners, farmers, construction crews and other end-user applications.

Further, we We also provide a broad product line of outdoor power equipment that includes water pumps, trimmer & brush mowers, log splitters, lawn & leaf vacuums, and chipper shredders for the property maintenance needs of larger-acreage residences, commercial properties, municipalities and farms. These products are largely sold in North America through online catalogs, on-line, retail hardware stores and outdoor power equipment dealers primarily under the DR® brand name.

The acquisitions of Neurio Technology Inc. in March 2019 and Pika Energy, Inc. in April 2019 accelerated our entrance into the energy storage and energy monitoring markets. Late in 2019 we began selling complete energy storage systems – marketed under the names PWRcellTM and PWRviewTM. This clean energy solution consists of a system of batteries, an inverter, power electronic controls, energy monitoring hardware & software, and other components. These systems capture and store electricity from solar panels or the electric grid and help reduce home energy costs while also protecting homes from brief power outages, and range in size from 8kWh up to 34kWh.

 

Residential products comprised 52.0%51.9%, 53.5%51.5% and 51.2%51.8%, respectively, of total net sales in 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 2015.2017.

 

Commercial & Industrial Products

 

We offer a full line of C&I generators fueled by diesel, natural gas, liquid propane and Bi-Fuel™. We believe we have one of the broadest product offerings in the industry with power outputs ranging from 10kW up to 3,250kW.

 

Our light-commercial standby generators include a full range of affordable systems from 22kW to 150kW and related transfer switches, providing three-phase power sufficient for most small and mid-sized businesses such as grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants, gas stations, pharmacies, retail banks, small health care facilities and other small-footprint retail applications. Our light-commercial generators run on natural gas, liquid propane and diesel fuel.

 

We design and manufacture a broad product line of standard and configured stationary generators and related transfer switches for various industrial standby, continuous-duty and prime rated applications. Our single-engine industrial generators range in output from 10kW up to 3,250kW, which includes stationary and containerized packages, with our MPS technology extending our product range up to much larger multi-megawatt systems through an integrated paralleling configuration. During 2018, we introduced a new 750kW gaseous-fueled generator, our largest and most powerful generator to date, with plans going forward to expand these cleaner-fuel generators into larger applications. We offer four fuel options for our industrial generators, including diesel, natural gas, liquid propane or Bi-Fuel™. Bi-Fuel™ generators operate on a combination of both diesel and natural gas to allow our customers the advantage of multiple fuel sources and extended run times. Our industrial standby generators are primarily used as emergency backup for larger applications in the healthcare, telecom, datacom, commercial office, retail, municipal and manufacturing markets.

 

Our MPS technology combines the power of several smaller generators to produce the output of a larger generator, providing our customers with redundancy and scalability in a cost-effective manner. For larger industrial applications, our MPS products offer customers an efficient, affordable way to scale their standby power needs,, and also offersoffer superior reliability given itstheir built-in redundancy which allows individual units to be taken off-line for routine maintenance while retaining coverage for critical circuits.

We also offer a full line of industrial transfer switches to meet varying needs from light industrial applications all the way to the most demanding critical installations. Generac’s industry-leading feature set and flexible platforms offer a variety of switching technologies for customized solutions to meet any project needs.

 

We provide a broad product line of light towers, mobile generators and mobile heaters, which provide temporary lighting, power and heat for various end markets, such as road and commercial construction, energy, mining, military and special events. We also manufacture commercial mobile pumps which utilize wet and dry-priming pump systemsdust-suppression equipment for a wide variety of wastewater applications.

The acquisition of Motortech in January 2017 added We also manufacture various gaseous-engine control systems and accessories, which are sold primarily to European gas-engine manufacturers and to aftermarket customers.

 

C&I products comprised 41.0%39.5%, 38.6%40.6% and 41.6%40.8% respectively, of total net sales in 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 2015.2017.

3

 

Other Products and Services

 

Our “Other Products”Products and Services” category includes primarily consists of aftermarket service parts and product accessories sold to our dealers, product accessoriescustomers, the amortization of extended warranty deferred revenue, and proprietary engines to third-party original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).the service offerings in various parts of our business, including integration, project management, remote monitoring services, and energy monitoring services.

 

Other products comprised 7.0%8.6%, 7.9% and 7.2%7.4%, respectively, of total net sales in 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 2015.2017.

 

Distribution Channels and Customers

 

We distribute our products through a variety of different distribution channels to increase awareness of our product categories and brands, and to ensure our products reach a broad, global customer base. This distribution network includes independent residential dealers, industrial distributors and dealers, national and regional retailers, e-commerce merchants,partners, electrical, HVAC and HVACsolar wholesalers (including certain private label arrangements), catalogs, equipment rental companies, equipment distributors, and equipment distributors.solar installers. We also sell direct to certain national and regional account customers, as well as to individual consumers, who are the end users of our products.

3

Table of Contents

 

We believe our global distribution network is a competitive advantage that has strengthened over the years as a result of adding, expanding and developing the various distribution channels through which we sell our products. We offer a broad set of tools, programs, and factory support, and leads to help our distribution partners be successful. Our network is well balanced with no customer providing more than 6%5% of our sales in 2017.2019.

 

Our overall dealer network located in the United States, Canada and Latin America, isAt over 6,000 strong, we have the industry's largest network of factory direct independent generator contractorsdealers in North America. We expanded our dealer network in recent years on a global basis with the acquisition of Pramac in March 2016, particularly in Europe, the Middle East and Asia/Pacific regions.

 

Our residential/light commercial dealer network sells, installs and services our residential and light commercial products to end users. We have increased our level of investment in recent years by focusing on a variety of initiatives to more effectively market and sell our home standby products and better align our dealer network with Generac. These initiatives have helped to improve lead quality and develop our dealers, thereby increasing close rates and lowering our cost per lead. We intend to leverage these practices to grow the rapidly developing markets for energy storage and energy monitoring.

 

Our industrial network consists of a combination of primary distributors as well as a support network of dealers serving the United States and Canada. The industrial distributors and dealers provide industrial and commercial end users with ongoing sales and product support. Our industrial distributors and dealers maintain the local relationships with commercial electrical contractors, specifying engineers and national account regional buying offices.global market. Over the past several years, we have been expanding our dealer network globally through acquisitions and organic means, in order to expand our international sales opportunities. The industrial distributors and dealers provide industrial and commercial end users with ongoing sales, installation and product support. Our industrial distributors and dealers help maintain the local relationships with commercial electrical contractors, specifying engineers and national account regional buying offices.

 

Our retail distribution network includes thousands of locations across the globe and includes a variety of regional and national home improvement chains, retailers, clubs, buying groups and farm supply stores. These physical retail locations are supplemented by a growing presence of e-commerce retailers, along with a number of catalog retailers. This network primarily sells our residential standby, portable and light-commercial generators, as well as our other engine powered tools. The placement of our products at retail locations drives significant awareness for our brands and the automatic home standby product category.

 

Our wholesaler network distributes our residential and light-commercial generators, and now our energy storage systems. The channel consists of selling branches of both national and local distribution houses for electrical, HVAC and HVAC products.solar products on a wholesale basis. They typically sell to electrical dealers and solar installers who are not in our dealer network.

 

On a selective basis, we have established private label and licensing arrangements with third party partners to provide residential, light-commerciallight-commercial and industrial generators. These partners include leading home equipment, electrical equipment and construction machinery companies, each of which provides access to incremental channels of distribution for our products.

 

The distribution for our C&I mobile products includesincludes international, national, regional and specialty equipment rental companies, equipment distributors and construction companies, which primarily serve non-residential building construction, road construction, energy markets and special events. In addition, international acquisitions over the past several years have provided access to numerous independent distributors in over 150 countries.

 

We sell direct to certain national and regional account customers that are the end users of our products covering a number of end market verticals, including telecommunication, retail, banking, energy, healthcare, convenience stores, grocery stores and other light commercial applications. Additionally, our residential products are also sold direct to individual consumers, who are the end users of the product.

 

4

Business Strategy


We have been executing on our “Powering Ahead” strategic plan, which serves as the framework for the significant investments we have made to capitalize on the long-term growth prospects of Generac. Our strategic plan centers around a number of key mega-trends that we believe will drive significant secular growth opportunities for our business. Significant changes in the energy landscape, climate change, the abundance of natural gas globally, an aging infrastructure, and 5G telecommunications are all major themes that we believe will drive future long-term growth. As we continue to move the Powering Aheadour strategic plan into the future, we are focused on a number of initiatives that are driven by the samefollowing four key objectives: objectives, which are called “Powering Our Future”:

 

Growing the residential standby generator market.As the leader in the home standby generator market, it is incumbent upon us to continue to drive growth and increase the penetration rate of these products in households across the United States and Canada.world. Central to this strategy is to increase the awareness, availability and affordability of home standby generators. Ongoing power outage activity due to more severe weather and an aging electrical grid, combined with expanding and developing our residential/light commercial dealer base and overall distribution in affected regions, are key drivers in elevating the awareness of home standby generators over the long term. We intend to continue to supplement these key growth drivers by focusing on a variety of strategic initiatives targeted toward generating more sales leads, improving close rates and reducing the total overall cost of a home standby system. In addition, we intend to continue to focus on innovation in this growing product category and introduce new products and solutions into the marketplace. With only approximately 4.0%4.75% penetration of the addressable market of homes in the United States (which we define as single-family detached, owner-occupied households with a home value of over $100,000,$125,000, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau's 20152017 American Housing Survey for the United States), we believe there are opportunities to further penetrate the residential standby generator market.

4

Table of Contents

Gaining commercialmarket both domestically and industrial market share. Our growth strategy for commercialinternationally. As the energy landscape continues to change and industrialfavor on-site renewable power, generation products is focused on incremental market share gains. Key to this objective are effortswe intend to leverage our expanding platform of dieselsignificant experience and natural gas offerings by better optimizingcompetencies developed over the past two decades in growing the residential standby generator market to accelerate our industrial distribution partners’ capabilities torecent entrance into the emerging residential energy storage and monitoring markets.

Gaining market sellshare and support these products. Specifically, weentering new markets. We continue to pursue certain initiatives to expandput a strong focus on improving our distributors’ interactionsshare of the power equipment markets in which we participate around the world by emphasizing our innovation and continually expanding our product lines and services. We design and build a wide range of products from portable, stationary and mobile generators, light towers, mobile heaters, pumps, brush mowers and trimmers, and other engine powered equipment. We have many advantages over our competitors with strengths in our engineering, firmssourcing and electrical contractors responsibleoperations capabilities as well as a global distribution network that we believe can be leveraged further for specifying and selecting our products within C&I power generation applications.continued market share gains in the markets we serve around the world. We are also committed to a number of sales process initiatives and go-to-market strategies to increasefocused on expanding our addressable market visibility and improveopportunities by entering new markets, be it with new products or new geographies around the overall specification rates for our products which should increase quoting activity and close rates for our industrial distributors.world.

 

Lead with natural gas power generation productsproducts.. We will attempt to gain incremental market share within commercial and industrial markets through our leading position in the growing market for cleaner burning, more cost effective natural gas fueled standby power solutions. While still a smaller portion of the overall C&I market, we believe demand for these products continues to increase at a faster rate than traditional diesel fueled generators as a result of their lower capital investment and operating costs. WeGiven the abundance of natural gas as a global source for base-load power, we also intend to explore new gaseous generator related market opportunities, including increasing our product capabilities for applications beyond standby generation including continuous-duty, and prime rated, applications,distributed generation, demand response and combined heat and power. We plan to do this by leveraging our deep technical capabilities for gaseous-fueled products, leading position for natural gas standby generators and growing market acceptance for these products. As part of this strategy, we plan to continue to expand our natural gas product offering into larger power nodes to take advantage of the continuing shift from diesel to natural gas generators.

 

ExpandingConnect with customers, partners and product. global presence. We will work to diversify our business model from solely “equipment centric” to a systems and services provider through connectivity solutions and subscription based applications deployed enterprise wide. This includes an important emphasis on improving the end-user experience and helping customers to lower utility costs. The initial focus is increasing connection with our products to unlock opportunities and revenue streams. We have increased our revenues shipped outsidedeveloped tools and programs that add value to dealers and end-users that will result in recurring revenue from subscriptions and parts. We will leverage data obtained from connected devices by developing predictive analytics that result in continuously improving product quality, sales processes and tools, energy optimization, aftermarket penetration, customer experience and alignment with dealers. Finally, we will build or acquire energy management capabilities to monetize an ecosystem of devices that relate to energy use, storage, generation, control and optimization.

Expansion globally is a core piece to the U.S. and Canada in recent years, with sales outside this region accounting for approximately 22%success of each of our revenues during 2017, as compared to approximately 20% and 10% in 2016 and 2015, respectively. This increase is largely the result ofstrategic objectives. The recent acquisitions made that now comprise our International segment – Ottomotores, Tower Light, Pramac and Motortech. These businesses have significantly increased our global presence by adding product, manufacturing and distribution capabilities that serve local markets around the world, and have resulted in us becoming a leading global player in the markets for backup power and mobile power equipment. As we look forward, we intend to leverage our increased international footprint attained from these acquisitions to serve the over $13 billion annual marketsignificant global markets for power generation equipmentand power storage outside the U.S. and Canada. We also intend to improve the profit margins of our International segment by executing on several revenue and cost synergies, and driving organic growth in existing markets with additional investment and focus, including the expanding opportunity for global gaseous-fueled products. We will continue to evaluate other opportunities to expand into additional regions of the world through both organic initiatives and potential acquisitions.

 

We believe the investments we have made to date, due in part to our Powering Ahead strategy, have helped to capitalize on the macro, secular growth drivers for our business and are an important part

5

See “Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Business Drivers and Trends” for additional drivers that influence demand for our products and other trends affecting the markets that we serve.

 

Manufacturing

 

We operate numerous manufacturing plants, distribution facilities and inventory warehouses located throughout the world. We maintain inventory warehousesstore finished goods at third-party logistics providers in the United States that accommodate material storage and rapid response requirements of our customers. See “Item 2 – Properties” for additional details regarding the locations and activities of our principal operations.

 

In recent years, we have added manufacturing capacity through investments in automation, improved utilization and the expansion of our manufacturing footprint through organic means as well as through acquisitions. We believe we have sufficient capacity to achieve our business goals for the near-to-intermediate term.

 

Research and Development

 

Our primary focus on power generation equipment, energy storage systems, and other engine poweredpower products drives technological innovation, specialized engineering and manufacturing competencies. Research and development (R&D) is a core competency and includes a staff of over 350500 engineers working on numerous projects. Our total R&D expense was $42.9 million, $37.2 million and $32.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. R&D is conductedprojects at various facilities worldwide, including a recent expansion of our advanced engineering labs at our corporate headquarters and the addition of a Chinese technology center in Suzhou, China.worldwide. These activities are focused on developing new technologies and product enhancements, as well as maintaining product competitiveness by improving manufacturing costs, safety characteristics, reliability and performance while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. We have over 3035 years of experience using natural gas engines and have developed specific expertise with fuel systems and emissions technology. In the residential and light commercial markets, we have developed proprietary engines, cooling packages, controls, fuel systems and emissions systems. The Pika Energy and Neurio Technologies acquisitions have built out resources and expertise in the energy storage and energy monitoring markets. They provide advanced capabilities with power electronics and battery management software, along with proprietary inverter technologies and hardware and software for energy monitoring and management. We believe that our expertise in engine poweredpower equipment gives us the capability to develop new products that will allow continued diversification in our end markets.

5

Table of Contents

 

Intellectual Property

 

We are committed to research and development, and wewe rely on a combination of patents and trademarks to establish and protect our proprietary rights. Our patents protect certain features and technologies we have developed for use in our products including fuel systems, air flow, electronics and controls, noise reduction and air-cooled engines. We believe the existence of these patents and trademarks, along with our ongoing processes to register additional patents and trademarks, protect our intellectual property rights and enhance our brands and competitive position. We also use proprietary manufacturing processes that require customized equipment. With our continuous focus on research and development, we expect to develop new intellectual property on an ongoing basis.

 

Suppliers of Raw Materials

 

Our primary raw material inputs are steel, copper and aluminum, all of which are purchased from third parties and, in many cases, as part of machined or manufactured components. We have developed an extensive network of reliable suppliers in the United States and internationally. Ouraround the world. We believe our Strategic Global Sourcing (SGS) function is a competitive strength and continuously evaluates the quality and cost structure of our productspurchased components and assesses the capabilities of our supply chain. Components are sourced accordingly based on this evaluation. Our supplier quality engineers conduct on-site audits of major supply chain partners and help to maintain the reliability of critical sourced components.

 

Competition

 

The market for power generation equipment, energy storage systems, and other engine powered products is competitive. We face competition from a variety of large diversified industrial companies as well as smaller generator manufacturers, along with mobile equipment, and engine powered tools, solar inverter and battery storage providers, both domestic and internationally. However, specifically

Specifically in the generator market, most of the traditional participants compete on a more specializedfocused basis, focused ontargeting specific applications within their larger diversified product mix. We are the only significant market participant with a primary focus on power equipment with a corekey emphasis on standby, portable and mobile generators with broad capabilities across the residential, light-commercial and industrial markets. We believe that our engineering capabilities and core focus on generators provide us with manufacturing flexibility and enables us to maintain a first-mover advantage over our competition for product innovation. We also believe our broad product offering, diverse omni-channel distribution model and strong factory support provide additional advantages as well.

6

 

A summary of the primary competitors across our main product classes are as follows:

 

Residential productsKohler, Briggs & Stratton, Cummins, Honda, Champion, Techtronics International, Husqvarna, Ariens, LG Chem, Tesla, Enphase, and Ariens,Solar Edge, along with a number of smaller domestic and foreign competitors; certain of which also have broad operations in other manufacturing businesses.

 

C&I products – Caterpillar, Cummins, Kohler, MTU, Stemac, IGSA, Wacker, MultiQuip, Terex, Doosan, Briggs & Stratton (Allmand), Atlas Copco and Himonisa; certain of which focus on the market for diesel generators as they are also diesel engine manufacturers. Also, we compete against other regional packagers that serve local markets throughout the world.

 

In a continuously evolving market, we believe our scale and broad capabilities make us well positioned to remain competitive. We compete primarily on the basis of brand reputation, quality, reliability, pricing, innovative features, breadth of product offering, product availability and factory support.

 

Employees

 

As of December 31,, 2017, 2019, we had 4,5565,689 employees (4,017(5,412 full time and 539277 part-time and temporary employees). Of those, 2,3932,953 employees were directly involved in manufacturing at our manufacturing facilities.

 

Domestically, wewe have had an “open shop” bargaining agreement for the past 50 years. The current agreement, which expires October 17, 2021, covers our Waukesha and Eagle, Wisconsin facilities.facility. Additionally, our plants in Mexico, Italy and BrazilSpain are operated under various local or national union groups. Our other facilities are not unionized.

 

Regulation, including Environmental Matters

 

As a manufacturing company, our operations are subject to a variety of federal, state,, local and foreign laws and regulations covering environmental, health and safety matters. Applicable laws and regulations include those governing, among other things, emissions to air, discharges to water, noise and employee safety, as well as the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment, and disposal of waste and other materials. In addition, our products are subject to various laws and regulations relating to, among other things, emissions and fuel requirements, as well as labeling, storage, transport, and marketing.

6

Table of Contents

 

Our products sold in the United States are regulated by the U.S. EnvironmentalEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA), California Air Resources Board (CARB) and various other state and local air quality management districts. These governing bodies continue to pass regulations that require us to meet more stringent emission standards, and all of our engines and engine-driven products are regulated within the United States and its territories. In addition, certain products in the United States are subject to safety standards as established by various other standards and rule making bodies, or state and local agencies, including the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).Other

Similarly, other countries have varying degrees of regulation for our products, depending upon product application and fuel types.

 

Available Information

 

The Company’sCompany’s principal executive offices are located at S45 W29290 Highway 59, Waukesha, Wisconsin, 53189 and the Company’s telephone number is (262) 544-4811. The Company’s website is www.generac.com. The Company’s annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports are available free of charge through the “Investors”“Investor Relations” portion of the Company’s web site, www.generac.com, as soon as reasonably practicalpracticable after they are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC maintains a web site, www.sec.gov, which contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information filed electronically with the SEC by the Company. The information provided on these websites is not part of this report and is therefore not incorporated herein by reference.

 

Information About Our Executive Officers

 

The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers:

 

Name Age Position

Aaron P. Jagdfeld

 

4648

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

York A. Ragen

 

4648

 

Chief Financial Officer

Russell S. Minick

 

5759

 

Chief Marketing Officer

Jeffrey MuellerTom Pettit

 

4951

 

President / General Manager – Consumer PowerChief Operations Officer

Erik Wilde

 

4345

 

Executive Vice President, Industrial,, Americas

Roger F. Pascavis

57

Executive Vice President, Strategic Global Sourcing

Patrick Forsythe

 

5052

Executive Vice President, Global Engineering

Executive Vice President, Global Engineering

7

 

Aaron P. Jagdfeld has served as our Chief Executive Officer since September 2008, as a director since November 2006 and was named Chairman in February 2016. Prior to becoming Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jagdfeld worked for Generac for 15 years. He began his career in the finance department in 1994 and became our Chief Financial Officer in 2002. In 2007, he was appointed President and was responsible for sales, marketing, engineering and product development. Prior to joining Generac, Mr. Jagdfeld worked in the audit practice of the Milwaukee, Wisconsin office of Deloitte and Touche. Mr. Jagdfeld holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

 

York A. Ragen has served as our Chief Financial Officer since September 2008. Prior to becoming Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Ragen held Director of Finance and Vice President of Finance positions at Generac. Prior to joining Generac in 2005, Mr. Ragen was Vice President, Corporate Controller at APW Ltd., a spin-off from Applied Power Inc., now known as Actuant Corporation.Enerpac Tool Group. Mr. Ragen began his career at Arthur Andersen in the Audit division of Arthur Andersen's Milwaukee, Wisconsin office.office audit practice. Mr. Ragen holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

 

Russell S. Minick began serving as our Chief Marketing Officer in August 2016. Prior to thishis appointment, he served as our Executive Vice President, Residential Products since October 2011, with this responsibility being expanded in January 2014 to Executive Vice President, Global Residential Products and to Executive Vice President, North America in September 2014. Prior to joining Generac, Mr. Minick was President & CEO of Home Care Products for Electrolux from 2006 to 2011, President of The Gunlocke Company at HNI Corporation from 2003 to 2006, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Product Development at True Temper Sports from 2002 to 2003, and General Manager of Extended Warranty Operations for Ford Motor Company from 1998 to 2002. Mr. Minick is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, and holds a degree in marketing.

 

Jeffrey MuellerTom Pettit began serving as our Chief Operations Officer in February 2020. Since 2017, Mr. Pettit was Executive Vice President / General Manager – Consumer Power in November 2017.and Chief Integrated Supply Chain Officer of nVent Electric plc, a leading global provider of electrical connection and protection solutions and a former subsidiary of Pentair plc (“Pentair”), a global industrial company. Mr. Mueller was Group President for Broan-Nutone from 2014 prior to joining Generac. Prior to his time at Broan, Mr. Mueller was at Kohler Company from 1991 where he held various U.S. and international executive-level positions inPettit previously served as the Kitchen & Bath & Interiors Group, includingOperations Vice President of Kohler’s faucet business globally. He isPentair since 2015, and as the Chief Operating Officer for BioScrip, Inc., a Marquetteprovider of infusion and home care management solutions, from 2014-2015. Mr. Pettit holds a B.S. in General Engineering from West Point Military Academy and an MBA from the University alumnus where he earned an Executive MBA with an international focus and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.Hawaii.

 

Erik Wilde began serving as our Executive Vice President, Industrial, Americas in July 2016. Mr. Wilde was Vice President and General Manager of the Mining Division for Komatsu America Corp., a manufacturer of construction, mining, and compact construction equipment, from 2013 until he joined Generac. Prior to that role, he held leadership positions as Vice President of the ICT Business Division and Product Marketing back toat Komatsu America Corp. beginning in 2005. Mr. Wilde holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Boise State University and an M.B.A. from Keller Graduate School of Management.

7

Table of Contents

Roger Pascavis has served as our Executive Vice President, Strategic Global Sourcing since March 2013. Prior to becoming Executive Vice President of Strategic Global Supply, he served as the Senior Vice President of Operations since January 2008. Mr. Pascavis joined Generac in 1995 and has served as Director of Materials and Vice President of Operations. Prior to joining Generac, Mr. Pascavis was a Plant Manager for MTI in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Mr. Pascavis holds a B.S. in Industrial Technology from the University of Wisconsin-Stout and an M.B.A. from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.

 

Patrick Forsythe has served as our Executive Vice President of Global Engineering since re-joining Generac in July 2015. Mr. Forsythe was Vice President, Global Engineering & Technology of Hayward Industries, a producer of residential and commercial pool and spa equipment, from 2008 to 2015, Vice President, Global Engineering at Ingersoll Rand Company (and the acquired Doosan Infracore International) from 2004 to 2008, and Director of Engineering at Ingersoll Rand Company from 2002 to 2004. Prior to 2002, Mr. Forsythe worked in various engineering management capacities with Generac from 1995 to 2002. Mr. Forsythe holds a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Ulster (United Kingdom), a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and an M.S. in Manufacturing Management & Technology from The Open University (United Kingdom).

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

You should carefully consider the following risks. These risks could materially affect our business, results of operationsoperations or financial condition, cause the trading price of our common stock to decline materially or cause our actual results to differ materially from those expected or those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us. These risks are not exclusive, and additional risks to which we are subject include, but are not limited to, the factors mentioned under “Forward-Looking Statements” and the risks of our businesses described elsewhere in this Annual Report.

8

 

Risk factors related to our business and industry

 

Demand for the majority of our products is significantly affected by unpredictable power-outagepower outage activity that can lead to substantial variations in, and uncertainties regarding, our financial results from period to period.

 

Sales of our products are subject to consumer buying patterns, and demand for the majority of our products is affected by power outage events caused by thunderstorms, hurricanes, ice storms, blackouts, public safety power shutoffs, and other power grid reliability issues. The impact of these outage events on our sales can vary depending on the location, frequency and severity of the outages. Sustained periods without major power disruptions can lead to reduced consumer awareness of the benefits of standby and portable generator products and can result in reduced sales growth rates and excess inventory. There are smaller, more localized power outages that occur frequently that drive a baseline level of demand for back-up power solutions. The lack of major power-outagepower outage events and fluctuations to the baseline levels of power-outagepower outage activity are part of managing our business, and these fluctuations could have an adverse effect on our net sales and profits. Despite their unpredictable nature, we believe power disruptions create awareness and accelerate adoption for our home standby products.

 

Demand for our products is significantly affected by durable goods spending by consumers and businesses, and other macroeconomic conditions.

 

Our business is affected by general economic conditions, and uncertainty or adverse changes such as the prolonged downturn in U.S. residential investment and the impact of more stringent credit standards could lead to a decline in demand for our products and pressure to reduce our prices. Our sales of light-commercial and industrial generators are affected by conditions in the non-residential construction sector and by the capital investment trends for small and large businesses and municipalities. If these businesses and municipalities cannot access credit markets or do not utilize discretionary funds to purchase our products as a result of the economy or other factors, our business could suffer and our ability to realize benefits from our strategy of increasing sales in the light-commercial and industrial sectors through, among other things, our focus on innovation and product development, including natural gas engine and modular technology, could be adversely affected. In addition, consumer confidence and home remodeling expenditures have a significant impact on sales of our residential products, and prolonged periods of weakness in consumer durable goods spending could have a material impact on our business. Typically, we do not have contracts with our customers which call for committed volume, and we cannot guarantee that our current customers will continue to purchase our products at the same level, if at all. If general economic conditions or consumer confidence were to worsen, or if the non-residential construction sector or rate of capital investments were to decline, our net sales and profits would likely be adversely affected. Additionally, timing of capital spending by our national account customers can vary from quarter-to-quarter based on capital availability and internal capital spending budgets. Also, the availability of renewable energy mandates and investment tax credits and other subsidies can have an impact on the demand for energy storage systems.

 

8

Table of Contents

Decreases in the availability and quality, or increases in the cost, of raw materials and, key components and labor we use could materially reduce our earnings.

 

The principal raw materials that we use to produce our products are steel, copper and aluminum. We also source a significant number of component parts from third parties that we utilize to manufacture our products. The prices of those raw materials and components are susceptible to significant fluctuations due to trends in supply and demand, commodity prices, currencies, transportation costs, government regulations and tariffs, price controls, economic conditions and other unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. We do not have long-term supply contracts in place to ensure the raw materials and components we use are available in necessary amounts or at fixed prices. If we are unable to mitigate raw material or component price increases through product design improvements, price increases to our customers, manufacturing productivity improvements, or hedging transactions, our profitability could be adversely affected. Also, our ability to continue to obtain quality materials and components is subject to the continued reliability and viability of our suppliers, including in some cases, suppliers who are the sole source of certain important components.components, including diesel engines. If we are unable to obtain adequate, cost efficient or timely deliveries of required raw materials and components, or sufficient labor resources, we may be unable to manufacture sufficient quantities of products on a timely basis. This could cause us to lose sales, incur additional costs, delay new product introductions or suffer harm to our reputation. For example, in December 2019, a strain of coronavirus was reported to have surfaced in Wuhan, China, resulting in temporary closures or production delays at certain of our suppliers. At this point, the extent to which the coronavirus may impact our results is uncertain.

 

The industry in which we compete is highly competitive, and our failure to compete successfully could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

 

We operate in markets that are highly competitive. Some of our competitors have established brands and are larger in size or are divisions of large diversified companies which have substantially greater financial resources than we do. Some of our competitors may be willing to reduce prices and accept lower margins in order to compete with us. In addition, we could face new competition from large international or domestic companies with established industrial brands that enter our end markets. Demand for our products may also be affected by our ability to respond to changes in design and functionality, to respond to downward pricing pressure, and to provide shorter lead times for our products than our competitors. If we are unable to respond successfully to these competitive pressures, we could lose market share, which could have an adverse impact on our results. For further information, see “Item 1—Business—Competition”.

 

9

Our industry is subject to technological change, and our failure to continue developing new and improved products and to bring these products rapidly to market could have an adverse impact on our business.

 

New products, or refinements and improvements of existing products, may have technical failures, delayed introductions, higher than expected production costs or may not be well accepted by our customers. If we are not able to anticipate, identify, develop and market high quality products in line with technological advancements that respond to changes in customer preferences, demand for our products could decline and our operating results could be adversely affected.

 

We rely on independent dealers and distribution partners, and the loss of these dealers and distribution partners, or of any of our sales arrangements with significant private label, national, retail or equipment rental customers, would adversely affect our business.

 

In addition to our direct sales force and manufacturer sales representatives, we depend on the services of independent distributors and dealers to sell our products and provide service and aftermarket support to our end customers. We also rely upon our distribution channels to drive awareness for our product categories and our brands. In addition, we sell our products to end users through private label arrangements with leading home equipment, electrical equipment and constructionconstruction machinery companies; arrangements with top retailers and equipment rental companies; and our direct national accounts with telecommunications and industrial customers. Our distribution agreements and any contracts we have with large national, retail and other customers are typically not exclusive, and many of the distributors with whom we do business offer competitors’ products and services. Impairment of our relationships with our distributors, dealers or large customers, loss of a substantial number of these distributors or dealers or of one or more large customers, or an increase in our distributors' or dealers' sales of our competitors' products to our customers or of our large customers' purchases of our competitors' products could materially reduce our sales and profits. Also, our ability to successfully realize our growth strategy is dependent in part on our ability to identify, attract and retain new distributors at all layers of our distribution platform, including increasing the number of energy storage distributors, and we cannot be certain that we will be successful in these efforts. For further information, see “Item 1—Business—Distribution Channels and Customers”.

9

Table of Contents

Our business could be negatively impacted if we fail to adequately protect our intellectual property rights or if third parties claim that we are in violation of their intellectual property rights.

 

We consider our intellectual property rights to be important assets, and seek to protect them through a combination of patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws, as well as licensing and confidentiality agreements. These protections may not be adequate to prevent third parties from using our intellectual property without our authorization, breaching any confidentiality agreements with us, copying or reverse engineering our products, or developing and marketing products that are substantially equivalent to or superior to our own. The unauthorized use of our intellectual property by others could reduce our competitive advantage and harm our business. Not only are intellectual property-related proceedings burdensome and costly, but they could span years to resolve and we might not ultimately prevail. We cannot guarantee that any patents, issued or pending, will provide us with any competitive advantage or will not be challenged by third parties. Moreover, the expiration of our patents may lead to increased competition with respect to certain products.

 

In addition, we cannot be certain that we do not or will not infringe third parties' intellectual property rights. Any such claim, even if it is without merit, may be expensive and time-consuming to defend, subject us to damages, cause us to cease making, using or selling certain products that incorporate the disputed intellectual property, require us to redesign our products, divert management time and attention,, and/or require us to enter into costly royalty or licensing arrangements.

 

Our operations are subject to various environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, and non-compliance with or liabilities under such laws and regulations could result in substantial costs, fines, sanctions and claims.

 

Our operations are subject to a variety of foreign, federal, state and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations including those governing, among other things, emissions to air; discharges to water; noise; and the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste and other materials. In addition, under federal and state environmental laws, we could be required to investigate, remediate and/or monitor the effects of the release or disposal of materials both at sites associated with past and present operations and at third-party sites where wastes generated by our operations were disposed. This liability may be imposed retroactively and whether or not we caused, or had any knowledge of, the existence of these materials and may result in our paying more than our fair share of the related costs. We could also be subject to a recall action by regulatory authorities. Violations of or liabilities under such laws and regulations could result in substantial costs, fines and civil or criminal proceedings or personal injury and workers' compensation claims.

 

10

Our products are subject to substantial government regulation.

 

Our products are subject to extensive statutory and regulatory requirements governing, among other things, emissions, noise, labeling, transport, product content, and noise,data privacy, including standards imposed by the EPA, CARB and other regulatory agencies around the world. Also, as we increase our connectivity with our products and customers, we may be required to comply with additional data privacy and cybersecurity regulations. These laws are constantly evolving and many are becoming increasingly stringent. Changes in applicable laws or regulations, or in the enforcement thereof, could require us to redesign our products and could adversely affect our business or financial condition in the future. Developing and marketing products to meet such new requirements could result in substantial additional costs that may be difficult to recover in some markets. In some cases, we may be required to modify our products or develop new products to comply with new regulations, particularly those relating to air emissions and carbon monoxide. Typically, additional costs associated with significant compliance modifications are passed on to the market. While we have been able to meet previous deadlines and requirements, failure to comply with other existing and future regulatory standards could adversely affect our position in the markets we serve.

 

We may incur costs and liabilities as a result of product liability claims.

 

We face a risk of exposure to product liability claims in the event that the use of our products is alleged to have resulted in injury or other damage. Although we currently maintain product liability insurance coverage, we may not be able to obtain such insurance on acceptable terms in the future, if at all, or obtain insurance that will provide adequate coverage against potential claims. Product liability claims can be expensive to defend and can divert the attention of management and other personnel for long periods of time, regardless of the ultimate outcome. A significant unsuccessful product liability defense could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, we believe our business depends on the strong brand reputation we have developed. If our reputation is damaged, we may face difficulty in maintaining our market share and pricing with respect to some of our products, which could reduce our sales and profitability.

 

The loss of any key members of our senior management team or key employees could disrupt our operations and harm our business.

 

Our success depends, in part, on the efforts of certain key individuals, including the members of our senior management team, who have significant experience in the power products industry. If, for any reason, our senior executives do not continue to be active in management, or if our key employees leave our company, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected. Failure to continue to attract these individuals at reasonable compensation levels could have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity and results of operations. Although we do not anticipate that we will have to replace any of these individuals in the near future, the loss of the services of any of our key employees could disrupt our operations and have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

10

Table of Contents

Disruptions caused by labor disputes or organized labor activities could harm our business.

 

We may from time to time experience union organizing activities in our non-union facilities. Disputes with the current labor union or new union organizing activities could lead to work slowdowns or stoppages and make it difficult or impossible for us to meet scheduled delivery times for product shipments to our customers, which could result in loss of business. In addition, union activity could result in higher labor costs, which could harm our financial condition, results of operations and competitive position. A work stoppage or limitations on production at our facilities for any reason could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, many of our suppliers have unionized work forces. Strikes or work stoppages experienced by our customers or suppliers could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

We may experience material disruptions to our manufacturing operations.

 

While we seek to operate our facilities in compliance with applicable rules and regulations and take measures to minimize the risks of disruption at our facilities, a material disruption at one of our manufacturing facilities could prevent us from meeting customer demand, reduce our sales and/or negatively impact our financial results. Any of our manufacturing facilities, or any of our equipment within an otherwise operational facility, could cease operations unexpectedly due to a number of events, including:

 

 

equipment or information technology infrastructure failure; 

equipment or information technology infrastructure failure; 

 

disruptions in the transportation infrastructureinfrastructure including roads, bridges, railroad tracks and container ports;

 

fires, floods, tornados,tornadoes, earthquakes, or other catastrophes; and 

 

other operational problems.

other operational problems.

11

 

In addition, a significant portion of our manufacturing and production facilities are located in Wisconsin within a 100-mile radius of each other. We could experience prolonged periods of reduced production due to unforeseen events occurring in or around our manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin. In the event of a business interruption at our facilities, in particular our Wisconsin facilities, we may be unable to shift manufacturing capabilities to alternate locations, accept materials from suppliers or meet customer shipment needs, among other severe consequences. Such an event could have a material and adverse impact on our financial condition and results of our operations.

 

A significant portion of our purchased components are sourced in foreign countries, exposing us to additional risks that may not exist in the United States.

 

We source a significant portion of our purchased components overseas, primarily in Asia and Europe. Our international sourcing subjects us to a number of potential risks in addition to the risks associated with third-party sourcing generally. Such risks include:

 

inflation or changes in political and economic conditions; 

 

inflation or changes in political and economic conditions;unstable regulatory environments; 

 

unstable regulatory environments;changes in import and export duties; 

 

changes in importdomestic and export duties;foreign customs and tariffs; 

 

domestic and foreign customs and tariffs; currency rate fluctuations;

 

currency rate fluctuations;trade restrictions; 

 

trade restrictions;labor unrest; 

labor unrest; 

 

logistical challenges, including extended container port congestion;congestion, and higher logistics costs;

 

communications challenges; and 

communications challenges; and 

 

other restraints and burdensome taxes.

 

These factors may have an adverse effect on our ability to efficiently and cost effectively source our purchased components overseas. In particular, if the U.S. dollar were to depreciate significantly against the currencies in which we purchase raw materials from foreign suppliers, our cost of goods sold could increase materially, which would adversely affect our results of operations.

 

We are vulnerable to supply disruptions from single-sourced suppliers.

 

We single-source certain types of parts in our product designs. Any delay in our suppliers’ deliveries may impair our ability to deliver products to our customers. A wide variety of factors could cause such delays including, but not limited to, lack of capacity, economic downturns, availability of credit, logistical challenges, weather events or natural disasters.

 

11

Table of Contents

As a U.S. corporation that conducts business in a variety of foreign countries, we are subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and a variety of anti-corruption laws worldwide. A determination that we violated any of these laws may affect our business and operations adversely.

 

The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) generally prohibits U.S. companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business. The United Kingdom Bribery Act (UKBA) prohibits domestic and foreign bribery of the private sector as well as public officials. Any determination that we have violated any anti-corruption laws could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results and cash flows.

 

Policy changes affecting international trade could adversely impact the demand for our products and our competitive position.

Changes in government policies on foreign trade and investment can affect the demand for our products, impact the competitive position of our products or prevent us from being able to sell products in certain countries. Our business benefits from free trade agreements, and efforts to withdraw from, or substantially modify such agreements, in addition to the implementation of more restrictive trade policies, such as more detailed inspections, higher tariffs, import or export licensing requirements, exchange controls or new barriers to entry, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. For example, starting in 2018 and continuing through 2019, we experienced increased tariffs on many of our products and product components, although these tariffs did not ultimately have a material adverse effect on our results due to the implementation of various mitigation efforts in conjunction with our supply chain and end market partners.

