The goodness
of dairy
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2015 Annual Report
Dear Fellow Stockholders:
2015 was a year of substantial success and accomplishments and I’m excited to share with
you our progress from the past year. We exited the year with great financial results and entered
2016 with significant momentum. It was a year where we accomplished several of our previous
goals and we continue to sharpen our focus.
Financially, 2015 was a year of opportunity.
• We experienced significant improvement
• We returned approximately $79 million
in our P&L.
• We improved our liquidity, extended debt
maturities and increased flexibility with
modified debt facilities providing up to
$1 billion in liquidity.
• We fortified our balance sheet with total
leverage declining over two full turns in
2015 to 1.89 net debt to EBITDA.
in cash to our shareholders in the form of
dividends and share repurchases.
• We generated strong free cash flow of
approximately $246 million.
• We invested approximately $163 million in
our business through capital expenditures.
DairyPure® was the big news of the year. The April 2015 launch of our national white milk brand is off to a great
start. Consumers are telling us they’re asking for DairyPure by name and that the 5 Point Purity Promise™
is important to them when making their choice for their family’s milk. We expect great things from DairyPure
and are looking forward to sharing more news with you next year.
Expansion of the
DairyPure brand
With the successful launch of DairyPure, one national
brand endorsed by our local brands, Dean Foods is
embarking on the expansion of DairyPure products:
• School milk has transitioned to DairyPure,
allowing our youngest consumers to have the
daily opportunity to drink our milk at school.
• DairyPure Lactose Free milk is now available
at large retailers throughout the country.
• DairyPure creams now come in new packaging
and are available nationwide in both retail and
foodservice channels.
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TruMoo continues
to grow
TruMoo is America’s favorite flavored milk brand. In addition to chocolate, vanilla and
strawberry, limited-time offers prove to be popular. With the introduction of TruMoo
Calcium Plus, we are adding more nutritional benefit to flavored milk. Also, TruMoo’s
expansion into protein drinks continues our focus on healthy indulgences while
providing a nutritious drink for people needing an extra boost of protein in their diets.
TruMoo® continues to grow and expand,
maintaining its position as the No. 1 flavored milk
in the country. Limited-time-offer flavors such as
Chocolate Marshmallow and Orange Scream are
seasonal favorites. In 2015 we asked consumers
what new flavor they’d like to see in 2016 and they
chose Cookies n’ Cream, which will launch this year.
TruMoo also houses our protein drinks, making it
a powerhouse brand.
DairyPure and TruMoo were just two areas of focus
in 2015. We also increased our productivity and
improved operational efficiencies by eliminating
waste in our system and acting on opportunities
to leverage our scale and purchasing power.
As we move into 2016, we continue to focus
on efforts to enhance future capabilities, drive
operational excellence, transform how we go to
market, strengthen our private label business,
and build and buy strong brands. See the next
page for more details on what our focus will
mean for 2016 and beyond.
We expect 2016 to be a year where our operating
and financial momentum continues. Dean Foods
continues to provide one-third of the national
fluid milk volume and our top brands hold the
No. 1 and No. 2 spots in their categories in 80% of
the markets where we compete. Milk can be found
in 89.9% of U.S. homes and the category has been
showing signs of recovery compared to the declines
in prior years as consumers again recognize the
great nutrition and health benefits of dairy.
With the extension of the DairyPure and TruMoo
brands, along with a focus on what consumers are
looking for in their dairy products, we feel Dean
Foods is well-positioned to take advantage of
changing trends in the market.
We’re looking forward to the opportunities 2016
has in store for us. I would be regretful if I did not
recognize our approximately 17,000 employees
for making Dean Foods better today than it was
yesterday. Together we continue to strive to be the
most admired and trusted provider of wholesome,
great-tasting dairy products at every occasion.
And thank you, our stockholders, for your continued
support and confidence in us going forward.
Sincerely,
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Our strategy to invest and grow our portfolio of brands while strengthening our operations and
capabilities to achieve a more profitable core business is underscored by our commitments to
people, safety, quality and service and anchored by the following pillars:
Strengthen Private Label Business — We will
enhance profitability by lowering internal costs,
partnering with our customers and driving standard
practices across our business. We will strategically
target key customers and channels.
Build and Buy Strong Brands — In addition to
evaluating and considering strategic opportunities,
we will build our existing brands with consumer-led
innovation, marketing and logistical excellence.
Enhance Future Capabilities — Fostering an
engaged and aligned organization with a
consumer mindset, we will continue to improve
processes and technology to enable cross-
functional decision-making, creating opportunities
to build our business.
Drive Operational Excellence — As we increase
plant and transportation efficiencies, simplify our
portfolio and standardize processes, we will also
optimize our network for efficiency and flexibility to
deliver new products and routes to market.
Transform Go To Market — We will expand our
reach to meet evolving consumer needs while more
profitably serving customers through new delivery
and production capabilities. We will drive efficiency
through standardized business principles and
customer collaboration.
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
(Mark One)
(cid:2) ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(cid:3) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
For The Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2015
OR
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Transition Period from
to
Commission File Number 001-12755
Dean Foods Company
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
75-2559681
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
9MAR201614111070
2711 North Haskell Avenue Suite 3400
Dallas, Texas 75204
(214) 303-3400
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $.01 par value
New York Stock Exchange
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities
Act. Yes (cid:2) No (cid:3)
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 (cid:3) No (cid:2)
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 (cid:2) No (cid:3)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any,
every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this
chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such
files). Yes (cid:2) No (cid:3)
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter)
is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K (cid:3)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a
smaller reporting company. See the definitions of ‘‘large accelerated filer,’’ ‘‘accelerated filer’’ and ‘‘smaller reporting company’’
in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer (cid:2) Accelerated filer (cid:3)
Smaller reporting company (cid:3)
Non-accelerated filer (cid:3)
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act). Yes (cid:3) No (cid:2)
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant
at June 30, 2015, based on the closing price for the registrant’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on June 30,
2015, was approximately $1.53 billion.
The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of February 17, 2016 was 91,686,411
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on or about
May 11, 2016, which will be filed within 120 days of the registrant’s fiscal year end, are incorporated by reference into Part III
of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
Item
1
Business
Developments Since January 1, 2015
Overview
Current Business Strategy
Corporate Responsibility, Seasonality, Intellectual Property, Research and Development, and Employees
Government Regulation
Where You Can Get More Information
1A Risk Factors
1B Unresolved Staff Comments
2
3
Properties
Legal Proceedings
4 Mine Safety Disclosure
PART II
5 Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
6
Selected Financial Data
7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Business Overview
Our Reportable Segment
Recent Developments
Matters Affecting Comparability
Results of Operations
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Known Trends and Uncertainties
Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
8
9
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
9A Controls and Procedures
PART III
10 Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
11 Executive Compensation
12
13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
14
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
15 Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Signatures
PART IV
Page
1
2
3
5
5
6
8
8
16
17
17
18
19
20
22
22
22
22
22
23
27
36
37
40
40
41
42
42
44
44
44
44
44
45
S-1
Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K (this “Form 10-K”) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to
predict. Forward-looking statements are predictions based on expectations and projections about future events, and are not
statements of historical fact. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning business strategy, among other things,
including anticipated trends and developments in and management plans for our business and the markets in which we operate.
In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words, such as “estimate,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “project,”
“plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “forecast,” “foresee,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “goal,” “target,” “might,” “will,” "would," "can,"
“could,” “predict,” and “continue,” the negative or plural of these words and other comparable terminology. All forward-looking
statements included in this Form 10-K are based upon information available to us as of the filing date of this Form 10-K, and we
undertake no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements for any reason. You should not place undue reliance
on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or
implied by these statements. These factors include the matters discussed in the section entitled “Part I — Item 1A — Risk Factors”
in this Form 10-K, and elsewhere in this Form 10-K. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described in this
Form 10-K.
PART I
Item 1.
Business
We are a leading food and beverage company and the largest processor and direct-to-store distributor of fresh fluid milk
and other dairy and dairy case products in the United States, with a vision to be the most admired and trusted provider of wholesome,
great-tasting dairy products at every occasion.
We manufacture, market and distribute a wide variety of branded and private label dairy case products, including fluid
milk, ice cream, cultured dairy products, creamers, ice cream mix and other dairy products to retailers, distributors, foodservice
outlets, educational institutions and governmental entities across the United States. Our portfolio includes DairyPure®, our national
white milk brand, and TruMoo®, the leading national flavored milk brand, along with well-known regional dairy brands such as
Alta Dena ®, Berkeley Farms ®, Country Fresh ®, Dean’s ®, Garelick Farms ®, LAND O LAKES ® milk and cultured products
(licensed brand), Lehigh Valley Dairy Farms ®, Mayfield ®, McArthur ®, Meadow Gold®, Oak Farms ®, PET ® (licensed brand),
T.G. Lee ®, Tuscan ® and more. In all, we have more than 50 national, regional and local dairy brands, as well as private labels.
Due to the perishable nature of our products, we deliver the majority of our products directly to our customers’ locations in
refrigerated trucks or trailers that we own or lease. We believe that we have one of the most extensive refrigerated direct-to-store
delivery systems in the United States. We sell our products primarily on a local or regional basis through our local and regional
sales forces, although some national customer relationships are coordinated by a centralized corporate sales department.
Unless stated otherwise, any reference to income statement items in this Form 10-K refers to results from continuing
operations. Each of the terms "we," "us," "our," "the Company," and "Dean Foods" refers collectively to Dean Foods Company
and its wholly-owned subsidiaries unless the context indicates otherwise.
Our principal executive offices are located at 2711 North Haskell Avenue, Suite 3400, Dallas, Texas 75204. Our telephone
number is (214) 303-3400. We maintain a web site at www.deanfoods.com. We were incorporated in Delaware in 1994.
1
Developments Since January 1, 2015
Launch of DairyPure® — In April 2015, we launched the first and largest fresh, white milk national brand - DairyPure®.
We believe DairyPure® provides a number of clear benefits for the category, our retail customers, consumers and us. For the
category, with its unprecedented scale, DairyPure® provides a national platform to educate consumers on the health and nutrition
benefits of conventional white milk as a cost-effective source of protein in their diets. For our retail customers, DairyPure® enhances
their efficiency and effectiveness and enables them to advertise the same branded features across the United States. For the
consumer, DairyPure® is on trend with their desire for clean label, locally sourced, fresh, protein and nutrient packed products.
DairyPure® is an easy transition for them, building on the regional brands they already know and value. For us, DairyPure®
provides a national platform for advertising and promotional spending.
Management Changes — Effective October 1, 2015, the Board of Directors elected Ralph P. Scozzafava to serve as
Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer of the Company. He had served as the Company’s Executive Vice President,
Chief Commercial Officer since October 2014. As the Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Scozzafava oversees our Commercial,
Operations, Procurement and Logistics functions.
Dean Foods Company Senior Notes due 2023 — On February 25, 2015, we issued $700 million in aggregate principal
amount of 6.50% senior notes due 2023 (the “2023 Notes”) at an issue price of 100% of the principal amount of the 2023 Notes
in a private placement for resale to “qualified institutional buyers” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the “Securities Act”), and in offshore transactions pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. We used the net
proceeds from the 2023 Notes to redeem all of our outstanding senior unsecured notes due 2016, as described below, and to repay
a portion of the outstanding borrowings under our prior senior secured revolving credit facility and receivables-backed facility.
See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility — In March 2015, we executed a new credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement")
pursuant to which the lenders provided us with a five-year revolving credit facility in the amount of up to $450 million (the “Credit
Facility”). Under the Credit Agreement, we have the right to request an increase of the aggregate commitments under the Credit
Facility by up to $200 million without the consent of any lenders not participating in such increase, subject to specified conditions.
The Credit Facility is available for the issuance of up to $75 million of letters of credit and up to $100 million of swing line loans.
The Credit Facility will terminate in March 2020. See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Dean Foods Receivables-Backed Facility — We have a $550 million receivables securitization facility pursuant to which
certain of our subsidiaries sell their accounts receivable to two wholly-owned entities intended to be bankruptcy-remote. The
entities then transfer the receivables to third-party asset-backed commercial paper conduits sponsored by major financial
institutions. The assets and liabilities of these two entities are fully reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the
securitization is treated as a borrowing for accounting purposes. In March 2015, the receivables-backed facility was modified to,
among other things, extend the liquidity termination date from June 2017 to March 2018 and modify the consolidated and senior
secured net leverage ratio requirements to be consistent with those contained in the Credit Agreement described above. See Note
9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Dean Foods Company Senior Notes due 2016 — In March 2015, we redeemed the remaining $476.2 million principal
amount of our outstanding senior notes due 2016 for a total redemption price of approximately $521.8 million. As a result, we
recorded a $38.3 million pre-tax loss on early retirement of long-term debt in the first quarter of 2015, which consisted of debt
redemption premiums and unpaid interest of $37.3 million, a write-off of unamortized long-term debt issue costs of $0.8 million
and a write-off of the remaining bond discount and interest rate swaps of approximately $0.2 million. See Note 9 to our Consolidated
Financial Statements.
2
Overview
We manufacture, market and distribute a wide variety of branded and private label dairy and dairy case products, including
milk, ice cream, cultured dairy products, creamers, juices and teas to retailers, foodservice outlets, distributors, educational
institutions and governmental entities across the United States. Our consolidated net sales totaled $8.1 billion in 2015. The following
charts depict our 2015 net sales by product and product sales mix between company branded versus private label.
Products
Fluid milk 71%
Fresh cream(1) 4%
ESL and ESL
creamers(2) 3%
Cultured 4%
Other beverages(3)
4%
Ice cream(4) 12%
Other(5) 2%
17MAR201611550828
Brand Mix
Company
Brands(6) 48%
Private Label 52%
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
Includes half-and-half and whipping cream.
Includes creamers and other extended shelf-life fluids.
Includes fruit juice, fruit flavored drinks, iced tea and water.
Includes ice cream, ice cream mix and ice cream novelties.
Includes items for resale such as cream, butter, cheese, eggs and milkshakes.
Includes all national, regional and local brands.
17MAR201612062412
3
We sell our products under national, regional and local proprietary or licensed brands. Products not sold under these
brands are sold under a variety of private labels. We sell our products primarily on a local or regional basis through our local and
regional sales forces, although some national customer relationships are coordinated by a centralized corporate sales department.
Our largest customer is Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., including its subsidiaries such as Sam’s Club, which accounted for approximately
16% of our net sales for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Our brands include DairyPure®, our national fresh white milk brand, and TruMoo®, the leading national flavored milk
brand. As of December 31, 2015, our national, local and regional proprietary and licensed brands included the following:
Alta Dena®
Arctic Splash®
Barbers Dairy®
Barbe’s®
Berkeley Farms®
Broughton™
Brown Cow®
Brown’s Dairy®
Chug®
Country Fresh®
Country Love®
Creamland™
Dairy Ease®
DairyPure®
Dean’s®
Fieldcrest®
Fruit Rush®
Gandy’s™
Garelick Farms®
Hygeia®
Jilbert™
Pog® (licensed brand)
Knudsen® (licensed brand)
LAND O LAKES® (licensed brand)
Land-O-Sun & design®
Lehigh Valley Dairy Farms®
Louis Trauth Dairy Inc.®
Mayfield®
McArthur®
Meadow Brook®
Meadow Gold®
Mile High Ice Cream™
Model Dairy®
Morning Glory®
Nature’s Pride®
Nurture®
Nutty Buddy®
Oak Farms®
Orchard Pure®
Over the Moon®
PET® (licensed brand)
Price’s™
Purity™
ReadyLeaf®
Reiter™
Robinson™
Saunders™
Schepps®
Shenandoah’s Pride®
Stroh’s®
Swiss Dairy™
Swiss Premium™
TruMoo®
T.G. Lee®
Tuscan®
Turtle Tracks®
Verifine®
Viva®
We currently operate 67 manufacturing facilities in 32 states located largely based on customer needs and other market
factors, with distribution capabilities across all 50 states. For more information about our facilities, see “Item 2. Properties.” Due
to the perishable nature of our products, we deliver the majority of our products directly to our customers’ locations in refrigerated
trucks or trailers that we own or lease. This form of delivery is called a “direct-to-store delivery” or “DSD” system. We believe
that we have one of the most extensive refrigerated DSD systems in the United States.
The primary raw material used in our products is conventional milk (which contains both raw milk and butterfat) that
we purchase primarily from farmers’ cooperatives, as well as from independent farmers. The federal government and certain state
governments set minimum prices for raw milk and butterfat on a monthly basis. Another significant raw material we use is resin,
which is a fossil fuel-based product used to make plastic bottles. The price of resin fluctuates based on changes in crude oil and
natural gas prices. Other raw materials and commodities used by us include diesel fuel, used to operate our extensive DSD system,
and juice concentrates and sweeteners used in our products. We generally increase or decrease the prices of our fluid dairy products
on a monthly basis in correlation with fluctuations in the costs of raw materials, packaging supplies and delivery costs. However,
we continue to balance our product pricing with the execution of our strategy to improve net price realization and, in some cases,
we are subject to the terms of sales agreements with respect to the means and/or timing of price increases.
We have several competitors in each of our major product and geographic markets. Competition between dairy processors
for shelf-space with retailers is based primarily on price, service, quality and the expected or historical sales performance of the
product compared to its competitors’ products. In some cases we pay fees to customers for shelf-space. Competition for consumer
sales is based on a variety of factors such as brand recognition, price, taste preference and quality. Dairy products also compete
with many other beverages and nutritional products for consumer sales.
The fluid milk category enjoys a number of attractive attributes. This category’s size and pervasiveness, plus the limited
shelf life of the product, make it an important category for retailers and consumers, as well as a large long-term opportunity for
4
the best positioned dairy processors. However, the dairy industry is not without some well documented challenges. It is a mature
industry that has traditionally been characterized by slow to flat growth and low profit margins. According to the U.S. Department
of Agriculture ("USDA"), per capita consumption of fluid milk continues to decline.
For more information on factors that could impact our business, see “— Government Regulation — Milk Industry
Regulation” and “Part II — Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations —
Known Trends and Uncertainties — Prices of Conventional Raw Milk and Other Inputs.” See Note 19 to our Consolidated Financial
Statements for segment, geographic and customer information.
Current Business Strategy
Dean Foods has evolved over the past 20 years through periods of rapid acquisition, consolidation, integration and, most
recently, the separation of our operations following the spin-off of The WhiteWave Foods Company ("WhiteWave") and sale of
Morningstar Foods ("Morningstar") in 2013. Today, we are a leading food and beverage company and the largest processor and
direct-to-store distributor of fresh fluid milk and other dairy and dairy case products in the United States.
Our vision is to be the most admired and trusted provider of wholesome, great-tasting dairy products at every occasion.
Our strategy is to invest and grow our portfolio of brands while strengthening our operations and capabilities to achieve a more
profitable core business. Our strategy is anchored by the following five pillars and is underscored by our commitments to safety,
quality and service, and delivering sustainable profit growth and total shareholder return:
Enhance Future Capabilities:
•
•
Foster an engaged and aligned organization that has a consumer mindset.
Improve processes and technology to enable cross-functional decision-making that creates opportunities to build
our business.
Drive Operational Excellence:
•
•
Increase plant and transportation efficiencies, simplify our portfolio and standardize processes.
Optimize our network for efficiency and flexibility to deliver new products and routes to market.
Transform Go To Market:
•
•
•
Expand our reach and ability to meet evolving consumer needs.
More profitably serve customers through new delivery and production capabilities.
Drive efficiency through standardized business principles and customer collaboration.
Strengthen Private Label Business:
•
•
Enhance our profitability by lowering our internal costs, partnering with our customers and driving standard
practices across our business.
Enhance our profitability by strategically targeting key customers and channels.
Build and Buy Strong Brands:
•
•
Build our existing brands with consumer-led innovation, marketing, and logistical excellence.
Evaluate and consider strategic opportunities.
Corporate Responsibility
Within our business strategies, a sense of corporate responsibility remains an integral part of our efforts. As we work to
strengthen our business, we are committed to do it in a way that is right for our employees, shareholders, consumers, customers,
suppliers and the environment. We intend to realize savings by reducing waste and duplication while we continue to support
programs that improve our local communities. We believe that our customers, consumers and suppliers value our efforts to operate
in an ethical, environmentally sustainable, and socially responsible manner.
5
Seasonality
Our business is affected by seasonal changes in the demand for dairy products. Sales volumes are typically higher in the
fourth quarter due to increased dairy consumption during seasonal holidays. Fluid milk volumes tend to decrease in the second
and third quarters of the year primarily due to the reduction in dairy consumption associated with our school customers, partially
offset by the increase in ice cream and ice cream mix consumption during the summer months. Because certain of our operating
expenses are fixed, fluctuations in volumes and revenue from quarter to quarter may have a material effect on operating income
for the respective quarters.
Intellectual Property
We are continually developing new technology and enhancing existing proprietary technology related to our dairy
operations. Six U.S. and four international patents have been issued to us and three U.S. and four international patent applications
are pending or published. Our U.S. patents are expected to expire at various dates between February 2019 and May 2029. If the
pending U.S. patent applications are granted, those patents would be expected to expire at various dates between June 2035 and
December 2035. Our international patents are expected to expire at various dates between February 2028 and March 2030. If the
pending international patent applications are granted, those patents would be expected to expire in March 2030.
We primarily rely on a combination of trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, confidentiality procedures and contractual
provisions to protect our technology and other intellectual property rights. Despite these protections, it may be possible for
unauthorized parties to copy, obtain or use certain portions of our proprietary technology or trademarks.
Research and Development
Our total research and development ("R&D") expense was $2.3 million, $1.9 million and $1.8 million for 2015, 2014
and 2013, respectively. Our R&D activities primarily consist of generating and testing new product concepts, new flavors of
products and packaging.
Employees
As of December 31, 2015, we had 16,960 employees. Approximately 38% of our employees participate in a multitude
of collective bargaining agreements of varying duration and terms.
Government Regulation
Food-Related Regulations
As a manufacturer and distributor of food products, we are subject to a number of food-related regulations, including the
Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and regulations promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”).
This comprehensive regulatory framework governs the manufacture (including composition and ingredients), labeling, packaging
and safety of food in the United States. The FDA:
•
•
•
regulates manufacturing practices for foods through its current good manufacturing practices regulations;
specifies the standards of identity for certain foods, including many of the products we sell; and
prescribes the format and content of certain information required to appear on food product labels.
We are also subject to the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011, which, among other things, mandates the FDA to
adopt preventative controls to be implemented by food facilities in order to minimize or prevent hazards to food safety. In addition,
the FDA enforces the Public Health Service Act and regulations issued thereunder, which authorizes regulatory activity necessary
to prevent the introduction, transmission or spread of communicable diseases. These regulations require, for example, pasteurization
of milk and milk products. We are subject to numerous other federal, state and local regulations involving such matters as the
licensing and registration of manufacturing facilities, enforcement by government health agencies of standards for our products,
inspection of our facilities and regulation of our trade practices in connection with the sale of food products.
We use quality control laboratories in our manufacturing facilities to test raw ingredients. In addition, all of our facilities
have achieved Safety Quality Food Level 3. Product quality and freshness are essential to the successful distribution of our products.
To monitor product quality at our facilities, we maintain quality control programs to test products during various processing stages.
We believe our facilities and manufacturing practices are in material compliance with all government regulations applicable to
our business.
6
Employee Safety Regulations
We are subject to certain safety regulations, including regulations issued pursuant to the U.S. Occupational Safety and
Health Act. These regulations require us to comply with certain manufacturing safety standards to protect our employees from
accidents. We believe that we are in material compliance with all employee safety regulations applicable to our business.
Environmental Regulations
We are subject to various state and federal environmental laws, regulations and directives, including the Food Quality
Protection Act of 1996, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of
1980, as amended. Our plants use a number of chemicals that are considered to be “extremely” hazardous substances pursuant to
applicable environmental laws due to their toxicity, including ammonia, which is used extensively in our operations as a refrigerant.
Such chemicals must be handled in accordance with such environmental laws. Also, on occasion, certain of our facilities discharge
biodegradable wastewater into municipal waste treatment facilities in excess of levels allowed under local regulations. As a result,
certain of our facilities are required to pay wastewater surcharges or to construct wastewater pretreatment facilities. To date, such
wastewater surcharges have not had a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
We maintain above-ground and under-ground petroleum storage tanks at many of our facilities. We periodically inspect
these tanks to determine whether they are in compliance with applicable regulations and, as a result of such inspections, we are
required to make expenditures from time to time to ensure that these tanks remain in compliance. In addition, upon removal of
the tanks, we are sometimes required to make expenditures to restore the site in accordance with applicable environmental laws.
To date, such expenditures have not had a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
We believe that we are in material compliance with the environmental regulations applicable to our business. We do not
expect the cost of our continued compliance to have a material impact on our capital expenditures, earnings, cash flows or
competitive position in the foreseeable future. In addition, any asset retirement obligations are not material.
Milk Industry Regulation
The federal government establishes minimum prices that we must pay to producers in federally regulated areas for raw
milk. Raw milk primarily contains raw skim milk in addition to a small percentage of butterfat. Raw milk delivered to our facilities
is tested to determine the percentage of butterfat and other milk components, and we pay our suppliers for the raw milk based on
the results of these tests.
The federal government’s minimum prices for Class I milk vary depending on the processor’s geographic location or
sales area and the type of product manufactured. Federal minimum prices change monthly. Class I butterfat and raw skim milk
prices (which are the minimum prices we are required to pay for raw milk that is processed into Class I products such as fluid
milk) and Class II raw skim milk prices (which are the minimum prices we are required to pay for raw milk that is processed into
Class II products such as cottage cheese, creams, creamers, ice cream and sour cream) for each month are announced by the federal
government the immediately preceding month. Class II butterfat prices are announced either at the end of the month or the first
week of the following month in which the price is effective. Some states have established their own rules for determining minimum
prices for raw milk. In addition to the federal or state minimum prices, we also may pay producer premiums, procurement costs
and other related charges that vary by location and supplier.
Labeling Regulations
We are subject to various labeling requirements with respect to our products at the federal, state and local levels. At the
federal level, the FDA has authority to review product labeling, and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) may review
labeling and advertising materials, including online and television advertisements, to determine if advertising materials are
misleading. Similarly, many states review dairy product labels to determine whether they comply with applicable state laws. We
believe we are in material compliance with all labeling laws and regulations applicable to our business.
We are also subject to various state and local consumer protection laws.
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Where You Can Get More Information
Our fiscal year ends on December 31. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
You may read and copy any reports, statements or other information that we file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549.
You can request copies of these documents, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Please call the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation
of the Public Reference Room.
We file our reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission electronically through the Securities and Exchange
Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (“EDGAR”) system. The Securities and Exchange Commission
maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding companies that
file electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission through EDGAR. The address of this Internet site is http://
www.sec.gov.
We also make available free of charge through our website at www.deanfoods.com our Annual Report on Form 10-K,
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically
file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. We are not, however, including the information
contained on our website, or information that may be accessed through links on our website, as part of, or incorporating such
information by reference into, this Form 10-K.
Our Code of Ethics is applicable to all of our employees and directors. Our Code of Ethics is available on our corporate
website at www.deanfoods.com, together with the Corporate Governance Principles of our Board of Directors and the charters of
the Audit, Compensation and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committees of our Board of Directors. Any waivers that we may
grant to our executive officers or directors under the Code of Ethics, and any amendments to our Code of Ethics, will be posted
on our corporate website. If you would like hard copies of any of these documents, or of any of our filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, write or call us at:
Dean Foods Company
2711 North Haskell Avenue, Suite 3400
Dallas, Texas 75204
(214) 303-3400
Attention: Investor Relations
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Business, Competitive and Strategic Risks
Our results of operations and financial condition depend heavily on commodity prices and the availability of raw
materials and other inputs. Our failure or inability to respond to high or fluctuating input prices could adversely affect our
profitability.
Our results of operations and financial condition depend heavily on the cost and supply of raw materials and other inputs
including conventional raw milk, butterfat, cream and other dairy commodities, many of which are determined by constantly
changing market forces of supply and demand over which we have limited or no control. Cost increases in raw materials and other
inputs could cause our profitability to decrease significantly compared to prior periods, as we may be unwilling or unable to
increase our prices or unable to achieve cost savings to offset the increased cost of these raw materials and other inputs.
Although we generally pass through the cost of dairy commodities to our customers, we believe demand destruction can
occur at certain price levels, and we may be unwilling or unable to pass through the cost of dairy commodities, which could
materially and adversely affect our profitability. Dairy commodity prices can be affected by adverse weather conditions (including
the impact of climate change) and natural disasters, such as floods, droughts, frost, fires, earthquakes and pestilence, which can
lower crop and dairy yields and reduce supplies of these ingredients or increase their prices.
Our profitability also depends on the cost and supply of non-dairy raw materials and other inputs, such as sweeteners,
petroleum-based products, diesel fuel, resin and other non-dairy food ingredients.
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Our dairy and non-dairy raw materials are generally sourced from third parties, and we are not assured of continued
supply, pricing or sufficient access to raw materials from any of these suppliers. Distribution or damage to our suppliers
manufacturing, transportation or distribution capabilities could impair our ability to make transport, distribute or sell our products.
Other events that adversely affect our suppliers and that are out of our control could also impair our ability to obtain the raw
materials and other inputs that we need in the quantities and at the prices that we desire. Such events include adverse weather
conditions (including climate change) or natural disasters, government action, or problems with our suppliers’ businesses, finances,
labor relations, costs, production, insurance, reputation and international demand and supply characteristics.
If we are unable to obtain raw materials and other inputs for our products or offset any increased costs for such raw
materials and inputs, our business could be negatively affected. While we may enter into forward purchase contracts and other
purchase arrangements with suppliers and may purchase over-the-counter contracts with our qualified banking partners or
exchange-traded commodity futures contracts for raw materials, these arrangements do not eliminate the risk of negative impacts
on our business, financial condition and results of operations from commodity price changes.
We may not realize anticipated benefits from our accelerated cost reduction efforts.
We have implemented a number of cost reduction initiatives that we believe are necessary to position our business for
future success and growth. In order to mitigate continued volume softness in our business, we accelerated our cost reduction
activities during 2013 and 2014. Between 2013 and 2015, we completed the closure of 13 plants as a part of our accelerated cost
reduction initiative. Going forward, we expect to return to more historical levels of network optimization. Our future success and
earnings growth depend upon our ability to realize the benefit of our cost reduction activities and rationalization plans. In addition,
certain of our cost reduction activities have led to increased costs in other aspects of our business such as increased conversion or
distribution costs. For example, in connection with our plant closures, our cost of distribution on a per gallon basis has increased
as we have changed distribution routes and transported product into areas previously serviced by closed plants. If we fail to properly
anticipate and mitigate the ancillary cost increases related to our plant closures, we may not realize the benefits of our cost reduction
efforts. We must be efficient in executing our plans to achieve a lower cost structure and operate efficiently in the highly competitive
food and beverage industry, particularly in an environment of increased competitive activity and reduced profitability. To capitalize
on our cost reduction efforts, it will be necessary to carefully evaluate future investments in our business, and concentrate on those
areas with the most potential return on investment. If we are unable to realize the anticipated benefits from our cost cutting efforts,
we could be cost disadvantaged in the marketplace, and our competitiveness and our profitability could decrease.
Our business is predominantly in the United States fluid dairy industry and as such is susceptible to adverse events
and trends in the fluid dairy industry and in the United States generally.
In January 2013, we completed the disposition of Morningstar, which at the time of the disposition was a leading
manufacturer of dairy and non-dairy extended shelf-life and cultured products, including creams and creamers, ice cream mixes,
whipping cream, aerosol whipped toppings, iced coffee, half and half, value-added milks, sour cream and cottage cheese. In May
2013, we effected the tax-free spin-off of WhiteWave, our former branded plant-based foods and beverages, coffee creamers and
beverages, and premium dairy products business, which operated in the United States and Europe. In July 2013, we disposed of
our remaining interest in WhiteWave. As part of a more diversified, international food and beverage company, we were partially
insulated against adverse events and trends in particular product lines and regions. Following the dispositions of Morningstar and
WhiteWave, however, our business is predominantly in the United States fluid dairy industry and as such, we are susceptible to
adverse regulations, economic climate, consumer trends, market fluctuations and other adverse events that are specific to the dairy
category and the United States.
