2017
ANNUAL REPORT
“
OUR OPPORTUNITIES ARE LIMITED
ONLY BY OUR MIND’S ABILITY TO SEEK
CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO SOME OF THE
WORLD’S GREATEST CHALLENGES.”
THOMAS P. JOYCE, JR.
Financial Operating
Highlights
(dollars in millions except per share data and number of associates)
Sales
Operating Profit
Net Earnings
Net Earnings Per Share (diluted)
Operating Cash Flow
Capital Expenditures
Capital Disposals
Free Cash Flow (Operating Cash Flow less
Capital Expenditures plus Capital Disposals)
Number of Associates
Total Assets
Total Debt *
Stockholders’ Equity
Total Capitalization
(Total Debt plus Stockholders’ Equity)
2017
2016
$ 18,329.7
$ 16,882.4
$
$
$
$
$
$
3,021.2
2,469.8
3.50
3,477.8
619.6
32.6
$
$
$
$
$
$
2,750.9
2,153.4
3.08
3,087.5
589.6
9.8
$
2,890.8
$
2,507.7
67,000
62,000
$ 46,648.6
$ 45,295.3
$ 10,522.1
$ 12,269.0
$ 26,367.8
$ 23,076.8
$ 36,889.9
$ 35,345.8
* Long-Term Debt ($10,327.4 for 2017 and $9,674.2 for 2016) plus Notes Payable
and Current Portion of Long-Term Debt ($194.7 for 2017 and $2,594.8 for 2016)
All financial data set forth in this annual report relates solely to
continuing operations unless otherwise indicated.
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Life Sciences
Every day, scientists around the world work at a molecular level to
understand chronic disease and infections, develop new therapies
and test new drugs. Our Life Sciences businesses make this
leading-edge scientific research possible. Our capabilities extend
far beyond research to power the creation of biopharmaceuticals,
cell therapies and more.
$5.7B
REVENUE
17.6%
OPERATING MARGIN
2017 LIFE SCIENCES REVENUE:
• 60% Consumables
• 40% Equipment
• 34% North America
• 29% Western Europe
• 27% High Growth Markets
• 10% Rest of World
Outstanding global brands built on best-in-class
technologies and leading in attractive markets
2017 HIGHLIGHTS:
• Beckman Coulter Life Sciences launched the
Biomek i-Series—liquid handling workstations which
automate complex experiments and data workflows
at a scale, speed and level of precision that cannot
be executed manually.
• Pall improved its customer win rate by 15% through
disciplined application of DBS tools, including
Transformative Marketing, Lead Handling and
Funnel Management.
• SCIEX advanced clinical research and expanded its
addressable market by $100 million with the launch of its
Topaz Clinical Mass Spectrometer and Vitamin D Assay,
the first FDA-cleared system of its type.
• The acquisition of IDBS provides a foundation for our
informatics business, helping to accelerate the speed of
discovering, developing and producing new biologics.
Beckman Coulter Life Sciences –
Biomek i-Series Automated Workstation
Diagnostics
Our Diagnostics businesses provide critical tools and software
for clinicians to safeguard patient health and improve diagnostic
confidence wherever healthcare happens — from a family physician’s
office to leading trauma, cancer and critical care centers. Our solutions,
including data access and management systems, also help improve
efficiencies and automate workflows in laboratories.
$5.8B
REVENUE
14.9%
OPERATING MARGIN
2017 DIAGNOSTICS REVENUE:
• 85% Consumables
• 15% Equipment
• 39% North America
• 19% Western Europe
• 36% High Growth Markets
• 6% Rest of World
Comprehensive product suite providing
superior workflow efficiency
2017 HIGHLIGHTS:
• In Cepheid’s first full year with Danaher, core revenue
grew approximately 20%, driven by strong commercial
execution and an increased installed base of molecular
diagnostics instrumentation.
• Cepheid continues to expand its test menu with
Group A Strep and Xpert Xpress Flu, which enables
healthcare providers to accurately and reliably
detect the flu in as little as 20 minutes.
• Beckman Coulter further expanded its direct channels
in China, increasing sales associates by more than 50%
since 2015.
• Leica Biosystems’ flagship Bond III Advanced Staining
Solution continues to differentiate with industry leading
turnaround time of 2.5 hours.
• Radiometer’s new ABL9 Blood Gas Analyzer appeals to
customers in the high growth markets due to its small
footprint and exceptional value.
Cepheid – GeneXpert Infinity and Xpert Xpress Flu Test
Dental
We help dental professionals provide the highest level of patient
care by optimizing their work environments and enabling better
clinical outcomes. Our precision tools and software help clinicians
work efficiently to keep teeth and gums healthy, and our implants
and orthodontic offerings help improve the aesthetics of the
human smile.
$2.8B
REVENUE
14.3%
OPERATING MARGIN
2017 DENTAL REVENUE:
• 45% Specialty Consumables
• 25% Traditional Consumables
• 30% Dental Equipment
• 49% North America
• 23% Western Europe
• 22% High Growth Markets
• 6% Rest of World
A leading global player covering the
entire dental workflow
2017 HIGHLIGHTS:
• The Dental segment made good progress toward
reducing business complexity, freeing up funds to
invest in new product innovation and M&A.
• China core revenue grew double digits for the fifth
straight year. We extended our leading market position in
China via the acquisition of a digital lab service company,
which provides implant, orthodontic and prosthetic
treatment planning to Chinese dentists.
• Nobel Biocare delivered mid-single digit core revenue
growth attributable to a 20% increase in R&D spending,
25 new products launched and a 15% expansion of its
sales force over the past two years.
• The Dental segment increased R&D spending as a
percentage of sales by 100 basis points over the past
two years, positioning it for future growth.
Nobel Biocare – Nobel Clinician
Environmental & Applied
Solutions - Water Quality
Water sustains every living thing on the planet, and demand for this precious
resource has never been higher. Our Water Quality businesses help protect
the global water supply and ensure environmental stewardship. We deliver
precision instrumentation, advanced purification technology and treatment
solutions to help analyze, disinfect and manage the world’s water — from
municipal and wastewater treatment facilities to rivers, lakes and oceans.
Winning with strong brands and
expertise across the entire water cycle
2017 PLATFORM HIGHLIGHTS:
• Hach celebrated its 70th anniversary with a new,
state-of-the-art R&D facility at its headquarters in
Loveland, CO. This technology-based space facilitates
advanced research, development and testing,
and DBS collaboration.
• Hach expanded its addressable market by more than
$500 million with the introduction of Claros, a new
software platform delivering better data-driven decision
making to customers.
• ChemTreat marked its 50th year in business and its 50th
consecutive year of revenue growth.
• Trojan Technologies boosted its win rate by more than
750 basis points by using DBS Growth tools to drive
innovation and capture new market opportunities.
Trojan also celebrated its 40th anniversary.
• The acquisition of Kipp & Zonen enhances our position in
the attractive solar and meteorology market.
2017 ENVIRONMENTAL & APPLIED SOLUTIONS REVENUE:
• 55% Consumables
• 45% Equipment
• 42% North America
• 24% Western Europe
• 31% High Growth Markets
• 3% Rest of World
$4.0B
REVENUE
23.0%
OPERATING MARGIN
Environmental & Applied
Solutions - Product Identification
Our Product Identification businesses touch nearly every step of
the packaging value chain — from color management and package
design, to marking, coding and tracking of consumer, industrial
and pharmaceutical goods. Our solutions help to ensure freshness,
consistency and accuracy of products throughout the global
supply chain.
Simplifying the packaging value chain
2017 PLATFORM HIGHLIGHTS:
• Videojet continues to differentiate its portfolio to better
address customer needs with the largest installed base
of printers connected to the Internet of Things (IoT),
including the new 1860 continuous inkjet printer with
53 sensors to source data. Service revenue grew 10%
on average over the last four years.
• The acquisition of Advanced Vision Technology’s print
inspection and quality control offerings complement
X-Rite’s color inspection capabilities and Esko’s
packaging workflow solutions.
• X-Rite is expanding its addressable market by moving
from “color” to “appearance.” The TAC7 offers
hyper-realistic digital capture and rendering
for applications where photography is not possible.
• Pantone 2018 Color of the Year, “Ultra Violet,”
continues to set trends, guide popular tastes and
influence designers.
Videojet – CIJ 1860 Platform
Dear Shareholders,
2017 was another good year for Danaher.
Following several years of substantial M&A
activity and the launch of Fortive Corporation,
we delivered very solid results driven by the
outstanding commitment of our associates
worldwide. Using the Danaher Business
System (DBS) as our competitive advantage,
we continued building a stronger, better
Danaher — one that we believe will continue
to create value for our shareholders for many
years to come.
THOMAS P. JOYCE, JR.
President and Chief Executive Officer
As we pursue our Shared Purpose—Helping Realize Life’s Potential—our investments
in innovation continued to help our customers solve their most complex challenges and
improve quality of life around the world, while contributing to our strong operating results:
• We grew core revenue 3.5%, accelerating
performance throughout the year.
• We grew free cash flow 15% year-over-
year to $2.9 billion. Our free cash flow
Results were driven by mid-single digit
to net income conversion ratio of 117%
core revenue growth in our Life Sciences,
marks the 26th consecutive year in
Diagnostics and Environmental &
which free cash flow has exceeded
Applied Solutions segments.
net income—a powerful differentiator,
• We grew adjusted diluted net earnings
per share by 11.5%.
• We expanded core operating margin
by more than 70 basis points, led by
Life Sciences, which improved more
than 200 basis points.
and a measure of the quality of our
sustained performance.
• We deployed approximately $400 million
to acquire ten businesses across four of
our five platforms, and we saw impressive
performance from recent acquisitions.
Cepheid had a fantastic first year with
more than 20% core revenue growth and
significant operating margin expansion.
Evolving into a Stronger,
Better Danaher
Today’s Danaher portfolio looks dramatically different than
it did when I joined the company almost 30 years ago.
We have strategically evolved our platforms, acquiring
and growing businesses around a common business
model typically characterized by leading brands, global
markets, significant instrument installed bases and a high
percentage of recurring revenue. This model yields higher
gross margins and more stable revenue, but its real power
lies in the deep levels of customer intimacy it fosters. Every
day we gain a better understanding of our customers’ most
We never lose sight of our role as steward of your
investment capital, and we are committed to deploying our
free cash flow strategically towards acquisitions that help
us deliver compounding returns over the long-term.
2. Taking a balanced approach to creating
shareholder value, led by DBS
As our portfolio evolves, DBS evolves along with it, shaping
the core of our culture and fortifying our competitive
advantage. Once solely a Lean manufacturing system, DBS
now improves our businesses in a balanced way with a robust
set of Growth, Lean and Leadership tools and processes.
pressing needs and greater opportunities to deliver value
With disciplined execution of our Lean tools, we see
through ongoing service and support.
Our portfolio’s performance is further supported by a number
of important secular growth drivers across our served
markets. Around the world, changing regulatory requirements,
increasingly digitized workflows, heightened environmental
concerns, and improving standards of healthcare point to
sustained growth and opportunities for innovation.
In short, we have evolved into an $18.3 billion
multi-industry science and technology company with
significant opportunities for shareholder value creation.
We have built a resilient portfolio of market-leading
businesses with attractive business models,
durable competitive advantages and considerable
long-term potential.
Our Three Strategic Priorities
To further strengthen our competitive advantage, we will
focus on three strategic priorities in 2018.
1. Enhancing our science and technology portfolio
via strategic capital allocation
additional runway to improve our already solid margins in
businesses such as Hach, Videojet and Radiometer, while
helping others like Beckman Coulter, KaVo Kerr, Cepheid,
Pall and Nobel Biocare achieve similar results. We intend
to reinvest the benefits of improved gross margins and
lower G&A expenses in research & development and
sales & marketing to help accelerate our core growth
while expanding operating margins. This is the essence of
“running the Danaher playbook.”
We’ve continued to develop our Growth tools to help us
accelerate innovation and enhance commercialization
in order to drive share gains across our global science
and technology markets. Just as we replicated Videojet’s
success with transformative marketing to propel growth
in many other businesses, we continue to enrich DBS with
each new acquisition. Most recently, we are adopting
powerful front-end innovation techniques from Cepheid.
In an increasingly competitive marketplace, our ability to
attract, develop and engage exceptional talent is critical
to our future success. Through our Leadership tools and
processes, DBS is helping us deliver exciting development
opportunities to our current and future associates.
We have acquired a significant number of businesses in
3. Consistently attracting, developing and engaging
our 30-plus year history, each adding to the market-leading
exceptional talent
positions we enjoy today. We’ve amplified that strong
track record and our growth profile in the last several
years, adding a number of innovative, growth-oriented
We are more focused than ever on bringing the best and
brightest science and technology talent to Danaher.
businesses—including Nobel Biocare, Pall, Phenomenex
We recently announced a new Danaher Innovation
and Cepheid—that are performing at or above our initial
Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts to help advance our
expectations, thanks to their strong leadership teams and
innovation and growth strategies in Life Sciences and
the disciplined application of DBS.
to enhance engagement with the broad eco-system of
scientific and clinical research, pharmaceutical companies,
have done for more than a decade. Our corporate charitable
academic institutions and government agencies. Other
giving supported causes that mean the most to us, including
technology talent hubs around the world, such as our
STEM education, healthcare research and discovery, disaster
software development center in India, our collaborative
preparedness and diversity. We intend to continue to expand
One Site in China and Danaher Labs in Silicon Valley, help
these efforts in the coming year.
attract talent while providing additional growth opportunities
for our team.
We are also investing in our associates by offering robust
career development programs and filling open positions
through promotions when possible. In the past three
years, more than 80% of senior leader placements—those
of operating company presidents or higher—were filled
with internal candidates. One recent example is Joakim
Weidemanis, whom we promoted to Executive Vice President,
with responsibility for our Product Identification and
Water Quality platforms.
We also announced that next January, Matt McGrew,
a 15-year Danaher veteran, will assume the role of Chief
Financial Officer, succeeding Dan Comas. It has been my
Realizing Our Potential
Our 2017 results demonstrate what is possible with the
consistent, disciplined application of the DBS tools and
processes that have made Danaher successful. But it’s our
increasing momentum that drives our optimism for 2018 and
beyond. Our portfolio is young. We acquired half of our business
revenue within the last 6 years, offering significant opportunity
for our growth trajectory and margin improvement over time.
We are inspired by the many opportunities for meaningful global
impact as we help realize life’s potential.
Thank you for your support of the Danaher team as we continue
to focus on building a stronger, better company and generating
privilege to work with Dan for more than 25 years, and we truly
shareholder value for many years to come.
value his strategic vision, guidance and friendship. Danaher
would not be where it is today without his contributions.
We are pleased that Dan will continue to serve as Executive
Vice President to ensure a seamless transition, and we are
confident in our future under Matt’s financial leadership.
Organizational evolution, represented by these examples, is
THOMAS P. JOYCE, JR.
a testament to the effectiveness of our succession planning
President and Chief Executive Officer
processes and strength and depth of our talent bench.
Making a Difference
When we help our customers achieve their missions, we
make a difference in the world. Our breakthrough innovations
advance lifesaving research and help make critical diagnoses
more quickly and accurately. We improve standards of care
for healthcare and dental patients worldwide. We help protect
our global food and water supply from the pressures of climate
change and population growth.
We take great pride in supporting our communities directly,
through gifts of service and philanthropy. In 2017, we helped
realize potential in many meaningful forms. Our associates
gave nearly $200,000 to the Red Cross, a large portion of which
Danaher matched, to assist hurricane and earthquake victims
around the world. We supported the education of 56 students
in Danaher families through the Danaher scholarship, as we
Form 10-K
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
____________________________________
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 1-8089
____________________________________
DANAHER CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
2200 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Suite 800W
Washington, D.C.
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
59-1995548
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
20037-1701
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 202-828-0850
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
Common Stock $.01 par value
€600,000,000 1.000% Senior Notes due 2019
€250,000,000 Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2022
€800,000,000 1.700% Senior Notes due 2022
€800,000,000 2.500% Senior Notes due 2025
€600,000,000 1.200% Senior Notes due 2027
Name of Each Exchange On Which Registered
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
NONE
(Title of Class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes
No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes
No
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to
file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes
No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every
Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12
months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes
No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and
will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by
reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K
.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller
reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,”
“smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period
for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange
Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)
Yes
No
As of February 8, 2018, the number of shares of Registrant’s common stock outstanding was 697,569,470. The aggregate
market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant on June 30, 2017 was $51.7 billion, based upon the
closing price of the Registrant’s common stock as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange on such date.
EXHIBIT INDEX APPEARS ON PAGE 113
____________________________________
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Part III incorporates certain information by reference from the Registrant’s proxy statement for its 2018 annual meeting of
shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after Registrant’s fiscal year-end. With the exception of
the sections of the 2018 Proxy Statement specifically incorporated herein by reference, the 2018 Proxy Statement is not deemed
to be filed as part of this Form 10-K.
INFORMATION RELATING TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements included or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report, in other documents we file with or furnish to
the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), in our press releases, webcasts, conference calls, materials delivered to
shareholders and other communications, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities
laws. All statements other than historical factual information are forward-looking statements, including without limitation
statements regarding: projections of revenue, expenses, profit, profit margins, tax rates, tax provisions, cash flows, pension and
benefit obligations and funding requirements, our liquidity position or other projected financial measures; management’s plans
and strategies for future operations, including statements relating to anticipated operating performance, cost reductions,
restructuring activities, new product and service developments, competitive strengths or market position, acquisitions and the
integration thereof, divestitures, spin-offs, split-offs or other distributions, strategic opportunities, securities offerings, stock
repurchases, dividends and executive compensation; growth, declines and other trends in markets we sell into; new or modified
laws, regulations and accounting pronouncements; regulatory approvals; outstanding claims, legal and regulatory proceedings,
tax audits and assessments and other contingent liabilities; foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations in those rates;
general economic and capital markets conditions; the timing of any of the foregoing; assumptions underlying any of the
foregoing; and any other statements that address events or developments that Danaher intends or believes will or may occur in
the future. Terminology such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “should,” “could,” “intend,” “will,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,”
“project,” “target,” “may,” “possible,” “potential,” “forecast” and “positioned” and similar references to future periods are
intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements are accompanied by such words.
Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience
and perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be
appropriate. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to
the risks and uncertainties set forth under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this Annual Report.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from the results,
developments and business decisions contemplated by our forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not place
undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the report,
document, press release, webcast, call, materials or other communication in which they are made. Except to the extent required
by applicable law, we do not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of
new information, future events and developments or otherwise.
In this Annual Report, the terms “Danaher” or the “Company” refer to Danaher Corporation, Danaher Corporation and its
consolidated subsidiaries or the consolidated subsidiaries of Danaher Corporation, as the context requires. Unless otherwise
indicated, all financial data in this Annual Report refer to continuing operations only.
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General
Danaher Corporation designs, manufactures and markets professional, medical, industrial and commercial products and
services, which are typically characterized by strong brand names, innovative technology and major market positions.
Danaher’s research and development, manufacturing, sales, distribution, service and administrative facilities are located in
more than 60 countries. Danaher’s business consists of four segments: Life Sciences; Diagnostics; Dental; and Environmental
& Applied Solutions. Danaher strives to create shareholder value primarily through three strategic priorities:
•
•
•
enhancing its portfolio in attractive science and technology markets through strategic capital allocation;
strengthening its competitive advantage through consistent application of the DANAHER BUSINESS SYSTEM
(“DBS”) tools; and
consistently attracting and retaining exceptional talent.
Danaher measures its progress against these strategic priorities over the long-term based primarily on financial metrics relating
to revenue growth, profit margin expansion, cash flow and capital returns.
The Company’s businesses use a set of growth, lean and leadership tools and processes, known as the DANAHER BUSINESS
SYSTEM, which are designed to continuously improve business performance in the critical areas of quality, delivery, cost,
growth and innovation. Within the DBS framework, the Company pursues a number of ongoing strategic initiatives relating to
1
customer insight generation, product development and commercialization, global sourcing of materials and services,
manufacturing improvement and sales and marketing impact.
To further these objectives, the Company also acquires businesses that either strategically fit within its existing business
portfolio or expand its portfolio into a new and attractive business area. Given the rapid pace of technological development and
the specialized expertise typical of Danaher’s served markets, acquisitions also provide the Company access to important new
technologies and domain expertise. Danaher believes there are many acquisition opportunities available within its targeted
markets. The extent to which Danaher consummates and effectively integrates appropriate acquisitions will affect its overall
growth and operating results. Danaher also continually assesses the strategic fit of its existing businesses and may dispose of
businesses that are deemed not to fit with its strategic plan or are not achieving the desired return on investment.
Danaher Corporation, originally DMG, Inc., was organized in 1969 as a Massachusetts real estate investment trust. In 1978 it
was reorganized as a Florida corporation under the name Diversified Mortgage Investors, Inc. which in a second reorganization
in 1980 became a subsidiary of a newly created holding company named DMG, Inc. DMG, Inc. adopted the name Danaher in
1984 and was reincorporated as a Delaware corporation in 1986.
Sales in 2017 by geographic destination (geographic destination refers to the geographic area where the final sale to the
Company’s unaffiliated customer is made) were: North America, 40% (including 37% in the United States); Europe, 28%;
Asia/Australia, 24% and all other regions, 8%. For additional information regarding sales by geography, refer to Note 19 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
Reportable Segments
The table below describes the percentage of total annual revenues attributable to each of the four segments over each of the last
three years ended December 31, 2017. For additional information regarding sales, operating profit and identifiable assets by
segment, refer to Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
Life Sciences
Diagnostics
Dental
Environmental & Applied Solutions
LIFE SCIENCES
2017
2016
2015
31%
32%
15%
22%
32%
30%
16%
22%
23%
33%
19%
25%
The Company’s Life Sciences segment offers a broad range of research tools that scientists use to study the basic building
blocks of life, including genes, proteins, metabolites and cells, in order to understand the causes of disease, identify new
therapies and test new drugs and vaccines. The segment, through its Pall Corporation (“Pall”) business, is also a leading
provider of filtration, separation and purification technologies to the biopharmaceutical, food and beverage, medical, aerospace,
microelectronics and general industrial sectors. Sales in 2017 for this segment by geographic destination were: North America,
34%; Europe, 32%; Asia/Australia, 29% and all other regions, 5%.
Danaher established the life sciences business in 2005 through the acquisition of Leica Microsystems and has expanded the
business through numerous subsequent acquisitions, including the acquisitions of AB Sciex and Molecular Devices in 2010,
Beckman Coulter in 2011, Pall in 2015 and Phenomenex in 2016. The Life Sciences segment consists of the following
businesses.
Mass Spectrometry—The mass spectrometry business is a leading global provider of high-end mass spectrometers as well as
related consumable chromatography columns and sample preparation extraction products. Mass spectrometry is a technique
for identifying, analyzing and quantifying elements, chemical compounds and biological molecules, individually or in complex
mixtures. The mass spectrometers utilize various combinations of quadrupole, time-of-flight and ion trap technologies. The
business’ mass spectrometer systems and related products are used in numerous applications such as drug discovery and
clinical development of therapeutics as well as in basic research, clinical testing, food and beverage quality testing and
environmental testing. The business’ global services network provides implementation, validation, training and maintenance to
support customer installations around the world. Typical users of these mass spectrometry and related products include
molecular biologists, bioanalytical chemists, toxicologists, and forensic scientists as well as quality assurance and quality
control technicians. The business also provides high-performance bioanalytical measurement systems, including microplate
readers, automated cellular screening products and associated reagents, and imaging software. Typical users of these products
include biologists and chemists engaged in research and drug discovery, who use these products to determine electrical or
chemical activity in cell samples.
2
Cellular Analysis, Lab Automation and Centrifugation—The business offers workflow instruments and consumables that help
researchers analyze genomic, protein and cellular information. Key product areas include sample preparation equipment such
as centrifugation and capillary electrophoresis instrumentation and consumables; liquid handling automation instruments and
associated consumables; flow cytometry instrumentation and associated antibodies and reagents; and particle characterization
instrumentation. Researchers use these products to study biological function in the pursuit of basic research, as well as
therapeutic and diagnostic development. Typical users include pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, universities,
medical schools and research institutions and in some cases industrial manufacturers.
Filtration—Danaher entered the filtration, separation and purification technologies segment in 2015 through the acquisition of
Pall. Pall is a leading provider of products used to remove solid, liquid and gaseous contaminants from a variety of liquids and
gases, consisting primarily of filtration consumables and to a lesser extent systems that incorporate filtration consumables and
associated hardware. Pall’s core materials and technologies can be applied in many ways to solve complex fluid separation
challenges, and are sold across a wide array of applications in two primary business groups:
• Life Sciences. Pall’s life sciences technologies facilitate the process of drug discovery, development, regulatory
validation and production and are sold to biopharmaceutical, food and beverage and medical customers. In the
biopharmaceutical area, the business sells a broad line of filtration and purification technologies, single use bioreactors
and associated accessories, hardware and engineered systems primarily to pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical
companies for use in the development and commercialization of chemically synthesized and biologically derived
drugs, plasma and vaccines. Biotechnology drugs, plasma and biologically derived vaccines in particular are filtration
and purification intensive and represent a significant area of growth for Pall in the biopharmaceutical area. The
business also serves the filtration needs of the food and beverage markets, helping customers ensure the quality and
safety of their products while lowering operating costs and minimizing waste. In the medical area, hospitals use the
Company’s breathing circuit and intravenous filters and water filters to help control the spread of infections.
•
Industrial. Virtually all of the raw materials, process fluids and waste streams that course through industry are
candidates for multiple stages of filtration, separation and purification. In addition, most of the machines used in
complex production processes require filtration to protect sensitive parts from degradation due to contamination.
Pall’s industrial technologies enhance the quality and efficiency of manufacturing processes and prolong equipment
life in applications such as semiconductor equipment, airplanes, oil refineries, power generation turbines,
petrochemical plants, municipal water plants and mobile mining equipment. Within these end-markets, demand is
driven by end-users and original equipment manufacturers (“OEM”) seeking to improve product performance,
increase production and efficiency, reduce operating costs, extend the life of their equipment, conserve water and meet
environmental regulations.
Microscopy—The microscopy business is a leading global provider of professional microscopes designed to capture,
manipulate and preserve images and enhance the user’s visualization and analysis of microscopic structures. The Company’s
microscopy products include laser scanning (confocal) microscopes, compound microscopes and related equipment, surgical
and other stereo microscopes, and specimen preparation products for electron microscopy. Typical users of these products
include research, medical and surgical professionals operating in research and pathology laboratories, academic settings and
surgical theaters.
Customers served by the Life Sciences segment select products based on a number of factors, including product quality and
reliability, the product’s capacity to enhance productivity, innovation (particularly productivity and sensitivity improvements),
product performance and ergonomics, access to a service and support network and the other factors described under “—
Competition.” The life sciences business generally markets its products under the BECKMAN COULTER, LEICA
MICROSYSTEMS, MOLECULAR DEVICES, PALL, PHENOMENEX and SCIEX brands. Manufacturing facilities are
located in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. The business sells to customers through direct sales personnel and
independent distributors.
DIAGNOSTICS
The Company’s Diagnostics segment offers analytical instruments, reagents, consumables, software and services that hospitals,
physicians’ offices, reference laboratories and other critical care settings use to diagnose disease and make treatment decisions.
Sales in 2017 for this segment by geographic destination were: North America, 39%; Europe, 23%; Asia/Australia, 29% and all
other regions, 9%.
Danaher established the diagnostics business in 2004 through the acquisition of Radiometer and expanded the business through
numerous subsequent acquisitions, including the acquisitions of Vision Systems in 2006, Genetix in 2009, Beckman Coulter in
2011, Iris International and Aperio Technologies in 2012, HemoCue in 2013, Devicor Medical Products in 2014, the clinical
3
microbiology business of Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics in 2015 and Cepheid in 2016. The diagnostics business consists of
the clinical laboratory (or clinical lab), molecular, critical care and anatomical pathology diagnostics businesses.
Clinical Lab Diagnostics—The clinical lab business is a leading manufacturer and marketer of biomedical testing instruments,
systems and related consumables that are used to evaluate and analyze samples made up of body fluids, cells and other
substances. The information generated is used to diagnose disease, monitor and guide treatment and therapy, assist in
managing chronic disease and assess patient status in hospital, outpatient and physicians’ office settings. The business offers
the following products:
•
•
•
chemistry systems use electrochemical detection and chemical reactions with patient samples to detect and quantify
substances of diagnostic interest in blood, urine and other body fluids. Commonly performed tests include glucose,
cholesterol, triglycerides, electrolytes, proteins and enzymes, as well as tests to detect urinary tract infections and
kidney and bladder disease.
immunoassay systems also detect and quantify biochemicals of diagnostic interest (such as proteins and hormones) in
body fluids, particularly in circumstances where more specialized diagnosis is required. Commonly performed
immunoassay tests assess thyroid function, screen and monitor for cancer and cardiac risk and provide important
information in fertility and reproductive testing.
hematology and flow cytometry products are used for cellular analysis. The business’ hematology systems use
principles of physics, optics, electronics and chemistry to separate cells of diagnostic interest and then quantify and
characterize them, allowing clinicians to study formed elements in blood (such as red and white blood cells and
platelets). The business’ flow cytometry products rapidly sort, identify, categorize and characterize multiple types of
cells in suspension, allowing clinicians to determine cell types and characteristics and analyze specific cell populations
based on molecular differences which is critical to HIV and leukemia diagnosis and monitoring.
• microbiology systems are used for the identification of bacteria and antibiotic susceptibility testing (ID/AST) from
human clinical samples, to detect and quantify bacteria related to microbial infections in urine, blood, and other body
fluids, and to detect infections such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia and wound infections. The business’
technology enables direct testing of clinical isolates to ensure reliable detection of resistance to antibiotics.
•
automation systems reduce manual operation and associated cost and errors from the pre-analytical through post-
analytical stages including sample barcoding/information tracking, centrifugation, aliquotting, storage and
conveyance. These systems along with the analyzers described above are controlled through laboratory level software
that enables laboratory managers to monitor samples, results and lab efficiency.
• molecular diagnostics products, which are derived from Danaher’s acquisition of Cepheid in 2016, including
biomedical testing instruments, systems and related consumables that enable DNA-based testing for organisms and
genetic-based diseases in both clinical and non-clinical markets. These products integrate and automate the
complicated and time-intensive steps associated with DNA-based testing (including sample preparation and DNA
amplification and detection) to allow the testing to be performed in both laboratory and non-laboratory environments
with minimal training and infrastructure. These products also include systems which commonly test for health care-
associated infections, respiratory disease, sexual health and virology.
Typical users of the segment’s clinical lab products include hospitals, physician’s offices, veterinary laboratories, reference
laboratories and pharmaceutical clinical trial laboratories.
Critical Care Diagnostics—The critical care diagnostics business is a leading worldwide provider of instruments, software and
related consumables and services that are used in both laboratory and point-of-care environments to rapidly measure critical
parameters, including blood gases, electrolytes, metabolites and cardiac markers, as well as for anemia and high-sensitivity
glucose testing. Typical users of these products include hospital central laboratories, intensive care units, hospital operating
rooms, hospital emergency rooms, physician’s office laboratories and blood banks.
Anatomical Pathology Diagnostics—The anatomical pathology diagnostics business is a leader in the anatomical pathology
industry, offering a comprehensive suite of instrumentation and related consumables used across the entire workflow of a
pathology laboratory. The anatomical pathology diagnostics products include chemical and immuno-staining instruments,
reagents, antibodies and consumables; tissue embedding, processing and slicing (microtomes) instruments and related reagents
and consumables; slide coverslipping and slide/cassette marking instruments; imaging instrumentation including slide scanners,
microscopes, cameras; software solutions to store, share and analyze pathology images digitally and minimally invasive,
vacuum-assisted breast biopsy collection instruments. Typical users of these products include pathologists, lab managers and
researchers.
4
Customers in the diagnostics industry select products based on a number of factors, including product quality and reliability,
the scope of tests that can be performed, the accuracy and speed of the product, the product’s ability to enhance productivity,
ease of use, total cost of ownership and access to a highly qualified service and support network as well as the other factors
described under “—Competition.” The diagnostics business generally markets its products under the APERIO, BECKMAN
COULTER, CEPHEID, HEMOCUE, IRIS, LEICA BIOSYSTEMS, MAMMATOME, RADIOMETER and SURGIPATH
brands. Manufacturing facilities are located in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. The business sells to customers
primarily through direct sales personnel and, to a lesser extent, through independent distributors.
DENTAL
The Company’s Dental segment provides products that are used to diagnose, treat and prevent disease and ailments of the teeth,
gums and supporting bone, as well as to improve the aesthetics of the human smile. The Company is a leading worldwide
provider of a broad range of dental consumables, equipment and services, and is dedicated to driving technological innovations
that help dental professionals improve clinical outcomes and enhance productivity. Sales in 2017 for this segment by
geographic destination were: North America, 49%; Europe, 30%; Asia/Australia, 15% and all other regions, 6%.
Danaher entered the dental business in 2004 through the acquisitions of KaVo and Gendex and has enhanced its geographic
coverage and product and service breadth through subsequent acquisitions, including the acquisition of Sybron Dental
Specialties in 2006, PaloDEx Group Oy in 2009 and Nobel Biocare Holding AG (“Nobel Biocare”) in 2014. Today, the dental
businesses develop, manufacture and market the following dental consumables and dental equipment:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
implant systems, dental prosthetics and associated treatment planning software;
orthodontic bracket systems and lab products;
endodontic systems and related consumables;
restorative materials and instruments including rotary burrs, impression materials, bonding agents and cements;
infection prevention products;
digital imaging systems and software and other visualization and magnification systems;
air and electric powered handpieces and associated consumables; and
treatment units.
Typical customers and users of these products include general dentists, dental specialists, dental hygienists, dental laboratories
and other oral health professionals, as well as educational, medical and governmental entities. Dental professionals choose
dental products based on a number of factors including product performance, innovation, the product’s capacity to enhance
productivity and the other factors described under “—Competition.” The dental products are marketed primarily under the
DEXIS, iCAT, IMPLANT DIRECT, INSTRUMENTARIUM DENTAL, KAVO, KERR, NOBEL BIOCARE, ORMCO,
PELTON & CRANE, PENTRON, SOREDEX, SYBRON ENDO and TOTAL CARE brands. Manufacturing facilities are
located in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Sales are primarily made through independent distributors and, to a
lesser extent, through direct sales personnel.
ENVIRONMENTAL & APPLIED SOLUTIONS
The Company’s Environmental & Applied Solutions segment products and services help protect important resources and keep
global food and water supplies safe. Sales in 2017 for this segment by geographic destination were: North America, 42%;
Europe, 28%; Asia/Australia, 17% and all other regions, 13%. The Company’s Environmental & Applied Solutions segment
consists of the following lines of business.
Water Quality—The Company’s water quality business provides instrumentation, services and disinfection systems to help
analyze, treat and manage the quality of ultra-pure, potable, industrial, waste, ground, source and ocean water in residential,
commercial, municipal, industrial and natural resource applications. Danaher entered the water quality sector in the late 1990’s
through the acquisitions of Dr. Lange and Hach Company, and has enhanced the geographic coverage and capabilities of its
products and services through subsequent acquisitions, including the acquisition of Trojan Technologies Inc. in 2004 and
ChemTreat, Inc. in 2007. The water quality business designs, manufactures and markets:
•
a wide range of analytical instruments, software and related consumables and services that detect and measure
chemical, physical, and microbiological parameters in ultra-pure, potable, industrial, waste, ground, source and ocean
water;
5
•
•
ultraviolet disinfection systems, which disinfect billions of gallons of municipal, industrial and consumer water every
day; and
industrial water treatment solutions, including chemical treatment solutions intended to address corrosion, scaling and
biological growth problems in boiler, cooling water and industrial wastewater applications as well as associated
analytical services.
Typical users of these products and services include professionals in municipal drinking water and wastewater treatment plants
and industrial process water and wastewater treatment facilities, third-party testing laboratories and environmental field
operations. Customers in these industries choose suppliers based on a number of factors including the customer’s existing
supplier relationships, application expertise, product performance and ease of use, the comprehensiveness of the supplier’s
product offering, after-sales service and support and the other factors described under “—Competition.” The water quality
business provides products under a variety of brands, including CHEMTREAT, HACH, MCCROMETER and TROJAN
TECHNOLOGIES. Manufacturing facilities are located in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Sales are made
through the business’ direct sales personnel, e-commerce, independent representatives and independent distributors.
Product Identification—The Company’s product identification business provides equipment, software, services and
consumables for various color and appearance management, packaging design and quality management, printing, marking,
coding and traceability applications for consumer, pharmaceutical and industrial products. Danaher entered the product
identification market through the acquisition of Videojet in 2002, and has expanded the product and geographic coverage
through various subsequent acquisitions, including the acquisitions of Willett International Limited in 2003, Linx Printing
Technologies PLC in 2005, EskoArtwork in 2011, X-Rite in 2012, Laetus in 2015 and Advanced Vision Technology Limited
(“AVT”) in 2017. The product identification businesses innovate, design, manufacture, and market the following products and
services:
•
•
•
•
the business provides innovative color and appearance solutions through standards, software, measurement devices
and related services. The business’ expertise in inspiring, virtualizing, selecting, specifying, formulating and
measuring color and appearance helps users improve the quality and relevance of their products and reduces costs.
the business is a leading global provider of software for online collaboration, three-dimensional virtualization,
workflow automation, quality approvals and prepress processes to manage structural design, artwork creation, color
and product information for branded packaging and marketing materials. Its packaging solutions help consumer goods
manufacturers improve their business processes, shorten time to market, and reduce costs across internal departments
and external suppliers.
the business provides flexographic computer-to-plate imaging equipment, solutions for print process control, press
control, quality assurance, and digital finishing systems for the packaging, labels and commercial print industries. Its
automation, print process and press control solutions help packaging manufacturers reduce lead time and satisfy their
customers’ demands for smaller, more frequent print jobs.
the business provides a variety of equipment and solutions used to give products unique identities by printing date, lot
and bar codes and other information on primary and secondary packaging, applying high-quality alphanumeric codes,
logos and graphics to a wide range of surfaces at a variety of production line speeds, angles and locations on a product
or package. Its vision inspection and track-and-trace solutions also help pharmaceutical and consumer goods
manufacturers safeguard the authenticity of their products through supply chains.
Typical users of these products include manufacturers of consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, paints, plastics and textiles,
retailers, graphic design firms, and packaging printers and converters. Customers in these industries choose suppliers based on
a number of factors, including domain experience, speed and accuracy, ease of connection to the internet and other software
systems, equipment uptime and reliable operation without interruption, ease of maintenance, service coverage and the other
factors described under “—Competition.” The product identification products are primarily marketed under the AVT, ESKO,
LAETUS, LINX, MEDIABEACON, PANTONE, VIDEOJET and X-RITE brands. Manufacturing facilities are located in
North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Sales are generally made through the business’ direct sales personnel,
independent distributors and e-commerce.
************************************
6
The following discussion includes information common to all of Danaher’s segments.
Materials
The Company’s manufacturing operations employ a wide variety of raw materials, including metallic-based components,
electronic components, chemicals, plastics and other petroleum-based products. Prices of oil and gas also affect the Company’s
costs for freight and utilities. The Company purchases raw materials from a large number of independent sources around the
world. No single supplier is material; although for some components that require particular specifications or regulatory or
other qualifications there may be a single supplier or a limited number of suppliers that can readily provide such components.
The Company utilizes a number of techniques to address potential disruption in and other risks relating to its supply chain,
including in certain cases the use of safety stock, alternative materials and qualification of multiple supply sources. During
2017 the Company had no raw material shortages that had a material effect on the business. For a further discussion of risks
related to the materials and components required for the Company’s operations, refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
Intellectual Property
The Company owns numerous patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and licenses to intellectual property owned by
others. Although in aggregate the Company’s intellectual property is important to its operations, the Company does not
consider any single patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret or license (or any related group of any such items) to be of
material importance to any segment or to the business as a whole. From time to time the Company engages in litigation to
protect its intellectual property rights. For a discussion of risks related to the Company’s intellectual property, refer to “Item
1A. Risk Factors.” All capitalized brands and product names throughout this document are trademarks owned by, or licensed
to, Danaher.
Competition
Although the Company’s businesses generally operate in highly competitive markets, the Company’s competitive position
cannot be determined accurately in the aggregate or by segment since none of its competitors offer all of the same product and
service lines or serve all of the same markets as the Company does. Because of the range of the products and services the
Company sells and the variety of markets it serves, the Company encounters a wide variety of competitors, including well-
established regional competitors, competitors who are more specialized than it is in particular markets, as well as larger
companies or divisions of larger companies with substantial sales, marketing, research and financial capabilities. The Company
is facing increased competition in a number of its served markets as a result of the entry of new, large companies into certain
markets, the entry of competitors based in low-cost manufacturing locations, and increasing consolidation in particular markets.
The number of competitors varies by product and service line. Management believes that the Company has a market leadership
position in many of the markets it serves. Key competitive factors vary among the Company’s businesses and product and
service lines, but include the specific factors noted above with respect to each particular business and typically also include
price, quality, delivery speed, service and support, innovation, distribution network, breadth of product, service and software
offerings and brand name recognition. For a discussion of risks related to competition, refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
Seasonal Nature of Business
General economic conditions impact the Company’s business and financial results, and certain of its businesses experience
seasonal and other trends related to the industries and end-markets that they serve. For example, European sales are often
weaker in the summer months and medical and capital equipment sales are often stronger in the fourth quarter. However, as a
whole, the Company is not subject to material seasonality.
Working Capital
The Company maintains an adequate level of working capital to support its business needs. There are no unusual industry
practices or requirements relating to working capital items. In addition, the Company’s sales and payment terms are generally
similar to those of its competitors.
7
Backlog
The Company defines backlog as firm orders from customers for products and services where the order will be fulfilled in the
next 12 months. Backlog as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 was approximately $2.7 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively.
The Company expects that a large majority of the backlog as of December 31, 2017 will be delivered to customers within three
to four months of such date. Given the relatively short delivery periods and rapid inventory turnover that are characteristic of
most of the Company’s products and the shortening of product life cycles, the Company believes that backlog is indicative of
short-term revenue performance but not necessarily a reliable indicator of medium or long-term revenue performance.
Employee Relations
As of December 31, 2017, the Company employed approximately 67,000 persons, of whom approximately 23,000 were
employed in the United States and approximately 44,000 were employed outside of the United States. Of the United States
employees, approximately 400 were hourly-rated, unionized employees. Outside the United States, the Company has
government-mandated collective bargaining arrangements and union contracts in certain countries, particularly in Europe
where many of the Company’s employees are represented by unions and/or works councils. For a discussion of risks related to
employee relations, refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
Research and Development
The following sets forth research and development (“R&D”) expenditures for the years ended December 31, by segment and in
the aggregate ($ in millions):
Life Sciences
Diagnostics
Dental
Environmental & Applied Solutions
Total
2017
2016
2015
$
295.5
$
277.2
$
471.2
172.4
189.7
367.8
142.8
187.3
$
1,128.8
$
975.1
$
201.3
351.3
133.8
175.0
861.4
The Company conducts R&D activities for the purpose of developing new products, enhancing the functionality, effectiveness,
ease of use and reliability of its existing products and expanding the applications for which uses of its products are appropriate.
The Company’s R&D efforts include internal initiatives and those that use licensed or acquired technology. The Company
generally conducts R&D activities on a business-by-business basis, primarily in North America, Europe and Asia, although it
does conduct certain R&D activities on a centralized basis. The Company anticipates that it will continue to make significant
expenditures for R&D as it seeks to provide a continuing flow of innovative products to maintain and improve its competitive
position. For a discussion of the risks related to the need to develop and commercialize new products and product
enhancements, refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” Customer-sponsored R&D was not significant in 2017, 2016 or 2015.
Government Contracts
Although the substantial majority of the Company’s revenue in 2017 was from customers other than governmental entities,
each of Danaher’s segments has agreements relating to the sale of products to government entities. As a result, the Company is
subject to various statutes and regulations that apply to companies doing business with governments. For a discussion of risks
related to government contracting requirements, refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” No material portion of Danaher’s business is
subject to renegotiation of profits or termination of contracts at the election of a government entity.
Regulatory Matters
The Company faces extensive government regulation both within and outside the United States relating to the development,
manufacture, marketing, sale and distribution of its products and services. The following sections describe certain significant
regulations that the Company is subject to. These are not the only regulations that the Company’s businesses must comply
with. For a description of the risks related to the regulations that the Company’s businesses are subject to, refer to “Item 1A.
Risk Factors.”
Environmental Laws and Regulations
For a discussion of the environmental laws and regulations that the Company’s operations, products and services are subject to
and other environmental contingencies, refer to Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual
8
Report. For a discussion of risks related to compliance with environmental and health and safety laws and risks related to past
or future releases of, or exposures to, hazardous substances, refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
Medical Device and Other Health Care Regulations
Certain of the products of the Company’s subsidiaries are classified as medical devices under the United States Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (the “FDCA”). The FDCA requires these products, when sold in the United States, to be safe and effective for
their intended use and to comply with the regulations administered by the United States Food and Drug Administration
(“FDA”). These medical device products are also regulated by comparable agencies in other countries where such products are
sold.
The FDA’s regulatory requirements include:
•
Establishment Registration. The Company’s applicable subsidiaries must register with the FDA each facility where
regulated products are developed or manufactured. The FDA periodically inspects these facilities.
• Marketing Authorization. The Company’s applicable subsidiaries must obtain FDA clearance or approval to begin
marketing a regulated, non-510(k)-exempted product in the United States. For some products, this clearance is
obtained by submitting a 510(k) pre-market notification, which generally provides data on the design and performance
of the product to allow the FDA to determine substantial equivalence to a product already in commercial distribution
in the United States. Other products must go through a formal pre-market approval process which includes the review
of non-clinical laboratory studies, clinical investigations, and information on the design and manufacture of the device
as well as the successful completion of a pre-market approval inspection by the FDA.
•
•
•
•
Quality Systems. The Company’s applicable subsidiaries are required to establish a quality management system that
includes clearly defined processes and procedures for ensuring regulated products are developed, manufactured and
distributed in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements and international standards. These subsidiaries also
must establish processes and procedures for investigating and responding to customer complaints regarding the
performance of regulated products.
Labeling. The labeling for regulated products must contain specified information and in some cases, the FDA must
review and approve the labeling and any quality assurance protocols specified in the labeling. The FDA and other
federal, state and non-U.S. regulatory bodies (including the Federal Trade Commission, the Office of the Inspector
General of the Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Justice, and various state Attorneys
General) also monitor the manner in which the Company’s subsidiaries promote and advertise their products.
Although physicians may use their medical judgment to employ medical devices for indications other than those
cleared or approved by the FDA, the FDA prohibits manufacturers from promoting products for such “off-label” uses.
Imports and Exports. The FDCA establishes requirements for importing products into and exporting products from the
United States. In general, any limitations on importing and exporting products apply only to products that have not
received U.S. marketing clearance or approval.
Postmarket Reporting. After regulated products have been distributed to customers, the Company’s applicable
subsidiaries may receive product complaints requiring them to investigate and report to the FDA certain events
involving the products. These subsidiaries also must notify the FDA when they conduct recalls (known as field
actions) involving their products.
In the European Union (“EU”), a single regulatory approval process exists, and conformity with the applicable legal
requirements is represented by the CE mark. To obtain a CE mark, medical devices must meet minimum standards of
performance, safety, and quality (known as the Essential Requirements), and then, according to their classification, comply
with one or more of a selection of conformity assessment routes. An organization accredited by an EU Member State to certify
whether a product meets the Essential Requirements, also known as a Notified Body, assesses the quality management systems
of the device’s manufacturer and the device’s conformity to the essential and other requirements within the EU Medical Device
or In Vitro Diagnostic (“IVD”) Directives. These EU Directives are being replaced by new sets of pan-EU regulations, which
will reclassify medical device and IVD products and require more of those products to go through a formal Notified Body
review of the product’s technical files in order to obtain CE marking in the future. Our medical device companies are also
subject to quality system audits by Notified Bodies for compliance and certification to the EU standards. The national
regulatory agencies of the EU countries (otherwise known as Competent Authorities), generally in the form of their ministries
or departments of health, also oversee clinical research for medical devices, can conduct their own compliance audits and are
responsible for postmarket surveillance of products once they are placed on the EU market. The Company’s applicable
9
subsidiaries are required to report device failures and injuries potentially related to product use to these authorities in a timely
manner.
A number of other countries, including but not limited to Australia, Brazil, Canada, China and Japan, have also adopted or are
in the process of adopting regulations and standards for medical devices sold in those countries.
In addition to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act and similar anti-bribery laws, the Company is also
subject to various health care related laws regulating fraud and abuse, pricing and sales and marketing practices and the privacy
and security of health information, including the United States federal regulations described below. Many states, foreign
countries and supranational bodies have also adopted laws and regulations similar to, and in some cases more stringent than,
the United States federal regulations discussed above and below.
• The Federal Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits persons from knowingly and willfully soliciting, offering, receiving or
providing remuneration, directly or indirectly, in exchange for or to induce either the referral of an individual, or the
furnishing or arranging for a good or service, for which payment may be made under a federal health care program,
such as Medicare or Medicaid.
• The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) prohibits knowingly and willfully
(1) executing a scheme to defraud any health care benefit program, including private payors, or (2) falsifying,
concealing or covering up a material fact or making any materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statement in
connection with the delivery of or payment for health care benefits, items or services. In addition, HIPAA, as
amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009, also restricts the use
and disclosure of patient-identifiable health information, mandates the adoption of standards relating to the privacy
and security of patient-identifiable health information and requires the reporting of certain security breaches with
respect to such information.
• The Stark Law prohibits health care service providers from seeking reimbursement for providing certain services to a
patient who was referred by a physician who has certain types of direct or indirect financial relationships with the
service provider.
• The False Claims Act imposes liability on any person or entity that, among other things, knowingly presents, or causes
to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment by a federal health care program. The qui tam provisions of
the False Claims Act allow a private individual to bring actions on behalf of the federal government alleging that the
defendant has submitted a false claim to the federal government, and to share in any monetary recovery.
• The Physician Payments Sunshine Act requires manufacturers of medical devices covered under Medicare and
Medicaid to record transfers of value to physicians and teaching hospitals and to report this data to the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services for subsequent public disclosure. Similar reporting requirements have also been
enacted on the state level, and an increasing number of countries worldwide either have adopted or are considering
similar laws requiring transparency of interactions with health care professionals.
In addition:
•
•
certain products of the Company’s subsidiaries utilize radioactive material, and the Company is subject to federal,
state, local and non-U.S. regulations governing the management, storage, handling and disposal of these materials; and
some of the in vitro diagnostic drugs-of-abuse assays and reagents of the Company’s subsidiaries contain small
amounts of controlled substances, and as a result some of the Company’s facilities are inspected periodically by the
United States Drug Enforcement Administration to ensure that the Company properly handles, stores, and disposes of
controlled substances in the manufacture of those products.
For a discussion of risks related to regulation by the FDA and comparable agencies of other countries, and the other regulatory
regimes referenced above, refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
Export/Import Compliance
The Company is required to comply with various U.S. export/import control and economic sanctions laws, including:
•
the International Traffic in Arms Regulations administered by the U.S. Department of State, Directorate of Defense
Trade Controls, which, among other things, imposes license requirements on the export from the United States of
defense articles and defense services listed on the U.S. Munitions List;
10
•
•
the Export Administration Regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and
Security, which, among other things, impose licensing requirements on the export, in-country transfer and re-export of
certain dual-use goods, technology and software (which are items that have both commercial and military, or
proliferation applications);
the regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control, which implement
economic sanctions imposed against designated countries, governments and persons based on United States foreign
policy and national security considerations; and
•
the import regulatory activities of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other U.S. government agencies.
Other nations’ governments have implemented similar export/import control and economic sanction regulations, which may
affect the Company’s operations or transactions subject to their jurisdictions. For a discussion of risks related to export/import
control and economic sanctions laws, refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
International Operations
The Company’s products and services are available worldwide, and its principal markets outside the United States are in
Europe and Asia. The Company also has operations around the world, and this geographic diversity allows the Company to
draw on the skills of a worldwide workforce, provides greater stability to its operations, allows the Company to drive
economies of scale, provides revenue streams that may help offset economic trends that are specific to individual economies
and offers the Company an opportunity to access new markets for products. In addition, the Company believes that future
growth depends in part on its ability to continue developing products and sales models that successfully target emerging
markets (also referred to in this Annual Report as “high-growth markets”). The Company defines high-growth markets as
developing markets of the world generally experiencing rapid growth in gross domestic product and infrastructure which
includes Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia (with the exception of Japan and Australia).
The table below describes annual revenue derived from customers outside the United States as a percentage of total annual
revenue for the years ended December 31, by segment and in the aggregate, based on geographic destination:
Life Sciences
Diagnostics
Dental
Environmental & Applied Solutions
Total
2017
2016
2015
67%
63%
55%
61%
63%
68%
63%
54%
61%
62%
The table below describes property, plant and equipment, net, located outside the United States as of December 31, as a
percentage of total property, plant and equipment, net, by segment and in the aggregate:
Life Sciences
Diagnostics
Dental
Environmental & Applied Solutions
Total
2017
2016
2015
61%
56%
48%
35%
54%
48%
51%
51%
39%
49%
64%
63%
54%
60%
61%
41%
54%
57%
39%
48%
For additional information related to revenues and long-lived assets by country, refer to Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements included in this Annual Report and for information regarding deferred taxes by geography, refer to Note 12 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
The manner in which the Company’s products and services are sold outside the United States differs by business and by region.
Most of the Company’s sales in non-U.S. markets are made by its subsidiaries located outside the United States, though the
Company also sells directly from the United States into non-U.S. markets through various representatives and distributors and,
in some cases, directly. In countries with low sales volumes, the Company generally sells through representatives and
distributors.
11
Financial information about the Company’s international operations is contained in Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements included in this Annual Report and information about the effects of foreign currency fluctuations on its business is
set forth in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” For a
discussion of risks related to the Company’s non-U.S. operations and foreign currency exchange, refer to “Item 1A. Risk
Factors.”
Major Customers
No customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated sales in 2017, 2016 or 2015.
Available Information
The Company maintains an internet website at www.danaher.com. The Company makes available free of charge on the website
its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those
reports, filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after filing
such material with, or furnishing such material to, the SEC. Danaher’s internet site and the information contained on or
connected to that site are not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, together with the information included elsewhere in
this Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents we file with the SEC. The risks and uncertainties described below are
those that we have identified as material, but are not the only risks and uncertainties facing us. Our business is also subject to
general risks and uncertainties that affect many other companies, such as market conditions, economic conditions, geopolitical
events, changes in laws, regulations or accounting rules, fluctuations in interest rates, terrorism, wars or conflicts, major
health concerns, natural disasters or other disruptions of expected business conditions. Additional risks and uncertainties not
currently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial also may impair our business, including our results of
operations, liquidity and financial condition.
Conditions in the global economy, the markets we serve and the financial markets may adversely affect our business and
financial statements.
Our business is sensitive to general economic conditions. Slower global economic growth, actual or anticipated default on
sovereign debt, volatility in the currency and credit markets, high levels of unemployment or underemployment, reduced levels
of capital expenditures, changes or anticipation of potential changes in government fiscal, tax, trade and monetary policies,
changes in capital requirements for financial institutions, government deficit reduction and budget negotiation dynamics,
sequestration, austerity measures and other challenges that affect the global economy adversely affect the Company and its
distributors, customers and suppliers, including having the effect of:
•
•
•
•
•
•
reducing demand for our products and services (in this Annual Report, references to products and services also
includes software), limiting the financing available to our customers and suppliers, increasing order cancellations and
resulting in longer sales cycles and slower adoption of new technologies;
increasing the difficulty in collecting accounts receivable and the risk of excess and obsolete inventories;
increasing price competition in our served markets;
supply interruptions, which could disrupt our ability to produce our products;
increasing the risk of impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets, and the risk that we may not be able to fully
recover the value of other assets such as real estate and tax assets; and
increasing the risk that counterparties to our contractual arrangements will become insolvent or otherwise unable to
fulfill their contractual obligations which, in addition to increasing the risks identified above, could result in
preference actions against us.
Although we have been able to access the commercial paper and other capital markets through the date of this report, there can
be no assurances that such markets will remain available to us or that the lenders participating in our revolving credit facility
will be able to provide financing in accordance with their contractual obligations.
12
If growth in the global economy or in any of the markets we serve slows for a significant period, if there is significant
deterioration in the global economy or such markets or if improvements in the global economy do not benefit the markets we
serve, our business and financial statements could be adversely affected.
Our growth could suffer if the markets into which we sell our products and services decline, do not grow as anticipated or
experience cyclicality.
Our growth depends in part on the growth of the markets which we serve, and visibility into our markets is limited (particularly
for markets into which we sell through distribution). Our quarterly sales and profits depend substantially on the volume and
timing of orders received during the fiscal quarter, which are difficult to forecast. Any decline or lower than expected growth
in our served markets could diminish demand for our products and services, which would adversely affect our financial
statements. Certain of our businesses operate in industries that may experience periodic, cyclical downturns. In addition, in
certain of our businesses demand depends on customers’ capital spending budgets as well as government funding policies, and
matters of public policy and government budget dynamics as well as product and economic cycles can affect the spending
decisions of these entities. Demand for our products and services is also sensitive to changes in customer order patterns, which
may be affected by announced price changes, changes in incentive programs, new product introductions and customer
inventory levels. Any of these factors could adversely affect our growth and results of operations in any given period.
We face intense competition and if we are unable to compete effectively, we may experience decreased demand and
decreased market share. Even if we compete effectively, we may be required to reduce prices for our products and services.
Our businesses operate in industries that are intensely competitive and have been subject to increasing consolidation. Because
of the range of the products and services we sell and the variety of markets we serve, we encounter a wide variety of
competitors; refer to “Item 1. Business—Competition” for additional details. In order to compete effectively, we must retain
longstanding relationships with major customers and continue to grow our business by establishing relationships with new
customers, continually developing new products and services to maintain and expand our brand recognition and leadership
position in various product and service categories and penetrating new markets, including high-growth markets. In addition,
significant shifts in industry market share can occur in connection with product problems, safety alerts and publications about
products, reflecting the competitive significance of product quality, product efficacy and quality systems in our industry. Our
failure to compete effectively and/or pricing pressures resulting from competition may adversely impact our financial
statements, and our expansion into new markets may result in greater-than-expected risks, liabilities and expenses.
Our growth depends in part on the timely development and commercialization, and customer acceptance, of new and
enhanced products and services based on technological innovation.
We generally sell our products and services in industries that are characterized by rapid technological changes, frequent new
product introductions and changing industry standards. If we do not develop innovative new and enhanced products and
services on a timely basis, our offerings will become obsolete over time and our competitive position and financial statements
will suffer. Our success will depend on several factors, including our ability to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
correctly identify customer needs and preferences and predict future needs and preferences;
allocate our R&D funding to products and services with higher growth prospects;
anticipate and respond to our competitors’ development of new products and services and technological innovations;
differentiate our offerings from our competitors’ offerings and avoid commoditization;
innovate and develop new technologies and applications, and acquire or obtain rights to third-party technologies that
may have valuable applications in our served markets;
obtain adequate intellectual property rights with respect to key technologies before our competitors do;
successfully commercialize new technologies in a timely manner, price them competitively and cost-effectively
manufacture and deliver sufficient volumes of new products of appropriate quality on time;
obtain necessary regulatory approvals of appropriate scope (including with respect to medical device products by
demonstrating satisfactory clinical results where applicable, as well as achieving third-party reimbursement); and
stimulate customer demand for and convince customers to adopt new technologies.
If we fail to accurately predict future customer needs and preferences or fail to produce viable technologies, we may invest
heavily in R&D of products and services that do not lead to significant revenue, which would adversely affect our profitability.
13
Even if we successfully innovate and develop new and enhanced products and services, we may incur substantial costs in doing
so, and our profitability may suffer. In addition, promising new offerings may fail to reach the market or realize only limited
commercial success because of real or perceived efficacy or safety concerns, failure to achieve positive clinical outcomes,
uncertainty over third-party reimbursement or entrenched patterns of clinical practice. Competitors may also develop after-
market services and parts for our products which attract customers and adversely affect our return on investment for new
products.
Our reputation, ability to do business and financial statements may be impaired by improper conduct by any of our
employees, agents or business partners.
We cannot provide assurance that our internal controls and compliance systems will always protect us from acts committed by
employees, agents or business partners of ours (or of businesses we acquire or partner with) that would violate U.S. and/or non-
U.S. laws, including the laws governing payments to government officials, bribery, fraud, kickbacks and false claims, pricing,
sales and marketing practices, conflicts of interest, competition, export and import compliance, money laundering and data
privacy. In particular, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act and similar anti-bribery laws in other
jurisdictions generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to government officials for
the purpose of obtaining or retaining business, and we operate in many parts of the world that have experienced governmental
corruption to some degree. Any such improper actions or allegations of such acts could damage our reputation and subject us
to civil or criminal investigations in the United States and in other jurisdictions and related shareholder lawsuits, could lead to
substantial civil and criminal, monetary and nonmonetary penalties and could cause us to incur significant legal and
investigatory fees. In addition, the government may seek to hold us liable as a successor for violations committed by
companies in which we invest or that we acquire. We also rely on our suppliers to adhere to our supplier standards of conduct,
and material violations of such standards of conduct could occur that could have a material effect on our business, reputation
and financial statements.
Certain of our businesses are subject to extensive regulation by the U.S. FDA and by comparable agencies of other
countries, as well as laws regulating fraud and abuse in the health care industry and the privacy and security of health
information. Failure to comply with those regulations could adversely affect our reputation, ability to do business and
financial statements.
Certain of our products are medical devices and other products that are subject to regulation by the U.S. FDA, by other federal
and state governmental agencies, by comparable agencies of other countries and regions and by regulations governing
hazardous materials and drugs-of abuse (or the manufacture and sale of products containing any such materials). We cannot
guarantee that we will be able to obtain regulatory clearance (such as 510(k) clearance) or approvals for our new products or
modifications to (or additional indications or uses of) existing products within our anticipated timeframe or at all, and if we do
obtain such clearance or approval it may be time-consuming, costly and subject to restrictions. Our ability to obtain such
regulatory clearances or approvals will depend on many factors, for example our ability to obtain the necessary clinical trial
results, and the process for obtaining such clearances or approvals could change over time and may require the withdrawal of
products from the market until such clearances are obtained. Even after initial regulatory clearance or approval, if safety issues
arise we may be required to amend conditions for use of a product, such as providing additional warnings on the product’s label
or narrowing its approved intended use, which could reduce the product’s market acceptance. Failure to obtain required
regulatory clearances or approvals before marketing our products (or before implementing modifications to or promoting
additional indications or uses of our products), other violations of these regulations, real or perceived efficacy or safety
concerns or trends of adverse events with respect to our products (even after obtaining clearance for distribution) and
unfavorable or inconsistent clinical data from existing or future clinical trials can lead to FDA Form 483 Inspectional
Observations, warning letters, notices to customers, declining sales, loss of customers, loss of market share, recalls, seizures of
adulterated or misbranded products, injunctions, administrative detentions, refusals to permit importations, partial or total
shutdown of production facilities or the implementation of operating restrictions, narrowing of permitted uses for a product,
suspension or withdrawal of approvals and pre-market notification rescissions. We are also subject to various laws regulating
fraud and abuse, pricing and sales and marketing practices in the health care industry and the privacy and security of health
information, including the federal regulations described in “Item 1. Business—Regulatory Matters.”
Failure to comply with applicable regulations could result in the adverse effects referenced below under “Our businesses are
subject to extensive regulation; failure to comply with those regulations could adversely affect our financial statements and our
business, including our reputation.” Compliance with regulations may also require us to incur significant expenses.
14
The health care industry and related industries that we serve have undergone, and are in the process of undergoing,
significant changes in an effort to reduce costs, which could adversely affect our financial statements.
The health care industry and related industries that we serve have undergone, and are in the process of undergoing, significant
changes in an effort to reduce costs, including the following:
• many of our customers, and the end-users to whom our customers supply products, rely on government funding of and
reimbursement for health care products and services and research activities. The U.S. Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act (collectively, the
“PPACA”), health care austerity measures in other countries and other potential health care reform changes and
government austerity measures may reduce the amount of government funding or reimbursement available to
customers or end-users of our products and services and/or the volume of medical procedures using our products and
services. For example, the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014, or PAMA, introduced a multi-year pricing
program for services payable under the Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (“CLFS”) that is designed to bring Medicare
allowable amounts in line with the amounts paid by private payers. It is unclear whether and to what extent these new
rates will affect overall pricing and reimbursement for clinical laboratory testing services, but if our customers
conclude that Medicare reimbursement for these services is inadequate, it could in turn adversely impact the prices at
which we sell our products. Other countries also control the price of health care products, directly or indirectly,
through reimbursement, payment, pricing or coverage limitations or through compulsory licensing. Global economic
uncertainty or deterioration can also adversely impact government funding and reimbursement.
•
•
the PPACA imposes on medical device manufacturers, such as Danaher, a 2.3% excise tax on U.S. sales of certain
medical devices. The excise tax has been suspended until the end of 2019, but the Company would be subject to the
tax beginning in 2020.
governmental and private health care providers and payors around the world are increasingly utilizing managed care
for the delivery of health care services, forming group purchasing organizations and integrated health delivery
networks and pursuing consolidation to improve their purchasing leverage and using competitive bid processes to
procure health care products and services.
These changes as well as other impacts from market demand, government regulations, third-party coverage and reimbursement
policies and societal pressures have increased our tax liabilities and may cause participants in the health care industry and
related industries that we serve to purchase fewer of our products and services, reduce the prices they are willing to pay for our
products or services, reduce the amounts of reimbursement and funding available for our products and services from
governmental agencies or third-party payors, reduce the volume of medical procedures that use our products and services,
affect the acceptance rate of new technologies and products and increase our compliance and other costs. In addition, we may
be unable to enter into contracts with group purchasing organizations and integrated health networks on terms acceptable to us,
and even if we do enter into such contracts they may be on terms that negatively affect our current or future profitability. All of
the factors described above could adversely affect our business and financial statements.
Any inability to consummate acquisitions at our historical rate and at appropriate prices could negatively impact our growth
rate and stock price.
Our ability to grow revenues, earnings and cash flow at or above our historic rates depends in part upon our ability to identify
and successfully acquire and integrate businesses at appropriate prices and realize anticipated synergies. We may not be able to
consummate acquisitions at rates similar to the past, which could adversely impact our growth rate and our stock price.
Promising acquisitions are difficult to identify and complete for a number of reasons, including high valuations, competition
among prospective buyers, the availability of affordable funding in the capital markets and the need to satisfy applicable
closing conditions and obtain antitrust and other regulatory approvals on acceptable terms. In addition, competition for
acquisitions may result in higher purchase prices. Changes in accounting or regulatory requirements or instability in the credit
markets could also adversely impact our ability to consummate acquisitions.
15
Our acquisition of businesses, investments, joint ventures and strategic relationships could negatively impact our financial
statements.
As part of our business strategy we acquire businesses, make investments and enter into joint ventures and other strategic
relationships in the ordinary course, and we also from time to time complete more significant transactions; refer to
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (“MD&A”) for additional details.
Acquisitions, investments, joint ventures and strategic relationships involve a number of financial, accounting, managerial,
operational, legal, compliance and other risks and challenges, including the following, any of which could adversely affect our
business and our financial statements:
•
any business, technology, service or product that we acquire or invest in could under-perform relative to our
expectations and the price that we paid or not perform in accordance with our anticipated timetable, or we could fail to
make any such business profitable.
• we may incur or assume significant debt in connection with our acquisitions, investments, joint ventures or strategic
relationships, which could also cause a deterioration of Danaher’s credit ratings, result in increased borrowing costs
and interest expense and diminish our future access to the capital markets.
•
•
•
acquisitions, investments, joint ventures or strategic relationships could cause our financial results to differ from our
own or the investment community’s expectations in any given period, or over the long-term.
pre-closing and post-closing earnings charges could adversely impact operating results in any given period, and the
impact may be substantially different from period-to-period.
acquisitions, investments, joint ventures or strategic relationships could create demands on our management,
operational resources and financial and internal control systems that we are unable to effectively address.
• we could experience difficulty in integrating personnel, operations and financial and other controls and systems and
retaining key employees and customers.
• we may be unable to achieve cost savings or other synergies anticipated in connection with an acquisition, investment,
joint venture or strategic relationship.
• we may assume unknown liabilities, known contingent liabilities that become realized, known liabilities that prove
greater than anticipated, internal control deficiencies or exposure to regulatory sanctions resulting from the acquired
company’s or investee’s activities and the realization of any of these liabilities or deficiencies may increase our
expenses, adversely affect our financial position or cause us to fail to meet our public financial reporting obligations.
•
•
in connection with acquisitions and joint ventures, we often enter into post-closing financial arrangements such as
purchase price adjustments, earn-out obligations and indemnification obligations, which may have unpredictable
financial results.
as a result of our acquisitions and investments, we have recorded significant goodwill and other assets on our balance
sheet and if we are not able to realize the value of these assets, we may be required to incur impairment charges.
• we may have interests that diverge from those of our joint venture partners or other strategic partners and we may not
be able to direct the management and operations of the joint venture or other strategic relationship in the manner we
believe is most appropriate, exposing us to additional risk.
•
investing in or making loans to early-stage companies often entails a high degree of risk, and we may not achieve the
strategic, technological, financial or commercial benefits we anticipate; we may lose our investment or fail to recoup
our loan; or our investment may be illiquid for a greater-than-expected period of time.
The indemnification provisions of acquisition agreements by which we have acquired companies may not fully protect us
and as a result we may face unexpected liabilities.
Certain of the acquisition agreements by which we have acquired companies require the former owners to indemnify us against
certain liabilities related to the operation of the company before we acquired it. In most of these agreements, however, the
liability of the former owners is limited and certain former owners may be unable to meet their indemnification responsibilities.
We cannot assure you that these indemnification provisions will protect us fully or at all, and as a result we may face
unexpected liabilities that adversely affect our financial statements.
16
Divestitures or other dispositions could negatively impact our business, and contingent liabilities from businesses that we
have sold could adversely affect our financial statements.
We continually assess the strategic fit of our existing businesses and may divest, spin-off, split-off or otherwise dispose of
businesses that are deemed not to fit with our strategic plan or are not achieving the desired return on investment. For example,
we split-off our communications business in 2015 and spun-off our Fortive business in 2016. Transactions such as these pose
risks and challenges that could negatively impact our business and financial statements. For example, when we decide to sell
or otherwise dispose of a business or assets, we may be unable to do so on satisfactory terms within our anticipated timeframe
or at all, and even after reaching a definitive agreement to sell or dispose a business the sale is typically subject to satisfaction
of pre-closing conditions which may not become satisfied. In addition, divestitures or other dispositions may dilute the
Company’s earnings per share, have other adverse financial and accounting impacts and distract management, and disputes
may arise with buyers. In addition, we have retained responsibility for and/or have agreed to indemnify buyers against some
known and unknown contingent liabilities related to a number of businesses we have sold or disposed. The resolution of these
contingencies has not had a material effect on our financial statements but we cannot be certain that this favorable pattern will
continue.
We could incur significant liability if the 2016 spin-off of Fortive Corporation (“Fortive”) or the 2015 split-off of our
communications business is determined to be a taxable transaction.
In July 2015, the Company consummated the split-off of the majority of its former communications business to Danaher
shareholders who elected to exchange Danaher shares for ownership interests in the communications business, and the
subsequent merger of the communications business with a subsidiary of NetScout. Danaher shareholders who participated in
the exchange offer tendered 26 million shares of Danaher common stock (approximately $2.3 billion on the date of tender) and
received 62.5 million shares of NetScout common stock which represented approximately 60% of the shares of NetScout
common stock outstanding following the combination.
On July 2, 2016, Danaher completed the separation (the “Separation”) of its former Test & Measurement segment, Industrial
Technologies segment (excluding the product identification businesses) and retail/commercial petroleum business by
distributing to Danaher stockholders on a pro rata basis all of the issued and outstanding common stock of Fortive, the entity
Danaher incorporated to hold such businesses. To effect the Separation, Danaher distributed to its stockholders one share of
Fortive common stock for every two shares of Danaher common stock outstanding as of June 15, 2016, the record date for the
distribution.
We have received opinions from outside tax counsel to the effect that each of the Fortive Separation in 2016 and the split-off of
our communications business in 2015 qualifies as a transaction that is described in Sections 355(a) and 368(a)(1)(D) of the
Internal Revenue Code. These opinions rely on certain facts, assumptions, representations and undertakings regarding the past
and future conduct of the companies’ respective businesses and other matters. If any of these facts, assumptions,
representations or undertakings are incorrect or not satisfied, our stockholders and we may not be able to rely on the respective
opinion of tax counsel and could be subject to significant tax liabilities. Notwithstanding the opinion of tax counsel we have
received, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) could determine on audit that either or both separations are taxable if it
determines that any of these facts, assumptions, representations or undertakings are not correct or have been violated or if it
disagrees with the conclusions in the respective opinion. If either transaction is determined to be taxable for U.S. federal
income tax purposes, our stockholders that are subject to U.S. federal income tax and we could incur significant U.S. federal
income tax liabilities.
Potential indemnification liabilities pursuant to the 2016 spin-off of Fortive and the 2015 split-off of our communications
business could materially and adversely affect our business and financial statements.
We entered into a separation and distribution agreement and related agreements with Fortive to govern the Separation and the
relationship between the two companies going forward. We entered into similar agreements with NetScout Systems, Inc. in
connection with the split-off of our communications business. These agreements provide for specific indemnity and liability
obligations of each party and could lead to disputes between us. If we are required to indemnify the other parties under the
circumstances set forth in these agreements, we may be subject to substantial liabilities. In addition, with respect to the
liabilities for which the other parties have agreed to indemnify us under these agreements, there can be no assurance that the
indemnity rights we have against such other parties will be sufficient to protect us against the full amount of the liabilities, or
that such other parties will be able to fully satisfy its indemnification obligations. It is also possible that a court could disregard
the allocation of assets and liabilities agreed to between Danaher and such other parties and require Danaher to assume
responsibility for obligations allocated to such other parties. Each of these risks could negatively affect our business and
financial statements.
17
A significant disruption in, or breach in security of, our information technology systems or violation of data privacy laws
could adversely affect our business, reputation and financial statements.
We rely on information technology systems, some of which are managed by third-parties, to process, transmit and store
electronic information (including sensitive data such as confidential business information and personally identifiable data
relating to employees, customers, other business partners and patients), and to manage or support a variety of critical business
processes and activities (such as receiving and fulfilling orders, billing, collecting and making payments, shipping products,
providing services and support to customers and fulfilling contractual obligations). In addition, some of our remote monitoring
products and services incorporate software and information technology that may house personal data and some products or
software we sell to customers may connect to our systems for maintenance or other purposes. These systems, products and
services may be damaged, disrupted or shut down due to attacks by computer hackers, computer viruses, ransomware, human
error or malfeasance, power outages, hardware failures, telecommunication or utility failures, catastrophes or other unforeseen
events, and in any such circumstances our system redundancy and other disaster recovery planning may be ineffective or
inadequate. Attacks may also target hardware, software and information installed, stored or transmitted in our products after
such products have been purchased and incorporated into third-party products, facilities or infrastructure. Security breaches of
systems provided or enabled by us, regardless of whether the breach is attributable to a vulnerability in our products or
services, could result in the misappropriation, destruction or unauthorized disclosure of confidential information or personal
data belonging to us or to our employees, partners, customers or suppliers. Like most multinational corporations, our
information technology systems have been subject to computer viruses, malicious codes, unauthorized access and other cyber-
attacks and we expect the sophistication and frequency of such attacks to continue to increase. Unauthorized tampering,
adulteration or interference with our products may also adversely affect product functionality and result in loss of data, risk to
patient safety and product recalls or field actions. Any of the attacks, breaches or other disruptions or damage described above
could interrupt our operations or the operations of our customers and partners, delay production and shipments, result in theft of
our and our customers’ intellectual property and trade secrets, damage customer and business partner relationships and our
reputation or result in defective products or services, legal claims and proceedings, liability and penalties under privacy laws
and increased costs for security and remediation, each of which could adversely affect our business, reputation and financial
statements.
If we are unable to maintain reliable information technology systems and appropriate controls with respect to global data
privacy and security requirements and prevent data breaches, we may suffer regulatory consequences in addition to business
consequences. As a global organization, we are subject to data privacy and security laws, regulations, and customer-imposed
controls in numerous jurisdictions as a result of having access to and processing confidential, personal and/or sensitive data in
the course of our business. For example, in the United States, HIPAA privacy and security rules require certain of our
operations to maintain controls to protect the availability and confidentiality of patient health information, individual states
regulate data breach and security requirements and multiple governmental bodies assert authority over aspects of the protection
of personal privacy. European laws require us to have an approved legal mechanism to transfer personal data out of Europe,
and the new EU General Data Protection Regulation, which takes effect in May 2018, will impose significantly stricter
requirements in how we collect and process personal data. Several countries, such as China and Russia, have passed laws that
require personal data relating to their citizens to be maintained on local servers and impose additional data transfer restrictions.
Government enforcement actions can be costly and interrupt the regular operation of our business, and data breaches or
violations of data privacy laws can result in fines, reputational damage and civil lawsuits, any of which may adversely affect
our business, reputation and financial statements.
Our operations, products and services expose us to the risk of environmental, health and safety liabilities, costs and
violations that could adversely affect our business, reputation and financial statements.
Our operations, products and services are subject to environmental laws and regulations, which impose limitations on the
discharge of pollutants into the environment, establish standards for the use, generation, treatment, storage and disposal of
hazardous and nonhazardous wastes and impose end-of-life disposal and take-back programs. We must also comply with
various health and safety regulations in the United States and abroad in connection with our operations. We cannot assure you
that our environmental, health and safety compliance program (or the compliance programs of businesses we acquire) have
been or will at all times be effective. Failure to comply with any of these laws could result in civil and criminal, monetary and
nonmonetary penalties and damage to our reputation. In addition, we cannot provide assurance that our costs of complying
with current or future environmental protection and health and safety laws will not exceed our estimates or adversely affect our
financial statements.
In addition, we may incur costs related to remedial efforts or alleged environmental damage associated with past or current
waste disposal practices or other hazardous materials handling practices. We are also from time to time party to personal
injury, property damage or other claims brought by private parties alleging injury or damage due to the presence of or exposure
to hazardous substances. We may also become subject to additional remedial, compliance or personal injury costs due to future
18
events such as changes in existing laws or regulations, changes in agency direction or enforcement policies, developments in
remediation technologies, changes in the conduct of our operations and changes in accounting rules. For additional information
regarding these risks, refer to Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report. We cannot
assure you that our liabilities arising from past or future releases of, or exposures to, hazardous substances will not exceed our
estimates or adversely affect our reputation and financial statements or that we will not be subject to additional claims for
personal injury or remediation in the future based on our past, present or future business activities. However, based on the
information we currently have we do not believe that it is reasonably possible that any amounts we may be required to pay in
connection with environmental matters in excess of our reserves as of December 31, 2017 will have a material effect on our
financial statements.
Our businesses are subject to extensive regulation; failure to comply with those regulations could adversely affect our
financial statements and our business, including our reputation.
In addition to the environmental, health, safety, health care, medical device, anticorruption, data privacy and other regulations
noted elsewhere in this Annual Report, our businesses are subject to extensive regulation by U.S. and non-U.S. governmental
and self-regulatory entities at the supranational, federal, state, local and other jurisdictional levels, including the following:
• we are required to comply with various import laws and export control and economic sanctions laws, which may
affect our transactions with certain customers, business partners and other persons and dealings between our
employees and between our subsidiaries. In certain circumstances, export control and economic sanctions regulations
may prohibit the export of certain products, services and technologies. In other circumstances, we may be required to
obtain an export license before exporting the controlled item. Compliance with the various import laws that apply to
our businesses can restrict our access to, and increase the cost of obtaining, certain products and at times can interrupt
our supply of imported inventory.
• we also have agreements to sell products and services to government entities and are subject to various statutes and
regulations that apply to companies doing business with government entities. The laws governing government
contracts differ from the laws governing private contracts. For example, many government contracts contain pricing
and other terms and conditions that are not applicable to private contracts. Our agreements with government entities
may be subject to termination, reduction or modification at the convenience of the government or in the event of
changes in government requirements, reductions in federal spending and other factors, and we may underestimate our
costs of performing under the contract. In certain cases, a governmental entity may require us to pay back amounts it
has paid to us. Government contracts that have been awarded to us following a bid process could become the subject
of a bid protest by a losing bidder, which could result in loss of the contract. We are also subject to investigation and
audit for compliance with the requirements governing government contracts.
These are not the only regulations that our businesses must comply with. The regulations we are subject to have tended to
become more stringent over time and may be inconsistent across jurisdictions. We, our representatives and the industries in
which we operate may at times be under review and/or investigation by regulatory authorities. Failure to comply (or any
alleged or perceived failure to comply) with the regulations referenced above or any other regulations could result in civil and
criminal, monetary and nonmonetary penalties, and any such failure or alleged failure (or becoming subject to a regulatory
enforcement investigation) could also damage our reputation, disrupt our business, limit our ability to manufacture, import,
export and sell products and services, result in loss of customers and disbarment from selling to certain federal agencies and
cause us to incur significant legal and investigatory fees. Compliance with these and other regulations may also affect our
returns on investment, require us to incur significant expenses or modify our business model or impair our flexibility in
modifying product, marketing, pricing or other strategies for growing our business. Our products and operations are also often
subject to the rules of industrial standards bodies such as the International Standards Organization, and failure to comply with
these rules could result in withdrawal of certifications needed to sell our products and services and otherwise adversely impact
our business and financial statements. For additional information regarding these risks, refer to “Item 1. Business—Regulatory
Matters.”
Our restructuring actions could have long-term adverse effects on our business.
In recent years, we have implemented significant restructuring activities across our businesses to adjust our cost structure, and
we may engage in similar restructuring activities in the future. These restructuring activities and our regular ongoing cost
reduction activities (including in connection with the integration of acquired businesses) reduce our available talent, assets and
other resources and could slow improvements in our products and services, adversely affect our ability to respond to customers,
limit our ability to increase production quickly if demand for our products increases and trigger adverse public attention. In
addition, delays in implementing planned restructuring activities or other productivity improvements, unexpected costs or
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failure to meet targeted improvements may diminish the operational or financial benefits we expect to realize from such
actions. Any of the circumstances described above could adversely impact our business and financial statements.
We may be required to recognize impairment charges for our goodwill and other intangible assets.
As of December 31, 2017, the net carrying value of our goodwill and other intangible assets totaled approximately $36.8
billion. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, we periodically assess these assets to determine if they
are impaired. Significant negative industry or economic trends, disruptions to our business, inability to effectively integrate
acquired businesses, unexpected significant changes or planned changes in use of our assets, changes in the structure of our
business, divestitures, market capitalization declines, or increases in associated discount rates may impair our goodwill and
other intangible assets. Any charges relating to such impairments would adversely affect our results of operations in the
periods recognized.
Foreign currency exchange rates may adversely affect our financial statements.
Sales and purchases in currencies other than the U.S. dollar expose us to fluctuations in foreign currencies relative to the U.S.
dollar and may adversely affect our financial statements. Increased strength of the U.S. dollar increases the effective price of
our products sold in U.S. dollars into other countries, which may require us to lower our prices or adversely affect sales to the
extent we do not increase local currency prices. Decreased strength of the U.S. dollar could adversely affect the cost of
materials, products and services we purchase overseas. Sales and expenses of our non-U.S. businesses are also translated into
U.S. dollars for reporting purposes and the strengthening or weakening of the U.S. dollar could result in unfavorable translation
effects. In addition, certain of our businesses may invoice customers in a currency other than the business’ functional currency,
and movements in the invoiced currency relative to the functional currency could also result in unfavorable translation effects.
The Company also faces exchange rate risk from its investments in subsidiaries owned and operated in foreign countries.
Changes in our tax rates or exposure to additional income tax liabilities or assessments could affect our profitability. In
addition, audits by tax authorities could result in additional tax payments for prior periods.
We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and in various non-U.S. jurisdictions. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and
Jobs Act (“TCJA”) was enacted. The TCJA significantly revises the U.S. federal corporate income tax law by, among other
things, lowering the corporate income tax rate to 21% (beginning in 2018), implementing a territorial tax system, and imposing
a one-time tax on unremitted cumulative non-U.S. earnings of foreign subsidiaries (“Transition Tax”). The U.S. Treasury
Department and IRS have not yet issued regulations with respect to the TCJA.
Due to the potential for changes to tax laws and regulations or changes to the interpretation thereof (including regulations and
interpretations pertaining to the TCJA), the ambiguity of tax laws and regulations, the subjectivity of factual interpretations, the
complexity of our intercompany arrangements, uncertainties regarding the geographic mix of earnings in any particular period,
and other factors, our estimates of effective tax rate and income tax assets and liabilities may be incorrect and our financial
statements could be adversely affected; please refer to MD&A for a discussion of additional factors that may adversely affect
our effective tax rate and decrease our profitability in any period. For example, our estimate of the net one-time charge we
have incurred related to the TCJA could differ materially from our actual liability, due to, among other things, further
refinement of our calculations, changes in interpretations and assumptions that we have made, additional guidance that may be
issued by the U.S. Treasury Department and IRS, and actions we may take as a result of the TCJA. The impact of the factors
referenced in the first sentence of this paragraph may be substantially different from period-to-period.
In addition, the amount of income taxes we pay is subject to ongoing audits by U.S. federal, state and local tax authorities and
by non-U.S. tax authorities, such as the audits described in MD&A and the Company’s financial statements. If audits result in
payments or assessments different from our reserves, our future results may include unfavorable adjustments to our tax
liabilities and our financial statements could be adversely affected. Any further significant changes to the tax system in the
United States or in other jurisdictions (including changes in the taxation of international income as further described below)
could adversely affect our financial statements.
Changes in tax law relating to multinational corporations could adversely affect our tax position.
The U.S. Congress, government agencies in non-U.S. jurisdictions where we and our affiliates do business, and the
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”) have recently focused on issues related to the taxation of
multinational corporations. One example is in the area of “base erosion and profit shifting,” where profits are claimed to be
earned for tax purposes in low-tax jurisdictions, or payments are made between affiliates from a jurisdiction with high tax rates
to a jurisdiction with lower tax rates. The OECD has released several components of its comprehensive plan to create an
agreed set of international rules for addressing base erosion and profit shifting. As a result, the tax laws in the United States
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and other countries in which we do business could change on a prospective or retroactive basis, and any such changes could
adversely affect our business and financial statements.
We are subject to a variety of litigation and other legal and regulatory proceedings in the course of our business that could
adversely affect our business and financial statements.
We are subject to a variety of litigation and other legal and regulatory proceedings incidental to our business (or the business
operations of previously owned entities), including claims or counterclaims for damages arising out of the use of products or
services and claims relating to intellectual property matters, employment matters, tax matters, commercial disputes,
competition and sales and trading practices, environmental matters, personal injury, insurance coverage and acquisition or
divestiture-related matters, as well as regulatory investigations or enforcement. We may also become subject to lawsuits as a
result of past or future acquisitions or as a result of liabilities retained from, or representations, warranties or indemnities
provided in connection with, divested businesses. The types of claims made in lawsuits include claims for compensatory
damages, punitive and consequential damages (and in some cases, treble damages) and/or injunctive relief. The defense of
these lawsuits may divert our management’s attention, we may incur significant expenses in defending these lawsuits, and we
may be required to pay damage awards or settlements or become subject to equitable remedies that could adversely affect our
operations and financial statements. Moreover, any insurance or indemnification rights that we may have may be insufficient
or unavailable to protect us against such losses. In addition, developments in proceedings in any given period may require us to
adjust the loss contingency estimates that we have recorded in our financial statements, record estimates for liabilities or assets
previously not susceptible of reasonable estimates or pay cash settlements or judgments. Any of these developments could
adversely affect our financial statements in any particular period. We cannot assure you that our liabilities in connection with
litigation and other legal and regulatory proceedings will not exceed our estimates or adversely affect our financial statements
and business. However, based on our experience, current information and applicable law, we do not believe that it is
reasonably possible that any amounts we may be required to pay in connection with litigation and other legal and regulatory
proceedings in excess of our reserves as of December 31, 2017 will have a material effect on our financial statements.
If we do not or cannot adequately protect our intellectual property, or if third-parties infringe our intellectual property
rights, we may suffer competitive injury or expend significant resources enforcing our rights.
We own numerous patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and other intellectual property and licenses to intellectual
property owned by others, which in aggregate are important to our business. The intellectual property rights that we obtain,
however, may not be sufficiently broad or otherwise may not provide us a significant competitive advantage, and patents may
not be issued for pending or future patent applications owned by or licensed to us. In addition, the steps that we and our
licensors have taken to maintain and protect our intellectual property may not prevent it from being challenged, invalidated,
circumvented, designed-around or becoming subject to compulsory licensing, particularly in countries where intellectual
property rights are not highly developed or protected. In some circumstances, enforcement may not be available to us because
an infringer has a dominant intellectual property position or for other business reasons, or countries may require compulsory
licensing of our intellectual property. We also rely on nondisclosure and noncompetition agreements with employees,
consultants and other parties to protect, in part, trade secrets and other proprietary rights. There can be no assurance that these
agreements will adequately protect our trade secrets and other proprietary rights and will not be breached, that we will have
adequate remedies for any breach, that others will not independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information
or that third-parties will not otherwise gain access to our trade secrets or other proprietary rights. Our failure to obtain or
maintain intellectual property rights that convey competitive advantage, adequately protect our intellectual property or detect or
prevent circumvention or unauthorized use of such property and the cost of enforcing our intellectual property rights could
adversely impact our business, including our competitive position, and financial statements.
Third-parties may claim that we are infringing or misappropriating their intellectual property rights and we could suffer
significant litigation expenses, losses or licensing expenses or be prevented from selling products or services.
From time to time, we receive notices from third-parties alleging intellectual property infringement or misappropriation. Any
dispute or litigation regarding intellectual property could be costly and time-consuming due to the complexity of many of our
technologies and the uncertainty of intellectual property litigation. Our intellectual property portfolio may not be useful in
asserting a counterclaim, or negotiating a license, in response to a claim of infringement or misappropriation. In addition, as a
result of such claims of infringement or misappropriation, we could lose our rights to critical technology, be unable to license
critical technology or sell critical products and services, be required to pay substantial damages or license fees with respect to
the infringed rights or be required to redesign our products at substantial cost, any of which could adversely impact our
business, including our competitive position, and financial statements. Even if we successfully defend against claims of
infringement or misappropriation, we may incur significant costs and diversion of management attention and resources, which
could adversely affect our business and financial statements.
21
The U.S. government has certain rights to use and disclose some of the intellectual property that we license and could
exclusively license it to a third-party if we fail to achieve practical application of the intellectual property.
Certain technology licensed by us under agreements with third-party licensors may be subject to government rights.
Government rights in inventions conceived or reduced to practice under a government-funded program may include a
nonexclusive, royalty-free worldwide license to practice or have practiced such inventions for any governmental purpose. In
addition, the U.S. government has the right to require us or our licensors (as applicable) to grant licenses which would be
exclusive under any of such inventions to a third-party if they determine that: (1) adequate steps have not been taken to
commercialize such inventions in a particular field of use; (2) such action is necessary to meet public health or safety needs; or
(3) such action is necessary to meet requirements for public use under federal regulations. Further, the government rights
include the right to use and disclose, without limitation, technical data relating to licensed technology that was developed in
whole or in part at government expense.
Defects and unanticipated use or inadequate disclosure with respect to our products or services (including software), or
allegations thereof, could adversely affect our business, reputation and financial statements.
Manufacturing or design defects or “bugs” in, unanticipated use of, safety or quality issues (or the perception of such issues)
with respect to, “off label” use of, or inadequate disclosure of risks relating to the use of products and services that we make or
sell (including items that we source from third-parties) can lead to personal injury, death, property damage, loss of profits or
other liability. These events could lead to recalls or safety alerts, result in the removal of a product or service from the market
and result in product liability or similar claims being brought against us. Recalls, removals and product liability and similar
claims (regardless of their validity or ultimate outcome) can result in significant costs, as well as negative publicity and damage
to our reputation that could reduce demand for our products and services. Our business can also be affected by studies of the
utilization, safety and efficacy of medical device products and components that are conducted by industry participants,
government agencies and others. Any of the above can result in the discontinuation of marketing of such products in one or
more countries, and may give rise to claims for damages from persons who believe they have been injured as a result of product
issues.
The manufacture of many of our products is a highly exacting and complex process, and if we directly or indirectly
encounter problems manufacturing products, our reputation, business and financial statements could suffer.
The manufacture of many of our products is a highly exacting and complex process, due in part to strict regulatory
requirements. Problems may arise during manufacturing for a variety of reasons, including equipment malfunction, failure to
follow specific protocols and procedures, problems with raw materials, natural disasters and environmental factors, and if not
discovered before the product is released to market could result in recalls and product liability exposure. Because of the time
required to approve and license certain regulated manufacturing facilities and other stringent regulations of the FDA and similar
agencies regarding the manufacture of certain of our products, an alternative manufacturer may not be available on a timely
basis to replace such production capacity. Any of these manufacturing problems could result in significant costs, liability and
lost revenue, as well as negative publicity and damage to our reputation that could reduce demand for our products.
