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DONALDSON Co INC - Annual Report: 2015 (Form 10-K)

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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 July 31, 2015 or
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 for the transition period from __________ to __________

Commission File Number: 1-7891

DONALDSON COMPANY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 41-0222640
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
   
1400 West 94th Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55431
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (952) 887-3131

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Name of each exchange
on which registered
Common Stock, $5 Par Value
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE

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

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     No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).      Yes     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 “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer   
Non-accelerated filer   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Smaller reporting company   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes     No

As of January 31, 2015, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $4,956,390,941 (based on the closing price of $36.56 as reported on the New York Stock Exchange as of that date).

As of October 30, 2015, there were approximately 132,636,175 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 2015 annual meeting of stockholders (the “2015 Proxy Statement”) are incorporated by reference in Part III, as specifically set forth in Part III.

 

 
 

DONALDSON COMPANY, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

    Page
PART I
Item 1. Business 1
  General 1
  Seasonality 2
  Competition 2
  Raw Materials 2
  Patents and Trademarks 2
  Major Customers 2
  Backlog 2
  Research and Development 2
  Environmental Matters 3
  Employees 3
  Geographic Areas 3
Item 1A. Risk Factors 3
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 6
Item 2. Properties 6
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 7
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 8
  Executive Officers of the Registrant 8
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters
and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
9
Item 6. Selected Financial Data 10
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations
11
  Safe Harbor Statement under the Securities Reform Act of 1995 24
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 25
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 26
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
and Financial Disclosure
60
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures 60
Item 9B. Other Information 61
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 62
Item 11. Executive Compensation 62
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and
Related Stockholder Matters
63
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 64
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services 64
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 64
  Signatures 65
  Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 66
  Exhibit Index 67

 

   
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PART I

Item 1. Business

General

Donaldson Company, Inc. (Donaldson or the Company) was founded in 1915 and organized in its present corporate form under the laws of the State of Delaware in 1936.

The Company is a worldwide manufacturer of filtration systems and replacement parts. The Company’s core strengths are leading filtration technology, strong Customer relationships, and its global presence. Products are manufactured at 41 plants around the world and through three joint ventures.

The Company has two reporting segments: Engine Products and Industrial Products. Products in the Engine Products segment consist of air filtration systems, exhaust and emissions systems, liquid filtration systems including hydraulics, fuel, and lube systems, and replacement filters. The Engine Products segment sells to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the construction, mining, agriculture, aerospace, defense, and truck markets, and to independent distributors, OEM dealer networks, private label accounts, and large equipment fleets. Products in the Industrial Products segment consist of dust, fume, and mist collectors, compressed air purification systems, air filtration systems for gas turbines, PTFE membrane-based products, and specialized air and gas filtration systems for applications including computer hard disk drives and semi-conductor manufacturing. The Industrial Products segment sells to various industrial dealers, distributors, OEMs of gas-fired turbines, and OEMs and end-users requiring clean filtration solutions and replacement filters.

The discussion below should be read in conjunction with the risk factors discussed in this report in Part I, Item  1A, “Risk Factors.”

The table below shows the percentage of total net sales contributed by the principal classes of similar products for each of the last three fiscal years:

  Year Ended July 31,
  2015   2014   2013
Engine Products segment          
Off-Road Products 11%   14%   15%
On-Road Products  6%    5%    5%
Aftermarket Products* 41%   41%   38%
Aerospace and Defense Products  5%    4%    4%
*includes replacement part sales to the
  Company’s OEM Customers
         
Industrial Products segment          
Industrial Filtration Solutions Products 22%   23%   22%
Gas Turbine Products  8%    6%    9%
Special Applications Products  7%    7%    7%

Total net sales contributed by the principal classes of similar products and financial information about segment operations and geographic regions appear in Note K in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 54.

The Company makes its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, available free of charge through its website at www.donaldson.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after it electronically files such material with (or furnishes such material to) the Securities and Exchange Commission. Also available on the Company’s website are corporate governance documents, including the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Corporate Governance Guidelines, Audit Committee charter, Human Resources Committee charter, and Corporate Governance Committee charter. These documents are also available in print, free of charge to any person who requests them in writing to the attention of Investor Relations, MS 102, Donaldson Company, Inc., 1400 West 94th Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55431. The information contained on the Company’s website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K and should not be considered to be part of this Form 10-K.

 

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Seasonality

A number of the Company’s end markets are dependent on the construction, agricultural, and power generation industries, which are generally stronger in the second half of the Company’s fiscal year. The first two quarters of the fiscal year also contain the traditional summer and winter holiday periods, which are typically characterized by more Customer plant closures.

Competition

Principal methods of competition in both the Engine and Industrial Products segments are technology, innovation, price, geographic coverage, service, and product performance. The Company competes in a number of highly competitive filtration markets in both segments. The Company believes it is a market leader within many of its product lines, specifically within its Off-Road Equipment and On-Road Products lines for OEMs, and is a significant participant in the aftermarket for replacement filters. The Engine Products segment’s principal competitors include several large global competitors and many regional competitors, especially in the Engine Aftermarket Products business. The Industrial Products segment’s principal competitors vary from country to country and include several large regional and global competitors and a significant number of smaller competitors who compete in a specific geographical region or in a limited number of product applications.

Raw Materials

The principal raw materials that the Company uses are steel, filter media, and petroleum-based products including plastics, rubber, and chemicals. Purchased raw materials represent approximately 60 to 65 percent of the Company’s cost of goods sold. Of that amount, steel, including fabricated parts, represents approximately 25 percent. Filter media represents approximately 15 to 20 percent and the remainder is primarily made up of petroleum-based products and other components. The cost the Company paid for steel during Fiscal 2015 varied by grade, but in the aggregate, it slightly decreased during the fiscal year. The Company’s cost of filter media also varies by type and slightly increased during the fiscal year. The Company anticipates a moderately favorable impact from commodity prices in Fiscal 2016, as compared to Fiscal 2015, specifically for steel and petroleum-based products, based on recent market information for purchased commodities. The Company strives to recover or offset any material cost increases through selective price increases to its Customers and through the Company’s Continuous Improvement initiatives, which include material substitutions, process improvements, and product redesigns.

Patents and Trademarks

The Company owns various patents and trademarks, which it considers in the aggregate to constitute a valuable asset, including patents and trademarks for products sold under the Ultra-Web®, PowerCore®, and Donaldson® trademarks. However, it does not regard the validity of any one patent or trademark as being of material importance.

Major Customers

There were no Customers that accounted for over 10 percent of net sales in Fiscal 2015, 2014, or 2013. There were no Customers that accounted for over 10 percent of gross accounts receivable in Fiscal 2015 or Fiscal 2014.

Backlog

At August 31, 2015, the backlog of orders expected to be delivered within 90 days was $331.0 million. The 90-day backlog at August 31, 2014, was $375.1 million. Backlog is one of many indicators of business conditions in the Company’s markets. However, it is not always indicative of future results for a number of reasons, including short lead times in the Company’s replacement parts businesses and the timing of orders in many of the Company’s Engine OEM and Industrial markets.

Research and Development

During Fiscal 2015, the Company spent $60.2 million on research and development activities. Research and development expenses include basic scientific research and the application of scientific advances to the development of new and improved products and their uses. The Company spent $61.8 million and $62.6 million in Fiscal 2014 and Fiscal 2013, respectively, on research and development activities. Substantially all commercial research and development is performed in-house.

 

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Environmental Matters

The Company does not anticipate any material effect on its capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive position during Fiscal 2016 due to compliance with government regulations regulating the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment.

Employees

The Company employed over 12,500 persons in worldwide operations as of July 31, 2015.

Geographic Areas

Financial information about geographic areas appears in Note K of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 54.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There are inherent risks and uncertainties associated with our global operations that involve the manufacturing and sale of products for highly demanding Customer applications throughout the world. These risks and uncertainties could adversely affect our operating performance and financial condition. The following discussion, along with discussions elsewhere in this report, outlines the risks and uncertainties that we believe are the most material to our business at this time. We want to further highlight the risks and uncertainties associated with: world economic factors and ongoing global economic uncertainty, currency fluctuations, commodity prices, political factors, our international operations, the continued implementation of our global ERP information technology system and other new information technology systems, information security and data breaches, the reduced demand for hard disk drive products with the increased use of flash memory, highly competitive markets, governmental laws and regulations, including the impact of the various economic stimulus and financial reform measures, potential global events resulting in market instability including financial bailouts and defaults of sovereign nations, military and terrorist activities, including conditions where we do business, other political changes, health outbreaks, natural disasters, and other factors discussed below. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Operating internationally carries risks which could negatively affect our financial performance.

We have sales and manufacturing operations throughout the world, with the heaviest concentrations in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Our stability, growth, and profitability are subject to a number of risks of doing business internationally that could harm our business, including:

·political and military events,
·legal and regulatory requirements, including import, export, defense regulations, anti-corruption laws, and foreign exchange controls,
·tariffs and trade barriers,
·potential difficulties in staffing and managing local operations,
·credit risk of local Customers and distributors,
·difficulties in protecting our intellectual property,
·local economic, political, and social conditions, specifically in the Middle East, Ukraine, China, Thailand, and other emerging markets where we do business,
·trade restrictions in Latin American countries, specifically Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Venezuela,
·potential global health outbreaks, and
·natural disasters.

Due to the international scope of our operations, we are subject to a complex system of import- and export-related laws and regulations. Any alleged or actual violations may subject us to government scrutiny, investigation, and civil and criminal penalties, and may limit our ability to import or export our products or to provide services outside the

 

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United States (U.S.). In addition, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar foreign anti-corruption laws generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments or providing anything of value to improperly influence foreign government officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business, or obtaining an unfair advantage. Violations of these laws may result in severe criminal or civil sanctions, could disrupt our business, and result in an adverse effect on our reputation, business, and results of operations or financial condition.

Maintaining a competitive advantage requires continuing investment with uncertain returns.

We operate in highly competitive markets and have numerous competitors who may already be well-established in those markets. We expect our competitors to continue improving the design and performance of their products and to introduce new products that could be competitive in both price and performance. We believe that we have certain technological advantages over our competitors, but maintaining these advantages requires us to continually invest in research and development, sales and marketing, and Customer service and support. There is no guarantee that we will be successful in maintaining these advantages. We make investments in new technologies that address increased performance and regulatory requirements around the globe. There is no guarantee that we will be successful in completing development or achieving sales of these products or that the margins on such products will be acceptable. Our financial performance may be negatively impacted if a competitor’s successful product innovation reaches the market before ours or gains broader market acceptance.

We may be adversely impacted by changes in technology that could reduce or eliminate the demand for our products. These risks include:

·breakthroughs in technology which provide a viable alternative to diesel engines
·reduced demand for hard disk drive products by flash memory or a similar technology, which would reduce the use of hard disk drives and therefore reduce the need for our filtration solutions in these disk drives
·other breakthroughs in filtration technologies that could displace our products

Difficulties with our information technology systems and security could adversely affect our results.

We have many information technology systems that are important to the operation of our businesses, some of which are managed by third parties. These systems are used to process, transmit, and store electronic information, and to manage or support a variety of business processes and activities. We could encounter difficulties in developing new systems, maintaining and upgrading our existing systems, and preventing information security breaches. There may be other risks as we continue our multi-year implementation of an enterprise resource planning system (Global ERP Project) on a worldwide basis. Such difficulties could lead to significant additional expenses and/or disruption in business operations that could adversely affect our results. Additionally, information technology security threats are increasing in frequency and sophistication. These threats pose a risk to the security of our systems and networks and the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of our data. Should such an attack succeed, it could lead to the compromising of confidential information, manipulation and destruction of data, defective products, production downtimes, and operations disruptions. The occurrence of any of these events could adversely affect our reputation, and could result in litigation, regulatory action, potential liability, and increased costs and operational consequences of implementing further data protection matters.

Demand for our products relies on economic and industrial conditions worldwide.

Changes in economic or industrial conditions could impact our results or financial condition in any particular period as our business can be sensitive to varying conditions by region across the globe.

No Customer accounted for ten percent or more of our net sales in Fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013. A number of our Customers are concentrated in similar cyclical industries (construction, agriculture, and mining), resulting in additional risk based on industrial conditions in those sectors.

We participate in highly competitive markets with pricing pressure. If we are not able to compete effectively our margins and results of operations could be adversely affected.

The businesses and product lines in which we participate are very competitive and we risk losing business based on a wide range of factors including technology, price, geographic coverage, product performance, and Customer

 

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service. Large Customers continue to seek productivity gains and lower prices from us and their other suppliers. We may lose business or negatively impact our margins if we are unable to deliver the best value to our Customers.

Changes in our product mix impact our financial performance.

We sell products that have varying profit margins. Our financial performance can be impacted depending on the mix of products we sell during a given period. Our outlook assumes a certain geographic mix of sales as well as a product mix of sales. If actual results vary from this projected geographic and product mix of sales, our results could be negatively impacted.

Unavailable or higher cost materials could impact our financial performance.

We obtain raw materials including steel, filter media, petroleum-based products, and other components from third-party suppliers and tend to carry limited raw material inventories. An unanticipated delay in delivery by our suppliers could result in the inability to deliver on-time and meet the expectations of our Customers. This could negatively affect our financial performance. An increase in commodity prices could also result in lower operating margins.

An unfavorable fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates could negatively impacts our results and financial position.

We have operations in many countries, with more than one-half of our annual revenue coming from countries outside of the United States. Each of our subsidiaries reports its results of operations and financial position in its relevant functional currency, which is then translated into U.S. dollars. This translated financial information is included in our consolidated financial statements. Strengthening of the U.S. dollar in comparison to the foreign currencies of our subsidiaries has a negative impact on our results and financial position.

Acquisitions may have an impact on our results.

We have made and continue to pursue acquisitions, including our acquisitions of Northern Technical L.L.C. and IFIL USA L.L.C. in Fiscal 2015. These acquisitions could negatively impact our profitability due to operating and integration inefficiencies, the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities, and amortization expenses related to intangible assets. There are also a number of other risks involved in acquisitions. We could lose key existing Customers, have difficulties in assimilating the acquired operations, assume unanticipated legal liabilities, or lose key Employees.

Costs associated with lawsuits or investigations may have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

We are subject to many laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate. We routinely incur costs in order to comply with these laws and regulations. We may be adversely impacted by new or changing laws and regulations that affect both our operations and our ability to develop and sell products that meet our Customers’ requirements. We are involved in various product liability, product warranty, intellectual property, environmental claims, and other legal proceedings that arise in and outside of the ordinary course of our business. It is not possible to predict the outcome of investigations and lawsuits, and we could incur judgments, fines, or penalties or enter into settlements of lawsuits and claims that could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition in any particular period.

Additional tax expense or tax exposure could impact our financial performance.

We are subject to income taxes in various jurisdictions in which we operate. Our tax liabilities are dependent upon the location of earnings among these different jurisdictions. Our provision for income taxes and cash tax liability could be adversely affected by numerous factors, including income before taxes being lower than anticipated in countries with lower statutory tax rates and higher than anticipated in countries with higher statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and changes in tax laws and regulations. We are also subject to the continuous examination of our income tax returns by tax authorities. The results of audits and examinations of previously filed tax returns and continuing assessments of our tax exposures may have an adverse effect on our provision for income taxes and cash tax liability.

 

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Compliance with environmental and product laws and regulations can be costly.

We are subject to many environmental and product laws and regulations in the jurisdiction we operate. We routinely incur costs in order to comply with these laws and regulations. We may be adversely impacted by new or changing laws and regulations that affect both our operations and our ability to develop and sell products that meet our Customers’ requirements.

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results and prevent material fraud, which could adversely affect the value of our common stock. Failure to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting resulted in a material weakness during fiscal 2015.

Effective internal control over financial reporting is necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and effectively prevent and detect material fraud. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent or detect material fraud, our operating results could be misstated. In connection with reporting our results for fiscal 2015, we discovered that certain employees in our European Gas Turbine Products business falsified documents in a manner that caused revenue to be recorded in inappropriate periods during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 and the second and third quarters of fiscal 2015. Due to the inappropriate acceleration of revenue in the aforementioned periods, revenue was also misstated in the first and fourth quarters of 2015. The recording of revenue in inappropriate periods was the result of a control deficiency which constituted a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. There was also an indication that there may have been purposeful deferring of certain charges from suppliers to later time periods than appropriate, however, these allegations were not substantiated through the independent investigation performed. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Management has determined that the misstatements in revenue were not material to the impacted periods. Although we are taking remedial actions in response to our discovery of these practices, including the termination of certain employees, there can be no assurances that we will be able to prevent future control deficiencies (including material weaknesses) from occurring and which could cause us to incur unforeseen costs, negatively impact our results of operations, cause the market price of our common stock to decline, or have other potential adverse consequences.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

The Company’s principal administrative office and research facilities are located in Bloomington, a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Company’s principal European administrative and engineering offices are located in Leuven, Belgium. The Company also has extensive operations in the Asia-Pacific and Latin America regions.

 

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The Company’s principal manufacturing and distribution activities are located throughout the world. The following is a summary of the principal plants and other materially important physical properties owned or leased by the Company.

Americas Europe / Middle East / Africa
Auburn, Alabama (E) Kadan, Czech Republic (I)
Riverbank, California (I)* Klasterec, Czech Republic
Valencia, California (E)* Domjean, France (E)
Dixon, Illinois Paris, France (E)*
Frankfort, Indiana Dulmen, Germany (E)
Cresco, Iowa Haan, Germany (I)
Grinnell, Iowa (E) Ostiglia, Italy (E)
Waterloo, Iowa (E) Cape Town, South Africa
Nicholasville, Kentucky Johannesburg, South Africa*
Bloomington, Minnesota Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Chesterfield, Missouri (E)* Hull, United Kingdom
Chillicothe, Missouri (E) Leicester, United Kingdom (I)
Harrisonville, Missouri (I)  
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (I) Australia
Greeneville, Tennessee Wyong, Australia
Baldwin, Wisconsin  
Stevens Point, Wisconsin Asia
Sao Paulo, Brazil (E)* Wuxi, China
Brockville, Canada (E)* New Delhi, India
Aguascalientes, Mexico Gunma, Japan
Monterrey, Mexico (I) Rayong, Thailand (I)
   
Joint Venture Facilities Third-Party Logistics Providers
Champaign, Illinois (E) Santiago, Chile
Jakarta, Indonesia Wuxi, China
Dammam, Saudi Arabia (I) Mumbai, India
  Chennai, India
Distribution Centers Plainfield, Indiana (I)
Wyong, Australia Gunma, Japan
Brugge, Belgium Lima, Peru
Sao Paulo, Brazil* Singapore
Rensselaer, Indiana Greeneville, Tennessee (I)
Jakarta, Indonesia  
Aguascalientes, Mexico  
Lozorno, Slovakia  
Johannesburg, South Africa  
Seoul, South Korea*  

The Company’s properties are utilized for both the Engine and Industrial Products segments except as indicated with an (E) for Engine or (I) for Industrial. The Company leases certain of its facilities, primarily under long-term leases. The facilities denoted with an asterisk (*) are leased facilities. In Wuxi, China, and Bloomington, Minnesota, a portion of the activities are conducted in leased facilities. The Company uses third-party logistics providers for some of its product distribution and neither leases nor owns the facilities. The Company considers its properties to be suitable for their present purposes, well-maintained, and in good operating condition.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

The Company records provisions with respect to identified claims or lawsuits when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Claims and lawsuits are reviewed quarterly and provisions are taken or adjusted to reflect the status of a particular matter. The Company believes the recorded estimated liability in its consolidated financial statements is adequate in light of the probable and estimable outcomes. Any recorded liabilities were not material to the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity, and the Company does not believe that any of the currently identified claims or litigation will materially affect its financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

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Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

Current information as of October 30, 2015, regarding executive officers is presented below. All terms of office are for one year. There are no arrangements or understandings between individual officers and any other person pursuant to which the officer was selected as an executive officer.

Name   Age   Positions and Offices Held   First Fiscal Year
Appointed as an
Executive Officer
Amy C. Becker   51   Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary   2014
Tod E. Carpenter   56   President and Chief Executive Officer   2008
William M. Cook   62   Chairman of the Board   1994
Sheila G. Kramer   56   Vice President, Human Resources   2015
Mary Lynne Perushek   57   Vice President, Chief Information Officer   2007
Thomas R. Scalf   49   Senior Vice President, Engine Products   2014
James F. Shaw   47   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer   2012
Wim Vermeersch   50   Vice President, Europe, Middle East, and Africa   2012
Jay L. Ward   51   Senior Vice President, Industrial Products   2006

Ms. Becker joined the Company in 1998 as Senior Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary and was appointed to Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in August 2014. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Becker was an attorney for Dorsey and Whitney, LLP from 1991 to 1995 and was a Project Manager and Corporate Counsel for Harmon, Ltd. from 1995 to 1998.

Mr. Carpenter joined the Company in 1996 and has held various positions, including Gas Turbine Systems General Manager from 2002 to 2004; General Manager, Industrial Filtration Systems (IFS) Sales from 2004 to 2006; General Manager, IFS Americas in 2006; Vice President, Global IFS from 2006 to 2008; Vice President, Europe and Middle East from 2008 to 2011; and Senior Vice President, Engine Products from 2011 to 2014. In April 2014, Mr. Carpenter was appointed Chief Operating Officer. On April 1, 2015, Mr. Carpenter was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Cook joined the Company in 1980 and has held various positions, including CFO and Senior Vice President, International from 2001 to 2004. Mr. Cook was appointed President and CEO in 2004 and then Chairman, President, and CEO in 2005. On April 1, 2015, Mr. Cook transferred the positions of President and Chief Executive Officer to Tod Carpenter while remaining Chairman of the Board.

Ms. Kramer was appointed Vice President, Human Resources in October 2015. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Kramer was Vice President, Human Resources for Taylor Corporation, a print and graphics media company, from 2013 until September 2015. From 1991 to 2013, Ms. Kramer was with Lifetouch, Inc., a photography company, where she held various human resources roles including Corporate Vice President, Human Resources from 2009 to 2013.

Ms. Perushek was appointed Vice President and Chief Information Officer in November 2006. Prior to that time, Ms. Perushek was Vice President of Global Information Technology at H.B. Fuller Company, a worldwide manufacturer of adhesive products, from 2005 to 2006, and Chief Information Officer for Young America Corporation, a marketing company, from 1999 to 2004.

Mr. Scalf joined the Company in 1989 and has held various positions, including Director of Global Operations from 2003 to 2006; General Manager of Exhaust & Emissions from 2006 to 2008; General Manager of Industrial Filtration Solutions from 2008 to 2012; and Vice President of Global Industrial Air Filtration from 2012 to 2014. Mr. Scalf was appointed Senior Vice President, Engine Products, in April 2014.

Mr. Shaw joined the Company in 2004 and has held various positions, including Director, Corporate Compliance/Internal Audit, and Corporate Controller and Principal Accounting Officer from 2004 to 2011. Mr. Shaw was appointed Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective November 2011. Prior to joining Donaldson, Mr. Shaw held various positions at Deloitte & Touche, LLP and Arthur Andersen, LLP.

 

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Mr. Vermeersch joined the Company in 1992 and has held various positions, including Director, Gas Turbine Systems, Asia Pacific from 2000 to 2005; Manager, Aftermarket and Service IFS, Belgium from 2005 to 2006; Manager, IFS, Belgium from 2006 to 2007; Director, Gas Turbine Systems, Europe, Middle East and North Africa, from 2007 to 2010; and Director, Engine, Europe, Middle East and North Africa from 2010 to 2011. Mr. Vermeersch was appointed Vice President, Europe and Middle East in January 2012.

Mr. Ward joined the Company in 1998 and has held various positions, including Director, Operations from 2001 to 2003; Director, Product and Business Development, IFS Group from 2003 to 2004; Managing Director, Europe from 2004 to 2006; and Vice President, Europe and Middle East from 2006 to 2008. Mr. Ward was appointed Senior Vice President, Engine Products in August 2008 and was appointed Senior Vice President, Industrial Products, in October 2011.

 

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The common shares of the Company are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DCI. The amount and frequency of all cash dividends declared on the Company’s common stock for Fiscal 2015 and 2014 appear in Note O of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 58. The Company’s dividend payout ratio target is approximately 35 percent to 45 percent of the average earnings per share of the last three years. This guidance is expected to be used for future dividend payouts. As of October 30, 2015, there were 1,687 shareholders of record of common stock.

The low and high sales prices for the Company’s common stock for each full quarterly period during Fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

  First Quarter   Second Quarter   Third Quarter   Fourth Quarter
Fiscal 2015 $36.47 - 42.63   $36.04 - 43.31   $36.16 - 38.46   $31.62 - 37.79
Fiscal 2014 $34.60 - 41.31   $38.98 - 43.74   $38.66 - 43.39   $38.77 - 43.00
Fiscal 2013 $30.90 - 38.18   $31.83 - 38.30   $34.26 - 38.08   $34.35 - 39.36

The following table sets forth information in connection with purchases made by, or on behalf of, the Company or any affiliated purchaser of the Company, of shares of the Company’s common stock during the quarterly period ended July 31, 2015.

Period       Total Number of
Shares Purchased (1)
      Average Price
Paid per Share
      Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
      Maximum Number
of Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs
 
May 1 - May 31, 2015       616,100     $ 35.29       616,100  (2)     14,000,000  
June 1 - June 30, 2015       443,968     $ 35.65       443,968       13,556,032  
July 1 - July 31, 2015       511,833     $ 34.26       511,833       13,044,199  
   Total       1,571,901     $ 35.05       1,571,901       13,044,199  

 

(1)On May 29, 2015, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 14.0 million shares of common stock. This repurchase authorization, which is effective until terminated by the Board of Directors, replaced the existing authority for the repurchase of 15.0 million shares of common stock that was authorized on September 27, 2013. There were no repurchases of common stock made outside of the Company’s current repurchase authorization during the quarter ended July 31, 2015.
(2)The 616,100 shares purchased in May 2015 were repurchased pursuant to the September 2013 repurchase plan.

The table set forth in Part III, Item 12, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters,” of this report is also incorporated herein by reference.

 

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The graph below compares the cumulative total stockholder return on the Company’s common stock for the last five fiscal years with the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index and the Standard & Poor’s Industrial Machinery Index. The graph and table assume the investment of $100 in each of the Company’s common stock and the specified indexes at the beginning of the applicable period, and assume the reinvestment of all dividends.

COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Among Donaldson Company, Inc., the S&P 500 Index and the S&P Industrial Machinery Index

    Year Ended July 31,  
    2010     2011     2012     2013     2014     2015  
Donaldson Company, Inc.   $ 100.00     $ 117.86     $ 146.72     $ 157.64     $ 171.09     $ 150.82  
S&P 500     100.00       119.65       130.58       163.22       190.87       212.26  
S&P Industrial Machinery     100.00       120.58       126.92       178.07       209.04       221.95  

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following table sets forth selected financial data for each of the fiscal years in the five-year period ended July 31, 2015 (in millions, except per share data):

    Year Ended July 31,  
    2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  
Net sales   $ 2,371.2     $ 2,473.5     $ 2,436.9     $ 2,493.2     $ 2,294.0  
Net earnings     208.1       260.2       247.4       264.3       225.3  
Basic earnings per share     1.51       1.79       1.67       1.76       1.46  
Diluted earnings per share     1.49       1.76       1.64       1.73       1.43  
Total assets     1,809.5       1,942.4       1,743.6       1,730.1       1,726.1  
Long-term obligations     389.2       243.7       102.8       203.5       205.7  
Cash dividends declared per share     0.670       0.610       0.450       0.335       0.280  
Cash dividends paid per share     0.665       0.575       0.410       0.320       0.268  

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations

The following discussion of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto and other financial information included elsewhere in this report.

Overview

The Company is a worldwide manufacturer of filtration systems and replacement parts. The Company’s core strengths are leading filtration technology, strong Customer relationships, and its global presence. The Company operates through two reporting segments, Engine Products and Industrial Products, and has a product mix including air filtration systems, exhaust and emission systems, liquid filtration systems for hydraulics, fuel, lube applications, and replacement filters. As a worldwide business, the Company’s results of operations are affected by conditions in the global economic environment. Under most economic conditions, the Company’s market diversification between its OEM and replacement parts Customers, its diesel engine and industrial end markets, and its global end markets has helped to limit the impact of weakness in any one product line, market, or geography on the consolidated results of the Company.

The Company reported sales in Fiscal 2015 of $2,371.2 million down 4.1 percent from $2,473.5 million in the prior year. The Company’s results were negatively impacted by foreign currency translation, which decreased sales by $134.8 million. Excluding the current year impact of foreign currency translation, worldwide sales increased 1.3 percent.

The Company reported net earnings in Fiscal 2015 of $208.1 million, a decrease of 20.0 percent from $260.2 million in the prior year. The Company’s net earnings were negatively impacted by foreign currency translation, which decreased net earnings by $14.3 million. Excluding the current year impact of foreign currency translation, net earnings decreased 14.5 percent.

Although net sales and net earnings excluding foreign currency translation are not measures of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States, the Company believes they are useful in understanding its financial results and provide comparable measures for understanding the operating results of the Company between different fiscal periods. Following are reconciliations to the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures of these non-GAAP financial measures (in millions):

    Net Sales       Percent
Change in
Net Sales
 
Year ended July 31, 2013   $ 2,436.9       NA  
Net sales change, excluding foreign currency translation impact     48.0       2.0 %
Foreign currency translation impact     (11.4 )     (0.5 )%
Year ended July 31, 2014   $ 2,473.5       1.5 %
Net sales change, excluding foreign currency translation impact     32.5       1.3 %
Foreign currency translation impact     (134.8 )     (5.4 )%
Year ended July 31, 2015   $ 2,371.2       (4.1 )%

 

    Net Earnings       Percent
Change in
Net Earnings
 
Year ended July 31, 2013   $  247.4       NA  
Net earnings change, excluding foreign currency translation impact      13.8       5.6 %
Foreign currency translation impact      (1.0 )     (0.4 )%
Year ended July 31, 2014   $ 260.2       5.2 %
Net earnings change, excluding foreign currency translation impact      (37.8     (14.5 )%
Foreign currency translation impact      (14.3 )     (5.5 )%
Year ended July 31, 2015   $  208.1       (20.0 )%

 

 

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The Company reported diluted earnings per share of $1.49, a 15.3% percent decrease from $1.76 in the prior year.

Following are net sales by product within the Company’s Engine and Industrial Products segments and a comparison of earnings before income taxes. Corporate and Unallocated includes corporate expenses determined to be non-allocable to the segments, such as interest income and interest expense. See further discussion of segment information in Note K of the Company’s Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

    2015     2014     2013  
    (thousands of dollars)  
Engine Products segment:                        
Off-Road Products   $ 261,120     $ 342,205     $ 358,834  
On-Road Products     138,405       130,029       128,446  
Aftermarket Products*     980,756       1,012,165       912,717  
Aerospace and Defense Products     103,851       99,628       104,191  
Total Engine Products segment     1,484,132       1,584,027       1,504,188  
Industrial Products segment:                        
Industrial Filtration Solutions Products     528,917       553,356       529,751  
Gas Turbine Products     186,919       156,860       232,922  
Special Applications Products     171,245       179,223       170,087  
Total Industrial Products segment     887,081       889,439       932,760  
Total Company   $ 2,371,213     $ 2,473,466     $ 2,436,948  

__________________

* Includes replacement part sales to the Company’s OEM Customers

    2015     2014     2013  
    (thousands of dollars)  
Net Sales                        
Engine segment   $ 1,484,132     $ 1,584,027     $ 1,504,188  
Industrial segment     887,081       889,439       932,760  
Total     2,371,213       2,473,466       2,436,948  
                         
Earnings before income taxes                        
Engine segment   $ 186,274     $ 233,920     $ 220,892  
Industrial segment     123,362       133,978       139,108  
Corporate Unallocated     (21,033 )     (7,195 )     (11,819 )
Total     288,603       360,703       348,181  

The Company’s overall sales decreased compared to the prior year period. Many factors contributed to the Company’s results for each of its reportable segments for Fiscal 2015. The Company saw challenging conditions in most of the Off-Road OEM first-fit equipment end markets. However the first-fit On-Road OEM truck end-market experienced growth in new truck sales. The Company also saw continued strength in demand for replacement filters in both its Engine and Industrial end markets through the first half of the year, but then demand weakened during the second half of the fiscal year. In Industrial Products, the Company achieved a 19.2 percent increase in its Gas Turbine sales to $186.9. The Company’s sales increased in the Americas by $1.5 million, or 0.1% percent, offset by decreases in sales in both Europe and Asia, of $57.3 million or 7.9% and $46.6 million or 9.0 percent, respectively.

In the Engine Products segment, the Company experienced mixed results in its end-markets. Off-Road Product OEM first-fit sales decreased by 23.7 percent, driven by weakness in the mining and agricultural equipment markets, which was partially offset by an improving construction equipment market in North America. Aftermarket Products sales decreased 3.1 percent, primarily driven by the change in foreign currency exchange rates partially offset by increases in the utilization rates of equipment fleets, increased sales of the Company’s proprietary replacement filters, and expansion of the Company’s product portfolio and distribution capabilities. On-Road Products OEM first-fit sales increased by 6.4 percent, primarily due to an increase in Customer new truck build rates. Earnings before income taxes as a percentage of Engine Products segment sales were 12.6 percent, a decreased of 2.2 points from 14.8 percent in the prior year.

 

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In the Industrial Products segment, sales decreased due to a 4.4 percent decrease in Industrial Filtration Solutions Products primarily driven by a 10.5 percent decrease in sales in Europe. Earnings before income taxes as a percentage of Industrial Products segment sales were 13.9, a decrease of 1.2 points from 15.1 percent in prior year. The decrease in earnings before income taxes is primarily due to a higher mix of Gas Turbine Products and Industrial Filtration Solutions Products large project sales which carry lower margins than replacement filters. Gas Turbine Products sales were up 19.2 percent as a result of increased shipments of large systems used in power generation and including the impact of Northern Technical. Industrial Filtration Solutions sales of new equipment sales were down due to a continued weak capital spending environment, particularly in Asia. Sales in Special Applications Products were down by 4.5 percent due to a decrease in industrial end-markets impacting the Company’s membrane product sales.

Outlook

·The Company forecasts its total Fiscal 2016 sales to be between $2.32 and $2.42 billion.
·The Company’s Fiscal 2016 operating margin is forecasted to be 12.9 to 13.7 percent. This reflects the benefits from the Company’s completed restructuring actions and ongoing operational improvements, partially offset by an increase in compensation expenses and the impact of foreign exchange rates on the Company’s purchased products.
·The Company’s Fiscal 2016 tax rate is anticipated to be between 26.5 and 28.5 percent.
·The Company forecasts its Fiscal 2016 EPS to be between $1.56 and $1.76.
·The Company forecasts interest expense to increase $4 million, reflecting the additional debt issued in Fiscal 2015 and higher borrowing rates.
·The Company expects to repurchase between 2 and 4 percent of its outstanding shares in Fiscal 2016.

Fiscal 2015 Compared to Fiscal 2014

Engine Products Segment The Engine Products segment sells to OEM Customers in the construction, mining, agriculture, aerospace, defense, and truck end-markets, and to independent distributors, OEM dealer networks, private label accounts, and large equipment fleets. Products include air filtration systems, exhaust and emissions systems, liquid filtration systems for hydraulics, fuel and lube application, and replacement filters.

Sales for the Engine Products segment were $1,484.1 million, a decrease of 6.3 percent from $1,584.0 million in the prior year. Fiscal 2015 Engine Products sales decreased by 13.7 percent in Europe, 10.2 percent in Asia, and 1.9 percent in the Americas compared to Fiscal 2014. The impact of the changes in foreign currency decreased sales by $82.0 million, or 5.5 percent.

Worldwide sales of Off-Road Products were $261.1 million, a decrease of 23.7 percent from $342.2 million in the prior year. Sales declined 24.8 percent in Europe, 24.4 percent in the Americas, and 22.6 percent in Asia. The sales decreases were driven by continued weakness in the mining and agricultural equipment markets. These decreases were partially offset by an improving construction equipment end-market, particularly in North America, and new program wins in Europe.

Worldwide sales of On-Road Products were $138.4 million, an increase of 6.4 percent from $130.0 million in the prior year. Sales increased 16.2 percent in the Americas offset by a decrease of 4.0 percent in Asia and a decrease of 7.9 percent in Europe. The increase overall is due to an increase in Customer new truck build rates in North America.

Worldwide sales of Aftermarket Products were $980.8 million, a decrease of 3.1 percent from $1,012.2 million in the prior year. Sales decreased 10.9 percent in Europe and 6.2 percent in Asia. The overall sales decreases were primarily driven by the impact of the change in foreign currency exchange rates partially offset by increases in the utilization rates of equipment fleets, increased sales of the Company’s proprietary replacement filters, and expansion of the Company’s product portfolio and distribution capabilities. Net of foreign currency fluctuations, Aftermarket sales increased 2.1 percent with sales in the Americas increasing by 1.6 percent, Europe by 3.1 percent and in Asia by 0.8 percent.

 

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Worldwide sales of Aerospace and Defense Products were $103.9 million, an increase of 4.2 percent from $99.6 million in the prior year. Sales of Aerospace and Defense Products increased 12.7 percent in Europe and 1.8 percent in the Americas, partially offset by a sales decrease of 24.9 percent in Asia over the prior year.

Industrial Products Segment The Industrial Products segment sells to various industrial distributors, dealers, and end-users, OEM Customers of gas-fired turbines, and OEMs and end-users requiring clean air. Products include dust, fume, and mist collectors, compressed air purification systems, air filtration systems for gas turbines and compressors, PTFE membrane-based products, and specialized air and gas filtration systems for various applications including computer hard disk drives and other electronic equipment.

Sales for the Industrial Products segment were $887.1 million, a decrease of 0.3 percent from $889.4 million in the prior year. This result was driven by a 4.4 percent decline in Industrial Filtration Solutions Products and a 4.5 percent decline in Special Applications Products, offset by a 19.2 percent sales increase in Gas Turbine Products. Industrial Products sales decreased by 7.8 percent in Asia, which was partially offset by a 5.8 percent increase in sales in the Americas, compared to Fiscal 2014. The impact of foreign currency decreased total sales by $52.1 million, or 5.9 percent.

Worldwide sales of Industrial Filtration Solutions Products were $528.9 million, a 4.4 percent decrease from $553.4 million in the prior year. Sales decreased 10.5 and 6.6 percent in Europe and Asia, respectively, partially offset by a 3.1 percent increase in the Americas. The Company continued to experience soft new equipment sales due to a continued weak global capital investment environment, partially offset by strong replacement air filter sales due to improved utilization of the equipment already installed in the field.

Worldwide sales of Gas Turbine Products were $186.9 million, an increase of 19.2 percent from $156.9 million in the prior year. Sales of Gas Turbine Products systems were due to increased shipments of large filtration systems used in power generation as well as the benefit of the acquisition of Northern Technical, which generated sales of $16.3 million.

Worldwide sales of Special Applications Products were $171.2 million, a 4.5 percent decrease from $179.2 million in the prior year. Sales decreased 21.7 percent and 4.6 percent in the Americas and Asia, respectively, partially offset by an increase of 13.8 percent in Europe. The sales decline was the result of a decrease in demand for the Company’s membrane products.

Consolidated Results The Company reported net earnings for Fiscal 2015 of $208.1 million compared to $260.2 million in Fiscal 2014, a decrease of 20.0 percent. Diluted net earnings per share were $1.49, down 15.3 percent from $1.76 in the prior year. The Company’s operating income of $288.3 million decreased 19.0 percent from the prior year operating income of $355.7 million.

The table below shows the percentage of total operating income contributed by each segment for each of the last three fiscal years. Corporate and Unallocated includes corporate earnings and expenses determined to be non-allocable to the segments, such as interest income and interest expense:

    2015     2014     2013  
Engine Products     59.6 %     61.5 %     60.8 %
Industrial Products     41.5 %     37.9 %     39.7 %
Corporate and Unallocated     (1.1 )%     0.6 %     (0.5 )%
Total Company     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %

International operating income, prior to corporate expense allocations, totaled 84.3 percent of consolidated operating income in Fiscal 2015 as compared to 79.7 percent in Fiscal 2014. Total international operating income decreased 14.3 percent from the prior year. The table below shows the percentage of total operating income contributed by each major geographic region for each of the last three fiscal years:

    2015     2014     2013  
United States     15.7 %     20.3 %     26.0 %
Europe     33.3 %     33.7 %     31.6 %
Asia – Pacific     33.0 %     33.8 %     30.3 %
Other     18.0 %     12.2 %     12.1 %
Total Company     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %

 

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For more information regarding the Company’s net sales by geographic region, see Note K to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Gross margin for Fiscal 2015 was 34.1 percent, or a 1.4 percent decrease from 35.5 percent in the prior year. The decreases were driven primarily by lower fixed cost absorption due to a decrease in sales and the negative mix impacts from more Gas Turbine Systems and Industrial Filtration Solutions project shipments. Restructuring and asset impairment charges of $8.4 million also negatively impacted gross margin in Fiscal 2015.

The principal raw materials that the Company uses are steel, filter media, and petroleum-based products including plastics, rubber, and chemicals. Purchased raw materials represents approximately 60 to 65 percent of the Company’s cost of goods sold. Of that amount, steel, including fabricated parts, represents approximately 25 percent. Filter media represents approximately 15 to 20 percent and the remainder is primarily made up of petroleum-based products and other components. The cost the Company paid for steel during Fiscal 2015 varied by grade, but in aggregate, it slightly decreased during the fiscal year. The Company’s cost of filter media also varies by type and slightly increased. The cost of petroleum-based products (plastics, rubber, and adhesives) slightly decreased. The Company anticipates a moderately favorable impact from commodity prices in Fiscal 2016, as compared to Fiscal 2015, specifically for steel and petroleum-based products, based on recent market information. On an ongoing basis, the Company strives to recover or offset any material cost increases through selective price increases to its Customers and through the Company’s Continuous Improvement initiatives, which include material substitutions, process improvements, and product redesigns.

Operating expenses for Fiscal 2015 were $520.3 million or 21.9 percent of sales, as compared to $522.1 million or 21.1 percent in the prior year. The decrease in operating expenses was primarily due to a reduction in incentive compensation expense accruals. Restructuring and asset impairment charges included in operating expenses were $8.5 million and included severance costs related to a reduction in workforce of $4.6 million, and the Company recorded a $3.9 million lump sum pension settlement.

Interest expense of $15.2 million increased $5.0 million from $10.2 million in the prior year. The increase was due to $150.0 million debt issued in the Fiscal 2015, as well as higher balances on the Company’s revolving line of credit. Other income, net totaled $15.4 million in Fiscal 2015, up from $15.2 million in the prior year.

The effective tax rate for Fiscal 2015 was 27.9 percent compared to 27.9 percent in Fiscal 2014. The effective tax rate in the current year was favorably impacted by the reinstatement of the Research and Experimentation Credit in the U.S. for calendar year 2014, non-recurring tax costs associated with foreign dividend distributions recorded during the prior year, and an increase in tax benefits from international operations. The effective tax rate in the prior year was favorably impacted by the settlement of a tax audit and the remeasurement of certain deferred tax assets due to a change in tax rates in certain foreign jurisdictions.

Total backlog at July 31, 2015, was $643.2 million, down 14.0 percent from the same period in the prior year. Backlog is one of many indicators of business conditions in the Company’s markets. However, it is not always indicative of future results for a number of reasons, including short lead times in the Company’s replacement parts businesses and the timing of the receipt of orders in many of the Company’s Engine OEM and Industrial markets. In the Engine Products segment, total open order backlog decreased 13.5 percent from the prior year. In the Industrial Products segment, total open order backlog decreased 15.2 percent from the prior year. Because some of the change in backlog can be attributed to a change in the ordering patterns of the Company’s Customers and/or the impact of foreign exchange translation rates, it may not necessarily correspond to future sales.

Fiscal 2014 Compared to Fiscal 2013

Engine Products Segment The Engine Products segment sells to OEMs in the construction, mining, agriculture, aerospace, defense, and truck markets, and to independent distributors, OEM dealer networks, private label accounts, and large equipment fleets. Products include air filtration systems, exhaust and emissions systems, liquid filtration systems including hydraulics, fuel and lube, and replacement filters.

Sales for the Engine Products segment were $1,584.0 million, an increase of 5.3 percent from $1,504.2 million. Fiscal 2014 Engine Products sales increased by 11.6 percent in Europe, 5.3 percent in the Americas and decreased 0.5 percent in Asia, compared to Fiscal 2013. The impact of foreign currency decreased total sales by $13.7 million, or 0.9 percent.

 

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Worldwide sales of Off-Road Products were $342.2 million, a decrease of 4.6 percent from $358.8 million in Fiscal 2013. Sales declined 13.6 percent in Asia and 6.4 percent in the Americas, partially offset by growth of 2.7 percent in Europe. The sales decreases were driven by continued weakness in mining equipment markets and a decline in the agricultural equipment market, driven by anticipated lower farm cash receipts in key grain producing regions moderating agricultural sales. These decreases were partially offset by an improving construction equipment market, particularly in North America, and new program wins in Europe.

Worldwide sales of On-Road Products were $130.0 million, an increase of 1.2 percent from $128.4 million in Fiscal 2013. Sales increased 37.5 percent in Europe, partially offset by sales decreases of 4.2 percent in the Americas and 2.7 percent in Asia. The increase in Europe was due primarily to growth after the Euro VI diesel emissions regulations went into effect January 1, 2014. Sales decreased in the Americas primarily due to lower emissions sales in that region for an OEM program the Company no longer supplies, totaling $6.3 million.

Worldwide sales of Aftermarket Products were $1,012.2 million, an increase of 10.9 percent from $912.7 million in Fiscal 2013. Sales increased 14.8 percent in Europe and 6.6 percent in Asia. The overall sales increases were primarily driven by increases in utilization rates of equipment fleets, increased sales of the Company’s proprietary replacement filters, and expansion of the Company’s product portfolio and distribution capabilities.

Worldwide sales of Aerospace and Defense Products were $99.6 million, a decrease of 4.4 percent from $104.2 million in Fiscal 2013. Sales of Aerospace and Defense Products decreased 10.2 percent in the Americas, partially offset by a sales increase of 16.6 percent in Europe. The sales decrease was due to the continued slowdown in U.S. military ground vehicle spending, which continued in Fiscal 2015, partially offset by higher helicopter air filter sales, which increased $2.9 million over Fiscal 2013.

Industrial Products Segment The Industrial Products segment sells to various industrial distributors, dealers, and end-users, OEM Customers of gas-fired turbines, and OEMs and end-users requiring clean air. Products include dust, fume, and mist collectors, compressed air purification systems, air filtration systems for gas turbines and compressors, PTFE membrane-based products, and specialized air and gas filtration systems for various applications including computer hard disk drives and other electronic equipment.

Sales for the Industrial Products segment were $889.4 million, a decrease of 4.6 percent from $932.8 million in Fiscal 2013. This result was driven by 32.7 percent sales decline in Gas Turbine Products, partially offset by sales increases in Special Applications Products and Industrial Filtration Solutions Products of 5.4 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively. Industrial Products sales decreased by 9.8 percent in Asia and 4.9 percent in the Americas, and grew by 2.0 percent in Europe compared to Fiscal 2013. The impact of foreign currency exchange rates decreased total sales by $2.3 million, or 0.3 percent.

Worldwide sales of Industrial Filtration Solutions Products were $553.4 million, a 4.5 percent increase from $529.8 million in the prior year. Sales increased 9.4 percent, 7.9 percent, and 1.7 percent in Asia, Europe, and the Americas, respectively. Strong replacement air filter sales, due to improved global manufacturing activity, were partially offset by continued soft new dust collector equipment sales, due to the continued weak global capital spending environment, particularly in the Americas.

Worldwide sales of Gas Turbine Products were $156.9 million, a decrease of 32.7 percent from $232.9 million in Fiscal 2013. Sales of Gas Turbine Products systems were down for the year, primarily due to fewer shipments of large systems used in power generation compared to Fiscal 2013. There was a large increase in the Company’s gas turbine shipments in Fiscal 2013, and the overall industry is now absorbing that new electrical generation capacity.

Worldwide sales of Special Applications Products were $179.2 million, a 5.4 percent increase from $170.1 million in Fiscal 2013. Sales increased 10.6 percent and 5.9 percent in Europe and Asia, respectively, from Fiscal 2013, partially offset by a sales decrease in the Americas of 1.5 percent. The sales increases were driven by a worldwide increase in demand for the Company’s disk drive, semiconductor, and venting products, partially offset by weakness in industrial end-markets impacting the Company’s membrane product sales.

Consolidated Results The Company reported net earnings for Fiscal 2014 of $260.2 million compared to $247.4 million in Fiscal 2013, an increase of 5.2 percent. Diluted net earnings per share were $1.76, up 7.3 percent from $1.64 in the prior year. The Company’s operating income of $355.7 million increased 3.6 percent from Fiscal 2013 operating income of $343.3 million.

 

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The table below shows the percentage of total operating income contributed by each segment for each of the last three fiscal years. Corporate and Unallocated includes corporate earnings and expenses determined to be non-allocable to the segments, such as interest income and interest expense:

    2014     2013     2012  
Engine Products     61.5 %     60.8 %     59.1 %
Industrial Products     37.9 %     39.7 %     40.3 %
Corporate and Unallocated     0.6 %     (0.5 )%     0.6 %
Total Company     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %

International operating income, prior to corporate expense allocations, totaled 79.7 percent of consolidated operating income in Fiscal 2014 as compared to 74.0 percent in Fiscal 2013. Total international operating income increased 11.6 percent from Fiscal 2013. The table below shows the percentage of total operating income contributed by each major geographic region for each of the last three fiscal years:

    2014     2013     2012  
United States     20.3 %     26.0 %     30.3 %
Europe     33.7 %     31.6 %     29.9 %
Asia – Pacific     33.8 %     30.3 %     31.1 %
Other     12.2 %     12.1 %     8.7 %
Total Company     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %

Gross margin for Fiscal 2014 was 35.5 percent, or a 0.7 percent increase from 34.8 percent in Fiscal 2013. The increase in gross margin is primarily attributable to the positive mix impacts from the reduction in shipments of large Gas Turbine projects, and a higher percentage of replacement filter sales. Overall, product mix had a positive 50 basis points impact on gross margin. In addition, the Company’s ongoing Continuous Improvement cost reduction initiatives, improved gross margin by 60 basis points. Offsetting these benefits was a 40 basis points reduction in margin from higher engineering costs and lower fixed cost absorption. Within gross profit, the Company incurred $1.7 million in restructuring charges related to workforce reductions compared to $1.6 million in Fiscal 2013.

The principal raw materials that the Company uses are steel, filter media, and petroleum-based products including plastics, rubber, and chemicals. Purchased raw materials represents approximately 60 to 65 percent of the Company’s cost of goods sold. Of that amount, steel, including fabricated parts, represents approximately 25 percent. Filter media represents approximately 15 to 20 percent and the remainder is primarily made up of petroleum-based products and other components. The cost the Company paid for steel during Fiscal 2014, varied by grade, but in aggregate, it slightly increased during the fiscal year. The Company’s cost of filter media also varies by type and slightly decreased during the fiscal year. The cost of petroleum-based products slightly decreased during the fiscal year. The Company anticipated a moderately unfavorable impact from commodity prices in Fiscal 2015, as compared to Fiscal 2014, specifically for steel and petroleum-based products, based on recent market information. The Company strives to recover or offset material cost increases through selective price increases to its Customers and through the Company’s Continuous Improvement initiatives, which include material substitutions, process improvements, and product redesigns.

Operating expenses for Fiscal 2014 were $522.1 million or 21.1 percent of sales, as compared to $503.8 million or 20.7 percent in Fiscal 2013. The increase in operating expenses as a percent of sales was primarily due to higher incentive compensation expenses, the incremental expenses related to the Company’s Global ERP Project, and increased travel expenses, which contributed 90 basis points in total. These increases were partially offset by improved fixed cost leverage and lower warranty expenses, which reduced the Company’s operating expenses as percent of sales by 50 basis points. Restructuring expenses included in operating expenses were $0.4 million for the year, which were employee severance costs related to a reduction in workforce.

Interest expense of $10.2 million decrease $0.7 million from $10.9 million in the prior year. Other income, net totaled $15.2 million in Fiscal 2014, down from $15.8 million in Fiscal 2013. The decrease of $0.6 million in other income was driven by $0.9 million of restructuring expenses related to the sale of a facility in Germany. In addition, Fiscal 2013 included the impact of a favorable insurance recovery. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in foreign exchange gains of $1.5 million and an increase of $1.4 million in income generated from the Company’s joint venture with Caterpillar.

 

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The effective tax rate for Fiscal 2014 was 27.9 percent compared to 29.0 percent in Fiscal 2013. The decrease in the effective tax rate is primarily due to the favorable settlement of a tax audit, the remeasurement of certain deferred tax assets, and a favorable shift in the mix of earnings between tax jurisdictions. This was partially offset by tax costs associated with certain foreign dividend distributions and the expiration of the Research and Experimentation Credit in the U.S. in the current year.

Total backlog at July 31, 2014, was $748.2 million, up 4.5 percent from the same period in Fiscal 2013. Backlog is one of many indicators of business conditions in the Company’s markets. However, it is not always indicative of future results for a number of reasons, including short lead times in the Company’s replacement parts businesses and the timing of the receipt of orders in many of the Company’s Engine OEM and Industrial markets. In the Engine Products segment, total open order backlog decreased 1.1 percent from Fiscal 2013. In the Industrial Products segment, total open order backlog increased 18.4 percent from Fiscal 2013. Because some of the change in backlog can be attributed to a change in the ordering patterns of the Company’s Customers and the impact of foreign exchange translation rates, it may not necessarily correspond to future sales.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Financial Condition At July 31, 2015, the Company’s capital structure was comprised of $189.2 million of current debt, $389.2 million of long-term debt, and $778.7 million of shareholders’ equity. The Company had cash and cash equivalents of $189.9 million and short-term investments of $27.5 million at July 31, 2015. The ratio of long-term debt to total capital was 33.3 percent and 19.6 percent at July 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Total debt outstanding increased $147.6 million during the year to $578.4 million outstanding at July 31, 2015, as a result of increases in short-term and long-term borrowings, offset by a decrease in current maturities of long-term debt. Short-term borrowings outstanding at the end of the year increased $2.0 million driven by the Company drawing $160.0 million on the Company’s multi-currency revolving credit facility.

The following table summarizes the Company’s cash obligations as of July 31, 2015, for the years indicated (thousands of dollars):

    Payments Due by Period  
Contractual Obligations   Total     Less than
1 year
    1 - 3
years
    3 - 5
years
    More than
5 years
 
Long-term debt obligations   $ 388,313     $     $ 100,000     $ 13,313     $ 275,000  
Capital lease obligations     1,928       1,439       489              
Interest on long-term debt obligations     121,438       14,943       25,711       18,771       62,013  
Operating lease obligations     27,917       11,359       12,494       3,815       249  
Purchase obligations (1)     111,761       104,502       7,190       69        
Pension and deferred compensation (2)     123,386       18,448       15,361       14,888       74,689  
Total (3)   $ 774,743     $ 150,691     $ 161,245     $ 50,856     $ 411,951  

__________________

(1)Purchase obligations consist primarily of inventory, tooling, and capital expenditures. The Company’s purchase orders for inventory are based on expected Customer demand, and as a result quantities and dollar volumes are subject to change.
(2)Pension and deferred compensation consists of long-term pension liabilities and salary and bonus deferrals elected by certain executives under the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan. Deferred compensation balances earn interest based on a treasury bond rate as defined by the plan (10-year treasury bond STRIP rate plus two percent for deferrals prior to January 1, 2011 and 10-year treasury bond rates for deferrals after December 31, 2010) are approved by the Human Resources Committee of the Board of Directors, and are payable at the election of the participants.
(3)In addition to the above contractual obligations, the Company may be obligated for additional cash outflows of $20.0 million for potential tax obligations, including accrued interest and penalties. The payment and timing of any such payments is affected by the ultimate resolution of the tax years that are under audit or remain subject to examination by the relevant taxing authorities. Therefore, quantification of an estimated range and timing of future payments cannot be made at this time.

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On July 31, 2015, the Company had a contingent liability for standard letters of credit totaling $7.8 million that have been issued and are outstanding. The letters of credit guarantee payment to third parties in the event the Company is in breach of insurance contract terms detailed in each letter of credit. As of July 31, 2015, there were no amounts drawn upon these letters of credit.

On October 28, 2014, the Company entered into a First Amendment (Amendment) to its five-year, multi-currency revolving credit facility with a group of banks under which the Company may borrow up to $250.0 million. The Amendment increased the borrowing availability up to $400.0 million. The credit facility provides that loans may be made under a selection of currencies and rate formulas including Base Rate Loans or LIBOR Rate Loans. The interest rate on each advance is based on certain market interest rates and leverage ratios. Facility fees and other fees on the entire loan commitment are payable over the duration of this facility. As of July 31, 2015, there was $160.0 million borrowed under this facility. The multi-currency revolving facility contains debt covenants specifically related to maintaining a certain interest coverage ratio, and a certain leverage ratio as well as other covenants that, under certain circumstances, can restrict the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, make investments and other restricted payments, create liens, and sell assets. As of July 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants. Due to an investigation into revenue recognition in the Company’s Gas Turbine Systems business, the Company was unable to provide audited financial statements to the group of banks who are lenders in the credit facility in the 90 day time period required. On October 28, 2015, the Company obtained waivers for the covenant to provide audited statements within 90 days of year-end so long as they are provided by December 28, 2015. Upon providing the audited financial statements to the group of banks prior to December 28, 2015, the Company expects to remain in compliance with the above mentioned covenants.

On April 16, 2015, the Company entered into a First Supplement to Note Purchase Agreement (First Supplement), dated April 16, 2015, with a group of instructional investors, which supplements a Note Purchase Agreement, dated March 27, 2014. Pursuant to the First Supplement, the Company issued $25.0 million of senior unsecured notes due April 16, 2025, and $125.0 million of senior unsecured notes due June 17, 2030. The debt was issued at face value and bears interest payable semi-annually at an annual rate of interest of 2.93 percent and 3.18 percent, respectively. The proceeds from the notes were primarily used to refinance existing debt, and were also used for general corporate purposes. The notes contain debt covenants specifically related to maintaining a certain leverage ratio as well as other covenants that, under certain circumstances, can restrict the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, make investments and other restricted payments, create liens, and sell assets. As of July 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants.

The Company has two uncommitted credit facilities in the U.S., which provide unsecured borrowings for general corporate purposes. At July 31, 2015 and 2014, there was $49.7 million and $45.7 million available for use, respectively, under these two facilities. There was $15.3 million outstanding at July 31, 2015 and $4.3 million outstanding at July 31, 2014. The weighted average interest rate on the short-term borrowings outstanding at July 31, 2015, was 1.00 percent.

The Company has a €100.0 million, or $109.9 million, program for issuing treasury notes for raising short, medium, and long-term financing for its European operations. There were no outstanding amounts on this program at July 31, 2015 or 2014. Additionally, the Company’s European operations have lines of credit with an available limit of €34.0 million or $37.4 million. There was €9.5 million, or $10.4 million, outstanding as of July 31, 2015, and there was no amount outstanding on these lines of credit as of July 31, 2014. The weighted average interest rate on the short-term borrowings outstanding at July 31, 2015, was 0.83 percent.

Other international subsidiaries may borrow under various credit facilities. There was $1.6 million outstanding under these credit facilities as of July 31, 2015, and $1.0 million outstanding as of July 31, 2014. At July 31, 2015 and 2014, there was $47.2 million and $57.5 million available for use, respectively, under these facilities. The weighted average interest rate on these short-term borrowings outstanding at July 31, 2015, and July 31, 2014, was 0.41 percent and 0.75 percent, respectively.

The amount of unused lines of credit as of July 31, 2015, was approximately $474.8 million. Long-term debt of $389.2 million as of July 31, 2015, increased from $243.7 million at July 31, 2014. Long-term debt represented 33.3 percent of total long-term capital, defined as long-term debt plus total shareholders’ equity, compared to 19.6 percent at July 31, 2014.

 

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During Fiscal 2015, credit in the global credit markets was accessible and market interest rates remained low. The Company believes that its current financial resources, together with cash generated by operations, are sufficient to continue financing its operations for the next twelve months. There can be no assurance, however, that the cost or availability of future borrowings will not be impacted by future capital market disruptions.

Certain note agreements contain debt covenants related to working capital levels and limitations on indebtedness. As of July 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants.

Shareholders’ equity decreased by $223.8 million from $1,002.5 million at July 31, 2014, to $778.7 million at July 31, 2015. The decrease was primarily due to the repurchase of treasury stock for $256.3 million, foreign currency translation of $119.1 million, and $90.9 million of dividends declared. These decreases were partially offset by current year earnings of $208.1 million, $11.4 million of stock options exercised, $7.7 million in tax reductions related to employee plans, and $9.5 million of the equity impact of stock option expense.

The Company’s inventory balance was $265.0 million as of July 31, 2015, compared to $253.4 million as of July 31, 2014. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations, inventories increased $36.1 million. Current year inventory levels increased over the prior year as the Company increased its distribution capacity, added the acquisitions of Northern Technical and IFIL USA, along with additional parts to support its independent Aftermarket Customers. The Company’s accounts receivable balance was $460.0 million as of July 31, 2015, compared to $474.2 million as of July 31, 2014. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations, accounts receivable increased $23.3 million driven primarily by the large number of GTS projects sales in the fourth quarter Fiscal 2015 compared to the prior year.

Cash Flows During Fiscal 2015, $212.8 million of cash was generated from operating activities, compared with $317.8 million in Fiscal 2014. The decrease in cash generated from operating activities of $105.0 million is primarily attributable to a decrease in net income of $52.1 million, a decrease in accrued compensation along with a decrease in accounts payable, partially offset by a smaller increase in accounts receivable compared to the prior year. Operating cash flows, cash on hand, and short-term debt facilities were used to support the acquisitions of Northern Technical and IFIL for $105.6 million, $93.6 million of net capital expenditures, $256.3 million of stock repurchases, and $91.2 million of dividend payments. Cash and cash equivalents decreased $106.5 million during Fiscal 2015.

At the end of the year, the Company held $189.9 million in cash and cash equivalents, down from $296.4 million at July 31, 2014. Short-term investments were $27.5 million compared to $127.2 million at July 31, 2014. Short-term investments may change year to year based on maturity dates of existing investments, the Company’s outlook for cash needs, and available access to other sources of liquidity. The amount of unused lines of credit as of July 31, 2015, was approximately $474.8 million. Current maturities of long-term debt of $1.8 million at year-end increased slightly from $1.7 million at July 31, 2014. Long-term debt of $389.2 million at July 31, 2015, increased from $243.7 million at July 31, 2014, due to the issuance of $150.0 million of senior unsecured notes during Fiscal 2015. Long-term debt represented 33.3 percent of total long-term capital, defined as long-term debt plus total shareholders’ equity, compared to 19.6 percent at July 31, 2014.

The majority of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are held by its foreign subsidiaries as over half of the Company’s earnings occur outside the U.S. Most of these funds are considered permanently reinvested outside the U.S., and will only be repatriated when it is tax effective to do so, as the cash generated from U.S. operations plus the Company’s short-term debt facilities are anticipated to be sufficient for our U.S operation’s cash needs. If additional cash was required for the Company’s operations in the U.S., it may be subject to additional U.S. taxes if funds were repatriated from certain foreign subsidiaries.

Net capital expenditures for property, plant, and equipment totaled $93.6 million in Fiscal 2015, $96.8 million in Fiscal 2014, and $94.3 million in Fiscal 2013. Fiscal 2015 capital expenditures primarily related to the Company’s Global ERP Project, plant capacity additions, information and lab technology equipment, productivity-enhancing investments at manufacturing sites, and tooling to manufacture new products.

 

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Capital spending in Fiscal 2016 is estimated to be between $80 and $90 million. The Company’s capital spending in Fiscal 2016 will be approximately 25 percent for technology initiatives, including the Global ERP Project and research and development labs, 30 percent for tooling for new products, 30 percent will be in the form of automation or cost reduction projects related to the Company’s ongoing Continuous Improvement initiatives, and 15 percent related to capacity expansion. It is anticipated that Fiscal 2016 capital expenditures will be financed primarily by cash on hand, cash generated from operations, and lines of credit.

The Company expects that cash generated by operating activities will be between $300 and $350 million in Fiscal 2016. At July 31, 2015, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $189.9 million and short-term investments of $27.5 million. The Company also had $281.9 million available under existing credit facilities in the U.S., €134.0 million, or $147.3 million, available under existing credit facilities in Europe, and $47.2 million available under various credit facilities and currencies in Asia and the rest of the world. The Company believes that the combination of existing cash, available credit under existing credit facilities, and the expected cash generated by operating activities will be adequate to meet cash requirements for Fiscal 2016, including debt repayment, issuance of anticipated dividends, possible share repurchase activity, potential acquisitions, and capital expenditures.

Dividends The Company’s dividend policy is to maintain a payout ratio, which allows dividends to increase with the long-term growth of earnings per share. The Company’s dividend payout ratio target is 35 percent to 45 percent of the prior three years average earnings per share. Including the Company’s declaration on July 31, 2015, of a $0.17 per share dividend to be paid on September 3, 2015, the dividend payout ratio was 41.7 percent of the prior three years average diluted earnings per share on July 31, 2015.

Share Repurchase Plan The Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of 14.0 million shares of common stock under the stock repurchase plan dated May 29, 2015. In Fiscal 2015, the Company repurchased 6.7 million shares of common stock for $256.3 million, or 4.8 percent of its diluted outstanding shares, at an average price of $38.39 per share. Of the 6.7 million shares repurchased in Fiscal 2015, 5.7 million shares were repurchased under the stock repurchase plan dated September 27, 2013, which authorized the repurchase of 15.0 million shares, and 1.0 million shares were purchased under the current stock repurchase plan. Under prior stock repurchase plans, the Company repurchased 6.8 million shares for $279.4 million in Fiscal 2014 and 3.0 million shares for $102.6 million in Fiscal 2013. As of July 31, 2015, the Company had remaining authorization to repurchase 13.0 million shares pursuant to the current authorization.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, with the exception of the guarantee of 50 percent of certain debt of its joint venture with Caterpillar, Advanced Filtration Systems Inc. (AFSI), as further discussed in Note L of the Company’s Notes to consolidated financial statements. As of July 31, 2015, the joint venture had $26.1 million of outstanding debt. The Company does not believe that this guarantee will have a current or future effect on its financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, or capital resources.

Standards adopted and note yet adopted by the Company are referenced in Note A Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

Market Risk

The Company’s market risk includes the potential loss arising from adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The Company manages foreign currency market risk from time to time through the use of a variety of financial and derivative instruments. The Company does not enter into any of these instruments for trading purposes to generate revenue. Rather, the Company’s objective in managing these risks is to reduce fluctuations in earnings and cash flows associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company uses forward exchange contracts and other hedging activities to hedge the U.S. dollar value resulting from existing recognized foreign currency denominated asset and liability balances, and also for anticipated foreign currency transactions. The Company also naturally hedges foreign currency through its production in the countries in which it sells its products. The Company’s market risk on interest rates is the potential decrease in fair value of long-term debt resulting from a potential increase in interest rates. See further discussion of these market risks below.

 

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Foreign Currency During Fiscal 2015, the U.S. dollar was generally stronger than in Fiscal 2014 compared to many of the currencies of the foreign countries in which the Company operates. The overall strength of the dollar had a negative impact on the Company’s international net sales results because the foreign denominated revenues translated into fewer U.S. dollars.

It is not possible to determine the exact impact of foreign currency translation changes. However, the direct effect on reported net sales and net earnings can be estimated. For the year ended July 31, 2015, the impact of foreign currency translation resulted in an overall decrease in reported net sales of $134.8 million and a decrease in reported net earnings of $14.3 million. Foreign currency translation had a negative impact in many regions around the world. The stronger U.S. dollar relative to the Japanese yen resulted in a total decrease of $16.3 million in reported net sales. The stronger U.S. dollar relative to the Australian Dollar, the South African rand, the Brazilian real, and the Indian rupee had a negative impact on foreign currency translation with a decrease in reported net sales of $7.9 million, $4.9 million, $7.0 million, and $0.4 million, respectively. In Europe, the stronger U.S. dollar relative to the euro and British pound resulted in a total decrease of $94.1 million in reported net sales.

The Company maintains significant assets and operations in Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and South Africa, resulting in exposure to foreign currency gains and losses. A portion of the Company’s foreign currency exposure is naturally hedged by incurring liabilities, including bank debt, denominated in the local currency in which the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are located.

The foreign subsidiaries of the Company generally purchase the majority of their input costs and then sell to many of their Customers in the same local currency.

The Company may be exposed to cost increases relative to local currencies in the markets to which it sells. To mitigate such adverse trends, the Company, from time to time, enters into forward exchange contracts and other hedging activities. Additionally, foreign currency positions are partially offsetting and are netted against one another to reduce exposure.

Some products made by the Company in the U.S. are sold internationally. As a result, sales of such products are affected by the value of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies. Any long-term strengthening of the U.S. dollar could depress these sales. Also, competitive conditions in the Company’s markets may limit its ability to increase product pricing in the face of adverse currency movements.

Interest The Company’s exposure to market risks for changes in interest rates relates primarily to its short-term investments, short-term borrowings, and interest rate swap agreements, as well as the potential increase in fair value of long-term debt resulting from a potential decrease in interest rates. The Company has limited earnings or cash flow exposure due to market risks on its long-term debt obligations as a result of the majority of the debt being fixed-rate. However, interest rate changes would affect the fair market value of the debt. As of July 31, 2015, the estimated fair value of long-term debt with fixed interest rates was $383.3 million compared to its carrying value of $375.0 million. The fair value is estimated by discounting the projected cash flows using the rate of which similar amounts of debt could currently be borrowed. As of July 31, 2015, the Company’s financial liabilities with exposure to changes in interest rates consisted mainly of $187.3 million of short-term debt outstanding and ¥ 1.65 billion, or $13.3 million, of variable rate long-term debt. Assuming a hypothetical increase of one-half percent in short-term interest rates, with all other variables remaining constant, interest expense would have increased $1.5 million and interest income would have increased $1.3 million in Fiscal 2015.

Pensions The Company is exposed to market return fluctuations on its qualified defined benefit pension plans. In Fiscal 2015, the Company reduced its long-term rate of return from 7.14 percent to 6.99 percent on its U.S. plans and increased its rate from 5.48 percent to 5.41 percent on its non-U.S. plans, to reflect its future expectation for returns. Consistent with published bond indices, the Company held its discount rate flat for the U.S. pension plans at 4.33 percent versus the prior year and decreased the discount rate used for its non-US plans from 4.04 percent to 3.64 percent. The plans were underfunded by $20.2 million at July 31, 2015, since the projected benefit obligation exceeded the fair value of the plan assets.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires the use of estimates, judgments, and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods presented. Management bases these estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the recorded values of certain assets and liabilities. The Company believes its use of estimates and underlying accounting assumptions adheres to U.S. GAAP and is consistently applied. Valuations based on estimates and underlying accounting assumptions are reviewed for reasonableness on a consistent basis throughout the Company. The Company’s Critical Accounting Policies are those that require more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements and that are the most important to aid in fully understanding its financial results are the following:

Revenue recognition Revenue is recognized when both product ownership and the risk of loss have transferred to the Customer, the Company has no remaining obligations, the selling price is fixed and determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Although the majority of the Company’s sales agreements contain standard terms and conditions, there are also agreements that contain multiple elements or non-standard terms and conditions. For the Company’s Gas Turbine Systems (GTS) sales, which typically consists of multiple shipments of components that will comprise the entire GTS project, it must carefully monitor the transfer of title related to each portion of a system sale and may defer recognition of revenue until all terms specified in the contract are met. The Company records estimated discounts and rebates as a reduction of sales in the same period revenue is recognized.

Goodwill and other intangible assets Goodwill is assessed for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The Company performs impairment assessments for its reporting units and uses a discounted cash flow model based on management’s judgments and assumptions to determine the estimated fair value. An impairment loss generally would be recognized when the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s net assets exceeds the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. The Company performed an impairment assessment during the third quarter of Fiscal 2015 to satisfy its annual impairment assessment requirement. This impairment assessment indicated that the estimated fair values of the reporting units to which goodwill is assigned, continued to significantly exceed the corresponding carrying values of the respective reporting units, including recorded goodwill and, as such, no impairment existed at that time. Other intangible assets with definite lives continue to be amortized over their estimated useful lives. Definite lived intangible assets are subject to impairment assessments as triggering events occur which could indicate that the asset might be impaired. A considerable amount of management judgment and assumptions are required in performing the impairment assessments, principally in determining the fair value of each reporting unit. The important assumptions utilized in these assessments include the (i) discount rate; (ii) projected revenue, gross margin, operating income; and (iii) terminal value. While the Company believes its judgments and assumptions are reasonable, different assumptions could change the estimated fair values and, therefore, impairment charges could be required.

Income taxes As part of the process of preparing the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, management is required to estimate income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. This process involves estimating actual current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and book accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. These assets and liabilities are evaluated by using estimates of future taxable income streams and the impact of tax planning strategies. Reserves are also estimated for uncertain tax positions that are currently unresolved. The Company routinely monitors the potential impact of such situations and believes that it was properly reserved at July 31, 2015. As of July 31, 2015, the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, accrued interest, and penalties was $20.0 million.

Defined Benefit Pension Plans The Company incurs expenses relating to employee benefits such as non-contributory defined benefit pension plans. In accounting for these defined benefit pension plans, management must make a variety of assumptions and estimates including mortality rates, discount rates, overall Company compensation increases, expected return on plan assets, and health care cost trend rates. The Company considers historical data as well as current facts and circumstances and uses a third-party specialist to assist management in determining these estimates.

 

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To develop the assumption regarding the expected long-term rate of return on assets for its U.S. pension plans, the Company considered the historical returns and the future expectations for returns for each asset class, as well as the target asset allocation of the pension portfolio. This resulted in the selection of 6.99 percent long-term rate of return on assets as of July 31, 2015, and was used to develop the Fiscal 2016 expense for the Company’s U.S. pension plans. The discount rate used by the Company to value the pension obligation for its U.S. plans remained constant at 4.33 percent. The Company also selected a long-term rate of return on assets for its non-U.S. plans of 5.47 percent and decreased the discount rate used for its non-U.S. plans from 3.64 percent to 3.14 percent. The expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption for the plans outside the U.S. reflects the investment allocation and expected total portfolio returns specific to each plan and country. The rates discussed above are weighted average rates as the Company has multiple plans both in the U.S. and internationally. A one percent change in the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets would have changed the Fiscal 2015 annual pension expense by approximately $4.5 million.

Reflecting the relatively long-term nature of the plans’ obligations, approximately 65 percent of the plans assets are invested in equity securities, 30 percent in fixed income, and 5 percent in real assets (investments into funds containing commodities and real estate). In Fiscal 2016, the Company plans to begin investing in liability-driven investment funds, which will change the asset allocations.

The Company’s objective in selecting a discount rate for its pension plans is to select the best estimate of the rate at which the benefit obligations could be effectively settled on the measurement date, taking into account the nature and duration of the benefit obligations of the plan. In making this best estimate, the Company looks at the rates of return on high-quality fixed-income investments currently available and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the benefits. This process includes assessing the universe of bonds available on the measurement date with a quality rating of Aa or better. Similar appropriate benchmarks are used to determine the discount rate for the non-U.S. plans.

In Fiscal 2015, the Company’s global pension expense was $21.6 million and included a settlement charge of $3.9 million. The Company expects that global pension expenses to decrease approximately $4.2 million in Fiscal 2016 as compared to Fiscal 2015, which is driven primarily by the settlement charges of $3.9 million incurred during Fiscal 2015. While changes to the Company’s pension assumptions would not be expected to impact pension expense by a material amount, such changes could significantly impact the Company’s pension liability.

Effective August 1, 2013, the salaried plan in the U.S. was frozen to any Employees hired on or after August 1, 2013. These Employees are eligible for a 3.0 percent annual Company retirement contribution in addition to the Company’s 401(k) match. Effective August 1, 2016, Employees hired prior to August 1, 2013, will no longer continue to accrue Company contribution credits under the plan but will be eligible for a 3.0 percent annual Company retirement contribution in addition to the Company’s 401(k) match.

For new accounting standards not yet adopted refer to Note A Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Securities Reform Act of 1995

The Company, through its management, may make forward-looking statements reflecting the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements, which may be included in reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), in press releases and in other documents and materials as well as in written or oral statements made by or on behalf of the Company, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in Item 1A of this Form 10-K, which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. The words or phrases “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “will allow,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “forecast,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21e of the Exchange Act and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as enacted by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA). In particular, the Company desires to take advantage of the protections of the PSLRA in connection with the forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including those contained in the “Outlook” section of Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These statements do not guarantee future performance.

 

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Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date such statements are made. In addition, the Company wishes to advise readers that the factors listed in Item 1A of this Form 10-K, as well as other factors, could affect the Company’s performance and could cause the Company’s actual results for future periods to differ materially from any opinions or statements expressed. These factors include, but are not limited to, world economic factors and the ongoing economic uncertainty, currency fluctuations, commodity prices, political factors, the Company’s international operations, the continued implementation of our global ERP information technology system and other new information technology systems, information security and data breaches, the reduced demand for hard disk drive products with the increased use of flash memory, highly competitive markets, governmental laws and regulations, including the impact of the various economic stimulus and financial reform measures, potential global events resulting in market instability including financial bailouts and defaults of sovereign nations, military and terrorist activities, including political conditions where we do business, health outbreaks, natural disasters, and other factors included in Item 1A of this Report on Form 10-K. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Market risk disclosure appears in Management’s Discussion and Analysis on page 21 under “Market Risk.”

 

 

 

 

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of July 31, 2015 based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework – version 2013 issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this evaluation, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of July 31, 2015 due to the material weakness described below. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, has audited the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of July 31, 2015, as stated in its report which follows in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

Management has defined the material weakness that existed at July 31, 2015 as follows:

The Company did not maintain effective controls over recognition of revenue in its European Gas Turbine Products business. Specifically, transactions were not recorded in the proper period because the design of the controls did not contemplate effective review of delivery terms associated with Gas Turbine Products business projects revenue and the fulfillment of certain contractual terms by the Company was not sufficiently verified by reference to independent third party documentation.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

The financial statement errors that arose because of the identified material weakness resulted in the revision of previously reported interim financial statements for the quarters ended January 31, 2015 and April 30, 2015. Management concludes that the material weakness described above existed as of July 31, 2015 and could result in a material misstatement to the annual or interim financial statements that would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

Remediation Plan

Management is engaged in the implementation of remedial actions to address the material weakness identified above. Specifically, management is in the process of implementing changes, including enhancement of existing controls, to ensure European Gas Turbine Products revenue is recognized in the appropriate period, and taking multiple disciplinary actions, including termination of certain employees. In addition, a training program will be implemented to provide clarity on the Company’s policies and procedures for proper revenue recognition. Improvements to the control activities associated with our European Gas Turbine Products business projects revenue will include:

·Thorough review and approval by management of all delivery terms on gas turbine projects.
·Expanded use of third party documents for support of the decision as to when recognition of revenue is appropriate.
·The utilization of standard forms for determining and documenting the revenue recognition decision.

We are committed to maintaining a strong internal control environment and believe that these actions will be effective in remediating the material weakness described above. While we believe that enhancing existing controls remediate the identified material weakness, the material weakness in internal control will not be considered fully addressed until the new procedures have been in place for a sufficient period of time and tested to allow management to conclude that the controls are effective.

/s/ Tod E. Carpenter /s/ James F. Shaw
   
Tod E. Carpenter James F. Shaw
Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer
November 09, 2015 November 09, 2015

 

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Donaldson Company, Inc.

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Donaldson Company, Inc. and its subsidiaries at July 31, 2015 and July 31, 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended July 31, 2015 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company did not maintain, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of July 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) because a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting related to recognition of revenue in its European Gas Turbine Products business existed as of that date. Specifically, transactions were not recorded in the proper period because the design of the controls did not contemplate effective review of delivery terms associated with Gas Turbine Products business projects revenue and the fulfillment of certain contractual terms by the Company was not sufficiently verified by reference to independent third party documentation.  A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weakness referred to above is described in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. We considered this material weakness in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the July 31, 2015 consolidated financial statements and our opinion regarding the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting does not affect our opinion on those consolidated financial statements. The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in management’s report referred to above. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated 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 audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included 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, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

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

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

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
November 09, 2015

 

 

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Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Donaldson Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries

    Year ended July 31,  
    2015     2014     2013  
    (thousands of dollars, except share
and per share amounts)
 
Net sales   $ 2,371,213     $ 2,473,466     $ 2,436,948  
Cost of sales     1,562,629       1,595,640       1,589,821  
Gross profit     808,584       877,826       847,127  
Selling, general, and administrative     460,045       460,250       441,168  
Research and development     60,229       61,837       62,630  
Operating income     288,310       355,739       343,329  
Other income, net     (15,450 )     (15,164 )     (15,762 )
Interest expense     15,157       10,200       10,910  
Earnings before income taxes     288,603       360,703       348,181  
Income taxes     80,492       100,479       100,804  
Net earnings   $ 208,111     $ 260,224     $ 247,377  
                         
Weighted average shares – basic     137,750,158       145,594,300       148,273,904  
Weighted average shares – diluted     139,381,940       147,641,113       150,455,193  
Net earnings per share – basic   $ 1.51     $ 1.79     $ 1.67  
Net earnings per share – diluted   $ 1.49     $ 1.76     $ 1.64  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

  

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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Donaldson Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries

    At July 31,  
    2015     2014     2013  
    (thousands of dollars, except share amounts)  
Net earnings   $ 208,111     $ 260,224     $ 247,377  
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)     (119,094 )     (2,122 )     17,435  
Gain (loss) on hedging derivatives, net of deferred taxes of
$378, $(69), and $(196), respectively
    (491 )     71       120  
Pension and postretirement liability adjustment, net of deferred
taxes of $(154), $1,320, and $(25,656), respectively
    3,405       (6,286 )     46,860  
Total comprehensive income   $ 91,931     $ 251,887     $ 311,792  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

  

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Consolidated Balance Sheets
Donaldson Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries

    At July 31,  
    2015     2014  
    (thousands of dollars,
except share amounts)
 
Assets                
Current assets                
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 189,898     $ 296,418  
Short-term investments     27,470       127,201  
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $6,747 and $6,763     460,027       474,157  
Inventories, net     264,955       253,351  
Deferred income taxes     28,177       27,886  
Prepaids and other current assets     60,189       46,264  
Total current assets   $ 1,030,716     $ 1,225,277  
Property, plant, and equipment, net     470,611       451,665  
Goodwill     223,732       166,406  
Intangible assets, net     37,870       36,045  
Other long-term assets     46,605       63,018  
Total assets   $ 1,809,534     $ 1,942,411  
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity                
Current liabilities                
Short-term borrowings   $ 187,320     $ 185,303  
Current maturities of long-term debt     1,849       1,738  
Trade accounts payable     179,174       216,603  
Accrued employee compensation and related taxes     66,536       84,944  
Accrued liabilities     42,853       40,845  
Other current liabilities     82,915       80,147  
Total current liabilities     560,647       609,580  
Long-term debt     389,218       243,726  
Deferred income taxes     12,493       22,386  
Other long-term liabilities     68,525       64,236  
Total liabilities     1,030,883       939,928  
Commitments and contingencies (Note L and Note N)                
Shareholders’ equity                
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, 1,000,000 shares
authorized, none issued
           
Common stock, $5.00 par value, 240,000,000 shares authorized,
151,643,194 shares issued in both 2015 and 2014
    758,216       758,216  
Retained earnings     815,166       702,435  
Non-controlling interest     3,882        
Stock compensation plans     17,852       19,601  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)     (161,990 )     (45,810 )
Treasury stock, 17,044,950 and 11,237,522 shares in 2015
and 2014, at cost
    (654,475 )     (431,959 )
Total shareholders’ equity     778,651       1,002,483  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity   $ 1,809,534     $ 1,942,411  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Donaldson Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries

    Year ended July 31,  
    2015     2014     2013  
    (thousands of dollars)  
Operating Activities                        
Net earnings   $ 208,111     $ 260,224     $ 247,377  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided
by operating activities
                       
Depreciation and amortization     74,298       67,163       64,290  
Equity in losses (earnings) of affiliates, net of distributions     (1,109 )     (3,384 )     1,637  
Deferred income taxes     (5,611 )     (7,762 )     8,347  
Tax benefit of equity plans     (6,780 )     (8,781 )     (11,191 )
Stock compensation plan expense     10,694       11,640       9,148  
Loss on sale of business           905        
Other, net     25,083       10,041       (6,175 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of
acquired businesses
                       
Accounts receivable     (20,641 )     (44,851 )     3,705  
Inventories     (26,232 )     (19,273 )     20,142  
Prepaids and other current assets     (27,795 )     (7,769 )     13,495  
Trade accounts payable and other accrued expenses     (17,175 )     59,686       (34,852 )
Net cash provided by operating activities     212,843       317,839       315,923  
Investing Activities                        
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment     (93,739 )     (97,210 )     (94,895 )
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment     172       395       558  
Purchases of short-term investments     (27,039 )     (108,793 )     (99,339 )
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments     114,514       81,486       97,365  
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired     (105,636 )            
Net cash used in investing activities     (111,728 )     (124,122 )     (96,311 )
Financing Activities                        
Proceeds from long-term debt     150,000       125,000        
Repayments of long-term debt     (4,161 )     (81,898 )     (1,353 )
Change in short-term borrowings     2,751       175,344       (86,957 )
Purchase of treasury stock     (256,267 )     (279,395 )     (102,572 )
Dividends paid     (91,220 )     (83,070 )     (60,320 )
Tax benefit of equity plans     6,780       8,781       11,191  
Exercise of stock options     13,083       14,437       16,043  
Net cash used in financing activities     (179,034 )     (120,801 )     (223,968 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash     (28,601 )     (636 )     2,705  
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     (106,520 )     72,280       (1,651 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year     296,418       224,138       225,789  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year   $ 189,898     $ 296,418     $ 224,138  
Supplemental Cash Flow Information                        
Cash paid during the year for:                        
Income taxes   $ 85,568     $ 93,086     $ 84,898  
Interest     14,735       11,050       13,531  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
Donaldson Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries

    Common
Stock
    Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Retained
Earnings
    Non-
Controlling
Interest
    Stock
Compensation
Plans
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Treasury
Stock
    Total  
    (thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)  
Balance July 31, 2012   $ 758,216           $ 366,788     $     $ 24,948     $ (101,888 )   $ (138,050 )   $ 910,014  
Comprehensive income                                                                
Net earnings                     247,377                                       247,377  
Foreign currency translation                                             17,435               17,435  
Pension liability adjustment,
net of deferred taxes
                                            46,860               46,860  
Net gain on cash flow hedging
derivatives
                                            120               120  
Comprehensive income                                                             311,792  
Treasury stock acquired                                                     (102,572 )     (102,572 )
Stock options exercised             (10,836 )     (21,256 )                             44,463       12,371  
Deferred stock and other activity             (2,125 )     (1,677 )             (1,586 )             4,496       (892 )
Performance awards             (573 )     (1,161 )             (1,617 )             2,055       (1,296 )
Stock option expense                     8,300                                       8,300  
Tax reduction - employee plans             13,534                                               13,534  
Two-for-one Stock split                                                          
Dividends ($0.45 per share)                     (66,064 )                                     (66,064 )
Balance July 31, 2013     758,216             532,307             21,745       (37,473 )     (189,608 )     1,085,187  
Comprehensive income                                                                
Net earnings                     260,224                                       260,224  
Foreign currency translation                                             (2,122 )             (2,122 )
Pension liability adjustment,
net of deferred taxes
                                            (6,286 )             (6,286 )
Net gain on cash flow hedging
derivatives
                                            71               71  
Comprehensive income                                                             251,887  
Treasury stock acquired                                                     (279,395 )     (279,395 )
Stock options exercised             (7,000 )     (10,493 )                             30,538       13,045  
Deferred stock and other activity             (3,144 )     (1,772 )             (431 )             4,855       (492 )
Performance awards             (409 )     (505 )             (1,713 )             1,651       (976 )
Stock option expense                     9,933                                       9,933  
Tax reduction - employee plans             10,553                                               10,553  
Dividends ($0.61 per share)                     (87,259 )                                     (87,259 )
Balance July 31, 2014     758,216             702,435             19,601       (45,810 )     (431,959 )     1,002,483  
Comprehensive income                                                                
Net earnings                     208,111                                       208,111  
Foreign currency translation                                             (119,094 )             (119,094 )
Pension liability adjustment,
net of deferred taxes
                                            3,405               3,405  
Net gain on cash flow hedging
derivatives
                                            (491 )             (491 )
Comprehensive income                                                             91,931  
Purchase of IFIL                             3,882                               3,882  
Treasury stock acquired                                                     (256,267 )     (256,267 )
Stock options exercised             (5,685 )     (13,155 )                             30,210       11,370  
Deferred stock and other activity             (1,917 )     (678 )             (1,077 )             2,943       (729 )
Performance awards             (121 )     (159 )             (672 )             598       (354 )
Stock option expense                     9,534                                       9,534  
Tax reduction - employee plans             7,723                                               7,723  
Dividends ($0.67 per share)                     (90,922 )                                     (90,922 )
Balance July 31, 2015   $ 758,216     $     $ 815,166     $ 3,882     $ 17,852     $ (161,990 )   $ (654,475 )   $ 778,651  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Donaldson Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTE A Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business Donaldson Company, Inc. (Donaldson or the Company), is a worldwide manufacturer of filtration systems and replacement parts. The Company’s core strengths are leading filtration technology, strong Customer relationships, and its global presence. Products are manufactured at 41 plants around the world and through three joint ventures. Products are sold to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, dealers, and directly to end-users.

Principles of Consolidation The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Donaldson Company, Inc., all majority-owned subsidiaries, along with the majority stake in IFIL USA. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The Company’s three joint ventures that are not majority-owned are accounted for under the equity method.

Use of Estimates The preparation of Financial Statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (U.S.) (U.S. GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Foreign Currency Translation For substantially all foreign operations, local currencies are considered the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of non-U.S. dollar functional currency entities are translated to U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates and the resulting gains and losses arising from the translation of net assets located outside the U.S. are recorded as a cumulative translation adjustment, a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Elements of the Consolidated Statements of Earnings are translated at average exchange rates in effect during the year. Realized and unrealized foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in Other income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Foreign currency transaction gains of $2.1 million, $1.7 million, and $0.2 million are included in Other income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings in Fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid temporary investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are carried at cost that approximates market value.

Short-Term Investments As of July 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s short-term investments consisted exclusively of time deposits with durations longer than 3 months, but less than 1 year. These investments are carried at cost, which approximates their estimated fair value. Classification of the Company’s investments as current or non-current is dependent upon management’s intended holding period, the investment’s maturity date, and liquidity considerations based on market conditions. If management intends to hold the investments for longer than one year as of the balance sheet date, they are classified as non-current.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Trade accounts receivables are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of credit losses in its existing accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance based on historical write-off experience in the industry, regional economic data, and evaluation of specific Customer accounts for risk of loss. The Company reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts monthly. Past due balances over 90 days and over a specified amount are reviewed individually for collectability. All other balances are reviewed on a pooled basis by type of receivable. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when the Company feels it is probable the receivable will not be recovered. The Company does not have any off-balance-sheet credit exposure related to its Customers.

 

 

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Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. U.S. inventories are valued using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, while the non-U.S. inventories are valued using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Inventories valued at LIFO were approximately 34.2 percent of total inventories at July 31, 2015 and 2014. For inventories valued under the LIFO method, the FIFO cost exceeded the LIFO carrying values by $41.6 million and $37.9 million at July 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Results of operations for all periods presented were not materially affected by the liquidation of LIFO inventory. The components of inventory are as follows (thousands of dollars):

    At July 31,  
    2015     2014  
Raw materials   $ 113,335     $ 112,522  
Work in process     22,602       17,256  
Finished products     129,018       123,573  
Total inventories   $ 264,955     $ 253,351  

Property, Plant, and Equipment Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost. Additions, improvements, or major renewals are capitalized, while expenditures that do not enhance or extend the asset’s useful life are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation is computed under the straight-line method. Depreciation expense was $66.9 million in Fiscal 2015, $62.0 million in Fiscal 2014, and $58.8 million in Fiscal 2013. The estimated useful lives of property, plant, and equipment are 10 to 40 years for buildings, including building improvements, and three to ten years for machinery and equipment. The components of property, plant, and equipment are as follows (thousands of dollars):

    At July 31,  
    2015     2014  
Land   $ 20,029     $ 20,558  
Buildings     272,616       273,599  
Machinery and equipment     783,136       753,637  
Construction in progress     52,350       51,394  
Less accumulated depreciation     (657,520 )     (647,523 )
Total property, plant, and equipment, net   $ 470,611     $ 451,665  

Internal-Use Software The Company capitalizes direct costs of materials and services used in the development and purchase of internal-use software. Amounts capitalized are amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of five to seven years and are reported as a component of machinery and equipment within property, plant, and equipment.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations under the purchase method of accounting. Other intangible assets, consisting primarily of patents, trademarks, and Customer relationships and lists, are recorded at cost and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of 3 to 20 years. Goodwill is assessed for impairment annually or if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate the carrying amount may be impaired. The impairment assessment for goodwill is done at a reporting unit level. Reporting units are one level below the operating segment level, but can be combined when reporting units within the same operating segment have similar economic characteristics. An impairment loss generally would be recognized when the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s net assets exceeds the estimated fair value of the reporting unit.

Recoverability of Long-Lived Assets The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including identifiable intangibles, for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If impairment indicators are present and the estimated future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the assets, the carrying value is reduced. The Company recorded an impairment charge of $2.9 million in Fiscal 2015 for a partially completed facility in Xuzhou, China and there were no significant impairment charges recorded in Fiscal 2014, or Fiscal 2013.

Income Taxes The provision for income taxes is computed based on the pre-tax income reported for financial statement purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributed to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more-likely-than-not that a tax benefit will not be realized.

 

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Earnings Per Share The Company’s basic net earnings per share are computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of outstanding common shares. The Company’s diluted net earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of outstanding common shares and common equivalent shares relating to stock options and stock incentive plans. Certain outstanding options were excluded from the diluted net earnings per share calculations because their exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the Company’s common stock during those periods. There were 977,824 options, 884,138 options, and 22,619 options excluded from the diluted net earnings per share calculation for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

The following table presents information necessary to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share:

    2015     2014     2013  
    (thousands, except per share amounts)  
Weighted average shares – basic     137,750       145,594       148,274  
Diluted share equivalents     1,632       2,047       2,181  
Weighted average shares – diluted     139,382       147,641       150,455  
Net earnings for basic and diluted earnings
per share computation
  $ 208,111     $ 260,224     $ 247,377  
Net earnings per share – basic   $ 1.51     $ 1.79     $ 1.67  
Net earnings per share – diluted   $ 1.49     $ 1.76     $ 1.64  

Treasury Stock Repurchased common stock is stated at cost (determined on an average cost basis) and is presented as a reduction of shareholders’ equity.

Research and Development Research and development costs are charged against earnings in the year incurred. Research and development expenses include basic scientific research and the application of scientific advances to the development of new and improved products and their uses.

Stock-Based Compensation The Company offers stock-based employee compensation plans, which are more fully described in Note I. Stock-based employee compensation cost is recognized using the fair-value based method.

Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized when both product ownership and the risk of loss have transferred to the Customer, the Company has no remaining obligations, the selling price is fixed and determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Although the majority of the Company’s sales agreements contain standard terms and conditions, there are also agreements that contain multiple elements or non-standard terms and conditions. For the Company’s Gas Turbine Systems (GTS) sales, which typically consists of multiple shipments of components that will comprise the entire GTS project, it must carefully monitor the transfer of title related to each portion of a system sale and may defer recognition of revenue until all terms specified in the contract are met. The Company records estimated discounts and rebates as a reduction of sales in the same period revenue is recognized. Shipping and handling costs for Fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013 totaled $63.2 million, $64.2 million, and $66.2 million, respectively, and are classified as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses.

Product Warranties The Company provides for estimated warranty costs at the time of sale and accrues for specific items at the time their existence is known and the amounts are determinable. The Company estimates warranty costs using standard quantitative measures based on historical warranty claim experience and evaluation of specific Customer warranty issues. For a warranty reserve reconciliation see Note M.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities The Company recognizes all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Derivatives that are not designated as hedges are adjusted to fair value through income. If the derivative is designated as a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of derivatives are either offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities, or firm commitments through earnings, or recognized in shareholders’ equity through other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized. Gains or losses related to the ineffective portion of any hedge are recognized through earnings in the current period.

 

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New Accounting Standards Recently Adopted In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update 2013-04, Liabilities (Topic 405): Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation is Fixed at the Reporting Date (“ASU 2013-04”), which amended guidance related to obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligations is fixed at the reporting date. The guidance was effective for the Company beginning the first quarter of Fiscal 2015. The adoption of ASU 2013-04 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. For additional information, refer to Note L.

New Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (ASU 2014-09), which amended revenue recognition guidance to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue from contracts with Customers. The guidance requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to Customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance also requires expanded disclosures relating to the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with Customers. Additionally, qualitative and quantitative disclosures are required about Customer contracts, significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. This accounting guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of Fiscal 2019 using one of two prescribed retrospective methods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact that ASU 2014-09 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period (ASU 2014-12), which amended guidance related to share-based payments where terms of the award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning the first quarter of Fiscal 2018. The Company is evaluating the impact that ASU 2014-12 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (ASU 2015-03), which amended guidance requiring the issuance of debt costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the amount of the debt liability, consistent with debt discounts and premiums. This accounting guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of Fiscal 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact that ASU 2015-03 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 850): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (ASU 2015-07), which amended guidance requiring a Company to categorize investments for which fair values are measured using the net asset value (NAV) per share practical expedient. ASU 2015-07 also limits the disclosures to investments for which the entity has elected to measure the fair value using the practical expedient. This accounting guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of Fiscal 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact that ASU 2015-07 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory (ASU 2015-11), which amended the guidance requiring Company’s not using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method to measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable rather than the lower of cost or market. This accounting guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of Fiscal 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact that ASU 2015-11 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

NOTE B Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The Company has allocated goodwill to its Engine Products and Industrial Products segments. During Fiscal 2015 the Company acquired Northern Technical L.L.C. (Northern Technical) as of September 30, 2014, and IFIL USA L.L.C. (IFIL), as of June 30, 2015. There were no acquisitions during Fiscal 2014. There was no disposition activity during Fiscal 2015 or 2014. The Company completed its annual impairment assessments in the third quarters of Fiscal 2015 and 2014. The results of this assessment showed that the estimated fair values of the reporting units to

 

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which goodwill is assigned continued to exceed the corresponding carrying values of the respective reporting units, resulting in no goodwill impairment.

Following is a reconciliation of goodwill for the years ended July 31, 2015 and 2014:

    Engine
Products
    Industrial
Products
    Total
Goodwill
 
    (thousands of dollars)  
Balance as of July 31, 2013   $ 72,321     $ 93,247     $ 165,568  
Foreign exchange translation     52       786       838  
Balance as of July 31, 2014   $ 72,373     $ 94,033     $ 166,406  
Goodwill acquired             66,814       66,814  
Foreign exchange translation     (1,401 )     (8,087 )     (9,488 )
Balance as of July 31, 2015   $ 70,972     $ 152,760     $ 223,732  

Intangible assets are comprised of patents, trademarks, and Customer relationships and lists. Following is a reconciliation of intangible assets for the years ended July 31, 2015 and 2014:

    Gross
Carrying
Amount
    Accumulated
Amortization
    Net
Intangible
Assets
 
    (thousands of dollars)  
Balance as of July 31, 2013   $ 81,882     $ (40,575 )   $ 41,307  
Amortization expense           (5,154 )     (5,154 )
Retirements     (775 )     600       (175 )
Foreign exchange translation     176       (109 )     67  
Balance as of July 31, 2014   $ 81,283     $ (45,238 )   $ 36,045  
Intangible acquired - Northern Technical     6,200             6,200  
Intangible acquired – IFIL     3,800             3,800  
Amortization expense           (6,778 )     (6,778 )
Foreign exchange translation     (4,193 )     2,796       (1,397 )
Balance as of July 31, 2015   $ 87,090     $ (49,220 )   $ 37,870  

Net intangible assets consist of patents, trademarks, and trade names of $8.8 million and $11.5 million as of July 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and Customer related intangibles of $29.1 million and $24.5 million as of July 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of July 31, 2015, patents, trademarks, and trade names had a weighted average remaining life of 7.0 years and Customer related intangibles had a weighted average remaining life of 9.9 years. Expected amortization expense relating to existing intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year        
2016   $ 5,711  
2017   $ 5,573  
2018   $ 4,360  
2019   $ 3,809  
2020   $ 3,721  
Thereafter   $ 12,813  

NOTE C Credit Facilities

On October 28, 2014, the Company entered into a First Amendment (Amendment) to its five-year, multi-currency revolving credit facility with a group of banks under which the Company may borrow up to $250.0 million. The Amendment increased the borrowings availability up to $400.0 million. The agreement provides that loans may be made under a selection of currencies and rate formulas including Base Rate Loans or LIBOR Rate Loans. The interest rate on each advance is based on certain market interest rates and leverage ratios. Facility fees and other fees on the entire loan commitment are payable over the duration of this facility. There was $160.00 million outstanding at July 31, 2015, and $180.0 million outstanding at July 31, 2014. At July 31, 2015 and 2014, $232.2 million and $62.2 million, respectively, were available for further borrowing under such facilities. The amount available for further borrowing reflects a reduction for issued standby letters of credit, as discussed in Note L. The Company’s multi-currency  

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revolving facility contains financial covenants specifically related to maintaining a certain interest coverage ratio and a certain leverage ratio as well as other covenants that, under certain circumstances, can restrict the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, make investments and other restricted payments, create liens, and sell assets. As of July 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants. Due to an investigation into revenue recognition in the Company’s Gas Turbine Systems business, the Company was unable to provide audited financial statements to the group of banks who are lenders in the credit facility in the 90 day time period required. On October 28, 2015, the Company obtained waivers for the covenant to provide audited statements within 90 days of year-end so long as they are provided by December 28, 2015. Upon providing the audited financial statements to the group of banks prior to December 28, 2015, the Company expects to remain in compliance with the above mentioned covenants.

The Company has two uncommitted credit facilities in the U.S., which provide unsecured borrowings for general corporate purposes. At July 31, 2015 and 2014, there was $49.7 million and $45.7 million available for use, respectively, under these two facilities. There was $15.3 million outstanding at July 31, 2015, and $4.3 million outstanding at July 31, 2014. The weighted average interest rate on the short-term borrowings outstanding at July 31, 2015, was 1.00 percent.

The Company has a €100.0 million, or $109.9 million, program for issuing treasury notes for raising short-, medium-, and long-term financing for its European operations. There were no amounts outstanding on this program at July 31, 2015 or 2014. Additionally, the Company’s European operations have lines of credit with an available limit of €34.0 million or $37.4 million. There was €9.5 million or $10.4 million outstanding at July 31, 2015, and there was no amount outstanding on these lines of July 31, 2014. The weighted average interest rate on the short-term borrowings outstanding at July 31, 2015, was 0.83 percent.

Other international subsidiaries may borrow under various credit facilities. There was $1.6 million outstanding under these credit facilities as of July 31, 2015, and $1.0 million as of July 31, 2014. At July 31, 2015 and 2014, there was $47.2 million and $57.5 million available for use, respectively, under these facilities. The weighted average interest rate on these short-term borrowings outstanding at July 31, 2015 and July 31, 2014, was 0.41 percent and 0.75 percent, respectively.

NOTE D Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:

  2015   2014
  (thousands of dollars)
5.48% Unsecured senior notes, interest payable semi-annually,          
principal payment of $50.0 million due June 1, 2017    50,000       50,000 
5.48% Unsecured senior notes, interest payable semi-annually,          
principal payment of $25.0 million due September 28, 2017    25,000       25,000 
5.48% Unsecured senior notes, interest payable semi-annually,          
principal payment of $25.0 million due November 30, 2017    25,000       25,000 
3.72% Unsecured senior notes, interest payable semi-annually,          
  principal payment of $125.0 million due March 27, 2024    125,000       125,000 
2.93% Unsecured senior notes, interest payable semi-annually,          
  principal payment of $25.0 million due April 16, 2025    25,000       -
3.18% Unsecured senior notes, interest payable semi-annually,          
  principal payment of $125.0 million due June 17, 2030    125,000       -
Variable Rate Guaranteed senior note, interest payable quarterly,          
  principal payment of ¥1.65 billion due May 19, 2019 and an          
  interest rate of 0.52% as of July 31, 2015    13,313       16,051 
Capitalized lease obligations and other, with various maturity          
dates and interest rates    1,928       3,177 
Terminated interest rate swap contracts    826       1,236 
Total    391,067       245,464 
Less current maturities    1,849       1,738 
Total long-term debt $  389,218    $  243,726 

 

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Annual maturities of long-term debt are $1.8 million in Fiscal 2016, $50.8 million in Fiscal 2017, $50.1 million in Fiscal 2018, $13.3 million in Fiscal 2019, no maturities in Fiscal 2020, and $275.0 million thereafter. Certain note agreements contain debt covenants related to working capital levels and limitations on indebtedness. As of July 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants.

On April 16, 2015, the Company entered into a First Supplement to Note Purchase Agreement (First Supplement), dated April 16, 2015, with a group of institutional investors, which supplements a Note Purchase Agreement, dated March 27, 2014. Pursuant to the First Supplement, the Company issued $25.0 million of senior unsecured notes due April 16, 2025, and $125.0 million of senior unsecured notes due June 17, 2030. The debt was issued at face value and bears interest payable semi-annually at an annual rate of interest of 2.93 percent and 3.18 percent respectively. The proceeds from the notes primarily were used to refinance existing debt, and were also used for general corporate purposes. The notes contain debt covenants specifically related to maintaining a certain leverage ratio as well as other covenants that, under certain circumstances, can restrict the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, make investments and other restricted payments, create liens, and sell assets. As of July 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants. The Company expects to remain in compliance with these covenants.

On March 27, 2014, the Company issued $125.0 million of senior unsecured notes due March 27, 2024. The debt was issued at face value and bears interest payable semi-annually at an annual rate of interest of 3.72 percent. The proceeds from the notes were used to refinance existing debt and for general corporate purposes. The notes contain debt covenants specifically related to maintaining a certain leverage ratio as well as other covenants that, under certain circumstances, can restrict the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, make investments and other restricted payments, create liens, and sell assets. As of July 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants.

On May 19, 2014, the Company refinanced its 1.65 billion yen guaranteed note that matured on May 18, 2014. The debt that was issued at face value, or approximately $13.3 million as of July 31, 2015, is due May 19, 2019, and bears interest payable quarterly at a variable interest rate. The interest rate was 0.52 percent as of July 31, 2015.

NOTE E Fair Value

Fair Value of Financial Instruments The Company used the following definitions to classify pension assets into either Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices available in Level 1 that are observable either directly or indirectly.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

At July 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company’s financial instruments included cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, short-term borrowings, long-term debt, and derivative contracts. The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and short-term borrowings approximated carrying values because of the short-term nature of these instruments and are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. As of July 31, 2015, the estimated fair value of long-term debt with fixed interest rates was $383.3 million compared to its carrying value of $375 million. The fair value is estimated by discounting the projected cash flows using the rate that similar amounts of debt could currently be borrowed, which is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Derivative contracts are reported at their fair values based on third-party quotes. The fair values of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities listed below reflect the amounts that would be received to sell the assets or paid to transfer the liabilities in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). The fair values are based on inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability. These inputs include foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The financial assets and liabilities are primarily valued using standard calculations and models that use as their basis readily observable market parameters. Industry standard data providers are the primary source for forward and spot rate information for both interest rates and currency rates.

 

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The following summarizes the Company’s fair value of outstanding derivatives at July 31, 2015 and 2014, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

    Significant Other Observable Inputs  
    (Level 2)*  
    At July 31,  
    2015     2014  
    (thousands of dollars)  
Asset derivatives recorded under the caption
               
Prepaids and other current assets                
Foreign exchange contracts   $ 3,608     $ 931  
Liability derivatives recorded under the caption
               
Other current liabilities                
Foreign exchange contracts     (2,247 )     (1,242 )
Forward exchange contracts - net liability position   $ 1,361     $ (311 )

__________________

*Inputs to the valuation methodology of level 2 assets include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

The Company holds equity method investments which are classified in other long-term assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The aggregate carrying amount of these investments was $18.3 million and $21.4 million as of July 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These equity method investments are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. The fair value of the Company’s equity method investments has not been estimated as there have been no identified events or changes in circumstance that would have had an adverse impact on the value of these investments. In the event that these investments were required to be measured, these investments would fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, due to the use of significant unobservable inputs to determine fair value, as the investments are in privately-held entities or divisions of public companies without quoted market prices.

Goodwill is assessed for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The Company’s goodwill and intangible assets are not recorded at fair value as there have been no events or circumstances that would have an adverse impact on the value of these assets. In the event that an impairment was recognized, the fair value would be classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Definite lived intangible assets are subject to impairment assessments as triggering events occur which could indicate that the asset might be impaired. Refer to Note B for further discussion of the annual goodwill impairment analysis and carrying values of goodwill and other intangible assets.

The Company assesses the impairment of property, plant, and equipment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of property, plant, and equipment assets may not be recoverable. There were no significant impairment charges recorded in Fiscal 2015, Fiscal 2014, or Fiscal 2013.

NOTE F Employee Benefit Plans

Plans The Company and certain of its international subsidiaries have defined benefit pension plans for many of their hourly and salaried employees. There are two types of U.S. plans. The first type of U.S. plan (Hourly Pension Plan) is a traditional defined benefit pension plan for union production employees. The second is a plan (Salaried Pension Plan) for some salaried and non-union production employees that provides defined benefits pursuant to a cash balance feature whereby a participant accumulates a benefit comprised of a percentage of current salary that varies with years of service, interest credits and transition credits. The non-U.S. plans generally provide pension benefits based on years of service and compensation level.

On July 31, 2013, the Company adopted a sunset freeze on its U.S. Salaried Pension Plan. Effective August 1, 2013, there are no longer any new entrants into the plan. Then effective, August 1, 2016, Employees hired prior to August 1, 2013, will no longer continue to accrue Company contribution credits under the plan.

 

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Net periodic pension costs for the Company’s pension plans include the following components:

    2015     2014     2013  
    (thousands of dollars)  
Service cost   $ 20,412     $ 18,821     $ 19,439  
Interest cost     19,108       19,499       16,953  
Expected return on assets     (29,529 )     (30,794 )     (28,111 )
Prior service cost and transition amortization     570       590       591  
Actuarial loss amortization     7,086       7,403       10,362  
Settlement loss     3,906              
Net periodic benefit cost   $ 21,553     $ 15,519     $ 19,234  

The obligations and funded status of the Company’s pension plans as of 2015 and 2014, is as follows:

    2015     2014  
    (thousands of dollars)  
Change in benefit obligation:                
Benefit obligation, beginning of year   $ 498,653     $ 444,943  
Service cost     20,412       18,821  
Interest cost     19,108       19,499  
Plan amendments     (26 )      
Participant contributions     1,156       1,308  
Actuarial loss/(gain)     13,148       29,638  
Currency exchange rates     (18,215 )     8,873  
Divestiture           (3,200 )
Settlement     (9,185 )      
Benefits paid     (26,378 )     (21,229 )
Benefit obligation, end of year   $ 498,673     $ 498,653  
                 
Change in plan assets:                
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year   $ 489,870     $ 452,724  
Actual return on plan assets     34,959       45,978  
Company contributions     5,511       4,263  
Participant contributions     1,156       1,308  
Currency exchange rates     (17,454 )     9,912  
Divestiture           (3,086 )
Settlement     (9,185 )      
Benefits paid     (26,378 )     (21,229 )
Fair value of plan assets, end of year   $ 478,479     $ 489,870  
                 
Funded status:                
Underfunded status at July 31, 2015 and 2014   $ (20,194 )   $ (8,783 )
                 
Amounts recognized on the consolidated balance sheets consist of:                
Other long-term assets     10,317       17,800  
Other current liabilities     (2,901 )     (832 )
Other long-term liabilities     (27,610 )     (25,751 )
Recognized asset / (liability)   $ (20,194 )   $ (8,783 )

The net underfunded status of $20.2 million at July 31, 2015, is recognized in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. AOCI at July 31, 2015, and 2014 was $135.4 million and $143.4 million, respectively, and consisted primarily of unrecognized actuarial losses. The loss expected to be recognized in net periodic pension expense during Fiscal 2016 is $8.6 million. The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $484.2 million and $476.1 million at July 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

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The projected benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were $290.0 million and $259.5 million, respectively, as of July 31, 2015, and $289.3 million and $262.7 million, respectively, as of July 31, 2014.

The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation, and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were $242.3 million, $241.9 million, and $216.0 million, respectively, as of July 31, 2015, and $234.8 million, $233.8 million, and $215.9 million, respectively, as of July 31, 2014.

For the fiscal years ended July 31, 2015 and 2014, the two U.S. pension plans represented approximately 67 percent and 69 percent, respectively, of the Company’s total plan assets, approximately 69 percent, for both fiscal years, of the Company’s total projected benefit obligation, and approximately 81 percent and 80 percent, respectively, of the Company’s total pension expense.

The weighted-average discount rate and rates of increase in future compensation levels used in determining the actuarial present value of the projected benefit obligation are as follows:

Weighted average actuarial assumptions   2015     2014  
All U.S. plans:                
Discount rate     4.33%       4.33%  
Rate of compensation increase     2.56%       2.61%  
Non - U.S. plans:                
Discount rate     3.14%       3.64%  
Rate of compensation increase     2.68%       2.79%  

The weighted-average discount rates, expected returns on plan assets and rates of increase in future compensation levels used to determine the net periodic benefit cost are as follows:

Weighted average actuarial assumptions   2015     2014     2013  
All U.S. plans:                        
Discount rate     4.33%       4.58%       3.59%  
Expected return on plan assets     7.14%       7.50%       7.50%  
Rate of compensation increase     2.61%       2.61%       2.61%  
Non - U.S. plans:                        
Discount rate     3.64%       4.04%       4.13%  
Expected return on plan assets     5.41%       5.48%       5.20%  
Rate of compensation increase     2.79%       2.92%       2.86%  

Expected Long-Term Rate of Return To develop the expected long-term rate of return on assets assumption, the Company considered the historical returns and the future expectations for returns for each asset class, as well as the target asset allocation of the pension portfolio. In Fiscal 2014 the Company adopted a plan to adjust the target asset allocation for all U.S. plans and to employ differing allocation strategies for each plan. These investment changes, which were implemented in the second quarter of Fiscal 2015, will help the Company to manage or reduce the risk to income statement volatility while continuing to ensure an appropriate funded status in each plan. Based on portfolio performance, as of the measurement date of July 31, 2015, the Company reduced its long-term rate of return for the U.S. pension plans to an asset-based weighted average of 6.99 percent. The expected long-term rate of return on assets shown in the pension benefit disclosure for non-U.S. plans is an asset-based weighted average of all non-U.S. plans.

Discount Rate The Company’s objective in selecting a discount rate is to select the best estimate of the rate at which the benefit obligations could be effectively settled on the measurement date, taking into account the nature and duration of the benefit obligations of the plan. In making this best estimate, the Company looks at rates of return on high-quality fixed-income investments currently available, and expected to be available, during the period to maturity of the benefits. This process includes looking at the universe of bonds available on the measurement date with a quality rating of Aa or better. Similar appropriate benchmarks are used to determine the discount rate for the non-U.S. plans. The discount rate disclosed in the assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost and to determine benefit obligations is based upon a weighted average, using year-end projected benefit obligations.

Plan Assets The Company used the following definitions to classify pension assets into either Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

 

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Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices available in Level 1 that are observable either directly or indirectly.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

The fair values of the assets held by the U.S. pension plans by asset category are as follows (in millions):

Asset Category   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
    Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
    Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
    Total  
2015                                
Cash   $ 1.9     $     $     $ 1.9  
Global Equity Securities     76.6       84.6       19.5       180.7  
Fixed Income Securities     0.9       64.1       54.7       119.7  
Real Assets     6.0             13.0       19.0  
Total U.S. Assets at July 31, 2015   $ 85.4     $ 148.7     $ 87.2     $ 321.3  
                                 
2014                                
Cash   $ 14.2     $     $     $ 14.2  
Global Equity Securities     107.3       87.3       21.1       215.7  
Fixed Income Securities     27.0             58.7       85.7  
Real Assets     7.1             13.5       20.6  
Total U.S. Assets at July 31, 2014   $ 155.6     $ 87.3     $ 93.3     $ 336.2  
                                 
2013                                
Cash   $ 18.5     $     $     $ 18.5  
Global Equity Securities     82.5       50.2       19.4       152.1  
Fixed Income Securities     42.9       20.8       60.8       124.5  
Real Assets                 22.1       22.1  
Total U.S. Assets at July 31, 2013   $ 143.9     $ 71.0     $ 102.3     $ 317.2  

Global Equity consists primarily of publicly traded U.S. and non-U.S. equities, Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE) index funds, equity private placement funds, private equity investments, and some cash and cash equivalents. Publicly traded equities are valued at the closing price reported in the active market in which the individual securities are traded. Index funds are valued at the net asset value (NAV) as determined by the custodian of the fund. The NAV is based on the fair value of the underlying assets owned by the fund, minus its liabilities then divided by the number of units outstanding. Private equity consists of interests in partnerships that invest in U.S. and non-U.S. equity and debt securities. This may include a diversified mix of partnership interests including buyouts, restructured/distressed debt, growth equity, mezzanine/subordinated debt, real estate, special situation partnerships, and venture capital investments. Partnership interest is valued using the most recent general partner statement of fair value, updated for any subsequent partnership interests’ cash flow.

The target allocation for Global Equity investments was 65 percent and 35 percent in the Salaried and Hourly Pension Plans, respectively. The underlying global equity investment managers within the Plan will invest primarily in equity securities spanning across market capitalization, geography, style (e.g. value, growth, etc.), and other diversifying characteristics. Managers may invest in common stocks or American Depository Receipts (ADRs), mutual funds, bank or trust company pooled funds, international stocks, stock options for hedging purposes, stock index futures, financial futures for purposes of replicating a major market index, and private equity partnerships. The Long/Short Equity managers within Global Equity may take long or short positions in equity securities and have the ability to shift exposure from net long to net short. Long/Short Equity managers made up about 15 percent of the global equity portfolio at year-end, and are considered less liquid, as the funds can be partially liquidated on a quarterly basis. Long-only managers are considered liquid. The long-only investment managers are typically valued daily, while long/short equity is valued on a monthly basis. Private equity is considered illiquid and performance is typically valued on a quarterly basis. The underlying assets, however, may be valued less frequently, such as annually, or if and when a potential buyer is identified and has submitted a bid to similar types of investments.

 

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Fixed income consists primarily of investment and non-investment grade debt securities and alternative fixed income-like investments. Corporate and other bonds and notes are valued at either the yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings or valued under a discounted cash flows approach that maximizes observable inputs, such as current yields of similar instruments, but includes adjustments for certain risks that may not be observable such as credit and liquidity risks. Alternative fixed income-like investments consist primarily of private partnership interests in hedge funds of funds. Partnership interests are valued using the NAV as determined by the administrator or custodian of the fund.

The target allocation for Fixed Income was 30 percent and 60 percent in the Salaried and Hourly Pension Plans respectively. The Fixed Income class may invest in Debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S., its agencies or instrumentalities (including U.S. Government Agency mortgage backed securities), or other investment grade rated debt issued by foreign governments; corporate bonds, debentures and other forms of corporate debt obligations, including equipment trust certificates; Indexed notes, floaters and other variable rate obligations; bank collective funds; mutual funds; insurance company pooled funds and guaranteed investments; futures and options for the purpose of yield curve management; and private debt investments. Fixed Income risk is driven by various factors including, but not limited to, interest rate levels and changes, credit risk, and duration. The current fixed income investment is considered liquid, with daily pricing and liquidity. The Fixed Income class is also invested in a variety of alternative investments. Alternatives cover an enormous variety of traditional and non-traditional investments and investment strategies, spanning various levels of risk and return. These investments can be made in a broad array of non-traditional investment strategies (including, but not limited to, commodities and futures, distressed securities, short/long--or both--fixed income, international opportunities, and relative value) with multiple hedge fund managers. This class is considered less liquid to illiquid. The liquidity ranges from quarterly to semi-annually and illiquid. Alternative investments are typically valued on a quarterly basis.

Real assets consist of commodity funds, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITS), and interests in partnerships that invest in private real estate, commodities, and timber investments. Private investments are valued using the most recent partnership statement of fair value, updated for any subsequent partnership interests’ cash flows. Commodity funds and REITS are valued at the closing price reported in the active market in which it is traded.

The target allocation for Real Assets was 5 percent in both the Salaried and Hourly Pension Plans. The Fund invests in real assets to provide a hedge against unexpected inflation, to capture unique sources of returns, and to provide diversification benefits. The Fund pursues a real asset strategy through a fund of funds, private investments, and/or a direct investment program that may invest long, short, or both, in assets including, but not limited to, domestic and international properties, buildings and developments, timber, and/or commodities. Real assets range from less liquid to illiquid, with about two-thirds of the real asset allocation having monthly liquidity and one-third illiquid. Real asset manager performance is typically reported quarterly, though underlying assets may be valued less frequently.

The following table sets forth a summary of changes in the fair values of the U.S. pension plans’ Level 3 assets for the years ended July 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 (in millions):

    Global Equity     Fixed Income     Real Assets     Total  
Beginning balance at August 1, 2012   $ 19.4     $ 55.0     $ 31.4     $ 105.8  
Unrealized gains     (0.8 )     6.4       1.1       6.7  
Realized gains     1.7       0.7             2.4  
Purchases     2.1             1.0       3.1  
Sales     (3.0 )     (1.3 )     (11.4 )     (15.7 )
Ending balance at July 31, 2013   $ 19.4     $ 60.8     $ 22.1     $ 102.3  
Unrealized gains     1.7       (2.0 )           (0.3 )
Realized gains     2.4       8.9       0.8       12.1  
Purchases     2.0       20.0       2.7       24.7  
Sales     (4.4 )     (29.0 )     (12.1 )     (45.5 )
Ending balance at July 31, 2014   $ 21.1     $ 58.7     $ 13.5     $ 93.3  
Unrealized gains     (0.3 )     (3.7 )     0.7       (3.3 )
Realized gains     2.8       5.1       0.6       8.5  
Purchases     1.8             0.8       2.6  
Sales     (5.9 )     (5.4 )     (2.6 )     (13.9 )
Ending balance at July 31, 2015   $ 19.5     $ 54.7     $ 13.0     $ 87.2  

 

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The following table sets forth a summary of the U.S. pension plans’ assets valued at NAV for the year ended July 31, 2015 (in millions):

    Fair Value     Unfunded
Commitments
    Redemption Frequency
(If Currently Eligible)
  Redemption
Notice Period
 
Global Equity   $ 181.3     $ 3.4     Daily, Monthly, Quarterly, Annually     10 - 100 days  
Fixed Income     55.6           Daily, Quarterly, Semi-Annually     60 - 120 days  
Real Assets     19.0       2.3     Daily, Quarterly     95 days  
Total   $ 255.9     $ 5.7              

Fair values of the assets held by the non-U.S. pension plans by asset category are as follows (in millions):

Asset Category   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
    Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
    Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
    Total  
2015                                
Cash   $     $     $     $  
Global Equity Securities     71.7                   71.7  
Fixed Income Securities     4.2       35.9             40.1  
Equity/Fixed Income     17.2             28.2       45.4  
Total Non-U.S. Assets at July 31, 2015   $ 93.1     $ 35.9     $ 28.2     $ 157.2  
                                 
2014                                
Cash   $ 5.7     $     $     $ 5.7  
Global Equity Securities     71.3                   71.3  
Fixed Income Securities     4.8       23.3             28.1  
Equity/Fixed Income     18.0             30.5       48.5  
Total Non-U.S. Assets at July 31, 2014   $ 99.8     $ 23.3     $ 30.5     $ 153.6  
                                 
2013                                
Global Equity Securities   $ 0.6     $     $     $ 0.6  
Fixed Income Securities     63.8                   63.8  
Equity/Fixed Income     6.9       21.0             27.9  
Real Assets     16.9             26.3       43.2  
Total Non-U.S. Assets at July 31, 2013   $ 88.2     $ 21.0     $ 26.3     $ 135.5  

Global equity consists of publicly traded diversified growth funds invested across a broad range of traditional and alternative asset classes which may include, but are not limited to: equities, investment grade and high yield bonds, property, private equity, infrastructure, commodities and currencies. They may invest directly or hold up to 100 percent of the fund in other collective investment vehicles and may use exchange traded and over the counter financial derivatives, such as currency forwards or futures, for both investment as well as hedging purposes.

Fixed income consists primarily of investment grade debt securities. Corporate bonds and notes are valued at either the yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings or valued under a discounted cash flows approach that maximizes observable inputs, such as current yields of similar instruments, but includes adjustments for certain risks that may not be observable such as credit and liquidity risks. These funds may also aim to provide liability hedging by offering interest rate and inflation protections which replicates the liability profile of a typical defined benefit pension scheme.

Equity/Fixed Income consists of Level 1 assets that are part of a unit linked fund with a strategic asset allocation of 40 percent fixed income products and 60 percent equity type products. Assets are valued at either the closing price reported if traded on an active market or at yields currently available on comparable securities of issuers with similar credit ratings. Index funds are valued at the net asset value as determined by the custodian of the fund. The Level 3 assets are composed of mathematical reserves on individual contracts and the Company does not have any influence on the investment decisions as made by the insurer due to the specific minimum guaranteed return characteristics of this type of contract. European insurers in general, broadly have a strategic asset allocation with 80 percent to 90 percent fixed income products and 20 percent to 10 percent equity type products (including real estate).

 

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Real Assets consists of property funds. Property funds are valued using the most recent partnership statement of fair value, updated for any subsequent partnership interests’ cash flows.

The following table sets forth a summary of changes in the fair values of the non-U.S. pension plans’ Level 3 assets for the years ended July 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 (in millions):

    Equity/Fixed
Income
   
Beginning balance at August 1, 2012   $ 21.8    
Unrealized gains     1.1    
Foreign currency exchange     1.7    
Purchases     2.6    
Sales     (0.9 )  
Ending balance at July 31, 2013   $ 26.3    
Unrealized gains     4.3    
Realized gains     0.1    
Foreign currency exchange     0.1    
Purchases     3.1    
Sales     (3.4 )  
Ending balance at July 31, 2014   $ 30.5    
Unrealized gains     1.3    
Realized gains        
Foreign currency exchange     (5.5 )  
Purchases     2.7    
Sales     (0.8 )  
Ending balance at July 31, 2015   $ 28.2    

The following table sets forth a summary of the non-U.S. pension plans’ assets valued at NAV for the year ended July 31, 2015 (in millions):

    Fair Value     Unfunded
Commitments
    Redemption Frequency
(If Currently Eligible)
  Redemption
Notice Period
 
Fixed Income   $  35.9     $     Weekly     7 days  
Equity/Fixed Income      28.2           Yearly     90 days  
Total    64.1     $              

Investment Policies and Strategies. For the Company’s U.S. Pension Plans, the Company uses a total return investment approach to achieve a long-term return on plan assets, with what the Company believes to be a prudent level of risk for the purpose of meeting its retirement income commitments to Employees. The plans’ investments are diversified to assist in managing risk. In Fiscal 2015, the Company’s asset allocation guidelines targeted an allocation of 65 percent global equity securities, 30 percent fixed income, and 5 percent real assets (investments into funds containing commodities and real estate) for the Salaried Pension Plan and 35 percent global equity securities, 60 percent fixed income, and 5 percent real assets (investments into funds containing commodities and real estate) for the Hourly Pension Plan. These target allocation guidelines are determined in consultation with the Company’s investment consultant, and through the use of modeling the risk/return trade-offs among asset classes utilizing assumptions about expected annual return, expected volatility/standard deviation of returns, and expected correlations with other asset classes.

For the Company’s non-U.S. plans, the general investment objectives are to maintain a suitably diversified portfolio of secure assets of appropriate liquidity which will generate income and capital growth to meet, together with any new contributions from members and the Company, the cost of current and future benefits. Investment policy and performance is measured and monitored on an ongoing basis by the Company’s Investment Committee through its use of an investment consultant and through quarterly investment portfolio reviews.

 

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Estimated Contributions and Future Payments The Company’s general funding policy for its pension plans is to make at least the minimum contributions as required by applicable regulations. Additionally, the Company may elect to make additional contributions up to the maximum tax deductible contribution. The Company made contributions of $1.6 million to its U.S. pension plans in Fiscal 2015. The minimum funding requirement for the Company’s U.S. plans is $10.8 million in Fiscal 2016. Per the Pension Protection Act of 2006, this obligation could be met with existing credit balances that resulted from payments above the minimum obligation in prior years. As such, the Company does not anticipate making a contribution in Fiscal 2016 to its U.S. pension plans. The Company made contributions of $3.9 million to its non-U.S. pension plans in Fiscal 2015 and estimates that it will contribute approximately $4.0 million in Fiscal 2016 based upon the local government prescribed funding requirements. Future estimates of the Company’s pension plan contributions may change significantly depending on the actual rate of return on plan assets, discount rates, and regulatory requirements.

Estimated future benefit payments for the Company’s U.S. and non-U.S. plans are as follows (thousands of dollars):

Fiscal Year        
2016   $  25,445  
2017   $  25,721  
2018   $  25,203  
2019   $  26,540  
2020   $  27,332  
2021-2025   $ 142,263  

Postemployment and Postretirement Benefit Plans The Company provides certain postemployment and postretirement health care benefits for certain U.S. Employees for a limited time after termination of employment. The Company has recorded a liability for its postretirement benefit plan in the amount of $1.0 million and $1.3 million for years ended July 31, 2015 and 2014. The annual cost resulting from these benefits is not material. For measurement purposes, an estimated single weighted-average rate of 7.80 percent of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for Fiscal 2015. The Company has assumed that the long-term rate of increase will decrease gradually to an ultimate annual rate of 4.50 percent. A one-percentage point increase in the health care cost trend rate would increase the Fiscal 2015 and 2014 liability by $0.1 million.

Retirement Savings and Employee Stock Ownership Plan The Company provides a contributory employee savings plan to U.S. Employees that permits participants to make contributions by salary reduction pursuant to section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Employee contributions of up to 25 percent of compensation are matched at a rate equaling 100 percent of the first 3 percent contributed and 50 percent of the next 2 percent contributed. Total contribution expense for these plans was $8.6 million, $8.1 million, and $7.3 million for the years ended July 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. This plan also includes shares from an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). As of July 31, 2015, all shares of the ESOP have been allocated to participants. Total ESOP shares are considered to be shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share calculations. In July 2013 the Company announced that Employees hired on or after August 1, 2013, will also be eligible for a 3 percent annual Company retirement contribution in addition to the Company’s 401(k) match. Effective August 1, 2016, Employees hired prior to August 1, 2013, will be eligible for the 3 percent annual Company retirement contribution.

Deferred Compensation and Other Benefit Plans The Company provides various deferred compensation and other benefit plans to certain executives. The deferred compensation plan allows these Employees to defer the receipt of all of their bonus and other stock related compensation and up to 75 percent of their salary to future periods. Other benefit plans are provided to supplement the benefits for a select group of highly compensated individuals which are reduced because of compensation limitations set by the Internal Revenue Code. The Company has recorded a liability of $9.1 million for the years ended July 31, 2015, and July 31, 2014, respectively, related primarily to its deferred compensation plans.

 

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NOTE G Shareholders’ Equity

Stock Rights On January 27, 2006, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the extension of the benefits afforded by the Company’s existing rights plan by adopting a new shareholder rights plan. Pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated as of January 27, 2006, by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Rights Agent, one right was issued on March 3, 2006, for each outstanding share of common stock of the Company upon the expiration of the Company’s existing rights. Each of the new rights entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, without par value, at a price of $143.00 per one one-thousandth of a share. The rights, however, will not become exercisable unless and until, among other things, any person acquires 15 percent or more of the outstanding common stock of the Company. If a person acquires 15 percent or more of the outstanding common stock of the Company (subject to certain conditions and exceptions more fully described in the Rights Agreement), each right will entitle the holder (other than the person who acquired 15 percent or more of the outstanding common stock) to purchase common stock of the Company having a market value equal to twice the exercise price of a right. The rights are redeemable under certain circumstances at $.001 per right and will expire, unless earlier redeemed, on March 2, 2016.

Stock Compensation Plans The Stock Compensation Plans in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity consist of the balance of amounts payable to eligible participants for stock compensation that was deferred to a Rabbi Trust pursuant to the provisions of the 2010 Master Stock Incentive Plan, as well as performance awards payable in common stock discussed further in Note I.

Treasury Stock The Board of Directors authorized the repurchase, at the Company’s discretion, of up to 14.0 million shares of common stock under the Company’s stock repurchase plan dated May 29, 2015, replacing the Company’s previous stock repurchase plan dated September 27, 2013. As of July 31, 2015, the Company had remaining authorization to repurchase 13.0 million shares under this plan. Following is a summary of treasury stock share activity for Fiscal 2015 and 2014:

    2015     2014  
Beginning balance     11,237,522       5,490,725  
Stock repurchases     6,675,147       6,795,545  
Net issuance upon exercise of stock options     (773,385 )     (863,249 )
Issuance under compensation plans     (85,611 )     (175,160 )
Other activity     (8,723 )     (10,339 )
Ending balance     17,044,950       11,237,522  

 

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NOTE H Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

In the first quarter of Fiscal 2014, the Company prospectively adopted guidance issued by the FASB that requires additional disclosure related to the impact of reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss on net income. Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component are as follows:

(Thousands of dollars)   Foreign
currency
translation
adjustment
(a)
    Pension
benefits
    Derivative
financial
instruments
    Total  
Balance as of July 31, 2014, net of tax   $ 48,289     $ (93,998 )   $ (101 )   $ (45,810 )
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications and tax     (119,094 )     (5,188 )     (1,906 )     (126,188 )
Tax benefit (expense)           1,979       667       2,646  
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications, net of tax   $ (119,094 )   $ (3,209 )   $ (1,239 )   $ (123,542 )
Reclassifications, before tax             8,747       1,037       9,784  (d)
Tax benefit (expense)           (2,133 )     (289 )     (2,422 )
Reclassifications, net of tax             6,614  (b)     748  (c)     7,362  
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax     (119,094 )     3,405       (491 )     (116,180 )
Balance as of July 31, 2015, net of tax   $ (70,805 )   $ (90,593 )   $ (592 )   $ (161,990 )
                                 
Balance as of July 31, 2013, net of tax     50,411       (87,712 )     (172 )     (37,473 )
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications and tax     (2,949 )     (16,120 )     413       (18,656 )
Tax benefit (expense)           4,391       (145 )     4,246  
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications, net of tax   $ (2,949 )   $ (11,729 )   $ 268     $ (14,410 )
Reclassifications, before tax     827       8,514       (273 )     9,068  (d)
Tax benefit (expense)           (3,071 )     76       (2,995 )
Reclassifications, net of tax     827       5,443  (b)     (197 ) (c)     6,073  
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax     (2,122 )     (6,286 )     71       (8,337 )
Balance as of July 31, 2014, net of tax   $ 48,289     $ (93,998 )   $ (101 )   $ (45,810 )

__________________

(a)Taxes are not provided on cumulative translation adjustments as substantially all translation adjustments relate to earnings that are intended to be indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. Amounts were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to other income, net.
(b)

Primarily includes net amortization of prior service costs of $0.4 million as of July 31, 2015 and July 31, 2014 and actuarial losses of $11.0 million and $7.4 million as of July 31, 2015 and July 31, 2014 included in net periodic benefit cost that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to operating expenses or cost of sales. Refer to Note F for additional information and balances of accumulated other comprehensive income before tax.

(c)Relates to foreign currency cash flow hedges that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to other income, net (see Note E).
(d)Reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the twelve months ended July 31, 2015, and 2014 were not material.

NOTE I Stock Option Plans

Employee Incentive Plans In November 2010, shareholders approved the 2010 Master Stock Incentive Plan (the Plan). The Plan extends through September 2020 and allows for the granting of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights (SAR), dividend equivalents, and other stock-based awards. Options under the Plan are granted to key Employees at market price at the date of grant. Options are generally exercisable for up to 10 years from the date of grant. The Plan also allows for the granting of performance awards to a limited number of key executives. As administered by the Human Resources Committee of the Company’s

 

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Board of Directors to date, these performance awards are payable in common stock and are based on a formula which measures performance of the Company over a three-year period. Performance award expense under these plans totaled $0.1 million in Fiscal 2015, $0.7 million in Fiscal 2014, and $0.1 million in Fiscal 2013.

Stock options for non-executives are exercisable in equal increments over three years. Stock options issued after Fiscal 2010 become exercisable for executives in equal increments over three years. Stock options issued from Fiscal 2005 to Fiscal 2010 became exercisable for most executives immediately upon the date of grant. For Fiscal 2015, the Company recorded pre-tax compensation expense associated with stock options of $9.5 million and recorded $3.1 million of related tax benefit. For Fiscal 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded pre-tax compensation expense associated with stock options of $9.9 million and $8.3 million, respectively, and $3.2 million and $2.7 million, respectively, of related tax benefit.

Stock-based employee compensation cost is recognized using the fair-value based method. The Company determined the fair value of these awards using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, with the following assumptions:

    2015     2014     2013  
Risk - free interest rate     0.05 - 2.3%       0.31 - 2.8%       0.02 - 1.7%  
Expected volatility     18.6 - 26.7%       18.2 - 28.0%       22.5 - 29.7%  
Expected dividend yield     1.6%       1.4 - 1.6%       1.0 - 1.4%  
Expected life                        
Director and officer grants     8 years       8 years       8 years  
Non - officer original grants     7 years       7 years       7 years  
Reload grants     ≤4 years       ≤6 years       ≤5 years  

Black-Scholes is a widely accepted stock option pricing model. The weighted average fair value for options granted during Fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, was $9.94, $11.44, and $8.18 per share, respectively, using the Black-Scholes pricing model.

Reload grants are grants made to officers or directors who exercised a reloadable option during the fiscal year and made payment of the purchase price using shares of previously owned Company stock. The reload grant is for the number of shares equal to the shares used in payment of the purchase price and/or withheld for minimum tax withholding. Options with a reload provision were no longer issued to officers with more than five years of service, and all directors beginning in Fiscal 2006. The Company continued to issue options with a reload provision to officers with less than five years of service until Fiscal 2011 when this was discontinued.

The following table summarizes stock option activity:

    Options
Outstanding
    Weighted
Average Exercise
Price
 
Outstanding at July 31, 2012     8,056,327     $ 20.97  
Granted     965,050       33.91  
Exercised     (1,607,081 )     14.79  
Canceled     (84,476 )     33.94  
Outstanding at July 31, 2013     7,329,820       23.88  
Granted     900,073       42.17  
Exercised     (1,008,848 )     18.80  
Canceled     (23,163 )     34.02  
Outstanding at July 31, 2014     7,197,882       26.84  
Granted     1,023,836       38.58  
Exercised     (916,566 )     18.54  
Canceled     (113,710 )     38.67  
Outstanding at July 31, 2015     7,191,442       29.38  

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during Fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, was $18.8 million, $21.5 million, and $33.7 million, respectively.

Shares reserved at July 31, 2015, for outstanding options and future grants were 11,693,263. Shares reserved consist of shares available for grant plus all outstanding options.

 

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The following table summarizes information concerning outstanding and exercisable options as of July 31, 2015:

Range of Exercise Prices   Number
Outstanding
    Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
    Number
Exercisable
    Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
$0.00 to $17.69     1,366,763       1.95     $ 17.08       1,366,763     $ 17.08  
$17.70 to $23.69     1,432,795       3.52       21.47       1,432,795       21.47  
$23.70 to $29.69     821,268       5.34       29.12       821,268       29.12  
$29.70 to $35.69     1,719,689       6.65       34.23       1,463,974       34.32  
$35.70 and above     1,850,927       8.67       40.22       349,502       41.76  
      7,191,442       5.50       29.38       5,434,302       26.29  

At July 31, 2015, the aggregate intrinsic value of shares outstanding and exercisable was $43.7 million and $43.7 million, respectively.

The following table summarizes the status of options which contain vesting provisions:

      Options     Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value
 
Non - vested at July 31, 2014       1,720,063     $ 10.35  
Granted       1,003,750       10.06  
Vested       (870,930 )     10.02  
Canceled       (95,743 )     10.21  
Non - vested at July 31, 2015       1,757,140       10.36  

The total fair value of shares vested during Fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, was $29.3 million, $35.5 million, and $29.8 million, respectively.

As of July 31, 2015, there was $7.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted under the Plan. This unvested cost is expected to be recognized during Fiscal 2016, Fiscal 2017, and Fiscal 2018.

NOTE J Income Taxes

The components of earnings before income taxes are as follows:

    2015     2014     2013  
    (thousands of dollars)  
Earnings before income taxes:                        
United States   $ 92,362     $ 131,396     $ 147,317  
Foreign     196,241       229,307       200,864  
Total   $ 288,603     $ 360,703     $ 348,181  

The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:

    2015     2014     2013  
    (thousands of dollars)  
Income taxes:                        
Current                        
Federal   $ 28,482     $ 48,981     $ 35,820  
State     2,956       4,724       4,337  
Foreign     54,665       54,536       52,300  
      86,103       108,241       92,457  
Deferred                        
Federal     (4,232 )     (9,465 )     7,071  
State     94       365       312  
Foreign     (1,473 )     1,338       964  
      (5,611 )     (7,762 )     8,347  
Total   $ 80,492     $ 100,479     $ 100,804  

 

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The following table reconciles the U.S. statutory income tax rate with the effective income tax rate:

    2015    2014    2013 
Statutory U.S. federal rate     35.0 %     35.0 %     35.0 %
State income taxes     0.9 %     1.1 %     1.2 %
Foreign operations     (7.9 )%     (6.1 )%     (6.3 )%
Export, manufacturing, and research credits     (1.1 )%     (0.8 )%     (1.5 )%
Change in unrecognized tax benefits     1.3       (1.1 )%     0.5 %
Other     (0.3 )%     (0.2 )%     0.1 %
      27.9 %     27.9 %     29.0 %

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

    2015     2014  
    (thousands of dollars)  
Deferred tax assets:                
Accrued expenses   $ 10,566     $ 11,118  
Compensation and retirement plans     39,090       32,317  
NOL and tax credit carryforwards     4,353       3,471  
LIFO and inventory reserves     6,891       5,482  
Other     4,993       4,470  
Deferred tax assets, gross     65,893       56,858  
Valuation allowance     (2,737 )     (3,471 )
Net deferred tax assets     63,156       53,387  
                 
Deferred tax liabilities:                
Depreciation and amortization     (50,628 )     (49,901 )
Other     (2,359 )     (1,025 )
Deferred tax liabilities     (52,987 )     (50,926 )
                 
Prepaid tax assets     4,421       4,392  
                 
Net tax asset   $ 14,590     $ 6,853  

Deferred income tax assets on the face of the balance sheet include $4.4 million and $4.4 million of prepaid tax assets related to intercompany transfers of inventory as of July 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The effective tax rate for Fiscal 2015 was 27.9 percent compared to 27.9 percent in Fiscal 2014. The effective tax rate in the current year was favorably impacted by the reinstatement of the Research and Experimentation Credit in the U.S., non-recurring tax costs associated with foreign dividend distributions recorded during the prior year, and an increase in tax benefits from international operations. The effective tax rate in the prior year was favorably impacted by the settlement of a tax audit and the remeasurement of certain deferred tax assets due to a change in tax rates in certain foreign jurisdictions.

The Company has not provided for U.S. income taxes on additional undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries of approximately $938.0 million. The Company currently intends to indefinitely reinvest these undistributed earnings as there are significant investment opportunities outside the U.S. or to repatriate the earnings only when it is tax effective to do so. If any portion were to be distributed, the related U.S. tax liability may be reduced by foreign income taxes paid on those earnings plus any available foreign tax credit carryovers. Determination of the unrecognized deferred tax liability related to these undistributed earnings is not practicable. In Fiscal 2015, the Company repatriated $125.0 million of cash held by its foreign subsidiaries in the form of a cash dividend, which represented total planned dividends for the current year.

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The Company maintains a reserve for uncertain tax benefits. The accounting standard defines the threshold for recognizing the benefits of tax return positions in the financial statements as “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the taxing authorities based solely on the technical merits of the position. If the recognition threshold is met, the tax benefit is measured and recognized as the largest amount of tax benefit that in the Company’s judgment is greater than 50 percent likely to be realized. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

    2015     2014     2013  
    (thousands of dollars)  
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of fiscal year   $ 15,005     $ 18,419     $ 16,514  
Additions for tax positions of the current year     4,660       2,959       5,453  
Additions for tax positions of prior years     100       1,706       407  
Reductions for tax positions of prior years     (608 )     (7,113 )     (1,640 )
Settlements           (240 )     (277 )
Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations     (970 )     (726 )     (2,038 )
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at end of fiscal year   $ 18,187     $ 15,005     $ 18,419  

The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015, the Company recognized interest expense, net of tax benefit, of approximately $0.4 million. At July 31, 2015, and July 31, 2014, accrued interest and penalties on a gross basis were $1.8 million and $1.7 million, respectively.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to state and foreign income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2008. The IRS has completed examinations of the Company’s U.S. federal income tax returns through 2012.

If the Company were to prevail on all unrecognized tax benefits recorded, substantially all of the unrecognized tax benefits would benefit the effective tax rate. With an average statute of limitations of about 5 years, up to $1.1 million of the unrecognized tax benefits could potentially expire in the next 12 month period, unless extended by audit. It is possible that quicker than expected settlement of either current, or future audits and disputes would cause additional reversals of previously recorded reserves in the next 12 month period. Quantification of an estimated range and timing of future audit settlements cannot be made at this time.

NOTE K Segment Reporting

Consistent with FASB guidance related to segment reporting, the Company identified two reportable segments: Engine Products and Industrial Products. Segment selection was based on the internal organizational structure, management of operations, and performance evaluation by management and the Company’s Board of Directors.

The Engine Products segment sells to original equipment manufacturers (OEM) in the construction, mining, agriculture, aerospace, defense, and truck end-markets, and to independent distributors, OEM dealer networks, private label accounts, and large equipment fleets. Products include air filtration systems, exhaust and emissions systems, liquid filtration systems including hydraulics, fuel, lube, and replacement filters.

The Industrial Products segment sells to various industrial dealers, distributors, OEMs of gas-fired turbines, and OEMs and end-users requiring clean air. Products include dust, fume, and mist collectors, compressed air purification systems, air filtration systems for gas turbines, PTFE membrane-based products, and specialized air and gas filtration systems for applications including computer hard disk drives and semi-conductor manufacturing.

Corporate and Unallocated includes corporate expenses determined to be non-allocable to the segments such as interest income and interest expense. Assets included in Corporate and Unallocated principally are cash and cash equivalents, inventory reserves, certain prepaids, certain investments, other assets, and assets allocated to general corporate purposes.

 

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The Company has an internal measurement system to evaluate performance and allocate resources based on profit or loss from operations before income taxes. The Company’s manufacturing facilities serve both reporting segments. Therefore, the Company uses an allocation methodology to assign costs and assets to the segments. A certain amount of costs and assets relate to general corporate purposes and are not assigned to either segment. The accounting policy applied to inventory for the reportable segments differs from that described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The reportable segments account for inventory on a standard cost basis, which is consistent with our internal reporting.

Segment allocated assets are primarily accounts receivable, inventories, property, plant and equipment, and goodwill. Reconciling items included in Corporate and Unallocated are created based on accounting differences between segment reporting and the consolidated external reporting as well as internal allocation methodologies.

The Company is an integrated enterprise, characterized by substantial intersegment cooperation, cost allocations, and sharing of assets. Therefore, the Company does not represent that these segments, if operated independently, would report the operating profit and other financial information shown below.

Segment detail is summarized as follows:

    Engine
Products
    Industrial
Products
    Corporate &
Unallocated
    Total
Company
 
    (thousands of dollars)  
2015                        
Net sales   $ 1,484,132     $ 887,081     $     $ 2,371,213  
Depreciation and amortization     43,279       26,408       4,611       74,298  
Equity earnings in unconsolidated affiliates     4,134       976             5,110  
Earnings before income taxes     186,274       123,362       (21,033 )     288,603  
Assets     887,698       633,977       287,859       1,809,534  
Equity investments in unconsolidated
affiliates
    15,120       3,224             18,344  
Capital expenditures     54,604       33,318       5,817       93,739  
2014                                
Net sales   $ 1,584,027     $ 889,439     $     $ 2,473,466  
Depreciation and amortization     38,925       23,942       4,296       67,163  
Equity earnings in unconsolidated affiliates     5,596       940             6,536  
Earnings before income taxes     233,920       133,978       (7,195 )     360,703  
Assets     900,083       572,000       470,328       1,942,411  
Equity investments in unconsolidated
affiliates
    17,439       3,959             21,398  
Capital expenditures     56,340       34,652       6,218       97,210  
2013                                
Net sales   $ 1,504,188     $ 932,760     $     $ 2,436,948  
Depreciation and amortization     35,815       22,447       6,028       64,290  
Equity earnings in unconsolidated affiliates     4,000       693             4,693  
Earnings before income taxes     220,892       139,108       (11,819 )     348,181  
Assets     826,151       527,416       389,989       1,743,556  
Equity investments in unconsolidated
affiliates
    15,563       3,277             18,840  
Capital expenditures     52,864       33,134       8,897       94,895  

 

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Following are net sales by product within the Engine Products segment and Industrial Products segment:

    2015     2014     2013  
    (thousands of dollars)  
Engine Products segment:                        
Off-Road Products   $ 261,120     $ 342,205     $ 358,834  
On-Road Products     138,405       130,029       128,446  
Aftermarket Products*     980,756       1,012,165       912,717  
Aerospace and Defense Products     103,851       99,628       104,191  
Total Engine Products segment     1,484,132       1,584,027       1,504,188  
Industrial Products segment:                        
Industrial Filtration Solutions Products     528,917       553,356       529,751  
Gas Turbine Products     186,919       156,860       232,922  
Special Applications Products     171,245       179,223       170,087  
Total Industrial Products segment     887,081       889,439       932,760  
Total Company   $ 2,371,213     $ 2,473,466     $ 2,436,948  

__________________

*Includes replacement part sales to the Company’s OEM Customers.

Geographic sales by origination and property, plant, and equipment:

    Net Sales     Property, Plant, &
Equipment - Net
 
    (thousands of dollars)  
2015            
United States   $ 1,007,253     $ 208,996  
Europe     671,296       141,738  
Asia Pacific     470,661       63,775  
Other     222,003       56,102  
Total   $ 2,371,213     $ 470,611  
                 
2014                
United States   $ 1,019,926     $ 196,712  
Europe     728,554       128,904  
Asia Pacific     517,305       72,089  
Other     207,681       53,960  
Total   $ 2,473,466     $ 451,665  
                 
2013                
United States   $ 1,010,934     $ 166,614  
Europe     678,996       123,710  
Asia Pacific     546,406       75,206  
Other     200,612       53,750  
Total   $ 2,436,948     $ 419,280  

Concentrations There were no Customers over 10 percent of net sales during Fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013. There were no Customers over 10 percent of gross accounts receivable in Fiscal 2015 or Fiscal 2014.

NOTE L Guarantees

The Company and Caterpillar Inc. equally own the shares of Advanced Filtration Systems Inc. (AFSI), an unconsolidated joint venture, and guarantee certain debt of the joint venture. As of July 31, 2015, the joint venture had $26.1 million of outstanding debt, of which the Company guarantees half. In addition, during Fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, the Company recorded its equity in earnings of this equity method investment of $2.3 million, $3.7 million, and $2.3 million and royalty income of $5.8 million, $6.8 million, and $6.0 million, respectively, related to AFSI.

 

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At July 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had a contingent liability for standby letters of credit totaling $7.8 million, which have been issued and are outstanding. The letters of credit guarantee payment to third parties in the event the Company is in breach of a specified bond financing agreement and insurance contract terms as detailed in each letter of credit. At July 31, 2015 and 2014, there were no amounts drawn upon these letters of credit.

NOTE M Warranty

The Company provides for warranties on certain products. In addition, the Company may incur specific Customer warranty issues. Following is a reconciliation of warranty reserves (in thousands of dollars):

Balance at July 31, 2013   $ 10,526  
Accruals for warranties issued during the reporting period     4,339  
Accruals related to pre-existing warranties (including changes in estimates)     (1,185 )
Less settlements made during the period     (4,651 )
Balance at July 31, 2014   $ 9,029  
Accruals for warranties issued during the reporting period     3,706  
Accruals related to pre-existing warranties (including changes in estimates)     376  
Less settlements made during the period     (4,548 )
Balance at July 31, 2015   $ 8,563  

There were no significant specific warranty matters accrued for in Fiscal 2015 or Fiscal 2014. These warranty matters are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, liquidity, or financial position. There were no significant settlements made in Fiscal 2015 or Fiscal 2014.

NOTE N Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Leases The Company enters into operating leases primarily for office and warehouse facilities, production and non-production equipment, automobiles, and computer equipment. Total expense recorded under operating leases for the periods ended July 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, were $28.1 million, $28.0 million, and $27.5 million, respectively. Future commitments under operating leases are: $11.4 million in Fiscal 2016, $7.4 million in Fiscal 2017, $5.1 million in Fiscal 2018, $2.8 million in Fiscal 2019, $1.0 million in Fiscal 2020, and $0.2 million thereafter.

Litigation The Company records provisions with respect to identified claims or lawsuits when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Claims and lawsuits are reviewed quarterly and provisions are taken or adjusted to reflect the status of a particular matter. The Company believes the recorded estimated liability in its consolidated financial statements is adequate in light of the probable and estimable outcomes. The recorded liabilities were not material to the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or liquidity and the Company does not believe that any of the currently identified claims or litigation will materially affect its financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

Pending Acquisition On July 14, 2015, the Company entered into a binding contract to acquire 100 percent of the shares of Industrias Partmo S.A. in Columbia. Partmo is a leading manufacturer of replacement air, lube, and fuel filters in Columbia. The acquisition of Industrias Partmo reinforces the Company’s commitment to growth with a company that is an excellent strategic fit with its existing Engine Aftermarket business. The acquisition will allow the Company to leverage Industrias Partmo’s well-recognized replacement filters brand in South America. Founded in 1963, Partmo generates annual sales of approximately $15 million. The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of Fiscal 2016, subject to Columbian Government approvals and normal closing conditions.

 

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NOTE O Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

Consolidated unaudited quarterly financial information for 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

   First
Quarter
   Second
Quarter
   Third
Quarter
   Fourth
Quarter
 
   (thousands of dollars) 
2015                    
Net sales   $596,510   $588,537   $575,588   $610,578 
Gross profit    209,052    203,088    194,100    202,344 
Net earnings    55,947    47,955    47,776    56,433 
Basic earnings per share    0.40    0.35    0.35    0.41 
Diluted earnings per share    0.40    0.34    0.34    0.41 
Dividends declared per share        0.330       0.340 
Dividends paid per share    0.165    0.165    0.165    0.170 
                     
2014                    
Net sales   $599,384   $581,622   $624,234   $668,226 
Gross profit    214,394    201,648    223,461    238,323 
Net earnings    61,592    58,340    67,336    72,956 
Basic earnings per share    0.42    0.40    0.46    0.51 
Diluted earnings per share    0.41    0.39    0.46    0.50 
Dividends declared per share    0.140    0.140    0.165    0.165 
Dividends paid per share    0.130    0.140    0.140    0.165 

Revision to previously issued unaudited quarterly financial information

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 and the second and third quarters of fiscal 2015 revenue for certain transactions was accelerated and therefore inappropriately recognized in our European Gas Turbine Systems business through the alteration of documents by certain individuals with the intention to recognize revenue in periods earlier than would be allowable under generally accepted accounting principles. The Company assessed the impact of this inappropriately accelerated recognition and concluded that it was not material to any of its previously issued financial statements; however the Company has chosen to correct these misstatements by revising previously issued 2015 second and third quarter financial statements. The revision had no impact to total cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities. The impact of these misstatements on previously reported Accounts receivable (less allowance) was $8.4 million and $0.8 million, on Inventories was $6.0 million and $0.6 million, and on Retained earnings was $1.6 million and $0.2 million as of January 31, 2015 and April 30, 2015, respectively (the balance sheet dates of the Company’s second and third quarter of fiscal 2015). The following tables present the effects of the revisions on each of the affected Statement of Earnings and Statements of Comprehensive Income line items for the second and third quarter of fiscal 2015 reflecting the impact of correcting the transactions inappropriately recognized in those periods. The impact of the transaction inappropriately accelerated into the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 was inconsequential and therefore, the revisions do not include the impact of correcting this transaction. The Company’s future filings of Form 10-Q associated with the second and third quarters of fiscal 2016 will reflect the revisions noted below.

   As Previously
Reported
   Effect of
Revision
   As
Revised
 
For the quarter ended January 31, 2015               
Net sales   $596,944   $(8,407)  $588,537 
Cost of sales    391,469    (6,020)   385,449 
Gross profit    205,475    (2,387)   203,088 
Operating income    68,226    (2,387)   65,839 
Earnings before income taxes    67,811    (2,387)   65,424 
Income taxes    18,281    (812)   17,469 
Net earnings    49,530    (1,575)   47,955 
Basic earnings per share    0.36    (0.01)   0.35 
Diluted earnings per share    0.35    (0.01)   0.34 
Comprehensive income    3,361    (1,575)   1,786 
                

 

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   As Previously
Reported
   Effect of
Revision
   As
Revised
 
For the quarter ended April 30, 2015               
Net sales   $568,013   $7,575   $575,588 
Cost of sales    376,040    5,448    381,488 
Gross profit    191,973    2,127    194,100 
Operating income    64,989    2,127    67,116 
Earnings before income taxes    65,722    2,127    67,849 
Income taxes    19,350    723    20,073 
Net earnings    46,372    1,404    47,776 
Basic earnings per share    0.34    0.01    0.35 
Diluted earnings per share    0.33    0.01    0.34 
Comprehensive income    45,585    1,404    46,989 

NOTE P Subsequent Events

On August 31, 2015, the Company announced that it had acquired 100 percent of the shares of Engineered Products Company, a leading designer and manufacturer of indicators, gauges, switches and sensors for engine air and liquid filtration systems. Founded in 1977, Engineered Products generates annual sales of approximately $9 million through its well-known Filter Minder® brand. The acquisition of Engineered Products supports the Company’s strategy of maintaining its technical leadership in filtration products for both OEM Customers and end users.

On September 24, 2015, the Company repatriated $20.3 million, or €18.0 million, of cash held by its foreign subsidiaries in the form of a cash dividend. Additionally, on September 30, 2015, the Company repatriated $5.2 million of cash held by its foreign subsidiaries in the form of a cash dividend. These dividends represented a portion of the total planned dividends for Fiscal 2016.

NOTE Q Acquisitions

On June 30, 2015, the Company acquired a majority stake in IFIL.USA, LLC, a manufacturer of pleated bag filters for industrial dust collection. The agreement with IFIL USA is expected to contribute approximately $6 million to $8 million of revenue to the Company’s Fiscal 2016 results.

On September 30, 2014, the Company acquired 100 percent of the voting interest of Northern Technical, a Limited Liability Corporation that manufactures gas turbine inlet air filtration systems and replacement filters. Total consideration for the transaction was $97.1 million after recording a working capital adjustment in accordance with the share purchase agreement during the second quarter. The Company received cash for this adjustment, which reduced the purchase price and goodwill. Including the impact of the working capital adjustment noted above, the Company acquired $6.2 million of intangible assets that had estimated useful lives ranging from six months to 7 years at the time of acquisition, $32.2 million of net tangible assets, and $60.3 million of goodwill. Acquired goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. Northern Technical’s results of operations are reported as part of the Gas Turbine Products operating segment in the Industrial Products reporting segment.

NOTE R Restructuring Charges and Other Adjusting Items

Donaldson has taken numerous actions to align its operating and manufacturing cost structure with current and projected Customer and end-market demand. In Fiscal 2015, these actions included: rebalancing and reducing the current salaried and production workforce globally, closing a production facility in Grinnell, Iowa, and the write-off of a partially completed facility in Xuzhou, China. For the above actions, the Company recorded pre-tax restructuring and impairment charges of $13.0 million for Fiscal 2015 compared with employee severance costs of $3.0 million in Fiscal 2014. In addition, the second quarter of Fiscal 2015, the Company recorded a $3.9 million charge related to a lump-sum settlement of its U.S. Pension Plan.

 

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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of July 31, 2015, the end of the period covered by this report (the Evaluation Date), the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. This conclusion was reached as a result of a material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as described in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting under Item 8 on page 26.

The material weakness referenced above was identified through the Company’s Compliance Committee’s receipt of reports from two former employees that revenue for a project in the European Gas Turbine Products business was improperly recognized in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. The Company initiated an internal investigation which verified the substance of the reports and identified additional revenue transactions within the European Gas Turbine Products business involving the same improper practice.

The Audit Committee of the Board subsequently engaged independent external counsel and independent forensic accountants to complete the investigation. Based on the investigation findings, the Company’s conclusions are as follows:

·Documents were altered with the intent to inappropriately recognize revenue for certain European Gas Turbine Products business projects transactions in periods earlier than would be allowable under generally accepted accounting principles.
·The revenue transactions were all valid, but revenue was inappropriately recognized in an accelerated manner during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 and the second and third quarters of fiscal 2015. Due to the inappropriate acceleration of revenue in the aforementioned periods, revenue was also misstated in the first and fourth quarters of 2015.

Notwithstanding the material weakness described in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting under Item 8 on page 26, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has concluded that the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K present fairly, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

No change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) identified in connection with such evaluation during the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2015, has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, except noted below.

 

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The Company is in the process of a multi-year implementation of an enterprise resource planning system (Global ERP Project). In the second quarter of Fiscal 2014, the Company began deploying the system in certain operations, primarily in the Americas. In November 2014, the Company completed deploying the system in the Americas with the exception of Brazil, which goes live at a later date. In March 2015, the Company began deploying the system in Europe. The Company expects this system will continue to be deployed in Europe and Asia throughout Fiscal 2016. In response to business integration activities to the new system, the Company is aligning and streamlining the design and operation of the financial reporting controls environment to be responsive to the changing operating environment.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

See Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting under Item 8 on page 26.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

See Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm under Item 8 on page 27.

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

 

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PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance

The information under the captions “Item 1: Election of Directors” “Director Selection Process,” “Audit Committee,” “Audit Committee Expertise; Complaint-Handling Procedures,” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” of the 2015 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference. Information on the Executive Officers of the Company is found under the caption “Executive Officers of the Registrant” on page 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The Company has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics in compliance with applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that applies to its Principal Executive Officer, its Principal Financial Officer and its Principal Accounting Officer or Controller, or persons performing similar functions. A copy of the code of business conduct and ethics is posted on the Company’s website at www.donaldson.com. The code of business conduct and ethics is available in print, free of charge to any shareholder who requests it. The Company will disclose any amendments to, or waivers of, the code of business conduct and ethics for the Company’s Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, and Principal Accounting Officer on the Company’s website.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information under the captions “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation” of the 2015 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information under the caption “Security Ownership” of the 2015 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

The following table sets forth information as of July 31, 2015, regarding the Company’s equity compensation plans:

Plan Category   Number of securities
to be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants, and rights
    Weighted – average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants, and rights
    Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
column (a))
 
    (a)     (b)     (c)  
Equity compensation plans approved by
security holders:
                       
1980 Master Stock Compensation Plan:                        
Deferred Stock Gain Plan     39,524     $ 6.2096        
1991 Master Stock Compensation Plan:                        
Deferred Stock Option Gain Plan     511,735     $ 2.4781        
Deferred LTC/Restricted Stock     189,081     $ 13.2575        
2001 Master Stock Incentive Plan:                        
Stock Options     2,392,989     $ 20.2844        
Deferred LTC/Restricted Stock     173,536     $ 19.4722        
2010 Master Stock Incentive Plan:                        
Stock Options     3,611,967     $ 35.8062       See Note 1  
Deferred LTC/Restricted Stock     133       41.3750          
Stock Options for Non-Employee Directors     652,800       35.5685          
Long-Term Compensation     29,832     $ 37.1990        
Subtotal for plans approved by
security holders
    7,601,597     $ 27.5738          
Equity compensation plans not
approved by security holders:
                       
Non-qualified Stock Option Program
for Non-Employee Directors
    533,686     $ 19.1639       See Note 2  
ESOP Restoration     30,679     $ 8.0991       See Note 3  
Subtotal for plans not approved by
security holders
    564,365       18.5624          
Total     8,165,962       26.9510          

 

Note 1: The 2010 Master Stock Incentive Plan limits the number of shares authorized for issuance to 9,200,000 during the 10-year term of the plan in addition to any shares forfeited under the 2001 plan. The Plan allows for the granting of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, SAR, dividend equivalents, and other stock-based awards. There are currently 4,501,821 shares of the authorization remaining.
Note 2: The stock option program for non-Employee Directors (filed as exhibit 10-H to Form 10-Q report filed for the first quarter ended October 31, 2008) provides for each non-Employee Director to receive annual option grants of 14,400 shares. The 2010 Master Stock Incentive Plan, which was approved by the Company’s stockholders on November 19, 2010, provides for the issuance of stock options to non-Employee Directors, and the stock option program for non-Employee Directors has been adopted as a sub-plan under the 2010 Master Stock Incentive Plan and shares issued to Directors after December 10, 2010, will be issued under the 2010 Master Stock Incentive Plan. Based on Mercer’s Director compensation review, the Committee approved changing the annual stock option grant from a fixed number of shares to a fixed value. The annual stock option grant will be based on a $140,000 fixed value. This change is designed to maintain a stable value of equity grant for our Director compensation. The number of options granted will be determined by

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  dividing the fixed value of $140,000 by the Black-Scholes value as of the date of the grant (the shares will be rounded to the nearest 100 shares). This change was effective for stock options granted beginning in January 2014.
Note 3: The Company has a non-qualified ESOP Restoration Plan established on August 1, 1990, (filed as exhibit 10-D to the Company’s 2009 Form 10-K report) to supplement the benefits for executive Employees under the Company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan that would otherwise be reduced because of the compensation limitations under the Internal Revenue Code. The ESOP’s 10-year term was completed on July 31, 1997, and the only ongoing benefits under the ESOP Restoration Plan are the accrual of dividend equivalent rights to the participants in the Plan.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information under the captions “Policy and Procedures Regarding Transactions with Related Persons” and “Board Oversight and Director Independence” of the 2015 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information under the captions “Independent Auditor Fees” and “Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures” of the 2015 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

Documents filed with this report:

  (1) Financial Statements
    Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
    Consolidated Statements of Earnings — years ended July 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013
    Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income — years ended July 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013
    Consolidated Balance Sheets — July 31, 2015 and 2014
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — years ended July 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013
    Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity — years ended July 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013
    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
  (2) Financial Statement Schedules
    Schedule II Valuation and qualifying accounts
    All other schedules (Schedules I, III, IV and V) for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instruction, or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.
  (3) Exhibits
    The exhibits listed in the accompanying index are filed as part of this report or incorporated by reference as indicated therein.

 

 

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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.

    DONALDSON COMPANY, INC.
       
Date: November 09, 2015   By:   /s/ Tod E. Carpenter
        Tod E. Carpenter
Chief Executive Officer

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 indicated on November 09, 2015.

/s/ Tod E. Carpenter   President, Chief Executive Officer
Tod E. Carpenter   (Principal Executive Officer)
*   Chairman of the Board
William M. Cook    
/s/ James F. Shaw   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
James F. Shaw   (Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Melissa A. Osland   Controller
Melissa A. Osland   (Principal Accounting Officer)
*   Director
Andrew Cecere    
*   Director
Michael J. Hoffman    
*   Director
Paul David Miller    
*   Director
Jeffrey Noddle    
*   Director
Willard D. Oberton    
*   Director
James J. Owens    
*   Director
Ajita G. Rajendra    
*   Director
Trudy A. Rautio    
*   Director
John P. Wiehoff    
*By: /s/ Amy C. Becker                 
Amy C. Becker    
As attorney-in-fact    

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SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

DONALDSON COMPANY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(thousands of dollars)

          Additions              
Description   Balance at
Beginning of
Period
    Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
    Charged to
Other Accounts
(A)
    Deductions
(B)
    Balance at
End of Period
 
Year ended July 31, 2015:                                        
Allowance for doubtful accounts deducted
from accounts receivable
  $ 6,763     $ 1,760     $ (789 )   $ (987 )   $ 6,747  
Year ended July 31, 2014:                                        
Allowance for doubtful accounts deducted
from accounts receivable
  $ 7,040     $ 393     $ (1 )   $ (669 )   $ 6,763  
Year ended July 31, 2013:                                        
Allowance for doubtful accounts deducted
from accounts receivable
  $ 6,418     $ 1,241     $ 230     $ (849 )   $ 7,040  

__________________

Note A - Allowance for doubtful accounts foreign currency translation losses (gains) recorded directly to equity.

Note B - Bad debts charged to allowance, net of reserves and changes in estimates.

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

*3-A Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant as currently in effect (Filed as Exhibit 3-A to Form 10-Q Report for the Second Quarter ended January 31, 2012)
*3-B Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of Registrant, dated as of March 3, 2006 (Filed as Exhibit 3-B to 2011 Form 10-K Report)
*3-C Amended and Restated Bylaws of Registrant (as of January 30, 2009) (Filed as Exhibit 3-C to  Form 10-Q Report for the Second Quarter ended January 31, 2009)
*4 **
*4-A Preferred Stock Amended and Restated Rights Agreement between Registrant and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Rights Agent, dated as of January 27, 2006 (Filed as Exhibit 4-A to 2011 Form 10-K Report)
*10-A Officer Annual Cash Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10-A to 2011 Form 10-K Report)***
*10-B 1980 Master Stock Compensation Plan as Amended (Filed as Exhibit 10-A to Form 10-Q Report filed for the first quarter ended October 31, 2008)***
*10-C Form of Performance Award Agreement under 1991 Master Stock Compensation Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10-B to Form 10-Q Report filed for the first quarter ended October 31, 2008)***
*10-D ESOP Restoration Plan (2003 Restatement) (Filed as Exhibit 10-D to 2009 Form 10-K Report)***
*10-E Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors as amended (Filed as Exhibit 10-C to Form 10-Q Report filed for the first quarter ended October 31, 2008)***
*10-F Independent Director Retirement and Death Benefit Plan as amended (Filed as Exhibit 10-D to Form 10-Q Report filed for the first quarter ended October 31, 2008)***
*10-G Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (2008 Restatement) (Filed as Exhibit 10-G to 2011 Form 10-K Report)***
*10-H 1991 Master Stock Compensation Plan as amended (Filed as Exhibit 10-E to Form 10-Q Report filed for the first quarter ended October 31, 2008)***
*10-I Form of Restricted Stock Award under 1991 Master Stock Compensation Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10-F to Form 10-Q Report filed for the first quarter ended October 31, 2008)***
*10-J Form of Agreement to Defer Compensation for certain Executive Officers (Filed as Exhibit 10-G to Form 10-Q Report filed for the first quarter ended October 31, 2008)***
*10-K Stock Option Program for Non-employee Directors (Filed as Exhibit 10-H to Form 10-Q Report filed for the first quarter ended October 31, 2008)***
*10-L Note Purchase Agreement among Donaldson Company, Inc. and certain listed Insurance Companies Dated as of July 15, 1998 (Filed as Exhibit 10-I to Form 10-Q Report filed for the first quarter ended October 31, 2008)
*10-M Second Supplement and First Amendment to Note Purchase Agreement among Donaldson Company, Inc. and certain listed Insurance Companies dated as of September 30, 2004 (Filed as Exhibit 10-N to 2010 Form 10-K Report)
*10-N 2001 Master Stock Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10-O to 2009 Form 10-K Report)***
*10-O Form of Officer Stock Option Award Agreement under the 2001 Master Stock Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10-P to 2010 Form 10-K Report)***
*10-P Form of Non-Employee Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the 2001 Master Stock Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10-Q to 2010 Form 10-K Report)***
*10-Q Restated Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors dated July 28, 2006 (Filed as Exhibit 10-Q
    to 2011 Form 10-K Report)***
*10-R Restated Long-Term Compensation Plan dated May 23, 2006 (Filed as Exhibit 10-R to 2011  Form 10-K Report)***
*10-S Qualified Performance-Based Compensation Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10-S to 2011 Form 10-K Report)***
*10-T Deferred Compensation and 401(k) Excess Plan (2008 Restatement) (Filed as Exhibit 10-T to 2011
Form 10-K Report)***
*10-U Deferred Stock Option Gain Plan (2008 Restatement) (Filed as Exhibit 10-U to 2011 Form 10-K  Report) ***
*10-V Excess Pension Plan (2008 Restatement) (Filed as Exhibit 10-V to 2011 Form 10-K Report) ***
*10-W Form of Management Severance Agreement for Executive Officers (Filed as Exhibit 10-A to Form 10-Q Report for the Third Quarter ended April 30, 2008)***
*10-X 2010 Master Stock Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit 4.5 to Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-170729) filed on November 19, 2010)***
*10-Y Form of Officer Stock Option Award Agreement under the 2010 Master Stock Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K Report filed on December 16, 2010) ***
     
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*10-Z Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the 2010 Master Stock Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K Report filed on December 16, 2010) ***
*10-AA Non-Employee Director Automatic Stock Option Grant Program (Filed as Exhibit 10-AA to 2011
Form 10-K Report)***
*10-BB Form of Indemnification Agreement for Directors (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K Report filed on April 2, 2012)***
*10-CC Form of Non-Employee Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the 2010 Master Stock Incentive Plan (Filed as Exhibit 10-CC to 2012 Form 10-K Report)***
*10-DD Form of Management Severance Agreement for Executive Officers (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K Report filed October 4, 2012)***
*10-EE Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (Filed as Exhibit 10-B to Form 10-Q Report filed December 6, 2012)***
*10-FF Non-Employee Director Automatic Stock Option Grant Program (Filed as Exhibit 10-FF to 2013 Form 10-K Report)***
*10-GG Credit Agreement among Donaldson Company, Inc. and certain listed lending parties dated as of December 7, 2012 (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K Report filed December 13, 2012)*
*10-HH Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 27, 2014, by and among Donaldson Company, Inc. and the purchasers named therein (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed April 2, 2014)
*10-II Form of Employment Agreement for Director Level Employees in Belgium (unofficial English translation) (Filed as Exhibit 10-II to 2014 Form 10-K Report)***
*10-JJ First Amendment, dated as of March 9, 2015, to Note Purchase Agreement dated as of March 27, 2014, by and among Donaldson Company, Inc. and the purchasers named therein (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K on March 12, 2015)
*10-KK First Supplement, dated as of April 15, 2015, to Note Purchase Agreement, dates as of March 27, 2014, by and among Donaldson Company, Inc. and the purchasers named therein (as amended)(Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K report on April 21, 2015)
*10-1 First Amendment, dated as of October 28, 2014, to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 7, 2012, among Donaldson Company Inc., each of the lenders from time to time parties to the Credit Agreement (the “Lenders”) and Wells Fargo National Association, as administrative agent for the Lenders and issuer of letter of credit (Filed as Exhibit 10.1 on Form 8-K filed October 29, 2014)
11 Computation of net earnings per share (See “Earnings Per Share” in “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in Note A in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 36)
21 Subsidiaries
23 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
24 Powers of Attorney
31-A Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31-B Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32 Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101 The following financial information from the Donaldson Company, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Earnings, (ii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity and (v) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

__________________

*Exhibit has previously been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit.
**Pursuant to the provisions of Regulation S-K Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A) copies of instruments defining the rights of holders of certain long-term debts of the Company and its subsidiaries are not filed and in lieu thereof the Company agrees to furnish a copy thereof to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
***Denotes compensatory plan or management contract.
Note:Exhibits have been furnished only to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies will be furnished to individuals upon request.
   
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