TUP 10K 12.27.14



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
________________________________________
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 27, 2014
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Transition period from               to             
Commission file number 1-11657
________________________________________
TUPPERWARE BRANDS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
36-4062333
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
14901 South Orange Blossom Trail,
Orlando, Florida
32837
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (407) 826-5050
 
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
New York Stock Exchange
 
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
 ________________________________________ 
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  x    No  o
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  o    No  x
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act). Yes o No x
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity on the New York Stock Exchange-Composite Transaction Listing on June 27, 2014 (the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was $4,131,754,176.
As of February 19, 2015, 49,745,982 shares of the common stock, $0.01 par value, of the registrant were outstanding.
Documents Incorporated by Reference:
Portions of the Proxy Statement relating to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held May 8, 2015 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report.





Table of Contents

Item
 
Page 
Part I
 
 
 
Item 1
 1
Item 1A
Item 1B
Item 2
Item 3
Item 4
 
Part II
 
 
 
Item 5
Item 5a
Item 5c
Item 6
Item 7
Item 7A
Item 8
Item 9
Item 9A
Item 9B
 
 
 
Part III
 
 
 
Item 10
Item 11
Item 12
Item 13
Item 14
 
 
 
Part IV
 
 
 
Item 15
 
 
 





PART I
Item 1.
Business.
(a) General Development of Business
Tupperware Brands Corporation (“Registrant”, “Tupperware Brands” or the “Company”) is a global direct-to-consumer marketer of premium, innovative products across multiple brands and categories through an independent sales force of 2.9 million. Product brands and categories include design-centric preparation, storage and serving solutions for the kitchen and home through the Tupperware® brand and beauty and personal care products through the Armand Dupree®, Avroy Shlain®, BeautiControl®, Fuller®, NaturCare®, Nutrimetics® and Nuvo® brands. The Registrant is a Delaware corporation that was organized on February 8, 1996 in connection with the corporate reorganization of Premark International, Inc. (“Premark”). In the reorganization, certain businesses of the Registrant and certain other assets and liabilities of Premark and its subsidiaries were transferred to the Registrant. On May 31, 1996, the Registrant became a publicly held company through the pro rata distribution by Premark to its shareholders of all of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Registrant. On October 18, 2000, the Registrant acquired 100 percent of the stock of BeautiControl, Inc. (“BeautiControl”), and on December 5, 2005, the Registrant acquired the direct-to-consumer businesses of Sara Lee Corporation. Prior to December 5, 2005, the Registrant's name was Tupperware Corporation.
(b) New York Stock Exchange-Required Disclosures
General. The address of the Registrant's principal office is 14901 South Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, Florida 32837. The names of the Registrant's directors are Catherine A. Bertini, Susan M. Cameron, Kriss Cloninger, III, E.V. Goings, Joe R. Lee, Angel R. Martinez, Antonio Monteiro de Castro, Robert J. Murray, David R. Parker, Joyce M. Roché and M. Anne Szostak. Members of the Audit, Finance and Corporate Responsibility Committee of the Board of Directors are Mr. Murray (Chair), Ms. Bertini, Ms. Szostak and Messrs. Monteiro de Castro and Parker. The members of the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board of Directors are Ms. Roché (Chair), Ms. Cameron, and Messrs. Cloninger, Lee and Martinez. The members of the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors are Mr. Murray (Chair), Ms. Roché, Ms. Szostak, and Messrs. Cloninger and Parker. The members of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors are Mr. Goings (Chair), Ms. Roché and Messrs. Cloninger, Murray and Parker. The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is E.V. Goings and the Presiding Director is Robert J. Murray. The Registrant's executive officers and the number of its employees are set forth below in Part I of this Report. The name and address of the Registrant's transfer agent and registrar is Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., c/o Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, 161 North Concord Exchange, South St. Paul, MN 55075. The number of the Registrant's shareholders is set forth below in Part II, Item 5 of this Report. The Registrant is satisfying its annual distribution requirement to shareholders under the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) rules by the distribution of its Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in lieu of a separate annual report.
Corporate Governance. Investors can obtain access to periodic reports and corporate governance documents, including board committee charters, corporate governance principles and codes of conduct and ethics for financial executives, and information regarding the Registrant's transfer agent and registrar through the Registrant's website free of charge (as soon as reasonably practicable after reports are filed with the SEC, in the case of periodic reports) by going to www.tupperwarebrands.com and searching under Investor Relations / SEC Filings and Governance Documents. The Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant has certified to the NYSE that he is not aware of any violation by the Registrant of NYSE corporate governance listing standards.
BUSINESS OF TUPPERWARE BRANDS CORPORATION
The Registrant is a worldwide direct-to-consumer company engaged in the manufacture and sale of Tupperware® products and cosmetics and personal care products under a variety of trade names, including Armand Dupree®, Avroy Shlain®, BeautiControl®, Fuller®, NaturCare®, Nutrimetics® and Nuvo®. Each business manufactures and/or markets a broad line of high quality products.

1



I. PRINCIPAL PRODUCTS
Tupperware. The core of the Tupperware product line consists of design-centric preparation, storage, and serving solutions for the kitchen and home. Tupperware also has established lines of cookware, knives, microwave products, microfiber textiles, water related items and an array of products for on-the-go consumers. The Company has continued to refresh its traditional kitchen and home lines, such as the Modular Mates* containers, with updated designs and incremental technological enhancements while evolving towards more lifestyle-oriented products. These new lifestyle solutions are based on consumer insights from the Company's market and product leaders around the globe. In 2014, key launches to contemporize the Tupperware product offering included the innovative Microwave Pressure Cooker, which combines the speed and convenience of pressure cooking with that of the microwave, and the Slim Rice Dispenser, which saves space and conveniently dispenses rice one portion at a time. Other key launches introduced included the Chef Series Pure Cookware range, the FusionMaster* Grater, a new extension to the existing FusionMaster* System, and the latest generation of our classic Freezer Mates* range. The Kids' Eco Bottle range was also further expanded with the successful introduction of several new designs.
The Company continues to introduce new materials, designs, colors and decoration in its product lines, to vary its offerings by season and to extend existing products into new markets. The development of new products varies across markets in order to address differences in cultures, lifestyles, tastes and needs, although most products are offered in a large number of markets.
Research and development and the resultant new product development will continue to be an important part of the Company's strategy going forward.
Beauty. In Beauty, the Company manufactures and distributes skin and hair care products, cosmetics, bath and body care, toiletries, fragrances, jewelry and nutritional products.
New skin and hair care products launched in 2014 included BeautiControl's Regeneration* BTeXtreme* Elixir and the OxygenZone* Skin Purifying Tool. Nutrimetics France introduced the Raspberry Nutri Clean* Shower Gel. Nutrimetics Australia/New Zealand added to their Ultra Care+ Platinum line by introducing the Tight Firm & Fill Eye Serum. To better communicate with customers, Nutrimetics re-launched the Heritage range in a modernized look and feel. Tupperware Brands Philippines introduced enhanced packaging to their best-selling brand, White Result* Hand and Body Lotions.
Numerous new fragrances were also launched, such as Awakenings* Blue Eau de Toilette for Her, Bold Blue* Eau de Toilette for Him, and Endangered Wild* His and Hers Eau de Toilettes by Avroy Shlain. Tupperware Brazil introduced the Águas da Manhã Frutas*, Águas da Manhã Algodão*, and So Secret* fragrances. Fuller Mexico introduced a new Hello Kitty fragrance, created for women of all ages, Amare Sempre, endorsed by popular Mexican artist Andrea Legarreta, and Unlimited by Armand Dupree* for men. The Love Chic Pour Elle and Love Chic Pour Lui fragrances were launched by Nutrimetics France, and Nuvó debuted the Armand Dupree* Rose and Claudia Fernandez fragrances.
New additions to the Company's cosmetics ranges included Fuller Mexico’s Armand Dupree Perfect Stay Gel Effects nail enamels, the Nutrimetics nc Fibre Lash Enhancer* by Nutrimetics Australia/New Zealand, BeautiControl’s BC Color Dramatic Lash Mascara and Avroy Shlain’s Coppelia Colour* LED Lip glosses and Coppelia Colour* Bronzing Pearls.
(Words followed by * are registered or unregistered trademarks of the Registrant.)
II. MARKETS
The Company operates its business under five reporting segments in three broad geographic regions: Europe (Europe, Africa and the Middle East), Asia Pacific and the Americas. Market penetration varies throughout the world. Several areas that have low penetration, such as Latin America, Asia and Eastern and Central Europe, provide the Company significant growth potential. The Company's strategy continues to include greater penetration in markets throughout the world.  

2



Tupperware Brands' products are sold around the world under eight brands: Tupperware, Armand Dupree, Avroy Shlain, BeautiControl, Fuller, NaturCare, Nutrimetics and Nuvo. The Company defines its established market economy units as those in Western Europe (including Scandinavia), Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the United States. All other units are classified as operating in emerging market economies. Businesses operating in emerging markets accounted for 66 percent of 2014 sales, while businesses operating in established markets accounted for the other 34 percent. For the past five fiscal years, 88 to 92 percent of total revenues from the sale of Tupperware Brands' products have been in international markets.
III. DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCTS
The Company's products are distributed worldwide primarily through the “direct-to-consumer” method, under which products are sold by an independent sales force to consumers outside traditional retail store locations. The system facilitates the timely distribution of products to consumers, without having to work through retail intermediaries, and establishes uniform practices regarding the use of Tupperware Brands' trademarks and administrative arrangements, such as order entry, delivery and payment, along with the recruiting and training of the sales force.
Products are primarily sold directly to distributors, directors, managers and dealers (“sales force”) throughout the world. Where distributorships are granted, they have the right to market the Company's products using parties and other non-retail methods and to utilize Tupperware Brands' trademarks. The vast majority of the sales force are independent contractors and not employees of Tupperware. In certain limited circumstances, the Company has acquired ownership of distributorships for a period of time, until an independent distributor can be installed, in order to maintain market presence.
In addition to the introduction of new products and development of new geographic markets, a key element of the Company's strategy is expanding its business by increasing the size of its sales force. Under the system, distributors, directors, team leaders and managers, and dealers recruit, train, and motivate a large number of dealers. Managers are developed from among the dealer group and promoted to assist in recruiting, training and motivating dealers, while continuing to sell products.
As of December 27, 2014, the Company's distribution system had approximately 2,000 distributors, 98,000 managers (including directors and team leaders) and 2.9 million dealers worldwide. During the year, the Company estimates that 25 million group presentation sales events, or parties, took place worldwide.
Tupperware typically relies on the group presentation method of sales, which is designed to enable the purchasers to appreciate, through demonstration, the features and benefits of the Company's products. Parties are held in homes, offices, social clubs and other locations. Products are also promoted through brochures mailed or given to people invited to attend parties and various other types of demonstrations. Some business units utilize a campaign merchandising system, whereby sales force members sell through brochures generated every two or three weeks, to their friends, neighbors and relatives. Sales of products are supported through programs of sales promotions, sales and training aids and motivational conferences for the sales force. In addition, to support its sales force, the Company utilizes catalogs and television and magazine advertising, which help to increase its sales levels with hard-to-reach customers and generate leads for sales and new dealers. A significant portion of the Company's business is operated through distributors, many of whom stock inventory and fulfill orders of the sales force that are generally placed after orders have been received from end consumers. In other cases, the Company sells directly to the sales force, also generally after they have received a consumer order.
In 2014, the Company continued to sell directly, and/or through its sales force, to end consumers via the Internet. It also entered into a limited number of business-to-business transactions, in which it sells products to a partner company for sale to consumers through the partner's distribution channel, with a link back to the core business. Internet and business-to-business transactions do not constitute a significant portion of sales of the Company.

3



IV. COMPETITION
There are many competitors to Tupperware Brands' businesses both domestically and internationally. The principal bases of competition generally are marketing, price, quality and innovation of products, as well as competition with other “direct-to-consumer” companies for sales personnel and demonstration dates. Due to the nature of the direct-to-consumer industry, it is critical that the Company provides a compelling earnings opportunity for the sales force, along with developing new and innovative products. The Company maintains its competitive position, in part, through the use of strong incentives and promotional programs.
Through its Tupperware® brand, the Company competes in the food storage, serving and preparation, containers, toys and gifts categories. Through its beauty and personal care brands, the Company also competes in the skin care, cosmetics, toiletries, fragrances and nutritionals categories. The Company works to differentiate itself from its competitors through its brand names, product innovation, quality, value-added services, celebrity endorsements, technological sophistication, new product introductions and its channel of distribution, including the training, motivation and compensation arrangements for its independent sales forces.
V. EMPLOYEES
The Registrant employs approximately 13,100 people, of whom approximately 800 are based in the United States.
VI. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The Registrant incurred $19.3 million, $20.0 million and $18.9 million for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, on research and development activities for new products and production processes.
VII. RAW MATERIALS
Many of the products manufactured by and for the Company require plastic resins that meet its specifications. These resins are purchased through various arrangements with a number of large chemical companies located throughout the Company's markets. As a result, the Company has not experienced difficulties in obtaining adequate supplies and generally has been successful in obtaining favorable resin prices on a relative basis. Research and development relating to resins used in Tupperware® products is performed by both the Company and its suppliers.
Materials used in the Company's skin care, cosmetic and bath and body care products consist primarily of readily available ingredients, containers and packaging materials. Such raw materials and components used in goods manufactured and assembled by the Company and through outsource arrangements are available from a number of sources. To date, the Company has been able to secure an adequate supply of raw materials for its products, and it endeavors to maintain relationships with backup suppliers in an effort to ensure that no interruptions occur in its operations.
VIII. TRADEMARKS AND PATENTS
Tupperware Brands considers its trademarks and patents to be of material importance to its business; however, except for the Tupperware® and Fuller® trademarks, Tupperware Brands is not dependent upon any single patent or trademark, or group of patents or trademarks. The Tupperware® and Fuller® trademarks are registered on a country-by-country basis. The current duration for such registration ranges from five years to ten years; however, each such registration may be renewed an unlimited number of times. The patents used in Tupperware Brands' business are registered and maintained on a worldwide basis, with a variety of durations. Tupperware Brands has followed the practice of applying for design and utility patents with respect to most of its significant patentable developments.
IX. ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS
Compliance with federal, state and local environmental protection laws has not had in the past, and is not expected to have in the future, a material effect upon the Registrant's capital expenditures, liquidity, earnings or competitive position.

4



X. OTHER
Sales do not vary significantly on a quarterly basis; however, third quarter sales are generally lower than the other quarters in any year due to vacations by dealers and their customers, as well as reduced promotional activities during this quarter. Sales generally increase in the fourth quarter, as it includes traditional gift-giving occasions in many markets and as children return to school and households refocus on activities that include party plan sales events and the use of the Company's housewares products, along with increased promotional activities supporting these opportunities.
Generally, there are no working capital practices or backlog conditions which are material to an understanding of the Registrant's business, although the Company generally seeks to minimize its net working capital position at the end of each fiscal year and normally generates a significant portion of its annual cash flow from operating activities in its fourth quarter. The Registrant's business is not dependent on a small number of customers, nor is any of its business subject to renegotiation of profits or termination of contracts or subcontracts at the election of the United States government.
XI. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Following is a list of the names and ages of all the Executive Officers of the Registrant, indicating all positions and offices held by each such person with the Registrant, and each such person's principal occupations or employment during the past five years. Each such person has been elected to serve until the next annual election of officers of the Registrant (expected to occur on May 8, 2015).
Name and Age
 
Office and Experience
Lillian D. Garcia, age 59
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, after serving as Executive Vice President and Area Vice President, Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela and Ecuador from January 2011 to December 2012, and as Executive Vice President and President, Fuller Argentina since January 2010. Prior thereto, she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer since August 2005.
E.V. Goings, age 69
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since October 1997.
Asha Gupta, age 43
 
Group President, Asia Pacific since January 1, 2014 after serving as Area Vice President, India, Philippines and Nutrimetics Australia since January 2012. Prior thereto she served as Managing Director, Tupperware India.
Josef Hajek, age 57
 
Senior Vice President, Tax and Governmental Affairs since February 2006.
Simon C. Hemus, age 65
 
President and Chief Operating Officer since January 2007.
Gavin D. Little, age 47
 
Group President, Tupperware Europe, Africa and Middle East since September 1, 2014, after serving as Senior Vice President and Senior Area Vice President, Central Europe and Strategy Tupperware Europe, Africa and Middle East since January 2014, and after serving as Senior Vice President, Global Marketing and Strategy since July 2013. Prior thereto he served as a consultant to Mattel, Inc. in 2013, as Managing Director of the British Government's UK Trade and Investment unit since 2012, and prior to that as a business consultant. Prior to 2010, Mr. Little served in various executive positions with British American Tobacco Co., Plc.
Michael S. Poteshman, age 51
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since August 2004.
Nicholas K. Poucher, age 53
 
Senior Vice President and Controller since November 2014, after serving as Vice President and Controller since August 2007.
Thomas M. Roehlk, age 64
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary since August 2005.
Patricia A. Stitzel, age 49
 
Group President, Americas since January 2014 after serving as Senior Area Vice President, Central Europe since 2012 and prior thereto in various leadership positions in Europe.


5



Positions and Offices Held and Principal Occupations
of Employment During Past Five Years
Name and Age
 
Office and Experience
Jose R. Timmerman, age 66
 
Executive Vice President, Supply Chain Worldwide since February 2010, after serving as Senior Vice President, Supply Chain since March 2009.
William J. Wright, age 52
 
Senior Vice President, Global Supply Chain since October, 2014 after serving as Senior Vice President, Global Product Development, Tupperware since March 2013, and as Senior Vice President, Global Product Marketing since October 2010, and Senior Vice President, Global Third Party Sourced Products & Product Development since June 2010. Prior thereto, he served as Vice President of Marketing and Business Development of Tupperware Europe, Africa and the Middle East since August 2006.
Item 1A.    Risk Factors.
The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing the Company. Other events that the Company does not currently anticipate or that the Company currently deems immaterial also may affect results of operations and financial condition.
Sales Force Factors
The Company’s products are marketed and sold through the "direct-to-consumer" method of distribution, in which products are primarily marketed and sold to consumers, without the use of retail establishments, by a sales force made up of independent contractors. This distribution system depends upon the successful recruitment, activation and retention of a large force of sales personnel to grow and compensate for a high turnover rate. The recruitment and retention of sales force members is dependent upon the competitive environment among direct-to-consumer companies and upon the general labor market, unemployment levels, general economic conditions, and demographic and cultural changes in the workforce. The activation of the sales force is dependent, in part, upon the effectiveness of compensation and promotional programs of the Company, the competitiveness of the same compared with other direct-to-consumer companies, the introduction of new products and the ability to advance through the sales force structure.
The Company’s sales are directly tied to the activity levels of its sales force, which is in large part a temporary working activity for sales force members. Activity levels may be affected by the degree to which a market is penetrated by the presence of the Company’s sales force, the amount of average sales per order, the amount of sales per sales force member, the mix of high-margin and low-margin products sold at parties and elsewhere, and the activities and actions of the Company’s product line and channel competitors. In addition, the Company’s sales force members may be affected by initiatives undertaken by the Company to grow its revenue base that may lead to the inaccurate perception that the independent sales force system is at risk of being phased out.
International Operations
A significant portion of the Company’s sales and profit comes from its international operations. Although these operations are geographically dispersed, which partially mitigates the risks associated with operating in particular countries, the Company is subject to the usual risks associated with international operations. These risks include local political and economic environments, adverse new tax regulations and relations between the U.S. and foreign governments.

6



The Company derived 92 percent of its net sales from operations outside the United States in 2014. Because of this, movement in exchange rates may have a significant impact on the Company’s earnings, cash flows and financial position. The Company’s most significant exposures are to the euro, Indonesian rupiah and Mexican peso, as well as the Brazilian real, Chinese renminbi and Malaysian ringgit. Business units in which the Company generated at least $100 million of sales in 2014 included Brazil, China, Tupperware France, Fuller Mexico, Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia/Singapore, Tupperware Mexico and Tupperware United States and Canada. Of these units, sales by Brazil, Fuller Mexico and Indonesia exceeded $200 million. Although the Company's currency risk is partially mitigated by the natural hedge arising from its local product sourcing in many markets, a strengthening U.S. dollar generally has a negative impact on the Company. In response to this fact, the Company continues to implement foreign currency hedging and risk management strategies to reduce the exposure to fluctuations in earnings associated with changes in foreign exchange rates. The Company generally does not seek to hedge the impact of currency fluctuations on the translated value of the sales, profit or cash flow generated by its operations. Some of the hedging strategies implemented have a positive or negative impact on cash flows as foreign currencies fluctuate versus the U.S. dollar. There can be no assurance that foreign currency fluctuations will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and/or financial condition.
Another risk associated with the Company’s international operations is restrictions foreign governments may impose on currency remittances. Due to the possibility of government restrictions on transfers of cash out of countries and control of exchange rates and currency convertibility, the Company may not be able to immediately access its cash at the exchange rate used to translate its financial statements. This is a particular issue currently in Venezuela. See Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for further discussion regarding the impacts of the Venezuelan government's currency restrictions on the Company's operations.
Legal and Regulatory Issues
The Company's business may also be affected by actions of domestic and foreign governments to restrict the activities of direct-to-consumer companies for various reasons, including the limitation on the ability of direct-to-consumer companies to operate without the involvement of a traditional retail channel. Foreign governments may also introduce other forms of protectionist legislation, such as limitations on the products which can be produced locally or requirements that non-domestic companies doing or seeking to do business place a certain percentage of ownership of legal entities in the hands of local nationals to protect the commercial interests of its citizens. Customs laws, tariffs, import duties, export and import quotas and restrictions on repatriation of foreign earnings and/or other methods of accessing cash generated internationally, may negatively affect the Company's international operations. Governments may seek either to impose taxes on independent sales force members or to classify independent sales force members as employees of direct-to-consumer companies with whom they may be associated, triggering employment-related taxes on the part of the direct-to-consumer companies. The U.S. government may impose restrictions on the Company's ability to engage in business in a foreign country in connection with the foreign policy of the United States.
Product Safety
Certain of the materials used in the Company’s product lines may give rise to concerns of consumers based upon scientific theories which are espoused from time to time, including the risk of certain materials leaching out of plastic containers used for their intended purposes or the ingredients used in cosmetics, personal care or nutritional products causing harm to human health. This includes polycarbonate, which contains the chemical Bisphenol A, and polyethersulfone, which contains the chemical Bisphenol S. It is the Company’s policy to use products for each of its business units containing only those materials or ingredients that are approved by relevant regulatory authorities for contact with food or skin or for ingestion by consumers, as applicable.

7



General Business Factors
The Company’s business can be affected by a wide range of factors that affect other businesses. Weather, natural disasters, strikes, epidemics/pandemics, political instability and public scrutiny of the direct-to-consumer channel, may have a significant impact on the willingness or ability of consumers to attend parties or otherwise purchase the Company’s products. The supply and cost of raw materials, particularly petroleum and natural gas-based resins, may have an impact on the availability or cost of the Company’s plastic products. The Company is also subject to frequent product copying, counterfeiting and other intellectual property infringement, which may be difficult to police and prevent, depending upon the ability to identify infringers and the availability and/or enforceability of intellectual property rights. Other risks, as discussed under the sub-heading “Forward-Looking Statements” contained in Part II, Item 7A of this Report, may be relevant to performance as well.
Item 1B.    Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
Item 2.    Properties.
The principal executive office of the Registrant is owned by the Registrant and is located in Orlando, Florida. The Registrant owns and maintains significant manufacturing and distribution facilities in Brazil, France, Greece, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa and the United States, and leases significant manufacturing and distribution facilities in Belgium, China, India and Venezuela. The Registrant owns and maintains the BeautiControl headquarters in Texas and leases its manufacturing and distribution facility in Texas. The Registrant conducts a continuing program of new product design and development at its facilities in Florida, Texas, Australia, Belgium, Mexico and Singapore. None of the owned principal properties is subject to any encumbrance material to the consolidated operations of the Company. The Registrant considers the condition and extent of utilization of its plants, warehouses and other properties to be good, the capacity of its plants and warehouses generally to be adequate for its needs, and the nature of the properties to be suitable for its needs.
In addition to the above-described improved properties, the Registrant owns unimproved real estate surrounding its corporate headquarters in Orlando, Florida. The Registrant prepared certain portions of this real estate for a variety of development purposes and, in 2002, began selling parts of this property. To date, approximately 280 acres have been sold and about 226 acres remain to be sold in connection with this project, which is expected to continue for a number of years.
Item 3.    Legal Proceedings.
A number of ordinary-course legal and administrative proceedings against the Registrant or its subsidiaries are pending. In addition to such proceedings, there are certain proceedings that involve the discharge of materials into, or otherwise relating to the protection of, the environment. Certain of such proceedings involve federal environmental laws such as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as well as state and local laws. The Registrant has established reserves with respect to certain of such proceedings. Because of the involvement of other parties and the uncertainty of potential environmental impacts, the eventual outcomes of such actions and the cost and timing of expenditures cannot be determined with certainty. It is not expected that the outcome of such proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect upon the Registrant.
As part of the 1986 reorganization involving the formation of Premark, Premark was spun-off by Dart & Kraft, Inc., and Kraft Foods, Inc. assumed any liabilities arising out of any legal proceedings in connection with certain divested or discontinued former businesses of Dart Industries Inc., a subsidiary of the Registrant, including matters alleging product and environmental liability. The assumption of liabilities by Kraft Foods, Inc. remains effective subsequent to the distribution of the equity of the Registrant to Premark shareholders in 1996.
As part of the 2005 acquisition of the direct-to-consumer businesses of Sara Lee Corporation, that company indemnified the Registrant for any liabilities arising out of any existing litigation at that time and for certain legal and tax matters arising out of circumstances that might relate to periods before or after the date of that acquisition.
Item 4.    Mine Safety Procedures.
Not applicable.

8



PART II
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
The Registrant has not sold any securities in 2012 through 2014 that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933. As of February 19, 2015, the Registrant had 113,773 shareholders of record and beneficial holders. The principal United States market on which the Registrant’s common stock is being traded is the New York Stock Exchange. The stock price and dividend information set forth in Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, entitled “Quarterly Financial Summary (Unaudited),” is included in Item 8 of Part II of this Report and is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.
Item 5a.
Performance Graph.
The following performance graph compares the performance of the Company's common stock to the Standard & Poor's 400 Mid-Cap Stock Index and the Standard & Poor's 400 Mid-Cap Consumer Discretionary Index. The graph assumes that the value of the investment in the Company's common stock and each index was $100 at December 26, 2009 and that all dividends were reinvested. The Company's stock is included in both indices.

9



Measurement Period
(Fiscal Year Ended)
Tupperware
Brands
Corporation
 
S&P 400
Mid-Cap
 
S&P 400
Mid-Cap
Consumer
Discretionary Index
12/26/2009
100.00

 
100.00

 
100.00

12/25/2010
104.70

 
124.90

 
132.14

12/31/2011
124.08

 
122.30

 
133.09

12/29/2012
142.34

 
141.89

 
160.87

12/28/2013
222.04

 
191.46

 
231.07

12/27/2014
154.61

 
213.27

 
258.45

Item 5c.
Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
The following information relates to the repurchase by the Registrant of its equity securities during each month of the fourth quarter of the Registrant's fiscal year covered by this report:
 
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased
 
Average Price
Paid Per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs (a)
 
Maximum
Number (or
Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares that
May yet be
Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs (a)
9/28/14-11/1/14
142,100

 

$64.02

 
142,100

 
$
754,050,039

11/2/14-11/29/14
530,850

 
65.16

 
530,850

 
719,457,454

11/30/14-12/27/14
95,641

 
65.97

 
95,641

 
713,147,844

 
768,591

 

$65.05

 
768,591

 
$
713,147,844

____________________
(a)
Open market repurchases are being made under an authorization that runs until February 1, 2017 and allows up to $2 billion to be spent.

10



Item 6.
Selected Financial Data.
The following table presents the Company’s selected historical financial information for the last five years. The selected financial information has been derived from the Company's audited consolidated financial statements which, for the data presented for fiscal years 2014 and 2013 and for some data presented for 2012, are included as Item 8 of this Report. This data should be read in conjunction with the Company's other financial information, including "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A)" and the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included as Items 7 and 8, respectively, in this report. Effective with the first quarter of 2014, the management structure of the Company’s Nutrimetics France business was re-aligned for operational and strategic purposes. Consequently, Nutrimetics France is now being reported in the Asia Pacific segment, whereas it had previously been reported in the Europe segment. Comparable information from 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010 has been reclassified to conform to the new presentation. For all years presented, Nutrimetics France generated less than 1 percent of total sales.
(In millions, except per share amounts)
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
Operating results
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe
$
730.3

 
$
771.5

 
$
780.0

 
$
835.9

 
$
783.5

Asia Pacific
849.9

 
848.1

 
792.1

 
727.0

 
596.5

Tupperware North America
349.9

 
358.0

 
344.8

 
352.0

 
331.5

Beauty North America
290.9

 
320.1

 
348.3

 
395.5

 
406.0

South America
385.1

 
373.9

 
318.6

 
274.6

 
182.9

Total net sales
$
2,606.1

 
$
2,671.6

 
$
2,583.8

 
$
2,585.0

 
$
2,300.4

Segment profit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe
$
118.2

 
$
130.6

 
$
132.0

 
$
148.4

 
$
147.0

Asia Pacific
191.0

 
187.5

 
172.3

 
146.9

 
111.9

Tupperware North America
68.3

 
65.9

 
63.7

 
58.4

 
52.8

Beauty North America
1.3

 
16.1

 
30.2

 
37.9

 
58.9

South America
27.1

 
68.9

 
61.0

 
48.6

 
24.4

Unallocated expenses
(55.9
)
 
(62.4
)
 
(62.6
)
 
(58.9
)
 
(56.8
)
Gain on disposal of assets including insurance recoveries, net (a),(b)
2.7

 
0.7

 
7.9

 
3.8

 
0.2

Re-engineering and impairment charges
(11.0
)
 
(9.3
)
 
(22.4
)
 
(7.9
)
 
(7.6
)
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (c)

 

 
(76.9
)
 
(36.1
)
 
(4.3
)
Interest expense, net (d)
(43.5
)
 
(37.6
)
 
(32.4
)
 
(45.8
)
 
(26.8
)
Income before income taxes
298.2

 
360.4

 
272.8

 
295.3

 
299.7

Provision for income taxes
83.8

 
86.2

 
79.8

 
77.0

 
74.1

Net income
$
214.4

 
$
274.2

 
$
193.0

 
$
218.3

 
$
225.6

Basic earnings per common share (e)
$
4.28

 
$
5.28

 
$
3.49

 
$
3.63

 
$
3.60

Diluted earnings per common share (e)
$
4.20

 
$
5.17

 
$
3.42

 
$
3.55

 
$
3.53


See footnotes beginning on the following page.

11



(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
Profitability ratios
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment profit as a percent of sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe
16
%
 
17
%
 
17
%
 
18
%
 
19
%
Asia Pacific
22

 
22

 
22

 
20

 
19

Tupperware North America
20

 
18

 
19

 
17

 
16

Beauty North America

 
5

 
9

 
10

 
15

South America
7

 
18

 
19

 
18

 
13

Return on average equity (f)
77.7

 
76.1

 
37.4

 
30.0

 
31.7

Return on average invested capital (g)
21.2

 
26.0

 
18.7

 
20.5

 
21.4

Financial Condition
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
77.0

 
$
127.3

 
$
119.8

 
$
138.2

 
$
248.7

Net working capital
6.2

 
41.5

 
72.0

 
96.0

 
348.8

Property, plant and equipment, net
290.3

 
300.9

 
298.8

 
273.1

 
258.0

Total assets
1,783.1

 
1,843.9

 
1,821.8

 
1,822.6

 
1,991.7

Short-term borrowings and current portion
of long-term obligations
221.4

 
235.4

 
203.4

 
195.7

 
1.9

Long-term obligations
615.2

 
619.9

 
414.4

 
415.2

 
426.8

Shareholders’ equity
185.8

 
252.9

 
479.1

 
500.8

 
789.8

Current ratio
1.01

 
1.06

 
1.10

 
1.14

 
1.70

Other Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
282.1

 
$
323.5

 
$
298.7

 
$
274.7

 
$
299.5

Net cash used in investing activities
(62.3
)
 
(60.1
)
 
(64.8
)
 
(68.9
)
 
(46.1
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(209.0
)
 
(237.6
)
 
(252.5
)
 
(300.9
)
 
(103.9
)
Capital expenditures
69.4

 
69.0

 
75.6

 
73.9

 
56.1

Depreciation and amortization
63.7

 
54.8

 
49.6

 
49.8

 
49.7

Common Stock Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per share
$
2.72

 
$
2.48

 
$
1.44

 
$
1.20

 
$
1.05

Dividend payout ratio (h)
63.6
%
 
47.0
%
 
41.3
%
 
33.1
%
 
29.2
%
Average common shares outstanding (thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
50,131

 
51,892

 
55,271

 
60,046

 
62,550

Diluted
51,011

 
53,079

 
56,413

 
61,432

 
63,845

Period-end book value per share (i)
$
3.64

 
$
4.76

 
$
8.49

 
$
8.15

 
$
12.37

Period-end price/earnings ratio (j)
15.2

 
18.4

 
18.3

 
15.8

 
13.7

Period-end market/book ratio (k)
17.5

 
19.9

 
7.4

 
6.9

 
3.9


(a)
In 2002, the Company began to sell land held for development near its Orlando, Florida headquarters. During 2014 and 2011, under this program, pretax gains of $1.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively, were included in gains on disposal of assets including insurance recoveries, net. There were no land sales under this program in any of the other years presented, although in 2013, $0.9 million was included in this caption related to proceeds received from land sold under this program in 2006.
(b)
Included in gain on disposal of assets including insurance recoveries, net are:
Pretax gains of $0.2 million in 2012 and $3.0 million in 2011, as a result of respective insurance recoveries from flood damage in Venezuela in 2012 and Australia in 2011;
Pretax gains from the sale of property in Australia of $1.1 million in 2014 and $0.2 million in 2013 and 2010, a pretax gain of $7.5 million in 2012 from the sale of a facility in Belgium and a pretax gain of $0.2 million of equipment sales in 2012.

12



(c)
Valuations completed on the Company’s intangible assets resulted in the conclusion that certain tradenames and goodwill values were impaired. This resulted in non-cash charges of $76.9 million and $36.1 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively. In 2010, the Company recorded a $4.3 million impairment related to certain intangibles and goodwill, associated with a decision by the Company to cease operating its Swissgarde business as an independent entity. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(d)
In 2011, the Company entered into certain credit agreements, which resulted in a non-cash write-off of deferred debt costs to interest expense of $0.9 million. In connection with the termination of the previous credit facilities, the Company also impaired certain floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps resulting in interest expense of $18.9 million.
(e)
In 2008, the Company adopted authoritative guidance addressing share-based payment transactions and participating securities, which requires that unvested share-based payment awards with a nonforfeitable right to receive dividends (participating securities) be included in the two-class method of computing earnings per share. The Company had 0.2 million of unvested share-based payment awards outstanding in 2010, which were classified as participating securities under this guidance. The Company has had no unvested share-based payment awards classified as participating securities since 2010.
(f)
Return on average equity is calculated by dividing net income by the average monthly balance of shareholders’ equity.
(g)
Return on average invested capital is calculated by dividing net income plus net interest expense multiplied by one minus the estimated marginal tax rate of 37%, by average shareholders’ equity plus debt, for the last five quarters.
(h)
The dividend payout ratio is dividends declared per share divided by basic earnings per share.
(i)
Period-end book value per share is calculated as year-end shareholders’ equity divided by full-year diluted shares.
(j)
Period-end price/earnings ratio is calculated as the year-end market price of the Company’s common stock divided by full year diluted earnings per share.
(k)
Period-end market/book ratio is calculated as the period-end market price of the Company’s common stock divided by period-end book value per share.


13



Item 7.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following is a discussion of the results of operations for 2014 compared with 2013 and 2013 compared with 2012, and changes in financial condition during 2014. The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Saturday of December. This information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial information provided in Item 8 of this Annual Report.
The Company's primary means of distributing its products is through independent sales organizations and individuals, which in many cases are also its customers. The vast majority of the Company's products are, in turn, sold to end customers who are not members of its sales force. The Company is largely dependent upon these independent sales organizations and individuals to reach end consumers, and any significant disruption of this distribution network would have a negative financial impact on the Company and its ability to generate sales, earnings and operating cash flows. The Company's primary business drivers are the size, activity, diversity and productivity of its independent sales organizations.
As the impacts of foreign currency translation are an important factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons, the Company believes the presentation of results on a local currency basis, as a supplement to reported results, helps improve readers' ability to understand those results and evaluate performance in comparison with prior periods. The Company presents local currency information that compares results between periods as if current period exchange rates had been the exchange rates in the prior period. The Company uses results on a local currency basis as one measure to evaluate performance. The Company generally refers to such amounts as calculated on a "local currency" basis or "excluding the impact of foreign currency." These results should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, results reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"). Results on a local currency basis may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Effective with the first quarter of 2014, the management structure of the Company’s Nutrimetics France business was re-aligned for operational and strategic purposes. Consequently, Nutrimetics France is now being reported in the Asia Pacific segment, whereas it had previously been reported in the Europe segment. Comparable information from 2013 and 2012 has been reclassified to conform to the new presentation. In all years presented, Nutrimetics France generated less than 1 percent of total sales.
Estimates included herein are those of the Company’s management and are subject to the risks and uncertainties as described in the Forward Looking Statements caption included in Item 7A.
Overview
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Total Company Results 2014 vs. 2013
 
52 weeks ended
 
52 weeks ended
 
Change
 
Change excluding the translation impact of foreign exchange
 
Translation foreign exchange impact
 
December 27,
2014
 
December 28,
2013
 
 
 
Net sales
$
2,606.1

 
$
2,671.6

 
(2
)%
 
5
 %
 
$
(188.8
)
Gross margin as a percent of sales
66.1
%
 
66.7
%
 
(0.6
)pp
 
na

 
na

Delivery, sales & administrative expense as a percent of sales
51.7

 
51.3

 
0.4

 
na

 
na

Operating income
$
367.7

 
$
403.5

 
(9
)%
 
2
 %
 
$
(44.1
)
Net income
214.4

 
274.2

 
(22
)
 
(11
)
 
(33.5
)
Net income per diluted share
4.20

 
5.17

 
(19
)
 
(7
)
 
(0.64
)

14



Total Company Results 2013 vs. 2012
 
52 weeks ended
 
52 weeks ended
 
Change
 
Change excluding the translation impact of foreign exchange
 
Translation foreign exchange impact
 
December 28,
2013
 
December 29,
2012
 
 
 
Net sales
$
2,671.6

 
$
2,583.8

 
3
%
 
6
%
 
$
(67.9
)
Gross margin as percent of sales
66.7
%
 
66.9
%
 
(0.2
)pp
 
na

 
na

Delivery, sales & administrative expense as a percent of sales
51.3

 
51.5

 
(0.2
)
 
na

 
na

Operating income
$
403.5

 
$
306.5

 
32
%
 
39
%
 
$
(15.6
)
Net income
274.2

 
193.0

 
42

 
51

 
(11.8
)
Net income per diluted share
5.17

 
3.42

 
51

 
61

 
(0.21
)
____________________
na    not applicable
pp    percentage points

Net Sales
Reported sales decreased 2 percent in 2014 compared with 2013. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, sales increased 5 percent, reflecting strong growth in the Company’s emerging market economy businesses, while its sales in established market economy businesses decreased compared with 2013. The Company defines established markets as those in Western Europe including Scandinavia, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States. All other markets are classified as emerging markets. The Company’s emerging markets accounted for 66 and 65 percent of reported sales in 2014 and 2013, respectively. Reported 2014 sales in the emerging markets were down 1 percent compared with 2013, including a negative $173.1 million translation impact on the comparison from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, these units had strong growth of 10 percent. The average impact of higher prices in these markets was 9 percent. The strong results in the emerging markets were led by Argentina, Brazil, China, Indonesia, Turkey and Venezuela. This primarily reflected larger and more productive sales forces, significant growth in the number of outlets and outlet productivity in China and significant inflation related price increases, as well as a product mix benefit in Argentina. Venezuela contributed to the local currency sales increase, primarily reflecting inflation related price increases, despite government restrictions reducing the prices that would otherwise have been charged, as well as higher volume of products sold through a more productive sales force. Among the emerging markets, those with notable declines in local currency sales were Fuller Mexico, due to a smaller sales force resulting from lower recruiting of sales force members, mainly from high field manager turnover; India, reflecting a smaller and less active sales force; as well as in Russia due to the external political and economic situation and continuing challenges in recruiting and activation of sales force members. The Company’s established market businesses' sales were down 5 percent in U.S. dollars, including a negative $15.8 million translation impact on the comparison from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, sales by these units decreased 4 percent. The average price increase in the established markets was 2 percent. Among these units, there was a larger local currency decrease in Germany, due to a less active sales force, along with the loss of sales in light of the decision to cease operating the Armand Dupree business in the United States in the second quarter of 2014.

15



Reported sales increased 3 percent in 2013 compared with 2012. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, sales increased 6 percent, reflecting strong growth in the Company’s emerging market economy businesses, while its sales in established market economy businesses decreased compared with 2012. Excluding the significant inflationary price increases in South America, the average price increase was 3 percent. The remainder of the increase was primarily due to the net change in volume of products sold. The Company’s emerging markets accounted for 65 and 61 percent of reported sales in 2013 and 2012, respectively. The 2013 reported sales in the emerging markets were up 9 percent compared with the prior year, including a negative $60.1 million impact on the comparison from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, these units had strong growth of 13 percent. The strong results in the emerging markets were led by Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia/Singapore, Tupperware Mexico, Turkey and Venezuela. This primarily reflected larger and more productive sales forces, including strong growth in the number of outlets and outlet productivity in China, as well as significant inflation related price increases in Argentina and Venezuela. Among the emerging markets, those with notable declines in local currency sales were Fuller Mexico, due to a smaller sales force resulting from lower recruiting of sales force members, primarily due to a low field manager count, and Russia as the unit worked through structural changes in the business model of its distributorships implemented in 2012, along with the impact on the sales force of changes in certain tax laws. The Company’s established market businesses' sales were down 5 percent in U.S. dollars, including a negative $7.9 million impact on the comparison from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, sales in these units decreased 4 percent. Among these units, there were larger local currency decreases in BeautiControl, reflecting a smaller and less active sales force from ineffective recruiting, and Germany, due to a less active and productive sales force.
Specific segment impacts are further discussed in the Segment Results section.
Gross Margin
Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 66.1 percent in 2014 and 66.7 percent in 2013. The decrease of 0.6 percentage points ("pp") primarily reflected the net year-over-year impact of inventory in Venezuela being included in cost of goods sold at its stronger, historical exchange rate rather than the rate used to translate sales (0.6 pp). Also contributing to the decrease in gross margin were higher resin costs (0.5 pp), the mix impact from relatively higher sales in certain units with lower than average gross margins, primarily in South America (0.2 pp), and higher obsolescence, particularly in Beauty North America due to the decision to cease operating the Armand Dupree business in the United States (0.2 pp). These decreases were partially offset by the impact of product mix in light of changes in manufacturing costs and related price increases that had a positive impact on the gross margin comparison (0.7 pp) and the translation impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, mainly in South America (0.2 pp).
Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 66.7 percent in 2013 and 66.9 percent in 2012. The decrease of 0.2 percentage points was primarily due to higher resin costs (0.3 pp), higher manufacturing costs (0.2 pp), mainly in Asia and South America, and the impact on cost of goods sold from currency devaluation in Venezuela (0.1 pp). These were partially offset by favorable product mix and pricing over certain product categories, particularly in South America (0.5pp).
Operating Expenses
Delivery, sales and administrative expense ("DS&A") as a percentage of sales was 51.7 percent in 2014, compared with 51.3 percent in 2013. The higher DS&A percentage in 2014 was primarily due to mix in light of weaker foreign currency exchange rates in units that have relatively low DS&A expenses as a percentage of sales, particularly in Venezuela, as well as the impact of overall dollar costs as a ratio of sales that are higher in light of weaker foreign exchange rates (0.8 pp), higher warehousing costs in Brazil (0.4 pp), amortization of the Company's definite-lived tradename intangible asset that began in September 2013 (0.3 pp) and higher freight costs in Asia and Tupperware North America (0.2 pp). These were partially offset by lower unallocated corporate expenses, mainly for lower accruals under the Company's incentive plans (0.3 pp), lower promotional spending in Asia and Tupperware North America (0.3 pp), lower marketing costs in Asia (0.3 pp), lower selling costs in Beauty North America (0.2 pp) and lower commission expense due to the mix of sales performances in units that pay commissions versus those that do not (0.2 pp).

16



DS&A as a percentage of sales was 51.3 percent in 2013, compared with 51.5 percent in 2012. The lower DS&A percentage in 2013 was mainly due to the leverage on the fixed cost components included in selling expenses (0.2 pp), lower marketing costs (0.3 pp), lower commissions due to the mix of sales performances in units that pay commissions versus those that do not (0.1 pp), and other operating expenses (0.3 pp). These were partially offset by higher promotion costs (0.3 pp), mainly in Asia to execute growth strategies in those units, warehousing costs in South America (0.2 pp), amortization of the Company's definite-lived intangible assets (0.1 pp) and the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates (0.1 pp).
The Company segregates corporate operating expenses into allocated and unallocated components based upon the time spent managing segment operations. The allocated costs are then apportioned to each segment based primarily upon segment revenues. The unallocated expenses reflect amounts unrelated to segment operations. Operating expenses to be allocated are determined at the beginning of the year based upon estimated expenditures. Total unallocated expenses in 2014 decreased $6.5 million compared with 2013, reflecting lower incentive and equity compensation costs and the impact from variations in foreign exchange rates.
Total unallocated expenses in 2013 were even with 2012, as lower incentive and equity compensation costs were offset by higher global marketing expenses.
As discussed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company includes costs related to the distribution of its products in DS&A expense. As a result, the Company’s gross margin may not be comparable with other companies that include these elements in cost of products sold.
Re-engineering Costs
As the Company continuously evaluates its operating structure in light of current business conditions and strives to maintain the most efficient possible structure, it periodically implements actions designed to reduce costs and improve operating efficiency. These actions often result in re-engineering costs related to facility downsizing and closure, as well as related asset write downs and other costs that may be necessary in light of the revised operating landscape. In addition, the Company may recognize gains or losses upon disposal of closed facilities or other activities directly related to its re-engineering efforts. Included in 2014 net income were pretax charges of $11.0 million for re-engineering and impairment charges, compared with $9.3 million and $22.4 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Over the past three years, the Company has incurred such costs as detailed below that were included in the following income statement captions:
(In millions)
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Re-engineering and impairment charges
$
11.0

 
$
9.3

 
$
22.4

Cost of products sold
2.3

 

 
0.2

Total pretax re-engineering costs
$
13.3

 
$
9.3

 
$
22.6

The Company recorded re-engineering and impairment charges of $7.4 million, $7.3 million and $5.3 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, related to severance costs incurred to reduce headcount in several of its operations in connection with changes in its management and organizational structures, and in 2014, the decision to cease operating the Armand Dupree business in the United States, the Nutrimetics business in Thailand and a manufacturing plant in India, as well as a write-off of $1.1 million in capitalized software in connection with a new information systems project. Re-engineering charges were also related to changes in the Company's European operations in 2013 and exiting the Nutrimetics businesses in Greece and the United Kingdom in 2012. In 2012, re-engineering and impairment charges included $0.9 million in non-severance exit costs, primarily related to the decision to cease operating the Nutrimetics businesses in Greece and the United Kingdom. Also in connection with the liquidation of the Nutrimetics business in the United Kingdom, the Company incurred a $16.2 million non-cash charge that related to the reclassification of currency translation adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive loss into operating income.
See also Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, regarding the Company's re-engineering actions.

17



Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The Company’s goodwill and intangible assets relate primarily to the December 2005 acquisition of the direct-to-consumer businesses of Sara Lee Corporation. The Company does not amortize its goodwill or indefinite-lived tradename intangible assets. Instead, the Company performs an assessment to test these assets for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate they may be impaired. Refer to Note 6 of the Consolidated Statements.
In the third quarters of 2014 and 2013, the Company completed the annual impairment assessments for all of its reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets, concluding there were no impairments. The Company only considers the 2014 goodwill balances of $103.7 million and $23.8 million associated with the Fuller Mexico and NaturCare reporting units, respectively, to be significant relative to total equity.
In 2014, the Company performed a Step 1 impairment test ("Step 1") for the goodwill associated with the Fuller Mexico reporting unit as prescribed under ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other. At the time the Step 1 test was performed, in light of year-to-date results of Fuller Mexico being below previous expectations and current expectations for future results, the amount by which the estimated fair value of the Fuller Mexico reporting unit exceeded its carrying value, at 24 percent, was smaller in 2014 than in previous assessments. This decrease was primarily due to lower than expected recruiting and retention of sales force members in light of the competitive and external environment in Mexico, as well as high field manager turnover. Field managers are those directly responsible for recruiting, motivating and training sales force members. This was partially offset by a lower entity carrying value from amortization of the definite-lived Fuller tradename asset that began in the third quarter of 2013. Despite the amount by which the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying value resulting from the annual assessment, a smaller sales force size, operating performance significantly below current expectations, including changes in projected future revenue, profitability and cash flow, as well as higher interest rates or cost of capital, could have a further negative effect on the fair value of the reporting unit and therefore reduce the fair value below the carrying value. This would result in recording an impairment to the goodwill of Fuller Mexico.
Also in 2014, the Company performed a qualitative assessment for the goodwill associated with the NaturCare reporting unit and concluded it was more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit was greater than its carrying amount. The estimated fair value of the NaturCare reporting unit exceeded the carrying value by 29 percent as of June 2012, the date of the most recent Step 1 analysis of this reporting unit. Based on the Company's evaluation of the assumptions and sensitivities associated with the Step 1 analysis for NaturCare, the Company concluded that the fair value substantially exceeded its carrying value as of June 2012.
Other than for the Fuller Mexico reporting unit, management has concluded there is no significant foreseeable risk of failing a future Step 1 impairment test, nor is there significant foreseeable risk of the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets falling below their respective carrying values. However, given the sensitivity of fair value valuations to changes in cash flow or market multiples, the Company may be required to recognize an impairment of goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets in the future due to changes in market conditions or other factors related to the Company’s performance. Actual results below forecasted results or a decrease in the forecasted future results of the Company’s business plans or changes in discount rates could also result in an impairment charge, as could changes in market characteristics including declines in valuation multiples of comparable publicly-traded companies. Further impairment charges would have an adverse impact on the Company’s net income and shareholders' equity.

18



During the second quarter of 2012, the Company completed its annual impairment test of the goodwill associated with BeautiControl. As a result, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $38.9 million associated with its U.S. and Canadian operation, as the expected growth rates of sales, profit and cash flow at that time were below the Company's previous projections. In 2011, the Company estimated the fair value of this reporting unit at an amount that exceeded its carrying value by almost 45 percent. However, the estimated fair value was dependent, over the next 3 years, upon the reporting unit's ability to overcome a negative sales trend that began in 2008, and to begin increasing its sales force in a profitable manner. In 2007, this reporting unit had $160.0 million in sales. Since that time, as a result of the economic downturn in the United States, as well as increased competition in the retail sector for beauty and personal care products, and the results of strategies implemented and action taken in running the business, annual sales for the reporting unit decreased by approximately 11 percent per year, on average, until 2011 when annual sales were $98.2 million. This led to an operating loss of $2.1 million for the reporting unit in 2011, which was also the first annual period in which the reporting unit was unable to generate profit and positive cash flow. Also in 2011, significant investments were made in the reporting unit to build the sales force that were expected to begin reversing the negative sales trend in 2012. These investments did not lead to the increase in sales and profit that were anticipated, as the sales force size (-1 percent), its activity (-4 percent) and productivity (-8 percent) continued to decrease through the first half of 2012, when the reporting unit had year-to-date sales of $45.1 million, a 12 percent decrease compared with the 2011 year-to-date period, and a loss of $1.2 million. As part of the 2011 annual impairment test, in light of the strategic investments made in 2011, the Company projected 2012 sales would grow by 1 percent to $105 million, over projected 2011 sales of $104 million. In addition, the Company's 2011 annual impairment test assumed a 2012 operating profit of $1 million. As a result of the inability to capitalize on the investments and the resulting decrease in sales in the second quarter of 2012, the growth projections for this business going forward were lowered for the foreseeable future. The performance of the business, as well as other macroeconomic factors, added a risk component to the Step 1 valuation performed in 2012 that did not exist in 2011. As a result, the discount rate used was 2.4 percentage points higher than in the 2011 annual valuation. The combination of these factors contributed equally to an estimated fair value that was below the carrying value. The Company then performed the second step in the goodwill impairment test, which resulted in an implied fair value of zero for the goodwill of the reporting unit.
Also in the second quarter of 2012, as part of its on-going assessment of goodwill and intangible assets, the Company noted that the financial performance of the Nutrimetics Asia Pacific, Nutrimetics Europe and NaturCare reporting units had fallen below their previous trend lines and it concluded that they would fall significantly short of previous expectations. Although an impairment of the goodwill of the Nutrimetics reporting unit in Asia Pacific was recorded in the third quarter of 2011, due to an expectation of even sales and slow growth in profit over the subsequent 4 to 5 year period, the results of operations during the second quarter of 2012 represented a 25 percent decline in sales, which resulted in a year-to-date loss compared to a profit in the year-over-year comparison. This was deemed a triggering event. As the size and activity levels of the sales force were worse than previously expected, management concluded it would take 3 years in order to reverse the 2 year trend of decreasing sales, profit and cash flows. Similarly, the previously estimated 2011 fair value of the Nutrimetics reporting unit in Europe included an assumption of an ability to grow the business in France annually by an average of 10 percent over the next 4 years. With conditions worsening in Greece, and the determination that there was a lack of necessary infrastructure in the United Kingdom, the decision was made in the second quarter of 2012 to exit these business units. This was deemed a triggering event to evaluate Nutrimetics Europe for impairment. As part of the evaluation of Nutrimetics Europe, it was concluded that the previous growth expectations for the Nutrimetics business in France were not expected to be realized for at least 6 years and results were expected to decline for the next 3 years. As a result of the conditions in Greece, the United Kingdom and France, the projections for the Nutrimetics Europe reporting unit were lowered. The discount rates used in 2012 for the Nutrimetics Asia Pacific and Nutrimetics Europe reporting units were 14.0 percent and 13.7 percent, respectively, versus 13.8 percent and 13.3 percent used in 2011, respectively, with the increase based on macroeconomic factors. As a result of these impairment assessments, the Company wrote off the remaining $7.2 million and $7.7 million carrying value of the goodwill of Nutrimetics Asia Pacific and Nutrimetics Europe reporting units.

19



Due to profit results in and expectations for both Nutrimetics Asia Pacific and Nutrimetics Europe, management also determined it was appropriate to lower the royalty rate used to value the Nutrimetics tradename. In addition, since the 2009 impairment of the NaturCare tradename, the reporting unit had recorded slight decreases in sales and profit versus an average expected 8 percent annual sales increase, though the unit had never had an annual loss or negative cash flow. During a business review conducted during the second quarter of 2012, the reporting unit's management projected that the business would not grow in a significant way for the foreseeable future. This was deemed to be a triggering event and both the tradename and goodwill were tested for impairment. As a result of these interim impairment tests, the Company recorded tradename impairments of $13.8 million for Nutrimetics and $9.0 million for NaturCare, primarily due to the use of lower estimated royalty rates, 1.5 percent in 2012 versus 3.0 percent in 2011 for Nutrimetics and 3.75 percent in 2012 versus 4.75 percent in 2011 for NaturCare, in light of lower sales and profit forecasts for these units, as well as macroeconomic factors that resulted in increases in the discount rates, 15.2% in 2012 versus 14.9% in 2011 for Nutrimetics and 13.5% in 2012 versus 12.6% in 2011 for NaturCare, used in the valuations.
Gains on Disposal of Assets
The Company continues with its program to sell land for development near its Orlando, Florida headquarters, which began in 2002, recognizing a gain of $1.3 million on the sale of land under this program in 2014. In addition, during the first quarter of 2014, the Company entered into a joint venture with a real estate development partner. The Company contributed land under this program to the joint venture in exchange for 50 percent ownership of the joint venture. The carrying value of the land was $3.1 million. The Company's ownership interest in the joint venture is accounted for using the equity method and was included in long-term other assets at the carrying value of the contributed land on the December 27, 2014 balance sheet. The Company does not expect to have any significant cash inflows or outflows related to the joint venture until such time as the joint venture completes and sells its development. There were no land sales under this program in 2013 or 2012. Included in this caption in 2013 was $0.9 million related to the collection of proceeds on land sold in 2006. Gains on land transactions are recorded based upon when the transactions close and proceeds are collected. Transactions in one period may not be representative of what may occur in future periods. Since the Company began this program in 2002, cumulative proceeds from these sales have totaled $71.8 million with an additional $55 to $80 million expected as the program is completed. The carrying value of the remaining land included in the Company's land sales program was $19.7 million as of December 27, 2014. This amount was included in property, plant and equipment held for use within the Consolidated Balance Sheet as it is not considered probable that any significant land sales will be completed within one year. The Company has concluded that the fair value of the land under this program significantly exceeded the carrying value as of the end of 2014 and will continue to do so into the foreseeable future.
Also in 2014, the Company recognized gains of $1.1 million from the sale of land in Australia.
In 2012, the Company recognized a $7.5 million gain from the sale of its old manufacturing facility in Belgium.
Net Interest Expense
Net interest expense was $43.5 million in 2014, compared with $37.6 million in 2013. Interest expense increased in the year-over-year comparison primarily as a result of a higher level of debt in 2014, reflecting increased borrowings over the course of 2013 to achieve the Company's leverage target announced at the beginning of that year, as well as a higher amount of forward points related to the Company's cash flow hedging activities in 2014. Also contributing to the increase in 2014 interest was the issuance of senior notes at the end of the first quarter of 2013 at a higher fixed interest rate than the floating rate revolving credit borrowings that were replaced.
Net interest expense was $37.6 million in 2013, compared with $32.4 million in 2012. Interest expense increased in the year-over-year comparisons primarily due to higher borrowings with a higher interest rate, in connection with the issuance of $200 million of Notes near the end of the first quarter of 2013, as well as higher average borrowings under the Company's revolving credit agreement to achieve the Company's leverage target.

20



Tax Rate
The effective tax rates for 2014, 2013 and 2012 were 28.1, 23.9 and 29.3 percent, respectively. The higher 2014 rate was primarily due to the devaluation of the Venezuelan bolivar, for which there was limited tax benefit. The comparatively higher 2012 tax rate was due to the impact of nondeductible goodwill impairment charges. In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2013, a change in Mexican tax law resulted in additional foreign tax costs that were offset by tax credit benefits that netted to a benefit of $6.8 million. The effective tax rates for 2014, 2013 and 2012 are below the U.S. statutory rate, reflecting the availability of excess foreign tax credits, as well as lower foreign effective tax rates.
Tax rates are affected by many factors, including the global mix of earnings, changes in tax legislation, acquisitions or dispositions as well as the tax characteristics of income. The Company is required to make judgments on the need to record deferred tax assets and liabilities, uncertain tax positions and assessments regarding the realizability of deferred tax assets in determining the income tax provision. The Company has recognized deferred tax assets based upon its analysis of the likelihood of realizing the benefits inherent in them. At December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, the Company had valuation allowances against certain deferred tax assets totaling $40.2 million and $34.8 million, respectively. These valuation allowances relate to tax assets in jurisdictions where it is management's best estimate that there is not a greater than 50 percent probability that the benefit of the assets will be realized in the associated tax returns. This assessment is based upon expected future domestic results, future foreign dividends from then current year earnings and cash flows and other foreign source income, including rents and royalties, as well as anticipated gains related to future sales of land held for development near the Company's Orlando, Florida headquarters. In addition, certain tax planning transactions may be entered into to facilitate realization of these benefits. In evaluating uncertain tax positions, the Company makes determinations regarding the application of complex tax rules, regulations and practices. Uncertain tax positions are evaluated based on many factors including but not limited to changes in tax laws, new developments and the impact of settlements on future periods. Refer to the critical accounting policies section and Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussions of the Company's methodology for evaluating deferred tax assets.
As of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, the Company's gross unrecognized tax benefit was $22.5 million and $27.4 million, respectively. During the year ended December 27, 2014, the accrual for uncertain tax positions decreased by $1.9 million primarily as a result of the Company agreeing to a transfer pricing settlement in various foreign jurisdictions and entering into an Advanced Pricing Agreement, as well as a $3.7 million decrease of accruals for uncertain tax positions due to the expiration of the statute of limitations in various jurisdictions. During the year, increases in uncertain positions being taken during the year in various foreign tax jurisdictions were partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange rate translation.
The Company estimates that it may settle one or more foreign audits in the next twelve months that may result in a decrease in the amount of accrual for uncertain tax positions of up to $2.4 million. For the remaining balance as of December 27, 2014, the Company is not able to reliably estimate the timing or ultimate settlement amount. While the Company does not currently expect material changes, it is possible that the amount of unrecognized benefit with respect to the uncertain tax positions will significantly increase or decrease related to audits in various foreign jurisdictions that may conclude during that period or new developments that could also, in turn, impact the Company's assessment relative to the establishment of valuation allowances against certain existing deferred tax assets. At this time, the Company is not able to make a reasonable estimate of the range of impact on the balance of unrecognized tax benefits or the impact on the effective tax rate related to these items.

21



Net Income
For 2014, operating income decreased 9 percent compared with 2013, which included a 11 percent negative translation impact on the comparison from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Net income decreased 22 percent on a reported basis. Excluding the translation impact of foreign exchange rates, net income was 11 percent lower than 2013. The decrease in local currency net income came primarily in South America, reflecting the worsening in the exchange rate of the Venezuelan bolivar during 2014 and the pretax impact of $29.2 million related to net monetary assets on the balance sheet of Venezuela during the first half of 2014 when the bolivar devalued. There was also a negative $17 million pretax impact of Venezuelan inventory being included in cost of goods sold at its stronger, historical exchange rather than the rate used to translate sales at the time the inventory was later sold. Excluding these amounts and the other translation impacts of changes in foreign exchange rates, net income increased 8 percent in 2014. This increase was due to the contribution margin on higher sales in Asia and a more efficient value chain in Tupperware North America, higher gains on the sale of land near the Orlando headquarters and in Australia, as well as the benefit of lower pension settlement costs in 2014. In addition, the Company recorded $4.6 million in foreign exchange gains in connection with purchasing U.S. dollars with Venezuelan bolivars at rates more favorable than the rates used to translate those bolivars. These increases were partially offset by decreases in segment profit from lower sales in Beauty North America and Europe, higher supply chain costs in Brazil, higher interest expense from higher debt and increased levels of cash flow hedges, as well as higher Fuller tradename amortization cost in connection with the change in its classification from being indefinite-lived to definite-lived near the end of the third quarter of 2013.
For 2013, operating income increased 32 percent compared with 2012, which included a 7 percent negative translation impact on the comparison from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Net income increased 42 percent on a reported basis. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange rates, net income was 51 percent higher than 2012. The substantial increase in net income primarily reflected the benefit of not having the non-cash charges in 2012 related to the $76.9 million pretax goodwill and intangible asset impairments and the $16.2 million reclassification of currency translation adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income into operating income as a result of the liquidation of the Nutrimetics business in the United Kingdom, as well as the contribution margin on higher sales in the core businesses in Asia Pacific and South America. These increases were offset by the impact of lower sales in Beauty North America, higher interest expense related to the senior notes issued in the first quarter of 2013 that carry a higher fixed rate than the variable rate debt they replaced under the revolving credit agreement, as well as the $4 million impact on the net monetary position and inventory balance sheet amounts recorded in 2013 at the time of the devaluation of the Venezuelan bolivar, along with higher 2013 income tax expense, putting aside the impact of the non-deductibility of the 2012 non-cash charges. In 2012, the Company also recorded a larger gain on disposal of assets.
International operations accounted for 92, 91 and 90 percent of the Company's sales in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. They accounted for 100 percent of the Company's segment profit in 2014 and 2013 and 98 percent in 2012.

22



Segment Results 2014 vs. 2013
(Dollars in millions)
2014
 
2013
 
Change
 
Change excluding the translation impact of foreign exchange
 
Translation foreign exchange impact
 
Percent of total
Dollar
 
Percent
 
2014
 
2013
Net Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe
$
730.3

 
$
771.5

 
$
(41.2
)
 
(5)%

 
(1)%

 
$
(32.9
)
 
28
%
 
29
%
Asia Pacific
849.9

 
848.1

 
1.8

 

 
6

 
(48.3
)
 
32

 
31

Tupperware North America
349.9

 
358.0

 
(8.1
)
 
(2
)
 

 
(8.2
)
 
14

 
14

Beauty North America
290.9

 
320.1

 
(29.2
)
 
(9
)
 
(6
)
 
(9.5
)
 
11

 
12

South America
385.1

 
373.9

 
11.2

 
3

 
36

 
(89.9
)
 
15

 
14

Total net sales
$
2,606.1

 
$
2,671.6

 
$
(65.5
)
 
(2)%

 
5%

 
$
(188.8
)
 
100
%
 
100
%
Segment profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe
$
118.2

 
$
130.6

 
$
(12.4
)
 
(10)%

 
(5)%

 
$
(6.3
)
 
29
%
 
28
%
Asia Pacific
191.0

 
187.5

 
3.5

 
2

 
9

 
(12.7
)
 
47

 
40

Tupperware North America
68.3

 
65.9

 
2.4

 
4

 
7

 
(2.0
)
 
17

 
14

Beauty North America
1.3

 
16.1

 
(14.8
)
 
(92
)
 
(91
)
 
(1.2
)
 

 
3

South America
27.1

 
68.9

 
(41.8
)
 
(61
)
 
(46
)
 
(18.9
)
 
7

 
15

Segment profit as a percent of sales
Europe
16.2
%
 
16.9
%
 
na

 
(0.7
)pp
 
(0.6
)pp
 
(0.1
)pp
 
na
 
na
Asia Pacific
22.5

 
22.1

 
na

 
0.4

 
0.6

 
(0.2
)
 
na
 
na
Tupperware North America
19.5

 
18.4

 
na

 
1.1

 
1.2

 
(0.1
)
 
na
 
na
Beauty North America
0.4

 
5.0

 
na

 
(4.6
)
 
(4.4
)
 
(0.2
)
 
na
 
na
South America
7.0

 
18.4

 
na

 
(11.4
)
 
(10.6
)
 
(0.8
)
 
na
 
na
____________________
pp    Percentage points
na    Not applicable

Europe
Reported sales decreased 5 percent in 2014 compared with 2013. Excluding the translation impact of foreign currency exchange rates, sales were slightly less than in 2013, primarily reflecting reduced volume of products sold. This was partially offset by an average increase in pricing of 3 percent compared with 2013.
Local currency sales in the Company’s established markets, which the Company defines as Western Europe, including Scandinavia, decreased by 3 percent, reflecting a decrease in sales volume in Germany due to a lower number of active sellers.
Emerging markets accounted for $246.6 and $268.6 million of reported net sales in this segment in 2014 and 2013, respectively, which represented 34 percent of sales in each period. On a local currency basis, the emerging market units' sales increased by 4 percent, reflecting significant growth in Turkey from a larger sales force due to solid recruiting, as well as increased productivity, resulting from attractive hostess gifts and sales force promotions, despite significant price increases in light of consumer inflation and the impact on costs of a weaker currency. This growth was partially offset by a decrease in Russia due to the external political and economic situation and continuing challenges in recruiting and activation of sales force members.

23



For 2014, compared with 2013, segment profit decreased $12.4 million, or 10 percent. Segment profit as a percentage of sales was 16.2 percent in 2014 compared with 16.9 percent in 2013. Excluding the translation impact of foreign currency exchange rates, segment profit decreased 5 percent compared with 2013. On a local currency basis, the decrease in segment profit was primarily due to the contribution margin from lower sales and increased promotional spending in Germany, as well as the impact of a weaker Turkish lira on product and services procured in euro. These decreases were partially offset by more efficient supply chain management.
The negative translation impact of foreign currency rates on the year-over-year comparison of sales and profit versus the U.S. dollar was primarily attributable to the weaker euro, Russian ruble, South African rand and Turkish lira.
Asia Pacific
Reported sales in Asia Pacific in 2014 were even compared with 2013. Excluding the translation impact of foreign currency exchange rates, the segment's sales increased 6 percent, reflecting strong growth in the emerging market businesses, primarily due to higher volume in Indonesia and China, as well as increased prices. The average price increase for the segment was 6 percent, though there was a slight increase in volume for the overall segment.
Emerging markets include Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia/Singapore, the Philippines and Vietnam, and accounted for $691.1 million and $675.2 million, or 81 and 80 percent, of the sales in this segment in 2014 and 2013, respectively. Total emerging market sales increased $15.9 million, or 2 percent, in 2014 compared with 2013. The comparison was negatively impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates totaling $37.7 million. Excluding the impact of foreign currencies, these markets' sales increased by 8 percent in 2014. The most significant contribution to the overall increase was in Indonesia, the Company's largest business unit, as a result of a larger sales force from strong recruiting, and sales force incentives programs along with attractive new product offerings. The other significant increase in sales was in China, where the Company operates 4,700 retail outlets through independent distributors. The increase primarily related to higher volume of products sold from a positive response to new distributor and outlet incentive programs and promotional offerings, including a continued focus on water-related products some of which have higher price points, in conjunction with the continued growth in the total number of outlets. These were partially offset by a decrease in India, due to a smaller and less active sales force, reflecting high turnover in unit managers that are responsible for recruiting, training and motivating the sales force.
Reported sales in the established markets decreased 8 percent. Excluding the impact of foreign currencies, these markets' sales decreased 2 percent, primarily from a lower volume of products sold.
Total segment profit increased $3.5 million, or 2 percent, in 2014. Segment profit as a percentage of sales at 22.5 percent was higher than in 2013 by 0.4 percentage points. The segment profit comparison was negatively impacted by changes in foreign currency, and excluding this impact, segment profit increased 9 percent compared with 2013. The increase was mainly related to the contribution margin from the higher sales in Indonesia and China and the leverage this had on the fixed components of DS&A spending, as well as the benefit of not incurring pension settlement costs in 2014. This was partially offset by decreased profit in India from the contribution margin on lower sales.
The Australian dollar, Indonesian rupiah and Japanese yen were the most significant currencies that led to the negative translation impact from foreign currencies on the year-over-year sales comparison. The Indonesian rupiah was the main currency that had a negative translation impact on the profit comparison.

24



Tupperware North America
Reported sales decreased 2 percent in 2014 compared with 2013. Excluding the translation impact of foreign currency exchange rates, sales were even with the prior year. Despite challenges from the macroeconomic and personal safety conditions impacting sales force members and consumers in Mexico, local currency sales increased slightly, due to a slightly larger sales force, reflecting solid promotional programs aimed at retention, partially offset by lower business-to-business sales. While the Company actively pursues business-to-business opportunities, sales from this channel are based on reaching agreements with business partners and their product needs. Consequently, activity in one period is not necessarily indicative of future trends. Sales in United States and Canada decreased slightly in 2014 due to a less active and less productive sale force during the first half of the year due to higher than normal party cancellations from poor weather and to a more normalized promotional approach in 2014 compared with 2013, partially offset by increasing sales in the second half of the year from a higher number of active sellers. The average price increase for the segment was 3 percent.
Segment profit increased $2.4 million, or 4 percent, in 2014 compared with 2013. Segment profit as a percentage of sales at 19.5 percent was 1.1 percentage points higher in 2014 than in 2013. The higher profit was from the contribution margin on the higher sales in Mexico, as well as higher profit in United States and Canada, despite lower sales, reflecting a more normal promotional spending approach in 2014 after being overly aggressive in 2013.
The Mexican peso was the main foreign currency that impacted the year-over-year comparisons.
Beauty North America
Reported sales for this segment were down 9 percent in 2014. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates, sales decreased 6 percent reflecting the decision in April 2014, to cease operating the Armand Dupree business in the United States and a smaller sales force in Fuller Mexico due to lower than expected recruiting and retention of sales force members in light of the competitive environment and macroeconomic conditions in that market, as well as high field manager turnover. Field managers are those directly responsible for recruiting, motivating and training sales force members. BeautiControl also had lower sales due to a smaller and less productive sales force. On average, prices increased in this segment by 4 percent.
Segment profit decreased $14.8 million, or 92 percent, in 2014 compared with 2013. Segment profit as a percentage of sales, at 0.4 percent, was 4.6 percentage points lower than 2013. Foreign currency exchange rates negatively impacted the comparison by $1.2 million. The decrease in profit primarily reflected $5.2 million more of amortization of the Fuller tradename in connection with a September 2013 change in classification from indefinite-lived to definite-lived, and the lost contribution margin from lower sales at both BeautiControl and Fuller Mexico. The closure of Armand Dupree did not significantly impact the profit comparison.
The Mexican peso was the main foreign currency that impacted the year-over-year comparisons.
South America
Reported sales for this segment increased 3 percent in 2014 compared with 2013. Excluding the translation impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, sales increased 36 percent. Of the 36 percent increase in sales in local currency, approximately 20 percentage points reflected the impact of higher prices, mainly in Venezuela and Argentina. The remaining increase was the result of higher volume of products sold.
The most significant increase was in Brazil, the largest unit in South America, reflecting both higher volume and prices. The volume improvement reflected a significant sales force size advantage and the launch of new attractive products that energized the sales force and created demand from end consumers, overcoming service issues experienced as a result of challenges in the supply chain. Venezuela generated about a third of the segment's local currency sales increase with about two-thirds of its increase coming from higher pricing, reflecting inflation. This was primarily in the first and second quarters when sales and profit were translated at exchange rates of 6.3 and 10.8 bolivars to the U.S. dollar, respectively, as opposed to the 50.0 bolivar to U.S. dollar rate used in the second half. Additionally, beginning in mid-June, prices were lowered following a government price audit. Argentina's sales increased significantly, primarily from higher prices in light of significant inflation, as well as a mix benefit as the unit continues to focus on selling a greater share of housewares products that have higher price points than beauty and personal care products.

25



Segment profit decreased $41.8 million, or 61 percent, in 2014 compared with 2013. Segment profit as a percentage of sales, at 7.0 percent, was 11.4 percentage points lower than in 2013. Excluding the translation impact of foreign currency exchange rates, segment profit decreased 46 percent. This decrease was due to the $29.2 million impact from re-measuring the net monetary assets on the Venezuelan balance sheet at the end of March and June at 10.8 bolivars to the U.S. dollar and 50.0 bolivars to the U.S. dollar, respectively, versus the respective 6.3 and 10.8 rates used previously. This amount was recorded in expense since Venezuela is accounted for as hyper-inflationary. There was also a $17.0 million impact of recording in income during 2014 the sale of inventory at the 6.3 and 10.8 exchange rates at which the inventory was purchased, or manufactured, rather than the 10.8 and 50.0 exchanges rate in use when those amounts were included in cost of sales later in the year. These amounts were partially offset by $4.6 million in foreign exchange gains in connection with purchasing U.S. dollars with Venezuelan bolivars at rates more favorable than the rates previously used to translate those bolivars in 2014. This exchange gain is recorded in Other Income on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income. Notwithstanding its good sales growth, segment profit in Brazil reflected a lower than normal contribution margin due to costs associated with the supply chain challenges in that unit.
The Argentine peso, Brazilian real and Venezuelan bolivar had significant negative translation impacts on the year-over-year sales comparison, while the Brazilian real and Venezuelan bolivar impacted the profit comparison.
The Company used the "banded" exchange rate of 5.3 to translate the value of the Venezuelan bolivar versus the U.S. dollar until February 2013, when the Venezuelan government set a new official exchange rate of 6.3 bolivars to the U.S. dollar ("Official Rate") and abolished the banded exchange rate. As a result of Venezuela being deemed hyper-inflationary, any gains or losses from remeasurement of the financial statements are recorded in earnings. As a result of the change to the Official Rate, the Company's first quarter earnings in 2013 were reduced by $3.9 million related to the devaluation of its Venezuelan bolivar denominated net monetary assets and the impact of selling inventory at a worse exchange rate than at which it was procured and produced.
In March 2013, the Venezuelan government created the Complimentary System of Foreign Currency Acquirement ("SICAD 1"). SICAD 1 is an auction system and allows entities in specific sectors to bid for U.S. dollars. As SICAD 1 is controlled by the government with strict guidelines as to who can participate, SICAD 1 is not considered to be a "free market system." Beginning in December 2013, the Venezuelan government began to publish the SICAD 1 rate. In January 2014, the Venezuelan government expanded the SICAD 1 auction process to be used for payments related to "international investment," while further restricting the availability of the Official Rate. Dividend payments require approval of the Venezuelan government, and in the recent past, such approvals have been rare at any exchange rate for all companies operating in the country. In late March 2014, the Company was invited to participate, for the first time, in the SICAD 1 auction process at a rate of 10.8 bolivars to the U.S. dollar ("SICAD 1 Rate") in order to purchase raw materials. The Company did not exchange money through the SICAD 1 mechanism in the first quarter of 2014, though it did exchange currency at the Official Rate. As a result, the Company continued to use the Official Rate to measure its operating activity during the first quarter of 2014. Since the Company anticipated making future currency exchanges under the SICAD 1 Rate and did not expect the Official Rate to be widely available in the future, the Company used the SICAD 1 Rate to remeasure the balance sheet in Venezuela at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter of 2014, the Company used the SICAD 1 Rate to translate its operating activity.

26



On March 24, 2014, the Venezuelan government launched an additional foreign exchange mechanism known as SICAD 2. The Venezuelan government indicated that all industry sectors would be eligible to participate in the SICAD 2 auctions with no restrictions as to purpose. The resulting rates from these auctions were to be published daily. The SICAD 2 rate as of the end of June 2014 was 50.0 bolivars to the U.S. dollar. As of the end of the second quarter of 2014, the Company had not participated in any SICAD 2 auctions as it still had the ability to utilize the more favorable SICAD 1 Rate, as well as in light of the uncertainty around the ability to exchange bolivars through the SICAD 2 auction process. Although the SICAD 2 rates had been published daily, there had been relatively little volume of U.S. dollars traded or available to trade. It was unclear to what extent, if any, the Venezuelan government had intervened in the SICAD 2 auctions. Thus, SICAD 2 may not have been a "free market system" during the first and second quarters of 2014. As a result, the Company did not believe it appropriate to use the SICAD 2 published rates through June 2014. The government's mandate in June 2014 that the Company lower its suggested retail selling prices by an average of 55 percent was based on its determination of what was necessary for the Company to comply with laws limiting prices and profit margins across the Venezuelan economy. While the Company expects to discuss with the appropriate government officials why it believes its previous pricing was appropriate, the outcome of this discussion is uncertain and the Company may need to adjust its value chain to allow it to operate efficiently. In conjunction with the pricing audit, the Venezuelan government indicated that the Company should have been able to pay for non-local operating costs at the SICAD 2 rate. Additionally, should the Company need to adjust its value chain, it expects to generate additional non-local operating costs. Based on these factors and its June 2014 evaluation of the restrictions and limitations affecting the availability of other, more favorable, exchange rates mechanisms, the Company concluded that the SICAD 2 mechanism represented the most appropriate rate available as of the end of the second quarter. As a result, the Company remeasured its June 2014 balance sheet at that exchange rate.
In the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2014, sales in Venezuela were $32.9 million, $23.7 million, $5.2 million and $4.9 million, respectively. The translation impact on each of the year-over-year quarterly comparisons of weaker exchange rates in 2014 versus 2013 was $0.8 million, $8.9 million, $21.1 million and $24.5 million, respectively. Operating profit from Venezuela in the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2014 was $9.2 million, $9.5 million, $0.8 million and $0.6 million, respectively, and the translation impact on each of the year-over-year quarterly comparisons from the changes in rates was $0.1 million, $2.5 million, $7.1 million and $5.2 million, respectively.
If the exchange rate used by the Company to translate its Venezuelan results were to remain at 50.0 bolivars to the U.S. dollar through June 2015, in the first half of 2015 there will be an incremental translation impact from the weaker rate compared with the first half 2014 of $47.3 million and $15.5 million, respectively, on sales and operating profit.
As of the end of 2014, the Company had $6 million in net monetary assets denominated in Venezuelan bolivars (measured at the SICAD 2 rate), including $7 million in cash and cash equivalents, which would be directly impacted by any changes in the exchange rate. In addition, the Company had $3 million in inventory, $16 million in property, plant and equipment, as well as $4 million in other non-monetary assets.

27



In February 2015, the Venezuelan government launched an overhaul of its foreign currency exchange structure for obtaining U.S. dollars, eliminating the SICAD 2 auction process and introducing the Marginal Currency System, or Simadi, a system that will operate through both public and private stock exchanges in conjunction with the current SICAD 1 mechanism. Some U.S. dollars will continue to be available at the Official Rate for goods and services deemed essential. Under Simadi, businesses are allowed to purchase and sell foreign currency at a price set by the market, which was approximately 172 bolivars to the U.S. dollar as of February 20, 2015. In light of this new currency exchange mechanism, the Company is not able to predict, at this time, what rate will be available in the future for it to exchange Venezuelan bolivars into U.S. dollars without access to the SICAD 2 auction mechanism, as well as potential limitations on the amounts available to it under existing currency exchange mechanisms using the SICAD 1 and Official Rates. The Company currently anticipates utilizing in February 2015 and forward the Simadi rate to translate sales and profit, as well as re-measuring the monetary assets in Venezuela. Using this rate, the Company estimates there would be an incremental negative profit impact related its net monetary assets and inventory of $6 million. This change in rates in February 2015 has also triggered an evaluation of impairment of property, plant and equipment and other non-monetary assets in the first quarter of 2015. If the exchange rate used by the Company to translate its Venezuelan results were to remain at 172 bolivars to the U.S. dollar throughout 2015, in the first and second half of 2015 there will be incremental translation impacts on sales from the weaker rate compared with 2014 of $53.5 million and $7.3 million, respectively, and on operating profit of $17.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively.
Segment Results 2013 vs. 2012
(Dollars in millions)
2013
 
2012
 
Change
 
Change excluding the translation impact of foreign exchange
 
Translation foreign exchange impact
 
Percent of total
Dollar
 
Percent
 
2013
 
2012
Net Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe
$
771.5

 
$
780.0

 
$
(8.5
)
 
(1
)%
 
 %
 
$
(6.1
)
 
29
%
 
30
%
Asia Pacific
848.1

 
792.1

 
56.0

 
7

 
14

 
(48.2
)
 
32

 
31

Tupperware North America
358.0

 
344.8

 
13.2

 
4

 
3

 
2.9

 
13

 
13

Beauty North America
320.1

 
348.3

 
(28.2
)
 
(8
)
 
(10
)
 
6.4

 
12

 
14

South America
373.9

 
318.6

 
55.3

 
17

 
26

 
(22.9
)
 
14

 
12

Total net sales
$
2,671.6

 
$
2,583.8

 
$
87.8

 
3%

 
6%

 
$
(67.9
)
 
100
%
 
100
%
Segment profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe
$
130.6

 
$
132.0

 
$
(1.4
)
 
(1)%

 
—%

 
$
(1.9
)
 
28
%
 
29
%
Asia Pacific
187.5

 
172.3

 
15.2

 
9

 
16

 
(10.8
)
 
40

 
38

Tupperware North America
65.9

 
63.7

 
2.2

 
3

 
2

 
1.0

 
14

 
14

Beauty North America
16.1

 
30.2

 
(14.1
)
 
(47
)
 
(49
)
 
1.1

 
3

 
6

South America
68.9

 
61.0

 
7.9

 
13

 
21

 
(4.1
)
 
15

 
13

Segment profit as a percent of sales
Europe
16.9
%
 
16.9
%
 
na

 

 
0.1
pp
 
(0.1
)pp
 
na
 
na
Asia Pacific
22.1

 
21.8

 
na

 
0.3

 
0.4

 
(0.1
)
 
na
 
na
Tupperware North America
18.4

 
18.5

 
na

 
(0.1
)
 
(0.2
)
 
0.1

 
na
 
na
Beauty North America
5.0

 
8.7

 
na

 
(3.7
)
 
(3.8
)
 
0.1

 
na
 
na
South America
18.4

 
19.1

 
na

 
(0.7
)
 
(0.8
)
 
0.1

 
na
 
na
____________________
pp    Percentage points
na    Not applicable


28



Europe
Reported sales decreased 1 percent in 2013 compared with 2012. Excluding the translation impact of foreign currency exchange rates, sales were slightly less than in 2012, reflecting reduced volume and the mix of products sold. This was offset by a 3 percent average increase in pricing for the segment compared with 2012.
Local currency sales in the Company’s established markets decreased by 4 percent. This decrease was primarily in Germany, reflecting less sales force activity and lower productivity from low recruiting in late 2012 and early in 2013 and due to reactions to promotional offers, timing of holidays and unusually poor weather.
Emerging markets accounted for $268.6 and $271.7 million of reported net sales in this segment in 2013 and 2012, respectively, which represented 35 percent of segment sales in each period. On a local currency basis, the emerging market units' sales increased by 7 percent, reflecting significant growth in Turkey due to a larger sales force from solid recruiting, as well as increased activity and productivity, resulting from attractive promotions and higher qualification levels for awards. This growth was offset by a decrease in Russia as the unit worked through structural changes in the business model of its distributorships implemented in 2012, along with the impact on the sales force of changes in certain tax laws. These tax laws reverted to their previous provisions effective at the beginning of 2014.
For 2013, compared with 2012, segment profit decreased $1.4 million, or 1 percent. Segment profit as a percentage of sales was 16.9 percent in both 2013 and 2012. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates, segment profit was even with 2012. On a local currency basis, the decrease in segment profit primarily reflected the sales decline in Germany and Russia. These impacts were partially offset by increased profit in Turkey due to higher sales that were at a higher gross margin from a better mix and leverage on the fixed costs of DS&A spending, along with significant profit improvement in Italy due to a mix shift benefit to non-promoted sales with higher gross margins, as well as in Tupperware France, reflecting the contribution margin from modest sales growth.
The negative translation impact of foreign currency rates on the year-over-year comparison of sales and profit for the entire segment versus the U.S. dollar was primarily attributable to the weaker South African rand, partially offset by a stronger euro.
Asia Pacific
Reported sales in Asia Pacific increased 7 percent in 2013, reflecting strong growth by the emerging market businesses. Excluding the translation impact of foreign currency exchange rates, the segment's sales increased 14 percent. Of the 14 percent increase in local currency sales, 3 percentage points of the increase was due to higher prices. The remaining increase was primarily due to higher volume and favorable product mix, mainly in China and Indonesia as detailed below.
Emerging markets accounted for $675.2 million and $593.1 million, or 80 and 75 percent, of the sales in this segment in 2013 and 2012, respectively. Total emerging market sales increased $82.1 million, or 14 percent, in 2013 compared with 2012. The comparison was negatively impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates totaling $27.5 million. Excluding the impact of foreign currencies, these markets' sales increased by 19 percent in 2013. The most significant contribution to the overall increase was in Indonesia, reflecting a larger and more productive sales force due to strong recruiting, attractive promotions and product offerings. Other significant increases in sales were in China, India and Malaysia/Singapore. In China, the increase related to a positive response to promotional offerings in conjunction with growth in the total number and productivity of the outlets, including new, water-related products with higher price points. India grew primarily due to a more active sales force with higher productivity in the first half of the year, as in the second half, sales increased only slightly in light of macroeconomic factors and the need for better training and motivation of the sales force in some geographies, while Malaysia/Singapore grew the size of its sales force through strong recruiting campaigns based on brand awareness and successful new product launches.
Reported sales in the established markets decreased 13 percent, primarily due to the impact of foreign currency exchange rates. Excluding the impact of foreign currencies, these units' sales decreased 3 percent.

29



Total segment profit increased $15.2 million, or 9 percent, in 2013. Segment profit as a percentage of sales at 22.1 percent was higher than in 2012 by 0.3 percentage points. The segment profit comparison was negatively impacted by changes in foreign currency, and excluding this impact, segment profit increased 16 percent compared with 2012. The increase was mainly related to the contribution margin from the higher sales in Indonesia, as well as higher sales with an improved gross margin in China and the leverage this had on the fixed components of DS&A spending. For the segment overall, these improvements were partially offset by higher costs related to pension settlements and management incentive costs.
The Australian dollar, Indian rupee, Indonesian rupiah and Japanese yen were the main currencies that led to the negative translation impact from foreign currencies on the 2013 with 2012 sales comparison and the Indian rupee and Indonesian rupiah on the profit comparison.
Tupperware North America
Reported sales increased 4 percent in 2013 compared with 2012. Excluding the translation impact of foreign currency exchange rates, sales increased 3 percent. The increase in sales for the segment was primarily due to higher pricing in Tupperware Mexico, as well as a slightly larger and more productive sales force, reflecting attractive promotional offers to consumers in light of the disruption to the business from the hurricanes and flooding in September, along with higher business-to-business sales. The average price increase for the segment was 3 percent.
Segment profit increased $2.2 million, or 3 percent, in 2013 compared with 2012. Segment profit as a percentage of sales at 18.4 percent was 0.1 percentage points less in 2013 than in 2012. The increase in Mexico was primarily due to the contribution margin on the higher sales. This increase was partially offset by decreased profit in Tupperware United States and Canada due to higher distribution costs and higher costs related to sales force recruiting and promotions.
Beauty North America
Reported sales for this segment were down 8 percent in 2013. Excluding the translation impact of foreign currency exchange rates, sales decreased 10 percent, primarily due to lower volume and unfavorable product mix. This volume and mix decrease was primarily a result of a smaller sales force in Fuller Mexico, due to ineffective recruiting from high field manager turnover, and a smaller and less active sales force in BeautiControl, reflecting ineffective recruiting and the inability to motivate the passive seller base. On average, prices in this segment decreased by 1 percent.
Segment profit decreased $14.1 million, or 47 percent, in 2013 compared with 2012. Segment profit as a percentage of sales, at 5.0 percent, was 3.7 percentage points lower than 2012. Foreign currency exchange rates positively impacted the comparison by $1.1 million, or 2 percent. The decrease in profit reflected the lower sales, along with concessions in gross margin and from increased spending in an effort to grow the sales force size and sales in both units, as well as increased inventory obsolescence charges and decreased manufacturing efficiency due to lower sales volume in BeautiControl.
South America
Reported sales for this segment increased 17 percent in 2013 compared with 2012. Excluding the translation impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, other than the Venezuelan bolivar, sales increased 26 percent. For the whole segment, the Company estimates that there was about a 17 percentage point benefit on the local currency sales comparison from higher pricing due to inflation. The devaluation of the Venezuelan bolivar that occurred in the first quarter of 2013 had a negative impact on the segment's annual local currency sales comparison of 5 percentage points.
The local currency sales increase was mainly in Brazil and Venezuela, reflecting larger sales forces due to strong recruiting, as well as increased activity in Venezuela due to the importation of products new to that market and higher prices in light of inflation. Argentina also had an increase, primarily reflecting higher pricing due to inflation, along with the mix benefit of selling a greater share of Tupperware® brand housewares products.

30



Segment profit increased $7.9 million, or 13 percent, in 2013 compared with 2012. Segment profit as a percentage of sales, at 18.4 percent, was 0.7 percentage points lower than in 2012. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates, segment profit increased 21 percent. The increase in profit was primarily due to the contribution margin from the significantly higher sales in Brazil and Venezuela.
The Argentine peso and Brazilian real had significant negative translation impacts on the year-over-year sales comparison, while the Brazilian real impacted the profit comparison.
The Company used the "banded" exchange rate of 5.3 to translate the value of the Venezuelan bolivar versus the U.S. dollar, until February 2013, when the Venezuelan government set a new official exchange rate of 6.3 bolivars to the U.S. dollar and abolished the banded exchange rate. As a result of the change to the 6.3 exchange rate, the Company's 2013 earnings were reduced by $4.2 million related to items on the balance sheet.
Financial Condition
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Net working capital was $6.2 million as of December 27, 2014, compared with $41.5 million as of December 28, 2013 and $72.0 million as of December 29, 2012. The current ratio was 1.0 to 1 at the end of 2014 and 1.1 to 1 at the end of 2013 and 2012.
The most significant components in the Company’s $35.3 million reduction in net working capital in 2014 were a net $25.1 million negative impact on the net monetary assets on the balance sheet related to the 2014 changes in foreign currency exchange rates in Venezuela, a $27.4 million impact due to other weaker foreign currency exchange rates in relation to the U.S. dollar and an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, due to the timing of payments around the end of 2014. These decreases were partially offset by a $14 million decrease in short-term borrowings and an increase in non-trade receivables. In addition, on a local currency basis, there were increases in accounts receivable, reflecting the level and timing of sales around the end of each period, and an increase in inventory, reflecting expectations for future sales by certain units and, in some cases, a lower than expected sell through.
The most significant components in the Company’s $30.5 million reduction in net working capital in 2013 compared with 2012 were due to a $32 million increase in short-term borrowings, in conjunction with the Company's early 2013 decision to increase its leverage ratio, and an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, reflecting growth in the business and certain longer running promotional programs that had not been paid for by the end of 2013, as well as a $13 million impact due to the weaker foreign currency exchange rates in relation to the U.S. dollar. There was also an impact from lower accounts receivable. Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase in non-trade receivables and an increase in cash.
In June 2011, the Company completed the sale of $400 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.750% Senior Notes due June 1, 2021. On March 11, 2013, the Company issued and sold an additional $200.0 million in aggregate principal amount of these notes (both issuances together, the "Senior Notes"). The Senior Notes form a single series under the Indenture. The proceeds received from the March 2013 issuance were used to repay a 90-day $75 million promissory note entered into on February 1, 2013, as well as a portion of outstanding borrowings under the Company's multicurrency credit agreement in place at that time. The remaining net proceeds were used to fund 2013 share repurchases under the Company's common stock repurchase authorization.

31



In September 2013, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary Tupperware International Holdings B.V. (the “Subsidiary Borrower”), amended and restated its multicurrency Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement makes available to the Company and the Subsidiary Borrower a committed five-year credit facility in an aggregate amount of $650 million (the “Facility Amount”). The Credit Agreement provides (i) a revolving credit facility, available for the total of the Facility Amount, (ii) a letter of credit facility, available up to $50 million of the Facility Amount, and (iii) a swingline facility, available up to $100 million of the Facility Amount. Each of such facilities is fully available to the Company and is available to the Subsidiary Borrower up to an aggregate amount not to exceed $325 million. With the agreement of its lenders, the Company is permitted to increase, on up to three occasions, the Facility Amount by a total of up to $200 million (for a maximum aggregate Facility Amount of $850 million), subject to certain conditions. As of December 27, 2014, the Company had total borrowings of $209.0 million outstanding under its Credit Agreement, with $197.5 million of that amount denominated in euros. The Company routinely increases its revolver borrowings under the Credit Agreement and uncommitted lines during each quarter to fund operating, investing and other financing activities and uses cash available at the end of each quarter to reduce borrowing levels. As a result, the Company has higher foreign exchange exposure on the value of its cash during each quarter than at the end of each quarter.
Loans taken under the Credit Agreement bear interest under a formula that includes, at the Company's option, one of three different base rates, plus an applicable spread. The Company generally selects the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"). As of December 27, 2014, the Credit Agreement dictated a base rate spread of 175 basis points, which gave the Company a weighted average interest rate on LIBOR based borrowings of 1.76 percent on borrowings under the Credit Agreement.
The Credit Agreement contains customary covenants, including financial covenants requiring minimum interest coverage and allowing a maximum amount of leverage. As of December 27, 2014, and currently, the Company had considerable cushion under its financial covenants. However, economic conditions, adverse changes in foreign exchange rates, lower than foreseen sales, profit and/or cash flow generation, the ability to access cash generated internationally in Venezuela, Argentina or elsewhere, share repurchases or the occurrence of other events discussed under “Forward Looking Statements” and elsewhere could cause noncompliance.
In February 2014, the Company entered into a $75.0 million uncommitted line of credit with Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank ("Credit Agricole"). This line of credit dictates an interest rate of LIBOR plus 125 basis points. In July 2014, the Company entered into a $100.0 million uncommitted line of credit with HSBC Bank USA ("HSBC"). This line of credit dictates an interest rate of LIBOR plus 100 basis points. Both Credit Agricole and HSBC are participating banks in the Company's Credit Agreement. As of December 27, 2014, there were no amounts outstanding under these uncommitted lines of credit.
See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details regarding the Company's debt.
The Company monitors the financial stability of third-party depository institutions that hold its cash and cash equivalents and diversifies its cash and cash equivalents among counterparties, which minimizes exposure to any one of these entities. Furthermore, the Company is exposed to financial market risk resulting from changes in interest rates, foreign currency rates and the possible liquidity and credit risks of its counterparties. The Company believes that it has sufficient liquidity to fund its working capital and capital spending needs and its current dividend. This liquidity includes its year-end 2014 cash and cash equivalents balance of $77.0 million, cash flows from operating activities, and access to its $650 million Credit Agreement. As of December 27, 2014, the Company had $730.1 million of unused lines of credit, including $439.1 million available under its Credit Agreement and $291.0 million available under other uncommitted lines of credit, including the uncommitted lines of credit with Credit Agricole and HSBC. The Company has not experienced any limitations on its ability to access its committed facility.

32



Cash and cash equivalents (“cash”) totaled $77.0 million as of December 27, 2014. Of this amount, $74.9 million was held by foreign subsidiaries. Of the $74.9 million of cash held by foreign subsidiaries as of December 27, 2014, approximately 48 percent was not eligible for repatriation due to the level of past statutory earnings by the foreign unit in which the cash was held or other local restrictions. The remaining cash is subject to repatriation tax effects. The Company's current intent is to indefinitely reinvest these funds in its foreign units, as the cash is needed to fund ongoing operations. In the event circumstances change, leading to the conclusion that these funds will not be indefinitely reinvested, the Company would need to provide at that time for the income taxes that would be triggered upon their repatriation.
The Company’s most significant foreign currency exposures are to the euro, Indonesian rupiah and Mexican peso, as well as the Brazilian real, Chinese renminbi and Malaysian ringgit. Business units in which the Company generated at least $100 million of sales in 2014 included Brazil, China, Tupperware France, Fuller Mexico, Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia/Singapore, Tupperware Mexico and Tupperware United States and Canada. Of these units, sales by Brazil, Fuller Mexico and Indonesia exceeded $200 million. A significant downturn in the Company’s business in these units would adversely impact its ability to generate operating cash flows. Operating cash flows would also be adversely impacted by significant difficulties in the recruitment, retention and activity of the Company’s independent sales force or the success of new products, changes in sales force compensation programs and/or promotional programs.
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities in 2014 was $282.1 million, compared with $323.5 million in 2013. The unfavorable comparison primarily reflected a decrease in net income as a result of weaker foreign currency exchange rates in relation to the U.S. dollar. These weaker foreign exchange rates had a greater impact on the annual cash flow than net income for the period as the Company generates a significant share of its cash flow from operating activities during the fourth quarter when foreign exchange rates were significantly weaker than the 2014 average. There was also a larger increase in accounts receivable from higher December sales in 2014 than 2013 and a larger increase in inventory during 2014, reflecting expectations for future sales by certain units and, in some cases, a lower than expected sell through. The Company also made large income tax payments related to fiscal year 2013 after the Company's fiscal year-end, but prior to the end of the calendar year, whereas similar 2012 payments occurred prior to the end of fiscal year-end 2012. These decreases were partially offset by the timing of distributions of accounts payables and accrued liabilities around the ending of each fiscal year.
Net cash provided by operating activities in 2013 was $323.5 million, compared with $298.7 million in 2012. The favorable comparison reflected the liquidation of prepaid and other assets, the timing of distributions of accounts payables and accrued liabilities around the ending of each fiscal year and the duration of certain promotional programs, as well as cash received as a premium in connection with the issuance of $200 million of Senior Notes. These cash inflows were partially offset by a larger increase in inventory in 2013 compared with 2012 in order to support growth of the business.
Investing Activities
In 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company spent $69.4 million, $69.0 million and $75.6 million, respectively, for capital expenditures. The most significant type of spending in all years was for molds for new products, with the greatest amount spent in Europe. The other significant capital expenditures in all years generally related to expansion of manufacturing capacity and investment in warehouses, sales offices and other facilities to support growing operations, primarily in Asia and South America, as well as vehicles for the sales force, mostly in South Africa. In 2014, capital expenditures included $18 million related to increasing supply chain capability and $11 million for various information technology projects and offices to support expanding operations. Additionally, the Company spent capital for molding machinery in Brazil. In 2013, capital expenditures included $16 million related to various projects to expand supply chain capability and $14 million for various offices to support expanding operations, including in Venezuela as a natural hedge against devaluation. There was also meaningful spending on a new information technology system in Asia Pacific. In 2012, $6 million in capital was also invested as part of the purchase of the new office in Venezuela, $8 million was spent for the expansion of warehouse and office space in Indonesia and $17 million was spent for manufacturing capacity in Brazil, India and various other operations.

33



Partially offsetting the capital spending were $7.1 million, $8.9 million and $10.8 million of proceeds related to the sale of certain property, plant and equipment and insurance recoveries in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In all years, there were proceeds related to the sale of vehicles that had been purchased for the sales force, primarily in South Africa. In 2014, proceeds of $4.2 million related to the sale of property under the Company's program to sell land near its Orlando, Florida headquarters and the sale of property in Australia. In 2013, proceeds related to the sale of property in Australia for $6.2 million and in 2012 was from the sale of an old manufacturing facility in Belgium for $7.5 million.
Financing Activities
In 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company made net payments on long-term borrowings of $3.0 million, $2.5 million and $2.3 million, respectively, mainly related to its scheduled lease payments. In addition, the Company had net outflows of $2.2 million and net inflows of $27.8 million and $6.0 million under its revolving credit agreements in each of these respective periods. In 2013, the Company also issued the $200 million of Senior Notes as part of its decision to operate with a higher level of leverage, as announced at the beginning of that year.
Dividends
During 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company declared dividends of $2.72, $2.48, and $1.44 per share of common stock, respectively, and paid cash dividends totaling $133.5 million, $116.8 million and $77.6 million, respectively. The increase in dividends paid, resulting from the higher dividend per share, was partially offset by a reduction in the number of shares outstanding in connection with the Company's share repurchase program detailed below.
Going forward, the Company expects its Board of Directors to evaluate its dividend rate annually with its declaration in the first quarter of each year. In the first quarter of 2015, the Board voted to keep the regular quarterly dividend rate even with 2014, at $0.68. In the first quarter of 2014, the Board increased the regular quarterly dividend per share to $0.68 per share from the $0.62 per share declared in 2013. The payment of a dividend on common shares is a discretionary decision and subject to a significant event that would require cash, the ability to continue to comply with debt covenants, cash needed to finance operations, making necessary investments in the future growth of the business, required or discretionary debt repayment obligations, the impacts of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, the ability to access internationally generated cash or other cash needs, as well as compliance with Delaware law regarding capital surplus. As well, if there is an event requiring the use of cash, such as a strategic acquisition, the Company would need to reevaluate whether to maintain its dividend payout.
Stock Option Exercises
During 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company received proceeds of $15.7 million, $21.0 million and $12.9 million, respectively, related to the exercise of stock options. The corresponding shares were issued out of the Company’s balance held in treasury.
Stock Repurchases
Open market share repurchases are being made under an authorization that runs until February 1, 2017 and allows up to $2.0 billion to be spent. Going forward, in setting share repurchase amounts, the Company expects to target over time a debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 1.75 times consolidated funded debt (as defined in the Company's Credit Agreement).
During 2014, 2013 and 2012 the Company repurchased in the open market 1.2 million, 4.6 million and 3.3 million shares under this program at an aggregate cost of $84.3 million, $374.9 million and $200.0 million, respectively. Since inception of the program in May 2007, and through December 27, 2014, the Company repurchased 21.3 million shares at an aggregate cost of $1.29 billion.
Employees are also allowed to use shares to pay withholding taxes, up to the minimum statutory amount, related to activity under all of the Company's stock incentive plans. For 2014, 2013 and 2012, the value of shares used for withholding taxes was $8.0 million, $4.5 million and $5.1 million, respectively, which is included as stock repurchases in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

34



Contractual Obligations
The following summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations at December 27, 2014 and the effect such obligations are expected to have on its liquidity and cash flow in future periods.
(In millions)
Total
 
Less than 1 year
 
1-3 years
 
3-5 years
 
More than 5 years
Debt obligations
$
836.6

 
$
221.4

 
$
5.1

 
$
3.8

 
$
606.3

Interest payments on long term obligations
188.1

 
29.6

 
58.0

 
57.5

 
43.0

Pension benefits
162.2

 
17.9

 
42.8

 
29.6

 
71.9

Post-employment medical benefits
20.5

 
2.1

 
3.9

 
3.5

 
11.0

Income tax payments (a)
2.4

 
2.4

 

 

 

Capital commitments (b)
3.0

 
2.3

 
0.7

 

 

Operating lease obligations
78.8

 
31.1

 
31.2

 
12.2

 
4.3

Total contractual obligations (c)
$
1,291.6

 
$
306.8

 
$
141.7

 
$
106.6

 
$
736.5

____________________
(a)
Other than the amount presented, the Company has not included in the above table amounts related to its other unrecognized tax positions, as it is unable to make a reliable estimate of the amount and period in which these items might lead to payments. As of December 27, 2014 the Company’s total gross unrecognized tax positions were $22.5 million. It is reasonably possible that the amount of uncertain tax positions could materially change within the next 12 months based on the results of tax examinations, expiration of statutes of limitations in various jurisdictions and additions due to ongoing transactions and activity. However, the Company is unable to estimate the impact of such events.
(b)
Capital commitments represent signed agreements as of December 27, 2014 on relatively minor capital projects in process at the Company’s various units, mainly China.
(c)
The table excludes information on recurring purchases of inventory as these purchase orders are non-binding, are generally consistent from year to year, and are short-term in nature.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements that have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported and disclosed amounts. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The Company believes the implementation of the following critical accounting policies are the most significantly affected by its judgments and estimates.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.
The Company maintains current receivable amounts with most of its independent distributors and sales force in certain markets. It also maintains long-term receivable amounts with certain of these customers. The Company regularly monitors and assesses its risk of not collecting amounts owed to it by customers. This evaluation is based upon an analysis of amounts current and past due, along with relevant history and facts particular to the customer. It is also based upon estimates of distributor business prospects, particularly related to the evaluation of the recoverability of long-term amounts due. This evaluation is performed market by market and account by account, based upon historical experience, market penetration levels and similar factors. It also considers collateral of the customer that could be recovered to satisfy debts. The Company records its allowance for doubtful accounts based on the results of this analysis. The analysis requires the Company to make significant estimates and as such, changes in facts and circumstances could result in material changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company considers any receivable balance not collected within its contractual terms past due.

35



Inventory Valuation
The Company writes down its inventory for obsolescence or unmarketability in an amount equal to the difference between the cost of the inventory and estimated market value based upon expected future demand and pricing. The demand and pricing is estimated based upon the historical success of product lines as well as the projected success of promotional programs, new product introductions and new markets or distribution channels. The Company prepares projections of demand and pricing on an item by item basis for all of its products. If inventory on hand exceeds projected demand or the expected market value is less than the carrying value, the excess is written down to its net realizable value. However, if actual demand or the estimate of market decreases, additional write-downs would be required.
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets also are recognized for credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted rates applicable to taxable income in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse and the credits are expected to be used. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. At December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, the Company had valuation allowances against certain deferred tax assets totaling $40.2 million and $34.8 million, respectively. These valuation allowances relate to tax assets in jurisdictions where it is management's best estimate that there is not a greater than 50 percent probability that the benefit of the assets will be realized in the associated tax returns. At the end of 2014, the Company had gross domestic deferred tax assets of approximately $416.0 million against which a valuation allowance of $4.0 million has been provided. Of these total assets, approximately $100.1 million relates to recurring type temporary differences which reverse regularly and are replaced by newly originated items. The balance included assets of $107.9 million related to advanced payment agreements, which are expected to reverse over the next three years, and other deferred tax assets. The balance also included approximately $166.8 million of net foreign tax credits most of which would expire in the years 2018 through 2023 if not utilized, $10.7 million of federal net operating losses which would expire in the years 2021 through 2034 if not utilized, and $6.6 million of federal tax credits and other assets that have no expiration date. The balance also included $2.6 million of net state operating losses and other book versus tax asset differences of approximately $17.5 million.
The Company expects to have sufficient capacity to utilize all of the foreign tax credits through the generation of significant foreign source taxable income generated by intercompany royalties, mold rentals and future foreign dividends from then current earnings and cash flows. During 2014, the Company utilized approximately $30.8 million of foreign tax credits generated in prior years, and the capacity to utilize existing foreign tax credits is expected to increase in the future. The actual utilization amount will be finalized once the U.S. tax return is filed. In order to utilize the existing net foreign tax credits, the Company would be required to generate approximately $476 million of U.S. taxable foreign source income over the next nine years. The Company is projecting to generate US taxable foreign source income in excess of the required amount to utilize existing and newly generated foreign tax credits associated with future foreign dividend repatriations. The Company expects to realize all of these assets in the normal course of business. In addition, certain tax planning transactions are available to the Company in order to facilitate realization of these benefits should they become necessary. The federal net operating losses are related to a subsidiary that is excluded from the federal consolidated tax return and is engaged in land sales and development near the Company's Orlando, Florida headquarters. As such, the federal net operating losses do not impact the utilization of foreign tax credits. The Company believes the anticipated gains related to future sales of land and other income will be sufficient to realize, before they expire, the $10.7 million net operating loss credits of this subsidiary. These estimates are made based upon the Company's business plans and growth strategies in each market and are made on an ongoing basis; consequently, future material changes in the valuation allowance are possible. Any change in valuation allowance amounts are reflected in the period in which the change occurs.

36



As of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, the Company's gross unrecognized tax benefit was $22.5 million and $27.4 million, respectively. During the year ended December 27, 2014, the accrual for uncertain tax positions decreased by $1.9 million primarily as a result of the Company agreeing to a transfer pricing settlement in various foreign jurisdictions and entering into an Advanced Pricing Agreement, as well as a $3.7 million decrease of accruals for uncertain tax positions due to the expiration of the statute of limitations in various jurisdictions. During the year, increases in uncertain positions being taken during the year in various foreign tax jurisdictions were partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange rate translation.
Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in the Company's global operations are recorded as a component of the provision for income taxes. Accrued interest and penalties were $6.5 million and $5.9 million as of December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, respectively. Interest and penalties included in the provision for income taxes totaled $0.9 million, $0.5 million and $0.3 million for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
The Company estimates that it may settle one or more foreign audits in the next twelve months that may result in a decrease in the amount of accrual for uncertain tax positions of up to $2.4 million. For the remaining balance as of December 27, 2014, the Company is not able to reliably estimate the timing or ultimate settlement amount. While the Company does not currently expect material changes, it is possible that the amount of unrecognized benefit with respect to the uncertain tax positions will significantly increase or decrease related to audits in various foreign jurisdictions that may conclude during that period or new developments that could also, in turn, impact the Company's assessment relative to the establishment of valuation allowances against certain existing deferred tax assets. At this time, the Company is not able to make a reasonable estimate of the range of impact on the balance of unrecognized tax benefits or the impact on the effective tax rate related to these items.
Promotional and Other Accruals
The Company frequently makes promotional offers to its independent sales force to encourage them to meet specific goals or targets for sales levels, party attendance, recruiting or other business critical activities. The awards offered are in the form of cash, product awards, special prizes or trips. The cost of these awards is recorded during the period over which the sales force qualifies for the award. These accruals require estimates as to the cost of the awards based upon estimates of achievement and actual cost to be incurred. The Company makes these estimates on a market by market and program by program basis. It considers the historical success of similar programs, current market trends and perceived enthusiasm of the sales force when the program is launched. During the promotion qualification period, actual results are monitored and changes to the original estimates that are necessary are made when known. Like promotional accruals, other accruals are recorded at the time when the liability is probable and the amount is reasonably estimable. Adjustments to amounts previously accrued are made when changes occur in the facts and circumstances that generated the accrual.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The Company’s goodwill and intangible assets relate primarily to the December 2005 acquisition of the direct-to-consumer businesses of Sara Lee Corporation. The Company does not amortize its goodwill or indefinite-lived tradename intangible assets. Instead, the Company performs an assessment to test these assets for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate they may be impaired. Refer to Note 6 of the Consolidated Statements.

37



The annual process for evaluating goodwill begins with an assessment for each entity of qualitative factors to determine whether the two-step goodwill impairment test is appropriate. The qualitative factors evaluated by the Company include: macro-economic conditions of the local business environment, overall financial performance, sensitivity analysis from the most recent Step 1 fair value test, and other entity specific factors as deemed appropriate. When the Company determines the two-step goodwill impairment test is appropriate, the first step involves comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill, after any long-lived asset impairment charges. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, a second step is performed to determine whether there is a goodwill impairment, and if so, the amount of the loss. This step revalues all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit to their current fair value and then compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill to the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit's goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess. The Company only considers the goodwill balances of $103.7 million and $23.8 million associated with the Fuller Mexico and NaturCare reporting units, respectively, to be significant relative to total equity.
The Company recorded as assets the fair value of various trademarks and tradenames acquired in conjunction with its purchase of the Sara Lee direct-to-consumer businesses. Certain tradenames are allocated between multiple reporting units. The annual process for assessing the carrying value of indefinite-lived tradename intangible assets begins with a qualitative assessment that is similar to the assessment performed for goodwill. When the Company determines it is appropriate, the quantitative impairment test for the Company's indefinite-lived tradenames involves comparing the estimated fair value of the assets to the carrying amounts, to determine if fair value is lower and a write-down required. If the carrying amount of a tradename exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to the excess.
In 2014, the Company performed a Step 1 impairment test for the goodwill associated with the Fuller Mexico reporting unit. The specific assumptions used are discussed further in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
At the time the Step 1 test was performed, in light of year-to-date results of Fuller Mexico being below previous expectations and current expectations for future results, the amount by which the estimated fair value of the Fuller Mexico reporting unit exceeded its carrying value, at 24 percent, was smaller in 2014 than in previous assessments. This decrease was primarily due to lower than expected recruiting and retention of sales force members in light of the competitive and external environment in that market, as well as high field manager turnover. Field managers are those directly responsible for recruiting, motivating and training sales force members. This was partially offset by a lower entity carrying value from amortization of the definite-lived Fuller tradename asset that began in the third quarter of 2013. Despite the amount by which the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying value resulting from the annual assessment, a smaller sales force size, operating performance significantly below current expectations, including changes in projected future revenue, profitability and cash flow, as well as higher interest rates or cost of capital, could have a further negative effect on the fair value of the reporting unit and therefore reduce the fair value below the carrying value. This would result in recording an impairment to the goodwill of Fuller Mexico.
As of the date of the last valuation, holding all other assumptions constant, a one percent increase to the discount rate would reduce the amount by which the estimated fair value of the Fuller Mexico reporting unit exceeded its carrying value to 16 percent. Similarly, if the growth rates were reduced so that the average growth rate were 3 percent, the amount by which the estimated fair value exceeded its carrying value would also be 16 percent.
Also in 2014, the Company performed a qualitative assessment for the goodwill associated with the NaturCare reporting unit and concluded it was more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit was greater than its carrying amount. The estimated fair value of the NaturCare reporting unit exceeded the carrying value by 29 percent as of June 2012, the date of its most recent Step 1 analysis. Based on the Company's evaluation of the assumptions and sensitivities associated with the Step 1 analysis for NaturCare, the Company has concluded that the fair value substantially exceeded its carrying value as of June 2012.
In the third quarter of 2013, the Company completed the annual impairment assessments for all of its reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets, concluding there were no impairments.

38



Retirement Obligations
Pensions
The Company records pension costs and the funded status of its defined benefit pension plans using the applicable accounting guidance for defined benefit pension and other post-retirement plans. This guidance requires that amounts recognized in the financial statements be determined on an actuarial basis. The measurement of the retirement obligations and costs of providing benefits under the Company’s pension plans involves various factors, including several assumptions. The Company believes the most critical of these assumptions are the discount rate and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets.
The Company determines the discount rate primarily by reference to rates of high-quality, long-term corporate and government bonds that mature in a pattern similar to the expected payments to be made under the plans. The discount rate assumptions used to determine pension expense for the Company’s U.S. and foreign plans were as follows:
Discount Rate
2014
 
2013
 
2012
U.S. Plans
3.9
%
 
3.3
%
 
3.7
%
Foreign Plans
2.6

 
3.5

 
3.3

The Company has established strategic asset allocation percentage targets for significant asset classes with the aim of achieving an appropriate balance between risk and return. The Company periodically revises asset allocations, where appropriate, in an effort to improve return and manage risk. The estimated rate of return is based on long-term expectations given current investment objectives and historical results. The expected rate of return assumptions used by the Company for its U.S. and foreign plans were as follows:
Expected rate of return
2014
 
2013
 
2012
U.S. Plans
8.3
%
 
8.3
%
 
8.3
%
Foreign Plans
3.8

 
4.4

 
4.1

The following table highlights the potential impact on the Company’s pension expense due to changes in certain key assumptions with respect to the Company’s pension plans, based on assets and liabilities at December 27, 2014:
(In millions)
Increase
 
Decrease
Discount rate change by 50 basis points
$
(1.0
)
 
$
1.9

Expected rate of return on plan assets change by 50 basis points
(0.5
)
 
0.5

Other Post Retirement Benefits
The Company accounts for its post-retirement benefit plan in accordance with applicable accounting guidance, which requires that amounts recognized in financial statements be determined on an actuarial basis. This determination requires the selection of various assumptions, including a discount rate, to value benefit obligations. The Company determines the discount rate primarily by reference to rates of return on high-quality, long term corporate bonds that mature in a pattern similar to the expected payments to be made under the plan. The discount rate assumptions used by the Company to determine other post-retirement benefit expense were 4.5 percent, 3.5 percent, and 4.0 percent for the 2014, 2013 and 2012 fiscal years, respectively. A change in discount rate of 50 basis points would not be material.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized when the price is fixed, the title and risks and rewards of ownership have passed to the customer who, in most cases, is one of the Company’s independent distributors or a member of its independent sales force, and when collection is reasonably assured. Depending on the contractual arrangements for each business, revenue is recognized upon either delivery or shipment, which is when title and risk and rewards of ownership have passed to the customer. When revenue is recorded, estimates of returns are made and recorded as a reduction of revenue. Discounts earned based on promotional programs in place, volume of purchases or other factors are also estimated at the time of revenue recognition and recorded as a reduction of that revenue.

39



Stock-Based Compensation
The Company measures compensation cost for stock-based awards at fair value and recognizes compensation over the service period for awards expected to vest. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to value stock options, which requires the input of assumptions, including dividend yield, risk-free interest rate, the estimated length of time employees will retain their vested stock options before exercising them (expected term) and the estimated volatility of the Company's common stock price over the expected term. Furthermore, in calculating compensation expense for these awards, the Company is also required to estimate the extent to which options will be forfeited prior to vesting (forfeitures). Many factors are considered when estimating expected forfeitures, including employee class and historical experience.
Impact of Inflation
Inflation, as measured by consumer price indices, has continued at a low level in most of the countries in which the Company operates, except in South America, particularly in Argentina and Venezuela.
New Pronouncements
Refer to Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of new accounting pronouncements.
Item 7A.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
One of the Company's market risks is its exposure to the impact of interest rate changes on its borrowings. The Company's borrowings under the Credit Agreement carry a variable interest rate. The Company has elected to manage this risk through the maturity structure of its borrowings and the currencies in which it borrows.
Loans taken under the Credit Agreement bear interest under a formula that includes, at the Company's option, one of three different base rates, plus an applicable spread. The Company generally selects the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"). As of December 27, 2014, the Credit Agreement dictated a spread of 175 basis points, which gave the Company an interest rate of 1.76 percent on borrowings under the Credit Agreement. The Company is targeting a debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 1.75 times consolidated funded indebtedness (as defined in the Credit Agreement) as of and for the four quarters ending of each quarter.
Of the Company's short-term borrowings as of December 27, 2014, $197.5 million was denominated in euro and $11.5 million in U.S. dollars. If short-term interest rates varied by 10 percent, with all other variables remaining constant, the Company's annual interest expense would not be significantly impacted.
The Company routinely increases its revolver borrowings under the Credit Agreement and uncommitted lines during each quarter to fund operating, investing and other financing activities and uses cash available at the end of each quarter to reduce borrowing levels. As a result, the Company has higher foreign exchange exposure on the value of its cash during each quarter than at the end of each quarter.
A significant portion of the Company's sales and profit come from its international operations. Although these operations are geographically dispersed, which partially mitigates the risks associated with operating in particular countries, the Company is subject to the usual risks associated with international operations. These risks include local political and economic environments and relations between foreign and U.S. governments.
Another economic risk of the Company is exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the earnings, cash flows and financial position of its international operations. The Company is not able to project, in any meaningful way, the possible effect of these fluctuations on translated amounts or future earnings. This is due to the Company's constantly changing exposure to various currencies, the fact that all foreign currencies do not react in the same manner in relation to the U.S. dollar and the large number of currencies involved, although the Company's most significant exposures are to the euro, Indonesian rupiah and Mexican peso, as well as the Brazilian real, Chinese renminbi and Malaysian ringgit.

40



Although this currency risk is partially mitigated by the natural hedge arising from the Company's local product sourcing in many markets, a strengthening U.S. dollar generally has a negative impact on the Company. In response to this fact, the Company uses financial instruments, such as forward contracts and certain euro denominated borrowings under the Company's Credit Agreement, to hedge its exposure to certain foreign exchange risks associated with a portion of its investment in international operations. In addition to hedging against the balance sheet impact of changes in exchange rates, the hedge of investments in international operations also has the effect of hedging a portion of cash flows from those operations. The Company also hedges, with these instruments, certain other exposures to various currencies arising from amounts payable and receivable, non-permanent intercompany loans and forecasted purchases. The Company generally does not seek to hedge the impact of currency fluctuations on the translated value of the sales, profit or cash flow generated by its operations.
While the Company's hedges of its equity in its foreign subsidiaries and its fair value hedges of balance sheet risks all work together to mitigate its exposure to foreign exchange gains or losses, they result in an impact to operating cash flows as they are settled. The cash flow impact of these currency hedges was an inflow of $4.6 million, $3.2 million and $2.1 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
The U.S. dollar equivalent of the Company's most significant net open foreign currency hedge positions as of December 27, 2014 were to buy U.S. dollars $76.8 million; euros $70.9 million and South Korean won $10.6 million, and to sell Swiss francs $46.7 million; Turkish lira $23.4 million; Japanese yen $14.8 million; Mexican pesos $13.6 million; Indonesian rupiah $13.2 million; Canadian dollars $11.8 million and Russian rubles $11.0 million. In agreements to sell foreign currencies in exchange for U.S. dollars, for example, an appreciating dollar versus the opposing currency would generate a cash inflow for the Company at settlement, with the opposite result in agreements to buy foreign currencies for U.S. dollars. The notional amounts change based upon changes in the Company's outstanding currency exposures. Based on rates existing as of December 27, 2014, the Company was in a net receivable position of approximately $4.7 million related to its currency hedges, which, upon settlement, could have a significant impact on the Company's cash flow. The Company records the impact of forward points in net interest expense.
A precise calculation of the impact of currency fluctuations is not practical since some of the contracts are between non-U.S. dollar currencies. The Company continuously monitors its foreign currency exposure and may enter into additional contracts to hedge exposure in the future. See further discussion regarding the Company's hedging activities for foreign currency in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company is subject to credit risks relating to the ability of counterparties of hedging transactions to meet their contractual payment obligations. The risks related to creditworthiness and nonperformance have been considered in the determination of fair value for the Company's foreign currency forward exchange contracts. The Company continues to closely monitor its counterparties and will take action, as appropriate and possible, to further manage its counterparty credit risk.

41



The Company is also exposed to rising material prices in its manufacturing operations and, in particular, the cost of oil and natural gas-based resins. This is the primary material used in production of most Tupperware® products, and the Company estimates that 2015 cost of sales will include about $150 million for the cost of resin in the Tupperware® brand products it produces. The Company uses many different kinds of resins in its products. About three-fourths of its resins are “polyolefins” (simple chemical structure, easily refined from oil), and as such, the price of these is strongly affected by the underlying price of oil and natural gas. The remaining one-fourth of its resins is more highly engineered, where the price of oil and natural gas plays a less direct role in determining price. With a comparable product mix and exchange rates, a 10 percent fluctuation in the cost of resin would impact the Company's annual cost of sales by about $15 million compared with the prior year. For 2014, the Company estimates its cost of sales of the Tupperware® products it produced was negatively impacted by about $14 million in local currency due to resin cost changes, as compared with 2013. For the full year of 2015, resin cost changes on a local currency basis, on the Company's cost of sales of the Tupperware® products it produces is expected to be a favorable impact of $16 million, as compared with 2014. The Company partially manages its risk associated with rising resin costs by utilizing a centralized procurement function that is able to take advantage of bulk discounts while maintaining multiple suppliers and also enters into short-term pricing arrangements. It also manages its margin through the pricing of its products, with price increases generally in line with consumer inflation in each market, and its mix of sales through its promotional programs and discount offers. It may also, on occasion, make advance material purchases to take advantage of current favorable pricing. At this point in time, the Company has determined that entering into forward contracts for resin is not practical and has no such contracts in place. However, should circumstances warrant, the Company may consider such contracts in the future.
The Company has a program to sell land held for development around its Orlando, Florida headquarters. This program is exposed to the risks inherent in the real estate development process. Included among these risks is the ability to obtain all government approvals, the success of buyers in attracting tenants for commercial or residential developments in the Orlando real estate market or obtaining financing and general economic conditions, such as interest rate increases or the ramifications of a credit crisis like in 2008, which has delayed the completion of this program.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain written and oral statements made or incorporated by reference from time to time by the Company or its representatives in this report, other reports, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, press releases, conferences or otherwise are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this report or elsewhere that are not based on historical facts or information are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the following:
successful recruitment, retention and productivity levels of the Company's independent sales forces;
disruptions caused by the introduction of new or revised distributor operating models or sales force compensation systems or allegations by equity analysts or others as to the legality or viability of the Company's business model;
success of new products and promotional programs;
the ability to implement appropriate product mix and pricing strategies;
governmental regulation of materials used in products coming into contact with food (e.g. polycarbonate and polyethersulfone), as well as beauty, personal care and nutritional products;
the ability to procure and pay for at reasonable economic cost, sufficient raw materials and/or finished goods to meet current and future consumer demands at retail pricing the Company would like to suggest in certain markets, particularly Argentina, Ecuador and Venezuela due to government regulations and restrictions;
the impact of changes in consumer spending patterns and preferences, particularly given the global nature of the Company's business;

42



the value of long-term assets, particularly goodwill and indefinite and definite-lived intangibles associated with acquisitions, and the realizability of the value of recognized tax assets;
changes in plastic resin prices, other raw materials and packaging components, the cost of converting such items into finished goods and procured finished products and the cost of delivering products to customers;
the introduction of Company operations in new markets outside the United States;
general social, safety, economic and political conditions in markets, such as in Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico, Russia, Ukraine and Venezuela and other countries impacted by such events;
issues arising out of the sovereign debt in the countries in which the Company operates, such as in Argentina and the Euro zone, resulting in potential economic and operational challenges for the Company's supply chains, heightened counterparty credit risk due to adverse effects on customers and suppliers, exchange controls and translation risks due to potential impairments of investments in affected markets and the potential for banks with which the Company maintains lines of credit to be unable to fulfill their commitments;
disruptions resulting from either internal or external labor strikes, work stoppages, or similar difficulties;
changes in cash flow resulting from changes in operating results, including from changes in foreign exchange rates, working capital management, debt payments, share repurchases and hedge settlements;
the impact of currency fluctuations on the value of the Company's operating results, assets, liabilities and commitments of foreign operations generally, and particularly in Venezuela, including their cash balances, the results of those operations, the cost of sourcing products across geographies and the success of foreign hedging and risk management strategies;
the impact of natural disasters and epidemic or pandemic disease outbreaks;
the ability to repatriate, or otherwise make available, cash in the United States and to do so at a favorable foreign exchange rate and with favorable tax ramifications;
the ability to obtain all government approvals on, and to control the cost of infrastructure obligations associated with property, plant and equipment;
the ability to timely and effectively implement, transition, maintain and protect necessary information technology systems and infrastructure, as well as protecting the Company's reputation by safeguarding any personal data collected from the independent sales forces;
the ability to attract and retain certain executive officers and key management personnel;
the success of land buyers in attracting tenants for commercial and residential development and obtaining financing;
the costs and covenant restrictions associated with the Company's credit arrangements;
integration of non-traditional product lines into Company operations;
the effect of legal, regulatory and tax proceedings, as well as restrictions imposed on the Company's operations or Company representatives by foreign governments, including exposure to tax responsibilities imposed on the sales force and their potential impact on the sales force's value chain and resulting disruption to the business and actions taken by governments in Venezuela or elsewhere to set or restrict the freedom of the Company to set its own prices or its suggested retail prices for product sales by its sales force to end consumers;
the effect of competitive forces in the markets in which the Company operates, particularly related to sales of beauty, personal care and nutritional products, where there are a greater number of competitors;
the impact of counterfeit and knocked-off products in the markets in which the Company operates and the effect this can have on the confidence of the Company's sales force members;

43



the impact of changes in U.S. federal, state and foreign tax or other laws, including related to the taxation in the United States of earnings generated in other jurisdictions;
the Company's access to, and the costs of, financing; and
other risks discussed in Item 1A, Risk Factors, as well as the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, notes, other financial information contained in this report and the Company’s other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Other than updating for changes in foreign currency exchange rates in its monthly website updates, the Company does not intend to update forward-looking information, except through its quarterly earnings releases, unless it expects diluted earnings per share for the current quarter, excluding items impacting comparability and changes versus its guidance of the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates, to be significantly below its previous guidance.
Investors should also be aware that while the Company does, from time to time, communicate with securities analysts, it is against the Company's policy to disclose to them any material non-public information or other confidential commercial information. Accordingly, it should not be assumed that the Company agrees with any statement or report issued by any analyst irrespective of the content of the confirming financial forecasts or projections issued by others.

44



Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Tupperware Brands Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Income
 
Year Ended
(In millions, except per share amounts)
December 27,
2014
 
December 28,
2013
 
December 29,
2012
Net sales
$
2,606.1

 
$
2,671.6

 
$
2,583.8

Cost of products sold
884.0

 
889.8

 
856.4

Gross margin
1,722.1

 
1,781.8

 
1,727.4

Delivery, sales and administrative expense
1,346.1

 
1,369.7

 
1,329.5

Re-engineering and impairment charges
11.0

 
9.3

 
22.4

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets

 

 
76.9

Gains on disposal of assets
2.7

 
0.7

 
7.9

Operating income
367.7

 
403.5

 
306.5

Interest income
3.0

 
2.6

 
2.5

Interest expense
46.5

 
40.2

 
34.9

Other expense
26.0

 
5.5

 
1.3

Income before income taxes
298.2

 
360.4

 
272.8

Provision for income taxes
83.8

 
86.2

 
79.8

Net income
$
214.4

 
$
274.2

 
$
193.0

Basic earnings per common share
$
4.28

 
$
5.28

 
$
3.49

Diluted earnings per common share
$
4.20

 
$
5.17

 
$
3.42

























The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


45



Tupperware Brands Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
 
Year Ended
(In millions)
December 27,
2014
 
December 28,
2013
 
December 29,
2012
Net income
$
214.4

 
$
274.2

 
$
193.0

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(85.2
)
 
(64.9
)
 
32.2

Deferred gain (loss) on cash flow hedges, net of tax provision of $1.3, $0.8 and $0.1, respectively
5.6

 
2.4

 
(0.5
)
Pension and other post-retirement income (costs), net of tax benefit (provision) of $4.7, ($9.3) and $2.9, respectively
(12.3
)
 
17.0

 
(7.5
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
(91.9
)
 
(45.5
)
 
24.2

Total comprehensive income
$
122.5

 
$
228.7

 
$
217.2





































The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

46



Tupperware Brands Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In millions, except share amounts)
December 27,
2014
 
December 28,
2013
ASSETS
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
77.0

 
$
127.3

Accounts receivable, less allowances of $34.5 and $32.9, respectively
168.1

 
168.8

Inventories
306.0

 
313.4

Deferred income tax benefits, net
118.8

 
96.4

Non-trade amounts receivable, net
61.8

 
50.1

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
21.9

 
23.0

Total current assets
753.6

 
779.0

Deferred income tax benefits, net
416.7

 
397.9

Property, plant and equipment, net
290.3

 
300.9

Long-term receivables, less allowances of $13.1 and $20.5, respectively
17.3

 
23.1

Trademarks and tradenames, net
104.2

 
125.7

Other intangible assets, net
1.5

 
3.2

Goodwill
164.7

 
181.5

Other assets, net
34.8

 
32.6

Total assets
$
1,783.1

 
$
1,843.9

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 

 
 

Accounts payable
$
142.8

 
$
149.7

Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
221.4

 
235.4

Accrued liabilities
383.2

 
352.4

Total current liabilities
747.4

 
737.5

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations
615.2

 
619.9

Other liabilities
234.7

 
233.6

Shareholders' equity:
 

 
 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; none issued

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 600,000,000 shares authorized; 63,607,090 shares issued
0.6

 
0.6

Paid-in capital
190.7

 
178.3

Retained earnings
1,348.2

 
1,289.2

Treasury stock, 13,924,568 and 13,282,929 shares, respectively, at cost
(945.0
)
 
(898.4
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(408.7
)
 
(316.8
)
Total shareholders' equity
185.8

 
252.9

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
1,783.1

 
$
1,843.9







The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

47



Tupperware Brands Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
 
Common Stock
 
Treasury Stock
 
Paid-In Capital
 
Retained Earnings
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
Total Shareholders' Equity
(In millions, except per share amounts)
Shares
 
Dollars
 
Shares
 
Dollars
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2011
63.6
 
$
0.6

 
7.1
 
$
(422.8
)
 
$
126.8

 
$
1,091.7

 
$
(295.5
)
 
$
500.8

Net income

 

 

 

 

 
193.0

 

 
193.0

Other comprehensive income