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The loss of, or a material reduction in sales volumes purchased by, any of our largest customers could negatively
impact our sales and profits.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including Sam’s Club, accounted for approximately 16% of our consolidated
net sales in both 2015 and 2014, and our top five customers, including Wal-Mart, collectively accounted for approximately 29%
and 30% of our consolidated net sales in 2015 and 2014, respectively. In addition, we are indirectly exposed to the financial and
business risks of our significant customers because, as their business declines, they may correspondingly decrease the volumes
purchased from us. The loss of, or further declines in sales volumes purchased by, any of our largest customers could negatively
impact our sales and profits, particularly due to our significant fixed costs and assets, which are difficult to rapidly reduce in
response to significant volume declines.
Price concessions to large-format retailers have negatively impacted, and could continue to negatively impact, our
operating margins and profitability.
Many of our customers, such as supermarkets, warehouse clubs and food distributors, have experienced industry
consolidation in recent years and this consolidation is expected to continue. These consolidations have produced large, more
sophisticated customers with increased buying power, and they have increased our dependence on key large-format retailers and
discounters. In addition, some of these customers are vertically integrated and have re-dedicated key shelf-space currently occupied
by our regionally branded products for their private label products. Additionally, higher levels of price competition and higher
resistance to price increases have had a significant impact on our business. In the past, retailers have at times required price
concessions that have negatively impacted our margins, and continued pressures to make such price concessions could negatively
impact our profitability in the future. If we are not able to lower our cost structure adequately in response to customer pricing
demands, and if we are not able to attract and retain a profitable customer mix and a profitable product mix, our profitability could
continue to be adversely affected.
Volume softness in the dairy category has had a negative impact on our sales and profits.
Industry-wide volume softness across dairy product categories continued in 2015. In particular, the fluid milk category
has experienced declining volumes over the past several years. Decreasing dairy category volume has increased the impact of
declining margins on our business. Periods of declining volumes limit the cost and price increases that we can seek to recapture.
We expect this trend to continue for the foreseeable future, which could further negatively affect our business. In addition, in recent
years, we have experienced a decline in historical volumes from some of our largest customers, which has negatively impacted
our sales and profitability and which will continue to have a negative impact in the future if we are not able to attract and retain
a profitable customer and product mix.
Our sales and profits have been, and may continue to be, negatively impacted by the outcome of competitive bidding.
Many of our retail customers have become increasingly price sensitive, which has intensified the competitive environment
in which we operate. As a result, we have been subject to a number of competitive bidding situations, both formal and informal,
which have materially reduced our sales volumes and profitability on sales to several customers. We expect this trend of competitive
bidding to continue. During 2013, as a result of a request for proposal, a significant customer transferred a material portion of its
business to other suppliers, which resulted in a decline in our fluid milk volumes of approximately 7% during 2013. The loss of
this volume had a negative effect on our sales and profits. In the event we experience a similar loss, we may have to replace the
lost volume with lower margin business, which could also negatively impact our profitability. Additionally, this competitive
environment may result in us serving an increasing number of small format customers, which may raise the costs of production
and distribution, and negatively impact the profitability of our business. If we are unable to structure our business to appropriately
respond to the pricing demands of our customers, we may lose customers to other processors that are willing to sell product at a
lower cost, which could negatively impact our sales and profits.
If we fail to anticipate and respond to changes in consumer preferences, demand for our products could decline.
Consumer tastes, preferences and consumption habits evolve over time and are difficult to predict. Demand for our
products depends on our ability to identify and offer products that appeal to these shifting preferences. Factors that may affect
consumer tastes and preferences include:
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dietary trends and increased attention to nutritional values, such as the sugar, fat, protein or calorie content of
different foods and beverages;
concerns regarding the health effects of specific ingredients and nutrients, such as dairy, sugar and other
sweeteners, vitamins and minerals;
concerns regarding the public health consequences associated with obesity, particularly among young people;
and
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•
increasing awareness of the environmental and social effects of product production.
If consumer demand for our products declines, our sales volumes and our business could be negatively affected.
We may incur liabilities or harm to our reputation, or be forced to recall products, as a result of real or perceived
product quality or other product-related issues.
We sell products for human consumption, which involves a number of risks. Product contamination, spoilage, other
adulteration, misbranding, mislabeling, or product tampering could require us to recall products. We also may be subject to liability
if our products or operations violate applicable laws or regulations, including environmental, health and safety requirements, or
in the event our products cause injury, illness or death. In addition, our product advertising could make us the target of claims
relating to false or deceptive advertising under U.S. federal and state laws, including the consumer protection statutes of some
states, or laws of other jurisdictions in which we operate. A significant product liability, consumer fraud or other legal judgment
against us or a widespread product recall may negatively impact our sales, brands, reputation and profitability. Moreover, claims
or liabilities of this sort might not be covered by insurance or by any rights of indemnity or contribution that we may have against
others. Even if a product liability, consumer fraud or other claim is found to be without merit or is otherwise unsuccessful, the
negative publicity surrounding such assertions regarding our products or processes could materially and adversely affect our
reputation and brand image, particularly in categories that consumers believe as having strong health and wellness credentials. In
addition, consumer preferences related to genetically modified foods, animal proteins, or the use of certain sweeteners could result
in negative publicity and adversely affect our reputation. Any loss of consumer confidence in our product ingredients or in the
safety and quality of our products would be difficult and costly to overcome.
Disruption of our supply or distribution chains or transportation systems could adversely affect our business.
Our ability to make, move and sell our products is critical to our success. Damage or disruption to our manufacturing or
distribution capabilities due to weather (including the impact of climate change), natural disaster, fire, environmental incident,
terrorism (including eco-terrorism and bio-terrorism), pandemic, strikes, the financial or operational instability of key suppliers,
distributors, warehousing and transportation providers, or other reasons could impair our ability to manufacture or distribute our
products. If we are unable, or it is not financially feasible, to mitigate the likelihood or potential impact of such events, our business
and results of operations could be negatively affected and additional resources could be required to restore our supply chain. In
addition, we are subject to federal motor carrier regulations, such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act, with which our extensive
DSD system must comply. Failure to comply with such regulations could result in our inability to deliver product to our customers
in a timely manner, which could adversely affect our reputation and our results.
Failure to maintain sufficient internal production capacity or to enter into co-packing agreements on terms that are
beneficial for us may result in our inability to meet customer demand and/or increase our operating costs.
The success of our business depends, in part, on maintaining a strong production platform and we rely on internal
production resources and third-party co-packers to fulfill our manufacturing needs. As part of our ongoing cost reduction efforts,
we have closed or announced the closure of a number our plants since late 2012. It is possible that we may need to increase our
reliance on third parties to provide manufacturing and supply services, commonly referred to as “co-packing” agreements, for a
number of our products. In particular, there is increasing consumer preference for certain sized extended shelf life (“ESL”) products
in certain categories and, as a result of the Morningstar divestiture, we are contractually limited in our ability to manufacture ESL
products. In such case, we must rely on our co-packers. A failure by our co-packers to comply with food safety, environmental,
or other laws and regulations may disrupt our supply of products and cause damage to the reputation of our brand. If we need to
enter into additional co-packing agreements in the future, we can provide no assurance that we would be able to find acceptable
third-party providers or enter into agreements on satisfactory terms. Our inability to establish satisfactory co-packing arrangements
could limit our ability to operate our business and could negatively affect our sales volumes and results of operations. If we cannot
maintain sufficient production capacity, either internally or through third-party agreements, we may be unable to meet customer
demand and/or our manufacturing costs may increase, which could negatively affect our business.
Our business operations could be disrupted and the liquidity and market price of our securities could decline if our
information technology systems fail to perform adequately or experience a security breach.
We maintain a large database of confidential information and sensitive data in our information technology systems,
including confidential employee, supplier and customer information, and accounting, financial and other data on which we rely
for internal and external financial reporting and other purposes. The efficient operation of our business depends on our
information technology systems. We rely on our information technology systems, including those of third parties, to effectively
manage our business data, communications, supply chain, logistics, accounting and other business processes. If we do not
allocate and effectively manage the resources necessary to build and sustain an appropriate technology environment, our
business or financial results could be negatively impacted. In addition, our information technology systems and those of third
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parties are vulnerable to damage or interruption from circumstances beyond our control, including systems failures, viruses,
security breaches or cyber incidents such as intentional cyber attacks aimed at theft of sensitive data or inadvertent cyber-
security compromises. A security breach of such information or failure of our information technology systems could result in
damage to our reputation, negatively impact our relations with our customers or employees, and expose us to liability and
litigation. Moreover, a security breach or failure of our information systems could also result in the alteration, corruption or loss
of the accounting, financial or other data on which we rely for internal and external financial reporting and other purposes and,
depending on the severity of the security breach or systems failure, could prevent the audit of our financial statements or our
internal control over financial reporting from being completed on a timely basis or at all, or could negatively impact the
resulting audit opinions. Any such damage or interruption, or alternation, corruption or loss, could have a material adverse
effect on our business or could cause our securities to become less liquid and the market price of our securities to decline.
If we are unable to hire, retain and develop our leadership bench, or fail to develop and implement an adequate
succession plan for current leadership positions, it could have a negative impact on our business.
Our continued and future success depends partly upon our ability to hire, retain and develop our leadership bench.
Effective succession planning is also a key factor in our long-term success. Any unplanned turnover or failure to develop or
implement an adequate succession plan to backfill key leadership positions could deplete our institutional knowledge base and
erode our competitive advantage. Our failure to enable the effective transfer of knowledge or to facilitate smooth transitions with
regard to key leadership positions could adversely affect our long-term strategic planning and execution and negatively affect our
business, financial condition, results of operations.
Our ability to generate positive cash flow and profits will depend partly on our successful execution of our business
strategy.
Our ability to generate positive cash flow and profits will depend partly on our successful execution of our business
strategy. Our business strategy may require significant capital investment and management attention, which may result in the
diversion of these resources from other business issues and opportunities. Additionally, the successful implementation of our
current business strategy is subject to our ability to manage costs and expenses, our ability to develop new and innovative products,
the success of continuing improvement initiatives, our ability to leverage processing and logistical efficiencies, our consumers’
demand for our brands and products, the effectiveness of our advertising and targeting of consumers and channels, the availability
of favorable acquisition opportunities and our ability to attract and retain qualified management and other personnel. There can
be no assurance that we will be able to successfully implement our business strategy. If we cannot successfully execute our business
strategy, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely impacted.
Our existing debt and other financial obligations may restrict our business operations and we may incur even more
debt.
We have substantial debt and other financial obligations and significant unused borrowing capacity. We may incur
additional debt in the future. In addition to our other financial obligations, on December 31, 2015, we had approximately $842.4
million in outstanding debt obligations and we had the ability to borrow up to a combined additional $821.7 million of combined
future borrowing capacity under our senior secured revolving credit facility and receivables-backed facility.
We have pledged substantially all of our assets to secure our senior secured revolving credit facility. Our debt and related
debt service obligations could:
•
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•
require us to dedicate significant cash flow to the payment of principal and interest on our debt, which reduces
the funds we have available for other purposes, including for funding working capital, capital expenditures, and
acquisitions and for other general corporate purposes;
may limit our flexibility in planning for or reacting to changes in our business and market conditions;
impose on us additional financial and operational restrictions, including restrictions on our ability to, among
other things, incur additional indebtedness, create liens, guarantee obligations, undertake acquisitions or sales
of assets, declare dividends and make other specified restricted payments, and make investments;
impose on us additional financial and operational restrictions, including restrictions on our ability to, among
other things, incur additional indebtedness, create liens, guarantee obligations, undertake acquisitions or sales
of assets, declare dividends and make other specified restricted payments, and make investments;
place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to businesses in our industry that have less debt or that are
debt-free.
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To the extent that we incur additional indebtedness in the future, these limitations would likely have a greater impact on
our business. Failure to make required payments on our debt or comply with the financial covenants or any other non-financial
or restrictive covenants set forth in the agreements governing our debt could create a default and cause a downgrade to our credit
rating. Upon a default, our lenders could accelerate the indebtedness, foreclose against their collateral or seek other remedies,
which would jeopardize our ability to continue our current operations. In those circumstances, we may be required to amend the
agreements governing out debt, refinance all or part of our existing debt, sell assets, incur additional indebtedness or raise equity.
Our ability to make scheduled payments on our debt and other financial obligations and comply with financial covenants depends
on our financial and operating performance, which in turn, is subject to various factors such as prevailing economic conditions
and to financial, business and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. See “Part II - Item 7. Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Current Debt Obligations”
below for more information.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
Our Board of Directors could change our dividend policy at any time.
In November 2013, our Board of Directors adopted a dividend policy under which we intend to pay quarterly cash
dividends on our common stock. Under this policy, holders of our common stock will receive dividends when and as declared by
our Board of Directors. Pursuant to this policy, we paid quarterly dividends of $0.07 per share ($0.28 per share annually) in 2014
and 2015. However, we are not required to pay dividends and our stockholders do not have contractual or other legal rights to
receive them. Any determination to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the future may be affected by business conditions,
our views on potential future capital requirements, the terms of our debt instruments, legal risks, changes in federal income tax
law and challenges to our business model. Furthermore, our Board of Directors may decide at any time, in its discretion, not to
pay a dividend, to decrease the amount of dividends or to change or revoke the dividend policy entirely. If we do not pay dividends,
for whatever reason, shares of our common stock could become less liquid and the market price of our common stock could
decline.
Our stock price is volatile and may decline regardless of our operating performance, and you could lose a significant
part of your investment.
The market price of our common stock has historically been volatile and in the future may be influenced by many factors,
some of which are beyond our control, including those described in this section and the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
changes in financial estimates by analysts or our inability to meet those financial estimates;
strategic actions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions, restructurings, significant contracts, acquisitions,
joint marketing relationships, joint ventures or capital commitments;
variations in our quarterly results of operations and those of our competitors;
general economic and stock market conditions;
changes in conditions or trends in our industry, geographies or customers;
terrorist acts;
activism by any large stockholder or group of stockholders;
perceptions of the investment opportunity associated with our common stock relative to other investment
alternatives;
actual or anticipated growth rates relative to our competitors; and
speculation by the investment community regarding our business.
In addition, the stock markets, including the New York Stock Exchange, have experienced price and volume fluctuations
that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of equity securities issued by many companies, including companies
in our industry. In the past, some companies that have had volatile market prices for their securities have been subject to class
action or derivative lawsuits. The filing of a lawsuit against us, regardless of the outcome, could have a negative effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations, as it could result in substantial legal costs and a diversion of management’s
attention and resources.
These market and industry factors may materially reduce the market price of our common stock, regardless of our operating
performance. This volatility may increase the risk that our stockholders will suffer a loss on their investment or be unable to sell
or otherwise liquidate their holdings of our common stock.
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Capital Markets and General Economic Risks
Unfavorable economic conditions may adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The dairy industry is sensitive to changes in international, national and local general economic conditions. Future economic
decline or increased income disparity could have an adverse effect on consumer spending patterns. Increased levels of
unemployment, increased consumer debt levels and other unfavorable economic factors could further adversely affect consumer
demand for products we sell or distribute, which in turn could adversely affect our results of operations. Consumers may not return
to historical spending patterns following any future reduction in consumer spending.
The costs of providing employee benefits have escalated, and liabilities under certain plans may be triggered due to
our actions or the actions of others, which may adversely affect our profitability and liquidity.
We sponsor various defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans, as well as contribute to various
multiemployer plans on behalf of our employees. Changes in interest rates or in the market value of plan assets could affect the
funded status of our pension plans. This could cause volatility in our benefits costs and increase future funding requirements of
our plans. Pension and post-retirement costs also may be significantly affected by changes in key actuarial assumptions including
anticipated rates of return on plan assets and the discount rates used in determining the projected benefit obligation and annual
periodic pension costs. Recent changes in federal laws require plan sponsors to eliminate, over defined time periods, the underfunded
status of plans that are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act rules and regulations. Certain of our defined
benefit retirement plans are less than fully funded. Facility closings may trigger cash payments or previously unrecognized
obligations under our defined benefit retirement plans, and the costs of such liabilities may compromise our ability to close facilities
or otherwise conduct cost reduction initiatives on time and within budget. A significant increase in future funding requirements
could have a negative impact on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. In addition to potential changes in
funding requirements, the costs of maintaining our pension plans are impacted by various factors including increases in healthcare
costs and legislative changes such as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care Education Reconciliation
Act of 2010.
Future funding requirements and related charges associated with multiemployer plans in which we participate could
have a negative impact on our business.
In addition to our company-sponsored pension plans, we participate in certain multiemployer defined benefit pension
plans that are administered by labor unions representing certain of our employees. We make periodic contributions to these
multiemployer pension plans in accordance with the provisions of negotiated collective bargaining arrangements. Our required
contributions to these plans could increase due to a number of factors, including the funded status of the plans and the level of our
ongoing participation in these plans. In addition, through circumstances are entirely out of our control, the financial condition of
other companies which participate in multiemployer plans may create financial obligations for us. In the event that we decide to
withdraw from participation in one of these multiemployer plans, we could be required to make additional lump-sum contributions
to the relevant plan. These withdrawal liabilities may be significant and could adversely affect our business and our financial
results. Some of the plans in which we participate are reported to have significant underfunded liabilities, which could increase
the amount of any potential withdrawal liability. Future funding requirements and related charges associated with multiemployer
plans in which we participate could have a negative impact on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Changes in our credit ratings may have a negative impact on our future financing costs or the availability of capital.
Some of our debt is rated by Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings, and there are a number
of factors beyond our control with respect to these ratings. Our credit ratings are currently considered to be below “investment
grade.” Although the interest rate on our existing credit facilities is not affected by changes in our credit ratings, such ratings or
any further rating downgrades may impair our ability to raise additional capital in the future on terms that are acceptable to us, if
at all, may cause the value of our securities to decline and may have other negative implications with respect to our business.
Ratings reflect only the views of the ratings agency issuing the rating, are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold our securities
and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the ratings agency issuing the rating. Each rating should be evaluated
independently of any other rating.
Legal and Regulatory Risks
Pending antitrust lawsuits may have a material adverse impact on our business.
We are the subject of two antitrust lawsuits, the outcomes of which we are unable to predict. Increased scrutiny of the
dairy industry has resulted, and may continue to result, in litigation against us. Such lawsuits are expensive to defend, divert
management’s attention and may result in significant judgments. In some cases, these awards would be trebled by statute and
14
successful plaintiffs might be entitled to an award of attorney’s fees. Depending on its size, such a judgment could materially and
adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition and impair our ability to continue operations. We
may not be able to pay such judgment or to post a bond for an appeal, given our financial condition and our available cash resources.
In addition, depending on its size, failure to pay such a judgment or failure to post an appeal bond could cause us to breach certain
provisions of our credit facilities. In either of these circumstances, we may seek a waiver of or amendment to the terms of our
credit facilities, but we may not be able to obtain such a waiver or amendment. Failure to obtain such a waiver or amendment
would materially and adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition and could impair our ability to
continue operations.
Moreover, these actions could expose us to negative publicity, which might adversely affect our brands, reputation and/
or customer preference for our products. In addition, merger and acquisition activities are subject to these antitrust and competition
laws, which have impacted, and may continue to impact, our ability to pursue strategic transactions. For more detail regarding
these matters, please see “Part I — Item 3. Legal Proceedings.”
Litigation or legal proceedings could expose us to significant liabilities and have a negative impact on our reputation.
We are party to various litigation claims and legal proceedings. We evaluate these litigation claims and legal proceedings
to assess the likelihood of unfavorable outcomes and to estimate, if possible, the amount of potential losses. Based on these
assessments and estimates, we establish reserves and/or disclose the relevant litigation claims or legal proceedings, as appropriate.
These assessments and estimates are based on the information available to management at the time and involve a significant
amount of management judgment. Actual outcomes or losses may differ materially from our current assessments and estimates.
Labor disputes could adversely affect us.
As of December 31, 2015, approximately 38% of our employees participated in collective bargaining agreements. Our
collective bargaining agreements are scheduled to expire at various times over the next 3 to 5 years. At any given time, we may
face a number of union organizing drives. When we negotiate collective bargaining agreements or terms, we and the union may
disagree on important issues which, in turn, could possibly lead to a strike, work slowdown or other job actions at one or more of
our locations. In the event of a strike, work slowdown or other labor unrest, or if we are unable to negotiate labor contracts on
reasonable terms, our ability to supply our products to customers could be impaired, which could result in reduced revenue and
customer claims, and may distract our management from focusing on our business and strategic priorities. In addition, our ability
to make short-term adjustments to control compensation and benefits costs or otherwise to adapt to changing business requirements
may be limited by the terms of our collective bargaining agreements.
Our business is subject to various environmental and health and safety laws and regulations, which may increase our
compliance costs or subject us to liabilities.
Our business operations are subject to numerous requirements in the United States relating to the protection of the
environment and health and safety matters, including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Comprehensive Environmental
Response and the Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, as well as similar state and local statutes and regulations
in the United States. These laws and regulations govern, among other things, air emissions and the discharge of wastewater and
other pollutants, the use of refrigerants, the handling and disposal of hazardous materials, and the cleanup of contamination in the
environment. The costs of complying with these laws and regulations may be significant, particularly relating to wastewater and
ammonia treatment which are capital intensive. Additionally, we could incur significant costs, including fines, penalties and other
sanctions, cleanup costs and third-party claims for property damage or personal injury as a result of the failure to comply with, or
liabilities under, environmental, health and safety requirements. New legislation, as well as current federal and other state regulatory
initiatives relating to these environmental matters, could require us to replace equipment, install additional pollution controls,
purchase various emission allowances or curtail operations. These costs could negatively affect our results of operations and
financial condition.
Changes in laws, regulations and accounting standards could have an adverse effect on our financial results.
We are subject to federal, state and local governmental laws and regulations, including those promulgated by the FDA,
the USDA, U.S. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"), Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"), FTC,
Department of Transportation, Department of Labor, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and
Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and numerous related regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission
and the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Changes in federal, state or local laws, or the interpretations of such laws and
regulations, may negatively impact our financial results or our ability to market our products. Any or all of these risks could
adversely impact our financial results.
15
Violations of laws or regulations related to the food industry, as well as new laws or regulations or changes to existing
laws or regulations related to the food industry, could adversely affect our business.
The food production and marketing industry is subject to a variety of federal, state and local laws and regulations, including
food safety requirements related to the ingredients, manufacture, processing, packaging, storage, marketing, advertising, labeling
quality and distribution of our products, as well as those related to worker health and workplace safety. Our activities are subject
to extensive regulation. We are regulated by, among other federal and state authorities, the FDA, the EPA, the FTC, and the U.S.
Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Labor and Transportation. Legislation at the state and federal level that would require
the labeling of products containing or derived from genetically engineered organisms and FDA proposals to redesign the Nutrition
Facts label may negatively impact our business. Governmental regulations also affect taxes and levies, healthcare costs, energy
usage, immigration and other labor issues, all of which may have a direct or indirect effect on our business or those of our customers
or suppliers.
In addition, our volumes may be impacted by the level of government spending that supports grocery purchases because
such amounts may impact the level of consumer spending on fluid dairy products. As a meaningful portion of Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”) benefits are spent in the dairy category, we are cautious about the impact that any change
or reduction in these benefits could have on consumer spending in the dairy category. Any reduction or change in SNAP benefits
or if other government spending programs, such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children,
are suspended or expire, then it could have an adverse impact upon our volumes and our results of operations.
In addition, the marketing and advertising of our products could make us the target of claims relating to alleged false or
deceptive advertising under federal and state laws and regulations, and we may be subject to initiatives that limit or prohibit the
marketing and advertising of our products to children. Changes in these laws or regulations or the introduction of new laws or
regulations could increase our compliance costs, increase other costs of doing business for us, our customers or our suppliers, or
restrict our actions, which could adversely affect our results of operations. In some cases, increased regulatory scrutiny could
interrupt distribution of our products or force changes in our production processes or procedures (or force us to implement new
processes or procedures). For example, the FDA continues to enact regulation pursuant to the Food Safety Modernization Act of
2011 which requires, among other things, that food facilities conduct contamination hazard analysis, implement risk-based
preventive controls and develop track-and-trace capabilities, and there could be unforeseen issues, requirements and costs that
arise as the FDA promulgates such regulations. Further, if we are found to be in violation of applicable laws and regulations in
these areas, we could be subject to civil remedies, including fines, injunctions or recalls, as well as potential criminal sanctions,
any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Risks Related to the Tax-Free Separation of WhiteWave
The WhiteWave separation transactions could result in significant tax liability to us.
In 2013, we received a private letter ruling from the IRS to the effect that, subject to certain conditions, the WhiteWave
spin-off and our subsequent disposition of our remaining interests in WhiteWave would be tax-free to us and our stockholders. In
addition, we received an opinion from our outside tax advisors on certain items in connection with the WhiteWave transactions
not addressed in the private letter ruling. This tax opinion, however, is not binding on the IRS, and we may not be able to rely on
the IRS private letter ruling if the factual representations or assumptions in the ruling request are determined to be untrue or
incomplete in any material respect. If the IRS were to determine that the WhiteWave spin-off and subsequent disposition of our
remaining ownership interest in WhiteWave do not qualify for tax-free treatment, then we and our stockholders would be subject
to tax in connection with such transactions. It is expected that the amount of any such taxes to us and our stockholders would be
substantial.
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
16
Item 2.
Properties
Our corporate headquarters are located in leased premises at 2711 North Haskell Avenue, Suite 3400, Dallas, Texas 75204.
In addition, we operate 67 manufacturing facilities. We believe that our facilities are well maintained and are generally suitable
and of sufficient capacity to support our current business operations and that the loss of any single facility would not have a material
adverse effect on our operations or financial results.
We currently conduct our manufacturing operations within the following facilities, most of which are owned:
Homewood, Alabama(2)
Buena Park, California
New Orleans, Louisiana
Franklin, Massachusetts
Lansdale, Pennsylvania
Lebanon, Pennsylvania
City of Industry, California(2)
Lynn, Massachusetts
Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania
Hayward, California
Englewood, Colorado
Greeley, Colorado
Deland, Florida
Miami, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Braselton, Georgia
Hilo, Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii
Boise, Idaho
Belvidere, Illinois
Harvard, Illinois
Huntley, Illinois
O’Fallon, Illinois
Rockford, Illinois
Decatur, Indiana
Huntington, Indiana
LeMars, Iowa
Louisville, Kentucky
Hammond, Louisiana
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Livonia, Michigan
Marquette, Michigan
Sharpsville, Pennsylvania
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Thief River Falls, Minnesota
Athens, Tennessee
Woodbury, Minnesota
Billings, Montana
Great Falls, Montana
North Las Vegas, Nevada
Reno, Nevada
Florence, New Jersey
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Rensselaer, New York
High Point, North Carolina
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Nashville, Tennessee(2)
Dallas, Texas
El Paso, Texas
Houston, Texas
Lubbock, Texas
McKinney, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
Orem, Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
Richmond, Virginia
Bismarck, North Dakota
Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Marietta, Ohio
Springfield, Ohio
Toledo, Ohio
Erie, Pennsylvania
The majority of our manufacturing facilities also serve as distribution facilities. In addition, we have numerous distribution
branches located across the country, some of which are owned but most of which are leased.
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
Tennessee Retailer and Indirect Purchaser Actions
A putative class action antitrust complaint (the “retailer action”) was filed against Dean Foods and other milk processors
on August 9, 2007 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Plaintiffs allege generally that we,
either acting alone or in conjunction with others in the milk industry, lessened competition in the Southeastern United States for
the sale of processed fluid Grade A milk to retail outlets and other customers. Plaintiffs further allege that the defendants’ conduct
artificially inflated wholesale prices paid by direct milk purchasers. In March 2012, the district court granted summary judgment
in favor of defendants, including the Company, as to all counts then remaining. Plaintiffs appealed the district court’s decision,
and in January 2014, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reversed the grant of summary judgment as to one
of the five original counts in the Tennessee retailer action. Following the Sixth Circuit’s denial of our request to reconsider the
case en banc, the Company petitioned the Supreme Court of the United States for review. On November 17, 2014, the Supreme
Court denied our petition and the case returned to the district court. On January 19, 2016, the district court granted summary
judgment to defendants on claims accruing after May 8, 2009. On January 25, 2016, the district court issued orders denying
summary judgment in other respects and denying plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. The case is presently scheduled for trial
on July 12, 2016; it is unclear whether and how the court’s recent rulings will affect that date.
On June 29, 2009, another putative class action lawsuit was filed in the Eastern District of Tennessee on behalf of indirect
17
purchasers of processed fluid Grade A milk (the “indirect purchaser action”). This case was voluntarily dismissed, and the same
plaintiffs filed a nearly identical complaint on January 17, 2013. The allegations in this complaint are similar to those in both the
retailer action and the 2009 indirect purchaser action, but involve only claims arising under Tennessee law. The Company filed a
motion to dismiss, and on September 11, 2014, the district court granted in part and denied in part that motion, dismissing the
non-Tennessee plaintiffs’ claims. The Company filed its answer to the surviving claims on October 15, 2014. The parties jointly
proposed that further proceedings (including any discovery) in this case be deferred until after the district court ruled on the
summary judgment and class certification issues in the Tennessee retailer action.
At this time, it is not possible for us to predict the ultimate outcome of these matters. In addition to the pending legal
proceedings set forth above, we are party from time to time to certain claims, litigations, audits and investigations. Potential
liabilities associated with these other matters are not expected to have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results
of operations, or cash flows.
Environmental Matters
In June 2015, the EPA alleged violations of certain risk management regulations under the U.S. Clean Air Act following
a December 2012 inspection of our plant in Lynn, Massachusetts. We have resolved many of the alleged deficiencies through
facility upgrades and remedial activities, and we are addressing the remaining alleged deficiencies pursuant to an administrative
compliance order of consent dated September 28, 2015. In December 2015, we entered into a consent agreement and final order
with the EPA to resolve our liability with respect to the alleged deficiencies. Pursuant to the consent agreement, we have paid a
civil penalty of $255,000; our Franklin, Massachusetts plant will be subject to a compliance audit; and we will perform certain
specified environmental projects. We do not expect the compliance order or consent agreement to materially impact our business.
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
18
PART II
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities
Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “DF.” The following table sets forth the
high and low sales prices of our common stock as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange for the last two fiscal years.
At February 17, 2016, there were 2,220 record holders of our common stock.
2014:
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
2015:
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
High
Low
18.06
18.24
18.06
19.66
19.74
19.17
18.28
19.41
13.59
14.26
13.04
12.62
15.36
15.76
14.56
15.78
In November 2013, we announced that our Board of Directors had adopted a cash dividend policy. Under the policy,
holders of our common stock will receive dividends when and as declared by our Board of Directors. Pursuant to the policy, we
paid quarterly dividends of $0.07 per share ($0.28 per share annually) in March, June, September and December of 2014 and 2015.
Beginning in 2015, all awards of restricted stock units and phantom stock awards provide for cash dividend equivalent units
("DEUs") which vest in cash at the same time as the underlying award. Annual dividend payments totaled approximately $26
million for each of the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations —Liquidity and
Capital Resources — Current Debt Obligations” and Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further information
regarding the terms of our senior secured credit facility, including terms restricting the payment of dividends.
Stock Repurchases — Since 1998, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of our common stock up to an
aggregate of $2.38 billion (excluding fees and expenses), of which approximately $222.1 million remained available under this
program as of December 31, 2015. We repurchased 3,165,582 shares for $53 million during the year ended December 31, 2015,
and 1,727,275 shares for $25 million during the year ended December 31, 2014. Our management is authorized to purchase shares
from time to time through open market transactions at prevailing prices or in privately-negotiated transactions, subject to market
conditions and other factors. Shares, when repurchased, are retired. We will continue to evaluate opportunities for share repurchases
in a strategic manner as a mechanism for generating additional shareholder value.
For information relating to securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans, see “Part III – Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters” of this Form 10-K.
19
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
The following selected financial data as of and for each of the years ended December 31, 2011 to 2015 has been derived
from our audited Consolidated Financial Statements. The operating results of WhiteWave and Morningstar and certain other directly
attributable expenses, including interest expense, related to the sale of Morningstar, which occurred on January 3, 2013, and the
spin-off of WhiteWave, which was completed on May 23, 2013, are reflected as discontinued operations in the table below for all
periods presented. The selected financial data does not purport to indicate results of operations as of any future date or for any
future period. The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related
Notes thereto.
2015
Year Ended December 31
2013
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
2012
2014
2011
Operating data:
Net sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit(1)
Operating costs and expenses:
Selling and distribution
General and administrative
Amortization of intangibles
Facility closing and reorganization costs
Litigation settlements(2)
Impairment of goodwill, intangible and other long-lived assets(3)
Other operating (income) loss(4)
Total operating costs and expenses
Operating income (loss)
Other (income) expense:
Interest expense(5)
Loss on early retirement of debt(6)
Gain on disposition of WhiteWave common stock(7)
Other income, net
Total other (income) expense
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
Income tax expense (benefit)
Income (loss) from continuing operations
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax(8)
Gain (loss) on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax
Net income (loss)
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest in
discontinued operations
$
$
8,121,661
6,147,252
1,974,409
$
9,503,196
7,829,733
1,673,463
9,016,321
7,161,734
1,854,587
$
9,274,662
7,179,403
2,095,259
$
9,715,747
7,618,313
2,097,434
1,379,317
350,324
21,653
19,844
—
109,910
—
1,881,048
93,361
66,813
43,609
—
(3,751)
106,671
(13,310)
(5,229)
(8,081)
(1,095)
668
(8,508)
1,355,053
288,744
2,889
4,460
(2,521)
20,820
(4,535)
1,664,910
8,553
61,019
1,437
—
(1,620)
60,836
(52,283)
(32,096)
(20,187)
(652)
543
(20,296)
1,337,745
310,453
3,669
27,008
(1,019)
43,441
2,494
1,723,791
130,796
200,558
63,387
(415,783)
(400)
(152,238)
283,034
(42,325)
325,359
2,803
491,195
819,357
1,419,531
412,957
3,758
55,787
—
—
(57,459)
1,834,574
260,685
150,589
—
—
(1,664)
148,925
111,760
87,945
23,815
139,279
(2,053)
161,041
1,456,021
473,802
4,997
45,688
131,300
2,075,836
(13,785)
4,173,859
(2,076,425)
177,449
—
—
(2,037)
175,412
(2,251,837)
(523,555)
(1,728,282)
132,495
3,616
(1,592,171)
—
—
(6,179)
(2,419)
16,550
Net income (loss) attributable to Dean Foods Company
$
(8,508) $
(20,296) $
813,178
$
158,622
$ (1,575,621)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share (9):
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Dean
Foods Company
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Dean Foods
Company
Net income (loss) attributable to Dean Foods Company
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share(9):
Income (loss) from continuing operations
Income from discontinued operations
Net income (loss) attributable to Dean Foods Company
Average common shares(9):
Basic
Diluted
Other data:
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
Deficiency in the coverage of earnings to fixed charges(10)
Balance sheet data (at end of period):
Total assets
Long-term debt(11)
Other long-term liabilities
Non-controlling interest(12)
Dean Foods Company stockholders’ equity (deficit)(13)
$
$
$
$
(0.09)
(0.22)
—
—
(0.09) $
(0.22) $
(0.09)
—
(0.09) $
(0.22)
—
(0.22) $
3.47
5.20
8.67
3.43
5.15
8.58
$
$
0.26
1.46
1.72
0.26
1.44
1.70
$
$
(18.85)
1.67
(17.18)
(18.85)
1.67
(17.18)
93,298,467
93,298,467
93,916,656
93,916,656
93,785,611
94,796,236
92,375,378
93,065,912
91,694,110
91,694,110
0.87x
0.48x
2.17x
— $
— $
— $
1.56x
—
— $ (2,030,351)
$
$
2,528,015
842,425
272,864
—
545,504
2,769,636
917,179
276,318
—
627,318
2,802,045
897,262
273,314
—
714,315
$
$
5,697,583
2,322,243
357,313
102,441
357,187
5,755,167
3,287,487
402,323
4,747
(103,398)
20
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)
As disclosed in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we include certain shipping and handling costs within
selling and distribution expense. As a result, our gross profit may not be comparable to other entities that present all
shipping and handling costs as a component of cost of sales.
Results for 2014 and 2013 include reductions in a litigation settlement liability due to plaintiff class "opt outs." Results
for 2011 include charges of $131.3 million, related to antitrust class action settlements. See Note 18 to our Consolidated
Financial Statements.
During the first quarter of 2015, we approved the launch of DairyPure®, our national white milk brand. In connection
with the approval of the launch of DairyPure®, we changed our indefinite lived trademarks to finite lived, resulting in a
triggering event for impairment testing purposes. Based upon our analysis, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge
of $109.9 million. Results for 2014 include non-cash impairment charges of $20.8 million related to plant, property and
equipment at certain of our production facilities. Results for 2013 include non-cash impairment charges of $35.5 million
related to plant, property and equipment at certain of our production facilities and $7.9 million related to certain finite
and indefinite-lived intangible assets. Results for 2011 include a non-cash goodwill impairment of $2.1 billion. See Notes
6 and 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Results for 2014 and 2013 include the final settlement of certain liabilities associated with the prior disposition of a
manufacturing facility and the final disposal of assets associated with the closure of one of our manufacturing facilities.
Results for 2012 include a $58.0 million pre-tax gain on the sale of our interest in Consolidated Container Company.
Results for 2011 include a net pre-tax gain of $13.8 million related to the divestiture of certain operations.
Results for 2013 include a charge of $6.8 million related to the write-off of deferred financing costs as a result of the
termination of our prior senior secured credit facility and the repayment of all related indebtedness. Results for 2012
include a charge of $3.5 million for the write-off of deferred financing costs as a result of the early retirement of our then-
outstanding 2014 Tranche A and Tranche B term loan borrowings. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
In March 2015, we redeemed the remaining $476.2 million principal amount of our outstanding senior notes due 2016
at a total redemption price of approximately $521.8 million. As a result, we recorded a $38.3 million pre-tax loss on early
retirement of long-term debt in the first quarter of 2015. In December 2014, we completed the redemption of our remaining
$24 million outstanding principal amount of our senior notes due 2018 at a redemption price equal to 104.875% of their
principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, or approximately $26.1 million in total. As a result, we recorded a
$1.4 million pre-tax loss on early retirement of debt in 2014. During the fourth quarter of 2013, we successfully completed
a cash tender offer for $400 million aggregate principal amount of our senior notes due 2018 and our senior notes due
2016. We purchased $376.2 million of the senior notes due 2018, for their aggregate principal amount plus a call premium
of approximately $54 million and $23.8 million of the senior notes due 2016 for their aggregate principal amount plus a
call premium of approximately $3 million. As a result, we recorded a $63.4 million pre-tax loss on early retirement of
debt. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
In July 2013, we disposed of our remaining investment in WhiteWave common stock through a debt-for-equity exchange
described more fully in Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. As a result of the disposition, we recorded a
tax-free gain in continuing operations of $415.8 million in the third quarter of 2013.
Income (loss) from discontinued operations for each of the five years shown in the table above includes the operating
results and certain other directly attributable expenses, including interest expense, related to the disposition of Morningstar
and the spin-off of WhiteWave. See Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share and average basic and diluted shares outstanding for the years ended
December 31, 2012 and 2011 have been adjusted retroactively to reflect a 1-for-2 reverse stock split effected August 26,
2013.
The 2011 computation resulted in a deficiency in the coverage of earnings to fixed charges of $2.0 billion, due in large
part to the goodwill impairment charge related to our Fresh Dairy Direct reporting unit. For purposes of calculating the
ratio of earnings to fixed charges, “earnings” represents income (loss) before income taxes plus fixed charges and “fixed
charges” consist of interest on all debt, amortization of deferred financing costs and the portion of rental expense that we
believe is representative of the interest component of rent expense.
Includes the current portion of long-term debt.
Upon completion of the WhiteWave IPO (as defined in Note 2) on October 31, 2012, we owned an 86.7% economic
interest in WhiteWave. The sale was accounted for as an equity transaction in accordance with ASC 810 and no gain or
loss was recognized as we retained the controlling financial interest. The WhiteWave IPO increased our equity attributable
to non-controlling interest by $98.1 million in 2012 which represented the carrying value of the non-controlling interest.
Upon completion of the WhiteWave spin-off, we ceased to own a controlling financial interest in WhiteWave, and
WhiteWave’s results of operations were reclassified as discontinued operations for all periods presented herein. See Note
2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In connection with the WhiteWave spin-off, which was completed on May 23, 2013, we recorded a $617.1 million
reduction to additional paid-in-capital. The distribution was recorded through additional paid-in-capital rather than through
retained earnings, as we were in an accumulated deficit position at the time of the WhiteWave spin-off. See Note 2 to our
Consolidated Financial Statements.
21
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Business Overview
We are a leading food and beverage company and the largest processor and direct-to-store distributor of fresh fluid milk
and other dairy and dairy case products in the United States, with a vision to be the most admired and trusted provider of wholesome,
great-tasting dairy products at every occasion. We manufacture, market and distribute a wide variety of branded and private label
dairy case products, including fluid milk, ice cream, juice, tea, cultured dairy products, creamers, ice cream mix and other dairy
products to retailers, distributors, foodservice outlets, educational institutions and governmental entities across the United States.
Our consolidated net sales totaled $8.1 billion in 2015. Due to the perishable nature of our products, we deliver the majority of
our products directly to our customers' locations in refrigerated trucks or trailers that we own or lease. We believe that we have
one of the most extensive refrigerated DSD systems in the United States. We sell our products primarily on a local or regional
basis through our local and regional sales forces, although some national customer relationships are coordinated by a centralized
corporate sales department.
Our Reportable Segment
We have aligned our leadership team, operating strategy, and sales, logistics and supply chain initiatives into a single
operating and reportable segment. We completed the WhiteWave spin-off on May 23, 2013, and the sale of Morningstar closed
on January 3, 2013. As a result, WhiteWave and Morningstar operating results are presented as discontinued operations for all
periods presented and all intersegment sales between WhiteWave, Morningstar and us, previously recorded as intersegment sales
and eliminated in consolidation, are now third-party sales that, along with their related costs, are no longer eliminated in
consolidation. In addition, we combined the results of our business operations and the corporate items previously categorized as
“Corporate and Other” into a single reportable segment as further described below. See Notes 2 and 3 to our Consolidated Financial
Statements, respectively, for further information regarding the Morningstar sale, WhiteWave spin-off and our discontinued
operations.
Unless stated otherwise, any reference to income statement items in these financial statements refers to results from
continuing operations.
Recent Developments
See “Part I — Item 1. Business — Developments Since January 1, 2015” for further information regarding recent
developments that have impacted our financial condition and results of operations.
Matters Affecting Comparability
Our discussion of our financial condition and results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and
2013 will be affected by the matter summarized below.
We completed the WhiteWave spin-off on May 23, 2013 and the sale of Morningstar on January 3, 2013. As a result,
WhiteWave and Morningstar operating results are presented as discontinued operations and all intersegment sales between
WhiteWave, Morningstar and us, previously recorded as intersegment sales and eliminated in consolidation, are now third-party
sales that, along with their related costs, are no longer eliminated in consolidation. These changes had no impact on consolidated
net sales and operating income.
22
Results of Operations
Our key performance indicators are brand mix, achieving low cost and volume performance, which are reflected in gross
profit, operating income and net sales, respectively. We evaluate our financial performance based on sales and operating profit or
loss before gains and losses on the sale of businesses, facility closing and reorganization costs, asset impairment charges, litigation
settlements and other nonrecurring gains and losses. The following table presents certain information concerning our financial
results, including information presented as a percentage of net sales.
Net sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit(1)
Operating costs and expenses:
Selling and distribution
General and administrative
Amortization of intangibles
Facility closing and
reorganization costs
Litigation settlements
Impairment of intangible and
other long-lived assets
Other operating (income) loss
Total operating costs and
expenses
2015
2014
2013
Dollars
Percent
Dollars
Percent
Dollars
Percent
Year Ended December 31
(In millions)
$
8,121.7
100.0% $
9,503.2
100.0% $
9,016.3
100.0%
6,147.3
1,974.4
1,379.3
350.3
21.7
19.8
—
109.9
—
75.7
24.3
17.0
4.3
0.3
0.2
—
1.3
—
7,829.7
1,673.5
1,355.1
288.7
2.9
4.5
(2.5)
20.8
(4.5)
82.4
17.6
14.3
3.0
—
—
—
0.2
—
7,161.7
1,854.6
1,337.7
310.5
3.7
27.0
(1.0)
43.4
2.5
1,881.0
23.1
1,665.0
17.5
1,723.8
79.4
20.6
14.8
3.5
—
0.3
—
0.5
—
19.1
1.5%
Operating income
$
93.4
1.2% $
8.5
0.1% $
130.8
(1)
As disclosed in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, we include certain shipping and handling costs within
selling and distribution expense. As a result, our gross profit may not be comparable to other entities that present all
shipping and handling costs as a component of cost of sales.
Year Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2014
Net Sales — The change in net sales was due to the following:
Volume
Pricing and product mix changes
Total decrease
Year Ended
December 31,
2015 vs. 2014
(In millions)
$
$
(293.1)
(1,088.4)
(1,381.5)
Net sales — Net sales decreased $1.4 billion, or 14.5%, during the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the
year ended December 31, 2014 primarily due to decreased pricing, as a result of significant declines in dairy commodity costs
from year-ago levels. On average, during the year ended December 31, 2015, the Class I price was approximately 30% below
prior-year levels.
Net sales were further impacted by a 3.1% total sales volume decline across all products from year-ago levels. Volume
declines across our fluid milk business, which accounted for approximately 75% of our total sales volume, were primarily impacted
by choices we have made with respect to our rate realization strategy and channel dynamics, partially offset by an improving fluid
milk category. Across our other non-fluid milk products, year-over-year volume declines were largely offset by an increase of
approximately 4% in our ice cream volume performance.
23
The fluid milk category declined on a year-over-year basis; however, 2015 reflected the best category performance at
retail, with the smallest rate of decline, going back through at least 2011. Despite overall category improvement, our share of the
fluid milk category decreased in 2015 from 2014 as we executed our plans to improve net price realization. We remain diligent
in our efforts to secure volume with margins that reflect the level of service and quality we provide to our customers. Our balance
of category share and operational performance will continue to be a point of focus in 2016.
We generally increase or decrease the prices of our fluid dairy products on a monthly basis in correlation to fluctuations
in the costs of raw materials, packaging supplies and delivery costs. However, we continue to balance our product pricing with
the execution of our strategy to improve net price realization and, in some cases, we are subject to the terms of sales agreements
with respect to the means and/or timing of price increases. The following table sets forth the average monthly Class I “mover”
and its components, as well as the average monthly Class II minimum prices for raw skim milk and butterfat for 2015 compared
to 2014:
Class I mover(1)
Class I raw skim milk mover(1)(2)
Class I butterfat mover(2)(3)
Class II raw skim milk minimum(1)(4)
Class II butterfat minimum(3)(4)
Year Ended December 31*
2015
2014
% Change
$
16.34
$
8.91
2.21
7.69
2.30
23.29
15.57
2.36
15.53
2.39
(29.8)%
(42.8)%
(6.4)%
(50.5)%
(3.8)%
*
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
The prices noted in this table are not the prices that we actually pay. The federal order minimum prices applicable at any
given location for Class I raw skim milk or Class I butterfat are based on the Class I mover prices plus producer premiums
and a location differential. Class II prices noted in the table are federal minimum prices, applicable at all locations. Our
actual cost also includes procurement costs and other related charges that vary by location and supplier. Please see
“Part I — Item 1. Business — Government Regulation — Milk Industry Regulation” and “— Known Trends and
Uncertainties — Prices of Conventional Raw Milk and Other Inputs” below for a more complete description of raw milk
pricing.
Prices are per hundredweight.
We process Class I raw skim milk and butterfat into fluid milk products.
Prices are per pound.
We process Class II raw skim milk and butterfat into products such as cottage cheese, creams and creamers, ice cream
and sour cream.
Cost of Sales — All expenses incurred to bring a product to completion are included in cost of sales, such as raw material,
ingredient and packaging costs; labor costs; and plant and equipment costs. Cost of sales decreased 21.5% during the year ended
December 31, 2015 in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to decreased dairy commodity costs. In
addition, this decrease was due to our ongoing cost and efficiency initiatives and lower sales volumes.
Gross Profit — Gross profit percentage increased to 24.3% in 2015 compared to 17.6% in 2014. This increase was
primarily due to price adjustments for our private label products, pricing actions and the associated increased margin pool for our
branded products and the decline in dairy commodity costs. Increases to gross profit were partially offset by overall volume
declines discussed above.
Operating Costs and Expenses — Our operating expenses increased $216.0 million, or 13.0%, during the year ended
December 31, 2015 in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2014. Significant changes to operating costs and expenses in
the year ended December 31, 2015 include the following:
•
Selling and distribution costs increased by $24.2 million primarily due to higher advertising costs to support our
national brands and the distribution inefficiencies associated with delivering products back into areas surrounding
our closed facilities, as well as transitory costs associated with plant closures.
• General and administrative costs increased by $61.6 million primarily due to higher incentive-based compensation
associated with higher earnings for the full year of 2015 as compared to 2014, as well as other employee related
costs and professional services.
Impairment and incremental amortization of intangibles assets of $109.9 million and $18.6 million, respectively.
See Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
•
24
•
Facility closing and reorganization costs increased $15.3 million. See Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial
Statements.
• Other operating income decreased by $4.5 million, which is primarily attributable to income related to the final
settlement of certain liabilities associated with the prior disposition and closure of manufacturing facilities in 2014.
Other (Income) Expense — Other (income) expense increased by $45.8 million during the year ended December 31,
2015 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. This increase in expense was primarily due to the loss on early retirement
of long-term debt of $43.6 million recorded on the early retirement of our senior notes due 2016 and termination of our Old Credit
Facility (as defined below in Liquidity and Capital Resources), which occurred during the first quarter of 2015. Additionally,
interest expense increased $5.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the year ended December 31,
2014. This increase was primarily due to increased interest expense resulting from our longer-dated debt maturity profile, stemming
from the issuance of our 2023 Notes, the proceeds of which were used to pay down revolving debt borrowings and used to extinguish
our senior notes due 2016. See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding our debt
repayments.
Income Taxes — Income tax benefit was recorded at an effective rate of 39.3% for 2015 compared to a 61.4% effective
tax benefit rate in 2014. Generally, our effective tax rate varies primarily based on our profitability level and the relative earnings
of our business units. In 2014, our effective tax rate was also impacted by settlements of various taxing authority examinations
and several state tax law changes. Excluding these items, our effective tax benefit rate for the year ended December 31, 2014 was
36.4%.
Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013
Net Sales — The change in net sales was due to the following:
Volume
Pricing and product mix changes
Total increase
Year Ended
December 31,
2014 vs. 2013
(In millions)
$
$
(321.0)
807.9
486.9
Net sales — Net sales increased $486.9 million, or 5.4%, during the year ended December 31, 2014 versus the year ended
December 31, 2013 primarily due to increased pricing as a result of the pass-through of higher dairy commodity costs. On average,
during the year ended December 31, 2014, the Class I price was approximately 24% above prior-year levels. At these unprecedented
commodity levels, although our pricing pass-through mechanisms are highly efficient, we were unwilling to increase our branded
product prices commensurate with the higher cost of raw milk, which in turn has negatively impacted our net sales. Commodity-
driven sales increases were partially offset by a decrease in fluid milk volumes, which accounted for approximately 79% of our
total sales volume. Our fluid milk volume declines were driven by increasing softness in the fluid milk category, particularly
impacting our branded portfolio, as well as the loss of a portion of our private label business with a significant customer.
25
The following table sets forth the average monthly Class I “mover” and its components, as well as the average monthly
Class II minimum prices for raw skim milk and butterfat for 2014 compared to 2013:
Class I mover(1)
Class I raw skim milk mover(1)(2)
Class I butterfat mover(2)(3)
Class II raw skim milk minimum(1)(4)
Class II butterfat minimum(3)(4)
Year Ended December 31*
2014
2013
% Change
$
23.29
$
15.57
2.36
15.53
2.39
18.84
13.50
1.66
14.07
1.67
23.6%
15.3
42.2
10.4
43.1
*
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
The prices noted in this table are not the prices that we actually pay. The federal order minimum prices applicable at any
given location for Class I raw skim milk or Class I butterfat are based on the Class I mover prices plus producer premiums
and a location differential. Class II prices noted in the table are federal minimum prices, applicable at all locations. Our
actual cost also includes procurement costs and other related charges that vary by location and supplier. Please see
“Part I — Item 1. Business — Government Regulation — Milk Industry Regulation” and “— Known Trends and
Uncertainties — Prices of Conventional Raw Milk and Other Inputs” below for a more complete description of raw milk
pricing.
Prices are per hundredweight.
We process Class I raw skim milk and butterfat into fluid milk products.
Prices are per pound.
We process Class II raw skim milk and butterfat into products such as cottage cheese, creams and creamers, ice cream
and sour cream.
Cost of Sales — Cost of sales increased 9.3% in the year ended December 31, 2014 in comparison to the year ended
December 31, 2013. The increase in cost of sales year over year was primarily attributable to increased dairy commodity costs.
The Class I raw milk price was approximately 24% above prior-year levels. The increase was partially offset by lower sales volumes
and our cost and efficiency initiatives.
Gross Profit — Gross profit percentage decreased to 17.6% in 2014 as compared to 20.6% in 2013. The decline was
significantly impacted by the record-high dairy commodity costs environment in 2014. At the unprecedented commodity levels
experienced in 2014, although our pricing pass-through mechanisms are highly efficient, particularly for our branded products,
we were unwilling or unable to increase our product prices commensurate with the higher cost of raw milk, which in turn negatively
impacted our gross profit. In addition, despite the full impact of the lost volumes discussed above and the associated accelerated
facility closure activity during 2014 and 2013, production cost declines lagged the decline in sales volumes, resulting in higher
per unit costs and lower overall gross profit.
Operating Costs and Expenses — Our operating expenses decreased $58.8 million, or 3.4%, during the year ended
December 31, 2014 in comparison to the year ended December 31, 2013. Significant changes to operating costs and expenses
included the following:
•
• General and administrative costs decreased by $21.8 million primarily due to lower personnel-related costs, including
share-based and incentive compensation, as a result of operational performance that was below our targets and
headcount reductions.
Facility closing and reorganization costs decreased $22.5 million. See Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial
Statements.
Impairment of long-lived assets decreased $22.6 million. See Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Selling and distribution costs increased $17.3 million primarily due to cost inefficiencies related to plant closure
activity and higher personnel-related costs related to employee benefits, partially offset by the impact of lower sales
volumes.
•
•
• Other operating income increased by $7.0 million, which is primarily attributable to income related to the final
settlement of certain liabilities associated with the prior disposition and closure of manufacturing facilities in 2014.
26
Other (Income) Expense — Significant changes to other (income) expense during the year ended December 31, 2014 as
compared to the year ended December 31, 2013 include the following:
• Excluding the $63.4 million of non-cash interest expense related to $650 million notional amount of interest rate
swaps that we novated to WhiteWave and the $28.1 million charge recorded as a result of the January 3, 2013
termination of $1.0 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps, both of which were recorded during the year ended
December 31, 2013, interest expense decreased $48.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2014 from the
year ended December 31, 2013. This decrease was primarily the result of the tender offer on a portion of our higher
coupon senior notes due 2018 and 2016 completed during the fourth quarter of 2013. See Note 9 to our Consolidated
Financial Statements for further information regarding our debt repayments.
• As described more fully in Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, during the year ended December 31,
2013, we recorded a tax-free gain of $415.8 million related to the disposition of our investment in WhiteWave
common stock, which was completed on July 25, 2013.
Income Taxes — Income tax benefit was recorded at an effective rate of 61.4% for 2014 compared to a (14.9)% effective
tax rate in 2013. Generally, our effective tax rate varies primarily based on our profitability level and the relative earnings of our
business units. In 2014, our effective tax rate was also impacted by settlements of various taxing authority examinations and several
state tax law changes. Excluding these items, our effective tax benefit rate for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 36.4%.
Excluding the 2013 tax-free gain on the disposition of our investment in WhiteWave common stock as described above and in
Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, our effective tax benefit rate for the year ended December 31, 2013 was 31.9%.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
We believe that our cash on hand coupled with future cash flows from operations and other available sources of liquidity,
including our $450 million senior secured revolving credit facility and our $550 million receivables-backed facility, together will
provide sufficient liquidity to allow us to meet our cash requirements in the next twelve months. Our anticipated uses of cash
include capital expenditures; working capital; pension contributions; financial obligations and certain other costs that may be
necessary to execute our strategic plan. On an ongoing basis, we will evaluate and consider strategic acquisitions, divestitures,
joint ventures, or other transactions to create shareholder value and enhance financial performance. As discussed below, we have
also instituted a regular quarterly cash dividend policy and have repurchased shares of our common stock opportunistically.
Additionally, from time to time, we may repurchase our outstanding debt obligations in the open market or in privately negotiated
transactions. Such transactions may require cash expenditures or generate proceeds.
As of December 31, 2015, $10.7 million of our total cash on hand of $60.7 million was attributable to our foreign
operations. Although we may, from time to time, evaluate strategies and alternatives with respect to the cash attributable to our
foreign operations, we currently anticipate that this cash will remain in that foreign jurisdiction and it therefore would not be
available for immediate use; however, we believe that our existing sources of liquidity, as described more fully below, will enable
us to meet our cash requirements in the next twelve months.
At December 31, 2015, we had $842.4 million of outstanding debt obligations. We had total cash on hand of $60.7 million
and an additional $821.7 million of combined available future borrowing capacity under our senior secured revolving credit facility
and receivables-backed facility, subject to compliance with the covenants in our credit agreements. Based on our current
expectations, we believe our liquidity and capital resources will be sufficient to operate our business. However, we may, from
time to time, raise additional funds through borrowings or public or private sales of debt or equity securities. The amount, nature
and timing of any borrowings or sales of debt or equity securities will depend on our operating performance and other circumstances;
our then-current commitments and obligations; the amount, nature and timing of our capital requirements; any limitations imposed
by our current credit arrangements; and overall market conditions.
27
Strategic Activities Impacting Liquidity in 2015
Adoption of Cash Dividend Policy — In November 2013, we announced that our Board of Directors had adopted a cash
dividend policy. Under the policy, holders of our common stock will receive dividends when and as declared by our Board of
Directors. Pursuant to the policy, we paid quarterly dividends of $0.07 per share ($0.28 per share annually) in March, June,
September and December of 2014 and 2015. Beginning in 2015, all awards of restricted stock units and phantom stock awards
provide for cash DEUs, which vest in cash at the same time as the underlying award. Annual dividend payments totaled
approximately $26 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Stock Repurchases — Since 1998, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of our common stock up to an
aggregate of $2.38 billion (excluding fees and expenses), of which approximately $222.1 million remained available under this
program as of December 31, 2015. We repurchased 3,165,582 shares for $53 million during the year ended December 31, 2015,
and 1,727,275 shares for $25 million during the year ended December 31, 2014. Our management is authorized to purchase shares
from time to time through open market transactions at prevailing prices or in privately-negotiated transactions, subject to market
conditions and other factors. Shares, when repurchased, are retired. We will continue to evaluate opportunities for share repurchases
in a strategic manner as a mechanism for generating additional shareholder value.
Dean Foods Company Senior Notes due 2023 — On February 25, 2015, we issued $700 million in aggregate principal
amount of 6.50% 2023 Notes at an issue price of 100% of the principal amount of the 2023 Notes in a private placement for resale
to “qualified institutional buyers” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and in offshore transactions pursuant to
Regulation S under the Securities Act.
In connection with the issuance of the 2023 Notes, the Company paid certain arrangement fees of approximately $7.0
million to initial purchasers and other fees of approximately $1.8 million, which were capitalized and will be amortized to interest
expense over the remaining term of the 2023 Notes.
The 2023 Notes are senior unsecured obligations. Accordingly, the 2023 Notes rank equally in right of payment with all
of our existing and future senior obligations and are effectively subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future
secured obligations, including obligations under our senior secured revolving credit facility and receivables-backed facility, to the
extent of the value of the collateral securing such obligations. The 2023 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior
unsecured basis, jointly and severally, by our subsidiaries that guarantee obligations under the senior secured revolving credit
facility.
The 2023 Notes will mature on March 15, 2023 and bear interest at an annual rate of 6.50%. Interest on the 2023 Notes
accrues from February 25, 2015 and is payable semi-annually in arrears in March and September of each year, commencing
September 2015.
We may, at our option, redeem all or a portion of the 2023 Notes at any time on or after March 15, 2018 at the applicable
redemption prices specified in the indenture governing the 2023 Notes (the "Indenture"), plus any accrued and unpaid interest to,
but excluding, the applicable redemption date. We are also entitled to redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the
2023 Notes before March 15, 2018 with the net cash proceeds that we receive from certain equity offerings at a redemption price
equal to 106.5% of the principal amount of the 2023 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable
redemption date. In addition, prior to March 15, 2018, we may redeem all or a portion of the 2023 Notes, at a redemption price
equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus a “make-whole” premium and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but
excluding, the applicable redemption date.
If we undergo certain kinds of changes of control, holders of the 2023 Notes have the right to require us to repurchase
all or any portion of such holder’s 2023 Notes at 101% of the principal amount of the notes being repurchased, plus any accrued
and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of repurchase.
The Indenture contains covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to: (i) create certain liens; (ii) enter into sale
and lease-back transactions; (iii) assume, incur or guarantee indebtedness for borrowed money that is secured by a lien on certain
principal properties (or on any shares of capital stock of our subsidiaries that own such principal property) without securing the
2023 Notes on a pari passu basis; and (iv) consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell, transfer, convey or lease all or substantially
all of our properties and assets, taken as a whole, to another person.
We used the net proceeds from the 2023 Notes to redeem all of our outstanding senior unsecured notes due 2016, as
described below, and to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under our senior secured credit facility and receivables-
backed facility.
28
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility — In July 2013, we executed a credit agreement pursuant to which the lenders
provided us with a five-year senior secured revolving credit facility in the amount of up to $750 million (the "Old Credit Facility").
The Old Credit Facility was amended in June 2014 and further amended in August 2014.
In March 2015, we terminated the Old Credit Facility, replacing it with the new credit facility described below. As a result
of the termination, we recorded a write-off of unamortized debt issue costs of $5.3 million during the three months ended March 31,
2015. The write-off was recorded in the loss on early retirement of long-term debt line in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
In March 2015, we executed a new credit agreement pursuant to which the lenders have provided us with a five-year
senior secured revolving credit facility in the amount of up to $450 million. Under the Credit Agreement, we have the right to
request an increase of the aggregate commitments under the Credit Facility by up to $200 million without the consent of any
lenders not participating in such increase, subject to specified conditions. The Credit Facility is available for the issuance of up
to $75 million of letters of credit and up to $100 million of swing line loans. The Credit Facility will terminate in March 2020.
In connection with the execution of the Credit Agreement, we paid certain arrangement fees of approximately $4.8 million
to lenders and other fees of approximately $2.5 million, which were capitalized and will be amortized to interest expense over the
remaining term of the facility.
Loans outstanding under the Credit Facility will bear interest, at our option, at either (i) the LIBO Rate (as defined in the
Credit Agreement) plus a margin of between 2.25% and 2.75% (2.25% as of December 31, 2015) based on the Total Net Leverage
Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement), or (ii) the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus a margin of
between 1.25% and 1.75% (1.25% as of December 31, 2015) based on the Total Net Leverage Ratio.
We may make optional prepayments of the loans, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty (other than applicable
breakage costs). Subject to certain exceptions and conditions described in the Credit Agreement, we will be obligated to prepay
the Credit Facility, but without a corresponding commitment reduction, with the net cash proceeds of certain asset sales and with
casualty insurance proceeds. The Credit Facility is guaranteed by our existing and future domestic material restricted subsidiaries
(as defined in the Credit Agreement), which are substantially all of our wholly-owned U.S. subsidiaries other than the receivables-
backed securitization subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”).
The Credit Facility is secured by a first priority perfected security interest in substantially all of our assets and the assets
of the Guarantors, whether consisting of personal, tangible or intangible property, including a pledge of, and a perfected security
interest in, (i) all of the shares of capital stock of the Guarantors and (ii) 65% of the shares of capital stock of the Guarantor’s first-
tier foreign subsidiaries which are material restricted subsidiaries, in each case subject to certain exceptions as set forth in the
Credit Agreement. The collateral does not include, among other things, (a) any real property with an individual net book value
below $10 million, (b) the capital stock and any assets of any unrestricted subsidiary, (c) any capital stock of any direct or indirect
subsidiary of Dean Holding Company ("Legacy Dean") which owns any real property, or (d) receivables sold pursuant to the
receivables securitization facility.
The Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants, including, but not limited to
specified restrictions on indebtedness, liens, guarantee obligations, mergers, acquisitions, consolidations, liquidations and
dissolutions, sales of assets, leases, payment of dividends and other restricted payments, investments, loans and advances,
transactions with affiliates and sale and leaseback transactions. The Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default
and related cure provisions. We are required to comply with (a) a maximum senior secured net leverage ratio of 2.5 to 1.00 (which,
for purposes of calculating indebtedness, excludes borrowings under our receivables securitization facility); and (b) a minimum
consolidated interest coverage ratio of 2.25 to 1.00.
At December 31, 2015, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility. Our combined average daily
balance under both the Old Credit Facility and the Credit Facility during the year ended December 31, 2015 was $5.9 million.
There were no letters of credit issued under the Credit Facility as of December 31, 2015.
Receivables-Backed Facility — We have a $550 million receivables securitization facility pursuant to which certain of
our subsidiaries sell their accounts receivable to two wholly-owned entities intended to be bankruptcy-remote. The entities then
transfer the receivables to third-party asset-backed commercial paper conduits sponsored by major financial institutions. The assets
and liabilities of these two entities are fully reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the securitization is treated as a
borrowing for accounting purposes.
In March 2015, the receivables-backed facility was modified to, among other things, extend the liquidity termination
date from June 2017 to March 2018 and modify the interest coverage ratio and senior secured net leverage ratio requirements to
be consistent with those contained in the Credit Agreement described above.
29
In connection with the modification of the receivables-backed facility, we paid certain arrangement fees of approximately
$0.7 million to lenders, which were capitalized and will be amortized to interest expense over the remaining term of the facility.
Based on the monthly borrowing base formula, we had the ability to borrow up to $510.0 million of the total commitment
amount under the receivables-backed facility as of December 31, 2015. The total amount of receivables sold to these entities as
of December 31, 2015 was $590.1 million. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we borrowed $685.0 million and
subsequently repaid $920.0 million under the facility with no remaining drawn balance as of December 31, 2015. Excluding letters
of credit in the aggregate amount of $138.3 million, the remaining available borrowing capacity was $371.7 million at December 31,
2015. Our average daily balance under this facility during the year ended December 31, 2015 was $43.2 million. The receivables-
backed facility bears interest at a variable rate based upon commercial paper and one-month LIBO rates plus an applicable margin.
Dean Foods Company Senior Notes due 2016 — In March 2015, we redeemed the remaining $476.2 million principal
amount of our outstanding senior notes due 2016 at a total redemption price of approximately $521.8 million. As a result, we
recorded a $38.3 million pre-tax loss on early retirement of long-term debt in the first quarter of 2015, which consisted of debt
redemption premiums and unpaid interest of $37.3 million, a write-off of unamortized long-term debt issue costs of $0.8 million
and a write-off of the remaining bond discount and interest rate swaps of approximately $0.2 million. The loss was recorded in
the loss on early retirement of long-term debt line in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. The redemption was financed
with proceeds from the issuance of the 2023 Notes.
Facility Covenants — Our senior secured net leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, was zero times as of
December 31, 2015, against a financial covenant 2.50 times. As described in more detail in the Credit Agreement, the senior
secured net leverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of consolidated senior secured indebtedness, less cash up to $50 million to the
extent held by us and our restricted subsidiaries and less any borrowings under our receivables-backed facility, to consolidated
EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on the measurement date. Consolidated senior secured indebtedness
is comprised of our outstanding indebtedness and the outstanding indebtedness of certain of our subsidiaries, excluding our
unrestricted subsidiaries, that is secured by a lien on any our assets. Consolidated EBITDA is comprised of net income for us and
our restricted subsidiaries plus interest expense, taxes, depreciation and amortization expense and other non-cash expenses, and
certain other add-backs for non-recurring charges and other adjustments permitted in calculating covenant compliance under the
credit agreement, and is calculated on a pro-forma basis to give effect to any acquisitions, divestitures or relevant changes in our
composition or the composition of certain of our subsidiaries. In addition, the calculation of consolidated EBITDA may include
adjustments related to other charges reasonably acceptable to the administrative agent.
Our consolidated interest coverage ratio at December 31, 2015 was 6.78 times consolidated EBITDA to consolidated
interest expense for the prior four consecutive quarters, as defined in the Credit Agreement, against a financial covenant of 2.25
times. As described in more detail in the Credit Agreement and the purchase agreement governing our receivables-backed facility,
our interest coverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense for the period of
four consecutive fiscal quarters ended on the measurement date. Consolidated EBITDA is calculated as described above in the
discussion of our senior secured net leverage ratio. Consolidated interest expense is comprised of consolidated interest expense
paid or payable in cash by us and our restricted subsidiaries, as calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, but excluding write-offs or amortization of deferred financing fees and amounts paid on early termination of swap
agreements.
Our total net leverage ratio at December 31, 2015 was 1.92 times consolidated funded indebtedness to consolidated
EBITDA for the prior four consecutive quarters, as defined in the Credit Agreement. Although we do not have a financial covenant
tied to our total net leverage ratio, it is used in determining pricing. In addition, we have certain restrictions on our ability to make
restricted payments in the event our total net leverage ratio is in excess of 3.25 times.
As of February 17, 2016, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility or the receivables-backed facility,
excluding letters of credit in the aggregate amount $138.3 million, that were issued but undrawn.
We are currently in compliance with all financial covenants under our credit agreements.
30
Historical Cash Flow
The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the year ended
December 31, 2015 compared to year ended December 31, 2014:
Net cash flows from continuing operations:
Operating activities
Investing activities
Financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Operating Activities
Year Ended December 31
2015
2014
Change
(In thousands)
$
$
408,153
(146,247)
(215,896)
(1,638)
44,372
$
$
$
152,946
(121,792)
(29,888)
(1,666)
255,207
(24,455)
(186,008)
28
(400) $
44,772
Net cash provided by operating activities was $408.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to net
cash provided by operating activities of $152.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily driven
by strong operating results, as well as a reduced working capital investment on a 30% year-over-year decline in the Class I raw
milk price.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities increased by $24.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2015 in comparison
to the year ended December 31, 2014. Cash flows from investing activities during 2015 were impacted by lower proceeds from
the sale of fixed assets of $18.5 million compared to proceeds of $27.6 million in 2014. Additionally, capital expenditures were
$13.1 million higher during 2015 in comparison to 2014, primarily due to investments in ice cream related assets.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities increased $186.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2015 in comparison to the
year-ago period. This change was driven by net debt payments of $306.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared
to net proceeds from borrowings of $41.4 million in 2014. In addition, we made payments on the early retirement of long-term
debt of $513.5 million, offset by proceeds from the issuance of $700 million aggregate principal amount of the 2023 Notes. See
Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding our debt repayments. Additionally, this increase
was driven by $53 million of share repurchases during 2015, as compared to $25 million in 2014. See Note 11 for further information
regarding our 2015 share repurchases.
The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the year ended
December 31, 2014 compared to year ended December 31, 2013:
Net cash flows from continuing operations:
Operating activities
Investing activities
Financing activities
Discontinued operations
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
Year Ended December 31
2014
2013
Change
(In thousands)
$
$
$
152,946
(121,792)
(29,888)
—
(1,666)
(400) $
(330,727) $
(165,223)
(877,942)
1,365,996
1
(7,895) $
483,673
43,431
848,054
(1,365,996)
(1,667)
7,495
The Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2013, includes amounts related to
discontinued operations, which are primarily related to net proceeds of approximately $1.4 billion received from the sale of
Morningstar, completed on January 3, 2013 and the spin-off of WhiteWave, completed on May 23, 2013, both of which have been
31
reclassified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. See Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional
information regarding our discontinued operations.
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $152.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to net
cash used in operating activities of $330.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Cash flows used in continuing operations
during the year ended December 31, 2013 were significantly impacted by the following:
•
•
•
Payments of approximately $418 million related to our cash tax obligation on the sale of Morningstar;
Payment of approximately $21 million related to certain tax obligations that were recognized upon completion of
the WhiteWave spin-off;
Payment of $28 million related to the termination of our remaining interest rate hedges in January 2013; and
• Decrease of $132 million in accounts payable and accrued expenses related to the payout of our 2012 incentive plans.
Net cash provided by continuing operations during the year ended December 31, 2014 was impacted by the significant
decline in income (loss) from continuing operations versus the prior year.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities decreased by $43.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2014 in comparison
to the year ended December 31, 2013. Cash flows from investing activities during 2014 were positively impacted by proceeds
from the sale of fixed assets of $27.6 million compared to proceeds of $9.9 million in 2013. Additionally, capital expenditures
were $25.7 million lower during 2014 in comparison to 2013.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities decreased $848.1 million in the year ended December 31, 2014 in comparison to
the year-ago period. The change is primarily driven by net proceeds from debt borrowings of $17.6 million in 2014 compared to
net debt repayments of $839.9 million in 2013. See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further information
regarding our debt repayments. These declines were partially offset by approximately $26 million of dividend payments and $25
million of share repurchases during 2014. See Note 11 for further information regarding our 2014 dividend payments and share
repurchases.
Current Debt Obligations
Dean Foods Company Senior Notes due 2023 — On February 25, 2015, we issued $700 million in aggregate principal
amount of 6.50% 2023 Notes at an issue price of 100% of the principal amount of the 2023 Notes in a private placement for resale
to “qualified institutional buyers” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act and in offshore transactions pursuant to
Regulation S under the Securities Act.
The 2023 Notes are senior unsecured obligations. Accordingly, the 2023 Notes rank equally in right of payment with all
of our existing and future senior obligations and are effectively subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future
secured obligations, including obligations under our senior secured credit facility and receivables-backed facility, to the extent of
the value of the collateral securing such obligations. The 2023 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured
basis, jointly and severally, by our subsidiaries that guarantee obligations under the senior secured credit facility.
The 2023 Notes will mature on March 15, 2023 and bear interest at an annual rate of 6.50%. Interest on the 2023 Notes
will accrue from February 25, 2015 and is payable semi-annually in arrears in March and September of each year, commencing
September 2015.
Subsidiary Senior Notes due 2017 — Legacy Dean had certain senior notes outstanding at the time of its acquisition, of
which one series ($142 million aggregate principal amount) remains outstanding with a maturity date of October 15, 2017. The
carrying value of these notes at December 31, 2015 was $137.2 million at 6.90% interest. The indenture governing the Legacy
Dean senior notes does not contain financial covenants but does contain certain restrictions, including a prohibition against Legacy
Dean and its subsidiaries granting liens on certain of their real property interests and a prohibition against Legacy Dean granting
liens on the stock of its subsidiaries. The Legacy Dean senior notes are not guaranteed by Dean Foods Company or Legacy Dean’s
wholly-owned subsidiaries.
Standby Letter of Credit — In February 2012, in connection with a litigation settlement agreement we entered into with
the plaintiffs in the Tennessee dairy farmer actions, we issued a standby letter of credit in the amount of $80 million, representing
32
the approximate subsequent payments due under the terms of the settlement agreement. The total amount of the letter of credit
will decrease proportionately as we make each of the four installment payments. We made installment payments in June of 2013,
2014 and 2015. As of December 31, 2015, the letter of credit has been reduced to $18.9 million.
Contractual Obligations and Other Long-Term Liabilities
In the normal course of business, we enter into contracts and commitments that obligate us to make payments in the
future. The table below summarizes our obligations for indebtedness, purchase, lease and other contractual obligations at
December 31, 2015.
Dean Foods Company senior
notes due 2023(1)
Subsidiary senior notes(1)
Purchase obligations(2)
Operating Leases(3)
Capital leases(4)
Interest payments (5)
Benefit payments(6)
Litigation settlement(7)
Total(8)
Total
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Thereafter
Payments Due by Period
(in millions)
$
700.0
$
— $
— $
— $
— $
— $
700.0
142.0
1,239.0
300.2
5.6
363.7
366.1
—
583.0
77.2
1.6
61.3
21.9
142.0
254.5
64.8
1.2
59.3
22.2
—
160.0
56.8
1.2
48.5
22.4
—
97.9
45.5
1.2
47.6
22.6
—
24.0
30.5
0.4
46.5
22.9
—
119.6
25.4
—
100.5
254.1
18.9
$ 3,135.5
$
18.9
763.9
$
—
544.0
$
—
288.9
$
—
214.8
$
—
124.3
—
$ 1,199.6
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
Represents face amount.
Primarily represents commitments to purchase minimum quantities of raw materials used in our production processes,
including raw milk, diesel fuel, sugar and cocoa powder. We enter into these contracts from time to time to ensure a
sufficient supply of raw ingredients.
Represents future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases related to our distribution fleet,
corporate offices and certain of our manufacturing and distribution facilities. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial
Statements for more detail about our lease obligations.
Represents future payments under capital leases related to land and building for a manufacturing and distribution facility,
and information technology equipment. See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more detail about our
lease obligations.
Includes fixed rate interest obligations and interest on variable rate debt based on the rates in effect at December 31,
2015. Interest that may be due in the future on variable rate borrowings under the senior secured credit facility and
receivables-backed facility will vary based on the interest rate in effect at the time and the borrowings outstanding at the
time.
Represents expected future benefit obligations of $334.0 million and $32.1 million related to our company-sponsored
pension plans and postretirement healthcare plans, respectively. In addition to our company-sponsored plans, we
participate in certain multiemployer defined benefit plans. The cost of these plans is equal to the annual required
contributions determined in accordance with the provisions of negotiated collective bargaining arrangements. These costs
were approximately $29.9 million, $28.9 million and $29.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and
2013, respectively; however, the future cost of the multiemployer plans is dependent upon a number of factors, including
the funded status of the plans, the ability of other participating companies to meet ongoing funding obligations, and the
level of our ongoing participation in these plans. Because the amount of future contributions we would be contractually
obligated to make pursuant to these plans cannot be reasonably estimated, such amounts have been excluded from the
table above. See Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Represents future payment pursuant to an approved agreement to settle all claims in the previously disclosed Tennessee
dairy farmer actions. See "Current Debt Obligations - Standby Letter of Credit."
The table above excludes our liability for uncertain tax positions of $27.8 million because the timing of any related cash
payments cannot be reasonably estimated.
33
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Obligations
We offer pension benefits through various defined benefit pension plans and also offer certain health care and life insurance
benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents upon the retirement of such employees. Reported costs of providing
non-contributory defined pension benefits and other postretirement benefits are dependent upon numerous factors, assumptions
and estimates. For example, these costs are impacted by actual employee demographics (including age, compensation levels and
employment periods), the level of contributions made to the plan and earnings on plan assets. Pension and postretirement costs
also may be significantly affected by changes in key actuarial assumptions, including anticipated rates of return on plan assets
and the discount rates used in determining the projected benefit obligation and annual periodic pension costs. In 2015 and 2014,
we made contributions of $18.8 million and $14.3 million, respectively, to our defined benefit pension plans.
Our pension plan assets are primarily comprised of equity and fixed income investments. Changes made to the provisions
of the plan may impact current and future pension costs. Fluctuations in actual equity market returns, as well as changes in general
interest rates may result in increased or decreased pension costs in future periods. In accordance with Accounting Standards related
to “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions,” changes in obligations associated with these factors may not be immediately recognized
as pension costs on the income statement, but generally are recognized in future years over the remaining average service period
of plan participants. As such, significant portions of pension costs recorded in any period may not reflect the actual level of cash
benefits provided to plan participants. In 2015 and 2014, we recorded non-cash pension expense of $6.6 million and $4.7 million,
respectively, all of which was attributable to periodic expense.
Almost 90% of our defined benefit plan obligations are frozen as to future participation or increases in projected benefit
obligation. Many of these obligations were acquired in prior strategic transactions. As an alternative to defined benefit plans, we
offer defined contribution plans for eligible employees.
The weighted average discount rate reflects the rate at which our defined benefit plan obligations could be effectively
settled. The rate, which is updated annually with the assistance of an independent actuary, uses a model that reflects a bond yield
curve. The weighted average discount rate for our pension plan obligations was increased from 4.08% at December 31, 2014 to
4.52% at December 31, 2015. We expect that our net periodic benefit cost in 2016 will be higher than in 2015, primarily due to a
decrease in the expected rate of return on plan assets, offset by a decrease in the service and amortization cost components resulting
from the increase in discount rate.
Substantially all of our qualified pension plans are consolidated into one master trust. Our investment objectives are to
minimize the volatility of the value of our pension assets relative to our pension liabilities and to ensure assets are sufficient to
pay plan benefits. In 2014, we adopted a broad pension de-risking strategy intended to align the characteristics of our assets relative
to our liabilities. The strategy targets investments depending on the funded status of the obligation. We anticipate this strategy will
continue in future years and will be dependent upon market conditions and plan characteristics.
At December 31, 2015, our master trust was invested as follows: investments in equity securities were at 40%; investments
in fixed income were at 59%; cash equivalents were at 1% and other investments were less than 1%. We believe the allocation of
our master trust investments as of December 31, 2015 is generally consistent with the targets set forth by the Investment Committee.
See Notes 14 and 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding retirement plans and
other postretirement benefits.
Other Commitments and Contingencies
In 2001, in connection with our acquisition of Legacy Dean, we purchased Dairy Farmers of America’s (“DFA”) 33.8%
interest in our operations. In connection with that transaction, we issued a contingent, subordinated promissory note to DFA in
the original principal amount of $40 million. The promissory note has a 20-year term and bears interest based on the consumer
price index. Interest will not be paid in cash but will be added to the principal amount of the note annually, up to a maximum
principal amount of $96 million. We may prepay the note in whole or in part at any time, without penalty. The note will only
become payable if we materially breach or terminate one of our related milk supply agreements with DFA without renewal or
replacement. Otherwise, the note will expire in 2021, without any obligation to pay any portion of the principal or interest. Payments
made under the note, if any, would be expensed as incurred. We have not terminated, and we have not materially breached, any
of our related milk supply agreements with DFA related to the promissory note. We have previously terminated unrelated supply
agreements with respect to several plants that were supplied by DFA. In connection with our continued focus on cost control and
increased supply chain efficiency, we continue to evaluate our sources of raw milk supply.
34
We also have the following commitments and contingent liabilities, in addition to contingent liabilities related to ordinary
course litigation, investigations and audits:
•
•
•
certain indemnification obligations related to businesses that we have divested;
certain lease obligations, which require us to guarantee the minimum value of the leased asset at the end of the lease;
selected levels of property and casualty risks, primarily related to employee health care, workers’ compensation
claims and other casualty losses; and
•
certain litigation-related contingencies.
See Note 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about our commitments and contingent
obligations.
Future Capital Requirements
During 2016, we intend to invest a total of approximately $160 million in capital expenditures, primarily for our existing
manufacturing facilities and in support of our strategic initiatives. We expect cash interest to be approximately $60 million to
$62 million based upon current debt levels and projected forward interest rates under our senior secured credit facility. Cash interest
excludes amortization of deferred financing fees and bond discounts of approximately $6 million and imputed interest of less than
$1 million related to the Tennessee dairy farmer litigation settlement.
At December 31, 2015, $371.7 million was available under the receivables-backed facility, with $450 million also
available under the senior secured revolving credit facility, subject to compliance with the covenants in our credit agreements.
Availability under the receivables-backed facility is calculated using the current receivables balance for the seller entities, less
adjustments for vendor concentration limits, reserve requirements and other adjustments as described in our amended and restated
receivables purchase agreement, not to exceed the total commitment amount less current borrowings and outstanding letters of
credit. Availability under the senior secured revolving credit facility is calculated using the total commitment amount less current
borrowings and outstanding letters of credit. At February 17, 2016, approximately $792.0 million, subject to compliance with the
covenants in our credit agreements, was available to finance working capital and for other general corporate purposes under our
credit facilities.
35
Known Trends and Uncertainties
Prices of Conventional Raw Milk and Other Inputs
Conventional Raw Milk and Butterfat— The primary raw materials used in the products we manufacture, distribute and
sell are conventional milk (which contains both raw milk and butterfat) and bulk cream. On a monthly basis, the federal government
and certain state governments set minimum prices for raw milk. The regulated minimum prices differ based on how the raw milk
is utilized. Raw milk processed into fluid milk is priced at the Class I price and raw milk processed into products such as cottage
cheese, creams and creamers, ice cream and sour cream is priced at the Class II price. Generally, we pay the federal minimum
prices for raw milk, plus certain producer premiums (or “over-order” premiums) and location differentials. We also incur other
raw milk procurement costs in some locations (such as hauling, field personnel, etc.). A change in the federal minimum price does
not necessarily mean an identical change in our total raw milk costs as over-order premiums may increase or decrease. This
relationship is different in every region of the country and can sometimes differ within a region based on supplier arrangements.
However, in general, the overall change in our raw milk costs can be linked to the change in federal minimum prices. Because
our Class II products typically have a higher fat content than that contained in raw milk, we also purchase bulk cream for use in
some of our Class II products. Bulk cream is typically purchased based on a multiple of the Grade AA butter price on the Chicago
Mercantile Exchange.
Prices for conventional raw milk for the year ended December 31, 2015 were approximately 30% lower than year-ago
levels. Based on supply and demand factors, we expect a relatively benign dairy commodity environment over the shorter-term.
With regards to the dairy commodity outlook, in the first quarter of 2016, we believe that Class I raw milk costs will be down
sequentially from the fourth quarter of 2015 by approximately 11%. Given the multitude of factors that influence the dairy
commodity environment, we acknowledge the potential for future volatility.
Fuel and Resin Costs — We purchase diesel fuel to operate our extensive DSD system, and we incur fuel surcharge
expense related to the products we deliver through third-party carriers. Although we may utilize forward purchase contracts and
other instruments to mitigate the risks related to commodity price fluctuations, such strategies do not fully mitigate commodity
price risk. Adverse movements in commodity prices over the terms of the contracts or instruments could decrease the economic
benefits we derive from these strategies.
Another significant raw material we use is resin, which is a fossil fuel based product used to make plastic bottles. The
prices of diesel and resin are subject to fluctuations based on changes in crude oil and natural gas prices. For 2016, we expect our
fuel and resin costs to be lower than the prior year.
Volume Performance
For the year ended December, 31, 2015 our total sales volume declined 3.1% across all products from year-ago levels.
Volume declines across our fluid milk business, which accounted for approximately 75% of our total sales volume, were primarily
impacted by choices we have made with respect to our rate realization strategy and channel dynamics, partially offset by an
improving product category. Across our other non-fluid milk product categories, year-over-year volume declines were largely
offset by an increase of approximately 4% in our ice cream volume performance.
The fluid milk category declined on a year-over-year basis; however, 2015 reflected strong category performance and
shows an improvement in the health of the fluid milk category. This marks the best category performance at retail going back
through at least 2011. Despite overall category improvement, our share of the fluid milk category took a modest step down during
2015 as we executed our plans to improve net price realization. For the first quarter or 2016, on a year-over-year basis, we expect
total volumes to decline low-single digits with one additional selling day due to leap year.
In terms of our branded versus private label white milk mix, branded white milk volumes for the year ended December
31, 2015 averaged approximately 34.8%, an increase of approximately 30 basis points on a year-over-year basis. Our branded
white milk mix includes DairyPure® and all of our other national, regional and local brands, all of which have varying economics
across different channels and geographies. With our continued focus on rate realization, we experienced increased profitability in
our branded white milk portfolio, despite our fluid milk volume decline. Pricing architecture decisions for our branded white milk
products will continue. We are taking a balanced approach to managing volume, margin and price realization as we focus on
sustaining long-term growth. Balancing share and price realization will continue to be a focus in 2016.
Tax Rate
Income tax benefit was recorded at an effective rate of 39.3% in 2015 compared to a 61.4% effective tax benefit rate in
2014. Changes in our profitability levels and the relative earnings of our business units, as well as changes to federal, state and
foreign tax laws, may cause our tax rate to differ from historical rates.
36
Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
In certain circumstances, the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires us to use our
judgment to make certain estimates and assumptions. These estimates affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at
the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting period. Our senior management has discussed the
development and selection of these critical accounting policies, as well as our significant accounting policies (see Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements), with the
Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. The following accounting policies are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results,
and the estimates they involve require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments.
Estimate Description
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Our goodwill and intangible assets result primarily from
acquisitions and primarily include trademarks with finite
lives and customer-related intangible assets.
Goodwill is evaluated for impairment annually and on an
interim basis when circumstances arise that indicate a
possible impairment to ensure that the carrying value is
recoverable. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment if we
determine that it is more likely than not that the book value
of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value.
intangible assets are evaluated
Amortizable
for
impairment upon a significant change in the operating
environment or whenever circumstances indicate that the
carrying value may not be recoverable. If an evaluation
of the undiscounted cash flows indicates impairment, the
asset is written down to its estimated fair value, which is
generally based on discounted future cash flows.
Our goodwill and intangible assets totaled $197.8 million
as of December 31, 2015.
Judgment and/or Uncertainty
Considerable management judgment is necessary to
initially value intangible assets upon acquisition and to
evaluate those assets and goodwill for impairment going
forward. We determine fair value using widely acceptable
valuation techniques including discounted cash flows,
market multiples analyses and relief from royalty
analyses.
Assumptions used in our valuations, such as forecasted
growth rates and our cost of capital, are consistent with
our internal projections and operating plans.
Trademarks are amortized over their expected useful
lives. Determining the expected life of a trademark
requires considerable management judgment and is based
on an evaluation of a number of factors including the
competitive environment,
trademark history and
anticipated future trademark support.
Potential Impact if Results Differ
We believe that the assumptions used in valuing our
intangible assets and in our impairment analysis are
reasonable, but variations in any of the assumptions may
result in different calculations of fair values that could
result in a material impairment charge.
We performed a step one valuation of goodwill in 2014.
Results of our valuation indicated the fair value of our
reporting unit exceeded
the carrying value by
approximately $288 million or 16.2%. In 2015, a
qualitative assessment of goodwill was performed for our
reporting unit. We assessed economic conditions and
industry and market considerations, in addition to the
overall financial performance of the reporting unit. Based
on the results of our assessment, we determined that it
was not more likely than not that the reporting unit had a
carrying value in excess of its fair value.
the
During the first quarter of 2015, we approved the launch
of DairyPure®, our fresh white milk national brand. In
launch of
the approval of
connection with
DairyPure®, we reclassified our previously identified
indefinite lived trademarks to finite lived, resulting in a
triggering event for impairment testing purposes. Based
upon our analysis, we recorded a non-cash impairment
charge of $109.9 million and related income tax benefit
of $41.2 million in the first quarter of 2015. The remaining
balance for these trademarks is currently being amortized
on a straight-line basis over the next five years, which is
our estimate of the remaining useful life of these assets.
We can provide no assurance that we will not have
additional impairment charges in future periods as a result
of changes in our operating results or our assumptions.
37
Estimate Description
Property, Plant and Equipment
We perform impairment tests when circumstances
indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
Indicators of impairment could include significant
changes in business environment or planned closure of a
facility.
As a result of certain changes to our business and plans
for consolidating our production network, during the year
ended December 31, 2015, we evaluated the impact that
we expected these changes to have on our projected future
cash flows. The results of our analysis indicated no
impairment of our plant, property and equipment, outside
of facility closing and reorganization costs, of which we
recognized $10.5 million of impairment charges during
the year ended December 31, 2015.
Our property, plant and equipment totaled $1.2 billion as
of December 31, 2015.
Judgment and/or Uncertainty
Considerable management judgment is necessary to
evaluate the impact of operating changes and to estimate
future cash flows for purposes of determining whether an
asset group needs to be tested for recoverability. The
testing of an asset group for recoverability involves
assumptions regarding the future cash flows of the asset
group (which often includes consideration of a probability
weighting of estimated future cash flows), the growth rate
of those cash flows, and the remaining useful life over
which the asset group is expected to generate cash flows.
In the event we determine an asset group is not
recoverable, the measurement of an estimated impairment
loss involves a number of management judgments,
including the selection of an appropriate discount rate,
and estimates regarding the cash flows that would
ultimately be realized upon liquidation of the asset group.
Potential Impact if Results Differ
If actual results are not consistent with our estimates and
assumptions used to calculate estimated future cash flows
or the proceeds expected to be realized upon liquidation,
we may be exposed to impairment losses that could be
material. Additionally, we can provide no assurance that
we will not have additional impairment charges in future
periods as a result of changes in our operating results or
our assumptions.
38
Estimate Description
Insurance Accruals
We retain selected levels of employee health care,
property and casualty risks, primarily related to employee
health care, workers’ compensation claims and other
casualty losses. Many of these potential losses are covered
under conventional insurance programs with third-party
carriers with high deductible limits. In other areas, we are
self-insured.
At December 31, 2015, we recorded accrued liabilities
related to these retained risks of $163.9 million, including
both current and long-term liabilities.
Income Taxes
A liability for uncertain tax positions is recorded to the
extent a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax
return does not meet certain recognition or measurement
criteria. A valuation allowance is recorded against a
deferred tax asset if it is not more likely than not that the
asset will be realized.
At December 31, 2015, our liability for uncertain tax
positions, including accrued interest, was $27.8 million,
and our valuation allowance was $11.0 million.
Estimate Description
Employee Benefit Plans
We provide a range of benefits including pension and
postretirement benefits to our eligible employees and
retirees.
Judgment and/or Uncertainty
Accrued liabilities related to these retained risks are
calculated based upon loss development factors, which
contemplate a number of variables including claims
history and expected trends. These loss development
factors are developed by us in consultation with external
actuaries.
Potential Impact if Results Differ
If actual results differ from our assumptions, we could be
exposed to material gains or losses.
A 10% change in our insurance liabilities could affect net
earnings by approximately $10.0 million.
Our judgments and estimates concerning uncertain tax
positions may change as a result of evaluation of new
information, such as the outcome of tax audits or changes
to or further interpretations of tax laws and regulations.
Our judgments and estimates concerning realizability of
deferred tax assets could change if any of the evaluation
factors change.
If such changes take place, there is a risk that our effective
tax rate could increase or decrease in any period,
impacting our net earnings.
Potential Impact if Results Differ
Different assumptions could result in the recognition of
different amounts of expense over different periods of
time.
A 0.25% reduction in the assumed rate of return on plan
assets or a 0.25% reduction in the discount rate would
each result in an increase in our annual pension expense
of $0.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively.
A 1% increase in assumed healthcare costs trends would
increase the aggregate postretirement medical obligation
by approximately $3.2 million.
the
inherent uncertainties
Considerable management judgment is necessary to
assess
the
interpretations of complex tax laws, regulations and
taxing authority rulings, as well as to the expiration of
statutes of limitations in the jurisdictions in which we
operate.
related
to
Additionally, several factors are considered in evaluating
the realizability of our deferred tax assets, including the
remaining years available for carry forward, the tax laws
for the applicable jurisdictions, the future profitability of
the specific business units, and tax planning strategies.
Judgment and/or Uncertainty
We record annual amounts relating to these plans, which
include various actuarial assumptions, such as discount
rates, assumed investment rates of return, compensation
increases, employee turnover rates and health care cost
trend rates. We review our actuarial assumptions on an
annual basis and make modifications to the assumptions
based on current rates and trends when it is deemed
appropriate. The effect of the modifications is generally
recorded and amortized over future periods.
39
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We are exposed to commodity price fluctuations, including milk, butterfat, sweeteners and other commodity costs used
in the manufacturing, packaging and distribution of our products, including utilities, natural gas, resin and diesel fuel. To secure
adequate supplies of materials and bring greater stability to the cost of ingredients and their related manufacturing, packaging and
distribution, we routinely enter into forward purchase contracts and other purchase arrangements with suppliers. Under the forward
purchase contracts, we commit to purchasing agreed-upon quantities of ingredients and commodities at agreed-upon prices at
specified future dates. The outstanding purchase commitment for these commodities at any point in time typically ranges from
one month’s to one year’s anticipated requirements, depending on the ingredient or commodity. These contracts are considered
normal purchases. In addition to entering into forward purchase contracts, from time to time we may purchase over-the-counter
contracts with our qualified banking partners or exchange-traded commodity futures contracts for raw materials that are ingredients
of our products or components of such ingredients.
As discussed in Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, effective January 1, 2014, we de-designated all open
derivative positions that were previously designated as cash flow hedges. All commodities contracts are now marked to market
in our income statement at each reporting period and a derivative asset or liability is recorded on our balance sheet. Our open
commodity derivatives recorded at fair value on our balance sheet were at a net liability position of $10.4 million as of December 31,
2015.
Although we may utilize forward purchase contracts and other instruments to mitigate the risks related to commodity
price fluctuation, such strategies do not fully mitigate commodity price risk. Adverse movements in commodity prices over the
terms of the contracts or instruments could decrease the economic benefits we derive from these strategies. See Note 10 of our
Consolidated Financial Statements.
40
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Our Consolidated Financial Statements for 2015 are included in this report on the following pages.
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and
2013
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
2. WhiteWave Spin-Off Transaction and Disposition of Remaining Ownership of WhiteWave Common Stock
3. Discontinued Operations and Divestitures
4. Inventories
5. Property, Plant and Equipment
6. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
7. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
8. Income Taxes
9. Debt
10. Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements
11. Common Stock and Share-Based Compensation
12. Earnings (Loss) per Share
13. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
14. Employee Retirement and Profit Sharing Plans
15. Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions
16. Asset Impairment Charges and Facility Closing and Reorganization Costs
17. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
18. Commitments and Contingencies
19. Segment, Geographic and Customer Information
20. Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited)
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Page
F-1
F-2
F-3
F-4
F-5
F-6
F-6
F-9
F-10
F-11
F-12
F-12
F-14
F-14
F-17
F-20
F-22
F-27
F-27
F-28
F-35
F-37
F-38
F-38
F-41
F-42
F-44
41
DEAN FOODS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Current assets:
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Receivables, net of allowance of $13,960 and $14,850
Income tax receivable
Inventories
Deferred income taxes
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Total current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net
Goodwill
Identifiable intangible and other assets, net
Deferred income taxes
Total
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Current portion of debt
Current portion of litigation settlements
Total current liabilities
Long-term debt
Deferred income taxes
Other long-term liabilities
Long-term litigation settlements
Commitments and contingencies (Note 18)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, none issued
Common stock 91,428,274 and 94,080,840 shares issued and outstanding, with a
par value of $0.01 per share
Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated deficit
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Total stockholders’ equity
Total
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
December 31
2015
2014
(Dollars in thousands,
except share data)
$
$
$
60,734
653,156
7,985
253,326
54,735
47,627
1,077,563
1,174,137
86,841
158,088
31,386
2,528,015
741,988
1,493
18,414
761,895
840,932
106,820
272,864
—
16,362
747,630
64,443
251,831
50,362
49,432
1,180,060
1,172,596
86,841
294,724
35,415
2,769,636
774,900
698
18,853
794,451
916,481
137,944
276,318
17,124
—
—
914
679,916
(49,523)
(85,803)
545,504
2,528,015
$
941
752,375
(41,015)
(84,983)
627,318
2,769,636
$
$
$
$
F-1
DEAN FOODS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Net sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Operating costs and expenses:
Selling and distribution
General and administrative
Amortization of intangibles
Facility closing and reorganization costs
Litigation settlements
Impairment of intangible and long-lived assets
Other operating (income) loss
Total operating costs and expenses
Operating income
Other (income) expense:
Interest expense
Loss on early retirement of long-term debt
Gain on disposition of WhiteWave common stock
Other income, net
Total other (income) expense
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
Income tax benefit
Income (loss) from continuing operations
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax
Net income (loss)
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest in discontinued
operations
Net income (loss) attributable to Dean Foods Company
Average common shares:
Basic
Diluted
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Dean Foods
Company
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Dean Foods
Company
Net income (loss) attributable to Dean Foods Company
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Dean Foods
Company
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Dean Foods
Company
Net income (loss) attributable to Dean Foods Company
Cash dividend declared per common share
$
$
$
$
$
$
Year Ended December 31
2015
2014
2013
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
$
$
8,121,661
6,147,252
1,974,409
$
9,503,196
7,829,733
1,673,463
9,016,321
7,161,734
1,854,587
1,379,317
350,324
21,653
19,844
—
109,910
—
1,881,048
93,361
66,813
43,609
—
(3,751)
106,671
(13,310)
(5,229)
(8,081)
(1,095)
668
(8,508)
1,355,053
288,744
2,889
4,460
(2,521)
20,820
(4,535)
1,664,910
8,553
61,019
1,437
—
(1,620)
60,836
(52,283)
(32,096)
(20,187)
(652)
543
(20,296)
1,337,745
310,453
3,669
27,008
(1,019)
43,441
2,494
1,723,791
130,796
200,558
63,387
(415,783)
(400)
(152,238)
283,034
(42,325)
325,359
2,803
491,195
819,357
—
(8,508) $
—
(20,296) $
(6,179)
813,178
93,298,467
93,298,467
93,916,656
93,916,656
93,785,611
94,796,236
(0.09) $
(0.22) $
—
(0.09) $
—
(0.22) $
(0.09) $
(0.22) $
—
(0.09) $
$
0.28
—
(0.22) $
$
0.28
3.47
5.20
8.67
3.43
5.15
8.58
—
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-2
DEAN FOODS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Net income (loss)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Cumulative translation adjustment
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net of tax:
Change in fair value of derivative instruments
Less: reclassification adjustments for losses included in net income
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of
tax:
Prior service costs arising during the period
Net gain (loss) arising during the period
Less: amortization of prior service cost included in net periodic
benefit cost
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities
Less: Reclassifications to income statement related to disposition
of available-for-sale securities
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Comprehensive income (loss)
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Dean Foods Company
$
Year Ended December 31
2015
2014
2013
(in thousands)
$
(8,508) $
(20,296) $
819,357
(1,333)
(802)
(10,791)
(87)
—
(116)
(220)
(81)
58,784
(43)
(5,036)
(659)
(30,159)
—
37,621
5,679
4,163
9,452
—
—
415,783
—
(820)
(9,328)
—
(9,328) $
—
(27,793)
(48,089)
—
(48,089) $
(415,783)
94,985
914,342
4,795
909,547
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-3
DEAN FOODS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Dean Foods Company Stockholders
Common Stock
Shares
Amount
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
Retained
Earnings
(Accumulated
Deficit)
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Non-
controlling
Interest
Total
Stockholders’
Equity (Deficit)
Balance, January 1, 2013
Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of share-based compensation
Share-based compensation expense
Share-based compensation expense for former subsidiary shares
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest
Net income attributable to Dean Foods Company
Other comprehensive income (loss) (Note 13):
Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax benefit of $21
Amounts reclassified to statement of operations related to hedging activities, net of tax of $37,017
Cumulative translation adjustment
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax of $29,474
Spin-Off of The WhiteWave Foods Company
Balance, December 31, 2013
Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of share-based compensation
Share-based compensation expense
Share repurchases
Dividends
Net loss attributable to Dean Foods Company
Other comprehensive income (loss) (Note 13):
Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax benefit of $41
Amounts reclassified to statement of operations related to hedging activities, net of tax benefit of
$139
Cumulative translation adjustment
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax benefit of $16,073
Balance, December 31, 2014
Issuance of common stock, net of tax impact of share-based compensation
Share-based compensation expense
Share repurchases
Dividends
Net loss attributable to Dean Foods Company
Other comprehensive income (loss) (Note 13):
Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax benefit of $54
Cumulative translation adjustment
Pension and other postretirement benefit liability adjustment, net of tax of $394
Balance, December 31, 2015
92,781,767
2,049,610
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
94,831,377
976,738
—
(1,727,275)
—
—
—
—
—
—
94,080,840
513,016
—
(3,165,582)
—
—
—
—
—
91,428,274
$
$
$
$
928
20
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
948
10
—
(17)
—
—
—
—
—
—
941
5
—
(32)
—
—
—
—
—
914
$ 1,376,740
19,900
11,718
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(617,082)
791,276
7,758
4,556
(24,983)
(26,232)
—
—
—
—
—
752,375
(1,673)
8,488
(52,978)
(26,296)
—
—
—
—
679,916
$
$
$
$ (833,897) $ (186,584) $
—
—
—
—
813,178
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(91)
58,784
(9,393)
47,069
33,025
$
102,441
—
—
7,733
6,179
—
10
—
(1,398)
4
(114,969)
$
(20,719) $
—
—
(57,190) $
—
—
— $
—
—
—
(20,296)
—
—
—
—
(116)
(220)
—
—
(41,015) $
—
—
(802)
(26,655)
(84,983) $
—
—
—
(8,508)
—
—
—
—
—
(49,523) $
(87)
(1,333)
600
(85,803) $
$
$
—
—
—
—
—
—
— $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
— $
459,628
19,920
11,718
7,733
6,179
813,178
(81)
58,784
(10,791)
47,073
(699,026)
714,315
7,768
4,556
(25,000)
(26,232)
(20,296)
(116)
(220)
(802)
(26,655)
627,318
(1,668)
8,488
(53,010)
(26,296)
(8,508)
(87)
(1,333)
600
545,504
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-4
DEAN FOODS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
2015
Year Ended December 31
2014
(In thousands)
2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)
(Income) loss from discontinued operations
Gain on sale of discontinued operations
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
$
(8,508) $
1,095
(668)
(20,296) $
652
(543)
Depreciation and amortization
Share-based compensation expense
(Gain) loss on divestitures and other, net
Write-off of financing costs
Impairment of intangible and long-lived assets
Loss on early retirement of debt
Gain on disposition of WhiteWave common stock
Recognition of accumulated losses from de-designated cash flow hedges
Deferred income taxes
Obligations under litigation settlement
Other, net
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables, net
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Termination of interest rate swap liability
Income taxes receivable/payable
Litigation settlements
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities — continuing
operations
Net cash provided by operating activities — discontinued operations
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
Other
Net cash used in investing activities — continuing operations
Net cash provided by investing activities — discontinued operations
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of debt
Early retirement of debt
Premiums paid on early retirement of debt
Proceeds from senior secured revolver
Payments for senior secured revolver
Proceeds from receivables-backed facility
Payments for receivables-backed facility
Proceeds from short-term credit facility
Payments for short-term credit facility
Proceeds from issuance of 2023 notes
Common stock repurchases
Cash dividends paid
Payments of financing costs
Issuance of common stock, net of share repurchases for withholding taxes
Tax savings on share-based compensation
Net cash used in financing activities — continuing operations
Net cash used in financing activities — discontinued operations
Net cash used in financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
Significant non-cash activities:
Disposition of retained investment in WhiteWave common stock
$
176,884
16,377
2,736
—
109,910
43,609
—
—
(34,359)
—
9,225
94,279
(1,495)
8,148
(46,524)
—
56,297
(18,853)
408,153
—
408,153
(162,542)
18,495
(2,200)
(146,247)
—
(146,247)
(1,416)
(476,188)
(37,309)
360,670
(430,971)
685,000
(920,000)
—
—
700,000
(53,010)
(26,182)
(16,816)
(16)
342
(215,896)
—
(215,896)
(1,638)
44,372
16,362
60,734
164,297
12,276
(7,549)
—
20,820
1,437
—
—
62,927
(2,521)
7,954
3,369
11,237
7,849
(41,253)
—
(49,105)
(18,605)
152,946
—
152,946
(149,421)
27,629
—
(121,792)
—
(121,792)
(668)
(23,812)
(1,161)
2,277,297
(2,257,246)
2,656,000
(2,634,000)
—
—
—
(25,000)
(26,232)
(3,287)
7,861
360
(29,888)
—
(29,888)
(1,666)
(400)
16,762
16,362
$
$
819,357
(2,803)
(491,195)
173,829
19,289
(705)
6,791
43,441
63,387
(415,783)
63,454
10,765
—
1,557
22,192
(657)
(5,653)
(131,766)
(28,147)
(459,708)
(18,372)
(330,727)
14,086
(316,641)
(175,163)
9,940
—
(165,223)
1,403,494
1,238,271
(1,027,416)
(400,000)
(57,243)
1,043,700
(1,258,450)
908,000
(695,000)
626,750
(37,521)
—
—
—
(6,197)
23,481
1,954
(877,942)
(51,584)
(929,526)
1
(7,895)
24,657
16,762
—
—
589,229
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-5
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
1.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Our Business — We are a leading food and beverage company and the largest processor and direct-to-store
distributor of milk and other dairy and dairy case products in the United States. We have aligned our leadership teams, operating
strategies and supply chain initiatives under a single operating and reportable segment. We process and distribute fluid milk and
other dairy products, including ice cream, ice cream mix and cultured products, which are marketed under more than 50 local and
regional dairy brands and a wide array of private labels. We also produce and distribute DairyPure®, our national white milk brand,
and TruMoo®, which is our nationally branded, reformulated flavored milk, as well as juices, teas, bottled water and other products.
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation — Our Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with U.S.
generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of our wholly-owned subsidiaries.
Beginning in the first quarter of 2013, we combined the results of our business operations and the corporate items
previously categorized as “Corporate and Other” into a single reportable segment, as all of our corporate activities now directly
support our ongoing dairy operations. This change reflects the manner in which our Chief Executive Officer, who is our chief
operating decision maker, determines strategy and investment plans for our business.
Unless otherwise indicated, references in this report to “we,” “us” or “our” refer to Dean Foods Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
Use of Estimates — The preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to
use our judgment to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of net sales and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Cash Equivalents — We consider temporary investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash
equivalents.
Inventories — Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Our products are valued using the first-in, first-out
method. The costs of finished goods inventories include raw materials, direct labor and indirect production and overhead costs.
Reserves for obsolete or excess inventory are not material.
Property, Plant and Equipment — Property, plant and equipment are stated at acquisition cost, plus capitalized interest
on borrowings during the actual construction period of major capital projects. Also included in property, plant and equipment are
certain direct costs related to the implementation of computer software for internal use. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-
line method typically over the following range of estimated useful lives of the assets:
Asset
Buildings
Machinery and equipment
Leasehold improvements
Useful Life
15 to 40 years
3 to 20 years
Over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the
terms of the applicable lease agreements
We test property, plant and equipment for impairment when circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be
recoverable. Indicators of impairment could include significant changes in business environment or the planned closure of a facility.
Considerable management judgment is necessary to evaluate the impact of operating changes and to estimate future cash flows.
See Note 16. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance which do not improve or extend the life of the assets are expensed as
incurred.
F-6
Goodwill and Intangible Assets — Identifiable intangible assets, other than indefinite-lived trademarks, are typically
amortized over the following range of estimated useful lives:
Asset
Customer relationships
Finite-lived trademarks
Customer supply contracts
Noncompetition agreements
Deferred financing costs
Useful Life
5 to 15 years
5 years
Over the shorter of the estimated useful lives or
the terms of the agreements
Over the shorter of the estimated useful lives or
the terms of the agreements
Over the terms of the related debt
In accordance with Accounting Standards related to “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, we do not amortize goodwill
and other intangible assets determined to have indefinite useful lives. Instead, we assess our goodwill and indefinite-lived
trademarks for impairment annually and when circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. See Note
6.
Assets Held for Sale — We classify assets as held for sale when management approves and commits to a formal plan of
sale and our expectation is that the sale will be completed within one year. The net assets of the business held for sale are then
recorded at the lower of their current carrying value or the fair market value, less costs to sell. As of December 31, 2014 there
were $4.0 million related to closed production facilities was classified as held for sale and recorded in the prepaid expenses and
other current assets line on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2015, there were none.
Share-Based Compensation — Share-based compensation expense is recognized for equity awards over the vesting period
based on their grant date fair value. The fair value of option awards is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes
valuation model. The fair value of restricted stock unit awards is equal to the closing price of our stock on the date of grant. The
fair value of our phantom shares is remeasured at each reporting period based on the closing price of our common stock on the
last day of the respective reporting period. Compensation expense is recognized only for equity awards expected to vest. We
estimate forfeitures at the date of grant based on our historical experience and future expectations. Share-based compensation
expense is included within the same financial statement caption where the recipient’s cash compensation is reported. See Note 11.
Revenue Recognition, Sales Incentives and Accounts Receivable — Sales are recognized when persuasive evidence of
an arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, the product has been delivered to the customer and there is a reasonable
assurance of collection of the sales proceeds. Sales are recorded net of allowances for returns, trade promotions and prompt pay
and other discounts. We routinely offer sales incentives and discounts through various regional and national programs to our
customers and consumers. These programs include rebates, shelf-price reductions, in-store display incentives, coupons and other
trade promotional activities. These programs, as well as amounts paid to customers for shelf-space in retail stores, are considered
reductions in the price of our products and thus are recorded as reductions to gross sales. Some of these incentives are recorded
by estimating incentive costs based on our historical experience and expected levels of performance of the trade promotion. We
maintain liabilities at the end of each period for the estimated incentive costs incurred but unpaid for these programs. Differences
between estimated and actual incentive costs are normally insignificant and are recognized in earnings in the period such differences
are determined.
Bulk cream represents a by-product of our fluid milk manufacturing process. We either use bulk cream in our manufacturing
process or we dispose of it through third party sales to other companies. We present bulk cream by-product sales as a reduction
of cost of sales within our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We believe this presentation is reasonable as it allows us to
report our true cost of fluid milk production.
We provide credit terms to customers generally ranging up to 30 days, perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers
and maintain allowances for potential credit losses based on our historical experience. Estimated product returns have not
historically been material.
Income Taxes — All of our consolidated U.S. operating subsidiaries are included in our U.S. federal consolidated income
tax return. Our foreign subsidiary is required to file a local jurisdiction income tax return with respect to its operations, the earnings
from which are expected to be reinvested indefinitely. At December 31, 2015, no provision had been made for U.S. federal or state
income tax on approximately $15.8 million of accumulated foreign earnings as they are considered to be indefinitely reinvested.
Computation of the potential deferred tax liability associated with these undistributed earnings and other basis differences is not
practicable.
F-7
Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between amounts recorded in the Consolidated Financial
Statements and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected
to reverse. Deferred tax assets, including the benefit of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, are evaluated based on the
guidelines for realization and are reduced by a valuation allowance if deemed necessary.
We recognize the income tax benefit from an uncertain tax position when it is more likely than not that, based on technical
merits, the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes. We
recognize accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense, and penalties, if incurred, are
recognized as a component of operating income.
Advertising Expense — We market our products through advertising and other promotional activities, including media,
agency, coupons, trade shows and other promotional activities. Advertising expense is charged to income during the period incurred,
except for expenses related to the development of a major commercial or media campaign which are charged to income during
the period in which the advertisement or campaign is first presented by the media. Advertising expense totaled $44.8 million in
2015, $27.5 million in 2014 and $22.0 million in 2013. Prepaid advertising expense totaled $0.7 million in 2015, $0.7 million in
2014 and $2.3 million in 2013.
Shipping and Handling Fees — Our shipping and handling costs are included in both cost of sales and selling and
distribution expense, depending on the nature of such costs. Shipping and handling costs included in cost of sales reflect inventory
warehouse costs and product loading and handling costs. Shipping and handling costs included in selling and distribution expense
consist primarily of those costs associated with moving finished products from production facilities through our distribution
network, including costs associated with its distribution centers, route delivery costs and the cost of shipping products to customers
through third party carriers. Shipping and handling costs that were recorded as a component of selling and distribution expense
were $1.2 billion in each of 2015, 2014 and 2013.
Insurance Accruals — We retain selected levels of property and casualty risks, primarily related to employee health care,
workers’ compensation claims and other casualty losses. Many of these potential losses are covered under conventional insurance
programs with third party carriers with high deductible limits. In other areas, we are self-insured with stop-loss coverage. Accrued
liabilities for incurred but not reported losses related to these retained risks are calculated based upon loss development factors
which contemplate a number of factors including claims history and expected trends.
Research and Development — Our research and development activities primarily consist of generating and testing new
product concepts, new flavors of products and packaging. Our total research and development expense was $2.3 million, $1.9
million and $1.8 million for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Research and development costs are primarily included in general
and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements — In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB")
issued FASB Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of
Disposals of Components of an Entity, which changes the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued
operations and modifies related disclosure requirements. We were required to adopt the standard prospectively for new disposals
and new classifications of disposal groups as held for sale beginning the first quarter of 2015. The adoption of this standard had
no material impact on our financial statements as of December 31, 2015.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The comprehensive new
standard will supersede existing revenue recognition guidance and require revenue to be recognized when promised goods or
services are transferred to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in
exchange for those goods or services. Adoption of the new rules could affect the timing of revenue recognition for certain
transactions. The standard allows for either “full retrospective” adoption, meaning the standard is applied to all of the periods
presented, or “modified retrospective” adoption, meaning the standard is applied only to the most current period presented in the
financial statements. The new standard was originally effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early
adoption was not permitted. On August 12, 2015, the FASB approved a one year delay of the effective date to reporting periods
beginning after December 15, 2017, while permitting companies to voluntarily adopt the new standard as of the original effective
date. We are currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on our financial statements and have not yet selected either a
transition approach to implement the standard or an adoption date.
In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for
Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite
Service Period. ASU No. 2014-12 requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the
requisite service period should be treated as a performance condition. A reporting entity should apply existing guidance in Topic
718 as it relates to awards with performance conditions that affect vesting to account for such awards. As such, the performance
target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. ASU 2014-12 is effective for annual periods and
F-8
interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. We have evaluated
the effect of adoption and concluded it will not be material to our financial statements.
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue
as a Going Concern. ASU 2014-15 provides guidance on determining when and how to disclose going concern uncertainties in
the financial statements. The new standard requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability
to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued. An entity must provide certain
disclosures if conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. ASU 2014-15
applies to all entities and is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter, with early
adoption permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our financial statements.
In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, Extraordinary and Unusual Items - Simplifying Income Statement
Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items. ASU 2015-01 eliminates the concept of extraordinary items and
their segregation from the results of ordinary operations and expands presentation and disclosure guidance to include items that
are both unusual in nature and occur infrequently. The new accounting standard is effective for annual periods ending after December
15, 2015. We have evaluated the effect of adoption and concluded it will not be material to our financial statements.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Imputation of Interest - Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance
Costs. ASU 2015-03 requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a
direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts or premiums. The recognition and
measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by this ASU. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15,
Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements. ASU 2015-15
clarifies ASU 2015-03 by allowing the presentation of debt issuance costs related to a line-of-credit to be recorded as an asset
instead of as a direct deduction of the carrying amount of the debt liability as required by ASU 2015-03, regardless of whether
there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. ASU 2015-15 is effective immediately. ASU 2015-03 is
effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015; early adoption is permitted. We have
evaluated the effect of adoption and concluded it will not be material to our financial statements.
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Inventory - Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. Under ASU
2015-11, entities utilizing the first-in, first-out or average cost method should measure inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable
value, where net realizable value is defined as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably
predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The amendments in this ASU should be applied prospectively and
will be effective beginning January 1, 2017 with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect that the adoption
of this standard will have on our financial statements.
In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Income Taxes - Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes.
ASU 2015-17 simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes and requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified
as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. The amendments eliminate the guidance in Topic 740 that requires
an entity to separate deferred tax liabilities and assets into a current amount and a noncurrent amount in a classified statement of
financial position. The amendments in this ASU may be applied retrospectively or prospectively and will be effective
beginning January 1, 2017 with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect that the adoption of this standard
will have on our financial statements.
WHITEWAVE SPIN-OFF TRANSACTION AND DISPOSITION OF REMAINING OWNERSHIP OF
2.
WHITEWAVE COMMON STOCK
On October 31, 2012, The WhiteWave Foods Company ("WhiteWave") completed its initial public offering (the
"WhiteWave IPO") and sold 23 million shares of its Class A common stock at a price to the public of $17 per share. The WhiteWave
IPO was accounted for as an equity transaction in accordance with ASC 810 and no gain or loss was recognized as we retained
the controlling financial interest immediately upon completion of the transaction. The WhiteWave IPO increased our equity
attributable to non-controlling interest by $98.1 million, which represented the carrying value of the non-controlling interest,
increased our additional paid-in capital by $265 million and reduced our accumulated other comprehensive loss by $4.5 million.
Upon completion of the WhiteWave IPO, we owned an 86.7% economic interest, and a 98.5% voting interest, in WhiteWave.
On May 23, 2013, we completed the spin-off of WhiteWave through a tax-free distribution to our stockholders of an
aggregate of 47,686,000 shares of WhiteWave Class A common stock and 67,914,000 shares of WhiteWave Class B common
stock as a pro rata dividend on the shares of Dean Foods common stock outstanding at the close of business on the record date of
May 17, 2013. Each share of Dean Foods common stock received 0.25544448 shares of WhiteWave Class A common stock and
0.36380189 shares of WhiteWave Class B common stock in the distribution. The WhiteWave spin-off qualified as a tax-free
F-9
distribution to Dean Foods stockholders for U.S. federal tax purposes; however, cash received in lieu of fractional shares was
taxable.
In connection with the WhiteWave spin-off, we recorded a $617.1 million reduction to additional paid-in capital. The
distribution was recorded through additional paid-in capital rather than through retained earnings, as we were in an accumulated
deficit position at the time of the WhiteWave spin-off. Upon completion of the WhiteWave spin-off, we reclassified WhiteWave’s
results of operations as discontinued operations for all periods presented. See Note 3. We retained ownership of 34,400,000 shares
of WhiteWave’s Class A common stock, or approximately 19.9% of the economic interest of WhiteWave, which we disposed of
in July 2013 in a tax-free transaction described in more detail below. From the completion of the WhiteWave spin-off through the
date of disposition in July 2013, we accounted for our investment in WhiteWave common stock using the fair value method of
accounting for available-for-sale securities, which requires the investment to be marked to market with unrealized gains and losses
recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income until realized or until losses are deemed to be other-than-temporary.
On July 25, 2013, we announced the closing of a secondary public offering of 34.4 million shares of Class A common
stock of WhiteWave owned by us at a public offering price of $17.75 per share. Following the closing of the offering, we no longer
owned any shares of WhiteWave common stock. Immediately prior to the closing of the offering, we exchanged our shares of
WhiteWave Class A common stock in partial satisfaction of two term loans. Following the closing of the debt-for-equity exchange,
we repaid the non-exchanged balance of the two term loans in full and terminated the loan agreement. The debt-for-equity exchange
resulted in total cash proceeds, net of underwriting fees, of $589.2 million. We recorded a gain in continuing operations of $415.8
million, which included $385.6 million of unrealized holding gains that were previously recorded as a component of accumulated
other comprehensive income as of June 30, 2013, in the third quarter of 2013 related to the disposition of our investment in
WhiteWave common stock. The gain represents the excess of the value of the exchanged shares of WhiteWave Class A common
stock over our cost basis in such shares. The gain was recorded in the gain on disposition of WhiteWave common stock line item
in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. As the debt-for-equity exchange qualified as a tax-free transaction pursuant to the
terms of our private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") , we did not incur, nor did we record, any income tax
expense associated with the transaction.
3.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND DIVESTITURES
WhiteWave and Morningstar
WhiteWave Spin-Off — As discussed in Note 2, on May 23, 2013, we completed the WhiteWave spin-off through a tax-
free distribution to our stockholders. Following the WhiteWave spin-off, we retained 34.4 million shares of WhiteWave’s Class A
common stock, or approximately 19.9% of WhiteWave’s economic interest. While we were party to certain commercial agreements
with WhiteWave, we have determined that the cash flows generated by these agreements, which ended in June 2015, and the
retention and subsequent monetization of our investment in WhiteWave common stock in July 2013 as discussed in Note 2 and
below, did not constitute significant continuing involvement in the operations of WhiteWave. Accordingly, operating results and
cash flows of WhiteWave have been reclassified to discontinued operations for all periods presented herein.
From January 1, 2013 through May 23, 2013 (the date of the WhiteWave spin-off), our net sales to WhiteWave totaled
$10.3 million and our purchases from WhiteWave totaled $33.2 million. These transactions, which were previously eliminated in
consolidation prior to the spin-off, are now reflected as third-party transactions in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. At
December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, accounts receivable from, and accounts payable to, WhiteWave are presented as
third-party balances in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Morningstar Divestiture — The sale of Morningstar Foods ("Morningstar") closed on January 3, 2013 and we received
net proceeds of approximately $1.45 billion. We recorded a gain of $868.8 million ($491.9 million, net of tax) on the sale of
Morningstar during the year ended December 31, 2013, which excludes $22.9 million of transaction costs recognized in
discontinued operations during the year ended December 31, 2012. Accordingly, operating results and cash flows of Morningstar
have been reclassified to discontinued operations for all periods presented herein.
F-10
The following is a summary of operating results and certain other directly attributable expenses, including interest expense,
which are included in discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2013:
Operations:
Net sales
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income tax (expense) benefit
Net income (loss)
Year Ended December 31, 2013
WhiteWave
Morningstar
(In thousands)
Total
$
$
940,431
57,126
(54,306) (1)
2,820
$
$
5,919
(28)
11
(17)
$
$
946,350
57,098
(54,295)
2,803
(1)
The income tax expense attributable to WhiteWave during the year ended December 31, 2013 includes approximately
$31.1 million related to certain deferred intercompany transactions which were recognized upon the completion of the
WhiteWave spin-off. Because these liabilities arose as a direct result of the spin-off of WhiteWave, we have reflected the
income statement impact of such liabilities as a component of discontinued operations.
The following is a summary of directly attributable transaction expenses which are included in discontinued operations
for the year ended December 31, 2013:
WhiteWave
Morningstar
Total
Year Ended
December 31, 2013
(in thousands)
$
$
12,464
437
12,901
During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we incurred an immaterial amount of expense related to
other transactional activities, which is recorded in general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of
Operations.
During the year ended December 31, 2015, we recognized net losses from discontinued operations of $1.1 million from
the finalization of certain pre-separation tax items related to WhiteWave and net gains on the sale of discontinued operations, net
of tax, of $0.7 million, primarily from favorable taxing authority settlements related to Morningstar.
4.
INVENTORIES
Inventories, net of obsolescence reserves of $1.0 million and $0.7 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively,
consisted of the following:
Raw materials and supplies
Finished goods
Total
December 31
2015
2014
(In thousands)
$
$
99,272
154,054
253,326
$
$
100,587
151,244
251,831
F-11
5.
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 consisted of the following:
Land
Buildings
Leasehold improvements
Machinery and equipment
Construction in progress
Less accumulated depreciation
Total
December 31
2015
2014
(In thousands)
$
$
174,620
666,697
76,985
1,850,012
32,116
2,800,430
(1,626,293)
1,174,137
$
$
174,654
646,098
76,389
1,809,037
34,587
2,740,765
(1,568,169)
1,172,596
Depreciation expense amounted to $149.7 million, $156.5 million and $161.8 million during the years ended December 31,
2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
There was no material interest capitalized during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
See Note 16 for information regarding plant, property and equipment write-downs incurred in conjunction with our
restructuring plans and certain other events.
6.
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Our goodwill and intangible assets have resulted from acquisitions. Upon acquisition, the purchase price is first allocated
to identifiable assets and liabilities, including trademarks and customer-related intangible assets, with any remaining purchase
price recorded as goodwill. Goodwill is not amortized. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their expected useful lives.
Determining the expected life of an intangible asset is based on a number of factors including the competitive environment, history
and anticipated future support.
We conduct impairment tests of goodwill annually in the fourth quarter and on an interim basis when circumstances arise
that indicate a possible impairment. We evaluate goodwill at the reporting unit level. During the year ended December 31, 2013,
we disposed of Morningstar and WhiteWave reporting units and, upon completion of the WhiteWave spin-off, our remaining
goodwill was entirely attributable to our ongoing dairy operations.
In evaluating goodwill for impairment, we are permitted under the accounting guidance to first assess qualitative factors
to determine whether it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that the fair value of a reporting unit
is less than its carrying amount. If we conclude that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than
its carrying value, then no further testing of the goodwill assigned to the reporting unit is required. However, if we conclude that
it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then we perform a two-step goodwill
impairment test to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of goodwill impairment to be recognized, if
any. Under the accounting guidance, we also have an option at any time, to bypass the qualitative assessment process and
immediately perform a two-step impairment test to estimate fair value and identify any potential impairment of goodwill.
A qualitative assessment of goodwill was performed for our reporting unit during 2015. We assessed economic conditions
and industry and market considerations, in addition to the overall financial performance of the reporting unit. Based on the results
of our assessment, we determined that it was not more likely than not that the reporting unit had a carrying value in excess of its
fair value. Accordingly, no further goodwill testing was completed, and we did not recognize any impairment charges related to
goodwill during 2015.
As of December 31, 2015, the gross carrying value of goodwill was $2.2 billion and accumulated impairment was $2.1
billion. The Company took an impairment charge of $2.1 billion in 2011 with no impairment charges in subsequent years. The
net carrying amount of goodwill at December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $86.8 million.
We evaluate intangible assets for impairment upon a significant change in the operating environment or whenever
circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If an evaluation of the undiscounted cash flows indicates
impairment, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value, which is generally based on discounted future cash flows.
F-12
Intangible assets with
indefinite lives:
Trademarks
Intangible assets with finite
lives:
Customer-related and
other
Trademarks
Prior to 2015, certain of our trademarks were not amortized because they had indefinite remaining useful lives as our
intent was to continue to use these intangible assets indefinitely. During the first quarter of 2015, we approved the launch of
DairyPure®, our fresh white milk national brand. In connection with the approval of the launch of DairyPure®, we changed our
indefinite lived trademarks to finite lived, resulting in a triggering event for impairment testing purposes. We estimated the fair
value of these trademarks based on an income approach using the relief-from-royalty method. This approach is dependent on a
number of factors, including estimates of future growth and trends, royalty rates in the category of intellectual property, discount
rates and other variables. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable, but which are unpredictable
and inherently uncertain.
Based upon our analysis, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $109.9 million and related income tax benefit of
$41.2 million in the first quarter of 2015. The remaining balance of these trademarks is currently being amortized on a straight-
line basis over the next five years, which is our estimate of the remaining useful life of these assets. The impairment charge is
reported on the impairment of intangible and long-lived assets line of our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of our intangible assets other than goodwill as of December 31,
2015 and 2014 are as follows:
December 31,
2015
2014
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Impairment
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Carrying
Amount
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Carrying
Amount
(In thousands)
$
— $
— $
— $
— $ 221,681
$
— $ 221,681
Total
$ 279,002
$ (109,910) $
49,225
—
229,777
(109,910)
15,525
(33,700)
(24,423)
95,444
(58,123) $ 110,969
49,225
8,096
$ 279,002
$
18,072
(31,153)
(5,315)
2,781
(36,468) $ 242,534
Amortization expense on intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $21.7 million,
$2.9 million and $3.7 million, respectively. Estimated aggregate intangible asset amortization expense for the next five years is
as follows:
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
$ 25.3 million
25.2 million
24.6 million
24.6 million
5.5 million
F-13
7.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accounts payable and accrued expenses as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 consisted of the following:
Accounts payable
Payroll and benefits, including incentive compensation
Health insurance, workers’ compensation and other insurance costs
Current derivative liability
Customer rebates
Other accrued liabilities
Total
8.
INCOME TAXES
The following table presents the 2015, 2014 and 2013 income tax expense (benefit):
December 31
2015
2014
(In thousands)
392,646
138,805
62,277
10,023
49,053
89,184
741,988
$
$
533,900
67,480
52,851
4,392
47,658
68,619
774,900
$
$
Current income taxes:
Federal
State
Foreign
Total current income tax expense (benefit)
Deferred income taxes:
Federal
State
Total deferred income tax expense (benefit)
Total income tax benefit
Year Ended December 31
2015(1)
2014(2)
2013(3)
(In thousands)
$
$
$
26,939
1,987
513
29,439
(34,620)
(48)
(34,668)
(5,229) $
(94,983) $
1,255
723
(93,005)
54,015
6,894
60,909
(32,096) $
(52,601)
(9,477)
6
(62,072)
15,051
4,696
19,747
(42,325)
(1)
(2)
(3)
Excludes $0.5 million of income tax expense related to discontinued operations.
Excludes $0.9 million of income tax expense related to discontinued operations.
Excludes $431.0 million of income tax expense related to discontinued operations.
F-14
The following is a reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit) computed at the U.S. federal statutory tax rate to income
tax expense (benefit) reported in our Consolidated Statements of Operations:
Year Ended December 31
2015
2014
2013
Amount
Percentage
Amount
Percentage
Amount
Percentage
(In thousands, except percentages)
Tax expense (benefit) at statutory
rate
$
State income taxes
Tax-free disposition of
investment
Uncertain tax position
Domestic production activities
deduction
Corporate owned life insurance
Nondeductible executive
compensation
Changes in valuation allowance
Other
Total
$
(4,658)
3,469
35.0% $
(26.1)
(18,299)
2,281
35.0% $
(4.4)
99,062
(2,894)
35.0 %
(1.0)
—
—
(2,456)
(947)
851
(2,209)
721
(5,229)
—
—
18.5
7.1
(6.4)
16.6
(5.4)
39.3% $
—
(15,451)
—
(870)
683
3,016
(3,456)
(32,096)
—
29.6
—
1.7
(1.3)
(5.8)
6.6
61.4% $
(145,524)
6,106
—
(1,776)
449
(213)
2,465
(42,325)
(51.4)
2.2
—
(0.6)
0.2
(0.1)
0.8
(14.9)%
The tax effects of temporary differences giving rise to deferred income tax assets (liabilities) were:
December 31
2015(1)
2014(2)
(In thousands)
$
$
$
104,675
33,259
15,386
11,061
4,131
3,990
30,799
5,026
(10,968)
197,359
(208,485)
—
(8,411)
(1,162)
(218,058)
(20,699) $
105,029
38,004
16,261
11,155
—
1,646
35,089
4,748
(13,177)
198,755
(209,168)
(29,612)
(11,299)
(843)
(250,922)
(52,167)
Deferred income tax assets:
Accrued liabilities
Retirement plans and postretirement benefits
Share-based compensation
Receivables and inventories
Intangible assets
Derivative financial instruments
State net operating loss carryforwards
State tax credit carryforwards
Valuation allowances
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Cancellation of debt
Other
Net deferred income tax liability
(1)
(2)
Includes $8.7 million of deferred tax assets related to uncertain tax positions.
Includes $8.0 million of deferred tax assets related to uncertain tax positions.
F-15
These net deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are classified in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:
Current assets
Noncurrent assets
Noncurrent liabilities
Total
December 31
2015
2014
(In thousands)
$
$
$
54,735
31,386
(106,820)
(20,699) $
50,362
35,415
(137,944)
(52,167)
At December 31, 2015, we had $30.8 million of tax-effected state net operating losses and $5.0 million of state tax credits
available for carryover to future years. These items are subject to certain limitations and begin to expire in 2016. A valuation
allowance of $11.0 million has been established because we do not believe it is more likely than not that all of the deferred tax
assets related to these items will be realized prior to expiration. Our valuation allowance decreased $2.2 million in 2015 for certain
state net operating loss carryforwards that we now expect to utilize in the future due to law changes enacted during 2015.
The following is a reconciliation of gross unrecognized tax benefits, including interest, recorded in our Consolidated
Balance Sheets:
Balance at beginning of year
Increases in tax positions for current year
Increases in tax positions for prior years
Decreases in tax positions for prior years
Settlement of tax matters
Lapse of applicable statutes of limitations
Balance at end of year
2015
26,463
39
1,327
—
—
—
27,829
December 31
2014
(In thousands)
40,478
$
—
11,432
(21,194)
(4,203)
(50)
26,463
$
$
$
These unrecognized tax benefits are classified in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:
Accrued expenses
Other long-term liabilities
Total
2015
$
$
553
27,276
27,829
December 31
2014
(In thousands)
295
$
26,168
26,463
$
2013
27,734
18,230
2,315
(6,192)
(1,232)
(377)
40,478
2013
3,348
37,130
40,478
$
$
$
$
Of the total unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2015, $2.3 million would impact our effective tax rate and $16.8
million would be recorded in discontinued operations, if recognized. The remaining $8.7 million represents tax positions for which
the ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty about the timing of such deductibility. Due to the
impact of deferred income tax accounting, the disallowance of the shorter deductibility period would not affect our effective tax
rate but would accelerate payment of cash to the applicable taxing authority. We do not expect any material changes to our liability
for uncertain tax positions during the next 12 months.
We recognize accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. Penalties, if
incurred, are recorded in general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Interest expense
recorded in income tax expense for 2015, 2014 and 2013 was immaterial. Our liability for uncertain tax positions included accrued
interest of $2.2 million and $1.3 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
As of December 31, 2015, our 2012 through 2014 U.S. federal consolidated income tax returns remain open for
examination by the IRS. During 2015, we requested and received a carryback refund which is pending review by the U.S.
Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation. State income tax returns are generally subject to examination for a period of three
to five years after filing. We have various state income tax returns in the process of examination, appeals or settlement.
F-16
9.
DEBT
Dean Foods Company debt obligations:
Senior secured credit facility
Senior notes due 2016
Senior notes due 2023
Subsidiary debt obligations:
Senior notes due 2017
Receivables-backed facility
Capital lease and other
Less current portion
Total long-term portion
December 31, 2015
December 31, 2014
Amount
Interest
Rate
Amount
Interest
Rate
(In thousands, except percentages)
$
$
—
—
700,000
700,000
137,213
—
5,212
142,425
842,425
(1,493)
840,932
—% *
—
6.50
6.90
—
—
$
$
70,301
475,819
—
546,120
134,913
235,000
1,146
371,059
917,179
(698)
916,481
2.93% *
7.00
—
6.90
1.30
—
*
Represents a weighted average rate, including applicable interest rate margins.
The scheduled maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2015, were as follows (in thousands):
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Thereafter
Subtotal
Less discounts
Total outstanding debt
Total
1,493
143,079
1,125
1,174
341
700,000
847,212
(4,787)
842,425
$
$
Dean Foods Company Senior Notes due 2023 — On February 25, 2015, we issued $700 million in aggregate principal
amount of 6.50% senior notes due 2023 ("2023 Notes") at an issue price of 100% of the principal amount of the 2023 Notes in a
private placement for resale to “qualified institutional buyers” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
("Securities Act") and in offshore transactions pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act.
In connection with the issuance of the 2023 Notes, the Company paid certain arrangement fees of approximately $7.0
million to initial purchasers and other fees of approximately $1.8 million, which were capitalized and will be amortized to interest
expense over the remaining term of the 2023 Notes.
The 2023 Notes are senior unsecured obligations. Accordingly, the 2023 Notes rank equally in right of payment with all
of our existing and future senior obligations and are effectively subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future
secured obligations, including obligations under our senior secured credit facility and receivables-backed facility, to the extent of
the value of the collateral securing such obligations. The 2023 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured
basis, jointly and severally, by our subsidiaries that guarantee obligations under the senior secured credit facility.
The 2023 Notes will mature on March 15, 2023 and bear interest at an annual rate of 6.50%. Interest on the 2023 Notes
accrues from February 25, 2015 and is payable semi-annually in arrears in March and September of each year, commencing
September 2015.
We may, at our option, redeem all or a portion of the 2023 Notes at any time on or after March 15, 2018 at the applicable
redemption prices specified in the indenture governing the 2023 Notes (the "Indenture"), plus any accrued and unpaid interest to,
F-17
but excluding, the applicable redemption date. We are also entitled to redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the
2023 Notes before March 15, 2018 with the net cash proceeds that we receive from certain equity offerings at a redemption price
equal to 106.5% of the principal amount of the 2023 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable
redemption date. In addition, prior to March 15, 2018, we may redeem all or a portion of the 2023 Notes, at a redemption price
equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus a “make-whole” premium and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but
excluding, the applicable redemption date.
If we undergo certain kinds of changes of control, holders of the 2023 Notes have the right to require us to repurchase
all or any portion of such holder’s 2023 Notes at 101% of the principal amount of the notes being repurchased, plus any accrued
and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of repurchase.
The Indenture contains covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to: (i) create certain liens; (ii) enter into sale
and lease-back transactions; (iii) assume, incur or guarantee indebtedness for borrowed money that is secured by a lien on certain
principal properties (or on any shares of capital stock of our subsidiaries that own such principal property) without securing the
2023 Notes on a pari passu basis; and (iv) consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell, transfer, convey or lease all or substantially
all of our properties and assets, taken as a whole, to another person.
We used the net proceeds from the 2023 Notes to redeem all of our outstanding senior unsecured notes due 2016, as
described below, and to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under our senior secured credit facility and receivables-
backed facility.
Senior Secured Credit Facility — In July 2013, we executed a credit agreement pursuant to which the lenders provided
us with a five-year senior secured revolving credit facility in the amount of up to $750 million (the "Old Credit Facility"). The
Old Credit Facility was amended in June 2014 and further amended in August 2014.
In March 2015, we terminated the Old Credit Facility, replacing it with the new credit facility described below. As a result
of the termination, we recorded a write-off of unamortized debt issue costs of $5.3 million during the three months ended March 31,
2015. The write-off was recorded in the loss on early retirement of long-term debt line in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
In March 2015, we executed a new credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") pursuant to which the lenders have provided
us with a five-year revolving credit facility in the amount of up to $450 million (the "Credit Facility"). Under the Credit Agreement,
we have the right to request an increase of the aggregate commitments under the Credit Facility by up to $200 million without the
consent of any lenders not participating in such increase, subject to specified conditions. The Credit Facility is available for the
issuance of up to $75 million of letters of credit and up to $100 million of swing line loans. The Credit Facility will terminate in
March 2020.
In connection with the execution of the Credit Facility, we paid certain arrangement fees of approximately $4.8 million
to lenders and other fees of approximately $2.5 million, which were capitalized and will be amortized to interest expense over the
remaining term of the facility.
Loans outstanding under the Credit Facility will bear interest, at our option, at either (i) the LIBO Rate (as defined in the
Credit Agreement) plus a margin of between 2.25% and 2.75% (2.25% as of December 31, 2015) based on the Total Net Leverage
Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement), or (ii) the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus a margin of
between 1.25% and 1.75% (1.25% as of December 31, 2015) based on the Total Net Leverage Ratio.
We may make optional prepayments of the loans, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty (other than applicable
breakage costs). Subject to certain exceptions and conditions described in the Credit Agreement, we will be obligated to prepay
the Credit Facility, but without a corresponding commitment reduction, with the net cash proceeds of certain asset sales and with
casualty insurance proceeds. The Credit Facility is guaranteed by our existing and future domestic material restricted subsidiaries
(as defined in the Credit Agreement), which are substantially all of our wholly-owned U.S. subsidiaries other than the receivables-
backed securitization (the "Guarantors") subsidiaries.
The Credit Facility is secured by a first priority perfected security interest in substantially all of our assets and the assets
of the Guarantors, whether consisting of personal, tangible or intangible property, including a pledge of, and a perfected security
interest in, (i) all of the shares of capital stock of the Guarantors and (ii) 65% of the shares of capital stock of the Guarantor’s first-
tier foreign subsidiaries which are material restricted subsidiaries, in each case subject to certain exceptions as set forth in the
Credit Agreement. The collateral does not include, among other things, (a) any real property with an individual net book value
below $10 million, (b) the capital stock and any assets of any unrestricted subsidiary, (c) any capital stock of any direct or indirect
subsidiary of Dean Holding Company ("Legacy Dean") which owns any real property, or (d) receivables sold pursuant to the
receivables securitization facility.
F-18
The Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants, including, but not limited to
specified restrictions on indebtedness, liens, guarantee obligations, mergers, acquisitions, consolidations, liquidations and
dissolutions, sales of assets, leases, payment of dividends and other restricted payments, investments, loans and advances,
transactions with affiliates and sale and leaseback transactions. The Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default
and related cure provisions. We are required to comply with (a) a maximum senior secured net leverage ratio of 2.5 to 1.00 (which,
for purposes of calculating indebtedness, excludes borrowings under our receivables securitization facility); and (b) a minimum
consolidated interest coverage ratio of 2.25 to 1.00.
At December 31, 2015, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility. Our combined average daily
balance under both the Old Credit Facility and the Credit Facility during the year ended December 31, 2015 was $5.9 million.
There were no letters of credit issued under the Credit Facility as of December 31, 2015.
Receivables-Backed Facility — We have a $550 million receivables securitization facility pursuant to which certain of
our subsidiaries sell their accounts receivable to two wholly-owned entities intended to be bankruptcy-remote. The entities then
transfer the receivables to third-party asset-backed commercial paper conduits sponsored by major financial institutions. The assets
and liabilities of these two entities are fully reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and the securitization is treated as a
borrowing for accounting purposes. In June 2014, the receivables-backed facility was modified to, among other things, increase
the amount available for the issuance of letters of credit from $300 million to $350 million and to extend the liquidity termination
date from March 2015 to June 2017. The receivables-backed facility was further amended in August 2014 to be consistent with
the amended financial covenants under the credit agreement governing the Old Credit Facility.
In March 2015, the receivables-backed facility was further modified to, among other things, extend the liquidity
termination date from June 2017 to March 2018 and modify the interest coverage ratio and senior secured net leverage ratio
requirements to be consistent with those contained in the Credit Agreement described above.
In connection with the modification of the receivables-backed facility, we paid certain arrangement fees of approximately
$0.7 million to lenders, which were capitalized and will be amortized to interest expense over the remaining term of the facility.
Based on the monthly borrowing base formula, we had the ability to borrow up to $510.0 million of the total commitment
amount under the receivables-backed facility as of December 31, 2015. The total amount of receivables sold to these entities as
of December 31, 2015 was $590.1 million. During the year ended December 31, 2015 we borrowed $685.0 million and subsequently
repaid $920.0 million under the facility with no remaining drawn balance as of December 31, 2015. Excluding letters of credit in
the aggregate amount of $138.3 million, the remaining available borrowing capacity was $371.7 million at December 31, 2015.
Our average daily balance under this facility during the year ended December 31, 2015 was $43.2 million. The receivables-backed
facility bears interest at a variable rate based upon commercial paper and one-month LIBO rates plus an applicable margin.
Standby Letter of Credit — In February 2012, in connection with a litigation settlement agreement we entered into with
the plaintiffs in the Tennessee dairy farmer actions, we issued a standby letter of credit in the amount of $80 million, representing
the approximate subsequent payments due under the terms of the settlement agreement. The total amount of the letter of credit
will decrease proportionately as we make each of the four installment payments. We made installment payments in June of 2013,
2014 and 2015. As of December 31, 2015, the letter of credit had been reduced to $18.9 million. The carrying value of the remaining
settlement is reported on the current portion of litigation settlements line of our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
We are currently in compliance with all financial covenants under our credit agreements.
Dean Foods Company Senior Notes due 2016 — In March 2015, we redeemed the remaining $476.2 million principal
amount of our outstanding senior notes due 2016 for a total redemption price of approximately $521.8 million. As a result, we
recorded a $38.3 million pre-tax loss on early retirement of long-term debt in the first quarter of 2015, which consisted of debt
redemption premiums and unpaid interest of $37.3 million, a write-off of unamortized long-term debt issue costs of $0.8 million
and a write-off of the remaining bond discount and interest rate swaps of approximately $0.2 million. The loss was recorded in
the loss on early retirement of long-term debt line in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. The redemption was financed
with proceeds from the issuance of the 2023 Notes.
Subsidiary Senior Notes due 2017 — Legacy Dean had certain senior notes outstanding at the time of its acquisition,
of which one series ($142 million aggregate principal amount) remains outstanding with a maturity date of October 15, 2017. The
carrying value of these notes at December 31, 2015 was $137.2 million at 6.90% interest. The indenture governing the Legacy
Dean senior notes does not contain financial covenants but does contain certain restrictions, including a prohibition against Legacy
Dean and its subsidiaries granting liens on certain of their real property interests and a prohibition against Legacy Dean granting
liens on the stock of its subsidiaries. The Legacy Dean senior notes are not guaranteed by Dean Foods Company or Legacy Dean’s
wholly-owned subsidiaries.
F-19
Redemption of Dean Foods Company Senior Notes due 2018 — In December 2014, we completed the redemption of the
remaining $24 million outstanding principal amount of our senior notes due 2018 at a redemption price equal to 104.875% of the
principal amount of the notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, or approximately $26.1 million in total. As a result of
the redemption, we recorded a $1.4 million pre-tax loss on early extinguishment of debt in the fourth quarter of 2014, which
consisted of debt redemption premiums of $1.2 million and a write-off of unamortized debt issue costs of $0.2 million. The loss
was recorded in the loss on early retirement of debt line in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. The redemption was
financed with borrowings under our senior secured credit facility.
Cash Tender Offer on Dean Foods Company Senior Notes due 2018 and 2016 — On November 12, 2013, we announced
that we had commenced a cash tender offer for up to $400 million combined aggregate principal amount of our senior notes due
2018 and senior notes due 2016, with priority given to the senior notes due 2018, and a consent solicitation to amend the indenture
related to our senior notes due 2018. The transaction closed during the fourth quarter of 2013, and we purchased $376.2 million
aggregate principal amount of the senior notes due 2018, which included a premium of approximately $54 million, and $23.8
million aggregate principal amount of the senior notes due 2016, which included a premium of approximately $3 million. The
tender offer was financed with cash on hand and borrowings under our senior secured credit facility. As a result of the tender offer,
we recorded a $63.3 million pre-tax loss on early extinguishment of debt ($38.7 million, net of tax) in the fourth quarter of 2013,
which consisted of debt tender premiums of $57.2 million, a write-off of unamortized debt issue costs of $5.5 million, and other
direct costs associated with the tender offer of $0.6 million. The loss was recorded in the loss on early retirement of debt line in
our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
See Note 10 for information regarding the fair value of the senior notes due 2023 and 2016, and the subsidiary senior
notes due 2017 as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.
Capital Lease Obligations and Other — Capital lease obligations as of December 31, 2015 included our land and building
leases, as well as leases for information technology equipment. Capital lease obligations as of December 31, 2014 included a lease
for land and building related to one of our production facilities. See Note 18.
Interest Rate Agreements — As of December 31, 2015, there were no interest rate swap agreements in effect.
10.
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Derivative Financial Instruments
Commodities — We are exposed to commodity price fluctuations, including milk, butterfat, sweeteners and other
commodity costs used in the manufacturing, packaging and distribution of our products, such as natural gas, resin and diesel fuel.
To secure adequate supplies of materials and bring greater stability to the cost of ingredients and their related manufacturing,
packaging and distribution, we routinely enter into forward purchase contracts and other purchase arrangements with suppliers.
Under the forward purchase contracts, we commit to purchasing agreed-upon quantities of ingredients and commodities at agreed-
upon prices at specified future dates. The outstanding purchase commitment for these commodities at any point in time typically
ranges from one month’s to one year’s anticipated requirements, depending on the ingredient or commodity. These contracts are
considered normal purchases.
In addition to entering into forward purchase contracts, from time to time we may purchase over-the-counter contracts
from our qualified banking partners or enter into exchange-traded commodity futures contracts for raw materials that are ingredients
of our products or components of such ingredients. Effective January 1, 2014, we have de-designated all open commodity derivative
positions that were previously designated as cash flow hedges. During the first quarter of 2014, we reclassified $0.2 million, net
of tax, of hedging activity related to these commodities contracts from accumulated other comprehensive income into operating
income. All commodities contracts are now marked to market in our income statement at each reporting period and a derivative
asset or liability is recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
F-20
Although we may utilize forward purchase contracts and other instruments to mitigate the risks related to commodity
price fluctuation, such strategies do not fully mitigate commodity price risk. Adverse movements in commodity prices over the
terms of the contracts or instruments could decrease the economic benefits we derive from these strategies. As of December 31,
2015 and 2014, our derivatives recorded at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets were:
Derivative Assets
Derivative Liabilities
December 31,
2015
December 31,
2014
December 31,
2015
December 31,
2014
(In thousands)
Derivatives not designated as Hedging Instruments
Commodities contracts — current(1)
Commodities contracts — non-current(2)
Total derivatives
$
$
317
—
317
$
$
2
—
2
$
$
10,023
690
10,713
$
$
4,392
—
4,392
(1)
(2)
Derivative assets and liabilities that have settlement dates equal to or less than 12 months from the respective balance
sheet date were included in other current assets and accounts payable and accrued expenses, respectively, in our
Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Derivative assets and liabilities that have settlement dates greater than 12 months from the respective balance sheet date
were included in other assets and other long-term liabilities, respectively, in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Gains and losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
into income were as follows (in thousands):
Losses on interest rate swap contracts(1)
(Gains)/losses on commodities contracts(2)
(Gains)/losses on foreign currency contracts(3)
December 31, 2013
94,832
$
1,046
(78)
(1)
(2)
(3)
Recorded in interest expense in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Recorded in selling and distribution or cost of sales, depending on commodity type, in our Consolidated Statements of
Operations.
Recorded in cost of sales in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability
in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined
based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering assumptions,
we follow a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:
• Level 1 — Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
• Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments
in markets that are not active and model-derived valuations, in which all significant inputs are observable in active
markets.
• Level 3 — Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop
its own assumptions.
A summary of our derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2015
is as follows (in thousands):
Assets — Commodities contracts
Liabilities — Commodities contracts
Fair Value
as of
December 31, 2015
317
$
10,713
$
F-21
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
— $
—
$
317
10,713
—
—
A summary of our derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014
is as follows (in thousands):
Assets — Commodities contracts
Liabilities — Commodities contracts
Fair Value
as of
December 31, 2014
2
$
4,392
$
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
— $
—
$
2
4,392
—
—
Due to their near-term maturities, the carrying amounts of accounts receivable and accounts payable are considered
equivalent to fair value. In addition, because the interest rates on our senior secured credit facility, our prior credit facility,
receivables-backed facility, and certain other debt are variable, their fair values approximate their carrying values.
The fair values of our Dean Foods Company senior notes and subsidiary senior notes were determined based on quoted
market prices obtained through an external pricing source which derives its price valuations from daily marketplace transactions,
with adjustments to reflect the spreads of benchmark bonds, credit risk and certain other variables. We have determined these fair
values to be Level 2 measurements as all significant inputs into the quotes provided by our pricing source are observable in active
markets. The following table presents the carrying values and fair values of our senior and subsidiary senior notes at December 31:
2015
2014
Carrying Value
Fair Value
Carrying Value
Fair Value
Dean Foods Company senior notes due 2023
Dean Foods Company senior notes due 2016
Subsidiary senior notes due 2017
$
$
700,000
—
137,213
(In thousands)
$
726,250
—
148,745
— $
475,819
134,913
—
507,140
151,230
Additionally, we maintain a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”), which is a nonqualified deferred
compensation arrangement for our executive officers and other employees earning compensation in excess of the maximum
compensation that can be taken into account with respect to our 401(k) plan. The SERP is designed to provide these employees
with retirement benefits from us that are equivalent, as a percentage of total compensation, to the benefits provided to other
employees. The assets related to this plan are primarily invested in money market and mutual funds and are held at fair value. We
classify these assets as Level 2 as fair value can be corroborated based on quoted market prices for identical or similar instruments
in markets that are not active. The following table presents a summary of the SERP assets measured at fair value on a recurring
basis as of December 31, 2015 (in thousands):
Money market
Mutual funds
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
$
$
4
1,506
— $
—
$
4
1,506
—
—
The following table presents a summary of the SERP assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31,
2014 (in thousands):
Money market
Mutual funds
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
$
$
12
1,929
— $
—
$
12
1,929
—
—
11.
COMMON STOCK AND SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
Cash Dividends — In November 2013, we announced that our Board of Directors had adopted a cash dividend policy.
Under the policy, holders of our common stock will receive dividends when and as declared by our Board of Directors. Pursuant
to the policy, we paid quarterly dividends of $0.07 per share ($0.28 per share annually) in March, June, September and December
of 2014 and 2015. Beginning in 2015, all awards of restricted stock units and phantom stock awards provide for cash dividend
equivalent units ("DEUs"), which vest in cash at the same time as the underlying award. Annual dividend payments totaled
approximately $26 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
F-22
Our authorized shares of capital stock include one million shares of preferred stock and 250 million shares of common
stock with a par value of $0.01 per share.
Conversion of Equity Awards Outstanding at Spin-Off Date — At the date of the WhiteWave spin-off, certain of our
outstanding Dean Foods stock options and unvested restricted stock units (“RSUs”) held by WhiteWave employees were converted
to equivalent options or RSUs, as applicable, with respect to WhiteWave’s common stock. These modified awards otherwise
retained substantially the same terms and conditions, including term and vesting provisions, as the existing Dean Foods equity
awards had at the time of conversion. We will not incur any future compensation cost related to conversion of our outstanding
Dean Foods stock options and RSUs held by WhiteWave employees and directors in connection with the WhiteWave spin-off.
Additionally, in connection with the WhiteWave spin-off, we proportionately adjusted the number and exercise prices of
certain options, RSUs and phantom shares granted to Dean Foods employees and directors that were outstanding at the time of
the WhiteWave spin-off to maintain the aggregate intrinsic value of such awards at the date of the WhiteWave spin-off, pursuant
to the terms of these awards. The conversion ratio was determined based on the 5-day volume weighted-average trading prices
for Dean Foods common stock and WhiteWave common stock for the period ended on the second trading day preceding the
WhiteWave spin-off and, therefore, the ratio used to adjust these awards differs from the conversion ratio that would have resulted
had the ratio been calculated based on the Dean Foods stock price immediately following the WhiteWave spin-off. As a result of
this modification, we recorded additional stock compensation expense of $6.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2013.
The impact of the conversion on our outstanding equity awards, and the related share-based compensation expense, is
summarized in the tables below.
Stock Repurchases — Since 1998, our Board of Directors has from time to time authorized the repurchase of our common
stock up to an aggregate of $2.38 billion (excluding fees and expenses), of which approximately $222.1 million remained available
under this program as of December 31, 2015. Our management is authorized to purchase shares from time to time through open
market transactions at prevailing prices or in privately-negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions and other factors.
Shares, when repurchased, are retired. We will continue to evaluate opportunities for share repurchases in a strategic manner as a
mechanism for generating additional shareholder value.
The following table summarizes the share repurchase activity for the years ended (in thousands, except per share data):
Number of shares repurchased
Weighted average purchase price per share
Amount of share repurchases
2015
2014
3,166
$16.73
1,727
$14.45
$
53,010
$
25,000
Stock Award Plans — Under our stock award plans, we grant stock options and RSUs to certain employees and directors.
Non-employee directors also can elect to receive certain director’s fees in the form of restricted stock in lieu of cash. As of
December 31, 2015, we had three award plans with remaining shares available for issuance. These plans, which are our 1997
Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan, the 1989 Dean Foods Company Stock Awards Plan (which we adopted upon completion
of our acquisition of Legacy Dean) and the Dean Foods Company 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”) provide for grants
of stock options, stock units, restricted stock and other stock-based awards to employees, officers, directors and, in some cases,
consultants, up to a maximum of 37.5 million, 5.7 million and 12.3 million shares, respectively, subject to adjustments as provided
in these respective plans. Options and other stock-based awards vest in accordance with provisions set forth in the applicable
award agreements. The remaining shares available for grant under the historical plans are granted pursuant to the terms and
conditions of the 2007 Plan. On May 15, 2013, the 2007 Plan was amended and changed from one under which limits were placed
on the number of shares that could be granted with respect to awards other than stock options and stock appreciation rights (“Full
Value Awards”) to one under which all authorized shares may be granted from a “fungible” share pool. Pursuant to the 2007 Plan,
as amended, each share subject to any Full Value Award that is granted from the pool of available shares will count against the
amended 2007 Plan’s share authorization as though 1.67 shares of the Company’s stock had been awarded. As of December 31,
2015, we had approximately 9.81 million shares, in the aggregate, available in the fungible share pool for issuance.
Stock Options — We did not grant any stock options during 2013, 2014 or 2015, nor do we plan to in 2016. At December 31,
2015, there was no remaining unrecognized stock option expense related to unvested awards.
Under the terms of our stock option plans, employees and non-employee directors may be granted options to purchase
our stock at a price equal to the market price on the date the option is granted.
F-23
Prior to 2014, we did not historically declare or pay a regular cash dividend on our common stock. Stock option awards
are not impacted by our decision in 2013 to begin paying dividends in 2014.
The following table summarizes stock option activity during the year ended December 31, 2015:
Options outstanding at January 1, 2015
Forfeited and canceled(1)
Exercised
Options outstanding and exercisable at December 31,
2015(2)
Options exercisable at December 31, 2014
Options
3,691,567
(342,227)
(144,415)
3,204,925
3,605,028
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
20.13
$
Weighted
Average
Contractual Life
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
22.41
16.29
20.07
20.35
2.10 $
3,615,768
(1)
Pursuant to the terms of our stock option plans, options that are forfeited or canceled may be available for future grants.
Effective May 15, 2013, any stock options surrendered or canceled in satisfaction of participants' exercise proceeds or
tax withholding obligation will no longer become available for future grants under the plans.
(2)
As of December 31, 2015, there were no remaining unvested stock options.
The following table summarizes information about options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2015:
Range of
Exercise Prices
$8.96 to 10.44
12.60 to 16.98
17.36
17.48
18.22 to 21.96
22.22
23.08
23.56 to 26.06
26.52
27.58 to 27.60
Options Outstanding and Exercisable
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(in years)
Number
Outstanding
386,758
258,812
474,321
4,504
489,664
767,497
249,539
489,694
22,822
61,314
5.74 $
3.92
3.12
3.17
1.75
0.04
1.85
1.12
1.16
1.48
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
9.85
14.08
17.36
17.48
21.83
22.22
23.08
26.02
26.52
27.58
The following table summarizes additional information regarding our stock option activity (in thousands):
Intrinsic value of options exercised
Fair value of shares vested
Tax benefit related to stock option expense
Year Ended December 31
2014
2013
2015
$
$
336
453
34
$
2,078
4,717
169
9,540
4,084
2,534
During the year ended December 31, 2015, net cash received from stock option exercises was $2.2 million and the total
cash benefit for tax deductions to be realized for these option exercises was $0.1 million.
Restricted Stock Units — We issue RSUs to certain senior employees and non-employee directors as part of our long-
term incentive program. An RSU represents the right to receive one share of common stock in the future. RSUs have no exercise
price. RSUs granted to employees generally vest ratably over three years, subject to certain accelerated vesting provisions based
primarily on a change of control, or in certain cases upon death or qualified disability. RSUs granted to non-employee directors
vest ratably over three years.
F-24
The following table summarizes RSU activity during the year ended December 31, 2015:
RSUs outstanding January 1, 2015
RSUs issued
Shares issued upon vesting
RSUs canceled or forfeited(1)
RSUs outstanding at December 31, 2015
Weighted-average per share grant date fair value
Employees
Directors
898,550
397,502
(277,461)
(146,715)
871,876
112,579
46,589
(62,723)
(1,629)
94,816
Total
1,011,129
444,091
(340,184)
(148,344)
966,692
$
15.48
$
15.12
$
15.45
(1)
Pursuant to the terms of our stock unit plans, employees have the option of forfeiting stock units to cover their minimum
statutory tax withholding when shares are issued. Any stock units surrendered or canceled in satisfaction of participants’
tax withholding obligations are not available for future grants under the plans.
The following table summarizes information about our RSU grants and RSU expense during the years ended December 31,
2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
Year Ended December 31
2015
2014
2013
Total intrinsic value of RSUs vested/distributed during the period
Weighted-average grant date fair value of RSUs granted
Tax benefit related to RSU expense
$
$
7,958
16.41
2,303
$
5,459
14.62
990
7,419
15.45
1,493
At December 31, 2015, there was $10.2 million of total unrecognized RSU expense, all of which is related to unvested
awards. This compensation expense is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average remaining vesting period of 0.96
years.
Restricted Stock — We offer our non-employee directors the option to receive certain compensation for services rendered
in either cash or shares of restricted stock equal to 150% of the fee amount. Shares of restricted stock vest one-third on grant, one-
third on the first anniversary of grant and one-third on the second anniversary of grant. The following table summarizes restricted
stock activity during the year ended December 31, 2015:
Unvested at January 1, 2015
Restricted shares granted
Restricted shares vested
Unvested at December 31, 2015
Shares
39,234
38,962
(38,871)
39,325
Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
17.82
$
16.41
17.88
16.36
$
F-25
Phantom Shares — We grant phantom shares as part of our long-term incentive compensation program, which are similar
to RSUs in that they are based on the price of our stock and vest ratably over a three-year period, but are cash-settled based upon
the value of our stock at each vesting period. The fair value of the awards is remeasured at each reporting period. Compensation
expense, which is variable, is recognized over the vesting period with a corresponding liability, which is recorded in accounts
payable and accrued expenses in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table summarizes the phantom share activity
during the year ended December 31, 2015:
Outstanding at January 1, 2015
Granted
Converted/paid
Forfeited
Outstanding at December 31, 2015
Shares
1,036,331
724,289
(503,334)
(97,767)
1,159,519
Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
15.91
$
16.30
16.44
15.75
15.94
$
Share-Based Compensation Expense — The following table summarizes the share-based compensation expense related
to Dean Foods equity-based awards recognized during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
Stock options
Stock units
Phantom shares
Total
Year Ended December 31
2015
2014
2013(1)
$
$
$
88
8,407
7,882
16,377 $
438
4,521
7,317
12,276
$
$
6,520
5,114
7,654
19,288
(1)
The share-based compensation expense recorded during the year ended December 31, 2013 includes additional
compensation expense of $5.7 million for stock options and $1.0 million for stock units related to the conversion of equity
awards described more fully above.
F-26
12.
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
Basic earnings (loss) per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares issued and outstanding during
each period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares issued and outstanding
and the effect of all dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding during each period. Stock option conversions and stock units
were not included in the computation of diluted loss per share for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 as we incurred a
loss for each of these periods and any effect on loss per share would have been anti-dilutive. The following table reconciles the
numerators and denominators used in the computations of both basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Basic earnings (loss) per share computation:
Numerator:
Income (loss) from continuing operations
Denominator:
Average common shares
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations
Diluted earnings (loss) per share computation:
Numerator:
Income (loss) from continuing operations
Denominator:
Average common shares — basic
Stock option conversion(1)
Stock units(2)
Average common shares — diluted
Year Ended December 31
2015
2014
2013
(In thousands, except share data)
$
$
$
(8,081) $
(20,187) $
325,359
93,298,467
93,916,656
(0.09) $
(0.22) $
93,785,611
3.47
(8,081) $
(20,187) $
325,359
93,298,467
—
—
93,298,467
93,916,656
—
—
93,916,656
93,785,611
670,485
340,140
94,796,236
3.43
3,554,064
7,071
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations
$
(0.09) $
(0.22) $
(1) Anti-dilutive options excluded
(2) Anti-dilutive stock units excluded
2,933,770
340,398
3,840,637
312,971
13.
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of tax, during the year ended
December 31, 2015 were as follows (in thousands):
Balance, December 31, 2014
Other comprehensive loss before
reclassifications
Amounts reclassified from accumulated
other comprehensive income
Net current-period other comprehensive loss
Balance, December 31, 2015
$
Gains/Losses on
Cash Flow Hedges
87
$
Pension and Other
Postretirement
Benefits Items
Foreign Currency
Items
Total
$
(83,879)
$
(1,191)
$
(84,983)
(87)
6,475
—
(87)
— $
(5,875) (1)
600
(83,279)
$
(1,333)
—
(1,333)
(2,524)
$
5,055
(5,875)
(820)
(85,803)
(1)
The accumulated other comprehensive loss reclassification components are related to amortization of unrecognized
actuarial losses and prior service costs, both of which are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See
Notes 14 and 15.
F-27
The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of tax, during the year ended
December 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
Balance, December 31, 2013
$
423
$
(57,224)
$
(389)
$
(57,190)
Gains/Losses on
Cash Flow
Hedges
Pension and
Other
Postretirement
Benefits Items
Foreign Currency
Items
Total
Other comprehensive loss before
reclassifications
Amounts reclassified from accumulated
other comprehensive income
(116)
(22,946)
(802)
(23,864)
Net current-period other comprehensive loss
Balance, December 31, 2014
$
(220) (1)
(3,709) (2)
—
(3,929)
(336)
87
$
(26,655)
(83,879)
$
(802)
(1,191)
$
(27,793)
(84,983)
(1)
(2)
The accumulated other comprehensive loss component is related to the hedging activity amount at December 31, 2013
that was reclassified to operating income as we de-designated our cash flow hedges, effective January 1, 2014. See Note
10.
The accumulated other comprehensive loss reclassification components are related to amortization of unrecognized
actuarial losses and prior service costs, both of which are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See
Notes 14 and 15.
14.
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT AND PROFIT SHARING PLANS
We sponsor various defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans, including various employee savings and
profit sharing plans, and contribute to various multiemployer pension plans on behalf of our employees. Substantially all full-time
union and non-union employees who have completed one or more years of service and have met other requirements pursuant to
the plans are eligible to participate in one or more of these plans. During 2015, 2014 and 2013, our retirement and profit sharing
plan expenses were as follows:
Defined benefit plans
Defined contribution plans
Multiemployer pension and certain union plans
Total
Year Ended December 31
2015
2014
2013
6,594
16,498
29,930
53,022
(In thousands)
4,729
$
16,503
28,933
50,165
$
$
$
$
$
10,400
17,619
29,148
57,167
Defined Benefit Plans — The benefits under our defined benefit plans are based on years of service and employee
compensation. Our funding policy is to contribute annually the minimum amount required under Employee Retirement Income
Security Act regulations plus additional amounts as we deem appropriate.
Included in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2015 and 2014 are the following amounts that
have not yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost: unrecognized prior service costs of $3.0 million ($1.8 million net of
tax) and $3.8 million ($2.3 million net of tax) and unrecognized actuarial losses of $136.7 million ($84.1 million net of tax) and
$128.7 million ($79.3 million net of tax), respectively. Prior service costs and actuarial losses included in accumulated other
comprehensive income and expected to be recognized in net periodic pension cost during the year ended December 31, 2016 are
$0.9 million ($0.6 million net of tax) and $8.8 million ($5.4 million net of tax), respectively.
F-28
The reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the projected benefit obligation and the fair value of plan
assets for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the funded status of the plans at December 31, 2015 and 2014 is as
follows:
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
Service cost
Interest cost
Plan participants’ contributions
Plan amendments
Actuarial (gain) loss
Benefits paid
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
Plan participants’ contributions
Benefits paid
Plan settlements
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
Funded status at end of year
December 31
2015
2014
(In thousands)
$
345,766
3,631
13,736
10
72
(10,351)
(18,889)
333,975
289,526
(6,716)
18,822
10
(18,889)
—
282,753
(51,222) $
293,850
3,081
13,979
13
(411)
57,716
(22,462)
345,766
270,123
28,980
14,338
13
(22,462)
(1,466)
289,526
(56,240)
$
$
The underfunded status of the plans of $51.2 million at December 31, 2015 is recognized in our Consolidated Balance
Sheet and includes $0.8 million classified as a current accrued pension liability. We do not expect any plan assets to be returned
to us during the year ended December 31, 2016. We expect to contribute $5.3 million to the pension plans in 2016.
A summary of our key actuarial assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as of December 31, 2015 and 2014
follows:
Weighted average discount rate
Rate of compensation increase
December 31
2015
2014
4.52%
4.00%
4.08%
4.00%
F-29
A summary of our key actuarial assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for 2015, 2014 and 2013 follows:
Weighted average discount rate
Expected return on plan assets
Rate of compensation increase
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Amortizations:
Prior service cost
Unrecognized net loss
Effect of settlement
Other
Net periodic benefit cost
Year Ended December 31
2015
2014
2013
4.08%
7.00%
4.00%
4.90%
7.00%
4.00%
3.70%
7.50%
4.00%
Year Ended December 31
2015
2014
2013
(In thousands)
$
$
$
3,631
13,736
(20,026)
$
3,081
13,979
(18,761)
856
8,544
—
(147)
6,594
$
787
5,105
538
—
4,729
$
3,692
12,496
(18,531)
791
11,759
(136)
329
10,400
The overall expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is a weighted-average expectation based on the targeted and
expected portfolio composition. We consider historical performance and current benchmarks to arrive at expected long-term rates
of return in each asset category.
The amortization of unrecognized net loss represents the amortization of investment losses incurred. The effect of
settlement costs in 2015, 2014 and 2013 represents the recognition of net periodic benefit cost related to pension settlements
reached as a result of plant closures.
Pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets follows:
Projected benefit obligation
Accumulated benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets
December 31
2015
2014
(In millions)
$
334.0
331.3
282.8
345.8
341.3
289.5
$
The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit plans was $331.3 million and $341.3 million at December 31,
2015 and 2014, respectively.
Almost 90% of our defined benefit plan obligations are frozen as to future participation or increases in projected benefit
obligation. Many of these obligations were acquired in prior strategic transactions. As an alternative to defined benefit plans, we
offer defined contribution plans for eligible employees.
The weighted average discount rate reflects the rate at which our defined benefit plan obligations could be effectively
settled. The rate, which is updated annually with the assistance of an independent actuary, uses a model that reflects a bond yield
curve.
Substantially all of our qualified pension plans are consolidated into one master trust. Our investment objectives are to
minimize the volatility of the value of our pension assets relative to our pension liabilities and to ensure assets are sufficient to
pay plan benefits. In 2014, we adopted a broad pension de-risking strategy intended to align the characteristics of our assets relative
to our liabilities. The strategy targets investments depending on the funded status of the obligation. We anticipate this strategy will
continue in future years and will be dependent upon market conditions and plan characteristics.
F-30
At December 31, 2015, our master trust was invested as follows: investments in equity securities were at 40%; investments
in fixed income were at 59%; cash equivalents were at 1% and other investments were less than 1%. We believe the allocation of
our master trust investments as of December 31, 2015 is generally consistent with the targets set forth by the Investment Committee.
Estimated pension plan benefit payments to participants for the next ten years are as follows:
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Next five years
$ 19.5 million
19.9 million
20.1 million
20.2 million
20.4 million
108.2 million
Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability
in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined
based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering assumptions,
we follow a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value of our defined benefit plans’
consolidated assets as follows:
• Level 1 — Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
• Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments
in markets that are not active and model-derived valuations, in which all significant inputs are observable in active
markets.
• Level 3 — Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop
its own assumptions.
The fair values by category of inputs as of December 31, 2015 were as follows (in thousands):
Equity Securities:
Common Stock
Index Funds:
U.S. Equities(a)
International Equities
Equity Funds(b)
Total Equity Securities
Fixed Income:
Bond Funds(c)
Diversified Funds(d)
Total Fixed Income
Cash Equivalents:
Short-term Investment Funds(e)
Total Cash Equivalents
Other Investments:
Partnerships/Joint Ventures(f)
Total Other Investments
Total
(a)
(b)
Fair Value as of
December 31, 2015
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
$
241
$
241
$
— $
105,874
—
6,204
112,319
160,419
3,929
164,348
1,975
1,975
—
—
—
241
—
—
—
—
—
105,874
—
6,204
112,078
160,419
—
160,419
1,975
1,975
273
273
278,915
$
$
—
—
241
$
—
—
274,472
$
—
—
—
—
—
—
3,929
3,929
—
—
273
273
4,202
Represents a pooled/separate account that tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index.
Represents a pooled/separate account comprised of approximately 90% U.S. large-cap stocks and 10% in international
stocks.
F-31
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
Represents investments primarily in U.S. dollar-denominated, investment grade bonds, including government securities,
corporate bonds, and mortgage- and asset-backed securities.
Represents a pooled/separate account investment in the General Investment Account of an investment manager. The
account primarily invests in fixed income debt securities, such as high grade corporate bonds, government bonds and
asset-backed securities.
Investment is comprised of high grade money market instruments with short-term maturities and high liquidity.
The majority of the total partnership balance is a partnership comprised of a portfolio of two limited partnership funds
that invest in public and private equity.
The fair values by category of inputs as of December 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
Equity Securities:
Common Stock
Index Funds:
U.S. Equities(a)
International Equities
Equity Funds(b)
Total Equity Securities
Fixed Income:
Bond Funds(c)
Diversified Funds(d)
Total Fixed Income
Cash Equivalents:
Short-term Investment Funds(e)
Total Cash Equivalents
Other Investments:
Partnerships/Joint Ventures(f)
Total Other Investments
Fair Value as of
December 31, 2014
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
$
210
$
210
$
— $
135,726
—
8,101
144,037
140,714
2,921
143,635
2,507
2,507
—
—
—
210
—
—
—
—
—
135,726
—
8,101
143,827
140,714
—
140,714
2,507
2,507
567
567
290,746
$
$
—
—
210
$
—
—
287,048
$
—
—
—
—
—
—
2,921
2,921
—
—
567
567
3,488
Total
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
Represents a pooled/separate account that tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index.
Represents a pooled/separate account comprised of approximately 90% U.S. large-cap stocks and 10% in international
stocks.
Represents investments primarily in U.S. dollar-denominated, investment grade bonds, including government securities,
corporate bonds, and mortgage- and asset-backed securities.
Represents a pooled/separate account investment in the General Investment Account of an investment manager. The
account primarily invests in fixed income debt securities, such as high grade corporate bonds, government bonds and
asset-backed securities.
Investment is comprised of high grade money market instruments with short-term maturities and high liquidity.
The majority of the total partnership balance is a partnership comprised of a portfolio of two limited partnership funds
that invest in public and private equity.
Inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets vary according to the type of security being
valued. The common stock investments held directly by the plans are actively traded and fair values are determined based on
quoted prices in active markets and are therefore classified as Level 1 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.
Fair values of equity securities held through units of pooled or index funds are based on net asset value of the units of
the funds as determined by the fund manager. These funds are similar in nature to retail mutual funds, but are typically more
efficient for institutional investors than retail mutual funds. The fair value of pooled funds is determined by the value of the
underlying assets held by the fund and the units outstanding. The values of the pooled funds are not directly observable, but are
based on observable inputs and, accordingly, have been classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
F-32
Fair values of fixed income bond funds are typically determined by reference to the values of similar securities traded in
the marketplace and current interest rate levels. Multiple pricing services are typically employed to assist in determining these
valuations. These investments are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy as all significant inputs into the valuation are
readily observable in the marketplace. Investments in diversified funds and investments in partnerships/joint ventures are classified
as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy as their fair value is dependent on inputs and assumptions which are not readily observable
in the marketplace.
A reconciliation of the change in the fair value measurement of the defined benefit plans’ consolidated assets using
significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
Balance at December 31, 2013
Actual return on plan assets:
Relating to instruments still held at reporting date
Purchases, sales and settlements (net)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
Balance at December 31, 2014
Actual return on plan assets:
Relating to instruments still held at reporting date
Purchases, sales and settlements (net)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
Balance at December 31, 2015
Diversified
Funds
Partnerships/
Joint Ventures
Total
3,093
$
864
$
3,957
117
(1,836)
1,547
2,921
131
(823)
1,700
3,929
$
$
(158)
—
(139)
567
(182)
—
(112)
273
$
$
(41)
(1,836)
1,408
3,488
(51)
(823)
1,588
4,202
$
$
$
Defined Contribution Plans — Certain of our non-union personnel may elect to participate in savings and profit sharing
plans sponsored by us. These plans generally provide for salary reduction contributions to the plans on behalf of the participants
of between 1% and 50% of a participant’s annual compensation and provide for employer matching and profit sharing contributions
as determined by our Board of Directors. In addition, certain union hourly employees are participants in company-sponsored
defined contribution plans, which provide for salary reduction contributions according to several schedules, including as a
percentage of salary, various cents per hour and flat dollar amounts. Additionally, employer contributions are sometimes, although
not always, provided according to various schedules ranging from flat dollar contributions to matching contributions as a percent
of salary based on the employees deferral election.
Multiemployer Pension Plans — Certain of our subsidiaries contribute to various multiemployer pension and other
postretirement benefit plans which cover a majority of our full-time union employees and certain of our part-time union employees.
Such plans are usually administered by a board of trustees composed of labor representatives and the management of the participating
companies. The risks of participating in these multiemployer plans are different from single-employer plans in the following
aspects:
• Assets contributed to a multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other
participating employers;
•
•
If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the
remaining participating employers; and
If we choose to stop participating in one or more of our multiemployer plans, we may be required to pay those plans
an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability.
F-33
Our participation in these multiemployer plans for the year ended December 31, 2015 is outlined in the table below.
Unless otherwise noted, the most recent Pension Protection Act (“PPA”) Zone Status available in 2015 and 2014 is for the plans’
year-end at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The zone status is based on information that we obtained
from each plan’s Form 5500, which is available in the public domain and is certified by the plan’s actuary. Among other factors,
plans in the red zone are generally less than 65% funded, plans in the yellow zone are less than 80% funded, and plans in the green
zone are at least 80% funded. The “FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented” column indicates plans for which a funding improvement
plan (“FIP”) or a rehabilitation plan (“RP”) is either pending or has been implemented. Federal law requires that plans classified
in the yellow zone or red zone adopt a funding improvement plan or rehabilitation plan, respectively, in order to improve the
financial health of the plan. The “Extended Amortization Provisions” column indicates plans which have elected to utilize the
special 30-year amortization rules provided by the Pension Relief Act of 2010 to amortize its losses from 2008 as a result of turmoil
in the financial markets. The last column in the table lists the expiration date(s) of the collective-bargaining agreement(s) to which
the plans are subject.
Pension Fund
Western Conference of
Teamsters Pension Plan(1)
Central States, Southeast and
Southwest Areas Pension Plan(2)
Retail, Wholesale & Department
Store International Union and
Industry Pension Fund(3)
Dairy Industry – Union Pension
Plan for Philadelphia Vicinity(4)
Employer
Identification
Number
Pension
Plan
Number
PPA Zone Status
2015
2014
FIP /
RP Status
Pending/
Implemented
Extended
Amortization
Provisions
91-6145047
001
Green
Green
N/A
36-6044243
001
Red
Red
Implemented
63-0708442
001
Green
Green
23-6283288
001
Green
Green
N/A
N/A
No
No
Yes
Yes
Expiration
Date of
Associated
Collective-
Bargaining
Agreement(s)
March 31, 2016 -
September 30, 2019
April 3, 2016 -
September 15, 2018
July 31, 2016 -
June 7, 2018
June 30, 2017 -
September 30, 2018
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
We are party to approximately nine collective bargaining agreements that require contributions to this plan. These
agreements cover a large number of employee participants and expire on various dates between 2016 and 2019. We do
not believe that any one agreement is substantially more significant than another as none of these agreements individually
represent greater than 25% of the total employee participants covered under this plan.
There are approximately 22 collective bargaining agreements that govern our participation in this plan. The agreements
expire on various dates between 2016 and 2018. Approximately 67%, 16% and 17% of our employee participants in this
plan are covered by the agreements expiring in 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively.
We are subject to approximately seven collective bargaining agreements with respect to this plan. Approximately 6%,
58% and 36% of our employee participants in this plan are covered by the agreements expiring in 2016, 2017 and 2018,
respectively.
We are party to five collective bargaining agreements with respect to this plan. The agreement expiring in September
2017 is the most significant as 59% of our employee participants in this plan are covered by that agreement.
F-34
Information regarding our contributions to our multiemployer pension plans is shown in the table below. There are no
changes that materially affected the comparability of our contributions to each of these plans during the years ended December 31,
2015, 2014 and 2013.
Pension Fund
Western Conference of Teamsters
Pension Plan
Central States, Southeast and
Southwest Areas Pension Plan
Retail, Wholesale & Department
Store International Union and
Industry Pension Fund(1)
Dairy Industry – Union Pension
Plan for Philadelphia Vicinity(1)
Other Funds(2)
Total Contributions
Employer
Identification
Number
Pension
Plan
Number
Dean Foods Company Contributions
(in millions)
2015
2014
2013
Surcharge
Imposed(3)
91-6145047
001 $
12.8
$
12.9
$
36-6044243
63-0708442
23-6283288
001
001
001
9.3
1.3
2.1
4.4
11.9
1.3
2.0
0.8
13.5
11.1
1.3
1.8
1.4
No
No
No
No
$
29.9
$
28.9
$
29.1
(1)
(2)
(3)
During the 2014 and 2013 plan years, our contributions to these plans exceeded 5% of total plan contributions. At the
date of filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, Forms 5500 were not available for the plan years ending in 2015.
Amounts shown represent our contributions to all other multiemployer pension and other postretirement benefit plans,
which are immaterial both individually and in the aggregate to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Federal law requires that contributing employers to a plan in Critical status pay to the plan a surcharge to help correct
the plan’s financial situation. The amount of the surcharge is equal to a percentage of the amount we would otherwise be
required to contribute to the plan and ceases once our related collective bargaining agreements are amended to comply
with the provisions of the rehabilitation plan.
15.
POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS
Certain of our subsidiaries provide health care benefits to certain retirees who are covered under specific group contracts.
As defined by the specific group contract, qualified covered associates may be eligible to receive major medical insurance with
deductible and co-insurance provisions subject to certain lifetime maximums.
Included in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2015 and 2014 are the following amounts that
have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost: unrecognized prior service costs of $585.7 thousand ($359.6 thousand
net of tax) and $677.5 thousand ($415.3 thousand net of tax) and unrecognized actuarial losses of $5.1 million ($3.1 million net
of tax) and $3.1 million ($1.9 million net of tax), respectively. The prior service cost and actuarial loss included in accumulated
other comprehensive income and expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost during the year ended December 31, 2016
is $91.8 thousand ($56.4 thousand net of tax) and $245.2 thousand ($150.6 thousand net of tax), respectively.
F-35
The following table sets forth the funded status of these plans:
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
Service cost
Interest cost
Employee contributions
Actuarial (gain) loss
Benefits paid
Benefit obligation at end of year
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
Funded status
December 31
2015
2014
(In thousands)
$
$
$
39,126
821
1,455
389
(8,048)
(1,611)
32,132
—
(32,132) $
37,230
824
1,663
380
895
(1,866)
39,126
—
(39,126)
The unfunded portion of the liability of $32.1 million at December 31, 2015 is recognized in our Consolidated Balance
Sheet and includes $2.4 million classified as a current accrued postretirement liability.
A summary of our key actuarial assumptions used to determine the benefit obligation as of December 31, 2015 and 2014
follows:
Healthcare inflation:
Healthcare cost trend rate assumed for next year
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (ultimate trend rate)
Year of ultimate rate achievement
Weighted average discount rate
December 31
2015
2014
7.27%
4.50%
2038
4.27%
7.70%
4.50%
2029
3.85%
A summary of our key actuarial assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost follows:
Healthcare inflation:
Healthcare cost trend rate assumed for next year
Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (ultimate trend
rate)
Year of ultimate rate achievement
Weighted average discount rate
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service and interest cost
Amortizations:
Prior service cost
Unrecognized net loss
Other
Net periodic benefit cost
F-36
Year Ended December 31
2015
2014
2013
7.70%
4.50%
2029
3.85%
7.90%
4.50%
2029
4.64%
8.20%
4.50%
2029
3.38%
2015
Year Ended December 31
2014
(In thousands)
2013
$
$
2,276
$
2,487
$
2,039
92
63
—
2,431
$
65
75
98
2,725
$
26
298
2,286
4,649
Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one
percent change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
Effect on total of service and interest cost components
Effect on postretirement obligation
1-Percentage-
Point Increase
1-Percentage-
Point Decrease
$
(In thousands)
323
3,155
$
(268)
(2,702)
We expect to contribute $2.4 million to the postretirement health care plans in 2016. Estimated postretirement health care
plan benefit payments for the next ten years are as follows:
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Next five years
$
2.4 million
2.3 million
2.3 million
2.4 million
2.5 million
12.7 million
16.
ASSET IMPAIRMENT CHARGES AND FACILITY CLOSING AND REORGANIZATION COSTS
Asset Impairment Charges
We evaluate our finite-lived intangible and long-lived assets for impairment when circumstances indicate that the carrying
value may not be recoverable. Indicators of impairment could include, among other factors, significant changes in the business
environment or the planned closure of a facility. Considerable management judgment is necessary to evaluate the impact of
operating changes and to estimate future cash flows. Testing assets for recoverability involves developing estimates of future cash
flows directly associated with, and that are expected to arise as a direct result of, the use and eventual disposition of the assets.
Inputs for fair value calculations are based on assessment of an individual asset’s alternative use within other production facilities,
evaluation of recent market data and historical liquidation sales values for similar assets. As the inputs into these calculations are
largely based on management’s judgments and are not generally observable in active markets, we consider such measurements to
be Level 3 measurements in the fair value hierarchy. See Note 10.
The results of our analysis indicated no impairment of our plant, property and equipment, outside of facility closing and
reorganization costs as of December 31, 2015. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded impairments of our property,
plant and equipment of approximately $20.8 million and no impairments related to certain intangible assets.
Facility Closing and Reorganization Costs
Approved plans within our multi-year initiatives and related charges are summarized as follows:
Closure of facilities(1)
Functional Realignment(2)
Field and Functional Reorganization(3)
Other
Total
$
$
2015
Year Ended December 31
2014
(In thousands)
4,460
$
—
—
—
4,460
$
$
$
19,844
—
—
—
19,844
2013
20,845
892
5,266
5
27,008
(1)
These charges in 2015, 2014 and 2013 primarily relate to facility closures in Rochester, Indiana; Riverside, California;
Delta, Colorado; Denver, Colorado; Dallas, Texas; Waco, Texas; Springfield, Virginia; Buena Park, California; Evart,
Michigan; Bangor, Maine; Shreveport, Louisiana; Mendon, Massachusetts, and Sheboygan, Wisconsin; as well as other
approved but unannounced plant closures. We have incurred $65.1 million of charges to date related to our active
restructuring initiatives. We expect to incur additional charges related to these facility closures of $9.3 million, related
F-37
(2)
(3)
to contract termination, shutdown and other costs. As we continue the evaluation of our supply chain and distribution
network, it is likely that we will close additional facilities in the future.
The Functional Realignment initiative was focused on aligning key functions within our legacy Fresh Dairy Direct
operations under a single leadership team and permanently removing certain costs from the organization. We have incurred
total charges of approximately $33.1 million under this initiative through 2015 and we do not expect to incur any material
future charges related to this initiative.
The Field and Functional Reorganization initiative streamlined the leadership structure and has enabled faster decision-
making and created enhanced opportunities to strategically build our business. We incurred total charges of $11.3 million
under this plan through 2015, all of which were associated with headcount reductions. We do not currently anticipate
incurring any material charges under this initiative going forward.
Activity for 2015 and 2014 with respect to facility closing and reorganization costs is summarized below and includes
items expensed as incurred:
Accrued
Charges at
December 31,
2013
Charges and
Adjustments
Payments
Accrued
Charges at
December 31,
2014
(In thousands)
Charges and
Adjustments
Payments
Accrued
Charges at
December 31,
2015
Cash charges:
Workforce reduction
costs
$
Shutdown costs
Lease obligations after
shutdown
Other
Subtotal
Non-cash charges:
Write-down of assets(1)
(Gain)/Loss on sale of
related assets
Other, net
Total charges
$
9,028
—
(2,877) $
4,822
(4,868) $
(4,822)
$
1,283
—
$
8,803
2,506
(4,610) $
(2,506)
5,476
—
8,361
—
446
598
(1,952)
(598)
6,855
—
149
1,041
$
17,389
2,989
$ (12,240) $
8,138
12,499
$
5,384
(4,754)
841
$
4,460
10,531
(3,489)
303
$
19,844
(1,718)
(1,041)
(9,875) $
5,286
—
10,762
(1)
The write-down of assets relates primarily to owned buildings, land and equipment of those facilities identified for closure.
The assets were tested for recoverability at the time the decision to close the facilities was more likely than not to occur.
Our methodology for testing the recoverability of the assets is consistent with the methodology described in the “Asset
Impairment Charges” section above.
17.
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid for interest and financing charges, net of capitalized interest
Net cash paid (received) for taxes
Non-cash additions to property, plant and equipment, including capital
leases
18.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Year Ended December 31
2015
2014
2013
$
49,593
(29,157)
(In thousands)
52,122
$
(31,469)
$
90,695
401,641
10,129
7,455
6,672
Contingent Obligations Related to Divested Operations — We have divested certain businesses in prior years. In each
case, we have retained certain known contingent obligations related to those businesses and/or assumed an obligation to indemnify
the purchasers of the businesses for certain unknown contingent liabilities, including environmental liabilities. We believe that
we have established adequate reserves, which are immaterial to the financial statements, for potential liabilities and indemnifications
F-38
related to our divested businesses. Moreover, we do not expect any liability that we may have for these retained liabilities, or any
indemnification liability, to materially exceed amounts accrued.
Contingent Obligations Related to Milk Supply Arrangements — On December 21, 2001, in connection with our
acquisition of Legacy Dean, we purchased Dairy Farmers of America’s (“DFA”) 33.8% interest in our operations. In connection
with that transaction, we issued a contingent, subordinated promissory note to DFA in the original principal amount of $40 million.
The promissory note has a 20-year term that bears interest based on the consumer price index. Interest will not be paid in cash but
will be added to the principal amount of the note annually, up to a maximum principal amount of $96 million. We may prepay the
note in whole or in part at any time, without penalty. The note will only become payable if we materially breach or terminate one
of our related milk supply agreements with DFA without renewal or replacement. Otherwise, the note will expire in 2021, without
any obligation to pay any portion of the principal or interest. Payments made under the note, if any, would be expensed as incurred.
We have not terminated, and we have not materially breached, any of our milk supply agreements with DFA related to the promissory
note. We have previously terminated unrelated supply agreements with respect to several plants that were supplied by DFA. In
connection with our continued focus on cost control and increased supply chain efficiency, we continue to evaluate our sources
of raw milk supply.
Insurance — We use a combination of insurance and self-insurance for a number of risks, including property, workers’
compensation, general liability, automobile liability, product liability and employee health care utilizing high deductibles.
Deductibles vary due to insurance market conditions and risk. Liabilities associated with these risks are estimated considering
historical claims experience and other actuarial assumptions. Based on current information, we believe that we have established
adequate reserves to cover these claims. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, we recorded accrued liabilities related to these retained
risks of $163.9 million and $147.9 million, respectively, including both current and long-term liabilities.
Lease and Purchase Obligations — We lease certain property, plant and equipment used in our operations under both
capital and operating lease agreements. Such leases, which are primarily for machinery, equipment and vehicles, including our
distribution fleet, have lease terms ranging from one to 20 years. Certain of the operating lease agreements require the payment
of additional rentals for maintenance, along with additional rentals based on miles driven or units produced. Certain leases require
us to guarantee a minimum value of the leased asset at the end of the lease. Our maximum exposure under those guarantees is not
a material amount. Rent expense was $125.5 million, $118.9 million and $124.7 million for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The composition of capital leases which are reflected as property, plant and equipment in our Consolidated Balance
Sheets are as follows:
Year Ended December 31
2015
2014
$
(In thousands)
7,514
(2,302)
5,212
$
2,032
(886)
1,146
Machinery and equipment
Less accumulated depreciation
$
$
F-39
Future minimum payments at December 31, 2015, under non-cancelable capital leases and operating leases with terms
in excess of one year are summarized below:
Capital
Leases
Operating
Leases
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Thereafter
Total minimum lease payments
Less amount representing interest
Present value of capital lease obligations
$
$
$
77,229
64,849
56,755
45,521
30,478
25,390
$ 300,222
(In thousands)
1,627
1,219
1,219
1,219
347
—
5,631
(419)
5,212
We have entered into various contracts, in the normal course of business, obligating us to purchase minimum quantities
of raw materials used in our production and distribution processes, including conventional raw milk, diesel fuel, sugar and other
ingredients that are inputs into our finished products. We enter into these contracts from time to time to ensure a sufficient supply
of raw ingredients. In addition, we have contractual obligations to purchase various services that are part of our production process.
Litigation, Investigations and Audits — We are not party to, nor are our properties the subject of, any material pending
legal proceedings, other than as set forth below:
Tennessee Retailer and Indirect Purchaser Actions
A putative class action antitrust complaint (the "retailer action") was filed against Dean Foods and other milk processors
on August 9, 2007 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Plaintiffs allege generally that we,
either acting alone or in conjunction with others in the milk industry, lessened competition in the Southeastern United States for
the sale of processed fluid Grade A milk to retail outlets and other customers. Plaintiffs further allege that the defendants’ conduct
artificially inflated wholesale prices paid by direct milk purchasers. In March 2012, the district court granted summary judgment
in favor of defendants, including the Company, as to all counts then remaining. Plaintiffs appealed the district court’s decision,
and in January 2014, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reversed the grant of summary judgment as to one
of the five original counts in the Tennessee retailer action. Following the Sixth Circuit’s denial of our request to reconsider the
case en banc, the Company petitioned the Supreme Court of the United States for review. On November 17, 2014, the Supreme
Court denied our petition and the case returned to the district court. On January 19, 2016, the district court granted summary
judgment to defendants on claims accruing after May 8, 2009. On January 25, 2016, the district court issued orders denying
summary judgment in other respects and denying plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. The case is presently scheduled for trial
on July 12, 2016; it is unclear whether and how the court’s recent rulings will affect that date.
On June 29, 2009, another putative class action lawsuit was filed in the Eastern District of Tennessee on behalf of indirect
purchasers of processed fluid Grade A milk (the "indirect purchaser action"). This case was voluntarily dismissed, and the same
plaintiffs filed a nearly identical complaint on January 17, 2013. The allegations in this complaint are similar to those in both the
retailer action and the 2009 indirect purchaser action, but involve only claims arising under Tennessee law. The Company filed a
motion to dismiss, and on September 11, 2014, the district court granted in part and denied in part that motion, dismissing the
non-Tennessee plaintiffs’ claims. The Company filed its answer to the surviving claims on October 15, 2014. The parties have
jointly proposed that further proceedings (including any discovery) in this case be deferred until after the district court rules on
the summary judgment and class certification issues in the Tennessee retailer action.
At this time, it is not possible for us to predict the ultimate outcome of these matters. In addition to the pending legal
proceedings set forth above, we are party from time to time to certain claims, litigations, audits and investigations. Potential
liabilities associated with these other matters are not expected to have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results
of operations, or cash flows.
F-40
19.
SEGMENT, GEOGRAPHIC AND CUSTOMER INFORMATION
We operate as a single reportable segment in manufacturing, marketing, selling and distributing a wide variety of branded
and private label dairy case products. Beginning in the first quarter of 2013, we combined the results of our ongoing dairy operations
(previously referred to as our Fresh Dairy Direct business) and the corporate items previously categorized as “Corporate and
Other” into a single reportable segment, as all of our corporate activities now directly support this business. This change reflects
the manner in which our Chief Executive Officer, who is our chief operating decision maker, determines strategy and investment
plans for our business given the changes to our operating structure as a result of the WhiteWave spin-off and the Morningstar sale.
We operate 67 manufacturing facilities geographically located largely based on local and regional customer needs and
other market factors. We manufacture, market and distribute a wide variety of branded and private label dairy case products,
including milk, ice cream, cultured dairy products, creamers, ice cream mix and other dairy products to retailers, distributors,
foodservice outlets, educational institutions and governmental entities across the United States. Our products are primarily delivered
through what we believe to be one of the most extensive refrigerated direct-to-store delivery systems in the United States.
Approximate net revenue from external customers for each group of similar products for fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013
consisted of the following:
Fluid milk
Ice cream(1)
Fresh cream(2)
Extended shelf life and other dairy products(3)
Cultured
Other beverages(4)
Other(5)
Total
Year Ended December 31,
2015
2014
(in millions)
2013
$
$
5,728
965
358
250
319
343
159
8,122
$
$
6,984
986
373
283
370
379
128
9,503
$
$
6,604
1,024
298
243
364
382
101
9,016
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Includes ice cream, ice cream mix and ice cream novelties
Includes half-and-half and whipping creams.
Includes creamers and other extended shelf life fluids.
Includes fruit juice, fruit flavored drinks, iced tea and water.
Includes items for resale such as butter, cheese, eggs and milkshakes.
In December 2012, we entered into an agreement to sell Morningstar, and we completed the sale of these operations on
January 3, 2013. The operating results of Morningstar, previously reported within the Morningstar segment, have been reclassified
as discontinued operations for all periods presented herein. Additionally, as a result of the completion of the WhiteWave spin-off
on May 23, 2013, we have reclassified WhiteWave’s operating results as discontinued operations for all periods presented herein.
All intersegment sales between WhiteWave, Morningstar and us, previously recorded as intersegment sales and eliminated in
consolidation, prior to the Morningstar divestiture and WhiteWave spin-off, are now reflected as third-party sales that, along with
their related costs, are no longer eliminated in consolidation. See Notes 2 and 3, respectively, for further information regarding
the WhiteWave spin-off, Morningstar divestiture and our discontinued operations.
Our Chief Executive Officer evaluates the performance of our business based on sales and operating income or loss before
gains and losses on the sale of businesses, facility closing and reorganization costs, litigation settlements, impairments of long-
lived assets and other non-recurring gains and losses.
F-41
All results herein have been recast to present results on a comparable basis. These changes had no impact on consolidated
net sales and operating income. The amounts in the following tables include our operating results and are obtained from reports
used by our executive management team and do not include any allocated income taxes or management fees. There are no significant
non-cash items reported in segment profit or loss other than depreciation and amortization.
Operating income:
Dean Foods
Facility closing and reorganization costs
Litigation settlements
Impairment other long-lived assets
Other operating income (loss)
Total
Other (income) expense:
Interest expense
Loss on early retirement of debt
Gain on disposition of WhiteWave common stock
Other income, net
Year Ended December 31,
2015
2014
2013
(in thousands)
$
$
223,115
(19,844)
—
(109,910)
—
93,361
66,813
43,609
—
(3,751)
$
26,777
(4,460)
2,521
(20,820)
4,535
8,553
61,019
1,437
—
(1,620)
202,720
(27,008)
1,019
(43,441)
(2,494)
130,796
200,558
63,387
(415,783)
(400)
Consolidated income (loss) from continuing operations before
income taxes
$
(13,310) $
(52,283) $
283,034
Geographic Information — Net sales related to our foreign operations comprised less than 1% of our consolidated net
sales during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. None of our long-lived assets are associated with our foreign
operations.
Significant Customers — Our largest customer accounted for approximately 16% of our consolidated net sales in 2015,
16% in 2014, and 19% in 2013.
20.
QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
The following is a summary of our unaudited quarterly results of operations for 2015 and 2014:
2015
Net sales
Gross profit
Income (loss) from continuing operations
Net Income (loss) (1) (4)
Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing
operations (2):
Basic
Diluted
Quarter
First
Second
Third
Fourth
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
$
$
$
2,050,762
478,309
(73,651)
(73,740)
2,014,706
495,641
26,519
26,519
$
2,033,693
491,988
20,233
20,233
2,022,500
508,471
18,818
18,480
(0.78)
(0.78)
0.28
0.28
0.22
0.22
0.20
0.20
F-42
2014
Net sales
Gross profit
Income (loss) from continuing operations
Net income (loss) (3)
Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing
operations (2):
Basic
Diluted
Quarter
First
Second
Third
Fourth
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
$
2,341,040
$
2,393,869
$
2,373,280
$
2,395,007
416,175
(9,792)
(8,956)
399,088
(963)
(645)
416,800
(15,136)
(15,972)
441,400
5,704
5,277
(0.10)
(0.10)
(0.01)
(0.01)
(0.16)
(0.16)
0.06
0.06
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
The results for the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2015 include facility closing and reorganization costs, net
of tax, of $0.8 million, $3.3 million, $1.7 million and $6.4 million, respectively. See Note 16.
Earnings (loss) per common share calculations for each of the quarters were based on the basic and diluted weighted
average number of shares outstanding for each quarter. The sum of the quarters may not necessarily be equal to the full
year earnings (loss) per common share amount.
The results for the first, second and third quarters of 2014 include facility closing and reorganization costs, net of tax, of
$0.6 million, $0.5 million and $1.8 million, respectively. See Note 16.
Results for the first quarter of 2015 include a charge of $68.7 million, net of tax, related to impairments of intangible
assets (Note 6), and a loss of $23.5 million, net of tax, related to the early retirement of a portion of our senior notes due
2016 (Note 9).
F-43
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Dean Foods Company
Dallas, Texas
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Dean Foods Company and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of
December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders'
equity (deficit), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015. Our audits also included the
financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial
statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures
in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable
basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Dean Foods
Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of
the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated
financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the
Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on the criteria established in Internal Control
- Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report
dated February 22, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Dallas, Texas
February 22, 2016
F-44
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures
(as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act, referred to herein as “Disclosure Controls”) as of the end of
the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The controls evaluation was done under the supervision and with the
participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Based upon our
most recent controls evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our Disclosure Controls were effective as of December 31,
2015.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)
under the Exchange Act) in the quarter ended December 31, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially
affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
MANAGEMENT REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our
internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Directors regarding the
preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems
determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
We have assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015. In making
this assessment, we used the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on our assessment, management believes that, as of
December 31, 2015, our internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.
Our independent auditors, Deloitte & Touche LLP, a registered public accounting firm, are appointed by the Audit
Committee of our Board of Directors, subject to ratification by our stockholders. Deloitte & Touche LLP has audited and reported
on the consolidated financial statements of Dean Foods Company and subsidiaries and our internal control over financial reporting.
The reports of our independent auditors are contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Our independent registered public accounting firm has issued an audit report on our internal control over financial
reporting. This report appears on page F-44.
February 22, 2016
42
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Dean Foods Company
Dallas, Texas
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Dean Foods Company and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of
December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective
internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting,
included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control
over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control
over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating
effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in
the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal
executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors,
management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation
of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal
control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in
reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable
assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with
authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely
detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial
statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper
management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject
to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the
policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December
31, 2015, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the
consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015 of the Company
and our report dated February 22, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement
schedule.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Dallas, Texas
February 22, 2016
43
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
PART III
Incorporated herein by reference to our proxy statement (to be filed) for our May 11, 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
Incorporated herein by reference to our proxy statement (to be filed) for our May 11, 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Incorporated herein by reference to our proxy statement (to be filed) for our May 11, 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Incorporated herein by reference to our proxy statement (to be filed) for our May 11, 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Item 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Incorporated herein by reference to our proxy statement (to be filed) for our May 11, 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
44
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Financial Statements
PART IV
The following Consolidated Financial Statements are filed as part of this Form 10-K or are incorporated herein as indicated:
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and
2013
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
2. WhiteWave Spin-Off Transaction and Disposition of Remaining Ownership of WhiteWave Common Stock
3. Discontinued Operations and Divestitures
4. Inventories
5. Property, Plant and Equipment
6. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
7. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
8. Income Taxes
9. Debt
10. Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements
11. Common Stock and Share-Based Compensation
12. Earnings (Loss) per Share
13. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
14. Employee Retirement and Profit Sharing Plans
15. Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions
16. Asset Impairment Charges and Facility Closing and Reorganization Costs
17. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
18. Commitments and Contingencies
19. Segment, Geographic and Customer Information
20. Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited)
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Financial Statement Schedule
Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Exhibits
See Index to Exhibits
Page
F-1
F-2
F-3
F-4
F-5
F-6
F-6
F-9
F-10
F-11
F-12
F-12
F-14
F-14
F-17
F-20
F-22
F-27
F-27
F-28
F-35
F-37
F-38
F-38
F-41
F-42
F-44
45
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
By:
DEAN FOODS COMPANY
/S/ SCOTT K. VOPNI
Scott K. Vopni
Senior Vice President, Finance and
Chief Accounting Officer
Dated February 22, 2016
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following
persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacity and on the dates indicated.
Name
Title
Date
/S/ JIM L. TURNER
Jim L. Turner
Chairman of the Board
February 22, 2016
/S/ GREGG A. TANNER
Gregg A. Tanner
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
February 22, 2016
/S/ CHRIS BELLAIRS
Chris Bellairs
/S/ SCOTT K. VOPNI
Scott K. Vopni
/S/ JANET HILL
Janet Hill
/S/ WAYNE MAILLOUX
Wayne Mailloux
/S/ HELEN E. MCCLUSKEY
Helen E. McCluskey
/S/ JOHN R. MUSE
John R. Muse
/S/ HECTOR M. NEVARES
Hector M. Nevares
/S/ B. CRAIG OWENS
B. Craig Owens
/S/ ROBERT TENNANT WISEMAN
Robert Tennant Wiseman
February 22, 2016
February 22, 2016
February 22, 2016
February 22, 2016
February 22, 2016
February 22, 2016
February 22, 2016
February 22, 2016
February 22, 2016
Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Senior Vice President, Finance and
Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
S-1
DEAN FOODS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
SCHEDULE II
Balance at
Beginning of
Period
Charged to
(Reduction in)
Costs and
Expenses
Other
Deductions
(In thousands)
Balance at
End of Period
Description
Year ended December 31, 2015
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Deferred tax asset valuation allowances
Year ended December 31, 2014
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Deferred tax asset valuation allowances
Year ended December 31, 2013
Allowance for doubtful accounts
$
$
$
14,850
$
13,177
$
3,987
(2,209)
(2,155) $
—
(2,722) $
—
12,083
$
5,045
$
8,733
4,444
— $
—
(2,278) $
—
13,960
10,968
14,850
13,177
12,083
8,733
Deferred tax asset valuation allowances
7,570
1,163
12,522
$
3,197
$
278
$
—
(3,914) $
—
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No.
3.1
Description
Restated
Incorporation
Certificate
of
Previously Filed as an Exhibit to and
Incorporated by Reference From
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended September 30,
2013
Date Filed
November 12, 2013
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
4.1
4.2
4.3
*10.1
*10.2
*10.3
*10.4
*10.5
*10.6
*10.7
*10.8
Certificate of Amendment of
Restated
of
Incorporation
Certificate
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended June 30, 2012
August 7, 2012
Certificate of Amendment of
Restated
of
Incorporation
Certificate
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended September 30,
2013
November 12, 2013
Certificate of Amendment of
Restated
of
Incorporation
Certificate
Current Report on Form 8-K
May 20, 2014
Amended and Restated Bylaws
Current Report on Form 8-K
May 20, 2014
Specimen of Common Stock
Certificate
Indenture, dated as of February 25,
2015,
Foods
between Dean
the guarantors party
Company,
thereto and The Bank of New York
Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as
trustee
Satisfaction and Discharge of
Indenture
Third Amended and Restated 1989
Dean Foods Company Stock Awards
Plan
Current Report on Form 8-K
August 15, 2013
Current Report on Form 8-K
March 3, 2015
Current Report on Form 8-K
March 3, 2015
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2004
March 16, 2005
Amended and Restated Executive
Deferred Compensation Plan
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2006
March 1, 2007
Post-2004 Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2006
March 1, 2007
Revised and Restated Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2006
March 1, 2007
Amendment No. 1 to the Dean
Foods Company Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan
Amendment No. 2 to the Dean
Foods Company Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan
Dean Foods Company Amended and
Restated Executive Severance Pay
Plan
Form of Change
in Control
Agreement for the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer and Executive
Vice Presidents
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2006
March 1, 2007
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2006
March 1, 2007
Current Report on Form 8-K
November 19, 2010
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended September 30,
2013
November 12, 2013
Exhibit No.
*10.9
Description
Ninth Amended and Restated 1997
Stock Option and Restricted Stock
Plan
Previously Filed as an Exhibit to and
Incorporated by Reference From
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended March 31, 2012
Date Filed
May 9, 2012
*10.10
*10.11
*10.12
*10.13
*10.14
*10.15
*10.16
*10.17
*10.18
*10.19
*10.20
Dean Foods Company 2007 Stock
Incentive Plan, as amended
Current Report on Form 8-K
May 20, 2013
Amendment to the Dean Foods
Company 2007 Stock Incentive Plan
Current Report on Form 8-K
November 18, 2014
Form of Non-Qualified Stock
Option Agreement under the Dean
Foods Company 2007 Stock
Incentive Plan
Form of Restricted Stock Unit
Award Agreement under the Dean
Foods Company 2007 Stock
Incentive Plan
Form of Cash Performance Unit
Agreement for Awards under the
Dean Foods Company 2007 Stock
Incentive Plan
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2010
March 1, 2011
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2010
March 1, 2011
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2010
March 1, 2011
Form of Phantom Shares Award
Agreement under the Dean Foods
Company 2007 Stock Incentive Plan
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2010
March 1, 2011
Form of Dean Cash Award
Agreement
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2010
March 1, 2011
Form of Director’s Non-Qualified
Stock Option Agreement under the
Dean Foods Company 2007 Stock
Incentive Plan
Form of Director’s Restricted Stock
Unit Award Agreement under the
Dean Foods Company 2007 Stock
Incentive Plan
Form of 2013 Restricted Stock Unit
Award Agreement under the Dean
Foods Company 2007 Stock
Incentive Plan
Form of 2013 Cash Performance
Unit Agreement for Awards under
the Dean Foods Company 2007
Stock Incentive Plan
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2010
March 1, 2011
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2010
March 1, 2011
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2012
February 27, 2013
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2012
February 27, 2013
Exhibit No.
*10.21
Description
Form of 2013 Phantom Shares
Award Agreement under the Dean
Foods Company 2007 Stock
Incentive Plan
Previously Filed as an Exhibit to and
Incorporated by Reference From
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2012
Date Filed
February 27, 2013
*10.22
*10.23
*10.24
10.25
*10.26
*10.27
Form of 2013 Dean Cash Award
Agreement
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2012
February 27, 2013
Form
of Director’s Master
Restricted Stock Agreement under
the Dean Foods Company 2007
Stock Incentive Plan
Proprietary Information, Inventions
and Non-Compete Agreement
between the Company and Gregg
Tanner dated November 1, 2007
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended June 30, 2008
August 8, 2008
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended September 30,
2007
November 9, 2007
Letter Agreement between
the
Company and Gregg Tanner dated
November 1, 2007
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended September 30,
2007
November 9, 2007
Letter Agreement between
the
Company and Gregg Tanner dated
February 25, 2013
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2012
February 27, 2013
Letter Agreement between
the
Company and Kim Warmbier, dated
February 25, 2013
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2012
February 27, 2013
*10.28
Form of Indemnification Agreement
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2012
February 27, 2013
*10.29
10.30
Offer Letter between the Company
and Brian Murphy, dated September
11, 2013
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended September 30,
2013
November 12, 2013
Current Report on Form 8-K
March 27, 2015
Seventh Amended and Restated
Receivables Purchase Agreement,
dated as of March 26, 2015, among
Dairy Group Receivables L.P. and
Dairy Group Receivables II, L.P., as
Sellers; the Servicers, Companies
listed
and Financial Institutions
therein; and Cooperatieve Centrale
Raiffeisen - Boerenleenbank B.A.
“Rabobank
International”, New
York Branch, as Agent
Exhibit No.
10.31
10.32
10.33
10.34
10.35
10.36
10.37
10.38
10.39
Description
Credit Agreement, dated as of March
26, 2015 among Dean Foods
Company, Bank of America, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent, JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A. and Morgan
Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as
Syndication Agents, CoBank, ACB,
Suntrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.,
Coöperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen -
Boerenleenbank, B.A. “Rabobank
Nederland,” New York Branch,
Credit Agricole Corporate &
Investment Bank, and PNC Bank,
National Association,
as Co-
Documentation Agents; and certain
other lenders that are parties thereto
First Amendment
to Credit
Agreement and Limited Waiver,
dated November 23, 2015, by and
among the Company, each lender
party thereto and Bank of America,
N.A., as Administrative Agent
and
Separation
Distribution
and
Agreement, dated October 25, 2012,
by
among Dean Foods
Company, The WhiteWave Foods
Company and WWF Operating
Company
Transition Services Agreement,
dated October 25, 2012, between
Dean Foods Company and The
WhiteWave Foods Company, as
amended
to Transitional
Amendment 1
Services
dated
Agreement,
November 20, 2012, by and between
Dean Foods Company and The
WhiteWave Foods Company
to Transitional
Amendment 2
dated
Agreement,
Services
December 28, 2012, by and between
Dean Foods Company and The
WhiteWave Foods Company
to Transitional
Amendment 5
Services Agreement, dated May 28,
2013, by and between Dean Foods
Company and The WhiteWave
Foods Company
to Transitional
Amendment 6
Services
dated
Agreement,
November 13, 2013, by and between
Dean Foods Company and The
WhiteWave Foods Company
to Transitional
Amendment 7
Services
dated
Agreement,
December 31, 2013, by and between
Dean Foods Company and The
WhiteWave Foods Company
Previously Filed as an Exhibit to and
Incorporated by Reference From
Date Filed
Current Report on Form 8-K
March 27, 2015
Filed herewith
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2012
February 27, 2013
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2012
February 27, 2013
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2012
February 27, 2013
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2012
February 27, 2013
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2013
February 24, 2014
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2013
February 24, 2014
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2013
February 24, 2014
Exhibit No.
10.40
10.41
*10.42
*10.43
*10.44
12
21
23
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
99.1
Description
Amended and Restated Tax Matters
Agreement dated May 1, 2013
between Dean Foods Company and
The WhiteWave Foods Company
Employee Matters Agreement,
dated October 25, 2012, by and
between Dean Foods Company, The
WhiteWave Foods Company, and
WWF Operating Company
Dean Foods Company 2015 Short-
Term Incentive Compensation Plan
Previously Filed as an Exhibit to and
Incorporated by Reference From
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended March 31, 2013
Date Filed
May 9, 2013
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2012
February 27, 2013
Current Report on Form 8-K
March 10, 2015
Letter Agreement between
the
Company and Ralph Scozzafava
dated September 25, 2014
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended September 30,
2014
November 10, 2014
Letter Agreement between
the
Company and Marc Kesselman
dated January 16, 2015
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended March 31, 2015
May 11, 2015
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to
Fixed Charges
Filed herewith
List of Subsidiaries
Filed herewith
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP Filed herewith
Certification of Chief Executive
Officer pursuant to Section 302 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification of Chief Financial
Officer pursuant to Section 302 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification of Chief Executive
Officer pursuant to Section 906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification of Chief Financial
Officer pursuant to Section 906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Supplemental Unaudited Financial
for Dean Holding
Information
Company
Filed herewith
Filed herewith
Furnished herewith
Furnished herewith
Filed herewith
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document(1)
101.SCH
101.CAL
101.DEF
101.LAB
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension
Schema Document(1)
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation
Linkbase Document(1)
XBRL Taxonomy Extension
Definition Linkbase Document(1)
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase
Document(1)
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation
Linkbase Document(1)
(1)
*
Filed electronically herewith
This exhibit is a management or compensatory contract.
Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following materials from Dean Foods Company’s Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, (ii) the Consolidated Balance
Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended
December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the years ended
December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014
and 2013, and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
I, Gregg A. Tanner, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Dean Foods Company;
CERTIFICATION
EXHIBIT 31.1
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in
all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods
presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be
designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in
which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to
be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting
and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our
conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered
by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during
the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that
has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial
reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over
financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of 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.
February 22, 2016
/S/ GREGG A. TANNER
Chief Executive Officer and Director
I, Chris Bellairs, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Dean Foods Company;
CERTIFICATION
EXHIBIT 31.2
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in
all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods
presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be
designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in
which this report is being prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to
be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting
and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our
conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered
by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during
the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that
has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial
reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over
financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of 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.
February 22, 2016
/S/ CHRIS BELLAIRS
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
EXHIBIT 32.1
In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Dean Foods Company (the “Company”) for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2015, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Gregg A. Tanner,
Chief Executive Officer of the Company, 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 the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
February 22, 2016
/S/ GREGG A. TANNER
Gregg A. Tanner
Chief Executive Officer and Director
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
EXHIBIT 32.2
In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Dean Foods Company (the “Company”) for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2015, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Chris Bellairs,
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, 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 the Report fully complies with the requirements
of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the information contained in the Report
fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
February 22, 2016
/S/ CHRIS BELLAIRS
Chris Bellairs
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
How Has Our Stock Performed?
The following graph compares the cumulative total return of our common stock from December 31, 2010
through December 31, 2015, to the Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Index and two peer groups
composed of U.S.-based manufacturers of food, beverages and other consumer packaged goods. The graph
assumes a $100 investment on December 31, 2010, with dividends reinvested, and the points plotted are as
of December 31 of each year. In May 2013, we completed the spin-off of our former subsidiary, The
WhiteWave Foods Company; the effect of the spin-off is reflected in the cumulative total return as a
reinvested dividend. The stock price performance shown on this graph may not be indicative of future
performance.
Prior to 2015, our peer group included the following 11 companies: Campbell Soup Company; The Clorox
Company; ConAgra Foods, Inc.; Flowers Foods, Inc.; Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc.; Hormel Foods
Corporation; Ingredion Incorporated; Kraft Foods Group, Inc.; Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation; TreeHouse
Foods, Inc.; and Tyson Foods, Inc. (the ‘‘Old Peer Group’’). For 2015, we revised our peer group to adjust
for consolidation within the industry and to provide a more accurate assessment of our performance
relative to our industry. Our current peer group (the ‘‘New Peer Group’’) consists of the following 18
companies: Campbell Soup Company; The Clorox Company; ConAgra Foods, Inc.; Dr Pepper Snapple
Group, Inc.; Flowers Foods, Inc.; Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc.; General Mills, Inc.; The Hershey
Company; Hormel Foods Corporation; Ingredion Incorporated; The J.M. Smucker Company; Kellogg
Company; McCormick & Company, Incorporated; Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation; Pinnacle Foods Inc.; Post
Holdings, Inc.; Sanderson Farms, Inc.; and TreeHouse Foods, Inc. The 2015 Peer Group is the same peer
group that the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors selected to compare us with for
purposes of determining our executive compensation in 2015.
Comparison of 5 Year Cumulative Total Return
Assumes Initial Investment of $100
December 2015
250.00
200.00
150.00
100.00
50.00
0.00
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Dean Foods Company
S&P 500 Index - Total Returns
New Peer Group
Old Peer Group
24MAR201616123706
Executive Leadership Team
Gregg A. Tanner
Chief Executive Officer
Chris Bellairs
Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
Brad Cashaw
Executive Vice President,
Supply Chain
S. Craig McCutcheon
Senior Vice President,
Logistics
Brian Murphy
Senior Vice President,
Chief Information Officer
Ralph P. Scozzafava
Executive Vice President,
Chief Operating Officer
Kimberly Warmbier
Executive Vice President,
Chief Human Resources Officer
Transfer Agent
Computershare Shareowner
Services LLC
P.O. Box 30170
College Station, Texas 77842
tel: 866.557.8698
www.computershare.com/investor
Auditor
Deloitte & Touche LLP
2200 Ross Avenue
Suite 1600
Dallas, Texas 75201
tel: 214.840.7000
Market Information
NYSE: DF
Annual Meeting
May 11, 2016, 10 a.m.
Dallas Museum of Art
1717 North Harwood Street
Dallas, Texas 75201
Corporate Headquarters
Dean Foods Company
2711 North Haskell Avenue
Suite 3400
Dallas, Texas 75204
tel: 214.303.3400
fax: 214.303.3499
www.deanfoods.com
Board of Directors
Jim L. Turner
Non-Executive Chairman of
the Board of Dean Foods
Company and Principal,
JLT Beverages L.P.
Janet Hill
Principal,
Hill Family Advisors
J. Wayne Mailloux
Former Senior Vice President,
PepsiCo, Inc.
Helen E. McCluskey
Former President and
Chief Executive Officer,
The Warnaco Group Inc.
John R. Muse
Chairman,
Kainos Capital, LLC
Hector M. Nevares
Managing Partner,
Suiza Realty SE
B. Craig Owens
Former Chief Financial Officer,
Chief Administrative Officer
and Senior Vice President,
Campbell Soup Company
Gregg A. Tanner
Chief Executive Officer,
Dean Foods Company
Robert T. Wiseman
Former Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer,
Robert Wiseman Dairies Limited
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2711 North Haskell Avenue
Suite 3400, Dallas, Texas 75204
214.303.3400 | www.deanfoods.com
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