INTERFACE INC - Annual Report: 2014 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

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

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 28, 2014

Commission File No.: 001-33994

      Interface, Inc.      

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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

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

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 Web site, if any, every Interactive Date File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES ☑ NO ☐

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and a “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. (Check one):

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

Aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 27, 2014: $1,219,646,337 (64,565,714 shares valued at the closing sale price of $18.89 on June 27, 2014). See Item 12.

Number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of Common Stock, as of February 13, 2015:

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.
 

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Introduction and General

We are a worldwide leader in design, production and sales of modular carpet, also known as carpet tile. For the past several years, modular carpet sales growth in the floorcovering industry has significantly outpaced the growth of the overall industry, as architects, designers and end users increasingly recognized the unique and superior attributes of modular carpet, including its dynamic design capabilities, greater economic value (which includes lower costs as a result of reduced waste in both installation and replacement), and installation ease and speed.

As a global company with a reputation for high quality, reliability and premium positioning, we market modular carpet in over 110 countries under the established brand names Interface® and FLOR®. Our principal geographic markets are the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific, where the percentages of our total net sales were approximately 57%, 28% and 15%, respectively, for fiscal year 2014.

Capitalizing on our leadership in modular carpet for the corporate office segment, we are executing a market diversification strategy to increase our presence and market share for modular carpet in non-corporate office market segments, such as government, education, healthcare, hospitality and retail space, which combined are more than twice the size of the approximately $1 billion U.S. corporate office market segment. Our diversification strategy also targets the approximately $9 billion U.S. residential market segment for carpet. As a result of our efforts, our mix of corporate office versus non-corporate office modular carpet sales in the Americas was 44% and 56%, respectively, for 2014. Company-wide, our mix of corporate office versus non-corporate office sales was 58% and 42%, respectively, in 2014. We believe the appeal and utilization of modular carpet is growing in each of these non-corporate office market segments, and we are using our considerable skills and experience with designing, producing and marketing modular products that make us the market leader in the corporate office segment to support and facilitate our penetration into these segments around the world.

In July 2012, a fire occurred at our manufacturing facility in Picton, Australia, causing extensive damage and rendering the facility inoperable. The Picton facility served our customers throughout Australia and New Zealand. Following the fire, we utilized adequate production capacity at our other manufacturing facilities to meet customer demand typically serviced from Picton, while we completed the build-out of a new manufacturing facility in Minto, Australia. The new facility in Minto commenced operations in January 2014 and is now fully operational. For additional information, please see Items 7 and 8 of this Annual Report.

In August 2012, we sold our Bentley Prince Street business segment, which designed, manufactured and marketed high-end, designer-oriented broadloom and modular carpet. For additional information, please see Items 7 and 8 of this Annual Report.

Our Strengths

Our principal competitive strengths include:

Market Leader in Attractive Modular Carpet Segment. We are the world’s leading manufacturer of carpet tile. Modular carpet has become more prevalent across all commercial interiors markets as designers, architects and end users have become more familiar with its unique attributes. We continue to drive this trend with our product innovations and designs discussed below. According to the annual Floor Focus interiors industry survey of the top 250 designers in the United States, carpet tile was ranked as the number one “hot product” for each of the years 2002 through 2012, and was ranked number two in 2013 and 2014. We believe that we are well positioned to lead and capitalize upon the continued shift to modular carpet, both domestically and around the world.

Established Brands and Reputation for Quality, Reliability and Leadership.  Our products are known in the industry for their high quality, reliability and premium positioning in the marketplace, and our established brand names are leaders in the industry. The 2014 Floor Focus survey ranked our Interface brand first or second in the survey categories of service, quality, design, performance and value. In the North American residential market segment, our FLOR brand is known for its high style carpet design squares that consumers assemble to create custom rugs, runners or wall-to-wall designs in the home. On the international front, Interface is a well-recognized brand name in carpet tiles for commercial and institutional use. More generally, as the appeal and utilization of modular carpet continues to expand into market segments such as government, healthcare, education, hospitality, and retail and residential space, our reputation as the pioneer of modular carpet — as well as our established brands and leading market position for modular carpet in the corporate office segment — will enhance our competitive advantage in marketing to the customers in these new markets.

Innovative Product Design and Development Capabilities.  Our product design and development capabilities have long given us a significant competitive advantage, and they continue to do so as modular carpet’s appeal and utilization expand across virtually every market segment and around the globe. One of our recent design innovations is the introduction of long and narrow rectangular carpet tiles in the shape of planks, and even more narrow versions known as skinny planks. The use of planks and skinny planks increases the design versatility of our carpet tile, as these products can create aesthetics (such as a herringbone pattern) that are different from, or enhance, that of our traditional square carpet tiles.

The award-winning design firm David Oakey Designs has had a pivotal role in developing our plank and skinny plank products, as well as many of our other innovative product designs, and our long-standing exclusive relationship with David Oakey Designs remains vibrant and augments our internal research, development and design staff. As another example, David Oakey Designs has developed products that are manufactured using state-of-the-art tufting technology which allows us to pinpoint tufts of different colored yarns in virtually any arrangement within a carpet tile. These unique designs are best exemplified by our Urban Retreat®, Net Effect® and Human Nature® collections, which are sold throughout our international operations.

Historically, one of our best design innovations is our i2™ modular product line, which includes our popular Entropy® product for which we received a patent in 2005 on the key elements of its design. The i2 line introduced and features mergeable dye lots, and includes a number of carpet tile products that are designed to be installed randomly without reference to the orientation of neighboring tiles. The i2 line offers cost-efficient installation and maintenance, interactive flexibility, and recycled and recyclable materials. Another more recent innovation is our TacTiles® carpet tile installation system, which uses small squares of adhesive plastic film to connect intersecting carpet tiles, thus eliminating the need for traditional carpet adhesive and resulting in a reduction in installation time and waste materials.

Made-to-Order and Global Manufacturing Capabilities. We have a distinct competitive advantage in meeting two principal requirements of the specified products markets we primarily target — that is, providing custom samples quickly and on-time delivery of customized final products. We also can generate realistic digital samples that allow us to create a virtually unlimited number of new design concepts and distribute them instantly for customer review, while at the same time reducing sampling waste. Approximately 60% to 70% of our modular carpet products in the United States and Asia-Pacific markets are now made-to-order, and we are increasing our made-to-order production in Europe as well. Our made-to-order capabilities not only enhance our marketing and sales, they significantly improve our inventory turns. Our global manufacturing capabilities in modular carpet production are an important component of this strength, and give us an advantage in serving the needs of multinational corporate customers that require products and services at various locations around the world. Our manufacturing locations across four continents enable us to compete effectively with local producers in our international markets, while giving international customers more favorable delivery times and freight costs.

Recognized Global Leadership in Ecological Sustainability. Our long-standing goal and commitment to be ecologically “sustainable” — that is, the point at which we are no longer a net “taker” from the earth and do no harm to the biosphere — have emerged as a competitive strength for our business and remain a strategic initiative. It includes Mission Zero®, our global branding initiative, which represents our mission to eliminate any negative impact our companies may have on the environment by the year 2020. Our acknowledged leadership position and expertise in this area resonate deeply with many of our customers and prospects around the globe, and provide us with a differentiating advantage in competing for business among architects, designers and end users of our products, who often make purchase decisions based on “green” factors. The 2014 Floor Focus survey, which named our Interface business the top among “Green Leaders” and gave us the top honors for “Green Kudos”, found that 76% of the designers surveyed consider sustainability an added benefit and 19% consider it a “make or break” issue when deciding what products to recommend or purchase.

Experienced and Motivated Management and Sales Force.  An important component of our competitive position is the quality of our management team and its commitment to developing and maintaining an engaged and accountable workforce. Our team is highly skilled and dedicated to guiding our overall growth and expansion into our targeted market segments, while maintaining our leadership in traditional markets and our high contribution margins. We utilize an internal marketing and predominantly commissioned sales force of more than 650 experienced personnel, stationed at over 70 locations in over 30 countries, to market our products and services in person to our customers. Our incentive compensation and our sales and marketing training programs are tailored to promote performance and facilitate leadership by our executives both in strategic areas as well as the company as a whole.

Our Business Strategy and Principal Initiatives

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

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

As part of this strategy, our FLOR line of products focuses on the U.S. residential carpet and rugs market segment. These products were specifically created to bring high style modular carpet and rugs to the North American residential market. We offer FLOR in three primary sales channels – catalogs, the Internet, and in our FLOR retail stores. We currently have 21 FLOR stores (20 in the U.S. and one in Canada), where customers have the opportunity to experience the modular carpet concept and bring their carpet design ideas to life. The services offered by our FLOR stores also include in-store design appointments, in-home design consultations and installation services. Through these sales channels, FLOR sales have grown more than 200% from 2005 to 2014.

