10-K
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

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

 

For the fiscal year ended November 29, 2014

 

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from                      to                     

 

Commission file number: 001-09225

 

H.B. FULLER COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Minnesota   41-0268370

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1200 Willow Lake Boulevard, St. Paul, Minnesota   55110-5101
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (651) 236-5900

 

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

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share

  New York Stock Exchange

 Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

  New York Stock Exchange

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: none

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    x  Yes    ¨  No

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    ¨  Yes    x  No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    x  Yes    ¨  No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    x  Yes    ¨  No

 

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer  x

   Accelerated filer  ¨

Non-accelerated filer  ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

   Smaller reporting company  ¨

 

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

 

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of May 31, 2014 was approximately $2,378,403,285 (based on the closing price of such stock as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange of $47.83 on such date).

 

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, was 50,332,918 as of January 9, 2014.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Part III incorporates information by reference to portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 9, 2015.


Table of Contents

H.B. FULLER COMPANY

 

2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K

 

Table of Contents

 

PART I

    

Item 1.

 

Business

     3   

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

     7   

Item 1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

     10   

Item 2.

 

Properties

     11   

Item 3.

 

Legal Proceedings

     12   

Item 4.

 

Mine Safety Disclosures

     13   

PART II

    

Item 5.

 

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

     14   

Item 6.

 

Selected Financial Data

     16   

Item 7.

 

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

     17   

Item 7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     39   

Item 8.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

     41   

Item 9.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

     86   

Item 9A.

 

Controls and Procedures

     86   

Item 9B.

 

Other Information

     87   

PART III

    

Item 10.

 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

     88   

Item 11.

 

Executive Compensation

     88   

Item 12.

 

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

     88   

Item 13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

     88   

Item 14.

 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

     88   

PART IV

    

Item 15.

 

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

     89   
 

Signatures

     94   

 

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Table of Contents

PART I

 

Item 1. Business

 

H.B. Fuller Company was founded in 1887 and incorporated as a Minnesota corporation in 1915. Our stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol FUL. As used herein, “H.B. Fuller”, “we”, “us”, “our”, “management” or “company” includes H.B. Fuller and its subsidiaries unless otherwise indicated.

 

We are a leading worldwide formulator, manufacturer and marketer of adhesives, sealants and other specialty chemical products. Sales operations span 40 countries in North America, Europe, Latin America, the Asia Pacific region, India, the Middle East and Africa. Industrial adhesives represent our core product offering. Customers use our adhesives products in manufacturing common consumer and industrial goods, including food and beverage containers, disposable diapers, windows, doors, flooring, appliances, sportswear, footwear, multi-wall bags, water filtration products, insulation, textiles and electronics. Our adhesives help improve the performance of our customers’ products or improve their manufacturing processes. We also provide our customers with technical support and unique solutions designed to address their specific needs. We have established a variety of product offerings for residential construction markets, such as tile-setting adhesives, grout, sealants and related products. These products are sold primarily in our Construction Products operating segment.

 

Recent Acquisitions and Divestitures

 

On September 3, 2014 we acquired the ProSpec® construction products business, a provider of tile and stone installation products for $26.2 million. The acquisition strengthens our customer profile in the southeastern and western regions of the United States.

 

On June 6, 2013 we acquired Plexbond Quimica, S.A., a provider of polyurethane adhesives and resins, based in Curitiba, Brazil for $10.4 million. The acquisition enhanced our position in the South American adhesives industry.

 

On March 5, 2012 we acquired the global industrial adhesives and synthetic polymers business of Forbo Holding AG for 368.5 million Swiss francs or $403.1 million. We acquired the Forbo Group subsidiaries that operate the industrial adhesives business and directly purchased certain assets used in the industrial adhesives business that were not owned by the former Forbo Group subsidiaries on a cash-free and debt-free basis. The Forbo industrial adhesives business acquired is known for the breadth of its product line in all of our core markets, particularly packaging and durable assembly. The acquisition provided us added product technology, people and skills that have enhanced the competitiveness of our business.

 

On August 6, 2012 we sold our Central America Paints business for cash proceeds of $118.5 million and recorded a gain of $66.2 million ($51.1 million, net of tax).

 

Operating Segment Information

 

Our business is reported in four operating segments—Americas Adhesives, EIMEA (Europe, India, Middle East and Africa), Asia Pacific and Construction Products. As a percentage of total net revenue by operating segment, the Americas Adhesives was 44 percent, EIMEA 34 percent, Asia Pacific 13 percent and Construction Products 9 percent,

 

Our Americas Adhesives, EIMEA and Asia Pacific operating segments produce and supply industrial adhesives products for applications in various markets including durable assembly (appliances, filters, construction, automotive, electronics, windows, doors, wood flooring, textile such as footwear, sportswear, etc.), packaging (food and beverage containers, flexible packaging, consumer goods, package integrity and re-enforcement, durable and non-durable goods, etc.), converting (corrugation, folding carton, tape and label, paper converting,

 

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envelopes, books, multi-wall bags, sacks, tissue and towel), nonwoven and hygiene (disposable diapers, feminine care and medical garments), Our Construction Products operating segment includes products used for tile setting (adhesives, grouts, mortars, sealers, levelers, etc.), flooring, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning and insulation applications (duct sealants, weather barriers and fungicidal coatings, block fillers, etc.).

 

The Americas Adhesives operating segment includes a full range of specialty adhesives such as thermoplastic, thermoset, reactive, water-based and solvent-based products. Sales are made primarily through a direct sales force with a smaller portion of sales through distributors.

 

The EIMEA operating segment is comprised of an adhesives component with the same range of products as the Americas Adhesives operating segment. EIMEA adhesives sales are made through both a direct sales force and distributors.

 

The Asia Pacific operating segment is similar to that of the Americas Adhesives operating segment, with one exception. The Asia Pacific operating segment also includes caulks and sealants for the consumer market and professional trade, sold through retailers, primarily in Australia. Other adhesives sales are made through a direct sales force and distributors.

 

The Construction Products operating segment provides floor preparation, grouts and mortars for tile setting as well as sealants and related products for heating, ventilation and air conditioning installations. Construction Products sales are made primarily through distributors, wholesalers, big box retailers and a direct sales force.

 

Financial information with respect to our operating segments and geographic areas is set forth in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Non-U.S. Operations

 

The principal markets, products and methods of distribution outside the United States vary with each of our regional operations generally maintaining integrated business units that contain dedicated supplier networks, manufacturing, logistics and sales organizations. The vast majority of the products sold within any region are produced within the region, and the respective regions do not import significant amounts of product from other regions. At the end of 2014, we had sales offices and manufacturing plants in 19 countries outside the United States and satellite sales offices in another 20 countries.

 

We have detailed Code of Conduct policies that we apply across all of our operations around the world. This set of policies represents a set of common values that apply to all employees and all of our business dealings. We have adopted policies and processes, and conduct employee training, all of which are intended to ensure compliance with various economic sanctions and export controls, including the regulations of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). We do not conduct any business in countries that are subject to U.S. economic sanctions such as Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria, whether through subsidiaries, joint ventures or other direct or indirect arrangements, nor do we have any assets, employees or operations in these countries.

 

Competition

 

Many of our markets are highly competitive. However, we compete effectively due to the quality and breadth of our adhesives, sealants and specialty chemical portfolio and the experience and expertise of our commercial organizations. Within the adhesives and other specialty chemical markets, we believe few suppliers have comparable global reach and corresponding ability to deliver quality and consistency to multinational customers. Our competition is made up generally of two types of companies: (1) similar multinational suppliers and (2) regional or specialty suppliers that typically compete in only one region or within a narrow geographic area within a region. The multinational competitors typically maintain a broad product offering and range of technology, while regional or specialty companies tend to have limited or more focused product ranges and technology.

 

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Principal competitive factors in the sale of adhesives and other specialty chemicals are product performance, supply assurance, technical service, quality, price and customer service.

 

Customers

 

We have cultivated strong, integrated relationships with a diverse set of customers worldwide. Our customers are among the technology and market leaders in consumer goods, construction, and industrial markets. We pride ourselves on long-term, collaborative customer relationships and a diverse portfolio of customers in which no single customer accounted for more than 10 percent of consolidated net revenue.

 

Our leading customers include manufacturers of food and beverages, hygiene products, clothing, major appliances, electronics, automobiles, filters, construction materials, wood flooring, furniture, cabinetry, windows, doors, tissue and towel, corrugation, tube winding, packaging, labels and tapes.

 

Our products are delivered directly to customers primarily from our manufacturing plants, with additional deliveries made through distributors and retailers.

 

Backlog

 

No significant backlog of unfilled orders existed at November 29, 2014 or November 30, 2013.

 

Raw Materials

 

We use several principal raw materials in our manufacturing processes, including tackifying resins, polymers, synthetic rubbers, vinyl acetate monomer and plasticizers. We generally avoid sole source supplier arrangements for raw materials.

 

The majority of our raw materials are petroleum/natural gas based derivatives. Under normal conditions, raw materials are available on the open market. Prices and availability are subject to supply and demand market mechanisms. Raw material costs are primarily determined by the balance of supply against the aggregate demand from the adhesives industry and other industries that use the same raw material streams. The cost of crude oil and natural gas, the primary feedstocks for our raw materials, can also impact the cost of our raw materials.

 

Patents, Trademarks and Licenses

 

Much of the technology we use in our products and manufacturing processes is available in the public domain. For technology not available in the public domain, we rely on trade secrets and patents when appropriate to protect our competitive position. We also license some patented technology from other sources. Our business is not materially dependent upon licenses or similar rights or on any single patent or group of related patents.

 

We enter into agreements with many employees to protect rights to technology and intellectual property. Confidentiality commitments also are routinely obtained from customers, suppliers and others to safeguard proprietary information.

 

We own numerous trademarks and service marks in various countries. Trademarks, such as H.B. Fuller®, Swift®, Advantra®, Clarity®, Sesame®, TEC®, Plasticola®, Foster®, Rakoll®, Rapidex®, Full-CareTM, Liquamelt®, Thermonex® and Tile-Perfect® are important in marketing products. Many of our trademarks and service marks are registered. U.S. trademark registrations are for a term of ten years and are renewable every ten years as long as the trademarks are used in the regular course of trade.

 

Research and Development

 

Our investment in research and development creates new and innovative adhesive technology platforms, enhances product performance, ensures a competitive cost structure and leverages available raw materials. New product development is a key research and development outcome, providing higher-value solutions to existing customers or meeting new customers’ needs. Projects are developed in local laboratories in each region, where we understand our customer base the best. Platform developments are coordinated globally through our network of laboratories.

 

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Through designing and developing new polymers and new formulations, we expect to continue to grow in our current markets. We also develop new applications for existing products and technologies, and improve manufacturing processes to enhance productivity and product quality. Research and development efforts are closely aligned to customer needs, but we do not engage in customer sponsored activities. We foster open innovation, seek supplier-driven new technology and use relationships with academic and other institutions to enhance our capabilities.

 

Research and development expenses were $21.2 million, $24.6 million and $21.3 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Research and development costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

Environmental, Health and Safety

 

We comply with applicable regulations relating to environmental protection and workers’ safety. This includes regular review of and upgrades to environmental, health and safety policies, practices and procedures as well as improved production methods to minimize our facilities’ outgoing waste, based on evolving societal standards and increased environmental understanding.

 

Environmental expenditures to comply with environmental regulations over the next two years are estimated to be approximately $6.0 million, including approximately $0.8 million of capital expenditures. See additional disclosure under Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

 

Seasonality

 

Our Americas Adhesives, EIMEA and Construction Products operating segments have historically had lower net revenue in winter months, which is primarily our first fiscal quarter, partially due to the seasonal decline in construction activities. There also are many international holidays in our first quarter, reducing available shipping days.

 

Employees

 

Approximately 3,700 individuals were employed on November 29, 2014, of which approximately 1,500 were in the United States.

 

Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

The following table shows the name, age and business experience for the past five years of the executive officers as of January 9, 2015. Unless otherwise noted, the positions described are positions with the company or its subsidiaries.

 

Name

 

Age

   

Positions

  

Period Served

James J. Owens

    50     

President and Chief Executive Officer

Senior Vice President, Americas

Senior Vice President, North America

  

November 2010-Present

January 2010-November 2010

September 2008-January 2010

Heather A. Campe

    41     

Vice President, Asia Pacific

Vice President and General Manager, Asia

Director, Business Nonwoven

Director, Business Envelope, Graphic Arts & Tobacco

  

June 2014-Present

January 2013-May 2014

November 2010-January 2013

March 2009-October 2010

Elin E. Gabriel

    51     

Vice President, Global Operations

Chief Operating Officer, Alvogen (a multinational pharmaceuticals company)

Senior Vice President, Croatia & Pilva Teva Operations Integration, Teva Pharmaceuticals (a multinational pharmaceuticals company)

  

June 2014-Present

2010-2013

2009-2010

 

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Name

 

Age

   

Positions

  

Period Served

James R. Giertz

    57     

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

  

October 2013-Present

March 2008-October 2013

Traci L. Jensen

    48     

Senior Vice President, Americas Adhesives

Vice President, Americas Adhesives

Vice President, North America

President and General Manager, Global Adalis

  

January 2013-Present

November 2011-January 2013

2010-2011

2009-2010

Timothy J. Keenan

    57      Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary    December 2006-Present

Steven Kenny

    53      Senior Vice President, EIMEA    October 2009-Present

Ann B. Parriott

    56      Vice President, Human Resources    January 2006-Present

Patrick J. Trippel

    55     

Senior Vice President, Market Development

Senior Vice President, Construction Materials

Senior Vice President and General Manager, Global General Industries, Henkel Corporation (global manufacturer of adhesives, sealants and surface treatments)

  

April 2013-Present

April 2011-April 2013

2009-2011

 

The Board of Directors elects the executive officers annually.

 

Available Information

 

For more information about us, visit our website at: www.hbfuller.com.

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) via EDGAR. Our SEC filings are available free of charge to the public at our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been filed with or furnished to the SEC.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

As a global manufacturer of adhesives, sealants and other specialty chemical products, we operate in a business environment that is subject to various risks and uncertainties. Below are the most significant factors that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Adverse conditions in the global economy could negatively impact our customers and therefore our financial results.

 

An economic downturn in the businesses or geographic areas in which we sell our products could reduce demand for these products and result in a decrease in sales volume that could have a negative impact on our results of operations. Product demand often depends on end-use markets. Economic conditions that reduce consumer confidence or discretionary spending may reduce product demand. Challenging economic conditions may also impair the ability of customers to pay for products they have purchased, and as a result, our reserves for doubtful accounts and write-offs of accounts receivable may increase.

 

Increases in prices and declines in the availability of raw materials could negatively impact our financial results.

 

Raw materials needed to manufacture products are obtained from a number of suppliers and many of the raw materials are petroleum and natural gas based derivatives. Under normal market conditions, these raw materials are generally available on the open market from a variety of producers. While alternate supplies of most key raw

 

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materials are available, supplier production outages may lead to strained supply-demand situations for certain raw materials. The substitution of key raw materials requires us to identify new supply sources, reformulate, retest and may require seeking re-approval from our customers using those products. From time to time, the prices and availability of these raw materials may fluctuate, which could impair our ability to procure necessary materials, or increase the cost of manufacturing products. If the prices of raw materials increase in a short period of time, we may be unable to pass these increases on to our customers in a timely manner and could experience reductions to our profit margins.

 

Uncertainties in foreign social, political and economic conditions and fluctuations in foreign currency may adversely affect our results.

 

Approximately 58 percent, or $1.2 billion, of our net revenue was generated outside the United States in 2014. International operations could be adversely affected by changes in social, political and economic conditions, especially in the Middle East, Russia, China and other developing or emerging markets where we do business. In addition, trade protection measures, anti-bribery and anti-corruption regulations, restrictions on repatriation of earnings, differing intellectual property rights and changes in legal and regulatory requirements that restrict the sales of products or increase costs could adversely affect our results of operations. Also, fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies could potentially result in increases or decreases in earnings and may adversely affect the value of our assets outside the United States. Although we utilize risk management tools, including hedging, as appropriate, to mitigate market fluctuations in foreign currencies, any changes in strategy in regard to risk management tools can also affect sales revenue, expenses and results of operations and there can be no assurance that such measures will result in cost savings or that all market fluctuation exposure will be eliminated.

 

We experience substantial competition in each of the operating segments and geographic areas in which we operate.

 

Our wide variety of products are sold in numerous markets, each of which is highly competitive. Our competitive position in markets is, in part, subject to external factors. For example, supply and demand for certain of our products is driven by end-use markets and worldwide capacities which, in turn, impact demand for and pricing of our products. Many of our direct competitors are part of large multinational companies and may have more resources than we do. Any increase in competition may result in lost market share or reduced prices, which could result in reduced profit margins. This may impair the ability to grow or even to maintain current levels of revenues and earnings. While we have an extensive customer base, loss of certain top customers could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations until such business is replaced, and no assurances can be made that we would be able to regain or replace any lost customers.

 

Failure to develop new products and protect our intellectual property could negatively impact our future performance and growth.

 

Ongoing innovation and product development are important factors in our competitiveness. Failure to create new products and generate new ideas could negatively impact our ability to grow and deliver strong financial results. We continually apply for and obtain U.S. and foreign patents to protect the results of our research for use in our operations and licensing. We are party to a substantial number of patent licenses and other technology agreements. We rely on patents, confidentiality agreements and internal security measures to protect our intellectual property. Failure to protect this intellectual property could negatively affect our future performance and growth.

 

We may be required to record impairment charges on our long-lived assets.

 

Weak demand may cause underutilization of our manufacturing capacity or elimination of product lines; contract terminations or customer shutdowns may force sale or abandonment of facilities and equipment; or other events associated with weak economic conditions or specific product or customer events may require us to record an impairment on tangible assets, such as facilities and equipment, as well as intangible assets, such as intellectual property or goodwill, which would have a negative impact on our financial results.

 

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We have lawsuits and claims against us with uncertain outcomes.

 

Our operations from time to time are parties to or targets of lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including product liability, personal injury, asbestos, patent and intellectual property, commercial, contract, environmental, antitrust, health and safety, and employment matters, which are handled and defended in the ordinary course of business. The results of any future litigation or settlement of such lawsuits and claims are inherently unpredictable, but such outcomes could be adverse and material in amount. See Item 3. Legal Proceedings for a discussion of current litigation.

 

Costs and expenses resulting from compliance with environmental laws and regulations may negatively impact our operations and financial results.

 

We are subject to numerous environmental laws and regulations that impose various environmental controls on us or otherwise relate to environmental protection, the sale and export of certain chemicals or hazardous materials, and various health and safety matters. The costs of complying with these laws and regulations can be significant and may increase as applicable requirements and their enforcement become more stringent and new rules are implemented. Adverse developments and/or periodic settlements could negatively impact our results of operations and cash flows. See Item 3. Legal Proceedings for a discussion of current environmental matters.

 

Additional income tax expense or exposure to additional income tax liabilities could have a negative impact on our financial results.

 

We are subject to income taxes in the United States and various foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in evaluating and estimating our provision and accruals for these taxes. Our income tax liabilities are dependent upon the location of earnings among these different jurisdictions. Our income tax provision and income tax liabilities could be adversely affected by the jurisdictional mix of earnings, changes in valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and changes in tax laws and regulations. We are also subject to continuous examinations of our income tax returns by tax authorities. The results of audits and examinations of previously filed tax returns and continuing assessments of our tax exposures could negatively impact our results of operations and cash flows.

 

Distressed financial markets may result in dramatic deflation of asset valuations and a general disruption in capital markets.

 

Adverse equity market conditions and volatility in the credit markets could have a negative impact on the value of our pension trust assets and our future estimated pension liabilities, and other post-retirement benefit plans. In addition, we could be required to provide increased pension plan funding. As a result, our financial results could be negatively impacted. Reduced access to capital markets may affect our ability to invest in strategic growth initiatives such as acquisitions. In addition, the reduced credit availability could limit our customers’ ability to invest in their businesses, refinance maturing debt obligations, or meet their ongoing working capital needs. If these customers do not have sufficient access to the financial markets, demand for our products may decline.

 

Catastrophic events could disrupt our operations or the operations of our suppliers or customers, having a negative impact on our financial results.

 

Unexpected events, including natural disasters and severe weather events, fires or explosions at our facilities or those of our suppliers, acts of war or terrorism, supply disruptions or breaches of security of our information technology systems could increase the cost of doing business or otherwise harm our operations, our customers and our suppliers. Such events could reduce demand for our products or make it difficult or impossible for us to receive raw materials from suppliers and deliver products to our customers.

 

A failure in our information technology systems could negatively impact our business.

 

We rely on information technology to record and process transactions, manage our business and maintain the financial accuracy of our records. Our computer systems are subject to damage or interruption from various

 

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sources, including power outages, computer and telecommunications failures, computer viruses, security breaches, vandalism, catastrophic events and human error. Interruptions of our computer systems could disrupt our business and could result in the loss of business and cause us to incur additional expense.

 

Our information technology systems could also be breached by unauthorized outside parties or misused by employees or other insiders intent on extracting sensitive information, corrupting information or disrupting business processes. Such unauthorized access could disrupt our business, could result in the loss of assets, customer confidence and business and cause us to incur additional expense.

 

We are in the process of implementing a global Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system that will upgrade and standardize our information system. The implementation is expected to occur in phases over the next several years. Any delays or other failure to achieve our implementation goals may adversely impact our financial results. In addition, the failure to either deliver the application on time or anticipate the necessary readiness and training needs could lead to business disruption and loss of business. Failure or abandonment of any part of the ERP system could result in a write-off of part or all of the costs that have been capitalized on the project.

 

The inability to attract and retain qualified personnel could adversely impact our business.

 

Sustaining and growing our business depends on the recruitment, development and retention of qualified employees. The inability to recruit and retain key personnel or the unexpected loss of key personnel may adversely affect our operations.

 

The inability to make or effectively integrate future acquisitions may affect our results.

 

As part of our growth strategy, we intend to pursue additional acquisitions of complementary businesses or products and joint ventures. The ability to grow through acquisitions or joint ventures depends upon our ability to identify, negotiate, complete and integrate suitable acquisitions or joint venture arrangements. If we fail to successfully integrate acquisitions into our existing business, our results of operations and our cash flows could be adversely affected.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

 

None.

 

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Item 2. Properties

 

Principal executive offices and central research facilities are located in the St. Paul, Minnesota area. These facilities are company-owned and contain 247,630 square feet. Manufacturing operations are carried out at 21 plants located throughout the United States and at 21 plants located in 19 other countries. In addition, numerous sales and service offices are located throughout the world. We believe that the properties owned or leased are suitable and adequate for our business. Operating capacity varies by product line, but additional production capacity is available for most product lines by increasing the number of shifts worked. The following is a list of our manufacturing plants as of November 29, 2014 (each of the listed properties are owned by us, unless otherwise specified):

 

Region

   Manufacturing
Sq Ft
 

Americas Adhesives

  

California - Roseville

     82,202   

Georgia - Covington

     72,000   

              - Norcross1

     12,779   

              - Tucker

     69,000   

Illinois - Morris1 2

     31,200   

           - Seneca

     24,621   

Kentucky - Paducah

     252,500   

Michigan - Grand Rapids

     65,689   

Minnesota - Fridley

     15,850   

              - Vadnais Heights

     53,145   

Ohio - Blue Ash

     102,000   

Oregon - Eugene2

     37,200   

Texas - Dallas2

     5,000   

        - Mesquite

     25,000   

Washington - Vancouver

     35,768   

Argentina - Buenos Aires

     10,367   

Brazil - Sorocaba, SP²

     7,535   

        - Curitiba1

     9,896   

Chile - Maipu, Santiago

     64,099   

Columbia - Rionegro

     17,072   
  

 

 

 

Americas Adhesives Total

     992,923   
  

 

 

 
Construction Products   

California - La Mirada

     15,206   

Florida - Gainesville

     6,800   

Georgia - Dalton

     73,500   

Illinois - Aurora

     149,000   

          - Palatine

     55,000   

New Jersey - Edison

     9,780   

Pennsylvania - Fairless Hills

     19,229   

Texas - Eagle Lake

     26,000   

          - Houston

     11,000   
  

 

 

 

Construction Products Total

     365,515   
  

 

 

 

Region

   Manufacturing
Sq Ft
 

Asia Pacific

  

Australia - Dandenong South, VIC

     71,280   

Republic of China - Guangzhou

     36,055   

                               - Nanjing

     55,224   

                               - Yantai

     23,890   

Malaysia - Selongor

     21,900   

Philippines - Manila

     9,295   
  

 

 

 

Asia Pacific Total

     217,644   
  

 

 

 

EIMEA

  

Austria - Wels1,2

     66,500   

Egypt - 6th of October City

     8,525   

Finland - Espoo

     5,575   

France - Blois

     48,438   

         - Surbourg

     21,743   

Germany - Lueneburg

     64,249   

              - Nienburg

     139,248   

               - Pirmasens2

     48,438   

Greece - Lamia

     11,560   

India - Pune

     38,782   

Italy - Borgolavezzaro2

     24,219   

        - Pianezze

     36,500   

Portugal - Mindelo

     90,193   

Spain - Vigo2

     19,375   

United Kingdom - Dukinfield

     17,465   

                             - Chatteris2

     13,678   
  

 

 

 

EIMEA Total

     654,488   
  

 

 

 

 

1 Leased Property

 

2 Idle Property

 

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Item 3. Legal Proceedings

 

Environmental Matters.    From time to time, we become aware of compliance matters relating to, or receive notices from, federal, state or local entities regarding possible or alleged violations of environmental, health or safety laws and regulations. We review the circumstances of each individual site, considering the number of parties involved, the level of potential liability or contribution of us relative to the other parties, the nature and magnitude of the hazardous substances involved, the method and extent of remediation, the estimated legal and consulting expense with respect to each site and the time period over which any costs would likely be incurred. Also, from time to time, we are identified as a “potentially responsible party” (PRP) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and/or similar state laws that impose liability for costs relating to the clean up of contamination resulting from past spills, disposal or other release of hazardous substances. We are also subject to similar laws in some of the countries where current and former facilities are located. Our environmental, health and safety department monitors compliance with applicable laws on a global basis. To the extent we can reasonably estimate the amount of our probable liabilities for environmental matters, we establish a financial provision.

 

Currently we are involved in various environmental investigations, clean up activities and administrative proceedings and lawsuits. In particular, we are currently deemed a PRP in conjunction with numerous other parties, in a number of government enforcement actions associated with landfills and/or hazardous waste sites. As a PRP, we may be required to pay a share of the costs of investigation and clean up of these sites. In addition, we are engaged in environmental remediation and monitoring efforts at a number of current and former operating facilities. While uncertainties exist with respect to the amounts and timing of the ultimate environmental liabilities, based on currently available information, we have concluded that these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flow. However, adverse developments and/or periodic settlements could negatively impact the results of operations or cash flows in one or more future periods.

 

Other Legal Proceedings.    From time to time and in the ordinary course of business, we are a party to, or a target of, lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including product liability, personal injury, contract, patent and intellectual property, environmental, health and safety, tax and employment matters. While we are unable to predict the outcome of these matters, we have concluded, based upon currently available information, that the ultimate resolution of any pending matter, individually or in the aggregate, including the asbestos litigation described in the following paragraphs, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flow.

 

We have been named as a defendant in lawsuits in which plaintiffs have alleged injury due to products containing asbestos manufactured more than 30 years ago. The plaintiffs generally bring these lawsuits against multiple defendants and seek damages (both actual and punitive) in very large amounts. In many cases, plaintiffs are unable to demonstrate that they have suffered any compensable injuries or that the injuries suffered were the result of exposure to products manufactured by us. We are typically dismissed as a defendant in such cases without payment. If the plaintiff presents evidence indicating that compensable injury occurred as a result of exposure to our products, the case is generally settled for an amount that reflects the seriousness of the injury, the length, intensity and character of exposure to products containing asbestos, the number and solvency of other defendants in the case, and the jurisdiction in which the case has been brought.

 

A significant portion of the defense costs and settlements in asbestos-related litigation is paid by third parties, including indemnification pursuant to the provisions of a 1976 agreement under which we acquired a business from a third party. Currently, this third party is defending and paying settlement amounts, under a reservation of rights, in most of the asbestos cases tendered to the third party.

 

In addition to the indemnification arrangements with third parties, we have insurance policies that generally provide coverage for asbestos liabilities (including defense costs). Historically, insurers have paid a significant portion of our defense costs and settlements in asbestos-related litigation. However, certain of our insurers are

 

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insolvent. We have entered into cost-sharing agreements with our insurers that provide for the allocation of defense costs and under certain circumstances, settlements and judgments, in asbestos-related lawsuits. Under these agreements, we are required under certain circumstances to fund a share of settlements and judgments allocable to years in which the responsible insurer is insolvent. In addition, to delineate our rights under certain insurance policies, in October 2009, we commenced a declaratory judgment action against one of our insurers in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. Additional insurers were brought into the action to address issues related to the scope of their coverage. In 2013, we entered into a settlement agreement with the defendant insurers in this case that provided for the allocation of defense costs and settlements in the future. The allocation under the settlement agreement depends on the outcome of an appeal of two issues to the United States Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

 

A summary of the number of and settlement amounts for asbestos-related lawsuits and claims is as follows:

 

($ in millions)

   Year Ended
November 29,
2014
     Year Ended
November 30,
2013
     Year Ended
December 1,
2012
 

Lawsuits and claims settled

     9         6         9   

Settlement amounts

   $ 0.8       $ 0.4       $ 0.5   

Insurance payments received or expected to be received

   $ 0.7       $ 0.3       $ 0.4   

 

We do not believe that it would be meaningful to disclose the aggregate number of asbestos-related lawsuits filed against us because relatively few of these lawsuits are known to involve exposure to asbestos-containing products that we manufactured. Rather, we believe it is more meaningful to disclose the number of lawsuits that are settled and result in a payment to the plaintiff. To the extent we can reasonably estimate the amount of our probable liabilities for pending asbestos-related claims, we establish a financial provision and a corresponding receivable for insurance recoveries.

 

Based on currently available information, we have concluded that the resolution of any pending matter, including asbestos-related litigation, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flow. However, adverse developments and/or periodic settlements could negatively impact the results of operations or cash flows in one or more future periods.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

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Part II.

 

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

 

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FUL.” As of January 9, 2015, there were 1,918 common shareholders of record for our common stock. The following table shows the high and low sales price per share of our stock and the dividends declared for the fiscal quarters.

 

     High and Low Sales Price      Dividends
(Per Share)
 
     2014      2013     
     High      Low      High      Low      2014      2013  

First quarter

   $ 53.31       $ 44.55       $ 42.00       $ 32.13       $ 0.100       $ 0.085   

Second quarter

     49.82         44.51         42.38         36.44         0.120         0.100   

Third quarter

     51.27         43.75         42.50         36.45         0.120         0.100   

Fourth quarter

     48.00         36.92         51.66         37.73         0.120         0.100   

 

There are no significant contractual restrictions on our ability to declare or pay dividends. We currently expect that comparable dividends on our common stock will continue to be paid in the future.

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Information on our purchases of equity securities during the fourth quarter of 2014 follows:

 

Period

   (a)
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased1
     (b)
Average
Price Paid
per Share
     (d)
Maximum
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
may yet be
Purchased Under
the Plan or
Program
(thousands)
 

August 31, 2014 - October 4, 2014

     —         $ —         $ 61,964   

October 5, 2014 - November 1, 2014

     —         $ —         $ 61,964   

November 2, 2014 - November 29, 2014

     186       $ 43.19       $ 61,964   

 

1 

The total number of shares purchased relates to shares withheld to satisfy employees’ withholding taxes upon vesting of restricted stock.

 

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Total Shareholder Return Graph

 

The line graph below compares the cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock for the last five fiscal years with cumulative total return on the S&P SmallCap 600 Index and Dow Jones U.S. Specialty Chemicals Index. This graph assumes a $100 investment in each of H.B. Fuller, the S&P SmallCap 600 Index and the Dow Jones U.S. Specialty Chemicals Index at the close of trading on November 28, 2009, and also assumes the reinvestment of all dividends.

 

LOGO

 

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

 

The following selected financial data has been derived from our audited Consolidated Financial Statements and should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included elsewhere in the Form 10-K.

 

     Fiscal Years3  

(Dollars in thousands, except per share
amounts)

   2014      2013      2012      20112      2010  

Net revenue

   $ 2,104,454       $ 2,046,968       $ 1,886,239       $ 1,444,085       $ 1,256,825   

Income from continuing operations1

   $ 50,151       $ 95,975       $ 68,287       $ 80,215       $ 64,293   

Percent of net revenue

     2.4         4.7         3.6         5.6         5.1   

Total assets

   $ 1,869,006       $ 1,873,028       $ 1,786,320       $ 1,227,709       $ 1,153,457   

Long-term debt, excluding current maturities

   $ 547,735       $ 472,315       $ 475,112       $ 179,611       $ 200,978   

Total H.B. Fuller stockholders’ equity

   $ 890,047       $ 930,065       $ 778,273       $ 705,204       $ 631,934   

Per Common Share:

              

Income from continuing operations:

              

Basic

   $ 1.00       $ 1.92       $ 1.37       $ 1.64       $ 1.33   

Diluted

   $ 0.97       $ 1.87       $ 1.34       $ 1.61       $ 1.31   

Dividends declared and paid

   $ 0.460       $ 0.385       $ 0.330       $ 0.295       $ 0.278   

Book value4

   $ 17.69       $ 18.52       $ 15.60       $ 14.26       $ 12.85   

Number of employees

     3,650         3,676         3,727         2,754         2,621   

 

  1 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011 include after-tax charges of $45.2 million, $35.3 million, $35.4 million and $5.8 million, respectively, related to special charges, net.

 

  2 2011 contained 53 weeks

 

  3 All amounts have been adjusted for discontinued operations.

 

  4 Book value is calculated by dividing total H.B. Fuller stockholders’ equity by the number of common stock shares outstanding as of our fiscal year end.

 

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

 

Overview

 

H.B. Fuller Company is a global formulator, manufacturer and marketer of adhesives and other specialty chemical products. We manage our business through four operating segments – Americas Adhesives, EIMEA (Europe, India, Middle East and Africa), Asia Pacific and Construction Products.

 

The Americas Adhesives, EIMEA and Asia Pacific operating segments manufacture and supply adhesives products in the assembly, packaging, converting, nonwoven and hygiene, performance wood, flooring, textile, flexible packaging, graphic arts, envelope, automotive and electronics markets. The Construction Products operating segment provides floor preparation, grouts and mortars for tile setting as well as sealants and related products for heating, ventilation and air conditioning installations.

 

We acquired the global industrial adhesives and synthetic polymers business of Forbo Holding AG on March 5, 2012. The Forbo industrial adhesives business acquired is referred to as the “acquired business” in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis. See Item 1. Business and Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

The integration of the acquired business involved a significant amount of restructuring and capital investment to optimize the new combined entity. In addition to this acquisition, we announced our intentions to take a series of actions in our existing EIMEA operating segment to improve the profitability and future growth prospects of this operating segment. We combined these two initiatives into a single project which we refer to as the “Business Integration Project”.

 

We divested our Latin America Paints business on August 6, 2012. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification ASC 205-20, “Discontinued Operations” we have classified the results of this business as discontinued operations. See Item 1. Business and Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Total Company:    When reviewing our financial statements, it is important to understand how certain external factors impact us. These factors include:

 

   

Changes in the prices of our raw materials that are primarily derived from refining crude oil and natural gas

 

   

Global supply of and demand for raw materials

 

   

Economic growth rates, and

 

   

Currency exchange rates compared to the U.S. dollar

 

We purchase thousands of raw materials, the majority of which are petroleum/natural gas derivatives. The price of these derivatives impact the cost of our raw materials. However, the supply of and demand for key raw materials has a greater impact on our costs. As demand increases in high-growth areas, the supply of key raw materials may tighten, resulting in certain materials being put on allocation. Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, also can have an impact as key raw material producers are shut down for extended periods of time. We continually monitor capacity utilization figures, market supply and demand conditions, feedstock costs and inventory levels, as well as derivative and intermediate prices, which affect our raw materials. With over 75 percent of our cost of sales accounted for by raw materials, our financial results are extremely sensitive to changing costs in this area.

 

In 2014, we generated 42 percent of our net revenue in the United States and 34 percent in EIMEA. The pace of economic growth in these areas directly impacts certain industries to which we supply products. For example, adhesives-related revenues from durable goods customers in areas such as appliances, furniture and other

 

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woodworking applications tend to fluctuate with the overall economic activity. In business components such as Construction Products and insulating glass, revenues tend to move with more specific economic indicators such as housing starts and other construction-related activity.

 

The movement of foreign currency exchange rates as compared to the U.S. dollar impacts the translation of the foreign entities’ financial statements into U.S. dollars. As foreign currencies strengthen against the dollar, our revenues and costs increase as the foreign currency-denominated financial statements translate into more dollars. The fluctuations of the Euro against the U.S. dollar have the largest impact on our financial results as compared to all other currencies. In 2014, the currency fluctuations had a negative impact on net revenue of $6.8 million as compared to 2013.

 

Key financial results and transactions for 2014 included the following:

 

   

Net revenue increased 2.8 percent from 2013 primarily driven by a 3.5 percent increase in sales volume.

 

   

Gross profit margin decreased to 25.3 percent from 27.9 percent in 2013 and 27.4 percent in 2012.

 

   

Cash flow generated by operating activities from continuing operations was $29.7 million in 2014 as compared to $132.7 million in 2013 and $108.6 million in 2012.

 

   

We acquired ProSpec construction products business on September 3, 2014 for $26.2 million.

 

The global economic conditions were mixed in 2014. Demand in North America saw the growth momentum built in the second half of 2013 weaken notably in the first quarter of 2014. However market conditions improved the rest of the year. The recovery in Europe remains weak though conditions stabilized during the year. We experienced continued growth in our Asian markets, particularly in China. Our total year organic sales growth, which we define as the combined variances from product pricing, sales volume and small acquisitions, was 3.1 percent for 2014 compared to 2013.

 

In 2014 our diluted earnings per share from continuing operations was $0.97 per share compared to $1.87 per share in 2013 and $1.34 per share in 2012. The lower earnings per share from continuing operations in 2014 resulted from production inefficiencies related to the Business Integration Project, ERP system implementation costs in North America and higher special charges, net costs for the Business Integration Project.

 

Special charges, net in 2014 were $51.5 million for costs related to the Business Integration Project. On an after-tax basis, the special charges, net resulted in a $45.2 million negative impact on net income and a negative $0.88 effect on diluted earnings per share. Special charges, net in 2013 were $45.1 million for costs related to the Business Integration Project. On an after-tax basis, the special charges, net resulted in a $35.3 million negative impact on net income and a negative $0.69 effect on diluted earnings per share. In 2012 we had special charges, net of $52.5 million for costs related to the Business Integration Project. On an after-tax basis, the special charges, net resulted in a $35.4 million negative impact on net income and a negative $0.70 effect on diluted earnings per share. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

 

Project ONE:    In December of 2012 our Board of Directors approved a multi-year project to replace and enhance our existing core information technology platforms. The scope for this project includes most of the basic transaction processing for the company including customer orders, procurement, manufacturing, and financial reporting. The project envisions harmonized business processes for all of our operating segments supported with one standard software configuration. The execution of this project, which we refer to as Project ONE, is being supported by internal resources and consulting services.

 

During 2013 a project team was formed and the global blueprint for the software configuration was designed and built. In the latter half of 2013 and in the early months of 2014 the global blueprint was applied to the specific requirements of our North America adhesives business, the software was tested and the user groups were trained. On April 6, 2014 our North America adhesives business went live. The implementation process proved to be

 

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more difficult than we originally anticipated resulting in disruptions in our manufacturing network, lower productivity and deteriorated customer service levels. By the end of 2014 most of the problems associated with the software implementation had been remediated and the business was stable and running at capacity with productivity levels approaching the levels experienced prior to the new software implementation.

 

In late 2014 we suspended any further implementation projects in other geographic regions until we complete the optimization of the current platform in North America. We are preparing a revised implementation plan that leverages the experiences of our first go-live event and reduces the risk of significant business interruption. We expect to start subsequent implementations in 2016.

 

The original capital expenditure plan for Project ONE was approximately $60.0 million, of which $43.3 million was spent through November 29, 2014. Given the complexity of the initial implementation we anticipate that the total investment to complete the project will exceed our original estimate. We will have a revised estimate of the total project costs and the expected completion timetable later in 2015 when the revised implementation plan is complete.

 

2015 Outlook:    Our key long term financial objectives remain unchanged: achieve organic revenue growth between 5 and 8 percent per year, increase our Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) margin to 15 percent, grow earnings per share by 15 percent per year and increase Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) to 15 percent. EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure defined on a consolidated basis as gross profit, less SG&A expense, plus depreciation expense, plus amortization expense. EBITDA excludes special charges, net. EBITDA margin is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as EBITDA divided by net revenue. ROIC is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as (gross profit less SG&A expense, less taxes at the effective tax rate plus income from equity method investments, calculated using trailing 12 month information) divided by (the sum of notes payable, current maturities of long-term debt, long-term debt, redeemable non-controlling interest and total equity). Our five-year plan introduced in the summer of 2011 (for fiscal years 2011 through 2015) anticipated that these financial targets could be achieved in 2015. Because we experienced some operational difficulties in 2014 we now expect that these long term goals will be achieved in 2016 at the earliest.

 

In 2015 we expect organic revenue growth at the low end of our long-term growth targets of 5 to 8 percent. We expect our momentum in the Asia Pacific and Construction Products operating segments to again lead our growth in the coming year. We anticipate modest revenue growth in the Americas Adhesives and EIMEA operating segments, with EIMEA’s revenue performance expected to improve in the second half of 2015 following the completion of our Business Integration Project. We expect that the strengthening of the US dollar relative to the Euro will dampen our revenue growth rate in 2015 relative to 2014 by 3 percentage points or more. We expect our cost of raw materials to remain relatively flat compared to the prior year, with the potential for some improvement in input costs during the fiscal year as the benefit of lower crude oil prices are realized. Our gross profit margin is expected to increase in 2015, primarily driven by eliminating costs and inefficiencies related to the completion of the Business Integration Project in EIMEA and the absence of the incremental costs experienced in our North America adhesive business in 2014 related to the implementation of Project ONE. SG&A expenses should increase at a lower rate than the increase in net revenue. Overall, we expect our EBITDA margin to be approximately 13 percent for the full year.

 

Our total capital expenditures will be reduced significantly in 2015 relative to 2014 reflecting the conclusion of the large investment phase of the Business Integration Project in EIMEA and the suspension of Project ONE. We expect total 2015 capital expenditures to be approximately $70.0 million. We expect that our 2016 capital expenditures will move toward normal levels, or about 2.5 percent of net revenue.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Estimates:    Management’s discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition are based upon Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the

 

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reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We believe the critical accounting policies and areas that require the most significant judgments and estimates to be used in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements are pension and other postretirement plan assumptions; goodwill impairment assessment; long-lived assets recoverability; product, environmental and other litigation liabilities; and income tax accounting.

 

Pension and Other Postretirement Plan Assumptions:    We sponsor defined-benefit pension plans in both the U.S. and non-U.S. entities. Also in the U.S. we sponsor other postretirement plans for health care and life insurance benefits. Expenses and liabilities for the pension plans and other postretirement plans are actuarially calculated. These calculations are based on our assumptions related to the discount rate, expected return on assets, projected salary increases and health care cost trend rates. Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements includes disclosure of assumptions employed in these measurements for both the non-U.S. and U.S. plans.

 

The discount rate assumption is determined using an actuarial yield curve approach, which results in a discount rate that reflects the characteristics of the plan. The approach identifies a broad population of corporate bonds that meet the quality and size criteria for the particular plan. We use this approach rather than a specific index that has a certain set of bonds that may or may not be representative of the characteristics of our particular plan. A higher discount rate reduces the present value of the pension obligations. The discount rate for the U.S. pension plan was 4.10 percent at November 29, 2014, as compared to 4.77 percent at November 30, 2013 and 3.83 percent at December 1, 2012. Net periodic pension cost for a given fiscal year is based on assumptions developed at the end of the previous fiscal year. A discount rate reduction of 0.5 percentage points at November 29, 2014 would increase U.S. pension and other postretirement plan expense approximately $0.4 million (pre-tax) in fiscal 2015. Discount rates for non-U.S. plans are determined in a manner consistent with the U.S. plan.

 

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption for the U.S. pension plan was 7.75 percent in 2014 compared to 7.75 percent for 2013 and 8.00 percent for 2012. Our expected long-term rate of return on U.S. plan assets was based on our target asset allocation assumption of 60 percent equities and 40 percent fixed-income. Management, in conjunction with our external financial advisors, determines the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets by considering the expected future returns and volatility levels for each asset class that are based on historical returns and forward looking observations. For 2014 the expected long-term rate of return on the target equities allocation was 8.5 percent and the expected long-term rate of return on the target fixed-income allocation was 5.0 percent. The total plan rate of return assumption included an estimate of the impact of diversification and the plan expense. For 2015, the expected long-term rate of return on assets will continue to be 7.75 percent with an expected long-term rate of return on the target equities allocation of 8.5 percent and an expected long-term rate of return on target fixed-income allocation of 5.0 percent. A change of 0.5 percentage points for the expected return on assets assumption would impact U.S. net pension and other postretirement plan expense by approximately $2.2 million (pre-tax).

 

Management, in conjunction with our external financial advisors, uses the actual historical rates of return of the asset categories to assess the reasonableness of the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. The most recent 10-year and 20-year historical equity returns are shown in the table below. Our expected rate of return on our total portfolio is consistent with the historical patterns observed over longer time frames.

 

U.S. Pension Plan

Historical actual rates of return

   Total
Portfolio
    Equities     Fixed
Income
 

10-year period

     7.4     7.0     (*)9.2

20-year period

     9.3     9.0     (*)9.2

 

(*) Beginning in 2006, our target allocation migrated from 100 percent equities to our current allocation of 60 percent equities and 40 percent fixed-income. The historical actual rate of return for the fixed income of 9.2 percent is since inception (9 years).

 

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The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption for non-U.S. pension plans was a weighted-average of 6.17 percent in 2014. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption used in each non-U.S. plan is determined on a plan-by-plan basis for each local jurisdiction and is based on expected future returns for the investment mix of assets currently in the portfolio for that plan. Management, in conjunction with our external financial advisors, develops expected rates of return for each plan, considers expected long-term returns for each asset category in the plan, reviews expectations for inflation for each local jurisdiction, and estimates the impact of active management of the plan’s assets. Our largest non-U.S. pension plans are in the United Kingdom and Germany. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for Germany was 5.75 percent and the historical rate of return since inception (17 years) for the total asset portfolio in Germany was 4.4 percent. The expected rate of return on our German portfolio of 5.75 percent assumes that market returns will improve in the future to be more in line with historical market patterns observed over longer time frames. In addition, we have modified our investment strategy for the German plan to include a more diversified pool of equity and fixed-income investments and, therefore, we currently expect the performance of the plan assets to improve going forward. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for the United Kingdom was 6.69 percent and the historical rate of return since inception (18 years) for the total asset portfolio in the United Kingdom was 7.1 percent. Management, in conjunction with our external financial advisors, uses actual historical returns of the asset portfolio to assess the reasonableness of the expected rate of return for each plan. Since both of these non-U.S. plans have been in existence for less than 20-years, the historical rate of return for each plan has been affected by a period of very poor market conditions by any longer term standards.

 

The projected salary increase assumption is based on historic trends and comparisons to the external market. Higher rates of increase result in higher pension expenses. As this rate is also a long-term expected rate, it is less likely to change on an annual basis. In the U.S., we have used the rate of 4.50 percent for 2014, 4.50 percent for 2013 and 5.00 percent for 2012.

 

Goodwill:    Goodwill is the excess of cost of an acquired entity over the amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a purchase business combination. Goodwill is assigned to reporting units at the date the goodwill is initially recorded. Once goodwill has been assigned to a reporting unit, it no longer retains its association with a particular acquisition, and all the activities within a reporting unit are available to support the value of goodwill. Accounting standards require us to test goodwill for impairment annually or more often if circumstances or events indicate a change in the estimated fair value may have occurred.

 

The goodwill impairment analysis is a two-step process. The first step used to identify potential impairment involves comparing each reporting unit’s estimated fair value to its carrying value, including goodwill. We use a discounted cash flow approach to estimate the fair value of our reporting units. Our judgment is required in developing the assumptions for the discounted cash flow model. These assumptions include revenue growth rates, profit margin percentages, discount rates, perpetuity growth rates, future capital expenditures and working capital requirements. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is considered to not be impaired. If the carrying value exceeds estimated fair value, there is an indication of potential impairment and the second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment.

 

The second step of the process involves the calculation of an implied fair value of goodwill for each reporting unit for which step one indicated impairment. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in a manner similar to how goodwill is calculated in a business combination, by measuring the excess of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit as calculated in step one, over the estimated fair values of the individual assets, liabilities and identifiable intangibles as if the reporting unit was being acquired in a business combination. If the implied fair value of goodwill exceeds the carrying value of goodwill assigned to the reporting unit, there is no impairment. If the carrying value of goodwill assigned to a reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment charge is recorded for the excess. An impairment loss cannot exceed the carrying value of goodwill assigned to a reporting unit, and the loss establishes a new basis in the goodwill. Subsequent reversal of goodwill impairment losses is not permitted.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2014, we conducted the required annual test of goodwill for impairment. We performed the goodwill impairment analysis on our reporting units by using a discount rate determined by management to result in the most representative fair value of the business as a whole. There were no indications of impairment in

 

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any of our reporting units. We also performed a sensitivity analysis by using a discount rate at the high end of our range to confirm the reasonableness of our goodwill impairment analysis. No indications of impairment in any of our reporting units were indicated by the sensitivity analysis.

 

Of the goodwill balance of $256.0 million as of November 29, 2014, $71.3 million is allocated to the Americas Adhesives reporting unit and $20.8 million is allocated to the Construction Products reporting unit. In both of these reporting units, the calculated fair value substantially exceeded the carrying value of the net assets. The EIMEA reporting unit had a goodwill balance of $139.7 million as of November 29, 2014. The calculated fair value of this reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by approximately 74 percent. The goodwill balance in the Asia Pacific reporting unit is $24.2 million as of November 29, 2014. The calculated fair value exceeded its carrying value by approximately 59 percent. In both of these reporting units, the calculated fair value exceeded the carrying value by a reasonable margin.

 

In 2014 our EIMEA reporting unit net revenue declined 1.8 percent over 2013, mainly due to reduced sales volume. Projected cash flows used in the fair value calculation in the fourth quarter of 2014 were based on no net revenue growth in 2015 and then growth in the years beyond 2015 in the low-single digits for the remaining years. Operating earnings for the EIMEA reporting unit are projected to grow primarily due to revenue growing at a higher rate than manufacturing and SG&A expenses.

 

The Asia Pacific reporting unit had net revenue growth of 9.2 percent in 2014 compared to 2013. Projected cash flows used in the fair value calculation in the fourth quarter of 2014 were based on continued growth in 2015 of 11.0 percent. For years beyond 2015, net revenue projections assume continued growth in the high-single digits through 2019 with a leveling off in the mid-single digits. Operating earnings for the Asia Pacific reporting unit are projected to grow primarily due to revenue growing at a higher rate than SG&A expenses.

 

If the economy or business environment falter and we are unable to achieve our assumed revenue growth rates or profit margin percentages, our projections used would need to be remeasured, which could impact the carrying value of our goodwill in one or more of our reporting units. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Recoverability of Long-Lived Assets:    The assessment of the recoverability of long-lived assets reflects our assumptions and estimates. Factors that we must estimate when performing impairment tests include sales volume, prices, inflation, currency exchange rates, tax rates and capital spending. Significant judgment is involved in estimating these factors, and they include inherent uncertainties. The measurement of the recoverability of these assets is dependent upon the accuracy of the assumptions used in making these estimates and how the estimates compare to the eventual future operating performance of the specific businesses to which the assets are attributed.

 

Judgments made by us include the expected useful lives of long-lived assets. The ability to realize undiscounted cash flows in excess of the carrying amounts of such assets is affected by factors such as the ongoing maintenance and improvement of the assets, changes in economic conditions and changes in operating performance.

 

Product, Environmental and Other Litigation Liabilities:    As disclosed in Item 3. and in Note 1 and Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we are subject to various claims, lawsuits and other legal proceedings. Reserves for loss contingencies associated with these matters are established when it is determined that a liability is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The assessment of the probable liabilities is based on the facts and circumstances known at the time that the financial statements are being prepared. For cases in which it is determined that a liability is probable but only a range for the potential loss exists, the minimum amount of the range is recorded and subsequently adjusted as better information becomes available.

 

For cases in which insurance coverage is available, the gross amount of the estimated liabilities is accrued, and a receivable is recorded for any probable estimated insurance recoveries. A discussion of environmental, product and other litigation liabilities is disclosed in Item 3. and Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Based upon currently available facts, we do not believe that the ultimate resolution of any pending legal proceeding, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our long-term financial condition. However, adverse developments and/or periodic settlements could negatively affect our results of operations or cash flows in one or more future quarters.

 

Income Tax Accounting:    As part of the process of preparing the Consolidated Financial Statements, we are required to estimate income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. The process involves estimating actual current tax expense along with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for book and tax purposes. These temporary differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is more-likely-than-not to be realized. We have considered future taxable income and ongoing tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance. Increases in the valuation allowance result in additional expense to be reflected within the tax provision in the Consolidated Statements of Income. As of November 29, 2014, the valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets totaled $16.4 million.

 

We recognize tax benefits for tax positions for which it is more-likely-than-not that the tax position will be sustained by the applicable tax authority at the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We do not recognize a financial statement benefit for a tax position that does not meet the more-likely-than-not threshold. We believe that our liabilities for income taxes reflect the most likely outcome. It is difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of the resolution of any particular tax position. Future changes in judgment related to the resolution of tax positions will impact earnings in the quarter of such change. We adjust our income tax liabilities related to tax positions in light of changing facts and circumstances. Settlement with respect to a tax position would usually require cash. Based upon our analysis of tax positions taken on prior year returns and expected tax positions to be taken for the current year tax returns, we have identified gross uncertain tax positions of $4.8 million as of November 29, 2014.

 

We have not recorded U.S. deferred income taxes for certain of our non-U.S. subsidiaries undistributed earnings as such amounts are intended to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the U.S. Should we change our business strategies related to these non-U.S. subsidiaries, additional U.S. tax liabilities could be incurred. It is not practical to estimate the amount of these additional tax liabilities. See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on income tax accounting.

 

Results of Operations

 

Net revenue

 

($ in millions)

   2014      2013      2012      2014 vs 2013     2013 vs 2012  

Net revenue

   $ 2,104.5       $ 2,047.0       $ 1,886.2         2.8     8.5

 

Net revenue in 2014 increased 2.8 percent from 2013. The 2013 net revenue was 8.5 percent higher than the net revenue in 2012. We review variances in net revenue in terms of changes related to product pricing, sales volume, changes in foreign currency exchange rates and major acquisitions. The pricing/sales volume variance and small acquisitions including ProSpec construction products, which was acquired in the fourth quarter of 2014, are viewed as organic growth. The following table shows the net revenue variance analysis for the past two years:

 

     2014 vs 2013     2013 vs 2012  

Product pricing

     (0.4 )%      0.1

Sales volume

     3.5     1.5

Currency

     (0.3 )%      0.4

Acquisitions

     0.0     6.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2.8     8.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Organic sales growth was 3.1 percent in 2014 compared to 2013. The 3.1 percent organic sales growth in 2014 was led by 18.7 percent growth in Construction Products, 11.2 percent growth in Asia Pacific and 2.4 percent growth in Americas Adhesives. The majority of the negative currency impact was driven by the weakening of the Australian dollar and the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar.

 

Organic sales growth was 1.6 percent in 2013 compared to 2012. The 1.6 percent organic sales growth in 2013 was led by 7.8 percent growth in Construction Products, 6.5 percent growth in Asia Pacific and 1.6 percent growth in Americas Adhesives. The majority of the positive currency impact was driven by the strengthening of the Euro against the U.S. dollar. The acquired business added $121.8 million to net revenue in 2013 compared to 2012.

 

Cost of sales

 

($ in millions)

   2014     2013     2012     2014 vs 2013     2013 vs 2012  

Raw materials

   $ 1,213.5      $ 1,161.6      $ 1,084.3        4.5     7.1

Other manufacturing costs

     357.7        315.2        284.7        13.5     10.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Cost of sales

   $ 1,571.2      $ 1,476.8      $ 1,369.0        6.4     7.9

Percent of net revenue

     74.7     72.1     72.6    

 

Raw material costs as a percentage of net revenue increased 100 basis points in 2014 relative to 2013, reflecting increases in raw materials costs as well as changes in product pricing and sales mix. Other manufacturing costs as a percentage of revenue increased 160 basis points compared to last year mainly driven by cost associated with the implementation of our new ERP system as well as business integration costs that are not classified as special charges. As a result, cost of sales as a percentage of net revenue increased 260 basis points.

 

The 7.9 percent increase in cost of sales for 2013 compared to 2012 was driven by the inclusion of the acquired business for the full year of 2013, offset by the recognition of the non-cash charge for the sale of inventories revalued at the date of the acquisition, which increased cost of sales by 20 basis points in 2012. Cost of sales as a percentage of net revenue decreased 50 basis points primarily driven by synergies from integrating the acquired business and benefits realized from the Business Integration Project. Raw material costs as a percentage of net revenue decreased 80 basis points relative to the prior year, reflecting material cost synergies and other profit

improvement initiatives undertaken over the year. Other manufacturing costs as a percentage of revenue increased by 30 basis points compared to last year.

 

Gross profit

 

($ in millions)

   2014     2013     2012     2014 vs 2013     2013 vs 2012  

Gross profit

   $ 533.3      $ 570.2      $ 517.3        (6.5 )%      10.2

Percent of net revenue

     25.3     27.9     27.4    

 

Gross profit in 2014 decreased $36.9 million compared to 2013 and gross profit margin declined 260 basis points. The increases in raw materials in addition to the cost associated with the implementation of our new ERP system as well as business integration costs that are not classified as special charges were the main factors to the gross profit reduction.

 

Gross profit in 2013 increased $52.9 million compared to 2012 and gross profit margin improved 50 basis points. The synergies from integrating the acquired business and the recognition of the non-cash charge for the sale of inventories revalued at the date of the acquisition, which reduced gross profit margin 20 basis points in 2012, were the primary reasons for the margin improvement.

 

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Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses

 

($ in millions)

   2014     2013     2012     2014 vs 2013     2013 vs 2012  

SG&A

   $ 383.4      $ 374.7      $ 354.7        2.3     5.6

Percent of net revenue

     18.2     18.3     18.8    

 

SG&A expenses for 2014 increased $8.7 million or 2.3 percent compared to 2013. As a percentage of net revenue, SG&A expenses decreased 10 basis points due to ongoing cost control efforts offsetting higher spending for Project ONE.

 

SG&A expenses for 2013 increased $20.0 million or 5.6 percent compared to 2012. The 50 basis point decrease in SG&A expense as a percentage of net revenue was driven by effective cost controls and the ongoing benefits of the Business Integration Project.

 

We make SG&A expense plans at the beginning of each fiscal year and barring significant changes in business conditions or our outlook for the future, we maintain these spending plans for the entire year. Management routinely monitors our SG&A spending relative to these fiscal year plans for each operating segment and for the company overall. We feel it is important to maintain a consistent spending program in this area as many of the activities within the SG&A category such as the sales force, technology development, and customer service are critical elements of our business strategy.

 

Special Charges, net

 

($ in millions)

   2014      2013      2012  

Special Charges, net

   $ 51.5       $ 45.1       $ 52.5   

 

The following table provides detail of special charges, net:

 

($ in millions)

   2014      2013      2012  

Acquisition and transformation related costs

   $ 7.9       $ 8.7       $ 18.2   

Workforce reduction costs

     3.2         9.8         28.1   

Facility exit costs

     32.1         17.9         4.2   

Other related costs

     8.3         8.7         2.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Special charges, net

   $ 51.5       $ 45.1       $ 52.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The integration of the industrial adhesives business we acquired in March 2012 involves a significant amount of restructuring and capital investment to optimize the new combined entity. In addition to this acquisition, we announced our intentions to take a series of actions in our existing EIMEA operating segment to improve the profitability and future growth prospects of this operating segment. We combined these two initiatives into a single project which we refer to as the “Business Integration Project”. During the years ended November 29, 2014, November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012, we incurred special charges, net of $51.5 million, $45.1 million and $52.5 million respectively, for costs related to the Business Integration Project.

 

Acquisition and transformation related costs of $7.9 million for the year ended November 29, 2014 and $8.7 million for the year ended November 30, 2013 include costs related to organization consulting, financial advisory and legal services necessary to integrate the acquired business into our existing operating segments. For the year ended December 1, 2012 acquisition and transformation related costs of $18.2 million include $24.7 million of costs related to organization consulting, investment advisory, financial advisory, legal and valuation services necessary to acquire and integrate the acquired business and other costs related to the acquisition including an expense of $4.3 million to make a bridge loan available if needed and an expense of $0.8 million related to the purchase of a foreign currency option to hedge a portion of the acquisition purchase price. These costs were partially offset by a net gain of $11.6 million on forward currency contracts used to economically hedge the purchase price of the pending acquisition after the price was established.

 

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During the year ended November 29, 2014, we incurred workforce reduction costs of $3.2 million, cash facility exit costs of $25.2 million, non-cash facility exit costs of $6.9 million and other incremental transformation related costs of $8.3 million including the cost of personnel directly working on the integration. During the year ended November 30, 2013, we incurred workforce reduction costs of $9.8 million, cash facility exit costs of $11.8 million, non-cash facility exit costs of $6.1 million and other incremental transformation related costs of $8.7 million including the cost of personnel directly working on the integration. During the year ended December 1, 2012, we incurred workforce reduction costs of $28.1 million, cash facility exit costs of $1.0 million, non-cash facility exit costs of $3.2 million and other incremental transformation related costs of $2.0 million including the cost of personnel directly working on the integration.

 

We present operating segment information consistent with how we organize our business internally, assess performance and make decisions regarding the allocation of resources. Segment operating income is defined as gross profit less selling, general and administrative expenses. Because this definition excludes special charges, we have not allocated special charges to the operating segments or included them in Management’s Discussion & Analysis of operating segment results. For informational purposes only, the following table provides the special charges, net attributable to each operating segment for the periods presented:

 

($ in millions)

   2014      2013      2012  

Americas Adhesives

   $ 3.1       $ 7.9       $ 7.2   

EIMEA

     44.2         36.2         41.2   

Asia Pacific

     2.4         0.6         3.6   

Company-wide

     1.8         0.4         0.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Special Charges, net

   $ 51.5       $ 45.1       $ 52.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The benefits of the Business Integration Project are expected to be substantial. We have plans to create annual cash cost savings and other cash pretax profit improvement benefits aggregating to $90.0 million when the various integration activities are complete. The Business Integration Project activities were expected to improve the EBITDA margin of the global business from just under 11 percent in 2011 to a target level of 15 percent by 2015. The achievement of the cost savings will be delayed due to project delays and higher than expected implementation costs. We now believe that the 15 percent EBITDA margin goal will be achieved in 2016 or shortly thereafter.

 

We estimated the total costs of the Business Integration Project to be approximately $125.0 million. Primarily due to delays in completing the EIMEA portion of the project, we expect total project costs will exceed this estimate by approximately 30 percent. The following table provides detail of costs incurred inception-to-date as of November 29, 2014 for the Business Integration Project:

 

($ in millions)

   Costs  Incurred
Inception-to-Date
As of November 29, 2014
 

Acquisition and transformation related costs

   $ 42.3   

Work force reduction costs

     41.1   

Cash facility exit costs

     38.0   

Non-cash facility exit costs

     16.2   

Other related costs

     19.0   
  

 

 

 

Business Integration Project

   $ 156.6   
  

 

 

 

 

The costs associated with the acquisition integration and the cash costs of the restructuring are incremental cash outlays that were funded with existing cash and cash generated from operations. Non-cash costs are primarily related to accelerated depreciation of long-lived assets.

 

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From the inception of the project we have focused on three key metrics which track the bulk of the Business Integration Project cost savings and profit improvement objectives: (1) cost savings achieved through workforce reductions, (2) cost reductions achieved through facility closures and consolidation and (3) the EBITDA margin of the business relative to our expected trend over the timeframe of the project. Since the project commenced over three years ago many changes have occurred in the project and within the underlying business. These changes make it difficult to accurately measure the cost savings according to the original metrics that we established. Therefore, going forward we will focus on the EBITDA margin goal of 15 percent as the performance metric for this project. For the year ended November 29, 2014, November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012, we achieved EBITDA margin of 10.2 percent, 12.4 percent and 11.5 percent, respectively.

 

Asset impairment charges

 

($ in millions)

   2014      2013      2012  

Asset impairment charges

   $ —         $ —         $ 1.5   

 

In 2012, we recorded pre-tax asset impairment charges of $1.5 million to write down the value of two of our cost basis investments to fair value.

 

Other income (expense), net

 

($ in millions)

   2014      2013      2012  

Other income (expense), net

   $ 0.7       $ (3.8    $ 0.8   

 

Interest income was $0.4 million in 2014 compared to $0.7 million in 2013 and $1.7 million in 2012. The lower interest income in 2014 compared to 2013 was due to lower average cash balances held globally. The lower interest income in 2013 compared to 2012 was due to lower interest rates in EIMEA and a change in mix from cash held in countries with higher interest rates to countries with lower interest rates. Currency transaction and remeasurement losses were $2.5 million, $4.1 million and $1.2 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Gains on disposal of fixed assets were $2.8 million, $0.3 million and $0.6 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

Interest expense

 

($ in millions)

   2014      2013      2012  

Interest expense

   $ 19.7       $ 19.1       $ 19.8   

 

Interest expense was $19.7 million in 2014 compared to $19.1 million in 2013 and $19.8 million in 2012. The higher interest expense in 2014 compared to 2013 was due to higher average debt balances, partially offset by higher capitalized interest on capital projects. The lower interest expense in 2013 compared to 2012 was due to higher capitalized interest on capital projects, partially offset by higher average debt balances. We capitalized interest of $2.7 million, $1.9 million and $0.2 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

Income taxes

 

($ in millions)

   2014     2013     2012  

Income taxes

   $ 34.3      $ 39.9      $ 30.5   

Effective tax rate

     43.3     31.3     34.0

 

Income tax expense in 2014 of $34.3 million includes $1.4 million of discrete tax benefits in both the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. Income tax expense in 2013 of $39.9 million included $2.4 million of discrete tax benefits

 

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in both the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. Excluding discrete items, the overall effective tax rate increased by 11.9 percentage points in 2014 as compared to 2013. The increase in the tax rate is principally due to a change in the geographic mix of pre-tax earnings and reduced tax benefit for special charges, net.

 

Income tax expense in 2013 of $39.9 million includes $2.4 million of discrete tax benefits in both the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. Income tax expense in 2012 of $30.5 million included $2.0 million of discrete tax expense in both the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. Excluding discrete items, the overall effective tax rate increased by 3.5 percentage points in 2013 as compared to 2012. The increase in the tax rate is principally due to a change in the geographic mix of pre-tax earnings and reduced tax benefit for special charges, net.

 

Income from equity method investments

 

($ in millions)

   2014      2013      2012  

Income from equity method investments

   $ 5.2       $ 8.4       $ 9.2   

 

The income from equity method investments relates to our 50 percent ownership of the Sekisui-Fuller joint venture in Japan. Sekisui-Fuller’s net income measured in Japanese yen was higher in 2014 compared to 2013 and 2012, but the weakening of the yen in 2014 caused the net income in U.S. dollars to be lower. The results reflect the lower net income recorded in U.S. dollars in 2014 compared to 2013 and 2012. Income from equity method investments was negatively impacted in 2014 by a correction of an error in the carrying value of our investment in Sekisui-Fuller in the amount of $1.6 million. See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

 

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

($ in millions)

   2014      2013      2012  

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

   $ —         $ 1.2       $ 57.6   

 

The income from discontinued operations, net of tax, relates to the results of operations and the gain on the sale of the Central America Paints business, which we sold August 6, 2012. In 2013, in conjunction with filing the fiscal year 2012 tax return, we recorded a reduction in the income tax expense of $1.2 million related to the sale of the Central America Paints business. The $57.6 million in 2012 includes the after-tax gain on the sale of our Central America Paints business of $51.1 million.

 

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

 

($ in millions)

   2014      2013      2012  

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

   $ (0.4    $ (0.4    $ (0.2

 

The net income attributable to non-controlling interests relates to the redeemable non-controlling interest in HBF Kimya.

 

Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller

 

($ in millions)

   2014     2013     2012     2014 vs 2013     2013 vs 2012  

Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller

   $ 49.8      $ 96.8      $ 125.6        (48.6 )%      (23.0 )% 

Percent of net revenue

     2.4     4.7     6.7    

 

Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller was $49.8 million in 2014 compared to $96.8 million in 2013 and $125.6 million in 2012. Fiscal year 2014 included $51.5 million of special charges, net ($45.2 million after-tax and a negative $0.88 effect on diluted earnings per share) for costs related to the Business Integration Project compared

 

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to $45.1 million ($35.3 million after-tax) in 2013 and $52.5 million ($35.4 million after-tax) in 2012. 2012 included $57.6 million of income from discontinued operations, net of tax, inclusive of an after-tax gain on the sale of discontinued operations of $51.1 million. Diluted earnings per share, from continuing operations, was $0.97 per share in 2014, $1.87 per share for 2013 and $1.34 per share for 2012.

 

Operating Segment Results

 

We are required to report segment information in the same way that we internally organize our business for assessing performance and making decisions regarding allocation of resources. For segment evaluation by the chief operating decision maker, segment operating income is defined as gross profit less SG&A expenses. Segment operating income excludes special charges, net and asset impairment charges. Inter-segment revenues are recorded at cost plus a markup for administrative costs. Corporate expenses are fully allocated to each operating segment. Our operations are managed through four reportable segments: Americas Adhesives, EIMEA, Asia Pacific and Construction Products.

 

The tables below provide certain information regarding the net revenue and segment operating income of each of our operating segments.

 

Net Revenue by Segment

 

     2014     2013     2012  

($ in millions)

   Net
Revenue
     % of
Total
    Net
Revenue
     % of
Total
    Net
Revenue
     % of
Total
 

Americas Adhesives

   $ 920.7         44   $ 902.6         44   $ 838.6         44

EIMEA

     719.8         34     733.2         36     672.4         36

Asia Pacific

     275.8         13     252.6         12     228.1         12

Construction Products

     188.2         9     158.6         8     147.1         8
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2,104.5         100   $ 2,047.0         100   $ 1,886.2         100
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Segment Operating Income

 

     2014     2013     2012  

($ in millions)

   Operating
Income
     % of
Total
    Operating
Income
     % of
Total
    Operating
Income
     % of
Total
 

Americas Adhesives

   $ 103.3         69   $ 123.3         63   $ 112.4         69

EIMEA

     30.5         20     51.5         26     34.4         21

Asia Pacific

     9.3         6     9.8         5     7.4         5

Construction Products

     6.7         5     10.9         6     8.3         5
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 149.8         100   $ 195.5         100   $ 162.5         100
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of segment operating income to income from continuing operations before income taxes and income from equity method investments, as reported on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

($ in millions)

   2014      2013      2012  

Segment operating income

   $ 149.8       $ 195.5       $ 162.5   

Special charges, net

     (51.5      (45.1      (52.5

Asset impairment charges

     —           —           (1.5

Other income (expense), net

     0.7         (3.8      0.8   

Interest expense

     (19.7      (19.1      (19.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income from equity method investments

   $ 79.3       $ 127.5       $ 89.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Americas Adhesives

 

($ in millions)

   2014     2013     2012     2014 vs 2013     2013 vs 2012  

Net revenue

   $ 920.7      $ 902.6      $ 838.6        2.0     7.6

Segment operating income

   $ 103.3      $ 123.3      $ 112.4        (16.2 )%      9.7

Segment profit margin %

     11.2     13.7     13.4    

 

The following tables provide details of Americas Adhesives net revenue variances:

 

     2014 vs 2013     2013 vs 2012  

Organic growth

     2.4     1.6

Currency

     (0.4 )%      (0.2 )% 

Acquisitions

     0.0     6.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     2.0     7.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Net revenue increased 2.0 percent in 2014 compared to 2013. The 2.4 percent increase in organic sales growth was attributable to a 3.3 percent increase in sales volume offset by a 0.9 percent decrease in pricing. The sales volume increase was driven by volume growth in several market segments and generally in line with end market conditions. Raw material cost as a percentage of net revenue increased 100 basis points as a result of increases in raw materials combined with price reductions. Manufacturing costs as a percentage of net revenue increased 150 basis points compared to 2013. The main driver for this increase is cost associated with the implementation of our new ERP system. Operating expenses as a percentage of net revenue were flat. As a result, segment operating income decreased 16.2 percent compared to 2013 and segment profit margin decreased 250 basis points.

 

Net revenue increased 7.6 percent in 2013 compared to 2012. The 1.6 percent increase in organic sales growth was attributable to a 1.9 percent increase in volume offset by a 0.3 percent decrease in pricing. The acquired business added $51.7 million to net revenue. The sales volume increase was driven by changes in product mix as sales volume growth in several market segments was offset by declines in other market segments, generally in line with end market conditions. Segment operating income increased 9.7 percent compared to 2012 and segment profit margin increased by 30 basis points. Raw material cost as a percentage of net revenue decreased 90 basis points as a result of synergies from integrating the acquired business and other profit margin improvement initiatives in 2013. The margin benefit from lower raw material cost as a percentage of net revenue was partially offset by higher manufacturing and SG&A costs as a percentage of net revenue.

 

EIMEA

 

($ in millions)

   2014     2013     2012     2014 vs 2013     2013 vs 2012  

Net revenue

   $ 719.8      $ 733.2      $ 672.4        (1.8 )%      9.0

Segment operating income

   $ 30.5      $ 51.5      $ 34.4        (40.8 )%      49.4

Segment profit margin %

     4.2     7.0     5.1    

 

The following table provides details of the EIMEA net revenue variances:

 

     2014 vs 2013     2013 vs 2012  

Organic growth

     (2.1 )%      (1.5 )% 

Currency

     0.3     1.5

Acquisitions

     0.0     9.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     (1.8 )%      9.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Net revenue decreased 1.8 percent in 2014 compared to 2013. Pricing increased 0.4 percent offset by a 2.5 percent decrease in sales volume. The stronger Euro partially offset by weaker Turkish lira, Indian rupee and Egyptian pound compared to the U.S. dollar resulted in a 0.3 percent increase in net revenue. Sales volume was down in core Europe reflecting the generally soft end market conditions across most of the region and the negative impact of deteriorated customer service levels due to the Business Integration Project. Sales volume growth was generated in the emerging markets, mainly in India and Turkey. Raw material cost as a percentage of net revenue increased 90 basis points in 2014 compared to 2013 primarily due to an increase in vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) costs in the second half of 2014. All other manufacturing costs as a percentage of net revenue were 190 basis points higher than last year mainly due to business integration costs that are not classified as special charges. Operating expenses as a percentage of net revenue were flat. In 2014, segment operating income decreased 40.8 percent and segment profit margin decreased 280 basis points compared to 2013.

 

Net revenue increased 9.0 percent in 2013 compared to 2012. Pricing increased 1.5 percent offset by a 3.0 percent decrease in sales volume. The stronger Euro compared to the U.S. dollar resulted in a 1.5 percent increase in net revenue. The acquired business contributed $60.3 million of net revenue. Sales volume was down in core Europe reflecting the generally soft end market conditions across most of the region, especially in the southern region and for durable assembly type products which are associated with more cyclical end markets. In addition, we experienced some planned and unplanned volume losses due to negative impacts of the Business Integration Project. Volume growth was generated in the emerging markets of the region, especially Turkey, India and Russia. In 2013, segment operating income increased 49.4 percent and segment profit margin increased 190 basis points compared to 2012. Raw material cost as a percentage of net revenue decreased 130 basis points in 2013 compared to 2012. SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenue which declined 100 basis points relative to the prior year, due primarily to the Business Integration Project, also contributed to the increase in segment profit margin.

 

Asia Pacific

 

($ in millions)

   2014     2013     2012     2014 vs 2013     2013 vs 2012  

Net revenue

   $ 275.8      $ 252.6      $ 228.1        9.2     10.7

Segment operating income

   $ 9.3      $ 9.8      $ 7.4        (4.6 )%      32.8

Segment profit margin %

     3.4     3.9     3.2    

 

The following table provides details of Asia Pacific net revenue variances:

 

     2014 vs 2013     2013 vs 2012  

Organic growth

     11.2     6.5

Currency

     (2.0 )%      (0.1 )% 

Acquisitions

     0.0     4.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     9.2     10.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Net revenue for 2014 increased 9.2 percent compared to 2013. Organic growth was 11.2 percent driven mainly by volume growth while pricing was flat. Volume growth occurred in all Asia sub-regions as market conditions improved. Raw material costs as a percentage of net revenue increased 80 basis points in 2014 relative to the prior year. Manufacturing costs as a percentage of net revenue were flat in 2014 compared to 2013. SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenue decreased 30 basis points compared to 2013. Segment operating income decreased 4.6% and segment profit margin decreased 50 basis points in 2014 compared to 2013.

 

Net revenue for 2013 increased 10.7 percent compared to 2012. Organic growth was 6.5 percent reflecting an 8.3 percent increase in sales volume offset by a 1.8 percent decrease in pricing. Volume growth was driven mainly by China as market conditions improve in this region, however volume declined in both Australia and Southeast

 

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Asia compared to 2012 consistent with current market and economic conditions. Net revenue increased $9.8 million from the acquired business. Segment operating income increased $2.4 million and segment profit margin increased 70 basis points in 2013 compared to 2012. Raw material costs as a percentage of net revenue increased 90 basis points in 2013 compared to 2012. Manufacturing costs as a percentage of net revenue increased 20 basis points due to investments that we are making related to our electronics business. SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenue decreased 170 basis points compared to 2012.

 

Construction Products

 

($ in millions)

   2014     2013     2012     2014 vs 2013     2013 vs 2012  

Net revenue

   $ 188.2      $ 158.6      $ 147.1        18.7     7.8

Segment operating income

   $ 6.7      $ 10.9      $ 8.3        (39.1 )%      31.3

Segment profit margin %

     3.5     6.9     5.7    

 

The following tables provide details of Construction Products net revenue variances:

 

     2014 vs 2013     2013 vs 2012  

Organic growth

     18.7     7.8

 

Net revenue increased 18.7 percent in 2014 driven by 20.4 percent increase in sales volume offset by a 1.7 percent decrease in pricing compared to 2013. The increase in sales volume was primarily attributed to continued market share gains with several key retail partners. Raw material cost as a percentage of net revenue increased by 190 basis points in 2014 relative to 2013 primarily due to changes in sales mix. Manufacturing cost as a percentage of net revenue increased by 240 basis points mainly due to lower productivity rates as new business was ramped up. Operating expenses as a percentage of net revenue decreased 90 basis points compared to 2013. Segment operating income decreased 39.1 percent and segment profit margin decreased 340 basis points compared to 2013.

 

Net revenue increased 7.8 percent in 2013 driven by an 8.9 percent increase in sales volume offset by a 1.1 percent decrease in pricing compared to 2012. The increase in sales volume was primarily attributed to continued market share gains with several key retail partners. Segment operating income increased 31.3 percent and segment profit margin increased 120 basis points compared to 2012. Raw material cost as a percentage of net revenue declined by 20 basis points in 2013 relative to 2012 primarily due to changes in the mix of products sold. The improvement in segment profit margin was also driven by lower manufacturing and SG&A expenses as a percentage of net revenue as these expenses increased at a lower rate than net revenue growth.

 

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Total cash and cash equivalents as of November 29, 2014 were $77.6 million as compared to $155.1 million as of November 30, 2013. Total long and short-term debt was $574.8 million as of November 29, 2014 and $492.9 million as of November 30, 2013.

 

We believe that cash flows from operating activities will be adequate to meet our ongoing liquidity and capital expenditure needs. In addition, we believe we have the ability to obtain both short-term and long-term debt to meet our financing needs for the foreseeable future. Cash available in the United States has historically been sufficient and we expect it will continue to be sufficient to fund U.S. operations and U.S. capital spending and U.S. pension and other post retirement benefit contributions in addition to funding U.S. acquisitions, dividend payments, debt service and share repurchases as needed. For those international earnings considered to be reinvested indefinitely, we currently have no intention to, and plans do not indicate a need to, repatriate these funds for U.S. operations.

 

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Our credit agreements include restrictive covenants that, if not met, could lead to a renegotiation of our credit lines and a significant increase in our cost of financing. At November 29, 2014, we were in compliance with all covenants of our contractual obligations.

 

Covenant

  

Debt Instrument

  

Measurement

   Result as of
November 29,
2014
 

TTM EBITDA / TTM Interest Expense

   All Debt Instruments    Not less than 2.5      11.1   

Total Indebtedness / TTM EBITDA

   All Debt Instruments    Not greater than 3.5      2.6   

 

• TTM = trailing 12 months

• EBITDA for covenant purposes is defined as consolidated net income, plus (i) interest expense, (ii) taxes, (iii) depreciation and amortization, (iv) non-cash impairment losses, (v) extraordinary non-cash losses incurred other than in the ordinary course of business, (vi) nonrecurring extraordinary non-cash restructuring charges, (vii) [reserved] , (viii) cash expenses incurred during fiscal years 2013 through 2015 in connection with facilities consolidation, restructuring and integration, discontinuance of operations, work force reduction, sale or abandonment of assets other than inventory, and professional and other fees incurred in connection with the acquired business or the restructuring of the company’s Europe, India, Middle East and Africa operations, not to exceed (x) $39.8 million for the period beginning with the fiscal quarter ending November 30, 2013 through and including the fiscal quarter ending May 31, 2014 and (y) $20.0 million for the period beginning with the fiscal quarter ending August 30, 2014 through and including the fiscal quarter ending November 28, 2015, (ix) cash expenses related to the Tonsan acquisition for advisory services and for arranging financing for the acquired business (including the non-cash write-off of deferred financing costs and any loss or expense on foreign exchange transactions intended to hedge the purchase price for the acquired business) with cash expenses not to exceed $10.0 million, minus extraordinary non-cash gains incurred other than in the ordinary course of business. For the Total Indebtedness / TTM EBITDA ratio, TTM EBITDA is adjusted for the pro forma results from Material Acquisitions and Material Divestitures as if the acquisition or divestiture occurred at the beginning of the calculation period. Additional detail is provided in the Form 8-K dated October 31, 2014.

 

We believe we have the ability to meet all of our contractual obligations and commitments in fiscal 2015.

 

Net Financial Assets

 

($ in millions)

   2014      2013  

Financial Assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 77.6       $ 155.1   

Debt:

     

Notes payable

     27.1         20.6   

Long-term debt

     547.7         472.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total debt

     574.8         492.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net financial debt

   $ 497.2       $ 337.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Of the $77.6 million in cash and cash equivalents as of November 29, 2014, $70.9 million was held outside the U.S. Of the $70.9 million of cash held outside the U.S., earnings on $63.1 million are indefinitely reinvested outside of the U.S. It is not practical for us to determine the U.S. tax implications of the repatriation of these funds.

 

There are no contractual or regulatory restrictions on the ability of consolidated and unconsolidated subsidiaries to transfer funds in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances to us, except for: 1) a credit facility limitation restricting investments, loans, advances or capital contributions from the U.S. parent corporation, the Irish financing subsidiary, and the Construction Products subsidiary in excess of $100.0 million, 2) a credit facility limitation that provides total investments, loans, advances or guarantees not otherwise permitted in the credit

 

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agreement for all subsidiaries shall not exceed $125.0 million in the aggregate and 3) typical statutory restrictions, which prohibit distributions in excess of net capital or similar tests. The 2012 Forbo acquisition and any investments, loans, and advances established to consummate the Forbo acquisition are excluded from the credit facility limitations described above. Additionally, we have taken the income tax position that the majority of our cash in non-U.S. locations is indefinitely reinvested.

 

We rely on operating cash flow, short-term borrowings and long-term debt to provide for the working capital needs of our operations. We believe that we have the ability to obtain both short-term and long-term debt to meet our financing needs for the foreseeable future.

 

Debt Outstanding and Debt Capacity

 

Notes Payable:    Notes payable were $27.1 million at November 29, 2014. This amount mainly represented various short-term borrowings that were not part of committed lines. The weighted-average interest rates on these short-term borrowings were 11.3 percent in 2014 and 8.9 percent in 2013.

 

Long-Term Debt:    Long-term debt consisted of senior notes and term loans. The Series A and Series B senior notes bear a fixed interest rate of 5.13 percent and mature in fiscal year 2017. The Series C and Series D senior notes bear a fixed interest rate of 5.61 percent and mature in fiscal year 2020. The Series E senior notes bear a fixed interest rate of 4.12 percent and mature in fiscal year 2022. We are subject to prepayment penalties on our senior notes. As of November 29, 2014, “make-whole” premiums were estimated to be, if the entire debt were paid off, $50.5 million. We currently have no intention to prepay any senior notes.

 

We executed interest rate swap agreements for the purpose of obtaining a floating rate of interest on $75.0 million of the $150.0 million senior notes. We have designated the $75.0 million of senior note debt as the hedged item in a fair value hedge. As required by applicable accounting standards, we recorded an asset for the fair value of the interest rate swaps (hedging instruments) totaling $4.7 million and recognized a liability of $4.7 million for the change in the fair value of the senior notes attributable to the change in the risk being hedged. This calculation resulted in $154.7 million being recorded in long-term debt related to these senior notes as of November 29, 2014. For further information related to long-term debt see Note 7 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

On October 31, 2014, we entered into a credit agreement with a consortium of financial institutions under which we established a $300.0 million term loan that we can use to repay existing indebtedness, finance working capital needs, finance acquisitions, and for general corporate purposes. The term loan is committed financing that can be drawn at any time up to 270 days after October 31, 2014. At November 29, 2014, there was no balance drawn on the term loan. The interest rate on the term loan, if drawn, bears a floating interest rate at the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 125 basis points and matures in 2019. There is no prepayment penalty on the term loan. See the discussion below regarding our lines of credit.

 

On October 31, 2014 we amended various provisions of the Note Purchase Agreements Series A through E, including the covenant definition of Consolidated EBITDA. As part of these amendments, the interest rate on the debt may increase based on a ratings grid. Additional details on the Note Purchase Agreement amendments can be found in the 8-K dated October 31, 2014.

 

Lines of Credit:    We have a revolving credit agreement with a consortium of financial institutions at November 29, 2014. This credit agreement creates an unsecured multi-currency revolving credit facility that we can draw upon for general corporate purposes up to a maximum of $300.0 million. Interest is payable at LIBOR plus 1.075 percent. A facility fee of 0.175 percent is payable quarterly. The interest rate and the facility fee are based on a rating grid. The credit facility expires on October 31, 2019. As of November 29, 2014, we had drawn $143.0 million on our lines of credit.

 

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

As of November 29, 2014, goodwill totaled $256.0 million (14 percent of total assets) and other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization, totaled $195.9 million (10 percent of total assets).

 

The components of goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets, net of amortization, by segment at November 29, 2014 are as follows:

 

($ in millions)

   Americas
Adhesives
     EIMEA      Asia
Pacific
     Construction
Products
     Total  

Goodwill

   $ 71.3       $ 139.7       $ 24.2       $ 20.8       $ 256.0   

Purchased technology & patents

     17.5         10.0         3.0         1.4         31.9   

Customer relationships

     17.9         30.2         5.2         78.1         131.4   

Other finite-lived intangible assets1

     4.9         19.1         2.0         6.1         32.1   

Indefinite-lived intangible assets2

     —           0.5         —           —           0.5   

 

  1 Other finite-lived intangible assets are related to operating segment trademarks.

 

  2 Indefinite-lived intangible assets are related to EIMEA operating segment trademarks.

 

Selected Metrics of Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Key metrics we monitor are net working capital as a percent of annualized net revenue, trade account receivable days sales outstanding (DSO), inventory days on hand, free cash flow and debt capitalization ratio.

 

      November 29,
2014
  November 30,
2013

Net working capital as a percentage of annualized net revenue1

   19.1%   16.5%

Accounts receivable DSO2

   56 Days   55 Days

Inventory days on hand3

   58 Days   53 Days

Free cash flow4

   $(133.1) million   $(10.9) million

Debt capitalization ratio5

   39.2%   34.6%

 

  1 Current quarter net working capital (trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts plus inventory minus trade payables) divided by annualized net revenue.

 

  2 Trade receivables net of allowance for doubtful accounts multiplied by 56 (8 weeks) and divided by the net revenue for the last 2 months of the quarter.

 

  3 Total inventory multiplied by 56 and divided by cost of sales (excluding delivery costs) for the last 2 months of the quarter.

 

  4 Net cash provided by operations less purchased property, plant and equipment and dividends paid.

 

  5 Total debt divided by (total debt plus total stockholders’ equity).

 

Another key metric we measure is the return on invested capital, or ROIC. The calculation is represented by total return divided by total invested capital.

 

   

Total return is defined as: gross profit less SG&A expenses, less taxes at the effective tax rate plus income from equity method investments. Total return is calculated using trailing 12 month information.

 

   

Total invested capital is defined as the sum of notes payable, current maturities of long-term debt, long-term debt, redeemable non-controlling interest and total equity.

 

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We believe ROIC provides a true measure of return on capital invested and is focused on the long term. The following table shows the ROIC calculation as of November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013 based on the definition above:

 

($ in millions)

   Trailing 12 months
as of November 29, 2014
    Trailing 12 months
as of November 30, 2013
 

Gross profit

   $ 533.3      $ 570.2   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     (383.4     (374.7

Income taxes at effective rate

     (46.7     (56.6

Income from equity method investments

     5.2        8.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total return

   $ 108.4      $ 147.3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total invested capital

     1,470.0        1,428.1   

Return on invested capital

     7.4     10.3

 

Summary of Cash Flows

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities from Continuing Operations

 

($ in millions)

   2014      2013      2012  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 29.7       $ 132.7       $ 108.6   

 

Net income including non-controlling interest was $50.2 million in 2014, $97.2 million in 2013 and $125.9 million in 2012. Depreciation and amortization expense totaled $70.5 million in 2014 compared to $61.7 million in 2013 and $57.4 million in 2012. The higher depreciation and amortization expense in 2014 was directly related to the significant increase in capital expenditures in 2014 and 2013.

 

Changes in net working capital (trade receivables, inventory and trade payables) accounted for a use of cash of $69.6 million, $2.8 million and $39.2 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Following is an assessment of each of the net working capital components:

 

   

Trade Receivables, net – Changes in trade receivables resulted in an $18.9 million use of cash in 2014 as compared to $7.3 million use of cash in 2013 and a $17.3 million use of cash in 2012. The larger use of cash in 2014 was partially related to higher net revenue and a one day higher DSO compared to 2013. The DSO was 56 days at November 29, 2014, 55 days at November 30, 2013 and 56 days at December 1, 2012.

 

   

Inventory – Changes in inventory resulted in a $36.2 million use of cash in 2014 as compared to a use of cash of $11.8 million in 2013 and a use of cash of $17.1 million in 2012. Inventory days on hand were 58 days at the end of 2014 as compared to 53 days at the end of 2013 and 53 days at the end of 2012, respectively. Inventory levels have increased to support the manufacturing transitions that are underway as part of the Business Integration Project and the implementation of our ERP system in North America.

 

   

Trade Payables – Changes in trade payables resulted in a use of cash of $14.5 million in 2014 and a source of cash of $16.3 million in 2013 and a use of cash of $4.8 million in 2012. The use of cash in 2014 compared to the source of cash in 2013 was primarily related to the timing of payments.

 

Contributions to our pension and other postretirement benefit plans were $12.6 million, $6.8 million and $9.8 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Changes in deferred income taxes resulted in a source of cash of $4.2 million in 2014 compared to a source of cash of $9.6 million in 2013 and a use of cash of $16.8 million in 2012. The source of cash in deferred income taxes in 2014 compared to 2013 was primarily related to an increase in our minimum pension liability. Income taxes payable resulted in a use of cash of $0.1 million, a use of cash of $17.9 million and a source of cash of $15.2 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The 2014 change in income taxes payable was related to lower net income and the timing of U.S. estimated tax payments. Other assets was a use of cash of $41.7 million, $13.8 million and $4.3 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The larger use of cash in 2014 was primarily related to prepaid taxes other than income taxes. Accrued compensation was a use of cash of $28.1 million in 2014, a source of cash of $3.8 million in 2013 and a source of

 

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cash of $21.0 million in 2012. The use of cash in 2014 relates to the payments of severance related costs as part of our Business Integration Project and lower accruals for our employee incentive plans. Other operating activity was a source of cash of $33.3 million in 2014 a use of cash of $11.1 million in 2013 and a use of cash of $2.1 million in 2012. The source of cash in 2014 was primarily related to the impact of a stronger U.S. dollar on intercompany transactions. Income from discontinued operations, net of tax reduced cash flows from operating activities by $1.2 million and $57.6 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively. The $57.6 million in 2012 includes an after-tax gain on the sale of our Central America Paints business of $51.1 million.

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities from Continuing Operations

 

($ in millions)

   2014     2013     2012  

Net cash used in investing activities

   $ (160.0   $ (133.2   $ (446.8

 

Purchases of property plant and equipment were $139.8 million in 2014 as compared to $124.3 million in 2013 and $35.9 million in 2012. The increase in 2014 and 2013 was primarily related to capital expenditures for the Business Integration Project and our Project ONE ERP system.

 

In 2014 we purchased the ProSpec construction products business for $26.2 million and adjusted the purchase price of Plexbond Quimica for $0.2 million. We acquired Plexbond Quimica, S.A. for $10.2 million in 2013. We acquired the global industrial adhesives business of Forbo Holding AG for $404.7 million and the outstanding shares of Engent, Inc. for $7.9 million in 2012. In 2013 an adjustment of the purchase price for the Forbo industrial adhesives business acquisition reduced cash used in investing activities by $1.6 million. In 2013 we purchased technology for the use in electronics markets for $2.4 million. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on acquisitions.

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities from Continuing Operations

 

($ in millions)

   2014      2013     2012  

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   $ 55.0       $ (48.7   $ 273.9   

 

Proceeds from long-term debt and repayment of long-term debt in 2014 were $560.0 million and $483.3 million, respectively and netted to a $76.7 million source of cash in 2014. Proceeds from long-term debt and repayment of long-term debt in 2013 were $107.0 million and $129.5 million, respectively. Proceeds from long-term debt in 2012 were $584.2 million of which $400.0 million was used for financing the acquisition of the acquired business. Included in the 2012 proceeds of long-term debt was our note purchase agreement under which we issued $250.0 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes and a draw down of our $150.0 million term loan. Repayment of long-term debt in 2012 was $292.3 million which included prepayment of $80.0 million of long-term debt with proceeds from the sale of our Central America Paints business.

 

Cash paid for dividends were $23.1 million, $19.3 million and $16.5 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Cash generated from the exercise of stock options was $6.9 million in 2014, $8.9 million in 2013 and $7.4 million in 2012. Repurchases of common stock were $15.5 million in 2014 compared to $17.6 million in 2013 and $4.3 million in 2012, including $12.3 million in 2014, $15.3 million in 2013 and $3.0 million in 2012 from our 2010 share repurchase program.

 

Cash Flows from Discontinued Operations

 

($ in millions)

   2014      2013      2012  

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities of discontinued operations

   $ —         $ 1.1       $ (13.9

Cash provided by investing activities of discontinued operations, including proceeds from sale of business

     —           —           120.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by discontinued operations

   $ —         $ 1.1       $ 106.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Cash flows from discontinued operations includes the proceeds from the sale of $118.5 million in 2012 and cash generated from operations and investing activities of the Central America Paints business.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

Due dates and amounts of contractual obligations follow:

 

     Payments Due by Period  

($ in millions)

   Total      Less
than 1
year
     1-3
years
     3-5
years
     More
than 5
years
 

Long-term debt

   $ 547.7       $ —         $ 52.5       $ 143.0       $ 352.2   

Interest payable on long-term debt1

     133.7         19.8         43.4         43.6         26.9   

Operating leases

     17.9         8.4         6.6         2.3         0.6   

Pension contributions2

     3.7         3.7         —           —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total contractual obligations

   $ 703.0       $ 31.9       $ 102.5       $ 188.9       $ 379.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  1 Some of our interest obligations on long-term debt are variable based on LIBOR. Interest payable for the variable portion is estimated based on a forward LIBOR curve.

 

  2 Pension contributions are only included for fiscal 2015. We have not determined our pension funding obligations beyond 2015 and thus, any potential future contributions have been excluded from the table.

 

We expect to make cash outlays in the future related to uncertain tax positions. However, due to the uncertainty of the timing of future cash flows, we are unable to make reasonably reliable estimates of the period of cash settlement, if any, with the respective taxing authorities. Accordingly, gross unrecognized tax benefits of $4.8 million as of November 29, 2014, have been excluded from the contractual obligations table above. For further information related to unrecognized tax benefits see Note 8 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

We expect 2015 capital expenditures to be approximately $70.0 million.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

There are no relationships with any unconsolidated, special-purpose entities or financial partnerships established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet financial arrangements.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information concerning new accounting standards and the impact of the implementation of these standards on our financial statements.

 

Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors

 

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of words like “plan,” “expect,” “aim,” “believe,” “project,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “will,” “should,” “could” (including the negative or variations thereof) and other expressions that indicate future events and trends. These plans and expectations are based upon certain underlying assumptions, including those mentioned with the specific statements. Such assumptions are in turn based upon internal estimates and analyses of current market conditions and trends, our plans and strategies, economic conditions and other factors. These plans and expectations and the assumptions underlying them are necessarily subject to risks and uncertainties inherent in projecting future conditions and results. Actual results could differ materially from expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements if

 

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one or more of the underlying assumptions and expectations proves to be inaccurate or is unrealized. In addition to the factors described in this report, Item 1A. Risk Factors identifies some of the important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in any such forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, we have identified these important factors which could affect our financial performance and could cause our actual results for future periods to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered, together with any similar risk factors or other cautionary language that may be made elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

The list of important factors in Item 1A. Risk Factors does not necessarily present the risk factors in order of importance. This disclosure, including that under “Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors,” and other forward-looking statements and related disclosures made by us in this report and elsewhere from time to time, represents our best judgment as of the date the information is given. We do not undertake responsibility for updating any of such information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. Investors are advised, however, to consult any further public company disclosures (such as in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission or in our press releases) on related subjects.

 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Market Risk:    We are exposed to various market risks, including changes in interest rates, foreign currency rates and prices of raw materials. Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.

 

Our financial performance has been, and may continue to be, negatively affected by unfavorable economic conditions. Continued or further recessionary economic conditions may have an adverse impact on our sales volumes, pricing levels and profitability. As domestic and international economic conditions change, trends in discretionary consumer spending also become unpredictable and subject to reductions due to uncertainties about the future. A general reduction in consumer discretionary spending due to a recession in the domestic and international economies, or uncertainties regarding future economic prospects, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

 

Interest Rate Risk:    Exposure to changes in interest rates results primarily from borrowing activities used to fund operations. Committed floating rate credit facilities are used to fund a portion of operations. We believe that probable near-term changes in interest rates would not materially affect financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The annual impact on interest expense of a one-percentage point interest rate change on the outstanding balance of our variable rate debt as of November 29, 2014 would be approximately $1.4 million or $0.03 per diluted share.

 

Foreign Exchange Risk:    As a result of being a global enterprise, there is exposure to market risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which may adversely affect operating results and financial condition. Approximately 58 percent of net revenue was generated outside of the United States in 2014. Principal foreign currency exposures relate to the Euro, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Chinese renminbi, Japanese yen, Australian dollar, Argentine peso, Brazilian real, Colombian peso, Mexican peso, Turkish lira, Egyptian pound, Indian rupee, and Malaysian ringgit.

 

Our objective is to balance, where possible, non-functional currency denominated assets to non-functional currency denominated liabilities to have a natural hedge and minimize foreign exchange impacts. We enter into cross border transactions through importing and exporting goods to and from different countries and locations. These transactions generate foreign exchange risk as they create assets, liabilities and cash flows in currencies other than their functional currency. This also applies to services provided and other cross border agreements among subsidiaries.

 

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We take steps to minimize risks from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations through normal operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative instruments. We do not enter into any speculative positions with regard to derivative instruments.

 

From a sensitivity analysis viewpoint, based on 2014 financial results and foreign currency balance sheet positions as of November 29, 2014, a hypothetical overall 10 percent change in the U.S. dollar would have resulted in a change in net income of approximately $4.4 million or $0.09 per diluted share.

 

Raw Materials:    The principal raw materials used to manufacture products include resins, polymers, synthetic rubbers, vinyl acetate monomer and plasticizers. We generally avoid sole source supplier arrangements for raw materials. While alternate supplies of most key raw materials are available, unplanned supplier production outages may lead to strained supply-demand situations for several key raw materials such as ethylene and propylene, several polymers and other petroleum derivatives such as waxes.

 

The purchase of raw materials is our largest expenditure. Our objective is to purchase raw materials that meet both our quality standards and production needs at the lowest total cost. Most raw materials are purchased on the open market or under contracts that limit the frequency but not the magnitude of price increases. In some cases, however, the risk of raw material price changes is managed by strategic sourcing agreements which limit price increases to increases in supplier feedstock costs, while requiring decreases as feedstock costs decline. The leverage of having substitute raw materials approved for use wherever possible is used to minimize the impact of possible price increases.

 

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

H.B. Fuller Company

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of H.B. Fuller Company and subsidiaries as of November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income (loss), total equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended November 29, 2014. We also have audited H.B. Fuller Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of November 29, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). H.B. Fuller Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control of Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

 

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

 

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

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of H.B. Fuller Company and subsidiaries as of November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended November 29, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, H.B Fuller Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of November 29, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

 

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H.B. Fuller Company acquired ProSpec construction products during the fourth quarter of 2014, and management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of November 29, 2014, ProSpec construction products’ internal control over financial reporting associated with total assets of approximately 1 percent of H.B. Fuller Company’s total assets as of November 29, 2014. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of H.B. Fuller Company also excluded an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of ProSpec construction products.

 

/s/ KPMG LLP

 

Minneapolis, MN

January 28, 2015

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

H.B. Fuller Company and Subsidiaries

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Fiscal Years  
     November 29,
2014
    November 30,
2013
    December 1,
2012
 

Net revenue

   $ 2,104,454      $ 2,046,968      $ 1,886,239   

Cost of sales

     (1,571,164     (1,476,797     (1,368,963
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     533,290        570,171        517,276   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     (383,449     (374,669     (354,735

Special charges, net

     (51,501     (45,087     (52,467

Asset impairment charges

     —          —          (1,517

Other income (expense), net

     716        (3,751     784   

Interest expense

     (19,744     (19,120     (19,793
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income from equity method investments

     79,312        127,544        89,548   

Income taxes

     (34,348     (39,949     (30,479

Income from equity method investments

     5,187        8,380        9,218   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

     50,151        95,975        68,287   

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     —          1,211        57,568   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income including non-controlling interests

     50,151        97,186        125,855   

Net income attributable to non-controlling interests

     (378     (425     (233
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller

   $ 49,773      $ 96,761      $ 125,622   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share attributable to H.B. Fuller common stockholders:

      

Basic

      

Income from continuing operations

   $ 1.00      $ 1.92      $ 1.37   

Income from discontinued operations

   $ —        $ 0.02      $ 1.16   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

   $ 1.00      $ 1.94      $ 2.53   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

      

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.97      $ 1.87      $ 1.34   

Income from discontinued operations

   $ —        $ 0.02      $ 1.14   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.97      $ 1.89      $ 2.48   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

      

Basic

     50,006        49,893        49,571   

Diluted

     51,255        51,136        50,618   

Dividends declared per common share

   $ 0.460      $ 0.385      $ 0.330   

  

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(In thousands)

 

     Fiscal Years  
     November 29,
2014
    November 30,
2013
    December 1,
2012
 

Net income including non-controlling interests

   $ 50,151      $ 97,186      $ 125,855   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

      

Foreign currency translation

     (38,687     (931     (2,957

Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of tax

     (36,874     68,196        (47,283

Interest rate swaps, net of tax

     41        41        41   

Cash-flow hedges, net of tax

     116        303        (394
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     (75,404     67,609        (50,593
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

     (25,253     164,795        75,262   

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests

     364        370        261   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to H.B. Fuller

   $ (25,617   $ 164,425      $ 75,001   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

H.B. Fuller Company and Subsidiaries

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

     November 29,
2014
    November 30,
2013
 

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 77,569      $ 155,121   

Trade receivables, net

     341,307        331,125   

Inventories

     251,290        221,537   

Other current assets

     93,105        85,046   

Current assets of discontinued operations

     1,865        1,865   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     765,136        794,694   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

     502,634        434,387   

Goodwill

     255,972        263,103   

Other intangibles, net

     195,938        219,401   

Other assets

     149,326        161,443   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,869,006      $ 1,873,028   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and total equity

    

Current liabilities:

    

Notes payable

   $ 27,149      $ 20,589   

Trade payables

     174,494        201,575   

Accrued compensation

     45,746        76,218   

Income taxes payable

     13,761        10,830   

Other accrued expenses

     51,049        46,566   

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

     5,000        5,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     317,199        360,778   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt

     547,735        472,315   

Accrued pension liabilities

     67,193        52,922   

Other liabilities

     41,775        51,835   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     973,902        937,850   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

     —          —     

Redeemable non-controlling interest

     4,654        4,717   

Equity:

    

H.B. Fuller stockholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock (no shares outstanding) Shares authorized—10,045,900

     —          —     

Common stock, par value $1.00 per share, Shares authorized—160,000,000, Shares outstanding—50,310,803 and 50,228,543, for 2014 and 2013, respectively

     50,311        50,229   

Additional paid-in capital

     53,269        44,490   

Retained earnings

     933,819        907,308   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (147,352     (71,962
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total H.B. Fuller stockholders’ equity

     890,047        930,065   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-controlling interests

     403        396   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     890,450        930,461   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and total equity

   $ 1,869,006      $ 1,873,028   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF TOTAL EQUITY

H.B. Fuller Company and Subsidiaries

(In thousands)

 

    H.B. Fuller Company Shareholders  
    Common
Stock
    Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Non-Controlling
Interests
    Total  

Balance at December 3, 2011

  $ 49,450      $ 23,770      $ 720,989      $ (89,005   $ 373      $ 705,577   

Comprehensive income (loss)

        125,622        (50,621     261        75,262   

Dividends

        (16,580         (16,580

Stock option exercises

    426        6,975              7,401   

Share-based compensation plans other, net

    181        10,136              10,317   

Tax benefit on share-based compensation plans

      1,263              1,263   

Repurchases of common stock

    (154     (4,179           (4,333

Redeemable non-controlling interest

            (209     (209
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 1, 2012

    49,903        37,965        830,031        (139,626     425        778,698   

Comprehensive income (loss)

        96,761        67,664        370        164,795   

Dividends

        (19,484         (19,484

Stock option exercises

    462        8,429              8,891   

Share-based compensation plans other, net

    301        12,621              12,922   

Tax benefit on share-based compensation plans

      2,676              2,676   

Repurchases of common stock

    (437     (17,201           (17,638

Redeemable non-controlling interest

            (399     (399
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at November 30, 2013

    50,229        44,490        907,308        (71,962     396        930,461   

Comprehensive income (loss)

        49,773        (75,390     364        (25,253

Dividends

        (23,262         (23,262

Stock option exercises

    330        6,522              6,852   

Share-based compensation plans other, net

    70        14,092              14,162   

Tax benefit on share-based compensation plans

      3,357              3,357   

Repurchases of common stock

    (318     (15,192           (15,510

Redeemable non-controlling interest

            (357     (357
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at November 29, 2014

  $ 50,311      $ 53,269      $ 933,819      $ (147,352   $ 403      $ 890,450   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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H.B. FULLER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

     Fiscal Years  
     November 29,
2014
    November 30,
2013
    December 1,
2012
 

Cash flows from operating activities from continuing operations:

      

Net income including non-controlling interests

   $ 50,151      $ 97,186      $ 125,855   

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     —          (1,211     (57,568

Adjustments to reconcile net income including non-controlling interests to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation

     47,254        39,149        38,713   

Amortization

     23,240        22,508        18,703   

Deferred income taxes

     4,154        9,648        (16,820

(Income) from equity method investments, net of dividends received

     (2,857     4,559        (4,436

Share-based compensation

     13,376        12,317        9,728   

Pension and other postretirement benefit plan contributions

     (12,575     (6,811     (9,763

Pension and other postretirement benefit plan income (expense)

     20,399        (1,777     1,854   

Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation

     (3,357     (2,676     (1,263

Non-cash charge for the sale of inventories revalued at the date of acquisition

     138        189        3,228   

Asset impairment charges

     —          —          1,517   

Change in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:

      

Trade receivables, net

     (18,893     (7,281     (17,341

Inventories

     (36,227     (11,797     (17,081

Other assets

     (41,711     (13,848     (4,313

Trade payables

     (14,544     16,258        (4,845

Accrued compensation

     (28,103     3,786        20,950   

Other accrued expenses

     6,006        4,793        4,909   

Income taxes payable

     (112     (17,933     15,173   

Other liabilities

     (9,941     (3,263     3,531   

Other

     33,336        (11,103     (2,090
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations

     29,734        132,693        108,641   

Cash flows from investing activities from continuing operations:

      

Purchased property, plant and equipment

     (139,794     (124,288     (35,913

Purchased businesses, net of cash acquired

     (26,334     (8,614     (412,606

Purchased technology

     —          (2,387     —     

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

     6,111        2,135        1,756   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations

     (160,017     (133,154     (446,763

Cash flows from financing activities from continuing operations:

      

Proceeds from long-term debt

     560,000        107,034        584,208   

Repayment of long-term debt

     (483,250     (129,502     (292,333

Net proceeds from (payments on) notes payable

     6,602        (545     (5,837

Dividends paid

     (23,087     (19,334     (16,454

Distribution to redeemable non-controlling interest

     —          (244     —     

Proceeds from stock options exercised

     6,852        8,891        7,401   

Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation

     3,357        2,676        1,263   

Repurchases of common stock

     (15,510     (17,638     (4,333
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities from continuing operations

     54,964        (48,662     273,915   

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (2,233     2,671        3,656   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations

     (77,552     (46,452     (60,551

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities of discontinued operations

     —          1,137        (13,893

Cash provided by investing activities of discontinued operations, including proceeds from sale of business

     —          —          120,231   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     (77,552     (45,315     45,787   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     155,121        200,436        154,649   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   $ 77,569      $ 155,121      $ 200,436   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

      

Dividends paid with company stock

   $ 175      $ 150      $ 126   

Cash paid for interest, net of amount capitalized of $2,725, $1,921 and $151 for the years ended November 29, 2014, November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012, respectively

   $ 24,758      $ 23,574      $ 19,816   

Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds

   $ 16,599      $ 41,920      $ 31,832   

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

H.B. Fuller Company and Subsidiaries

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

Note 1:    Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Nature of Business:    H.B. Fuller Company and its subsidiaries formulate, manufacture and market adhesives, sealants and other specialty chemical products globally, with sales operations in 40 countries in North America, Europe, Latin America, the Asia Pacific region, India, the Middle East and Africa.

 

Our business is reported in four operating segments: Americas Adhesives, EIMEA (Europe, India, Middle East and Africa), Asia Pacific and Construction Products. Of the 2014 net revenue, Americas Adhesives operating segment accounted for 44 percent, EIMEA 34 percent, Asia Pacific 13 percent and Construction Products 9 percent.

 

The Americas Adhesives, EIMEA and Asia Pacific operating segments produce and supply industrial adhesives products for applications in various markets including assembly (appliances, filters, construction, automotive, electronics, etc.), packaging (food and beverage containers, flexible packaging, consumer goods, package integrity and re-enforcement, durable and non-durable goods, etc.), converting (corrugation, tape and label, paper converting, envelopes, books, multi-wall bags, sacks, tissue and towel), nonwoven and hygiene (disposable diapers, feminine care and medical garments), performance wood (windows, doors, wood flooring) and textile (footwear, sportswear, etc.).

 

The Construction Products operating segment includes products used for tile setting (adhesives, grouts, mortars, sealers, levelers, etc.) and heating, ventilation and air conditioning and insulation applications (duct sealants, weather barriers and fungicidal coatings, block fillers, etc.).

 

Principles of Consolidation:    The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of H.B. Fuller Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated. Investments in affiliated companies in which we exercise significant influence, but which we do not control, are accounted for in the Consolidated Financial Statements under the equity method of accounting. As such, consolidated net income includes our equity portion in current earnings of such companies, after elimination of intercompany profits. Investments in which we do not exercise significant influence (generally less than a 20 percent ownership interest) are accounted for under the cost method.

 

Our 50 percent ownership in Sekisui-Fuller Company, Ltd., our Japan joint venture, is accounted for under the equity method of accounting as we do not exercise control over the company. For fiscal years 2014 and 2013, this equity method investment exceeded the 10 percent threshold but not the 20 percent threshold test for a significant subsidiary as defined in Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As such, summarized financial information as of November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013 for Sekisui-Fuller Company, Ltd. is as follows:

 

     As of
November 29,

2014
     As of
November 30,

2013
 

Current assets

   $ 82,195       $ 89,053   

Non-current assets

     21,257         21,152   

Current liabilities

     37,021         42,835   

Non-current liabilities

     1,787         2,090   
     For the year ended
November 29, 2014
     For the year ended
November 30, 2013
 

Net revenue

   $ 181,999       $ 194,705   

Gross profit

     47,955         54,672   

Net income

     14,024         16,760   

 

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Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to November 30. Fiscal year-end dates were November 29, 2014, November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

Use of Estimates:    Preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Revenue Recognition:    For shipments made to customers, title generally passes to the customer when all requirements of the sales arrangement have been completed, which is generally at the time of delivery. Revenue from product sales is recorded when title to the product transfers, no remaining performance obligations exist, the terms of the sale are fixed and collection is probable. Shipping terms include title transfer at either shipping point or destination. Stated terms in sale agreements also include payment terms and freight terms. Net revenues include shipping revenues as appropriate.

 

Provisions for sales returns are estimated based on historical experience, and are adjusted for known returns, if material. Customer incentive programs (primarily volume purchase rebates) and arrangements such as cooperative advertising, slotting fees and buy-downs are recorded as a reduction of net revenue in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standard Codification (ASC) 605-50, “Customer Payments and Incentives”. Customer rebates recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income as a reduction in net revenue, were $12,428, $11,552 and $9,707 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

For certain products, consigned inventory is maintained at customer locations. For these products, revenue is recognized in the period that the inventory is consumed. Sales to distributors also require a distribution agreement or purchase order. As a normal practice, distributors do not have a right of return.

 

Cost of Sales:    Cost of sales includes raw materials, container costs, direct labor, manufacturing overhead, shipping and receiving costs, freight costs, depreciation of manufacturing equipment and other less significant indirect costs related to the production of our products.

 

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses:     SG&A expenses include sales and marketing, research and development, technical and customer service, finance, legal, human resources, general management and similar expenses.

 

Income Taxes:    The income tax provision is computed based on the pre-tax income included in the Consolidated Statements of Income before income from equity method investments. The asset and liability approach is used to recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. Enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years are applied to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances reduce deferred tax assets when it is not more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will be realized. See Note 8 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Cash Equivalents:    Cash equivalents are highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less. We review cash and cash equivalent balances on a bank by bank basis to identify book overdrafts. Book overdrafts occur when the amount of outstanding checks exceed the cash deposited at a given bank. Book overdrafts, if any, are included in trade payables in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and in operating activities from continuing operations in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

 

Restrictions on Cash:    There were no restrictions on cash as of November 29, 2014. There are no contractual or regulatory restrictions on the ability of consolidated and unconsolidated subsidiaries to transfer funds to us, except for typical statutory restrictions which prohibit distributions in excess of net capital or similar tests. The majority of our cash in non-U.S. locations is considered indefinitely reinvested.

 

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Trade Receivable and Allowances:    Trade receivables are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. Allowances are maintained for doubtful accounts, credits related to pricing or quantities shipped and early payment discounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts includes an estimate of future uncollectible receivables based on the aging of the receivable balance and our collection experience. The allowance also includes specific customer accounts when it is probable that the full amount of the receivable will not be collected. Invoices are written off against the allowance when the invoice is 18 months past terms. See Note 4 to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

 

Inventories:    Inventories recorded at cost (not in excess of market value) as determined by the last-in, first-out method (LIFO) represent approximately 37 percent of consolidated inventories. During 2014, 2013 and 2012 there were no liquidations of LIFO inventory layers. The remaining inventories, which include all non-U.S. operations, are valued at the lower of cost (mainly weighted-average actual cost) or market value.

 

Investments:    Investments with a value of $7,196 represent the cash surrender value of life insurance contracts on November 29, 2014. These assets are held to primarily support supplemental pension plans and are recorded in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The corresponding gain or loss associated with these contracts is reported in earnings each period as a component of “other income (expense), net”.

 

Investments in Equity Securities Carried at Cost:    Fair value of cost method investments is assessed according to accounting standards. During 2012, we determined the fair value of two of our cost basis investments was lower than the investment value on our balance sheet. Since both of these impairments were considered other than temporary, we recorded non-cash charges associated with these impairments of $1,517. We did not have any impairment of our cost method investments for the years ended November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013. The book value of the cost method investments was $1,671 as of November 29, 2014 and $1,674 as of November 30, 2013.

 

Property, Plant and Equipment:    Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost and depreciated over the useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives range from 20 to 40 years for buildings and improvements, 3 to 20 years for machinery and equipment, and the shorter of the lease or expected life for leasehold improvements. Fully depreciated assets are retained in property and accumulated depreciation accounts until removed from service. Upon disposal, assets and related accumulated depreciation are removed. Upon sale of an asset, the difference between the proceeds and remaining net book value is charged or credited to other income (expense), net on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Expenditures that add value or extend the life of the respective assets are capitalized, while expenditures that are typical recurring repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Interest costs associated with construction and implementation of property, plant and equipment of $2,725, $1,921 and $151 were capitalized in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

Goodwill:    We test goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth quarter and whenever events occur or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. Impairment testing is performed for each of our reporting units by comparing the reporting unit’s estimated fair value to its carrying amount, including goodwill. We use a discounted cash flow approach to estimate the fair value of our reporting units. Our judgment is required in developing the assumptions for the discounted cash flow model. These assumptions include revenue growth rates, profit margin percentages, discount rates, perpetuity growth rates, future capital expenditures and working capital requirements. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is considered to not be impaired. If the carrying value exceeds estimated fair value, there is an indication of potential impairment, and we calculate an implied fair value of goodwill. The implied fair value is calculated as the difference between the fair value of the reporting unit and the fair value of the individual assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, excluding goodwill. An impairment charge is recorded for any excess of the carrying value over the implied fair value. Based on our 2014 annual assessment, we determined that none of our goodwill was impaired.

 

Intangible Assets:    Intangible assets include patents and other intangible assets acquired from independent parties and are amortized on a straight-line basis with estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 20 years. The

 

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straight-line method of amortization of these assets reflects an appropriate allocation of the costs of the intangible assets to earnings in proportion to the amount of economic benefits obtained in each reporting period.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets:    Our long-lived assets are tested for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that a carrying amount of an asset (asset group) may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized when the carrying amount of an asset (asset group) exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset (asset group) and its eventual disposition. The impairment loss to be recorded would be the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value. Fair value is generally determined using a discounted cash flow analysis or other valuation technique. Costs related to internally developed intangible assets are expensed as incurred.

 

Foreign Currency Translation:    Assets and liabilities of non-U.S. functional currency entities are translated to U.S. dollars at period-end exchange rates, and the resulting gains and losses arising from the translation of those net assets are recorded as a cumulative translation adjustment, a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity. Revenues and expenses are translated using average exchange rates during the year. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

We consider a subsidiary’s sales price drivers, currency denomination of sales transactions and inventory purchases to be the primary indicators in determining a foreign subsidiary’s functional currency. Our subsidiaries in Latin America and certain European countries have a functional currency different than their local currency. All other foreign subsidiaries, which are located in North America, Europe and Asia, have the same local and functional currency.

 

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits:    We sponsor defined-benefit pension plans in both the U.S. and non-U.S. entities. Also in the U.S. we sponsor other postretirement plans for health care and life insurance benefits. Expenses and liabilities for the pension plans and other postretirement plans are actuarially calculated. These calculations are based on our assumptions related to the discount rate, expected return on assets, projected salary increases and health care cost trend rates. The discount rate assumption is determined using an actuarial yield curve approach, which results in a discount rate that reflects the characteristics of the plan. The approach identifies a broad population of corporate bonds that meet the quality and size criteria for the particular plan. We use this approach rather than a specific index that has a certain set of bonds that may or may not be representative of the characteristics of our particular plan. Our expected long-term rate of return on U.S. plan assets was based on our target asset allocation assumption of 60 percent equities and 40 percent fixed-income. Management, in conjunction with our external financial advisors, determines the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets by considering the expected future returns and volatility levels for each asset class that are based on historical returns and forward-looking observations. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption used in each non-U.S. plan is determined on a plan-by-plan basis for each local jurisdiction and is based on expected future returns for the investment mix of assets currently in the portfolio for that plan. Management, in conjunction with our external financial advisors, develops expected rates of return for each plan, considers expected long-term returns for each asset category in the plan, reviews expectations for inflation for each local jurisdiction, and estimates the impact of active management of the plan’s assets. Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements includes disclosure of assumptions employed in these measurements for both the non-U.S. and U.S. plans.

 

Asset Retirement Obligations:    We recognize asset retirement obligations (AROs) in the period in which we have an existing legal obligation associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset, and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The ARO is recognized at fair value when the liability is incurred. Upon initial recognition of a liability, that cost is capitalized as part of the related long-lived asset and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the remaining estimated useful life of the related asset. We have recognized a liability related to special handling of asbestos related materials in certain facilities for which we have plans or expectation of plans to undertake a major renovation or demolition project that would require the removal of asbestos or have plans or expectation of plans to exit a facility. In addition, we have determined that we have

 

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facilities with some level of asbestos that will require abatement action in the future. Once the probability and timeframe of an action are determined, we apply certain assumptions to determine the related liability and asset. These assumptions include the use of inflation rates, the use of credit adjusted risk-free discount rates and the estimation of costs to handle asbestos related materials. The recorded liability is required to be adjusted for changes resulting from the passage of time and/or revisions to the timing or the amount of the original estimate. The asset retirement obligation liability was $2,515 and $3,236 at November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013, respectively.

 

Environmental Costs:    Environmental expenditures that relate to current operations are expensed or capitalized as appropriate. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations, and which do not contribute to current or future revenue generation, are expensed. Liabilities are recorded when environmental assessments are made, or remedial efforts are probable, and the costs can be reasonably estimated. The timing of these accruals is generally no later than the completion of feasibility studies.

 

Share-based Compensation:    We have various share-based compensation programs, which provide for equity awards, including stock options and restricted stock. We use the straight-line method to recognize compensation expense associated with share-based awards based on the fair value on the date of grant, net of the estimated forfeiture rate. Expense is recognized over the requisite service period related to each award, which is the period between the grant date and the earlier of the award’s stated vesting term or the date the employee is eligible for early retirement based on the terms of the plan. The fair value of stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. All of our stock compensation expense is recorded in SG&A expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

 

Earnings Per Share:    Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to H.B. Fuller by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the applicable period. Diluted earnings per share is based upon the weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the applicable period. The difference between basic and diluted earnings per share is attributable to share-based compensation awards. We use the treasury stock method to calculate the effect of outstanding awards, which computes total employee proceeds as the sum of (a) the amount the employee must pay upon exercise of the award, (b) the amount of unearned share-based compensation costs attributed to future services and (c) the amount of tax benefits, if any, that would be credited to additional paid-in capital assuming exercise of the award. Share-based compensation awards for which total employee proceeds exceed the average market price over the applicable period have an antidilutive effect on earnings per share, and accordingly, are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share. The computations for basic and diluted earnings per share follows:

 

(shares in thousands)

   2014      2013      2012  

Net income attributable to H.B. Fuller

   $ 49,773       $ 96,761       $ 125,622   

Weighted-average common shares – basic

     50,006         49,893         49,571   

Equivalent shares from share-based compensation plans

     1,249         1,243         1,047   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted-average common and common equivalent shares – diluted

     51,255         51,136         50,618   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Share-based compensation awards for 421,810, 112,367 and 7,372 shares for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation because they were antidilutive.

 

Financial Instruments and Derivatives:    Our objective is to balance, where possible, local currency denominated assets to local currency denominated liabilities to have a natural hedge and minimize foreign exchange impacts. We minimize risks from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations through normal operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative instruments. Derivatives consisted primarily of forward currency contracts used to manage foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities. Because derivative instruments outstanding were not designated as hedges for accounting purposes,

 

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the gains and losses related to mark-to-market adjustments were recognized as other income or expense in the income statement during the periods the derivative instruments were outstanding. We do not enter into any speculative positions with regard to derivative instruments. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

 

Purchase of Company Common Stock:    Under the Minnesota Business Corporation Act, repurchased stock is included in authorized shares, but is not included in shares outstanding. The excess of the repurchase cost over par value is charged to additional paid-in capital. When additional paid-in capital is exhausted, the excess reduces retained earnings. We repurchased 67,593, 62,124 and 54,289 shares of common stock in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, in connection with the statutory minimum for the tax withholdings related to vesting of restricted shares.

 

On September 30, 2010, the Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $100,000 of our outstanding common shares. During 2014, we repurchased 250,000 shares for $12,254 under this program. During 2013 we repurchased 375,000 shares for $15,292 and during 2012 we repurchased 100,000 shares for $2,999 under this program. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements:    In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income: Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of AOCI” which further amended the disclosure requirements for comprehensive income. The update requires entities to disclose items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) and into net income in a single location either in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements or parenthetically on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Income. The amendment is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2012 and is to be applied prospectively. We adopted the new requirements in the first quarter of our 2014 fiscal year. Since this update impacts disclosure requirements only, the adoption of this update did not have an impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

 

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, “Income Taxes: Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists” which requires that an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward when settlement in this manner is available under the law. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013 which is our fiscal 2015 and will be applied on a prospective basis to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. We adopted the new requirements in the first quarter of our 2014 fiscal year as early adoption was permitted. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial condition.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements:     In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016 which is our fiscal year beginning on December 3, 2017. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are evaluating the effect that ASU No. 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.

 

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Note 2:    Acquisitions and Divestitures

 

Acquisitions

 

ProSpec® Construction Products:    On September 3, 2014 we acquired the ProSpec construction products business, a provider of tile and stone installation products. The acquisition was an asset purchase and strengthens our customer profile in the southeastern and western regions of the United States.

 

The purchase price of $26,183 was funded through existing cash and was recorded in our Construction Products operating segment. We incurred acquisition related costs of approximately $532, which were recorded as selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

The fair value measurement was preliminary at November 29, 2014 subject to further management review. We expect the fair value measurement process to be completed in the second quarter of 2015.

 

The following table summarizes the preliminary fair value measurement of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition:

 

     Preliminary
Valuation
November 29, 2014
 

Current assets

   $ 6,502   

Property, plant and equipment

     7,976   

Goodwill

     7,443   

Other intangibles

  

Customer relationships

     4,300   

Technology

     1,500   

Trademarks/trade names

     200   

Current liabilities

     (1,738
  

 

 

 

Total purchase price

   $ 26,183   
  

 

 

 

 

The amount of goodwill deductible for tax purposes over a 15 year period is $7,443. Our expected lives of the acquired intangible assets are customer relations 9 years, technology 6 years and trademarks/trade names 15 years.

 

Plexbond Quimica, S.A.:    On June 6, 2013 we acquired Plexbond Quimica, S.A., a provider of chemical urethane adhesives and polyurethane resins based in Curitiba, Brazil. The acquisition was a stock purchase and encompassed all of Plexbond Quimica, S.A.’s business operations. The purchase price of $10,390 was funded through existing cash and was recorded in our Americas Adhesives operating segment.

 

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The following table summarizes the final fair value measurement of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition:

 

     Preliminary
Valuation
November 30, 2013
     Purchase Price
Adjustment
     Final
Valuation
 

Current assets

   $ 5,179       $ —         $ 5,179   

Property, plant and equipment

     2,275         —           2,275   

Goodwill

     3,626         151         3,777   

Other intangibles

        

Customer relationships

     3,529         —           3,529   

Noncompetition agreements

     565         —           565   

Other assets

     608         —           608   

Current liabilities

     (3,684      —           (3,684

Other liabilities

     (1,859      —           (1,859
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total purchase price

   $ 10,239       $ 151       $ 10,390   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Engent, Inc.:    On September 10, 2012 we acquired the outstanding shares of Engent, Inc., a provider of manufacturing, research and development services to the electronics industry. The purchase price of $7,881 was funded through existing cash and was recorded in our Americas Adhesives operating segment.

 

Forbo Industrial Adhesives:    On March 5, 2012 we acquired the global industrial adhesives and synthetic polymers business of Forbo Holding AG. The purchase price was 368,514 Swiss francs or $403,100 which we financed with the proceeds from our March 5, 2012 note purchase agreement and a term loan. The acquisition was recorded in our Americas Adhesives, EIMEA and Asia Pacific operating segments.

 

Divestitures

 

Central America Paints:    On August 6, 2012 we completed the sale of our Central America Paints business to Compania Global de Pinturas S.A., a company of Inversiones Mundial S.A for cash proceeds of $118,459. In accordance with ASC 205-20 “Discontinued Operations”, we have classified the results of this business as discontinued operations. The operational results of this business are presented in the “Income from discontinued operations, net of tax” line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Also in accordance with ASC 205-20, we have not allocated general corporate charges to this business. The assets and liabilities of this business are presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as assets and liabilities of discontinued operations. A portion of the cash proceeds was determined to be contingent consideration, pending resolution of purchase agreement contingencies. The contingent consideration was valued at fair value based on level 3 inputs. The contingent consideration in the amount of $5,000 was included in current liabilities of discontinued operations in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013. There is a possibility that resolution of these pending purchase agreement contingencies could exceed our estimate by up to $15,000 pre-tax. Based on the currently available information, we have concluded that resolution of these pending contingencies in an amount greater than our current estimate is remote.

 

Revenue and income from discontinued operations for the years ended November 29, 2014, November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012 were as follows:

 

     Fiscal Years  
     November 29,
2014
     November 30,
2013
     December 1,
2012
 

Net revenue

   $ —         $ —         $ 73,143   

Income from operations

     —           —           8,235   

Gain on sale of discontinued operations

     —           —           66,179   

Income taxes

     —           1,211         (16,846
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income from discontinued operations

   $ —         $ 1,211       $ 57,568   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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In the third quarter of 2013, in conjunction with filing the fiscal year 2012 tax return, we recorded a reduction in the tax expense related to the sale of the Central America Paints business of $1,211. Income taxes for the year ended December 1, 2012 included $15,119 of tax expense related to the gain on the sale of discontinued operations.

 

The major classes of assets and liabilities of discontinued operations as of November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013 were as follows:

 

     November 29,
2014
     November 30,
2013
 

Current assets of discontinued operations

   $ 1,865       $ 1,865   

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

   $ 5,000       $ 5,000   

 

Note 3:    Accounting for Share-Based Compensation

 

Overview:    We have various share-based compensation programs, which provide for equity awards including stock options, restricted stock shares, restricted stock units and deferred compensation. These equity awards fall under several plans and are described below. Starting in 2014 we no longer grant restricted stock shares.

 

Share-based Compensation Plans:    We currently grant stock options and restricted stock units under equity compensation and deferred compensation plans.

 

Non-qualified stock options are granted to officers and key employees at prices not less than fair market value at the date of grant. These non-qualified options are generally exercisable beginning one year from the date of grant in cumulative yearly amounts of 33.3 percent and generally have a contractual term of 10 years. Options exercised represent newly issued shares.

 

Restricted stock awards are nonvested stock-based awards that may include grants of restricted stock shares or restricted stock units. Restricted stock awards are independent of option grants and are subject to forfeiture if employment terminates prior to the release of the restrictions. Such awards generally vest in three years from the date of grant or 33.3 percent per year for three years, depending on the grant. During the vesting period, ownership of the shares cannot be transferred.

 

Restricted stock shares granted represent newly issued shares and have the same cash dividend and voting rights as other common stock and are considered to be currently issued and outstanding. The cash dividends on restricted stock shares are forfeitable.

 

Restricted stock units have dividend equivalent rights equal to the cash dividend paid on restricted stock shares. However, restricted stock units do not have voting rights of common stock and are not considered issued and outstanding upon grant. Restricted stock units become newly issued shares when vested. The dividend equivalent rights for restricted stock units are forfeitable.

 

We expense the cost, which is the grant date fair market value, of both the restricted stock shares and the restricted stock units ratably over the period during which the restrictions lapse. The grant date fair value is our closing stock price on the date of grant.

 

Year 2013 Master Incentive Plan:    This plan allows for granting of awards to employees. The plan permits granting of (a) stock options; (b) stock appreciation rights; (c) restricted stock awards; (d) performance awards; (e) dividend equivalents; and (f) other awards based on our common stock, including shares for amounts employees deferred under the Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan.

 

2009 Directors’ Stock Incentive Plan:    This plan permits granting of (a) shares for amounts non-employee directors defer under the Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan and (b) discretionary grants of restricted stock, stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance awards and other stock awards.

 

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Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan:    This plan allows non-employee directors to defer all or a portion of their retainer and meeting fees in a number of investment choices, including units representing shares of our common stock. We provide a 10 percent match on deferred compensation invested in these units. These units are required to be paid out in our common stock.

 

Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan:    This plan allows key employees to defer a portion of their eligible compensation in a number of investment choices, including units representing shares of company common stock. We provide a 10 percent match on deferred compensation invested in these units.

 

Grant-Date Fair Value:    We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to calculate the grant-date fair value of stock option awards. The fair value of options granted during 2014, 2013 and 2012 were calculated using the following assumptions:

 

     2014     2013     2012  

Expected life (in years)

     4.75        4.75        4.75   

Weighted-average expected volatility

     33.83     47.28     51.60

Expected volatility range

     31.61% - 37.06     39.25% - 48.02     48.79% - 51.76

Risk-free interest rate

     1.52     0.77     0.71

Expected dividend yield

     0.85     0.87     1.05

Weighted-average fair value of grants

   $ 13.82      $ 15.05      $ 11.52   

 

Expected life – We use historical employee exercise and option expiration data to estimate the expected life assumption for the Black-Scholes grant-date valuation. We believe that this historical data is currently the best estimate of the expected term of a new option. We use a weighted-average expected life for all awards.

 

Expected volatility – Volatility is calculated using our stock’s historical volatility for the same period of time as the expected life. We have no reason to believe that its future volatility will differ from the past.

 

Risk-free interest rate – The rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant for the same period of time as the expected life.

 

Expected dividend yield – The calculation is based on the total expected annual dividend payout divided by the average stock price.

 

Expense

 

We use the straight-line attribution method to recognize expense for all option awards with graded vesting and restricted stock awards with graded and cliff vesting. Expense is recognized over the requisite service period, which for us is the period between the grant date and the earlier of the award’s stated vesting term or the date the employee is eligible for early vesting based on the terms of the plans.

 

Total share-based compensation expense was $13,376, $12,317 and $9,728 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. All share-based compensation was recorded as selling, general and administrative expense.

 

The benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation costs (excess tax benefits) are recorded as a financing cash inflow rather than a deduction of taxes paid. For 2014, 2013 and 2012, there was $3,357, $2,676 and $1,263 of excess tax benefit recognized resulting from share-based compensation cost, respectively. Our additional paid in capital pool (“APIC Pool”) of excess tax benefits available to absorb tax deficiencies was $18,799 at November 29, 2014 due to exercises of stock options, vesting of restricted stock and deferred compensation payouts in the year.

 

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As of November 29, 2014, $7,303 of unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested stock option awards is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.6 years. Unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested restricted stock shares was $3,426 which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.0 years and unvested restricted stock units was $4,668 which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.9 years.

 

Share-based Activity

 

The option activity for the years ended November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013 is summarized below:

 

     Options      Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
 

Outstanding at December 1, 2012

     2,429,750       $ 21.63   

Granted

     493,173         40.07   

Exercised

     (462,427      19.23   

Forfeited or cancelled

     (30,535      28.57   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding at November 30, 2013

     2,429,961       $ 25.74   

Granted

     477,606         48.06   

Exercised

     (330,179      20.75   

Forfeited or cancelled

     (42,915      38.59   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding at November 29, 2014

     2,534,473       $ 30.39   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The fair value of options granted during 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $6,599, $7,425 and $6,318, respectively. Total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $8,915, $9,842 and $5,191, respectively. Intrinsic value is the difference between our closing stock price on the respective trading day and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of options exercised. Proceeds received from option exercises during the year ended November 29, 2014, November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012 were $6,852, $8,891 and $7,401, respectively.

 

The nonvested restricted stock activity for the years ended November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013, is summarized below:

 

     Units      Shares      Total      Weighted-
Average
Grant
Date Fair
Value
     Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
(in Years)
 

Nonvested at December 1, 2012

     141,184         245,231         386,415       $ 25.41         0.9   

Granted

     62,701         186,352         249,053         39.66         1.7   

Vested

     (66,446      (113,411      (179,857      37.85         —     

Forfeited

     (2,208      (5,727      (7,935      32.17         1.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Nonvested at November 30, 2013

     135,231         312,445         447,676       $ 33.76         1.2   

Granted

     126,536         —           126,536         48.84         1.2   

Vested

     (68,293      (114,044      (182,337      48.16         —     

Forfeited

     (4,813      (9,779      (14,592      37.80         1.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Nonvested at November 29, 2014

     188,661         188,622         377,283       $ 40.70         1.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Total fair value of restricted stock vested during 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $8,782, $6,807 and $4,626, respectively. The total fair value of nonvested restricted stock at November 29, 2014 was $15,354.

 

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We repurchased 67,593, 62,124 and 54,289 restricted stock shares during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, in conjunction with restricted stock share vestings. The repurchases relate to statutory minimum tax withholding.

 

Deferred compensation units are fully vested at the date of contribution. The deferred compensation units outstanding for the years ended November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013 is summarized below:

 

      Non-employee
Directors
     Employees      Total  

Units outstanding December 1, 2012

     338,769         68,662         407,431   

Participant contributions

     14,145         2,299         16,444   

Company match contributions1

     14,802         256         15,058   

Payouts

     (55,036      (9,929      (64,965
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Units outstanding November 30, 2013

     312,680         61,288         373,968   

Participant contributions

     14,347         4,429         18,776   

Company match contributions1

     16,613         492         17,105   

Payouts

     (1,093      (13,906      (14,999
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Units outstanding November 29, 2014

     342,547         52,303         394,850   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1 The non-employee directors’ company match includes 15,019 and 11,908 deferred compensation units paid as discretionary awards to all non-employee directors in 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

The fair value of non-employee directors company matches for 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $130, $49 and $78, respectively. The fair value of the non-employee directors’ discretionary award was $720 for 2014, $480 for 2013 and $560 for 2012. The fair value of employee company matches was $19 for 2014 and $8 for 2013 and $14 for 2012.

 

Note 4:    Supplemental Financial Statement Information

 

Statement of Income Information

 

Additional details of income statement amounts for 2014, 2013 and 2012 follow.

 

      2014      2013      2012  

Foreign currency transaction losses, net

   $ (2,546    $ (4,106    $ (1,204

Interest income

     344         737         1,731   

Gain on disposal of fixed assets

     2,769         323         555   

Other, net

     149         (705      (298
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other income (expense), net

   $ 716       $ (3,751    $ 784   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Research and development expenses (included in selling, general and administrative expenses)

   $ 21,245       $ 24,570       $ 21,254   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Balance Sheet Information

 

Additional details of balance sheet amounts as of November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013 follow.

 

     2014      2013  

Inventories

     

Raw materials

   $ 133,476       $ 119,536   

Finished goods

     140,014         122,584   

LIFO reserve

     (22,200      (20,583
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total inventories

   $ 251,290       $ 221,537   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other current assets

     

Other receivables

   $ 15,059       $ 20,728   

Prepaid income taxes

     9,505         8,604   

Prepaid taxes other than income taxes

     30,797         19,957   

Deferred income taxes

     20,924         18,867   

Prepaid expenses

     12,547         11,828   

Assets held for sale

     4,273         5,062   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other current assets

   $ 93,105       $ 85,046   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

     

Land

   $ 65,367       $ 57,991   

Buildings and improvements

     293,440         258,403   

Machinery and equipment

     710,180         603,520   

Construction in progress

     37,364         112,878   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total, at cost

     1,106,351         1,032,792   

Accumulated depreciation

     (603,717      (598,405
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net property, plant and equipment

   $ 502,634       $ 434,387   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other assets

     

Investments and company owned life insurance

   $ 10,950       $ 11,963   

Equity method investments

     37,487         40,700   

Cost method investments

     1,671         1,674   

Long-term deferred income taxes

     40,142         28,465   

Prepaid pension costs

     7,588         38,363   

Prepaid postretirement other than pension

     12,054         6,858   

Other long-term assets

     39,434         33,420   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other assets

   $ 149,326       $ 161,443   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income taxes payable

     

Current income taxes payable

   $ 10,961       $ 8,936   

Current deferred income taxes

     2,800         1,894   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total income taxes payable

   $ 13,761       $ 10,830   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other accrued expenses

     

Taxes other than income taxes

   $ 19,427       $ 17,943   

Interest

     4,548         4,471   

Product liability

     1,691         1,175   

Accrued expenses

     25,383         22,977   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other accrued expenses

   $ 51,049       $ 46,566   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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     2014      2013  
Other liabilities      

Asset retirement obligation

   $ 2,515       $ 3,236   

Long-term deferred income taxes

     16,718         20,599   

Long-term deferred compensation

     5,635         5,285   

Postretirement other than pension

     3,146         3,159   

Other long-term liabilities

     13,761         19,556   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other liabilities

   $ 41,775       $ 51,835   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Additional details on the trade receivables allowance for doubtful accounts, credits related to pricing or quantities shipped and early payment discounts for 2014, 2013 and 2012 follow.

 

     2014      2013      2012  

Balance at beginning of year

   $ 8,538       $ 7,513       $ 4,272   

Charged to expenses

     3,998         3,267         3,680   

Write-offs

     (1,866      (2,369      (368

Effect of exchange rates

     (424      127         (71
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

   $ 10,246       $ 8,538       $ 7,513   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) Information

 

The following tables provides details of total comprehensive income (loss):

 

     November 29, 2014  
     H.B. Fuller Stockholders     Non-controlling
Interests
 
     Pretax     Tax     Net     Net  

Net income including non-controlling interests

       $ 49,773      $ 378   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

        

Foreign currency translation adjustment¹

   $ (38,673     —          (38,673     (14

Reclassification to earnings:

        

Defined benefit pension plans adjustment²

     (56,268     19,394        (36,874  

Interest rate swap³

     56        (15     41     

Cash-flow hedges³

     158        (42     116     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (94,727   $ 19,337        (75,390     (14
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

       $ (25,617   $ 364   
      

 

 

   

 

 

 
     November 30, 2013  
     H.B. Fuller Stockholders     Non-controlling
Interests
 
     Pretax     Tax     Net     Net  

Net income including non-controlling interests

       $ 96,761      $ 425   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

        

Foreign currency translation adjustment¹

   $ (876     —          (876     (55

Reclassification to earnings:

        

Defined benefit pension plans adjustment²

     106,647        (38,451     68,196     

Interest rate swap³

     57        (16     41     

Cash-flow hedges³

     494        (191     303     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 106,322      $ (38,658     67,664        (55
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

       $ 164,425      $ 370   
      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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     December 1, 2012  
     H.B. Fuller Stockholders     Non-controlling
Interests
 
     Pretax     Tax     Net     Net  

Net income including non-controlling interests

       $ 125,622      $ 233   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

        

Foreign currency translation adjustment¹

   $ (2,985     —          (2,985     28   

Reclassification to earnings:

        

Defined benefit pension plans adjustment²

     (73,358     26,075        (47,283  

Interest rate swap³

     57        (16     41     

Cash-flow hedges³

     (642     248        (394  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (76,928   $ 26,307        (50,621     28   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

       $ 75,001      $ 261   
      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1 Income taxes are not provided for foreign currency translation relating to indefinite investments in international subsidiaries.

 

2 Loss reclassified from AOCI into earnings as part of net periodic cost related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans is reported in cost of sales, SG&A and special charges.

 

3 Loss reclassified from AOCI into earnings is reported in other income (expense), net.

 

Statement of Total Equity Information

 

Components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) follow.

 

     November 29, 2014  
     Total      H.B. Fuller
Stockholders
     Non-controlling
Interests
 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   $ 11,184       $ 11,205       $ (21

Interest rate swap, net of taxes of $21

     (53      (53      —     

Cash-flow hedges, net of taxes of $15

     25         25         —     

Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of taxes of $84,604

     (158,529      (158,529      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (147,373    $ (147,352    $ (21
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     November 30, 2013  
     Total      H.B. Fuller
Stockholders
     Non-controlling
Interests
 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   $ 49,871       $ 49,878       $ (7

Interest rate swap, net of taxes of $36

     (94      (94      —     

Cash-flow hedges, net of taxes of $57

     (91      (91      —     

Defined benefit pension plans adjustment, net of taxes of $65,210

     (121,655      (121,655      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (71,969    $ (71,962    $ (7
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     December 1, 2012  
     Total      H.B. Fuller
Stockholders
     Non-controlling
Interests
 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   $ 50,802       $ 50,754       $ 48   

Interest rate swap, net of taxes of $52

     (135      (135      —     

Cash-flow hedges, net of taxes of $248

     (394      (394      —     

Defined benefit pension plans adjustment net of taxes of $103,661

     (189,851      (189,851      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (139,578    $ (139,626    $ 48   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Note 5:    Special Charges, net

 

The integration of the Forbo industrial adhesives business we acquired in March 2012 involves a significant amount of restructuring and capital investment to optimize the new combined entity. In addition, we are taking a series of actions in our existing EIMEA operating segment to improve the profitability and future growth prospects of this operating segment. We have combined these two initiatives into a single project which we refer to as the “Business Integration Project”. During 2014, 2013 and 2012 we incurred special charges, net of $51,501, $45,087 and $52,467, respectively, for costs related to the Business Integration Project.

 

The following table provides detail of special charges, net:

 

     Fiscal Years  
     2014      2013      2012  

Acquisition and transformation related costs:

        

Professional services

   $ 7,946       $ 8,698       $ 24,647   

Financing availability costs

     —           —           4,300   

Foreign currency option contract

     —           —           841   

Gain on foreign currency forward contracts

     —           —           (11,621

Other related costs

     8,272         8,736         2,010   

Restructuring costs:

        

Workforce reduction costs

     3,233         9,784         28,087   

Facility exit costs

     32,050         17,869         4,203   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Special charges, net

   $ 51,501       $ 45,087       $ 52,467   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Professional services of $7,946, $8,698 and $24,647 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, include costs related to organization consulting, investment advisory, financial advisory, legal and valuation services necessary to acquire and integrate the Forbo industrial adhesives business into our existing operating segments.

 

During 2014, we incurred other incremental transformation related costs of $8,272 including the cost of personnel directly working on the integration, workforce reduction costs of $3,233 and cash facility exit costs of $25,187 and non-cash facility exit costs of $6,863 related to the Business Integration Project. During 2013, we incurred other incremental transformation related costs of $8,736 including the cost of personnel directly working on the integration, workforce reduction costs of $9,784 and cash facility exit costs of $11,804 and non-cash facility exit costs of $6,065 related to the Business Integration Project. During 2012, we incurred other incremental transformation related costs of $2,010 including the cost of personnel directly working on the integration, workforce reduction costs of $28,087 and cash facility exit costs of $1,033 and non-cash facility exit costs of $3,170 related to the Business Integration Project.

 

For 2012 we also incurred other costs related to the acquisition of the Forbo industrial adhesives business including an expense of $4,300 to make a bridge loan available if needed. During 2012 we incurred expenses of $841 related to the purchase of a foreign currency option to hedge a portion of the acquisition purchase price. Also during 2012, we entered into forward currency contracts maturing on March 5, 2012 to purchase 370,000 Swiss francs. Our objective was to economically hedge the purchase price for the pending acquisition of the global industrial adhesives business of Forbo Group after the price was established. The currency contracts were not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. For 2012 the net gain on the forward currency contracts was $11,621 which partially offset other acquisition and transformation related costs.

 

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For the year ended November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013, the activity in accrued compensation associated with the Business Integration Project, is as follows:

 

     2014      2013  

Balance at beginning of year

   $ 18,057       $ 19,848   

Restructuring charges

     3,233         9,784   

Cash payments

     (19,911      (12,595

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     (363      1,020   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

   $ 1,016       $ 18,057   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The $1,016 in accrued restructuring costs at November 29, 2014 was included in accrued compensation on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Of the $18,057 in accrued restructuring costs at November 30, 2013 $17,312 was included in accrued compensation and $745 was included in other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, as this portion was not expected to be paid within the next year. The benefits were accrued based primarily on the formal severance plans in place for the various locations. The restructuring costs are not allocated to our operating segments.

 

Note 6:    Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

The reporting units goodwill balances as of November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013, follow. Changes in the goodwill balances relate to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and activity from acquisitions. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on acquisitions.

 

     2014      2013  

Americas Adhesives

   $ 71,325       $ 72,117   

EIMEA

     139,666         151,675   

Asia Pacific

     24,201         25,974   

Construction Products

     20,780         13,337   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 255,972       $ 263,103   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Additional details on the goodwill balance for 2014 and 2013 follow.

 

     2014      2013  

Balance at beginning of year

   $ 263,103       $ 254,345   

ProSpec acquisition

     7,443         —     

Engent, Inc. acquisition

     —           247   

Forbo Industrial Adhesives

     —           343   

Plexbond Quimica, S.A. acquisition

     151         3,626   

Foreign currency translation effect

     (14,725      4,542   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

   $ 255,972       $ 263,103   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

In accordance with accounting standards, we test each of our reporting units for goodwill impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. In the fourth quarter of 2014, we conducted the required annual test of goodwill for impairment. We performed the goodwill impairment analysis on our reporting units by using a discount rate determined by management to result in the most representative fair value of the business as a whole. There were no indications of impairment in any of our reporting units. We also performed a sensitivity analysis by using a discount rate at the high end of our range to confirm the reasonableness of our goodwill impairment analysis. No indications of impairment in any of our reporting units were indicated by the sensitivity analysis. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on our impairment analysis.

 

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Balances of amortizable identifiable intangible assets, excluding goodwill and other non-amortizable intangible assets, follow:

 

Amortizable Intangible Assets

   Purchased
Technology
& Patents
     Customer
Relationships
     All Other      Total  

As of November 29, 2014

           

Original cost

   $ 43,915       $ 219,517       $ 52,529       $ 315,961   

Accumulated amortization

     (11,944      (88,164      (20,458      (120,566
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net identifiable intangibles

   $ 31,971       $ 131,353       $ 32,071       $ 195,395   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted-average useful lives (in years)

     11         18         12         16   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of November 30, 2013

           

Original cost

   $ 45,710       $ 231,696       $ 43,780       $ 321,186   

Accumulated amortization

     (9,706      (77,192      (15,480      (102,378
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net identifiable intangibles

   $ 36,004       $ 154,504       $ 28,300       $ 218,808   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted-average useful lives (in years)

     11         17         13         16   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Amortization expense with respect to amortizable intangible assets was $23,240, $22,508 and $18,703 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

Estimated aggregate amortization expense based on the current carrying value of amortizable intangible assets for the next five fiscal years follows:

 

Fiscal Year

   2015      2016      2017      2018      2019      Thereafter  

Amortization Expense

   $ 21,049       $ 20,747       $ 20,459       $ 20,087       $ 17,748       $ 95,305   

 

The above amortization expense forecast is an estimate. Actual amounts may change from such estimated amounts due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, additional intangible asset acquisitions, potential impairment, accelerated amortization, or other events.

 

Non-amortizable intangible assets at November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013 totaling $543 and $593, respectively, relate to trademarks and trade names. The change in non-amortizable assets in 2014 compared to 2013 was due to changes in currency exchange rates.

 

Note 7: Notes Payable, Long-Term Debt and Lines of Credit

 

Notes Payable:    Notes payable were $27,149 at November 29, 2014. This amount represents various other short-term borrowings that were not part of committed lines. The weighted-average interest rates on short-term borrowings were 11.3 percent, 8.9 percent and 11.3 percent in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Fair values of these short-term obligations approximate their carrying values due to their short maturity. There were no funds drawn from the short-term committed lines at November 29, 2014.

 

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Long-Term Debt

 

Long-Term Debt    Weighted-Average
Interest Rate at
November 29, 2014
    Fiscal Year
Maturity Date
   2014      2013  

Revolving credit line

     1.24   2019    $ 143,000       $ —     

Term Loan

     —        2017      —           66,250   

Senior Notes, Series A1

     1.91   2017      17,805         18,215   

Senior Notes, Series B2

     1.79   2017      34,738         35,551   

Senior Notes, Series C3

     3.11   2020      37,192         37,299   

Senior Notes, Series D4

     5.61   2020      65,000         65,000   

Senior Notes, Series E5

     4.12   2022      250,000         250,000   
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total debt

        $ 547,735       $ 472,315   
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

On December 16, 2009, we entered into a note purchase agreement under which we agreed to issue $150,000 in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes to a group of private investors. The $150,000 was split into four non-amortizing tranches, Series A-D. On March 5, 2012, we entered into a note purchase agreement under which we agreed to issue $250,000 in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes to a group of private investors. The $250,000 is a non-amortizing tranche, Series E. Additional details are provided below:

 

1 Senior Notes, Series A, due December 16, 2016, $17,000 5.13 percent fixed, swapped to a variable rate of 6- month LIBOR (in arrears) plus 1.59 percent

 

2 Senior Notes, Series B, due February 24, 2017, $33,000 5.13 percent fixed, swapped to a variable rate of 6-month LIBOR (in arrears) plus 1.47 percent

 

3 Senior Notes, Series C, due December 16, 2019, $35,000 5.61 percent fixed, $25,000 swapped to a variable rate of 6-month LIBOR (in arrears) plus 1.78 percent

 

4 Senior Notes, Series D, due February 24, 2020, $65,000 5.61 percent fixed

 

5 Senior Notes, Series E, due March 5, 2022, $250,000 4.12 percent fixed

 

On October 31, 2014, we entered into a credit agreement with a consortium of financial institutions under which we established a $300,000 multi-currency revolving credit facility and a $300,000 term loan that we can use to repay existing indebtedness, finance working capital needs, finance acquisitions, and for general corporate purposes. The term loan is committed financing that can be drawn at any time up to 270 days after October 31, 2014. At November 29, 2014, there was no balance drawn on the term loan. Interest on the revolving credit facility is payable at the LIBOR plus 1.075 percent. A facility fee of 0.175 percent is payable quarterly. The interest rate on the term loan is payable at the LIBOR rate plus 1.25 percent. The interest rates and the facility fee are based on a rating grid. The credit agreement replaced the previous revolving credit facilities entered into on March 5, 2012. The October 31, 2014 credit agreement expires on October 31, 2019.

 

On October 31, 2014 we amended various provisions of the Note Purchase Agreements Series A through E, including the covenant definition of Consolidated EBITDA. As part of these amendments, the interest rate on the debt may increase based on changes to the rating of our senior, unsecured long-term debt.

 

Long-term debt had an estimated fair value of $606,194 and $515,287 as of November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013, respectively. The fair value of long-term debt is based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered for debt of similar maturities. The estimated fair value of these long-term obligations is not necessarily indicative of the amount that would be realized in a current market exchange.

 

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Lines of Credit

 

As of November 29, 2014, lines of credit were as follows:

 

Term

   Committed      Drawn      Unused  

Long-term lines of credit

   $ 300,000       $ (143,000    $ 157,000   

 

A revolving credit agreement with a consortium of financial institutions accounted for the entire committed lines of credit. The credit agreement creates an unsecured multi-currency revolving credit facility that can be drawn upon for general corporate purposes up to a maximum of $300,000. The credit agreement expires on October 31, 2019.

 

The most restrictive debt covenants place limitations on secured and unsecured borrowings, operating leases, and contain minimum interest coverage and maximum debt to trailing twelve months EBITDA requirements. In addition, we cannot be a member of any “consolidated group” for income tax purposes other than with our subsidiaries. At November 29, 2014 all financial covenants were met.

 

Maturities of long-term debt for the next five fiscal years follow:

 

Fiscal Year

   2015      2016      2017      2018      2019      Thereafter  

Long-term debt obligations

   $ —         $ —         $ 52,543       $ —         $ 143,000       $ 352,192   

 

Note 8:    Income Taxes

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income from
equity method investments

   2014      2013      2012  

United States

   $ 55,567       $ 81,788       $ 69,287   

Non-U.S.

     23,745         45,756         20,261   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 79,312       $ 127,544       $ 89,548   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Components of the provision for income tax expense (benefit)

   2014      2013      2012  

Current:

        

U.S. federal

   $ 8,771       $ 16,999       $ 25,637   

State

     1,290         1,372         2,663   

Non-U.S.

     20,133         11,930         18,999   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     30,194         30,301         47,299   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred:

        

U.S. federal

     8,106         8,101         (12,314

State

     1,069         2,244         (398

Non-U.S.

     (5,021      (697      (4,108
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     4,154         9,648         (16,820
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 34,348       $ 39,949       $ 30,479   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of effective income tax

   2014      2013      2012  

Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate

   $ 27,759       $ 44,641       $ 31,342   

State income taxes, net of federal benefit

     1,534         2,351         1,472   

Foreign dividend repatriation

     760         467         (9,004

Foreign operations

     (8,287      (12,598      (7,911

Interest income not taxable in the U.S.

     (1,649      (1,789      (1,802

Change in valuation allowance

     3,317         1,819         5,502   

Tax impact of special charges, net

     11,773         5,998         10,209   

Other

     (859      (940      671   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 34,348       $ 39,949       $ 30,479   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Deferred income tax balances at each year-end related to

        2014      2013  

Depreciation and amortization

      $ (47,152    $ (45,917

Employee benefit costs

        45,920         35,686   

Foreign tax credit carryforward

        12,355         14,567   

Tax loss carryforwards

        21,851         20,781   

Other

        24,234         14,343   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
        57,208         39,460   

Valuation allowance

        (16,364      (14,621
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

      $ 40,844       $ 24,839   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The difference between the change in the deferred tax assets in the balance sheet and the deferred tax provision is primarily due to the defined benefit pension plan adjustment recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

 

Valuation allowances principally relate to foreign net operating loss carryforwards where the future potential benefits do not meet the more-likely-than-not realization test. The increase in the valuation allowance of $1,743 during 2014 is primarily due to an increase in the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets in our non-U.S. entities that do not meet the more-likely-than-not realization test.

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which those deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. We record a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is believed more-likely-than-not to be realized. We believe it is more-likely-than-not that forecasted income and the source of that income, together with the tax effects of the deferred tax liabilities and tax planning strategies, will be sufficient to fully recover the net deferred tax assets. In the event that all or part of the net deferred tax assets are determined not to be realizable in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would be charged to earnings in the period such determination is made.

 

U.S. income taxes have not been provided on approximately $421,604 undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries. We intend to indefinitely reinvest these undistributed earnings. In the event these earnings are later distributed to the U.S., such distributions would likely result in additional U.S. tax that may be offset, at least in part by associated foreign tax credits.

 

While non-U.S. operations have been profitable overall, there are cumulative tax losses of $84,982 in various countries. These tax losses can be carried forward to offset the income tax liabilities on future income in these countries. Cumulative tax losses of $45,039 can be carried forward indefinitely, while the remaining $39,943 of tax losses must be utilized during 2015 to 2024.

 

The U.S. has a foreign tax credit carryforward of $12,355 which will expire between 2019 and 2023.

 

The table below sets forth the changes to our gross unrecognized tax benefit as a result of uncertain tax positions, excluding accrued interest, for the fiscal years ended November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013. We do not anticipate that the total unrecognized tax benefits will change significantly within the next twelve months.

 

     2014      2013  

Balance at beginning of year

   $ 5,151       $ 4,886   

Tax positions related to the current year:

     

Additions

     600         900   

Tax positions related to prior years:

     

Additions

     178         378   

Reductions

     (177      (160

Settlements

     (13      (105

Lapses in applicable statutes of limitation

     (952      (748
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

   $ 4,787       $ 5,151   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits as of November 29, 2014, are potential benefits of $4,347 that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.

 

We report accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. For the year ended November 29, 2014, we recognized a net benefit for interest and penalties of $136 relating to unrecognized tax benefits and had net accumulated accrued interest and penalties of $452 as of November 29, 2014. For the year ended November 30, 2013, we recognized net benefit for interest and penalties of $36 relating to unrecognized tax benefits and had net accumulated accrued interest and penalties of $591 as of November 30, 2013.

 

We are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax in numerous state and foreign jurisdictions. We are no longer subject to U.S. federal tax examination for years prior to 2011 or Swiss income tax examination for years prior to 2009. There have been no Swiss income tax examinations for 2009 and subsequent years. We are in various stages of examination and appeal in several state and other foreign jurisdictions. Although the final outcomes of these examinations cannot currently be determined, we believe that we have recorded adequate liabilities with respect to these examinations.

 

Note 9:    Stockholders’ Equity

 

Preferred Stock:    The board of directors is authorized to issue up to 10,045,900 shares of preferred stock that may be issued in one or more series and with such stated value and terms as the board of directors may determine.

 

Common Stock:    There were 160,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $1.00 authorized and 50,310,803 and 50,228,543 shares issued and outstanding at November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013, respectively.

 

On September 30, 2010, the Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $100,000 of our outstanding common shares. Under the program, we are authorized to repurchase shares for cash on the open market, from time to time, in privately negotiated transactions or block transactions, or through an accelerated repurchase agreement. The timing of such repurchases is dependent on price, market conditions and applicable regulatory requirements. Upon repurchase of the shares, we reduce our common stock for the par value of the shares with the excess being applied against additional paid-in capital. During 2014, we repurchased 250,000 shares for $12,254 and during 2013, we repurchased 375,000 shares for $15,292 under this program. Up to $61,964 of our outstanding common shares may still be repurchased under the share repurchase program.

 

Common Shares Outstanding

   2014      2013      2012  

Beginning balance

     50,228,543         49,903,266         49,449,579   

Stock options exercised

     330,179         462,427         430,000   

Shares swapped for stock option exercises

     —           —           (3,619

Deferred compensation paid

     9,957         51,521         19,389   

Restricted units vested

     69,624         67,828         53,927   

Restricted shares granted

     —           186,352         128,427   

Shares withheld for taxes

     (67,593      (62,124      (54,289

Restricted shares forfeited

     (9,907      (5,727      (20,148

Shares repurchased under repurchase program

     (250,000      (375,000      (100,000
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

     50,310,803         50,228,543         49,903,266   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Shareholder Rights Plan:    The shareholder rights plan provides each holder of a share of common stock a right to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of preferred stock for $95, subject to adjustment. No fraction of a preferred share (other than fractions in integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a share) will be issued.

 

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Preferred shares purchased upon exercise of the rights will not be redeemable. Each preferred share will be entitled to a preferential quarterly dividend payment, a preferential liquidation payment, voting rights, and participation in any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which common shares are exchanged. These rights are not currently exercisable. In the event any person becomes an Acquiring Person (as defined in the rights plan), each holder of a right will thereafter have a right to receive, upon exercise thereof at the then current aggregate exercise price, in lieu of preferred shares, such number of common shares of ours having a current aggregate market price equal to twice the current aggregate exercise price. In the event that at any time after there is an Acquiring Person we are acquired in certain mergers or other business combination transactions or 50 percent or more of the assets or earning power of us and our subsidiaries (taken as a whole) are sold, holders of the rights will thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise thereof at the then current aggregate exercise price, such number of common shares of the acquiring company (or, in certain cases, one of its affiliates) having a current aggregate market price equal to twice the current aggregate exercise price. Rights held by an acquiring person are void. We may redeem or exchange the rights in certain instances. Unless extended or redeemed, the rights expire on July 31, 2016.

 

Note 10:    Pension and Postretirement Benefits

 

Defined Contribution Plan

 

All U.S. employees have the option of contributing up to 75 percent of their pre-tax earnings to a 401(k) plan, subject to IRS limitations. We match up to the first 4 percent of each employee’s pre-tax earnings, based on the employee’s contributions. All U.S. employees are eligible for a separate annual retirement contribution to the 401(k) plan of 3 percent of pay, that is invested based on the election of the individual participant. The 3 percent contribution is in addition to our 4 percent matching contribution described above and is in lieu of participation in our defined benefit pension plan. The total contribution to the 401(k) plan for 2014 was $9,414 which included the cost of the 4 percent company match of $4,672 and the additional 3 percent contribution of $4,742. The total contributions to the 401(k) plan were $8,022 and $6,606 in 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

The defined contribution plan liability recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets was $5,989 and $5,269 in 2014 and 2013, respectively for the U.S. Plan and several statutorily required non-U.S. Plans.

 

Defined Benefit Plan

 

Noncontributory defined benefit pension plans cover all U.S. employees employed prior to January 1, 2007. Benefits for these plans are based primarily on each employee’s years of service and average compensation. During 2011, we made significant changes to our U.S. Pension Plan (the Plan). The changes included: benefits under the Plan were locked-in using service and salary as of May 31, 2011, participants no longer earn benefits for future service and salary as they had in the past, affected participants receive a three percent increase to the locked-in benefit for every year they continue to work for us and we are making a retirement contribution of three percent of eligible compensation to the 401(k) Plan for those participants. The funding policy is consistent with the funding requirements of federal law and regulations. Plan assets consist principally of listed equity securities and bonds. Other U.S. postretirement benefits are funded through a Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiaries Association Trust.

 

Health care and life insurance benefits are provided for eligible retired employees and their eligible dependents. These benefits are provided through various insurance companies and health care providers. Costs are accrued during the years the employee renders the necessary service.

 

Certain non-U.S. subsidiaries provide pension benefits for their employees consistent with local practices and regulations. These plans are primarily defined benefit plans covering substantially all employees upon completion of a specified period of service. Benefits for these plans are generally based on years of service and annual compensation.

 

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Following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets as of November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013:

 

     Pension Benefits     Other
Postretirement

Benefits
 
     U.S. Plans     Non-U.S. Plans    

Change in projected benefit obligation

   2014     2013     2014     2013     2014     2013  

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

   $ 347,668      $ 394,623      $ 206,407      $ 204,180      $ 50,811      $ 63,206   

Service cost

     93        106        1,699        1,799        434        623   

Interest cost

     16,086        14,719        7,626        7,486        2,143        2,133   

Participant contributions

     —          —          —          —          350        523   

Actuarial (gain)/loss

     62,014        (44,510     30,312        (3,633     3,948        (11,524

Curtailments

     —          (796     (100     (436     —          —     

Settlement

     —          —          (1,638     (1,325     —          —     

Benefits paid

     (17,266     (16,474     (8,377     (7,927     (3,316     (4,150

Currency change effect

     —          —          (15,713     6,263        —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Benefit obligation at end of year

     408,595        347,668        220,216        206,407        54,370        50,811   

Change in plan assets

                                    

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

     358,233        332,308        182,152        164,086        54,196        42,569   

Actual return on plan assets

     41,874        40,905        20,657        16,473        8,621        11,964   

Employer contributions

     1,494        1,494        7,856        2,027        3,225        3,290   

Participant contributions

     —          —          —          —          350        523   

Benefits paid¹

     (17,266     (16,474     (8,377     (5,871     (3,316     (4,150

Currency change effect

     —          —          (14,078     5,437        —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

     384,335        358,233        188,210        182,152        63,076        54,196   

Plan assets in excess of (less than) benefit obligation as of year end

   $ (24,260   $ (10,565   $ (32,006   $ (24,255   $ 8,706      $ 3,385   

 

1 Amount excludes benefit payments made from sources other than plan assets.

 

For the U.S. Pension Plan, we adopted the new RP-2014 mortality tables projected generationally using scale MP-2014.

 

Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss) that have not been recognized as components

of net periodic benefit cost

  Pension Benefits     Other
Postretirement
Benefits
 
  U.S. Plans     Non-U.S. Plans    
  2014     2013     2014     2013     2014     2013  

Unrecognized actuarial loss

  $ 140,009      $ 100,579      $ 82,598      $ 64,290      $ 23,348      $ 25,988   

Unrecognized prior service cost (benefit)

    119        147        (17     (21     (2,546     (6,317
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

  $ 140,128      $ 100,726      $ 82,581      $ 64,269      $ 20,802      $ 19,671   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Statement of financial position as of fiscal year-end

   Pension Benefits     Other
Postretirement

Benefits
 
   U.S. Plans     Non-U.S. Plans    
   2014     2013     2014     2013     2014     2013  

Non-current assets

   $ —        $ 29,560      $ 7,592      $ 8,959      $ 12,054      $ 6,858   

Accrued benefit cost

            

Current liabilities

     (1,510     (1,505     (1,248     (2,711     (201     (314

Non-current liabilities

     (22,750     (17,490     (38,350     (30,503     (3,146     (3,159
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ (24,260   $ 10,565      $ (32,006   $ (24,255   $ 8,707      $ 3,385   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accumulated benefit obligation of the U.S. pension and other postretirement plans was $445,701 at November 29, 2014 and $385,819 at November 30, 2013. The accumulated benefit obligation of the non-U.S. pension plans was $211,488 at November 29, 2014 and $197,750 at November 30, 2013.

 

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The following amounts relate to pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013:

 

      Pension Benefits and Other Postretirement Benefits  
     U.S. Plans      Non-U.S. Plans  
           2014                  2013                  2014                  2013        

Accumulated benefit obligation

   $ 20,568       $ 18,673       $ 122,860       $ 116,265   

Fair value of plan assets

     —           —           91,990         91,708   

 

The following amounts relate to pension plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013:

 

      Pension Benefits and Other Postretirement Benefits  
     U.S. Plans      Non-U.S. Plans  
           2014                  2013                  2014                  2013        

Projected benefit obligation

   $ 408,595       $ 18,996       $ 131,588       $ 124,922   

Fair value of plan assets

     384,335         —           91,990         91,708   

 

Information about the expected cash flows follows:

 

     Pension Benefits      Other
Postretirement
Benefits
 
     U.S. Plans      Non-U.S.
Plans
    

Employer contributions

        

2015

   $ —         $ 658       $ 3,000   

Expected benefit payments

        

2015

   $ 18,108       $ 7,908       $ 3,432   

2016

     18,689         8,048         3,452   

2017

     19,372         8,374         3,478   

2018

     20,000         8,505         3,500   

2019

     20,517         8,643         3,524   

2020-2024

     110,995         46,852         17,647   

 

Components of net periodic benefit cost and other supplemental information for the years ended November 29, 2014, November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012 follow:

 

    Pension Benefits     Other
Postretirement
Benefits
 
    U.S. Plans     Non-U.S. Plans    

Net periodic cost (benefit)

  2014     2013     2012     2014     2013     2012     2014     2013     2012  

Service cost

  $ 93      $ 106      $ 90      $ 1,699      $ 1,799      $ 1,457      $ 434      $ 623      $ 541   

Interest cost

    16,086        14,719        16,098        7,626        7,486        8,222        2,143        2,133        2,469   

Expected return on assets

    (23,865     (22,720     (23,758     (10,749     (9,390     (8,021     (4,742     (3,725     (3,263

Amortization:

                 

Prior service cost

    29        49        49        (4     (4     (4     (3,771     (4,134     (4,693

Actuarial (gain)/ loss

    4,575        6,742        3,858        3,056        3,778        2,487        2,709        5,717        5,155   

Divestitures

    —          —          —          —          —          7        —          —          —     

Curtailment (gain)/loss

    —          102        —          —          53        46        —          —          —     

Settlement charge/(credit)

    —          —          —          246        153        65        —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost (benefit)

  $ (3,082   $ (1,002   $ (3,663   $ 1,874      $ 3,875      $ 4,259      $ (3,227   $ 614      $ 209   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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     Pension Benefits  
     U.S.
Plans
     Non-U.S. Plans     Postretirement
benefits
 

Amounts expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit costs over next fiscal year as of November 29, 2014

       

Amortization of prior service cost (benefit)

   $ 29       $ (4   $ (2,505

Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss

     5,628         3,722        2,431   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 5,657       $ 3,718      $ (74
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

      Pension Benefits     Other
Postretirement  Benefits
 

Weighted-average assumptions used to
Determine benefit obligations

   U.S. Plans     Non-U.S. Plans    
   2014     2013     2012     2014     2013     2012     2014     2013     2012  

Discount rate

     4.08     4.74     3.81     2.90     3.74     3.79     3.84     4.34     3.46

Rate of compensation increase1

     4.50     4.50     4.50     1.67     1.84     1.87     N/A        N/A        N/A   

Weighted-average assumptions used to
Determine net costs for years ended

   2014     2013     2012     2014     2013     2012     2014     2013     2012  

Discount rate

     4.74     3.81     5.05     3.77     3.74     5.26     4.33     3.46     4.73

Expected return on plan assets

     7.75     7.75     8.00     6.17     5.96     6.08     8.75     8.75     8.75

Rate of compensation increase

     4.50     4.50     5.00     1.67     1.84     1.86     N/A        N/A        N/A   

 

1 Benefits under the U.S. Pension Plan were locked-in as of May 31, 2011 and no longer include compensation increases. The 4.50 percent rate for 2014, 2013 and 2012 are for the supplemental executive retirement plan only.

 

The discount rate assumption is determined using an actuarial yield curve approach, which results in a discount rate that reflects the characteristics of the plan. The approach identifies a broad population of corporate bonds that meet the quality and size criteria for the particular plan. We use this approach rather than a specific index that has a certain set of bonds that may or may not be representative of the characteristics of our particular plan. A higher discount rate decreases the present value of the pension obligations. The discount rate for the U.S. pension plan was 4.10 percent at November 29, 2014, as compared to 4.77 percent at November 30, 2013 and 3.83 percent at December 1, 2012. Net periodic pension cost for a given fiscal year is based on assumptions developed at the end of the previous fiscal year. A discount rate reduction of 0.5 percentage points at November 29, 2014 would increase pension and other postretirement plan expense approximately $370 (pre-tax) in fiscal 2015. Discount rates for non-U.S. plans are determined in a manner consistent with the U.S. plan.

 

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption for the U.S. pension plan was 7.75 percent in 2014 compared to 7.75 percent for 2013 and 8.00 percent for 2012. Our expected long-term rate of return on U.S. plan assets was based on our target asset allocation assumption of 60 percent equities and 40 percent fixed-income. Management, in conjunction with our external financial advisors, determines the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets by considering the expected future returns and volatility levels for each asset class that are based on historical returns and forward-looking observations. For 2014 the expected long-term rate of return on the target equities allocation was 8.5 percent and the expected long-term rate of return on the target fixed-income allocation was 5.0 percent. The total plan rate of return assumption included an estimate of the impact of diversification and the plan expense. A change of 0.5 percentage points for the expected return on assets assumption would impact U.S. net pension and other postretirement plan expense by approximately $2,237 (pre-tax).

 

Management, in conjunction with our external financial advisors, uses the actual historical rates of return of the asset categories to assess the reasonableness of the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets.

 

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption for non-U.S. pension plans was a weighted-average of 6.17 percent in 2014 compared to 5.96 percent in 2013 and 6.08 percent in 2012. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption used in each non-U.S. plan is determined on a plan-by-plan basis

 

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for each local jurisdiction and is based on expected future returns for the investment mix of assets currently in the portfolio for that plan. Management, in conjunction with our external financial advisors, develops expected rates of return for each plan, considers expected long-term returns for each asset category in the plan, reviews expectations for inflation for each local jurisdiction, and estimates the impact of active management of the plan’s assets. Our largest non-U.S. pension plans are in the United Kingdom and Germany. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for the United Kingdom was 6.69 percent and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for Germany was 5.75 percent. Management, in conjunction with our external financial advisors, uses actual historical returns of the asset portfolio to assess the reasonableness of the expected rate of return for each plan.

 

Assumed health care trend rates

   2014     2013     2012  

Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year

     6.50     7.25     7.25

Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)

     5.00     5.00     5.00

Fiscal year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate

     2018        2019        2018   

 

Sensitivity Information:     A one-percentage point change in the health care cost trend rate would have the following effects on the November 29, 2014 service and interest cost and the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at November 29, 2014:

 

     One-Percentage
Point
 
     Increase      Decrease  

Effect on service and interest cost components—annual

   $ 1       $ (106

Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation

   $ 29       $ (2,598

 

The asset allocation for the company’s U.S. and non-U.S. pension plans at the end of 2014 and 2013 follows.

 

     U.S. Pension Plans     Non-U.S. Pension Plans     Other Postretirement Plans  
     Target     Percentage of
Plan Assets at
Year-End
    Target     Percentage of
Plan Assets at
Year-End
    Target     Percentage of
Plan Assets at
Year-End
 
      2014     2014     2013     2014     2014     2013     2014     2014     2013  

Asset Category

                  

Equities

     60.0     60.2     61.9     50.4     49.8     50.2     0.0     0.0     0.0

Fixed income

     40.0     38.9     37.3     48.2     46.7     46.4     0.0     0.0     0.0

Real Estate

     0.0     0.0     0.0     1.4     1.1     1.1     0.0     0.0     0.0

Insurance

     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     100.0     98.3     99.4

Cash

     0.0     0.9     0.8     0.0     2.4     2.3     0.0     1.7     0.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100     100     100     100     100     100     100     100     100
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Plan Asset Management

 

Plan assets are held in trust and invested in mutual funds, separately managed accounts and other commingled investment vehicles holding U.S. and non-U.S. equity securities, fixed income securities and other investment classes. We employ a total return approach whereby a mix of equities and fixed income investments are used to maximize the long-term return of plan assets for a prudent level of risk. Futures and options may also be used to enhance risk-adjusted long-term returns while improving portfolio diversification and duration. Risk management is accomplished through diversification across asset classes, utilization of multiple investment managers and general plan-specific investment policies. Risk tolerance is established through careful consideration of the plan liabilities, plan funded status and our assessment of our overall liquidity position. This asset allocation policy mix is reviewed annually and actual versus target allocations are monitored regularly and rebalanced on an as-needed basis. Plan assets are invested using a combination of active and passive investment

 

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strategies. Passive, or “indexed” strategies, attempt to mimic rather than exceed the investment performance of a market benchmark. The plans’ active investment strategies employ multiple investment management firms which in aggregate cover a range of investment styles and approaches. Performance is monitored and compared to relevant benchmarks on a regular basis.

 

The U.S. pension plans consist of two plans: a pension plan and a supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP). There were no assets in the SERP in 2014 and 2013. Consequently, all of the data disclosed in the asset allocation table for the U.S. pension plans pertain to our U.S. pension plan.

 

During 2014 we maintained our assets within the allowed ranges of the target asset allocation mix of 60 percent equities and 40 percent fixed income plus or minus 5 percent and continued our focus to reduce volatility of plan assets in future periods and to more closely match the duration of the assets with the duration of the liabilities of the plan. We plan to maintain the portfolio at this target allocation in 2015.

 

The non-U.S. pension plans consist of all the pension plans administered by us outside the U.S., principally consisting of plans in Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Canada. During 2014 we maintained our assets for the non-U.S. pension plans at the specific target asset allocation mix determined for each plan plus or minus the allowed rate and continued our focus to reduce volatility of plan assets in future periods and to more closely match the duration of the assets with the duration of the liabilities of the individual plans. We plan to maintain the portfolios at their respective target asset allocations in 2015.

 

Other postretirement benefits plans consist of two U.S. plans: a retiree medical health care plan and a group term life insurance plan. There were no assets in the group term life insurance plan for 2014 and 2013. Consequently, all of the data disclosed in the asset allocation table for other postretirement plans pertain to our retiree medical health care plan. Our investment strategy for other postretirement benefit plans is to own insurance policies that maintain an asset allocation nearly completely in equities. These equities are invested in a passive portfolio indexed to the S&P 500. Our large weighting to equities in these plans is driven by the investment options available and the relative underfunded status of the plans.

 

Fair Value of Plan Assets

 

The following table presents plan assets categorized within a three-level fair value hierarchy as described in Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

     November 29, 2014  

U.S. Pension Plans

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total Assets  

Equities

   $ 138,308       $ 93,056       $ —         $ 231,364   

Fixed income

     27,782         121,450         407         149,639   

Cash

     3,332         —           —           3,332   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 169,422       $ 214,506       $ 407       $ 384,335   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-U.S. Pension Plans

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total Assets  

Equities

   $ 34,362       $ 59,504       $ —         $ 93,866   

Fixed income

     48,346         39,006         582         87,934   

Real Estate

     —           —           2,160         2,160   

Cash

     4,464         —           —           4,464   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 87,172       $ 98,510       $ 2,742       $ 188,424   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other Postretirement Benefits

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total Assets  

Insurance

   $ —         $ —         $ 61,980       $ 61,980   

Cash

     1,096         —           —           1,096   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,096       $ —         $ 61,980       $ 63,076   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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      November 30, 2013  

U.S. Pension Plans

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total Assets  

Equities

   $ 132,768       $ 88,946       $ —         $ 221,714   

Fixed income

     50,925         82,411         463         133,799   

Cash

     2,720         —           —           2,720   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 186,413       $ 171,357       $ 463       $ 358,233   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-U.S. Pension Plans

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total Assets  

Equities

   $ 34,045       $ 57,380       $ —         $ 91,425   

Fixed income

     48,767         35,158         590         84,515   

Real Estate

     —           —           1,940         1,940   

Cash

     4,272         —           —           4,272   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 87,084       $ 92,538       $ 2,530       $ 182,152   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other Postretirement Benefits

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total Assets  

Insurance

   $ —         $ —         $ 53,875       $ 53,875   

Cash

     321         —           —           321   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 321       $ —         $ 53,875       $ 54,196   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The definitions of fair values of our pension and other postretirement benefit plan assets at November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013 by asset category are as follows:

 

Equities—Primarily publicly traded common stock for purposes of total return and to maintain equity exposure consistent with policy allocations. Investments include: (i) U.S. and non-U.S. equity securities and mutual funds valued at closing prices from national exchanges; and (ii) commingled funds valued at unit values or net asset values provided by the investment managers, which are based on the fair value of the underlying investments.

 

Fixed income—Primarily corporate and government debt securities for purposes of total return and managing fixed income exposure to policy allocations. Investments include (i) mutual funds valued at closing prices from national exchanges, (ii) corporate and government debt securities valued at closing prices from national exchanges, (iii) commingled funds valued at unit values or net asset value provided by the investment managers, which are based on the fair value of the underlying investments, and (iv) an annuity contract, the value of which is determined by the provider and represents the amount the plan would receive if the contract were cashed out at year-end.

 

Real Estate—Property fund for purposes of total return. Investment is a comingled property fund valued at unit value provided by the investment manager, which is based on a valuation performed by a third party provider retained by the investment manager.

 

Insurance—Insurance contracts for purposes of funding postretirement medical benefits. Fair values are the cash surrender values as determined by the providers which are the amounts the plans would receive if the contracts were cashed out at year end.

 

CashCash balances on hand, accrued income and pending settlements of transactions for purposes of handling plan payments. Fair values are the cash balances as reported by the Trustees of the plans.

 

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The following is a roll forward of the Level 3 investments of our pension and postretirement benefit plan assets during the year ended November 29, 2014:

 

U.S. Pension Plans

   Fixed
Income
    Total  

Level 3 balance at beginning of year

   $ 463      $ 463   

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net

     (56     (56
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Level 3 balance at end of year

   $ 407      $ 407   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Non-U.S. Pension Plans

   Fixed
Income
    Real
Estate
    Total  

Level 3 balance at beginning of year

   $ 590      $ 1,940      $ 2,530   

Net transfers into / (out of) level 3

     34        (15     19   

Net gains

     11        340        351   

Currency change effect

     (53     (105     (158
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Level 3 balance at end of year

   $ 582      $ 2,160      $ 2,742   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Other Postretirement Benefits

   Insurance     Total  

Level 3 balance at beginning of year

   $ 53,875      $ 53,875   

Net transfers into / (out of) level 3

     (142     (142

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net

     (409     (409

Net gains

     8,656        8,656   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Level 3 balance at end of year

   $ 61,980      $ 61,980   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Note 11:    Financial Instruments

 

As a result of being a global enterprise, our earnings, cash flows and financial position are exposed to foreign currency risk from foreign currency denominated receivables and payables. These items are denominated in various foreign currencies, including the Euro, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Chinese renminbi, Japanese yen, Australian dollar, Argentine peso, Brazilian real, Colombian peso, Mexican peso, Turkish lira, Egyptian pound, Indian rupee, and Malaysian ringgit.

 

Our objective is to balance, where possible, local currency denominated assets to local currency denominated liabilities to have a natural hedge and minimize foreign exchange impacts. We take steps to minimize risks from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations through normal operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative instruments. We do not enter into any speculative positions with regard to derivative instruments.

 

We enter into derivative contracts with a group of investment grade multinational commercial banks. We evaluate the credit quality of each of these banks on a periodic basis as warranted.

 

Effective March 5, 2012, we entered into two cross-currency swap agreements to convert a notional amount of $151,598 of foreign currency denominated intercompany loans into US dollars. One of the cross-currency swaps matured in 2014 and the other swap matures in 2015. As of November 29, 2014, the fair value of the remaining swap was an asset of $5,408 and was included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of November 30, 2013, the combined fair value of the swaps was a liability of $4,801 and was included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The swaps were designated as cash-flow hedges for accounting treatment. The lesser amount between the cumulative change in the fair value of the actual swaps and the cumulative change in the fair value of hypothetical swaps is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The difference between the cumulative change in the fair value

 

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of the actual swaps and the cumulative change in the fair value of hypothetical swaps are recorded as other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Income. In a perfectly effective hedge relationship, the two fair value calculations would exactly offset each other. Any difference in the calculation represents hedge ineffectiveness. The ineffectiveness calculations as of November 29, 2014 resulted in additional pre-tax loss of $10 year-to-date as the change in fair value of the cross-currency swaps was less than the change in the fair value of the hypothetical swaps. The ineffectiveness calculations as of November 30, 2013 resulted in additional pre-tax gain of $58 year-to-date as the change in fair value of the cross-currency swaps was more than the change in the fair value of the hypothetical swaps. The amount in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to cross-currency swaps was a loss of $25 at November 29, 2014 and a loss of $91 at November 30, 2013. The estimated net amount of the existing loss that is reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at November 29, 2014 that is expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next twelve months is $25. At November 29, 2014, we do not believe any gains or losses will be reclassified into earnings as a result of the discontinuance of these cash flow hedges because the original forecasted transaction will not occur.

 

The following table summarizes the cross-currency swaps outstanding as of November 29, 2014:

 

     Fiscal
Year of
Expiration
     Interest
Rate
    Notional
Value
     Fair
Value
 

Pay EUR

     2015         4.30   $ 98,738       $ 5,408   

Receive USD

        4.45     
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

        $ 98,738       $ 5,408   
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Except for the cross currency swap agreement listed above, foreign currency derivative instruments outstanding are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. The gains and losses related to mark-to-market adjustments are recognized as other income or expense in the income statement during the periods in which the derivative instruments are outstanding. See Note 13 to Consolidated Financial Statements for fair value amounts of these derivative instruments.

 

As of November 29, 2014, we had forward foreign currency contracts maturing between December 1, 2014 and November 2, 2015. The mark-to-market effect associated with these contracts, on a net basis, at each year end was a gain of $574, a loss of $865 and a loss of $126 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These gains and losses were largely offset by the underlying transaction gains and losses resulting from the foreign currency exposures for which these contracts relate.

 

During the first quarter of 2012, we entered into forward currency contracts maturing on March 5, 2012 to purchase 370,000 Swiss francs. Our objective was to economically hedge the purchase price for the pending acquisition of the global industrial adhesives business of Forbo Group after the purchase agreement was signed. The currency contracts were not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. At maturity the mark-to-market adjustments were a gain of $11,621 which was recognized as a special charge, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 5 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

As of December 3, 2011, we had a $100,000 notional amount foreign currency option to exchange U.S. Dollars for Swiss francs. Our objective was to mitigate the exposure on exchange rates on a portion of the proposed purchase price for the pending acquisition of the global industrial adhesives business of Forbo Group. The fair value of this derivative was $841. The currency option was not designated as a hedge for accounting purposes and expired on January 10, 2012. The related expense was recognized as a special charge, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 5 to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

We have interest rate swap agreements to convert $75,000 of our Senior Notes to variable interest rates. See Note 7 to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. The change in fair value of the Senior Notes, attributable to the change in the risk being hedged, was a liability of $4,735 at November 29, 2014 and $6,065 at

 

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November 30, 2013 and were included in long-term debt in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value of the swaps in total was an asset of $4,726 at November 29, 2014 and $5,930 at November 30, 2013 and were included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The swaps were designated for hedge accounting treatment as fair value hedges.

 

The changes in the fair value of the swap and the fair value of the Senior Notes attributable to the change in the risk being hedged are recorded as other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Income. In a perfectly effective hedge relationship, the two fair value calculations would exactly offset each other. Any difference in the calculation represents hedge ineffectiveness. The calculation as of November 29, 2014, resulted in additional year-to-date pre-tax gain of $126 as the fair value of the interest rate swaps decreased by less than the change in the fair value of the Senior Notes attributable to the change in the risk being hedged. The calculations as of November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012 resulted in an additional year-to-date pre-tax loss of $746 and pre-tax gain of $362, respectively.

 

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable are limited due to the large number of entities in the customer base and their dispersion across many different industries and countries. As of November 29, 2014, there were no significant concentrations of credit risk.

 

Note 12:    Commitments and Contingencies

 

Leases:    The minimum lease payments, related to buildings, equipment and vehicles, that are expected to be made in each of the years indicated based on operating leases in effect at November 29, 2014 are:

 

Fiscal Year

   2015      2016      2017      2018      2019      Remainder      Total
Minimum
Lease
Payments
 

Operating Leases

   $ 8,408       $ 4,236       $ 2,341       $ 1,264       $ 1,007       $ 649       $ 17,905   

 

Rent expense for all operating leases, which includes minimum lease payments and other charges such as common area maintenance fees, was $14,481, $12,716 and $11,117 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

Servicing Agreement:     In 2005, we entered into an agreement to provide us with information technology services. The agreement expired in 2014. Actual expenditures under the agreement for the years ended November 29, 2014, November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012 were $1,044, $2,847 and $4,959, respectively.

 

Environmental Matters:     From time to time, we become aware of compliance matters relating to, or receive notices from, federal, state or local entities regarding possible or alleged violations of environmental, health or safety laws and regulations. We review the circumstances of each individual site, considering the number of parties involved, the level of potential liability or contribution of us relative to the other parties, the nature and magnitude of the hazardous substances involved, the method and extent of remediation, the estimated legal and consulting expense with respect to each site and the time period over which any costs would likely be incurred. Also, from time to time, we are identified as a “potentially responsible party” (PRP) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and/or similar state laws that impose liability for costs relating to the clean up of contamination resulting from past spills, disposal or other release of hazardous substances. We are also subject to similar laws in some of the countries where current and former facilities are located. Our environmental, health and safety department monitors compliance with applicable laws on a global basis. To the extent we can reasonably estimate the amount of our probable liabilities for environmental matters, we establish a financial provision.

 

Currently we are involved in various environmental investigations, clean up activities and administrative proceedings and lawsuits. In particular, we are currently deemed a PRP in conjunction with numerous other parties, in a number of government enforcement actions associated with landfills and/or hazardous waste sites.

 

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As a PRP, we may be required to pay a share of the costs of investigation and clean up of these sites. In addition, we are engaged in environmental remediation and monitoring efforts at a number of current and former operating facilities. While uncertainties exist with respect to the amounts and timing of the ultimate environmental liabilities, based on currently available information, we have concluded that these matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flow.

 

Other Legal Proceedings:     From time to time and in the ordinary course of business, we are a party to, or a target of, lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including product liability, personal injury, contract, patent and intellectual property, environmental, health and safety, tax and employment matters. While we are unable to predict the outcome of these matters, we have concluded, based upon currently available information, that the ultimate resolution of any pending matter, individually or in the aggregate, including the asbestos litigation described in the following paragraphs, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flow.

 

We have been named as a defendant in lawsuits in which plaintiffs have alleged injury due to products containing asbestos manufactured more than 30 years ago. The plaintiffs generally bring these lawsuits against multiple defendants and seek damages (both actual and punitive) in very large amounts. In many cases, plaintiffs are unable to demonstrate that they have suffered any compensable injuries or that the injuries suffered were the result of exposure to products manufactured by us. We are typically dismissed as a defendant in such cases without payment. If the plaintiff presents evidence indicating that compensable injury occurred as a result of exposure to our products, the case is generally settled for an amount that reflects the seriousness of the injury, the length, intensity and character of exposure to products containing asbestos, the number and solvency of other defendants in the case, and the jurisdiction in which the case has been brought.

 

A significant portion of the defense costs and settlements in asbestos-related litigation is paid by third parties, including indemnification pursuant to the provisions of a 1976 agreement under which we acquired a business from a third party. Currently, this third party is defending and paying settlement amounts, under a reservation of rights, in most of the asbestos cases tendered to the third party.

 

In addition to the indemnification arrangements with third parties, we have insurance policies that generally provide coverage for asbestos liabilities (including defense costs). Historically, insurers have paid a significant portion of our defense costs and settlements in asbestos-related litigation. However, certain of our insurers are insolvent. We have entered into cost-sharing agreements with our insurers that provide for the allocation of defense costs and under certain circumstances, settlements and judgments, in asbestos-related lawsuits. Under these agreements, we are required under certain circumstances to fund a share of settlements and judgments allocable to years in which the responsible insurer is insolvent. In addition, to delineate our rights under certain insurance policies, in October 2009, we commenced a declaratory judgment action against one of our insurers in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota. Additional insurers were brought into the action to address issues related to the scope of their coverage. In 2013, we entered into a settlement agreement with the defendant insurers in this case that provided for the allocation of defense costs and settlements in the future. The allocation under the settlement agreement depends on the outcome of an appeal of two issues to the United States Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

 

A summary of the number of and settlement amounts for asbestos-related lawsuits and claims is as follows:

 

      Year Ended
November 29,
2014
     Year Ended
November 30,
2013
     Year Ended
December 1,
2012
 

Lawsuits and claims settled

     9         6         9   

Settlement amounts

   $ 843       $ 371       $ 540   

Insurance payments received or expected to be received

   $ 687       $ 279       $ 391   

 

We do not believe that it would be meaningful to disclose the aggregate number of asbestos-related lawsuits filed against us because relatively few of these lawsuits are known to involve exposure to asbestos-containing products that we manufactured. Rather, we believe it is more meaningful to disclose the number of lawsuits that are settled

 

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and result in a payment to the plaintiff. To the extent we can reasonably estimate the amount of our probable liabilities for pending asbestos-related claims, we establish a financial provision and a corresponding receivable for insurance recoveries.

 

Based on currently available information, we have concluded that the resolution of any pending matter, including asbestos-related litigation, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flow.

 

Note 13:     Fair Value Measurements

 

The following table presents information about our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs include data points that are observable such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs (other than quoted prices) such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable data points for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.

 

    November 29,
2014
     Fair Value Measurements Using:  

Description

         Level 1              Level 2              Level 3      

Assets:

          

Marketable securities

  $ 748       $ 748       $ —         $ —     

Derivative assets

    1,007         —           1,007         —     

Interest rate swaps

    4,726         —           4,726         —     

Cash-flow hedges

    5,408         —           5,408         —     

Liabilities:

          

Derivative liabilities

  $ 433       $ —         $ 433       $ —     

Contingent consideration liabilities, continuing operations

    196         —           —           196   

Contingent consideration liabilities, discontinued operations

    5,000         —           —           5,000   
    November 30,
2013
     Fair Value Measurements Using:  

Description

     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Assets:

          

Marketable securities

  $ 28,786       $ 28,786       $ —         $ —     

Derivative assets

    533         —           533         —     

Interest rate swaps

    5,930         —           5,930         —     

Liabilities:

          

Derivative liabilities

  $ 1,399       $ —         $ 1,399       $ —     

Cash-flow hedges

    4,801         —           4,801         —     

Contingent consideration liabilities, continuing operations

    566         —           —           566   

Contingent consideration liabilities, discontinued operations

    5,000         —           —           5,000   

 

We measure certain assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These assets include assets acquired and liabilities assumed in an acquisition and tangible and intangible assets and cost basis investments that are written down to fair value when they are determined to be impaired. During 2012, we determined that the fair values of two of our cost basis investments were lower than the investment values on our balance sheet. As a result, we recorded an impairment charge of $1,517.

 

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Note 14:     Operating Segments

 

We are required to report segment information in the same way that we internally organize our business for assessing performance and making decisions regarding allocation of resources. We report our business in four reportable segments: the Americas Adhesives, EIMEA, Asia Pacific and Construction Products.

 

For segment evaluation by the chief operating decision maker, segment operating income is defined as gross profit less SG&A expenses. Segment operating income excludes special charges, net and asset impairment charges. Corporate expenses are fully allocated to each operating segment. Corporate assets are not allocated to the operating segments. Inter-segment revenues are recorded at cost plus a markup for administrative costs. Operating results of each of these segments are regularly reviewed by our chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segments and assess their performance.

 

The business components within each operating segment are managed to maximize the results of the overall operating segment rather than the results of any individual business component of the operating segment. Results of individual components of each operating segment are subject to numerous allocations of segment-wide costs that may or may not have been focused on that particular component for a particular reporting period. The costs for these allocated resources are not tracked on a “where-used” basis as financial performance is assessed at the total operating segment level.

 

Reportable operating segment financial information for all periods presented follows:

 

      2014      2013      2012  

Net revenue

        

Americas Adhesives

   $ 920,679       $ 902,573       $ 838,615   

EIMEA

     719,787         733,211         672,423   

Asia Pacific

     275,809         252,608         228,121   

Construction Products

     188,179         158,576         147,080   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2,104,454       $ 2,046,968       $ 1,886,239   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Inter-segment sales

        

Americas Adhesives

   $ 23,569       $ 22,120       $ 26,096   

EIMEA

     19,089         13,918         9,228   

Asia Pacific

     14,402         13,034         14,818   

Construction Products

     1,474         800         462   

Segment operating income

        

Americas Adhesives

   $ 103,339       $ 123,265       $ 112,368   

EIMEA

     30,521         51,526         34,483   

Asia Pacific

     9,317         9,771         7,356   

Construction Products

     6,664         10,940         8,334   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 149,841       $ 195,502       $ 162,541   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

        

Americas Adhesives

   $ 22,180       $ 20,832       $ 18,852   

EIMEA

     24,363         20,420         18,399   

Asia Pacific

     7,230         6,522         6,238   

Construction Products

     11,751         11,021         11,001   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 65,524       $ 58,795       $ 54,490   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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      2014      2013      2012  

Total assets1

        

Americas Adhesives

   $ 474,691       $ 471,520       $ 465,253   

EIMEA

     787,194         759,757         674,665   

Asia Pacific

     238,627         218,471         197,999   

Construction Products

     198,276         175,489         179,508   

Corporate

     168,353         245,926         267,030   

Discontinued Operations

     1,865         1,865         1,865   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,869,006       $ 1,873,028       $ 1,786,320   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

        

Americas Adhesives

   $ 18,045       $ 26,225       $ 15,036   

EIMEA

     71,926         63,512         13,402   

Asia Pacific

     22,377         10,150         3,511   

Construction Products

     2,073         1,737         1,762   

Corporate

     25,373         22,664         2,202   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 139,794       $ 124,288       $ 35,913   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1 Segment assets include primarily inventory, accounts receivable, property, plant and equipment and other miscellaneous assets. Corporate assets include primarily corporate property, plant and equipment, deferred tax assets, certain investments and other assets.

 

Reconciliation of segment operating income to income from continuing operations before income taxes and income from equity method investments

 

      2014      2013      2012  

Segment operating income

   $ 149,841       $ 195,502       $ 162,541   

Special charges, net

     (51,501      (45,087      (52,467

Asset impairment charges

     —           —           (1,517

Other income (expense), net

     716         (3,751      784   

Interest expense

     (19,744      (19,120      (19,793
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income from equity method investments

   $ 79,312       $ 127,544       $ 89,548   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Financial information about geographic areas

 

     Net Revenue  
     2014      2013      2012  

United States

   $ 878,058       $ 855,053       $ 802,362   

All other countries with less than 10 percent of total

     1,226,396         1,191,915         1,083,877   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2,104,454       $ 2,046,968       $ 1,886,239   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Property, Plant and Equipment, net  
     2014      2013      2012  

United States

   $ 205,412       $ 185,260       $ 158,973   

Germany

     116,301         86,335         42,434   

All other countries with less than 10 percent of total

     180,921         162,792         127,609   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 502,634       $ 434,387       $ 329,016   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Note 15:     Redeemable Non-Controlling Interest

 

We account for the non-controlling interest in H.B. Fuller Kimya Sanayi Ticaret A.S. (HBF Kimya) as a redeemable non-controlling interest because both the non-controlling shareholder and H.B. Fuller have an option, exercisable beginning August 1, 2018, to require the redemption of the shares owned by the non-controlling shareholder at a price determined by a formula based on 24 months trailing EBITDA. Since the option makes the redemption of the non-controlling ownership shares of HBF Kimya outside of our control, these shares are classified as a redeemable non-controlling interest in temporary equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The non-controlling shareholder is entitled to increase his ownership by 1 percent per year for 5 years up to a maximum of 13 percent ownership based on the achievement of profitability targets in each year. The option is subject to a minimum price of €3,500. The redemption value of the option, if it were currently redeemable, is estimated to be €3,500.

 

HBF Kimya’s results of operations are consolidated in our financial statements. Both the non-controlling interest and the accretion adjustment to redemption value are included in income or loss attributable to non-controlling interests in the Consolidated Statements of Income and in the carrying value of the redeemable non-controlling interest on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. HBF Kimya’s functional currency is the Turkish lira and changes in exchange rates will affect the reported amount of the redeemable non-controlling interest. As of November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013 the redeemable non-controlling interest was:

 

     2014      2013  

Balance at beginning of year

   $ 4,717       $ 3,981   

Net income attributed to redeemable non-controlling interest

     357         351   

Accretion adjustment to redemption value

     —           48   

Increase in non-controlling shareholder ownership

     —           384   

Distributions to non-controlling shareholder

     —           (244

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     (420      196   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

   $ 4,654       $ 4,717   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Note 16:     Correction of Errors

 

During the fourth quarter of 2014, we corrected an error in the carrying value of our equity method investment in Sekisui-Fuller Company, Ltd. We determined that an error was made in 2007 when we increased our ownership in the joint venture from 40 percent to 50 percent. We originally deemed all of the excess purchase price associated with the transaction to be goodwill when a portion of the excess should have been assigned to other assets, including an amortizable intangible asset. This amortizable intangible asset should have been amortized over its useful life of 13 years with a charge to income from equity method investments in each subsequent year. The correction of this error in the amount of $1,643 for fiscal years 2007 to 2013 resulted in an understatement of income from equity method investments in fiscal 2014 in our Consolidated Statements of Income and a reduction in other assets on our November 29, 2014 Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Also during the fourth quarter of 2014, we corrected an error in the cumulative translation adjustment for our equity method investment in Sekisui-Fuller Company, Ltd. to translate the underlying Japanese yen denominated assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars. This correction in the amount of $6,069 resulted in a reduction in other assets and an increase in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on our November 29, 2014 Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

We evaluated the effect of these errors in accordance with the guidance in ASC Topic 250-10-S99-1, “Assessing Materiality” and concluded that the impact of the errors is not material to any current or prior period financial statements.

 

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Note 17:     Subsequent Events

 

On December 23, 2014 we signed an agreement to purchase Continental Products Limited, a provider of industrial adhesives in Africa for approximately €1,700. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, Continental Products Limited will be included in our EIMEA operating segment.

 

On January 28, 2015, we drew $300,000 under the term loan of which approximately $230,000 will be used to finance the acquisition of Tonsan Adhesive, Inc. and approximately $70,000 will be used to repay outstanding balances under the revolving credit facility.

 

Note 18:     Quarterly Data (unaudited)

 

     2014  
(In thousands, except per share amounts)    Q1      Q2      Q3      Q41  

Net revenue

   $ 485,981       $ 544,034       $ 526,765       $ 547,674   

Gross profit

     133,045         142,655         125,154         132,436   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     (96,799      (96,372      (96,779      (93,499

Special charges, net

     (11,734      (13,538      (12,343      (13,886
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

   $ 14,649       $ 20,626       $ 4,084       $ 10,792   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic Income per share

   $ 0.29       $ 0.41       $ 0.08       $ 0.22   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted Income per share

   $ 0.28       $ 0.40       $ 0.08       $ 0.21   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

           

Basic

     49,910         49,956         50,053         50,107   

Diluted

     51,255         51,175         51,297         51,296   

 

1 

Includes correction of errors. See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

     2013  
(In thousands, except per share amounts)    Q1      Q2      Q3      Q4  

Net revenue

   $ 479,842       $ 519,016       $ 514,579       $ 533,531   

Gross profit

     133,376         146,616         144,507         145,672   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     (97,640      (93,806      (90,604      (92,619

Special charges, net

     (5,333      (10,843      (12,775      (16,136
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

   $ 20,774       $ 26,048       $ 27,150       $ 22,003   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic Income per share

   $ 0.42       $ 0.52       $ 0.54       $ 0.44   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted Income per share

   $ 0.41       $ 0.51       $ 0.53       $ 0.42   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

           

Basic

     49,817         49,935         49,913         49,909   

Diluted

     51,027         51,152         51,127         51,236   

 

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Item 9.     Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

None.

 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

 

Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our president and chief executive officer and executive vice president, chief financial officer, of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act)). We acquired ProSpec construction products in the fourth quarter of 2014 and it represented approximately 1 percent of our total assets as of November 29, 2014. As the acquisition occurred in the fourth quarter of 2014, the scope of our assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting does not include ProSpec construction products. This exclusion is in accordance with the SEC’s general guidance that an assessment of a recently acquired business may be omitted from our scope in the year of acquisition. Based on this evaluation, the president and chief executive officer and the executive vice president, chief financial officer concluded that, as of November 29, 2014, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective (1) to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (2) to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to us, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

We are in the process of implementing a global Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system that will upgrade and standardize our information system. The implementation is expected to occur in phases over the next several years. The implementation of a global ERP system will likely affect the processes that constitute our internal control over financial reporting and will require testing for effectiveness.

 

We have completed the implementation with respect to several subsidiaries/locations and will continue to roll out the ERP system over the next several years. As with any new information system we implement, this application, along with the internal controls over financial reporting included in this process, was appropriately considered within the testing for effectiveness with respect to the implementation in these subsidiaries/locations.

 

Except as described above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act.

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

The management of H.B. Fuller Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. H.B. Fuller Company’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the company’s management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.

 

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

 

H.B. Fuller Company management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, including the change in internal control noted above, as of November 29, 2014. In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO)

 

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in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (1992). Based on the assessment management believes that, as of November 29, 2014, the company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.

 

H.B. Fuller Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting. This report appears on page 41.

 

Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The report on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting issued by KPMG LLP, our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, appears on page 41.

 

Item 9B. Other Information

 

None.

 

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PART III

 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 

The information under the headings “Proposal 1—Election of Directors,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” and “Corporate Governance—Audit Committee” contained in the company’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 9, 2015 (the “2015 Proxy Statement”) is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The information contained at the end of Item 1. hereof under the heading “Executive Officers of the Registrant” is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Since the date of our 2014 Proxy Statement, there have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to our Board of Directors.

 

The company has a code of business conduct applicable to all of its directors and employees, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller and other employees performing similar functions. A copy of the code of business conduct is available under the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at www.hbfuller.com. The company intends to disclose on its website information with respect to any amendment to or waiver from a provision of its code of business conduct that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, controller and other employees performing similar functions within four business days following the date of such amendment or waiver.

 

Item 11. Executive Compensation

 

The information under the headings “Executive Compensation,” and “Director Compensation” contained in the 2015 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

The information under the headings “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” contained in the 2015 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

 

The information under the headings “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Corporate Governance—Director Independence” contained in the 2015 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

The information under the heading “Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” contained in the 2015 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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PART IV

 

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a) Documents filed as part of this report:

 

  1. Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Consolidated Statements of Income for the fiscal years ended November 29, 2014, November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012.

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the fiscal years ended November 29, 2014, November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012.

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of November 29, 2014 and November 30, 2013.

 

Consolidated Statements of Total Equity for the fiscal years ended November 29, 2014, November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012.

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended November 29, 2014, November 30, 2013 and December 1, 2012.

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

  2. Financial Statement Schedules

 

All financial statement schedules are omitted as the required information is inapplicable or the information is presented in the consolidated financial statements or related notes.

 

  3. Exhibits

 

    

Item

  

Incorporation by Reference

    2.1      Equity Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 24, 2014, by and among H.B. Fuller Singapore, Pte, Ltd., ZHAI Haichao, individually and as Sellers’ Representative, WANG Bing, LIN Xinsong, LI Yimbai and Beijing Gongchuang Mingtian Investment Advisory Co.    Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 24, 2014.
    3.1      Restated Articles of Incorporation of H.B. Fuller Company, as amended    Exhibit 3.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 2, 2006.
    3.2      By-Laws of H.B. Fuller Company    Exhibit 3(ii). 1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 4, 2008.
    4.1      Form of Certificate for common stock, par value $1.00 per share    Exhibit 4.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended November 28, 2009.
    4.2      Rights Agreement, dated as of July 13, 2006, between H.B. Fuller Company and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Rights Agent    Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 13, 2006.
    4.3      Note Purchase Agreement, dated December 16, 2009, among H.B. Fuller Company, as borrower, and various financial institutions, as amended.    Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 16, 2009, and Exhibit 1.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 5, 2012 and Exhibit 1.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 31, 2014.

 

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Item

  

Incorporation by Reference

    4.4      Note Purchase Agreement, dated March 5, 2012, by and among H.B. Fuller Company and the purchasers party thereto, as amended.    Exhibit 1.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 5, 2012 and Exhibit 1.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 31, 2014.
*10.1    Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan    Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 5, 2006.
*10.2    H.B. Fuller Company Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan II—2008, as amended    Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 19, 2007 Exhibit 10.5 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 29, 2008 and Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 28, 2011.
*10.3    H.B. Fuller Company Executive Benefit Trust dated October 25, 1993 between H.B. Fuller Company and U.S. Bank, National Association, as Trustee, as amended, relating to the H.B. Fuller Company Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan    Exhibit 10(k) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 29, 1997, Exhibit 10(k) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K405 for the year ended November 28, 1998, Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 19, 2007 and Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 30, 2009.
*10.4    H.B. Fuller Company Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan (2005 Amendment and Restatement), as amended    Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 23, 2006, Exhibit 10.11 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 1, 2007 and Exhibit 10.8 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 29, 2008.
*10.5    Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan    Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 3, 2008.
*10.6    Form of Change in Control Agreement between H.B. Fuller Company and each of its executive officers    Exhibit 10.11 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 29, 2008.
*10.7    Form of Severance Agreement between H.B. Fuller Company and each of its executive officers    Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31, 2008.
*10.8    Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made between December 4, 2008 and December 2, 2009    Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 4, 2008.
*10.9    Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after December 3, 2009    Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 3, 2009.
*10.10    Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 20, 2011    Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 20, 2011.

 

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Item

  

Incorporation by Reference

*10.11    Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 20, 2011    Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 20, 2011.
*10.12    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 20, 2011    Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 20, 2011.
*10.13    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Retirement Eligible Participants under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 20, 2011    Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 20, 2011.
*10.14    Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for the Chief Executive Officer under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 20, 2011    Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 20, 2011.
*10.15    Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 26, 2012    Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 26, 2012
*10.16    Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the H.B. Fuller Company 2009 Director Stock Incentive Plan for awards made to our non-employee directors on or after September 25, 2012    Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 24, 2012
*10.17    Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 24, 2013    Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 24, 2013.
*10.18    Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 24, 2013.    Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 24, 2013.
*10.19    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 24, 2013    Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 24, 2013.
*10.20    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Retirement Eligible Participants under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 24, 2013    Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 24, 2013.
*10.21    Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for the Chief Executive Officer under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 24, 2013    Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 24, 2013.

 

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Item

  

Incorporation by Reference

*10.22    Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for the Chief Executive Officer under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (or any successor plan) for awards made on or after January 24, 2013    Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 2, 2013.
*10.23    Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the H.B. Fuller Company 2013 Master Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 23, 2014    Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 23, 2014.
*10.24    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the H.B. Fuller Company 2013 Master Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 23, 2014    Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 23, 2014.
*10.25    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Retirement Eligible Participants under the H.B. Fuller Company 2013 Master Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 23, 2014    Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 23, 2014.
*10.26    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for the Chief Executive Officer under the H.B. Fuller Company 2013 Master Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 23, 2014    Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 23, 2014.
*10.27    H.B. Fuller Company Defined Contribution Restoration Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2008), as amended    Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 19, 2007 and Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31, 2008.
*10.28    H.B. Fuller Company Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan (2008 Amendment and Restatement), as amended    Exhibit 10.22 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 29, 2008 and Exhibit 10.23 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 29, 2008.
*10.29    H.B. Fuller Company 2009 Director Stock Incentive Plan    Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 30, 2009.
*10.30    H.B. Fuller Company Management Short-Term Incentive Plan for fiscal year 2012 and thereafter    Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 29, 2011.
*10.31    H.B. Fuller Company Management Short-Term Incentive Plan for fiscal year 2014 and thereafter    Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 23, 2014.
*10.32    H.B. Fuller Company Bonus Multiplier Program    Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 22, 2015.

*10.33

   H.B. Fuller Company Special 2015 Performance Acceleration Bonus    Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 22, 2015.
*10.34    H.B. Fuller Company 2013 Master Incentive Plan    Annex B to the H.B. Fuller Company Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2013.
  10.35    Credit Agreement, dated October 31, 2014, by and among JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, U.S. Bank National Association, Citibank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC, as co-syndication agents, and various financial institutions    Exhibit 1.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 31, 2014.

 

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Item

  

Incorporation by Reference

  21    List of Subsidiaries   
  23    Consent of KPMG LLP   
  24    Power of Attorney   
  31.1      302 Certification—James J. Owens   
  32.1    302 Certification—James R. Giertz   
  32.1    906 Certification—James J. Owens   
  32.2    906 Certification—James R. Giertz   
  101    The following materials from the H.B. Fuller Company Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 29, 2014 formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Total Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.   

 

* Asterisked items are management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements required to be filed.

 

(b) See Exhibit Index and Exhibits attached to this Form 10-K.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

    H.B. FULLER COMPANY
    By  

/s/ James J. Owens

      JAMES J. OWENS

Dated: January 28, 2015

      President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

Signature

  

Title

/s/ James J. Owens

JAMES J. OWENS

  

President and Chief Executive Officer and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ James R. Giertz

JAMES R. GIERTZ

  

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ Robert J. Martsching

ROBERT J. MARTSCHING

  

Vice President, Controller

(Principal Accounting Officer)

*

LEE R. MITAU

  

Director

*

THOMAS W. HANDLEY

  

Director

*

MARIA TERESA HILADO

  

Director

*

J. MICHAEL LOSH

  

Director

*

DANTE C. PARRINI

  

Director

*

ANN W.H. SIMONDS

   Director

*

JOHN C. VAN RODEN, JR.

  

Director

*

R. WILLIAM VAN SANT.

  

Director

 

* by

 

/s/ Timothy J. Keenan

 

TIMOTHY J. KEENAN, Attorney in Fact

 

Dated: January 28, 2015

 

94


Table of Contents

Exhibit Index

 

    

Item

  

Incorporation by Reference

    2.1

   Equity Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 24, 2014, by and among H.B. Fuller Singapore, Pte, Ltd., ZHAI Haichao, individually and as Sellers’ Representative, WANG Bing, LIN Xinsong, LI Yimbai and Beijing Gongchuang Mingtian Investment Advisory Co.    Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 24, 2014.

    3.1

   Restated Articles of Incorporation of H.B. Fuller Company, as amended    Exhibit 3.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 2, 2006.

    3.2

   By-Laws of H.B. Fuller Company    Exhibit 3(ii). 1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 4, 2008.

    4.1

   Form of Certificate for common stock, par value $1.00 per share    Exhibit 4.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended November 28, 2009.

    4.2

   Rights Agreement, dated as of July 13, 2006, between H.B. Fuller Company and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Rights Agent    Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 13, 2006.

    4.3

   Note Purchase Agreement, dated December 16, 2009, among H.B. Fuller Company, as borrower, and various financial institutions, as amended.    Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 16, 2009, and Exhibit 1.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 5, 2012 and Exhibit 1.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 31, 2014.

    4.4

   Note Purchase Agreement, dated March 5, 2012, by and among H.B. Fuller Company and the purchasers party thereto, as amended.    Exhibit 1.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 5, 2012 and Exhibit 1.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 31, 2014.

*10.1

   Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan    Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 5, 2006.

*10.2

   H.B. Fuller Company Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan II—2008, as amended    Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 19, 2007 Exhibit 10.5 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 29, 2008 and Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 28, 2011.

*10.3

   H.B. Fuller Company Executive Benefit Trust dated October 25, 1993 between H.B. Fuller Company and U.S. Bank, National Association, as Trustee, as amended, relating to the H.B. Fuller Company Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan    Exhibit 10(k) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 29, 1997, Exhibit 10(k) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K405 for the year ended November 28, 1998, Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 19, 2007 and Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 30, 2009.

*10.4

   H.B. Fuller Company Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan (2005 Amendment and Restatement), as amended    Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 23, 2006, Exhibit 10.11 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 1, 2007 and Exhibit 10.8 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 29, 2008.


Table of Contents
    

Item

  

Incorporation by Reference

*10.5

   Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Annual and Long-Term Incentive Plan    Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 3, 2008.

*10.6

   Form of Change in Control Agreement between H.B. Fuller Company and each of its executive officers    Exhibit 10.11 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 29, 2008.

*10.7

   Form of Severance Agreement between H.B. Fuller Company and each of its executive officers    Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31, 2008.

*10.8

   Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made between December 4, 2008 and December 2, 2009    Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 4, 2008.

*10.9

   Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after December 3, 2009    Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 3, 2009.

*10.10

   Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 20, 2011    Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 20, 2011.

*10.11

   Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 20, 2011    Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 20, 2011.

*10.12

   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 20, 2011    Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 20, 2011.

*10.13

   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Retirement Eligible Participants under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 20, 2011    Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 20, 2011.

*10.14

   Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for the Chief Executive Officer under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 20, 2011    Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 20, 2011.

*10.15

   Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 26, 2012    Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 26, 2012

*10.16

   Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the H.B. Fuller Company 2009 Director Stock Incentive Plan for awards made to our non-employee directors on or after September 25, 2012    Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 24, 2012


Table of Contents
    

Item

  

Incorporation by Reference

*10.17

   Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 24, 2013    Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 24, 2013.

*10.18

   Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 24, 2013.    Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 24, 2013.

*10.19

   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 24, 2013    Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 24, 2013.

*10.20

   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Retirement Eligible Participants under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 24, 2013    Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 24, 2013.

*10.21

   Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for the Chief Executive Officer under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 24, 2013    Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 24, 2013.

*10.22

   Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for the Chief Executive Officer under the Amended and Restated H.B. Fuller Company Year 2000 Stock Incentive Plan (or any successor plan) for awards made on or after January 24, 2013    Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 2, 2013.

*10.23

   Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the H.B. Fuller Company 2013 Master Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 23, 2014    Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 23, 2014.

*10.24

   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the H.B. Fuller Company 2013 Master Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 23, 2014    Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 23, 2014.

*10.25

   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Retirement Eligible Participants under the H.B. Fuller Company 2013 Master Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 23, 2014    Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 23, 2014.

*10.26

   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for the Chief Executive Officer under the H.B. Fuller Company 2013 Master Incentive Plan for awards made on or after January 23, 2014    Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 23, 2014.

*10.27

   H.B. Fuller Company Defined Contribution Restoration Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2008), as amended    Exhibit 10.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 19, 2007 and Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31, 2008.


Table of Contents
    

Item

  

Incorporation by Reference

*10.28

   H.B. Fuller Company Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan (2008 Amendment and Restatement), as amended    Exhibit 10.22 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 29, 2008 and Exhibit 10.23 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 29, 2008.

*10.29

   H.B. Fuller Company 2009 Director Stock Incentive Plan    Exhibit 10.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 30, 2009.

*10.30

   H.B. Fuller Company Management Short-Term Incentive Plan for fiscal year 2012 and thereafter    Exhibit 10.5 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 29, 2011.

*10.31

   H.B. Fuller Company Management Short-Term Incentive Plan for fiscal year 2014 and thereafter    Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 23, 2014.
*10.32    H.B. Fuller Company Bonus Multiplier Program    Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 22, 2015.

*10.33

   H.B. Fuller Company Special 2015 Performance Acceleration Bonus    Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 22, 2015.

*10.34

   H.B. Fuller Company 2013 Master Incentive Plan    Annex B to the H.B. Fuller Company Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2013.

10.35

   Credit Agreement, dated October 31, 2014, by and among JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, U.S. Bank National Association, Citibank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC, as co-syndication agents, and various financial institutions    Exhibit 1.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 31, 2014.

  21

   List of Subsidiaries   

  23

   Consent of KPMG LLP   

  24

   Power of Attorney   

  31.1

   302 Certification—James J. Owens   

  32.1

   302 Certification—James R. Giertz   

  32.1

   906 Certification—James J. Owens   
  32.2    906 Certification—James R. Giertz   
  101    The following materials from the H.B. Fuller Company Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 29, 2014 formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Total Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.   

 

* Asterisked items are management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements required to be filed.

 

See Exhibit Index and Exhibits attached to this Form 10-K.