THOR INDUSTRIES INC - Quarter Report: 2018 April (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☑ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 for the quarterly period ended April 30, 2018.

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 for the transition period from              to             .

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 001-09235

THOR INDUSTRIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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 Data 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 whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

                                            Yes      ☐                                                                   No      ☑

As of May 31, 2018, 52,695,365 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.10 per share, were outstanding.

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Unless otherwise indicated, amounts in thousands except share and per share data.)

THOR INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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THOR INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2018 AND 2017 (UNAUDITED)

See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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THOR INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2018 AND 2017 (UNAUDITED)

See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

(All dollar amounts presented in thousands except per share data)

Nature of Operations

Thor Industries, Inc. was founded in 1980 and, through its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), manufactures a wide range of recreational vehicles (“RVs”) at various manufacturing facilities located primarily in Indiana, with additional facilities in Ohio, Oregon, Idaho and Michigan. These products are sold to independent, non-franchise dealers primarily throughout the United States and Canada. Unless the context requires or indicates otherwise, all references to “Thor”, the “Company”, “we”, “our” and “us” refer to Thor Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

The July 31, 2017 amounts are derived from the annual audited financial statements. The interim financial statements are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which consist of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented have been made. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2017. Due to seasonality within the recreational vehicle industry, among other factors, annualizing the results of operations for the nine months ended April 30, 2018 would not necessarily be indicative of the results expected for a full fiscal year.

Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-04, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment,” which eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge (referred to as Step 2 in the goodwill impairment test). Instead, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge equal to that excess shall be recognized, not to exceed the amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. This ASU is effective for annual and any interim impairment tests for periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted after January 1, 2017. This ASU is effective for the Company in its fiscal year 2021 beginning on August 1, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements, which will depend on the outcomes of future goodwill impairment tests.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” which provides guidance on the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of leases. ASU No. 2016-02 requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for all leases with terms greater than 12 months. The principal difference from current guidance is that the lease assets and lease liabilities arising from operating leases will be recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. This ASU is effective for the Company in its fiscal year 2020 beginning on August 1, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that implementing this ASU will have on its financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, “Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory.” ASU No. 2015-11 requires inventory measured using any method other than last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) or the retail inventory method to be subsequently measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value, rather than at the lower of cost or market. Net realizable value is defined as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. Under this ASU, subsequent measurement of inventory using the LIFO or retail inventory method is unchanged. ASU No. 2015-11 is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted ASU No. 2015-11 on August 1, 2017 and there was no material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. This ASU will supersede most current revenue recognition guidance. Under this ASU, entities are required to identify the contract with a customer, identify the separate performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the separate performance obligations in the contract and recognize the appropriate amount of revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies each performance obligation. This ASU will also require additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures about contracts with customers, significant judgments made in applying the revenue guidance and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. ASU No. 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years, and the interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. This ASU is effective for the Company in its fiscal year 2019 beginning on August 1, 2018. In applying this ASU, entities have the option of using either a full retrospective transition or a modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of adoption. The Company plans to use the modified retrospective approach in applying this ASU.

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The Company is in the process of analyzing and quantifying the adoption impact of this ASU as well as evaluating the impact to internal controls, business processes and financial statement disclosures under this ASU. While the Company is still completing its assessment of all the potential impacts of this ASU, the Company does not anticipate adoption will have a material impact to the consolidated financial statements. The ASU will, however, require more extensive revenue-related disclosures. The Company will continue evaluation of the adoption of this ASU through the date of adoption, including assessing the impact of required financial statement disclosures.

Jayco, Corp.

On June 30, 2016, the Company closed on a Stock Purchase Agreement (“Jayco SPA”) for the acquisition of all the issued and outstanding capital stock of towable and motorized recreational vehicle manufacturer Jayco, Corp. (“Jayco”) for initial cash consideration of $576,060, subject to adjustment. This acquisition was funded from the Company’s cash on hand and $360,000 from an asset-based revolving credit facility as more fully described in Note 12 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The final purchase price adjustment of $5,039 was based on the final determination of net assets as of the June 30, 2016 closing date and was paid during the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Jayco operates as an independent operation in the same manner as the Company’s other recreational vehicle subsidiaries, and its towables operations are aggregated within the Company’s towable recreational vehicle reportable segment and its motorized operations are aggregated within the Company’s motorized recreational vehicle reportable segment. The Company purchased Jayco to complement its existing towable and motorized RV product offerings and dealer base.

The following table summarizes the final fair values assigned to the Jayco net assets acquired, which were based on internal and independent external valuations:

On the acquisition date, amortizable intangible assets had a weighted-average useful life of 19.3 years. The dealer network was valued based on the Discounted Cash Flow Method and is amortized on an accelerated basis over 20 years. The trademarks were valued on the Relief from Royalty Method and are amortized on a straight-line basis over 20 years. Backlog was valued based on the Discounted Cash Flow Method and was amortized on a straight-line basis over 3 months. Goodwill is deductible for tax purposes.

The Company has two reportable segments, both related to recreational vehicles: (1) towables and (2) motorized. The towable recreational vehicle reportable segment consists of the following operating segments that have been aggregated: Airstream (towable), Heartland (including Bison, Cruiser RV and DRV), Jayco (including Jayco towable, Starcraft and Highland Ridge), Keystone (including CrossRoads and Dutchmen) and KZ (including Livin’ Lite). The motorized recreational vehicle reportable segment consists of the following operating segments that have been aggregated: Airstream (motorized), Jayco (including Jayco motorized and Entegra Coach) and Thor Motor Coach.

The operations of the Company’s Postle subsidiary are included in “Other,” which is a non-reportable segment. Net sales included in Other mainly relate to the sale of aluminum extrusions and specialized component products. Intercompany eliminations adjust for Postle sales to the Company’s towable and motorized segments, which are consummated at established arm’s-length transfer prices generally consistent with the selling prices of extrusion components to third-party customers.

All manufacturing is conducted within the United States. Total assets include those assets used in the operation of each reportable and non-reportable segment, and the Corporate assets consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, deferred net income tax and deferred compensation plan assets and certain Corporate real estate holdings primarily utilized by Thor operating subsidiaries.

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The following table reflects the weighted-average common shares used to compute basic and diluted earnings per common share as included on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income:

At April 30, 2017, the Company had 57,253 unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units outstanding which were excluded from this calculation as their effect would be antidilutive. There were no unvested restricted stock or restricted stock units that were antidilutive at April 30, 2018.

The Company assesses the inputs used to measure the fair value of certain assets and liabilities using a three-level hierarchy as prescribed in ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, and as discussed in Note 9 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our fiscal 2017 Form 10-K.

The financial assets that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis at April 30, 2018 and July 31, 2017, all using Level 1 inputs, are as follows:

Cash equivalents represent investments in government and other money market funds traded in an active market, and are reported as a component of Cash and cash equivalents in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Deferred compensation plan assets represent investments in securities (primarily mutual funds) traded in an active market held for the benefit of certain employees of the Company as part of a deferred compensation plan. Deferred compensation plan asset balances are recorded as a component of Other long-term assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. An equal and offsetting liability is also recorded in regards to the deferred compensation plan as a component of Other long-term liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of the plan assets and the related liability are reflected in Other income, net and Selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.

Major classifications of inventories are as follows:

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Of the $647,055 and $494,158 of inventories at April 30, 2018 and July 31, 2017, $354,545 and $284,897, respectively, was valued on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) basis, and $292,510 and $209,261, respectively, was valued on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation, and consists of the following:

Property, plant and equipment at both April 30, 2018 and July 31, 2017 includes buildings and improvements under capital leases of $6,527 and related amortization included in accumulated depreciation of $1,632 and $1,224 at April 30, 2018 and July 31, 2017, respectively.

The components of amortizable intangible assets are as follows:

Estimated annual amortization expense is as follows:

Of the recorded goodwill of $377,693 at both April 30, 2018 and July 31, 2017, $334,822 relates to the towable recreational vehicle reportable segment and $42,871 relates to the other non-reportable segment.

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On February 15, 2018, the Company announced the formation of a joint venture with Tourism Holdings Limited (“thl”) called TH2. The Company and thl each have a 50% ownership position in TH2 and equal representation on the board of directors of TH2. The Company contributed cash totaling $46,902 to TH2 in early March 2018 while thl contributed various assets with the same approximate fair value. The Company’s investment in TH2 was funded entirely from cash on hand. In accordance with the operating agreement, TH2’s future capital needs, which are not expected to be material to the Company, will be funded proportionally by thl and the Company.

The Company’s investment in TH2 is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The Company’s share of the losses of this investment, which are included in its operating results for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2018, was $399 for both periods and is included in Other income (expense), net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. The results of this joint venture are recorded on a one-month lag basis, and reflect the operations for the one month of March 2018 since the formation of the joint venture.

TH2 was formed to own, improve and sell innovative and comprehensive digital applications through a platform designed for the global RV industry. TH2 will offer a variety of products focused on enhancing the enjoyment, safety, connectivity and convenience of RV ownership and use.

One dealer, FreedomRoads, LLC, accounted for 20% and 18% of the Company’s consolidated net sales for the nine-month periods ended April 30, 2018 and April 30, 2017, respectively. Sales to this dealer are reported within both the towables and motorized segments. This dealer also accounted for 18% of the Company’s consolidated trade accounts receivable at April 30, 2018 and 30% at July 31, 2017. The loss of this dealer could have a significant effect on the Company’s business.

The Company generally provides retail customers of its products with a one-year or two-year warranty covering defects in material or workmanship, with longer warranties on certain structural components. The Company records a liability based on its best estimate of the amounts necessary to settle future and existing claims on products sold as of the balance sheet date. Factors used in estimating the warranty liability include a history of units sold, existing dealer inventory, average cost incurred and a profile of the distribution of warranty expenditures over the warranty period. Management believes that the recorded warranty liabilities are adequate, however, actual claims incurred could differ from estimates, requiring adjustments to the liabilities. Warranty liabilities are reviewed and adjusted as necessary on at least a quarterly basis.

Changes in our product warranty liabilities are as follows:

The Company has a five-year credit agreement, which was entered into on June 30, 2016 and matures on June 30, 2021. See Note 11 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our fiscal 2017 Form 10-K for details regarding the credit agreement. Borrowings outstanding on this facility totaled $80,000 at April 30, 2018 and $145,000 at July 31, 2017. As of April 30, 2018, the available and unused credit line under the revolver was $415,808, and the Company was in compliance with the financial covenant in the credit agreement.

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For the three-month periods ended April 30, 2018 and April 30, 2017, the total interest expense on the facility was $584 and $1,879, respectively, and the weighted-average interest rate on borrowings from the facility was 2.92% and 2.38%, respectively. For the nine-month periods ended April 30, 2018 and April 30, 2017, the total interest expense on the facility was $1,742 and $5,583, respectively, and the weighted-average interest rate on borrowings from the facility was 2.72% and 2.25%, respectively. The Company incurred fees to secure the facility of $7,850 in fiscal 2016, and those fees are being amortized ratably over the five-year term of the agreement, or a shorter period if the credit agreement period is shortened for any reason. The Company recorded charges related to the amortization of these fees, which are classified as interest expense, of $392 for both of the three-month periods ended April 30, 2018 and April 30, 2017, and $1,177 for both of the nine-month periods ended April 30, 2018 and April 30, 2017. The unamortized balances of these facility fees were $4,972 at April 30, 2018 and $6,149 at July 31, 2017, and are included in Other long-term assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt at April 30, 2018 approximates fair value as the entire balance is subject to variable interest rates that the Company believes are market rates for a similarly-situated company. The fair value of debt is largely estimated using Level 2 inputs as defined by ASC 820.

The overall effective income tax rate for the three months ended April 30, 2018 was 25.9% compared with 33.1% for the three months ended April 30, 2017. The primary reason for the decrease in the effective income tax rate was the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) that was signed into law on December 22, 2017. Under the Tax Act, the federal corporate income tax rate has been reduced from 35.0% to 21.0% starting January 1, 2018, which results in the use of an estimated blended federal corporate income tax rate of 26.9% for the Company’s 2018 fiscal year. The effective income tax rate for the three months ended April 30, 2018 was also favorably impacted by an overall reduction in the Company’s blended state income tax rate.

The overall effective income tax rate for the nine months ended April 30, 2018 was 32.8% compared with 33.0% for the nine months ended April 30, 2017. Income tax expense for the nine months ended April 30, 2018 included approximately $34,000 of additional income tax expense resulting from the revaluation of the Company’s net deferred tax assets to reflect the impact of the lower tax rates in connection with the Tax Act. This charge, with respect to the reduced federal income tax rate and the potential impact of limitations on the deductibility of executive compensation, among other items, represents a provisional amount in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) based on currently available information and is subject to further refinement during the measurement period as defined by SAB 118. Income tax expense for the nine-month period ended April 30, 2018 also reflects the use of the estimated blended federal corporate income tax rate of 26.9% as a result of the Tax Act.

The Company anticipates a decrease of approximately $2,990 in unrecognized tax benefits, and $330 in accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits recorded as of April 30, 2018, within the next 12 months from expected settlements or payments of uncertain tax positions and lapses of the applicable statutes of limitations. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Generally, fiscal years 2015 through 2017 remain open for federal income tax purposes and fiscal years 2013 through 2017 remain open for state and Canadian income tax purposes. The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return and multiple state income tax returns. The Company is currently under examination by certain state authorities for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2013 through 2016. The Company believes it has adequately reserved for its exposure to additional payments for uncertain tax positions related to its state income tax returns in its liability for unrecognized tax benefits.

The Company’s total commercial commitments under standby repurchase obligations on dealer inventory financing, as discussed in Note 13 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our fiscal 2017 Form 10-K, were $3,221,914 and $2,200,544 as of April 30, 2018 and July 31, 2017, respectively. The commitment term is generally up to eighteen months.

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The Company accounts for the guarantee under repurchase agreements of dealers’ financing by deferring a portion of the related product sale that represents the estimated fair value of the guarantee at inception. The estimated fair value takes into account an estimate of the losses that may be incurred upon resale of any repurchases. This estimate is based on recent historical experience supplemented by the Company’s assessment of current economic and other conditions affecting its dealers. This deferred amount is included in the repurchase and guarantee reserve balances of $8,850 and $6,345 as of April 30, 2018 and July 31, 2017, respectively, which are included in Other current liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Losses incurred related to repurchase agreements during the three-month and nine-month periods ended April 30, 2018 and April 30, 2017 were not significant. Based on current market conditions, the Company believes that any future losses under these agreements will not have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company is also involved in certain litigation arising out of its operations in the normal course of its business, most of which is based upon state “lemon laws”, warranty claims and vehicle accidents (for which the Company carries insurance above a specified self-insured retention or deductible amount). The outcomes of legal proceedings and claims brought against the Company are subject to significant uncertainty. There is significant judgment required in assessing both the probability of an adverse outcome and the determination as to whether an exposure can be reasonably estimated. Based on current conditions, in management’s opinion the ultimate disposition of any current legal proceedings or claims against the Company will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, operating results or cash flows. Litigation is, however, inherently uncertain and an adverse outcome from such litigation could have a material effect on the operating results of a particular reporting period.

Under the Company’s restricted stock unit (“RSU”) program, as discussed in Note 16 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our fiscal 2017 Form 10-K, RSU awards have been approved each October related to the financial performance of the most recently completed fiscal year since October 2012. The awarded employee restricted stock units vest, and shares of common stock are issued, in equal installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant. In addition, concurrent with the timing of the employee awards, the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors (“Board”) has awarded restricted stock units to Board members that will vest, and shares of common stock will be issued, on the first anniversary of the date of the grant.

Total expense recognized in the three-month periods ended April 30, 2018 and April 30, 2017 for these restricted stock unit awards and other stock-based compensation was $4,255 and $3,166, respectively. Total expense recognized in the nine-month periods ended April 30, 2018 and April 30, 2017 for these restricted stock unit awards and other stock-based compensation was $12,986 and $9,058, respectively.

For the restricted stock units that vested during the nine-month periods ended April 30, 2018 and April 30, 2017, portions of the vested shares awarded were withheld as treasury shares to cover the recipients’ estimated withholding taxes. Tax payments made by the Company related to these stock-based awards for the nine months ended April 30, 2018 and April 30, 2017 totaled $7,657 and $4,572, respectively.

During May 2018, the Company made additional debt payments on its revolving credit facility totaling $60,000, bringing the remaining outstanding balance to $20,000 as of May 31, 2018.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Unless otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts are presented in thousands except per share data.

Forward Looking Statements

This report includes certain statements that are “forward looking” statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward looking statements are made based on management’s current expectations and beliefs regarding future and anticipated developments and their effects upon Thor, and inherently involve uncertainties and risks. These forward looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance. We cannot assure you that actual results will not differ from our expectations. Factors which could cause materially different results include, among others, raw material and commodity price fluctuations, raw material, commodity or chassis supply restrictions, the level of warranty claims incurred, legislative, regulatory and tax law and/or policy developments including their potential impact on our dealers and their retail customers or on our suppliers, the costs of compliance with governmental regulation, legal and compliance issues including those that may arise in conjunction with recent transactions, lower consumer confidence and the level of discretionary consumer spending, interest rate fluctuations, the potential impact of interest rate fluctuations on the general economy and specifically on our dealers and consumers, restrictive lending practices, management changes, the success of new and existing products and services, consumer preferences, the pace of obtaining and producing at new production facilities, the pace of acquisitions and the successful closing and financial impact thereof, the potential loss of existing customers of acquisitions, the integration of new acquisitions, our ability to retain key management personnel of acquired companies, a shortage of necessary personnel for production, the loss or reduction of sales to key dealers, the availability of delivery personnel, asset impairment charges, cost structure changes, competition, the impact of potential losses under repurchase agreements, the potential impact of the strength of the U.S. dollar on international demand, general economic, market and political conditions, changes to investment and capital allocation strategies or other facets of our strategic plan, and the other risks and uncertainties discussed more fully in ITEM 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2017.

We disclaim any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward looking statements contained in this report or to reflect any change in our expectations after the date hereof or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based, except as required by law.

Executive Overview

We were founded in 1980 and have grown to be the largest manufacturer of RVs in North America. According to Statistical Surveys, Inc. (“Stat Surveys”), for the calendar quarter ended March 31, 2018, Thor’s combined U.S. and Canadian market share was approximately 47.9% for travel trailers and fifth wheels combined and approximately 40.5% for motorhomes. Our business model includes decentralized operating units, and our RV products are sold to independent, non-franchise dealers who, in turn, retail those products. Our growth has been achieved both organically and by acquisition, and our strategy is designed to increase our profitability by driving innovation, servicing our customers, manufacturing quality products, improving the efficiencies of our facilities and making strategic growth acquisitions.

Recent Events

Tax Reform

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), was signed into law. The Tax Act includes numerous changes to tax laws impacting business, the most significant being a permanent reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35.0% to 21.0%. The rate reduction took effect on January 1, 2018. As the Company’s 2018 fiscal year ends on July 31, 2018, the Company’s estimated federal corporate income tax rate for fiscal year 2018 will be prorated to a blended 26.9% rate, based on the applicable tax rates before and after the Tax Act and the number of days in the fiscal year to which the two different rates applied. As a result of other Tax Act changes, the Company’s income tax rate for fiscal year 2019 will be negatively impacted by the repeal of the domestic production activities (“Code Section 199”) deduction and limitations on the deductibility of executive compensation.

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As a result of the reduction of the federal corporate income tax rate, the Company was required to perform a revaluation of its net deferred tax assets. Based on currently available information, the Company has performed a preliminary analysis of the impact of the Tax Act as of the enactment date and has recorded a non-recurring, non-cash reduction of its net deferred tax assets due to the reduced federal income tax rate, and a corresponding charge to income tax expense, of approximately $34,000 in the nine months ended April 30, 2018. The Company’s revaluation of its net deferred tax assets, with respect to the reduced federal income tax rate and the potential impact of limitations on the deductibility of executive compensation, among other items, are subject to further refinement, review and clarification under the new law as additional information becomes available.

The reduction in the statutory US federal income tax rate is expected to positively impact the Company’s fiscal 2018 and future US after-tax earnings. The Company currently estimates an overall effective income tax rate between 27.0% and 29.0% for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018, before consideration of any discrete tax items, as compared to an effective income tax rate of 32.7% for fiscal 2017. For fiscal 2019, after considering the lower federal income tax rate of 21.0%, an estimated blended state income tax rate, the elimination of the Code Section 199 deduction and the limitations on the deductibility of executive compensation, the Company currently estimates an overall effective income tax rate between 23.0% and 25.0%, before consideration of any discrete tax items.

While the Tax Act is expected to increase cash flow in the future, our main priorities for the use of current and future available cash generated from operations will continue to focus on funding our growth, both organically and through acquisitions, maintaining and growing our regular dividends over time, and reducing indebtedness. Strategic share repurchases or special dividends, as determined by the Company’s Board, will also continue to be considered. As a component of funding our growth, we anticipate making additional investments in our workforce through a variety of initiatives, including enhanced employee training and development programs and other initiatives that will be introduced in fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2019 and targeted to the varying needs of our individual operating entities.

Joint Venture

On February 15, 2018, the Company announced the formation of a joint venture with Tourism Holdings Limited (“thl”) called TH2. The Company and thl each have a 50% ownership position in TH2 and equal representation on the board of directors of TH2. The Company contributed cash totaling $46,902 to TH2 in early March 2018 while thl contributed various assets with the same approximate fair value. The Company’s investment in TH2 was funded entirely from cash on hand. In accordance with the operating agreement, TH2’s future capital needs, which are not expected to be material to the Company, will be funded proportionally by thl and the Company. The Company’s investment in TH2 is accounted for under the equity method of accounting, and the Company’s portion of TH2’s operating results are recorded on a one-month lag basis.

TH2 was formed to own, improve and sell innovative and comprehensive digital applications through a platform designed for the global RV industry. TH2 will offer a variety of products focused on enhancing the enjoyment, safety, connectivity and convenience of RV ownership and use.

Industry Outlook

The Company monitors industry conditions in the RV market through the use of monthly wholesale shipment data as reported by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (“RVIA”), which is typically issued on a one-month lag and represents manufacturers’ RV production and delivery to dealers. In addition, we monitor monthly retail sales trends as reported by Stat Surveys, whose data is typically issued on a month-and-a-half lag. The Company believes that monthly RV retail sales data is important as consumer purchases impact future dealer orders and ultimately our production.

RV dealer inventory of Thor products as of April 30, 2018 increased 30.8% to approximately 166,200 units, compared to approximately 127,100 units as of April 30, 2017. We believe our dealer inventory levels are generally appropriate for seasonal consumer demand, although modestly elevated in certain locations due to several factors, including the prolonged winter delaying the typical spring retail sales and delivery activity, dealer orders being delivered quicker in the current fiscal year due to our capacity expansions and the continued improvement of the Canadian market.

Thor’s RV backlog as of April 30, 2018 decreased $356,975, or 15.1%, to $2,003,149 compared to $2,360,124 as of April 30, 2017, with the decrease mainly attributable to our capacity expansions since the prior year allowing for quicker production and delivery of units to dealers and the existing dealer inventory levels noted above.

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Industry Wholesale Statistics

Key wholesale statistics for the RV industry, as reported by RVIA for the periods indicated, are as follows:

According to the most recent RVIA forecast issued in March, 2018, shipments for towable and motorized units for the 2018 calendar year are estimated to be approximately 472,000 and 67,900 units, respectively, which are 6.8% and 8.3% higher, respectively, than the corresponding 2017 calendar year wholesale shipments. Travel trailers and fifth wheels are expected to account for approximately 85% of all RV shipments in calendar year 2018, and shipments of Class C motorhomes are expected to hit an all-time high. The outlook for calendar year 2018 growth in RV sales is based on the expectation of continued growth in employment, wages and after-tax incomes.

Industry Retail Statistics

We believe that retail demand is the key to continued growth in the RV industry, and that annual RV industry wholesale shipments will generally be in line with annual retail sales going forward, although seasonal differences may exist during those annual periods.

Key retail statistics for the RV industry, as reported by Stat Surveys for the periods indicated, are as follows:

Note: Data reported by Stat Surveys is based on official state records. This information is subject to adjustment and is continuously updated.

Company Wholesale Statistics

The Company’s wholesale RV shipments, for the calendar quarters ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 to correspond to the industry wholesale periods noted above, were as follows:

Company Retail Statistics

Retail statistics of the Company’s RV products, as reported by Stat Surveys, for the calendar quarters ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 to correspond to the industry retail periods noted above, were as follows: