Disclosure Regarding non-GAAP Measures While we report financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP), we also provide certain non-GAAP operating performance measures. These non-GAAP measures are referred to as “adjusted” and exclude expenses associated with backlog amortization, inventory step-up, business acquisition and integration, restructuring, and antitrust litigation. The related income tax for all of these items is also excluded. This non-GAAP information is provided as a supplement, not as a substitute for, or as superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. One important non-GAAP measure that we use is Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Income Tax, Depreciation, and Amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”). As previously discussed, a part of our strategy is to selectively acquire companies that we believe can benefit from our core competencies to spur faster and more profitable growth. Given that strategy, it is a natural consequence to incur related expenses, such as amortization from acquired intangible assets and additional interest expense from debt-funded acquisitions. Accordingly, we use Adjusted EBITDA, among other measures, to monitor our business performance. Free cash flow (FCF) is defined as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures. Management considers FCF an important indicator of its liquidity, as well as its ability to fund future growth and to provide a return to shareholders. FCF does not include deductions for debt service (repayments of principal), other borrowing activity, dividends on the company’s common stock, repurchases of the company’s common stock, business acquisitions, and other items. Another important non-GAAP measure that we use is backlog. Backlog is not a term recognized under GAAP; however, it is a common measurement used in the Process Equipment Group industry. Our backlog represents the amount of consolidated revenue that we expect to realize on contracts awarded related to the Process Equipment Group. Backlog includes expected revenue from large systems, equipment, and to a lesser extent, replacement parts, components, and service. We use this non-GAAP information internally to make operating decisions and believe it is helpful to investors because it allows more meaningful period-to-period comparisons of our ongoing operating results. The information can also be used to perform trend analysis and to better identify operating trends that may otherwise be masked or distorted by these types of items. Finally, the Company believes such information provides a higher degree of transparency. 28
![GRAPHIC](https://capedge.com/proxy/8-K/0001104659-17-009672/g45441mmi028.gif)