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

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

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

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

Challenges

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

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

Seasonality

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

Our Products and Services

Modular Carpet

Interface is the world’s largest manufacturer and marketer of modular carpet. Our modular carpet system, which is marketed under the established global brands Interface and FLOR, utilizes carpet tiles cut in precise, dimensionally stable squares (usually 50 cm x 50 cm) or rectangles (such as planks and skinny planks) to produce a floorcovering that combines the appearance and texture of traditional soft floorcovering with the advantages of a modular carpet system. Our GlasBac® technology employs a fiberglass-reinforced polymeric composite backing that provides dimensional stability and reduces the need for adhesives or fasteners. We also make carpet tiles with a backing containing post-industrial and/or post-consumer recycled materials, which we market under the GlasBacRE brand. In addition, we make carpet tile with yarn containing varying degrees of post-consumer nylon, depending on the style and color. We received the 2012 and 2011 Best of NeoCon Silver Awards in the modular carpet category for our Urban Retreat and Luxe at Work™ Collections, respectively.

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

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

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

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

Broadloom Carpet

In August 2012, we sold our Bentley Prince Street business segment to a third party. This business designed, manufactured and marketed high-end, designer-oriented broadloom and modular carpet for commercial and residential markets. As a result of this sale, we no longer have a presence in the broadloom carpet market.

Other Products and Services

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

Marketing and Sales

We have traditionally focused our carpet marketing strategy on major accounts, seeking to build lasting relationships with national and multinational end-users, and on architects, engineers, interior designers, contracting firms, and other specifiers who often make or significantly influence purchasing decisions. While most of our sales are in the corporate office segment, both new construction and renovation, we also emphasize sales in other segments, including retail space, government institutions, schools, healthcare facilities, tenant improvement space, hospitality centers, residences and home office space. Our marketing efforts are enhanced by the established and well-known brand names of our carpet products, including Interface and FLOR. Our exclusive consulting agreement with the award-winning, premier design firm David Oakey Designs enabled us to introduce more than 15 new carpet designs in the United States in 2014 alone.

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

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

We distribute our product through two primary channels: (1) direct sales to end users; and (2) indirect sales through independent contractors or distributors. In each case, we may also call upon architects, engineers, interior designers, contracting firms and other specifiers who often make or substantially influence purchasing decisions.

Manufacturing

We manufacture carpet at two locations in the United States and at facilities in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Thailand, China and Australia.

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

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

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

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

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

Competition

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

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

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

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

Product Design, Research and Development

We maintain an active research, development and design staff of approximately 80 people and also draw on the research and development efforts of our suppliers, particularly in the areas of fibers, yarns and modular carpet backing materials. Our research and development costs were $13.9 million, $12.6 million and $12.4 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

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

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

Innovation and increased customization in product design and styling are the principal focus of our product development efforts, and this focus has led to several design breakthroughs such as our plank and skinny plank products, as well as our i2 product line. Our carpet design and development team is recognized as an industry leader in carpet design and product engineering for the commercial and institutional markets. 

David Oakey Designs provides carpet design and consulting services to us pursuant to a consulting agreement. David Oakey Designs’ services under the agreement include creating commercial carpet designs for use by our modular carpet businesses throughout the world, and overseeing product development, design and coloration functions for our modular carpet business in North America. The current agreement runs through August 2017. While the agreement is in effect, David Oakey Designs cannot provide similar services to any other carpet company. Through our relationship with David Oakey Designs, we introduced more than 15 new carpet designs in 2014 alone, and have enjoyed considerable success in winning U.S. carpet industry awards.

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

Environmental Initiatives

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

We have engaged some of the world’s leading authorities on global ecology as environmental advisors. The list of advisors includes: Paul Hawken, author of The Ecology of Commerce: A Declaration of Sustainability and The Next Economy, and co-author of Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution; Amory Lovins, energy consultant and co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute; John Picard, President of E2 Environmental Enterprises; Bill Browning, fellow and former director of the Rocky Mountain Institute’s Green Development Services; Janine M. Benyus, author of Biomimicry; and Bob Fox, renowned architect.

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

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

A high point in our pursuit of Mission Zero is our partnership with the Zoological Society of London on a program called Net-Works®. Together we are working with communities in the Philippines to collect discarded fishing nets that are damaging a large coral reef, and diverting them to our yarn supplier where they are recycled into new carpet fiber. Net-Works provides a source of income for members of these communities in the Philippines, while also cleaning up the beaches and waters where they live and work. Our Net Effect Collection of carpet tile products, among others, contains yarn that is partly made from the recycled fishing nets collected through the Net-Works program. This program is a big step in redesigning our supply chain from a linear take-make-waste process toward a closed loop system, and it advances our ultimate goal of becoming a restorative enterprise.

Backlog

Our backlog of unshipped orders was approximately $124.3 million at February 15, 2015, compared with approximately $117.4 million at February 16, 2014. Historically, backlog is subject to significant fluctuations due to the timing of orders for individual large projects and currency fluctuations. All of the backlog orders at February 15, 2015 are expected to be shipped during the succeeding six to nine months.

Patents and Trademarks

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

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

Financial Information by Operating Segments and Geographic Areas

The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements appearing in Item 8 of this Report set forth information concerning our sales and long-lived assets by geographic areas. Following the sale of Bentley Prince Street, we have only one operating segment. Current and prior periods have been reclassified to include the results of operations and related disposal costs, gains and losses for the Bentley Prince Street business as discontinued operations. In addition, assets and liabilities of the Bentley Prince Street business have been reported in assets and liabilities held for sale for all reported periods.

Employees

At December 28, 2014, we employed a total of 3,245 employees worldwide. Of such employees, 1,808 were clerical, staff, sales, supervisory and management personnel and 1,437 were manufacturing personnel. We also utilized the services of 178 temporary personnel as of December 28, 2014.

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

Environmental Matters

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

Executive Officers of the Registrant

Our executive officers, their ages as of December 28, 2014, and their principal positions with us are set forth below. Executive officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.

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

Mr. Gould joined us in January 2015. From 2012 to January 2015, Mr. Gould was the Chief Executive Officer of American Standard Brands, a kitchen and bath products company. Prior to his employment with American Standard Brands, Mr. Gould held senior executive roles at Newell Rubbermaid Inc., a global marketer of consumer and commercial products, serving as President of its Home & Family business group from 2008 to 2012 and President of its Parenting Essentials business group from 2006 to 2008. He also previously held executive level positions at The Campbell Soup Company (2002-2006) and The Coca-Cola Company (1995-2002).

Mr. Boogaard joined us in 2011 as Senior Vice President of Sales for our European floorcovering division. Prior to joining Interface, Mr. Boogaard spent 18 years in the office furniture industry in the U.S. and Europe, followed by three years as Director of Global Strategy, Marketing and Commercial Services for a manufacturer of membrane filtration technology used in high end applications such as water purification. Mr. Boogaard was named Interim President of our Europe division in July 2013 (when the former divisional president began a medical leave), and was appointed Senior Vice President of Interface and President of the Europe division in February 2015.

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

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

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

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

Ms. Herold joined us in July 2013 as Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, charged with harmonizing the Interface brand around the world and across multiple platforms. She oversees marketing and communications for the corporate brand, while also leading the senior marketing team, which is comprised of the Company’s marketing and communications teams globally. Ms. Herold has more than 25 years of marketing experience. Prior to joining Interface, she was Vice President of Brand Communications and Public Relations at Arby’s Restaurant Group, and previously spent 16 years at HoneyBaked Ham, where she served as Vice President of Marketing and then Chief Marketing Officer. She also has owned her own marketing firm.

Mr. Lall joined us in May 2012 and serves as Vice President and Chief Information Officer. In this role, Mr. Lall is responsible for the overall technology direction of Interface and for harmonizing and enhancing our information technology resources globally. Prior to Interface, he served as Vice President and Chief Information Officer at SimplexGrinnell, a $2 billion business unit of Tyco Corporation, a leader in fire and safety products and monitoring services highly dependent on technology. There he was responsible for activities across the enterprise related to technical infrastructure, architecture and application management. Before that, he served as Vice President and Chief Information Officer at STERIS Corporation, a global medical device manufacturer and marketer for infection prevention, contamination control and surgical and critical care products, and previously he was Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Suntory Water Group, the second largest U.S. manufacturer, marketer and distributor of bottled water.