Our indebtedness may limit our operations and our use of our cash flow, and any failure to comply with the covenants that
apply to our indebtedness could adversely affect our liquidity and financial statements.
As of December 31, 2017, we had approximately $10.5 billion in outstanding indebtedness. In addition, as of December 31,
2017, we had the ability to incur an additional $1.6 billion of indebtedness in direct borrowings or under the outstanding
commercial paper facility based on the amounts available under the Company’s $4.0 billion credit facility which were not being
used to backstop outstanding commercial paper balances. Our debt level and related debt service obligations can have negative
consequences, including (1) requiring us to dedicate significant cash flow from operations to the payment of principal and
interest on our debt, which reduces the funds we have available for other purposes such as acquisitions and capital investment;
(2) reducing our flexibility in planning for or reacting to changes in our business and market conditions; and (3) exposing us to
interest rate risk since a portion of our debt obligations are at variable rates. We may incur significantly more debt in the future,
particularly to finance acquisitions, and there can be no assurance that our cost of funding will not substantially increase.
Our current revolving credit facility and long-term debt obligations also impose certain restrictions on us; for more information
refer to MD&A. If we breach any of these restrictions and do not obtain a waiver from the lenders, subject to applicable cure
periods the outstanding indebtedness (and any other indebtedness with cross-default provisions) could be declared immediately
due and payable, which would adversely affect our liquidity and financial statements. In addition, any failure to maintain the
credit ratings assigned to us by independent rating agencies would adversely affect our cost of funds and could adversely affect
our liquidity and access to the capital markets. If we add new debt, the risks described above could increase.
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Adverse changes in our relationships with, or the financial condition, performance, purchasing patterns or inventory levels
of, key distributors and other channel partners could adversely affect our financial statements.
Certain of our businesses sell a significant amount of their products to or through key distributors and other channel partners
that have valuable relationships with customers and end-users. Some of these distributors and other partners also sell our
competitors’ products or compete with us directly, and if they favor competing products for any reason they may fail to market
our products effectively. Adverse changes in our relationships with these distributors and other partners, reduction or
discontinuation of their purchases from us or adverse developments in their financial condition, performance or purchasing
patterns, could adversely affect our business and financial statements. The levels of inventory maintained by our distributors
and other channel partners, and changes in those levels, can also significantly impact our results of operations in any given
period. In addition, the consolidation of distributors and customers in certain of our served industries could adversely impact
our business and financial statements.
Certain of our businesses rely on relationships with collaborative partners and other third-parties for development, supply
and marketing of certain products and potential products, and such collaborative partners or other third-parties could fail to
perform sufficiently.
We believe that for certain of our businesses, success in penetrating target markets depends in part on their ability to develop
and maintain collaborative relationships with other companies. Relying on collaborative relationships is risky because, among
other things, our collaborative partners may (1) not devote sufficient resources to the success of our collaborations; (2) fail to
obtain regulatory approvals necessary to continue the collaborations in a timely manner; (3) be acquired by other companies
and terminate our collaborative partnership or become insolvent; (4) compete with us; (5) disagree with us on key details of the
collaborative relationship; (6) have insufficient capital resources; and (7) decline to renew existing collaborations on acceptable
terms. Because these and other factors may be beyond our control, the development or commercialization of our products
involved in collaborative partnerships may be delayed or otherwise adversely affected. If we or any of our collaborative
partners terminate a collaborative arrangement, we may be required to devote additional resources to product development and
commercialization or we may need to cancel some development programs, which could adversely affect our business and
financial statements.
Our financial results are subject to fluctuations in the cost and availability of commodities that we use in our operations.
As discussed in “Item 1. Business—Materials,” our manufacturing and other operations employ a wide variety of components,
raw materials and other commodities. Prices for and availability of these components, raw materials and other commodities
have fluctuated significantly in the past. Any sustained interruption in the supply of these items could adversely affect our
business. In addition, due to the highly competitive nature of the industries that we serve, the cost-containment efforts of our
customers and the terms of certain contracts we are party to, if commodity prices rise we may be unable to pass along cost
increases through higher prices. If we are unable to fully recover higher commodity costs through price increases or offset
these increases through cost reductions, or if there is a time delay between the increase in costs and our ability to recover or
offset these costs, our margins and profitability could decline and our financial statements could be adversely affected.
If we cannot adjust our manufacturing capacity or the purchases required for our manufacturing activities to reflect
changes in market conditions and customer demand, our profitability may suffer. In addition, our reliance upon sole or
limited sources of supply for certain materials, components and services could cause production interruptions, delays and
inefficiencies.
We purchase materials, components and equipment from third-parties for use in our manufacturing operations. Our income
could be adversely impacted if we are unable to adjust our purchases to reflect changes in customer demand and market
fluctuations, including those caused by seasonality or cyclicality. During a market upturn, suppliers may extend lead times,
limit supplies or increase prices. If we cannot purchase sufficient products at competitive prices and quality and on a timely
enough basis to meet increasing demand, we may not be able to satisfy market demand, product shipments may be delayed, our
costs may increase or we may breach our contractual commitments and incur liabilities. Conversely, in order to secure supplies
for the production of products, we sometimes enter into noncancelable purchase commitments with vendors, which could
impact our ability to adjust our inventory to reflect declining market demands. If demand for our products is less than we
expect, we may experience additional excess and obsolete inventories and be forced to incur additional charges and our
profitability may suffer.
In addition, some of our businesses purchase certain requirements from sole or limited source suppliers for reasons of quality
assurance, regulatory requirements, cost effectiveness, availability or uniqueness of design. If these or other suppliers
encounter financial, operating or other difficulties or if our relationship with them changes, we might not be able to quickly
establish or qualify replacement sources of supply. The supply chains for our businesses could also be disrupted by supplier
capacity constraints, bankruptcy or exiting of the business for other reasons, decreased availability of key raw materials or
23
commodities and external events such as natural disasters, pandemic health issues, war, terrorist actions, governmental actions
and legislative or regulatory changes. Any of these factors could result in production interruptions, delays, extended lead times
and inefficiencies.
Because we cannot always immediately adapt our production capacity and related cost structures to changing market
conditions, our manufacturing capacity may at times exceed or fall short of our production requirements. Any or all of these
problems could result in the loss of customers, provide an opportunity for competing products to gain market acceptance and
otherwise adversely affect our financial statements.
Changes in governmental regulations may reduce demand for our products or services or increase our expenses.
We compete in markets in which we and our customers must comply with supranational, federal, state, local and other
jurisdictional regulations, such as regulations governing health and safety, the environment, food and drugs, privacy and
electronic communications. We develop, configure and market our products and services to meet customer needs created by
these regulations. These regulations are complex, change frequently, have tended to become more stringent over time and may
be inconsistent across jurisdictions. Any significant change in any of these regulations (or in the interpretation or application
thereof) could reduce demand for, increase our costs of producing or delay the introduction of new or modified products and
services, or could restrict our existing activities, products and services. For example, a number of our products and services are
marketed to the pharmaceutical and related industries for use in discovering and developing drugs and therapies. Changes in
the U.S. FDA’s regulation of the drug discovery and development process could have an adverse effect on the demand for these
products and services. In addition, in certain of our markets our growth depends in part upon the introduction of new
regulations. In these markets, the delay or failure of governmental and other entities to adopt or enforce new regulations, the
adoption of new regulations which our products and services are not positioned to address or the repeal of existing regulations,
could adversely affect demand. In addition, regulatory deadlines may result in substantially different levels of demand for our
products and services from period-to-period.
Work stoppages, union and works council campaigns and other labor disputes could adversely impact our productivity and
results of operations.
We have a number of U.S. collective bargaining units and various non-U.S. collective labor arrangements. We are subject to
potential work stoppages, union and works council campaigns and other labor disputes, any of which could adversely impact
our financial statements and business, including our productivity and reputation.
International economic, political, legal, compliance and business factors could negatively affect our financial statements.
In 2017, approximately 63% of our sales were derived from customers outside the United States. In addition, many of our
manufacturing operations, suppliers and employees are located outside the United States. Since our growth strategy depends in
part on our ability to further penetrate markets outside the United States and increase the localization of our products and
services, we expect to continue to increase our sales and presence outside the United States, particularly in the high-growth
markets. Our international business (and particularly our business in high-growth markets) is subject to risks that are
customarily encountered in non-U.S. operations, including:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
interruption in the transportation of materials to us and finished goods to our customers;
differences in terms of sale, including payment terms;
local product preferences and product requirements;
changes in a country’s or region’s political or economic conditions, such as the devaluation of particular currencies;
trade protection measures, embargoes and import or export restrictions and requirements;
unexpected changes in laws or regulatory requirements, including changes in tax laws;
capital controls and limitations on ownership and on repatriation of earnings and cash;
the potential for nationalization of enterprises;
changes in medical reimbursement policies and programs;
limitations on legal rights and our ability to enforce such rights;
difficulty in staffing and managing widespread operations;
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•
•
•
differing labor regulations;
difficulties in implementing restructuring actions on a timely or comprehensive basis; and
differing protection of intellectual property.
Any of these risks could negatively affect our financial statements and business, including our growth rate.
Significant developments stemming from the current U.S. administration or the United Kingdom’s referendum on
membership in the EU could have an adverse effect on us.
Changes, potential changes or uncertainties in U.S. social, political, regulatory and economic conditions or laws and policies
governing the health care system and drug prices, foreign trade, manufacturing, and development and investment in the
territories and countries where we or our customers operate, stemming from the current U.S. administration, could adversely
affect our business and financial statements. For example, the current U.S. administration has called for substantial changes to
trade agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (“NAFTA”), has increased tariffs on certain goods
imported into the United States and has raised the possibility of imposing significant, additional tariff increases.
Additionally, on June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom held a referendum and voted in favor of leaving the EU. This referendum
has caused and may continue to cause political and economic uncertainty, including significant volatility in global stock
markets and currency exchange rate fluctuations. Although it is unknown what the full terms of the United Kingdom’s future
relationship with the EU will be, it is possible that there will be greater restrictions on imports and exports between the United
Kingdom and other countries, including the United States, and increased regulatory complexities. Any of these factors could
adversely affect customer demand, our relationships with customers and suppliers and our business and financial statements.
If we suffer loss to our facilities, supply chains, distribution systems or information technology systems due to catastrophe
or other events, our operations could be seriously harmed.
Our facilities, supply chains, distribution systems and information technology systems are subject to catastrophic loss due to
fire, flood, earthquake, hurricane, public health crisis, war, terrorism or other natural or man-made disasters. If any of these
facilities, supply chains or systems were to experience a catastrophic loss, it could disrupt our operations, delay production and
shipments, result in defective products or services, damage customer relationships and our reputation and result in legal
exposure and large repair or replacement expenses. The third-party insurance coverage that we maintain will vary from time to
time in both type and amount depending on cost, availability and our decisions regarding risk retention, and may be unavailable
or insufficient to protect us against such losses.
Our defined benefit pension plans are subject to financial market risks that could adversely affect our financial statements.
The performance of the financial markets and interest rates impact our defined benefit pension plan expenses and funding
obligations. Significant changes in market interest rates, decreases in the fair value of plan assets, investment losses on plan
assets and changes in discount rates may increase our funding obligations and adversely impact our financial statements. In
addition, upward pressure on the cost of providing health care coverage to current employees and retirees may increase our
future funding obligations and adversely affect our financial statements.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Danaher’s corporate headquarters are located in Washington, D.C. in a facility that the Company leases. As of December 31,
2017, the Company had facilities in over 60 countries, including approximately 248 significant manufacturing and distribution
facilities. 111 of these facilities are located in the United States in over 25 states and 137 are located outside the United States
in over 31 other countries, primarily in Europe and to a lesser extent in Asia, the rest of North America, South America and
Australia. These facilities cover approximately 22 million square feet, of which approximately 11 million square feet are
owned and approximately 11 million square feet are leased. Particularly outside the United States, facilities often serve more
than one business segment and may be used for multiple purposes, such as administration, sales, manufacturing, warehousing
and/or distribution. The number of significant manufacturing and distribution facilities by business segment is:
•
•
Life Sciences, 76;
Diagnostics, 77;
25
•
•
Dental, 43; and
Environmental & Applied Solutions, 52.
The Company considers its facilities suitable and adequate for the purposes for which they are used and does not anticipate
difficulty in renewing existing leases as they expire or in finding alternative facilities. The Company believes its properties and
equipment have been well-maintained. Refer to Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual
Report for additional information with respect to the Company’s lease commitments.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In September 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued a Notice of Violation to the Richmond, Illinois
facility of Leica Biosystems Richmond, Inc. (“Leica Biosystems”), an indirect subsidiary of the Company, alleging that the
facility violated certain provisions of the Clean Air Act and related regulations pertaining to permitting requirements, emissions
limitations and the installation and use of proper controls. In December 2017, Leica Biosystems and the EPA reached an
agreement in principle on an agency administrative settlement whereby all of Leica Biosystems’ alleged violations would be
settled for a payment of approximately $175,000 and certain injunctive relief. The parties expect to reflect the terms of the
agreement in principle in an administrative order to be negotiated. The Company does not believe that the final resolution of
this matter will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flow or financial condition.
For additional information regarding legal proceedings, refer to the section titled “Legal Proceedings” in MD&A.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Set forth below are the names, ages, positions and experience of Danaher’s executive officers as of February 8, 2018. All of
Danaher’s executive officers hold office at the pleasure of Danaher’s Board of Directors. Unless otherwise stated, the positions
indicated are Danaher positions.
Name
Steven M. Rales
Mitchell P. Rales
Thomas P. Joyce, Jr.
Daniel L. Comas
Rainer M. Blair
William K. Daniel II
Joakim Weidemanis
Brian W. Ellis
William H. King
Angela S. Lalor
Robert S. Lutz
Daniel A. Raskas
Age
66
61
57
54
53
53
48
51
50
52
60
51
Position
Officer Since
Chairman of the Board
Chairman of the Executive Committee
Chief Executive Officer and President
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Executive Vice President
Executive Vice President
Executive Vice President
Senior Vice President – General Counsel
Senior Vice President – Strategic Development
Senior Vice President – Human Resources
Senior Vice President – Chief Accounting Officer
Senior Vice President – Corporate Development
1984
1984
2002
1996
2014
2006
2017
2016
2005
2012
2002
2004
Steven M. Rales is a co-founder of Danaher and has served on Danaher’s Board of Directors since 1983, serving as Danaher’s
Chairman of the Board since 1984. He was also CEO of the Company from 1984 to 1990. Mr. Rales is also a member of the
board of directors of Fortive Corporation, and is a brother of Mitchell P. Rales.
Mitchell P. Rales is a co-founder of Danaher and has served on Danaher’s Board of Directors since 1983, serving as Chairman
of the Executive Committee of Danaher since 1984. He was also President of the Company from 1984 to 1990. Mr. Rales is
also a member of the board of directors of Colfax Corporation and of Fortive Corporation, and is a brother of Steven M. Rales.
Thomas P. Joyce, Jr. has served on Danaher’s Board of Directors and as Danaher’s President and Chief Executive Officer since
September 2014 after serving as Executive Vice President – CEO Designate from April 2014 to September 2014 and as
Executive Vice President from 2006 to April 2014.
26
Daniel L. Comas has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since 2005.
Rainer M. Blair has served as Executive Vice President since January 2017 after serving as Vice President – Group Executive
from March 2014 until January 2017 and as President of Danaher’s Sciex business from January 2011 to March 2014.
William K. Daniel II has served as Executive Vice President since 2008.
Joakim Weidemanis has served as Executive Vice President since December 2017 after serving as Vice President – Group
Executive from March 2014 until December 2017 and as Group President – Marking and Coding from January 2013 to March
2014.
Brian W. Ellis has served as Senior Vice President – General Counsel since joining Danaher in January 2016. Prior to joining
Danaher, Mr. Ellis served for over five years in progressively more responsible positions in the legal department of Medtronic,
Inc., a medical device company, including most recently as Vice President and General Counsel of Medtronic’s Restorative
Therapies Group.
William H. King has served as Senior Vice President – Strategic Development since May 2014 after serving as Vice President –
Strategic Development from 2005 to May 2014.
Angela S. Lalor has served as Senior Vice President – Human Resources since joining Danaher in April 2012.
Robert S. Lutz has served as Senior Vice President – Chief Accounting Officer since February 2010.
Daniel A. Raskas has served as Senior Vice President – Corporate Development since February 2010.
27
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DHR. As of February 8, 2018, there were
approximately 2,500 holders of record of Danaher’s common stock. The high and low common stock prices per share as
reported on the New York Stock Exchange, and the dividends declared per share, in each case for the periods described below,
were as follows:
High
2017
Low
Dividends Per
Share
High
2016 (d)
Low
Dividends Per
Share
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
$
88.01
$
78.22
$
87.00
88.62
95.16
81.36
78.97
83.81
0.14 (a) $
0.14
0.14
0.14
95.89
$
81.25
$
102.79
82.64
81.30
92.45
76.15
75.71
0.16 (b)
0.16
0.125 (c)
0.125
(a) The Company increased its quarterly dividend rate in the first quarter of 2017 to $0.14 per share.
(b) The Company increased its quarterly dividend rate in the first quarter of 2016 to $0.16 per share.
(c) Subsequent to the Separation of Fortive, the Company reduced its quarterly dividend rate to $0.125 per share.
(d) The stock prices in the above table on or prior to July 2, 2016, the date of the Fortive Separation, have not been adjusted for the Separation.
Our payment of dividends in the future will be determined by Danaher’s Board of Directors and will depend on business
conditions, Danaher’s earnings and other factors Danaher’s Board deems relevant. For a description of the distribution of the
issued and outstanding common stock of Fortive pursuant to the Separation, refer to Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements included in this Annual Report.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
On July 16, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a repurchase program (the “Repurchase Program”) authorizing
the repurchase of up to 20 million shares of the Company’s common stock from time to time on the open market or in privately
negotiated transactions. There is no expiration date for the Repurchase Program, and the timing and amount of any shares
repurchased under the program will be determined by the Company’s management based on its evaluation of market conditions
and other factors. The Repurchase Program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. Any repurchased shares will be
available for use in connection with the Company’s equity compensation plans (or any successor plan) and for other corporate
purposes. As of December 31, 2017, 20 million shares remained available for repurchase pursuant to the Repurchase Program.
The Company expects to fund any future stock repurchases using the Company’s available cash balances or proceeds from the
issuance of debt.
Except in connection with the disposition of the Company’s communications business to NetScout Systems, Inc. (“NetScout”)
in 2015, neither the Company nor any “affiliated purchaser” repurchased any shares of Company common stock during 2017,
2016 or 2015. Refer to Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report for a discussion of the
26 million shares of Danaher common stock tendered to and repurchased by the Company in connection with the disposition of
the Company’s communications business to NetScout.
Recent Issuances of Unregistered Securities
During the fourth quarter of 2017, holders of certain of the Company’s Liquid Yield Option Notes due 2021 (“LYONs”)
converted such LYONs into an aggregate of one thousand shares of Danaher common stock, par value $0.01 per share. In each
case, the shares of common stock were issued solely to existing security holders upon conversion of the LYONs pursuant to the
exemption from registration provided under Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
28
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
($ in millions, except per share information)
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
Sales
$
18,329.7
$
16,882.4
$
14,433.7
$
12,866.9
$
12,360.9
Operating profit
3,021.2
2,750.9
2,162.2
2,045.0
1,929.9
Net earnings from
continuing operations
Earnings from
discontinued
operations, net of
income taxes
Net earnings
Net earnings per
share from continuing
operations:
Basic
Diluted
Net earnings per
share from
discontinued
operations:
Basic
Diluted
Net earnings per
share:
Basic
Diluted
Dividends declared
per share
Total assets
Total debt
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2,469.8 (a)(b)
2,153.4 (c)(d)
1,746.7 (f)
1,638.7 (h)
1,742.9 (i)
22.3
400.3
2,492.1 (a)(b) $
2,553.7 (c)(d)
$
1,610.7 (e)
3,357.4 (e)(f)
3.55 (a)(b) $
3.50 (a)(b) $
3.12 (c)(d)
3.08 (c)(d)
0.03
0.03
$
$
0.58
0.57
$
$
$
$
3.58 (a)(b) $
3.53 (a)(b) $
3.69 (c)(d) * $
3.65 (c)(d)
$
0.56 (j)
46,648.6
10,522.1
$
$
$
0.57 (k)
45,295.3
12,269.0
$
$
$
2.50 (f)
2.47 (f)
2.31 (e)
2.27 (e)
4.81 (e)(f)
4.74 (e)(f)
0.54 (l)
48,222.2
12,870.4
959.7 (g)
2,598.4 (g)(h) $
952.1
2,695.0 (i)
2.33 (h)
2.29 (h)
1.37 (g)
1.34 (g)
$
$
$
$
2.50 (i)
2.46 (i)
1.37
1.34
3.70 (g)(h) $
3.63 (g)(h) $
3.87 (i)
3.80 (i)
0.40 (m)
36,991.7
3,473.4
$
$
$
0.10
34,672.2
3,499.0
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
(a) Includes $73 million ($46 million after-tax or $0.06 per diluted share) gain on sale of certain marketable equity securities. Refer to Note
13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report for additional information.
(b) Includes $146 million ($0.21 per diluted share) of discrete tax benefits associated with the resolution of uncertain tax positions as well as
the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities and the Transition Tax from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Refer to Note 12 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report for additional information.
(c) Includes $223 million ($140 million after-tax or $0.20 per diluted share) gain on sale of certain marketable equity securities. Refer to Note
13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report for additional information.
(d) Includes $179 million ($112 million after-tax or $0.16 per diluted share) loss on extinguishment of borrowings, net of certain deferred
gains. Refer to Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report for additional information.
(e) Includes $767 million after-tax gain ($1.08 per diluted share) on disposition of the Company’s communications business. Refer to Note 3
to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report for additional information.
(f) Includes $12 million ($8 million after-tax or $0.01 per diluted share) gain on sale of certain marketable equity securities. Refer to Note 13
to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report for additional information.
(g) Includes $34 million ($26 million after-tax or $0.04 per diluted share) gain on sale of the Company’s electric vehicle systems/hybrid
product line.
(h) Includes $123 million ($77 million after-tax or $0.11 per diluted share) gain on sale of certain marketable equity securities.
(i) Includes $230 million ($144 million after-tax or $0.20 per diluted share) gain on sale of the Company’s investment in the Apex Tool
Group, LLC joint venture and $202 million ($125 million after-tax or $0.18 per diluted share) gain on sale of certain marketable equity
securities.
(j) The Company increased its quarterly dividend rate in 2017 to $0.14 per share.
(k) The Company increased its quarterly dividend rate in the first quarter of 2016 to $0.16 per share and subsequently reduced its quarterly
dividend rate to $0.125 per share as a result of the Separation of Fortive in the third quarter of 2016.
(l) The Company increased its quarterly dividend rate in 2015 to $0.135 per share.
(m) The Company increased its quarterly dividend rate in 2014 to $0.10 per share.
* Net earnings per share amount does not add due to rounding.
29
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is designed to provide a
reader of Danaher’s financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of Company management. The Company’s
MD&A is divided into five sections:
•
•
•
•
•
Overview
Results of Operations
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Critical Accounting Estimates
New Accounting Standards
This discussion and analysis should be read along with Danaher’s audited financial statements and related Notes thereto as of
December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 included in this Annual
Report.
OVERVIEW
General
Refer to “Item 1. Business—General” for a discussion of Danaher’s strategic objectives and methodologies for delivering long-
term shareholder value. Danaher is a multinational business with global operations. During 2017, approximately 63% of
Danaher’s sales were derived from customers outside the United States. As a diversified, global business, Danaher’s operations
are affected by worldwide, regional and industry-specific economic and political factors. Danaher’s geographic and industry
diversity, as well as the range of its products, software and services, help limit the impact of any one industry or the economy of
any single country on its consolidated operating results. Given the broad range of products manufactured, software and
services provided and geographies served, management does not use any indices other than general economic trends to predict
the overall outlook for the Company. The Company’s individual businesses monitor key competitors and customers, including
to the extent possible their sales, to gauge relative performance and the outlook for the future.
As a result of the Company’s geographic and industry diversity, the Company faces a variety of opportunities and challenges,
including rapid technological development (particularly with respect to computing, automation, artificial intelligence, mobile
connectivity, communications and digitization) in most of the Company’s served markets, the expansion and evolution of
opportunities in high-growth markets, trends and costs associated with a global labor force, consolidation of the Company’s
competitors and increasing regulation. The Company operates in a highly competitive business environment in most markets,
and the Company’s long-term growth and profitability will depend in particular on its ability to expand its business in high-
growth geographies and high-growth market segments, identify, consummate and integrate appropriate acquisitions, develop
innovative and differentiated new products and services with higher gross profit margins, expand and improve the effectiveness
of the Company’s sales force, continue to reduce costs and improve operating efficiency and quality, and effectively address the
demands of an increasingly regulated global environment. The Company is making significant investments, organically and
through acquisitions, to address the rapid pace of technological change in its served markets and to globalize its manufacturing,
research and development and customer-facing resources (particularly in high-growth markets) in order to be responsive to the
Company’s customers throughout the world and improve the efficiency of the Company’s operations.
Business Performance
Consolidated sales for the year ended December 31, 2017 increased 8.5% as compared to 2016. While differences exist among
the Company’s businesses, on an overall basis, demand for the Company’s products and services increased on a year-over-year
basis in 2017 as compared to 2016. This demand, together with the Company’s continued investments in sales growth
initiatives and the other business-specific factors discussed below, contributed to year-over-year core sales growth of 3.5% (for
the definition of “core sales,” refer to “—Results of Operations” below). Geographically, both high-growth and developed
markets contributed to year-over-year core sales growth during 2017. The Company defines high-growth markets as
developing markets of the world experiencing rapid growth in gross domestic product and infrastructure which includes
Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia (with the exception of Japan and Australia). Core sales
growth rates in high-growth markets grew at a high-single digit rate in 2017 as compared to 2016 led by strength in China,
India, Eastern Europe and Latin America, partially offset by weakness in the Middle East. High-growth markets represented
30
approximately 30% of the Company’s total sales in 2017. Core sales in developed markets grew at a low-single digit rate in
2017 as compared to 2016 and were driven by North America and Western Europe.
The Company’s income from continuing operations for the year-ended December 31, 2017 totaled approximately $2.5 billion,
or $3.50 per diluted share, compared to approximately $2.2 billion, or $3.08 per diluted share for the year ended December 31,
2016.
During 2017, the Company made the strategic decision to discontinue a molecular diagnostic product line in its Diagnostics
segment. As a result, the Company recorded $76 million of pretax restructuring, impairment and other related charges ($51
million after-tax or $0.07 per diluted share). These charges included $49 million of noncash charges for the impairment of
certain technology-related intangible assets as well as related inventory and property, plant and equipment with no further use.
In addition, the Company incurred $27 million of cash restructuring costs primarily related to employee severance and related
charges. Substantially all restructuring activities related to this discontinued product line were completed in 2017.
Acquisitions
During 2017, the Company acquired ten businesses for total consideration of $386 million in cash, net of cash acquired. The
businesses acquired complement existing units of the Company’s Life Sciences, Dental and Environmental & Applied
Solutions segments. The aggregate annual sales of these ten businesses at the time of their respective acquisitions, in each case
based on the company’s revenues for its last completed fiscal year prior to the acquisition, were $160 million.
For a discussion of the Company’s 2016 and 2015 acquisition and disposition activity, refer to “Liquidity and Capital
Resources—Investing Activities”.
Fortive Separation
On July 2, 2016, Danaher completed the Separation of its former Test & Measurement segment, Industrial Technologies
segment (excluding the product identification businesses) and retail/commercial petroleum business by distributing to Danaher
stockholders on a pro rata basis all of the issued and outstanding common stock of Fortive, the entity Danaher incorporated to
hold such businesses. To effect the Separation, Danaher distributed to its stockholders one share of Fortive common stock for
every two shares of Danaher common stock outstanding as of June 15, 2016, the record date for the distribution.
During the second quarter of 2016, the Company received net cash distributions of approximately $3.0 billion from Fortive as
consideration for the Company’s contribution of assets to Fortive in connection with the Separation (“Fortive Distribution”).
Danaher used a portion of the cash distribution proceeds to repay the $500 million aggregate principal amount of 2.3% senior
unsecured notes that matured in June 2016 and to redeem approximately $1.9 billion in aggregate principal amount of
outstanding indebtedness in August 2016 (consisting of the Company’s 5.625% senior unsecured notes due 2018, 5.4% senior
unsecured notes due 2019 and 3.9% senior unsecured notes due 2021 (collectively the “Redeemed Notes”)). Danaher also paid
an aggregate of $188 million in make-whole premiums in connection with the August 2016 redemptions, plus accrued and
unpaid interest. The Company used the balance of the Fortive Distribution to fund certain of the Company’s regular, quarterly
cash dividends to shareholders.
The accounting requirements for reporting the Separation of Fortive as a discontinued operation were met when the Separation
was completed. Accordingly, the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for all periods presented reflect this
business as a discontinued operation. The Company allocated a portion of the consolidated interest expense and income to
discontinued operations based on the ratio of the discontinued business’ net assets to the Company’s consolidated net assets.
Fortive had revenues of approximately $3.0 billion in 2016 prior to the Separation and approximately $6.2 billion in 2015.
As a result of the Separation, the Company incurred $48 million in Separation-related costs during the year ended
December 31, 2016 which are included in earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes in the accompanying
Consolidated Statement of Earnings. These Separation costs primarily relate to professional fees associated with preparation of
regulatory filings and Separation activities within finance, tax, legal and information system functions as well as certain
investment banking fees incurred upon the Separation.
In 2017, Danaher recorded a $22 million income tax benefit related to the release of previously provided reserves associated
with uncertain tax positions on certain Danaher tax returns which were jointly filed with Fortive entities. These reserves were
released due to the expiration of statutes of limitations for those returns. All Fortive entity-related balances were included in
the income tax benefit related to discontinued operations.
31
Sale of Investments
The Company received $138 million of cash proceeds and recorded $22 million in short-term other receivables from the sale of
certain marketable equity securities during 2017. The Company recorded a pretax gain related to this sale of $73 million ($46
million after-tax or $0.06 per diluted share).
For a discussion of the Company’s 2016 and 2015 sales of investments activity, refer to “Liquidity and Capital Resources—
Investing Activities”.
U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
On December 22, 2017, the TCJA was enacted, which substantially changes the U.S. tax system, including lowering the
corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% (beginning in 2018), and affected the Company in a number of ways. As a result of the
TCJA, the Company recognized a provisional tax liability of approximately $1.2 billion in 2017 for the Transition Tax, which is
payable over a period of eight years. The Company also remeasured U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the
income tax rates at which the deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to reverse in the future (generally 21%), resulting
in an income tax benefit of approximately $1.2 billion. After considering the effect of the TCJA, the Company expects its 2018
effective tax rate to be in the range of 20% to 21%. The Company does not expect the Transition Tax to significantly impact
the Company’s cash flows from operations due to the payment period of eight years and the Company’s ability to use available
credits to reduce the required payments. For further discussion of the TCJA, refer to “—Income Taxes.”
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
In this report, references to the non-GAAP measure of core sales (also referred to as core revenues or sales from existing
businesses) refer to sales from continuing operations calculated according to generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States (“GAAP”) but excluding:
•
•
sales from acquired businesses; and
the impact of currency translation.
References to sales or operating profit attributable to acquisitions or acquired businesses refer to sales or operating profit, as
applicable, from acquired businesses recorded prior to the first anniversary of the acquisition less the amount of sales and
operating profit, as applicable, attributable to divested product lines not considered discontinued operations. The portion of
revenue attributable to currency translation is calculated as the difference between:
•
•
the period-to-period change in revenue (excluding sales from acquired businesses); and
the period-to-period change in revenue (excluding sales from acquired businesses) after applying current period
foreign exchange rates to the prior year period.
Core sales growth should be considered in addition to, and not as a replacement for or superior to, sales, and may not be
comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Management believes that reporting the non-GAAP
financial measure of core sales growth provides useful information to investors by helping identify underlying growth trends in
Danaher’s business and facilitating comparisons of Danaher’s revenue performance with its performance in prior and future
periods and to Danaher’s peers. Management also uses core sales growth to measure the Company’s operating and financial
performance. The Company excludes the effect of currency translation from core sales because currency translation is not
under management’s control, is subject to volatility and can obscure underlying business trends, and excludes the effect of
acquisitions and divestiture-related items because the nature, size, timing and number of acquisitions and divestitures can vary
dramatically from period-to-period and between the Company and its peers and can also obscure underlying business trends
and make comparisons of long-term performance difficult.
Throughout this discussion, references to sales volume refer to the impact of both price and unit sales and references to
productivity improvements generally refer to improved cost efficiencies resulting from the ongoing application of DBS.
32
Revenue Performance
Total sales growth (GAAP)
Less the impact of:
Acquisitions and other
Currency exchange rates
Core revenue growth (non-GAAP)
2017 vs. 2016
2016 vs. 2015
8.5 %
17.0 %
(4.5)%
(0.5)%
3.5 %
(15.0)%
1.0 %
3.0 %
Core sales grew on a year-over-year basis in both 2017 and 2016. Sales from acquired businesses increased on a year-over-
year basis in both years primarily due to the acquisitions of Cepheid in the fourth quarter of 2016 and Pall in the third quarter of
2015. Currency translation increased reported sales on a year-over-year basis in 2017 primarily due to the U.S. dollar
weakening against the euro, partially offset by the U.S. dollar strengthening against the Japanese yen and Chinese renminbi.
Currency translation reduced reported sales on a year-over-year basis in 2016 as the U.S. dollar was, on average, stronger
against other major currencies.
Operating profit margins were 16.5% for the year ended December 31, 2017 as compared to 16.3% in 2016. The following
factors impacted year-over-year operating profit margin comparisons.
2017 vs. 2016 operating profit margin comparisons were favorably impacted by:
•
•
Higher 2017 sales volumes from existing businesses and incremental year-over-year cost savings associated with the
continuing productivity improvement initiatives taken in 2017 and 2016, net of incremental year-over-year costs
associated with various product development, sales and marketing growth investments - 70 basis points
Acquisition-related charges in 2016 - 50 basis points
2017 vs. 2016 operating profit margin comparisons were unfavorably impacted by:
•
•
•
•
Restructuring, impairment and other related charges related to discontinuing a product line in the second quarter of
2017 related to the Diagnostic segment - 40 basis points
Trade name impairments and related productivity improvement initiatives in the fourth quarter of 2017 related to the
Dental segment - 5 basis points
Third quarter 2016 gain on resolution of acquisition-related matters less the impact of fourth quarter 2017 net gain on
resolution of acquisition-related matters - 5 basis points
The incremental net dilutive effect in 2017 of acquired businesses - 50 basis points
Operating profit margins were 16.3% for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to 15.0% in 2015. The following
factors impacted year-over-year operating profit margin comparisons.
2016 vs. 2015 operating profit margin comparisons were favorably impacted by:
•
•
•
•
Higher 2016 sales volumes from existing businesses and incremental year-over-year cost savings associated with the
continuing productivity improvement initiatives taken in 2016 and 2015, net of incremental year-over-year costs
associated with various product development, sales and marketing growth investments and the effect of a stronger
U.S. dollar in 2016 - 115 basis points
Acquisition-related charges in 2015 associated with the acquisition of Pall, including transaction costs deemed
significant (the Company deems acquisition-related transaction costs incurred in a given period to be significant,
generally relating to the Company’s larger acquisitions, if it determines that such costs exceed the range of acquisition-
related transaction costs typical for the Company in a given period), change in control payments, and fair value
adjustments to acquired inventory and deferred revenue, net of the positive impact of freezing pension benefits - 90
basis points
Acquisition-related charges in the first quarter of 2015 associated with the acquisition of Nobel Biocare, primarily
related to fair value adjustments to acquired inventory - 15 basis points
2016 gains on resolution of acquisition-related matters - 10 basis points
33
2016 vs. 2015 operating profit margin comparisons were unfavorably impacted by:
•
•
Acquisition-related charges in 2016 associated primarily with the acquisition of Cepheid, including transaction costs
deemed significant, change in control and restructuring payments, and fair value adjustments to acquired inventory
and deferred revenue - 50 basis points
The incremental net dilutive effect in 2016 of acquired businesses - 50 basis points
Business Segments
Sales by business segment for the years ended December 31 are as follows ($ in millions):
Life Sciences
Diagnostics
Dental
Environmental & Applied Solutions
Total
LIFE SCIENCES
2017
2016
2015
$
5,710.1
$
5,365.9
$
5,839.9
2,810.9
3,968.8
5,038.3
2,785.4
3,692.8
3,314.6
4,832.5
2,736.8
3,549.8
$
18,329.7
$
16,882.4
$
14,433.7
The Company’s Life Sciences segment offers a broad range of research tools that scientists use to study the basic building
blocks of life, including genes, proteins, metabolites and cells, in order to understand the causes of disease, identify new
therapies and test new drugs and vaccines. The segment, through its Pall business, is also a leading provider of filtration,
separation and purification technologies to the biopharmaceutical, food and beverage, medical, aerospace, microelectronics and
general industrial sectors.
Life Sciences Selected Financial Data
($ in millions)
Sales
Operating profit
Depreciation
Amortization
Operating profit as a % of sales
Depreciation as a % of sales
Amortization as a % of sales
Revenue Performance
Total sales growth (GAAP)
Less the impact of:
Acquisitions and other
Currency exchange rates
Core revenue growth (non-GAAP)
2017 Compared to 2016
$
For the Year Ended December 31
$
2017
5,710.1
1,004.3
119.0
308.9
17.6%
2.1%
5.4%
$
2016
5,365.9
818.9
126.8
299.4
15.3%
2.4%
5.6%
2015
3,314.6
329.2
77.3
132.8
9.9%
2.3%
4.0%
2017 vs. 2016
2016 vs. 2015
6.5 %
62.0 %
(2.0)%
(0.5)%
4.0 %
(59.0)%
0.5 %
3.5 %
During the first quarter of 2017, a product line was transferred from the Life Sciences segment to the Environmental & Applied
Solutions segment. While this change is not material to segment results in total, the resulting change in sales growth has been
included in the “Acquisitions and other” line in the table above.
34
Price increases in the segment contributed 0.5% to revenue growth on a year-over-year basis during 2017 as compared with
2016 and are reflected as a component of the change in core revenue growth.
Core sales of the business’ broad range of mass spectrometers continued to grow on a year-over-year basis led by strong sales
growth in the pharmaceutical market across Asia and North America as well as sales growth in the food and forensics markets
across all major regions. This growth was partially offset by continuing declines in demand in the clinical market in North
America. Core sales of microscopy products increased on a year-over-year basis with growth in demand across most end-
markets particularly in Western Europe and the high-growth markets. Year-over-year sales for the business’ flow cytometry and
particle counting products grew in 2017, primarily due to new product introductions and were led by increases in sales in North
America, Western Europe and China. Core sales for filtration, separation and purification technologies grew on a year-over-
year basis led by continued growth in biopharmaceuticals and microelectronics, partially offset by declines in the process,
industrial and medical products particularly in the first half of 2017. Geographically, core sales in filtration, separation and
purification technologies were primarily led by growth in North America and Asia, partially offset by declines in the Middle
East largely due to a major project in 2016 which did not repeat in 2017.
Operating profit margins increased 230 basis points during 2017 as compared to 2016. The following factors impacted year-
over-year operating profit margin comparisons.
2017 vs. 2016 operating profit margin comparisons were favorably impacted by:
•
•
•
Higher 2017 sales volumes from existing businesses and incremental year-over-year cost savings associated with the
continuing productivity improvement initiatives taken in 2017 and 2016, net of incremental year-over-year costs
associated with various new product development, sales and marketing growth investments and the effect of year-
over-year changes in currency exchange rates - 205 basis points
Acquisition-related charges in 2016, including transaction costs deemed significant, change in control and
restructuring payments, and fair value adjustments to acquired inventory and deferred revenue - 10 basis points
The incremental net accretive effect in 2017 of acquired businesses and intersegment product line transfers - 20 basis
points
2017 vs. 2016 operating profit margin comparisons were unfavorably impacted by:
•
Fourth quarter 2017 loss on resolution of acquisition-related matters - 5 basis points
2016 Compared to 2015
Price increases in the segment did not have a significant impact on sales growth on a year-over-year basis during 2016 as
compared with 2015.
Core sales of the business’ broad range of mass spectrometers continued to grow on a year-over-year basis led by strong core
sales growth in the pharmaceutical market in China and India as well as the services businesses. This growth was partially
offset by declines in the overall market in Japan and softness in demand in the clinical end-market in North America. Core
sales of microscopy products were essentially flat on a year-over-year basis with growth in demand in North America and
China offset by declines in Japan. Year-over-year demand for the business’ flow cytometry and particle counting products grew
in 2016, led by increases in demand in North America, Western Europe and China.
The acquisition of Pall in August 2015 contributed the majority of the increase in sales from acquisitions. During the year
ended December 31, 2016, Pall’s revenues grew on a year-over-year basis compared to the business’ 2015 results, led by
continued growth in the life sciences business primarily due to demand for biopharmaceutical solutions including single-use
technologies, partially offset by soft demand in the industrial business as a result of overall market weakness.
Operating profit margins increased 540 basis points during 2016 as compared to 2015. The following factors impacted year-
over-year operating profit margin comparisons.
2016 vs. 2015 operating profit margin comparisons were favorably impacted by:
•
Higher 2016 sales volumes from existing businesses and incremental year-over-year cost savings associated with the
continuing productivity improvement initiatives taken in 2016 and 2015, net of incremental year-over-year costs
associated with various product development, sales and marketing growth investments and the effect of a stronger
U.S. dollar in 2016 - 175 basis points
35
•
Acquisition-related charges in 2015 associated with the acquisition of Pall, including transaction costs deemed
significant, change in control payments, and fair value adjustments to acquired inventory and deferred revenue, net of
the positive impact of freezing pension benefits - 390 basis points
2016 vs. 2015 operating profit margin comparisons were unfavorably impacted by:
•
•
Acquisition-related charges in 2016, including transaction costs deemed significant, change in control and
restructuring payments, and fair value adjustments to acquired inventory and deferred revenue - 10 basis points
The incremental net dilutive effect in 2016 of acquired businesses (including Pall) - 15 basis points
Depreciation and amortization expense increased during 2016 as compared to 2015 due primarily to the impact of recently
acquired businesses, particularly Pall, and the resulting increase in depreciable and amortizable assets.
DIAGNOSTICS
The Company’s Diagnostics segment offers analytical instruments, reagents, consumables, software and services that hospitals,
physicians’ offices, reference laboratories and other critical care settings use to diagnose disease and make treatment decisions.
Diagnostics Selected Financial Data
($ in millions)
Sales
Operating profit
Depreciation
Amortization
Operating profit as a % of sales
Depreciation as a % of sales
Amortization as a % of sales
Revenue Performance
Total sales growth (GAAP)
Less the impact of:
Acquisitions and other
Currency exchange rates
Core revenue growth (non-GAAP)
2017 Compared to 2016
For the Year Ended December 31
2017
2016
2015
$
5,839.9
$
5,038.3
$
4,832.5
871.6
368.1
213.4
14.9%
6.3%
3.7%
786.4
332.1
149.4
15.6%
6.6%
3.0%
746.2
314.9
134.8
15.4%
6.5%
2.8%
2017 vs. 2016
2016 vs. 2015
16.0 %
4.5 %
(12.0)%
— %
4.0 %
(3.0)%
1.0 %
2.5 %
Price increases in the segment contributed 0.5% to sales growth on a year-over-year basis during 2017 as compared with 2016
and are reflected as a component of the change in core revenue growth.
Core sales in the clinical lab business increased on a year-over-year basis. Geographically, continued strong demand in high-
growth markets for the clinical lab business was partially offset by declines in Western Europe and Japan. Increased demand in
the immunoassay product line drove the majority of the growth for the year in the clinical lab business. Growth in the acute
care diagnostic business was driven by continued strong consumable sales in 2017 across most major geographies. Increased
demand for advanced staining and core histology instruments and related consumables across most major geographies drove
the majority of the year-over-year core sales growth in the pathology diagnostics business.
The acquisition of Cepheid in November 2016 contributed the majority of the increase in sales from acquisitions. During 2017,
Cepheid’s revenues compared to the business’ 2016 results grew on a year-over-year basis in most major geographies and
product lines. As Cepheid is integrated into the Company, a process that will continue over the next several years, the
Company has realized and expects to realize cost savings and other business process improvements through the application of
DBS.
36
During 2017, the Company made the strategic decision to discontinue a molecular diagnostic product line in its Diagnostics
segment. As a result, the Company recorded $76 million of pretax restructuring, impairment and other related charges ($51
million after-tax or $0.07 per diluted share). These charges included $49 million of noncash charges for the impairment of
certain technology-related intangible assets as well as related inventory and property, plant and equipment with no further use.
In addition, the Company incurred $27 million of cash restructuring costs primarily related to employee severance and related
charges. Substantially all restructuring activities related to this discontinued product line were completed in 2017.
Operating profit margins declined 70 basis points during 2017 as compared to 2016. The following factors impacted year-over-
year operating profit margin comparisons.
2017 vs. 2016 operating profit margin comparisons were favorably impacted by:
•
•
•
Higher 2017 sales volumes from existing businesses and incremental year-over-year cost savings associated with the
continuing productivity improvement initiatives taken in 2017 and 2016, net of incremental year-over-year costs
associated with various new product development, sales and marketing growth investments and the effect of year-
over-year changes in currency exchange rates - 35 basis points
Acquisition-related charges in 2016 associated with the acquisition of Cepheid, including transaction costs deemed
significant, change in control and restructuring payments, and fair value adjustments to acquired inventory and
deferred revenue - 150 basis points
2017 gain on resolution of acquisition-related matters - 25 basis points
2017 vs. 2016 operating profit margin comparisons were unfavorably impacted by:
•
•
Restructuring, impairment and other related charges related to discontinuing a product line in 2017 - 130 basis points
The incremental net dilutive effect in 2017 of acquired businesses - 150 basis points
Depreciation and amortization increased during 2017 as compared with 2016 primarily due to the impact of recently acquired
businesses, primarily Cepheid, and the resulting increase in depreciable and amortizable assets.
2016 Compared to 2015
Price increases in the segment contributed 0.5% to sales growth on a year-over-year basis during 2016 as compared with 2015
and are reflected as a component of the change in core revenue growth.
Geographically, demand in the clinical lab business increased on a year-over-year basis led by continuing strong demand in
high-growth markets, particularly China, partially offset by declines in North America. Increased demand in the immunoassay
products drove the majority of growth for the year in the clinical business. Continued strong consumable sales in 2016
particularly in China, Western Europe, North America and Japan drove the majority of the year-over-year sales growth in the
acute care diagnostic business. Increased demand for advanced staining consumables, particularly in North America and
China, and core histology instruments across most major geographies, but particularly in China, drove the majority of the year-
over-year sales growth in the pathology diagnostics business.
Operating profit margins increased 20 basis points during 2016 as compared to 2015. The following factors impacted year-
over-year operating profit margin comparisons.
2016 vs. 2015 operating profit margin comparisons were favorably impacted by:
•
Higher 2016 sales volumes from existing businesses and incremental year-over-year cost savings associated with the
continuing productivity improvement initiatives taken in 2016 and 2015, net of incremental year-over-year costs
associated with various product development, sales and marketing growth investments and the effect of a stronger
U.S. dollar in 2016 - 200 basis points
2016 vs. 2015 operating profit margin comparisons were unfavorably impacted by:
•
•
Acquisition-related charges in 2016 associated with the acquisition of Cepheid, including transaction costs deemed
significant, change in control and restructuring payments, and fair value adjustments to acquired inventory and
deferred revenue - 150 basis points
The incremental net dilutive effect in 2016 of acquired businesses - 30 basis points
37
Amortization increased during 2016 as compared with 2015 primarily due to the impact of recently acquired businesses
including Cepheid and the resulting increase in amortizable assets.
DENTAL
The Company’s Dental segment provides products that are used to diagnose, treat and prevent disease and ailments of the teeth,
gums and supporting bone, as well as to improve the aesthetics of the human smile. The Company is a leading worldwide
provider of a broad range of dental consumables, equipment and services, and is dedicated to driving technological innovations
that help dental professionals improve clinical outcomes and enhance productivity.
Dental Selected Financial Data
($ in millions)
Sales
Operating profit
Depreciation
Amortization
Operating profit as a % of sales
Depreciation as a % of sales
Amortization as a % of sales
Revenue Performance
Total sales growth (GAAP)
Less the impact of:
Acquisitions and other
Currency exchange rates
Core revenue growth (non-GAAP)
2017 Compared to 2016
For the Year Ended December 31
2017
2016
2015
$
2,810.9
$
2,785.4
$
2,736.8
400.7
39.7
81.7
14.3%
1.4%
2.9%
419.4
43.8
83.4
15.1%
1.6%
3.0%
370.4
50.0
82.0
13.5%
1.8%
3.0%
2017 vs. 2016
2016 vs. 2015
1.0 %
2.0 %
— %
(1.0)%
— %
(0.5)%
0.5 %
2.0 %
Price increases in the segment did not have a significant impact on sales growth on a year-over-year basis during 2017 as
compared with 2016.
Geographically, year-over-year core revenue growth was strong in China, Russia and other high-growth markets, offset by
lower demand in the United States and Western Europe. Strong year-over-year growth continued during 2017 for the specialty
consumables business, which consists of implant solutions and orthodontic products. Core sales growth for the specialty
consumables business was led by high-growth markets and North America. Dental equipment core sales were essentially flat
during 2017, as increased demand in high-growth markets was offset by weaker demand in the United States and Western
Europe, particularly later in the year for North America due to the realignment of dental equipment distributors and
manufacturers. Demand was lower for traditional dental consumable product lines in North America and Western Europe
reflecting inventory destocking by several distribution partners. While the impact of inventory destocking in the consumables
business began to lessen late in 2017, the recent realignment of distributors and manufacturers in the dental industry, primarily
in North America, may have a continued negative impact on revenues in the near-term.
Operating profit margins declined 80 basis points during 2017 as compared to 2016. The following factors unfavorably
impacted year-over-year operating profit margin comparisons:
•
Incremental year-over-year costs associated with various new product development, sales and marketing growth
investments, the effect of year-over-year changes in currency exchange rates and unfavorable product mix due to
lower sales of dental consumables in 2017, net of incremental year-over-year cost savings associated with the
continuing productivity improvement initiatives taken in 2017 and 2016 - 35 basis points
•
Trade name impairments and related productivity improvement initiatives in 2017 - 35 basis points
38
•
The incremental net dilutive effect in 2017 of acquired businesses - 10 basis points
2016 Compared to 2015
Price increases in the segment contributed 0.5% to sales growth on a year-over-year basis during 2016 as compared with 2015
and are reflected as a component of the change in core revenue growth.
Geographically, year-over-year core revenue growth was strong in China and other high-growth markets, with low-single digit
growth in the United States partially offset by lower demand in Western Europe. Continued strong year-over-year demand for
implant solutions, particularly in China and North America, and increased demand for orthodontic products, primarily in China
and Russia, drove growth during 2016. Dental equipment core sales also increased during 2016, primarily in high-growth
markets and North America partially offset by weaker demand in Western Europe. Lower demand for dental consumable
product lines in North America and the Middle East partially offset this year-over-year growth in 2016.
Operating profit margins increased 160 basis points during 2016 as compared to 2015. The following factors impacted year-
over-year operating profit margin comparisons.
2016 vs. 2015 operating profit margin comparisons were favorably impacted by:
•
•
Higher 2016 sales volumes from existing businesses and incremental year-over-year cost savings associated with the
continuing productivity improvement initiatives taken in 2016 and 2015, net of incremental year-over-year costs
associated with various product development, sales and marketing growth investments and the effect of a stronger
U.S. dollar in 2016 - 90 basis points
Acquisition-related charges in the first quarter of 2015 associated with the acquisition of Nobel Biocare, primarily
related to fair value adjustments to acquired inventory - 80 basis points
2016 vs. 2015 operating profit margin comparisons were unfavorably impacted by:
•
The incremental net dilutive effect in 2016 of acquired businesses - 10 basis points
ENVIRONMENTAL & APPLIED SOLUTIONS
The Company’s Environmental & Applied Solutions segment products and services help protect important resources and keep
global food and water supplies safe. The Company’s water quality business provides instrumentation, services and disinfection
systems to help analyze, treat and manage the quality of ultra-pure, potable, industrial, waste, ground, source and ocean water
in residential, commercial, municipal, industrial and natural resource applications. The Company’s product identification
business provides equipment, software, services and consumables for various color and appearance management, packaging
design and quality management, printing, marking, coding and traceability applications for consumer, pharmaceutical and
industrial products.
Environmental & Applied Solutions Selected Financial Data
($ in millions)
Sales
Operating profit
Depreciation
Amortization
Operating profit as a % of sales
Depreciation as a % of sales
Amortization as a % of sales
For the Year Ended December 31
2017
2016
2015
$
3,968.8
$
3,692.8
$
3,549.8
914.6
43.4
56.5
23.0%
1.1%
1.4%
870.0
35.8
50.9
23.6%
1.0%
1.4%
866.6
35.0
47.2
24.4%
1.0%
1.3%
39
Revenue Performance
Total sales growth (GAAP)
Less the impact of:
Acquisitions and other
Currency exchange rates
Core revenue growth (non-GAAP)
2017 Compared to 2016
2017 vs. 2016
2016 vs. 2015
7.5 %
4.0 %
(3.0)%
(0.5)%
4.0 %
(2.5)%
1.5 %
3.0 %
During the first quarter of 2017, a product line was transferred from the Life Sciences segment to the Environmental & Applied
Solutions segment. While this change is not material to segment results in total, the resulting change in sales growth has been
included in the “Acquisitions and other” line in the table above.
Price increases in the segment contributed 1.0% to sales growth on a year-over-year basis during 2017 as compared with 2016
and are reflected as a component of the change in core revenue growth.
Core sales in the segment’s water quality businesses grew at a low-single digit rate during 2017 as compared with 2016. Year-
over-year core sales in the analytical instrumentation product line grew, as increased demand in the industrial and municipal
end-markets was partially offset by lower demand in the environmental end-markets. Geographically, year-over-year core
revenue growth in the analytical instrumentation product line was driven by increased demand in China, Western Europe and
North America, partially offset by lower demand in the Middle East and Latin America. Year-over-year core revenue growth in
the business’ chemical treatment solutions product line was due primarily to an expansion of the customer base in the United
States, driven by higher demand in food, steel and oil and gas-related end-markets. Core sales in the business’ ultraviolet water
disinfection product line grew on a year-over-year basis due primarily to higher demand in municipal and industrial end-
markets in North America, Western Europe and Asia.
Core sales in the segment’s product identification businesses grew at a mid-single digit rate during 2017 as compared with
2016. Continued strong year-over-year demand for marking and coding equipment and related consumables in most major
geographies, led by North America and Western Europe, drove the majority of the core revenue growth. Demand for the
business’ packaging and color solutions also increased year-over-year. Geographically, core revenue growth for packaging and
color solutions was led by North America, Western Europe and Asia.
Operating profit margins declined 60 basis points during 2017 as compared to 2016. The following factors impacted year-over-
year operating profit margin comparisons.
2017 vs. 2016 operating profit margin comparisons were favorably impacted by:
•
Higher 2017 sales volumes, incremental year-over-year cost savings associated with the continuing productivity
improvement initiatives taken in 2017 and 2016, improved pricing and the effect of year-over-year changes in
currency exchange rates, net of incremental year-over-year costs associated with various new product development
and sales and marketing growth investments - 5 basis points
2017 vs. 2016 operating profit margin comparisons were unfavorably impacted by:
•
The incremental net dilutive effect in 2017 of acquired businesses - 65 basis points
2016 Compared to 2015
Price increases in the segment contributed 1.0% to sales growth on a year-over-year basis during 2016 as compared with 2015
and are reflected as a component of the change in core revenue growth.
Core sales in the segment’s water quality businesses grew at a low-single digit rate during 2016 as compared with 2015. Year-
over-year core sales in the analytical instrumentation product line grew, as increases in sales to the U.S. municipal end-market
and Western Europe were partially offset by lower demand in Eastern Europe and China. Year-over-year core revenue growth
in the business’ chemical treatment solutions product line was due primarily to an expansion of the customer base in the United
States. Chemical treatment solutions saw an improvement in commodity oriented end-markets in Latin America in the fourth
quarter of 2016 after declining growth in the earlier portion of 2016. Core sales in the business’ ultraviolet water disinfection
40
product line grew on a year-over-year basis due primarily to higher demand in municipal and industrial end-markets in Western
Europe, China and Australia.
Core sales in the segment’s product identification businesses grew at a mid-single digit rate during 2016 as compared with
2015. Continued strong year-over-year demand for marking and coding equipment and related consumables in most major
geographies, led by North America, Western Europe and Latin America, drove the majority of the core revenue growth.
Demand for the business’ packaging and color solutions was flat year-over-year, as core revenue growth in the second half of
the year was offset by weakness in the first half of the year. Geographically, increased demand in the high-growth markets was
offset by weaker demand in North America and Europe.
Operating profit margins declined 80 basis points during 2016 as compared to 2015. The following factors unfavorably
impacted year-over-year operating profit margin comparisons.
•
•
The incremental net dilutive effect in 2016 of acquired businesses - 75 basis points
Incremental year-over-year costs associated with various product development, sales and marketing growth
investments and the effect of a stronger U.S. dollar in 2016, net of higher 2016 sales volumes from existing businesses
and incremental year-over-year cost savings associated with the continuing productivity improvement initiatives taken
in 2016 and 2015 - 5 basis points
COST OF SALES AND GROSS PROFIT
($ in millions)
Sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Gross profit margin
For the Year Ended December 31
2017
18,329.7
(8,137.2)
10,192.5
$
$
2016
16,882.4
(7,547.8)
9,334.6
$
$
2015
14,433.7
(6,662.6)
7,771.1
$
$
55.6%
55.3%
53.8%
The year-over-year increase in cost of sales during 2017 as compared with 2016 is due primarily to the impact of higher year-
over-year sales volumes, including sales from recently acquired businesses and the impact of restructuring, impairment and
other related charges associated with the Company’s strategic decision to discontinue a product line in its Diagnostics segment.
This increase in cost of sales was partially offset by year-over-year cost savings at recently acquired businesses, incremental
year-over-year cost savings associated with the continued productivity improvement actions taken in 2017 and 2016, and the
year-over-year decrease in acquisition-related charges associated with fair value adjustments to acquired inventory which
decreased cost of sales by $21 million during 2017 as compared to 2016.
The year-over-year increase in cost of sales during 2016 as compared with 2015, is due primarily to the impact of higher year-
over-year sales volumes, including sales from recently acquired businesses. This increase in cost of sales was partially offset
by year-over-year cost savings at recently acquired businesses, particularly Pall, incremental year-over-year cost savings
associated with the continued productivity improvement actions taken in 2016 and 2015, and the year-over-year decrease in
acquisition-related charges associated with fair value adjustments to acquired inventory which decreased cost of sales by $85
million during 2016 as compared to 2015.
The year-over-year increase in gross profit margins during 2017 as compared with 2016 is due primarily to the favorable
impact of higher year-over-year sales volumes and incremental year-over-year cost savings associated with the continuing
productivity improvements taken in 2017 and 2016. In addition, the acquisition-related charges associated with fair value
adjustments to acquired inventory and deferred revenue were higher in 2016 than 2017, which improved gross profit margins
by 10 basis points during 2017 as compared with 2016.
The year-over-year increase in gross profit margins during 2016 as compared with 2015 is due primarily to the favorable
impact of higher year-over-year sales volumes, incremental year-over-year cost savings associated with the continuing
productivity improvements taken in 2016 and 2015 and improved gross profit margins on a year-over-year basis at recently
acquired businesses, particularly Pall. In addition, the acquisition-related charges associated with fair value adjustments to
acquired inventory and deferred revenue were higher in 2015 than 2016, which improved gross profit margins by 50 basis
points during 2016 as compared with 2015.
41
OPERATING EXPENSES
($ in millions)
Sales
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses
Research and development (“R&D”) expenses
SG&A as a % of sales
R&D as a % of sales
For the Year Ended December 31
2017
2016
2015
$
$
18,329.7
(6,042.5)
(1,128.8)
33.0%
6.2%
$
16,882.4
(5,608.6)
(975.1)
33.2%
5.8%
14,433.7
(4,747.5)
(861.4)
32.9%
6.0%
SG&A expenses as a percentage of sales declined 20 basis points on a year-over-year basis for 2017 compared with 2016. The
decline was driven by increased leverage of the Company’s general and administrative cost base resulting from higher 2017
sales volumes, continuing productivity improvements taken in 2017 and 2016 as well as the benefit of lower acquisition
charges in 2017 compared to 2016, particularly change in control payments and restructuring costs in connection with the
acquisition of Cepheid. The decline in SG&A expenses as a percentage of sales was partially offset by restructuring,
impairment and other related charges associated with the Company’s strategic decision to discontinue a product line in its
Diagnostics segment, higher relative spending levels at recently acquired companies, primarily Cepheid, and continued
investments in sales and marketing growth initiatives.
SG&A expenses as a percentage of sales increased 30 basis points on a year-over-year basis for 2016 compared with 2015. The
increase in SG&A expenses as a percentage of sales from 2015 to 2016 was driven by continued investments in sales and
marketing growth initiatives and higher relative spending levels at recently acquired businesses. Change in control payments
and restructuring costs in connection with the acquisition of Cepheid, as well as associated transaction costs, also increased
SG&A expenses as a percentage of sales by 35 basis points during 2016. These increases were partially offset by the benefit of
increased leverage of the Company’s general and administrative cost base resulting from higher 2016 sales, lower year-over-
year costs associated continuing productivity improvement initiatives and incremental year-over-year cost savings associated
with the continuing productivity improvements taken in 2016 and 2015 as well as the benefit of lower Pall acquisition charges
(change in control payments to Pall employees in connection with the acquisition of Pall, as well as associated transaction costs
and amortization charges associated with acquisition-related intangible assets, net of the positive impact of freezing pension
benefits) in 2016 compared to 2015.
R&D expenses (consisting principally of internal and contract engineering personnel costs) as a percentage of sales increased in
2017 as compared with 2016 due primarily to higher R&D expenses as a percentage of sales in the businesses most recently
acquired, primarily Cepheid, as well as year-over-year increases in spending in the Company’s new product development
initiatives. R&D expenses as a percentage of sales declined in 2016 as compared to 2015 due primarily to lower R&D
expenses as a percentage of sales in the businesses most recently acquired, particularly Pall, as well as year-over-year
differences in the timing of investments in the Company’s new product development initiatives.
NONOPERATING INCOME (EXPENSE)
The Company received $138 million of cash proceeds and recorded $22 million in short-term other receivables from the sale of
certain marketable equity securities during 2017. The Company recorded a pretax gain related to this sale of $73 million ($46
million after-tax or $0.06 per diluted share).
During 2016, the Company received cash proceeds of $265 million from the sale of certain marketable equity securities and
recorded a pretax gain related to this sale of $223 million ($140 million after-tax or $0.20 per diluted share).
During 2016, the Company also paid $188 million of make-whole premiums associated with the early extinguishment of the
Redeemed Notes. The Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of these borrowings, net of certain deferred gains, of $179
million ($112 million after-tax or $0.16 per diluted share).
During 2015, the Company received cash proceeds of $43 million from the sale of certain marketable equity securities and
recorded a pretax gain related to these sales of $12 million ($8 million after-tax or $0.01 per diluted share).
INTEREST COSTS
Interest expense of $163 million for 2017 was $22 million lower than in 2016, due primarily to the decrease in interest costs as
a result of the early extinguishment of certain outstanding borrowings in the third quarter of 2016 using the proceeds from the
Fortive Distribution and due to lower commercial paper borrowings in 2017 compared to 2016, partially offset by the cost of
42
additional long-term debt refinancing relating to the acquisition of Cepheid. For a further description of the Company’s debt as
of December 31, 2017 refer to Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Interest expense of $184 million in 2016 was
$45 million higher than the 2015 interest expense of $140 million due primarily to the higher interest costs associated with the
debt issued in the second half of 2015 in connection with the 2015 acquisition of Pall, partially offset by decreases in interest
costs as a result of the early extinguishment of the Redeemed Notes in the third quarter of 2016 using the proceeds from the
Fortive Distribution.
INCOME TAXES
General
Income tax expense and deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect management’s assessment of future taxes expected to be paid
on items reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company records the tax effect of discrete items
and items that are reported net of their tax effects in the period in which they occur.
The Company’s effective tax rate can be affected by changes in the mix of earnings in countries with different statutory tax
rates (including as a result of business acquisitions and dispositions), changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and
liabilities, accruals related to contingent tax liabilities and period-to-period changes in such accruals, the results of audits and
examinations of previously filed tax returns (as discussed below), the expiration of statutes of limitations, the implementation
of tax planning strategies, tax rulings, court decisions, settlements with tax authorities and changes in tax laws and regulations,
including the TCJA and legislative policy changes that may result from the OECD’s initiative on Base Erosion and Profit
Shifting. For a description of the tax treatment of earnings that are planned to be reinvested indefinitely outside the United
States, refer to “—Liquidity and Capital Resources – Cash and Cash Requirements” below.
The amount of income taxes the Company pays is subject to ongoing audits by federal, state and foreign tax authorities, which
often result in proposed assessments. Management performs a comprehensive review of its global tax positions on a quarterly
basis. Based on these reviews, the results of discussions and resolutions of matters with certain tax authorities, tax rulings and
court decisions and the expiration of statutes of limitations, reserves for contingent tax liabilities are accrued or adjusted as
necessary. For a discussion of risks related to these and other tax matters, refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors”.
On December 22, 2017, the TCJA was enacted, substantially changing the U.S. tax system and affecting the Company in a
number of ways. Notably, the TCJA:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
establishes a flat corporate income tax rate of 21.0% on U.S. earnings;
imposes a one-time tax on unremitted cumulative non-U.S. earnings of foreign subsidiaries, which we refer to in this
Annual Report as the Transition Tax;
imposes a new minimum tax on certain non-U.S. earnings, irrespective of the territorial system of taxation, and
generally allows for the repatriation of future earnings of foreign subsidiaries without incurring additional U.S. taxes
by transitioning to a territorial system of taxation;
subjects certain payments made by a U.S. company to a related foreign company to certain minimum taxes (Base
Erosion Anti-Abuse Tax);
eliminates certain prior tax incentives for manufacturing in the United States and creates an incentive for U.S.
companies to sell, lease or license goods and services abroad by allowing for a reduction in taxes owed on earnings
related to such sales;
allows the cost of investments in certain depreciable assets acquired and placed in service after September 27, 2017 to
be immediately expensed; and
reduces deductions with respect to certain compensation paid to specified executive officers.
While the changes from the TCJA are generally effective beginning in 2018, U.S. GAAP accounting for income taxes requires
the effect of a change in tax laws or rates to be recognized in income from continuing operations for the period that includes the
enactment date. Due to the complexities involved in accounting for the enactment of the TCJA, the SEC Staff Accounting
Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB No. 118”) allowed the Company to record provisional amounts in earnings for the year ended
December 31, 2017. Where reasonable estimates can be made, the provisional accounting should be based on such estimates.
When no reasonable estimate can be made, the provisional accounting may be based on the tax law in effect before the TCJA.
The Company is required to complete its tax accounting for the TCJA within a one year period when it has obtained, prepared,
and analyzed the information to complete the income tax accounting.
43
The Company has not completed its accounting for the tax effects of enactment of the TCJA; however, as described below, the
Company has made reasonable estimates of the effects of the TCJA on its Consolidated Financial Statements which are
included as a component of income tax expense from continuing operations:
•
•
•
Deferred tax assets and liabilities: U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities were remeasured based on the rates at which
they are expected to reverse in the future, which is generally 21.0%, resulting in an income tax benefit of
approximately $1.2 billion. The Company will continue to analyze certain aspects of the TCJA which could
potentially affect the tax basis of the reported amounts. Additionally, the Company’s U.S. tax returns for 2017 will be
filed during the fourth quarter of 2018 and any changes to the tax positions for temporary differences compared to the
estimates used will result in an adjustment of the estimated tax benefit recorded as of December 31, 2017.
Transition Tax effects: The Transition Tax is based on the Company’s total post-1986 earnings and profits that were
previously deferred from U.S. income taxes. The Company recorded a provisional amount for the Transition Tax
expense resulting in an increase in income tax expense of approximately $1.2 billion. The Company will continue to
evaluate the TCJA and any future guidance from the U.S. Treasury Department and IRS in the determination of the
Transition Tax which could result in adjustment of the estimate recorded as of December 31, 2017.
Indefinite reinvestment: As of December 31, 2017, the Company held $593 million of cash and approximately $656
million of cash equivalents (as defined by the TCJA, including trade accounts receivable net of trade accounts payable
balances and certain accrued expenses) outside the United States. While repatriation of some cash held outside the
United States may be restricted by local laws, most of the Company’s foreign cash could be repatriated to the United
States. Following enactment of the TCJA and the associated Transition Tax, in general, repatriation of cash to the
United States can be completed with no incremental U.S. tax; however, repatriation of cash could subject the
Company to non-U.S. jurisdictional taxes on distributions. The cash that the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries hold
for indefinite reinvestment is generally used to finance foreign operations and investments, including acquisitions.
The income taxes applicable to such earnings are not readily determinable or practicable. The Company continues to
evaluate the impact of the TCJA on its election to indefinitely reinvest certain of its non-U.S. earnings.
The Company will continue to analyze the effects of the TCJA on its Consolidated Financial Statements and operations. Additional
impacts from the enactment of the TCJA will be recorded as they are identified during the measurement period as provided for in
SAB No. 118, which extends up to one year from the enactment date.
Year-Over-Year Changes in the Tax Provision and Effective Tax Rate
The Company’s effective tax rate related to continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was
16.0%, 17.5% and 14.4%, respectively.
The Company’s effective tax rate for each of 2017, 2016 and 2015 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35.0% due
principally to the Company’s earnings outside the United States that are indefinitely reinvested and taxed at rates lower than the
U.S. federal statutory rate. In addition:
•
•
•
The effective tax rate of 16.0% in 2017 includes 500 basis points of net tax benefits related to the revaluation of net
U.S. deferred tax liabilities from 35.0% to 21.0% due to the TCJA and release of reserves upon statute of limitation
expiration, partially offset by income tax expense related to the Transition Tax on foreign earnings due to the TCJA
and changes in estimates associated with prior period uncertain tax positions.
The effective tax rate of 17.5% in 2016 includes 350 basis points of net tax benefits from permanent foreign exchange
losses and the release of reserves upon the expiration of statutes of limitation and audit settlements, partially offset by
income tax expense related to repatriation of earnings and legal entity realignments associated with the Separation and
changes in estimates associated with prior period uncertain tax positions.
The effective tax rate of 14.4% in 2015 includes 290 basis points of net tax benefits from permanent foreign exchange
losses, releases of valuation allowances related to foreign operating losses and the release of reserves upon the
expiration of statutes of limitation, partially offset by changes in estimates associated with prior period uncertain tax
positions.
The Company conducts business globally, and files numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns in the U.S. federal,
state and foreign jurisdictions. The countries in which the Company has a material presence that have had significantly lower
statutory tax rates than the United States include China, Denmark, Germany, Singapore, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
The Company’s ability to obtain a tax benefit from lower statutory tax rates outside of the United States depends on its levels of
taxable income in these foreign countries and the amount of foreign earnings which are indefinitely reinvested in those
44
countries. The Company believes that a change in the statutory tax rate of any individual foreign country would not have a
material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements given the geographic dispersion of the Company’s taxable
income.
The Company and its subsidiaries are routinely examined by various domestic and international taxing authorities. The IRS
has completed substantially all of the examinations of the Company’s federal income tax returns through 2011 and is currently
examining certain of the Company’s federal income tax returns for 2012 through 2015. In addition, the Company has
subsidiaries in Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, New
Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and various other countries, states and provinces that are currently under
audit for years ranging from 2004 through 2015.
Tax authorities in Denmark have raised significant issues related to interest accrued by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries.
On December 10, 2013, the Company received assessments from the Danish tax authority (“SKAT”) totaling approximately
DKK 1.5 billion (approximately $245 million based on exchange rates as of December 31, 2017) including interest through
December 31, 2017, imposing withholding tax relating to interest accrued in Denmark on borrowings from certain of the
Company’s subsidiaries for the years 2004-2009. The Company is currently in discussions with SKAT and anticipates
receiving an assessment for years 2010-2012 totaling approximately DKK 895 million (approximately $144 million based on
exchange rates as of December 31, 2017) including interest through December 31, 2017. Management believes the positions
the Company has taken in Denmark are in accordance with the relevant tax laws and is vigorously defending its positions. The
Company appealed these assessments with the National Tax Tribunal in 2014 and intends on pursuing this matter through the
European Court of Justice should this appeal be unsuccessful. The ultimate resolution of this matter is uncertain, could take
many years, and could result in a material adverse impact to the Company’s financial statements, including its effective tax rate.
After considering the effect of the TCJA, the Company expects its 2018 effective tax rate to be in the range of 20% to 21%.
Any future legislative changes in the United States including regulations related to the TCJA or potential tax reform in other
jurisdictions, could cause the Company’s effective tax rate to differ from this estimate. Refer to Note 12 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements for additional information related to income taxes.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
As further discussed in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, discontinued operations includes the results of the
Fortive businesses which were disposed of during the third quarter of 2016 as well as the results of the Company’s former
communications business which was disposed of during the third quarter of 2015. All periods presented have been restated to
reflect the Fortive and communications businesses within discontinued operations.
In 2017, Danaher recorded a $22 million income tax benefit related to the release of previously provided reserves associated
with uncertain tax positions on certain Danaher tax returns which were jointly filed with Fortive entities. These reserves were
released due to the expiration of statutes of limitations for those returns. All Fortive entity-related balances were included in
the income tax benefit related to discontinued operations.
In 2016, earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, were $400 million and reflected the operating results of
the Fortive businesses prior to the Separation. In 2015, earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, were
approximately $1.6 billion and reflected the operations of both the Fortive and communications businesses as well as the gain
on the sale of the communications business in 2015.
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Comprehensive income increased by approximately $1.7 billion in 2017 as compared to 2016, primarily due to increased
earnings from continuing operations, an increased gain from foreign currency translation adjustments compared to 2016,
pension and postretirement plan benefit adjustments and the decrease in the unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale
securities from the sale of certain marketable equity securities, partially offset by lower net earnings attributable to discontinued
operations in 2017 compared to 2016. The Company recorded a foreign currency translation gain of $976 million for 2017
compared to a translation loss of $517 million for 2016. The Company recorded a pension and postretirement plan benefit gain
of $71 million for 2017 compared to a loss of $58 million for 2016.
Comprehensive income decreased by $617 million in 2016 as compared to 2015, primarily due to the impact of decreases in net
earnings attributable to discontinued operations, foreign currency translation adjustments resulting from the strengthening of
the U.S. dollar compared to most major currencies during the year but at a lower rate than in the prior year, and pension and
postretirement plan benefit adjustments. The Company recorded a foreign currency translation loss of $517 million for 2016
45
compared to a translation loss of $976 million for 2015. The Company recorded a pension and postretirement plan benefit loss
of $58 million in 2016 compared to a gain of $81 million in 2015.
INFLATION
The effect of inflation on the Company’s revenues and net earnings was not significant in any of the years ended December 31,
2017, 2016 or 2015.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT
The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, equity prices and
commodity prices as well as credit risk, each of which could impact its Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company
generally addresses its exposure to these risks through its normal operating and financing activities. In addition, the
Company’s broad-based business activities help to reduce the impact that volatility in any particular area or related areas may
have on its operating profit as a whole.
Interest Rate Risk
The Company manages interest cost using a mixture of fixed-rate and variable-rate debt. A change in interest rates on long-
term debt impacts the fair value of the Company’s fixed-rate long-term debt but not the Company’s earnings or cash flow
because the interest on such debt is fixed. Generally, the fair market value of fixed-rate debt will increase as interest rates fall
and decrease as interest rates rise. As of December 31, 2017, an increase of 100 basis points in interest rates would have
decreased the fair value of the Company’s fixed-rate long-term debt (excluding the LYONs, which have not been included in
this calculation as the value of this convertible debt is primarily derived from the value of its underlying common stock) by
$470 million.
As of December 31, 2017, the Company’s variable-rate debt obligations consisted primarily of U.S. dollar and euro-based
commercial paper borrowings (refer to Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the
Company’s outstanding commercial paper balances as of December 31, 2017). As a result, the Company’s primary interest rate
exposure results from changes in short-term interest rates. As these shorter duration obligations mature, the Company may
issue additional short-term commercial paper obligations to refinance all or part of these borrowings. In 2017, the average
annual interest rate associated with outstanding commercial paper borrowings was approximately 6 basis points. A
hypothetical increase of this average to 18 basis points would have increased the Company’s annual interest expense by $4
million. The hypothetical increase used is the actual amount by which the Company’s commercial paper interest rates
fluctuated during 2017.
Currency Exchange Rate Risk
The Company faces transactional exchange rate risk from transactions with customers in countries outside the United States
and from intercompany transactions between affiliates. Transactional exchange rate risk arises from the purchase and sale of
goods and services in currencies other than Danaher’s functional currency or the functional currency of its applicable
subsidiary. The Company also faces translational exchange rate risk related to the translation of financial statements of its
foreign operations into U.S. dollars, Danaher’s functional currency. Costs incurred and sales recorded by subsidiaries operating
outside of the United States are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates effective during the respective period. As a
result, the Company is exposed to movements in the exchange rates of various currencies against the U.S. dollar. In particular,
the Company has more sales in European currencies than it has expenses in those currencies. Therefore, when European
currencies strengthen or weaken against the U.S. dollar, operating profits are increased or decreased, respectively. The effect of
a change in currency exchange rates on the Company’s net investment in international subsidiaries is reflected in the
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component of stockholders’ equity.
Currency exchange rates positively impacted 2017 reported sales by 0.5% on a year-over-year basis as the U.S. dollar
weakened against the euro, partially offset by the effect of the U.S. dollar strengthening against the Japanese yen and Chinese
renminbi. If the exchange rates in effect as of December 31, 2017 were to prevail throughout 2018, currency exchange rates
would positively impact 2018 estimated sales by approximately 2.0% relative to the Company’s performance in 2017.
Strengthening of the U.S. dollar against other major currencies would adversely impact the Company’s sales and results of
operations on an overall basis. Any weakening of the U.S. dollar against other major currencies would positively impact the
Company’s sales and results of operations.
The Company has generally accepted the exposure to exchange rate movements without using derivative financial instruments
to manage this risk. Both positive and negative movements in currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar will therefore
continue to affect the reported amount of sales and net earnings in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. In
46
addition, the Company has assets and liabilities held in foreign currencies. The Company’s foreign currency-denominated debt
partially hedges its net investments in foreign operations against adverse movements in exchange rates. A 10% depreciation in
major currencies relative to the U.S. dollar as of December 31, 2017 would have reduced foreign currency-denominated net
assets and stockholders’ equity by $880 million.
Equity Price Risk
The Company’s available-for-sale investment portfolio has in the past included publicly traded equity securities that are
sensitive to fluctuations in market price. However, during 2017 the Company sold substantially all of its available-for-sale
equity securities.
Commodity Price Risk
For a discussion of risks relating to commodity prices, refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
Credit Risk
The Company is exposed to potential credit losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to its financial instruments.
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk consist of cash and temporary investments, receivables
from customers and derivatives. The Company places cash and temporary investments with various high-quality financial
institutions throughout the world and exposure is limited at any one institution. Although the Company typically does not
obtain collateral or other security to secure these obligations, it does regularly monitor the third-party depository institutions
that hold its cash and cash equivalents. The Company’s emphasis is primarily on safety and liquidity of principal and
secondarily on maximizing yield on those funds.
In addition, concentrations of credit risk arising from receivables from customers are limited due to the diversity of the
Company’s customers. The Company’s businesses perform credit evaluations of their customers’ financial conditions as
appropriate and also obtain collateral or other security when appropriate.
The Company enters into derivative transactions infrequently and such transactions are generally insignificant to the
Company’s financial condition and results of operations. These transactions are typically entered into with high-quality
financial institutions and exposure at any one institution is limited.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Management assesses the Company’s liquidity in terms of its ability to generate cash to fund its operating, investing and
financing requirements. The Company continues to generate substantial cash from operating activities and believes that its
operating cash flow and other sources of liquidity will be sufficient to allow it to continue investing in existing businesses,
consummating strategic acquisitions, paying interest and servicing debt and managing its capital structure on a short and long-
term basis.
47
Following is an overview of the Company’s cash flows and liquidity for the years ended December 31:
Overview of Cash Flows and Liquidity
($ in millions)
Total operating cash flows provided by continuing operations
Cash paid for acquisitions
Payments for additions to property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment
Payments for purchases of investments
Proceeds from sales of investments
All other investing activities
Total investing cash used in discontinued operations
Net cash used in investing activities
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock
Payment of dividends
Payment for purchase of noncontrolling interest
Make-whole premiums to redeem borrowings prior to maturity
Net (repayments of) proceeds from borrowings (maturities of 90 days or
less)
Proceeds from borrowings (maturities longer than 90 days)
Repayments of borrowings (maturities longer than 90 days)
All other financing activities
Cash distributions to Fortive, net
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
2017
2016
2015
3,477.8
$
3,087.5
$
2,832.2
(385.8) $
(619.6)
32.6
—
137.9
(8.5)
—
(843.4) $
$
68.8
(378.3)
(64.4)
—
(3,778.5)
1,782.1
(668.4)
(59.8)
—
(3,098.5) $
(4,880.1) $
(589.6)
9.8
—
264.8
21.9
(69.8)
(5,243.0) $
$
164.5
(399.8)
—
(188.1)
2,218.1
3,240.9
(2,480.6)
(27.0)
(485.3)
2,042.7
$
(14,247.8)
(512.9)
60.4
(87.1)
43.0
5.9
(212.5)
(14,951.0)
249.0
(354.1)
—
—
3,511.2
5,682.9
(35.5)
(3.3)
—
9,050.2
$
$
$
$
$
•
•
•
•
Operating cash flows from continuing operations increased $390 million, or approximately 13%, during 2017 as
compared to 2016, due primarily to higher earnings which also included higher noncash charges for depreciation and
amortization. The increase was partially offset by (1) the gain on sale of marketable equity securities in 2017, reduced
by the net impact in 2016 of the gain from the sale of marketable equity securities and the loss on early
extinguishment of borrowings; and (2) the increase in cash flows used for trade accounts receivable, inventories and
accounts payable.
Net cash used in investing activities during 2017 consisted primarily of cash paid for acquisitions and additions to
property, plant and equipment. The Company acquired ten businesses during 2017 for total consideration (including
assumed debt and net of cash acquired) of approximately $386 million. Payments for additions to property, plant and
equipment increased $30 million in 2017 compared to 2016 and include investments in other operating assets,
particularly new facilities and operating assets at newly acquired businesses. These uses of cash were partially offset
by proceeds from sales of investments, which includes cash proceeds of $138 million from the sale of certain
marketable equity securities.
The Company used cash generated from operations as well as the proceeds from the long-term borrowings noted
below to reduce net outstanding borrowings with maturities of 90 days or less, primarily commercial paper
borrowings, by approximately $3.8 billion.
During 2017, the Company issued approximately $1.8 billion of euro, Japanese yen and Swiss franc-denominated
long-term indebtedness (based on applicable exchange rates as of the pricing dates of the respective notes; refer to
Note 9 of the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements) and used the proceeds to repay commercial paper
borrowings as well as the €500 million of senior unsecured bonds and the CHF 100 million of senior unsecured bonds
that matured in 2017.
•
As of December 31, 2017, the Company held $630 million of cash and cash equivalents.
48
Operating Activities
Cash flows from operating activities can fluctuate significantly from period-to-period as working capital needs and the timing
of payments for income taxes, restructuring activities, pension funding and other items impact reported cash flows.
Operating cash flows from continuing operations were approximately $3.5 billion for 2017, an increase of $390 million, or
approximately 13%, as compared to 2016. The year-over-year change in operating cash flows from 2016 to 2017 was primarily
attributable to the following factors:
•
•
•
•
2017 operating cash flows benefited from higher net earnings in 2017 as compared to 2016. The increase was partially
offset by the gain on sale of marketable equity securities in 2017, reduced by the net impact in 2016 of the gain from
the sale of marketable equity securities and the loss on early extinguishment of borrowings. The cash flow impacts of
the gains from the sale of marketable equity securities is reflected in the investing activities section of the
accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and the cash flow impact of the loss on early extinguishment
of borrowings is reflected in the financing activities section of the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash
Flows, and therefore, do not contribute to operating cash flows.
The aggregate of trade accounts receivable, inventories and trade accounts payable used $243 million in operating
cash flows during 2017, compared to $96 million of operating cash flows used in 2016. The amount of cash flow
generated from or used by the aggregate of trade accounts receivable, inventories and trade accounts payable depends
upon how effectively the Company manages the cash conversion cycle, which effectively represents the number of
days that elapse from the day it pays for the purchase of raw materials and components to the collection of cash from
its customers and can be significantly impacted by the timing of collections and payments in a period.
The aggregate of prepaid expenses and other assets, deferred income taxes and accrued expenses and other liabilities
used $110 million in operating cash flows during 2017, compared to $196 million used in 2016. The timing of cash
payments for income taxes and various employee related liabilities drove the majority of this change.
Net earnings from continuing operations for 2017 reflected an increase of $110 million of depreciation and
amortization expense as compared to 2016. Amortization expense primarily relates to the amortization of intangible
assets acquired in connection with business acquisitions. Depreciation expense relates to both the Company’s
manufacturing and operating facilities as well as instrumentation leased to customers under operating-type lease
arrangements. Depreciation and amortization are noncash expenses that decrease earnings without a corresponding
impact to operating cash flows.
Operating cash flows from continuing operations were approximately $3.1 billion for 2016, an increase of $255 million, or 9%
as compared to 2015. This increase was primarily attributable to the increase in net earnings from continuing operations in
2016 as compared to 2015.
Investing Activities
Cash flows relating to investing activities consist primarily of cash used for acquisitions and capital expenditures, including
instruments leased to customers, cash used for investments and cash proceeds from divestitures of businesses or assets.
Net cash used in investing activities was $843 million during 2017 compared to approximately $5.2 billion and approximately
$15.0 billion of net cash used in 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Acquisitions, Divestitures and Sale of Investments
2017 Acquisitions and Sale of Investments
For a discussion of the Company’s 2017 acquisitions and sale of investments, refer to “—Overview.”
2016 Acquisitions, Divestitures and Sale of Investments
For a discussion of the Company’s 2016 Separation of its former Test & Measurement segment, Industrial Technologies
segment (excluding the product identification businesses) and retail/commercial petroleum business, refer to “—Overview.”
On November 4, 2016, Copper Merger Sub, Inc., a California corporation and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Cepheid, a California corporation, for $53.00 per share in
cash, for a total purchase price of approximately $4.0 billion, net of assumed debt and acquired cash (the “Cepheid
49
Acquisition”). Cepheid is now part of the Company’s Diagnostics segment. Cepheid generated revenues of $539 million in
2015. The Company initially financed the Cepheid acquisition price with available cash and proceeds from the issuance of
U.S. dollar and euro-denominated commercial paper.
In addition to the Cepheid Acquisition, during 2016 the Company acquired seven businesses for total consideration of $882
million in cash, net of cash acquired. The businesses acquired complement existing units of each of the Company’s four
segments. The aggregate annual sales of these seven businesses at the time of their respective acquisitions, in each case based
on the company’s revenues for its last completed fiscal year prior to the acquisition, were $237 million.
During 2016, the Company received cash proceeds of $265 million from the sale of certain marketable equity securities and
recorded a pretax gain related to this sale of $223 million ($140 million after-tax or $0.20 per diluted share).
2015 Acquisitions, Divestitures and Sale of Investments
On August 31, 2015, Pentagon Merger Sub, Inc., a New York corporation and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company, acquired all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Pall, a New York corporation, for $127.20 per share in
cash, for a total purchase price of approximately $13.6 billion, net of assumed debt of $417 million and acquired cash of
approximately $1.2 billion (the “Pall Acquisition”). Pall is part of the Company’s Life Sciences segment. In its fiscal year
ended July 31, 2015, Pall generated consolidated revenues of approximately $2.8 billion.
The Company initially financed the approximately $13.6 billion acquisition price of Pall with approximately $2.5 billion of
available cash, approximately $8.1 billion of net proceeds from the issuance and sale of U.S. dollar and euro-denominated
commercial paper and €2.7 billion (approximately $3.0 billion based on currency exchange rates as of the date of issuance) of
net proceeds from the issuance and sale of euro-denominated senior unsecured notes.
In addition to the Pall Acquisition, during 2015 the Company acquired nine businesses for total consideration of approximately
$670 million in cash, net of cash acquired. The businesses acquired complement existing units of each of the Company’s four
segments. The aggregate annual sales of these nine businesses at the time of their respective acquisitions, in each case based on
the company’s revenues for its last completed fiscal year prior to the acquisition, were approximately $355 million.
In July 2015, the Company consummated the split-off of the majority of its former communications business to Danaher
shareholders who elected to exchange Danaher shares for ownership interests in the communications business, and the
subsequent merger of the communications business with a subsidiary of NetScout. Danaher shareholders who participated in
the exchange offer tendered 26 million shares of Danaher common stock (approximately $2.3 billion on the date of tender) and
received 62.5 million shares of NetScout common stock which represented approximately 60% of the shares of NetScout
common stock outstanding following the combination.
The accounting requirements for reporting the disposition of the communications business as a discontinued operation were
met when the split-off and merger were completed. Accordingly, the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for all
periods presented reflect this business as discontinued operations. The Company allocated a portion of the consolidated interest
expense to discontinued operations based on the ratio of the discontinued business’ net assets to the Company’s consolidated
net assets. The Company recorded an aggregate after-tax gain on the disposition of this business of $767 million, or $1.08 per
diluted share, in its 2015 results in connection with the closing of this transaction representing the value of the 26 million
shares of Company common stock tendered for the communications business in excess of the carrying value of the business’
net assets. This gain was included in the results of discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2015. The
communications business had revenues of $346 million in 2015 prior to the disposition.
During 2015, the Company received cash proceeds of $43 million from the sale of certain marketable equity securities and
recorded a pretax gain related to these sales of $12 million ($8 million after-tax or $0.01 per diluted share).
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures are made primarily for increasing capacity, replacing equipment, supporting new product development,
improving information technology systems and the manufacture of instruments that are used in operating-type lease
arrangements that certain of the Company’s businesses enter into with customers. Capital expenditures totaled $620 million in
2017, $590 million in 2016 and $513 million in 2015. The increase in capital spending in 2017 was due to increased
investments in other operating assets, particularly new facilities, and operating assets at newly acquired businesses. The
increase in capital spending in 2016 was due to increased investments in machinery and equipment, including operating assets
at newly acquired businesses such as Pall, and to a lesser extent, increases in equipment leased to customers. In 2018, the
Company expects capital spending to be approximately $700 million, though actual expenditures will ultimately depend on
business conditions.
50
Financing Activities
Cash flows from financing activities consist primarily of cash flows associated with the issuance and repayments of
commercial paper and other debt, issuances and repurchases of common stock, excess tax benefits from stock-based
compensation, and payments of cash dividends to shareholders. Financing activities used cash of approximately $3.1 billion
during 2017 compared to approximately $2.0 billion of cash provided during 2016. The year-over-year increase in cash used in
financing activities was due primarily to higher net repayments of commercial paper borrowings in 2017 as compared to 2016
(as the Company increased its commercial paper borrowings in 2016 for the Cepheid acquisition) as well as lower proceeds
from the issuance of debt in 2017 as compared to 2016. These impacts were partially offset by lower repayments of long-term
debt in 2017 as compared to the comparable period of 2016 as the Company used a portion of the proceeds from the Fortive
Distribution to repay outstanding long-term indebtedness in August 2016.
Financing activities provided cash of approximately $2.0 billion during 2016 compared to approximately $9.1 billion of cash
provided during 2015. Cash provided by financing activities in 2016 primarily relates to approximately $3.4 billion of net
proceeds received from the issuance of the Fortive Debt in June 2016 and the net issuance of outstanding borrowings with
maturities of 90 days or less, primarily commercial paper borrowings, of approximately $2.2 billion, and the issuance of
approximately ¥29.9 billion aggregate principal amount (approximately $262 million based on the currency exchange rate as of
the date of the issuance) of 0.352% senior unsecured notes. These issuances were partially offset by the repayment of the $500
million aggregate principal amount of 2.3% senior unsecured notes that matured in June 2016, the repayment of approximately
$1.9 billion in aggregate principal amount of outstanding indebtedness in August 2016 (consisting of the Redeemed Notes), the
repayment of the CHF 120 million ($124 million) aggregate principal amount of the 4.0% senior unsecured notes due in
October 2016 and $485 million of cash distributed to Fortive in connection with the Separation.
Total debt was approximately $10.5 billion and $12.3 billion as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company
had the ability to incur an additional $1.6 billion of indebtedness in direct borrowings or under the outstanding commercial
paper facility based on the amounts available under the Company’s $4.0 billion credit facility which were not being used to
backstop outstanding commercial paper balances as of December 31, 2017. Refer to Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements for information regarding the Company’s financing activities and indebtedness, including the Company’s
outstanding debt as of December 31, 2017, and the Company’s commercial paper program and related credit facility.
Shelf Registration Statement
The Company has filed a “well-known seasoned issuer” shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC that registers an
indeterminate amount of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, depositary shares, purchase contracts and
units for future issuance. The Company utilized this shelf registration statement for the offering and sale of the U.S. dollar and
euro-denominated senior unsecured notes issued in 2015 and 2017. The Company expects to use net proceeds realized by the
Company from future securities sales off this shelf registration statement for general corporate purposes, including without
limitation repayment or refinancing of debt or other corporate obligations, acquisitions, capital expenditures, share repurchases
and dividends and/or working capital.
Stock Repurchase Program
Please see “Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities” in Item 5 of Part II of this Annual Report for a description of the Company’s
stock repurchase program.
Dividends
The Company declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.14 per share that was paid on January 26, 2018 to holders of record
on December 29, 2017. Aggregate cash payments for dividends during 2017 were $378 million. Dividend payments were
lower in 2017 as compared to 2016 as the Company decreased the per share amount of its quarterly dividend in the third
quarter of 2016 as a result of the Fortive Separation.
For a description of the dividend of Fortive shares in July 2016, refer to Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cash and Cash Requirements
As of December 31, 2017, the Company held $630 million of cash and cash equivalents that were invested in highly liquid
investment-grade debt instruments with a maturity of 90 days or less with an approximate weighted average annual interest rate
of 0.9%. Of this amount, $37 million was held within the United States and $593 million was held outside of the United States.
The Company will continue to have cash requirements to support working capital needs, capital expenditures and acquisitions,
51
pay interest and service debt, pay taxes and any related interest or penalties, fund its restructuring activities and pension plans
as required, pay dividends to shareholders, repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock and support other business
needs. The Company generally intends to use available cash and internally generated funds to meet these cash requirements,
but in the event that additional liquidity is required, particularly in connection with acquisitions, the Company may also borrow
under its commercial paper programs or credit facility, enter into new credit facilities and either borrow directly thereunder or
use such credit facilities to backstop additional borrowing capacity under its commercial paper programs and/or access the
capital markets. The Company also may from time to time access the capital markets to take advantage of favorable interest
rate environments or other market conditions.
While repatriation of some cash held outside the United States may be restricted by local laws, most of the Company’s foreign
cash could be repatriated to the United States. Following enactment of the TCJA and the associated Transition Tax, in general,
repatriation of cash to the United States can be completed with no incremental U.S. tax; however, repatriation of cash could
subject the Company to non-U.S. jurisdictional taxes on distributions. The cash that the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries hold
for indefinite reinvestment is generally used to finance foreign operations and investments, including acquisitions. The income
taxes applicable to such earnings are not readily determinable or practicable. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of
the TCJA on its election to indefinitely reinvest certain of its non-U.S. earnings. As of December 31, 2017, management
believes that it has sufficient liquidity to satisfy its cash needs, including its cash needs in the United States.
During 2017, the Company contributed $53 million to its U.S. defined benefit pension plans and $45 million to its non-U.S.
defined benefit pension plans. During 2018, the Company’s cash contribution requirements for its U.S. and its non-U.S.
defined benefit pension plans are expected to be approximately $30 million and $50 million, respectively. The ultimate
amounts to be contributed depend upon, among other things, legal requirements, underlying asset returns, the plan’s funded
status, the anticipated tax deductibility of the contribution, local practices, market conditions, interest rates and other factors.
Contractual Obligations
The following table sets forth, by period due or year of expected expiration, as applicable, a summary of the Company’s
contractual obligations as of December 31, 2017 under (1) debt obligations, (2) leases, (3) purchase obligations and (4) other
long-term liabilities reflected on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet The amounts presented in the “Other long-term
liabilities” line in the table below include $670 million of noncurrent gross unrecognized tax benefits and related interest (and
do not include $66 million of current gross unrecognized tax benefits which are included in the “Accrued expenses and other
liabilities” line on the Consolidated Balance Sheet). However, the timing of the long-term portion of these liabilities is
uncertain, and therefore, they have been included in the “More Than 5 Years” column in the table below. Refer to Note 12 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on unrecognized tax benefits. Certain of the Company’s
acquisitions also involve the potential payment of contingent consideration. The table below does not reflect any such
obligations, as the timing and amounts of any such payments are uncertain. Refer to “—Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements” for
a discussion of other contractual obligations that are not reflected in the table below.
($ in millions)
Debt and leases:
Debt obligations (a)(b)
Capital lease obligations (b)
Total debt and leases
Interest payments on debt and capital lease
obligations (c)
Operating lease obligations (d)
Other:
Purchase obligations (e)
Other long-term liabilities reflected on the
Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet (f)
Total
Total
Less Than
One Year
1-3 Years
4-5 Years
More Than
5 Years
$
10,503.8
$
190.1
$
4,534.3
$
1,590.1
$
4,189.3
18.3
10,522.1
1,277.8
797.4
4.6
194.7
150.2
199.4
0.8
4,535.1
252.7
297.5
0.9
1,591.0
183.4
178.7
12.0
4,201.3
691.5
121.8
610.2
533.2
62.4
9.4
5.2
5,161.1
18,368.6
$
$
—
1,077.5
$
625.0
5,772.7
$
448.3
2,410.8
$
4,087.8
9,107.6
(a) As described in Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(b) Amounts do not include interest payments. Interest on debt and capital lease obligations is reflected in a separate line in the table.
(c) Interest payments on debt are projected for future periods using the interest rates in effect as of December 31, 2017. Certain of these
projected interest payments may differ in the future based on changes in market interest rates.
52
(d) As described in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, certain leases require the Company to pay real estate taxes, insurance,
maintenance and other operating expenses associated with the leased premises. These future costs are not included in the table above.
(e) Consist of agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding on the Company and that specify all
significant terms, including fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased, fixed, minimum or variable price provisions and the approximate
timing of the transaction.
(f) Primarily consist of obligations under product service and warranty policies and allowances, performance and operating cost guarantees,
estimated environmental remediation costs, self-insurance and litigation claims, postretirement benefits, pension obligations, deferred tax
liabilities and deferred compensation obligations. The timing of cash flows associated with these obligations is based upon management’s
estimates over the terms of these arrangements and is largely based upon historical experience.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Guarantees and Related Instruments
The following table sets forth, by period due or year of expected expiration, as applicable, a summary of guarantees and related
instruments of the Company as of December 31, 2017.
($ in millions)
Guarantees and related instruments
Amount of Commitment Expiration per Period
Total
Less Than
One Year
1-3 Years
4-5 Years
More Than
5 Years
$
611.2
$
506.9
$
57.4
$
24.8
$
22.1
Guarantees and related instruments consist primarily of outstanding standby letters of credit, bank guarantees and performance
and bid bonds. These have been provided in connection with certain arrangements with vendors, customers, insurance
providers, financing counterparties and governmental entities to secure the Company’s obligations and/or performance
requirements related to specific transactions.
Other Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company has from time to time divested certain of its businesses and assets. In connection with these divestitures, the
Company often provides representations, warranties and/or indemnities to cover various risks and unknown liabilities, such as
claims for damages arising out of the use of products or relating to intellectual property matters, commercial disputes,
environmental matters or tax matters. In particular, in connection with the 2016 Fortive Separation and the 2015 split-off of the
Company’s communications business, Danaher entered into separation and distribution and related agreements pursuant to
which Danaher agreed to indemnify the other parties against certain damages and expenses that might occur in the future.
These indemnification obligations cover a variety of liabilities, including, but not limited to, employee, tax and environmental
matters. The Company has not included any such items in the contractual obligations table above because they relate to
unknown conditions and the Company cannot estimate the potential liabilities from such matters, but the Company does not
believe it is reasonably possible that any such liability will have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements. In
addition, as a result of these divestitures, as well as restructuring activities, certain properties leased by the Company have been
sublet to third-parties. In the event any of these third-parties vacate any of these premises, the Company would be legally
obligated under master lease arrangements. The Company believes that the financial risk of default by such sub-lessors is
individually and in the aggregate not material to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
In the normal course of business, the Company periodically enters into agreements that require it to indemnify customers,
suppliers or other business partners for specific risks, such as claims for injury or property damage arising out of the
Company’s products or services or claims alleging that Company products or services infringe third-party intellectual property.
The Company has not included any such indemnification provisions in the contractual obligations table above. Historically, the
Company has not experienced significant losses on these types of indemnification obligations.
The Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation requires it to indemnify to the full extent authorized or permitted by law
any person made, or threatened to be made a party to any action or proceeding by reason of his or her service as a director or
officer of the Company, or by reason of serving at the request of the Company as a director or officer of any other entity,
subject to limited exceptions. Danaher’s Amended and Restated By-laws provide for similar indemnification rights. In
addition, Danaher has executed with each director and executive officer of Danaher Corporation an indemnification agreement
which provides for substantially similar indemnification rights and under which Danaher has agreed to pay expenses in advance
of the final disposition of any such indemnifiable proceeding. While the Company maintains insurance for this type of liability,
a significant deductible applies to this coverage and any such liability could exceed the amount of the insurance coverage.
53
Legal Proceedings
Refer to “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” and Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding legal
proceedings and contingencies, and for a discussion of risks related to legal proceedings and contingencies, refer to “Item 1A.
Risk Factors.”
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Management’s discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations is based upon the
Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and
judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent
assets and liabilities. The Company bases these estimates and judgments on historical experience, the current economic
environment and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may
differ materially from these estimates and judgments.
The Company believes the following accounting estimates are most critical to an understanding of its financial statements.
Estimates are considered to be critical if they meet both of the following criteria: (1) the estimate requires assumptions about
material matters that are uncertain at the time the estimate is made, and (2) material changes in the estimate are reasonably
likely from period-to-period. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting estimates, refer to Note
1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Acquired Intangibles—The Company’s business acquisitions typically result in the recognition of goodwill, in-process R&D
and other intangible assets, which affect the amount of future period amortization expense and possible impairment charges that
the Company may incur. Refer to Notes 1, 2 and 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the Company’s
policies relating to goodwill, acquired intangibles and acquisitions.
In performing its goodwill impairment testing, the Company estimates the fair value of its reporting units primarily using a
market-based approach. In evaluating the estimates derived by the market-based approach, management makes judgments
about the relevance and reliability of the multiples by considering factors unique to its reporting units, including operating
results, business plans, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, and transactions and marketplace data as well as
judgments about the comparability of the market proxies selected. In certain circumstances the Company also estimates fair
value utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis (i.e., an income approach) in order to validate the results of the market
approach. The discounted cash flow model requires judgmental assumptions about projected revenue growth, future operating
margins, discount rates and terminal values. There are inherent uncertainties related to these assumptions and management’s
judgment in applying them to the analysis of goodwill impairment.
As of December 31, 2017, the Company had eight reporting units for goodwill impairment testing. Reporting units resulting
from recent acquisitions generally present the highest risk of impairment. Management believes the impairment risk associated
with these reporting units decreases as these businesses are integrated into the Company and better positioned for potential
future earnings growth. The Company’s annual goodwill impairment analysis in 2017 indicated that in all instances, the fair
values of the Company’s reporting units exceeded their carrying values and consequently did not result in an impairment
charge. The excess of the estimated fair value over carrying value (expressed as a percentage of carrying value for the
respective reporting unit) for each of the Company’s reporting units as of the annual testing date ranged from approximately
50% to approximately 600%. In order to evaluate the sensitivity of the fair value calculations used in the goodwill impairment
test, the Company applied a hypothetical 10% decrease to the fair values of each reporting unit and compared those
hypothetical values to the reporting unit carrying values. Based on this hypothetical 10% decrease, the excess of the estimated
fair value over carrying value (expressed as a percentage of carrying value for the respective reporting unit) for each of the
Company’s reporting units ranged from approximately 35% to approximately 530%.
The Company reviews identified intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that
the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The Company also tests intangible assets with indefinite lives at least
annually for impairment. Determining whether an impairment loss occurred requires a comparison of the carrying amount to
the sum of undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. These analyses require management to make
judgments and estimates about future revenues, expenses, market conditions and discount rates related to these assets.
If actual results are not consistent with management’s estimates and assumptions, goodwill and other intangible assets may be
overstated and a charge would need to be taken against net earnings which would adversely affect the Company’s Consolidated
Financial Statements. Historically, the Company’s estimates of goodwill and intangible assets have been materially correct.
54
Contingent Liabilities—As discussed in “Item 3. Legal Proceedings” and Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the
Company is, from time to time, subject to a variety of litigation and similar contingent liabilities incidental to its business (or
the business operations of previously owned entities). The Company recognizes a liability for any contingency that is known or
probable of occurrence and reasonably estimable. These assessments require judgments concerning matters such as litigation
developments and outcomes, the anticipated outcome of negotiations, the number of future claims and the cost of both pending
and future claims. In addition, because most contingencies are resolved over long periods of time, liabilities may change in the
future due to various factors, including those discussed in Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. If the reserves
established by the Company with respect to these contingent liabilities are inadequate, the Company would be required to incur
an expense equal to the amount of the loss incurred in excess of the reserves, which would adversely affect the Company’s
financial statements.
Revenue Recognition—The Company derives revenues from the sale of products and services. Refer to Note 1 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the Company’s revenue recognition policies.
Although most of the Company’s sales agreements contain standard terms and conditions, certain agreements contain multiple
elements or nonstandard terms and conditions. As a result, judgment is sometimes required to determine the appropriate
accounting, including whether the deliverables specified in these agreements should be treated as separate units of accounting
for revenue recognition purposes, and, if so, how the consideration should be allocated among the elements and when to
recognize revenue for each element. The Company allocates revenue to each element in the contractual arrangement based on
the selling price hierarchy that, in some instances, may require the Company to estimate the selling price of certain deliverables
that are not sold separately or where third-party evidence of pricing is not observable. The Company’s estimate of selling price
impacts the amount and timing of revenue recognized in multiple element arrangements. The Company also enters into lease
arrangements with customers, which requires the Company to determine whether the arrangements are operating or sales-type
leases. Certain of the Company’s lease contracts are customized for larger customers and often result in complex terms and
conditions that typically require significant judgment in applying the lease accounting criteria.
On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with
Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance. Refer to ‘New Accounting
Standards’ in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the Company’s adoption of this
ASU.
If the Company’s judgments regarding revenue recognition prove incorrect, the Company’s reported revenues in particular
periods may be incorrect. Historically, the Company’s estimates of revenue have been materially correct.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits—For a description of the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefit
accounting practices, refer to Notes 10 and 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Calculations of the amount of pension
and other postretirement benefit costs and obligations depend on the assumptions used in the actuarial valuations, including
assumptions regarding discount rates, expected return on plan assets, rates of salary increases, health care cost trend rates,
mortality rates, and other factors. If the assumptions used in calculating pension and other postretirement benefits costs and
obligations are incorrect or if the factors underlying the assumptions change (as a result of differences in actual experience,
changes in key economic indicators or other factors) the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements could be materially
affected. A 50 basis point reduction in the discount rates used for the plans would have increased the U.S. net obligation by
$146 million ($111 million on an after-tax basis) and the non-U.S. net obligation by $142 million ($107 million on an after-tax
basis) from the amounts recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2017. A 50 basis point increase
in the discount rates used for the plans would have decreased the U.S. net obligation by $134 million ($102 million on an after-
tax basis) and the non-U.S. net obligation by $137 million ($104 million on an after-tax basis) from the amounts recorded in the
Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2017.
For 2017, the estimated long-term rate of return for the U.S. plans is 7.0%, and the Company intends to continue to use an
assumption of 7.0% for 2018. The estimated long-term rate of return for the non-U.S. plans was determined on a plan-by-plan
basis based on the nature of the plan assets and ranged from 1.0% to 5.8%. If the expected long-term rate of return on plan
assets for 2017 was reduced by 50 basis points, pension expense for the U.S. and non-U.S. plans for 2017 would have increased
$9 million ($6 million on an after-tax basis) and $5 million ($4 million on an after-tax basis), respectively.
For a discussion of the Company’s 2017 and anticipated 2018 defined benefit pension plan contributions, refer to “—Liquidity
and Capital Resources – Cash and Cash Requirements”.
Income Taxes—For a description of the Company’s income tax accounting policies, refer to Notes 1 and 12 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements. The Company establishes valuation allowances for its deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that
some or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. This requires management to make judgments and estimates
regarding: (1) the timing and amount of the reversal of taxable temporary differences, (2) expected future taxable income, and
55
(3) the impact of tax planning strategies. Future changes to tax rates would also impact the amounts of deferred tax assets and
liabilities and could have an adverse impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company provides for unrecognized tax benefits when, based upon the technical merits, it is “more likely than not” that an
uncertain tax position will not be sustained upon examination. Judgment is required in evaluating tax positions and
determining income tax provisions. The Company re-evaluates the technical merits of its tax positions and may recognize an
uncertain tax benefit in certain circumstances, including when: (1) a tax audit is completed; (2) applicable tax laws change,
including a tax case ruling or legislative guidance; or (3) the applicable statute of limitations expires.
On December 22, 2017, the TCJA was enacted, which substantially changes the U.S. tax system, including lowering the
corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% (beginning in 2018), and affected the Company in a number of ways. Under U.S. GAAP,
the Company is required to account for tax legislation when the legislation is enacted. Accordingly, the Company has reflected
the provisional estimate of changes from the TCJA in the Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2017 based
upon the Company’s analysis of the legislation using available information. Certain assumptions related to the impact of the
TCJA will require continued monitoring and further analysis including the amount of foreign cash and undistributed earnings
subject to the Transition Tax, the amount of available credits to reduce required payments of the Transition Tax and the impact
of estimated temporary differences between book and taxable income in 2017 or prior periods under audit by the IRS.
Although the Company believes that its estimates and judgments are reasonable, actual results may differ materially from these
estimates. The Company will continue to refine these estimates throughout 2018 and record any required adjustments as they
are determined as permitted by SAB No. 118. The U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS have not yet issued regulations
implementing the new tax law, and these regulations could result in changes to the Company’s estimates. Some or all of these
judgments are also subject to review by the IRS. If the IRS were to successfully challenge the Company’s right to realize some
or all of the tax benefit the Company has recorded, based on current interpretation of the law regarding certain items, or if the
amount of the Transition Tax or other tax liabilities are understated, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s
financial statements.
In addition, certain of the Company’s tax returns are currently under review by tax authorities including in Denmark (refer to
“—Results of Operations – Income Taxes” and Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). Management believes the
positions taken in these returns are in accordance with the relevant tax laws. However, the outcome of these audits is uncertain
and could result in the Company being required to record charges for prior year tax obligations which could have a material
adverse impact to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, including its effective tax rate.
An increase of 1.0% in the Company’s 2017 nominal tax rate would have resulted in an additional income tax provision for
continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 of $29 million.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
For a discussion of the new accounting standards impacting the Company, refer to Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The information required by this item is included under “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations.”
56
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Report of Management on Danaher Corporation’s Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial
reporting for the Company. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) promulgated
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2017. In making this assessment, the Company’s management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in “Internal Control-Integrated Framework” (2013
framework). Based on this assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2017, the Company’s internal control
over financial reporting is effective.
The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of the Company’s
internal control over financial reporting. This report dated February 20, 2018 appears on page 58 of this Form 10-K.
57
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Danaher Corporation
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Danaher Corporation and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017,
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). In our opinion, Danaher Corporation and subsidiaries (the
Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017,
based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
(PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated
statements of earnings, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a) and our
report dated February 20, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Report of
Management on Danaher Corporation’s 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 are a public accounting firm registered with
the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws
and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. 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.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
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.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Tysons, Virginia
February 20, 2018
58
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Danaher Corporation
Opinion on Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Danaher Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of
December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity
and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes and financial statement
schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion,
the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at
December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
(PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, 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 February 20, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are
required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due
to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial
statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included
examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included
evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2002.
Tysons, Virginia
February 20, 2018
59
DANAHER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
($ and shares in millions, except per share amount)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and equivalents
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $116.1 and $102.4,
respectively
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Total current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net
Other assets
Goodwill
Other intangible assets, net
Total assets
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt
Trade accounts payable
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
Total current liabilities
Other long-term liabilities
Long-term debt
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock - $0.01 par value, 2.0 billion shares authorized; 812.5 and 807.7 issued;
696.6 and 692.2 outstanding, respectively
Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Total Danaher stockholders’ equity
Noncontrolling interests
Total stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
As of December 31
2017
2016
$
630.3
$
963.7
3,521.8
1,840.8
857.1
6,850.0
2,454.6
538.3
25,138.6
11,667.1
$
$
46,648.6
$
194.7
$
1,509.9
3,087.7
4,792.3
5,161.1
10,327.4
8.1
5,538.2
22,806.1
(1,994.2)
26,358.2
9.6
26,367.8
$
46,648.6
$
3,186.1
1,709.4
805.9
6,665.1
2,354.0
631.3
23,826.9
11,818.0
45,295.3
2,594.8
1,485.0
2,794.2
6,874.0
5,670.3
9,674.2
8.1
5,312.9
20,703.5
(3,021.7)
23,002.8
74.0
23,076.8
45,295.3
See the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
60
DANAHER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
($ and shares in millions, except per share amounts)
Sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Operating costs:
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Research and development expenses
Operating profit
Nonoperating income (expense):
Other income
Loss on early extinguishment of borrowings
Interest expense
Interest income
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes
Income taxes
Net earnings from continuing operations
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
Net earnings
Net earnings per share from continuing operations:
Basic
Diluted
Net earnings per share from discontinued operations:
Basic
Diluted
Net earnings per share:
Basic
Diluted
Average common stock and common equivalent shares outstanding:
Basic
Diluted
* Net earnings per share amount does not add due to rounding.
Year Ended December 31
2017
2016
2015
$
$
18,329.7
(8,137.2)
10,192.5
$
16,882.4
(7,547.8)
9,334.6
14,433.7
(6,662.6)
7,771.1
(6,042.5)
(1,128.8)
3,021.2
72.8
—
(162.7)
7.5
2,938.8
(469.0)
2,469.8
22.3
2,492.1
3.55
3.50
0.03
0.03
3.58
3.53
695.8
706.1
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
(5,608.6)
(975.1)
2,750.9
223.4
(178.8)
(184.4)
0.2
2,611.3
(457.9)
2,153.4
400.3
2,553.7
3.12
3.08
0.58
0.57
$
$
$
$
$
3.69 * $
3.65
$
691.2
699.8
(4,747.5)
(861.4)
2,162.2
12.4
—
(139.8)
4.6
2,039.4
(292.7)
1,746.7
1,610.7
3,357.4
2.50
2.47
2.31
2.27
4.81
4.74
698.1
708.5
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
See the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
61
DANAHER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
($ in millions)
Net earnings
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes:
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Pension and postretirement plan benefit adjustments
Unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes
Comprehensive income
Year Ended December 31
2017
2016
2015
$
2,492.1
$
2,553.7
$
3,357.4
976.1
71.0
(19.6)
1,027.5
3,519.6
$
(517.3)
(58.2)
(114.8)
(690.3)
1,863.4
$
(975.6)
80.5
17.6
(877.5)
2,479.9
$
See the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
62
DANAHER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
($ and shares in millions)
Common Stock
Shares
Amount
Additional
Paid-
in Capital
Retained
Earnings
792.5
$
7.9
$ 4,480.9
$ 20,323.0
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
$
Noncontrolling
Interests
Balance, January 1, 2015
Net earnings for the year
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Dividends declared
Common stock-based award activity
Common stock issued in connection with
LYONs’ conversions
Shares redeemed through the distribution
of the communications business (26.0
shares held as Treasury shares)
Change in noncontrolling interests
Balance, December 31, 2015
Net earnings for the year
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Dividends declared
Common stock-based award activity
Common stock issued in connection with
LYONs’ conversions
Distribution of Fortive Corporation
Change in noncontrolling interests
Balance, December 31, 2016
Net earnings for the year
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Dividends declared
Common stock-based award activity
Common stock issued in connection with
LYONs’ conversions
Change in noncontrolling interests
—
—
—
7.8
1.3
—
—
801.6
—
—
—
5.8
0.3
—
—
807.7
—
—
—
4.8
—
—
Balance, December 31, 2017
812.5
$
—
—
—
0.1
—
—
—
8.0
—
—
—
0.1
—
—
—
8.1
—
—
—
—
—
—
8.1
—
—
—
443.9
56.4
—
—
4,981.2
—
—
—
322.6
9.1
—
—
3,357.4
—
(376.4)
—
—
(2,291.7)
—
21,012.3
2,553.7
—
(393.6)
—
—
(2,468.9)
—
5,312.9
20,703.5
—
—
—
214.1
12.4
(1.2)
$ 5,538.2
2,492.1
—
(389.5)
—
—
—
$ 22,806.1
$
(1,433.7) $
—
(877.5)
—
—
—
—
—
(2,311.2)
—
(690.3)
—
—
—
(20.2)
—
(3,021.7)
—
1,027.5
—
—
—
—
(1,994.2) $
71.7
—
—
—
—
—
—
2.0
73.7
—
—
—
—
—
—
0.3
74.0
—
—
—
—
—
(64.4)
9.6
See the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
63
DANAHER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
($ and shares in millions)
Year Ended December 31
2017
2016
2015
$
2,492.1
$
2,553.7
$
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings
Less: earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
Net earnings from continuing operations
Noncash items:
Depreciation
Amortization
Stock-based compensation expense
Restructuring and impairment charges
Pretax loss on early extinguishment of borrowings
Pretax gain on sales of investments
Change in deferred income taxes
Change in trade accounts receivable, net
Change in inventories
Change in trade accounts payable
Change in prepaid expenses and other assets
Change in accrued expenses and other liabilities
Total operating cash provided by continuing operations
Total operating cash provided by discontinued operations
Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash paid for acquisitions
Payments for additions to property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment
Payments for purchases of investments
Proceeds from sales of investments
All other investing activities
Total investing cash used in continuing operations
Total investing cash used in discontinued operations
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock
Payment of dividends
Payment for purchase of noncontrolling interest
22.3
2,469.8
577.8
660.5
139.4
56.1
—
(72.8)
(426.9)
(161.4)
(27.4)
(54.4)
4.4
312.7
3,477.8
—
3,477.8
(385.8)
(619.6)
32.6
—
137.9
(8.5)
(843.4)
—
(843.4)
68.8
(378.3)
(64.4)
—
(3,778.5)
1,782.1
(668.4)
(59.8)
(3,098.5)
—
(3,098.5)
130.7
(333.4)
963.7
630.3
400.3
2,153.4
545.0
583.1
129.8
12.0
178.8
(223.4)
(383.9)
(183.1)
9.4
78.1
(62.4)
250.7
3,087.5
434.3
3,521.8
(4,880.1)
(589.6)
9.8
—
264.8
21.9
(5,173.2)
(69.8)
(5,243.0)
164.5
(399.8)
—
(188.1)
2,218.1
3,240.9
(2,480.6)
(27.0)
2,528.0
(485.3)
2,042.7
(148.6)
172.9
790.8
963.7
$
$
3,357.4
1,610.7
1,746.7
484.0
396.8
103.8
3.6
—
(12.4)
(184.2)
0.8
146.5
50.3
(68.9)
165.2
2,832.2
969.6
3,801.8
(14,247.8)
(512.9)
60.4
(87.1)
43.0
5.9
(14,738.5)
(212.5)
(14,951.0)
249.0
(354.1)
—
—
3,511.2
5,682.9
(35.5)
(3.3)
9,050.2
—
9,050.2
(115.8)
(2,214.8)
3,005.6
790.8
Make-whole premiums to redeem borrowings prior to maturity
Net (repayments of) proceeds from borrowings (maturities of 90 days or less)
Proceeds from borrowings (maturities longer than 90 days)
Repayments of borrowings (maturities longer than 90 days)
All other financing activities
Total financing cash (used in) provided by continuing operations
Cash distributions to Fortive Corporation, net
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents
Net change in cash and equivalents
Beginning balance of cash and equivalents
Ending balance of cash and equivalents
Supplemental disclosure:
Shares redeemed through the distribution of the communications business (26.0 shares
held as Treasury shares)
Distribution of noncash net assets to Fortive Corporation
$
$
See the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
64
— $
—
— $
(1,983.6)
2,291.7
—
DANAHER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1. BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Business—Danaher Corporation (“Danaher” or the “Company”) designs, manufactures and markets professional, medical,
industrial and commercial products and services, which are typically characterized by strong brand names, innovative
technology and major market positions. The Company operates in four business segments: Life Sciences; Diagnostics; Dental;
and Environmental & Applied Solutions.
The Company’s Life Sciences segment offers a broad range of research tools that scientists use to study the basic building
blocks of life, including genes, proteins, metabolites and cells, in order to understand the causes of disease, identify new
therapies and test new drugs and vaccines. The segment, through its Pall Corporation (“Pall”) business, is also a leading
provider of filtration, separation and purification technologies to the biopharmaceutical, food and beverage, medical, aerospace,
microelectronics and general industrial sectors.
The Company’s Diagnostics segment offers analytical instruments, reagents, consumables, software and services that hospitals,
physicians’ offices, reference laboratories and other critical care settings use to diagnose disease and make treatment decisions.
The Company’s Dental segment provides products that are used to diagnose, treat and prevent disease and ailments of the teeth,
gums and supporting bone, as well as to improve the aesthetics of the human smile. The Company is a leading worldwide
provider of a broad range of dental consumables, equipment and services, and is dedicated to driving technological innovations
that help dental professionals improve clinical outcomes and enhance productivity.
The Company’s Environmental & Applied Solutions segment products and services help protect important resources and keep
global food and water supplies safe. The Company’s water quality business provides instrumentation, services and disinfection
systems to help analyze, treat and manage the quality of ultra-pure, potable, industrial, waste, ground, source and ocean water
in residential, commercial, municipal, industrial and natural resource applications. The Company’s product identification
business provides equipment, software, services and consumables for various color and appearance management, packaging
design and quality management, printing, marking, coding and traceability applications for consumer, pharmaceutical and
industrial products.
Refer to Notes 2 and 3 for a discussion of significant acquisitions and discontinued operations.
Accounting Principles—The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the
Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation. The
Consolidated Financial Statements also reflect the impact of noncontrolling interests. Noncontrolling interests do not have a
significant impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, therefore earnings and earnings per share attributable to
noncontrolling interests are not presented separately in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Earnings
attributable to noncontrolling interests have been reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses and were
insignificant in all periods presented.
Use of Estimates—The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities,
revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company bases these estimates on
historical experience, the current economic environment and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable
under the circumstances. However, uncertainties associated with these estimates exist and actual results may differ materially
from these estimates.
Cash and Equivalents—The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date
of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Accounts Receivable and Allowances for Doubtful Accounts—All trade accounts, contract and finance receivables are reported
on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets adjusted for any write-offs and net of allowances for doubtful accounts.
The allowances for doubtful accounts represent management’s best estimate of the credit losses expected from the Company’s
trade accounts, contract and finance receivable portfolios. Determination of the allowances requires management to exercise
judgment about the timing, frequency and severity of credit losses that could materially affect the provision for credit losses
and, therefore, net earnings. The Company regularly performs detailed reviews of its portfolios to determine if an impairment
has occurred and evaluates the collectability of receivables based on a combination of various financial and qualitative factors
that may affect customers’ ability to pay, including customers’ financial condition, collateral, debt-servicing ability, past
65
payment experience and credit bureau information. In circumstances where the Company is aware of a specific customer’s
inability to meet its financial obligations, a specific reserve is recorded against amounts due to reduce the recognized receivable
to the amount reasonably expected to be collected. Additions to the allowances for doubtful accounts are charged to current
period earnings, amounts determined to be uncollectible are charged directly against the allowances, while amounts recovered
on previously written-off accounts increase the allowances. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to
deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional reserves would be required. The Company
does not believe that accounts receivable represent significant concentrations of credit risk because of the diversified portfolio
of individual customers and geographical areas. The Company recorded $33 million, $33 million and $25 million of expense
associated with doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Included in the Company’s trade accounts receivable and other long-term assets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 are
$213 million and $191 million of net aggregate financing receivables, respectively. All financing receivables are evaluated for
impairment based on individual customer credit profiles.
Inventory Valuation—Inventories include the costs of material, labor and overhead. Domestic inventories are stated at the
lower of cost or market primarily using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method with certain businesses applying the last-in, first-
out method (“LIFO”) to value inventory. Inventories held outside the United States are stated at the lower of cost or market
primarily using the FIFO method.
Property, Plant and Equipment—Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. The provision for depreciation has been
computed principally by the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the depreciable assets as follows:
Category
Buildings
Useful Life
30 years
Leased assets and leasehold improvements
Amortized over the lesser of the economic life of the asset or
the term of the lease
Machinery and equipment
Customer-leased instruments
3 – 10 years
5 – 7 years
Estimated useful lives are periodically reviewed and, when appropriate, changes to estimates are made prospectively.
Investments—Investments over which the Company has a significant influence but not a controlling interest, are accounted for
using the equity method of accounting. Equity investments are recorded at the amount of the Company’s initial investment and
adjusted each period for the Company’s share of the investee’s income or loss and dividends paid. All equity investments are
periodically reviewed to determine if declines in fair value below cost basis are other-than-temporary. Significant and
sustained decreases in quoted market prices or a series of historic and projected operating losses by investees are strong
indicators of other-than-temporary declines. If the decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary, an
impairment loss is recorded and the investment is written down to a new carrying value.
Other Assets—Other assets principally include noncurrent financing receivables, noncurrent deferred tax assets and other
investments.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments—The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents,
trade accounts receivable, available-for-sale securities, nonqualified deferred compensation plans, obligations under trade
accounts payable and short and long-term debt. Due to their short-term nature, the carrying values for cash and cash
equivalents, trade accounts receivable and trade accounts payable approximate fair value. Refer to Note 7 for the fair values of
the Company’s available-for-sale securities and other obligations.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets—Goodwill and other intangible assets result from the Company’s acquisition of existing
businesses. In accordance with accounting standards related to business combinations, goodwill is not amortized, however,
certain definite-lived identifiable intangible assets, primarily customer relationships and acquired technology, are amortized
over their estimated useful lives. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized. In-process research and
development (“IPR&D”) is initially capitalized at fair value and when the IPR&D project is complete, the asset is considered a
finite-lived intangible asset and amortized over its estimated useful life. If an IPR&D project is abandoned, an impairment loss
equal to the value of the intangible asset is recorded in the period of abandonment. The Company reviews identified intangible
assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be
recoverable. The Company also tests intangible assets with indefinite lives at least annually for impairment. Refer to Notes 2
and 6 for additional information about the Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets.
66
Revenue Recognition—As described above, the Company derives revenues primarily from the sale of Life Sciences,
Diagnostics, Dental and Environmental & Applied Solutions products and services. For revenue related to a product or service
to qualify for recognition, there must be persuasive evidence of an arrangement with a customer, delivery must have occurred
or the services must have been rendered, the price to the customer must be fixed and determinable and collectability of the
associated fee must be reasonably assured. The Company’s principal terms of sale are FOB Shipping Point, or equivalent, and,
as such, the Company primarily records revenue for product sales upon shipment. Sales arrangements entered with delivery
terms that are not FOB Shipping Point are not recognized upon shipment and the delivery criteria for revenue recognition is
evaluated based on the associated shipping terms and customer obligations. If any significant obligation to the customer with
respect to a sales transaction remains to be fulfilled following shipment (typically installation or acceptance by the customer),
revenue recognition is deferred until such obligations have been fulfilled. Returns for products sold are estimated and recorded
as a reduction of revenue at the time of sale. Customer allowances and rebates, consisting primarily of volume discounts and
other short-term incentive programs, are recorded as a reduction of revenue at the time of sale because these allowances reflect
a reduction in the purchase price. Product returns, customer allowances and rebates are estimated based on historical
experience and known trends. Revenue related to separately priced extended warranty and product maintenance agreements is
deferred when appropriate and recognized as revenue over the term of the agreement.
Certain of the Company’s revenues relate to operating-type lease (“OTL”) arrangements. Instrument lease revenue for OTL
agreements is recognized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease, and the costs of customer-leased instruments are
recorded within property, plant and equipment in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and depreciated over the
instrument’s estimated useful life. The depreciation expense is reflected in cost of sales in the accompanying Consolidated
Statements of Earnings. The OTLs are generally not cancellable until after the first two years. Certain of the Company’s lease
contracts are customized for larger customers and often result in complex terms and conditions that typically require significant
judgment in applying the criteria used to evaluate whether the arrangement should be considered an OTL or a sales-type lease.
A sales-type lease would result in earlier recognition of instrument revenue as compared to an OTL.
Revenues for contractual arrangements consisting of multiple elements (i.e., deliverables) are recognized for the separate
elements when the product or services that are part of the multiple element arrangement have value on a stand-alone basis and,
in arrangements that include a general right of refund relative to the delivered element, performance of the undelivered element
is considered probable and substantially in the Company’s control. Certain customer arrangements include multiple elements,
typically hardware, installation, training, consulting, services and/or post contract support (“PCS”). Generally, these elements
are delivered within the same reporting period, except PCS or other services, for which revenue is recognized over the service
period. The Company allocates revenue to each element in the arrangement using the selling price hierarchy and based on each
element’s relative selling price. The selling price for a deliverable is based on its vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”)
if available, third-party evidence (“TPE”) if VSOE is not available, or estimated selling price (“ESP”) if neither VSOE or TPE
is available. The Company considers relevant internal and external market factors in cases where the Company is required to
estimate selling prices. Allocation of the consideration is determined at the inception of the arrangements.
On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with
Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance.
Shipping and Handling—Shipping and handling costs are included as a component of cost of sales. Revenue derived from
shipping and handling costs billed to customers is included in sales.
Advertising—Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.
Research and Development—The Company conducts research and development activities for the purpose of developing new
products, enhancing the functionality, effectiveness, ease of use and reliability of the Company’s existing products and
expanding the applications for which uses of the Company’s products are appropriate. Research and development costs are
expensed as incurred.
Income Taxes—The Company’s income tax expense represents the tax liability for the current year, the tax benefit or expense
for the net change in deferred tax liabilities and assets during the year, as well as reserves for unrecognized tax benefits and
return to provision adjustments. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the difference between the financial
statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted rates expected to be in effect during the year in which the
differences reverse. Deferred tax assets generally represent items that can be used as a tax deduction or credit in the
Company’s tax return in future years for which the tax benefit has already been reflected on the Company’s Consolidated
Statements of Earnings. The Company establishes valuation allowances for its deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not
that some or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Deferred tax liabilities generally represent items that have already
been taken as a deduction on the Company’s tax return but have not yet been recognized as an expense in the Company’s
Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities due to a change in tax rates is recognized
67
in income tax expense in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company provides for unrecognized tax benefits
when, based upon the technical merits, it is “more likely than not” that an uncertain tax position will not be sustained upon
examination. Judgment is required in evaluating tax positions and determining income tax provisions. The Company re-
evaluates the technical merits of its tax positions and may recognize an uncertain tax benefit in certain circumstances, including
when: (1) a tax audit is completed; (2) applicable tax laws change, including a tax case ruling or legislative guidance; or (3) the
applicable statute of limitations expires. The Company recognizes potential accrued interest and penalties associated with
unrecognized tax positions in income tax expense. Refer to Note 12 for additional information and discussion of the impact of
the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) in the United States.
Productivity Improvement and Restructuring—The Company periodically initiates productivity improvement and restructuring
activities to appropriately position the Company’s cost base relative to prevailing economic conditions and associated customer
demand as well as in connection with certain acquisitions. Costs associated with productivity improvement and restructuring
actions can include one-time termination benefits and related charges in addition to facility closure, contract termination and
other related activities. The Company records the cost of the productivity improvement and restructuring activities when the
associated liability is incurred. Refer to Note 14 for additional information.
Foreign Currency Translation—Exchange rate adjustments resulting from foreign currency transactions are recognized in net
earnings, whereas effects resulting from the translation of financial statements are reflected as a component of accumulated
other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity. Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries operating outside the
United States with a functional currency other than U.S. dollars are translated into U.S. dollars using year-end exchange rates
and income statement accounts are translated at weighted average rates. Net foreign currency transaction gains or losses were
not material in any of the years presented.
Derivative Financial Instruments—The Company is neither a dealer nor a trader in derivative instruments. The Company has
generally accepted the exposure to exchange rate movements without using derivative instruments to manage this risk, although
the Company’s foreign currency-denominated debt partially hedges its net investments in foreign operations against adverse
movements in exchange rates. The Company will periodically enter into foreign currency forward contracts not exceeding 12
months to mitigate a portion of its foreign currency exchange risk and forward starting swaps to mitigate interest rate risk
related to the Company’s debt. When utilized, the derivative instruments are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as
either an asset or liability measured at fair value. To the extent the foreign currency forward contract or forward starting swap
qualifies as an effective hedge, changes in fair value are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in
stockholders’ equity. The Company’s use of foreign currency forward contracts and forward starting swaps during 2017, 2016
and 2015 and as of the years then ended was not significant.
68
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)—Foreign currency translation adjustments are generally not adjusted for
income taxes as they relate to indefinite investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries. The changes in accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss) by component are summarized below ($ in millions):
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustments
$
(821.8) $
Pension &
Postretirement
Plan Benefit
Adjustments
Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on
Available-For-
Sale Securities
115.9
$
Total
(1,433.7)
$
Balance, January 1, 2015
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications:
(Decrease) increase
Income tax impact
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications,
net of income taxes
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss):
Increase (decrease)
Income tax impact
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss), net of income taxes
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss), net of
income taxes
Balance, December 31, 2015
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications:
(Decrease) increase
Income tax impact
(975.6)
—
(975.6)
—
—
—
(975.6)
(1,797.4)
(517.3)
—
(727.8)
69.8
(12.3)
57.5
23.0
80.5
(647.3)
(115.4)
38.9
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications,
net of income taxes
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss):
(517.3)
(76.5)
33.5 (a)
(10.5)
(12.4) (b)
4.6
40.7
(15.3)
25.4
(7.8)
17.6
133.5
39.6
(14.8)
24.8
(865.1)
(27.6)
(892.7)
21.1
(5.9)
15.2
(877.5)
(2,311.2)
(593.1)
24.1
(569.0)
Increase (decrease)
Income tax impact
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss), net of income taxes
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss), net of
income taxes
Distribution of Fortive Corporation
Balance, December 31, 2016
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications:
Increase
Income tax impact
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications,
net of income taxes
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss):
Increase (decrease)
Income tax impact
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss), net of income taxes
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss), net of
income taxes
Balance, December 31, 2017
—
—
—
28.0 (a)
(9.7)
(223.4) (b)
83.8
(195.4)
74.1
18.3
(139.6)
(121.3)
(517.3)
(83.5)
(2,398.2)
(58.2)
63.3 (c)
(642.2)
976.1
—
976.1
—
—
—
62.4
(13.4)
49.0
28.7 (a)
(6.7)
22.0
976.1
(1,422.1) $
$
71.0
(571.2)
$
(114.8)
—
18.7
41.7
(15.7)
(690.3)
(20.2)
(3,021.7)
1,080.2
(29.1)
26.0
1,051.1
(72.8) (b)
27.2
(45.6)
(19.6)
(0.9)
(44.1)
20.5
(23.6)
1,027.5
(1,994.2)
$
(a) This accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component is included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement
cost (refer to Notes 10 and 11 for additional details).
(b) Included in other income in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings (refer to Note 13 for additional details).
(c) This accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component included an income tax impact of $21 million.
69
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—The Company accounts for stock-based compensation by measuring the cost of
employee services received in exchange for all equity awards granted, including stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”)
and performance stock units (“PSUs”), based on the fair value of the award as of the grant date. Equity-based compensation
expense is recognized net of an estimated forfeiture rate on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award,
except that in the case of RSUs, compensation expense is recognized using an accelerated attribution method. Refer to Note 17
for additional information on the stock-based compensation plans in which certain employees of the Company participate.
Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans—The Company measures its pension and postretirement plans’ assets and its
obligations that determine the respective plan’s funded status as of the end of the Company’s fiscal year, and recognizes an
asset for a plan’s overfunded status or a liability for a plan’s underfunded status in its balance sheet. Changes in the funded
status of the plans are recognized in the year in which the changes occur and reported in comprehensive income (loss). Refer to
Notes 10 and 11 for additional information on the Company’s pension and postretirement plans including a discussion of the
actuarial assumptions, the Company’s policy for recognizing the associated gains and losses and the method used to estimate
service and interest cost components.
New Accounting Standards—In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2018-02,
Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income, to address a specific consequence of the TCJA by allowing a reclassification from accumulated
other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the TCJA’s reduction of the U.S.
federal corporate income tax rate. The ASU is effective for all entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018,
with early adoption permitted, and is to be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the
effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the TCJA is recognized. Management has not yet
completed its assessment of the impact of the ASU on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification
Accounting, which provided clarity on which changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards require an
entity to apply the modification accounting provisions required in Topic 718. The standard is effective for all entities for
annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted, including adoption in any interim period for
which financial statements have not yet been issued. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU will have a
material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the
Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost, which requires employers to
disaggregate the service cost component from other components of net periodic benefit costs and to disclose the amounts of net
periodic benefit costs that are included in each income statement line item. The standard requires employers to report the
service cost component in the same line item as other compensation costs and to report the other components of net periodic
benefit costs (which include interest costs, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service cost or credits and
actuarial gains and losses) separately and outside a subtotal of operating income. The income statement guidance requires
application on a retrospective basis. The ASU is effective for public entities for annual periods beginning after December 15,
2017, including interim periods, with early adoption permitted. Had this standard been adopted in prior periods, reported
operating profit would have been $31 million and $16 million lower and other income would have been $31 million and $16
million higher than reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016,
respectively. Other than the presentation of the components of pension expense in the income statement, the adoption of this
ASU will not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit
Losses on Financial Instruments, which amends the impairment model by requiring entities to use a forward-looking approach
based on expected losses rather than incurred losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including
trade receivables. This may result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. The ASU is effective for public entities
for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. Management has not yet completed its
assessment of the impact of the new standard on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. Currently, the Company
believes that the most notable impact of this ASU will relate to its processes around the assessment of the adequacy of its
allowance for doubtful accounts on trade accounts receivable and the recognition of credit losses.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718), which simplifies several
aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of
awards as either equity or liabilities, classification of certain items on the statement of cash flows and accounting for
forfeitures. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2017. The ASU requires that the difference between the
actual tax benefit realized upon exercise or vesting, as applicable, and the tax benefit recorded based on the fair value of the
stock award at the time of grant (the “excess tax benefits”) be reflected as a reduction of the current period provision for
70
income taxes with any shortfall recorded as an increase in the tax provision rather than as a component of changes to additional
paid-in capital. The ASU also requires the excess tax benefit realized be reflected as operating cash flow rather than a
financing cash flow. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the provision for income taxes from continuing operations was
reduced and operating cash flow from continuing operations was increased by $55 million reflecting the impact of adopting this
standard. Had this ASU been adopted at January 1, 2016, the provision for income taxes from continuing operations would
have been reduced and operating cash flow from continuing operations would have been increased by $30 million from the
amounts reported for the year ended December 31, 2016. The actual benefit to be realized in future periods is inherently
uncertain and will vary based on the price of the Company’s common stock as well as the timing of and relative value realized
for future share-based transactions.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use
asset and a lease liability for all leases with terms greater than 12 months. The standard also requires disclosures by lessees and
lessors about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The accounting applied by a lessor is
largely unchanged from that applied under the current standard. The standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective
transition approach and provides for certain practical expedients. The ASU is effective for public entities for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. In September 2017 and January 2018, the FASB issued
ASU No. 2017-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Leases (Topic 840),
and Leases (Topic 842), and ASU No. 2018-01, Leases (Topic 842), Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic
842, which provided additional implementation guidance on the previously issued ASU. Management has not yet completed its
assessment of the impact of the new standard on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company is in the
early stages of implementation and currently believes that the most notable impact to its financial statements upon the adoption
of this ASU will be the recognition of a material right-of-use asset and lease liability for its real estate and equipment leases.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial
Liabilities. The ASU amends guidance on the classification and measurement of financial instruments, including significant
revisions in accounting related to the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and presentation of
certain fair value changes for financial liabilities when the fair value option is elected. The ASU requires equity securities to be
measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized through net earnings and amends certain disclosure requirements
associated with the fair value of financial instruments. In the period of adoption, the Company is required to reclassify the
unrealized gains/losses on equity securities within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to retained earnings. The
ASU is effective for the Company on January 1, 2018 and the adoption will not have a material 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), which supersedes
nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance. The core principle of the ASU is that revenue should be recognized to depict
the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects
to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In July 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of the standard by
one year which results in the new standard being effective for the Company at the beginning of its first quarter of fiscal year
2018. In addition, during March, April, May and December 2016 and September and November 2017, the FASB issued ASU
No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue
Gross versus Net), ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance
Obligations and Licensing, ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope
Improvements and Practical Expedients, ASU No. 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue
from Contracts with Customers, ASU No. 2017-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Revenue from Contracts with Customers
(Topic 606), Leases (Topic 840), and Leases (Topic 842), and ASU No. 2017-14, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive
Income (Topic 220), Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), and Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) respectively,
which clarified the guidance on certain items such as reporting revenue as a principal versus agent, identifying performance
obligations, accounting for intellectual property licenses, assessing collectability, presentation of sales taxes, impairment testing
for contract costs, disclosure of performance obligations, and provided additional implementation guidance. On January 1,
2018, the Company will adopt the ASU using the modified retrospective method for all contracts. The cumulative impact to
beginning retained earnings from adopting the new revenue standard is expected to be a charge of less than $5 million. The
impact to beginning retained earnings is primarily driven by the deferral of revenue for unfulfilled performance obligations,
partially offset by the capitalization of certain costs to obtain a contract, primarily sales-related commissions, where the
amortization period for the related asset is greater than one year. The Company expects the impact of the new standard on the
amount and timing of revenue recognized in 2018 to be insignificant. The ASU also requires additional disclosures about the
nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows from customer contracts, including judgments and changes in
judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. The Company is in the process of finalizing
changes to its business processes, systems and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new revenue standard.
71
NOTE 2. ACQUISITIONS
The Company continually evaluates potential acquisitions that either strategically fit with the Company’s existing portfolio or
expand the Company’s portfolio into a new and attractive business area. The Company has completed a number of acquisitions
that have been accounted for as purchases and have resulted in the recognition of goodwill in the Company’s Consolidated
Financial Statements. This goodwill arises because the purchase prices for these businesses reflect a number of factors
including the future earnings and cash flow potential of these businesses, the multiple to earnings, cash flow and other factors
at which similar businesses have been purchased by other acquirers, the competitive nature of the processes by which the
Company acquired the businesses, the avoidance of the time and costs which would be required (and the associated risks that
would be encountered) to enhance the Company’s existing product offerings to key target markets and enter into new and
profitable businesses, and the complementary strategic fit and resulting synergies these businesses bring to existing operations.
The Company makes an initial allocation of the purchase price at the date of acquisition based upon its understanding of the
fair value of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities. The Company obtains this information during due diligence and
through other sources. In the months after closing, as the Company obtains additional information about these assets and
liabilities, including through tangible and intangible asset appraisals, and learns more about the newly acquired business, it is
able to refine the estimates of fair value and more accurately allocate the purchase price. Only items identified as of the
acquisition date are considered for subsequent adjustment. The Company is continuing to evaluate certain pre-acquisition
contingencies associated with certain of its 2017 acquisitions and is also in the process of obtaining valuations of certain
property, plant and equipment, acquired intangible assets and certain acquisition-related liabilities in connection with these
acquisitions. The Company will make appropriate adjustments to the purchase price allocation prior to completion of the
measurement period, as required.
The following briefly describes the Company’s acquisition activity for the three years ended December 31, 2017.
During 2017, the Company acquired ten businesses for total consideration of $386 million in cash, net of cash acquired. The
businesses acquired complement existing units of the Life Sciences, Dental and Environmental & Applied Solutions segments.
The aggregate annual sales of these ten businesses at the time of their respective acquisitions, in each case based on the
Company’s revenues for its last completed fiscal year prior to the acquisition, were $160 million. The Company preliminarily
recorded an aggregate of $268 million of goodwill related to these acquisitions.
On November 4, 2016, Copper Merger Sub, Inc., a California corporation and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Cepheid, a California corporation, for $53.00 per share in
cash, for a total purchase price of approximately $4.0 billion, net of assumed debt and acquired cash (the “Cepheid
Acquisition”). Cepheid is a leading global molecular diagnostics company that develops, manufactures and markets accurate
and easy to use molecular systems and tests and is now part of the Company’s Diagnostics segment. Cepheid generated
revenues of $539 million in 2015.
The Company initially financed the Cepheid acquisition price with available cash and proceeds from the issuance of U.S. dollar
and euro-denominated commercial paper. The Company recorded approximately $2.6 billion of goodwill related to the
Cepheid Acquisition. As Cepheid is integrated into the Company, a process that will continue over the next several years, the
Company expects to realize significant cost synergies through the application of DBS and the combined purchasing power of
the Company and Cepheid.
In addition to the Cepheid Acquisition, during 2016 the Company acquired seven businesses for total consideration of $882
million in cash, net of cash acquired. The businesses acquired complement existing units of each of the Company’s four
segments. The aggregate annual sales of these seven businesses at the time of their respective acquisitions, in each case based
on the company’s revenues for its last completed fiscal year prior to the acquisition, were $237 million. The Company
recorded an aggregate of $478 million of goodwill related to these acquisitions.
On August 31, 2015, Pentagon Merger Sub, Inc., a New York corporation and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company, acquired all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Pall, a New York corporation, for $127.20 per share in
cash, for a total purchase price of approximately $13.6 billion, net of assumed debt of $417 million and acquired cash of
approximately $1.2 billion (the “Pall Acquisition”). Pall is a leading global provider of filtration, separation and purification
solutions that remove contaminants or separate substances from a variety of solids, liquids and gases, and is part of the
Company’s Life Sciences segment. In its fiscal year ended July 31, 2015, Pall generated consolidated revenues of
approximately $2.8 billion. Pall serves customers in the biopharmaceutical, food and beverage and medical markets as well as
the process technologies, aerospace and microelectronics markets. The Company recorded approximately $9.6 billion of
goodwill related to the Pall Acquisition.
72
The Company financed the approximately $13.6 billion acquisition price of Pall with approximately $2.5 billion of available
cash, approximately $8.1 billion of net proceeds from the issuance and sale of U.S. dollar and euro-denominated commercial
paper and €2.7 billion (approximately $3.0 billion based on currency exchange rates as of the date of issuance) of net proceeds
from the issuance and sale of euro-denominated senior unsecured notes. Subsequent to the Pall Acquisition, the Company used
the approximately $2.0 billion of net proceeds from the issuance of U.S. dollar-denominated senior unsecured notes and the
approximately CHF 758 million ($739 million based on currency exchange rates as of date of issuance) of net proceeds,
including the related premium, from the issuance and sale of Swiss franc-denominated senior unsecured bonds to repay a
portion of the commercial paper issued to finance the Pall Acquisition and repay the CHF 100 million aggregate principal
amount of the 0.0% senior unsecured bonds due in 2017.
In addition to the Pall Acquisition, during 2015 the Company acquired nine businesses for total consideration of approximately
$670 million in cash, net of cash acquired. The businesses acquired complement existing units of each of the Company’s four
segments. The aggregate annual sales of these nine businesses at the time of their respective acquisitions, in each case based on
the company’s revenues for its last completed fiscal year prior to the acquisition, were approximately $355 million. The
Company recorded an aggregate of $285 million of goodwill related to these acquisitions.
The following summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition ($ in
millions):
2017
2016
2015
$
97.8
$
$
21.6
21.3
9.1
267.6
155.1
—
(9.9)
(75.0)
—
(4.0)
385.8
—
$
385.8
$
204.8
161.8
3,061.8
1,867.0
65.0
(50.7)
(518.0)
(1.0)
—
4,888.5
(8.4)
4,880.1
$
590.4
521.9
740.0
9,841.0
5,045.3
—
(182.0)
(1,844.5)
(417.0)
—
14,295.1
(47.3)
14,247.8
Trade accounts receivable
Inventories
Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill
Other intangible assets, primarily customer relationships, trade names and
technology
In-process research and development
Trade accounts payable
Other assets and liabilities, net
Assumed debt
Attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net assets acquired
Less: noncash consideration
Net cash consideration
73
$
36.4
39.0
17.3
477.8
387.0
—
(9.5)
(65.6)
—
882.4
—
$
80.7
46.4
26.6
284.8
247.3
(26.2)
10.7
(0.1)
670.2
—
97.8
204.8
161.8
3,061.8
1,867.0
65.0
(50.7)
(518.0)
(1.0)
4,888.5
(8.4)
4,880.1
590.4
521.9
740.0
9,841.0
5,045.3
(182.0)
(1,844.5)
(417.0)
14,295.1
(47.3)
14,247.8
The following summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition for
the individually significant acquisition in 2016 discussed above, and all of the other 2016 acquisitions as a group ($ in
millions):
Cepheid
Others
Total
Trade accounts receivable
Inventories
Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill
Other intangible assets, primarily customer relationships, trade names and
technology
In-process research and development
Trade accounts payable
Other assets and liabilities, net
Assumed debt
Net assets acquired
Less: noncash consideration
Net cash consideration
$
61.4
$
165.8
144.5
2,584.0
1,480.0
65.0
(41.2)
(452.4)
(1.0)
4,006.1
(8.4)
3,997.7
$
$
882.4
$
The following summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition for
the individually significant acquisition in 2015 discussed above, and all of the other 2015 acquisitions as a group ($ in
millions):
Pall
Others
Total
Trade accounts receivable
Inventories
Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill
Other intangible assets, primarily customer relationships, trade names and
technology
Trade accounts payable
Other assets and liabilities, net
Assumed debt
Net assets acquired
Less: noncash consideration
Net cash consideration
$
509.7
$
475.5
713.4
9,556.2
4,798.0
(155.8)
(1,855.2)
(416.9)
13,624.9
(47.3)
13,577.6
$
$
670.2
$
During 2016, primarily in connection with the Cepheid Acquisition, the Company incurred $61 million of pretax transaction-
related costs, primarily banking fees, legal fees, amounts paid to other third-party advisers and change in control costs. In
addition, the Company’s earnings for 2016 reflect the impact of additional pretax charges of $23 million associated with fair
value adjustments to acquired inventory and deferred revenue primarily related to the Cepheid Acquisition.
During 2015, in connection with the Pall Acquisition, the Company incurred $47 million of pretax transaction-related costs,
primarily banking fees, legal fees, amounts paid to other third-party advisers and change in control costs as well as $11 million
of a pretax curtailment gain resulting from the Company freezing and discontinuing all future accruals to the Pall pension plan,
which necessitated a remeasurement of the plan obligations. In addition, the Company’s earnings for 2015 reflect the impact of
additional pretax charges of $91 million associated with fair value adjustments to acquired inventory and deferred revenue
related to the Pall Acquisition and $20 million associated with fair value adjustments to acquired inventory related to the 2014
acquisition of Nobel Biocare Holding AG.
Transaction-related costs and acquisition-related fair value adjustments attributable to other acquisitions were not material for
the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015.
74
Acquisition of Noncontrolling Interest
In the first quarter of 2017, Danaher acquired the remaining noncontrolling interest associated with one of its prior business
combinations for consideration of $64 million. Danaher recorded the increase in ownership interests as a transaction within
stockholders’ equity. As a result of this transaction, noncontrolling interests were reduced by $63 million reflecting the
carrying value of the interest with the $1 million difference charged to additional paid-in capital.
Pro Forma Financial Information (Unaudited)
The unaudited pro forma information for the periods set forth below gives effect to the 2017 and 2016 acquisitions as if they
had occurred as of January 1, 2016. The pro forma information is presented for informational purposes only and is not
necessarily indicative of the results of operations that actually would have been achieved had the acquisitions been
consummated as of that time ($ in millions except per share amounts):
Sales
Net earnings from continuing operations
Diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations
2017
2016
$
18,433.8
$
17,660.4
2,467.8
3.50
2,072.7
2.96
The 2016 unaudited pro forma revenue and earnings set forth above include the impact of the $23 million of fair value
adjustments to acquired inventory and deferred revenue, primarily related to the Cepheid Acquisition.
In addition, the acquisition-related transaction costs and change in control payments of approximately $61 million in 2016
associated with the Cepheid Acquisition were excluded from pro forma earnings in 2016.
NOTE 3. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Fortive Corporation Separation
On July 2, 2016 (the “Distribution Date”), Danaher completed the separation (the “Separation”) of its former Test &
Measurement segment, Industrial Technologies segment (excluding the product identification businesses) and retail/commercial
petroleum business by distributing to Danaher stockholders on a pro rata basis all of the issued and outstanding common stock
of Fortive Corporation (“Fortive”), the entity Danaher incorporated to hold such businesses. To effect the Separation, Danaher
distributed to its stockholders one share of Fortive common stock for every two shares of Danaher common stock outstanding
as of June 15, 2016, the record date for the distribution. Fractional shares of Fortive common stock that otherwise would have
been distributed were aggregated and sold into the public market and the proceeds distributed to Danaher stockholders.
In preparation for the Separation, in June 2016 Fortive issued approximately $3.4 billion in debt securities (refer to Note 9).
The proceeds from these borrowings were used to fund the approximately $3.0 billion net cash distributions Fortive made to
Danaher prior to the Distribution Date (“Fortive Distribution”). Danaher used a portion of the cash distribution proceeds to
repay the $500 million aggregate principal amount of 2.3% senior unsecured notes that matured in June 2016 and to redeem
approximately $1.9 billion in aggregate principal amount of outstanding indebtedness in August 2016 (consisting of the
Company’s 5.625% senior unsecured notes due 2018, 5.4% senior unsecured notes due 2019 and 3.9% senior unsecured notes
due 2021, collectively the “Redeemed Notes”). Danaher also paid an aggregate of $188 million in make-whole premiums in
connection with the August 2016 redemptions, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Company used the balance of the Fortive
Distribution to fund certain of the Company’s regular, quarterly cash dividends to shareholders.
The accounting requirements for reporting the Separation of Fortive as a discontinued operation were met when the Separation
was completed. Accordingly, the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for all periods presented reflect this
business as a discontinued operation. The Company allocated a portion of the consolidated interest expense and income to
discontinued operations based on the ratio of the discontinued business’ net assets to the Company’s consolidated net assets.
Fortive had revenues of approximately $3.0 billion in 2016 prior to the Separation and approximately $6.2 billion in 2015.
As a result of the Separation, the Company incurred $48 million in Separation-related costs during the year ended
December 31, 2016 which are included in earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes in the accompanying
Consolidated Statement of Earnings. These Separation costs primarily relate to professional fees associated with preparation of
regulatory filings and Separation activities within finance, tax, legal and information system functions as well as certain
investment banking fees incurred upon the Separation.
75
In connection with the Separation, Danaher and Fortive entered into various agreements to effect the Separation and provide a
framework for their relationship after the Separation, including a transition services agreement, an employee matters
agreement, a tax matters agreement, an intellectual property matters agreement and a Danaher Business System (“DBS”)
license agreement. These agreements provide for the allocation between Danaher and Fortive of assets, employees, liabilities
and obligations (including investments, property and employee benefits and tax-related assets and liabilities) attributable to
periods prior to, at and after Fortive’s separation from Danaher and govern certain relationships between Danaher and Fortive
after the Separation. In addition, Danaher is also party to various commercial agreements with Fortive entities. The amount
billed for transition services provided under the above agreements as well as sales and purchases to and from Fortive were not
material to the Company’s results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.
In 2017, Danaher recorded a $22 million income tax benefit related to the release of previously provided reserves associated
with uncertain tax positions on certain Danaher tax returns which were jointly filed with Fortive entities. These reserves were
released due to the expiration of statutes of limitations for those returns. All Fortive entity-related balances were included in
the income tax benefit related to discontinued operations.
Communications Business Split-off
In July 2015, the Company consummated the split-off of the majority of its former communications business to Danaher
shareholders who elected to exchange Danaher shares for ownership interests in the communications business, and the
subsequent merger of the communications business with a subsidiary of NetScout Systems, Inc. (“NetScout”). Danaher
shareholders who participated in the exchange offer tendered 26 million shares of Danaher common stock (approximately $2.3
billion on the date of tender) and received 62.5 million shares of NetScout common stock which represented approximately
60% of the shares of NetScout common stock outstanding following the combination.
The accounting requirements for reporting the disposition of the communications business as a discontinued operation were
met when the split-off and merger were completed. Accordingly, the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for all
periods presented reflect this business as discontinued operations. The Company allocated a portion of the consolidated interest
expense to discontinued operations based on the ratio of the discontinued business’ net assets to the Company’s consolidated
net assets. The Company recorded an aggregate after-tax gain on the disposition of this business of $767 million (including $6
million in related income tax benefits), or $1.08 per diluted share, in its 2015 results in connection with the closing of this
transaction representing the value of the 26 million shares of Company common stock tendered for the communications
business in excess of the carrying value of the business’ net assets. The communications business had revenues of $346 million
in 2015 prior to the disposition.
The key components of income from both the Fortive and communications businesses from discontinued operations for the
years ended December 31 were as follows ($ in millions):
2017
2016
2015
Sales
Cost of sales
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Research and development expenses
Interest expense
Interest income
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes
Gain on disposition of discontinued operations before income taxes
Earnings from discontinued operations before income taxes
$
— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Income taxes
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
22.3
22.3
$
$
3,029.8
(1,566.4)
(696.0)
(190.4)
(19.7)
—
557.3
—
557.3
(157.0)
400.3
$
$
6,524.5
(3,285.1)
(1,458.9)
(457.6)
(24.8)
0.7
1,298.8
760.5
2,059.3
(448.6)
1,610.7
76
NOTE 4. INVENTORIES
The classes of inventory as of December 31 are summarized as follows ($ in millions):
Finished goods
Work in process
Raw materials
Total
2017
2016
982.5
$
309.7
548.6
884.4
299.4
525.6
1,840.8
$
1,709.4
$
$
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the difference between inventories valued at LIFO and the value of that same inventory if
the FIFO method had been used was not significant. The liquidation of LIFO inventory did not have a significant impact on the
Company’s results of operations in any period presented.
NOTE 5. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
The classes of property, plant and equipment as of December 31 are summarized as follows ($ in millions):
Land and improvements
Buildings
Machinery and equipment
Customer-leased instruments
Gross property, plant and equipment
Less: accumulated depreciation
Property, plant and equipment, net
2017
2016
$
155.6
$
1,009.5
2,239.5
1,569.4
4,974.0
(2,519.4)
2,454.6
$
$
150.5
880.9
1,953.9
1,332.0
4,317.3
(1,963.3)
2,354.0
NOTE 6. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
As discussed in Note 2, goodwill arises from the purchase price for acquired businesses exceeding the fair value of tangible and
intangible assets acquired less assumed liabilities and noncontrolling interests. Management assesses the goodwill of each of
its reporting units for impairment at least annually at the beginning of the fourth quarter and as “triggering” events occur that
indicate that it is more likely than not that an impairment exists. The Company elected to bypass the optional qualitative
goodwill assessment allowed by applicable accounting standards and performed a quantitative impairment test for all reporting
units as this was determined to be the most effective method to assess for impairment across a large spectrum of reporting units.
The Company estimates the fair value of its reporting units primarily using a market approach, based on current trading
multiples of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for companies operating in businesses
similar to each of the Company’s reporting units, in addition to recent available market sale transactions of comparable
businesses. In certain circumstances the Company also estimates fair value utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis (i.e., an
income approach) in order to validate the results of the market approach. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less
than its carrying value, the Company must perform additional analysis to determine if the reporting unit’s goodwill has been
impaired.
As of December 31, 2017, the Company had eight reporting units for goodwill impairment testing. As of the date of the 2017
annual impairment test, the carrying value of the goodwill included in each individual reporting unit ranged from $509 million
to approximately $12.2 billion. No goodwill impairment charges were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016
and 2015 and no “triggering” events have occurred subsequent to the performance of the 2017 annual impairment test. The
factors used by management in its impairment analysis are inherently subject to uncertainty. If actual results are not consistent
with management’s estimates and assumptions, goodwill and other intangible assets may be overstated and a charge would
need to be taken against net earnings.
77
The following is a rollforward of the Company’s goodwill by segment ($ in millions):
Life
Sciences
Diagnostics
Dental
Environmental
& Applied
Solutions
Total
Balance, January 1, 2016
$
11,308.5
$
Attributable to 2016 acquisitions
438.6
4,387.4
2,590.5
$
3,236.1
$
2,082.9
$
21,014.9
Adjustments due to finalization of
purchase price allocations
Foreign currency translation and
other
Balance, December 31, 2016
Attributable to 2017 acquisitions
Adjustments due to finalization of
purchase price allocations
Foreign currency translation and
other
89.7 (a)
(2.2)
(226.5)
11,610.3
95.5
(19.1)
648.8
(72.7)
6,903.0
(39.6) (b)
4.2
—
(24.7)
3,215.6
2.8
8.8
28.5
5.1
(18.5)
2,098.0
169.3
—
86.3
3,061.8
92.6
(342.4)
23,826.9
267.6
(49.9)
1,094.0
216.1
142.8
Balance, December 31, 2017
$
12,335.5
$
7,079.5
$
3,370.0
$
2,353.6
$
25,138.6
(a) This adjustment is primarily related to finalization of the Pall purchase price allocations.
(b) This adjustment is primarily related to finalization of the Cepheid purchase price allocations.
Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their legal or estimated useful life. The following summarizes the gross
carrying value and accumulated amortization for each major category of intangible asset as of December 31 ($ in millions):
2017
2016
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Finite-lived intangibles:
Patents and technology
Customer relationships and other intangibles
Total finite-lived intangibles
Indefinite-lived intangibles:
Trademarks and trade names
Total intangibles
$
2,363.5
$
(783.7) $
2,211.3
$
(2,217.6)
(3,001.3)
6,990.9
9,202.2
(618.5)
(1,627.1)
(2,245.6)
7,354.9
9,718.4
4,950.0
$
14,668.4
$
—
(3,001.3) $
4,861.4
14,063.6
$
—
(2,245.6)
During 2017, the Company acquired finite-lived intangible assets, consisting primarily of customer relationships, with a
weighted average life of nine years. Refer to Note 2 for additional information on the intangible assets acquired.
Total intangible amortization expense in 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $661 million, $583 million and $397 million, respectively.
Based on the intangible assets recorded as of December 31, 2017, amortization expense is estimated to be $682 million during
2018, $675 million during 2019, $669 million during 2020, $656 million during 2021 and $637 million during 2022.
NOTE 7. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Accounting standards define fair value based on an exit price model, establish a framework for measuring fair value where the
Company’s assets and liabilities are required to be carried at fair value and provide for certain disclosures related to the
valuation methods used within a valuation hierarchy as established within the accounting standards. This hierarchy prioritizes
the inputs into three broad levels as follows. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets
or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or
similar assets in markets that are not active, or other observable characteristics for the asset or liability, including interest rates,
yield curves and credit risks, or inputs that are derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data through
correlation. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on the Company’s assumptions. A financial asset or liability’s
classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement
in its entirety.
78
A summary of financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows ($ in millions):
Quoted Prices in
Active Market
(Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
Total
December 31, 2017:
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities
$
— $
45.4
$
— $
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans
—
62.9
—
45.4
62.9
December 31, 2016:
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities
$
117.8
$
52.3
$
— $
170.1
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plans
—
52.2
—
52.2
Available-for-sale securities, which are included in other long-term assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets,
are either measured at fair value using quoted market prices in an active market or if they are not traded on an active market are
valued at quoted prices reported by investment brokers and dealers based on the underlying terms of the security and
comparison to similar securities traded on an active market. As of December 31, 2017, available-for-sale securities primarily
include U.S. Treasury Notes and corporate debt securities, which are valued based on the terms of the instruments in
comparison with similar terms on the active market.
The Company has established nonqualified deferred compensation programs that permit officers, directors and certain
management employees to defer a portion of their compensation, on a pretax basis, until after their termination of employment
(or board service, as applicable). All amounts deferred under such plans are unfunded, unsecured obligations of the Company
and are presented as a component of the Company’s compensation and benefits accrual included in other long-term liabilities in
the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets (refer to Note 8). Participants may choose among alternative earnings rates for
the amounts they defer, which are primarily based on investment options within the Company’s 401(k) program (except that the
earnings rates for amounts deferred by the Company’s directors and amounts contributed unilaterally by the Company are
entirely based on changes in the value of the Company’s common stock). Changes in the deferred compensation liability under
these programs are recognized based on changes in the fair value of the participants’ accounts, which are based on the
applicable earnings rates.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of December 31 were as follows ($ in
millions):
Assets:
Available-for-sale securities
$
45.4
$
45.4
$
170.1
$
170.1
2017
2016
Carrying
Amount
Fair Value
Carrying
Amount
Fair Value
Liabilities:
Short-term borrowings
Long-term borrowings
194.7
10,327.4
194.7
10,847.1
2,594.8
9,674.2
2,594.8
10,095.1
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, available-for-sale securities were categorized as Level 1 and Level 2, as indicated above,
and short and long-term borrowings were categorized as Level 1.
The fair value of long-term borrowings was based on quoted market prices. The difference between the fair value and the
carrying amounts of long-term borrowings (other than the Company’s Liquid Yield Option Notes due 2021 (the “LYONs”)) is
attributable to changes in market interest rates and/or the Company’s credit ratings subsequent to the incurrence of the
borrowing. In the case of the LYONs, differences in the fair value from the carrying value are attributable to changes in the
price of the Company’s common stock due to the LYONs’ conversion features. The fair values of borrowings with original
79
maturities of one year or less, as well as cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, net and trade accounts payable
approximate their carrying amounts due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.
Refer to Note 10 for information related to the fair value of the Company sponsored defined benefit pension plan assets.
NOTE 8. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER LIABILITIES
Accrued expenses and other liabilities as of December 31 were as follows ($ in millions):
Compensation and benefits
Pension and postretirement benefits
Taxes, income and other
Deferred revenue
Sales and product allowances
Other
Total
2017
2016
Current
Noncurrent
Current
Noncurrent
$
961.0
$
236.2
$
914.1
$
95.8
386.4
666.0
155.7
822.8
1,052.0
3,543.6
104.9
2.0
222.4
91.7
293.9
539.8
144.1
810.6
$
3,087.7
$
5,161.1
$
2,794.2
$
247.1
1,222.9
3,894.1
92.7
2.0
211.5
5,670.3
80
NOTE 9. FINANCING
The components of the Company’s debt as of December 31 were as follows ($ in millions):
U.S. dollar-denominated commercial paper
Euro-denominated commercial paper (€1.7 billion and €3.0 billion, respectively)
Floating rate senior unsecured notes due 2017 (€500.0 million aggregate principal amount)
(the “2017 Euronotes”)
0.0% senior unsecured bonds due 2017 (CHF 100.0 million aggregate principal amount) (the
“2017 CHF Bonds”)
1.65% senior unsecured notes due 2018 (the “2018 U.S. Notes”)
1.0% senior unsecured notes due 2019 (€600.0 million aggregate principal amount) (the
“2019 Euronotes”)
2.4% senior unsecured notes due 2020 (the “2020 U.S. Notes”)
5.0% senior unsecured notes due 2020 (the “2020 Assumed Pall Notes”)
Zero-coupon LYONs due 2021
0.352% senior unsecured notes due 2021 (¥30.0 billion aggregate principal amount) (the
“2021 Yen Notes”)
1.7% senior unsecured notes due 2022 (€800.0 million aggregate principal amount) (the
“2022 Euronotes”)
Floating rate senior unsecured notes due 2022 (€250.0 million aggregate principal amount)
(the "Floating Rate 2022 Euronotes")
0.5% senior unsecured bonds due 2023 (CHF 540.0 million aggregate principal amount) (the
“2023 CHF Bonds”)
2.5% senior unsecured notes due 2025 (€800.0 million aggregate principal amount) (the
“2025 Euronotes”)
3.35% senior unsecured notes due 2025 (the “2025 U.S. Notes”)
0.3% senior unsecured notes due 2027 (¥30.8 billion aggregate principal amount) (the “2027
Yen Notes”)
1.2% senior unsecured notes due 2027 (€600.0 million aggregate principal amount) (the
“2027 Euronotes”)
1.125% senior unsecured bonds due 2028 (CHF 210.0 million and CHF 110.0 million,
respectively, aggregate principal amount) (the “2028 CHF Bonds”)
0.65% senior unsecured notes due 2032 (¥53.2 billion aggregate principal amount) (the
“2032 Yen Notes”)
4.375% senior unsecured notes due 2045 (the “2045 U.S. Notes”)
2017
2016
$
436.9
$
1,993.9
2,733.5
3,127.6
—
—
499.2
718.4
497.7
394.6
69.1
265.5
955.6
299.1
555.5
955.6
496.3
272.2
714.1
220.3
470.2
499.3
526.0
98.0
498.1
628.6
496.8
402.6
68.1
255.6
836.5
—
532.3
836.8
495.8
—
—
108.8
—
499.3
Other
Total debt
Less: currently payable
Long-term debt
208.6
10,522.1
194.7
$
10,327.4
$
124.6
12,269.0
2,594.8
9,674.2
Debt discounts, premiums and debt issuance costs totaled $25 million as of both December 31, 2017 and 2016, and have been
netted against the aggregate principal amounts of the related debt in the components of debt table above.
Commercial Paper Programs and Credit Facilities
In 2015, the Company entered into a $4.0 billion unsecured multiyear revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks that
expires on July 10, 2020, subject to a one-year extension option at the request of the Company with the consent of the lenders
(the “Credit Facility”). In 2016, the Company also entered into a $3.0 billion 364-day unsecured revolving credit facility with a
syndicate of banks that expired in October 2017 (the “364-Day Facility”), to provide additional liquidity support for issuances
under the Company’s U.S. and euro-denominated commercial paper programs. The increase in the size of the Company’s
commercial paper programs provided necessary capacity for the Company to use proceeds from the issuance of commercial
paper to fund the purchase price for the Cepheid acquisition. No borrowings were outstanding under the 364-Day Facility at
any time, nor under the Credit Facility at any time from inception through December 31, 2017.
81
Under the Company’s U.S. and euro-denominated commercial paper programs, the Company or a subsidiary of the Company,
as applicable, may issue and sell unsecured, short-term promissory notes. The notes are typically issued at a discount from par,
generally based on the ratings assigned to the Company by credit rating agencies at the time of the issuance and prevailing
market rates measured by reference to LIBOR or EURIBOR. The Credit Facility provides liquidity support for issuances under
the Company’s commercial paper programs, and can also be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes.
The availability of the Credit Facility as a standby liquidity facility to repay maturing commercial paper is an important factor
in maintaining the existing credit ratings of the Company’s commercial paper programs. The Company expects to limit any
borrowings under the Credit Facility to amounts that would leave sufficient available borrowing capacity under such facility to
allow the Company to borrow, if needed, to repay all of the outstanding commercial paper as it matures. As commercial paper
obligations mature, the Company may issue additional short-term commercial paper obligations to refinance all or part of these
borrowings. As of December 31, 2017, borrowings outstanding under the Company’s U.S. and euro commercial paper
programs had a weighted average annual interest rate of less than one basis point and a weighted average remaining maturity of
approximately 50 days. The Company has classified approximately $2.4 billion of its borrowings outstanding under the
commercial paper programs as well as the $500 million of the 2018 U.S. Notes as of December 31, 2017 as long-term debt in
the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet as the Company had the intent and ability, as supported by availability under the
Credit Facility referenced above, to refinance these borrowings for at least one year from the balance sheet date.
Under the Credit Facility, borrowings (other than bid loans under the Credit Facility) bear interest at a rate equal to (at the
Company’s option) either (1) a LIBOR-based rate (the “LIBOR-Based Rate”), or (2) the highest of (a) the Federal funds rate
plus 0.5%, (b) the prime rate and (c) the LIBOR-Based Rate plus 1%, plus a specified margin that varies according to the
Company’s long-term debt credit rating. In addition to certain initial fees the Company paid with respect to the Credit Facility
at inception of the facility, the Company is obligated to pay an annual commitment or facility fee under the Credit Facility that
varies according to the Company’s long-term debt credit rating. The Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain a
consolidated leverage ratio (as defined in the respective facility) of 0.65 to 1.00 or less, and also contains customary
representations, warranties, conditions precedent, events of default, indemnities and affirmative and negative covenants. As of
December 31, 2017, no borrowings were outstanding under the Credit Facility and the Company was in compliance with all
covenants under the facility. The nonperformance by any member of the Credit Facility syndicate would reduce the maximum
capacity of the Credit Facility by such member’s commitment amount.
The Company’s ability to access the commercial paper market, and the related costs of these borrowings, is affected by the
strength of the Company’s credit rating and market conditions. Any downgrade in the Company’s credit rating would increase
the cost of borrowings under the Company’s commercial paper program and the Credit Facility, and could limit or preclude the
Company’s ability to issue commercial paper. If the Company’s access to the commercial paper market is adversely affected
due to a credit downgrade, change in market conditions or otherwise, the Company expects it would rely on a combination of
available cash, operating cash flow and the Credit Facility to provide short-term funding. In such event, the cost of borrowings
under the Credit Facility could be higher than the cost of commercial paper borrowings.
In addition to the Credit Facility, the Company has also entered into reimbursement agreements with various commercial banks
to support the issuance of letters of credit.
82
Long-Term Indebtedness
The following summarizes the key terms for the Company’s long-term debt as of December 31, 2017:
Outstanding
Balance as of
December 31,
2017
Stated
Annual
Interest Rate
1.65%
Issue Price
(as % of
Principal
Amount)
Issue Date
99.866%
September 15, 2015
Maturity Date
September 15, 2018
2018 U.S. Notes (3)
$
Interest Payment
Dates (in arrears)
March 15 and
September 15
July 8
March 15 and
September 15
June 15 and
December 15
499.2
718.4
497.7
394.6
265.5
955.6
299.1
555.5
955.6
496.3
272.2
714.1
220.3
470.2
99.696%
July 8, 2015
July 8, 2019
99.757%
September 15, 2015
September 15, 2020
not applicable
June 15, 2020
1.0%
2.4%
5.0%
not
applicable
not
applicable
69.1
see below
January 22, 2001
January 22, 2021
January 22 and July
22
0.352%
100%
February 28, 2016
March 16, 2021
September 16
1.7%
99.651%
July 8, 2015
January 4, 2022
January 4
three-month
EURIBOR
+ 0.3%
0.5%
2.5%
100.147%
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2022 March 30, June 30,
September 30 and
December 31
100.924%
December 8, 2015
December 8, 2023
December 8
99.878%
July 8, 2015
July 8, 2025
3.35%
99.857%
September 15, 2015
September 15, 2025
0.3%
100%
May 11, 2017
May 11, 2027
1.2%
99.682%
June 30, 2017
June 30, 2027
1.125%
102.870% December 8, 2015 and
December 8, 2017
December 8, 2028
December 8
0.65%
100%
May 11, 2017
May 11, 2032
499.3
4.375%
99.784%
September 15, 2015
September 15, 2045
2,430.8
various
various
various
various
July 8
March 15 and
September 15
May 11 and
November 11
June 30
May 11 and
November 11
March 15 and
September 15
various
2019 Euronotes (1)
2020 U.S. Notes (3)
2020 Assumed Pall
Notes (5)
2021 LYONs
2021 Yen Notes (4)
2022 Euronotes (1)
Floating Rate 2022
Euronotes (6)
2023 CHF Bonds (2)
2025 Euronotes (1)
2025 U.S. Notes (3)
2027 Yen Notes (7)
2027 Euronotes (6)
2028 CHF Bonds (2)
2032 Yen Notes (7)
2045 U.S. Notes (3)
U.S. dollar and euro-
denominated
commercial paper
Other
Total debt
208.6
various
various
various
various
various
$
10,522.1
(1) The net proceeds, after underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses, of approximately €2.2 billion (approximately $2.4
billion based on currency exchange rates as of the date of issuance) from these notes were used to pay a portion of the purchase price for
the Pall Acquisition.
(2) The net proceeds, including the related premium, and after underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses, of CHF 758
million ($739 million based on currency exchange rates as of date of pricing) from these bonds were used to repay a portion of the
commercial paper issued to finance the Pall Acquisition and the 2017 CHF Bonds.
(3) The net proceeds, after underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses, of approximately $2.0 billion from these notes
were used to repay a portion of the commercial paper issued to finance the Pall Acquisition.
(4) The net proceeds, after offering expenses, of approximately ¥29.9 billion ($262 million based on currency exchange rates as of the date of
issuance) from these notes were used to repay a portion of the commercial paper borrowings issued to finance the Pall Acquisition.
(5) In connection with the Pall Acquisition, the Company acquired senior unsecured notes previously issued by Pall with an aggregate
principal amount of $375 million. In accordance with accounting for business combinations, the Assumed Pall Notes were recorded at
their fair value of $417 million on the date of acquisition and for accounting purposes, interest charges on these notes recorded in the
Company’s Consolidated Statement of Earnings reflect an effective interest rate of approximately 2.9% per year.
(6) The net proceeds at issuance, after offering expenses, of €843 million ($940 million based on currency exchange rates as of the date of
pricing) from these notes were used to partially repay commercial paper borrowings.
(7) The net proceeds at issuance, after offering expenses, of approximately ¥83.6 billion ($744 million based on currency exchange rates as of
the date of pricing) from these notes were used to partially repay commercial paper borrowings.
83
LYONs
In 2001, the Company issued $830 million (value at maturity) in LYONs. The net proceeds to the Company were $505 million,
of which approximately $100 million was used to pay down debt and the balance was used for general corporate purposes,
including acquisitions. The LYONs originally carry a yield to maturity of 2.375% (with contingent interest payable as
described below). Pursuant to the terms of the indenture that governs the Company’s LYONs, effective as of the record date of
the distribution of the Fortive shares, the conversion ratio of the LYONs was adjusted so that each $1,000 of principal amount
at maturity may be converted into 38.1998 shares of Danaher common stock at any time on or before the maturity date of
January 22, 2021.
During the year ended December 31, 2017, holders of certain of the Company’s LYONs converted such LYONs into an
aggregate of approximately 28 thousand shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share. The Company’s
deferred tax liability associated with the book and tax basis difference in the converted LYONs was transferred to additional
paid-in capital as a result of the conversions.
As of December 31, 2017, an aggregate of approximately 21 million shares of the Company’s common stock had been issued
upon conversion of LYONs. As of December 31, 2017, the accreted value of the outstanding LYONs was lower than the traded
market value of the underlying common stock issuable upon conversion. The Company may redeem all or a portion of the
LYONs for cash at any time at scheduled redemption prices.
Under the terms of the LYONs, the Company pays contingent interest to the holders of LYONs during any six-month period
from January 23 to July 22 and from July 23 to January 22 if the average market price of a LYON for a specified measurement
period equals 120% or more of the sum of the issue price and accrued original issue discount for such LYON. The amount of
contingent interest to be paid with respect to any quarterly period is equal to the higher of either 0.0315% of the bonds’ average
market price during the specified measurement period or the amount of the cash dividend paid on Danaher’s common stock
during such quarterly period multiplied by the number of shares issuable upon conversion of a LYON. The Company paid $2
million, $1 million and $1 million of contingent interest on the LYONs for each of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016
and 2015, respectively. Except for the contingent interest described above, the Company will not pay interest on the LYONs
prior to maturity.
Long-Term Indebtedness Related to the Fortive Separation
In June 2016, the Company received net cash distributions of approximately $3.0 billion from Fortive as consideration for the
Company’s contribution of assets to Fortive in connection with the Separation. Fortive financed these cash payments through
issuance of approximately $3.4 billion of debt, consisting of $500 million aggregate principal amount of borrowings under a
three-year, senior unsecured term loan facility with variable interest rates, $393 million of commercial paper borrowings
supported by a five-year, $1.5 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility, $300 million aggregate principal amount of
1.8% senior unsecured notes due 2019, $750 million aggregate principal amount of 2.35% senior unsecured notes due 2021,
$900 million aggregate principal amount of 3.15% senior unsecured notes due 2026 and $550 million aggregate principal
amount of 4.3% senior unsecured notes due 2046 (collectively, the “Fortive Debt”). Danaher initially guaranteed the Fortive
Debt, and the guarantee terminated effective as of the Distribution Date. As of July 2, 2016 in connection with the Separation,
the Fortive Debt was transferred to Fortive and is no longer reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
Long-Term Debt Repayments
The €500 million of 2017 Euronotes were repaid upon their maturity in June 2017. The CHF 100 million of 2017 CHF Bonds
were repaid upon their maturity in December 2017.
The Company used a portion of the proceeds from the Fortive Distribution to repay the $500 million aggregate principal
amount of 2016 Notes that matured in June 2016 and to redeem approximately $1.9 billion in aggregate principal amount of
outstanding indebtedness in August 2016 (consisting of the Redeemed Notes). Danaher also paid an aggregate of $188 million
in make-whole premiums in connection with the August 2016 redemptions, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The payment of
these make-whole premiums, net of certain deferred gains of $9 million, are reflected as a loss on early extinguishment of
borrowings in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The Company used the balance of the cash proceeds it
received from Fortive to fund certain of the Company’s regular, quarterly cash dividends to shareholders.
The Company repaid the CHF 120 million aggregate principal amount of the 4.0% senior unsecured bonds due 2016 upon their
maturity in October 2016 using available cash.
84
2017 Long-Term Debt Issuances
On May 11, 2017, DH Japan Finance S.A. (“Danaher Japan”), a wholly-owned finance subsidiary of the Company, completed
the private placement of ¥30.8 billion aggregate principal amount of 0.3% senior unsecured notes due May 11, 2027 (the “2027
Yen Notes”) and ¥53.2 billion aggregate principal amount of 0.65% senior unsecured notes due May 11, 2032 (the “2032 Yen
Notes”). The Company received net proceeds, after offering expenses, of approximately ¥83.6 billion (approximately $744
million based on currency exchange rates as of the date of the pricing of the notes) and used the net proceeds from the offering
to partially repay commercial paper borrowings. Additional details regarding these notes are set forth in the table above.
On June 30, 2017, DH Europe Finance S.A. (“Danaher International”), a wholly-owned finance subsidiary of the Company,
completed the underwritten public offering of €250 million aggregate principal amount of the Floating Rate 2022 Euronotes
and €600 million aggregate principal amount of the 2027 Euronotes. The Company received net proceeds, after underwriting
discounts and commissions and offering expenses, of €843 million (approximately $940 million based on currency exchange
rates as of the date of the pricing of the notes) and used the net proceeds from the offering to repay the 2017 Euronotes as well
as to repay commercial paper borrowings. Additional details regarding these notes are set forth in the table above.
On December 8, 2017, DH Switzerland Finance S.A. (“Danaher Switzerland”), a wholly-owned finance subsidiary of the
Company, completed the underwritten public offering of CHF 100 million aggregate principal amount of CHF bonds. Together
with the CHF 110 million aggregate principal amount of CHF bonds issued on December 8, 2015, these bonds form the “2028
CHF Bonds”. The Company received net proceeds, after underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses, of
CHF 104 million (approximately $105 million based on currency exchange rates as of the date of the pricing of the notes) and
used the net proceeds from the offering to repay the CHF 100 million aggregate principal amount of the 2017 CHF Bonds
which matured on December 8, 2017. Additional details regarding these notes are set forth in the table above.
Covenants and Redemption Provisions Applicable to Notes
With respect to the 2020 Assumed Pall Notes; the 2027 and 2032 Yen Notes; the 2019, 2022, 2025 and 2027 Euronotes; and the
2018, 2020, 2025 and 2045 U.S. Notes, at any time prior to the applicable maturity date (or in certain cases three months prior
to the maturity date), the Company may redeem the applicable series of notes in whole or in part, by paying the principal
amount and the “make-whole” premium specified in the applicable indenture or comparable governing document, plus accrued
and unpaid interest (and in the case of the Yen Notes, net of certain swap-related gains or losses as applicable). With respect to
each of the 2023 and 2028 CHF Bonds at any time after 85% or more of the applicable bonds have been redeemed or purchased
and canceled, the Company may redeem some or all of the remaining bonds for their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid
interest. With respect to the 2021, 2027 and 2032 Yen Notes; the 2019, 2022, Floating Rate 2022, 2025 and 2027 Euronotes;
and the 2023 and 2028 CHF Bonds, the Company may redeem such notes and bonds upon the occurrence of specified, adverse
changes in tax laws, or interpretations under such laws, at a redemption price equal to the principal amount of the bonds to be
redeemed.
If a change of control triggering event occurs with respect to any of the 2020 Assumed Pall Notes; the 2021, 2027 and 2032
Yen Notes; the 2019, 2022, Floating Rate 2022, 2025 and 2027 Euronotes; the 2018, 2020, 2025 and 2045 U.S. Notes; or the
2023 and 2028 CHF Bonds, each holder of such notes may require the Company to repurchase some or all of such notes and
bonds at a purchase price equal to 101% (100% in the case of the 2027 and 2032 Yen Notes) of the principal amount of the
notes and bonds, plus accrued and unpaid interest (and in the case of the Yen Notes, certain swap-related losses as applicable).
A change of control triggering event means the occurrence of both a change of control and a rating event, each as defined in the
applicable indenture or comparable governing document. Except in connection with a change of control triggering event, the
Company does not have any credit rating downgrade triggers that would accelerate the maturity of a material amount of
outstanding debt. Each holder of the 2027 and 2032 Yen Notes may also require the Company to repurchase some or all of its
notes at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest and certain swap-
related losses as applicable, in certain circumstances whereby such holder comes into violation of economic sanctions laws as a
result of holding such notes.
The respective indentures or comparable governing documents under which the above-described notes and bonds were issued
contain customary covenants including, for example, limits on the incurrence of secured debt and sale/leaseback transactions.
None of these covenants are considered restrictive to the Company’s operations and as of December 31, 2017, the Company
was in compliance with all of its debt covenants.
85
Guarantors of Debt
Danaher has guaranteed long-term debt and commercial paper issued by certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The 2019,
2022, Floating Rate 2022, 2025 and 2027 Euronotes were issued by Danaher International. The 2017, 2023 and 2028 CHF
Bonds were issued by Danaher Switzerland. The 2021, 2027 and 2032 Yen Notes were issued by Danaher Japan. Each of
Danaher International, Danaher Switzerland and Danaher Japan are wholly-owned finance subsidiaries of Danaher
Corporation. All of the securities issued by each of these entities, as well as the 2020 Assumed Pall Notes, are fully and
unconditionally guaranteed by the Company and these guarantees rank on parity with the Company’s unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness.
Other
The Company’s minimum principal payments for the next five years are as follows ($ in millions):
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Thereafter
$
194.7
1,214.0
3,321.1
332.9
1,258.1
4,201.3
The Company made interest payments of $130 million, $212 million and $126 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
NOTE 10. PENSION BENEFIT PLANS
The Company has noncontributory defined benefit pension plans which cover certain of its U.S. employees. During 2012, all
remaining benefit accruals under the U.S. plans ceased. Defined benefit plans from acquisitions subsequent to 2012 are ceased
as soon as practical. The Company also has noncontributory defined benefit pension plans which cover certain of its non-U.S.
employees, and under certain of these plans, benefit accruals continue. In general, the Company’s policy is to fund these plans
based on considerations relating to legal requirements, underlying asset returns, the plan’s funded status, the anticipated tax
deductibility of the contribution, local practices, market conditions, interest rates and other factors.
86
The following sets forth the funded status of the U.S. and non-U.S. plans as of the most recent actuarial valuations using
measurement dates of December 31 ($ in millions):
Change in pension benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
Service cost
Interest cost
Employee contributions
Benefits and other expenses paid
Acquisitions and other
Actuarial loss (gain)
Amendments, settlements and curtailments
Foreign exchange rate impact
Benefit obligation at end of year
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
Actual return on plan assets
Employer contributions
Employee contributions
Amendments and settlements
Benefits and other expenses paid
Foreign exchange rate impact
U.S. Pension Benefits
Non-U.S. Pension Benefits
2017
2016
2017
2016
$
2,558.1
$
2,603.9
$
1,493.0
$
1,449.3
7.3
82.3
—
(181.8)
—
139.9
7.1
—
9.0
89.7
—
(204.8)
(7.4)
67.7
—
—
32.7
25.5
8.2
(58.3)
—
(51.4)
(10.5)
132.6
2,612.9
2,558.1
1,571.8
1,868.2
265.3
53.2
—
—
(181.8)
—
1,892.6
122.7
57.7
—
—
(204.8)
—
1,042.9
74.6
44.7
8.2
(3.7)
(58.3)
90.9
36.4
32.8
8.6
(48.4)
—
174.1
(25.9)
(133.9)
1,493.0
1,025.9
134.3
43.5
8.6
(7.3)
(48.4)
(113.7)
1,042.9
(450.1)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
Funded status
2,004.9
(608.0) $
1,868.2
(689.9) $
1,199.3
(372.5) $
$
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at date of measurement:
Discount rate
Rate of compensation increase
Components of net periodic pension cost (benefit):
U.S. Plans
Non-U.S. Plans
2017
2016
2017
2016
3.6%
4.0%
4.1%
4.0%
1.8%
2.2%
1.8%
2.9%
($ in millions)
Service cost
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Amortization of prior service credit
Amortization of net loss
Curtailment and settlement gains recognized
Net periodic pension (benefit) cost
U.S. Pension Benefits
Non-U.S. Pension Benefits
2017
2016
2017
2016
$
$
7.3
$
9.0
$
32.7
$
82.3
(130.5)
—
24.9
—
(16.0) $
89.7
(132.6)
—
24.6
(0.7)
(10.0) $
25.5
(42.4)
(0.3)
7.8
(0.5)
22.8
$
36.4
32.8
(40.2)
(0.3)
7.8
(0.3)
36.2
Net periodic pension (benefits) costs are included in cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses in the
accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings. As discussed in Note 1, beginning in 2018 only the service cost
component of net periodic pension cost will be included in cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses in the
87
accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings and the other components of net periodic pension cost will be included in
nonoperating income (expense).
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic pension cost (benefit) at date of measurement:
Discount rate
Expected long-term return on plan assets
Rate of compensation increase
U.S. Plans
Non-U.S. Plans
2017
2016
2017
2016
4.1%
7.0%
4.0%
4.4%
7.0%
4.0%
1.8%
3.9%
2.9%
2.6%
4.1%
2.9%
The discount rate reflects the market rate on December 31 for high-quality fixed-income investments with maturities
corresponding to the Company’s benefit obligations and is subject to change each year. For non-U.S. plans, rates appropriate
for each plan are determined based on investment-grade instruments with maturities approximately equal to the average
expected benefit payout under the plan. During 2016, the Company updated the mortality assumptions used to estimate the
projected benefit obligation to reflect updated mortality tables.
Included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of December 31, 2017 are the following amounts that have not
yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost: unrecognized prior service cost of $2 million ($2 million, net of tax) and
unrecognized actuarial losses of approximately $902 million ($572 million, net of tax). The unrecognized losses and prior
service cost, net, is calculated as the difference between the actuarially determined projected benefit obligation and the value of
the plan assets less accrued pension costs as of December 31, 2017. The prior service cost and actuarial losses included in
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and expected to be recognized in net periodic pension costs during the year
ending December 31, 2018 is $0.4 million ($0.2 million, net of tax) and $37 million ($24 million, net of tax), respectively. No
plan assets are expected to be returned to the Company during the year ending December 31, 2018.
Selection of Expected Rate of Return on Assets
For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company used an expected long-term rate of return assumption of 7.0% for its U.S.
defined benefit pension plan while for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company used an expected long-term
rate of return assumption of 7.0% and 7.5%, respectively for its U.S. defined benefit pension plan. The Company intends to
use an expected long-term rate of return assumption of 7.0% for 2018 for its U.S. plan. This expected rate of return reflects the
asset allocation of the plan, and is based primarily on broad, publicly traded equity and fixed-income indices and forward-
looking estimates of active portfolio and investment management. Long-term rate of return on asset assumptions for the non-
U.S. plans were determined on a plan-by-plan basis based on the composition of assets and ranged from 1.0% to 5.8% and
1.1% to 5.8% in 2017 and 2016, respectively, with a weighted average rate of return assumption of 3.9% and 4.1% in 2017 and
2016, respectively.
Plan Assets
The U.S. plan’s goal is to maintain between 60% and 70% of its assets in equity portfolios, which are invested in individual
equity securities or funds that are expected to mirror broad market returns for equity securities or in assets with characteristics
similar to equity investments, such as venture capital funds and partnerships. Asset holdings are periodically rebalanced when
equity holdings are outside this range. The balance of the U.S. plan asset portfolio is invested in bond funds, real estate funds,
various absolute and real return funds and private equity funds. Non-U.S. plan assets are invested in various insurance
contracts, equity and debt securities as determined by the administrator of each plan. The value of the plan assets directly
affects the funded status of the Company’s pension plans recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company has some investments that are valued using Net Asset Value (“NAV”) as the practical expedient. In addition,
some of the investments valued using NAV as the practical expedient have limits on their redemption to monthly, quarterly,
semiannually or annually and require up to 90 days prior written notice. These investments valued using NAV consist of
mutual funds, common collective trusts, venture capital funds, partnerships, and other private investments, which allow the
Company to allocate investments across a broad array of types of funds and diversify the portfolio.
88
The fair values of the Company’s pension plan assets for both the U.S. and non-U.S. plans as of December 31, 2017, by asset
category were as follows ($ in millions):
Cash and equivalents
Equity securities:
Common stock
Preferred stock
Fixed income securities:
Corporate bonds
Government issued
Mutual funds
Insurance contracts
Total
Investments measured at NAV (a):
Mutual funds
Insurance contracts
Common collective trusts
Venture capital, partnerships and other private
investments
Total assets at fair value
Quoted Prices in
Active Market
(Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
Total
$
36.0
$
— $
— $
36.0
515.8
6.7
—
—
341.5
—
—
—
138.4
37.5
147.0
299.4
$
900.0
$
622.3
$
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
515.8
6.7
138.4
37.5
488.5
299.4
1,522.3
239.6
72.1
774.0
596.2
3,204.2
$
(a) The fair value amounts presented in the table above are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the total plan assets.
The fair values of the Company’s pension plan assets for both the U.S. and non-U.S. plans as of December 31, 2016, by asset
category were as follows ($ in millions):
Cash and equivalents
Equity securities:
Common stock
Preferred stock
Fixed income securities:
Corporate bonds
Government issued
Mutual funds
Insurance contracts
Total
Investments measured at NAV (a):
Mutual funds
Insurance contracts
Common collective trusts
Venture capital, partnerships and other private
investments
Total assets at fair value
Quoted Prices in
Active Market
(Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
Total
$
23.7
$
— $
— $
23.7
347.5
4.3
—
—
315.1
—
23.4
—
62.9
82.9
162.6
260.3
$
690.6
$
592.1
$
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
370.9
4.3
62.9
82.9
477.7
260.3
1,282.7
289.1
70.2
697.8
571.3
2,911.1
$
(a) The fair value amounts presented in the table above are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the total plan assets.
Preferred stock and common stock traded on an active market, as well as mutual funds are valued at the quoted closing price
reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded. Preferred stock, common stock, corporate bonds,
89
U.S. government securities and mutual funds that are not traded on an active market are valued at quoted prices reported by
investment brokers and dealers based on the underlying terms of the security and comparison to similar securities traded on an
active market.
Common/collective trusts are valued based on the plan’s interest, represented by investment units, in the underlying
investments held within the trust that are traded in an active market by the trustee.
Venture capital, partnerships and other private investments are valued using the NAV based on the information provided by the
asset fund managers, which reflects the plan’s share of the fair value of the net assets of the investment. Depending on the
nature of the assets, the underlying investments are valued using a combination of either discounted cash flows, earnings and
market multiples, third-party appraisals or through reference to the quoted market prices of the underlying investments held by
the venture, partnership or private entity where available. Valuation adjustments reflect changes in operating results, financial
condition, or prospects of the applicable portfolio company.
The methods described above may produce a fair value estimate that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective
of future fair values. Furthermore, while the Company believes the valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with the
methods used by other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of
certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.
Expected Contributions
During 2017, the Company contributed $53 million to its U.S. defined benefit pension plan and $45 million to its non-U.S.
defined benefit pension plans. During 2018, the Company’s cash contribution requirements for its U.S. and its non-U.S.
defined benefit pension plans are expected to be approximately $30 million and $50 million, respectively.
The following sets forth benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, expected to be paid by the
plans in the periods indicated ($ in millions):
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023 – 2027
Other Matters
U.S. Pension
Plans
Non-U.S.
Pension Plans
All Pension
Plans
$
178.4
$
176.9
179.5
179.3
178.2
841.4
$
51.9
55.8
52.9
55.5
55.2
230.3
232.7
232.4
234.8
233.4
311.5
1,152.9
Substantially all employees not covered by defined benefit plans are covered by defined contribution plans, which generally
provide for Company funding based on a percentage of compensation.
A limited number of the Company’s subsidiaries participate in multiemployer defined benefit and contribution plans, primarily
outside of the United States, that require the Company to periodically contribute funds to the plan. The risks of participating in
a multiemployer plan differ from the risks of participating in a single-employer plan in the following respects: (1) assets
contributed to the multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating
employers, (2) if a participating employer ceases contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be required
to be borne by the remaining participating employers and (3) if the Company elects to stop participating in the plan, the
Company may be required to pay the plan an amount based on the unfunded status of the plan. None of the multiemployer
plans in which the Company’s subsidiaries participate are considered to be quantitatively or qualitatively significant, either
individually or in the aggregate. In addition, contributions made to these plans during 2017, 2016 and 2015 were not
considered significant, either individually or in the aggregate.
Expense for all defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans amounted to $177 million, $177 million and $154
million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
90
NOTE 11. OTHER POSTRETIREMENT EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
In addition to providing pension benefits, the Company provides certain health care and life insurance benefits for some of its
retired employees in the United States. Certain employees may become eligible for these benefits as they reach normal
retirement age while working for the Company.
The following sets forth the funded status of the domestic plans as of the most recent actuarial valuations using measurement
dates of December 31 ($ in millions):
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
Service cost
Interest cost
Amendments, curtailments and other
Actuarial loss (gain)
Retiree contributions
Benefits paid
Benefit obligation at end of year
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets
Funded status
2017
2016
$
174.6
$
0.7
5.6
0.4
1.5
2.9
(18.4)
167.3
193.4
0.7
6.6
(6.5)
(5.0)
3.2
(17.8)
174.6
—
(167.3) $
—
(174.6)
$
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, $152 million and $158 million, respectively, of the total underfunded status of the plan
was recognized as long-term accrued postretirement liability since it was not expected to be funded within one year.
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at date of measurement:
Discount rate
Medical trend rate – initial
Medical trend rate – grading period
Medical trend rate – ultimate
2017
2016
3.5%
6.3%
3.9%
6.5%
20 years
21 years
4.5%
4.5%
Effect of a one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates:
($ in millions)
Effect on the total of service and interest cost components
Effect on postretirement medical benefit obligation
1% Increase
1% Decrease
$
$
0.3
4.9
(0.3)
(4.3)
The medical trend rate used to determine the postretirement benefit obligation was 6.3% for 2017. The rate decreases gradually
to an ultimate rate of 4.5% in 2037 and remains at that level thereafter. The trend rate is a significant factor in determining the
amounts reported.
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
($ in millions)
Service cost
Interest cost
Amortization of net gain
Amortization of prior service credit
Net periodic benefit cost
91
2017
2016
$
$
0.7
$
5.6
(0.1)
(3.1)
3.1
$
0.7
6.6
—
(3.1)
4.2
Net periodic benefit costs are included in cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying
Consolidated Statements of Earnings. As discussed in Note 1, beginning in 2018 only the service cost component of net
periodic benefit cost will be included in cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying
Consolidated Statements of Earnings and the other components of net periodic benefit cost will be included in nonoperating
income (expense).
Included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of December 31, 2017 are the following amounts that have not
yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost: unrecognized prior service credits of $21 million ($13 million, net of tax) and
unrecognized actuarial losses of $16 million ($10 million, net of tax). The unrecognized losses and prior service credits, net, is
calculated as the difference between the actuarially determined projected benefit obligation and the value of the plan assets less
accrued benefit costs as of December 31, 2017. The prior service credits included in accumulated other comprehensive income
(loss) and expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit costs during the year ending December 31, 2018 are $3 million ($2
million, net of tax). The actuarial losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and expected to be
recognized in net periodic benefit costs during the year ending December 31, 2018 are not material.
The following sets forth benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, expected to be paid in the
periods indicated ($ in millions):
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023 – 2027
$
15.8
15.2
14.6
14.0
13.3
57.8
NOTE 12. INCOME TAXES
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes for the years ended December 31 were as follows ($ in millions):
United States
International
Total
2017
2016
2015
$
$
927.2
2,011.6
2,938.8
$
$
647.7
1,963.6
2,611.3
$
$
505.5
1,533.9
2,039.4
The provision for income taxes from continuing operations for the years ended December 31 were as follows ($ in millions):
Current:
Federal U.S.
Non-U.S.
State and local
Deferred:
Federal U.S.
Non-U.S.
State and local
Income tax provision
2017
2016
2015
$
448.3
$
237.2
$
457.2
(9.6)
(424.7)
(61.5)
59.3
$
469.0
$
542.9
61.7
(237.5)
(104.2)
(42.2)
457.9
$
213.4
273.0
(9.5)
(83.8)
(121.5)
21.1
292.7
92
Noncurrent deferred tax assets and noncurrent deferred tax liabilities are included in other assets and other long-term liabilities,
respectively, in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of December 31
were as follows ($ in millions):
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Inventories
Pension and postretirement benefits
Environmental and regulatory compliance
Other accruals and prepayments
Stock-based compensation expense
Tax credit and loss carryforwards
Valuation allowances
Total deferred tax asset
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment
Insurance, including self-insurance
Basis difference in LYONs
Goodwill and other intangibles
Unrealized gains on marketable securities
Total deferred tax liability
Net deferred tax liability
2017
2016
$
$
$
18.6
95.9
250.6
26.8
345.8
63.9
673.4
(324.6)
1,150.4
(63.4)
(696.2)
(12.9)
(2,711.2)
—
(3,483.7)
(2,333.3) $
22.4
102.8
392.4
29.9
211.1
89.3
1,095.9
(306.5)
1,637.3
(41.4)
(786.4)
(13.1)
(3,645.3)
(2.9)
(4,489.1)
(2,851.8)
The Company evaluates the future realizability of tax credits and loss carryforwards considering the anticipated future earnings
of the Company’s subsidiaries as well as tax planning strategies in the associated jurisdictions. Deferred taxes associated with
U.S. entities consist of net deferred tax liabilities of approximately $2.0 billion and $2.5 billion as of December 31, 2017 and
2016, respectively. Deferred taxes associated with non-U.S. entities consist of net deferred tax liabilities of $301 million and
$374 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. During 2017, the Company’s valuation allowance increased by
$18 million through the tax provision due to certain tax benefits triggered in 2017 that are not expected to be realized. As of
December 31, 2017, the total amount of the basis difference in investments outside the United States for which deferred taxes
have not been provided is approximately $8.0 billion. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had no plans which would
subject these basis differences to income taxes in the U.S. or elsewhere.
On December 22, 2017, the TCJA was enacted, substantially changing the U.S. tax system and affecting the Company in a
number of ways. Notably, the TCJA:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
establishes a flat corporate income tax rate of 21.0% on U.S. earnings;
imposes a one-time tax on unremitted cumulative non-U.S. earnings of foreign subsidiaries (“Transition Tax”);
imposes a new minimum tax on certain non-U.S. earnings, irrespective of the territorial system of taxation, and
generally allows for the repatriation of future earnings of foreign subsidiaries without incurring additional U.S. taxes
by transitioning to a territorial system of taxation;
subjects certain payments made by a U.S. company to a related foreign company to certain minimum taxes (Base
Erosion Anti-Abuse Tax);
eliminates certain prior tax incentives for manufacturing in the United States and creates an incentive for U.S.
companies to sell, lease or license goods and services abroad by allowing for a reduction in taxes owed on earnings
related to such sales;
allows the cost of investments in certain depreciable assets acquired and placed in service after September 27, 2017 to
be immediately expensed; and
reduces deductions with respect to certain compensation paid to specified executive officers.
93
While the changes from the TCJA are generally effective beginning in 2018, U.S. GAAP accounting for income taxes requires
the effect of a change in tax laws or rates to be recognized in income from continuing operations for the period that includes the
enactment date. Due to the complexities involved in accounting for the enactment of the TCJA, the SEC Staff Accounting
Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB No. 118”) allowed the Company to record provisional amounts in earnings for the year ended
December 31, 2017. Where reasonable estimates can be made, the provisional accounting should be based on such estimates.
When no reasonable estimate can be made, the provisional accounting may be based on the tax law in effect before the TCJA.
The Company is required to complete its tax accounting for the TCJA within a one year period when it has obtained, prepared,
and analyzed the information to complete the income tax accounting.
The Company has not completed its accounting for the tax effects of enactment of the TCJA; however, as described below, the
Company has made reasonable estimates of the effects of the TCJA on its Consolidated Financial Statements which are
included as a component of income tax expense from continuing operations:
•
•
•
Deferred tax assets and liabilities: U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities were remeasured based on the rates at which
they are expected to reverse in the future, which is generally 21.0%, resulting in an income tax benefit of
approximately $1.2 billion. The Company will continue to analyze certain aspects of the TCJA which could
potentially affect the tax basis of the reported amounts. Additionally, the Company’s U.S. tax returns for 2017 will be
filed during the fourth quarter of 2018 and any changes to the tax positions for temporary differences compared to the
estimates used will result in an adjustment of the estimated tax benefit recorded as of December 31, 2017.
Transition Tax effects: The Transition Tax is based on the Company’s total post-1986 earnings and profits that were
previously deferred from U.S. income taxes. The Company recorded a provisional amount for the Transition Tax
expense resulting in an increase in income tax expense of approximately $1.2 billion. The Company will continue to
evaluate the TCJA and any future guidance from the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”)
in the determination of the Transition Tax which could result in adjustment of the estimate recorded as of December
31, 2017.
Indefinite reinvestment: As of December 31, 2017, the Company held $593 million of cash and approximately $656
million of cash equivalents (as defined by the TCJA, including trade accounts receivable net of trade accounts payable
balances and certain accrued expenses) outside the United States. While repatriation of some cash held outside the
United States may be restricted by local laws, most of the Company’s foreign cash could be repatriated to the United
States. Following enactment of the TCJA and the associated Transition Tax, in general, repatriation of cash to the
United States can be completed with no incremental U.S. tax; however, repatriation of cash could subject the
Company to non-U.S. jurisdictional taxes on distributions. The cash that the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries hold
for indefinite reinvestment is generally used to finance foreign operations and investments, including acquisitions.
The income taxes applicable to such earnings are not readily determinable or practicable. The Company continues to
evaluate the impact of the TCJA on its election to indefinitely reinvest certain of its non-U.S. earnings.
The Company will continue to analyze the effects of the TCJA on its Consolidated Financial Statements and operations.
Additional impacts from the enactment of the TCJA will be recorded as they are identified during the measurement period as
provided for in SAB No. 118, which extends up to one year from the enactment date.
94
The effective income tax rate from continuing operations for the years ended December 31 varies from the U.S. statutory
federal income tax rate as follows:
Statutory federal income tax rate
Increase (decrease) in tax rate resulting from:
State income taxes (net of federal income tax benefit)
Foreign income taxed at lower rate than U.S. statutory rate
Resolution and expiration of statutes of limitation of uncertain tax positions
Permanent foreign exchange losses
Research credits, uncertain tax positions and other
Revaluation of U.S. deferred income taxes
TCJA - Transition Tax
Effective income tax rate
Percentage of Pretax Earnings
2017
2016
2015
35.0 %
35.0 %
35.0 %
0.8 %
(11.6)%
(6.5)%
(0.6)%
(1.0)%
(41.5)%
41.4 %
16.0 %
0.6 %
(10.2)%
(3.1)%
(8.2)%
3.4 %
— %
— %
17.5 %
0.7 %
(17.1)%
(0.7)%
(4.6)%
1.1 %
— %
— %
14.4 %
The Company’s effective tax rate for each of 2017, 2016 and 2015 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35.0% due
principally to the Company’s earnings outside the United States that are indefinitely reinvested and taxed at rates lower than the
U.S. federal statutory rate. In addition:
•
•
•
The effective tax rate of 16.0% in 2017 includes 500 basis points of net tax benefits related to the revaluation of net
U.S. deferred tax liabilities from 35.0% to 21.0% due to the TCJA and release of reserves upon statute of limitation
expiration, partially offset by income tax expense related to the Transition Tax on foreign earnings due to the TCJA
and changes in estimates associated with prior period uncertain tax positions.
The effective tax rate of 17.5% in 2016 includes 350 basis points of net tax benefits from permanent foreign exchange
losses and the release of reserves upon the expiration of statutes of limitation and audit settlements, partially offset by
income tax expense related to repatriation of earnings and legal entity realignments associated with the Separation and
changes in estimates associated with prior period uncertain tax positions.
The effective tax rate of 14.4% in 2015 includes 290 basis points of net tax benefits from permanent foreign exchange
losses, releases of valuation allowances related to foreign operating losses and the release of reserves upon the
expiration of statutes of limitation, partially offset by changes in estimates associated with prior period uncertain tax
positions.
The Company made income tax payments related to both continuing and discontinued operations of $689 million, $767 million
and $584 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Current income taxes payable related to both continuing and
discontinued operations has been reduced by $85 million, $99 million, and $147 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively,
for tax deductions attributable to stock-based compensation, of which, the excess tax benefit over the amount recorded for
financial reporting purposes for both continuing and discontinued operations was $55 million, $50 million and $88 million,
respectively. The excess tax benefits realized have been recorded as increases to additional paid-in capital for the years ended
December 31, 2016 and 2015 and are reflected as a financing cash inflow in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of
Cash Flows. As a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation, the excess tax benefit for the
year ended December 31, 2017 has been recorded as a reduction to the current income tax provision and is reflected as an
operating cash inflow in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
Included in deferred income taxes related to continuing operations as of December 31, 2017 are tax benefits for U.S. and non-
U.S. net operating loss carryforwards totaling $502 million ($283 million of which the Company does not expect to realize and
have corresponding valuation allowances). Certain of the losses can be carried forward indefinitely and others can be carried
forward to various dates from 2018 through 2037. In addition, the Company had general business and foreign tax credit
carryforwards related to continuing operations of $171 million ($30 million of which the Company does not expect to realize
and have corresponding valuation allowances) as of December 31, 2017, which can be carried forward to various dates from
2018 to 2027. In addition, as of December 31, 2017, the Company had $12 million of valuation allowances related to other
deferred tax asset balances that are not more likely than not of being realized.
As of December 31, 2017, gross unrecognized tax benefits related to continuing operations totaled $737 million ($736 million,
net of the impact of $104 million of indirect tax benefits offset by $103 million associated with potential interest and penalties).
95
As of December 31, 2016, gross unrecognized tax benefits related to both continuing and discontinued operations totaled $992
million ($933 million, net of the impact of $179 million of indirect tax benefits offset by $120 million associated with potential
interest and penalties). The Company recognized approximately $41 million, $47 million and $39 million in potential interest
and penalties related to both continuing and discontinued operations associated with uncertain tax positions during 2017, 2016
and 2015, respectively. To the extent unrecognized tax benefits (including interest and penalties) are not assessed with respect
to uncertain tax positions, $691 million would reduce the tax expense and effective tax rate in future periods. The Company
recognized interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within income taxes in the accompanying Consolidated
Statement of Earnings. Unrecognized tax benefits and associated accrued interest and penalties are included in taxes, income
and other accrued expenses as detailed in Note 8.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding amounts accrued for potential
interest and penalties related to both continuing and discontinued operations, is as follows ($ in millions):
2017
2016
2015
Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of year
$
992.2
$
990.2
$
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
Additions for tax positions of prior years
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
Acquisitions, divestitures and other
Lapse of statute of limitations
Settlements
Effect of foreign currency translation
Unrecognized tax benefits, end of year
53.0
39.8
(14.5)
13.4
(246.7)
(124.8)
24.4
$
736.8
$
80.0
154.3
(7.0)
(41.5)
(124.0)
(45.3)
(14.5)
992.2
$
728.5
73.3
135.3
(10.0)
140.6
(26.3)
(18.9)
(32.3)
990.2
The Company conducts business globally, and files numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns in the U.S. federal,
state and foreign jurisdictions. The countries in which the Company has a material presence that have had significantly lower
statutory tax rates than the United States include China, Denmark, Germany, Singapore, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
The Company’s ability to obtain a tax benefit from lower statutory tax rates outside of the United States depends on its levels of
taxable income in these foreign countries and the amount of foreign earnings which are indefinitely reinvested in those
countries. The Company believes that a change in the statutory tax rate of any individual foreign country would not have a
material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements given the geographic dispersion of the Company’s taxable
income.
The Company and its subsidiaries are routinely examined by various domestic and international taxing authorities. The IRS
has completed substantially all of the examinations of the Company’s federal income tax returns through 2011 and is currently
examining certain of the Company’s federal income tax returns for 2012 through 2015. In addition, the Company has
subsidiaries in Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, New
Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and various other countries, states and provinces that are currently under
audit for years ranging from 2004 through 2015.
Tax authorities in Denmark have raised significant issues related to interest accrued by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries.
On December 10, 2013, the Company received assessments from the Danish tax authority (“SKAT”) totaling approximately
DKK 1.5 billion (approximately $245 million based on exchange rates as of December 31, 2017) including interest through
December 31, 2017, imposing withholding tax relating to interest accrued in Denmark on borrowings from certain of the
Company’s subsidiaries for the years 2004-2009. The Company is currently in discussions with SKAT and anticipates
receiving an assessment for years 2010-2012 totaling approximately DKK 895 million (approximately $144 million based on
exchange rates as of December 31, 2017) including interest through December 31, 2017. Management believes the positions
the Company has taken in Denmark are in accordance with the relevant tax laws and is vigorously defending its positions. The
Company appealed these assessments with the National Tax Tribunal in 2014 and intends on pursuing this matter through the
European Court of Justice should this appeal be unsuccessful. The ultimate resolution of this matter is uncertain, could take
many years, and could result in a material adverse impact to the Company’s financial statements, including its effective tax rate.
Management estimates that it is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits related to continuing
operations may be reduced by approximately $130 million within 12 months as a result of resolution of worldwide tax matters,
payments of tax audit settlements and/or statute of limitations expirations. Future resolution of uncertain tax positions related
to discontinued operations may result in additional charges or credits to earnings from discontinued operations in the
Consolidated Statement of Earnings (refer to Note 3).
96
The Company operates in various non-U.S. jurisdictions where income tax incentives and rulings have been granted for
specific periods of time. In Switzerland, the Company has various tax rulings and tax holiday arrangements which reduce the
overall effective tax rate of the Company. The tax holidays expire between 2018 and 2020. In Singapore, the Company
operates under various tax incentive agreements that provide for reduced tax rates. Subject to the Company satisfying certain
requirements, the agreements expire in 2022. The Company has satisfied the conditions enumerated in these agreements to
date. Included in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements are tax benefits of $62 million, $61 million, and $33
million (or $0.09, $0.09 and $0.05 per diluted share) for 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively, from these rulings and tax
holidays.
NOTE 13. NONOPERATING INCOME (EXPENSE)
The Company received $138 million of cash proceeds and recorded $22 million in short-term other receivables from the sale of
certain marketable equity securities during 2017. The Company recorded a pretax gain related to this sale of $73 million ($46
million after-tax or $0.06 per diluted share).
During 2016, the Company received cash proceeds of $265 million from the sale of certain marketable equity securities and
recorded a pretax gain related to this sale of $223 million ($140 million after-tax or $0.20 per diluted share).
During 2016, the Company also paid $188 million of make-whole premiums associated with the early extinguishment of the
Redeemed Notes. The Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of these borrowings, net of certain deferred gains, of $179
million ($112 million after-tax or $0.16 per diluted share).
During 2015, the Company received cash proceeds of $43 million from the sale of certain marketable equity securities and
recorded a pretax gain related to these sales of $12 million ($8 million after-tax or $0.01 per diluted share).
NOTE 14. PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT AND RESTRUCTURING INITIATIVES
During 2017, the Company made the strategic decision to discontinue a molecular diagnostic product line in its Diagnostics
segment. As a result, the Company recorded $76 million of pretax restructuring, impairment and other related charges ($51
million after-tax or $0.07 per diluted share). These charges included $49 million of noncash charges for the impairment of
certain technology-related intangible assets as well as related inventory and property, plant and equipment with no further use.
In addition, the Company incurred $27 million of cash restructuring costs primarily related to employee severance and related
charges. Substantially all restructuring activities related to this discontinued product line were completed in 2017.
In addition to the molecular diagnostic product line discontinuation noted above, during 2017 the Company recorded pretax
productivity improvement and restructuring related charges of $83 million, for a total of $159 million of pretax productivity
improvement and restructuring related charges in 2017. Substantially all the activities initiated in 2017 were completed by
December 31, 2017 resulting in $78 million of employee severance and related charges, $81 million of facility exit and other
related charges (including noncash charges for the impairment of certain technology-related intangibles as well as related
inventory and property, plant and equipment with no further use). The Company expects substantially all cash payments
associated with remaining termination benefits will be paid during 2018. During 2016, the Company recorded pretax
productivity improvement and restructuring related charges totaling $152 million. Substantially all of the planned activities
related to the 2016 plans were completed by December 31, 2016 resulting in approximately $111 million of employee
severance and related charges and $30 million of facility exit and other related charges and $11 million related to an
impairment of a trade name within the Dental segment. During 2015, the Company recorded pretax productivity improvement
and restructuring related charges totaling $98 million. Substantially all of the planned activities related to the 2015 plans were
completed by December 31, 2015 resulting in approximately $81 million of employee severance and related charges and $17
million of facility exit and other related charges.
Excluding the discontinuation of the molecular diagnostic product line, the nature of the Company’s productivity improvement
and restructuring related activities initiated in 2017, 2016 and 2015 were broadly consistent throughout the Company’s
reportable segments and focused on improvements in operational efficiency through targeted workforce reductions and facility
consolidations and closures. These costs were incurred to position the Company to provide superior products and services to its
customers in a cost efficient manner, and taking into consideration broad economic considerations.
In conjunction with the closing of facilities, certain inventory was written off as unusable in future operating locations. This
inventory consisted primarily of component parts and raw materials, which were either redundant to inventory at the facilities
being merged or were not economically feasible to relocate since the inventory was purchased to operate on equipment and
tooling which was not being relocated. In addition, asset impairment charges have been recorded to reduce the carrying
amounts of the long-lived assets that will be sold or disposed of to their estimated fair values. Charges for the asset impairment
97
reduce the carrying amount of the long-lived assets to their estimated salvage value in connection with the decision to dispose
of such assets.
Productivity improvement and restructuring related charges, including those relate to the discontinuation of the molecular
diagnostics product line, recorded for the years ended December 31 by segment were as follows ($ in millions):
Life Sciences
Diagnostics
Dental
Environmental & Applied Solutions
Total
2017
2016
2015
$
$
$
25.4
85.4
35.8
12.5
$
40.5
62.2
34.3
15.4
159.1
$
152.4
$
27.5
33.6
25.3
11.1
97.5
The table below summarizes the Company’s accrual balance and utilization by type of productivity improvement and
restructuring costs associated with the 2017 and 2016 actions ($ in millions):
Balance, January 1, 2016
Costs incurred
Paid/settled
Balance, December 31, 2016
Costs incurred
Paid/settled
Balance, December 31, 2017
Employee
Severance and
Related
Facility Exit and
Related
Total
$
$
65.6
111.0
(131.3)
45.3
77.7
(74.0)
49.0
$
$
13.9
41.4
(43.5)
11.8
81.4
(75.9)
17.3
$
$
79.5
152.4
(174.8)
57.1
159.1
(149.9)
66.3
The productivity improvement and restructuring related charges incurred during 2017 include cash charges of $103 million and
$56 million of noncash charges. The productivity improvement and restructuring related charges incurred during 2016 and
2015 include cash charges of $140 million and $94 million and $12 million and $4 million of noncash charges, respectively.
These charges are reflected in the following captions in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings ($ in millions):
Cost of sales
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Total
NOTE 15. LEASES AND COMMITMENTS
2017
2016
2015
$
$
38.0
121.1
159.1
$
$
25.4
127.0
152.4
$
$
31.9
65.6
97.5
The Company’s operating leases extend for varying periods of time up to 20 years and, in some cases, contain renewal options
that would extend existing terms beyond 20 years. Total rent expense for all operating leases was $249 million, $220 million
and $209 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
98
The Company’s future minimum rental payments for all operating leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms
in excess of one year are as follows ($ in millions):
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Thereafter
$
199.4
166.6
130.9
99.3
79.4
121.8
The Company generally accrues estimated warranty costs at the time of sale. In general, manufactured products are warranted
against defects in material and workmanship when properly used for their intended purpose, installed correctly, and
appropriately maintained. Warranty periods depend on the nature of the product and range from 90 days up to the life of the
product. The amount of the accrued warranty liability is determined based on historical information such as past experience,
product failure rates or number of units repaired, estimated cost of material and labor, and in certain instances estimated
property damage. The accrued warranty liability is reviewed on a quarterly basis and may be adjusted as additional information
regarding expected warranty costs becomes known.
The following is a rollforward of the Company’s accrued warranty liability ($ in millions):
Balance, January 1
Accruals for warranties issued during the year
Settlements made
Additions due to acquisitions
Effect of foreign currency translation
Balance, December 31
2017
2016
$
$
75.8
$
54.5
(56.6)
1.7
3.6
79.0
$
73.8
62.3
(61.2)
1.4
(0.5)
75.8
NOTE 16. LITIGATION AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company is, from time to time, subject to a variety of litigation and other legal and regulatory proceedings incidental to its
business (or the business operations of previously owned entities). These matters primarily involve claims for damages arising
out of the use of the Company’s products and services and claims relating to intellectual property matters, employment matters,
tax matters, commercial disputes, competition and sales and trading practices, environmental matters, personal injury, insurance
coverage and acquisition or divestiture-related matters, as well as regulatory investigations or enforcement. The Company may
also become subject to lawsuits as a result of past or future acquisitions or as a result of liabilities retained from, or
representations, warranties or indemnities provided in connection with, divested businesses. Some of these lawsuits may
include claims for punitive, consequential and/or compensatory damages, as well as injunctive relief. Based upon the
Company’s experience, current information and applicable law, it does not believe it is reasonably possible that any amounts it
may be required to pay in connection with litigation and other legal and regulatory proceedings in excess of its reserves as of
December 31, 2017 will have a material effect on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
While the Company maintains general, products, property, workers’ compensation, automobile, cargo, aviation, crime,
fiduciary and directors’ and officers’ liability insurance (and has acquired rights under similar policies in connection with
certain acquisitions) up to certain limits that cover certain of these claims, this insurance may be insufficient or unavailable to
cover such losses. For general, products and property liability and most other insured risks, the Company purchases outside
insurance coverage only for severe losses and must establish and maintain reserves with respect to amounts within the self-
insured retention. In addition, while the Company believes it is entitled to indemnification from third-parties for some of these
claims, these rights may also be insufficient or unavailable to cover such losses.
The Company records a liability in the Consolidated Financial Statements for loss contingencies when a loss is known or
considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If the reasonable estimate of a known or probable loss is a
range, and no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other, the minimum amount of the range is accrued. If a
loss does not meet the known or probable level but is reasonably possible it is disclosed and if the loss or range of loss can be
reasonably estimated, the estimated loss or range of loss is disclosed. The Company’s reserves consist of specific reserves for
99
individual claims and additional amounts for anticipated developments of these claims as well as for incurred but not yet
reported claims. The specific reserves for individual known claims are quantified with the assistance of legal counsel and
outside risk professionals where appropriate. In addition, outside risk professionals assist in the determination of reserves for
incurred but not yet reported claims through evaluation of the Company’s specific loss history, actual claims reported and
industry trends among statistical and other factors. Reserve estimates may be adjusted as additional information regarding a
claim becomes known. Because most contingencies are resolved over long periods of time, liabilities may change in the future
due to new developments (including litigation developments, the discovery of new facts, changes in legislation and outcomes
of similar cases), changes in assumptions or changes in the Company’s strategy. While the Company actively pursues financial
recoveries from insurance providers and indemnifying parties, it does not recognize any recoveries until realized or until such
time as a sustained pattern of collections is established related to historical matters of a similar nature and magnitude. If the
Company’s self-insurance and litigation reserves prove inadequate, it would be required to incur an expense equal to the
amount of the loss incurred in excess of the reserves, which would adversely affect the Company’s Consolidated Financial
Statements.
In addition, the Company’s operations, products and services are subject to environmental laws and regulations, which impose
limitations on the discharge of pollutants into the environment, establish standards for the use, generation, treatment, storage
and disposal of hazardous and nonhazardous wastes and impose end-of-life disposal and take-back programs. A number of the
Company’s operations involve the handling, manufacturing, use or sale of substances that are or could be classified as
hazardous materials within the meaning of applicable laws. The Company must also comply with various health and safety
regulations in both the United States and abroad in connection with the Company’s operations. Compliance with these laws
and regulations has not had and, based on current information and the applicable laws and regulations currently in effect, is not
expected to have a material effect on the Company’s capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position, and the Company
does not anticipate material capital expenditures for environmental control facilities.
In addition to environmental compliance costs, the Company from time to time incurs costs related to alleged damages
associated with past or current waste disposal practices or other hazardous materials handling practices. For example,
generators of hazardous substances found in disposal sites at which environmental problems are alleged to exist, as well as the
current and former owners of those sites and certain other classes of persons, are subject to claims brought by state and federal
regulatory agencies pursuant to statutory authority. The Company has received notification from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, and from state and non-U.S. environmental agencies, that conditions at certain sites where the Company
and others previously disposed of hazardous wastes and/or are or were property owners require clean-up and other possible
remedial action, including sites where the Company has been identified as a potentially responsible party under U.S. federal
and state environmental laws. The Company has projects underway at a number of current and former facilities, in both the
United States and abroad, to investigate and remediate environmental contamination resulting from past operations.
Remediation activities generally relate to soil and/or groundwater contamination and may include pre-remedial activities such
as fact-finding and investigation, risk assessment, feasibility study and/or design, as well as remediation actions such as
contaminant removal, monitoring and/or installation, operation and maintenance of longer-term remediation systems. The
Company is also from time to time party to personal injury or other claims brought by private parties alleging injury due to the
presence of, or exposure to, hazardous substances.
The Company has recorded a provision for environmental investigation and remediation and environmental-related claims with
respect to sites owned or formerly owned by the Company and its subsidiaries and third-party sites where the Company has
been determined to be a potentially responsible party. The Company generally makes an assessment of the costs involved for
its remediation efforts based on environmental studies, as well as its prior experience with similar sites. The ultimate cost of
site cleanup is difficult to predict given the uncertainties of the Company’s involvement in certain sites, uncertainties regarding
the extent of the required cleanup, the availability of alternative cleanup methods, variations in the interpretation of applicable
laws and regulations, the possibility of insurance recoveries with respect to certain sites and the fact that imposition of joint and
several liability with right of contribution is possible under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act of 1980 and other environmental laws and regulations. If the Company determines that potential liability for a
particular site or with respect to a personal injury claim is known or considered probable and reasonably estimable, the
Company accrues the total estimated loss, including investigation and remediation costs, associated with the site or claim. As
of December 31, 2017, the Company had a reserve of $147 million for environmental matters which are known or considered
probable and reasonably estimable (of which $116 million are noncurrent), which reflects the Company’s best estimate of the
costs to be incurred with respect to such matters.
All reserves have been recorded without giving effect to any possible future third-party recoveries. While the Company
actively pursues insurance recoveries, as well as recoveries from other potentially responsible parties, it does not recognize any
insurance recoveries for environmental liability claims until realized or until such time as a sustained pattern of collections is
established related to historical matters of a similar nature and magnitude.
100
The Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation requires it to indemnify to the full extent authorized or permitted by law
any person made, or threatened to be made a party to any action or proceeding by reason of his or her service as a director or
officer of the Company, or by reason of serving at the request of the Company as a director or officer of any other entity,
subject to limited exceptions. Danaher’s Amended and Restated By-laws provide for similar indemnification rights. In
addition, Danaher has executed with each director and executive officer of Danaher Corporation an indemnification agreement
which provides for substantially similar indemnification rights and under which Danaher has agreed to pay expenses in advance
of the final disposition of any such indemnifiable proceeding. While the Company maintains insurance for this type of liability,
a significant deductible applies to this coverage and any such liability could exceed the amount of the insurance coverage.
As of December 31, 2017, the Company had approximately $611 million of guarantees consisting primarily of outstanding
standby letters of credit, bank guarantees and performance and bid bonds. These guarantees have been provided in connection
with certain arrangements with vendors, customers, insurance providers, financing counterparties and governmental entities to
secure the Company’s obligations and/or performance requirements related to specific transactions. The Company believes that
if the obligations under these instruments were triggered, it would not have a material effect on its Consolidated Financial
Statements.
NOTE 17. STOCK TRANSACTIONS AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
On July 16, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a repurchase program (the “Repurchase Program”) authorizing
the repurchase of up to 20 million shares of the Company’s common stock from time to time on the open market or in privately
negotiated transactions. There is no expiration date for the Repurchase Program, and the timing and amount of any shares
repurchased under the program will be determined by the Company’s management based on its evaluation of market conditions
and other factors. The Repurchase Program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. Any repurchased shares will be
available for use in connection with the Company’s equity compensation plans (or any successor plan) and for other corporate
purposes. As of December 31, 2017, 20 million shares remained available for repurchase pursuant to the Repurchase Program.
The Company expects to fund any future stock repurchases using the Company’s available cash balances or proceeds from the
issuance of debt.
Except in connection with the disposition of the Company’s communications business to NetScout in 2015, neither the
Company nor any “affiliated purchaser” repurchased any shares of Company common stock during 2017, 2016 or 2015. Refer
to Note 3 for a discussion of the 26 million shares of Danaher common stock tendered to and repurchased by the Company in
connection with the disposition of the Company’s communications business to NetScout.
Stock options, RSUs and PSUs have been issued to directors, officers and other employees under the Company’s 2007
Omnibus Incentive Plan. In addition, in connection with the 2015 Pall Acquisition and the 2016 Cepheid Acquisition, the
Company assumed certain outstanding stock options and RSUs, as applicable, that had been awarded under the stock
compensation plans of the respective, acquired businesses. These plans (the “Assumed Plans”) operate in a similar manner to
the Company’s 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan, and no further equity awards will be issued under any of the Assumed Plans.
The 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan provides for the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, RSUs, restricted stock,
PSUs or any other stock-based award and cash based awards. A total of approximately 127 million shares of Danaher common
stock have been authorized for issuance under the 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan. As of December 31, 2017, approximately 70
million shares of the Company’s common stock remain available for issuance under the 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
Stock options granted under the 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan generally vest pro rata over a five-year period and terminate 10
years from the grant date, though the specific terms of each grant are determined by the Compensation Committee of the
Company’s Board (the “Compensation Committee”). The Company’s executive officers and certain other employees have
been awarded options with different vesting criteria, and options granted to outside directors are fully vested as of the grant
date. Option exercise prices for options granted by the Company equal the closing price of the Company’s common stock on
the NYSE on the date of grant. In connection with the Company’s assumption of options issued pursuant to the Assumed
Plans, the number of shares underlying each option and exercise price of each option were adjusted to reflect the substitution of
the Company’s stock for the stock of the applicable acquired company.
RSUs issued under the 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan provide for the issuance of a share of the Company’s common stock at no
cost to the holder. The RSUs that have been granted to employees under the 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan generally provide
for time-based vesting over a five-year period, although executive officers and certain other employees have been awarded
RSUs with different time-based vesting criteria, and RSUs granted to members of the Company’s senior management have also
been subject to performance-based vesting criteria. The RSUs that have been granted to directors under the 2007 Omnibus
Incentive Plan vest on the earlier of the first anniversary of the grant date or the date of, and immediately prior to, the next
annual meeting of the Company’s shareholders following the grant date, but the underlying shares are not issued until the
earlier of the director’s death or the first day of the seventh month following the director’s retirement from the Board. Prior to
101
vesting, RSUs granted under the 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan do not have dividend equivalent rights, do not have voting
rights and the shares underlying the RSUs are not considered issued and outstanding. With respect to RSUs granted under the
Assumed Plans, in connection with the Company’s assumption of these RSUs the number of shares underlying each RSU were
adjusted to reflect the substitution of the Company’s stock for the stock of the applicable acquired company, and certain of
these RSUs have dividend equivalent rights.
In 2015, the Company introduced into its executive officer equity compensation program PSUs that vest based on the
Company’s total shareholder return ranking relative to the S&P 500 Index over a three-year performance period and are subject
to an additional two-year holding period, and are entitled to dividend equivalent rights. In 2017, 2016 and 2015 one-half of the
annual equity awards granted to the Company’s executive officers were granted as stock options, one-quarter were granted as
RSUs and one-quarter were granted as PSUs. The PSUs were issued under the Company’s 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
In connection with the Fortive Separation and pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of the 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan, the
Company made certain adjustments to the exercise price and the number of shares underlying stock-based compensation
awards with the intention of preserving the intrinsic value of the awards prior to the Separation. Accordingly, the number of
shares underlying each stock-based award outstanding as of the date of the Separation was multiplied by a factor of 1.32 and
the related exercise price for stock options was divided by a factor of 1.32 which resulted in no increase in the intrinsic value of
awards outstanding. The stock-based compensation awards continue to vest over their original vesting period. These
adjustments to the Company’s stock-based compensation awards did not result in additional compensation expense. Stock-
based compensation awards that were held by employees who transferred to Fortive in connection with the Separation were
canceled and replaced by awards issued by Fortive.
The equity compensation awards granted by the Company generally vest only if the employee is employed by the Company (or
in the case of directors, the director continues to serve on the Company Board) on the vesting date or in other limited
circumstances. To cover the exercise of options and vesting of RSUs and PSUs, the Company generally issues new shares from
its authorized but unissued share pool, although it may instead issue treasury shares in certain circumstances.
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation by measuring the cost of employee services received in exchange for all
equity awards granted based on the fair value of the award as of the grant date. The Company recognizes the compensation
expense over the requisite service period (which is generally the vesting period but may be shorter than the vesting period if the
employee becomes retirement eligible before the end of the vesting period). The fair value for RSU awards was calculated
using the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, adjusted for the fact that RSUs (other than certain
RSUs granted under the Assumed Plans) do not accrue dividends. The fair value of the PSU awards was calculated using a
Monte Carlo pricing model. The fair value of the options granted was calculated using a Black-Scholes Merton option pricing
model (“Black-Scholes”).
The following summarizes the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model to value options granted during the years ended
December 31:
Risk-free interest rate
Weighted average volatility
Dividend yield
Expected years until exercise
2017
2016
2015
1.8 – 2.2%
1.2 – 1.8%
1.6 – 2.2%
17.9%
0.7%
24.3%
0.6%
24.3%
0.6%
5.0 – 8.0
5.5 – 8.0
5.5 – 8.0
The Black-Scholes model incorporates assumptions to value stock-based awards. The risk-free rate of interest for periods
within the contractual life of the option is based on a zero-coupon U.S. government instrument whose maturity period equals or
approximates the option’s expected term. Expected volatility is based on implied volatility from traded options on the
Company’s stock and historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The dividend yield is calculated by dividing the Company’s
annual dividend, based on the most recent quarterly dividend rate, by the closing stock price on the grant date. To estimate the
option exercise timing used in the valuation model (which impacts the risk-free interest rate and the expected years until
exercise), in addition to considering the vesting period and contractual term of the option, the Company analyzes and considers
actual historical exercise experience for previously granted options. The Company stratifies its employee population into
multiple groups for option valuation and attribution purposes based upon distinctive patterns of forfeiture rates and option
holding periods, as indicated by the ranges set forth in the table above for the risk-free interest rate and the expected years until
exercise.
The amount of stock-based compensation expense recognized during a period is also based on the portion of the awards that are
ultimately expected to vest. The Company estimates pre-vesting forfeitures at the time of grant by analyzing historical data and
102
revises those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Ultimately, the total expense
recognized over the vesting period will equal the fair value of awards that actually vest.
The following summarizes the components of the Company’s continuing operations stock-based compensation expense for the
years ended December 31 ($ in millions):
RSUs/PSUs:
Pretax compensation expense
Income tax benefit
RSU/PSU expense, net of income taxes
Stock options:
Pretax compensation expense
Income tax benefit
Stock option expense, net of income taxes
Total stock-based compensation:
Pretax compensation expense
Income tax benefit
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of income taxes
2017
2016
2015
$
$
$
90.2
(27.7)
62.5
49.2
(15.6)
33.6
139.4
(43.3)
96.1
$
$
85.9
(25.3)
60.6
43.9
(13.6)
30.3
129.8
(38.9)
90.9
$
69.7
(22.1)
47.6
34.1
(10.7)
23.4
103.8
(32.8)
71.0
Stock-based compensation has been recognized as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses in the
accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings. As of December 31, 2017, $130 million of total unrecognized
compensation cost related to RSUs/PSUs is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately two
years. As of December 31, 2017, $117 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to
be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately two years. Future compensation amounts will be adjusted for
any changes in estimated forfeitures.
103
The following summarizes option activity under the Company’s stock plans (in millions, except weighted exercise price and
number of years):
Options
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
(in years)
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
Outstanding as of January 1, 2015 (a)
30.0
$
Granted (a)
Exercised (a)
Cancelled/forfeited (a)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2015 (a)
Granted
Exercised
Cancelled/forfeited
Adjustment due to Fortive Separation (b)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2016
Granted
Exercised
Cancelled/forfeited
Outstanding as of December 31, 2017
Vested and expected to vest as of December 31,
2017 (c)
Vested as of December 31, 2017
4.1
(7.8)
(1.4)
24.9
5.7
(5.3)
(1.2)
(5.2)
18.9
4.4
(3.3)
(1.2)
18.8
18.2
8.1
$
$
37.01
66.64
28.40
51.55
43.75
67.52
33.45
73.21
50.44
50.07
86.14
35.26
70.40
59.84
59.28
43.65
6
6
4
$
$
$
620.2
611.1
401.3
(a) The outstanding options as of December 31, 2015 and the option activity prior to December 31, 2015 (except those options canceled as part
of the Separation as noted below) have been adjusted by a factor of 1.32, as noted above, due to the Separation.
(b) The “Adjustment due to Fortive Separation” reflects the cancellation of options which were outstanding as of July 2, 2016 and held by
Fortive employees, which have been converted to Fortive options as part of the Separation.
(c) The “expected to vest” options are the net unvested options that remain after applying the forfeiture rate assumption to total unvested
options.
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between the
Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of 2017 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money
options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on December 31,
2017. The amount of aggregate intrinsic value will change based on the price of the Company’s common stock.
Options outstanding as of December 31, 2017 are summarized below (in millions, except price per share and number of years):
Exercise Price
$19.89 to $38.63
$38.64 to $53.03
$53.04 to $65.94
$65.95 to $76.11
$76.12 to $92.42
Outstanding
Average
Exercise Price
Average
Remaining Life
(in years)
Exercisable
Shares
Average
Exercise Price
Shares
$
3.3
3.3
3.2
4.5
4.5
30.61
44.40
60.32
66.59
85.69
2
5
6
8
9
$
3.3
2.7
1.1
0.9
0.1
30.58
43.68
59.55
66.74
81.31
The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $162
million, $210 million and $313 million, respectively. Exercise of options during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and
2015 resulted in cash receipts of $117 million, $161 million, and $223 million, respectively. Upon exercise of the award by the
employee, the Company derives a tax deduction measured by the excess of the market value over the grant price at the date of
exercise. The Company realized a tax benefit of $50 million, $61 million, and $101 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015,
respectively, related to the exercise of employee stock options.
104
The following summarizes information on unvested RSU and PSU activity (in millions, except weighted average grant-date fair
value):
Unvested as of January 1, 2015 (a)
Granted (a)
Vested (a)
Forfeited (a)
Unvested as of December 31, 2015 (a)
Granted
Vested
Adjustment due to Fortive Separation (b)
Forfeited
Unvested as of December 31, 2016
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
Unvested as of December 31, 2017
Number of RSUs
/PSUs
Weighted Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
6.1
$
2.9
(2.1)
(0.8)
6.1
1.9
(1.8)
(1.2)
(0.5)
4.5
1.4
(1.5)
(0.5)
3.9
45.18
65.66
45.00
52.56
53.93
66.15
50.64
58.24
28.79
62.16
86.04
58.48
68.83
71.27
(a) The unvested RSUs and PSUs as of December 31, 2015 and the RSU and PSU activity in the periods prior to December 31, 2015 (except
those RSUs and PSUs canceled as part of the Separation as noted below) have been adjusted by a factor of 1.32, as noted above, due to the
Separation.
(b) The “Adjustment due to Fortive Separation” reflects the cancellation of RSUs and PSUs which were outstanding as of July 2, 2016 and
held by Fortive employees which have been converted to Fortive RSUs and PSUs as part of the Separation.
The Company realized a tax benefit of $35 million, $38 million and $46 million in the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016
and 2015, respectively, related to the vesting of RSUs.
Prior to the to the adoption of ASU 2016-09, the difference between the actual tax benefit realized upon exercise and the tax
benefit recorded based on the fair value of the stock award at the time of grant (the “excess tax benefits”) was recorded as an
increase to additional paid-in capital and was reflected as a financing cash flow. As a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-09,
the excess tax benefit of $55 million related to the exercise of employee stock options and vesting of RSUs for the year ended
December 31, 2017 has been recorded as a reduction to the current income tax provision and is reflected as an operating cash
inflow in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
In connection with the exercise of certain stock options and the vesting of RSUs previously issued by the Company, a number
of shares sufficient to fund statutory minimum tax withholding requirements has been withheld from the total shares issued or
released to the award holder (though under the terms of the applicable plan, the shares are considered to have been issued and
are not added back to the pool of shares available for grant). During the year ended December 31, 2017, 600 thousand shares
with an aggregate value of $47 million were withheld to satisfy the requirement. During the year ended December 31, 2016,
668 thousand shares with an aggregate value of $48 million were withheld to satisfy the requirement. The withholding is
treated as a reduction in additional paid-in capital in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity.
NOTE 18. NET EARNINGS PER SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Basic net earnings per share (“EPS”) from continuing operations is calculated by dividing net earnings from continuing
operations by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the applicable period. Diluted net EPS from
continuing operations is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding increased by the
number of additional shares that would have been outstanding had the potentially dilutive common shares been issued and
reduced by the number of shares the Company could have repurchased with the proceeds from the issuance of the potentially
dilutive shares. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, 4 million, 1 million and 2 million options to purchase
shares, respectively, were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation as the impact of their inclusion would have
been anti-dilutive.
105
Information related to the calculation of net earnings from continuing operations per share of common stock is summarized as
follows ($ and shares in millions, except per share amounts):
For the year ended December 31, 2017
Basic EPS
Adjustment for interest on convertible debentures
Incremental shares from assumed exercise of dilutive options and vesting
of dilutive RSUs and PSUs
Incremental shares from assumed conversion of the convertible
debentures
Diluted EPS
For the year ended December 31, 2016
Basic EPS
Adjustment for interest on convertible debentures
Incremental shares from assumed exercise of dilutive options and vesting
of dilutive RSUs and PSUs
Incremental shares from assumed conversion of the convertible
debentures
Diluted EPS
For the year ended December 31, 2015
Basic EPS
Net Earnings from
Continuing
Operations
(Numerator)
Shares
(Denominator)
Per Share
Amount
$
2,469.8
695.8
$
3.55
2.1
—
—
—
7.5
2.8
2,471.9
706.1
$
3.50
2,153.4
691.2
$
3.12
1.8
—
—
—
6.0
2.6
2,155.2
699.8
$
3.08
1,746.7
698.1
$
2.50
$
$
$
$
Adjustment for interest on convertible debentures
Incremental shares from assumed exercise of dilutive options and vesting
of dilutive RSUs and PSUs
Incremental shares from assumed conversion of the convertible
debentures
2.2
—
—
—
7.7
2.7
Diluted EPS
$
1,748.9
708.5
$
2.47
106
NOTE 19. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company operates and reports its results in four separate business segments consisting of the Life Sciences, Diagnostics,
Dental and Environmental & Applied Solutions segments. When determining the reportable segments, the Company
aggregated operating segments based on their similar economic and operating characteristics. Operating profit represents total
revenues less operating expenses, excluding other expense, interest and income taxes. The identifiable assets by segment are
those used in each segment’s operations. Inter-segment amounts are not significant and are eliminated to arrive at consolidated
totals.
Detailed segment data for the years ended December 31 is as follows ($ in millions):
Sales:
Life Sciences
Diagnostics
Dental
Environmental & Applied Solutions
Total
Operating profit:
Life Sciences
Diagnostics
Dental
Environmental & Applied Solutions
Other
Total
Identifiable assets:
Life Sciences
Diagnostics
Dental
Environmental & Applied Solutions
Other
Discontinued operations
Total
Depreciation and amortization:
Life Sciences
Diagnostics
Dental
Environmental & Applied Solutions
Other
Total
2017
2016
2015
$
5,710.1
$
5,365.9
$
5,839.9
2,810.9
3,968.8
5,038.3
2,785.4
3,692.8
3,314.6
4,832.5
2,736.8
3,549.8
$
$
$
$
$
$
18,329.7
$
16,882.4
$
14,433.7
1,004.3
$
818.9
$
871.6
400.7
914.6
(170.0)
3,021.2
$
786.4
419.4
870.0
(143.8)
2,750.9
$
329.2
746.2
370.4
866.6
(150.2)
2,162.2
20,576.8
$
19,875.9
$
19,658.4
14,359.2
14,159.6
6,026.8
4,649.2
1,036.6
—
5,772.2
4,172.9
1,314.7
—
9,848.2
5,906.9
4,223.5
1,309.7
7,275.5
46,648.6
$
45,295.3
$
48,222.2
427.9
$
426.2
$
581.5
121.4
99.9
7.6
481.5
127.2
86.7
6.5
210.1
449.7
132.0
82.2
6.8
880.8
$
1,238.3
$
1,128.1
$
107
Capital expenditures, gross:
Life Sciences
Diagnostics
Dental
Environmental & Applied Solutions
Other
Total
Operations in Geographical Areas:
($ in millions)
Sales:
United States
China
Germany
Japan
All other (each country individually less than 5% of total sales)
Total
Property, plant and equipment, net:
United States
Germany
United Kingdom
All other (each country individually less than 5% of total property, plant
and equipment, net)
2017
2016
2015
$
130.6
$
109.7
$
372.6
48.9
60.9
6.6
374.3
49.1
51.0
5.5
62.3
336.8
53.3
58.4
2.1
$
619.6
$
589.6
$
512.9
For the Year Ended December 31
2017
2016
2015
$
6,837.9
$
6,377.4
$
2,011.6
1,161.6
872.1
7,446.5
1,799.1
1,084.6
864.7
6,756.6
5,678.3
1,552.9
858.4
668.5
5,675.6
$
$
18,329.7
$
16,882.4
$
14,433.7
1,126.2
$
1,198.4
$
1,189.6
212.4
152.0
964.0
190.8
140.6
824.2
192.9
165.5
754.7
2,302.7
Total
$
2,454.6
$
2,354.0
$
Sales by Major Product Group:
($ in millions)
Analytical and physical instrumentation
Research and medical products
Dental products
Product identification
Total
For the Year Ended December 31
2017
2016
2015
$
2,232.9
$
2,088.9
$
11,512.4
2,810.9
1,773.5
10,366.7
2,785.4
1,641.4
2,014.4
8,110.9
2,736.8
1,571.6
$
18,329.7
$
16,882.4
$
14,433.7
108
NOTE 20. QUARTERLY DATA-UNAUDITED
($ in millions, except per share data)
2017:
Sales
Gross profit
Operating profit
Net earnings from continuing operations
Net earnings from discontinued operations
Net earnings
Net earnings per share from continuing operations:
Basic
Diluted
Net earnings per share from discontinued
operations:
Basic
Diluted
Net earnings per share:
Basic
Diluted
2016:
Sales
Gross profit
Operating profit
Net earnings from continuing operations
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
Net earnings
Net earnings per share from continuing operations:
Basic
Diluted
Net earnings (loss) per share from discontinued
operations:
Basic
Diluted
Net earnings per share:
Basic
Diluted
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
$
4,205.7
$
4,510.1
$
2,334.3
2,482.3
4,528.2
2,536.8
$
623.9
483.8
22.3
506.1
0.70
0.69
0.03
0.03
0.73
0.72
$
$
$
$
$
$
683.7
557.3
—
557.3
767.5
572.1
—
572.1
0.80
0.79
$
$
0.82
0.81
$
$
— $
— $
0.80
0.79
$
$
5,085.7
2,839.1
946.1
856.6
—
856.6
1.23
1.21
—
—
1.23
1.21
4,584.3
2,500.0
728.6
747.0
—
747.0
1.08 **
1.07
—
—
— $
— $
0.82
0.81
4,132.1
2,286.0
699.1
402.6
(11.0)
391.6
0.58
0.57
(0.02)
(0.02)
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
0.57 * $
0.56 * $
1.08 **
1.07 **
3,924.1
$
4,241.9
$
2,167.3
2,381.3
613.1
585.8
172.6
758.4
0.85
0.84
0.25
0.25
1.10
1.09
$
$
$
$
$
$
710.1
418.0
238.7
656.7
0.60
0.60
0.35
0.34
0.95
0.94
$
$
$
$
$
$
* Net earnings per share amounts do not add due to rounding.
** Net earnings per share amounts do not add across to the full year amount due to rounding.
109
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and
procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s President
and Chief Executive Officer, and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, have concluded that, as of the end of
such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Management’s annual report on its internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and
15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) and the independent registered public accounting firm’s audit report on the effectiveness of
Danaher’s internal control over financial reporting are included in the Company’s financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2017 included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, under the headings “Report of Management on
Danaher Corporation’s Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” and “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm,” respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s
most recent completed quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s
internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Other than the information below, the information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the sections entitled
Proposal 1–Election of Directors of Danaher, Corporate Governance and Other Information–Section 16(a) Beneficial
Ownership Reporting Compliance in the Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2018 annual meeting of shareholders and from
the information under the caption “Executive Officers of the Registrant” in Part I hereof. No nominee for director was selected
pursuant to any arrangement or understanding between the nominee and any person other than the Company pursuant to which
such person is or was to be selected as a director or nominee.
Code of Ethics
Danaher has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers (including Danaher’s principal executive
officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) and employees, known as the Standards of Conduct. The
Standards of Conduct is available in the “Investors – Corporate Governance” section of Danaher’s website at
www.danaher.com.
Danaher intends to disclose any amendment to the Standards of Conduct that relates to any element of the code of ethics
definition enumerated in Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K, and any waiver from a provision of the Standards of Conduct granted
to any director, principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, or any of its other executive
officers, in the “Investors – Corporate Governance” section of its website, at www.danaher.com, within four business days
following the date of such amendment or waiver.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the sections entitled Director Compensation,
Compensation Discussion and Analysis, Compensation Committee Report, Compensation Tables and Information and
Summary of Employment Agreements and Plans in the Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2018 annual meeting of
shareholders (provided that the Compensation Committee Report shall not be deemed to be “filed”).
110
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the sections entitled Beneficial Ownership of Danaher
Common Stock by Directors, Officers and Principal Shareholders, Summary of Employment Agreements and Plans and
Compensation Tables and Information in the Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2018 annual meeting of shareholders.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the sections entitled Director Independence and
Related Person Transactions in the Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2018 annual meeting of shareholders.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the section entitled Proposal 2–Ratification of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm in the Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2018 annual meeting of
shareholders.
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
a) The following documents are filed as part of this report.
(1) Financial Statements. The financial statements are set forth under “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary
Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(2) Schedules. An index of Exhibits and Schedules is on page 113 of this report. Schedules other than those listed below
have been omitted from this Annual Report on Form 10-K because they are not required, are not applicable or the
required information is included in the financial statements or the notes thereto.
(3) Exhibits. The exhibits listed in the accompanying Exhibit Index are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this
Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
Not applicable.
111
DANAHER CORPORATION
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, SUPPLEMENTARY DATA AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
Schedule:
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Exhibit Number
Description
EXHIBIT INDEX
Page Number in
Form 10-K
121
2.1
3.1
3.2
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as
of July 1, 2016, by and between Danaher
Corporation and Fortive Corporation +
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to
Amendment No. 1 to Fortive Corporation’s
Registration Statement on Form 10, filed on March
3, 2016 (Commission File Number: 1-8089)
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Danaher
Corporation
Amended and Restated By-laws of Danaher
Corporation
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.1 to
Danaher Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended June 29, 2012
(Commission File Number: 1-8089)
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 3.2 to
Danaher Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed December 6, 2016 (Commission File Number:
1-8089)
Senior Indenture dated as of December 11, 2007
by and between Danaher Corporation and The
Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. as trustee
(“Senior Indenture”)
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 1.2 to
Danaher Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed on December 11, 2007 (Commission File
Number: 1-8089)
Supplemental Indenture to Senior Indenture, dated
as of September 15, 2015, by and between
Danaher Corporation and The Bank of New York
Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as trustee relating to
the 1.650% Senior Notes due 2018, 2.400% Senior
Notes due 2020, 3.350% Senior Notes due 2025
and 4.375% Senior Notes due 2045
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to
Danaher Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed September 15, 2015 (Commission File
Number: 1-8089)
Indenture dated as of July 8, 2015, by and between
Danaher Corporation, as guarantor, DH Europe
Finance S.A., as issuer, and The Bank of New
York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as trustee
(“Danaher International Indenture”)
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to
Danaher Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed on July 8, 2015 (Commission File Number:
1-8089)
First Supplemental Indenture to Danaher
International Indenture, dated as of July 8, 2015,
by and between Danaher Corporation, as
guarantor, DH Europe Finance S.A., as issuer, and
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company,
N.A. as trustee relating to the Floating Rate Senior
Notes due 2017, the 1.000% Senior Notes due
2019, the 1.700% Senior Notes due 2022 and the
2.500% Senior Notes due 2025
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to
Danaher Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed on July 8, 2015 (Commission File Number:
1-8089)
112
4.5
4.6
4.7
Paying and Calculation Agency Agreement, dated
as of July 8, 2015, by and among Danaher
International, Danaher Corporation, and The Bank
of New York Mellon, London Branch, as paying
and calculation agent
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to
Danaher Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed on July 8, 2015 (Commission File Number:
1-8089)
Second Supplemental Indenture to Danaher
International Indenture, dated as of June 30, 2017,
by and between Danaher Corporation, as
guarantor, DH Europe Finance S.A., as issuer, and
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company,
N.A. as trustee relating to the Floating Rate Senior
Notes due 2022 and the 1.200% Senior Notes due
2027
Paying and Calculation Agency Agreement, dated
as of June 30, 2017, by and among Danaher
International, Danaher Corporation, The Bank of
New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as trustee
and The Bank of New York Mellon, London
Branch, as paying and calculation agent
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.2 to
Danaher Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed on June 30, 2017 (Commission File Number:
1-8089)
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.3 to
Danaher Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed on June 30, 2017 (Commission File Number:
1-8089)
10.1
Danaher Corporation 2007 Omnibus Incentive
Plan, as amended and restated*
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to
Danaher Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017
(Commission File Number: 333-213631)
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
Danaher Corporation Non-Employee Directors’
Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended, a sub-
plan under the 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan*
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to
Danaher Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-
K for the year ended December 31, 2008
(Commission File Number: 1-8089)
Amended Form of Election to Defer under the
Danaher Corporation Non-Employee Directors’
Deferred Compensation Plan*
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to
Danaher Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-
K for the year ended December 31, 2008
(Commission File Number: 1-8089)
Form of Danaher Corporation 2007 Omnibus
Incentive Plan Stock Option Agreement for Non-
Employee Directors*
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to
Danaher Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017
(Commission File Number: 1-8089)
Form of Danaher Corporation 2007 Omnibus
Incentive Plan RSU Agreement for Non-Employee
Directors*
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to
Danaher Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017
(Commission File Number: 1-8089)
10.6
Form of Danaher Corporation 2007 Omnibus
Incentive Plan Stock Option Agreement*
10.7
Form of Danaher Corporation 2007 Omnibus
Incentive Plan RSU Agreement*
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to
Danaher Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017
(Commission File Number: 1-8089)
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.6 to
Danaher Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017
(Commission File Number: 1-8089)
113
10.8
10.9
Form of Danaher Corporation 2007 Omnibus
Incentive Plan Performance Stock Unit
Agreement*
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.7 to
Danaher Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017
(Commission File Number: 1-8089)
Danaher Corporation & Subsidiaries Amended
and Restated Executive Deferred Incentive
Program*
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 4.1 to
Danaher Corporation’s Registration Statement on
Form S-8 filed on September 14, 2016
(Commission File Number: 333-213631)
10.10
Danaher Corporation 2007 Executive Cash
Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended and
restated*
10.11
Danaher Corporation Senior Leader Severance
Pay Plan*
Incorporated by reference from Appendix B to
Danaher Corporation’s 2017 Proxy Statement on
Schedule 14A filed on March 31, 2017
(Commission File Number: 1-8089)
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to
Danaher Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended March 29, 2013
(Commission File Number: 1-8089)
10.12
10.13
10.14
10.15
10.16
Agreement Regarding Competition and Protection
of Proprietary Interests by and between Danaher
Corporation and Thomas P. Joyce, Jr., dated March
16, 2009* (1)
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.16 to
Danaher Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-
K for the year ended December 31, 2014
(Commission File Number: 1-8089)
Amendment to Agreement Regarding Competition
and Protection of Proprietary Interests by and
between Danaher Corporation and Thomas P.
Joyce, Jr., dated September 11, 2014*
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to
Danaher Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed on September 15, 2014 (Commission File
Number: 1-8089)
Agreement Regarding Competition and Protection
of Proprietary Interests by and between Danaher
Corporation and Angela S. Lalor dated March 23,
2012*
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.16 to
Danaher Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-
K for the year ended December 31, 2016
(Commission File Number: 1-8089)
Letter Agreement by and between Danaher
Corporation and Angela S. Lalor, dated March 19,
2012*
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.14 to
Danaher Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-
K for the year ended December 31, 2012
(Commission File Number: 1-8089)
Agreement Regarding Competition and Protection
of Proprietary Interests by and between Danaher
Corporation and Rainer Blair, dated May 2, 2010*
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.20 to
Danaher Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-
K for the year ended December 31, 2016
(Commission File Number: 1-8089)
10.17
Description of compensation arrangements for
non-management directors*
114
10.18
10.19
10.20
10.21
10.22
10.23
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to
Danaher Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed on July 10, 2015 (Commission File Number:
1-8089)
Credit Agreement, dated as of July 10, 2015,
among Danaher Corporation, Bank of America,
N.A., as Administrative Agent and a Swing Line
lender, Citibank, N.A. as Syndication Agent,
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., The
Bank Of Tokyo - Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., BNP
Paribas Securities Corp., US Bank National
Association, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. and
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC as Joint Lead
Arrangers and Joint Book Managers, and the other
lenders referred to therein
Credit Agreement, dated as of October 24, 2016,
among Danaher Corporation, Morgan Stanley
Senior Funding, Inc. as Administrative Agent,
Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner, and the
other lenders referred to therein
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to
Danaher Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed on October 24, 2016 (Commission File
Number: 1-8089)
Management Agreement dated February 23, 2012
by and between FJ900, Inc. and Joust Capital III,
LLC (2)
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.25 to
Danaher Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-
K for the year ended December 31, 2011
(Commission File Number: 1-8089)
Interchange Agreement dated July 22, 2011 by and
between Danaher Corporation and Joust Capital
III, LLC (3)
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.10 to
Danaher Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended July 1, 2011
(Commission File Number: 1-8089)
Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement by and between
Danaher Corporation and Thomas P. Joyce, Jr.,
dated May 7, 2014* (4)
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to
Danaher Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended June 27, 2014
(Commission File Number: 1-8089)
Amendment No. 1 to Aircraft Time Sharing
Agreement by and between Danaher Corporation
and Thomas P. Joyce, Jr., dated July 1, 2016* (4)
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.7 to
Danaher Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended July 1, 2016
(Commission File Number: 1-8089)
10.24
Form of Director and Officer Indemnification
Agreement
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.35 to
Danaher Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-
K for the year ended December 31, 2008
(Commission File Number: 1-8089)
10.25
10.26
10.27
Employee Matters Agreement, dated as of July 1,
2016, by and between Danaher Corporation and
Fortive Corporation
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.2 to
Amendment No. 1 to Fortive Corporation’s
Registration Statement on Form 10, filed on March
3, 2016 (Commission File Number: 1-37654)
Tax Matters Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2016,
by and between Danaher Corporation and Fortive
Corporation
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.3 to
Amendment No. 1 to Fortive Corporation’s
Registration Statement on Form 10, filed on March
3, 2016 (Commission File Number: 1-37654)
Transition Services Agreement, dated as of July 1,
2016, by and between Danaher Corporation and
Fortive Corporation
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to
Amendment No. 1 to Fortive Corporation’s
Registration Statement on Form 10, filed on March
3, 2016 (Commission File Number: 1-37654)
115
10.28
10.29
Intellectual Property Matters Agreement, dated as
of July 1, 2016, by and between Danaher
Corporation and Fortive Corporation
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.4 to
Amendment No. 1 to Fortive Corporation’s
Registration Statement on Form 10, filed on March
3, 2016 (Commission File Number: 1-37654)
DBS License Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2016
by and between Danaher Corporation and Fortive
Corporation
Incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.5 to
Amendment No. 1 to Fortive Corporation’s
Registration Statement on Form 10, filed on March
3, 2016 (Commission File Number: 1-37654)
11.1
Computation of per-share earnings (5)
12.1
Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
21.1
Subsidiaries of Registrant
23.1
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
Consent of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant
to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant
to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002
Certification of Chief Executive Officer, Pursuant
to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification of Chief Financial Officer, Pursuant
to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document (6)
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (6)
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
Document (6)
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
Document (6)
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
Document (6)
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation
Linkbase Document (6)
116
Danaher is a party to additional long-term debt instruments under which, in each case, the total amount of debt authorized does
not exceed 10% of the total assets of Danaher and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. Pursuant to paragraph 4(iii)(A) of
Item 601(b) of Regulation S-K, Danaher agrees to furnish a copy of such instruments to the Securities and Exchange
Commission upon request.
+
*
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
The schedules have been omitted from this filing pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. Danaher will furnish copies
of such schedules to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
Indicates management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.
In accordance with Instruction 2 to Item 601(a)(4) of Regulation S-K, Danaher has entered into agreements with each of
Daniel L. Comas and William K. Daniel II that are substantially identical in all material respects to the form of agreement
referenced as Exhibit 10.12 except as to the name of the counterparty.
In accordance with Instruction 2 to Item 601(a)(4) of Regulation S-K, FJ900, Inc. (a subsidiary of Danaher) has entered into
a management agreement with Joust Capital II, LLC that is substantially identical in all material respects to the form of
agreement referenced as Exhibit 10.20, except as to the referenced aircraft and the name of the counterparty.
In accordance with Instruction 2 to Item 601(a)(4) of Regulation S-K, Danaher Corporation or a subsidiary thereof has
entered into additional interchange agreements with each of Joust Capital II, LLC and Joust Capital III, LLC that are
substantially identical in all material respects to the form of agreement attached as 10.21, except as to the referenced aircraft
and, in certain cases, the name of the counterparty.
In accordance with Instruction 2 to Item 601(a)(4) of Regulation S-K, Danaher Corporation has entered into an aircraft time
sharing agreement and related amendment with Daniel L. Comas that are substantially identical in all material respects to the
forms of agreement referenced as Exhibit 10.22 and Exhibit 10.23, respectively, except as to the name of the counterparty.
Refer to Note 18, “Net Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations”, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting
Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Earnings for
the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years
ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years December 31,
2017, 2016 and 2015, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
117
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.
SIGNATURES
Date: February 20, 2018
DANAHER CORPORATION
By:
/s/ THOMAS P. JOYCE, JR.
Thomas P. Joyce, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this annual report has been signed below by the following
persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated:
Name, Title and Signature
/s/ STEVEN M. RALES
Steven M. Rales
Chairman of the Board
/s/ MITCHELL P. RALES
Mitchell P. Rales
Chairman of the Executive Committee
/s/ DONALD J. EHRLICH
Donald J. Ehrlich
Director
/s/ LINDA HEFNER FILLER
Linda Hefner Filler
Director
/s/ THOMAS P. JOYCE, JR.
Thomas P. Joyce, Jr.
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
/s/ TERI LIST-STOLL
Teri List-Stoll
Director
/s/ WALTER G. LOHR, JR.
Walter G. Lohr, Jr.
Director
/s/ JOHN T. SCHWIETERS
John T. Schwieters
Director
Date
February 20, 2018
February 20, 2018
February 20, 2018
February 20, 2018
February 20, 2018
February 20, 2018
February 20, 2018
February 20, 2018
118
/s/ ALAN G. SPOON
Alan G. Spoon
Director
February 20, 2018
/s/ RAYMOND C. STEVENS, Ph.D.
February 20, 2018
Raymond C. Stevens
Director
/s/ ELIAS A. ZERHOUNI, M.D.
Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D.
Director
/s/ DANIEL L. COMAS
Daniel L. Comas
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
/s/ ROBERT S. LUTZ
Robert S. Lutz
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
February 20, 2018
February 20, 2018
February 20, 2018
119
Exhibit 31.1
I, Thomas P. Joyce, Jr., certify that:
CERTIFICATION
1.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Danaher Corporation;
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 the 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: February 20, 2018
/s/ Thomas P. Joyce, Jr.
By:
Name: Thomas P. Joyce, Jr.
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 31.2
I, Daniel L. Comas, certify that:
CERTIFICATION
1.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Danaher Corporation;
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 the 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: February 20, 2018
/s/ Daniel L. Comas
By:
Name: Daniel L. Comas
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 32.1
I, Thomas P. Joyce, Jr., certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002, that to my knowledge, Danaher Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2017 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and
that information contained in such Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition
and results of operations of Danaher Corporation.
Date: February 20, 2018
/s/ Thomas P. Joyce, Jr.
By:
Name: Thomas P. Joyce, Jr.
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer
This certification accompanies the Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
and shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that
section. This certification shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the
Exchange Act, except to the extent that Danaher Corporation specifically incorporates it by reference.
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 32.2
I, Daniel L. Comas, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002, that to my knowledge, Danaher Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2017 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that
information contained in such Annual Report on Form 10-K fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition and
results of operations of Danaher Corporation.
Date: February 20, 2018
/s/ Daniel L. Comas
By:
Name: Daniel L. Comas
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
This certification accompanies the Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
and shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that
section. This certification shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the
Exchange Act, except to the extent that Danaher Corporation specifically incorporates it by reference.
Supplemental Reconciliation
of Non-GAAP Financial
Information to Corresponding
Financial Information
Presented in Accordance
with GAAP
T
R
O
P
E
R
L
A
U
N
N
A
7
1
0
2
R
E
H
A
N
A
D
CORE REVENUE GROWTH
Total revenue growth from continuing operations (GAAP)
Less the impact of:
Acquisitions and other
Currency exchange rates
Core revenue growth from continuing operations (non-GAAP)
2017 vs. 2016
8.5%
(4.5)%
(0.5)%
3.5%
FREE CASH FLOW
($ in millions)
Year Ended 12/31/17
Year Ended 12/31/16
Operating cash flows from continuing operations (GAAP)
$3,477.8
Payments for property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures)
from continuing operations (GAAP)
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment (capital disposals)
from continuing operations (GAAP)
Free cash flow from continuing operations (non-GAAP)
(619.6)
32.6
$2,890.8
$3,087.5
(589.6)
9.8
$2,507.7
RATIO OF FREE CASH FLOW TO NET EARNINGS
($ in millions)
Year Ended 12/31/17
Year Ended 12/31/16
Free cash flow from continuing operations from above (non-GAAP)
Net earnings from continuing operations (GAAP)
Free cash flow from continuing operations to net earnings
from continuing operations conversion ratio (non-GAAP)
$2,890.8
$2,469.8
1.17
$2,507.7
$2,153.4
1.16
YEAR-OVER-YEAR CORE OPERATING MARGIN CHANGES
Year Ended December 31, 2016 Operating Profit Margins from
Continuing Operations (GAAP)
Full year 2017 impact from operating profit margins of businesses that have been
owned for less than one year or were disposed of during such period and did not
qualify as discontinued operations
Total
Danaher
Life Sciences
Segment
16.30%
15.30%
(0.50)
0.20
Tradename impairments and related restructuring in the Dental segment
(0.05)
–
Acquisition-related transaction costs deemed significant, change in control payments
and restructuring charges, and fair value adjustments to inventory and deferred
revenue, in each case primarily related to the acquisitions of Cepheid & Phenomenex
and incurred in the fourth quarter of 2016
0.50
0.10
Third quarter 2016 (gain) and fourth quarter 2017 gain (loss) on resolution of
acquisition-related matters
(0.05)
(0.05)
Full year 2017 impact of restructuring, impairment and related charges related to the
discontinuation of a product line in the Diagnostics segment in the second quarter of 2017
(0.40)
–
Year-over-year core operating profit margin changes for full year 2017 (defined as all
year-over-year operating profit margin changes other than the changes identified in the
line items above) (non-GAAP)
Year Ended December 31, 2017 Operating Profit Margins from
Continuing Operations (GAAP)
0.70
2.05
16.50%
17.60%
ADJUSTED DILUTED NET EARNINGS PER SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Year Ended 12/31/17
Year Ended 12/31/16
Diluted Net Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations (GAAP)
Pretax amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets A
Pretax gains on resolution of acquisition-related matters B,C
Pretax gain on sales of investments D,E
Pretax restructuring, impairment and other related charges recorded in the
second quarter of 2017 F
Pretax charge for early extinguishment of borrowings G
Pretax acquisition-related transaction costs deemed significant, change
in control payments and restructuring costs and fair value adjustments to
inventory and deferred revenue H
Tax effect of all adjustments reflected above I
Discrete tax adjustments and other tax-related adjustments J,K
Adjusted Diluted Net Earnings Per Share from Continuing Operations
(Non-GAAP)
$3.50
0.94
(0.02)
B
D
(0.10)
0.11
–
–
(0.19)
(0.21)
J
$4.03
$3.08
0.83
(0.02)
C
(0.32)
E
–
0.26
0.12
(0.21)
(0.13)
K
$3.61
A Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets in the following periods ($ in millions) (only the pretax amounts set forth below are reflected in the amortization
line item above):
Pretax
After-tax
Year Ended 12/31/17
Year Ended 12/31/16
$660.5
523.5
$583.1
449.7
B Net gains on resolution of acquisition-related matters in the Life Sciences and Diagnostics segments ($11 million pretax as presented in this line item, $8 million after-tax)
for the year ended December 31, 2017.
C Gains on resolution of acquisition-related matters ($18 million pretax as presented in this line item, $14 million after-tax) for the year ended December 31, 2016.
D Gain on sales of investments in the year ended December 31, 2017 ($73 million pretax as presented in this line item, $46 million after-tax).
E Gain on sales of investments in the year ended December 31, 2016 ($223 million pretax as presented in this line item, $140 million after-tax).
F During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded $76 million of pretax restructuring, impairment and other related charges ($51 million after-tax) primarily
related to the Company’s strategic decision to discontinue a molecular diagnostic product line in its Diagnostics segment. As a result, the Company incurred noncash charges for
the impairment of certain technology-related intangibles as well as related inventory and plant, property and equipment with no further use totaling $49 million. In addition, the
Company incurred cash restructuring costs primarily related to employee severance and related charges totaling $27 million.
G Charge for early extinguishment of borrowings ($179 million pretax as presented in this line item, $112 million after-tax) incurred in the third quarter of 2016.
H Acquisition-related transaction costs deemed significant ($12 million pretax as presented in this line item, $9 million after-tax), change in control payments and restructuring
costs ($49 million pretax as presented in this line item, $30 million after-tax), and fair value adjustments to inventory and deferred revenue ($23 million pretax as presented in
this line item, $14 million after-tax), in each case related to the acquisitions of Cepheid and Phenomenex and incurred in the year ended December 31, 2016. The Company deems
acquisition-related transaction costs incurred in a given period to be significant (generally relating to the Company’s larger acquisitions) if it determines that such costs exceed
the range of acquisition-related transaction costs typical for Danaher in a given period.
I This line item reflects the aggregate tax effect of all nontax adjustments reflected in the table above. In addition, the footnotes above indicate the after-tax amount of each
individual adjustment item. Danaher estimates the tax effect of the adjustment items identified in the reconciliation schedule above by applying Danaher’s overall estimated
effective tax rate to the pretax amount, unless the nature of the item and/or the tax jurisdiction in which the item has been recorded requires application of a specific tax rate
or tax treatment, in which case the tax effect of such item is estimated by applying such specific tax rate or tax treatment.
J Discrete tax adjustments and other tax-related adjustments for the year ended December 31, 2017 include:
($ in millions)
Year Ended 12/31/17
Discrete income tax gains, primarily related to expiration of statute of limitations 1
Impact of ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation–—Stock Compensation 2
Remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 3
Transition tax on deemed repatriation of foreign earnings as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 4
$129
16
1,219
(1,218)
$146
Represents (1) discrete income tax gains, primarily related to expiration of statute of limitations ($129 million in the year ended December 31, 2017), (2) equity
compensation-related excess tax benefits ($16 million in the year ended December 31, 2017), (3) remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities, net related to
enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ($1.2 billion gain in the year ended December 31, 2017), and (4) transition tax on deemed repatriation of foreign earnings in
connection with enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ($1.2 billion provision in the year ended December 31, 2017).
On January 1, 2017, Danaher adopted the updated accounting guidance required by ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation—Stock Compensation, which requires income statement
recognition of all excess tax benefits and deficiencies related to equity compensation. We exclude from Adjusted Diluted Net EPS any excess tax benefits that exceed the levels
we believe are representative of historical experience. In the first quarter of 2017, we anticipated $10 million of equity compensation-related excess tax benefits and realized
$26 million of excess tax benefits, and therefore we have excluded $16 million of these benefits in the calculation of Adjusted Diluted Net Earnings per Share. In the second,
third and fourth quarters of 2017, realized equity compensation-related excess tax benefits approximated the anticipated benefit and no adjustments were required.
K Discrete income tax gains net of discrete income tax charges and Fortive separation-related tax costs related to repatriation of earnings and legal entity realignment incurred
in the year ended December 31, 2016 ($91 million).
Comparison of 5-Year Cumulative
Total Shareholder Return
The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total shareholder return in Danaher
common stock during the five years ended December 31, 2017 with the cumulative total return of the S&P 500
Index, and the S&P 500 Health Care Index and the S&P 500 Industrials index on a combined basis (the “Peer Index”).
The comparison assumes $1.00 was invested on December 31, 2012 in Danaher common stock and in each of the
above indices with reinvestment of dividends. The graph is not deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed”
with the SEC or subject to the SEC’s proxy rules or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, except to the extent that Danaher specifically requests that such information be treated as soliciting material or
specifically incorporates it by reference into a filing under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act.
2.25
2.00
1.75
1.50
1.25
1.00
12/31/12
12/31/13
12/31/14
12/31/15
12/31/16
12/31/17
Danaher Corporation
S&P 500
Peer Index
12/31/2012
12/31/2013
12/31/2014
12/31/2015
12/31/2016
12/31/2017
Danaher Corporation
S&P 500
Peer Index
1.00
1.38
1.54
1.68
1.87
2.25
1.00
1.32
1.51
1.53
1.71
2.08
1.00
1.41
1.67
1.73
1.81
2.20
Directors
DONALD J. EHRLICH
Former President and
Chief Executive Officer
Schwab Corporation
LINDA HEFNER FILLER
Former President of
Retail Products and
Chief Merchandising Officer
Walgreen Co.
THOMAS P. JOYCE, JR.
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Danaher Corporation
TERI LIST-STOLL
Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
Gap Inc.
WALTER G. LOHR, JR.
Retired Partner
Hogan Lovells
MITCHELL P. RALES
Chairman of the
Executive Committee
Danaher Corporation
STEVEN M. RALES
Chairman of the Board
Danaher Corporation
JOHN T. SCHWIETERS
Principal
Perseus TDC
ALAN G. SPOON
Partner Emeritus
Polaris Partners
RAYMOND C. STEVENS, PH.D.
Provost Professor of Biological
Sciences and Chemistry
Director of The Bridge Institute
The University of Southern California
ELIAS A. ZERHOUNI, M.D.
President
Global Research and Development
Sanofi S.A.
Executive Officers
STEVEN M. RALES
Chairman of the Board
MITCHELL P. RALES
Chairman of the
Executive Committee
THOMAS P. JOYCE, JR.
President and
Chief Executive Officer
RAINER M. BLAIR
Executive Vice President
DANIEL L. COMAS
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
WILLIAM H. KING
Senior Vice President
Strategic Development
WILLIAM K. DANIEL, II
Executive Vice President
JOAKIM WEIDEMANIS
Executive Vice President
BRIAN W. ELLIS
Senior Vice President
and General Counsel
ANGELA S. LALOR
Senior Vice President
Human Resources
ROBERT S. LUTZ
Senior Vice President
Chief Accounting Officer
DANIEL A. RASKAS
Senior Vice President
Corporate Development
Our Transfer Agent
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Investor Relations
This annual report, along with a variety of other financial materials, can be viewed at www.danaher.com.
Additional inquiries can be directed to Danaher Investor Relations:
2200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 800W, Washington, DC 20037
Phone: 202.828.0850 | Fax: 202.828.0860 | E-mail: investor.relations@danaher.com
Annual Meeting
Danaher’s annual shareholder meeting will be held on May 8, 2018 in Washington, DC.
Shareholders who would like to attend the meeting should register with Investor Relations
by calling 202.828.0850 or via e-mail at investor.relations@danaher.com.
Auditors
Ernst & Young LLP, Tysons, Virginia
Stock Listing
New York Stock Exchange Symbol: DHR