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Columbus McKinnon Corporation

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Industry Agricultural - Machinery
Employees 3515
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FY2016 Annual Report · Columbus McKinnon Corporation
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Lifting. Positioning. Securing.  

Safely and Productively 

2016 ANNUAL REPORT 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
Material Handling - Easily and Safely 

Columbus  McKinnon  (NASDAQ:  CMCO) 
leading  worldwide 
designer,  manufacturer  and  marketer  of  material  handling  products, 
systems  and  services,  which  efficiently  and  ergonomically  move,  lift, 
position and secure materials.   

is  a 

Headquartered  in  Getzville,  New  York,  Columbus  McKinnon’s  key 
products  include  hoists,  cranes,  actuators,  rigging  tools,  and  digital 
power  and  motion  control  systems.    The  Company  is  focused  on 
commercial and industrial applications that require the safety and quality 
provided by its superior design and engineering know-how. 

 
Financial Summary 
(in thousands, except per share, margin and ratio data)

Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

Income Statement Data

Net sales 
Gross profit 
Gross margin
Income from operations
Operating margin 
Net income 
Net income per diluted share 
Non-GAAP adjusted net income per diluted share1

Balance Sheet Data

Total assets 
Total liabilities 
Total debt 
Total debt, net of cash 
Total shareholders’ equity 
Total debt/capitalization
Total debt, net of cash/net total capitalization

Other Data

$

$
$

$

$

597,103
187,263

$

579,643
181,607

31.4 %

40,570

6.8 %

19,579
0.96
1.45

773,044
486,735
267,825
216,222
286,309

48.3 %
43.0 %

31.3 %

54,648

9.4 %

27,190
1.34
1.53

566,324
297,605
126,712
63,656
268,719

32.0 %
19.2 %

$
$

$

$

$

$
$

$

$

583,290
181,048

31.0 %

54,350

9.3 %

30,421
1.52
1.47

598,674
307,388
152,293
39,984
291,286

34.3 %
12.1 %

$

$
$

$

$

597,263
174,231

29.2 %

54,371

9.1 %

78,296
3.98
1.43

566,867
326,880
152,077
30,417
239,987

38.8 %
11.2 %

$

$
$

$

$

591,945
157,718
26.6
45,144
7.6
26,967
1.38
1.07

515,407
354,941
153,094
63,621
160,466
48.8
28.4

$

$

52,645
20,531
(22,320)

Operating cash flow 
Depreciation and amortization
Capital expenditures
Working capital (excl. cash and debt)/sales 2 3
Days sales outstanding
Inventory turns
1 The Company b elieves that non-GAAP adjusted net income per diluted share is a meaningful measure of financial performance in comparing period-to-period results.  Please 
see the tab le at the b ack of this report for a reconciliation of GAAP net income per diluted share to non-GAAP adjusted net income per diluted share.  This information should b e 
considered in addition to, b ut not as a sub stitute for, other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP.
2 FY2015 working capital/sales excludes the impact of the Stahlhammer Bommern acquisition, which closed on Decemb er 30, 2014.
3 FY2016 working capital/sales excludes the impact of the Magnetek acquisition, which closed on Septemb er 2, 2015.

23,587
11,862
(13,765)
17.6
50.6
4.3

38,254
14,562
(17,243)

29,507
13,380
(20,846)

42,378
12,115
(14,879)

21.5 %
49.2
3.6

20.8 %
49.2
4.0

21.7 %
52.9
4.5

18.3 %
50.5
4.3

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Adjusted Operating Margin  
               (non-GAAP)     

       Cash Flow from Operations 

          Total Debt, Net of Cash 

                                   (in millions) 

          (in millions) 

9.6%4 9.8%4

9.1%

9.0%4

7.6%

$52.6

$42.4

$38.3

$29.5

9.3% 9.4% 6.8%

$23.6

$216.2

$63.6

$63.7

$40.0

$30.4

'13

'12
Operating Margin     Adjustments    

'14

'16

'15

'12

'13

'14

'15

'16

'12

'13

'14

'15

'16

4 Adjusted Operating Margin of 9.6% for FY 2014, 9.8% for FY2015 and 9.0% for FY2016, are adjusted to exclude unusual items and are 
non-GAAP financial measures.  Please see the table at the back of this report for a reconciliation of GAAP income from operations and 
margin to non-GAAP adjusted income from operations and margin.  This information should be considered in addition to, but not as  
a substitute for, other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP.    

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
              
Acquisition of 
Magnetek 

Magnetek is a leader in 

power and motion controls 

in the hoist and crane 

industry with several 

patented algorithms.  We 

believe that the most 

significant benefit of our 

acquisition of Magnetek is 

the advantage of being the 

first to market with fully 

integrated “Smart Hoists 

and Cranes.”  Utilizing the 

variability and adaptability 

of the Magnetek drives  

and control systems, we 

will be able to offer higher 

value-added products that 

reduce safety infractions 

and down-time at our 

customer’s facilities, 

generate energy savings 

and engage the Internet of 

Things (IoT) for improved 

information flow and 

operational efficiencies.   

Dear Fellow Shareholders,  

With the acquisition of Magnetek in September 2015, we 
combined the U.S. leader in digital control and drive systems 
for industrial cranes and hoists with a global leader in hoists 
and rigging equipment.  This has significantly advanced our 
strategy for Columbus McKinnon to be a global leader as a 
material handling technology-solutions company.  The 
acquisition will help our customers become safer and more 
productive in their lifting activities.  With approximately $100 
million in revenue and a higher operating margin profile, the 
acquisition also moved us closer to our goal of $1 billion in 
revenue with 12% to 14% operating margins.  

Fiscal 2016 also had its share of challenges.  Financial results 
were heavily impacted by lower volume globally.  We believe 
we navigated fairly well through the U.S. industrial recession of 
calendar year 2015, which has yet to demonstrate a strong 
recovery.  In addition, we faced the measurable negative 
effects of foreign currency translation given the significant 
strengthening of the U.S. dollar during the year.   

Acquisitions were the primary reason that sales were up 3% to 
$597 million over the prior fiscal year.  However, when you 
exclude the impact of foreign currency exchange, revenue grew 
8.1%.  Nonetheless, the volume decline in our core business 
led to under absorption of fixed costs and resulted in lower 
profitability.  Earnings per diluted share were $0.96, down from 
$1.34 in the prior year.   

On the positive side, we realized $5 million in cost savings from 
the acquisition, generated $53 million in cash from operations 
in fiscal 2016 and reduced debt by $50 million since the close 
of the acquisition.   

Magnetek acquisition added power control “Brains” to 
complement our “Brawn” as an industry leader in material 
handling.  The acquisition gives us considerable intellectual 
property and engineering capability as we transform Columbus 
McKinnon into an industrial technology company.  We expect to 
capitalize on our significant global infrastructure and footprint to 
expand Magnetek’s leadership position in the U.S. to a global 
one.  

Our goal is to create smart hoist and crane systems that improve 
equipment uptime (productivity) and offer safer operations.  
These market-leading innovations in material handling will be 
able to communicate with users about equipment issues before 
they become catastrophic and provide timely notices for 

scheduled maintenance.  Our customers will prefer this 
safer, more productive and cost efficient material handling 
equipment in their operations. 

Global expansion remains a key component of our 
long-term growth strategy.  We are consistently investing 
in the expansion of our global reach into emerging markets 
to complement our leading market position in the 
developed North American and European markets.  In the 
Asia-Pacific market, we are employing our China base to 
move further south into Southeast Asia markets.  Although 
Latin America, especially Brazil, is suffering economically, 
we are still working to build our presence and brand in 
these important markets.  In fact, we have established a 
leading market position and believe we will benefit 
measurably when those markets turn positive.  We are 
working to gain greater market share in Western Europe, 
while expanding our reach into Eastern Europe and the 
Middle East.  On the African continent, we have a solid 
position in South Africa that will benefit us as the metals 
and mining industry improves. 

Generating cash and rapidly deleveraging the balance 
sheet.  Our Company has a long history of strong cash 
generation.  Since the recession of 2009 through the end 
of fiscal 2016, we have generated $159 million of free  
cash flow.  While we borrowed approximately $195 million 
to fund the Magnetek acquisition, we have paid down  
$40 million specific to this acquisition and expect to reduce 
our total debt by an additional $43 million by the end of 
Fiscal 2017.  With this debt reduction plan, we believe we 
have the financial flexibility to continue to invest in organic 
growth and future acquisitions.  

Sales by Geographic Market

4%

7%

26%

63%

U.S.

Europe, Middle East & Africa

Latin America & Asia Pacific

Canada

Sales by Product Category 

2%

10%

13%

59%

11%

5%

Riging & Lifting Tools

Hoists

Industrial Cranes

Actuators

Drive & Control Systems

Other

Our team is what makes Columbus McKinnon great.  
Our success is made possible by the ongoing dedication and drive of our global team of almost 3,000 
associates.  We have a very experienced and empowered team around the world and would like to 
express our gratitude for their commitment to the future of Columbus McKinnon. 

As always, your interest and investment in Columbus McKinnon is greatly appreciated. 

Sincerely,  

             Timothy T. Tevens 
President and Chief Executive Officer 

           Ernest R. Verebelyi 
Chairman of the Board of Directors  

 
 
  
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE   

Timothy T. Tevens 
President and Chief Executive Officer 

Gregory P. Rustowicz 
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 

Jeffrey S. Armfield 
Executive Director - Global Product Strategy and 
Development 

Benjamin AuYeung 
Vice President - Asia Pacific 

Gene P. Buer 
Vice President – Solutions Group 

Dr. Ivo Celi 
Vice President - Europe, Middle East and Africa 

Lawrence Gavin 
Executive Director and Chief Procurement Officer 

Alan S. Korman 
Vice President – Corporate Development, General 
Counsel and Corporate Secretary 

Peter M. McCormick 
President - Magnetek 

Mark R. Paradowski 
Vice President - Information Services 

Kurt F. Wozniak 
Vice President - Americas  

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

Ernest R. Verebelyi, Chairman 
Terex Corporation (NYSE: TEX) (retired) 

Timothy T. Tevens 
Columbus McKinnon Corporation 

Richard H. Fleming 1,3* 
USG Corporation (NYSE: USG) (retired) 

Linda A. Goodspeed 2,3 
The ServiceMaster Company (NYSE: SERV) (retired) 

Liam G. McCarthy 1,2 
Molex Inc.  

Heath A. Mitts 1,3 
IDEX Corporation (NYSE: IEX) 

Nicholas T. Pinchuk 2,3 
Snap-on Inc. (NYSE: SNA) 

In March 2016, the North American and corporate headquarters 
moved to a newly-constructed building in the CrossPoint 
Business Park in Getzville.  The new headquarters building also 
houses a 3,700 square foot training center.  

CM Lodestar Hoists are ready for liftoff at the Essence Music 
Festival in July 2015, at the Mercedes Benz Superdome in New 
Orleans, LA.  At show time, these hoists safely supported several 
tons of lighting and sound equipment integral to the performance. 

Stephen Rabinowitz 1,2* 
General Cable Corporation (NYSE: BGC) (retired) 

R. Scott Trumbull 1*,2 
Franklin Electric Company (NASDAQ: FELE) (retired) 

1 Audit 
2 Compensation and Succession 
3 Corporate Governance and Nomination 
* Chairperson 

Nearly five years after Hurricane Sandy, cities along the 
eastern seaboard continue to discover – and repair – the 
damage inflicted on their infrastructure by the Category 3 
storm.  Magnetek, a September 2015 acquisition, was called in 
to repair and refurbish 16 storm-damaged 300M Mill Duty AC 
Thruster Shoe Brakes used to operate a four-lane drawbridge 
that spans a busy navigation channel in New York City.  The 
service team at Magnetek’s Menomonee Falls, WI facility 
completed the job in record time in order to restore traffic flow 
to boats and commuters in the New York City region. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SEC FORM 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This page intentionally left blank. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(FEE REQUIRED)

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 

Commission file number 0-27618
_________________

COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

New York
(State of Incorporation)

16-0547600
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

205 Crosspoint Parkway
Getzville, New York 14068
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(716) 689-5400
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
_________________

Securities pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act:
NONE

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value (and rights attached thereto)

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

Act.   Yes   

     No   

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the 

Exchange Act.   Yes   

   No   

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to 
file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.Yes 

  No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every 
Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 
12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes 

  No 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is 
not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information 
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K    
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a 
smaller reporting company. See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in 
Rule 12b-2 of the Act.

.

1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Large accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer 

Accelerated filer 
Smaller reporting company 

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

   No 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of September 30, 2015 (the second 
fiscal quarter in which this Form 10-K relates) was approximately $362 million, based upon the closing price of the Company’s 
common shares as quoted on the Nasdaq Stock Market on such date. The number of shares of the Registrant’s common stock 
outstanding as of May 27, 2016 was 20,163,999 shares.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant’s proxy statement for its 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the Registrant’s fiscal year ended 
March 31, 2016 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.

2

   
   
     
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K

This annual report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 
1995. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results to 
differ materially from the results expressed or implied by such statements, including general economic and business conditions, 
conditions affecting the industries served by us and our subsidiaries, conditions affecting our customers and suppliers, competitor 
responses to our products and services, the overall market acceptance of such products and services, the integration of acquisitions 
and other factors set forth herein under “Risk Factors.” We use words like “will,”  “may,”  “should,” “plan,”  “believe,”  “expect,” 
“anticipate,”  “intend,”  “future”  and  other  similar  expressions  to  identify  forward  looking  statements.  These  forward  looking 
statements speak only as of their respective dates and we do not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to publicly 
release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect any future events or circumstances 
after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated changes. Our actual operating results 
could differ materially from those predicted in these forward-looking statements, and any other events anticipated in the forward-
looking statements may not actually occur.

3

 
 
This page intentionally left blank. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part I

Item 1.     Business

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

Item 2.    Properties

Item 3.    Legal Proceedings

Item 4.     Mine Safety Disclosures

Part II           

5

18

22

23

23

24

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

25

Securities

Item 6.   Selected Financial Data

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

  Item 7A    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Item 8.       Financial Statements and Supplemental Data

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

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Item 9B.  Other Information

Part III.

Item 10.   Directors and Executive Officers of Registrant

Item 11.    Executive Compensation

27

29

40

41

98

98

100

100

100

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

100

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

Item 14.        Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Part IV

Item 15  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

4

100

100

101

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.   

Business

General

PART I

We are a leading global designer, manufacturer and marketer of hoists, actuators, cranes, rigging tools, digital power control 
systems, and other material handling products serving a wide variety of commercial and industrial end-user markets. Our products 
are used to efficiently and ergonomically move, lift, position and secure objects and loads. We are the U.S. market leader in hoists 
and material handling drive systems, our principal line of products, as well as certain chain, forged fittings, and actuator products 
which we believe provides us with a strategic advantage in selling other products. We have achieved this leadership position 
through strategic acquisitions, our extensive, diverse and well-established distribution channels and our commitment to product 
innovation and quality. We have one of the most comprehensive product offerings in the industry and we believe we have more 
overhead hoists in use in North America than all of our competitors combined. Additionally, we believe we are the market leader 
of manual hoist and actuator products in Europe, which provides us further opportunity to sell other products through our existing 
distribution channels in that region.  In September 2015, we significantly expanded our product offering with the acquisition of 
Magnetek,  Inc.  (Magnetek).   The  acquisition  combines  Magnetek's  technology  with  our  broad  line  of  lifting  and  positioning 
mechanical products to create a more comprehensive solution for customers. Magnetek's digital power control systems serve the 
needs of selected niches of traditional and emerging markets that are becoming increasingly dependent on “smart” power.  Much 
of Magnetek's focus is on developing and introducing innovative electronic drive solutions that both enhance our customers' 
productivity, safety, and energy efficiency.  Our products are sold globally and our brand names, including CM, Coffing, Chester, 
Duff-Norton,  Electromotive  Systems,  Enrange,  IMPULSE,  M-FORCE,  Mondel,  OmniPulse,  Pfaff,  Quattro,  Shaw-Box, 
Telemotive, Unified, STB, and Yale are among the most recognized and well-respected in the marketplace.

Our business is cyclical in nature and sensitive to changes in general economic conditions, including changes in industrial capacity 
utilization, industrial production and general economic activity indicators, like GDP.  Both U.S. and Eurozone capacity utilization 
are primary leading market indicators for our Company.  U.S. total industrial capacity utilization has declined to 74.9% in March 
2016, compared to 77.3% in March 2015 and 75.4% in December 2015.  Eurozone capacity utilization was 81.9% in the quarter 
ended March 31, 2016, an increase from the quarter ended December 31, 2015 of 81.5% and March 31, 2015 of 81.0%.  The 
European indicator reflects the continued slow recovery from the 2013 recession in Europe, while the U.S. indicator is indicative 
of a declining industrial market. This was particularly evident in the mining and oil and gas sectors.  In addition we follow the 
Emerging Markets Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for other countries in which we have a strong sales and marketing presence 
including China, Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa.

Our Position in the Industry

We participate predominantly in the hoist, crane, digital power control systems, elevator, and monorail sector. We believe that the 
demand for our products and services will be aided by several growth drivers. These drivers include:

Productivity - We believe businesses respond to competitive pressures by seeking to maximize productivity and efficiency, among 
other actions. Our hoists and other lifting and positioning products allow loads to be lifted and placed quickly, precisely, with little 
effort and fewer people, thereby increasing productivity and reducing cycle time.  Further, our variable frequency AC drive products 
and DC digital controls are highly reliable, operate at high speeds, and improve production output, while reducing labor and energy 
costs. In addition, emphasis on “Lean” techniques by many companies increases demand for our lifting and positioning products 
for use in single-piece flow workstation applications.

Safety -   Driven by workplace safety regulations such as the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and the Americans 
with Disabilities Act in the U.S. and other safety regulations around the world, and by the general competitive need to reduce costs 
such as health insurance premiums and workers’ compensation expenses, businesses seek safer ways to lift and position loads. 
Our lifting and positioning products enable these tasks to be performed with reduced risk of personal injury.  Our recent acquisition 
of Magnetek provides us with additional opportunities to enhance workplace safety and reduce the risk of accidents and personal 
injury, including collision avoidance software, programmable acceleration and deceleration, and other safeguards that prevent 
overheating, eliminate load swing, and prevent uneven lifting.

Consolidation of Suppliers - In an effort to reduce costs and increase productivity, our channel partners and end-user customers 
are increasingly consolidating their suppliers. We believe that our broad product offering combined with our well established brand 
names will enable us to benefit from this consolidation and enhance our market share.

5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Modernization and Upgrade of Existing Equipment - Overhead cranes, elevators, and mining equipment represent significant 
investments in capital which in most cases operate under severe duty and in some cases, in harsh environments. Many of the 
structural components of these systems are manufactured to withstand significant mechanical forces, and to have useful lives in 
excess of 30 years. For example, it is not uncommon to find cranes that are more than 50 years old still operating today, or elevators 
or mining equipment operating with aging and inefficient power control equipment. Rather than scrap structurally sound but 
outdated equipment, it is often more cost-effective to modernize the equipment to meet current operational needs by upgrading 
the power control systems. Our recently acquired drive technology along with our application expertise can provide reduced energy 
consumption, greater reliability, improved throughput, lower operational costs, enhanced features, and prolonged equipment life 
over older drive technology. We believe our large installed base of product combined with our industry expertise provides us with 
opportunities to expand our business through modernization projects. 

Conversion to Wireless Applications - Many industries, including the overhead material handling, mobile hydraulic, construction, 
and mining markets, are rapidly adopting remote wireless control solutions. While wireless control has been available for a number 
of years, technology has improved significantly in recent years, enabling enhancements that have resulted in products that are 
safer, more reliable, ergonomically designed, versatile, and cost-effective. Our recent acquisition of Magnetek provides us with 
an expanded wireless control product offering, which we believe will help us to meet demand, increase market share, and enter 
new markets in this growing field. 

Communication and Diagnostic Features - In many electrical applications today, electronic devices controlled by microprocessors 
are increasingly being networked together, resulting in smart devices with greater productivity and user benefits. The benefits of 
this trend on control systems for industrial applications include lower installation costs, better monitoring of performance, improved 
integration with supervisory systems, and improved uptime. We believe the development of "smart" hoists with the power of 
embedded and connected microprocessors will provide a tremendous benefit for users at all levels from maintenance to production 
users to meet their productivity, uptime and safety needs today and into the future.

Our Competitive Strengths

Leading North American Market Positions -  We are a leading manufacturer and marketer of hoists, alloy and high strength 
carbon steel chain and forged fittings, digital power control systems, and actuators in North America.  We have developed our 
leading  market  positions  over  our  141-year  history  by  emphasizing  safety,  manufacturing  excellence  and  superior  service. 
Approximately 71% of our U.S. net sales for the year ended March 31, 2016 were from product categories in which we believe 
we hold the number one market share. We believe that the strength of our established products and brands and our leading market 
positions provide us with significant competitive advantages, including preferred supplier status with a majority of our largest 
channel partners and end user customers. Our large installed base of products also provides us with a significant competitive 
advantage in selling our products to existing customers as well as providing repair and replacement parts. 

The following table summarizes the product categories where we believe we are the U.S. market leader:

Product Category
Hoist, Trolleys and Components (1)
AC and DC Material Handling Drives (5)
Screw Jacks (2)
Tire Shredders (3)
Elevator DC Drives (5)
Jib Cranes (4)

U.S. Market Share
45% - 50%
55% - 60%
35% - 40%
50% - 55%
65% - 70%
25% - 30%

U.S. Market Position
#1
#1
#1
#1
#1
#1

Percentage of
U.S. Net Sales

50 %
10 %
5 %
3 %
2 %
1 %
71%

6

 
 
 
 
_____________

(1)  Market share and market position data are internal estimates derived from survey information collected and provided by 

our trade associations in 2015.

(2)  Market share and market position data are internal estimates derived by comparison of our net sales to net sales of one of 

our competitors and to estimates of total market sales from a trade association in 2015.

(3)  Market share and market position data are internal estimates derived by comparing the number of our tire shredders in use 

and their capacity to estimates of the total number of tires shredded published by a trade association in 2015.

(4)  Market share and market position are internal estimates derived from both the number of bids we win as a percentage of 
the total projects for which we submit bids and from estimates of our competitors’ net sales based on their relative position 
in distributor catalog's in 2015.

(5)  Market share and market position are internal estimates derived from comparison of our net sales to the net sales of our 

competitors.

Comprehensive Product Lines and Strong Brand Name Recognition - We believe we offer the most comprehensive product 
lines in the markets we serve. We offer training, engineering and design services to help channel partners and end users solve 
material handling problems. Most of our products are maintenance, repair and operating tools which work in conjunction with 
each other to create a complete lifting system.  We complement our product offerings with training, engineering and design services 
to assist our channel partners and end-users in finding the optimal solution for their material handling needs. Our capability as a 
full-line supplier has allowed us to (i) provide our customers with “one-stop shopping” for material handling equipment, which 
meets some customers’ desires to reduce the number of their supply relationships in order to lower their costs, (ii) leverage our 
engineering, product development and marketing costs over a larger sales base and (iii) achieve purchasing efficiencies on common 
materials used across our product lines.  No single SKU comprises more than 1% of our sales, a testament to our broad and 
diversified product offering.

In addition, our brand names (including Budgit, Chester, CM, Coffing, Duff-Norton, Electromotive Systems, Enrange, IMPULSE, 
Little Mule, M-FORCE, Mondel, OmniPulse, Pfaff, Quattro, Shaw-Box, Unified, STB, Telemotive, and Yale) are among the most 
recognized and respected in the industry.  The CM and Yale names have been synonymous with powered and manual hoists and 
were first developed and marketed under these brand names in the early 1900's.  We believe that our strong brand name recognition 
and demonstrated performance have created customer loyalty and helps us maintain existing business, as well as capture additional 
business.  We innovate and continually introduce new products to meet our changing customer needs.  Products introduced or 
engineered for our customers during the last three fiscal years ended March 31, 2016 account for approximately 17.8% of our net 
sales.

Distribution Channel Diversity and Strength - Our products are sold to over 15,500 general and specialty distributors, end users 
and OEMs globally.  We enjoy long-standing relationships with, and are a preferred provider to, the majority of our distributors 
and industrial buying groups.  There has been consolidation among distributors of material handling equipment and we have 
benefited from this consolidation by maintaining and enhancing our relationships with leading distributors, as well as forming 
new relationships.  We believe our extensive distribution channels provide a significant competitive advantage and allow us to 
effectively market new product line extensions and promote cross-selling. Our largest customer represents approximately 2% of 
our total net sales and our top 10 customers represent approximately 15% of our total net sales.

Expanding Non-U.S. Markets - We have significantly grown our non-U.S. sales since becoming a public company in 1996.  Our 
non-U.S. sales have grown from $34,300,000 (representing 16% of net sales) in fiscal 1996 to $223,314,000 (representing 37%
of our net sales) during the year ended March 31, 2016.  This growth has occurred primarily in Europe, Latin America and Asia-
Pacific. We have ten sales offices in Asia to sell into this growing industrial market. Our non-U.S. business has provided us, and 
we believe will continue to provide us, with significant growth opportunities and new markets for our products.

"Non-U.S. sales" as expressed throughout Items 1 and 7 of this Form 10-K, are defined as sales to customers located outside of 
the United States.

Efficient Operations with Low-Cost Structure -    We are extremely focused on optimizing our cost structure and have taken a 
number of steps towards reducing our costs, including: consolidating facilities, promoting a “Lean” culture, manufacturing in low 
cost jurisdictions, coordinating purchasing activities across the organization and selectively outsourcing non-critical functions. 
The actions we have taken to date have eliminated fixed costs from our operations and provided us with significant operating 
leverage as the economic conditions in our markets continue to improve. 

7

 
 
 
 
—  

—  

—  

—  

Lean Culture -   We have been applying “Lean” techniques since 2001 and our efforts have resulted in reduced 
manufacturing floor space and an improvement in productivity and on-time deliveries. We have witnessed the 
benefits of “Lean” principles in our manufacturing operations and continue to work on developing a “Lean” 
culture throughout our organization—improving our processes and reducing waste in all forms in all of our 
business activities.

Expansion Outside the U.S. - Our continued expansion of our manufacturing facilities in China and Europe 
provides us with a cost efficient platform to manufacture and distribute certain of our products and components. 
We now operate 19 principal manufacturing facilities in 7 countries, with 38 stand-alone sales and service offices 
in 23 countries and 9 warehouse facilities in 5 countries.

Consolidated Purchasing Activities -   We continue to leverage our company-wide purchasing power through 
our global sourcing and commodity teams that improve our supply base to help reduce our overall costs and 
enhance our supplier quality and delivery. 

Selective Integration and Outsourcing - We manufacture many of the critical parts and components used in the 
manufacture of our hoists and lifting systems, resulting in reduced costs. We continue to evaluate outsourcing 
opportunities for non-critical operations and components.

Strong After-Market Sales and Support - We believe that we retain customers and attract new customers due to our ongoing 
commitment to customer service and satisfaction.  We have a large installed base of hoists and rigging tools that drives our after-
market sales for replacement units and components and repair parts.  We maintain strong relationships with our distribution channel 
partners and provide prompt service to end-users of our products through our authorized network of 14 chain repair stations and 
over 250 certified hoist service and repair stations globally. We also work closely with end users to design the appropriate lifting 
systems using our products to help them solve their material handling problems.

We also provide a wide variety of training and certification programs to the users of our products.  These training and certification 
programs include crane inspection and operation training and certification, hoist inspection and repair training and certification, 
various rigging training courses, load securement training, and CM entertainment technology equipment training and certification 
classes.  In addition to our training classes, we offer free monthly safety webinars to Channel Partners and end-users. These 
webinars are designed to provide information and promote best practices on the proper use, installation, inspection and maintenance 
for a variety of material handling products.

Industry Expertise and Technological Capabilities - We emphasize and leverage our ability to provide customized solutions for 
power and motion control applications through digital power technology. We have a long history of technical innovation and a 
highly skilled and experienced technical staff. Our technical personnel possess substantial expertise in disciplines central to digital 
power  systems  and  applications.  These  include  analog-to-digital  circuit  design,  thermal  management  technology,  and  the 
application of microprocessors, digital signal processors, and software algorithms in the development of smart power products. 
We are widely recognized for our expertise in our served markets, regularly hosting training and technology seminars for customers 
and  end  users. We  believe  we  are  at  the  forefront  of  innovation  in  the  industries  we  have  traditionally  served,  continuously 
developing new products to provide cost-effective, value-added solutions to meet the changing needs of our customers. 

Consistent Free Cash Flow Generation and Access to Capital—We have consistently generated positive free cash flow (which 
we define as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures) through periods of economic uncertainty by 
continually  controlling  our  costs,  improving  our  working  capital  management  and  reducing  the  capital  intensity  of  our 
manufacturing operations. During fiscal 2015, we significantly enhanced our capital structure by obtaining a $125 million term 
loan which replaced higher interest bearing notes and entering into a new $150 million revolving credit facility with an accordion 
feature allowing increases up to an additional $75 million with lender approval.  This capital structure allows us to manage our 
liquidity in a low cost manner while maintaining flexibility to pursue attractive strategic growth opportunities. We exercised the 
accordion feature for $75 million and utilized the new $225 million revolving credit facility to obtain the funds necessary to acquire 
Magnetek in September of fiscal 2016. We borrowed $195 million under the revolving credit facility to fund the acquisition price 
and pay certain acquisition related fees.  We have repaid $40 million of the amount borrowed for the Magnetek acquisition by 
March 31, 2016 and expect to repay an additional $30 million in fiscal 2017 in addition to our scheduled principal payments of 
$12.5 million required under our Term Loan agreement.

8

 
 
 
 
 
 
Experienced Management Team with Equity Ownership - Our senior management team provides significant depth and continuity 
of experience in the material handling industry, supplemented by expertise in growing businesses, aggressive cost management, 
balance sheet management, efficient manufacturing techniques, acquiring and integrating businesses and global operations. This 
diverse experience has been critical to our success to date and will be instrumental to our long-term growth. Our directors and 
management promote the ownership of company stock by the executive officers and directors to align the interests of our leadership 
team with those of our shareholders.

Our Strategy

Invest in New Products and Targeted Markets.    We intend to leverage our competitive advantages to increase our market 
shares across all of our product lines and geographies by:

—  

—  

—  

Introducing New Products—We continue to expand our business by developing new products and services and 
expanding the breadth of our products to address the material handling needs of our customers. We design our 
powered  hoist  products  to  meet  applicable  standards  such  as ASME,  FEM,  DIN  and  other  region-specific/
application-specific  standards  to  maximize  product  utility  across  global  markets.  Our  product  development 
process starts with the voice-of-the-customer and results in products that meet or exceed our customers' needs. 
New product sales (defined as new products introduced within the last three years and products engineered for 
our customers) amounted to $106,000,000 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, or 17.8% of total sales.  

Leveraging Our Distribution Channel Relationships and Vertical Market Knowledge—Our large, diversified, 
global customer base, our extensive distribution channels and our close relationships with end-users and channel 
partners provide us with insights into customer preferences and product requirements that allow us to anticipate 
and address the future needs of the marketplace. We are also investing in key vertical markets that will help us 
increase our revenues.

Broadening Our Product Offering—Developing and offering a broad range of products to our channel partners 
is an important element of our strategy. Industrial channel partners offer a broad array of industrial components 
that are used by many end-user markets. We continue to review and add new material handling products to 
broaden our offerings.

Continue to Grow in Non-U.S. Markets -   Our non-U.S. sales of $223,314,000 comprised 37% of our net sales for the year ended 
March 31, 2016, as compared with $244,033,000, or 42% in fiscal 2015 and as compared to 16% of our net sales in fiscal 1996, 
the year we became a public company.  Foreign currency translation unfavorably impacted sales by $29,330,000 during fiscal 
2016.  Although we have made significant progress, our goal is to continue to increase our presence outside the U.S to capitalize 
on the higher growth opportunities and continue to diversify our business profile. We presently sell to distributors in over 50 
countries and have our primary non-U.S. manufacturing facilities in China, Germany, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Mexico and 
France.  In addition to new product introductions, we continue to expand our sales and service presence in the major and developing 
market areas of Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Latin America and have sales offices and warehouse facilities in Canada, various countries 
in Western and Eastern Europe, China, Thailand, Brazil, Uruguay, Panama and Mexico.  We intend to increase our sales in Asia-
Pacific by manufacturing a broader array of high quality, low-cost products and components in China. We have developed and 
are continuing to expand our development of hoist and other products in compliance with global standards and international designs 
to enhance our global distribution.

Focus on Operational Excellence - Our objective is to provide the highest quality products and services at prices consistent with 
the value created for our customers. We continually evaluate our processes with a focus to reduce our costs. Our view is that a 
market-focused sales and marketing effort along with low operating costs will prove to be successful for both our customers and 
for the Company. We continually seek ways to reduce our operating costs and increase our manufacturing productivity, while 
improving our quality. Ongoing programs include our efforts to further develop our “Lean” culture throughout the organization, 
the expansion of our facilities in China, our continued search for new ways to leverage our purchasing power through combined 
sourcing and the continued focus on enhancing the efficiency of our global supply chain. 

9

 
 
 
Pursue Strategic Acquisitions and Alliances; Evaluate Existing Business Portfolio -   We intend to pursue synergistic acquisitions 
to complement our organic growth.  Priorities for such acquisitions include:  i. increasing international geographic penetration, 
particularly in the Asia-Pacific region and other emerging markets, and ii. further broadening our offering with complementary 
products and capabilities.  Additionally, we continually challenge the long-term fit of our businesses for potential divestiture and 
redeployment of capital. We believe we achieved a highly synergistic acquisition with our acquisition of Magnetek during fiscal 
2016.  The acquisition of Magnetek was very strategic as it will support the development of "smart" and integrated technology 
into our hoisting systems and at the same time, deliver meaningful accretion to our bottom line. We have achieved our cost synergy 
targets and our plans to add to our revenue streams are on target through the end of FY16.   

Our Business

ASC Topic 280 “Segment Reporting” establishes the standards for reporting information about operating segments in financial 
statements.   We provide our products and services through one operating and reportable segment.

We design, manufacture and distribute a broad range of material handling products for various applications. Products include a 
wide variety of electric, air-powered, lever, and hand hoists, hoist trolleys, winches, industrial crane systems such as steel bridge, 
gantry and jib cranes and aluminum work station cranes; alloy and carbon steel chain; forged attachments, such as hooks, shackles, 
textile slings, clamps, logging tools and load binders; mechanical and electromechanical actuators and rotary unions; below-the-
hook special purpose lifters and tire shredders; power and motion control systems, such as AC and DC drive systems, radio remote 
controls, push button pendant stations, brakes, and collision avoidance and power delivery subsystems. These products are typically 
manufactured for stock or assembled to order from standard components and are sold primarily through a variety of commercial 
distributors and to a lesser extent, directly to end-users. The diverse end-users of our products are in a variety of industries including 
manufacturing,  power  generation  and  distribution,  utilities,  wind  power,  warehouses,  commercial  construction,  oil  and  gas 
exploration and refining, petrochemical, marine, ship building, transportation and heavy duty trucking, agriculture, logging and 
mining. We also serve a niche market for the entertainment industry including permanent and traveling concerts, live theater and 
sporting venues.

Products

Nearly 80% of our net sales are derived from the sale of products that we sell at a unit price of less than $5,000. Of our fiscal 2016 
sales, $373,789,000 or 63% were U.S. and $223,314,000, or 37% were non-U.S. The following table sets forth certain sales data 
for our products, expressed as a percentage of net sales for fiscal 2016 and 2015:

Hoists
Chain and rigging tools
Industrial cranes
Actuators and rotary unions
Digital power control and delivery systems
Elevator application drive systems
Other

Fiscal Years Ended
March 31,

2016

2015

59%
13
5
11
8
2
2
100%

68%
13
5
12
—
—
2
100%

Hoists - We manufacture a wide variety of electric chain hoists, electric wire rope hoists, hand-operated hoists, winches, lever 
tools and air-powered hoists. Load capacities for our hoist product lines range from one-eighth of a ton to 80 tons. These products 
are sold under our Budgit, Chester, CM, Coffing, Little Mule, Pfaff, Shaw-Box, Yale and other recognized brands. Our hoists are 
sold for use in numerous general industrial applications, as well as for use in the construction, energy, mining, food services, 
entertainment and other markets. We also supply hoist trolleys, driven manually or by electric motors, that are used in conjunction 
with hoists.

We also offer several lines of standard and custom-designed, below-the-hook tooling, clamps, and textile strappings. Below-the-
hook tooling, textile and chain slings and associated forgings, and clamps are specialized lifting apparatus used in a variety of 
lifting activities performed in conjunction with hoisting or lifting applications.

10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chain and Rigging Tools -   We manufacture alloy and carbon steel chain for various industrial and consumer applications. U.S. 
federal regulations require the use of alloy chain, which we first developed, for overhead lifting applications because of its strength 
and wear characteristics. A line of our alloy chain is sold under the Herc-AlloyTM brand name for use in overhead lifting, pulling 
and restraining applications. In addition, we also sell specialized load chain for use in hoists, as well as three grades and multiple 
sizes of carbon steel welded-link chain for various load securing and other non-overhead lifting applications.

We produce a broad line of alloy and carbon steel closed-die forged chain attachments, including hooks, shackles, HammerloksTM, 
and master links. These forged attachments are used in chain, wire rope and textile rigging applications in a variety of industries, 
including transportation, mining, construction, marine, logging, petrochemical and agriculture. 

Our fiscal 2015 acquisition of Stahlhammer Bommern GmbH (STB) expands our rigging tool offering by adding a variety of eye, 
shank and ramshorn lifting hooks and deepens our exposure to targeted global vertical markets, such as Oil & Gas, Mining, 
Construction and Heavy Equipment industries. We plan to further extend STB’s product reach through our established global sales 
and distribution network.

In addition, we manufacture carbon steel forged and stamped products, such as load binders, logging tools and other securing 
devices, for sale to the industrial and logging markets through industrial distributors, hardware distributors, mass merchandiser 
outlets and OEMs.

Industrial Cranes -   We participate in the crane industry, predominately in the US market, but also globally in certain product 
offerings,  through our offering of overhead steel jib and gantry cranes.  Our products are marketed under the Unified, CES, Abell-
Howe and Washington Equipment brands. Crane builders represent a specific distribution channel for electric wire rope hoists, 
chain hoists and other crane components.  We also manufacture and market overhead aluminum light rail workstations primarily 
used in automotive and other industrial applications. 

Actuators and Rotary Unions -    Through our Duff-Norton and Pfaff divisions, we design and manufacture industrial components 
such as mechanical and electromechanical actuators and rotary unions. Actuators are linear motion devices used in a variety of 
industries, including the transportation, paper, steel, energy, aerospace and many other commercial industries. Rotary unions are 
devices that transfer a liquid or gas from a fixed pipe or hose to a rotating drum, cylinder or other device. Rotary unions are used 
in a variety of industries including pulp and paper, printing, textile and fabric manufacturing, rubber and plastic.

Digital Power Control and Delivery Systems - Through our acquisition of Magnetek, we are a leading provider of innovative 
power control and delivery systems and solutions for overhead material handling applications used in a number of diverse industries, 
including aerospace, automotive, steel, aluminum, paper, logging, mining, ship loading, nuclear power plants, and heavy movable 
structures. We are a major supplier in North America of power and motion control systems, which include AC and DC drive 
systems, radio remote controls, push button pendant stations, brakes, and collision avoidance and power delivery subsystems. 
While we sell primarily to OEMs of overhead cranes and hoists, we spend a great deal of effort understanding the needs of end 
users to gain specification. We can combine our products with engineered services to provide complete customer-specific systems 
solutions.

We are also a leading independent supplier of AC and DC digital motion control systems for underground coal mining equipment. 
Our systems are used in coal hauling vehicles, shuttle cars, scoops, and other heavy mining equipment. 

Elevator Application Drive Systems - We design, build, sell, and support elevator application-specific drive products that efficiently 
deliver power used to control motion, primarily in high-rise, high-speed elevator applications. We are recognized as an industry 
leader for DC high-performance elevator drives, as well as for AC drives used with low- and high-performance traction elevators, 
due to our extensive application expertise and product reliability. Our elevator product offerings are comprised of highly integrated 
subsystems and drives, sold mainly to elevator OEMs. In addition, our product options include a number of regenerative controls 
for both new building installations and elevator modernization projects that help building owners save energy. 

Other -   This category primarily includes tire shredders.  We have developed and patented a line of heavy equipment that shred 
whole tires, for use in recycling the various components of a tire including rubber and steel. These recycled products are used as 
aggregate for playgrounds, sports surfaces, landscaping and other such applications, as well as scrap steel.

11

 
 
 
 
 
Sales and Marketing

Our sales and marketing efforts consist of the following programs:

Factory-Direct Field Sales and Customer Service -   We sell our products through our sales force of more than 167 sales people 
and independent sales representatives worldwide. We compensate our sales force through a combination of base salary and a 
commission plan based on top line sales and a pre-established sales quota, or through a commission structure for our independent 
sales representatives.  

Product Advertising -    We promote our products by advertising in leading trade journals as well as producing and distributing 
high quality information catalogs. We place targeted advertisements for hoists, chain, forged attachments, actuators, and cranes 
in key industrial publications.

Target Marketing -   We provide marketing literature, and maintain a web presence as well as utilize social media to target specific 
end-user  market  sectors  including  entertainment,  construction,  energy,  mining,  and  others.  This  literature  displays  our  broad 
product offering applicable to those sectors to enhance awareness at the end-user level within those sectors. We also employ vertical 
market specialists to support our field sales force to assist our customers with solving their material handling application needs.

Trade Show Participation -   Trade shows are an effective way to promote our products to distributors and end users. Shows 
can range in size from distributor open houses to large, global shows such as ProMat in the United States. Through partnerships 
with our distributors, we have expanded our reach to the end user while strengthening our distribution network. In fiscal 2016, 
we focused primarily on shows related to vertical markets. Examples include: PLASA (UK), Pro Light & Sound (Germany and 
China), LDI and InfoComm (USA) for the entertainment industry. Liftex (UK), CeMAT (India), Préventica (France) and Expo 
Manufactura (México) for manufacturing and industrial. Oil & Gas (Indonesia), OTC (USA), PECOM (México), Offshore Europe 
(Scotland) and Brazil Offshore (Brazil) for the oil and gas industry. AMTS (China) and Expo INA (México) for the automotive 
industry. AISTech (USA) and CONAC (Mexico) for the steel industry. Vertikal Days (UK) for the lifting equipment industry.  
Every Building Conference & Expo (USA), NAEC Convention (USA), and Interlift (Germany) for the elevator industry.  

Industry Association Membership and Participation -   As a recognized industry leader, we have a long history of work and 
participation in a variety of industry associations. Our management is directly involved in numerous industry associations including 
the following: ISA (Industrial Supply Association), AWRF (Associated Wire Rope Fabricators), PTDA (Power Transmission and 
Distributors Association), SCRA (Specialty Carriers and Riggers Association), WSTDA (Web Sling and Tie Down Association), 
MHI (Material Handling Institute), HMI (Hoist Manufacturers Institute), CMAA (Crane Manufacturers Association of America), 
ESTA  (Entertainment  Services  and Technology Association),  NACM  (National Association  of  Chain  Manufacturers), ASME 
(American Society of Mechanical Engineers), AIST (Association for Iron & Steel Technology), ECMA (Electrification & Controls 
Manufacturers Association), and NAEC (National Association of Elevator Contractors).

Product  Standards  and  Safety  Training  Classes  -   We  conduct  on-site  training  and  certification  programs  worldwide  for 
distributors and end-users to promote and reinforce the attributes of our products and their safe use and operation in various material 
handling applications.  These training and certification programs include crane inspection and operation training and certification, 
hoist inspection and repair training and certification, various rigging training courses, load securement training, and entertainment 
technology equipment training and certification classes.  

CMCO University - Launched in September 2013, CMCO University consists of several training programs designed to give our 
Channel Partners intimate knowledge of Columbus McKinnon products. Held at the Columbus McKinnon Niagara Training Center 
and other locations in Latin America and Europe, this program consists of classroom and hands-on training aimed at providing 
the sales and product information our Channel Partners need to select the right product for their end-users application and the tools 
to win in the marketplace. 

Web Sites -    Our main corporate web site www.cmworks.com supports the Company’s broad product offering providing product 
data, maintenance manuals and related information for the brands within our product portfolio.  The sites also provide detailed 
search and simultaneous product comparisons, the ability to submit “Requests for Quotations” and allows users the ability to chat 
live with a member of our customer service department.  In addition to our main site we maintain an additional 20 sites supporting 
various product lines, industry segments and geographies.  Distributors also have access to a secure, extranet portal website allowing 
them to enter sales orders, search pricing information, check order status, and product serial number information.

12

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distribution and Markets

Our distribution channels include a variety of commercial distributors. In addition, we sell overhead bridge, jib and gantry 
cranes and aluminum light rail systems, as well as certain motion technology products directly to end-users. The following 
describes our global distribution channels:

General Distribution Channels -   Our global general distribution channels consist of:

—  

Industrial  distributors  that  serve  local  or  regional  industrial  markets  and  sell  a  variety  of  products  for 
maintenance repair, operating and production, or MROP, applications through their own direct sales force.

—   Rigging shops that are distributors with expertise in rigging, lifting, positioning and load securing. Most 
rigging shops assemble and distribute chain, wire rope and synthetic slings and distribute manual hoists 
and attachments, chain slings and other products.

—  

Independent crane builders that design, build, install and service overhead crane and light-rail systems for 
general industry and also distribute a wide variety of hoists and crane components. We sell electric wire 
rope  hoists  and  chain  hoists  as  well  as  crane  components,  such  as  end  trucks,  trolleys,  drives  and 
electrification systems to crane builders.

Specialty Distribution Channels -   Our global specialty distribution channels consist of:

—   National and regional distributors that market a variety of MROP supplies, including material handling 
products,  either  exclusively  through  large,  nationally  distributed  catalogs,  or  through  a  combination  of 
catalog, internet and branch sales and a field sales force. 

—   Material  handling  specialists  and  integrators  that  design  and  assemble  systems  incorporating  hoists, 
overhead rail systems, trolleys, scissor lift tables, manipulators, air balancers, jib arms and other material 
handling products to provide end-users with solutions to their material handling problems.

—   Entertainment equipment  distributors  that  design,  supply  and  install a  variety  of  material  handling  and 

rigging equipment for concerts, theaters, ice shows, sporting events, convention centers and night clubs.

Pfaff International Direct -   Our German-based Pfaff business markets and sells most of its actuators direct to end-users, providing 
an additional method to market for us in the European region.

Crane End-Users -   We market and sell overhead bridge, jib and gantry cranes, parts and service to end-users through our wholly 
owned crane builder, Crane Equipment & Service, Inc. (“CES”). CES which includes Abell-Howe and Washington Equipment 
brands designs, manufactures, installs and services a variety of cranes with capacities up to 100 tons.

Service-After-Sale  Distribution  Channel  -   Service-after-sale  distributors  include  our  authorized  network  of  14  chain  repair 
service stations and over 250 certified hoist service and repair stations globally. This service network is designed for easy parts 
and service access for our large installed base of hoists and related equipment in that region.

OEM/Government Distribution Channels -    This channel consists of:

—   OEMs that supply various component parts directly to other industrial manufacturers as well as private 
branding and packaging of our traditional products for material handling, lifting, positioning and special 
purpose applications.

—   Government agencies, including the U.S. and Canadian Navies and Coast Guards, that purchase primarily 
load securing chain and forged attachments. We also provide our products to the U.S. and other governments 
for a variety of military applications.

13

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer Service and Training

We maintain customer service departments staffed by trained personnel for all of our sales divisions, and regularly schedule product 
and service training schools for all customer service representatives and field sales personnel. Training programs for distribution 
and service station personnel, as well as for end-users, are scheduled on a regular basis at most of our facilities and in the field. 
We have over 250 service and repair stations worldwide that provide local and regional repair, warranty and general service work 
for distributors and end-users. End-user trainees attending our various programs include representatives of 3M, DuPont, General 
Electric, and many other industrial and entertainment organizations.

We also provide, in multiple languages, a variety of related material in video, CD-ROM, slide and print format addressing relevant 
material handling topics such as the care, use and inspection of chains and hoists, and overhead lifting and positioning safety. In 
addition, we sponsor advisory boards made up of representatives of our primary distributors and service-after-sale network members 
who are invited to participate in discussions focused on improving products and service. These boards enable us and our primary 
distributors to exchange product and market information relevant to industry trends.

Backlog

Our backlog of orders at March 31, 2016 was approximately $98,572,000 compared to approximately $85,170,000 at March 31, 
2015. Magnetek accounted for $13,403,000 of our backlog at March 31, 2016.  Our orders for standard products are generally 
shipped within one week. Orders for products that are manufactured to customer specifications are generally shipped within four 
to twelve weeks. Given the short product lead times, we do not believe that the amount of our backlog of orders is a reliable 
indication of our future sales.  Fluctuations in backlog reflect the project oriented nature of certain aspects of our business.

Competition

The material handling industry remains highly fragmented. We face competition from a wide range of regional, national and 
international manufacturers globally. In addition, we often compete with individual operating units of larger, highly diversified 
companies.

The principal competitive factors affecting our business include customer service and support as well as product availability, 
performance, functionality, brand reputation, reliability and price. Other important factors include distributor relationships and 
territory coverage.

Major competitors for hoists are Konecranes, Terex (acquired Demag Cranes) and Kito (and its U.S. subsidiary Harrington); for 
chain are Campbell Chain, Peerless Chain Company and American Chain and Cable Company; for digital power control systems 
are Konecranes, Terex (acquired Demag Cranes), Power Electronics International, Inc., Cattron Group International (a division 
of Laird Technologies), Conductix-Wampfler (a division of Delachaux Group), Control Techniques (a division of Emerson Electric), 
OMRON Corporation, KEB GmbH, and Fujitec; for forged attachments are The Crosby Group and Brewer Tichner Company; 
for cranes are Konecranes, Terex (acquired Demag Cranes) and a variety of independent crane builders; for actuators and rotary 
unions are Deublin, Joyce-Dayton and Nook Industries; and for tire shredders, Granutech.

Employees

At March 31, 2016, we had 2,896 employees; 1,655 in the U.S./Canada, 133 in Latin America, 883 in Europe and 225 in Asia. 
Approximately 13% of our employees are represented under three separate U.S. or Canadian collective bargaining agreements 
which terminate at various times between May 2017 and April 2018. We also have various labor agreements with our non-U.S. 
employees which we negotiate from time to time. We believe that our relationship with our employees is good and that the risk 
of a disruption in production related to these negotiations is remote.

14

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Raw Materials and Components

Our principal raw materials and components are steel, consisting of structural steel, processed steel bar, forging bar steel, steel 
rod and wire, steel pipe and tubing and tool steel; electric motors; bearings; gear reducers; castings; steel and aluminum enclosures 
and wire harnesses; electro-mechanical components and standard variable drives. These commodities are all available from multiple 
sources.  We purchase most of these raw materials and components from a limited number of strategic and preferred suppliers 
under long-term agreements which are negotiated on a company-wide basis through our global purchasing group to take advantage 
of volume discounts.  We generally seek to pass on materials price increases to our channel partners and end-user customers.  We 
continue to monitor our costs and reevaluate our pricing policies.  Our ability to pass on these increases is determined by market 
conditions. 

Hedging Activities

We use derivative instruments to manage selected foreign currency and interest rate risk exposures. The Company does not use 
derivative instruments for speculative trading purposes.

We use foreign currency forward agreements to i) hedge changes in the value of booked foreign currency liabilities due to changes 
in foreign exchange rates at the settlement date and ii) to hedge a portion of forecasted inventory purchases denominated in a 
foreign currency. We use interest rate swaps to maintain the Company's desired capital structure which is comprised of 50-70% 
of fixed rate long-term debt and 30-50% of variable rate long-term debt.

Manufacturing

We complement our own manufacturing by outsourcing components and finished goods from an established global network of 
suppliers. We regularly upgrade our global manufacturing facilities and invest in tooling, equipment and technology.

Our manufacturing operations are highly integrated. Although raw materials and some components such as motors, bearings, 
gear reducers, steel and aluminum enclosures and wire harnesses, castings, electro-mechanical components and standard 
variable drives are purchased, our vertical integration enables us to produce many of the components used in the manufacturing 
of our products. We manufacture hoist lifting chain, steel forged gear blanks, lift wheels, trolley wheels, overhead light rail 
workstations, and hooks and other attachments for incorporation into our hoist products. These products are also sold as spare 
parts for hoist repair. Additionally, our hoists are used as components in the manufacture of crane systems by us as well as our 
crane-builder customers. We also manufacture electronic systems to control cranes, hoists and various other powered 
equipment.

Environmental and Other Governmental Regulation

Like  most  manufacturing  companies,  we  are  subject  to  various  federal,  state  and  local  laws  relating  to  the  protection  of  the 
environment. To address the requirements of such laws, we have adopted a corporate environmental protection policy which 
provides that all of our owned or leased facilities shall, and all of our employees have the duty to comply with all applicable 
environmental regulatory standards, and we have initiated an environmental auditing program for our facilities to ensure compliance 
with such regulatory standards. We have also established managerial responsibilities and internal communication channels for 
dealing with environmental compliance issues that may arise in the course of our business. We have made and could be required 
to continue to make significant expenditures to comply with environmental requirements.  Because of the complexity and changing 
nature of environmental regulatory standards, it is possible that situations will arise from time to time requiring us to incur additional 
expenditures to ensure environmental regulatory compliance. However, we are not aware of any environmental condition or any 
operation at any of our facilities, either individually or in the aggregate, which would cause expenditures having a material adverse 
effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. 

We notified the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (the “DENR”) in April 2006 of the presence 
of certain contaminants in excess of regulatory standards at our facility in Wadesboro, North Carolina. We filed an application 
with the DENR to enter its voluntary cleanup program and were accepted.  We investigated under the supervision of a DENR 
Registered Environmental Consultant (“the REC”) and have commenced voluntary clean-up at the facility. At this time, additional 
remediation costs are not expected to exceed the accrued balance of $47,000.

15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We have been a part of the Pendleton Site PRP Group since about 1993.  Many years ago, we sent pickle liquor wastes from 
Tonawanda, NY to the Pendleton Site for treatment and disposal.  The Pendleton Site PRP Group signed an Order on Consent 
with the NYS DEC in 1996 and the cleanup was concluded in the early 2000s.  The Order on Consent required a post-construction 
operation and maintenance period of 30 years and we are required to pay our share of the costs associated with the operation and 
maintenance period.  These annual costs are approximately $50,000 of which we pay 13.4% or $6,700.  Reserves on the books 
are sufficient to cover these costs for the remainder of the operations and maintenance period.

Our recently acquired subsidiary Magnetek has also been identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and 
certain state agencies as a potentially responsible party for cleanup costs associated with alleged past waste disposal practices at 
several previously utilized, owned or leased facilities and offsite locations. Its remediation activities as a potentially responsible 
party were not material in fiscal year 2016. Although the materiality of future expenditures for environmental activities may be 
affected by the level and type of contamination, the extent and nature of cleanup activities required by governmental authorities, 
the nature of Magnetek's alleged connection to the contaminated sites, the number and financial resources of other potentially 
responsible parties, the availability of indemnification rights against third parties and the identification of additional contaminated 
sites, Magnetek's estimated share of liability, if any, for environmental remediation, including its indemnification obligations, is 
not expected to be material.  

In 1986, Magnetek acquired the stock of Universal Manufacturing Corporation (“Universal”) from a predecessor of Fruit of the 
Loom (“FOL”), and the predecessor agreed to indemnify Magnetek against certain environmental liabilities arising from pre-
acquisition activities at a facility in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Environmental liabilities covered by the indemnification agreement 
included completion of additional cleanup activities, if any, at the Bridgeport facility and defense and indemnification against 
liability for potential response costs related to offsite disposal locations. Magnetek's leasehold interest in the Bridgeport facility 
was assigned to the buyer in connection with the sale of Magnetek's transformer business in June 2001. FOL, the successor to the 
indemnification obligation, filed a petition for Reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in 1999 and Magnetek 
filed a proof of claim in the proceeding for obligations related to the environmental indemnification agreement. Magnetek believes 
that FOL had substantially completed the clean-up obligations required by the indemnification agreement prior to the bankruptcy 
filing. In November 2001, Magnetek and FOL entered into an agreement involving the allocation of certain potential tax benefits 
and Magnetek withdrew its claims in the bankruptcy proceeding. We believe that FOL's obligation to the state of Connecticut was 
not discharged in the reorganization proceeding. 

In January 2007, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) requested parties, including Magnetek, to 
submit  reports  summarizing  the  investigations  and  remediation  performed  to  date  at  the  site  and  the  proposed  additional 
investigations and remediation necessary to complete those actions at the site. DEP requested additional information relating to 
site investigations and remediation. Magnetek and the DEP agreed to the scope of the work plan in November 2010. The Company 
has recorded a liability of $422,000, included in the amount specified above, related to the Bridgeport facility, representing the 
best estimate of future site investigation costs and remediation costs which are expected to be incurred in the future. 

FOL's inability to satisfy its remaining obligations to the state of Connecticut related to the Bridgeport facility and any offsite 
disposal locations, or the discovery of additional environmental contamination at the Bridgeport facility is not expected to have 
a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

The Company has recorded total liabilities of $890,000 for all environmental matters related to Magnetek in the consolidated 
financial statements as of March 31, 2016 on an undiscounted basis.

For all of the currently known environmental matters, we have accrued as of March 31, 2016 a total of $1,153,000 which, in our 
opinion, is sufficient to deal with such matters. Further, we believe that the environmental matters known to, or anticipated by us 
should not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our operating results or financial condition. However, 
there can be no assurance that potential liabilities and expenditures associated with unknown environmental matters, unanticipated 
events, or future compliance with environmental laws and regulations will not have a material adverse effect on us.

Our operations are also governed by many other laws and regulations, including those relating to workplace safety and worker 
health, principally OSHA in the U.S. and others outside the U.S. and regulations thereunder. We believe that we are in substantial 
compliance with these laws and regulations and do not believe that future compliance with such laws and regulations will have a 
material adverse effect on our operating results, financial condition, or liquidity.

16

 
Available Information

Our internet address is www.cmworks.com.  We make available free of charge through our website our Annual Report on Form 
10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant 
to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after such documents 
are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

17

 
Table of Contents

Item 1A. 

Risk Factors

Columbus McKinnon is subject to a number of risk factors that could negatively affect our results from business operations or 
cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or indicated in any forward looking statement.  Such factors include, 
but are not limited to, the following:

Adverse changes in global economic conditions may negatively affect our industry, business and results of operations.

During the last five years, financial markets in the United States, Europe and Asia have experienced substantial disruption including, 
among other things, extreme volatility in security prices, severely diminished liquidity and credit availability, rating downgrades 
of certain investments and declining valuations of others. Governments have taken unprecedented actions intended to address 
these market conditions and the extent to which such government actions may prove effective remains unclear. The future economic 
environment may worsen.

Our industry is affected by changes in economic conditions outside our control, which can result in a general decrease in product 
demand from our customers. Such economic developments may affect our business in a number of ways. Reduced demand may 
drive us and our competitors to offer products at promotional prices, which would have a negative impact on our profitability. In 
addition, the tightening of credit in financial markets may adversely affect the ability of our customers and suppliers to obtain 
financing for significant purchases and operations and could result in a decrease in, or cancellation of, orders for our products. If 
demand for our products slows down or decreases, we will not be able to maintain our revenues and we may run the risk of failing 
to satisfy the financial and other restrictive covenants to which we are subject under our existing indebtedness. Reduced revenues 
as a result of decreased demand may also reduce our planned growth and otherwise hinder our ability to improve our performance 
in connection with our long term strategy.

Our business is cyclical and is affected by industrial economic conditions.

Many of the end-users of our products are in highly cyclical industries, such as manufacturing, power generation and distribution, 
commercial construction, oil and gas exploration and refining, transportation, agriculture, logging, and mining that are sensitive 
to changes in general economic conditions. Their demand for our products, and thus our results of operations, is directly related 
to the level of production in their facilities, which changes as a result of changes in general economic conditions and other factors 
beyond our control. If there is deterioration in the general economy or in the industries we serve, our business, results of operations 
and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. In addition, the cyclical nature of our business could at times also 
adversely affect our liquidity and ability to borrow under our revolving credit facility.

Our business is highly competitive and subject to consolidation of competitors. Increased competition could reduce our sales, 
earnings, and profitability.

The principal markets that we serve within the material handling industry are fragmented and highly competitive. Competition is 
based primarily on customer service and support as well as product availability, performance, functionality, brand reputation, 
reliability and price. Our competition in the markets in which we participate comes from companies of various sizes, some of 
which have greater financial and other resources than we do. Increased competition could force us to lower our prices or to offer 
additional services at a higher cost to us, which could reduce our gross margins and net income.

The greater financial resources or the lower amount of debt of certain of our competitors may enable them to commit larger amounts 
of capital in response to changing market conditions. Certain competitors may also have the ability to develop product or service 
innovations  that  could  put  us  at  a  disadvantage.  In  addition,  through  consolidation,  some  of  our  competitors  have  achieved 
substantially more market penetration in certain of the markets in which we operate. If we are unable to compete successfully 
against other manufacturers of material handling equipment, we could lose customers and our revenues may decline. There can 
also be no assurance that customers will continue to regard our products favorably, that we will be able to develop new products 
that appeal to customers, that we will be able to improve or maintain our profit margins on sales to our customers or that we will 
be able to continue to compete successfully in our core markets.

18

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Our operations outside the U.S. pose certain risks that may adversely impact sales and earnings.

We have operations and assets located outside of the United States, primarily in China, Mexico, Germany, the United Kingdom, 
France, and Hungary. In addition, we import a portion of our hoist product line from Asia, and sell our products to distributors 
located in approximately 50 countries. In our fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, approximately 37% of our net sales were derived 
from non-U.S. markets. These non-U.S. operations are subject to a number of special risks, in addition to the risks of our U.S. 
business,  differing  protections  of  intellectual  property,  trade  barriers,  labor  unrest,  exchange  controls,  regional  economic 
uncertainty, differing (and possibly more stringent) labor regulation, risk of governmental expropriation, U.S. and foreign customs 
and tariffs, current and changing regulatory environments, difficulty in obtaining distribution support, difficulty in staffing and 
managing widespread operations, differences in the availability and terms of financing, political instability and risks of increases 
in taxes. Also, in some foreign jurisdictions we may be subject to laws limiting the right and ability of entities organized or operating 
therein to pay dividends or remit earnings to affiliated companies unless specified conditions are met. These factors may adversely 
affect our future profits.

Part of our strategy is to expand our worldwide market share and reduce costs by strengthening our international distribution 
capabilities and sourcing components in lower cost countries, in particular in China, Mexico, and Hungary. Implementation of 
this strategy may increase the impact of the risks described above, and we cannot assure you that such risks will not have an 
adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Our strategy depends on successful integration of acquisitions.

Acquisitions are a key part of our growth strategy. Our historical growth has depended, and our future growth is likely to depend 
on our ability to successfully implement our acquisition strategy, and the successful integration of acquired businesses into our 
existing business. We intend to continue to seek additional acquisition opportunities in accordance with our acquisition strategy, 
both  to  expand  into  new  markets  and  to  enhance  our  position  in  existing  markets  throughout  the  world.  If  we  are  unable  to 
successfully integrate acquired businesses into our existing business or expand into new markets, our sales and earnings growth 
could be reduced.

Our products involve risks of personal injury and property damage, which exposes us to potential liability.

Our business exposes us to possible claims for personal injury or death and property damage resulting from the products that we 
sell. We maintain insurance through a combination of self-insurance retentions and excess insurance coverage. We monitor claims 
and potential claims of which we become aware and establish accrued liability reserves for the self-insurance amounts based on 
our liability estimates for such claims. We cannot give any assurance that existing or future claims will not exceed our estimates 
for self-insurance or the amount of our excess insurance coverage. In addition, we cannot give any assurance that insurance will 
continue to be available to us on economically reasonable terms or that our insurers would not require us to increase our self-
insurance amounts. Claims brought against us that are not covered by insurance or that are in excess of insurance coverage could 
have a material adverse effect on our results, financial condition, or liquidity.

In addition, like many industrial manufacturers, we are also involved in asbestos-related litigation. In continually evaluating costs 
relating to our estimated asbestos-related liability, we review, among other things, the incidence of past and recent claims, the 
historical case dismissal rate, the mix of the claimed illnesses and occupations of the plaintiffs, our recent and historical resolution 
of the cases, the number of cases pending against us, the status and results of broad-based settlement discussions, and the number 
of years such activity might continue. Based on this review, we estimate our share of liability to defend and resolve probable 
asbestos related personal injury claims. This estimate is highly uncertain due to the limitations of the available data and the difficulty 
of forecasting with any certainty the numerous variables that can affect the range of the liability. We continue to study the variables 
in light of additional information in order to identify trends that may become evident and to assess their impact on the range of 
liability that is probable and estimable. We believe that the potential additional costs for claims will not have a material effect on 
the financial condition of the Company or its liquidity, although the effect of any future liabilities recorded could be material to 
earnings in a future period. See Note 15 to our March 31, 2016 consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this form 
10K.

As indicated above, our self-insurance coverage is effected through our captive insurance subsidiary. The reserves of our captive 
insurance subsidiary are subject to periodic adjustments based upon actuarial evaluations, which adjustments impact our overall 
results of operations. These periodic adjustments can be favorable or unfavorable.

19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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We are subject to currency fluctuations from our sales outside the U.S.

Our products are sold in many countries around the world. Thus, a portion of our revenues (approximately $223,314,000 in our 
fiscal year ended March 31, 2016) are generated in foreign currencies, including principally the Euro, the British Pound, the 
Canadian Dollar, the South African Rand, and the Brazilian Real, and while much of the costs incurred to generate those revenues 
are incurred in the same currency, a portion is incurred in other currencies. Since our financial statements are denominated in U.S. 
dollars, changes in currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies have had, and will continue to have, a 
currency translation impact on our earnings. Currency fluctuations may impact our financial performance in the future.

Our future operating results may be affected by fluctuations in steel or other material prices. We may not be able to pass on 
increases in raw material costs to our customers.

The principal raw material used in our chain, forging and crane building operations is steel. The steel industry as a whole is highly 
cyclical, and at times pricing and availability can be volatile due to a number of factors beyond our control, including general 
economic conditions, labor costs, competition, import duties, tariffs and currency exchange rates. This volatility can significantly 
affect our raw material costs. In an environment of increasing raw material prices, competitive conditions will determine how 
much of the steel price increases we can pass on to our customers. During historical rising cost periods, we were generally successful 
in adding and maintaining a surcharge to the prices of our high steel content products or incorporating them into price increases, 
with a goal of margin neutrality. In the future, to the extent we are unable to pass on any steel price increases to our customers, 
our profitability could be adversely affected.

We rely in large part on independent distributors for sales of our products.

For the most part, we depend on independent distributors to sell our products and provide service and aftermarket support to our 
end-user customers. Distributors play a significant role in determining which of our products are stocked at their locations, and 
hence are most readily accessible to aftermarket buyers, and the price at which these products are sold. Almost all of the distributors 
with whom we transact business offer competitive products and services to our end-user customers. For the most part, we do not 
have written agreements with our distributors. The loss of a substantial number of these distributors or an increase in the distributors' 
sales of our competitors' products to our ultimate customers could materially reduce our sales and profits.

We are subject to various environmental laws which may require us to expend significant capital and incur substantial cost.

Our operations and facilities are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign requirements relating to the protection of the 
environment, including those governing the discharges of pollutants in the air and water, the generation, management and disposal 
of hazardous substances and wastes and the cleanup of contaminated sites. We have made, and will continue to make, expenditures 
to comply with such requirements. Violations of, or liabilities under, environmental laws and regulations, or changes in such laws 
and regulations (such as the imposition of more stringent standards for discharges into the environment), could result in substantial 
costs to us, including operating costs and capital expenditures, fines and civil and criminal sanctions, third party claims for property 
damage or personal injury, clean-up costs or costs relating to the temporary or permanent discontinuance of operations. Certain 
of our facilities have been in operation for many years, and we have remediated contamination at some of our facilities. Over time, 
we and other predecessor operators of such facilities have generated, used, handled and disposed of hazardous and other regulated 
wastes. Additional environmental liabilities could exist, including clean-up obligations at these locations or other sites at which 
materials from our operations were disposed, which could result in substantial future expenditures that cannot be currently quantified 
and which could reduce our profits or have an adverse effect on our financial condition, operations, or liquidity.

We may face claims of infringement on the intellectual property of others, or others may infringe upon our intellectual property.

Our future success depends in part on our ability to prevent others from infringing on our proprietary rights, as well as our ability 
to operate without infringing upon the proprietary rights of others. We may be required at times to take legal action to protect our 
proprietary rights and, despite our best efforts, we may be sued for infringing on the patent rights of others. Patent litigation is 
costly and, even if we prevail, the cost of such litigation could adversely affect our financial condition. In addition, we could be 
adversely affected financially should we be judged to have infringed upon the intellectual property of others.

20

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

We rely on subcontractors or suppliers to perform their contractual obligations.

Some of our contracts involve subcontracts with other companies upon which we rely to perform a portion of the services we must 
provide to our customers. There is a risk that we may have disputes with our subcontractors, including disputes regarding the 
quality and timeliness of work performed by our subcontractor or customer concerns about the subcontractor. Failure by our 
subcontractors  to  satisfactorily  provide  on  a  timely  basis  the  agreed-upon  supplies  or  perform  the  agreed  upon  services  may 
materially and adversely impact our ability to perform our obligations as the prime contractor. A delay in our ability to obtain 
components and equipment parts from our suppliers may affect our ability to meet our customers' needs and may have an adverse 
effect upon our profitability.

We are subject to debt covenant restrictions.

Our revolving credit facility and Term Loan contain several financial and other restrictive covenants. A significant decline in our 
operating income or cash generating ability could cause us to violate our leverage or fixed charge coverage ratios in our bank 
credit facility. This could result in our being unable to borrow under our bank credit facility or being obliged to refinance and 
renegotiate the terms of our bank indebtedness.

Our business operations may be adversely affected by information systems interruptions or intrusion.

We  depend  on  various  information  technologies  throughout  our  company  to  administer,  store,  and  support  multiple  business 
activities. If these systems are damaged, cease to function properly, or are subject to cyber-security attacks, such as those involving 
unauthorized access, malicious software and/or other intrusions, we could experience production downtimes, operational delays, 
other detrimental impacts on our operations or ability to provide products and services to our customers, the compromising of 
confidential or otherwise protected information, destruction or corruption of data, security breaches, other manipulation or improper 
use of our systems or networks, financial losses from remedial actions, loss of business or potential liability, and/or damage to our 
reputation. While we attempt to mitigate these risks by employing a number of measures, including employee training, technical 
security  controls,  and  maintenance  of  backup  and  protective  systems,  our  systems,  networks,  products  and  services  remain 
potentially vulnerable to known or unknown threats, any of which could have a material adverse affect on our business, financial 
condition or results of operations.

We depend on our senior management team and the loss of any member could adversely affect our operations.

Our success is dependent on the management and leadership skills of our senior management team. The loss of any of these 
individuals or an inability to attract, retain and maintain additional personnel could prevent us from implementing our business 
strategy. We cannot assure you that we will be able to retain our existing senior management personnel or to attract additional 
qualified personnel when needed.

We continually evaluate and assess our personnel and may make additional changes to the members or assignments of our senior 
management team in the future.

We have not entered into employment agreements with any of our senior management personnel with the exception of Dr. Ivo 
Celi, our Vice President, EMEA.

We have not completed an assessment of Magnetek's internal controls over financial reporting and therefore, significant deficiencies 
or material weaknesses may exist. 

Under current SEC guidelines, the period in which management may omit an assessment of an acquired business's internal control 
over financial reporting from its assessment of the registrant's internal control may not extend beyond one year from the date of 
acquisition, nor may such assessment be omitted from more than one annual management report on internal control over financial 
reporting. 

21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Pursuant to this guidance, we have excluded Magnetek, which was acquired on September 2, 2015, from the scope of management’s 
assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2016. However, we 
will be required to include Magnetek in the scope of our assessment beginning in fiscal 2017. In connection with our fiscal 2017 
assessment, “significant deficiencies” or “material weaknesses” in Magnetek’s internal control over financial reporting may be 
detected. To  the  extent  that  such  deficiencies  are  identified,  we  may  incur  costs  associated  with  our  efforts  to  address  these 
deficiencies that could negatively affect our financial condition and operating results. Furthermore, if we are unable to correct 
such deficiencies in a timely manner, our ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data may be adversely affected, 
which may result in a material misstatement in our financial statements.  Such failure could materially and adversely impact our 
business and subject us to potential investigations, liability, and penalties.  

Item 1B. 

Unresolved Staff Comments 

None.

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Table of Contents

Item 2.   

Properties

We maintain our corporate headquarters in Getzville, New York (an owned property) and, as of March 31, 2016, conducted our 
principal manufacturing at the following facilities:

Location

Wadesboro, NC
Lexington, TN
Asia operation:

Hangzhou, China
Hangzhou, China

Charlotte, NC
Menomonee Falls, WI
Tennessee forging operation:

Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga, TN
Wuppertal, Germany
Kissing, Germany
Damascus, VA
Eureka, IL
Ohio hoist operation:

Salem, OH
Lisbon, OH

Hamm, Germany
Chester, England
Santiago Tianguistenco, Mexico
Howell, MI
Sarasota, FL
Szekesfehervar, Hungary
Romeny-sur-Marne, France
Pittsburgh, PA

1
2
3

4
5
6

7
8
9
10
11

12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19

Products/Operations
Hoists
Chain

Hoists
Hoists
Actuators and Rotary Unions
Power control systems

Forged attachments
Forged attachments
Hoists
Hoists, winches, and actuators
Hoists
Cranes

Hoists
Hoists and below-the-hook tooling
Lifting tools and forged parts
Plate clamps
Hoists
Overhead light rail workstations
Tire shredders
Textiles and textile strappings
Rotary unions
Power control systems

Square
Footage

Owned or
Leased

180,000
164,000

70,000
82,000
146,000
144,000

81,000
59,000
124,000
107,000
97,000
91,000

49,000
37,000
82,000
56,000
54,000
35,000
25,000
24,000
22,000
11,000

Owned
Owned

Owned
Owned
Leased
Leased

Owned
Owned
Leased
Leased
Owned
Owned

Leased
Owned
Owned
Owned
Owned
Leased
Owned
Leased
Owned
Leased

In addition, we have a total of 47 sales offices, distribution centers and warehouses.  We believe that our properties have been 
adequately maintained, are in generally good condition and are suitable for our business as presently conducted. We also believe 
our existing facilities provide sufficient production capacity for our present needs and for our anticipated needs in the foreseeable 
future. Upon the expiration of our current leases, we believe that either we will be able to secure renewal terms or enter into leases 
for alternative locations at market terms.

Item 3.   

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we are named a defendant in legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. We are not a party to 
any pending legal proceeding other than ordinary, routine litigation incidental to our business. We do not believe that any of our 
pending litigation will have a material impact on our business. We maintain comprehensive general product liability insurance 
against risks arising out of the use of our products sold to customers through our wholly-owned New York State captive insurance 
subsidiary of which we are the sole policy holder.  The per occurrence limits on the self-insurance for general and product liability 
coverage were $2,000,000 from inception through fiscal 2003 and $3,000,000 for fiscal 2004 and thereafter.  In addition to the 
per occurrence limits, our coverage is also subject to an annual aggregate limit, applicable to losses only.  These limits range from 
$2,000,000 to $6,000,000 for each policy year from inception through fiscal 2016.  We obtain additional insurance coverage from 
independent insurers to cover potential losses in excess of these limits.

23

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Like many industrial manufacturers, we are also involved in asbestos-related litigation. In continually evaluating costs relating to 
our estimated asbestos-related liability, we review, among other things, the incidence of past and recent claims, the historical case 
dismissal rate, the mix of the claimed illnesses and occupations of the plaintiffs, our recent and historical resolution of the cases, 
the number of cases pending against us, the status and results of broad-based settlement discussions, and the number of years such 
activity might continue.  Because this liability is likely to extend over many years, management believes that the potential additional 
costs for claims will not have a material effect on the financial condition of the Company or its liquidity, although the effect of 
any future liabilities recorded could be material to earnings in a future period. 

The Company believes that a share of its previously incurred asbestos-related expenses and future asbestos-related expenses are 
covered by pre-existing insurance policies.  The Company has engaged in a legal action against the insurance carriers for those 
policies to recover these expenses and future costs incurred.  When the Company resolves this legal action, it is expected that a 
gain will be recorded for previously expensed cost that is recovered.  

See Note 15 to our March 31, 2016 consolidated financial statements for more information on our asbestos claims.

Item 4.   

Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not Applicable. 

24

 
 
 
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PART II

Item 5.   

Market for the Company’s Common Stock and Related Security Holder Matters

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol ‘‘CMCO.” As of April 30, 2016, there were 
467 holders of record of our common stock.

During fiscal 2016, the Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.04 per common share totaling $3,212,000.  On March 31, 
2016, the Company's Board of Directors declared the payment a regular quarterly dividend of $0.04 per common share. The 
dividend was paid on May 16, 2016 to shareholders of record on May 6, 2016 and totaled approximately $804,000.

Our current credit agreement allows, but limits our ability to pay dividends.  

The following table sets forth, for the fiscal periods indicated, the high and low sale prices per share for our common stock as 
reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.

Year Ended March 31, 2015
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
Year Ended March 31, 2016
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter

$

$

Price Range of
Common Stock

High

Low

$

$

30.98
28.66
29.56
27.79

27.13
24.98
21.28
18.29

25.69
21.99
20.43
24.03

22.40
17.40
17.62
13.51

On May 27, 2016 the closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market was $15.12 per share.

25

 
 
 
 
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PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The Performance Graph shown below compares the cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock based on its market 
price, with the total return of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, and the Dow Jones U.S. Diversified Industrials.  The comparison of 
total return assumes that a fixed investment of $100 was invested on March 31, 2011 in our common stock and in each of the 
foregoing indices and further assumes the reinvestment of dividends.  The stock price performance shown on the graph is not 
necessarily indicative of future price performance.

26

 
Table of Contents

Item 6.   

Selected Financial Data

The  consolidated  balance  sheets  as  of  March  31,  2016  and  2015, and  the  related  statements  of  operations,  cash  flows  and 
shareholders’ equity for each of the three years ended March 31, 2016 and notes thereto appear elsewhere in this annual report. 
The selected consolidated financial data presented below should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified in their entirety by 
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition,” our consolidated financial statements 
and the notes thereto and other financial information included elsewhere in this annual report.

Year ended March 31st
( In millions, except for per share data)
2014

2015

2013

2016

$

$

$

$

$

Statements of Operations Data:
Net sales
Cost of products sold
Gross profit
Selling expenses
General and administrative expenses
Restructuring charges
Amortization of intangibles
Income (loss) from operations
Interest and debt expense
Cost of bond redemption
Other (income) and expense, net
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income tax expense (benefit) (1)
Income (loss) from continuing operations
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (2)
Net income (loss)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing
operations
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing
operations
Weighted average shares outstanding – assuming
dilution

Weighted average shares outstanding – basic

Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):
Total assets
Total debt (3)
Total debt, net of cash and cash equivalents
Total shareholders’ equity

Other Data:
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Capital expenditures

$

$

$

$

$

579.6
398.0
181.6
69.8
54.9
—
2.3
54.6
12.4
8.6
(2.4)
36.0
8.8
27.2
—
27.2

1.34

1.36

20.2

19.9

566.3
126.7
63.7
268.7

38.3
(34.1)
(48.4)
(17.2)

$

$

$

$

$

583.3
402.2
181.1
69.0
55.8
—
2.0
54.3
13.5
—
(1.9)
42.7
12.3
30.4
—
30.4

1.52

1.55

20.0

19.7

598.7
152.3
40.0
291.3

29.5
(40.4)
1.7
(20.8)

$

$

$

$

$

597.3
423.1
174.2
65.6
52.2
—
2.0
54.4
13.8
—
(2.0)
42.6
(35.7)
78.3
—
78.3

3.98

4.03

19.7

19.4

566.9
152.1
30.4
240.0

42.4
(10.1)
(1.1)
(14.9)

$

$

$

$

$

597.1
409.8
187.3
72.9
68.8
—
5.0
40.6
7.9
—
1.1
31.6
12.0
19.6
—
19.6

0.96

0.98

20.3

20.1

773.0
267.8
216.2
286.3

52.6
(203.2)
137.0
(22.3)

27

2012

591.9
434.2
157.7
64.9
46.7
(1.0)
2.0
45.1
14.2
—
(1.9)
32.8
6.9
25.9
1.1
27.0

1.33

1.35

19.5

19.3

515.4
153.1
63.6
160.5

23.6
(13.5)
0.5
(13.8)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

(1)  The Company had a valuation allowance of $53,325,000 recorded as of March 31, 2012 due to the uncertainty of whether 
the Company's net operating loss carryforwards and deferred tax assets might ultimately be realized. The Company was 
able  to  utilize $14,567,000  of  U.S.  federal net  operating  loss carryforwards in  fiscal  2013  which  reduced  the 
valuation allowance by $5,107,000.  As a result of the increased operating  performance of the Company over the past 
several  years,  the  Company   reevaluated   the   certainty  as  to  whether  the   Company's   remaining  net  operating   loss  
carryforwards  and other  deferred tax assets may ultimately be realized.  As a result of the determination that it was more 
likely than not that all of the remaining deferred tax assets will be realized with the exception of certain U.S. federal tax 
credit carryforwards, a significant portion of the remaining U.S. valuation allowance totaling $49,161,000 was reversed in 
fiscal 2013.

(2)  In May 2002, the Company sold substantially all of the assets of ASI.  As part of the sale of ASI, the Company received 
an 8% subordinated note in the principal amount of $6,800,000 which was payable over 10 years ending in May 2012.  The 
full amount of this note had been reserved due to the uncertainty of collection. Principal payments received on the note 
had been recorded as income from discontinued operations at the time of receipt.  As of March 31, 2013, the note was paid 
in full.  

(3)  Total debt includes all debt, including the current portion, notes payable, term loan, and subordinated debt.

28

 
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Item 7.   

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition

This section should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. 
Comments on the results of operations and financial condition below refer to our continuing operations, except in the section 
entitled “Discontinued Operations.”

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

We are a leading worldwide designer, manufacturer and marketer of material handling products, systems and services which 
efficiently and safely move, lift, position and secure materials and people. In September, we significantly expanded our product 
offering with the acquisition of Magnetek. Key products include hoists, actuators, cranes, rigging tools, and digital power control 
systems. The Company is focused on serving commercial and industrial applications that require the safety and quality provided 
by the Company’s superior design and engineering know-how.  

Founded in 1875, we have grown to our current size and leadership position through organic growth and acquisitions. We developed 
our leading market position over our 141-year history by emphasizing technological innovation, manufacturing excellence and 
superior  after-sale  service.  In  addition,  acquisitions  significantly  broadened  our  product  lines  and  services  and  expanded  our 
geographic reach, end-user markets and customer base. Ongoing initiatives include growing revenue by increasing our penetration 
of the Asian, Latin American and European marketplaces, pursuing new products and targeted vertical markets, and by improving 
our productivity. In accordance with our strategy, we have been investing in our sales and marketing activities, new product 
development and “Lean” efforts across the Company. Shareholder value will be enhanced through continued emphasis on market 
expansion, customer satisfaction, new product development, manufacturing efficiency, cost containment, and efficient capital 
investment.  

Our revenue base is geographically diverse with approximately 37% derived from customers outside the U.S. for the year ended 
March 31, 2016. We believe this will help balance the impact of changes that will occur in local economies, as well as, benefit 
the Company from growth in emerging markets. As in the past, we monitor both U.S. and Eurozone Industrial Capacity Utilization 
statistics as indicators of anticipated demand for our products. Since their June 2009 trough, these statistics have improved and 
have remained stable over the past year. In addition, we continue to monitor the potential impact of other global and U.S. trends 
including industrial production, energy costs, steel price fluctuations, interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and activity 
of end-user markets around the globe. 

From a strategic perspective, we are investing in global markets and new products as we focus on our greatest opportunities for 
growth. We maintain a strong North American market share with significant leading market positions in hoists, lifting and sling 
chain, forged attachments, actuators, and digital power and motion control systems for the material handling industry. We seek to 
maintain and enhance our market share by focusing our sales and marketing activities toward select North American and global 
market sectors including energy, automotive, heavy OEM, entertainment, and construction and infrastructure. 

Regardless of the economic climate and point in the economic cycle, we constantly explore ways to increase our operating margins 
as  well  as  further  improve  our  productivity  and  competitiveness.  We  have  specific  initiatives  related  to  improved  customer 
satisfaction, reduced defects, shortened lead times, improved inventory turns and on-time deliveries, reduced warranty costs, and 
improved working capital utilization. The initiatives are being driven by the continued implementation of our “Lean” efforts which 
are fundamentally changing our manufacturing and business processes to be more responsive to customer demand and improving 
on-time delivery and productivity. In addition to “Lean,” we are working to achieve these strategic initiatives through product 
simplification, the creation of centers of excellence, and improved supply chain management. We are also aggressively pursuing 
cost reduction opportunities to enhance future margins. 

We continuously monitor market prices of steel. We purchase approximately $30,000,000 to $40,000,000 of steel annually in a 
variety of forms including rod, wire, bar, structural and others. Generally, as we experience fluctuations in our costs, we reflect 
them as price increases or surcharges to our customers with the goal of being margin neutral. 

We are also looking for opportunities for growth via strategic acquisitions or joint ventures. The focus of our acquisition strategy 
centers on product line expansion in alignment with our existing core product offering and opportunities for non-U.S. market 
penetration. 

We operate in a highly competitive and global business environment. We face a variety of opportunities in those markets and 
geographies, including trends toward increased utilization of the global labor force and the expansion of market opportunities in 
Asia and other emerging markets. While we continue to execute our long-term growth strategy, we are supported by our solid 
capital structure, including our cash position and flexible debt structure. 

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Fiscal 2016 Compared to 2015 

Fiscal 2016 sales were $597,103,000, an increase of 3.0%, or $17,460,000 compared with fiscal 2015 sales of $579,643,000. Sales 
for the year were positively impacted by $74,267,000 due to acquisitions and $5,605,000 by price increases. Sales for the year 
were negatively impacted $33,082,000 due to a decrease in sales volume.  The decline in sales volume was due to industrial 
recessions caused by weakness in oil & gas, mining, heavy OEM, and commercial construction markets affecting our North 
American  Hoist  and  Rigging  and  Latin  American  operations.  Unfavorable  foreign  currency  translation  reduced  sales  by 
$29,330,000.

Our gross profit was $187,263,000 and $181,607,000 or 31.4% and 31.3% of net sales in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The 
fiscal 2016 increase in gross profit of $5,656,000 or 3.1% is the result of $24,316,000 from our recent acquisitions, $5,605,000
in price increases, $769,000 in reduced material costs, and $830,000 in reduced plant consolidation activities, offset by $11,438,000 
in decreased volume, $3,337,000 in lower productivity due to reduced fixed cost absorption and inventory adjustments, net of 
other manufacturing costs, $2,051,000 in increased product liability costs, and $429,000 in facility impairment costs for a property 
held for sale. The translation of foreign currencies had an unfavorable impact on gross profit of $8,609,000.

Selling expenses were $72,858,000 and $69,819,000 or 12.2% and 12.0% of net sales in fiscal years 2016 and 2015, respectively. 
The acquisitions of Magnetek and STB added an additional $7,640,000 in selling expense for the year ended March 31, 2016. The 
consolidation  of  two  warehouses  and  the  closure  of  another  added  $859,000  to  selling  costs.   Additionally,  foreign  currency 
translation had a $5,036,000 favorable impact on selling expenses.

General and administrative expenses were $68,811,000 and $54,874,000 or 11.5% and 9.5% of net sales in fiscal 2016 and 2015, 
respectively.  The  fiscal  2016  increase  was  primarily  the  result  of  Magnetek  acquisition  transaction  costs  of  $5,746,000  and 
acquisition-related severance costs of $2,300,000.  In addition, Magnetek and STB added $5,774,000 in recurring general and 
administrated expenses. Additional increases are the result of lower information technology salaries capitalized as part of the 
global ERP systems project as well as general inflationary increases. Foreign currency translation had a $2,622,000 favorable 
impact on general and administrative expenses.

Amortization of intangibles was $5,024,000 and $2,266,000 in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increase relates to additional 
amortization of intangibles related to the Magnetek and STB acquisitions. 

Interest and debt expense was $7,904,000 and $12,390,000 or 1.3% and 2.1% of net sales in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively.  
The decrease in interest and debt expense relates to the redemption of the 7 7/8% Notes in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 with 
the lower interest bearing Term Loan despite the increased borrowings used to fund the Magnetek purchase beginning in the second 
quarter of fiscal 2016. 

The fiscal 2015 cost of bond redemption of $8,567,000 relates to the call premium and write off of unamortized deferred financing 
costs associated with our 7 7/8% Notes which were redeemed in February 2015.  This transaction is discussed in more detail in 
the Liquidity and Capital Resources section.  There were no similar transactions in fiscal 2016.

Investment income of $796,000 and $2,725,000, in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively, related to earnings on marketable securities 
held in the Company’s wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary.  

Foreign currency exchange loss (gain) was $2,215,000 and $863,000 in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively, as a result of foreign 
currency volatility related to foreign currency denominated purchases and intercompany debt.

Other income (expense), net remained relatively stable and was $377,000 and $462,000 in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively. 

Income tax expense (benefit) as a percentage of income from continuing operations before income tax expense was 38.1% and 
24.5% in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively.  These percentages vary from the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to varying effective 
tax rates at the Company's foreign subsidiaries, and the jurisdictional mix of taxable income for these subsidiaries. For fiscal 2016, 
income tax expense as a percentage of income before income taxes was unfavorably affected due to the recording of a valuation 
allowance on the deferred tax assets of certain foreign subsidiaries of the Company of $2,860,000 and certain nondeductible 
expenses related to the acquisition of Magnetek. 

30

 
 
 
 
 
 
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Fiscal 2015 Compared to 2014 

Fiscal 2015 sales were $579,643,000, down 0.6%, or $3,647,000 compared with fiscal 2014 sales of $583,290,000. Sales for the 
year were positively impacted by $6,625,000 of price increases and $16,024,000 due to acquisitions. Sales for the year were 
negatively impacted $13,453,000 due to a decrease in sales volume. The decline in sales volume was due to weakness in our North 
American Hoist and European operations. Unfavorable foreign currency translation impacted sales by $12,843,000. 

Our gross profit was $181,607,000 and $181,048,000 or 31.3% and 31.0% of net sales in fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively. The 
fiscal 2015 increase in gross profit of $559,000 or 0.3% is the result of $6,625,000 in price increases, $4,497,000 due to our recent 
acquisitions, and $573,000 in increased productivity net of other manufacturing cost increases, offset by $5,624,000 in decreased 
volume, $1,176,000 in costs associated with the consolidation of two European facilities, $794,000 in material inflation, and 
$434,000 in increased product liability costs. Foreign currency translation had a unfavorable impact on gross profit of $3,108,000. 

Selling expenses were $69,819,000 and $68,963,000 or 12.0% and 11.8% of net sales in fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively. 
The incremental increase in selling expenses relates to our recent acquisitions resulting in $1,344,000 of additional selling expenses 
as well as additional investments to grow our business in Asia and Latin America. Additionally, foreign currency translation had 
a $2,270,000 favorable impact on selling expenses. 

General and administrative expenses were $54,874,000 and $55,754,000 or 9.5% and 9.6% of net sales in fiscal 2015 and 2014, 
respectively. The fiscal 2014 general and administrative expenses included $1,657,000 of atypical professional services associated 
with a large acquisition that was not consummated. Foreign currency translation had a $1,096,000 favorable impact on general 
and administrative expenses. 

Amortization  of  intangibles  was  $2,266,000  and  $1,981,000  in  fiscal  2015  and  2014,  respectively  and  primarily  relate  to 
amortization of intangible assets acquired in connection with our fiscal 2009 acquisition of Pfaff. The increase in amortization of 
intangibles relates to our fiscal 2014 acquisition of Unified Industries, Inc. and the 2015 acquisition of Stahlhammer Bommern 
GmbH. 

Interest and debt expense was $12,390,000 and $13,492,000 or 2.1% and 2.3% of net sales in fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively. 
The decrease in interest and debt expense relates to the redemption of the 7 7/8% Notes in February with the lower interest bearing 
Term Loan. 

The fiscal 2015 cost of bond redemption of $8,567,000 relates to the call premium and write off of unamortized deferred financing 
costs associated with our 7 7/8% Notes which were redeemed in February 2015.  This transaction is discussed in more detail in 
the Liquidity and Capital Resources section.  

Investment income of $2,725,000 and $1,595,000, in fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to earnings on marketable securities 
held in the Company’s wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary. 

Foreign currency exchange loss (gain) was $863,000 and $1,124,000 in fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively, as a result of foreign 
currency volatility related to foreign currency denominated purchases and intercompany debt. 

Other income (expense), net was $462,000 and $1,393,000 in fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively. The fiscal 2014 balance included 
a gain on the sale of equity securities received in an insurance company demutualization. No similar gain was recorded in fiscal 
2015.

Income tax expense (benefit) as a percentage of income from continuing operations before income tax expense was 24.5% and 
28.8% in fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively. These percentages vary from the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to varying effective 
tax rates at the Company's foreign subsidiaries, and the jurisdictional mix of taxable income for these subsidiaries. For fiscal 2015, 
income tax expense as a percentage of income before income taxes was favorably effected by the utilization of certain tax credits 
relating to previous fiscal years. The credits result in an income tax benefit of $1,431,000 for the year ended March 31, 2015. In 
addition, the cost of the bond redemption resulted in lower taxable income in the U.S., our highest statutory tax rate jurisdiction. 

31

 
Table of Contents

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $51,603,000, $63,056,000, and $112,309,000 at March 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Cash flow provided by operating activities

Net  cash  provided  by  operating  activities  was  $52,645,000,  $38,254,000  and  $29,507,000  in  fiscal  2016,  2015  and  2014, 
respectively.  In addition to net income and non-cash adjustments to net income, net cash provided by operating activities increased 
as a result of net collections of trade accounts receivable of $12,409,000 and an overall decrease in inventories of $2,483,000. 
This increase in cash was offset by a decrease in trade accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and non-current liabilities of $5,308,000, 
$5,799,000, and $6,516,000, respectively. The reduction in accrued liabilities was primarily due to reductions in employee payroll, 
incentive bonus accruals, and customer rebate accruals.  The decrease in non-current liabilities was primarily due to $5,936,000
in contributions made to our pension plans. 

In addition to net income and non-cash adjustments to net income including an $8,567,000 loss on the early retirement of bonds 
in fiscal 2015, net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2015 consisted of net collections of trade accounts receivable of 
$8,302,000 and an overall increase in trade accounts payable of $1,084,000. Net cash decreased primarily as a result of an increase 
in inventories of $9,080,000 and a decrease in non-current liabilities of $12,612,000. The reduction in non-current liabilities was 
primarily the result of $11,013,000 in pension contributions during the year. 

Cash flow used by investing activities

Net cash used by investing activities was $203,229,000, $34,079,000 and $40,425,000 in fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  
The most significant use of cash for investing activities relates to our acquisition of Magnetek which totaled $182,467,000, net 
of cash acquired. Capital expenditures for fiscal 2016 totaled $22,320,000, of which $5,400,000 related to the construction of the 
Getzville corporate headquarters and national training facility. Offsetting these uses of cash is $1,558,000 in net cash proceeds 
from the sale of marketable equity securities.

The most significant net cash used for investing activities in fiscal 2015 was $19,992,000 for the purchase of STB as described 
in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements. Capital expenditures for fiscal 2015 were $17,243,000 (of which $1,990,000 
relates to the expansion of our China operations and $3,449,000 relates to the implementation of our global ERP system). Offsetting 
these uses of cash is $3,230,000 in net cash proceeds from the sale of marketable equity securities by our captive insurance 
company. The other use of cash for investing activities of $74,000 primarily includes proceeds from an insurance settlement of 
$64,000 and cash received from the sale of an asset of $116,000 offset by an increase in restricted cash related to the Company's 
captive insurance company of $250,000.

Cash flow provided (used) by financing activities

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities was $137,003,000, $(48,387,000) and $1,739,000 in fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014, 
respectively. The most significant source of cash was net borrowings under our revolving credit facility of $154,057,000. This 
borrowing was used to fund the Magnetek acquisition. Offsetting this source of cash was $13,187,000 used for the repayment of 
debt. The remaining net cash used for financing activities primarily relates to dividends paid of $3,212,000 and $655,000 in net 
outflows from stock related transactions.

The net cash used by financing activities in fiscal 2015 primarily consisted of the redemption of the 7 7/8% Notes of $150,000,000 
and bond redemption tender fees of $5,907,000. Additionally the Company paid off the debt assumed in the purchase of STB of 
$6,487,000 and incurred $1,825,000 in financing fees associated with its New Credit Agreement. This was offset by proceeds on 
the Company's new Term Loan of $124,423,000. In connection with the acquisition of STB, the Company withheld $5,431,000 
to be paid to the seller upon satisfaction of certain conditions. This cash was classified as other assets on the Company's balance 
sheet and was classified as a use of cash for financing activities. The remaining net cash used for financing activities for fiscal 
2015 primarily relates to dividends paid of $3,192,000 offset by proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $1,607,000.

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Table of Contents

We believe that our cash on hand, cash flows, and borrowing capacity under our New Revolving Credit Facility will be sufficient 
to fund our ongoing operations and budgeted capital expenditures for at least the next twelve months. This belief is dependent 
upon successful execution of our current business plan and effective working capital utilization. No material restriction exists in 
accessing cash held by our non-U.S. subsidiaries.  Additionally we expect to meet our U.S. funding needs without repatriating 
non-U.S. cash and incurring incremental U.S. taxes. As of March 31, 2016, $37,300,000 of cash and cash equivalents were held 
by foreign subsidiaries.

Through January 23, 2015 the Company had access to borrow funds under a revolving credit facility ("Replaced Revolving Credit 
Facility"). The Replaced Revolving Credit Facility provided availability up to a maximum of $100,000,000 and had an initial term 
ending October 31, 2017.

Through February 19, 2015, the Company had outstanding $150,000,000 principal amount of 7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes 
due 2019 registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (7 7/8% Notes). 

On January 23, 2015, the Company, Columbus McKinnon Dutch Holdings 3 B.V. (“BV 3”), and Columbus McKinnon EMEA 
GmbH (“EMEA GMBH”) as borrowers (collectively referred to as the "Borrowers"), entered into a new credit agreement (the 
"New  Credit Agreement").    The  Borrowers  entered  into  a  new  $150,000,000  senior  secured  revolving  credit  facility  ("New 
Revolving Credit Facility") and established a new $125,000,000 delayed draw senior secured term loan facility (“Term Loan”). 
The Company’s Replaced Revolving Credit Facility was terminated in connection with this transaction. Both the New Revolving 
Credit Facility and the Term Loan have five-year terms maturing in 2020. The New Revolving Credit Facility has an initial term 
ending January 23, 2020 and the Term Loan has a term ending February 19, 2020.

The terms of the New Credit Agreement include the following:

•  Term Loan:  An aggregate $125,000,000 secured term loan facility which requires quarterly principal amortization of 

2.5% with the remaining principal due at maturity date. 

•  New Revolving Credit Facility:  An aggregate $150,000,000 secured revolving credit facility which includes sublimits 
for the issuance of standby letters of credit, swingline loans and multi-currency borrowings in certain specified foreign 
currencies.

• 

Fees and Interest Rates:  Commitment fees and interest rates are determined on the basis of either a Eurocurrency rate 
or a Base rate plus an applicable margin based upon the Company's Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the New Credit 
Agreement).

•  Accordion Feature: Provisions permitting a Borrower from time to time to increase the aggregate amount of the credit 

facility by up to $75,000,000, with a minimum increase of $20,000,000. 

• 

Prepayments: Provisions permitting a Borrower to voluntarily prepay either the Term Loan or New Revolving Credit 
Facility in whole or in part at any time, and provisions requiring certain mandatory prepayments of the Term Loan or 
New Revolving Credit Facility on the occurrence of certain events which will permanently reduce the commitments 
under the New Credit Agreement, each without premium or penalty. 

•  Reduction  of  Commitment: A  Borrower  may  irrevocably  cancel,  in  whole  or  in  part,  the  unutilized  portion  of  the 
commitments under the New Credit Agreement in excess of any outstanding loans, the stated amount of all outstanding 
letters of credit and all unreimbursed amounts drawn under any letters of credit.

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Table of Contents

•  Covenants: Provisions containing covenants required of the Company and its subsidiaries including various affirmative 
and negative financial and operational covenants. Key financial covenants include a minimum fixed charge coverage 
ratio of 1.25x; a maximum total leverage ratio, net of cash, of 3.50x (which may be temporarily increased following a 
material acquisition, which may be elected two times over the course of the New Credit Agreement, (i) if financed by 
secured debt the total leverage rate as at the end of the fiscal quarter in which such material acquisition occurs and the 
three fiscal quarters immediately thereafter, shall not be greater than 4.00:1.00 and as at the end of any fiscal quarter 
thereafter, the total leverage ratio shall not be greater than 3.50:1.00, and (ii) if financed with unsecured or subordinated 
indebtedness, the total leverage ratio at the end of the fiscal quarter in which such material acquisition occurs and at the 
end of any fiscal quarter thereafter, shall not be greater than 4.50:1.00, and permit the secured leverage ratio, to be greater 
than 3.25:1.00), and  maximum capital expenditures of $30 million per fiscal year ($40 million following a material 
acquisition) with the ability to transfer any unused portion of expenditure to the immediately following fiscal year. Our 
actual fixed charges coverage ratio and total leverage ratio, as calculated per the terms of our New Revolving Credit 
Facility, were 3.20x and 2.90x, respectively, at March 31, 2016.

The New Revolving Credit Facility is secured by all U.S. inventory, receivables, equipment, real property, subsidiary stock (limited 
to 65% of non-U.S. subsidiaries) and intellectual property. The New Credit Agreement allows, but limits our ability to pay dividends.

On February 19, 2015, the Company borrowed $124,442,000 under the Term Loan. The Term Loan proceeds were net of fees paid 
to creditors of $558,000 which were accounted for as a debt discount. On February 23, 2015 the Company redeemed all of the 
outstanding $150,000,000 of the 7 7/8% Notes. The aggregated price paid for the redemption was $156,630,000, including a 
3.938% call premium or $5,907,000, and $723,000 of accrued interest on the 7 7/8% Notes. The redemption was funded by the 
Term Loan and cash on hand.  

The unused portion of the New Revolving Credit Facility totaled $64,341,000 net of outstanding borrowings of $155,000,000 and 
outstanding letters of credit of $5,659,000 as of March 31, 2016. The outstanding letters of credit at March 31, 2016 consisted of 
$1,136,000 in commercial letters of credit and $4,523,000 of standby letters of credit. 

The gross balances of deferred financing costs were $1,825,000 as of March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The accumulated 
amortization balances were $425,000 and $61,000 as of March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

On June 22, 2007, the Company recorded a capital lease resulting from the sale and partial leaseback of its facility in Charlotte, 
NC under a 10 year lease agreement. The Company also has capital leases on certain production machinery and equipment. The 
outstanding balance on the capital lease obligations of $1,590,000 and $2,270,000 as of March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, 
are included in current portion of long-term debt and senior debt in the consolidated balance sheets.

Unsecured and uncommitted lines of credit are available to meet short-term working capital needs for certain of our subsidiaries 
operating outside of the U.S. The lines of credit are available on an offering basis, meaning that transactions under the line of 
credit will be on such terms and conditions, including interest rate, maturity, representations, covenants and events of default, as 
mutually agreed between our subsidiaries and the local bank at the time of each specific transaction. As of March 31, 2016, 
unsecured credit lines totaled approximately $7,623,000, of which $0 was drawn. In addition, unsecured lines of $8,651,000 were 
available for bank guarantees issued in the normal course of business of which $4,557,000 was utilized.

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CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The following table reflects a summary of our contractual obligations in millions of dollars as of March 31, 2016, by period of 
estimated payments due:

Long-term debt obligations (a)
Operating lease obligations (b)
Purchase obligations (c)
Interest obligations (d)
Letter of credit obligations
Bank guarantees
Uncertain tax positions
Other long-term liabilities reflected on the
Company’s balance sheet under GAAP (e)

Total

Total

Fiscal
2017

$

$

269.1
32.6
—
29.6
5.7
4.6
1.1

129.6
472.3

$

$

13.2
6.3
—
9.1
5.7
4.6
—

—
38.9

Fiscal
 2018-
Fiscal 2019
25.9
$
9.8
—
16.4
—
—
1.1

Fiscal
 2020-
Fiscal 2021
230.0
$
6.9
—
4.1
—
—
—

More
 Than
Five Years
—
$
9.6
—

—
—
—

8.9
62.1

$

5.4
246.4

$

115.3
124.9

$

(a)  As described in Note 11 to consolidated financial statements.
(b)  As described in Note 17 to consolidated financial statements.
(c)  We have no purchase obligations specifying fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased. We estimate that, at any given 
point in time, our cancelable open purchase orders to be executed in the normal course of business approximate $50 million.
(d)  Estimated for our Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility and interest rate swaps as described in Note 9 and Note 11 to 
our consolidated financial statements.  Calculated using a 3-month LIBOR rate of 0.63% plus an applicable margin of 
2.25%.

(e)  For additional details, see Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements. Excludes uncertain tax positions of $1.1 million 

shown separately above.

We have no additional off-balance sheet obligations that are not reflected above.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

In addition to keeping our current equipment and plants properly maintained, we are committed to replacing, enhancing and 
upgrading  our  property,  plant  and  equipment  to  support  new  product  development,  improve  productivity  and  customer 
responsiveness,  reduce  production  costs,  increase  flexibility  to  respond  effectively  to  market  fluctuations  and  changes,  meet 
environmental  requirements  and  enhance  safety.  Our  capital  expenditures  for  fiscal  2016,  2015  and  2014  were  $22,320,000, 
$17,243,000 and $20,846,000, respectively. Excluded from fiscal 2016 capital expenditures is $1,638,000 in property, plant and 
equipment purchases included in accounts payable at March 31, 2016. We expect capital expenditure spending in fiscal 2017 to 
be approximately $18,000,000, excluding acquisitions and strategic alliances.

INFLATION AND OTHER MARKET CONDITIONS

Our costs are affected by inflation in the U.S. economy and, to a lesser extent, in non-U.S. economies including those of Europe, 
Canada, Mexico, South America and Asia-Pacific. We do not believe that general inflation has had a material effect on our results 
of operations over the periods presented primarily due to overall low inflation levels over such periods and our ability to generally 
pass on rising costs through annual price increases and surcharges. However, increases in U.S. employee benefits costs such as 
health insurance and workers compensation insurance have exceeded general inflation levels. In the future, we may be further 
affected by inflation that we may not be able to pass on as price increases.  With changes in worldwide demand for steel and 
fluctuating scrap steel prices over the past several years, we experienced fluctuations in our costs that we have reflected as price 
increases and surcharges to our customers.  We believe we have been successful in instituting surcharges and price increases to 
pass on these material cost increases.  We will continue to monitor our costs and reevaluate our pricing policies.

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SEASONALITY AND QUARTERLY RESULTS

Our quarterly results may be materially affected by the timing of large customer orders, periods of high vacation and holiday 
concentrations, restructuring charges and other costs attributable to plan closures as well as divestitures and acquisitions. Therefore, 
our operating results for any particular fiscal quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any subsequent fiscal quarter or 
for the full fiscal year.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make 
estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. We 
continually evaluate the estimates and their underlying assumptions, which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying 
value of our assets and liabilities. Actual results inevitably will differ from those estimates. If interpreted differently under different 
conditions or circumstances, changes in our estimates could result in material changes to our reported results.  We have identified 
below the accounting policies involving estimates that are critical to our financial statements. Other accounting policies are more 
fully described in Note 2 of our consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition. Sales are recorded when title passes to the customer which is generally at the time of shipment to the 
customer. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition, but generally does not require 
collateral to support customer receivables. The credit risk is controlled through credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures. 
Accounts receivable are reported at net realizable value and do not accrue interest.  Sales tax is excluded from revenue.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits.    The determination of the obligations and expense for pension and postretirement 
benefits  is  dependent  on  our  selection  of  certain  assumptions  that  are  used  by  actuaries  in  calculating  such  amounts. Those 
assumptions are disclosed in Note 12 to our fiscal 2016 consolidated financial statements and include the discount rates, expected 
long-term  rate  of  return  on  plan  assets  and  rates  of  future  increases  in  compensation  and  healthcare  costs.  Changes  in  these 
assumptions can result in the calculation of different plan expense and liability amounts.  Further, actual experience can differ 
from the assumptions and these differences are typically accounted for as actuarial gains or losses that are amortized over future 
periods.

The weighted average pension discount rate assumptions of 4.03%, 3.83%, and 4.60%, as of March 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, 
respectively, are based on long-term AA rated corporate and municipal bond rates. At September 2, 2015, the Company used a 
discount rate assumption of 4.30% in valuing the pension plan obligation acquired in the Magnetek acquisition.  The change in 
the discount rate at March 31, 2016 did not result in a significant change in the total projected benefit obligation. The Company 
adopted updated mortality tables in calculating its U.S. pension obligation.  The change in mortality tables resulted in a $5,700,000 
increase in the projected benefit obligation. The rate of return on plan assets assumptions of 7.22% for the year ended March 31, 
2016, and 7.50% for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is based on the targeted plan asset allocation (approximately 65%
equities and 35% fixed income) and their long-term historical returns. Our under-funded status for all pension plans as of March 
31, 2016 and 2015 was $103,279,000 and $57,339,000, or 24.5% and 21.9% of the projected benefit obligation, respectively. Our 
pension contributions during fiscal 2016 and 2015 were approximately $5,936,000 and $11,013,000, respectively. The under-
funded status may result in future pension expense increases.  Pension benefit for the March 31, 2017 fiscal year is expected to 
approximate $983,000, comparable to the fiscal 2016 benefit of $1,208,000.  Pension funding contributions for the March 31, 
2017 fiscal year are expected to approximate $5,961,000. The weighted-average compensation increase assumption of 0.44% as 
of March 31, 2016 and 2.30% and 2.00% as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively is based on expected wage trends and 
historical patterns.

The healthcare costs inflation assumptions of 6.8% for fiscal 2016 and 7.0% for fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively, are based on 
anticipated trends.  While the healthcare inflation rate assumptions have been decreasing, healthcare costs continue to outpace 
inflation in the U.S. 

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Insurance Reserves.  Our accrued general and product liability reserves as described in Note 15 to consolidated financial statements 
involve actuarial techniques including the methods selected to estimate ultimate claims, and assumptions including emergence 
patterns, payment patterns, initial expected losses and increased limit factors. These actuarial estimates are subject to a high degree 
of uncertainty due to a variety of factors, including extended lag time in the reporting and resolution of claims, trends or changes 
in claim settlement patterns, insurance industry practices, and legal interpretations. Changes to these estimates could result in 
material changes to the amount of expense and liabilities recorded in our financial statements. Further, actual costs could differ 
significantly from the estimated amounts.  Adjustments to estimated reserves are recorded in the period in which the change in 
estimate occurs.  Other insurance reserves such as workers compensation and group health insurance are based on actual historical 
and current claim data provided by third party administrators or internally maintained.

Goodwill impairment testing.  Our goodwill balance of $170,716,000 as of March 31, 2016 is subject to impairment testing.  We 
test goodwill for impairment at least annually, as of the end of February, and more frequently whenever events occur or circumstances 
change that indicate there may be impairment.  These events or circumstances could include a significant long-term adverse change 
in the business climate, poor indicators of operating performance, or a sale or disposition of a significant portion of a reporting 
unit.

We test goodwill at the reporting unit level, which is one level below our operating segment.  We identify our reporting units by 
assessing whether the components of our operating segment constitute businesses for which discrete financial information is 
available and segment management regularly reviews the operating results of those components.  We also aggregate components 
that have similar economic characteristics into single reporting units (for example, similar products and / or services, similar long-
term financial results, product processes, classes of customers, or in circumstances where the components share assets or other 
resources and have other economic interdependencies). We have four reporting units, only two of which have goodwill. Duff-
Norton and Rest of Products reporting units have goodwill totaling $9,627,000, and $161,089,000, respectively, at March 31, 
2016.

When we evaluate the potential for goodwill impairment, we assess a range of qualitative factors including, but not limited to, 
macroeconomic conditions, industry conditions, the competitive environment, changes in the market for our products and services, 
regulatory and political developments, entity specific factors such as strategy and changes in key personnel and overall financial 
performance. If, after completing this assessment, it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting 
unit is less than its carrying value, we proceed to a two-step impairment test. We also proceed to the two-step model when economic 
or other business factors indicate that the fair value of our reporting units may have declined since our last quantitative test.  We 
performed the qualitative assessment as of February 29, 2016 and determined that the two-step goodwill impairment test should 
be performed for both the Rest of Products reporting unit and the Duff-Norton reporting unit due to the decline in our stock price 
during fiscal 2016.

In order to perform the two-step impairment test, we use the discounted cash flow method and comparable market method to 
estimate fair value. The discounted cash flow method incorporates various assumptions, the most significant being projected 
revenue growth rates, operating profit margins and cash flows, the terminal growth rate and the discount rate. Management projects 
revenue growth rates, operating margins and cash flows based on each reporting unit’s current business, expected developments 
and operational strategies over a five-year period. In estimating the terminal growth rate, we consider our historical and projected 
results, as well as the economic environment in which the reporting unit operates. The discount rates utilized for each reporting 
unit reflect management’s  assumptions of marketplace participants’ cost of capital and risk assumptions, both specific to the 
reporting unit and overall in the economy.  The comparable market method estimates fair value based on prices obtained in actual 
transactions.  The method consists of examining selling prices for comparable assets.  After studying the selling prices, value 
adjustments are made for any dissimilarities. 

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Table of Contents

We performed step one of the two-step impairment test for the Rest of Products and Duff Norton reporting units.  Testing goodwill 
for impairment under the two-step method requires us to estimate fair values of reporting units using significant estimates and 
judgmental factors. The key estimates and factors used in our discounted cash flow valuation include revenue growth rates and 
profit margins based on internal forecasts, terminal value, and the weighted-average cost of capital used to discount future cash 
flows. The compound annual growth rate for revenue during the first five years of our projections was approximately 4.6% for 
the Rest of Products reporting unit and 4.0% for the Duff-Norton reporting unit. The terminal value was calculated assuming a 
projected growth rate of 3.0% after five years for both reporting units. These rates reflect our estimate of long-term growth into 
perpetuity and approximate the long-term gross domestic product growth expected on a global basis as well as our normal annual 
price increases. The estimated weighted-average cost of capital for the reporting units was determined to be 9.9% and 10.0% for 
the Rest of Products and Duff-Norton reporting units, respectively based upon an analysis of similar companies and their debt to 
equity mix, their related volatility and the size of their market capitalization. We also consider any additional risk of the Duff-
Norton and Rest of Product reporting units achieving their forecast, and adjust the weighted-average cost of capital applied when 
determining the reporting unit’s estimated fair value. Future changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect 
the results of our goodwill impairment tests. For example, a decline in the terminal growth rate by 50 basis points would decrease 
fair market value by $10,210,000 and $1,775,000 and an increase in the weighted-average cost of capital by 100 basis points would 
result in a decrease in fair market value by $32,840,000 and $4,543,000 for the Rest of Products and Duff-Norton reporting units, 
respectively. Even with such changes the fair value of the reporting units would be greater than their net book values as of February 
29, 2016, necessitating no Step 2 calculations.

Purchase Price Allocations for Business Combinations. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, we completed a business 
combination for a total purchase price of $190,672,000. Under purchase accounting, we recorded assets and liabilities at fair value 
as of the acquisition dates. We identified and assigned value to trademarks and trade names, customer relationships, non-compete 
agreements, backlog, and patents. We estimated the useful lives over which these intangible assets would be amortized. Valuations 
of these assets were performed largely using discounted cash flow models and estimates of replacement cost. These valuations 
support the conclusion that identifiable intangible assets had a value of $105,998,000. The resulting goodwill was $49,204,000. 

Assigning value to intangible assets requires estimates used in projecting relevant future cash flows and estimates of replacement 
costs, in addition to estimating useful lives of such assets. 

Accounts Receivable Reserves.  Allowances for doubtful accounts and credit memo reserves are also judgmentally determined 
based on formulas applied to historical bad debt write-offs and credit memos issued, assessing potentially uncollectible customer 
accounts and analyzing the accounts receivable aging. Accounts receivable are charged against the allowance for doubtful accounts 
once all collection efforts have been exhausted.  At March 31, 2016 the allowance for doubtful accounts totaled $2,177,000.

Impairment of depreciable and amortizable long-lived assets.  Property, plant and equipment and certain intangibles are depreciated 
or amortized over their assigned lives. We test long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate 
that the carrying amount of those assets may not be recoverable and exceed their fair market value.  The following summarizes 
the value of long-lived assets subject to impairment testing when events or circumstances indicate potential impairment (amounts 
in millions):

Property, plant and equipment, net
Acquired intangibles with estimable useful lives
Other assets

Balance as of
March 31,
2016

$

104.8
93.1
11.3

Impairment may exist if the carrying amount of the asset in question exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to 
result from the use of the asset.  The impairment loss, if any, would be measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of 
a long-lived asset exceeds its fair market value as determined by appropriate valuation techniques.

Marketable Securities.  On a quarterly basis, we review our marketable securities for declines in market value that may be considered 
other than temporary.  We generally consider market value declines to be other than temporary if there are declines for a period 
longer than six months and in excess of 20% of original cost.  We also consider the nature of the underlying investments and other 
market conditions or when other evidence indicates impairment.

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Effects of New Accounting Pronouncements

Information regarding the effects of new accounting pronouncements is included in Note 21 to the accompanying consolidated 
financial statements included in this March 31, 2016 10K report.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This report may include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 
Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results to differ 
materially from the results expressed or implied by such statements, including general economic and business conditions, conditions 
affecting the industries served by us and our subsidiaries, conditions affecting our customers and suppliers, competitor responses 
to  our  products  and  services,  the  overall  market  acceptance  of  such  products  and  services,  facility  consolidations  and  other 
restructurings, our asbestos-related liability, the integration of acquisitions and other factors disclosed in our periodic reports filed 
with the Commission. Consequently such forward-looking statements should be regarded as our current plans, estimates and 
beliefs. We do not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-
looking statements that may be made to reflect any future events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect 
the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

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Table of Contents

Item 7A. 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates. We are exposed to 
various market risks, including commodity prices for raw materials, foreign currency exchange rates and changes in interest rates. 
We may enter into financial instrument transactions, which attempt to manage and reduce the impact of such changes. We do not 
enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Our primary commodity risk is related to changes in the price of steel.  We control this risk through negotiating purchase contracts 
on a consolidated basis and by attempting to build changes in raw material costs into the selling prices of or surcharges on our 
products.  We have not entered into financial instrument transactions related to raw material costs.

In fiscal 2016, 37% of our net sales were from manufacturing plants and sales offices in foreign jurisdictions. We manufacture 
our  products  in  the  United  States,  China,  Germany,  United  Kingdom,  Hungary,  Mexico  and  France  and  sell  our  products  in 
approximately 50 countries. Our results of operations could be affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency rates or 
weak economic conditions in foreign markets. Our operating results are exposed to fluctuations between the U.S. Dollar and the 
Canadian Dollar, European currencies, the South African Rand, the Mexican Peso, the Brazilian Real, and the Chinese Yuan. For 
example, when the U.S. dollar weakens against the Euro, the value of our net sales and net income denominated in Euros increases 
when translated into U.S. dollars for inclusion in our consolidated results. We are also exposed to foreign currency fluctuations 
in relation to purchases denominated in foreign currencies. Our foreign currency risk is mitigated since the majority of our foreign 
operations’ net sales and the related expense transactions are denominated in the same currency so therefore a significant change 
in foreign exchange rates would likely have a very minor impact on net income.  For example, a 10% change in the value of the 
U.S. dollar in relation to our most significant foreign currency exposures would have had an impact of approximately $800,000 
on our income from operations. In addition, the majority of our export sale transactions are denominated in U.S. dollars.

The Company has foreign currency forward agreements in place to offset changes in the value of intercompany loans to foreign 
subsidiaries due to changes in foreign exchange rates. The notional amount of these derivatives is $2,118,000 and all of the contracts 
mature by June 30, 2016. These contracts are marked to market each balance sheet date and are not designated as hedges.

The Company has foreign currency forward agreements that are designated as cash flow hedges to hedge a portion of forecasted 
inventory purchases denominated in foreign currencies. The notional amount of those derivatives is $14,585,000 and all contracts 
mature within twelve months of March 31, 2016.  From its March 31, 2016 balance of AOCL, the Company expects to reclassify 
approximately $207,000 out of AOCL during the next 12 months based on the underlying transactions of the sales of the goods 
purchased. 

The Company's policy is to maintain a capital structure that is comprised of 50-70% of fixed rate long-term debt and 30-50% of 
variable rate long-term debt. The Company entered into two interest rate swap agreements in which the Company receives 
interest at a variable rate and pays interest at a fixed rate.  These interest rate swap agreements are designated as cash flow 
hedges to hedge changes in interest expense due to changes in the variable interest rate of the senior secured term loan. The 
amortizing interest rate swaps mature on February 19, 2020 and have a total notional amount of $161,000,000 as of March 31, 
2016.  The effective portion of the changes in fair values of the interest rate swaps is reported in AOCL and will be reclassified 
to interest expense over the life of the swap agreements. The ineffective portion was not material and was recognized in the 
current period interest expense.  From its March 31, 2016 balance of AOCL, the Company expects to reclassify approximately 
$700,000 out of AOCL, and into interest expense, during the next 12 months.

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Item 8.   

Financial Statements and Supplemental Data.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Columbus McKinnon Corporation

Audited Consolidated Financial Statements as of March 31, 2016:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21

Description of Business
Accounting Principles and Practices
Acquisitions
Fair Value Measurements
Inventories
Marketable Securities
Property, Plant, and Equipment
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Derivative Instruments
Accrued Liabilities and Other Non-current Liabilities
Debt
Pensions and Other Benefit Plans
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
Earnings per Share and Stock Plans
Loss Contingencies
Income Taxes
Rental Expense and Lease Commitments
Business Segment Information
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Effects of New Accounting Pronouncements

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.

41

42
43
44
45
46
47

48
48
52
54
58
58
60
60
62
65
65
68
75
76
81
85
88
88
90
91
93

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Columbus McKinnon Corporation

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Columbus McKinnon Corporation as of March 31, 2016 and 
2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders' equity, and cash flows 
for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2016. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in 
the  Index  at  Item  15(2). These  financial  statements  and  schedule  are  the  responsibility  of  the  Company's  management.  Our 
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule 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, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position 
of Columbus McKinnon Corporation at March 31, 2016 and 2015, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows 
for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 
Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken 
as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

As discussed in Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of presenting deferred tax 
assets and liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet as a result of the adoption of the amendments to the FASB Accounting 
Standards  Codification  resulting  from Accounting Standards  Update  No.  2015-17,  “Balance  Sheet  Classification of  Deferred 
Taxes,” effective March 31, 2016.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), 
Columbus McKinnon Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2016, based on criteria established 
in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission 
(2013 framework) and our report dated June 1, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Buffalo, New York
June 1, 2016

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COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Current assets:

ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts ($2,177 and $2,155,
respectively)
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other

Total current assets
Net property, plant, and equipment
Goodwill
Other intangibles, net
Marketable securities
Deferred taxes on income
Other assets
Total assets

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Trade accounts payable
Accrued liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt

Total current liabilities
Senior debt, less current portion
Term loan and revolving credit facility
Other non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Shareholders’ equity:

Voting common stock: 50,000,000 shares authorized; 20,109,868 and 19,989,548 shares issued
and outstanding
Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Total shareholders’ equity
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

See accompanying notes.

March 31,

2016

2015

(In thousands, except
share data)

$

51,603

$

63,056

83,812
118,049
19,265
272,729
104,790
170,716
122,129
18,186
73,158
11,336
773,044

36,061
53,210
43,246
132,517
844
223,735
129,639
486,735

$

$

80,531
103,187
27,255
274,029
91,127
121,461
19,104
19,867
28,695
12,041
566,324

33,406
50,263
13,292
96,961
1,478
111,942
87,224
297,605

201
206,682
174,173
(94,747)
286,309
773,044

$

200
203,156
157,811
(92,448)
268,719
566,324

$

$

$

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COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

$

$

2016

2014

Year Ended March 31,
2015
(In thousands, except per share data)
583,290
402,242
181,048
68,963
55,754
1,981
54,350
13,492
—
(1,595)
1,124
(1,393)
42,722
12,301
30,421

597,103
409,840
187,263
72,858
68,811
5,024
40,570
7,904
—
(796)
2,215
(377)
31,624
12,045
19,579

579,643
398,036
181,607
69,819
54,874
2,266
54,648
12,390
8,567
(2,725)
863
(462)
36,015
8,825
27,190

$

$

20,079
20,315

19,939
20,224

19,655
19,950

0.98

0.96

0.16

$

$

$

1.36

1.34

0.16

$

$

$

1.55

1.52

0.04

Net sales
Cost of products sold
Gross profit
Selling expenses
General and administrative expenses
Amortization of intangibles
Income from operations
Interest and debt expense
Cost of bond redemption
Investment (income) loss
Foreign currency exchange loss (gain)
Other income, net
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense
Income tax expense
Net income

Average basic shares outstanding
Average diluted shares outstanding

Basic income per share

Diluted income per share

Dividends declared per common share

See accompanying notes.

$

$

$

$

$

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COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Net income

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

Foreign currency translation adjustments

Pension liability adjustments, net of taxes of $4,635, $12,409, and $(8,086)

March 31,

2016

2015

2014

(In thousands)

$ 19,579

$ 27,190

$

30,421

3,650
(5,394)

(29,907)
(19,724)

3,067

12,595

Other post retirement obligations adjustments, net of taxes of $(372), $233, and $(49)

604

(371)

Split-dollar life insurance arrangement adjustments, net of taxes of $(66), $42, and
$(43)

105

(67)

75

68

Change in derivatives qualifying as hedges, net of taxes of $430, $233, and $(119)

(1,031)

(334)

254

Change in investments:

Unrealized holding (loss) gain arising during the period, net of taxes of $43, $(234), and
$(35)

(79)

433

395

Reclassification adjustment for gain included in net income, net of taxes of $83, $723,
and $773

Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

Comprehensive income (loss)

(154)
(233)
(2,299)
$ 17,280

(1,342)
(909)
(51,312)
$ (24,122) $

(1,435)
(1,040)
15,019

45,440

See accompanying notes.

45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands, except share data)

Balance at April 1, 2013

Net income 2014

Dividends declared

Change in foreign currency translation adjustment

Change in net unrealized gain on  investments, net of tax of
$695

Change in derivatives qualifying as hedges, net of tax of
$119

Change in pension liability and postretirement obligations,
net of tax of $8,178

Stock compensation - directors

Stock options exercised, 229,516 shares

Stock compensation expense

Tax effect of exercise of stock options

Earned 25,611 ESOP shares

Restricted stock units released, 56,203 shares, net of shares
withheld for minimum statutory tax obligation

Balance at March 31, 2014

Net income 2015

Dividends declared

Change in foreign currency translation adjustment

Change in net unrealized gain on  investments, net of tax of
$489

Change in derivatives qualifying as hedges, net of tax of
$233

Change in pension liability and postretirement obligations,
net of tax of $12,684

Stock compensation - directors

Stock options exercised, 87,210 shares

Stock compensation expense

Tax effect of exercise of stock options

Earned 8,369 ESOP shares

Restricted stock units released,78,734 shares, net of shares
withheld for minimum statutory tax obligation
Balance at March 31, 2015

Net income 2016

Dividends declared

Change in foreign currency translation adjustment

Change in net unrealized gain on investments, net of tax of
$126

Change in derivatives qualifying as hedges, net of tax of
$430

Change in pension liability and postretirement obligations,
net of tax of $4,197

Stock compensation - directors

Stock options exercised, 16,033 shares

Stock compensation expense

Tax effect of exercise of stock options

Shares retired

Restricted stock units released, 75,370 shares, net of shares
withheld for minimum statutory tax obligation

Common
Stock
($0.01 par 
value)

Additional
 Paid-in
Capital

Retained
Earnings

ESOP
Debt
Guarantee

Accumulated
Other
 Comprehensive
 Loss

Total
Shareholders’
Equity

$

195

$ 192,308

$ 104,191

$

(552) $

(56,155) $

239,987

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2

—

—

1

—

—

—

—

—

—

315

2,192

3,318

613

195

(395)

30,421

(792)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

410

—

—

—

3,067

30,421

(792)

3,067

(1,040)

(1,040)

254

254

12,738

12,738

—

—

—

—

—

315

2,194

3,318

613

605

(394)

$

198

$ 198,546

$ 133,820

$

(142) $

(41,136) $

291,286

—
—
—

—

—

—

—

2

—

—

—

—

—
—
—

—

—

—

440

1,605

3,455

(65)

109

(934)

27,190

(3,199)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

142

—

—
—
(29,907)

(909)

(334)

27,190

(3,199)

(29,907)

(909)

(334)

(20,162)

(20,162)

—

—

—

—

—

—

440

1,607

3,455

(65)

251

(934)

$

200

$ 203,156

$ 157,811

$

— $

(92,448) $

268,719

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

440

242

3,623

118

(10)

(887)

19,579

(3,217)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

3,650

19,579

(3,217)

3,650

(233)

(233)

(1,031)

(1,031)

(4,685)

(4,685)

—

—

—

—

—

—

440

243

3,623

118

(10)

(887)

Balance at March 31, 2016

$

201

$ 206,682

$ 174,173

$

— $

(94,747) $

286,309

 See accompanying notes.
46

 
 
Table of Contents

COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Year ended March 31,

2016

2015

2014

(In thousands)

$

19,579

$

27,190

$

30,421

20,531

7,336

34

—

429

600

4,063

12,409

2,483

(375)

3,179

(5,308)

(5,799)

(6,516)

52,645

5,869

(4,311)

(22,320)

—

(182,467)

(203,229)

242

(3,212)

—

—

154,057

(13,187)

—

(897)

137,003

2,128

(11,453)

63,056

14,562

2,074

(1,897)

8,567

—

805

3,895

8,302

(9,080)

(3,192)

(572)

1,084

(872)

(12,612)

38,254

6,919

(3,689)

(17,243)

(74)

(19,992)

(34,079)

1,607

(3,192)

(5,907)

(5,431)

—

(157,203)

124,423

(1,825)

(859)

(48,387)

(5,041)

(49,253)

112,309

$

$

$

$

$

51,603

$

63,056

$

7,649

4,175

1,638

822

$

$

$

$

$

$

13,750

10,215

1,216

—

13,380

5,031

(2,332)

—

—

870

3,633

(9,318)

1,312

(3,750)

(273)

(2,821)

1,081

(7,727)

29,507

6,689

(4,099)

(20,846)

—

(22,169)

(40,425)

2,194

—

—

—

(7)

(858)

—

—

410

1,739

(172)

(9,351)

121,660

112,309

13,003

11,769

2,624

—

Operating activities:

Net income

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

Deferred income taxes

Gain on sale of real estate/investments and other

Cost of bond redemption

Impairment of assets

Amortization of deferred financing costs and discount on debt

Stock-based compensation

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects  of business acquisitions and divestitures:

Trade accounts receivable

Inventories

Prepaid expenses and other

Other assets

Trade accounts payable

Accrued liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Net cash provided by operating activities
Investing activities:

Proceeds from sale of marketable securities

Purchases of marketable securities

Capital expenditures

Other

Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired

Net cash used for investing activities
Financing activities:

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

Payment of dividends

Payment of bond redemption tender fees

Restricted cash related to purchase of business

Net borrowings under lines of credit

Repayment of debt

Proceeds from issuance of long term debt

Payment of deferred financing costs

Change in ESOP debt guarantee and other

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Supplementary cash flows data:

Interest paid

Income taxes paid, net of refunds

Property, plant and equipment purchases included in trade accounts payable

Non cash release of restricted cash

See accompanying notes.

47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

1.  

Description of Business

Columbus McKinnon Corporation (the Company) is a leading global designer, manufacturer and marketer of hoists, actuators, 
cranes, rigging tools, digital power control systems, and other material handling products, which efficiently and safely move, lift, 
position, and secure materials and people. Key products include hoists, rigging tools, cranes, actuators, digital power control and 
delivery systems, and elevator application drive systems.  On September 2, 2015, the Company acquired 100% of the shares of 
Magnetek, Inc. (“Magnetek”), which is a global provider of digital power control systems that are used to control motion and 
power primarily in material handling, elevator, and mining applications. The Company’s material handling products are sold 
globally, principally to third party distributors through diverse distribution channels, and to a lesser extent directly to end-users.  
During fiscal 2016, approximately 63% of sales were to customers in the United States.

2.  

Accounting Principles and Practices

Advertising

Costs associated with advertising are expensed as incurred and are included in selling expense in the consolidated statements of 
operations. Advertising expenses were $1,690,000, $2,147,000, and $2,492,000 in fiscal 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers as cash equivalents all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less.

Concentrations of Labor

In the U.S., approximately 13% of the Company’s employees are represented by three separate collective bargaining agreements 
which terminate at various times between May 2017 and April 2018.  None of the collective bargaining agreements expire within 
12 months.

Consolidation

These  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  accounts  of  the  Company  and  its  global  subsidiaries;  all  significant 
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. 

Foreign Currency Translations

The Company translates foreign currency financial statements as described in Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) 
Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 830, “Foreign Currency Matters.” Under this method, all items of income and 
expense are translated to U.S. dollars at average exchange rates during the year. All assets and liabilities are translated to U.S. 
dollars at the year-end exchange rate. Gains or losses on translations are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the 
shareholders’ equity section of the balance sheet. The functional currency is the foreign currency in which the foreign subsidiaries 
conduct their business.  Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are reported in foreign currency exchange loss (gain). 
There were losses/(gains), including changes in the fair value of derivatives, on foreign currency transactions of approximately 
$2,215,000, $863,000, and $1,124,000 in fiscal 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

48

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Goodwill

Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist, in 
accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 350-20-35-1. Goodwill impairment is deemed to exist if the net book value of a 
reporting  unit  exceeds  its  estimated  fair  value. The  fair  value  of  a  reporting  unit  is  determined  using  a  discounted  cash  flow 
methodology. The Company’s reporting units are determined based upon whether discrete financial information is available and 
reviewed regularly, whether those units constitute a business, and the extent of economic similarities and interdependencies between 
those reporting units for purposes of aggregation.  The Company’s reporting units identified under ASC Topic 350-20-35-33 are 
at the component level, or one level below the reporting segment level as defined under ASC Topic 280-10-50-10 “Segment 
Reporting – Disclosure.”  The Company’s one segment is subdivided into four reporting units.

When the Company evaluates the potential for goodwill impairment, it assesses a range of qualitative factors including, but not 
limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry conditions, the competitive environment, changes in the market for its products 
and services, regulatory and political developments, entity specific factors such as strategy and changes in key personnel and 
overall financial performance. If, after completing this assessment, it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value 
of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value or if economic or other business factors indicate that the fair value of our reporting 
units may have declined since our last quantitative test, the Company proceeds to a two-step impairment test.

To perform the two-step impairment test, the Company uses the discounted cash flow method to estimate the fair value of the 
reporting units. The discounted cash flow method incorporates various assumptions, the most significant being projected revenue 
growth rates, operating profit margins and cash flows, the terminal growth rate and the discount rate. The Company projects 
revenue growth rates, operating margins and cash flows based on each reporting unit’s current business, expected developments 
and operational strategies over a five-year period. In estimating the terminal growth rate, the Company considers its historical and 
projected results, as well as the economic environment in which its reporting units operate. The discount rates utilized for each 
reporting unit reflect the Company’s assumptions of marketplace participants’ cost of capital and risk assumptions, both specific 
to the reporting unit and overall in the economy.

The Company performed its qualitative assessment as of February 29, 2016 and determined that the two-step goodwill impairment 
test should be performed for both the Rest of Products reporting unit and the Duff-Norton reporting unit. Based on the results of 
step one of the two-step impairment test, the Company determined that the Rest of Products and Duff Norton reporting units' fair 
value was not less than its applicable carrying value. See Note 8 for further discussion of goodwill and intangible assets.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company assesses impairment of its long-lived assets in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 360 “Property, Plant, 
and Equipment.” This statement requires long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and purchased intangibles subject to 
amortization to be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an 
asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying 
amount of an asset group to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group over its remaining 
useful life. If the carrying amount of an asset group exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized 
equal to the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset group.  The fair values are 
determined in accordance with ASC 820.

49

 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

In assessing long-lived assets for an impairment loss, assets are grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for 
which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. Asset grouping requires a 
significant  amount  of  judgment. Accordingly,  facts  and  circumstances  will  influence  how  asset  groups  are  determined  for 
impairment testing. In assessing long-lived assets for impairment, management considered the Company’s product line portfolio, 
customers and related commercial agreements, labor agreements and other factors in grouping assets and liabilities at the lowest 
level for which identifiable cash flows are independent. The Company considers projected future undiscounted cash flows, trends 
and other factors in its assessment of whether impairment conditions exist. While the Company believes that its estimates of future 
cash flows are reasonable, different assumptions regarding such factors as future production volumes, customer pricing, economics 
and  productivity  and  cost  initiatives,  could  significantly  affect  its  estimates.  In  determining  fair  value  of  long-lived  assets, 
management uses management estimates, discounted cash flow calculations, and appraisals where necessary.

Intangible Assets

At acquisition, the Company estimates and records the fair value of purchased intangible assets which primarily consist of trade 
names,  customer  relationships  and  technology.  The  fair  values  are  estimated  based  on  management’s  assessment  as  well  as 
independent third party appraisals.  Such valuations may include a discounted cash flow of anticipated revenues resulting from 
the acquired intangible asset.

Amortization of intangible assets with finite lives is recognized over their estimated useful lives using an amortization method 
that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are consumed or otherwise realized.  The straight 
line method is used for customer relationships.  As a result of the negligible attrition rate in our customer base, the difference 
between the straight line method and attrition method is not considered significant.  The estimated useful lives for our intangible 
assets range from 2 to 25 years.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost of approximately 34% and 35% of inventories at March 31, 2016 and 
March 31, 2015, respectively, have been determined using the LIFO (last-in, first-out) method. Costs of other inventories have 
been determined using the FIFO (first-in, first-out) or average cost method. FIFO cost approximates replacement cost. Costs in 
inventory include components for direct labor and overhead costs.  The decrease in the percentage of LIFO inventory is due to the 
acquisition of Magnetek which determines the cost of its inventory using the FIFO method. 

Marketable Securities

All of the Company’s marketable securities, which consist of equity securities, have been classified as available-for-sale securities 
and are therefore recorded at their fair values with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported in accumulated other 
comprehensive loss in the shareholders’ equity section of the consolidated balance sheet unless unrealized losses are deemed to 
be other than temporary. In such instance, the unrealized losses are reported in the consolidated statements of operations within 
investment income. Estimated fair value is based on published trading values at the balance sheet dates. The cost of securities sold 
is based on the specific identification method. Interest and dividend income are included in investment income in the consolidated 
statements of operations.

The marketable securities are carried as long-term assets since they are held for the settlement of the Company’s general and 
products liability insurance claims filed through CM Insurance Company, Inc., a wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary.  The 
marketable securities are not available for general working capital purposes.

50

 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Property, Plant, and Equipment

Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated principally using the straight-line method over their respective 
estimated  useful  lives  (buildings  and  building  equipment—15  to  40  years;  machinery  and  equipment—3  to  18  years). When 
depreciable assets are retired, or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts 
and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in operating results.  Included within other assets is a building that is held for sale in the 
amount of $425,000 and $854,000 at March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The building was closed as part of the Company's 
fiscal 2010 restructuring activities.  During the year ended March 31, 2016 the Company reduced the asset held for sale to its 
current fair value less costs to sell resulting in additional expense of $429,000 in cost of products sold on the consolidated statement 
of operations.

Research and Development

Research and development (R&D) costs as defined in ASC Topic 730, “Research and Development,” were $7,393,000, $5,242,000, 
and $5,470,000 for the years ended March 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and are classified as general and administrative 
expense in the consolidated statements of operations.  The acquisition of Magnetek added $1,964,000 to R&D costs for the year 
ended March 31, 2016.

Revenue Recognition, Accounts Receivable and Concentration of Credit Risk

Sales are recorded when title passes to the customer which is generally at time of shipment to the customer. The Company performs 
ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition, but generally does not require collateral to support customer 
receivables. The credit risk is controlled through credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures. Accounts receivable are 
reported at net realizable value and do not accrue interest. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based 
upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends and other factors. Accounts receivable are charged 
against the allowance for doubtful accounts once all collection efforts have been exhausted.  The Company does not routinely 
permit customers to return product. However, sales returns are permitted in specific situations and typically include a restocking 
charge or the purchase of additional product. Sales tax is excluded from revenue.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs are a component of cost of products sold.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company records stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation.” 
This Statement requires all equity-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in 
the consolidated statements of operations based on the grant date fair value of the award.  Stock compensation expense is included 
in cost of goods sold, selling, and general and administrative expense.  The Company uses a straight-line method of attributing 
the value of stock-based compensation expense, subject to minimum levels of expense, based on vesting. See Note 14 for further 
discussion of stock-based compensation.

Leases 

All leases are reviewed for capital or operating classification at their inception. Rent expense for leases that contain scheduled rent 
increases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, including any option periods included in the determination of 
the lease term.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management 
to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual 
results could differ from those estimates.

51

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Warranties

The Company offers warranties for certain products it sells. The specific terms and conditions of those warranties vary depending 
upon the product sold and the country in which the Company sold the product. The Company generally provides a basic limited 
warranty, including parts and labor for any product deemed to be defective for a period of one year and for certain products a 
lifetime warranty. The Company estimates the costs that may be incurred under its basic limited warranty, based largely upon 
actual warranty repair costs history, and records a liability in the amount of such costs in the month that the product revenue is 
recognized. The resulting accrual balance is reviewed during the year. Factors that affect the Company’s warranty liability include 
the number of units sold, historical and anticipated rate of warranty claims, and cost per claim. Changes in the Company’s product 
warranty accrual are as follows:

Balance at beginning of year
Accrual for warranties issued
Warranties settled
Warranties assumed in Magnetek acquisition
Balance at end of year

March 31,

2016

2015

$

$

655
2,618
(2,420)
376
1,229

$

$

759
1,388
(1,492)
—
655

3. 

Acquisitions

On December 30, 2014 the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding common shares of Stahlhammer Bommern GmbH (“STB”) 
located in Hamm, Germany, a privately-owned company with annual sales of approximately $16,000,000. STB manufactures a 
large range of lifting tools and forged parts that are able to withstand particularly heavy, static and dynamic loads, including single 
and ramshorn lifting hooks. The Company believes STB is a strong strategic fit allowing further expansion of the rigging business 
globally. The results of STB are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. The 
acquisition of STB is not considered significant to the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.

The acquisition of STB was funded with existing cash. The purchase price has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities 
assumed as of the date of the acquisition. The excess consideration of $7,818,000 has been recorded as goodwill. The identifiable 
intangible assets acquired include customer relationships of $2,957,000, trademark and trade names of $1,301,000, non-compete 
agreements of $221,000, backlog of $74,000, and patents of $82,000.  During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, the Company 
increased the value of its customer relationships by $1,227,000 and decreased the liability for contingent consideration by $810,000
due to modifications made during the measurement period. Both of these adjustments have reduced goodwill at March 31, 2016 
by $1,669,000 and increased long term deferred tax liabilities by $368,000 as of the opening balance sheet date.

The weighted average life of the acquired identifiable intangible assets subject to amortization was estimated at 9 years at the time 
of acquisition. Goodwill recorded in connection with the acquisition is not deductible for income tax purposes.  The terms of the 
acquisition require the Company to pay additional consideration to the seller if certain performance measures are met by STB.  
The potential additional consideration ranges from $0 to $3,681,000. The Company had preliminarily estimated the fair value of 
the liability related to this contingent consideration to be $982,000 at March 31, 2015.  The Company then adjusted this estimate 
to $172,000 during the first quarter of fiscal 2016. This liability is included in the Company's consolidated balance sheet within 
other non-current liabilities as of the opening balance sheet date. The value has been estimated by simulating the future performance 
of STB in a Geometric Brownian Motion model.  Key assumptions used in this model include a volatility factor of 45% and a 
credit risk adjusted discount rate of 3%.  During fiscal year 2016 the Company revalued the contingent consideration based on 
updated performance forecasts. Based on this revaluation, the liability related to the contingent consideration has been reduced to 
no value with the resulting gain recorded in cost of products sold on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. 
External acquisition related costs totaling $150,000 have been expensed.

52

 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

The assignment of purchase consideration to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is as follows:

Working capital

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Other long term assets

Debt

Other liabilities

Goodwill

$

9,444

13,616

4,561

67
(6,487)
(3,596)
7,818

Total purchase consideration

$

25,423

In connection with the acquisition of STB, the Company withheld $5,431,000 to be paid to the seller upon satisfaction of certain 
conditions,  of  which  $822,000  related  to  a  working  capital  adjustment  which  was  paid  during  fiscal  2016.    Of  this  amount, 
$4,609,000  and $822,000 is expected to be paid to the seller within one year of the periods ending March 31, 2016 and March 
31, 2015, respectively.  At March 31, 2015, $4,609,000 was expected to be paid to the seller in a time period exceeding one year.  
The Company has recorded current assets on its condensed consolidated balance sheets of $4,609,000 and $822,000 within prepaid 
expenses and other at March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, respectively. Long term restricted cash of $4,609,000 is recorded in 
other assets at March 31, 2015.  Further, the Company has recorded a short term liability to the seller of $4,609,000 and $822,000
within accrued liabilities at March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, respectively. A long term liability to the seller of $4,609,000 was 
recorded within other non current liabilities at March 31, 2015.  During the first quarter of fiscal 2017 the remaining amounts 
withheld have been paid to the seller.

On September 2, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition of Magnetek, a designer and manufacturer of digital power and 
motion control solutions for material handling, elevators, and mining applications with annual sales of approximately  $112,000,000. 
The transaction combines Magnetek's technology with the Company's broad line of lifting and positioning mechanical products 
to create a more comprehensive solution for customers. In connection with the acquisition, the Company completed a tender offer 
to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Magnetek at a purchase price of $50.00 per share in cash for a total 
acquisition value of  $182,467,000, net of cash acquired. The results of Magnetek included in the Company’s consolidated financial 
statements from the date of acquisition are net sales and income from operations of $65,662,000 and $6,395,000, respectively for 
the year ended March 31, 2016. Magnetek's income from operations for the year ended March 31, 2016 includes acquisition related 
severance costs of $2,300,000. These costs have been included in general and administrative expenses. Acquisition expenses 
incurred by the Company total  $5,746,000 through March 31, 2016 and have been recorded in general and administrative expenses. 

In preparation for the Magnetek acquisition, on July 26, 2015 the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JP Morgan Chase 
Bank”) and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC entered into a commitment letter in which JPMorgan Chase Bank committed to extend 
$75,000,000 of incremental revolving commitments to the Company’s existing credit agreement dated as of January 23, 2015. 
The incremental revolving commitment are on terms and conditions consistent with the Company’s existing revolving credit facility 
under the Credit Agreement. The Company drew upon its revolving credit facilities to fund the purchase price and fees associated 
with the acquisition of Magnetek. Revolver borrowings totaled $195,000,000 of which $40,000,000 had been repaid by March 
31, 2016. 

The purchase price has been preliminarily allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition. The 
excess  consideration  of  $49,204,000  has  preliminarily  been  recorded  as  goodwill. The  identifiable  intangible  assets  acquired 
include customer relationships of  $41,000,000, engineered drawings of  $28,488,000, trademark and trade names of $26,600,000, 
patents and technology of $9,750,000, and in-process research and development of  $160,000. The weighted average life of the 
acquired identifiable intangible assets subject to amortization was estimated at 18 years at the time of acquisition. Goodwill recorded 
in connection with the acquisition is not deductible for income tax purposes. The allocation of the purchase price to the assets 
acquired  and  liabilities  assumed  of  Magnetek  is  not  complete  as  of  March  31,  2016  as  the  Company  is  continuing  to  gather 
information regarding Magnetek's contingent liabilities and intangible assets. 

53

 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

The preliminary assignment of purchase consideration to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is as follows: 

Cash

Working capital

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Other long term assets

Other long term liabilities

Deferred taxes, net

Goodwill

Total

$

8,205

19,660

5,660

105,998

3,921
(44,052)
42,076

49,204

$

190,672

For each of the Company's acquisitions disclosed, goodwill represents future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired 
that do not meet the criteria for separate recognition apart from goodwill, including assembled workforce,  growth opportunities 
and increased presence in the markets served by the acquired companies.

See Note 4 for assumptions used in valuing of the intangible assets acquired. 

The  following  unaudited  pro  forma  financial  information  presents  the  combined  results  of  operations  as  if  the  acquisition  of 
Magnetek had occurred as of April 1, 2013. The pro forma information includes certain adjustments, including depreciation and 
amortization expense, interest expense and certain other adjustments, together with related income tax effects. The pro forma 
amounts may not be indicative of the results that actually would have been achieved had the acquisitions occurred as of April 1, 
2013 and are not necessarily indicative of future results of the combined companies (in thousands, except per share data): 

Net sales

Net income

Net income per share - Basic

Net income per share - Diluted

2016

641,937 $

22,520 $

1.12 $

1.11 $

$

$

$

$

March 31,
2015

688,251 $
(6,592) $
(0.33) $
(0.33) $

2014

685,101

27,154

1.38

1.36

4.  

Fair Value Measurements

ASC Topic 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” establishes the standards for reporting financial assets and liabilities 
and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually). Under 
these standards, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e. the "exit 
price") in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

ASC Topic 820-10-35-37 establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable 
inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable 
inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from 
sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company's assumptions about the valuation 
techniques that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available 
in the circumstances. The hierarchy is separated into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows:

Level 1 - Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the 
ability to access.  Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active 
market, valuation of these products does not entail a significant degree of judgment.

Level 2 - Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are 
observable, either directly or indirectly, involving some degree of judgment.

54

 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Level 3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. The 
degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.

The availability of observable inputs can vary and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including the type of asset/liability, 
whether the asset/liability is established in the marketplace, and other characteristics particular to the transaction.  To the extent 
that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value 
requires more judgment. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value 
hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in 
its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant rather than an entity-specific measure. 
Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available, assumptions are required to reflect those that market participants 
would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.

The  Company  primarily  uses  readily  observable  market  data  in  conjunction  with  internally  developed  discounted  cash  flow 
valuation models when valuing its derivative portfolio and, consequently, the fair value of the Company’s derivatives is based on 
Level 2 inputs. The carrying amount of the Company's annuity contract acquired in connection with the acquisition of Magnetek 
is recorded at net asset value of the contract and, consequently, it's fair value is based on Level 2 inputs and is included in other 
assets on the  Company's consolidated balance sheet. The carrying value of the Company’s term loan, revolving credit facility, 
and senior debt approximate fair value based on current market interest rates for debt instruments of similar credit standing and, 
consequently, their fair values are based on Level 2 inputs. 

The following table provides information regarding financial assets and liabilities measured or disclosed at fair value on a recurring 
basis:

Description
Assets/(Liabilities)
Measured at fair value:
Marketable securities
Annuity contract
Derivative liabilities:
  Foreign exchange contracts
  Interest rate swap

Fair value measurements at reporting date using

Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets

Significant
other observable
inputs

Significant
 unobservable
inputs

At March
31, 2016

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

$

$

18,186
3,267

18,186

$

(131)
(2,211)

—

— $

3,267

(131)
(2,211)

—

—

—
—

Disclosed at fair value:
Term loan and revolving credit facility
Senior debt

$ (266,235) $
(1,590)

— $
—

(266,235) $
(1,590)

55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Description
Assets/(Liabilities)
Measured at fair value:
Marketable securities
Derivative assets (liabilities)
Foreign exchange contracts
Interest rate swap
Contingent purchase consideration

Disclosed at fair value:
Term loan
Senior debt

Fair value measurements at reporting date using

Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets

Significant
other observable
inputs

Significant
unobservable
inputs

At March
31, 2015

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

$

19,867

$

19,867

$

— $

82
(955)
(982)

(124,442)
(2,270)

—

—
—

82
(955)

(124,442)
(2,270)

—

—

(982)

—
—

The Company did not have any non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized at fair value on a recurring basis.

At March 31, 2016, the term loan, revolving credit facility, and senior debt have been recorded at carrying value which approximates 
fair value.

Interest and dividend income on marketable securities are recorded in investment (income) loss.  Changes in the fair value of 
derivatives are recorded in foreign currency exchange (gain) loss or other comprehensive income (loss), to the extent that the 
derivative qualifies as a hedge under the provisions of ASC Topic 815. Interest and dividend income on marketable securities are 
measured based upon amounts earned on their respective declaration dates.  

Assets and liabilities that were measured on a non-recurring basis during fiscal 2016 and  2015 include assets and liabilities acquired 
in connection with the acquisition of Magnetek and STB described in Note 3.  The estimated fair values allocated to the assets 
acquired and liabilities assumed relied upon fair value measurements based primarily on Level 3 inputs.  The long term debt of 
STB was measured at fair value and subsequently repaid prior to March 31, 2015.  The valuation techniques used to allocate fair 
values to working capital items; property, plant, and equipment; and identifiable intangible assets included the cost approach, 
market approach, and other income approaches.  The valuation techniques relied on a number of inputs which included the cost 
and condition of property, plant, and equipment and forecasted net sales and income.  For STB significant valuation inputs included 
an attrition rate of 10.0% for customer relationships, a royalty rate of 1.0% for trademarks and domain names. 

For Magnetek, the valuation techniques used to allocate fair values to working capital items; property, plant, and equipment; and 
identifiable intangible assets included the excess earnings approach, cost approach, relief from royalty approach, and other income 
approaches. Significant valuation inputs included an attrition rate of 5.0% for customer relationships, an engineering cost per hour 
of $70.00 and obsolescence factors ranging from 0% to 80% for engineered drawings, a royalty rate of 2.5% for trademark and 
trade names, royalty rates ranging from 3.5% to 5.0% for patented technology, and a weighted average cost of capital of 11.6%. 

Additional assets and liabilities that were measured on a non-recurring basis during fiscal 2016 and 2015 include the net assets of 
the  Company’s  Rest  of  Products  and  Duff-Norton  reporting  units.   These  measurements  have  been  used  to  test  goodwill  for 
impairment on an annual basis under the provisions of ASC Topic 350-20-35-1 “Intangibles, Goodwill and Other – Goodwill 
Subsequent Measurement.”  

56

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

During fiscal 2016, Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test consisted of determining a fair value of the Company’s Rest of Products 
and Duff-Norton reporting units. The fair value for the Company’s Rest of Products and Duff-Norton reporting units cannot be 
determined using readily available quoted Level 1 inputs or Level 2 inputs that are observable in active markets. Therefore, the 
Company used a blended discounted cash flow and market-based valuation model to estimate the fair value of its Rest of Products 
and Duff-Norton reporting units, using Level 3 inputs. To estimate the fair value of the Rest of Products and Duff-Norton reporting 
units, the Company used significant estimates and judgmental factors.  The key estimates and factors used in the discounted cash 
flow valuation include revenue growth rates and profit margins based on internal forecasts, terminal value, and the weighted-
average cost of capital used to discount future cash flows. 

For Rest of Products the compound annual growth rate for revenue during the first five years of the projections was approximately 
4.6%. The terminal value was calculated assuming a projected growth rate of 3.0% after five years. The estimated weighted-
average cost of capital for the reporting unit was determined to be 9.9% based upon an analysis of similar companies and their 
debt to equity mix, their related volatility and the size of their market capitalization.

For the Duff-Norton reporting unit the compound annual growth rate for revenue during the first five years of the projections was 
approximately 4.0%. The terminal value was calculated assuming a projected growth rate of 3.0% after five years. The estimated 
weighted-average cost of capital for the reporting units was determined to be 10.0% based upon an analysis of similar companies 
and their debt to equity mix, their related volatility and the size of their market capitalization.

The Company also measured indefinite-lived intangible assets from the Magnetek, STB, and Unified Industries acquisitions on a 
non-recurring  basis.    The  fair  value  measurements  were  calculated  using  discounted  cash  flow  analyses  which  rely  upon 
unobservable inputs classified as Level 3 inputs.  In performing these analyses, royalty rates of 2.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% were used 
for the indefinitely-lived intangible assets of Magnetek, STB, and Unified Industries, respectively.  A discount rate of 11.3% was 
used for each analysis.

During fiscal 2015, Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test consisted of determining a fair value of the Company’s Rest of Products 
reporting unit. The fair value for the Company’s Rest of Products reporting unit cannot be determined using readily available 
quoted Level 1 inputs or Level 2 inputs that are observable in active markets. Therefore, the Company used a blended discounted 
cash flow and market-based valuation model to estimate the fair value of its Rest of Products reporting unit, using Level 3 inputs. 
To estimate the fair value of the Rest of Products reporting unit, the Company used significant estimates and judgmental factors.  
The key estimates and factors used in the discounted cash flow valuation include revenue growth rates and profit margins based 
on internal forecasts, terminal value, and the weighted-average cost of capital used to discount future cash flows. The compound 
annual growth rate for revenue during the first five years of the projections was approximately 3.8%. The terminal value was 
calculated  assuming  a  projected  growth  rate  of  3.0%  after  five  years. The  estimated  weighted-average  cost  of  capital  for  the 
reporting units was determined to be 10.1% based upon an analysis of similar companies and their debt to equity mix, their related 
volatility and the size of their market capitalization.

See Note 8 for additional discussion on the Company's goodwill impairment assessment and the conclusions reached.

57

 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

5.  

Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following:

At cost—FIFO basis:
Raw materials
Work-in-process
Finished goods

LIFO cost less than FIFO cost
Net inventories

March 31,

2016

2015

$

$

74,968
18,877
41,517
135,362
(17,313)
118,049

$

$

62,513
16,893
41,807
121,213
(18,026)
103,187

The acquisition of Magnetek contributed $16,659,000 to the increase in inventory since March 31, 2015.

There were LIFO liquidations resulting in $384,000, $6,000 and $830,000 of additional income in fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014 
income, respectively.

6.  

Marketable Securities

All of the Company’s marketable securities, which consist of equity securities and fixed income securities, have been classified 
as available-for-sale securities and are therefore recorded at their fair values with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported 
in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the shareholders’ equity section of the consolidated balance sheet unless unrealized 
losses are deemed to be other-than-temporary. In such instances, the unrealized losses are reported in the consolidated statements 
of operations within investment income. Estimated fair value is based on quoted market prices at the balance sheet dates. The cost 
of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Interest and dividend income are included in investment income 
in the consolidated statements of operations. 

Marketable securities are carried as long-term assets since they are held for the settlement of the Company’s general and 
products liability insurance claims filed through CM Insurance Company, Inc., a wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary. 
The marketable securities are not available for general working capital purposes.

In accordance with ASC Topic 320-10-35-30 “Investments – Debt & Equity Securities – Subsequent Measurement,” the Company 
reviews its marketable securities for declines in market value that may be considered other-than-temporary. The Company generally 
considers market value declines to be other-than-temporary if they are declines for a period longer than six months and in excess 
of 20% of original cost, or when other evidence indicates impairment.  We also consider the nature of the underlying investments, 
our intent and ability to hold the investments until their market values recover, and other market conditions in making this assessment.   
Based on this assessment, no other-than-temporary impairment charge has been recorded during fiscal 2016, 2015, or 2014.

During the year ended March 31, 2009, because of uncertain market conditions and the duration at which certain securities had 
been trading below cost, the Company reduced the cost basis of certain equity securities since it was determined that the unrealized 
losses on those securities were other than temporary in nature. This determination resulted in the recognition of a pre-tax charge 
to earnings of $4,014,000 for the year ended March 31, 2009, classified within investment (income) loss. There were no other than 
temporary impairments for the years ended March 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014. Since fiscal 2009, the Company has sold all of these 
previously written down investments, which resulted in the recognition of gains of approximately $27,000, and $350,000 in fiscal 
2015 and 2014, respectively.  There were no such gains recorded in fiscal 2016.

58

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2016 (In thousands):

Marketable securities

Amortized
Cost

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized 
Losses

$

18,080

$

253

$

147

Estimated
Fair Value
18,186
$

The aggregate fair value of investments and unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position at 
March 31, 2016 are as follows (In thousands):

Securities in a continuous loss position for less than 12 months
Securities in a continuous loss position for more than 12 months

Aggregate
 Fair Value
1,138
$
4,871
6,009

$

Unrealized
Losses

$

$

58
89
147

The Company considered the nature of the investments, causes of previous impairments, the severity and duration of unrealized 
losses and other factors and determined that the unrealized losses at March 31, 2016 were temporary in nature.

Net realized gains related to sales of marketable securities are included in investment (income) loss in the consolidated statements 
of operations and were $235,000, $2,065,000, and $854,000, in fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2015 (In thousands):

Marketable securities

Amortized
Cost

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
 Unrealized
Losses

$

19,402

$

525

$

60

Estimated
Fair Value
19,867
$

The aggregate fair value of investments and unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position at 
March 31, 2015 are as follows (In thousands):

Securities in a continuous loss position for less than 12 months
Securities in a continuous loss position for more than 12 months

Aggregate
 Fair Value
45
$
4,155
4,200

$

Unrealized
 Losses

$

$

26
34
60

In addition to the above, during the year ended March 31, 2014 the Company sold certain equity securities previously recorded 
on the consolidated statement of operations in prepaid expenses and other resulting in a gain of $1,354,000. This gain has been 
recorded within other income, net in the consolidated statement of operations.

Net unrealized gains included in the balance sheet amounted to $106,000 at March 31, 2016 and $465,000 at March 31, 2015. The 
amounts, net of related deferred tax liabilities of $37,000 and $163,000 at March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, are reflected as 
a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss within shareholders’ equity. 

59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

7.  

Property, Plant, and Equipment

Consolidated property, plant, and equipment of the Company consisted of the following:

Land and land improvements
Buildings
Machinery, equipment, and leasehold improvements
Construction in progress

Less accumulated depreciation
Net property, plant, and equipment

March 31,

2016

2015

$

$

4,583
42,864
204,043
10,463
261,953
157,163
104,790

$

$

3,238
35,633
164,843
13,342
217,056
125,929
91,127

Buildings include assets recorded under capital leases amounting to $4,838,000 as of March 31, 2016 and 2015.  Machinery, 
equipment, and leasehold improvements include assets recorded under capital leases amounting to $694,000 and $737,000 as of 
March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  Accumulated depreciation includes accumulated amortization of the assets recorded under 
capital leases amounting to $3,673,000 and $4,379,000 at March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Depreciation  expense,  including  amortization  of  assets  recorded  under  capital  leases,  was  $15,507,000,  $12,296,000,  and 
$11,399,000, for the years ended March 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Gross property, plant, and equipment includes capitalized software costs of $29,470,000 and $22,892,000 at March 31, 2016 and 
2015, respectively.  Accumulated depreciation includes accumulated amortization on capitalized software costs of $10,732,000
and $6,276,000 at March 31, 2016 and 2015 respectively.  Amortization expense on capitalized software costs was $2,085,000, 
$1,514,000, and $932,000 during the years ended March 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

8.  

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

As discussed in Note 2, goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at least annually, in accordance with the provisions 
of ASC Topic 350-20-35-1.  Goodwill impairment is deemed to exist if the net book value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated 
fair value.  The fair value of a reporting unit is determined using a discounted cash flow methodology.  The Company’s reporting 
units are determined based upon whether discrete financial information is available and reviewed regularly, whether those units 
constitute a business, and the extent of economic similarities and interdependencies between those reporting units for purposes of 
aggregation.  The Company’s reporting units identified under ASC Topic 350-20-35-33 are at the component level, or one level 
below the operating segment level as defined under ASC Topic 280-10-50-10 “Segment Reporting – Disclosure.” The Company 
has four reporting units as of March 31, 2016 and 2015.  Only two of the four reporting units carried goodwill at March 31, 2016
and only two of the four reporting units carried goodwill at March 31, 2015. The Duff-Norton reporting unit (which designs, 
manufactures  and  sources  mechanical  and  electromechanical  actuators  and  rotary  unions)  had  goodwill  of  $9,627,000  and 
$9,563,000 at March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and the Rest of Products reporting unit (representing the hoist, chain, and 
forgings design, manufacturing, digital power control systems, and distribution businesses) had goodwill of $161,089,000 and 
$111,898,000 at March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  Both STB and Magnetek have been determined to be part of the Rest of 
Products reporting unit.

60

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

When we evaluate the potential for goodwill impairment, we assess a range of qualitative factors including, but not limited to, 
macroeconomic conditions, industry conditions, the competitive environment, changes in the market for our products and services, 
regulatory and political developments, entity specific factors such as strategy and changes in key personnel and overall financial 
performance. If, after completing this assessment, it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting 
unit is less than its carrying value or if economic or other business factors indicate that the fair value of our reporting units may 
have declined since our last quantitative test, we proceed to a two-step impairment test.  The Company performed its qualitative 
assessment as of February 29, 2016 and determined that the two-step goodwill impairment test should be performed for both the 
Rest of Products reporting unit and the Duff-Norton reporting unit.  

In accordance with ASC Topic 350-20-35-3, the measurement of impairment of goodwill consists of two steps. In the first step, 
the Company compares the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. As part of the impairment analysis, the Company 
determines the fair value of each of its reporting units with goodwill using the income approach and market approach. The income 
approach uses a discounted cash flow methodology to determine fair value. This methodology recognizes value based on the 
expected receipt of future economic benefits. Key assumptions in the income approach include a free cash flow projection, an 
estimated discount rate, a long-term growth rate and a terminal value. These assumptions are based upon the Company’s historical 
experience, current market trends and future expectations.

The Company performed step one of the two-step impairment test for the Rest of Products and Duff-Norton reporting units as of 
February 29, 2016.   Based on the results of the two-step impairment test, the Company determined that the Rest of Products and 
Duff-Norton reporting units' fair values were not less than their applicable carrying values.

Future impairment indicators, such as declines in forecasted cash flows, may cause additional significant impairment charges. 
Impairment charges could be based on such factors as the Company’s stock price, forecasted cash flows, assumptions used, control 
premiums or other variables.

Identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination are amortized over their estimated useful lives.

A summary of changes in goodwill during the years ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:

Balance at April 1, 2014
Acquisition of STB (See Note 3)
Currency translation
Balance at March 31, 2015
STB purchase accounting adjustment (See Note 3)
Acquisition of Magnetek (See Note 3)
Currency translation
Balance at March 31, 2016

$

$

119,303
9,487
(7,329)
121,461
(1,669)
49,204
1,720
170,716

Goodwill is recognized net of accumulated impairment losses of $107,000,000 as of March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. 
There were no goodwill impairment losses recorded in fiscal 2016, 2015, or 2014.

61

 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Intangible assets at March 31, 2016 are as follows:

Trademark
Indefinite lived trademark
Customer relationships
Acquired technology
Other
Balance at March 31, 2016

Intangible assets at March 31, 2015 were as follows:

Trademark
Indefinite lived trademark
Customer relationships
Acquired technology
Other
Balance at March 31, 2015

Gross
Carrying 
Amount
5,467
$
29,006
58,535
43,198
1,481
$ 137,687

Gross
 Carrying
 Amount
4,656
$
2,338
15,653
4,960
1,251
28,858

$

$

$

Accumulated
Amortization
$

Net

(2,431) $
—
(10,688)
(1,873)
(566)

3,036
29,006
47,847
41,325
915
(15,558) $ 122,129

Accumulated
 Amortization
$

(1,657) $
—
(7,442)
(218)
(437)
(9,754) $

Net

2,999
2,338
8,211
4,742
814
19,104

The Company’s intangible assets that are considered to have finite lives are amortized over the period in which the assets are 
expected to generate future cash flows.  The weighted-average amortization periods are 18 years for trademarks, 17 years for 
customer relationships, 18 years for acquired technology, 11 years for other, and 17 years in total.  Trademarks with a book value 
of $29,006,000 have an indefinite useful life and are therefore not being amortized. Total amortization expense was $5,024,000, 
$2,266,000, and $1,981,000 for fiscal 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.  Based on the current amount of intangible assets, the 
estimated amortization expense for each of the succeeding five years is expected to be approximately $7,000,000. 

9.  

Derivative Instruments

The Company uses derivative instruments to manage selected foreign currency and interest rate exposures. The Company does 
not use derivative instruments for speculative trading purposes. All derivative instruments must be recorded on the balance sheet 
at fair value. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is 
recorded  as  accumulated  other  comprehensive  gain  (loss),  or  “AOCL,”  and  is  reclassified  to  earnings  when  the  underlying 
transaction has an impact on earnings. The ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the foreign currency forward agreements 
is reported in foreign currency exchange loss (gain) in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.  The ineffective portion 
of changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements is reported in interest expense.  For derivatives not designated as 
cash flow hedges, all changes in market value are recorded as a foreign currency exchange (gain) loss in the Company’s consolidated 
statements of operations. The cash flow effects of derivatives are reported within net cash provided by operating activities. 

The Company is exposed to credit losses in the event of non-performance by the counterparties on its financial instruments. The 
counterparties have investment grade credit ratings. The Company anticipates that these counterparties will be able to fully satisfy 
their obligations under the contracts. The Company has derivative contracts with two counterparties as of March 31, 2016.  

62

 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

The Company's agreements with its counterparties contain provisions pursuant to which the Company could be declared in default 
of its derivative obligations.  As of March 31, 2016, the Company had not posted any collateral related to these agreements. If the 
Company had breached any of these provisions as of March 31, 2016, it could have been required to settle its obligations under 
these agreements at amounts which approximate the March 31, 2016 fair values reflected in the table below.  During the year 
ended March 31, 2016, the Company was not in default of any of its derivative obligations.  

As of March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had no derivatives designated as net investments or fair value hedges in 
accordance with ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.”

The Company has foreign currency forward agreements in place to offset changes in the value of intercompany loans to foreign 
subsidiaries due to changes in foreign exchange rates. The notional amount of these derivatives is $2,118,000 and all of the contracts 
mature by June 30, 2016. These contracts are marked to market each balance sheet date and are not designated as hedges. 

The Company has foreign currency forward agreements that are designated as cash flow hedges to hedge a portion of forecasted 
inventory purchases denominated in foreign currencies. The notional amount of those derivatives is $14,585,000 and all contracts 
mature within twelve months of March 31, 2016.  From its March 31, 2016 balance of AOCL, the Company expects to reclassify 
approximately $207,000 out of AOCL during the next 12 months based on the underlying transactions of the sales of the goods 
purchased. 

The Company's policy is to maintain a capital structure that is comprised of 50-70% of fixed rate long-term debt and 30-50% of 
variable rate long-term debt. The Company entered into two interest rate swap agreements in which the Company receives interest 
at a variable rate and pays interest at a fixed rate.  These interest rate swap agreements are designated as cash flow hedges to hedge 
changes in interest expense due to changes in the variable interest rate of the senior secured term loan. The amortizing interest rate 
swaps mature on February 19, 2020 and have a total notional amount of $161,000,000 as of March 31, 2016.  The effective portion 
of the changes in fair values of the interest rate swaps is reported in AOCL and will be reclassified to interest expense over the 
life of the swap agreements. The ineffective portion was not material and was recognized in the current period interest expense.  
From its March 31, 2016 balance of AOCL, the Company expects to reclassify approximately $700,000 out of AOCL, and into 
interest expense, during the next 12 months.

The following is the effect of derivative instruments on the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended March 31, 
2016, 2015, and 2014 (in thousands):

Derivatives 
Designated as 
Cash Flow  
Hedges
March 31,
2016
2016

2015
2015

2014

Amount of Gain or
(Loss) Recognized in
Other Comprehensive
Income (Loss) on
Derivatives (Effective
Portion)

Location of Gain or
(Loss) Recognized
in Income on
Derivatives

Amount of Gain or
(Loss) Reclassified
from AOCL into
Income (Effective
Portion)

Type of Instrument

Foreign exchange contracts
Interest rate swap

Foreign exchange contracts
Interest rate swap

Foreign exchange contracts

$
$

$
$

$

(186) Cost of products sold
Interest expense

(2,025)

81 Cost of products sold
Interest expense

(586)

70 Cost of products sold

$
$

$
$

$

74
(1,254)

(171)
—

(184)

63

 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Derivatives Not Designated as
 Hedging Instruments (Foreign
Exchange Contracts)
March 31,
2016
2015
2014

Location of Gain or (Loss) 
Recognized in
Income on Derivatives

Foreign currency exchange loss (gain)
Foreign currency exchange loss (gain)
Foreign currency exchange loss (gain)

$

Amount of
Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in
 Income on
 Derivatives

32
(122)
(55)

The following is information relative to the Company’s derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 
2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

Derivatives Designated as
Hedging Instruments
Foreign exchange contracts
Foreign exchange contracts
Interest rate swap
Interest rate swap
Interest rate swap

Balance Sheet Location
Prepaid expenses and other
Accrued Liabilities
Other Assets
Accrued Liabilities
Other non current liabilities

Fair Value of Asset 
(Liability)
March 31,

2016

2015

$

$

200
(420)
—
(1,129)
(1,082)

58
(34)
71
(1,026)
—

Fair Value of Asset
(Liability)

March 31,

Derivatives Not Designated as
Hedging Instruments

Foreign exchange contracts

Foreign exchange contracts

Balance Sheet Location

2016

2015

Prepaid expenses and other

$

Accrued Liabilities

$

96
(7)

61
(3)  

64

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

10.  

Accrued Liabilities and Other Non-current Liabilities

Consolidated accrued liabilities of the Company consisted of the following:  

Accrued payroll
Interest payable
Accrued workers compensation
Accrued income taxes payable
Accrued health insurance
Accrued general and product liability costs
Customer advances, deposits, and rebates
Other accrued liabilities

Magnetek contributed $5,309,000 to accrued liabilities at March 31, 2016.

Consolidated other non-current liabilities of the Company consisted of the following:  

Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation
Accrued general and product liability costs
Accrued pension cost
Accrued workers compensation
Deferred income tax
Other non-current liabilities

Magnetek contributed $46,824,000 to other non-current liabilities at March 31, 2016.

11.  

Debt

Consolidated long-term debt of the Company consisted of the following:

Capital lease obligations
Total senior debt

Term loan (net of the unamortized discount of $444 and $558
respectively)
Revolving Credit Facility (net of unamortized discount of $821)
Total debt
Less: current portion
Total debt, less current portion

65

March 31,

2016

2015

18,597
13
965
819
2,498
3,895
10,370
16,053
53,210

$

$

20,041
73
944
2,325
2,491
3,500
8,246
12,643
50,263

March 31,

2016

2015

4,540
10,640
102,467
2,307
59
9,626
129,639

$

$

5,559
9,030
56,601
1,162
2,786
12,086
87,224

March 31,

2016

2015

$

1,590
1,590

2,270
2,270

112,056
154,179
267,825
43,246
224,579

$

124,442
—
126,712
13,292
113,420

$

$

$

$

$

$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Through January 23, 2015 the Company had access to borrow funds under a revolving credit facility ("Replaced Revolving Credit 
Facility"). The Replaced Revolving Credit Facility provided availability up to a maximum of $100,000,000 and had an initial term 
ending October 31, 2017.

Through February 19, 2015 the Company had outstanding $150,000,000 principal amount of 7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes 
due 2019 registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (7 7/8% Notes). The offering price of the notes was 98.545%
of par after adjustment for original issue discount.   

Provisions of the 7 7/8% Notes included, without limitation, restrictions on indebtedness, asset sales, and dividends and other 
restricted payments. On or after February 1, 2015, the 7 7/8% Notes were redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or 
in part, at a redemption price of 103.938%, reducing to 101.969% and 100% on February 1, 2016 and February 1, 2017, respectively 
and were due February 1, 2019. In the event of a Change of Control (as defined in the indenture for such notes), each holder of 
the 7 7/8% Notes could require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of such holder’s 7 7/8% Notes at a purchase price equal 
to 101% of the principal amount thereof. The 7 7/8% Notes were guaranteed by certain existing and future U.S. subsidiaries and 
were not subject to any sinking fund requirements.

On January 23, 2015, the Company, Columbus McKinnon Dutch Holdings 3 B.V. (“BV 3”), and Columbus McKinnon EMEA 
GmbH (“EMEA GMBH”) as borrowers (collectively referred to as the "Borrowers"), entered into a new credit agreement (the 
"New Credit Agreement"). The Borrowers entered into a new $150,000,000 New Revolving Credit Facility and established a new 
$125,000,000 delayed draw senior secured Term Loan. The Company’s Replaced Revolving Credit Facility was terminated in 
connection with this transaction. Both the New Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan have five-year terms maturing in 
2020. The New Revolving Credit Facility has an initial term ending January 23, 2020 and the Term Loan has a term ending February 
19, 2020.

The terms of the New Credit Agreement include the following:

•  Term Loan:  An aggregate $125,000,000 secured term loan facility which requires quarterly principal amortization of 

2.5% with the remaining principal due at maturity date. 

•  New Revolving Credit Facility:  An aggregate $150,000,000 secured revolving credit facility which includes sublimits 
for the issuance of standby letters of credit, swingline loans and multi-currency borrowings in certain specified foreign 
currencies.

• 

Fees and Interest Rates:  Commitment fees and interest rates are determined on the basis of either a Eurocurrency rate or 
a Base rate plus an applicable margin based upon the Company's Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the New Credit 
Agreement).

•  Accordion Feature: Provisions permitting a Borrower from time to time to increase the aggregate amount of the credit 
facility  by  up  to  $75,000,000,  with  a  minimum  increase  of  $20,000,000  and  with  additional  commitments  from  the 
Lenders, as they may agree, or new commitments from financial institutions acceptable to the Administrative Agent and 
the Company.

• 

Prepayments: Provisions permitting a Borrower to voluntarily prepay either the Term Loan or New Revolving Credit 
Facility in whole or in part at any time, and provisions requiring certain mandatory prepayments of the Term Loan or 
New Revolving Credit Facility on the occurrence of certain events which will permanently reduce the commitments under 
the New Credit Agreement, each without premium or penalty, subject to reimbursement of certain costs of the Lenders.

•  Reduction  of  Commitment: A  Borrower  may  irrevocably  cancel,  in  whole  or  in  part,  the  unutilized  portion  of  the 
commitments under the New Credit Agreement in excess of any outstanding loans, the stated amount of all outstanding 
letters of credit and all unreimbursed amounts drawn under any letters of credit.

66

 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

•  Covenants: Provisions containing covenants required of the Company and its subsidiaries including various affirmative 
and negative financial and operational covenants. Key financial covenants include a minimum fixed charge coverage 
ratio of 1.25x; a maximum total leverage ratio, net of cash, of 3.50x (which may be temporarily increased following a 
material acquisition, which may be elected two times over the course of the New Credit Agreement, (i) if financed by 
secured debt the total leverage rate as at the end of the fiscal quarter in which such material acquisition occurs and the 
three fiscal quarters immediately thereafter, shall not be greater than 4.00:1.00 and as at the end of any fiscal quarter 
thereafter, the total leverage ratio shall not be greater than 3.50:1.00, and (ii) if financed with unsecured or subordinated 
indebtedness, the total leverage ratio at the end of the fiscal quarter in which such material acquisition occurs and at the 
end of any fiscal quarter thereafter, shall not be greater than 4.50:1.00, and permit the secured leverage ratio, to be greater 
than 3.25:1.00), and  maximum capital expenditures of $30 million per fiscal year ($40 million following a material 
acquisition) with the ability to transfer any unused portion of expenditure to the immediately following fiscal year.

The New Revolving Credit Facility is secured by all U.S. inventory, receivables, equipment, real property, subsidiary stock (limited 
to 65% of non-U.S. subsidiaries) and intellectual property.  The New Credit Agreement allows, but limits our ability to pay dividends.

On February 19, 2015, the Company borrowed $124,442,000 under the Term Loan. The Term Loan proceeds were net of fees paid 
to the lenders of $558,000 which were accounted for as a debt discount. On February 23, 2015 the Company redeemed all of the 
outstanding $150 million of the 7 7/8% Notes. The aggregated price paid for the redemption was $156,630,000, including a 3.938%
call premium or $5,907,000, and $723,000 of accrued interest on the Notes. The redemption was funded by the Term Loan and 
cash on hand. The cost of bond redemption on the Company's consolidated statements of operations includes the call premium, 
write-off of previously unamortized deferred financing costs, and other expenses.

On September 2, 2015 the Company entered into the first Amendment of the New Credit Agreement (Amended Credit Agreement) 
exercising the Accordion Feature. The existing Lenders provided additional commitments for the incremental $75,000,000, bringing 
the total available borrowing capacity under the Amended Credit Agreement facility to an aggregate of $225,000,000.   

Additionally on September 2, 2015, the Company borrowed $195,000,000 under the New Revolving Credit facility.  The proceeds 
were net of fees paid to the lenders of $943,000 which were accounted for as a debt discount.  The company used $188,900,000
of the proceeds to purchase 100% of the stock of Magnetek as described in Note 2.  The Company repaid $40,000,000 of the 
amount borrowed by March 31, 2016.  The Company expects to repay an additional $30,000,000 of the amounts borrowed under 
the New Revolving Credit Facility over the next 12 months. This amount has been recorded within the current portion of long 
term debt on the Company's consolidated balance sheet with the remaining balance recorded as long term debt. 

The outstanding balance of the Term Loan was $112,056,000 and $124,442,000 as of March 31, 2016 and 2015 respectively net 
of the unamortized discount. The company made $12,500,000 of scheduled principal payments during fiscal 2016. The Company 
is obligated to pay $12,500,000 over the next 12 months. This amount has been recorded within the current portion of long term 
debt on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet with the remaining balance recorded as long term debt.

The unused portion of the New Revolving Credit Facility totaled $64,341,000 net of outstanding borrowings of $155,000,000 and 
outstanding letters of credit of $5,659,000 as of March 31, 2016. The outstanding letters of credit at March 31, 2016 consisted of 
$1,136,000 in commercial letters of credit and $4,523,000 of standby letters of credit. 

The gross balances of deferred financing costs were $1,825,000 as of March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The accumulated 
amortization balances were $425,000 and $61,000 as of March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The balance at March 31, 2016 
is related to the New Credit Agreement.

On June 22, 2007, the Company recorded a capital lease resulting from the sale and partial leaseback of its facility in Charlotte, 
NC under a 10 year lease agreement. The Company also has capital leases on certain production machinery and equipment. The 
outstanding balance on the capital lease obligations of $1,590,000 and $2,270,000 as of March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, 
are included in current portion of long-term debt and senior debt in the consolidated balance sheets.

67

 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

The principal payments obligated to be made as of March 31, 2016 on the above debt are as follows:

FY 2017
FY 2018
FY 2019
FY 2020
FY 2021
Thereafter

$

$

13,246
13,256
12,588
230,000
—
—
269,090

Non-U.S. Lines of Credit and Loans

Unsecured and uncommitted lines of credit are available to meet short-term working capital needs for certain of our subsidiaries 
operating outside of the U.S. The lines of credit are available on an offering basis, meaning that transactions under the line of credit 
will be on such terms and conditions, including interest rate, maturity, representations, covenants and events of default, as mutually 
agreed between our subsidiaries and the local bank at the time of each specific transaction. As of March 31, 2016, unsecured credit 
lines totaled approximately $7,623,000, of which $0 was drawn. In addition, unsecured lines of $8,651,000 were available for 
bank guarantees issued in the normal course of business of which $4,557,000 was utilized.

12.  

Pensions and Other Benefit Plans

The Company provides retirement plans, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans, and other postretirement benefit 
plans to certain employees. The Company applies ASC Topic 715 “Compensation – Retirement Benefits,” which required the 
recognition in pension and other postretirement benefits obligations and accumulated other comprehensive income of actuarial 
gains or losses, prior service costs or credits and transition assets or obligations that had previously been deferred. This statement 
also requires an entity to measure a defined benefit postretirement plan’s assets and obligations that determine its funded status as 
of the end of the fiscal year.

68

 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Pension Plans

The Company provides defined benefit pension plans to certain employees. The Company uses March 31 as the measurement 
date. The following provides a reconciliation of benefit obligation, plan assets, and funded status of the plans:

Change in benefit obligation:

Benefit obligation at beginning of year
Benefit obligation assumed in Magnetek acquisition
Service cost
Interest cost
Actuarial (gain) loss
Benefits paid
Foreign exchange rate changes
Benefit obligation at end of year

Change in plan assets:

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
Plan assets acquired in Magnetek acquisition
Actual gain (loss) on plan assets
Employer contribution
Benefits paid
Foreign exchange rate changes
Fair value of plan assets at end of year

Funded status
Unrecognized actuarial loss
Unrecognized prior service cost
Net amount recognized

March 31,

2016

2015

$

$

$

$

261,540
168,855
2,187
13,926
(6,979)
(19,196)
814
421,147

204,201
127,726
(691)
5,936
(19,196)
(108)
317,868

$

$

$

$

225,685
—
2,153
9,850
39,131
(10,219)
(5,060)
261,540

188,228
—
15,799
11,013
(10,219)
(620)
204,201

$ (103,279) $
98,630
15
(4,634) $

$

(57,339)
88,477
42
31,180

69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets are as follows:

Accrued liabilities
Other non-current liabilities
Deferred tax effect of accumulated other comprehensive loss
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Net amount recognized

March 31,

2016

2015

$

$

(812) $

(102,467)
27,256
71,389
(4,634) $

(738)
(56,601)
22,524
65,995
31,180

In fiscal 2017, an estimated net loss of $3,201,000 and prior service cost of $7,000 for the defined benefit pension plans will be 
amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net periodic benefit cost.

Net periodic pension cost included the following components:

Service costs—benefits earned during the period
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
Expected return on plan assets
Net amortization
Other
Net periodic pension cost (benefit)

2016

2015

2014

$

$

$

2,187
13,926
(19,783)
10
2,452
(1,208) $

2,153
9,850
(14,241)
3,517
82
1,361

$

$

2,481
9,716
(12,618)
6,259
—
5,838

As part of the acquisition of Magnetek, the Company became the sponsor of Magnetek's pension plan ("Magnetek's Plan"), a 
single-employer defined benefit plan. Magnetek's Plan provides benefits to certain current and former employees of Magnetek. 
Future benefits under Magnetek's Plan have been frozen since 2003. As of the date of acquisition, the benefit obligation was 
actuarially determined to be $168,855,000 and the fair value of the Magnetek's Plan assets were $127,726,000. 

Information for pension plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets is as follows:

Projected benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets

March 31,

$

2016
421,147
317,868

$

2015
261,540
204,201

Information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets is as follows:

Accumulated benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets

March 31,

$

2016
415,772
317,868

$

2015
255,295
204,201

Unrecognized gains and losses are amortized through March 31, 2016 on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service 
period of active participants.  Starting in fiscal 2016, the Company changed the amortization period of its largest plan to the average 
remaining lifetime of inactive participants, as a significant portion of the plan population is now inactive. This change increases 
the amortization period of the unrecognized gains and losses.

70

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

The weighted-average assumptions in the following table represent the rates used to develop the actuarial present value of the 
projected benefit obligation for the year listed and also net periodic pension cost for the following year:

Discount rate
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets
Rate of compensation increase

2016

2015

2014

4.03%
7.22%
0.44%

3.83%
7.50%
2.30%

4.60%
7.50%
2.00%

The expected rates of return on plan asset assumptions are determined considering long-term historical averages and real returns 
on each asset class.

The Company’s retirement plan target and actual asset allocations are as follows:

Equity securities
Fixed income
Total plan assets

Target
2017
65%
35%
100%

Actual

2016
67%
33%
100%

2015
65%
35%
100%

The Company has an investment objective for domestic pension plans to adequately provide for both the growth and liquidity 
needed to support all current and future benefit payment obligations. The investment strategy is to invest in a diversified portfolio 
of assets which are expected to satisfy the aforementioned objective and produce both absolute and risk adjusted returns competitive 
with a benchmark that is a blend of major U.S. and international equity indexes and an aggregate bond fund. 

The Company’s funding policy with respect to the defined benefit pension plans is to contribute annually at least the minimum 
amount required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Additional contributions may be made to 
minimize PBGC premiums. The Company expects to contribute approximately $5,961,000 to its pension plans in fiscal 2017.

Information about the expected benefit payments for the Company’s defined benefit plans is as follows:

2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022-2026

Postretirement Benefit Plans

$

8,218
8,435
8,935
9,447
9,932
55,310

The Company sponsors a defined benefit other postretirement health care plan that provide medical and life insurance coverage 
to certain U.S. retirees and their dependents of one of its subsidiaries. Prior to the acquisition of this subsidiary, the Company did 
not sponsor any postretirement benefit plans. The Company pays the majority of the medical costs for certain retirees and their 
spouses who are under age 65. For retirees and dependents of retirees who retired prior to January 1, 1989, and are age 65 or over, 
the Company contributes 100% toward the American Association of Retired Persons (“AARP”) premium frozen at the 1992 level. 
For retirees and dependents of retirees who retired after January 1, 1989, the Company contributes $35 per month toward the 
AARP premium. The life insurance plan is noncontributory.

71

 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

The Company’s postretirement health benefit plans are not funded. The following sets forth a reconciliation of benefit 
obligation and the funded status of the plan:

Change in benefit obligation:

Benefit obligation at beginning of year
Interest cost
Actuarial gain
Benefits paid
Benefit obligation at end of year

Funded status
Unrecognized actuarial loss
Net amount recognized

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets are as follows:

Accrued liabilities
Other non-current liabilities
Deferred tax effect of accumulated other comprehensive loss
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Net amount recognized

March 31,

2016

2015

6,234
189
(887)
(392)
5,144

$

$

5,873
209
660
(508)
6,234

(5,144) $
818
(4,326) $

(6,234)
1,794
(4,440)

March 31,

2016

2015

(604) $

(4,540)
1,182
(364)
(4,326) $

(675)
(5,559)
1,554
240
(4,440)

$

$

$

$

$

$

In fiscal 2017, an estimated net loss of $37,000 for the defined benefit postretirement health care plans will be amortized from 
accumulated other comprehensive loss to net periodic benefit cost. In fiscal 2016, net periodic postretirement benefit cost included 
the following:

Interest cost
Net amortization
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost

Year Ended March 31,
2015

2014

2016

$

$

189
89
278

$

$

209
60
269

$

$

254
101
355

For measurement purposes, healthcare costs are assumed to increase 6.75% in fiscal 2017, grading down over time to 5.0% in five 
years. The discount rate used in determining the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was 3.45% as of March 31, 2016
and 2015.

72

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Information about the expected benefit payments for the Company’s postretirement health benefit plans is as follows:

2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022-2026

$

604
563
547
510
460
1,859

Assumed medical claims cost trend rates have an effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage 
point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects

Effect on total of service and interest cost components
Effect on postretirement obligation

One 
Percentage
Point 
Increase

One 
Percentage
Point 
Decrease

$

$

11
303

(10)
(273)

The Company has collateralized split-dollar life insurance arrangements with two of its former officers.  Under these arrangements, 
the Company pays certain premium costs on life insurance policies for the former officers.  Upon the later of the death of the 
former officer or their spouse, the Company will receive all of the premiums paid to-date.  The net periodic pension cost for fiscal 
2016 was $232,000 and the liability at March 31, 2016 is $4,467,000 with $4,327,000 included in other non-current liabilities and 
$140,000 included in accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.  The cash surrender value of the policies is $2,754,000
and $2,528,000 at March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The balance is included in other assets in the consolidated balance 
sheet.

Other Benefit Plans

The Company also sponsors defined contribution plans covering substantially all domestic employees. Participants may elect to 
contribute basic contributions. These plans provide for employer contributions based on employee eligibility and participation. 
The Company recorded a charge for such contributions of approximately $3,485,000, $2,998,000, and $2,658,000 for the years 
ended March 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company expects its contributions for the defined contribution plans in 
future years to remain comparable to its fiscal 2016 contributions.

Fair Values of Plan Assets

The Company classified its investments within the categories of equity securities, fixed income securities, and cash equivalents, 
as  the  Company’s  management  bases  its  investment  objectives  and  decisions  from  these  three  categories.  The  Company’s 
investment policy as it relates to its pension assets is to invest in broad-based mutual funds, with an investment objective of being 
diversified.  Further the Company’s investment objective of its equity securities is long-term growth, its objective of the fixed 
income securities is long-term growth, consistency of income and preservation of capital, and its objective of cash equivalents is 
preservation of capital.  It is the Company’s position that its investment policy and investment objectives as defined above reduce 
the risk of concentrations within its investments.

73

 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

The fair values of the Company’s defined benefit plans’ consolidated assets by asset category as of March 31 were as follows:

Asset categories:
Equity securities
Fixed income securities
Cash equivalents
Total

March 31,

2016

2015

$

$

212,301
104,622
945
317,868

$

$

132,743
70,493
965
204,201

The fair values of our defined benefit plans’ consolidated assets were determined using the fair value hierarchy of inputs described 
in Note 4. The fair values by category of inputs as of March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 were as follows:

As of March 31, 2016:
Asset categories:
Equity securities
Fixed income securities
Cash equivalents
Total

As of March 31, 2015:
Asset categories:
Equity securities
Fixed income securities
Cash equivalents
Total

Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)

Significant other
observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

Total

$

$

142,947
34,326
945
178,218

$

$

69,354
52,438
—
121,792

$

$

— $

17,858
—
17,858

$

212,301
104,622
945
317,868

Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)

Significant other
observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

Total

$

$

73,853
53,022
965
127,840

$

$

58,890
—
—
58,890

$

$

— $

17,471
—
17,471

$

132,743
70,493
965
204,201

Level 1 fixed income securities consist of fixed income mutual funds with quoted market prices.

The Level 2 securities are investments in common collective trust funds and certain debt securities. The fair values of the common 
collective trust fund securities are determined based on the net asset value of these funds.  Each of these investment funds has a 
stated performance objective to approximate as closely as practicable, before expenses, the performance of the stated benchmark 
to which the funds are indexed, over the long term.  Redemptions of the units held in these funds may be made on the last business 
day of each month and on at least one other business day during the month, based on the net asset value per unit of the funds.  We 
are not aware of any significant restrictions on the issuances or redemptions of units of participation in these funds.  Debt securities 
categorized as level 2 assets are generally valued based on independent broker/dealer bids, or by comparison to other debt securities 
having similar durations, yields, and credit ratings. 

74

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Fair value of Level 3 fixed income securities at the beginning of the year was $17,471,000. During fiscal 2016 fixed income 
securities  earned  investment  return  of  $767,000  and  had  disbursements  of  $380,000  resulting  in  an  ending  balance  of 
$17,858,000.  These fixed income securities consist primarily of insurance contracts which are carried at their liquidation value 
based on actuarial calculations and the terms of the contracts.  Significant inputs in determining the fair value for these contracts 
include company contributions, contract disbursements and stated interest rates.  Gains and losses on these contracts are recognized 
as part of net periodic pension cost and recorded as part of cost of sales, selling, or general and administrative expense.

13.  

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

The  guidance  in ASC Topic  718  "Compensation  -  Stock  Compensation"  and  covered  in  sub-topic  718-40  "Employee  Stock 
Ownership Plans" requires that compensation expense for ESOP shares be measured based on the fair value of those shares when 
committed to be released to employees, rather than based on their original cost. Also, dividends on those ESOP shares that have 
not been allocated or committed to be released to ESOP participants are not reflected as a reduction of retained earnings. Rather, 
since those dividends are used for debt service, a charge to compensation expense is recorded. Furthermore, ESOP shares that 
have not been allocated or committed to be released are not considered outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings per share.

The obligation of the ESOP to repay borrowings incurred to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock is guaranteed by 
the Company; the unpaid balance of such borrowings, if any, would be reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as a liability. 
An amount equivalent to the cost of the collateralized common stock and representing deferred employee benefits has been recorded 
as a deduction from shareholders’ equity.

Effective January 1, 2012 the ESOP was closed to new hires.  Prior to this date, substantially all of the Company’s U.S. non-union 
employees were participants in the ESOP.  Additionally, during the year ended March 31, 2015 the final loan payment was made 
by the ESOP to the Company.

Contributions to the plan result from the release of collateralized shares as debt service payments are made. Compensation expense 
was $0, $251,000, and $608,000 recorded in fiscal 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively, based on the guaranteed release of the 
ESOP shares at their fair market value. Dividends on allocated ESOP shares, if any, are recorded as a reduction of retained earnings 
and are applied toward debt service.

At March 31, 2016 and 2015, 398,000 and 423,000 of ESOP shares, respectively, were allocated or available to be allocated to 
participants’ accounts. There are no shares of collateralized common stock related to the ESOP loan outstanding at March 31, 
2016 and no ESOP shares were pledged as collateral to guarantee the ESOP term loans.

75

 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

14.  

Earnings per Share and Stock Plans

Earnings per Share

The Company calculates earnings per share in accordance with ASC Topic 260, “Earnings per Share.”  Basic earnings per share 
exclude any dilutive effects of options, warrants, and convertible securities. Diluted earnings per share include any dilutive effects 
of stock options, unvested restricted stock units, unvested performance shares, and unvested restricted stock.  Stock options and 
performance shares with respect to 282,000, 114,000, and 16,000 common shares were not included in the computation of diluted 
earnings per share for fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, because they were antidilutive. For the year ended March 31, 2016 
an additional 77,000 in contingently issuable shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because a 
performance condition had not yet been met.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (share data presented in thousands):

Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:

Net income (loss)

Denominators:

Year Ended March 31,
2015

2014

2016

$

19,579

$

27,190

$

30,421

Weighted-average common stock outstanding— denominator for basic EPS
Effect of dilutive employee stock options, RSU's and performance shares

20,079
236

19,939
285

19,655
295

Adjusted weighted-average common stock  outstanding and assumed
conversions— denominator for diluted EPS

20,315

20,224

19,950

The weighted-average common stock outstanding shown above is net of unallocated ESOP shares (see Note 13).

Stock Plans

The Company records stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation,” 
applying the modified prospective method. This Statement requires all equity-based payments to employees, including grants of 
employee stock options, to be recognized in the statement of earnings based on the grant date fair value of the award. Under the 
modified prospective method, the Company is required to record equity-based compensation expense for all awards granted after 
the date of adoption and for the unvested portion of previously granted awards outstanding as of the date of adoption.

Prior to the adoptions of the 2010 Long Term Incentive Plan, the Company maintained several different stock plans, specifically: 
1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan, Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, Restricted Stock Plan and 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan, 
collectively referred to as the “Prior Stock Plans”.  The specifics of each of these plans are discussed below.

Stock based compensation expense was $4,063,000, $3,895,000, and $3,633,000 for fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Stock 
compensation expense is included in cost of goods sold, selling, and general and administrative expenses. The Company recognizes 
expense for all share–based awards over the service period, which is the shorter of the period until the employees’ retirement 
eligibility dates or the service period for the award, for awards expected to vest.  Accordingly, expense is generally reduced for 
estimated forfeitures.  ASC Topic 718 requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised if necessary, in subsequent 
periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

The Company recognized compensation expense for stock option awards and unvested restricted share awards that vest based on 
time or market parameters straight-line over the requisite service period for vesting of the award.

76

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Long Term Incentive Plan

On July 26, 2010, the shareholders of the Company approved the 2010 Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP” or the "Plan").  The 
Company grants share based compensation to eligible participants under the LTIP.  The total number of shares of common stock 
with respect to which awards may be granted under the plan is 1,250,000 including shares not previously authorized for issuance 
under any of the Prior Stock Plans and any shares not issued or subject to outstanding awards under the Prior Stock Plans.  As of 
March 31, 2016, 291,817 shares remain for future grants. The LTIP was designed as an omnibus plan and awards may consist of 
non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, or stock 
bonuses.

Under the Plan, the granting of awards to employees may take the form of options, restricted shares, and performance shares. The 
Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors determines the number of shares, the term, the frequency and date, the type, 
the exercise periods, any performance criteria pursuant to which awards may be granted and the restriction and other terms and 
conditions of each grant in accordance with terms of the Plan.

In connection with the acquisition of Magnetek, the Company agreed to continue the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan of Magnetek, Inc. 
(the "Magnetek Stock Plan"). In doing so, the Company has available under the Magnetek Stock Plan 205,602 of the Company's 
shares which can be granted to certain employees as stock based compensation.

Stock Option Plans

Existing prior to the adoption of the LTIP, the Company maintained two stock option plans, a Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan 
("Non-Qualified Plan") and an Incentive Stock Option Plan ("Incentive Plan").  Effective with adoption of the LTIP no new grants 
can be made from the Non-Qualified Plan or the Incentive Stock Plan.  Options outstanding under the Non-Qualified Plan or the 
Incentive Stock Plan generally become exercisable over a four-year period at a rate of 25% per year commencing one year from 
the date of grant and exercise price of not less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Options 
granted under the Non-Qualified Plan or the Incentive Stock Plan are exercisable not earlier than one year and not later than ten
years from the date such option was granted.

A summary of option transactions during each of the three fiscal years in the period ended March 31, 2016 is as follows:

Outstanding at April 1, 2013

Granted
Exercised
Cancelled

Outstanding at March 31, 2014

Granted
Exercised
Cancelled

Outstanding at March 31, 2015

Granted
Exercised
Cancelled

Outstanding at March 31, 2016
Exercisable at March 31, 2016

Weighted-
average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (in years)

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

6.64
5.30

$
$

465
378

Weighted-
average
Exercise Price
14.46
18.95
9.51
20.00
17.05
27.08
18.41
15.71
18.86
24.94
15.07
21.90
20.13
17.47

$

Shares
736,301
136,793
(230,619)
(29,969)
612,506
118,060
(87,210)
(31,207)
612,149
157,999
(16,033)
(35,314)
718,801
383,631

77

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

The Company calculated intrinsic value for those options that had an exercise price lower than the market price of our common 
shares as of March 31, 2016. The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options as of March 31, 2016 is calculated as the difference 
between the exercise price of the underlying options and the market price of our common shares for the 201,498 options that were 
in-the-money at that date. The aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable options as of March 31, 2016 is calculated as the difference 
between the exercise price of the underlying options and the market price of our common shares for the 164,391 exercisable options 
that were in-the-money at that date. The Company's closing stock price was $15.76 as of March 31, 2016. The total intrinsic value 
of stock options exercised was $81,000, $839,000, and $3,251,000 during fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of March 
31, 2016, there are no options available for future grants under the two stock option plans.

The grant date fair value of options that vested was $8.85, $8.52, and $8.11 during fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Cash received from option exercises under all share-based payment arrangements during fiscal 2016 and 2015 was approximately 
$242,000 and $1,607,000, respectively. Proceeds from the exercise of stock options under stock option plans are credited to common 
stock at par value and the excess is credited to additional paid-in capital.

As  of  March  31,  2016,  $2,045,000  of  unrecognized  compensation  cost  related  to  non-vested  stock  options  is  expected  to  be 
recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.5 years.

Exercise prices for options outstanding as of March 31, 2016, ranged from $13.10 to $28.45. The following table provides certain 
information with respect to stock options outstanding at March 31, 2016:

Range of Exercise Prices

$10.01 to 20.00
$20.01 to 30.00

Stock Options
Outstanding

Weighted-average
Exercise Price

Weighted-average
Remaining
Contractual Life

436,886
281,915
718,801

$

$

16.37
25.96
20.13

5.52
8.37
6.64

The following table provides certain information with respect to stock options exercisable at March 31, 2016:

Range of Exercise Prices

Stock Options
Exercisable

Weighted- average
Exercise Price

$10.01 to $20.00
$20.01 to $30.00

342,174
41,457
383,631

$

$

16.25
27.52
17.47

78

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

The fair value of stock options granted was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-
Scholes  option  valuation  model  was  developed  for  use  in  estimating  the  fair  value  of  traded  options  which  have  no  vesting 
restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions 
including the expected stock price volatility. Because the Company’s employee stock options have characteristics significantly 
different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value 
estimate, in management’s opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of 
its employee stock options. The weighted-average grant date fair value of the options was $8.58, $10.67, and $8.98 for options 
granted during fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The following table provides the weighted-average assumptions used to 
value stock options granted during fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014:

Assumptions:

Risk-free interest rate
Dividend yield
Volatility factor
Expected life

Year Ended
March 31,
2016

Year Ended
March 31,
2015

Year Ended
March 31,
2014

0.82%
0.60%
0.391
5.5 years

0.70%
0.60%
0.453
5.5 years

0.41%
—%

0.533
5.5 years

To determine expected volatility, the Company uses historical volatility based on daily closing prices of its Common Stock over 
periods that correlate with the expected terms of the options granted. The risk-free rate is based on the United States Treasury yield 
curve at the time of grant for the appropriate term of the options granted. Expected dividends are based on the Company's history 
and expectation of dividend payouts. The expected term of stock options is based on vesting schedules, expected exercise patterns 
and contractual terms.

Restricted Stock Units

The Company granted restricted stock units under the LTIP during fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014 to employees as well as to the 
Company’s non-executive directors as part of their annual compensation.  Restricted stock units for employees prior to fiscal 2016 
vest ratably based on service one-third after each of years three, four, and five. Beginning in fiscal 2016 restricted stock units for 
employees vest ratably based on service one-quarter after each of years one, two, three, and four.

A summary of the restricted stock unit awards granted under the Company’s LTIP plan as of March 31, 2016 is as follows:

Unvested at April 1, 2013

Granted
Vested
Forfeited

Unvested at March 31, 2014

Granted
Vested
Forfeited

Unvested at March 31, 2015

Granted
Vested
Forfeited

Unvested at March 31, 2016

79

Weighted-average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Shares

203,644
97,095
(89,729)
(10,416)
200,594
85,821
(91,439)
(13,961)
181,015
287,585
(87,380)
(9,718)
371,502

$

$

$

$

15.95
20.70
17.51
16.37
17.53
26.38
19.03
17.16
20.99
19.86
20.20
22.65
20.26

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock units as of March 31, 2016 is $5,267,000 and is expected 
to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.6 years.  The fair value of restricted stock units that vested during the year 
ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $2,049,000 and $1,740,000, respectively.

Performance Shares

The  Company  granted  performance  shares  under  the  LTIP  during  fiscal  2016,  2015,  and  2014.    Fiscal  year  2016  and  2015 
performance shares granted are based upon the Company’s Consolidated Net Revenue for the two year period ended March 31, 
2017 and March 31, 2016, respectively.  Fiscal 2014 performance shares granted are based upon the Company’s adjusted earnings 
before interest and taxes (EBIT) for the one year period ended March 31, 2014.  Fiscal year 2016, 2015, and 2014 performance 
based nonvested shares are recognized as compensation expense based upon their grant date fair value.  This expense is recognized 
ratably over the three year period that these shares are restricted.  During fiscal 2016, the Company determined that the fiscal year 
2015 performance shares would not vest due to the performance condition not being met.  The Company reversed $260,000 in 
stock compensation expense related to these performance shares that was previously recorded in fiscal 2015 

A summary of the performance shares transactions during each of the three fiscal years in the period ended March 31, 2016 is 
as follows:

Unvested at April 1, 2013

Granted

Unvested at March 31, 2014

Granted
Vested
Forfeited

Unvested at March 31, 2015

Granted
Vested

Unvested at March 31, 2016

Weighted-average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Shares

103,864
46,327
150,191
35,001
(37,627)
(34,118)
113,447
41,504
(53,298)
101,653

$

$

$

$

21.47
26.79
23.11
27.12
24.65
24.74
23.35
24.94
19.25
26.15

Total unrecognized compensation costs related to the unvested performance share awards as of March 31, 2016 was $760,000 and 
is expected be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.1 years. The fair value of performance shares that vested during 
the year ended March 31, 2016 was $1,026,000 and $928,000 both years ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

Directors Stock

During fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014, a total of 19,384, 17,304, and 12,642 shares of stock, respectively, were granted under the 
LTIP to the Company’s non-executive directors as part of their annual compensation. The weighted average fair value grant price 
of those shares was $22.70, $25.43, and $24.92 for fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The expense related to the shares for 
fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $440,000, $440,000, and $315,000, respectively.

Shareholder Rights Plan

On May 19, 2009 the Company announced that its Board of Directors had adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan, pursuant to which 
a dividend distribution was declared of one preferred share purchase right to each outstanding common share of the Company. 
Subject to limited exceptions, the rights will be exercisable if a person or group acquires 20% or more of the Company’s common 
shares or announces a tender offer for 20% or more of the common shares. Under certain circumstances, each right will entitle 
shareholders to buy one one-thousandth of a share of the newly created series A junior participating preferred shares of the Company 
at an exercise price of $80.00 per share.

80

 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Dividends

On March 31, 2016 the Company's Board of Directors approved payment of a quarterly dividend of $0.04 per common share, 
representing an annual dividend rate of $0.16 per share. The dividend was paid on May 16, 2016 to shareholders of record on May 
6, 2016 and totaled approximately $804,000.

15.  

Loss Contingencies

From time to time, the Company is named a defendant in legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. The Company 
is not a party to any pending legal proceeding other than ordinary, routine litigation incidental to our business. The Company does 
not believe that any of our pending litigation will have a material impact on its business.

Accrued general and product liability costs are the actuarially estimated reserves based on amounts determined from loss reports, 
individual cases filed with the Company, and an amount for losses incurred but not reported. The aggregate amounts of reserves 
were $14,535,000 and $12,530,000 as of March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The liability for accrued general and product 
liability costs are funded by investments in marketable securities (see Notes 2 and 6).

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for accrued general and product liability:

Accrued general and product liability, beginning of year
Add provision for claims
Additional product liability assumed from Magnetek
Deduct payments for claims
Accrued general and product liability, end of year

Year Ended March 31,
2015

2014

2016

$

$

12,530
5,277
1,523
(4,795)
14,535

$

$

14,480
3,726
—
(5,676)
12,530

$

$

17,119
3,292
—
(5,931)
14,480

The per occurrence limits on the self-insurance for general and product liability coverage to Columbus McKinnon through its 
wholly-owned captive insurance company were $2,000,000 from inception through fiscal 2003 and $3,000,000 for fiscal 2004 
and thereafter. In addition to the per occurrence limits, the Company’s coverage is also subject to an annual aggregate limit, 
applicable to losses only. These limits range from $2,000,000 to $6,000,000 for each policy year from inception through fiscal 
2016. 

Along with other manufacturing companies, the Company is subject to various federal, state and local laws relating to the protection 
of the environment. To address the requirements of such laws, the Company has adopted a corporate environmental protection 
policy which provides that all of its owned or leased facilities shall, and all of its employees have the duty to, comply with all 
applicable environmental regulatory standards, and the Company has initiated an environmental auditing program for its facilities 
to ensure compliance with such regulatory standards.  The Company has also established managerial responsibilities and internal 
communication channels for dealing with environmental compliance issues that may arise in the course of its business. Because 
of the complexity and changing nature of environmental regulatory standards, it is possible that situations will arise from time to 
time requiring the Company to incur expenditures in order to ensure environmental regulatory compliance. However, the Company 
is not aware of any environmental condition or any operation at any of its facilities, either individually or in the aggregate, which 
would cause expenditures having a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows and, 
accordingly, has not budgeted any material capital expenditures for environmental compliance for fiscal 2017.

81

 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Like many industrial manufacturers, the Company is involved in asbestos-related litigation.  In continually evaluating costs relating 
to its estimated asbestos-related liability, the Company reviews, among other things, the incidence of past and recent claims, the 
historical case dismissal rate, the mix of the claimed illnesses and occupations of the plaintiffs, its recent and historical resolution 
of the cases, the number of cases pending against it, the status and results of broad-based settlement discussions, and the number 
of years such activity might continue. Based on this review, the Company has estimated its share of liability to defend and resolve 
probable asbestos-related personal injury claims. This estimate is highly uncertain due to the limitations of the available data and 
the difficulty of forecasting with any certainty the numerous variables that can affect the range of the liability. The Company will 
continue to study the variables in light of additional information in order to identify trends that may become evident and to assess 
their impact on the range of liability that is probable and estimable.

Based on actuarial information, the Company has estimated its asbestos-related aggregate liability including related legal costs to 
range between $5,400,000 and $8,300,000 using actuarial parameters of continued claims for a period of 37 years from March 31, 
2016.  The Company's estimation of its asbestos-related aggregate liability that is probable and estimable, in accordance with U.S. 
generally accepted accounting principles approximates $7,198,000, which has been reflected as a liability in the consolidated 
financial statements as of March 31, 2016. The recorded liability does not consider the impact of any potential favorable federal 
legislation. This liability will fluctuate based on the uncertainty in the number of future claims that will be filed and the cost to 
resolve those claims, which may be influenced by a number of factors, including the outcome of the ongoing broad-based settlement 
negotiations, defensive strategies, and the cost to resolve claims outside the broad-based settlement program. Of this amount, 
management expects to incur asbestos liability payments of approximately $2,000,000 over the next 12 months. Because payment 
of the liability is likely to extend over many years, management believes that the potential additional costs for claims will not have 
a material effect on the financial condition of the Company or its liquidity, although the effect of any future liabilities recorded 
could be material to earnings in a future period.

The Company believes that a share of its previously incurred asbestos-related expenses and future asbestos-related expenses are 
covered by pre-existing insurance policies.  The Company has engaged in a legal action against the insurance carriers for those 
policies to recover these expenses and future costs incurred.  When the Company resolves this legal action, it is expected that a 
gain will be recorded for previously expensed cost that is recovered.

The Company is also involved in other unresolved legal actions that arise in the normal course of business. The most prevalent of 
these  unresolved  actions  involve  disputes  related  to  product  design,  manufacture  and  performance  liability.  The  Company's 
estimation of its product-related aggregate liability that is probable and estimable, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted 
accounting principles approximates $5,966,000, which has been reflected as a liability in the consolidated financial statements as 
of March 31, 2016. In some cases, we cannot reasonably estimate a range of loss because there is insufficient information regarding 
the matter.  Management believes that the potential additional costs for claims will not have a material effect on the financial 
condition of the Company or its liquidity, although the effect of any future liabilities recorded could be material to earnings in a 
future period.

In connection with the acquisition of Magnetek, the following loss contingencies have been assumed by the Company:

Product Liability
Magnetek has been named, along with multiple other defendants, in asbestos-related lawsuits associated with business operations 
previously  acquired but which  are  no longer  owned.  During  Magnetek's ownership,  none  of  the businesses  produced  or  sold 
asbestos-containing products. For such claims, Magnetek is uninsured and either contractually indemnified against liability, or 
contractually obligated to defend and indemnify the purchaser of these former business operations.  The Company aggressively 
seeks  dismissal  from  these  proceedings.  Based  on  actuarial  information,  the  asbestos  related  liability  including  legal  costs  is 
estimated to be approximately $1,371,000 which has been reflected as a liability in the consolidated financial statements at March 
31, 2016.

82

 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Litigation-Other
In October 2010, Magnetek received a request for indemnification from Power-One, Inc. ("Power-One") for an Italian tax matter 
arising out of the sale of Magnetek's power electronics business to Power-One in October 2006. With a reservation of rights, 
Magnetek affirmed its obligation to indemnify Power-One for certain pre-closing taxes.  The sale included an Italian company, 
Magnetek,  S.p.A.,  and  its  wholly  owned  subsidiary,  Magnetek  Electronics  (Shenzhen)  Co.  Ltd.  (the  “Power-One  China 
Subsidiary”). The tax authority in Arezzo, Italy, issued a notice of audit report in September 2010 wherein it asserted that the 
Power-One China Subsidiary had its administrative headquarters in Italy with fiscal residence in Italy and, therefore, is subject to 
taxation in Italy.  In November 2010, the tax authority issued a notice of tax assessment for the period of July 2003 to June 2004, 
alleging that taxes of approximately $2,200,000 (Euro 1,900,000) were due in Italy on taxable income earned by the Power-One 
China Subsidiary during this period.  In addition, the assessment alleges potential penalties together with interest in the amount 
of approximately $3,000,000 (Euro 2,600,000) for the alleged failure of the Power-One China Subsidiary to file its Italian tax 
return.  The Power-One China Subsidiary filed its response with the provincial tax commission of Arezzo, Italy in January 2011. 
The tax authority in Arezzo, Italy issued a tax inspection report in January 2011 for the periods July 2002 to June 2003 and July 
2004 to December 2006 claiming that the Power-One China Subsidiary failed to file Italian tax returns for the reported periods. 
A hearing before the Tax Court was held in July 2012 on the tax assessment for the period of July 2003 to June 2004. In September 
2012, the Tax Court ruled in favor of the Power-One China Subsidiary dismissing the tax assessment for the period of July 2003 
to June 2004. In February 2013, the tax authority filed an appeal of the Tax Court's September 2012 ruling. The Regional Tax 
Commission of Florence heard the appeal of the tax assessment dismissal for the period of July 2003 to June 2004 and thereafter 
issued its ruling finding in favor of the tax authority. Magnetek believes the court’s decision was based upon erroneous interpretations 
of the applicable law and appealed the ruling to the Italian Supreme Court in April 2015.  

In August 2012, the tax authority in Arezzo, Italy issued notices of tax assessment for the periods July 2002 to June 2003 and July 
2004 to December 2006, alleging that taxes of approximately $7,600,000 (Euro 6,700,000) were due in Italy on taxable income 
earned by the Power-One China Subsidiary together with an allegation of potential penalties in the amount of approximately 
$3,200,000 (Euro 2,800,000) for the alleged failure of the Power-One China Subsidiary to file its Italian tax returns. On June 3, 
2015, the Tax Court ruled in favor of the Power-One China Subsidiary dismissing the tax assessments for the periods of July 2002 
to June 2003 and July 2004 to December 2006. On July 27, 2015, the tax authority filed an appeal of the Tax Court's ruling of June 
3, 2015.   In May 2016 the Regional Tax Court of Florence rejected the appeal of the tax authority and at the same time canceled 
the notices of assessment for the fiscal years of 2004/2005 and 2005/2006.  The tax authority has up to six months to appeal the 
decision.  The Company believes it will be successful and does not expect to incur a liability related to these tax assessments. 

Environmental Matters
From time to time, Magnetek has taken action to bring certain facilities associated with previously owned businesses into compliance 
with applicable environmental laws and regulations. Upon the subsequent sale of certain businesses, Magnetek agreed to indemnify 
the buyers against environmental claims associated with the divested operations, subject to certain conditions and limitations. 
Remediation activities, including those related to indemnification obligations, did not involve material expenditures during the 
first nine months of fiscal year 2016.

Magnetek has also been identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and certain state agencies as a potentially 
responsible party for cleanup costs associated with alleged past waste disposal practices at several previously utilized, owned or 
leased facilities and offsite locations. Its remediation activities as a potentially responsible party were not material in the first nine 
months of fiscal year 2016. Although the materiality of future expenditures for environmental activities may be affected by the 
level and type of contamination, the extent and nature of cleanup activities required by governmental authorities, the nature of 
Magnetek's alleged connection to the contaminated sites, the number and financial resources of other potentially responsible parties, 
the availability of indemnification rights against third parties and the identification of additional contaminated sites, Magnetek's 
estimated share of liability, if any, for environmental remediation, including its indemnification obligations, is not expected to be 
material. 

83

 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

In 1986, Magnetek acquired the stock of Universal Manufacturing Corporation (“Universal”) from a predecessor of Fruit of the 
Loom (“FOL”), and the predecessor agreed to indemnify Magnetek against certain environmental liabilities arising from pre-
acquisition activities at a facility in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Environmental liabilities covered by the indemnification agreement 
included completion of additional cleanup activities, if any, at the Bridgeport facility and defense and indemnification against 
liability for potential response costs related to offsite disposal locations. Magnetek's leasehold interest in the Bridgeport facility 
was assigned to the buyer in connection with the sale of Magnetek's transformer business in June 2001. FOL, the successor to the 
indemnification obligation, filed a petition for Reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in 1999 and Magnetek 
filed a proof of claim in the proceeding for obligations related to the environmental indemnification agreement. Magnetek believes 
that FOL had substantially completed the clean-up obligations required by the indemnification agreement prior to the bankruptcy 
filing. In November 2001, Magnetek and FOL entered into an agreement involving the allocation of certain potential tax benefits 
and Magnetek withdrew its claims in the bankruptcy proceeding. Magnetek further believes that FOL's obligation to the state of 
Connecticut was not discharged in the reorganization proceeding. 

In January 2007, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) requested parties, including Magnetek, to 
submit  reports  summarizing  the  investigations  and  remediation  performed  to  date  at  the  site  and  the  proposed  additional 
investigations and remediation necessary to complete those actions at the site. DEP requested additional information relating to 
site investigations and remediation. Magnetek and the DEP agreed to the scope of the work plan in November 2010. The Company 
has recorded a liability of $422,000, included in the amount specified above, related to the Bridgeport facility, representing the 
best estimate of future site investigation costs and remediation costs which are expected to be incurred in the future. 

FOL's inability to satisfy its remaining obligations to the state of Connecticut related to the Bridgeport facility and any offsite 
disposal locations, or the discovery of additional environmental contamination at the Bridgeport facility is not expected to have a 
material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

The Company has recorded total liabilities of $890,000 for all environmental matters related to Magnetek in the consolidated 
financial statements as of March 31, 2016 on an undiscounted basis.

84

 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

16.  

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income 
from continuing operations before income tax expense. The sources and tax effects of the differences were as follows:

Expected tax at 35%
State income taxes net of federal benefit
Foreign taxes less than statutory federal rate
Permanent items
Valuation allowance
(Utilization)/Expiration of foreign tax credits
Research and development credits
Other
Actual tax provision expense (benefit)

The provision for income tax expense (benefit) consisted of the following:

Current income tax expense (benefit):

United States Federal
State taxes
Foreign

Deferred income tax expense (benefit):

United States
Foreign

Year Ended March 31,
2015

2014

2016

11,068
717
(2,370)
1,187
2,860
(945)
(200)
(272)
12,045

$

$

12,605
721
(2,471)
(264)
(18)
—
(1,641)
(107)
8,825

$

$

14,953
1,119
(2,284)
(384)
(1,563)
1,440
(521)
(459)
12,301

Year Ended March 31,
2015

2014

2016

1,905
441
2,363

7,235
101
12,045

$

$

2,853
257
3,641

5,098
(3,024)
8,825

$

$

2,585
701
3,984

6,587
(1,556)
12,301

$

$

$

$

85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

The Company applies the liability method of accounting for income taxes as required by ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes.” The 
tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are 
as follows:

Deferred tax assets:

Federal net operating loss carryforwards
State and foreign net operating loss carryforwards
Employee benefit plans
Insurance reserves
Accrued vacation and incentive costs
Federal tax credit carryforwards
Equity compensation
Other
Valuation allowance

Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance
Deferred tax liabilities:

Property, plant, and equipment
Intangible assets
Total deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)

March 31,

2016

2015

$

$

56,142
11,797
38,146
6,144
3,038
517
3,213
5,637
(4,131)
120,503

(3,448)
(43,956)
(47,404)
73,099

$

$

—
6,283
21,641
5,661
3,516
2,134
2,496
3,814
(1,977)
43,568

(3,568)
(5,949)
(9,517)
34,051

The Company early adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Boards Accounting Standards Update 2015-17, “Income Taxes 
(Topic 740)” effective March 31, 2016.  The Update requires deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a 
classified statement of financial position.  The Company adopted this Update on a prospective basis.  Therefore, the Company 
reclassified its current deferred tax assets included in prepaid expenses and other to deferred income taxes (noncurrent asset/
noncurrent liability) on its Balance Sheet at March 31, 2016.  Net current deferred tax assets of $8,300,000 are included in prepaid 
expenses and other in the consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2015.  Net current deferred tax liabilities of $158,000 are included 
in accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2015.

The  gross  amount  of  the  Company’s  deferred  tax  assets were  $124,634,000  and  $45,545,000  at  March  31,  2016  and  2015, 
respectively.

The valuation allowance includes $3,426,000, $1,207,000 and $1,976,000 related to foreign net operating losses at March 31, 
2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The increase in the foreign valuation allowance is primarily due to recording a valuation 
allowance on the deferred tax assets of certain foreign subsidiaries of the Company.  The Company’s foreign subsidiaries have net 
operating loss carryforwards that expire in periods ranging from five years to indefinite.

The federal net operating losses arose from the acquisition of Magnetek and have expiration dates ranging from 2020 through 
2035.  The state net operating losses have expiration dates ranging from 2021 through 2035.  The federal tax credits have indefinite 
expiration dates.

86

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Deferred income taxes are classified within the consolidated balance sheets based on the following breakdown:

Net current deferred tax assets
Net current deferred tax liabilities
Net non-current deferred tax assets
Net non-current deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)

March 31,

2016

2015

$

$

— $
—
73,158
(59)
73,099

$

8,300
(158)
28,695
(2,786)
34,051

The net current deferred tax assets are included in prepaid expenses. The net current deferred tax liabilities are included in accrued 
liabilities.  Net non-current deferred tax liabilities are included in other non-current liabilities.

Income from continuing operations before income tax expense includes foreign subsidiary income of $5,448,000, $10,570,000, 
and $11,459,000 for the years ended March 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had 
unrecognized  deferred  tax  liabilities  related  to  approximately  $95,000,000  of  cumulative  undistributed  earnings  of  foreign 
subsidiaries. These earnings are considered to be permanently invested in operations outside the United States. Determination of 
the amount of unrecognized deferred U.S. income tax liability with respect to such earnings is not practicable.

There were shares of common stock issued through restricted stock units, the exercise of non-qualified stock options, or through 
the disqualifying disposition of incentive stock options in the years ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. The tax effects to the Company 
from these transactions, recorded in additional paid-in capital rather than recognized as an increase in (reduction to) income tax 
expense, were $118,000 and $(65,000) in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively. The fiscal 2016 and 2015 tax windfall (shortfall) was 
also recognized in the consolidated balance sheet as an increase (decrease) in deferred tax assets.

Changes in the Company’s uncertain income tax positions, excluding the related accrual for interest and penalties, are as follows:

Beginning balance
Additions for prior year tax positions
Additions for current year tax positions
Reductions for prior year tax positions
Settlements
Foreign currency translation
Lapses in statutes of limitation
Ending balance

2016

2015

2014

1,833
—
—
—
(771)
30
—
1,092

$

$

2,357
—
—
(198)
(50)
(276)
—
1,833

$

$

1,986
754
828
—
—
42
(1,253)
2,357

$

$

The Company had $14,000 and $200,000 accrued for the payment of interest and penalties at March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. 
The Company recognizes interest expense or penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a part of income tax expense in its 
consolidated statements of operations.

All of the unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2016 would impact the effective tax rate if recognized.

The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S., various state, local, and foreign jurisdictions.  The Internal 
Revenue Service has completed an examination of the Company’s U.S. income tax returns for fiscal 2009 and 2010 resulting in 
no adjustments. Current examinations include an IRS audit for the fiscal year 2015 U.S. income tax return and various state audits.

87

 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

The Company’s major tax jurisdictions are the United States and Germany.  With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject 
to tax examinations by tax authorities in the United States for tax years prior to March 31, 2013 and in Germany for tax years prior 
to March 31, 2010.

The Company does not anticipate that total unrecognized tax benefits will change significantly due to the settlement of audits or 
the expiration of statutes of limitation prior to March 31, 2017.

17.  

Rental Expense and Lease Commitments

Rental expense for the years ended March 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 was $7,532,000, $5,229,000, and $5,397,000, respectively. 
The following amounts represent future minimum payment commitments as of March 31, 2016 under non-cancelable operating 
leases extending beyond one year:

Year Ended March 31,
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Thereafter
Total

18.  

Business Segment Information

Real
Property

5,228
4,643
3,940
3,501
3,068
9,551
29,931

$

Vehicles/
Equipment
1,091
727
437
244
178
—
2,677

$

Total

6,319
5,370
4,377
3,745
3,246
9,551
32,608

$

ASC Topic 280, “Segment Reporting,” establishes the standards for reporting information about operating segments in financial 
statements. The Company has one operating and reportable segment for both internal and external reporting purposes.

Financial information relating to the Company’s operations by geographic area is as follows:

Net sales:
United States
Europe
Canada
Other
Total

Year Ended March 31,
2015

2014

2016

$

$

382,923
151,702
20,750
41,728
597,103

$

$

345,244
161,620
21,731
51,048
579,643

$

$

338,744
171,605
21,723
51,218
583,290

Note: Net sales to external customers are attributed to geographic areas based upon the location from which the product was 
shipped from the Company to the customer.

88

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Total assets:

United States

Europe

Canada

Other

Total

Long-lived assets:

United States

Europe

Other

Total

Year Ended March 31,

2016

2015

2014

$

519,361

$

304,888

$

374,033

199,385

208,015

156,101

9,665

44,633

8,055

45,366

15,635

52,905

$

773,044

$

566,324

$

598,674

Year Ended March 31,

2016

2015

2014

$

308,504

$

142,241

$

142,409

78,831

10,300

79,496

9,955

65,994

10,429

$

397,635

$

231,692

$

218,832

Note: Long-lived assets include net property, plant, and equipment, goodwill, and other intangibles, net.

$

$

Year Ended March 31,
2015
393,571
76,604
26,595
72,021
—
—
10,852
579,643

2016
351,965
75,432
30,526
63,923
50,361
14,554
10,342
597,103

$

$

2014
400,565
76,112
18,502
78,642
—
—
9,469
583,290

Sales by major product group are as follows:

Hoists
Chain and rigging tools
Industrial cranes
Actuators and rotary unions
Digital power control and delivery systems
Elevator application drive systems
Other
Total

$

$

89

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

19.  

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

Below is selected quarterly financial data for fiscal 2016 and 2015:

Net sales
Gross profit
Income from operations
Net income

Net income per share – basic

Net income per share – diluted

Net sales

Gross profit

Income from operations

Net income

Net income per share – basic

Net income per share – diluted

June 30,
2015
136,236
43,584
11,291
6,911

0.35

0.34

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

Three Months Ended

September 30,
2015

December 31,
2015

$

146,041
46,945
6,512
(448) $

159,738
48,341
10,958
7,227

March 31,
2016
155,088
48,393
11,809
5,889

$

$

(0.02) $

(0.02) $

0.36

0.36

$

$

0.29

0.29

Three Months Ended

June 30,
2014

September 30,
2014

December 31,
2014

March 31,
2015

$

142,932

$

146,991

$

140,791

$

148,929

45,565

13,006

47,156

16,134

43,409

12,615

6,733

$

10,599

$

7,861

$

45,477

12,893

1,997

0.34

0.34

$

$

0.53

0.53

$

$

0.39

0.39

$

$

0.10

0.08

$

$

$

90

 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

20.  

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss is as follows:

Foreign currency translation adjustment – net of tax
Pension liability – net of tax
Postretirement obligations – net of tax
Split-dollar life insurance arrangements – net of tax
Derivatives qualifying as hedges – net of tax
Net unrealized investment gain – net of tax
Accumulated other comprehensive loss

March 31,

2016
(20,985) $
(71,389)
364
(1,799)
(1,564)
626
(94,747) $

2015
(24,635)
(65,995)
(240)
(1,904)
(533)
859
(92,448)

$

$

The deferred taxes related to the adjustments associated with the items included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of 
deferred  tax  asset  valuation  allowances,  were  $4,753,000,  $13,406,000,  and  $8,992,000  for  2016,  2015,  and  2014
respectively.  Refer to Note 16 for discussion of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance.  In the period subsequent to our initial 
recording of the valuation allowance in fiscal 2011, increases and decreases to both the deferred tax assets associated with items 
in accumulated other comprehensive loss, and the valuation allowance, have been recorded as offsets to comprehensive income.

As a result of the recording of a deferred tax asset valuation allowance in fiscal 2011, the Company recorded as an offsetting entry 
a $10,006,000  charge in  the minimum pension liability component,  $935,000 benefit in the other post  retirement obligations 
component, $747,000 charge in the split dollar life insurance arrangement component, and a $557,000 charge in the net unrealized 
investment gain component of other comprehensive income. With the reversal of that valuation allowance in fiscal 2013, the 
Company recorded the reversal of the valuation allowance as a reduction of income taxes in the consolidated statement of operations. 
This is in accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes,” even though the valuation allowance was initially established by a 
charge against comprehensive income. These amounts will remain indefinitely as a component of accumulated other comprehensive 
loss.

As a result of the recording of a deferred tax asset valuation allowance in fiscal 2005, the Company recorded as an offsetting entry 
a $534,000 charge in the minimum pension liability component of other comprehensive income. With the reversal of that valuation 
allowance in fiscal 2006, the Company recorded the reversal of the valuation allowance as a reduction of income taxes in the 
consolidated statement of operations. This is in accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes,” even though the valuation 
allowance was initially established by a charge against comprehensive income. This amount will remain indefinitely as a component 
of accumulated other comprehensive loss.

The activity by year related to investments, including reclassification adjustments for activity included in earnings are as follows 
(all items shown net of tax):

Net unrealized investment gain (loss) at beginning of year
Unrealized holdings gain (loss) arising during the period

Reclassification adjustments for gain included in earnings

Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments
Net unrealized investment gain at end of year

Year Ended March 31,
2015

2014

2016

$

$

859
(79)

(154)
(233)
626

$

$

1,768
433

(1,342)
(909)
859

$

$

2,808
395

(1,435)
(1,040)
1,768

91

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component for the year ended March 31, 2016 are as follows (in 
thousands):

Beginning balance net of tax
Other comprehensive income (loss) before
reclassification
Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive
loss to net income
Net current period other comprehensive (loss)
income
Ending balance

March 31, 2016

Foreign
Currency

Change in
Derivatives
Qualifying
as Hedges

(24,635) $

(533)

Retirement
Obligations
$

(68,139) $

Unrealized
Investment
Gain

$

859

Total
(92,448)

(79)

(4,749)

3,650

(2,211)

(3,389)

(154)

64

—

1,180

1,090

(233)
626

$

(4,685)
(72,824) $

3,650
(20,985) $

(1,031)
(1,564) $

(2,299)
(94,747)

$

Details of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the year ended March 31, 2016 are as follows 
(in thousands):

Details of AOCL Components
Unrealized gain on investments

Amount
reclassified
from AOCL

Affected line item on consolidated statement of
operations

Net amortization of prior service cost

Change in derivatives qualifying as hedges

$

$

$

$

$

$

Investment income

(237)
(237) Total before tax
83 Tax expense

(154) Net of tax

(1)

99
99 Total before tax
35 Tax benefit
64 Net of tax

1,815 Cost of products sold
1,815 Total before tax

635 Tax benefit

1,180 Net of tax

(1)  These accumulated other comprehensive loss components are included in the computation of net periodic pension 

cost. (See Note 12 — Pensions and Other Benefit Plans for additional details.)

92

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

21.  

Effects of New Accounting Pronouncements

In  March  2016,  the  FASB  issued ASU  No.  2016-09,  "Compensation—Stock  Compensation  (Topic  718):  Improvements  to 
Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting." This ASU makes several modifications to Topic 718 related to the accounting for 
forfeitures, employer tax withholding on share-based compensation and the financial statement presentation of excess tax benefits 
or deficiencies. ASU 2016-09 also clarifies the statement of cash flows presentation for certain components of share-based awards. 
The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, although early adoption is 
permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on our consolidated financial statements. 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent 
Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)." This ASU amends the principal-versus-agent implementation guidance 
and illustrations in the FASB’s new revenue standard (ASC 606). The FASB issued the ASU in response to concerns identified by 
stakeholders, including those related to (1) determining the appropriate unit of account under the revenue standard’s principal-
versus-agent guidance and (2) applying the indicators of whether an entity is a principal or an agent in accordance with the revenue 
standard’s control principle. The ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after 
December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact that the ASU will have on our consolidated 
financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-07, "Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Simplifying 
the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting." This ASU eliminates the requirement that when an existing cost method 
investment qualifies for use of the equity method, an investor must restate its historical financial statements, as if the equity method 
had been used during all previous periods. Under the new guidance, at the point an investment qualifies for the equity method, 
any unrealized gain or loss in AOCI will be recognized through earnings. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this 
guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-06, "Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments (Topic 815): Contingent 
Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments (A Consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force)."  This ASU requires that embedded 
derivatives be separated from the host contract and accounted for separately as derivatives if certain criteria are met. One of those 
criteria is that the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivatives are not clearly and closely related to the economic 
characteristics and risks of the host contract (the “clearly and closely related” criterion). The amendments in this ASU clarify what 
steps are required when assessing whether the economic characteristics and risks of call (put) options are clearly and closely related 
to the economic characteristics and risks of their debt hosts, which is one of the criteria for bifurcating an embedded derivative. 
Consequently, when a call (put) option is contingently exercisable, an entity does not have to assess whether the event that triggers 
the ability to exercise a call (put) option is related to interest rates or credit risks. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning 
after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for all entities. The Company 
does not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No.  2016-05, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Effect of Derivative Contract 
Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships (A Consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force)". The amendments in 
this ASU clarify that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as a hedging instrument 
under Topic 815 does not, in and of itself, require dedesignation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting 
criteria continue to be met. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within 
those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for all entities. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this guidance will 
have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)." This standard will require all leases with durations 
greater than twelve months to be recognized on the balance sheet.  The ASU effective for interim and annual reporting periods 
beginning after December 15, 2018, although early adoption is permitted. Although we have not completed our assessment, we 
do not expect the adoption to change the recognition, measurement or presentation of lease expenses within the Consolidated 
Statements of Operations and Cash Flows. Information about our undiscounted future lease payments and the timing of those 
payments is in Note 17.

93

 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

In  January  2016,  the  FASB  issued ASU  No.  2016-01,  “Financial  Instruments  -  Overall  (Subtopic  825-10):  Recognition  and 
Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” The update addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, 
presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments, including the Company's marketable securities. ASU 2016-01 is effective 
for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact 
that the standard will have on our consolidated financial statements. 

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred 
Taxes." The update requires companies to present deferred income tax assets and deferred income tax liabilities as noncurrent in 
a classified balance sheet instead of the current requirement to separate deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and 
noncurrent amounts. ASU 2015-17 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within 
those fiscal years. Early application is permitted either prospectively or retrospectively. The Company has elected to adopted ASU 
2015-17 at March 31, 2016 on a prospective basis.  Refer to Note 16 for additional information regarding the impact of adopting 
this ASU. 

In  September  2015,  the  FASB  issued ASU  2015-16,  "Business  Combinations  (Topic  805):  Simplifying  the Accounting  for 
Measurement-Period Adjustments." The update requires that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are 
identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined, including the 
cumulative  effect  of  the  change  in  provisional  amount  as  if  the  accounting  had  been  completed  at  the  acquisition  date. The 
adjustments related to previous reporting periods since the acquisition date must be disclosed by income statement line item either 
on the face of the income statement or in the notes. The ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal 
years, beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company intends to adopt ASU 2015-16 at April 1, 2016 and is evaluating the 
impact that this adoption will have on its consolidated financial statements. 

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, “Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory”. ASU 
2015-11 requires an entity to measure inventory that is within the scope of this ASU at the lower of cost and net realizable value. 
Existing impairment models will continue to be used for inventories that are accounted for using the last-in first-out (“LIFO”) 
method. ASU 2015-11 requires prospective adoption for inventory measurements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 
2016 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect that the adoption 
of this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. 

In June 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-10, "Technical Corrections and Updates." The amendments in this update cover a 
wide range of topics in the codification and are generally categorized as follows: Amendments Related to Differences between 
Original  Guidance  and  the  Codification;  Guidance  Clarification  and  Reference  Corrections;  Simplification;  and,  Minor 
Improvements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 
15, 2015. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial 
statements. 

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-08, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Pushdown Accounting - Amendments to SEC 
Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 115." The amendments in the ASU amend various SEC paragraphs included 
in the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification to reflect the issuance of Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 115, or SAB 115. SAB 
115 rescinds portions of the interpretive guidance included in the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletins series and brings existing 
guidance into conformity with ASU No. 2014-17, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Pushdown Accounting, which provides an 
acquired entity with an option to apply pushdown accounting in its separate financial statements upon occurrence of an event in 
which an acquirer obtains control of the acquired entity. We have adopted the amendments in ASU 2015-08 as the amendments 
in  the  update  are  effective  upon  issuance. The  adoption  of  this  standard  did  not  have  a  significant  effect  on  the  Company's 
consolidated financial statements. 

94

 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-07, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain 
Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent) (A Consensus of the FASB Emerging Issue Task Force)." 
The ASU provides guidance on the disclosures for investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value (NAV) per share 
(or its equivalent). The amendments remove the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which 
fair value is measured using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. ASU No. 2015-07 is to be applied 
retrospectively and is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those 
fiscal years, with early application permitted. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a material 
impact on its consolidated financial statements. 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, "Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): 
Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement." The ASU provides guidance to entities about whether 
a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then 
the entity should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software 
license. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the entity should account for the arrangement as a 
service contract. The guidance does not change GAAP for an entity's accounting for service contracts. The ASU is effective for 
fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015.  The Company does not expect that 
the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-04, "Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Practical Expedient for the 
Measurement Date of an Employer's Defined Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets." The ASU provides the use of a practical expedient 
that permits the entity to measure defined benefit plans assets and obligations using the month-end that is closest to the entity's 
fiscal year-end and apply that practical expedient consistently from year to year. Further, if a contribution or significant event 
occurs between the month-end date used to measure defined benefit plan asset and obligations and an entity's fiscal year-end, the 
entity should adjust the measurement of defined plan assets and obligations to reflect of those contributions of significant events. 
However, an entity should not adjust the measurement of defined benefit plan asset and obligations for other events that occur 
between the month-end measurement and the entity's fiscal year-end that are not caused by the entity. The amendments are effective 
for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company is evaluating the 
potential impact of this adoption on its consolidated financial statements. 

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, "Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation 
of Debt Issuance Costs." ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the 
balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The guidance 
also requires retrospective application to all prior periods presented. ASU 2015-03 is effective for the first interim period for fiscal 
years beginning after December 15, 2015. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15, “Interest — Imputation of Interest 
(Subtopic  835-30):  Presentation  and  Subsequent  Measurement  of  Debt  Issuance  Costs  Associated  with  Line-of-Credit 
Arrangements  — Amendments to  SEC  Paragraphs  Pursuant  to  Staff Announcement  at  June  18,  2015  EITF  Meeting”  (“ASU 
2015-15”), which clarifies the treatment of debt issuance costs from line-of-credit arrangements after the adoption of ASU 2015-03. 
In particular, ASU 2015-15 clarifies that the SEC staff would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs 
related to a line-of-credit arrangement as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the 
term of such arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. The 
Company is evaluating the potential impact of this adoption on its consolidated financial statements. 

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, "Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis." 
This update is intended to improve certain areas of consolidation guidance by simplifying the consolidation evaluation process, 
and by placing more emphasis on risk of loss when determining a controlling financial interest. The provisions of this ASU are 
effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company does not expect that the adoption of 
this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. 

95

 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements — Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): 
Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern.” ASU 2014-15 addresses management’s 
responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide 
related footnote disclosures. Management’s evaluation should be based on relevant conditions and events that are known and 
reasonably knowable at the date that the financial statements are issued. The standard will be effective for the first interim period 
within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect 
that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. 

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based 
Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide that a Performance Target Could be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period." 
ASU 2014-12 requires that a performance target that affects vesting, and that could be achieved after the requisite service period, 
be treated as a performance condition. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant date fair 
value of the award. This update further clarifies that compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes 
probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for 
which the requisite service has already been rendered. This ASU is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods 
within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of this standard will 
have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. 

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-11, "Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, 
Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures." ASU 2014-11 changes the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and linked 
repurchase financings to secured borrowing accounting, which is consistent with the accounting for other repurchase agreements. 
ASU 2014-11 also requires new disclosures about transfers that are accounted for as sales in transactions that are economically 
similar to repurchase agreements and increased transparency about the types of collateral pledged in repurchase agreements and 
similar transactions accounted for as secured borrowings. This ASU is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning 
after December 15, 2014. The adoption of this standard did not have a significant effect on the Company's consolidated financial 
statements. 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)." ASU 2014-09 outlines 
a new, 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 new revenue recognition model provides 
a five-step analysis in determining when and how revenue is recognized. The new model will require revenue recognition to depict 
the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration a company expects to receive 
in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-14, “Revenue 
from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date,” which delays the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by 
one year. This ASU is now effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. 
The Company is evaluating the potential impact of this adoption on its consolidated financial statements. 

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, "Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and 
Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity." ASU 
2014-08 changes the criteria for disposals to qualify as discontinued operations and requires new disclosures about disposals of 
both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the new definition. This ASU is effective prospectively 
for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of this standard did not 
have a significant effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

96

 
 
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COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

SCHEDULE II—Valuation and qualifying accounts
March 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 
Dollars in thousands

Description

Year ended March 31, 2016:

Deducted from asset accounts:

Allowance for doubtful accounts

Deferred tax asset valuation allowance

Total

Reserves on balance sheet:

Accrued general and product liability costs

Year ended March 31, 2015:

Deducted from asset accounts:

Allowance for doubtful accounts

Deferred tax asset valuation allowance

Total

Reserves on balance sheet:

Accrued general and product liability costs

Year ended March 31, 2014:

Deducted from asset accounts:

Allowance for doubtful accounts

Deferred tax asset valuation allowance

Total

Reserves on balance sheet:

Accrued general and product liability costs

_________________

Additions

Balance at
Beginning
of Period

Charged
to Costs
and
Expenses

Charged
to Other
Accounts Acquisition Deductions

Balance
at End of
Period

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

2,155

$

(13) $

401 $

— $

366 (1)

$

2,177

1,977

2,860

(706)

4,132

$

2,847

$

(305) $

—

— $

—  

366

  $

4,131

6,308

12,530

$

5,277

$

— $

1,523

$

4,795 (2)

$

14,535

2,323

2,361

4,684

$

$

876

(19)

857

$

$

— $

(365)

(365) $

— $

1,044 (1)

$

—

—  

— $

1,044

  $

2,155

1,977

4,132

14,480

$

3,726

$

— $

— $

5,676 (2)

$

12,530

2,256

3,924

6,180

$

$

319

667

986

$

$

— $

(2,230)

(2,230) $

— $

—

— $

252 (1)

$

—  

252

  $

2,323

2,361

4,684

17,119

$

3,292

$

— $

— $

5,931 (2)

$

14,480  

(1)  Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries
(2)  Insurance claims and expenses paid
(3)  Charged against accumulated other comprehensive loss

97

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Item 9.   

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures

None.

 Item 9A. 

Controls and Procedures

Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of March 31, 2016, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including 
the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls 
and procedures. Based on that evaluation, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, 
concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2016.  There were no changes in our internal 
controls or in other factors during our fourth quarter ended March 31, 2016.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term 
is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, 
including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal 
control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2016 based on the framework in Internal Control--Integrated Framework issued 
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (COSO). Based on that evaluation, 
our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of March 31, 2016.

The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2016 has been audited by Ernst & 
Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.

The Company acquired 100% of the outstanding common shares of Magnetek, Inc. ("Magnetek") on September 2, 2015.  Magnetek 
was excluded from management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2016. The results of 
Magnetek  are  included  in  the  Company's  fiscal  2016  consolidated  financial  statements  and  constituted  $256,162,000  and 
$194,394,000 of total assets and net assets, respectively, as of March 31, 2016 and $65,662,000 and $3,634,000 of net sales and 
net income, respectively, for the year then ended.

Our management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial 
reporting will prevent or detect all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide 
only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. The design of a control system must 
reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, 
because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements 
due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. These inherent 
limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple 
error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, 
or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the 
likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all 
potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, 
controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or 
procedures.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended March 31, 2016 that have 
materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting other than what is 
described below.

Effective during our fiscal 2016, we are utilizing the 2013 version of the Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the 
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

98

 
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Columbus McKinnon Corporation

We have audited Columbus McKinnon Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2016, based on 
criteria  established  in  Internal  Control-Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the 
Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). Columbus McKinnon Corporation’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 to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability 
of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted 
accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain 
to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets 
of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial 
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are 
being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable 
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that 
could have a material effect on the financial statements.

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

As indicated in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, management’s assessment 
of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Magnetek, 
Inc., which is included in the March 31, 2016 consolidated financial statements of Columbus McKinnon Corporation and constituted 
$256,162,000 and $194,394,000 of total and net assets, respectively, as of March 31, 2016 and $65,662,000 and $3,634,000 of 
net sales and net income, respectively, for the year then ended. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of Columbus 
McKinnon Corporation also did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Magnetek, Inc.

In our opinion, Columbus McKinnon Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial 
reporting as of March 31, 2016, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the 
consolidated balance sheets of Columbus McKinnon Corporation as of March 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated 
statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the 
period ended March 31, 2016 of Columbus McKinnon Corporation, and our report dated June 1, 2016 expressed an unqualified 
opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Buffalo, New York
June 1, 2016

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Item 9B. 

Other Information

None.

PART III

Item 10.  

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

The information regarding Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant will be included in a Proxy Statement to be filed 
with the Commission prior to July 31, 2016 and upon the filing of such Proxy Statement, is incorporated by reference herein.

The charters of our Audit Committee, Compensation and Succession Committee, and Governance and Nomination Committee 
are available on our website at www.cmworks.com and are available to any shareholder upon request to the Corporate Secretary. 
The information on the Company's website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of our employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial 
officer and principal accounting officer, as well as our directors.  Our code of ethics, the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Legal 
Compliance & Business Ethics Manual, is available on our website at www.cmworks.com.  We intend to disclose any amendment 
to, or waiver from, the code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting 
officer otherwise required to be disclosed under Item 10 of Form 8-K by posting such amendment or waiver, as applicable, on our 
website.

Item 11.  

Executive Compensation

The information regarding Executive Compensation will be included in a Proxy Statement to be filed with the Commission prior 
to July 31, 2016 and upon the filing of such Proxy Statement, is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 12.  

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information regarding Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and regarding equity compensation 
plan incorporation will be included in a Proxy Statement to be filed with the Commission prior to July 31, 2016 and upon the 
filing of such Proxy Statement, is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 13.  

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information regarding Certain Relationships and Related Transactions will be included in a Proxy Statement to be filed with 
the Commission prior to July 31, 2016 and upon the filing of such Proxy Statement, is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 14.  

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information regarding Principal Accountant Fees and Services will be included in a Proxy Statement to be filed with the 
Commission prior to July 31, 2016 and upon the filing of such Proxy Statement, is incorporated by reference herein.

100

 
Table of Contents

Item 15.  

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

PART IV

(1) 

Financial Statements:

The following consolidated financial statements of Columbus McKinnon Corporation are included in Item 8:

Reference

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated balance sheets - March 31, 2016 and 2015

Consolidated statements of operations – Years ended March 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity – Years ended March 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014

Consolidated statements of cash flows – Years ended March 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014

Notes to consolidated financial statements

(2) Financial Statement Schedule:

Schedule II - Valuation and qualifying accounts

Page
No.

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

Page
No.

97

All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange
Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.

(3) 

Exhibits:

Exhibit
Number

Exhibit

3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s

Registration Statement No. 33-80687 on Form S-1 dated December 21, 1995).

3.2 Amended By-Laws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K

dated March 28, 2013).

3.3 Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Columbus McKinnon Corporation, dated as of May
18, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 18, 2009).

4.1 Specimen common share certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement No.

33-80687 on Form S-1 dated December 21, 1995.)

4.2 Rights Agreement, dated as of May 18, 2009, between Columbus McKinnon Corporation and American Stock Transfer & 

Trust Company, LLC, which includes the form of Right Certificate as Exhibit B and the Summary of Rights to Purchase 
Preferred Stock as Exhibit C (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated 
May 18, 2009).

4.3

Indenture related to the Company’s 7.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2019 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 to
the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 28, 2011)

4.4 Supplemental Indenture related to the Company’s subsidiary guarantors as defined in the Indenture agreement related to the
Company’s 7.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2019 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on January 28, 2011)

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#10.1 Agreement by and among Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Trust, Columbus McKinnon

Corporation and Marine Midland Bank, dated November 2, 1995 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s
Registration Statement No. 33-80687 on Form S-1 dated December 21, 1995).

#10.2 Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan Restatement Effective April 1, 1989 (incorporated by

reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s Registration Statement No. 33-80687 on Form S-1 dated December 21, 1995).

#10.3 Amendment No. 1 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan as Amended and Restated as of
April 1, 1989, dated March 2, 1995 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Registration Statement No.
33-80687 on Form S-1 dated December 21, 1995).

#10.4 Amendment No. 2 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan, dated October 17, 1995

(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March
31, 1997).

#10.5 Amendment No. 3 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan, dated March 27, 1996

(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March
31, 1997).

#10.6 Amendment No. 4 of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan as Amended and Restated as of

April 1, 1989, dated September 30, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 1996).

#10.7 Amendment No. 5 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan as Amended and Restated as of

April 1, 1989, dated August 28, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998).

#10.8 Amendment No. 6 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan as Amended and Restated as of
April 1, 1989, dated June 24, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-
K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998).

#10.9 Amendment No. 7 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan as Amended and Restated as of
April 1, 1989, dated April 30, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-
K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000).

#10.10 Amendment No. 8 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan as Amended and Restated as of

April 1, 1989, dated March 26, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002).

#10.11 Amendment No. 9 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan as Amended and Restated as of

April 1, 1989, dated March 27, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003).

#10.12 Amendment No. 10 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan as Amended and Restated as

of April 1, 1989, dated February 28, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004).

#10.13 Amendment No. 11 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan as Amended and Restated as
of April 1, 1989, dated December 19, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 28, 2003).

#10.14 Amendment No. 12 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan as Amended and Restated as

of April 1, 1989, dated March 17, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005).

#10.15 Amendment No. 13 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan as Amended and Restated as
of April 1, 1989, dated December 19, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 28, 2008).

#10.16 Columbus McKinnon Corporation Personal Retirement Account Plan Trust Agreement, dated April 1, 1987 (incorporated by

reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Company’s Registration Statement No. 33-80687 on Form S-1 dated December 21, 1995).

#10.17 Second Amendment to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Restricted Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit

10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 29, 2002).

#10.18 Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan 1989 Restatement Effective January 1, 1998 (incorporated by

reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 27,
1998).

#10.19 Amendment No. 1 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated

December 10, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 1999).

#10.20 Amendment No. 2 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401 (k)] Plan, dated June 1,

2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2000).

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#10.21 Amendment No. 3 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401 (k)] Plan, dated  March
26, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2002).

#10.22 Amendment No. 4 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated May 10,

2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period
ended September 29, 2002).

#10.23 Amendment No. 5 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated

December 20, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarterly period ended December 29, 2002).

#10.24 Amendment No. 6 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated May 22,

2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2003).

#10.25 Amendment No. 7 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated April

14, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2004).

#10.26 Amendment No. 8 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated

December 19, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarterly period ended December 28, 2003).

#10.27 Amendment No. 9 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated March

16, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2004).

#10.28 Amendment No. 10 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated July

12, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly
period ended July 4, 2004).

#10.29 Amendment No. 11 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated March
31, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2005).

#10.30 Amendment No. 12 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated

December 27, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2006).

#10.31 Amendment No. 13 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated

December 21, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended March, 31, 2007).

#10.32 Amendment No. 14 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated

December 21, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2008).

#10.33 Amendment No. 15 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated
January 29, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarterly period ended December 28, 2008).

#10.34 Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift 401(k) Plan Trust Agreement Restatement Effective August 9, 1994 (incorporated

by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Company’s Registration Statement No. 33-80687 on Form S-1 dated December 21,
1995).

#10.35 Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan Restatement Effective April 1, 1998 (incorporated by

reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 27,
1998).

#10.36 Amendment No. 1 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan,
dated December 10, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended March 31, 1999).

#10.37 Amendment No. 2 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan,

dated May 26, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended March 31, 1999).

#10.38 Amendment No. 3 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan,

dated March 26, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2002).

#10.39 Amendment No. 4 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan,

dated December 20, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarterly period ended December 29, 2002).

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#10.40 Amendment No. 5 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan,
dated February 28, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2004).

#10.41 Amendment No. 6 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan,

dated March 17, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2005).

#10.42 Amendment No. 7 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan,
dated December 28, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2006).

#10.43 Amendment No. 8 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan,

dated December 28, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarterly period ended December 31, 2006).

#10.44 Amendment No. 9 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan,

dated April 21, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.47 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2008).

#10.45 Amendment No. 10 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan,

dated December 19, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarterly period ended December 28, 2008).

#10.46 Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan Trust Agreement Effective as of April 1, 1987

(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Company’s Registration Statement No. 33-80687 on Form S-1 dated
December 21, 1995).

#10.47 Columbus McKinnon Corporation 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the definitive
Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Columbus McKinnon Corporation held on July 31, 2006).

#10.48 Amendment No. 1 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan, dated December 30, 2008

(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
December 28, 2008).

#10.49 Form of Change in Control Agreement as entered into between Columbus McKinnon Corporation and certain of its executive
officers. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 1998).

#10.50 Form of Omnibus Code Section 409A Compliance Policy as entered into between Columbus McKinnon Corporation and
certain of its executive officers. (incorporated by reference to Appendix to the definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders of Columbus McKinnon Corporation held on July 31, 2006).

# 10.51 Fourth amended and restated credit agreement dated as of December 31, 2009 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to

the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 14, 2010)

#10.52

2010 Long Term Incentive Plan effective July 26, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s S-8 filed
on August 12, 2010.

#10.53 First Amendment to the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated December 31, 2009.

(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 26, 2010)

#10.54 Second Amendment to the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated December 31, 2009.

(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 22, 2010)

#10.55 Third Amendment to the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated December 31, 2009.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 20, 2011)

#10.56 Fourth Amendment to the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated December 31, 2009.

(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 15, 2012)

#10.57 Amendment to the Company’s non-qualified deferred compensation plan, effective January 1, 2013. (incorporated by

reference to Exhibit 5.02 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 19, 2012)

#10.58 Fifth Amendment to the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated December 31, 2009.

(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October  24, 2012)

#10.59 Credit agreement dated January 23, 2015. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on

Form 8-K filed on January 27, 2015)

#10.60 Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 2, 2015. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the

Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 2, 2015)

#10.61 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated July 26, 2015 and completed on September 2, 2015. (incorporated by reference to

Exhibit 2.1 and 2.2 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 2, 2015)

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*21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

*23.1 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

*31.1 Certification of the principal executive officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as

amended.

*31.2 Certification of the principal financial officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

*32.1 Certification of the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted by pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002.  The information contained in this exhibit shall not be deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission nor incorporated by reference in any registration statement foiled by the Registrant under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended.

*101.INS XBRL Instance Document

*101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

*101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

*101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

*101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

*101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

*     Filed herewith
#     Indicates a Management contract or compensation plan or arrangement

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly 

caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date:  June 1, 2016

COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

By:

/s/  Timothy T. Tevens
Timothy T. Tevens
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following 

persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

106

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Signature

Title

Date

/s/    Timothy T. Tevens

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

June 1, 2016

(Principal Executive Officer)

Timothy T. Tevens

/s/   Gregory P. Rustowicz

Gregory P. Rustowicz

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

June 1, 2016

/s/   Ernest R. Verebelyi

Chairman of the Board of Directors

June 1, 2016

Ernest R. Verebelyi

/s/   Richard H. Fleming

Director

June 1, 2016

Richard H. Fleming

/s/   Linda A. Goodspeed

Director

June 1, 2016

Linda A. Goodspeed

/s/   Liam G. McCarthy

Director

June 1, 2016

Liam G. McCarthy

/s/   Heath A. Mitts

Director

June 1, 2016

Heath A. Mitts

/s/   Nicholas T. Pinchuk

Director

June 1, 2016

Nicholas T. Pinchuk

/s/   Stephen Rabinowitz

Director

June 1, 2016

Stephen Rabinowitz

/s/   R. Scott Trumbull

Director

June 1, 2016

R. Scott Trumbull

107

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 21.1

COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION
SUBSIDIARIES
(as of March 31, 2016)

CM Insurance Company, Inc. (US-NY)
Crane Equipment & Service, Inc. (US-OK)
Unified Industries Inc. (US-MI)
Magnetek, Inc. (US-DE)

Magnetek National Electric Coil, Inc. (US-DE)

Yale Industrial Products, Inc. (US-DE)

Egyptian-American Crane Co. (40% Joint Venture) (Egypt)
Yale Industrial Products Ltd. (England)
Columbus McKinnon Dutch Holdings 1 B.V. (The Netherlands)

Columbus McKinnon Dutch Holdings 2 B.V. (The Netherlands)

Columbus McKinnon Dutch Holdings 3 B.V. (The Netherlands)

Columbus McKinnon Limited (Canada)
Magnetek Canada ULC (Canada)
Columbus McKinnon Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. (Singapore)

Columbus McKinnon Asia Pacific Ltd. (Hong Kong)
Columbus McKinnon Industrial Products Co. Ltd. (China)
Columbus McKinnon (Hangzhou) Industries Co. Ltd. (China)
Yale Industrial Products Asia Co. Ltd. (Thailand)
Columbus McKinnon Singapore Pte. Ltd. (Singapore)

Columbus McKinnon EMEA GmbH (Germany)

Columbus McKinnon Industrial Products GmbH (Germany)
Columbus McKinnon Corporation Ltd. (England)

Magnetek (UK) Limited (England)
Columbus McKinnon France S.a.r.l. (France)

Columbus McKinnon Maghreb S.a.r.l AAU (Morocco)

Société d’Exploitation des Raccords Gautier (France)
Columbus McKinnon Italia S.r.l. (Italy)
Columbus McKinnon Ibérica S.L.U. (Spain)
Columbus McKinnon Benelux, B.V. (The Netherlands)
CMCO Material Handling (Pty), Ltd. (South Africa)

Yale Engineering Products (Pty.) Ltd. (South Africa)
Yale Lifting Solutions (Pty.) Ltd. (South Africa)
Pfaff Hoist & Rigging (Pty.) Ltd. (South Africa)

Columbus McKinnon Austria GmbH (Austria)

Hebetechnik Gesellschaft GmbH (Austria)

Columbus McKinnon Hungary Kft. (Hungary)
Columbus McKinnon Russia LLC (Russia)
Columbus McKinnon Kaldirma ESVT, Ltd. (Turkey)
Columbus McKinnon Industrial Products ME FZE (UAE)
Columbus McKinnon Polska Sp.z.o.o (Poland)
Columbus McKinnon Switzerland AG (Switzerland)
Columbus McKinnon Ireland, Ltd. (Ireland)
Stahlhammer Bommern GmbH (Germany)
Columbus McKinnon Engineered Products GmbH (Germany)

Pfaff Silberblau Utilaje de Ridicat si Transportat S.R.L. (Romania)
Verkehrstechnik Gmbh (Germany)

Columbus McKinnon Latin America B.V. (The Netherlands)

Columbus McKinnon de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (Mexico)
Columbus McKinnon de Uruguay, S.A. (Uruguay)
Columbus McKinnon do Brazil Ltda. (Brazil)
Columbus McKinnon de Panama S.A. (Panama)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements:

(1)  Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-3212) pertaining to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation 1995 Incentive Stock 
Option Plan, the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, the Columbus McKinnon  Corporation  
Restricted Stock Plan and the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan Restatement Effective 
April 1, 1989 of Columbus McKinnon Corporation,

(2)  Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-137212) pertaining to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation 2006 Long Term 

Incentive Plan,

(3)  Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-168777) pertaining to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation 2010 Long Term 

Incentive Plan,

(4)  Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-189924) of Columbus McKinnon Corporation and  the related Prospectus, and 

(5)  Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-207165) pertaining to the 2014 Incentive Plan of Magnetek, Inc.;

of our reports dated June 1, 2016, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Columbus McKinnon 
Corporation and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Columbus McKinnon Corporation included in 
this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended March 31, 2016.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP 

Buffalo, New York
June 1, 2016

 
 
 
 
 
CERTIFICATION

I, Timothy T. Tevens, certify that:

1. 

I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of Columbus McKinnon Corporation;

EXHIBIT 31.1

2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material 
fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not 
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly 

present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and 
for, the periods presented in this report;

4.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and 
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting 
(as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a.  designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be 
designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its 
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period 
in which this report is being prepared;

b.  designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial 

reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;

c.  evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report 
our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period 
covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d.  disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred 

during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter, the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual 
report, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control 
over financial reporting; and

5.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control 
over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or 
persons performing the equivalent functions):

a.  all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over 
financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, 
summarize and report financial information; and

b.  any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role 
in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  June 1, 2016

  /s/    TIMOTHY T. TEVENS
Timothy T. Tevens
Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 
 
 
 
 
CERTIFICATION

I, Gregory P. Rustowicz, certify that:

1. 

I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of Columbus McKinnon Corporation;

Exhibit 31.2

2.  Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material 
fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not 
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly 

present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and 
for, the periods presented in this report;

4.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and 
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting 
(as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a.  designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be 
designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its 
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period 
in which this report is being prepared;

b.  designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial 

reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;

c.  evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report 
our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period 
covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d.  disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred 

during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter, the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual 
report, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control 
over financial reporting; and

5.  The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control 
over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or 
persons performing the equivalent functions):

a.  all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over 

financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, 
summarize and report financial information; and

b.  any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role 

in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  June 1, 2016

/s/   GREGORY P. RUSTOWICZ
Gregory P. Rustowicz
Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 
 
 
 
CERTIFICATION

Exhibit 32.1

Each of the undersigned hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that the Annual Report of Columbus McKinnon Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10-K for 
the year ended March 31, 2016, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 and that information contained in the such Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material  respects,  the  financial 
condition and result of operations of the Company.

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained 

by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

Dated:  June 1, 2016

/s/ TIMOTHY T. TEVENS
Timothy T. Tevens
Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ GREGORY P. RUSTOWICZ
Gregory P. Rustowicz
Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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SHAREHOLDER AND CORPORATE INFORMATION         
Common Stock 

Corporate Headquarters 

Columbus McKinnon’s common stock is traded  
on NASDAQ under the symbol CMCO.  As of  
June 1, 2016, there were 481 shareholders of 
record and as of May 27, 2016, there were 
20,163,999 total shares of common stock 
outstanding.  According to SEC filings, as of  
March 31, 2016 there were 141 institutional  
and mutual fund investors who own approximately 
94.2% of Columbus McKinnon’s outstanding 
common shares.  

Annual Meeting of Shareholders 

July 18, 2016 
10:00 a.m. Central Time 
The Four Seasons Chicago 
120 E. Delaware Place 
Chicago, Illinois 60611 

Transfer Agent 

Please direct questions about lost certificates,  
change of address and consolidation of accounts  
to the Company’s transfer agent and registrar: 

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company 
620 15th Avenue 
Brooklyn, New York 11219 
800-937-5449 
718-921-8124 
www.amstock.com 

Columbus McKinnon Corporation 
205 Crosspoint Parkway 
Getzville, New York 14068 
716-689-5400 

www.cmworks.com  

Investor Relations 

Gregory P. Rustowicz 
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 
Columbus McKinnon Corporation 
716-689-5442 
greg.rustowicz@cmworks.com 

Deborah K. Pawlowski 
Kei Advisors LLC 
716-843-3908 
dpawlowski@keiadvisors.com 

Investor information is available on the  
Company’s website: www.cmworks.com 

Independent Auditors 

Ernst & Young LLP 
1500 Key Tower 
50 Fountain Plaza 
Buffalo, New York 14202-2297 

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income & EPS to 
Non-GAAP Net Income & EPS

Reconciliation of GAAP Income from Operations & Margin to
Non-GAAP Income from Operations & Margin

Year Ended March 31,
2014
30,421

2015
27,190

$ 

$ 

2013
78,296

$ 

2012
26,967

$ 

Income from operations

2016
40,570

$   

Year Ended March 31,
2014
54,350

2015
54,648

$   

$   

$   

2013
54,371

Net Income

Add back:

Product liability costs for legal settlement
Building held for sale impairment charge
North America facility consolidation and 
reduction-in-force costs
Acquisition deal costs
Acquisition related severance costs
Acquisition inventory step-up expense & real 
estate transfer taxes
Acquisition amortization of backlog
European facility consolidation and reduction-
in-force costs
Debt refinancing costs
Remeasurement of investment
Pension curtailment charge
Gain on asset sale
Income from discontinued operations
Normalize tax rate to 34% *

2016
19,579

$ 

1,100
429

859
5,746
2,300

1,446
581

585
-
-
-
-
-
(3,143)

-
-

-
-
-

659
-

1,726
8,567
-
-
-
-
(7,144)

-
-

-
1,657
-

-
-

-
-
-
-
-
-
(2,788)

-
-

-
-
-

-
-

-
-

-
-
-

-
-

-
-
-
-
-
-
(50,165)

-
-
(850)
1,122
(1,462)
(1,052)
(3,855)

Add back:

Product liability costs for legal settlement
Building held for sale impairment charge
North America facility consolidation and 
reduction-in-force costs
Acquisition deal costs
Acquisition related severance costs
Acquisition inventory step-up expense & real 
estate transfer taxes
Acquisition amortization of backlog
European facility consolidation and reduction-
in-force costs
Pension curtailment charge
Gain on asset sale

1,100
429

859
5,746
2,300

1,446
581

585
-
-

-
-

-
-
-

659
-

1,726
-
-

-
-

-
1,657
-

-
-

-
-
-

-
-

-
-
-

-
-

-
-
-

2012
45,144

$   

-
-

-
-
-

-
-

-
1,122
(1,462)

Non-GAAP income from operations

$   

53,616

$   

57,033

$   

56,007

$   

54,371

$   

44,804

Non-GAAP adjusted net income

$ 

29,482

$ 

30,998

$ 

29,290

$ 

28,131

$ 

20,870

Acquisition amoritization of backlog

Average diluted shares outstanding

20,315

20,224

19,950

19,687

19,512

Non-GAAP sales

Sales

$ 

$ 

597,103
581
597,684

$ 

$ 

579,643
-
579,643

$ 

$ 

583,290
-
583,290

$ 

$ 

597,263
-
597,263

$ 

$ 

591,945
-
591,945

Net income per diluted share - GAAP
Net income per diluted share - Non-GAAP

0.96
1.45

1.34
1.53

1.52
1.47

3.98
1.43

1.38
1.07

* Applies a normalized tax rate of 34% to GAAP pre-tax income and non-GAAP adjustments above, pre-tax.
Forward-Looking Information 

Adjusted operating margin

9.0%

9.8%

9.6%

9.1%

7.6%

The Columbus McKinnon annual report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, 
but are not limited to, statements concerning future revenue and earnings, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results of the 
Company to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by such statements, including general economic and business conditions, conditions affecting the industries served 
by the Company and its subsidiaries, conditions affecting the Company’s customers and suppliers, competitor responses to the Company’s products and services, the overall market 
acceptance of such products and services and other factors disclosed in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes 
no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this report. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
         
         
         
         
        
         
         
         
         
        
         
         
         
         
     
         
     
         
         
     
         
         
         
         
     
        
         
         
         
        
         
         
         
         
        
     
         
         
         
         
     
         
         
         
         
         
         
         
       
         
         
         
         
     
         
         
         
         
    
         
         
         
         
    
    
    
    
  
    
   
   
   
   
   
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
           
           
           
           
          
           
           
           
           
          
           
           
           
           
       
           
       
           
           
       
           
           
           
           
       
          
           
           
           
          
           
           
           
           
          
       
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
       
           
           
           
           
      
          
           
           
           
           
205 Crosspoint Parkway 
Getzville, New York 14068 
General 716-689-5400  |  Investor Relations 716-689-5442 
cmworks.com  |  NASDAQ: CMCO