UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
 
ýQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended: September 30, 2017March 31, 2020
 
OR
oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from                           to                           
 
Commission file number: 1-13429
 
Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 
Delaware 94-3196943
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation (I.R.S. Employer
or organization) Identification No.)
 
5956 W. Las Positas Blvd., Pleasanton, CA94588
(Address of principal executive offices)offices, including zip code) 
(925) 560-9000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)(925) 560-9000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each ClassTrading SymbolName of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per shareSSDNew York Stock Exchange
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ý  No o
 
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 ý  No o
 
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 growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 
Large accelerated filerý  Accelerated filero 
       
Non-accelerated filero(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting companyo 
    Emerging growth companyo 


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


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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2017:   47,313,707.May 1, 2020: 43,463,983.





NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS


This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements relating to events or results that may occur in the future are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, statements regarding our plans, sales, sales trends, sales growth rates, revenues, profits, costs, working capital, balance sheet, inventories, products, market strategies, market share, expenses (including operating expenses and research, development and engineering investments), unrecognized costs (including those with respect to unvested stock-based compensation), cost savings or reduction measures, repatriation of funds, factory utilization rates, results of operations, tax liabilities, losses, capital spending, housing starts, price changes (including product prices and raw material, such as steel prices), profitability, profit margins, effective tax rates, depreciation or amortization expenses, amortization periods, capital return, stock repurchases, dividends, compensation arrangements, record dates, prospective adoption of new accounting standards, effects of changes in accounting standards, effects and expenses of (including eventual gains or losses related to) mergers and acquisitions and related integrations, effects and expenses of equity investments, effects and expenses of relocating manufacturing facilities, effects of changes in foreign exchange rates or interest rates, effects and costs of facility consolidations and expansions (including related savings), effects and costs of software program implementations (including related capital expenditures and savings), needs for additional facilities, materials and personnel, effects and costs of credit facilities and capital lease obligations, headcount, engagement of consultants, the Company's 2020 Plan (discussed under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" below), the Company's efforts and costs to implement the 2020 Plan, the effects of the 2020 Plan and the projected impact of any of the foregoing on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “target,” “continue,” “predict,” “project,” “change,” “result,” “future,” “will,” “could,” “may,” “likely,” “potentially,” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are necessarily speculative in nature, are based on numerous assumptions, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors (some of which are beyond our control) that could significantly affect our operations and may cause our actual actions, results, financial condition, performance or achievements to be substantially different from any future actions, results, financial condition, performance or achievements expressed or implied by any such forward-looking statements. Those factors include, but are not limited to: (i) general economic cycles and construction business conditions; (ii) customer acceptance of our products; (iii) product liability claims, contractual liability, engineering and design liability and similar liabilities or claims, (iv) relationships with key customers; (v) materials and manufacturing costs; (vi) financial conditions of customers, competitors and suppliers; (vii) technological developments, including software development; (viii) increased competition; (ix) changes in regulations (including changes in trade regulations) or industry practices; (x) litigation risks, and actions by activist shareholders; (xi) changes in market conditions; (xii) governmental and business conditions in countries where our products are manufactured and sold; (xiii) effects of merger or acquisition activities; (xiv) actual or potential takeover or other change-of-control threats; (xv) changes in our plans, strategies, objectives, expectations or intentions; and (xvi) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Item 1A - Risk Factors.” See below “Part I, Item 1A - Risk Factors.” Each forward-looking statement contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is specifically qualified in its entirety by the aforementioned factors. In light of the foregoing, investors are advised to carefully read this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q in connection with the important disclaimers set forth above and are urged not to rely on any forward-looking statements in reaching any conclusions or making any investment decisions about us or our securities. All forward-looking statements hereunder are made as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and are subject to change. Except as required by law, we do not intend and undertake no obligation to update, revise or publicly release any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements hereunder, whether as a result of the receipt of new information, the occurrence of future events, the change of circumstances or otherwise. We further do not accept any responsibility for any projections or reports published by analysts, investors or other third parties.

Each of the terms the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” and similar terms used herein refer collectively to Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc., unless otherwise stated.Subsidiaries


“Strong-Tie” and our other trademarks appearing in this report are our property. This report contains additional trade names and trademarks of other companies. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names or trademarks to imply an endorsement or sponsorship of us by such companies, or any relationship with any of these companies.TABLE OF CONTENTS



Part I - Financial Information







PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Financial Statements.
 
Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, unaudited)
 
September 30, December 31,March 31, December 31,
2017 2016 20162020 2019 2019
ASSETS 
  
  
 
  
  
Current assets 
  
  
 
  
  
Cash and cash equivalents$204,171
 $218,720
 $226,537
$301,741
 $113,407
 $230,210
Trade accounts receivable, net159,571
 141,716
 112,423
168,736
 173,140
 139,364
Inventories244,476
 220,207
 232,274
255,720
 272,459
 251,907
Assets held-for-sale
 2,546
 
Other current assets13,276
 12,321
 14,013
25,786
 14,186
 19,426
Total current assets621,494
 592,964
 585,247
751,983
 575,738
 640,907
          
Property, plant and equipment, net265,178
 229,670
 232,810
246,941
 251,398
 249,012
Operating lease right-of-use assets33,725
 34,324
 35,436
Goodwill137,313
 126,845
 124,479
131,599
 131,712
 131,879
Equity investment (see Note 6)2,582
 
 2,500
Equity investment2,474
 2,511
 2,480
Intangible assets, net30,050
 24,629
 22,864
23,454
 24,148
 25,071
Other noncurrent assets11,766
 10,195
 12,074
8,072
 10,521
 10,581
Total assets$1,068,383
 $984,303
 $979,974
$1,198,248
 $1,030,352
 $1,095,366
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
  
  
 
  
  
Current liabilities 
  
  
 
  
  
Capital lease obligations - current portion$1,047
 $
 $
Trade accounts payable30,857
 24,777
 27,674
$44,505
 $35,549
 $33,351
Accrued liabilities87,946
 62,714
 60,477
Income taxes payable360
 3,420
 
Accrued profit sharing trust contributions5,652
 5,157
 6,549
Accrued cash profit sharing and commissions13,123
 17,153
 10,527
Accrued workers’ compensation3,548
 4,161
 3,569
Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities118,346
 115,029
 125,556
Total current liabilities142,533
 117,382
 108,796
162,851
 150,578
 158,907
     
Capital lease obligations - net of current portion2,875
 
 
Operating lease liabilities26,084
 28,878
 27,930
Long term debt, net of current portion150,000
 
 
Deferred income tax and other long-term liabilities6,933
 5,817
 5,336
17,719
 15,422
 16,572
Total liabilities152,341
 123,199
 114,132
356,654
 194,878
 203,409
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 8)

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (see Note 12)


 


 


Stockholders’ equity 
  
  
 
  
  
Common stock, at par value476
 486
 473
444
 455
 442
Additional paid-in capital265,490
 243,900
 255,917
272,872
 274,836
 280,216
Retained Earnings683,554
 687,052
 642,422
Retained earnings672,485
 641,168
 645,507
Treasury stock(20,000) (47,002) 
(72,058) (55,000) (9,379)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(13,478) (23,332) (32,970)(32,149) (25,985) (24,829)
Total stockholders’ equity916,042
 861,104
 865,842
841,594
 835,474
 891,957
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$1,068,383
 $984,303
 $979,974
$1,198,248
 $1,030,352
 $1,095,366




Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of OperationsEarnings and Comprehensive Income
(In thousands except per-share amounts, unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended
September 30, September 30,March 31,
2017 2016 2017 20162020 2019
Net sales$262,476
 $230,974
 $745,345
 $660,470
$283,668
 $259,244
Cost of sales142,591
 117,499
 401,779
 342,985
154,002
 148,990
Gross profit119,885
 113,475
 343,566
 317,485
129,666
 110,254
Operating expenses:          
Research and development and other engineering8,679
 10,932
 35,051
 33,807
13,382
 12,260
Selling28,156
 24,304
 86,150
 74,313
28,527
 28,112
General and administrative36,501
 32,543
 108,049
 96,786
38,471
 39,549
Net gain on disposal of assets(147) (81) (147) (763)
73,189
 67,698
 229,103
 204,143
Total operating expenses80,380
 79,921
Net loss (gain) on disposal of assets(64) 310
Income from operations46,696
 45,777
 114,463
 113,342
49,350
 30,023
Loss in equity method investment, before tax(13) 
 (53) 
Interest expense, net(296) (82) (685) (400)
Gain (adjustment) on bargain purchase of a business(2,052) 
 6,336
 
Gain on disposal of a business443
 
 443
 
Interest expense, net and other(2,533) (763)
Income before taxes44,778
 45,695
 120,504
 112,942
46,817
 29,260
Provision for income taxes16,581
 15,898
 40,972
 40,601
9,991
 6,598
Net income$28,197
 $29,797
 $79,532
 $72,341
$36,826
 $22,662
Other comprehensive income   
Translation adjustment(7,593) (1,335)
Unamortized pension adjustments273
 
Comprehensive net income$29,506
 $21,327
          
Earnings per common share: 
  
    
Net income per common share: 
  
Basic$0.60
 $0.62
 $1.67
 $1.50
$0.84
 $0.51
Diluted$0.59
 $0.62
 $1.66
 $1.49
$0.83
 $0.50
          
Number of shares outstanding 
  
     
  
Basic47,367
 48,119
 47,544
 48,231
44,099
 44,874
Diluted47,686
 48,352
 47,843
 48,429
44,286
 45,213
          
Cash dividends declared per common share$0.42
 $0.18
 $0.81
 $0.52
$0.23
 $0.22
 


Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(In thousands, unaudited)
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 September 30, September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Net income$28,197
 $29,797
 $79,532
 $72,341
Other comprehensive income (loss):       
Translation adjustment, net of tax expense (benefit)5,543
 232
 19,492
 5,244
Comprehensive income$33,740
 $30,029
 $99,024
 $77,585



Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
At September 30, 2016March 31, 2019 and 2017,2020, and December 31, 20162019
(In thousands except per-share amounts, unaudited)
    Additional   
Accumulated
Other
      Additional 
Accumulated
Other
 
Common Stock Paid-in Retained Comprehensive Treasury  Common StockPaid-inRetainedComprehensiveTreasury 
Shares Par Value Capital Earnings Income (Loss) Stock TotalSharesPar ValueCapitalEarningsIncome (Loss)StockTotal
Balance at January 1, 201648,184
 $481
 $238,212
 $639,707
 $(28,576) $
 $849,824
Balance at January 1, 201944,998
$453
$276,504
$628,207
$(24,650)$(25,000)$855,514
Net income
 
 
 72,341
 
 
 72,341



22,662


22,662
Translation adjustment, net of tax
 
 
 
 5,244
 
 5,244




(1,335)
(1,335)
Options exercised227
 3
 6,692
 
 
 
 6,695
Stock-based compensation
 
 9,039
 
 
 
 9,039


3,903



3,903
Tax benefit of options exercised
 
 140
 
 
 
 140
Shares issued from release of Restricted Stock Units216
 2
 (3,998) 
 
 
 (3,996)164
2
(5,863)


(5,861)
Repurchase of common stock(1,090) 
 (6,500) 
 
 (47,002) (53,502)(505)



(30,000)(30,000)
Cash dividends declared on common stock, $0.52 per share
 
 
 (24,996) 
 
 (24,996)
Common stock issued at $32.45 per share for stock bonus10
 
 315
 
 
 
 315
Balance at September 30, 201647,547
 486
 243,900
 687,052
 (23,332) (47,002) 861,104
Cash dividends declared on common stock, $0.22 per share



(9,701)

(9,701)
Common stock issued at $54.31 per share for stock bonus5

292



292
Balance, at March 31, 201944,662
455
274,836
641,168
(25,985)(55,000)835,474
Net income
 
 
 17,393
 
  
 17,393



111,320

 
111,320
Translation adjustment, net of tax
 
 
 
 (9,164) 
 (9,164)



2,220

2,220
Pension adjustment, net of tax
 
 
 
 (474) 
 (474)



(1,064)
(1,064)
Options exercised43
 
 1,281
 
 
 
 1,281
Stock-based compensation
 
 4,147
 
 
 
 4,147


5,422



5,422
Tax benefit of options exercised
 
 111
 
 
 
 111
Shares issued from release of Restricted Stock Units1
 
 (22) 
 
 
 (22)14

(42)


(42)
Repurchase of common stock(154) 
 6,500
 
 
 (6,500) 
(467)



(30,816)(30,816)
Retirement of common stock
 (13) 
 (53,489) 
 53,502
 

(13)
(76,424)
76,437

Cash dividends declared on common stock, $0.18 per share
 
 
 (8,534) 
 
 (8,534)
Balance at December 31, 201647,437
 473
 255,917
 642,422
 (32,970) 
 865,842
Cash dividends declared on common stock, $0.69 per share


(30,557)

(30,557)
Balance, at December 31, 201944,209
442
280,216
645,507
(24,829)(9,379)891,957
Net income
 
 
 79,532
 
 
 79,532



36,826


36,826
Translation adjustment, net of tax
 
 
 
 19,492
 
 19,492




(7,593)
(7,593)
Options exercised120
 1
 3,565
 
 
 
 3,566
Pension adjustment, net of tax



273

273
Stock-based compensation
 
 10,764
 
 
 
 10,764


33



33
Shares issued from release of Restricted Stock Units210
 2
 (5,168) 
 
 
 (5,166)153
2
(7,699)


(7,697)
Repurchase of common stock(461) 
 
 
 
 (20,000) (20,000)(902)



(62,679)(62,679)
Cash dividends declared on common stock, $0.81 per share
 
 
 (38,400) 
 
 (38,400)
Common stock issued at $44.26 per share for stock bonus9
 
 412
 
 
 
 412
Balance at September 30, 201747,315
 $476
 $265,490
 $683,554
 $(13,478) $(20,000) $916,042
Cash dividends declared on common stock, $0.23 per share


(9,848)

(9,848)
Common stock issued at $80.38 per share for stock bonus4

322



322
Balance at March 31, 202043,464
$444
$272,872
$672,485
$(32,149)$(72,058)$841,594




Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands, unaudited)

Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended
September 30,March 31,
2017 20162020 2019
Cash flows from operating activities 
  
 
  
Net income$79,532
 $72,341
$36,826
 $22,662
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: 
  
 
  
Gain on sale of assets(147) (763)
(Gain)/loss on sale of assets and other(58) 286
Depreciation and amortization26,881
 21,485
9,734
 9,758
Write-off of software development project
 153
Loss in equity method investment, before tax53
 
Gain (adjustment) on bargain purchase of a business(6,336) 
Gain on disposal of a business(443) 
Noncash lease expense1,997
 1,675
Deferred income taxes2,552
 1,481
1,430
 1,371
Noncash compensation related to stock plans11,816
 9,707
277
 4,105
Excess tax benefit of options exercised and restricted stock units vested
 (162)
Recovery (provision) of doubtful accounts79
 (131)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: 
  
Provision (benefit) of doubtful accounts721
 (3)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: 
  
Trade accounts receivable(40,607) (35,463)(32,161) (26,968)
Inventories1,813
 (22,992)(5,962) 3,080
Trade accounts payable698
 2,806
11,018
 1,915
Income taxes payable1,686
 6,745
Accrued profit sharing trust contributions(902) (637)
Accrued cash profit sharing and commissions2,468
 8,636
Other current assets132
 (2,751)(6,821) 323
Accrued liabilities5,291
 6,611
Long-term liabilities(234) (1,222)
Accrued workers’ compensation(21) (432)
Other noncurrent assets280
 1,471
Accrued liabilities and other current liabilities(4,927) (6,718)
Other noncurrent assets and liabilities651
 (1,838)
Net cash provided by operating activities84,591
 66,883
12,725
 9,648
Cash flows from investing activities 
  
 
  
Capital expenditures(45,106) (29,934)(6,795) (7,352)
Asset acquisitions, net of cash acquired(27,921) (5,361)
 (3,492)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment617
 1,278
561
 38
Proceeds from sale of a business9,613
 
Net cash used in investing activities(62,797)
(34,017)(6,234)
(10,806)
Cash flows from financing activities 
  
 
  
Deferred and contingent consideration paid for asset acquisitions(205) (27)
Repurchase of common stock(20,000) (53,502)(62,679) (30,000)
Repayment of long-term borrowings and capital leases(360) 
Repayment of debt and line of credit borrowings(133) 
Debt issuance costs
 (1,125)
Issuance of common stock3,566
 6,695
Excess tax benefit of options exercised and restricted stock units vested
 162
Proceeds from line of credit154,529
 6,758
Repayments of line of credit and capital leases(5,415) (6,459)
Dividends paid(27,044) (24,152)(10,169) (9,901)
Cash paid on behalf of employees for shares withheld(5,166) (3,996)(7,699) (5,864)
Net cash used in financing activities(49,342) (75,945)
Net cash provided by (used) in financing activities68,567
 (45,466)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents5,182
 2,974
(3,527) (149)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents(22,366) (40,105)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents71,531
 (46,773)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period226,537
 258,825
230,210
 160,180
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$204,171
 $218,720
$301,741
 $113,407
Noncash activity during the period 
  
 
  
Noncash capital expenditures$892
 $726
$289
 $284
Capital lease obligations4,362
 
Dividends declared but not paid19,891
 8,559
10,204
 9,761
Contingent consideration for acquisition1,314
 

 309
Issuance of Company’s common stock for compensation412
 315
322
 292
   

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)






1.    Basis of Presentation
 
Principles of Consolidation
 
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). There were no investmentsInvestments in affiliates that would render such affiliates to be considered variable interest entities.50% or less owned entities are accounted for using either cost or the equity method. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.


Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and 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. Management believes that these consolidated financial statements include all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation under GAAP. Uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic will likely impact our operations, customers, and various areas of risk. We assessed certain accounting matters that require the use of estimates and assumptions in context with the known and projected future impacts of COVID-19. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Interim Reporting Period Reporting
 
The accompanying unaudited interimquarterly condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations for reporting on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, certain information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted. These interim statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.2019 (the “2019 Form 10-K”).
 
The unaudited quarterly condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited annual consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of management, contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to state fairly the financial information set forth therein in accordance with GAAP. Certain prior period amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data provided herein were derived from audited financial statements included in the 2019 Form 10-K, but do not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The Company’s quarterly results fluctuate. As a result, the Company believes the results of operations for this interim period presented are not indicative of the results to be expected for any future periods.


Revenue Recognition
 
Generally, the Company’s revenue contract with a customer exists when goods are shipped, and services (if any) are rendered; and its related invoice is generated. The duration of the contract does not extend beyond the promised goods or services already transferred. The transaction price of each distinct promised product or service specified in the invoice is based on its relative standalone selling price. The Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control over a product to a customer at a point in time. The Company’s shipping terms provide the earnings process is complete, netprimary indicator of applicable provision for discounts, returns and incentives, whether actual or estimated, based on the Company’s experience. This generally occurs when products are shipped to the customer in accordance with the sales agreement or purchase order, ownership and risktransfer of loss pass to the customer, collectability is reasonably assured and pricing is fixed or determinable.control. The Company’s general shipping terms are F.O.B. shipping point, where title and title is transferredrisk and revenue is recognizedrewards of ownership transfer at the point when the products are shipped to customers. Whenleave the Company sells F.O.B. destination point, title is transferred and theCompany’s warehouse. The Company recognizes revenue based on delivery orthe consideration specified in the invoice with a customer, acceptance, dependingless any sales incentives, discounts, and amounts collected on termsbehalf of third parties (i.e., governmental tax authorities). Based on historical experience with the sales agreement. Service sales, representing after-market repaircustomer, the customer's purchasing pattern and maintenance, engineering activities and software license sales and services, although less than 1.0%its significant experience selling products, the Company concluded that a significant reversal in the cumulative amount of net sales andrevenue recognized will not materialoccur when the uncertainty (if any) is resolved (that is, when the total amount of purchases is known). Refer to the condensed consolidated financial statements, are recognized as the services are completed or the software products and services are delivered. If actual costs of sales returns, incentives and discounts were to significantly exceed the recorded estimated allowance, the Company’s sales would be adversely affected.Note 2 for additional information.






Net EarningsIncome Per Common Share
 
Basic earningsThe Company calculates net income per common share are computed based on the weighted-average number of the Company's common shares outstanding.stock outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive securities using the treasury stock method, are included in the diluted per-share calculations using the treasury stock method for all periods when the effect of their inclusion is dilutive.
 

Accounting for Leases

The following is a reconciliation of basic earnings per common share to diluted earnings per shareCompany has operating and finance leases for the three monthscertain facilities, equipment, autos and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively:
 Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)2017 2016 2017 2016
Net income available to common stockholders$28,197
 $29,797
 $79,532
 $72,341
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding47,367
 48,119
 47,544
 48,231
Dilutive effect of potential common stock equivalents — stock options and restricted stock units319
 233
 299
 198
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding47,686
 48,352
 47,843
 48,429
Earnings per common share: 
  
  
  
Basic$0.60
 $0.62
 $1.67
 $1.50
Diluted$0.59
 $0.62
 $1.66
 $1.49
Potentially dilutive securities excluded from earnings per diluted share because their effect is anti-dilutive
 
 
 

Dividend Declaration and Notice of Annual Meeting

On September 28, 2017, the Board of Directors ofdata centers. As an accounting policy for short-term leases, the Company (the "Board") declaredelected to not recognize the right-of-use asset and liability, if, at the commencement date, the lease (1) has a cash dividendterm of $0.21per share, payable on January 25, 2018 to shareholders of record as of January 4, 201812 months or less and scheduled the Company’s 2018 annual meeting of stockholders for Monday, April 24, 2018.

Share Repurchases

During the third quarter of 2017,(2) does not include renewal and purchase options that the Company received 35,887 shares ofis reasonably certain to exercise. Monthly payments on short-term leases are recognized on the Company's common stock pursuant tostraight-line basis over the Company’s $20.0 million accelerated share repurchase program (the “ASR Program”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, which constituted the final delivery under the ASR Program initiated in June 2017. In August 2017, the Board increased its previous $125 million share repurchase authorization by $150 million to $275 million and extended such authorization to December 31, 2018.full lease term.


Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
 
The Company currently maintains an equity incentive plan, the Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. Amended and Restated 2011 Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”), which was originally adoptedrecognizes stock-based expense related to restricted stock unit awards on April 26, 2011, and was subsequently amended and restated on April 21, 2015. The 2011 Plan amended and restated in their entirety, and incorporated and superseded, both the Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. 1994 Stock Option Plan (the “1994 Plan”), which was principally for the Company’s employees, and the Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. 1995 Independent Director Stock Option Plan (the “1995 Plan”), which was for its independent directors. Awards previously granted under the 1994 Plan or the 1995 Plan were not affected by the adoptiona straight-line basis, net of the 2011 Plan and continued to be governed by the 1994 Plan or the 1995 Plan, respectively.

Under the 1994 Plan and the 1995 Plan, the Company could grant incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options, although the Company granted only non-qualified stock options thereunder. The Company generally granted stock options under each of the 1994 Plan and the 1995 Plan once every year. Stock options vest and expire according to terms established at the grant date. Stock options granted under the 1994 Plan typically vested evenlyestimated forfeitures, over the requisite service period of four years and havethe awards, which is generally a vesting term of sevenfour years. Stock options granted under the 1995 Plan typically fully vest on the date of grant. Shares of common stock issued on exercise of stock options under the 1994 Plan and the 1995 PlanStock-based expense related to performance share grants are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").

Under the 2011 Plan, the Company may grant incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units ("RSUs"), although the Company currently intends to award primarily performance-based and/or time-based RSUs and to a lesser extent, if at all, non-qualified stock options (see "Note 9 Stock-Based Incentive Plans") to its employees. The Company currently intends to grant RSUs that vest on the date of grant to its independent directors. The Company does not currently intend to award incentive stock options or restricted stock. Under the 2011 Plan, no more than 16.3 million shares of the Company’s

common stock in aggregate may be issued under the 2011 Plan, including shares already issued pursuant to prior awards and shares reserved for issuance on exercise of options previously granted under the 1994 Plan and the 1995 Plan. Shares of common stock to be issued pursuant to the 2011 Plan are registered under the Securities Act.

Subject to certain adjustments, the following limits shall apply with respect to any awards under the 2011 Plan that are intended to qualify for the performance-based exception from the tax deductibility limitations of section 162(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time: (i) the maximum aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock that may be subject to stock options granted in any calendar year to any one participant shall be 150,000 shares; and (ii) the maximum aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock issuable or deliverable under RSUs granted in any calendar year to any one participant shall be 100,000 shares.

The following table represents the Company’s stock-based compensation activity for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively:
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)2017 2016 2017 2016
Stock-based compensation expense recognized in operating expenses$370
 $3,141
 $10,942
 $8,995
Less: Tax benefit of stock-based compensation expense in provision for income taxes58
 1,112
 3,962
 3,262
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax$312
 $2,029
 $6,980
 $5,733
Fair value of shares vested$428
 $3,088
 $10,764
 $9,039
Proceeds to the Company from the exercise of stock-based compensation$2,268
 $4,166
 $3,566
 $6,695
Tax effect from the exercise of stock-based compensation, including shortfall tax benefits (1)
$
 $121
 $
 $140

(1) Zero balances in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 is the result of the Company's adoption of FASB issued
Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) Improvements to Employee Share-
Based Payment Accounting ("ASU 2016-09") on January 1, 2017, refer to Recently Adopted Accounting Standards below.

With respect to certain performance-based RSUs awarded to the Company's employees in February 2017, the achievement of their performance-based metrics was initially estimated as being probable , and therefore, their expense was recognized in the first two quarters of fiscal 2017. Based on updated information, the Company subsequently determined that the likelihood of achievement of the performance-based metrics is no longer probable for certain awards. As a result, the Company ceased recognition of expense in the three-month period ended September 30, 2017 and also reversed $1.6 million of expense during the three-month period ended September 30, 2017 recognized for such RSUs during the six months ended June 30, 2017.

The Company allocates stock-based compensation expenses among cost of sales, research and development and other engineering expense, selling expense, or general and administrative expensemeasured based on the job functions performed bygrant date fair value and expensed on a graded basis over the employeesservice periods of the awards, which is generally a performance period of three years. The performance conditions are based on the Company's achievement of revenue growth and return on invested capital over the performance period, and are evaluated for the probability of vesting at each reporting period end with changes in expected results recognized as an adjustment to whom the stock-based compensation is awarded.expense. The assumptions used to calculate the fair value of stock-based compensationoptions or restricted stock units are evaluated and revised, as necessary, to reflect market conditions and the Company’s experience. Stock-based compensation capitalized in inventory was $0.3 million and $0.5 million as of September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.Company's expectations.


Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
The “Fair Value MeasurementsFair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell 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 is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. Assets and Disclosures” topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) establishesliabilities recorded at fair value are measured and classified under a three-tier fair valuation hierarchy for disclosurebased on the observability of the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy prioritizesavailable in the inputs into three broad levels as follows:market: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument; and Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on the Company’s assumptions used to measure assets

and liabilities at fair value. A financial asset’s or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to theThe fair value measurement.hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

As of September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016 and December 31, 2016,2019, the Company’s investments included in cash equivalents consisted of only money market funds, which are the Company’s primary financial instruments maintained in cash equivalents and carried at cost, approximating fair value, based on Level 1 inputs. The balancesbalance of the Company'sCompany’s primary financial instruments at the dates indicated were as follows:
 At September 30, At December 31,
(in thousands)2017 2016 2016
Money market funds$5,409
 $13,334
 $2,832
of March 31, 2020 and 2019 was$0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively. The carrying amounts of trade accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities and long-term debt approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value of the Company’s contingent consideration related to acquisitions isand equity investment are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy as it is based on unobserved inputs such as management estimates and entity-specific assumptions and is evaluated on an ongoing basis. As of September 30, 2017, the estimated fair value of the Company's contingent consideration was approximately a total of $1.3 million.

Income Taxes

The Company uses an estimated annual effective tax rate to measure the tax benefit or tax expense recognized in each interim period. The following table presents the Company’s effective tax rates and income tax expense for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively:

 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands, except percentages)2017 2016 2017 2016
Effective tax rate37.0% 34.8% 34.0% 35.9%
Provision for income taxes$16,581
 $15,898
 $40,972
 $40,601

For the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company's effective income tax rate increased to 37% from 35%, primarily due to a reduction of the nonrecurring bargain purchase gain related to the Gbo Fastening Systems acquisition (see "Gain (adjustment) on bargain purchase of a business" below ), which was not taxable.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company's effective income tax rate decreased to 34.0% from 35.9%. The decrease was primarily due to an adjusted nonrecurring bargain purchase gain related to the Gbo Fastening Systems acquisition (see "Gain (adjustment) on bargain purchase of a business" below), which was not taxable, and the adoption of FASB Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09 on January 1, 2017 (see "Recently Adopted Accounting Standards" below), which recognizes the excess tax benefits of stock-based awards as a reduction to income tax expense instead of the previous methodology which recorded the benefits on the balance sheets as a component of stockholders' equity.

Acquisitions
Under the business combinations topic of the FASB ASC 805, the Company accounts for acquisitions as business combinations and ascribes acquisition-date fair values to the acquired assets and assumed liabilities. Provisional fair value measurements are made at the time of the acquisitions. Adjustments to those measurements may be made in subsequent periods, up to one year from the acquisition date, as information necessary to complete the analysis is obtained. Fair value of intangible assets are generally based on Level 3 inputs.
Multi Services Dêcoupe S.A.

In August 2016, the Company purchased all of the outstanding shares of Multi Services Dêcoupe S.A. ("MS Decoupe"), a Belgium public limited company, for $6.9 million. MS Decoupe primarily manufactures and distributes wood construction, plastic, and

metal labeling products in Belgium and the Netherlands, including distributing the Company's products manufactured at the Company's production facility in France. With this acquisition, the Company could potentially offer the Belgium market a wider-range of its products, shorten delivery lead times, and expand the Company's sales presence into the Netherlands market. During the third quarter of 2017, the Company finalized its fair value measurement of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in this acquisition. MD Decoupe assets and liabilities included cash and cash equivalents of $1.4 million, other current assets of $1.6 million, noncurrent assets of $5.0 million, current liabilities of $0.6 million and noncurrent deferred income tax liabilities of $1.0 million. Included in noncurrent assets was goodwill of $1.4 million, which was assigned to the Europe segment, and intangible assets of $1.7 million, both of which are not subject to tax-deductible amortization. The estimated weighted-average amortization period for the intangible assets is 10 years.

CG Visions, Inc.

In January 2017, the Company acquired CG Visions, Inc. ("CG Visions") for up to approximately $20.8 million. CG Visions provides scalable technologies and services in building information modeling ("BIM") technologies, estimation tools and software solutions to a number of the top 100 mid-sized to large builders in the United States, which are expected to complement and support the Company's sales in North America. During the third quarter of 2017, the Company finalized its fair value measurement of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in this acquisition. CG Visions assets and liabilities included other current assets of $0.5 million, noncurrent assets of $20.4 million, current liabilities and contingent consideration of $1.1 million. Included in noncurrent assets was goodwill of $10.1 million, which was assigned to the North America segment, and intangible assets of $10.3 million, both of which are not subject to tax-deductible amortization. The estimated weighted-average amortization period for the intangible assets is 7 years.

Gbo Fastening Systems AB

In January 2017, the Company acquired Gbo Fastening Systems AB ("Gbo Fastening Systems"), a Sweden limited company, for approximately $10.2 million. Gbo Fastening Systems manufactures and sells a complete line of CE-marked structural fasteners as well as fastener dimensioning software for wood construction applications, currently sold mostly in northern and eastern Europe, which are expected to complement the Company's line of wood construction products in Europe.

Gain (Adjustment) on Bargain Purchase of a Business

In the first quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a preliminary nontaxable bargain purchase gain of $8.4 million, which was included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. During the third quarter of 2017, the Company reevaluated the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in Gbo Fastening Systems acquisition and recorded that the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was approximately $16.5 million. Consequently, a bargain purchase adjustment of $2.1 million was recorded resulting in a total of $6.3 million adjusted gain on bargain purchase of a business, which was included in the condensed consolidated statements of operation.


The following table represents the final allocation of the purchase price to the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Gbo Fastening Systems acquisition:

(In thousands) 
Assets *
 
 Cash and cash equivalents$3,956
 Accounts receivable4,914
 Inventory13,591
 Other current assets760
 Property, plant, equipment and noncurrent assets3,929
  27,150
Liabilities 
 Accounts payable4,500
 Other current liabilities6,146
  10,646
   
Total net assets16,504
 Gain (adjustment) on bargain purchase of a business(6,336)
 Total purchase price$10,168
*Intangible assets acquired were determined to have little to no value, thus were not recognized.

The results of operations of businesses acquired in 2016 through 2017 were included in the Company’s condensed consolidated results of operations since the date of the applicable acquisition. Such businesses are not material to the Company on an individual or aggregate basis, and accordingly, pro forma results of operations are not presented.

Sales of Gbo Poland and Gbo Romania

As a result of incompatibility with Simpson's market strategy, the Company completed the sale of all of its equity in Gbo Fastening Systems' Poland and Gbo Romania subsidiaries on September 29, 2017 and October 31, 2017, respectively, for approximately $10.2 million, resulting in a gain of $0.4 million which was presented in the accompanying condensed statements of operations.

- Recently Adopted Accounting Standards


In MarchJune 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards UpdateASU No. 2016-09, Compensation2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Stock CompensationCredit Losses (Topic 718),
Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting ("326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.ASU 2016-09"), which amends existing2016-13 amendments provide guidance related toon accounting for employee share-based payments affectingcurrent expected credit losses on financial instruments that are not accounted for at fair value through net income, including loans held for investment, held-to-maturity debt securities, trade and other receivables, net investment in leases and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. The required measurement methodology is based on expected loss model that includes historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. ASU 2016-13 eliminates the income tax consequences of awards, classification of awards as equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. On January 1, 2017, theprobable incurredloss recognition in current GAAP. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09.2016-13 prospectively on January 1, 2020. Historically, the Company's actual credit losses have not been material. The Company's financial assets in the scope of ASU 2016-13 mainly consist

This new guidance requires all excess tax benefitsof short-term trade receivables. In estimating expected credit loss, we are using the aging method, such as pooling receivable based on the levels of delinquency and tax deficiencies be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statementapplying historical loss rates, adjusted for current conditions and classified as an operating activity in the statement of cash flows.reasonable and supportable forecasts, to each pool. The Company prospectively adopted this guidance withwill regularly reassess the tax impact of a $1.1 million tax benefit recognizedcustomer group by using its best judgment when considering changes in the consolidated income statementscustomers' credit ratings, customers' historical payments and classified it as an operating activity in the consolidated statement of cash flows. The guidance also requires a policy election either to estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest or to account for forfeitures whenever they occur. The Company did not change its policy for calculating accrual compensation costs by estimating the number of awards that are expected to vest. Therefore, when the Company adopted this guidance, there was no recognized cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings. In addition, this guidance requires cash paid by an employer, when directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes, to be classified in the statement of cash flows as a financing activity, which differs fromloss experience, current market and economic conditions, and the Company's previous methodexpectations of classification of such cash payments as an operating activity. Accordingly, the Company applied this provision retrospectivelyfuture market and for the nine months

ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 and reclassified $5.2 million and $4.0 million, respectively, from operating activities to financing activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-07, Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting ("ASU 2016-07"), which eliminates the requirement to apply the equity method of accounting retrospectively when a reporting entity obtains significant influence over a previously held investment. The amendments in ASU 2016-07 are effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods therein, with early adoption permitted. The new standard should be applied prospectively for investments that qualify for the equity method of accounting after the effective date. On January 1, 2017, the Company prospectively adopted ASU 2016-07.economic conditions. Adoption of ASU 2016-07 has2016-13 had no material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Updated No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business ("ASU 2017-01"), which changes the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities is a business. The new guidance clarifies that a business must also include at least one substantive process and narrows the definition of outputs by more closely aligning it with how outputs are described in ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2017-01 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. On January 1, 2017, the Company prospectively adopted ASU 2017-01. Adoption of ASU 2017-01 has had no material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.


All other issued and effective accounting standards during 2017the first quarter of 2020 were determined to be not relevant or material to the Company.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Other than the following, there have been no new developments to those recently issued accounting standards disclosed in the Company’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (later codified as ASC 606),2.    Revenue from Contracts with Customers which supersedes nearly all existing

Disaggregated revenue recognition guidance

The Company disaggregates net sales into the following major product groups as described in the footnote for segment information included in these interim financial statements under GAAP. ASC 606 provides a five-step model for revenue recognitionNote 13.

Wood Construction Products Revenue. Wood construction products represented 86% and 84% of total net sales in the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Concrete Construction Products Revenue. Concrete construction products represented 14% and 16% of total net sales in the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Customer acceptance criteria. Generally, there are no customer acceptance criteria included in the Company's standard sales agreement with customers. When an arrangement with the customer does not meet the criteria to be applied to allaccounted for as a revenue contracts with customers. The five-step model includes: (1) determination of whether a contract an agreement between two or more parties that creates legally enforceable rights and obligations, exists; (2) identification ofunder the performance obligationsstandard, the Company recognizes revenue in the contract; (3) determinationamount of nonrefundable consideration received when the transaction price; (4) allocationCompany has transferred control of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognition of revenue when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied. The core principle of ASC 606 is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of goods or services equaland has stopped transferring (and has no obligation to transfer) additional goods or services. The Company offers certain customers discounts for paying invoices ahead of the due date, which are generally between 30 to 60 days after the issue date.

Other revenue. Service sales, representing after-market repair and maintenance, engineering activities and software license sales and services were less than 1.0% of net sales and recognized as the services are completed or by transferring control over a product to a customer at a point in time. Services may be sold separately or in bundled packages. The typical contract length for a service is generally less than one year. For bundled packages, the Company accounts for individual services separately when they are distinct within the context of the contract. A distinct service is separately identifiable from other items in the bundled package if a customer can benefit from the service on its own or with other resources that are readily available to the customer. The consideration (including any discounts) is allocated between separate services in a bundle based on their relative stand-alone selling prices. The stand-alone selling prices are determined based on the prices at which the Company separately sells the services.

Reconciliation of contract balances

Contract assets are the rights to consideration in exchange for goods or services that the Company has transferred to a customer when that right is conditional on something other than the passage of time. Contract liabilities are recorded for any services billed to customers and not yet recognizable if the contract period has commenced or for the amount that it expectscollected from customers in advance of the contract period commencing. As of March 31, 2020, the Company had no contract assets or contract liabilities from contracts with customers.


3.    Net Income Per Share

The following table reconciles basic net income per share of the Company's common stock to diluted net income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively:
 Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)2020 2019
Net income available to common stockholders$36,826
 $22,662
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding44,099
 44,874
Dilutive effect of potential common stock equivalents — restricted stock units187
 339
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding44,286
 45,213
Net income per common share: 
  
Basic$0.84
 $0.51
Diluted$0.83
 $0.50



4.    Stockholders' Equity

Share Repurchases

During the first quarter of 2020, the Company repurchased 902,340 shares of the Company's common stock in the open market at an average price of $69.46 per share, for a total of $62.7 million. As of March 31, 2020, approximately $37.3 million remains available for repurchase under the previously announced $100.0 million share repurchase authorization (which expires at the end of 2020).


5.    Stock-Based Compensation
The Company allocates stock-based compensation expense related to equity plans for employees and non-employee directors among the cost of sales, research and development and other engineering expense, selling expense, or general and administrative expense based on the job functions performed by the employees to whom the stock-based compensation is awarded. The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to its equity plans for employees of $0.3 million and $4.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The $3.8 million decrease in stock-based compensation expense was due to the reevaluation of the expected performance conditions and updated expected vesting during the first quarter of 2020.

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Companygranted 157,712 restricted stock units ("RSUs") to the Company's employees, including officers at an estimated weighted average fair value of $75.86 per share based on the closing price (adjusted for the present value of dividends) of the Company's common stock on the grant date. The RSUs granted to the Company's employees may be time-based and performance-based. Certain of the performance-based RSUs are granted to officers and key employees, where the number of performance-based awards to be issued is based on the achievement of certain Company performance criteria established in the RSU agreement over a cumulative three-year period. These awards cliff vest after three years. In addition, these same officers and key employees also receive time-based RSUs, which vest pursuant to a three-year graded vesting schedule. Time-based RSUs that are granted to the Company's employees excluding officers and certain key employees, vest ratably over the four year vesting-term of the award.

The Company’s 7 non-employee directors are entitled to receive for those goods or services. ASC 606 also requires additional disclosures about the nature, timing and uncertaintyapproximately $690 thousand in equity compensation annually. The number of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments. ASC 606 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company will adopt the new standard on January 1, 2018. 

Company management has completed a review of our significant customer contracts andshares ultimately granted are based on that preliminary review, we expect the adoption of ASC 606 will not result in material differences from our accounting for revenues under the current revenue recognition guidance effectiveaverage closing share price for the Company today.over the 60 day period prior to approval of the award in April of each year. In April 2020, the Companygranted 9,239 shares of common stock to the Company's non-employee directors, based on the average closing price of $74.66 per share. The Company has not yet completed the process of quantifying the effects (if any) of changes that will result from adoption.

ASC 606 permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized expense on these shares at the date of initial application(modified retrospective method).  The Company will adopt the new standard using the modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment (if any) to retained earnings as of the effective date. The Company is also identifying and preparing to implement changes to our accounting policies and practices, business processes, systems and controls to support the enhanced disclosure requirements from ASC 606.

In October 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory ("ASU 2016-16"), which requires companies to account for the income tax effects of intercompany sales and transfers of assets other than inventory when the transfer occurs. Current guidance requires companies to defer the income tax effects of intercompany transfers of assets until the asset has been sold to an outside party or otherwise recognized. The amendment is to be applied using a modified retrospective approach. ASU 2016-16 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Based on current information

and subject to future events and circumstances, the Company does not know whether ASU 2016-16 will have a material impact on its financial statements upon adoption.

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment ("ASU 2017-04"), which eliminates the requirement to calculate the impliedestimated fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge or Step 2 of the goodwill impairment analysis. Instead, an impairment charge will be recorded$58.72 per share based on the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value using Step 1closing price of the goodwill impairment analysis. The standardCompany's common stock on the grant date, for a total expense of $543 thousand.


As of March 31, 2020, the Company's aggregate unamortized stock compensation expense was approximately $8.9 million, which is requiredentirely attributable to unvested RSUs and is expected to be adopted for annual and interim impairment tests performed after December 15, 2019. The amendment is to be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted for annual and interim goodwill impairment testing dates after January 1, 2017. Based on current information and subject to future events and circumstances, the Company does not know whether ASU 2017-04 will haverecognized in expense over a material impact on its financial statements upon adoption.weighted-average period of 2.7 years.



2.

6.    Trade Accounts Receivable, Net
 
Trade accounts receivable at the dates indicated consisted of the following: 
 At March 31, At December 31,
(in thousands)2020 2019 2019
Trade accounts receivable$174,853
 $176,896
 $144,729
Allowance for doubtful accounts(2,761) (1,195) (1,935)
Allowance for sales discounts and returns(3,356) (2,561) (3,430)
 $168,736
 $173,140
 $139,364
 At September 30, At December 31,
(in thousands)2017 2016 2016
Trade accounts receivable$165,101
 $145,966
 $116,368
Allowance for doubtful accounts(1,166) (945) (895)
Allowance for sales discounts and returns(4,364) (3,305) (3,050)
 $159,571
 $141,716
 $112,423

 


3.7.    Inventories
 
Inventories at the dates indicated consisted of the following: 
 At March 31, At December 31,
(in thousands)2020 2019 2019
Raw materials$89,903
 $91,850
 $95,575
In-process products19,464
 24,690
 23,672
Finished products146,353
 155,919
 132,660
 $255,720
 $272,459
 $251,907

 At September 30, At December 31,
(in thousands)2017 2016 2016
Raw materials$87,100
 $83,613
 $86,524
In-process products26,248
 20,313
 20,902
Finished products131,128
 116,281
 124,848
 $244,476
 $220,207
 $232,274




4.8.    Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
 
Property, plant and equipment, net, at the dates indicated consisted of the following: 

At September 30, At December 31,At March 31, At December 31,
(in thousands)2017 2016 20162020 2019 2019
Land$33,030
 $30,217
 $32,127
$27,964
 $29,251
 $28,092
Buildings and site improvements201,877
 176,430
 183,882
193,971
 196,848
 195,210
Leasehold improvements5,911
 5,682
 5,550
4,832
 4,831
 4,911
Machinery, equipment, and software289,970
 249,227
 248,861
354,931
 335,906
 351,379
530,788
 461,556
 470,420
581,698
 566,836
 579,592
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization(297,321) (275,096) (273,302)(351,776) (326,181) (346,594)
233,467
 186,460
 197,118
229,922
 240,655
 232,998
Capital projects in progress31,711
 43,210
 35,692
17,019
 10,743
 16,014
$265,178
 $229,670
 $232,810
$246,941
 $251,398
 $249,012




5.
9.    Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net
 
Goodwill at the dates indicated was as follows: 
 At March 31, At December 31,
(in thousands)2020 2019 2019
North America$95,988
 $96,491
 $96,244
Europe34,445
 33,867
 34,300
Asia/Pacific1,166
 1,354
 1,335
Total$131,599
 $131,712
 $131,879
 At September 30, At December 31,
(in thousands)2017 2016 2016
North America$95,781
 $85,988
 $85,488
Europe40,038
 39,402
 37,616
Asia/Pacific1,494
 1,455
 1,375
Total$137,313
 $126,845
 $124,479

 
Intangible assets, net, at the dates indicated were as follows: 
At September 30, 2017At March 31, 2020
Gross   NetGross   Net
Carrying Accumulated CarryingCarrying Accumulated Carrying
(in thousands)Amount Amortization AmountAmount Amortization Amount
North America$33,923
 $(16,728) $17,195
$33,755
 $(20,039) $13,716
Europe29,430
 (16,575) 12,855
25,410
 (15,672) 9,738
Total$63,353
 $(33,303) $30,050
$59,165
 $(35,711) $23,454
 
At September 30, 2016At March 31, 2019
Gross   NetGross   Net
(in thousands)
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Carrying
Amount
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Carrying
Amount
North America$27,488
 $(17,347) $10,141
$30,824
 $(16,795) $14,029
Europe31,090
 (16,602) 14,488
23,435
 (13,316) 10,119
Total$58,578
 $(33,949) $24,629
$54,259
 $(30,111) $24,148
 
 At December 31, 2019
 Gross   Net
(in thousands)
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Carrying
Amount
North America$33,756
 $(19,173) $14,583
Europe25,500
 (15,012) 10,488
Total$59,256
 $(34,185) $25,071
 At December 31, 2016
 Gross   Net
(in thousands)
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Carrying
Amount
North America$23,562
 $(13,811) $9,751
Europe27,880
 (14,767) 13,113
Total$51,442
 $(28,578) $22,864

 
Intangible assets consist of definite-lived and indefinite-lived assets. Definite-lived intangible assets include customer relationships, patents, unpatented technology, and non-compete agreements. Amortization expense forof definite-lived intangible assets during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, totaledwas $1.5 million and $1.5$1.3 million respectively;for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, totaled $4.7 million and $4.6 million,2019, respectively. The weighted-average amortization period for all amortizable intangibles on a combined basis is 5.7 years.

The only indefinite-lived intangible asset, consisting of a trade name, totaled $0.6 million at September 30, 2017.March 31, 2020.



At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, the estimated future amortization of definite-lived intangible assets was as follows: 
(in thousands) 
  
Remaining nine months of 2020$4,441
20215,370
20223,437
20232,611
20241,660
20251,315
Thereafter4,004
 $22,838
(in thousands) 
  
Remaining three months of 2017$1,635
20185,505
20195,185
20205,155
20214,675
20222,774
Thereafter4,505
 $29,434

 
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill and intangible assets for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, were as follows: 
   Intangible
(in thousands)Goodwill Assets
Balance at December 31, 2019$131,879
 $25,071
Amortization
 (1,526)
Foreign exchange(280) (91)
Balance at March 31, 2020$131,599
 $23,454

   Intangible
(in thousands)Goodwill Assets
Balance at December 31, 2016$124,479
 $22,864
Acquisitions10,066
 10,351
Reclassifications(189) 626
Amortization
 (4,725)
Foreign exchange2,957
 934
Balance at September 30, 2017$137,313
 $30,050



6.    Investments10.     Leases


On December 23, 2016, the Company acquired a 25.0% equity interest in Ruby Sketch Pty Ltd. (“Ruby Sketch”), an Australian proprietary limited company, for $2.5 million, for which the Company accounts for its ownership interest using the equity accounting method. Ruby Sketch develops software that assists in designing residential structures, primarily used in Australia,Operating Lease and potentially for the North America market. The Company has no obligation to make any additional capital contributions to Ruby Sketch.Finance Obligations

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded an equity loss of $13 thousand and $53 thousand, respectively, with respect to its Ruby Sketch investment. However, the investment increased $82 thousand due to the foreign currency translation, primarily related to the strengthening Australian dollar against United States dollar, resulting in a $2.6 million balance as of September 30, 2017.


7.    Debt
Credit Facilities


The Company has revolving linesoperating leases for certain facilities, equipment and autos. The existing operating leases expire at various dates through 2024, some of credit with various banks inwhich include options to extend the United States and Europe. Total available creditleases for up to 5 years. The Company measured the lease liability at September 30, 2017, was $304.0 million including revolving credit lines and an irrevocable standby letterthe present value of credit in support of various insurance deductibles.
the lease payments to be made over the lease term. The Company’s primary credit facility is a revolving line of credit with $300 million in available credit. On July 25, 2016, the Company entered into a second amendment (the "Amendment") to the credit facility. For additional information about the Amendment, seelease payments are discounted using the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 28, 2016. As amended, this credit facility will expire on July 23, 2021. Amounts borrowed under this credit facility bear interest at an annual rate equal to either,incremental borrowing rate. The Company measured the ROU assets at the Company’s option, (a)amount at which the rate for Eurocurrency deposits for the corresponding deposits of U.S. dollars appearing on Reuters LIBOR1screen page (the “LIBOR Rate”), adjusted for any reserve requirement in effect,lease liability is recognized plus a spread of 0.60% to 1.45%, determined quarterly based on the Company’s leverage ratio (at September 30, 2017, the LIBOR Rate was 1.23%),initial direct costs incurred or (b) a base rate, plus a spread of 0.00% to 0.45%, determined quarterly based on the Company’s leverage ratio.prepayment amounts. The base rate is defined in a manner such that it will not be

less than the LIBOR Rate. The Company will pay fees for standby letters of credit at an annual rate equal to the applicable spread described above, and will pay market-based fees for commercial letters of credit. The Company is required to pay an annual facility fee of 0.15% to 0.30% of the available commitments under the credit facility, regardless of usage, with the applicable fee determinedROU assets are amortized on a quarterlystraight-line basis based onover the Company’s leverage ratio. The Company was also required to pay customary fees as specified in a separate fee agreement to the agent under the credit facility. The Company’s unused borrowing capacity under other revolving credit lines and a term note totaled $4.0 million at September 30, 2017. The other revolving credit lines and the term note charge interest ranging from 0.47% to 8.25%, currently have maturity dates from July 2017 to December 2017. The Company had no outstanding debt balance as of September 30, 2017 and 2016, and December 31, 2016, respectively. The Company was in compliance with its financial covenants at September 30, 2017.lease term.


CapitalFinance Lease Obligations


The Company entered into two four-year lease agreementshas finance leases for data centers and certain office equipment, with Cisco Systems Capital Corporation for a total of approximately $4.4 million, which was recorded in fixed assets as capital lease obligations. These capitalfinance lease obligations are included in current liabilities and other long-term liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The interest rates for these two capital leases are 2.89% and 3.50%, respectively, and the two leases will mature in May 2021 and July 2021, respectively.


AsThe following table provides a summary of September 30, 2017,leases included on the current portioncondensed consolidated balance sheets, condensed consolidated statements of the outstanding liability for the leased equipment was approximately $1.0 millionearnings, and the long-term portion was approximately $2.9 million.condensed consolidated statements of cash flows as of March 31, 2020 and 2019:

 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Line ItemMarch 31,
(in thousands) 2020 2019
Operating leases    
Assets    
Operating leasesOperating lease right-of-use assets$33,725
 34,324
Liabilities    
Operating - currentAccrued expenses and other current liabilities$7,603
 6,256
Operating - noncurrentOperating lease liabilities26,084
 28,878
Total operating lease liabilities $33,687
 35,134
    
Finance leases    
Assets    
Property and equipment, grossProperty, plant and equipment, net$3,566
 3,569
Accumulated amortizationProperty, plant and equipment, net(2,903) (2,255)
Property and equipment, netProperty, plant and equipment, net$663
 1,314
Liabilities    
Other current liabilitiesAccrued expenses and other current liabilities$1,125
 1,098
Other long-term liabilitiesDeferred income tax and other long-term liabilities6
 1,319
   Total finance lease liabilities $1,131
 2,417


The components of lease expense were as follows:
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Line ItemThree Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands) 2020 2019
Operating lease cost
General administrative expenses and
cost of sales
$2,492
 $2,191
     
Finance lease cost:    
   Amortization of right-of-use assetsGeneral administrative expenses$218
 $218
   Interest on lease liabilitiesInterest expense, net11
 20
Total finance lease $229
 $238


Other information

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases as follows:
 Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)2020 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:   
   Operating cash flows for operating leases$2,418
 $2,087
   Finance cash flows for finance leases290
 270
    
Operating right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations during the current period2,068
 407





The following is a schedule, by years, of maturities of lease liabilities as of March 31, 2020:
(in thousands)Operating Leases Finance Leases
Remaining nine months of 2020$7,200
 $870
20218,477
 285
20226,392
 
20234,358
 
20242,458
 
Thereafter11,282
 
Total lease payments40,167
 1,155
Less: Present value discount(6,480) (24)
     Total lease liabilities$33,687
 $1,131


The following table summarizes the Company's lease terms and discount rates as of March 31, 2020 and 2019:
Weighted-average remaining lease terms (in years):2020 2019
Operating leases6.38
 7.21
Finance leases1.19
 2.18
Weighted-average discount rate:   
Operating leases5.36% 5.37%
Finance leases3.24% 3.22%



8.11.    Debt
The Company is a borrower, and certain of its domestic subsidiaries are guarantors under a credit agreement, which provides the Company with $304.0 million in revolving credit lines and an irrevocable standby letter of credit in support of various insurance deductibles.

As previously disclosed, the Company's primary credit facility is the $300.0 million revolving line of credit (the “Credit Facility”). In March 2020, the Company elected to draw down $150.0 million from the Credit Facility to increase its cash position and preserve financial flexibility in light of current uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak. Total available credit as of March 31, 2020, was $153.8 million, including the Credit Facility and other revolving credit lines.

The Company had $0.2 million and $0.7 million outstanding balance under other revolving credit lines, as of March 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, respectively, and had $1.5 million outstanding balance as of March 31, 2019. The Company was in compliance with its financial covenants at March 31, 2020.


12.    Commitments and Contingencies


Environmental

The Company’s policy with regard to environmental liabilities is to accrue for future environmental assessments and remediation costs when information becomes available that indicates that it is probable that the Company is liable for any related claims and assessments and the amount of the liability is reasonably estimable. The Company does not believe that any such matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

Litigation and Potential Claims

From time to time, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings and other matters arising in the normal course of business. Corrosion, hydrogen enbrittlement,embrittlement, cracking, material hardness, wood pressure-treating chemicals, misinstallations,

misuse, design and assembly flaws, manufacturing defects, labeling defects, product formula defects, inaccurate chemical mixes, adulteration, environmental conditions, or other factors can contribute to failure of fasteners, connectors, anchors, adhesives, specialty chemicals, such as fiber reinforced polymers, and tool products. In addition, inaccuracies may occur in product information, descriptions and instructions found in catalogs, packaging, data sheets, and the Company’s website.


As of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company is not a party to any legal proceedings, which the Company expects individually or in the aggregate to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, cash flows or results of operations. Nonetheless, theThe resolution of any claim or litigation is subject to inherent uncertainty and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.


Potential Third-Party Claims

Gentry Homes, Ltd. v. Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc., et al., Case No. 17-cv-00566, was filed in a federal district court in Hawaii against Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. and the Company on November 20, 2017. The Gentry case is a product of a previous state court class action, Nishimura v. Gentry Homes, Ltd., et al., Civil No. 11-1-1522-07, was filedwhich is now closed. The Nishimura case concerned alleged corrosion of the Company’s galvanized “hurricane straps” and mudsill anchor products used in the Hawaii First Circuit court on July 20, 2011. The Nishimura case involves claims by homeowners ata residential project in Ewa by Gentry, a Honolulu, development of approximately 2,400 homes. The claims arise out of alleged corrosion of strap-tie holdowns and mud-sill anchor products supplied byHawaii. In the Company. TheNishimura case, the plaintiff homeowners originally suedand the developer, Gentry Homes, Ltd. (“Gentry”), as well as the Company. In 2012arbitrated their dispute and 2013, the Hawaii First Circuit granted the Company’s motions to dismiss and for summary judgment, resultingagreed on a settlement in the dismissalamount of all of the homeowners’ claims against the Company, and the Company has not since then been a party to the proceedings. The dismissed claims against the Company remain subject to potential appeal by the plaintiffs.


Gentry and the plaintiff homeowners thereafter moved their dispute to arbitration, and the Hawaii state court stayed the lawsuit pending arbitration. The Company was not a party to the arbitration.

Gentry initially reported no significant damage claims related to the Ewa development. In August 2016, Gentry advised the Company for the first time that a substantial number of plaintiff homeowners claimed serious corrosion of mudsill anchors and strap-tie holdowns. The plaintiff homeowners and Gentry proceeded to arbitration in April 2017. During the pendency of the arbitration, Gentry and the plaintiff homeowners reached a settlement of their dispute, pursuant to which Gentry agreed to pay approximately $90 million tomillion. In the plaintiff homeowners.

In October 2017,subsequent Gentry case, Gentry demanded that the Company pay Gentry the amount it paid the plaintiff homeowners to settle their claims, asserting the Company was responsible foralleges breach of warranty and negligent misrepresentation by the Company related to its “hurricane strap” and fraud in connection with the supply of strap-tie holdowns and mud-sillmudsill anchor products, and demands general, special, and consequential damages from the Company in an amount to Gentry. As of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q,be proven at trial. Gentry had not yet initiated legal proceedings against the Company.

also seeks pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, attorneys’ fees and costs, and other relief. The Company admits no liability in connection withand will vigorously defend the Nishimura case.claims brought against it. At this time, the Company cannot reasonably ascertain the likelihood that it will be found responsible for substantial damages to Gentry or to the homeowners should they appeal; whether any legal theory against the Company might be viable, or the extent of the liability the Company might face if Gentry were to proceed against it.

The Company will vigorously defend any claims against it, whether appeal by the plaintiff homeowners, or third party claims by Gentry. Based on the facts currently known, to the Company and subject to future events and circumstances, the Company believes that all or part of anythe claims that any party might seek to allegebrought against it related toin the NishimuraGentry case may be covered by its insurance policies.


Charles Vitale, et al. v. D.R. Horton, Inc. and D.R. Horton-Schuler Homes, LLC, Civil No. 15-1-1347-07, a putative class action lawsuit, was filed in the Hawaii First Circuit on July 13, 2015, in which homeowner plaintiffs allege that all homes built by D.R Horton/D.R. Horton-Schuler Homes (collectively "Horton Homes") in the State of Hawaii have strap-tie holdowns that are suffering premature corrosion. The complaint alleges that various manufacturers make strap-tie holdowns that suffer from such corrosion, but does not identify the Company’s products specifically. The Company is not currently a party to the Vitale lawsuit, but the lawsuit in the future could potentially involve the Company’s strap-tie holdowns.

If claims are asserted against the Company in the Vitale case, it will vigorously defend any such claims, whether brought by the plaintiff homeowners, or third party claims by Horton Homes. Based on facts currently known to the Company and subject to future events and circumstances, the Company believes that all or part of any claims that any party might seek to allege against it related to the Vitale case may be covered by its insurance policies.

Given the nature and the complexities involved in the Nishimura and Vitale proceedings,Gentry proceeding, the Company is unable to estimate reasonably athe likelihood of possible loss or a range of possible loss until the Company knows, among other factors, (i) whether it will be named in either lawsuit by any party; (ii) the specific claims brought against the Company and the legal theories on which they are based (iii)based; (ii) what claims, if any, might be dismissed without trial, (iv) the extent of the claims, including the size of any potential class, particularly as damages are not specified or are indeterminate, (v)trial; (iii) how the discovery process will affect the litigation, (vi)litigation; (iv) the settlement posture of the other parties to the litigation, (vii)litigation; (v) the damages to be proven at trial, particularly if the damages are not specified or are indeterminate; (vi) the extent to which the Company’s insurance policies will cover the claims or any part thereof, if at all, (viii) whether class treatment is appropriate;all; and (ix)(vii) any other factors that may have a material effect on the litigation.proceeding.


While it is not feasible to predict the outcome of proceedings to which the Company is not currently a party, or reasonably estimate a possible loss or range of possible loss for the Company related to such matters, in the opinion of the Company, either the likelihood of loss from such proceedings is remote or any reasonably possible loss associated with the resolution of such proceedings is not expected to be material to the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows either individually or in the aggregate. Nonetheless, the resolution of any claim or litigation is subject to inherent uncertainty and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.


9.    Stock-Based Incentive Plans
The Company currently has one stock-based incentive plan, the 2011 Plan, which incorporates and supersedes its two previous plans except for awards previously granted under the two plans (see "Note 1 Basis of Presentation — Accounting for Stock-Based

Compensation”). Generally, participants of the 2011 Plan have been granted stock-based awards, only if the applicable Company-wide and/or profit-center operating goals, or strategic goals, established by the Compensation and Leadership Development Committee (the "Committee") of the Board at the beginning of the year, were met. In 2017, some of the grants made will vest only if Company-wide and/or profit-center operating goals established by the Committee at the beginning of the year are met.
The Company granted restricted stock units (“RSUs”) under the 2011 Plan in 2015, 2016 and 2017. The fair value of each restricted stock unit award is estimated on the measurement date as determined in accordance with GAAP and is based on the closing market price of the underlying Company's common stock on the day of the grant or the immediately preceding the trading date. The fair value excludes the present value of the dividends that the RSUs do not participate in. The RSUs may be time-based, performance-based or time- and performance-based. The restrictions on the time-based RSUs granted to our named executive officers and certain members of our senior management in 2017 and prior generally lapse on the date of the award and each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of the award. The restrictions on the time-based RSUs granted in 2017 generally lapse on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the date of the award. The restrictions on the performance-based RSUs granted to our named executive officers and certain members of the Company’s senior management in 2017 and prior, in addition to their time-based RSUs, generally lapse following a performance period set for the RSUs on the date of the award, and shares of our common stock underlying such awards are subject to performance-based adjustment before becoming vested. In addition, the restrictions on the time- and performance-based RSUs granted to our employees in 2017 generally lapse on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the date of the award, provided that the applicable performance goals are achieved within the year of grant. Generally, performance-based awards (including time- and performance-based awards) granted under the 2011 Plan may vest following the end of the performance periods only if the applicable performance goals are achieved within such periods.

Under the 2011 Plan, or the applicable grant agreement, the vesting of RSUs granted thereunder may accelerate in four situations: (1) retirement after meeting certain age and/or service tenure conditions, (2) death, (3) disability, and (4) certain situations linked to a change in our control or our sale of assets. In case of early vesting of performance-based awards in any one of the four situations, shares of the underlying stock that could eventually vest in favor of the officer will be prorated based on the early-vesting date and the date when the applicable vesting period is scheduled to expire.

On February 4, 2017, 606,299 RSUs were awarded to the Company's employees, including officers, at an estimated fair value of $43.42 per share, based on the closing price on February 3, 2017. On May 16, 2017, 10,066 RSUs were awarded to each of the Company's seven independent directors at an estimated value of $41.52 per share based on the closing price of shares of the Company's common stock on May 15, 2017, which RSUs vested fully on the date of the grant.

The following table summarizes changes to the Company’s unvested RSUs for the nine months ended September 30, 2017: 
 Shares 
Weighted-
Average Price
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value *
Unvested Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)(in thousands)  (in thousands)
Outstanding at January 1, 2017615
 $31.81
 26,915
Awarded616
  
  
Vested(327)  
  
Forfeited(38)  
  
Outstanding at September 30, 2017866
 $36.14
 $42,469
Outstanding and expected to vest at September 30, 2017844
 $36.11
 $41,366
*The intrinsic value is calculated using the closing price per share of $49.04 of the underlying Company's common stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on September 30, 2017.
The total intrinsic value of RSUs vested during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, was $11.0 million and $10.8 million, respectively, based on the market value on the award date.
No stock options were granted in 2016 or in the first nine months of 2017.


The following table summarizes the changes to the Company’s outstanding non-qualified stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2017: 
  Shares 
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
 
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value *
Non-Qualified Stock Options (in thousands)   (in years) (in thousands)
Outstanding at January 1, 2017 251
 $29.66
 1.1 3,558
Exercised (120)  
    
Forfeited 
  
    
Outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2017 131
 $29.66
 0.3 $2,534
*The intrinsic value represents the amount, if any, by which the fair market value of the underlying Company's common stock exceeds the exercise price of the stock option, using the closing price per share of $49.04 such stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on September 30, 2017.
The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $1.7 million and $2.4 million during nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

As of September 30, 2017, there was $17.3 million, unrecognized cost related to unvested stock-based compensation arrangements under the 2011 Plan for awards made through February 2017. The portion of this cost related to RSUs awarded through May 2017 (as discussed above) is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.3 years.


10.13.    Segment Information
 
The Company is organized into three3 reportable segments. The segments, which are defined by the regions where the Company’s products are manufactured, marketed and distributed to the Company’s customers. The three regional segments are the North America segment, comprising primarily the United States and Canada; the Europe segment, comprising continental Europe and the United Kingdom; and the Asia/Pacific segment, which the Company believes is not significant to its overall performance, comprising the Company’s operations in China, Hong Kong, the South Pacific and the Middle East. The Company's China and Hong Kong operations are manufacturing and administrative support locations, respectively. These three reportable segments are similar in several ways, including the types of materials theused in production, production processes, the distribution channels and the product applications. The Company’s measure of profit or loss for its reportable segments is income (loss) from operations.



The following tables illustrate certain measurements used by management to assess the performance of its reportable segments as of or for the following periods: 

Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)2017 2016 2017 201620202019
Net Sales 
  
  
  
 
 
North America$213,254
 $197,459
 $612,765
 $569,198
$249,050
$221,431
Europe47,137
 31,485
 126,752
 86,003
32,732
35,780
Asia/Pacific2,085
 2,030
 5,828
 5,269
1,886
2,033
Total$262,476
 $230,974
 $745,345
 $660,470
$283,668
$259,244
Sales to Other Segments* 
  
  
  
 
 
North America$625
 $732
 $2,403
 $1,994
$640
$341
Europe175
 157
 424
 338
1,254
458
Asia/Pacific4,088
 10,821
 14,657
 22,550
4,813
6,396
Total$4,888
 $11,710
 $17,484
 $24,882
$6,707
$7,195
Income (Loss) from Operations 
  
  
  
 
 
North America$41,972
 $42,356
 $110,748
 $112,924
$53,561
$32,814
Europe5,139
 3,899
 7,443
 4,180
(1,670)(384)
Asia/Pacific(218) 250
 (341) 1,257
(604)(542)
Administrative and all other(197) (728) (3,387) (5,019)(1,937)(1,865)
Total$46,696
 $45,777
 $114,463
 $113,342
$49,350
$30,023
            
*    The salesSales to other segments are eliminated in consolidation.
   At
 At March 31,December 31,
(in thousands)202020192019
Total Assets 
 
 
North America$1,153,775
$1,155,633
$1,269,545
Europe163,476
167,769
169,785
Asia/Pacific27,919
27,131
30,055
Administrative and all other(146,922)(320,181)(374,019)
Total$1,198,248
$1,030,352
$1,095,366
     At
 At September 30, December 31,
(in thousands)2017 2016 2016
Total Assets 
  
  
North America$946,180
 $795,339
 $853,826
Europe211,083
 178,428
 165,121
Asia/Pacific26,006
 26,291
 25,118
Administrative and all other(114,886) (15,755) (64,091)
Total$1,068,383
 $984,303
 $979,974

 
Cash collected by the Company’s United States subsidiaries is routinely transferred into the Company’s cash management accounts and, therefore, has been included in the total assets of “Administrative and all other.” Cash and cash equivalent balances in the “Administrative and all other” segment were $116.0$248.7 million, $128.6$76.0 million, and $137.4$161.4 million, as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, and December 31, 2016,2019, respectively. Total "Administrative and all other" assets are net of inter-segment due to and from accounts eliminated in consolidation.



While the Company manages its business by geographic segment, presented as additional information, the following table illustrates the distribution of the Company’s net sales by product group as additional information for the following periods:
 Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)2020 2019
    
Wood construction products$242,520
 $217,613
Concrete construction products41,012
 41,577
Other136
 54
Total$283,668
 $259,244

 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
(in thousands)2017 2016 2017 2016
        
Wood construction products$224,317
 $193,513
 $639,207
 $562,025
Concrete construction products38,051
 37,461
 105,785
 98,445
Other108
 
 353
 
Total$262,476
 $230,974
 $745,345
 $660,470


Wood construction products include connectors, truss plates, fastening systems, fasteners and pre-fabricated shearwalls, and are used for connecting and strengthening wood-based construction primarily in the residential construction market. Concrete construction products include adhesives, chemicals, mechanical anchors, carbide drill bits, powder actuated tools and fiber

reinforcing materials, and are used for restoration, protection or strengthening concrete, masonry and steel construction in residential, industrial, commercial and infrastructure construction.



No customer accounted for as much as 10% of net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The Company’s largest customer for three months ended March 31, 2019 accounted for 10.6% of net sales, which was attributable mostly to the North America segment.


11.14.    Subsequent Events


In March 2020, the fourth quarterWorld Health Organization categorized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a pandemic, and the President of 2017,the United States declared the COVID-19 outbreak a national emergency. COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the United States and other countries across the world, and the duration and severity of its effects are currently unknown. While the response to the COVID-19 outbreak continues to rapidly evolve, it has led to stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines that have seriously disrupted activities in large segments of the economy.

As of the date of issuance of the financial statements, April 2020 sales decreasedapproximately 15.0% percent compared to March 2020 sales, driven by the COVID-19 related economic slowdown. The Company considers the outbreak of COVID-19 as a nonrecognized subsequent event in accordance with accounting standards codification Topic 855, Subsequent Events, requiring disclosure in these unaudited condensed consolidated financial Statements. The Company’s consolidated financial statements presented herein reflect estimates and assumptions made by management that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods presented.

We are mitigating negative impacts to our operating results by taking significant actions, including postponing non-essential capital expenditures, reducing operating costs, modulating production in line with demand, and substantially reducing discretionary spending. These countermeasures are expected to partially mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on the Company's full-year 2020 financial results. As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and the Company's operations evolves, the Company announced employee reductions inwill continue to assess the North Americaimpact on the Company's operations and Europe segments and relatedrespond accordingly.

On April 23, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.23 per share, estimated severance expenses of approximately $3.0 million to $3.5 million, most of which to be recorded$10.2 million in total. The dividend will be payable on July 23, 2020, to the fourth quarterCompany's stockholders of 2017.record on July 2, 2020.



Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following is a discussion and analysisEach of the consolidated financial conditionterms the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” and resultssimilar terms used herein refer collectively to Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc., unless otherwise stated. The Company regularly uses its website to post information regarding its business and governance. The Company encourages investors to use http://www.simpsonmfg.com as a source of operations forinformation about the Company for the three monthsCompany.

“Strong-Tie” and nine months ended September 30, 2017. The following discussionour other trademarks appearing in this report are our property. This report contains additional trade names and analysis should be read in conjunctiontrademarks of other companies. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names or trademarks to imply an endorsement or sponsorship of us by such companies, or any relationship with the interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes included in Part I, Item 1, "Financial Statements”any of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The following discussion and analysis contain forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates, and beliefs as discussed in the “Note About Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Our actual results could differ materially from those plans, estimates, and beliefs. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in thiscompanies.

CAUTIONARY NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as wellamended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “target,” “continue,” “predict,” “project,” “change,” “result,” “future,” “will,” “could,” “can,” “may,” “likely,” “potentially,” or similar expressions that concern our strategy, plans, expectations or intentions. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future financial and operating results, our plans, objectives, business outlook, priorities, expectations and intentions, expectations for sales growth, comparable sales, earnings and performance, stockholder value, capital expenditures, cash flows, the housing market, the home improvement industry, demand for services, share repurchases, our strategic initiatives, including the impact of these initiatives on our strategic and operational

plans and financial results, and any statement of an assumption underlying any of the foregoing and other statements that are not historical facts. Although we believe that the expectations, opinions, projections and comments reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and we can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements.

Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent uncertainties, risk and other factors that are difficult to predict and could cause our actual results to vary in material respects from what we have expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those expressed in our forward looking statements include, among others, those discussed under the Item 1A. Risk Factors and Item7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the 2019 Form 10-K and Item2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Part II Item 1A Risk Factors in this Form 10-Q. Additional risks include: the cyclicality and impact of general economic conditions; changing conditions in global markets including the impact of sanctions and tariffs, quotas and other trade actions and import restrictions; the impact of pandemics, epidemics or other public health emergencies, such as the factors discussedrecent outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); volatile supply and demand conditions affecting prices and volumes in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors”the markets for both our products and raw materials we purchase; the impact of foreign currency fluctuations; potential limitations on our ability to access capital resources and existing credit facilities; restrictions on our business and financial covenants under our bank credit agreement; and reliance on employees subject to collective bargaining agreements.

We caution that you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in this report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K forother reports filed with the year ended December 31, 2016.SEC that advise of the risks and factors that may affect our business.

Business
Overview
 
We design, manufacture and sell building construction products that are of high quality and performance, easy touse and cost-effective for customers. We operate in three business segments determined by geographic region: North America,Europe and Asia/Pacific.


Our primary business strategy is to grow throughstrategic plan for growth includes increasing our market share and profitability in Europe; growing our market share in the concrete space; and continuing to develop our software to support our core wood products offering while leveraging our strengths in engineering, sales and distribution, and our strong brand name. We believe these initiatives and objectives are crucial to not only offer a more complete solution to our customers and bolster our sales of core wood connector products, but also to mitigate the effect of the cyclicality of the U.S. housing market.


On October 30, 2017, we announced the 2020 Plan to provide additional transparency into the execution of our strategic plan and financial objectives. Subject to future eventsUnder the 2020 Plan, we initially assumed (i) housing starts growing as a percentage in the mid-single digit, (ii) increasing our market share and circumstances,profitability in Europe, and (iii) gaining market share in both our truss and concrete product offerings. At the time of the announcement, our 2020 Plan iswas centered on the following three key operational objectives as further described below.objectives.


First, a continued focus on organic growth with a goal to achieve organicallyAchieve a net sales compoundcompounded annual growth rate of approximately8% from(from $860.7 million reported in fiscal 20162016) through fiscal 2020.
Second, rationalizingRationalize our cost structure to improve company-wide profitability by reducing total operating expenses as a percentpercentage of net sales from 31.8% in fiscal 2016 to a range of 26.0% to 27.0% by fiscal 2020. We expect to achieve this initiative, aside from top-line growth, through cost reduction measures in Europe and
Improve our concrete product line, zero-based budgeting for certain expense categories and a commitment to remaining headcount neutral (except in the production and sales departments to meet demands from sales growth). Offsetting these reductions will be the Company’s ongoing investment in its software initiatives as well as the expenses associated with our ongoing SAP implementation.
Third, improving working capital management and overall balance sheet discipline primarily through the reduction of inventory levels by aggressively eliminating 25 to 30%in connection with the implementation of the Company’s product SKUs and implementing Lean principles in many factories. We believe we can achieve an overall 30% reduction of our raw material and finished good inventory over the next three years without impacting day-to-day production and shipping procedures.factories.


We believe our efforts to achieveThrough execution on the 2020 Plan, will contribute to improved business performance and operating results, improve returnswe targeted a return on invested capital(1) within the range of 15% to 16% by the end of fiscal 2020.

On January 30, 2020, the WHO announced a global health emergency because of COVID-19 and allowthe risks to the international community as the virus spreads globally beyond its point of origin in Wuhan, China. In March 2020, the WHO categorized COVID-19 as a pandemic based on the rapid increase in exposure globally, and the President of the United States declared the COVID-19 outbreak a national emergency. COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the United States and other countries across the world, and the duration and severity of its effects are currently unknown. Additionally, government authorities in the countries and states where we operate have issued various and differing shelter in place, stay at home, social distancing guidelines and other measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In many of those locations our products and services are classified as an essential business and all of our North America manufacturing and distribution facilities continue to operate in accordance with those orders.

However in late March, two of our larger European manufacturing facilities in the United Kingdom and France were ordered to cease nearly all operations, forcing us to temporarily furlough many of those affected employees. Our supply chain partners have been very supportive and continue to do their part to ensure that service levels to our customers remain strong and, to date, we have not experienced any supply-chain disruptions related to COVID-19 and have been able to meet our customers’ needs.

A significant portion of the Company's total product sales is dependent on US housing starts and its business, financial condition and results of operations depends significantly on the level of housing and residential construction activity, which is expected to be more aggressivenegatively affected by the COVID-19 outbreak and pandemic. The Company anticipates a downturn in repurchasing shareseconomic conditions and a slowdown in single-family housing starts. In the month of our stock in the near-term.

We believe our abilityApril sales declined compared to achieve industry-leading margins from a gross profit and operating income standpoint isMarch levels due to lower demand from the high level of value-added services that we provide to our customers. Aside from our strong brand recognition and trusted reputation, Simpson is unique due to our extensive product testing capabilities and our state-of-the-art test lab; strong customer support and education for engineers, builders and contractors; deep 40-plus year relationships with engineers that get our products specified on the blueprint and pulled through to the job site; product availability with deliveryanticipated slowdown in typically 24 hours or less; and an active involvement with code officials to improve building codes and construction practices. Based on current information, we expect the competitive environment to be relatively stable. We also expect U.S. single-family housing starts to continue to growand general construction activity. Declines in housing and residential construction, such as a percentage in the mid to high single digits over the next few years,housing starts and home improvement projects, which should support a sustainable organic revenue growth outlook in North America for many of our products.

Wegenerally occur during economic downturns, have invested in strategic initiatives to help us perform throughout all industry cycles, suchas scaling up our wood construction products operations in Europe and ongoing development of our software solutions, including truss software, as our market strategy is to sell engineered product solutions. In support of this effort, we acquired Gbo Fastening Systems AB (“Gbo Fastening Systems”)

and CG Visions, Inc. (“CG Visions”) in January 2017, as we believe these two acquisitions fit into our current business model and growth strategy.

While acquisitions were part of a dual-fold approach to growth in the past significantly reduced, and in the future can be expected to reduce, the demand for, and net sales, of the Company's products.

During the first quarter of 2020, the execution of our go-forward strategy2020 Plan continued to deliver financial and operational efficiencies. However, we anticipate that the effects of responses to COVID-19 will have a negative effect on our North America and Europe operations in the short term. The magnitude and duration of the outbreak, including its impact on our operations, supply chain partners and general economic conditions, is uncertain and we continue to monitor the impact of the pandemic on our operations and financial condition, which was not significantly adversely impacted in the first quarter of 2020. We are uncertain of the long-term effects on the North America segment and Europe segment at this time

The Company has proactively taken measures to maintain and preserve its strong financial position and flexibility, including drawing down on the Credit Facility, temporarily suspending our stock repurchase program, implementing a hiring freeze and adjusting employee hours based on lower production levels in the near term. The Company will also remain conservative in our capital allocation approach with a focus on organic growth, supported by strategic capital investmentscash preservation.

The rapidly developing COVID-19 pandemic has generated significant uncertainty in the business.economy and the full impact of the outbreak continues to evolve. As such, we will de-emphasize acquisitions activities going forward, especiallyit is uncertain as it relates to the concrete space. An exceptionfull magnitude that the pandemic will have on the Company’s financial condition, liquidity, and future results of operations. Management is actively monitoring the impact of the global situation on its financial condition, liquidity, operations, suppliers, industry, and workforce. Given the daily evolution of the COVID-19 outbreak and the global responses to curb its spread, the Company is not able to estimate the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on its results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity for fiscal year 2020.

Given the uncertainties surrounding the impact of COVID-19 on our business, which may occur ifinclude the right opportunity wereeconomic impact on our operations, consumers, suppliers and vendors, we are withdrawing our prior full year 2020 guidance, as well as the financial targets from our 2020 Plan and, at this time, we are unable to arise in our core fastener space, which is the particular area where we believe it would be beneficial to gain additional production capacity to support our wood business.provide updated full year 2020 guidance.


Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations


Unlike lumber or other products that have a more direct correlation to U.S. housing starts, our products are used to a greater extent in areas that are subject to natural forces, such as seismic or wind events. Our products are generally used in a sequential process that follows the construction process. Residential and commercial construction begins with the foundation, followed by the wall and the roof systems, and then the installation of our products, which flow into a project or a house according to these schedules. Foundation product sales could be considered a leading indicator for our product sales. Sales of foundation products in the third quarter of 2017 increased compared to the same period in 2016.


Our sales also tend to be seasonal, with operating results varying from quarter to quarter. With some exceptions, our sales and income have historically been lower in the first and fourth quarters than in the second and third quarters of a fiscal year, as our customers tend to purchase construction materials in the late spring and summer months for the construction season. In addition, weatherWeather conditions, such as extended cold or wet weather, which affect and sometimes delay installation of some of our products, could negatively affect our results of operations. Political, and economic events such as tariffs and the possibility of additional tariffs on imported raw materials or finished goods or such as labor disputes can also affecthave an effect on our salesgross and profitability.

Operating expenses as a percentage of net sales were under 28% for the third quarter of 2017 and down 104 basis points from the prior year quarteroperating profits as well as down 185 basis points comparedthe amount of inventory on-hand.

Our operations expose us to risks associated with pandemics, epidemics or other public health emergencies, such as the second quarterrecent outbreak of 2017, primarily dueCOVID-19 which has spread from China to lower stock-based compensation expensemany other countries including the United States. The outbreak has resulted in governments around the world implementing increasingly stringent measures to help control the spread of the virus, including quarantines, social distancing guidelines, “shelter in place” and cash profit sharing expense on lower operating income“stay at home” orders, travel restrictions, business curtailments, school closures, and reduced payouts under our executive officer cash profit sharing plan.other measures. In addition, governments and central banks in several parts of the world have enacted fiscal and monetary stimulus measures to counteract the impacts of COVID-19.


AcquisitionsNotwithstanding our continued operations and first quarter performance, COVID-19 may have negative impacts on our operations, supply chain, transportation networks and customers, which may compress our margins, including as a result of preventative and precautionary measures that we, other businesses and governments are taking. The COVID-19 outbreak is a widespread public health crisis that is adversely affecting the economies and financial markets of many countries. Any resulting economic downturn could adversely affect demand for our products and contribute to volatile supply and demand conditions affecting prices and volumes in the markets for our products, services and raw materials. The progression of this matter could also negatively impact our business or results of operations through the temporary closure of our operating locations or those of our customers or suppliers, among others.

North America


In January 2017, we acquired CG Visions for approximately $20.8 million subjectaddition, the ability of our employees and our suppliers’ and customers’ employees to specified holdback provisions and post-closing adjustments. This acquisition is expectedwork may be significantly impacted by individuals contracting or being exposed to enable us to build closer partnerships with builders by offering software and services to help them control costs and increase efficiency at all stagesCOVID-19, or as a result of the home building process. We expectcontrol measures noted above, which may significantly hamper our production throughout the supply chain and constrict sales channels. The extent to look for opportunities to incorporatewhich COVID-19 may adversely impact our products into CG Visions' buildingbusiness depends on future developments, which are highly uncertain and unpredictable, including new information modeling ("BIM") packages and apply CG Visions’ expertise to our existing and future software initiatives.

Europe

In January 2017, we acquired Gbo Fastening Systems for approximately $10.2 million. Gbo Fastening Systems manufactures and sells a complete line of European approved CE-marked structural fasteners, mostly in northern and eastern Europe, which we expect to eventually distribute and sell in western Europe. We have begun distributing intoconcerning the Nordic countries wood connector products that were manufactured in the Company's manufacturing facilities in western Europe. Further, we expect to access Gbo Fastening Systems' expertise in product development and testing, and proficiency in fastener manufacturing and surface treatment, to strengthen Gbo Fastening Systems' global presence and contribute engineering expertise in automatic fastening systems and fastener collation to help broaden its fastener and structural connectors lines.

In July 2017, the Company entered into an agreement to sell allseverity of the outstanding shares in Gbo Fastening Systems' Poland and Romania subsidiaries ("Gbo Poland" and "Gbo Romania", respectively). The sale of Gbo Poland closed on September 29, 2017,outbreak and the saleeffectiveness of Gbo Romania closed on Octoberactions globally to contain or mitigate its effects. The current level of uncertainty over the economic and operational impacts of COVID-19 means the related financial impact cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. Our consolidated financial statements and discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations reflect estimates and assumptions made by management as of March 31, 2017. The Company2020. Events and changes in circumstances arising after March 31, 2020, including those resulting from the impacts of COVID-19, will retain Gbo Fastening Systems' operationsbe reflected in Sweden and Norway.management’s estimates for future periods. For further discussion of this matter, refer “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part II of this Form 10-Q.


ERP Integration


In July 2016, our Board of Directors (the "Board"“Board”) approved a plan to replace our current in-house enterprise resource planning ("ERP"(“ERP”) and externally sourced accounting platforms with a fully integrated ERP platform from SAP America, Inc. ("SAP"(“SAP”) in multiple phases by location over a period of three to four years at all facilities plus our headquarters, with a focus on configuring,

instead of customizing, the standard SAP modules.

We anticipatewent live with our first wave of the ERPSAP implementation project in February of 2018, and we implemented SAP at three additional locations in 2019 and 2020. We are tracking toward rolling out SAP technology in our remaining North America branches by late 2020, and companywide completion of the SAP roll-out is currently targeted for the end of 2021. Meeting the 2021 goal is highly dependent on the lifting of current travel restrictions, which are the result of COVID-19. While we believe the SAP implementation will cost approximately $30 millionbe beneficial to $34 million through 2019, including capital expenditures. Annualthe Company over time, annual operating expenses willhave and are expected to continue to increase from 2017 tothrough 2024 as a result of the ERP project, partlySAP implementation, primarily due to increases in training costs and the amortizationdepreciation of relatedpreviously capitalized costs.

We believe that the ERP project has progressed well in the first nine months of 2017 and is currently on track and on budget. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, we have capitalized $8.3$19.4 million and expensed $29.3 million of the costs, including depreciation of capitalized costs associated with the ERP project. We expect to go live with our first locations in the first quarter of 2018. We anticipate that, as the project progresses further into 2018, we will spend more time and resources in training our staff for the new platform, as opposed to configuring the SAP modules, and we expect to record the cost associated with such training as expense.


Business Segment Information


OurHistorically our North America segment has generated more revenues primarily from wood construction products compared to concrete construction products. Due to improvedDuring most of the first quarter of 2020, favorable economic conditions includingand weather resulted in higher than projected single-family housing starts and increased wood construction product sales volumes over the same time period of 2019, which had extremely wet weather and lower single family housing starts. Our wood construction product net sales increased 14.5% for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 compared to March 31, 2019, primarily due to increased sales volumes. Our concrete construction product net sales increased 1.4% for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 compared to March 31, 2019 due to lower volumes higher average prices. Operating profits increased due to higher sales, lower cost of goods sold, mostly due to lower material and factory and overhead costs, and flat operating expenses. In operating expenses, a reduction in stock-based compensation expense was partly offset by an increase in housing starts, net sales in regions of the segment have trended up, primarily due to increases in unit sales volumes and an approximately 4% price increase for our connector products in the United Stated effective on December 1, 2016, as well as added revenues from CG Visions. See “North America” below. Our truss sales decreased slightly in the third quarter of 2017. Our truss specialists continue to convert small to medium size truss customers to our design and management software in 2017.cash profit sharing expense.

During the third quarter of 2016, we initiated a multi-year plan to increase our North America factory production efficiency, aiming to achieve a 75% factory utilization rate on two full shifts by moving high-volume connector production from both our Riverside and Western Canada facilities to our other three manufacturing locations in North America. As of September 30, 2017, we had relocated 100% of our planned high-volume connector production. Our factory utilization was approximately 45% when this project began and we are currently operating at approximately 60% factory utilization. Based on current information and subject to future events and circumstances, we estimate this transition will save approximately $3.0 million per year, mostly in production costs. Both the Riverside and Western Canada locations will continue as sales and distribution locations, and maintain the capability to manufacture custom orders to continue to meet the Company's service and product availability commitments to customers in the Southwestern region of the United States and Western region of Canada.

In late 2016, we collaborated with The Home Depot, Inc. (“The Home Depot”) to roll out our mechanical anchor line of products that are available at The Home Depot. This collaboration increased a portion of our finished goods inventory and we expect to continue to introduce our mechanical anchor line of products through approximately 1,900 of The Home Depot store locations throughout 2017 and beyond. Once the rollout is completed, we anticipate this opportunity will meaningfully contribute to our concrete business lines going forward and estimate that on an annualized basis it could potentially increase our net sales by approximately $30 million. In addition, we are presenting the BIM platform acquired from CG Visions to various builders to showcase the software and for us to determine which modules and services that builders might be interested in using to support their business.


Our Europe segment also generates more revenues from wood construction products than concrete construction products. Europe net sales decreased primarily due to the effects of COVID-19, which was primarily due to a number of countries issuing home and shelter orders ahead of the United States and also due to a decreased number concrete jobs in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019. Wood construction product sales increased 67% indecreased 6.8% for the third quarter of 2017ended March 31, 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2016, primarily due to the acquisition of Gbo Fastening Systems.March 31, 2019. Concrete construction product sales are mostly project based, and net sales increased 11% indecreased 17.8% for the third quarter of 2017ended March 31, 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2016, primarilyMarch 31, 2019. Europe net sales were negatively affected by approximately $1.0 million in foreign currency translations due to Europe currencies weakening against the completion of large projects during the third quarter of 2017. We are uncertain whether concrete construction product net sales will continueUnited States dollar. Gross margins improved slightly, mostly due to grow at this pacelower material costs while operating expenses increased $0.4 million for the remainder of 2017. In connection with the Gbo Fastening Systems acquisition, we estimated demand for wood connector products for the Nordic regionquarter ended March 31, 2020 compared to March 31, 2019, which was partly due to increased severance and have placed inventory in Sweden. Our Western European locations are working on sales and marketing plans for a complete line of fastener products and expect to introduce them to our customers by the end of 2017. See “Europe” below.intangible amortization expense.


Our Asia/Pacific segment has generated revenues from both wood and concrete construction products. We have closed our sales offices located in China, Thailand and Dubai; and discontinued our selling activities in Hong Kong, due to continued losses in the regions. We believe that the Asia/Pacific segment is not significant to our overall performance.


As of the date of issuance of the financial statements, April 2020 sales decreased approximately 15% percent compared to March 2020 sales, driven by the COVID-19 related economic slowdown.
(1)When referred to above, the Company’s return on invested capital (“ROIC”) for a fiscal year is calculated based on (i) the net income of that year as presented in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations prepared pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”), as divided by (ii) the average of the sum of the total stockholders’ equity and the total long-term liabilities at the beginning of and at the end of such year, as presented in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets prepared pursuant to GAAP for that applicable year. As such, the Company’s ROIC, a ratio or statistical measure, is calculated using exclusively financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP.



Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2019
 
Unless otherwise stated, the below results, announced below, when providing comparisons (which are generally indicated by words such as “increased,” “decreased,” “unchanged” or “compared to”), compare the results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, against the results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2019. Unless otherwise stated, the results announced below, when referencing “both quarters,” refer to the three months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2019 and the three months ended September 30, 2017. To avoid fractional percentages, all percentages presented below were rounded to the nearest whole number.March 31, 2020.


Unless otherwise stated, the Company’s results below, when referencing “recent acquisitions,” refer to the August 2016 acquisition of Multi Services Dêcoupe S.A. ("MS Decoupe") and the January 2017 acquisitions of Gbo Fastening Systems and CG Visions; when referencing “recently acquired businesses,” refer to MS Decoupe, Gbo Fastening Systems and/or CG Visions, as applicable; and when referencing “acquired net sales,” refer to net sales of such acquired businesses, as applicable. When referencing the “recent North America acquisition,” the Company’s results below refer to the CG Vision acquisition; and when referencing “recent Europe acquisitions,” refer to the MS Decoupe and Gbo Fastening Systems acquisitions.

ThirdFirst Quarter 20172020 Consolidated Financial Highlights


The following table illustrates the differences in the our operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, from the three months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2019, and the increases or decreases for each category by segment:
 
Three Months Ended         Three Months EndedThree Months Ended Three Months Ended
 Increase (Decrease) in Operating Segment Increase (Decrease) in Operating Segment
September 30, North   Asia/ Admin & September 30,March 31,North Asia/Admin &March 31,
(in thousands)2016 America Europe Pacific All Other 20172019AmericaEuropePacificAll Other2020
Net sales$230,974
 $15,795
 $15,652
 $55
 $
 $262,476
$259,244
$27,619
$(3,048)$(147)$
$283,668
Cost of sales117,499
 13,691
 11,084
 357
 (40) 142,591
148,990
7,221
(2,194)5
(20)154,002
Gross profit113,475
 2,104
 4,568
 (302) 40
 119,885
110,254
20,398
(854)(152)20
129,666
Research and development and other engineering expense10,932
 (2,331) 116
 (38) 
 8,679
12,260
1,153
7
(27)(11)13,382
Selling expense24,304
 2,007
 1,839
 6
 
 28,156
28,112
449
93
(102)(25)28,527
General and administrative expense32,543
 2,892
 1,384
 173
 (491) 36,501
39,549
(1,590)344
41
127
38,471
Loss (gain) on sale of assets(81) (80) (11) 25
 
 (147)
Total operating expenses79,921
12
444
(88)91
80,380
Net loss (gain) on disposal of assets310
(361)(12)(1)
(64)
Income from operations45,777

(384)
1,240

(468)
531
 46,696
30,023
20,747
(1,286)(63)(71)49,350
Loss in equity method investment, before tax
 (13) 
 
 
 (13)
Interest expense, net(82) 23
 (249) 30
 (18) (296)
Gain (adjustment) on bargain purchase of a business
 
 (2,052) 
 
 (2,052)
Gain on disposal of a business
   443
   
 443
Interest expense, net and other(763)(733)(1,390)180
173
(2,533)
Income before income taxes45,695
 (374) (618) (438) 513
 44,778
29,260
20,014
(2,676)117
102
46,817
Provision for income taxes15,898
 (657) 433
 (123) 1,030
 16,581
6,598
3,809
(486)53
17
9,991
Net income$29,797
 $283
 $(1,051) $(315) $(517) $28,197
$22,662
$16,205
$(2,190)$64
$85
$36,826
 
Net sales increased 14%9.4% to $262.5$283.7 million from $231.0$259.2 million. Recently acquired businesses accounted for $15.8 million (50%) of the increase in net sales. Net sales to contractor distributors,home centers, dealer distributors, home centerslumber dealers and lumber dealerscontract distributors increased primarily due to increased home construction activity and average netincreases in sales unit prices.volumes. Wood construction product net sales, including sales of connectors, truss plates, fastening systems, fasteners and shearwalls, represented 86% and 84% of the Company's total net sales in the thirdfirst quarters of 20172020 and 2016,2019, respectively. Concrete construction product net sales, including sales of adhesives, chemicals, mechanical anchors, powder actuated tools and reinforcing fiber materials, represented 14% and 16% of the Company's total net sales in the thirdfirst quarters of 20172020 and 2016,2019, respectively.



Gross profit increased 17.6% to $129.7 million from $110.3 million. Gross margins increased to $119.9 million45.7% from $113.5 million.42.5%, primarily due to lower material and factory and overhead expense (on higher production), partly offset by higher warehouse, labor and shipping expense each as a percentage of net sales. Gross profit margins decreased to 46% from 49%. Recently acquired businesses had an average gross profit margin of 31% in the third quarter of 2017. The gross profit margins, including some inter-segment expenses, which were eliminated in consolidation, and excluding other expenses that are allocated according to product group, decreasedincreased to 46%47.5% from 50%44.7% for wood construction products and increased to 35%45.3% from 32%39.4% for concrete construction products.products, respectively.


Research and development and engineering expense decreased 21% increased 9.2% to $8.7$13.4 million from $10.9$12.3 million, mostlyprimarily due to a reclassificationincreases of $2.5 million year-to-date expenses associated with recent the North America acquisition from engineering expense to selling expense and general and administrative expense as well decreases of $0.4$0.6 million in cash profit sharing expense and $0.3$0.4 million in stock-based compensation expense.personnel costs.


Selling expense increased 16%1.5% to $28.2$28.5 million from $24.3$28.1 million, primarily due to increases of $3.2$1.7 million in cash profit sharing and sales commission expense, $0.7 million in personnel costs, $0.8 million in advertising costs and $0.6 million in amortization expense, which was partly offset by decreases of $0.7$0.3 million in advertising and promotion expense and $0.2 million in professional fees.

General and administrative expense decreased 2.7% to $38.5 million from $39.5 million, primarily due to decreases of $2.4 million in stock-based compensation expense and $0.5 million in cash profit sharing expense. Recent acquisitions increased selling expense by $2.0 million, including the reclassification of $0.3 million year-to-date expenses associated with the North America acquisition from engineering expense to selling.

General and administrative expense increased 12% to $36.5 million from $32.5 million, primarily due to increases of $4.0 million in personnel costs, $1.6 million in depreciation expense, $1.0 million in professional fees, and $0.7 million in software licensing and maintenance and hosting expense, which wasincluding consulting fees, partly offset by decreasesincreases of $2.4$1.5 million in personnel expense, $1.4 million in cash profit sharing expense on lower income from operations (or "operating income") and reduced payouts under our executive officer cash profit sharing plan and $1.0$0.7 million in stock-based compensation. Recent acquisitions increasedbad debt expense. Included in general and administrative expenses by $5.2 million, including the reclassificationexpense are SAP implementation and support costs of $2.2 million year-to-date expenses, associated with the North America acquisition from engineering expense to selling expense.

Gain (adjustment) on bargain purchase of a business - On January 3, 2017, we acquired Gbo Fastening Systems for approximately $10.2 million. This transaction was recorded as a business combination and resulted in a preliminary bargain purchase gain estimate of $8.4$3.4 million, which represented an estimate ofincreased $1.0 million from the excess fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed over the consideration exchanged as of the acquisition date. In the third quarter of 2017, we completed our estimate of the fair value for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and concluded that the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed was $16.5 million, which resulted in an adjusted bargain purchase gain of $6.3 million and a decrease of the bargain purchase gain of $2.1 million. This nonrecurring, non-operating income gain adjustment is included in the line item “Gain (adjustment) on bargain purchase of a business” in our results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2017.prior quarter.


Gain on a disposal of a business - On September 29, 2017, we sold all of the outstanding shares of Gbo Poland for approximately $10.2 million, resulting in a gain of $0.4 million (both amounts are subject to post-closing adjustments).
Our effective income tax rate increaseddecreased to 37%21.3% from 35%22.5%, primarily due to a reductionwindfall tax credit on the vesting of restricted stock units during the nonrecurring gain on a bargain purchase related to the Gbo Fastening Systems acquisition (see "Gain (adjustment) on bargain purchasefirst quarter of a business" above), which 2020.

Consolidated net income was not taxable.

Net income was $28.2$36.8 million compared to $29.8$22.7 million. Diluted net income per common share was $0.59$0.83 compared to $0.62. The decrease in net income was primarily due to the $2.1 million reduction on the nonrecurring bargain purchase gain (see "Gain (adjustment) on bargain purchase of a business" above), which decreased diluted net income by $0.04 per common share.$0.50.


Net sales
 
The following table represents net sales by segment for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2020 and 2017,2019, respectively:
 North   Asia/  
(in thousands)America Europe Pacific Total
Three months ended 
  
  
  
September 30, 2016197,459
 31,485
 2,030
 $230,974
September 30, 2017213,254
 47,137
 2,085
 262,476
Increase$15,795
 $15,652
 $55
 $31,502
Percentage increase8% 50% 3% 14%
 North   Asia/  
(in thousands)America Europe Pacific Total
Three months ended 
  
  
  
March 31, 2019$221,431
 $35,780
 $2,033
 $259,244
March 31, 2020249,050
 32,732
 1,886
 283,668
Increase (decrease)$27,619
 $(3,048) $(147) $24,424
Percentage Increase (decrease)12.5% (8.5)% (7.2)% 9.4%


28




The following table represents segment net sales as percentages of total net sales for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2020 and 2017,2019, respectively:
 
 
North
America
 Europe 
Asia/
Pacific
 Total
Percentage of total 2016 net sales85% 14% 1% 100%
Percentage of total 2017 net sales81% 18% 1% 100%
 
North
America
 Europe 
Asia/
Pacific
 Total
Percentage of total 2019 net sales85% 14% 1% 100%
Percentage of total 2020 net sales88% 12% % 100%
 

24



Gross profit
 
The following table represents gross profit by segment for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2020 and 2017,2019, respectively:
 
North   Asia/ Admin &  North   Asia/ Admin &  
(in thousands)America Europe Pacific All Other TotalAmerica Europe Pacific All Other Total
Three months ended 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
September 30, 2016$99,524
 $13,500
 $511
 $(60) $113,475
September 30, 2017101,628
 18,068
 209
 (20) 119,885
March 31, 2019$98,397
 $11,555
 $319
 $(17) $110,254
March 31, 2020118,795
 10,701
 167
 3
 129,666
Increase (decrease)$2,104
 $4,568
 $(302) $40
 $6,410
$20,398
 $(854) $(152) $20
 $19,412
Percentage increase2% 34% *
 *
 6%
Percentage Increase (decrease)20.7% (7.4)% *
 *
 17.6%
* The statistic is not meaningful or material.
 
The following table represents gross profit as a percentage of sales by segment for the three months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2020 and 2017,2019, respectively:
 
(in thousand)
North
America
 Europe 
Asia/
Pacific
 
Admin &
All Other
 Total
2016 gross profit percentage50% 43% 25% * 49%
2017 gross profit percentage48% 38% 10% * 46%
 
North
America
 Europe 
Asia/
Pacific
 
Admin &
All Other
 Total
2019 gross profit percentage44.4% 32.3% 15.7% * 42.5%
2020 gross profit percentage47.7% 32.7% 8.9% * 45.7%
* The statistic is not meaningful or material.


North America


Net sales increased 8%12.5%, primarily due to increases in average net sales unit prices as well as in sales volumes. Canada's net sales increased for the quarter primarily due to increased sales volumes. Canada's net sales were not significantlynegatively affected by foreign currency translation.


Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreasedincreased to 48%47.7% from 50%44.4% primarily due to increasedlower material costs and factory and overhead costs (on higher production), partly offset by higher warehouse, labor and labor expenses.shipping expense, each as a percentage of net sales.


Research and development and engineering expense decreased $2.3increased $1.2 million, primarily due to a $2.5 million reclassificationan increases of year-to-date expenses associated with the recent North America acquisition from engineering expense to selling and general and administrative expense as well as decreases of $0.5$0.7 million in cash profit sharing expense and $0.3$0.4 million in stock-based compensation.personnel costs.


Selling expense increased $2.0$0.4 million, primarily due to increases of $1.7$1.9 million in cash profit sharing and sales commission expense and $0.6 million in personnel costs, $0.7 million in advertising costs and $0.6 million in amortization expense, which was partly offset by decreases of $1.1 million in stock-based compensation, $0.4 million in advertising and promotional expenses and $0.2 million in professional fees.

General and administrative expense decreased $1.6 million, primarily due to decreases of $2.4 million in stock-based compensation and $2.0 million in professional fees, partly offset by increases of $1.6 million in personnel expense mostly from increased SAP implementation expenses, $0.7 million in stock based compensationbad debt expense and $0.5$0.7 million in cash profit sharing expense. The recent North America acquisition increased selling expense by $0.3 million, due to the reclassification of year-to-date expenses associated with the recent North America acquisition from engineering expense to selling expense.


29



GeneralIncluded in general and administrative expense are SAP related costs of $2.7 million, which increased $2.9$0.7 million from the prior quarter.

Income from operations increased by $20.7 million, primarily due to the $2.2 million reclassification of year-to-date expenses associated with the recent North America acquisition from engineering expense to general and administrative expense as well as an increase of $1.6 million in depreciation expense, partly offset by decreases of $1.7 million in cash profit sharing expense and $0.6 million in stock-based compensation.

Income from operations decreased $0.4 million mostly due to increased operating expenses, which was partially offset by increased gross profits.profit.


Europe


Net sales increased 50%decreased 8.5%, primarily due to acquired netlower sales of $14.3 million,volumes, which accounted for 92% ofwas partly related to the increase in net sales in Europe.COVID-19 pandemic. Net sales were positively affectedimpacted by approximately $1.3$1.0 million inof negative foreign currency translations primarily related to the strengthening of the Euro and Polish zlotyresulting from some Europe currencies weakening against the United States dollar. In local currency, Europe net sales decreased.


25



Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 32.7% from 32.3%, primarily due to increased averagedecreases in material costs, partly offset by higher labor, factory and overhead costs, shipping and warehouse costs, each as a percentage of net sales unit prices.sales.


Gross profit margin decreased to 38% from 43% primarily due to the recent Europe acquisitions, which had an average gross profit margin of 24% in the third quarter of 2017.

SellingGeneral and administrative expense increased $1.8$0.3 million, primarily due to increases of $0.2 million cash profit sharing expense and $0.2 million in severance expense, partly offset by an increase of $1.4$0.1 million in personnelamortization expense on intangibles acquired in fiscal year 2019. Included in general and administrative expense are SAP related costs mostly related to the recent Europe acquisitions,of $0.6 million, which increased selling expense by $1.7 million.$0.4 million from the prior quarter.


IncomeLoss from operations increased $1.2was $1.7 million mostlycompared to a loss of $0.4 million, primarily due to lower net sales and increased gross profit, partially offset by higher operating expenses.


Asia/Pacific


For information about the Company's Asia/Pacific segment, please refer to the tabletables above setting forth changes in our operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016.2019, respectively.


Administrative and All Other

General and administrative expenses decreased primarily due to a decrease of $0.9 million in cash profit sharing expense.

Business Outlook

Based on current information and subject to future events and circumstances, the Company currently estimates that:

It will recognize severance charges between $3.0 and $3.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Market prices for steel will be stable for the remainder of 2017.
Gross profit margin for the full-year of 2017 will be approximately 45% to 46%.
Depreciation expense for the full-year 2017 will be approximately $28 million to $29 million.
Amortization expense for the full-year 2017 will be approximately $6 million to $7 million.
The effective tax rate for the full-year of 2017 will be between 35% and 36%, affected by the nonrecurring bargain purchase gain recorded in 2017 and the adoption of ASU 2016-09, which requires all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement.


Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017, Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
Unless otherwise stated, the results announced below, when providing comparisons (which are generally indicated by words such as “increased,” “decreased,” “unchanged” or “compared to”), compare the results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, against the results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. Unless otherwise stated, the results announced below refer to the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and the nine months ended September 30, 2017. To avoid fractional percentages, all percentages presented below were rounded to the nearest whole number.

Unless otherwise stated, the Company’s results below, when referencing “recent acquisitions,” refer to the August 2016 acquisition of MS Decoupe and the January 2017 acquisitions of Gbo Fastening Systems and CG Visions; when referencing “recently acquired businesses,” refer to MS Decoupe, Gbo Fastening Systems and/or CG Visions, as applicable; and when referencing “acquired net

30



sales,” refer to net sales of such acquired businesses, as applicable. When referencing the “recent North America acquisition,” the Company’s results below refer to the CG Vision acquisition; and when referencing “recent Europe acquisitions,” refer to the MS Decoupe and Gbo Fastening Systems acquisitions.

Year-to-Date (9-month) 2017 Consolidated Financial Highlights

The following table illustrates the differences in our operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, from the nine months ended September 30, 2016, and the increases or decreases for each category by segment:
 Nine Months Ended Increase (Decrease) in Operating Segment Nine Months Ended
 September 30, North   Asia/ Admin & September 30,
(in thousands)2016 America Europe Pacific All Other 2017
Net sales660,470
 $43,567
 $40,749
 $559
 $
 $745,345
Cost of sales342,985
 27,405
 29,562
 1,762
 65
 401,779
Gross profit317,485
 16,162
 11,187
 (1,203) (65) 343,566
Research and development and other engineering expense33,807
 876
 349
 19
 
 35,051
Selling expense74,313
 6,750
 4,921
 166
 
 86,150
General and administrative expense96,786
 10,039
 2,668
 253
 (1,697) 108,049
Gain on sale of assets(763) 673
 (14) (43) 
 (147)
Income from operations113,342

(2,176)
3,263

(1,598)
1,632
 114,463
Loss in equity method investment, before tax
 (53) 
 
 
 (53)
Interest expense, net(400) 109
 (257) 248
 (385) (685)
Gain (adjustment) on bargain purchase of a business
 
 6,336
 
 
 6,336
Gain on disposal of a business
 
 443
 
 
 443
Income before income taxes112,942
 (2,120) 9,785
 (1,350) 1,247
 120,504
Provision for income taxes40,601
 86
 885
 (489) (111) 40,972
Net income$72,341
 $(2,206) $8,900
 $(861) $1,358
 $79,532
Net sales increased 13% to 745.3 million from $660.5 million. Recent acquisitions accounted for $43.4 million (51%) of the increase in net sales. Net sales to dealer distributors, lumber dealers, contractor distributors and home centers increased, primarily due to increased home construction activity and average net unit price. Wood construction product net sales, including sales of connectors, truss plates, fastening systems, fasteners and shearwalls, represented 86% and 85% of the Company's total net sales in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, respectively. Concrete construction product net sales, including sales of adhesives, chemicals, mechanical anchors, powder actuated tools and reinforcing fiber materials, represented 14% and 15% of the Company's total net sales in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Gross profit increased to $343.6 million from $317.5 million. Gross profit margins decreased to 46% from 48%. Recently acquired businesses had an average gross profit margin of 31% in the first nine months of 2017. The gross profit margins, including some inter-segment expenses, which were eliminated in consolidation, and excluding other expenses that are allocated according to product group, decreased to 47% from 49% for wood construction products and decreased to 34% from 36% for concrete construction products.

Research and development and engineering expense increased 4% to $35.1 million from $33.8 million primarily due to increases of $1.1 million in personnel costs mainly attributable to the addition of staff and pay rate increases instituted on January 1, 2017, and $0.5 million in product development and support, partly offset by a decrease of $0.6 million in cash profit sharing on lower operating income.

Selling and marketing expense increased 16% to $86.2 million from $74.3 million primarily due to recent acquisitions, which increased selling expense by $5.5 million, as well as increases of $3.8 million in personnel costs, $2.7 million in point of purchase, trade show and sale promotion costs and $0.7 million in amortization expense, partly offset by a decrease of $0.9 million in cash profit sharing costs on lower operating income.

31




General and administrative expense increased 12% to $108.0 million from $96.8 million primarily due to increases of $6.8 million in personnel costs mostly related to recent acquisitions and the addition of staff and pay rate increases instituted on January 1, 2017, $5.3 million in legal and professional fees mostly related to strategic initiatives such as software and systems integration and compensation and governance changes, $3.4 million in software licensing, maintenance and hosting fees, $1.5 million in stock-based compensation and $0.9 million in depreciation expense, which was partly offset by a decrease of $5.1 million in cash profit sharing expense on lower operating income and reduced payouts under our executive officer cash profit sharing plan as well as an increase of $1.9 million from favorable net foreign currency translations. Recently acquired businesses were responsible for $8.3 million of the total increase in general and administrative expenses.

Gain (adjustment) on bargain purchase of a business - On January 3, 2017, we acquired Gbo Fastening Systems for approximately $10.2 million. This transaction was recorded as a business combination in accordance with the business acquisition method. We recorded a bargain purchase gain of $6.3 million, which represents an estimate of the excess fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed over the consideration exchanged as of the acquisition date. This nonrecurring, non-operating income gain is included in the line item “Gain (adjustment) on bargain purchase of a business” in our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Gain on a disposal of a business - On September 29, 2017, we sold all of the outstanding shares of Gbo Poland for approximately $10.2 million, resulting in a gain of $0.4 million (both amounts are subject to post-closing adjustments).
Our effective income tax rate decreased to 34% from 36%. The decrease was primarily due to a nonrecurring gain on a bargain purchase related to the Gbo Fastening Systems acquisition, which was not taxable, and the adoption of ASU 2016-09 in 2017 as highlighted above.

Net income was $79.5 million compared to $72.3 million. Diluted net income per common share was $1.66 compared to $1.49. The increase in net income was primarily due to the nonrecurring $6.3 million gain on a bargain purchase, which increased diluted net income by $0.13 per common share.

Net sales
The following table represents net sales by segment for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2017, respectively:
 North   Asia/  
(in thousands)America Europe Pacific Total
Nine Months Ended 
  
  
  
September 30, 2016569,198
 86,003
 5,269
 $660,470
September 30, 2017612,765
 126,752
 5,828
 745,345
Increase$43,567
 $40,749
 $559
 $84,875
Percentage increase8% 47% 11% 13%

The following table represents segment net sales as percentages of total net sales for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2017, respectively:
 
North
America
 Europe 
Asia/
Pacific
 Total
Percentage of total 2016 net sales86% 13% 1% 100%
Percentage of total 2017 net sales82% 17% 1% 100%



32



Gross profit
The following table represents gross profit by segment for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2017, respectively:
 North   Asia/ Admin &  
(in thousands)America Europe Pacific All Other Total
Nine Months Ended 
  
  
  
  
September 30, 2016280,940
 34,746
 1,867
 (68) $317,485
September 30, 2017297,102
 45,933
 664
 (133) 343,566
Increase (decrease)$16,162
 $11,187
 $(1,203) $(65) $26,081
Percentage increase6% 32% *
 *
 8%
* The statistic is not meaningful or material.
The following table represents gross profit as a percentage of sales by segment for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2017, respectively:
(in thousand)
North
America
 Europe 
Asia/
Pacific
 
Admin &
All Other
 Total
2016 gross profit percentage49% 40% 35% * 48%
2017 gross profit percentage49% 36% 11% * 46%
* The statistic is not meaningful or material.

North America

Net sales increased 8% mostly due to increased average unit price in the United States and increased overall sales volumes. Canada's net sales increased primarily due to increased sales volumes on flat average net sales unit prices. Canada's net sales were not significantly affected by foreign currency translation. The recent North America acquisition increased net sales by $4.5 million.

Gross profit margin was unchanged at 49% as the effect of increased average net sales unit prices was offset by increases in factory and overhead expenses.

Research and development and engineering expense increased $0.9 million primarily due to increases of $0.8 million in personnel costs mainly related to the addition of staff and pay rate increases instituted on January 1, 2017, and $0.5 million in product development and support, partly offset by a decrease of $0.7 million in cash profit sharing expense.

Selling expense increased $6.8 million, primarily due to increases of $3.8 million in personnel costs mostly related to the addition of staff and pay rate increases instituted on January 1, 2017, $2.7 million in point of purchase, trade show and sale promotion costs and $0.7 million in amortization expense, partly offset by a decrease of $0.9 million in cash profit sharing costs on lower operating income.

General and administrative expense increased $10.0 million, primarily due to increases of $4.7 million in personnel costs, mostly related to the North America acquisition and the addition of staff and pay rate increases instituted on January 1, 2017, $4.9 million in legal and professional fees, mostly related to strategic initiatives such as software and systems integration and compensation and governance changes, $3.0 million in software licensing, maintenance and hosting fees, $0.9 million in stock-based compensation, $0.8 million in depreciation expense and $0.5 million in intangible amortization expense, partly offset by a decrease of $3.3 million in cash profit sharing expense. The recent North America acquisition increased general and administrative expense by $4.6 million.

Income from operations decreased $2.2 million, mostly due to increased operating expenses, which were partially offset by higher gross profit.


33



Europe

Net sales increased 47% primarily due acquired net sales of $39.0 million, which accounted for 96% of the total increase. Net sales were negatively affected by approximately $1.0 million in foreign currency translations primarily related to the weakening of the British pound against the United States dollar beginning in the latter half of 2016.

Gross profit margin decreased to 36% from 40% primarily due to our recent Europe acquisitions. The acquired businesses in Europe had an average gross profit margin of 24% in the first nine months of 2017.

Selling expense increased $4.9 million primarily due to an increase of $3.9 million in personnel costs mostly related to acquisitions and the addition of staff. The recent Europe acquisitions increased selling expense by $5.1 million.

General and administrative expense increased $2.7 million primarily due to increases of $1.6 million in personnel costs, mostly related to the addition of staff and pay rate increases instituted on January 1, 2017, $0.8 million in cash profit sharing expense, $0.8 million in software licensing and data processing fees, $0.4 million in professional fees and $0.3 million in stock based compensation, partly offset by the benefit from $2.0 million in net foreign currency translation in the current period. Recent Europe acquisitions increased general and administrative expense by $3.7 million.

Income from operations increased $3.3 million, mostly due to increased gross profits, which were partially offset by higher operating expenses.

Asia/Pacific

For information about the Company's Asia/Pacific segment, please refer to the table above setting forth changes in our operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

Administrative and All Other

General and administrative expenses decreased, primarily due to a decrease of $2.4 million in cash profit sharing expense, partly offset by increases of $0.7 million in personnel costs and $0.3 million in stock based compensation.


Effect of New Accounting Standards


See "Note 1 Basis of Presentation - Recently Adopted Accounting Standards” and “Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted” to the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.


Liquidity and Sources of Capital


The Company is a borrower, and certain of its domestic subsidiaries are guarantors under a revolving credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. as administrative agent, and certain other lenders, which provides the Company with a $300.0 million revolving line of credit (the “Credit Facility”), and an irrevocable standby letter of credit in support of various insurance deductibles.

As previously disclosed, as a proactive measure, the Company elected to draw down $150.0 million from the Credit Facility to increase its cash position and preserve financial flexibility in light of current uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak. The proceeds from the borrowings are available to be used for working capital, general corporate or other purposes permitted by the Credit Facility. Total available credit as of March 31, 2020, was $153.6 million, including the Credit Facility and other revolving credit lines.

Given current circumstances, the Company has temporarily suspended until further notice its capital allocation strategy first announced in August 2015 and updated in August 2016, which included growing our business by internal improvements and repurchasing our common stock. Our primary sourcescurrent principal use of liquidity are cash and cash equivalents, our cash flow from operations and our $300.0 million credit facility that expires on July 23, 2021. As of September 30, 2017, there were no amounts outstanding under this facility. We also received proceeds through the exercise of stock options by our employees. Our outstanding stock options, all of which are currently in-the-money, will expire by February 2018 if not exercised by then. As a result, we anticipate that we will receive up to $3.9 million from stock option exercises through that time.

Our principal uses of liquidity include the costs and expenses associated with our operations, continuing our capital allocation strategy, which includes growing our business by internal improvements, repurchasing our common stock, paying cash dividends, and meeting other liquidity requirements for the next twelve months.operations.


As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, our cash and cash equivalents consisted of deposits and money market funds held with established national financial institutions. Cash and cash equivalents of $86.3$53.1 million are held in the local currencies of our foreign operations and could be subject to additional taxation if it were repatriated to the United States. We have no current plansThe Company is maintaining a permanent reinvestment assertion on its foreign earnings relative to repatriateremaining cash and cash equivalents held outside the United States, as it is expected to be used to fund future international growth and acquisitions.States.


The following table presents selected financial information as of September 30, 2017 and 2016, andMarch 31, 2020, December 31, 2016,2019 and March 31, 2019, respectively:

34



 At September 30, At December 31, At September 30, At March 31, At December 31, At March 31,
(in thousands) 2017 2016 2016 2020 2019 2019
            
Cash and cash equivalents $204,171
 $226,537
 $218,720
 $301,741
 $230,210
 $113,407
Property, plant and equipment, net 265,178
 232,810
 229,670
 246,941
 249,012
 251,398
Goodwill, intangible assets and equity investment 169,945
 149,843
 151,474
 157,527
 159,430
 158,371
Working capital 478,961
 476,451
 475,582
 589,132
 482,000
 425,160






26



The following table provides cash flow indicators for the nine-monththree-month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, respectively:
 Nine Months Ended September 30, Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands) 2017 2016 2020 2019
Net cash provided by (used in):        
Operating activities $84,591
 $66,883
 $12,725
 $9,648
Investing activities (62,797) (34,017) (6,234) (10,806)
Financing activities (49,342) (75,945) 68,567
 (45,466)


Cash flows from operating activities result primarily from our earnings, and are also affected by changes in operating assets and liabilities which consist primarily of working capital balances. As a significant portion of our revenues are derived from manufacturing building construction materials, manufacturer, our operating cash flows are subject to seasonality and are cyclically associated with the volume and timing of construction project starts. For example, trade accounts receivable net, is generally at its lowest at the end of the fourth quarter and increases during the first, second and third quarters.