Additionally, the United Kingdom’s exit from EU membership, and discussions regarding its exit from the EU, have caused and may continue to cause significant volatility in global stock markets, currency exchange rate fluctuations and global economic uncertainty. Although it is unknown what the terms of the United Kingdom’s future relationship with the EU will be, it is possible that there will be greater restrictions on imports and exports between the United Kingdom and EU and increased regulatory complexities. Any of these factors could adversely impact customer demand, our relationships with customers and suppliers and our results of operations.

12

Our total assets include goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangibles. If we determine these have become impaired, our net income could be materially adversely affected.

 

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair market value of net assets acquired in business combinations. Indefinite-lived intangibles are comprised of certain tradenames.tradenames. At December 31, 2017,2019, goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangibles totaled $849.8$933.6 million. We review goodwill and other intangibles at least annually for impairment and any excess in carrying value over the estimated fair value is charged to the statement of comprehensive income. Future impairment may result from, among other things, deterioration in the performance of an acquired business or product line, adverse market conditions and changes in the competitive landscape, adverse changes in applicable laws or regulations, including changes that restrict the activities of an acquired business or product line, and a variety of other circumstances. A reduction in net income resulting from the write-down or impairment of goodwill or indefinite-lived intangibles could have a material adverse effect on our financial statements. Refer to the Critical Accounting Policies in Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information regarding the Company’s process for evaluating its goodwill for impairment.

 

We are unable to determine the specific impact of changes in selling prices or changes in volumes or mix of our products on our net sales.

 

Because of the wide range of products that we sell, the level of customization for many of our products, the frequent rollout of new products, the different accounting systems utilized, and the fact that we do not apply pricing changes uniformly across our entire portfolio of products, we are unable to determine with specificity the effect of volume or mix changes or changes in selling prices on our net sales.

 

We may not realize all of the anticipated benefits of our acquisitions or those benefits may take longer to realize than expected. We may also encounter significant unexpected difficulties in integrating acquired businesses.

 

Our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of our acquisitions will depend, to a large extent, on our ability to integrate the acquired businesses with our business. The integration of independent businesses is a complex, costly and time-consuming process. Further, integrating and managing businesses with international operations may pose challenges not previously experienced by our management. As a result, we may be required to devote significant management attention and resources to integrating the business practices and operations of any acquired businesses with ours. The integration process may disrupt our business and, if implemented ineffectively, could preclude realization of the full benefits expected by us. Our failure to meet the challenges involved in integrating an acquired business into our existing operations or otherwise to realize the anticipated benefits of the transaction could cause an interruption of, or a loss of momentum in, our activities and could adversely affect our results of operations.

 

In addition, the overall integration of our acquired businesses may result in material unanticipated problems, expenses, liabilities, competitive responses, loss of customer relationships, and diversion of management's attention, and may cause our stock price to decline. The difficulties of combining the operations of acquired businesses with ours include, among others:

 

managing a larger company;

maintaining employee morale and retaining key management and other employees;

complying with newly applicable foreign regulations;

integrating two business cultures, which may prove to be incompatible;

the possibility of faulty assumptions underlying expectations regarding the integration process;

retaining existing customers and attracting new customers;

consolidating corporate and administrative infrastructures and eliminating duplicative operations;

the diversion of management's attention from ongoing business concerns and performance shortfalls as a result of the diversion of management's attention to the acquisition;

unanticipated issues in integrating information technology, communications and other systems;

unanticipated changes in applicable laws and regulations;

 

managing a largertax costs or inefficiencies associated with integrating the operations of the combined company;

 

maintaining employee morale and retaining key management and other employees;unforeseen expenses or delays associated with the acquisition;

 

complying with newly applicable foreign regulations;difficulty comparing financial reports due to differing financial and/or internal reporting systems; and

 

integrating two business cultures, which may prove to be incompatible;

the possibility of faulty assumptions underlying expectations regarding the integration process;

retaining existing customers and attracting new customers;

consolidating corporate and administrative infrastructures and eliminating duplicative operations;

the diversion of management's attention from ongoing business concerns and performance shortfalls as a result of the diversion of management's attention to the acquisition;

unanticipated issues in integrating information technology, communications and other systems;

unanticipated changes in applicable laws and regulations;

managing tax costs or inefficiencies associated with integrating the operations of the combined company;

unforeseen expenses or delays associated with the acquisition;

difficulty comparing financial reports due to differing financial and/or internal reporting systems; and

making any necessary modifications to internal financial control standards to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

1213


 

Many of these factors will be outside of our control and any one of them could result in increased costs, decreases in the amount of expected revenues and diversion of management's time and energy, which could materially impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, even if the operations of our acquired businesses are integrated successfully with our operations, we may not realize the full benefits of the transaction, including the synergies, cost savings or sales or growth opportunities that we expect. These benefits may not be achieved within the anticipated time frame, or at all. Or, additional unanticipated costs may be incurred in the integration of our businesses. All of these factors could cause dilution to our earnings per share, decrease or delay the expected accretive effect of the acquisition, and cause a decrease in the price of our common stock. As a result, we cannot assure you that the combination of our acquisitions with our business will result in the realization of thethe full benefits anticipated from the transaction.

 

We may encounter difficulties in operating or implementing a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system across our subsidiaries, which may adversely affect our operations and financial reporting.

 

Over the past twofour years, we have implemented a new ERP system for a majority of our business as part of our ongoing efforts to improve and strengthen our operational and financial processes and our reporting systems. We expect to implement the new ERP system at our other locations in future years. The ERP system may not provide the benefits anticipated, could add costs and complications to ongoing operations, and may impact our ability to process transactions efficiently, all of which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.

 

Failures or security breaches of our networks or information technology systems could have an adverse effect on our business.

 

We rely heavily on information technology (IT) both in our products and services for customers and in our IT systems. Further, we collect and store sensitive information in our data centers and on our networks. Government agencies and security experts have warned about growing risks of hackers, cyber-criminals, malicious insiders and other actors targeting confidential information and all types of IT systems. These actors may engage in fraudulent activities, theft of confidential or proprietary information and sabotage.

 

Our IT systems, our connected products, and our confidential information may be vulnerable to damage or intrusion from a variety of attacks including computer viruses, worms or other malicious software programs. The risk of such attacks may increase as we integrate newly acquired companies or develop new connected products and related software. These attacks pose a risk to the security of theour products, systems and networks and those of our customers, suppliers and third-party service providers, as well as to the confidentiality of our information and the integrity and availability of our data. While we attempt to mitigate these risks through board oversight, controls, due diligence, employee training and communication, third party intrusion testing, system hardening, email and web filters, regular patching, surveillance, encryption, and other measures, we remain vulnerable to information security threats.threats

 

Despite the precautions we take, an intrusion or infection of our systems or connected products could result in the disruption of our business, or a loss of proprietary or confidential information. Similarly, an attack on our IT systems or connected products could result in theft or disclosure of trade secrets or other intellectual property, or a breach of confidential customer or employee information.information, or product failure or misuse. Any such events could have an adverse impact on sales, harm our reputation and cause us to incur legal liability and increased costs to address such events and related security concerns. As the threats evolve and become more potent, we may incur additional costs to secure the products that we sell, as well as our data and infrastructure of networks and devices.

 

Recently enacted U.S.Certain current favorable tax legislation, as well asattributes may no longer be realized in the future, U.S. tax legislation, may adversely affect ourresulting in less cash on hand available to invest in other business results of operations, financial condition and cash flow.activities.

 

OnAs of December 22, 2017, the President signed into law Public Law No. 115-97,31, 2019, we had approximately $225 million of tax-deductible goodwill and intangible asset amortization remaining from our acquisition by CCMP Capital Advisors, LLC in 2006 that we expect to generate aggregate cash tax savings of approximately $57 million through 2021, assuming continued profitability of our U.S. business and a comprehensivecombined federal and state tax reform bill commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) that makes significant changes to U.S. federal income tax laws. We have performed a preliminary assessmentrate of 25.3%. The recognition of the impacttax benefit associated with these assets for tax purposes is expected to be $122 million annually in 2020 and $102 million in 2021, which generates annual cash tax savings of $31 million in 2020 and $26 million in 2021. Based on current business plans, we believe that our cash tax obligations through 2021 will be significantly reduced by these tax attributes, after which our cash tax obligation will increase. Other domestic acquisitions have resulted in additional tax deductible goodwill and intangible assets that will generate tax savings, but are not material to the Tax Act. However, as the Tax Act is complex and far-reaching, there could be future effects of the Tax Act that we have not identified and that could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations,Company’s consolidated financial condition and cash flow.statements.

13

Table of Contents

 

Risks related to our common stock

 

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our common stock or if our results of operations do not meet their expectations, our common stock price and trading volume could decline.

 

The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. Moreover, if one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade recommendations regarding our stock, or if our results of operations do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline and such decline could be material.

 

14

Anti-takeover provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws could prohibit a change of control that our stockholders may favor and could negatively affect our stock price.

 

Provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws may make it more difficult and expensive for a third party to acquire control of us even if a change of control would be beneficial to the interests of our stockholders. These provisions could discourage potential takeover attempts and could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. These provisions may also prevent or frustrate attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our management. For example, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and by-laws:

 

 

permit our Board of Directors to issue preferred stock with such terms as they determine, without stockholder approval; 

 

provide that only one-third of the members of the Board of Directors are elected at each stockholders meeting and prohibit removal without cause; 

 

require advance notice for stockholder proposals and director nominations; and

require advance notice for stockholder proposals and director nominations; and

 

contain limitations on convening stockholder meetings.

 

These provisions make it more difficult for stockholders or potential acquirers to acquire us without negotiation and could discourage potential takeover attempts and could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

 

We do not have plans to pay dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.

 

We currently do not have plans to pay dividends in the foreseeable future on our common stock. We intend to use future earnings for the operation and expansion of our business, as well as for repayment of outstanding debt, acquisitions, and for share repurchases. In addition, the terms of our senior secured credit facilities limit our ability to pay dividends on our common stock. As a result, capital appreciation, if any, of our common stock will be the sole source of gain for the foreseeable future. While we may change this policy at some point in the future, we cannot assure you that we will make such a change.

 

Risks related to our capital structure

 

We have indebtedness which could adversely affect our cash flow and our ability to remain in compliance with debt covenants and make payments on our indebtedness.

 

As of December 31, 2017,2019 we had total indebtedness of $928.7$898.9 million. Our level of indebtedness increases the possibility that we may be unable to generate cash sufficient to pay, when due, the principal of, interest on or other amounts due in respect of our indebtedness. Our indebtedness, combined with our other financial obligations and contractual commitments could have other important consequences. For example, it could:

make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness, which could result in an event of default under the agreements governing our indebtedness;

make us more vulnerable to adverse changes in general economic, industry and competitive conditions and adverse changes in government regulation;

require us to dedicate a portion of our cash flow from operations to interest payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flows to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;

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

limit our ability to borrow additional amounts for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our business strategy or other purposes.

14

Table of Contents

Any of the above-listed factors could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. While we maintain interest rate swaps covering a portion of our outstanding debt, our interest expense could increase if interest rates increase because debt under our credit facilities bears interest at a variable rate once abovebased on LIBOR or other base rate. In connection with our term loan amendment in December 2019, language was added to the agreement to include a certainbenchmark replacement rate, selected by the administrative agent and the borrower, as a replacement to LIBOR floor.that would take affect at the time LIBOR ceases. The Company plans to work with its lenders in the near future to amend other LIBOR based debt agreements to add a replacement rate should the use of LIBOR cease. If we do not have sufficient earnings to service our debt, we may be required to refinance all or part of our existing debt, sell assets, borrow more money or sell securities, none of which we can guarantee we will be able to do.

 

The terms of our credit facilities restrict our current and future operations, particularly our ability to respond to changes in our business or to take certain actions.

 

Our credit facilities contain, and any future indebtedness of ours or our subsidiaries would likely contain, a number of restrictive covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us and our subsidiaries, including restrictions on our ability to engage in acts that may be in our best long-term interests. These restrictions include, among other things, our ability to:

 

incur liens;

 

incur liens;or assume additional debt or guarantees or issue preferred stock;

 

incurpay dividends, or assume additional debt or guarantees or issue preferredmake redemptions and repurchases, with respect to capital stock;

 

pay dividends,prepay, or make redemptions and repurchases with respect to capital stock;of, subordinated debt;

 

prepay, or make redemptionsloans and repurchases of, subordinated debt;investments;

 

make loans and investments;capital expenditures;

 

make capital expenditures;engage in mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, sale/leaseback transactions and transactions with affiliates;

 

engage in mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, sale/leaseback transactionschange the business conducted by us or our subsidiaries; and transactions with affiliates;

change the business conducted by us or our subsidiaries; and

 

amend the terms of subordinated debt.

 

The operating and financial restrictions in our credit facilities and any future financing agreements may adversely affect our ability to finance future operations or capital needs or to engage in other business activities. A breach of any of the restrictive covenants in our credit facilities would result in a default. If any such default occurs, the lenders under our credit facilities may elect to declare all outstanding borrowings, together with accrued interest and other fees, to be immediately due and payable, or enforce their security interest, any of which would result in an event of default. The lenders will also have the right in these circumstances to terminate any commitments they have to provide further borrowings. Our existing credit facilities do not contain any financial maintenance covenants.

 

15

We may need additional capital to finance our growth strategy or to refinance our existing credit facilities, and we may not be able to obtain it on acceptable terms, or at all, which may limit our ability to grow.

 

We may require additional financing to expand our business. Financing may not be available to us or may be available to us only on terms that are not favorable. The terms of our senior secured credit facilities limit our ability to incur additional debt. In addition, economic conditions, including a downturn in the credit markets, could impact our ability to finance our growth on acceptable terms or at all. If we are unable to raise additional funds or obtain capital on acceptable terms, we may have to delay, modify or abandon some or all of our growth strategies. In the future, if we are unable to refinance our credit facilities on acceptable terms, our liquidity could be adversely affected.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

 

None.

 

15

Table of Contents

ItemItem 2. Properties

 

We own operate or lease manufacturing,, distribution and office facilities globally totaling over fourfive million square feet. We also have inventory warehouses that accommodate material storage and rapid response requirements of our customers. The following table provides information about our principal facilities exceeding 10,00020,000 square feet:

 

Location

 

Owned/

Leased

 

Activities

 

Segment

Waukesha, WI

 

Owned

 

Corporate headquarters, manufacturing, R&D service parts distribution

 

Domestic

Eagle, WI

 

Owned

 

Manufacturing, office, training

 

Domestic

Whitewater, WI

 

Owned

 

Manufacturing, office, distribution

 

Domestic

Oshkosh, WI

 

Owned

 

Manufacturing, office, warehouse, R&D

 

Domestic

Berlin, WI  Owned Manufacturing, office,, warehouse, R&D Domestic

Jefferson, WI

 

Owned

 

Manufacturing, distribution,, R&D

 

Domestic

Janesville, WILeasedDistributionDomestic
Various WI Leased warehouseWarehouse Domestic

Maquoketa, IA

 

Owned

 

Storage, rental property

 

Domestic

Vergennes,South Burlington, VT

 

Leased

 

Office

Domestic

Winooski, VT

Leased

Distribution

 

Domestic

Mexico City, Mexico

 

Owned

 

Manufacturing, sales, distribution, warehouse,, office, R&D

 

International

Mexico City, Mexico

 

Leased

 

Office andStorage, warehouse

International

San Mateo Cuautepec, Mexico

Leased

Storage, manufacturing

International

Hidalgo, Mexico

Owned

Manufacturing, sales, distribution, warehouse, office, R&D

 

International

Milan, Italy

 

LeasedLeased

 

Manufacturing, sales, distribution, warehouse,, office,, R&D

 

International

Casole d’Elsa,d’Elsa, Italy

 

Leased

 

Manufacturing, office, warehouse,, R&D

 

International

Balsicas, Spain

 

Leased

 

Manufacturing, office, warehouse,, R&D

 

International

Foshan, China

 

Owned

 

Manufacturing, office, warehouse,, R&D

 

International

Saint-Nizier-sous-Charlieu, France

 

Leased

 

Sales, office, warehouse

 

International

Ribeirao Preto, Brazil

 

Leased

 

Manufacturing, office, warehouse

 

International

Fellbach, GermanyStoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom

 

Leased

 

Sales, office, warehouse

 

International

Crewe, EnglandSydney, Australia

 

Leased

 

Sales, office, warehouse

 

International

Celle, Germany

 

Owned

 

Manufacturing, office, sales,warehouse, R&D

 

International

Charzyno, Poland

 

Owned

 

Manufacturing

 

International

West Bengal, India

Leased

Manufacturing, warehouse

International

In addition to the countries represented above, the Company has other operations or sales offices in the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Canada and the Dominican Republic, as well as several other countries throughout Europe.

 

As of December 31, 2017,2019, substantially all of our domestically-owned and a portion of our internationally-owned properties are subject to collateral provisions under our senior secured credit facilities.

16

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time, we are involved in legal proceedings primarily involving product liability,, patent and employment matters and general commercial disputes arising in the ordinary course of our business. As of December 31, 2017,2019, we believe that there is no litigation pending that would have a material effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

 

ItemItem 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not Applicable.

 

PPART IIART II

 

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

 

Price Range of Common Stock

SharesShares of our common stock are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol “GNRC.” The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices reported on the NYSE for our common stock by fiscal quarter during 2017 and 2016, respectively.

2017

 

High

  

Low

 

Fourth Quarter

 $52.09  $48.21 

Third Quarter

 $46.15  $35.91 

Second Quarter

 $37.29  $34.52 

First Quarter

 $42.64  $36.79 

2016

 

High

  

Low

 

Fourth Quarter

 $43.49  $35.74 

Third Quarter

 $38.00  $33.13 

Second Quarter

 $39.25  $33.86 

First Quarter

 $38.51  $27.26 

 

Purchases of Equity Securities By the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

 

The following table summarizes the stock repurchase activity for the three months ended December 31, 2017,2019, which also consisted of the withholding of shares upon the vesting of restricted stock awards to pay related withholding taxes on behalf of the recipient:

    

Total Number of

Shares

Purchased

  

Average Price

Paid per Share

  

Total Number Of

Shares Purchased

As Part Of Publicly

Announced Plans Or

Programs

  

Approximate Dollar

Value Of Shares

That May Yet Be

Purchased Under

The Plans Or

Programs

 
                   
10/01/17-

10/31/17

  79  $51.77   -  $170,108,876 
11/01/17-

11/30/17

  641   49.21   -   170,108,876 
12/01/17-

12/31/17

  -   -   -   170,108,876 
Total 

 

  720  $49.49         

  

Total Number of Shares Purchased

  

Average Price Paid per Share

  

Total Number Of Shares Purchased As Part Of Publicly Announced Plans Or Programs

  

Approximate Dollar Value Of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under The Plans Or Programs

 
                 

10/01/19 - 10/31/19

  -   -   -  $250,000,000 

11/01/19 - 11/30/19

  1,409  $93.38   -  $250,000,000 

12/01/19 - 12/31/19

  682   98.11   -  $250,000,000 

Total

  2,091  $95.54         

 

For equity compensation plan information, please refer to Note 15,17, “Share Plans,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For information on the Company’s stock repurchase plans, refer to Note 13, “Stock Repurchase Programs,” to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Stock Performance Graph

 

The line graph below compares the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock with the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor’sPoor’s S&P 500 Index, the S&P 500 Industrials Index and the Russell 2000 Index for the five-year period ended December 31, 2017.2019. The graph and table assume that $100 was invested on December 31, 20122014 in each of our common stock, the S&P 500 Index, the S&P 500 IndustrialsMidCap 400 Index and the Russell 2000 Index, and that all dividends were reinvested. Cumulative total stockholder returns for our common stock, the S&P 500 Index, the S&P 500 Industrials Index and the Russell 2000 Index are based on our fiscal year.

 

 

Company / Market / Peer Group

 

12/31/2012

  

12/31/2013

  

12/31/2014

  

12/31/2015

  

12/31/2016

  

12/31/2017

 
                         

Generac Holdings Inc.

 $100.00  $187.73  $154.98  $98.67  $135.03  $164.13 

S&P 500 Index - Total Returns

  100.00   132.39   150.51   152.59   170.84   208.14 

S&P 500 Industrials Index

  100.00   140.68   154.50   150.59   178.99   216.64 

Russell 2000 Index

  100.00   138.82   145.62   139.19   168.85   193.58 

Company / Market / Peer Group

 

12/31/2014

  

12/31/2015

  

12/31/2016

  

12/31/2017

  

12/31/2018

  

12/31/2019

 
                         

Generac Holdings Inc.

 $100.00  $63.67  $87.13  $105.90  $106.29  $215.12 

S&P 500 Index - Total Returns

  100.00   101.38   113.51   138.29   132.23   173.86 

S&P MidCap 400 Index

  100.00   96.29   114.33   130.85   114.50 �� 142.04 

Russell 2000 Index

  100.00   95.59   115.95   132.94   118.30   148.49 

 

Holders

 

As of February 16, 2018,19, 2020, there were approximately 204194 registered holders of record of Generac’s common stock. A substantially greater number of holders of Generac common stock are “street name” or beneficial holders, whose shares are held of record by banks, brokers and other financial institutions.

 

Dividends

 

We do not have plans to pay dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. However, in the future, subject to factors such as general economic and business conditions, our financial condition and results of operations, our capital requirements, our future liquidity and capitalization, and other such factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant, we may change this policy and choose to pay dividends. Our ability to pay dividends on our common stock is currently restrictedlimited by the terms of our senior secured credit facilities and may be further restricted by any future indebtedness we incur. Our business is conducted through our subsidiaries, including our principal operating subsidiary, Generac Power Systems, Inc. Dividends from, and cash generated by our subsidiaries will be our principal sources of cash to repay indebtedness, fund operations, repurchase shares of common stock and pay dividends. Accordingly, our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders is dependent on the earnings and distributions of funds from our subsidiaries, including Generac Power Systems, Inc.subsidiaries.

 

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

 

For information on securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans, seerefer to “Item 12 - Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

None.

 

Use of Proceeds from Registered Securities

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

 

The following table sets forth our selected historical consolidated financial data for the periods and at the dates indicated. The selected historical consolidated financial data for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 20152017 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. The selected historical consolidated financial data for the years ended December 31, 20142016 and 20132015 is derived from our audited historical consolidated financial statements not included in this annual report.

 

The results indicated below and elsewhere in this annual report are not necessarily indicative of our futurefuture performance. This information should be read together with “Item 7—7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

  

Year Ended December 31,

 

(U.S. Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

2017

  

2016

  

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 

Statement of Operations Data:

                    

Net sales

 $1,672,445  $1,444,453  $1,317,299  $1,460,919  $1,485,765 

Costs of goods sold

  1,090,328   930,347   857,349   944,700   916,205 

Gross profit

  582,117   514,106   459,950   516,219   569,560 

Operating expenses:

                    

Selling and service

  171,755   164,607   130,242   120,408   107,515 

Research and development

  42,925   37,229   32,922   31,494   29,271 

General and administrative

  87,512   74,700   52,947   54,795   55,490 

Amortization of intangibles (1)

  28,861   32,953   23,591   21,024   25,819 

Tradename and goodwill impairment (2)

  -   -   40,687   -   - 

Gain on remeasurement of contingent consideration (3)

  -   -   -   (4,877)  - 

Total operating expenses

  331,053   309,489   280,389   222,844   218,095 

Income from operations

  251,064   204,617   179,561   293,375   351,465 

Other (expense) income:

                    

Interest expense

  (42,667)  (44,568)  (42,843)  (47,215)  (54,435)

Investment income

  298   44   123   130   91 

Loss on extinguishment of debt (4)

  -   (574)  (4,795)  (2,084)  (15,336)

Gain (loss) on change in contractual interest rate (5)

  -   (2,957)  (2,381)  16,014   - 

Costs related to acquisitions

  (777)  (1,082)  (1,195)  (396)  (1,086)

Other, net

  (3,230)  902   (5,487)  (1,462)  (1,983)

Total other expense, net

  (46,376)  (48,235)  (56,578)  (35,013)  (72,749)

Income before provision for income taxes

  204,688   156,382   122,983   258,362   278,716 

Provision for income taxes (6)

  43,553   57,570   45,236   83,749   104,177 

Net income

  161,135   98,812   77,747   174,613   174,539 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

  1,749   24   -   -   - 

Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.

 $159,386  $98,788  $77,747  $174,613  $174,539 
                     

Net income attributable to common shareholders per common share - diluted:

 $2.56  $1.50  $1.12  $2.49  $2.51 
                     

Statement of Cash Flows data:

                    

Depreciation

 $23,127  $21,465  $16,742  $13,706  $10,955 

Amortization of intangible assets

  28,861   32,953   23,591   21,024   25,819 

Expenditures for property and equipment

  (33,261)  (30,467)  (30,651)  (34,689)  (30,770)
                     

Other Financial Data:

                    

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Generac Holdings Inc. (7)

 $311,655  $274,603  $270,816  $337,283  $402,613 

Adjusted net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc. (8)

  212,858   198,257   198,436   234,165   301,664 

Over the years, we have executed a number of acquisitions that support our strategic plan. A summary of the recent acquisitions can be found in Note 1, “Description of Business,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition, in August 2015, we closed the Country Home Products acquisition, and in March 2016, we acquired a majority ownership interest in PR Industrial S.r.l. and its subsidiaries (Pramac).

 

  

As of December 31,

 

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

2017

  

2016

  

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 

Balance Sheet Data:

                    

Current assets

 $818,556  $683,509  $632,017  $707,637  $627,310 

Property and equipment, net

  230,380   212,793   184,213   168,821   146,390 

Goodwill

  721,523   704,640   669,719   635,565   608,287 

Other intangibles and other assets

  249,505   260,742   292,686   352,396   394,237 

Total assets

 $2,019,964  $1,861,684  $1,778,635  $1,864,419  $1,776,224 
                     

Total current liabilities

 $388,872  $341,939  $213,224  $240,522  $250,845 

Long-term borrowings, less current portion

  906,548   1,006,758   1,037,132   1,065,858   1,155,298 

Other long-term liabilities

  120,784   78,737   62,408   68,240   53,010 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

  43,929   33,138   -   -   - 

Total stockholders' equity

  559,831   401,112   465,871   489,799   317,071 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 $2,019,964  $1,861,684  $1,778,635  $1,864,419  $1,776,224 
  

Year Ended December 31,

 

(U.S. Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

2019

  

2018

  

2017

  

2016

  

2015

 

Statement of Operations Data:

                    

Net sales

 $2,204,336  $2,023,464  $1,679,373  $1,447,743  $1,317,299 

Costs of goods sold

  1,406,584   1,298,424   1,094,587   935,322   857,349 

Gross profit

  797,752   725,040   584,786   512,421   459,950 

Operating expenses:

                    

Selling and service

  217,683   191,887   174,841   164,860   130,242 

Research and development

  68,394   50,019   42,869   37,163   32,922 

General and administrative

  110,868   103,841   87,581   74,693   52,947 

Amortization of intangibles (1)

  28,644   22,112   28,861   32,953   23,591 

Tradename and goodwill impairment (2)

  -   -   -   -   40,687 

Total operating expenses

  425,589   367,859   334,152   309,669   280,389 

Income from operations

  372,163   357,181   250,634   202,752   179,561 

Other (expense) income:

                    

Interest expense

  (41,544)  (40,956)  (42,667)  (44,568)  (42,843)

Investment income

  2,767   1,893   298   44   123 

Loss on extinguishment of debt (3)

  (926)  (1,332)  -   (574)  (4,795)

Loss on pension settlement (4)

  (10,920)  -   -   -   - 

Loss on change in contractual interest rate (5)

  -   -   -   (2,957)  (2,381)

Other, net

  (1,933)  (5,710)  (4,566)  (1,000)  (6,682)

Total other expense, net

  (52,556)  (46,105)  (46,935)  (49,055)  (56,578)

Income before provision for income taxes

  319,607   311,076   203,699   153,697   122,983 

Provision for income taxes (6)

  67,299   69,856   44,142   56,519   45,236 

Net income

  252,308   241,220   159,557   97,178   77,747 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

  301   2,963   1,749   24   - 

Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.

 $252,007  $238,257  $157,808  $97,154  $77,747 
                     

Net income attributable to common shareholders per common share - diluted:

 $4.03  $3.54  $2.53  $1.47  $1.12 
                     

Statement of Cash Flows data:

                    

Depreciation

 $32,265  $25,296  $23,127  $21,465  $16,742 

Amortization of intangible assets

  28,644   22,112   28,861   32,953   23,591 

Expenditures for property and equipment

  (60,802)  (47,601)  (33,261)  (30,467)  (30,651)
                     

Other Financial Data:

                    

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Generac Holdings Inc. (7)

 $449,150  $416,793  $311,225  $272,738  $270,816 

Adjusted net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc. (8)

  317,822   292,213   211,869   195,572   198,436 

  

As of December 31,

 

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

2019

  

2018

  

2017

  

2016

  

2015

 

Balance Sheet Data:

                    

Current assets

 $1,195,829  $1,120,769  $824,557  $687,794  $632,017 

Property and equipment, net

  316,976   278,929   230,380   212,793   184,213 

Goodwill

  805,284   764,655   721,523   704,640   669,719 

Other intangibles and other assets (9)

  347,580   261,961   249,505   260,742   292,686 

Total assets

 $2,665,669  $2,426,314  $2,025,965  $1,865,969  $1,778,635 
                     

Total current liabilities

 $497,064  $560,706  $396,423  $347,926  $213,224 

Long-term borrowings, less current portion

  837,767   876,396   906,548   1,006,758   1,037,132 

Other long-term liabilities (9)

  236,760   166,947   124,745 �� 80,968   62,408 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

  61,227   61,004   43,929   33,138   - 

Total stockholders' equity

  1,032,851   761,261   554,320   397,179   465,871 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 $2,665,669  $2,426,314  $2,025,965  $1,865,969  $1,778,635 

 

(1) Our amortization of intangibles expense includes the straight-line amortization of customer lists, patents and technology, certain tradenames and other finite-lived intangible assets.

 

(2) During the fourth quarter of 2015, our Board of Directors approved a plan to strategically transition and consolidate certain of our brands acquired through acquisitions to the Generac® tradename. This brand strategy change resulted in a reclassification to a two year remaining useful life and a $36.1 million non-cash charge to write-down the impacted tradenames to net realizable value. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2015, a $4.6 million goodwill impairment charge was recorded related to the write-down of the Ottomotores reporting unit goodwill. Refer to Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies – Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the 2015 impairment charges.

 

(3)During the second quarter of 2014, we recorded a gain of $4.9 million related to an adjustment to a certain earn-out obligation in connection with the Tower Light acquisition.

(4) Represents the non-cash write-off of original issue discount and deferred financing costs due to voluntary debt prepayments. Additionally, for the year ended December 31, 2013, includes the loss on extinguishment of debt as a result of a refinancing transaction in May 2013. Refer to Note 10,12, “Credit Agreements,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the losses on extinguishment of debt.

 

(5)(4) Represents pre-tax settlement charges related to the termination of the Company’s domestic pension plan in the fourth quarter of 2019. Refer to Note 16, “Benefit Plans,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information regarding the Company’s pension plans.

(5) For the year ended December 31, 2016, represents a non-cash loss in the third quarter 2016 relating to the continued 25 basis point increase in borrowing costs as a result of the credit agreement leverage ratio remaining above 3.0 times based on projections at that time. For the year ended December 31, 2015, represents a non-cash loss relating to a 25 basis point increase in borrowing costs as a result of the credit agreement leverage ratio rising above 3.0 times effective in the third quarter 2015 and expected to remain above 3.0 times based on projections at that time. For the year ended December 31, 2014, represents a non-cash gain relating to a 25 basis point reduction in borrowing costs as a result of the credit agreement leverage ratio falling below 3.0 times effective in the second quarter 2014 and expected to remain below 3.0 times based on projections at that time. Following the May 2017 Term Loan amendment, which removed the pricing grid based on leverage ratio achieved, gains or losses on changes in contractual interest rate will no longer be recorded in the statements of comprehensive income. Refer to Note 10,12, “Credit Agreements,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the gains and losses on changes in the contractual interest rate.

 

(6) On December 22, 2017, the U.S. Government enacted a comprehensive tax reform bill commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Tax Act, or Tax Reform). As a result of the Tax Act, we recognized a one-time, non-cash benefit of $28.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 primarily from the impact of the revaluation of the Company’s net deferred tax liabilities. Refer to Note 13,15, “Income Taxes,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the Tax Act and its impact.

 

(7)(7) Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before noncontrolling interests, interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as further adjusted for the other items reflected in the reconciliation table set forth below. The computation of adjusted EBITDA is based on the definition of EBITDA contained in the Term Loan and Amended ABL Facility (terms defined in Note 10,12, “Credit Agreements,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K).

(8) Adjusted Net Income is defined as net income before noncontrolling interests and provision for income taxes adjusted for the following items: cash income tax expense, amortization of intangible assets, amortization of deferred financing costs and original issue discount related to our debt, intangible impairment charges, certain transaction costs and other purchase accounting adjustments, losses on extinguishment of debt, business optimization expenses, certain other non-cash gains and losses, and adjusted net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, as set forth in the reconciliation table below.

(9) On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases. The Company adopted this standard using the modified retrospective approach as of the date of adoption, meaning no prior period balances were impacted by the adoption. The adoption of the standard had a material impact on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet primarily related to the recognition of right-of-use (ROU) assets and lease liabilities for operating leases. At December 31, 2019, the Company had $36.0 million in ROU assets included in other assets and $37.0 million in lease liabilities included in other liabilities. Refer to Note 10, “Leases,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information regarding the Company’s leases.

 

We view Adjusted EBITDA as a key measure of our performance. We present Adjusted EBITDA not only due to its importance for purposes of our credit agreements, but also because it assists us in comparing our performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis as it excludes items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance. Our management uses Adjusted EBITDA:

 

for planning purposes, including the preparation of our annual operating budget and developing and refining our internal projections for future periods;

 

for planning purposes, includingto allocate resources to enhance the preparationfinancial performance of our annual operating budget and developing and refining our internal projections for future periods;business;

to allocate resources to enhance the financial performance of our business;

 

as a benchmark for the determination of the bonus component of compensation for our senior executives under our management incentive plan, as described further in our Proxy Statement;

 

to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies and as a supplemental tool in evaluating our performance against our budget for each period; and

to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies and as a supplemental tool in evaluating our performance against our budget for each period; and

 

in communications with our Board of Directors and investors concerning our financial performance.

 

We believe Adjusted EBITDA is used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of the Company. Management believes the disclosure of Adjusted EBITDA offers an additional financial metric that, when coupled with results prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and the reconciliation to U.S. GAAP results, provides a more complete understanding of our results of operations and the factors and trends affecting our business. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors for the following reasons:

 

Adjusted EBITDA and similar non-GAAP measures are widely used by investors to measure a company's operating performance without regard to items that can vary substantially from company to company depending upon financing and accounting methods, book values of assets, tax jurisdictions, capital structures and the methods by which assets were acquired;

 

investors can use Adjusted EBITDA and similar non-GAAP measures are widely used by investorsas a supplemental measure to measure a company'sevaluate the overall operating performance without regardof our company, including our ability to items that can vary substantially from company to company depending upon financingservice our debt and accounting methods, book values of assets, tax jurisdictions, capital structuresother cash needs; and the methods by which assets were acquired;

investors can use Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure to evaluate the overall operating performance of our company, including our ability to service our debt and other cash needs; and

 

by comparing our Adjusted EBITDA in different historical periods, our investors can evaluate our operating performance excluding the impact of items described below.

 

The adjustments included in the reconciliation table listed below are provided for under our Term Loan and Amended ABL Facility, and also are presented to illustrate the operating performance of our business in a manner consistent with the presentation used by our management and Board of Directors. These adjustments eliminate the impact of a number of items that:

 

 

we do not consider indicative of our ongoing operating performance, such as non-cash write-downswrite-downs and other charges, non-cash gains, write-offs relating to the retirement of debt, severance costs and other restructuring-related business optimization expenses;

 

we believe to be akin to, or associated with, interest expense, such as administrative agent fees, revolving credit facility commitment fees and letter of credit fees; or

 

are non-cash in nature, such as share-based compensation expense.expense.

 

We explain in more detail in footnotes (a) through (h)(i) below why we believe these adjustments are useful in calculating Adjusted EBITDA as a measure of our operating performance.

 

Adjusted EBITDA does not represent, and should not be a substitute for, net income or cash flows from operations as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Some of the limitations are:

 

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;

 

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect ourchanges in, or cash expenditures, or future requirements for, our working capital expenditures or contractual commitments;needs;

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;

 

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt;

 

although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements;

although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements;

 

several of the adjustments that we use in calculating Adjusted EBITDA, such as non-cash write-downswrite-downs and other charges, while not involving cash expense, do have a negative impact on the value of our assets as reflected in our consolidated balance sheet prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP; and

 

other companies may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

other companies may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

 

Furthermore, as noted above, one of our uses of Adjusted EBITDA is as a benchmark for determining elements of compensation for our senior executives. At the same time, some or all of these senior executives have responsibility for monitoring our financial results,, generally including the adjustments in calculating Adjusted EBITDA (subject ultimately to review by our Board of Directors in the context of the Board's review of our financial statements). While many of the adjustments (for example, transaction costs and credit facility fees), involve mathematical application of items reflected in our financial statements, others involve a degree of judgment and discretion. While we believe all of these adjustments are appropriate, and while the calculations are subject to review by our Board of Directors in the context of the Board's review of our financial statements, and certification by our Chief Financial Officer in a compliance certificate provided to the lenders under our Term Loan and Amended ABL Facility, this discretion may be viewed as an additional limitation on the use of Adjusted EBITDA as an analytical tool.

 

Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our U.S. GAAP results and using Adjusted EBITDA only supplementally.

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.:

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

  

Year Ended December 31,

 

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

2017

  

2016

  

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 

2015

 

Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.

 $159,386  $98,788  $77,747  $174,613  $174,539  $252,007  $238,257  $157,808  $97,154  $77,747 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (a)

  1,749   24   -   -   - 

Net income

  161,135   98,812   77,747   174,613   174,539 

Interest expense

  42,667   44,568   42,843   47,215   54,435 

Depreciation and amortization

  51,988   54,418   40,333   34,730   36,774 

Provision for income taxes

  43,553   57,570   45,236   83,749   104,177 

Non-cash write-down and other adjustments (b)

  2,923   357   3,892   (3,853)  78 

Non-cash share-based compensation expense (c)

  10,205   9,493   8,241   12,612   12,368 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (a)

  301  2,963  1,749  24  - 

Net income

 252,308  241,220  159,557  97,178  77,747 

Interest expense

 41,544  40,956  42,667  44,568  42,843 

Depreciation and amortization

 60,767  47,408  51,988  54,418  40,333 

Provision for income taxes

 67,299  69,856  44,142  56,519  45,236 

Non-cash write-down and other adjustments (b)

 240  3,532  2,923  357  3,892 

Non-cash share-based compensation expense (c)

 16,694  14,563  10,205  9,493  8,241 

Tradename and goodwill impairment (d)

  -   -   40,687   -   -  -  -  -  -  40,687 

Loss on extinguishment of debt (e)

  -   574   4,795   2,084   15,336  926  1,332  -  574  4,795 

(Gain) loss on change in contractual interest rate (f)

  -   2,957   2,381   (16,014)  - 

Transaction costs and credit facility fees (g)

  2,145   2,442   2,249   1,851   3,863 

Business optimization expenses (h)

  2,912   7,316   1,947   -   - 

Other

  202   (120)  465   296   1,043 

Adjusted EBITDA

  317,730   278,387   270,816   337,283   402,613 

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interests

  6,075   3,784   -   -   - 

Loss on pension settlement (f)

 10,920  -  -  -  - 

Loss on change in contractual interest rate (g)

 -  -  -  2,957  2,381 

Transaction costs and credit facility fees (h)

 2,724  3,883  2,145  2,442  2,249 

Business optimization expenses (i)

 1,572  952  2,912  7,316  1,947 

Other

  (879) 850  761  700  465 

Adjusted EBITDA

 454,115  424,552  317,300  276,522  270,816 

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interests

  4,965  7,759  6,075  3,784  - 

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.

 $311,655  $274,603  $270,816  $337,283  $402,613  $449,150  $416,793  $311,225  $272,738  $270,816 

 

(a) Includes the noncontrolling interests’ share of expenses related to Pramac purchase accounting, including the step-up in value of inventories and intangible amortization of $4.2 million, $4.6 million, $4.7 million, and $8.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

 

(b)(b) Represents the following non-cash charges: gains/losses on disposal of assets, unrealized mark-to-market adjustments on commodity contracts, transactional foreign currency gains/losses and certain purchase accounting related adjustments. Additionally, the year ended December 31, 2014 includes a gain of $4.9 million related to an adjustment to an earn-out obligation in connection with the Tower Light acquisition.

We believe that adjusting net income for these non-cash charges is useful for the following reasons:

 

 

The gains/losses on disposals of assets result from the sale of assets that are no longer useful in our business and therefore represent gains or losses that are not from our core operations;

 

The adjustments for unrealized mark-to-market gains and losses on commodity contracts represent non-cash items to reflect changes in the fair value of forward contracts that have not been settled or terminated. We believe it is useful to adjust net income for these items because the charges do not represent a cash outlay in the period in which the charge is incurred, although Adjusted EBITDA must always be used together with our U.S. GAAP statements of comprehensive income and cash flows to capture the full effect of these contracts on our operating performance;

 

The purchase accounting adjustments represent non-cash items to reflect fair value at the date of acquisition, and therefore do not reflect our ongoing operations; and

The adjustment to a certain earn-out obligation in connection with the Tower Light acquisition recorded in the year ended December 31, 2014, is a one-time charge that we believe does not reflect our ongoing operations.operations

 

 

(c)(c) Represents share-based compensation expense to account for stock options, restricted stock and other stock awards over their respective vesting period.

 

(d)(d) During the fourth quarter of 2015, our Board of Directors approved a plan to strategically transition and consolidate certain of our brands acquired through acquisitions to the Generac® tradename. This brand strategy change resulted in a reclassification to a two year remaining useful life and a $36.1 million non-cash charge to write-down the impacted tradenames to net realizable value. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2015, a $4.6 million goodwill impairment charge was recorded related to the write-down of the Ottomotores reporting unit goodwill. Refer to Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies – Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the 2015 impairment charges.

 

(e)(e) Represents the non-cash write-off of original issue discount and deferred financing costs due to voluntary debt prepayments. Additionally, for the year ended December 31, 2013, includes the loss on extinguishmentprepayments of debt as a result of a refinancing transaction in May 2013.Term Loan debt. Refer to Note 10,12, “Credit Agreements,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the losses on extinguishment of debt.

 

(f)(f) Represents pre-tax settlement charges related to the termination of the Company’s domestic pension plan in the fourth quarter of 2019. Refer to Note 16, “Benefit Plans,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information regarding the Company’s pension plans.

(g) For the year ended December 31, 2016, represents a non-cash loss relating to the continued 25 basis point increase in borrowing costs as a result of the credit agreement leverage ratio remaining above 3.0 times based on projections at that time. For the year ended December 31, 2015, represents a non-cash loss relating to a 25 basis point increase in borrowing costs as a result of the credit agreement leverage ratio rising above 3.0 times and expected to remain above 3.0 times based on projections at that time. For the year ended December 31, 2014, represents a non-cash gain relating to a 25 basis point reduction in borrowing costs as a result of the credit agreement leverage ratio falling below 3.0 times and expected to remain below 3.0 times based on projections at that time. Following the May 2017 Term Loan amendment, which removed the pricing grid based on leverage ratio achieved, gains or losses on changes in contractual interest rate will no longer be recorded in the statements of comprehensive income. Refer to Note 10,12, “Credit Agreements,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the gains and losses on changes in the contractual interest rate.

 

(g)(h) Represents transaction costs incurred directly in connection with any investment, as defined in our credit agreement, equity issuance, or debt issuance or refinancing, together with certain fees relating to our senior secured credit facilities, such as:as administrative agent fees and credit facility commitment fees under our Term Loan and ABL Facility, which we believe to be akin to, or associated with, interest expense and whose inclusion in Adjusted EBITDA is therefore similar to the inclusion of interest expense in that calculation, and transaction costs relating to the acquisition of businesses.

administrative agent fees and revolving credit facility commitment fees under our Term Loan and Amended ABL Facility, which we believe to be akin to, or associated with, interest expense and whose inclusion in Adjusted EBITDA is therefore similar to the inclusion of interest expense in that calculation;

transaction costs relating to the acquisition of a business; and

other financing costs incurred relating to the dividend recapitalization transaction in May 2013.

 

(h)(i) Represents severance and non-recurring plant consolidation costs. Additionally, the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily represents charges relating to business optimization and restructuring costs to address the significant and extended downturn for capital spending within the oil & gas industry. These charges represent expenses that are not from our core operations and do not reflect our ongoing operations.

(8)   Adjusted Net Income is defined as net income before noncontrolling interests and provision for income taxes adjusted for the following items: cash income tax expense, amortization of intangible assets, amortization of deferred financing costs and original issue discount related to our debt, intangible impairment charges, certain transaction costs and other purchase accounting adjustments, losses on extinguishment of debt, business optimization expenses, certain other non-cash gains and losses, and adjusted net income attributable to noncontrolling interests.

 

We believe Adjusted Net Income is used by securities analysts, investors and other interested partiesparties in the evaluation of our company’s operations. Management believes the disclosure of Adjusted Net Income offers an additional financial metric that, when used in conjunction with U.S. GAAP results and the reconciliation to U.S. GAAP results, provides a more complete understanding of our ongoing results of operations, and the factors and trends affecting our business.

 

The adjustments included in the reconciliation table listed below are presented to illustrate the operating performance of our business in a manner consistent with the presentation used by investors and securities analysts. Similar to the Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation, these adjustments eliminate the impact of a number of items we do not consider indicative of our ongoing operating performance or cash flows, such as amortization costs, transaction costs and write-offs relating to the retirement of debt. We also make adjustments to present cash taxes paid as a result of our favorable tax attributes, causing our cash tax rate to be lower than our U.S GAAP tax rate.

 

Similar to Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income does not represent, and should not be a substitute for, net income or cash flows from operations as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Adjusted Net Income has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Some of the limitations are:

 

 

Adjusted Net Income does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;

Adjusted Net Income does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;

 

although amortization is a non-cash charge, the assets being amortized may have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted Net Income does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements; and

 

other companies may calculate Adjusted Net Income differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

 

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted Net Income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.:

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

  

Year Ended December 31,

 

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

2017

  

2016

  

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 

Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.

 $159,386  $98,788  $77,747  $174,613  $174,539 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

  1,749   24   -   -   - 

Net income

  161,135   98,812   77,747   174,613   174,539 

Provision for income taxes

  43,553   57,570   45,236   83,749   104,177 

Income before provision for income taxes

  204,688   156,382   122,983   258,362   278,716 

Amortization of intangible assets

  28,861   32,953   23,591   21,024   25,189 

Amortization of deferred finance costs and original issue discount

  3,516   3,940   5,429   6,615   4,772 

Tradename and goodwill impairment

  -   -   40,687   -   - 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

  -   574   4,795   2,084   15,336 

(Gain) loss on change in contractual interest rate

  -   2,957   2,381   (16,014)  - 

Transaction costs and other purchase accounting adjustments (a)

  1,706   5,653   2,710   (3,623)  2,842 

Business optimization expenses

  2,912   7,316   1,947   -   - 

Adjusted net income before provision for income taxes

  241,683   209,775   204,523   268,448   326,855 

Cash income tax expense (b)

  (25,624)  (9,299)  (6,087)  (34,283)  (25,821)

Adjusted net income

  216,059   200,476   198,436   234,165   301,034 

Adjusted net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

  3,201   2,219   -   -   - 

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

2016

 

2015

 

Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.

 $252,007  $238,257  $157,808  $97,154  $77,747 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

  301  2,963  1,749  24  - 

Net income

 252,308  241,220  159,557  97,178  77,747 

Provision for income taxes

  67,299  69,856  44,142  56,519  45,236 

Income before provision for income taxes

 319,607  311,076  203,699  153,697  122,983 

Amortization of intangible assets

 28,644  22,112  28,861  32,953  23,591 

Amortization of deferred finance costs and original issue discount

 4,712  4,749  3,516  3,940  5,429 

Tradename and goodwill impairment

 -  -  -  -  40,687 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 926  1,332  -  574  4,795 

Loss on pension settlement

 10,920  -  -  -  - 

Loss on change in contractual interest rate

 -  -  -  2,957  2,381 

Transaction costs and other purchase accounting adjustments (a)

 874  2,578  1,706  5,653  2,710 

Business optimization expenses

  1,572  952  2,912  7,316  1,947 

Adjusted net income before provision for income taxes

 367,255  342,799  240,694  207,090  204,523 

Cash income tax expense (b)

  (47,945) (47,064) (25,624) (9,299) (6,087)

Adjusted net income

 319,310  295,735  215,070  197,791  198,436 

Adjusted net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

  1,488  3,522  3,201  2,219  - 

Adjusted net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.

 $212,858  $198,257  $198,436  $234,165  $301,034  $317,822  $292,213  $211,869  $195,572  $198,436 

 

(a)(a) Represents transaction costs incurred directly in connection with any investment, as defined in our credit agreement, equity issuance or debt issuance or refinancing, and certain purchase accounting adjustments. Additionally, the year ended December 31, 2014 includes a gain of $4.9 million related to an adjustment to an earn-out obligation in connection with the Tower Light acquisition.

 

(b)(b) For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016, the amount is based on a cash income tax rate of 15.0%, 15.1%, 12.5% and 5.9%, respectively. Cash income tax expense for 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016 is based on the projected taxable income and corresponding cash tax ratetaxes payable for the full year after considering the effects of current and deferred income tax items, and is calculated by applying the derived cash tax rate to the period’s pretax income. For the yearsyear ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, amounts arethe amount is based on actual cash income taxes paid during eachthat year.

 

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

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with “Item“Item 1 – Business,” “Item 6 - Selected Financial Data” and the consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements, based on current expectations and related to future events and our future financial performance, that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those set forth under “Item 1A - Risk Factors.”

 

Overview

 

We are a leading global designer and manufacturer of a wide range of energy technology solutions. The Company provides power generation equipment, energy storage systems, and other engine poweredpower products serving the residential, light commercial and industrial markets. Power generation is our primarya key focus, which differentiates us from our main competitors that also have broad operations outside of the power equipment market. As the only significant market participant focused predominantly on these products, we have one of the leading market positions in the power equipment market in North America and an expanding presence internationally. We believe we have one of the widest ranges of products in the marketplace, including residential, commercial and industrial standby generators, as well as portable and mobile generators used in a variety of applications. A key strategic focus for the Company in recent years has been leveraging our leading position in the growing market for cleaner burning, more cost effective natural gas fueled generators to expand into applications beyond standby power. We have also been focused on “connecting” the equipment we manufacture to the users of that equipment, helping to drive additional value to our customers and our distribution partners over the product lifecycle. Other engine poweredpower products that we design and manufacture include light towers which provide temporary lighting for various end markets; commercial and industrial mobile heaters and pumps used in the oil & gas, construction and other industrial markets; and a broad product line of outdoor power equipment for residential and commercial use. During 2019, we began providing energy storage systems as a clean energy solution for residential use that capture and store electricity from solar panels or other power sources and help reduce home energy costs while also protecting homes from brief power outages.

 

Recent Developments

On February 13, 2018, we signed a purchase agreement to acquire Selmec Equipos Industriales, S.A. de C.V. (Selmec), which is headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico. Selmec, which has approximately 300 employees, is a designer and manufacturer of industrial generators ranging from 10 kW to 2,750 kW. Selmec offers a market-leading service platform and specialized engineering capabilities, together with robust integration, project management and remote monitoring services.  

 

Business Drivers and Operational FFactorsactors

 

In operating our business and monitoring its performance, we pay attention to a number of business drivers and trends as well as operational factors. The statements in this section are based on our current expectations.

Business Drivers and Trends

 

Our performance is affected by the demand for reliable power generation products, mobile product solutionsenergy storage systems, and other engine poweredpower products by our customer base. This demand is influenced by several important drivers and trends affecting our industry, including the following:

 

Increasing penetration opportunity.    Many potential customers are still not aware of the costs and benefits of automatic backup power solutions. We estimate that penetration rates for home standby generators are only approximately 4.0%4.75% of U.S. single-family detached, owner-occupied households with a home valuethe addressable market of over $100,000, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau's 2015 American Housing Survey forhomes in the United States. The decision to purchase backup power for many light-commercial buildings such as convenience stores, restaurants and gas stations is more return-on-investment driven and as a result these applications have relatively lower penetration rates as compared to buildings used in code-driven or mission critical applications such as hospitals, wastewater treatment facilities, 911 call centers, data centers and certain industrial locations. The emergence of lower cost, cleaner burning natural gas fueled generators has helped to increase the penetration of standby generators over the past decade in the light-commercial market. In addition, the installed base of backup power for telecommunications infrastructure is still increasing due to a variety of factors including the impending rollout of next-generation 5G wireless networks enabling new technologies and the growing importance for critical communications and other uninterrupted voice and data services. We believe by expanding our distribution network, continuing to develop our product line,lines, and targeting our marketing efforts, we can continue to build awareness and increase penetration for our standby generators for residential, commercial and industrial purposes.

 

Effect of large scale and baseline power disruptions.    Power disruptions are an important driver of customer awareness for back-up power and have historically influenced demand for generators, both in the United States and internationally. Increased frequency and duration of major power outage events, that have a broader impact beyond a localized level, increases product awareness and may drive consumers to accelerate their purchase of a standby or portable generator during the immediate and subsequent period, which we believe may last for six to twelve months following a major power outage event for standby generators. For example, the major outage events that occurred during the second half of 2017 drove strong demand for portable and home standby generators, and the increased awareness of these products contributed to strong revenue growth in 2017.both 2017 and 2018. Major power disruptions are unpredictable by nature and, as a result, our sales levels and profitability may fluctuate from period to period. In addition, there are smaller, more localized power outages that occur frequently across the United States that drive the baseline level of demand for back-up power solutions. The level of baseline power outage activity occurring across the United States can also fluctuate, and may cause our financial results to fluctuate from year to year.

Energy storage and monitoring markets developing quickly. During 2019, we entered the rapidly developing energy storage and monitoring markets with the acquisitions of Pika Energy and Neurio Technologies. We believe the electric power landscape will undergo significant changes in the decade ahead as a result of rising utility rates, grid instability and power utility quality issues, environmental concerns, and the continuing performance and cost improvements in renewable energy and batteries. On-site power generation from solar, wind, geothermal, and natural gas generators is projected to become more prevalent as will the need to manage, monitor and store this power – potentially developing into a significant market opportunity annually. The capabilities provided by Pika and Neurio have enabled us to bring an efficient and intelligent energy-savings solution to the energy storage and monitoring markets which we believe will position Generac as a key participant going forward. Although very different from the emergency backup power space we serve today, we believe this market will develop similarly as the home standby generator market has over the past two decades. Our efforts to develop a cost-effective global supply chain, omni-channel distribution, targeted consumer-based marketing content, and proprietary in-home sales tools have played a critical role in creating the market for home standby generators, and we intend to leverage our expertise and capabilities in these areas as we work to grow the energy storage and monitoring markets.

California market for backup power increasing.    During 2019, the largest utility in the state of California along with other utilities announced their intention and ultimately executed a number of Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events in large portions of their service areas. These events were pro-active measures to prevent their equipment from potentially causing catastrophic wildfires during the dry and windy season of the year. The occurrence of these events, along with the utilities warning these actions could continue in the future as they upgrade their transmission and distribution infrastructure, have resulted in significant awareness and increased demand for our generators in California, where penetration rates of home standby generators stand at approximately 1%. We have a significant focus on expanding distribution in California and are working together with local regulators, inspectors, and gas utilities to increase their bandwidth and sense of urgency around approving and providing the infrastructure necessary for home standby and other backup power products. Our efforts in this part of the country will also be helpful in developing the market for energy storage and monitoring where the installed base of solar and other renewable sources of electricity are some of the highest in the U.S., and the regulatory environment is mandating renewable energy on new construction starting in 2020.

 

Impact of residential investment cycle.    The market for residential generators and energy storage systems is also affected by the residential investment cycle and overall consumer confidence and sentiment. When homeowners are confident of their household income, the value of their home and overall net worth, they are more likely to invest in their home. These trends can have an impact on demand for residential generators.generators and energy storage systems. Trends in the new housing market highlighted by residential housing starts can also impact demand for our residential generators.these products. Demand for outdoor power equipment is also impacted by several of these factors, as well as weather precipitation patterns. Finally, the existence of renewable energy mandates and investment tax credits and other subsidies can also have an impact on the demand for energy storage systems.

 

Impact of business capital investment and other economic cycles.    The global market for our commercial and industrial products is affected by different capital investment cycles, which can vary across the numerous regions around the world in which we participate. These markets include non-residential building construction, durable goods and infrastructure spending, as well as investments in the exploration and production of oil & gas, as businesses or organizations either add new locations or make investments to upgrade existing locations or equipment. These trends can have a material impact on demand for these products. The capital investment cycle may differ for the various commercial and industrial end markets that we serve including light commercial, retail, office, telecommunications, industrial, data centers, healthcare, construction, oil & gas and municipal infrastructure, among others. The market for these products is also affected by general economic and geopolitical conditions as well as credit availability in the geographic regions that we serve. In addition, we believe demand for our mobile power products will continue to benefit from a secular shift towards renting versus buying this type of equipment. We believe the passage of the Tax Act in late 2017 could have a favorable impact on future demand within many of the end markets that we serve, as the improved cash flow, liquidity and business sentiment may lead to further investments in equipment, facilities and infrastructure in the United States.

 

Factors Affecting Results of Operations

 

We are subject to various factors that can affect our results of operations, which we attempt to mitigate through factors we can control, including continued product development, expandedexpanded distribution, pricing, cost control and hedging. Certain operational and other factors that affect our business include the following:

 

Effect of commodity, currency and component price fluctuations.    Industry-wide price fluctuations of key commodities, such as steel, copper and aluminum, along with other components we use in our products, as well as changes in labor costs required to produce our products, can have a material impact on our results of operations. Also, acquisitionsAcquisitions in recent years have further expanded our commercial and operational presence outside of the United States. These international acquisitions, along with our existing international presence, exposesglobal supply chain, expose us to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and regulatory tariffs that can also have a material impact on our results of operations.

 

We have historically attempted to mitigate the impact of rising commodity, currency and component pricesany inflationary pressures through improved product design and sourcing, manufacturing efficiencies, price increases and select hedging transactions. Our results are also influenced by changes in fuel prices in the form of freight rates, which in some cases are accepted by our customers and in other cases are paid by us.

 

Seasonality.    Although there is demand for our products throughout the year, in each of the past five years, approximately 20% to 27%24% of our net sales occurred in the first quarter, 22% to 25% in the second quarter, 24%26% to 27%28% in the third quarter and 25%27% to 29% in the fourth quarter, with different seasonality depending on the occurrence, timing and severity of major power outage activity in each year. Major outage activity is unpredictable by nature and, as a result, our sales levels and profitability may fluctuate from period to period. The seasonality experienced during a major power outage, and for the subsequent quarters following the event, will vary relative to other periods where no major outage events occurred. We maintain a flexible production and supply chain infrastructure in order to respond to outage-driven peak demand.

 

Factors influencing interest expense and cash interest expense.    Interest expense can be impacted by a variety of factors, including market fluctuations in LIBOR, interest rate election periods, interest rate swap agreements, and repayments or borrowings of indebtedness. Cash interestindebtedness, and amendments to our credit agreements. In connection with our term loan amendment in December 2019, language was added to the agreement to include a benchmark replacement rate, selected by the administrative agent and the borrower, as a replacement to LIBOR that would take affect at the time LIBOR ceases. We plan to work with our lenders in the future to amend other LIBOR based debt agreements to add a replacement rate should the use of LIBOR cease. Interest expense decreasedincreased slightly during 20172019 compared to 2016,2018, primarily due to the $25 million voluntary prepayment of Term Loan debt in November 2016, the May and December 2017 Term Loan refinancings, the repayment of $100 million of ABL Facilityincreased borrowings and decreased borrowings at other subsidiaries; partially offset by an increase in the LIBOR rate. our foreign subsidiaries. Refer to Note 10,12, “Credit Agreements,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information.

 

Factors influencing provision for income taxes and cash income taxes paid.    On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted the Tax Act, which significantly changeschanged how the U.S. taxes corporations. The Tax Act requires complex computations to be performed that were not previously required in U.S. tax law, significant judgments to be made in interpretation ofDuring 2018, the provisions of the Tax Act and significant estimates in calculations, and the preparation and analysis of information not previously relevant or regularly produced. The U.S. Treasury Department the IRS,(Treasury) issued several new regulations and other standard-setting bodiesguidance which we have incorporated into our final tax calculations. At December 31, 2019, we consider the tax expense recorded for the impact of Tax Reform to be complete. It is possible additional regulations or guidance could interpretbe issued by Treasury or issueby a state which may create an additional tax expense or benefit. We will update our future tax provisions based on new regulations or guidance on how provisionsaccordingly.

 

As a result of the Tax Act, we recognized a one-time, non-cash benefit of $28.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 primarily from the impact of the revaluation of our net deferred tax liabilities. While the Company continues to assess the full impact of the Tax Act, the preliminary analysis suggests a meaningfulThis non-cash benefit resulted primarily from the legislation. Specifically for 2018, the combined federal and state effective taxFederal rate is expectedreduction from 35% to decline to between 25 to 26%, resulting in lower cash income taxes. As we complete our analysis of the Tax Act, collect and prepare necessary data, and interpret any additional guidance, we may make adjustments to provisional amounts that we have recorded that may materially impact our provision for income taxes in the period in which the adjustments are made. Refer to Note 13, “Income Taxes,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the Tax Act and its impact.21%.

 

Further, weAs of December 31, 2019, we had approximately $470$225 million of tax-deductible goodwill and intangible asset amortization remaining as of December 31, 2017 related tofrom our acquisition by CCMP Capital Advisors, LLC in 2006 that we expect to generate aggregate cash tax savings of approximately $122$57 million through 2021, assuming continued profitability of our U.S. business and a 26% combined federal and state tax rate. The aggregate cash tax savings reflects a decreaserate of $61 million due to a reduction in the assumed tax rate from 39% to 26% as a result of the Tax Act.25.3%. The recognition of the tax benefit associated with these assets for tax purposes is expected to be $122 million annually throughin 2020 and $102 million in 2021, which generates annual cash tax savings of $32$31 million throughin 2020 and $26 million in 2021, assuming profitability and a 26% combined federal and state tax rate. As a result of the asset acquisition of the Magnum business in the fourth quarter of 2011, we had approximately $34 million of incremental tax deductible goodwill and intangible assets remaining as of December 31, 2017. We expect these assets to generate aggregate cash tax savings of $9.0 million through 2026 assuming continued profitability and a 26% combined federal and state tax rate. The aggregate cash tax savings reflects a decrease of $4.5 million due to a reduction in the assumed tax rate from 39% to 26% as a result of the Tax Act. The amortization of these assets for tax purposes is expected to be $3.8 million annually through 2025 and $2.8 million in 2026, which generates an additional annual cash tax savings of $1.0 million through 2025 and $0.7 million in 2026, assuming profitability and a 26% combined federal and state tax rate.2021. Based on current business plans, we believe that our cash tax obligations through 20262021 will be significantly reduced by these tax attributes.attributes, after which our cash tax obligation will increase. Other domestic acquisitions have resulted in additional tax deductible goodwill and intangible assets that will generate tax savings, but are not material to the Company’sour consolidated financial statements.

 

Components of Net Sales and Expenses

Acquisitions.Net    OverSales

Our net sales primarily consist of product sales to our customers. This includes sales of our power generation equipment, energy storage systems, and other power products to the years,residential, light commercial and industrial markets, as well as service parts to our dealer network. Net sales also include shipping and handling charges billed to customers, with the related freight costs included in cost of goods sold. Additionally, we have executed a numberoffer other services, including extended warranties, remote monitoring, installation and maintenance services. However, these services accounted for less than three percent of acquisitions that supported our strategic plan. A summary ofnet sales for the recent acquisitions can be found inyear ended December 31, 2019. Refer to Note 1, “Description of Business,2, “Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Components of Net Sales10-K for further information on our revenue streams and Expenses

Net Sales

Substantially all of our net sales are generated through the sale of our power generation equipment and other engine powered products to the residential, light commercial and industrial markets. We also sell service parts to our dealer network. Net sales, which include shipping and handling charges billed to customers, are generally recognized upon shipment of products to our customers. Related freight costs are included in cost of sales.related revenue recognition accounting policies.

 

We are not dependent on any one channel or customer for our net sales, with no single customer representing more than 6%5% of our sales, and our top ten customers representing less than 22%19% of our totalnet sales for the year ended December 31, 2017.2019.

 

Costs of Goods Sold

 

The principal elements of costs of goods sold in our manufacturing operations are component parts, raw materials, factory overhead and labor. Component parts and raw materials comprised approximately 77%75% of costs of goods sold for the year ended December 31, 2017.2019. The principal component parts are engines, alternators, and alternators.batteries. We design and manufacture air-cooled engines for certain of our generators up to 22kW, along with certain liquid-cooled, natural gas engines. We source engines for certain of our smaller products and all of our diesel products. For certain natural gas engines, we source the base engine block, and then add a significant amount of value engineering, sub-systems and other content to the point that we are recognized as the OEM of those engines. We design and manufacture many of the alternators for our units and either manufacture or source alternators for certain of our units. We also manufacture other generator components where we believe we have a design and cost advantage. We source component parts from an extensive global network of reliable, high quality suppliers. In some cases, these relationships are proprietary.

 

The principal raw materials used in the manufacturing process that are sourced are steel, copper and aluminum. We are susceptible to fluctuations in the cost of these commodities, impacting our costs of goods sold. We seek to mitigate the impact of commodity prices on our business through a continued focus on global sourcing, product design improvements, manufacturing efficiencies, price increases and select hedging transactions. We are also impacted by foreign currency fluctuations given our global supply chain. There is typically a lag between raw material price fluctuations and their effect on our costs of goods sold.

 

Other sources of costs include our manufacturing and warehousing facilities, factory overhead, labor and shipping costs. Factory overhead includes utilities, support personnel, depreciation, general supplies, support and maintenance. Although we attempt to maintain a flexible manufacturing cost structure, our margins can be impacted when we cannot timely adjust labor and manufacturing costs to match fluctuations in net sales.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Our operating expenses consist of costs incurred to support our sales, marketing, distribution, service parts, engineering, information systems, human resources, accounting, finance, risk management, legal and tax functions, among others. These expenses include personnel costs such as salaries, bonuses, employee benefit costs, taxes, and taxes,share-based compensation cost, and are classified into three categories: selling and service, research and development, and general and administrative. Additionally, the amortization expense related to our finite-lived intangible assets is included within operating expenses.

 

Selling and service.    Our selling and service expenses consist primarily of personnel expense, marketing expense, standard assurance warranty expense and other sales expenses. Our personnel expense recorded in selling and services expenses includes the expense of our sales force responsible for our broad customer base and other personnel involved in the marketing, sales and service of our products. WarrantyStandard warranty expense, which is recorded at the time of sale, is estimated based on historical trends. Our marketing expenses include direct mail costs, printed material costs, product display costs, market research expenses, trade show expenses, media advertising, promotional expenses and co-op advertising costs. Marketing expenses are generally related to the launch of new product offerings, participation in trade shows and other events, and opportunities to create market awareness for home standby generators in areas impacted by heightened power outage activity.our products, and general brand awareness marketing efforts.

 

Research and development.    Our research and development expenses support numerous projects covering all of our product lines. They also support our connectivity, remote monitoring, and energy monitoring initiatives. We operate engineering facilities with extensive capabilities at many locations globally and employ over 350500 personnel with focus on new product development, existing product improvement and cost containment. We are committed to research and development, and rely on a combination of patents and trademarks to establish and protect our proprietary rights. Our research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

 

General and administrative.    Our general and administrative expenses include personnel costs for general and administrative employees; accounting, legal and professional services fees; information technology costs; insurance; travel and entertainment expense; and other corporate expenses.

 

Amortization of intangibles.    Our amortization of intangibles expense includes the straight-line amortization of finite-lived tradenames, customer lists, patents and technology, and other intangibles assets.

Other (Expense) Income

 

Other (expense) income includes the interest expense on our outstanding borrowings, amortization of debt financing costs and original issue discount, and expensescash flows related to interest rate swap agreements. Other (expense) income also includes other financial items such as losses on extinguishment of debt, gains (losses) on changechanges in contractual interest rate, interestloss on pension settlement, and investment income earned on our cash and cash equivalents, and costs related to acquisitions.equivalents.

 

Results of Operations

 

Year ended December 31, 20172019 compared to year ended December 31, 20162018

 

The following table sets forth our consolidated statement of operations data for the periods indicated:

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

          

Year Ended December 31,

        

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

2017

  

2016

  

$ Change

  

% Change

 

Net sales

 $1,672,445  $1,444,453   227,992   15.8%

Cost of goods sold

  1,090,328   930,347   159,981   17.2%

Gross profit

  582,117   514,106   68,011   13.2%

Operating expenses:

                

Selling and service

  171,755   164,607   7,148   4.3%

Research and development

  42,925   37,229   5,696   15.3%

General and administrative

  87,512   74,700   12,812   17.2%

Amortization of intangible assets

  28,861   32,953   (4,092)  -12.4%

Total operating expenses

  331,053   309,489   21,564   7.0%

Income from operations

  251,064   204,617   46,447   22.7%

Total other expense, net

  (46,376)  (48,235)  1,859   -3.9%

Income before provision for income taxes

  204,688   156,382   48,306   30.9%

Provision for income taxes

  43,553   57,570   (14,017)  -24.3%

Net income

  161,135   98,812   62,323   63.1%

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

  1,749   24   1,725   N/A 

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

2019

  

2018

  

$ Change

  

% Change

 

Net sales

 $2,204,336  $2,023,464  $180,872  8.9%

Cost of goods sold

  1,406,584   1,298,424   108,160   8.3%

Gross profit

 797,752  725,040  72,712  10.0%

Operating expenses:

           

Selling and service

 217,683  191,887  25,796  13.4%

Research and development

 68,394  50,019  18,375  36.7%

General and administrative

 110,868  103,841  7,027  6.8%

Amortization of intangible assets

  28,644   22,112   6,532   29.5%

Total operating expenses

  425,589   367,859   57,730   15.7%

Income from operations

 372,163  357,181  14,982  4.2%

Total other expense, net

  (52,556)  (46,105)  (6,451)  14.0%

Income before provision for income taxes

 319,607  311,076  8,531  2.7%

Provision for income taxes

  67,299   69,856   (2,557)  -3.7%

Net income

 252,308  241,220  11,088  4.6%

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

  301   2,963   (2,662)  -89.8%

Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.

 $159,386  $98,788   60,598   61.3% $252,007  $238,257  $13,750   5.8%

 

The following sets forth our reportable segment information for the periods indicated:

 

 

Net Sales

          

Net Sales by Segment

        
 

Year Ended December 31,

          

Year Ended December 31,

        

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

2017

  

2016

  

$ Change

  

% Change

 

Domestic

 $1,296,578  $1,173,559   123,019   10.5%

International

  375,867   270,894   104,973   38.8%

Total net sales

 $1,672,445  $1,444,453   227,992   15.8%

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

2019

 

2018

 

$ Change

 

% Change

 

Domestic

 $1,742,898  $1,566,520  $176,378  11.3%

International

  461,438   456,944   4,494   1.0%

Total net sales

 $2,204,336  $2,023,464  $180,872   8.9%

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

          

Adjusted EBITDA by Segment

        
 

Year Ended December 31,

          

Year Ended December 31,

        
 

2017

  

2016

  

$ Change

  

% Change

  

2019

  

2018

  

$ Change

  

% Change

 

Domestic

 $290,720  $261,428   29,292   11.2%

International

  27,010   16,959   10,051   59.3%

Total Adjusted EBITDA

 $317,730  $278,387   39,343   14.1%

Domestic

 $428,667  $388,495  $40,172  10.3%

International

  25,448   36,057   (10,609)  -29.4%

Total Adjusted EBITDA

 $454,115  $424,552  $29,563   7.0%

The following table sets forth our product class information for the periods indicated:

  

Year Ended December 31,

         

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

2019

  

2018

  

$ Change

  

% Change

 

Residential products

 $1,143,723  $1,042,739  $100,984   9.7%

Commercial & industrial products

  871,595   820,270   51,325   6.3%

Other

  189,018   160,455   28,563   17.8%

Total net sales

 $2,204,336  $2,023,464  $180,872   8.9%

Net sales. The increase in Domestic segment sales for the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily due to strong shipments of home standby generators due to increased trends of power outage activity across the U.S. and Canada, inclusive of public utility power shut-offs in California. In addition, C&I stationary generator shipments were also strong, particularly for natural gas and telecom applications. The Pika and Neurio acquisitions provided a modest contribution of sales in 2019 given their start-up nature. The overall Domestic segment sales growth was partially offset by lower shipments of portable generators and C&I mobile products.

The slight increase in International segment sales for the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily due to contributions from the Selmec and Captiva acquisitions. International segment sales in 2019 were impacted by the unfavorable results of foreign currency and geopolitical headwinds that caused economic softness in certain key regions of the world in which we operate.

Total contribution from non-annualized recent acquisitions for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $36.1 million.

Gross profit. Gross profit margin for the year ended December 31, 2019 was 36.2% compared to 35.8% for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase reflected a favorable sales mix towards higher margin home standby generators and price increases implemented since the prior period. These items were partially offset by the impact of recent acquisitions and the realization of higher input costs, including regulatory tariffs, logistics costs, and labor rates.

Operating expenses. The increase in operating expenses was primarily driven by incremental variable operating expense on the strong sales growth, recurring operating expenses from recent acquisitions, an increase in employee headcount related to strategic initiatives, higher marketing and promotional spend, and higher intangible amortization expenses.

Other expense. The increase in other expense, net was primarily due to a $10.9 million pre-tax settlement charge related to the termination of the Company’s domestic pension plan in the fourth quarter of 2019, partially off-set by more favorable foreign currency adjustments compared to the prior year. 

Provision for income taxes.    The effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were 21.1% and 22.5%, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate is primarily due to a reduction in the U.S. state income tax expense and lower foreign earnings, which are subject to higher jurisdictional tax rates.

Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.    The increase in net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc. was primarily due to the factors outlined above.

Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA margins for the Domestic segment for the year ended December 31, 2019 were 24.6% of net sales as compared to 24.8% of net sales for the year ended December 31, 2018. Adjusted EBITDA margin in the current year benefited from favorable sales mix, pricing initiatives, and fixed operating cost leverage on the higher sales volumes. These favorable impacts were more than offset by higher input costs, including regulatory tariffs, increased employee headcount, higher marketing and promotional spend, and recurring operating expenses from recent acquisitions.

Adjusted EBITDA margins for the International segment, before deducting for non-controlling interests, for the year ended December 31, 2019 were 5.5% of net sales as compared to 7.9% of net sales for the year ended December 31, 2018. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA margin as compared to the prior year was primarily due to unfavorable sales mix, higher input costs, and incremental operating expense investments.

Adjusted net income. Adjusted Net Income of $317.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 increased 8.8% from $292.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, due to the factors outlined above.

In the fourth quarter of 2019, management determined that the Latin American export operations of the legacy Generac business should have been included in the International reportable segment beginning in 2018. Previously, this was reported in the Domestic segment, in amounts that were not material. Refer to Note 7, “Segment Reporting,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information regarding this correction.

Year ended December 31, 2018 compared to year ended December 31, 2017

The following table sets forth our consolidated statement of operations data for the periods indicated:

  

Year Ended December 31,

         

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

2018

  

2017

  

$ Change

  

% Change

 

Net sales

 $2,023,464  $1,679,373  $344,091   20.5%

Cost of goods sold

  1,298,424   1,094,587   203,837   18.6%

Gross profit

  725,040   584,786   140,254   24.0%

Operating expenses:

                

Selling and service

  191,887   174,841   17,046   9.7%

Research and development

  50,019   42,869   7,150   16.7%

General and administrative

  103,841   87,581   16,260   18.6%

Amortization of intangible assets

  22,112   28,861   (6,749)  -23.4%

Total operating expenses

  367,859   334,152   33,707   10.1%

Income from operations

  357,181   250,634   106,547   42.5%

Total other expense, net

  (46,105)  (46,935)  830   -1.8%

Income before provision for income taxes

  311,076   203,699   107,377   52.7%

Provision for income taxes

  69,856   44,142   25,714   58.3%

Net income

  241,220   159,557   81,663   51.2%

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

  2,963   1,749   1,214   N/A 

Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.

 $238,257  $157,808  $80,449   51.0%

The following table sets forth our reportable segment information for the periods indicated:

  

Net Sales by Segment

         
  

Year Ended December 31,

         

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

2018

  

2017

  

$ Change

  

% Change

 

Domestic

 $1,566,520  $1,271,678  $294,842   23.2%

International

  456,944   407,695   49,249   12.1%

Total net sales

 $2,023,464  $1,679,373  $344,091   20.5%

  

Adjusted EBITDA by Segment

         
  

Year Ended December 31,

         
  

2018

  

2017

  

$ Change

  

% Change

 

Domestic

 $388,495  $282,450  $106,045   37.5%

International

  36,057   34,850   1,207   3.5%

Total Adjusted EBITDA

 $424,552  $317,300  $107,252   33.8%

 

 

The following table sets forth our product class information for the periods indicated:

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

          

Year Ended December 31,

        

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

2017

  

2016

  

$ Change

  

% Change

 

Residential products

 $870,410  $772,436   97,974   12.7%

Commercial & industrial products

  685,052   557,532   127,520   22.9%

Other

  116,983   114,485   2,498   2.2%

Total net sales

 $1,672,445  $1,444,453   227,992   15.8%

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

2018

 

2017

 

$ Change

 

% Change

 

Residential products

 $1,042,739  $870,491  $172,248  19.8%

Commercial & industrial products

 820,270  684,352  135,918  19.9%

Other

  160,455   124,530   35,925   28.8%

Total net sales

 $2,023,464  $1,679,373  $344,091   20.5%

Net sales. The increase in Domestic sales for the year ended December 31, 20172018 was primarily due to strong broad-based growth in shipments of home standby andgenerators, portable generators, driven by increasedoutdoor power equipment and service parts. Shipments of residential products were particularly strong with demand climbing from the elevated outage activity, alongenvironment which continued to drive awareness around the home standby category and the need for homeowners to have back-up power. Sales of our C&I mobile and stationary products were also strong during the year with strong growth for mobile products due to recovery in the general rental, telecom, and oil & gas markets, given the continued replacement cycle by our rental customers.healthcare market verticals experiencing growth.

 

The increase in International sales for the year ended December 31, 20172018 was primarily due to the $30.7 million contribution from the recent acquisitions ofSelmec acquisition, and broad-based core growth from the Pramac, Ottomotores and Motortech. The growth was also dueMotortech businesses as we continue to increased organic shipments of both C&I and residential products withindrive market penetration across the European and Latin America regions.