Mr. Stansfield is our Vice President and Chief Innovations Officer, with global responsibility for developing and implementing Interface’s strategy to have a more open and collaborative approach to innovation. Mr. Stansfield was the Operations Manager for Firth Carpets (our former European broadloom operations) at the time it was acquired by us in 1997. For two years following that acquisition, Mr. Stansfield served as Manufacturing Systems Manager, part of a global project team that designed and implemented MRP manufacturing software systems at seven of our manufacturing plants. In 1999, he returned to Firth Carpets as Operations Director. In 2002, he became a member of our European research and development team focusing on our sustainability initiatives, and in 2004, he became Product and Innovations Director for all of our European Operations. In 2010, he joined our European management team as Senior Vice President of Product, Design and Innovation, before taking his current role in March 2012.

Available Information

We make available free of charge on or through our Internet website our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Our Internet address is http://www.interface.com. The SEC maintains a website that contains annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information that issuers (including the Company) file electronically with the SEC. The SEC’s website is http://www.sec.gov.

Interface, Inc. was incorporated in 1973 as a Georgia corporation.

Forward-Looking Statements

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

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS 

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

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

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

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

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

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

We believe that our success depends to a significant extent upon the efforts and abilities of our senior management executives. In addition, we rely significantly on the leadership that David Oakey of David Oakey Designs provides to our internal design staff. Specifically, David Oakey Designs provides product design/production engineering services to us under an exclusive consulting contract that contains non-competition covenants. Our current agreement with David Oakey Designs extends to August 2017. The loss of any of these key persons could have an adverse impact on our business because each has a great deal of knowledge, training and experience in the carpet industry – particularly in the areas of sales, marketing, operations, product design and management – and could not easily or quickly be replaced.

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

We have substantial international operations. In 2014, approximately half of our net sales and a significant portion of our production were outside the United States, primarily in Europe and Asia-Pacific. Our corporate strategy includes the expansion and growth of our international business on a worldwide basis. As a result, our operations are subject to various political, economic and other uncertainties, including risks of restrictive taxation policies, changing political conditions and governmental regulations. We also make a substantial portion of our net sales in currencies other than U.S. dollars (approximately half of 2014 net sales), which subjects us to the risks inherent in currency translations. The scope and volume of our global operations make it impossible to eliminate completely all foreign currency translation risks as an influence on our financial results.

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

The worldwide financial and credit crisis, which began in 2008 and continued in varying degrees for several years thereafter, has reduced the availability of liquidity and credit to fund the continuation and expansion of many business operations worldwide.  This shortage of liquidity and credit, combined with substantial losses in worldwide equity markets, could lead to a worldwide economic recession and result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  Specifically, the limited availability of credit and liquidity adversely affects the ability of customers and suppliers to obtain financing for significant purchases and operations.  Consequently, customers may defer, delay or cancel renovation and construction projects where our carpet is used, resulting in decreased orders and sales for us, and they also may not be able to pay us for those products and services we already have provided to them.  For the same reasons, suppliers may not be able to produce and deliver raw materials and other goods and services that we have ordered from them, thus disrupting our own manufacturing operations.  In addition, our ability to obtain funding from capital markets may be severely restricted at a time when we would like, or need, to access those markets.  This inability to obtain that funding could prevent us from pursuing important strategic growth plans, from reacting to changing economic and business conditions, and from refinancing existing debt (which in turn could lead to a default on our debt).  The financial and credit crisis also could have an impact on the lenders under our credit facilities, causing them to fail to meet their obligations to provide us with loans and letters of credit, which are important sources of liquidity for us.

Our Syndicated Credit Facility matures in October 2019.  We cannot assure you that we will be able to renegotiate or refinance this debt on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, especially given the effects of the worldwide financial and credit crisis.

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

Following the European sovereign debt crisis that began in 2011, concerns still persist regarding the debt burden of certain countries using the euro as their currency (the “Eurozone”) and their ability to meet future financial obligations, the overall stability of the euro and the suitability of the euro as a single currency given the diverse economic and political circumstances in individual Eurozone countries. Despite remedial efforts undertaken by the European Commission and others, these concerns have caused instability in the euro and could lead to the re-introduction of individual currencies in one or more Eurozone countries, or, in more extreme circumstances, the possible dissolution of the euro currency entirely. Should the euro dissolve entirely, the legal and contractual consequences for holders of euro-denominated obligations would be determined by laws in effect at such time. These potential developments, or market perceptions concerning these and related issues, could adversely affect the value of our euro-denominated assets and obligations or increase the risks of foreign currency fluctuations or cause the failure of hedging programs intended to reduce those risks. In addition, concerns over the effect of this financial crisis on financial institutions in Europe and globally could have an adverse impact on the capital markets generally, and more specifically on our ability and the ability of our customers, suppliers and lenders to finance our and their respective businesses, to access liquidity at acceptable financing costs, if at all, on the availability of supplies and materials, and on the demand for our products.

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

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

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

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

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

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

As a consequence of our level of indebtedness, a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations must be dedicated to debt service requirements. In addition, borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility have variable interest rates, and therefore our interest expenses will increase if the underlying market rates (upon which the variable interest rates are based) increase. The terms of our Syndicated Credit Facility also limit our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends or make certain other restricted payments or investments in certain situations, consummate certain asset sales, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, create liens, merge or consolidate with any other person, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. They also require us to comply with certain other reporting, affirmative and negative covenants and meet certain financial tests. If we fail to satisfy these tests or comply with these covenants, a default may occur, in which case the lenders could accelerate the debt as well as any other debt to which cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions apply. We cannot assure you that we would be able to renegotiate, refinance or otherwise obtain the necessary funds to satisfy these obligations.

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

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

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

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

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

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

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

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

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

We believe that our manufacturing and distribution facilities and our marketing offices, particularly with our new manufacturing facility in Minto, Australia that commenced operations in January 2014, are sufficient for our present operations. We will continue, however, to consider the desirability of establishing additional facilities and offices in other locations around the world as part of our business strategy to meet expanding global market demands. Substantially all of our owned properties in the United States are subject to mortgages, which secure borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

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

ITEM 4. MINING SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II

Prior to March 5, 2012, the Company had two classes of common stock – Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. On March 5, 2012, the number of issued and outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock constituted less than 10% of the aggregate number of issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, as the cumulative result of varied transactions that caused the conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock into shares of Class A Common Stock. Accordingly, the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are now, irrevocably from March 5, 2012, a single class of Common Stock in all respects.

Our Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol TILE. As of February 13, 2015, we had 656 holders of record of our Common Stock. We estimate that there are in excess 9,000 beneficial holders of our Common Stock. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sale prices of the Company’s Common Stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market as well as dividends paid during such periods.

On February 18, 2015, our Board also declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.04 per share, payable March 20, 2015 to shareholders of record as of March 6, 2015. Future declaration and payment of dividends is at the discretion of our Board, and depends upon, among other things, our investment policy and opportunities, results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, future prospects, and other factors that may be considered relevant by our Board at the time of its determination. Such other factors include limitations contained in the agreement for our Syndicated Credit Facility, which specifies conditions as to when any dividend payments may be made. As such, we may discontinue our dividend payments in the future if our Board determines that a cessation of dividend payments is proper in light of the factors indicated above.

Stock Performance

The following graph and table compare, for the five-year period ended December 28, 2014, the Company’s total returns to shareholders (stock price plus dividends, divided by beginning stock price) with that of (i) all companies listed on the Nasdaq Composite Index, and (ii) a self-determined peer group comprised primarily of companies in the commercial interiors industry, assuming an initial investment of $100 in each on January 3, 2010 (the last day of the fiscal year 2009).

Notes to Performance Graph

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

See Item 12 of Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table contains information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of the Company, or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), of our common stock during our fourth quarter ended December 28, 2014:

⁽¹⁾ The monthly periods identified above correspond to the Company’s fiscal fourth quarter of 2014, which commenced September 29, 2014 and ended December 28, 2014.

⁽²⁾ Includes certain shares acquired by the Company from employees to satisfy income tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of previous grants of restricted stock awards or the exercise of non-qualified stock options.

⁽³⁾ On October 7, 2014, the Company announced a program to repurchase up to 500,000 shares of common stock per fiscal year, commencing with the 2014 fiscal year.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 

We derived the summary consolidated financial data presented below from our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto for the years indicated. You should read the summary financial data presented below together with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included within this document. Amounts for all periods presented have been adjusted for discontinued operations.

General

Our revenues are derived from sales of floorcovering products, primarily modular carpet (we sold our broadloom carpet operations in August 2012). Our business, as well as the commercial interiors industry in general, is cyclical in nature and is impacted by economic conditions and trends that affect the markets for commercial and institutional business space. The commercial interiors industry, including the market for floorcovering products, is largely driven by reinvestment by corporations into their existing businesses in the form of new fixtures and furnishings for their workplaces. In significant part, the timing and amount of such reinvestments are impacted by the profitability of those corporations. As a result, macroeconomic factors such as employment rates, office vacancy rates, capital spending, productivity and efficiency gains that impact corporate profitability in general, also affect our business.

