ITEM 1. BUSINESS
We are a leading global technology solutions provider to high-value segments of the food and beverage industry with focus on proteins, liquid foods and automated system solutions. JBT designs, produces and services sophisticated products and systems for multi-national and regional customers through its FoodTech segment. JBT also sells critical equipment and services to domestic and international air transportation customers through its AeroTech segment.
The product offerings of our FoodTech businesses include:
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Protein
. JBT FoodTech provides comprehensive solutions to our Protein customers that include chilling, mixing/grinding, injecting, marinating, tumbling, portioning, packaging, coating, frying, freezing and weighing for poultry, beef, pork and seafood, as well as ready-to-eat meals, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and bakery products. Strategic acquisitions completed in 2016 added to the product portfolio X-ray food inspection systems, complementary poultry-focused chilling solutions, and packaging systems.
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Liquid Foods
. Our Liquid Foods portfolio includes fruit and juice solutions that extract, concentrate and aseptically process citrus, tomato and other fruits, vegetables, and juices. It also includes in-container solutions for the filling, closing and preservation of fruits, vegetables, soups, sauces, dairy, and pet food products as well as ready-to-eat meals in a wide variety of modern packages. Strategic acquisitions completed in 2015 added to our product portfolio significant capabilities in the dairy and juice preservation and filling segments, as well as in customized skidded systems, mixing, batching and blending systems and tank and vessel manufacturing capabilities for a broad array of market segments.
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Automated Systems
. JBT FoodTech provides stand-alone and fully-integrated robotic automated guided vehicle systems for repetitive material movement requirements, for example in manufacturing and warehouse facilities.
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JBT AeroTech markets its solutions and services to domestic and international airport authorities, passenger airlines, airfreight and ground handling companies, military forces and defense contractors. The product offerings of our AeroTech businesses include:
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Mobile Equipment
. JBT AeroTech’s portfolio of mobile air transportation equipment includes commercial and military cargo loading, aircraft deicing, aircraft towing, and aircraft ground power and cooling systems.
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Fixed Equipment
. JBT AeroTech provides gate equipment for passenger boarding.
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Airport Services
. JBT AeroTech includes the maintenance of airport equipment, systems, and facilities.
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For financial information about our business segments see Note
16
.
Business Segments
of our Consolidated Financial Statements included in
Item 8
.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We were originally incorporated as Frigoscandia, Inc. in Delaware in May 1994. Our principal executive offices are located at 70 West Madison, Suite 4400, Chicago, Illinois 60602.
BUSINESS SEGMENTS
JBT FoodTech
JBT FoodTech supplies both customized industrial and turnkey solutions and services used in the food and beverage industry. We design, manufacture and service technologically sophisticated food processing systems for the preparation of meat, seafood and poultry products, ready-to-eat meals, shelf stable packaged foods, bakery products, juice and dairy products, and fruit and vegetable products.
We believe our success is derived from our continued innovation, applying our differentiated and proprietary technologies to meet our customers’ food processing needs. We continually strive to improve our existing solutions and develop new solutions by working closely with our customers to meet their evolving needs.
Our historically strong position in the markets we serve has provided us with a large installed base of systems and equipment. We deliver industrial capacity equipment which includes freezers, citrus juice extractors, preservation systems, coating systems and packaging systems. The installed base of our equipment provides a stream of recurring revenue from aftermarket products, parts, services, and lease arrangements. Recurring revenue accounted for 40% of our FoodTech total revenue in
2016
. Our installed base also provides us with strong, long-term customer relationships from which we derive information for new product development to meet the evolving needs of our food processing customers. We also provide stand-alone and fully integrated automated guided vehicle systems for repetitive material handling requirements, for example in manufacturing and warehouse facilities.
We have operations strategically positioned around the world to serve our existing JBT FoodTech equipment base located in more than 100 countries. Our principal production facilities are located in the United States (Arkansas, California, Florida, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin), Brazil, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, South Africa and China. In addition to sales and services offices based in more than 25 countries, we also support our customers in their development of new food products and processes as well as the refinement and testing of their current applications through eleven technical centers located in the United States (California, Florida, and Ohio), Mexico, Brazil, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands and China. Our global presence allows us to provide direct customized support to customers virtually anywhere they process foods.
Solutions, Products and Services
We offer a broad portfolio of systems, equipment and services to our customers which are often sold as part of a fully integrated processing line solution. Our systems are typically customized to meet the specific customer application needs. Thus, actual production capacity ranges vary and are dependent on the food and product packaging type being processed.
Protein
.
Our fully integrated processing lines often span from the initial point of entry of raw products through further processing. Our Protein systems include Wolf-Tec Polar Dissolver brine preparation, IMAX injection, Polar Massager marination, Polar Flex Carve maceration, TMAX tenderization, TVI portion cutting systems, the DSI™ waterjet portioners, slicers and attribute scanner/sorters; the Stein™ coating and seasoning applicators, teflon coated Formcook Contact and Combi Cookers, THERMoFIN® fryers, GYRoCOMPACT® spiral ovens, JSO Jet Stream® ovens; Double D™ Revoband™ linear ovens and cooking systems; Novus X-ray systems; C.A.T. FATCAT chillers, ULTRACAT injectors, scales and weighing systems, GLACIERCAT freezers and Tipper Tie Clip packaging systems. Although our solutions are primarily used in the processing of meat and poultry (including nuggets, strips, and wings), we also provide systems that portion, coat or cook other food products ranging from breads and pizzas, seafood, and ready-to-eat meals to pet food. Through our acquisition of Tipper Tie, Inc. we also serve industrial, non-food customers, primarily for the adhesives, glues, silicone and industrial explosives industries.
With our first commercial food processing developed in the 1960s, we remain a leading supplier of freezing and chilling solutions to the food processing industry. We design, assemble, test, and install industry-leading technologies under the Frigoscandia® brand, which include the GYRoCOMPACT® self-stacking spiral, the FLoFREEZE® individual quick freezing (IQF) system, and the ADVANTEC™ linear/impingement freezing system, as well as flat product and contact freezers, chillers and proofers. We also offer a structure-supported Northfield SuperTRAK® spiral freezer for high volume, large packaged products. Our freezers are designed to meet the most stringent demands for quality, economy, food safety and user-friendliness. Our industrial freezers can be found in plants that are processing food products ranging from meat, seafood, and poultry to bakery products and ready-to-eat meals, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.
In 2016, we acquired the Novus X-ray, Cooling and Applied Technologies (C.A.T.), and Tipper Tie businesses. Novus X-ray specializes in the manufacture of modular X-ray systems, allowing us to enter the growing market for automated food inspection equipment. The acquisition of Cooling and Applied Technologies added chillers and weighing systems to our portfolio of poultry processing capabilities as well as strengthened our offering of injectors and freezers.
Protein technology offerings accounted for 30% of our total revenue in
2016
.
Liquid Foods
.
We offer comprehensive processing lines from primary juice extraction through end of line packaging. In the primary space, we supply industrial citrus processing equipment. Our citrus processing solutions include citrus extractors, finishers, pulp systems, evaporators, and citrus ingredient recovery systems as well as aseptic systems (including sterilizers, fillers, and controls) integrated with bulk aseptic storage systems for not-from-concentrate orange juice. Our READYGo™ family of skid-mounted products includes solutions for aseptic sterilization and bulk filling, as well as ingredients and by-products recovery and clean-up systems. In addition to our high capacity industrial extractors, we also offer point of use Fresh’n Squeeze® produce juicers. These juicers are used around the world in hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, convenience stores, quick service restaurants, and juice bars.
We are among the leading worldwide suppliers of fruit, vegetable, and juice processing equipment and aseptic sterilization and bulk filling systems. Our fruit, vegetable, and juice processing lines are comprised of extraction, finishing, heating and mixing equipment, enzyme inactivators, evaporators, flash coolers, sterilizers, and aseptic fillers. Our equipment is primarily sold as an integrated processing line, but can also satisfy a specific need within a line. Our tomato processing lines are installed with processors throughout the world’s key tomato growing regions and produce a range of finished tomato products including tomato paste, concentrates, peeled tomato products, diced tomatoes, salsa, pizza sauce, ketchup, and pureed and crushed tomatoes. Our aseptic processing lines are used in the bulk processing of a wide range of temperate and tropical fruits into juices, particulates, purees, and concentrates. These fruit products are used as ingredients for dairy products (yogurts, smoothies, flavored milk, and ice cream), bakery products, and fruit-based beverages.
We provide technology solutions and products to extend the life, improve the appearance and preserve the taste of fresh fruits and vegetables. Once protected, fresh fruits and vegetables can be individually labeled by our fast and efficient produce labeling systems. We also provide an integrated equipment and aftermarket service program, including the patented Bin Scrubber System, the Single Pass Dryer and Smart Dryer System, and additional ancillary produce processing technologies.
We are a global supplier of fully integrated industrial preservation systems that enable production of shelf stable foods in a wide variety of flexible and rigid packages. These integrated solutions for the processing of shelf-stable food and liquid products include a line of continuous hydrostatic sterilizers, our continuous rotary sterilizers, Steam Water Spray static and SuperAgi™ batch retorts, XL-series fillers, SeamTec™ and X-series closers, material handling systems and LOG-TEC® thermal process controls. We are a recognized U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Process Authority and offer the largest selection of preservation products in the industry. We offer consulting services to help design food production processes in accordance with USDA and FDA's stringent requirements. We also provide automated batch retorts which can process an array of flexible and rigid packages such as plastic pouches, cartons, glass and cans. Our solutions also include specialized material handling systems to automate the handling and tracking of processed and unprocessed containers. Additionally, we offer modeling software as well as thermal processing controls that help our customers optimize and track their cooking processes to allow real time modifications in the case of process deviations.
In 2015, we acquired the Stork Food and Dairy Systems and A&B Process Systems businesses, adding significant capabilities in the dairy and juice sterilization and filling segments as well as in customized skidded systems and tank and vessel manufacturing capabilities for a broad array of market segments, respectively.
Liquid Foods solution offerings accounted for 35% of our total revenue in
2016
.
Automated Systems
.
We are a leading global supplier of robotic automated guided vehicle systems for repetitive material movement in manufacturing and warehouse facilities. We provide engineering services and simulations to evaluate the material handling requirements, standard and custom automated guided vehicle hardware and software, and stand-alone (JayBoT®) and fully-integrated system hardware and software for a scalable solution that can be applied individually or across the entire customer enterprise.
Aftermarket Products, Consumables, Parts, and Services
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We provide aftermarket products, parts, and services for all of our integrated food processing systems and equipment. We provide retrofits and refurbishments to accommodate changing operational requirements, and we supply our own brand of food grade lubricants and cleaners designed specifically for our equipment. We supply packaging material components for our clip packaging customers in the form of metal clips and hanging loops. We also provide continuous, proactive service to our customers including the fulfillment of preventative maintenance agreements, consulting services such as water treatment, corrosion monitoring control, food safety and process auditing, and the expertise of on-site technical personnel. In addition to helping our customers reduce their operating costs and improve efficiencies, our customer service focus also helps us maintain strong commercial relationships and provides us with ongoing access to information about our customers’ requirements and strategies to foster continuing product development. Our aftermarket products, parts, and services coupled with our large installed base of food processing systems and equipment, provide us with a strong base for growing recurring revenue. Sales of aftermarket products, parts and services are consolidated within the total revenue of their related JBT FoodTech businesses. As part of our aftermarket program we also offer technology for enterprise asset management and real-time operations monitoring with our patented iOPS™ suite.
JBT AeroTech
JBT AeroTech supplies customized solutions and services used for applications in the air transportation industry, including airport authorities, airlines, airfreight, ground handling companies, the military and defense contractors. We believe our strong market positions result from our ability to customize our equipment and services utilizing differentiated technology to meet the specific
needs of our customers. We continually strive to improve our existing technologies and develop new technologies by working closely with our well established customer base.
There is a significant installed base of our airport and airline equipment around the world. We are a leading supplier of cargo loaders, passenger boarding bridges, and aircraft deicers. We have also sold a significant number of mobile passenger steps, cargo transporters, and tow tractors that are operating at airports around the world. This installed base provides a stream of recurring revenue from aftermarket parts, products, and services. Recurring revenue accounted for 34% of AeroTech total revenue in
2016
. Our installed base also offers continuous access to customer feedback for improvements and new product development.
JBT AeroTech products have been delivered to more than 100 countries. To support this equipment, we have operations located throughout the world. Our principal production facilities are located in the United States (Florida and Utah), China, Mexico and Spain. We also have sales and services offices located in nine countries and collaborative relationships with independent sales representatives, distributors, and service providers in over thirty additional countries.
Solutions, Products, and Services
We offer a broad portfolio of systems, equipment, and services to airport authorities, airlines, air cargo handlers, ground handling companies, military customers and defense contractors.
Mobile Equipment
.
We supply air cargo loaders, aircraft deicers, and mobile power and environmental air conditioning systems to commercial air passenger and freight carriers, ground handlers, military customers and defense contractors.
Our Commander™ and Ranger™ loaders service containerized narrow-body and wide-body jet aircraft and are available in a wide range of configurations. Our Tempest™ aircraft deicers offer a broad range of options that can be configured to meet customers’ specific and regional need to provide efficient aircraft deicing while on the tarmac. We manufacture and supply a full array of B-series conventional and Expeditor™ towbarless aircraft tow tractors for moving aircraft without consumption of jet fuel, mobile passenger steps for tarmac boarding and deplaning, and self-propelled transporters for pallet and container handling.
Airlines and ground handling companies face increased pressure to reduce emissions and minimize fuel usage. We have a long history of delivering alternative fuel ground support equipment that provides a solution to these environmental and operational challenges. Our alternative fuel design approach is to provide modular ground support equipment, capable of being powered by a variety of power sources. Our electric powered product offering includes Commander cargo loaders, cargo transporters, conventional aircraft pushback tractors, and passenger boarding steps. We also offer electric retrofit kits for our existing delivered base of diesel powered Commander cargo loaders.
We manufacture a variety of sizes and configurations of auxiliary equipment including 400 Hertz ground power and preconditioned air units that supply aircraft requirements for electrical power and cooled air circulation for the environmental control system (air-conditioning) and main engine starting during ground operations.
Within mobile equipment, we also have a portfolio of military equipment, including a wide range of ground power air conditioning, aircraft air compressors, air start, and bleed air units for the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Navy, international military forces, airframe manufacturers and defense contractors. Mobile equipment technology offerings accounted for 13% of our total revenue in
2016
.
Fixed Equipment
.
We supply airport gate equipment. Our Jetway® passenger boarding bridges have set the standard for airlines and airport authorities to move passengers between the terminal building and the aircraft since 1959. Our passenger boarding bridges support a range of aircraft types, from regional aircraft up to the Airbus A380. Within fixed equipment, we also supply point-of-use and mobile 400 Hertz and pre-conditioned air units that enable our customers to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by minimizing requirements to use auxiliary power units or aircraft engines while parked at the gate. We also offer aircraft in-ground service pits to provide utility access on airport ramps, hangars and remote parking areas. Fixed equipment accounted for 11% of our total revenue in
2016
.
Airport Services
.
We are an industry provider for the design and management of technical support programs supplied to airlines and airports at over 20 major locations throughout the United States. Our specialty services extend to expertise in the development of sustainable and value orientated operation, maintenance, and repair of sophisticated in-line baggage handling systems, gate equipment, facilities, and ground support equipment. We also offer technology for enterprise asset management and real-time operations monitoring with our patented iOPS™ suite. This product links alert management notification with mobile capability for automated work order generation, fault diagnosis, as well as immediate dispatch of service technicians that delivers improved productivity, greater equipment availability, and lower cost.
Aftermarket Products, Parts, and Services
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We provide aftermarket products, parts, and services for our installed base of JBT AeroTech equipment. We also provide retrofits to accommodate changing operational requirements and continuous, proactive service, including, in some cases, on-site technical personnel. These systems and other services represent an integrated approach to addressing critical problems faced by our customers and ensure that we remain well positioned to respond to their new requirements and strategic initiatives through our strong customer relations. Sales of aftermarket products, parts and services are consolidated within the total revenue of their associated JBT AeroTech businesses.
In support of our focus and strategy of meeting our customers’ needs, we have developed a global parts service network to enable us to market with confidence our ability to “provide the right part in the right place.” Our highly experienced global parts representatives help reduce equipment downtime by providing fast, accurate responses to technical questions. We also provide worldwide operations and maintenance training programs to provide maintenance technicians with the tools necessary to deliver the highest possible level of systems reliability.
OTHER BUSINESS INFORMATION RELEVANT TO ALL OF OUR BUSINESS SEGMENTS
Order Backlog
For information regarding order backlog, refer to the section entitled “Inbound Orders and Order Backlog” in
Item 7
.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Sources and Availability of Raw Materials
All of our business segments purchase carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and steel castings and forgings both domestically and internationally. We do not use single source suppliers for the majority of our raw material purchases and believe the available supplies of raw materials are adequate to meet our needs.
Research and Development
The objectives of our research and development programs are to create new products and business opportunities in relevant fields, and to improve existing products.
For additional financial information about our research and development activities, refer to Note
16
.
Business Segments
to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in
Item 8
.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Sales and Marketing
We sell and market our products and services predominantly through a direct sales force, supplemented with independent distributors and sales representatives. Our experienced international sales force is comprised of individuals with strong technical expertise in our products and services and the industries in which they are sold.
We support our sales force with marketing and training programs that are designed to increase awareness of our product offerings and highlight our differentiation while providing a set of sales tools to aid in the sales of our technology solutions. We actively employ a broad range of marketing programs to inform and educate customers, the media, industry analysts, and academia through targeted newsletters, our web site, seminars, trade shows, user groups, and conferences.
Patents, Trademarks and Other Intellectual Property
We own a number of United States and foreign patents, trademarks, and licenses that are cumulatively important to our business. We own approximately 722 United States and foreign issued patents and have approximately 262 patent applications pending in the United States and abroad. Further, we license certain intellectual property rights to or from third parties. We also own numerous United States and foreign trademarks and trade names and have approximately 621 registrations and pending applications in the United States and abroad. Developing and maintaining a strong intellectual property portfolio is an important component of our strategy to extend our technology leadership. However, we do not believe that the loss of any one or group of related patents, trademarks, or licenses would have a material adverse effect on our overall business.
Competition
We conduct business worldwide and compete with large multinational companies as well as a variety of local and regional companies, which typically are focused on a specific application, technology or geographical area.
We compete by leveraging our industry expertise to provide differentiated and proprietary technology, integrated systems, high product quality and reliability, and comprehensive aftermarket service. We strive to provide our customers with equipment that
delivers their lowest total cost of ownership, distinguishing ourselves by providing excellent equipment uptime and increased yields with improved final product quality.
JBT FoodTech’s major competitors include Advanced Equipment Inc.; Alit SRL;
Allpax Products, Inc.; Atlas Pacific Engineering Company, Inc.; Barry-Wehmiller Companies, Inc.; Brown International Corp.; CFT S.p.A.; Egemin Automation Inc.; Elettric 80 S.p.a. Italia; Ferrum; Food Processing Equipment Company; FPS Process Foods Solutions; Marel hf.; METALQUIMIA, S.A.; Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.; Morris & Associates, Inc.; MYCOM; Middleby Corporation; Nantong Freezing Equipment Company, Ltd.; Poly-clip system GmbH & Co. KG; Provisur Technologies, Inc.; Scanico A/S; Shibuya Corporation; Starfrost; Statco Engineering; Steriflow SAS.; Tetra Laval; and Tecnopool S.p.A.
JBT AeroTech’s major competitors include Cavotec SA; Elite Line Services Inc.; ERMC; .TwistAero; Global Ground Support LLC; Goldhofer AG; Illinois Tool Works Inc.; Mallaghan Engineering Ltd; Pteris Global - Tianda Airport Support LTD; ThyssenKrupp AG; TLD Group SAS; Trepel Airport Equipment GmbH; Textron Inc.; Vanderlande Industries B.V.; Vestergaard Company A/S; and Weihai Guangtai Airport Equipment Co., LTD.
Employees
We have approximately 5,000 employees with approximately 3,300 located in the United States. Approximately 8% of our employees in the United States are represented by two collective bargaining agreements. The first covers most of those employees through August of 2019, and the second covers employees through December of 2017.
Outside the United States, we enter into employment contracts and agreements in those countries in which such relationships are mandatory or customary. The provisions of these agreements correspond in each case with the required or customary terms in the subject jurisdiction. Approximately 65% of our international employees are covered under national employee unions.
We maintain good employee relations and have successfully concluded all of our recent negotiations without a work stoppage. However, we cannot predict the outcome of future contract negotiations.
Customers
No single customer accounted for more than 10% of our total revenue in any of the last three fiscal years.
Government Contracts
We supply equipment and logistics support to the U.S. Department of Defense and international forces. The amount of equipment and parts supplied to these programs is dependent upon annual government appropriations and levels of military spending. In addition, United States defense contracts are unilaterally terminable at the option of the United States government with compensation for work completed and costs incurred. Contracts with the United States government and defense contractors are subject to special laws and regulations, the noncompliance with which may result in various sanctions that could materially affect our ongoing government business.
Governmental Regulation and Environmental Matters
Our operations are subject to various federal, state, local, and foreign laws and regulations governing the prevention of pollution and the protection of environmental quality. If we fail to comply with these environmental laws and regulations, administrative, civil, and criminal penalties may be imposed, and we may become subject to regulatory enforcement actions in the form of injunctions and cease and desist orders. We may also be subject to civil claims arising out of an accident or other event causing environmental pollution. These laws and regulations may expose us to liability for the conduct of or conditions caused by others or for our own acts even though these actions were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time they were performed.
Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, referred to as CERCLA, and related state laws and regulations, joint and several liability can be imposed without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct on certain classes of persons that contributed to the release of a hazardous substance into the environment. These persons include the owner and operator of a contaminated site where a hazardous substance release occurred and any company that transported, disposed of, or arranged for the transport or disposal of hazardous substances that have been released into the environment, and including hazardous substances generated by any closed operations or facilities. In addition, neighboring landowners or other third parties may file claims for personal injury, property damage, and recovery of response cost. We may also be subject to the corrective action provisions of the Resource, Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA, and analogous state laws that require owners and operators of facilities that treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste to clean up releases of hazardous waste constituents into the environment associated with their operations.
Some of our facilities and operations are also governed by laws and regulations relating to worker health and workplace safety, including the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, or OSHA. We believe that appropriate precautions are taken to protect
our employees and others from harmful exposure to potentially hazardous materials handled and managed at our facilities, and that we operate in substantial compliance with all OSHA or similar regulations.
We are also subject to laws and regulations related to conflict minerals, export compliance, local hiring and anti-corruption, and we have adopted policies, procedures and employee training programs that are designed to facilitate compliance with those laws and regulations.
Financial Information about Geographic Areas
A significant portion of our consolidated revenue is generated in markets outside of the United States. For financial information about geographic areas see Note
16
.
Business Segments
of our Consolidated Financial Statements in
Item 8
.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Available Information
All periodic and current reports, registration statements, and other filings that we are required to make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, proxy statements and other information are available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we file them with, or furnish them to, the SEC. You may access and read our SEC filings free of charge through our website at
www.jbtcorporation.com
, under “Investor Relations – Corporate Information – SEC Filings,” or the SEC’s website at
www.sec.gov
. These reports are also available to read and copy at the SEC’s Public Reference Room by contacting the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
The information contained on or connected to our website,
www.jbtcorporation.com
, is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any other report we file with the SEC.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The executive officers of JBT Corporation, together with the offices currently held by them, their business experience and their ages as of February 19, 2017, are as follows:
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Name
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Age
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Office
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Thomas W. Giacomini
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51
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Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
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Brian A. Deck
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48
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Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
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Steven R. Smith
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56
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Executive Vice President and Division President-JBT FoodTech
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David C. Burdakin
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61
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Executive Vice President and Division President-JBT AeroTech
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James L. Marvin
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56
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Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
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Jason T. Clayton
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40
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Executive Vice President, Human Resources
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Debarshi Sengupta
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39
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Executive Vice President, Business Development
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Megan J. Rattigan
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48
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Vice President and Controller
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THOMAS W. GIACOMINI became the President and Chief Executive Officer of JBT Corporation as well as a member of the JBT Board of Directors in September 2013. In May 2014, Mr. Giacomini was elected Chairman of the Board. Prior to joining JBT, he served as Vice President (since February 2008) of Dover Corporation, a diversified global manufacturer, and President and Chief Executive Officer (since November 2011) of Dover Engineered Systems. Prior to serving in these roles, Mr. Giacomini served as President (from April 2009 to November 2011) and Chief Executive Officer (from July 2009 to November 2011) of Dover Industrial Products and President (from October 2007 to July 2009) of Dover's Material Handling Platform. Mr. Giacomini joined Dover in 2003 following its acquisition of Warn Industries, an industrial manufacturer specializing in vehicle performance enhancing equipment. During his 12 year tenure at Warn Industries he held a variety of leadership roles including President and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining Warn Industries, Mr. Giacomini held various positions at TRW, Inc. Since August 2015, Mr. Giacomini has served as a director of Clarcor, Inc., which markets and manufactures mobile, industrial and environmental filtration products.
BRIAN A. DECK became the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of JBT Corporation in February 2014. In May 2014, Mr. Deck’s title changed to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and he was appointed Treasurer. In December 2014, Mr. Deck appointed a Treasurer and resigned from that position. Prior to joining JBT, he served as Chief Financial Officer (since May 2011) of National Material L.P., a private diversified industrial holding company. Mr. Deck served as Vice President of
Finance and Treasury (from November 2007 to May 2011) and as Director, Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis (from August 2005 to November 2007) of Ryerson Inc., a metals distributor and processor. Prior to his service with Ryerson, Mr. Deck had increasing responsibilities with General Electric Capital, Bank One (now JPMorgan Chase & Co.), and Cole Taylor Bank.
STEVEN R. SMITH became the Vice President and Division Manager-JBT FoodTech in December 2013. In May 2014, Mr. Smith’s title changed to Executive Vice President and Division President- JBT FoodTech. Previously Mr. Smith served as our Vice President and Division Manager-Food Processing Systems (since October 2011). Mr. Smith joined FMC Corporation in 1989 as a Business Planner with FMC's Petroleum Equipment Group in Houston, Texas. Since then, he has served in a variety of sales, marketing, and line management roles within FMC Corporation and FMC Technologies, Inc., JBT's previous parent companies, as well as with JBT FoodTech, including most recently serving as the General Manager for the America's Operations of FoodTech's Food Solutions and Services Division from 2003 to 2011.
DAVID C. BURDAKIN became the Vice President and Division Manager-JBT AeroTech in January 2014. In May 2014, Mr. Burdakin’s title changed to Executive Vice President and Division President- JBT AeroTech. Prior to joining JBT, he worked as an independent consultant and as Non-Executive Chairman of Mayline Corporation, a private equity owned industrial company (2012 to 2013). Prior to Mayline, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer (2007 to 2012) of Paladin Brands, a leading independent manufacturer of attachment tools for construction equipment including mobile aviation support equipment. Prior to that, Mr. Burdakin progressed through various leadership roles at HNI Corporation (1993 to 2007), including seven years as President of The HON Company, HNI's largest operating company. Prior to joining HNI, he held various positions at Illinois Tool Works Inc. and Bendix Industrial Group. During 2015, Mr. Burdakin served as a Director of Mayline Corporation.
JAMES L. MARVIN became our Executive Vice President and General Counsel in May 2014, and has served as Secretary since July 2008. From July 2008 until May 2014, Mr. Marvin served as Deputy General Counsel and Secretary, acting as Division Counsel for JBT AeroTech and managing corporate legal matters. Mr. Marvin joined FMC Technologies, Inc. in April 2003, serving as Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, acting as Division Counsel for FMC Technologies’ Airport Systems Division and managing corporate legal matters. Before joining FMC Technologies in 2003, Mr. Marvin served in the roles of Chief Corporate Counsel and Division Counsel for Corporate Finance at Heller Financial, Inc., a publicly-traded middle-market financial services business. Mr. Marvin was previously a partner with the Chicago-based law firm Katten Muchin Zavis, with a practice focused in commercial financial transactions. Mr. Marvin began his professional career as a corporate securities attorney with O’Connor Cavanagh Anderson Westover Killingsworth & Beshears in Phoenix, Arizona.
JASON T. CLAYTON became our Executive Vice President, Human Resources in September 2016. Prior to joining us, Mr. Clayton served as the Vice President, Human Resources for Signode Industrial Group LLC., From 2010 to 2015, Mr. Clayton worked in various Human Resources roles with IDEX Corporation, most recently as Vice President, Human Resources. Mr. Clayton worked for Pepsi Beverages Company/Pepsico from 2004 to 2010 in various positions, most recently as Director, Human Resources, Chicagoland/Wisconsin Market Unit. Mr. Clayton worked for Newell Rubbermaid from 2001 to 2004, where he served in various positions, most recently as Human Resources Manager, Sanford North America Division. Mr. Clayton worked for Burlington Industries, Inc. from 2000 to 2001.
DEBARSHI SENGUPTA was named our Executive Vice President, Corporate Development in March 2016. Mr. Sengupta assumed our Corporate Development portfolio in 2014 as Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations. From 2011 to 2014, Mr. Sengupta led Investor Relations and Financial Planning and Analysis. Mr. Sengupta joined us in 2009 as a Business Planner. From 2007 to 2009, Mr. Sengupta worked as a consumer & retail investment banker at Bank of America Securities.
MEGAN J. RATTIGAN became a Vice President in August 2014 and has served as our Controller since December 2013. Previously, Ms. Rattigan served as our Chief Accounting Officer (since November 2008) and Director of Financial Control (since July 2008). Ms. Rattigan was FMC Technologies’ Manager of Financial Reporting and Accounting Research from April 2005 until July 2008. Prior to that, Ms. Rattigan served as a consultant to FMC Technologies from January 2002 until April 2005. From July 1998 until December 2001, Ms. Rattigan was Director of Finance for Chart House Enterprises, Inc. Ms. Rattigan is a certified public accountant and began her professional career in the Assurance practice of Ernst & Young LLP in 1992.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all of the other information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, in evaluating our company and our common stock. If any of the risks described below actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and stock price could be materially adversely affected.
Our financial results are subject to fluctuations caused by many factors that could result in our failing to achieve anticipated financial results and cause a drop in our stock price.
Our quarterly and annual financial results have varied in the past and are likely to continue to vary in the future due to a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. In particular, the contractual terms and the number and size of orders in the capital goods industries in which we compete vary significantly over time. The timing of our sales cycle from receipt of orders to shipment of the products or provision of services can significantly impact our sales and income in any given fiscal period. These and any one or more of the factors listed below, among other things, could cause us not to achieve our revenue or profitability expectations in any given period and the resulting failure to meet such expectations could cause a drop in our stock price:
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volatility in demand for our products and services, including volatility in growth rates in the food processing and air transportation industries;
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downturns in our customers’ businesses resulting from deteriorating domestic and international economies where our customers conduct substantial business;
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increases in commodity prices resulting in increased manufacturing costs, such as petroleum-based products, metals or other raw materials we use in significant quantities;
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supply chain interruptions;
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changes in pricing policies resulting from competitive pressures, including aggressive price discounting by our competitors and other market factors;
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our ability to develop and introduce on a timely basis new or enhanced versions of our products and services;
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unexpected needs for capital expenditures or other unanticipated expenses;
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changes in the mix of revenue attributable to domestic and international sales;
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changes in the mix of products and services that we sell;
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changes in foreign currency rates;
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seasonal fluctuations in buying patterns; and
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future acquisitions and divestitures of technologies, products, and businesses.
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Variability in the length of our sales cycles makes accurate estimation of our revenue in any single period difficult and can result in significant fluctuation in quarterly operating results.
The length of our sales cycle varies depending on a number of factors over which we may have little or no control, including the size and complexity of a potential transaction, the level of competition that we encounter during our selling process, and our current and potential customers’ internal budgeting and approval process. Many of our sales are subject to an extended sales cycle. As a result, we may expend significant effort and resources over a significant period of time in an attempt to obtain an order, but ultimately not obtain the order, or obtain an order that is smaller than we anticipated. Revenue generated by any one of our customers may vary from quarter to quarter, and a customer who places a large order in one quarter may generate significantly lower revenue in subsequent quarters. Due to the length and uncertainty of our sales cycle, and the variability of orders from period to period, we believe that quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our revenue and operating results may not be an accurate indicator of our short term or future performance.
We face risks associated with current and future acquisitions.
To achieve our strategic objectives, we have pursued and expect to continue to pursue expansion opportunities such as acquiring other businesses or assets. Expanding through acquisitions involves risks such as:
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the incurrence of additional debt to finance the acquisition or expansion;
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additional liabilities (whether known or unknown), including environmental or pension liabilities of the acquired business or assets;
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risks and costs associated with integrating the acquired business or new facility into our operations;
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the need to retain and assimilate key employees of the acquired business or assets;
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unanticipated demands on our management, operational resources and financial and internal control systems;
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unanticipated regulatory risks;
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the risk of being denied the necessary licenses, permits and approvals from state, local and foreign governments, and the costs and time associated with obtaining such licenses, permits and approvals;
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risks that we do not achieve anticipated operating efficiencies, synergies and economies of scale; and
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risks in retaining the existing customers and contracts of the acquired business or assets.
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If we are unable to effectively integrate acquired businesses or newly formed operations, or if such acquired businesses underperform relative to our expectations, such an expansion may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, and results of operations.
Deterioration of economic conditions could adversely impact our business.
Our business may be adversely affected by changes in current or future national or global economic conditions, including lower growth rates or recession, high unemployment, rising interest rates, limited availability of capital, decreases in consumer spending rates, the availability and cost of energy, and the effect of government deficit reduction, sequestration, and other austerity measures impacting the markets we serve. Any such changes could adversely affect the demand for our products or the cost and availability of our required raw materials, which can have a material adverse effect on our financial results. Adverse national and global economic conditions could, among other things:
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make it more difficult or costly for us to obtain necessary financing for our operations, our investments and our acquisitions, or to refinance our debt;
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cause our lenders or other financial instrument counterparties to be unable to honor their commitments or otherwise default under our financing arrangements;
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impair the financial condition of some of our customers, thereby hindering our customers’ ability to obtain financing to purchase our products and/or increasing customer bad debts;
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cause customers to forgo or postpone new purchases in favor of repairing existing equipment and machinery, and delay or reduce preventative maintenance, thereby reducing our revenue and/or profits;
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negatively impact our customers’ ability to raise pricing to counteract increased fuel, labor, and other costs, making it less likely that they will expend the same capital and other resources on our equipment as they have in the past;
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impair the financial condition of some of our suppliers thereby potentially increasing both the likelihood of our having to renegotiate supply terms on terms that may not be as favorable to us and the risk of non-performance by suppliers;
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negatively impact global demand for air transportation services as well as the food preparation industry, which could result in a reduction of sales, operating income, and cash flows in our JBT AeroTech and JBT FoodTech segments;
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negatively affect the rates of expansion, consolidation, renovation, and equipment replacement within the air transportation industry and within the food processing industry, which may adversely affect the results of operations of our JBT AeroTech and JBT FoodTech segments; and
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impair the financial viability of our insurers.
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Disruptions in the political, regulatory, economic and social conditions of the foreign countries in which we conduct business could negatively affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We operate manufacturing facilities in eleven countries other than the United States, the largest of which are located in Belgium, China, Sweden, Brazil, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Our international sales accounted for 40% of our
2016
revenue. Multiple factors relating to our international operations and to those particular countries in which we operate or seek to expand our operations could have an adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. These factors include, among others:
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economic downturns, inflationary and recessionary markets, including in capital and equity markets;
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civil unrest, political instability, terrorist attacks, and wars;
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nationalization, expropriation, or seizure of assets;
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potentially burdensome taxation in other jurisdictions;
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changes in the mix of our international business operations and revenue relative to our domestic operations, resulting in increasing tax liabilities resulting from repatriation of income generated outside of the United States;
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inability to repatriate income or capital;
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foreign ownership restrictions;
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export regulations that could erode profit margins or restrict exports, including import or export licensing regulations;
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trade restrictions, trade protection measures, or price controls;
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restrictions on operations, trade practices, trade partners, and investment decisions resulting from domestic and foreign laws and regulations;
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compliance with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other similar laws;
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burden and cost of complying with foreign laws, treaties, and technical standards and changes in those regulations;
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transportation delays and interruptions; and
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reductions in the availability of qualified personnel.
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Changes to trade regulation, quotas, duties or tariffs, caused by the changing U.S. and geopolitical environments or otherwise, may increase our costs or limit the amount of raw materials and products that we can import.
The current U.S. administration has voiced strong concerns about imports from countries that it perceives as engaging in unfair trade practices, and may decide to impose import duties or other restrictions on products or raw materials sourced from those countries, which may include China and other countries from which we import raw materials or in which we manufacture our products. Any such duties or restrictions could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
The result of the Referendum of the United Kingdom’s Membership in the European Union have created uncertainties that could have negative effects on us.
The announcement of the Referendum of the United Kingdom’s (or the U.K.) Membership in the European Union (E.U.) (referred to as Brexit), advising for the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union, has resulted in significant volatility in global stock markets and currency exchange rate fluctuations that resulted in the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against certain foreign currencies
in which we conduct business. As described in Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk -
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
, we translate revenue denominated in foreign currency into U.S. dollars for our financial statements. During periods of a strengthening dollar, our reported international revenue is reduced because foreign currencies translate into fewer U.S. dollars.
The effects of Brexit will depend on any agreements the U.K. makes to retain access to E.U. markets either during a transitional period or more permanently. The measures could potentially disrupt the markets we serve and may cause us to lose customers and employees. In addition, Brexit could lead to legal uncertainty and potentially divergent national laws and regulations as the U.K. determines which E.U. laws to replace or replicate. These uncertainties may cause our customers to closely monitor their costs and reduce their spending budget on our products and services.
Any of these effects of Brexit, among others, could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Fluctuations in currency exchange rates could negatively affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
A significant portion of our revenue and expenses are realized in foreign currencies. As a result, changes in exchange rates will result in increases or decreases in our costs and earnings and may adversely affect our Consolidated Financial Statements, which are stated in U.S. dollars. Although we may seek to minimize currency exchange risk by engaging in hedging transactions where we deem appropriate, we cannot be assured that our efforts will be successful. Currency fluctuations may also result in our systems and services becoming more expensive and less competitive than those of other suppliers in the foreign countries in which we sell our systems and services.
We have invested substantial resources in certain markets where we expect growth, and our business may suffer if we are unable to achieve the growth we expect.
As part of our strategy to grow, we are expanding our operations in certain emerging or developing markets, and accordingly have made and expect to continue to make substantial investments to support anticipated growth in those regions. We may fail to realize expected rates of return on our existing investments or incur losses on such investments, and we may be unable to redeploy capital to take advantage of other markets. Our results will also suffer if these regions do not grow as quickly as we anticipate.
Our restructuring initiatives may not achieve the expected cost reductions or other anticipated benefits.
We regularly evaluate our existing operations, service capacity, and business efficiencies to determine if a realignment or restructuring could improve our results of operations or achieve some other business goal. Our realignment and restructuring initiatives are designed to result in more efficient and increasingly profitable operations. Our ability to achieve the anticipated cost savings and other benefits from these initiatives within the expected time frame is subject to many estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions are subject to significant economic, competitive, and other uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control. We incurred restructuring charges in 2014 as a result of restructuring activities which as of December 31, 2016 are substantially complete. In 2016, we implemented an optimization program to realign FoodTech’s Protein business in North America and Liquid Foods business in Europe, accelerate our strategic sourcing initiatives, and consolidate smaller facilities, and incurred restructuring charges of $12.3 million. We may incur similar charges in the future. Failure to achieve the expected cost reductions related to these restructuring initiatives could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Our inability to obtain raw materials, component parts, and/or finished goods in a timely and cost-effective manner from suppliers would adversely affect our ability to manufacture and market our products.
We purchase raw materials and component parts from suppliers for use in manufacturing our products. We also purchase certain finished goods from suppliers. Changes in our relationships with suppliers or increases in our costs for raw materials, component parts, or finished goods we purchase could result in manufacturing interruptions, delays, inefficiencies, or our inability to market products if we cannot timely and efficiently manufacture them. In addition, our gross margins could decrease if prices of purchased raw materials, component parts, or finished goods increase and we are unable to pass on such price increases to customers.
Regulations related to conflict minerals could adversely impact our business.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act contains provisions to improve transparency and accountability concerning the supply of certain minerals, known as “conflict minerals”, originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and adjoining countries. To implement this legislation, the SEC adopted annual disclosure and reporting requirements for those companies that use conflict minerals mined from the DRC and adjoining countries in their products. We will continue to incur costs associated with complying with these annual disclosure requirements, including those incurred to conduct diligence to determine the
sources of conflict minerals used in our products and other potential changes to products, processes, or sources of supply as a consequence of such verification activities. These rules could adversely affect the sourcing, supply and pricing of materials used in our products. As there may be only a limited number of suppliers offering “conflict free” conflict minerals of certain types, we cannot be certain that we will continue to be able to obtain necessary conflict minerals from such suppliers in sufficient quantities or at competitive prices. Also, we may face reputational challenges if we determine that certain of our products contain minerals not determined to be conflict free or if we are unable to sufficiently verify the origins for all conflict minerals used in our products.
An increase in energy or raw material prices may reduce the profitability of our customers, which ultimately could negatively affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Energy prices are volatile and have been historically high. High energy prices have a negative trickledown effect on our customers’ business operations by reducing their profitability because of increased operating costs. Our customers require large amounts of energy to run their businesses, particularly in the air transportation industry. Higher energy prices can reduce passenger and cargo air carrier profitability as a result of increased jet and ground support equipment fuel prices. Higher energy prices also increase food processors’ operating costs through increased energy and utility costs to run their plants, higher priced chemical and petroleum based raw materials used in food processing, and higher fuel costs to run their logistics and service fleet vehicles.
Food processors are also affected by the cost and availability of raw materials such as feed grains, livestock, produce, and dairy products. Increases in the cost of and limitations in the availability of such raw materials can negatively affect the profitability of food processors’ operations.
Any reduction in our customers’ profitability due to higher energy or raw material costs or otherwise may reduce their future expenditures in the food processing equipment or airport equipment that we provide. This reduction may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Changes in food consumption patterns due to dietary trends or economic conditions may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Dietary trends can create demand for protein food products but negatively impact demand for high-carbohydrate foods, or create demand for easy to prepare, transportable meals but negatively impact traditional canned food products. Because different food types and food packaging can quickly go in and out of style as a function of dietary, health, or convenience trends, food processors can be challenged in accurately forecasting their needed manufacturing capacity and the related investment in equipment and services. During periods of economic uncertainty, consumer demand for protein products or processed food products may be negatively impacted by increases in food prices. A demand shift away from protein products or processed foods could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
An outbreak of animal borne diseases (H5N1, BSE, or other virus strains affecting poultry or livestock), citrus tree diseases, or food borne illnesses or other food safety or quality concerns may negatively affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
An outbreak or pandemic stemming from H5N1 (avian flu) or BSE (mad cow disease) or any other animal related disease strains could reduce the availability of poultry or beef that is processed for the restaurant, food service, wholesale or retail consumer. Any limitation on the availability of such raw materials could discourage food producers from making additional capital investments in processing equipment, aftermarket products, parts, and services that our JBT FoodTech business provides. Such a decrease in demand for our products could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
The success of our business that serves the citrus food processing industry is directly related to the viability and health of citrus crops. The citrus industries in Florida, Brazil, and other countries are facing increased pressure on their harvest productivity and citrus bearing acreage due to citrus canker and greening diseases. These citrus tree diseases are often incurable once a tree has been infested and the end result can be the destruction of the tree. Reduced amounts of available fruit for the processed or fresh food markets could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
In the event an E. coli or other food borne illness causes a recall of meat or produce, the companies supplying those fresh, further processed or packaged forms of those products could be severely adversely affected. Any negative impact on the financial viability of our fresh or processed food provider customers could adversely affect our immediate and recurring revenue base.
Freezes, hurricanes, droughts, or other natural disasters may negatively affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
In the event a natural disaster negatively affects growers or farm production, the food processing industry may not have the fresh food raw materials necessary to meet consumer demand. Crops of entire groves or fields can be severely damaged by a drought, freeze, or hurricane. An extended drought or freeze or a high category hurricane could permanently damage or destroy a tree crop area. If orchards have to be replanted, trees may not produce viable product for several years. Since our recurring revenue is dependent on growers’ and farmers’ ability to provide high quality crops to certain of our customers, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows could be materially adversely impacted in the event of a freeze, hurricane, drought, or other natural disaster.
Our failure to comply with the laws and regulations governing our U.S. government contracts or the loss of production funding of any of our U.S. government contracts could harm our business.
The U.S. government represented approximately 2% of our
2016
revenue, directly or through subcontracts. Our JBT AeroTech business contracts with the U.S. government and subcontracts with defense contractors conducting business with U.S. government. As a result, we are subject to various laws and regulations that apply to companies doing business with the U.S. government.
The laws governing U.S. government contracts differ in several respects from the laws governing private company contracts. Government contracts are highly regulated to curb misappropriation of funds and to ensure uniform policies and practices across various governmental agencies. Funding for such contracts is tied to National Defense Budgets and Procurement Programs that are annually negotiated and approved or disapproved by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Executive Branch, and the Congress. For example, if there were any shifts in spending priorities or if funding for the military cargo loader program were reduced or canceled as a result of the sequestration, policy changes, or for other reasons, the resulting loss of revenue could have a material adverse impact on our JBT AeroTech business. Many U.S. government contracts contain pricing terms and conditions that are not applicable to private contracts. In particular, U.S. defense contracts are unilaterally terminable at the option of the U.S. government with compensation only for work completed and costs incurred to date. In addition, any deliverable delays under such contracts as a result of our non-performance could also have a negative impact on these contracts.
Non-compliance with the laws and regulations governing U.S. government contracts or subcontracts may result in significant sanctions such as debarment (restrictions from future business with the government). If we were found not to be in compliance now or in the future with any such laws or regulations, our results of operations could be adversely impacted.
Terrorist attacks and threats, escalation of military activity in response to such attacks, or acts of war may negatively affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Any future terrorist attacks against U.S. targets, rumors or threats of war, actual conflicts involving the United States or its allies, or military or trade disruptions affecting our customers or the economy as a whole may materially adversely affect our operations or those of our customers. As a result, there could be delays or losses in transportation and deliveries to our customers, decreased sales of our products, and delays in payments by our customers. Strategic targets such as those relating to transportation and food processing may be at greater risk of future terrorist attacks than other targets in the United States. Our airport authority, airline, air cargo and ground handling customers are particularly sensitive to safety concerns, and their businesses may decline after terrorist attacks or threats or during periods of political instability when travelers are concerned about safety issues. A decline in these customers’ businesses could have a negative impact on their demand for our products. It is possible that any of these occurrences, or a combination of them, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
The cumulative loss of several significant contracts may negatively affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
We often enter into large, project-oriented contracts, or long-term equipment leases and service agreements. These agreements may be terminated or breached, or our customers may fail to renew these agreements. If we were to lose several significant agreements and if we were to fail to develop alternative business opportunities, we could experience a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
We may lose money or not achieve our expected profitability on fixed-price contracts.
As is customary for several of the business areas in which we operate, we may provide products and services under fixed-price contracts. Under such contracts, we are typically responsible for cost overruns. Our actual costs and any gross profit realized on these fixed-price contracts may vary from our estimates on which the pricing for such contracts was based. There are inherent risks and uncertainties in the estimation process, including those arising from unforeseen technical and logistical challenges or longer than expected lead times for sourcing raw materials and assemblies. A fixed-price contract may significantly limit or prohibit our ability to mitigate the impact of unanticipated increases in raw material prices (including the price of steel and other significant raw materials) by passing on such price increases. Depending on the volume of our work performed under fixed-price contracts at any one time,
differences in actual versus estimated performance could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Customer sourcing initiatives may adversely affect our new equipment and aftermarket businesses.
Many multi-national companies, including our customers and prospective customers, have undertaken supply chain integration to provide a sustainable competitive advantage against their competitors. Under continued price pressure from consumers, wholesalers and retailers, our manufacturer customers are focused on controlling and reducing cost, enhancing their sourcing processes, and improving their profitability.
A key value proposition of our equipment and services is low total cost of ownership. If our customers implement sourcing initiatives that focus solely on immediate cost savings and not on total cost of ownership, our new equipment and aftermarket sales could be adversely affected.
To remain competitive, we need to rapidly and successfully develop and introduce complex new solutions in a global, competitive, demanding, and changing environment.
If we lose our significant technology advantage in our products and services, our market share and growth could be materially adversely affected. In addition, if we are unable to deliver products, features, and functionality as projected, we may be unable to meet our commitments to customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our reputation and business. Significant investments in research and development efforts that do not lead to successful products, features, and functionality could also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows could be materially adversely affected by competing technology. Some of our competitors are large multinational companies that may have greater financial resources than us, and they may be able to devote greater resources to research and development of new systems, services, and technologies than we are able to do. Moreover, some of our competitors operate in narrow business areas, allowing them to concentrate their research and development efforts more directly on products and services for those areas than we may be able to.
High capacity products or products with new technology may be more likely to experience reliability, quality, or operability problems.
Even with rigorous testing prior to release and investment on product quality processes, problems may be found in newly developed or enhanced products after such products are launched and shipped to customers. Resolution of such issues may cause project delays, additional development costs, and deferred or lost revenue.
New products and enhancements of our existing products may also reduce demand for our existing products or could delay purchases by customers who instead decide to wait for our new or enhanced products. Difficulties that arise in our managing the transition from our older products to our new or enhanced products could result in additional costs and deferred or lost revenue.
We may need to make significant capital and operating expenditures to keep pace with technological developments in our industry.
The industries in which we participate are constantly undergoing development and change, and it is likely that new products, equipment, and service methods will be introduced in the future. We may need to make significant expenditures to purchase new equipment and to train our employees to keep pace with any new technological developments. These expenditures could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
If we are unable to develop, preserve, and protect our intellectual property assets, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows may be negatively affected.
We strive to protect and enhance our proprietary intellectual property rights through patent, copyright, trademark, and trade secret laws, as well as through technological safeguards and operating policies and procedures. To the extent we are not successful, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows could be materially adversely impacted. We may be unable to prevent third parties from using our technology without our authorization, or from independently developing technology that is similar to ours, particularly in those countries where the laws do not protect our proprietary rights as fully as in others. With respect to our pending patent applications, we may not be successful in securing patents for these claims, and our competitors may already have applied for patents that, once issued, will prevail over our patent rights or otherwise limit our ability to sell our products.
Claims by others that we infringe their intellectual property rights could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
We have seen a trend towards aggressive enforcement of intellectual property rights as product functionality in our industry increasingly overlaps and the number of issued patents continues to grow. As a result, there is a risk that we could be subject to infringement claims which, regardless of their validity, could:
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be expensive, time consuming, and divert management attention away from normal business operations;
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require us to pay monetary damages or enter into non-standard royalty and licensing agreements;
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require us to modify our product sales and development plans; or
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require us to satisfy indemnification obligations to our customers.
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Regardless of whether these claims have any merit, they can be burdensome and costly to defend or settle and can harm our business and reputation.
Infrastructure failures or catastrophic loss at any of our facilities could lead to production or service curtailments or shutdowns.
We manufacture our products at facilities in the United States, Belgium, China, Sweden, Brazil, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom and the Netherlands. An interruption in production or service capabilities at any of our facilities as a result of equipment failure or other reasons could result in our inability to manufacture our products. In the event of a stoppage in production at any of our facilities, even if only temporary, or if we experience delays as a result of events that are beyond our control, delivery times to our customers could be severely affected. Any significant delay in deliveries to our customers could lead to cancellations. Our facilities are also subject to the risk of catastrophic loss due to unanticipated events such as earthquake, fire, natural disaster, explosions, power loss, unauthorized intrusions, and other catastrophic events. We may also experience plant shutdowns or periods of reduced production as a result of equipment failure, delays in deliveries or catastrophic loss, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
The business continuity of our information systems, computer equipment, and information databases are critical to our business operations, and any damage or disruptions could negatively affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Our operations are dependent on our ability to protect our computer equipment and the information stored in our databases from damage by, among other things, earthquake, fire, natural disaster, power loss, telecommunications failures, unauthorized intrusions, and other catastrophic events. A part of our operations is based in an area of California that has experienced earthquakes and other natural disasters, while another part of our operations is based in an area of Florida that has experienced hurricanes and other natural disasters. Despite our best efforts at planning for such contingencies, catastrophic events of this nature may still result in system failures and other interruptions in our operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
In addition, it is periodically necessary to replace, upgrade, or modify our internal information systems. For example we are currently in the process of implementing a common Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system across the majority of our businesses. If we are unable to do this in a timely and cost-effective manner, especially in light of demands on our information technology resources, our ability to capture and process financial transactions and therefore our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows may be materially adversely impacted.
We are subject to cyber-security risks arising out of breaches of security relating to sensitive company, client, and employee information and to the technology that manages our operations and other business processes.
Our business operations rely upon secure information technology systems for data capture, processing, storage, and reporting. Notwithstanding careful security and controls design, our information technology systems, and those of our third-party providers could become subject to cyber-attacks. Network, system, application, and data breaches could result in operational disruptions or information misappropriation, including, but not limited to, interruptions to systems availability and denial of access to and misuse of applications required by our clients to conduct business with us. Phishing and other forms of electronic fraud may also subject us to risks associated with improper access to financial assets and customer information. Theft of intellectual property or trade secrets and inappropriate disclosure of confidential information could stem from such incidents. Any such operational disruption and/or misappropriation of information could result in lost sales, negative publicity or business delays and could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our business success depends on retaining our senior management and other key personnel and attracting and retaining other qualified employees.
We depend on our senior executive officers and other key personnel. The loss of any of these officers or key personnel could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. In addition, competition for skilled and non-skilled employees among companies that rely heavily on engineering, technology, and manufacturing is intense, and the loss of skilled or non-skilled employees or an inability to attract, retain, and motivate additional skilled and non-skilled employees required for the operation and expansion of our business could hinder our ability to conduct research activities successfully, develop new products and services and meet our customers’ requirements.
The industries in which we operate expose us to potential liabilities arising out of the installation or use of our systems that could negatively affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Our businesses supply equipment and systems for use in food processing as well as equipment, systems, and services used in airports all over the world, which creates potential exposure for us for personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, commercial claims, product recalls, production loss, property damage, pollution, and other environmental damages. In the event that a customer who purchases our equipment becomes subject to claims relating to food borne illnesses or other food safety or quality issues relating to food processed through the use of our equipment, we could be exposed to significant claims from our customers. Although we have obtained business and related risk insurance, we cannot assure you that our insurance will be adequate to cover all potential liabilities. Further, we cannot assure you that insurance will generally be available in the future or, if available, that premiums to obtain such insurance will be commercially reasonable. If we incur substantial liability and damages arising from such liability are not covered by insurance or are in excess of policy limits, or if we were to incur liability at a time when we are not able to obtain liability insurance, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
Environmental protection initiatives may negatively impact the profitability of our business.
Future environmental regulatory developments in the United States and abroad concerning environmental issues, such as climate change, could adversely affect our operations and increase operating costs and, through their impact on our customers, reduce demand for our products and services. Actions may be taken in the future by the U.S. government, state governments within the United States, foreign governments, or by signatory countries through a new global climate change treaty to regulate the emission of greenhouse gases. Pressures to reduce the footprint of carbon emissions impact the air transportation and manufacturing sectors. Airports, airlines, and air cargo providers are continually looking for new ways to become more energy efficient and reduce pollutants. Manufacturing plants are seeking means to reduce their heat-trapping emissions and minimize their energy and water usage. The precise nature of any such future environmental regulatory requirements and their applicability to us and our customers are difficult to predict, but the impact to us and the industries that we serve would likely be adverse and could be significant, including the potential for increased fuel costs, carbon taxes or fees, or a requirement to purchase carbon credits.
Our operations and industries are subject to a variety of U.S. and international laws, which can change. We therefore face uncertainties with regard to lawsuits, regulations, and other related matters.
In the normal course of business, we are subject to proceedings, lawsuits, claims, and other matters, including those that relate to the environment, health and safety, employee benefits, import and export compliance, intellectual property, product liability, tax matters, securities regulation, and regulatory compliance. For example, we are subject to changes in foreign laws and regulations that may encourage or require us to hire local contractors or require foreign contractors to employ citizens of, or purchase supplies from, a particular non-U.S. jurisdiction. In addition, environmental laws and regulations affect the systems and services we design, market and sell, as well as the facilities where we manufacture our systems. We are required to invest financial and managerial resources to comply with environmental laws and regulations and anticipate that we will continue to be required to do so in the future.
We could be adversely affected by violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar worldwide anti-bribery laws.
The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the U.K. Bribery Act of 2010 (the U.K. Bribery Act), and similar anti-bribery laws in other jurisdictions generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Our policies mandate compliance with these anti-bribery laws. We operate in many parts of the world that have experienced governmental corruption to some degree and, in certain circumstances, strict compliance with anti-bribery laws may conflict with local customs and practices. Despite our training and compliance programs, there is no assurance that our internal control policies and procedures will protect us from acts committed by our employees or agents. If we are found to be liable for FCPA, the U.K. Bribery Act or other similar violations (either due to our own acts or our inadvertence, or due to the acts or inadvertence of others), we could suffer from civil and criminal penalties or other sanctions, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We are subject to governmental export controls and economic sanctions laws that could impair our ability to compete in international markets and subject us to liability if we are not in full compliance with applicable laws.
Our business activities are subject to various restrictions under U.S. export controls and trade and economic sanctions laws, including the U.S. Commerce Department’s Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and economic and trade sanctions regulations maintained by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). We are subject to similar laws and regulations in other countries in which we operate or make sales. If we fail to comply with these laws and regulations, we and certain of our employees could be subject to civil or criminal penalties and reputational harm. Obtaining the necessary authorizations, including any required license, for a particular transaction may be time-consuming, is not guaranteed, and may result in the delay or loss of sales opportunities. Furthermore, U.S. export control laws and economic sanctions laws in the U.S. and other countries prohibit certain transactions with U.S. embargoed or sanctioned countries, governments, persons and entities. Although we take precautions to prevent transactions with sanction targets, the possibility exists that we could inadvertently provide our products or services to persons prohibited by sanctions. This could result in negative consequences to us, including government investigations, penalties, and reputational harm.
Unfavorable tax law changes and tax authority rulings may adversely affect results.
We are subject to income taxes in the United States and in various foreign jurisdictions. Domestic and international tax liabilities are subject to the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. Our effective tax rate could be adversely affected by changes in the mix of earnings among countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation allowance of deferred tax assets, or tax laws. The amount of income taxes and other taxes are subject to ongoing audits by U.S. federal, state, and local tax authorities and by non-U.S. authorities. If these audits result in assessments different from amounts we record, future financial results may include unfavorable tax adjustments.
If we repatriate any cash and cash equivalents from our foreign subsidiaries back to the U.S., we could be subject to significant tax liabilities.
As of
December 31, 2016
, our foreign subsidiaries held $27.3 million, or 82%, of our cash and cash equivalents. While we currently intend that cash and cash equivalents held by these foreign subsidiaries will be indefinitely reinvested in foreign jurisdictions in order to fund working capital requirements, make investments, and repay debt (primarily inter-company), if, in the future, cash and cash equivalents held by foreign subsidiaries are needed to fund our operations in the United States or for the purpose of making certain strategic investments in the United States or otherwise, the repatriation of such amounts to the United States could result in a significant incremental tax liability in the period in which the decision to repatriate occurs. Payment of any incremental tax liability would reduce the cash available to us to fund our operations or to make such strategic investment in the United States or otherwise.
Our business could suffer in the event of a work stoppage by our unionized or non-union labor force.
We employ approximately 5,000 people with approximately 3,300 located in the United States. Approximately 8% of our employees in the United States are represented by two collective bargaining agreements. The first covers most of the employees through August of 2019, and the second covers employees through December of 2017.
Outside the United States, we enter into employment contracts and agreements in those countries in which such relationships are mandatory or customary, such as in Belgium, Sweden, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and China. The provisions of these agreements correspond in each case with the required or customary terms in the subject jurisdiction. Approximately 65% of our international employees are covered under national employee unions.
Any future strikes, employee slowdowns, or similar actions by one or more unions, in connection with labor contract negotiations or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to operate our business.
Our existing financing agreements include restrictive and financial covenants.
Certain of our loan agreements require us to comply with various restrictive covenants and some contain financial covenants that require us to comply with specified financial ratios and tests. Our failure to meet these covenants could result in default under these loan agreements and would result in a cross-default under other loan agreements. In the event of a default and our inability to obtain a waiver of the default, all amounts outstanding under loan agreements could be declared immediately due and payable. Our failure to comply with these covenants could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Significant changes in actual investment return on pension assets, discount rates, and other factors could affect our results of operations, equity, and pension contributions in future periods.
Our results of operations may be positively or negatively affected by the amount of income or expense we record for our defined benefit pension plans. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) require that we calculate income or expense for the plans using actuarial valuations. These valuations reflect assumptions about financial market and other economic conditions, which may change based on changes in key economic indicators. The most significant year-end assumptions we use to estimate pension income or expense are the discount rate and the expected long-term rate of return on plans assets. In addition, we are required to make an annual measurement of plan assets and liabilities, which may result in a significant change to equity through a reduction or increase to accumulated other comprehensive income. For a discussion regarding how our financial statements can be affected by pension plan accounting policies, see Part II,
Item 7
.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
-Critical Accounting Estimates – Defined Benefit Pension and Other Post-retirement Plans and Note
8
.
Pension and Post-Retirement and Other Benefit Plans
to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II,
Item 8
.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Although GAAP expense and pension funding contributions are not directly related, key economic factors that affect GAAP expense would also likely affect the amount of cash we would contribute to pension plans as required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
As a publicly traded company, we incur regulatory costs that reduce profitability.
As a publicly traded corporation, we incur certain costs to comply with regulatory requirements of the NYSE and of the federal securities laws. If regulatory requirements were to become more stringent or if accounting or other controls thought to be effective later fail, we may be forced to make additional expenditures, the amounts of which could be material. Many of our competitors are privately owned, so our accounting and control costs can be a competitive disadvantage.
Our share repurchase program could increase the volatility of the price of our common stock.
On December 2, 2015, the Board authorized a share repurchase program for up to
$30 million
of our common stock beginning January 1, 2016 and continuing through December 31, 2018. We have funded the repurchases through cash flows generated by our operations. The amount and timing of share repurchases was based on a variety of factors. Important factors that could cause us to limit, suspend or delay the Company’s stock repurchases include unfavorable market conditions, the trading price of the Company’s common stock, the nature of other investment opportunities presented to us from time to time, the ability to obtain financing at attractive rates, and the availability of U.S. cash. Repurchases of our shares will reduce the number of outstanding shares of our common stock and might incrementally increase the potential for volatility in our common stock by reducing the potential volumes at which our common stock may trade in the public market.
Our actual operating results may differ significantly from our guidance.
We regularly release guidance regarding our future performance that represents our management’s estimates as of the date of release. This guidance, which consists of forward-looking statements, is prepared by our management and is qualified by, and subject to, the assumptions and the other information contained or referred to in the release or report in which guidance is given. Our guidance is not prepared with a view toward compliance with published guidelines of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and neither our independent registered public accounting firm nor any other independent expert or outside party compiles or examines the guidance and, accordingly, no such person expresses any opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto.
Guidance is based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while presented with numerical specificity, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control and are based upon specific assumptions with respect to future business decisions, some of which will change. We generally state possible outcomes as high and low ranges which are intended to provide a sensitivity analysis as variables are changed, but are not intended to represent that actual results could not fall outside of the suggested ranges. The principal reason that we release this data is to provide a basis for our management to discuss our business outlook with analysts and investors. We do not accept any responsibility for any projections or reports published by any such persons.
Guidance is necessarily speculative in nature, and it can be expected that some or all of the assumptions of the guidance furnished by us will not materialize or will vary significantly from actual results. Accordingly, our guidance is only an estimate of what management believes is realizable as of the date of release. Actual results will vary from the guidance and the variations may be material. Investors should also recognize that the reliability of any forecasted financial data diminishes the farther in the future that the data are forecast. In light of the foregoing, investors are urged to put the guidance in context and not to place undue reliance on it.
Our corporate governance documents, our rights plan, and Delaware law may delay or discourage takeovers and business combinations that our stockholders might consider in their best interests.
Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and by-laws may make it difficult and expensive for a third-party to pursue a tender offer, change-in-control, or takeover attempt that is opposed by our management and Board of Directors. These provisions include, among others:
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A Board of Directors that is divided into three classes with staggered terms;
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Limitations on the right of stockholders to remove directors;
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The right of our Board of Directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval;
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The inability of our stockholders to act by written consent; and
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Rules and procedures regarding how stockholders may present proposals or nominate directors at stockholders meetings.
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Public stockholders who might desire to participate in this type of transaction may not have an opportunity to do so. These anti-takeover provisions could substantially impede the ability of public stockholders to benefit from a change-in-control or a change in our management or Board of Directors and, as a result, may adversely affect the marketability and market price of our common stock.
In addition, we have adopted a stockholder rights plan intended to deter hostile or coercive attempts to acquire us. Under the plan, if any person or group acquires, or begins a tender or exchange offer that could result in such person acquiring 15% or more of our common stock, without approval of our Board of Directors under specified circumstances, our other stockholders will have the right to purchase shares of our common stock, or shares of the acquiring company, at a substantial discount to the public market price. Therefore, the rights will cause substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire us on terms not approved by our Board of Directors, except pursuant to any offer conditioned on a substantial number of rights being acquired. Although we believe these provisions protect our stockholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics and thereby provide for an opportunity to receive a higher bid by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with our Board of Directors, these provisions apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders.