Strength Through
Diversification
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ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC.
9900A Clayton Road • St. Louis, MO 63124
www.escotechnologies.com
2016 ANNUAL REPORT
Shareholders’ Summary
Management and Board of Directors
SHAREHOLDERS’ ANNUAL
MEETING
The Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of ESCO
Technologies Inc. will be held
at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on
Friday, February 3, 2017, at
The Vinoy Renaissance,
501 5th Avenue NE,
St. Petersburg, Florida
33701. You may access this
Annual Report as well as
the Notice of the meeting
and the Proxy Statement
on the Company’s Annual
Meeting website at
www.edocumentation.com/ese.
CERTIFICATIONS
Pursuant to New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE) requirements,
the Company submitted to the
NYSE the annual certifications
by the Company’s chief
executive officer dated February
10, 2016 and February 11,
2015, that he was not aware of
any violations by the Company
of NYSE’s corporate governance
listing standards. In addition,
the Company filed with the
Securities and Exchange
Commission the certifications by
the Company’s chief executive
officer and chief financial officer
required under Section 302 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
as exhibits to the Company’s
Forms 10-K for its fiscal years
ended September 30, 2016
and September 30, 2015.
10-K REPORT
The Company’s 2016 Annual
Report on Form 10-K as
filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission is
included in this Annual Report
to Shareholders, except that
certain of its Exhibits have
been omitted. The complete
Form 10-K is available on
the Company’s website at
www.escotechnologies.com,
or a copy will be provided
to shareholders without
charge upon written request
to Kate Lowrey, Director
of Investor Relations,
ESCO Technologies Inc.,
9900A Clayton Road,
St. Louis, MO 63124.
INVESTOR RELATIONS
Additional investor-related
information may be obtained
by contacting the Director
of Investor Relations at
(314) 213-7277 or toll free
at (888) 622-3726.
Information is also available
through the Company’s website
at www.escotechnologies.com
or via e-mail to klowrey@
escotechnologies.com.
TRANSFER AGENT AND
REGISTRAR
Shareholder inquiries
concerning lost certificates,
transfer of shares or address
changes should be directed to:
Computershare
Shareholder Services
P.O. Box 30170
College Station, TX 77842-3170
(800) 368-5948
www.computershare.
com/investor
CAPITAL STOCK INFORMATION
ESCO Technologies Inc.
common stock shares (symbol
ESE) are listed on the New York
Stock Exchange. There were
approximately 1,878 holders
of record of shares of common
stock at October 31, 2016.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
KPMG LLP
10 South Broadway, Suite 900
St. Louis, MO 63102
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Victor Richey
Chairman,
Chief Executive Officer
& President
Gary Muenster
Executive Vice
President & Chief
Financial Officer
Alyson Barclay
Senior Vice President,
Secretary &
General Counsel
Richard Garretson
Vice President
Tax
Charles Kretschmer
Vice President
Michele Marren
Vice President &
Corporate Controller
David Schatz
Vice President
& Intellectual
Property Counsel
& Asst. Secretary
Rowland Ellis
Senior Vice President
& General Manager
PTI Technologies Inc.
Antonio Gonzalez
President
VACCO Industries
John Grizzard
President
Westland
Technologies, Inc.
Randall Loga
Technical Packaging
Group Vice President
& President
Thermoform Engineered
Quality LLC
Bryan Sayler
President
Doble Engineering
Company
Robert J. Phillippy 2
Former President and
Chief Executive Officer
Newport Corporation
Larry W. Solley 3,4
Retired Executive
Vice President
Emerson Electric Co.
Victor L. Richey 1
Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer
& President
James M. Stolze 2,3
Retired Vice
President & Chief
Financial Officer
Stereotaxis, Inc.
CORPORATE STAFF
Deborah Boniske
Vice President
Human Resources
Mark Dunger
Vice President
Planning &
Development
OPERATING EXECUTIVES
Mike Alfred
President
Crissair, Inc.
Bruce Butler
President
ETS-Lindgren LP
Sam Chapetta
Filtration Group
President
Trevor Drew
Managing Director
Plastique Limited
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Vinod M. Khilnani 2
Retired Executive
Chairman
CTS Corporation
Gary E. Muenster
Executive Vice
President & Chief
Financial Officer
Leon J. Olivier 4
EVP of Enterprise
Energy Strategy &
Business Development
Eversource Energy
1 Executive Committee
2 Audit and Finance Committee
3 Human Resources and Compensation Committee
4 Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
This annual report is printed on recycled paper,
made in the USA, with 10% post-consumer waste.
ESCO Technologies is a global provider of highly
engineered products and solutions to diverse and
growing end-markets including the aerospace,
space, healthcare, wireless, consumer electronics,
and electric utility industries. The company
consists of four technology driven business
segments – Filtration/Fluid Flow, RF Shielding &
Test, Utility Solutions and Technical Packaging
– each with a continual focus on new product
innovation and sustainable long-term growth.
Strength Through
Diversification
A balanced, multi‑segment approach to
sustained growth. ESCO continues to leverage our multi-segment
operating structure to deliver consistent and profitable growth. Our
corporate strategy is focused on strength through diversification and is
designed to enhance the sustainability of sales and earnings growth by
mitigating risk through serving a wide variety of end-markets. This strategy is
being supplemented by our aggressive, yet disciplined, acquisition strategy
that resulted in meaningful additions to the ESCO family in 2016. Our
market leadership positions, new product offerings and growing business
portfolio have us well positioned for continued growth at levels that exceed
our peers as well as the broader industrial markets.
2016 SALES (IN MILLIONS)
$571.5M
2016 EBIT – AS ADJUSTED (IN MILLIONS) $107.2M*
36%
28%
FILTRATION/FLUID FLOW
$207.8
42%
RF SHIELDING & TEST
$161.5
UTILITY SOLUTIONS
$127.8
13%
23%
TECHNICAL PACKAGING
$74.4
18%
FILTRATION/FLUID FLOW
$45.3
RF SHIELDING & TEST
$19.0
UTILITY SOLUTIONS
$33.3
TECHNICAL PACKAGING
31%
9%
$9.6
*Excludes $29.6 million of Corporate Costs and $7.8 million of restructuring costs within the RF Shielding & Test and Utility Solutions segments.
1
ESCO At A Glance
ESCO Technologies manufactures filtration and fluid control products for the
aviation, space and process markets, is the industry leader in RF shielding
and EMC test products, provides diagnostic instruments and services
for the benefit of the electric utility industry and industrial power users,
and produces custom thermoformed packaging, pulp based packaging
and specialty products for the medical and commercial markets.
Filtration/Fluid Flow
RF Shielding & Test
Our Filtration/Fluid Flow companies provide innovative
solutions essential to the aerospace, space, defense and
industrial markets. The combined technical capabilities
and resources of Crissair, Inc., PTI Technologies Inc.,
Westland Technologies, Inc. and VACCO Industries enable
us to provide highly engineered fluid control solutions for
mission critical systems.
ETS-Lindgren Inc. provides a broad and global
customer base with highly engineered components,
chambers and test and measurement systems that
allow customers to perform sophisticated tests to
ensure their products operate as intended and don’t
interfere with other electronic devices while complying
with regulatory and industry-defined standards.
Major End Markets
• Aerospace
• Space
• Navy/Marine
• Industrial
Major End Markets
• Wireless
• Consumer Electronics
• Healthcare
• Automotive
• Acoustics
• Government/Security
• Aerospace
2
Multi-segment
platform provides
diversification
Market
leadership
positions
Defined and
sustainable
competitive
advantages
Utility Solutions
Technical Packaging
Doble Engineering Company is a global market leader
in the electric power industry, offering solutions and
services to minimize risk, improve operations and optimize
electric power infrastructure performance. Doble provides
a comprehensive portfolio that includes industry-leading
diagnostic equipment, intelligent software, advanced
services, comprehensive support and professional training.
Our Technical Packaging companies provide innovative
solutions to the medical, pharmaceutical and commercial
markets for thermoformed thin gauge plastic and pulp-
based packaging and specialty products. Both Thermoform
Engineered Quality (TEQ) in the U.S. and Plastique Limited
in Europe, are focused on developing solutions for high
precision applications as well as meeting the evolving need
for enhanced sustainability.
Major End Markets
• Global Electric Utilities
• Power Generation
• Industrial
Major End Markets
• Medical/Pharmaceutical
• Medical Device
• Retail/Consumer
3
Well positioned for future success
Our market leadership positions and consistent track record of
delivering solid operating results coupled with recent acquisitions and
the completion of previously defined restructuring actions have ESCO
well positioned to continue delivering profitable long-term growth.
Strong aerospace upcycle spurs
top line growth prospects
The continuing upcycle in the global aerospace
industry has our Filtration/Fluid Flow segment
well positioned for the future. Order growth and
increased content on the A350 program are
driving near term growth at PTI and Crissair,
and other significant new platform wins will be
entering production over the next few years and
will begin to drive meaningful long-term growth.
Recurring and repeatable
revenues remain
sustainable competitive
advantages
ESCO’s highly engineered,
technology driven products and
services result in a significant
level of proprietary and recurring
revenue across a diverse and
growing group of end markets.
PROPRIETARY PRODUCTS
% OF TOTAL SALES
RECURRING REVENUES
% OF TOTAL SALES
PROPRIETARY
44%
RECURRING
48%
COMPETITIVE
56%
NON-RECURRING
52%
4
Letter to Shareholders
Dear Shareholders:
2016 was a year in which ESCO established a strong
foundation for the future by delivering solid operating results,
closing key acquisitions and successfully completing previously
announced restructuring actions. Throughout 2016, we executed
operationally and consistently outperformed our established
financial guidance. We remained focused on generating
consistent and profitable growth through the continued
innovation and expansion of our highly engineered products
and solutions. The completion of our recent acquisitions added
valuable businesses with strong management teams to continue
to build our Filtration and Technical Packaging businesses. With
the restructuring completed, we are realizing the benefits of a
Victor L. Richey (center)
Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and President
Gary E. Muenster (right)
Executive Vice
President and Chief
Financial Officer
Alyson S. Barclay (left)
Senior Vice President,
Secretary and
General Counsel
lower operating cost structure
that will help drive future
operating margin improvement.
I am very pleased with the
way our entire Company came
together to deliver exceptional
results this year and feel we are
well positioned for continued
profitable long-term growth.
5
Healthy and growing end-markets
From the Internet of Things to autonomous vehicles,
the demand for wireless communications continues
to expand. As the leading global provider of wireless
test solutions, ETS-Lindgren is well positioned to serve
the growing need for new product interoperability
testing driven by this continuously evolving market.
Field Force Automation
New cyber security regulations are changing the power industry and
customers are turning to Doble’s Field Force Automation program to
prepare for upcoming regulatory deadlines. Doble’s solution provides
a customizable platform that standardizes diagnostic testing and
data collection for transient cyber assets through a combination
of rugged controllers, software and data management processes.
Financial Results
Our strong financial performance in 2016
was highlighted by growth in sales, earnings
and cash flow despite numerous industrial
market challenges. Sales increased $34 million
(6 percent) to $571 million, led by growth in our
Filtration and Technical Packaging segments.
EPS – As Adjusted increased 28 percent to
$2.03 per share and EBIT – As Adjusted increased
$15 million (24 percent). Profit dollars and margins
increased across all four business segments.
Generating $74 million in cash from operating
activities helped fund acquisitions and maintain a
reasonably low level of debt. As a result, we remain
well positioned to continue our pursuit of selective
acquisitions to supplement organic growth.
We successfully completed our 2016
restructuring actions both on time and under budget,
and the anticipated costs savings are being realized
which will drive margin improvement going forward.
Filtration/Fluid Flow
PTI, Crissair, VACCO and Westland provide
innovative products and solutions to the aerospace,
space, defense and industrial markets.
Filtration sales increased 6 percent to
$208 million and EBIT margins increased to
22 percent. Each of our Filtration companies
delivered solid financial results in 2016, with
Crissair leading the way with significant growth
in sales and earnings.
The increase in sales at PTI and Crissair was
in large part driven by the upswing in build rates
by commercial aerospace original equipment
manufacturers (OEM’s). The order ramp on the
A350 filter manifolds also exceeded expectations
for the year. In addition to the A350, several
other new aircraft platforms covering a full range
of commercial, regional and business jets will be
entering production over the next few years and
will continue to drive revenue and earnings growth.
In 2016, VACCO delivered the first
interplanetary Micro-Propulsion System on the Mars
Cube One Program. They also captured significant
new NASA propulsion subsystems on the Lunar
Flashlight program and on the Advanced Electric
Propulsion System for Deep Space Exploration. In
addition, significantly higher sales are expected in
2017 with continued work on the Space Launch
System (SLS) program and additional content
on the Virginia and Ohio Class submarines.
In September, we completed the acquisition
of Westland Technologies. With approximately
$25 million in annual revenue, Westland is the
6
Plastique and Fremont acquisitions drive Technical
Packaging growth prospects
The addition of Plastique and Fremont Plastics expands our growth
opportunities with existing medical device and pharmaceutical customers
and provides immediate access to new customers and geographies in
both Europe and North America for both existing thermoformed packaging
solutions as well as new more sustainable pulp fiber packaging opportunities.
market leader in the design, development and
manufacture of elastomeric-based signature reduction
solutions. They provide sole-source mission critical
technology utilized on a majority of the U.S. Naval
fleet worldwide, including submarines (Virginia Class,
Ohio Class, and Los Angeles Class), surface ships
(cruisers and destroyers), and aircraft carriers. Their
products include highly-engineered, complex tiles
and other shock and vibration dampening systems.
Westland’s unique technologies offer a significant
opportunity for us to expand our participation in
the growing submarine and surface ship market.
RF Shielding & Test
ETS-Lindgren provides a broad and global
customer base with highly engineered components,
chambers and test and measurement systems that
enable customers to perform tests to ensure their
products operate as intended and don’t interfere
with other electronic devices while complying
with regulatory and industry-defined standards.
In 2016, ETS-Lindgren delivered an EBIT
– As Adjusted of nearly 12 percent or double
their 2015 earnings. At the start of the year, we
announced specific restructuring actions intended
to increase the Company’s operating results in
the future by reducing Test’s operating footprint.
These measures included the closure of operating
facilities in Germany and England, as well as
exiting certain underperforming product lines
and reducing headcount. The anticipated costs
savings are now being realized and will continue
to help drive future margin improvement.
Utility Solutions Group
Doble is a global market leader in the
electric power industry, offering solutions and
services to minimize risk, improve operations
and optimize electric power infrastructure
performance. Doble provides its customers with
a comprehensive portfolio that includes industry-
leading diagnostic equipment, intelligent software,
advanced services, comprehensive support and
professional training.
Doble’s sales and profit growth in 2016 was
driven by higher software and service revenue.
Key products and services driving our financial
success, as well as providing continuing growth
opportunities, include doblePRIME™, dobleARMS®
and our Field Force Automation solutions.
With new utility industry cyber security
regulations, customers are turning to Doble for
the tools, software and best practices needed to
help meet and prove compliance. Doble’s Field
7
Force Automation program addresses these new
rules and utilizes the Doble Universal Controller™
(DUC) to run advanced software in the field.
Doble’s consulting and testing services continue
to grow in the Middle East with the renewal of the
transformer asset health contract with National Grid
Saudi Arabia. Since 2014, the two organizations
have worked together to perform asset health
reviews on nearly 1,700 transformers, using both
time-based and predictive maintenance philosophies.
The new agreement will extend this program to
additional regions and will effectively bring all
of National Grid’s transformers under diagnostic
surveillance. This project now also includes the
implementation of dobleARMS, which continues
to gain momentum as the industry transitions to
intelligent monitoring and predictive analytics.
The doblePRIME Condition Monitoring
Platform is growing in acceptance, evidenced
by our full scale deployment at the largest
power generating plant in the U.K. Successful
installations of doblePRIME and dobleARMS
have also opened doors to consulting services
business as Doble is increasingly being
recognized as a complete solutions provider.
Technical Packaging
Our Technical Packaging companies provide
innovative solutions to medical and commercial
markets for thermoformed and pulp based packaging
and specialty products. Both TEQ in the U.S. and
Plastique in Europe, are focused on developing
solutions for high precision applications and meeting
the evolving need for enhanced sustainability.
In 2016 we completed two key acquisitions.
Fremont Plastics designs and manufactures
medical device components, sterile barrier
packaging and procedural kits for the healthcare
market. Fremont adds a second domestic facility
and expands production capability. Plastique is a
market leader in the development and manufacture
of highly-technical thermoformed plastic and
precision molded pulp fiber packaging. With
operations in the U.K. and Poland, Plastique
adds a European presence valued by medical
device and pharmaceutical customers.
Increasing Shareholder Value
Our corporate strategy remains focused on
our multi-segment approach designed to enhance
the potential for sustainable sales and earnings
growth by mitigating risk through end-market
diversification. 2016 was an exceptional year
for ESCO as we were able to deliver solid
operating results in a challenging economic
environment. We are confident in our ability to
continue to deliver profitable long-term growth.
Our strong balance sheet enables us to
selectively pursue acquisitions, and we continue
to seek companies with highly-engineered,
technology-driven products and services with
strong competitive positions in niche markets.
We remain committed to our capital
allocation strategy to return cash to shareholders
through both dividends and opportunistic
share repurchases. Over the past three years,
the Company has returned approximately
$60 million to shareholders through distributing
$25 million in cash dividends and by repurchasing
approximately one million shares of stock.
I am sorry to report that recently, Don Trauscht,
our Lead Director and a long-term board member,
passed away. Don played a big role in the evolution
and success of ESCO. He always had the best
interest of the Company as his number one priority
and I will personally miss his guidance and counsel.
On behalf of our management team and
Board of Directors, I would like to thank
our shareholders and employees for their
continuing support during this exciting time.
Vic Richey
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
& President
Gary Muenster
Executive Vice President
& Chief Financial Officer
November 28, 2016
8
An ability to expand internationally
With operations in 31 locations globally, ESCO serves markets
in more than 90 countries on six continents. The acquisition of
Plastique, with operations in the United Kingdom and Poland,
helped drive European revenue growth of over 50% in 2016.
ESCO OPERATIONS
GEOGRAPHIC NET SALES
% OF TOTAL SALES
UNITED STATES
EUROPE
ASIA
71%
13%
12%
REST OF THE WORLD
4%
International sales were 29% of Total Revenue
In 2016, ESCO’s international revenue was $168 million with
significant end-market content in the United Kingdom, China,
Japan, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany,
Poland and Canada.
9
Five-Year Financial Summary
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
For years ended September 30:
Net sales
Net earnings from continuing operations
Net (loss) earnings from discontinued operations
Net earnings (loss)
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Net earnings (loss)
Diluted:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Net earnings (loss)
As of September 30:
Working capital
Total assets
Total debt
Shareholders’ equity
$571.5
537.3
531.1
490.1
478.7
45.9
—
45.9
$ 1.78
—
$ 1.78
$ 1.77
—
$ 1.77
41.7
0.8
42.5
1.60
0.03
1.63
1.59
0.03
1.62
42.6
(42.2)
0.4
1.61
(1.60)
0.01
1.60
(1.58)
0.02
31.3
(56.9)
(25.6)
1.18
(2.15)
(0.97)
1.17
(2.13)
(0.96)
34.8
12.1
46.9
1.30
0.46
1.76
1.29
0.44
1.73
165.4
978.4
110.0
615.1
155.0
864.2
50.0
584.2
148.9
845.9
40.0
580.2
163.6
1,092.3
172.0
601.7
139.2
1,033.8
115.0
631.3
Cash dividends declared per common share
$ 0.32
0.32
0.32
0.32
0.32
See also Notes 2 and 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of acquisition and divestiture activity.
10
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
2016 Form 10-K
Fiscal Year 2016
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
_______________________
FORM 10-K
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _____ to_____
Commission file number: 1-10596
_______________________
ESCO Technologies Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Missouri
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
9900A Clayton Road
St. Louis, Missouri
(Address of principal executive offices)
43-1554045
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
63124-1186
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(314) 213-7200
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Name of each exchange
on which registered
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 No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
Act.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if
any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained
herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form l0-K or any amendment to this Form l0-K.
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.
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes
No
Aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of the close of trading on
March 31, 2016, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter:
approximately $979,784,000.*
* Based on the New York Stock Exchange closing price. For purpose of this calculation only,
without determining whether the following are affiliates of the registrant, the registrant has assumed
that (i) its directors and executive officers are affiliates, and (ii) no party who has filed a Schedule
13D or 13G is an affiliate.
Number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at November 3, 2016: 25,720,461
_______________________
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
Part III of this Report incorporates by reference certain portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for its
2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which the registrant currently anticipates first sending to shareholders on or
about December 14, 2016 (hereinafter, the “2016 Proxy Statement”).
INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
PART I
1.
Business
The Company
Discontinued Operations
Products
Marketing and Sales
Intellectual Property
Backlog
Purchased Components and Raw Materials
Competition
Research and Development
Environmental Matters
Government Contracts
Employees
Financing
Available Information
Executive Officers of the Registrant
1A. Risk Factors
1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Properties
2.
Legal Proceedings
3.
4. Mine Safety Disclosures
PART II
5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters
and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Selected Financial Data
6.
7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
8.
9.
9A. Controls and Procedures
9B. Other Information
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
PART III
10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
11. Executive Compensation
12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
PART IV
15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
SIGNATURES
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
EXHIBITS
i
Page
ii
1
1
2
2
4
4
5
5
5
6
6
6
6
6
7
7
7
12
13
15
15
16
18
18
31
31
31
31
32
33
33
33
34
34
35
40
F-1
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Statements contained in this Form 10-K regarding future events and the Company’s future results that are based on
current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the Company’s performance and the industries in
which the Company operates are considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor
provisions of the Federal securities laws. These include, without limitation, statements about: the adequacy of the
Company’s buildings, machinery and equipment; the adequacy of the Company’s credit facilities and future cash
flows; the outcome of litigation, claims and charges; future costs relating to environmental matters; continued
reinvestment of foreign earnings and the resulting U.S. tax liability in the event such earnings are repatriated;
repayment of debt within the next twelve months; the outlook for 2017 and beyond, including amounts, timing and
sources of 2017 sales, revenues, sales growth, EBIT, EBITDA, EBIT margins and EPS; interest on Company debt
obligations; the ability of expected hedging gains or losses to be offset by losses or gains on related underlying
exposures; the Company’s ability to increase shareholder value; acquisitions; the Company’s expected effective tax
rate; minimum cash funding required by, expected benefits payable from, and Management’s assumptions about
future events which could affect liability under, the Company’s defined benefit plans and other postretirement
benefit plans; the recognition of unrecognized compensation costs related to share-based compensation
arrangements; the Company’s exposure to market risk related to interest rates and to foreign currency exchange
risk; the likelihood of future variations in the Company’s assumptions or estimates used in recording contracts and
expected costs at completion under the percentage of completion method; the Company’s estimates and
assumptions used in the preparation of its financial statements; cost and estimated earnings on long-term contracts;
valuation of inventories; estimates of uncollectible accounts receivable; the risk of goodwill impairment; the
Company’s estimates utilized in software revenue recognition and the amortization of intangible assets; the
valuation of deferred tax assets; amounts of NOL not realizable and the timing and amount of the reduction of
unrecognized tax benefits; the effects of implementing recently issued accounting pronouncements; and any other
statements contained herein which are not strictly historical. Words such as expects, anticipates, targets, goals,
projects, intends, plans, believes, estimates, variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to
identify such forward-looking statements.
Investors are cautioned that such statements are only predictions and speak only as of the date of this Form 10-K,
and the Company undertakes no duty to update the information in this Form 10-K except as may be required by
applicable laws or regulations. The Company’s actual results in the future may differ materially from those projected
in the forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties that exist in the Company’s operations and business
environment, including but not limited to those described herein under “Item 1A, Risk Factors,” and the following:
Aclara’s continuing ability to perform contracts guaranteed by the Company; the impacts of labor disputes, civil
disorder, wars, elections, political changes, terrorist activities or natural disasters on the Company’s operations and
those of the Company’s customers and suppliers; the timing and content of future customer orders; the appropriation
and allocation of government funds; the termination for convenience of government and other customer contracts;
the timing and magnitude of future contract awards; weakening of economic conditions in served markets; the
success of the Company’s competitors; changes in customer demands or customer insolvencies; competition;
intellectual property rights; technical difficulties; the availability of selected acquisitions; delivery delays or defaults
by customers; performance issues with key customers, suppliers and subcontractors; material changes in the costs of
certain raw materials; material changes in the cost of credit; changes in laws and regulations including but not
limited to changes in accounting standards and taxation requirements; costs relating to environmental matters;
litigation uncertainty; and the Company’s successful execution of internal restructuring and other plans.
ii
PART I
Item 1. Business
The Company
The Registrant, ESCO Technologies Inc. (ESCO), is a producer of engineered products and systems sold to
customers worldwide, primarily for utility, industrial, aerospace and commercial applications. ESCO conducts its
business through a number of wholly-owned direct and indirect subsidiaries. ESCO and its subsidiaries are referred
to in this Report as “the Company.”
ESCO was incorporated in Missouri in August 1990 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Emerson Electric Co.
(Emerson) to be the indirect holding company for several Emerson subsidiaries, which were primarily in the defense
business. Ownership of the Company was spun off by Emerson to its shareholders on October 19, 1990, through a
special distribution. Since that time, through a series of acquisitions and divestitures, the Company has shifted its
primary focus from defense contracting to the production and supply of engineered products and systems marketed
to utility, industrial, aerospace and commercial users.
The Company’s fiscal year ends September 30. Throughout this document, unless the context indicates otherwise,
references to a year (for example 2016) refer to the Company’s fiscal year ending on September 30 of that year.
The Company is organized based on the products and services it offers, and classifies its business operations in
segments for financial reporting purposes. Beginning in the second quarter of 2016 Management expanded the
presentation of its reporting segments to include a fourth segment, Technical Packaging. This segment was created
to separately disclose Thermoform Engineered Quality LLC along with the recently acquired Plastique and Fremont
businesses discussed below, as they no longer met the criteria for aggregation with the Filtration/Fluid Flow
reporting segment. Prior period segment amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period
presentation.
The Company’s four segments, together with the significant domestic and foreign operating subsidiaries within each
segment during 2016, are as follows:
Filtration/Fluid Flow (Filtration):
Crissair, Inc. (Crissair)
PTI Technologies Inc. (PTI)
VACCO Industries (VACCO)
Westland Technologies Inc. (Westland)
RF Shielding and Test (Test):
Beijing Lindgren ElectronMagnetic Technology Co., Ltd.
ETS-Lindgren Inc.
ETS-Lindgren OY
ETS-Lindgren Inc. and the Company’s other Test subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as “ETS-
Lindgren.”
Utility Solutions Group (USG):
Doble Engineering Company
Doble PowerTest Ltd.
Doble TransiNor AS
Doble Engineering Company and the Company’s other USG subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein
as “Doble.”
Aclara Technologies LLC, formerly a part of this segment, was characterized as discontinued operations
beginning in the third quarter of 2013 and was divested in the second quarter of 2014. See the next section,
“Discontinued Operations,” and Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
Technical Packaging:
Thermoform Engineered Quality LLC (TEQ)
Plastique Limited
Plastique Sp. z o.o.
Plastique Limited and Plastique Sp. z o.o. are together referred to herein as “Plastique.”
The Company’s operating subsidiaries are engaged primarily in the research, development, manufacture, sale and
support of the products and systems described below. Their respective businesses are subject to a number of risks
and uncertainties, including without limitation those discussed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors.” See also Item 7,
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Forward-Looking
Information.”
ESCO is continually seeking ways to save costs, streamline its business processes and enhance the branding of its
products and services. During 2014 the Company merged Canyon Engineering Products, Inc. (Canyon) into Crissair
and consolidated Crissair’s operations into Canyon’s facility in Valencia, California. In October 2015 the Company
announced several restructuring and realignment actions involving the Test and USG segments which were
completed during 2016, including: closing ETS-Lindgren’s operating subsidiaries in Germany and the United
Kingdom and consolidating their operations into other existing Test facilities; eliminating certain underperforming
product line offerings in Test primarily related to lower margin international shielding end markets; reducing
headcount in Test’s U.S. business; and closing Doble’s Brazil operating office and consolidating Doble’s South
American sales and support activities.
ESCO is also continually seeking opportunities to supplement its growth by making strategic acquisitions. During
2016, the Company acquired Westland, a market leader in the design, development and manufacture of elastomeric-
based signature reduction solutions for U.S. Naval maritime platforms; Plastique, a market leader in the
development and manufacture of highly-technical thermoformed plastic and precision molded pulp fiber packaging
primarily for the pharmaceutical, personal care, and other specialty end markets; and Fremont Plastics, Inc.
(Fremont), an Indiana-based manufacturer of high quality sterile-ready and non-sterile thin gauge thermoformed
medical plastic packaging products which has been merged into TEQ. More information about these 2016
acquisitions as well as the Company’s acquisition activity during 2015 is provided in Item 7, Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and in Note 2 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements included herein. The Company did not make any acquisitions during 2014.
Discontinued Operations
During the third quarter of 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the initiation of a process to sell that
portion of the Company’s USG segment represented by Aclara Technologies LLC and two related entities (together,
Aclara). Aclara is a leading supplier of data communications systems and related software used by electric, gas and
water utilities in support of their advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) deployments, typically encompassing the
utility’s entire service area. Aclara’s largest contracts, such as those with Pacific Gas & Electric Company and
Southern California Gas Co., each involve several million end points. The sale of Aclara was completed during the
second quarter of 2014.
Prior to the sale Aclara constituted a component of the Company with operations and cash flows that were clearly
distinguishable, operationally and for financial reporting purposes, from the rest of the entity. Accordingly, for
financial reporting purposes Aclara is reflected for 2014 and 2015 as discontinued operations. Unless otherwise
specifically stated, all operating results presented in this report are exclusive of discontinued operations.
Products
The Company’s principal products are described below. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements
included herein for financial information regarding business segments and 10% customers.
Filtration
The Filtration segment accounted for approximately 36%, 37% and 37% of the Company’s total revenue in 2016,
2015 and 2014, respectively.
PTI is a leading supplier of filtration and fluid control products serving the commercial aerospace, military
aerospace and various industrial markets. Products include filter elements, manifolds, assemblies, modules,
indicators and other related components. All products must meet stringent qualification requirements and withstand
severe operating conditions. Product applications include: hydraulic, fuel, cooling and air filtration systems for fixed
wing and rotary aircraft, mobile transportation and construction equipment, aircraft engines and stationary plant
equipment. PTI supplies products worldwide to original equipment manufacturers and the U.S. government under
long term contracts, and to the commercial and military aftermarket through distribution channels.
VACCO supplies filtration and fluid control products including valves, manifolds, filters, regulators and various
other components for use in the space, military aerospace, defense missile systems, U.S. Navy and commercial
2
industries. Applications include aircraft fuel and de-icing systems, missiles, satellite propulsion systems, satellite
launch vehicles and other space transportation systems such as the Space Launch System. VACCO also utilizes its
multi-fab technology and capabilities to produce products for use in space and U.S. Navy applications.
Crissair supplies a wide variety of custom and standard valves, actuators, manifolds and other various components
to the aerospace, defense, automotive and commercial industries. Product applications include hydraulic, fuel and air
filtration systems for commercial and military fixed wing and rotary aircraft, defense missile systems and
commercial engines. Crissair supplies products worldwide to original equipment manufacturers and to the U.S.
Government under long term contracts and to the commercial aftermarket through distribution channels.
Westland is a leading designer and manufacturer of elastomeric-based signature reduction solutions to enhance U.S.
Navy maritime survivability. Westland’s products include complex tiles and other shock and vibration dampening
systems that reduce passive acoustic signatures and/or modify signal (radar, infrared, acoustical, sonar) emission and
reflection to reduce or obscure a vessel’s signature. Westland’s products are used on the majority of the U.S. Naval
fleet including submarines, surface ships and aircraft carriers.
Test
The Test segment accounted for approximately 28%, 33% and 34% of the Company’s total revenue in 2016, 2015
and 2014, respectively.
ETS-Lindgren designs and manufactures products to measure and contain magnetic, electromagnetic and acoustic
energy. It supplies customers with a broad range of isolated environments and turnkey systems, including RF test
facilities, acoustic test enclosures, RF and magnetically shielded rooms, secure communication facilities, RF
measurement systems and broadcast and recording studios. Many of these facilities include proprietary features such
as shielded doors and windows. ETS-Lindgren also provides the design, program management, installation and
integration services required to successfully complete these types of facilities.
ETS-Lindgren also supplies customers with a broad range of components including RF absorptive materials, RF
filters, active compensation systems, antennas, antenna masts, turntables and electric and magnetic probes, RF test
cells, proprietary measurement software and other test accessories required to perform a variety of tests.
ETS-Lindgren offers a variety of services including calibration for antennas and field probes, chamber certification,
field surveys, customer training and a variety of product tests. ETS-Lindgren’s test labs are accredited by the
following organizations: American Association for Laboratory Accreditation, National Voluntary Laboratory
Accreditation Program and CTIA-The Wireless Association Accredited Test Lab. ETS-Lindgren serves the
acoustics, medical, health and safety, electronics, wireless communications, automotive and defense markets.
USG
Revenue from Doble’s various products and services accounted for approximately 22%, 23% and 22% of the
Company’s total revenue in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Doble develops, manufactures, and delivers diagnostic testing solutions for electrical equipment comprising the
electric power grid, and enterprise management systems, that are designed to optimize electrical power assets and
system performance, minimize risk and improve operations. It combines three core elements for customers –
diagnostic test and monitoring instruments, expert consulting, and testing services – and provides access to its large
reserve of related empirical knowledge. Doble flagship solutions include protection diagnostics with the Doble
Protection Suite and F6000 series, the M4100 and new transformational patent-pending technology of the M7100
Doble Tester, the dobleARMS® asset risk management system, and the Enoserv PowerBase® and DUCe
compliance tools for the North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection plan
(NERC CIP), a set of requirements designed to secure the assets required for operating North America’s bulk
electric system.
Doble has been operating for over 90 years, and serves over 5,500 companies in over 110 countries. It has seven
offices in the United States and nine international offices.
Technical Packaging
The Technical Packaging segment accounted for approximately 13%, 7% and 7% of the Company’s total revenue of
the Company’s total revenue in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Prior to 2016 the Technical Packaging business
was included in the Filtration segment.
TEQ produces highly engineered thermoformed products and packaging materials for medical, pharmaceutical,
retail, food and electronic applications. Through its alliance partner program, TEQ also provides its clients with a
3
total packaging solution including engineering services and testing, sealing equipment and tooling, contract
manufacturing, and packing. In October 2015, TEQ’s business was significantly expanded through the Company’s
acquisition of Fremont, a developer and manufacturer of high quality sterile-ready and non-sterile thin gauge
thermoformed medical plastic packaging products.
Plastique, with locations in the UK and Poland, designs and manufactures plastic and pulp fibre packaging for
customers in the personal care, household products, pharmaceutical, food and broader retail markets. Through its
Fibrepak brand, Plastique became the first European manufacturer of smooth-surfaced press-to-dry pulp packaging,
a sustainable alternative to plastic packaging.
Marketing and Sales
The Company’s products generally are distributed to customers through a domestic and foreign network of
distributors, sales representatives, direct sales teams and in-house sales personnel.
The Company’s sales to international customers accounted for approximately $168 million (29%), $152 million
(28%) and $157 million (30%) of the Company’s total revenue in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. See Note 15 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for financial information regarding geographic areas. See
also Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” for a discussion of risks of the Company’s international operations.
Some of the Company’s products are sold directly or indirectly to the U.S. Government under contracts with the
Army, Navy and Air Force and subcontracts with prime contractors of such entities. Direct and indirect sales to the
U.S. Government, primarily related to the Filtration segment, accounted for approximately 14%, 15% and 19% of
the Company’s total revenue in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Intellectual Property
The Company owns or has other rights in various forms of intellectual property (i.e., patents, trademarks, service
marks, copyrights, mask works, trade secrets and other items). As a major supplier of engineered products to
industrial and commercial markets, the Company emphasizes developing intellectual property and protecting its
rights therein. However, the scope of protection afforded by intellectual property rights, including those of the
Company, is often uncertain and involves complex legal and factual issues. Some intellectual property rights, such
as patents, have only a limited term. Also, there can be no assurance that third parties will not infringe or design
around the Company’s intellectual property. Policing unauthorized use of intellectual property is difficult, and
infringement and misappropriation are persistent problems for many companies, particularly in some international
markets. In addition, the Company may not elect to pursue an unauthorized user due to the high costs and
uncertainties associated with litigation. Further, there can be no assurance that courts will ultimately hold issued
patents or other intellectual property valid and enforceable. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”
A number of products in the Filtration segment are based on patented or otherwise proprietary technology that sets
them apart from the competition, such as VACCO’s proprietary quieting technology and Westland’s signature
reduction solutions.
In the Test segment, patent protection has been sought for significant inventions. Examples of such inventions
include novel designs for window and door assemblies used in shielded enclosures and anechoic chambers,
improved acoustic techniques for sound isolation and a variety of unique antennas. In addition, the Test segment
holds a number of patents, and has patents pending, on products used to perform wireless device testing.
In the USG segment, the segment policy is to seek patent and/or other forms of intellectual property protection on
new and improved products, components of products and methods of operation for its businesses, as such
developments are made. Doble is pursuing patent protection on improvements to its line of diagnostic equipment
and NERC CIP compliance tools. Doble also holds an extensive library of apparatus performance information useful
to Doble employees and to entities that generate, distribute or consume electric energy. Doble makes part of this
library available to registered users via an Internet portal.
The Technical Packaging segment emphasizes advanced manufacturing technology and methods. For example, the
TEQ 3-in-1 tooling system, with an added staking tool, provides a competitive edge over traditional thermoform
tooling; and Plastique’s “Cure-In-The-Mold” technology produces high-quality, smooth-surface, thin-wall
packaging products which may be made from sustainable virgin crop fibers or virgin pulp. The segment’s
intellectual property consists chiefly of trade secrets and proprietary technology embodied in products for which the
Company is the only approved source, such as the TEQconnexTM and TEQethelyeneTM single polymer sterile barrier
4
medical packaging systems for which TEQ owns the validation studies required to register the package with the
FDA.
The Company considers its patents and other intellectual property to be of significant value in each of its segments.
Backlog
Total Company backlog of firm orders at September 30, 2016 was $332.4 million, representing an increase of $4.9
million (2%) from the backlog of $327.5 million on September 30, 2015. The backlog at September 30, 2016 and
September 30, 2015, respectively, by segment, was: $195.8 million and $178.8 million for Filtration; $83.1 million
and $95.1 million for Test; $33.8 million and $36.3 million for USG; and $19.7 million and $17.3 million for
Technical Packaging. The Company estimates that as of September 30, 2016 domestic customers accounted for
approximately 73% of the Company’s total firm orders and international customers accounted for approximately
27%. Of the total Company backlog at September 30, 2016, approximately 76% is expected to be completed in the
fiscal year ending September 30, 2017.
Purchased Components and Raw Materials
The Company’s products require a wide variety of components and materials. Although the Company has multiple
sources of supply for most of its materials requirements, certain components and raw materials are supplied by sole
source vendors, and the Company’s ability to perform certain contracts depends on their performance. In the past,
these required raw materials and various purchased components generally have been available in sufficient
quantities. However, the Company does have some risk of shortages of materials or components due to reliance on
sole or limited sources of supply. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”
The Filtration segment purchases supplies from a wide array of vendors. In most instances, multiple vendors of raw
materials are screened during a qualification process to ensure that there will not be an interruption of supply should
one of them discontinue operations. Nonetheless, in some situations, there is a risk of shortages due to reliance on a
limited number of suppliers or because of price fluctuations due to the nature of the raw materials. For example,
aerospace-grade titanium and gaseous helium, important raw materials for our Filtration segment subsidiaries, may
at times be in short supply.
The Test segment is a vertically integrated supplier of electro-magnetic (EM) shielding and RF absorbing products,
producing most of its critical RF components. This segment purchases significant quantities of raw materials such as
polyurethane foam, polystyrene beads, steel, aluminum, copper, nickel and wood. Accordingly, it is subject to price
fluctuations in the worldwide raw materials markets, although ETS-Lindgren has long-term contracts with a number
of its suppliers of certain raw materials.
The USG segment manufactures electronic instrumentation through a network of regional contract manufacturers
under long term contracts. In general, Doble purchases the same kinds of component parts as do other electronic
products manufacturers, and purchases only a limited amount of raw materials.
The Technical Packaging segment selects suppliers initially on the basis of their ability to meet requirements, and
then conducts ongoing evaluations and ratings of the supplier’s performance based on a documented evaluation
process. The segment purchases raw materials according to a documented and controlled process assuring that
purchased materials meet defined specifications. Thermoplastics represent the largest percentage of raw material
spend, with purchase prices subject to fluctuation depending on petrochemical industry pricing and capacity in the
plastic resin market.
Competition
Competition in the Company’s major markets is broadly based and global in scope. Competition can be particularly
intense during periods of economic slowdown, and this has been experienced in some of our markets. Although the
Company is a leading supplier in several of the markets it serves, it maintains a relatively small share of the business
in many of the other markets it serves. Individual competitors range in size from annual revenues of less than $1
million to billion-dollar enterprises. Because of the specialized nature of the Company’s products, its competitive
position with respect to its products cannot be precisely stated. In the Company’s major served markets, competition
is driven primarily by quality, technology, price and delivery performance. See also Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”
Primary competitors of the Filtration segment include Pall Corporation, Moog, Inc., Sofrance, CLARCOR Inc. and
PneuDraulics.
5
The Test segment is a global leader in EM shielding. Significant competitors in this market include Rohde &
Schwarz GMBH, Microwave Vision SA (MVG), TDK RF Solutions Inc., Albatross GmbH, IMEDCO AG and
Cuming Microwave Corporation.
Doble’s significant competitors in diagnostic test equipment include OMICRON electronics Corp., Megger Group
Limited and Qualitrol Company LLC (a subsidiary of Danaher Corporation).
Primary Competitors of the Technical Packaging segment include Nelipak Corporation, Prent Corporation, Placon
Corporation and Sonoco /Alloyd.
Research and Development
Research and development and the Company’s technological expertise are important factors in the Company’s
business. Research and development programs are designed to develop technology for new products or to extend or
upgrade the capability of existing products, and to enhance their commercial potential. The Company performs
research and development at its own expense, and also engages in research and development funded by customers.
Total Company-sponsored research and development expenses were approximately $12.9 million, $16.7 million and
$16.9 million for 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Total customer-sponsored research and development expenses
were approximately $7.0 million, $6.8 million and $3.6 million for 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. All of the
foregoing expense amounts exclude certain engineering costs primarily associated with product line extensions,
modifications and maintenance, which amounted to approximately $11.5 million, $13.9 million and $20.5 million
for 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Environmental Matters
The Company is involved in various stages of investigation and cleanup relating to environmental matters. It is very
difficult to estimate the potential costs of such matters and the possible impact of these costs on the Company at this
time due in part to: the uncertainty regarding the extent of pollution; the complexity and changing nature of
Government laws and regulations and their interpretations; the varying costs and effectiveness of alternative cleanup
technologies and methods; the uncertain level of insurance or other types of cost recovery; the uncertain level of the
Company’s responsibility for any contamination; the possibility of joint and several liability with other contributors
under applicable law; and the ability of other contributors to make required contributions toward cleanup costs.
Based on information currently available, the Company does not believe that the aggregate costs involved in the
resolution of any of its environmental matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial
condition or results of operations.
Government Contracts
The Company contracts with the U.S. Government and subcontracts with prime contractors of the U.S. Government.
Although VACCO and Westland have a number of “cost-plus” Government contracts, the Company’s Government
contracts also include firm fixed-price contracts under which work is performed and paid for at a fixed amount
without adjustment for the actual costs experienced in connection with the contracts. All Government prime
contracts and virtually all of the Company’s Government subcontracts provide that they may be terminated at the
convenience of the Government or the customer. Upon such termination, the Company is normally entitled to
receive equitable compensation from the customer. See “Marketing and Sales” in this Item 1, and Item 1A, “Risk
Factors,” for additional information regarding Government contracts and related risks.
Employees
As of September 30, 2016, the Company employed 2,643 persons, including 2,419 full time employees. Of the
Company’s full-time employees, 1,840 were located in the United States and 579 were located in 22 foreign
countries.
Financing
For information about the Company’s credit facility, see Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Bank Credit Facility,” and Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements included herein, which are incorporated into this Item by reference.
6
Available Information
The Company makes available free of charge on or through its Internet website, www.escotechnologies.com, its
annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to
those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Information contained on the Company’s website is not incorporated into
this Report.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
The following sets forth certain information as of November 1, 2016 with respect to the Company’s executive
officers. These officers are elected annually to terms which expire at the first meeting of the Board of Directors after
the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Name
Victor L. Richey
Gary E. Muenster
Alyson S. Barclay
____________
Age
59
56
57
Position(s)
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer since April 2003;
President since October 2006 *
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since February 2008; Director
since February 2011
Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel since November 2008
* Mr. Richey also serves as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.
There are no family relationships among any of the executive officers and directors.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
This Form 10-K, including Item 1, “Business,” Item 2, “Properties,” Item 3, “Legal Proceedings,” Item 7,
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and Item 7A,
“Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” contains “forward-looking statements” within the
meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the federal securities laws, as described under “Forward-Looking
Statements” above.
In addition to the risks and uncertainties discussed in that section and elsewhere in this Form 10-K, the following
important risk factors could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those contained in any forward-
looking statements, or could otherwise adversely affect the Company’s business, operating results or financial
condition:
Our sales of products to the Government depend upon continued Government funding.
Sales to the U.S. Government and its prime contractors and subcontractors represent a significant portion of our
business. Over the past three fiscal years, from 14% to 19% of our revenues from continuing operations have been
generated from sales to the U.S. Government or its contractors, primarily within our Filtration segment. These sales
are dependent on government funding of the underlying programs, which is generally subject to annual
Congressional appropriations. There could be reductions or terminations of, or delays in, the government funding on
programs which apply to us or our customers. These funding effects could adversely affect our sales and profit, and
could bring about a restructuring of our operations, which could result in an adverse effect on our financial condition
or results of operations. A significant part of VACCO’s and Westland’s sales involve major U.S. Government
programs such as NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) and the U.S. Navy’s submarine program. A reduction or
delay in Government spending on these programs could have a significant adverse impact on our financial results
which could extend for more than a single year. For example, VACCO’s immediate customer for SLS parts
informed it late in 2014 that 2015 orders would be lower than in 2014 because NASA had decided to smooth its SLS
spending over the following three years.
7
Negative worldwide economic conditions and related credit shortages could result in a decrease in our sales
and an increase in our operating costs, which could adversely affect our business and operating results.
If there is a worsening of global and U.S. economic and financial market conditions and additional tightening of
global credit markets, as has been experienced recently in certain Asian and European countries, many of our
customers may further delay or reduce their purchases of our products. Uncertainties in the global economy may
cause the utility industry and commercial market customers to experience shortages in available credit, which could
limit capital spending. To the extent this problem affects customers of our USG and Test segments, the sales and
profits of these segments could be adversely affected. Likewise, if our suppliers face challenges in obtaining credit,
they may have to increase their prices or become unable to continue to offer the products and services we use to
manufacture our products, which could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial
condition.
Our quarterly results may fluctuate substantially.
We have experienced variability in quarterly results and believe our quarterly results will continue to fluctuate as a
result of many factors, including the size and timing of customer orders, governmental approvals and funding levels,
changes in existing taxation rules or practices, the gain or loss of significant customers, timing and levels of new
product developments, shifts in product or sales channel mix, increased competition and pricing pressure, and
general economic conditions.
A significant part of our manufacturing operations depends on a small number of third-party suppliers.
A significant part of our manufacturing operations relies on a small number of third-party manufacturers to supply
component parts or products. For example, Doble has arrangements with four manufacturers which produce and
supply substantially all of its end-products. One of these suppliers produces more than 50% of Doble’s products
from a single location within the United States. A significant disruption in the supply of those products could
negatively affect the timely delivery of products to customers as well as future sales, which could increase costs and
reduce margins.
Certain of our other businesses are dependent upon sole source or a limited number of third-party manufacturers of
parts and components. Many of these suppliers are small businesses. Since alternative supply sources are limited,
there is an increased risk of adverse impacts on our production schedules and profits if our suppliers were to default
in fulfilling their price, quality or delivery obligations. In addition, some of our customers or potential customers
may prefer to purchase from a supplier which does not have such a limited number of sources of supply.
Increases in prices of raw material and components, and decreased availability of such items, could
adversely affect our business.
The cost of raw materials and product components is a major element of the total cost of many of our products. For
example, our Test segment’s critical components rely on purchases of raw materials from third parties. Increases in
the prices of raw materials (such as steel, copper, nickel, zinc, wood and petrochemical products) could have an
adverse impact on our business by, among other things, increasing costs and reducing margins. Aerospace-grade
titanium and gaseous helium, important raw materials for our Filtration segment, may at times be in short supply.
Further, many of Doble’s items of equipment which are provided to its customers for their use are in the maturity of
their life cycles, which creates the risk that replacement components may be unavailable or available only at
increased costs.
In addition, our reliance on sole or limited sources of supply of raw materials and components in each of our
segments could adversely affect our business, as described in the preceding Risk Factor. Weather-created
disruptions in supply, in addition to affecting costs, could impact our ability to procure an adequate supply of these
raw materials and components, and delay or prevent deliveries of products to our customers.
Our international operations expose us to fluctuations in currency exchange rates that could adversely affect
our results of operations and cash flows.
We have significant manufacturing and sales activities in foreign countries, and our domestic operations have sales
to foreign customers. Our financial results may be affected by fluctuations in foreign currencies and by the
translation of the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries from local currencies into U.S. dollars. In addition,
a rise in the dollar against foreign currencies could make our products more expensive for foreign customers and
cause them to reduce the volume of their purchases.
8
Failure or delay in new product development could reduce our future sales.
Much of our business is dependent on the continuous development of new products and technologies to meet the
changing needs of our markets on a cost-effective basis. Many of these markets are highly technical from an
engineering standpoint, and the relevant technologies are subject to rapid change. If we fail to timely enhance
existing products or develop new products as needed to meet market or competitive demands, we could lose sales
opportunities, which would adversely affect our business. In addition, in some existing contracts with customers, we
have made commitments to develop and deliver new products. If we fail to meet these commitments, the default
could result in the imposition on us of contractual penalties including termination. Our inability to enhance existing
products in a timely manner could make our products less competitive, while our inability to successfully develop
new products may limit our growth opportunities. Development of new products and product enhancements may
also require us to make greater investments in research and development than we now do, and the increased costs
associated with new product development and product enhancements could adversely affect our operating results. In
addition, our costs of new product development may not be recoverable if demand for our products is not as great as
we anticipate it to be.
Changes in testing standards could adversely impact our Test and USG segments’ sales.
A significant portion of the business of our Test and USG segments involves sales to technology customers who
need to have a third party verify that their products meet specific international and domestic test standards. If
regulatory agencies were to eliminate or reduce certain domestic or international test standards, or if demand for
product testing from these customers were to decrease for some other reason, our sales could be adversely affected.
For example, if Wi-Fi technology in mobile phones were to be superseded by a new communications technology,
then there might be no need for certain testing on mobile phones; or if a regulatory authority were to relax the test
standards for certain electronic devices because they were determined not to interfere with the broadcast spectrum,
our sales of certain testing products could be significantly reduced.
The end of customer product life cycles could negatively affect our Filtration segment’s results.
Many of our Filtration segment products are sold to be components in our customers’ end-products. If a customer
discontinues a certain end-product line, our ability to continue to sell those components will be reduced or
eliminated. The result could be a significant decrease in our sales. For example, a substantial portion of PTI’s
revenue is generated from commercial aviation aftermarket sales. As certain aircraft are retired and replaced by
newer aircraft, there could be a corresponding decrease in sales associated with our current products. Such a
decrease could adversely affect our operating results.
Product defects could result in costly fixes, litigation and damages.
Our business exposes us to potential product liability risks that are inherent in the design, manufacture and sale of
our products and the products of third-party vendors which we use or resell. If there are claims related to defective
products (under warranty or otherwise), particularly in a product recall situation, we could be faced with significant
expenses in replacing or repairing the product. For example, the Filtration segment obtains raw materials, machined
parts and other product components from suppliers who provide certifications of quality which we rely on. Should
these product components be defective and pass undetected into finished products, or should a finished product
contain a defect, we could incur significant costs for repairs, re-work and/or removal and replacement of the
defective product. In addition, if a dispute over product claims cannot be settled, arbitration or litigation may result,
requiring us to incur attorneys’ fees and exposing us to the potential of damage awards against us.
We may not be able to identify suitable acquisition candidates or complete acquisitions successfully, which
may inhibit our rate of growth.
As part of our growth strategy, we plan to continue to pursue acquisitions of other companies, assets and product
lines that either complement or expand our existing business. However, we may be unable to implement this strategy
if we are unable to identify suitable acquisition candidates or consummate future acquisitions at acceptable prices
and terms. We expect to face competition for acquisition candidates which may limit the number of acquisition
opportunities available to us and may result in higher acquisition prices. As a result, we may be limited in the
number of acquisitions which we are able to complete and we may face difficulties in achieving the profitability or
cash flows needed to justify our investment in them.
9
Our acquisitions of other companies carry risk.
Acquisitions of other companies involve numerous risks, including difficulties in the integration of the operations,
technologies and products of the acquired companies, the potential exposure to unanticipated and undisclosed
liabilities, the potential that expected benefits or synergies are not realized and that operating costs increase, the
potential loss of key personnel, suppliers or customers of acquired businesses and the diversion of Management’s
time and attention from other business concerns. Although we attempt to identify and evaluate the risks inherent in
any acquisition, we may not properly ascertain or mitigate all such risks, and our failure to do so could have a
material adverse effect on our business.
We may incur significant costs, experience short term inefficiencies, or be unable to realize expected long
term savings from facility consolidations and other business reorganizations.
We periodically assess the cost and operational structure of our facilities in order to manufacture and sell our
products in the most efficient manner, and based on these assessments, we may from time to time reorganize,
relocate or consolidate certain of our facilities. These actions may require us to incur significant costs and may result
in short term business inefficiencies as we consolidate and close facilities and transition our employees; and in
addition, we may not achieve the expected long term benefits. Any or all of these factors could result in an adverse
impact on our operating results, cash flows and financial condition.
The trading price of our common stock continues to be volatile and may result in investors selling shares of
our common stock at a loss.
The trading price of our common stock is volatile and subject to wide fluctuations in price in response to various
factors, many of which are beyond our control, including those described in this section and including but not
limited to: actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly operating results; changes in financial estimates by
securities analysts that cover our stock or our failure to meet those estimates; substantial sales of our common stock
by our existing shareholders; and general stock market conditions. In recent years the stock markets in general have
experienced dramatic price and volume fluctuations, which may continue indefinitely, and changes in industry,
general economic or market conditions could harm the price of our stock regardless of our operating performance.
The Company has guaranteed certain Aclara contracts.
In the normal course of business during the time that Aclara was our subsidiary, we agreed to provide guarantees of
Aclara’s performance under certain real property leases, certain vendor contacts, and certain large, long-term
customer contracts for the delivery, deployment and performance of AMI systems such as those described under
“Discontinued Operations” in Item 1. In connection with the sale of Aclara, we agreed to remain a guarantor of
Aclara’s performance of these contracts. If Aclara were to fail to perform any of these guaranteed contracts, the
other party to the contract could seek damages from us resulting from the non-performance, and such damages could
have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition. If we were determined to be
liable for these damages, we would be entitled to seek indemnification from Aclara, although our ability to recover
would be subject to Aclara’s financial position at that time.
We may not realize as revenue the full amounts reflected in our backlog.
As of September 30, 2016 our twelve-month backlog was approximately $254.1 million, which represents
confirmed orders we believe will be recognized as revenue within the next twelve months. There can be no
assurance that our customers will purchase all the orders represented in our backlog, particularly as to contracts
which are subject to the U.S. Government’s ability to modify or terminate major programs or contracts, and if and to
the extent that this occurs, our future revenues could be materially reduced.
Economic, political and other risks of our international operations, including terrorist activities, could
adversely affect our business.
In 2016, approximately 29% of our net sales were to customers outside the United States. An economic downturn or
an adverse change in the political situation in certain foreign countries in which we do business could cause a
decline in revenues and adversely affect our financial condition. For example, our Test segment does significant
business in Asia, and changes in the Asian political climate or political changes in specific Asian countries could
negatively affect our business; several Doble and ETS-Lindgren companies are based in Europe and could be
negatively impacted by weakness in the European economy; Doble’s and Plastique’s UK-based businesses could be
10
adversely affected by Brexit; and Doble’s current multi-year project involving the national power grid in Saudi
Arabia could be adversely affected by the continuing political unrest, wars and terrorism in the Middle East.
Our international sales are also subject to other risks inherent in foreign commerce, including currency fluctuations
and devaluations, differences in foreign laws, uncertainties as to enforcement of contract rights, and difficulties in
negotiating and resolving disputes with our foreign customers.
Our governmental sales and our international and export operations are subject to special U.S. and foreign
government laws and regulations which may impose significant compliance costs, create reputational and
legal risk, and impair our ability to compete in international markets.
The international scope of our operations subjects us to a complex system of commercial and trade regulations
around the world, and our foreign operations are governed by laws and business practices that often differ from
those of the U.S. In addition, laws such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar laws in other countries
increase the need for us to manage the risks of improper conduct not only by our own employees but by distributors
and contractors who may not be within our direct control. Many of our exports are of products which are subject to
U.S. Government regulations and controls such as the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which
impose certain restrictions on the U.S. export of defense articles and services, and these restrictions are subject to
change from time to time, including changes in the countries into which our products may lawfully be sold.
Our failure to comply with these laws and regulations could subject us to significant fines, penalties and other
sanctions including the inability to continue to export our products or to sell our products to the U.S. Government or
to certain other customers. In addition, some of these regulations may be viewed as too restrictive by our
international customers, who may elect to develop their own domestic products or procure products from other
international suppliers which are not subject to comparable export restrictions; and the laws, regulations or policies
of certain other countries may also favor their own domestic suppliers over foreign suppliers such as the Company.
Despite our efforts, we may be unable to adequately protect our intellectual property.
Much of our business success depends on our ability to protect and freely utilize our various intellectual properties,
including both patents and trade secrets. Despite our efforts to protect our intellectual property, unauthorized parties
or competitors may copy or otherwise obtain and use our products and technology, particularly in foreign countries
where the laws may not protect our proprietary rights as fully as in the United States. Our current and future actions
to enforce our proprietary rights may ultimately not be successful; or in some cases we may not elect to pursue an
unauthorized user due to the high costs and uncertainties associated with litigation. We may also face exposure to
claims by others challenging our intellectual property rights. Any or all of these actions may divert our resources and
cause us to incur substantial costs.
Disputes with contractors could adversely affect our Test segment’s costs.
A major portion of our Test segment’s business involves working in conjunction with general contractors to produce
complex building components constructed on-site, such as electronic test chambers, secure communication rooms
and MRI facilities. If there are performance problems caused by either us or a contractor, they could result in cost
overruns and may lead to a dispute as to which party is responsible. The resolution of such disputes can involve
arbitration or litigation, and can cause us to incur significant expense including attorneys’ fees. In addition, these
disputes could result in a reduction in revenue, a loss on a particular project, or even a significant damages award
against us.
Environmental or regulatory requirements could increase our expenses and adversely affect our profitability.
Our operations and properties are subject to U.S. and foreign environmental laws and regulations governing, among
other things, the generation, storage, emission, discharge, transportation, treatment and disposal of hazardous
materials and the clean-up of contaminated properties. These regulations, and changes to them, could increase our
cost of compliance, and our failure to comply could result in the imposition of significant fines, suspension of
production, alteration of product processes, cessation of operations or other actions which could materially and
adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are currently involved as a responsible party in several ongoing investigations and remediations of contaminated
third-party owned properties. In addition, environmental contamination may be discovered in the future on
properties which we formerly owned or operated and for which we could be legally responsible. Future costs
associated with these situations, including ones which may be currently unknown to us, are difficult to quantify but
11
could have a significant effect on our financial condition. See Item 1, “Business – Environmental Matters” for a
discussion of these factors.
We are or may become subject to legal proceedings that could adversely impact our operating results.
We are, and will likely be in the future, a party to a number of legal proceedings and claims involving a variety of
matters, including environmental matters such as those described in the preceding risk factor and disputes over the
ownership or use of intellectual property. Given the uncertainties inherent in litigation, including but not limited to
the possible discovery of facts adverse to our position, adverse rulings by a court or adverse decisions by a jury, it is
possible that such proceedings could result in a liability that we may have not adequately reserved for, that may not
be adequately covered by insurance, or that may otherwise have a material adverse effect on our financial condition
or results of operations.
The loss of specialized key employees could affect our performance and revenues.
There is a risk of our losing key employees having engineering and technical expertise to other employers. For
example, our USG segment relies heavily on engineers with significant experience and reputation in the utility
industry to furnish expert consulting services and support to customers. There is a current trend of a shortage of
these qualified engineers because of hiring competition from other companies in the industry. Loss of these
employees to other employers could reduce the segment’s ability to provide services and negatively affect our
revenues.
Our decentralized organizational structure presents certain risks.
We are a relatively decentralized company in comparison with some of our peers. This decentralization necessarily
places significant control and decision-making powers in the hands of local management, which present various
risks, including the risk that we may be slower or less able to identify or react to problems affecting a key business
than we would in a more centralized management environment. We may also be slower to detect or react to
compliance related problems (such as an employee undertaking activities prohibited by applicable law or by our
internal policies), and Company-wide business initiatives may be more challenging and costly to implement, and the
risks of noncompliance or failures higher, than they would be under a more centralized management structure.
Depending on the nature of the problem or initiative in question, such noncompliance or failure could materially
adversely affect our business, financial condition or result of operations.
Provisions in our articles of incorporation, bylaws and Missouri law could make it more difficult for a third
party to acquire us and could discourage acquisition bids or a change of control, and could adversely affect
the market price of our common stock.
Our articles of incorporation and bylaws contain certain provisions which could discourage potential hostile
takeover attempts, including: a limitation on the shareholders’ ability to call special meetings of shareholders;
advance notice requirements to nominate candidates for election as directors or to propose matters for action at a
meeting of shareholders; a classified board of directors, which means that approximately one-third of our directors
are elected each year; and the authority of our board of directors to issue, without shareholder approval, preferred
stock with such terms as the board may determine. In addition, the laws of Missouri, in which we are incorporated,
require a two-thirds vote of outstanding shares to approve mergers or certain other major corporate transactions,
rather than a simple majority as in some other states such as Delaware. These provisions could impede a merger or
other change of control not approved by our board of directors, which could discourage takeover attempts and in
some circumstances reduce the market price of our common stock.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None
12
Item 2. Properties
The Company believes its buildings, machinery and equipment have been generally well maintained, are in good
operating condition and are adequate for the Company’s current production requirements and other needs.
The Company’s principal manufacturing facilities and other materially important properties, including those
described in the table below, comprise approximately 1,435,000 square feet of floor space, of which approximately
841,000 square feet are owned and approximately 594,000 square feet are leased. Leased facilities of less than 5,000
square feet are not included in the table. See also Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
13
Location
Modesto, CA
Approximate
Size (Sq. Ft.)
135,000
Owned/
Leased
Leased
If Leased,
Expiration Date
Principal Use(s) and
(Operating Segment)
5/31/2021
Office, Engineering & Manufacturing
(Filtration)
Denton, TX (1)
130,000
Leased
9/30/2029 (plus options)
Office, Engineering & Manufacturing
(Filtration)
Oxnard, CA
127,400
Owned
Office, Engineering & Manufacturing
(Filtration)
Cedar Park, TX
118,000
Owned
Office, Engineering & Manufacturing
(Test)
South El Monte, CA
100,100
Owned
Office, Engineering & Manufacturing
Durant, OK
Huntley, IL
100,000
86,000
Owned
Owned
Watertown, MA
82,100
Owned
(Filtration)
Manufacturing (Test)
Office, Engineering & Manufacturing
(Technical Packaging)
Office, Engineering & Manufacturing
(USG)
Valencia, CA
79,300
Owned
Office, Engineering & Manufacturing
(Filtration)
South El Monte, CA
64,100
Leased
6/30/2017
Office, Engineering & Manufacturing
(Filtration)
Eura, Finland
41,500
Owned
Office, Engineering & Manufacturing
Fremont, Indiana
39,800
Owned
Beijing, China
Minocqua, WI
Poznan, Poland
39,100
35,400
32,000
Leased
Owned
Owned
12/31/2017 & 12/21/2019
(Test)
Office, Engineering & Manufacturing
(Technical Packaging)
Manufacturing (Test)
Engineering & Manufacturing (Test)
Office, Engineering & Manufacturing
(Technical Packaging)
Nottingham, England
23,900
Leased
7/31/2019
Office, Engineering & Manufacturing
Hutto, TX
St. Louis, MO
Tunbridge Wells,
England
Stevenage, England
Morrisville, NC
Huntley, IL
Marlborough, MA
22,600
21,500
14,400
12,200
11,600
11,500
11,200
Leased
9/30/2017
Warehouse (Test)
Leased
8/31/2020 (plus options)
ESCO Corporate Headquarters
(Technical Packaging)
Leased
7/31/2019
Leased
Leased
Leased
Leased
6/1/2017
8/31/2019
12/31/2018
6/30/2020
Office, Engineering & Manufacturing
(Technical Packaging)
(Former Test facility; closed in 2016)
Office (USG)
Manufacturing (Filtration)
Office & Engineering (USG)
Wood Dale, IL
10,700
Leased
3/31/2019
Office & Engineering (Test)
Tulsa, OK
Bangalore, India
Trondheim, Norway
Houston, TX
9,900
8,400
6,100
5,200
Leased
12/31/2018
Office (USG)
Leased
Various, month-to-month
Office, Engineering & Warehouse
Leased
to 8/2/2017
6/30/2018
Leased
6/14/2021
(Test)
Office (USG)
Office (USG)
(1) The Company acquired this facility in November 2016 in connection with its acquisition of Mayday Manufacturing Co. and Hi-Tech
Metals, Inc.
14
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
As a normal incident of the businesses in which the Company is engaged, various claims, charges and litigation are
asserted or commenced from time to time against the Company. With respect to claims and litigation asserted or
commenced against the Company, it is the opinion of Management that final judgments, if any, which might be
rendered against the Company are adequately reserved for, are covered by insurance, or are not likely to have a
material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. Nevertheless, given the
uncertainties of litigation, it is possible that such claims, charges and litigation could have a material adverse impact
on the Company; see Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
15
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities
Price Range Of Common Stock. The Company’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under
the symbol “ESE.” The following table summarizes the high and low prices of the common stock for each quarter in
the last two fiscal years.
Quarter
First
Second
Third
Fourth
$
2016
High
39.98
39.59
41.68
47.39
Low
33.62 $
31.50
37.19
39.14
2015
High
38.44
39.73
39.26
39.37
Low
33.01
34.47
36.20
34.03
Holders of Record. As of October 31, 2016 there were approximately 1,878 holders of record of the Company’s
common stock.
Dividends. For information about dividends paid on the common stock in the last two fiscal years, please refer to
Note 18 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
Company Purchases of Equity Securities. The Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock
during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans. For information about securities
authorized for issuance under the Company’s equity compensation plans, please refer to Item 12 of this Form
10-K and to Note 11 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
Performance Graph. The graph and table below present a comparison of the cumulative total shareholder return on
the Company’s common stock as measured against the Russell 2000 index and two customized peer groups whose
individual component companies are listed below. Because the Company changed the composition of the peer group
for 2016, as described below, the peer group used for the corresponding disclosures in 2015 is also shown for
comparison. The Company is not a component of either the 2016 peer group or the 2015 peer group, but it is a
component of the Russell 2000 Index. The measurement period begins on September 30, 2011 and measures at each
September 30 thereafter. These figures assume that all dividends, if any, paid over the measurement period were
reinvested, and that the starting values of each index and the investments in the Company’s common stock were
$100 at the close of trading on September 30, 2011.
16
$250
$200
$150
$100
$50
$0
9/11
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Among ESCO Technologies Inc., the Russell 2000 Index,
2015 Peer Group and 2016 Peer Group
9/12
9/13
9/14
9/15
9/16
ESCO Technologies Inc.
Russell 2000
2015 Peer Group
2016 Peer Group
Copyright© 2016 Russell Investment Group. All rights reserved.
ESCO Technologies Inc.
Russell 2000
2016 Peer Group
2015 Peer Group
9/30/11
$100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
9/30/12
153.91
131.91
125.33
126.06
9/30/13
132.78
171.55
145.48
145.51
9/30/14
140.60
178.30
154.30
156.24
9/30/15
146.37
180.52
115.26
109.78
9/30/16
190.78
208.44
135.88
128.70
The 2016 peer group is composed of eleven companies that correspond to the Company’s four industry segments
used for financial reporting purposes during 2016, as follows: Filtration/Fluid Flow segment (36% of the
Company’s 2016 total revenue) – CIRCOR International, Inc., CLARCOR Inc., Donaldson Company, Inc. and
Moog Inc.; Test segment (28% of the Company’s 2016 total revenue) – EXFO Inc. and FARO Technologies, Inc.;
USG segment (23% of the Company’s 2016 total revenue) – Aegion Corporation, Ameresco, Inc. and EnerNOC,
Inc.; and Technical Packaging Segment (13% of the Company’s 2016 total revenue) – AptarGroup, Inc. and Bemis
Company, Inc.
The 2015 peer group was composed of nine companies that corresponded to the Company’s three industry segments
used for financial reporting purposes during 2015, as follows: Filtration/Fluid Flow segment (44% of the
Company’s 2015 total revenue) – CIRCOR International, Inc., CLARCOR Inc., Donaldson Company, Inc. and
Moog Inc.; Test segment (33% of the Company’s 2015 total revenue) – EXFO Inc. and FARO Technologies, Inc.;
and USG segment (23% of the Company’s 2015 total revenue) – Aegion Corporation, Ameresco, Inc. and
EnerNOC, Inc.
In calculating the composite return of the 2015 and 2016 peer groups, the return of each company comprising the
peer group was weighted by (a) its market capitalization in relation to the other companies in its corresponding
Company industry segment, and (b) the percentage of the Company’s total revenue represented by its corresponding
Company industry segment.
17
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following selected consolidated financial data of the Company and its subsidiaries should be read in conjunction
with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, the Notes thereto, and Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, as of the respective dates indicated and for the respective
periods ended thereon.
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
For years ended September 30:
Net sales
$
571.5
537.3
531.1
490.1
478.7
Net earnings from continuing operations
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
Net earnings (loss)
45.9
-
45.9
41.7
0.8
42.5
42.6
(42.2 )
0.4
31.3
(56.9 )
(25.6 )
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Net earnings (loss)
Diluted:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Net earnings (loss)
As of September 30:
Working capital
Total assets
Total debt
Shareholders’ equity
$
$
$
$
$
1.78
-
1.78
1.77
-
1.77
1.60
0.03
1.63
1.59
0.03
1.62
1.61
(1.60 )
0.01
1.60
(1.58 )
0.02
1.18
(2.15 )
(0.97 )
1.17
(2.13 )
(0.96 )
165.4
978.4
110.0
615.1
155.0
864.2
50.0
584.2
148.9
845.9
40.0
580.2
163.6
1,092.3
172.0
601.7
139.2
1,033.8
115.0
631.3
34.8
12.1
46.9
1.30
0.46
1.76
1.29
0.44
1.73
Cash dividends declared per common share
__________
$
0.32
0.32
0.32
0.32
0.32
See also Notes 2 and 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for discussion of acquisition and
divestiture activity.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein
and Notes thereto and refers to the Company’s results from continuing operations, except where noted.
Introduction
ESCO Technologies Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the Company) are organized into four operating
segments for financial reporting purposes: Filtration/Fluid Flow (Filtration), RF Shielding and Test (Test), Utility
Solutions Group (USG), and Technical Packaging. The Technical Packaging segment was created in the second
quarter of 2016 to disclose TEQ, Plastique and Fremont separately as they no longer met the criteria for aggregation
with the Filtration segment. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period
presentation. The Company’s business segments are comprised of the following primary operating entities:
Filtration: PTI Technologies Inc. (PTI); VACCO Industries (VACCO); Crissair, Inc. (Crissair); and Westland
Technologies, Inc. (Westland).
Test: ETS-Lindgren Inc. (ETS-Lindgren).
USG: Doble Engineering Company (Doble).
Technical Packaging: Thermoform Engineered Quality LLC (TEQ); Plastique Limited and Plastique Sp. z o.o.
(together, Plastique).
18
Filtration. Most of the companies within this segment primarily design and manufacture specialty filtration
products including hydraulic filter elements and fluid control devices used in commercial aerospace applications,
unique filter mechanisms used in micro-propulsion devices for satellites and custom designed filters for manned
aircraft and submarines; Westland designs, develops and manufactures elastomeric-based signature reduction
solutions for U.S. naval vessels.
Test. ETS-Lindgren is an industry leader in providing its customers with the ability to identify, measure and contain
magnetic, electromagnetic and acoustic energy.
USG. Doble provides high-end, intelligent diagnostic test solutions for the electric power delivery industry and is a
leading supplier of power factor and partial discharge testing instruments used to assess the integrity of high-voltage
power delivery equipment.
Technical Packaging. The companies within this segment provide innovative solutions to the medical and
commercial markets for thermoformed and precision molded pulp fiber packages and specialty products using a
wide variety of thin gauge plastics and pulp.
The Company continues to operate with meaningful growth prospects in its primary served markets and with
considerable financial flexibility. The Company continues to focus on new products that incorporate proprietary
design and process technologies. Management is committed to delivering shareholder value through internal growth,
ongoing performance improvement initiatives, and acquisitions.
Highlights of 2016 Operations
Sales, net earnings and diluted earnings per share in 2016 were $571.5 million, $45.9 million and $1.77 per
share, respectively, compared to sales, net earnings from continuing operations and diluted earnings per share
from continuing operations of $537.3 million, $41.7 million and $1.59 per share, respectively, in 2015.
Diluted EPS for 2016 was $1.77. Diluted EPS – As Adjusted for 2016 was $2.03 which excludes $6.9 million,
net after tax, or $0.26 per share, related to the previously announced exit of Test’s operating facilities in
Germany and England and the impact of the domestic headcount reductions, plus Doble’s closure of its Brazil
operating office.
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was approximately $73.9 million in 2016,
compared to $65.0 million in 2015.
At September 30, 2016, cash on hand was $53.8 million and outstanding debt was $110.0 million, for a net debt
position (total debt less net cash) of approximately $56.2 million.
2016 entered orders were $576.3 million resulting in a book-to-bill ratio of 1.00x. Backlog at September 30,
2016 was $332.4 million compared to $327.5 million at September 30, 2015.
In September 2016, the Company acquired the stock of Westland for approximately $41 million in cash.
Westland designs, develops and manufactures elastomeric-based signature reduction solutions which enhance
U.S. Naval maritime platform survivability. The operating results for Westland, since the date of acquisition
are included within the Filtration segment.
In January 2016, the Company acquired Plastique, headquartered in Tunbridge Wells, England, for a purchase
price of approximately $31.6 million in cash. Plastique is a market leader in the development and manufacture
of thermoformed plastic and precision molded pulp fiber packaging. Since the date of acquisition, the
operating results for Plastique have been included within the Company’s Technical Packaging segment.
In October 2015, the Company acquired the stock and real property of Fremont for a purchase price of $12.5
million in cash. Fremont was a developer and manufacturer of sterile-ready and non-sterile thin gauge
thermoformed medical plastic packaging products. Immediately following the acquisition, Fremont was
merged into TEQ, and therefore Fremont’s operating results since the date of acquisition are included as part
of TEQ within the Company’s Technical Packaging segment.
During 2016, the Company repurchased approximately 120,000 shares of its common stock for $4.3 million.
The Company declared dividends of $0.32 per share, totaling $8.2 million in payments during 2016.
19
Results of Operations
Net Sales
(Dollars in millions)
Filtration
Test
USG
Technical Packaging
Total
Fiscal year ended
2015
196.7
177.6
123.6
39.4
537.3
2016
207.8
161.5
127.8
74.4
571.5
$
$
Change
2016
vs. 2015
Change
2015
vs. 2014
5.6 %
(9.1 )%
3.4 %
88.8 %
6.4 %
0.1 %
(2.3 )%
6.9 %
5.9 %
1.2 %
2014
196.5
181.8
115.6
37.2
531.1
Net sales increased $34.2 million, or 6.4%, to $571.5 million in 2016 from $537.3 million in 2015. The increase in
net sales in 2016 as compared to 2015 was due to a $35.0 million increase in the Technical Packaging segment, an
$11.1 million increase in the Filtration segment and a $4.2 million increase in the USG segment, partially offset by
a $16.1 million decrease in the Test segment.
Net sales increased $6.2 million, or 1.2%, to $537.3 million in 2015 from $531.1 million in 2014. The increase in
net sales in 2015 as compared to 2014 was due to an $8.0 million increase in the USG segment, a $2.2 million
increase in the Technical Packaging segment and a $0.2 million increase in the Filtration segment, partially offset
by a $4.2 million decrease in the Test segment.
Filtration.
The $11.1 million, or 5.6%, increase in net sales in 2016 as compared to 2015 was primarily due to a $4.6 million
increase in net sales from Crissair due to higher aerospace shipments, a $2.5 million increase in net sales from PTI
due to higher shipments of aero assemblies and elements, a $1.4 million increase in net sales from VACCO due to
higher shipments of its Space products and a $2.5 million sales contribution from Westland (acquired on
September 2, 2016).
The $0.2 million increase in net sales in 2015 as compared to 2014 was primarily due to a $7.7 million increase in
net sales from PTI due to higher shipments of aero assemblies and industrial products, partially offset by a $7.4
million decrease in net sales from VACCO due to lower shipments of its Space products, primarily to Boeing for
NASA’s Space Launch system.
Test.
The net sales decrease of $16.1 million, or 9.1%, in 2016 as compared to 2015 was mainly due to due to a $12
million decrease in net sales from the segment’s European operations due to the European facility consolidation
and a $10 million decrease in net sales from the segment’s U.S. operations driven by a decrease in acoustic
projects, partially offset by a $6 million increase in net sales from the segment’s Asian operations driven by timing
of projects.
The net sales decrease of $4.2 million, or 2.3%, in 2015 as compared to 2014 was due to a $6.2 million decrease in
net sales from the segment’s U.S. operations, mainly due to overall softness in the domestic shielding market, and
a $1.1 million decrease in net sales from the segment’s European operations, partially offset by a $2.9 million
increase in net sales from the Company’s Asian operations due to timing of projects.
USG.
The net sales increase of $4.2 million, or 3.4%, in 2016 as compared to 2015 was driven by additional software and
service revenue at Doble and the sales contribution from the Enoserv acquisition (acquired January 2015).
The net sales increase of $8.0 million, or 6.9%, in 2015 as compared to 2014 was driven by a $4.6 million
contribution from the Enoserv acquisition, higher shipments of the F and M series products, and additional service
revenue at Doble.
Technical Packaging.
The $35.0 million, or 88.8%, increase in net sales in 2016 as compared to 2015 was primarily driven by the
acquisitions of Plastique and Fremont which contributed $22 million and $7 million, respectively, to 2016 sales
and an increase in shipments to commercial customers.
20
Orders and Backlog
New orders received in 2016 were $576.3 million as compared to $561.9 million in 2015, resulting in order
backlog of $332.4 million at September 30, 2016 as compared to order backlog of $327.5 million at September 30,
2015. In 2016, the Company recorded $224.7 million of orders related to Filtration products, $149.5 million of
orders related to Test products, $125.3 million of orders related to USG products and $76.8 million of orders
related to Technical Packaging products. Orders are entered into backlog as firm purchase order commitments are
received.
In 2015, the Company recorded $209.4 million of orders related to Filtration products, $182.0 million of orders
related to Test products, $126.7 million of orders related to USG products, and $43.8 million of orders related to
Technical Packaging products.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $131.5 million, or 23.0% of net sales, in 2016, $130.2
million, or 24.2% of net sales, in 2015, and $134.9 million, or 25.4% of net sales, in 2014. The increase in SG&A
expenses in 2016 as compared to 2015 was mainly due to an increase in SG&A expenses within the Technical
Packaging segment due to the Company’s recent acquisitions (Plastique and Fremont) and Corporate (higher
acquisition costs, including professional fees) partially offset by a decrease in SG&A expenses within the Test and
USG segments due to the facility consolidations and headcount reductions.
The decrease in SG&A expenses in 2015 as compared to 2014 was mainly due to a decrease in SG&A expenses
within the Test segment and the Filtration segment driven by the recent facility consolidations and headcount
reductions.
Amortization Of Intangible Assets
Amortization of intangible assets was $11.6 million in 2016, $8.9 million in 2015 and $6.7 million in 2014.
Amortization of intangible assets included $4.9 million, $4.0 million and $3.4 million of amortization of acquired
intangible assets in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to the Company’s acquisitions. The amortization of
acquired intangible assets related to the Company’s acquisitions is included in the Corporate operating segment’s
results. The remaining amortization expenses consist of other identifiable intangible assets (primarily software,
patents and licenses) and are included in the respective segment’s operating results. The increase in amortization
expense in 2016 as compared to 2015 and 2014 was mainly due to the amortization of intangibles related to the
Company’s recent acquisitions and an increase in software amortization.
Other Expenses (Income), Net
Other expenses (income), net, were $7.8 million in 2016, $1.1 million in 2015 and $1.8 million in 2014. The
principal components of other expenses (income), net, in 2016 included $4.9 million of restructuring costs related
to the Test segment facility consolidation and $2.2 million of costs related to the USG segment restructuring
activities. The restructuring costs mainly related to severance and compensation benefits, professional fees and
asset impairment charges related to abandoned assets. The principal component of other expenses (income), net, in
2015 included $0.9 million of severance expenses related to headcount reductions primarily at VACCO. The
principal components of other expenses (income), net, in 2014 included $1.7 million of costs related to the exit and
relocation of Crissair’s Palmdale, California operation into the Canyon facility in Valencia, California. There were
no other individually significant items included in other expenses (income), net, in 2016, 2015 or 2014.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The information reported herein includes the financial measures EPS – As Adjusted, which the Company defines as
EPS from continuing operations less defined restructuring charges; EBIT, which the Company defines as earnings
before interest and taxes from continuing operations, without adjustment for the defined restructuring charges; and
EBIT margin, which the Company defines as EBIT expressed as a percentage of net sales. EPS – As Adjusted, and
EBIT and EBIT margin on a consolidated basis, are not recognized in accordance with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles (GAAP). However, the Company believes that EBIT and EBIT margin provide investors and
Management with a valuable alternative method for assessing the Company’s operating results. Management
evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on EBIT and believes that EBIT is useful to investors to
demonstrate the operational profitability of the Company’s business segments by excluding interest and taxes, which
are generally accounted for across the entire company on a consolidated basis. EBIT is also one of the measures
Management uses to determine resource allocations and incentive compensation. The Company believes that the
presentation of EBIT, EBIT margin and EPS – As Adjusted provides important supplemental information to
21
Change
2016
vs. 2015
Change
2015
vs. 2014
8.4 %
46.3 %
5.1 %
95.9 %
28.6 %
11.9 %
14.6 %
(55.0 )%
11.3 %
(2.0 )%
(7.5 )%
(2.4 )%
2014
63.8
(1.6 )
(19.6 )
42.6
investors by facilitating comparisons with other companies, many of which use similar non-GAAP financial
measures to supplement their GAAP results. The use of non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to replace any
measures of performance determined in accordance with GAAP.
EBIT
(Dollars in millions)
Filtration
% of net sales
Test
% of net sales
USG
% of net sales
Technical Packaging
% of net sales
Corporate
Total
% of net sales
Fiscal year ended
$
$
2016
45.2
21.8 %
13.9
8.6 %
31.1
24.3 %
9.6
12.9 %
(30.1 )
69.7
12.2 %
2015
41.7
21.2 %
9.5
5.3 %
29.6
23.9 %
4.9
12.4 %
(23.4 )
62.3
11.6 %
2014
36.4
18.5 %
21.1
11.6 %
26.6
23.0 %
5.0
13.4 %
(25.3 )
63.8
12.0 %
The reconciliation of EBIT from continuing operations to a GAAP financial measure is as follows:
(Dollars in millions)
EBIT
Less: Interest expense
Less: Income taxes
Net earnings from continuing operations
Filtration
2016
69.7
(1.3 )
(22.5 )
45.9
$
$
2015
62.3
(0.8 )
(19.8 )
41.7
EBIT increased $3.5 million in 2016 as compared to 2015 mainly due to the increased sales volumes at Crissair
and VACCO and the EBIT contribution from the current year acquisition of Westland, partially offset by lower
margins at PTI due to the impact of early stage production volumes.
EBIT increased $5.3 million in 2015 as compared to 2014 primarily due to the increased sales volumes at PTI and
a decrease in restructuring costs that were incurred at Crissair in 2014 related to the exit and relocation of
Crissair’s Palmdale, California operation into the Canyon facility in Valencia, California.
Test
The $4.4 million increase in EBIT in 2016 as compared to 2015 was mainly due to the higher sales volumes from
the segment’s Asian operations and operational improvement initiatives that were partially offset by $5.1 million
of incremental restructuring charges related to closing the Test business operating facilities in Taufkirchen,
Germany and Stevenage, England consisting mainly of employee severance and compensation benefits,
professional fees, and asset impairment charges. In addition, 2015 EBIT was negatively impacted by incremental
charges related to the write-down of certain inventories.
The $11.6 million decrease in EBIT in 2015 as compared to 2014 was mainly due to the lower sales volumes from
the segment’s U.S. and European operations, changes in product mix, and incremental charges related to the write-
down of certain inventories and charges related to legal costs incurred in defense of patents.
USG
The $1.5 million increase in EBIT in 2016 as compared to 2015 was primarily due to an increase in sales volumes
and the full year EBIT contribution from the 2015 acquisition of Enoserv. In addition, 2016 EBIT was negatively
impacted by $2.0 million of incremental restructuring charges incurred related to the closing of the Brazil office
consisting mainly of employee severance and compensation benefits and asset write downs.
The $3.0 million increase in EBIT in 2015 as compared to 2014 was mainly due to an increase in sales volumes
and the EBIT contribution from the current year acquisition of Enoserv.
22
Technical Packaging
EBIT increased $4.7 million in 2016 as compared to 2015 mainly due to the current year acquisitions of Plastique
and Fremont and the higher sales volumes to commercial and medical customers. The decrease in EBIT in 2015 as
compared to 2014 was not material.
Corporate
Corporate operating charges included in 2016 consolidated EBIT increased to $30.1 million as compared to $23.4
million due to an increase in professional fees, acquisition related expenses, and head count related expenses.
Corporate operating charges included in 2015 consolidated EBIT decreased to $23.4 million as compared to $25.3
million in 2014 mainly due to a decrease in professional fees and salaries expense.
The “Reconciliation to Consolidated Totals (Corporate)” in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements
included herein represents Corporate office operating charges.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense was $1.3 million in 2016, $0.8 million in 2015 and $1.6 million in 2014. The increase in interest
expense in 2016 as compared to 2015 was due to higher average interest rates (1.6% vs. 1.3%) and higher average
outstanding borrowings ($89.2 million vs. $68.5 million) as a result of the additional borrowings to fund the
Company’s recent acquisitions (Westland, Plastique and Fremont). The decrease in interest expense in 2015 as
compared to 2014 was due to lower average interest rates (1.3% vs. 1.5%) and lower average outstanding
borrowings ($68.5 million vs. $103 million).
Income Tax Expense
The effective tax rates from continuing operations for 2016, 2015 and 2014 were 32.9%, 32.2% and 31.5%,
respectively. The increase in the 2016 effective tax rate as compared to 2015 was primarily due to normal tax
fluctuations within the ordinary course of business. The increase in the 2015 effective tax rate as compared to 2014
was primarily due to the extension of the research credit as a result of the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014
which reduced the 2015 effective tax rate by 0.8%, offset by the release of accruals related to uncertain tax
positions as a result of the lapse of statute of limitations and the closing of a U.S. taxing authority’s examination of
the Company’s research credit claims which reduced the 2014 effective tax rate by 2.6%.
The Company’s foreign subsidiaries had accumulated unremitted earnings of $46.3 million and cash of $45.2
million at September 30, 2016. No deferred taxes have been provided on these accumulated unremitted earnings
because these funds are not needed to meet the liquidity requirements of the Company’s U.S. operations and it is the
Company’s intention to indefinitely reinvest these earnings in continuing international operations. In the event these
foreign entities’ earnings were distributed, it is estimated that U.S. taxes, net of available foreign tax credits, of
approximately $7.4 million would be due, which would correspondingly reduce the Company’s net earnings. No
significant portion of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries’ earnings was taxed at a very low tax rate.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
The Company’s overall financial position and liquidity are strong. Working capital (current assets less current
liabilities) increased to $165.4 million at September 30, 2016, from $155.0 million at September 30, 2015, mainly
due to higher cash and accounts receivable balances. The $18.9 million increase in accounts receivable at
September 30, 2016, was mainly due to a $7.7 million increase within the Technical Packaging segment due to the
current year acquisitions (Plastique and Fremont), a $7.3 million increase within the USG segment due to an
increase in sales in the fourth quarter of 2016 and timing of collections, and a $3.9 million increase within the
Filtration segment mainly due to the current year acquisition of Westland. The $5.8 million increase in inventory at
September 30, 2016, was mainly due to a $5.6 million increase in the Filtration segment due to the Westland
acquisition and timing of receipt of raw materials to meet increased sales volumes and new product introductions,
and a $3.7 million increase within the Technical Packaging segment due to the Plastique and Fremont acquisitions,
partially offset by a $4.5 million decrease within the USG segment.
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $73.9 million, $65.0 million and $44.9
million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The increase in 2016 as compared to the prior year periods was
mainly due to higher net earnings and lower operating working capital requirements.
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations was $104.6 million, $39.5 million and $21.3
million in 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. The increase in 2016 as compared to 2015 was mainly due to the
23
current year acquisitions. Capital expenditures from continuing operations were $13.8 million, $12.4 million and
$12.7 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. There were no commitments outstanding that were considered
material for capital expenditures at September 30, 2016. In addition, the Company incurred expenditures for
capitalized software of $8.7 million, $6.9 million and $8.6 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The
increase in 2016 as compared to 2015 was mainly due to higher capitalized software expenditures within the USG
and Test segments. The decrease in 2015 as compared to 2014 was mainly due to lower capitalized software
expenditures at Doble.
The Company made required pension contributions of zero, $0.7 million and $2.7 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014,
respectively.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $46.2 million in 2016 compared to net cash used by financing
activities of $16.6 million and $152.5 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively. The increase in 2016 compared to
the prior year periods was mainly due to an increase in borrowings related to the 2016 acquisitions.
Acquisitions
2016
On September 2, 2016, the Company acquired the stock of Westland Technologies, Inc. (Westland), located in
Modesto, California, for a purchase price of approximately $41 million in cash. Westland is a market leader in the
design, development and manufacture of elastomeric-based signature reduction solutions which enhance U.S. Naval
maritime platform survivability. Westland has annual sales of approximately $25 million. Since the date of
acquisition, the operating results for Westland have been included within the Company’s Filtration segment. Based
on the preliminary purchase price allocation, the Company recorded tangible assets, net, of $5.5 million, deferred tax
liabilities of $10.4 million, goodwill of $17.9 million, and $28.3 million of identifiable intangible assets primarily
consisting of customer relationships.
On January 29, 2016, the Company acquired Plastique, which is headquartered in Tunbridge Wells, England and has
manufacturing locations in Nottingham, England and Poznan, Poland, for a purchase price of approximately $31.6
million (of which $2.7 million is due over the next three years). Plastique is a market leader in the development and
manufacture of highly-technical thermoformed plastic and precision molded pulp fiber packaging primarily serving
pharmaceutical, personal care, and various specialty end markets. Since the date of acquisition, the operating results
for Plastique have been included within the Company’s Technical Packaging segment. Plastique has annual sales of
approximately $35 million. Based on the purchase price allocation, the Company recorded tangible assets, net, of
$9.6 million, goodwill of $10.2 million, and $11.9 million of identifiable intangible assets primarily consisting of
customer relationships.
On October 16, 2015, the Company acquired the stock of Fremont for a purchase price of $10.5 million in cash. The
Company also purchased for $2 million Fremont’s real property located in Fremont, Indiana. Fremont was a
developer, manufacturer, promoter and seller of high quality sterile-ready and non-sterile thin gauge thermoformed
medical plastic packaging products. Immediately following the closing of the transaction, Fremont was merged into
TEQ, and therefore since the date of acquisition the operating results for Fremont have been included as part of
TEQ.
2015
On January 28, 2015, the Company acquired the assets of Enoserv, LLC (Enoserv), headquartered in Tulsa,
Oklahoma, for $20.5 million in cash. Enoserv provides utility customers with high quality, user-friendly multi-
platform software and has annual revenues of approximately $8 million. Since the date of acquisition the operating
results for Enoserv have been included as part of Doble within the Company’s USG segment. Based on the purchase
price allocation, the Company recorded approximately $10.0 million of goodwill and $9.0 million of amortizable
identifiable intangible assets consisting primarily of customer relationships and developed technology.
All of the Company’s acquisitions have been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, and
accordingly, the respective purchase prices were allocated to the assets (including intangible assets) acquired and
liabilities assumed based on estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The financial results from these
acquisitions have been included in the Company’s financial statements from the date of acquisition.
24
Subsequent Event
On November 7, 2016, the Company acquired aerospace suppliers Mayday Manufacturing Co. (Mayday) and its
affiliate, Hi-Tech Metals, Inc. (Hi-Tech), which share a state-of-the-art, expandable 130,000 square foot facility in
Denton, Texas, for a purchase price of approximately $75 million in cash. Mayday is a leading manufacturer of
mission-critical bushings, pins, sleeves and precision-tolerance machined components for landing gear, rotor heads,
engine mounts, flight controls and actuation systems for the aerospace and defense industry. Hi-Tech is a full-
service metal processor offering aerospace OEM’s and Tier 1 suppliers a large portfolio of processing services
including anodizing, cadmium and zinc-nickel plating, organic coatings, non-destructive testing and heat treatment.
Mayday and Hi-Tech together have annual sales of approximately $40 million. They will be included in the
Company’s Filtration operating segment beginning in 2017.
Divestiture
In March 2014, the Company completed the sale of Aclara Technologies LLC (Aclara) to an affiliate of Sun
Capital Partners, Inc. A disagreement between the parties over the calculation of the final working capital
adjustment was finally resolved by arbitration on June 15, 2015, resulting in a cash payment to the Company of $2.3
million in 2015. For more information about the Aclara divestiture, see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements included in this Report.
Bank Credit Facility
On December 21, 2015, the Company amended its existing credit facility to extend the maturity date from May 13,
2017 through December 21, 2020, and to reduce the outstanding borrowing rates and commitment fees. Consistent
with the prior credit facility, the amended facility includes a $450 million revolving line of credit as well as
provisions allowing for the increase of the credit facility commitment amount by an additional $250 million, if
necessary, with the consent of the lenders. The bank syndication supporting the new facility is comprised of a
diverse group of nine banks led by JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
At September 30, 2016, the Company had approximately $335 million available to borrow under the Credit Facility,
plus the $250 million increase option, in addition to $53.8 million cash on hand. The Company classified $20.0
million as the current portion of short-term debt as of September 30, 2016, as the Company intends to repay this
amount within the next twelve months; however, the Company has no contractual obligation to repay such amount
during the next twelve months.
The Credit Facility requires, as determined by certain financial ratios, a facility fee ranging from 12.5 to 27.5 basis
points per annum on the unused portion. The terms of the facility provide that interest on borrowings may be
calculated at a spread over the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or based on the prime rate, at the
Company’s election. The facility is secured by the unlimited guaranty of the Company’s material domestic
subsidiaries and a 65% pledge of the material foreign subsidiaries’ share equity. The financial covenants of the
Credit Facility include a leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio. As of September 30, 2016, the Company was
in compliance with all bank covenants.
Cash flow from operations and borrowings under the Credit Facility are expected to provide adequate resources to
meet the Company’s capital requirements and operational needs for the foreseeable future.
Dividends
Since 2010 the Company has paid a regular quarterly cash dividend at an annual rate of $0.32 per share. The
Company paid dividends of $8.2 million, $8.4 million and $8.5 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
25
Contractual Obligations
The following table shows the Company’s contractual obligations as of September 30, 2016:
(Dollars in millions)
Long-Term Debt Obligation
Estimated Interest Payments (1)
Operating Lease Obligations
Purchase Obligations (2)
Total
Payments due by period
Less than
1 year
–
1.9
6.4
10.1
18.4
Total
110.0
5.0
20.6
10.2
145.8
$
$
1 to 3
years
–
1.6
8.8
0.1
10.5
3 to 5 More than
5 years
years
–
110.0
–
1.5
1.5
3.9
–
–
1.5
115.4
(1) Estimated interest payments for the Company’s debt obligations were calculated based on
Management’s determination of the estimated applicable interest rates and payment dates.
(2) A purchase obligation is defined as a legally binding and enforceable agreement to purchase goods and
services that specifies all significant terms. Since the majority of the Company’s purchase orders can be
cancelled, they are not included in the table above.
As of September 30, 2016, the Company had $0.1 million of liabilities for uncertain tax positions. The unrecognized
tax benefits have been excluded from the table above due to uncertainty as to the amounts and timing of settlement
with taxing authorities.
The Company has no off-balance-sheet arrangements outstanding at September 30, 2016.
Share Repurchases
In August 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a common stock repurchase program under which the
Company may repurchase shares of its stock from time to time in its discretion, in the open market or otherwise, up
to a maximum total repurchase amount of $100 million (or such lesser amount as may be permitted under the
Company’s bank credit agreements). This program has been twice extended by the Company’s Board of Directors
and is currently scheduled to expire September 30, 2017. The Company repurchased approximately 120,000 shares
for $4.3 million in 2016, 517,000 shares for $18.2 million in 2015, and 350,000 shares for $12.0 million in 2014. At
September 30, 2016 approximately $50.4 million remained available for repurchases under the program.
Pension Funding Requirements
The minimum cash funding requirements related to the Company’s defined benefit pension plans are estimated to be
approximately $2.7 million in 2017, $2.5 million in 2018, and $3.9 million in 2019.
Other
Management believes that, for the periods presented, inflation has not had a material effect on the Company’s
results of operations.
As a normal incident of the business in which the Company is engaged, various claims, charges and litigation are
asserted or commenced from time to time against the Company. Additionally, the Company is currently involved
in various stages of investigation and remediation relating to environmental matters. It is the opinion of
Management that the aggregate costs involved in the resolution of these matters, and final judgments, if any, which
might be rendered against the Company are adequately reserved for, are covered by insurance, or are not likely to
have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results from continuing operations, capital expenditures, or
competitive position.
Outlook
Management continues to see meaningful sales, EBIT, EBITDA, and EPS growth across each of the Company’s
business segments, and anticipated growth rates for 2017 and beyond in excess of the Company’s defined peer group
and the overall broader industrial market in general. Management’s growth expectations for 2017 (compared to 2016
As -- Adjusted) are as follows:
Sales are expected to increase between 18% and 20%, resulting in projected sales in the range of $675 million
to $685 million, with all operating segments reflecting meaningful increases.
26
Gross profit dollars are expected to be negatively impacted by a one-time non-cash pretax charge of $3 million
or $0.08 per share after-tax, related to Mayday’s inventory “step up.”
Interest expense on higher net debt resulting from recent acquisitions and share repurchases is expected to
increase to $3.6 million, up from the $1.3 million expense reported in 2016.
Non-cash depreciation and amortization of intangibles is expected to increase approximately $9 million pretax
($0.22 per share after-tax) as a result of the recent acquisitions.
2017 income tax expense is expected to increase, as Management is projecting a 35% effective tax rate
calculated on higher pretax earnings, compared to the 2016 tax rate of 32.9%,
In summary, Management projects 2017 EPS to be in the range of $2.16 to $2.26 per share, which reflects the
impact of the Mayday inventory “step up” charge of $0.08 per share expected to be incurred in the first half of
2017, and the $0.22 per share impact of additional depreciation and amortization.
Management’s 2017 expectations by operating segment are summarized as follows:
Filtration sales are expected to increase over 35% with EBIT margins (excluding the above inventory “step up”
charges at Mayday) of approximately 20%. The significant increase in sales and EBIT is driven by the additions
of Westland, Mayday and Hi-Tech, the continued strength of the commercial aerospace markets, and
significantly higher space (SLS) sales at VACCO.
Test sales are expected to increase in the high single digits with EBIT margins near 13%. The sales increase is
driven by the catch up from 2016 delayed orders being received and with projects ultimately being delivered in
2017. The EBIT margin increase reflects the lower cost structure resulting from the 2016 restructuring and
implementation of other operating improvements.
Doble sales are expected to increase in the mid to high single digits with EBIT margins of approximately 26%.
The sales increase reflects higher software and service revenues, and flat to slightly higher hardware revenues
driven by an expectation of a modest recovery in utility customer capital spending.
Technical Packaging sales are expected to increase over 17% with EBIT margins in the low-to-mid teens. The
sales increase is driven by Plastique being included for the full year, partially offset by a temporary (3 month)
slowdown of KAZ deliveries at TEQ as the customer rationalizes its current inventory in Q1 2017.
Corporate costs are expected to be higher due to additional non-cash amortization of purchase accounting
intangible assets resulting from the recent acquisitions.
On a quarterly basis, Management expects 2017 operating results to reflect a profile similar to 2016 and previous
years, with revenues and EPS being more second-half weighted. As with past years, projected Q4 2017 sales and EPS
are expected to be the strongest/highest of the fiscal year. Management expects Q1 2017 EPS to be in the range of
$0.35 to $0.40 per share, which reflects one half of the impact of the $3 million, or $0.08 per share, of pretax purchase
accounting charges noted above. Additionally, the timing of sales and related earnings within the respective quarters
also impacts Q1 comparative EPS.
Market Risk Analysis
Market Risk Exposure
Market risks relating to the Company’s operations result primarily from changes in interest rates and changes in
foreign currency exchange rates. The Company is exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates and
selectively uses derivative financial instruments, including forward contracts and swaps, to manage these risks.
During the second quarter of 2016, the Company entered into several forward contracts to purchase pounds sterling
(GBP) to hedge two deferred payments due in connection with the acquisition of Plastique. All derivative
instruments are reported on the balance sheet at fair value. The derivative instruments are designated as cash flow
hedges and the gain or loss on the derivative is deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income until
recognized in earnings with the underlying hedged item.
The Company has determined that the market risk related to interest rates with respect to its variable debt is not
material. The Company estimates that if market interest rates averaged one percentage point higher, the effect
would have been less than 2% of net earnings for the year ended September 30, 2016. The following is a summary
of the notional transaction amounts and fair values for the Company’s outstanding derivative financial instruments
as of September 30, 2016.
27
(In thousands)
Forward contract
Forward contracts
Notional Amount
(Currency)
309 (Euro)
1,859 (GBP)
Fair Value
(US$)
(25)
(233)
The Company is also subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk inherent in its sales commitments, anticipated
sales, anticipated purchases and assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The
foreign currency most significant to the Company’s operations is the Euro. The Company occasionally hedges
certain foreign currency commitments by purchasing foreign currency forward contracts. The Company does not
have material foreign currency market risk (e.g. net foreign currency transaction gain/loss was less than 2% of net
earnings for 2016, 2015 and 2014).
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
requires Management to make estimates and assumptions in certain circumstances that affect amounts reported in
the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. In preparing these financial statements, Management has
made its best estimates and judgments of certain amounts included in the Consolidated Financial Statements, giving
due consideration to materiality. The Company does not believe there is a great likelihood that materially different
amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions related to the accounting
policies described below. However, application of these accounting policies involves the exercise of judgment and
use of assumptions as to future uncertainties and, as a result, actual results could differ from these estimates. The
Company’s senior Management discusses the critical accounting policies described below with the Audit
and Finance Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors on a periodic basis.
The following discussion of critical accounting policies is intended to bring to the attention of readers those
accounting policies which Management believes are critical to the Consolidated Financial Statements and other
financial disclosure. It is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all significant accounting policies that are more
fully described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein.
Revenue Recognition
Filtration Segment: Within the Filtration segment, approximately 83% of segment revenues (approximately 30% of
consolidated revenues) are recognized when products are delivered (when title and risk of ownership transfers) or
when services are performed for unaffiliated customers.
Approximately 17% of segment revenues (approximately 6% of consolidated revenues) are recorded under the
percentage-of-completion provisions because the Company manufactures complex products for aerospace and
military customers under production contracts. The majority of these contracts are cost-reimbursable contracts
which provide for the payment of allowable costs incurred during the performance of the contract plus an incentive
fee. The remainder of the contracts are fixed-price contracts. The percentage-of-completion method of accounting
involves the use of various estimating techniques to project costs at completion. These estimates involve various
assumptions and projections relative to the outcome of future events over a period of several years, including future
labor productivity and availability, the nature and complexity of the work to be performed, availability of materials,
the impact of delayed performance, the timing of product deliveries, and estimates of incentive fees based on past
experience and anticipated performance. These estimates are based on Management’s judgment and the Company’s
substantial experience in developing these types of estimates. Changes in underlying assumptions/estimates may
adversely affect financial performance if they increase estimated project costs at completion, or positively affect
financial performance if they decrease estimated project costs at completion. Due to the nature of these contracts and
the operating unit’s cost estimating process, the Company believes that these estimates generally should not be
subject to significant variation in the future. There have been no material changes to these estimates for the financial
statement periods presented. The Company regularly reviews its estimates to assess revisions in contract values and
estimated costs at completion.
Test Segment: Within the Test segment, approximately 31% of revenues (approximately 9% of consolidated
revenues) are recognized when products are delivered (when title and risk of ownership transfers) or when services
are performed for unaffiliated customers.
Approximately 69% of the segment’s revenues (approximately 20% of consolidated revenues) are recorded under
the percentage-of-completion method due to the complex nature of the enclosures that are designed and produced
under these contracts. As discussed above, this method of accounting involves the use of various estimating
28
techniques to project costs at completion, which are based on Management’s judgment and the Company’s
substantial experience in developing these types of estimates. Changes in underlying assumptions/estimates may
adversely or positively affect financial performance in a period. Due to the nature of these contracts and the
operating unit’s cost estimating process, the Company believes that these estimates generally should not be subject
to significant variation in the future. There have been no material changes to these estimates for the financial
statement periods presented. The Company regularly reviews its contract estimates to assess revisions in contract
values and estimated costs at completion.
USG Segment: Within the USG segment, 100% of the segment’s revenues (approximately 22% of consolidated
revenues) represent products and services sold and are recognized when products are delivered (when title and risk
of ownership transfers), when services are performed for unaffiliated customers or on a straight-line basis over the
lease term.
Technical Packaging Segment: Within the Technical Packaging segment, 100% of the segment’s revenues
(approximately 13% of consolidated revenues) represent products and services sold and are recognized when
products are delivered (when title and risk of ownership transfers), or when services are performed for unaffiliated
customers.
Income Taxes
The Company operates in numerous taxing jurisdictions and is subject to examination by various U.S. Federal, state
and foreign jurisdictions for various tax periods. Additionally, the Company has retained tax liabilities and the rights
to tax refunds in connection with various divestitures of businesses in prior years. The Company’s income tax
positions are based on research and interpretations of the income tax laws and rulings in each of the jurisdictions in
which the Company does business. Due to the subjectivity of interpretations of laws and rulings in each jurisdiction,
the differences and interplay in tax laws between those jurisdictions, as well as the inherent uncertainty in estimating
the final resolution of complex tax audit matters, Management’s estimates of income tax liabilities may differ from
actual payments or assessments.
Management regularly assesses the Company’s position with regard to tax exposures and records liabilities for these
uncertain tax positions and related interest and penalties, if any, according to the principles of Financial Accounting
Standards Board (FASB) ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (ASC 740). The Company has recorded an accrual that
reflects the recognition and measurement process for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax
position taken or expected to be taken on a tax return based upon ASC 740. Additional future income tax expense or
benefit may be recognized once the positions are effectively settled. It is the Company’s policy to follow FASB
ASC 740-10-45-20 and record the tax effects of changes in the opening balance of unrecognized tax benefits in net
earnings from continuing operations.
At the end of each interim reporting period, Management estimates the effective tax rate expected to apply to the full
fiscal year. The estimated effective tax rate contemplates the expected jurisdiction where income is earned, as well
as tax planning strategies. Current and projected growth in income in higher tax jurisdictions may result in an
increasing effective tax rate over time. If the actual results differ from Management’s estimates, Management may
have to adjust the effective tax rate in the interim period if such determination is made.
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying
amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary
differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Deferred tax assets may be reduced by a valuation allowance if it
is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred tax
assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
The Company regularly reviews its deferred tax assets for recoverability and establishes a valuation allowance when
Management believes it is more likely than not such assets will not be recovered, taking into consideration historical
operating results, expectations of future earnings, tax planning strategies, and the expected timing of the reversals of
existing temporary differences.
Goodwill And Other Long-Lived Assets
Management annually reviews goodwill and other long-lived assets with indefinite useful lives for impairment or
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the Company
determines that the carrying value of the long-lived asset may not be recoverable, a permanent impairment charge is
recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. Fair value is
29
measured based on a discounted cash flow method using a discount rate determined by Management to be
commensurate with the risk inherent in the Company’s current business model. The estimates of cash flows and
discount rate are subject to change due to the economic environment, including such factors as interest rates,
expected market returns and volatility of markets served. Management believes that the estimates of future cash
flows and fair value are reasonable; however, changes in estimates could result in impairment charges.
At September 30, 2016, the Company has determined that no reporting units are at risk of goodwill impairment as
the fair value of each reporting unit substantially exceeded its carrying value.
Intangible assets with estimable useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their
estimated residual values, and are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances
indicate the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable.
Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
The measurement of liabilities related to pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans is based on
Management’s assumptions related to future events including interest rates, return on pension plan assets, and health
care cost trend rates. Actual pension plan asset performance will either decrease or increase unamortized pension
losses/gains that will affect net earnings in future years. Depending upon the performance of the equity and bond
markets in 2017, the Company could be required to record a charge to other comprehensive income/loss. In addition,
if the discount rate were decreased by 25 basis points from 3.25% to 3.0%, the projected benefit obligation for the
defined benefit plan would increase by approximately $3.2 million and result in an additional after-tax charge to
other comprehensive income/loss of approximately $2.0 million. The discount rate used in measuring the
Company’s pension and postretirement welfare obligations was developed by matching yields of actual high-quality
corporate bonds to expected future pension plan cash flows (benefit payments). Over 400 Aa-rated, non-callable
bonds with a wide range of maturities were used in the analysis. After using the bond yields to determine the present
value of the plan cash flows, a single representative rate that resulted in the same present value was developed.
Other Matters
Contingencies
As a normal incident of the businesses in which the Company is engaged, various claims, charges and litigation are
asserted or commenced from time to time against the Company. Additionally, the Company is currently involved
in various stages of investigation and remediation relating to environmental matters. It is the opinion of
Management that the aggregate costs involved in the resolution of these matters, and final judgments, if any, which
might be rendered against the Company are adequately reserved for, are covered by insurance, or are not likely to
have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results from continuing operations, capital expenditures, or
competitive position.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Market risks relating to the Company’s operations result primarily from changes in interest rates and changes in
foreign currency exchange rates. The Company is exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates and
selectively uses derivative financial instruments, including forward contracts and swaps, to manage these risks.
During the second quarter of 2016 the Company entered into several forward contracts to purchase pounds sterling
to hedge two deferred payments due in connection with the acquisition of Plastique. All derivative instruments are
reported on the balance sheet at fair value. The derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges and the
gain or loss on the derivative is deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income until recognized in earnings
with the underlying hedged item. See the further discussion regarding the Company’s market risks in “Market Risk
Analysis,” above.
Controls and Procedures
For a description of the Company’s evaluation of its disclosure controls and procedures, see Item 9A, “Controls and
Procedures.”
New Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-062, Leases (Topic 842), which, among other things, requires
an entity to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclose key information about
leasing arrangements. This new standard will increase an entity’s reported assets and liabilities. The new standard
is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and mandates a modified retrospective transition
30
period for all entities. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this new standard on its consolidated
financial statements and related disclosures.
In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, which
requires entities to present deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet.
This new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted this
new standard during the fourth quarter of 2016 and has applied it on a prospective basis. Therefore, the prior year
balance sheet was not retrospectively adjusted.
In July 2015, the FASB affirmed its proposed one-year deferral of ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with
Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the
transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The new standard will be effective for annual reporting
periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early application is
not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The
Company is currently in the process of evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated
financial statements and related disclosures and selecting the method of transition to the new standard.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
See “Market Risk Analysis” and “Other Matters – Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in
Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” which are
incorporated into this Item by reference.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the
Company, the Notes thereto, and the related “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” of KPMG
LLP, as set forth in the Financial Information section beginning on page F-1 of this Annual Report; an Index is
provided on page F-1.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial
Disclosure
Not Applicable.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
For 2016 the Company carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s
disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d–15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). The evaluation was conducted under the supervision and with the
participation of the Company’s Management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer, using the Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and
procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Company reports filed or
submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods
specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and
procedures were effective as of September 30, 2016.
The material weakness previously identified in the 2015 Form 10-K was remediated by September 30, 2016. There
were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the
Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably
likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
For the remainder of the information required by this item, see “Management’s Report on Internal Control over
Financial Reporting” and the related “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” of KPMG LLP, in
the Financial Information section beginning on page F-1 of this Annual Report, which are incorporated into this
Item by reference.
31
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
32
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Information regarding nominees and directors, the Company’s Code of Ethics, its Audit and Finance Committee,
and compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is hereby incorporated by reference to
the sections captioned “Proposal 1: Election of Directors,” “Board of Directors – Governance Policies and
Management Oversight,” “Committees” and “Securities Ownership – Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership
Reporting Compliance” in the 2016 Proxy Statement.
Information regarding the Company’s executive officers is set forth in Item 1, “Business – Executive Officers of the
Registrant,” above.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Information regarding the Company’s compensation committee and director and executive officer compensation is
hereby incorporated by reference to the sections captioned “Committees – Compensation Committee Interlocks and
Insider Participation,” “Director Compensation” and “Executive Compensation Information” in the 2016 Proxy
Statement.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters
Information regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of the Company’s common stock by nominees and
directors, by executive officers, by directors and executive officers as a group and by any known five percent
stockholders is hereby incorporated by reference to the section captioned “Securities Ownership” in the 2016 Proxy
Statement.
The following table summarizes certain information regarding shares of Company common stock that may be issued
by the Company pursuant to its equity compensation plans existing as of September 30, 2016:
Number of securities to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights (1)
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
Number of securities remaining
available for future issuance under
equity compensation plans (excluding
securities reflected in column (a)) (1)
427,438 (3)
N/A (4)
1,140,800 (5)(6)
38,179 (7)
465,617
N/A (4)
N/A (4)
60,923 (7)
1,201,723
Plan Category
Equity compensation plans
approved by security
holders (2)
Equity compensation plans
not approved by security
holders
Total
__________________
(1) The number of shares is subject to adjustment for future changes in capitalization by stock splits, stock dividends and
similar events.
(2) Consists of the Company’s 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan and 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan. Since its
adoption, the 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan has been amended without shareholder approval in accordance with
its terms, as follows:
(i) With respect to performance share distributions, to eliminate the participant’s options to pay cash for tax
withholding and receive all shares due or to defer the distribution, and in the case of the 2004 Incentive
Compensation Plan, to eliminate the Committee’s discretion to determine the percentage of the distribution to be
made in Shares or to be withheld for tax payments;
(ii) To remove the restriction that stock issued pursuant to options must be held for investment purposes only; and
33
(iii)
In accordance with Section 409A of the Code, to eliminate the Committee’s discretion to grant alternative stock
appreciation rights to stock option holders covering additional shares, and in the case of the 2004 Incentive
Compensation Plan, to restrict the payment of dividend equivalents to recipients of restricted stock awards to the
time when the shares to which the dividend equivalents apply are delivered to the recipients.
(3)
Includes 95,131 and 332,207 shares issuable in connection with the vesting and distribution of outstanding
performance-accelerated restricted share units awarded under the 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan and 2013
Incentive Compensation Plan, respectively.
(4) The securities outstanding at September 30, 2016 have no exercise price.
(5) Represents shares currently available for awards under the 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan. No shares remain
available for issuance under the 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan.
(6) Does not include shares that may be purchased on the open market pursuant to the Company’s Employee Stock
Purchase Plan (ESPP). Under the ESPP, participants may elect to have up to 10% of their current salary or wages
withheld and contributed to one or more independent trustees for the purchase of shares. At the discretion of an officer
of the Company, the Company or a domestic subsidiary or division may contribute cash in an amount not to exceed
20% of the amounts contributed by participants; however, the total number of shares purchased with the Company’s
matching contributions after October 15, 2003 may not exceed 200,000. As of September 30, 2016, 580,655 shares
had been purchased with the Company’s matching funds of which 168,633 were purchased after October 15, 2003.
(7) Represents shares issuable pursuant to the Company’s Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (Director
Compensation Plan), which provides for each director to be paid (in addition to other fees) an annual retainer fee
payable partially in cash and partially in shares. Periodically, the Committee determines the amount of the retainer fee
and the allocation of the fee between cash and shares. The maximum number of Shares available for issuance under
the Director Compensation Plan is 400,000 shares; as of September 30, 2016, 302,442 shares had been issued and a
total of approximately 38,179 shares had been elected by three directors to be issued on a deferred basis. The stock
portion of the retainer fee is payable in quarterly installments. Directors may elect to defer receipt of all of their cash
compensation and/or all of the stock portion of the retainer fee. The deferred amounts are credited to the director’s
deferred compensation account in stock equivalents and are distributed at a future date or dates specified by the
director unless distribution is accelerated in certain circumstances, including a change in control of the Company.
Deferred cash compensation may be distributed in shares or cash, but any deferred stock portion may only be
distributed in shares.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
Information regarding transactions with related parties and the independence of the Company’s directors, nominees
for directors and members of the committees of the board of directors is hereby incorporated by reference to the
sections captioned “Board of Directors” and “Committees” in the 2016 Proxy Statement.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Information regarding the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, its fees and services, and the
Company’s Audit and Finance Committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures regarding such fees and services,
is hereby incorporated by reference to the section captioned “Audit-Related Matters” in the 2016 Proxy Statement.
34
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a) The following documents are filed as a part of this Report:
(1) Financial Statements. The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company, and the Report of
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon of KPMG LLP, are included in this Report
beginning on page F-1; an Index thereto is set forth on page F-1.
(2) Financial Statement Schedules. Financial Statement Schedules are omitted because either they are not
applicable or the required information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the Notes
thereto.
(3) Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed with this Report or incorporated herein by reference to the
document location indicated:
Exhibit No.
Description
Document Location
3.1(a)
Restated Articles of Incorporation
3.1(b)
Amended Certificate of Designation, Preferences and
Rights of Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred
Stock
Exhibit 3(a) to the Company’s Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1999
Exhibit 4(e) to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the
fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2000
3.1(c)
Articles of Merger, effective July 10, 2000
Exhibit 3(c) to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the
3.2
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
10.1
Bylaws
fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2000
Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed
August 7, 2014
Specimen revised Common Stock Certificate
Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the
fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2010
Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed May
18, 2012
Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed
December 23, 2015
Credit Agreement dated as of May 14, 2012 among the
Registrant, the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers from time
to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time
party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as
Administrative Agent, PNC Bank, National Association
as Syndication Agent, and SunTrust Bank, Wells Fargo
Bank, National Association and Bank of America, N.A.
as Co-Documentation Agents.
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of
December 21, 2015 among the Registrant, the Foreign
Subsidiary Borrowers from time to time party thereto,
the Lenders from time to time party thereto, JP Morgan
Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent, and Bank of
America, N.A., BMO Harris Bank, N.A., SunTrust Bank
and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as Co-
Documentation Agents
Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement dated as of
Filed herewith
December 21, 2015, made as of September 30, 2016
Securities Purchase Agreement dated March 14, 2014
between ESCO Technologies Holding LLC and Meter
Readings Holding LLC
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed
March 28, 2014
10.2
Form of Indemnification Agreement with each of
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the
ESCO’s non-employee directors
fiscal year ended September 30, 2012
35
Exhibit No.
Description
Document Location
10.3(a)
* First Amendment to the ESCO Electronics Corporation
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, effective
August 2, 1993 (comprising restatement of entire Plan)
Exhibit 10.2(a) to the Company’s Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2012
10.3(b)
* Second Amendment to Supplemental Executive
Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the
Retirement Plan, effective May 1, 2001
fiscal year ended September 30, 2001
10.3(c)
* Form of Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
Exhibit 10.28 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the
Agreement
fiscal year ended September 30, 2002
10.4(a)
* Directors’ Extended Compensation Plan, adopted
Exhibit 10.3(a) to the Company’s Form 10-K for the
effective October 11, 1993
fiscal year ended September 30, 2012
10.4(b)
* First Amendment to Directors’ Extended Compensation
Exhibit 10.11 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the
Plan effective January 1, 2000
fiscal year ended September 30, 2000
10.4(c)
* Second Amendment to Directors’ Extended
Compensation Plan, effective April 1, 2001
Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2001
10.4(d)
* Third Amendment to Directors’ Extended
Exhibit 10.43 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the
Compensation Plan, effective October 3, 2007
fiscal year ended September 30, 2007
10.4(e)
* Fourth Amendment to Directors’ Extended
Exhibit 10.3(e) to the Company’s Form 10-K for the
Compensation Plan, effective August 7, 2013
fiscal year ended September 30, 2013
10.5
* Compensation Plan For Non-Employee Directors, as
restated to reflect all amendments through May 29,
2014
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed
October 2, 2014
10.6(a)
* 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan
Appendix B to the Company’s Schedule 14A Proxy
Statement filed December 29, 2003
10.6(b)
* Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under 2004
Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the
Incentive Compensation Plan
fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2004
10.6(c)
* Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under
Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the
2004 Incentive Compensation Plan
fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2004
10.6(d)
* First Amendment to 2004 Incentive Compensation
Exhibit 10.40 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the
Plan, effective August 3, 2006
fiscal year ended September 30, 2006
10.6(e)
* Forms of Exhibits (“Non-Compete” and “Change of
Exhibit 10.42 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the
Control”) to Option Agreements in Exhibits 10.8(b) and
10.8(c) above
fiscal year ended September 30, 2007
10.6(f)
* Second Amendment to 2004 Incentive Compensation
Exhibit 10.44 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the
Plan, effective October 3, 2007
fiscal year ended September 30, 2007
10.6(g)
* Third Amendment to 2004 Incentive Compensation
Appendix A to the Company’s Schedule 14A Proxy
Plan, effective October 1, 2007
Statement filed December 20, 2007
10.6(h)
* Board Committee Resolutions Regarding Interpretation
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K dated
of 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan, adopted
February 4, 2010
February 10, 2010
10.6(i)
* Fourth Amendment to 2004 Incentive Compensation
Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed
Plan, effective February 4, 2010
February 10, 2010
10.6(j)
* Form of Exhibits (“Non-Compete,” “Compensation
Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed
Recovery Policy” and “Clawback”) to Incentive Stock
Option Agreements and Non-Qualified Stock Option
Agreements under 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan
February 10, 2010
36
Exhibit No.
Description
Document Location
10.6(k)
* Form of Notice of Award--Performance– Accelerated
Restricted Stock under 2004 Incentive Compensation
Plan
Exhibit 10 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the
fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2010
10.7(a)
* 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan
Appendix A to the Company’s Schedule 14A Proxy
10.7(b)
* Form of Notice of Award (2013-14) – Performance-
Accelerated Restricted Stock (2013 Incentive
Compensation Plan)
Statement filed December 19, 2012
Exhibit 10.7(b) to the Company’s Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2013
10.7(c)
* Form of Award Agreement under 2013 Incentive
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed
Compensation Plan, effective November 11, 2015
November 12, 2015
10.7(d)
* Form of Amendment to 2012-2014 Awards under 2004
and 2013 Incentive Compensation Plans, effective
November 11, 2015
Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed
November 12, 2015
10.8(a)
* Sixth Amendment and Restatement of Employee Stock
Appendix C to the Company’s Schedule 14A Proxy
Purchase Plan effective as of October 15, 2003
Statement filed December 29, 2003
10.8(b)
* Seventh Amendment to Employee Stock Purchase
Exhibit 10.8(b) to the Company’s Form 10-K for the
Plan effective as of February 6, 2013
fiscal year ended September 30, 2013
10.9
* Performance Compensation Plan for Corporate,
Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the
Subsidiary and Division Officers and Key Managers,
adopted August 2, 1993, as amended and restated
through August 8, 2012
fiscal year ended September 30, 2012
10.10
*
Incentive Compensation Plan for Executive Officers,
adopted November 9, 2005, as amended and restated
through August 8, 2012
Exhibit 10.10 to the Company’s Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2012
10.11
* Compensation Recovery Policy, adopted effective
Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed
February 4, 2010
February 10, 2010
10.12
Severance Plan adopted as of August 10, 1995, as
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K/A filed
Amended and Restated November 11, 2015
November 30, 2015
10.13(a)
* Employment Agreement with Victor L. Richey, effective
November 3, 1999
Exhibit 10(bb) to the Company’s Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1999 (Agreement
with Victor L. Richey is substantially identical to the
referenced Exhibit and is therefore omitted as a
separate exhibit pursuant to Rule 12b-31)
10.13(b)
* Second Amendment to Employment Agreement with
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the
Victor L. Richey, effective May 5, 2004
fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2004
10.13(c)
* Third Amendment to Employment Agreement with
Victor L. Richey, effective December 31, 2007
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed
January 7, 2008
10.14(a)
* Employment Agreement with Gary E. Muenster,
effective November 3, 1999
Exhibit 10(bb) to the Company’s Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1999 (Agreement
with Gary E. Muenster is substantially identical to
the referenced Exhibit except that it provides a
minimum base salary of $108,000, and is therefore
omitted as a separate exhibit pursuant to Rule
12b-31)
10.14(b)
* Second Amendment to Employment Agreement with
Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the
Gary E. Muenster, effective May 5, 2004
fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2004
37
Exhibit No.
Description
Document Location
10.14(c)
* Third Amendment to Employment Agreement with Gary
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed
E. Muenster, effective December 31, 2007
January 7, 2008 (Third Amendment with Gary E.
Muenster is substantially identical to the
referenced Exhibit except that (i) the termination
amounts payable under Paragraph 9.a(1) are
equal to base salary for 12 months and (ii) under
Paragraph 9.a(1)(B), such termination amounts
may be paid in biweekly installments equal to
1/26th of such amounts, and is therefore omitted
as a separate exhibit pursuant to Rule 12b-31)
10.14(d)
* Fourth Amendment to Employment Agreement with
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed
Gary E. Muenster, effective February 6, 2008
February 12, 2008
10.15(a)
* Employment Agreement with Alyson S. Barclay,
effective November 3, 1999
10.15(b)
* Second Amendment to Employment Agreement with
Alyson S. Barclay, effective May 5, 2004
10.15(c)
* Third Amendment to Employment Agreement with
Alyson S. Barclay, effective December 31, 2007
Exhibit 10(bb) to the Company’s Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1999 (Agreement
with Alyson S. Barclay is substantially identical to
the referenced Exhibit except that it provides a
minimum base salary of $94,000, and is therefore
omitted as a separate exhibit pursuant to Rule
12b-31)
Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the
fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2004 (Second
Amendment with Alyson S. Barclay is substantially
identical to the referenced Exhibit, and is therefore
omitted as a separate exhibit pursuant to Rule
12b-31)
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed
January 7, 2008 (Note: Third Amendment with
Alyson S. Barclay is substantially identical to the
referenced Exhibit except that (i) the termination
amounts payable under Paragraph 9.a(1) are
equal to base salary for 12 months and (ii) under
Paragraph 9.a(1)(B), such termination amounts
may be paid in biweekly installments equal to
1/26th of such amounts, and is therefore omitted
as a separate exhibit pursuant to Rule 12b-31)
10.15(d)
* Fourth Amendment to Employment Agreement with
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed
Alyson S. Barclay, effective July 29, 2010
Subsidiaries of the Company
August 3, 2010
Filed herewith
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting
Filed herewith
Firm
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Certification of Chief Financial Officer
Filed herewith
Filed herewith
** Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Filed herewith
21
23
31.1
31.2
32
Financial Officer
101.INS
*** XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
*** XBRL Schema Document
101.CAL
*** XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB
*** XBRL Label Linkbase Document
Submitted herewith
Submitted herewith
Submitted herewith
Submitted herewith
38
Exhibit No.
Description
101.PRE
*** XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
*** XBRL Definition Linkbase Document
Document Location
Submitted herewith
Submitted herewith
-----------
*
Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
** Furnished (and not filed) herewith pursuant to Item 601(b)(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K.
*** Exhibit 101 to this report consists of documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language).
39
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC.
By: /s/ Victor L. Richey
Victor L. Richey
President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: November 29, 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 in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Victor L. Richey
Victor L. Richey
Chairman, President, Chief Executive
November 29, 2016
Officer and Director
/s/ Gary E. Muenster
Gary E. Muenster
/s/ Vinod M. Khilnani
Vinod M. Khilnani
/s/ Leon J. Olivier
Leon J. Olivier
/s/ Robert J. Phillippy
Robert J. Phillippy
/s/ Larry W. Solley
Larry W. Solley
/s/ James M. Stolze
James M. Stolze
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)
and Director
November 29, 2016
November 29, 2016
November 29, 2016
November 29, 2016
November 29, 2016
November 29, 2016
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
40
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
INDEX
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Management’s Statement of Financial Responsibility
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
F-2
F-3
F-3
F-4
F-6
F-7
F-8
F-27
F-28
F-29
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
ESCO Technologies Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of ESCO Technologies Inc. and subsidiaries (the
Company) as of September 30, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations,
comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period
ended September 30, 2016. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our
audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the
financial position of ESCO Technologies Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2016 and 2015, and the results of
its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2016, in
conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States), ESCO Technologies Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2016, based on
criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated November 29, 2016 expressed an
unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ KPMG LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
November 29, 2016
F-2
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Years ended September 30,
Net sales
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Amortization of intangible assets
Interest expense, net
Other expenses (income), net
Total costs and expenses
Earnings before income tax
Income tax expense
Net earnings from continuing operations
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax expense of $5,713 in 2014
Earnings (loss) on sale from discontinued operations, net of tax expense
(benefit) of $390 and $(11,747) in 2015 and 2014, respectively
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
Net earnings
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Net earnings
Diluted:
Continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Net earnings
Average common shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic
Diluted
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
2016
571,459
2015
537,291
$
350,807
131,493
11,630
1,308
7,801
503,039
68,420
22,538
45,882
–
–
–
45,882
1.78
–
1.78
1.77
–
1.77
334,850
130,166
8,850
785
1,119
475,770
61,521
19,785
41,736
–
776
776
42,512
1.60
0.03
1.63
1.59
0.03
1.62
$
$
$
$
$
2014
531,120
323,939
134,899
6,744
1,567
1,764
468,913
62,207
19,594
42,613
9,858
(52,061 )
(42,203 )
410
1.61
(1.60 )
0.01
1.60
(1.58 )
0.02
25,762
25,968
26,077
26,265
26,447
26,644
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Dollars in thousands)
Years ended September 30,
Net earnings
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Amortization of prior service costs and actuarial gains (losses)
Net unrealized gain(loss) on derivative instruments
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
2016
45,882
2015
42,512
$
(1,462 )
(5,250 )
(33 )
(6,745 )
(6,297 )
(6,961 )
(94 )
(13,352 )
Comprehensive income (loss)
$
39,137
29,160
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
2014
410
(844 )
(1,686 )
—
(2,530 )
(2,120 )
F-3
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
2016
2015
(Dollars in thousands)
As of September 30,
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,930 and $1,563 in 2016
$
53,825
39,411
and 2015, respectively
121,486
102,607
Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts, less progress billings of $31,129
and $25,309 in 2016 and 2015, respectively
Inventories
Current portion of deferred tax assets
Other current assets
Total current assets
Property, plant and equipment:
Land and land improvements
Buildings and leasehold improvements
Machinery and equipment
Construction in progress
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
Net property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets, net
Goodwill
Other assets
Total Assets
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
28,746
105,542
—
13,884
323,483
9,374
62,822
99,240
5,423
176,859
(84,454 )
92,405
231,759
323,616
7,108
28,387
99,786
15,558
12,502
298,251
8,212
58,140
84,904
2,829
154,085
(76,727 )
77,358
190,748
291,157
6,694
$
978,371
864,208
F-4
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
As of September 30,
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt
Accounts payable
Advance payments on long-term contracts, less costs incurred of $35,266 and $49,779
$
in 2016 and 2015, respectively
Accrued salaries
Current portion of deferred revenue
Accrued other expenses
Total current liabilities
Pension obligations
Deferred tax liabilities
Other liabilities
Long-term debt
Total liabilities
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 10,000,000 shares
Common stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued
30,364,183 and 30,358,864 shares in 2016 and 2015, respectively
Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Less treasury stock, at cost (4,647,322 and 4,542,214 common shares in 2016 and
2015, respectively)
Total shareholders’ equity
2016
2015
20,000
42,074
16,187
28,769
27,212
23,834
158,076
39,842
69,562
5,782
90,000
363,262
20,000
37,863
18,626
23,373
21,498
21,851
143,211
30,382
74,469
1,964
30,000
280,026
304
290,588
471,272
(39,283 )
722,881
304
286,485
433,632
(32,538 )
687,883
(107,772 )
615,109
(103,701 )
584,182
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
$
978,371
864,208
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-5
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands)
Common Stock
Shares
Amount
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
Retained
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Treasury
Stock
Total
Balance, September 30, 2013
30,148 $
301 284,565 407,512
(16,656 )
(74,008 )
601,714
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net (loss) earnings
Translation adjustments, net of tax of $92
Net unrecognized actuarial loss, net of tax
of $310
Cash dividends declared
($0.32 per share)
Stock options and stock compensation plans,
net of tax benefit of $(295)
Purchases into treasury
Balance, September 30, 2014
—
—
—
—
100
—
30,248 $
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net earnings
Translation adjustments, net of tax of $63
Net unrecognized actuarial loss, net of tax
of $3,979
Forward exchange contract, net of tax of $35
Cash dividends declared
($0.32 per share)
Stock options and stock compensation plans,
net of tax of $300
Purchases into treasury
—
—
—
—
—
111
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
410
—
—
(844 )
—
—
410
(844 )
—
(1,686 )
—
(1,686 )
—
—
(8,471 )
—
—
(8,471 )
1
740
—
—
277
1,018
—
—
302 285,305 399,451
—
—
(19,186 )
(11,970 )
(85,701 )
(11,970 )
580,171
—
—
—
—
— 42,512
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(6,297 )
(6,961 )
(94 )
—
—
—
—
42,512
(6,297 )
(6,961 )
(94 )
—
—
(8,331 )
—
—
(8,331 )
2
1,180
—
—
—
—
—
248
1,430
—
(18,248 )
(18,248 )
Balance, September 30, 2015
30,359 $
304 286,485 433,632
(32,538 ) (103,701 )
584,182
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net earnings
Translation adjustments, net of tax of $383
Net unrecognized actuarial loss, net of tax
of $3,059
Forward exchange contract, net of tax of $95
Cash dividends declared
($0.32 per share)
Stock options and stock compensation plans,
net of tax of $18
Purchases into treasury
—
—
—
—
—
5
—
—
—
—
—
— 45,882
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(1,462 )
(5,250 )
(33 )
—
—
—
—
45,882
(1,462 )
(5,250 )
(33 )
—
—
(8,242 )
—
—
(8,242 )
—
—
4,103
—
—
—
—
232
4,335
—
(4,303 )
(4,303 )
Balance, September 30, 2016
30,364 $
304 290,588 471,272
(39,283 ) (107,772 )
615,109
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-6
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
Years ended September 30,
Cash flows from operating activities:
2016
2015
2014
Net earnings
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating
$
45,882
42,512
410
activities:
Net (earnings) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
Depreciation and amortization
Stock compensation expense
Changes in assets and liabilities
Effect of deferred taxes on tax provision
Pension contributions
Other
Net cash provided by operating activities – continuing operations
Net cash provided (used) by discontinued operations
Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired
Capital expenditures
Additions to capitalized software
Net cash used by investing activities – continuing operations
Net cash provided by investing activities – discontinued operations
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt
Principal payments on long-term debt
Dividends paid
Purchases of shares into treasury
Debt issuance costs
Other
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net
Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts, net
Inventories
Other assets and liabilities
Accounts payable
Advance payments on long-term contracts, net
Accrued expenses
Deferred revenue and costs, net
Pension obligations
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid
Income taxes paid (including state & foreign)
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-7
—
23,568
4,704
1,746
(2,993 )
—
952
73,859
—
73,859
(82,062 )
(13,843 )
(8,665 )
(104,570 )
—
(104,570 )
140,000
(80,000 )
(8,248 )
(4,303 )
(1,097 )
(128 )
46,224
(1,099 )
14,414
39,411
53,825
(9,088 )
(359 )
1,101
772
(1,953 )
(2,439 )
4,042
5,460
4,210
1,746
(776 )
18,584
4,779
(745 )
1,417
(650 )
(144 )
64,977
776
65,753
(20,500 )
(12,444 )
(6,901 )
(39,845 )
—
(39,845 )
106,000
(96,000 )
(8,369 )
(18,248 )
—
(24 )
(16,641 )
(4,987 )
4,280
35,131
39,411
3,848
(589 )
(5,494 )
1,420
(2,496 )
3,591
(7,045 )
1,183
4,837
(745 )
42,203
16,362
4,815
(10,533 )
(2,664 )
(2,700 )
(3,008 )
44,885
(1,443 )
43,442
—
(12,714 )
(8,629 )
(21,343 )
123,512
102,169
84,000
(216,000 )
(8,472 )
(11,970 )
—
(45 )
(152,487 )
(843 )
(7,719 )
42,850
35,131
(13,469 )
(7,081 )
(4,064 )
2,522
1,791
(2,508 )
8,659
2,458
1,159
(10,533)
1,361
22,631
876
13,611
1,863
29,944
$
$
$
$
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
A. Principles of Consolidation
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of ESCO Technologies Inc. (ESCO) and its wholly
owned subsidiaries (the Company). All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in
consolidation.
B. Basis of Presentation
The Company’s fiscal year ends September 30. Throughout these Consolidated Financial Statements, unless the
context indicates otherwise, references to a year (for example 2016) refer to the Company’s fiscal year ending on
September 30 of that year. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period
presentation.
Aclara is reflected as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements and related notes for all
periods presented, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
(GAAP). See Note 3.
C. Nature of Operations
The Company is organized based on the products and services it offers, and classifies its business operations in
segments for financial reporting purposes. Beginning in the second quarter of 2016 Management expanded the
presentation of its reporting segments to include a fourth segment, Technical Packaging. This segment was created
to separately disclose TEQ along with the recently acquired Plastique and Fremont businesses, as they no longer met
the criteria for aggregation with the Filtration segment. Prior period segment amounts have been reclassified to
conform to the current period presentation.
Under the current organization structure, the Company has four segments for financial reporting purposes:
Filtration, RF Shielding and Test (Test), Utility Solutions Group (USG) and Technical Packaging.
Filtration: The companies within this segment primarily design and manufacture specialty filtration products
including hydraulic filter elements and fluid control devices used in commercial aerospace applications, unique filter
mechanisms used in micro-propulsion devices for satellites and custom designed filters for manned aircraft and
submarines.
Test: ETS-Lindgren Inc. provides its customers with the ability to identify, measure and contain magnetic,
electromagnetic and acoustic energy.
USG: Doble provides high-end, intelligent, diagnostic test solutions for the electric power delivery industry.
Technical Packaging: The companies within this segment provide innovative solutions to the medical and
commercial markets for thermoformed and precision molded pulp fiber packages and specialty products using a
wide variety of thin gauge plastics and pulp.
D. Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires Management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
E. Revenue Recognition
Filtration: Within the Filtration segment, approximately 83% of revenues (approximately 30% of consolidated
revenues) are recognized when products are delivered (when title and risk of ownership transfers) or when services
are performed for unaffiliated customers.
Approximately 17% of segment revenues (approximately 6% of consolidated revenues) are recorded under the
percentage-of-completion method. The majority of these contracts are cost-reimbursable contracts which provide for
the payment of allowable costs incurred during the performance of the contract plus an incentive fee. The remainder
F-8
of the contracts are fixed-price contracts. Products accounted for under this guidance include the design,
development and manufacture of complex fluid control products, quiet valves, manifolds and systems primarily for
the aerospace and military markets. For fixed-price contracts that are accounted for under this guidance, the
Company estimates profit as the difference between total estimated revenue and total estimated cost of a contract
and recognizes these revenues and costs based on units delivered. The percentage-of-completion method of
accounting involves the use of various techniques to estimate expected costs at completion.
Test: Within the Test segment, approximately 31% of revenues (approximately 9% of consolidated revenues) are
recognized when products are delivered (when title and risk of ownership transfers) or when services are performed
for unaffiliated customers.
Approximately 69% of the segment’s revenues (approximately 20% of consolidated revenues) are recorded under
the percentage-of-completion method due to the complex nature of the enclosures that are designed and produced
under these contracts. Products accounted for under this guidance include the construction and installation of
complex test chambers to a buyer’s specifications that provide its customers with the ability to measure and contain
magnetic, electromagnetic and acoustic energy. As discussed above, for arrangements that are accounted for under
this guidance, the Company estimates profit as the difference between total estimated revenue and total estimated
cost of a contract and recognizes these revenues and costs based primarily on contract milestones.
The percentage-of-completion method of accounting involves the use of various techniques to estimate expected
costs at completion. These estimates are based on Management’s judgment and the Company’s substantial
experience in developing these types of estimates.
USG: Within the USG segment, 100% of segment revenues (approximately 22% of consolidated revenues) are
recognized when products are delivered (when title and risk of ownership transfers), when services are performed
for unaffiliated customers or on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Technical Packaging: Within the Technical Packaging segment, 100% of revenues (13% of consolidated
revenues) are recognized when products are delivered (when title and risk of ownership transfers) or when services
are performed for unaffiliated customers.
F. Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents include temporary investments that are readily convertible into cash, such as money market funds,
with original maturities of three months or less.
G. Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable have been reduced by an allowance for amounts that the Company estimates are uncollectible
in the future. This estimated allowance is based on Management’s evaluation of the financial condition of the
customer and historical write-off experience.
H. Costs and Estimated Earnings on Long-Term Contracts
Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts represent unbilled revenues, including accrued profits,
accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method, net of progress billings.
I.
Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market value. Inventories are regularly reviewed for
excess quantities and obsolescence based upon historical experience, specific identification of discontinued items,
future demand, and market conditions. Inventories under long-term contracts reflect accumulated production costs,
factory overhead, initial tooling and other related costs less the portion of such costs charged to cost of sales and any
unliquidated progress payments.
J. Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed primarily on a
straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets: buildings, 10-40 years; machinery and equipment,
3-10 years; and office furniture and equipment, 3-10 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the
remaining term of the applicable lease or their estimated useful lives, whichever is shorter. Long-lived tangible
F-9
assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate the carrying
value of the assets may not be recoverable. Impairment losses are recognized based on fair value.
K. Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of purchase costs over the fair value of net identifiable assets acquired in business
acquisitions. Management annually reviews goodwill and other long-lived assets with indefinite useful lives for
impairment or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If
the Company determines that the carrying value of the long-lived asset may not be recoverable, a permanent
impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair
value. Fair value is measured based on a discounted cash flow method using a discount rate determined by
Management to be commensurate with the risk inherent in the Company’s current business model.
Other intangible assets represent costs allocated to identifiable intangible assets, principally customer relationships,
capitalized software, patents, trademarks, and technology rights. Intangible assets with estimable useful lives are
amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and are reviewed for
impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate the carrying value of the assets may not
be recoverable. See Note 4 regarding goodwill and other intangible assets activity.
L. Capitalized Software
The costs incurred for the development of computer software that will be sold, leased, or otherwise marketed are
charged to expense when incurred as research and development until technological feasibility has been established
for the product. Technological feasibility is typically established upon completion of a detailed program design.
Costs incurred after this point are capitalized on a project-by-project basis. Capitalized costs consist of internal and
external development costs. Upon general release of the product to customers, the Company ceases capitalization
and begins amortization, which is calculated on a project-by-project basis as the greater of (1) the ratio of current
gross revenues for a product to the total of current and anticipated future gross revenues for the product or (2) the
straight-line method over the estimated economic life of the product. The Company generally amortizes the software
development costs over a three-to-seven year period based upon the estimated future economic life of the product.
Factors considered in determining the estimated future economic life of the product include anticipated future
revenues, and changes in software and hardware technologies. Management annually reviews the carrying values of
capitalized costs for impairment or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may
not be recoverable. If expected cash flows are insufficient to recover the carrying amount of the asset, then an
impairment loss is recognized to state the asset at its net realizable value.
M. Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying
amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are
measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary
differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Deferred tax assets may be reduced by a valuation allowance if it
is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred
tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment
date. The Company regularly reviews its deferred tax assets for recoverability and establishes a valuation allowance
when Management believes it is more likely than not such assets will not be recovered, taking into consideration
historical operating results, expectations of future earnings, tax planning strategies, and the expected timing of the
reversals of existing temporary differences.
N. Research and Development Costs
Company-sponsored research and development costs include research and development and bid and proposal efforts
related to the Company’s products and services. Company-sponsored product development costs are charged to
expense when incurred. Customer-sponsored research and development costs incurred pursuant to contracts are
accounted for similarly to other program costs. Customer-sponsored research and development costs refer to certain
situations whereby customers provide funding to support specific contractually defined research and development
costs.
F-10
O. Foreign Currency Translation
The financial statements of the Company’s foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars in accordance with
FASB ASC Topic 830, Foreign Currency Matters. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a separate
component of accumulated other comprehensive income.
P. Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the
period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding
during the period plus shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of dilutive common share options and vesting of
performance-accelerated restricted shares using the treasury stock method.
The number of shares used in the calculation of earnings per share for each year presented is as follows:
(in thousands)
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding — Basic
Performance- Accelerated Restricted Stock
Shares — Diluted
Q. Share-Based Compensation
2016
25,762
206
25,968
2015
26,077
188
26,265
2014
26,447
197
26,644
The Company provides compensation benefits to certain key employees under several share-based plans providing
for employee stock options and/or performance-accelerated restricted shares (restricted shares), and to non-
employee directors under a non-employee directors compensation plan. Share-based payment expense is measured
at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite
service period (generally the vesting period of the award).
R. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Accumulated other comprehensive loss of $(39.3) million at September 30, 2016 consisted of $(34.5) million related
to the pension net actuarial loss; $(4.7) million related to currency translation adjustments; and $(0.1) million related
to forward exchange contracts. Accumulated other comprehensive loss of $(32.5) million at September 30, 2015
consisted of $(29.2) million related to the pension net actuarial loss; $(3.2) million related to currency translation
adjustments; and $(0.1) million related to forward exchange contracts.
S. Deferred Revenue And Costs
Deferred revenue and costs are recorded when products or services have been provided but the criteria for revenue
recognition have not been met. If there is a customer acceptance provision or there is uncertainty about customer
acceptance, revenue and costs are deferred until the customer has accepted the product or service.
T. Derivative Financial Instruments
All derivative financial instruments are reported on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in
fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as a hedge and on the
type of hedge. For each derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the gain or
loss on the derivative is deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income until recognized in earnings with the
underlying hedged item. For each derivative instrument designated as a fair value hedge, the gain or loss on the
derivative and the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item are recognized immediately in earnings. Regardless of
type, a fully effective hedge will result in no net earnings impact while the derivative is outstanding. To the extent
that any hedge is ineffective at offsetting cash flow or fair value changes in the underlying hedged item, there could
be a net earnings impact.
U. Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the price at which an asset could be exchanged in a current transaction between
knowledgeable, willing parties or the amount that would be paid to transfer a liability to a new obligor, not the
amount that would be paid to settle the liability with the creditor. Where available, fair value is based on
observable market prices or parameters or derived from such prices or parameters. Where observable prices or
F-11
inputs are not available, valuation models are applied. These valuation techniques involve some level of
Management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the
instruments or market and the instruments’ complexity.
The accounting guidance establishes a three-level hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements, based upon
the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date, as follows:
Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in
active markets.
Level 2 –Inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active
markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the
full term of the financial instrument.
Level 3 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
Financial Assets and Liabilities
The Company has estimated the fair value of its financial instruments as of September 30, 2016 using available
market information or other appropriate valuation methodologies. The carrying amounts of cash and cash
equivalents, receivables, inventories, payables and other current assets and liabilities approximate fair value
because of the short maturity of those instruments.
Nonfinancial Assets and Liabilities
The Company’s nonfinancial assets such as property, plant and equipment, and other intangible assets are not
measured at fair value on a recurring basis; however they are subject to fair value adjustments in certain
circumstances, such as when there is evidence that an impairment may exist. No impairments were recorded during
2016.
V. New Accounting Standards
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-062, Leases (Topic 842), which, among other things, requires
an entity to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclose key information about
leasing arrangements. This new standard will increase an entities’ reported assets and liabilities. The new standard
is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and mandates a modified retrospective transition
period for all entities. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this new standard on its consolidated
financial statements and related disclosures.
In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, which
requires entities to present deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet.
This new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted this
new standard during the fourth quarter of 2016 and has applied it on a prospective basis. Therefore, the prior year
balance sheet was not retrospectively adjusted.
In July 2015, the FASB affirmed its proposed one-year deferral of ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with
Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the
transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The new standard will be effective for annual reporting
periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early application is
not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The
Company is currently in the process of evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated
financial statements and related disclosures and selecting the method of transition to the new standard.
2. Acquisitions
2016
On September 2, 2016, the Company acquired the stock of Westland Technologies, Inc. (Westland), located in
Modesto, California, for a purchase price of approximately $41 million in cash. Westland is a market leader in the
design, development and manufacture of elastomeric-based signature reduction solutions which enhance U.S. Naval
maritime platform survivability. Westland has annual sales of approximately $25 million. Since the date of
acquisition, the operating results for Westland have been included within the Company’s Filtration segment. Based
on the preliminary purchase price allocation, the Company recorded tangible assets, net, of $5.5 million, deferred tax
F-12
liabilities of $10.4 million, goodwill of $17.9 million, and $28.3 million of identifiable intangible assets primarily
consisting of customer relationships.
On January 29, 2016, the Company acquired Plastique Limited and Plastique Sp. z o.o. (together, Plastique),
headquartered in Tunbridge Wells, England with manufacturing locations in Nottingham, England and Poznan,
Poland, for a purchase price of approximately $31.6 million (of which $2.7 million is due over the next three years).
Plastique is a market leader in the development and manufacture of highly-technical thermoformed plastic and
precision molded pulp fiber packaging primarily serving pharmaceutical, personal care, and various specialty end
markets. Since the date of acquisition, the operating results for Plastique have been included within the Company’s
Technical Packaging segment. Plastique has annual sales of approximately $35 million. Based on the purchase price
allocation, the Company recorded tangible assets, net, of $9.6 million, goodwill of $10.2 million, and $11.9 million
of identifiable intangible assets primarily consisting of customer relationships.
On October 16, 2015, the Company acquired the stock of Fremont Plastics, Inc. (Fremont) for a purchase price of
$10.5 million in cash. The Company also purchased for $2 million Fremont’s real property located in Fremont,
Indiana. Fremont was a developer, manufacturer, promoter and seller of high quality sterile-ready and non-sterile
thin gauge thermoformed medical plastic packaging products. Immediately following the closing of the transaction,
Fremont was merged into TEQ, and therefore since the date of acquisition the operating results for Fremont have
been included as part of TEQ.
2015
On January 28, 2015, the Company acquired the assets of Enoserv LLC (Enoserv), headquartered in Tulsa,
Oklahoma, for $20.5 million in cash. Enoserv provides utility customers with high quality, user-friendly multi-
platform software and has annual revenues of approximately $8 million. Since the date of acquisition the operating
results for Enoserv have been included as part of Doble within the Company’s USG segment. Based on the purchase
price allocation, the Company recorded approximately $10.0 million of goodwill and $9.0 million of amortizable
identifiable intangible assets consisting primarily of customer relationships and developed technology.
All of the Company’s acquisitions have been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and
accordingly, the respective purchase prices were allocated to the assets (including intangible assets) acquired and
liabilities assumed based on estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The financial results from these
acquisitions have been included in the Company’s financial statements from the date of acquisition. Pro forma
financial information related to the Company’s acquisitions was not presented as it was not significant to the
Company’s results of operations. None of the goodwill recorded as part of the acquisitions mentioned above is
expected to be deductible for U.S. Federal or state income tax purposes.
3. Aclara Divestiture
On March 28, 2014, the Company completed the sale of Aclara to an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc. The
divestiture generated approximately $135 million of gross cash proceeds. A disagreement between the parties over
the calculation of the final working capital adjustment was resolved by arbitration on June 15, 2015, resulting in a
cash payment to the Company of $2.3 million. Aclara is reflected as discontinued operations in the consolidated
financial statements and related notes for all periods presented.
Aclara’s pretax earnings (loss) recorded in discontinued operations was $1.2 million and $(48.2) million for the
years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The 2014 pretax loss consisted of Aclara’s pretax earnings
from its results of operations of $15.6 million and a pretax loss of $63.8 million on the sale of Aclara. Aclara’s net
sales were $129.6 million for the year ended September 30, 2014. Aclara’s operations were included within the
Company’s USG segment prior to the classification as discontinued operations.
F-13
4. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Included on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2016 and 2015 are the following
intangible assets gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization:
(Dollars in millions)
Goodwill
Intangible assets with determinable lives:
Patents
Gross carrying amount
Less: accumulated amortization
Net
Capitalized software
Gross carrying amount
Less: accumulated amortization
Net
Customer Relationships
Gross carrying amount
Less: accumulated amortization
Net
Other
Gross carrying amount
Less: accumulated amortization
Net
Intangible assets with indefinite lives:
Trade names
2016
323.6
2015
291.2
1.0
0.8
0.2
54.0
26.7
27.3
111.9
28.6
83.3
2.8
0.9
1.9
1.0
0.8
0.2
45.5
20.1
25.4
70.5
24.7
45.8
2.6
0.4
2.2
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
119.1
117.1
The Company performed its annual evaluation of goodwill and intangible assets for impairment during the fourth
quarter of 2016 and concluded no impairment existed at September 30, 2016.
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill attributable to each business segment for 2016 and 2015 are as
follows:
(Dollars in millions)
Balance as of September 30, 2014
Adjustments
Balance as of September 30, 2015
Adjustments
Balance as of September 30, 2016
Filtration
26.0
–
26.0
17.9
43.9
$
$
Test
34.7
(0.5 )
34.2
(0.1 )
34.1
USG
216.8
9.4
226.2
–
226.2
Technical
Packaging
4.8
–
4.8
14.6
19.4
Total
282.3
8.9
291.2
32.4
323.6
Amortization expense related to intangible assets with determinable lives was $11.6 million, $8.9 million and $6.7
million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Patents are amortized over the life of the patents, generally 17 years.
Capitalized software is amortized over the estimated useful life of the software, generally three to seven years.
Customer relationships are generally amortized over twenty years. Intangible asset amortization for fiscal years 2017
through 2021 is estimated at approximately $15 million per year.
F-14
5. Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts, consist of the following at September 30, 2016 and
2015:
(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial
U.S. Government and prime contractors
Total
6.
Inventories
Inventories consist of the following at September 30, 2016 and 2015:
(Dollars in thousands)
Finished goods
Work in process
Raw materials
Total
7. Related Parties
2016
112,280
9,206
121,486
$
$
2015
99,083
3,524
102,607
2016
19,451
37,922
48,169
105,542
$
$
2015
19,120
33,176
47,490
99,786
One of the Company’s directors is an officer at a customer of the Company’s subsidiary Doble. Doble sells
products, leases equipment and provides testing services to the customer in the ordinary course of Doble’s business.
The total amount of these sales were approximately $1.4 million, $0.8 million and $0.8 million during fiscal 2016,
2015 and 2014, respectively. All transactions between Doble and the customer are intended to be and have been
consistent with Doble’s normal commercial terms offered to its customers, and the Company’s Board of Directors
has determined that the relationship between the Company and the customer is not material and did not impair either
the Company’s or the director’s independence.
8.
Income Tax Expense
Total income tax expense (benefit) for 2016, 2015 and 2014 was allocated to income tax expense as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Income tax expense from Continuing Operations
Income tax expense (benefit) from Discontinued Operations
Total income tax expense
2016
22,538
–
22,538
$
$
2015
19,785
390
20,175
2014
19,594
(6,034 )
13,560
The components of income from continuing operations before income taxes for 2016, 2015 and 2014 consisted of
the following:
(Dollars in thousands)
United States
Foreign
Total income before income taxes
2016
62,353
6,067
68,420
$
$
2015
56,661
4,860
61,521
2014
56,196
6,011
62,207
F-15
The principal components of income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations for 2016, 2015 and 2014
consist of:
(Dollars in thousands)
Federal:
Current
Deferred
State and local:
Current
Deferred
Foreign:
Current
Deferred
Total
2016
2015
2014
$
19,236
(909 )
11,906
5,406
1,674
(222 )
1,899
860
22,538
$
867
16
1,525
65
19,785
18,756
(2,442 )
1,397
(245 )
2,044
84
19,594
The actual income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations for 2016, 2015 and 2014 differs from the
expected tax expense for those years (computed by applying the U.S. Federal corporate statutory rate) as follows:
Federal corporate statutory rate
State and local, net of Federal benefits
Foreign
Research credit
Domestic production deduction
Change in uncertain tax positions
Executive compensation
Valuation allowance
Other, net
Effective income tax rate
2016
2015
2014
35.0 %
2.0
(1.0 )
(2.5 )
(2.8 )
–
0.9
1.8
(0.5 )
32.9 %
35.0 %
1.2
(1.5 )
(1.8 )
(2.6 )
(0.2 )
0.9
1.0
0.2
32.2 %
35.0 %
2.0
(1.7 )
(1.0 )
(2.9 )
(2.9 )
1.3
1.3
0.4
31.5 %
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities
at September 30, 2016 and 2015 are presented below:
(Dollars in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Inventories
Pension and other postretirement benefits
Net operating loss carryforward — domestic
Net operating loss carryforward — foreign
Other compensation-related costs and other cost accruals
State credit carryforward
Total deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities:
Goodwill
Acquisition assets
Depreciation, software amortization
Net deferred tax liabilities before valuation allowance
Less valuation allowance
Net deferred tax liabilities
$
2016
7,553
13,978
372
4,991
13,678
1,944
42,516
(15,528 )
(69,934 )
(20,285 )
(63,231 )
(5,711 )
(68,942 )
$
2015
6,336
11,663
520
4,135
11,785
1,704
36,143
(14,829 )
(57,415 )
(18,681 )
(54,782 )
(4,129 )
(58,911 )
The Company has a foreign net operating loss (NOL) carryforward of $18.7 million at September 30, 2016, which
reflects tax loss carryforwards in Brazil, Germany, India, Finland, China, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
$17.7 million of the tax loss carryforwards have no expiration date while the remaining $1.0 million will expire
between 2019 and 2025. The Company has state NOL carryforwards of $0.3 million at September 30, 2016 which
expire between 2025 and 2036. The Company also has net state research and other credit carryforwards of $1.9
F-16
million of which $1.5 million expires between 2025 and 2036. The remaining $0.4 million does not have an
expiration date.
The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as of September 30, 2016 and 2015 was $5.7 million and $4.1
million, respectively. The net change in the total valuation allowance for each of the years ended September 30,
2016 and 2015 was an increase of $1.6 million and a decrease of $0.2 million, respectively. The Company has
established a valuation allowance against state credit carryforwards of $0.6 million and $0.5 million at September
30, 2016 and 2015. In addition, the Company has established a valuation allowance against state NOL
carryforwards that are not expected to be realized in future periods of $0.3 million at both September 30, 2016 and
2015. Lastly, the Company has established a valuation allowance against certain NOL carryforwards in foreign
jurisdictions which may not be realized in future periods. The valuation allowance established against the foreign
NOL carryforwards was $4.8 million and $3.3 million at September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The Company’s foreign subsidiaries have accumulated unremitted earnings of $46.3 million and cash of $45.2
million at September 30, 2016. No deferred taxes have been provided on these accumulated unremitted earnings
because these funds are not needed to meet the liquidity requirements of the Company’s U.S. operations and it is the
Company’s intention to indefinitely reinvest these earnings in continuing international operations. In the event these
foreign entities’ earnings were distributed, it is estimated that U.S. taxes, net of available foreign tax credits, of
approximately $7.4 million would be due, which would correspondingly reduce the Company’s net earnings. No
significant portion of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries’ earnings was taxed at a very low tax rate.
The Company had $0.1 million of unrecognized benefits as of both September 30, 2016 and 2015, which, net of
Federal benefit, if recognized, would affect the Company’s effective tax rate.
The Company does not anticipate a material change in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits in the next
12 months. The Company’s policy is to include interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense
and penalties in operating expense. As of September 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company had zero accrued
interest related to uncertain tax positions, net of Federal income tax benefit, on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. No
significant penalties have been accrued.
The principal jurisdictions for which the Company files income tax returns are U.S. Federal and the various city,
state, and international locations where the Company has operations. The U.S. Federal tax years for the periods
ended September 30, 2012 and forward remain subject to income tax examination. Various state tax years for the
periods ended September 30, 2012 and forward remain subject to income tax examinations. The Company is subject
to income tax in many jurisdictions outside the United States, none of which is individually significant.
9. Debt
Debt consists of the following at September 30, 2016 and 2015:
(Dollars in thousands)
Revolving credit facility, including current portion
Current portion of long-term debt
Total long-term debt, less current portion
2016
110,000
(20,000 )
90,000
$
$
2015
50,000
(20,000 )
30,000
On December 21, 2015, the Company amended its existing credit facility to extend the maturity date from May 13,
2017 through December 21, 2020, and to reduce the outstanding borrowing rates and commitment fees. Consistent
with the prior credit facility, the amended facility includes a $450 million revolving line of credit as well as
provisions allowing for the increase of the credit facility commitment amount by an additional $250 million, if
necessary, with the consent of the lenders. The bank syndication supporting the new facility is comprised of a
diverse group of nine banks led by JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
At September 30, 2016, the Company had approximately $335 million available to borrow under the Credit Facility,
plus a $250 million increase option, in addition to $53.8 million cash on hand. The Company classified
$20.0 million as the current portion of long-term debt as of September 30, 2016, as the Company intends to repay
this amount within the next twelve months; however, the Company has no contractual obligation to repay such
amount during the next twelve months.
F-17
The Credit Facility requires, as determined by certain financial ratios, a facility fee ranging from 12.5 to 27.5 basis
points per annum on the unused portion. The terms of the facility provide that interest on borrowings may be
calculated at a spread over the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or based on the prime rate, at the
Company’s election. The facility is secured by the unlimited guaranty of the Company’s material domestic
subsidiaries and a 65% pledge of the material foreign subsidiaries’ share equity. The financial covenants of the
Credit Facility include a leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio. During 2016 and 2015, the maximum
aggregate short-term borrowings at any month-end were $110 million and $83 million, respectively; the average
aggregate short-term borrowings outstanding based on month-end balances were $89.2 million and $68.5 million,
respectively; and the weighted average interest rates were 1.58%, 1.27% and 1.48% for 2016, 2015 and 2014,
respectively. The letters of credit issued and outstanding under the Credit Facility totaled $4.9 million and $8.0
million at September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
10. Capital Stock
The 30,364,183 and 30,358,864 common shares as presented in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets at
September 30, 2016 and 2015 represent the actual number of shares issued at the respective dates. The Company
held 4,647,322 and 4,542,214 common shares in treasury at September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
In August 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a common stock repurchase program under which the
Company may repurchase shares of its stock from time to time in its discretion, in the open market or otherwise, up
to a maximum total repurchase amount of $100 million (or such lesser amount as may be permitted under the
Company’s bank credit agreements). This program has been repeatedly extended by the Company’s Board of
Directors and is currently scheduled to expire September 30, 2017. The Company repurchased approximately
120,000 shares for $4.3 million in 2016, 517,000 shares for $18.2 million in 2015, and 350,000 shares for $12.0
million in 2014.
11. Share-Based Compensation
The Company provides compensation benefits to certain key employees under several share-based plans providing
for performance-accelerated restricted share unit (PARS) awards, and to non-employee directors under a non-
employee directors compensation plan. The Company has no stock options currently outstanding.
Performance-Accelerated Restricted Share Unit Awards
A PARS award represents the right to receive a specified number of shares of Company common stock if and when
the award vests. A PARS award is not stock and does not give the recipient any rights as a shareholder until it vests
and is paid out in shares of stock. PARS awards currently outstanding have a five-year vesting period, with
accelerated vesting if certain targets based on market conditions are achieved. In these cases, if it is probable that the
performance condition will be met, the Company recognizes compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the
shorter performance period; otherwise, it will recognize compensation cost over the longer service period.
Compensation cost for the majority of the outstanding PARS awards is being recognized over the shorter
performance period as it is probable the performance condition will be met. The PARS award grants were valued at
the stock price on the date of grant. Pretax compensation expense related to the PARS awards for continuing
operations was $3.9 million, $4.0 million and $4.1 million for 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
The following summary presents information regarding outstanding PARS awards as of the specified dates, and
changes during the specified periods:
FY 2016
FY 2015
FY 2014
Estimated
Weighted
Avg. Price
35.29
35.75
36.06
35.47
35.40
Shares
326,536 $
120,902 $
(8,000 ) $
(12,000 ) $
427,438 $
Estimated
Weighted
Avg. Price
32.23
34.33
26.66
–
35.29
Shares
332,340 $
123,501 $
(129,305 ) $
–
326,536 $
Estimated
Weighted
Avg. Price
33.29
33.12
35.13
34.08
32.23
Shares
425,245 $
109,404 $
(168,809 ) $
(33,500 ) $
332,340 $
Nonvested at October 1,
Granted
Vested
Cancelled
Nonvested at September 30,
F-18
Non-Employee Directors Plan
The non-employee directors compensation plan provides to each non-employee director a retainer of 900 common
shares per quarter. Compensation expense related to the non-employee director grants was $0.8 million, $0.8 million
and $0.7 million for 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Total Share-Based Compensation
The total share-based compensation cost that has been recognized in results of operations and included within
SG&A from continuing operations was $4.7 million, $4.8 million and $4.8 million for 2016, 2015 and 2014,
respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized in results of operations for share-based compensation
arrangements was $1.3 million, $1.6 million and $1.3 million for 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company
has elected to use tax law ordering rules when calculating the income tax benefit associated with its share-based
payment arrangements. In addition, the Company elected to use the simplified method of calculating the pool of
excess tax benefits available to absorb tax deficiencies recognized. As of September 30, 2016, there was $5.1
million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation arrangements. That cost is
expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.2 years.
12. Retirement and Other Benefit Plans
Substantially all domestic employees were covered by a defined contribution pension plan maintained by the
Company. Effective December 31, 2003, the Company’s defined benefit plan was frozen and no additional benefits
have been accrued after that date. As a result, the accumulated benefit obligation and projected benefit obligation are
equal. These frozen retirement income benefits are provided to employees under defined benefit pay-related and
flat-dollar plans, which are noncontributory. The annual contributions to the defined benefit retirement plan equal or
exceed the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act. In addition to
providing retirement income benefits, the Company provides unfunded postretirement health and life insurance
benefits to certain retirees. To qualify, an employee must retire at age 55 or later and the employee’s age plus
service must equal or exceed 75. Retiree contributions are defined as a percentage of medical premiums.
Consequently, retiree contributions increase with increases in the medical premiums. The life insurance plans are
noncontributory and provide coverage of a flat dollar amount for qualifying retired employees. Effective December
31, 2004, no new retirees were eligible for life insurance benefits.
The Company uses a measurement date of September 30 for its pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The
Company has an accrued benefit liability of $0.7 million and $0.9 million at September 30, 2016 and 2015,
respectively, related to its other postretirement benefit obligations. All other information related to its postretirement
benefit plans is not considered material to the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.
The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the pension plans and fair value of assets over the
two-year period ended September 30, 2016, and a statement of the funded status as of September 30, 2016 and 2015:
(Dollars in millions)
Reconciliation of benefit obligation
Net benefit obligation at beginning of year
Interest cost
Actuarial loss
Gross benefits paid
Settlements
Net benefit obligation at end of year
(Dollars in millions)
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
Actual return on plan assets
Employer contributions
Gross benefits paid
Settlements
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
F-19
$
$
$
$
2016
93.6
3.9
11.1
(7.8 )
(0.2 )
100.6
2016
63.0
5.1
0.5
(7.8 )
(0.2 )
60.6
2015
92.5
3.8
4.5
(7.2 )
–
93.6
2015
73.0
(3.7 )
0.9
(7.2 )
–
63.0
(Dollars in millions)
Funded Status
Funded status at end of year
Accrued benefit cost
$
Amounts recognized in the Balance Sheet consist of:
Current liability
Noncurrent liability
Accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss (before tax effect)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss consist of:
Net actuarial loss
Accumulated other comprehensive (income)/loss (before tax effect)
$
2016
(40.0 )
(40.0 )
(0.2 )
(39.8 )
56.0
56.0
56.0
2015
(30.6 )
(30.6 )
(0.2 )
(30.4 )
47.6
47.6
47.6
The estimated amount that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss into net periodic
benefit cost (income) in 2017 is $2.5 million.
The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for the plans for 2016, 2015 and 2014:
(Dollars in millions)
Service cost
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Net actuarial loss
Settlement gain
Net periodic benefit cost
Defined contribution plans
Total
$
$
2016
–
3.9
(4.4 )
2.0
–
1.5
3.5
5.0
2015
–
3.8
(4.5 )
1.8
–
1.1
3.4
4.5
2014
–
4.0
(4.4 )
1.6
–
1.2
3.3
4.5
The discount rate used in measuring the Company’s pension obligations was developed by matching yields of actual
high-quality corporate bonds to expected future pension plan cash flows (benefit payments). Over 400 Aa-rated,
non-callable bonds with a wide range of maturities were used in the analysis. After using the bond yields to
determine the present value of the plan cash flows, a single representative rate that resulted in the same present value
was developed. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption was determined by reviewing the
actual investment return of the plans since inception and evaluating those returns in relation to expectations of
various investment organizations to determine whether long-term future returns are expected to differ significantly
from the past.
The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine the net periodic benefit cost for the pension
plans:
Discount rate
Rate of increase in compensation levels
Expected long-term rate of return on assets
2016
4.25 %
N/A
6.75 %
2015
4.25 %
N/A
6.75 %
2014
4.75 %
N/A
7.00 %
The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine the net periodic benefit obligations for the
pension plans:
Discount rate
Rate of increase in compensation levels
2016
3.25 %
N/A
2015
4.25 %
N/A
The assumed rate of increase in compensation levels is not applicable in 2016, 2015 and 2014 as the plan was frozen
in earlier years.
F-20
The asset allocation for the Company’s pension plans at the end of 2016 and 2015, the Company’s acceptable range
and the target allocation for 2017, by asset category, are as follows:
Asset Category
Return seeking
Liability hedging
Cash/cash equivalents
Target
Allocation
2017
60%
40%
–
Acceptable
Range
55-65%
35-45%
0-5%
Percentage of Plan Assets at
Year-end
2016
59%
38%
3%
2015
62%
37%
1%
The Company’s pension plan assets are managed by outside investment managers and assets are rebalanced when
the target ranges are exceeded. Pension plan assets consist principally of funds which invest in marketable securities
including common stocks, bonds, and interest-bearing deposits. The Company’s investment strategy with respect to
pension assets is to achieve a total rate of return (income and capital appreciation) that is sufficient to accomplish the
purpose of providing retirement benefits to all eligible and future retirees of the pension plan. The Company
regularly monitors performance and compliance with investment guidelines.
Fair Value of Financial Measurements
The fair values of the Company’s defined benefit plan investments as of September 30, 2016 and 2015, by asset
category, were as follows:
(Dollars in millions)
Investments at fair value:
Cash and cash equivalents
Common and preferred stock funds:
Domestic large capitalization
Domestic small/mid capitalization
International funds
Fixed income funds
Real estate investment funds
Total investments at fair value
2016
1.6
8.9
2.7
12.3
30.6
4.5
60.6
$
$
2015
0.8
9.9
3.3
13.5
31.1
4.4
63.0
The following methods were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:
Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying value of cash represents fair value as it consists of actual currency.
Investment Funds: The fair value of the investment funds, which offer daily redemptions, is determined based on the
published net asset value of the funds as a practical expedient for fair value.
Expected Cash Flows
Information about the expected cash flows for the pension and other postretirement benefit plans follows:
(Dollars in millions)
Expected Employer Contributions — 2017
Expected Benefit Payments:
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022-2026
13. Derivative Financial Instruments
Pension
Benefits
2.9
$
Other
Benefits
0.1
4.8
4.9
5.1
5.7
5.4
28.9
$
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.4
Market risks relating to the Company’s operations result primarily from changes in interest rates and changes in
foreign currency exchange rates. The Company is exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates and
selectively uses derivative financial instruments, including forward contracts and swaps, to manage these risks.
F-21
During the second quarter of 2016, the Company entered into several forward contracts to purchase pounds sterling
(GBP) to hedge two deferred payments due in connection with the acquisition of Plastique. During 2015, the
Company entered into a forward contract to purchase Euros to hedge the foreign currency risk related to Euro-
denominated inventory payments. The Company expects hedging gains or losses to be essentially offset by losses
or gains on the related underlying exposures. The amounts ultimately recognized may differ for open positions,
which remain subject to ongoing market price fluctuations until settlement. The derivative instruments are
designated as cash flow hedges and the gain or loss on the derivative is deferred in accumulated other
comprehensive income until recognized in earnings with the underlying hedged item. The fair value of the foreign
currency derivative is classified in accrued expenses on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The
following is a summary of the notional transaction amounts and fair values for the Company’s outstanding
derivative financial instruments as of September 30, 2016.
(In thousands)
Forward contract
Forward contracts
Fair value of financial instruments
Notional Amount
(Currency)
309 (Euro)
1,859 (GBP)
Fair Value
(US$)
(25)
(233)
The Company’s forward contracts are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy in accordance with FASB
Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 825, as presented below as of September 30, 2016:
(In thousands)
Liabilities:
Forward contracts
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
$
–
(258)
–
(258)
Valuation was based on third party evidence of similarly priced derivative instruments.
14. Other Financial Data
Items charged to continuing operations during 2016, 2015 and 2014 included the following:
(Dollars in thousands)
Research and development (R&D) costs:
Company-sponsored
Customer-sponsored
Total R&D
Other engineering costs
Total R&D and other engineering costs
As a % of net sales
15. Business Segment Information
2016
2015
2014
12,863
6,972
19,835
12,233
32,068
16,728
6,776
23,504
13,899
37,403
16,880
11,586
28,466
12,484
40,950
5.6 %
7.0 %
7.7 %
The Company is organized based on the products and services it offers, and classifies its business operations in
segments for financial reporting purposes. Currently, the Company has four reporting segments: Filtration/Fluid
Flow (Filtration), RF Shielding and Test (Test), Utility Solutions Group (USG) and Technical Packaging.
The Filtration segment’s operations consist of: PTI Technologies Inc., VACCO Industries (VACCO), Crissair, Inc.
(Crissair) and Westland Technologies Inc. (Westland). The companies in this segment primarily design and
manufacture specialty filtration products including hydraulic filter elements and fluid control devices used in
commercial aerospace applications, unique filter mechanisms used in micro-propulsion devices for satellites and
custom designed filters for manned aircraft and submarines.
Test segment operations consist of ETS-Lindgren Inc. and related subsidiaries (ETS-Lindgren). ETS-Lindgren is an
industry leader in providing its customers with the ability to identify, measure and contain magnetic,
electromagnetic and acoustic energy. ETS-Lindgren also manufactures radio frequency shielding products and
components used by manufacturers of medical equipment, communications systems, electronic products, and
shielded rooms for high-security data processing and secure communication.
F-22
The USG segment’s operations consist of Doble Engineering Company and related subsidiaries (Doble). Doble
provides high-end, intelligent diagnostic test solutions for the electric power delivery industry and is a leading
supplier of power factor and partial discharge testing instruments used to assess the integrity of high-voltage power
delivery equipment. Previously, USG also included Aclara Technologies LLC. See Note 3.
The Technical Packaging segment’s operations consist of Thermoform Engineered Quality LLC (TEQ) and
Plastique. The companies within this segment provide innovative solutions to the medical and commercial markets
for thermoformed and precision molded pulp fiber packages and specialty products using a wide variety of thin
gauge plastics and pulp.
Accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting
policies in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The operating units within each reporting segment have
been aggregated because of similar economic characteristics and meet the other aggregation criteria of FASB ASC
280.
The Company evaluates the performance of its operating units based on EBIT, which is defined as earnings before
interest and taxes. EBIT on a consolidated basis is a non-GAAP financial measure; see “Non-GAAP Financial
Measures” in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Intersegment sales and transfers are not significant. Segment assets consist primarily of customer receivables,
inventories, capitalized software and fixed assets directly associated with the production processes of the segment.
Segment depreciation and amortization is based upon the direct assets listed above.
Net Sales
(Dollars in millions)
Year ended September 30,
Filtration
Test
USG
Technical Packaging
Consolidated totals
$
$
2016
207.8
161.5
127.8
74.4
571.5
2015
196.7
177.6
123.6
39.4
537.3
No customer exceeded 10% of sales in 2016 or 2015; one customer exceeded 10% of sales in 2014.
EBIT
(Dollars in millions)
Year ended September 30,
Filtration
Test
USG
Technical Packaging
Reconciliation to consolidated totals (Corporate)
Consolidated EBIT
Less: interest expense
Earnings before income tax
Identifiable Assets
(Dollars in millions)
Year ended September 30,
Filtration
Test
USG
Technical Packaging
Corporate
Consolidated totals
$
$
$
$
2016
45.2
13.9
31.1
9.6
(30.1 )
69.7
(1.3 )
68.4
2016
143.5
110.9
85.4
40.9
597.7
978.4
2015
41.7
9.5
29.6
4.9
(23.4 )
62.3
(0.8 )
61.5
2015
127.0
117.8
80.6
14.8
524.0
864.2
2014
196.5
181.8
115.6
37.2
531.1
2014
36.4
21.1
26.6
5.0
(25.3 )
63.8
(1.6 )
62.2
Corporate assets consist primarily of goodwill, deferred taxes, acquired intangible assets, cash balances and assets
held for sale.
F-23
Capital Expenditures
(Dollars in millions)
Year ended September 30,
Filtration
Test
USG
Technical Packaging
Corporate
Consolidated totals
2016
2015
$
$
3.3
3.3
3.3
3.9
–
13.8
5.0
3.1
3.3
1.0
–
12.4
2014
5.8
1.4
4.1
1.2
0.2
12.7
In addition to the above amounts, the Company incurred expenditures for capitalized software of $8.7 million, $6.9
million and $8.6 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Depreciation and Amortization
(Dollars in millions)
Year ended September 30,
Filtration
Test
USG
Technical Packaging
Corporate
Consolidated totals
2016
2015
$
$
4.0
3.6
8.1
2.9
5.0
23.6
3.8
3.1
6.2
1.4
4.1
18.6
2014
4.0
2.7
4.8
1.2
3.7
16.4
Depreciation expense of property, plant and equipment was $11.9 million, $9.7 million and $9.6 million for 2016,
2015 and 2014, respectively.
Geographic Information
Net Sales
(Dollars in millions)
Year ended September 30,
United States
Asia
Europe
Canada
India
Other
Consolidated totals
Long-Lived Assets
(Dollars in millions)
Year ended September 30,
United States
Europe
Other
Consolidated totals
2014
374.0
59.9
62.0
10.4
3.3
21.5
531.1
$
$
$
$
2016
403.6
68.1
71.6
12.9
2.9
12.4
571.5
2016
79.9
11.7
0.8
92.4
2015
385.5
70.4
46.6
11.6
4.3
18.9
537.3
2015
74.5
2.1
0.8
77.4
Net sales are attributed to countries based on location of customer. Long-lived assets are attributed to countries
based on location of the asset.
16. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company leases certain real property, equipment and machinery under non-cancelable operating leases. Rental
expense under these operating leases was $6.0 million, $5.2 million and $5.3 million for 2016, 2015 and 2014,
respectively. Future aggregate minimum lease payments under operating leases that have initial or remaining non-
cancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of September 30, 2016, are:
F-24
(Dollars in thousands)
Years ending September 30:
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021 and thereafter
Total
6,351
4,879
3,880
2,493
2,988
$ 20,591
At September 30, 2016, the Company had $4.9 million in letters of credit outstanding as guarantees of contract
performance. As a normal incident of the businesses in which the Company is engaged, various claims, charges
and litigation are asserted or commenced from time to time against the Company. Additionally, the Company is
currently involved in various stages of investigation and remediation relating to environmental matters. It is the
opinion of Management that the aggregate costs involved in the resolution of these matters, and final judgments, if
any, which might be rendered against the Company are adequately reserved for, are covered by insurance, or are
not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results from continuing operations, capital
expenditures, or competitive position.
17. Subsequent Event
On November 7, 2016, the Company acquired aerospace suppliers Mayday Manufacturing Co. (Mayday) and its
affiliate, Hi-Tech Metals, Inc. (Hi-Tech), which share a state-of-the-art, expandable 130,000 square foot facility in
Denton, Texas, for a purchase price of approximately $75 million in cash. Mayday is a leading manufacturer of
mission-critical bushings, pins, sleeves and precision-tolerance machined components for landing gear, rotor heads,
engine mounts, flight controls, and actuation systems for the aerospace and defense industry. Hi-Tech is a full-
service metal processor offering aerospace OEM’s and Tier 1 suppliers a large portfolio of processing services
including anodizing, cadmium and zinc-nickel plating, organic coatings, non-destructive testing, and heat treatment.
Mayday and Hi-Tech will be included in the Company’s Filtration segment beginning in 2017.
F-25
18. Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
First
Quarter
Second
Quarter
Third
Quarter
Fourth
Quarter
Fiscal
Year
2016
Net sales
Net earnings from continuing operations
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
Net earnings
$
132,833
8,829
—
8,829
138,930
8,610
—
8,610
140,191
11,528
—
11,528
159,505
16,915
—
16,915
571,459
45,882
—
45,882
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Net earnings from continuing operations
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
Net earnings
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Net earnings from continuing operations
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
Net earnings
0.34
—
0.34
0.34
—
0.34
0.33
—
0.33
0.33
—
0.33
0.45
—
0.45
0.44
—
0.44
0.66
—
0.66
0.65
—
0.65
Dividends declared per common share
$
0.08
0.08
0.08
0.08
1.78
—
1.78
1.77
—
1.77
0.32
2015
Net sales
Net earnings from continuing operations
Net (loss) earnings from discontinued operations
Net earnings
$
120,547
10,023
—
10,023
128,941
7,982
(372 )
7,610
134,191
10,748
1,148
11,896
153,612
12,983
—
12,983
537,291
41,736
776
42,512
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Net earnings from continuing operations
Net (loss) earnings from discontinued operations
Net (loss) earnings
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Net earnings from continuing operations
Net (loss) earnings from discontinued operations
Net earnings
0.38
—
0.38
0.38
—
0.38
0.31
(0.01 )
0.30
0.30
(0.01 )
0.29
0.41
0.04
0.45
0.41
0.04
0.45
0.50
—
0.50
0.50
—
0.50
Dividends declared per common share
$
0.08
0.08
0.08
0.08
1.60
0.03
1.63
1.59
0.03
1.62
0.32
F-26
MANAGEMENT’S STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Company’s Management is responsible for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial statements in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and for their integrity and
accuracy. Management is confident that its financial and business processes provide accurate information on a timely
basis.
Management, with the oversight of ESCO’s Board of Directors, has established and maintains a strong ethical
climate in which the Company’s affairs are conducted. Management also has established an effective system of
internal controls that provide reasonable assurance as to the integrity and accuracy of the financial statements, and
responsibility for the Company’s assets. KPMG LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting
firm, reports directly to the Audit and Finance Committee of the Board of Directors. The Audit and Finance
Committee has established policies consistent with corporate reform laws for auditor independence. In accordance
with corporate governance listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange:
A majority of Board members are independent of the Company and its Management.
All members of the key Board committees — the Audit and Finance, the Human Resources and
Compensation and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees — are independent.
The independent members of the Board meet regularly without the presence of Management.
The Company has a clear code of ethics and a conflict of interest policy to ensure that key corporate
decisions are made by individuals who do not have a financial interest in the outcome, separate from their
interest as Company officials.
The charters of the Board committees clearly establish their respective roles and responsibilities.
The Company has a Corporate Ethics Committee, ethics officers at each operating location and an
ombudsman hot line available to all domestic employees and all foreign employees have local ethics
officers and access to the Company’s ombudsman.
The Company has a strong financial team, from its executive leadership to each of its individual contributors.
Management monitors compliance with its financial policies and practices over critical areas including internal
controls, financial accounting and reporting, accountability, and safeguarding of its corporate assets. The internal
audit function maintains oversight over the key areas of the business and financial processes and controls, and reports
directly to the Audit and Finance Committee. Additionally, all employees are required to adhere to the ESCO Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics, which is monitored by the Corporate Ethics Committee.
Management is dedicated to ensuring that the standards of financial accounting and reporting that are established are
maintained. The Company’s culture demands integrity and a commitment to strong internal practices and policies.
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been audited by KPMG LLP, whose report is included herein.
November 29, 2016
/s/Victor L. Richey
/s/Gary E. Muenster
Victor L. Richey
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
and President
Gary E. Muenster
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
F-27
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The Company’s Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial
reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Our internal control over
financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States of America.
Because of its inherent limitations, any system of internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well
designed, may not prevent or detect misstatements due to the possibility that a control can be circumvented or
overridden or that misstatements due to error or fraud may occur that are not detected. Also, because of changes in
conditions, internal control effectiveness may vary over time.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of
September 30, 2016, using criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and concluded that the Company
maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2016, based on these criteria.
Our internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2016, has been audited by KPMG LLP, an
independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report which is included herein.
We acquired Plastique Group Limited (Plastique) on January 29, 2016 and Westland Technologies, Inc. (Westland)
on September 2, 2016. Plastique and Westland had total assets representing 9.9 percent of consolidated assets, and
total net sales representing 4.3 percent of consolidated net sales, as of and for the year ended September 30, 2016.
We excluded from our assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of
September 30, 2016 internal control over financial reporting associated with Plastique and Westland.
November 29, 2016
/s/Victor L. Richey
/s/Gary E. Muenster
Victor L. Richey
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
and President
Gary E. Muenster
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
F-28
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
ESCO Technologies Inc.:
We have audited ESCO Technologies Inc.’s (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of September
30, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee
of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for
maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over
Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial
reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit
included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material
weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the
assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the
circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting
includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail,
accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable
assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made
only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s
assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.
Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may
deteriorate.
In our opinion, ESCO Technologies Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial
reporting as of September 30, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013)
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
The Company acquired Plastique Group Limited (Plastique) and Westland Technologies, Inc. (Westland) during the
year ended September 30, 2016, and management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of the
Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2016, Plastique’s and Westland’s internal
control over financial reporting associated with total assets representing 9.9 percent of total consolidated assets, and
total net sales representing 4.3 percent of consolidated net sales, included in the consolidated financial statements of
ESCO Technologies Inc. and subsidiaries as of and for the year ended September 30, 2016. Our audit of internal
control over financial reporting of the Company also excluded an evaluation of the internal control over financial
reporting of Plastique and Westland.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States), the consolidated balance sheets of ESCO Technologies Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2016 and
2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity, and
cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2016 and our report dated
November 29, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
/s/ KPMG LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
November 29, 2016
F-29
EXHIBITS
The following exhibits are submitted with and attached to this Form 10-K; exhibit numbers correspond to the exhibit
table in Item 601 of Regulation S-K. For a complete list of exhibits including those incorporated by reference, see
Item 15(a)(3) of this Form 10-K, above.
Exhibit No.
Exhibit
4.4
21
23
31.1
31.2
32
*
Amendment No. 1 to December 21, 2015 Credit Agreement, made as of September 30, 2016
Subsidiaries of the Company
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Certification of Chief Financial Officer
** Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
101.INS
*** XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
*** XBRL Schema Document
101.CAL
*** XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB
*** XBRL Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
*** XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
*** XBRL Definition Linkbase Document
-----------
* Filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission but not included in the Annual Report to
Shareholders; the Exhibit may be viewed and copied on the SEC’s website or a printed copy
may be obtained from the Company on request.
** Furnished (and not filed) herewith pursuant to Item 601(b)(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K.
*** Exhibit 101 to this report consists of documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business
Reporting Language); a printed copy is not included.
EXHIBIT 21
Subsidiaries of Esco Technologies Inc.
The following list omits certain of the Company’s subsidiaries which, if considered in the aggregate as a single
subsidiary, would not, as of the end of the year covered by this Report, constitute a “significant subsidiary” as
defined in SEC Regulation S-X.
Name
State or Jurisdiction
of Incorporation
or Organization
Name(s) Under Which
It Does Business
Beijing Lindgren ElectronMagnetic Technology Co., Ltd. People’s Republic of China Same; also ETS-Lindgren
Crissair, Inc.
Doble Engineering Company
Doble PowerTest Limited
ESCO Finance International S.à r.l.
ESCO International Holding Inc.
ESCO Technologies Holding LLC
ETS-Lindgren Inc.
ETS-Lindgren OY
Plastique Limited
Plastique Sp. z o.o.
PTI Technologies Inc.
Thermoform Engineered Quality LLC
VACCO Industries
Westland Technologies Inc.
California
Massachusetts
United Kingdom
Luxembourg
Delaware
Delaware
Illinois
Finland
United Kingdom
Poland
Delaware
Delaware
California
California
The Company acquired the following subsidiaries after the end of fiscal 2016:
Mayday Manufacturing Co.
Hi-Tech Metals, Inc.
Texas
Texas
Same
Same
Same
Same
Same
Same
Same
Same
Same
Same
Same
Same
Same
Same
Same
Same
EXHIBIT 23
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors
ESCO Technologies Inc.:
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements (Nos. 333-77887, 333-63930, 333-
117953, 333-186537, 333-192663) on Form S-8 of ESCO Technologies Inc. (the Company) of our reports dated
November 29, 2016, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets of ESCO Technologies Inc. and subsidiaries as
of September 30, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income
(loss), shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended September 30, 2016,
and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2016, which reports appear in
the September 30, 2016 annual report on Form 10-K of the Company.
Our report dated November 29, 2016, on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of
September 30, 2016, contains an explanatory paragraph that states the Company acquired Plastique Group Limited
(Plastique) and Westland Technologies, Inc. (Westland) during the year ended September 30, 2016, and
management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting as of September 30, 2016, Plastique’s and Westland’s internal control over financial reporting associated
with total assets representing 9.9 percent of consolidated assets and total net sales representing 4.3 percent of
consolidated sales, included in the consolidated financial statements of ESCO Technologies Inc. and subsidiaries as
of and for the year ended September 30, 2016. Our report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting of the Company also excluded an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Plastique
and Westland.
/s/ KPMG LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
November 29, 2016
EXHIBIT 31.1
I, Victor L. Richey, certify that:
Certification
1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of ESCO Technologies Inc.;
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 and finance committee of
the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over
financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a
significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: November 29, 2016
/s/ Victor L. Richey
Victor L. Richey
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
EXHIBIT 31.2
I, Gary E. Muenster, certify that:
Certification
1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of ESCO Technologies Inc.;
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 and finance committee of
the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over
financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a
significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: November 29, 2016
/s/ Gary E. Muenster
Gary E. Muenster
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Certification
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
As Adopted Pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
EXHIBIT 32
In connection with the annual report of ESCO Technologies Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period
ended September 30, 2016 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”),
we, Victor L. Richey, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Gary E. Muenster,
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, to the best of our knowledge,
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2)`The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial
condition and results of operations of the Company.
Date: November 29, 2016
/s/ Victor L. Richey
Victor L. Richey
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Gary E. Muenster
Gary E. Muenster
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Shareholders’ Summary
Management and Board of Directors
SHAREHOLDERS’ ANNUAL
MEETING
The Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of ESCO
Technologies Inc. will be held
at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on
Friday, February 3, 2017, at
The Vinoy Renaissance,
501 5th Avenue NE,
St. Petersburg, Florida
33701. You may access this
Annual Report as well as
the Notice of the meeting
and the Proxy Statement
on the Company’s Annual
Meeting website at
www.edocumentation.com/ese.
CERTIFICATIONS
Pursuant to New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE) requirements,
the Company submitted to the
NYSE the annual certifications
by the Company’s chief
executive officer dated February
10, 2016 and February 11,
2015, that he was not aware of
any violations by the Company
of NYSE’s corporate governance
listing standards. In addition,
the Company filed with the
Securities and Exchange
Commission the certifications by
the Company’s chief executive
officer and chief financial officer
required under Section 302 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
as exhibits to the Company’s
Forms 10-K for its fiscal years
ended September 30, 2016
and September 30, 2015.
10-K REPORT
The Company’s 2016 Annual
Report on Form 10-K as
filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission is
included in this Annual Report
to Shareholders, except that
certain of its Exhibits have
been omitted. The complete
Form 10-K is available on
the Company’s website at
www.escotechnologies.com,
or a copy will be provided
to shareholders without
charge upon written request
to Kate Lowrey, Director
of Investor Relations,
ESCO Technologies Inc.,
9900A Clayton Road,
St. Louis, MO 63124.
INVESTOR RELATIONS
Additional investor-related
information may be obtained
by contacting the Director
of Investor Relations at
(314) 213-7277 or toll free
at (888) 622-3726.
Information is also available
through the Company’s website
at www.escotechnologies.com
or via e-mail to klowrey@
escotechnologies.com.
TRANSFER AGENT AND
REGISTRAR
Shareholder inquiries
concerning lost certificates,
transfer of shares or address
changes should be directed to:
Computershare
Shareholder Services
P.O. Box 30170
College Station, TX 77842-3170
(800) 368-5948
www.computershare.
com/investor
CAPITAL STOCK INFORMATION
ESCO Technologies Inc.
common stock shares (symbol
ESE) are listed on the New York
Stock Exchange. There were
approximately 1,878 holders
of record of shares of common
stock at October 31, 2016.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
KPMG LLP
10 South Broadway, Suite 900
St. Louis, MO 63102
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Victor Richey
Chairman,
Chief Executive Officer
& President
Gary Muenster
Executive Vice
President & Chief
Financial Officer
Alyson Barclay
Senior Vice President,
Secretary &
General Counsel
Richard Garretson
Vice President
Tax
Charles Kretschmer
Vice President
Michele Marren
Vice President &
Corporate Controller
David Schatz
Vice President
& Intellectual
Property Counsel
& Asst. Secretary
Rowland Ellis
Senior Vice President
& General Manager
PTI Technologies Inc.
Antonio Gonzalez
President
VACCO Industries
John Grizzard
President
Westland
Technologies, Inc.
Randall Loga
Technical Packaging
Group Vice President
& President
Thermoform Engineered
Quality LLC
Bryan Sayler
President
Doble Engineering
Company
Robert J. Phillippy 2
Former President and
Chief Executive Officer
Newport Corporation
Larry W. Solley 3,4
Retired Executive
Vice President
Emerson Electric Co.
Victor L. Richey 1
Chairman, Chief
Executive Officer
& President
James M. Stolze 2,3
Retired Vice
President & Chief
Financial Officer
Stereotaxis, Inc.
CORPORATE STAFF
Deborah Boniske
Vice President
Human Resources
Mark Dunger
Vice President
Planning &
Development
OPERATING EXECUTIVES
Mike Alfred
President
Crissair, Inc.
Bruce Butler
President
ETS-Lindgren LP
Sam Chapetta
Filtration Group
President
Trevor Drew
Managing Director
Plastique Limited
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Vinod M. Khilnani 2
Retired Executive
Chairman
CTS Corporation
Gary E. Muenster
Executive Vice
President & Chief
Financial Officer
Leon J. Olivier 4
EVP of Enterprise
Energy Strategy &
Business Development
Eversource Energy
1 Executive Committee
2 Audit and Finance Committee
3 Human Resources and Compensation Committee
4 Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
This annual report is printed on recycled paper,
made in the USA, with 10% post-consumer waste.
ESCO Technologies is a global provider of highly
engineered products and solutions to diverse and
growing end-markets including the aerospace,
space, healthcare, wireless, consumer electronics,
and electric utility industries. The company
consists of four technology driven business
segments – Filtration/Fluid Flow, RF Shielding &
Test, Utility Solutions and Technical Packaging
– each with a continual focus on new product
innovation and sustainable long-term growth.
Strength Through
Diversification
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ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC.
9900A Clayton Road • St. Louis, MO 63124
www.escotechnologies.com
2016 ANNUAL REPORT