During the past several years, we have successfully focused more of our marketing and sales efforts on non-corporate office segments to reduce somewhat our exposure to economic cycles that affect the corporate office market segment more adversely, as well as to capture additional market share. Our mix of corporate office versus non-corporate office modular carpet sales in the Americas has shifted over the past several years to 44% and 56%, respectively, for 2014 compared with 64% and 36%, respectively, in 2001. Company-wide, our mix of corporate office versus non-corporate office sales was 58% and 42%, respectively, in 2014. We expect a further shift in the future as we continue to implement our market diversification strategy.

During 2014, we had net sales of $1.0 billion, compared with $960.0 million in 2013. Operating income for 2014 was $70.3 million, compared with $95.6 million for 2013. Net income for 2014 was $24.8 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, compared with $48.3 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, in 2013.

Included in our results for 2014 are $12.4 million of restructuring and asset impairment charges, as discussed below. Also included in our results for 2014 are $9.2 million of expenses for the premiums paid to redeem our 7.625% Senior Notes as well as $2.8 million of expenses related to the unamortized debt costs for the retired notes at redemption. Included in our results for 2013 is a $7.0 million gain related to the settlement of our insurance claim related to the fire at our Australian manufacturing facility, as discussed below. Also included in our 2013 results are a one-time tax dispute resolution benefit of $1.9 million related to the execution of bilateral pricing agreements, and $1.7 million of expenses for the retirement of debt. Included in our results for 2012 are $19.4 million of restructuring and asset impairment charges and $1.7 million of expenses related to the Australia fire, as discussed below. Also included in our 2012 results is a loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, of $17.0 million related to the now discontinued Bentley Prince Street business segment.

Fire at Australia Facility

In July 2012, a fire occurred at our manufacturing facility in Picton, Australia, which served customers throughout Australia and New Zealand. The fire caused extensive damage to the facility, as well as disruption to business activity in the region. After the fire, we utilized adequate production capacity at our manufacturing facilities in Thailand, China, the U.S. and Europe to meet customer demand formerly serviced from Picton. While this was executed with success, there were, as expected, business disruptions and delays in shipments that affected sales following the fire. While it is difficult to quantify the financial impacts of the fire, we believe it negatively affected net sales by approximately $13-18 million during the balance of 2012, and by approximately $18-23 million during 2013. We have completed the build-out of a new manufacturing facility in Minto, Australia, which commenced operations in January 2014. For additional information on the fire, please see the Note entitled “Fire at Australian Manufacturing Facility” in Item 8 of this Report.

Discontinued Operations

In 2012, we sold our Bentley Prince Street business segment. In accordance with applicable accounting standards, we have reported the results of operations for the former Bentley Prince Street business segment as “discontinued operations,” where applicable. Consequently, our discussion of sales and other results of operations (except for net income or loss amounts), including percentages derived from or based on such amounts, excludes these discontinued operations unless we indicate otherwise. Our discontinued operations had no net sales, income or loss during 2014 and 2013. Our discontinued operations had net sales of $57.0 million in 2012 (these results are included in our statements of operations as part of the “Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax”). Loss from discontinued operations, inclusive of the loss on disposal as well as costs to sell the business, net of tax, was $17.0 million in 2012. The loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, for 2012 was comprised of the following after-tax amounts: (1) $8.6 million of loss on disposal; (2) $5.9 million of costs to sell the operations; and (3) $2.5 million of non-disposal loss from the discontinued operations. For additional information on discontinued operations, see the Notes entitled “Discontinued Operations” and “Taxes on Income” in Item 8 of this Report.

Restructuring Charges

2014 Restructuring Plan

In the third quarter of 2014, we committed to a new restructuring plan in our continuing efforts to reduce costs across our worldwide operations. In connection with this restructuring plan, we incurred a pre-tax restructuring and asset impairment charge in the third quarter of 2014 in an amount of $12.4 million. The charge was comprised of severance expenses of $9.7 million for a reduction of 100 employees, other related exit costs of $0.1 million, and a charge for impairment of assets of $2.6 million. Approximately $10 million of the charge will result in cash expenditures, primarily severance expense.

2012 Restructuring Plan

In 2012, we committed to a restructuring plan in our continuing efforts to reduce costs across our worldwide operations and more closely align our operations with reduced demand levels in certain markets. The plan primarily consisted of ceasing manufacturing and warehousing operations at our facility in Shelf, England. In connection with this restructuring plan, we incurred a pre-tax restructuring and asset impairment charge in the first quarter of 2012 in an amount of $16.3 million, as well as additional related charges of $0.8 million in the third quarter of 2012 and $2.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2012. These charges are comprised of severance expenses of $8.5 million for a reduction of 145 employees, other related exit costs of $1.6 million, and impairment of assets of approximately $9.4 million. Approximately $10.1 million of the charge will result in cash expenditures, primarily severance expense.

7.625% Senior Notes

In 2010, we completed a private offering of $275 million aggregate principal amount of 7.625% Senior Notes due 2018. Interest on the 7.625% Senior Notes was payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 (the first payment was on June 1, 2011). In November 2013, we redeemed $27.5 million aggregate principal amount of the 7.625% Senior Notes at a price equal to 103% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed, plus accrued interest to the redemption date. In November 2014, we redeemed $27.5 million aggregate principal amount of these notes at a price equal to 103% of the principal amount of notes redeemed, plus accrued interest to the redemption date. In December 2014, we redeemed the remaining $220 million of these notes at a price equal to 103.813% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest to the redemption date.

11.375% Senior Secured Notes

In 2009, we completed a private offering of $150 million aggregate principal amount of 11.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2013 (the “11.375% Senior Secured Notes”). Interest on the 11.375% Senior Secured Notes was payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 (the first interest payment was on November 1, 2009). The 11.375% Senior Secured Notes were guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior secured basis by certain of our domestic subsidiaries. The 11.375% Senior Secured Notes were secured by a second-priority lien on substantially all of our and certain of our domestic subsidiaries’ assets that secure our Syndicated Credit Facility (discussed below) on a first-priority basis.

Following the sale of our 7.625% Senior Notes and the repurchase of $141.9 million aggregate principal amount of our 11.375% Senior Secured Notes with the proceeds, $8.1 million aggregate principal amount of our 11.375% Senior Secured Notes remained outstanding. These remaining 11.375% Senior Secured Notes were repaid at maturity in November 2013.

Analysis of Results of Operations 

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

Our net sales that were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar were approximately 51% in 2014, 52% in 2013, and 51% in 2012. Because we have such substantial international operations, we are impacted, from time to time, by international developments that affect foreign currency transactions. For example, the performance of the euro against the U.S. dollar, for purposes of the translation of European revenues into U.S. dollars, favorably affected our reported results during 2013, when the euro was strengthening relative to the U.S. dollar. During 2014, the euro remained relatively stable versus the U.S. dollar and, as such (and despite the significant decline of the euro versus the U.S. dollar in the fourth quarter of 2014), there was not a significant impact on net sales or operating income. During 2012, the dollar strengthened versus the euro, having a negative effect on our reported results. The following table presents the amount (in U.S. dollars) by which the exchange rates for converting euros into U.S. dollars have affected our net sales and operating income during the past three years:

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

Net Sales

Below we provide information regarding our net sales and analyze those results for each of the last three fiscal years. Fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 were 52-week periods. (As a result of the sale of our Bentley Prince Street Segment in 2012, we currently have only one segment for segment reporting purposes.)

Net Sales for 2014 Compared with 2013

For 2014, net sales increased $43.9 million (4.6%) versus 2013. This increase primarily occurred in our Americas and Europe businesses, due largely to the continued economic recoveries in those regions. On a geographic basis, we experienced sales increases in each of our major operating regions, with the Americas up 5%, Europe up 5% (6% in local currency) and Asia-Pacific up 1% (5% in local currency). On a consolidated basis, fluctuations in currency had a small (approximately 1%) negative impact on net sales, primarily in Australia, which is within our Asia-Pacific region.

In the Americas, the increase was due largely to the continued strength and recovery of the corporate office market segment, where our sales grew 4%. We also had sales growth in all non-office market segments with the exception of healthcare, which was down less than 1%. The most significant of the non-office segment increases were in the hospitality (up 55%) and residential (up 15%) segments. The sales increase in the hospitality segment is due to our continued focus on penetrating this segment through large hotel chains, with most success occurring in the U.S. The increase in the residential segment primarily occurred in the multi-family residential channel, as our FLOR consumer business experienced essentially even sales compared with 2013. The weighted average selling price per square yard in the Americas was up approximately 1% in 2014 versus 2013.

In Europe, the sales increase was due primarily to growth in the corporate office market (up 9% in U.S. Dollars, 11% in local currency), mostly in Western Europe and particularly in the United Kingdom and Germany. The government segment (down 10% in U.S. Dollars, 8% in local currency) experienced the most significant decrease in the region, mostly due to the continued austerity measures that were in place during the year. The weighted average selling price per square yard in Europe increased approximately 4% during 2014, a result of the continued economic recovery in the region as well as the premium positioning of our products. Notably, the euro experienced a significant decline versus the U.S. dollar during the fourth quarter of 2014, and as a result our sales in Europe for that quarterly period experienced an increase of 6% in local currency but a 2% decrease as reported in U.S. dollars.

In Asia-Pacific, the sales increase occurred mostly in the corporate office (up 3%), healthcare (up over 100%) and education (up 15%) market segments. However, these increases were almost entirely offset by declines in the government (down 42%) and retail (down 20%) segments. On a consolidated basis, the translation of Australian dollars into U.S. dollars had a negative impact on this region’s 2014 sales performance – in local currency, Australia sales were up more than 9%, but up only 2% as reported in U.S. dollars. This currency impact was particularly acute in the fourth quarter of 2014, when the increase in Australia dollars was approximately 20% but was approximately 11% as reported in U.S. dollars. Outside of Australia, sales in the remainder of the Asia-Pacific region were essentially flat in 2014 versus 2013. The weighted average selling price per square yard in Asia-Pacific in 2014 decreased approximately 1%, largely due to the impact of the decline of the Australian dollar versus the U.S. dollar.

Net Sales for 2013 Compared with 2012

For 2013, net sales increased $28.0 million (3.0%) versus 2012. This increase was due primarily to the strength of the economic recovery in the Americas, coupled with lower rates of decline in our international markets compared with 2012. On a geographic basis, we experienced a sales increase in the Americas (up 7.3%), which was partially offset by decreases in Europe (down 2.0% in U.S. dollars, 5.3% in local currency) and Asia-Pacific (down 2.5%). On a consolidated basis, fluctuations in currency exchange rates did not have a significant impact on the change in sales for 2013 compared with 2012.

In the Americas, the increase primarily occurred in three of our market segments – corporate office, residential and hospitality. The corporate office segment experienced an increase of 9%, due primarily to the continued rebound of the commercial office market in the United States. The residential market segment saw an increase of 38%, due to the growth of our FLOR residential business. The increase in the hospitality market segment (up 37%) was a direct result of our continued sales and marketing efforts in this market over the prior two years. Only the retail segment (down 7%) experienced a significant decline. The weighted average selling price per square yard in the Americas saw an increase of approximately 3% versus 2012.

In Europe, the sales decrease was a result of the continued macroeconomic uncertainty in the region. The decline occurred across virtually all market segments, with the corporate office (down 1% in U.S. dollars, 4% in local currency), retail (down 19% in U.S. dollars, 21% in local currency) and government (down 7% in U.S. dollars, 10% in local currency) being the most significant. The weighted average selling price per square yard in Europe was up slightly year over year in U.S. dollars and down less than 2% in local currency. In the fourth quarter of 2013, we saw a 4% sales increase in Europe in U.S. dollars (essentially flat in local currency) versus the fourth quarter of 2012, demonstrating some stabilization in the market at the close of the year

In Asia-Pacific, the sales decline was largely a result of our performance in Australia, where we had lower sales as a result of the continued effect of the fire at our Australia manufacturing facility in 2012. The fire led to increased lead times for orders and other business disruptions that had a negative impact in the marketplace. The weakening of the Australian dollar in 2013 versus 2012 was another factor in the decline. The decrease in Australia was partially offset by sales increases in the rest of the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in China and Southeast Asia. The majority of the sales decline in Asia-Pacific occurred in the corporate office (down 10%), healthcare (down 51%) and education (down 14%) market segments. These decreases were mitigated somewhat by increases in the retail (up 67%), government (up 67%) and hospitality (up 55%) market segments. The weighted average selling price per square yard in the Asia-Pacific region declined approximately 4% in 2013 versus 2012.

Cost and Expenses

The following table presents our overall cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses during the past three years:

For 2014, our cost of sales increased $45.0 million (7.3%) versus 2013. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates had a slight negative impact (1%) year over year. On a per-unit basis, we did not experience any significant difference in the cost of our raw materials in 2014 versus 2013. Most of the $45.0 million year over year increase in cost of sales was directly attributable to additional raw materials costs (approximately $30 million) and labor costs (approximately $4 million) associated with higher production volumes in 2014, particularly in the second half of the year. Of the remainder of the year over year increase, the majority is related to both the increased fixed costs as well as the inefficiencies associated with the start-up of our new and larger manufacturing facility in Australia which opened in January of 2014. These inefficiencies occurred primarily in the first six months of 2014. As a result of these items, as a percentage of sales, cost of sales increased to 66.1% in 2014, compared with 64.5% in 2013. 

For 2013, our cost of sales increased $4.0 million (1%) versus 2012. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates had a slight negative impact (less than 1%) year over year. The primary components of this increase in cost of sales were increases in raw material costs (approximately $3 million) and labor costs (approximately $0.4 million) associated with higher production volumes, particularly in the second and third quarters of 2013 versus the prior year periods. On a per unit basis, we did not experience any significant cost differences in raw materials in 2013 versus 2012. We saw gross margin expansion in our Europe and Asia-Pacific regions during 2013, especially in the fourth quarter, due to continued implementation of our lean manufacturing initiatives and streamlining of our supply chain in the Asia-Pacific region. As a result of these items, cost of sales decreased, as a percentage of sales, to 64.5% in 2013 versus 66.0% in 2012.

For 2014, our selling, general and administrative expenses increased $4.9 million (1.9%) versus 2013. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates did not have a significant impact on the comparison. The largest driver of the increase was $5.6 million of higher selling expenses commensurate with the sales growth in each of our three operating regions. We also had increased marketing expenses of approximately $1.2 million, split evenly between our European modular carpet business and our FLOR consumer business. The increased marketing expense in Europe related to campaigns designed to further engage the architect and design community, while the increase in our FLOR business related to web-based marketing efforts. These increases were offset by a decline in administrative expenses of approximately $1.9 million, mostly due to lower incentive compensation in 2014 versus 2013, as well as the impacts of our restructuring actions in the third quarter of 2014. The benefits of the restructuring actions were particularly evident in the fourth quarter of 2014, when our selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of sales, declined to 23.8% versus 26.6% for the fourth quarter of 2013. For the full year 2014, our selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of sales, declined to 25.6%, versus 26.3% in 2013.

For 2013, our selling, general and administrative expenses increased $21.1 million (9.1%) versus 2012. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates did not have a significant impact on the increase. The largest component of the change in selling, general and administrative expenses was an increase in selling costs of $9.2 million. The majority of this increase ($8.3 million) was in the Americas region, comprised of approximately $4.3 million of increased selling expenses for our FLOR store platform as it expanded to a total of 21 stores during 2013 and $3.9 million of increased selling costs at our core modular business in the Americas due to additions of sales people and other personnel in the sales group. We also experienced an increase in marketing costs of $3.0 million, primarily in the Americas ($2.0 million) and Europe ($1.0 million) divisions, related to targeted marketing programs designed to drive sales in non-corporate office market segments. The remainder of the increase was research and development and administrative costs, driven primarily by increased stock compensation expense ($4.6 million) related to new grants in 2013 as well as vesting of grants based on performance targets being met to a greater extent during 2013 versus 2012. Due to the above factors, as a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 26.3% in 2013 versus 24.8% in 2012.

Interest Expense

For 2014, interest expense decreased $3.0 million to $20.8 million, versus $23.8 million in 2013. The primary reasons for the decrease were the redemption of $27.5 million of our 7.625% Senior Notes and the repayment at maturity of the remaining $8.1 million of our 11.375% Senior Subordinated Notes, each in the fourth quarter of 2013. In addition, as described above, we redeemed all of the remaining 7.625% Senior Notes in the fourth quarter of 2014, which also contributed to the interest expense decline. Although we incurred borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility to refinance the notes that were repaid and redeemed during 2013 and 2014, the borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility are at a significantly lower interest rate (currently less than 2.5% annually) than the interest rates on the notes that were refinanced.

For 2013, interest expense decreased $1.2 million to $23.8 million versus $25.0 million in 2012. This decrease was primarily due to the repayment of the $8.1 million balance of our 11.375% Senior Secured Notes at maturity in November 2013 and the early redemption of $27.5 million of our 7.625% Senior Notes in November 2013. Although we subsequently borrowed under our Syndicated Credit Facility in December of 2013, the borrowing was at a significantly lower interest rate than the notes which were repaid in November 2013.

Tax

Our effective tax rate in 2014 was 30.6%, compared with an effective tax rate of 30.1% in 2013. This relative consistency in effective tax rate was primarily attributable to favorable tax effects related to foreign operations realized in both years. In addition, there was less of an increase due to valuation allowances related to state net operating loss carryforwards in 2014, which offset the decrease we realized in 2013 related to the favorable settlement of our Canada-U.S. bilateral advanced pricing agreement. For additional information on taxes and a reconciliation of effective tax rates to statutory tax rates, see the Note entitled “Taxes on Income” in Item 8 of this Report.

Our effective tax rate in 2013 was 30.1%, compared with an effective rate of 39.9% in 2012. This decrease in effective rate was primarily attributable to (1) the settlement of our Canada-U.S. bilateral advanced pricing agreement, (2) a decrease in nondeductible business expenses, (3) a decrease in nondeductible reserves against capital assets, (4) an effective foreign tax rate that is lower than the federal statutory rate coupled with a significant increase of foreign earnings from 2012 to 2013, and (5) an effective state tax rate that is lower due to a larger proportion of foreign earnings in 2013. In addition, there was an increase in the effective rate attributable to valuation allowances related to state net operating loss carryforwards. For additional information on taxes and a reconciliation of effective tax rates to statutory tax rates, see the Note entitled “Taxes on Income” in Item 8 of this Report.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

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

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

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

At December 28, 2014, we had $54.9 million in cash. Approximately $15.9 million of this cash was located in the United States, and the remaining $38.9 million was located at our international locations. Our position is that the cash located outside of the United States is permanently reinvested in the respective jurisdictions (except as identified below). We believe that our strategic plans and business needs support the status of our cash in foreign locations. Of the $38.9 million cash in foreign jurisdictions, approximately $2.4 million represents earnings which we have determined are not permanently reinvested, and as such we have provided for U.S. federal and state income taxes on these amounts in accordance with applicable accounting standards.

As of December 28, 2014, we had $263.3 million of borrowings and $3.3 million in letters of credit outstanding under our Syndicated Credit Facility. Of those borrowings outstanding, $200 million were Term Loan A borrowings and $63.3 million were revolving loan borrowings. As of December 28, 2014, we could have incurred $183.4 million of additional revolving loan borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility. In addition, we could have incurred the equivalent of $19.0 million of borrowings under our other credit facilities in place at other non-U.S. subsidiaries.

We have approximately $43.1 million in contractual cash obligations due by the end of fiscal year 2015, which includes, among other things, pension cash contributions, interest payments on our debt and lease commitments. Based on current interest rate and debt levels, we expect our aggregate interest expense for 2015 to be between $8 million and $10 million. We estimate aggregate capital expenditures in 2015 to be between $40 million and $50 million, although we are not committed to these amounts.

In 2010, we completed a private offering of $275 million aggregate principal amount of 7.625% Senior Notes. Interest on the 7.625% Senior Notes was payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 (the first payment was made on June 1, 2011). In the fourth quarter of 2013, we redeemed $27.5 million aggregate principal amount of the 7.625% Senior Notes at a price equal to 103% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed, plus accrued interest to the redemption date. In the fourth quarter of 2014, we redeemed $27.5 million aggregate principal amount of the 7.625% Senior Notes at a price equal to 103% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest, and redeemed the remaining $220 million aggregate principal amount of these notes at a price equal to 103.813% of their principal amount, plus accrued interest. The redemption transactions in the fourth quarter of 2014 required an aggregate of $266.1 million (including principal payments, premiums and accrued interest), which was funded through a combination of term loan and revolving loan borrowings under the Syndicated Credit Facility and cash on hand.

It is important for you to consider that we have a significant amount of indebtedness. Our Syndicated Credit Facility matures in October 2019. We cannot assure you that we will be able to renegotiate or refinance any of our debt on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. If we are unable to refinance our debt or obtain new financing, we would have to consider other options, such as selling assets to meet our debt service obligations and other liquidity needs, or using cash, if available, that would have been used for other business purposes.

Syndicated Credit Facility 

We have a syndicated credit facility (the “Facility”) pursuant to which the lenders provide to us and certain of our subsidiaries a multicurrency revolving credit facility and provide to us a term loan. The key features of the Facility are as follows:

Interest Rates and Fees. Interest on base rate loans is charged at varying rates computed by applying a margin ranging from 0.25% to 1.50% over the applicable base interest rate (which is defined as the greatest of the prime rate, a specified federal funds rate plus 0.50%, or a specified LIBOR rate), depending on our consolidated net leverage ratio as of the most recently completed fiscal quarter. Interest on LIBOR-based loans and fees for letters of credit are charged at varying rates computed by applying a margin ranging from 1.25% to 2.50% over the applicable LIBOR rate, depending on our consolidated net leverage ratio as of the most recently completed fiscal quarter. In addition, we pay a commitment fee ranging from 0.20% to 0.35% per annum (depending on our consolidated net leverage ratio as of the most recently completed fiscal quarter) on the unused portion of the Facility.

Amortization Prepayments. We are required to make amortization payments of the Term Loan A borrowing. The amortization payments are due on the last day of the calendar quarter, commencing with an initial amortization payment of $2.5 million on December 31, 2015. The quarterly amortization payment amount increases to $3.75 million on December 31, 2016.

Covenants. The Facility contains standard and customary covenants for agreements of this type, including various reporting, affirmative and negative covenants. Among other things, these covenants limit our ability to:

The Facility also requires us to remain in compliance with the following financial covenants as of the end of each fiscal quarter, based on our consolidated results for the year then ended:

Events of Default. If we breach or fail to perform any of the affirmative or negative covenants under the Facility, or if other specified events occur (such as a bankruptcy or similar event or a change of control of Interface, Inc. or certain subsidiaries, or if we breach or fail to perform any covenant or agreement contained in any instrument relating to any of our other indebtedness exceeding $20 million), after giving effect to any applicable notice and right to cure provisions, an event of default will exist. If an event of default exists and is continuing, the lenders’ Administrative Agent may, and upon the written request of a specified percentage of the lender group shall:

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

As of December 28, 2014 we had $200 million of Term Loan A borrowings and $63.3 million of revolving loan borrowings outstanding under the Facility, and had $3.3 million in letters of credit outstanding under the Facility.

We are presently in compliance with all covenants under the Syndicated Credit Facility and anticipate that we will remain in compliance with the covenants for the foreseeable future.

Senior Notes

As described above, all of our remaining 7.625% Senior Notes were redeemed in full in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Analysis of Cash Flows

Our primary sources of cash during 2014 were: (1) $200 million of Term Loan A borrowings and $48.9 million of revolving loan borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility; (2) $15.4 million due to an increase in accounts payable and accruals; and (3) $2.8 million due to a decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets. Our primary uses of cash during 2014 were: (1) $256.8 million used to redeem our formerly outstanding 7.625% Senior Notes (comprised of $247.5 million for principal payments, and $9.3 million for premium payments); (2) $29.3 million due to an increase in accounts receivable; (3) $9.9 million used to repay a portion of our outstanding revolving loan borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility; (4) $9.3 million used to pay dividends on our common stock; and (5) $7.7 million used to repurchase 500,000 shares of our common stock.

Our primary sources of cash during 2013 were: (1) $56.0 million of proceeds received from our insurance company on our claim related to the fire at our Australia manufacturing facility in 2012; (2) $26.3 million of borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility; and (3) $3.5 million due to a reduction in accounts receivable. Our primary uses of cash in 2013 were: (1) $91.9 million of capital expenditures, which included expenditures for the purchase and build-out of our new manufacturing facility in Minto, Australia; (2) $35.6 million of cash used to retire the remainder ($8.1 million aggregate principal amount) of our 11.375% Senior Secured Notes and a portion ($27.5 million aggregate principal amount) of our 7.625% Senior Notes; and (3) $17.3 million due to a decrease in accounts payable and accruals.

Our primary sources of cash during 2012 were: (1) $32.2 million of net proceeds from the sale of our Bentley Prince Street business segment; (2) $20.0 million as a result of a reduction of accounts receivable; and (3) $20.7 million of proceeds from the insurance company with regard to the fire at our Australian facility. Our primary uses of cash during 2012 were: (1) $42.4 million of capital expenditures; (2) an increase of prepaid expenses and other current assets of $11.9 million, primarily related to the insurance receivable for our fire claim in Australia; and (3) $11.5 million for the redemption of the remainder of our former 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes.

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

Funding Obligations

We have various contractual obligations that we must fund as part of our normal operations. The following table discloses aggregate information about our contractual obligations (including the remaining contractual obligations related to our discontinued operations) and the periods in which payments are due. The amounts and time periods are measured from December 28, 2014.

Critical Accounting Policies

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

Revenue Recognition. The vast majority of our revenue is recognized at the date of shipment when the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, price to the buyer is fixed and determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Delivery is not considered to have occurred until the customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership, which is generally on the date of shipment. Provisions for discounts, sales returns and allowances are estimated using historical experience, current economic trends, and the company’s quality performance. The related provision is recorded as a reduction of sales and cost of sales in the same period that the revenue is recognized. Accordingly, our estimates and assumptions regarding revenue recognition primarily relate to sales returns and allowances, which historically have been in the range of 2.5-3.0% of gross sales. Over the last several years, we have not experienced any significant fluctuation in sales returns and allowances, our estimates and assumptions related thereto have not changed significantly, and we believe our estimates and assumptions to be reasonably accurate. Management also believes this past experience can be relied upon for such estimates and assumptions in future periods, as our business model and customer mix have not changed significantly.

A small percentage (approximately 5%) of our revenue relates to flooring installation projects, which generally involve short time periods (typically less than two weeks) and therefore present little risk of material difference due to changes in experience.

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

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

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

We evaluate the recoverability of these deferred tax assets by assessing the adequacy of future expected taxable income from all sources, including reversal of taxable temporary differences, forecasted operating earnings and available tax planning strategies. These sources of income inherently rely heavily on estimates. We use our historical experience and our short and long-term business forecasts to provide insight. Further, our global business portfolio gives us the opportunity to employ various prudent and feasible tax planning strategies to facilitate the recoverability of future deductions. To the extent we do not consider it more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will be recovered, a valuation allowance is established. As of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, we had approximately $100.1 million and $113.7 million of U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards, respectively. In addition, as of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, we had state net operating loss carryforwards of $209.0 million and $193.0 million, respectively. As of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, we had approximately $4.0 million and $2.0 million of foreign net operating loss carryforwards, respectively. Certain of these carryforwards are reserved with a valuation allowance because, based on the available evidence, we believe it is more likely than not that we would not be able to utilize those deferred tax assets in the future. The remaining year-end 2014 amounts are expected to be fully recoverable within the applicable statutory expiration periods. If the actual amounts of taxable income differ from our estimates, the amount of our valuation allowance could be materially impacted.

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

During the fourth quarters of 2014, 2013 and 2012, we performed the annual goodwill impairment test. We perform this test at the reporting unit level. For our reporting units which carried a goodwill balance as of December 28, 2014, no impairment of goodwill was indicated. As of December 28, 2014, if our estimates of the fair value of our reporting units were 10% lower, we believe no additional goodwill impairment would have existed.

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

We estimate our reserves for inventory obsolescence by continuously examining our inventories to determine if there are indicators that carrying values exceed net realizable values. Experience has shown that significant indicators that could require the need for additional inventory write-downs are the age of the inventory, the length of its product life cycles, anticipated demand for our products and current economic conditions. While we believe that adequate write-downs for inventory obsolescence have been made in the consolidated financial statements, consumer tastes and preferences will continue to change and we could experience additional inventory write-downs in the future. Our inventory reserve on December 28, 2014, and December 29, 2013, was $14.8 million and $13.4 million, respectively. To the extent that actual obsolescence of our inventory differs from our estimate by 10%, our 2014 net income would be higher or lower by approximately $1.0 million, on an after-tax basis.

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

Environmental Remediation. We provide for environmental remediation costs and penalties when the responsibility to remediate is probable and the amount of associated costs is reasonably determinable. Remediation liabilities are accrued based on estimates of known environmental exposures and are discounted in certain instances. We regularly monitor the progress of environmental remediation. Should studies indicate that the cost of remediation is to be more than previously estimated, an additional accrual would be recorded in the period in which such determination is made. As of December 28, 2014, no significant amounts were provided for remediation liabilities.

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts. We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. Estimating this amount requires us to analyze the financial strengths of our customers. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. By its nature, such an estimate is highly subjective, and it is possible that the amount of accounts receivable that we are unable to collect may be different than the amount initially estimated. Our allowance for doubtful accounts on December 28, 2014, and December 29, 2013, was $7.9 million and $7.6 million, respectively. To the extent the actual collectability of our accounts receivable differs from our estimates by 10%, our 2014 net income would be higher or lower by approximately $0.6 million, on an after-tax basis, depending on whether the actual collectability was better or worse, respectively, than the estimated allowance.

Product Warranties. We typically provide limited warranties with respect to certain attributes of our carpet products (for example, warranties regarding excessive surface wear, edge ravel and static electricity) for periods ranging from ten to twenty years, depending on the particular carpet product and the environment in which the product is to be installed. We typically warrant that any services performed will be free from defects in workmanship for a period of one year following completion. In the event of a breach of warranty, the remedy typically is limited to repair of the problem or replacement of the affected product. We record a provision related to warranty costs based on historical experience and periodically adjust these provisions to reflect changes in actual experience. Our warranty reserve on December 28, 2014, and December 29, 2013, was $1.8 million and $1.4 million, respectively. Actual warranty expense incurred could vary significantly from amounts that we estimate. To the extent the actual warranty expense differs from our estimates by 10%, our 2014 net income would be higher or lower by approximately $0.1 million, on an after-tax basis, depending on whether the actual expense is lower or higher, respectively, than the estimated provision.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

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

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standard regarding recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. In summary, the core principle of this standard is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, and early application is not permitted. While we are currently reviewing this new standard, it is not expected that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operation.

In July 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standard regarding the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, or similar tax credit carryforward, exists. This standard clarifies that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, if such settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax benefit is disallowed. In situations where a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction or the tax law of the jurisdiction does not require, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be netted with the deferred tax asset. We implemented this standard in the first quarter of 2014, which resulted in reductions of deferred tax asset (long-term) and long-term other liabilities of approximately $21.8 million each. Pursuant to this standard, we also adjusted our December 29, 2013 consolidated balance sheet, resulting in decreases in our deferred tax asset (long-term) and long-term other liabilities of approximately $21.8 million each.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market Risk

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

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

Interest Rate Market Risk Exposure

Changes in interest rates affect the interest paid on certain of our debt. To mitigate the impact of fluctuations in interest rates, our management monitors interest rates and has developed and implemented a policy to maintain the percentage of fixed and variable rate debt within certain parameters, subject to approval by our Board of Directors. In the past, we have maintained a fixed/variable rate mix within these parameters either by borrowing on a fixed rate basis or entering into interest rate swap transactions. In the interest rate swaps, we agreed to exchange, at specified levels, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon notional principal linked to LIBOR. As of December 28, 2014, and December 29, 2013, no such interest rate swaps were in place.

Foreign Currency Exchange Market Risk Exposure

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

At December 28, 2014, we recognized a $28.4 million decrease in our foreign currency translation adjustment account compared with December 29, 2013, because of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against certain foreign currencies during 2014, particularly the Euro.

Sensitivity Analysis

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

To perform sensitivity analysis, we assess the risk of loss in fair values associated with the impact of hypothetical changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates on market-sensitive instruments. The market value of instruments affected by interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate risk is computed based on the present value of future cash flows as impacted by the changes in the rates attributable to the market risk being measured. The discount rates used for the present value computations were selected based on market interest and foreign currency exchange rates in effect at December 28, 2014. The values that result from these computations are then compared with the market values of the financial instruments. The differences are the hypothetical gains or losses associated with each type of risk.

Interest Rate Risk

Our weighted average interest rate for our outstanding borrowings in 2014 and 2013 was 7.4% and 7.8%, respectively.

As discussed above, in the fourth quarter of 2014, we refinanced our outstanding 7.625% Senior Notes with a combination of term loan and revolving loan borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility, plus cash on hand. The following table summarizes our market risks associated with our debt obligations as of December 28, 2014. For debt obligations, the table presents principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates by year of maturity. Variable interest rates presented for variable-rate debt represent the weighted average interest rate on our Syndicated Credit Facility borrowings as of December 28, 2014.

An increase in our effective interest rate of 1% would increase annual interest expense by approximately $2.6 million. We will continue to review our exposure to interest rate fluctuations and evaluate whether we should manage such exposures through interest rate swap transactions.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

As of December 28, 2014, a 10% decrease or increase in the levels of foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar, with all other variables held constant, would result in a decrease in the fair value of our short-term financial instruments (primarily cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable) of $11.3 million or an increase in the fair value of our financial instruments of $9.2 million, respectively. As the impact of offsetting changes in the fair market value of our net foreign investments is not included in the sensitivity model, these results are not indicative of our actual exposure to foreign currency exchange risk.

ITEM 8.      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

INTERFACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

INTERFACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

INTERFACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

INTERFACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations

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

In 2012, the Company sold its Bentley Prince Street business segment to a third party. Bentley Prince Street designed, manufactured and marketed broadloom and modular carpet. The results of operations and related disposal costs, gains and losses for the Bentley Prince Street business are classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. In addition, assets and liabilities of the Bentley Prince Street business have been reported in assets and liabilities held for sale for all reported periods.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All of our subsidiaries are wholly-owned, and we are not a party to any joint venture, partnership or other variable interest entity that would potentially qualify for consolidation. All material intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. Investments in which the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence are carried at fair value. The Company monitors investments for other than temporary declines in value and makes reductions in carrying values when appropriate. As of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, the Company did not hold significant investments of this nature.

Use of Estimates

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

Revenue Recognition

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

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

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and are included in the selling, general and administrative expense caption in the consolidated statements of operations. Research and development expense was $13.9 million, $12.6 million and $12.4 million for the years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

Highly liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risk and with original maturities of three months or less are classified as cash and cash equivalents. Investments with maturities greater than three months and less than one year are classified as short-term investments. The Company did not hold any significant amounts of short-term investments at December 28, 2014 or December 29, 2013.

Cash payments for interest amounted to approximately $21.0 million, $22.9 million and $23.1 million for the years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Income tax payments amounted to approximately $7.5 million, $8.7 million and $10.0 million for the years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. During the years 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company received income tax refunds of $5.0 million, $1.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

Inventories

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

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

Rebates

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

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

Assets and Liabilities of Businesses Held for Sale

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

Property and Equipment and Long-Lived Assets

Property and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: buildings and improvements – ten to forty years; and furniture and equipment – three to twelve years. Interest costs for the construction/development of certain long-term assets are capitalized and amortized over the related assets’ estimated useful lives. The Company capitalized net interest costs on qualifying expenditures of approximately $0.8 million, $0.8 million and $0.7 million for the fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Depreciation expense amounted to approximately $29.5 million, $23.9 million and $24.2 million for the years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

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

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations accounted for as acquisitions. Accumulated amortization amounted to approximately $77.3 million at both December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, and cumulative impairment losses recognized were $212.6 million as of both December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013.

As of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, the net carrying amount of goodwill was $70.5 million and $77.9 million, respectively. Other intangible assets were $4.7 million and $3.8 million as of December 28, 2014, and December 29, 2013, respectively. The Company capitalizes patent defense costs when it determines that a successful defense is probable. Any patent defense costs are amortized over the remaining useful life of the patent. Amortization expense related to intangible assets during the years 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $0.3 million, $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

During the fourth quarters of 2014, 2013 and 2012, as of the last day of the third quarter of each year, the Company performed the annual goodwill impairment test required by applicable accounting standards. The Company performs this test at the reporting unit level, which is one level below the segment level for the Modular Carpet segment. In effecting the impairment testing, the Company prepared valuations of reporting units on both a market comparable methodology and an income methodology in accordance with the applicable standards, and those valuations were compared with the respective book values of the reporting units to determine whether any goodwill impairment existed. In preparing the valuations, past, present and future expectations of performance were considered. The annual testing indicated no potential of goodwill impairment in any of the years presented.

Each of the Company’s reporting units maintained fair values in excess of their respective carrying values as of the measurement date, and therefore no impairment was indicated during the impairment testing. As of December 28, 2014, if the Company’s estimates of the fair values of its reporting units which carry a goodwill balance were 10% lower, the Company still believes no goodwill impairment would have existed.

The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill for the year ended December 28, 2014 are as follows:

Product Warranties

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

The Company records a provision related to warranty costs based on historical experience and periodically adjusts these provisions to reflect changes in actual experience. Warranty reserves amounted to $1.8 million and $1.4 million as of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, respectively, and are included in “Accrued Expenses” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Taxes on Income

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

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

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

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

Fair Values of Financial Instruments

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

Translation of Foreign Currencies

The financial position and results of operations of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured generally using local currencies as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at each year-end. Income and expense items are translated at average exchange rates for the year. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded in the foreign currency translation adjustment account. In the event of a divestiture of a foreign subsidiary, the related foreign currency translation results are reversed from equity to income. Foreign currency exchange gains and losses are included in net income (loss). Foreign exchange translation gains (losses) were $(28.4)million, ($5.2 million) and $8.5 million for the years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Income (Loss) Per Share

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

Stock-Based Compensation

As of fiscal year 2014, the Company has stock-based employee compensation plans, which are described more fully in the “Shareholders’ Equity” Note below.

The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. However, there were no stock options granted in 2014, 2013 or 2012.

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

Derivative Financial Instruments

Accounting standards require a company to recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Derivatives that do not meet the criteria of an accounting hedge must be adjusted to fair value through income. If the derivative is a fair value hedge, changes in the fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments are recognized through earnings. If the derivative is a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivative’s change in fair value is immediately recognized in earnings. As of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, the Company was not party to any significant derivative instruments.

Pension Benefits

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

Environmental Remediation

The Company provides for remediation costs and penalties when the responsibility to remediate is probable and the amount of associated costs is reasonably determinable. Remediation liabilities are accrued based on estimates of known environmental exposures and are discounted in certain instances. The Company regularly monitors the progress of environmental remediation. Should studies indicate that the cost of remediation is to be more than previously estimated, an additional accrual would be recorded in the period in which such determination is made. As of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, no significant amounts were provided for remediation liabilities.

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts

The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. Estimating this amount requires the Company to analyze the financial strengths of its customers. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. By its nature, such an estimate is highly subjective, and it is possible that the amount of accounts receivable that the Company is unable to collect may be different than the amount initially estimated. The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts on December 28, 2014, and December 29, 2013, was $7.9 million and $7.6 million, respectively.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year financial statement presentation. For further information, see the Note below entitled “Recent Accounting Pronouncements.”

Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal year is the 52 or 53 week period ending on the Sunday nearest December 31. All references herein to “2014,” “2013,” and “2012,” mean the fiscal years ended December 28, 2014, December 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, respectively. Fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 were each comprised of 52 weeks.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standard regarding recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. In summary, the core principle of this standard is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, and early application is not permitted. While the Company is currently reviewing this new standard, it is not expected that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

In July 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standard regarding the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, or similar tax credit carryforward, exists. This standard clarifies that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, if such settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax benefit is disallowed. In situations where a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction or the tax law of the jurisdiction does not require, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be netted with the deferred tax asset. The Company implemented this standard in the first quarter of 2014, which resulted in reductions of deferred tax asset (long-term) and long-term other liabilities of approximately $21.8 million each. Pursuant to this standard, the Company also adjusted its December 29, 2013 consolidated balance sheet, resulting in decreases in its deferred tax asset (long-term) and long-term other liabilities of approximately $21.8 million each.

RECEIVABLES

The Company has adopted credit policies and standards intended to reduce the inherent risk associated with potential increases in its concentration of credit risk due to increasing trade receivables from sales to owners and users of commercial office facilities and with specifiers such as architects, engineers and contracting firms. Management believes that credit risks are further moderated by the diversity of its end customers and geographic sales areas. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and requires collateral as deemed necessary. The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of its customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. As of December 28, 2014, and December 29, 2013, the allowance for bad debts amounted to $7.9 million and $7.6 million, respectively, for all accounts receivable of the Company. Reserves for sales returns and allowances amounted to $2.2 million and $3.6 million as of December 28, 2014, and December 29, 2013, respectively.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company does not have significant assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis under applicable accounting standards as of the end of 2014. The Company does have approximately $24.1 million of Company-owned life insurance which is measured on readily determinable cash surrender value on a recurring basis. Due to the short maturity of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, their carrying values approximate fair value. The fair value of long term debt represented by the Company’s 7.625% Senior Notes, based on quoted market prices, was $265.8 million at December 29, 2013. The Company redeemed the outstanding 7.625% Senior Notes in the fourth quarter of 2014. As of December 28, 2014, the carrying value of the Company's borrowings under its Syndicated Credit Facility approximates fair value as the Facility bears interest rates that are similar to existing market rates.

INVENTORIES

Inventories are summarized as follows:

Reserves for inventory obsolescence amounted to $14.8 million and $13.4 million as of December 28, 2014, and December 29, 2013, respectively, and have been netted against amounts presented above.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment consisted of the following: