10-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended January 1, 2012

Commission File No.: 001-33994

 

 

Interface, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Georgia   58-1451243
(State of incorporation)  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

2859 Paces Ferry Road, Suite 2000

Atlanta, Georgia

  30339
(Address of principal executive offices)   (zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (770) 437-6800

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered:

Class A Common Stock, $0.10 Par Value Per Share

  Nasdaq Global Select Market

Series B Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

  Nasdaq Global Select Market

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

YES   x     NO   ¨

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   ¨     NO   x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     YES   x     NO   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Date File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).     YES   x     NO   ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.     ¨

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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and a “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. (Check one):

 

Large Accelerated Filer

 

x

  

Accelerated Filer

 

¨

Non-Accelerated Filer

 

¨  

  

Smaller Reporting Company

 

¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES   ¨     NO   x

Aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of July 3, 2011 (assuming conversion of Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock): $1,181,343,489 (59,453,623 shares valued at the last sales price of $19.87 on July 1, 2011). See Item 12.

Number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of Common Stock, as of February 23, 2012:

 

September 30,

Class

     Number of Shares  

Class A Common Stock, $0.10 par value per share

       58,551,591   

Class B Common Stock, $0.10 par value per share

       6,877,625   

 

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.

 

 

 


PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Introduction and General

We are a worldwide leader in design, production and sales of modular carpet, and a manufacturer, marketer and servicer of select other floorcovering products for the commercial, institutional and residential markets. In recent years, modular carpet sales growth in the floorcovering industry has significantly outpaced the growth of the overall industry, as architects, designers and end users increasingly recognized the unique and superior attributes of modular carpet, including its dynamic design capabilities, greater economic value (which includes lower costs as a result of reduced waste in both installation and replacement), and installation ease and speed.

As a global company with a reputation for high quality, reliability and premium positioning, we market modular carpet in over 110 countries under established brand names such as InterfaceFLOR®, Heuga®, Bentley Prince Street® and FLOR®. In broadloom carpet, our Bentley Prince Street brand also is a leader in the high-end, designer-oriented sector of the market, where custom design and high quality are the principal specifying and purchasing factors. Our principal geographic markets are the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific, where the percentages of our total net sales were approximately 56%, 29% and 15%, respectively, for fiscal year 2011.

Capitalizing on our leadership in modular carpet for the corporate office segment, we are executing a market diversification strategy to increase our presence and market share for modular carpet in non-corporate office market segments, such as government, education, healthcare, hospitality and retail space, which combined are almost twice the size of the approximately $1 billion U.S. corporate office segment. Our diversification strategy also targets the approximately $11 billion U.S. residential market segment for carpet. As a result of our efforts, our mix of corporate office versus non-corporate office modular carpet sales in the Americas was 47% and 53%, respectively, for 2011. Company-wide, our mix of corporate office versus non-corporate office sales was 60% and 40%, respectively, in 2011. We believe the appeal and utilization of modular carpet is growing in each of these non-corporate office segments, and we are using our considerable skills and experience with designing, producing and marketing modular products that make us the market leader in the corporate office segment to support and facilitate our penetration into these segments around the world.

Beginning in 2008, the worldwide financial and credit crisis caused many corporations, governments and other organizations to delay or curtail spending on renovation and construction projects where our carpet is used. This downturn negatively impacted our performance. In 2008 and 2009, we announced restructuring plans to align our cost structure with market demand for our products, resulting in the reduction of about 23% of our worldwide workforce. These plans reduced costs across our worldwide operations, and more closely aligned our operations with the decreased demand levels that we began experiencing in the fourth quarter of 2008. Demand levels substantially recovered in 2010.

In the first quarter of 2010, we adopted a restructuring plan primarily related to workforce reduction in our European modular carpet operations. This reduction was in response to the continued challenging economic climate in that region. Actions and expenses related to this plan were substantially completed in the first quarter of 2010.

In the fourth quarter of 2011, we committed to a new restructuring plan intended to reduce costs across our worldwide operations and more closely align our operations with reduced demand in certain markets. Actions and expenses related to this plan were substantially completed by the end of 2011.

Our Strengths

Our principal competitive strengths include:

Market Leader in Attractive Modular Carpet Segment. We are the world’s leading manufacturer of carpet tile. Modular carpet has become more prevalent across all commercial interiors markets as designers, architects and end users have become more familiar with its unique attributes. We continue to drive this trend with our product innovations and designs discussed below. According to the 2011 Floor Focus interiors industry survey of the top 250 designers in the United States, carpet tile was ranked as the number one “hot product” for the tenth consecutive year. We believe that we are well positioned to lead and capitalize upon the continued shift to modular carpet, both domestically and around the world.

 

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Established Brands and Reputation for Quality, Reliability and Leadership. Our products are known in the industry for their high quality, reliability and premium positioning in the marketplace. Our established brand names in carpets are leaders in the industry. The 2011 Floor Focus survey ranked our InterfaceFLOR brand first or second in each of the survey categories of quality, performance, value, service and design. On the international front, InterfaceFLOR and Heuga are well-recognized brand names in carpet tiles for commercial, institutional and residential use. More generally, as the appeal and utilization of modular carpet continues to expand into market segments such as education, hospitality and retail space, our reputation as the pioneer of modular carpet — as well as our established brands and leading market position for modular carpet in the corporate office segment — will enhance our competitive advantage in marketing to the customers in these new markets.

Innovative Product Design and Development Capabilities. Our product design and development capabilities have long given us a significant competitive advantage, and they continue to do so as modular carpet’s appeal and utilization expand across virtually every market segment and around the globe. One of our best design innovations is our i2™ modular product line, which includes our popular Entropy® product for which we received a patent in 2005 on the key elements of its design. The i2 line introduced and features mergeable dye lots, and includes carpet tile products designed to be installed randomly without reference to the orientation of neighboring tiles. The i2 line offers cost-efficient installation and maintenance, interactive flexibility, and recycled and recyclable materials. Our i2 line of products, which now comprises approximately 40% of our total U.S. modular carpet business, represents a differentiated category of smart, environmentally sensitive and stylish modular carpet, and Entropy has been the fastest growing product in our history. The award-winning design firm David Oakey Designs had a pivotal role in developing our i2 product line, and our long-standing exclusive relationship with David Oakey Designs remains vibrant and augments our internal research, development and design staff. Another recent innovation is our patented TacTiles® carpet tile installation system, which uses small squares of adhesive plastic film to connect intersecting carpet tiles, thus eliminating the need for traditional carpet adhesive and resulting in a reduction in installation time and waste materials.

Made-to-Order and Global Manufacturing Capabilities. The success of our modernization and restructuring of operations over the past several years gives us a distinct competitive advantage in meeting two principal requirements of the specified products markets we primarily target — that is, providing custom samples quickly and on-time delivery of customized final products. We also can generate realistic digital samples that allow us to create a virtually unlimited number of new design concepts and distribute them instantly for customer review, while at the same time reducing sampling waste. Approximately 75% to 80% of our modular carpet products in the United States and Asia-Pacific markets are now made-to-order, and we are increasing our made-to-order production in Europe as well. Our made-to-order capabilities not only enhance our marketing and sales, they significantly improve our inventory turns. Our global manufacturing capabilities in modular carpet production are an important component of this strength, and give us an advantage in serving the needs of multinational corporate customers that require products and services at various locations around the world. Our manufacturing locations across four continents enable us to compete effectively with local producers in our international markets, while giving international customers more favorable delivery times and freight costs.

Recognized Global Leadership in Ecological Sustainability. Our long-standing goal and commitment to be ecologically “sustainable” — that is, the point at which we are no longer a net “taker” from the earth and do no harm to the biosphere — has emerged as a competitive strength for our business and remains a strategic initiative. It now includes Mission Zero®, our global branding initiative, which represents our mission to eliminate any negative impact our companies may have on the environment by the year 2020. Our acknowledged leadership position and expertise in this area resonate deeply with many of our customers and prospects around the globe, and provide us with a differentiating advantage in competing for business among architects, designers and end users of our products, who increasingly make purchase decisions based on “green” factors. The 2011 Floor Focus survey, which named our InterfaceFLOR business the top among “Green Leaders” and gave us the top honors for “Green Kudos”, found that 69% of the designers surveyed consider sustainability an added benefit and 25% consider it a “make or break” issue when deciding what products to recommend or purchase.

Strong Operating Leverage Position. Our operating leverage, which we define as our ability to realize profit on incremental sales, is strong and generally allows us to increase earnings at a higher rate than our rate of increase in net sales. Our operating leverage position is primarily a result of (1) the specified, high-end nature and premium positioning of our principal products in the marketplace, and (2) the mix of fixed and variable costs in our manufacturing processes that allow us to increase production of most of our products without significant increases in capital expenditures or fixed costs. For example, while net sales from our Modular Carpet segment increased from $646.2 million in 2005 to $930.7 million in 2007 (a period in which our industry and business were recovering from a prior downturn), our operating income from that segment increased from $77.4 million (12.0% of net sales) in 2005 to $133.7 million (14.4% of net sales) in 2007.

 

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Experienced and Motivated Management and Sales Force. An important component of our competitive position is the quality of our management team and its commitment to developing and maintaining an engaged and accountable workforce. Our team is highly skilled and dedicated to guiding our overall growth and expansion into our targeted market segments, while maintaining our leadership in traditional markets and our high contribution margins. We utilize an internal marketing and predominantly commissioned sales force of approximately 700 experienced personnel, stationed at over 70 locations in over 30 countries, to market our products and services in person to our customers. Our incentive compensation and our sales and marketing training programs are tailored to promote performance and facilitate leadership by our executives both in strategic areas as well as the company as a whole.

Our Business Strategy and Principal Initiatives

Our business strategy is (1) to continue to use our leading position in the modular carpet market segment and our product design and global made-to-order capabilities as a platform from which to drive acceptance of modular carpet products across several industry segments, while maintaining our leadership position in the corporate office market segment, and (2) to return to our historical profit levels in the high-end, designer-oriented sector of the broadloom carpet market. We will seek to increase revenues and profitability by capitalizing on the above strengths and pursuing the following key strategic initiatives:

Continue to Penetrate Non-Corporate Office Market Segments. We will continue our strategic focus on product design and marketing and sales efforts for non-corporate office market segments such as government, education, healthcare, hospitality, retail and residential space. We began this initiative as part of our market diversification strategy in 2001 (when our initial objective was reducing our exposure to the more severe economic cyclicality of the corporate office segment), and it has become a principal strategy generally for growing our business and enhancing profitability. We have shifted our mix of corporate office versus non-corporate office modular carpet sales in the Americas to 47% and 53%, respectively, for fiscal 2011 from 64% and 36%, respectively, in fiscal 2001. To implement this strategy, we:

 

 

introduced specialized product offerings tailored to the unique demands of these segments, including specific designs, functionalities and prices;

 

 

created special sales teams dedicated to penetrating these segments at a high level, with a focus on specific customer accounts rather than geographic territories; and

 

 

realigned incentives for our corporate office segment sales force generally in order to encourage their efforts, and where appropriate, to assist our penetration of these other segments.

As part of this strategy, our FLOR and Prince Street House and Home lines of products focus on the approximately $11 billion U.S. residential carpet market segment. These products were specifically created to bring high style modular and broadloom floorcovering to the U.S. residential market. We offer FLOR directly and over the Internet, in a FLOR catalog and in our seven FLOR retail stores, and we plan to add twelve more retail stores in 2012. FLOR is also offered by many specialty retailers and in a number of major retail catalogs. Through such direct and indirect retailing, FLOR sales have grown more than 80% from 2005 to 2011. Prince Street House and Home brings new colors and patterns to the high-end consumer market with a collection of broadloom carpet and rugs sold through hundreds of retail stores and interior designers. Through our Heuga Home division, we sell modular carpet to the residential segment of international soft floorcovering markets, the size of which we believe to be approximately $2 billion in Western Europe alone.

Penetrate Expanding Geographic Markets for Modular Products. The popularity of modular carpet continues to increase compared with other floorcovering products across most markets, internationally as well as in the United States. While maintaining our leadership in the corporate office segment, we will continue to build upon our position as the worldwide leader for modular carpet in order to promote sales in all market segments globally. A principal part of our international focus – which utilizes our global marketing capabilities and sales infrastructure – is the significant opportunities in several emerging geographic markets for modular carpet. Some of these markets, such as China, India and Eastern Europe, represent large and growing economies that are essentially new markets for modular carpet products. Others, such as Germany and Italy, are established markets that are transitioning to the use of modular carpet from historically low levels of penetration. Each of these emerging markets represents a significant growth opportunity for our modular carpet business. Our initiative to penetrate these markets will include drawing upon our internationally recognized InterfaceFLOR and Heuga brands.

 

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Continue to Minimize Expenses and Invest Strategically. We have steadily trimmed costs from our operations for several years through multiple initiatives, which have made us leaner today and for the future. Our supply chain and other cost containment initiatives have improved our cost structure and yielded the operating efficiencies we sought. While we still seek to minimize our expenses in order to increase profitability, we will also take advantage of strategic opportunities to invest in systems, processes and personnel that can help us grow our business and increase profitability and value.

Sustain Leadership in Product Design and Development. As discussed above, our leadership position for product design and development is a competitive advantage and key strength, especially in the modular carpet market segment, where our i2 products and TacTiles installation system have confirmed our position as an innovation leader. We will continue initiatives to sustain, augment and capitalize upon that strength to continue to increase our market share in targeted market segments. Our Mission Zero global branding initiative, which draws upon and promotes our ecological sustainability commitment, is part of those initiatives and includes placing our Mission Zero logo on many of our marketing and merchandising materials distributed throughout the world.

Use Strong Free Cash Flow Generation to De-leverage Our Balance Sheet. Our principal businesses have been structured – including through our rationalization and repositioning initiatives over the past ten years – to yield high contribution margins and generate strong free cash flow (by which we mean cash available to apply towards debt service). Our historical investments in global manufacturing capabilities and mass customization techniques and facilities, which we have maintained, also contribute to our ability to generate substantial levels of free cash flow. We will use our strong free cash flow generation capability to continue to repay debt and strengthen our financial position. We will also continue to execute programs to reduce costs further and enhance free cash flow. In addition, our existing capacity to increase production levels without significant capital expenditures will further enhance our generation of free cash flow as demand for our products rises.

Challenges

In order to capitalize on our strengths and to implement successfully our business strategy and the principal initiatives discussed above, we will have to handle successfully several challenges that confront us or that affect our industry in general. As discussed in the Risk Factors in Item 1A of this Report, several factors could make it difficult for us, including:

 

 

sales of our principal products have been and may continue to be affected by adverse economic cycles in the renovation and construction of commercial and institutional buildings;

 

 

we compete with a large number of manufacturers in the highly competitive commercial floorcovering products market, and some of these competitors have greater financial resources than we do;

 

 

our success depends significantly upon the efforts, abilities and continued service of our senior management executives and our principal design consultant, and our loss of any of them could affect us adversely;

 

 

our substantial international operations are subject to various political, economic and other uncertainties that could adversely affect our business results;

 

 

large increases in the cost of petroleum-based raw materials could adversely affect us if we are unable to pass these cost increases through to our customers;

 

 

unanticipated termination or interruption of any of our arrangements with our primary third party suppliers of synthetic fiber could have a material adverse effect on us; and

 

 

we have a significant amount of indebtedness, which could have important negative consequences to us.

We believe our business model is strong enough, and our strategic initiatives are properly calibrated, for us to handle these and other challenges we will encounter in our business.

Seasonality

Our first quarter has typically been our slowest quarter while our fourth quarter has typically been our best quarter, with sales generally increasing throughout the course of the fiscal year. However, in recent years, as our sales efforts and results in the education market segment (which has a heavy second quarter buying season) have increased, our second quarter sales have occasionally eclipsed our third or fourth quarter sales.

 

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Floorcovering Products and Services

Interface is the world’s largest manufacturer and marketer of modular carpet. We also manufacture and sell broadloom carpet, which generally consists of tufted carpet sold primarily in twelve-foot rolls, under the Bentley Prince Street brand. Our broadloom operations focus on the high quality, designer-oriented sector of the U.S. broadloom carpet market and select international markets.

Modular Carpet

Our modular carpet system, which is marketed under the established global brands InterfaceFLOR and Heuga, and more recently under the Bentley Prince Street brand, utilizes carpet tiles cut in precise, dimensionally stable squares (usually 50 cm x 50 cm) or rectangles to produce a floorcovering that combines the appearance and texture of traditional soft floorcovering with the advantages of a modular carpet system. Our GlasBac® technology employs a fiberglass-reinforced polymeric composite backing that provides dimensional stability and reduces the need for adhesives or fasteners. We also make carpet tiles with a backing containing post-industrial and/or post-consumer recycled materials, which we market under the GlasBacRE brand. In 2008, we introduced the Convert™ collection of carpet tile designed and manufactured with yarn containing varying degrees of post-consumer nylon, depending on the style and color. We received the 2011 Best of NeoCon Silver Award in the modular carpet category for our Luxe at Work™ Collection.

Our carpet tile has become popular for a number of reasons. Carpet tile incorporating this reinforced backing may be easily removed and replaced, permitting rearrangement of furniture without the inconvenience and expense associated with removing, replacing or repairing other soft surface flooring products, including broadloom carpeting. Because a relatively small portion of a carpet installation often receives the bulk of traffic and wear, the ability to rotate carpet tiles between high traffic and low traffic areas and to selectively replace worn tiles can significantly increase the average life and cost efficiency of the floorcovering. In addition, carpet tile facilitates access to sub-floor air delivery systems and telephone, electrical, computer and other wiring by lessening disruption of operations. It also eliminates the cumulative damage and unsightly appearance commonly associated with frequent cutting of conventional carpet as utility connections and disconnections are made. We believe that, within the overall floorcovering market, the worldwide demand for modular carpet is increasing as more customers recognize these advantages.

We use a number of conventional and technologically advanced methods of carpet construction to produce carpet tiles in a wide variety of colors, patterns, textures, pile heights and densities. These varieties are designed to meet both the practical and aesthetic needs of a broad spectrum of commercial interiors – particularly offices, healthcare facilities, airports, educational and other institutions, hospitality spaces, and retail facilities – and residential interiors. Our carpet tile systems permit distinctive styling and patterning that can be used to complement interior designs, to set off areas for particular purposes and to convey graphic information. While we continue to manufacture and sell our carpet tile in a number of standard styles, we also sell custom or made-to-order carpet tile products designed to meet customer specifications.

In addition to general uses of our carpet tile, we produce and sell a specially adapted version of our carpet tile for the healthcare facilities market. Our carpet tile possesses characteristics — such as the use of the Intersept antimicrobial, static-controlling nylon yarns, and thermally pigmented, colorfast yarns — which make it suitable for use in these facilities in place of hard surface flooring. Moreover, we launched our FLOR line of products to specifically target modular carpet sales to the residential market segment. Through our relationship with David Oakey Designs, we also have created modular carpet products (some of which are part of our i2 product line) specifically designed for each of the education, hospitality and retail market segments.

We also manufacture and sell two-meter roll goods that are structure-backed and offer many of the advantages of both carpet tile and broadloom carpet. These roll goods are often used in conjunction with carpet tiles to create special design effects. Our current principal customers for these products are in the education, healthcare and government market segments.

Broadloom Carpet

We maintain a significant share of the high-end, designer-oriented broadloom carpet segment by combining innovative product design and short production and delivery times with a marketing strategy aimed at interior designers, architects and other specifiers. Our Bentley Prince Street designs emphasize the dramatic use of color and multi-dimensional texture. In addition, we have launched the Prince Street House and Home collection of high-style broadloom carpet and area rugs targeted at design-oriented residential consumers. We received the 2011 Best of NeoCon Gold Award in the broadloom category for the Silver Screen™ Collection.

 

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Other Products and Services

We sell a proprietary antimicrobial chemical compound under the registered trademark Intersept that we incorporate in all of our modular carpet products and have licensed to another company for use in air filters. We also sell our TacTiles carpet tile installation system, along with a variety of traditional adhesives and products for carpet installation and maintenance that are manufactured by a third party. In addition, we continue to manufacture and sell our Intercell® brand raised/access flooring product in Europe. We also continue to provide “turnkey” project management services for national accounts and other large customers through our InterfaceSERVICES™ business.

Marketing and Sales

We have traditionally focused our carpet marketing strategy on major accounts, seeking to build lasting relationships with national and multinational end-users, and on architects, engineers, interior designers, contracting firms, and other specifiers who often make or significantly influence purchasing decisions. While most of our sales are in the corporate office segment, both new construction and renovation, we also emphasize sales in other segments, including retail space, government institutions, schools, healthcare facilities, tenant improvement space, hospitality centers, residences and home office space. Our marketing efforts are enhanced by the established and well-known brand names of our carpet products, including the InterfaceFLOR, FLOR and Heuga brands in modular carpet and Bentley Prince Street brand in broadloom carpet. Our exclusive consulting agreement with the award-winning, premier design firm David Oakey Designs enabled us to introduce more than 25 new carpet designs in the United States in 2011 alone.

An important part of our marketing and sales efforts involves the preparation of custom-made samples of requested carpet designs, in conjunction with the development of innovative product designs and styles to meet the customer’s particular needs. Our mass customization initiative simplified our carpet manufacturing operations, which significantly improved our ability to respond quickly and efficiently to requests for samples. In most cases, we can produce samples to customer specifications in less than five days, which significantly enhances our marketing and sales efforts and has increased our volume of higher margin custom or made-to-order sales. In addition, through our websites, we have made it easy to view and request samples of our products. We also have technology which allows us to provide digital, simulated samples of our products, which helps reduce raw material and energy consumption associated with our samples.

We primarily use our internal marketing and sales force to market our carpet products. In order to implement our global marketing efforts, we have product showrooms or design studios in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Denmark, England, Northern Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, India, Australia, Japan, Italy, Norway, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Singapore, Hong Kong and China. We expect to open offices in other locations around the world as necessary to capitalize on emerging marketing opportunities.

We distribute our product through two primary channels. (1) direct sales to end users; and (2) indirect sales through independent contractors or distributors. In each case, we may also call upon architects, engineers, interior designers, contracting firms and other specifiers who often make or substantially influence purchasing decisions. In 2010, we entered into a new distribution arrangement with the Bravo Network, which is comprised of independent flooring distributors that provide distribution logistics throughout the United States. Under this arrangement, the Bravo Network offers an exclusive collection of 10 distinct styles of our carpet tile. The collection sold through the Bravo Network targets the industry’s “main street” sector in the United States, comprised primarily of commercial customers purchasing non-specified products through flooring retail stores.

Manufacturing

We manufacture carpet at three locations in the United States and at facilities in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Australia and Thailand, and at our newest facility in China.

 

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Having foreign manufacturing operations enables us to supply our customers with carpet from the location offering the most advantageous delivery times, duties and tariffs, exchange rates, and freight expense, and enhances our ability to develop a strong local presence in foreign markets. We believe that the ability to offer consistent products and services on a worldwide basis at attractive prices is an important competitive advantage in servicing multinational customers seeking global supply relationships. We will consider additional locations for manufacturing operations in other parts of the world as necessary to meet the demands of customers in international markets.

To the extent practicable, we seek to standardize our worldwide modular carpet manufacturing procedures. In connection with the implementation of this plan, we strive to establish global standards for our tufting equipment, yarn systems and product styling. We previously had changed our standard carpet tile size to be 50 cm x 50 cm, which we believe has allowed us to reduce operational waste and fossil fuel energy consumption and to offer consistent product sizing for our global customers.

Our raw materials are generally available from multiple sources – both regionally and globally – with the exception of synthetic fiber (nylon yarn). For yarn, we principally rely upon two major global suppliers, but we also have significant relationships with at least two other suppliers. Although our number of principal yarn suppliers is limited, we do have the capability to manufacture carpet using face fiber produced from two separate polymer feedstocks – nylon 6 and nylon 6,6 – which provides additional flexibility with respect to yarn supply inputs, if needed. Our global sourcing strategy, including with respect to our principal yarn suppliers and dual polymer manufacturing capability, allows us to guard against any potential shortages of raw materials or raw material suppliers in a specific polymer supply chain.

We have a flexible-inputs carpet backing line, which we call “Cool Blue™”, at our modular carpet manufacturing facility in LaGrange, Georgia. Using next generation thermoplastic technology, the custom-designed backing line dramatically improves our ability to keep reclaimed and waste carpet in the production “technical loop,” and further permits us to explore other plastics and polymers as inputs. We also have technology that more cleanly separates the face fiber and backing of reclaimed and waste carpet, thus making it easier to recycle some of its components and providing a purer supply of inputs for the Cool Blue process. This technology, which is part of our ReEntry®2.0 carpet reclamation program, allows us to send some of the reclaimed face fiber back to our fiber supplier to be blended with virgin or other post-industrial materials and extruded into new fiber.

The environmental management systems of our floorcovering manufacturing facilities in LaGrange, Georgia, West Point, Georgia, City of Industry, California, Shelf, England, Northern Ireland, Australia, the Netherlands and Thailand are certified under International Standards Organization (ISO) Standard No. 14001.

Our significant international operations are subject to various political, economic and other uncertainties, including risks of restrictive taxation policies, foreign exchange restrictions, changing political conditions and governmental regulations. We also receive a substantial portion of our revenues in currencies other than U.S. dollars, which makes us subject to the risks inherent in currency translations. Although our ability to manufacture and ship products from facilities in several foreign countries reduces the risks of foreign currency fluctuations we might otherwise experience, we also engage from time to time in hedging programs intended to further reduce those risks.

Competition

We compete, on a global basis, in the sale of our floorcovering products with other carpet manufacturers and manufacturers of vinyl and other types of floorcoverings. Although the industry has experienced significant consolidation, a large number of manufacturers remain in the industry. We believe we are the largest manufacturer of modular carpet in the world. However, a number of domestic and foreign competitors manufacture modular carpet as one segment of their business, and some of these competitors have financial resources greater than ours. In addition, some of the competing carpet manufacturers have the ability to extrude at least some of their requirements for fiber used in carpet products, which decreases their dependence on third party suppliers of fiber.

We believe the principal competitive factors in our primary floorcovering markets are brand recognition, quality, design, service, broad product lines, product performance, marketing strategy and pricing. In the corporate office market segment, modular carpet competes with various floorcoverings, of which broadloom carpet is the most common. The quality, service, design, better and longer average product performance, flexibility (design options, selective rotation or replacement, use in combination with roll goods) and convenience of our modular carpet are our principal competitive advantages.

 

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We believe we have competitive advantages in several other areas as well. First, our exclusive relationship with David Oakey Designs allows us to introduce numerous innovative and attractive floorcovering products to our customers. Additionally, we believe that our global manufacturing capabilities are an important competitive advantage in serving the needs of multinational corporate customers. We believe that the incorporation of the Intersept antimicrobial chemical agent into the backing of our modular carpet enhances our ability to compete successfully across all of our market segments generally, and specifically with resilient tile in the healthcare market.

In addition, we believe that our goal and commitment to be ecologically “sustainable” by 2020 is a brand-enhancing, competitive strength as well as a strategic initiative. Increasingly, our customers are concerned about the environmental and broader ecological implications of their operations and the products they use in them. Our leadership, knowledge and expertise in the area, especially in the “green building” movement and the related LEED certification program, resonate deeply with many of our customers and prospects around the globe, and these businesses are increasingly making purchase decisions based on “green” factors. Our modular carpet products historically have had inherent installation and maintenance advantages that translated into greater efficiency and waste reduction. We are using raw materials and production technologies, such as our Cool Blue backing line and our ReEntry 2.0 reclaimed carpet separation process, that directly reduce the adverse impact of those operations on the environment and limit our dependence on petrochemicals.

To further raise awareness of our goal of becoming sustainable, we launched our Mission Zero global branding initiative, which represents our mission to eliminate any negative impact our companies may have on the environment by the year 2020. As part of this initiative, our Mission Zero logo appears on many of our marketing and merchandising materials distributed throughout the world.

Interior Fabrics

In 2007, we sold our Fabrics Group business segment to a third party. This business designed, manufactured and marketed specialty fabrics for open plan office furniture systems and other commercial interiors. Current and prior periods have been restated to include the results of operations and related disposal costs, gains and losses for this business as discontinued operations. In addition, assets and liabilities of this business have been reported in assets and liabilities held for sale for all reported periods.

Product Design, Research and Development

We maintain an active research, development and design staff of approximately 65 people and also draw on the research and development efforts of our suppliers, particularly in the areas of fibers, yarns and modular carpet backing materials. Our research and development costs were $14.5 million, $13.9 million and $12.7 million in 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

Our research and development team provides technical support and advanced materials research and development for the entire family of Interface companies. The team assisted in the development of our NexStep® backing, which employs moisture-impervious polycarbite precoating technology with a chlorine-free urethane foam secondary backing, and also helped develop a post-consumer recycled content, polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, extruded sheet process that has been incorporated into our GlasBacRE modular carpet backing. Our post-consumer recycled content PVC extruded sheet exemplifies our commitment to “closing-the-loop” in recycling. More recently, this team developed our patented TacTiles carpet tile installation system, which uses small squares of adhesive plastic film to connect intersecting carpet tiles. The team also helped implement our Cool Blue flexible inputs backing line and our ReEntry 2.0 reclaimed carpet separation technology and post-consumer recycling technology for nylon face fibers. With a goal of supporting sustainable product designs in floorcoverings applications, we continue to evaluate renewable polymers for use in our products.

Our research and development team also is the coordinator of our QUEST and EcoSense initiatives (discussed below under “Environmental Initiatives”) and supports the dissemination, consultancies and technical communication of our global sustainability endeavors. This team also provides all biochemical and technical support to Intersept antimicrobial chemical product initiatives.

Innovation and increased customization in product design and styling are the principal focus of our product development efforts. Our carpet design and development team is recognized as an industry leader in carpet design and product engineering for the commercial and institutional markets.

 

9


David Oakey Designs provides carpet design and consulting services to our floorcovering businesses pursuant to a consulting agreement with us. David Oakey Designs’ services under the agreement include creating commercial carpet designs for use by our floorcovering businesses throughout the world, and overseeing product development, design and coloration functions for our modular carpet business in North America. The current agreement runs through April 2013. While the agreement is in effect, David Oakey Designs cannot provide similar services to any other carpet company. Through our relationship with David Oakey Designs, we introduced more than 25 new carpet designs in 2011 alone, and have enjoyed considerable success in winning U.S. carpet industry awards.

David Oakey Designs also contributed to our ability to efficiently produce many products from a single yarn system. Our mass customization production approach evolved, in major part, from this concept. In addition to increasing the number and variety of product designs, which enables us to increase high margin custom sales, the mass customization approach increases inventory turns and reduces inventory levels (for both raw materials and standard products) and their related costs because of our more rapid and flexible production capabilities.

Our i2 product line — which includes, among others, our patented Entropy modular carpet product — represents an innovative breakthrough in the design of modular carpet. The i2 line introduced and features mergeable dye lots, cost-efficient installation and maintenance, interactive flexibility and recycled and recyclable materials. Some of these products may be installed without regard to the directional orientation of the carpet tile, and their features also make installation, maintenance and replacement of modular carpet easier, less expensive and less wasteful.

Environmental Initiatives

In the latter part of 1994, we commenced a new industrial ecological sustainability initiative called EcoSense, inspired in part by the interest of customers concerned about the environmental implications of how they and their suppliers do business. EcoSense, which includes our QUEST waste reduction initiative, is directed towards the elimination of energy and raw materials waste in our businesses, and, on a broader and more long-term scale, the practical reclamation — and ultimate restoration — of shared environmental resources. The initiative involves a commitment by us:

 

 

to learn to meet our raw material and energy needs through recycling of carpet and other petrochemical products and harnessing benign energy sources; and

 

 

to pursue the creation of new processes to help sustain the earth’s non-renewable natural resources.

We have engaged some of the world’s leading authorities on global ecology as environmental advisors. The list of advisors includes: Paul Hawken, author of The Ecology of Commerce: A Declaration of Sustainability and The Next Economy, and co-author with Amory Lovins and Hunter Lovins of Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution; Mr. Lovins, energy consultant and co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute; John Picard, President of E2 Environmental Enterprises; Jonathan Porritt, director of Forum for the Future; Bill Browning, fellow and former director of the Rocky Mountain Institute’s Green Development Services; Dr. Karl-Henrik Robert, founder of The Natural Step; Janine M. Benyus, author of Biomimicry; Walter Stahel, Swiss businessman and seminal thinker on environmentally responsible commerce; and Bob Fox, renowned architect.

Our leadership, knowledge and expertise in this area, especially in the “green building” movement and the related LEED certification program, resonate deeply with many of our customers and prospects around the globe, and these businesses are increasingly making purchase decisions based on “green” factors. As more customers in our target markets share our view that sustainability is good business and not just good deeds, our acknowledged leadership position should strengthen our brands and provide a differentiated advantage in competing for business.

Backlog

Our backlog of unshipped orders was approximately $136.4 million at February 19, 2012, compared with approximately $141.2 million at February 20, 2011. Historically, backlog is subject to significant fluctuations due to the timing of orders for individual large projects and currency fluctuations. All of the backlog orders at February 19, 2012 are expected to be shipped during the succeeding six to nine months.

 

10


Patents and Trademarks

We own numerous patents in the United States and abroad on floorcovering products and on manufacturing processes. The duration of United States patents is between 14 and 20 years from the date of filing of a patent application or issuance of the patent; the duration of patents issued in other countries varies from country to country. We maintain an active patent and trade secret program in order to protect our proprietary technology, know-how and trade secrets. Although we consider our patents to be very valuable assets, we consider our know-how and technology even more important to our current business than patents, and, accordingly, believe that expiration of existing patents or nonissuance of patents under pending applications would not have a material adverse effect on our operations.

We also own many trademarks in the United States and abroad. In addition to the United States, the primary countries in which we have registered our trademarks are the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France, Canada, Australia, Japan, and various countries in Central and South America. Some of our more prominent registered trademarks include: Interface®, InterfaceFLOR, Heuga, Intersept, GlasBac, Bentley Prince Street, FLOR, Intercell, and Mission Zero. Trademark registrations in the United States are valid for a period of 10 years and are renewable for additional 10-year periods as long as the mark remains in actual use. The duration of trademarks registered in other countries varies from country to country.

Financial Information by Operating Segments and Geographic Areas

The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 8 of this Report set forth information concerning our sales, income and assets by operating segments, and our sales and long-lived assets by geographic areas. Additional information regarding sales by operating segment is set forth in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Employees

At January 1, 2012, we employed a total of 3,566 employees worldwide. Of such employees, 1,934 were clerical, staff, sales, supervisory and management personnel and 1,632 were manufacturing personnel. We also utilized the services of 136 temporary personnel as of January 1, 2012.

Some of our production employees in Australia and the United Kingdom are represented by unions. In the Netherlands, a Works Council, the members of which are Interface employees, is required to be consulted by management with respect to certain matters relating to our operations in that country, such as a change in control of Interface Europe B.V. (our modular carpet subsidiary based in the Netherlands), and the approval of the Council is required for some of our actions, including changes in compensation scales or employee benefits. Our management believes that its relations with the Works Council, the unions and all of our employees are good.

Environmental Matters

Our operations are subject to laws and regulations relating to the generation, storage, handling, emission, transportation and discharge of materials into the environment. The costs of complying with environmental protection laws and regulations have not had a material adverse impact on our financial condition or results of operations in the past and are not expected to have a material adverse impact in the future. The environmental management systems of our floorcovering manufacturing facilities in LaGrange, Georgia, West Point, Georgia, City of Industry, California, Shelf, England, Northern Ireland, Australia, the Netherlands and Thailand are certified under ISO Standard No. 14001.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

Our executive officers, their ages as of January 1, 2012, and their principal positions with us are set forth below. Executive officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

 

September 30, September 30,

Name

     Age     

Principal Position(s)

Daniel T. Hendrix

     57     

President and Chief Executive Officer

Robert A. Coombs

     53     

Senior Vice President

Patrick C. Lynch

     42     

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Lindsey K. Parnell

     54     

Senior Vice President

John R. Wells

     50     

Senior Vice President

Raymond S. Willoch

     53     

Senior Vice President-Administration, General Counsel and Secretary

Maria C. Davlantes

     43     

Chief Marketing Officer

 

11


Mr. Hendrix joined us in 1983 after having worked previously for a national accounting firm. He was promoted to Treasurer in 1984, Chief Financial Officer in 1985, Vice President-Finance in 1986, Senior Vice President in October 1995, Executive Vice President in October 2000, and President and Chief Executive Officer in July 2001. He was elected to the Board in October 1996 and has served on the Executive Committee of the Board since July 2001. In October 2011, Mr. Hendrix was elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Mr. Coombs originally worked for us from 1988 to 1993 as a marketing manager for our Heuga carpet tile operations in the United Kingdom and later for all of our European floorcovering operations. In 1996, Mr. Coombs returned to us as Managing Director of our Australian operations. He was promoted in 1998 to Vice President-Sales and Marketing, Asia-Pacific, with responsibility for Australian operations and sales and marketing in Asia, which was followed by a promotion to Senior Vice President, Asia-Pacific. He was promoted to Senior Vice President, European Sales, in May 1999 and Senior Vice President, European Sales and Marketing, in April 2000. In February 2001, he was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer of Interface Overseas Holdings, Inc. with responsibility for all of our floorcoverings operations in both Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, and he became a Vice President of Interface. In September 2002, Mr. Coombs relocated back to Australia, retaining responsibility for our floorcovering operations in the Asia-Pacific region while Mr. Parnell (see below) assumed responsibility for floorcovering operations in Europe. Mr. Coombs was promoted to Senior Vice President of Interface in July 2008.

Mr. Lynch joined us in 1996 after having previously worked for a national accounting firm. He became Assistant Corporate Controller in 1998 and Assistant Vice President and Corporate Controller in 2000. Mr. Lynch was promoted to Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in July 2001. Mr. Lynch was promoted to Senior Vice President in March 2007.

Mr. Parnell was the Production Director for Firth Carpets (our former European broadloom operations) at the time it was acquired by us in 1997. In 1998, Mr. Parnell was promoted to Vice President, Operations for the United Kingdom, and in 1999 he was promoted to Senior Vice President, Operations for our entire European floorcovering division. In September 2002, he was promoted to President and Chief Executive Officer of our floorcovering operations in Europe, and became a Vice President of Interface in October 2002. Mr. Parnell was promoted to Senior Vice President of Interface in July 2008.

Mr. Wells joined us in February 1994 as Vice President-Sales of Interface Flooring Systems, Inc. (now InterfaceFLOR, LLC), our principal U.S. modular carpet subsidiary. Mr. Wells was promoted to Senior Vice President-Sales & Marketing of Interface Flooring Systems in October 1994. He was promoted to Vice President of Interface and President of Interface Flooring Systems in July 1995. In March 1998, Mr. Wells was also named President of both Prince Street Technologies, Ltd. and Bentley Mills, Inc., making him President of all three of our U.S. carpet mills at that time. In November 1999, Mr. Wells was named Senior Vice President of Interface, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Interface Americas Holdings, LLC (formerly Interface Americas, Inc.), thereby assuming operations responsibility for all of our floorcovering businesses in the Americas.

Mr. Willoch, who previously practiced with an Atlanta law firm, joined us in June 1990 as Corporate Counsel. He was promoted to Assistant Secretary in 1991, Assistant Vice President in 1993, Vice President in January 1996, Secretary and General Counsel in August 1996, and Senior Vice President in February 1998. In July 2001, he was named Senior Vice President-Administration and assumed corporate responsibility for various staff functions.

Ms. Davlantes joined us in May 2008 as Senior Vice President of Marketing for FLOR, our residential carpet tile business. In November 2009, she was promoted to Chief Marketing Officer of Interface, while still maintaining her responsibilities at FLOR. Ms. Davlantes also was appointed a Senior Vice President of Interface in July 2010. Prior to joining us, Ms. Davlantes had acquired 17 years of marketing experience with Spiegel, McKinsey & Company, Charcol and BP.

Available Information

We make available free of charge on or through our Internet website our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Our Internet address is http://www.interfaceglobal.com.

 

12


Forward-Looking Statements

This report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of our management team, as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results over time. Important factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties associated with economic conditions in the commercial interiors industry as well as the risks and uncertainties discussed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors”.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the following factors, in addition to the other information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other documents incorporated herein by reference, before deciding whether to purchase or sell our common stock. Any or all of the following risk factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

General Business Risks

The ongoing worldwide financial and credit crisis could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The ongoing worldwide financial and credit crisis has reduced the availability of liquidity and credit to fund the continuation and expansion of many business operations worldwide. This shortage of liquidity and credit, combined with recent substantial losses in worldwide equity markets, could lead to an extended worldwide economic recession and result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Specifically, the limited availability of credit and liquidity adversely affects the ability of customers and suppliers to obtain financing for significant purchases and operations. Consequently, customers may defer, delay or cancel renovation and construction projects where our carpet is used, resulting in decreased orders and sales for us, and they also may not be able to pay us for those products and services we already have provided to them. For the same reasons, suppliers may not be able to produce and deliver raw materials and other goods and services that we have ordered from them, thus disrupting our own manufacturing operations. In addition, our ability to obtain funding from capital markets may be severely restricted at a time when we would like, or need, to access those markets. This inability to obtain that funding could prevent us from pursuing important strategic growth plans, from reacting to changing economic and business conditions, and from refinancing existing debt (which in turn could lead to a default on our debt). The financial and credit crisis also could have an impact on the lenders under our credit facilities, causing them to fail to meet their obligations to provide us with loans and letters of credit, which are important sources of liquidity for us.

Our domestic revolving credit facility matures in June 2016. We cannot assure you that we will be able to renegotiate or refinance this debt on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, especially given the ongoing worldwide financial and credit crisis.

Sales of our principal products have been and may continue to be affected by adverse economic cycles in the renovation and construction of commercial and institutional buildings.

Sales of our principal products are related to the renovation and construction of commercial and institutional buildings. This activity is cyclical and has been affected by the strength of a country’s or region’s general economy, prevailing interest rates and other factors that lead to cost control measures by businesses and other users of commercial or institutional space. The effects of cyclicality upon the corporate office segment tend to be more pronounced than the effects upon the institutional segment. Historically, we have generated more sales in the corporate office segment than in any other market. The effects of cyclicality upon the new construction segment of the market also tend to be more pronounced than the effects upon the renovation segment. These effects may recur and could be more pronounced if global economic conditions do not improve or are further weakened.

We compete with a large number of manufacturers in the highly competitive commercial floorcovering products market, and some of these competitors have greater financial resources than we do.

The commercial floorcovering industry is highly competitive. Globally, we compete for sales of floorcovering products with other carpet manufacturers and manufacturers of other types of floorcovering. Although the industry has experienced significant consolidation, a large number of manufacturers remain in the industry. Some of our competitors, including a number of large diversified domestic and foreign companies who manufacture modular carpet as one segment of their business, have greater financial resources than we do.

 

13


Our success depends significantly upon the efforts, abilities and continued service of our senior management executives and our principal design consultant, and our loss of any of them could affect us adversely.

We believe that our success depends to a significant extent upon the efforts and abilities of our senior management executives. In addition, we rely significantly on the leadership that David Oakey of David Oakey Designs provides to our internal design staff. Specifically, David Oakey Designs provides product design/production engineering services to us under an exclusive consulting contract that contains non-competition covenants. Our current agreement with David Oakey Designs extends to April 2013. The loss of any of these key persons could have an adverse impact on our business because each has a great deal of knowledge, training and experience in the carpet industry – particularly in the areas of sales, marketing, operations, product design and management – and could not easily or quickly be replaced.

Our substantial international operations are subject to various political, economic and other uncertainties that could adversely affect our business results, including by restrictive taxation or other government regulation and by foreign currency fluctuations.

We have substantial international operations. In 2011, approximately half of our net sales and a significant portion of our production were outside the United States, primarily in Europe and Asia-Pacific. Our corporate strategy includes the expansion and growth of our international business on a worldwide basis. As a result, our operations are subject to various political, economic and other uncertainties, including risks of restrictive taxation policies, changing political conditions and governmental regulations. We also make a substantial portion of our net sales in currencies other than U.S. dollars (approximately half of 2011 net sales), which subjects us to the risks inherent in currency translations. The scope and volume of our global operations make it impossible to eliminate completely all foreign currency translation risks as an influence on our financial results.

Concerns regarding the European sovereign debt crisis and market perceptions about the instability of the euro, the potential re-introduction of individual currencies within the Eurozone, or the potential dissolution of the euro entirely, could adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

As a result of the European sovereign debt crisis, concerns persist regarding the debt burden of certain countries using the euro as their currency (the “Eurozone”) and their ability to meet future financial obligations, the overall stability of the euro and the suitability of the euro as a single currency given the diverse economic and political circumstances in individual Eurozone countries. Despite remedial efforts being taken by the European Commission and others, these concerns have caused instability in the euro and could lead to the re-introduction of individual currencies in one or more Eurozone countries, or, in more extreme circumstances, the possible dissolution of the euro currency entirely. Should the euro dissolve entirely, the legal and contractual consequences for holders of euro-denominated obligations would be determined by laws in effect at such time. These potential developments, or market perceptions concerning these and related issues, could adversely affect the value of our euro-denominated assets and obligations or increase the risks of foreign currency fluctuations or cause the failure of hedging programs intended to reduce those risks. In addition, concerns over the effect of this financial crisis on financial institutions in Europe and globally could have an adverse impact on the capital markets generally, and more specifically on our ability and the ability of our customers, suppliers and lenders to finance our and their respective businesses, to access liquidity at acceptable financing costs, if at all, on the availability of supplies and materials, and on the demand for our products.

Large increases in the cost of petroleum-based raw materials could adversely affect us if we are unable to pass these cost increases through to our customers.

Petroleum-based products comprise the predominant portion of the cost of raw materials that we use in manufacturing. While we attempt to match cost increases with corresponding price increases, continued volatility in the cost of petroleum-based raw materials could adversely affect our financial results if we are unable to pass through such price increases to our customers.

Unanticipated termination or interruption of any of our arrangements with our primary third party suppliers of synthetic fiber could have a material adverse effect on us.

The unanticipated termination or interruption of any of our supply arrangements with our current suppliers of synthetic fiber (nylon), which typically are not pursuant to long-term agreements, could have a material adverse effect on us because we do not have the capability to manufacture our own fiber for use in our carpet products. If any of our supply arrangements with our primary suppliers of synthetic fiber is terminated or interrupted, we likely would incur increased manufacturing costs and experience delays in our manufacturing process (thus resulting in decreased sales and profitability) associated with shifting more of our synthetic fiber purchasing to another synthetic fiber supplier.

We have a significant amount of indebtedness, which could have important negative consequences to us.

Our significant indebtedness could have important negative consequences to us, including:

 

   

making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to such indebtedness;

 

14


 

increasing our vulnerability to adverse general economic and industry conditions;

 

 

limiting our ability to obtain additional financing to fund capital expenditures, acquisitions or other growth initiatives, and other general corporate requirements;

 

 

requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to interest and principal payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund capital expenditures, acquisitions or other growth initiatives, and other general corporate requirements;

 

 

limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;

 

 

placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our less leveraged competitors; and

 

 

limiting our ability to refinance our existing indebtedness as it matures.

As a consequence of our level of indebtedness, a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations must be dedicated to debt service requirements. In addition, the terms of our primary revolving credit facility in the U.S. and the indenture governing our 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2018 limit our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends or make certain other restricted payments or investments in certain situations, consummate certain asset sales, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, create liens, merge or consolidate with any other person, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. They also require us to comply with certain other reporting, affirmative and negative covenants and, at times, meet certain financial tests. If we fail to satisfy these tests or comply with these covenants, a default may occur, in which case the lenders could accelerate the debt as well as any other debt to which cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions apply. We cannot assure you that we would be able to renegotiate, refinance or otherwise obtain the necessary funds to satisfy these obligations.

The market price of our common stock has been volatile and the value of your investment may decline.

The market price of our Class A common stock has been volatile in the past and may continue to be volatile going forward. Such volatility may cause precipitous drops in the price of our Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and may cause your investment in our common stock to lose significant value. As a general matter, market price volatility has had a significant effect on the market values of securities issued by many companies for reasons unrelated to their operating performance. We thus cannot predict the market price for our common stock going forward.

Our earnings in a future period could be adversely affected by non-cash adjustments to goodwill, if a future test of goodwill assets indicates a material impairment of those assets.

As prescribed by accounting standards governing goodwill and other intangible assets, we undertake an annual review of the goodwill asset balance reflected in our financial statements. Our review is conducted during the fourth quarter of the year, unless there has been a triggering event prescribed by applicable accounting rules that warrants an earlier interim testing for possible goodwill impairment. In the past, we have had non-cash adjustments for goodwill impairment as a result of such testings ($61.2 million in 2008 and $44.5 million in 2007). A future goodwill impairment test may result in a future non-cash adjustment, which could adversely affect our earnings for any such future period.

The estate of our former Chairman currently has sufficient voting power to elect a majority of our Board of Directors.

The estate of our former Chairman, Ray C. Anderson, who passed away in August 2011, beneficially owns approximately 51% of our outstanding Class B common stock. The holders of the Class B common stock are entitled, as a class, to elect a majority of our Board of Directors. Therefore, the estate of Mr. Anderson has sufficient voting power to elect a majority of the Board of Directors. On all other matters submitted to the shareholders for a vote, the holders of the Class B common stock generally vote together as a single class with the holders of the Class A common stock. Beneficial ownership of the outstanding Class A and Class B common stock combined by Mr. Anderson’s estate is approximately 5%.

Our Rights Agreement could discourage tender offers or other transactions for our stock that could result in shareholders receiving a premium over the market price for our stock.

Our Board of Directors has adopted a Rights Agreement pursuant to which holders of our common stock will be entitled to purchase from us a fraction of a share of our Series B Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock if a third party acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of our common stock without our consent. In addition, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to purchase the stock of an Acquiring Person (as defined in the Rights Agreement) at a discount upon the occurrence of triggering events. These provisions of the Rights Agreements could have the effect of discouraging tender offers or other transactions that could result in shareholders receiving a premium over the market price for our common stock.

 

15


ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

We maintain our corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia in approximately 20,000 square feet of leased space. The following table lists our principal manufacturing facilities and other material physical locations (some locations are comprised of multiple buildings), all of which we own except as otherwise noted:

 

September 30, September 30,

Location

     Segment      Floor Space
(Sq. Ft.)
 

Bangkok, Thailand

     Modular Carpet        275,946   

Craigavon, N. Ireland(1)

     Modular Carpet        80,986   

LaGrange, Georgia

     Modular Carpet        539,545   

LaGrange, Georgia(1)

     Modular Carpet        209,337   

Picton, Australia

     Modular Carpet        98,774   

Scherpenzeel, the Netherlands

     Modular Carpet        245,420   

Scherpenzeel, the Netherlands(1)

     Modular Carpet        121,515   

Shelf, England

     Modular Carpet        206,882   

West Point, Georgia

     Modular Carpet        250,000   

Taicang, China(1)

     Modular Carpet        71,375   

City of Industry, California(1)

     Bentley Prince Street        558,596   

 

(1)

Leased.

We maintain marketing offices in over 70 locations in over 30 countries and distribution facilities in approximately 40 locations in six countries. Most of our marketing locations and many of our distribution facilities are leased.

We believe that our manufacturing and distribution facilities and our marketing offices are sufficient for our present operations. We will continue, however, to consider the desirability of establishing additional facilities and offices in other locations around the world as part of our business strategy to meet expanding global market demands. Substantially all of our owned properties in the United States, Europe and Australia are subject to mortgages, which secure borrowings under our debt instruments.

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are subject to various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, none of which is required to be disclosed under this Item 3.

 

ITEM 4. MINING SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

 

16


PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our Class A Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol IFSIA. Our Class B Common Stock is not publicly traded but is convertible into Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis. As of February 23, 2012, we had 621 holders of record of our Class A Common Stock and 54 holders of record of our Class B Common Stock. We estimate that there are in excess of 6,500 beneficial holders of our Class A Common Stock. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low intraday prices of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market as well as dividends paid during such periods.

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       High        Low        Dividends Per Share  

2012

              

First Quarter (through February 23, 2012)

     $ 13.85         $ 10.76           —     

2011

              

Fourth Quarter

     $ 14.38         $ 9.75         $ 0.02   

Third Quarter

       20.48           11.02           0.02   

Second Quarter

       20.23           17.16           0.02   

First Quarter

       18.49           15.20           0.02   

2010

              

Fourth Quarter

     $ 17.15         $ 13.90         $ 0.02   

Third Quarter

       14.65           10.34           0.01   

Second Quarter

       14.42           10.08           0.01   

First Quarter

       11.90           7.05           0.0025   

Future declaration and payment of dividends is at the discretion of our Board, and depends upon, among other things, our investment policy and opportunities, results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, future prospects, and other factors that may be considered relevant by our Board at the time of its determination. Such other factors include limitations contained in the agreement for our primary revolving credit facility and in an indenture for our public indebtedness, each of which specify conditions as to when any dividend payments may be made. As such, we may discontinue our dividend payments in the future if our Board determines that a cessation of dividend payments is proper in light of the factors indicated above.

 

17


Stock Performance

The following graph and table compare, for the five-year period ended January 1, 2012, the Company’s total returns to shareholders (stock price plus dividends, divided by beginning stock price) with that of (i) all companies listed on the Nasdaq Composite Index, and (ii) a self-determined peer group comprised primarily of companies in the commercial interiors industry, assuming an initial investment of $100 in each on December 31, 2006.

 

LOGO

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       12/31/06        12/30/07        12/28/08        1/3/10        1/2/11        1/1/12  

Interface, Inc.

     $ 100         $ 116         $ 37         $ 60         $ 114         $ 84   

NASDAQ Composite Index

     $ 100         $ 112         $ 65         $ 97         $ 114         $ 113   

Self-Determined Peer Group (13 Stocks)

     $ 100         $ 98         $ 39         $ 56         $ 77         $ 73   

Notes to Performance Graph

 

(1)

The lines represent annual index levels derived from compound daily returns that include all dividends.

(2)

The indices are re-weighted daily, using the market capitalization on the previous trading day.

(3)

If the annual interval, based on the fiscal year-end, is not a trading day, the preceding trading day is used.

(4)

The index level was set to $100 as of 12/31/06 (the last day of fiscal 2006).

(5)

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Sunday nearest December 31.

(6)

The following companies are included in the Self-Determined Peer Group depicted above: Actuant Corp.; Acuity Brands, Inc.; Albany International Corp., BE Aerospace, Inc.; The Dixie Group, Inc.; Herman Miller, Inc.; HNI Corporation (formerly known as Hon Industries, Inc.); Kimball International, Inc.; Knoll, Inc.; Mohawk Industries, Inc.; Steelcase, Inc.; Unifi, Inc.; and USG Corp.

 

18


ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

We derived the summary consolidated financial data presented below from our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto for the years indicated. You should read the summary financial data presented below together with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included within this document. Amounts for all periods presented have been adjusted for discontinued operations.

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       Selected Financial Data(1)  
       2011      2010      2009      2008      2007  
       (in thousands, except per share data and ratios)  

Net sales

     $ 1,057,051       $ 961,827       $ 859,888       $ 1,082,344       $ 1,081,273   

Cost of sales

       694,999         625,066         576,871         710,299         703,751   

Operating income(2)

       87,263         92,729         62,994         41,659         129,391   

Income (loss) from continuing operations(3)(4)

       39,376         10,070         12,673         (34,513      58,972   

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax(5)

       (655      (736      (909      (5,154      (68,660

Net income (loss) attributable to Interface, Inc.

       38,721         8,283         10,918         (40,873      (10,812

Income (loss) from continuing operations per common share attributable to Interface, Inc.(6)

                

Basic

     $ 0.60       $ 0.14       $ 0.19       $ (0.58    $ 0.94   

Diluted

     $ 0.60       $ 0.14       $ 0.19       $ (0.58    $ 0.93   

Average Shares Outstanding(6)

                

Basic

       65,291         63,794         63,213         61,439         61,425   

Diluted

       65,486         64,262         63,308         61,439         61,938   

Cash dividends per common share

     $ 0.08       $ 0.0425       $ 0.01       $ 0.12       $ 0.08   

Property additions

       38,050         31,715         8,753         29,300         40,592   

Depreciation and amortization

       35,317         27,927         25,189         23,664         22,487   

Working capital

     $ 256,811       $ 224,573       $ 236,630       $ 221,323       $ 238,578   

Total assets

       772,272         755,433         727,239         706,035         835,232   

Total long-term debt

       294,507         294,428         280,184         287,588         310,000   

Shareholders’ equity(4)

       281,039         248,872         246,181         217,437         301,116   

Current ratio(7)

       2.7         2.3         2.6         2.4         2.3   

 

 

(1)

In the third quarter of 2007, we sold substantially all of the assets related to our Fabrics Group business segment. The balances have been adjusted to reflect the discontinued operations of this business. For further analysis, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Discontinued Operations” included in Item 8 of this Report.

 

(2)

The following restructuring charges are included in our operating income. In the fourth quarter of 2011, we recorded a restructuring and asset impairment charge of $6.2 million. In the first quarter of 2010, we recorded a restructuring charge of $3.1 million. In the first quarter of 2009, we recorded a restructuring charge of $5.7 million. In the second quarter of 2009, we recorded a restructuring charge of $1.9 million. In the second quarter of 2009, we recorded income from litigation settlements of $5.9 million. In the fourth quarter of 2008, we recorded a restructuring charge of $11.0 million. Also in the fourth quarter of 2008, we recorded an impairment charge of $61.2 million related to the goodwill of our Bentley Prince Street business segment. In the first quarter of 2007, we disposed of our Pandel business, which comprised our Specialty Products business segment, and recognized a loss of $1.9 million on this disposition.

 

(3)

Included in the 2010 income from continuing operations are pre-tax expenses of $44.4 million related to bond retirement. For further information, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Borrowings” included in Item 8 of this Report. Included in the 2008 loss from continuing operations is tax expense of $13.3 million related to the anticipated repatriation in 2009 of foreign earnings. For further analysis, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Taxes on Income” included in Item 8 of this Report.

 

(4)

Amounts for all periods presented have been adjusted to reflect the adoption of an accounting standard that governs the treatment of non-controlling interests in subsidiaries. This standard was adopted by us in the first quarter of 2009.

 

(5)

Included in loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, are goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges of $48.3 million in 2007. Also included in loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, are charges for write-offs and impairments of other assets of $5.2 million in 2008 and $8.8 million in 2007.

 

(6)

Amounts for all periods presented have been adjusted to reflect the adoption of an accounting standard regarding the treatment of unvested restricted shares which have the right to receive dividends. This standard was adopted by us in the first quarter of 2009.

 

(7)

For purposes of computing our current ratio: (a) current assets include assets of businesses held for sale of $1.2 million, $1.5 million, $3.2 million and $4.8 million in fiscal years 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and (b) current liabilities include liabilities of businesses held for sale of $0.2 million in fiscal year 2007.

 

19


ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

General

Our revenues are derived from sales of floorcovering products, primarily modular and broadloom carpet. Our business, as well as the commercial interiors industry in general, is cyclical in nature and is impacted by economic conditions and trends that affect the markets for commercial and institutional business space. The commercial interiors industry, including the market for floorcovering products, is largely driven by reinvestment by corporations into their existing businesses in the form of new fixtures and furnishings for their workplaces. In significant part, the timing and amount of such reinvestments are impacted by the profitability of those corporations. As a result, macroeconomic factors such as employment rates, office vacancy rates, capital spending, productivity and efficiency gains that impact corporate profitability in general, also affect our business.

During the past several years, we have successfully focused more of our marketing and sales efforts on non-corporate office segments to reduce somewhat our exposure to economic cycles that affect the corporate office market segment more adversely, as well as to capture additional market share. Our mix of corporate office versus non-corporate office modular carpet sales in the Americas has shifted over the past several years to 47% and 53%, respectively, for 2011 compared with 64% and 36%, respectively, in 2001. Company-wide, our mix of corporate office versus non-corporate office sales was 60% and 40%, respectively, in 2011. We expect a further shift in the future as we continue to implement our market diversification strategy.

From 2005 through the first half of 2008, the commercial interiors industry experienced growth at a gradual pace, which led to improved sales and operating profitability for us during that period. In the fourth quarter of 2008, and particularly in November and December, the worldwide financial and credit crisis caused many corporations, governments and other organizations to delay or curtail spending on renovation and construction projects where our carpet is used. This downturn, which continued throughout 2009, negatively impacted our performance and led to the goodwill impairment and restructuring charges, discussed below, that we incurred in the fourth quarter of 2008 and the first half of 2009. Demand levels substantially recovered in 2010.

During 2011, we had net sales of $1,057.1 million, compared with $961.8 million in 2010. Operating income for 2011 was $87.3 million, compared with operating income of $92.7 million in 2010. Income from continuing operations in 2011 was $39.4 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, compared with income from continuing operations of $10.1 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, in 2010. Net income attributable to Interface, Inc. was $38.7 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, in 2011, compared with net income attributable to Interface, Inc. of $8.3 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, in 2010.

Included in our results for 2011 are $6.2 million of restructuring charges, discussed below. Included in our results for 2010 are $44.4 million of bond retirement expenses related to our repurchases of our 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes and 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes, as well as restructuring charges of $3.1 million. Each of these is discussed below. Included in our results for 2009 are $7.6 million of restructuring charges and $6.1 million of bond retirement expenses related to the tender offer we conducted for our 10.375% Senior Notes, each of which is discussed below. In addition, our results for 2009 include income of $5.9 million related to settlements of patent litigation, which is a net amount after deducting all legal fees and related expenses. (We received $16.0 million of gross proceeds from these settlements.)

Restructuring Charges

2011 Restructuring Plan

In the fourth quarter of 2011, we committed to a restructuring plan intended to reduce costs across our worldwide operations and more closely align our operations with reduced demand in certain markets. As a result of this plan, we incurred pre-tax restructuring and asset impairment charges of $6.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. The majority of this charge ($5.4 million) relates to the severance of approximately 110 employees in Europe, Asia and the United States. The remainder of the charge ($0.8 million) relates to contract termination and fixed asset impairment costs. Approximately $5.4 million of this charge will result in cash expenditures, primarily severance expenses. Actions and expense related to this plan were substantially completed by the end of 2011. We expect to generate annual savings of approximately $11.0 million as a result of these restructuring charges.

 

20


2010 Restructuring Plan

In the first quarter of 2010, we adopted a restructuring plan primarily related to workforce reduction in our European modular carpet operations. This reduction was in response to the continued challenging economic climate in that region. Smaller amounts were incurred in connection with restructuring activities in the Americas. A total of approximately 50 employees were affected by this restructuring plan. In connection with this plan, we recorded a pre-tax restructuring charge of $3.1 million. Substantially all of this charge involved cash expenditures, primarily severance expenses. It is anticipated that this restructuring plan will generate annual savings of approximately $3.2 million. Actions and expenses related to this plan were substantially completed in the first quarter of 2010.

2009 Restructuring Plan

In the first quarter of 2009, we adopted a restructuring plan, primarily comprised of a reduction in our worldwide employee base by a total of approximately 290 employees and continuing actions taken to better align fixed costs with demand for our products on a global level. In connection with the plan, we recorded a pre-tax restructuring charge of $5.7 million, comprised of $4.0 million of employee severance expense and $1.7 million of other exit costs (primarily costs to exit the Canadian manufacturing facilities, lease exit costs and other costs). Approximately $5.2 million of the restructuring charge involved cash expenditures, primarily severance expense. In the second quarter of 2009, we recorded an additional $1.9 million restructuring charge as a continuation of this plan. The charge in the second quarter of 2009 was due to approximately 80 additional employee reductions, and related entirely to employee severance expense.

7 5/8% Senior Notes

On December 3, 2010, we completed a private offering of $275 million aggregate principal amount of 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “7 5/8% Senior Notes”). Interest on the 7 5/8% Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 (the first payment was on June 1, 2011). We used the net proceeds from the sale of the 7 5/8% Senior Notes (plus cash on hand) in connection with the repurchase of approximately $141.9 million aggregate principal amount of our 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes and approximately $98.5 million aggregate principal amount of our 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes, pursuant to a tender offer we conducted in 2010. We incurred $43.3 million of bond retirement expenses in 2010 in connection with these repurchases pursuant to the tender offer.

11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes

On June 5, 2009, we completed a private offering of $150 million aggregate principal amount of 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes due 2013 (the “11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes”). Interest on the 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes is payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 (the first interest payment was on November 1, 2009). The 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes are guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior secured basis by certain of our domestic subsidiaries. The 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes are secured by a second-priority lien on substantially all of our and certain of our domestic subsidiaries’ assets that secure our domestic revolving credit facility (discussed below) on a first-priority basis.

Following the sale of our 7 5/8% Senior Notes and the repurchase of $141.9 million aggregate principal amount of our 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes with the proceeds, $8.1 million aggregate principal amount of our 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes remain outstanding.

The 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes were sold at a price of 96.301% of their face value, resulting in $144.5 million of gross proceeds. The $5.5 million original issue discount is being amortized over the life of the notes through interest expense, although substantially all of this discount was accelerated and charged in 2010 as a result of our repurchases in the tender offer we conducted for these notes in connection with the issuance of our 7 5/8% Senior Notes. After deducting the initial purchasers’ discount and other fees and expenses associated with the sale, net proceeds from the issuance of the 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes were $139.5 million. We used $137.4 million of those net proceeds to repurchase $127.2 million aggregate principal amount of our 10.375% Senior Notes due 2010 (the “10.375% Senior Notes”) pursuant to a tender offer we conducted in 2009. (Included in the $137.4 million used to repurchase the $127.2 million aggregate principal amount of 10.375% Senior Notes were a purchase price premium of $5.7 million and accrued interest of $4.5 million). We incurred $6.1 million of bond retirement expenses in connection with these repurchases. The remaining $2.1 million of the net proceeds was used to repay a portion of the $14.6 million of 10.375% Senior Notes that remained outstanding following the tender offer. (The balance of the 10.375% Senior Notes was then repaid at maturity on February 1, 2010.)

 

21


Partial Redemption of 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014

In the first quarter of 2010, we redeemed $25 million aggregate principal amount of our 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes (the “9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes”) at a price equal to 103.167% of the face value of the notes, plus accrued interest to the redemption date. We incurred $1.1 million of bond retirement expenses in connection with these repurchases. In the fourth quarter of 2010, we repurchased $98.5 million aggregate principal amount of these notes pursuant to the tender offer discussed above in connection with the issuance of the 7 5/8% Senior Notes. Following such redemption and repurchase of our 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes, $11.5 million aggregate principal amount of our 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes remain outstanding. On February 24, 2012, we commenced a redemption of the balance of the 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes at a price equal to 100% of the face value of the notes, plus accrued interest to the planned April 9, 2012 redemption date.

Discontinued Operations

In 2007, we sold our Fabrics Group business segment to a third party. In accordance with applicable accounting standards, we have reported the results of operations for the former Fabrics Group business segment for all periods reflected herein, as “discontinued operations.” Consequently, our discussion of revenues or sales, taxes and other results of operations (except for net income or loss amounts), including percentages derived from or based on such amounts, excludes these discontinued operations unless we indicate otherwise.

Our discontinued operations had no net sales in 2011, 2010 and 2009. Loss from operations of these businesses, inclusive of asset impairments as well as costs to sell these businesses, net of tax, was $0.7 million, $0.7 million, and $0.9 million in 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively (these results are included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as part of the “Loss from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax”). For additional information on discontinued operations, see the Notes entitled “Discontinued Operations,” and “Taxes on Income” in Item 8 of this Report.

Analysis of Results of Operations

The following discussion and analyses reflect the factors and trends discussed in the preceding sections.

Our net sales that were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar were approximately 52% in 2011, 50% in 2010, and 47% in 2009. Because we have such substantial international operations, we are impacted, from time to time, by international developments that affect foreign currency transactions. For example, the performance of the euro against the U.S. dollar, for purposes of the translation of European revenues into U.S. dollars, favorably affected our reported results during 2011, when the euro was strengthening relative to the U.S. dollar. During the years 2009 and 2010, the dollar strengthened versus the euro, having the opposite effect on our reported results. The following table presents the amount (in U.S. dollars) by which the exchange rates for converting euros into U.S. dollars have affected our net sales and operating income during the past three years:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       2011        2010      2009  
                (in millions)         

Net sales

     $ 14.6         $ (14.4    $ (13.8

Operating income

       1.4           (2.1      (1.0

 

22


The following table presents, as a percentage of net sales, certain items included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations during the past three years:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       Fiscal Year  
       2011     2010     2009  

Net sales

       100.0     100.0     100.0

Cost of sales

       65.7        65.0        67.1   
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit on sales

       34.3        35.0        32.9   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

       25.4        25.0        25.4   

Restructuring and asset impairment charge

       0.6        0.3        0.9   

Income from litigation settlements

       —          —          (0.7
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

       8.3        9.6        7.3   

Interest/Other expense

       2.5        3.5        4.1   

Bond retirement expenses

       —          4.6        0.7   
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before tax

       5.7        1.5        2.6   

Income tax expense

       2.0        0.5        1.1   
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

       3.7        1.0        1.5   

Discontinued operations, net of tax

       (0.1     (0.1     (0.1
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

       3.7        1.0        1.4   
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Interface, Inc.

       3.7        0.9        1.3   
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Below we provide information regarding net sales for each of our two operating segments, and analyze those results for each of the last three fiscal years. Fiscal year 2009 was a 53-week period, while fiscal years 2010 and 2011 were 52-week periods. The 53 weeks in 2009 versus the 52 weeks in 2010 and 2011 are a factor in certain of the comparisons reflected below.

Net Sales by Business Segment

We currently classify our businesses into the following two operating segments for reporting purposes:

 

   

Modular Carpet segment, which includes our InterfaceFLOR, Heuga and FLOR modular carpet businesses, and also includes our Intersept antimicrobial chemical sales and licensing program; and

 

   

Bentley Prince Street segment, which includes our Bentley Prince Street broadloom, modular carpet and area rug businesses.

Net sales by operating segment were as follows during the past three years:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       Fiscal Year        Percentage Change  
       (in thousands)           

Net Sales By Segment

     2011        2010        2009        2011 compared
with 2010
    2010 compared
with 2009
 

Modular Carpet

     $ 953,045         $ 862,314         $ 765,264           10.5     12.7

Bentley Prince Street

       104,006           99,513           94,624           4.5     5.2
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     $ 1,057,051         $ 961,827         $ 859,888           9.9     11.9
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

23


Modular Carpet Segment. For 2011, net sales for the Modular Carpet segment increased $90.7 million (10.5%) versus 2010. The weighed average selling price per square yard increased approximately 4% in 2011 versus 2010. On a geographic basis, we experienced increases in net sales in all regions for 2011, versus 2010, with our Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific regions experiencing sales growth of 9%, 15% and 7%, respectively (Europe experienced 10% sales growth in local currency). The recovery of the corporate office market was the largest factor in this increase in sales, although smaller increases occurred in certain non-office commercial market segments. In the Americas, the corporate office market segment saw an increase of 16% during 2011. Success in certain non-office commercial markets also fueled the sales increase, particularly in the education (up 8%), healthcare (up 14%) and retail (up 6%) market segments. Sales in the residential market segment, helped by the opening of 5 new FLOR stores during the year, showed an improvement of 22% during 2011. These increases were offset somewhat by sales decreases in the government (down 11%) and hospitality (down 39%) market segments. Sales growth in Europe was also due to the strength of the corporate office market segment (up 19% in U.S. dollars, 14% in local currency), as well as success in the government (up 11% in U.S. dollars, 5% in local currency) and education (up 13% in U.S. dollars, 6% in local currency) market segments. These gains were somewhat offset by a decline in the residential market segment (down 47% in U.S. dollars, 50% in local currency) in Europe. As in our other geographic areas, the increased sales in Asia-Pacific were due to the strength of the corporate office market segment (up 13%). Asia-Pacific also saw increases in the healthcare (up 40%) and hospitality (up 26%) market segments. These increases were partially offset by sales decreases in the education (down 15%) and government (down 18%) market segments.

For 2010, net sales for the Modular Carpet segment increased $97.0 million (12.7%) versus 2009. The weighted average selling price per square yard in 2010 showed a slight increase (approximately 1%) versus 2009. On a geographic basis, we experienced increases in net sales in the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific (up 11%, 3% and 46%, respectively) in 2010 versus 2009. (The sales increase in Europe in local currency was 8%.) These increases are primarily attributable to the improving economic climates in those regions. Sales growth in the Americas is due to the continued recovery in the corporate office market segment (up 21%) as well the education (up 6%), hospitality (up 37%), residential (up 10%) and governmental (up 3%) market segments. Only one market segment (retail, down 3%) showed a decline in the Americas. The sales increase in Europe was led by the corporate office (up 5% in U.S. dollars and 11% in local currency), retail (up 16% in U.S. dollars and 22% in local currency) and education (up 6% in U.S. dollars and 13% in local currency) market segments. These increases were offset somewhat by declines in the residential (down 15% in U.S. dollars and 11% in local currency) and healthcare (down 41% in U.S. dollars and 37% in local currency) market segments. The Asia-Pacific region saw sales increase across all market segments, with corporate office (up 31%) and education (up over 100%) showing the most significant increases.

Bentley Prince Street Segment. For 2011, net sales for the Bentley Prince Street segment increased $4.5 million (4.5%) versus 2011. The weighted average selling price per square yard increased approximately 4% in 2011 versus 2010. As in our Modular Carpet segment, the corporate office market segment continues to be the driving force behind this sales increase, showing improvement of 24% versus 2010. This increase was mitigated by sales declines in most non-office commercial markets, particularly the government (down 34%) and education (down 15%) market segments. In our non-office segments, only the retail market segment (up 34%) and the residential market segment (up 17%) showed improvements during 2011.

For 2010, net sales in our Bentley Prince Street Segment increased $4.9 million (5.2%) versus 2009. The increase was due to the strength of the corporate office market segment (up 13%) as well as an increase in sales into the government market segment (up 44%). These increases were somewhat offset by decreases in the healthcare (down 33%), hospitality (down 27%), residential (down 56%) and education (down 8%) market segments. The weighted average selling price per square yard in 2010 showed an improvement of approximately 6% due to both the improving economic climate as well as a shift towards higher priced modular carpet sold at Bentley Prince Street.

Cost and Expenses

Company Consolidated. The following table presents, on a consolidated basis for our operations, our overall cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses during the past three years:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,

Cost and Expenses

     Fiscal Year        Percentage Change  
       2011        2010        2009        2011 compared
with 2010
    2010 compared
with 2009
 
       (in thousands)                 

Cost of Sales

     $ 694,999         $ 625,066         $ 576,871           11.2     8.4

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

       268,612           240,901           218,322           11.5     10.3
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     $ 963,611         $ 865,967         $ 795,193           11.3     8.9
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

24


For 2011, our cost of sales increased $69.9 million (11.2%) versus 2010. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates accounted for approximately $17 million (approximately 3%) of the increase. The primary components of this increase in cost of sales were the increases in raw materials costs (approximately $47 million) and labor costs (approximately $7 million) associated with higher production volumes, particularly in the first six months of 2011, compared with 2010. In addition, our raw materials costs during 2011 were approximately 7-9% higher than raw materials costs in the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, cost of sales increased to 65.7% for 2011, versus 65.0% in 2010. This percentage increase is primarily due to the significant increase in raw materials costs we experienced during 2011. Reduced absorption of fixed manufacturing costs due to lower production volumes during the fourth quarter of 2011 also negatively impacted gross profit margins as well.

For 2010, our cost of sales increased $48.2 million (8.4%) versus 2009. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates accounted for approximately $7 million (1%) of the increase. The primary components of the $48.2 million increase in cost of sales were increases in raw material costs (approximately $32.1 million) and labor costs (approximately $4.8 million) associated with higher production and sales volumes during 2010 versus 2009. Our raw material prices in 2010 were approximately 4-5% higher than raw material prices in 2009. As a percentage of net sales, cost of sales decreased to 65.0% for 2010, versus 67.1% in 2009. The percentage decrease was primarily due to improved manufacturing efficiencies in both our Modular Carpet and Bentley Prince Street business segments. The improved manufacturing efficiencies are largely a result of the increase in sales volume, coupled with the full realization of our restructuring plans implemented during early 2009.

For 2011, our selling, general and administrative expenses increased $27.7 million (11.5%) versus 2010. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates accounted for approximately $7 million (3%) of the increase. The primary components of this increase in selling, general and administrative expenses were (1) a $14.9 million increase in selling expense, commensurate with the increase in sales as well as selected investments made in our consumer market and diversification strategies, (2) a $10.8 million increase in overall administrative costs due, in part, to increases in non-cash incentive based pay during 2011, particularly in the first six months of the year. Due to these increases, as a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 25.4% for 2011, versus 25.0% for 2010.

For 2010, our selling, general and administrative expenses increased $22.6 million (10.3%) versus 2009. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates accounted for approximately $1 million (1%) of the increase. The primary components of the $22.6 million increase in selling, general and administrative expenses were (1) an $11.8 million increase in incentive compensation due to the attainment of performance goals in 2010, (2) a $10.1 million increase in marketing expenses, particularly in our Modular Carpet segment where we continue to invest in our end market diversification strategy as well as corporate office segment marketing programs, and (3) an $8.4 million increase in selling expenses particularly in our Modular Carpet operations commensurate with the increase in sales volume. These increases were somewhat mitigated, however, by a decrease of approximately $7.9 million in general administrative expenses across our business, a direct result of the full year benefit of restructuring plans implemented in 2009. Despite the overall increases, due to increased sales volume, as a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 25.0% for 2010, versus 25.4% for 2009.

Cost and Expenses by Segment. The following table presents the combined cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses for each of our operating segments during the past three years:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       Fiscal Year        Percentage Change  

Cost of Sales and Selling, General

and Administrative Expenses

(Combined)

     2011        2010        2009        2011 compared
with 2010
    2010 compared
with 2009
 
       (in thousands)                 

Modular Carpet

     $ 849,599         $ 757,191         $ 690,265           12.2     9.7

Bentley Prince Street

       105,181           102,530           101,580           2.6     0.9

Corporate Expenses

       8,831           6,246           3,348           41.4     86.6
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     $ 963,611         $ 865,967         $ 795,193           11.3     8.9
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

25


Interest and Other Expense

For 2011 interest expense decreased $6.9 million versus 2010. This decrease was due to the issuance of our 7 5/8% Senior Notes in the fourth quarter of 2010, the proceeds of which we used to complete the repurchase of substantially all of our 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes and our outstanding 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes pursuant to the tender offer discussed above. Our use of the proceeds from our 7 5/8% Senior Notes to retire higher interest debt led to a significant reduction in our interest expense, as compared to 2010.

For 2010, interest expense decreased by $1.2 million versus 2009, primarily due to the redemption of $25 million of our 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes in the first quarter of 2010. The savings from the redemption were somewhat offset by the higher interest rate paid on our 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes, which were outstanding during the full year of 2010 versus only seven months outstanding in 2009 (approximately $141.9 million of these 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes were repurchased in December 2010).

Tax

Our effective tax rate in 2011 was 35.0%, compared with an effective rate of 30.9% in 2010. This increase in effective rate was primarily attributable to (1) a decrease in the cash surrender value of life insurance policies associated with the funding of our nonqualified savings plan and salary continuation plan resulting in nondeductible losses in 2011 as compared with an increase in 2010, which resulted in nontaxable gains, (2) a decrease in state tax benefits due to less state net operating losses in 2011 as compared with 2010, and (3) less of a decrease in unrecognized tax benefits in 2011 as compared with 2010. The increase in effective rate was partially offset by a decrease in valuation allowances related to state net operating loss carryforwards and a decrease in the U.S. tax effects attributable to foreign operations related to Subpart F income. For additional information on taxes and a reconciliation of effective tax rates to statutory tax rates, see the Note entitled “Taxes on Income” in Item 8 of this Report.

Our effective tax rate in 2010 was 30.9%, compared with an effective rate of 42.5% in 2009. This decrease in effective rate is primarily attributable to (1) an effective foreign tax rate that is lower than the federal statutory rate coupled with a 50% increase of foreign earnings from 2009 to 2010, (2) a decrease in unrecognized tax benefits related to a settlement of the Canadian tax authorities’ transfer pricing reassessment for tax years 2001 and 2002, and (3) an increase in state tax benefits due to greater state net operating losses realized in 2010 compared to 2009. The decrease in effective rate was partially offset by an increase in valuation allowances related to state net operating loss carryforwards and an increase in the U.S. tax effects attributable to foreign operations related to Subpart F income. For additional information on taxes and a reconciliation of effective tax rates to statutory tax rates, see the Note entitled “Taxes on Income” in Item 8 of this Report.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

In our business, we require cash and other liquid assets primarily to purchase raw materials and to pay other manufacturing costs, in addition to funding normal course selling, general and administrative expenses, anticipated capital expenditures, interest expense and potential special projects. We generate our cash and other liquidity requirements primarily from our operations and from borrowings or letters of credit under our domestic revolving credit facility with a banking syndicate. We believe that we will be able to continue to enhance the generation of free cash flow through the following initiatives:

 

   

Improving our inventory turns by continuing to implement a made-to-order model throughout our organization;

 

   

Reducing our average days sales outstanding through improved credit and collection practices; and

 

   

Limiting the amount of our capital expenditures generally to those projects that have a short-term payback period.

Historically, we use more cash in the first half of the fiscal year, as we fund insurance premiums, tax payments, incentive compensation and inventory build-up in preparation for the holiday/vacation season of our international operations.

In addition, we have a high contribution margin business with low capital expenditure requirements. Contribution margin represents variable gross profit margin less the variable component of selling, general and administrative expenses, and for us is an indicator of profit on incremental sales after the fixed components of cost of goods sold and selling, general and administrative expenses have been recovered. While contribution margin should not be construed as a substitute for gross margin, which is determined in accordance with GAAP, it is included herein to provide additional information with respect to our potential for profitability. In addition, we believe that investors find contribution margin to be a useful tool for measuring our profitability on an operating basis.

 

26


Our ability to generate cash from operating activities is somewhat uncertain because we are subject to, and in the past have experienced, fluctuations in our level of net sales. In this regard, the worldwide financial and credit crisis that developed in the latter part of 2008 resulted in a reduction in our net sales from $1,082.3 million in 2008 to $859.9 million in 2009, as customers delayed or reduced the number of renovation and construction projects where our carpet products are used. Since that time, demand levels have substantially recovered.

At January 1, 2012, we had $50.6 million in cash. At that date, we had no borrowings and $4.1 million in letters of credit outstanding under our domestic revolving credit facility, and no borrowings outstanding under our European credit facility. As of January 1, 2012, we could have incurred $84.1 million of additional borrowings under our domestic revolving credit facility and €20.0 million (approximately $25.9 million) of additional borrowings under our European credit facility. In addition, we could have incurred the equivalent of $18.5 million of borrowings under our other credit facilities in place at other non-U.S. subsidiaries.

We have approximately $63.8 million in contractual cash obligations due by the end of fiscal year 2012, which includes, among other things, pension cash contributions, interest payments on our debt and capital expenditure commitments. Based on current interest rate and debt levels, we expect our aggregate interest expense for 2012 to be between $23 million and $26 million. We estimate aggregate capital expenditures in 2012 to be between $25 million and $30 million, although we are not committed to these amounts.

On December 3, 2010, we completed a private offering of $275 million aggregate principal amount of 7 5/8% Senior Notes. Interest on the 7 5/8% Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 (the first payment was made on June 1, 2011). We used the net proceeds from the sale of the 7 5/8% Senior Notes (plus cash on hand) in connection with the repurchase of approximately $141.9 million aggregate principal amount of our 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes and approximately $98.5 million aggregate principal amount of the 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes, pursuant to a tender offer we conducted.

In June 2009, we issued $150 million aggregate principal amount of our 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes. After deducting the initial purchasers’ discount and other fees and expenses associated with the sale, net proceeds were $139.5 million. We used $137.4 million of those net proceeds to repurchase $127.2 million aggregate principal amount of our 10.375% Senior Notes pursuant to a tender offer we conducted. (Included in the $137.4 million used to repurchase the $127.2 million aggregate principal amount of 10.375% Senior Notes were a purchase price premium of $5.7 million and accrued interest of $4.5 million). The remaining $2.1 million of the net proceeds was used to repay a portion of the $14.6 million of 10.375% Senior Notes that remained outstanding following the tender offer. (The balance of the 10.375% Senior Notes was then repaid at maturity on February 1, 2010.)

It is important for you to consider that we have a significant amount of indebtedness. Our outstanding $8.1 million of 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes mature in November 2013, our outstanding $11.5 million of 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes mature in February 2014, our domestic revolving credit facility matures in June 2016, and our outstanding $275 million of 7 5/8% Senior Notes mature in 2018. We cannot assure you that we will be able to renegotiate or refinance any of our debt on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. If we are unable to refinance our debt or obtain new financing, we would have to consider other options, such as selling assets to meet our debt service obligations and other liquidity needs, or using cash, if available, that would have been used for other business purposes.

Domestic Revolving Credit Facility

We have a domestic revolving credit facility that provides for a maximum aggregate amount of loans and letters of credit of up to $100 million (with the option to increase it to a maximum of $150 million upon the satisfaction of certain conditions) at any one time, subject to the borrowing base described below. The key features of the domestic revolving credit facility are as follows:

 

   

The revolving credit facility currently matures on June 24, 2016;

 

   

The revolving credit facility includes a domestic U.S. dollar syndicated loan and letter of credit facility made available to Interface, Inc. up to the lesser of (1) $100 million, or (2) a borrowing base equal to the sum of specified percentages of eligible accounts receivable and inventory in the United States (the percentages and eligibility requirements for the borrowing base are specified in the credit facility), less certain reserves;

 

   

Advances under the facility are secured by a first-priority lien on substantially all of Interface, Inc.’s assets and the assets of each of its material domestic subsidiaries, which have guaranteed the revolving credit facility; and

 

27


   

The revolving credit facility contains a financial covenant (a fixed charge coverage ratio test) that becomes effective in the event that our excess borrowing availability falls below 12.5% of the aggregate loan commitments of the lenders. In such event, we must comply with the financial covenant for a period commencing on the last day of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding such event (unless such event occurs on the last day of a fiscal quarter, in which case the compliance period commences on such date) and ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter immediately following the fiscal quarter in which such event occurred.

The revolving credit facility also includes various reporting, affirmative and negative covenants, and other provisions that restrict our ability to take certain actions, including provisions that restrict our ability to repay our long-term indebtedness unless we meet a specified minimum excess availability test.

Interest Rates and Fees. Interest on base rate loans is charged at varying rates computed by applying a margin ranging from 0.75% to 1.25% over the applicable base interest rate (which is defined as the greatest of the prime rate, a specified federal funds rate plus 0.50%, or the one-month LIBOR rate), depending on our average excess borrowing availability during the most recently completed fiscal quarter. Interest on LIBOR-based loans and fees for letters of credit are charged at varying rates computed by applying a margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.25% over the applicable LIBOR rate, depending on our average excess borrowing availability during the most recently completed fiscal quarter. In addition, we pay an unused line fee of 0.375% per annum on the facility.

Prepayments. The revolving credit facility requires prepayment from the proceeds of certain asset sales.

Covenants. The revolving credit facility also limits our ability, among other things, to:

 

   

repay our other indebtedness prior to maturity unless we meet a specified minimum excess availability test;

 

   

incur indebtedness or contingent obligations;

 

   

make acquisitions of or investments in businesses (in excess of certain specified amounts);

 

   

sell or dispose of assets (in excess of certain specified amounts);

 

   

create or incur liens on assets; and

 

   

enter into sale and leaseback transactions.

We are presently in compliance with all covenants under the revolving credit facility and anticipate that we will remain in compliance with the covenants for the foreseeable future.

Events of Default. If we breach or fail to perform any of the affirmative or negative covenants under the revolving credit facility, or if other specified events occur (such as a bankruptcy or similar event or a change of control of Interface, Inc. or certain subsidiaries, or if we breach or fail to perform any covenant or agreement contained in any instrument relating to any of our other indebtedness exceeding $15 million), after giving effect to any applicable notice and right to cure provisions, an event of default will exist. If an event of default exists and is continuing, the lenders’ agent may, and upon the written request of a specified percentage of the lender group, shall:

 

   

declare all commitments of the lenders under the facility terminated;

 

   

declare all amounts outstanding or accrued thereunder immediately due and payable; and

 

   

exercise other rights and remedies available to them under the agreement and applicable law.

Collateral. The facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of Interface, Inc. and its domestic subsidiaries (subject to exceptions for certain immaterial subsidiaries), including all of the stock of our domestic subsidiaries and up to 65% of the stock of our first-tier material foreign subsidiaries. If an event of default occurs under the revolving credit facility, the lenders’ collateral agent may, upon the request of a specified percentage of lenders, exercise remedies with respect to the collateral, including, in some instances, foreclosing mortgages on real estate assets, taking possession of or selling personal property assets, collecting accounts receivables, or exercising proxies to take control of the pledged stock of domestic and first-tier material foreign subsidiaries.

 

28


Foreign Credit Facilities

Our European subsidiary Interface Europe B.V. and certain of Interface Europe B.V.’s subsidiaries have a Credit Agreement with The Royal Bank of Scotland (as successor to ABN AMRO Bank N.V.) (“RBS”). Under the Credit Agreement, RBS provides a credit facility, until further notice, for borrowings and bank guarantees of €20 million.

Interest on borrowings under the facility is charged at varying rates computed by applying a margin of 1% over RBS’s euro base rate (consisting of the leading refinancing rate as determined from time to time by the European Central Bank plus a debit interest surcharge), which base rate is subject to a minimum of 3.5% per annum. Fees on bank guarantees and documentary letters of credit are charged at a rate of 1% per annum or part thereof on the maximum amount and for the maximum duration of each guarantee or documentary letter of credit issued. A facility fee of 0.5% per annum is payable with respect to the facility amount. The facility is secured by liens on certain real property, personal property and other assets of our principal European subsidiaries. The facility also includes certain financial covenants (which require the borrowers and their subsidiaries to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio, total debt/EBITDA ratio and tangible net worth/total assets) and affirmative and negative covenants, and other provisions that restrict the borrowers’ ability (and the ability of certain of the borrowers’ subsidiaries) to take certain actions. As of January 1, 2012, there were no borrowings outstanding under this facility.

Some of our other non-U.S. subsidiaries have an aggregate of the equivalent of $18.5 million of lines of credit available. As of January 1, 2012, there were no borrowings outstanding under these lines of credit.

We are presently in compliance with all covenants under these foreign credit facilities and anticipate that we will remain in compliance with the covenants for the foreseeable future.

Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes

As of January 1, 2012, we had outstanding $275 million of our 7 5/8% Senior Notes, $11.5 million of our 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes, and $8.1 million of our 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes. The indentures governing these notes, on a collective basis, contain covenants that limit or restrict our ability to:

 

   

incur additional indebtedness;

 

   

make dividend payments or other restricted payments;

 

   

create liens on our assets;

 

   

sell our assets;

 

   

sell securities of our subsidiaries;

 

   

enter into transactions with shareholders and affiliates; and

 

   

enter into mergers, consolidations or sales of all or substantially all of our assets.

In addition, the indentures governing each series of notes contains a covenant that requires us to make an offer to purchase the outstanding notes under such indenture in the event of a change of control of Interface, Inc. (as defined in each respective indenture).

Each series of notes is guaranteed, fully, unconditionally, and jointly and severally, on an unsecured basis by each of our material U.S. subsidiaries. In addition, the 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes (but not the 7 5/8% Senior Notes or 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes) are secured by a second-priority lien on substantially all of our and certain of our domestic subsidiaries’ assets that secure our domestic revolving credit facility (discussed above) on a first-priority basis.

If we breach or fail to perform any of the affirmative or negative covenants under one of these indentures, or if other specified events occur (such as a bankruptcy or similar event), after giving effect to any applicable notice and right to cure provisions, an event of default will exist. An event of default also will exist under the 7 5/8% Senior Notes indenture if we breach or fail to perform any covenant or agreement contained in any other instrument (including without limitation any other indenture) relating to any of our indebtedness exceeding $20 million and such default or failure results in the indebtedness becoming due and payable. If an event of default exists and is continuing, the trustee of the notes (or the holders of at least 25% of the principal amount of such notes) may declare the principal amount of the notes and accrued interest thereon immediately due and payable (except in the case of bankruptcy, in which case such amounts are immediately due and payable even in the absence of such a declaration). Also, the collateral agent for the 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes may (subject to the rights of the first priority lien holders under the domestic revolving credit facility) exercise remedies with respect to the collateral securing those notes.

 

29


Analysis of Cash Flows

Our primary sources of cash during 2011 were: (1) $2.7 million of cash received as a result of exercises of employee stock options; and (2) $1.4 million received due to a reduction of prepaid expenses. Our primary uses of cash during 2011 were: (1) $38.1 million for capital expenditures; (2) $31.6 million due to increased inventory levels; and (3) $17.6 million due to decreases in accounts payable and accruals.

Our primary sources of cash during 2010 were: (1) $275.0 million of gross proceeds from the issuance of our 7 5/8% Senior Notes; (2) $28.2 million due to an increase of accounts payable and accrued expenses; and (3) $3.1 million from the exercise of employee stock options. Our primary uses of cash during 2010 were: (1) $280.0 million used to repurchase a portion of our 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes and 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes; (2) $36.4 million for premiums paid in connection with the repurchase of these senior and senior subordinated notes; (3) $31.7 million for capital expenditures; and (4) $23.1 million due to an increase in inventory.

Our primary sources of cash during 2009 were: (1) $144.5 million from the issuance of our $150 million aggregate principal amount of 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes; (2) $21.0 million from a reduction of accounts receivable; (3) $20.8 million from a reduction of inventory; and (4) $16.0 million from settlements of litigation. The primary uses of cash during 2009 were (1) $138.0 million used to repurchase a portion of our 10.375% Senior Notes; (2) $27.1 million as a reduction in accounts payable and accruals; (3) $8.8 million for capital expenditures, (4) $6.3 million for debt issuance costs in connection with the 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes; and (5) $5.3 million for premiums paid in connection with the repurchase of our 10.375% Senior Notes.

We believe that our liquidity position will provide sufficient funds to meet our current commitments and other cash requirements for the foreseeable future.

Funding Obligations

We have various contractual obligations that we must fund as part of our normal operations. The following table discloses aggregate information about our contractual obligations (including the remaining contractual obligations related to our discontinued operations) and the periods in which payments are due. The amounts and time periods are measured from January 1, 2012.

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
                Payments Due by Period  
       Total Payments
Due
       Less than
1 year
       1-3 years        3-5 years        More than
5 years
 
       (in thousands)  

Long-Term Debt Obligations

     $ 294,620         $ —           $ 19,620         $ —           $ 275,000   

Operating Lease Obligations(1)

       81,281           26,411           36,232           10,184           8,454   

Expected Interest Payments(2)

       149,004           22,985           43,891           41,938           40,190   

Unconditional Purchase Obligations(3)

       4,010           3,077           785           148           —     

Pension Cash Obligations(4)

       124,164           11,296           23,005           23,876           65,987   
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total Contractual Cash Obligations(5)

     $ 653,079         $ 63,769         $ 123,533         $ 76,146         $ 389,631   
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(1)

Our capital lease obligations are insignificant.

 

(2)

Expected interest payments to be made in future periods reflect anticipated interest payments related to the $275.0 million of our 7 5/8% Senior Notes, $8.1 million of outstanding 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes, and the $11.5 million of our outstanding 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes. We have also assumed in the presentation above that these notes will remain outstanding until maturity. We have excluded from the presentation interest payments and fees related to our revolving credit facilities (discussed above), because of the variability and timing of advances and repayments thereunder.

 

(3)

Unconditional purchase obligations do not include unconditional purchase obligations that are included as liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Our capital expenditure commitments are not significant.

 

30


(4)

We have two foreign defined benefit plans and a domestic salary continuation plan. We have presented above the estimated cash obligations that will be paid under these plans over the next ten years. Such amounts are based on several estimates and assumptions and could differ materially should the underlying estimates and assumptions change. Our domestic salary continuation plan is an unfunded plan, and we do not currently have any commitments to make contributions to this plan. However, we do use insurance instruments to hedge our exposure under the salary continuation plan. Contributions to our other employee benefit plans are at our discretion.

 

(5)

The above table does not reflect unrecognized tax benefits of $7.7 million, the timing of which payments are uncertain. See the Note entitled “Taxes on Income” in Item 8 of this Report for further information.

Critical Accounting Policies

The policies discussed below are considered by management to be critical to an understanding of our consolidated financial statements because their application places the most significant demands on management’s judgment, with financial reporting results relying on estimations about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain. Specific risks for these critical accounting policies are described in the following paragraphs. For all of these policies, management cautions that future events may not develop as forecasted, and the best estimates routinely require adjustment.

Revenue Recognition. Revenue is recognized when the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, price to the buyer is fixed and determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Delivery is not considered to have occurred until the customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership, which is generally on the date of shipment. Provisions for discounts, sales returns and allowances are estimated using historical experience, current economic trends, and the company’s quality performance. The related provision is recorded as a reduction of sales and cost of sales in the same period that the revenue is recognized. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of net sales for any period if management makes different judgments or uses different estimates.

Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are classified in net sales in the consolidated statements of operations. Shipping and handling costs incurred are classified in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment at the asset group level whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment is indicated. A loss is then recognized for the difference, if any, between the fair value of the asset (as estimated by management using its best judgment) and the carrying value of the asset. If actual market value is less favorable than that estimated by management, additional write-downs may be required.

Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities. The carrying values of deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflect the application of our income tax accounting policies in accordance with applicable accounting standards, and are based on management’s assumptions and estimates regarding future operating results and levels of taxable income, as well as management’s judgment regarding the interpretation of the provisions of applicable accounting standards. The carrying values of liabilities for income taxes currently payable are based on management’s interpretations of applicable tax laws, and incorporate management’s assumptions and judgments regarding the use of tax planning strategies in various taxing jurisdictions. The use of different estimates, assumptions and judgments in connection with accounting for income taxes may result in materially different carrying values of income tax assets and liabilities and results of operations.

We evaluate the recoverability of these deferred tax assets by assessing the adequacy of future expected taxable income from all sources, including reversal of taxable temporary differences, forecasted operating earnings and available tax planning strategies. These sources of income inherently rely heavily on estimates. We use our historical experience and our short and long-term business forecasts to provide insight. Further, our global business portfolio gives us the opportunity to employ various prudent and feasible tax planning strategies to facilitate the recoverability of future deductions. To the extent we do not consider it more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will be recovered, a valuation allowance is established. As of January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, we had approximately $96.2 million and $112.2 million of U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards, respectively. In addition, as of January 1, 2012 and January 2, 2011, we had state net operating loss carryforwards of $128.0 million and $137.5 million, respectively. Certain of these carryforwards are reserved with a valuation allowance because, based on the available evidence, we believe it is more likely than not that we would not be able to utilize those deferred tax assets in the future. The remaining year-end 2011 amounts are expected to be fully recoverable within the applicable statutory expiration periods. If the actual amounts of taxable income differ from our estimates, the amount of our valuation allowance could be materially impacted.

 

31


Goodwill. Pursuant to applicable accounting standards, we test goodwill for impairment at least annually using a two step approach. In the first step of this approach, we prepare valuations of reporting units, using both a market comparable approach and an income approach, and those valuations are compared with the respective book values of the reporting units to determine whether any goodwill impairment exists. In preparing the valuations, past, present and expected future performance is considered. If impairment is indicated in this first step of the test, a step two valuation approach is performed. The step two valuation approach compares the implied fair value of goodwill to the book value of goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, including both recognized and unrecognized intangible assets, in the same manner as goodwill is determined in a business combination under applicable accounting standards. After completion of this step two test, a loss is recognized for the difference, if any, between the fair value of the goodwill associated with the reporting unit and the book value of that goodwill. If the actual fair value of the goodwill is determined to be less than that estimated, an additional write-down may be required.

During the fourth quarters of 2011, 2010 and 2009, we performed the annual goodwill impairment test. We perform this test at the reporting unit level, which is one level below the segment level for the Modular Carpet segment and at the level of the Bentley Prince Street segment. For our reporting units which carried a goodwill balance as of January 1, 2012, no impairment of goodwill was indicated. As of January 1, 2012, if our estimates of the fair value of our reporting units were 10% lower, we believe no additional goodwill impairment would have existed.

Inventories. We determine the value of inventories using the lower of cost or market. We write down inventories for the difference between the carrying value of the inventories and their net realizable value. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional write-downs may be required.

We estimate our reserves for inventory obsolescence by continuously examining our inventories to determine if there are indicators that carrying values exceed net realizable values. Experience has shown that significant indicators that could require the need for additional inventory write-downs are the age of the inventory, the length of its product life cycles, anticipated demand for our products and current economic conditions. While we believe that adequate write-downs for inventory obsolescence have been made in the consolidated financial statements, consumer tastes and preferences will continue to change and we could experience additional inventory write-downs in the future. Our inventory reserve on January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, was $14.4 million and $15.7 million, respectively. To the extent that actual obsolescence of our inventory differs from our estimate by 10%, our 2011 net income would be higher or lower by approximately $0.9 million, on an after-tax basis.

Pension Benefits. Net pension expense recorded is based on, among other things, assumptions about the discount rate, estimated return on plan assets and salary increases. While management believes these assumptions are reasonable, changes in these and other factors and differences between actual and assumed changes in the present value of liabilities or assets of our plans above certain thresholds could cause net annual expense to increase or decrease materially from year to year. The actuarial assumptions used in our salary continuation plan and our foreign defined benefit plans reporting are reviewed periodically and compared with external benchmarks to ensure that they appropriately account for our future pension benefit obligation. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption is based on weighted average expected returns for each asset class. Expected returns reflect a combination of historical performance analysis and the forward-looking views of the financial markets, and include input from actuaries, investment service firms and investment managers. The table below represents the changes to the projected benefit obligation as a result of changes in discount rates assumptions:

 

September 30,

Foreign Defined Benefit Plans

     Increase (Decrease) in
Projected Benefit Obligation
 
       (in millions)  

1% increase in actuarial assumption for discount rate

     $ (35.7

1% decrease in actuarial assumption for discount rate

     $ 46.5   

Domestic Salary Continuation Plan

     Increase (Decrease)  in
Projected Benefit Obligation
 
       (in millions)  

1% increase in actuarial assumption for discount rate

     $ (2.3

1% decrease in actuarial assumption for discount rate

     $ 2.8   

 

32


Environmental Remediation. We provide for remediation costs and penalties when the responsibility to remediate is probable and the amount of associated costs is reasonably determinable. Remediation liabilities are accrued based on estimates of known environmental exposures and are discounted in certain instances. We regularly monitor the progress of environmental remediation. Should studies indicate that the cost of remediation is to be more than previously estimated, an additional accrual would be recorded in the period in which such determination is made. As of January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, no significant amounts were provided for remediation liabilities.

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts. We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. Estimating this amount requires us to analyze the financial strengths of our customers. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. By its nature, such an estimate is highly subjective, and it is possible that the amount of accounts receivable that we are unable to collect may be different than the amount initially estimated. Our allowance for doubtful accounts on January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, was $8.9 million and $9.6 million, respectively. To the extent the actual collectability of our accounts receivable differs from our estimates by 10%, our 2011 net income would be higher or lower by approximately $0.6 million, on an after-tax basis, depending on whether the actual collectability was better or worse, respectively, than the estimated allowance.

Product Warranties. We typically provide limited warranties with respect to certain attributes of our carpet products (for example, warranties regarding excessive surface wear, edge ravel and static electricity) for periods ranging from ten to twenty years, depending on the particular carpet product and the environment in which the product is to be installed. We typically warrant that any services performed will be free from defects in workmanship for a period of one year following completion. In the event of a breach of warranty, the remedy typically is limited to repair of the problem or replacement of the affected product. We record a provision related to warranty costs based on historical experience and periodically adjust these provisions to reflect changes in actual experience. Our warranty reserve on January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, was $1.5 million and $1.6 million, respectively. Actual warranty expense incurred could vary significantly from amounts that we estimate. To the extent the actual warranty expense differs from our estimates by 10%, our 2011 net income would be higher or lower by approximately $0.1 million, on an after-tax basis, depending on whether the actual expense is lower or higher, respectively, than the estimated provision.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We are not a party to any material off-balance sheet arrangements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standard regarding the performance of a company’s annual goodwill impairment evaluation. This standard allows companies to assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that goodwill might be impaired and whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2011. At this time, we do not expect adoption of this standard to have any significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB amended an accounting standard regarding the presentation of comprehensive income. This amendment will require companies to present the components of net income and other comprehensive income either as one continuous statement or as two consecutive statements. It eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity. The amended guidance, which must be applied retroactively, was to be effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 31, 2012, with earlier adoption permitted. In December of 2011, the FASB issued an amendment to this statement which defers the requirements of this standard. As this amendment only effects presentation, there is not expected to be any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued new accounting guidance to amend the criteria for performing Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. Such criteria now require performing Step 2 if qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not that an impairment to goodwill exists. This recent guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, as well as for interim periods within such years. The adoption of this standard did not have any significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

33


ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market Risk

As a result of the scope of our global operations, we are exposed to an element of market risk from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. Our results of operations and financial condition could be impacted by this risk. We manage our exposure to market risk through our regular operating and financial activities and, to the extent we deem appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments.

We employ derivative financial instruments as risk management tools and not for speculative or trading purposes. We monitor the use of derivative financial instruments through objective measurable systems, well-defined market and credit risk limits, and timely reports to senior management according to prescribed guidelines. We have established strict counter-party credit guidelines and enter into transactions only with financial institutions with a rating of investment grade or better. As a result, we consider the risk of counter-party default to be minimal.

Interest Rate Market Risk Exposure

Changes in interest rates affect the interest paid on certain of our debt. To mitigate the impact of fluctuations in interest rates, our management has developed and implemented a policy to maintain the percentage of fixed and variable rate debt within certain parameters. In the past, we have maintained a fixed/variable rate mix within these parameters either by borrowing on a fixed rate basis or entering into interest rate swap transactions. In the interest rate swaps, we agree to exchange, at specified levels, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon notional principal linked to LIBOR. As of January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, no such interest rate swaps were in place.

Foreign Currency Exchange Market Risk Exposure

A significant portion of our operations consists of manufacturing and sales activities in foreign jurisdictions. We manufacture our products in the United States, England, Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, Australia, China and Thailand, and sell our products in more than 100 countries. (In 2009, we ceased manufacturing operations at our facility in Canada.) As a result, our financial results could be significantly affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in the foreign markets in which we distribute our products. Our operating results are exposed to changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and many other currencies, including the euro, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, Thai baht and Japanese yen. When the U.S. dollar strengthens against a foreign currency, the value of anticipated sales in those currencies decreases, and vice versa. Additionally, to the extent our foreign operations with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar transact business in countries other than the United States, exchange rate changes between two foreign currencies could ultimately impact us. Finally, because we report in U.S. dollars on a consolidated basis, foreign currency exchange fluctuations could have a translation impact on our financial position.

At January 1, 2012, we recognized a $7.6 million decrease in our foreign currency translation adjustment account compared with January 2, 2011, because of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against certain foreign currencies during 2011.

Sensitivity Analysis

For purposes of specific risk analysis, we use sensitivity analysis to measure the impact that market risk may have on the fair values of our market-sensitive instruments.

To perform sensitivity analysis, we assess the risk of loss in fair values associated with the impact of hypothetical changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates on market-sensitive instruments. The market value of instruments affected by interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate risk is computed based on the present value of future cash flows as impacted by the changes in the rates attributable to the market risk being measured. The discount rates used for the present value computations were selected based on market interest and foreign currency exchange rates in effect at January 1, 2012. The values that result from these computations are then compared with the market values of the financial instruments. The differences are the hypothetical gains or losses associated with each type of risk.

 

34


Interest Rate Risk

Based on a hypothetical immediate 150 basis point increase in interest rates, with all other variables held constant, the fair value of our fixed rate long-term debt would be impacted by a net decrease of $18.0 million. Conversely, a 150 basis point decrease in interest rates would result in a net increase in the fair value of our fixed rate long-term debt of $29.1 million.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

As of January 1, 2012, a 10% decrease or increase in the levels of foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar, with all other variables held constant, would result in a decrease in the fair value of our short-term financial instruments (primarily cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable) of $9.8 million or an increase in the fair value of our financial instruments of $8.0 million, respectively. As the impact of offsetting changes in the fair market value of our net foreign investments is not included in the sensitivity model, these results are not indicative of our actual exposure to foreign currency exchange risk.

 

35


ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

INTERFACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       FISCAL YEAR  
       2011      2010      2009  
       (in thousands, except per share data)  

Net sales

     $ 1,057,051       $ 961,827       $ 859,888   

Cost of sales

       694,999         625,066         576,871   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross profit on sales

       362,052         336,761         283,017   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

       268,612         240,901         218,322   

Restructuring and asset impairment charges

       6,177         3,131         7,627   

Income from litigation settlements

       —           —           (5,926
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income

       87,263         92,729         62,994   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest expense

       26,216         33,129         34,297   

Bond retirement expenses

       —           44,379         6,096   

Other expense

       434         657         576   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before tax expense

       60,613         14,564         22,025   

Income tax expense

       21,237         4,494         9,352   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

       39,376         10,070         12,673   

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

       (655      (736      (909
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

       38,721         9,334         11,764   

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiary

       —           (1,051      (846
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Interface, Inc.

     $ 38,721       $ 8,283       $ 10,918   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) per share attributable to Interface, Inc. common shareholders – basic

          

Continuing operations

     $ 0.60       $ 0.14       $ 0.19   

Discontinued operations

       (0.01      (0.01      (0.01
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income per share attributable to Interface, Inc. common shareholders – basic

     $ 0.59       $ 0.13       $ 0.17   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) per share attributable to Interface, Inc. common shareholders – diluted

          

Continuing operations

     $ 0.60       $ 0.14       $ 0.19   

Discontinued operations

       (0.01      (0.01      (0.01
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income per share attributable to Interface, Inc. common shareholders – diluted

     $ 0.59       $ 0.13       $ 0.17   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

       65,291         63,794         63,213   

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

       65,486         64,262         63,308   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

36


INTERFACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       FISCAL YEAR  
       2011      2010      2009  
       (in thousands)  

Net income

     $ 38,721       $ 9,334       $ 11,764   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

          

Foreign currency translation adjustment

       (7,614      (1,754      18,446   

Pension liability adjustment

       (5,066      1,990         (4,416
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

       26,041         9,570         25,794   

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

       —           (1,509      (1,139
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Comprehensive income attributable to Interface, Inc.

     $ 26,041       $ 8,061       $ 24,655   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

37


INTERFACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

September 30, September 30,
       2011      2010  
       (in thousands)  

ASSETS

       

Current

       

Cash and cash equivalents

     $ 50,635       $ 69,236   

Accounts receivable, net

       156,170         151,463   

Inventories

       166,073         136,766   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

       23,407         24,362   

Deferred income taxes

       9,699         10,062   

Assets of businesses held for sale

       —           1,200   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

       405,984         393,089   

Property and equipment, net

       190,119         177,792   

Deferred tax asset

       47,290         53,022   

Goodwill

       74,557         75,239   

Other assets

       54,322         56,291   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 772,272       $ 755,433   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

       

Current liabilities

       

Accounts payable

     $ 55,289       $ 55,859   

Accrued expenses

       93,884         112,657   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

       149,173         168,516   

Senior notes

       283,030         282,951   

Senior subordinated notes

       11,477         11,477   

Deferred income taxes

       8,391         7,563   

Other

       39,162         36,054   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

       491,233         506,561   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

       

Shareholders’ equity

       

Preferred stock

       —           —     

Common stock

       6,548         6,445   

Additional paid-in capital

       361,400         349,662   

Retained deficit

       (16,764      (49,770

Accumulated other comprehensive loss – foreign currency translation

       (33,883      (26,269

Accumulated other comprehensive loss – pension liability

       (36,262      (31,196
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

       281,039         248,872   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 772,272       $ 755,433   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

38


INTERFACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       FISCAL YEAR  
       2011      2010      2009  
              (in thousands)         

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

          

Net income

     $ 38,721       $ 9,334       $ 11,764   

Loss on discontinued operations

       655         736         909   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

       39,376         10,070         12,673   

Adjustments to reconcile income to cash provided by operating activities

          

Depreciation and amortization

       25,179         25,051         23,426   

Stock compensation amortization expense

       10,138         2,876         1,763   

Premium paid to repurchase senior and senior subordinated notes

       —           36,374         5,264   

Bad debt expense

       1,560         2,031         2,214   

Deferred income taxes and other

       3,443         (6,772      (5,634

Working capital changes:

          

Accounts receivable

       (7,453      (21,418      20,978   

Inventories

       (31,629      (23,103      20,831   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

       1,359         (5,970      78   

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

       (17,609      28,241         (27,143
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash provided by operating activities

       24,364         47,380         54,450   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

          

Capital expenditures

       (38,050      (31,715      (8,753

Other

       (1,566      (5,328      1,399   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash used in investing activities

       (39,616      (37,043      (7,354
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

          

Borrowing of long-term debt

       —           275,000         144,452   

Dividends paid

       (5,227      (2,721      (634

Debt issuance costs

       (1,025      (5,930      (6,301

Repurchase of senior and senior subordinated notes

       —           (279,966      (138,002

Premium paid to repurchase senior and senior subordinated notes

       —           (36,374      (5,264

Purchase of noncontrolling interest

       —           (11,488      —     

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

       2,669         3,103         499   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash used in financing activities

       (3,583      (58,376      (5,250
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities

       (18,835      (48,039      41,846   

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

       234         1,912         1,760   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:

          

Net increase (decrease)

       (18,601      (46,127      43,606   

Balance, beginning of year

       69,236         115,363         71,757   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

     $ 50,635       $ 69,236       $ 115,363   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

39


 

Note Section

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations

The Company is a recognized leader in the worldwide commercial interiors market, offering modular and broadloom floorcoverings. The Company manufactures modular and broadloom carpet focusing on the high quality, designer-oriented sector of the market, and provides specialized carpet replacement, installation and maintenance services. Additionally, the Company offers Intersept, a proprietary antimicrobial used in a number of interior finishes.

In 2007, the Company sold its Fabrics Group business segment to a third party. The Fabrics Group designed, manufactured and marketed fabrics for open plan office furniture systems and commercial interiors. The results of operations and related disposal costs, gains and losses for the Fabrics Group segment are classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All material intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. Investments in which the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence are carried at fair value. The Company monitors investments for other than temporary declines in value and makes reductions in carrying values when appropriate. As of January 1, 2012 and January 2, 2011, the Company did not hold significant investments of this nature.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Examples include provisions for returns, bad debts, product claims reserves, rebates, inventory obsolescence and the length of product life cycles, accruals associated with restructuring activities, income tax exposures and valuation allowances, environmental liabilities, and the carrying value of goodwill and property and equipment. Actual results could vary from these estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, price to the buyer is fixed and determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Delivery is not considered to have occurred until the customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership, which is generally on the date of shipment. Provisions for discounts, sales returns and allowances are estimated using historical experience, current economic trends, and the Company’s quality performance. The related provision is recorded as a reduction of sales and cost of sales in the same period that the revenue is recognized. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of net sales for any period if management makes different judgments or uses different estimates.

Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are classified in net sales in the consolidated statements of operations. Shipping and handling costs incurred are classified in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and are included in the selling, general and administrative expense caption in the consolidated statements of operations. Research and development expense was $14.5 million, $13.9 million and $12.7 million for the years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

40


Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

Highly liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risk and with original maturities of three months or less are classified as cash and cash equivalents. Investments with maturities greater than three months and less than one year are classified as short-term investments. The Company did not hold any significant amounts of short-term investments at January 1, 2012 or January 2, 2011.

Cash payments for interest amounted to approximately $23.7 million, $34.3 million and $35.1 million for the years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Income tax payments amounted to approximately $19.9 million, $13.9 million and $18.6 million for the years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. During the years 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company received income tax refunds of $4.4 million, $0.8 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

Inventories

Inventories are carried at the lower of cost (standards approximating the first-in, first-out method) or market. Costs included in inventories are based on invoiced costs and/or production costs, as applicable. Included in production costs are material, direct labor and allocated overhead. The Company writes down inventories for the difference between the carrying value of the inventories and their estimated net realizable value. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional write-downs may be required.

Management estimates its reserves for inventory obsolescence by continuously examining its inventories to determine if there are indicators that carrying values exceed net realizable values. Experience has shown that significant indicators that could require the need for additional inventory write-downs are the age of the inventory, the length of its product life cycles, anticipated demand for the Company’s products, and current economic conditions. While management believes that adequate write-downs for inventory obsolescence have been made in the consolidated financial statements, consumer tastes and preferences will continue to change and the Company could experience additional inventory write-downs in the future.

Rebates

The Company has agreements to receive cash consideration from certain of its vendors, including rebates and cooperative marketing reimbursements. The amounts received from its vendors are generally presumed to be a reduction of the prices the Company pays for their products and, therefore, such amounts are reflected as either a reduction of cost of sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, or, if the product inventory is still on hand at the reporting date, it is reflected as a reduction of “Inventories” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Vendor rebates are typically dependent upon reaching minimum purchase thresholds. The Company evaluates the likelihood of reaching purchase thresholds using past experience and current year forecasts. When rebates can be reasonably estimated and receipt becomes probable, the Company records a portion of the rebate as the Company makes progress towards the purchase threshold.

When the Company receives direct reimbursements for costs incurred in marketing the vendor’s product or service, the amount received is recorded as an offset to selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Assets and Liabilities of Businesses Held for Sale

The Company considers businesses to be held for sale when management approves and commits to a formal plan to actively market a business for sale and the sale is considered probable. Upon designation as held for sale, the carrying value of the assets of the business are recorded at the lower of their carrying value or their estimated fair value, less costs to sell. The Company ceases to record depreciation expense at that time.

 

41


Property and Equipment and Long-Lived Assets

Property and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: buildings and improvements – ten to forty years; and furniture and equipment – three to twelve years. Interest costs for the construction/development of certain long-term assets are capitalized and amortized over the related assets’ estimated useful lives. The Company capitalized net interest costs on qualifying expenditures of approximately $0.6 million, $0.6 million and $0.3 million for the fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Depreciation expense amounted to approximately $24.5 million, $20.4 million and $20.2 million for the years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the asset. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to operating expense as incurred.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations accounted for as acquisitions. Prior to the adoption of the applicable goodwill accounting standards in December 2001, goodwill was amortized on a straight-line basis over the periods benefited, principally twenty-five to forty years. Accumulated amortization amounted to approximately $77.3 million at both January 1, 2012 and January 2, 2011, and cumulative impairment losses recognized were $212.6 million as of both January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011.

As of January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, the net carrying amount of goodwill was $74.6 million and $75.2 million, respectively. Other intangible assets were $2.0 million and $2.4 million as of January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, respectively. The Company capitalizes patent defense costs when it determines that a successful defense is probable. In 2009, the Company received settlements related to patent litigation, and as a result has reduced the carrying value of these patents by the settlement amounts. Any patent defense costs are amortized over the remaining useful life of the patent. Amortization expense related to intangible assets during the years 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $0.7 million, $0.4 million and $0.6 million, respectively.

During the fourth quarters of 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company performed the annual goodwill impairment test required by applicable accounting standards. The Company performs this test at the reporting unit level, which is one level below the segment level for the Modular Carpet segment and at the level of the Bentley Prince Street segment. In effecting the impairment testing, the Company prepared valuations of reporting units on both a market comparable methodology and an income methodology in accordance with the applicable standards, and those valuations were compared with the respective book values of the reporting units to determine whether any goodwill impairment existed. In preparing the valuations, past, present and future expectations of performance were considered. The annual testing indicated no potential of goodwill impairment in any of the years presented.

Each of the Company’s reporting units maintained fair values in excess of their respective carrying values as of the fourth quarter of 2011, and therefore no impairment was indicated during the impairment testing. As of January 1, 2012, if the Company’s estimates of the fair values of its reporting units which carry a goodwill balance were 10% lower, the Company still believes no goodwill impairment would have existed.

The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill for the year ended January 1, 2012, by operating segment are as follows:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       BALANCE
JANUARY 2,
2011
       ACQUISITIONS        IMPAIRMENT        FOREIGN
CURRENCY
TRANSLATION
     BALANCE
JANUARY 1,
2012
 
       (in thousands)  

Modular Carpet

     $ 75,239         $ —           $ —           $ (682    $ 74,557   

Bentley Prince Street

       —             —             —             —           —     
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $ 75,239         $ —           $ —           $ (682    $ 74,557   
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

42


Product Warranties

The Company typically provides limited warranties with respect to certain attributes of its carpet products (for example, warranties regarding excessive surface wear, edge ravel and static electricity) for periods ranging from ten to twenty years, depending on the particular carpet product and the environment in which it is to be installed. The Company typically warrants that services performed will be free from defects in workmanship for a period of one year following completion. In the event of a breach of warranty, the remedy typically is limited to repair of the problem or replacement of the affected product.

The Company records a provision related to warranty costs based on historical experience and periodically adjusts these provisions to reflect changes in actual experience. Warranty reserves amounted to $1.5 million and $1.6 million as of January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, respectively, and are included in “Accrued Expenses” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Taxes on Income

The Company accounts for income taxes under an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns. In estimating future tax consequences, the Company generally considers all expected future events other than enactments of changes in tax laws or rates. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates will be recognized as income or expense in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will expire before realization of the benefit or that future deductibility is not probable. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets depends on the ability to generate sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character in the future. This requires us to use estimates and make assumptions regarding significant future events such as the taxability of entities operating in the various taxing jurisdictions.

The Company does not record taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities on a gross basis.

For uncertain tax positions, the Company applies the provisions of relevant authoritative guidance, which requires application of a “more likely than not” threshold to the recognition and derecognition of tax positions. The Company’s ongoing assessments of the more likely than not outcomes of tax authority examinations and related tax positions require significant judgment and can increase or decrease the Company’s effective tax rate as well as impact operating results. For further information, see the Note entitled “Taxes on Income.”

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

Fair values of cash and cash equivalents and short-term debt approximate cost due to the short period of time to maturity. Fair values of debt are based on quoted market prices or pricing models using current market rates.

Translation of Foreign Currencies

The financial position and results of operations of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured generally using local currencies as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at each year-end. Income and expense items are translated at average exchange rates for the year. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded in the foreign currency translation adjustment account. In the event of a divestiture of a foreign subsidiary, the related foreign currency translation results are reversed from equity to income. Foreign currency exchange gains and losses are included in net income (loss). Foreign exchange translation gains (losses) were ($7.6 million), ($2.2 million) and $18.2 million for the years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Income (Loss) Per Share

Basic income (loss) per share is computed based on the average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted income (loss) per share reflects the increase in average common shares outstanding that would result from the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options, calculated using the treasury stock method.

 

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Stock-Based Compensation

As of fiscal year 2011, the Company has stock-based employee compensation plans, which are described more fully in the “Shareholders’ Equity” Note below.

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, with the following weighted average assumptions used for grants issued in fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       FISCAL YEAR  
       2011     2010     2009  

Risk free interest rate

       0.9     2.1     1.6

Expected option life

       5.75 years        5.75 years        5.5 years   

Expected volatility

       65     61     61

Expected dividend yield

       0.6     0.4     2.6

The weighted average fair value of stock options (as of grant date) granted during the years 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $7.37, $6.86, and $1.91, respectively, per share.

The company recognizes expense related to its restricted stock grants based on the grant date fair value of the stock issued, as determined by its market price at date of issue.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Accounting standards require a company to recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Derivatives that do not meet the criteria of an accounting hedge must be adjusted to fair value through income. If the derivative is a fair value hedge, changes in the fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments are recognized through earnings. If the derivative is a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivative’s change in fair value is immediately recognized in earnings. As of January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, the Company was not party to any significant derivative instruments.

Pension Benefits

Net pension expense recorded is based on, among other things, assumptions about the discount rate, estimated return on plan assets and salary increases. While the Company believes these assumptions are reasonable, changes in these and other factors and differences between actual and assumed changes in the present value of liabilities or assets of the Company’s plans above certain thresholds could cause net annual expense to increase or decrease materially from year to year. The actuarial assumptions used in our salary continuation plan and the Company’s foreign defined benefit plans reporting are reviewed periodically and compared with external benchmarks to ensure that they appropriately account for our future pension benefit obligation. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption is based on weighted average expected returns for each asset class. Expected returns reflect a combination of historical performance analysis and the forward-looking views of the financial markets, and include input from actuaries, investment service firms and investment managers.

Environmental Remediation

The Company provides for remediation costs and penalties when the responsibility to remediate is probable and the amount of associated costs is reasonably determinable. Remediation liabilities are accrued based on estimates of known environmental exposures and are discounted in certain instances. The Company regularly monitors the progress of environmental remediation. Should studies indicate that the cost of remediation is to be more than previously estimated, an additional accrual would be recorded in the period in which such determination is made. As of January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, no significant amounts were provided for remediation liabilities.

 

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Allowances for Doubtful Accounts

The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. Estimating this amount requires the Company to analyze the financial strengths of its customers. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. By its nature, such an estimate is highly subjective, and it is possible that the amount of accounts receivable that the Company is unable to collect may be different than the amount initially estimated. The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts on January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, was $8.9 million and $9.6 million, respectively.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year financial statement presentation.

Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal year is the 52 or 53 week period ending on the Sunday nearest December 31. All references herein to “2011,” “2010,” and “2009,” mean the fiscal years ended January 1, 2012, January 2, 2011 and January 3, 2010, respectively. Fiscal year 2009 was comprised of 53 weeks. Fiscal years 2010 and 2011 were each comprised of 52 weeks.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standard regarding the performance of a company’s annual goodwill impairment evaluation. This standard allows companies to assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that goodwill might be impaired and whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2011, with early adoption permitted. At this time, the Company does not expect adoption of this standard to have any significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB amended an accounting standard regarding the presentation of comprehensive income. This amendment will require companies to present the components of net income and other comprehensive income either as one continuous statement or as two consecutive statements. It eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity. The amended guidance, which must be applied retroactively, was to be effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 31, 2012, with earlier adoption permitted. In December of 2011, the FASB issued an amendment to this statement which defers the requirements of this standard. As this amendment only effects presentation, there is not expected to be any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued new accounting guidance to amend the criteria for performing Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. Such criteria now require performing Step 2 if qualitative factors indicate that it is more likely than not that an impairment to goodwill exists. This recent guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, as well as for interim periods within such years. The adoption of this standard did not have any significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

RECEIVABLES

The Company has adopted credit policies and standards intended to reduce the inherent risk associated with potential increases in its concentration of credit risk due to increasing trade receivables from sales to owners and users of commercial office facilities and with specifiers such as architects, engineers and contracting firms. Management believes that credit risks are further moderated by the diversity of its end customers and geographic sales areas. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and requires collateral as deemed necessary. The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of its customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. As of January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, the allowance for bad debts amounted to $8.9 million and $9.6 million, respectively, for all accounts receivable of the Company. Reserves for sales returns and allowances amounted to $4.3 million and $4.5 million as of January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, respectively.

 

45


FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company does not have significant assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis under applicable accounting standards as of the end of 2011. The Company does have approximately $20.0 million of Company-owned life insurance which is measured on readily determinable cash surrender value on a recurring basis. Due to the short maturity of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, their carrying values approximate fair value. The fair value of long term debt represented by the Company’s 7 5/8% Senior Notes, 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes and 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes, based on quoted market prices, was $288.8 million, $8.1 million and $11.5 million, respectively, at January 1, 2012.

INVENTORIES

Inventories are summarized as follows:

 

September 30, September 30,
       2011        2010  
       (in thousands)  

Finished goods

     $ 98,894         $ 78,303   

Work-in-process

       17,606           16,731   

Raw materials

       49,573           41,732   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $ 166,073         $ 136,766   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Reserves for inventory obsolescence amounted to $14.4 million and $15.7 million as of January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, respectively, and have been netted against amounts presented above.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

 

September 30, September 30,
       2011      2010  
       (in thousands)  

Land

     $ 7,166       $ 7,364   

Buildings

       103,297         104,803   

Equipment

       364,581         335,533   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 
       475,044         447,700   

Accumulated depreciation

       (284,925      (269,908
    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 190,119       $ 177,792   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The estimated cost to complete construction-in-progress for which the Company was committed at January 1, 2012, was approximately $16.9 million.

ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accrued expenses are summarized as follows:

 

September 30, September 30,
       2011        2010  
       (in thousands)  

Compensation

     $ 46,571         $ 57,625   

Interest

       2,584           2,751   

Restructuring

       4,254           521   

Taxes

       5,432           6,315   

Accrued purchases

       3,949           8,800   

Other

       31,094           36,645   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $ 93,884         $ 112,657   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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Other non-current liabilities include pension liability of $28.8 million and $24.6 million as of January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, respectively (see the discussion below in the Note entitled “Employee Benefit Plans”).

BORROWINGS

Domestic Revolving Credit Facility

The Company has a domestic revolving credit facility that provides for a maximum aggregate amount of loans and letters of credit of up to $100 million (with the option to increase it to a maximum of $150 million upon the satisfaction of certain conditions) at any one time, subject to the borrowing base described below. The key features of the domestic revolving credit facility are as follows:

 

   

The revolving credit facility currently matures on June 24, 2016;

 

   

The revolving credit facility includes a domestic U.S. dollar syndicated loan and letter of credit facility made available to Interface, Inc. up to the lesser of (1) $100 million, or (2) a borrowing base equal to the sum of specified percentages of eligible accounts receivable and inventory in the United States (the percentages and eligibility requirements for the borrowing base are specified in the credit facility), less certain reserves;

 

   

Advances under the facility are secured by a first-priority lien on substantially all of Interface, Inc.’s assets and the assets of each of its material domestic subsidiaries, which have guaranteed the revolving credit facility; and

 

   

The revolving credit facility contains a financial covenant (a fixed charge coverage ratio test) that becomes effective in the event that the Company’s excess borrowing availability falls below 12.5% of the aggregate loan commitments of the lenders. In such event, the Company must comply with the financial covenant for a period commencing on the last day of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding such event (unless such event occurs on the last day of a fiscal quarter, in which case the compliance period commences on such date) and ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter immediately following the fiscal quarter in which such event occurred.

The revolving credit facility also includes various reporting, affirmative and negative covenants, and other provisions that restrict the Company’s ability to take certain actions, including provisions that restrict the Company’s ability to repay its long-term indebtedness unless it meets a specified minimum excess availability test.

Interest Rates and Fees. Interest on base rate loans is charged at varying rates computed by applying a margin ranging from 0.75% to 1.25% over the applicable base interest rate (which is defined as the greatest of the prime rate, a specified federal funds rate plus 0.50%, or the one-month LIBOR rate), depending on the Company’s average excess borrowing availability during the most recently completed fiscal quarter. Interest on LIBOR-based loans and fees for letters of credit are charged at varying rates computed by applying a margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.25% over the applicable LIBOR rate, depending on the Company’s average excess borrowing availability during the most recently completed fiscal quarter. In addition, the Company pays an unused line fee of 0.375% per annum on the facility.

Prepayments. The revolving credit facility requires prepayment from the proceeds of certain asset sales.

Covenants. The revolving credit facility also limits the Company’s ability, among other things, to:

 

   

repay the Company’s other indebtedness prior to maturity unless the Company meets a specified minimum excess availability test;

 

   

incur indebtedness or contingent obligations;

 

   

make acquisitions of or investments in businesses (in excess of certain specified amounts);

 

   

sell or dispose of assets (in excess of certain specified amounts);

 

   

create or incur liens on assets; and

 

   

enter into sale and leaseback transactions.

 

47


The Company is presently in compliance with all covenants under the domestic revolving credit facility and anticipates that it will remain in compliance with the covenants for the foreseeable future.

Events of Default. If the Company breaches or fails to perform any of the affirmative or negative covenants under the revolving credit facility, or if other specified events occur (such as a bankruptcy or similar event or a change of control of Interface, Inc. or certain subsidiaries, or if the Company breaches or fails to perform any covenant or agreement contained in any instrument relating to any of the Company’s other indebtedness exceeding $15 million), after giving effect to any applicable notice and right to cure provisions, an event of default will exist. If an event of default exists and is continuing, the lenders’ agent may, and upon the written request of a specified percentage of the lender group, shall:

 

   

declare all commitments of the lenders under the facility terminated;

 

   

declare all amounts outstanding or accrued thereunder immediately due and payable; and

 

   

exercise other rights and remedies available to them under the agreement and applicable law.

Collateral. The facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of Interface, Inc. and its domestic subsidiaries (subject to exceptions for certain immaterial subsidiaries), including all of the stock of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries and up to 65% of the stock of its first-tier material foreign subsidiaries. If an event of default occurs under the revolving credit facility, the lenders’ collateral agent may, upon the request of a specified percentage of lenders, exercise remedies with respect to the collateral, including, in some instances, foreclosing mortgages on real estate assets, taking possession of or selling personal property assets, collecting accounts receivables, or exercising proxies to take control of the pledged stock of domestic and first-tier material foreign subsidiaries.

As of January 1, 2012, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under this facility. At January 1, 2012, the Company had $4.1 million outstanding in letters of credit under this facility. As of January 1, 2012, the Company could have incurred $84.1 million of additional borrowings under this facility.

Credit Agreement with The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.

The Company’s European subsidiary Interface Europe B.V. and certain of Interface Europe B.V.’s subsidiaries have a Credit Agreement with The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V. (as successor to ABN AMRO Bank N.V.) (“RBS”). Under the Credit Agreement, RBS provides a credit facility, until further notice, for borrowings and bank guarantees of €20.0 million.

Interest on borrowings under the facility is charged at varying rates computed by applying a margin of 1% over RBS’s euro base rate (consisting of the leading refinancing rate as determined from time to time by the European Central Bank plus a debit interest surcharge), which base rate is subject to a minimum of 3.5% per annum. Fees on bank guarantees and documentary letters of credit are charged at a rate of 1% per annum or part thereof on the maximum amount and for the maximum duration of each guarantee or documentary letter of credit issued. A facility fee of 0.5% per annum is payable with respect to the facility amount. The facility is secured by liens on certain real property, personal property and other assets of the Company’s principal European subsidiaries. The facility also includes certain financial covenants (which require the borrowers and their subsidiaries to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio, total debt/EBITDA ratio and tangible net worth/total assets) and affirmative and negative covenants, and other provisions that restrict the borrowers’ ability (and the ability of certain of the borrowers’ subsidiaries) to take certain actions. As of January 1, 2012, there were no borrowings outstanding under this facility.

The Company is presently in compliance with all covenants under this facility and anticipates that it will remain in compliance with the covenants for the foreseeable future.

7 5/8% Senior Notes

On December 3, 2010, the Company completed a private offering of $275 million aggregate principal amount of 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “7 5/8% Senior Notes”). Interest on the 7 5/8% Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 (the first payment was made on June 1, 2011). The Company used the net proceeds from the sale of the 7 5/8% Senior Notes (plus cash on hand) in connection with the repurchase of approximately $141.9 million aggregate principal amount of the 11.375% Senior Secured Notes and approximately $98.5 million aggregate principal amount of the 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes, pursuant to a tender offer the Company conducted.

 

48


The 7 5/8% Senior Notes are guaranteed, fully, unconditionally, and jointly and severally, on an unsecured senior basis by certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries. The Company may redeem some or all of these notes at any time prior to December 1, 2014, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a make-whole premium. Prior to December 1, 2014, the Company may redeem up to 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the 7 5/8% Senior Notes per 12-month period at a redemption price equal to 103% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, at any time prior to December 1, 2013, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the 7 5/8% Senior Notes with the net cash proceeds from specified equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 107.625% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. In addition, the notes will become redeemable for cash after December 1, 2014 at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, initially at a redemption price equal to 103.813% of the principal amount, declining to 100% of the principal amount on December 1, 2016, plus accrued interest thereon to the date fixed for redemption. As of both January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, the balance of the 7 5/8% Senior Notes outstanding was $275 million. The estimated fair value of the 7 5/8% Senior Notes as of January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, based on then current market prices, was $288.8 million and $281.5 million, respectively.

11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes

On June 5, 2009, the Company completed a private offering of $150 million aggregate principal amount of 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes due 2013. Interest on the 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes is payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 (the first payment was made on November 1, 2009). The 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes are guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior secured basis by certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries. The 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes are secured by a second-priority lien on substantially all of the Company’s and certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries’ assets that secure the Company’s domestic revolving credit facility on a first-priority basis.

The 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes were sold at a price of 96.301% of their face value, resulting in $144.5 million of gross proceeds. The $5.5 million original issue discount will be amortized over the life of the notes through interest expense using the effective interest method. After deducting the initial purchasers’ discount and other fees and expenses associated with the sale, net proceeds were $139.5 million. The Company used $137.4 million of those net proceeds to repurchase $127.2 million aggregate principal amount of its previously outstanding 10.375% Senior Notes due 2010 pursuant to a tender offer conducted by the Company in 2009. (Included in the $137.4 million used to repurchase the $127.2 million aggregate principal amount of 10.375% Senior Notes were a purchase price premium of $5.7 million and accrued interest of $4.5 million). The remaining $2.1 million of the net proceeds was subsequently used to repay a portion of the $14.6 million of the 10.375% Senior Notes that remained outstanding following the tender offer. (The balance of the 10.375% Senior Notes was repaid at maturity on February 1, 2010.)

The Company may redeem all or a part of the 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes from time to time at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a make-whole premium. Prior to May 1, 2012, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes with cash proceeds from specified equity offerings at a price equal to 111.375% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. As of both January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, the balance of the 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes outstanding, net of the remaining unamortized original issue discount, was approximately $8.0 million. The estimated fair value of the 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes as of both January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, based on then current market prices, was $8.1 million.

9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes

On February 4, 2004, the Company completed a private offering of $135 million in 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014. Interest on these notes is payable semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 (the first payment was made on August 1, 2004). Proceeds from the issuance of these notes were used to redeem in full the Company’s previously outstanding 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2005 and to reduce borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility.

These notes are guaranteed, fully, unconditionally, and jointly and severally, on an unsecured senior subordinated basis by certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries. The notes are redeemable for cash after February 1, 2009, at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, initially at a redemption price equal to 104.75% of the principal amount, declining to 100% of the principal amount on February 1, 2012, plus accrued interest thereon to the date fixed for redemption. As of both January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, the Company had outstanding $11.5 million of 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014. At both January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, the estimated fair value of these notes, based on then current market prices, was approximately $11.5 million.

 

49


Other Lines of Credit

Subsidiaries of the Company have an aggregate of the equivalent of $18.5 million of other lines of credit available at interest rates ranging from 1% to 9%. As of January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, there were no borrowings outstanding under these lines of credit.

Borrowing Costs

Deferred borrowing costs, which include underwriting, legal and other direct costs related to the issuance of debt, net of accumulated amortization, were $6.7 million and $7.1 million, as of January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, respectively. The Company amortizes these costs over the life of the related debt. Expenses related to such costs for the years 2011, 2010 and 2009 amounted to $1.4 million, $2.2 million and $1.7 million, respectively. In addition to these expenses, the years 2010 and 2009 include $4.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of expense related to the write-down of debt costs associated with note repurchases.

Future Maturities

The aggregate maturities of borrowings for each of the five fiscal years subsequent to 2011, are as follows:

 

September 30,

FISCAL YEAR

     AMOUNT  
       (in thousands)  

2012

     $ —     

2013

       8,143   

2014

       11,477   

2015

       —     

2016

       —     

Thereafter

       275,000   
    

 

 

 
     $ 294,620   
    

 

 

 

PREFERRED STOCK

The Company is authorized to designate and issue up to 5,000,000 shares of $1.00 par value preferred stock in one or more series and to determine the rights and preferences of each series, to the extent permitted by the Articles of Incorporation, and to fix the terms of such preferred stock without any vote or action by the shareholders. The issuance of any series of preferred stock may have an adverse effect on the rights of holders of common stock and could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of common stock. In addition, any issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company. As of January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, there were no shares of preferred stock issued.

Preferred Share Purchase Rights

The Company has previously issued one purchase right (a “Right”) in respect of each outstanding share of Common Stock pursuant to a Rights Agreement it entered into in March 2008. Each Right entitles the registered holder of the Common Stock to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a share (a “Unit”) of Series B Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”).

The Rights may have certain anti-takeover effects. The Rights will cause substantial dilution to a person or group that acquires (without the consent of the Company’s Board of Directors) 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or if other specified events occur without the Rights having been redeemed or in the event of an exchange of the Rights for Common Stock as permitted under the Shareholder Rights Plan.

 

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The dividend and liquidation rights of the Series B Preferred Stock are designed so that the value of one Unit of Series B Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of each Right will approximate the same economic value as one share of Common Stock, including voting rights. The exercise price per Right is $90, subject to adjustment. Shares of Series B Preferred Stock will entitle the holder to a minimum preferential dividend of $1.00 per share, but will entitle the holder to an aggregate dividend payment of 100 times the dividend declared on each share of Common Stock. In the event of liquidation, each share of Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to a minimum preferential liquidation payment of $1.00, plus accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, but will be entitled to an aggregate payment of 100 times the payment made per share of Common Stock. In the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which Common Stock is exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities, cash or other property, each share of Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive 100 times the amount received per share of Common Stock. Series B Preferred Stock is not convertible into Common Stock.

Each share of Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to 100 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Company, and shares of Series B Preferred Stock will generally vote together as one class with the Common Stock and any other voting capital stock of the Company on all matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s shareholders. While the Company’s Class B Common Stock remains outstanding, holders of Series B Preferred Stock will vote as a single class with the Class A Common Stockholders for election of directors.

Further, whenever dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock are in arrears in an amount equal to six quarterly payments, the Series B Preferred Stock, together with any other shares of preferred stock then entitled to elect directors, shall have the right, as a single class, to elect one director until the default has been cured.

Prior to entering into the March 2008 Rights Agreement, the Company maintained a substantially similar Rights Agreement that was entered into in 1998.

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

The Company is authorized to issue 80 million shares of $0.10 par value Class A Common Stock and 40 million shares of $0.10 par value Class B Common Stock. Class A and Class B Common Stock have identical voting rights except for the election or removal of directors. Holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled as a class to elect a majority of the Board of Directors. Under the terms of the Class B Common Stock, its special voting rights to elect a majority of the Board members would terminate irrevocably if the total outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock ever comprises less than ten percent of the Company’s total issued and outstanding shares of Class A and Class B Common Stock. On January 1, 2012, the outstanding Class B shares constituted approximately 10.5% of the total outstanding shares of Class A and Class B Common Stock.

The Company’s Class A Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol IFSIA. The Company’s Class B Common Stock is not publicly traded. Class B Common Stock is convertible into Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis.

Both classes of Common Stock share equally in dividends available to common shareholders. The Company paid dividends totaling $0.08 per share during 2011, $0.0425 per share during 2010, and $0.01 per share during 2009 to each class of Common Stock. The future declaration and payment of dividends is at the discretion of the Company’s Board, and depends upon, among other things, the Company’s investment policy and opportunities, results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, future prospects, and other factors that may be considered relevant at the time of the Board’s determination. Such other factors include limitations contained in the agreement for its primary revolving credit facility and in the indentures for our public indebtedness, each of which specify conditions as to when any dividend payments may be made. As such, the Company may discontinue its dividend payments in the future if its Board determines that a cessation of dividend payments is proper in light of the factors indicated above.

All treasury stock is accounted for using the cost method.

 

51


 

    CLASS A
SHARES
    CLASS A
AMOUNT
    CLASS B
SHARES
    CLASS B
AMOUNT
    ADDITIONAL
PAID-IN
CAPITAL
    RETAINED
EARNINGS
(DEFICIT)
    PENSION
LIABILITY
    FOREIGN
CURRENCY
TRANSLATION
ADJUSTMENT
    NON-
CONTROLLING
INTEREST IN
SUBSIDIARY
 
    (in thousands)  

Balance, at December 28, 2008

    56,379      $ 5,635        6,795      $ 681      $ 339,776      $ (65,616   $ (28,770   $ (42,210   $ 7,941   

Net income

    —          —          —          —          —          10,918        —          —          846   

Conversion of common stock

    29        3        (29     (3     —          —          —          —          —     

Stock issuances under employee plans

    113        11        —          —          490        —          —          —          —     

Other issuances of common stock

    —          —          8        1        114        —          —          —          —     

Unamortized stock compensation expense related to restricted stock awards

    —          —          —          —          (116     —          —          —          —     

Cash dividends paid

    —          —          —          —          —          (634     —          —          —     

Forfeitures and compensation expense related to stock awards

    —          —          —          —          3,084        —          —          —          —     

Pension liability adjustment

    —          —          —          —          —          —          (4,416     —          —     

Foreign currency translation adjustment

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          18,153        293   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, at January 3, 2010

    56,521      $ 5,649        6,774      $ 679      $ 343,348      $ (55,332   $ (33,186   $ (24,057   $ 9,080   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

52


 

    CLASS A
SHARES
    CLASS A
AMOUNT
    CLASS B
SHARES
    CLASS B
AMOUNT
    ADDITIONAL
PAID-IN
CAPITAL
    RETAINED
EARNINGS
(DEFICIT)
    PENSION
LIABILITY
    FOREIGN
CURRENCY
TRANSLATION
ADJUSTMENT
    NON-
CONTROLLING
INTEREST IN

SUBSIDIARY
 
    (in thousands)  

Balance, at January 3, 2010

    56,521      $ 5,649        6,774      $ 679      $ 343,348      $ (55,332   $ (33,186   $ (24,057   $ 9,080   

Net income

    —          —          —          —          —          8,283        —          —          1,051   

Conversion of common stock

    159        16        (159     (16     —          —          —          —          —     

Stock issuances under employee plans

    631        64        —          —          2,726        —          —          —          —     

Other issuances of common stock

    —          —          530        53        6,418        —          —          —          —     

Unamortized stock compensation expense related to restricted stock awards

    —          —          —          —          (6,471     —          —          —          —     

Cash dividends paid

    —          —          —          —          —          (2,721     —          —          —     

Forfeitures and compensation expense related to stock awards

    —          —          —          —          4,540        —          —          —          —     

Pension liability adjustment

    —          —          —          —          —          —          1,990        —          —     

Foreign currency translation adjustment

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          (2,212     458   

Dividend to Noncontrolling Interest Partner

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          —          (7,444

Repurchase of Minority Interest

    —          —          —          —          (899     —          —          —          (3,145
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, at January 2, 2011

    57,311      $ 5,729        7,145      $ 716      $ 349,662      $ (49,770   $ (31,196   $ (26,269   $ —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

53


 

    CLASS A
SHARES
    CLASS A
AMOUNT
    CLASS B
SHARES
    CLASS B
AMOUNT
    ADDITIONAL
PAID-IN
CAPITAL
    RETAINED
EARNINGS
(DEFICIT)
    PENSION
LIABILITY
    FOREIGN
CURRENCY
TRANSLATION
ADJUSTMENT
 
            (in thousands      

Balance, at January 2, 2011

    57,311      $ 5,729        7,145      $ 716      $ 349,662      $ (49,770   $ (31,196   $ (26,269

Net income

    —          —          —          —          —          38,721        —          —     

Conversion of common stock

    593        59        (593     (59     —          —          —          —     

Stock issuances under employee plans

    502        50        —          —          210        —          —          —     

Other issuances of common stock

    —          —          527        53        11,336        —          —          —     

Unamortized stock compensation expense related to restricted stock awards

    —          —          —          —          (11,402     —          —          —     

Cash dividends paid

    —          —          —          —          —          (5,231     —          —     

Forfeitures and compensation expense related to stock awards

    —          —          —          —          11,594        —          —          —     

Pension liability adjustment

    —          —          —          —          —          —          (5,066     —     

Foreign currency translation adjustment

    —          —          —          —          —          —          —          (7,614

Other

    —          —          —          —          —          (484     —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, at January 1, 2012

    58,406      $ 5,839        7,078      $ 709      $ 361,400      $ (16,764   $ (36,262  

$

(33,883

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

54


Stock Options

The Company has an Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (“Omnibus Plan”) under which a committee of independent directors is authorized to grant directors and key employees, including officers, options to purchase the Company’s Common Stock. Options are exercisable for shares of Class A or Class B Common Stock at a price not less than 100% of the fair market value on the date of grant. The options become exercisable either immediately upon the grant date or ratably over a time period ranging from one to five years from the date of the grant. The Company’s options expire at the end of time periods ranging from three to ten years from the date of the grant. In May 2006, the shareholders approved an amendment and restatement of the Omnibus Plan. The amendment extended the term of the Omnibus Plan until February 2016, and set the number of shares authorized for issuance or transfer on or after the effective date of the amendment and restatement at 4,250,000 shares, except that each share issued pursuant to an award other than a stock option reduced the number of such authorized shares by two shares. In May 2010, the shareholders approved another amendment and restatement of the Omnibus Plan. This amendment and restatement extended the term of the Omnibus Plan until February 2020, and set the number of shares authorized for issuance or transfer on or after the effective date of the amendment and restatement at 6,558,263 shares, except that each share issued pursuant to an award other than a stock option reduces the number of such authorized shares by 1.33 shares.

Accounting standards require that the Company measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair market value of the award. That cost will be recognized over the period in which the employee is required to provide the services – the requisite service period (usually the vesting period) – in exchange for the award. The grant date fair value for options and similar instruments will be estimated using option pricing models. Under accounting standards, the Company is required to select a valuation technique or option pricing model. The Company uses the Black-Scholes model. Accounting standards require that the Company estimate forfeitures for stock options and reduce compensation expense accordingly. The Company has reduced its expense by the assumed forfeiture rate and will evaluate actual experience against the assumed forfeiture rate going forward. This expense reduction is not significant to the Company.

The Company recognized stock option compensation expense of $0.8 million in 2011, $1.2 million in 2010 and $1.4 million in 2009. The remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested awards at January 1, 2012, approximated $1.3 million, and the weighted average period of time over which this cost will be recognized is approximately two years. The expense for stock options is included in selling, general and administrative expense on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations, as none of these stock options have been issued to production personnel.

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, with the following weighted average assumptions used for grants issued in the past three fiscal years:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       FISCAL YEAR  
       2011     2010     2009  

Risk free interest rate

       0.9     2.1     1.6

Expected option life

       5.75 years        5.75 years        5.5 years   

Expected volatility

       65     61     61

Expected dividend yield

       0.5     0.4     2.6

The weighted average fair value of stock options (as of grant date) granted during the years 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $7.37, $6.86 and $1.91, respectively, per share.

 

55


The following table summarizes stock options outstanding as of January 1, 2012, as well as activity during the previous fiscal year:

 

September 30, September 30,
       Shares        Weighted Average
Exercise Price
 

Outstanding at January 2, 2011

       1,148,500         $ 7.51   

Granted

       10,000           13.04   

Exercised

       501,500           5.50   

Forfeited or cancelled

       64,500           9.54   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2012 (a)

       592,500         $ 9.12   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Exercisable at January 1, 2012 (b)

       473,000         $ 8.24   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(a)

At January 1, 2012, the weighted-average remaining contractual life of options outstanding was 6.1 years.

(b)

At January 1, 2012, the weighted-average remaining contractual life of options exercisable was 5.5 years.

At January 1, 2012, the aggregate intrinsic values of in-the-money options outstanding and options exercisable were $2.0 million and $2.0 million, respectively (the intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option).

The intrinsic value of stock options exercised in 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $6.0 million, $5.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively. The cash proceeds related to stock options exercised in 2011, 2010 and 2009 were $2.7 million, $3.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

The tax benefit recognized with respect to stock options during the years 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $0.1 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       Options Outstanding        Options Exercisable  

Range of

Exercise Prices

     Number
Outstanding  at
January 1, 2012
       Weighted  Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(years)
       Weighted Average
Exercise Price
       Number
Exercisable at
January 1, 2012
       Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 

$ 1.49 - 3.00

       50,000           2.01         $ 2.52           50,000         $ 2.52   

3.01 - 5.00

       198,500           6.64           4.25           198,500           4.25   

5.01 - 12.00

       22,000           7.06           7.51           22,000           7.51   

12.01 - 15.00

       292,000           7.02           12.95           172,500           13.17   

15.00 - 16.42

       30,000           0.16           16.39           30,000           16.39   
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
       592,500           6.10         $ 9.12           473,000         $ 8.24   
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Restricted Stock Awards

During fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company granted restricted stock awards totaling 668,000, 529,000 and 27,000 shares, respectively, of Class B common stock. These awards (or a portion thereof) vest with respect to each recipient over a two to five year period from the date of grant, provided the individual remains in the employment or service of the Company as of the vesting date. Additionally, these shares (or a portion thereof) could vest earlier upon the attainment of certain performance criteria, in the event of a change in control of the Company, or upon involuntary termination without cause.

Compensation expense related to the vesting of restricted stock was $10.1 million, $2.9 million and $1.8 million for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. These grants are made primarily to executive-level personnel at the Company and, as a result, no compensation costs have been capitalized. Accounting standards require that the Company estimate forfeitures for restricted stock and reduce compensation expense accordingly. The Company has reduced its expense by the assumed forfeiture rate and will evaluate actual experience against the assumed forfeiture rate going forward. The forfeiture rate has been developed using historical data regarding actual forfeitures as well as an estimate of future expected forfeitures under our restricted stock grants.

 

56


The following table summarizes restricted stock activity as of January 1, 2012, and during the previous fiscal year:

 

September 30, September 30,
       Shares        Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 

Outstanding at January 2, 2011

       1,740,000         $ 13.04   

Granted

       668,000           17.08   

Vested

       600,000           12.23   

Forfeited or cancelled

       59,000           9.02   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2012

       1,749,000         $ 15.08   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

As of January 1, 2012, the unrecognized total compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock was $11.6 million. That cost is expected to be recognized by the end of 2015.

As stated above, accounting standards require the Company to estimate forfeitures in calculating the expense related to stock-based compensation, as opposed to only recognizing these forfeitures and the corresponding reduction in expense as they occur.

The tax benefit recognized with respect to restricted stock during the years 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $2.8 million, $0.7 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

The Company computes basic earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) attributable to Interface, Inc. common shareholders by dividing income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Interface, Inc. common shareholders, income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Interface, Inc. common shareholders and net income (loss) attributable to Interface, Inc. common shareholders, by the weighted average common shares outstanding, including participating securities outstanding, during the period as depicted below. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution beyond shares for basic EPS that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised, converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that would have shared in the Company’s earnings. Income attributable to non-controlling interest is included in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share, where applicable.

The Company includes all unvested stock awards which contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, in the number of common shares outstanding in our basic and diluted EPS calculations when the inclusion of these shares would be dilutive. As a result, the Company includes all outstanding restricted stock awards in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS. Distributed earnings include common stock dividends and dividends earned on unvested share-based payment awards. Undistributed earnings represent earnings that were available for distribution but were not distributed. Unvested share-based awards of restricted stock are paid dividends equally with all other shares of common stock. The following tables show distributed and undistributed earnings:

 

57


 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       Fiscal Year  
       2011      2010      2009  

Earnings per share from continuing operations:

          

Basic earnings per share attributable to Interface, Inc. common shareholders

          

Distributed earnings

     $ 0.08       $ 0.04       $ 0.01   

Undistributed earnings

       0.52         0.10         0.18   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 0.60       $ 0.14       $ 0.19   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share attributable to Interface, Inc. common shareholders

          

Distributed earnings

     $ 0.08       $ 0.04       $ 0.01   

Undistributed earnings

       0.52         0.10         0.18   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 0.60       $ 0.14       $ 0.19   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loss per share from discontinued operations:

          

Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to Interface, Inc. common shareholders

          

Distributed earnings

     $ —         $ —         $ —     

Undistributed earnings

       (0.01      (0.01      (0.01

Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to Interface, Inc. common shareholders

          

Distributed earnings

     $ —         $ —         $ —     

Undistributed earnings

       (0.01      (0.01      (0.01

Basic earnings per share attributable to Interface, Inc. common shareholders

     $ 0.59       $ 0.13       $ 0.17   

Diluted earnings per share attributable to Interface, Inc. common shareholders

     $ 0.59       $ 0.13       $ 0.17   

The following table presents income from continuing operations and net income (loss) attributable to Interface, Inc. that was attributable to participating securities:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       Fiscal Year  
       2011        2010        2009  
       (in millions)  

Income from Continuing Operations

     $ 1.1         $ 0.3         $ 0.3   

Net Income Attributable to Interface, Inc.

       1.0           0.2           0.2   

 

58


The weighted average shares for basic and diluted EPS were as follows:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       Fiscal Year  
       2011        2010        2009  
       (in thousands)  

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

       63,542           62,054           61,819   

Participating Securities

       1,749           1,740           1,394   
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Shares for Basic Earnings Per Share

       65,291           63,794           63,213   

Dilutive Effect of Stock Options

       195           468           95   
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Shares for Diluted Earnings Per Share

       65,486           64,262           63,308   
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

In 2011, 2010 and 2009, certain outstanding stock options were not included in the determination of diluted EPS as their impact would be anti-dilutive. The following table shows the shares excluded from the diluted EPS calculation for all periods presented.

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       Fiscal Year  
       2011        2010        2009  
       (in thousands)  

Options excluded

       249           357           302   

RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

2011 Restructuring Plan

In the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company committed to a restructuring plan intended to reduce costs across its worldwide operations and more closely align its operations with reduced demand in certain markets. As a result of this plan, the Company incurred pre-tax restructuring and asset impairment charges of $6.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. The majority of this charge ($5.4 million) relates to the severance of approximately 110 employees in Europe, Asia and the United States. The remainder of the charge ($0.8 million) relates to contract termination and fixed asset impairment costs. Approximately $5.4 million of this charge will result in cash expenditures, primarily severance expenses. Actions and expenses related to this plan were substantially completed by the end of 2011.

A summary of these restructuring activities is presented below:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       Total
Restructuring
Charge
       Costs Incurred
In 2011
       Balance at
January 1, 2012
 
       (in thousands)  

Workforce reduction

     $ 5,401           1,147           4,254   

Fixed asset impairment

       776           776           —     

The table below details these restructuring activities by segment:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       Modular
Carpet
       Bentley
Prince  Street
       Corporate        Total  
       (in thousands)  

Total amounts expected to be incurred

     $ 5,755         $ 422         $ —           $ 6,177   

Total amounts incurred in 2011

       1,643           280         $ —             1,923   

 

59


2010 Restructuring Plan

In the first quarter of 2010, the Company adopted a restructuring plan primarily related to workforce reduction in its European modular carpet operations. This reduction was in response to the continued challenging economic climate in that region. Smaller amounts were incurred in connection with restructuring activities in the Americas. A total of approximately 50 employees were affected by this restructuring plan. In connection with this plan, the Company recorded a pre-tax restructuring charge of $3.1 million. Substantially all of this charge involved cash expenditures, primarily severance expenses. Actions and expenses related to this plan were substantially completed in the first quarter of 2010.

A summary of these restructuring activities is presented below:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       Total
Restructuring
Charge
       Costs Incurred
In 2010
       Costs Incurred
In 2011
       Balance at
January 1, 2012
 
       (in thousands)  

Workforce reduction

     $ 3,131         $ 2,674         $ 457         $ —     

The table below details these restructuring activities by segment:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       Modular
Carpet
       Bentley
Prince  Street
       Corporate        Total  
       (in thousands)  

Total amounts expected to be incurred

     $ 2,951         $ 180         $ —           $ 3,131   

Cumulative amounts incurred to date

       2,951           180           —             3,131   

Total amounts incurred in 2011

       457           —             —             457   

2009 Restructuring Plan

In the first quarter of 2009, the Company adopted a restructuring plan, primarily comprised of a reduction in the Company’s worldwide employee base by a total of approximately 290 employees and continuing actions taken to better align fixed costs with demand for its products on a global level. In connection with the plan, the Company recorded a pre-tax restructuring charge of $5.7 million, comprised of $4.0 million of employee severance expense and $1.7 million of other exit costs (primarily including costs to exit the Canadian manufacturing facilities, lease exit costs and other costs). Approximately $5.2 million of the restructuring charge involved cash expenditures, primarily severance expense. In the second quarter of 2009, the Company recorded an additional $1.9 million restructuring charge as a continuation of this plan. The charge in the second quarter of 2009 was due to approximately 80 additional employee reductions, and related entirely to employee severance expense.

A summary of these restructuring activities is presented below:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       Total
Restructuring
Charges
       Costs Incurred
in 2009
       Costs Incurred
in 2010
       Costs Incurred
in 2011
       Balance at
Jan. 1,  2012
 
       (in thousands)  

Facilities consolidation

     $ 970         $ 970         $ —           $ —           $ —     

Workforce reduction

       5,873           3,920           1,889           64           —     

Other charges

       784           784           —             —             —     
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $ 7,627         $ 5,674         $ 1,889         $ 64         $ —     
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

60


The table below details these restructuring activities by segment:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       Modular
Carpet
       Bentley
Prince  Street
       Corporate        Total  
       (in thousands)  

Total amounts expected to be incurred

     $ 6,865         $ 762         $ —           $ 7,627   

Cumulative amounts incurred to date

       6,865           762           —             7,627   

Total amounts incurred in 2011

       64           —             —             64   

TAXES ON INCOME

Provisions for federal, foreign and state income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations consisted of the following components:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       FISCAL YEAR  
       2011        2010      2009  
       (in thousands)  

Current expense/(benefit):

            

Federal

     $ 316         $ (62    $ 394   

Foreign

       11,123           12,617         11,890   

State

       922           530         542   
    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 
       12,361           13,085         12,826   
    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred expense/(benefit):

            

Federal

       6,204           (9,510      (3,403

Foreign

       2,304           994         (875

State

       14           (533      315   
    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 
       8,522           (9,049      (3,963
    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 20,883         $ 4,036       $ 8,863   
    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit) is included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations as follows:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       FISCAL YEAR  
       2011      2010      2009  
       (in thousands)  

Continuing operations

     $ 21,237       $ 4,494       $ 9,352   

Loss from discontinued operations

       (354      (458      (489
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 20,883       $ 4,036       $ 8,863   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes on income consisted of the following:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       FISCAL YEAR  
       2011        2010      2009  
       (in thousands)  

U.S. operations

     $ 17,295         $ (32,270    $ (8,809

Foreign operations

       43,318           46,834         30,834   
    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 60,613         $ 14,564       $ 22,025   
    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

61


Deferred income taxes for the years ended January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.

At January 1, 2012, the Company had approximately $118.6 million in federal net operating loss carryforwards with expiration dates through 2030, of which $22.4 million is from share-based payment awards. In accordance with applicable accounting standards, a financial statement benefit has not been recorded for the net operating loss related to the share-based payment awards. The Company’s foreign subsidiaries had approximately $1.5 million in net operating losses available for an unlimited carryforward period. The Company expects to utilize all of its federal and foreign carryforwards prior to their expiration. The Company had approximately $128 million in state net operating loss carryforwards relating to continuing operations with expiration dates through 2031. The Company had provided a valuation allowance against $66.4 million of such losses, which the Company does not expect to utilize. In addition, the Company has approximately $168 million in state net operating loss carryforwards relating to discontinued operations against which a full valuation allowance has been provided.

The sources of the temporary differences and their effect on the net deferred tax asset are as follows:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       2011        2010  
       ASSETS      LIABILITIES        ASSETS      LIABILITIES  
       (in thousands)  

Basis differences of property and equipment

     $ —         $ 10,397        $ —         $ 9,113   

Basis difference of intangible assets

       —           402           —           411   

Foreign currency loss

       —           2,888           —           2,672   

Net operating loss carryforwards

       41,429         —             47,850         —     

Valuation allowances on net operating loss carryforwards

       (4,892      —             (5,403      —     

Federal tax credits

       676              360      

Deferred compensation

       17,853         —             17,068         —     

Basis difference of prepaids, accruals and reserves

       8,919         —             9,979         —     

Pensions

       2,592         —             1,896         —     

Tax effects of undistributed earnings from foreign subsidiaries not deemed to be indefinitely reinvested

       —           4,585           —           3,714   

Basis difference of other assets and liabilities

       293         —             —           319   
    

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 66,870       $ 18,272         $ 71,750       $ 16,229   
    

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are included in the accompanying balance sheets as follows:

 

September 30, September 30,
       FISCAL YEAR  
       2011      2010  
       (in thousands)  

Deferred income taxes (current asset)

     $ 9,699       $ 10,062   

Deferred tax asset (non-current asset)

       47,290         53,022   

Deferred income taxes (non-current liabilities)

       (8,391      (7,563
    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 48,598       $ 55,521   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Management believes, based on the Company’s history of taxable income and expectations for the future, that it is more likely than not that future taxable income will be sufficient to fully utilize the deferred tax assets at January 1, 2012.

The Company’s effective tax rate from continuing operations was 35.0%, 30.9% and 42.5% for fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The following summary reconciles income taxes at the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% to the Company’s actual income tax expense:

 

62


 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       FISCAL YEAR  
       2011      2010      2009  
       (in thousands)  

Income taxes at U.S federal statutory rate

     $ 21,215       $ 5,097       $ 7,709   

Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:

          

State income taxes, net of federal tax effect

       940         (1,713      438   

Non-deductible business expenses

       373         354         315   

Non-deductible employee compensation

       587         399         399   

Tax effects of Company owned life insurance

       283         (1,281      (1,380

Tax effects of undistributed earnings from foreign subsidiaries not deemed to be indefinitely reinvested

       774         960         1,075   

Foreign and U.S. tax effects attributable to foreign operations

       (2,115      (491      1,058   

Valuation allowance effect – State NOL

       (333      1,717         109   

Income attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiary

       —           (368      (296

Other

       (487      (180      (75
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income tax expense

     $ 21,237       $ 4,494       $ 9,352   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company does not provide for U.S. income taxes on the undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries that are considered to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the U.S. as determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred U.S. income tax liability related to the indefinitely reinvested earnings is not practicable because of the complexities associated with its hypothetical calculation. Beginning in 2008, the Company has provided for approximately $15 million in U.S. federal and state income taxes and approximately $1.1 million in foreign withholding taxes on approximately $43.6 million of undistributed earnings from foreign subsidiaries that were no longer deemed to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the U.S. During 2009 and 2010, the Company repatriated $20.2 million and $12.2 million, respectively, of these undistributed earnings on which the Company had provided $11.1 million in U.S. federal and state income taxes and $0.8 million in foreign withholding taxes. At January 1, 2012, the Company has provided for approximately $3.9 million in U.S. federal and state income taxes and approximately $0.3 million in foreign withholding taxes on approximately $11.2 million of the remaining undistributed earnings that it anticipates repatriating in the foreseeable future. At January 1, 2012, approximately $262 million of undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are deemed to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the U.S., on which withholding taxes of approximately $3.5 million would be payable upon remittance.

As of January 1, 2012 and January 2, 2011, the Company had $7.7 million and $8.2 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits. The reduction of unrecognized tax benefits in 2011 was primarily attributable to a decrease of approximately $1.2 million related to its foreign tax positions taken in prior years which was partially offset by an increase of approximately $0.7 million related to its foreign tax positions taken in the current year. If the $7.7 million of unrecognized tax benefits as of January 1, 2012 are recognized, there would be a favorable impact on the Company’s effective tax rate in future periods. If the unrecognized tax benefits are not favorably settled, $7.4 million of the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits would require the use of cash in future periods.

The Company recognizes accrued interest and income tax penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. As of January 1, 2012, the Company had accrued interest and penalties of $1.1 million, which is included in the total unrecognized tax benefit noted above.

The Company’s federal income tax returns are subject to examination for the years 2003 to the present. The Company files returns in numerous state and local jurisdictions and in general it is subject to examination by the state tax authorities for the years 2006 to the present. The Company files returns in numerous foreign jurisdictions and in general it is subject to examination by the foreign tax authorities for the years 2003 to the present.

 

63


In August 2006, the Canadian tax authorities (“CRA”) proposed a reassessment of taxable income for transfer pricing related adjustments for the years 2001 and 2002. In November 2006, the Company filed a submission with the CRA to set aside the reassessment of taxable income. In September 2008, the CRA issued a final notice of reassessment of tax, including interest, of approximately $0.9 million for the years 2001 and 2002. In December 2008, the Company filed an objection to the notice of reassessment of tax with the CRA. In May 2009, the Company filed a Joint Request for Competent Authority Assistance Pursuant to the Mutual Agreement Procedure (“MAP”) under the Canada-U.S. 1980 Tax Convention. In November 2010, the Company received notice from the Canadian Competent Authority Services Division that an agreement had been reached between the U.S. and Canadian Competent Authorities to reverse in its entirety the CRA audit initiated adjustments with respect to the transfer pricing related adjustments for the years 2001 and 2002. As a result, during 2010, the Company reduced its liability for unrecognized tax benefits relating to this reassessment.

In late February 2008, the Company filed with the CRA and the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) an application for a Canada – U.S. bilateral advanced pricing agreement (“BAPA”) with respect to certain intercompany transactions (“Covered Transactions”) between Interface, Inc. (including its U.S. subsidiaries) and its Canadian subsidiary. The BAPA request covers, at minimum, tax years 2006 through 2010, with a possibility of appending additional prospective years or qualifying rollback years for earlier periods. During 2011, the CRA and IRS began negotiating a mutual agreement. The Company is anticipating a negotiated resolution from those agencies in the near future. The Company has included in its liability for unrecognized tax benefits an amount it estimates will more likely than not result from the conclusion of the BAPA. However, due to the nature of the BAPA process, the timing and outcome of the BAPA is subject to considerable variation and the ultimate outcome of this process could result in an amount significantly different from the Company’s estimate.

Management believes changes to our unrecognized tax benefits that are reasonably possible in the next 12 months, other than the conclusion of the Canada – U.S. BAPA noted above, will not have a significant impact on our financial positions or results of operations. The timing of the ultimate resolution of the Company’s tax matters and the payment and receipt of related cash is dependent on a number of factors, many of which are outside the Company’s control.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       Fiscal Year  
       2011      2010      2009  
       (in thousands)  

Balance at beginning of year

     $ 8,159       $ 9,551       $ 7,455   

Increases related to tax positions taken during the current year

Increases related to tax positions taken during the prior years

      

 

693

250

  

  

    

 

718

538

  

  

    

 

1,685

1,118

  

  

Decreases related to tax positions taken during the prior years

       (1,237      —           (157

Decreases related to settlements with taxing authorities

Decreases related to lapse of applicable statute of limitations

      

 

—  

—  

  

  

    

 

(1,778

(712


    

 

—  

(892

  

Changes due to foreign currency translation

       (129      (158      342   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

     $ 7,736       $ 8,159       $ 9,551   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

In 2007, the Company sold its Fabrics Group business segment to a third party. Current and prior periods have been retroactively reclassified to include the results of operations and related disposal costs, gains and losses for these fabrics businesses as discontinued operations. In addition, assets and liabilities of these businesses have been reported in assets and liabilities held for sale for all periods presented. The expenses of discontinued operations relate to the settlement of liabilities that were in existence as of the date of the sale of the Company’s discontinued operations.

 

64


Summary operating results for the discontinued operations are as follows:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       FISCAL YEAR  
       2011      2010      2009  
       (in thousands)  

Net sales

     $ —         $ —         $ —     

Loss on operations before taxes

       (1,008      (1,194      (1,398

Taxes on income (benefit)

       (353      (458      (489

Loss on operations, net of tax

       (655      (736      (909

Assets and liabilities, including reserves, related to discontinued businesses that were held for sale consist of the following:

 

September 30, September 30,
       FISCAL YEAR  
       2011        2010  
       (in thousands)  

Current assets

     $ —           $ —     

Property and equipment

       —             1,200   

Other assets

       —             —     

Current liabilities

       —             —     

Other liabilities

       —             —     

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company leases certain production, distribution and marketing facilities and equipment. At January 1, 2012, aggregate minimum rent commitments under operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more consisted of the following:

 

September 30,

FISCAL YEAR

     AMOUNT  
       (in thousands)  

2012

     $ 26,411   

2013

       20,705   

2014

       15,527   

2015

       7,082   

2016

       3,102   

Thereafter

       8,454   
    

 

 

 
     $ 81,281   
    

 

 

 

Rental expense amounted to approximately $24.8 million, $23.9 million and $28.8 million, for the years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. This excludes rental expenses of approximately $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.5 million for the years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, related to discontinued operations.

The Company is from time to time a party to routine litigation incidental to its business. Management does not believe that the resolution of any or all of such litigation will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

65


EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Defined Contribution and Deferred Compensation Plans

The Company has a 401(k) retirement investment plan (“401(k) Plan”), which is open to all otherwise eligible U.S. employees with at least six months of service. The 401(k) Plan calls for Company matching contributions on a sliding scale based on the level of the employee’s contribution. The Company may, at its discretion, make additional contributions to the 401(k) Plan based on the attainment of certain performance targets by its subsidiaries. The Company’s matching contributions are funded bi-monthly and totaled approximately $2.4 million, $2.1 million and $0.9 million for the years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, for continuing operations. No discretionary contributions were made in 2011, 2010 or 2009.

Under the Company’s nonqualified savings plans (“NSPs”), the Company provides eligible employees the opportunity to enter into agreements for the deferral of a specified percentage of their compensation, as defined in the NSPs. The NSPs call for Company matching contributions on a sliding scale based on the level of the employee’s contribution. The obligations of the Company under such agreements to pay the deferred compensation in the future in accordance with the terms of the NSPs are unsecured general obligations of the Company. Participants have no right, interest or claim in the assets of the Company, except as unsecured general creditors. The Company has established a rabbi trust to hold, invest and reinvest deferrals and contributions under the NSPs. If a change in control of the Company occurs, as defined in the NSPs, the Company will contribute an amount to the rabbi trust sufficient to pay the obligation owed to each participant. Deferred compensation in connection with the NSPs totaled $17.8 million at January 1, 2012. The Company invested the deferrals in insurance instruments with readily determinable cash surrender values.

Foreign Defined Benefit Plans

The Company has trusteed defined benefit retirement plans which cover many of its European employees. The benefits are generally based on years of service and the employee’s average monthly compensation. Pension expense was $0.3 million, $1.8 million and $4.2 million for the years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Plan assets are primarily invested in equity and fixed income securities. The Company uses a year-end measurement date for the plans. As of January 1, 2012, for the European plans, the Company had a net liability recorded of $10.3 million, an amount equal to their unfunded status, and has recorded in Other Comprehensive Income an amount equal to $33.3 million (net of taxes) related to the future amounts to be recorded in net post-retirement benefit costs.

The tables presented below set forth the funded status of the Company’s significant foreign defined benefit plans and required disclosures in accordance with applicable accounting standards

 

September 30, September 30,
       FISCAL YEAR  
       2011      2010  
       (in thousands)  

Change in benefit obligation

       

Benefit obligation, beginning of year

     $ 212,378       $ 212,339   

Service cost

       469         357   

Interest cost

       11,386         10,873   

Benefits and expenses paid

       (11,641      (13,032

Actuarial loss (gain)

       5,224         11,842   

Member contributions

       375         542   

Currency translation adjustment

       (1,470      (10,543
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Benefit obligation, end of year

     $ 216,721       $ 212,378   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

66


 

September 30, September 30,
       FISCAL YEAR  
       2011      2010  
       (in thousands)  

Change in plan assets

       

Plan assets, beginning of year

     $ 205,810       $ 200,302   

Actual return on assets

       8,769         23,117   

Company contributions

       5,112         5,647   

Member contributions

       —           291   

Benefits paid

       (11,697      (13,032

Currency translation adjustment

       (1,592      (10,515
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Plan assets, end of year

     $ 206,402       $ 205,810   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reconciliation to balance sheet

       

Funded status (benefit liability)

     $ (10,319    $ (6,568
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net amount recognized

     $ (10,319    $ (6,568
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (after tax)

       

Unrecognized actuarial loss

     $ 32,455       $ 26,659   

Unamortized prior service costs

       809         870   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total amount recognized

     $ 33,264       $ 27,529   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The above disclosure represents the aggregation of information related to the Company’s two defined benefit plans which cover many of its European employees. As of January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, one of these plans, which primarily covers certain employees in the United Kingdom (the “UK Plan”), had an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of the plan assets. The other plan, which covers certain employees in Europe (the “Europe Plan”), had assets in excess of the accumulated benefit obligation. The following table summarizes this information as of January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011.

 

September 30, September 30,
       2011        2010  
       (in thousands)  

UK Plan

         

Projected Benefit Obligation

     $ 157,600         $ 153,928   

Accumulated Benefit Obligation

       157,600           153,928   

Plan Assets

       139,796           142,491   

Europe Plan

         

Projected Benefit Obligation

     $ 59,121         $ 58,450   

Accumulated Benefit Obligation

       57,247           56,810   

Plan Assets

       66,606           63,319   

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       FISCAL YEAR  
       2011      2010      2009  
       (in thousands)  

Components of net periodic benefit cost

          

Service cost

     $ 492       $ 357       $ 2,841   

Interest cost

       11,194         10,873         10,456   

Expected return on plan assets

       (11,966      (11,058      (10,809

Amortization of prior service cost

       —           89         93   

Recognized net actuarial (gains)/losses

       602         1,566         1,626   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

     $ 322       $ 1,827       $ 4,207   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

67


For 2012, it is estimated that approximately $0.7 million of expenses related to the amortization of unrecognized items will be included in the net periodic benefit cost. During 2011, other comprehensive income was impacted by approximately $5.5 million, comprised of actuarial loss of approximately $5.9 million and amortization loss of $0.4 million.

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       FISCAL YEAR  
       2011     2010     2009  

Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost

        

Discount rate

       5.3     5.6     6.2

Expected return on plan assets

       5.9     6.6     6.2

Rate of compensation

       2.0     2.0     3.6

Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations

        

Discount rate

       4.7     5.3     5.4

Rate of compensation

       2.0     2.0     2.0

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption is based on weighted average expected returns for each asset class. Expected returns reflect a combination of historical performance analysis and the forward-looking views of the financial markets, and include input from actuaries, investment service firms and investment managers.

The Company’s foreign defined benefit plans’ accumulated benefit obligations were in excess of the fair value of the plans’ assets. The projected benefit obligations, accumulated benefit obligations and fair value of these plan assets are as follows:

 

September 30, September 30,
       FISCAL YEAR  
       2011        2010  
       (in thousands)  

Projected benefit obligation

     $ 216,721         $ 212,378   

Accumulated benefit obligations

       214,848           210,738   

Fair value of plan assets

       206,402           205,810   

The investment objectives of the foreign defined benefit plans are to maximize the return on the investments without exceeding the limits of the prudent pension fund investment, to ensure that the assets would be sufficient to exceed minimum funding requirements, and to achieve a favorable return against the performance expectation based on historic and projected rates of return over the short term. The goal is to optimize the long-term return on plan assets at a moderate level of risk, by balancing higher-returning assets, such as equity securities, with less volatile assets, such as fixed income securities. The assets are managed by professional investment firms and performance is evaluated periodically against specific benchmarks. The plans’ net assets did not include the Company’s own stock at January 1, 2012, or January 2, 2011.

The Company’s actual weighted average asset allocations for 2011 and 2010, and the targeted asset allocation for 2012, of the foreign defined benefit plans by asset category, are as follows:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       FISCAL YEAR  
       2012     2011     2010  
       Target Allocation     Percentage of Plan Assets at Year End  

Asset Category:

        

Equity Securities

       70-85     66     68

Debt Securities

       25-35     30     28

Other

       0-5     4     4
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
       100     100     100
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

68


Fair Value Measurements of Plan Assets

Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure estimated fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under applicable accounting standards are described below:

 

        Level 1

  

Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

        Level 2

  

Inputs to the valuation methodology include:

  

•    quoted prices for similar assets in active markets;

  

•    quoted prices for identical or similar assets in inactive markets;

  

•    inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset; and

  

•    inputs that are derived principally or corroborated by observable data by correlation or other means.

        Level 3

  

Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The following table sets forth by level within the fair value hierarchy the foreign defined benefit plans’ assets at fair value, as of January 1, 2012 and January 2, 2011. As required by accounting standards, assets are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,

Pension Plan Assets by Category as of January 1, 2012

 
       Europe Plan        UK Plan        Total  
                (in thousands)           

Level 1

     $ 66,606         $ 132,491         $ 199,097   

Level 2

       —             —             —     

Level 3

       —             7,305           7,305   
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

     $ 66,606         $ 139,796         $ 206,402   
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,

Pension Plan Assets by Category as of January 2, 2011

 
       Europe Plan        UK Plan        Total  
                (in thousands)           

Level 1

     $ 63,318         $ 135,007         $ 198,325   

Level 2

       —             —             —     

Level 3

       —             7,485           7,485   
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

     $ 63,318         $ 142,492         $ 205,810   
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

The assets identified as level 3 above relate to insured annuities held by the UK Plan. The fair value of these assets was calculated using the present value of the future pension payments due under the insurance policies. The table below indicates the change in value related to these level 3 assets during 2011:

 

September 30,
       (in thousands)  

Balance of level 3 assets, beginning of year

     $ 7,485   

Interest cost

       391   

Benefits paid

       (1,126

Actuarial gain

       531   

Translation adjustment

       24   
    

 

 

 

Ending Balance of level 3 assets

     $ 7,305   
    

 

 

 

 

69


During 2012, the Company expects to contribute $5.5 million to the plan trust and $10.4 million in the form of direct benefit payments for its foreign defined benefit plans. It is anticipated that future benefit payments for the foreign defined benefit plans will be as follows:

 

September 30,

FISCAL YEAR

     EXPECTED PAYMENTS  
       (in thousands)  

2012

     $ 10,448   

2013

       10,585   

2014

       10,726   

2015

       10,927   

2016

       11,256   

2017-2021

       60,071   

Domestic Defined Benefit Plan

The Company maintains a domestic nonqualified salary continuation plan (“SCP”), which is designed to induce selected officers of the Company to remain in the employ of the Company by providing them with retirement, disability and death benefits in addition to those which they may receive under the Company’s other retirement plans and benefit programs. The SCP entitles participants to: (i) retirement benefits upon normal retirement at age 65 (or early retirement as early as age 55) after completing at least 15 years of service with the Company (unless otherwise provided in the SCP), payable for the remainder of their lives (or, if elected by a participant, a reduced benefit is payable for the remainder of the participant’s life and any surviving spouse’s life) and in no event less than 10 years under the death benefit feature; (ii) disability benefits payable for the period of any total disability; and (iii) death benefits payable to the designated beneficiary of the participant for a period of up to 10 years. Benefits are determined according to one of three formulas contained in the SCP, and the SCP is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, which has full discretion in choosing participants and the benefit formula applicable to each. The Company’s obligations under the SCP are currently unfunded (although the Company uses insurance instruments to hedge its exposure thereunder). The Company is required to contribute the present value of its obligations thereunder to an irrevocable grantor trust in the event of a change in control as defined in the SCP. The Company uses a year-end measurement date for the domestic SCP.

The tables presented below set forth the required disclosures in accordance with applicable accounting standards, and amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements related to the domestic SCP.

 

September 30, September 30,
       FISCAL YEAR  
       2011      2010  
       (in thousands)  

Change in benefit obligation

       

Benefit obligation, beginning of year

     $ 19,008       $ 17,474   

Service cost

       393         342   

Interest cost

       1,135         1,121   

Benefits paid

       (949      (1,024

Actuarial loss (gain)

       (279      1,095   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Benefit obligation, end of year

     $ 19,308       $ 19,008   
    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets are as follows:

 

September 30, September 30,
       2011        2010  
       (in thousands)  

Current liabilities

     $ 847         $ 1,024   

Non-current liabilities

       18,461           17,984   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $ 19,308         $ 19,008   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

70


The components of the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income, after tax, are as follows:

 

September 30, September 30,
       2011        2010  
       (in thousands)  

Unrecognized actuarial loss

     $ 2,926         $ 3,427   

Unrecognized transition asset

       —             136   

Unamortized prior service cost

       72           104   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $ 2,998         $ 3,667   
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

The accumulated benefit obligation related to the SCP was $16.0 million and $16.1 million as of January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011, respectively. The SCP is currently unfunded; as such, the benefit obligations disclosed are also the benefit obligations in excess of the plan assets. The Company uses insurance instruments to help limit its exposure under the SCP.

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       2011     2010     2009  
       (in thousands, except for assumptions)  

Assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost

        

Discount rate

       5.5     6.0     6.0

Rate of compensation

       4.0     4.0     4.0

Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations

        

Discount rate

       4.75     5.5     6.0

Rate of compensation

       4.0     4.0     4.0

Components of net periodic benefit cost

        

Service cost

     $ 393      $ 342      $ 324   

Interest cost

       1,138        1,121        1,083   

Amortizations

       637        545        545   
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

     $ 2,168      $ 2,008      $ 1,952   
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The changes in other comprehensive income during 2011 related to this Plan were approximately $0.7 million, after tax, comprised of a net gain during the period of $0.2 million, amortization of loss of $0.3 million and amortization of transition obligation of $0.2 million.

For 2012, the Company estimates that approximately $0.2 million of expenses, after tax, related to the amortization of unrecognized items will be included in net periodic benefit cost for the SCP.

During 2011, the Company contributed $1.0 million in the form of direct benefit payments for its domestic SCP. It is anticipated that future benefit payments for the SCP will be as follows:

 

September 30,

FISCAL YEAR

     EXPECTED PAYMENTS  
       (in thousands)  

2012

     $ 847   

2013

       847   

2014

       847   

2015

       847   

2016

       847   

2017-2021

       5,916   

 

71


DIVIDEND AND PURCHASE TRANSACTION INVOLVING NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST PARTNER

In the third quarter of 2010, the Company’s Thailand manufacturing joint venture paid dividends on a pro rata basis to its shareholders, including a dividend to the non-controlling interest partner in the joint venture. All operations, assets and liabilities of this joint venture are currently and have been previously consolidated by the Company. The dividend paid to the non-controlling interest partner was $7.5 million and had the effect of lowering the non-controlling interest in subsidiary balance as presented in the Company’s balance sheet.

On November 3, 2010, the Company purchased the shares of the Thailand manufacturing joint venture that were held by the non-controlling interest partner for approximately $4.0 million. After this purchase, the Company now owns all of the shares of the Thailand venture. The amount paid for the shares was greater than the carrying value of the non-controlling interest by approximately $0.9 million. In accordance with applicable accounting standards, this excess was recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in capital.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

Based on the quantitative thresholds specified by accounting standards, the Company has determined that it has two reportable segments: (1) the Modular Carpet segment, which includes its InterfaceFLOR, Heuga and FLOR modular carpet businesses, as well as its Intersept antimicrobial sales and licensing program, and (2) the Bentley Prince Street segment, which includes its Bentley Prince Street broadloom, modular carpet and area rug businesses.

The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in the Note entitled “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.” Segment amounts disclosed are prior to any elimination entries made in consolidation, except in the case of net sales, where intercompany sales have been eliminated. Intersegment sales are accounted for at fair value as if sales were to third parties. Intersegment sales are not material. The chief operating decision maker evaluates performance of the segments based on operating income. Costs excluded from this profit measure primarily consist of allocated corporate expenses, interest/other expense and income taxes. Corporate expenses are primarily comprised of corporate overhead expenses. Thus, operating income includes only the costs that are directly attributable to the operations of the individual segment. Fiscal year 2009 includes $5.9 million of income at the corporate level from litigation settlements. Assets not identifiable to an individual segment are corporate assets, which are primarily comprised of cash and cash equivalents, intangible assets and intercompany amounts, which are eliminated in consolidation.

SEGMENT DISCLOSURES

Summary information by segment follows:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       MODULAR
CARPET
       BENTLEY
PRINCE STREET
     TOTAL  
       (in thousands)  

2011

            

Net sales

     $ 953,045         $ 104,006       $ 1,057,051   

Depreciation and amortization

       25,321           2,222         27,543   

Operating income (loss)

       97,226           (1,597      95,629   

Total assets

       600,310           57,880         658,190   

2010

            

Net sales

     $ 862,314         $ 99,513       $ 961,827   

Depreciation and amortization

       17,154           2,215         19,369   

Operating income (loss)

       102,190           (3,215      98,975   

Total assets

       555,700           54,324         610,024   

2009

            

Net sales

     $ 765,264         $ 94,624       $ 859,888   

Depreciation and amortization

       17,429           2,435         19,864   

Operating income (loss)

       68,134           (7,718      60,416   

Total assets

       508,119           53,829         561,948   

 

72


A reconciliation of the Company’s total segment operating income, depreciation and amortization, and assets to the corresponding consolidated amounts are as follows:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       FISCAL YEAR  
       2011      2010      2009  
       (in thousands)  

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION

          

Total segment depreciation and amortization

     $ 27,543       $ 19,369       $ 19,864   

Corporate depreciation and amortization

       7,774         8,558         5,325   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reported depreciation and amortization

     $ 35,317       $ 27,927       $ 25,189   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME

          

Total segment operating income

     $ 95,629       $ 98,975       $ 60,416   

Corporate expenses, income and eliminations

       (8,366      (6,246      2,578   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reported operating income

     $ 87,263       $ 92,729       $ 62,994   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

ASSETS

          

Total segment assets

     $ 658,190       $ 610,024      

Assets held for sale

       —           1,200      

Corporate assets and eliminations

       114,082         144,209      
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Reported total assets

     $ 772,272       $ 755,433      
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

ENTERPRISE-WIDE DISCLOSURES

The Company has a large and diverse customer base, which includes numerous customers located in foreign countries. No single unaffiliated customer accounted for more than 10% of total sales in any year during the past three years. Sales in foreign markets in 2011, 2010 and 2009 were 52.5%, 49.9% and 49.5%, respectively, of total net sales. These sales were primarily to customers in Europe, Canada, Asia, Australia and Latin America. With the exception of the United States, Australia (2011, 2010) and the United Kingdom (2009), no one country represented more than 10% of the Company’s net sales. Revenue and long-lived assets related to operations in the United States and other countries are as follows:

 

September 30, September 30, September 30,
       FISCAL YEAR  
       2011        2010        2009  
       (in thousands)  

SALES TO UNAFFILIATED CUSTOMERS(1)

              

United States

     $ 501,220         $ 461,843         $ 434,305   

United Kingdom

       83,401           92,606           105,370   

Australia

       105,871           98,322           64,979   

Other foreign countries

       366,559           309,056           255,234   
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net sales

     $ 1,057,051         $ 961,827         $ 859,888   
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

LONG-LIVED ASSETS(2)

              

United States

     $ 85,964         $ 84,747        

United Kingdom

       22,399           18,642        

Netherlands

       22,659           18,040        

Australia

       26,807           25,014        

Other foreign countries

       32,290           31,349        
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

Total long-lived assets

     $ 190,119         $ 177,792        
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

(1) 

Revenue attributed to geographic areas is based on the location of the customer.

(2) 

Long-lived assets include tangible assets physically located in foreign countries.

 

73


QUARTERLY DATA AND SHARE INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

The following tables set forth, for the fiscal periods indicated, selected consolidated financial data and information regarding the market price per share of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. The prices represent the reported high and low sale prices during the period presented.

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       FISCAL YEAR 2011  
       FIRST
QUARTER
       SECOND
QUARTER
       THIRD
QUARTER
       FOURTH
QUARTER(1)
 
       (in thousands, except per share data)  

Net sales

     $ 245,402         $ 267,640         $ 273,106         $ 270,903   

Gross profit

       86,928           94,775           94,425           85,924   

Income from continuing operations

       9,824           12,814           12,168           4,570   

Loss from discontinued operations

       —             —             —             (655

Net income attributable to Interface, Inc.

       9,824           12,814           12,168           3,915   

Basic income per share attributable to Interface, Inc. common shareholders:

                   

Income from continuing operations

     $ 0.15         $ 0.20         $ 0.19         $ 0.07   

Loss from discontinued operations

       —             —             —             (0.01

Net income attributable to Interface, Inc.

       0.15           0.20           0.19           0.06   

Diluted income per share attributable to Interface, Inc. common shareholders:

                   

Income from continuing operations

     $ 0.15         $ 0.20         $ 0.19         $ 0.07   

Loss from discontinued operations

       —             —             —             (0.01

Net income attributable to Interface, Inc.

       0.15           0.20           0.19           0.06   

Share prices

                   

High

     $ 18.49         $ 20.23         $ 20.48         $ 14.38   

Low

       15.20           17.16           11.02           9.75   

 

(1)

Results for the fourth quarter of 2011 include restructuring charges of $6.2 million.

 

74


 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       FISCAL YEAR 2010  
       FIRST
QUARTER(1)
       SECOND
QUARTER
       THIRD
QUARTER
       FOURTH
QUARTER(2)
 
       (in thousands, except per share data)  

Net sales

     $ 217,191         $ 226,587         $ 252,724         $ 265,325   

Gross profit

       73,374           80,134           89,480           93,773   

Income (loss) from continuing operations

       2,106           8,008           12,342           (12,386

Loss from discontinued operations

       —             —             —             (736

Net income (loss) attributable to Interface, Inc.

       1,870           7,632           12,078           (13,297

Basic income (loss) per share attributable to Interface, Inc. common shareholders:

                   

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     $ 0.03         $ 0.12         $ 0.19         $ (0.20

Loss from discontinued operations

       —             —             —             (0.01

Net income (loss) attributable to Interface, Inc.

       0.03           0.12           0.19           (0.21

Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to Interface, Inc. common shareholders:

                   

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     $ 0.03         $ 0.12         $ 0.19         $ (0.20

Loss from discontinued operations

       —             —             —             (0.01

Net income (loss) attributable to Interface, Inc.

       0.03           0.12           0.19           (0.21

Share prices

                   

High

     $ 11.90         $ 14.42         $ 14.65         $ 17.15   

Low

       7.05           10.08           10.34           13.90   

 

(1) 

Results for the first quarter of 2010 include restructuring charges of $3.1 million and bond retirement expenses of $1.1 million.

(2) 

Results for the fourth quarter of 2010 include bond retirement expenses of $43.3 million.

 

75


SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The “guarantor subsidiaries,” which consist of the Company’s principal domestic subsidiaries, are guarantors of the Company’s 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes due 2013, its 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 and its 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2018. The Supplemental Guarantor Financial Statements are presented herein pursuant to requirements of the Commission.

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR YEAR 2011

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES
       NON-
GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES
     INTERFACE,  INC.
(PARENT
CORPORATION)
     CONSOLIDATION
AND
ELIMINATION
ENTRIES
     CONSOLIDATED
TOTALS
 
       (in thousands)  

Net sales

     $ 688,300         $ 538,616       $ —         $ (169,865    $ 1,057,051   

Cost of sales

       513,759           351,105         —           (169,865      694,999   
    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross profit on sales

       174,541           187,511         —           —           362,052   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

       115,199           127,128         26,285         —           268,612   

Restructuring and asset impairment charges

       1,031           5,061         85         —           6,177   
    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

       58,311           55,322         (26,370      —           87,263   

Interest/Other expense

       28,313           14,754         (16,417      —           26,650   

Income (loss) before taxes on income and equity in income of subsidiaries

       29,998           40,568         (9,953      —           60,613   

Income tax expense (benefit)

       10,589           14,117         (3,469      —           21,237   

Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries

       —             —           45,205         (45,205      —     
    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

       19,409           26,451         38,721         (45,205      39,376   

Income (loss) on discontinued operations, net of tax

       —             (655      —           —           (655
    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

       19,409           25,796         38,721         (45,205      38,721   

Income attributable to non-controlling interest in subsidiary

       —             —           —           —           —     
    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Interface, Inc.

     $ 19,409         $ 25,796       $ 38,721       $ (45,205    $ 38,721   
    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

76


STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR YEAR 2010

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES
       NON-
GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES
     INTERFACE,  INC.
(PARENT
CORPORATION)
     CONSOLIDATION
AND
ELIMINATION
ENTRIES
     CONSOLIDATED
TOTALS
 
       (in thousands)  

Net sales

     $ 620,994         $ 484,195       $ —         $ (143,362    $ 961,827   

Cost of sales

       462,983           305,445         —           (143,362      625,066   
    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross profit on sales

       158,011           178,750         —           —           336,761   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

       102,214           117,173         21,514         —           240,901   

Restructuring charges

       418           2,713         —           —           3,131   
    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

       55,379           58,864         (21,514      —           92,729   

Interest/Other expense

       27,070           12,572         (5,856      —           33,786   

Bond retirement expenses

       —             —           44,379         —           44,379   
    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) before taxes on income and equity in income of subsidiaries

       28,309           46,292         (60,037      —           14,564   

Income tax expense (benefit)

       11,251           18,225         (24,982      —           4,494   

Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries

       —             —           43,338         (43,338      —     
    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

       17,058           28,067         8,283         (43,338      10,070   

Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax

       —             (736      —           —           (736
    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

       17,058           27,331         8,283         (43,338      9,334   

Income attributable to non-controlling interest in subsidiary

       —             (1,051      —           —           (1,051
    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Interface, Inc.

     $ 17,058         $ 26,280       $ 8,283       $ (43,338    $ 8,283   
    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

77


STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR YEAR 2009

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES
     NON-
GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES
     INTERFACE,  INC.
(PARENT
CORPORATION)
     CONSOLIDATION
AND
ELIMINATION
ENTRIES
     CONSOLIDATED
TOTALS
 
       (in thousands)  

Net sales

     $ 542,871       $ 428,090       $ —         $ (111,073    $ 859,888   

Cost of sales

       405,313         282,631         —           (111,073      576,871   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross profit on sales

       137,558         145,459         —           —           283,017   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

       90,105         108,911         19,306         —           218,322   

Income from litigation settlements

       —           —           (5,926      —           (5,926

Restructuring charges

       3,960         3,667         —           —           7,627   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

       43,493         32,881         (13,380      —           62,994   

Interest/Other expense

       20,804         7,498         6,571         —           34,873   

Bond retirement expenses

       —           —           6,096         —           6,096   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) before taxes on income and equity in income of subsidiaries

       22,689         25,383         (26,047      —           22,025   

Income tax expense (benefit)

       8,738         9,030         (8,416      —           9,352   

Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries

       —           —           28,549         (28,549      —     
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

       13,951         16,353         10,918         (28,549      12,673   

Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax

       (259      (650      —           —           (909
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

       13,692         15,703         10,918         (28,549      11,764   

Income attributable to non-controlling interest in subsidiary

       —           (846      —           —           (846
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Interface, Inc.

     $ 13,692       $ 14,857       $ 10,918       $ (28,549    $ 10,918   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

78


BALANCE SHEET AS OF JANUARY 1, 2012

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES
     NON-GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES
     INTERFACE,  INC.
(PARENT
CORPORATION)
     CONSOLIDATION
AND ELIMINATION
ENTRIES
     CONSOLIDATED
TOTALS
 
       (in thousands)  

ASSETS

                

Current Assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

     $ 1,101       $ 35,874       $ 13,660       $ —         $ 50,635   

Accounts receivable

       73,115         82,429         626         —           156,170   

Inventories

       95,535         70,538         —           —           166,073   

Prepaids and deferred income taxes

       8,043         16,040         9,023         —           33,106   

Assets of business held for sale

       —           —           —           —           —     
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

       177,794         204,881         23,309         —           405,984   

Property and equipment less accumulated depreciation

       82,303         103,741         4,075         —           190,119   

Investment in subsidiaries

       286,328         184,108         116,316         (586,752      —     

Goodwill

       6,954         67,603         —           —           74,557   

Other assets

       5,832         9,680         86,100         —           101,612   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     $ 559,211       $ 570,013       $ 229,800       $ (586,752    $ 772,272   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Current Liabilities:

     $ 53,472       $ 84,455       $ 11,246       $ —         $ 149,173   

Senior notes and senior subordinated notes

       —           —           294,507         —           294,507   

Deferred income taxes

       11,044         1,615         (4,268      —           8,391   

Other

       9,330         1,902         27,930         —           39,162   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

       73,846         87,972         329,415         —           491,233   

Shareholders’ equity

                

Common stock

       94,145         102,199         6,548         (196,344      6,548   

Additional paid-in capital

       249,302         12,525         361,400         (261,827      361,400   

Retained earnings (deficit)

       143,617         425,710         (457,510      (128,581      (16,764

Foreign currency translation adjustment

       (1,699      (25,129      (7,055      —           (33,883

Pension liability

       —           (33,264      (2,998      —           (36,262
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     $ 485,365       $ 482,041       $ (99,615    $ (586,752    $ 281,039   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 559,211       $ 570,013       $ 229,800       $ (586,752    $ 772,272   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

79


BALANCE SHEET AS OF JANUARY 2, 2011

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES
     NON-GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES
     INTERFACE,  INC.
(PARENT
CORPORATION)
     CONSOLIDATION
AND ELIMINATION
ENTRIES
     CONSOLIDATED
TOTALS
 
       (in thousands)  

ASSETS

                

Current Assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

     $ 1,086       $ 32,601       $ 35,549       $ —         $ 69,236   

Accounts receivable

       68,831         81,805         827         —           151,463   

Inventories

       66,747         70,019         —           —           136,766   

Prepaids and deferred income taxes

       7,670         15,940         10,814         —           34,424   

Assets of business held for sale

       —           1,200         —           —           1,200   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

       144,334         201,565         47,190         —           393,089   

Property and equipment less accumulated depreciation

       79,618         92,987         5,187         —           177,792   

Investment in subsidiaries

       291,573         205,265         44,709         (541,547      —     

Goodwill

       6,954         68,285         —           —           75,239   

Other assets

       6,105         12,949         90,259         —           109,313   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     $ 528,584       $ 581,051       $ 187,345       $ (541,547    $ 755,433   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Current Liabilities:

     $ 58,635       $ 95,107       $ 14,774       $ —         $ 168,516   

Senior notes and senior subordinated notes

       —           —           294,428         —           294,428   

Deferred income taxes

       1,615         10,310         (4,362      —           7,563   

Other

       2,128         6,872         27,054         —           36,054   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

       62,378         112,289         331,894         —           506,561   

Shareholders’ equity

                

Common stock

       94,145         102,199         6,445         (196,344      6,445   

Additional paid-in capital

       249,302         12,525         349,662         (261,827      349,662   

Retained earnings (deficit)

       124,208         399,914         (490,516      (83,376      (49,770

Foreign currency translation adjustment

       (1,449      (18,347      (6,473      —           (26,269

Pension liability

       —           (27,529      (3,667      —           (31,196
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     $ 466,206       $ 468,762       $ (144,549    $ (541,547    $ 248,872   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 528,584       $ 581,051       $ 187,345       $ (541,547    $ 755,433   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

80


STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR YEAR 2011

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES
     NON-GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES
     INTERFACE,  INC.
(PARENT
CORPORATION)
     CONSOLIDATION
AND ELIMINATION
ENTRIES
     CONSOLIDATED
TOTALS
 
       (in thousands)  

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

     $ (7,196    $ 27,970       $ 5,113       $ (1,523    $ 24,364   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Purchase of plant and equipment

       (14,987      (23,013      (50      —           (38,050

Other

       51         (1,080      (537      —           (1,566
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used for investing activities

       (14,936      (24,093      (587      —           (39,616
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

       —           —           2,669         —           2,669   

Dividends paid

       —           —           (5,227      —           (5,227

Other

       22,147         (838      (23,857      1,523         (1,025
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

       22,147         (838      (26,415      1,523         (3,583
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate change on cash

       —           234         —           —           234   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

       15         3,273         (21,889      —           (18,601

Cash, at beginning of year

       1,086         32,601         35,549         —           69,236   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash, at end of year

     $ 1,101       $ 35,874       $ 13,660       $ —         $ 50,635   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

81


STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR YEAR 2010

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES
     NON-GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES
     INTERFACE,  INC.
(PARENT
CORPORATION)
     CONSOLIDATION
AND ELIMINATION
ENTRIES
     CONSOLIDATED
TOTALS
 
       (in thousands)  

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

     $ 27,785       $ 26,516       $ (9,872    $ 2,951       $ 47,380   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Purchase of plant and equipment

       (11,643      (18,163      (1,909      —           (31,715

Other

       (682      84         (4,730      —           (5,328
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used for investing activities

       (12,325      (18,079      (6,639      —           (37,043
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Issuance of Senior Notes

       —           —           275,000         —           275,000   

Repurchase of Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes

       —           —           (279,966      —           (279,966

Purchase of non-controlling interest

       —           (11,488      —           —           (11,488

Debt issuance costs

       —           —           (5,930      —           (5,930

Premiums paid to repurchase Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes

       —           —           (36,374      —           (36,374

Other

       (14,919      (7,332      25,202         (2,951      —     

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

       —           —           3,103         —           3,103   

Dividends paid

       —           —           (2,721      —           (2,721
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used for financing activities

       (14,919      (18,820      (21,686      (2,951      (58,376

Effect of exchange rate change on cash

       —           1,912         —           —           1,912   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

       541         (8,471      (38,197      —           (46,127

Cash, at beginning of period

       545         41,072         73,746         —           115,363   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash, at end of period

     $ 1,086       $ 32,601       $ 35,549       $ —         $ 69,236   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

82


STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR YEAR 2009

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES
     NON-GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES
     INTERFACE,  INC.
(PARENT
CORPORATION)
     CONSOLIDATION AND
ELIMINATION
ENTRIES
     CONSOLIDATED
TOTALS
 
       (in thousands)  

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

     $ 23,919       $ 34,234       $ (6,655    $ 2,952       $ 54,450   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Purchase of plant and equipment

       (6,586      (1,860      (307      —           (8,753

Other

       (372      1,993         (222      —           1,399   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities

       (6,958      133         (529      —           (7,354
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Issuance of Senior Secured Notes

       —           —           144,452         —           144,452   

Repurchase of Senior Notes

       —           —           (138,002      —           (138,002

Debt issuance costs

       —           —           (6,301      —           (6,301

Premiums paid to repurchase Senior Notes

       —           —           (5,264      —           (5,264

Other

       (17,198      (21,520      41,670         (2,952      —     

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

       —           —           499         —           499   

Dividends paid

       —           —           (634      —           (634
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

       (17,198      (21,520      36,420         (2,952      (5,250

Effect of exchange rate change on cash

       —           1,760         —           —           1,760   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

       (237      14,607         29,236         —           43,606   

Cash, at beginning of period

       782         26,465         44,510         —           71,757   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash, at end of period

     $ 545       $ 41,072       $ 73,746       $ —         $ 115,363   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

83


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Shareholders of Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Atlanta, Georgia

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of January 1, 2012 and January 2, 2011 and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 1, 2012. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries at January 1, 2012 and January 2, 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period then ended January 1, 2012, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of January 1, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated February 29, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

Atlanta, Georgia

February 29, 2012

 

84


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Shareholders of Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Atlanta, Georgia

We have audited Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of January 1, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying “Item 9A, Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting”. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of January 1, 2012, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of January 1, 2012 and January 2, 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 1, 2012 and our report dated February 29, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

Atlanta, Georgia

February 29, 2012

 

85


ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(c) under the Act. Based on that evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of January 1, 2012 based on the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in “Internal Control – Integrated Framework.” Based on that assessment, management concluded that, as of January 1, 2012, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.

Our independent auditors have issued an audit report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. This report immediately precedes Item 9 of this Report.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None

PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information contained under the captions “Nomination and Election of Directors,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and “Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of our 2011 fiscal year, is incorporated herein by reference. Pursuant to Instruction 3 to Paragraph (b) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K, information relating to our executive officers is included in Item 1 of this Report.

We have adopted the “Interface Code of Business Conduct and Ethics” (the “Code”) which applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The Code may be viewed on our website at www.interfaceglobal.com. Changes to the Code will be posted on our website. Any waiver of the Code for executive officers or directors may be made only by our Board of Directors and will be disclosed to the extent required by law or Nasdaq rules on our website or in a filing on Form 8-K.

 

86


ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information contained under the captions “Executive Compensation and Related Items,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Committee Report,” “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” and “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of our 2011 fiscal year, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information contained under the captions “Principal Shareholders and Management Stock Ownership” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of our 2011 fiscal year, is incorporated herein by reference.

For purposes of determining the aggregate market value of our voting and non-voting stock held by non-affiliates, shares held by our directors and executive officers have been excluded. The exclusion of such shares is not intended to, and shall not, constitute a determination as to which persons or entities may be “affiliates” as that term is defined under federal securities laws.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information contained under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Director Independence” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of our 2011 fiscal year, is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information contained under the captions “Audit and Non-Audit Fees” and “Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditors” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of our 2011 fiscal year, is incorporated herein by reference.

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

1. Financial Statements

The following Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto of Interface, Inc. and subsidiaries and related Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are contained in Item 8 of this Report:

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income— fiscal years ended January 1, 2012, January 2, 2011 and January 3, 2010.

Consolidated Balance Sheets — January 1, 2012 and January 2, 2011.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — fiscal years ended January 1, 2012, January 2, 2011 and January 3, 2010.

 

87


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

2. Financial Statement Schedule

The following Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule of Interface, Inc. and subsidiaries and related Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are included as part of this Report (see the pages immediately preceding the signatures in this Report.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves

3. Exhibits

The following exhibits are included as part of this Report:

 

Exhibit

Number

       

Description of Exhibit

3.1    —     

Restated Articles of Incorporation dated as of March 17, 2008 (included as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on March 17, 2008, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).

3.2    —     

Bylaws, as amended and restated (included as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).

4.1    —     

See Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 for provisions in the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws defining the rights of holders of Common Stock of the Company.

4.2    —     

Rights Agreement dated March 7, 2008 and effective as of March 17, 2008 between the Company and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (included as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on March 7, 2008, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).

4.3    —     

Indenture governing the Company’s 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014, dated as of February 4, 2004, among the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company, as guarantors, and SunTrust Bank, as Trustee (the “2004 Indenture”) (included as Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2003 (the “2003 10-K”), previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); First Supplemental Indenture related to the 2004 Indenture, dated as of January 10, 2005 (included as Exhibit 99.3 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on February 16, 2005, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); and Second Supplemental Indenture related to the 2004 Indenture, dated as of November 17, 2010 (included as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on November 19, 2010, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).

 

88


 

Exhibit

Number

       

Description of Exhibit

4.4    —     

Indenture governing the Company’s 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes due 2013, among the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company, as guarantors, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (the “2009 Indenture”) (included as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on June 11, 2009, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Intercreditor Agreement, dated June 5, 2009, by and among the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company, as guarantors, Wachovia Bank, National Association, in its capacity as domestic agent and collateral agent under the Company’s domestic revolving credit facility, and U.S. Bank National Association, as collateral agent under the 2009 Indenture (included as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on June 11, 2009, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Pledge and Security Agreement, dated June 5, 2009, by and among the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company, and U.S. Bank National Association, in its capacity as collateral agent for the holders of the 11 3/8% Senior Secured Notes (included as Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 3, 2010, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); and First Supplemental Indenture related to the 2009 Indenture, dated as of November 17, 2010 (included as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on November 19, 2010, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).

4.5    —     

Indenture governing the Company’s 7 5/8% Senior Notes due 2018, dated as of December 3, 2010, among the Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company, as guarantors, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee (included as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on December 7, 2010, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).

10.1    —     

Salary Continuation Plan, dated May 7, 1982 (included as Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 2-82188, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.2    —     

Form of Salary Continuation Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2008 (as used for Daniel T. Hendrix, Raymond S. Willoch and John R. Wells) (included as Exhibit 99.5 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 7, 2008, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.3    —     

Interface, Inc. Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective February 23, 2010) (included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on May 26, 2010, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Forms of Restricted Stock Agreement, as used for directors, executive officers and other key employees/consultants (included as Exhibits 99.1, 99.2 and 99.3, respectively, to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 14, 2005, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); and Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, as used for executive officers (included as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2007, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.4    —     

Interface, Inc. Executive Bonus Plan, adopted on February 25, 2009 (included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on May 28, 2009, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.5    —     

Interface, Inc. Nonqualified Savings Plan (as amended and restated effective January 1, 2002) (included as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2001, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); First Amendment thereto, dated as of December 20, 2002 (included as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 29, 2003, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Second Amendment thereto, dated as of December 30, 2002 (included as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 29, 2003, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Third Amendment thereto, dated as of May 8, 2003 (included as Exhibit 10.6 to the 2003 10-K, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); and Fourth Amendment thereto, dated as of December 31, 2003 (included as Exhibit 10.7 to the 2003 10-K, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

 

89


Exhibit

Number

       

Description of Exhibit

10.6    —     

Interface, Inc. Nonqualified Savings Plan II, dated as of January 1, 2005 (included as Exhibit 4 to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-8 dated November 29, 2004, File No. 333-120813, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); First Amendment thereto, dated as of December 28, 2005 (included as Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2006 (the “2005 10-K”), previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Second Amendment thereto, dated as of December 20, 2006 (included as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 14, 2008, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); and Third Amendment thereto, dated January 8, 2008 (included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 14, 2008, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.7    —     

Amended and Restated Employment and Change in Control Agreement of Daniel T. Hendrix dated January 1, 2008 (included as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 7, 2008, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.8    —     

Amended and Restated Employment and Change in Control Agreement of Patrick C. Lynch dated January 1, 2008 (included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 7, 2008, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.9    —     

Amended and Restated Employment and Change in Control Agreement of John R. Wells dated January 1, 2008 (included as Exhibit 99.3 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 7, 2008, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.10    —     

Amended and Restated Employment and Change in Control Agreement of Raymond S. Willoch dated January 1, 2008 (included as Exhibit 99.4 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 7, 2008, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.11    —     

UK Service Agreement between Interface Europe, Ltd. and Lindsey Kenneth Parnell dated March 13, 2007 (included as Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 (the “2006 10-K”), previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.12    —     

Overseas Service Agreement between Interface Europe, Ltd. and Lindsey Kenneth Parnell dated March 13, 2007 (included as Exhibit 10.13 to the 2006 10-K, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.13    —     

Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 24, 2011, among the Company (and certain direct and indirect subsidiaries), the lenders listed therein, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Bank of America, N.A. (included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed first on October 27, 2011, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).

10.14    —     

Split Dollar Insurance Agreement, dated February 21, 1997, between the Company and Daniel T. Hendrix (included as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 4, 1998, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); and Amendment thereto, dated December 29, 2008 (included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 2, 2009, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.15    —     

Form of Indemnity Agreement of Director (as used for directors of the Company) (included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on November 30, 2005, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.16    —     

Form of Indemnity Agreement of Officer (as used for certain officers of the Company, including Daniel T. Hendrix, John R. Wells, Patrick C. Lynch, Raymond S. Willoch, Lindsey K. Parnell and Robert A. Coombs) (included as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on November 30, 2005, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

10.17    —     

Interface, Inc. Long-Term Care Insurance Plan and related Summary Plan Description (included as Exhibit 99.2 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on December 20, 2005, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*

 

90


Exhibit

Number

       

Description of Exhibit

10.18    —     

Credit Agreement, executed on April 24, 2009, among Interface Europe B.V. (and certain of its subsidiaries) and ABN AMRO Bank N.V. (included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on April 29, 2009, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Amendment Agreement thereto, executed on January 21, 2010 (included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K dated January 21, 2010 and filed on January 22, 2010, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Second Amendment thereto, executed on December 17, 2010, among Interface Europe B.V. (and certain of its subsidiaries) and the Royal Bank of Scotland N.V. (as successor to ABN AMRO Bank N.V.) (included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on November 30, 2011, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); and Third Amendment thereto, executed on November 24, 2011 (included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on November 30, 2011, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).

21    —     

Subsidiaries of the Company.

23    —     

Consent of BDO USA, LLP.

24    —     

Power of Attorney (see signature page of this Report).

31.1    —     

Certification of Chief Executive Officer with respect to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2012.

31.2    —     

Certification of Chief Financial Officer with respect to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2012.

32.1    —     

Certification Pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of United States Code by Chief Executive Officer with respect to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2012.

32.2    —     

Certification Pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of United States Code by Chief Financial Officer with respect to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2012.

101.INS    —     

XBRL Instance Document (filed electronically herewith)

101.SCH    —     

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (filed electronically herewith)

101.CAL    —     

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (filed electronically herewith)

101.LAB    —     

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (filed electronically herewith)

101.PRE    —     

XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document (filed electronically herewith)

101.DEF    —     

XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document (filed electronically herewith)

 

*

Management contract or compensatory plan or agreement required to be filed pursuant to Item 15(b) of this Report.

 

91


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Atlanta, Georgia

The audits referred to in our report dated February 29, 2012 relating to the consolidated financial statements of Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries, which is contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K also included the audit of the Financial Statement Schedule II (Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves) listed in the accompanying index. This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement schedule based on our audits.

In our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

Atlanta, Georgia

February 29, 2012

 

92


INTERFACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Schedule VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES

SCHEDULE II – VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       COLUMN A
BALANCE, AT
BEGINNING
OF YEAR
       COLUMN B
CHARGED TO
COSTS AND
EXPENSES (A)
       COLUMN C
CHARGED TO
OTHER
ACCOUNTS
       COLUMN D
DEDUCTIONS
(DESCRIBE) (B)
       COLUMN E
BALANCE,  AT
END OF YEAR
 
       (in thousands)  

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:

                        

Year Ended:

                        

January 1, 2012

     $ 9,631         $ 1,454         $ —           $ 2,165         $ 8,920   

January 2, 2011

       12,288           1,318           —             3,975           9,631   

January 3, 2010

       11,144           2,719           —             1,575           12,288   

 

(A)

Includes changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

(B)

Write off of bad debt, and recovering of previously provided for amounts.

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       COLUMN A
BALANCE, AT
BEGINNING
OF YEAR
       COLUMN B
CHARGED TO
COSTS AND
EXPENSES (A)
       COLUMN C
CHARGED TO
OTHER
ACCOUNTS (B)
       COLUMN D
DEDUCTIONS
(DESCRIBE) (C)
       COLUMN E
BALANCE,  AT
END OF YEAR
 
       (in thousands)  

Restructuring Reserve:

                        

Year Ended:

                        

January 1, 2012

     $ 521         $ 6,053         $ 776         $ 1,544         $ 4,254   

January 2, 2011

       1,953           3,004           —             4,436           521   

January 3, 2010

       6,952           7,627           508           12,118           1,953   

 

(A)

Includes changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

(B)

Reduction of asset carrying value.

 

(C)

Cash payments.

 

93


 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       COLUMN A
BALANCE, AT
BEGINNING
OF YEAR
       COLUMN B
CHARGED TO
COSTS AND
EXPENSES (A)
       COLUMN C
CHARGED
TO OTHER
ACCOUNTS
       COLUMN D
DEDUCTIONS
(DESCRIBE) (B)
       COLUMN E
BALANCE,  AT
END OF YEAR
 
       (in thousands)  

Reserves for Sales Returns and Allowances:

                        

Year ended:

                        

January 1, 2012

     $ 4,475         $ 1,887         $ —           $ 2,086         $ 4,276   

January 2, 2011

       3,334           3,195           —             2,054           4,475   

January 3, 2010

       2,737           1,552           —             955           3,334   

 

(A)

Includes changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

(B)

Represents credits issued and adjustments to reflect actual exposure.

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       COLUMN A
BALANCE, AT
BEGINNING
OF YEAR
       COLUMN B
CHARGED TO
COSTS AND
EXPENSES (A)
       COLUMN C
CHARGED
TO OTHER
ACCOUNTS
       COLUMN D
DEDUCTIONS
(DESCRIBE) (B)
       COLUMN E
BALANCE,  AT
END OF YEAR
 
       (in thousands)  

Warranty Reserves:

                        

Year ended:

                        

January 1, 2012

     $ 1,579         $ 42         $ —           $ 162         $ 1,459   

January 2, 2011

       1,349           731           —             501           1,579   

January 3, 2010

       1,859           35           —             545           1,349   

 

(A)

Includes changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

(B)

Represents costs applied against reserve and adjustments to reflect actual exposure.

 

September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
       COLUMN A
BALANCE, AT
BEGINNING
OF YEAR
       COLUMN B
CHARGED TO
COSTS AND
EXPENSES (A)
       COLUMN C
CHARGED
TO OTHER
ACCOUNTS
       COLUMN D
DEDUCTIONS
(DESCRIBE) (B)
       COLUMN E
BALANCE,  AT
END OF YEAR
 
       (in thousands)  

Inventory Reserves:

                        

Year ended:

                        

January 1, 2012

     $ 15,741         $ 2,259         $ —           $ 3,560         $ 14,440   

January 2, 2011

       17,144           2,736           —             4,139           15,741   

January 3, 2010

       10,885           8,097           —             1,838           17,144   

 

(A)

Includes changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

(B)

Represents costs applied against reserve and adjustments to reflect actual exposure.

(All other Schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission are omitted because they are either not applicable or the required information is shown in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements or the Notes thereto.)

 

94


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: February 24, 2012       INTERFACE, INC.
    By:   /s/ DANIEL T. HENDRIX
     

 

      Daniel T. Hendrix
      President and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Daniel T. Hendrix as attorney-in-fact, with power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Capacity

 

Date

/s/ DANIEL T. HENDRIX

  

Chairman of the Board, President, Chief

 

February 24, 2012

Daniel T. Hendrix

  

Executive Officer and Director (Principal

 
  

Executive Officer)

 

/s/ PATRICK C. LYNCH

  

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

February 24, 2012

Patrick C. Lynch

  

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

/s/ EDWARD C. CALLAWAY

  

Director

 

February 24, 2012

Edward C. Callaway

    

/s/ DIANNE DILLON-RIDGLEY

  

Director

 

February 24, 2012

Dianne Dillon-Ridgley

    

/s/ CARL I. GABLE

  

Director

 

February 24, 2012

Carl I. Gable

    

/s/ JUNE M. HENTON

  

Director

 

February 24, 2012

June M. Henton

    

/s/ CHRISTOPHER G. KENNEDY

  

Director

 

February 24, 2012

Christopher G. Kennedy

    

/s/ K. DAVID KOHLER

  

Director

 

February 24, 2012

K. David Kohler

    

/s/ JAMES B. MILLER, JR.

  

Director

 

February 24, 2012

James B. Miller, Jr.

    

/s/ HAROLD M. PAISNER

  

Director

 

February 24, 2012

Harold M. Paisner

    

 

95


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

    
21         Subsidiaries of the Company.
23         Consent of BDO USA, LLP.
24         Power of Attorney.
31.1      Certification of Chief Executive Officer with respect to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2012.
31.2      Certification of Chief Financial Officer with respect to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2012.
32.1      Certification Pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of United States Code by Chief Executive Officer with respect to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2012.
32.2      Certification Pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of United States Code by Chief Financial Officer with respect to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2012.
101.INS    XBRL Instance Document (filed electronically herewith)
101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (filed electronically herewith)
101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (filed electronically herewith)
101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (filed electronically herewith)
101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document (filed electronically herewith)
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document (filed electronically herewith)

 

96


 

LOGO

 

97