During the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, operating activities provided $84.6$12.7 million in cash and cash equivalents, as a result of $79.5$36.8 million from net income and $34.5$14.1 million from non-cash adjustments to net income, which includesincluded depreciation and amortization expense, stock-based compensation expense, a nonrecurring gain on a bargain purchase of a business and changesexpense. The increase in deferred income taxes,net cash provided by operating activities was partly offset by a decrease of $29.4$38.2 million in the net change in operating assets and liabilities, including an increase of $40.6$32.2 million in trade accounts receivable, net.receivable. Cash used in investing activities of $62.8$6.2 million during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020 consisted primarily of $45.1$6.8 million for property, plant and equipment expenditures relatedexpenditures. Cash provided by financing activities of $68.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020 consisted primarily of $150.0 million provided by a draw\ on our credit facility, partly offset by $62.7 million used for share repurchases and $10.2 million used to real estate improvements,pay cash dividends.

Cash flow used for investing activities result primarily from the capital expenditures. Our capital spending in 2018, 2019 and the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $29.3 million, $32.7 million and $6.8 million, respectively, which was primarily used for machinery and equipment purchases and software in development, and $27.9 million, net of acquired cash of $4.0 million, for the acquisitions of Gbo Fastening Systems and CG Visions, which was partly offset by $9.6 million, net of delivered cash of $0.6 million, for the sale of all of the equity in Gbo Poland. Cash used in financing activities of $49.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, consisted primarily of $20.0 million recorded for share repurchases and $27.0 million used to pay cash dividends.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, operating activities provided $66.9 million in cash and cash equivalents, as a result of $72.3 million from net income and $31.8 million from non-cash adjustments to net income which included depreciation and amortization expense, stock-based compensation expense, software development write-offs and changes in deferred income taxes, partly offset by a decrease of $41.2 million in the net change in operating assets and liabilities, due to increases of $35.5 million in trade accounts receivable, net, and $23.0 million in inventory. Cash used in investing activities of $34.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, consisted primarily of $29.9 million for property, plant and equipment expenditures, related to real estate improvements, machinery and equipment purchases and software development, and $5.4 million, net of acquired cash of $1.5 million, for the acquisition of MS Decoupe, partly offset by $1.3 million in proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment. Cash used in financing activities of $75.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, consisted primarily of $24.2 million used to pay cash dividends, $53.5 million for share repurchases, including a $50.0 million accelerated share repurchase program, partly offset by $6.7 million received from the issuance of common stock on the exercise of stock options.

Capital Allocation Strategy

We have a strong cash position and remain committed to seeking growth opportunities in the building products range where we can leverage our expertise in engineering, testing, manufacturing and distribution to invest in and grow our business. Those opportunities include internal improvements or acquisitions that fit within our strategic growth plan. Additionally, we have financial flexibility and are committed to providing returns to our stockholders. Below are highlights of our execution on our capital allocation strategy since the beginning of 2016.

35




In August 2016, we acquired all the stock of MS Decoupe (a former customer of one of our subsidiaries) for a net cost of approximately $5.4 million. Our preliminary measurement of MS Decoupe assets acquired included goodwill and intangible assets of $3.1 million. In January 2017, we acquired Gbo Fastening Systems for approximately $10.2 million and CG Visions for approximately $20.8 million subject to specified holdback provisions and post-closing adjustments. Our preliminary measurement of Gbo Fastening Systems' assets acquired resulted in a $6.3 million gain on a bargain purchase of a business. Our preliminary measurement of CG Visions assets acquired included goodwill and intangible assets of $20.4 million. See "Note 1 Basis of Presentation —Acquisitions" to the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

In December 2016, we acquired a 25.0% equity interest in Ruby Sketch Pty Ltd. (“Ruby Sketch”) for $2.5 million, for which we account for our ownership interest using the equity accounting method. See "Note 6 — Investments" to the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

Our capital spending in 2016 was $42.0 million and was primarily used for the purchase and build-out of our West Chicago, Illinois, chemical facility, manufacturing equipment and software development. Our capital spending in the first nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $45.1 million primarily related to our Texas facility expansion (to increase warehouse, office and training center capacity), West Chicago chemical facility improvements, ERP project and Poland facility expansion (to increase production and warehouse capacity). Based on current information and subject to future events and circumstances, we estimate that our full-year 2017postponed new capital spending will be approximately $55for fiscal year 2020 except primarily for safety and equipment replacement projects.

Cash flow provided by financing activities was primarily due to the Company borrowing $150.0 million on its credit facility. During the first quarter of 2020, we used $62.7 million to $60 million, which includes expenditures finishing the work on our Texas facility, as well as for the purchase of manufacturing equipment and development and licensing of software, assuming all such projects will be completed by the end of 2017. Based on current information and subject to future events and circumstances, we estimate that our full-year 2017 depreciation and amortization expense to be approximately $34 million to $36 million, of which approximately $28 million to $29 million is related to depreciation.

On September 28, 2017, the Board declared a cash dividend of $0.21 per share, estimated to be $9.9 million in total. Such dividend is scheduled to be paid on January 25, 2018, to stockholders of record on January 4, 2018.

In February 2016, the Board authorized the Company to repurchase up to $50.0 million of the Company’s common stock in 2016. In August 2016, the Board increased and extended the $50.0 million repurchase authorization from February 2016 by authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $125.0 million of the Company's common stock through December 2017. In August 2017, the Board increased its previous $125.0 million share repurchase authorization by $150.0 million to $275.0 million and extended the authorization from December 2017 to December 2018.

In August 2016, the Company entered into a Supplemental Confirmation with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”) for a $50.0 million accelerated share repurchase program (the “2016 August ASR Program”), which has been completed. In June 2017, the Company entered into another Supplemental Confirmation for a $20.0 million accelerated share repurchase program with Wells Fargo (the “2017 June ASR Program”). During the third quarter of 2017, the Company received 35,887902,340 shares of the Company's common stock pursuanton the open market at an average price of $69.46 per share and we used $10.2 million to pay dividends to our stockholders.

On April 23, 2020, the Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.23 per share, estimated to be $10.2 million in total. The dividend will be payable on July 23, 2020, to the 2017 June ASR Program, which constitutedCompany's stockholders of record on July 2, 2020.

As illustrated in the final delivery thereunder. In total,table below, since 2014, the Company received 460,887has repurchased over seven-and-a-half million shares of the Company's common stock, under the 2017 June ASR Program at an average pricewhich represents approximately 15.4% of $43.39 per share.

The following table presents cash used to pay our dividends and to repurchase shares of our common stock foroutstanding at the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 andbeginning of 2015. Including dividends, we have returned cash of $604.3 million, which represents 84.6% of our total cash flow from operations during the twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, in aggregated amounts:same period.


(in thousands)Dividends Paid Open Market Share Repurchases Accelerated Share Repurchases TotalNumber of Shares Repurchased Cash Paid for Share Repurchases Cash paid for Dividends Total
January 1 - September 30, 2017$27,044
 $
 $20,000
 $47,044
January 1 - April 30, 2020902
 $62,679
 $20,400
 $83,079
January 1 - December 31, 2019972
 60,816
 40,258
 101,074
January 1 - December 31, 20181,955
 110,540
 39,891
 150,431
January 1 - December 31, 20171,138
 70,000
 36,981
 106,981
January 1 - December 31, 201632,711
 3,502
 50,000
 86,213
1,244
 53,502
 32,711
 86,213
January 1 - December 31, 201529,352
 22,144
 25,000
 76,496
1,339
 47,144
 29,352
 76,496
Total$89,107
 $25,646
 $95,000
 $209,753
7,550
 $404,681
 $199,593
 $604,274



27



Given current circumstances, the Company has temporarily suspended its share repurchase program as of March 31, 2020. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, approximately $201.5$37.3 million remained available under the $275.0$100.0 million repurchase authorization, from August 2017.which expires December 31, 2020.


36




Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements


We did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2017.March 31, 2020.


Inflation and Raw Materials


We believe that the effect of inflation has not been material in recent years, as general inflation rates have remained relatively low. Our main raw material is steel. As such, increases in steel prices may adversely affect our gross profit margin if we cannot recover the higher costs through price increases.




Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
 
We have operations both within the United States and internationally, and we are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course
of our business.


Foreign Exchange Risk


The Company has foreign exchange rate risk in its international operations, and through purchases from foreign vendors. Changes in the values of currencies of foreign countries affect our financial position, income statement and cash flows when translated into U.S. dollars. The Company does not currently hedge this risk. The Company estimates that if the exchange rate were to change by 10% in any one country where the Company has operations, the change in net income would not be material to the Company’s operations taken as a whole.


Foreign currency translation adjustmentadjustments on the Company's underlying assets and liabilities resulted in an accumulated other comprehensive profitloss of $5.5$7.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, and an accumulated other comprehensive loss of $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, due to the effect of the weakeningstrengthening of the United States dollar in relation to most other currencies, partly offset by the United States dollar strengthening against the Switzerland franc, New Zealand dollar and South African rand. Foreign currency translation adjustment on the Company's underlying assets and liabilities resulted in accumulated other comprehensive profit of $19.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, due to the effect of the weakening of the United States dollar in relation toalmost all other currencies.


Interest Rate Risk


Our primary exposure to interest rate risk results from outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility, which bears interest at variable rates. The variable interest rates on the Credit Facility fluctuate and exposes us to short-term changes in market interest rates as our interest obligation on this instrument is based on prevailing market interest rates. Interest rates fluctuate as a result of many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations and other factors that are beyond our control. At March 31, 2020, the Company has no variable interest-rate debt outstanding. The Company estimates thathad $150.0 million outstanding under the Credit Facility at an average annualized interest rate of approximately 1.9%. We currently do not engage in any interest rate hedging activity and a hypothetical 100 basis point10% change in U.S. interest rates would not be material toaffect our interest expense by approximately $0.3 million per year, assuming no changes in the Company’s operations taken as a whole.amount outstanding or other variables under the Credit Facility.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the chief executive officer (“CEO”) and the chief financial officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).Act. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s CEO and CFO have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level. Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures designed reasonably to assure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures are also designed reasonably to assure that this information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the CEO and the CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.


The Company’s management, including the CEO and the CFO, does not, however, expect that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures or the Company’s internal control over financial reporting will prevent all fraud and material errors. Internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. In addition, the design of a control system must reflect the facts that there are resource constraints and that the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. The inherent limitations in internal control over financial reporting include the realities that judgments can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls also can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of controls. The design of any system of internal control is also based in part on assumptions about the

28



likelihood of future events, and there can be only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its

37



stated goals under all potential events and conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in circumstances, or the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate.


Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. DuringReporting. In 2016, we began the three months ended September 30, 2017,process of implementing a fully integrated ERP platform from SAP America, Inc. (“SAP”), as part of a multi-year plan to integrate and upgrade our systems and processes. The first phase of this implementation became operational, at most of our North America sales, production, warehousing and administrative locations between February 2018 and March 2020. We believe the Company made no changesnecessary steps have been taken to itsmonitor and maintain appropriate internal control over financial reporting (as definedduring this period of change and will continue to evaluate the operating effectiveness of related key controls during subsequent periods.

As the phased implementation of this system continues, we are experiencing certain changes to our processes and procedures which, in Rule 13a-15(f) underturn, result in changes to our internal control over financial reporting. While we expect SAP to strengthen our internal financial controls by automating certain manual processes and standardizing business processes and reporting across our organization, management will continue to evaluate and monitor our internal controls as each of the affected areas evolves. For a discussion of risks related to the implementation of new systems, see Item 1A - "Risk Factors - Other Risks - We rely on complex software systems and hosted applications to operate our business, and our business may be disrupted if we are unable to successfully/efficiently update these systems or convert to new systems." in the 2019 Form 10-K.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in management's evaluation pursuant to Rules 13a-15(d) or 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act)Act during the three months ended March 31, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, itsour internal control over financial reporting.



PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
 
From time to time, the Company is involved in various legal proceedings and other matters arising in the normal course of business. Corrosion, hydrogen enbrittlement,embrittlement, cracking, material hardness, wood pressure-treating chemicals, misinstallations, misuse, design and assembly flaws, manufacturing defects, labeling defects, product formula defects, inaccurate chemical mixes, adulteration, environmental conditions, or other factors can contribute to failure of fasteners, connectors, anchors, adhesives, specialty chemicals, such as fiber reinforced polymers, and tool products. In addition, inaccuracies may occur in product information, descriptions and instructions found in catalogs, packaging, data sheets, and the Company’s website.


The Company currently is not a party to any legal proceedings, which the Company expects individually or in the aggregate to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, cash flows or results of operations. Nonetheless, the resolution of any claim or litigation is subject to inherent uncertainty and we could have a material adverse effect onin the Company’sfuture, incur judgments, enter into settlements of claims or revise our expectations regarding the outcome of the various legal proceedings and other matters we are currently involved in, which could materially impact our financial condition, cash flows or results of operations. See “Note 812 — Commitments and Contingencies” to the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements for certain potential third-party claims.




Item 1A. Risk Factors

We are affected by risks specificThere have been no material changes to us, as well as risks that generally affect businesses operating in global markets. In addition toour risk factors reported or new risk factors identified since the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” infiling of our Annual Report on FormFrom 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (available2019, except as follows:

A pandemic, epidemic or other public health emergency, such as the recent outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 ("COVID-19"), could have a material effect on our business, financial condition and cash flows.

Our operations expose us to risks associated with pandemics, epidemics or other public health emergencies, such as the recent outbreak of COVID-19 which has spread from China to many other countries including the United States. In March 2020, the WHO characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic, and the President of the United States declared the COVID-19 outbreak a national emergency. The outbreak has resulted in governments around the world implementing increasingly stringent measures to help control the spread of the virus, including quarantines, “shelter in place” and “stay at www.simpsonmfg.com/docs/10K-2016.pdf or www.sec.gov).home” orders, travel restrictions, business

curtailments, school closures, and other measures. In addition, governments and central banks in several parts of the world have enacted fiscal and monetary stimulus measures to counteract the impacts of COVID-19.

We are a company operating in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Consistent with foreign and federal guidelines and with state and local orders to date, we currently continue to operate across our North America footprint but have temporarily ceased most operations at two of our larger manufacturing facilities in Europe as a result of government orders. Notwithstanding our level of continued operations, COVID-19 may have negative impacts on our operations, supply chain, transportation networks and customers, which may compress our margins, including as a result of preventative and precautionary measures that we, other businesses and governments are taking. The risks disclosed inCOVID-19 outbreak is a widespread public health crisis that is adversely affecting the Annual Report on Form 10-Keconomies and information provided elsewhere in this Quarterly Report,financial markets of many countries. Any resulting economic downturn could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, demand for our products and contribute to volatile supply and demand conditions affecting prices and volumes in the markets for our products, services and raw materials. The progression of this matter could also negatively impact our business or results of operations. While we believe there have been no material changes inoperations through the temporary closure of our risk factors fromoperating locations or those disclosed inof our Annual Report on Form 10-K forcustomers or suppliers, among others.

In addition, the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, additional risksability of our employees and uncertainties not currently knownour suppliers’ and customers’ employees to work may be significantly impacted by individuals contracting or we currently deembeing exposed to be immaterialCOVID-19, or as a result of the control measures noted above, which may also materiallysignificantly hamper our production throughout the supply chain and constrict sales channels. The extent to which COVID-19 may adversely affectimpact our business depends on future developments, which are highly uncertain and unpredictable, including new information concerning the severity of the outbreak and the effectiveness of actions globally to contain or mitigate its effects, means the related financial condition or results of operations.impact cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.


Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.


The table below presents the monthly repurchases of shares of our common stock in the thirdfirst quarter of 2017.2020.


  (a) (b) (c) (d)
Period Total Number of Shares Purchased Average Price Paid per Share 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs[1]
 Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased under the Plans or Programs
July 1 - July 31, 2017 
 N/A
   
$54.0 million[1]
August 1 - August 31, 2017 35,887
 43.39
 35,887
 
$201.5 million[2]
September 1 - September 30, 2017 
 N/A
 
 
$201.5 million[2]
     Total 35,887
      
  (a) (b) (c) (d)
Period 
Total Number of Shares Purchased [1][2]
 Average Price Paid per Share 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs [2]
 
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased under the Plans or Programs [2]
January 1 - January 31, 2020 750
 $81.81
 500
 $100.0 million
February 1 - February 29, 2020 199,670
 $81.82
 109,457
 $91.3 million
March 1 - March 31, 2020 792,472
 68.14
 792,383
 $37.3 million
     Total 992,892
      


[1]Total number of shares purchased includes shares withheld for settlement of payroll taxes from stock-based compensation awards vested during the first quarter of 2020.

[2] Pursuant to the Board’s $125.0$100.0 million repurchase authorization that was publicly announced on August 24, 2016, and was scheduled to expire on December 31, 2017, which was later increased by $150.0 million and extended on August 1, 2017.

[2] Pursuant to the Board’s increased and extended $275.0 million repurchase authorization that was publicly announced on August 1, 2017,9, 2019, which authorization is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2018.2020.


In June 2017, the Company entered into a Supplemental Confirmation with Wells Fargo, for a $20.0 million 2017 June ASR Program. The Company received 460,887 shares of the Company's common stock under the 2017 June ASR Program, including 35,887 shares received in August 2017, which constituted the final delivery thereunder, at an average price of $43.39 per share.




Item 6. Exhibits.
EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT INDEX
3.1
3.2

3.3


4.1

31.1

31.2
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101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Schema Linkbase Document
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Labels Linkbase Document
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)





SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements 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.
 


  Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.
  (Registrant)
   
   
DATE:November 8, 2017May 7, 2020  By /s/Brian J. Magstadt
  Brian J. Magstadt
  Chief Financial Officer
  (principal accounting and financial officer)
     




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