RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Financial results for 2017 were positive, although not as strong as those reported in 2016. Net sales were $35,764,714 in 2017 compared to $37,022,378 in 2016, a decline of $1,257,664, or 3.4%. Net income for 2017 was $2,079,082, or $2.15 per share, compared to $2,356,980, or $2.44 per share, in 2016.
2017 Compared to 2016
Fastener segment revenues were $7,658,239 in the fourth quarter of 2017, a decline of $73,195, or 0.9%, from $7,731,434 reported in the fourth quarter of 2016. Fastener segment revenues for the full year were $31,977,964 in 2017 compared with $33,126,599 in 2016, a decline of $1,148,635, or 3.5%. Our fastener segment relies on the automotive sector for the majority of its revenues. Domestic automobile and light truck sales declined approximately 2% during 2017, which negatively impacted our sales. During 2017, fastener segment margins were pressured due to greater quality related expenses and a reversal of the favorable raw material prices experienced in 2016. These factors contributed to a net reduction in gross margin for the fastener segment of $103,117 in the fourth quarter and $1,128,434 for the full year of 2017 compared to 2016.
Assembly equipment segment revenues were $800,884 in the fourth quarter of 2017, a decline of $218,661, or 21.4%, compared to the strong results in the fourth quarter of 2016, when revenues were $1,019,545. For the full year 2017, assembly equipment segment revenues were $3,786,750, a decline of $109,029, or 2.8%, compared to $3,895,779 reported in 2016. The decrease in fourth quarter and full year sales was primarily due to a reduction in the number of rivet setting machines shipped compared to the prior year periods. These declines were partially offset by an increase in machine parts and tool sales during 2017. The net decline in assembly equipment segment sales was the primary cause of the $83,200 reduction in segment margins in the fourth quarter of 2017, however through effective cost controls, margins for the year were relatively unchanged.
Selling and administrative expenses were $5,548,541 in 2017 compared to $5,559,436 in 2016, a decline of $10,895, or 0.2%. Profit sharing expense declined $118,000 for the year due to lower operating profit and payroll expense declined $83,000 due to reduced headcount. Largely offsetting these reductions was approximately $167,000 in expenses related to the implementation of a new ERP system at one of our
locations. As a percentage of net sales, selling and administrative expenses were 15.5% compared to 15% in 2016.
Other income was $100,901 in 2017 compared to $65,255 in 2016. Other income is primarily comprised of interest income which increased during the year due to rising interest rates and greater amounts invested in certificates of deposit compared to the prior year.
The Company’s effective income tax rates were 15.7% and 33.6% in 2017 and 2016, respectively. The rate was lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate in 2017 primarily due to the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“the Act”) in December 2017. Among other changes, the Act reduced the maximum corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% beginning in 2018. Although the lower tax rate takes effect in 2018, deferred tax assets and liabilities should be measured using the enacted tax rate expected to apply in the years in which they are expected to be settled. The Company recorded aone-time net income tax benefit of $432,000 in the fourth quarter of 2017 as a result of the revaluation of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities to reflect the lower future U.S. corporate tax rates. The 2016 rate was lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to the Domestic Production Activities Deduction allowed under Internal Revenue Code Section 199.
DIVIDENDS
In determining to pay dividends, the Board considers current profitability, the outlook for longer-term profitability, known and potential cash requirements and the overall financial condition of the Company. The Company paid four regular quarterly dividends totaling $.80 per share during 2017. In addition, an extra dividend of $.35 per share was paid during the first quarter, bringing the total distribution for the year to $1.15 per share. On February 19, 2018, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $.21 per share, an increase of 5% from the prior quarter, payable March 20, 2018 to shareholders of record on March 5, 2018. This continues the uninterrupted record of consecutive quarterly dividends paid by the Company to its shareholders that extends over 84 years. At that same meeting, the Board also declared an extra dividend of $.30 per share payable March 20, 2018 to shareholders of record on March 5, 2018.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Capital expenditures during 2017 totaled $1,337,941. The fastener segment accounted for $1,093,539 of the