Vulcan Materials CO - Annual Report: 2014 (Form 10-K)

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, references in this report to "Vulcan," the "Company," "we," "our," or "us" refer to Vulcan Materials Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

 

 

 

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PART I

"SAFE HARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES
LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

Certain of the matters and statements made herein or incorporated by reference into this report constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All such statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect our intent, belief or current expectation. Often, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words, such as "anticipate," "may," "believe," "estimate," "project," "expect," "intend" and words of similar import. In addition to the statements included in this report, we may from time to time make other oral or written forward-looking statements in other filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or in other public disclosures. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results could differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements involve certain assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in or contemplated by the statements. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

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All forward-looking statements are made as of the date of filing or publication. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investors are cautioned not to rely unduly on such forward-looking statements when evaluating the information presented in our filings, and are advised to consult any of our future disclosures in filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our press releases with regard to our business and consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

 

 

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ITEM 1

BUSINESS

 

Vulcan Materials Company, a New Jersey corporation, is the nation’s largest producer of construction aggregates (primarily crushed stone, sand and gravel) and a major producer of asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete.  We operated 335  aggregates facilities during 2014.

VULCAN’S VALUE PROPOSITION

We are the largest producer of construction aggregates in the country with coast-to-coast aggregates operations. Our leading position is based upon:

These factors allow us to provide attractive unit profitability through our strong operating expertise and price discipline.

 

STRATEGY FOR EXISTING AND NEW MARKETS 

 

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    Source: Moody’s Analytics as of August 15, 2014

COMPETITORS

We operate in an industry that generally is fragmented with a large number of small, privately-held companies. We estimate that the ten largest aggregates producers accounted for approximately 30% to 35%  of total U.S. aggregates production in 2014. Despite being the industry leader, Vulcan’s total U.S. market share is less than 10%.  Other publicly traded companies among the ten largest U.S. aggregates producers include the following:

Because the U.S. aggregates industry is highly fragmented, with over 5,000 companies managing over 10,000 operations during 2014, many opportunities for consolidation exist. Therefore, companies in the industry tend to grow by acquiring existing facilities to enter new markets or by extending their existing market positions. 

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BUSINESS STRATEGY

Vulcan provides the basic materials for the infrastructure needed to maintain and expand the U.S. economy. Our strategy is based on our strength in aggregates. Aggregates are used in most types of construction and in the production of asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete. Our materials are used to build the roads, tunnels, bridges, railroads and airports that connect us, and to build the hospitals, churches, schools, shopping centers, and factories that are essential to our lives and the economy.

Our business strategies include: 1) aggregates focus, 2) coast-to-coast footprint, 3) profitable growth, 4) managing volume, product mix and price to grow profitability, and 5) effective land management.

1. AGGREGATES FOCUS

Aggregates are used in virtually all types of public and private construction and practically no substitutes for quality aggregates exist. Our focus on aggregates allows us to:

2. COAST-TO-COAST FOOTPRINT

Demand for construction aggregates correlates positively with changes in population growth, household formation and employment. We have pursued a strategy to increase our presence in U.S. metropolitan areas that are expected to grow the most rapidly. In 2014, we expanded our operational footprint in Arizona, California, Texas,  Virginia and Washington D.C., and accessed new markets in New Mexico through acquisitions. These acquisitions, totaling $331.8 million of investment, added more than 440 million tons of proven and probable aggregates reserves serving markets where reserves are relatively scarce.

The following graphic illustrates our projected percentage share of the growth (2010 – 2020) by key demographics for the United States:

                                  

 

                    Source: Moody’s Analytics as of August 15, 2014.

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In January 2015, we exited the concrete market in California by swapping our ready-mix concrete operations for asphalt mix operations, primarily in Arizona.

 

3. PROFITABLE GROWTH

Our long-term growth is a result of strategic acquisitions and investments in key operations.

In addition to these large acquisitions, we have completed many smaller acquisitions that have contributed significantly to our growth.

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4. MANAGING VOLUME, PRODUCT MIX AND PRICE TO GROW PROFITABILITY

We commonly think of three major profit drivers that must be managed in combination.

We manage these factors locally, and align our talent and incentives accordingly. Our knowledgeable and experienced workforce and our flexible production capabilities allow  us to manage operational and overhead costs aggressively.  As a result of these cost controls coupled with a disciplined approach to pricing,  since 2012, our Aggregates segment’s gross profit has increased 55% on volume improvement of 15%. 

 

 

While Aggregates segment gross profit has grown at a significantly greater rate than volume over the past couple of years, we have not yet fully realized our maximum unit profitability.

5. EFFECTIVE LAND MANAGEMENT

We believe that effective land management is both a business strategy and a social responsibility that contributes to our success. Good stewardship requires the careful use of existing resources as well as long-term planning because mining, ultimately, is an interim use of the land. Therefore, we strive to achieve a balance between the value we create through our mining activities and the value we create through effective post-mining land management. We continue to focus our actions on prudent decisions regarding the life cycle management of the land we currently hold and will hold in the future.

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PRODUCT LINES

We have four operating (and reportable) segments organized around our principal product lines:

1. AGGREGATES

A number of factors affect the U.S. aggregates industry and our business, including markets, the location and quality of reserves and demand cycles.

      

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In addition, the following factors influence the aggregates market:

 

AGGREGATES MARKETS

We focus on the U.S. markets with above-average long-term expected population growth and where construction is expected to expand. Because transportation is a significant part of the delivered cost of aggregates, our facilities are typically located in the markets they serve or have access to economical transportation via rail, barge or ship to a particular end market. We serve both the public and the private sectors.

PUBLIC SECTOR CONSTRUCTION

Public sector construction includes spending by federal, state, and local governments for highways, bridges and airports as well as other infrastructure construction for sewer and waste disposal systems, water supply systems, dams, reservoirs and other public construction projects. Construction for power plants and other utilities is funded from both public and private sources. In 2014, publicly funded construction accounted for approximately 50%  of our total aggregates shipments.

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MAP-21 maintained essentially level funding in Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015, with approximately $105 billion for total transportation funding through Fiscal Year 2014. It extends the Highway Trust Fund and tax collections through Fiscal Year 2016, adding additional stability to the Federal Highway Program. Congressional leaders have stated their intention to act in 2015 to replace the extension of MAP-21 with a multi-year authorization that includes revenue stability for federal surface transportation programs.

The extension of MAP-21 maintained the baseline increase to the Transportation Infrastructure Finance & Innovation Act (TIFIA) program. Funding for this program increased to $1.75 billion over the two-year MAP-21 period, from $122 million per year under the previous multi-year highway bill known as SAFETEA-LU. TIFIA funding is typically leveraged by a factor of 10, creating the potential for $17.5 billion in additional major project funding for Fiscal Years 2013 and 2014. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates this TIFIA funding supports $30 to $50 billion in new construction. Given administrative requirements and other factors, the TIFIA program began to have a meaningful impact on aggregates shipments in 2014, and should continue to do so into 2015 and beyond.

TIFIA is a highly popular program that stimulates private capital investment for projects of national or regional significance in key growth areas throughout the United States, including large portions of our footprint. The program provides credit assistance in the form of secured loans, loan guarantees and lines of credit to major transportation infrastructure projects. Eligible sponsors include state and local governments, private firms, special authorities and transportation improvement districts. Eligible projects include highways and bridges, large multi-modal projects, as well as freight transfer and transit facilities. We are well positioned in states that are likely to get a disproportionate number of TIFIA-funded projects.

MAP-21’s positive framework for future authorizations was continued in the extension passed this summer. Its significant reforms, consolidation and simplification of federal highway programs, acceleration of the project delivery process, and expanded project financing and promotion of public-private partnership opportunities have paved the way for further progress as Congress works to pass a new multi-year highway bill. 

 

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Private sector CONSTRUCTION

The private sector construction markets include both nonresidential building construction and residential construction and are considerably more cyclical than public construction. In 2014, privately-funded construction accounted for approximately 50%  of our total aggregates shipments.

Contract awards are a leading indicator of future construction activity and a continuation of the recent trend in awards should translate to growth in demand for aggregates. In 2014,  total nonresidential contract awards, as measured in square feet, increased for the 4th year in a row. Private nonresidential contract awards were up approximately 59 million square feet, or 9%. Office buildings, retail construction and manufacturing facilities accounted for all of this growth. Employment growth, attractive lending standards and general recovery in the economy will help drive continued growth in construction activity in this end market.

U.S. housing starts, as measured by Dodge Analytics data, peaked in early 2006 at over 2 million units annually. By the end of 2009, total housing starts had declined to less than 600,000 units, well below prior historical lows of approximately 1 million units annually. In 2014, total annual housing starts surpassed 1 million units. The growth in residential construction bodes well for continued recovery in our markets.

ADDITIONAL AGGREGATES PRODUCTS AND MARKETS

We sell aggregates that are used as ballast for construction and maintenance of railroad tracks. We also sell riprap and jetty stone for erosion control along roads and waterways. In addition, stone can be used as a feedstock for cement and lime plants and for making a variety of adhesives, fillers and extenders. Coal-burning power plants use limestone in scrubbers to reduce harmful emissions. Limestone that is crushed to a fine powder can be sold as agricultural lime.

We sell a relatively small amount of construction aggregates outside of the United States, principally in the areas surrounding our large quarry on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Nondomestic sales and long-lived assets outside the United States are reported in Note 15 "Segment Reporting" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

 

 

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OUR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGes

The competitive advantages of our aggregates focused strategy include:

COAST-TO-COAST FOOTPRINT

PROFITABLE GROWTH

STRATEGICALLY LOCATED ASSETS

2. ASPHALT MIX

We produce and sell asphalt mix in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas. This segment relies on our reserves of aggregates, functioning essentially as a customer to our aggregates operations. Aggregates are a major component in asphalt mix, comprising approximately 95% by weight of this product. We meet the aggregates requirements for our Asphalt Mix segment primarily through our Aggregates segment. These product transfers are made at local market prices for the particular grade and quality of material required.

Because asphalt mix hardens rapidly, delivery typically is within close proximity to the producing facility. The asphalt mix production process requires liquid asphalt cement, which we purchase from third-party producers. We do not anticipate any significant difficulties in obtaining the raw materials necessary for this segment to operate. We serve our Asphalt Mix segment customers from our local production facilities.

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3.  CONCRETE

We produce and sell ready-mixed concrete in Georgia, Maryland, New Mexico, Texas, Virginia,  Washington D.C. and the Bahamas. In January 2015, we swapped our ready-mixed concrete operations in California for asphalt mix operations, primarily in Arizona.

In March  2014, we sold our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area. For additional details see Note 19  “Acquisitions and Divestitures” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

This segment relies on our reserves of aggregates, functioning essentially as a customer to our aggregates operations. Aggregates are a major component in ready-mixed concrete, comprising approximately 78% by weight of this product. We meet the aggregates requirements of our Concrete segment primarily through our Aggregates segment. These product transfers are made at local market prices for the particular grade and quality of material required.

We serve our Concrete segment customers from our local production facilities or by truck. Because ready-mixed concrete hardens rapidly, delivery typically is within close proximity to the producing facility.

Ready-mixed concrete production also requires cement which we purchase from third-party producers. We do not anticipate any significant difficulties in obtaining the raw materials necessary for this segment to operate.

4. CALCIUM (FORMERLY CEMENT)

As previously noted, in  March  2014, we sold our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area. For additional details see Note 19  “Acquisitions and Divestitures” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” We retained our former Cement segment’s calcium operation in Brooksville, Florida. This facility produces calcium products for the animal feed, paint, plastics, water treatment and joint compound industries with high quality calcium carbonate material mined at the Brooksville quarry.

OTHER BUSINESS-RELATED ITEMS

SEASONALITY AND CYCLICAL NATURE OF OUR BUSINESS

Almost all of our products are produced and consumed outdoors. Seasonal changes and other weather-related conditions can affect the production and sales volumes of our products. Therefore, the financial results for any quarter do not necessarily indicate the results expected for the year. Normally, the highest sales and earnings are in the third quarter and the lowest are in the first quarter. Furthermore, our sales and earnings are sensitive to national, regional and local economic conditions and particularly to cyclical swings in construction spending, primarily in the private sector. The levels of construction spending are affected by a number of factors including changing interest rates and demographic and population fluctuations.

CUSTOMERS

No material part of our business depends upon any single customer whose loss would have a significant adverse effect on our business. In 2014, our five largest customers accounted for 6.4% of our total revenues (excluding internal sales), and no single customer accounted for more than 2.2% of our total revenues. Our products typically are sold to private industry and not directly to governmental entities. Although approximately 45% to 55% of our aggregates shipments have historically been used in publicly funded construction, such as highways, airports and government buildings, relatively insignificant sales are made directly to federal, state, county or municipal governments/agencies. Therefore, although reductions in state and federal funding can curtail publicly funded construction, our business is not directly subject to renegotiation of profits or termination of contracts with state or federal governments.

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ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS AND GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION

Our operations are subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment and worker health and safety; examples include regulation of facility air emissions and water discharges, waste management, protection of wetlands, listed and threatened species, noise and dust exposure control for workers, and safety regulations under both Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Compliance with these various regulations requires a substantial capital investment, and ongoing expenditures for the operation and maintenance of systems and implementation of programs. We estimate that capital expenditures for environmental control facilities in 2015 and 2016 will be approximately $11.0 million and $10.7 million, respectively. These anticipated expenditures are not expected to have a material impact on our earnings or competitive position.

Frequently, we are required by state and local regulations or contractual obligations to reclaim our former mining sites. These reclamation liabilities are recorded in our financial statements as a liability at the time the obligation arises. The fair value of such obligations is capitalized and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the owned or leased site. The liability is accreted through charges to operating expenses. To determine the fair value, we estimate the cost for a third party to perform the legally required reclamation, which is adjusted for inflation and risk and includes a reasonable profit margin. All reclamation obligations are reviewed at least annually. Reclaimed quarries often have potential for use in commercial or residential development or as reservoirs or landfills. However, no projected cash flows from these anticipated uses have been considered to offset or reduce the estimated reclamation liability.

For additional information regarding reclamation obligations (referred to in our financial statements as asset retirement obligations), see Notes 1 and 17 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS

We do not own or have a license or other rights under any patents, registered trademarks or trade names that are material to any of our reporting segments.

OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING VULCAN

Vulcan is a New Jersey corporation incorporated on February 14, 2007, while its predecessor company was incorporated on September 27, 1956. Our principal sources of energy are electricity, diesel fuel, natural gas and coal. We do not anticipate any difficulty in obtaining sources of energy required for operation of any of our reporting segments in 2015.

As of January 1, 2015, we employed 6,598 people in the United States. Of these employees, 607 are represented by labor unions. Also, as of that date, we employed 342 people in Mexico and 1 in the Bahamas,  292 of whom are represented by a labor union. We do not anticipate any significant issues with any unions in 2015. 

We do not use a backlog of orders to evaluate and understand our business at a Company level.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The names, positions and ages, as of February 20, 2015, of our executive officers are as follows:

 

The principal occupations of the executive officers during the past five years are set forth below:

J. Thomas Hill was elected President and Chief Executive Officer on July 14, 2014. Prior to that he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (January 2014 – July 2014), Senior Vice President – South Region (December 2011 – December 2013), President, Florida Rock Division (September 2010 –  December 2011) and President, Southwest Division (July 2004 – August 2010).

John R. McPherson was elected Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Strategy Officer on July 14, 2014. Prior to that he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (January 2014 – July 2014), Senior Vice President – East Region (November 2012 – December 2013) and Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Development (October 2011 – November 2012). Before joining Vulcan in October 2011, Mr. McPherson was a senior partner at McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm, from 1995 to 2011.

Stanley G. Bass was named Senior Vice President – Western and Mountain West Divisions effective January 1, 2015. He served as Senior Vice President – West Region from September 2013 to December 2014. Prior to that he served as Senior Vice President – Central and West Regions (February 2013 – September 2013), Senior Vice President – Central Region (December 2011 – February 2013), President, Midsouth and Southwest Divisions (September 2010 – December 2011) and President, Midsouth Division (August 2005 – August 2010).

Michael R. Mills was elected Senior Vice President and General Counsel as of November 1, 2012. He most recently served as Senior Vice President – East Region from December 2011. Prior to that, he was President, Southeast Division.

David P. Clement was named President – Central Division effective January 1, 2015. He served as Senior Vice President – Central Region from September 2013 through December 2014. Over the past five years he has served in a number of positions with Vulcan including Vice President and General Manager, Midwest Division and Vice President of Operations, Midwest Division.

William K. Duke was named President – Mideast Division effective January 1, 2015. Prior to that, he served in a number of roles over the past five years for the Company, including: Vice President and General Manager, Florida (August 2012 – December 2014); Vice President and General Manager, Aggregates – Florida Rock Division (July 2010 – August 2012); and Vice President and General Manager, Northern Region – Mideast Division (June 2009 – July 2010).

David J. Grayson began serving as President – Southeast Division on January 1, 2015. Before assuming that role, he served as Vice President and General Manager, Georgia for the preceding five years.

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Jeffery G. Lott was named President – Southwest Division effective January 1, 2015. Prior to that, he served in a number of roles over the past five years for the Company, including Vice President and General Manager, Texas (July 2010 – December 2014) and Vice President and General Manager, North Texas Region (June 2009 – July 2010).

Jason P. Teter began serving as President – Southern and Gulf Coast Division on January 1, 2015. Prior to that, he served as Vice President – Business Development from October 2013 to December 2014. Before joining the Company, for four years he was the Vice President and General Manager, Georgia Aggregates for Lafarge North America.

Ejaz A. Khan was elected Vice President and Controller in February 1999. He was elected Chief Information Officer in February 2000.

shareholder return performance presentation

Below is a graph comparing the performance of our common stock, with dividends reinvested, to that of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index (S&P 500) and the Materials and Services Sector of the Wilshire 5000 Index (Wilshire 5000 M&S) from December 31, 2009 to December 31, 2014. The Wilshire 5000 M&S is a market capitalization weighted sector containing public equities of firms in the Materials and Services sector, which includes our company and approximately 1,300 other companies.

 

 

 

 

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INVESTOR INFORMATION

We make available on our website, www.vulcanmaterials.com, free of charge, copies of our: 

We also provide amendments to those reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as well as all Forms 3, 4 and 5 filed with the SEC by our executive officers and directors, as soon as the filings are made publicly available by the SEC on its EDGAR database (www.sec.gov).

The public may read and copy materials filed with the SEC at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D. C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-732-0330. In addition to accessing copies of our reports online, you may request a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, including financial statements, by writing to Jerry F. Perkins Jr., Secretary, Vulcan Materials Company, 1200 Urban Center Drive, Birmingham, Alabama 35242.

We have a: 

Copies of the Business Conduct Policy and the Code of Ethics are available on our website under the heading "Corporate Governance." If we make any amendment to, or waiver of, any provision of the Code of Ethics, we will disclose such information on our website as well as through filings with the SEC.

Our Board of Directors has also adopted:

These documents meet all applicable SEC and New York Stock Exchange regulatory requirements.

The Audit, Compensation and Governance Charters are available on our website under the heading, "Corporate Governance," or you may request a copy of any of these documents by writing to Jerry F. Perkins Jr., Secretary, Vulcan Materials Company, 1200 Urban Center Drive, Birmingham, Alabama 35242.

 

 

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ITEM 1A 

RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our common stock involves risks. You should carefully consider the following risks, together with the information included in or incorporated by reference in this report, before deciding whether an investment in our common stock is suitable for you. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, results of operations or financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. In such an event, the trading prices of our common stock could decline and you might lose all or part of your investment. The following is a list of our risk factors.

ECONOMIC/POLITICAL RISKS

Changes in legal requirements and governmental policies concerning zoning, land use, environmental and other areas of the law may result in additional liabilities, a reduction in operating hours and additional capital expenditures  — Our operations are affected by numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations related to zoning, land use and environmental matters. Despite our compliance efforts, we have an inherent risk of liability in the operation of our business. These potential liabilities could have an adverse impact on our operations and profitability. In addition, our operations are subject to environmental, zoning and land use requirements and require numerous governmental approvals and permits, which often require us to make significant capital and operating expenditures to comply with the applicable requirements. Stricter laws and regulations, or more stringent interpretations of existing laws or regulations, may impose new liabilities on us, reduce operating hours, require additional investment by us in pollution control equipment, or impede our opening new or expanding existing plants or facilities.

Climate change and climate change legislation or regulations may adversely impact our business  — A number of governmental bodies have introduced or are contemplating legislative and regulatory change in response to the potential impacts of climate change. Such legislation or regulation, if enacted, potentially could include provisions for a "cap and trade" system of allowances and credits or a carbon tax, among other provisions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated a mandatory reporting rule covering greenhouse gas emissions from sources considered to be large emitters. The EPA has also promulgated a greenhouse gas emissions permitting rule, referred to as the "Tailoring Rule," which requires permitting of large emitters of greenhouse gases under the Federal Clean Air Act. With the sale of our Newberry cement plant in March 2014, we no longer have a facility subject to either the reporting or permitting rule, although the impacts of the permitting rule are uncertain at this time.

Other potential impacts of climate change include physical impacts, such as disruption in production and product distribution due to impacts from major storm events, shifts in regional weather patterns and intensities, and potential impacts from sea level changes. There is also a potential for climate change legislation and regulation to adversely impact the cost of purchased energy and electricity.

The impacts of climate change on our operations and the company overall are highly uncertain and difficult to estimate. However, climate change, legislation and regulation concerning greenhouse gases could have a material adverse effect on our future financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

GROWTH AND COMPETITIVE RISKS

Within our local markets, we operate in a highly competitive industry which may negatively impact prices, volumes and costs —  The construction aggregates industry is highly fragmented with a large number of independent local producers in a number of our markets. Additionally, in most markets, we also compete against large private and public companies, some of which are significantly vertically integrated. Therefore, there is intense competition in a number of markets in which we operate. This significant competition could lead to lower prices and lower sales volumes in some markets, negatively affecting our earnings and cash flows.

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Our long-term success depends upon securing and permitting aggregates reserves in strategically located areas. If we are unable to secure and permit such reserves it could negatively affect our future earnings  — Construction aggregates are bulky and heavy and, therefore, difficult to transport efficiently. Because of the nature of the products, the freight costs can quickly surpass the production costs. Therefore, except for geographic regions that do not possess commercially viable deposits of aggregates and are served by rail, barge or ship, the markets for our products tend to be localized around our quarry sites and are served by truck. New quarry sites often take years to develop; therefore, our strategic planning and new site development must stay ahead of actual growth. Additionally, in a number of urban and suburban areas in which we operate, it is increasingly difficult to permit new sites or expand existing sites due to community resistance. Therefore, our future success is dependent, in part, on our ability to accurately forecast future areas of high growth in order to locate optimal facility sites and on our ability to secure operating and environmental permits to operate at those sites.

Our future growth depends in part on acquiring other businesses in our industry and successfully integrating them with our existing operations. If we are unable to integrate acquisitions successfully, it could lead to higher costs and could negatively affect our earnings — The expansion of our business is dependent in part on the acquisition of existing businesses that own or control aggregates reserves. Disruptions in the availability of financing could make it more difficult to capitalize on potential acquisitions. Additionally, with regard to the acquisitions we are able to complete, our future results will depend in part on our ability to successfully integrate these businesses with our existing operations.

FINANCIAL/ACCOUNTING RISKS

Our industry is capital intensive, resulting in significant fixed and semi-fixed costs. Therefore, our earnings are highly sensitive to changes in volume  — Due to the high levels of fixed capital required for extracting and producing construction aggregates, our profits and profit margins are negatively affected by significant decreases in volume.

Significant downturn in the construction industry may result in an impairment of our goodwill — We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if events or circumstances change in a manner that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. While we have not identified any events or changes in circumstances since our annual impairment test on November 1, 2014 that indicate the fair value of any of our reporting units is below its carrying value, a significant downturn in the construction industry may have a material effect on the fair value of our reporting units. A significant decrease in the estimated fair value of one or more of our reporting units could result in the recognition of a material, noncash write-down of goodwill.

We have substantial debt and our credit ratings are non-investment grade — Our operating cash flow is burdened by substantial annual interest, and in some years, principal payments. Our ability to make scheduled interest and principal payments depends on our operating and financial performance. Our ability to refinance maturing debt depends on our financial performance and the state of the capital markets (particularly for non-investment grade debt). Operating and financial performance is, in turn, subject to general economic and business conditions, many of which are outside of our control.  

Our debt instruments contain various  covenants, including: affirmative (e.g., maintain insurance), negative (e.g., restrictions on lines of business), informational (e.g., provide financial statements) and financial (e.g., minimum EBITDA to interest ratio) covenants. If we fail to comply with any of these covenants, the related debt could become due prior to its stated maturity, and our ability to obtain alternative or additional financing could be impaired.

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We use estimates in accounting for a number of significant items. Changes in our estimates could adversely affect our future financial results  — As discussed more fully in "Critical Accounting Policies" under Item 7 "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," we use significant judgment in accounting for:

We believe we have sufficient experience and reasonable procedures to enable us to make appropriate assumptions and formulate reasonable estimates; however, these assumptions and estimates could change significantly in the future and could adversely affect our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

PERSONNEL RISKS

Our future success is dependent upon a management team and divisional structure that are new — Since January 1, 2014, we have experienced significant changes in our management team as part of the Company’s management succession plan and new division organizational structure. Our future success depends in large part upon the effective transition of our new management team and the new divisional structure. If there are further changes in management or organizational structure, such changes could be disruptive and could negatively affect our operations, strategic planning and performance.

Our future success greatly depends upon attracting and retaining qualified personnel, particularly in sales and operations — A significant factor in our future profitability is our ability to attract, develop and retain qualified personnel. Our success in attracting qualified personnel, particularly in the areas of sales and operations, is affected by changing demographics of the available pool of workers with the training and skills necessary to fill the available positions, the impact on the labor supply due to general economic conditions, and our ability to offer competitive compensation and benefit packages.

We are subject to various risks arising from our international business operations and relationships, which could adversely affect our business — We have international operations and are subject to both the risks of conducting international business and the requirements of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (the FCPA). Failure to comply with the FCPA may result in legal claims against us. In addition, we face other risks associated with international operations and relationships, which may include restrictive trade policies, imposition of duties, taxes or government royalties impressed by foreign governments.

OTHER RISKS

We are dependent on information technology and our systems and infrastructure face certain risks, including cybersecurity risks and data leakage risks — Any significant breakdown, invasion, destruction or interruption of our systems by employees, others with authorized access to our systems or unauthorized persons could negatively impact operations. There is also a risk that we could experience a business interruption, theft of information, or reputational damage as a result of a cyber-attack, such as an infiltration of a data center, or data leakage of confidential information either internally or at our third-party providers. While we have invested in the protection of our data and informational technology to reduce these risks and periodically test the security of our information systems network, there can be no assurance that our efforts will prevent breakdowns or breaches in our systems that could adversely affect or business. Management is not aware of a cybersecurity incident that has had a material impact on our operations.

Weather can materially affect our operating results  — Almost all of our products are consumed outdoors in the public or private construction industry, and our production and distribution facilities are located outdoors. Inclement weather affects both our ability to produce and distribute our products and affects our customers’ short-term demand because their work also can be hampered by weather. Therefore, our financial results can be negatively affected by inclement weather.

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Our products are transported by truck, rail, barge or ship, often by third-party providers. Significant delays or increased costs affecting these transportation methods could materially affect our operations and earnings  — Our products are distributed either by truck to local markets or by rail, barge or oceangoing vessel to remote markets. The costs of transporting our products could be negatively affected by factors outside of our control, including rail service interruptions or rate increases, tariffs, rising fuel costs and capacity constraints. Additionally, inclement weather, including hurricanes, tornadoes and other weather events, can negatively impact our distribution network.

We use large amounts of electricity, diesel fuel, liquid asphalt and other petroleum-based resources that are subject to potential supply constraints and significant price fluctuation, which could affect our operating results and profitability  — In our production and distribution processes, we consume significant amounts of electricity, diesel fuel, liquid asphalt and other petroleum-based resources. The availability and pricing of these resources are subject to market forces that are beyond our control. Our suppliers contract separately for the purchase of such resources and our sources of supply could be interrupted should our suppliers not be able to obtain these materials due to higher demand or other factors that interrupt their availability. Variability in the supply and prices of these resources could materially affect our operating results from period to period and rising costs could erode our profitability.

We are involved in a number of legal proceedings. We cannot predict the outcome of litigation and other contingencies with certainty — We are involved in several complex litigation proceedings, some arising from our previous ownership and operation of our Chemicals and Metals businesses. Although we divested our Chemicals business in June 2005, we retained certain liabilities related to the business. As required by generally accepted accounting principles, we establish reserves when a loss is determined to be probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Our assessment of probability and loss estimates are based on the facts and circumstances known to us at a particular point in time. Subsequent developments in legal proceedings may affect our assessment and estimates of a loss contingency, and could result in an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. For a description of our current significant legal proceedings see Note 12 "Commitments and Contingencies" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

We are involved in certain environmental matters. We cannot predict the outcome of these contingencies with certainty — We are involved in environmental investigations and cleanups at sites where we operate or have operated in the past or sent materials for recycling or disposal. As required by generally accepted accounting principles, we establish reserves when a loss is determined to be probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Our assessment of probability and loss estimates are based on the facts and circumstances known to us at a particular point in time. Subsequent developments related to these matters may affect our assessment and estimates of loss contingency, and could result in an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. For a description of our current significant environmental matters see Note 12 “Commitments and Contingencies" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

 

 

ITEM 1B

UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 

We have not received any written comments from the Securities and Exchange Commission staff regarding our periodic or current reports under the Exchange Act of 1934 that remain unresolved.

 

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ITEM 2

PROPERTIES

AGGREGATES

As the largest U.S. producer of construction aggregates, we have operating facilities across the U.S. and in Mexico and the Bahamas. We principally serve markets in 20 states, Washington D.C. and the local markets surrounding our operations in Mexico and the Bahamas. Our primary focus is serving states and metropolitan markets in the U.S. that are expected to experience the most significant growth in population, households and employment. These three demographic factors are significant drivers of demand for aggregates.

 

 

Our current estimate of 15.8 billion tons of proven and probable aggregates reserves  reflects an increase of 0.8 billion tons from the prior year’s estimate.  Estimates of reserves are of recoverable stone, sand and gravel of suitable quality for economic extraction, based on drilling and studies by our geologists and engineers, recognizing reasonable economic and operating restraints as to maximum depth of overburden and stone excavation, and subject to permit or other restrictions.

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Proven, or measured, reserves are those reserves for which the quantity is computed from dimensions revealed by drill data, together with other direct and measurable observations, such as outcrops, trenches and quarry faces. The grade and quality of those reserves are computed from the results of detailed sampling, and the sampling and measurement data are spaced so closely and the geologic character is so well defined that size, shape, depth and mineral content of reserves are well established. Probable, or indicated, reserves are those reserves for which quantity, grade and quality are computed partly from specific measurements and partly from projections based on reasonable, though not drilled, geologic evidence. The degree of assurance, although lower than that for proven reserves, is high enough to assume continuity between points of observation.

Reported proven and probable reserves include only quantities that are owned in fee or under lease, and for which all appropriate zoning and permitting have been obtained. Leases, zoning, permits, reclamation plans and other government or industry regulations often set limits on the areas, depths and lengths of time allowed for mining, stipulate setbacks and slopes that must be left in place, and designate which areas may be used for surface facilities, berms, and overburden or waste storage, among other requirements and restrictions. Our reserve estimates take into account these factors. Technical and economic factors also affect the estimates of reported reserves regardless of what might otherwise be considered proven or probable based on a geologic analysis. For example, excessive overburden or weathered rock, rock quality issues, excessive mining depths, groundwater issues, overlying wetlands, endangered species habitats, and rights of way or easements may effectively limit the quantity of reserves considered proven and probable. In addition, computations for reserves in-place are adjusted for estimates of unsaleable sizes and materials as well as pit and plant waste.

The 15.8 billion tons of estimated proven and probable aggregates reserves reported at the end of 2014 include reserves at inactive and greenfield (undeveloped) sites. The table below presents, by region, the tons of proven and probable aggregates reserves as of December 31, 2014 and the types of facilities operated. 

 

 

 

Of the 15.8 billion tons of aggregates reserves at December 31, 2014,  8.8 billion tons or 56% are located on owned land and 7.0 billion tons or 44% are located on leased land.

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The following table lists our ten largest active aggregates facilities based on the total proven and probable reserves at the sites. None of our aggregates facilities, other than Playa del Carmen, contributed more than 5% to our total revenues in 2014.

 

ASPHALT MIX, CONCRETE AND CALCIUM (FORMERLY CEMENT)

As of December 31, 2014, we operated a number of facilities producing other products in several of our Regions as reflected in the table below:

 

 

 

Subsequently, in January 2015, we exchanged our California ready-mixed concrete operations for 13 asphalt mix plants, primarily in Arizona (West Region).

The asphalt mix and concrete facilities are able to meet their needs for raw material inputs with a combination of internally sourced and purchased raw materials. Our Calcium segment operates a quarry at Brooksville, Florida which provides feedstock for the ground calcium operation.

 

 

Our Brooksville limestone quarry is mined and processed primarily as a supplement for end-use products, such as animal feed, plastics and paint. High purity limestone is inert and relatively inexpensive compared to the other components used in these end-use products. The Brooksville limestone quarry has an average calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) content of 98.1%.

 

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HEADQUARTERS

Our headquarters are located in an office complex in Birmingham, Alabama. The office space is leased through December 31, 2023, with three five-year renewal periods thereafter, and consists of approximately 184,125 square feet. The annual rental cost for the current term of the lease is $3.4 million.

 

ITEM 3

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

We are subject to occasional governmental proceedings and orders pertaining to occupational safety and health or to protection of the environment, such as proceedings or orders relating to noise abatement, air emissions or water discharges. As part of our continuing program of stewardship in safety, health and environmental matters, we have been able to resolve such proceedings and to comply with such orders without any material adverse effects on our business.

We are a defendant in various lawsuits in the ordinary course of business. It is not possible to determine with precision the outcome of, or the amount of liability, if any, under these lawsuits, especially where the cases involve possible jury trials with as yet undetermined jury panels.

See Note 12 "Commitments and Contingencies" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for a discussion of our material legal proceedings.

 

ITEM 4

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

The information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K is included in Exhibit 95 of this report.

 

 

 

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PART II

ITEM 5

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol VMC). As of February 11, 2015, the number of shareholders of record was 3,316. The prices in the following table represent the high and low sales prices for our common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange and the quarterly dividends declared by our Board of Directors in 2014 and 2013.

 

 

The future payment of dividends is within the discretion of our Board of Directors and depends on our profitability, capital requirements, financial condition, debt levels, growth projects, business opportunities and other factors which our Board of Directors deems relevant. As explained under the “Debt” caption of Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” our line of credit contains covenants that limit our ability to make restrictive payments, including dividends. Such limitation currently does not impact our ability to execute our financial plans, and becomes less restrictive when the line of credit becomes unsecured.

On February 13, 2015, our Board declared a dividend of ten cents per share for the first quarter of 2015. This represents a four cent per share increase over the prior quarter.

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

We did not have any repurchases of stock during the fourth quarter of 2014. We did not have any unregistered sales of equity securities during the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

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ITEM 6

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The selected earnings data, per share data and balance sheet data for each of the five most recent years ended December 31 set forth below, have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The following data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

 

 

 

 

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ITEM 7

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR 2014

KEY DRIVERS OF VALUE CREATION

   *Source: Moody's Analytics

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NEW EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM AND DIVISIONAL STRUCTURE

In 2014,  we announced a new executive leadership team led by Tom Hill, President and Chief Executive Officer. Joining Mr. Hill on the leadership team were John McPherson (Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Strategy Officer), Stan Bass (Senior Vice President, West Region) and Michael Mills (Senior Vice President and General Counsel). We also introduced a new divisional organization structure effective January 1, 2015. This new structure enables us to pursue growth and profitability while further leveraging the ERP and Shared Services platforms implemented in 2012.

2014 STRATEGIC ACQUISITIONS/DIVESTITURES

In the first quarter of 2014 we sold our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area to Cementos Argos (Argos) for net pretax cash proceeds of $721.4 million resulting in a pretax gain of $211.4 million (net of $16.5 million of disposition related charges). We retained all of our Florida aggregates operations, our former Cement segment’s calcium operation in Brooksville, Florida and real estate associated with certain former ready-mixed concrete facilities. Under a separate supply agreement, we will continue to provide aggregates to the divested concrete facilities, at market prices, for a period of 20 years.

Given our aggregates focused strategy, Argos is a better owner of those assets than we were. Our divested cement and concrete operations were among the most volatile and capital-intensive businesses in our portfolio. We continually challenge ourselves as to whether we are the best owner of our individual assets and operations — this logic supports the Argos divestiture and also underpins the smaller transaction we closed in late January 2015 to exchange our California ready-mixed concrete operations for 13 asphalt mix plants, primarily in Arizona. We expect to earn a higher return on the exchanged assets due to our operational and strategic focus in the Arizona asphalt market.

For a detailed discussion of our acquisitions and divestitures, see Note 19 “Acquisitions and Divestitures” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

MARKET DEVELOPMENTS

Aggregates demand is in the early stages of recovery and remains well below normalized levels. The pattern of recovery is increasingly broad-based and, for the first time since 2005, demand in each of the four major end markets increased versus the prior year. We currently anticipate a gradual recovery lasting several more years before we return to aggregates consumption levels consistent with long-term trends.

Construction activity in our markets grew faster than U.S. markets as a whole in 2014, led by growth in private construction. Residential construction activity, measured in housing starts, continues to recover from depressed levels of demand to more normalized levels needed to support demographics. Private nonresidential construction activity continues to benefit from growth in office and commercial as well as large industrial projects along the coasts of Texas and Louisiana, where we are well positioned to provide aggregates to an area deprived of naturally occurring sources suitable for construction. We see demand from private end-uses up 14% to 18% during 2015. Private growth continues to be driven by the recovery in employment and the continued strength in family and multi-family housing. Our employment and housing assumptions are consistent with consensus forecasts and reflect that our markets are growing faster than the rest of the United States.

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Public construction continues to realize steady growth due mostly to strong awards for new projects in 2013 and early in 2014 as well as large transportation-related projects funded through the federal government’s TIFIA program. We currently expect these trends in demand in each of the major end markets to continue in 2015. We believe demand from public end-uses will increase 3% to 5% during 2015. Construction award momentum remains positive and stable in our markets. The South and West continue to see more growth than other areas of the United States. State and local tax revenue growth has mirrored the economic recovery. As tax revenues approach all time high levels, they will supply the support for new public funding.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Gross profit margin excluding freight and delivery revenues is not a Generally Accepted Accounting Principle (GAAP) measure. We present this metric as it is consistent with the basis by which we review our operating results. Likewise, we believe that this presentation is consistent with the basis by which investors analyze our operating results considering that freight and delivery services represent pass-through activities. Reconciliation of this metric to its nearest GAAP measure is presented below:

GROSS PROFIT MARGIN IN ACCORDANCE WITH GAAP

 

GROSS PROFIT MARGIN EXCLUDING FREIGHT AND DELIVERY REVENUES

 

 

 

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Aggregates segment gross profit as a percentage of freight-adjusted revenues is not a GAAP measure. We present this metric as it is consistent with the basis by which we review our operating results. We believe that this presentation is more meaningful to our investors as it excludes freight, delivery and transportation revenues which are pass-through activities. It also excludes immaterial other revenues related to services, such as landfill tipping fees, that are derived from our aggregates business.  Incremental gross profit as a percentage of freight-adjusted revenues represents the year-over-year change in gross profit divided by the year-over-year change in freight-adjusted revenues. Reconciliation of these metrics to their nearest GAAP measure is presented below:

AGGREGATES SEGMENT GROSS PROFIT MARGIN IN ACCORDANCE WITH GAAP

 

AGGREGATES SEGMENT GROSS PROFIT AS A PERCENTAGE OF
FREIGHT-ADJUSTED REVENUES

 

 

 

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GAAP does not define "free cash flow," "cash gross profit" and "Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization” (EBITDA). Thus, free cash flow should not be considered as an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities or any other liquidity measure defined by GAAP. Likewise, cash gross profit and EBITDA should not be considered as alternatives to earnings measures defined by GAAP. We present these metrics for the convenience of investment professionals who use such metrics in their analyses and for shareholders who need to understand the metrics we use to assess performance and to monitor our cash and liquidity positions. The investment community often uses these metrics as indicators of a company's ability to incur and service debt and to assess the operating performance of a company’s businesses. We use free cash flow, cash gross profit, EBITDA and other such measures to assess liquidity and the operating performance of our various business units and the consolidated company. Additionally, we adjust EBITDA for certain items to provide a more consistent comparison of performance from period to period. We do not use these metrics as a measure to allocate resources.  Reconciliations of these metrics to their nearest GAAP measures are presented below:

FREE CASH FLOW

Free cash flow is calculated by deducting purchases of property, plant & equipment from net cash provided by operating activities.

 

 

CASH GROSS PROFIT

Cash gross profit adds back noncash charges for depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization to gross profit. Cash gross profit per ton is computed by dividing cash gross profit by tons shipped.

 

 

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EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA

EBITDA is an acronym for Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization and excludes discontinued operations. We adjust EBITDA for certain items to provide a more consistent comparison of performance from period to period.

 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Total revenues include sales of product to customers, net of any discounts and taxes, and freight and delivery revenues billed to customers. Related freight and delivery costs are included in cost of revenues. This presentation is consistent with the basis on which we review our consolidated results of operations. We discuss separately our discontinued operations, which consists of our former Chemicals business.

The following table highlights significant components of our consolidated operating results including EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA.

CONSOLIDATED OPERATING RESULT HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

Net earnings for 2014  were $204.9 million, or $1.54 per diluted share, compared to $24.4 million, or $0.19 per diluted share in 2013 and a net loss of $52.6 million, or $0.41 per diluted share in 2012. Each year's results were impacted by discrete items as follows:

 

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The following table compares our Concrete and Calcium (formerly Cement) segments financial data adjusted for the March 2014 sale of our Florida area concrete and cement businesses.

ADJUSTED CONCRETE AND CALCIUM SEGMENT FINANCIAL DATA

 

As previously noted, in January 2015 we exchanged our California ready-mixed concrete operations for 13 asphalt mix plants, primarily in Arizona. Adjusting our Concrete segment financial data for this transaction as well as the March 2014 sale of our Florida area concrete business results in the following:

 

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Year-over-year changes in earnings from continuing operations before income taxes are summarized below:

 

 

OPERATING RESULTS BY SEGMENT

We present our results of operations by segment at the gross profit level. We have four operating (and reportable) segments organized around our principal product lines: 1) Aggregates,  2) Asphalt Mix, 3) Concrete and 4) Calcium (formerly Cement). Management reviews earnings for the product line segments principally at the gross profit level.

1. AGGREGATES

Our year-over-year aggregates shipments:

Sales volume momentum improved across most of our 20-state geographic footprint. This growing momentum is driven by strengthening construction activity across all end-use markets and an increasing number of large projects. On a same-store basis, aggregates shipments increased 15.0 million tons or 10%. Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Texas and Virginia saw shipment increases in excess of 10% over the prior year on a same-store basis. This strong broad-based growth is driven by improving private construction activity and our ability to serve growing demand from large-project work in both private and public end-markets.

Residential construction activity continues to be solid across our footprint, led by growth in multi-family housing. While the growth rate nationally for housing starts has slowed, key markets in California, Florida, Georgia and Texas continue to post above-average growth rates. Private nonresidential demand in our markets continues to grow faster than in the U.S. as a whole. This is driven by office, commercial and manufacturing projects — and by growth in construction activity along the Gulf Coast where we are uniquely positioned.  In the public sector, shipments for highways has remained solid due to strong contract awards in 2013, increases in state highway funding, a growing number of TIFIA-funded projects in key states, and the extension of MAP-21 (the federal highway bill).

Our year-over-year freight-adjusted selling price1 for aggregates:

 

 

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Our pricing environment continues to improve with the gradual improvement in demand. During 2014, we realized modest price improvements in all but one of our management reporting units across our 20-state geographic footprint. Pricing decisions are made locally and outcomes will vary significantly by geography.

 

 

 

Aggregates segment gross profit increased $130.8 million from the prior year and gross profit as a percentage of freight-adjusted revenues increased 4.1 percentage points (410 basis points). The increase in Aggregates segment gross profit resulted from higher volumes and better unit margins.

Aggregates segment cash gross profit per ton increased 9% to $4.75 in 2014. This measure continues to improve, reflecting our effective management of the three major profit drivers (price for service; sales and production mix; operating efficiency and leverage). These efforts resulted in a record level of unit profitability that exceeds the level achieved in 2005 ($3.28 per ton – our peak year for volume) and in 2008 ($4.69 per ton – our previous high). This trend further highlights the earnings potential of our aggregates business as volumes recover.

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2.  ASPHALT MIX

Our year-over-year asphalt mix shipments:

Asphalt Mix segment gross profit of $38.1 million was up $5.4 million from the prior year due to higher margins in California and the earnings contribution from recently completed acquisitions in Arizona and New Mexico. On a same-store basis, asphalt volumes increased 4% from the prior year and unit profitability increased 6%.

 

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3.  CONCRETE

Our year-over-year ready-mixed concrete shipments:

Concrete segment gross profit was $2.2 million in 2014 compared to a loss of $24.8 million in 2013. Adjusted for the sale of our concrete business in the Florida area, Concrete segment gross profit was $5.9 million compared to a loss of $0.3 million in 2013. Ready-mixed concrete shipments declined in 2014 as a result of the sale of our Florida concrete business in the first quarter of 2014. Adjusted for the sale of our concrete business in the Florida area, ready-mixed concrete shipments increased 10% in 2014.

 

 

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4. CALCIUM (FOMERLY CEMENT)

Calcium segment gross profit of $3.2 million was down  $2.5 million from the prior year. Our cement business was sold in the first quarter of 2014 along with the Florida concrete assets. Adjusted for the sale of our cement business in the Florida area, Calcium segment gross profit was $3.5 million compared to $3.0 million in 2013. 

 

 

SELLING, ADMINISTRATIVE AND GENERAL EXPENSES

in millions

 

 

SAG expenses were up $12.9 million, or 5%, due primarily to increased performance based incentives and business development expenses. As a percentage of total revenues, SAG expenses declined from 9.4% in 2013 to 9.1% in 2014. We remain focused on leveraging SAG to revenues as volumes recover.

Our comparative total company employment levels at year end:

Severance charges included in SAG expenses were as follows: 2014 — $1.0 million, 2013 — $1.2 million and 2012 — $0.9 million. Severance and other related restructuring charges not included in SAG expenses were as follows: 2014 — $1.3 million,  2013 — $1.5 million and 2012 — $9.6 million.

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GAIN ON SALE OF PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT AND BUSINESSES, NET

in millions

 

 

The 2014 gain includes a $227.9 million pretax gain from the sale of our cement and concrete businesses in Florida to Cementos Argos and a $6.0 million pretax gain from the sale of two reclaimed operating sites. The 2013 gain includes a $24.0 million pretax gain from the sale of five non-strategic aggregates production facilities and a $9.0 million pretax gain from the sale of reclaimed and surplus real estate. The 2012 gain includes a $41.2 million pretax gain from the sale of reclaimed and surplus real estate, a $5.6 million pretax gain from the sale of a non-strategic aggregates production facility, a $12.3 million pretax gain from the sale of mitigation credits and a $6.0 million pretax gain on the sale of developed real estate.

INTEREST EXPENSE

in millions

 

 

Interest expense in 2014 included a $72.9 million pretax loss on debt purchase resulting from our March 2014 purchase of $506.4 million principal amount of outstanding debt which was funded by the sale of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area. Interest expense in 2013 decreased $10.5 million from 2012  due to lower outstanding debt. 

INCOME TAXES

Our income tax provision (benefit) from continuing operations for the years ended December 31 is shown below:

 

 

The $116.2 million increase in our 2014 provision for income taxes and the $42.0 million decrease in our 2013 benefit from income taxes are primarily related to the year-over-year improvement in our earnings from continuing operations. A reconciliation of the federal statutory rate of 35% to our effective tax rates for 2014, 2013 and 2012 is presented in Note 9 “Income Taxes” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

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DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Pretax earnings (loss) from discontinued operations were:

The $3.7 million loss from discontinued operations resulted primarily from general and product liability costs, including legal defense costs, and environmental remediation costs associated with our former Chemicals business. The 2013 and 2012 pretax earnings include gains related to the 5CP earn-out (final payment in 2013) of $11.7 and $10.2 million, respectively. These gains were partially offset by general and product liability costs, including legal defense costs, and environmental remediation costs. For additional information regarding discontinued operations and the 5CP earn-out, see Note 2 "Discontinued Operations" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash provided by our operating activities, a bank line of credit and access to the capital markets. Additional sources of liquidity include the sale of reclaimed and surplus real estate, and dispositions of non-strategic operating assets. We believe these liquidity and financial resources are sufficient to fund our business requirements for 2015, including:

We actively manage our capital structure and resources in order to minimize the cost of capital while properly managing financial risk. We seek to meet these objectives by adhering to the following principles:

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CASH

Included in our December 31, 2014 cash and cash equivalents balance of $141.3 million is $52.2 million of cash held at one of our foreign subsidiaries. All of the  $52.2 million of cash relates to earnings prior to January 1, 2012 that are permanently reinvested offshore. Use of this permanently reinvested cash is currently limited to our foreign operations.

CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

in millions

 

Net cash provided by operating activities is derived primarily from net earnings before noncash deductions for depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization.

 

 

 

2014 versus 2013  — Net cash provided by operating activities of $260.3 million decreased $96.2 million from 2013. The decrease is attributable to a transaction in 2013 in which we sold a percentage of future production from aggregates reserves resulting in net cash proceeds of $153.1 million (see Note 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”). Net earnings before noncash deductions for DDA&A increased $152.9 million to $484.4 million during 2014. Included in net earnings for 2014 is a pretax gain of $227.9 million (see Note 19 “Acquisitions and Divestitures” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”) from the sale of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area. Cash received associated with the sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses is presented as a component of investing activities. Additionally, we purchased $506.4 million principal amount of outstanding debt through a tender offer and incurred a loss of $72.9 million (see Note 6 “Debt” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”). Cash paid for the debt purchase is presented as a component of financing activities.

2013 versus 2012 — Net cash provided by operating activities of $356.5 million increased $118.0 million from 2012 due primarily to a $79.5 million increase in proceeds from the sale of future production. In September 2013, we entered into a second transaction to sell a percentage of future production from aggregates reserves resulting in net cash proceeds of $153.1 million (see Note 19 “Acquisitions and Divestitures” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”). Additionally, as noted in the table above, net earnings before noncash deductions for depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization increased $52.1 million in 2013 compared with 2012.

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CASH FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

in millions

 

2014 versus 2013 — Net cash provided by investing activities increased $534.5 million during 2014. This increase resulted from a $678.2 million increase in proceeds from the sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses partially offset by a $143.8 million increase in purchases of property, plant & equipment and businesses. During 2014, we sold a previously mined and subsequently reclaimed tract of land for $10.7 million, land previously containing a sales yard for $5.8 million, and our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area for $721.4 million. In the same period, we completed several acquisitions for total consideration of $331.8 million, of which $284.2 million was paid in cash (see Note 19 “Acquisitions and Divestitures” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”).

2013 VERSUS 2012 — Net cash used for investing activities increased $306.6 million in 2013. This increase resulted from a $272.0 million increase in the purchase of property, plant & equipment and businesses and a $32.8 million decrease in proceeds from the sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses. During 2013, we acquired three aggregates production facilities and four ready-mixed concrete facilities for approximately $90.0 million and land containing 136 million tons of reserves for $117.0 million. We also sold five aggregates production facilities, one replacement reserve site and reclaimed land associated with a former site of a ready-mixed concrete facility for approximately $51.1 million.

CASH FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

in millions

 

2014 VERSUS 2013 — Net cash used for financing activities of $551.1 million increased $409.1 million in 2014 compared to 2013. This increase is primarily attributable to a $429.2 million increase in debt payments (net of draws on our line of credit). As previously mentioned, in 2014 we purchased $506.4 million principal amount of outstanding debt through a tender offer as follows: $375.0 million of 6.50% notes due in 2016 and $131.4 million of 6.40% notes due in 2017. Total tender costs were $579.7 million including $71.8 million premium and $1.5 million in transaction costs. This increase in cash used for financing activities is partially offset by a $26.8 million increase in proceeds from the issuance of common stock.  In 2014, we issued 0.5 million shares of common stock to the trustee of our 401(k) savings and retirement plans for cash proceeds of $30.6 million.

2013 VERSUS 2012 — Net cash used for financing activities of $142.0 million increased $12.8 million in 2013 compared to 2012. This increase in cash used for financing activities is attributable to a $15.8 million increase in debt payments. During 2013, we made scheduled debt payments of $10.0 million in January to retire the 8.70% medium-term note and $140.4 million in June to retire the 6.30% notes.

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DEBT

Certain debt measures as of December 31 are outlined below:

 

 

 

 

Our long-term debt is unsecured and essentially all such debt agreements contain customary investment-grade type covenants that primarily limit the amount of secured debt we may incur without ratably securing the outstanding debt. Our debt may be redeemed prior to maturity at the greater of par value and the make-whole value plus accrued and unpaid interest.

There were no material scheduled debt payments during 2014. However, we purchased $506.4 million principal amount of outstanding debt through a tender offer in March 2014 as described in Note 6 “Debt” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” This debt purchase was funded by the aforementioned sale of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area.

As of December 31, 2014, current maturities for the next four quarters and maturities for the next five years are due as follows:

 

 

We expect to retire debt maturities using existing cash, cash generated from operations, by drawing on our bank line of credit or accessing the capital markets.

In March 2014, we amended our $500.0 million line of credit to, among other items, extend the term from March 2018 to March 2019. The line of credit is secured by accounts receivable and inventory, but will become unsecured upon the achievement of certain credit metrics and/or credit ratings. The line of credit also contains negative and financial covenants customary for a secured facility.

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The negative covenants primarily limit our ability to: (1) incur secured debt, (2) make certain investments, (3) execute acquisitions and divestitures, and (4) make restricted payments, including dividends. Such limitations currently do not impact our ability to execute our strategic, operating and financial plans, and become less restrictive when the line of credit becomes unsecured as described above.

The line of credit contains two financial covenants: (1) a maximum ratio of debt to EBITDA that declines over time to 3.5:1 and (2) a minimum ratio of EBITDA to net cash interest expense that increases over time to 3.0:1.

As of December 31, 2014, we were in compliance with all of our long-term debt and line of credit covenants.

As of December 31, 2014, our available borrowing capacity under the line of credit was $446.5 million. Utilization of the borrowing capacity was as follows:

Borrowings under the line of credit bear interest at a rate determined at the time of borrowing equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a margin ranging from 1.50% to  2.25%, or an alternative rate derived from the lender’s prime rate, based on our ratio of debt to EBITDA. Standby letters of credit issued under the line of credit reduce availability and are charged a fee equal to the margin for LIBOR based borrowings plus 0.175%. As of December 31, 2014, the applicable margin was 1.50%. We also pay a commitment fee on the daily average unused amount of the line of credit. This commitment fee ranges from 0.25% to 0.40% based on our ratio of debt to EBITDA. At December 31, 2014, the commitment fee was 0.25%. Once the line of credit becomes unsecured, both the LIBOR margin range for borrowings and the commitment fee range will decline.

DEBT RATINGS

Our debt ratings and outlooks as of December 31, 2014 are summarized below:

 

 

EQUITY

Our common stock issuances are summarized below:

 

 

During 2014, we issued 715.0 thousand shares of our common stock in connection with business acquisitions as explained in Note 19  "Acquisitions and Divestitures" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

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We occasionally sell shares of common stock to the trustee of our 401(k) retirement plans to satisfy the plan participants' elections to invest in our common stock. Under this arrangement, the stock issuances and resulting cash proceeds for the years ended December 31 were:

There were no shares held in treasury as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. There were 3,411,416 shares remaining under the current purchase authorization of the Board of Directors as of December 31, 2014.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements, such as financing or unconsolidated variable interest entities, that either have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our:

STANDBY LETTERS OF CREDIT

For a discussion of our standby letters of credit see Note 12 "Commitments and Contingencies" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

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CASH CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

We expect cash requirements for income taxes to be  $80.3 million during 2015. We expect capital spending of $250 million during 2015.  Additionally, we have a number of contracts containing commitments or contingent obligations that are not material to our earnings. These contracts are discrete and it is unlikely that the various contingencies contained within the contracts would be triggered by a common event. Excluding future cash requirements for income taxes and capital expenditures, and these immaterial contracts, our obligations to make future contractual payments as of December 31, 2014 are summarized in the table below:

 

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

We follow certain significant accounting policies when we prepare our consolidated financial statements. A summary of these policies is included in Note 1 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

We prepare these financial statements to conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These principles require us to make estimates and judgments that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosures of contingent assets and contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements. We base our estimates on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions we believe reasonable under existing circumstances and evaluate these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. The results of these estimates form the basis for our judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities as well as identifying and assessing the accounting treatment with respect to commitments and contingencies. Our actual results may materially differ from these estimates.

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We believe the following seven critical accounting policies require the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:

1. GOODWILL AND GOODWILL IMPAIRMENT

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of net assets acquired in business combinations over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Goodwill impairment exists when the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently whenever events or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The impairment evaluation is a critical accounting policy because goodwill is material to our total assets (as of December 31, 2014, goodwill represents 38% of total assets) and the evaluation involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions and considerable management judgment.

HOW WE TEST GOODWILL FOR IMPAIRMENT

Goodwill is tested for impairment one level below our operating segments (reporting unit). We have identified 19 reporting units, of which 9 carry goodwill. We have the option of either assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the carrying value of our reporting units exceeds their respective fair value or proceeding directly to a two-step quantitative test. We elected to perform the quantitative impairment test for all years presented.

STEP 1

We compare the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill:

STEP 2

We compare the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by hypothetically allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to its identifiable assets and liabilities in a manner consistent with a business combination, with any excess fair value representing implied goodwill:

HOW WE DETERMINE CARRYING VALUE AND FAIR VALUE

First, we determine the carrying value of each reporting unit by assigning assets and liabilities, including goodwill, to those units as of the measurement date. Then, we estimate the fair values of the reporting units using both an income approach (which involves discounting estimated future cash flows) and a market approach (which involves the application of revenue and EBITDA multiples of comparable companies).  We consider market factors when determining the assumptions and estimates used in our valuation models. Finally, to access the reasonableness of the fair values derived from these valuations, we compare the implied fair values to our market capitalization.

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OUR ASSUMPTIONS

We base our fair value estimates on market participant assumptions we believe to be reasonable at the time, but such assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainty. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Changes in key assumptions or management judgment with respect to a reporting unit or its prospects may result from a change in market conditions, market trends, interest rates or other factors outside of our control, or significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results. These conditions could result in a significantly different estimate of the fair value of our reporting units, which could result in an impairment charge in the future.

The significant assumptions in our discounted cash flow models include our estimate of future profitability, capital requirements and the discount rate. The profitability estimates used in the models were derived from internal operating budgets and forecasts for long-term demand and pricing in our industry. Estimated capital requirements reflect replacement capital estimated on a per ton basis and acquisition capital necessary to support growth estimated in the models. The discount rate was derived using a capital asset pricing model.

RESULTS OF OUR IMPAIRMENT TESTS

The results of our annual impairment tests for:

For additional information regarding goodwill, see Note 18 "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

2. IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS EXCLUDING GOODWILL

We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets, including intangible assets subject to amortization, when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The impairment evaluation is a critical accounting policy because long-lived assets are material to our total assets (as of December 31, 2014,  net property, plant & equipment represents 38% of total assets, while net other intangible assets represents 9% of total assets) and the evaluation involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions and considerable management judgment. The carrying value of long-lived assets is considered impaired when the estimated undiscounted cash flows from such assets are less than their carrying value. In that event, we recognize a loss equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the long-lived assets.

Fair value is estimated primarily by using a discounted cash flow methodology that requires considerable management judgment and long-term assumptions. Our estimate of net future cash flows is based on historical experience and assumptions of future trends, which may be different from actual results. We periodically review the appropriateness of the estimated useful lives of our long-lived assets.

We test long-lived assets for impairment at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets. As a result, our long-lived asset impairment test is at a significantly lower level than the level at which we test goodwill for impairment. In markets where we do not produce downstream products (e.g. asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete), the lowest level of largely independent identifiable cash flows is at the individual aggregates operation or a group of aggregates operations collectively serving a local market. Conversely, in vertically integrated markets, the cash flows of our downstream and upstream businesses are not largely independently identifiable as the selling price of the upstream products (aggregates) determines the profitability of the downstream business.

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During 2014, we recorded a $3.1 million loss on impairment of long-lived assets related primarily to assets retained in the divestiture of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area, see Note 19 "Acquisitions and Divestitures" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." We recorded no asset impairments during 2013. During 2012, we recorded a $2.0 million loss on impairment of long-lived assets. This impairment loss related primarily to assets classified as held for sale.

We maintain certain long-lived assets that are not currently being utilized in our operations. These assets totaled $376.4 million at December 31, 2014, representing an approximate 8% increase from December 31, 2013. Of the total $376.4 million,  approximately 40%  relates to real estate held for future development and expansion of our operations. In addition, approximately 25% is comprised of real estate (principally former mining sites) pending development as commercial or residential real estate, reservoirs or landfills. The remaining 35% is composed of aggregates, asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete operating assets idled temporarily as a result of a decline in demand for our products. We anticipate moving idled assets back into operation as demand recovers. We evaluate the useful lives and the recoverability of these assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable.

For additional information regarding long-lived assets and intangible assets, see Note 4 "Property, Plant & Equipment" and Note 18 "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

3. RECLAMATION COSTS

Reclamation costs resulting from normal use of long-lived assets are recognized over the period the asset is in use only if there is a legal obligation to incur these costs upon retirement of the assets. Additionally, reclamation costs resulting from normal use under a mineral lease are recognized over the lease term only if there is a legal obligation to incur these costs upon expiration of the lease. The obligation, which cannot be reduced by estimated offsetting cash flows, is recorded at fair value as a liability at the obligating event date and is accreted through charges to operating expenses. This fair value is also capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the underlying asset and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. If the obligation is settled for other than the carrying amount of the liability, a gain or loss is recognized on settlement.

Reclamation costs are considered a critical accounting policy because of the significant estimates, assumptions and considerable management judgment used to determine the fair value of the obligation and the significant carrying amount of these obligations ($226.6 million as of December 31, 2014 and $228.2 million as of December 31, 2013).

HOW WE DETERMINE FAIR VALUE OF THE OBLIGATION

To determine the fair value of the obligation, we estimate the cost for a third party to perform the legally required reclamation tasks including a reasonable profit margin. This cost is then increased for both future estimated inflation and an estimated market risk premium related to the estimated years to settlement. Once calculated, this cost is discounted to fair value using present value techniques with a credit-adjusted, risk-free rate commensurate with the estimated years to settlement.

We evaluate current facts and conditions to determine the most likely settlement date. If this evaluation identifies alternative estimated settlement dates, we use a weighted-average settlement date considering the probabilities of each alternative.

We review reclamation obligations at least annually for a revision to the cost or a change in the estimated settlement date. Additionally, reclamation obligations are reviewed in the period that a triggering event occurs that would result in either a revision to the cost or a change in the estimated settlement date. Examples of events that would trigger a change in the cost include a new reclamation law or amendment of an existing mineral lease. Examples of events that would trigger a change in the estimated settlement date include the acquisition of additional reserves or the closure of a facility.

For additional information regarding reclamation obligations (referred to in our financial statements as asset retirement obligations), see Note 17 "Asset Retirement Obligations" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

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4. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

Accounting for pension and postretirement benefits requires that we make significant assumptions regarding the valuation of benefit obligations and the performance of plan assets. Each year we review our assumptions about the discount rate, the expected return on plan assets, the rate of compensation increase (for salary-related plans) and the rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered healthcare benefits.

HOW WE SET OUR ASSUMPTIONS

In selecting the discount rate, we consider fixed-income security yields, specifically high-quality bonds. We also analyze the duration of plan liabilities and the yields for corresponding high-quality bonds. At December 31, 2014, the discount rates for our various plans ranged from 3.50% to 4.30% (December 31, 2013 ranged from 3.80% to 5.15%).

In estimating the expected return on plan assets, we consider past performance and long-term future expectations for the types of investments held by the plan as well as the expected long-term allocation of plan assets to these investments. At December 31, 2014, the expected return on plan assets remained at 7.50%.

In projecting the rate of compensation increase, we consider past experience and future expectations. At December 31, 2014, our projected weighted-average rate of compensation increase was 3.70%, up from 3.50% at December 31, 2013.

In selecting the rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered healthcare benefits, we consider past performance and forecasts of future healthcare cost trends. At December 31, 2014, our assumed rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered healthcare benefits remained at 7.50% for 2014, decreasing each year until reaching 5.0% in 2025 and remaining level thereafter. Increases in the per capita cost after 2015 are not expected to increase our obligations related to postretirement medical benefits as a result of a 2012 plan amendment to cap medical coverage cost at the 2015 level.

Changes to the assumptions listed above would have an impact on the projected benefit obligations, the accrued other postretirement benefit liabilities, and the annual net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit cost. The following table reflects the favorable and unfavorable outcomes associated with a change in certain assumptions:

 

 

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As of the December 31, 2014 measurement date, the fair value of our pension plan assets increased from $756.6 million to $817.0 million due to  favorable investment returns.  No contributions were made to the qualified pension plans in 2014.

During 2015, we expect to recognize net periodic pension expense of approximately $16.5 million and net periodic postretirement expense of approximately $1.0 million compared to $9.2 million and $(2.5) million, respectively, in 2014. The increase in pension expense is primarily due to the nearly 0.8 percentage point (80 basis points) drop in discount rates and the adoption of the new mortality tables issued by the Society of Actuaries on October 27, 2014. We do not anticipate contributions will be required to the funded pension plans during 2015 and we do not anticipate making a discretionary contribution. We currently do not anticipate that the funded status of any of our plans will fall below statutory thresholds requiring accelerated funding or constraints on benefit levels or plan administration.

For additional information regarding pension and other postretirement benefits, see Note 10 "Benefit Plans" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

5. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

Our environmental compliance costs include the cost of ongoing monitoring programs, the cost of remediation efforts and other similar costs. Our accounting policy for environmental compliance costs is a critical accounting policy because it involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions and requires considerable management judgment.

HOW WE ACCOUNT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS

To account for environmental costs, we:

At the early stages of a remediation effort, environmental remediation liabilities are not easily quantified due to the uncertainties of various factors. The range of an estimated remediation liability is defined and redefined as events in the remediation effort occur, but generally liabilities are recognized no later than completion of the remedial feasibility study. When we can estimate a range of probable loss, we accrue the most likely amount. In the event that no amount in the range of probable loss is considered most likely, the minimum loss in the range is accrued. As of December 31, 2014, the difference between the amount accrued and the maximum loss in the range for all sites for which a range can be reasonably estimated was $3.0 million. Our environmental remediation obligations are recorded on an undiscounted basis.

Accrual amounts may be based on technical cost estimations or the professional judgment of experienced environmental managers. Our Safety, Health and Environmental Affairs Management Committee routinely reviews cost estimates and key assumptions in response to new information, such as the kinds and quantities of hazardous substances, available technologies and changes to the parties participating in the remediation efforts. However, a number of factors, including adverse agency rulings and unanticipated conditions as remediation efforts progress, may cause actual results to differ materially from accrued costs.

For additional information regarding environmental compliance costs, see Note 8 "Accrued Environmental Remediation Costs" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

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6. CLAIMS AND LITIGATION INCLUDING SELF-INSURANCE

We are involved with claims and litigation, including items covered under our self-insurance program. We are self-insured for losses related to workers' compensation up to $2.0 million per occurrence and automotive and general/product liability up to $3.0 million per occurrence. We have excess coverage on a per occurrence basis beyond these retention levels.

Under our self-insurance program, we aggregate certain claims and litigation costs that are reasonably predictable based on our historical loss experience and accrue losses, including future legal defense costs, based on actuarial studies. Certain claims and litigation costs, due to their unique nature, are not included in our actuarial studies. For matters not included in our actuarial studies, legal defense costs are accrued when incurred.

Our accounting policy for claims and litigation including self-insurance is a critical accounting policy because it involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions and requires considerable management judgment.

HOW WE ASSESS THE PROBABILITY OF LOSS

We use both internal and outside legal counsel to assess the probability of loss, and establish an accrual when the claims and litigation represent a probable loss and the cost can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment is used in determining the timing and amount of the accruals for probable losses, and the actual liability could differ materially from the accrued amounts.

For additional information regarding claims and litigation including self-insurance, see Note 1 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" under the caption Claims and Litigation Including Self-insurance.

7. INCOME TAXES

HOW WE DETERMINE OUR CURRENT AND DEFERRED TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

We file various federal, state and foreign income tax returns, including some returns that are consolidated with subsidiaries. We account for the current and deferred tax effects of such returns using the asset and liability method. Significant judgments and estimates are required in determining our current and deferred tax assets and liabilities, which reflect our best assessment of the estimated future taxes we will pay.  These estimates are updated throughout the year to consider income tax return filings, our geographic mix of earnings, legislative changes and other relevant items.

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement’s carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets represent items to be used as a tax deduction or credit in future tax returns. Realization of the deferred tax assets ultimately depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character in either the carryback or carryforward period.

Each quarter we analyze the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be realized. A valuation allowance is recorded if, based on the weight of all available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. A summary of our deferred tax assets is included in Note 9 “Income Taxes” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

While we believe that the majority of our deferred tax assets will be realized, our state net operating loss deferred tax asset carryforwards require additional consideration based on the following reasons:

Based on this analysis, we have provided a valuation allowance of $56.9 million, an increase of $10.6 million from the prior year valuation allowance, against our state net operating loss deferred tax asset carryforwards. Of the $56.9 million valuation allowance, $55.5 million relates to our Alabama net operating loss carryforward. The remaining valuation allowance of $1.4 million relates to other state net operating loss carryforwards.

If  we later determine that realization is more likely than not for deferred tax assets with a valuation allowance, the related valuation allowance will be reduced. Conversely, if we determine that it is more likely than not that we will not be able to realize a portion of our deferred tax assets, we will increase the valuation allowance.

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FOREIGN EARNINGS

U.S. income taxes are not provided on foreign earnings when such earnings are indefinitely reinvested offshore. At least annually, we evaluate our investment strategies for each foreign tax jurisdiction in which we operate to determine whether foreign earnings will be indefinitely reinvested offshore.

LIABILITY FOR UNRECOGNIZED TAX BENEFITS

We recognize a tax benefit associated with a tax position when, in our judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained based upon the technical merits of the position. For a tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold, we measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that we judge to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized. A liability is established for the unrecognized portion of any tax position. Our liability for  unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted periodically due to changing circumstances, such as the progress of tax audits, case law developments and new or emerging legislation.

The years open to tax examinations vary by jurisdiction. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter, we believe our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is appropriate.

We consider a tax position to be resolved at the earlier of the issue being “effectively settled,” settlement of an examination, or the expiration of the statute of limitations. Upon resolution of a tax position, any  liability for unrecognized tax benefits will be released.

Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is generally presented as noncurrent. However, if we anticipate paying cash within one year to settle an uncertain tax position, the liability is presented as current. We classify interest and penalties associated with our liability for unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense.

STATUTORY DEPLETION

Our largest permanent item in computing both our taxable income and effective tax rate is the deduction allowed for statutory depletion. The impact of statutory depletion on the effective tax rate is presented in Note 9 "Income Taxes" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." The deduction for statutory depletion does not necessarily change proportionately to changes in pretax earnings.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

For a discussion of accounting standards recently adopted and pending adoption and the affect such accounting changes will have on our results of operations, financial position or liquidity, see Note 1 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" under the caption New Accounting Standards.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The foregoing discussion and analysis, as well as certain information contained elsewhere in this Annual Report, contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created thereby. See the discussion in Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 in Part I, above.

 

 

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ITEM 7A

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

We are exposed to certain market risks arising from transactions that are entered into in the normal course of business. In order to manage or reduce these market risks, we may utilize derivative financial instruments. We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.

We are exposed to interest rate risk due to our bank line of credit and other long-term debt instruments. At times, we use interest rate swap agreements to manage this risk.

At December 31, 2014, the estimated fair value of our long-term debt instruments including current maturities was $2,274.8 million compared to a book value of $2,005.6 million. The estimated fair value was determined by averaging the asking price quotes for the notes. The fair value estimate is based on information available as of the measurement date. Although we are not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the estimated fair value amount, it has not been comprehensively revalued since the measurement date. The effect of a decline in interest rates of one percentage point would increase the fair value of our liability by $105.1 million.

We are exposed to certain economic risks related to the costs of our pension and other postretirement benefit plans. These economic risks include changes in the discount rate for high-quality bonds, the expected return on plan assets and the rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered healthcare benefits. The impact of a change in these assumptions on our annual pension and other postretirement benefit costs is discussed in greater detail within the Critical Accounting Policies section of this Annual Report.

 

 

 

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ITEM 8

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Vulcan Materials Company:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Vulcan Materials Company and its subsidiary companies (the "Company") as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based on our audits.

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

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Vulcan Materials Company and its subsidiary companies as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 26, 2015  expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

 

Birmingham, Alabama

February 26, 2015

 

 

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VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

 

 

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VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

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VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

 

 

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VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Vulcan Materials Company (the "Company," "Vulcan," "we," "our"), a New Jersey corporation, is the nation's largest producer of construction aggregates, primarily crushed stone, sand and gravel and a major producer of asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete.

Due to the 2005 sale of our Chemicals business as described in Note 2, the operating results of the Chemicals business are presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Vulcan Materials Company and all our majority or
wholly-owned subsidiary companies. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

USE OF ESTIMATES IN THE PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted (GAAP) in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosures of contingent assets and contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements. We evaluate these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis and base our estimates on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates form the basis for our judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities as well as identifying and assessing the accounting treatment with respect to commitments and contingencies. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates. The most significant estimates included in the preparation of these financial statements are related to goodwill and long-lived asset impairments, reclamation costs, pension and other postretirement benefits, environmental compliance, claims and litigation including self-insurance, and income taxes.

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

We account for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. The total cost of acquisitions is allocated to the underlying identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values. Determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions.

RESTRUCTURING CHARGES

Costs associated with restructuring our operations include severance and related charges to eliminate a specified number of employee positions, costs to relocate employees, contract cancellation costs and charges to vacate facilities and consolidate operations. Relocation and contract cancellation costs and charges to vacate facilities are recognized in the period the liability is incurred. Severance charges for employees who are required to render service beyond a minimum retention period, generally more than 60 days, are recognized ratably over the retention period; otherwise, the full severance charge is recognized on the date a detailed restructuring plan has been authorized by management and communicated to employees.

In 2014, we announced changes to our executive management team, and a new divisional organization structure that was effective January 1, 2015. This new structure enables us to pursue growth and profitability while further leveraging the actions we undertook in 2012 as noted below. During 2014, we incurred $1,308,000 of severance costs related to these initiatives. Future related charges for these initiatives are estimated to be less than $5,000,000.

In 2012, our Board approved a Profit Enhancement Plan that further leverages our streamlined management structure and substantially completed ERP and Shared Services platforms to achieve cost reductions and other earnings enhancements. During 2013 and 2012, respectively, we incurred $1,509,000 and $9,557,000 of costs (primarily project design, outside advisory and severance) related to the implementation of this plan. We did not incur any additional charges in 2014.

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EXCHANGE OFFER COSTS

In response to an unsolicited and substantially undervalued exchange offer initiated in 2011, we incurred legal, professional and other defense costs of $43,380,000 in 2012.

CASH EQUIVALENTS

We classify as cash equivalents all highly liquid securities with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase. The carrying amount of these securities approximates fair value due to their short-term maturities.

ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE

Accounts and notes receivable from customers result from our extending credit to trade customers for the purchase of our products. The terms generally provide for payment within 30 days of being invoiced. On occasion, when necessary to conform to regional industry practices, we sell product under extended payment terms, which may result in either secured or unsecured short-term notes; or, on occasion, notes with durations of less than one year are taken in settlement of existing accounts receivable. Other accounts and notes receivable result from short-term transactions (less than one year) other than the sale of our products, such as interest receivable; insurance claims; freight claims; tax refund claims; bid deposits or rents receivable. Receivables are aged and appropriate allowances for doubtful accounts and bad debt expense are recorded. Bad debt expense for the years ended December 31 was as follows: 2014 — $2,031,000,  2013 — $602,000 and 2012 — $2,505,000. Write-offs of accounts receivables for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2014 — $2,561,000,  2013 — $1,946,000 and 2012 — $2,805,000.

INVENTORIES

Inventories and supplies are stated at the lower of cost or market. We use the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of valuation for most of our inventories because it results in a better matching of costs with revenues. Such costs include fuel, parts and supplies, raw materials, direct labor and production overhead. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can be made only at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations are based on our estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs and are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation. Substantially all operating supplies inventory is carried at average cost. For additional information regarding our inventories see Note 3.

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT

Property, plant & equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization. The cost of properties held under capital leases, if any, is equal to the lower of the net present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair value of the leased property at the inception of the lease.

Capitalized software costs of $8,753,000 and $10,321,000 are reflected in net property, plant & equipment as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We capitalized software costs for the years ended December 31 as follows: 2014 — $921,000, 2013 — $1,695,000 and 2012 — $408,000. During the same periods, $2,501,000,  $2,230,000 and $2,463,000, respectively, of previously capitalized costs were depreciated. For additional information regarding our property, plant & equipment see Note 4.

REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE

Repair and maintenance costs generally are charged to operating expense as incurred. Renewals and betterments that add materially to the utility or useful lives of property, plant & equipment are capitalized and subsequently depreciated. Actual costs for planned major maintenance activities, related primarily to periodic overhauls on our oceangoing vessels, are capitalized and amortized to the next overhaul.

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DEPRECIATION, DEPLETION, ACCRETION AND AMORTIZATION

Depreciation is generally computed by the straight-line method at rates based on the estimated service lives of the various classes of assets, which include machinery and equipment (3 to 30 years), buildings (10 to 20 years) and land improvements (7 to 20 years). Capitalized software costs are included in machinery and equipment and are depreciated on a straight-line basis beginning when the software project is substantially complete.

Cost depletion on depletable land is computed by the unit-of-production method based on estimated recoverable units.

Accretion reflects the period-to-period increase in the carrying amount of the liability for asset retirement obligations. It is computed using the same credit-adjusted, risk-free rate used to initially measure the liability at fair value.

Leaseholds are amortized over varying periods not in excess of applicable lease terms or estimated useful lives.

Amortization of intangible assets subject to amortization is computed based on the estimated life of the intangible assets.
A significant portion of our intangible assets is contractual rights in place associated with zoning, permitting and other rights to access and extract aggregates reserves. Contractual rights in place associated with aggregates reserves are amortized using the unit-of-production method based on estimated recoverable units. Other intangible assets are amortized principally by the straight-line method.

Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization expense for the years ended December 31 is outlined below:

 

 

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

We periodically use derivative instruments to reduce our exposure to interest rate risk, currency exchange risk or price fluctuations on commodity energy sources consistent with our risk management policies. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. Additional disclosures regarding our derivative instruments are presented in Note 5.

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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels as described below:

Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2: Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data
Level 3: Inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement

Our assets at December 31 subject to fair value measurement on a recurring basis are summarized below:

 

 

 

 

We have established two Rabbi Trusts for the purpose of providing a level of security for the employee nonqualified retirement and deferred compensation plans and for the directors' nonqualified deferred compensation plans. The fair values of these investments are estimated using a market approach. The Level 1 investments include mutual funds and equity securities for which quoted prices in active markets are available. Level 2 investments are stated at estimated fair value based on the underlying investments in those funds (short-term, highly liquid assets in commercial paper, short-term bonds and certificates of deposit).

Net gains of the Rabbi Trust investments were $1,169,000,  $4,398,000 and $8,564,000 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The portions of the net gains (losses) related to investments still held by the Rabbi Trusts at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $(1,049,000),  $4,234,000 and $9,012,000, respectively.

The carrying values of our cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts and notes receivable, current maturities of long-term debt, short-term borrowings, trade payables and accruals, and all other current liabilities approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Additional disclosures for derivative instruments and interest-bearing debt are presented in Notes 5 and 6, respectively.

There were no assets or liabilities subject to fair value measurement on a nonrecurring basis in 2013. Assets that were subject to fair value measurement on a nonrecurring basis in 2014 are summarized below:

 

 

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We recorded a $3,095,000 loss on impairment of long-lived assets in the first and second quarters of 2014 reducing the carrying value of these assets to their estimated fair value of $2,172,000. Fair value was estimated using a market approach (observed transactions involving comparable assets in similar locations).

GOODWILL AND GOODWILL IMPAIRMENT

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of net assets acquired in business combinations over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Goodwill impairment exists when the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. As of December 31, 2014, goodwill totaled $3,094,824,000 as compared to $3,081,521,000 at December 31, 2013. Goodwill represents 38% of total assets at December 31, 2014 compared to 37% as of December 31, 2013.

Goodwill is tested for impairment annually, as of November 1, or more frequently whenever events or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Goodwill is tested for impairment one level below our operating segments (reporting unit). We have four operating segments organized around our principal product lines: Aggregates, Asphalt Mix, Concrete and Calcium (formerly Cement). Within these four operating segments, we have identified 19 reporting units (of which 9 carry goodwill) based primarily on geographic location. We have the option of either assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the carrying value of our reporting units exceeds their respective fair value or proceeding directly to a two-step quantitative test. We elected to perform the quantitative impairment test for all years presented.

The first step of the quantitative impairment test identifies potential impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered impaired and the second step of the impairment test is not required. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any.

The second step of the quantitative impairment test compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by hypothetically allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to its identifiable assets and liabilities in a manner consistent with a business combination, with any excess fair value representing implied goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

The results of the first step of the annual impairment tests performed as of November 1, 2014, 2013 and 2012 indicated that the fair values of all reporting units with goodwill substantially exceeded their carrying values. Accordingly, there were no charges for goodwill impairment in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 or 2012.

We estimate the fair values of the reporting units using both an income approach (which involves discounting estimated future cash flows) and a market approach (which involves the application of revenue and EBITDA multiples of comparable companies). Determining the fair value of our reporting units involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions and considerable management judgment. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable at the time, but such assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainty. Actual results may differ materially from those estimates. Changes in key assumptions or management judgment with respect to a reporting unit or its prospects, which may result from a change in market conditions, market trends, interest rates or other factors outside of our control, or significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results, could result in a significantly different estimate of the fair value of our reporting units, which could result in an impairment charge in the future.

For additional information regarding goodwill see Note 18.

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IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS EXCLUDING GOODWILL

We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets, including intangible assets subject to amortization, when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The carrying value of long-lived assets is considered impaired when the estimated undiscounted cash flows from such assets are less than their carrying value. In that event, we recognize a loss equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the long-lived assets. Fair value is determined primarily by using a discounted cash flow methodology that requires considerable management judgment and long-term assumptions. Our estimate of net future cash flows is based on historical experience and assumptions of future trends, which may be different from actual results. We periodically review the appropriateness of the estimated useful lives of our long-lived assets.

We test long-lived assets for impairment at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets. As a result, our long-lived asset impairment test is at a significantly lower level than the level at which we test goodwill for impairment. In markets where we do not produce downstream products (e.g. asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete), the lowest level of largely independent identifiable cash flows is at the individual aggregates operation or a group of aggregates operations collectively serving a local market. Conversely, in vertically integrated markets, the cash flows of our downstream and upstream businesses are not largely independently identifiable as the selling price of the upstream products (aggregates) determines the profitability of the downstream business.

As of December 31, 2014, net property, plant & equipment represents 38% of total assets, while net other intangible assets represents 9% of total assets. During 2014, we recorded a $3,095,000 loss on impairment of long-lived assets related primarily to assets retained in the divestiture of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area (see Note 19). We recorded no asset impairments during 2013. During 2012, we recorded a $2,034,000 loss on impairment of long-lived assets related primarily to assets classified as held for sale.

For additional information regarding long-lived assets and intangible assets see Notes 4 and 18.

TOTAL REVENUES AND REVENUE RECOGNITION

Total revenues include sales of product to customers, net of any discounts and taxes, and freight and delivery revenues billed to customers. Freight and delivery represent pass-through transportation we incur and pay to third-party carriers to deliver our products to customers. The costs related to freight and delivery are included in cost of revenues.

Revenue is recognized at the time the selling price is fixed, the product's title is transferred to the buyer and collectibility of the sales proceeds is reasonably assured (typically occurs when finished products are shipped to the customer).

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DEFERRED REVENUE

We entered into two transactions (September 2013 and December 2012) through which we sold a percentage of the future production from aggregates reserves at eight quarries (seven owned and one leased). These sales were structured as volumetric production payments (VPPs). We received net cash proceeds of $153,282,000 and $73,644,000 for the 2013 and 2012 transactions, respectively. These proceeds were recorded as deferred revenue on the balance sheet and are amortized to revenue on a unit-of-sales basis over the terms of the VPPs. Concurrently, we entered into marketing agreements with the purchaser through which we are designated the exclusive sales agent for the purchaser’s percentage of future production. Acting as the purchaser’s agent, our consolidated total revenues exclude these sales.

The common key terms of both VPP transactions are:

The key terms specific to the 2013 VPP transaction are:

The key terms specific to the 2012 VPP transaction are:

Reconciliation of the deferred revenue balances (current and noncurrent) are as follows:

 

Based on expected aggregates sales from the specified quarries, we anticipate recognizing an estimated $6,000,000 of deferred revenue as income in our 2015 Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (reflected in Other accrued liabilities in our 2014 Consolidated Balance Sheet).

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STRIPPING COSTS

In the mining industry, the costs of removing overburden and waste materials to access mineral deposits are referred to as stripping costs.

Stripping costs incurred during the production phase are considered costs of extracted minerals under our inventory costing system, inventoried, and recognized in cost of sales in the same period as the revenue from the sale of the inventory. The production stage is deemed to begin when the activities, including removal of overburden and waste material that may contain incidental saleable material, required to access the saleable product are complete. Stripping costs considered as production costs and included in the costs of inventory produced were $44,896,000 in 2014, $41,716,000 in 2013 and $37,875,000 in 2012.

Conversely, stripping costs incurred during the development stage of a mine (pre-production stripping) are excluded from our inventory cost. Pre-production stripping costs are capitalized and reported within other noncurrent assets in our accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Capitalized pre-production stripping costs are expensed over the productive life of the mine using the unit-of-production method. Pre-production stripping costs included in other noncurrent assets were $44,035,000 as of December 31, 2014 and $24,026,000 as of December 31, 2013.

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

We account for share-based compensation awards using fair-value-based measurement methods. These result in the recognition of compensation expense for all share-based compensation awards based on their fair value as of the grant date. Compensation cost is recognized over the requisite service period.

We receive an income tax deduction for share-based compensation equal to the excess of the market value of our common stock on the date of exercise or issuance over the exercise price. Tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized (excess tax benefits) are classified as financing cash flows. The $3,464,000,  $161,000 and $267,000 in excess tax benefits classified as financing cash inflows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows relate to the exercise of stock options and issuance of shares under long-term incentive plans.

A summary of the estimated future compensation cost (unrecognized compensation expense) as of December 31, 2014 related to share-based awards granted to employees under our long-term incentive plans is presented below:

 

 

 

Pretax compensation expense related to our employee share-based compensation awards and related income tax benefits for the years ended December 31 are summarized below:

 

 

For additional information regarding share-based compensation, see Note 11 under the caption Share-based Compensation Plans.

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RECLAMATION COSTS

Reclamation costs resulting from normal use of long-lived assets are recognized over the period the asset is in use only if there is a legal obligation to incur these costs upon retirement of the assets. Additionally, reclamation costs resulting from normal use under a mineral lease are recognized over the lease term only if there is a legal obligation to incur these costs upon expiration of the lease. The obligation, which cannot be reduced by estimated offsetting cash flows, is recorded at fair value as a liability at the obligating event date and is accreted through charges to operating expenses. This fair value is also capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the underlying asset and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. If the obligation is settled for other than the carrying amount of the liability, a gain or loss is recognized on settlement.

To determine the fair value of the obligation, we estimate the cost for a third party to perform the legally required reclamation tasks including a reasonable profit margin. This cost is then increased for both future estimated inflation and an estimated market risk premium related to the estimated years to settlement. Once calculated, this cost is discounted to fair value using present value techniques with a credit-adjusted, risk-free rate commensurate with the estimated years to settlement.

In estimating the settlement date, we evaluate the current facts and conditions to determine the most likely settlement date. If this evaluation identifies alternative estimated settlement dates, we use a weighted-average settlement date considering the probabilities of each alternative.

We review reclamation obligations at least annually for a revision to the cost or a change in the estimated settlement date. Additionally, reclamation obligations are reviewed in the period that a triggering event occurs that would result in either a revision to the cost or a change in the estimated settlement date. Examples of events that would trigger a change in the cost include a new reclamation law or amendment of an existing mineral lease. Examples of events that would trigger a change in the estimated settlement date include the acquisition of additional reserves or the closure of a facility.

The carrying value of these obligations was $226,565,000 as of December 31, 2014 and $228,234,000 as of December 31, 2013. For additional information regarding reclamation obligations (referred to in our financial statements as asset retirement obligations) see Note 17.

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

Accounting for pension and postretirement benefits requires that we make significant assumptions regarding the valuation of benefit obligations and the performance of plan assets. The primary assumptions are as follows:

Accounting standards provide for the delayed recognition of differences between actual results and expected or estimated results. This delayed recognition of actual results allows for a smoothed recognition in earnings of changes in benefit obligations and plan performance over the working lives of the employees who benefit under the plans. The differences between actual results and expected or estimated results are recognized in full in other comprehensive income. Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income are reclassified to earnings in a systematic manner over the average remaining service period of active employees expected to receive benefits under the plan.

For additional information regarding pension and other postretirement benefits see Note 10.

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ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

Our environmental compliance costs are undiscounted and include the cost of ongoing monitoring programs, the cost of remediation efforts and other similar costs. We accrue costs for environmental assessment and remediation efforts when we determine that a liability is probable and we can reasonably estimate the cost. At the early stages of a remediation effort, environmental remediation liabilities are not easily quantified due to the uncertainties of various factors. The range of an estimated remediation liability is defined and redefined as events in the remediation effort occur, but generally liabilities are recognized no later than completion of the remedial feasibility study.

When we can estimate a range of probable loss, we accrue the most likely amount. In the event that no amount in the range of probable loss is considered most likely, the minimum loss in the range is accrued. As of December 31, 2014, the spread between the amount accrued and the maximum loss in the range for all sites for which a range can be reasonably estimated was $3,000,000. Accrual amounts may be based on technical cost estimations or the professional judgment of experienced environmental managers. Our Safety, Health and Environmental Affairs Management Committee routinely reviews cost estimates and key assumptions in response to new information, such as the kinds and quantities of hazardous substances, available technologies and changes to the parties participating in the remediation efforts. However, a number of factors, including adverse agency rulings and encountering unanticipated conditions as remediation efforts progress, may cause actual results to differ materially from accrued costs.

For additional information regarding environmental compliance costs see Note 8.

CLAIMS AND LITIGATION INCLUDING SELF-INSURANCE

We are involved with claims and litigation, including items covered under our self-insurance program. We are self-insured for losses related to workers' compensation up to $2,000,000 per occurrence and automotive and general/product liability up to $3,000,000 per occurrence. We have excess coverage on a per occurrence basis beyond these retention levels.

Under our self-insurance program, we aggregate certain claims and litigation costs that are reasonably predictable based on our historical loss experience and accrue losses, including future legal defense costs, based on actuarial studies. Certain claims and litigation costs, due to their unique nature, are not included in our actuarial studies. We use both internal and outside legal counsel to assess the probability of loss, and establish an accrual when the claims and litigation represent a probable loss and the cost can be reasonably estimated. For matters not included in our actuarial studies, legal defense costs are accrued when incurred. The following table outlines our self-insurance program at December 31:

 

 

Estimated payments (undiscounted) under our self-insurance program for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2014 are as follows:

 

 

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Significant judgment is used in determining the timing and amount of the accruals for probable losses, and the actual liability could differ materially from the accrued amounts.

INCOME TAXES

We file various federal, state and foreign income tax returns, including some returns that are consolidated with subsidiaries. We account for the current and deferred tax effects of such returns using the asset and liability method. Significant judgments and estimates are required in determining our current and deferred tax assets and liabilities, which reflect our best assessment of the estimated future taxes we will pay. These estimates are updated throughout the year to consider income tax return filings, our geographic mix of earnings, legislative changes and other relevant items.

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets represent items to be used as a tax deduction or credit in future tax returns. Realization of the deferred tax assets ultimately depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character in either the carryback or carryforward period.

Each quarter we analyze the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be realized. A valuation allowance is recorded if, based on the weight of all available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. A summary of our deferred tax assets is included in Note 9.

If we later determine that realization is more likely than not for deferred tax assets with a valuation allowance, the related valuation allowance will be reduced. Conversely, if we determine that it is more likely than not that we will not be able to realize a portion of our deferred tax assets, we will increase the valuation allowance.

U.S. income taxes are not provided on foreign earnings when such earnings are indefinitely reinvested offshore. At least annually, we evaluate our investment strategies for each foreign tax jurisdiction in which we operate to determine whether foreign earnings will be indefinitely reinvested offshore.

We recognize a tax benefit associated with a tax position when, in our judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained based upon the technical merits of the position. For a tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold, we measure the income tax benefit as the largest amount that we judge to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized. A liability is established for the unrecognized portion of any tax position. Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted periodically due to changing circumstances, such as the progress of tax audits, case law developments and new or emerging legislation.

The years open to tax examinations vary by jurisdiction. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter, we believe our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is appropriate.

We consider a tax position to be resolved at the earlier of the issue being “effectively settled,” settlement of an examination, or the expiration of the statute of limitations. Upon resolution of a tax position, any  liability for unrecognized tax benefits will be released.

Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is generally presented as noncurrent. However, if we anticipate paying cash within one year to settle an uncertain tax position, the liability is presented as current. We classify interest and penalties associated with our liability for unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense.

Our largest permanent item in computing both our taxable income and effective tax rate is the deduction allowed for statutory depletion. The impact of statutory depletion on the effective tax rate is presented in Note 9. The deduction for statutory depletion does not necessarily change proportionately to changes in pretax earnings.

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COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

We report comprehensive income in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Statements of Equity. Comprehensive income comprises two subsets: net earnings and other comprehensive income (OCI). OCI includes fair value adjustments to cash flow hedges, actuarial gains or losses and prior service costs related to pension and postretirement benefit plans.

For additional information regarding comprehensive income see Note 14.

EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

Earnings per share are computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted-average common shares outstanding (basic EPS) or weighted-average common shares outstanding assuming dilution (diluted EPS), as set forth below:

 

 

All dilutive common stock equivalents are reflected in our earnings per share calculations. In periods of loss, shares that otherwise would have been included in our diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding computation are excluded. These excluded shares (antidilutive common stock equivalents) were 617,000 for the loss year ended December 31, 2012.

The number of antidilutive common stock equivalents for which the exercise price exceeds the weighted-average market price for the years ended December 31 is as follows:

 

 

RECLASSIFICATIONS

The separate presentation of net sales and delivery revenues previously reported in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income has been eliminated to conform with the 2014 presentation.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

ACCOUNTING STANDARDS RECENTLY ADOPTED

2014 — GUIDANCE ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION OF UNRECOGNIZED TAX BENEFIT  As of and for the interim period ended March 31, 2014, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2013-11, "Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists." Under this ASU, an unrecognized tax benefit, or portion thereof, 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 except when specific conditions are met as outlined in the ASU. When these specific conditions are met, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. Our adoption of this standard had no material impact on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

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2014 — GUIDANCE FOR OBLIGATIONS RESULTING FROM JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY ARRANGEMENTS  As of and for the interim period ended March 31, 2014, we adopted ASU 2013-04, "Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date." This ASU provides guidance for the recognition, measurement and disclosure of such obligations that are within the scope of the ASU. Obligations within the scope of this ASU include debt arrangements, other contractual obligations and settled litigation and judicial rulings. Under this ASU, an entity (1) recognizes such obligations at the inception of the arrangement, (2) measures such obligations as the sum of (a) the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and (b) any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors and (3) discloses the nature and amount of such obligations as well as other information about those obligations. Our adoption of this standard had no material impact on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

2014 — TANGIBLE PROPERTY REGULATIONS  As of January 1, 2014, the Internal Revenue Service’s new tangible property regulations became effective. These regulations apply to amounts paid to acquire, produce or improve tangible property, as well as dispose of such property. The effect of this tax law change had no material impact on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

ACCOUNTING STANDARDS PENDING ADOPTION

GOING CONCERN  In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” which requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern (meet its obligations as they become due) within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. If conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, certain disclosures are required. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim reporting periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. We will adopt this standard as of and for the annual period ending December 31, 2016. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

SHARE-BASED AWARDS  In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, “Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved After the Requisite Service Period,” which clarifies the proper method of accounting for share-based awards when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. Under current guidance, there is a lack of consistency in the measurement of the grant-date fair values of awards with these types of performance targets. Under ASU 2014-12, a performance target that affects vesting and could be achieved after completion of the service period should be treated as a performance condition and, as a result, should not be included in the estimation of the grant-date fair value. Rather, an entity should recognize compensation cost for the award when it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. We currently account for share-based awards with these types of performance targets in accordance with ASU 2014-12; therefore, we do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.

REVENUE RECOGNITION  In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue From Contracts With Customers,” which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. This ASU provides a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues and expands required revenue recognition disclosures. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of adoption of this ASU on our consolidated financial statements.

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DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS REPORTING  In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity,” which changes the definition of and expands the disclosure requirements for discontinued operations. Under the new definition, discontinued operations reporting is limited to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The expanded disclosures for discontinued operations are meant to provide users of financial statements with more information about the assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses of discontinued operations. Additionally, this ASU requires an entity to disclose the pretax profit or loss of an individually significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. This ASU is effective for all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years.

 

 

NOTE 2: DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

In 2005, we sold substantially all the assets of our Chemicals business to Basic Chemicals, a subsidiary of Occidental Chemical Corporation. In addition to the initial cash proceeds, Basic Chemicals was required to make payments under two earn-out agreements. During 2013, we received the final payment under the 5CP earn-out of $13,031,000. During 2012, we received an earn-out payment of $11,369,000. We were liable for a cash transaction bonus payable annually to certain former key Chemicals employees based on the prior year’s earn-out results. Payments for the transaction bonus were $1,303,000 in 2013 and $1,137,000 in 2012.

The financial results of the Chemicals business are classified as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for all periods presented. There were no revenues from discontinued operations for the years presented. Results from discontinued operations are as follows:

 

 

The 2014, 2013 and 2012 pretax losses from discontinued operations of $3,683,000,  $5,744,000 and $8,017,000, respectively, were due primarily to general and product liability costs, including legal defense costs, and environmental remediation costs associated with our former Chemicals business.

 

 

 

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NOTE 3: INVENTORIES

Inventories at December 31 are as follows:

 

 

 

In addition to the inventory balances presented above, as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we have $17,449,000 and $27,331,000, respectively, of inventory classified as long-term assets (Other noncurrent assets) as we do not expect to sell the inventory within one year of their respective balance sheet dates. Inventories valued under the LIFO method total $232,371,000 at December 31, 2014 and $268,674,000 at December 31, 2013. During 2014,  2013 and 2012, inventory reductions resulted in liquidations of LIFO inventory layers carried at lower costs prevailing in prior years as compared to current-year costs. The effect of the LIFO liquidation on 2014 results was to decrease cost of revenues by $2,686,000 and increase net earnings by $1,650,000. The effect of the LIFO liquidation on 2013 results was to decrease cost of revenues by $1,310,000 and increase net earnings by $802,000. The effect of the LIFO liquidation on 2012 results was to decrease cost of revenues by $1,124,000 and increase net earnings by $688,000.  

Estimated current cost exceeded LIFO cost at December 31, 2014 and 2013 by $181,633,000 and $184,409,000, respectively. We use the LIFO method of valuation for most of our inventories as it results in a better matching of costs with revenues. We provide supplemental income disclosures to facilitate comparisons with companies not on LIFO. The supplemental income calculation is derived by tax-effecting the change in the LIFO reserve for the periods presented. If all inventories valued at LIFO cost had been valued under the methods (substantially average cost) used prior to the adoption of the LIFO method, the approximate effect on net earnings would have been an increase of $19,108,000 in 2014, an increase of $20,812,000 in 2013 and an increase of $5,990,000 in 2012.

 

 

 

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NOTE 4: PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT

Balances of major classes of assets and allowances for depreciation, depletion and amortization at December 31 are as follows:

 

 

 

Capitalized interest costs with respect to qualifying construction projects and total interest costs incurred before recognition of the capitalized amount for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

 

 

 

 

NOTE 5: DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

During the normal course of operations, we are exposed to market risks including fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity pricing. From time to time, and consistent with our risk management policies, we use derivative instruments to hedge against these market risks. We do not utilize derivative instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.

The accounting for gains and losses that result from changes in the fair value of derivative instruments depends on whether the derivatives have been designated and qualify as hedging instruments and the type of hedging relationship. The interest rate swap agreements described below were designated as either cash flow hedges or fair value hedges. The changes in fair value of our interest rate swap cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) and are reclassified into interest expense in the same period the hedged items affect earnings. The changes in fair value of our interest rate swap fair value hedges are recorded as interest expense consistent with the change in the fair value of the hedged items attributable to the risk being hedged.

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CASH FLOW HEDGES

We have used interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges to minimize the variability in cash flows of liabilities or forecasted transactions caused by fluctuations in interest rates. During 2007, we entered into fifteen forward starting interest rate swap agreements for a total stated amount of $1,500,000,000. Upon the 2007 and 2008 issuances of the related fixed-rate debt, we terminated and settled these forward starting swaps for cash payments of $89,777,000. Amounts in AOCI are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the related debt. This amortization was reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31 as follows:

 

 

The 2014 loss reclassified from AOCI includes the acceleration of a proportional amount of the deferred loss in the amount of $3,762,000 referable to the debt purchase as disclosed in Note 6.

For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2015, we estimate that $4,207,000 of the pretax loss in AOCI will be reclassified to earnings.

FAIR VALUE HEDGES

We have used interest rate swap agreements designated as fair value hedges to minimize exposure to changes in the fair value of fixed-rate debt that results from fluctuations in the benchmark interest rates for such debt. In June 2011, we issued $500,000,000 of 6.50% fixed-rate notes due in 2016. Concurrently, we entered into interest rate swap agreements in the stated amount of $500,000,000. Under these agreements, we paid 6-month LIBOR plus a spread of 4.05% and received a fixed interest rate of 6.50%. Additionally, in June 2011, we entered into interest rate swap agreements on our $150,000,000 of 10.125% fixed-rate notes due in 2015. Under these agreements, we paid 6-month LIBOR plus a spread of 8.03% and received a fixed interest rate of 10.125%. In August 2011, we terminated and settled these interest rate swap agreements for $25,382,000 of cash proceeds. The $23,387,000 forward component of the settlement (cash proceeds less $1,995,000 of accrued interest) was added to the carrying value of the related debt and is being amortized as a reduction to interest expense over the remaining lives of the related debt using the effective interest method. This amortization was reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31 as follows:

 

 

The amortized deferred gain for the year ended December 31, 2014 includes the acceleration of a proportional amount of the deferred gain in the amount of $8,032,000 referable to the debt purchased as disclosed in Note 6.

 

 

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NOTE 6: DEBT

Debt at December 31 is summarized as follows:

 

 

 

 

Our long-term debt is presented in the table above net of unamortized discounts from par and unamortized deferred gains realized upon settlement of interest rate swaps. Discounts and deferred gains are being amortized using the effective interest method over the respective terms of the notes.

The estimated fair value of long-term debt presented in the table above was determined by averaging the asking price quotes for the notes. The fair value estimates were based on Level 2 information (as defined in Note 1, caption Fair Value Measurements) available to us as of their respective balance sheet dates. Although we are not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the estimated fair value amounts, such amounts have not been revalued since those dates.

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Our long-term debt is unsecured and essentially all such debt agreements contain customary investment-grade type covenants that primarily limit the amount of secured debt we may incur without ratably securing the outstanding debt. Our debt may be redeemed prior to maturity at the greater of par value and the make-whole value plus accrued and unpaid interest.

There were no material scheduled debt payments during 2014. However, as described below, we purchased $506,366,000 principal amount of debt through a tender offer in the first quarter of 2014. Scheduled debt payments during 2013 included $10,000,000 in January to retire the 8.70% medium-term note and $140,444,000 in June to retire the 6.30% notes.

The total scheduled (principal and interest) debt payments, excluding draws, if any, on the line of credit, for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2014 are as follows:

 

 

In March 2014, we purchased $506,366,000 principal amount of debt through a tender offer as follows: $374,999,000 of 6.50% notes due in 2016 and $131,367,000 of 6.40% notes due in 2017. This debt purchase was funded by the sale of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area as described in Note 19. The March 2014 debt purchases cost $579,659,000, including a $71,829,000 premium above the principal amount of the notes and transaction costs of $1,464,000. The premium primarily reflects the trading prices of the notes relative to par prior to the tender offer commencement. Additionally, we recognized a net benefit of $344,000 associated with the acceleration of a proportional amount of unamortized discounts, deferred gains, deferred financing costs and amounts accumulated in OCI. The combined charge of $72,949,000 is presented in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income as a component of interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Additionally, in  March 2014, we amended our $500,000,000 line of credit to, among other items, extend the term from March 2018 to March 2019. The line of credit is secured by accounts receivable and inventory, but will become unsecured upon the achievement of certain credit metrics and/or credit ratings. The line of credit also contains negative and financial covenants customary for a secured facility.

The negative covenants primarily limit our ability to: (1) incur secured debt, (2) make certain investments, (3) execute acquisitions and divestitures, and (4) make restricted payments, including dividends. Such limitations currently do not impact our ability to execute our strategic, operating and financial plans, and become less restrictive when the line of credit becomes unsecured as described above.

The line of credit contains two financial covenants: (1) a maximum ratio of debt to EBITDA that declines over time to 3.5:1 and (2) a minimum ratio of EBITDA to net cash interest expense that increases over time to 3.0:1.

As of December 31, 2014, we were in compliance with our long-term debt and line of credit covenants.

Borrowings on our line of credit are classified as short-term due to our intent to repay any borrowings within twelve months. As of December 31, 2014, our available borrowing capacity was $446,450,000.  Borrowings under the line of credit bear interest at a rate determined at the time of borrowing equal to LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.25%, or an alternative rate derived from the lender's prime rate, based on our  ratio of debt to EBITDA. As of December 31, 2014, the applicable margin for LIBOR based borrowings was 1.50%.

Standby letters of credit issued under the line of credit reduce availability and are charged a fee equal to the margin for LIBOR based borrowings plus 0.175%. We also pay a commitment fee on the daily average unused amount of the line of credit. This commitment fee ranges from 0.25% to 0.40% based on our  ratio of debt to EBITDA. At December 31, 2014, the commitment fee was 0.25%. Once the line of credit becomes unsecured, both the LIBOR margin range for borrowings and the commitment fee range will decline.

 

 

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NOTE 7: OPERATING LEASES

Rental expense from continuing operations under nonmineral operating leases for the years ended December 31, exclusive of rental payments made under leases of one month or less, is summarized as follows:

 

 

 

Future minimum operating lease payments under all leases with initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year, exclusive of mineral leases (see Note 12), as of December 31, 2014 are payable as follows:

 

 

Lease agreements frequently include renewal options and require that we pay for utilities, taxes, insurance and maintenance expense. Options to purchase are also included in some lease agreements.

 

 

NOTE 8: ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION COSTS

Our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31 include accrued environmental remediation costs (measured on an undiscounted basis) as follows:

 

 

The long-term portion of the accruals noted above is included in other noncurrent liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and amounted to $6,736,000 at December 31, 2014 and $7,134,000 at December 31, 2013. The short-term portion of these accruals is included in other accrued liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The accrued environmental remediation costs in continuing operations relate primarily to the former Florida Rock, Tarmac, and CalMat facilities acquired in 2007, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The balances noted above for Chemicals relate to retained environmental remediation costs from the 2003 sale of the Performance Chemicals business and the 2005 sale of the Chloralkali business.

Refer to Note 12 for additional discussion of certain contingent environmental matters.

 

 

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NOTE 9: INCOME TAXES

The components of earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes are as follows:

 

 

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes from continuing operations consists of the following:

 

 

The provision for (benefit  from) income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the federal statutory income tax rate to earnings (losses) from continuing operations before income taxes. The sources and tax effects of the differences are as follows:

 

 

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Deferred taxes on the balance sheet result from temporary differences between the amount of assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting and tax purposes. The components of the net deferred income tax liability at December 31 are as follows:

 

 

The above amounts are reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31 as follows:

 

 

Each quarter we analyze the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be realized. A valuation allowance is recorded if, based on the weight of all available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

As of December 31, 2014,  income tax receivables of $1,040,000 are included in accounts and notes receivable in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. These receivables relate to prior year state overpayments that we have requested to be refunded. There were similar receivables of $1,073,000 as of December 31, 2013.

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Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is discussed in our accounting policy for income taxes (see Note 1, caption Income Taxes). Changes in our liability for unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

 

 

We classify interest and penalties recognized on the liability for unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. Interest and penalties recognized as income tax expense (benefit) were $(1,067,000) in 2014, $(788,000) in 2013 and $218,000 in 2012. The balance of accrued interest and penalties included in our liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31 was $965,000 in 2014, $2,032,000 in 2013 and $2,820,000 in 2012.

Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits at December 31 in the table above include $6,282,000 in 2014, $7,910,000 in 2013 and $9,170,000 in 2012 that would affect the effective tax rate if recognized.

We are routinely examined by various taxing authorities. We anticipate no single tax position generating a significant increase or decrease in our liability for unrecognized tax benefits within 12 months of this reporting date.

We file income tax returns in U.S. federal, various state and foreign jurisdictions. Generally, we are not subject to significant changes in income taxes by any taxing jurisdiction for the years prior to 2011.

As of December 31, 2014, we  have $56,339,000 of accumulated undistributed earnings from one of our foreign subsidiaries.  We consider these earnings to be indefinitely reinvested and, therefore, have not recorded deferred income taxes on these earnings. If we were to distribute these earnings in the form of dividends, the distribution would result in U.S. income taxes of $19,719,000.

 

 

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NOTE 10: BENEFIT PLANS

PENSION PLANS

We sponsor three funded, noncontributory defined benefit pension plans. These plans cover substantially all employees hired prior to July 2007, other than those covered by union-administered plans. Normal retirement age is 65, but the plans contain provisions for earlier retirement. Benefits for the Salaried Plan and the Chemicals Hourly Plan are generally based on salaries or wages and years of service; the Construction Materials Hourly Plan provides benefits equal to a flat dollar amount for each year of service. In addition to these qualified plans, we sponsor three unfunded, nonqualified pension plans. The projected benefit obligation presented in the table below includes $101,230,000 and $93,600,000, respectively, related to these unfunded, nonqualified pension plans for 2014 and 2013.

Effective July 2007, we amended our defined benefit pension plans to no longer accept new participants. In December 2013, we amended our defined benefit pension plans so that future service accruals for salaried pension participants ceased effective December 31, 2013. This change included a special transition provision which will allow covered compensation through December 31, 2015 to be considered in the participants’ benefit calculations. The amendment resulted in a curtailment and remeasurement of the salaried and nonqualified pension plans in May 2013 that reduced our 2013 pension expense by approximately $7,600,000 (net of the one-time curtailment loss) of which $800,000 was related to discontinued operations.

The following table sets forth the combined funded status of the plans and their reconciliation with the related amounts recognized in our consolidated financial statements at December 31:

 

 

 

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The accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) and the projected benefit obligation (PBO) exceeded plan assets for all of our defined benefit plans at December 31, 2014 and all plans except the Chemicals Hourly Plan at December 31, 2013. At December 31, 2013, assets in the Chemicals Hourly Plan of $91,803,000 exceeded its ABO by $3,919,000 and its PBO by $3,056,000. The ABO for all of our defined benefit pension plans totaled $1,061,816,000 (unfunded, nonqualified plans of $95,154,000) at December 31, 2014 and $891,394,000 (unfunded, nonqualified plans of $89,289,000) at December 31, 2013.

The following table sets forth the components of net periodic benefit cost, amounts recognized in other comprehensive income and weighted-average assumptions of the plans at December 31:

 

 

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The estimated net actuarial loss and prior service cost that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic pension benefit cost during 2015 are $20,762,000 and $47,000, respectively.

Assumptions regarding our expected return on plan assets are based primarily on judgments made by us and the Finance Committee of our Board. These judgments take into account the expectations of our pension plan consultants and actuaries and our investment advisors. We base our expected return on long-term investment expectations. The expected return on plan assets used to determine 2014 pension benefit cost was 7.50%.

We establish our pension investment policy by evaluating asset/liability studies periodically performed by our consultants. These studies estimate trade-offs between expected returns on our investments and the variability in anticipated cash contributions to fund our pension liabilities. Our policy balances the variability in potential pension fund contributions to expected returns on our investments.

Our current strategy for implementing this policy is to invest in publicly traded equities and in publicly traded debt and private, nonliquid opportunities, such as venture capital, commodities, buyout funds and mezzanine debt. The target allocation ranges for plan assets are as follows: equity securities — 50% to 77%; debt securities — 15% to 27%; specialty investments — 0% to 20%; commodities — 0% to 6%; and cash reserves — 0% to 5%. Equity securities include domestic investments and foreign equities in the Europe, Australia and Far East (EAFE) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) Emerging Market Indices. Debt securities primarily include domestic debt instruments, while specialty investments include investments in venture capital, buyout funds, mezzanine debt, private partnerships and an interest in a commodity index fund.

The fair values of our pension plan assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013 by asset category are as follows:

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013

 

 

 

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At each measurement date, we estimate the fair value of our pension assets using various valuation techniques. We utilize, to the extent available, quoted market prices in active markets or observable market inputs in estimating the fair value of our pension assets. When quoted market prices or observable market inputs are not available, we utilize valuation techniques that rely on unobservable inputs to estimate the fair value of our pension assets. The following describes the types of investments included in each asset category listed in the tables above and the valuation techniques we used to determine the fair values as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.

The debt securities category consists of bonds issued by U.S. federal, state and local governments, corporate debt securities, fixed income obligations issued by foreign governments, and asset-backed securities. The fair values of U.S. government and corporate debt securities are based on current market rates and credit spreads for debt securities with similar maturities. The fair values of debt securities issued by foreign governments are based on prices obtained from broker/dealers and international indices. The fair values of asset-backed securities are priced using prepayment speed and spread inputs that are sourced from the new issue market.

Investment funds consist of exchange traded and non-exchange traded funds. The commodity funds asset category consists of a single open-end commodity mutual fund. The equity funds asset category consists of index funds for domestic equities and an actively managed fund for international equities. The short-term funds asset category consists of a collective investment trust invested in highly liquid, short-term debt securities. For investment funds publicly traded on a national securities exchange, the fair value is based on quoted market prices. For investment funds not traded on an exchange, the total fair value of the underlying securities is used to determine the net asset value for each unit of the fund held by the pension fund. The estimated fair values of the underlying securities are generally valued based on quoted market prices. For securities without quoted market prices, other observable market inputs are utilized to determine the fair value.

The venture capital and partnerships asset category consists of various limited partnership funds, mezzanine debt funds and leveraged buyout funds. The fair value of these investments has been estimated based on methods employed by the general partners, including consideration of, among other things, reference to third-party transactions, valuations of comparable companies operating within the same or similar industry, the current economic and competitive environment, creditworthiness of the corporate issuer, as well as market prices for instruments with similar maturity, term, conditions and quality ratings. The use of different assumptions, applying different judgment to inherently subjective matters and changes in future market conditions could result in significantly different estimates of fair value of these securities.

A reconciliation of the fair value measurements of our pension plan assets using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 is presented below:

Fair Value Measurements
Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

 

 

 

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Total employer contributions for the pension plans are presented below:

 

 

During 2014, 2013 and 2012, we  made no contributions to our qualified pension plans. We do not anticipate making contributions to our qualified pension plans in 2015. For our nonqualified pension plans, we made benefit payments of $5,488,000,  $4,855,000 and $4,509,000  during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and expect to make payments of $13,718,000 during 2015.

The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:

 

 

We contribute to a number of multiemployer defined benefit pension plans under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements for union-represented employees. A multiemployer plan is subject to collective bargaining for employees of two or more unrelated companies. Multiemployer plans are managed by boards of trustees on which management and labor have equal representation. However, in most cases, management is not directly represented. The risks of participating in multiemployer plans differ from single employer plans as follows:

 

None of the multiemployer pension plans that we participate in are individually significant. Our contributions to individual multiemployer pension funds did not exceed 5% of the fund’s total contributions in the three years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. Total contributions to multiemployer pension plans were $8,503,000 in 2014, $7,580,000 in 2013 and $7,227,000 in 2012.

As of December 31, 2014, a total of 15% of our domestic hourly labor force was covered by collective bargaining agreements. Of such employees covered by collective bargaining agreements, 12% were covered by agreements that expire in 2015. We also employed 272 union employees in Mexico who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement that will expire in 2015.  None of our union employees in Mexico participate in multiemployer pension plans.

In addition to the pension plans noted above, we had one unfunded supplemental retirement plan as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. The accrued costs for the supplemental retirement plan were $1,421,000 at December 31, 2014 and $1,328,000 at December 31, 2013.

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POSTRETIREMENT PLANS

In addition to pension benefits, we provide certain healthcare and life insurance benefits for some retired employees. In 2012, we amended our postretirement healthcare plan to cap our portion of the medical coverage cost at the 2015 level. Substantially all our salaried employees and where applicable, hourly employees may become eligible for these benefits if they reach a qualifying age and meet certain service requirements. Generally, Company-provided healthcare benefits terminate when covered individuals become eligible for Medicare benefits, become eligible for other group insurance coverage or reach age 65, whichever occurs first.

The March 2014 sale of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area (see Note 19) significantly reduced total expected future service of our postretirement plans resulting in a reduction in the projected benefit obligation of $2,639,000 and a one-time curtailment gain of $3,832,000. This gain was reflected within gain on sale of property, plant & equipment, net in our accompanying Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2014.

The following table sets forth the combined funded status of the plans and their reconciliation with the related amounts recognized in our consolidated financial statements at December 31:

 

 

 

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The following table sets forth the components of net periodic benefit cost, amounts recognized in other comprehensive income, weighted-average assumptions and assumed trend rates of the plans at December 31:

 

 

The estimated net actuarial loss and prior service credit that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic postretirement benefit cost (credit) during 2015 are $258,000 and $(4,232,000), respectively.

Total employer contributions for the postretirement plans are presented below:

 

 

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The employer contributions shown above are equal to the cost of benefits during the year. The plans are not funded and are not subject to any regulatory funding requirements.

The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:

 

 

Contributions by participants to the postretirement benefit plans for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

 

 

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS ASSUMPTIONS

Each year we review our assumptions about the discount rate, the expected return on plan assets, the rate of compensation increase (for salary-related plans) and the rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered healthcare benefits.

In selecting the discount rate, we consider fixed-income security yields, specifically high-quality bonds. We also analyze the duration of plan liabilities and the yields for corresponding high-quality bonds. At December 31, 2014, the discount rates for our various plans ranged from 3.50% to 4.30% (December 31, 2013 ranged from 3.80% to 5.15%).

In estimating the expected return on plan assets, we consider past performance and long-term future expectations for the types of investments held by the plan as well as the expected long-term allocation of plan assets to these investments. At December 31, 2014, the expected return on plan assets remained at 7.50%.

In projecting the rate of compensation increase, we consider past experience and future expectations. At December 31, 2014, our projected weighted-average rate of compensation increase was 3.70%, up from 3.50% at December 31, 2013.

In selecting the rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered healthcare benefits, we consider past performance and forecasts of future healthcare cost trends. At December 31, 2014, our assumed rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered healthcare benefits remained at 7.50% for 2015, decreasing each year until reaching 5.0% in 2025 and remaining level thereafter. Increases in the per capita cost after 2015 are not expected to increase our obligations related to postretirement medical benefits as a result of the 2012 plan amendment to cap medical coverage cost at the 2015 level.

DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS

We sponsor two defined contribution plans. Substantially all salaried and nonunion hourly employees are eligible to be covered by one of these plans. Expense recognized in connection with these plans totaled $29,215,000 in 2014, $21,416,000 in 2013 and $18,460,000 in 2012.

 

 

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NOTE 11: INCENTIVE PLANS

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

Our 2006 Omnibus Long-term Incentive Plan (Plan) authorizes the granting of stock options, Stock-Only Stock Appreciation Rights (SOSARs) and other types of share-based awards to key salaried employees and non-employee directors. The maximum number of shares that may be issued under the Plan is 11,900,000.

PERFORMANCE SHARES — Each performance share unit is equal to and paid in one share of our common stock, but carries no voting or dividend rights. The number of units ultimately paid for performance share awards may range from 0% to 200% of the number of units awarded on the date of grant.  Payment is based upon our Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance relative to the TSR performance of the S&P 500®. Awards vest on December 31 of the fourth year after date of grant. Vesting is accelerated upon reaching retirement age, death, disability, or change of control, all as defined in the award agreement. Nonvested units are forfeited upon termination for any other reason. Expense provisions referable to these awards amounted to $16,863,000 in 2014, $16,159,000 in 2013 and $12,151,000 in 2012.

The fair value of performance shares is estimated as of the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The following table summarizes the activity for nonvested performance share units during the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

 

During 2013 and 2012, the weighted-average grant date fair value of performance shares granted was $53.65 and $46.22, respectively.

The aggregate values for distributed performance share awards are based on the closing price of our common stock as of the distribution date. The aggregate values of distributed performance shares for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

 

 

In addition to the performance shares granted in 2013 as noted above, we granted 60,000 restricted shares in December 2013 to certain key executives. These shares cliff vest on the fourth anniversary of the grant date and have a grant date fair value of $54.35.

 

STOCK OPTIONS/SOSARS — Stock options/SOSARs granted have an exercise price equal to the market value of our underlying common stock on the date of grant. With the exceptions of the stock option grants awarded in December 2005 and January 2006, the options/SOSARs vest ratably over 3 to 5 years and expire 10 years subsequent to the grant. The options awarded in December 2005 and January 2006 were fully vested on the date of grant and expire 10 years subsequent to the grant date. Vesting is accelerated upon reaching retirement age, death, disability, or change of control, all as defined in the award agreement. Nonvested awards are forfeited upon termination for any other reason.

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The fair value of stock options/SOSARs is estimated as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Compensation cost for stock options/SOSARs is based on this grant date fair value and is recognized for awards that ultimately vest. The following table presents the weighted-average fair value and the weighted-average assumptions used in estimating the fair value of grants during the years ended December 31:

 

 

 

The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield at the date of grant of a U.S. Treasury security with a maturity period approximating the SOSARs expected term. The dividend yield assumption is based on our historical dividend payouts adjusted for current expectations of future payouts. The volatility assumption is based on the historical volatility and expectations about future volatility of our common stock over a period equal to the SOSARs expected term. The expected term is based on historical experience and expectations about future exercises and represents the period of time that SOSARs granted are expected to be outstanding.

A summary of our stock option/SOSAR activity as of December 31, 2014 and changes during the year are presented below:

 

 

The aggregate intrinsic values in the table above represent the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between our stock price on the last trading day of 2014 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options/SOSARs) that would have been received by the option holders had all options/SOSARs been exercised on December 31, 2014. These values change based on the fair market value of our common stock. The aggregate intrinsic values of options/SOSARs exercised for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

 

 

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To the extent the tax deductions exceed compensation cost recorded, the tax benefit is reflected as a component of equity in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table presents cash and stock consideration received and tax benefit realized from stock option/SOSAR exercises and compensation cost recorded referable to stock options/SOSARs for the years ended December 31:

 

CASH-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

We have incentive plans under which cash awards may be made annually to officers and key employees. Expense provisions referable to these plans amounted to $27,442,000 in 2014, $19,540,000 in 2013 and $16,118,000 in 2012.

 

 

NOTE 12: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We have commitments in the form of unconditional purchase obligations as of December 31, 2014. These include commitments for the purchase of property, plant & equipment of $34,401,000 and commitments for noncapital purchases of $38,119,000. These commitments are due as follows:

 

 

Expenditures under noncapital purchase commitments totaled $65,582,000 in 2014, $83,699,000 in 2013 and $83,599,000 in 2012.

We have commitments in the form of minimum royalties under mineral leases as of December 31, 2014 in the amount of $190,124,000, due as follows:

 

 

Expenditures for royalties under mineral leases totaled $49,685,000 in 2014, $53,768,000 in 2013 and $46,007,000 in 2012. Refer to Note 7 for future minimum nonmineral operating lease payments.

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Certain of our aggregates reserves are burdened by volumetric production payments (nonoperating interest) as described in Note 1 under the caption Deferred Revenue. As the holder of the working interest, we have responsibility to bear the cost of mining and producing the reserves attributable to this nonoperating interest.

We provide, in the normal course of business, certain third party beneficiaries standby letters of credit to support our obligations to pay or perform according to the requirements of an underlying agreement. Such letters of credit typically have an initial term of one year, typically renew automatically, and can only be modified or cancelled with the approval of the beneficiary. All of our standby letters of credit are issued by banks that participate in our $500,000,000 line of credit, and reduce the borrowing capacity thereunder. We pay a fee for all standby letters of credit equal to the margin (ranges from 1.50% to 2.25%) applicable to LIBOR based borrowings under the line of credit, plus 0.175%.  Our standby letters of credit as of December 31, 2014 are summarized by purpose in the table below:

 

 

As described in Note 9, our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is $7,057,000 as of December 31, 2014.

We are subject to occasional governmental proceedings and orders pertaining to occupational safety and health or to protection of the environment, such as proceedings or orders relating to noise abatement, air emissions or water discharges. As part of our continuing program of stewardship in safety, health and environmental matters, we have been able to resolve such proceedings and to comply with such orders without any material adverse effects on our business.

We have received notices from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or similar state or local agencies that we are considered a potentially responsible party (PRP) at a limited number of sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund) or similar state and local environmental laws. Generally we share the cost of remediation at these sites with other PRPs or alleged PRPs in accordance with negotiated or prescribed allocations. There is inherent uncertainty in determining the potential cost of remediating a given site and in determining any individual party's share in that cost. As a result, estimates can change substantially as additional information becomes available regarding the nature or extent of site contamination, remediation methods, other PRPs and their probable level of involvement, and actions by or against governmental agencies or private parties.

We have reviewed the nature and extent of our involvement at each Superfund site, as well as potential obligations arising under other federal, state and local environmental laws. While ultimate resolution and financial liability is uncertain at a number of the sites, in our opinion based on information currently available, the ultimate resolution of claims and assessments related to these sites will not have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows, although amounts recorded in a given period could be material to our results of operations or cash flows for that period. Amounts accrued for environmental matters are presented in Note 8.

We are a defendant in various lawsuits in the ordinary course of business. It is not possible to determine with precision the outcome, or the amount of liability, if any, under these lawsuits, especially where the cases involve possible jury trials with as yet undetermined jury panels.

In addition to these lawsuits in which we are involved in the ordinary course of business, certain other material legal proceedings are specifically described below.

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LOWER PASSAIC RIVER MATTER

At this time, we cannot reasonably estimate our ultimate liability related to this matter. Furthermore, the AOC does not obligate us to fund or perform the remedial action contemplated by either the RI/FS or the FFS. Vulcan formerly owned a chemicals operation near River Mile 0.1, which was sold in 1974. The Company has found no evidence that its former chemicals operation contributed any of the primary contaminants of concern to the River. Neither the ultimate remedial approach and associated costs (or range of costs), nor the parties who will participate in funding the remediation and their respective allocations, have been determined.

Based on the facts available at this time, we believe our liability related to any remedial actions will be immaterial.

OTHER LITIGATION

There are numerous defendants to the litigation in state and federal court. Vulcan was first brought into the litigation as a third-party defendant in August 2013 by the Texas Brine Company. Vulcan has since been added as a direct and third-party defendant by other parties, including a direct claim by the State of Louisiana. The damages alleged in the litigation range from individual plaintiffs’ claims for property damage, to the State of Louisiana’s claim for response costs, to claims for alleged physical damages to oil pipelines, to various alleged business interruption claims, and to claims for indemnity and contribution from Texas Brine. It is alleged that the sinkhole was caused, in whole or in part, by Vulcan’s negligent actions or failure to act. It is also alleged that Vulcan breached the salt lease, as well as an operating agreement with Texas Brine. Vulcan denies any liability in this matter and will vigorously defend the litigation. We cannot reasonably estimate any liability related to this matter.

It is not possible to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of these and other legal proceedings in which we are involved and a number of factors, including developments in ongoing discovery or adverse rulings, or the verdict of a particular jury, could cause actual losses to differ materially from accrued costs. No liability was recorded for claims and litigation for which a loss was determined to be only reasonably possible or for which a loss could not be reasonably estimated. Legal costs incurred in defense of lawsuits are expensed as incurred. In addition, losses on certain claims and litigation described above may be subject to limitations on a per occurrence basis by excess insurance, as described in Note 1 under the caption Claims and Litigation Including Self-insurance.

 

 

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NOTE 13: EQUITY

Our capital stock consists solely of common stock, par value $1.00 per share. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share. Our Certificate of Incorporation also authorizes preferred stock, of which no shares have been issued. The terms and provisions of such shares will be determined by our Board of Directors upon any issuance of preferred shares in accordance with our Certificate of Incorporation.

In 2014 and 2012, we issued 715,004 and 60,855 shares, respectively, of common stock in connection with business acquisitions as described in Note 19.

We occasionally sell shares of common stock to the trustee of our 401(k) retirement plan to satisfy the plan participants' elections to invest in our common stock. Under this arrangement, the stock issuances and resulting cash proceeds for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

During 2012, we reclassified the $10,764,000 stock election portion of our directors deferred compensation obligation from liability (current and noncurrent) to equity (capital in excess of par). The participants’ elections are irrevocable and the stock component must be settled in shares of our common stock.

There were no shares held in treasury as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 and no shares purchased during any of these three years. As of December 31, 2014,  3,411,416 shares may be repurchased under the current purchase authorization of our Board of Directors.

 

 

NOTE 14: OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Comprehensive income comprises two subsets: net earnings and other comprehensive income (OCI). The components of other comprehensive income are presented in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Statements of Equity, net of applicable taxes.

Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI), net of tax, at December 31, are as follows:

 

 

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Changes in AOCI, net of tax, for the three years ended December 31, 2014 are as follows:

 

Amounts reclassified from AOCI to earnings, are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 15: SEGMENT REPORTING

We have four operating (and reporting)  segments organized around our principal product lines: Aggregates, Asphalt Mix, Concrete and Calcium (formerly Cement).

The Aggregates segment produces and sells aggregates (crushed stone, sand and gravel, sand, and other aggregates) and related products and services (transportation and other). During 2014, the Aggregates segment principally served markets in twenty states, Washington D.C. and Mexico with a full line of aggregates, and five additional states with railroad ballast. Customers use aggregates primarily in the construction and maintenance of highways, streets and other public works and in the construction of housing and commercial, industrial and other nonresidential facilities. Customers are served by truck, rail and water distribution networks from our production facilities and sales yards. Due to the high weight-to-value ratio of aggregates, markets generally are local in nature. Quarries located on waterways and rail lines allow us to serve remote markets where local aggregates reserves may not be available. We sell a relatively small amount of construction aggregates outside the United States. Nondomestic revenues were $14,699,000 in 2014, $12,339,000 in 2013 and $14,733,000 in 2012.

The Asphalt Mix segment produces and sells asphalt mix in four states primarily in our southwestern and western markets.

The Concrete segment produces and sells ready-mixed concrete in six states, Washington D.C. and the Bahamas.  Subsequently, in January 2015 we swapped our ready-mixed concrete operations in California for asphalt mix operations, primarily in Arizona. In March 2014, we sold our concrete business in the Florida area (see Note 19) which in addition to ready-mixed concrete, included concrete block, precast concrete, as well as building materials purchased for resale.

The Calcium segment currently consists of a Florida facility that mines, produces and sells calcium products. Prior to the sale of our cement business in March 2014 (see Note 19), we produced and sold Portland and masonry cement in both bulk and bags from our Florida cement plant and imported and exported cement, clinker and slag and either resold, ground, blended, bagged or reprocessed those materials from other Florida facilities.

Aggregates comprise approximately 95% of asphalt mix by weight and 78% of ready-mixed concrete by weight. Our Asphalt Mix and Concrete segments are primarily supplied with their aggregates requirements from our Aggregates segment. These intersegment sales are made at local market prices for the particular grade and quality of product utilized in the production of asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete. Customers for our Asphalt Mix and Concrete segments are generally served locally at our production facilities or by truck. Because asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete harden rapidly, delivery is time constrained and generally confined to a radius of approximately 20 to 25 miles from the producing facility.

The vast majority of our activities are domestic. Long-lived assets outside the United States, which consist primarily of property, plant & equipment, were $139,427,000 in 2014, $140,504,000 in 2013 and $138,415,000 in 2012.  Equity method investments of $22,924,000 in 2014, $22,962,000 in 2013 and $22,965,000 in 2012 are included below in the identifiable assets for the Aggregates segment.

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SEGMENT FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 16: SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

Supplemental information referable to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows is summarized below:

 

 

 

 

NOTE 17: ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

Asset retirement obligations (AROs) are legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets resulting from the acquisition, construction, development and/or normal use of the underlying assets.

Recognition of a liability for an ARO is required in the period in which it is incurred at its estimated fair value. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the underlying asset and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. The liability is accreted through charges to operating expenses. If the ARO is settled for other than the carrying amount of the liability, we recognize a gain or loss on settlement.

We record all AROs for which we have legal obligations for land reclamation at estimated fair value. Essentially all these AROs relate to our underlying land parcels, including both owned properties and mineral leases. For the years ended December 31, we recognized ARO operating costs related to accretion of the liabilities and depreciation of the assets as follows:

 

 

ARO operating costs are reported in cost of revenues. AROs are reported within other noncurrent liabilities in our accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Reconciliations of the carrying amounts of our AROs for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

 

 

The ARO liabilities incurred during 2014 relate primarily to the 2014 acquisitions (see Note 19).

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The increase in liabilities settled during 2014 and the ARO liabilities incurred during 2013 relate primarily to reclamation activities required under a development agreement and a conditional use permit at an aggregates facility on owned property in Southern California. Upward revisions to our ARO liability during 2013 are largely attributable to an adjacent aggregates facility on owned property. The reclamation requirements at this property will result in the restoration and development of mined property suitable for commercial and retail development. The estimated cost to fill and compact the property increased and the estimated settlement date decreased resulting in an upward revision to the ARO. 

 

 

NOTE 18: GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Acquired identifiable intangible assets are classified into three categories: (1) goodwill, (2) intangible assets with finite lives subject to amortization and (3) intangible assets with indefinite lives. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized; rather, they are reviewed for impairment at least annually. For additional information regarding our policies on impairment reviews, see Note 1 under the captions “Goodwill and Goodwill Impairment,” and “Impairment of Long-lived Assets excluding Goodwill.”

GOODWILL

Goodwill is recognized when the consideration paid for a business exceeds the fair value of the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is allocated to reporting units for purposes of testing goodwill for impairment. There were no charges for goodwill impairment in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

We have four reportable segments organized around our principal product lines: Aggregates, Asphalt Mix, Concrete and Calcium (formerly Cement). Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are summarized below:

 

 

 

We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if events or circumstances change in a manner that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. A decrease in the estimated fair value of one or more of our reporting units could result in the recognition of a material, noncash write-down of goodwill.

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INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets acquired in business combinations are stated at their fair value determined as of the date of acquisition. Costs incurred to renew or extend the life of existing intangible assets are capitalized. These capitalized renewal/extension costs were immaterial for the years presented. Intangible assets consist of contractual rights in place (primarily permitting and zoning rights), noncompetition agreements, favorable lease agreements, customer relationships and trade names and trademarks. Intangible assets acquired individually or otherwise obtained outside a business combination consist primarily of permitting, permitting compliance and zoning rights and are stated at their historical cost less accumulated amortization.

See Note 19 for the details of the intangible assets acquired in business acquisitions during 2014, 2013 and 2012.  Amortization of finite-lived intangible assets is computed based on the estimated life of the intangible assets. Contractual rights in place associated with aggregates reserves are amortized using the unit-of-production method based on estimated recoverable units. Other intangible assets are amortized principally by the straight-line method. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. There were no charges for impairment of intangible assets in the years ended December 31, 2014,  2013 and 2012.

The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization by major intangible asset class for the years ended December 31 are summarized below:

 

 

 

Estimated amortization expense for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2014 is as follows:

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 19: ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

2014 ACQUISITIONS,  DIVESTITURES AND PENDING DIVESTITURES

During 2014, we completed several acquisitions for total consideration of $331,836,000. Assets acquired include:

The 2014 acquisitions listed above are reported in our consolidated financial statements as of their respective acquisition dates. The amounts of total revenues, net earnings and acquisition related costs for these acquisitions (collectively) are included in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for year ended December 31, 2014 as follows:

 

None of the 2014 acquisitions listed above are material to our results of operations or financial position either individually or collectively. The fair value of consideration transferred for these acquisitions and the preliminary amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (based on their estimated fair values at their acquisition dates), are summarized below:

 

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Estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are preliminary pending appraisals of contractual rights in place and property, plant & equipment.

The contractual rights in place noted above will be amortized against earnings using the unit-of-production method over an estimated weighted-average period in excess of 40 years and all but $36,921,000 will be deductible for income tax purposes over 15 years. The goodwill noted above (none of which will be deductible for income tax purposes) represents the balance of deferred tax liabilities generated from carrying over the seller’s tax basis in the assets acquired.

In 2014, we sold:

The structure of these 2014 transactions — along with the 2013 reserve acquisition in southern California (noted below) — enabled us to defer income taxes on approximately $144,200,000 in ordinary and capital gains.

The pending divestiture of 12 ready-mixed concrete facilities in California is presented in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2014 as assets held for sale and liabilities of assets held for sale. This transaction closed in January 2015 resulting in an immaterial gain. These ready-mixed concrete facilities (representing all of our California concrete operations) were swapped for 13 asphalt mix operations, primarily in Arizona. Likewise, the previously mined and subsequently reclaimed tract of land sold in the first quarter of 2014 (as noted above) is presented in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2013 as assets held for sale. The major classes of assets and liabilities of assets classified as held for sale as of December 31 are as  follows:

 

 

 

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2013 ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES

In 2013, we acquired:

In 2013, we sold:

2012 DIVESTITURES

In 2012, we sold:

Effective land management is both a business strategy and a social responsibility. We strive to achieve value through our mining activities as well as incremental value through effective post-mining land management. Our land management strategy includes routinely reclaiming and selling our previously mined land. Additionally, this strategy includes developing conservation banks by preserving land as a suitable habitat for endangered or sensitive species. These conservation banks have received approval from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to offer mitigation credits for sale to third parties who may be required to compensate for the loss of habitats of endangered or sensitive species.

 

 

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NOTE 20: UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The following is a summary of selected quarterly financial information (unaudited) for each of the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ITEM 9

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 

None.

ITEM 9A

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We maintain a system of controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports we file with the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC's rules and forms. These disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a - 15(e) or 15d - 15(e)), include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, with the participation of other management officials, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2014. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

As part of the divestiture of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area, we entered into a Transition Services Agreement with the buyer, whereby we agreed to continue to provide certain services for the divested facilities during 2014. All services were performed utilizing our existing systems and under our current control environment. The service agreement did not require significant changes to our current control environment beyond ensuring proper segregation of duties over processing of third-party transactions. Controls were established and implemented to facilitate proper handling of third-party data, including controls to protect against comingling of information and controls to prevent improper access to information. Procedures put in place to facilitate the Transition Services Agreement did not materially impact our controls over financial reporting during 2014.

On November 1, 2014, we completed our obligations under the Transition Services Agreement for the sold concrete facilities and the buyer began processing the transactions for the newly acquired concrete facilities in their systems. We provided information support for the buyer’s concrete operations through December 31, 2014. A new Transition Services Agreement was put in place for cement operations through March 31, 2015.

No other changes were made during the fourth quarter of 2014 to our internal controls over financial reporting or other factors that could materially affect these controls.

MANAGEMENT'S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal control over financial reporting as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). A control system can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.

Under management's supervision, an evaluation of the design and effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting was conducted based on the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2014.

Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as auditors of our consolidated financial statements, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. Deloitte & Touche LLP's report, which expresses an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, follows this report.

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM – INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Vulcan Materials Company:

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Vulcan Materials Company and its subsidiary companies (the "Company") as of December 31, 2014 based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

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

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

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 and our report dated February 26, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

 

 

 

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ITEM 9B

OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.