Document
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.
or
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 001-36102
Knowles Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware | 90-1002689 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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1151 Maplewood Drive | |
Itasca, Illinois | 60143 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(630) 250-5100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: |
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Title of each class | | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share | | New York Stock Exchange |
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None |
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer þ | | Accelerated filer o |
Non-accelerated filer o | (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company o |
| | Emerging growth company o |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No þ
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of the close of business on June 30, 2017 was approximately $1,477,000,000. The number of outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock as of February 16, 2018 was 89,491,800.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Certain information contained in the registrant's Proxy Statement for its 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.
Table of Contents
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to “Knowles,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refer to Knowles Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Our Company
Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, we are a market leader and global supplier of advanced micro-acoustic, audio processing, and precision device solutions, serving the mobile consumer electronics, industrial, defense, aerospace medical, and telecommunications markets. We use our leading position in micro-electro-mechanical systems ("MEMS") microphones and strong capabilities in audio processing technologies to optimize audio systems and improve the user experience in mobile, ear, and Internet of Things ("IoT") applications. We are also the leader in acoustics components used in hearing aids and have a strong position in high-end capacitors. Our focus on our customers, combined with our unique technology, proprietary manufacturing techniques, rigorous testing, and global scale, enables us to deliver innovative solutions that optimize the user experience. Knowles has approximately 7,900 employees in 11 countries around the world.
Our Strategy
Since the Company’s spin-off from Dover Corporation ("Dover" or "Former Parent") in 2014 (the "Separation"), our primary focus has been to position the Company to benefit from the positive trends we are seeing in our Audio segment. With products ranging from mobile phones to headsets, and from smart speakers to household appliances, voice-powered interactions are emerging as a critical and necessary feature. Consumers want to engage with technology through natural, spoken commands, across the mobile, ear, and IoT markets, and original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs") are racing to develop and deploy the technology to enable it. Our unique capabilities in acoustics, digital signal processing, and algorithms place us in a competitive position to enable voice and audio input.
Over the past 4 years, we have been focused on strategically positioning the business to support these broader trends around audio input including the acquisition of Audience, Inc. in 2015, which brought us essential digital signal processing and algorithm capabilities, and the divestiture of our low-margin speaker and receiver product line ("Speaker and Receiver Product Line") in 2016. During this time, we have also invested significantly in our core MEMS microphone and hearing health businesses to maintain our leadership positions and optimize our manufacturing footprint across our business units.
In our Precision Devices segment, we continue to improve our operations and enhance profitability. In 2017, we reshaped our portfolio by divesting our timing device business ("Timing Device Business") to increase our focus on growth platforms in precision devices where we have strong market positions and attractive margin profiles. We believe this multi-year transformation positions us well for growth in the future.
Our Business Segments
In January 2017, the Company changed its internal reporting to drive growth in our core business. Given the changes in the allocation of resources and in its internal reporting structure, the Company now reports two segments, Audio and Precision Devices ("PD"). As a result of this change, transducer products used in hearing health and premium headset applications were moved from the historical Specialty Components segment into the new Audio segment, which includes the historical Mobile Consumer Electronics segment. The capacitor products formerly in the Specialty Components segment are now included in the PD segment.
• Audio Segment
Our Audio group designs and manufactures innovative audio products, including microphones and balanced armature speakers, signal processing technologies, and software and algorithms used in applications that serve the mobile, ear, and IoT markets. Locations include the sales, support, and engineering facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia, as well as the manufacturing facilities in Asia.
• PD Segment
Our PD group specializes in the design and delivery of highly engineered capacitors and radio frequency devices ("RF") for technically demanding applications. Our devices are used in applications including power supplies, radar, medical implants, and satellites, serving the industrial, defense, aerospace, medical, and telecommunications markets. Locations include the sales, support, engineering, and manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia.
We sell our products directly to OEMs and to their contract manufacturers and suppliers and to a lesser extent through distributors worldwide. Our products by segment on a continuing operations basis are as follows:
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• | Audio - Includes analog and digital MEMS microphones, electret condenser microphones , smart microphones, ultrasonic sensors, acoustic processors, and balanced armature speakers. |
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• | PD - Includes capacitors and filters. |
The following table shows the percentage of total revenues generated by each of our segments on a continuing operations basis for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015:
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| | | | | | | | |
| Years Ended December 31, |
| 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
Audio | 86 | % | | 88 | % | | 87 | % |
Precision Devices | 14 | % | | 12 | % | | 13 | % |
The following table shows total assets by segment on a continuing operations basis as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:
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| As of December 31, |
(in millions) | 2017 | | 2016 |
Audio | $ | 1,430.9 |
| | $ | 1,348.5 |
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Precision Devices | 103.4 |
| | 84.1 |
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Corporate / eliminations | 13.8 |
| | 2.3 |
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Discontinued operations | 1.7 |
| | 80.1 |
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Total | $ | 1,549.8 |
| | $ | 1,515.0 |
|
Market Trends
In our Audio segment, we have seen an inflection point with voice being embraced as a primary user interface across consumer electronic devices. Voice assistants are proliferating throughout a variety of applications from mobile phones to headsets, and from smart speakers to household appliances. Consumers want to engage with technology through natural, spoken commands, across the mobile, ear, and IoT markets, and OEMs are racing to develop and deploy the technology to enable it. Our core capabilities in acoustics, digital signal processing, and algorithms are unparalleled and place us in an ideal position to enable voice and audio input.
Within the hearing aid market, sales are largely driven by aging demographics, healthcare spending, increasing affluence in emerging markets, and government subsidies.
Our Precision Devices segment sells multi-layer ceramic capacitors, electromagnetic interference filters, high reliability capacitors, single layer capacitors, precision variable capacitors, and thin film devices across diverse end markets, including industrial, defense, aerospace, medical, and telecommunications markets. Portions of this segment face much greater exposure to capital investment cycles and government spending, both direct and indirect, as some of these end markets are largely dependent on project upgrades, expansion, and government contracts.
Geographic Trends
We strive to maintain our manufacturing facilities in close proximity to our direct customers. In the case of Audio, we currently operate 6 facilities in Asia to serve the contract manufacturers who build OEM equipment on behalf of our end-customers. These contract manufacturers are largely based in China, Taiwan, India, Singapore, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Although end-user demand for consumer electronics and hearing aids is global and marketing activities occur globally, the majority of our manufacturing is located in Asia, primarily in China, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
In the case of PD, we operate 3 facilities in North America and 1 facility in Asia for the manufacturing of capacitors that support our global customers, as well as their suppliers and contract manufacturers.
Competitive Landscape
Success in the electronic components industry is primarily driven by innovation and flexibility as customers compete to gain a share of the growing consumer device market. We compete across handset, wearables, and other consumer platforms to deliver superior acoustic performance through customized products. Our investments in research and development enable us to capture new design wins across consumer OEMs. Our ability to balance and shift between full and semi-automation is key to our ability to optimize our operations and operating expenses. Additionally, it is important for suppliers to have flexibility and quick time-to-market to meet clients’ needs. Notably, according to industry estimates, the product cycle for mobile handsets has shortened over recent years. Key competitors include:
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• | Audio - AAC Technologies, Goertek, Sonion, and Synaptics; and |
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• | PD - AVX Corporation, Kyocera, and Murata. |
In the Audio segment, our investments in research and development enable us to continually introduce new products with higher performance. Our customers are adopting these higher value microphones to improve the overall audio performance of their devices which in turn improves the end user experience. Typically our new products have higher average selling prices than the products they are replacing. Once introduced, the pricing for these products trend lower, as is typical in the consumer electronics market.
For products that were introduced more than 18 months ago, we strive to offset anticipated price erosion through bill of material cost reductions, yield improvements, equipment efficiency, and movement to lower-cost manufacturing locations.
In the PD segment, the end markets tend to be more stable. We see a highly fragmented set of competitors across capacitor products for a diverse set of end markets including industrial, defense, aerospace, medical, and telecommunications.
Customers, Sales, and Distribution
We serve customers in the mobile consumer electronics, industrial, defense, aerospace, medical, and telecommunications markets. Our customers include some of the largest OEMS and operators in these markets. In addition, many of our OEM customers outsource their manufacturing to Electronic Manufacturing Services (“EMS”) companies. Other customers include global mobile phone manufacturers, hearing aid manufacturers, and many of the largest global EMS companies, particularly in China. For the year ended December 31, 2017, Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. accounted for approximately 19% and 10% of our total revenues, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2016, Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. accounted for approximately 20% and 12% of our total revenues, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2015, Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. accounted for approximately 21% and 11% of our total revenues, respectively. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of total revenues during these periods.
The following table details our sales by geographic location for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015. These results do not necessarily indicate the geographies where our products are deployed or where end-customer demand is originated.
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| Years Ended December 31, |
(in millions) | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
Asia | $ | 560.8 |
| | $ | 578.7 |
| | $ | 564.9 |
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Europe | 72.3 |
| | 75.1 |
| | 77.1 |
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Other Americas | 4.4 |
| | 3.1 |
| | 3.6 |
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Other | 5.4 |
| | 5.5 |
| | 4.9 |
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Subtotal non-United States | 642.9 |
| | 662.4 |
| | 650.5 |
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United States | 101.3 |
| | 93.3 |
| | 103.1 |
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Total | $ | 744.2 |
| | $ | 755.7 |
| | $ | 753.6 |
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We manufacture and develop our products at facilities located throughout the world. We maintain sales and technical customer support offices and operating facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia. In our PD segment, we supplement our direct sales force with external sales representatives and distributors. Our global distribution center is located in Penang, Malaysia. Our worldwide sales force provides geographically specific support to our customers and specialized selling of product lines to various customer bases. For further detail and for additional disclosures regarding sales and property, plant, and equipment, net, by geographic location, see Note 17. Segment Information to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
Raw Materials
We use a wide variety of raw materials, primarily metals, and semi-processed or finished components. Commodity pricing for various metals, such as palladium, gold, brass, stainless steel, and copper, fluctuates. As a result, our operating results are exposed to such fluctuations. Although some cost increases may be recovered through increased prices to customers, if commodity prices trend upward, we attempt to control such costs through fixed-price contracts with suppliers and various other programs.
We rely on highly specialized suppliers or foundries for critical materials, components, or subassemblies that are used in our products which, in some cases, may be sole sourced from such suppliers or foundries or, such suppliers or foundries may also be a strategic supplier to one of our competitors or a customer. The loss of any single supplier has not had a material impact on operating profits. However, should an event occur which affects the ability or willingness of any supplier or foundry to continue to deliver materials or components to us in a timely manner, we may not be able to identify or qualify an alternative supplier in a timely manner which, in any such period and future periods, could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations. See Item 1A. Risk Factors for additional information regarding risks related to our business.
Research and Development
We concentrate our research and development efforts on the design and development of new products for each of our principal markets. We also fund certain other emerging product and technology opportunities. Expenditures for research and development in fiscal years 2017, 2016, and 2015 were $93.4 million, $92.0 million, and $83.2 million, respectively. Our future success is highly dependent upon our ability to develop complex new products, transfer new products to volume production, introduce them into the marketplace in a timely fashion, and have them selected for design into our customers’ products at competitive prices. Our future success may also depend on increasing acoustic content in our customers’ products including assisting our customers with integration of our products and software into their new products and providing support from the concept stage through design, launch, and production ramp.
Intellectual Property and Intangible Assets
We rely on patent, copyright, trademark, and trade secret laws to protect our intellectual property, products, and technology. Our U.S. patents expire in calendar years 2018 through 2036. While our patents are an important element of our success, our business as a whole is not dependent on any one patent or group of patents. We do not anticipate any material effect on our business due to any patents expiring in 2018, and we continue to obtain new patents through our ongoing research and development. We have maintained U.S. federal trademark registrations for KNOWLES, Knowles logo designs, along with various other trademarks. These U.S. registrations may be renewed as long as the marks continue to be used in interstate commerce. We have also filed or obtained foreign registration for these marks in other countries or jurisdictions where we conduct, or anticipate conducting, international business. To complement our own research and development efforts, we have also licensed and expect to continue to license, a variety of intellectual property and technologies important to our business from third parties.
Seasonality
In general, our businesses tend to have higher revenues in the third and fourth quarters of each fiscal year. This is particularly true of those businesses that serve the consumer electronics market. Our businesses tend to have short product cycles due to the highly technical nature of the industries they serve which can result in new OEM product launches that can impact quarterly revenues, earnings, and cash flow.
Environmental and Social Responsibility Matters
Our operations are governed by a variety of international, national, state, and local environmental laws. These regulations include limitations on discharge of pollutants to the air, water, and soil; manufacturing chemical use and handling restrictions; and requirements with respect to the treatment, transport, storage, and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes. We are committed to continued compliance and believe our operations generally are in substantial compliance with these laws.
We are dedicated to the preservation and improvement of our global environment. We have established a Green Materials Policy, pursuant to which we have established a Green Materials Standard. Our products are in compliance with the European Union Restriction of Hazardous Substances ("EU RoHS") and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment ("WEEE") directives. This standard is based on the list of substances identified in the Joint Industry Guide-101 Standard which is endorsed by the Electronic Industry Association, the Joint Electronics Device Engineering Council, and the Japan Green Procurement Survey Standardization Initiative associations as well as the Sony Standard-00259. As part of Knowles’s commitment to social responsibility and compliance with Rule 13p-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, ( the "Exchange Act") it is our goal to only use 3TG minerals in our products that do not directly or indirectly finance or benefit armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo region.
Employees
We currently employ approximately 7,900 persons across our facilities in 11 countries. Approximately 85% of these employees are located in Asia. We are subject to various local, national, and multi-national laws and regulations relating to our relationships with our employees. Our workforce in the United States is not unionized. We believe we generally have good relationships with employees and their representative organizations.
Other Information
Knowles was incorporated in Delaware on June 12, 2013. The address of our principal executive offices is 1151 Maplewood Drive, Itasca, Illinois 60143. Our telephone number is 630-250-5100.
We post our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to these reports on the "SEC Filings” link on the Investor Relations section of our website, www.knowles.com. We post each of these reports on the website as soon as reasonably practicable after the report is filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The information on our website is not incorporated into this Form 10-K.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as our Annual Report to Stockholders, quarterly reports and other filings with the SEC, press releases, and other oral and written communications, contains certain statements regarding business strategies, market potential, future financial performance, future action, results, and any other statements that do not directly relate to any historical or current fact which are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), the Exchange Act, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,” “estimate,” “budget,” “continue,” “could,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “expect,” “objective,” “forecast,” “goal,” “guidance,” “outlook,” “effort,” “target,” and similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made.
In particular, information included under the sections entitled “Business,” “Risk Factors,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contain forward-looking statements.
Readers are cautioned that the matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that are difficult to predict and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated, or implied in the forward-looking statements. Where, in any forward-looking statement, an expectation or belief as to future results or events is expressed, such expectation or belief is based on the current plans and expectations of management and expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will be achieved or accomplished. Many factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated include those matters described under the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made and Knowles does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and attributable to Knowles are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that we may make or persons acting on our behalf may issue. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward looking statement for any reason.
You should consider each of the following factors as well as the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our financial statements and the related notes, in evaluating our business and our prospects. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. In general, we are subject to the same general risks and uncertainties that impact many other companies such as general economic, industry, and/or market conditions and growth rates; possible future terrorist threats or armed conflicts and their effect on the worldwide economy; and changes in laws or accounting rules. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial may also impair our business operations. If any of these risks occur, our business and financial results could be harmed. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline.
Risks Related To Our Business
We depend on the mobile handset market for a significant portion of our revenues, and any downturn or slower than expected growth in this market could significantly reduce our revenues and adversely impact our operating results.
Our Audio segment accounted for 86% of our consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017, and the mobile handset market accounted for approximately 36% of our consolidated revenues. While other markets such as mobile headsets, wearables, and IoT are gaining in significance, we expect that a substantial portion of our consolidated revenues will continue to be attributable to the mobile handset market, which is cyclical and characterized by continuous and rapid technological change, product obsolescence, price erosion, evolving standards, short product life cycles, and significant fluctuations in product supply and demand. Moreover, the mobile handset market may not continue to grow at the rate experienced in recent years or may decline for reasons outside of our control including competition among market participants, market saturation, and global economic conditions. The mobile handset market has experienced and may experience periodic downturns which may be characterized by diminished product demand, production overcapacity, high inventory levels, and accelerated erosion of average selling prices. Given that the strength of the mobile handset market is a primary driver of revenues for our Audio segment, any downturn in the mobile handset market could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results. In addition, a decline in global economic conditions, particularly in geographic regions with high concentrations of mobile handset users, could have adverse, wide-ranging effects on demand for our products or technologies, the products and services of our customers or licensees, particularly OEM handset manufacturers, the solvency of key suppliers, failures by counterparties, and negative effects on mobile handset inventories. In addition, our customers’ ability to purchase or pay for our products and services and their customers’ ability to upgrade their mobile handsets could be adversely affected by economic conditions, leading to a reduction, cancellation, or delay of orders for our products or services.