The total contribution from non-annualized recent acquisitions for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $69.7 million.globe.

 

Gross profit. Gross profit margin for the year ended December 31, 20172018 was 34.8%35.8% compared to 35.6%34.8% for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017. The prior year included $2.7 millionincrease reflected a favorable mix of business optimization and restructuring costs classified within cost of goods sold to address the significant and extended downturn for capital spending within the oil & gas industry, as well as $4.2 million of expense relating to the purchase accounting adjustment for the step-up in value of inventories relating to the Pramac acquisition. The current year included $2.0 million of business optimization and non-recurring plant consolidation costs. Excluding the impact of these charges, pro-forma gross margins were 34.9% and 36.1% in 2017 and 2016, respectively. The pro-forma decrease in gross margins was primarily due to unfavorable sales mix attributable to higher organic sales within the International segment and of mobile products relative to prior year, which carry lower gross margins relative to the consolidated average. Additionally, the mix impact from the Pramac and Motortech acquisitions, and higher commodity prices negatively impacted gross margin. These impacts were partially offset byhome standby generators, improved leverage of fixed manufacturing costs on the higher organicincrease in sales, volumes and net favorable pricing impacts.environment, and focused initiatives to improve margins. These items were partially offset by general inflationary pressures from higher commodities, currencies, wages and logistics costs.

 

Operating expenses. Operating expenses increased $21.6 million, or 7.0%, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016. The prior year included $4.4 million of business optimization and restructuring costs classified withinincrease in operating expenses to address the downturn for capital spending within the oil & gas industry. Excluding the impact of these charges,was primarily driven by an increase in employee and incentive compensation costs, higher selling-related variable operating expenses increased $26.0 million, or 8.5%, as compared togiven the prior year. The increase was primarily due tohigher sales volumes, and the addition of recurring operating expenses associated withfrom the Pramac and Motortech acquisitions, and an increase in personnel costs including higher incentive compensation accrued during the current year;Selmec acquisition. These items were partially offset by a decline inlower promotion, marketing and intangible amortization of intangibles.expenses.

 

Other expense. The decrease in other expense, net was primarily due to a prior year $3.0 million non-cash loss on change in contractuallower interest rate not repeatingexpense and a prior year $0.6higher investment income, partially offset by the $1.3 million loss on extinguishment of debt resulting from a $25.0$50.0 million voluntary prepayment of Term Loan debt. Additionally, interest expense decreased in the current year due to that $25.0 million Term Loan prepayment in November 2016, Term Loan repricings in May and December 2017, and decreased borrowings at other subsidiaries. These impacts were partially offset by an increase in LIBOR rates and foreign currency transactional losses.

 

Provision for income taxes. income taxes.    The effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were 22.5% and 2016 were 21.3% and 36.8%, respectively. The decrease inreduction of the effective incomeU.S. federal statutory tax rate is primarily duefrom 35% to the provisional favorable effect21% as a result of the Tax Act including awas more than offset by the 2017 one-time, non-cash benefit of $28.4 million recordedbenefit from revaluing our net deferred tax liabilities in the fourth quarter of 2017, as well as excess tax benefits from share-based compensation. Refer to Note 13, “Income Taxes,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information onaccordance with the Tax Act and its impact.Act.

 

Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.    The increase in net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc. was primarily due to the factors outlined above, partially offset by an increase in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests.

 

Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA margins for the Domestic segment for the year ended December 31, 20172018 were 22.4%24.8% of net sales as compared to 22.3%22.2% of net sales for the year ended December 31, 2016. This increase was primarily due to2017. Adjusted EBITDA margin in 2018 benefitted from improved overalloperating leverage, favorable sales mix from higher shipments of fixed operating expenses on the organic increase in sales,home standby generators, a favorable pricing environment, lower promotional costs, and the net favorable impact of pricing.focused margin improvement initiatives. These impactsbenefits were partially offset by higher commodity prices and an increase in personnelemployee costs including higher incentive compensation accrued during the current year.and general inflationary pressures.

 

Adjusted EBITDA margins for the International segment, before deducting for non-controlling interests, for the year ended December 31, 20172018 were 7.2%7.9% of net sales as compared to 6.3%8.5% of net sales for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017. The increaseslight decrease in EBITDA margin is due to an unfavorable sales mix as 2017 included higher shipments of portable generators following large-scale outages from Hurricane Maria. This unfavorable sales mix was primarily due improved overallpartially offset by increased leverage of fixed manufacturing and operating expenses on the organic increasecosts in sales, the addition of the Motortech acquisition and cost reduction actions. These impacts were partially offset by higher commodity prices and increased operating expenses associated with the expansion of certain branch operations.2018.

 

Adjusted net income. Adjusted Net Income of $212.9$292.2 million for the year ended December 31, 20172018 increased 7.4%37.9% from $198.3$211.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016,2017, due to the factors outlined above, partially offset by an increase in cash income tax expense.

Year ended December 31, 2016 compared to year ended December 31, 2015

The following table sets forth our consolidated statement of operations data for the periods indicated:

  

Year Ended December 31,

         

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

2016

  

2015

  

$ Change

  

% Change

 

Net sales

 $1,444,453  $1,317,299   127,154   9.7%

Cost of goods sold

  930,347   857,349   72,998   8.5%

Gross profit

  514,106   459,950   54,156   11.8%

Operating expenses:

                

Selling and service

  164,607   130,242   34,365   26.4%

Research and development

  37,229   32,922   4,307   13.1%

General and administrative

  74,700   52,947   21,753   41.1%

Amortization of intangible assets

  32,953   23,591   9,362   39.7%

Tradename and goodwill impairment

  -   40,687   (40,687)  -100.0%

Total operating expenses

  309,489   280,389   29,100   10.4%

Income from operations

  204,617   179,561   25,056   14.0%

Total other expense, net

  (48,235)  (56,578)  8,343   -14.7%

Income before provision for income taxes

  156,382   122,983   33,399   27.2%

Provision for income taxes

  57,570   45,236   12,334   27.3%

Net income

  98,812   77,747   21,065   27.1%

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

  24   -   24   N/A 

Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.

 $98,788  $77,747   21,041   27.1%

The following table sets forth our reportable segment information for the periods indicated:

  

Net Sales

         
  

Year Ended December 31,

         

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

2016

  

2015

  

$ Change

  

% Change

 

Domestic

 $1,173,559  $1,204,589   (31,030)  -2.6%

International

  270,894   112,710   158,184   140.3%

Total net sales

 $1,444,453  $1,317,299   127,154   9.7%

  

Adjusted EBITDA

         
  

Year Ended December 31,

         
  

2016

  

2015

  

$ Change

  

% Change

 

Domestic

 $261,428  $254,882   6,546   2.6%

International

  16,959   15,934   1,025   6.4%

Total Adjusted EBITDA

 $278,387  $270,816   7,571   2.8%

The following table sets forth our product class information for the periods indicated:

  

Year Ended December 31,

         

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

2016

  

2015

  

$ Change

  

% Change

 

Residential products

 $772,436  $673,764   98,672   14.6%

Commercial & industrial products

  557,532   548,440   9,092   1.7%

Other

  114,485   95,095   19,390   20.4%

Total net sales

 $1,444,453  $1,317,299   127,154   9.7%

Net sales.   The decrease in Domestic sales for the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily due to significant declines in shipments of mobile products into oil & gas and general rental markets. Partially offsetting this was the contribution from the CHP acquisition, along with increased shipments of portable and home standby generators.

The increase in International sales for the year ended December 31, 2016 was due to the contribution from the Pramac acquisition. Partially offsetting this impact were declines in organic shipments of mobile products into the European region.

The total contribution from non-annualized recent acquisitions for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $236.6 million.

Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.    Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2016 includes the impact of $7.1 million of non-recurring, pre-tax charges relating to business optimization and restructuring costs to address the impact of the significant and extended downturn for capital spending within the oil & gas industry. The cost-reduction actions taken include the consolidation of production facilities, headcount reductions, certain non-cash asset write-downs and other non-recurring product-related charges. The charges consist of $2.7 million classified within cost of goods sold and $4.4 million classified within operating expenses. The increase in net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc. was primarily due to a 2015 $40.7 million pre-tax, non-cash charge for the impairment of certain intangible assets, partially offset by the business optimization charge discussed above and the other factors outlined in this section.

Gross profit. Gross profit margin for the year ended December 31, 2016 was 35.6% compared to 34.9% for the year ended December 31, 2015, which includes the impact of the aforementioned $2.7 million of business optimization charges classified within cost of goods sold, as well as $4.2 million of expense relating to the purchase accounting adjustment for the step-up in value of inventories relating to the Pramac acquisition. Excluding the impact of these adjustments, pro-forma gross profit margin was 36.1%, an improvement of 120 basis points over the year ended December 31, 2015. The pro-forma increase was primarily due to the favorable impacts from lower commodity costs and overseas sourcing benefits from a stronger U.S. Dollar, along with an overall favorable organic product mix. In addition, gross margin in 2015 was negatively impacted by temporary increases in certain costs associated with the west coast port congestion as well as other overhead-related costs that did not repeat in the current year. These factors were partially offset by the mix impact from the Pramac acquisition.

Operating expenses. Excluding the impact of the aforementioned $4.4 million of business optimization charges and 2015 $40.7 million of intangible impairment charges classified within operating expenses, operating expenses increased $65.4 million, or 27.3%, to $305.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 from $239.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase was primarily due to the addition of recurring operating expenses associated with recent acquisitions and increased amortization expense.

Other expense.   Other expense in 2015 included a non-cash $4.8 million loss on extinguishment of debt resulting from $150.0 million of voluntary prepayments of Term Loan debt, and a $2.4 million non-cash loss resulting from an increase in our Term Loan interest rate spread of 25 basis points. In 2016, other expense included a $3.0 million non-cash loss resulting from a continuation of the 25 basis point spread increase, and a $0.6 million loss on extinguishment of debt resulting from a $25.0 million voluntary prepayment of Term Loan debt.

Provision for ncome taxes. The effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were both 36.8%.

Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA margins for the Domestic segment for the year ended December 31, 2016 were 22.3% of net sales as compared to 21.2% of net sales for the year ended December 31, 2015. This increase was primarily due to overall favorable product mix; lower commodity costs and overseas sourcing benefits from a stronger U.S. Dollar; and the benefit of cost-reduction actions within domestic mobile products, partially offset by increased promotional activities.

Adjusted EBITDA margins for the International segment for the year ended December 31, 2016 were 6.3% of net sales as compared to 14.1% of net sales for the year ended December 31, 2015. This decrease was primarily due to a large decline in mobile products margins given the reduced operating leverage on lower organic sales volume, unfavorable sales mix, foreign currency impacts with the weakness in the British Pound, and, to a lesser extent, the Pramac acquisition sales mix.

Adjusted net income. Adjusted Net Income of $198.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 decreased 0.1% from $198.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increased earnings outlined above were offset by an increase in cash income tax expense and adjusted net income attributable to noncontrolling interests.

 

Liquidity and Financial Position

 

Our primary cash requirements include payment for our raw material and component supplies, salaries & benefits, facility and lease costs, operating expenses, interest and principal payments on our debt and capital expenditures. We finance our operations primarily through cash flow generated from operations and, if necessary, borrowings under our Amended ABL Facility.

 

 

Our credit agreements originally provided for a $1.2 billion term loan B credit facility (Term Loan) and include a $300.0 million uncommitted incremental term loan facility. The Term Loan currently matures on May 31, 2023. The Term Loan currentlyDecember 13, 2026 and bears interest at rates based upon either a base rate plus an applicable margin of 1.00%0.75% or adjusted LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin of 2.00%, subject1.75%. The Term Loan does not require an Excess Cash Flow payment if our secured leverage ratio is maintained below 3.75 to a LIBOR floor of 0.75%.1.00 times. As of December 31, 2017, the Company is2019, our secured leverage ratio was 1.50 to 1.00 times, and we were in compliance with all covenants of the Term Loan. There are no financial maintenance covenants on the Term Loan.

 

Our credit agreements also provide for the $250.0$300.0 million Amended ABL Facility. The maturity date of the Amended ABL Facility, is May 29, 2020.which matures on June 12, 2023. As of December 31, 2017,2019, there was $249.7were $31.0 million of borrowings outstanding and $268.6 million of availability under the Amended ABL Facility, net of outstanding letters of credit. The Company isWe were in compliance with all covenants of the Amended ABL Facility.Facility as of December 31, 2019.

 

In August 2015, our Board of Directors approved a $200.0 million stock repurchase program, which we completed in the third quarter of 2016. In October 2016, our Board of Directors approved a new $250.0 million stock repurchase program, which expired in the fourth quarter of 2018. In September 2018, the Board of Directors approved another stock repurchase program, which commenced in October 2018, and under which we may repurchase an additional $250.0 million of common stock over 24 months from time to time;time, in amounts and at prices we deem appropriate, subject to market conditions and other considerations. During the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, no repurchases were made. Since the inception of all programs, we have repurchased 844,5008,676,706 shares of our common stock for $30.0 million; during the year ended December 31, 2016, we repurchased 3,968,706 shares$305.5 million (an average repurchase price of our common stock for $149.9 million; and during the year ended December 31, 2015, we repurchased 3,303,500 shares of our common stock for $99.9 million,$35.21 per share), all funded with cash on hand.

Refer to Note 10, “Credit Agreements,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.

 

Long-term Liquidity

 

We believe that our cashcash flow from operations and availability under our Amended ABL Facility and other short-term lines of credit, combined with relatively low ongoing capital expenditure requirements andour favorable tax attributes (which result in a lower cash tax rate as compared to the U.S. statutory tax rate) provide us with sufficient capital to continue to grow our business in the future. We willmay use a portion of our cash flow to pay interest and principal on our outstanding debt as well as repurchase shares of our common stock, impacting the amount available for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. As we continue to expand our business, we may require additional capital to fund working capital, capital expenditures or acquisitions.

 

Cash Flow

 

Year ended December 31, 20179 compared to year ended December 31, 20162018

 

The following table summarizes our cash flows by category for the periods presented:

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

          

Year Ended December 31,

        

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

2017

  

2016

  

Change

  

% Change

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 $261,116  $253,409  $7,707   3.0%

Net cash used in investing activities

  (31,922)  (105,822)  73,900   -69.8%

Net cash used in financing activities

  (160,143)  (195,705)  35,562   -18.2%

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

2019

 

2018

 

$ Change

 

% Change

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 $308,887  $247,227  $61,660  24.9%

Net cash used in investing activities

 (170,078) (108,894) (61,184) 56.2%

Net cash used in financing activities

 (41,918) (52,034) 10,116  -19.4%

 

The3.0% increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily driven by the monetization of previous working capital investments and an overall increase in operating earnings partially offset by a lesser benefit from working capital reductions during the current year, which was primarily duecompared to replenishing inventory levels in the first quarter of 2017 following Hurricane Matthew, and ramping up production in the second half of 2017 in response to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.prior year.

 

Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily represented cash payments of $112.0 million related to the acquisition of businesses and $60.8 million for the purchase of property and equipment. Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily consisted of cash payments of $65.4 million related to the acquisition of businesses and $47.6 million for the purchase of property and equipment.

Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily consisted of $112.6 million of debt repayments ($53.1 million of long-term borrowings and $59.5 million of short-term borrowings), $6.4 million of taxes paid related to equity awards, and $5.5 million of contingent consideration for acquired businesses. These payments were partially offset by $75.0 million cash proceeds from borrowings ($73.3 million for short-term borrowings and $1.7 million for long-term borrowings) and $9.4 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options.

Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily consisted of $129.7 million of debt repayments ($101.8 million of long-term borrowings and $27.9 million of short-term borrowings), $25.7 million for the repurchase of our common stock, and $5.7 million of taxes paid related to equity awards. These payments were partially offset by $105.4 million of cash proceeds from borrowings ($54.0 million for short-term borrowings and $51.4 million for long-term borrowings) and $5.6 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options.

Year ended December 31, 2018 compared to year ended December 31, 2017

The following table summarizes our cash flows by category for the periods presented:

  

Year Ended December 31,

         

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

2018

  

2017

  

$ Change

  

% Change

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 $247,227  $257,322  $(10,095)  -3.9%

Net cash used in investing activities

  (108,894)  (28,128)  (80,766)  287.1%

Net cash used in financing activities

  (52,034)  (160,143)  108,109   -67.5%

The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily driven by increased working capital investment due to strong organic growth and incremental inventory purchases ahead of expected tariff changes, which was partially offset by an increase in operating earnings.

Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily represented cash payments of $65.4 million related to the acquisition of businesses and $47.6 million for the purchase of property and equipment. Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 primarily consisted of cash payments for the purchase of property and equipment.

Net cash used in investingfinancing activities for the year ended December 31, 20162018 primarily represents cash paymentsconsisted of $76.7$129.7 million related to the acquisition of businessesdebt repayments ($101.8 million of long-term borrowings and $30.5$27.9 million of short-term borrowings), $25.7 million for the purchaserepurchase of propertyour common stock, and equipment.$5.7 million of taxes paid related to equity awards. These payments were partially offset by $105.4 million of cash proceeds from borrowings ($54.0 million for short-term borrowings and $51.4 million for long-term borrowings) and $5.6 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options.

 

Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2017 primarily consisted of $232.4 million of debt repayments ($117.5 million of long-term borrowings and $114.9 million of short-term borrowings), $30.0 million for the repurchase of the Company’sour common stock, $5.9 million of taxes paid related to equity awards and $3.9 million of payments for debt issuance costs. These payments were partially offset by $105.1 million cash proceeds from borrowings ($102.0 million for short-term borrowings and $3.1 million for long-term borrowings) and $7.0 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options.

Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily consisted of $149.9 million for the repurchase of the Company’s common stock, $65.4 million of debt repayments ($37.6 million of long-term borrowings and $27.8 million of short-term borrowings) and $12.4 million of taxes paid related to equity awards. These payments were partially offset by $28.7 million cash proceeds from short-term borrowings and $7.9 million of excess tax benefits from equity awards.

Year ended December 31, 2016 compared to year ended December 31, 2015

The following table summarizes our cash flows by category for the periods presented:

  

Year Ended December 31,

         

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

2016

  

2015

  

Change

  

% Change

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 $253,409  $188,619  $64,790   34.3%

Net cash used in investing activities

  (105,822)  (104,328)  (1,494)  1.4%

Net cash used in financing activities

  (195,705)  (154,483)  (41,222)  26.7%

The 34.3% increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily driven by a reduction in working capital investment during 2016 as compared to the larger investment that was incurred in 2015, and an overall increase in operating earnings.

Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily consisted of cash payments of $76.7 million related to the acquisitions of businesses and $30.5 million for the purchase of property and equipment. Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2015 primarily represents cash payments of $74.6 million related to the acquisition of CHP and $30.7 million for the purchase of property and equipment.

Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily consisted of $149.9 million for the repurchase of the Company’s common stock, $65.4 million of debt repayments ($37.6 million of long-term borrowings and $27.8 million of short-term borrowings) and $12.4 million of taxes paid related to equity awards. These payments were partially offset by $28.7 million cash proceeds from short-term borrowings and $7.9 million of excess tax benefits from equity awards.

Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2015 primarily consisted of $174.0 million of debt repayments ($150.8 million of long-term borrowings and $23.2 million of short-term borrowings), partially offset by $126.4 million cash proceeds from borrowings ($100.0 million from long-term borrowings under the Amended ABL facility and $26.4 million from short-term borrowings). In addition, the Company paid $99.9 million for the repurchase of its common stock and $13.0 million of taxes related to equity awards, which was partially offset by $9.6 million of excess tax benefits from equity awards.

 

Senior Secured Credit Facilities

 

Refer to Note 10,12, “Credit Agreements,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 and the “Liquidity and Financial Position” section included in Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information on the senior secured credit facilities.

 

Covenant Compliance

 

The Term Loan contains restrictions on the Company’s ability to pay distributions and dividends. Payments can be made to the Company or other parent companies for certain expenses such as operating expenses in the ordinary course, fees and expenses related to any debt or equity offering and to pay franchise or similar taxes. Dividends can be used to repurchase equity interests, subject to limitations in certain circumstances. Additionally, the Term Loan restricts the aggregate amount of dividends and distributions that can be paid and, in certain circumstances, requires pro forma compliance with certain fixed charge coverage ratios or gross leverage ratios, as applicable, in order to pay certain dividends and distributions. The Term Loan also contains other affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness, liens on property, sale and leaseback transactions, investments, loans and advances, mergers or consolidations, asset sales, acquisitions, transactions with affiliates, prepayments of certain other indebtedness and modifications of our organizational documents. The Term Loan does not contain any financial maintenance covenants.

 

The Term Loan contains customary events of default, including, among others, nonpayment of principal, interest or other amounts, failure to perform covenants, inaccuracy of representations or warranties in any material respect, cross-defaults with other material indebtedness, certain undischarged judgments, thethe occurrence of certain ERISA, bankruptcy or insolvency events, or the occurrence of a change in control (as defined in the Term Loan). A bankruptcy or insolvency event of default will cause the obligations under the Term Loan to automatically become immediately due and payable.

 

TheAmended ABL Facility also contains covenants and events of default substantially similar to those in the Term Loan, as described above. 

 

 

Contractual Obligations

 

The following table summarizes our expected paymentspayments for significant contractual obligations as of December 31, 2017,2019, using the interest rates in effect as of that date:

 

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

Total

  

Less than 1 Year

  

2 - 3 Years

  

4 - 5 Years

  

After 5 Years

 

Long-term debt, including curent portion (1)

 $930,367  $936  $431  $-  $929,000 

Capital lease obligations, including current portion

  4,690   636   1,246   1,755   1,053 

Interest on long-term debt

  186,357   34,455   68,925   68,750   14,227 

Operating leases

  43,924   9,497   15,282   13,280   5,865 

Total contractual cash obligations (2)

 $1,165,338  $45,524  $85,884  $83,785  $950,145 

(U.S. Dollars in thousands)

 

Total

  

Less than 1 Year

  

2 - 3 Years

  

4 - 5 Years

  

After 5 Years

 

Long-term debt, including current portion (1)

 $832,236  $553  $1,683  $-  $830,000 

Finance lease obligations, including current portion

  25,962   1,830   3,479   2,174   18,479 

Interest on long-term debt and finance lease obligations

  218,085   30,479   60,539   60,336   66,731 

Operating leases (2)

  50,542   9,511   14,302   10,755   15,974 

Total contractual cash obligations

 $1,126,825  $42,373  $80,003  $73,265  $931,184 

 

(1)The Term Loan originally provided for a $1.2 billion term loan B credit facility and includes a $300.0 million uncommitted incremental term loan facility. The Term Loan matures on May 31, 2023.December 13, 2026. The Amended ABL Facility provides for a $250.0$300.0 million senior secured ABL revolving credit facility, which matures on May 29, 2020.June 12, 2023. There was no outstanding balance on the Amended ABL Facility classified as long-term as of December 31, 2017.2019.

 

(2) Pension obligations are excluded from this table as we are unable to estimate(2) Includes future cash disbursements for three leases entered into in December 2019 for which there is not a corresponding right of use asset or lease liability recorded in the timing of paymentConsolidated Balance Sheets for the year ended December 31, 2019, due to the inherent assumptions underlyingleases having a commencement date in 2020. Total payments to be made over the obligation. However, at a minimum,lease term for these three leases total $5.8 million.

In 2019, the Company estimates we will contribute $0.3 million to our pension plansterminated its domestic Pension Plan. In connection with the termination, all obligations were settled in 2018.the fourth quarter of 2019 through the purchase of annuities and lump sum distributions.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

Our operations require capital expenditures for technology, research & development, tooling, equipment, capacity expansion,, IT systems & infrastructure and upgrades. Capital expenditures were $33.3$60.8 million, $30.5$47.6 million and $30.7$33.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 2015,2017, respectively, and were funded through cash from operations.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We have an arrangement with a finance company to provide floor plan financing for selected dealers. This arrangement provides liquidity for our dealers by financing dealer purchases of products with credit availability from the finance company. We receive payment from the finance company after shipment of product to the dealer and our dealers are given a longer period of time to pay the finance provider.company. If our dealers do not pay the finance company, we may be required to repurchase the applicable inventory held by the dealer. We do not indemnify the finance company for any credit losses they may incur.

 

Total inventory financed under this arrangement accounted for approximately 9%11% and 8%10% of net sales for the years ended December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, respectively. The amount financed by dealers which remained outstanding was $36.5$49.6 million and $33.9$47.2 million as of December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, respectively.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

In preparing the financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that have an impact on the asset, liability, revenue and expense amounts reported. These estimates can also affect our supplemental information disclosures, of the Company, including information about contingencies, risk and financial condition. The Company believes,We believe, given current facts and circumstances, that itsour estimates and assumptions are reasonable, adhere to U.S. GAAP, and are consistently applied. Inherent in the nature of an estimate or assumption is the fact that actual results may differ from estimates and estimates may vary as new facts and circumstances arise. The Company makesWe make routine estimates and judgments in determining net realizable value of accounts receivable, inventories, property and equipment, prepaid expenses, product warranties and other reserves. Management believes the Company’sour most critical accounting estimates and assumptions are in the following areas: goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment assessment; business combinations and purchase accounting; defined benefit pension obligations and income taxes.

 

Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

 

Refer to Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies – Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the Company’s policy regarding the accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets.

The Company performed the required annual impairment tests for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for the fiscal years 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 2015,2017, and found no impairment following the 2017 and 2016 tests. There were no reporting units with a carrying value at-risk of exceeding fair value as of the October 31, 2017 impairment test date.

After performing the impairment tests for fiscal year 2015, the Company determined that the fair value of the Ottomotores reporting unit was less than its carrying value, resulting in a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $4.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2015. The fair value was determined using a discounted cash flow analysis, which utilizes key estimates and assumptions as discussed below. Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a plan to strategically transition and consolidate certain of the Company’s brands acquired through acquisitions to the Generac® tradename. This brand strategy change resulted in a reclassification to a two year remaining useful life for the impacted tradenames, causing the fair value to be less than the carrying value using the relief-from-royalty approach in a discounted cash flow analysis. As such, a $36.1 million non-cash impairment charge was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2015 to write-down the impacted tradenames to net realizable value. See Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies – Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the impairment charges recorded in 2015.impairment.

 

When preparing a discounted cash flow analysis for purposes of our annual impairment test, we make a number of key estimates and assumptions. We estimate the future cash flows of the business based on historical and forecasted revenues and operating costs. This, in turn, involves further estimates, such as estimates of future growth rates and inflation rates. In addition, we apply a discount rate to the estimated future cash flows for the purpose of the valuation. This discount rate is based on the estimated weighted average cost of capital for the business and may change from year to year. Weighted average cost of capital includes certain assumptions such as market capital structures, market betas, risk-free rate of return and estimated costs of borrowing.

In our October 31, 2019 impairment test calculation, the Latin America reporting unit had an estimated fair value that exceeded its carrying value by approximately 10%. The carrying value of the Latin America goodwill was $48.1 million. Key financial assumptions utilized to determine the fair value of the reporting unit includes revenue growth levels that reflect recovering end markets, an expanding customer and project pipeline, increased sales of service parts and service contracts, improving profit margins, a 3% terminal growth rate and an 11.1% discount rate. The reporting unit’s fair value would approximate its carrying value with a 100 basis point increase in the discount rate or a 100 basis point reduction in the sales continuous annual growth rate and terminal growth rate. As of the October 31, 2019 impairment test date, there was no other reporting unit with a carrying value that was at risk of exceeding its fair value.

 

As noted above, a considerable amount of management judgment and assumptions are required in performing the goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment tests. While we believe our judgments and assumptions are reasonable, different assumptions could change the estimated fair values. A number of factors, many of which we have no ability to control, could cause actual results to differ from the estimates and assumptions we employed. These factors include:

 

 

a prolonged global or regional economic downturn;

a significant decrease in the demand for our products;

the inability to develop new and enhanced products and services in a timely manner;

 

a significant decreaseadverse change in legal factors or in the demand for our products;business climate;

 

the inability to develop new and enhanced products and services inan adverse action or assessment by a timely manner;regulator;

a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate;

an adverse action or assessment by a regulator;

 

successful efforts by our competitors to gain market share in our markets;markets;

 

disruptions to the Company’sCompany’s business;

 

inability to effectively integrate acquired businesses;

inability to effectively integrate acquired businesses;

 

unexpected or plannedunplanned changes in the use of assets or entity structure; and

 

business divestitures.

 

If management's estimates of future operating results change or if there are changes to other assumptions due to these factors, the estimate of the fair values may change significantly. Such change could result in impairment charges in future periods, which could have a significant impact on our operating results and financial condition.

 

Business Combinations and Purchase Accounting

 

We account for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting, and accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the acquired business are recorded at their respective fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. Assigning fair market values to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of an acquisition requires knowledge of current market values, the values of assets in use, and often requires the application of judgment regarding estimates and assumptions. While the ultimate responsibility resides with management, for material acquisitions we retain the services of certified valuation specialists to assist with assigning estimated values to certain acquired assets and assumed liabilities, including intangible assets and tangible long-lived assets. Acquired intangible assets, excluding goodwill, are valued using certain discounted cash flow methodologies based on future cash flows specific to the type of intangible asset purchased. This methodology incorporates various estimates and assumptions, the most significant being projected revenue growth rates, earningsprofit margins, and forecasted cash flows based on the discount rate and terminal growth rate. Refer to Note 1, “Description of Business,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the Company’s business acquisitions.

Defined Benefit Pension Obligations

The Company’s pension benefit obligation and related pension expense or income are calculated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 715-30, Defined Benefit Plans—Pension, and are impacted by certain actuarial assumptions, including the discount rate and the expected rate of return on plan assets. Such rates are evaluated on an annual basis considering factors including market interest rates and historical asset performance. Actuarial valuations for fiscal year 2017 used a discount rate of 3.60% for the salaried pension plan and 3.62% for the hourly pension plan. Our discount rate was selected using a methodology that matches plan cash flows with a selection of “Aa” or higher rated bonds, resulting in a discount rate that better matches a bond yield curve with comparable cash flows. In estimating the expected return on plan assets, we study historical markets and preserve the long-term historical relationships between equities and fixed-income securities. We evaluate current market factors such as inflation and interest rates before we determine long-term capital market assumptions and review peer data and historical returns to check for reasonableness and appropriateness. Changes in the discount rate and return on assets can have a significant effect on the funded status of our pension plans, stockholders' equity and related expense. We cannot predict these changes in discount rates or investment returns and, therefore, cannot reasonably estimate whether the impact in subsequent years will be significant.

The funded status of our pension plans is the difference between the projected benefit obligation and the fair value of its plan assets. The projected benefit obligation is the actuarial present value of all benefits expected to be earned by the employees' service. No compensation increase is assumed in the calculation of the projected benefit obligation, as the plans were frozen effective December 31, 2008. Further information regarding the funded status of our pension plans can be found in Note 14, “Benefit Plans,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Our funding policy for our pension plans is to contribute amounts at least equal to the minimum annual amount required by applicable regulations. Given this policy, we expect to make $0.3 million in contributions to our pension plans in 2018, at a minimum.

 

Income Taxes

 

We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740,, Income Taxes. Our estimate of income taxes payable, deferred income taxes and the effective tax rate is based on an analysis of many factors including interpretations of federal, state and international income tax laws; the difference between tax and financial reporting bases of assets and liabilities; estimates of amounts currently due or owed in various jurisdictions; and current accounting standards. We review and update our estimates on a quarterly basis as facts and circumstances change and actual results are known.

 

In assessing the realizability of the deferred tax assets on our balance sheet, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the years in which those temporary differences become deductible. We consider the taxable income in prior carryback years, scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

 

Refer to Note 13,15, “Income Taxes” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the Company’s income taxes and the impact of the Tax Act.taxes.

 

New Accounting Standards

 

For information with respect to new accounting pronouncements and the impact of these pronouncements on our consolidated financial statements, refer to Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies - New Accounting Pronouncements,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

We are exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and interest rates. To reduce the risk from these changes, we use financial instruments from time to time. We do not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.

 

Foreign Currency

 

We are exposed to foreign currency exchange risk as a result of transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar, as well as operating businesses in foreign countries. Periodically, we utilize foreign currency forward purchase and sales contracts to manage the volatility associated with certain foreign currency purchases and sales in the normal course of business. Contracts typically have maturities of twelve months or less. Realized gains and losses on transactions denominated in foreign currency are recorded as a component of cost of goods sold onin the statements of comprehensive income.

 

The following is a summary of the twenty-eightforty-three foreign currency contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2017 (in2019 (notional amount in thousands):

 

Currency Denomination

Denomination

 

Trade DatesDates

 

Effective DatesDates

 

Notional AmountAmount

 

Expiration DateDate

GBPGBP

 

9/26/1711/11/19 - 12/20/1716/19

 

9/26/1711/11/19 - 12/20/1716/19

 

 14,756 $                     5,110

 

1/10/1815/20 - 3/17/184/30/20

USD

10/24/19 - 12/16/19

10/24/19 - 12/16/19

 $                     6,300

1/15/20 - 2/19/20

AUD

11/25/19 - 12/16/19

11/25/19 - 12/16/19

 $                     4,800

1/29/20 - 2/19/20

 

Commodity Prices

 

We are a purchaser of commodities and of componentscomponents manufactured from commodities including steel, aluminum, copper and others. As a result, we are exposed to fluctuating market prices for those commodities. While such materials are typically available from numerous suppliers, commodity raw materials are subject to price fluctuations. We generally buy these commodities and components based upon market prices that are established with the supplier as part of the purchase process. Depending on the supplier, these market prices may reset on a periodic basis based on negotiated lags and calculations. To the extent that commodity prices increase and we do not have firm pricing from our suppliers, or our suppliers are not able to honor such prices, we may experience a decline in our gross margins to the extent we are not able to increase selling prices of our products or obtain manufacturing efficiencies or supply chain savings to offset increases in commodity costs.

 

Periodically, we engage in certain commodity risk management activities to mitigate the impact of potential price fluctuations on our financial results. These derivatives typically have maturities of less than eighteen months. As of December 31, 2017,2019, we had the followingno commodity forward contract outstanding (in thousands):contracts outstanding.

Hedged Item

 

Contract Date

 

Effective Date

 

Notional Amount

  

Fixed Price

(per LB)

 

Expiration Date

Copper

 

October 19, 2016

 

October 20, 2016

 $3,502  $2.118 

December 31, 2017

 

Interest Rates

 

As of December 31, 2017,2019, all of the outstanding debt under our Term Loan and ABL Facility was subject to floating interest rate risk. As of December 31, 2017,2019, we had the following interest rate swap contracts outstanding (in thousands)(notional amount in thousands of US dollars):

 

Hedged Item

 

Contract Date

 

Effective Date

 

Notional Amount

  

Fixed LIBOR Rate

 

Expiration Date

Interest Rate

 

October 23, 2013

 

July 1, 2014

 $100,000   1.7420% 

July 2, 2018

Interest Rate

 

October 23, 2013

 

July 1, 2014

  100,000   1.7370% 

July 2, 2018

Interest Rate

 

May 19, 2014

 

July 1, 2014

  100,000   1.6195% 

July 2, 2018

Interest Rate

 

June 19, 2017

 

July 2, 2018

  125,000   1.6543% 

July 1, 2019

Interest Rate

 

June 19, 2017

 

July 1, 2019

  125,000   1.9053% 

July 1, 2020

Interest Rate

 

June 19, 2017

 

July 1, 2020

  125,000   2.1328% 

July 1, 2021

Interest Rate

 

June 19, 2017

 

July 1, 2021

  125,000   2.3453% 

July 1, 2022

Interest Rate

 

June 19, 2017

 

July 1, 2022

  125,000   2.4828% 

May 31, 2023

Interest Rate

 

June 30, 2017

 

July 1, 2018

  125,000   1.7090% 

July 1, 2019

Interest Rate

 

June 30, 2017

 

July 1, 2019

  125,000   1.9750% 

July 1, 2020

Interest Rate

 

June 30, 2017

 

July 1, 2020

  125,000   2.2170% 

July 1, 2021

Interest Rate

 

June 30, 2017

 

July 1, 2021

  125,000   2.4360% 

July 1, 2022

Interest Rate

 

June 30, 2017

 

July 1, 2022

  125,000   2.5910% 

May 31, 2023

Interest Rate

 

August 9, 2017

 

July 1, 2018

  125,000   1.6298% 

July 1, 2019

Interest Rate

 

August 9, 2017

 

July 1, 2019

  125,000   1.8598% 

July 1, 2020

Interest Rate

 

August 9, 2017

 

July 1, 2020

  125,000   2.0848% 

July 1, 2021

Interest Rate

 

August 9, 2017

 

July 1, 2021

  125,000   2.3010% 

July 1, 2022

Interest Rate

 

August 9, 2017

 

July 1, 2022

  125,000   2.4848% 

May 31, 2023

Interest Rate

 

August 30, 2017

 

July 1, 2018

  125,000   1.5503% 

July 1, 2019

Interest Rate

 

August 30, 2017

 

July 1, 2019

  125,000   1.7553% 

July 1, 2020

Interest Rate

 

August 30, 2017

 

July 1, 2020

  125,000   1.9803% 

July 1, 2021

Interest Rate

 

August 30, 2017

 

July 1, 2021

  125,000   2.2228% 

July 1, 2022

Interest Rate

 

August 30, 2017

 

July 1, 2022

  125,000   2.4153% 

May 31, 2023

Hedged Item

 

Contract Date

 

Effective Date

 

Notional Amount

 

Fixed LIBOR Rate

 

Expiration Date

Interest Rate

 

June 19, 2017

 

July 1, 2019

 

                    125,000

 

1.9053%

 

July 1, 2020

Interest Rate

 

June 19, 2017

 

July 1, 2020

 

                    125,000

 

2.1263%

 

July 1, 2021

Interest Rate

 

June 19, 2017

 

July 1, 2021

 

                    125,000

 

2.2733%

 

July 1, 2022

Interest Rate

 

June 19, 2017

 

July 1, 2022

 

                    125,000

 

2.3673%

 

May 31, 2023

Interest Rate

 

June 30, 2017

 

July 1, 2019

 

                    125,000

 

1.9750%

 

July 1, 2020

Interest Rate

 

June 30, 2017

 

July 1, 2020

 

                    125,000

 

2.2062%

 

July 1, 2021

Interest Rate

 

June 30, 2017

 

July 1, 2021

 

                    125,000

 

2.3717%

 

July 1, 2022

Interest Rate

 

June 30, 2017

 

July 1, 2022

 

                    125,000

 

2.5000%

 

May 31, 2023

Interest Rate

 

August 9, 2017

 

July 1, 2019

 

                    125,000

 

1.8598%

 

July 1, 2020

Interest Rate

 

August 9, 2017

 

July 1, 2020

 

                    125,000

 

2.0740%

 

July 1, 2021

Interest Rate

 

August 9, 2017

 

July 1, 2021

 

                    125,000

 

2.2367%

 

July 1, 2022

Interest Rate

 

August 9, 2017

 

July 1, 2022

 

                    125,000

 

2.2948%

 

May 31, 2023

Interest Rate

 

August 30, 2017

 

July 1, 2019

 

                    125,000

 

1.7553%

 

July 1, 2020

Interest Rate

 

August 30, 2017

 

July 1, 2020

 

                    125,000

 

1.9737%

 

July 1, 2021

Interest Rate

 

August 30, 2017

 

July 1, 2021

 

                    125,000

 

2.1508%

 

July 1, 2022

Interest Rate

 

August 30, 2017

 

July 1, 2022

 

                    125,000

 

2.2998%

 

May 31, 2023

 

In conjunction with the December amendment to our term loan, we also amended the interest swaps to remove the LIBOR floor, which resulted in minor reductions to our future dated swap rates. At December 31, 2017,2019, the fair value of these interest rate swaps was an asseta liability of $4.4$10.6 million. Even after giving effect to these swaps, we are exposed to risks due to changes in interest rates with respect to the portion of our Term Loan and ABL Facility that is not covered by the swaps. A hypothetical change in the LIBOR interest rate of 100 basis points would have changed annual cash interest expense by approximately $6.3$4.0 million (or, without the swaps in place, $9.3$9.0 million) in 2017. 2019.

 

For additional information on the Company’s foreign currency and commodity forward contracts and interest rate swaps, including amounts charged to the statement of comprehensive income during 2019, 2018, and 2017, refer to Note 4,5, “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” and Note 5,6, “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss,” to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Shareholdersstockholders and the Board of Directors of Generac Holdings Inc.

Waukesha, WisconsinWI

 

Opinion onon the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Generac Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”"Company") as of December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, the related consolidated statements of  comprehensive income, stockholders’stockholders' equity, and cash flows, for each of the twothree years in the period ended December 31, 2017,2019, and the related notes collectively(collectively referred to as the “financial statements”"financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the twothree years in the period ended December 31, 2017,2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

We have also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’sCompany's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017,2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control-IntegratedControl — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 26, 201825, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’sCompany's internal control over financial reporting.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 10 to the financial statements, effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), using the modified retrospective approach.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidatedthe Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our auditaudits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures includeincluded examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Acquisitions – Neurio and Pika –Intangible Assets — Refer to Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.

Critical Audit Matter Description

As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, on March 12, 2019, the Company acquired Neurio for a purchase price of $59.1 million. The Company accounted for the acquisition under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. Accordingly, the purchase price was allocated based on the estimates of the fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities. As a result, the Company recorded approximately $58.8 million of intangible assets, including $17.9 million of goodwill as of the acquisition date.

On April 26, 2019, the Company acquired Pika for a purchase price of $49.1 million. The Company accounted for the acquisition under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. Accordingly, the purchase price was allocated based on the estimates of the fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities. As a result, the Company recorded approximately $58.2 million of intangible assets, including $19.9 million of goodwill as of the acquisition date.

For both acquisitions, acquired intangible assets, excluding goodwill, were valued using certain discounted cash flow methodologies based on future cash flows specific to the type of intangible asset purchased. This methodology incorporated various estimates and assumptions, the most significant being projected revenue growth rates, earnings margins, and forecasted cash flows based on a discount rate and terminal growth rate.

The principle consideration for our determination that the purchase accounting for these acquisitions is a critical audit matter is that there is a high degree of auditor effort, judgment and subjectivity involved in designing and performing procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of management’s estimates and assumptions related to the projected revenue growth rates, earnings margins and forecasted cash flows based on the discount rate and terminal growth rate.

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our audit procedures related to the projected revenue growth rates, earnings margins, and forecasted cash flows and the selection of the discount rate and terminal growth rate for the intangible assets included the following, among others:

We tested the effectiveness of controls over management’s process to estimate the fair value of the intangible assets, including those over projected revenue growth rates, earnings margins and forecasted cash flows based on the discount rate and terminal growth rate.

We assessed the reasonableness of management’s future cash flow projections and terminal growth rate by comparing the projections to historical results and relevant industry data.

With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the reasonableness of the (1) valuation methodology and (2) discount rate selected, including testing the source information underlying the determination of the discount rate, testing the mathematical accuracy of the calculation, and developing a range of independent estimates and comparing those to the discount rate selected by management.

We evaluated whether the estimated future cash flows were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit, including impairment analyses and tax projections.

Goodwill – Refer to Note 9 to the financial statements.

Critical Audit Matter Description

The Company’s evaluation of goodwill for impairment involves the comparison of the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. The Company’s estimate for each reporting unit is based on the present value of estimated future cash flows attributable to the respective reporting unit. This requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions including estimates of future growth rates and inflation rates and discount rates based on the estimated weighted average cost of capital for the business. Changes in the assumptions could have a significant impact on the fair value, which could result in an impairment charge. The Company performed their annual impairment assessment of its reporting units as of October 31, 2019.  In the October 31, 2019 impairment test calculation, the Latin America reporting unit had an estimated fair value that exceeded its carrying value by approximately 10%. Because the estimated fair value exceeded the carrying value, no impairment was recorded.  The carrying value of the Company’s Latin America reporting unit goodwill was approximately $48.1 million. Key financial assumptions utilized to determine the fair value of the reporting unit include revenue growth levels that reflect recovering end markets, an expanding customer and project pipeline, increased sales of service parts and service contracts, improving profit margins, a 3% terminal growth rate and an 11.1% discount rate.

The principle consideration for our determination that the evaluation of goodwill is a critical audit matter is that there is a high degree of auditor effort, judgment and subjectivity involved in designing and performing procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of management’s key financial assumptions utilized to determine the fair value of the Latin America reporting unit.

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our audit procedures related to the forecasts of future revenue growth rates, improving profit margins, the terminal growth rate and the selection of the discount rate for the Latin America reporting unit included the following, among others:

Evaluated the design and effectiveness of the controls over management’s goodwill impairment evaluation, including those over the determination of the fair value of the reporting unit, such as controls related to management’s forecast and the selection of the discount rate.

Obtained the Company’s discounted cash flow model and evaluated the valuation analysis for mathematical accuracy.

Utilized fair value specialists to evaluate whether the valuation techniques applied by management were appropriate.

Assessed management’s historical ability to accurately forecast the Company’s results of operations.

Assessed management’s intent and/or ability to take specific actions included in the discounted cash flow model.

Evaluated the reasonableness of management’s forecasts by comparing the forecasts to (1) historical results, (2) internal communications to the Board of Directors, and (3) forecasted information included in industry reports.

Independently calculated a discount rate and compared it to the rate utilized by the Company.

 

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

 

Milwaukee, WIWisconsin

February 26, 201825, 2020

 

We have served as the Company’sCompany’s auditor since 2016.


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Generac Holdings Inc.

Waukesha, Wisconsin

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of Generac Holdings Inc. (the Company) for the year ended December 31, 2015. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements 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. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated results of operations and cash flows of Generac Holdings Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Milwaukee, WI

February 26, 2016, (except for Note 6, Segment Reporting, and Note 2, New Accounting Pronouncements, as to which the date is February 24, 2017)

 

  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Shareholdersstockholders and the Board of Directors of Generac Holdings Inc.

Waukesha, Wisconsin

 

Opinion onInternal Control over Financial Reporting

 

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Generac Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company"“Company”) as of December 31, 2017,2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017,2019, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, of the Company and our report dated February 26, 201825, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.statements and included an explanatory paragraph regarding the Company's adoption of FASB Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), using the modified retrospective approach.

 

As described in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management excluded from its assessment the internal control over financial reporting at Neurio Technology Inc. (Neurio), which was acquired in March 2019, and Pika Energy, Inc (Pika), which was acquired in April 2019, and whose financial statements constitute 5.0% and 2.8% of net and total assets, respectively, 0.4% of net sales, and (2.2)% of net income of the consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019. Accordingly, our audit did not include the internal control over financial reporting at Neurio and Pika.

Basis for Opinion

 

The Company'sCompany’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal 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 are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

Definition and LimitationsLimitations of Internal ControlControl over Financial Reporting

 

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

 

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

 

/s/ DeloitteDeloitte & Touche LLP

 

Milwaukee, WIWisconsin

February 26, 201825, 2020

 

 

Generac Holdings Inc.Inc.

Consolidated Balance SheetsSheets

(U.S. Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share DataData))

 

 

December 31,

  

December 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2019

  

2018

 

Assets

        

Current assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

 $138,472  $67,272 

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,805 and $5,642 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively

  280,002   241,857 

Inventories

  380,341   349,731 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

  19,741   24,649 

Total current assets

  818,556   683,509 

Assets

    

Current assets:

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 $322,883  $224,482 

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $6,968 and $4,873 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively

 319,538  326,133 

Inventories

 522,024  544,750 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

  31,384   25,404 

Total current assets

 1,195,829  1,120,769 
         

Property and equipment, net

  230,380   212,793 

Property and equipment, net

 316,976  278,929 
         

Customer lists, net

  41,064   45,312 

Patents, net

  39,617   48,061 

Other intangible assets, net

  2,401   2,925 

Tradenames, net

  152,683   158,874 

Goodwill

  721,523   704,640 

Deferred income taxes

  3,238   3,337 

Other assets

  10,502   2,233 

Total assets

 $2,019,964  $1,861,684 

Customer lists, net

 55,552  61,194 

Patents and technology, net

 85,546  29,970 

Other intangible assets, net

 8,259  3,043 

Tradenames, net

 148,377  152,283 

Goodwill

 805,284  764,655 

Deferred income taxes

 2,933  163 

Operating lease and other assets

  46,913   15,308 

Total assets

 $2,665,669  $2,426,314 
         

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

        

Current liabilities:

        

Short-term borrowings

 $20,602  $31,198 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

    

Current liabilities:

 

Short-term borrowings

 $58,714  $45,583 

Accounts payable

  233,639   181,519  261,977  328,091 

Accrued wages and employee benefits

  27,992   21,189 

Other accrued liabilities

  105,067   93,068 

Current portion of long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations

  1,572   14,965 

Total current liabilities

  388,872   341,939 

Accrued wages and employee benefits

 41,361  40,819 

Other accrued liabilities

 132,629  144,236 

Current portion of long-term borrowings and finance lease obligations

  2,383   1,977 

Total current liabilities

 497,064  560,706 
         

Long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations

  906,548   1,006,758 

Deferred income taxes

  43,789   17,278 

Other long-term liabilities

  76,995   61,459 

Total liabilities

  1,416,204   1,427,434 

Long-term borrowings and finance lease obligations

 837,767  876,396 

Deferred income taxes

 96,328  71,300 

Operating lease and other long-term liabilities

  140,432   95,647 

Total liabilities

 1,571,591  1,604,049 
         

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

  43,929   33,138 

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

 61,227  61,004 
         

Stockholders’ equity:

        

Common stock, par value $0.01, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 70,820,173 and 70,261,481 shares issued at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively

  708   702 

Additional paid-in capital

  459,816   449,049 

Treasury stock, at cost, 8,448,874 and 7,564,874 shares at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively

  (294,005)  (262,402)

Excess purchase price over predecessor basis

  (202,116)  (202,116)

Retained earnings

  616,347   456,052 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  (21,198)  (40,163)

Stockholders’ equity attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.

  559,552   401,122 

Noncontrolling interests

  279   (10)

Total stockholders’ equity

  559,831   401,112 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 $2,019,964  $1,861,684 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

Common stock, par value $0.01, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 71,667,726 and 71,186,418 shares issued at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively

 717  712 

Additional paid-in capital

 498,866  476,116 

Treasury stock, at cost, 9,103,013 and 9,047,060 shares at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively

 (324,551) (321,473)

Excess purchase price over predecessor basis

 (202,116) (202,116)

Retained earnings

 1,084,383  831,123 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  (24,917)  (23,813)

Stockholders’ equity attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.

 1,032,382  760,549 

Noncontrolling interests

  469   712 

Total stockholders’ equity

  1,032,851   761,261 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 $2,665,669  $2,426,314 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements

See notes to consolidated financial statements..

 

 

Generac Holdings Inc.Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive IncomeIncome

(U.S. Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share DataData))

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

  

Year Ended December 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2015

  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

 
             

Net sales

 $1,672,445  $1,444,453  $1,317,299 

Costs of goods sold

  1,090,328   930,347   857,349 

Gross profit

  582,117   514,106   459,950 

Net sales

 $2,204,336  $2,023,464  $1,679,373 

Costs of goods sold

  1,406,584   1,298,424   1,094,587 

Gross profit

 797,752  725,040  584,786 
             

Operating expenses:

            

Selling and service

  171,755   164,607   130,242 

Research and development

  42,925   37,229   32,922 

General and administrative

  87,512   74,700   52,947 

Amortization of intangibles

  28,861   32,953   23,591 

Tradename and goodwill impairment

        40,687 

Total operating expenses

  331,053   309,489   280,389 

Income from operations

  251,064   204,617   179,561 

Operating expenses:

       

Selling and service

 217,683  191,887  174,841 

Research and development

 68,394  50,019  42,869 

General and administrative

 110,868  103,841  87,581 

Amortization of intangibles

  28,644   22,112   28,861 

Total operating expenses

  425,589   367,859   334,152 

Income from operations

 372,163  357,181  250,634 
             

Other (expense) income:

            

Interest expense

  (42,667)  (44,568)  (42,843)

Investment income

  298   44   123 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     (574)  (4,795)

Loss on change in contractual interest rate

     (2,957)  (2,381)

Costs related to acquisition

  (777)  (1,082)  (1,195)

Other, net

  (3,230)  902   (5,487)

Total other expense, net

  (46,376)  (48,235)  (56,578)

Other (expense) income:

       

Interest expense

 (41,544) (40,956) (42,667)

Investment income

 2,767  1,893  298 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 (926) (1,332)  

Loss on pension settlement

 (10,920)    

Other, net

  (1,933)  (5,710)  (4,566)

Total other expense, net

  (52,556)  (46,105)  (46,935)
             

Income before provision for income taxes

  204,688   156,382   122,983  319,607  311,076  203,699 

Provision for income taxes

  43,553   57,570   45,236 

Provision for income taxes

  67,299   69,856   44,142 

Net income

  161,135   98,812   77,747  252,308  241,220  159,557 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

  1,749   24   - 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

  301   2,963   1,749 

Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.

 $159,386  $98,788  $77,747  $252,007  $238,257  $157,808 
             

Net income attributable to common shareholders per common share - basic:

 $2.58  $1.51  $1.14 

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic:

  62,040,704   64,905,793   68,096,051 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

       

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 $2,210  $(5,976) $15,191 

Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives

 (13,855) 2,924  3,712 

Pension liability adjustment

  10,541   437   62 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

  (1,104)  (2,615)  18,965 

Total comprehensive income

 251,204  238,605  178,522 

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

  (635)  1,647   5,549 

Comprehensive income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.

 $251,839  $236,958  $172,973 
             

Net income attributable to common shareholders per common share - diluted:

 $2.56  $1.50  $1.12 

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted:

  62,642,872   65,382,774   69,200,297 

Net income attributable to common shareholders per common share - basic:

 $4.09  $3.57  $2.56 

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic:

 61,926,986  61,662,031  62,040,704 
             

Other comprehensive income (loss):

            

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 $15,191  $(18,545) $(7,624)

Net unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives

  3,712   535   (965)

Pension liability adjustment

  62   322   1,881 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

  18,965   (17,688)  (6,708)

Total comprehensive income

  180,100   81,124   71,039 

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

  5,549   (973)   

Comprehensive income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.

 $174,551  $82,097  $71,039 

Net income attributable to common shareholders per common share - diluted:

 $4.03  $3.54  $2.53 

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted:

 62,865,446  62,233,225  62,642,872 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statementsstatements..

 

 

Generac Holdings Inc.Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' EquityEquity

(U.S. Dollars in Thousands, Except Share DataData))

 

Generac Holdings Inc.

Excess

Purchase

Price

Accumulated

Additional

Over

Other

Total

Common Stock

Paid-In

Treasury Stock

Predecessor

Retained

Comprehensive

Stockholders'

Noncontrolling

Shares

Amount

Capital

Shares

Amount

Basis

Earnings

Income (Loss)

Equity

Interest

Total

Balance at December 31, 2014

69,122,271$691$434,906(198,312)$(8,341)$(202,116)$280,426$(15,767)$489,799$-$489,799

Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps, net of tax of $(609)

(965)(965)(965)

Foreign currency translation adjustment

(7,624)(7,624)(7,624)

Common stock issued under equity incentive plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes and strike price

460,3985(9,626)(9,621)(9,621)

Net share settlement of restricted stock awards

(65,763)(3,233)(3,233)(3,233)

Stock repurchases

(3,303,500)(99,942)(99,942)(99,942)

Excess tax benefits from equity awards

9,5599,5599,559

Share-based compensation

8,2418,2418,241

Dividends declared

292929

Pension liability adjustment, net of tax of $1,176

1,8811,8811,881

Net income

77,74777,74777,747

Balance at December 31, 2015

69,582,669$696$443,109(3,567,575)$(111,516)$(202,116)$358,173$(22,475)$465,871$-$465,871

Acquisition of business

5353

Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps, net of tax of $341

535535535

Foreign currency translation adjustment

(18,545)(18,545)13(18,532)

Common stock issued under equity incentive plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes and strike price

678,8126(11,473)(11,467)(11,467)

Net share settlement of restricted stock awards

(28,593)(949)(949)(949)

Stock repurchases

(3,968,706)(149,937)(149,937)(149,937)

Excess tax benefits from equity awards

7,9207,9207,920

Share-based compensation

9,4939,4939,493

Pension liability adjustment, net of tax of $207

322322322

Redemption value adjustment

(909)(909)(909)

Net income

98,78898,788(76)98,712

Balance at December 31, 2016

70,261,481$702$449,049(7,564,874)$(262,402)$(202,116)$456,052$(40,163)$401,122$(10)$401,112

Change in noncontrolling interest share

(2,124)(2,124)184(1,940)

Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps, net of tax of $2,384

3,7123,7123,712

Foreign currency translation adjustment

15,19115,191(14)15,177

Common stock issued under equity incentive plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes and strike price

558,69262,6862,6922,692

Net share settlement of restricted stock awards

(39,500)(1,591)(1,591)(1,591)

Stock repurchases

(844,500)(30,012)(30,012)(30,012)

Share-based compensation

10,20510,20510,205

Pension liability adjustment, net of tax of $21

626262

Redemption value adjustment

909909909

Net income

159,386159,386119159,505

Balance at December 31, 2017

70,820,173$708$459,816(8,448,874)$(294,005)$(202,116)$616,347$(21,198)$559,552$279$559,831
  

Generac Holdings Inc.

         
  

Common Stock

  

 

Additional

Paid-In

  

Treasury Stock

  Excess Purchase Price

Over

Predecessor
  

Retained

  

 

Accumulated Other

Comprehensive

  

 

Total

Stockholders'

  

Noncontrolling

     
  

Shares

  

Amount

  

Capital

  

Shares

  

Amount

  

 Basis

  

Earnings

  

Income (Loss)

  

Equity

  

Interest

  

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2016

  70,261,481  $702  $449,049   (7,564,874) $(262,402) $(202,116) $452,119  $(40,163) $397,189  $(10) $397,179 

Change in noncontrolling interest share

        (2,124)                 (2,124)  184   (1,940)

Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps, net of tax of $2,384

                       3,712   3,712      3,712 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

                       15,191   15,191   (14)  15,177 

Common stock issued under equity incentive plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes and strike price

  558,692   6   2,686                  2,692      2,692 

Net share settlement of restricted stock awards

           (39,500)  (1,591)           (1,591)     (1,591)

Stock repurchases

           (844,500)  (30,012)           (30,012)     (30,012)

Share-based compensation

        10,205                  10,205      10,205 

Pension liability adjustment, net of tax of $21

                       62   62      62 

Redemption value adjustment

                    909      909      909 

Net income

                    157,808      157,808   119   157,927 
                                             

Balance at December 31, 2017

  70,820,173  $708  $459,816   (8,448,874) $(294,005) $(202,116) $610,836  $(21,198) $554,041  $279  $554,320 

Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps, net of tax of $1,027

                       2,924   2,924      2,924 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

                       (5,976)  (5,976)  (2)  (5,978)

Common stock issued under equity incentive plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes and strike price

  366,245   4   1,737                  1,741      1,741 

Net share settlement of restricted stock awards

        ��   (38,186)  (1,812)           (1,812)     (1,812)

Stock repurchases

           (560,000)  (25,656)           (25,656)     (25,656)

Cash dividends paid to noncontrolling interest of subsidiary

                             (314)  (314)

Share-based compensation

        14,563                  14,563      14,563 

Pension liability adjustment, net of tax of $154

                       437   437      437 

Redemption value adjustment

                    (17,970)     (17,970)     (17,970)

Net income

                    238,257      238,257   749   239,006 
                                             

Balance at December 31, 2018

  71,186,418  $712  $476,116   (9,047,060) $(321,473) $(202,116) $831,123  $(23,813) $760,549  $712  $761,261 

Change in noncontrolling interest share

                             (154)  (154)

Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps, net of tax of ($4,877)

                       (13,855)  (13,855)     (13,855)

Foreign currency translation adjustment

                       2,210   2,210   (30)  2,180 

Common stock issued under equity incentive plans, net of shares withheld for employee taxes and strike price

  481,308   5   6,056                  6,061      6,061 

Net share settlement of restricted stock awards

           (55,953)  (3,078)           (3,078)     (3,078)

Cash dividends paid to noncontrolling interest of subsidiary

                             (285)  (285)

Share-based compensation

        16,694                  16,694      16,694 

Pension liability adjustment and settlement, net of tax

                       10,541   10,541      10,541 

Redemption value adjustment

                    1,253      1,253      1,253 

Net income

                    252,007      252,007   226   252,233 
                                             

Balance at December 31, 2019

  71,667,726  $717  $498,866   (9,103,013) $(324,551) $(202,116) $1,084,383  $(24,917) $1,032,382  $469  $1,032,851 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statementsstatements..

 

 

Generac Holdings Inc.Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash FlowsFlows

(U.S. Dollars in ThousandsThousands))

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

  

Year Ended December 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2015

  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

 
             

Operating activities

            

Net income

 $161,135  $98,812  $77,747 

Adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

            

Depreciation

  23,127   21,465   16,742 

Amortization of intangible assets

  28,861   32,953   23,591 

Amortization of original issue discount and deferred financing costs

  3,516   3,940   5,429 

Tradename and goodwill impairment

        40,687 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     574   4,795 

Loss on change in contractual interest rate

     2,957   2,381 

Deferred income taxes

  21,439   39,347   26,955 

Share-based compensation expense

  10,205   9,493   8,241 

Other

  410   127   540 

Net changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

            

Operating activities

            

Net income

 $252,308  $241,220  $159,557 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

       

Depreciation

 32,265  25,296  23,127 

Amortization of intangible assets

 28,644  22,112  28,861 

Amortization of original issue discount and deferred financing costs

 4,712  4,749  3,516 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 926  1,332   

Loss on pension settlement

 10,920     

Deferred income taxes

 18,733  23,600  19,502 

Share-based compensation expense

 16,694  14,563  10,205 

Other

 1,086  2,474  410 

Net changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

       

Accounts receivable

  (29,771)  (9,082)  9,610  8,231  (43,243) (32,857)

Inventories

  (16,278)  15,514   9,084 

Other assets

  (14,783)  406   5,063 

Accounts payable

  42,788   32,908   (27,771)

Accrued wages and employee benefits

  6,105   5,196   (5,361)

Other accrued liabilities

  27,514   6,719   445 

Excess tax benefits from equity awards

  (3,152)  (7,920)  (9,559)

Net cash provided by operating activities

  261,116   253,409   188,619 

Inventories

 26,369  (152,594) (22,986)

Other assets

 (358) (6,362) (14,783)

Accounts payable

 (69,404) 86,359  42,788 

Accrued wages and employee benefits

 (3,724) 12,626  6,105 

Other accrued liabilities

 (16,252) 16,972  37,029 

Excess tax benefits from equity awards

  (2,263)  (1,877)  (3,152)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 308,887  247,227  257,322 
             

Investing activities

            

Investing activities

            

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

  82   1,360   105  95  214  82 

Proceeds from beneficial interest in securitization transactions

 2,630  3,933  3,794 

Expenditures for property and equipment

  (33,261)  (30,467)  (30,651) (60,802) (47,601) (33,261)

Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired

  1,257   (61,386)  (73,782)

Deposit paid related to acquisition

     (15,329)   

Net cash used in investing activities

  (31,922)  (105,822)  (104,328)

Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired

  (112,001)  (65,440)  1,257 

Net cash used in investing activities

 (170,078) (108,894) (28,128)
             

Financing activities

            

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

  101,991   28,712   26,384 

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

  3,069      100,000 

Repayments of short-term borrowings

  (114,874)  (27,755)  (23,149)

Repayments of long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations

  (117,475)  (37,627)  (150,826)

Stock repurchases

  (30,012)  (149,937)  (99,942)

Payment of debt issuance costs

  (3,901)  (4,557)  (2,117)

Cash dividends paid

     (76)  (1,436)

Taxes paid related to equity awards

  (5,892)  (14,008)  (12,956)

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

  6,951   1,623    

Excess tax benefits from equity awards

     7,920   9,559 

Net cash used in financing activities

  (160,143)  (195,705)  (154,483)

Financing activities

            

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

 73,340  53,965  101,991 

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

 1,660  51,425  3,069 

Repayments of short-term borrowings

 (59,518) (27,880) (114,874)

Repayments of long-term borrowings and finance lease obligations

 (53,049) (101,827) (117,475)

Stock repurchases

   (25,656) (30,012)

Payment of contingent acquisition consideration

 (5,550)    

Payment of debt issuance costs

 (1,473) (1,702) (3,901)

Cash dividends paid to noncontrolling interest of subsidiary

 (285) (314)  

Taxes paid related to equity awards

 (6,438) (5,659) (5,892)

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

  9,395   5,614   6,951 

Net cash used in financing activities

  (41,918)  (52,034)  (160,143)
             

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

  2,149   (467)  (3,712)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 1,510  (289) 2,149 
             

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

  71,200   (48,585)  (73,904)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

  67,272   115,857   189,761 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 $138,472  $67,272  $115,857 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 98,401  86,010  71,200 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

  224,482   138,472   67,272 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 $322,883  $224,482  $138,472 
             

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

            

Cash paid during the period

            

Interest

 $41,105  $42,456  $39,524 

Income taxes

  23,836   8,889   6,087 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

            

Cash paid during the period

            

Interest

 $35,465  $41,007  $41,105 

Income taxes

 61,767  41,044  23,836 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statementsstatements..

 

 

Generac Holdings Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Years Ended December 31, 20179, 20168, and 20157

(U.S. Dollars in Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data)

 

 

1.

Description of Business

 

Founded in 1959, Generac Holdings Inc. (the Company) is a leading global designer and manufacturer of a wide range of energy technology solutions. The Company provides power generation equipment, energy storage systems, and other engine poweredpower products serving the residential, light-commerciallight commercial and industrial markets. Generac’s power products and solutions are available globally through a broad network of independent dealers, distributors, retailers, e-commerce partners, wholesalers, and equipment rental companies, as well as sold direct to certain end user customers.

 

Over the years, thethe Company has executed a number of acquisitions that support its strategic plan (refer to Item 1 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for discussion of our Powering Ahead"Powering Our Future" strategic plan). A summary of recent acquisitions includeaffecting the following:reporting periods presented include:

 

In August 2013, the Company acquired the equity of Tower Light SRL and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (Tower Light). Headquartered outside Milan, Italy, Tower Light is a leading developer and supplier of mobile light towers throughout the world.

In November 2013, the Company purchased the assets of Baldor Electric Company’s generator division (Baldor Generators). Baldor Generators offers a complete line of power generation equipment throughout North America with power output up to 2.5MW, which expanded the Company’s commercial and industrial product lines.

In September2014, the Company acquired the equity of Pramac America LLC (Powermate), resulting in the ownership of the Powermate trade name and the right to license the DeWalt brand name for certain residential engine powered tools. This acquisition expanded Generac’s residential product portfolio in the portable generator category.

In October 2014, the Company acquired MAC, Inc. (MAC). MAC is a leading manufacturer of premium-grade commercial and industrial mobile heaters for the United States and Canadian markets. The acquisition expanded the Company’s portfolio of mobile power products and provides increased access to the oil & gas market.

In August 2015, the Company acquired Country Home Products and its subsidiaries (CHP). CHP is a leading manufacturer of high-quality, innovative, professional-grade engine powered equipment used in a wide variety of property maintenance applications, which are primarily sold in North America under the DR® Power Equipment brand. The acquisition provided an expanded product lineup and additional scale to the Company’s residential engine powered products.

In March 2016, the Company acquired a majority ownership interest in PR Industrial S.r.l and its subsidiaries (Pramac). Headquartered in Siena, Italy, Pramac is a leading global manufacturer of stationary, mobile and portable generators primarily sold under the Pramac® brand. Pramac products are sold in over 150 countries through a broad distribution network.

 

In January 2017, the Company acquired Motortech GmbH (Motortech), headquartered in Celle, Germany. Motortech is a leading manufacturer of gaseous-engine control systems and accessories, which are sold primarily to European gas-engine manufacturers and to aftermarket customers. While

In June 2018, the Motortech acquisition was completedCompany acquired Selmec Equipos Industriales, S.A. de C.V. (Selmec), headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico. Selmec is a designer and manufacturer of industrial generators ranging from 10kW to 2,750kW. Selmec offers a market-leading service platform and specialized engineering capabilities, together with robust integration, project management and remote monitoring services.

In February 2019, the Company acquired a majority share of Captiva Energy Solutions Private Limited (Captiva). Captiva, founded in January 2017, 2010it was funded and headquartered in Kolkata, India, specializes in customized industrial generators for the fourth quarter of 2016.India market.

In March 2019, the Company acquired Neurio Technology Inc. (Neurio), founded in 2005 and headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. Neurio is a leading energy data company focused on metering technology and sophisticated analytics to optimize energy use within a home or business.

In April 2019, the Company acquired Pika Energy, Inc. (Pika), founded in 2010 and located in Westbrook, Maine. Pika is a designer and manufacturer of battery storage technologies that capture and store solar or grid power for homeowners and businesses, and is also a manufacturer of advanced power electronics, software and controls for smart energy storage and management.

 

 

2.

SignificantSummary of Accounting Policies

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries that are consolidated in conformity with U.S. GAAP. All intercompany amounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

The Company maintains the majority of its domestic cash in one commercial bank in multiple operating and investment accounts. Balances on deposit are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to specified limits. Balances in excess of FDIC limits are uninsured.

 

 

One customer accounted for approximately 7%9% and 9%11% of accounts receivable at December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, respectively. Noone customer accounted for greater than 5%, 6%,7% and 7%6%, of net sales during the years ended December 31, 2017,2019, 2016,2018, or 2015,2017, respectively.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Receivables are recorded at their face value amount less an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company estimates and records an allowance for doubtful accounts based on specific identification and historical experience. The Company writes off uncollectible accounts against the allowance for doubtful accounts after all collection efforts have been exhausted. Sales are generally made on an unsecured basis.basis, and certain balances are protected by credit insurance.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined generally using the first-in, first-out method.

 

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are recorded at cost and are being depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which are summarized below (in years). Costs of leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the term of the lease (including renewal option periods) or the estimated useful lives of the improvements. Finance lease right of use assets are included in property and equipment. Refer to Note 10, "Leases," to the consolidated financial statements for the Company's lease disclosure.

 

Land improvements

 820 

Buildings and improvements

 1040 

Machinery and equipment

 315 

Dies and tools

 310 

Vehicles

 36 

Office equipment and systems

 315 

Leasehold improvements

 220 

 

Total depreciation expense was $23,127,$21,465,$32,265, $25,296, and $16,742$23,127 for the years ended December 31, 2017,2019, 2016,2018, and 2015,2017, respectively.

 

Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

 

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over fair value of identifiable net assets acquired from business acquisitions. Goodwill is not amortized, but is reviewed for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests if indicators of impairment are present. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually as of October 31 or more frequently when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicates the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company has the option to assess goodwill for impairment by performing either a qualitative assessment or quantitative test. The qualitative assessment determines whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the quantitative test is not required to be performed. If the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the Company is required to perform the quantitative test. In the quantitative test, the calculated fair value of the reporting unit is compared to its book value including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is in excess of its book value, the related goodwill is not impaired. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its book value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

 

Other indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of certain tradenames. The Company tests the carrying value of these tradenames annually as of October 31, or more frequently when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicates the carrying value may not be recoverable, by comparing the assets’ fair value to its carrying value. Fair value is measured using a relief-from-royalty approach, which assumes the fair value of the tradename is the discounted cash flows of the amount that would be paid had the Company not owned the tradename and instead licensed the tradename from another company.

 

The Company performed the required annual impairment tests for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for the fiscal years 2017,2019, 20162018 and 2015,2017, and found no impairment following the 2017 and 2016 tests. There were no reporting units with a carrying value at-risk of exceeding fair value as of the October 31, 2017 impairment test date.

After performing the impairment tests for fiscal year 2015, the Company determined that the fair value of the Ottomotores reporting unit was less than its carrying value, resulting in a non-cash goodwill impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2015 of $4,611 to write-down the balance of the Ottomotores goodwill. The decrease in fair value of the Ottomotores reporting unit was due to several factors in the second half of 2015: the continued challenges of the Latin American economies, devaluation of the Peso against the U.S. Dollar, the slow development of Mexican energy reform as a result of decreasing oil prices; combining to cause 2015 results to fall short of prior expectations and future forecasts to decrease. The fair value was determined using a discounted cash flow analysis, which utilized key financial assumptions including the sales growth factors discussed above, a 3% terminal growth rate and a 15.7% discount rate.impairment.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a plan to strategically transition and consolidate certain of the Company’s brands acquired in acquisitions to the Generac® tradename. This brand strategy change resulted in a reclassification to a two year remaining useful life for the impacted tradenames, causing the fair value to be less than the carrying value using the relief-from-royalty approach in a discounted cash flow analysis. As such, a $36,076 non-cash impairment charge was recorded to write-down the impacted tradenames to net realizable value.

Other than the impairment charges discussed above, the Company found no other impairment when performing the required annual impairment tests for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for fiscal year 2015. There can be no assurance that future impairment tests will not result in a charge to earnings.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company periodically evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assetsassets (excluding goodwill and indefinite-lived tradenames). 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 flows is less than the carrying amount of an asset, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the asset.

 

Debt Issuance Costs

 

Debt discounts and directdirect costs incurred in connection with the issuance of long-term debt are deferred and recorded as a reduction of outstanding debt and amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the terms of the related credit agreements. $3,516,$3,939,$4,712, $4,749, and $5,429$3,516 of deferred financing costs and original issue discount were amortized to interest expense during fiscal years 2017,2019, 20162018 and 2015,2017, respectively. Excluding the impact of any future long-term debt issuances or prepayments, estimated amortization to interest expense for the next five years is as follows: 2018 - $4,798;2019 - $4,982;2020 - $4,936;2,598; 2021 - $4,931;2,640; 2022 - $2,689;2023 - $5,099.2,579;2024 - $2,508.

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company is a C Corporation and therefore accounts for income taxes pursuant to the liability method. Accordingly, the current or deferred tax consequences of a transaction are measured by applying the provision of enacted tax laws to determine the amount of taxes payable currently or in future years. Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between the income tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the years in which those temporary differences become deductible. The Company considers taxable income in prior carryback years, the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies, as appropriate, in making this assessment.

 

Revenue Recognition



The Company’s revenues primarily consist of product sales to its customers. The Company considers the purchase orders, which in some cases are governed by master sales agreements, to be the contracts with the customers. For each contract, the Company considers the commitment to transfer products, each of which is distinct, to be the identified performance obligations. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for the transfer of product, which is generally the price stated in the contract specific for each item sold, adjusted for the value of expected returns, discounts, rebates, or other promotional incentives or allowances offered to our customers. Expected returns for damaged or defective product are estimated using the expected value method based upon historical product return experience. Discounts and rebates offered to customers are typically defined in the master sales agreements with customers and, therefore, are recorded using the most likely amount method based on the terms of the contract. Promotional incentives are defined programs offered for short, specific periods of time and are estimated using the expected value method based upon historical experience. The Company does
not expect the transaction price for revenue recognized will be subject to a significant revenue reversal. As the Company’s product sale contracts and standard payment terms have a duration of less than one year, it uses the practical expedient applicable to such contracts and does not consider the time value of money. Sales, netuse, value add and other similar taxes assessed by governmental authorities and collected concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue. The Company has elected to recognize the cost for freight activities when control of estimated returns and allowances,the product has transferred to the customer as an expense within cost of goods sold in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Product revenues are recognized upon shipmentat the point in time when control of the product is transferred to the customer, which typically occurs upon shipment or delivery to the customer. To determine when control has transferred, the Company considers if there is generally whena present right to payment and if legal title, passes,physical possession, and the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the asset has transferred to the customer. As substantially all of the Company’s product revenues are recognized at a point in time, the amount of unsatisfied performance obligations at each period end is not material. The Company’s contracts have an original expected duration of one year or less. As a result, the Company has elected to use the practical expedient to nonot further obligations, and the customer is required to pay subject to agreed upon payment terms. The Company, atdisclose its remaining performance obligations.

At the request of certain customers, the Company will warehouse inventory billed to the customer but not delivered. Unless all revenue recognition criteria have been met, the Company does not recognize revenue on these transactions until the customers take possession of the product. In these cases, the funds collected on product warehoused for these customers are recorded as a customer advance until the customer takes possession of the product andproduct.

While the Company’s obligation to deliverstandard payment terms are less than one year, the goodsspecific payment terms and conditions in its customer contracts vary. In some cases, customers prepay for their goods; in other cases, after appropriate credit evaluation, an open credit line is completed. Customer advancesgranted and payment is due in arrears. Contracts with payment in arrears are includedrecognized in the consolidated balance sheets as accounts receivable upon revenue recognition, while contracts where customers pay in advance are recognized as customer deposits and recorded in other accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

sheets until revenue is recognized. The balance of customer deposits (contract liabilities) was $9,952 and $14,174 at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recognized revenue of $9,589 related to amounts included in the December 31, 2018 customer deposit balance. The Company provides for certain estimated sales programs, discounts and incentive expenses which are recognized as a reductiontypically recognizes revenue within one year of sales.the receipt of the customer deposit.

 

 

Shipping

The Company offers standard warranty coverage on substantially all products that it sells and Handling Costsaccounts for this standard warranty coverage as an assurance warranty. As such, no transaction price is allocated to the standard warranty, and the Company records a liability for product warranty obligations at the time of sale to a customer based upon historical warranty experience. Refer to Note 11, “Product Warranty Obligations,” to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the Company’s standard warranties.

 

Shipping and handling costs billed to customersThe Company also sells extended warranty coverage for certain products, which it accounts for as service warranties. In most cases, the extended warranty is sold as a separate contract. As such, extended warranty sales are included in net sales,considered a separate performance obligation, and the related costs are includedextended warranty transaction is separate and distinct from the product. The extended warranty transaction price is initially recorded as deferred revenue in cost of goods soldthe consolidated balance sheets and amortized on a straight-line basis to net sales in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.income over the life of the contracts following the standard warranty period. For extended warranty contracts that the Company sells under a third-party marketing agreement, it is required to pay fees to the third-party service provider and classifies these fees as costs to obtain a contract. The contract costs are deferred and recorded as other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The deferred contract costs are amortized to net sales in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income consistent with how the related deferred revenue is recognized. Refer to Note 11, “Product Warranty Obligations,” to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the Company’s extended warranties.

 

In addition to extended warranties, the Company offers other services, including remote monitoring, installation and maintenance services in limited circumstances. Total service revenues account for less than three percent of revenue during the year ended December 31, 2019.

Refer to Note 7, “Segment Reporting,” to the consolidated financial statements for the Company’s disaggregated revenue disclosure. The information discussed above is applicable to each of the Company’s product classes.

Advertising and Co-Op Advertising

 

Expenditures for advertising, included in selling and service expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, are expensed as incurred. Expenditures for advertising production costs are expensed when the related advertisement is first run. Total expenditures for advertising were $45,926,$45,488,$44,153, $34,792, and $39,258$45,926 for the years ended December 31, 2017,2019, 2016,2018, and 2015,2017, respectively.

 

Research and Development

 

The Company expenses research and development costs as incurred. Total expenditures incurred for research and development were $42,925,$37,229,$68,394, $50,019, and $32,922$42,869 for the years ended December 31, 2017,2019, 20162018, and 2015,2017, respectively.

 

Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions

 

Balance sheet amounts for non-U.S. Dollar functional currency businesses are translated into U.S. Dollars at the rates of exchange in effect at the end of the fiscal year. Income and expenses incurred in a foreign currency are translated at the average rates of exchange in effect during the year. The related translation adjustments are made directly to accumulated other comprehensive loss, a component of stockholders’ equity, in the consolidated balance sheets. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are recognized as incurred in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

ASC 820-10,, Fair Value Measurement, defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosure for each major asset and liability category measured at fair value on either a recurring basis or nonrecurring basis. ASC 820-10 clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received in the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, the pronouncement establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: (Level 1) observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; (Level 2) inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and (Level 3) unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

 

The Company believes the carrying amount of its financial instruments (cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, short-term borrowings and ABL facility borrowings), excluding Term Loan borrowings, approximates the fair value of these instruments based upon their short-term nature. The fair value of Term Loan borrowings, which have an aggregate carrying value of $902,959,$812,953, was approximately $903,500$833,092 (Level 2) at December 31, 2017,2019, as calculated based on independent valuations whose inputs and significant value drivers are observable.

 

For the fair value of the assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis, refer to the fair value table in Note 4,5, “Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” to the consolidated financial statements. The fair value of all derivative contracts is classified as Level 2. The valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of derivative contracts, all of which have counterparties with high credit ratings, were based on quoted market prices or model driven valuations using significant inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data. The fair value of derivative contracts considers the Company’s credit risk in accordance with ASC 820-10.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP 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 consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

The Company records all derivatives in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, which requires derivative instruments be reported onin the consolidated balance sheets at fair value and establishes criteria for designation and effectiveness of hedging relationships. The Company is exposed to market risk such as changes in commodity prices, foreign currencies and interest rates. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. Refer to Item 7A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the Company’s derivatives.

 

Share-Based

Share-Based Compensation

 

Share-based compensation expense, including stock options and restricted stock awards, is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period based on the fair value of awards which are expected to vest. The fair value of all share-based awards is estimated on the date of grant. Refer to Note 17, “Share Plans,” to the consolidated financial statements for further information on the Company’s share-based compensation plans and accounting.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

New Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In May 2014,June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 20142016-09,13, Revenue from Contracts with CustomersFinancial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326).: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which represents a new credit loss standard that will change the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other financial instruments. Specifically, this guidance will require entities to utilize a new “expected loss” model as it relates to trade and other receivables. In addition, entities will be required to recognize an allowance for estimated credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities, regardless of the length of time that a security has been in an unrealized loss position. This guidance is the culmination of the FASB’s joint project with the International Accounting Standards Board to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue. The core principal of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects towill be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance provides a five-step process that entities should follow in order to achieve that core principal. ASU 2014-09, as amended by ASU 2015-14,Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, ASU 2016-08,Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations, ASU 2016-10,Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, ASU 2016-12,Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, and ASU 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, becomes effective for the Company inannual reporting periods beginning after 2018.December 15, 2019, The guidance can be applied either on a full retrospective basis or on a modified retrospective basis in which the cumulative effect of initially applying the standardincluding interim periods within those annual reporting periods, and early adoption is recognized at the date of initial application.permitted. The Company has completed its assessmentestablished a project plan and an implementation team to adopt and apply the new standard. The Company is in the process of implementing necessary changes to accounting policies, processes, and controls to enable compliance with this new standard. The Company continues to evaluate the impactsimpact the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements, and determined that the adoption does not believe this new standard will have a material impact. In all

There are several other new accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB. Each of these pronouncements, as applicable, has been or will be adopted by the Company. Management does not believe any of these accounting pronouncements has had or will have a material respects,impact on the Company has identified a similar amount of performance obligations under the new guidance as compared with deliverables previously identified. As a result, the timing of revenue recognition will generally remain the same. The Company adopted the standardCompany’s consolidated financial statements.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

On January 1, 2018 and will use the full retrospective method.

In February 2016,2019, the FASB issuedCompany adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases(Topic 842). This guidance is beingwas issued to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities onin the balance sheet and by disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The guidance should be appliedCompany adopted this standard using athe modified retrospective approach and is effective foras of the date of adoption, meaning no prior period balances were impacted by the adoption. Additionally, the Company in 2019, with early adoption permitted.elected to adopt the standard using the package of practical expedients permitted under the standard’s transition guidance, which allowed the Company to carry forward its historical lease classifications, and embedded lease and initial direct cost assessments. The Company is currently assessing the impact the adoption of this guidance will havethe standard had a material impact on the Company’s resultsconsolidated balance sheet primarily related to the recognition of operationsright-of-use (ROU) assets and financial position.

Inlease liabilities for operating leases. However, the adoption did August 2016, not have a material impact on the FASB issued ASU 2016-15,Statementconsolidated statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receiptscomprehensive income and Cash Payments. This guidance is being issued to decrease diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. This guidance should be applied on a retrospective basis and is effectiveRefer to Note 10, “Leases,” for further information regarding the Company’s leases.

On January 1, 2019, the Company inadopted ASU 2018 with early adoption permitted. The Company does -not02, believe that the adoptionReclassification of this guidance will have a significant impact on the presentation of the statement of cash flows.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04,Intangibles – Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill ImpairmentCertain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This guidance was issued to simplifyaddress the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2impact of the goodwill impairment test. Underchange in the newU.S. federal corporate income tax rate from the 2017 U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) on items recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI). This guidance allows companies to reclassify to retained earnings the recognitionstranded tax effects lodged in AOCI as a result of a goodwill impairment charge is calculated based on the amount by whichTax Act. Upon adoption of the carrying amount exceedsASU, the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized shouldCompany elected to not exceedreclassify the total amount of goodwill allocatedstranded income tax effects from AOCI to that reporting unit. This guidance should be applied on a prospective basis and is effective for the Company in 2020. The Company has early adopted this standard, which did not have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.retained earnings.

 

InOn August 2017,January 1, 2019, the FASB issuedCompany adopted ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and HedgingTargeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. This guidance was issued to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements and to make certain targeted improvements to simplify the application of the hedge accounting guidance. For existing hedges, this guidance should be applied using a cumulative effect adjustment, while the presentation and disclosure guidance should be adopted on a prospective basis. The standard is effective for the Company in 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact the adoption of this guidance willstandard did not have an impact on the Company’s hedging strategies, and did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.

 

In theOn firstApril 1, 2019, quarter of 2017,the Company adopted ASU 20162018-09,15, CompensationIntangiblesStock Compensation: ImprovementsGoodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software: Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. This guidance was issued to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The primary impactaddress the diversity in practice related to the accounting for costs of adoptionimplementation activities performed in a cloud computing arrangement that is the prospective recognition of excess tax benefits or deficiencies within the provision for income taxes on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income rather than within additional paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheet. Further, the Company has elected to continue to estimate forfeitures expected to occur to determine the amount of stock compensation expense recognized each period.a service contract. The Company also elected to apply the presentation requirements for cash flows related to excess tax benefits or deficiencies prospectively.adopted this standard prospectively, impacting all implementation costs incurred after adoption. The presentation requirements for cash flows related to employee taxes paid in exchange for withheld shares had no impact to any period presented on the consolidated statements of cash flows as such cash flows have historically been presented as a financing activity. There were no cumulative effect adjustments made to equity as of the beginning of the fiscal period, as those provisions of ASU 2016-09 wereadoption did not applicable or had no impact to the Company.

There are several other new accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB. Each of these pronouncements, as applicable, has been or will be adopted by the Company. Management does not believe any of these accounting pronouncements has had or will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidatedCompany’s results of operations and financial statements.position.

 

 

3.

Acquisitions

 

Acquisition of PramacPika

On March 1, 2016,April 26, 2019, the Company acquired a 65% ownership interest in PramacPika for a purchase price, net of cash acquired, of $60,250. Headquartered in Siena, Italy, Pramac is a leading global manufacturer of stationary, mobile and portable generators primarily sold under the Pramac® brand. Pramac products are sold in over 150 countries through a broad distribution network.$49,068. The acquisition purchase price was funded solely through cash on hand.

 

The Company recorded a preliminary purchase price allocation during the 35%second noncontrolling interestquarter of 2019, which was trued-up in Pramac had an acquisition datethe fourth quarter of 2019, based upon its estimates of the fair value of $34,253,the acquired assets and wasassumed liabilities. As a result, the Company recorded as a redeemable noncontrolling interestapproximately $58,196 of intangible assets, including $19,896 of goodwill recorded in the consolidated balance sheet,Domestic segment, as the noncontrolling interest holder has within its controlof the right to require the Company to redeem its interest in Pramac.acquisition date. The noncontrolling interest holder has a put option to sell their interestsgoodwill ascribed to the Company any time withinacquisition is fivenot years fromdeductible for tax purposes. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the dateresults of acquisition. The put option price is either (i) a fixed amount if voluntarily exercised within the firsttwo years after the acquisition, or (ii) based on a multiple of earnings, subject to the terms of the acquisition. Additionally, the Company holds a call option that it may redeem commencing five yearsPika from the date of acquisition or earlier uponthrough December 31, 2019. The preliminary allocation of the occurrence of certain circumstances. The call optionpurchase price is based on a multiplepreliminary valuation performed to determine the fair value of earnings thatthe net assets as of the acquisition date. The purchase price allocation is subject to further analysis and review, primarily around the termsreview and final valuation of acquired intangible assets.

Acquisition of Neurio

On March 12, 2019, the acquisition. BothCompany acquired Neurio for a purchase price of $59,071, net of cash acquired and inclusive of a deferred payment of $7,922 which was made during the put and call option only provide for the complete transferthird quarter of the noncontrolling interest, with no2019. partial transfers of interest permitted.The acquisition purchase price was funded solely through cash on hand.

 

The redeemable noncontrolling interest isCompany recorded ata preliminary purchase price allocation in the greatersecond quarter of 2019, which was trued-up in the fourth quarter of 2019, based upon its estimates of the initial fair value increased or decreasedof the acquired assets and assumed liabilities. As a result, the Company recorded approximately $58,762 of intangible assets, including $17,862 of goodwill recorded in the Domestic segment, as of the acquisition date. Substantially all of the goodwill and other intangible assets ascribed to this acquisition are deductible for tax purposes. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the results of Neurio from the date of acquisition through December 31, 2019. The preliminary allocation of the purchase price is based on a preliminary valuation performed to determine the fair value of the net assets as of the acquisition date. The purchase price allocation is subject to further analysis and review, primarily around the review and final valuation of acquired intangible assets.

Acquisition of Selmec

On June 1, 2018, the Company acquired Selmec for a purchase price of $79,972, net of cash acquired and inclusive of earnout payments of $14,902. Changes in the fair value of the earnout liability during 2019 of $(977), which included interest accretion of $2,740 and other fair value remeasurement adjustments of $(3,717), were recognized as a component of operating income in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the noncontrolling interests’ share of comprehensive net income (loss), or the estimated redemption value, with any adjustment to the redemption value impacting retained earnings, butyear ended notDecember 31, 2019. net income. However, the redemption value adjustments are reflected in the earnings per share calculation, as detailed in Note 12, “Earnings Per Share,” to the consolidated financial statements. The following table presents the changes in the redeemable noncontrolling interest:acquisition purchase price was funded solely through cash on hand.

 

  

Year Ended December 31,

 
  

2017

  

2016

 

Balance at beginning of period

 $33,138  $- 

Noncontrolling interest of Pramac

  1,540(1)  34,253 

Net income

  1,631   100 

Foreign currency translation

  8,529   (2,124)

Redemption value adjustment

  (909)  909 

Balance at end of period

 $43,929  $33,138 

(1)

Represents the additional noncontrolling interest of Pramac resulting from a common control transaction between the Generac Mobile Products S.r.l. and Pramac UK Limited legal entities.

 

The Company finalized the PramacSelmec purchase price allocation during the firstsecond quarter of 2017,2019 based upon its estimates of the fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities. The final purchase price allocation as of the June 1, 2018 opening balance sheet date was as follows:

 

 

March 1, 2016

  

June 1, 2018

 

Accounts receivable

 $50,716 

Inventories

  39,889 

Property and equipment

  19,138 

Intangible assets

  34,471 

Goodwill

  46,775 

Other assets

  7,698 

Total assets acquired

  198,687 

Accounts receivable

 $14,302 

Inventories

 8,000 

Prepaid expense and other assets

 4,323 

Property and equipment

 5,572 

Intangible assets

 33,631 

Goodwill

 46,196 

Deferred income taxes

 3,252 

Other assets

  597 

Total assets acquired

  115,873 
     

Short-term borrowings

  21,741 

Accounts payable

  40,270 

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations (including current portion)

  18,599 

Other liabilities

  23,521 

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

  34,253 

Noncontrolling interest

  53 

Net assets acquired

 $60,250 

Accounts payable

 7,216 

Accrued wages and employee benefits

 397 

Other accrued liabilities

 13,671 

Deferred income taxes

 10,974 

Other long-term liabilities

  3,643 

Net assets acquired

 $79,972 

 

The goodwill ascribed to thisthe acquisition is not deductible for tax purposes.purposes. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the results of PramacSelmec from the date of acquisition through December 31, 2017.2019.

 

Acquisition of CHP

On August 1, 2015, the Company acquired CHP for a purchase price, net of cash acquired, of $74,570. Headquartered in Vergennes, Vermont, CHP is a leading manufacturer of high-quality, innovative, professional-grade engine powered equipment used in a wide variety of property maintenance applications, with sales primarily in North America. The acquisition purchase price was funded solely through cash on hand.

The Company finalized the CHP purchase price allocation during the fourth quarter of 2015 based upon its estimates of the fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities. As a result, the Company recorded approximately $75,174 of intangible assets, including approximately $36,284 of goodwill, as of the acquisition date. The goodwill ascribed to this acquisition is not deductible for tax purposes. In addition, the Company assumed $12,000 of debt along with this acquisition. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the results of CHP from the date of acquisition through December 31, 2017.

Pro Forma Information

 

The following unaudited pro forma information of the Company gives effect to theseall acquisitions as though the transactions had occurred on January 1, 2015.2017. Consolidated net salesRefer to Note 1, “Description of Business,” for further information on a pro forma basis for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were $1,473,799 and $1,566,459, respectively. The pro forma impact of these acquisitions on net income and earnings per share for bothincluded in the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 is not significant due to amortization related to acquired intangible assets and the fair value step-up of inventory in purchase accounting. table.

  

Year Ended December 31,

 
  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

 

Net Sales:

            

As reported

 $2,204,336  $2,023,464  $1,679,373 

Pro forma

  2,206,952   2,067,737   1,755,358 
             

Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.:

            

As reported

 $252,007  $238,257  $157,808 

Pro forma

  248,335   230,379   151,764 
             

Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc. per common share - diluted

            

As reported

 $4.03  $3.54  $2.53 

Pro forma

  3.97   3.41   2.44 

This unaudited pro forma information is presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that actually would have been achieved had the acquisitions been consummated on January 1, 2015.2017.

 

 

4.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

On March 1, 2016, the Company acquired a 65% ownership interest in PR Industrial S.r.l. and its subsidiaries (Pramac). The 35% noncontrolling interest in Pramac had an acquisition date fair value of $34,253, and was recorded as a redeemable noncontrolling interest in the consolidated balance sheet, as the noncontrolling interest holder had within its control the right to require the Company to redeem its interest in Pramac. In February 2019, the Company amended its agreement with the noncontrolling interest holder of Pramac, extending the agreement by five years, allowing the Company to exercise its call option rights in partial increments at certain times during the five year period, and providing that the noncontrolling interest holder no longer holds the right to put its shares to the Company until April 1, 2021.

On February 1, 2019, the Company acquired a 51% ownership interest in Captiva Energy Solutions, Ltd (Captiva). The 49% noncontrolling interest in Captiva has an acquisition date fair value of $3,165, and was recorded as a redeemable noncontrolling interest in the consolidated balance sheet, as the noncontrolling interest holder had within its control the right to require the Company to redeem its interest in Captiva. The noncontrolling interest holder has a put option to sell his interest to the Company any time after five years from the date of acquisition, or earlier upon the occurrence of certain circumstances. The put option price is based on a multiple of earnings, subject to the terms of the acquisition. Further, the Company has a call option that it may redeem any time after five years from the date of acquisition, or earlier upon the occurrence of certain circumstances. The call option price is based on a multiple of earnings, subject to the terms of the acquisition.

For both transactions, the redeemable noncontrolling interest is recorded at the greater of the initial fair value, increased or decreased for the noncontrolling interests’ share of comprehensive income (loss), or the estimated redemption value, with any adjustments to the redemption value impacting retained earnings, but not net income. However, the redemption value adjustments are reflected in the earnings per share calculation, as detailed in Note 14, “Earnings Per Share,” to the consolidated financial statements. The following table presents the changes in the redeemable noncontrolling interest:

  

Year Ended December 31,

  
  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

  

Balance at beginning of period

 $61,004  $43,929  $33,138  

Noncontrolling interest

  3,165 (1)  -   1,540 (2)

Net income

  75   2,214   1,631  

Foreign currency translation

  (1,764)  (3,109)  8,529  

Redemption value adjustment

  (1,253)  17,970   (909) 

Balance at end of period

 $61,227  $61,004  $43,929  

(1) Represents the noncontrolling interest of Captiva Energy calculated at the date of acquisition, February 1, 2019.

(2) Represents the additional noncontrolling interest of Pramac resulting from a common control transaction between Generac Mobile Products S.r.l. and Pramac UK Limited legal entities.

5.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

Commodities

 

The Company is exposed to price fluctuations in commodities it uses as raw materials; primarilyincluding steel, copper and aluminum; and periodically utilizes commodity derivatives to mitigate the impact of these potential price fluctuations on its financial results and its economic well-being.results. These derivatives typically have maturities of less than eighteen months. At both December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, the Company had onenocommodity contract outstanding, covering the purchases of copper.contracts outstanding.

 

Because these contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting, the related gains and losses are recorded in cost of goods sold in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Net pre-tax gains (losses) recognized were $377,$739$(174), $(874), and $(1,909)$377 for the years ended December 31, 2017,2019, 2016,2018, and 2015,2017, respectively.

Foreign Currencies

 

The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange risk as a result of transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. The Company periodically utilizes foreign currency forward purchase and sales contracts to manage the volatility associated with certain foreign currency purchases and sales in the normal course of business. Contracts typically have maturities of twelve months or less. As of December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, the Company had twenty-eightforty-three and thirty-eightforty foreign currency contracts outstanding, respectively.

 

Because these contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting, the related gains and losses are recorded in other, net"other, net" in the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Net pre-tax gains (losses) recognized for the years ended December 31, 2017,2019, 20162018, and 20152017 were $697, $(385)$(1,195), $(653), and $(624),$697, respectively.

 

Interest Rate Swaps

 

In October 2013, the Company entered into two interest rate swap agreements; in May 2014, the Company entered into one interest rate swap agreement; and inIn 2017, the Company entered into twenty additional interest rate swap agreements. In December 2019, in conjunction with the amendment to its term loan, the Company amended those interest rate swaps to remove the LIBOR floor, which also resulted in minor reductions to the future dated swap fixed rates. The Company formally documented all relationships between interest rate hedging instruments and the related hedged items, as well as its risk-management objectives and strategies for undertaking these hedge transactions. These interest rate swap agreements qualify as cash flow hedges and accordingly,therefore, the effective portions of the gains or losses are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL)in the consolidated balance sheets. The amount of gains (losses) recognized for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162019, 2018, and 20152017 were $3,712, $535$(13,855), $2,924, and $(965),$3,712, respectively. The cash flows of the swaps are recognized as adjustments to interest expense each period. The ineffective portions of the derivatives’ changes in fair value, if any, are immediately recognized in earnings.

Fair Value

 

The following table presents the fair value of the Company’sCompany’s derivatives:

 

 

December 31,
201
7

  

December 31,
201
6

  

December 31,
201
9

  

December 31,
201
8

 

Commodity contracts

 $107  $623  $6  $(160)

Foreign currency contracts

  167   (150) 31  (117)

Interest rate swaps

  4,356   (1,739) (10,425) 8,307 

 

The fair value of the commoditycommodity and foreign currency contracts are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets, and the fair value of the interest rate swaps are included in other accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019. The fair value of the commodity and foreign currency contracts are included in other accrued liabilities, and the fair value of the interest rate swaps are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017. The fair value of the commodity contract is included in other assets, the fair value of the foreign currency contracts are included in other accrued liabilities, and the fair value of the interest rate swaps are included in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016.2018. Excluding the impact of credit risk, the fair value of the derivative contracts as of December 31, 20172019 and 20162018 is a liability of $10,588 and an asset of $4,703 and a liability of $1,295,$8,220, respectively, which represents the amount the Company would pay or receive or need to pay toupon exit of the agreements on those dates.

 

 

5.6.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

 

The following presents a tabular disclosure of changes in AOCL during the years ended December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, net of tax:

 

  

Foreign

Currency

Translation

Adjustments

  

Defined

Benefit

Pension Plan

   

Unrealized

Gain (Loss) on

Cash Flow

Hedges

  

Total

 
                  

Beginning Balance – January 1, 2017

 $(28,047) $(11,040)  $(1,076) $(40,163)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

  15,191   (591)(1)  3,712(2)  18,312 

Amounts reclassified from AOCL

  -   653 (3)  -   653 

Net current-period other comprehensive income

  15,191   62    3,712   18,965 

Ending Balance – December 31, 2017

 $(12,856) $(10,978)  $2,636  $(21,198)
  

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments

  

Defined Benefit Pension Plan

  

Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges

  

Total

 
                 

Beginning Balance – January 1, 2019

 $(18,832) $(10,541) $5,560  $(23,813)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

  2,210   1,474 (1) (13,855)(2) (10,171)

Amounts reclassified from AOCL

  -   9,067 (3) -   9,067 

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)

  2,210   10,541   (13,855)  (1,104)

Ending Balance – December 31, 2019

 $(16,622) $-  $(8,295) $(24,917)

 

 

Foreign

Currency

Translation

Adjustments

  

Defined

Benefit

Pension Plan

   

Unrealized

Gain (Loss) on

Cash Flow

Hedges

  

Total

  

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments

 

Defined Benefit Pension Plan

 

Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges

 

Total

 
                  

Beginning Balance – January 1, 2016

 $(9,502) $(11,362)  $(1,611) $(22,475)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

  (18,545)  (273)(4)  535(5)  (18,283)

Amounts reclassified from AOCL

  -   595 (6)  -   595 

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)

  (18,545)  322    535   (17,688)

Ending Balance – December 31, 2016

 $(28,047) $(11,040)  $(1,076) $(40,163)

Beginning Balance – January 1, 2018

 $(12,856) $(10,978) $2,636  $(21,198)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 (5,976) (156)(4) 2,924 (5) (3,208)

Amounts reclassified from AOCL

  -  593 (6) -   593 

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)

  (5,976) 437   2,924   (2,615)

Ending Balance – December 31, 2018

 $(18,832) $(10,541) $5,560  $(23,813)

 

 

(1)

Represents unrecognized actuarial lossesgains of $(800),$1,992 net of tax benefiteffect of $209,$(518), included in the computation of net periodic pension cost for the year ended December 31, 2017.2019. Refer to Note 14,16, “Benefit Plans,” to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

 

(2)

Represents unrealized gainslosses of $6,096,$(18,732), net of tax effect of $(2,384)$4,877 for the year ended December 31, 2017.2019.

 

(3)

Represents actuarial lossesDetails of reclassifications from AOCL during $883,2019 net of tax effect of $(230), amortized to net periodic pension cost for the year ended December 31, 2017. Refer to Note 14, “Benefit Plans,” to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.are as follows:

  

Amounts reclassified from AOCL

 

Loss on pension settlement

 $10,920 

Amortization of net loss

  843 

Total before tax

  11,763 

Income tax impact

  (2,696)

Amounts reclassified from AOCL

 $9,067 

 

(4)

Represents unrecognized actuarial losses of $(412)$(211), net of tax benefit of $139,$55, included in the computation of net periodic pension cost for the year ended December 31, 2016.2018. Refer to Note 14,16, “Benefit Plans,” to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

 

(5)

Represents unrealized gains of $876,$3,951, net of tax effect of $(341)$(1,027) for the year ended December 31, 2016.2018.

 

(6)

Represents actuarial losses of $941,$802, net of tax effect of $(346)$(209), amortized to net periodic pension cost for the year ended December 31, 2016.2018. Refer to Note 14,16, “Benefit Plans,” to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

 

 

6.7.

Segment Reporting

 

The Company hastwo reportable segments for financial reporting purposes – Domestic and International. The Domestic segment includes the legacy Generac business, (excluding its traditional Latin American export operations), and the impact of acquisitions that are based in the United States,U.S. and Canada, all of which have revenues that are substantially derived from the U.S. and Canada. The International segment includes the legacy Generac business's Latin American export operations, and the Ottomotores, Tower Light, Pramac, Motortech and MotortechSelmec acquisitions, all of which have revenues that are substantially derived from outside of the U.S and Canada. Both reportable segments design and manufacture a wide range of power generation equipment, energy technology solutions, and other engine poweredpower products. The Company has multiple operating segments, which it aggregates into the two reportable segments, based on materially similar economic characteristics, products, production processes, classes of customers, distribution methods and distribution methods. All segment information has been retrospectively applied to all periods presented to reflect the current reportable segment structure.regional considerations.

  

Net Sales

 
  

Year Ended December 31,

 

Reportable Segments

 

2017

  

2016

  

2015

 

Domestic

 $1,296,578  $1,173,559  $1,204,589 

International

  375,867   270,894   112,710 

Total

 $1,672,445  $1,444,453  $1,317,299 

 

The Company's product offerings consist primarily of power generation equipment, energy technology solutions, and other engine poweredpower products geared for varying end customer uses. Residential products and commercial & industrial (C&I) products are each a similar class of products based on similar power output and end customer. The breakout of net sales by product class between residential, commercial & industrial,C&I, and other products by reportable segment is as follows:

 

 

Net Sales

  

Net Sales by Segment

 
 

Year Ended December 31,

  

Year Ended December 31, 2019

 

Product Classes

 

2017

  

2016

  

2015

 

Residential products

 $870,410  $772,436  $673,764 

Commercial & industrial products

  685,052   557,532   548,440 

Other

  116,983   114,485   95,095 

Total

 $1,672,445  $1,444,453  $1,317,299 

Product Classes

 

Domestic

  

International

  

Total

 

Residential products

 $1,086,019  $57,704  $1,143,723 

Commercial & industrial products

 513,482  358,113  871,595 

Other

  143,397   45,621   189,018 

Total net sales

 $1,742,898  $461,438  $2,204,336 

  

Year Ended December 31, 2018

 

Product Classes

 

Domestic

  

International

  

Total

 

Residential products

 $980,707  $62,032  $1,042,739 

Commercial & industrial products

  461,415   358,855   820,270 

Other

  124,398   36,057   160,455 

Total net sales

 $1,566,520  $456,944  $2,023,464 

  

Year Ended December 31, 2017

 

Product Classes

 

Domestic

  

International

  

Total

 

Residential products

 $796,237  $74,253  $870,490 

Commercial & industrial products

  372,635   311,718   684,353 

Other

  102,806   21,724   124,530 

Total net sales

 $1,271,678  $407,695  $1,679,373 

 

52

Residential products consist primarily of automatic home standby generators ranging in output from 6kW to 60kW, portable generators, energy storage and monitoring solutions, and other outdoor power equipment. These products are sold through independent residential dealers, national and regional retailers, e-commerce merchants, electrical/HVAC/solar wholesalers, solar installers, and outdoor power equipment dealers. The residential products revenue consists of the sale of the product to our distribution partners, which in turn sell or rent the product to the end consumer, including installation and maintenance services. In some cases, residential products are sold direct to the end consumer. Substantially all of the residential products revenues are transferred to the customer at a point in time.

C&I products consist of larger output stationary generators used in C&I applications and fueled by diesel, natural gas, liquid propane and bi-fuel, with power outputs ranging from 10kW up to 3,250kW. Also included in C&I products are mobile generators, light towers, mobile heaters and mobile pumps. These products are sold through industrial distributors and dealers, equipment rental companies and equipment distributors. The C&I products revenue consists of the sale of the product to our distribution partners, which in turn sell or rent the product to the end customer, including installation and maintenance services. In some cases, C&I products are sold direct to the end customer. Substantially all of the C&I products revenues are transferred to the customer at a point in time.

Other products consist primarily of aftermarket service parts and product accessories sold to our dealers, the amortization of extended warranty deferred revenue, and remote monitoring subscription revenue. The aftermarket service parts and product accessories are generally transferred to the customer at a point in time, while the extended warranty and subscription revenue are recognized over the life of the contract.

 

Management evaluates the performance of its segments based primarily on Adjusted EBITDA, before noncontrolling interests, which is reconciled to Income before provision for income taxes below. The computation of Adjusted EBITDA is based on the definition that is contained in the Company’s credit agreements.

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

  

Adjusted EBITDA

 
 

Year Ended December 31,

  

Year Ended December 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2015

  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

 

Domestic

 $290,720  $261,428  $254,882 

International

  27,010   16,959   15,934 

Total adjusted EBITDA

 $317,730  $278,387  $270,816 

Domestic

 $428,667  $388,495  $282,450 

International

  25,448   36,057   34,850 

Total adjusted EBITDA

 $454,115  $424,552  $317,300 
             

Interest expense

  (42,667)  (44,568)  (42,843)

Depreciation and amortization

  (51,988)  (54,418)  (40,333)

Non-cash write-down and other adjustments (1)

  (2,923)  (357)  (3,892)

Non-cash share-based compensation expense (2)

  (10,205)  (9,493)  (8,241)

Tradename and goodwill impairment (3)

  -   -   (40,687)

Loss on extinguishment of debt (4)

  -   (574)  (4,795)

Gain (loss) on change in contractual interest rate (5)

  -   (2,957)  (2,381)

Transaction costs and credit facility fees (6)

  (2,145)  (2,442)  (2,249)

Business optimization expenses (7)

  (2,912)  (7,316)  (1,947)

Other

  (202)  120   (465)

Income before provision for income taxes

 $204,688  $156,382  $122,983 

Interest expense

 (41,544) (40,956) (42,667)

Depreciation and amortization

 (60,767) (47,408) (51,988)

Non-cash write-down and other adjustments (1)

 (240) (3,532) (2,923)

Non-cash share-based compensation expense (2)

 (16,694) (14,563) (10,205)

Loss on extinguishment of debt (3)

 (926) (1,332) - 

Loss on pension settlement (4)

 (10,920) -  - 

Transaction costs and credit facility fees (5)

 (2,724) (3,883) (2,145)

Business optimization expenses (6)

 (1,572) (952) (2,912)

Other

  879   (850)  (761)

Income before provision for income taxes

 $319,607  $311,076  $203,699 

 

 

(1)

Includes gains/losses on disposal of assets, unrealized mark-to-market adjustments on commodity contracts, and certain foreign currency and purchase accounting related adjustments.adjustments, gains/losses on disposal of assets and unrealized mark-to-market adjustments on commodity contracts.

 

(2)

(2)Represents share-based compensation expense to account for stock options, restricted stock and other stock awards over their respective vesting periods.

Represents share-based compensation expense to account for stock options, restricted stock and other stock awards over their respective vesting periods.

 

(3)

Represents the 2015 impairmentnon-cash write-off of certain tradenamesoriginal issue discount and deferred financing costs due to a change in brand strategy to transition and consolidate various brands to the Generac® tradename ($36,076) and the impairmentvoluntary prepayment of goodwill related to the Ottomotores reporting unit ($4,611).Term Loan debt.

 

(4)

Represents pre-tax settlement charges related to the write-offtermination of original issue discount and capitalized debt issuance costs due to voluntary debt prepayments.the Company’s domestic pension plan in the fourth quarter of 2019.

 

(5)

For the year ended December 31, 2016, represents a non-cash loss relating to the continued 25 basis point increase in borrowing costs as a result of the credit agreement leverage ratio remaining above 3.0 times based on projections at that time. For the year ended December 31, 2015, represents a non-cash loss relating to a 25 basis point increase in borrowing costs as a result of the credit agreement leverage ratio rising above 3.0 times and expected to remain above 3.0 times based on projections at that time. Following the May 2017 Term Loan amendment, which removed the pricing grid based on leverage ratio achieved, gains or losses on changes in contractual interest rate will no longer be recorded in the statements of comprehensive income. Refer to Note 10, “Credit Agreements,” to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information on the gains and losses on changes in the contractual interest rate.

(6)

Represents transaction costs incurred directly in connection with any investment, as defined in our credit agreement;agreement, equity issuance, debt issuance or refinancing;refinancing, together with certain fees relating to our senior secured credit facilities.

 

(76)

Represents severance and other non-recurring restructuring charges relatingrelated to business optimization and restructuring costs.the consolidation of certain of our facilities.

In the fourth quarter of 2019, management has determined that the Latin American export operations of the legacy Generac business (GPS LATAM) should have been included in the International reportable segment beginning in 2018. Previously, GPS LATAM was reported in the Domestic segment, in amounts that were not material. This change is to reflect the current leadership structure as well as how the Company makes financial decisions and allocates resources for the overall Latin America reporting unit. To reflect this change, management has chosen to correct the net sales and adjusted EBITDA by segment included in this Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017. The following table details the amounts adjusted from the Domestic segment to the International segment.

  

Year Ended December 31,

 
  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

 

Residential Products

 $7,129  $9,924  $18,888 

Commercial & industrial products

  5,724   2,651   12,940 

Other

  998   1,230   - 

Total Net Sales

 $13,851  $13,805  $31,828 
             

Adjusted EBITDA

 $984  $190  $7,840 

There was no impact to the Company’s reporting of total assets, depreciation and amortization, and capital expenditures by segment as a result of this change.

 

The following tables summarize additional financial information by reportable segment:

 

 

Assets

  

Assets

 
 

Year Ended December 31,

  

Year Ended December 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2015

  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

 

Domestic

 $1,606,606  $1,521,665  $1,605,043 

International

  413,358   340,019   173,592 

Total

 $2,019,964  $1,861,684  $1,778,635 

Domestic

 $2,123,251  $1,868,554  $1,612,607 

International

  542,418   557,760   413,358 

Total

 $2,665,669  $2,426,314  $2,025,965 

 

 

Depreciation and Amortization

  

Depreciation and Amortization

 
 

Year Ended December 31,

  

Year Ended December 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2015

  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

 

Domestic

 $37,962  $42,346  $35,327 

International

  14,026   12,072   5,006 

Total

 $51,988  $54,418  $40,333 

Domestic

 $46,145  $35,586  $37,962 

International

  14,764   11,822   14,026 

Total

 $60,909  $47,408  $51,988 

 

 

Capital Expenditures

  

Capital Expenditures

 
 

Year Ended December 31,

  

Year Ended December 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2015

  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

 

Domestic

 $29,258  $26,936  $29,368 

International

  4,003   3,531   1,283 

Total

 $33,261  $30,467  $30,651 

Domestic

 $36,007  $38,242  $29,258 

International

  24,795   9,359   4,003 

Total

 $60,802  $47,601  $33,261 

 

The Company’sCompany’s sales in the United States represent approximately 75%, 74%,77%, and 85%74% of total sales for the years ended December 31, 2017,2019, 20162018 and 2015,2017, respectively. Approximately 85% and 87%80% of the Company’s identifiable long-lived assets are located in the United States as of December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018. respectively.

 

 

7.8.

Balance Sheet Details

 

Inventories consist of the following:

 

  

December 31,

 
  

2019

  

2018

 
         

Raw material

 $328,021  $348,980 

Work-in-process

  10,387   6,971 

Finished goods

  183,616   188,799 

Total

 $522,024  $544,750 

  

December 31,

 
  

2017

  

2016

 
         

Raw material

 $242,239  $218,911 

Work-in-process

  2,544   2,950 

Finished goods

  135,558   127,870 

Total

 $380,341  $349,731 

 

As of December 31, 20172019 and 20162018,, inventories totaling $6,245$18,684 and $10,598,$8,488, respectively, were on consignment at customer locations.

 

Property and equipment consists of the following:

 

 

December 31,

  

December 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2019

  

2018

 
         

Land and improvements

 $13,118  $12,079 

Buildings and improvements

  132,072   122,747 

Machinery and equipment

  90,487   81,687 

Dies and tools

  24,504   23,269 

Vehicles

  1,878   1,474 

Office equipment and systems

  73,254   66,929 

Leasehold improvements

  2,436   2,319 

Construction in progress

  18,799   8,654 

Gross property and equipment

  356,548   319,158 

Accumulated depreciation

  (126,168)  (106,365)

Total

 $230,380  $212,793 

Land and improvements

 $18,252  $15,975 

Buildings and improvements

 177,079  163,161 

Machinery and equipment

 117,114  103,726 

Dies and tools

 22,040  28,198 

Vehicles

 3,955  2,070 

Office equipment and systems

 99,124  82,638 

Leasehold improvements

 4,293  2,137 

Construction in progress

  36,299   26,543 

Gross property and equipment

 478,156  424,448 

Accumulated depreciation

  (161,180)  (145,519)

Total

 $316,976  $278,929 

 

Total property and equipment included finance leases of $20,158 at December 31, 2018, primarily made up of buildings and improvements. Amortization of finance lease right of use assets is recorded within depreciation expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The initial measurement of new finance lease right of use assets is accounted for as a non-cash item in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Refer to Note 10, “Leases,” for further information regarding the Company’s accounting for leases under ASC 842,Leases, in 2019.

 

8.9.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 20172019 and 20162018 are as follows:

 

  

Domestic

  

International

  

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2015

 $621,451  $48,268  $669,719 

Acquisitions of businesses, net

  -   46,202   46,202 

Foreign currency translation

  -   (11,281)  (11,281)

Balance at December 31, 2016

  621,451   83,189   704,640 

Acquisitions of businesses, net

  -   5,271   5,271 

Foreign currency translation

  -   11,612   11,612 

Balance at December 31, 2017

 $621,451  $100,072  $721,523 

The details of the gross goodwill applicable to each reportable segment at December 31, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:

  

Year Ended December 31, 2017

  

Year Ended December 31, 2016

 
  

Gross

  

Accumulated Impairment

  

Net

  

Gross

  

Accumulated Impairment

  

Net

 

Domestic

 $1,124,644  $(503,193) $621,451  $1,124,644  $(503,193) $621,451 

International

  104,683   (4,611)  100,072   87,800   (4,611)  83,189 

Total

 $1,229,327  $(507,804) $721,523  $1,212,444  $(507,804) $704,640 
  

Domestic

  

International

  

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2017

 $621,451  $100,072  $721,523 

Acquisitions of businesses, net

  -   46,788   46,788 

Foreign currency translation

  -   (3,656)  (3,656)

Balance at December 31, 2018

  621,451   143,204   764,655 

Acquisitions of businesses, net

  37,758   3,078   40,836 

Foreign currency translation

  -   (207)  (207)

Balance at December 31, 2019

 $659,209  $146,075  $805,284 

 

Refer to Note 3, “Acquisitions,” to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the Company’s acquisitions and Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies – Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets,” to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the Company’s 2015 goodwill impairment charge.acquisitions.

 

The details of the gross goodwill applicable to each reportable segment at December 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:

  

Year Ended December 31, 2019

  

Year Ended December 31, 2018

 
  

Gross

  

Accumulated Impairment

  

Net

  

Gross

  

Accumulated Impairment

  

Net

 

Domestic

 $1,162,402  $(503,193) $659,209  $1,124,644  $(503,193) $621,451 

International

  150,686   (4,611)  146,075   147,815   (4,611)  143,204 

Total

 $1,313,088  $(507,804) $805,284  $1,272,459  $(507,804) $764,655 

The following table summarizes intangible assets by major category as of December 31,2017 and 2016:

  

Weighted Average

  

December 31, 2017

  

December 31, 2016

 
  

Amortization Years

  

Gross

  

Accumulated Amortization

  

Net Book Value

  

Gross

  

Accumulated Amortization

  

Net Book Value

 

Finite-lived intangible assets:

                            

Tradenames

  9  $52,784  $(28,422) $24,362  $50,742  $(20,189) $30,553 

Customer lists

  10   340,138   (299,074)  41,064   333,935   (288,623)  45,312 

Patents

  14   131,137   (91,520)  39,617   130,099   (82,038)  48,061 

Unpatented technology

  15   13,169   (11,915)  1,254   13,169   (11,771)  1,398 

Software

  -   1,046   (1,046)  -   1,046   (1,046)  - 

Non-compete/other

  8   2,684   (1,537)  1,147   2,513   (986)  1,527 

Total finite-lived intangible assets

  $540,958  $(433,514) $107,444  $531,504  $(404,653) $126,851 

Indefinite-lived tradenames

      128,321   -   128,321   128,321   -   128,321 

Total intangible assets

     $669,279  $(433,514) $235,765  $659,825  $(404,653) $255,172 

Refer to Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies – Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets,” to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the Company’s 2015 brand strategy change and resulting tradename impairment charge, which was netted against the gross intangible asset balance at December 31, 20172019 and 2016.2018:

  

Weighted Average

  

December 31, 2019

  

December 31, 2018

 
  

Amortization Years

  

Gross

  

Accumulated Amortization

  

Net Book Value

  

Gross

  

Accumulated Amortization

  

Net Book Value

 

Finite-lived intangible assets:

                            

Tradenames

  9  $56,669  $(36,613) $20,056  $56,378  $(32,416) $23,962 

Customer lists

  12   369,932   (314,380)  55,552   368,343   (307,149)  61,194 

Patents

  13   131,086   (110,554)  20,532   131,030   (101,060)  29,970 

Developed technology

  9   82,886   (17,872)  65,014   13,169   (12,058)  1,111 

Software

  -   1,046   (1,046)  -   1,046   (1,046)  - 

Non-compete/other

  4   12,063   (3,804)  8,259   3,829   (1,897)  1,932 

Total finite-lived intangible assets

     $653,682  $(484,269) $169,413  $573,795  $(455,626) $118,169 

Indefinite-lived tradenames

      128,321   -   128,321   128,321   -   128,321 

Total intangible assets

     $782,003  $(484,269) $297,734  $702,116  $(455,626) $246,490 

 

Amortization of intangible assets was $28,644, $22,112 and $28,861 in $28,861,2019, $32,9532018 and $23,591 in 2017,2016 and 2015, respectively. Excluding the impact of any future acquisitions, the Company estimates amortization expense for the next five years will be as follows: 2018$20,566;2019 - $18,828;2020$18,737;31,237; 2021 - $16,927;29,473; 2022 - $22,226;2023 - $9,671.18,344;2024 - $16,156.

 

 

9.10.

Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at contract inception. The Company recognizes a right of use (“ROU”) asset and lease liability at the lease commencement date based on the present value of the lease payments over the lease term. As the Company’s leases generally do not provide an implicit rate, the incremental borrowing rate is used to determine the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is a collateralized rate determined based on the lease term, the Company’s credit rating, and other market information available at the commencement date. The ROU asset also includes any lease payments made prior to the commencement date and is reduced by any lease incentives. The lease term may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, while lease expense for finance leases is recognized as depreciation and interest expense using the effective interest method. The Company’s variable lease expense generally consists of property tax and insurance payments that are variable in nature, however, these amounts are immaterial to the consolidated financial statements.

The Company has lease agreements with both lease and nonlease components, which it elected to account for as a single lease component. However, the Company did not elect to apply the recognition exception for short-term leases. The Company is applying these elections to all asset classes.

The Company leases certain manufacturing facilities, distribution centers, office space, warehouses, automobiles, machinery and computer equipment globally under both finance and operating leases. The Company’s leases have remaining lease terms of up to 20 years, of which certain leases, primarily within the buildings and improvements asset class, include options to extend the leases for up to 10 additional years. Further, the Company leases certain buildings from a noncontrolling interest holder, which the Company has determined to be arms’ length transactions.

The Company is a lessor of one building that it leases to a third party. The lease income related to this arrangement is not material to the consolidated financial statements.

The Company records its operating lease cost and amortization of finance lease ROU assets within cost of goods sold or operating expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income depending on the cost center of the underlying asset. The Company records its finance lease interest cost within interest expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

The components of total lease cost consist of the following:

  

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019

 
     

Operating lease cost

 $9,647 

Finance lease cost:

    

Amortization of ROU assets

  2,531 

Interest on lease liabilities

  2,227 

Total lease cost

 $14,405 

Prior to the adoption of ASC 842, lease expense consisted of payments on operating leases. Total rent expense related to operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was approximately $10,739 and $10,845, respectively.

As of January 1, 2019, the date of the adoption of ASU 2016-02, the Company recognized ROU assets and lease liabilities related to operating leases of $42,024 and $42,056, respectively, and there was 0 cumulative effect adjustment made to retained earnings. Supplemental balance sheet information related to the Company’s leases is as follows:

  

December 31, 2019

 

Operating Leases

    

Operating lease ROU assets (1)

 $35,950 
     

Operating lease liabilities - current (2)

 $7,231 

Operating lease liabilities - noncurrent (3)

  29,778 

Total operating lease liabilities

 $37,009 
     

Finance Leases

    

Finance lease ROU assets, gross

 $29,142 

Accumulated depreciation - finance lease ROU assets

  (3,079)

Finance lease ROU assets, net (4)

 $26,063 
     

Finance lease liabilities - current (5)

 $1,830 

Finance lease liabilities - noncurrent (6)

  24,132 

Total finance lease liabilities

 $25,962 

(1)

Recorded in the operating lease and other assets line within the consolidated balance sheets

(2)

Recorded in the other accrued liabilities line within the consolidated balance sheets

(3)

Recorded in the operating lease and other long-term liabilities line within the consolidated balance sheets

(4)

Recorded in the property and equipment, net line within the consolidated balance sheets

(5)

Recorded in the current portion of long-term borrowings and finance lease obligations line within the consolidated balance sheets

(6)

Recorded in the long-term borrowings and finance lease obligations line within the consolidated balance sheets

Supplemental cash flow information related to the Company’s leases is as follows:

  

Three Months Ended December 31, 2019

  Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities

        

Operating cash flows from operating leases

 $2,174  $10,125 

Operating cash flows from finance leases

  471   1,864 

Financing cash flows from finance leases

  976   3,237 
         

ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities

        

Operating leases

  239   4,021 

Finance leases

  632   8,797 

Weighted average remaining lease term and discount rate information related to the Company’s leases is as follows:

December 31, 2019

Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)

Operating Leases

6.90

Finance Leases

13.87

Weighted average discount rate

Operating Leases

4.59%

Finance Leases

7.83%

The maturities of the Company’s lease liabilities are as follows:

  

As of December 31, 2019

 
  

Finance Leases

  

Operating Leases

 

2020

 $3,769  $9,086 

2021

  3,352   7,029 

2022

  3,536   5,472 

2023

  2,659   4,629 

2024

  2,650   4,288 

After 2024

  29,371   14,232 

Total minimum lease payments

  45,337   44,736 

Interest component

  (19,375)  (7,727)

Present value of minimum lease payments

 $25,962  $37,009 

11.

Product Warranty Obligations

 

The Company records a liability for standard product warranty obligations accounted for as assurance warranties at the time of sale to a customer based upon historical warranty experience. The Company also records a liability for specific warranty matters when they become known and are reasonably estimable. The following is a tabular reconciliation of the Company’s standard product warranty liability accounted for as an assurance warranty:

  

Year Ended December 31,

 
  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

 

Balance at beginning of period

 $41,785  $35,422  $31,695 

Product warranty reserve assumed in acquisition

  1,062   -   43 

Payments

  (26,096)  (20,029)  (18,861)

Provision for warranty issued

  32,060   26,910   21,347 

Changes in estimates for pre-existing warranties

  505   (518)  1,198 

Balance at end of period

 $49,316  $41,785  $35,422 

Additionally, the Company sells extended warranty coverage for certain products.products, which it accounts for as a service warranty. The sales of extended warranties are recorded as deferred revenue, whichand typically have a duration of five to ten years. The deferred revenue related to extended warranty coverage is recognizedamortized over the lifeduration of the contractsextended warranty contract period, following the standard warranty period.

period, using the straight-line method. The followingCompany believes the straight-line method is a tabular reconciliationappropriate because the performance obligation is satisfied based on the passage of the product warranty liability, excluding thetime. The amortization of deferred revenue relatedis recorded to our extended warranty coverage:

  

Year Ended December 31,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2015

 

Balance at beginning of period

 $31,695  $30,197  $30,909 

Product warranty reserve assumed in acquisition

  43   840   351 

Payments

  (18,861)  (18,691)  (21,686)

Provision for warranty issued

  21,347   19,148   20,823 

Changes in estimates for pre-existing warranties

  1,198   201   (200)

Balance at end of period

 $35,422  $31,695  $30,197 

comprehensive income. The following is a tabular reconciliation of the deferred revenue related to extended warranty coverage:coverage:

 

  

Year Ended December 31,

 
  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

 

Balance at beginning of period

 $68,340  $57,854  $36,139 

Deferred revenue contracts issued

  24,483   21,440   29,262 

Amortization of deferred revenue contracts

  (14,085)  (10,954)  (7,547)

Balance at end of period

 $78,738  $68,340  $57,854 

  

Year Ended December 31,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2015

 

Balance at beginning of period

 $31,080  $28,961  $27,193 

Deferred revenue contracts assumed in acquisition

  -   -   291 

Deferred revenue contracts issued (1)

  27,107   7,733   5,978 

Amortization of deferred revenue contracts

  (7,246)  (5,614)  (4,501)

Balance at end of period

 $50,941  $31,080  $28,961 

 

(1)

The increase in deferred revenue contracts issued during 2017 was largely due to the launch of a post-sale extended warranty program.

The timing of recognition of the Company’s deferred revenue balance related to extended warranties at December 31, 2019 is as follows:

2020

 $15,535 

2021

  16,798 

2022

  14,705 

2023

  11,367 

After 2023

  20,333 

Total

 $78,738 

 

ProductIn 2017, the Company launched a post-sale extended warranty marketing program with a third party. In the program’s agreement, the Company is required to pay fees to the third-party service provider based on the number of extended warranty contracts that they sell, which it classifies as costs to obtain a contract. The contract costs are deferred and recorded as other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The deferred contract costs are amortized to net sales in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income over the same period that the underlying deferred revenue is recognized. The balance of deferred contract costs as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was $6,190 and $4,782, respectively. Amortization of deferred contract costs recorded during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $869, $615 and $193, respectively.

Standard product warranty obligations and extended warranty related deferred revenues are included in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:

 

 

December 31,

  

December 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2019

  

2018

 

Product warranty liability

        

Current portion - other accrued liabilities

 $20,576  $20,763 

Long-term portion - other long-term liabilities

  14,846   10,932 

Total

 $35,422  $31,695 

Product warranty liability

     

Current portion - other accrued liabilities

 $27,885  $25,396 

Long-term portion - other long-term liabilities

  21,431   16,389 

Total

 $49,316  $41,785 
         

Deferred revenue related to extended warranties

        

Current portion - other accrued liabilities

 $10,002  $6,728 

Long-term portion - other long-term liabilities

  40,939   24,352 

Total

 $50,941  $31,080 

Deferred revenue related to extended warranties

     

Current portion - other accrued liabilities

 $15,519  $13,646 

Long-term portion - other long-term liabilities

  63,219   54,694 

Total

 $78,738  $68,340 

 

 

10.12.

Credit Agreements

 

Short-term borrowings are included in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:

 

 

December 31,

  

December 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2019

  

2018

 

ABL facility

 $-  $- 

Other lines of credit

  20,602   31,198 

Total

 $20,602  $31,198 

ABL facility

 $30,961  $18,459 

Other lines of credit

  27,753   27,124 

Total

 $58,714  $45,583 

 

Long-term borrowingsborrowings are included in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:

 

 

December 31,

  

December 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2019

  

2018

 

Term loan

 $929,000  $929,000 

Original issue discount and deferred financing costs

  (26,937)  (26,677)

ABL facility

  -   100,000 

Capital lease obligation

  4,690   4,647 

Other

  1,367   14,753 

Total

  908,120   1,021,723 

Less: current portion of debt

  936   14,399 

Less: current portion of capital lease obligation

  636   566 

Total

 $906,548  $1,006,758 

Term loan

 $830,000  $879,000 

Original issue discount and deferred financing costs

 (18,048) (22,440)

ABL facility

 -  - 

Finance lease obligation

 25,962  20,171 

Other

  2,236   1,642 

Total

 840,150  878,373 

Less: current portion of debt

 553  1,075 

Less: current portion of finance lease obligation

  1,830   902 

Total

 $837,767  $876,396 

 

56

 

Maturities of long-term borrowings (beforeoutstanding at December 31, 2019, excluding finance lease obligations as their maturities are disclosed in Note 10, “Leases,” and before considering original issue discount and deferred financing costs) outstanding at December 31, 2017,costs, are as follows:

 

2018

 $1,572 

2019

  1,078 

2020

  599 

2021

  614 

After 2021

  931,194 

2020

 $553 

2021

 1,683 

2022

 - 

2023

 - 

After 2023

  830,000 

Total

 $935,057  $832,236 

 

The Company’s credit agreements originally provided for a $1,200,000$1,200,000 term loan B credit facility (Term Loan) and currently include a $300,000$300,000 uncommitted incremental term loan facility. In November 2016, The maturity date of the Company amended its Term Loan to extend the maturity date fromis currently May 31, 2020 to May 31, 2023.December 13, 2026. The Term Loan is guaranteed by all of the Company’s wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries, and is secured by associated collateral agreements which pledge a first priority lien on virtually all of the Company’s assets, including fixed assets and intangibles, other than all cash, trade accounts receivable, inventory, and other current assets and proceeds thereof, which are secured by a second priority lien. The Term Loan initially bore interest at rates based upon either a base rate plus an applicable margin of 1.75% or adjusted LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin of 2.75%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 0.75%. Beginning in the second quarter of 2014, and measured each quarterly period thereafter, the applicable margin related to base rate loans was reduced to 1.50% and the applicable margin related to LIBOR rate loans iswas reduced to 2.50%, in each case, if the Company’s net debt leverage ratio, as defined in the Term Loan, fallsfell below 3.00 to 1.00 for that measurement period.

 

Because In May 2017, the Company’s amended its Term Loan, modifying the pricing of the facility by reducing the applicable margin rates to base rate plus a fixed applicable margin of 1.25% or adjusted LIBOR rate plus a fixed applicable margin of 2.25%. Further, the amendment removed the pricing grid that would reduce the applicable margin if a net debt leverage ratio was above of 3.00 to 1.00 on July 1, 2015, it realized a 25 basis point increase in borrowing costs in the third quarter of 2015.was achieved. As a result, the Company recorded a cumulativedoes not anticipate any future catch-up loss of $2,381 in the third quarter of 2015, which represented the additional cash interest expected to be paid while the net debt leverage ratio was expected to be above 3.00 to 1.00 using current forecasts at that time. The loss was recorded against original issue discount and deferred financing costs on long-term borrowings in the consolidated balance sheets and as a loss on changegains or losses resulting from changes in contractual interest raterates to be recorded in the consolidated statementstatements of comprehensive income.

As At the Company’s net debt leverage ratio continuedtime, the amended Term Loan pricing was still subject to be above 3.00 to 1.00 on July 1, 2016, the Company recorded a cumulative catch-up loss of $2,957 in the third quarter of 2016, which represented the additional cash interest expected to be paid while the net debt leverage ratio was expected to be above 3.00 to 1.00 using current forecasts at that time. The loss was recorded against original issue discount and deferred financing costs on long-term borrowings in the consolidated balance sheets and as a loss on change in contractual interest rate in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

In May 2015, the Company amended certain provisions and covenants of the Term Loan.0.75% LIBOR floor. In connection with this amendment and in accordance with ASC 470-50, Debt Modifications and Extinguishments, the Company capitalized $1,528$1,432 of fees paid to creditors as deferred financing costs on long-term borrowings and expensed $49 of transaction fees in the second quarter of 2015.

In November 2016, the Company amended its Term Loan to extend the maturity date from May 31, 2020 to May 31, 2023. In connection with this amendment and in accordance with ASC 470-50, the Company capitalized $4,242 of fees paid to creditors as original issue discount and deferred financing costs on long-term borrowings and expensed $315 of transaction fees in the fourth quarter of 2016.

In May 2017, the Company amended its Term Loan, modifying the pricing of the facility by reducing the applicable margin rates to base rate plus a fixed applicable margin of 1.25% or adjusted LIBOR rate plus a fixed applicable margin of 2.25%. Further, the amendment removed the pricing grid that would reduce the applicable margin if a net debt leverage ratio of 3.00 to 1.00 was achieved. As a result, the Company does not anticipate any future catch-up gains or losses resulting from changes in contractual interest rates to be recorded in the statements of comprehensive income. The amended Term Loan pricing is still subject to the 0.75% LIBOR floor. In connection with this amendment and in accordance with ASC 470-50, the Company capitalized $1,432 of fees paid to creditors as deferred financing costs on long-term borrowings and expensed $85$85 of transaction fees in the second quarter of 2017.

 

In December 2017, the Company amended itsthe Term Loan, which further reduced the applicable margin rates to base rate plus a fixed applicable margin of 1.00% or adjusted LIBOR rate plus a fixed applicable margin of 2.00%. Additionally, the amendment eliminated the Excess Cash Flow payment requirement for 2017, and will eliminate future requirements if the Company’s secured leverage ratio is maintained below 3.75 to 1.00 times. In connection with this amendment and in accordance with ASC 470-50, the Company capitalized $2,346$2,346 of fees paid to creditors as original issue discount and deferred financing costs on long-term borrowings and expensed $38$38 of transaction fees in the fourth quarter of 2017.

 

In June 2018, the Company amended the Term Loan, which further reduced the applicable margin rates to base rate plus a fixed applicable margin of 0.75% or adjusted LIBOR rate plus a fixed applicable margin of 1.75%. In connection with this amendment and in accordance with ASC 470-50, the Company capitalized $829 of fees paid to creditors as deferred financing costs on long-term borrowings and expensed $118 of transaction fees in the second quarter of 2018.

In December 2019, the Company amended its Term Loan to extend the maturity date from May 31, 2023 to December 13, 2026, as well as removed the LIBOR floor of 0.75% from the adjusted LIBOR rate. In connection with this amendment and in accordance with ASC 470-50, the Company capitalized $1,247 of fees paid to creditors as deferred financing costs on long-term borrowings and expensed $432 of transaction fees in the fourth quarter of 2019. Additionally, the Company made a voluntary prepayment of $49,000 on the term loan, which resulted in the write-off of $926 of original issue discount and capitalized debt issuance costs as a loss on extinguishment of debt in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.   

The Term Loan does not require an Excess Cash Flow payment if the Company’s net secured leverage ratio is maintained below 3.75 to 1.00 times. As of December 31, 2017,2019, the Company'sCompany’s net secured leverage ratio was 2.501.50 to 1.00 times, and the Company was in compliance with all covenants of the Term Loan. There are no financial maintenance covenants on the Term Loan.

 

TheThe Company’s credit agreements also originally provided for a$150,000 senior secured ABL revolving credit facility (ABL Facility). The maturity date of the ABL Facility originally wasis currently May 31, 2018.June 12, 2023. Borrowings under the ABL Facility are guaranteed by all of the Company’s wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries, and are secured by associated collateral agreements which pledge a first priority lien on all cash, trade accounts receivable, inventory, and other current assets and proceeds thereof, and a second priority lien on all other assets, including fixed assets and intangibles of the Company and certain domestic subsidiaries. ABL Facility borrowings initially bore interest at rates based upon either a base rate plus an applicable margin of 1.00% or adjusted LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin of 2.00%, in each case, subject to adjustments based upon average availability under the ABL Facility.

 

In

In May 2015,June 2018, the Company amended itsthe ABL Facility (Amended ABL Facility). The amendment (i) increasedFacility; increasing it from $250,000 to $300,000 and extending the maturity date to June 12, 2023. In addition, the ABL Facility from $150,000amendment modified the pricing by reducing certain applicable interest rates to $250,000, (ii) extended the maturity date from May 31, 2018 to May 29, 2020, (iii) increased the uncommitted incremental facility from $50,000 to $100,000, (iv) reduced the interesteither a base rate spread by 50 basis points and (v) reduced the unused line fee by 12.5 basis points across all tiers. Additionally, the amendment relaxes certain restrictions on the Company’s ability to, among other things, (i) make additional investments and acquisitions (including foreign acquisitions), (ii) make restricted payments and (iii) incur additional secured and unsecured debt (including foreign subsidiary debt)plus an applicable margin of 0.375% or an adjusted LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin of 1.375%. In connection with this amendment and in accordance with ASC 470-50, the Company capitalized $540$755 of new debt issuance costs as deferred financing costs on long-term borrowings and wrote-off $34 of capitalized debt issuance costs as a loss on extinguishment of debt in the 2015.second quarter of 2018.

 

InIn May 2015,June 2018, the Company borrowed $100,000$50,000 under the Amended ABL Facility, the proceeds of which were used as a voluntary prepayment towards the Term Loan. In the fourth quarter of2017, the Company repaid the entire outstanding Amended ABL Facility balance. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had $249,650 of availability under the Amended ABL Facility, net of outstanding letters of credit.

In March and May 2015, the Company made voluntary prepayments of the Term Loan of $50,000 and $100,000, respectively, which were applied to the Excess Cash Flow payment requirement in the Term Loan. As a result of the prepayments,prepayment of the Term Loan, the Company wrote off $4,795wrote-off $1,298 of original issue discount and capitalized debt issuance costs during the year ended December 31, 2015 second quarter of 2018as a loss on extinguishment of debt in the consolidated statementstatements of comprehensive income. Similarly, inIn November 2016,October 2018, the Company made a voluntary prepayment of $25,000, which resulted in a $574 write-off of original issue discount and capitalized debt issuance costs duringrepaid the year ended December 31, 2016 as a loss$50,000 outstanding ABL Facility balance with cash on extinguishment of debt.hand.

 

As of December 31, 2019, there was $30,961 outstanding under the ABL Facility, leaving $268,608 of availability, net of outstanding letters of credit.

As of 201December 31, 2019 7and December 31, 2016,2018, short-term borrowings consisted primarily of borrowings by ourthe Company’s foreign subsidiaries on local lines of credit and the ABL Facility, which totaled $20,602$58,714 and $31,198,$45,583, respectively.

 

 

11.13.

Stock Repurchase ProgramPrograms

 

InIn August 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a $200,000$200,000 stock repurchase program, which the Company completed in the third quarter of 2016. In October 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an additional $250,000a new $250,000 stock repurchase program. Underprogram, which expired in the secondfourth quarter of 2018. In September 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors approved another stock repurchase program, which commenced in October 2018, and under which the Company may repurchase up to $250,000an additional $250,000 of its common stock over the 24 months following the date of approval.24 months. The Company may repurchase its common stock from time to time, in amounts and at prices the Company deems appropriate, subject to market conditions and other considerations. The repurchaserepurchases may be executed using open market purchases, privately negotiated agreements or other transactions. The actual timing, number and value of shares repurchased under the program will be determined by management at its discretion and will depend on a number of factors, including the market price of the Company’s common stock and general market and economic conditions, applicable legal requirements, and compliance with the terms of the Company’s outstanding indebtedness. The repurchases may be funded with cash on hand, available borrowings or proceeds from potential debt or other capital markets sources. The stock repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time without prior notice. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock. During the years ended December 31, 2017,2018 2016and 2015,2017, the Company repurchased 844,500,3,968,706560,000 and 3,303,500844,500 shares of its common stock, respectively, for $30,012,$149,937$25,656 and $99,942,$30,012, respectively, all funded with cash on hand. Since the inception of the above noted programs, the Company has repurchased 8,676,706 shares of its common stock for $305,547 (at an average cost per share of $35.21), all funded with cash on hand.

 

58

12.14.

Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to the common shareholders of the Company by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, exclusive of restricted shares. Except where the result would be anti-dilutive, diluted earnings per share is calculated by assuming the vesting of unvested restricted stock and the exercise of stock options. Refer to Note 4, “Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest,” to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the accounting for redeemable noncontrolling interests.

The following table reconciles the numerator and the denominator used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

  

Year Ended December 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2015

  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

 

Numerator

            

Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.

 $159,386  $98,788  $77,747 

Redeemable noncontrolling interest redemption value adjustment

  909   (909)  - 

Net income attributable to common shareholders

 $160,295  $97,879  $77,747 

Numerator

            

Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.

 $252,007  $238,257  $157,808 

Redeemable noncontrolling interest redemption value adjustment

  1,253   (17,970)  909 

Net income attributable to common shareholders

 $253,260  $220,287  $158,717 
             

Denominator

            

Weighted average shares, basic

  62,040,704   64,905,793   68,096,051 

Dilutive effect of stock compensation awards (1)

  602,168   476,981   1,104,246 

Diluted shares

  62,642,872   65,382,774   69,200,297 

Denominator

            

Weighted average shares, basic

 61,926,986  61,662,031  62,040,704 

Dilutive effect of stock compensation awards (1)

  938,460   571,194   602,168 

Diluted shares

  62,865,446   62,233,225   62,642,872 
             

Net income attributable to common shareholders per share

            

Basic

 $2.58  $1.51  $1.14 

Diluted

 $2.56  $1.50  $1.12 

Net income attributable to common shareholders per share

       

Basic

 $4.09  $3.57  $2.56 

Diluted

 $4.03  $3.54  $2.53 

 

 

(1)

Excludes approximately 147,400,15,80026,100 and 161,400147,400 stock options for the years ended December 31, 2017,2018 2016and 2015,2017, respectively, as the impact of such awards was anti-dilutive. Excludes approximatelyThere were 1,000no shares of restricted stockawards with an anti-dilutive impact for the year ended December 31, 2015, 2019.as the impact of such awards was anti-dilutive.

 

 

13.15.

Income Taxes

 

The Company’sCompany’s provision for income taxes consists of the following:

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

  

Year Ended December 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2015

  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

 

Current:

                   

Federal

 $15,753  $11,717  $13,614 

Federal

 $41,686  $32,072  $15,753 

State

  1,775   2,047   1,966  4,211  9,639  1,775 

Foreign

  4,585   4,460   3,588 

Foreign

  2,660   4,546   4,585 
  22,113   18,224   19,168  48,557  46,257  22,113 

Deferred:

                   

Federal

  17,737   41,264   31,869 

Federal

 19,393  22,225  18,213 

State

  4,026   3,029   1,387  1,390  1,910  4,139 

Foreign

  (2,777)  (5,585)  (7,326)

Foreign

  (1,263)  479   (2,777)
  18,986   38,708   25,930  19,520  24,614  19,575 

Change in valuation allowance

  2,454   638   138 

Provision for income taxes

 $43,553  $57,570  $45,236 

Change in valuation allowance

  (778)  (1,015)  2,454 

Provision for income taxes

 $67,299  $69,856  $44,142 

 

The Company files U.S federal, U.S. state and foreign jurisdiction tax returns thatwhich are subject to examination up to the expiration of the statute of limitations. We believeThe Company believes the tax positions taken on ourits returns would be sustained upon an exam, or where a position is uncertain, adequate reserves have been recorded. As of December 31, 20172019, the Company is no longer subject to income tax examinations for United States federal income taxes for the tax years prior to 2014.2016. Due to the carryforward of net operating losses and research and& development credits, the Company'sCompany’s Wisconsin state income tax returns for tax years 20072009 through 20162018 remain open. In addition, the Company is subject to audit by various foreign taxing jurisdictions for the tax years 20122013 through 2016.2018.

 

The Company is currentlyregularly under examination in multiplethe various jurisdictions in which we operate. The Company is actively managing the examinations and is working to address allany open matters. While the CompanyCompany does not believe any material taxes or penalties are due, there is a possibility that the ultimate tax outcome of an examination may result in differences from what was recorded. Such differences may affect the provision for income taxes in the period in which the determination is made, and could impact the Company’s financial results.

 

59

 

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code, including, but not limited to, reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, requiring companies to pay a one-time transition tax on certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries, eliminating certain deductions, introducing new tax regimes, changing how foreign earnings are subject to U.S. tax, and enhancing and extending through 2026 the option to claim accelerated depreciation deductions on qualified property.

The SEC staff issued SAB 118, which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740. In accordance with SAB 118, a company must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects of the Tax Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete. To the extent that a company’s accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act is incomplete but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate in the financial statements. If a company cannot determine a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements, it should continue to apply ASC 740 on the basis of the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately before the enactment of the Tax Act.

The Company's accounting for the following elements of the Tax Act is incomplete. However, reasonable estimates of certain effects were able to be made and, therefore, provisional adjustments were recorded as follows:

Reduction of US federal corporate tax rate: The Tax Act reduces the federal corporate tax rate to 21%, effective January 1, 2018. For certain of the Company's deferred tax liabilities (DTLs), a provisional decrease of $28,434 was recorded to reflect our DTLs at thelower corporate tax rate, with a corresponding net adjustment to deferred income tax benefit of $28,434 for the year ended December 31, 2017. While a reasonable estimate of the impact of the reduction in the corporate tax rate was made, it may be affected by other analyses related to the Tax Act, including, but not limited to, the calculation of deemed repatriation of deferred foreign income and the state tax effect of adjustments made to federal temporary differences.

Deemed Repatriation Transition Tax: The Deemed Repatriation Transition Tax (Transition Tax) is a tax on previously untaxed accumulated and current earnings and profits (E&P) of certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries. To determine the amount of the Transition Tax, the amount of post-1986 E&P of relevant subsidiaries, as well as the amount of non-U.S. income taxes paid on such earnings must be determined, in addition to other factors. The Company made a reasonable estimate of the Transition Tax and has concluded the amount was not material.

Cost recovery: While the Company has not yet completed all of the computations necessary or completed an inventory of our 2017 expenditures that qualify for immediate expensing, a provisional benefit of $700 was recorded based on our current intent to fully expense all qualifying expenditures. This resulted in a decrease of approximately $1,750 to current income tax payable and a corresponding increase in DTLs of approximately $1,050 (after considering the effects of the reduction in income tax rates).

As the Company completes its analysis of the Tax Act; collects and prepares necessary data; and interprets any additional guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, the IRS, and other standard-setting bodies; adjustments to the provisional amounts may be recorded.

Global intangible low taxed income (GILTI): Because of the complexity of the new GILTI tax rules, the Company is continuing to evaluate this provision of the Tax Act and the application of ASC 740. Under U.S. GAAP, the Company is allowed to make an accounting policy choice of either (1) treating taxes due on future U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to GILTI as a current-period expense when incurred (the “period cost method”) or (2) factoring such amounts into a company’s measurement of its deferred taxes (the “deferred method”). The selection of an accounting policy with respect to the new GILTI tax rules will depend, in part, on analyzing the Company's global income to determine whether it is expected to have future U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to GILTI and, if so, what the impact is expected to be. Because whether the Company expects to have future U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to GILTI depends not only on the current structure and estimated future results of global operations but also on the intent and ability to modify the structure and/or the business; the Company is not yet able to reasonably estimate the effect of this provision of the Tax Act. Therefore, no adjustments related to potential GILTI tax have been made in the financial statements and no policy decision regarding whether to record deferred taxes on GILTI has been made.

Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

 

December 31,

  

December 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2019

  

2018

 

Deferred tax assets:

             

Accrued expenses

 $15,138  $22,758 

Deferred revenue

  8,060   10,645 

Inventories

  7,933   10,159 

Pension obligations

  3,795   7,512 

Stock-based compensation

  5,522   7,291 

Operating loss and credit carryforwards

  23,771   20,927 

Other

  1,064   2,822 

Valuation allowance

  (6,817)  (4,362)

Total deferred tax assets

  58,466   77,752 

Accrued expenses

 $21,053  $16,745 

Deferred revenue

 14,697  12,418 

Inventories

 9,879  8,500 

Pension obligations

 -  1,062 

Stock-based compensation

 7,490  5,960 

Operating loss and credit carryforwards

 28,356  25,585 

Bad debt

 1,094  1,363 

Other

 4,275  2,516 

Valuation allowance

  (5,024)  (5,802)

Total deferred tax assets

 81,820  68,347 
         

Deferred tax liabilitites:

        

Deferred tax liabilities:

     

Goodwill and intangible assets

  70,556   58,133  142,159  108,899 

Depreciation

  22,563   25,194  27,864  25,429 

Debt refinancing costs

  5,189   7,193 

Prepaid expenses

  709   1,173 

Total deferred tax liabilities

  99,017   91,693 

Debt refinancing costs

 4,119  4,206 

Prepaid expenses

  1,073   950 

Total deferred tax liabilities

 175,215  139,484 
             

Net deferred tax liabilities

 $(40,551) $(13,941) $(93,395) $(71,137)

 

As of December 31, 2019 2017and 2016,2018, deferred tax assets of $3,238$2,933 and $3,337,$163, and deferred tax liabilities of $43,789$96,328 and $17,278,$71,300, respectively, were reflected on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

One of the Company's subsidiaries, Generac Brazil, has generated net operating losses for multiple years. The realizability ofCompany maintains a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets associated with these net operating lossesof an entity when it is uncertain therefore athe entity will generate sufficient taxable income to utilize the asset. During 2019, the valuation allowance has been recorded since Generac Brazil's acquisition on December 8, 2012 and continued through December 31, 2017.

In addition, the Company recordeddecreased by $778 primarily due to an increase in income allowing for a valuation allowanceutilization of tax credits, partially offset by current losses in the opening balance sheet and as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 related to the Pramac acquisition. The valuation allowance represents a reserve for deferred tax assets, including loss carryforwards, of certain Pramac subsidiaries, for which utilization is uncertain.foreign subsidiaries.

 

At December 31, 2019, 2017,the Company had various state research and& development tax credit carryforwards, and state manufacturing tax credit carryforwards of approximately $13,089$8,291 and $4,618,$12,747, respectively, which expire between 20182020 and 2032.2034. A valuation allowance of $1,171 has been established against deferred tax assets forThe Company believes it will generate sufficient taxable income in these carryforwards.jurisdictions to fully utilize the credits prior to their expiration.

 

Changes in the Company’sCompany’s gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, were as follows:

 

 

December 31,

  

December 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2019

  

2018

 

Unrecognized tax benefit, beginning of period

 $7,943  $7,239 

Increase in unrecognized tax benefit for positions taken in current period

  251   704 

Unrecognized tax benefit, beginning of period

 $5,635  $7,122 

Increase in unrecognized tax benefit for positions taken in prior period

 633  - 

Increase in unrecognized tax benefit for positions taken in current period

 495  580 

Statute of limitation expirations

  (1,072)  -  (43) (1,818)

Unrecognized tax benefit, end of period

 $7,122  $7,943 

Settlements

  -   (249)

Unrecognized tax benefit, end of period

 $6,720  $5,635 

 

The unrecognized tax benefit as of December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, if recognized, would favorably impact the effective tax rate.

 

As of December 31, 2017,20162019 and 2015,2018, total accrued interest of approximately $131,$272$71 and $174,$37, respectively, and accrued penalties of approximately $220,$425$195 and $363,$136, respectively, associated with net unrecognized tax benefits are included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Interest and penalties are recorded as a component of income tax expense.

 

TheThe Company does not expect a significant increase or decrease to the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits related to continuing operations during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.2020.

 

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act includes a mandatory one-time tax on accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries, and as a result, all previously unremitted earnings for which no U.S. deferred tax liability had been accrued have now been subject to U.S. tax. Notwithstanding the U.S. taxation of these amounts, the Company intends to continue to invest these earnings, as well as the capital in these subsidiaries, indefinitely outside of the U.S. and do not expect to incur any significant additional taxes related to such amounts.

 

A reconciliation of the statutory tax rates and the effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 20172019, , 20162018 and 20152017 are as follows:

 

Year Ended December 31,

2017

2016

2015

U.S. statutory rate

35.0%35.0%35.0%

State taxes

4.14.14.1

Research and development credits

(1.4)(1.0)(2.3)

Share-based compensation (1)

(1.4)--

Tax Act impact

(13.9)--

Other

(1.1)(1.3)-

Effective tax rate

21.3%36.8%36.8%
  

Year Ended December 31,

 
  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

 

U.S. statutory rate

  21.0%  21.0%  35.0%

State taxes

  4.3   4.7   4.1 

State tax rate differential

  (1.0)  -   - 

Research and development credits

  (0.8)  (1.3)  (1.4)

State credits

  (1.0)  (1.0)  (0.2)

Share-based compensation (1)

  (0.6)  (0.5)  (1.4)

Tax Act impact (2)

  -   (0.2)  (13.9)

Other

  (0.8)  (0.2)  (0.9)

Effective tax rate

  21.1%  22.5%  21.3%

 

 

(1)

With the adoption of ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017, excess tax benefits from equity awards are reflected within the provision for income taxes rather than within the consolidated balance sheet. For further information on

(2)As a result of the Company’s adoptionTax Act, we recognized a one-time, non-cash benefit of ASU$28.4 million in the 2016-09,fourth referquarter of 2017 primarily from the impact of the revaluation of our net deferred tax liabilities. This non-cash benefit resulted primarily from the Federal rate reduction from 35% to Note 2,21%. “Significant Accounting Policies – New Accounting Pronouncements” to the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

14.16.

Benefit Plans

 

Medical and Dental Plan

 

The Company maintains medical and dental benefit plans covering its full-time domestic employees and their dependents. Certain plans are partially or fully self-funded under which participant claims are obligations of the plan. These plans are funded through employer and employee contributions at a level sufficient to pay for the benefits provided by the plan. The Company’s contributions to the plans were $14,992,$15,019,$18,290, $14,660, and $14,352$14,992 for the years ended December 31, 2017,2019, 2016,2018, and 2015,2017, respectively.

 

The Company’sCompany’s foreign subsidiaries participate in government sponsored medical benefit plans. In certain cases, the Company purchases supplemental medical coverage for certain employees at these foreign locations.locations. The expenses related to these plans are not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

SavingsSavings Plan

 

The Company maintains a defined-contribution 401(k) savings plan for eligible domestic employees. Under the plan, employees may defer receipt of a portion of their eligible compensation. The Company amended the 401(k) savings plans effective January 1, 2009, to add Company matching and non-elective contributions. The Company may contribute a matching contribution of 50% of the first 6% of eligible compensation of employees. The Company may also contribute a non-elective contribution for eligible employees employed on December 31, 2008.2008 Both Companythat were impacted by the freezing of the Company’s pension plans. The Company’s matching contributions and non-elective contributions are subject to vesting. Forfeitures may be applied against plan expenses and company contributions. The Company recognized $3,600,$3,400$4,791, $4,193 and $3,000$3,600 of expense related to these plans in 2017,2019, 20162018 and 2015,2017, respectively.

 

Pension Plans

 

TheHistorically, the Company hasmaintained frozen noncontributory salaried and hourly pension plans (Pension Plans) covering certain domestic employees. The Pension Plans were frozen effective December 31, 2008. Effective December 31, 2018, the Pension Plans were merged into the same plan (Pension Plan), resulting in no change to benefits for participants. The benefits under the salaried plan arewere based upon years of service and the participants’ defined final average monthly compensation. The benefits under the hourly plan arewere based on a unit amount at the date of termination multiplied by the participant’s years of credited service.

In 2019, the Company completed the termination of its Pension Plan.  In connection with the Company’s activities to terminate the plan, lump sum distributions were made in the fourth quarter of 2019 to individuals who elected lump sum distributions, including rolling over their accounts to the Company’s 401(k) savings plan. Also in the fourth quarter of 2019, annuity contracts were purchased to settle obligations for the remaining participants. Upon settlement of the pension liability, the Company reclassified related unrecognized pension losses recorded in AOCL to the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. As a result, the Company recorded pre-tax settlement charges of $10,920 in the fourth quarter of 2019.

The Company’s historical funding policy for the Pension Plans iswas to contribute amounts at least equal to the minimum annual amount required by applicable regulations. In the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company made a voluntary pension prepayment of $9,400. In the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company made required contributions of $1,017 in connection with the plan termination. No additional contributions will be required in future years as the pension plan termination was finalized in 2019.

The following table provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of the Pension Plan based on a December 31 measurement date:

  

Year Ended December 31,

 
  

2019

  

2018

 
         

Accumulated benefit obligation at end of period

 $-  $65,978 
         

Change in projected benefit obligation

        

Projected benefit obligation at beginning of period

 $65,978  $72,631 

Interest cost

  2,401   2,575 

Net actuarial (gain) loss

  3,452   (6,820)

Benefits paid

  (31,321)  (2,408)

Annuities purchased

  (40,510)  - 

Projected benefit obligation at end of period

 $-  $65,978 
         

Change in plan assets

        

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period

 $61,870  $58,014 

Actual return on plan assets

  8,944   (3,507)

Company contributions

  1,017   9,771 

Benefits paid

  (31,321)  (2,408)

Annuities purchased

  (40,510)  - 

Fair value of plan assets at end of period

 $-  $61,870 
         

Funded status: accrued pension liability included in other long-term liabilities

 $-  $(4,108)
         

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss

        

Net actuarial loss, net of tax

 $-  $(10,541)

The actuarial loss for the Pension Plan that was amortized from AOCL into net periodic pension cost during 2019 prior to the pension plan termination was $843.

The actuarial assumption used in the determination of the benefit obligation of the above data is:

  

2019

  

2018

 

Weighted average discount rate

  N/A   4.24% 

The following table sets forth the components of net periodic pension cost (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

  

Year Ended December 31,

 
  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

 

Interest cost

 $2,401  $2,575  $2,688 

Expected return on plan assets

  (3,500)  (3,525)  (3,011)

Amortization of net loss

  843   802   883 

Loss on pension settlement

  10,920   -   - 

Net periodic pension cost (benefit)

 $10,664  $(148) $560 

 

62

 

The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for the Pension Plans. The accumulated benefit obligation, reconciliation of the changes in projected benefit obligation, changes in plan assets and the funded status of the Pension Plans are as follows:

  

Year Ended December 31,

 
  

2017

  

2016

 
         

Accumulated benefit obligation at end of period

 $72,631  $65,956 
         

Change in projected benefit obligation

        

Projected benefit obligation at beginning of period

 $65,956  $63,894 

Interest cost

  2,688   2,747 

Net actuarial loss

  6,170   1,363 

Benefits paid

  (2,183)  (2,048)

Projected benefit obligation at end of period

 $72,631  $65,956 
         

Change in plan assets

        

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period

 $46,488  $43,985 

Actual return on plan assets

  8,382   3,820 

Company contributions

  5,327   731 

Benefits paid

  (2,183)  (2,048)

Fair value of plan assets at end of period

 $58,014  $46,488 
         

Funded status: accrued pension liability included in other long-term liabilities

 $(14,617) $(19,468)
         

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss

        

Net actuarial loss, net of tax

 $(10,978) $(11,040)

The actuarial loss for the Pension Plans that was amortized from AOCL into net periodic (benefit) cost during 2017 is $883. The amount in AOCL as of December 31, 2017 that is expected to be recognized as a component of net periodic pension expense during the next fiscal year is $802.

The components of net periodic pension cost are as follows:

  

Year Ended December 31,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2015

 

Interest cost

 $2,688  $2,747  $2,681 

Expected return on plan assets

  (3,011)  (2,868)  (3,041)

Amortization of net loss

  883   941   1,228 

Net periodic pension cost

 $560  $820  $868 

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligationsnet periodic pension cost (benefit) are as follows:

 

December 31,

2017

2016

Discount rate – salaried pension plan

3.60%4.14%

Discount rate – hourly pension plan

3.62%4.16%

Rate of compensation increase (1)

n/an/a
  

Year Ended December 31,

 
  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

 

Discount Rate

  4.24%   3.60%   4.14% 

Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets

  6.60%   6.19%   6.58% 

Rate of compensation increase (1)

  N/A   N/A   N/A 

 

(1)

No compensation increase was assumed as the plans were frozen effective December 31, 2008.

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic pension cost are as follows:

Year Ended December 31,

2017

2016

2015

Discount rate

4.14%4.39%3.99%

Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets

6.58%6.62%6.75%

Rate of compensation increase (1)

n/an/an/a

(1)

No compensation increasePension Plan was assumed as the plans were frozen effective December 31, 20082008..

 

To determine the long-term rate of return assumption for the plans'plans’ assets, the Company studiesstudied historical markets and preservespreserved the long-term historical relationshipsrelationship between equities and fixed-income securities consistent with the widely accepted capital market principle that assets with higher volatility generate a greater return over the long run. The Company evaluatesevaluated current market factors such as inflation and interest rates before it determinesdetermined long-term capital market assumptions and reviewsreviewed peer data and historical returns to check for reasonableness and appropriateness.

 

The fair value of the qualified pension plan assets was $0 at December 31,2019 and $61,870 at December 31, 2018. The Pension PlansPlan’s weighted-average asset allocation at December 31, 20172018, and 2016,by asset category, is as follows:

 

   Target Allocation  

December 31, 2017

  

December 31, 2016

  

Target Allocation

  

December 31, 2018

 

Asset Category

 Minimum 

 

Maximum  

Dollars

  

%

  

Dollars

  

%

  

Minimum

  

Maximum

  

Dollars

  

%

 

Fixed Income

 15.0% 25.0% $10,637   18% $7,812   17%

Fixed income

 15.0% 25.0% $12,257  20%

Domestic equity

 36.5% 61.5%  25,151   43%  19,615   42% 36.5% 61.5% 30,731  50%

International equity

 17.0% 25.0%  16,093   28%  13,466   29% 17.0% 25.0% 12,380  20%

Real estate

 7.0% 15.0%  6,133   11%  5,595   12% 7.0% 15.0%  6,502   10%

Total

       $58,014   100% $46,488   100%       61,870   100%

 

The fair values of the Pension PlansPlans’ assets at December 31, 20172018 arewere as follows:

  

 

 

 

 

Total

  

Quoted Prices in

Active Markets

for Identical Asset

(Level 1)

  

 

Significant

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)

  

 

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

 

Mutual funds

 $48,314  $48,314  $  $ 

Other investments

  9,700         9,700 

Total

 $58,014  $48,314  $  $9,700 

 

The fair values of the Pension Plans' assets at December 31, 2016 are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Total

  

Quoted Prices in

Active Markets

for Identical Asset

(Level 1)

  

 

Significant Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)

  

 

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

  

 

 

 

 

Total

 

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Asset

(Level 1)

 

 

Significant Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

 

 

Significant Unobservable Inputs

(Level 3)

 

Mutual funds

 $37,860  $37,860  $  $ 

Other investments

  8,628         8,628 

Mutual funds

 $51,736  $51,736  $  $ 

Other investments

  10,134      10,134 

Total

 $46,488  $37,860  $  $8,628  $61,870  $51,736  $  $10,134 

 

A reconciliation of beginningbeginning and ending balances for Level 3 assets for the yearsyear ended December 31, 20172018 and 2016is as follows:

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

  

Year Ended

December 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2018

 

Balance at beginning of period

 $8,628  $3,675  $9,700 

Purchases

  -   4,400  3,805 

Redemptions

 (3,795)

Realized gains

  1,072   553   424 

Balance at end of period

 $9,700  $8,628  $10,134 

 

Mutual Funds – This category includes investments in mutual funds that encompass both equity and fixed income securities that are designed to provide a diverse portfolio. The plans'plans’ mutual funds are designed to track exchange indices, and invest in diverse industries. Some mutual funds are classified as regulated investment companies. Investment managers have the ability to shift investments from value to growth strategies, from small to large capitalization funds, and from U.S. to international investments. These investments are valued at the closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded. These investments are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

Other Investments – This category includes investments in limited partnerships and are valued at estimated fair value, as determined with the assistance of each respective limited partnership, based on the net asset value of the investment as of the balance sheet date, which is subject to judgment, and therefore is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

The Company’sCompany’s historical target allocation for equity securities and real estate iswas generally between 65% - 75% to 85%, with the remainder allocated primarily to fixed income (bonds). The Company regularly reviewsreviewed its actual asset allocation and periodically rebalancesrebalanced its investments to the targeted allocation when considered appropriate.

At a minimum, the Company expects to make estimated contributions of $319 to the Pension Plans in 2018.

The following benefit payments are expected to be paid from the Pension Plans:

2018

  $2,445 

2019

   2,502 

2020

   2,622 

2021

   2,760 

2022

   2,932 
2023 – 2027   16,989 

 

Certain of the Company’sCompany’s foreign subsidiaries participate in local statutory defined benefit or other post-employment benefit plans. These plans provide benefits that are generally based on years of credited service and a percentage of the employee’s eligible compensation earned throughout the applicable service period. Liabilities recorded under these plans are included in accrued wages and employee benefitsother long-term liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and are not material.

 

 

15.17.

Share Plans

 

The Company adopted an equity incentive plan (Plan) on February 10, 2010 in connection with its initial public offering. The Plan, as amended, allows for granting of up to 9.1 million share-based awards to executives, directors and employees. Awards available for grant under the Plan include stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, other share-based awards and performance-based compensation awards. Total share-based compensation expense related to the Plan, net of estimated forfeitures, was $10,205,$9,493$15,738, $14,563 and $8,241$10,205 for the years ended December 31, 2017,2019, 20162018 and 2015,2017, respectively, which is recorded in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

On June 13, 2019, the stockholders of Generac Holdings Inc. approved the Company’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (2019 Plan). The 2019 Plan allows for granting of up to 2.7 million share-based awards to executives, directors and employees. Awards available for grant under the Plan include stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, other share-based awards and performance-based compensation awards. Total share-based compensation expense related to the 2019 Plan, net of estimated forfeitures, was $956 for the year ended December 31, 2019, which is recorded in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

 

Stock Options - Stock options granted in 2019 have an exercise price of $52.07 per share; stock options granted in 2018 have an exercise price between $43.88 per share and $45.29 per share; and stock options granted in 2017 have an exercise price between $40.12$40.12 per share and $48.98 per share; stock options granted in 2016 have an exercise price between $33.23 per share and $35.37 per share, and the stock options granted in 2015 have an exercise price between $28.36 per share and $49.70$48.98 per share. Stock options vest in equal installments over four years, subject to the grantee’s continued employment or service and expire ten years after the date of grant.

 

StockStock option exercises can be net-share settled such that the Company withholds shares with value equivalent to the exercise price of the stock option awards plus the employees’ minimum statutory obligation for the applicable income and other employment taxes. Total shares withheld were 32,211, 63,817 and 9,033 in 9,033,2019, 473,7432018 and 272,296 in 2017,2016 and 2015, respectively, and were based on the value of the stock on the exercise dates. The net-share settlement has the effect of share repurchases by the Company as they reduce the number of shares that would have otherwise been issued.

 

Employees can also utilize a cashless for cash exercise of stock options, such that all exercised shares will be sold in the market immediately. Cash equivalent to the exercise price of the awards plus the employeesemployees’ minimum statutory tax obligations is remitted to the Company, with the remaining cash being transferred to the employee. Total net proceeds from the cashless for cash exercise of stock options were $9,395, $5,614 and $6,951 in $6,9512019,2018 and $1,623 in 2017, and 2016, respectively, and are reflected as a financing activity in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

 

Total payments made by the Company for the employees’ tax obligations to the taxing authorities for the employees’ tax obligations related to stock option exercises were $3,360, $3,846 and $4,301 in $4,301,2019, $13,0562018 and $9,768 in 2017,2016 and 2015, respectively, and are reflected as a financing activity withinin the consolidated statements of cash flows.

 

The grant-date fair value of each option grant is estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model. The fair value is then amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the awards, which is generally the vesting period. Use of a valuation model requires management to make certain assumptions with respect to selected model inputs. Expected volatility is calculated based on an analysis of historic and implied volatility measures for a set of peer companies.the Company’s stock price. The average expected life is based on the contractual term of the option using the simplified method. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected life assumed at the date of grant. The compensation expense recognized is net of estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated based on actual share option forfeiture history.

The weighted-average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model for 2017,2019, 20162018 and 20152017 are as follows:

 

  

2017

  

2016

  

2015

 

Weighted average grant date fair value

 $16.84  $13.77  $19.07 
             

Assumptions:

            

Expected stock price volatility

  40%  41%  41%

Risk free interest rate

  1.92%  1.31%  1.72%

Expected annual dividend per share

 $-  $-  $- 

Expected life of options (years)

  6.25   6.25   6.25 

The Company periodically evaluates its forfeiture rates and updates the rates it uses in the determination of its share-based compensation expense. The impact of the change to the forfeiture rates on shares-based compensation expense was not material for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

 

Weighted average grant date fair value

 $19.33  $17.86  $16.84 
             

Assumptions:

            

Expected stock price volatility

  33%  37%  40%

Risk free interest rate

  2.52%  2.60%  1.92%

Expected annual dividend per share

 $-  $-  $- 

Expected life of options (years)

  6.25   6.25   6.25 

 

A summary of the Company’sCompany’s stock option activity and related information for the years ended December 31, 2017,2019, 20162018 and 20152017 is as follows:

 

 

Number of

Options

  

Weighted-

Average

Exercise Price

  

Weighted-

Average

Remaining

Contractual

Term (in years)

  

Aggregate

Intrinsic Value

($ in thousands)

  

Number of

Options

  

Weighted-Average

Exercise Price

  

Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)

  

Aggregate Intrinsic Value

($ in thousands)

 
                 

Outstanding as of December 31, 2014

  2,542,139  $9.94   8.5  $96,518 

Granted

  287,165   45.18         

Exercised

  (604,088)  3.79         

Expired

  (6,409)  50.11         

Forfeited

  (90,793)  37.27         

Outstanding as of December 31, 2015

  2,128,014   15.15   7.7  $40,271 

Outstanding as of December 31, 2016

 1,482,964  $27.49  7.5  $23,840 

Granted

 346,421  40.13      

Exercised

 (287,375) 10.58      

Forfeited

  (69,880) 41.12      

Outstanding as of December 31, 2017

  1,472,130  33.11  7.3  $25,281 
                 

Granted

  398,313   33.24         

Exercised

  (995,469)  2.89         

Forfeited

  (47,894)  37.41         

Outstanding as of December 31, 2016

  1,482,964   27.49   7.5  $23,840 

Granted

 366,231  43.88      

Exercised

 (267,909) 19.90      

Forfeited

  (49,285) 43.34      

Outstanding as of December 31, 2018

  1,521,167  37.70  7.0  $19,212 
                 

Granted

  346,421   40.13         

Exercised

  (287,375)  10.58         

Forfeited

  (69,880)  41.12         

Outstanding as of December 31, 2017

  1,472,130   33.11   7.3  $25,281 

Granted

 369,779  52.07      

Exercised

 (263,250) 30.75      

Forfeited

  (35,010) 43.79      

Outstanding as of December 31, 2019

  1,592,686  42.04  6.9  $93,242 
                 

Exercisable as of December 31, 2017

  720,730   26.76   6.1  $17,239 

Exercisable as of December 31, 2019

 726,817  37.78  5.3  $45,649 

 

As of December 31, 2019, 2017,there was $8,552$10,649 of total unrecognized compensation cost, net of expected forfeitures, related to unvested options. The cost is expected to be recognized over the remaining service period, having a weighted-average period of 2.5 years. Total share-based compensation cost related to the stock options for 2017,2019, 20162018 and 20152017 was $4,503,$4,366$5,597, $4,998 and $4,198,$4,503, respectively, which is recorded in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

 

Restricted Stock – Restricted stock awards vest in equal installments over three years, subject to the grantee’s continued employment or service. Certain restricted stock awards also include performance shares, which were awarded in the years 2014 through 2017.2019. The number of performance shares that can be earned are contingent upon Company performance measures over a three-year period. Performance measures are based on a weighting of revenue growth and EBITDA margin,a number of financial metrics, from which grantees may earn from 0% to 200% of their target performance share award. The performance period for the 2015 awards covers the years 2015 through 2017, the performance period for the 2016 awards covers the years 2016 through 2018, and the performance period for the 2017 awards covers the years 2017 through 2019.2019, the performance period for the 2018 awards covers the years 2018 through 2020, and the performance period for the 2019 awards covers the years 2019 through 2021. The Company estimates the number of performance shares that will vest based on projected financial performance. The fair value of restricted awards is determined based on the market value of the Company's shares on the grant date. The fair market value of the restricted awards at the time of the grant is amortized to expense over the period of vesting. The fair value of restricted awards is determined based on the market value of the Company's shares on the grant date. The compensation expense recognized for restricted share awards is net of estimated forfeitures.

 

Restricted stock vesting is net-share settled such that,, upon vesting, the Company withholds shares with value equivalent to the employees’ minimum statutory tax obligation, for the applicable income and other employment taxes, and then pays the cash to the taxing authorities on behalf of the employees. In effect, the Company repurchases these shares and classifies them as treasury stock. Total shares withheld were 55,953, 38,186 and 39,500 in 39,500,2019, 28,5932018 and 65,763 in 2017,2016 and 2015, respectively, and were based on the value of the stock on the vesting dates. Total payments made by the Company to the taxing authorities for the employees’ tax obligations related to the taxing authoritiesrestricted stock vesting were $3,078, $1,812 and $1,591 in $1,591,2019, $9522018 and $3,233 in 2017,2016 and 2015, respectively, and are reflected as a financing activity within the consolidated statements of cash flows.

 

A summary of the Company's restricted stock activity for the years ended December 31, 2017,2019, 20162018 and 20152017 is as follows:

 

 

Shares

  

Weighted-

Average Grant-

Date Fair Value

  

Shares

  

Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value

 
         

Non-vested as of December 31, 2014

  267,284  $38.72 

Granted

  193,117   41.31 

Vested

  (183,362)  32.56 

Forfeited

  (33,999)  47.77 

Non-vested as of December 31, 2015

  243,040   44.16 

Non-vested as of December 31, 2016

 361,403  $38.18 

Granted

 211,769  39.91 

Vested

 (133,796) 40.60 

Forfeited

  (47,100) 42.48 

Non-vested as of December 31, 2017

  392,276  37.77 
         

Granted

  232,295   33.56 

Vested

  (95,858)  41.93 

Forfeited

  (18,074)  38.30 

Non-vested as of December 31, 2016

  361,403   38.18 

Granted

 208,803  44.49 

Vested

 (128,433) 39.03 

Forfeited

  (46,650) 39.43 

Non-vested as of December 31, 2018

  425,996  40.50 
         

Granted

  211,769   39.91 

Vested

  (133,796)  40.60 

Forfeited

  (47,100)  42.48 

Non-vested as of December 31, 2017

  392,276   37.77 

Granted

 265,255  62.38 

Vested

 (184,628) 38.78 

Forfeited

  (14,986) 44.23 

Non-vested as of December 31, 2019

  491,637  52.84 

 

As of December 31, 2017,2019, there was $7,702$16,165 of unrecognized compensation cost, net of expected forfeitures, related to non-vested restricted stock awards. That cost is expected to be recognized over the remaining service period, having a weighted-average period of 1.71.9 years. Total share-based compensation cost related to the restricted stock for 2017,2019, 20162018 and 20152017, inclusive of performance shares, was $5,702,$5,127$11,097, $9,565 and $4,043,$5,702, respectively, which is recorded in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

 

During 2017,2019, 20162018 and 2015,2017, 34,095,19,32622,544, 33,419 and 16,26034,095 shares respectively, of stock, respectively, were granted to certain members of the Company’s Board of Directors as a component of their compensation for their service on the Board, of which 22,762,19,32622,544, 33,419 and 16,26022,762 shares, respectively, were fully vested.vested at time of grant. Non-employee directors can elect to receive his or her director fees in the form of deferred stock units, which voluntarily defers the issuance of the related shares granted until the director separates from the Company or a triggering event occurs. 16,604, 22,675, and 11,333 of deferred stock units are included in the shares of stock granted to certain members of the Company’s Board of Directors for the years 2019,2018, and 2017, respectively. Total share-based compensation cost for these share grants in 2017,2019, 20162018 and 20152017 was $1,133,$670$1,391, $1,718 and $615,$1,133, respectively, which is recorded in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

 

 

16.18.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

The Company leases certain manufacturing and office facilities, machinery and computer equipment, automobiles and warehouse space under operating leases. The approximate aggregate minimum rental commitments at December 31, 2017, are as follows:

2018

 $9,497 

2019

  7,786 

2020

  7,496 

2021

  6,647 

2022

  6,633 

After 2022

  5,865 

Total

 $43,924 

Total rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, was approximately $10,845,$9,146, and $4,796, respectively.

 

The Company has an arrangement with a finance company to provide floorfloor plan financing for certain dealers. The Company receives payment from the finance company after shipment of product to the dealer. The Company participates in the cost of dealer financing up to certain limits and has agreed to repurchase products repossessed by the finance company, but does not indemnify the finance company for any credit losses they incur. The amount financed by dealers which remained outstanding under this arrangement at December 31, 20172019 and 20162018 was approximately $36,500$49,600 and $33,900,$47,200, respectively.

 

In the normal course of business, the Company is named as a defendant in various lawsuits in which claims are asserted against the Company. In the opinion of management, the liabilities, if any, which may result from such lawsuits are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company.

 

17.19.

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

 

 

Quarters Ended 2017

  

Quarters Ended 2019

 
 

Q1

  

Q2

  

Q3

  

Q4

  

Q1

 

Q2

 

Q3

 

Q4

 

Net sales

 $331,814  $395,376  $457,253  $488,002 

Gross profit

  110,486   134,460   157,469   179,702 

Operating income

  31,845   52,287   72,859   94,073 

Net sales

 $470,353  $541,916  $601,135  $590,932 

Gross profit

 162,175  195,838  217,517  222,222 

Operating income

 71,173  90,926  105,556  104,508 

Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.

  12,842   25,660   39,709   81,175  44,861  61,958  75,574  69,614 

Net income attributable to common shareholders per common share - basic:

 $0.22  $0.42  $0.64  $1.31 

Net income attributable to common shareholders per common share - diluted:

 $0.21  $0.41  $0.64  $1.30 

Net income attributable to common shareholders per common share - basic:

 $0.77  $0.99  $1.20  $1.14 

Net income attributable to common shareholders per common share - diluted:

 $0.76  $0.98  $1.18  $1.12 

  

Quarters Ended 2018

 
  

Q1

  

Q2

  

Q3

  

Q4

 

Net sales

 $400,091  $497,581  $562,388  $563,404 

Gross profit

  141,927   178,473   200,334   204,306 

Operating income

  56,347   85,467   106,519   108,848 

Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.

  33,645   53,261   75,776   75,575 

Net income attributable to common shareholders per common share - basic:

 $0.42  $0.83  $1.12  $1.21 

Net income attributable to common shareholders per common share - diluted:

 $0.42  $0.82  $1.11  $1.20 

 

  

Quarters Ended 2016

 
  

Q1

  

Q2

  

Q3

  

Q4

 

Net sales

 $286,535  $367,376  $373,121  $417,421 

Gross profit

  98,060   124,147   137,772   154,127 

Operating income

  26,964   44,082   56,340   77,231 

Net income attributable to Generac Holdings Inc.

  10,208   20,888   26,183   41,509 

Net income attributable to common shareholders per common share - basic:

 $0.15  $0.32  $0.41  $0.64 

Net income attributable to common shareholders per common share - diluted:

 $0.15  $0.31  $0.40  $0.64 

18.20.

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

For thethe years ended December 31, 2017,2019, 20162018 and 2015:2017:

 

 

Balance at

Beginning of

Year

  

Additions

Charged to

Earnings

  

Charges to

Reserve, Net (1)

  

Reserves

Established for

Acquisitions

  

Balance at End

of Year

  

Balance at Beginning of Year

  

Additions Charged to Earnings

  

Charges to Reserve, Net (1)

  

Reserves Established for Acquisitions

  

Balance at End of Year

 

Year ended December 31, 2017

                    

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 $5,642  $346  $(1,842) $659  $4,805 

Reserves for inventory

  13,031   6,164   (4,036)  828   15,987 

Valuation of deferred tax assets

  4,362   2,455   -   -   6,817 

Year ended December 31, 2019

           

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 $4,873  $3,086  $(1,033) $42  $6,968 

Reserves for inventory

 23,140  4,821  (3,867) 199  $24,293 

Valuation of deferred tax assets

 5,802  -  -  (778) $5,024 
                     

Year ended December 31, 2016

                    

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 $2,494  $1,654  $(1,110) $2,604  $5,642 

Reserves for inventory

  10,582   5,359   (5,357)  2,447   13,031 

Valuation of deferred tax assets

  1,523   638   -   2,201   4,362 

Year ended December 31, 2018

           

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 $4,805  $1,941  $(2,123) $250  $4,873 

Reserves for inventory

 15,987  10,004  (3,720) 869  23,140 

Valuation of deferred tax assets

 6,817  478  -  (1,493) 5,802 
                     

Year ended December 31, 2015

                    

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 $2,275  $481  $(325) $63  $2,494 

Reserves for inventory

  9,387   3,739   (3,158)  614   10,582 

Valuation of deferred tax assets

  1,385   138   -   -   1,523 

Year ended December 31, 2017

           

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 $5,642  $346  $(1,842) $659  $4,805 

Reserves for inventory

 13,031  6,164  (4,036) 828  15,987 

Valuation of deferred tax assets

 4,362  2,455  -  -  6,817 

 

 

(1)

Deductions from the allowance for doubtful accounts equal accounts receivable written off less recoveries, against the allowance.allowance, less recoveries. Deductions from the reserves for inventory excess and obsolete items equal inventory written off against the reserve as items were disposed of.

 

21.

Subsequent Events

The Company performed an evaluation of subsequent events through the date these financial statements were issued and no such events were identified.

 

19.

Subsequent Events

 

On February 13,2018, the Company signed a purchase agreement to acquire Selmec Equipos Industriales, S.A. de C.V. (Selmec), which is headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico. Selmec, which has approximately 300 employees, is a designer and manufacturer of industrial generators ranging from 10 kW to 2,750 kW. Selmec offers a market-leading service platform and specialized engineering capabilities, together with robust integration, project management and remote monitoring services.

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

 

There were no changes in, or disagreements with, accountants reportable herein.

 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the SecuritiesSecurities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, has conducted an evaluation of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act as of the end of the period covered by this report on Form 10-K. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in providing reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in this report on Form 10-K has been recorded, processed, summarized and reported as of the end of the period covered by this report on Form 10-K.

 

Management’sManagement’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 

Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of human error or the circumvention or overriding of the controls. Accordingly, even an effective internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving its objective. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate, because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, our management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reportingreporting as of December 31, 20172019 based on the criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control – Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this assessment, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2017.

In October 2017net and January 2018, two subsidiaries implementedtotal assets, respectively, 0.4% of net sales, and (2.2)% of net income of the Company's global enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. In connection with those ERP system implementations, we are updating our internal controls overconsolidated financial reportingstatement amounts as of and for those subsidiaries as necessary, to accommodate modifications to their business processes and accounting procedures. Additional implementations are expected to occur at our remaining locations over a multi-year period.the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Company’sCompany’s independent registered public accounting firm, issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017,2019, which is included herein.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

Other than the assessment of controls for the ERP implementation noted above, thereThere have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the yearthree months ended December 31, 20172019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

PART III

 

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

The information required by Item 10 not already provided herein under “Item 1 – Business – Information About Our Executive Officers”, will be included in our 20182020 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 11. Executive Compensation

 

The information required by this itemitem will be included in our 20182020 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

 

The information required by this item, including under the heading “Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans,,” will be included in our 20182020 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

 

The information required by this item will be included in our 20182020 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

The information required by this item will be included in our 20182020 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

PART IV

 

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a)(1) Financial Statements

 

Included in Part II of this report:

 

Page

ReportsReports of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmsFirm

3737

Consolidated balancebalance sheets as of December 31, 20172019 and 20162018

40

Consolidated statements of comprehensive income forfor years ended December 31, 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 20152017

41

Consolidated statements of stockholdersstockholders’ equity for years ended December 31, 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 20152017

42

Consolidated statements of cash flows for the yearsyears ended December 31, 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 20152017

43

Notes to consolidated financial statements

44

44

 

(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules

 

All financial statement schedules have been omitted, since the required information is not applicable or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule, or because the information required is included in the consolidated financialfinancial statements and notes thereto.

 

(a)(3) Exhibits

 

SeeThe below exhibits index is the Exhibits Index following the signature pages for a list of the exhibits being filed or furnished with or incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.10-K:

Exhibits
Number

Description

3.1

Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Generac Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009).

3.2

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Generac Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 16, 2016).

4.1

Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on January 25, 2010).

4.2*

Description of Securities

10.1

Credit Agreement, Dated as of February 9, 2012, As Amended and Restated as of May 30, 2012, As Further Amended and Restated as of May 31, 2013, among Generac Power Systems, Inc., Generac Acquisition Corp., the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Bank of America, N.A. and Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as syndication agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 4, 2013), as amended by the First Amendment dated as of May 18, 2015.

10.2

Replacement Term Loan Amendment dated as of November 2, 2016, among Generac Power Systems, Inc., Generac Acquisition Corp., the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 3, 2016).

10.3

2017 Replacement Term Loan Amendment dated as of May 11, 2017, among Generac Power Systems, Inc., Generac Acquisition Corp., the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 15, 2017).

10.4

2017-2 Replacement Term Loan Amendment dated as of December 8, 2017, among Generac Power Systems, Inc., Generac Acquisition Corp., the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 11, 2017).

10.5

2018 Replacement Term Loan Amendment, dated as of June 8, 2018, among Generac Power Systems, Inc., Generac Acquisition Corp., the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 14, 2018).

10.6

2019 Replacement Term Loan Amendment, dated as of December 13, 2019, among Generac Power Systems, Inc., Generac Acquisition Corp., the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 16, 2019).

10.7

Restatement Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2013, to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of February 9, 2012, as amended and restated as of May 30, 2012, among Generac Power Systems, Inc., Generac Acquisition Corp., the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and Bank of America, N.A. and Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as syndication agents (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 4, 2013).

10.8

Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of February 9, 2012, as amended and restated as of May 30, 2012, among Generac Holdings Inc., Generac Acquisition Corp., Generac Power Systems, Inc., certain subsidiaries of Generac Power Systems, Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 31, 2012).

10.9

First Amendment to Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of May 31, 2013, among Generac Holdings Inc., Generac Acquisition Corp., Generac Power Systems, Inc., certain subsidiaries of Generac Power Systems, Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 4, 2013).

 

 

Exhibits
Number
Description

10.10

Credit Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2012, among Generac Power Systems, Inc., its Domestic Subsidiaries listed as Borrowers on the signature pages thereto, Generac Acquisition Corp., the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as syndication agents, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Documentation Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 31, 2012).

10.11

Amendment No. 1 dated as of May 31, 2013, among Generac Power Systems, Inc., its Domestic Subsidiaries listed as Borrowers on the signature pages thereto, Generac Acquisition Corp., the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as syndication agents, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Documentation Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 4, 2013).

10.12

Amendment No. 2 dated as of May 29, 2015, among Generac Power Systems, Inc., its Domestic Subsidiaries listed as Borrowers on the signature pages thereto, Generac Acquisition Corp., the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent, and the other agents named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 1, 2015).

10.13

Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 12, 2018, among Generac Power Systems, Inc., its Subsidiaries listed as Borrowers on the signature pages thereto, Generac Acquisition Corp., the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Syndication Agent, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Documentation Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 14, 2018).

10.14

Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2012, among Generac Holdings Inc., Generac Acquisition Corp., Generac Power Systems, Inc., certain subsidiaries of Generac Power Systems, Inc. and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 31, 2012).

10.15

First Amendment to Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of May 31, 2013, among Generac Holdings Inc., Generac Acquisition Corp., Generac Power Systems, Inc., certain subsidiaries of Generac Power Systems, Inc. and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 4, 2013).

10.16+

2009 Executive Management Incentive Compensation Program (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on December 17, 2009).

10.17+

Generac Holdings Inc. Amended and Restated 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A of the Company filed with the SEC on April 27, 2012)

10.18+

Generac Holdings Inc. Annual Performance Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.63 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on January 25, 2010).

10.19+

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated November 5, 2018, between Generac and Aaron Jagdfeld (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 6, 2018).

10.20

Form of Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Intellectual Property Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on November 24, 2009).

10.21+

Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on January 25, 2010).

Exhibits
Number
Description

10.22+

Amended Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement pursuant to the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 8, 2012).

10.23+

Amended Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement pursuant to the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 8, 2012).

10.24+

Amended Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement with accelerated vesting pursuant to the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 8, 2012).

10.25+

Amended Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement pursuant to the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 26, 2019).

10.26+

Amended Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement pursuant to the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 26, 2019).

10.27

Form of Director Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.51 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on January 11, 2010).

10.28

Form of Officer Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.52 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on January 11, 2010).

10.29+Form of Performance Share Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 8, 2014).

10.30+

Amended Form of Performance Share Award Agreement pursuant to the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 26, 2019).

10.31*+

Generac Holdings Inc. Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy.

10.32+

Generac Power Systems, Inc. Executive Change in Control Policy, effective November 5, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 6, 2018).

10.33+

Generac Holdings Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A of the Company filed with the SEC on April 26, 2019).

10.34+

Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement pursuant to the Generac Holdings Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 5, 2019).

10.35+

Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement pursuant to the Generac Holdings Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 5, 2019).

10.36+

Form of Performance Share Unit Award Agreement pursuant to the Generac Holdings Inc. 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 5, 2019).

21.1*

List of Subsidiaries of Generac Holdings Inc.

23.1*

Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

31.1*

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2*

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibits
Number
Description

32.1**

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2**Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101*The following financial information from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on February 25, 2020, formatted in Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2019, December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2019, December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2019, December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017; (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the inline XBRL document).

____________________________

*               Filed herewith.

**             Furnished herewith.

+               Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

Item 16. Form 10-K Summary

None.

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

Generac Holdings Inc.

  
 

By:

/s/ Aaron Jagdfeld

  

Aaron Jagdfeld

  

 Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Dated: February 26, 201825, 2020

 

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

 

SignatureTitleDate
/s/ Aaron JagdfeldChairman, President and Chief ExecutiveFebruary 25, 2020

Aaron Jagdfeld

Officer

   

/s/ Aaron Jagdfeld

Chairman, President and Chief Executive

February 26, 2018

Aaron JagdfeldOfficer

/s/ York A. Ragen

Chief Financial Officer and

February 26, 201825, 2020

York A. RagenChief Accounting Officer 
   

/s/ bennett Morganmorgan

Lead Director

February 26, 201825, 2020

Bennett Morgan  
   

/s/ TODD A. ADAMSMARCIA J. AVEDON

Director

February 26, 201825, 2020

Todd A. AdamsMarcia J. Avedon  
   

/s/ JOHN D. BOWLIN

Director

February 26, 201825, 2020

John D. Bowlin  
   

/s/ Robert D. Dixon

Director

February 26, 201825, 2020

Robert D. Dixon  
   

/s/ WILLIAM JENKINS

Director

February 26, 201825, 2020

William Jenkins  
   

/s/ Andrew G. Lampereur

Director

February 26, 201825, 2020

Andrew G. Lampereur  
   

/s/ David A. Ramon

Director

February 26, 201825, 2020

David A. Ramon  
   

/s/ KATHRYN ROEDEL

Director

February 26, 201825, 2020

Kathryn Roedel  
   

/s/ DOMINICK ZARCONE

Director

February 26, 201825, 2020

Dominick Zarcone

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibits
Number

Description

  

  3.1

Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Generac Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009).

  3.2

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Generac Holdings Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 16, 2016).

  4.1

Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on January 25, 2010).

10.1Credit Agreement, Dated as of February 9, 2012, As Amended and Restated as of May 30, 2012, As Further Amended and Restated as of May 31, 2013, among Generac Power Systems, Inc., Generac Acquisition Corp., the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Bank of America, N.A. and Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as syndication agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 4, 2013), as amended by the First Amendment dated as of May 18, 2015.
10.2Replacement Term Loan Amendment dated as of November 2, 2016, among Generac Power Systems, Inc., Generac Acquisition Corp., the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 3, 2016).
10.32017 Replacement Term Loan Amendment dated as of May 11, 2017, among Generac Power Systems, Inc., Generac Acquisition Corp., the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 15, 2017).
10.42017-2 Replacement Term Loan Amendment dated as of December 8, 2017, among Generac Power Systems, Inc., Generac Acquisition Corp., the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 11, 2017).
10.5Restatement Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2013, to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of February 9, 2012, as amended and restated as of May 30, 2012, among Generac Power Systems, Inc., Generac Acquisition Corp., the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and Bank of America, N.A. and Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as syndication agents (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 4, 2013).
10.6Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of February 9, 2012, as amended and restated as of May 30, 2012, among Generac Holdings Inc., Generac Acquisition Corp., Generac Power Systems, Inc., certain subsidiaries of Generac Power Systems, Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 31, 2012).
10.7First Amendment to Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of May 31, 2013, among Generac Holdings Inc., Generac Acquisition Corp., Generac Power Systems, Inc., certain subsidiaries of Generac Power Systems, Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 4, 2013).
10.8Credit Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2012, among Generac Power Systems, Inc., its Domestic Subsidiaries listed as Borrowers on the signature pages thereto, Generac Acquisition Corp., the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as syndication agents, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Documentation Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 31, 2012).

Exhibits

Number

Description
10.9Amendment No. 1 dated as of May 31, 2013, among Generac Power Systems, Inc., its Domestic Subsidiaries listed as Borrowers on the signature pages thereto, Generac Acquisition Corp., the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as syndication agents, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Documentation Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 4, 2013).
10.10Amendment No. 2 dated as of May 29, 2015, among Generac Power Systems, Inc., its Domestic Subsidiaries listed as Borrowers on the signature pages thereto, Generac Acquisition Corp., the lenders party thereto, Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent, and the other agents named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 1, 2015).
10.11Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2012, among Generac Holdings Inc., Generac Acquisition Corp., Generac Power Systems, Inc., certain subsidiaries of Generac Power Systems, Inc. and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 31, 2012).
10.12First Amendment to Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of May 31, 2013, among Generac Holdings Inc., Generac Acquisition Corp., Generac Power Systems, Inc., certain subsidiaries of Generac Power Systems, Inc. and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 4, 2013).

10.13+

2009 Executive Management Incentive Compensation Program (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on December 17, 2009).

10.14+

Generac Holdings Inc. Amended and Restated 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A of the Company filed with the SEC on April 27, 2012)

10.15+

Generac Holdings Inc. Annual Performance Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.63 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on January 25, 2010).

10.16+

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated November 5, 2015, between Generac and Aaron Jagdfeld (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 6, 2015).

10.17+

Form of Change in Control Severance Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.64 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on January 25, 2010).

10.18

Form of Confidentiality, Non-Competition and Intellectual Property Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.40 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on November 24, 2009).

10.19+

Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on January 25, 2010).

10.20+

Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on January 25, 2010).

Exhibits

Number

Description

10.21+

Amended Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement pursuant to the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 8, 2012).

10.22+Amended Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement pursuant to the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 8, 2012).
10.23+Amended Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement with accelerated vesting pursuant to the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 8, 2012).

10.24

Form of Director Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.51 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on January 11, 2010).

10.25

Form of Officer Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.52 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on January 11, 2010).

10.26+

Form of Performance Share Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 8, 2014).

10.27

Summary of Employment Arrangement with Jeffrey Mueller, President / General Manager – Consumer Power, as set forth in the Offer of Employment Letter dated November 13, 2017.

21.1*

List of Subsidiaries of Generac Holdings Inc.

23.1*

Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

23.2*

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

31.1*

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2*

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1**

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2**Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101*

The following financial information from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2018, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2017, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015; (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

__________________
*          Filed herewith.
**        Furnished herewith.
+          Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

7478