Item 1. Business.
(a)
General Development of Business
Gentex Corporation (the Company) designs and manufactures automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and electronics for the automotive industry, dimmable aircraft windows for the aviation industry, and commercial smoke alarms and signaling devices for the fire protection industry. The Company’s largest business segment involves designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing interior and exterior automatic-dimming automotive rearview mirrors that utilize proprietary electrochromic technology to dim in proportion to the amount of headlight glare from trailing vehicle headlamps. Within this business segment, the Company also designs, develops and manufactures various electronics features that are value added features to the interior and exterior automotive rearview mirrors as well as interior visors and overhead consoles. The Company ships its products to all of the major automotive producing regions worldwide, which it supports with numerous sales, engineering and distribution locations worldwide.
The Company was organized as a Michigan corporation in 1974 to manufacture smoke detectors, a product line that has since evolved to include a variety of fire protection products. In 1982, the Company introduced an interior electro-mechanical automatic-dimming rearview mirror as an alternative to the manual day/night rearview mirrors for automotive applications. In 1987, the Company introduced an interior electrochromic automatic-dimming rearview mirror for automotive applications. In 1991, the Company introduced an exterior electrochromic automatic-dimming rearview mirror for automotive applications. In 1997, the Company began making volume shipments of three new exterior mirror sub-assembly products: thin glass flat, convex and aspheric. In 2005, the Company began making volume shipments of its new bezel-free exterior automatic-dimming mirror. In 2005, the Company announced, and in 2010 began delivering electrochromic dimmable aircraft windows for the aviation industry. In 2013, the Company acquired HomeLink®, a wireless vehicle/home communications product that enables drivers to remotely activate garage door openers, entry door locks, home lighting, security systems, entry gates and other radio frequency convenience products for automotive applications, wherein the Company had previously been a licensee of HomeLink® and had been, since 2003, integrating HomeLink® into its interior automatic-dimming rearview mirrors. In 2015, the Company began making volume shipments of the Full Display Mirror, which is an on-demand, mirror-borne LCD display that streams live, panoramic video of the vehicle's rearward view in order to improve driver rear vision. Also in 2015, the Company signed an exclusive agreement in the ordinary course of business with TransCore to integrate TransCore's Universal Toll Module™ ("UTM") technology into its interior automatic-dimming rearview mirrors. The interior mirror is the optimal location for a vehicle-integrated toll transponder and it eliminates the need to affix multiple toll tags to the windshield. Automotive revenues represent approximately 98% of the Company's total revenue, consisting of interior and exterior electrochromic automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and automotive electronics.
(b)
Financial Information About Segments
See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements filed with this report.
(c)
Narrative Description of Business
The Company is a supplier of automatic-dimming and non-automatic-dimming rearview interior and exterior mirrors and electronics to the automotive industry, dimmable aircraft windows for aviation markets, and fire protection products to the fire protection market.
Automotive Products
Automotive Rearview Mirrors and Electronics. Automotive applications are the largest business segment for the Company, consisting of interior and exterior electrochromic automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and automotive electronics. The Company manufactures interior electrochromic automatic-dimming rearview mirrors that darken to reduce glare and improve visibility for the driver. These electronic interior mirrors can also include additional electronic features such as compass, microphones, HomeLink®, lighting assist and driver assist forward safety camera systems, various lighting systems, various telematics systems, universal toll modules, and a wide variety of displays. The Company also ships interior non-automatic-dimming rearview mirrors with features.
The Company’s interior electrochromic automatic-dimming rearview mirrors also power the application of the Company’s exterior electrochromic automatic-dimming rearview mirrors that darken to reduce glare and improve visibility for the driver. These electronic exterior mirrors typically range in size and shape per automaker specification, but also include additional features such as turn signal indicators, side blind zone indicators, and courtesy lighting. The Company also ships exterior non-automatic-dimming rearview mirrors with similar electronic features available in its automatic-dimming applications.
The Company manufactures other automotive electronics products both inside and outside of the rearview mirror through HomeLink® applications in the vehicle including the rearview mirror, interior visor, overhead console, or center console.
The Company produces rearview mirrors and electronics for automotive passenger cars, light trucks, pick-up trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) worldwide, tier one automotive mirror manufacturers worldwide, and various aftermarket and accessory customers. Automotive rearview mirrors and electronics accounted for 98% of the Company’s consolidated net sales in 2015.
The Company is the leading manufacturer of electrochromic automatic-dimming rearview mirrors in the world, and is the dominant supplier to the automotive industry. Competitors for automotive rearview mirrors include Magna International, YH America, Inc., BYD Auto Company, Murakami Kaimeido Company, Steelmate, Tokai Rika Company, Ningbo Kingband, and Beijing Sincode. The Company also supplies electrochromic automatic-dimming rearview mirrors to certain of these rearview mirror competitors.
Automotive Rearview Mirrors and Electronics Product Development. The Company continually seeks to develop new products and is currently working to introduce additional advanced-feature automatic-dimming mirrors. Advanced-feature automatic-dimming mirrors currently being offered by the Company include, SmartBeam® and certain driver-assist features, HomeLink®, frameless mirror designs, LED map lamps, compass and temperature displays, telematics, universal toll modules, hands free communication, as well as Rear Camera Display (RCD) and Full Display (FDM) interior mirrors, proprietary exterior turn signals, side blind zone indicators and various other exterior mirror features that improve safety and field of view.
Automotive Rearview Mirrors and Electronics Markets and Marketing. In North America, Europe and Asia, the Company markets its products primarily through a direct sales force through its sales and engineering offices located in, Germany, UK, Sweden, France, Japan, Korea and China, as well as its headquarters in Michigan. The Company generally supplies automatic-dimming mirrors and mirrors with advanced electronic features to its customers worldwide under annual blanket purchase orders with customers, as well as under long-term agreements with certain customers, entered into in the ordinary course of the Company's business.
The Company is currently supplying mirrors and electronics modules for Audi, BMW, Daimler, FCA Group, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai/Kia, Infiniti, Jaguar/Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Opel, PSA Group, Renault, Rolls Royce, SAIC, SEAT, Skoda, Subaru, Suzuki, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo.
The Company’s automatic-dimming mirror unit shipment mix by region has significantly changed over the past ten years. The following is a breakdown of unit shipment mix by region in 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2005 calendar years:
(1) European and Asian based automakers with automotive production plants in North America.
Revenues by major geographic area are disclosed in Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Historically, new safety and comfort and convenience options have entered the original equipment automotive market at relatively low rates on “top of the line” or luxury model automobiles. As the selection rates for the options on the luxury models increase, they generally become available on more models throughout the product line. The ongoing trend of domestic and foreign automakers is to offer several options as a package. The Company believes that its automatic-dimming mirrors with and without advanced features will be offered in more option rate packages, and continue to be available on more small and mid-size vehicle models as consumer awareness of these safety and comfort and convenience features continues to grow, and as the Company continues its efforts to make automakers aware of the Company's technology available on competitive vehicle platforms.
Automotive Rearview Mirrors and Electronics Competition. The Company continues to be the leading producer of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors in the world and currently is the dominant supplier to the automotive industry with an approximate 91% market share worldwide in 2015 and an approximate 90% market share in 2014. While the Company believes it will retain a dominant position in automatic-dimming rearview mirrors for some time, another U.S. manufacturer, Magna Mirrors, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Magna International, continues to compete for sales to domestic and foreign vehicle manufacturers and is supplying a number of domestic and foreign vehicle models with its versions of electrochromic mirrors and may have considerably more resources available to it. As such, Magna Mirrors may present a formidable competitive threat. The Company also continues to sell automatic-dimming exterior mirror sub-assemblies to Magna Mirrors. In addition, a Japanese manufacturer (Tokai Rika) is currently supplying a few vehicle models in Japan with solid-state electrochromic mirrors. There are also a small number of Chinese domestic mirror suppliers that are marketing and selling automatic-dimming rearview mirrors, in low volume, within the domestic China automotive market. However, the Company believes that these Chinese domestic mirror suppliers do not currently meet global automotive grade specifications.
On September 27, 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of HomeLink®. Currently, the Company is the sole supplier of wireless in-vehicle communication devices to the automotive industry for communication with garages, gates, parking barriers, and certain home automation products. HomeLink® business continues to be awarded to the Company either through its automatic-dimming rearview mirrors, or through HomeLink® electronic modules which are integrated into other areas of the automobile (i.e. visors, overhead consoles, and center consoles). In 2014, the Company announced HomeLink ® for applications for alternative automobiles and vehicle types which include but are not limited to motorcycles, mopeds, snowmobiles, tractors, combines, lawn mowers, loaders, bulldozers, road-graders, backhoes and golf carts. These product developments will utilize the market leading HomeLink ® V system of communication to the home, door locks, garage doors, gates, lights, security systems, and an increasing array of home automation products. The Company believes it is being awarded virtually all business in this area and while the Company believes it continues to maintain a competitive advantage in this area, the increased focus on vehicle and home connectivity through other devices, represents a longer term competitive threat.
The Company believes its electrochromic automatic-dimming mirrors and mirrors with advanced electronic features offer significant performance advantages over competing products and the Company makes significant research and development investments to continue to increase and improve the performance advantages of its products.
There are numerous other companies in the world conducting research on various technologies, including electrochromics, for controlling light transmission and reflection. The Company currently believes that the electrochromic materials and manufacturing process it uses for automotive mirrors remains the most efficient and cost-effective way to produce such products. While automatic-dimming mirrors using other technologies may eliminate glare, the Company currently believes that each of these technologies have inherent cost or performance limitations as compared to the Company's technologies.
As the Company continues to expand its automatic-dimming mirror products with additional advanced electronic features and expands the capabilities of its CMOS imager technology for additional features (i.e. driver-assist features, rear video camera, etc.), the Company recognizes that it is competing with considerably larger and more geographically diverse electronics companies that could present a formidable competitive threat in the future as new products/features are brought to market.
Fire Protection Products
The Company manufactures photoelectric smoke detectors and alarms, visual signaling alarms, photoelectric smoke detectors and electrochemical carbon monoxide alarms, electrochemical carbon monoxide detectors and alarms, audible and visual signaling alarms, and bells and speakers for use in fire detection systems in office buildings, hotels, and other commercial and residential establishments.
Markets and Marketing. The Company’s fire protection products are sold directly to fire protection and security product distributors under the Company’s brand name, to electrical wholesale houses, and to original equipment manufacturers of fire protection systems under both the Company’s brand name and private labels. The Company markets its fire protection products primarily in North America, but also globally through regional sales managers and manufacturer representative organizations.
Competition. The fire protection products industry is highly competitive in terms of both the smoke detectors and signaling appliance markets. The Company estimates that it competes principally with eight manufacturers of smoke detection products for commercial use and approximately four manufacturers within the residential market, three of which produce photoelectric smoke detectors. In the signaling appliance markets, the Company estimates it competes with approximately seven manufacturers. While the Company faces significant competition in the sale of smoke detectors and signaling appliances, it believes that the introduction of new products, improvements to its existing products, its diversified product line, and the availability of special features will permit the Company to maintain its competitive position.
Dimmable Aircraft Windows
The Company previously announced that it would provide variably dimmable windows for the passenger compartment on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner Series of Aircraft. The Company continues to ship parts for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner Series of Aircraft.
Markets and Marketing. The Company markets its variably dimmable windows to aircraft manufacturers globally.
Competition. The Company’s variably dimmable aircraft windows are the first commercialized product of its type for original equipment installation in the aircraft industry. Other manufacturers are working to develop and sell competing products utilizing other technology in the aircraft industry for aftermarket or original equipment installation.
The Company’s success with electrochromic technology provides potential opportunities for other commercial applications, which the Company expects to explore in the future when and as the Company feels it is in its best interests to do so.
Trademarks and Patents
The Company owns 29 U.S. Registered Trademarks and 533 U.S. Patents, of which 22 Registered Trademarks and 491 patents relate to electrochromic technology, automotive rearview mirrors, microphones, displays, cameras, sensor technology, and/or HomeLink® products. These patents expire at various times between 2016 and 2034. The Company believes that these patents provide the Company a competitive advantage in its markets, although no single patent is necessarily required for the success of the Company's products.
The Company also owns 175 foreign Registered Trademarks and 687 foreign patents, of which 167 Registered Trademarks and 607 patents relate to electrochromic technology, automotive rearview mirrors, microphones, displays, cameras, sensor technology, and/or HomeLink® products. These patents expire at various times between 2016 and 2040. The Company believes that the competitive advantage derived in the relevant foreign markets for these patents is comparable to that experienced in the U.S. market.
The Company owns 7 U.S. Registered Trademarks, 16 U.S. Patents, 18 foreign Registered Trademarks, and 11 foreign patents that relate to the Company’s fire protection products. The US Patents expire between 2017 and 2032, while the foreign patents expire between 2020 and 2030. The Company believes that the competitive advantage provided by these patents is relatively small.
The Company owns 26 U.S. Patents and 15 foreign patents that relate specifically to the Company’s variable dimmable windows. The U.S. Patents expire between 2016 and 2034, while the foreign patents expire between 2021 and 2027.
The Company also has in process 244 U.S. patent applications, 217 foreign patent applications, and 45 Trademark applications. The Company continuously seeks to improve its core technologies and apply those technologies to new and existing products. As those efforts produce patentable inventions, the Company expects to file appropriate patent applications.
In addition, the Company periodically obtains intellectual property rights, in the ordinary course of the Company's business, to strengthen its intellectual property portfolio and minimize potential risks of infringement.
Miscellaneous
The Company considers itself to be engaged in the manufacture and sale of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors, non- automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and electronics for the automotive industry, fire protection products for the fire protection industry and variable dimmable windows for the aircraft industry. The Company has several important customers within the automotive industry, three of which each account for 10% or more of the Company's net sales in 2015 (including direct sales to OEM customers and sales through their Tier 1 suppliers): Volkswagen Group, Toyota Motor Company, and Ford Motor Company. The loss of any of these customers (or certain other significant customers) could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, and/or results of operations. The Company’s backlog of unshipped orders was $428.2 million and $368.2 million at February 1, 2016, and 2015, respectively.
At February 1, 2016, the Company had 4,757 full-time employees. None of the Company’s employees are represented by a labor union or other collective bargaining representative. The Company believes that its relations with its employees are in good standing.
(d)
Financial Information About Geographic Areas
See “Markets and Marketing” in Narrative Description of Business (Item 1(c)) and Note 7 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for certain information regarding geographic areas.
(e)
Available Information
The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports, will be made available, free of charge, through the Investor Information section of the Company’s Internet website (http://ir.gentex.com) as soon as practicable after such materials are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC maintains an Internet website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issues that a company files electronically with the SEC.
Item 1A.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements. This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The statements contained in this communication that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give the Company’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “goal”, “hope”, “may”, “plan”, “project”, “will”, and variations of such words and similar expressions. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that are often difficult to predict and beyond the Company’s control, and could cause the Company’s results to differ materially from those described. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, changes in general industry or regional market conditions; changes in consumer and customer preferences for our products; our ability to be awarded new business; continued uncertainty in pricing negotiations with customers; loss of business from increased competition; customer bankruptcies or divestiture of customer brands; fluctuation in vehicle production schedules; changes in product mix; raw material shortages; higher raw material, fuel, energy and other costs; unfavorable fluctuations in currencies or interest rates in the regions in which we operate; costs or difficulties related to the integration of any new or acquired technologies and businesses; changes in regulatory conditions; warranty and recall claims and other litigation and customer reactions thereto; possible adverse results of pending or future litigation or infringement claims; negative impact of any governmental investigations and associated litigations including securities litigations relating to the conduct of our business. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law or the rules of the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
The following risk factors, together with all other information provided in this Annual Report on Form 10-K should be carefully considered.
Automotive Industry. 98% of our net sales are to customers within the automotive industry. The automotive industry has always been cyclical and highly impacted by levels of economic activity. The current economic environment, while improving, continues to be uncertain (especially in Europe and the Japan and Korean markets, which collectively are larger for us than North America as shipping destinations) and continues to cause increased financial and production stresses evidenced by volatile production levels, volatility with customer orders, supplier part shortages, automotive
plant shutdowns, customer and supplier financial issues/bankruptcies, commodity material cost increases, consumer preference shift to smaller vehicles, where we have a lower penetration rate and lower content per vehicle, and supply chain stresses. If automotive customers (including their Tier 1 suppliers) and suppliers experience bankruptcies, work stoppages, strikes, part shortages, etc., it could disrupt our shipments to these customers, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations.
Automakers continue to experience volatility and uncertainty in executing planned new programs which result in delays or cancellations of new vehicle platforms, package configurations, and inaccurate volume forecasts. This challenge makes it difficult for us to forecast future sales and manage costs, inventory, capital, engineering, research and development, and human resource investments.
Key Customers. We have a number of large customers, including three automotive customers which each account for 10% or more of our annual net sales in 2015 (including direct sales to OEM customers and sales through their Tier 1 suppliers): Volkswagen Group, Toyota Motor Company, and Ford Motor Company. The loss of all or a substantial portion of the sales to, or decreases in production by, any of these customers (or certain other significant customers) could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations.
Pricing Pressures. We continue to experience on-going pricing pressures from our automotive customers and competitors, which have affected, and which will continue to affect our profit margins to the extent that we are unable to offset the price reductions with engineering and purchasing cost reductions, productivity improvements, increases in unit shipments of mirrors and electronics with advanced features, each of which pose an ongoing challenge, which could adversely impact our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations.
Competition. We recognize that Magna Mirrors, our main competitor and wholly-owned subsidiary of Magna International, may have considerably more resources available to it, and may present a formidable competitive threat.
On March 31, 2014, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a final rule requiring rearview video systems in U.S. light vehicles by May 1, 2018, with a phase-in schedule requirement of 10% of vehicles after May 2016, 40% of vehicles after May 2017, and 100% of vehicles after May 2018. In this release, NHTSA estimated that 57% of model year 2014 vehicles already have a rear video system, and that even without a final rule, 73% of the vehicles sold into North America would have already included a rearview video system by 2018. This NHTSA ruling, as is indicated from the percentage of U.S. vehicles already having a rearview video solution, does not currently indicate an immediate opportunity for new Rear Camera Display (RCD) mirror applications for the Company. Customer opportunities may exist by the time the 100% requirement is in place, but there is no certainty in this regard. The Company’s rear camera display mirror application meets all the technical requirements of the NHTSA ruling when installed in a vehicle and appropriately paired with an OEM specified camera. The NHTSA ruling that rearview video systems are required has increased competition for systems capable of rear video in a variety of locations in the vehicle. Our Rear Camera Display (RCD) mirror application has and will continue to be affected by this increased competition.
Our SmartBeam® product is a driver-assist feature for headlamp lighting control that competes with other multiple-function driver-assist features that include headlamp lighting control as one of the multiple functions. While we believe SmartBeam® is a low cost solution for a safety feature that makes nighttime driving safer by maximizing a vehicle's high-beam usage, competition from multiple-function driver-assist products could impact the long-term success of SmartBeam®. As we continue to expand the capabilities of our CMOS imager technology for additional driver-assist features, we recognize that we are competing against multiple-function driver-assist technologies that have presented and will continue to present a competitive threat for SmartBeam®.
Our CMOS imager technology when used as a rearward facing automotive video camera is a video camera that competes with other commercially available automotive video cameras. While we believe our video camera, when combined with our display mirror products, produces a higher dynamic range than other commercially available automotive video cameras, we recognize other technologies are highly competitive and these features are price sensitive. Our ability to market and sell our products may be affected by the high level of competition in this market.
On March 31, 2014 the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to allow automakers to use cameras as an option to replace conventional rearview mirrors within North America, however, no final ruling or legislation was made in response to this petition. In November 2015, a revision to UN-ECE Regulation 46 was approved, which would allow camera monitor systems to replace mirrors within European countries. The revision will enter into force in mid-to-late 2016. Rearview mirrors provide a robust, simple and cost effective means to view the surrounding areas of a vehicle and are the primary safety function for rear vision today. Cameras when used as the primary rear vision delivery mechanism have some inherent limitations such as: electrical
failure; cameras being blocked or obstructed; depth perception challenges; and viewing angle of the camera. Nonetheless, the Company continues designing and manufacturing not only rearview mirrors, but CMOS imager cameras and video displays as well. The Company believes that combining video displays with mirrors may well provide a safer overall product by addressing all driving conditions in a single solution that can be controlled by the driver. The Company also continues to develop in the areas of camera imager performance, camera dynamic range, lens design, image processing from the camera to the display, and camera lens cleaning. The Company acknowledges that as such technology evolves over time, there could be increased competition.
Business Combinations. We anticipate that acquisitions of businesses and assets may play a role in our future growth. We cannot be certain that we will be able to identify attractive acquisition targets, obtain financing for acquisitions on satisfactory terms, successfully acquire identified targets or manage timing of acquisitions with capital obligations across our businesses. Additionally, we may not be successful in integrating acquired businesses into our existing operations and achieving projected synergies. Competition for acquisition opportunities in the various industries in which we operate exists and may increase, thereby potentially increasing our costs of making acquisitions or causing us to refrain from making further acquisitions. We are also subject to applicable antitrust laws and must avoid anticompetitive behavior. These and other acquisition-related factors may negatively and adversely impact our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations.
Intellectual Property. We believe that our patents and trade secrets provide us with a competitive advantage in automotive rearview mirrors, variable dimmable windows, and electronics, although no single patent is necessarily required for the success of our products. The loss of any significant combination of patents and trade secrets regarding our products could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations. Lack of intellectual property protection in a number of countries, including China, poses risk for the Company. This trend represents an increasing risk to technology companies in the United States, including the Company.
New Technology and Product Development. We continue to invest a significant portion of our annual sales in engineering, research and development projects as set forth in our Consolidated Statements of Income of our Consolidated Financial Statements filed with this report. Should these efforts ultimately prove unsuccessful, our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations could be adversely affected.
Intellectual Property Litigation and Infringement Claims. A successful claim of patent or other intellectual property infringement and damages against us could affect our profitability and future growth. If someone claims that our products infringed their intellectual property rights, any resulting litigation could be costly and time consuming and would divert the attention of management and key personnel from other business issues. The complexity of the technology involved in our business and the uncertainty of intellectual property litigation significantly increases these risks and makes such risk part of our on-going business. To that end, we periodically obtain intellectual property rights, in the ordinary course of business, to strengthen our intellectual property portfolio and minimize potential risks of infringement. The increasing tendency of patents granted to others on combinations of known technology is a potential threat to our Company. Any of these adverse consequences could potentially have an effect on our business, financial condition and/or results of operations.
Credit Risk. In light of the continuing financial stresses within the certain regions within the worldwide automotive industry, certain automakers and Tier 1 customers may be considering the sale of certain business segments or bankruptcy. Should one or more of our larger customers (including sales through their Tier 1 suppliers) declare bankruptcy or sell their business, it could adversely affect the collection of receivables, our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations. The current economic environment continues to cause increased financial pressures and production stresses on our customers, which could impact the timeliness of customer payments and ultimately the collectability of receivables.
Our overall allowance for doubtful accounts primarily relates to financially distressed automotive mirror and electronics customers. We continue to work with these financially distressed customers in collecting past due balances. Refer to Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details regarding our allowance for doubtful accounts.
Supply Chain Disruptions. Due to the just-in-time supply chains within the automotive industry, a disruption in a supply chain caused by one or more of our suppliers and/or an unrelated Tier 1 supplier due to part shortages, natural disasters, work stoppages, strikes, bankruptcy, etc. could disrupt our shipments to one or more automakers or Tier 1 customers, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations.
Business Disruptions. Manufacturing of our proprietary products employing electro-optic technology is performed at our manufacturing facilities in Zeeland and Holland, Michigan. One of our manufacturing facilities is located in Holland, Michigan, which is approximately three miles from our other manufacturing facilities in Zeeland, Michigan. Should a
catastrophic event occur, our ability to manufacture product, complete existing orders and provide other services could be severely impacted for an undetermined period of time. We have purchased business interruption insurance to address some of these potential costs. Our inability to conduct normal business operations for a period of time may have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations.
IT Infrastructure. A failure of our information technology (IT) infrastructure could adversely impact our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations. We rely upon the capacity, reliability and security of our information technology infrastructure and our ability to expand and continually update this infrastructure in response to the changing needs of our business. For example, we have implemented enterprise resource planning and other IT systems in certain aspects of our businesses over a period of several years and continue to update and further implement new systems going forward. These systems may not perform as expected. We also face the challenge of supporting our older systems and implementing necessary upgrades. If we experience a problem with the functioning of an important IT system or a security breach of our IT systems, the resulting disruptions could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations. We and certain of our third-party vendors receive and store personal information in connection with our human resources operations and other aspects of our business. Despite our implementation of security measures, our IT systems, like all IT systems, are vulnerable to damages from computer viruses, natural disasters, unauthorized access, cyber-attack and other similar disruptions. Any system failure, accident or security breach could result in disruptions to our operations. A material network breach in the security of our IT systems could include the theft of our intellectual property, trade secrets or customer information. To the extent that any disruptions or security breach results in a loss or damage to our data, or an inappropriate disclosure of confidential or customer information, it could cause significant damage to our reputation, affect our relationships with our customers, lead to claims against the Company and ultimately harm our business. In addition, we may be required to incur significant costs to protect against damage caused by these disruptions or security breaches in the future.
Employees. Our business success depends on attracting and retaining qualified personnel. Our ability to sustain and grow our business requires us to hire, retain and develop a highly skilled and diverse management team and workforce. Failure to ensure that we have the leadership capacity with the necessary skill sets and experience could impede our ability to deliver our growth objectives and execute our strategic plan. Organizational and reporting changes within management could result in increased turnover. In addition, any unplanned turnover or inability to attract and retain key employees, including managers, could have a negative effect on our business, financial condition and/or results of operations.
Government Regulations. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act contains provisions to improve transparency and accountability concerning the supply of certain minerals, known as conflict minerals, originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and adjoining countries. As a result, in August 2012 the SEC adopted annual disclosure and reporting requirements for those companies who use conflict minerals mined from the DRC and adjoining countries in their products. These new requirements required due diligence efforts in 2013, 2014, and 2015, and the Company has disclosed its findings annually to the SEC on Form SD around May 30 each year. As there may be only a limited number of suppliers offering "conflict free" minerals, the Company cannot be sure that we will be able to obtain necessary conflict minerals from such suppliers in sufficient quantities or at competitive prices. Also, the Company may face reputational challenges if we determine that certain of our products contain minerals not determined to be conflict free or if the Company is unable to sufficiently verify the origins for all conflict minerals used in the Company's products through the procedures the Company may implement.
The European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) provides an incentive for automobiles sold in Europe to apply safety technologies that include driver assist features such as lane detection, vehicle detection, and pedestrian detection as standard equipment. Euro NCAP compliant driver assist systems are also capable of including high beam assist as a function. The increased application of Euro NCAP on European vehicles could potentially replace the Company's SmartBeam application on these vehicles.
On December 8, 2015 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) proposed changes to the Administration’s 5-Star Safety Ratings for new vehicles (also known as the New Car Assessment Program or NCAP) and initiated a comment period. The proposed changes will, for the first time, encompass assessment of crash-avoidance technologies, which includes lower beam headlamp performance, semi-automatic headlamp switching, and blind spot detection. At this time, NHTSA intends to implement the enhancements in NCAP in 2018 beginning with model year 2019 vehicles. The Company believes that its SmartBeam® technology will be qualify with the semi-automatic headlamp NCAP rating system, and that its SmartBeam® technology and exterior mirrors with blind spot alert lighting can be included in a system that qualifies with the lower beam headlamp performance and blind spot detection NCAP rating system, respectively.
Interest Rate Risk. The Company is exposed to interest rate changes primarily as a result of interest expense on borrowings used to finance an acquisition and working capital requirements. The Company's total variable-rate debt was $233.1 million as of December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2015, the Company held one interest rate swap agreement denominated in U.S. dollars that effectively converts $150 million of its variable-rate debt to fixed-rate debt that had an effective date of July 31, 2015 lasting through the term of the Company's loan agreement related thereto which is September 27, 2018. The interest rate swap derivative instrument is held and used by the Company as a tool for managing interest rate risk. The counterparty to the swap instrument is a large financial institution that the Company believes is of high-quality creditworthiness. While the Company may be exposed to potential losses due to the credit risk of non-performance by this counterparty, such losses are not anticipated. The fair value of the interest rate swap was recorded within other accrued liabilities in the amount of $2.9 million at December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2015, the weighted-average interest rate on the Company's variable-rate debt was approximately 1.43%. Based on loan balances as of December 31, 2015 and the effective date of July 31, 2015 of the interest rate swap, a one percent increase in the Company's borrowing rate would increase net interest expense paid by the Company on its borrowings by approximately $.8 million dollars on an annual basis. The Company does not enter into contracts for speculative or trading purposes, nor is it a party to any leveraged derivative instruments.
Other. Other issues and uncertainties which could adversely impact our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations include:
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Volatility in commodity prices may adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or results of operations. If commodity prices rise, and if we are not able to recover these cost increases from our customers, such increases could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and/or results of operations.
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Uncertain equity markets may negatively impact our financial performance due to an increase in realized losses on the sale of equity investments and/or recognized losses due to an Other-Than-Temporary Impairment adjustment on available-for-sale securities.
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General economic conditions continue to be of concern in many of the regions in which we do business, given that our primary industry is greatly impacted by overall general economic conditions. Any continued adverse worldwide economic conditions, currency exchange rates, war or significant terrorist acts, could each affect worldwide automotive sales and production levels.
•
Manufacturing yield issues may negatively impact our business, financial condition and/or results of operations.
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Obligations and costs associated with addressing quality issues or warranty claims may adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or results of operations.
Antitakeover Provisions. Our articles of incorporation, bylaws, and the laws of the state of Michigan include provisions that may provide our board of directors with adequate time to consider whether a hostile takeover offer is in our best interest and the best interests of our shareholders. These provisions, however, could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control.
Fluctuations in Market Price. The market price for our common stock has fluctuated, ranging from a low of $13.84 to a high of $18.80 during 2015. The overall market and the price of our common stock may continue to fluctuate. There may be a significant impact on the market price for our common stock relating to the issues discussed above or due to any of the following:
•
variations in our anticipated or actual operating results or the results of our competitors;
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changes in investors’ or analysts’ perceptions of the risks and conditions of our business and in particular our primary industry;
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intellectual property litigation and infringement claims;
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the size of the public float of our common stock;
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market conditions, including the industry in which we operate; and
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general macroeconomic conditions.
Item 1B.
Item 2. Properties.
As of December 31, 2015 the Company operates primarily out of facilities in Zeeland and Holland, Michigan, which consist of manufacturing and office space. The Company also operates a chemistry lab facility to support production in Zeeland, Michigan. In addition, the Company operates overseas offices in Europe and Asia as further discussed below. The office and production facility for the Fire Protection Products Group is a 25,000 square-foot, one-story building leased by the Company since 1978 from related parties (see Part III, Item 13, of this report).
North America
The corporate office and production facility for the Company’s Automotive Products Group is a modern, two-story, 150,000 square-foot building of steel and masonry construction situated on a 40-acre site in a well-kept industrial park. A second 128,000 square-foot office/manufacturing facility was completed on this site in 1996. The Company expanded its automotive production facilities by constructing a third 170,000 square-foot facility on its current site which opened in 2000.
In 2002, the Company expanded its manufacturing operations in Zeeland, Michigan, with the construction of a 150,000 square-foot automotive mirror manufacturing facility. In 2003, the Company also announced plans for a new 200,000 square-foot technical office facility linking the fourth manufacturing facility with its existing corporate office and production facility. The Company completed the construction of this facility and the new technical center in 2006 at a total cost of approximately $38 million, which was funded from its cash and cash equivalents on hand.
In 2008, the Company expanded its automotive exterior mirror manufacturing facility in Zeeland, Michigan, with the construction of a 60,000 square-foot building addition, which was completed at a cost of approximately $6 million, which was funded from cash and cash equivalents on hand.
In 2010, the Company purchased, with cash and cash equivalents on hand, an existing 108,000-square-foot electronics manufacturing facility in Holland, Michigan, which is located approximately three miles from its other manufacturing facilities in Zeeland, Michigan. The facility was operational in the first quarter of 2011 and at full capacity in the third quarter of 2011. The total cost to purchase the facility and building improvements was approximately $5 million. In 2012, the Company expanded this electronics assembly facility with the construction of a 125,000 square-foot expansion. The total cost of the facility expansion was approximately $25 million and was funded from cash and cash equivalents on hand.
In 2012, the Company expanded its automotive exterior mirror manufacturing facility in Zeeland, Michigan, with the construction of a 32,000 square-foot building addition, which was completed at a cost of approximately $4 million. The Company also constructed a 60,000 square-foot chemistry lab facility in Zeeland, Michigan, which was completed as a cost of approximately $11.5 million. These expansion projects in 2012 were funded from cash and cash equivalents on hand.
In 2013, the Company completed a 120,000 square-foot expansion project connecting two of its manufacturing facilities in Zeeland, Michigan, with a total cost of approximately $25 million. Also in 2013, the Company completed a 10,000 square-foot facility to centralize the production and distribution of chilled water that is used in production, chemistry labs, as well as air conditioning. This was completed for a total cost of approximately $11 million. The above projects were funded from cash and cash equivalents on hand.
In 2014, the Company began construction of a 250,000 square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility located in Zeeland, Michigan. The total cost of the project is expected to be approximately $45 - $50 million and will be completed in 2016. The building will be operational for distribution of products during mid-2016, and the production phase will begin in early 2017. This project will be funded from cash and cash equivalents on hand.
Europe
The Company also has sales and engineering offices throughout Europe to support its sales and engineering efforts. In 1993, the Company established a sales and engineering office in Germany and the following year, the Company formed a German limited liability company, Gentex GmbH, to expand its sales and engineering support activities in
Europe. In 2003, the Company constructed a 40,000 square-foot office and distribution facility in Erlenbach, Germany, at a cost of approximately $5 million, which was funded from cash and cash equivalents on hand. In 2014, the Company began design plans for a 50,000 square-foot expansion of this facility. In 2015, the Company began construction of the facility. This project is expected to cost approximately $7 million and is expected to be completed in 2016, and is to be funded from cash and cash equivalents on hand.
The Company also operates satellite sales and engineering offices in Pfaffenhoffen, Sindlelfingen and Cologne, Germany.
The Company currently also operates sales and engineering offices out of the United Kingdom, France, Sweden and Bulgaria.
Asia
In 1998, the Company established Gentex Japan, Inc., as a sales and engineering office in Nagoya, Japan, to expand its sales and engineering support in Japan. In 2004, the Company established a satellite office in Yokohama, Japan. In 2011, the Company established a satellite office in Tochigi, Japan.
In 2002, the Company established Gentex Technologies Korea Co., Ltd. as a sales and engineering office in Seoul, Korea.
In 2005, the Company opened a sales and engineering office near Shanghai, China. In 2006, the Company purchased a 25,000 square-foot office and distribution facility near Shanghai, China, at a cost of approximately $750,000, which was funded from cash and cash equivalents on hand.
Capacity
The Company believes its existing and planned facilities are currently suitable, adequate, and have the capacity required for current and near-term planned business. Nevertheless, the Company continues to evaluate longer term facilities needs. As a result, in 2014, the Company began construction of a 250,000 square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility located at a 140 acre site where the Company previously performed master planning and completed land infrastructure improvements, located in Zeeland, Michigan. The total cost of the building project is expected to be approximately $45 - $50 million and will be completed in 2016 and will be funded with cash and cash equivalents on hand. Once operational, the Company expects that it will add capacity to produce an additional 10 - 15 million mirrors annually, depending on product mix and overall use of the buildings.
The Company estimates that it currently has building capacity to manufacture approximately 25 - 27 million interior mirror units annually, based on current product mix. The Company evaluates equipment capacity on an ongoing basis and adds equipment as needed. In 2015, the Company shipped 23.5 million interior automatic-dimming mirrors.
The Company’s automotive exterior mirror manufacturing facility has an estimated building capacity to manufacture approximately 10 - 12 million units annually, based on the current product mix. The Company evaluates equipment capacity on an ongoing basis and adds equipment as needed. In 2015, the Company shipped approximately 9.5 million exterior automatic-dimming mirrors.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
The Company is periodically involved in legal proceedings, legal actions and claims arising in the normal course of business, including proceedings relating to product liability, intellectual property, safety and health, employment and other matters. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties, and outcomes are not predictable. The Company does not believe however, that at the current time, any of these matters constitute material pending legal proceedings that will have a material adverse effect on the financial position or future results of operations of the Company.
Item 4.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
(a) The Company’s common stock trades on The Nasdaq Global Select Market®. As of February 1, 2016, there were 2,574 record-holders of the Company’s common stock. Ranges of high and low sale prices of the Company’s common stock reported through The Nasdaq Global Select Market for the past two fiscal years appear in the following table. (Adjusted for the two-for-one stock split effected in the form of a 100% stock dividend issued December 31, 2014).
See Item 12 of Part III with respect to “Equity Compensation Plan Summary,” which is incorporated herein.
Stock Performance Graph: The following graph depicts the cumulative total return on the Company’s common stock compared to the cumulative total return on the Nasdaq Composite Index (all U.S. companies) and the Dow Jones U.S. Auto Parts Index (excluding tire and rubber makers). The graph assumes an investment of $100 on the last trading day of 2010, and reinvestment of dividends in all cases.
In August 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a continuing resolution to pay a quarterly dividend at an increased rate of $0.055 per share until the Board takes other action with respect to the payment of dividends. In February 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a continuing resolution to pay a quarterly dividend at an increased rate of $0.06 per share until the Board takes other action with respect to the payment of dividends. In February 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a continuing resolution to pay a quarterly dividend at an increased rate of $0.065 per share until the Board takes other action with respect to the payment of dividends. In February 2013, The Company's Board of Directors approved a continuing resolution to pay a quarterly dividend at an increased rate of $0.07 per share until the Board takes other action with respect to the payment of dividends. In May 2014, the Company's Board of Directors approved a continuing resolution to pay a quarterly dividend at an increased rate of $0.08 per share until the Board takes other action with respect to the payment of dividends. In May 2015, the Company's Board of Directors approved a continuing resolution to pay a quarterly dividend at an increased rate of $0.085 per share until the Board takes other action with respect to the payment of dividends. Based on current U.S. income tax laws, the Company intends to continue to pay a quarterly cash dividend and will consider future dividend rate adjustments based on the Company’s financial condition, profitability, cash flow, liquidity and other relevant business factors. (All per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split effected in the form of a 100% stock dividend issued December 31, 2014).
(b) Not applicable.
(c)
On October 8, 2002, the Company announced a share repurchase plan, under which it had the authority to repurchase up to 16,000,000 shares (post-split) based on a number of factors. On July 20, 2005, the Company announced that it had raised the price at which the Company may repurchase shares under the existing plan. On May 16, 2006, the Company announced that the Company's Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of an additional 16,000,000 shares (post-split) under the plan. On August 14, 2006, the Company announced that the Company's Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of an additional 16,000,000 shares (post-split) under the plan. On February 26, 2008, the Company announced that the Company's Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of an additional 8,000,000 shares (post-split) under the plan. On October 23, 2012, the Company announced that the Company's Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of an additional 8,000,000 shares (post-split) under the plan. On October 21, 2015, the Company announced that the Company's Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of an additional 5,000,000 shares (post-split) under the plan. On February 18, 2016, the Company announced that the Company's Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of an additional 5,000,000 shares (post-split) under the plan.The Company may purchase authorized shares of its common stock under the plan based on a number of factors, including: market, economic, and industry conditions; the market price of the Company's common stock; anti-dilutive effect on earnings; available cash; and other factors that the Company deems appropriate. The plan does not have an expiration date, but the Board of Directors reviews such plan periodically.
The following is a summary of share repurchase activity during 2015:
* See above paragraph for data on which plan was announced, the total number of shares approved for
repurchase under the plan, and the expiration date (if any) of the plan.
As of December 31, 2015, the Company has repurchased 64,448,053 shares at a total cost of $555,856,886 under the plan. The following is a summary of quarterly share repurchase activity under the plan to date (adjusted for two-for-one stock splits each effected in the form of a 100% stock dividend issued effective May 6, 2005 and December 31, 2014, respectively):
On December 5, 2014, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a two-for-one split of our outstanding shares of common stock to be effected in the form of a 100% stock dividend. On December 31, 2014, shareholders of record at the close of business on December 17, 2014, were issued one additional share of common stock for each share owned by such shareholder. The stock split increased the number of shares of common stock outstanding from approximately 147.6 million to approximately 295.2 million. Share and per-share amounts (including stock options and restricted stock) shown in the consolidated financial statements and related notes reflect the split. The total number of authorized common shares and the par value thereof was not changed by the split.
Item 6.
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data.
Item 7.
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth for the periods indicated certain items from the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income expressed as a percentage of net sales and the percentage change in the dollar amount of each such item from that in the indicated previous year.
Results of Operations: 2015 to 2014
Net Sales. Company net sales increased by $168.1 million, or 12% compared to the prior year. Automotive net sales increased due to a 14% increase in automatic-dimming mirror shipments, from 29.0 million units in 2014 to 33.0 million units in 2015, primarily reflecting increased overall penetration of automatic-dimming mirrors. North American automotive mirror unit shipments increased 13% in 2015 compared with the prior year, primarily due to a 37% increase in shipments of the Company's exterior automatic-dimming mirrors and a 5% increase in shipments of interior automatic-dimming mirrors, each on a year over year basis. International automotive mirror unit shipments increased 14% in 2015 when compared with the prior year, primarily due to increased penetration of both interior and exterior automatic-dimming mirrors to certain European and Japanese automakers.
Other net sales increased 4% to $36.7 million compared to the prior year, as dimmable aircraft window sales increased 6% year over year and fire protection sales increased 2% year over year.
Cost of Goods Sold. As a percentage of net sales, cost of goods sold increased from 60.8% in 2014 to 60.9% in 2015, primarily due to annual customer price reductions and foreign currency fluctuations, which were essentially offset by purchasing cost reductions and product mix. Purchasing cost reductions impacted cost of goods sold as a percentage of net sales by approximately 100 - 125 basis points. All of the remaining factors is estimated to have impacted cost of goods sold independently as a percentage of net sales by approximately 50 basis points.
Operating Expenses. Engineering, research and development expenses increased by $4.2 million from 2014 to 2015, and remained at 6% of net sales. E, R & D expenses in 2015 increased 5% year over year, compared to calendar year 2014 primarily due to increased staffing levels which continue to support growth and the development of new business.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $0.7 million or 1% from 2014 to 2015, and remained at 4% of net sales. The primary reason for the increase from 2014 to 2015 was due to increased marketing and advertising expenditures.
Total Other Income/(Expense). Investment income decreased $1.0 million in 2015 versus 2014, primarily due to lower year-end mutual fund distribution income. Other income - net decreased $10.6 million in 2015 versus 2014, primarily due to lower realized gains on the sale of equity investments and increased interest expense associated with the Company's debt financing, as well as increased interest expense as a result of the interest rate swap implemented in 2015, as discussed further in Note 2 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Taxes. The effective tax rate was 31.3% for year ended December 31, 2015 compared to 30.5% the prior year. The effective tax rate differed from the statutory federal income tax rate, primarily due to the domestic manufacturing deduction and the effect of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, which was signed into law in the fourth quarter and applied retroactively to January 1, 2015 for various tax provisions that had expired as of December 31, 2014. The increase in the effective tax rate in 2015 from the prior year is primarily due to certain tax credits realized during 2014 that were not repeated during 2015. Those tax credits realized in 2014 included incremental research and development tax credits related to amended tax return filings for calendar years 2010 through 2012 of $5.5 million, as well as incremental benefits realized as part of original 2013 tax return of approximately $1.8 million plus the $3 million in estimated benefit for 2014 for a total of $10.3 million in tax credits.
Net Income. Net income increased by $29.9 million, or 10% year over year, primarily due to increased sales.
Results of Operations: 2014 to 2013
Net Sales. In 2014, Company net sales increased by $203.6 million, or 17% compared to the prior year. Automotive net sales increased due to the acquisition of HomeLink® and an 11% increase in automatic-dimming mirror shipments, from 26.2 million units in 2013 to 29.0 million units in 2014, primarily reflecting increased overall penetration of automatic-dimming mirrors. North American automotive mirror unit shipments increased 6% in 2014 compared with the prior year, primarily due to a 12% increase in shipments of the Company's exterior automatic-dimming mirrors. International automotive mirror unit shipments increased 14% in 2014 when compared with the prior year, primarily due to increased penetration of both interior and exterior automatic-dimming mirrors to certain European and Japanese automakers.
Other net sales increased 27% to $35.4 million compared to the prior year, as dimmable aircraft window sales increased 54% year over year and fire protection sales increased 4% year over year.
Cost of Goods Sold. As a percentage of net sales, cost of goods sold decreased from 63.2% in 2013 to 60.8% in 2014, primarily reflecting improvements in product mix, purchasing cost reductions, and the impact of the HomeLink® acquisition, partially offset by annual automotive customer price reductions. Each of the positive factors is estimated to have impacted cost of goods sold independently as a percentage of net sales by approximately 125-150 basis points.
Operating Expenses. Engineering, research and development expenses increased by $7.7 million from 2013 to 2014, and was 6% of net sales down from 7% of sales in the prior year. E, R & D expenses in 2014 increased 10% year over year, compared to calendar year 2013 primarily due to increased staffing levels which continue to support growth and the development of new business.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $6.4 million or 13% from 2013 to 2014, and remained at 4% of net sales. The primary reason for the increase from 2013 to 2014 was increased amortization expense related to the HomeLink acquisition.
Total Other Income/(Expense). Investment income decreased $0.7 million in 2014 versus 2013, primarily due to lower year-end mutual fund distribution income. Other income - net decreased $6.1 million in 2014 versus 2013, primarily due to decreased realized gains on the sale of equity investments, and increased interest expense associated with the Company's debt financing.
Taxes. The effective tax rate was 30.5% for year ended December 31, 2014 compared to 32.0% the prior year. The effective tax rate differed from the statutory federal income tax rate, primarily due to the domestic manufacturing deduction, provisions for state and local income taxes, and permanent tax differences. The decrease in the effective tax rate from the prior year is primarily due to incremental research and development tax credits related to amended tax return filings for calendar years 2010 through 2012 of $5.5 million, as well as incremental benefits realized as part of original 2013 tax return of approximately $1.8 million plus the $3 million in estimated benefit for 2014 for a total of $10.3 million in decreased taxes, all realized during 2014.
Net Income. Net income increased by $65.7 million, or 29% year over year, primarily due to increased sales and gross profit.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company’s financial condition throughout the periods presented has remained very strong, in spite of only mild improvements in the Company's primary markets and devaluations of foreign currencies in markets where the Company's sales exist.
The Company's cash and cash equivalents were $551.6 million, $497.4 million and $309.6 million as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company's cash and cash equivalents include amounts held by foreign subsidiaries of $4.2 million, $10.1 million and $8.1 million as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The funds held by foreign subsidiaries are considered indefinitely reinvested to be used to support operations outside the United States. The Company does not intend to repatriate any foreign cash or cash equivalents in the foreseeable future. These amounts would be subject to possible U.S. taxation only if remitted as dividends.
The Company's current ratio increased from 6.4 as of December 31, 2014, to 7.5 as of December 31, 2015, primarily due to an increase in accounts receivable and in cash and cash equivalents as a result of increased operating cash flows. The Company's current ratio increased from 5.0 as of December 31, 2013, to 6.4 as of December 31, 2014, primarily due to an increase in cash and cash equivalents as a result of increased operating cash flows.
Cash flow from operating activities was $351.6 million, $327.2 million and $317.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Cash flow from operating activities increased $24.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the prior year, primarily due to increased net income, offset by changes in working capital. Cash flow from operating activities increased $9.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared the same period in 2013, primarily due to increased net income.
Cash flow used for investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased by $10.0 million to $89.7 million, compared with $79.7 million, during 2014, primarily due to increases in capital expenditures during the year. Cash flow used for investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2014 decreased $553.5 million to $79.7 million, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to the HomeLink® acquisition in 2013. Capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2015, were $97.9 million, compared with $72.5 million for the prior year, primarily due to an increase in production equipment purchases and building related costs. Capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $72.5 million, compared with $55.4 million the prior year, primarily due to an increase in production equipment purchases and building related costs.
Cash flow used for financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2015, increased $148.0 million to $207.7 million, compared to the prior year, primarily due to repurchases of common stock of $111.2 million, repayments of long-term debt of $32.5 million, and an increase of $9.4 million to $97.0 million in dividends paid. Cash flow used for financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2014, increased $295.5 million to $59.7 million compared to the prior year, primarily due to dividends paid and common stock repurchases.
Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2015 increased $54.1 million compared to December 31, 2014, primarily due to cash flow from operating activities, partially offset by common stock repurchases, dividends paid, and capital expenditures.
Accounts receivable as of December 31, 2015 increased $28.0 million compared to December 31, 2014, primarily due to the higher sequential sales level.
Inventories as of December 31, 2015, increased $32.9 million compared to December 31, 2014, primarily due to increases in raw materials and finished goods in support of increased sales levels.
Long-term investments as of December 31, 2015, decreased $19.5 million compared to December 31, 2014, primarily due to reductions in unrealized gains on equity investments and realized gains on sales of equity investments that were not re-invested.
Intangible Assets, net as of December 31, 2015 decreased $19.3 million compared to December 31, 2014, due to the amortization of definite lived intangible assets and patents, discussed further in in Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Accounts payable as of December 31, 2015, decreased $5.1 million compared to December 31, 2014, primarily due the timing of inventory and capital expenditure payments.
Long term debt as of December 31, 2015 decreased $32.5 million compared to December 31, 2014, due to principal repayments on the Company's long term debt financing. Additionally, the Company entered into an interest rate swap transaction on October 1, 2014 as discussed further in Note 2 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Management considers the Company’s current working capital and long-term investments, as well as its existing debt financing arrangement (notwithstanding covenants prohibiting additional indebtedness), discussed further in Note 2 of the Consolidated Financial Statements, in addition to internally generated cash flow to be sufficient to cover anticipated cash needs for the foreseeable future considering its contractual obligations and commitments. The following is a summary of working capital and long-term investments:
On December 5, 2014, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a two-for-one split of our outstanding shares of common stock to be effected in the form of a 100% stock dividend. On December 31, 2014, shareholders of record at the close of business on December 17, 2014, were issued one additional share of common stock for each share owned by such shareholder. The stock split increased the number of shares of common stock outstanding from approximately 147.6 million to approximately 295.2 million. Share and per-share amounts (including stock options and restricted stock) shown in the consolidated financial statements and related notes reflect the split. The total number of authorized common shares and the par value thereof was not changed by the split.
Please refer to Part II, Item 5, for a complete discussion regarding the Company's previously announced share repurchase plan.
Outlook
The Company utilizes the light vehicle production forecasting services of IHS Worldwide, and IHS current forecasts for light vehicle production for calendar year 2016 are approximately 18.2 million units for North America, 21.2 million for Europe and 13.3 million for Japan and Korea.
The Company currently estimates that top line revenue for calendar year 2016 will be between $1.64 and $1.72 billion. All estimates are based on light vehicle production forecasts in the regions to which the Company ships product, as well as the estimated option rates for its mirrors on prospective vehicle models and anticipated product mix. The Company continues to see order rates and booked business that allow for these estimates despite modest vehicle production increases in our primary markets. Continuing uncertainties, including: light vehicle production levels; supplier part shortages; automotive plant shutdowns; sales rates in Europe, Asia and North America; challenging macroeconomic environments; OEM strategies and cost pressures; customer inventory management and the impact of potential automotive customer (including their Tier 1 suppliers) and supplier bankruptcies; work stoppages, strikes, etc., which could disrupt shipments to these customers, make forecasting difficult.
The Company is estimating that the gross profit margin will be between 38.5% and 39.5% for calendar year 2016. Historically, annual customer price reductions place significant pressure on gross margin on an annual basis. However, given the current sales forecast and projected product mix for 2016, the Company continues to believe it may be able to offset the majority of those annual customer price reductions with purchasing cost reductions and operational efficiencies and by leveraging fixed overhead. Since the acquisition of HomeLink in 2013, the Company has continued to demonstrate growth and margin discipline and is confident in its ability to continue to do so.
The Company also currently estimates that its operating expenses, which include engineering, research and development expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses are expected to be between $152 and $160 million for calendar year 2016, primarily due to staffing and benefit costs which continue to support growth and the development of new business. The Company also plans to continue to invest in selling and marketing efforts at a rate of growth that approximates the rate of sales growth for the Company.
In light of on-going demand for our automatic-dimming mirrors and electronics, and previously announced facility expansion projects, the Company currently anticipates that 2016 capital expenditures will be approximately $115 - $130 million, a majority of which will be production equipment purchases. 2016 capital expenditures are currently anticipated to be financed from current cash and cash equivalents on hand and cash flows from operating activities.
The Company also estimates that depreciation and amortization expense for calendar year 2016 will be approximately $90 - $100 million.
The Company is also estimating that its tax rate will be between 31.5% and 32.5% for calendar year 2016.
The Company also intends to continue to repurchase additional shares of its common stock in the future depending on a number of factors, including: market, economic, and industry conditions; the market price of the Company's common stock; anti-dilutive effect on earnings; available cash; and other factors that the Company deems appropriate. On February 18, 2016, the Company announced that the Company's Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of an additional 5,000,000 shares under the plan.
Historically, the Company has been able to show strong business growth and out-performance versus automotive light vehicle production in its primary markets. Recently, however, speculation surrounding cameras and displays replacing mirrors has created concerns around that growth story. In an effort to show that the Company believes it has a sustainable business, built for the long term, the Company is also providing revenue guidance for calendar year 2017. IHS current forecasts for light vehicle production for calendar year 2017 are approximately 18.5 million units for North America, 21.7 million for Europe and 13.1 million for Japan and Korea. Based on these assumptions, the Company is estimating that revenue for calendar year 2017 will increase approximately 6 to 10% over current estimates provided for 2016 revenue.
Market Risk Disclosure
The Company is subject to market risk exposures of varying correlations and volatilities, including foreign exchange rate risk, interest rate risk and equity price risk. Volatile equity markets could negatively impact the Company's financial performance due to realized losses on the sale of equity investments and/or recognized losses due to other-than-temporary impairment adjustments on available-for-sale securities (mark-to-market adjustments). Interest rate fluctuations on the Company's long term debt financing could negatively impact our financial performance due to increased borrowing costs. The Company has entered into an interest rate swap transaction that has the effect of fixing the annual interest rate payable on $150 million of the Company’s outstanding debt under its existing credit facility to 1.89%, as of the effective date. Refer to Note 2 of the Consolidated Financial Statements regarding further discussion of the Company's long term debt obligations as well as its interest rate swap transaction entered into on October 1, 2014.
The Company has some assets, liabilities and operations outside the United States, including a Euro denominated account, which currently are not significant overall to the Company as a whole. Because the Company sells its automotive mirrors throughout the world and automobile manufacturing is highly dependent on general economic conditions, it could be significantly affected by weak economic conditions in foreign markets that could reduce demand for its products.
Most of the Company’s non-U.S. sales are invoiced and paid in U.S. dollars; during 2015, approximately 6% of the Company’s net sales were invoiced and paid in foreign currencies (compared to 6% for 2014 and 7% for 2013). The Company currently expects that approximately 6% of the Company’s net sales in 2016 will be invoiced and paid in foreign currencies. The Company does not currently engage in hedging activities of foreign currencies.
Most of the Company’s equity investments are managed by a number of outside equity fund managers who invest primarily in large capitalization companies traded on the U.S. stock markets.
The Company does not have any significant off-balance sheet arrangements or commitments that have not been recorded in its Consolidated Financial Statements. See the Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments below.
Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments
The Company had the following contractual obligations and other commitments (000,000) as of December 31, 2015.
Purchase obligations are primarily for raw material inventory and capital equipment.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, requires management to make estimates, assumptions and apply judgments that affect its financial position and results of operations. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates these estimates and assumptions. Management also continually reviews its accounting policies and financial information disclosures.
The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The policies described below represent those that are broadly applicable to its operations and involve additional management judgment due to the sensitivity of the methods, assumptions and estimates necessary in determining the related amounts.
Revenue Recognition. The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 820, Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements. Accordingly, revenue is recognized based on the terms of the customer purchase order that indicates title to the product and risk of ownership passes to the customer upon shipment. Sales are shown net of returns, which have not historically been significant. The Company does not generate sales from sale arrangements with multiple deliverables.
In May 2014 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued the Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), that will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under US GAAP. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard was to originally be effective for public entities for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. On July 9, 2015 the FASB decided to defer by one year the effective dates of the new standard for both public and nonpublic entities reporting under US GAAP. Early adoption would be permitted for all entities, but not before the original public entity effective date (i.e. annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016).
Entities can choose to apply the standard using either the full retrospective approach or a modified retrospective approach. Entities electing the full retrospective adoption will apply the standard to each period presented in the financial statements. This means that entities will have to apply the new guidance as if it had been in effect since the inception of all its contracts with customers presented in the financial statements. Entities that elect the modified retrospective approach will apply the guidance retrospectively only to the most current period presented in the financial statements. This means that entities will have to recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings at the date of initial application. The new revenue standard will be applied to contracts that are in progress at the date of initial application.
The Company is currently evaluating which adoption method it plans to use and is assessing the potential effect the new standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
Accounts Receivable. The Company reviews a monthly aging report of all accounts receivable balances starting with invoices outstanding over sixty days. In addition, the Company monitors information about its customers through a variety of sources including the media, and information obtained through on-going interaction between Company personnel and the customer. Based on the evaluation of the above information, the Company estimates its allowances related to customer receivables on historical credit and collections experience, customers current financial condition
and the specific identification of other potential problems, including the economic climate. Actual collections can differ, requiring adjustments to the allowances, but historically such adjustments have not been material.
Inventories. Estimated inventory allowances for slow-moving and obsolete inventories are based on current assessments of future demands, market conditions, evaluation of longer lead times for certain electronic components and related management initiatives. If market conditions or customer requirements change and are less favorable than those projected by management, inventory allowances are adjusted accordingly.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets. Goodwill reflects the cost of an acquisition in excess of the fair values assigned to identifiable net assets acquired. The Company reviews goodwill for impairment during the fourth quarter on an annual basis or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. The Company performs an impairment review for its automotive reporting unit, which has been determined to be one of the Company’s reportable segments. The fair value of a reporting unit refers to the price that would be received to sell the unit as a whole in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company performs a qualitative assessment (step 0) to determine whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying amount. If not, no further goodwill impairment testing is performed. If so, we perform the step 1 and step 2 tests discussed hereafter. If the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount (step 1), goodwill is not considered to be impaired and the second step is not required. However, if the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, an entity must perform the second step to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any. The second step requires a reporting unit to compare its implied fair value of goodwill to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, the reporting unit would recognize an impairment loss for that excess.
The assumptions included in the impairment tests require judgment, and changes to these inputs could impact the results of the calculations which could result in an impairment charge in future periods if the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its calculated fair value. Other than management's internal projections of future cash flows, the primary assumptions used in the impairment tests are the weighted-average cost of capital and long-term growth rates. Although the Company's cash flow forecasts are based on assumptions that are considered reasonable by management and consistent with the plans and estimates management is using to operate the underlying business, there are significant judgments in determining the expected future cash flows attributable to a reporting unit. There have been no impairment charges booked currently or in prior periods in which goodwill existed.
Indefinite lived intangible assets are also subject to annual impairment testing or more frequently if indicators of impairment are identified. Management judgment and assumptions are required in determining the underlying fair value of the indefinite lived intangible assets. While the Company believes the judgments and assumptions used in determining fair value are reasonable and no impairment existed at December 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014, different assumptions could change the estimated fair values and, therefore, impairment charges could be required, which could be material to the consolidated financial statements. The indefinite lived intangible assets were not impaired as a result of the annual test prepared by management for either period presented.
Refer to Note 11, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" of the notes to consolidated financial statements for information regarding the impairment testing performed in calendar year 2015.
Investments. The Company’s internal investment committee regularly reviews its fixed income and equity investment portfolio for any unrealized losses that would be deemed other-than-temporary and require the recognition of an impairment loss in income. If the cost of an investment exceeds its fair value, the Company evaluates, among other factors, general market conditions, the duration and extent to which the fair value is less than cost, and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investment. Management also considers the type of security, related industry, sector performance, as well as published investment ratings and analyst reports to evaluate its portfolio. Once a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary, an impairment charge is recorded and a new cost basis in the investment is established. If market, industry, and/or investee conditions deteriorate, the Company may incur future impairments.
Self Insurance. The Company is self-insured for health and workers’ compensation benefits up to certain stop-loss limits. Such costs are accrued based on known claims and an estimate of incurred, but not reported (IBNR) claims. IBNR claims are estimated using historical lag information and other data provided by claims administrators. This estimation process is subjective, and to the extent that future results differ from original estimates, adjustments to recorded accruals may be necessary.
Income Taxes. The Company applies the provisions of ASC 740 as it relates to uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. A threshold of more likely than not to be sustained upon examination is applied to uncertain tax positions. The Company deems the estimates related to this provision to be reasonable, however, no assurance can be given that the final outcome of these matters will not vary from what is reflected in the historical income tax provisions and accruals.
Stock-Based Compensation. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718. The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes model, which requires the input of subjective assumptions. These assumptions include estimating (a) the length of time employees will retain their vested stock options before exercising them (“expected term”), (b) the volatility of the Company’s common stock price over the expected term, (c) the number of options that will ultimately not complete their vesting requirements (“forfeitures”) and (d) expected dividends. Changes in the subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimate of fair value of stock-based compensation and consequently, the related amounts recognized on the consolidated condensed statements of operations.
See also Item 13 of Part III with respect to “Certain Transactions”, which is incorporated herein.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
See "Market Risk Disclosure" in Management’s Discussion and Analysis (Item 7).
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
The following financial statements and reports of independent registered public accounting firm are filed with this report following the signature page:
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Selected quarterly financial data for the past two years appears in the following table:
Item 9.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
As defined in Item 304 of Regulation S-K, there have been no changes in, or disagreements with, accountants during the 24-month period ended December 31, 2015.
Item 9A.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision of and with the participation of the Company’s management, the Company's CEO and CFO have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures ([as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a - 15(e) and 15d - 15(e)]) as of December 31, 2015, and have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are adequate and effective.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a - 15(f) and 15d - 15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management asserts that the Company has maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015.
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 risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included in Part IV of this Form 10K.
During the period covered by this annual report, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. In addition, there have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to December 31, 2015.
Item 9B.
Item 9B. Other Information.
None.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
The following table lists the names, ages, and positions of all of the Company’s executive officers. Officers are generally elected at the meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual meeting of shareholders.
There are no family relationships among the officers listed in the preceding table.
Fred Bauer has held his current position with the Company for more than five years.
Steve Downing was elected Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on June 18, 2015. He previously served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer from May 2013 to June 2015, as Vice President of Commercial Management from July 2012 to May 2013, as Director of Commercial Management from June 2009 to July 2012, as Commercial Manager from October 2006 to June 2009, as Senior Financial Analyst from April 2006 to October 2006, and prior to that was a Financial Analyst from his hire date in July 2002 to April 2006.
Kevin Nash was elected Vice President of Accounting and Chief Accounting Officer on June 16, 2014. He previously served as Director of Accounting and Chief Accounting Officer from June 2013 to June 2014, as Corporate Controller from January 2007 to June 2013, as Accounting Manager from May 2004 to January 2007 and prior to that was a Senior Accountant from his hire date in July 1999 to May 2004.
Joseph Matthews was elected Vice President of Purchasing on June 16, 2014. He previously served as Director of Purchasing from February 2013 to June 2014 and prior to that was the Purchasing Manager from his hire date in February 2010 to February 2013.
Scott Ryan was elected Assistant General Counsel and Corporate Secretary on June 18, 2015 and became an executive officer on August 20, 2015. He previously served as Patent Counsel from November 2013 to June 2015 and prior to that was a Patent Attorney from his hire date in December 2010 to November 2013.
Information relating to directors appearing under the caption “Election of Directors” in the definitive Proxy Statement for 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and filed with the Commission within 120 days after the Company’s fiscal year end, December 31, 2015 (the “Proxy Statement”), is hereby incorporated herein by reference. No changes were made to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees for the Board of Directors. Information concerning compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 appearing under the caption “Section 16(A) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the definitive Proxy Statement is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Information relating to the Company’s Audit Committee and concerning whether at least one member of the Audit Committee is an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined under Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K appearing under the caption “Corporate Governance - Audit Committee” in the definitive Proxy Statement is hereby incorporated by reference.
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics for Certain Senior Officers that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer. A copy of the Code of Ethics for Certain Senior Officers is available without charge, upon written request, from the Corporate Secretary of the Company, 600 N. Centennial Street, Zeeland, Michigan 49464 and the Company's website. The Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of this Code of Ethics by posting such information on its website. Information contained in the Company’s website, whether currently posted or posted in the future, is not part of this document or the documents incorporated by reference in this document.
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
The information contained under the caption “Compensation Committee Report,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Executive Compensation,” “Director Compensation,” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” contained in the definitive Proxy Statement is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The “Compensation Committee Report” shall not be deemed to be soliciting material or to be filed with the commission.
On February 18, 2016, the Board of Directors adopted the Gentex Corporation Performance-Based Bonus Plan (the "Plan") to: further emphasize performance-based compensation; increasingly provide executive officers, officers, and other key employees of the Corporation with appropriate incentives concerning corporate and individual performance; and enhance the alignment between such key employees and shareholders.
The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board, which has discretion to determine the executive officers, officers, and other employees eligible to participate in the Plan. Only employees of the Corporation are eligible to participate in the Plan.
The following performance-based pay elements apply to participants in the Plan:
(1) Additional Profit-Sharing Bonus - In addition to participation in the Profit-Sharing Bonus Plan of the Company (in which all employees participate), an Additional Profit-Sharing Bonus as described below is available to participants. For each year during which the Plan is made effective by the Compensation Committee, each participant can receive a ten percent (10%) increase in the Profit-Sharing Bonus percentage (on a weighted average basis) that was used to calculate the Profit-Sharing Bonuses paid to all employees for such year (without regard to the Plan) for each one percent (1%) by which net sales in such year exceed net sales in the prior year. A participant's total bonus paid pursuant to the Additional Profit-Sharing Bonus is calculated as the weighted average Profit-Sharing Bonus percentage for the year, plus the Additional Profit-Sharing Bonus percentage determined above, multiplied by the closing annual base pay rate of the participant, less the accumulated Profit-Sharing Bonus paid or payable to the participant for the preceding calendar year.
(2) Performance Bonus - Performance bonuses are available to participants based on the achievement of the following performance metrics:
(a) EBITDA, which will have a 33.33% weighting;
(b) Diluted Earnings per Share, which will have a 33.33% weighting; and
(c) Quality, which will have a 33.33% weighting.
For purposes of determining such performance bonuses, the Compensation Committee will annually establish a threshold and a target for each applicable performance metric. No performance bonus will be paid with respect to any performance metric unless the threshold established by the Compensation Committee is exceeded. A maximum of up to ten percent (10%) of the closing annual base pay rate of a participant will be paid to each participant as a performance bonus provided that the targets for all performance metrics which the Compensation Committee has established are met or exceeded. To the extent performance exceeds the established threshold, but does not meet the established target, a pro-rata portion of the maximum bonus payable will be paid as a performance bonus (based on the percentage of the target achieved in excess of the threshold). The Quality metric is based on a combination of parts per million and overall cost of quality. Notwithstanding the foregoing, based on any criteria it establishes, the Committee reserves the right to increase a performance bonus for personal goal achievement up to twenty-five percent (25%) of such bonus and to continue to pay bonuses for personal goal achievement to any non-CEO participants of up to twenty-five percent (25%) of base compensation. Any and all bonuses under the Plan are payable in accordance with policies and procedures established by the Compensation Committee.
For 2015, net sales exceeded net sales in 2014 by 12%. In addition, each executive officer was awarded a maximum performance bonus because each of the targets for performance metrics (EBITDA, Diluted Earnings Per Share, and Quality) was exceeded as set forth below:
* Quality thresholds and targets are a non-variable calculation based on parts per million (PPM) plus over-all corporate cost of quality.
For 2015, the following bonuses were earned by the executive officers under the Plan:
Performance-Based Bonus Plan
2015 Earned Bonuses
In addition to the Performance-Based Bonus Plan payments, the Compensation Committee approved bonuses for personal goal achievement for Mr. Nash and Mr. Matthews on February 22, 2016 of $15,000 and $17,500, respectively.
Also on February 22, 2016, the Compensation Committee gave final approval for changes to each of the Non-CEO named executive officers compensation as reflected below due to overall increases in responsibilities, Company performance, and personal performance. Stock option grants and restricted stock grants were approved pursuant to the Company's shareholder approved Employee Stock Option Plan and shareholder approved Second Restricted Stock Plan, respectively.
Mr. Downing's annual salary was set at $337,500. In addition, the Compensation Committee approved a 17,730 share stock option grant and a restricted stock grant of 6,300 shares.
Mr. Nash's annual salary was set at $187,772. In addition, the Compensation Committee approved a 8,470 share stock option grant and a restricted stock grant of 3,150 shares.
Mr. Ryan's annual salary was set at $208,417. In addition, the Compensation Committee approved a 4,580 share stock option grant and a restricted stock grant of 1,650 shares.
Mr. Matthews annual salary was set at $155,792. In addition, the Compensation Committee approved a 5,300 share stock option grant and a restricted stock grant of 2,570 shares.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, each of the non-CEO named executive officers do not have written employment agreements, and will continue to be at-will employees of the Company, as is the case with all employees of the Company.
Item 12.
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The information contained under the captions “Common Stock Ownership of Management,” “Common Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners,” and “Equity Compensation Plan Summary” contained in the definitive Proxy Statement is hereby incorporated herein by reference. There are no arrangements known to the registrant, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control.
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
The information contained under the caption “Certain Transactions” contained in the definitive Proxy Statement is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The information contained under the caption “Election of Directors” contained in the definitive Proxy Statement hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fee and Services.
Information regarding principal accounting fees and services set forth under the caption “Ratification of Appointment of Independent Auditors - Principal Accounting Fees and Services” in the definitive Proxy Statement is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Information concerning the policy adopted by the Audit Committee regarding the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services provided by the Company’s independent auditors set forth under the caption “Corporate Governance - Audit Committee” in the definitive Proxy Statement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 15.
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.
(a)
1. Financial Statements. See Part II, Item 8.
2. Financial Statements Schedules. None required or not applicable.
(b)
See (a) above.
(c)
See (a) above.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 of 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below on this 23rd day of February, 2016, by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated.
By:
/s/ Fred T. Bauer
Fred T. Bauer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) on behalf of Gentex Corporation
By:
/s/ Steven R. Downing
Steven R. Downing, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer) on behalf of Gentex Corporation
By:
/s/ Kevin C. Nash
Kevin C. Nash, Vice President - Accounting and Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer) on behalf of Gentex Corporation
Each Director of the registrant whose signature appears below hereby appoints Steve Downing or Kevin Nash, as his attorney-in-fact to sign in his name and on his behalf, and to file with the Commission any and all amendments to this report on Form 10-K to the same extent and with the same effect as if done personally.
/s/ Fred T. Bauer
Director
Fred T. Bauer
/s/ Gary Goode
Director
Gary Goode
/s/ James Hollars
Director
James Hollars
/s/ John Mulder
Director
John Mulder
/s/ Richard Schaum
Director
Richard Schaum
/s/ Fred Sotok
Director
Fred Sotok
/s/ Peter Hoekstra
Director
Peter Hoekstra
/s/ James Wallace
Director
James Wallace
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Gentex Corporation
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Gentex Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders' investment and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Gentex Corporation and subsidiaries at December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Gentex Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated February 23, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Grand Rapids, Michigan
February 23, 2016
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Gentex Corporation:
We have audited Gentex Corporation and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). Gentex Corporation and subsidiaries’ management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Gentex Corporation and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Gentex Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ investment, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015 and our report dated February 23, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Grand Rapids, Michigan
February 23, 2016
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2015 AND 2014
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015, 2014 AND 2013
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015, 2014 AND 2013
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015, 2014 AND 2013
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES
The Company
Gentex Corporation designs and manufactures automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and electronics for the automotive industry, dimmable aircraft windows for the aviation industry, and commercial smoke alarms and signaling devices for the fire protection industry. The Company’s largest business segment involves designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing interior and exterior automatic-dimming automotive rearview mirrors and various electronic modules. The Company ships its product to all of the major automotive producing regions worldwide, which it supports with numerous sales, engineering and distribution locations worldwide.
A substantial portion of the Company’s net sales and accounts receivable result from transactions with domestic and foreign automotive manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers. Aircraft windows are sold for use by aircraft manufacturers and a Tier 1 supplier. The Company’s fire protection products are primarily sold to domestic distributors and original equipment manufacturers of fire and security systems. The Company does not require collateral or other security for trade accounts receivable.
Significant accounting policies of the Company not described elsewhere are as follows:
Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Gentex Corporation and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries (together the “Company”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents consist of funds invested in bank accounts and money market funds that have daily liquidity.
Allowance For Doubtful Accounts
The Company bases its allowances for doubtful accounts related to receivables on historical credit and collections experience, and the specific identification of other potential problems impacting collectability, including the economic climate. Actual collections can differ, requiring adjustments to the allowances. Individual accounts receivable balances are evaluated on a monthly basis, and those balances considered uncollectible are charged to the allowance. Collections of amounts previously written off are recorded as an increase to the allowance.
The following table presents the activity in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts:
The Company’s overall allowance for doubtful accounts primarily relates to financially distressed Tier 1 automotive customers. The Company continues to work with these financially distressed customers in collecting past due balances.
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES, continued
Investments
The Company follows the provisions of ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” for its financial assets and liabilities, and for its non-financial assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements. ASC 820 provides a framework for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities. This framework is intended to provide increased consistency in how fair value determinations are made under various existing accounting standards that permit, or in some cases, require estimates of fair-market value. This standard also expanded financial statement disclosure requirements about a company’s use of fair-value measurements, including the effect of such measure on earnings. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method.
The Company’s Common Stocks and Mutual Funds are classified as available for sale and are stated at fair value based on quoted market prices, and as such are classified as Level 1 assets. The Company determines the fair value of its Government Securities and Corporate Bonds by utilizing monthly valuation statements that are provided by its broker. The broker determines the investment valuation by utilizing the bid price in the market and also refers to third party sources to validate valuations, and as such are classified as Level 2 assets.
Assets or liabilities that have recurring fair value measurements are shown below as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES, continued
The amortized cost, unrealized gains and losses, and market value of investment securities are shown as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
Unrealized losses on investments as of December 31, 2015 are as follows:
Unrealized losses on investments as of December 31, 2014 are as follows:
ASC 320, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” as amended and interpreted, provides guidance on determining when an investment is other-than-temporarily impaired. The Company reviews its fixed income and equity investment portfolio for any unrealized losses that would be deemed other-than-temporary and require the recognition of an impairment loss in income. If the cost of an investment exceeds its fair value, the Company evaluates, among other factors, general market conditions, the duration and extent to which the fair value is less than cost, and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investments. Management also considers the type of security, related-industry and sector performance, as well as published investments ratings and analyst reports, to evaluate its portfolio. Once a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary, an impairment charge is recorded and new cost basis in the investment is established. If market, industry, and/or investee conditions deteriorate, the Company may incur future impairments. No investments were considered to be other-than-temporary impaired in 2015 and 2014.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, investments, accounts receivable accounts payable, short and long term debt. The Company’s estimate of the fair values of these financial instruments approximates their carrying amounts at December 31, 2015 and 2014.
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES, continued
Inventories
Inventories include material, direct labor and manufacturing overhead and are valued at the lower of first-in, first-out (FIFO) cost or market. Inventories consisted of the following as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
Allowances for slow-moving and obsolete inventories (which are included in the above inventory values) were $8.2 million and $6.7 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014. The year-over-year increase in the allowance was proportionate with the increase in inventory.
Plant and Equipment
Plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed for financial reporting purposes using the straight-line method, with estimated useful lives of 7 to 30 years for buildings and improvements, and 3 to 10 years for machinery and equipment. Depreciation expense was approximately $58.1 million, $55.3 million and $55.0 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets with definite lives, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset’s carrying amount may not be recoverable. The Company conducts its long-lived asset impairment analysis in accordance with ASC 360-10-15, “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” ASC 360-10-15 requires the Company to group assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities and evaluate the asset group against the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows. If the undiscounted cash flows do not indicate the carrying amount of the asset is recoverable, an impairment charge is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its fair value based on discounted cash flow analysis or appraisals.
Patents
The Company’s policy is to capitalize costs incurred to obtain patents. The cost of patents is amortized over their useful lives. The cost of patents in process is not amortized until issuance. The Company periodically obtains intellectual property rights, in the ordinary course of business, and the cost of the rights are amortized over their useful lives.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill reflects the cost of an acquisition in excess of the fair values assigned to identifiable net assets acquired. The Company reviews goodwill for impairment during the fourth quarter on an annual basis or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. The Company performs an impairment review for its automotive reporting unit, which has been determined to be one of the Company’s reportable segments. The fair value of a reporting unit refers to the price that would be received to sell the unit as a whole in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company performs a qualitative assessment (step 0) to determine whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying amount. If not, no further goodwill impairment testing is performed. If so, we perform the step 1 and step 2 tests discussed hereafter. If the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount (step 1), goodwill is not considered to be impaired and the second step is not required. However, if the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, an entity must perform the second step to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any. The second step requires a
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES, continued
reporting unit to compare its implied fair value of goodwill to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, the reporting unit would recognize an impairment loss for that excess.
The assumptions included in the impairment tests require judgment, and changes to these inputs could impact the results of the calculations which could result in an impairment charge in future periods if the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its calculated fair value. Other than management's internal projections of future cash flows, the primary assumptions used in the impairment tests are the weighted-average cost of capital and long-term growth rates. Although the Company's cash flow forecasts are based on assumptions that are considered reasonable by management and consistent with the plans and estimates management is using to operate the underlying business, there are significant judgments in determining the expected future cash flows attributable to a reporting unit. There have been no impairment charges booked currently or in prior periods in which goodwill existed.
Indefinite lived intangible assets are also subject to annual impairment testing or more frequently if indicators of impairment are identified. Management judgment and assumptions are required in determining the underlying fair value of the indefinite lived intangible assets. While the Company believes the judgments and assumptions used in determining fair value are reasonable, different assumptions could change the estimated fair values and, therefore, impairment charges could be required, which could be material to the consolidated financial statements. The indefinite lived intangible assets were not impaired as a result of the annual test prepared by management for either period presented.
Revenue Recognition
The Company’s revenue is generated from sales of its products. Sales are recognized when the product is shipped and legal title has passed to the customer. The Company does not generate sales from arrangements with multiple deliverables.
Advertising and Promotional Materials
All advertising and promotional costs are expensed as incurred and amounted to approximately $1.4 million, $1.1 million and $0.4 million, in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Repairs and Maintenance
Major renewals and improvements of property and equipment are capitalized, and repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. The Company incurred expenses relating to the repair and maintenance of plant and equipment of approximately $20.7 million, $17.9 million and $14.9 million, in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Self-Insurance
The Company is self-insured for a portion of its risk on workers’ compensation and employee medical costs. The arrangements provide for stop loss insurance to manage the Company’s risk. Operations are charged with the cost of claims reported and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported based upon historical claims lag information and other data.
Product Warranty
The Company periodically incurs product warranty costs. Any liabilities associated with product warranty are estimated based on known facts and circumstances and are not significant at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. The Company does not offer extended warranties on its products.
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes is based on the earnings reported in the consolidated financial statements. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future. Such deferred income tax asset and liability computations are based on enacted tax laws and rates.
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES, continued
Earnings Per Share
The following table reconciles the numerators and denominators used in the calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) for each of the last three years adjusted for the two-for-one common stock split effected in the form of a 100% stock dividend issued on December 31, 2014:
For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, 1,656,936, 1,228,694 and 6,754,622 shares, respectively, related to stock option plans were not included in diluted average common shares outstanding because they were anti-dilutive.
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income reflects the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. For the Company, comprehensive income represents net income adjusted for unrealized gains and losses on certain investments, unrealized gains and losses on certain derivative financial instruments and foreign currency translation adjustments and is further detailed in Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Foreign Currency Translation
The financial position and results of operations of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at year-end. Income statement accounts are translated at the average rate of exchange in effect during the year. The resulting translation adjustment is recorded as a separate component of shareholders’ investment. Gains and losses arising from re-measuring foreign currency transactions into the appropriate currency are included in the determination of net income.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments in accordance with the guidance provided in ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The guidance requires that all derivative instruments be recognized as assets or liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and measured at fair value. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, fair value changes in the effective portion of the hedging instrument are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income on the consolidated balance sheets until the forecasted transaction affects earnings of the consolidated entity. Any ineffective portion of the fair value change is recognized in earnings immediately. At December 31, 2015, there was no ineffectiveness.
The Company seeks to reduce exposure to interest rate fluctuations through the use of an interest rate swap agreement. The Company does not buy and sell such financial instruments for investment or speculative purposes. The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties on derivative contracts. It is the Company’s practice to manage its credit risk on these transactions by dealing with highly rated financial institutions.
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING POLICIES, continued
Stock-Based Compensation Plans
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation using the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718, “Compensation - Stock Compensation.” As described more fully in Note 5, the Company provides compensation benefits under two stock option plans, a restricted stock plan and an employee stock purchase plan.
Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recent Accounting Standards
In May 2014 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued the Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), that will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under US GAAP. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard was originally to be effective for public entities for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. On July 9, 2015 the FASB decided to defer by one year the effective dates of the new standard for both public and nonpublic entities reporting under US GAAP. Early adoption would be permitted for all entities, but not before the original public entity effective date (i.e. annual and interim periods beginning after December 16, 2016).
Entities can choose to apply the standard using either the full retrospective approach or a modified retrospective approach. Entities electing the full retrospective adoption will apply the standard to each period presented in the financial statements. This means that entities will have to apply the new guidance as if it had been in effect since the inception of all its contracts with customers presented in the financial statements. Entities that elect the modified retrospective approach will apply the guidance retrospectively only to the most current period presented in the financial statements. This means that entities will have to recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings at the date of initial application. The new revenue standard will be applied to contracts that are in progress at the date of initial application.
The Company is currently evaluating which adoption method it plans to use and is assessing the potential effect the new standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, whereby debt issuance costs associated with non-revolving debt are presented as a reduction to the debt principal balance. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Upon adoption, the Company does not anticipate a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, requiring all deferred tax assets and liabilities, and any related valuation allowance, to be classified as non-current on the balance sheet instead of separating deferred taxes into current and non-current amounts. The classification change for all deferred taxes as non-current simplifies entities’ processes as it eliminates the need to separately identify the net current and net non-current deferred tax asset or liability in each jurisdiction and allocate valuation allowances. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. Upon adoption, the Company anticipates reclassifying deferred income taxes of approximately $22 million from current assets to non-current liabilities.
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
(2)
DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS
On September 27, 2013, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with certain banks and agents.
Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Company is borrower under a $150 million senior revolving credit facility ("Revolver") and a $150 million term loan facility ("Term Loan"). Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Company is entitled, to further request an additional aggregate principal amount of up to $75 million, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. In addition, the Company is entitled to the benefit of swing loans from amounts otherwise available under the Revolver in the aggregate principal amount of up to $20 million and to request Letters of Credit from amounts otherwise available under the Revolver in the aggregate principal amount of up to $20 million, both subject to certain conditions. The obligations of the Company under the Credit agreement are not secured, but are subject to certain covenants. The Revolver expires and the Term Loan matures on September 27, 2018.
During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company made repayments of $32.5 million and $7.5 million respectively, plus accrued interest. The aforementioned payments include additional payments made by the Company of $25.0 million, on the Revolver, which were in addition to the scheduled amounts due. The Company used cash and cash equivalents to fund the payments. As of December 31, 2015, $100.8 million was outstanding under the Revolver and the Company had availability of $49.2 million on the Revolver. Under current terms of the Term Loan, the Company will make principal repayments of $7.5 million annually through the maturity date of the Term Loan. As of December 31, 2015, $133.1 million was outstanding under the Term Loan.
As of December 31, 2015, the borrowing rate on both its Term Loan and Revolver are derived from the one month LIBOR, and based on the Company's leverage ratio as of December 31, 2015, the interest rate on its borrowings is equal to 1.43%. Interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 are presented within the "Other, net" section of the Consolidated Statements of Income and were $4.4 million and $3.5 million, respectively.
The Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties and certain covenants that place certain limitations on the Company.
As of December 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with its covenants under the Credit Agreement.
Interest Rate Swap
On October 1, 2014, the Company entered into an interest rate swap transaction with a bank (the “Counterparty”). The Counterparty is among the syndicate of lenders under the existing Credit Agreement entered into on September 27, 2013. The Company entered into the interest rate swap transaction to mitigate the Company’s floating rate interest risk on an aggregate of $150 million of the Company’s debt that is currently outstanding under the Credit Agreement. The interest rate swap had an effective date of July 31, 2015 and a termination date of September 27, 2018 (which is the expiration date of the Credit Agreement). The Company is required to make certain monthly fixed rate payments to the Counterparty calculated on a notional amount of $150 million for the rate swap, while the Counterparty is obligated to make monthly floating rate payments to the Company referencing the same notional amount. The interest rate swap transaction has the effect of fixing the annual interest rate payable on $150 million of the Company’s outstanding debt under its existing credit facility to 1.89%, as of the effective date. The notional amounts of the interest rate swap agreement are used to measure interest to be paid or received and do not represent the amount of exposure to credit loss. This derivative instrument has been designated as a cash flow hedge of the variable interest payments on the related debt.
Notwithstanding the terms of the interest rate swap transaction, the Company is ultimately obligated for all amounts due and payable under its existing Credit Agreement.
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
The notional amount of the Company's derivative instruments are as follows:
The following table sets forth financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets and the respective pricing levels to which the fair value measurements are classified within the fair value hierarchy. The Company uses the market approach to derive the value of its level 2 fair value measurements. Interest rate swaps are valued using publicized swap curves.
Based on loan balances as of December 31, 2015 and the effective date of July 31, 2015 of the interest rate swap, a one percent increase in the Company's borrowing rate would increase net interest expense paid by the Company on its borrowings by approximately $0.8 million dollars on an annual basis.
(3)
INCOME TAXES
The Company follows the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Codification 740 (“ASC 740”), “Income Taxes.” A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
If recognized, unrecognized tax benefits would affect the effective tax rate.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits through the provision for income taxes. The Company has accrued approximately $325,000 and $821,000 for interest as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Interest recorded during 2015, 2014 and 2013 was not considered significant.
The Company is also subject to periodic and routine audits in both domestic and foreign tax jurisdictions, and it is reasonably possible that the amounts of unrecognized tax benefits could change as a result of an audit.
Based on the current audits in process, the payment of taxes as a result of audit settlements, and the completion of tax examinations, the Company does not expect these to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
(3)
INCOME TAXES, continued
For the majority of tax jurisdictions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2011.
In December 2015, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act was signed into law and reinstated retroactively to January 1, 2015 for various tax provisions known as tax "extenders" that had expired as of December 31, 2014. In accordance with ASC 740-45-15, the effects of changes in tax rates and laws on deferred tax balances and tax rates are recognized in the period the new legislation is enacted. As a result, the impact of the new legislation is reflected in the Company's consolidated financial position and results of operations in the fourth quarter of 2015.
The provision for income taxes is based on the earnings reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The Company recognizes deferred income tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the consolidated financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred income tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the cumulative temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates. Deferred income tax expense is measured by the net change in deferred income tax assets and liabilities during the year.
The foreign components of income before the provision for income taxes were not material as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:
The currently payable provision is further reduced by the tax benefits associated with the exercise, vesting or disposition of stock under the stock plans described in Note 5. These reductions totaled approximately $5.0 million, $10.8 million and $7.4 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and were recognized as an adjustment of additional paid-in capital.
The effective income tax rates are different from the statutory federal income tax rates for the following reasons:
(1) - Research tax credits applied in 2014 related to prior tax year amended tax filings were approximately 1.3 percentage points of the 2 percentage point reduction in the effective income tax rate.
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
(3)
INCOME TAXES, continued
The tax effect of temporary differences which give rise to deferred income tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2015 and 2014, are as follows:
Income taxes paid in cash were approximately $138.0 million, $128.8 million and $97.1 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
No provision has been made for U.S. Federal and State income taxes on foreign taxes that may result from remittances of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. The Company expects such earnings will remain reinvested in those foreign subsidiaries indefinitely. Undistributed foreign earnings were not material as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.
(4)
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN
The Company has a 401(k) retirement savings plan in which substantially all of its employees may participate. The plan includes a provision for the Company to match a percentage of the employee’s contributions at a rate determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. In 2015, 2014 and 2013 the Company’s contributions were approximately $5.7 million, $5.1 million and $2.8 million, respectively. The increase in the Company's matching contributions in 2015 was due to increased participation in the plan. The increase in 2014 was due to changes, approved by the Company's Board of Directors, to the rate of Company match as well as increased participation in the plan.
The Company does not provide health care benefits to retired employees.
(5)
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
At December 31, 2015, the Company had four equity incentive plans which include two stock option plans, a restricted stock plan and an employee stock purchase plan. All of the plans and any material amendments thereto have previously been approved by shareholders.
Employee Stock Option Plan
In May 2014, the Employee Stock Option Plan was approved by shareholders, amending and restating a prior plan. The Company may grant up to 24,000,000 shares of common stock under the plan. The purpose of the plan is to provide an opportunity to use stock options as a means of recruiting new managerial and technical personnel and as a means for retaining certain employees of the Company and allow them to purchase shares
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
(5)
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS, continued
of common stock of the Corporation and thereby have an additional incentive to contribute to the prosperity of the Company.
The Company has granted options on 7,472,734 shares (net of shares from canceled/expired options) under the new plan through December 31, 2015. Under the plans, the option exercise price equals the stock’s market price on date of grant. The options vest after one to five years, and expire after five to seven years.
The fair value of each option grant in the Employee Stock Option Plan was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for the indicated periods:
(1) Represents the Company's estimated cash dividend yield over the expected term of option grant.
(2)
Amount is determined based on analysis of historical price volatility of the Company's common stock. The expected volatility is based on the daily percentage change in the price of the stock over a period equal to the expected term of the option grant.
(3) Represents the U.S. Treasury yield over the expected term of the option grant.
(4)
Represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. Based on analysis of historical option exercise activity, the Company has determined that all employee groups exhibit similar exercise and post-vesting termination behavior.
As of December 31, 2015, there was $20,728,349 of unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based payments which is expected to be recognized over the remaining vesting periods, with a weighted-average period of 2.0 years.
A summary of the status of the Company’s employee stock option plan at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, and changes during the same periods are presented in the tables and narrative below and have been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one common stock split effected in the form of a 100% stock dividend on December 31, 2014.
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
(5)
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS, continued
A summary of the status of the Company’s non-vested employee stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, are presented in the table and narrative below:
Non-employee Director Stock Option Plan
In 2012, an Amended and Restated Non-employee Director Stock Option Plan, covering a total of 1,000,000 shares of common stock, was approved by shareholders replacing a prior plan. The Company has granted options on 315,000 shares (net of shares from canceled options) under the new director plan and 1,086,480 shares (net of shares from exercised/canceled options) under a prior plan through December 31, 2015. Under the shareholder approved plans, the option exercise price equals the stock's market price on date of grant. The options vest after six months, and expire after ten years.
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
(5)
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS, continued
The fair value of each option grant in the Non-employee Director Stock Option Plans was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for the indicated periods:
(1) Represents the Company's estimated cash dividend yield over the expected term of option grant.
(2)
Amount is determined based on analysis of historical price volatility of the Company's common stock. The expected volatility is based on the daily percentage change in the price of the stock over a period equal to the expected term of the option grant.
(3) Represents the U.S. Treasury yield over the expected term of the option grant.
(4)
Represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. Based on analysis of historical option exercise activity, the Company has determined that non-employee directors exhibit similar exercise and post-vesting termination behavior.
As of December 31, 2015, there were no unrecognized compensation costs related to share-based payments under this plan.
A summary of the status of the Company’s Non-employee Director Stock Option Plan at December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, and changes during the same periods are presented in the tables and narrative below:
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
(5)
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS, continued
A summary of the status of the Company’s nonvested Non-employee Director Stock Option Plan activity for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, are presented in the table and narrative below:
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In 2013, the Gentex Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan covering 2,000,000 shares of common stock was approved by the shareholders, replacing a prior plan. Under such plan, the Company sells shares at 85% of the stock’s market price at date of purchase. Under ASC 718, the 15% discounted value is recognized as compensation expense. The following table summarizes shares sold to employees under the 2013 Plan and the prior plan in the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.
Restricted Stock Plan
In 2015, an amendment to the Company’s Second Restricted Stock Plan was approved by shareholders. The Plan amendment increased the maximum number of shares that may be subject to awards to 9,000,000 shares and to extend the Plan’s termination date to February 19, 2025. The purpose of this plan is to permit grants of shares, subject to restrictions, to key employees of the Company as a means of retaining and rewarding them for long-term performance and to increase their ownership in the Company. Shares awarded under the plan entitle the shareholder to all rights of common stock ownership except that the shares may not be sold, transferred, pledged, exchanged or otherwise disposed of during the restriction period. The restriction period is determined by a committee, appointed by the Board of Directors, but may not exceed ten years. The Company has 1,530,380 shares outstanding under the plan as of December 31, 2015. During 2015, 2014, and 2013, 229,660, 431,880 and 374,180 shares, respectively, were granted with a restriction period of five years, and
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
(5)
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS, continued
cliff vest after the restriction period with no additional restrictions, at market prices ranging from $15.50 to $18.30 in 2015, $13.39 to $18.31 in 2014, and $10.12 to $16.42 in 2013, and has unearned stock-based compensation of $11,536,022 associated with these restricted stock grants. The unearned stock-based compensation related to these grants is being amortized to compensation expense over the applicable restriction periods. Amortization expense of restricted stock for years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $3,486,242, $3,095,136. and $2,760,446 respectively.
(6)
CONTINGENCIES
The Company is periodically involved in legal proceedings, legal actions and claims arising in the normal course of business, including proceedings relating to product liability, intellectual property, safety and health, employment and other matters. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties and outcomes are not predictable. The Company does not believe, however, that at the current time any of these matters constitute material pending legal proceedings that will have a material adverse effect on the financial position or future results of operations of the Company.
(7)
SEGMENT REPORTING
ASC 280, “Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” requires that a public enterprise report financial and descriptive information about its reportable operating segments subject to certain aggregation criteria and quantitative thresholds. Operating segments are defined by ASC 280 as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision-makers in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
(7)
SEGMENT REPORTING, continued
Other includes Fire Protection Products and Dimmable Aircraft Windows. Dimmable Aircraft Window net sales continued to increase during 2013, 2014 and 2015, which resulted in income from operations for each of the three years presented in the “Other” category.
Major product line revenues included within these segments are as follows:
*Excludes HomeLink® revenue integrated into automotive mirrors. For 2013, includes revenue from September 27, 2013, the date of the acquisition of HomeLink®, through December 31, 2013.
Corporate assets are principally cash and cash equivalents, investments, deferred income taxes and corporate fixed assets. Substantially all long-lived assets are located in the U.S.
Automotive Products revenues in the “Other” category are sales to customer automotive manufacturing plants in Korea, Mexico, Canada, Hungary, China, and the United Kingdom as well as other foreign automotive customers. Most of the Company’s non-U.S. sales are invoiced and paid in U.S. dollars. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, approximately 6%, 6% and 7% of the Company’s net sales were invoiced and paid in foreign currencies respectively.
In 2015, the Company had three automotive customers (including direct sales to OEM customers and sales through their Tier 1 suppliers), which individually accounted for 10% or more of net sales as follows:
# - Less than 10 percent.
(8) QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
The following table sets forth selected financial information for all of the quarters during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands, except per share data):
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
(7)
SEGMENT REPORTING, continued
(9) Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income reflects the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. For the Company, comprehensive income represents net income adjusted for unrealized gains and losses on certain investments, foreign currency translation adjustments, and unrealized movement in derivative financial instruments designated as hedges.
All amounts are shown net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.
The following table presents details of reclassifications out of other comprehensive income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(10)
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
On September 27, 2013, the Company completed the acquisition of certain assets and liabilities of Johnson Controls, Inc. related to HomeLink®. Prior to the acquisition, the Company was a licensee of HomeLink® which allowed for incorporation of HomeLink® into the Company’s rearview mirror products, that are installed in automobiles. The aggregate purchase price for the Business paid at the closing was approximately $700 million subject to working capital adjustments. During the first quarter of 2014 the Company finalized purchase accounting.
The Company funded the transaction using a combination of cash on hand of approximately $423 million and debt financing. The Company’s debt financing included net proceeds from the Company’s Credit Agreement as described in Note 2.
(11)
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
On September 27, 2013, the Company recorded Goodwill of $337.6 million related to the HomeLink acquisition detailed further in Note 10. As of December 31, 2013, the Company adjusted recorded Goodwill to $307.4 million resulting from finalization of purchase accounting estimates, during the first quarter of 2014. The carrying value of Goodwill as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was $307.4 million as set forth in the table below.
For the Automotive reporting unit, the Company determined that the fair value remained substantially in excess of its carrying values. And as such, the Company has not recognized any impairment of goodwill in the current period. The Company continuously monitors for events and circumstances that could negatively impact the key assumptions in determining fair value thus resulting in the need for interim testing, including long-term revenue growth projections, profitability, discount rates, recent market valuations from transactions by comparable companies, volatility in the Company's market capitalization, and general industry, market and macro-economic conditions, no such matters were noted in the current period.
The Intangible assets and related change in carrying values are set forth in the table below as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
As of December 31, 2015:
GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Continued)
(11)
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, continued
As of December 31, 2014:
Accumulated amortization on patents and intangible assets was approximately $57.3 million and $35.2 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Amortization expense on patents and other intangible assets was approximately $22.5 million, $22.0 million, and $7.9 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. At December 31, 2015, patents had a weighted average amortized life of 10 years.
Excluding the impact of any future acquisitions, the Company anticipates amortization expense including patents and other intangible assets for each of the years ended December 31, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 to be approximately $22.3 million annually.
(12)
STOCK SPLIT
On December 5, 2014, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a two-for-one split of our outstanding shares of common stock to be effected in the form of a 100% stock dividend. On December 31, 2014, shareholders of record at the close of business on December 17, 2014, were issued one additional share of common stock for each share owned by such shareholder. The stock split increased the number of shares of common stock outstanding from approximately 147.6 million to approximately 295.2 million. Share and per-share amounts (including stock options and restricted stock) shown in the consolidated financial statements and related notes reflect the split. The total number of authorized common shares and the par value thereof was not changed by the split.
EXHIBIT INDEX
*Indicates a compensatory plan or arrangement.