UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ý | Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2018 or |
¨ | Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from to |
Commission file number: 001-32253
ENERSYS
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 23-3058564 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
2366 Bernville Road
Reading, Pennsylvania 19605
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 610-208-1991
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 per share | 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. ý YES ¨ NO
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. ¨ YES ý NO
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ý YES ¨ NO
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES ý NO ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this chapter) 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. ¨
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”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer x | Accelerated filer ¨ | |
Non-accelerated filer ¨ | Smaller reporting company ¨ | |
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | ||
Emerging growth company ¨ | ||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). ¨ YES ý NO
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates at October 1, 2017: $2,901,470,255 (1) (based upon its closing transaction price on the New York Stock Exchange on September 29, 2017).
(1) | For this purpose only, “non-affiliates” excludes directors and executive officers. |
Common stock outstanding at May 25, 2018: 42,112,206 Shares of Common Stock
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on or about August 2, 2018 are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Annual Report.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Reform Act”) provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of EnerSys. EnerSys and its representatives may, from time to time, make written or verbal forward-looking statements, including statements contained in EnerSys' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and its reports to stockholders. Generally, the inclusion of the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “future,” “intend,” “estimate,” “will,” “plans,” or the negative of such terms and similar expressions identify statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that are intended to come within the safe harbor protection provided by those sections. All statements addressing operating performance, events, or developments that EnerSys expects or anticipates will occur in the future, including statements relating to sales growth, earnings or earnings per share growth, and market share, as well as statements expressing optimism or pessimism about future operating results, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Reform Act. The forward-looking statements are and will be based on management’s then-current beliefs and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance and on information currently available to management, and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements.
Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although we do not make forward-looking statements unless we believe we have a reasonable basis for doing so, we cannot guarantee their accuracy. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements due to a number of uncertainties and risks, including the risks described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and other unforeseen risks. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, even if subsequently made available by us on our website or otherwise, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise these statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements for a number of reasons, including the following factors:
• | general cyclical patterns of the industries in which our customers operate; |
• | the extent to which we cannot control our fixed and variable costs; |
• | the raw materials in our products may experience significant fluctuations in market price and availability; |
• | certain raw materials constitute hazardous materials that may give rise to costly environmental and safety claims; |
• | legislation regarding the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in our products; |
• | risks involved in our operations such as disruption of markets, changes in import and export laws, environmental regulations, currency restrictions and local currency exchange rate fluctuations; |
• | our ability to maintain relationships with customers, including raising our selling prices to our customers when our product costs increase; |
• | the extent to which we are able to efficiently utilize our global manufacturing facilities and optimize our capacity; |
• | general economic conditions in the markets in which we operate; |
• | competitiveness of the battery markets and other energy solutions for industrial applications throughout the world; |
• | our timely development of competitive new products and product enhancements in a changing environment and the acceptance of such products and product enhancements by customers; |
• | our ability to adequately protect our proprietary intellectual property, technology and brand names; |
• | litigation and regulatory proceedings to which we might be subject; |
• | our expectations concerning indemnification obligations; |
• | changes in our market share in the geographic business segments where we operate; |
• | our ability to implement our cost reduction initiatives successfully and improve our profitability; |
• | quality problems associated with our products; |
• | our ability to implement business strategies, including our acquisition strategy, manufacturing expansion and restructuring plans; |
• | our acquisition strategy may not be successful in locating advantageous targets; |
• | our ability to successfully integrate any assets, liabilities, customers, systems and management personnel we acquire into our operations and our ability to realize related revenue synergies and cost savings within expected time frames; |
• | potential goodwill impairment charges, future impairment charges and fluctuations in the fair values of reporting units or of assets in the event projected financial results are not achieved within expected time frames; |
• | our debt and debt service requirements which may restrict our operational and financial flexibility, as well as imposing unfavorable interest and financing costs; |
• | our ability to maintain our existing credit facilities or obtain satisfactory new credit facilities; |
• | adverse changes in our short- and long-term debt levels under our credit facilities; |
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• | our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates on our variable-rate debt; |
• | our ability to attract and retain qualified management and personnel; |
• | our ability to maintain good relations with labor unions; |
• | credit risk associated with our customers, including risk of insolvency and bankruptcy; |
• | our ability to successfully recover in the event of a disaster affecting our infrastructure; |
• | terrorist acts or acts of war, could cause damage or disruption to our operations, our suppliers, channels to market or customers, or could cause costs to increase, or create political or economic instability; and |
• | the operation, capacity and security of our information systems and infrastructure. |
This list of factors that may affect future performance is illustrative, but by no means exhaustive. Accordingly, all forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty.
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EnerSys
Annual Report on Form 10-K
For the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2018
Index
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Item 1A. | ||
Item 1B. | ||
Item 2. | ||
Item 3. | ||
Item 4. | ||
Item 5. | ||
Item 6. | ||
Item 7. | ||
Item 7A. | ||
Item 8. | ||
Item 9. | ||
Item 9A. | ||
Item 9B. | ||
Item 10. | ||
Item 11. | ||
Item 12. | ||
Item 13. | ||
Item 14. | ||
Item 15. | ||
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PART I
ITEM 1. | BUSINESS |
Overview
EnerSys (the “Company,” “we,” or “us”) is the world’s largest manufacturer, marketer and distributor of industrial batteries. We also manufacture, market and distribute products such as battery chargers, power equipment, battery accessories, and outdoor cabinet enclosures. Additionally, we provide related aftermarket and customer-support services for our products. We market our products globally to over 10,000 customers in more than 100 countries through a network of distributors, independent representatives and our internal sales force.
We operate and manage our business in three geographic regions of the world—Americas, EMEA and Asia, as described below. Our business is highly decentralized with manufacturing locations throughout the world. More than half of our manufacturing capacity is located outside of the United States, and approximately 50% of our net sales were generated outside of the United States. The Company has three reportable business segments based on geographic regions, defined as follows:
• | Americas, which includes North and South America, with our segment headquarters in Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.; |
• | EMEA, which includes Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with our segment headquarters in Zug, Switzerland; and |
• | Asia, which includes Asia, Australia and Oceania, with our segment headquarters in Singapore. |
We have two primary product lines: reserve power and motive power products. Net sales classifications by product line are as follows:
• | Reserve power products are used for backup power for the continuous operation of critical applications in telecommunications systems, uninterruptible power systems, or “UPS” applications for computer and computer-controlled systems, and other specialty power applications, including medical and security systems, premium starting, lighting and ignition applications, in switchgear, electrical control systems used in electric utilities, large-scale energy storage, energy pipelines, in commercial aircraft, satellites, military aircraft, submarines, ships and tactical vehicles. Reserve power products also include thermally managed cabinets and enclosures for electronic equipment and batteries. |
• | Motive power products are used to provide power for electric industrial forklifts used in manufacturing, warehousing and other material handling applications, as well as mining equipment, diesel locomotive starting and other rail equipment. |
Additionally, see Note 22 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information on segment reporting.
Fiscal Year Reporting
In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, when we refer to our fiscal years, we state “fiscal” and the year, as in “fiscal 2018”, which refers to our fiscal year ended March 31, 2018. The Company reports interim financial information for 13-week periods, except for the first quarter, which always begins on April 1, and the fourth quarter, which always ends on March 31. The four quarters in fiscal 2018 ended on July 2, 2017, October 1, 2017, December 31, 2017, and March 31, 2018, respectively. The four quarters in fiscal 2017 ended on July 3, 2016, October 2, 2016, January 1, 2017, and March 31, 2017, respectively.
History
EnerSys and its predecessor companies have been manufacturers of industrial batteries for over 125 years. Morgan Stanley Capital Partners teamed with the management of Yuasa, Inc. in late 2000 to acquire from Yuasa Corporation (Japan) its reserve power and motive power battery businesses in North and South America. We were incorporated in October 2000 for the purpose of completing the Yuasa, Inc. acquisition. On January 1, 2001, we changed our name from Yuasa, Inc. to EnerSys to reflect our focus on the energy systems nature of our businesses.
In 2004, EnerSys completed its initial public offering (the “IPO”) and the Company’s common stock commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange, under the trading symbol “ENS”.
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Key Developments
There have been several key stages in the development of our business, which explain to a significant degree our results of operations over the past several years.
In March 2002, we acquired the reserve power and motive power business of the Energy Storage Group of Invensys plc. (“ESG”). Our successful integration of ESG provided global scale in both the reserve and motive power markets. The ESG acquisition also provided us with a further opportunity to reduce costs and improve operating efficiency.
During fiscal years 2003 through 2018, we made twenty-eight acquisitions around the globe. In fiscal 2016, we completed the acquisition of ICS Industries Pty. Ltd. (ICS), headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. ICS is a leading full line shelter designer and manufacturer with installation and maintenance services serving the telecommunications, utilities, datacenter, natural resources and transport industries operating in Australia and serving customers in the Asia Pacific region.
Our Customers
We serve over 10,000 customers in over 100 countries, on a direct basis or through our distributors. We are not overly dependent on any particular end market. Our customer base is highly diverse, and no single customer accounts for more than 5% of our revenues.
Our reserve power customers consist of both global and regional customers. These customers are in diverse markets including telecom, UPS, electric utilities, security systems, emergency lighting, premium starting, lighting and ignition applications and space satellites. In addition, we sell our aerospace and defense products in numerous countries, including the governments of the U.S., Germany and the U.K. and to major defense and aviation original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”).
Our motive power products are sold to a large, diversified customer base. These customers include material handling equipment dealers, OEMs and end users of such equipment. End users include manufacturers, distributors, warehouse operators, retailers, airports, mine operators and railroads.
Distribution and Services
We distribute, sell and service reserve and motive power products throughout the world, principally through company-owned sales and service facilities, as well as through independent manufacturers’ representatives. Our company-owned network allows us to offer high-quality service, including preventative maintenance programs and customer support. Our warehouses and service locations enable us to respond quickly to customers in the markets we serve. We believe that the extensive industry experience of our sales organization results in strong long-term customer relationships.
Manufacturing and Raw Materials
We manufacture and assemble our products at manufacturing facilities located in the Americas, EMEA and Asia. With a view toward projected demand, we strive to optimize and balance capacity at our battery manufacturing facilities globally, while simultaneously minimizing our product cost. By taking a global view of our manufacturing requirements and capacity, we believe we are better able to anticipate potential capacity bottlenecks and equipment and capital funding needs.
The primary raw materials used to manufacture our products include lead, plastics, steel and copper. We purchase lead from a number of leading suppliers throughout the world. Because lead is traded on the world’s commodity markets and its price fluctuates daily, we periodically enter into hedging arrangements for a portion of our projected requirements to reduce the volatility of our costs.
Competition
The industrial battery market is highly competitive both among competitors who manufacture and sell industrial batteries and among customers who purchase industrial batteries. Our competitors range from development stage companies to large domestic and international corporations. Certain of our competitors produce energy storage products utilizing technologies or chemistries different from our own. We compete primarily on the basis of reputation, product quality, reliability of service, delivery and price. We believe that our products and services are competitively priced.
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Americas
We believe that we have the largest market share in the Americas industrial battery market. We compete principally with East Penn Manufacturing, Exide Technologies and New Power in both the reserve and motive products markets; and also C&D Technologies Inc., EaglePicher (GTCR Group), NorthStar Battery, SAFT as well as Chinese producers in the reserve products market.
EMEA
We believe that we have the largest market share in the European industrial battery market. Our primary competitors are Exide Technologies, FIAMM, Hoppecke, SAFT as well as Chinese producers in the reserve products market; and Exide Technologies, Eternity, Hoppecke, Midac, Sunlight and TAB in the motive products market.
Asia
We have a small share of the fragmented Asian industrial battery market. We compete principally with GS-Yuasa, Shin-Kobe, Hoppecke and Zibo Torch in the motive products market; and Amara Raja, China Shoto, Coslight, Exide Industries, Leoch and Narada, in the reserve products market.
Warranties
Warranties for our products vary geographically and by product type and are competitive with other suppliers of these types of products. Generally, our reserve power product warranties range from one to twenty years and our motive power product warranties range from one to seven years. The length of our warranties is varied to reflect regional characteristics and competitive influences. In some cases, our warranty period may include a pro rata period, which is typically based around the design life of the product and the application served. Our warranties generally cover defects in workmanship and materials and are limited to specific usage parameters.
Intellectual Property
We have numerous patents and patent licenses in the United States and other jurisdictions but do not consider any one patent to be material to our business. From time to time, we apply for patents on new inventions and designs, but we believe that the growth of our business will depend primarily upon the quality of our products and our relationships with our customers, rather than the extent of our patent protection.
We believe we are leaders in thin plate pure lead technology (“TPPL”). We believe that a significant capital investment would be required by any party desiring to produce products using TPPL technology for our markets.
We own or possess exclusive and non-exclusive licenses and other rights to use a number of trademarks in various jurisdictions. We have obtained registrations for many of these trademarks in the United States and other jurisdictions. Our various trademark registrations currently have durations of approximately 10 to 20 years, varying by mark and jurisdiction of registration and may be renewable. We endeavor to keep all of our material registrations current. We believe that many such rights and licenses are important to our business by helping to develop strong brand-name recognition in the marketplace.
Seasonality
Our business generally does not experience significant quarterly fluctuations in net sales as a result of weather or other trends that can be directly linked to seasonality patterns, but historically our fourth quarter is our best quarter with higher revenues and generally more working days and our second quarter is the weakest due to the summer holiday season in Western Europe and North America.
Product and Process Development
Our product and process development efforts are focused on the creation of new stored energy products, and integrated power systems and controls. We allocate our resources to the following key areas:
• | the design and development of new products; |
• | optimizing and expanding our existing product offering; |
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• | waste and scrap reduction; |
• | production efficiency and utilization; |
• | capacity expansion without additional facilities; and |
• | quality attribute maximization. |
Employees
At March 31, 2018, we had approximately 9,600 employees. Of these employees, approximately 27% were covered by collective bargaining agreements. Employees covered by collective bargaining agreements that did not exceed twelve months were approximately 6% of the total workforce. The average term of these agreements is two years, with the longest term being three years. We consider our employee relations to be good. We did not experience any significant labor unrest or disruption of production during fiscal 2018.
Environmental Matters
In the manufacture of our products throughout the world, we process, store, dispose of and otherwise use large amounts of hazardous materials, especially lead and acid. As a result, we are subject to extensive and evolving environmental, health and safety laws and regulations governing, among other things: the generation, handling, storage, use, transportation and disposal of hazardous materials; emissions or discharges of hazardous materials into the ground, air or water; and the health and safety of our employees. In addition, we are required to comply with the regulation issued from the European Union called Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals or “REACH”. Under the regulation, companies which manufacture or import more than one ton of a covered chemical substance per year are required to register it in a central database administered by the European Chemicals Agency. The registration process requires the submission of information to demonstrate the safety of chemicals as used and could result in significant costs or delay the manufacture or sale of our products in the European Union. Additionally, industry associations and their member companies, including EnerSys, have scheduled meetings with the European Union member countries to advocate for their support of an exemption for lead compounds. Compliance with these laws and regulations results in ongoing costs. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations, or to obtain or comply with required environmental permits, could result in fines, criminal charges or other sanctions by regulators. From time to time, we have had instances of alleged or actual noncompliance that have resulted in the imposition of fines, penalties and required corrective actions. Our ongoing compliance with environmental, health and safety laws, regulations and permits could require us to incur significant expenses, limit our ability to modify or expand our facilities or continue production and require us to install additional pollution control equipment and make other capital improvements. In addition, private parties, including current or former employees, can bring personal injury or other claims against us due to the presence of, or their exposure to, hazardous substances used, stored, transported or disposed of by us or contained in our products.
Sumter, South Carolina
We currently are responsible for certain environmental obligations at our former battery facility in Sumter, South Carolina, that predate our ownership of this facility. This battery facility was closed in 2001 and is separate from our current metal fabrication facility in Sumter. We have a reserve of $1.1 million for this facility as of March 31, 2018. Based on current information, we believe this reserve is adequate to satisfy our environmental liabilities at this facility.
Environmental and safety certifications
Twenty of our facilities in the Americas, EMEA and Asia are certified to ISO 14001 standards. ISO 14001 is a globally recognized, voluntary program that focuses on the implementation, maintenance and continual improvement of an environmental management system and the improvement of environmental performance. Eight facilities in EMEA and Asia are certified to OHSAS 18001 standards. OHSAS 18001 is a globally recognized occupational health and safety management systems standard.
Quality Systems
We utilize a global strategy for quality management systems, policies and procedures, the basis of which is the ISO 9001:2015 standard, which is a worldwide recognized quality standard. We believe in the principles of this standard and reinforce this by requiring mandatory compliance for all manufacturing, sales and service locations globally that are registered to the ISO 9001 standard. This strategy enables us to provide consistent quality products and services to meet our customers’ needs.
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Available Information
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These filings are available to the public on the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room, located at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room.
Our Internet address is http://www.enersys.com. We make available free of charge on http://www.enersys.com our annual, quarterly and current reports, and amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practical after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.
ITEM 1A. | RISK FACTORS |
The following risks and uncertainties, as well as others described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, could materially and adversely affect our business, our results of operations and financial condition and could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations and projections. Stockholders are cautioned that these and other factors, including those beyond our control, may affect future performance and cause actual results to differ from those which may, from time to time, be anticipated. There may be additional risks that are not presently material or known. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” All forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf are qualified by the risks described below.
We operate in an extremely competitive industry and are subject to pricing pressures.
We compete with a number of major international manufacturers and distributors, as well as a large number of smaller, regional competitors. Due to excess capacity in some sectors of our industry and consolidation among industrial battery purchasers, we have been subjected to significant pricing pressures. We anticipate continued competitive pricing pressure as foreign producers are able to employ labor at significantly lower costs than producers in the U.S. and Western Europe, expand their export capacity and increase their marketing presence in our major Americas and European markets. Several of our competitors have strong technical, marketing, sales, manufacturing, distribution and other resources, as well as significant name recognition, established positions in the market and long-standing relationships with OEMs and other customers. In addition, certain of our competitors own lead smelting facilities which, during periods of lead cost increases or price volatility, may provide a competitive pricing advantage and reduce their exposure to volatile raw material costs. Our ability to maintain and improve our operating margins has depended, and continues to depend, on our ability to control and reduce our costs. We cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to control our operating expenses, to raise or maintain our prices or increase our unit volume, in order to maintain or improve our operating results.
The uncertainty in global economic conditions could negatively affect the Company’s operating results.
Our operating results are directly affected by the general global economic conditions of the industries in which our major customer groups operate. Our business segments are highly dependent on the economic and market conditions in each of the geographic areas in which we operate. Our products are heavily dependent on the end markets that we serve and our operating results will vary by geographic segment, depending on the economic environment in these markets. Sales of our motive power products, for example, depend significantly on demand for new electric industrial forklift trucks, which in turn depends on end-user demand for additional motive capacity in their distribution and manufacturing facilities. The uncertainty in global economic conditions varies by geographic segment, and can result in substantial volatility in global credit markets, particularly in the United States, where we service the vast majority of our debt. These conditions affect our business by reducing prices that our customers may be able or willing to pay for our products or by reducing the demand for our products, which could in turn negatively impact our sales and earnings generation and result in a material adverse effect on our business, cash flow, results of operations and financial position.
Government reviews, inquiries, investigations, and actions could harm our business or reputation.
As we operate in various locations around the world, our operations in certain countries are subject to significant governmental scrutiny and may be adversely impacted by the results of such scrutiny. The regulatory environment with regard to our business is evolving, and officials often exercise broad discretion in deciding how to interpret and apply applicable regulations. From time to time, we receive formal and informal inquiries from various government regulatory authorities, as well as self-regulatory organizations, about our business and compliance with local laws, regulations or standards. For example, certain of the Company’s European subsidiaries have received subpoenas and requests for documents and, in some cases, interviews from,
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and have had on-site inspections conducted by the competition authorities of Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands relating to conduct and anticompetitive practices of certain industrial battery participants. The Company settled the Belgian regulatory proceeding in February 2016 by acknowledging certain anticompetitive practices and conduct and agreeing to pay a fine of $2.0 million, which was paid in March 2016. In June 2017, the Company settled a portion of its previously disclosed proceeding involving the German competition authority relating to conduct involving the Company's motive power battery business and agreed to pay a fine of $14.8 million, which was paid in July 2017. Also in June 2017, the German competition authority issued a fining decision related to the Company's reserve power battery business. The Company is appealing this decision, including payment of the proposed fine of $11.4 million. In July 2017, the Company settled the Dutch regulatory proceeding and agreed to pay a fine of $11.2 million, which was paid in August 2017. As of March 31, 2018, the Company had a total reserve balance of $2.3 million in connection with these investigations and related legal matters. However, the precise scope, timing and time period at issue, as well as the final outcome of the investigations or customer claims, remain uncertain and could be materially adverse to our business. (See Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statement).
Any determination that our operations or activities, or the activities of our employees, are not in compliance with existing laws, regulations or standards could result in the imposition of substantial fines, interruptions of business, loss of supplier, vendor, customer or other third-party relationships, termination of necessary licenses and permits, or similar results, all of which could potentially harm our business and/or reputation. Even if an inquiry does not result in these types of determinations, regulatory authorities could cause us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices in a manner materially adverse to our business, and it potentially could create negative publicity which could harm our business and/or reputation.
Reliance on third party relationships and derivative agreements could adversely affect the Company’s business.
We depend on third parties, including suppliers, distributors, lead toll operators, freight forwarders, insurance brokers, commodity brokers, major financial institutions and other third party service providers, for key aspects of our business, including the provision of derivative contracts to manage risks of (a) commodity cost volatility, (b) foreign currency exposures and (c) interest rate volatility. Failure of these third parties to meet their contractual, regulatory and other obligations to the Company, or the development of factors that materially disrupt our relationships with these third parties, could expose us to the risks of business disruption, higher commodity and interest costs, unfavorable foreign currency rates and higher expenses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our operating results could be adversely affected by changes in the cost and availability of raw materials.
Lead is our most significant raw material and is used along with significant amounts of plastics, steel, copper and other materials in our manufacturing processes. We estimate that raw material costs account for over half of our cost of goods sold. The costs of these raw materials, particularly lead, are volatile and beyond our control. Additionally, availability of the raw materials used to manufacture our products may be limited at times resulting in higher prices and/or the need to find alternative suppliers. Furthermore, the cost of raw materials may also be influenced by transportation costs. Volatile raw material costs can significantly affect our operating results and make period-to-period comparisons extremely difficult. We cannot assure you that we will be able to either hedge the costs or secure the availability of our raw material requirements at a reasonable level or, even with respect to our agreements that adjust pricing to a market-based index for lead, pass on to our customers the increased costs of our raw materials without affecting demand or that limited availability of materials will not impact our production capabilities. Our inability to raise the price of our products in response to increases in prices of raw materials or to maintain a proper supply of raw materials could have an adverse effect on our revenue, operating profit and net income.
Our operations expose us to litigation, tax, environmental and other legal compliance risks.
We are subject to a variety of litigation, tax, environmental, health and safety and other legal compliance risks. These risks include, among other things, possible liability relating to product liability matters, personal injuries, intellectual property rights, contract-related claims, government contracts, taxes, health and safety liabilities, environmental matters and compliance with U.S. and foreign laws, competition laws and laws governing improper business practices. We or one of our business units could be charged with wrongdoing as a result of such matters. If convicted or found liable, we could be subject to significant fines, penalties, repayments or other damages (in certain cases, treble damages). As a global business, we are subject to complex laws and regulations in the U.S. and other countries in which we operate. Those laws and regulations may be interpreted in different ways. They may also change from time to time, as may related interpretations and other guidance. Changes in laws or regulations could result in higher expenses and payments, and uncertainty relating to laws or regulations may also affect how we conduct our operations and structure our investments and could limit our ability to enforce our rights.
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In the area of taxes, changes in tax laws and regulations, as well as changes in related interpretations and other tax guidance could materially impact our tax receivables and liabilities and our deferred tax assets and tax liabilities. Additionally, in the ordinary course of business, we are subject to examinations by various authorities, including tax authorities. In addition to ongoing examinations, there could be additional investigations launched in the future by governmental authorities in various jurisdictions and existing investigations could be expanded. The global and diverse nature of our operations means that these risks will continue to exist and additional legal proceedings and contingencies will arise from time to time. Our results may be affected by the outcome of legal proceedings and other contingencies that cannot be predicted with certainty.
In the manufacture of our products throughout the world, we process, store, dispose of and otherwise use large amounts of hazardous materials, especially lead and acid. As a result, we are subject to extensive and changing environmental, health and safety laws and regulations governing, among other things: the generation, handling, storage, use, transportation and disposal of hazardous materials; remediation of polluted ground or water; emissions or discharges of hazardous materials into the ground, air or water; and the health and safety of our employees. Compliance with these laws and regulations results in ongoing costs. Failure to comply with these laws or regulations, or to obtain or comply with required environmental permits, could result in fines, criminal charges or other sanctions by regulators. From time to time we have had instances of alleged or actual noncompliance that have resulted in the imposition of fines, penalties and required corrective actions. Our ongoing compliance with environmental, health and safety laws, regulations and permits could require us to incur significant expenses, limit our ability to modify or expand our facilities or continue production and require us to install additional pollution control equipment and make other capital improvements. In addition, private parties, including current or former employees, could bring personal injury or other claims against us due to the presence of, or exposure to, hazardous substances used, stored or disposed of by us or contained in our products.
Certain environmental laws assess liability on owners or operators of real property for the cost of investigation, removal or remediation of hazardous substances at their current or former properties or at properties at which they have disposed of hazardous substances. These laws may also assess costs to repair damage to natural resources. We may be responsible for remediating damage to our properties caused by former owners. Soil and groundwater contamination has occurred at some of our current and former properties and may occur or be discovered at other properties in the future. We are currently investigating and monitoring soil and groundwater contamination at several of our properties, in most cases as required by regulatory permitting processes. We may be required to conduct these operations at other properties in the future. In addition, we have been and in the future may be liable to contribute to the cleanup of locations owned or operated by other persons to which we or our predecessor companies have sent wastes for disposal, pursuant to federal and other environmental laws. Under these laws, the owner or operator of contaminated properties and companies that generated, disposed of or arranged for the disposal of wastes sent to a contaminated disposal facility can be held jointly and severally liable for the investigation and cleanup of such properties, regardless of fault. Additionally, our products may become subject to fees and taxes in order to fund cleanup of such properties, including those operated or used by other lead-battery industry participants.
Changes in environmental and climate laws or regulations, could lead to new or additional investment in production designs and could increase environmental compliance expenditures. Changes in climate change concerns, or in the regulation of such concerns, including greenhouse gas emissions, could subject us to additional costs and restrictions, including increased energy and raw materials costs. Additionally, we cannot assure you that we have been or at all times will be in compliance with environmental laws and regulations or that we will not be required to expend significant funds to comply with, or discharge liabilities arising under, environmental laws, regulations and permits, or that we will not be exposed to material environmental, health or safety litigation.
Also, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) and similar worldwide anti-bribery laws in non-U.S. jurisdictions generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to non-U.S. officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. The FCPA applies to companies, individual directors, officers, employees and agents. Under the FCPA, U.S. companies may be held liable for actions taken by strategic or local partners or representatives. The FCPA also imposes accounting standards and requirements on publicly traded U.S. corporations and their foreign affiliates, which are intended to prevent the diversion of corporate funds to the payment of bribes and other improper payments. Certain of our customer relationships outside of the U.S. are with governmental entities and are therefore subject to such anti-bribery laws. Our policies mandate compliance with these anti-bribery laws. Despite meaningful measures that we undertake to facilitate lawful conduct, which include training and internal control policies, these measures may not always prevent reckless or criminal acts by our employees or agents. As a result, we could be subject to criminal and civil penalties, disgorgement, further changes or enhancements to our procedures, policies and controls, personnel changes or other remedial actions. Violations of these laws, or allegations of such violations, could disrupt our operations, involve significant management distraction and result in a material adverse effect on our competitive position, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
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There is also a regulation to improve the transparency and accountability concerning the supply of minerals coming from the conflict zones in and around the Democratic Republic of Congo. U.S. legislation included disclosure requirements regarding the use of conflict minerals mined from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries and procedures regarding a manufacturer’s efforts to prevent the sourcing of such conflict minerals. In addition, the European Union adopted a EU-wide conflict minerals rule under which most EU importers of tin, tungsten, tantalum, gold and their ores will have to conduct due diligence to ensure the minerals do not originate from conflict zones and do not fund armed conflicts. Large manufacturers also will have to disclose how they plan to monitor their sources to comply with the rules. Compliance with the regulation is required by January 1, 2021. The implementation of these requirements could affect the sourcing and availability of minerals used in the manufacture of our products. As a result, there may only be a limited pool of suppliers who provide conflict-free metals, and we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain products in sufficient quantities or at competitive prices. Future regulations may become more stringent or costly and our compliance costs and potential liabilities could increase, which may harm our business.
We are exposed to exchange rate risks, and our net earnings and financial condition may suffer due to currency translations.
We invoice our foreign sales and service transactions in local and foreign currencies and translate net sales using actual exchange rates during the period. We translate our non-U.S. assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars using current exchange rates as of the balance sheet dates. Because a significant portion of our revenues and expenses are denominated in foreign currencies, changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies, primarily the euro, British pound, Polish zloty, Chinese renminbi, Mexican peso and Swiss franc may adversely affect our revenue, cost of goods sold and operating margins. For example, foreign currency depreciation against the U.S. dollar will reduce the value of our foreign revenues and operating earnings as well as reduce our net investment in foreign subsidiaries. Approximately 50% of net sales were generated outside of the United States for the last three fiscal years.
Most of the risk of fluctuating foreign currencies is in our EMEA segment, which comprised approximately one-third of our net sales during the last three fiscal years. The euro is the dominant currency in our EMEA operations. In the event that one or more European countries were to replace the euro with another currency, our sales into such countries, or into Europe generally, would likely be adversely affected until stable exchange rates are established.
The translation impact from currency fluctuations on net sales and operating earnings in our Americas and Asia segments are not as significant as our EMEA segment, as a substantial majority of these net sales and operating earnings are in U.S. dollars or foreign currencies that have been closely correlated to the U.S. dollar.
If foreign currencies depreciate against the U.S. dollar, it would make it more expensive for our non-U.S. subsidiaries to purchase certain of our raw material commodities that are priced globally in U.S. dollars, while the related revenue will decrease when translated to U.S. dollars. Significant movements in foreign exchange rates can have a material impact on our results of operations and financial condition. We periodically engage in hedging of our foreign currency exposures, but cannot assure you that we can successfully hedge all of our foreign currency exposures or do so at a reasonable cost.
We quantify and monitor our global foreign currency exposures. Our largest foreign currency exposure is from the purchase and conversion of U.S. dollar based lead costs into local currencies in Europe. Additionally, we have currency exposures from intercompany financing and intercompany and third party trade transactions. On a selective basis, we enter into foreign currency forward contracts and purchase option contracts to reduce the impact from the volatility of currency movements; however, we cannot be certain that foreign currency fluctuations will not impact our operations in the future.
If we are unable to effectively hedge against currency fluctuations, our operating costs and revenues in our non-U.S. operations may be adversely affected, which would have an adverse effect on our operating profit and net income.
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We may experience difficulties implementing our new global enterprise resource planning system.
We are engaged in a multi-year implementation of a new global enterprise resource planning system (“ERP”). The ERP is designed to efficiently maintain our financial records and provide information important to the operation of our business to our management team. The ERP will continue to require significant investment of human and financial resources. In implementing the ERP, we may experience significant delays, increased costs and other difficulties. Any significant disruption or deficiency in the design and implementation of the ERP could adversely affect our ability to process orders, ship product, send invoices and track payments, fulfill contractual obligations or otherwise operate our business. While we have invested significant resources in planning, project management and training, additional and significant implementation issues may arise. In addition, our efforts to centralize various business processes and functions within our organization in connection with our ERP implementation may disrupt our operations and negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The failure to successfully implement efficiency and cost reduction initiatives, including restructuring activities, could materially adversely affect our business and results of operations, and we may not realize some or all of the anticipated benefits of those initiatives.
From time to time we have implemented efficiency and cost reduction initiatives intended to improve our profitability and to respond to changes impacting our business and industry. These initiatives include relocating manufacturing to lower cost regions, working with our material suppliers to lower costs, product design and manufacturing improvements, personnel reductions and voluntary retirement programs, and strategically planning capital expenditures and development activities. In the past we have recorded net restructuring charges to cover costs associated with our cost reduction initiatives involving restructuring. These costs have been primarily composed of employee separation costs, including severance payments, and asset impairments or losses from disposal. We also undertake restructuring activities and programs to improve our cost structure in connection with our business acquisitions, which can result in significant charges, including charges for severance payments to terminated employees and asset impairment charges.
We cannot assure you that our efficiency and cost reduction initiatives will be successfully or timely implemented, or that they will materially and positively impact our profitability. Because our initiatives involve changes to many aspects of our business, the associated cost reductions could adversely impact productivity and sales to an extent we have not anticipated. In addition, our ability to complete our efficiency and cost-savings initiatives and achieve the anticipated benefits within the expected time frame is subject to estimates and assumptions and may vary materially from our expectations, including as a result of factors that are beyond our control. Furthermore, our efforts to improve the efficiencies of our business operations and improve growth may not be successful. Even if we fully execute and implement these activities and they generate the anticipated cost savings, there may be other unforeseeable and unintended consequences that could materially adversely impact our profitability and business, including unintended employee attrition or harm to our competitive position. To the extent that we do not achieve the profitability enhancement or other benefits of our efficiency and cost reduction initiatives that we anticipate, our results of operations may be materially adversely effected.
Our international operations may be adversely affected by actions taken by foreign governments or other forces or events over which we may have no control.
We currently have significant manufacturing and/or distribution facilities outside of the United States, in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia and the United Kingdom. Our global operations are dependent upon products manufactured, purchased and sold in the U.S. and internationally, including in countries with political and economic instability or uncertainty. This includes, for example, the uncertainty related to the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union (commonly known as “Brexit”). Some countries have greater political and economic volatility and greater vulnerability to infrastructure and labor disruptions than others. Our business could be negatively impacted by adverse fluctuations in freight costs, limitations on shipping and receiving capacity, and other disruptions in the transportation and shipping infrastructure at important geographic points of exit and entry for our products. Operating in different regions and countries exposes us to a number of risks, including:
• | multiple and potentially conflicting laws, regulations and policies that are subject to change; |
• | imposition of currency restrictions, restrictions on repatriation of earnings or other restraints imposition of burdensome tariffs or quotas; |
• | changes in trade agreements; |
• | imposition of new or additional trade and economic sanctions laws imposed by the U.S. or foreign governments; |
• | war or terrorist acts; and |
• | political and economic instability or civil unrest that may severely disrupt economic activity in affected countries. |
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The occurrence of one or more of these events may negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our failure to introduce new products and product enhancements and broad market acceptance of new technologies introduced by our competitors could adversely affect our business.
Many new energy storage technologies have been introduced over the past several years. For certain important and growing markets, such as aerospace and defense, lithium-based battery technologies have a large and growing market share. Our ability to achieve significant and sustained penetration of key developing markets, including aerospace and defense, will depend upon our success in developing or acquiring these and other technologies, either independently, through joint ventures or through acquisitions. If we fail to develop or acquire, and manufacture and sell, products that satisfy our customers’ demands, or we fail to respond effectively to new product announcements by our competitors by quickly introducing competitive products, then market acceptance of our products could be reduced and our business could be adversely affected. We cannot assure you that our portfolio of primarily lead-acid products will remain competitive with products based on new technologies.
We may not be able to adequately protect our proprietary intellectual property and technology.
We rely on a combination of copyright, trademark, patent and trade secret laws, non-disclosure agreements and other confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions to establish, protect and maintain our proprietary intellectual property and technology and other confidential information. Certain of these technologies, especially TPPL technology, are important to our business and are not protected by patents. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary intellectual property and technology and other confidential information, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy or otherwise obtain and use our intellectual property and proprietary technologies. If we are unable to protect our intellectual property and technology, we may lose any technological advantage we currently enjoy and may be required to take an impairment charge with respect to the carrying value of such intellectual property or goodwill established in connection with the acquisition thereof. In either case, our operating results and net income may be adversely affected.
Relocation of our customers’ operations could adversely affect our business.
The trend by a number of our North American and Western European customers to move manufacturing operations and expand their businesses in faster growing and low labor-cost markets may have an adverse impact on our business. As our customers in traditional manufacturing-based industries seek to move their manufacturing operations to these locations, there is a risk that these customers will source their energy storage products from competitors located in those territories and will cease or reduce the purchase of products from our manufacturing plants. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete effectively with manufacturing operations of energy storage products in those territories, whether by establishing or expanding our manufacturing operations in those lower-cost territories or acquiring existing manufacturers.
Quality problems with our products could harm our reputation and erode our competitive position.
The success of our business will depend upon the quality of our products and our relationships with customers. In the event that our products fail to meet our customers’ standards, our reputation could be harmed, which would adversely affect our marketing and sales efforts. We cannot assure you that our customers will not experience quality problems with our products.
We offer our products under a variety of brand names, the protection of which is important to our reputation for quality in the consumer marketplace.
We rely upon a combination of trademark, licensing and contractual covenants to establish and protect the brand names of our products. We have registered many of our trademarks in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries. In many market segments, our reputation is closely related to our brand names. Monitoring unauthorized use of our brand names is difficult, and we cannot be certain that the steps we have taken will prevent their unauthorized use, particularly in foreign countries where the laws may not protect our proprietary rights as fully as in the U.S. We cannot assure you that our brand names will not be misappropriated or utilized without our consent or that such actions will not have a material adverse effect on our reputation and on our results of operations.
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We may fail to implement our plans to make acquisitions or successfully integrate them into our operations.
As part of our business strategy, we have grown, and plan to continue growing, by acquiring other product lines, technologies or facilities that complement or expand our existing business. There is significant competition for acquisition targets in the industrial battery industry. We may not be able to identify suitable acquisition candidates or negotiate attractive terms. In addition, we may have difficulty obtaining the financing necessary to complete transactions we pursue. In that regard, our credit facilities restrict the amount of additional indebtedness that we may incur to finance acquisitions and place other restrictions on our ability to make acquisitions. Exceeding any of these restrictions would require the consent of our lenders. We may be unable to successfully integrate any assets, liabilities, customers, systems and management personnel we acquire into our operations and we may not be able to realize related revenue synergies and cost savings within expected time frames. Our failure to execute our acquisition strategy could have a material adverse effect on our business. We cannot assure you that our acquisition strategy will be successful or that we will be able to successfully integrate acquisitions we do make.
Any acquisitions that we complete may dilute stockholder ownership interests in EnerSys, may have adverse effects on our financial condition and results of operations and may cause unanticipated liabilities.
Future acquisitions may involve the issuance of our equity securities as payment, in part or in full, for the businesses or assets acquired. Any future issuances of equity securities would dilute stockholder ownership interests. In addition, future acquisitions might not increase, and may even decrease, our earnings or earnings per share and the benefits derived by us from an acquisition might not outweigh or might not exceed the dilutive effect of the acquisition. We also may incur additional debt or suffer adverse tax and accounting consequences in connection with any future acquisitions.
The failure or security breach of critical computer systems could seriously affect our sales and operations.
We operate a number of critical computer systems throughout our business that can fail for a variety of reasons. If such a failure were to occur, we may not be able to sufficiently recover from the failure in time to avoid the loss of data or any adverse impact on certain of our operations that are dependent on such systems. This could result in lost sales and the inefficient operation of our facilities for the duration of such a failure.
In addition, our computer systems are essential for the exchange of information both within the company and in communicating with third parties. Despite our efforts to protect the integrity of our systems and network as well as sensitive, confidential or personal data or information, our facilities and systems and those of our third-party service providers may be vulnerable to security breaches, theft, misplaced or lost data, programming and/or human errors that could potentially lead to the compromising of sensitive, confidential or personal data or information, improper use of our systems, software solutions or networks, unauthorized access, use, disclosure, modification or destruction of information, defective products, production downtimes and operational disruptions, which in turn could adversely affect our reputation, competitiveness, and results of operations.
Our ability to maintain adequate credit facilities.
Our ability to continue our ongoing business operations and fund future growth depends on our ability to maintain adequate credit facilities and to comply with the financial and other covenants in such credit facilities or to secure alternative sources of financing. However, such credit facilities or alternate financing may not be available or, if available, may not be on terms favorable to us. If we do not have adequate access to credit, we may be unable to refinance our existing borrowings and credit facilities when they mature and to fund future acquisitions, and this may reduce our flexibility in responding to changing industry conditions.
Our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
As of March 31, 2018, we had $598.0 million of total consolidated debt (including capital lease obligations). This level of debt could:
• | increase our vulnerability to adverse general economic and industry conditions, including interest rate fluctuations, because a portion of our borrowings bear, and will continue to bear, interest at floating rates; |
• | require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to debt service payments, which would reduce the availability of our cash to fund working capital, capital expenditures or other general corporate purposes, including acquisitions; |
• | limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and industry; |
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• | restrict our ability to introduce new products or new technologies or exploit business opportunities; |
• | place us at a disadvantage compared with competitors that have proportionately less debt; |
• | limit our ability to borrow additional funds in the future, if we need them, due to financial and restrictive covenants in our debt agreements; and |
• | have a material adverse effect on us if we fail to comply with the financial and restrictive covenants in our debt agreements. |
There can be no assurance that we will continue to declare cash dividends at all or in any particular amounts.
During fiscal 2018, we announced the declaration of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.175 per share of common stock for quarters ended July 2, 2017, October 1, 2017, December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018. On May 16, 2018, we announced a fiscal 2019 first quarter cash dividend of $0.175 per share of common stock. Future payment of a regular quarterly cash dividend on our common shares will be subject to, among other things, our results of operations, cash balances and future cash requirements, financial condition, statutory requirements of Delaware law, compliance with the terms of existing and future indebtedness and credit facilities, and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant. Our dividend payments may change from time to time, and we cannot provide assurance that we will continue to declare dividends at all or in any particular amounts. A reduction in or elimination of our dividend payments could have a negative effect on our share price.
We cannot guarantee that our share repurchase program will be fully consummated or that it will enhance long-term stockholder value. Share repurchases could also increase the volatility of the trading price of our stock and could diminish our cash reserves.
Our board of directors has authorized a share repurchase program of up to $100 million of our common stock. Although our board of directors has authorized this share repurchase program, the program does not obligate us to repurchase any specific dollar amount or to acquire any specific number of shares. We cannot guarantee that the program will be fully consummated or that it will enhance long-term stockholder value. The program could affect the trading price of our stock and increase volatility, and any announcement of a termination of this program may result in a decrease in the trading price of our stock. In addition, this program could diminish our cash reserves.
We depend on our senior management team and other key employees, and significant attrition within our management team or unsuccessful succession planning could adversely affect our business.
Our success depends in part on our ability to attract, retain and motivate senior management and other key employees. Achieving this objective may be difficult due to many factors, including fluctuations in global economic and industry conditions, competitors’ hiring practices, cost reduction activities, and the effectiveness of our compensation programs. Competition for qualified personnel can be very intense. We must continue to recruit, retain and motivate senior management and other key employees sufficient to maintain our current business and support our future projects. We are vulnerable to attrition among our current senior management team and other key employees. A loss of any such personnel, or the inability to recruit and retain qualified personnel in the future, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if we are unsuccessful in our succession planning efforts, the continuity of our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We may have exposure to greater than anticipated tax liabilities.
Our income tax obligations are based in part on our corporate operating structure and intercompany arrangements, including the manner in which we operate our business, develop, value, manage, protect, and use our intellectual property and the valuations of our intercompany transactions. We may also be subject to additional indirect or non-income taxes. The tax laws applicable to our business, including the laws of the United States and other jurisdictions, are subject to interpretation and certain jurisdictions are aggressively interpreting their laws in new ways in an effort to raise additional tax revenue from multi-national companies, like us. The taxing authorities of the jurisdictions in which we operate may challenge our methodologies for valuing developed technology or intercompany arrangements, which could increase our worldwide effective tax rate and harm our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Although we believe that our provision for income taxes is reasonable, the ultimate tax outcome may differ from the amounts recorded in our financial statements and may materially affect our financial results in the period or periods for which such determination is made. In addition, our future income tax rates could be adversely affected by earnings being lower than anticipated in jurisdictions that have lower statutory tax rates and higher than anticipated in jurisdictions that have higher statutory tax rates, by changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, or by changes in tax laws, regulations, or accounting principles.
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Changes in tax laws or tax rulings could materially affect our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
The income and non-income tax regimes we are subject to or operate under are unsettled and may be subject to significant change. Changes in tax laws or tax rulings, or changes in interpretations of existing laws, could materially affect our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. For example, changes to U.S. tax laws enacted in December 2017 had a significant impact on our tax obligations and effective tax rate for the third quarter and full year of fiscal 2018. In addition, many countries in Europe, as well as a number of other countries and organizations, have recently proposed or recommended changes to existing tax laws or have enacted new laws that could significantly increase our tax obligations in many countries where we do business or require us to change the manner in which we operate our business. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development has been working on a Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Project, and issued in 2015, and is expected to continue to issue, guidelines and proposals that may change various aspects of the existing framework under which our tax obligations are determined in many of the countries in which we do business. The European Commission has conducted investigations in multiple countries focusing on whether local country tax rulings or tax legislation provides preferential tax treatment that violates European Union state aid rules and concluded that certain countries, including Ireland, have provided illegal state aid in certain cases. These investigations may result in changes to the tax treatment of our foreign operations. Due to the large and expanding scale of our international business activities, many of these types of changes to the taxation of our activities could increase our worldwide effective tax rate and harm our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
Uncertainties in the interpretation and application of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act could materially affect our tax obligations and effective tax rate.
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”) was enacted on December 22, 2017, and significantly affected U.S. tax law by changing how the U.S. imposes income tax on multinational corporations. The U.S. Department of Treasury has broad authority to issue regulations and interpretative guidance that may significantly impact how we will apply the law and impact our results of operations in the period issued. The Tax Act requires complex computations not previously provided in the U.S. tax law. As such, the application of accounting guidance for such items is currently uncertain. Further, compliance with the Tax Act and the accounting for such provisions require accumulation of information not previously required or regularly produced. As a result, we have provided a provisional estimate on the effect of the Tax Act in our financial statements. As additional regulatory guidance is issued by the applicable taxing authorities, as accounting treatment is clarified, as we perform additional analysis on the application of the law, and as we refine estimates in calculating the effect, our final analysis, which will be recorded in the period completed, may be different from our current provisional amounts, which could materially affect our tax obligations and effective tax rate.
ITEM 1B. | UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS |
None.
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ITEM 2. | PROPERTIES |
The Company’s worldwide headquarters is located in Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Geographic headquarters for our Americas, EMEA and Asia segments are located in Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., Zug, Switzerland and Singapore, respectively. The Company owns approximately 80% of its manufacturing facilities and distribution centers worldwide. The following sets forth the Company’s principal owned or leased facilities by business segment:
Americas: Sylmar, California; Longmont, Colorado; Tampa, Florida; Hays, Kansas; Richmond, Kentucky; Warrensburg, Missouri; Horsham, Pennsylvania; Sumter, South Carolina; Ooltewah, Tennessee and Spokane, Washington in the United States; Monterrey and Tijuana in Mexico; Buenos Aires, Argentina and São Paulo, in Brazil.
EMEA: Targovishte, Bulgaria; Hostomice, Czech Republic; Arras, France; Hagen and Zwickau in Germany; Bielsko-Biala, Poland; Newport and Culham in the United Kingdom; and Tunis, Tunisia.
Asia: Chongqing and Yangzhou in the PRC and Andhra Pradesh in India.
We consider our plants and facilities, whether owned or leased, to be in satisfactory condition and adequate to meet the needs of our current businesses and projected growth. Information as to material lease commitments is included in Note 9 - Leases to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
ITEM 3. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
From time to time, we are involved in litigation incidental to the conduct of our business. See Litigation and Other Legal Matters in Note 18 - Commitments, Contingencies and Litigation to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 4. | MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES |
Not applicable.
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PART II
ITEM 5. | MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES |
Market Information
The Company’s common stock has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ENS” since it began trading on July 30, 2004. Prior to that time, there had been no public market for our common stock. The following table sets forth, on a per share basis for the periods presented, the range of high, low and closing prices of the Company’s common stock.
Quarter Ended | High Price | Low Price | Closing Price | Dividends Declared | ||||||||||||
March 31, 2018 | $ | 76.73 | $ | 62.85 | $ | 69.37 | $ | 0.175 | ||||||||
December 31, 2017 | 71.37 | 65.47 | 69.63 | 0.175 | ||||||||||||
October 1, 2017 | 74.75 | 61.33 | 69.17 | 0.175 | ||||||||||||
July 2, 2017 | 84.74 | 71.75 | 72.45 | 0.175 | ||||||||||||
March 31, 2017 | $ | 81.63 | $ | 73.98 | $ | 78.94 | $ | 0.175 | ||||||||
January 1, 2017 | 83.70 | 63.10 | 78.10 | 0.175 | ||||||||||||
October 2, 2016 | 73.12 | 58.35 | 69.19 | 0.175 | ||||||||||||
July 3, 2016 | 67.94 | 52.37 | 60.66 | 0.175 | ||||||||||||
Holders of Record
As of May 25, 2018, there were approximately 366 record holders of common stock of the Company. Because many of these shares are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, the Company is unable to estimate the total number of stockholders represented by these record holders.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, we did not issue any unregistered securities.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
The following table summarizes the number of shares of common stock we purchased from participants in our equity incentive plans as well as repurchases of common stock authorized by the Board of Directors. As provided by the Company’s equity incentive plans, (a) vested options outstanding may be exercised through surrender to the Company of option shares or vested options outstanding under the Company’s equity incentive plans to satisfy the applicable aggregate exercise price (and any withholding tax) required to be paid upon such exercise and (b) the withholding tax requirements related to the vesting and settlement of equity awards may be satisfied by the surrender of shares of the Company’s common stock.
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Purchases of Equity Securities
Period | (a) Total number of shares (or units) purchased | (b) Average price paid per share (or unit) | (c) Total number of shares (or units) purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs | (d) Maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares (or units) that may be purchased under the plans or programs(1)(2) | ||||||||||
January 1, 2018 - January 28, 2018 | 216,738 | $ | 92.28 | 216,738 | $ | 100,000,000 | ||||||||
January 29, 2018 - February 25, 2018 | 4,279 | 71.22 | — | 100,000,000 | ||||||||||
February 26, 2018 - March 31, 2018 | — | — | — | 100,000,000 | ||||||||||
Total | 221,017 | $ | 91.87 | 216,738 | ||||||||||
(1) | The Company's Board of Directors has authorized the Company to repurchase up to such number of shares as shall equal the dilutive effects of any equity based award granted during such fiscal year under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan and the number of shares exercised through stock option awards during such fiscal year. These amounted to 4,279 shares, repurchased at an average price of $71.22. |
(2) | On November 8, 2017, the Company announced the establishment of a $100 million stock repurchase authorization, with no expiration date. The authorization is in addition to the existing stock repurchase programs. |
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STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the changes in cumulative total returns on EnerSys’ common stock with the changes in cumulative total returns of the New York Stock Exchange Composite Index, a broad equity market index, and the total return on a selected peer group index. The peer group selected is based on the standard industrial classification codes (“SIC Codes”) established by the U.S. government. The index chosen was “Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and Suppliers” and comprises all publicly traded companies having the same three-digit SIC Code (369) as EnerSys.
The graph was prepared assuming that $100 was invested in EnerSys’ common stock, the New York Stock Exchange Composite Index and the peer group (duly updated for changes) on March 31, 2013.
*$100 invested on March 31, 2013 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends.
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ITEM 6. | SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA |
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||||||
(In thousands, except share and per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated Statements of Income: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 2,581,891 | $ | 2,367,149 | $ | 2,316,249 | $ | 2,505,512 | $ | 2,474,433 | ||||||||||
Cost of goods sold | 1,921,494 | 1,714,367 | 1,704,472 | 1,864,601 | 1,844,813 | |||||||||||||||
Inventory adjustment relating to exit activities | 3,457 | 2,157 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
Gross profit | 656,940 | 650,625 | 611,777 | 640,911 | 629,620 | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses | 382,077 | 369,863 | 352,767 | 358,381 | 344,421 | |||||||||||||||
Restructuring and other exit charges | 5,481 | 7,160 | 12,978 | 11,436 | 27,326 | |||||||||||||||
Impairment of goodwill | — | 12,216 | 31,411 | 20,371 | 5,179 | |||||||||||||||
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangibles and fixed assets | — | 1,800 | 4,841 | 3,575 | — | |||||||||||||||
Legal proceedings charge / (reversal of legal accrual, net of fees) | — | 23,725 | 3,201 | (16,233 | ) | 58,184 | ||||||||||||||
Gain on sale of facility | — | — | (3,420 | ) | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Operating earnings | 269,382 | 235,861 | 209,999 | 263,381 | 194,510 | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 25,001 | 22,197 | 22,343 | 19,644 | 17,105 | |||||||||||||||
Other (income) expense, net | 6,055 | 969 | 5,719 | (5,602 | ) | 13,658 | ||||||||||||||
Earnings before income taxes | 238,326 | 212,695 | 181,937 | 249,339 | 163,747 | |||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 118,493 | 54,472 | 50,113 | 67,814 | 16,980 | |||||||||||||||
Net earnings | 119,833 | 158,223 | 131,824 | 181,525 | 146,767 | |||||||||||||||
Net earnings (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests | 239 | (1,991 | ) | (4,326 | ) | 337 | (3,561 | ) | ||||||||||||
Net earnings attributable to EnerSys stockholders | $ | 119,594 | $ | 160,214 | $ | 136,150 | $ | 181,188 | $ | 150,328 | ||||||||||
Net earnings per common share attributable to EnerSys stockholders: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 2.81 | $ | 3.69 | $ | 3.08 | $ | 3.97 | $ | 3.17 | ||||||||||
Diluted | $ | 2.77 | $ | 3.64 | $ | 2.99 | $ | 3.77 | $ | 3.02 | ||||||||||
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | 42,612,036 | 43,389,333 | 44,276,713 | 45,606,317 | 47,473,690 | |||||||||||||||
Diluted | 43,119,856 | 44,012,543 | 45,474,130 | 48,052,729 | 49,788,155 | |||||||||||||||
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated cash flow data: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 211,048 | $ | 246,030 | $ | 307,571 | $ | 194,471 | $ | 193,621 | ||||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (72,357 | ) | (61,833 | ) | (80,923 | ) | (59,616 | ) | (232,005 | ) | ||||||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (166,888 | ) | (62,542 | ) | (105,729 | ) | (59,313 | ) | 21,562 | |||||||||||
Other operating data: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | 69,832 | 50,072 | 55,880 | 63,625 | 61,995 | |||||||||||||||
As of March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated balance sheet data: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 522,118 | $ | 500,329 | $ | 397,307 | $ | 268,921 | $ | 240,103 | ||||||||||
Working capital | 1,048,057 | 951,484 | 845,068 | 769,881 | 719,297 | |||||||||||||||
Total assets | 2,486,925 | 2,293,029 | 2,214,488 | 2,136,555 | 2,318,959 | |||||||||||||||
Total debt, including capital leases, excluding discount on the Convertible Notes (1) | 598,020 | 606,133 | 628,631 | 513,213 | 319,401 | |||||||||||||||
Total EnerSys stockholders’ equity | 1,195,675 | 1,103,456 | 1,013,131 | 1,038,900 | 1,246,402 | |||||||||||||||
(1) Convertible Notes as defined under Liquidity and Capital Resources in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
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ITEM 7. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
The following discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our discussion contains forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, such as our plans, objectives, opinions, expectations, anticipations and intentions and beliefs. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in those forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” “Business” and “Risk Factors,” sections elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the following discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition, certain financial measures may be considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under the SEC rules. These rules require supplemental explanation and reconciliation, which is provided in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
EnerSys’ management uses the non-GAAP measures, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, in its computation of compliance with loan covenants. These measures, as used by EnerSys, adjust net earnings determined in accordance with GAAP for interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and certain charges or credits as permitted by our credit agreements, that were recorded during the periods presented.
EnerSys’ management uses the non-GAAP measures, "primary working capital" and "primary working capital percentage" (see definition in “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below) along with capital expenditures, in its evaluation of business segment cash flow and financial position performance.
These non-GAAP disclosures have limitations as analytical tools, should not be viewed as a substitute for cash flow or operating earnings determined in accordance with GAAP, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s results as reported under GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies. This supplemental presentation should not be construed as an inference that the Company’s future results will be unaffected by similar adjustments to operating earnings determined in accordance with GAAP.
Overview
EnerSys (the “Company,” “we,” or “us”) is the world’s largest manufacturer, marketer and distributor of industrial batteries. We also manufacture, market and distribute products such as battery chargers, power equipment, battery accessories, and outdoor cabinet enclosures. Additionally, we provide related aftermarket and customer-support services for our products. We market our products globally to over 10,000 customers in more than 100 countries through a network of distributors, independent representatives and our internal sales force.
We operate and manage our business in three geographic regions of the world—Americas, EMEA and Asia, as described below. Our business is highly decentralized with manufacturing locations throughout the world. More than half of our manufacturing capacity is located outside the United States, and approximately 50% of our net sales were generated outside the United States. The Company has three reportable business segments based on geographic regions, defined as follows:
• | Americas, which includes North and South America, with our segment headquarters in Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.; |
• | EMEA, which includes Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with our segment headquarters in Zug, Switzerland; and |
• | Asia, which includes Asia, Australia and Oceania, with our segment headquarters in Singapore. |
We evaluate business segment performance based primarily upon operating earnings exclusive of highlighted items. Highlighted items are those that the Company deems are not indicative of ongoing operating results, including those charges that the Company incurs as a result of restructuring activities and those charges and credits that are not directly related to ongoing business segment performance. All corporate and centrally incurred costs are allocated to the business segments based principally on net sales. We evaluate business segment cash flow and financial position performance based primarily upon capital expenditures and primary working capital levels (see definition of primary working capital in “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below). Although we monitor the three elements of primary working capital (receivables, inventory and payables), our primary focus is on the total amount due to the significant impact it has on our cash flow.
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Our management structure, financial reporting systems, and associated internal controls and procedures, are all consistent with our three geographic business segments. We report on a March 31 fiscal year-end. Our financial results are largely driven by the following factors:
• | global economic conditions and general cyclical patterns of the industries in which our customers operate; |
• | changes in our selling prices and, in periods when our product costs increase, our ability to raise our selling prices to pass such cost increases through to our customers; |
• | the extent to which we are able to efficiently utilize our global manufacturing facilities and optimize our capacity; |
• | the extent to which we can control our fixed and variable costs, including those for our raw materials, manufacturing, distribution and operating activities; |
• | changes in our level of debt and changes in the variable interest rates under our credit facilities; and |
• | the size and number of acquisitions and our ability to achieve their intended benefits. |
We have two primary product lines: reserve power and motive power products. Net sales classifications by product line are as follows:
• | Reserve power products are used for backup power for the continuous operation of critical applications in telecommunications systems, uninterruptible power systems, or “UPS” applications for computer and computer-controlled systems, and other specialty power applications, including medical and security systems, premium starting, lighting and ignition applications, in switchgear, electrical control systems used in electric utilities, large-scale energy storage, energy pipelines, in commercial aircraft, satellites, military aircraft, submarines, ships and tactical vehicles. Reserve power products also include thermally managed cabinets and enclosures for electronic equipment and batteries. |
• | Motive power products are used to provide power for electric industrial forklifts used in manufacturing, warehousing and other material handling applications, as well as mining equipment, diesel locomotive starting and other rail equipment. |
Current Market Conditions
Economic Climate
Recent indicators continue to suggest a mixed trend in economic activity among the different geographical regions. North America and EMEA are experiencing moderate economic growth. Our Asia region continues to grow faster than any other region in which we do business.
Volatility of Commodities and Foreign Currencies
Our most significant commodity and foreign currency exposures are related to lead and the euro, respectively. Historically, volatility of commodity costs and foreign currency exchange rates have caused large swings in our production costs. As the global economic climate changes, we anticipate that our commodity costs and foreign currency exposures may continue to fluctuate as they have in the past several years. Over the past year, on a consolidated basis, we have experienced rising commodity costs and a weaker U.S. dollar.
Customer Pricing
Our selling prices rose during the past year to offset the rising cost of commodities. Approximately 30% of our revenue is currently subject to agreements that adjust pricing to a market-based index for lead. During fiscal 2018, we increased our selling prices in response to increased commodity costs.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We believe that our financial position is strong, and we have substantial liquidity with $522 million of available cash and cash equivalents and available and undrawn credit lines of approximately $613 million at March 31, 2018 to cover short-term liquidity requirements and anticipated growth in the foreseeable future.
In the second quarter of fiscal 2018, we entered into a new credit facility (“2017 Credit Facility”) that comprised a $600 million senior secured revolving credit facility (“2017 Revolver”) and a $150 million senior secured term loan (“2017 Term Loan”) with a maturity date of September 30, 2022. We repaid our then existing facility (“2011 Credit Facility”), which comprised a $500 million senior secured revolving credit facility (“2011 Revolver”) and a $150 million senior secured incremental term
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loan (the “2011 Term Loan”) with the proceeds of the new facility. We believe that the 2017 Credit Facility, which is committed through September 2022 as long as we comply with its covenants and conditions, provides us with sufficient liquidity to fund acquisitions and stock repurchase programs.
Current market conditions related to our liquidity and capital resources are favorable. We believe current conditions remain favorable for the Company to have continued positive cash flow from operations that, along with available cash and cash equivalents and our undrawn lines of credit, will be sufficient to fund our capital expenditures, acquisitions and other investments for growth.
In fiscal 2016, we issued $300 million of 5.00% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “Notes”), the net proceeds used primarily to fund the payment of principal and accreted interest outstanding on the senior 3.375% convertible notes due 2038 (the “Convertible Notes”) that were settled in fiscal 2016.
Subsequent to the extinguishment of the Convertible Notes and the repayment of the 2011 Credit Facility, other than the Notes and the 2017 Credit Facility, we have no other significant amount of long-term debt maturing in the near future.
In fiscal 2018, we repurchased $121 million of our common stock through an accelerated share repurchase program (“ASR”) with a major financial institution and through open market purchases. Share repurchases and a decline in our share price helped offset the dilutive impact of stock awards. There were no repurchases of common stock in fiscal 2017.
A substantial majority of the Company’s cash and investments are held by foreign subsidiaries and are considered to be indefinitely reinvested and expected to be utilized to fund local operating activities, capital expenditure requirements and acquisitions. The Company believes that it has sufficient sources of domestic and foreign liquidity.
Cost Savings Initiatives
Cost savings programs remain a continuous element of our business strategy and are directed primarily at further reductions in plant manufacturing (labor and overhead), raw material costs and our operating expenses (primarily selling, general and administrative). In order to realize cost savings benefits for a majority of these initiatives, costs are incurred either in the form of capital expenditures, funding the cash obligations of previously recorded restructuring expenses or current period expenses.
During fiscal 2016, we announced restructuring programs related to improving operational efficiencies in EMEA and the Americas. These actions were completed in fiscal 2017, resulting in the reduction of approximately 240 employees and the closure of our Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A., manufacturing facility. Approximately $3.0 million pre-tax savings have been reflected in the fiscal 2016 results, and an additional pre-tax savings of approximately $6.0 million have been reflected in the fiscal 2017 results. Fiscal 2018 results included an additional pre-tax savings of approximately $1.3 million.
During fiscal 2017, we announced restructuring programs to improve efficiencies related to our motive power production in EMEA. These actions resulted in the reduction of approximately 45 employees. Approximately $3.5 million pre-tax savings have been reflected in our fiscal 2018 results.
During fiscal 2018, we announced a restructuring program to improve efficiencies of our general operations in the Americas. This action resulted in the reduction of approximately 100 employees and $2.2 million of pre-tax savings in our fiscal 2018 results.
In January 2017, we started our Operational Excellence program, referred to as the EnerSys Operating System, or EOS. Currently, EOS engages over 2,700 employees world-wide who impact approximately $700 million in cost of production. EOS serves as our Continuous Improvement engine. During fiscal 2018, we were able to fund our investment in new product development and digital core with savings of nearly $25 million, which included the aforementioned $7.0 million savings in fiscal 2018 from restructuring programs. We remain on pace with our global deployment of EOS, and constantly evaluate the return on investment to ensure we achieve our targeted 200 basis point improvement by end of fiscal 2021.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our significant accounting policies are described in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. In preparing our financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that, among other things, affect the reported amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. These estimates and assumptions are most significant where they involve levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or matters susceptible to change, and where they can have a material impact on our financial condition and operating performance. We discuss below the more significant estimates and related assumptions used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. If actual results were to differ materially from the estimates made, the reported results could be materially affected.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue when the earnings process is complete. This occurs when risk and title transfers, collectibility is reasonably assured and pricing is fixed or determinable. Shipment terms to our battery product customers are either shipping point or destination and do not differ significantly between our business segments. Accordingly, revenue is recognized when risk and title is transferred to the customer. Amounts invoiced to customers for shipping and handling are classified as revenue. Taxes on revenue producing transactions are not included in net sales.
We recognize revenue from the service of reserve power and motive power products when the respective services are performed.
Management believes that the accounting estimates related to revenue recognition are critical accounting estimates because they require reasonable assurance of collection of revenue proceeds and completion of all performance obligations. Also, revenues are recorded net of provisions for sales discounts and returns, which are established at the time of sale. These estimates are based on our past experience.
Asset Impairment Determinations
We test for the impairment of our goodwill and indefinite-lived trademarks at least annually and whenever events or circumstances occur indicating that a possible impairment has been incurred.
We perform our annual goodwill impairment test on the first day of our fourth quarter for each of our reporting units based on the income approach, also known as the discounted cash flow (“DCF”) method, which utilizes the present value of future cash flows to estimate fair value. We also use the market approach, which utilizes market price data of companies engaged in the same or a similar line of business as that of our company, to estimate fair value. A reconciliation of the two methods is performed to assess the reasonableness of fair value of each of the reporting units.
The future cash flows used under the DCF method are derived from estimates of future revenues, operating income, working capital requirements and capital expenditures, which in turn reflect specific global, industry and market conditions. The discount rate developed for each of the reporting units is based on data and factors relevant to the economies in which the business operates and other risks associated with those cash flows, including the potential variability in the amount and timing of the cash flows. A terminal growth rate is applied to the final year of the projected period and reflects our estimate of stable growth to perpetuity. We then calculate the present value of the respective cash flows for each reporting unit to arrive at the fair value using the income approach and then determine the appropriate weighting between the fair value estimated using the income approach and the fair value estimated using the market approach. Finally, we compare the estimated fair value of each reporting unit to its respective carrying value in order to determine if the goodwill assigned to each reporting unit is potentially impaired. In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Accounting for Goodwill Impairment”, which eliminated Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not impaired and no further testing is required. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. This update is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company was able to early adopt ASU 2017-04 in fiscal 2017 and eliminated Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test conducted in fiscal 2017.
Significant assumptions used include management’s estimates of future growth rates, the amount and timing of future operating cash flows, capital expenditures, discount rates, as well as market and industry conditions and relevant comparable company
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multiples for the market approach. Assumptions utilized are highly judgmental, especially given the role technology plays in driving the demand for products in the telecommunications and aerospace markets.
The indefinite-lived trademarks are tested for impairment by comparing the carrying value to the fair value based on current revenue projections of the related operations, under the relief from royalty method. Any excess carrying value over the amount of fair value is recognized as impairment. Any impairment would be recognized in full in the reporting period in which it has been identified.
With respect to our other long-lived assets other than goodwill and indefinite-lived trademarks, we test for impairment when indicators of impairment are present. An asset is considered impaired when the undiscounted estimated net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset are less than its carrying amount. The impairment recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the impaired asset.
Litigation and Claims
From time to time, the Company has been or may be a party to various legal actions and investigations including, among others, employment matters, compliance with government regulations, federal and state employment laws, including wage and hour laws, contractual disputes and other matters, including matters arising in the ordinary course of business. These claims may be brought by, among others, governments, customers, suppliers and employees. Management considers the measurement of litigation reserves as a critical accounting estimate because of the significant uncertainty in some cases relating to the outcome of potential claims or litigation and the difficulty of predicting the likelihood and range of potential liability involved, coupled with the material impact on our results of operations that could result from litigation or other claims.
In determining legal reserves, management considers, among other inputs:
• | interpretation of contractual rights and obligations; |
• | the status of government regulatory initiatives, interpretations and investigations; |
• | the status of settlement negotiations; |
• | prior experience with similar types of claims; |
• | whether there is available insurance coverage; and |
• | advice of outside counsel. |
For certain matters, management is able to estimate a range of losses. When a loss is probable, but no amount of loss within a range of outcomes is more likely than other any other outcome, management will record a liability based on the low end of the estimated range. Additionally, management will evaluate whether losses in excess of amounts accrued are reasonably possible, and will make disclosure of those matters based on an assessment of the materiality of those addition possible losses.
Environmental Loss Contingencies
Accruals for environmental loss contingencies (i.e., environmental reserves) are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can reasonably be estimated. Management views the measurement of environmental reserves as a critical accounting estimate because of the considerable uncertainty surrounding estimation, including the need to forecast well into the future. From time to time, we may be involved in legal proceedings under federal, state and local, as well as international environmental laws in connection with our operations and companies that we have acquired. The estimation of environmental reserves is based on the evaluation of currently available information, prior experience in the remediation of contaminated sites and assumptions with respect to government regulations and enforcement activity, changes in remediation technology and practices, and financial obligations and creditworthiness of other responsible parties and insurers.
Warranty
We record a warranty reserve for possible claims against our product warranties, which generally run for a period ranging from one to twenty years for our reserve power batteries and for a period ranging from one to seven years for our motive power batteries. The assessment of the adequacy of the reserve includes a review of open claims and historical experience.
Management believes that the accounting estimate related to the warranty reserve is a critical accounting estimate because the underlying assumptions used for the reserve can change from time to time and warranty claims could potentially have a material impact on our results of operations.
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Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We encounter risks associated with sales and the collection of the associated accounts receivable. We record a provision for accounts receivable that are considered to be uncollectible. In order to calculate the appropriate provision, management analyzes the creditworthiness of specific customers and the aging of customer balances. Management also considers general and specific industry economic conditions, industry concentration and contractual rights and obligations.
Management believes that the accounting estimate related to the allowance for doubtful accounts is a critical accounting estimate because the underlying assumptions used for the allowance can change from time to time and uncollectible accounts could potentially have a material impact on our results of operations.
Retirement Plans
We use certain economic and demographic assumptions in the calculation of the actuarial valuation of liabilities associated with our defined benefit plans. These assumptions include the discount rate, expected long-term rates of return on assets and rates of increase in compensation levels. Changes in these assumptions can result in changes to the pension expense and recorded liabilities. Management reviews these assumptions at least annually. We use independent actuaries to assist us in formulating assumptions and making estimates. These assumptions are updated periodically to reflect the actual experience and expectations on a plan-specific basis, as appropriate.
For benefit plans which are funded, we establish strategic asset allocation percentage targets and appropriate benchmarks for significant asset classes with the aim of achieving a prudent balance between return and risk. We set the expected long-term rate of return based on the expected long-term average rates of return to be achieved by the underlying investment portfolios. In establishing this rate, we consider historical and expected returns for the asset classes in which the plans are invested, advice from pension consultants and investment advisors, and current economic and capital market conditions. The expected return on plan assets is incorporated into the computation of pension expense. The difference between this expected return and the actual return on plan assets is deferred and will affect future net periodic pension costs through subsequent amortization.
We believe that the current assumptions used to estimate plan obligations and annual expense are appropriate in the current economic environment. However, if economic conditions change materially, we may change our assumptions, and the resulting change could have a material impact on the Consolidated Statements of Income and on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Equity-Based Compensation
We recognize compensation cost relating to equity-based payment transactions by using a fair-value measurement method whereby all equity-based payments to employees, including grants of restricted stock units, stock options and market condition-based awards are recognized as compensation expense based on fair value at grant date over the requisite service period of the awards. We determine the fair value of restricted stock units based on the quoted market price of our common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which uses both historical and current market data to estimate the fair value. The fair value of market condition-based awards is estimated at the date of grant using a binomial lattice model or Monte Carlo Simulation. All models incorporate various assumptions such as the risk-free interest rate, expected volatility, expected dividend yield and expected life of the awards. When estimating the requisite service period of the awards, we consider many related factors including types of awards, employee class, and historical experience. Actual results, and future changes in estimates of the requisite service period may differ substantially from our current estimates.
Income Taxes
Our effective tax rate is based on pretax income and statutory tax rates available in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. We account for income taxes in accordance with applicable guidance on accounting for income taxes, which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between book and tax bases on recorded assets and liabilities. Accounting guidance also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance, when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized.
The recognition and measurement of a tax position is based on management’s best judgment given the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date. We evaluate tax positions to determine whether the benefits of tax positions are more likely than not of being sustained upon audit based on the technical merits of the tax position. For tax positions that are more likely than not of being sustained upon audit, we recognize the largest amount of the benefit that is greater than 50%
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likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement in the financial statements. For tax positions that are not more likely than not of being sustained upon audit, we do not recognize any portion of the benefit in the financial statements. If the more likely than not threshold is not met in the period for which a tax position is taken, we may subsequently recognize the benefit of that tax position if the tax matter is effectively settled, the statute of limitations expires, or if the more likely than not threshold is met in a subsequent period.
We evaluate, on a quarterly basis, our ability to realize deferred tax assets by assessing our valuation allowance and by adjusting the amount of such allowance, if necessary. The factors used to assess the likelihood of realization are our forecast of future taxable income and available tax planning strategies that could be implemented to realize the net deferred tax assets.
To the extent we prevail in matters for which reserves have been established, or are required to pay amounts in excess of our reserves, our effective tax rate in a given financial statement period could be materially affected.
Results of Operations—Fiscal 2018 Compared to Fiscal 2017
The following table presents summary Consolidated Statement of Income data for fiscal year ended March 31, 2018, compared to fiscal year ended March 31, 2017:
Fiscal 2018 | Fiscal 2017 | Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||
In Millions | As % Net Sales | In Millions | As % Net Sales | In Millions | % | ||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 2,581.8 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,367.1 | 100.0 | % | $ | 214.7 | 9.1 | % | |||||||||
Cost of goods sold | 1,921.5 | 74.5 | 1,714.4 | 72.4 | 207.1 | 12.1 | |||||||||||||||
Inventory adjustment relating to exit activities - See Note 19 | 3.4 | 0.1 | 2.1 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 60.3 | |||||||||||||||
Gross profit | 656.9 | 25.4 | 650.6 | 27.5 | 6.3 | 1.0 | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses | 382.1 | 14.8 | 369.9 | 15.6 | 12.2 | 3.3 | |||||||||||||||
Restructuring and other exit charges | 5.5 | 0.2 | 7.1 | 0.3 | (1.6 | ) | (23.5 | ) | |||||||||||||
Impairment of goodwill | — | — | 12.2 | 0.5 | (12.2 | ) | NM | ||||||||||||||
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangibles | — | — | 1.8 | 0.1 | (1.8 | ) | NM | ||||||||||||||
Legal proceedings charge | — | — | 23.7 | 1.0 | (23.7 | ) | NM | ||||||||||||||
Operating earnings | 269.3 | 10.4 | 235.9 | 10.0 | 33.4 | 14.2 | |||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 25.0 | 1.0 | 22.2 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 12.6 | |||||||||||||||
Other (income) expense, net | 6.0 | 0.2 | 1.0 | — | 5.0 | NM | |||||||||||||||
Earnings before income taxes | 238.3 | 9.2 | 212.7 | 9.0 | 25.6 | 12.1 | |||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 118.5 | 4.6 | 54.5 | 2.3 | 64.0 | NM | |||||||||||||||
Net earnings | 119.8 | 4.6 | 158.2 | 6.7 | (38.4 | ) | (24.3 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net earnings (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests | 0.2 | — | (2.0 | ) | (0.1 | ) | 2.2 | NM | |||||||||||||
Net earnings attributable to EnerSys stockholders | $ | 119.6 | 4.6 | % | $ | 160.2 | 6.8 | % | $ | (40.6 | ) | (25.4 | )% | ||||||||
NM = not meaningful
Overview
Our sales in fiscal 2018 were $2.6 billion, a 9% increase from prior year's sales. This increase was the result of a 4% increase in pricing, a 3% increase in organic volume and a 2% increase in foreign currency translation impact.
A discussion of specific fiscal 2018 versus fiscal 2017 operating results follows, including an analysis and discussion of the results of our reportable segments.
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Net Sales
Segment sales
Fiscal 2018 | Fiscal 2017 | Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||
In Millions | % Net Sales | In Millions | % Net Sales | In Millions | % | ||||||||||||||||
Americas | $ | 1,429.8 | 55.4 | % | $ | 1,332.3 | 56.3 | % | $ | 97.5 | 7.3 | % | |||||||||
EMEA | 849.5 | 32.9 | 763.1 | 32.2 | 86.4 | 11.3 | |||||||||||||||
Asia | 302.5 | 11.7 | 271.7 | 11.5 | 30.8 | 11.3 | |||||||||||||||
Total net sales | $ | 2,581.8 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,367.1 | 100.0 | % | $ | 214.7 | 9.1 | % | |||||||||
The Americas segment’s net sales increased by $97.5 million or 7.3% in fiscal 2018, as compared to fiscal 2017, primarily due to a 4% increase in organic volume and a 3% increase in pricing.
The EMEA segment’s net sales increased by $86.4 million or 11.3% in fiscal 2018, as compared to fiscal 2017, primarily due to a 7% increase in currency translation impact and a 5% increase in pricing, partially offset by a 1% decrease in organic volume.
The Asia segment’s net sales increased by $30.8 million or 11.3% in fiscal 2018, as compared to fiscal 2017, primarily due to a 5% increase in organic volume, a 4% increase in pricing and a 2% increase in currency translation impact.
Product line sales
Fiscal 2018 | Fiscal 2017 | Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||
In Millions | As % Net Sales | In Millions | As % Net Sales | In Millions | % | ||||||||||||||||
Reserve power | $ | 1,247.9 | 48.3 | % | $ | 1,142.2 | 48.3 | % | $ | 105.7 | 9.2 | % | |||||||||
Motive power | 1,333.9 | 51.7 | 1,224.9 | 51.7 | 109.0 | 8.9 | |||||||||||||||
Total net sales | $ | 2,581.8 | 100.0 | % | $ | 2,367.1 | 100.0 | % | $ | 214.7 | 9.1 | % | |||||||||
Sales in our reserve power products increased in fiscal 2018 by $105.7 million or 9.2% compared to the prior year, primarily due to a 4% increase in pricing, a 3% increase in organic volume and a 2% increase in currency translation impact.
Sales in our motive power products increased in fiscal 2018 by $109.0 million or 8.9% compared to the prior year, primarily due to a 4% increase in pricing, a 3% increase in currency translation impact and a 2% increase in organic volume.
Gross Profit
Fiscal 2018 | Fiscal 2017 | Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||
In Millions | As % Net Sales | In Millions | As % Net Sales | In Millions | % | ||||||||||||||||
Gross profit | $ | 656.9 | 25.4 | % | $ | 650.6 | 27.5 | % | $ | 6.3 | 1.0 | % | |||||||||
Gross profit increased $6.3 million or 1.0% in fiscal 2018 compared to fiscal 2017. Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, decreased 210 basis points in fiscal 2018 compared to fiscal 2017. The decrease in the gross profit margin is primarily due to an increase in commodity costs of approximately $125 million, partially offset by increases in organic volume, cost savings and pricing.
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Operating Items
Fiscal 2018 | Fiscal 2017 | Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||
In Millions | As % Net Sales | In Millions | As % Net Sales | In Millions | % | ||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses | $ | 382.1 | 14.8 | % | $ | 369.9 | 15.6 | % | $ | 12.2 | 3.3 | % | |||||||||
Restructuring and other exit charges | 5.5 | 0.2 | 7.1 | 0.3 | (1.6 | ) | (23.5 | ) | |||||||||||||
Impairment of goodwill | — | — | 12.2 | 0.5 | (12.2 | ) | NM | ||||||||||||||
Impairment of indefinite-lived intangibles | — | — | 1.8 | 0.1 | (1.8 | ) | NM | ||||||||||||||
Legal proceedings charge | — | — | 23.7 | 1.0 | (23.7 | ) | NM | ||||||||||||||
NM = not meaningful
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased $12.2 million or 3.3% in fiscal 2018 from fiscal 2017 but decreased as a percentage of net sales by 80 basis points. The impact of foreign currency translation resulted in an increase of $6.1 million. Excluding this impact of the foreign currency translation, the increase in dollars was primarily due to our investment relating to the development of our digital core and new products, which were partially offset by our cost saving initiatives.
The operating expenses in fiscal 2017 included a receipt of $1.9 million of deferred purchase consideration relating to an acquisition made in fiscal 2014. In fiscal 2017, we also recorded a charge of $9.4 million in operating expenses, related to the ERP system implementation in our Americas region, including a $6.3 million write-off of previously capitalized costs during the first quarter of fiscal 2017.
Selling expenses, our main component of operating expenses, were 51.5% in fiscal 2018, compared to 53.9% in fiscal 2017.
Restructuring and other exit charges
Included in our fiscal 2018 operating results is a $5.5 million charge of restructuring and other exit charges, comprising $1.3 million in Americas, $4.0 million in EMEA and $0.2 million in Asia. The charges in the Americas primarily relate to improving efficiencies of our general operations, while charges in EMEA relate to restructuring programs to improve efficiencies in our manufacturing, supply chain and general operations. In addition, cost of goods sold also include a $3.4 million of inventory write-off relating to the closing of our Cleveland, Ohio charger manufacturing facility.
Included in our fiscal 2017 operating results is a $7.1 million charge consisting of restructuring and other exit charges, comprising primarily of $5.5 million in EMEA, $0.9 million in Americas and $0.7 million in Asia. Of the restructuring and other exit charges in EMEA of $5.5 million, $4.3 million of restructuring charges related primarily to European manufacturing operations and $1.2 million of other exit charges related to our joint venture in South Africa. In addition, cost of goods sold also includes a $2.1 million inventory adjustment charge relating to the South Africa joint venture, discussed below.
Fiscal 2017 - South Africa exit activities
During fiscal 2017, the Company recorded exit charges of $3.3 million related to the South Africa joint venture, consisting of cash charges of $2.6 million primarily relating to severance and non-cash charges of $0.7 million. Included in the non-cash charges is a $2.1 million charge relating to the inventory adjustment which was reported in cost of goods sold, partially offset by a credit of $1.1 million relating to a change in estimate of contract losses and a $0.3 million gain on deconsolidation of the joint venture. Weakening of the general economic environment in South Africa, reflecting the limited growth in the mining industry, affected the joint venture’s ability to compete effectively in the marketplace and consequently, the Company initiated an exit plan in consultation with its joint venture partner in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. The joint venture is currently under liquidation resulting in a loss of control and deconsolidation of the joint venture. The impact of the deconsolidation has been reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Fiscal 2017 - Impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, we conducted step one of the annual goodwill impairment test which indicated that the fair values of two of our reporting units - Purcell US in the Americas and Purcell EMEA in EMEA operating segment, were less
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than their respective carrying values. Based on the guidance in ASU 2017-04, which we early adopted, we recognized an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeded the reporting unit’s fair value.
We recorded a non-cash charge of $8.6 million and $3.6 million, related to goodwill impairment in the Americas and EMEA operating segments, respectively, and $0.7 million and $1.1 million, related to impairment of indefinite-lived trademarks in the Americas and EMEA operating segments, respectively, in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Purcell was acquired in fiscal 2014 during the height of the 4G telecom build-out. After performing to expectations for the first few quarters, its revenue declined as telecom spending in the U.S. curtailed sharply. In fiscal 2016, lower estimated projected revenue and profitability in the near term caused by reduced levels of capital spending by major customers in the telecommunications industry was a key factor contributing to the impairment charges recorded in that year. In fiscal 2017, we transferred the European operations of Purcell to its EMEA operating segment, consistent with our geographical management approach. In the U.S., Purcell received significant orders, but at lower margins, resulting in an impairment in 2017. In Europe, Purcell's sales forecasts were reduced as a result of low telecom spending and accordingly recorded an impairment charge as well.
Fiscal 2017 - Legal proceedings charge
Certain of our European subsidiaries had received subpoenas and requests for documents and, in some cases, interviews from, and have had on-site inspections conducted by the competition authorities of Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands relating to conduct and anticompetitive practices of certain industrial battery participants. We settled the Belgian regulatory proceeding in February 2016 by acknowledging certain anticompetitive practices and conduct and agreeing to pay a fine of $2.0 million, which was paid in March 2016.
As of March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, the Company had a reserve balance of $2.3 million and $1.8 million, respectively, relating to certain ancillary matters associated with the Belgian regulatory proceeding. The change in the reserve balance between March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 was due to foreign currency translation impact.
As of January 1, 2017, we had estimated an aggregate range of possible loss associated with the German regulatory proceeding of $17.0 million to $26.0 million and reserved $17.0 million. Based on the continued evolution of facts and our interactions with the German competition authority in regard to this matter, we further refined our estimate for a portion of this proceeding to be $13.5 million as of March 31, 2017. The Company settled a portion of the proceeding relating to conduct involving the Company's motive power battery business and agreed to pay a fine of $14.8 million, which was paid in July 2017. Also in June 2017, the German competition authority issued a fining decision related to the Company's reserve power battery business, which constitutes the remaining portion of the previously disclosed German proceeding. The Company is appealing this decision, including payment of the proposed fine of $12.3 million, and believes that the reserve power matter does not, based on current facts and circumstances known to management, require an accrual. The Company is not required to escrow any portion of this fine during the appeal process. As of March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, the Company had a reserve balance of $0 and $13.5 million, respectively, relating to this matter.
For the Dutch regulatory proceeding, we reserved $10.2 million as of March 31, 2017. In July 2017, the Company settled the Dutch regulatory proceeding and agreed to pay a fine of $11.2 million, which was paid in August 2017. As of March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, the Company had a reserve balance of $0 and $10.2 million, respectively, relating to the Dutch regulatory proceeding.
As of March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, we had a total reserve balance of $2.3 million and $25.6 million, respectively, in connection with these remaining investigations and other related legal matters, included in Accrued Expenses on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The foregoing estimate of losses is based upon currently available information for these proceedings. However, the precise scope, timing and time period at issue, as well as the final outcome of the investigations or customer claims, remain uncertain. Accordingly, the Company’s estimate may change from time to time, and actual losses could vary.
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Operating Earnings
Operating earnings by segment were as follows:
Fiscal 2018 | Fiscal 2017 | Increase (Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||
In Millions | As % Net Sales(1) | In Millions | As % Net Sales(1) | In Millions | % | ||||||||||||||||
Americas | $ | 189.0 | 13.2 | % | $ | ||||||||||||||||