We derive the majority of our Audio revenues from MEMS microphones sold to the mobile handset market and a significant reduction in our sales of MEMS microphones could significantly reduce our revenues and adversely impact our operating results.
Within our Audio segment, revenues are generated primarily from the sales of our MEMS microphones. Sales of MEMS microphones accounted for approximately 60% of our total revenues for fiscal 2017. We expect that a substantial portion of our revenues will continue to be attributable to sales of MEMS microphones and any weakening of demand, loss of market share, or other factors adversely affecting our levels and the timing of our sales of MEMS microphones, including our customers’ product release cycles, market acceptance, product competition, the performance and reliability of our MEMS microphones, and economic and market conditions could cause our Audio revenues to substantially decline, which may adversely affect our operating results.
Our largest segment, Audio, derives a significant portion of its revenues from a limited number of OEM customers. If revenues derived from these customers decrease or the timing of such revenues fluctuates, our operating results could be negatively affected.
Our Audio segment derives a significant portion of revenues from a small number of OEM customers. For 2017, Audio top five customers accounted for approximately 52% of Audio’s revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2017, Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. accounted for approximately 22% and 12% of Audio’s revenues, respectively, and 19% and 10% of total company revenues, respectively. The mobile handset industry is also subject to intense competition that could result in decreased demand and/or declining average selling prices for our products and those of our OEM customers. The loss of any one of Audio’s top customers or a reduction in the purchases of Audio’s products by such customers would reduce our total revenues and may impair our ability to achieve or sustain expected operating results, and any delay of a significant volume of purchases by any one of our top customers, even if only temporary, would reduce our revenues in the period of the delay. Further, concentration of market share among a few companies and the corresponding increase in purchasing power of these companies, may result in lower prices for our products which, if not accompanied by a sufficient increase in the volume of purchases of our products, could have an adverse effect on our revenues and margins. In addition, the timing and size of purchases by our significant customers may be impacted by the timing of such customers’ new or next generation product introductions, and the timing of such introductions may cause our operating results to be adversely impacted. Accordingly, if current market and industry dynamics continue, our Audio segment’s revenues will continue to depend largely upon, and be impacted by the timing, volumes, and pricing of future purchases by a limited number of our OEM customers.
Average selling prices in our Audio segment have generally been decreasing, which may reduce our gross margins or revenues.
The mobile handset industry has traditionally experienced an erosion of average selling prices due to a number of factors, including competitive pricing pressures, industry pricing trends, and technology advances. Within our Audio segment, while average selling prices vary significantly on a product to product basis, we anticipate the average selling prices of our products will generally decrease in the short term in response to competitive pricing pressures, excess inventories, increased sale discounts, and new product introductions by us or our competitors. We may experience decreases in future operating results due to the erosion of our average selling prices. To maintain our gross margins, we must develop and introduce on a timely basis new or differentiated products or product enhancements and continually reduce our product costs. Our failure to do so will likely cause our revenues and gross margin to decline.
We rely on highly specialized suppliers for a variety of highly engineered or specialized components, and other inputs which we may not be able to readily identify alternatives or substitutes in the event of a business or supply disruption or capacity constraint at or by any of these suppliers, which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.
Certain of our businesses rely on highly specialized suppliers or foundries for critical materials, components, or subassemblies that are used in our products. In some cases, such suppliers or foundries may be our sole source of supply or, such suppliers or foundries may also be a strategic supplier to one of our competitors or a customer. In either of these cases, should an event occur which affects the ability or willingness of any of such supplier or foundry to continue to deliver materials or components to us in a timely manner, we may not be able to identify or qualify an alternative supplier in a timely manner which, in any such period and future periods, could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations. Potential events or occurrences which could cause business or supply disruptions or affect the ability or willingness of a supplier or foundry to continue to supply us include changes in market strategy, the acquisition of, sale, or other change in control or ownership structure of a supplier or foundry, strategic divestiture, bankruptcy, insolvency or other financial difficulties, business disruptions, operational issues, or capacity constraints at a supplier or foundry.
Global markets for our products are highly competitive and subject to rapid technological change. If we are unable to develop new products and compete effectively in these markets, our financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected.
We compete in highly competitive, technology-based, industries that are highly dynamic as new technologies are developed and introduced. Our competitors may introduce products that are as or more technologically advanced than our products or launch new products faster than we can, which may lead to a loss of market share or revenues. If we are unable to anticipate or match our competitors’ development or launch of new products, identify customer needs and preferences on a timely basis, or successfully launch or ramp production of our new products, our operating results may be adversely affected.
We operate in the highly competitive mobile handset industry, which requires us to invest significant capital in developing, qualifying, and ramping production of new products without any assurance of product sales which could negatively impact our operating results and profits.
A significant portion of our consolidated revenues are derived from acoustic components and audio solutions, including software, that are required to go through extensive customer qualification processes before being selected by customers for inclusion in their end products. In order to meet the product launch schedules of our top customers, we may invest capital and devote substantial resources, including design, engineering, sales, marketing, and programming efforts, based on non-binding forecasts provided by these customers, without any assurance that our products will be designed into a customer’s product or qualified by the customer. In such cases, if our product is not designed into or qualified by the customer, we may not recover or realize any return on the capital that we invested and our operating results may be adversely affected.
In addition, the time required and costs incurred by us to ramp-up production for new products can be significant. Certain non-recurring costs and expenditures for tooling and other equipment may not be reusable in manufacturing products for other customers or different products for the same customer. Product ramps typically involve greater volumes of scrap and risks to execution such as higher costs due to inefficiencies and delays in production, all of which can adversely impact our operating results.
Our foreign operations, supply chain, and footprint optimization strategies are each subject to various risks that could adversely impact our results of operations and financial position.
Many of our manufacturing operations, research and development operations, vendors, and suppliers are located outside the United States and if we are unable to successfully manage the risks associated with our global operations, our results of operations and financial position could be negatively impacted. These risks include:
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o | labor unrest and strikes, particularly in Asia, where the majority of our manufacturing operations are located; |
o | earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters or catastrophic events, particularly in Asia, where the majority of our manufacturing operations are located; |
o | acts of terrorism or armed conflicts; |
o | government embargoes, trade restrictions, and import and export controls; and |
o | transportation delays and interruptions. |
Given that many of our manufacturing operations are located outside the United States, a border tax, if enacted, could have an unfavorable impact on our earnings.
Our success depends on our ability to attract and retain key employees, and if we are unable to attract and retain such qualified employees, our business and our ability to execute our business strategies may be impaired.
Our future success depends largely on the continued service and efforts of our executive officers and other key management and technical personnel and on our ability to continue to identify, attract, retain, and motivate them, particularly in an environment of cost reductions and a general move toward more performance-based compensation for executives and key management.
Implementing our business strategy also requires specialized engineering and other talent, as our revenues are highly dependent on technological and product innovations. Competition for such experienced technical personnel in our industry and where we are located is intense, and we cannot assure that we can continue to recruit and retain such personnel. For example, there is substantial competition in China for experienced engineers and technical personnel where most of our operations are located and for machine learning and software engineers in California and India where we primarily conduct research and development for our software and intelligent audio products, which may make it difficult for us to recruit and retain key employees. If we are unable to attract and retain such qualified employees, our business and our ability to execute our business strategies may be impaired.
Our revenues, operating profits, and cash flows could be adversely affected if we are unable to protect or obtain patent and other intellectual property rights or if intellectual property litigation is successful against us.
We employ various measures to maintain, protect, and defend our intellectual property, including enforcing our intellectual property rights in various jurisdictions and forums throughout the world. However, policing unauthorized use of our products, technologies, and proprietary information is difficult and time consuming and these measures may not prevent our intellectual property from being challenged, invalidated, copied, disclosed, or circumvented. We also may not be successful in litigation or other actions to enforce our intellectual property rights, particularly in countries where intellectual property rights are not highly developed or protected. Litigation, if necessary, may result in retaliatory legal proceedings alleging infringement by us of intellectual property owned by others. We have had and may in the future have difficulty in certain circumstances in protecting or enforcing our intellectual property rights, including collecting royalties for use of certain patents included in our patent portfolio in certain foreign jurisdictions due to, among other things: policies of foreign governments; challenges to our licensing practices under such jurisdictions’ competition laws; failure of foreign courts to recognize and enforce judgments of contract breach and damages issued by courts in the United States; and/or challenges pending before foreign patent authorities as to the validity of our patents and those owned by competitors and other parties.
The expense of protecting, defending, and enforcing our intellectual property, or defending claims that our products, technology, or manufacturing processes infringe the intellectual property rights of others, can vary significantly period to period and, in any given period, could be material and adversely impact our operating results. In addition, in any period, we may have liability for damages arising out of adverse judgments for intellectual property claims that may be material and adversely affect our operating results.
We have invested and continue to invest in strategic acquisitions and make strategic investments that, if not successful, could adversely affect our financial results or fail to create or sustain stockholder value.
We engage in strategic acquisitions and make strategic investments, which are important to our business strategy, with the goal of maximizing stockholder value. We have acquired businesses and other assets, including patents, technology, and other intangible assets and may enter into joint ventures or other strategic transactions, purchase minority equity interests in or make loans to companies that may be private and early-stage. Our acquisitions and strategic investments are generally focused on opening new or expanding opportunities for our technologies and supporting the design and introduction of new products and services (or enhancing existing products or services) for voice and data communications. Many of our acquisitions or strategic investments entail a high degree of risk and require the use of domestic and/or foreign capital. We cannot assure that our acquisitions or strategic investments will be successful in realizing anticipated cost synergies, generate financial returns, be accretive within projected time frames, or result in increased adoption or continued use of our technologies, products, or services.
In part due to our inexperience with certain adjacent or complimentary technologies and in geographic regions that may be served by acquired businesses, we may underestimate the costs or overestimate the benefits that we expect to realize from such acquisitions or investments, and we may not achieve them.
Further, our ability to achieve the anticipated cost synergies and other benefits from acquisitions and strategic investments within expected time frames is subject to many estimates and assumptions, which are subject to significant economic, competitive, and other uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control. We may not, for example, be able to retain key employees, customers, or suppliers of the acquired company, integrate critical business systems, or derive commercial value from the acquired company’s technology and, as a result or, for other unrelated reasons, we may experience either delays in our timing for achieving cost synergies or higher than expected costs in implementing them. If we do not succeed in these efforts, if these efforts are more costly or time-consuming than expected, if our estimates and assumptions are not correct, if we experience delays, or if other unforeseen events occur, our business and results of operations may be adversely affected.
Our stock price has been and may continue to be volatile and may fluctuate significantly which may adversely impact investor confidence and increase the likelihood of securities class action litigation.
Our common stock price has experienced substantial volatility in the past and may remain volatile in the future. Volatility in our stock price can be driven by many factors including divergence between our actual or anticipated financial results and published expectations of analysts or the expectations of the market, market conditions in our industry, announcements that we, our competitors, vendors, or our customers may make regarding their operating results, technological innovations, the gain or loss of customers, or key opportunities as a result of the risks identified and discussed in this “Risk Factors” section. During 2017, our closing stock price ranged from a high of $19.90 per share to a low of $14.11 per share. Our common stock is also included in certain market indices, and any change in the composition of these indices to exclude our company may adversely affect our stock price. Increased volatility in the financial markets and/or overall economic conditions may reduce the amounts that we realize in the future on our cash equivalents and/or marketable securities and may reduce our earnings as a result of any impairment charges that we record to reduce recorded values of marketable securities to their fair values.
Further, securities class action litigation is often brought against a public company following periods of volatility in the market price of its securities. Due to changes in our stock price, we may be the target of securities litigation in the future. Securities litigation could result in substantial uninsured costs and divert management’s attention and our resources.
Our credit agreement requires us to comply with certain financial covenants and our failure to comply could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
The credit agreement governing our revolving credit facility contains covenants requiring us to, among other things, maintain a minimum ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense and a maximum ratio of consolidated total indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA. In the past, we have obtained amendments from the lenders under the credit agreement which have allowed us to comply with the financial covenants, but there can be no assurance that in the future the lenders will agree to such amendments, and our inability to comply with the covenants could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.
We are subject to counterparty risk with respect to the convertible note hedge transactions.
As discussed in Note 11. Borrowings to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data", we issued convertible senior notes and concurrently entered into convertible note hedge transactions and separate warrants. The option counterparties are financial institutions, and we are subject to the risk that one or more of the option counterparties may default under the convertible note hedge transactions. Our exposure to the credit risk of the option counterparties will not be secured by any collateral. If any of the option counterparties become subject to insolvency proceedings, we will become an unsecured creditor in those proceedings with a claim equal to our exposure at that time under our transactions with such counterparties. Our exposure will depend on many factors but, generally, the increase in our exposure will be correlated to the increase in the market price and in the volatility of our common stock. In addition, upon a default by the option counterparties, we may suffer adverse tax consequences and more dilution than we currently anticipate with respect to our common stock. We can provide no assurances as to the financial stability or viability of the option counterparties.
Our effective tax rate may fluctuate which will impact our future financial results.
Our effective tax rate may be adversely impacted by, among other things, changes in the mix of our earnings among countries having differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets, or changes in tax laws where we operate. We cannot give any assurance as to the stability or predictability of our effective tax rate in the future because of, among other things, uncertainty regarding the tax laws and policies of the countries where we operate.
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Tax Reform Act") was enacted in the United States, which we expect will increase our effective tax rate in the future. The estimated effects based upon current interpretation of the Tax Reform Act have been incorporated into our financial results. As additional data is prepared and analyzed, and as additional clarification and implementation guidance is issued on the Tax Reform Act, it may be necessary to adjust the provisional amounts. Any adjustments could have a material impact on provisional amounts. In addition, there is a risk that states or foreign jurisdictions may amend their tax laws in response to the Tax Reform Act, which could have a material impact on our future results.
Further, our tax returns are subject to periodic reviews or audits by domestic and international authorities, and these audits may result in allocations of income and/or deductions that result in tax assessments different from amounts that we have estimated. We regularly assess the likelihood of an adverse outcome resulting from these audits to determine the adequacy of our provision for taxes. There can be no assurance as to the outcome of these audits or that our tax provisions will ultimately be adequate to satisfy any associated tax liability. If our effective tax rates were to increase or if our tax liabilities exceed our estimates and provisions for such taxes, our operating results could be adversely affected.
Our effective tax rate is favorably impacted by tax holidays granted to us by certain foreign jurisdictions, which lowers the tax rates we are subject to for a period of time as compared to the countries' statutory tax rates. These tax holidays are subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including exceeding certain annual thresholds of operating expenses and gross sales. If we fail to satisfy such conditions, our effective tax rate may be significantly adversely impacted. For additional detail, see Note 12. Income Taxes to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
Moreover, tax rates and laws in the countries where we operate may change, or tax reforms may be enacted domestically or in foreign jurisdictions which adversely affect our liquidity, cash flows, and future reported financial results or our ability to continue to structure and conduct our business as is done currently.
We are subject to potentially material liability for breaches of confidentiality agreements with certain of our top customers.
We have entered into non-disclosure agreements with several of our top customers which require us not to disclose and to protect certain information regarding, among other things, aspects of those customers’ businesses plans, products, and technology. These confidentiality agreements, in some cases, impose strict liability on us in the event of any breach of these agreements by us or our employees or agents and, should such a breach occur, our operating results may be adversely affected.
Our business and operations could suffer in the event of security breaches or other unauthorized disclosures.
We have taken and continue to actively take measures to protect the various proprietary information, algorithms, source code, and confidential data relating to both our and our customers’ business and products that is stored on our computer networks, servers, and peripheral devices, as well as on servers owned or managed by third party vendors whom we leverage. Such data and information remains vulnerable to cyber attacks, cyber breaches, theft, or other unauthorized disclosure which, if successful, could result in loss of valuable intellectual property, disclosure of confidential customer or commercial data, disclosure of government classified information, or system disruptions and subject us to civil liability and fines or penalties, damage our brand and reputation or otherwise harm our business, any of which could be material. Should any secu rity breach result in the disclosure of certain of our customers’ or business partners’ confidential information, we may incur liability to such customers or business partners under confidentiality agreements that we are party to with such parties. In addition, delayed sales, lower margins, or lost customers resulting from security breaches or network disruptions could reduce our revenues, increase our expenses, damage our reputation, and adversely affect our stock price.
There is also a danger of industrial espionage, unauthorized disclosures, theft of information or assets (including source code), or damage to assets by people who have gained unauthorized access to the Company's facilities, systems, or information. Such breaches, misuse, or other disruptions could lead to unauthorized disclosure of confidential or proprietary information or improper usage or sale of the Company's products or intellectual property without compensation and theft, manipulation, and destruction of private and proprietary data, which could result in defective products, production downtimes, lost revenue, or damage to our reputation, and adversely affect our stock price.
Our net exposure to exchange rate fluctuations could negatively impact our results of operations.
We conduct a significant amount of business outside the United States and adverse movements in currency exchange rates, particularly the Malaysian ringgit, the euro, the Chinese renminbi (yuan), and the Philippine peso, may, in any period or period(s), negatively affect our business and our operating results due to a number of factors, including, among others:
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o | our products are manufactured and sold outside the United States which increases our net exposure to changes in foreign exchange rates; |
o | our products, which are typically sold in U.S. dollars, may become less price-competitive outside the United States as a result of unfavorable foreign exchange rates; |
o | certain of our revenues that are derived from customer sales denominated in foreign currencies could decrease; |
o | our foreign suppliers may raise their prices if they are impacted by currency fluctuations, resulting in higher than expected costs and lower margins; |
o | foreign exchange hedging transactions that we engage in to reduce the impact of currency fluctuations may require the payment of structuring fees, limit the U.S. dollar value of royalties from licensees’ sales that are denominated in foreign currencies, cause earnings volatility if the hedges do not qualify for hedge accounting, and expose us to counterparty risk if the counterparty fails to perform; |
o | the cost of materials, products, services, and other expenses outside the United States could be adversely impacted by a weakening of the U.S. dollar; and |
o | based on our current sales and manufacturing activity, a sustained 10% weakening of the U.S. dollar for a period of one year would reduce our operating results by approximately $17.9 million pre-tax. |
Our products are complex and could contain defects, which could result in material costs to us and harm our business.
Our products are complex and could contain defects, which could result in material costs to us. Product development in the markets we serve is becoming more focused on audio signal processing for improved audio performance and to enable intelligent and more sophisticated audio solutions. The increasing complexity of our products increases the risk that we or our customers or end users could discover latent defects or subtle faults after significant volumes of product have been shipped. This could result in material costs and other adverse consequences to us including, but not limited to: loss of customers, reduced margins, damage to our reputation, a material product recall, replacement costs for product warranty and support, payments to our customers related to recall claims as a result of various industry or business practices, a delay in recognition or loss of revenues, loss of market share, or failure to achieve market acceptance, and a diversion of the attention of our engineering personnel from our product development efforts. In addition, any defects or other problems with our products could result in financial losses or other damages to our customers who could seek damages from us for their losses. A product liability or warranty claim brought against us, even if unsuccessful, would likely be time consuming and costly to defend. In particular, the sale of systems and components that are incorporated into mobile handsets for the global mobile phone industry involves a high degree of risk that such claims may be made. Due to the complex nature of our products, quality, and reliability issues may arise after significant volumes of a product have shipped. While we have attempted to contractually limit our financial exposure with many of our customers for such claims, a warranty or product liability claim against us in excess of our available insurance coverage and established reserves, or a requirement that we participate in a customer product recall, could have material adverse effects on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
In addition, our products are typically sold to customers at prices that are significantly lower than the cost of the customer’s products in which they are incorporated. Given that a defect in one of our products could give rise to failures in the products that incorporate them, we may face claims for damages that are disproportionate to the revenues we receive from the products involved and because we are self-insured for matters relating to product quality a significant claim(s) could adversely affect our financial position. Moreover, to the extent a defect in one of our products is caused by a defective component supplied to us by a third party, we may, nonetheless, be liable to the customer and be unsuccessful in seeking indemnification from that third party.
Our goodwill, other intangible assets, or long-lived assets may become impaired, which could result in a significant charge to earnings.
We hold significant amounts of goodwill, other intangible assets, and long-lived assets, and the balances of these assets could increase in the future if we acquire other businesses. At December 31, 2017, the balance of our goodwill, other intangible assets, and long-lived assets was $1.1 billion and the total market value of the Company’s outstanding shares was $1.3 billion. Under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("U.S. GAAP"), we review our goodwill, other intangible assets, and long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of such goodwill, other intangible assets, or long-lived assets may not be recoverable. In addition, we test goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually. Factors that may be considered a change in circumstances, indicating that the carrying value of our goodwill, other intangible assets, or long-lived assets may not be recoverable, include, but are not limited to, a sustained decline in stock price and market capitalization, significant negative variances between actual and expected financial results, reduced future cash flow estimates, adverse changes in legal factors, failure to realize anticipated synergies from acquisitions, and slower growth rates in our industry. We may be required to record a significant charge to earnings in our financial statements during the period in which any impairment of our goodwill, other intangible assets, or long-lived assets is determined to exist, negatively impacting our results of operations. If our market capitalization was to fall below the book value of our total stockholders’ equity for a sustained period, we may conclude that the fair value of certain of our intangible or long-lived assets is materially impaired. In this case, we would be required under U.S. GAAP to record a non-cash charge to our earnings which could adversely impact our financial results.
There are risks associated with our indebtedness, which could adversely affect our financial condition.
Our outstanding indebtedness and any additional indebtedness we incur may have negative consequences, including:
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o | requiring us to use cash to pay the principal of and interest on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the amount of cash flow available for other purposes; |
o | limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, stock repurchases, dividends, or other general corporate and other purposes; |
o | limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and our industry; and |
o | increasing our vulnerability to interest rate fluctuations to the extent a portion of our debt has variable interest rates. |
Our ability to make payments of principal and interest on our indebtedness depends upon our future performance, which is subject to general economic conditions, industry cycles, and financial, business, and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future to service our debt, we may be required to, among other things: refinance or restructure all or a portion of our indebtedness; reduce or delay planned capital or operating expenditures; or sell selected assets. Such measures might not be sufficient to enable us to service our debt. In addition, any such financing, refinancing, or sale of assets might not be available on economically favorable terms or at all, and if prevailing interest rates at the time of any such financing and/or refinancing are higher than our current rates, interest expense related to such financing and/or refinancing would increase. If there are adverse changes in the ratings assigned to our debt securities by credit rating agencies, our borrowing costs, our ability to access debt in the future, and/or the terms of the financing could be adversely affected.
Risks Related to Our Spin-Off From Our Former Parent
We have certain indemnification obligations to our Former Parent pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement which, if triggered, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
The Separation and Distribution Agreement between us and our Former Parent provides, among other things, that we will indemnify our Former Parent for substantially all liabilities relating to our business activities, whether incurred prior to or after the Separation. If we are required to indemnify our Former Parent under the Separation and Distribution Agreement or other agreements in any period or periods, we may be subject to substantial liabilities that may adversely impact our operating results.
We are subject to continuing contingent tax liabilities of our Former Parent following the Separation.
Under the Internal Revenue Code and the related rules and regulations, each corporation that was a member of our Former Parent’s U.S. consolidated group for all or a portion of a taxable period ending on or before the effective time of the distribution is jointly and severally liable for the U.S. federal income tax liability of the entire U.S. consolidated group of our Former Parent. Consequently, if our Former Parent is unable to pay the consolidated U.S. federal income tax liability for a prior period, we could be required to pay the entire amount of such tax which could be substantial and in excess of the amount allocated to us under the Tax Matters Agreement between us and our Former Parent. Other provisions of federal and state law establish similar liability for other matters, including laws governing tax-qualified pension plans as well as other contingent liabilities. These potential tax liabilities could be material in any period or periods, and should we be held liable for such liabilities, our operating results in any such period or periods may be adversely affected.
If the Distribution (as defined below), together with certain related transactions, does not qualify as a transaction that is tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we, our Former Parent, and our stockholders could be subject to a significant tax liability and, in certain circumstances, we could be required to indemnify our Former Parent for material taxes pursuant to indemnification obligations under the Tax Matters Agreement.
Under the Tax Matters Agreement between our Former Parent and us, we are required to indemnify our Former Parent against taxes incurred by our Former Parent that arise as a result of our taking or failing to take, as the case may be, certain actions that result in the Distribution failing to qualify for tax-free treatment. Also, under the Tax Matters Agreement, we are required to indemnify our Former Parent for one-half of the taxes and other liabilities incurred by our Former Parent if the Distribution fails to meet the requirements of a tax-free distribution for reasons other than an act or failure to act on the part of us or our Former Parent and therefore we might be required to indemnify our Former Parent for such taxes and liabilities due to circumstances and events not within our control. Under the Tax Matters Agreement, we are also required to indemnify our Former Parent for one-half of certain taxes incurred as a result of the restructuring activities undertaken to effectuate the Distribution. Our indemnification obligations to our Former Parent under the Tax Matters Agreement are not limited by a maximum amount. If we are required to indemnify our Former Parent under the circumstances set forth in the Tax Matters Agreement, we may be subject to substantial tax liabilities, which could materially adversely affect our financial position.
Our Former Parent has secured a tax opinion from its tax counsel which concluded that the distribution of all of the shares of our common stock to stockholders of our Former Parent in connection with the Separation (the “Distribution”) qualifies as tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Our Former Parent also requested and received a Private Letter Ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) which reached the same conclusion regarding the tax-free qualification of Distribution. The Private Letter Ruling relied on certain facts, assumptions, representations, and undertakings from our Former Parent and us, which, if incorrect, inaccurate, or reneged upon may invalidate the Private Letter Ruling and any binding effect on the IRS. Should the Private Letter Ruling be invalidated, we and our Former Parent could be subject to significant tax liabilities which could materially adversely affect our financial position. As of the end of fiscal 2017, we were not aware of anything that would make the facts, assumptions, representations, and undertakings represented in the Private Letter Ruling incorrect, or inaccurate.
Risks Related to Our Corporate Governance
Our business could be negatively affected as a result of the actions of activist or hostile stockholders.
Our business could be negatively affected as a result of stockholder activism, which could cause us to incur significant expense, hinder execution of its business strategy, and impact the trading value of our securities. Stockholder activism, which could take many forms or arise in a variety of situations, has been increasing in publicly traded companies in recent years and we are subject to the risks associated with such activism. Stockholder activism, including potential proxy contests, requires significant time and attention by management and the Board of Directors, potentially interfering with our ability to execute our strategic plan. Additionally, such stockholder activism could give rise to perceived uncertainties as to our future direction, adversely affect our relationships with key executives and business partners, and make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified personnel. Also, we may be required to incur significant legal fees and other expenses related to activist stockholder matters. Any of these impacts could materially and adversely affect our business and operating results. Further, the market price of our common stock could be subject to significant fluctuation or otherwise be adversely affected by the events, risks, and uncertainties described in this “Risk Factors” section.
Certain provisions in our certificate of incorporation, by-laws, and Delaware law may prevent or delay an acquisition of the Company, which could decrease the trading price of our common stock.
Each of our certificate of incorporation, our by-laws, and Delaware law, as currently in effect, contain provisions that are intended to deter coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids by making such practices or bids unacceptably expensive to the bidder and to encourage prospective acquirers to negotiate with our Board of Directors rather than to attempt a hostile takeover. These provisions include, among others:
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o | the inability of our stockholders to call a special meeting or act by written consent; |
o | rules regarding how stockholders may present proposals or nominate directors for election at stockholder meetings; |
o | the right of our Board of Directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval; |
o | the division of our Board of Directors into three approximately equal classes of directors, with each class serving a staggered three-year term; |
o | a provision that stockholders may only remove directors for cause; |
o | the ability of our directors, without a stockholder vote, to fill vacancies on our Board of Directors (including those resulting from an enlargement of the Board of Directors); and |
o | the requirement that stockholders holding at least 80% of our voting stock are required to amend certain provisions in our certificate of incorporation and our by-laws. |
In addition, current Delaware law includes provisions which limit the ability of persons that, without prior board approval, acquire more than 15% of the outstanding voting stock of a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with that corporation, including by merger, consolidation, or purchases of additional shares, for a three-year period following the acquisition by such persons of more than 15% of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock.
In light of present circumstances, we believe these provisions taken as a whole protect our stockholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with our Board of Directors and by providing our Board of Directors with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make us immune from takeovers. However, these provisions will apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that our Board of Directors determines is not in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders. These provisions may also prevent or discourage attempts to remove and replace incumbent directors.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our corporate headquarters is located in Itasca, Illinois. We maintain technical customer support offices and operating facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia. Our principal manufacturing locations for the Audio segment are located in China, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Our principal manufacturing locations for the PD segment are located in the U.S and the Dominican Republic.
The number, type, location, and size of the properties used by our continuing operations as of December 31, 2017 are shown in the following chart:
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Number and nature of facilities: | | |
Manufacturing and Distribution | | 9 |
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Other Facilities (principally sales, research and development, and headquarters) | | 13 |
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Square footage (in 000s): | | |
Owned | | 630 |
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Leased (1) | | 918 |
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Locations: | | |
Asia | | 14 |
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North America | | 6 |
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Europe | | 2 |
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(1) Expiration dates on leased facilities range from 1 to 7 years.
We believe that our owned and leased facilities are well-maintained and suitable for our operations.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we are involved in various legal proceedings and claims arising in the ordinary course of our business, including those related to intellectual property, which may be owned by us or others. We own many patents covering products, technology, and manufacturing processes. Some of these patents have been and may continue to be challenged by others. In appropriate cases, we have taken and will take steps to protect and defend our patents and other intellectual property, including through the use of legal proceedings in various jurisdictions around the world. Such steps have resulted in and may continue to result in retaliatory legal proceedings, including litigation or other legal proceedings in various jurisdictions and forums around the world alleging that we infringe on patents owned by others. The costs of investigations and legal proceedings, particularly multi-forum litigation, relating to the enforcement and defense of our intellectual property, may be substantial. Additionally, in multi-forum disputes, we may incur adverse judgments with regard to certain claims in certain jurisdictions and forums while still contesting other related claims against the same opposing party in other jurisdictions and forums. Although the ultimate outcome of any legal proceeding or claim cannot be predicted with certainty, based on present information, including management’s assessment of the merits of each claim, we do not expect that any asserted or unasserted legal proceedings or claims, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our cash flow, results of operations, or financial condition.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The following sets forth information regarding our executive officers, as of February 16, 2018.
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Name | Age | Position |
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Jeffrey S. Niew | 51 | President & Chief Executive Officer |
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John S. Anderson | 54 | Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer |
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Christian U. Scherp | 52 | President, Performance Audio |
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Raymond D. Cabrera | 51 | Senior Vice President, Human Resources & Chief Administrative Officer |
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Daniel J. Giesecke | 50 | Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer |
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Thomas G. Jackson | 52 | Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary |
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Michael S. Polacek | 54 | President, Intelligent Audio |
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Bryan E. Mittelman | 47 | Vice President, Controller |
Jeffrey S. Niew has served as President & Chief Executive Officer since September 2013 and as a member of our Board of Directors since February 2014. From November 2011 until the Separation in February 2014, Mr. Niew served as a Vice President of Dover Corporation and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Dover Communication Technologies. Mr. Niew joined Knowles Electronics LLC (“Knowles Electronics”) in May 2000 and became Chief Operating Officer in January 2007, President in January 2008, and President and Chief Executive Officer in February 2010. Prior to joining Knowles Electronics, Mr. Niew was employed by Littelfuse, Inc., from 1995 to 2000, where he held various positions in product management, sales, and engineering in the Electronic Products group and by Hewlett-Packard Company, from 1988 to 1994, where he served in various engineering and product management roles in the Optoelectronics Group in California.
John S. Anderson has served as Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer since December 2013. From January 2013 until the Separation in February 2014, Mr. Anderson served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Dover Communication Technologies. Previously, Mr. Anderson served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Dover Energy (from August 2010 to January 2013) and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Dover Fluid Management (from October 2009 to August 2010). Previous experience includes the roles of Corporate Controller and Director Financial Planning & Analysis for Sauer-Danfoss Inc. (from October 2004 to October 2009) and Director of Finance and Controller for Borg Warner Turbo Systems GmbH (from August 2002 to October 2004).
Christian U. Scherp has served as President, Performance Audio since July 2015 and prior thereto he was Co-President, Mobile Consumer Electronics - Speakers and Receivers (from September 2012 to June 2015). Prior to joining Knowles Electronics, Mr. Scherp served as the Global Head of Sales for the Consumer Devices business of TE Connectivity, a manufacturer of connectivity and sensor platforms (from November 2011 to August 2012). Additional previous experience includes the following roles at Conexant Systems: Executive Vice President of Sales (from January 2011 to June 2011), Co-President, WW Sales, Marketing, Program Management (from July 2009 to December 2010), and President (from 2008 to 2009).
Raymond D. Cabrera has served as Senior Vice President, Human Resources & Chief Administrative Officer since February 2014. From November 2011 until the Separation in February 2014, Mr. Cabrera served as Vice President, Human Resources of Dover Communication Technologies. Previously, Mr. Cabrera served in the following capacities at Knowles: as Vice President, Human Resources and Chief Administrative Officer (from January 2004 to November 2011), Vice President, Human Resources (from March 2000 to January 2004), and Director, Human Resources (from June 1997 to March 2000) of Knowles Electronics.
Daniel J. Giesecke has served as Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer since February 2014. From January 2012 until the Separation in February 2014, Mr. Giesecke served as Vice President, Global Operations of Dover Communication Technologies. Previously, Mr. Giesecke served as Vice President, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, Knowles Electronics (from February 2009 to January 2012), Senior Director, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, Knowles Electronics (from January 2008 to February 2009), Director of Engineering Operations, Knowles Electronics (from November 2003 to January 2008), and various operations, supply chain, and engineering positions since he joined Knowles Electronics in 1995.
Thomas G. Jackson has served as Senior Vice President, Secretary since February 2014 and effective April 1, 2014, General Counsel. Prior to joining Knowles, Mr. Jackson served as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at Jabil Circuit, Inc., a provider of electronic manufacturing services (from March 2012 to December 2013). In addition, he served as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary at P.H. Glatfelter Company, a manufacturer of specialty papers and fiber-based engineered materials (from June 2008 to November 2011) and as its Assistant General Counsel, Assistant Secretary, and Director of Compliance (from September 2006 to June 2008).
Michael S. Polacek has served as President, Intelligent Audio since February 2017. Prior to joining Knowles, Mr. Polacek was a partner with Eachwin Capital, L.P., a management investment firm, from December 2012 to January 2017 and served as a strategic adviser for KKR Private Equity during 2012. In addition, he held numerous management and other senior positions, including Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Key Market Segments at National Semiconductor, a semiconductor manufacturer, from 1992 to 2011.
Bryan E. Mittelman has served as Vice President, Controller since February 2014. Mr. Mittelman started his career at Knowles in September 2013. Previously, Mr. Mittelman served as the Controller for Morningstar, Inc., an investment research and investment management company from December 2011 to September 2013. Additional prior experience includes operating his consulting business from June 2010 to December 2011 and the following roles at Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics and Dade Behring (which was acquired by Siemens in 2007): Vice President, Finance, North America (from January 2008 to May 2010), Vice President, Finance, Americas (from January 2007 to December 2007), Vice President, Corporate Audit and Advisory Services (from March 2006 to December 2006), Assistant Corporate Controller (from April 2005 to February 2006), and Director of Financial Reporting (from July 2002 to April 2005).
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the ticker symbol “KN”. The following table presents the high and low prices for our common stock as reported on the NYSE for each of the periods indicated below.
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2017 | | 2016 |
| Market Prices | | Market Prices |
| High | | Low | | High | | Low |
First Quarter | $ | 19.82 |
| | $ | 16.06 |
| | $ | 14.04 |
| | $ | 9.98 |
|
Second Quarter | $ | 19.90 |
| | $ | 16.73 |
| | $ | 15.82 |
| | $ | 12.27 |
|
Third Quarter | $ | 17.15 |
| | $ | 14.11 |
| | $ | 16.20 |
| | $ | 12.87 |
|
Fourth Quarter | $ | 16.98 |
| | $ | 14.27 |
| | $ | 17.36 |
| | $ | 13.91 |
|
Dividends
Since our common stock began trading on the NYSE, we have not paid cash dividends and we do not anticipate paying a cash dividend on our common stock in the immediate future. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on many factors, such as our financial condition, earnings, capital requirements, debt service obligations, industry practice, legal requirements, regulatory constraints, and other factors that the Board of Directors deems relevant. Our ability to pay dividends will depend on our ongoing ability to generate cash from operations and access to the capital markets.
Holders
The number of holders of record of our common stock as of February 16, 2018 was approximately 1,072.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
For information regarding securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans, see Part III, Item 12 of this Form 10-K.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
None.
Performance Graph
This performance graph does not constitute soliciting material, is not deemed filed with the SEC, and is not incorporated by reference in any of our filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any such filing, except to the extent we specifically incorporate this performance graph by reference therein.
Data Source: NYSE
*Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends.
This graph assumes $100 invested on March 3, 2014, the date our common stock began "regular way" trading on the NYSE, in Knowles Corporation common stock, the S&P Mid Cap 400® index, and PHLX / Semiconductor Sector IndexSM.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table presents selected financial data on a continuing operations basis as derived from our audited Consolidated Financial Statements.
The selected financial data includes costs of Knowles’ businesses, which include the allocation of certain corporate expenses from our Former Parent through the date of the Separation. We believe that these allocations were made on a reasonable basis. The selected historical financial data for the period prior to the Separation may not be indicative of our future performance as an independent publicly traded company. The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included under Item 7 and the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Years Ended December 31, |
Statement of Earnings Data (1) (in millions, except share and per share amounts) | | 2017 |
| 2016 |
| 2015 (2) |
| 2014 |
| 2013 |
Revenues | | $ | 744.2 |
| | $ | 755.7 |
| | $ | 753.6 |
| | $ | 785.0 |
| | $ | 835.0 |
|
Gross profit | | 286.3 |
| | 295.9 |
| | 281.8 |
| | 308.6 |
| | 393.9 |
|
Earnings from continuing operations | | $ | 6.5 |
| | $ | 19.8 |
| | $ | 17.4 |
| | $ | 111.0 |
| | $ | 188.1 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
Adjusted for: | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense, net (3) | | $ | 20.6 |
| | $ | 20.4 |
| | $ | 12.7 |
| | $ | 6.6 |
| | $ | 13.7 |
|
Provision for income taxes | | 12.9 |
| | 8.3 |
| | 3.2 |
| | 8.4 |
| | 17.8 |
|
EBIT (4) | | $ | 40.0 |
| | $ | 48.5 |
| | $ | 33.3 |
|
| $ | 126.0 |
|
| $ | 219.6 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations | | $ | 0.07 |
| | $ | 0.22 |
| | $ | 0.20 |
| | $ | 1.31 |
| | $ | 2.21 |
|
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations | | $ | 0.07 |
| | $ | 0.22 |
| | $ | 0.20 |
| | $ | 1.30 |
| | $ | 2.21 |
|
Basic shares outstanding (5) | | 89,329,794 |
| | 88,667,098 |
| | 86,802,828 |
| | 85,046,042 |
| | 85,019,159 |
|
Diluted shares outstanding (5) | | 90,490,007 |
| | 89,182,967 |
| | 86,992,254 |
| | 85,292,959 |
| | 85,019,159 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of December 31, |
Balance Sheet Data (in millions) | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 (2) | | 2014 | | 2013 |
Total assets | | $ | 1,549.8 |
| | $ | 1,515.0 |
| | $ | 1,696.4 |
| | $ | 1,998.4 |
| | $ | 2,170.1 |
|
Total third party debt and lease obligations (6)(7) | | $ | 207.4 |
| | $ | 313.8 |
| | $ | 447.5 |
| | $ | 404.3 |
| | $ | 1.6 |
|
| | Years Ended December 31, |
Other Data (1) (in millions) | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 (2) | | 2014 | | 2013 |
Depreciation and amortization | | $ | 53.8 |
| | $ | 69.0 |
| | $ | 72.4 |
| | $ | 70.1 |
| | $ | 99.2 |
|
Capital expenditures | | $ | 49.5 |
| | $ | 32.2 |
| | $ | 36.8 |
| | $ | 59.2 |
| | $ | 59.9 |
|
| |
(1) | On November 28, 2017, the Company completed the sale of its Timing Device Business. On July 7, 2016, the Company completed the sale of its Speaker and Receiver Product Line. All amounts presented are on a continuing operations basis. For additional information, refer to Note 2. Disposed and Discontinued Operations to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." |
| |
(2) | On July 1, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Audience, Inc. ("Audience"). The Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Consolidated Balance Sheets include the results of operations, net assets acquired, and depreciation and amortization expense related to Audience since the date of acquisition. For additional information on the Audience acquisition, refer to Note 3. Acquisitions to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." |
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(3) | On January 27, 2014, we entered into five-year credit facilities totaling $500.0 million and borrowed $400.0 million on February 28, 2014 to finance a cash payment to our Former Parent in connection with the Separation. On April 27, 2016, the Company entered into a fourth amendment to its Credit Facilities in connection with the Company's offering of the 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due November 1, 2021 ("the Notes"). On October 11, 2017, the Company entered into a new five-year senior secured revolving credit facility totaling $400.0 million and borrowed $172.7 million. The revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2017 is $50.7 million. The interest expense, net for the periods ending December 31, 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014 relates to these borrowings. The interest expense, net during fiscal year 2013 relates to interest expense on the net notes payable to our Former Parent that was settled during the fourth quarter of 2013 in anticipation of the Separation. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Borrowings" section for additional information related to our debt. |
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(4) | We use the term “EBIT” throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K, defined as net earnings plus (i) interest expense, net and (ii) income taxes. EBIT is not presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP" or "U.S. GAAP") and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. We use EBIT as a supplement to our GAAP results of operations in evaluating certain aspects of our business, and our Board of Directors and executive management team focus on EBIT as a key measure of our performance for business planning purposes. This measure assists us in comparing performance between various reporting periods on a consistent basis, as this measure removes from operating results the impact of items that, in our opinion, do not reflect our core operating performance. We believe that our presentation of EBIT is useful because it provides investors and securities analysts with the same information that we use internally for purposes of assessing our core operating performance. For a reconciliation of EBIT to net earnings, the most directly related GAAP measure, please see the Statement of Earnings Data table above. The Company does not consider these non-GAAP financial measures to be a substitute for the information provided by GAAP financial results. |
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(5) | On July 1, 2015, the Company issued 3.2 million shares to former stockholders of Audience and for the conversion of vested in-the-money Audience stock options. The Company also converted unvested in-the-money Audience stock options and restricted stock units for an aggregate of 461,371 shares of its common stock. On February 28, 2014, in connection with the Separation, Former Parent stockholders received one share of Knowles common stock for every two shares of Former Parent's common stock held as of the record date. Basic and diluted earnings per common share and the average number of common shares outstanding for the periods prior to the Separation were calculated using the number of Knowles common shares outstanding immediately following the Separation. See Note 18. Earnings per Share to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for information regarding earnings per common share. |
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(6) | On January 27, 2014, we, as a borrower, entered into a $200.0 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility with a group of lenders, as well as a $300.0 million five-year senior secured term loan facility pursuant to a Credit Agreement ("Original Credit Agreement"), which are referred to collectively as the “Prior Credit Facilities.” In connection with the Separation, we incurred $100.0 million of borrowings under the revolving credit facility and $300.0 million of borrowings under the term loan facility, in each case to finance a cash payment to our Former Parent immediately prior to the Separation. On December 31, 2014, we amended our Prior Credit Facilities to increase the amount of the revolving credit facility in the Original Credit Agreement to $350.0 million but incurred no additional borrowings. On July 1, 2015, we amended our Prior Credit Facilities to facilitate our ability to consummate the Audience acquisition. We funded the cash portion of the consideration through a drawdown of our existing revolving credit facility and cash on hand. On February 9, 2016, the Company entered into a third amendment to its Prior Credit Facilities in connection with the Company’s decision to sell the Speaker and Receivers Product Line, which also included permanent reduction by the Company of the aggregate revolving commitment under the Original Credit Agreement from $350.0 million to $300.0 million. On April 27, 2016, the Company entered into a fourth amendment to its Prior Credit Facilities in connection with the Company's offering of the Notes. On October 11, 2017, the Company entered into a Revolving Credit Facility Agreement (the "New Credit Facility"). The new agreement is being used for working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Company, including refinancing of indebtedness under the Company’s Prior Credit Facilities. The New Credit Facility contains a five-year senior secured revolving credit facility providing for borrowings in aggregate principal amount of up to $400.0 million. See Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Borrowings" section for additional information related to our debt. |
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(7) | Also includes current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations. |
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The discussion and analysis presented below refer to and should be read in conjunction with our audited Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes under Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." The following discussion contains forward-looking statements. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those made, projected, or implied in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in this Form 10-K, particularly in “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements.”
Management’s discussion and analysis, which we refer to as “MD&A,” of our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows should be read together with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes included under Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," to provide an understanding of our financial condition, changes in financial condition, and results of our operations. We believe the assumptions underlying the Consolidated Financial Statements are reasonable. However, the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein may not necessarily reflect our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows in the future.
As discussed in Note 2. Disposed and Discontinued Operations to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data", we completed the sale of our high-end oscillators business ("Timing Device Business") in the fourth quarter of 2017 and the sale of our speaker and receiver product line ("Speaker and Receiver Product Line" in the fourth quarter of 2016. Accordingly, the results of operations and related assets and liabilities for the Timing Device Business and the Speaker and Receiver Product Line have been reclassified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Unless otherwise indicated, discussion within this MD&A and elsewhere within this Annual Report Form 10-K refers to results from continuing operations.
Our Business
We are a market leader and global supplier of advanced micro-acoustic, audio processing, and precision device solutions, serving the mobile consumer electronics, communications, medical, military, aerospace, and industrial markets. We use our leading position in micro-electro-mechanical systems ("MEMS") microphones and strong capabilities in audio processing technologies to optimize audio systems and improve the user experience in mobile, ear, and Internet of Things ("IoT") applications. We are also the leader in acoustics components used in hearing aids and have a strong position in high-end capacitors. Our focus on the customer, combined with our unique technology, proprietary manufacturing techniques, rigorous testing, and global scale, enables us to deliver innovative solutions that optimize the user experience. References to "Knowles," the "Company," "we," "our," or "us" refer to Knowles Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.
Our Business Segments
In January 2017, the Company changed its internal reporting to facilitate delivering growth in its core business. Given the changes in the allocation of resources and in its internal reporting structure, the Company now reports two segments, Audio and Precision Devices ("PD"). As a result of this change, transducer products used in hearing health and premium headset applications were moved from the historical Specialty Components segment into the new Audio segment, which includes the historical Mobile Consumer Electronics segment. The capacitor products formerly in the Specialty Components segment are now included in the PD segment.
We are organized into two reportable segments based on how management analyzes performance, allocates capital, and makes strategic and operational decisions. These segments were determined in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 280, Segment Reporting, and are comprised of (i) Audio and (ii) PD. The segments are aligned around similar product applications serving our key end markets, to enhance focus on end market growth strategies.
Our Audio group designs and manufactures innovative audio products, including microphones and balanced armature speakers, signal processing technologies, and software and algorithms used in applications that serve the mobile, ear, and IoT markets. Locations include the sales, support, and engineering facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia, as well as the manufacturing facilities in Asia.
Our PD group specializes in the design and delivery of highly engineered capacitors and radio frequency devices for technically demanding applications. Our devices are used in applications including power supplies, radar, medical implants, and satellites, serving the industrial, defense, aerospace, medical, and telecommunications markets. Locations include the sales, support, engineering, and manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia.
We sell our products directly to original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") and to their contract manufacturers and suppliers and to a lesser extent through distributors worldwide.
On November 28, 2017, we completed the sale of the Timing Device Business, part of the PD segment, to Microsemi Corporation for $130.0 million, subject to purchase price adjustments. For additional information, refer to Note 2. Disposed and Discontinued Operations to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
On January 11, 2017, we completed an acquisition of certain assets of a capacitors manufacturer for cash consideration of $3.7 million, of which $2.5 million was paid during the first quarter of 2017, with the remaining $1.2 million to be paid in quarterly installments from 2018 through the first quarter of 2019, less any purchase price adjustments ("Capacitors Acquisition"). This acquisition's operations are included in the PD segment.
On July 7, 2016, we completed the sale of our Speaker and Receiver Product Line for $45.0 million in cash, less purchase price adjustments, for a net amount received of $40.6 million. For additional information, refer to Note 2. Disposed and Discontinued Operations to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
On July 1, 2015, we completed our acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Audience, Inc. ("Audience"), a leading provider of intelligent voice and audio solutions that improve voice quality and the user experience in mobile devices. Results for Audience are included in the Audio segment. For additional information on the Audience acquisition, refer to Note 3. Acquisitions to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2017 compared with the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015
In addition to the GAAP financial measures included herein, we have presented certain non-GAAP financial measures. We use non-GAAP measures as supplements to our GAAP results of operations in evaluating certain aspects of our business and our executive management team focuses on non-GAAP items as key measures of our performance for business planning purposes. These measures assist us in comparing our performance between various reporting periods on a consistent basis, as these measures remove from operating results the impact of items that, in our opinion, do not reflect our core operating performance. We believe that our presentation of non-GAAP financial measures is useful because it provides investors and securities analysts with the same information that we use internally for purposes of assessing our core operating performance. The Company does not consider these non-GAAP financial measures to be a substitute for the information provided by GAAP financial results. For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, see the reconciliation included herein.
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| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Years Ended December 31, |
(in millions, except per share amounts) | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
Revenues | | $ | 744.2 |
| | $ | 755.7 |
| | $ | 753.6 |
|
| | | | | | |
Gross profit | | $ | 286.3 |
| | $ | 295.9 |
| | $ | 281.8 |
|
Non-GAAP gross profit | | $ | 300.2 |
| | $ | 302.2 |
| | $ | 307.0 |
|
| | | | | | |
Earnings from continuing operations before interest and income taxes | | $ | 40.0 |
| | $ | 48.5 |
| | $ | 33.3 |
|
Adjusted earnings from continuing operations before interest and income taxes | | $ | 110.6 |
| | $ | 99.7 |
| | $ | 111.7 |
|
| | | | | | |
Provision for income taxes | | $ | 12.9 |
| | $ | 8.3 |
| | $ | 3.2 |
|
Non-GAAP provision for income taxes | | $ | 14.9 |
| | $ | 3.2 |
| | $ | 5.6 |
|
| | | | | | |
Earnings from continuing operations | | $ | 6.5 |
| | $ | 19.8 |
| | $ | 17.4 |
|
Non-GAAP net earnings from continuing operations | | $ | 81.2 |
| | $ | 80.5 |
| | $ | 93.4 |
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Earnings per share from continuing operations - diluted (1) | | $ | 0.07 |
| | $ | 0.22 |
| | $ | 0.20 |
|
Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations | | $ | 0.88 |
| | $ | 0.89 |
| | $ | 1.06 |
|
(1) On July 1, 2015, the Company issued 3.2 million shares to former holders of Audience shares and for the conversion of vested in-the-money Audience stock options. The Company also converted unvested in-the-money Audience stock options and restricted stock units for an aggregate of 461,371 shares of its common stock. See Note 18. Earnings per Share to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for information regarding earnings per share.
Revenues
2017 Versus 2016
Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $744.2 million, compared with $755.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, a decrease of $11.5 million or 1.5%. This was due to a decrease in Audio revenues of $24.5 million primarily due to lower average selling prices on mature products in the Audio segment. In addition, shipments of hearing health transducers decreased from the prior year as we have been more disciplined with our pricing. The decreases were partially offset by the $13.6 million of revenue from a settlement of a royalty dispute and higher shipments of MEMS microphones to the IoT market. Our future royalty revenues are not expected to be material. PD revenues had an increase of $13.0 million primarily due to higher capacitor product shipments for the defense, medical, and automotive markets, as well as increased revenues related to our Capacitors Acquisition in January 2017, partially offset by lower pricing.
2016 Versus 2015
Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $755.7 million, compared with $753.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $2.1 million or 0.3%. This was due to an increase in Audio revenues of $7.6 million and partially offset by a decrease in PD revenues of $5.5 million. Audio revenues increased due to increased shipments of MEMS microphones, driven by market growth, share gains, and multiple microphone adoption at key Chinese OEMs, partially offset by lower average selling prices on mature products and unfavorable product mix impacts. PD revenues decreased due to lower pricing and lower market demand for capacitor products.
Cost of Goods Sold
2017 Versus 2016
Cost of goods sold ("COGS") for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $452.5 million, compared with $458.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, a decrease of $5.5 million or 1.2%. This decrease was primarily due to favorable impacts from productivity initiatives and foreign currency exchange rate changes, partially offset by lower fixed overhead absorption. In addition, we experienced higher capacitor and MEMS microphone shipment volume to the IoT market, along with increases in both production transfer costs and restructuring charges.
2016 Versus 2015
COGS for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $458.0 million, compared with $465.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $7.8 million or 1.7%. This decrease was primarily due to favorable impacts from productivity initiatives, lower production transfer costs and other charges, a lower cost product mix, favorable foreign currency exchange rate changes, and cost savings from our production transfer activities, partially offset by increased shipments of MEMS microphones and lower fixed overhead absorption in the first half of 2016.
Impairment Charges
In 2017 we recorded total impairment charges of $21.3 million, which relates to a specific product line within the Audio segment. We concluded that the projected cash flows from this product line were not sufficient to recover the carrying value of the associated long-lived assets. Total impairment charges of $1.4 million were classified as COGS and $19.9 million were classified as Operating expenses. For additional information on impairments of long-lived assets, refer to Note 4. Impairments to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Restructuring Charges
We undertake restructuring programs from time to time to better align our operations with current market conditions. Such activities include facility consolidations, headcount reductions, and other measures to further optimize operations. It is likely that we will have restructuring charges in the future as we continue to consolidate our manufacturing footprint. Details regarding restructuring programs undertaken during the reporting period are as follows:
2017
During the year ended December 31, 2017, we recorded restructuring charges of $10.2 million. The charges consist primarily of actions associated with rationalizing the research and development workforce and the continued transfer of our hearing health manufacturing into a lower-cost Asian manufacturing facility. Charges of $4.0 million were classified as COGS and charges of $6.2 million were classified as Operating expenses.
2016
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we recorded restructuring charges of $10.1 million, comprised primarily of actions associated with the integration of Audience. Other charges relate to actions associated with lowering operating expenses and the continued expenses for the transfer of our capacitor business into lower-cost Asian manufacturing facilities. Charges of $1.5 million were classified as COGS and charges of $8.6 million were classified as Operating expenses.
2015
During the year ended December 31, 2015, we recorded restructuring charges of $14.3 million comprised primarily of $9.5 million of charges associated with the integration of Audience. The remaining charges relate to the transfer of our hearing health business into lower cost Asian manufacturing facilities. Charges of $2.7 million were classified as COGS and charges of $11.6 million were classified as Operating expenses.
Gross Profit and Non-GAAP Gross Profit
2017 Versus 2016
Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $286.3 million, compared with $295.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, a decrease of $9.6 million or 3.2%. Gross profit margin (gross profit as a percentage of revenues) for the year ended December 31, 2017 was 38.5%, compared with 39.2% for the year ended December 31, 2016. The gross profit and margin decreased primarily due to lower average selling prices on mature products, lower fixed overhead absorption, higher production transfer costs, and increased restructuring charges. The decreases were partially offset by favorable impacts from productivity initiatives, a settlement of a royalty dispute, and foreign currency exchange rate changes.
Non-GAAP gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $300.2 million, compared with $302.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, a decrease of $2.0 million or 0.7%. Non-GAAP gross profit margin (non-GAAP gross profit as a percentage of revenues) for the year ended December 31, 2017 was 40.3%, as compared with 40.0% for the year ended December 31, 2016. The Non-GAAP gross profit decreased primarily due to lower average selling prices on mature products and lower fixed overhead absorption. The decreases were partially offset by favorable impacts from productivity initiatives, a settlement of a royalty dispute, and foreign currency exchange rate changes. The Non-GAAP gross profit margin increased slightly as Non-GAAP gross profit remained relatively consistent with prior year while revenues decreased $11.5 million.
2016 Versus 2015
Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $295.9 million, compared with $281.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $14.1 million or 5.0%. Gross profit margin for the year ended December 31, 2016 was 39.2%, compared with 37.4% for the year ended December 31, 2015. The gross profit and margin increases were primarily due to higher microphone shipments, favorable impacts from productivity initiatives, lower production transfer costs and other charges, favorable foreign currency exchange rate changes, and cost savings from our production transfer activities, partially offset by lower average selling prices on mature products, lower fixed overhead absorption in the first half of 2016, and unfavorable product mix.
Non-GAAP gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $302.2 million, compared with $307.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $4.8 million or 1.6%. Non-GAAP gross profit margin for the year ended December 31, 2016 was 40.0%, as compared with 40.7% for the year ended December 31, 2015. The Non-GAAP gross profit and margin decreases were primarily due to lower average selling prices on mature products, lower fixed overhead absorption in the first half of 2016, and unfavorable product mix, partially offset by higher microphone shipments, favorable impacts from productivity initiatives, favorable foreign currency exchange rate changes, and cost savings from our production transfer activities.
Research and Development Expenses
2017 Versus 2016
Research and development expenses for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were $93.4 million and $92.0 million, respectively. Research and development expenses as a percentage of revenues for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were 12.6% and 12.2%, respectively. The increase in research and development expenses was driven by compensation increases, partially offset by lower headcount.
2016 Versus 2015
Research and development expenses for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were $92.0 million and $83.2 million, respectively. Research and development expenses as a percentage of revenues for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were 12.2% and 11.0%, respectively. The increase in research and development expenses and as a percentage of revenues was primarily driven by our acquired Audience research and development operations and an increase in new product development spending, partially offset by cost reduction initiatives.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
2017 Versus 2016
Selling and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $126.3 million, compared with $149.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, a decrease of $23.6 million or 15.7%. Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017 were 17.0%, compared with 19.8% for the year ended December 31, 2016. The decrease in selling and administrative expenses and as a percentage of revenues was primarily driven by lower intangible amortization costs, benefits of our cost reduction initiatives, and a reduction in legal fees. The reduction in legal fees was driven by a settlement of a royalty dispute, which included a $5.6 million allocation against previously incurred expenses.
2016 Versus 2015
Selling and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $149.9 million, compared with $149.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $0.2 million or 0.1%. Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2016 were 19.8%, compared with 19.9% for the year ended December 31, 2015. The expense increase was primarily driven by our acquired Audience operations and increased compensation, partially offset by cost reduction initiatives, and lower acquisition costs.
Earnings and Adjusted Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Interest and Income Taxes
2017 Versus 2016
Earnings before interest and income taxes ("EBIT") from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $40.0 million, compared with $48.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, a decrease of $8.5 million or 17.5%. EBIT margin (EBIT from continuing operations as a percentage of revenues) for the year ended December 31, 2017 was 5.4%, as compared with 6.4% for the year ended December 31, 2016. This decrease was primarily due to lower gross profit and higher impairment charges in Operating expense, partially offset by lower intangible amortization costs, benefits of our operating cost reduction initiatives, and the reduction in legal fees driven by a settlement of a royalty dispute.
Adjusted earnings before interest and income taxes ("Adjusted EBIT") from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $110.6 million, compared with $99.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $10.9 million or 10.9%. Adjusted EBIT margin (adjusted EBIT from continuing operations as a percentage of revenues) for the year ended December 31, 2017 was 14.9%, as compared with 13.2% for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase is primarily due to lower non-GAAP operating expenses, driven by our operating cost reduction initiatives, and the reduction in legal fees driven by a settlement of a royalty dispute.
2016 Versus 2015
EBIT for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $48.5 million, compared with $33.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $15.2 million or 45.6%. EBIT margin for the year ended December 31, 2016 was 6.4%, as compared to 4.4% for the year ended December 31, 2015. This increase was primarily due to higher gross profit, benefits from cost reduction initiatives, and lower acquisition costs, partially offset by higher operating expenses related to our acquired Audience operations, increased compensation, and new product development.
Adjusted EBIT for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $99.7 million, compared with $111.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $12.0 million or 10.7%. Adjusted EBIT margin (adjusted EBIT as a percentage of revenues) for the year ended December 31, 2016 was 13.2%, as compared with 14.8% for the year ended December 31, 2015. This decrease was primarily due to higher operating expenses related to our acquired Audience operations, increased compensation, new product development costs, and a decrease in non-GAAP gross profit, partially offset by operating cost reduction initiatives and lower acquisition costs.
Interest Expense, net
2017 Versus 2016
Interest expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $20.6 million, compared with $20.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $0.2 million or 1.0%. The increase in interest expense is primarily due to non-cash interest expense related to the Company's issuance of $172.5 million aggregate principal amount of 3.25% convertible senior notes due November 1, 2021 in a private placement in May 2016 (the "Notes") and higher interest rates, partially offset by lower outstanding borrowings. For additional information on borrowings and interest expense, refer to Note 11. Borrowings to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
2016 Versus 2015
Interest expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $20.4 million, compared with $12.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $7.7 million or 60.6%. The increase in interest expense is due to non-cash interest related to the convertible senior notes issued in May 2016 and higher interest rates, partially offset by lower outstanding borrowings.
Provision for Income Taxes and Non-GAAP Provision for Income Taxes
2017 Versus 2016
The effective tax rate ("ETR") for the year ended December 31, 2017 was a 66.5% provision, compared with a 29.5% provision for the year ended December 31, 2016. The change in the ETR is due primarily to the mix of earnings by taxing jurisdictions, the change to the terms of our tax holiday in Malaysia, and the Tax Reform Act. We recorded a provisional tax benefit of $11.7 million related to the reassessment of the beginning of the year valuation allowance, and a $5.6 million provisional benefit related to the remeasurement of our net deferred tax liability as a result of the Tax Reform Act. We also recorded a provisional tax expense of $56.0 million, net of expected foreign tax credits, related to the deemed repatriation of unremitted earnings for foreign subsidiaries, which was partially offset by the use of existing tax attributes primarily consisting of net operating loss carryforwards and research and development tax credits. The final impact may differ from these provisional amounts, possibly materially, due to, among other things, issuance of additional regulatory guidance, changes in interpretations and assumptions we made, and actions we may take as a result of the Tax Reform Act.
The ETR for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was favorably impacted by two tax holidays granted to us by Malaysia. The ETR for the year ended December 31, 2017 was unfavorably impacted by losses incurred in jurisdictions with zero tax benefit recorded. The ETR for the year ended December 31, 2016 was unfavorably impacted by valuation allowances recorded in certain jurisdictions, primarily the United States (“U.S.”) and the United Kingdom (“U.K”). For additional information on this tax holiday, see Note 12. Income Taxes to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
The non-GAAP ETR for the year ended December 31, 2017 was a 15.5% provision, compared with a 3.8% provision for the year ended December 31, 2016. The change in the non-GAAP ETR was due to the mix of earnings by taxing jurisdictions.
The ETR and non-GAAP ETR deviate from the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate, mainly due to the taxing jurisdictions in which we generate taxable income or loss, the favorable impact of our tax holidays in Malaysia, and judgments as to the realizability of our deferred tax assets. A significant portion of our pre-tax income is not subject to tax as a result of our tax holidays in Malaysia, subject to our satisfaction of certain conditions that we expect to continue to satisfy. Unless extended or otherwise renegotiated, our existing tax holidays in Malaysia will expire December 31, 2021. During 2016, the Company applied for and received final approval to modify the terms of its main tax holiday in Malaysia, reducing the rate to 7.2% versus the statutory rate of 24.0%, effective January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2021. The U.S. and U.K. operations were in a cumulative loss position as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Based on this, and other relevant information, the Company concluded that tax losses and deferred tax assets generated in the U.S. and the U.K. would not be benefited currently or in the future.
2016 Versus 2015
The ETR for the year ended December 31, 2016 was a 29.5% provision, compared with a 15.5% provision for the year ended December 31, 2015. The ETR for the year ended December 31, 2016 was unfavorably impacted by valuation allowances recorded in certain jurisdictions, primarily in the U.S. and the U.K. The ETR for the year ended December 31, 2015 was unfavorably impacted by valuation allowances recorded in certain jurisdictions, primarily the U.S.
The non-GAAP ETR for the year ended December 31, 2016 was a 3.8% provision, compared with a 5.7% provision for the year ended December 31, 2015. The change in the non-GAAP ETR was due to the mix of earnings by taxing jurisdictions.
The ETR and non-GAAP ETR deviate from the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate, mainly due to the taxing jurisdictions in which we generate taxable income or loss and the favorable impact of our tax holidays in Malaysia. A significant portion of our pre-tax income is not subject to tax as a result of our tax holidays in Malaysia, subject to our satisfaction of certain conditions that we expect to continue to satisfy. During 2016, the Company applied for and received final approval to modify the terms of its main tax holiday in Malaysia, reducing the rate to 7.2% versus the statutory rate of 24.0% effective January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2021. Unless extended or otherwise renegotiated, our existing tax holidays in Malaysia will expire December 31, 2021.
Earnings (loss) from Discontinued Operations, net
2017 Versus 2016
The earnings from discontinued operations was $61.8 million net of tax for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared with a loss of $62.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The earnings in 2017 primarily relates to the $62.3 million pre-tax gain on sale of our timing device business. The 2016 loss was primarily related to the high unabsorbed fixed costs in our Speaker and Receiver Product Line due to lower production activity and the $25.6 million pre-tax loss on the sale of our Speaker and Receiver Product Line.
2016 Versus 2015
The loss from discontinued operations was $62.1 million net of tax for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with a loss of $251.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The reduction in loss from discontinued operations was primarily driven by the absence of intangible and fixed asset impairments in 2016 compared to 2015. We incurred total impairment charges of $191.5 million in 2015 when intangible assets and fixed assets were written down to their fair values. In addition, during 2016 we incurred lower depreciation and amortization expenses due to the impairments of intangible and fixed assets in 2015, partially offset by higher unabsorbed fixed costs due to lower production activity, a $25.6 million pre-tax loss on the sale of our Speaker and Receiver Product Line, and increased restructuring charges.
Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations and Non-GAAP Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations
2017 Versus 2016
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations was $0.07 for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared with diluted earnings per share with $0.22 for the year ended December 31, 2016. The decrease in diluted earnings per share was primarily due to lower EBIT.
Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $0.88, compared with $0.89 for the year ended December 31, 2016. The decrease in non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was primarily due to higher adjusted EBIT, which was more than offset by a higher effective tax rate.
2016 Versus 2015
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations was $0.22 for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $0.20 for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase in diluted earnings per share was primarily due to higher EBIT.
Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $0.89, compared with $1.06 for the year ended December 31, 2015. The decrease in non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was mainly driven by lower adjusted EBIT.
Reconciliation of GAAP Financial Measures to Non-GAAP Financial Measures (1)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Years Ended December 31, |
(in millions, except share and per share amounts) | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
Gross profit | | $ | 286.3 |
| | $ | 295.9 |
| | $ | 281.8 |
|
Stock-based compensation expense | | 1.8 |
| | 1.5 |
| | 1.2 |
|
Fixed asset, inventory, and other charges | | 1.4 |
| | 0.3 |
| | 3.3 |
|
Restructuring charges | | 4.0 |
| | 1.5 |
| | 2.7 |
|
Production transfer costs (2) | | 6.7 |
| | 3.0 |
| | 16.0 |
|
Other (3) | | — |
| | — |
| | 2.0 |
|
Non-GAAP gross profit | | $ | 300.2 |
| | $ | 302.2 |
| | $ | 307.0 |
|
| | | | | | |
Earnings from continuing operations | | $ | 6.5 |
| | $ | 19.8 |
| | $ | 17.4 |
|
Interest expense, net | | 20.6 |
| | 20.4 |
| | 12.7 |
|
Provision for income taxes | | 12.9 |
| | 8.3 |
| | 3.2 |
|
Earnings from continuing operations before interest and income taxes | | 40.0 |
| | 48.5 |
| | 33.3 |
|
Stock-based compensation expense | | 24.7 |
| | 20.9 |
| | 15.0 |
|
Intangibles amortization expense | | 7.3 |
| | 18.2 |
| | 18.2 |
|
Impairment charges | | 21.3 |
| | 0.5 |
| | 5.6 |
|
Restructuring charges | | 10.2 |
| | 10.1 |
| | 14.3 |
|
Production transfer costs (2) | | 6.8 |
| | 3.0 |
| | 16.0 |
|
Other loss (gain) (3) | | 0.3 |
| | (1.5 | ) | | 9.3 |
|
Adjusted earnings from continuing operations before interest and income taxes | | $ | 110.6 |
| | $ | 99.7 |
|
| $ | 111.7 |
|
| | | | | | |
Interest expense, net | | $ | 20.6 |
| | $ | 20.4 |
| | $ | 12.7 |
|
Interest expense, net non-GAAP reconciling adjustments (4) | | 6.1 |
| | 4.4 |
| | — |
|
Non-GAAP interest expense | | $ | 14.5 |
| | $ | 16.0 |
| | $ | 12.7 |
|
| | | | | | |
Provision for income taxes | | $ | 12.9 |
| | $ | 8.3 |
| | $ | 3.2 |
|
Income tax effects of non-GAAP reconciling adjustments | | 2.0 |
| | (5.1 | ) | | 2.4 |
|
Non-GAAP provision for income taxes | | $ | 14.9 |
| | $ | 3.2 |
|
| $ | 5.6 |
|
| | | | | | |
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations | | $ | 6.5 |
| | $ | 19.8 |
| | $ | 17.4 |
|
Non-GAAP reconciling adjustments (5) | | 70.6 |
| | 51.2 |
| | 78.4 |
|
Interest expense, net non-GAAP reconciling adjustments (4) | | 6.1 |
| | 4.4 |
| | — |
|
Income tax effects of non-GAAP reconciling adjustments | | 2.0 |
| | (5.1 | ) | | 2.4 |
|
Non-GAAP net earnings from continuing operations | | $ | 81.2 |
| | $ | 80.5 |
|
| $ | 93.4 |
|
| | | | | | |
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations | | $ | 0.07 |
| | $ | 0.22 |
| | $ | 0.20 |
|
Earnings per share non-GAAP reconciling adjustment | | 0.81 |
| | 0.67 |
| | 0.86 |
|
Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations | | $ | 0.88 |
| | $ | 0.89 |
| | $ | 1.06 |
|
| | | | | | |
Diluted average shares outstanding | | 90,490,007 |
| | 89,182,967 |
| | 86,992,254 |
|
Non-GAAP adjustment (6) | | 1,959,801 |
| | 1,758,522 |
| | 961,841 |
|
Non-GAAP diluted average shares outstanding (6) | | 92,449,808 |
| | 90,941,489 |
| | 87,954,095 |
|
| |
(1) | In addition to the GAAP financial measures included herein, Knowles has presented certain non-GAAP financial measures. Knowles uses non-GAAP measures as supplements to its GAAP results of operations in evaluating certain aspects of its business, and its executive management team focuses on non-GAAP items as key measures of Knowles' performance for business planning purposes. These measures assist Knowles in comparing its performance between various reporting periods on a consistent basis, as these measures remove from operating results the impact of items that, in Knowles' opinion, do not reflect its core operating performance. Knowles believes that its presentation of non-GAAP financial measures is useful because it provides investors and securities analysts with the same information that Knowles uses internally for purposes of assessing its core operating performance. The Company does not consider these non-GAAP financial measures to be a substitute for the information provided by GAAP financial results. |
| |
(2) | Production transfer costs represent duplicate costs incurred to migrate manufacturing to new or existing facilities in Asia. These amounts are included in the corresponding Gross profit and Earnings from continuing operations before interest and income taxes for each period presented. |
| |
(3) | In 2017, Other loss (gain) primarily represents expenses related to the Capacitors Acquisition. In 2016, Other primarily represents a gain on the sale of investment related to a non-controlling interest in a MEMs timing device company, partially offset by expenses related to the Audience Inc. acquisition. In 2015, Other loss (gain) represents expenses related to the Audience acquisition. |
| |
(4) | Under GAAP, the accounting for the Company's convertible debt instrument requires separate consideration of the debt and conversion option components of the instrument in a manner that reflects a nonconvertible debt borrowing rate. Accordingly, for GAAP purposes we are required to recognize imputed interest expense on the Company’s Notes. The imputed interest rate was 8.12% for the Notes, while the actual coupon interest rate of the Notes was 3.25%. The difference between the imputed interest expense and the coupon interest expense is excluded from management’s assessment of the Company’s operating performance because management believes that this non-cash expense is not indicative of its core, ongoing operating performance. |
| |
(5) | The Non-GAAP reconciling adjustments are those adjustments made to reconcile Earnings from continuing operations before interest and income taxes to Adjusted earnings from continuing operations before interest and income taxes. |
| |
(6) | The number of shares used in the diluted per share calculations on a non-GAAP basis excludes the impact of stock-based compensation expense expected to be incurred in future periods and not yet recognized in the financial statements, which would otherwise be assumed to be used to repurchase shares under the GAAP treasury stock method. |
Segment Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared with the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015
Audio
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Years Ended December 31, |
(in millions) | | 2017 | | Percent of Revenues | | 2016 | | Percent of Revenues | | 2015 | | Percent of Revenues |
Revenues | | $ | 637.4 |
| | | | $ | 661.9 |
| | | | $ | 654.3 |
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating earnings | | $ | 76.1 |
| | 11.9% | | $ | 88.5 |
| | 13.4% | | $ | 85.4 |
| | 13.1% |
Other (income) expense, net | | — |
| | | | (0.3 | ) | | | | 0.7 |
| | |
Earnings from continuing operations before interest and income taxes | | $ | 76.1 |
| | 11.9% | | $ | 88.8 |
| | 13.4% | | $ | 84.7 |
| | 12.9% |
Stock-based compensation expense | | 11.5 |
| | | | 9.7 |
| | | | 6.1 |
| | |
Intangibles amortization expense | | 6.5 |
| | | | 18.0 |
| | | | 18.0 |
| | |
Impairment charges | | 21.3 |
| | | | 0.5 |
| | | | 3.5 |
| | |
Restructuring charges | | 8.1 |
| | | | 7.1 |
| | | | 13.4 |
| | |
Production transfer costs (1) | | 6.3 |
| | | | 1.0 |
| | | | 11.1 |
| | |
Other loss(2) | | — |
| | | | 0.1 |
| | | | 2.7 |
| | |
Adjusted earnings from continuing operations before interest and income taxes | | $ | 129.8 |
| | 20.4% | | $ | 125.2 |
| | 18.9% | | $ | 139.5 |
| | 21.3% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) Production transfer costs represent duplicate costs incurred to migrate manufacturing to new or existing facilities in Asia. These amounts are included in earnings before interest and income taxes for each period presented. |
(2) In 2015, Other represents expenses related to the Audience acquisition. |
Revenues
2017 Versus 2016
Audio revenues were $637.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared with $661.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, a decrease of $24.5 million or 3.7%. Revenues decreased primarily due to lower average selling prices on mature products in the Audio segment. In addition, shipments of hearing health transducers decreased from prior year as we have been more disciplined with our pricing. The decreases were partially offset by $13.6 million of revenue from a settlement of a royalty dispute and higher shipments of MEMS microphones to the IoT market. Our future royalty revenues are not expected to be material.
2016 Versus 2015
Audio revenues were $661.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $654.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $7.6 million or 1.2%. Audio revenues increased due to increased shipments of MEMS microphones, driven by market growth, share gains, and multiple microphone adoption at key Chinese OEMs, partially offset by lower average selling prices on mature products and unfavorable product mix impacts.
Earnings and Adjusted Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Interest and Income Taxes
2017 Versus 2016
Audio EBIT from continuing operations was $76.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared with $88.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, a decrease of $12.7 million or 14.3%. EBIT margin (EBIT from continuing operations as a percentage of revenues) for the year ended December 31, 2017 was 11.9%, compared to 13.4% for the year ended December 31, 2016. The decrease was primarily due to lower average selling prices on mature products, higher impairments of long-lived assets, lower fixed overhead absorption, higher production transfer costs, increased stock-based compensation and higher restructuring charges. These decreases were partially offset by benefits from our productivity initiatives, $19.2 million received from a settlement of a royalty dispute, lower amortization expenses, benefits of our operating cost reduction initiatives, favorable impacts from foreign currency exchange rate changes, and higher shipments of MEMS microphones.
Audio adjusted EBIT was $129.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared with $125.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $4.6 million or 3.7%. Adjusted EBIT margin for the year ended December 31, 2017 was 20.4%, compared with 18.9% for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase was primarily due to benefits from our productivity initiatives, $19.2 million received from a settlement of a royalty dispute, benefits of our operating cost reduction initiatives, favorable impacts from foreign currency exchange rate changes, and higher shipments of MEMS microphones. These increases were partially offset by lower average selling prices on mature products and lower fixed overhead absorption.
2016 Versus 2015
Audio EBIT from continuing operations was $88.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $84.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $4.1 million or 4.8%. EBIT margin (EBIT from continuing operations as a percentage of revenues) for the year ended December 31, 2016 was 13.4%, compared to 12.9% for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increases were primarily due to an increase in shipments, benefits from productivity initiatives, our cost reduction initiatives in operating expenses, favorable impacts from foreign currency exchange rate changes, lower production transfer costs, and reduced restructuring charges, partially offset by lower average selling prices on mature products, higher operating expenses related to our acquired Audience operations, and unfavorable product mix.
Audio adjusted EBIT was $125.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $139.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $14.3 million or 10.3%. Adjusted EBIT margin for the year ended December 31, 2016 was 18.9%, compared with 21.3% for the year ended December 31, 2015. The decreases were primarily due to lower average selling prices on mature products, higher operating expenses related to our acquired Audience operations, and unfavorable product mix, partially offset by an increase in shipments, benefits from productivity initiatives, our cost reduction initiatives in operating expenses, and favorable impacts from foreign currency exchange rate changes.
Precision Devices
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Years Ended December 31, |
(in millions) | | 2017 | | Percent of Revenues | | 2016 | | Percent of Revenues | | 2015 | | Percent of Revenues |
Revenues | | $ | 106.8 |
| | | | $ | 93.8 |
| | | | $ | 99.3 |
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating earnings | | $ | 18.7 |
| | 17.5% | | $ | 12.3 |
| | 13.1% | | $ | 5.4 |
| | 5.4% |
Other income, net | | (0.5 | ) | | | | (0.1 | ) | | | | — |
| | |
Earnings from continuing operations before interest and income taxes | | $ | 19.2 |
| | 18.0% | | $ | 12.4 |
| | 13.2% | | $ | 5.4 |
| | 5.4% |
Stock-based compensation expense | | 0.4 |
| | | | 0.3 |
| | | | 0.4 |
| | |
Intangibles amortization expense | | 0.8 |
| | | | 0.2 |
| | | | 0.2 |
| | |
Impairment charges | | — |
| | | | — |
| | | | 2.1 |
| | |
Restructuring charges | | 0.1 |
| | | | 1.4 |
| | | | 0.3 |
| | |
Production transfer costs (1) | | 0.5 |
| | | | 2.0 |
| | | | 4.9 |
| | |
Other loss | | 0.1 |
| | | | 0.1 |
| | | | — |
| | |
Adjusted earnings from continuing operations before interest and income taxes | | $ | 21.1 |
| | 19.8% | | $ | 16.4 |
| | 17.5% | | $ | 13.3 |
| | 13.4% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) Production transfer costs represent duplicate costs incurred to migrate manufacturing to new or existing facilities in Asia. These amounts are included in earnings before interest and income taxes for each period presented. |
Revenues
2017 Versus 2016
PD revenues were $106.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared with $93.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $13.0 million or 13.9%. Revenues increased due to higher capacitor product shipments primarily for the defense, medical, and automotive markets, as well as increased revenues related to our Capacitors Acquisition in January 2017, partially offset by lower pricing.
2016 Versus 2015
PD revenues were $93.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $99.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, a decrease of $5.5 million or 5.5%. Revenues decreased due to lower pricing and lower market demand for capacitor products.
Earnings and Adjusted Earnings from Continuing Operations Before Interest and Income Taxes
2017 Versus 2016
PD EBIT from continuing operations was $19.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared with $12.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $6.8 million or 54.8%. EBIT margin (EBIT from continuing operations as a percentage of revenues) for the year ended December 31, 2017 was 18.0%, compared with 13.2% for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increases were primarily due to benefits from increased shipments, productivity initiatives, lower restructuring charges, and production transfer costs, along with realized cost savings from our production transfers to lower-cost Asian manufacturing facilities, partially offset by lower pricing and increased operating expenses.
PD adjusted EBIT was $21.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared with $16.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $4.7 million or 28.7%. Adjusted EBIT margin for the year ended December 31, 2017 was 19.8%, compared with 17.5% for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increases were primarily due to benefits from increased shipments, productivity initiatives, and realized cost savings from our production transfers to lower-cost Asian manufacturing facilities, partially offset by lower pricing and increased operating expenses.
2016 Versus 2015
PD EBIT from continuing operations was $12.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $7.0 million or 129.6%. EBIT margin for the year ended December 31, 2016 was 13.2%, compared with 5.4% for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase was primarily due to benefits from productivity initiatives, lower production transfer costs, lower impairment charges, and realized cost savings from our production transfers to lower-cost Asian manufacturing facilities. In addition, we experienced favorable impacts from foreign currency exchange rate changes. These increases were partially offset by reduced pricing and lower market demand for capacitor products.
PD adjusted EBIT was $16.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $13.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $3.1 million or 23.3%. Adjusted EBIT margin for the year ended December 31, 2016 was 17.5%, compared with 13.4% for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase in adjusted EBIT was primarily due to the benefits from productivity initiatives and realized cost savings from our production transfers to lower-cost Asian manufacturing facilities. In addition, we experienced favorable impacts from foreign currency exchange rate changes. These increases were partially offset by reduced pricing and lower market demand for capacitor products.
Financial Condition
Historically, we have generated and expect to continue to generate positive cash flow from operations. Our ability to fund our operations and capital needs will depend on our ongoing ability to generate cash from operations and access to capital markets. We believe that our future cash flow from operations and access to capital markets will provide adequate resources to fund our working capital needs, dividends (if any), capital expenditures, and strategic investments. We have secured a revolving line of credit in the United States from a syndicate of commercial banks to provide additional liquidity. Furthermore, if we were to require additional cash above and beyond our cash on the balance sheet, the free cash flow generated by the business, and availability under our revolving credit facility, we would most likely seek to raise long-term financing through the U.S. debt or bank markets.
On July 1, 2015, we completed our acquisition of Audience. Under the terms of the transaction, we issued 3.2 million shares and paid $61.6 million in cash to former holders of Audience shares and for the settlement of vested Audience stock options. We funded the cash portion of the consideration through a draw down from our existing revolving credit facility and cash on hand. In addition, the amendment to our existing credit agreement to modify specific terms and conditions, including the definition of certain covenants to permit the acquisition, became effective upon the closing of the transaction.
In May 2016, we sold the Notes and concurrently entered into convertible note hedge transactions and separate warrants. The Notes will mature in November 2021, unless earlier repurchased by us or converted pursuant to their terms. The Notes are unsecured, senior obligations and interest is payable semiannually in arrears. The Notes will be convertible into cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination thereof, at our election. We have primarily used the net proceeds to reduce borrowings outstanding under our term loan facility. For additional information, refer to Note 11. Borrowings to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
On July 7, 2016, we completed the sale of our Speaker and Receiver Product Line for $45.0 million in cash, less purchase price adjustments for a net amount received of $40.6 million. We used the net proceeds to reduce borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit facility. Refer to Note 2. Disposed and Discontinued Operations to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for additional information.
On January 11, 2017, we completed an acquisition of certain assets of a capacitors manufacturer for cash consideration of $3.7 million, of which $2.5 million was paid during 2017, with the remaining $1.2 million to be paid in installments from 2018 through the first quarter of 2019. This acquisition's operations are included in the PD segment. Refer to Note 3. Acquisitions to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for additional information.
On October 11, 2017, we entered into the New Credit Facility. Refer to Note 11. Borrowings to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for additional information.
On November 28, 2017, the Company completed its sale of the Timing Device Business, part of the PD segment, to Microsemi Corporation for $130.0 million, subject to purchase price adjustments. Refer to Note 2. Disposed and Discontinued Operations to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for additional information.
Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness, as well as any debt that we may incur in the future, will depend on our ability in the future to generate cash from operations, financings, and asset sales. Due to the global nature of our operations, a significant portion of our cash is generated and held outside the United States. Our cash and cash equivalents totaled $111.7 million and $63.4 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Of these amounts, cash held by our non-U.S. operations totaled $75.7 million and $55.6 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
As a result of U.S. tax reform, the $75.7 million held by our non-U.S. operations was subject to current tax in the U.S. in 2017. As of December 31, 2017, we had not repatriated any of these funds to the U.S. However, to the extent we repatriate these funds to the U.S., we will be required to pay income taxes in certain U.S. states and applicable foreign withholding taxes on those amounts during the period when such repatriation occurs.
Management will continue to reassess our need to repatriate the earnings of our foreign subsidiaries.
Cash Flow Summary
Cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities as reflected in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and are presented on a consolidated basis (includes discontinuing operations). Cash flows are summarized in the following table:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Years Ended December 31, |
(in millions) | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
Net cash flows provided by (used in): | | | | | | |
Operating activities | | $ | 92.9 |
| | $ | 107.5 |
| | $ | 78.4 |
|
Investing activities | | 69.5 |
| | 5.9 |
| | (95.2 | ) |
Financing activities | | (117.9 | ) | | (109.9 | ) | | 26.1 |
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | | 1.0 |
| | (0.6 | ) | | (1.2 | ) |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 45.5 |
| | $ | 2.9 |
| | $ | 8.1 |
|
Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities in 2017 decreased $14.6 million compared to 2016, primarily due to a higher investment in adjusted working capital (a non-GAAP measure calculated as receivables, net of allowances, plus inventories, less accounts payable) of $57.9 million, partially offset by lower cash operating expenses. During 2017, inventories increased to support the launch of new handsets at our largest customer and in conjunction with the transfer of certain hearing health production from China to our facility in the Philippines.
Cash provided by operating activities in 2016 increased $29.1 million compared to 2015, primarily due to beneficial changes in deferred taxes and a lower investment in adjusted working capital (a non-GAAP measure calculated as receivables, net of allowances, plus net inventories, less accounts payable) of $17.0 million.
Investing Activities
Cash provided by and used in investing activities results primarily from cash inflows from the sale of a business and outflows for capital expenditures, acquisitions, and investment activity.
Capital spending. Capital expenditures, primarily to support capacity expansion, innovation and cost savings, were $51.6 million, $38.7 million, and $63.1 million, for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. The largest drivers of the capital expenditures have been related to investments in new product launches, ongoing investments in MEMS manufacturing capacity expansion to support growth in the handset and IoT markets, and manufacturing footprint optimization projects. The cash used in investing activities during 2017 was driven by capital expenditures to support our manufacturing capacity expansion and the Capacitors Acquisition. The reduction in capital spending in 2016 is primarily due to the sale of the Speaker and Receiver Product Line during 2016.
Sales of business, acquisitions, and investments. We received net proceeds of $123.1 million from the sale of our Timing Device Business during the year ended December 31, 2017. We received net proceeds of $40.6 million from the sale of our Speaker and Receiver Product Line during the year ended December 31, 2016. We paid $35.1 million, net of cash acquired during the year ended December 31, 2015 to acquire Audience. We also received proceeds of $4.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2015 from the sale of investments, which were part of the acquisition of Audience.
Financing Activities
Cash used in financing activities during 2017 is primarily related to the $118.5 million principal payment on our term loan and the $5.1 million payment of taxes related to net share settlement of equity awards, partially offset by net borrowings under our revolving credit facility of $5.7 million and the $3.3 million of proceeds received for option exercises. Cash used in financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily related to $166.5 million in principal payments on our term loan, a $44.5 million purchase of convertible note hedges, $100.0 million in net payments on our revolving credit facility, and $6.7 million of debt issuance costs, partially offset by proceeds of $172.5 million from the issuance of the Notes and the $39.1 million of proceeds from the issuance of warrants. Cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2015 primarily related to $45.0 million in additional net borrowings under our revolving credit facility, partially offset by the $15.0 million in scheduled principal payments on our term loan. For additional information on our debt, see Note 11. Borrowings to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Free Cash Flow
In addition to measuring our cash flow generation and usage based upon the operating, investing, and financing classifications included in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, we also measure free cash flow and free cash flow as a percentage of revenues. Free cash flow is calculated as cash flow provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. Our management believes these measures are useful in measuring our cash generated from operations that is available to repay debt, pay dividends, fund acquisitions, and repurchase Knowles’ common stock. Free cash flow and free cash flow as a percentage of revenues are not presented in accordance with GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies in our industry. As such, free cash flow and free cash flow as a percentage of revenues should not be considered in isolation from, or as an alternative to, any other liquidity measures determined in accordance with GAAP.
Our businesses tend to have stronger revenues in the third and fourth quarters of each fiscal year. This is particularly true of those businesses that serve the consumer electronics market. Our businesses tend to have short product cycles due to the highly technical nature of the industries they serve, which can result in new OEM product launches that can impact quarterly revenues, earnings, and cash flow.
The following table reconciles our free cash flow to cash flow provided by operating activities: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | Years Ended December 31, |
Free Cash Flow | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
Cash flow provided by operating activities | | $ | 92.9 |
| | $ | 107.5 |
| | $ | 78.4 |
|
Less: Capital expenditures | | (51.6 | ) | | (38.7 | ) | | (63.1 | ) |
Free cash flow | | $ | 41.3 |
| | $ | 68.8 |
| | $ | 15.3 |
|
Free cash flow as a percentage of revenues | | 5.5 | % | | 9.1 | % | | 2.0 | % |
In 2017, we generated free cash flow of $41.3 million, representing 5.5% of revenues, compared to free cash flow in 2016 of $68.8 million, representing 9.1% of revenues and free cash flow in 2015 of $15.3 million, or 2.0% of revenues. The decrease in free cash flow in 2017 compared to 2016, was primarily due to increased capital expenditures to support our manufacturing capacity expansion and a higher investment in adjusted working capital, partially offset by lower cash operating expenses. The higher free cash flow in 2016 compared to 2015 was primarily due to lower losses from discontinued operations and lower capital investments in our discontinued operations.
In 2018, we expect capital expenditures to be in the range of 7.0% to 9.0% of revenues.
Contingent Obligations
We are involved in various legal proceedings, claims, and investigations arising in the normal course of business. Legal contingencies are discussed in Note 14. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
A summary of our contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2017 and the years when these obligations are expected to be due is as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Payments Due by Period |
(in millions) | | Total | | Less than 1 Year | | 1-3 Years | | 3-5 Years | | More than 5 Years |
Short-term and long-term debt (1) | | $ | 223.2 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 223.2 |
| | $ | — |
|
Operating leases (2) | | 59.9 |
| | 9.2 |
| | 17.0 |
| | 15.2 |
| | 18.5 |
|
Purchase obligations (3) | | 117.1 |
| | 117.1 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Capital leases (4) | | 17.3 |
| | 2.4 |
| | 4.8 |
| | 4.8 |
| | 5.3 |
|
Post-retirement benefits (5) | | 1.8 |
| | 1.8 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Income tax payable (6) | | 18.0 |
| | 0.1 |
| | 2.9 |
| | 2.9 |
| | 12.1 |
|
Total obligations | | $ | 437.3 |
| | $ | 130.6 |
| | $ | 24.7 |
| | $ | 246.1 |
| | $ | 35.9 |
|
|
|
(1) Relates to the maturity of indebtedness under our New Credit Facility due in October 2022 and our Notes due in November 2021. Does not give effect to any early repayment of or future amounts which may be drawn under the New Credit Facility. |
(2) Represents off-balance sheet commitments related to operating leases. See Note 14. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." |
(3) Represents off-balance sheet commitments for purchase obligations related to open purchase orders with our vendors. |
(4) Represents obligations related to capital leases. See Note 14. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." |
(5) Amounts represent estimated contributions under our subsidiary's non-U.S. defined benefit pension plan through 2027. See Note 15. Employee Benefit Plans to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." |
(6) The Tax Reform Act provided for a one-time deemed repatriation of post-1986 undistributed foreign subsidiary earnings and profits ("E&P") through the year ended December 31, 2017. The expected gross payable due to the Tax Reform Act is $25.9 million, which will be reduced by the use of approximately $7.9 million of existing deferred tax assets resulting in an $18.0 million net expected liability as of December 31, 2017. At this time, we are unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate of the timing of payments for uncertain tax positions in individual years beyond 12 months due to uncertainties in the timing of tax audit outcomes. See Note 12. Income Taxes to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." |
Borrowings
In May 2016, we issued $172.5 million aggregate principal amount of 3.25% convertible senior notes due November 1, 2021, unless earlier repurchased by us or converted pursuant to their terms. Interest is payable semiannually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing on November 1, 2016. The Notes are governed by an indenture (the "Indenture") between us, as issuer, and U.S. Bank National Association as trustee. Upon conversion, we will pay or deliver cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock, at our election. The initial conversion rate is 54.2741 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes. The initial conversion price is $18.4250 per share of common stock. The conversion rate will be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain specified events but will not be adjusted for accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, upon the occurrence of a make-whole fundamental change (as defined in the Indenture), we may be required, in certain circumstances, to increase the conversion rate by a number of additional shares for a holder that elects to convert the Notes in connection with such make-whole fundamental change.
On October 11, 2017, Knowles entered into the New Credit Facility which contains a five-year senior secured revolving credit facility providing for borrowings in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $400.0 million. The New Credit Facility replaced the Company's Prior Credit Facilities discussed in Note 11. Borrowings to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." Up to $100.0 million of the New Credit Facility will be available in Euro, Sterling, and other currencies requested by the Company and agreed to by each Lender and up to $50.0 million of the New Credit Facility will be made available in the form of letters of credit denominated in any currencies agreed by the issuing bank. The New Credit Facility serves as refinancing of indebtedness under and terminates the Prior Credit Facilities.
At any time during the term of the New Credit Facility, the Company will be permitted to increase the commitments under the New Credit Facility or to establish one or more incremental term loan facilities under the New Credit Facility in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $200.0 million for all such incremental facilities.
Commitments under the New Credit Facility will terminate, and loans outstanding thereunder will mature, on October 11, 2022; provided, that if all the Company’s 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes Due November 1, 2021 have not been repaid, refinanced and/or converted to common stock of the Company by April 30, 2021, then the commitments under the New Credit Facility will terminate, and the loans outstanding thereunder will mature, on such earlier date.
The interest rates under the New Credit Facility will be, at the Borrowers’ option (1) LIBOR (or, in the case of borrowings under the New Credit Facility denominated in Euro, EURIBOR) plus the rates per annum determined from time to time based on the total leverage ratio of the Company as of the end of and for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters for which financial statements have been delivered (the “Applicable Rate”); or (2) in the case of borrowings denominated in U.S. dollars, alternate base rate (“ABR”); provided, however, that any swingline borrowings shall bear interest at the rate applicable to ABR borrowings or, prior to the purchase of participations in such borrowings by the Lenders, at such other rate as shall be agreed between the Company and the swingline lender.
The interest rate under the New Credit Facility is variable based on LIBOR at the time of the borrowing and the Company’s leverage as measured by a total indebtedness to Consolidated EBITDA ratio. Based upon the Company’s total indebtedness to Consolidated EBITDA ratio, the Company’s borrowing rate could range from LIBOR + 1.25% to LIBOR + 2.25%. In addition, a commitment fee accrues on the average daily unused portion of the New Credit Facility at a rate of 0.20% to 0.35%.
We have the right to prepay borrowings under the facilities and to reduce the unutilized portion of the New Credit Facility, in each case, at any time without premium or penalty (except for Eurodollar breakage fees, if any). We are required to prepay borrowings under the term facility with 100% of the net cash proceeds of sales or dispositions of assets or other property (including, among others, the proceeds of issuances of equity interests by subsidiaries), subject to certain reinvestment rights and other exceptions. As we are exposed to market risk for changes in interest rates based on the structure of our indebtedness, we entered into an interest rate swap on November 12, 2014 to convert variable interest rate payments into a fixed rate on a notional amount of $100.0 million of debt for monthly interest payments starting in January 2016 and ending in July 2018. In December 2017, the Company entered into a partial termination of the interest rate swap and reduced the notional amount to $50.0 million.
The facilities contain customary covenants, which include, among others, limitations or restrictions on the incurrence of indebtedness, the incurrence of liens, entry into sales and leaseback transactions, mergers, transfers of all or substantially all assets, transactions with affiliates, and certain transactions limiting the ability of subsidiaries to pay dividends, in each case, subject to certain exceptions. The New Credit Facility includes requirements, to be tested quarterly, that the Company maintains (i) a minimum ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense of 3.25 to 1.0, (the "Interest Coverage Ratio"), (ii) a maximum ratio of Consolidated total indebtedness to Consolidated EBITDA of 3.75 to 1.0 ("the Leverage Ratio"), and (iii) a maximum ratio of senior secured indebtedness to Consolidated EBITDA of 3.25 to 1.0 (the "Senior Secured Leverage Ratio"). For these ratios, Consolidated EBITDA and consolidated interest expense are calculated using the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters in a manner defined in the New Credit Facility. At December 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with these covenants and it expects to remain in compliance with all of its debt covenants over the next twelve months.
Risk Management
We are exposed to certain market risks which exist as part of our ongoing business operations, including changes in currency exchange rates, the dependence on key customers, and price volatility for certain commodities. We do not engage in speculative or leveraged transactions and do not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes.
Foreign Currency Exposure
We conduct business through our subsidiaries in many different countries and fluctuations in currency exchange rates could have a significant impact on the reported results of operations, which are presented in U.S. dollars. A significant and growing portion of our products are manufactured in lower-cost locations and sold in various countries. Cross-border transactions, both with external parties and intercompany relationships, could result in increased foreign exchange exposures. A weakening of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar would adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of the Company’s foreign currency-denominated sales, but would be beneficial to the cost of materials, products, and services purchased overseas. A strengthening of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar would positively affect the U.S. dollar value of the Company’s foreign currency-denominated sales, but adversely would have a negative effect on the cost of materials, products, and services purchased overseas. Our foreign currency exposure is primarily driven by changes in the Chinese renminbi (yuan), the euro, the Malaysian ringgit, and the Philippine peso. Based on our current sales and manufacturing activity, a sustained 10% weakening of the U.S. dollar for a period of one year would reduce our operating results by approximately $17.9 million pre-tax.
Dependence on Key Customers; Concentration of Credit
The loss of any key customer and our inability to replace revenues provided by a key customer may have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, Apple Inc. accounted for approximately 19%, 20%, and 21% of our total revenues, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. accounted for 10%, 12%, and 11% of our total revenues, respectively. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of total revenues during these periods. If a key customer fails to meet payment obligations, our operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Commodity Pricing
We use a wide variety of raw materials, primarily metals, and semi-processed or finished components, which are generally available from a number of sources. While the required raw materials are generally available, commodity pricing for various precious metals, such as such as palladium, gold, brass, stainless steel, and copper, fluctuates. As a result, our operating results are exposed to such fluctuations. Although some cost increases may be recovered through increased prices to customers if commodity prices trend upward, we attempt to control such costs through fixed-price contracts with suppliers and various other programs, such as our global supply chain activities.
Interest Rates
A hypothetical 100 basis point change in interest rates affecting our external variable rate borrowings as of December 31, 2017 would be $0.2 million on a pre-tax basis. In 2014, we entered into a forward interest rate swap agreement to fix the interest rate on $100.0 million of our outstanding debt. In December 2017, we entered into a partial termination of the interest rate swap and reduced the notional amount to $50.0 million. The swap has been in effect since January 2016 and matures in July 2018, and the interest rate expense on the $50.0 million will be approximately $0.5 million on a pre-tax basis for the year ending December 31, 2018. Changes to variable interest rates during January 2018 through July 2018 will impact interest received on the notional amount of the swap.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our Consolidated Financial Statements are based on the application of GAAP. GAAP requires the use of estimates, assumptions, judgments, and subjective interpretations of accounting principles that have an impact on the assets, liabilities, revenues, and expense amounts we report. These estimates can also affect supplemental information contained in our public disclosures, including information regarding contingencies, risk, and our financial condition. The significant accounting policies used in the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements are discussed in Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." The accounting assumptions and estimates discussed in the section below are those that we consider most critical to an understanding of our financial statements because they inherently involve significant judgments and estimates. We believe our use of estimates and underlying accounting assumptions conforms to GAAP and is consistently applied. We review valuations based on estimates for reasonableness on a consistent basis.
Revenue Recognition: Revenue is recognized when all of the following conditions are satisfied: a) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, b) price is fixed or determinable, c) collectability is reasonably assured, and d) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered. The majority of our revenue is generated through the manufacture and sale of a broad range of specialized products and components, with revenue recognized upon transfer of title and risk of loss. We do not have significant service revenue or multiple deliverable arrangements. We recognize third-party licensing or royalty income as revenue over the related contract term. Revenue is recognized net of customer discounts, rebates, and returns. Rebates are recognized over the contract period based on expected revenue levels. Sales discounts and rebates totaled $9.1 million, $8.7 million, and $9.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. Returns and allowances totaled $8.5 million, $5.1 million, and $6.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.
See Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for information regarding the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Accounting Standards Updates on revenue recognition, which will be adopted by the Company on January 1, 2018.
Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, determined on the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") basis. The value of inventory may decline as a result of surplus inventory, price reductions, or technological obsolescence. It is the Company’s policy to carry reserves against the carrying value of inventory when items have no future demand (obsolete inventory) and additionally, where inventory items on hand have demand, yet have insufficient forecasted activity to consume the entire stock within a reasonable period. It is the Company’s policy to carry reserves against the carrying value of such at-risk inventory items after considering the nature of the risk and any mitigating factors.
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Assets: Goodwill represents the excess of purchase consideration over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill and certain other intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives (primarily trademarks) are not amortized. Instead, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. The Company conducts its annual impairment evaluation in the fourth quarter of each year on October 1. Recoverability of goodwill is measured at the reporting unit level. The Company identified four reporting units for its annual goodwill impairment test. Following the sale of the Timing Device Business, the Company has three reporting units. The test compares the fair value of each reporting unit using a discounted cash flow method to its carrying value. Impairment is measured as the amount by which the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. This method uses the Company’s market participant assumptions including projections of future cash flows, determinations of appropriate discount rates, and other assumptions which are considered reasonable and inherent in the discounted cash flow analysis. The projections are based on historical performance and future estimated results. These assumptions require significant judgment and actual results may differ from estimated amounts. The fair value of all of the Company’s reporting units exceeded the carrying values by at least 40%, resulting in no goodwill impairment charges. Potential circumstances that could have a negative effect on the fair value of our reporting units include, but are not limited to, lower than forecasted growth rates or profit margins and changes in the weighted average cost of capital. A reduction in the estimated fair value of the reporting units could trigger an impairment in the future. The Company cannot predict the occurrence of certain events or changes in circumstances that might adversely affect the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets.
In testing its other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment, the Company uses a relief from royalty method to calculate and compare the fair value of the intangible asset to its carrying value. This method estimates the fair value of trademarks by calculating the present value of royalty income that could hypothetically be earned by licensing the trademark to a third party over the remaining useful life. Any excess of carrying value over the estimated fair value is recognized as an impairment loss. No impairment of indefinite-lived intangibles was indicated for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, or 2015.
See Note 7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for additional information on goodwill and indefinite-lived assets.
Other Intangible and Long-Lived Assets: Other intangible assets with determinable lives consist primarily of customer relationships, unpatented technology, patents, and trademarks and are amortized over their estimated useful lives, historically ranging from 5 to 15 years. We rely on patents and proprietary technology, and seek patent protection for products and production methods. We capitalize external legal costs incurred in the defense of our patents when we believe that a significant, discernible increase in value will result from the defense and a successful outcome of the legal action is probable. These costs are amortized over the remaining estimated useful life of the patent, which is typically 7 to 10 years. We assess future economic benefit and/or the successful outcome of legal action related to patent defense, which involves considerable management judgment and a different outcome could result in material write-offs of the carrying value of these assets. During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we capitalized no legal costs related to the defense of its patents. For the year ending December 31, 2015, we capitalized $0.5 million in legal costs related to the defense of its patents.
Long-lived assets (including intangible assets with determinable lives) are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If an indicator of impairment exists for any grouping of assets, an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows is produced and compared to its carrying value. If an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value as determined by an estimate of discounted future cash flows.
During 2015, we recorded a pre-tax impairment charge of $191.5 million resulting from the carrying value of the Speaker and Receiver Product Line’s net assets being greater than the fair market value. In addition, we identified other asset impairments related to the Speaker and Receiver Product Line of $4.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2015. See Note 2. Disposed and Discontinued Operations for additional details.
During 2017, we recorded pre-tax impairment charges of $21.3 million, of which $5.1 million was related to fixed assets and $16.2 million was related to intangible assets, resulting from an updated strategic plan that was completed for Audio segment product lines. The updated strategic plan identified a decline of future demand for a specific product line, which indicated projected future cash flows may not be sufficient to recover the carrying value of the associated unpatented technologies and property, plant, and equipment assets. See Note 4. Impairments for additional details.
During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, we recorded impairments and other charges related to its continuing operations of $0.5 million, and $5.6 million, respectively. See Note 4. Impairments for additional details.
Income Taxes and Deferred Tax Balances: We record a provision for income taxes for the anticipated tax consequences of the reported results of operations using the asset and liability method. Under this method, we recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, as well as for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates that are expected to apply to taxable income for the years in which those tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce deferred tax assets to the net amount that is more likely than not to be realized.
We establish valuation allowances for our deferred tax assets if, based on all available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In making such assessments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. The assessment of the need for a valuation allowance requires considerable judgment on the part of management with respect to the benefits that could be realized from future taxable income, as well as other positive and negative factors.
We have evaluated our deferred tax assets for each of the reporting periods, including an assessment of cumulative income over the prior three-year period. Since we are in a cumulative loss position in the U.S., there is significant negative evidence that impairs the ability to rely on projections of future income. Due to a lack of significant positive evidence and cumulative losses in the respective prior three-year periods, a valuation allowance was required for the 2017, 2016, and 2015 periods. The existing valuation allowance was reduced as a result of income recognized under the Internal Revenue Code Section 965 tax on foreign deferred earnings and changes to the net operating loss carryforward periods, allowing the use of existing deferred tax liabilities to reduce existing valuation allowances.
We recognize tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if we believe that it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. Adjustments are made to these reserves when facts and circumstances change, such as the closing of a tax audit or the refinement of an estimate. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences will affect the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made and could have a material impact on our financial condition and operating results. The provision for income taxes includes the effects of any reserves that are believed to be appropriate, as well as the related net interest and penalties. The effective tax rates on a continuing operations basis for 2017, 2016, and 2015 were 66.5%, 29.5%, and 15.5%, respectively.
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Reform Act was enacted, which significantly changes U.S. tax law by, among other things, lowering corporate income tax rates, implementing a territorial tax system, and imposing a repatriation tax on deemed repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The Tax Reform Act permanently reduces the U.S. corporate income tax rate from a maximum of 35% to a flat 21% rate, effective January 1, 2018. The Tax Reform Act also provided for a one-time deemed repatriation of post-1986 undistributed foreign subsidiary E&P through the year ended December 31, 2017. The Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income ("GILTI") provisions of the Tax Reform Act also require us to include in our U.S. income tax return foreign subsidiary earnings in excess of an allowable return on the foreign subsidiary’s tangible assets. We expect that we will be subject to incremental U.S. tax on GILTI income beginning in 2018. We have elected to account for GILTI tax in the period in which it is incurred, and therefore have not provided any deferred tax impacts of GILTI in our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," for the year ended December 31, 2017.
On December 22, 2017, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Reform Act. We have recognized the provisional tax impacts related to deemed repatriated earnings, the change in beginning of year valuation allowance, and the benefit for the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and included these amounts in our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," for the year ended December 31, 2017. The final impact may differ from these provisional amounts, possibly materially, due to, among other things, additional analysis, changes in interpretations and assumptions we made, additional regulatory guidance that may be issued, and actions we may take as a result of the Tax Reform Act. In accordance with SAB 118 the financial reporting impact of the Tax Reform Act will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2018.
Accruals and Reserves: We have accruals and reserves that require the use of estimates and judgment with regard to risk exposure and ultimate liability. We estimate losses under these programs using certain factors, which include but are not limited to, actuarial assumptions, our experience, and relevant industry data. We review these factors quarterly and consider the current level of accruals and reserves adequate relative to current market conditions and experience. Most recently, we have established liabilities for restructuring activities, in accordance with appropriate accounting principles. These liabilities, for both severance and exit costs, require the use of estimates. Though we believe that these estimates accurately reflect the anticipated costs, actual results may be different than the estimated amounts.
Stock-Based Compensation: The principal awards issued under the stock-based compensation plans include stock options, restricted stock units, and performance share units ("PSUs"). The cost for such awards is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award. The value of the portion of the award that is expected to ultimately vest is generally recognized as expense on a straight-line basis, generally over the explicit service period and is included in Cost of goods sold, Research and development expenses, and Selling and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings, depending on the functional area of the underlying employees.
We use the Black-Scholes valuation model to estimate the fair value of stock options granted to employees. The fair value of each restricted stock unit granted is equal to the share price at the date of the grant. The fair value of the PSUs is determined by using a binomial model simulation. At the time of grant, we estimate forfeitures, based on historical experience, in order to estimate the portion of the award that will ultimately vest. See Note 13. Equity Incentive Program to our Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for additional information related to our stock-based compensation.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The information required by this section is incorporated by reference to the section “Risk Management,” included in Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Knowles Corporation:
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Knowles Corporation and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive earnings, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, including the related notes and schedule of valuation and qualifying accounts for each of the three years in the period ending December 31, 2017 appearing under Item 8 (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 20, 2018
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2013.
KNOWLES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(in millions, except share and per share amounts)
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| Years Ended December 31, |
| 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
Revenues | $ | 744.2 |
| | $ | 755.7 |
| | $ | 753.6 |
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Cost of goods sold | 452.5 |
| | 458.0 |
| | 465.8 |
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Impairment charges | 1.4 |
| | 0.3 |
| | 3.3 |
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Restructuring charges - cost of goods sold | 4.0 |
| | 1.5 |
| | 2.7 |
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Gross profit | 286.3 |
| | 295.9 |
| | 281.8 |
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Research and development expenses | 93.4 |
| | 92.0 |
| | 83.2 |
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Selling and administrative expenses | 126.3 |
| | 149.9 |
| | 149.7 |
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Impairment charges | 19.9 |
| | 0.2 |
| | 2.3 |
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Restructuring charges | 6.2 |
| | 8.6 |
| | 11.6 |
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Operating expenses | 245.8 |
| | 250.7 |
| | 246.8 |
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Operating earnings | 40.5 |
| | 45.2 |
| | 35.0 |
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Interest expense, net | 20.6 |
| | 20.4 |
| | 12.7 |
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Other expense (income), net | 0.5 |
| | (3.3 | ) | | 1.7 |
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Earnings before income taxes and discontinued operations | 19.4 |
| | 28.1 |
| | 20.6 |
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Provision for income taxes | 12.9 |
| | 8.3 |
| | 3.2 |
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Earnings from continuing operations | 6.5 |
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| 19.8 |
| | 17.4 |
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Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net | 61.8 |
| | (62.1 | ) | | (251.2 | ) |
Net earnings (loss) | $ | 68.3 |
| | $ | (42.3 | ) | | $ | (233.8 | ) |
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Earnings per share from continuing operations: | | | | | |
Basic | $ | 0.07 |
| | $ | 0.22 |
| | $ | 0.20 |
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Diluted | $ | 0.07 |
| | $ | 0.22 |
| | $ | 0.20 |
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Earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations: | | | | | |
Basic | $ | 0.69 |
| | $ | (0.70 | ) | | $ | (2.89 | ) |
Diluted | $ | 0.68 |
| | $ | (0.69 | ) | | $ | (2.89 | ) |
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Net earnings (loss) per share: | | | | | |
Basic | $ | 0.76 |
| | $ | (0.48 | ) | | $ | (2.69 | ) |
Diluted | $ | 0.75 |
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