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Hardwoods Distribution

hdi · TSX Industrials
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Ticker hdi
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Industry Construction Materials
Employees 1001-5000
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FY2015 Annual Report · Hardwoods Distribution
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HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC.

  2015

Annual Report

To Shareholders

   
 
Profile

Hardwoods Distribution Inc. (“Hardwoods” or “the Company”) is listed on the Toronto Stock 

Exchange and trades under the symbol HWD. We are one of North America’s largest wholesale 

distributors of hardwood lumber and related sheet good and specialty wood products. In addition 

to  our  core  distribution  business,  we  create  custom  moulding  and  millwork  packages  for 

customers and produce and export high-quality lumber products. 

Our  Customers:    Our  business  serves  over  10,000  customers  in  North America,  primarily 

manufacturers of cabinets, mouldings, custom finishing, home furniture, home renovations, 

finishing millwork for office buildings, restaurant and bar interiors, hotel lobbies, retail point-

of-purchase  displays,  schools,  hospitals,  custom  motor  coaches,  yacht  interiors  and  other 

specialty areas.

Our  End-Markets:    We  estimate  that  approximately  60%  of  the  products  we  sell  to  our 

manufacturing  customers  end  up  in  new  residential  construction,  20%  in  the  commercial/

institutional construction sector, and 20% in renovation/remodeling and other markets.

Our Products and Services:  In 2015 our sales mix was 52% sheet good products, 38% hardwood 

lumber products, and 10% other specialty goods.  We provide custom milling services to our 

customers from five of our locations in Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Kansas City, and San 

Antonio. We also produce and export high-quality hardwood lumber from our hardwood lumber 

mill in Michigan to customers in Europe and Asia.

Our People:  We employ over 450 dedicated employees and maintain a pronounced professional 

and entrepreneurial sales and service culture.

Our Strategy:  We are focused on capturing the benefit from a steadily recovering US residential 

housing market.  In addition to capturing market growth, our strategy is to (i) continue to leverage 

our established expertise in import products, which account for approximately 30% of our sales 

mix  measured  by  product  source;  and  (ii)  grow  our  sales  into  commercial  markets,  which 

represent a significant demand opportunity but comprises just 20% of our total revenue.  We 

will also pursue acquisitions that complement our strategies. We have added seven new locations 

which now account for over $150 million in new annual sales from acquisitions made in the 

past four and a half years.

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
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Our Network:  Approximately 75% of our sales are in the United States and 25% in Canada.  

We operate from 33 locations as follows: 

Table of Contents 

Message to Shareholders
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Consolidated Financial Statements

Page
3
6
34

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
2

 
 
To Our Shareholders

2015 brought the best financial results in Hardwoods’ history and our sixth consecutive year of 

both top and bottom line growth. Our results, which included record sales, EBITDA and profit 

performance,  benefited  from  a  strengthening  US  dollar  and  generally  favorable  market 

conditions. The other key factor driving our performance was the continued successful execution 

of our business strategy.

Hardwoods’ strategy is designed to capture the growth potential of the recovering US market 

by leveraging our import program and strengthening our commercial business. In a year when 

US housing starts grew by a moderate 10.4% year-over-year and average hardwood lumber 

prices softened compared to 2014, the combination of a stronger US dollar and our strategic 

initiatives helped us achieve total sales growth of 25.4%.  This growth was profitable from a 

top and bottom line perspective.  Our operating expenses as a percentage of sales improved to 

11.8% in 2015 from 12.2% in 2014, while our EBITDA margin grew to 6.1% from 5.6% year-

over-year.

Realizing our Strategic Objectives

Our import product program remained a key contributor to our performance. As a one-step 

importer, Hardwoods works closely with international manufacturers to develop high-quality 

proprietary product offerings that respond to current market needs and trends. This offering 

enables  us  to  provide  an  attractive  combination  of  unique  products,  excellent  quality  and 

competitive  prices  that  attract  a  loyal  following  among  our  customers.  Sales  of  our  import 

products increased again in 2015 as we continued to develop our supply lines from a broad 

range of overseas markets including China, Africa, Southeast Asia, Russia and parts of Europe.

We also accelerated our growth in the commercial market during the year. Part of our strategy 

for balancing the cyclicality of the residential construction market, our expansion into the large 

and more stable commercial market has presented numerous avenues for growth. 

During 2015 we continued to increase our commercial selling capability with a specific emphasis 

on growing target customer accounts and continuing to equip our sales force with the training 

and  product  knowledge  needed  to  succeed  in  the  commercial  arena.    The  Hardwoods  of 

Michigan, or “HMI” acquisition, which we completed in 2014, further increased our market 

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
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exposure and enhanced our capabilities. A fully integrated producer and exporter of high-quality, 

value-added hardwood lumber, HMI brought us a broader base of customers and contributed 

to our sales to the commercial sector in 2015.

The Path to Continued Growth

As we look forward, we see continued opportunities for profitable growth. At 1.1 million, US 

housing starts remain well below the 1.5 million level considered sustainable for the industry. 

Accordingly most forecasters predict a continued multi-year strengthening trend for the US 

residential construction market. The commercial construction market is also enjoying healthy 

growth as the US economy strengthens and key segments like retail, office and hospitality-

related construction projects benefit. Hardwoods is still in the relatively early stages of tapping 

the commercial market, and accordingly, we see significant growth potential ahead.

Going  forward,  we  will  continue  to  pursue  our  growth  through  both  organic  and,  when 

appropriate, acquisition-based initiatives. Our balance sheet enables us to pursue a full range 

of opportunities and I am pleased to report that we further strengthened our financial position 

in 2015 with strong cash generation and the continued reduction of our debt. At the same time, 

we enhanced our operational and corporate infrastructure with a number of strategic moves that 

better prepare us for the future. During 2015, we augmented our 32 location distribution network 

with the move to larger hub facilities in Texas and Ontario. 

We  also  strengthened  our  executive  structure  with  the  appointments  of  Jason West  as Vice 

President, Canada; Brian Graham as Vice President, Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountain and 

Texas; and Dan Figgins as Vice President, Imports. Concurrent with these appointments, Dan 

Besen, who previously served as Vice President of the California Group, assumed expanded 

duties to include oversight of our Lake States operation. This new managerial capacity enhances 

our ability to achieve the next phase of our market expansion plans. 

Early in 2016 we announced another change to our management team when Lance Blanco, for 

health reasons related to his bicycling accident in July of 2014, stepped down as Hardwoods’ 

President and Chief Executive Officer . Lance joined the company in 2010 and set us on the 

strategic path that is the foundation for the success we are achieving today.  I am delighted that 

he will continue to help guide the Company’s strategy going forward as Senior Vice President, 

Corporate Development, with responsibility for strategy, acquisitions and special projects. 

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
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Overall,  the  future  looks  very  promising  for  Hardwoods  and  I  want  to  thank  you,  our 

shareholders,  for  your  continued  support  of  our  business.  During  2015  we  rewarded  your 

confidence  in  Hardwoods  with  a  total  return  of  58.2%  generated  through  a  combination  of 

annual dividends and continued share price appreciation. We look forward to creating value for 

you again in 2016.

Sincerely,

Rob Brown
President and Chief Executive Officer

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis  

March 11, 2016

This  management’s  discussion  and  analysis  (“MD&A”)  has  been  prepared  by  Hardwoods 

Distribution Inc. (“HDI” or the “Company”) as of March 11, 2016.  This MD&A should be read 

in  conjunction  with  the  audited  consolidated  financial  statements  and  accompanying  notes 

(“Audited Financial Statements”) of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 

2014.    Results  are  reported  in  Canadian  dollars  unless  otherwise  stated.    For  additional 

information, readers should also refer to our Annual Information Form and other information 

filed on www.sedar.com.

In  this  MD&A,  references  to  “EBITDA”  are  to  earnings  before  interest,  income  taxes, 

depreciation  and  amortization,  where  interest  is  defined  as  net  finance  costs  as  per  the 

consolidated  statement  of  comprehensive  income.    Furthermore  in  this  MD&A  we  discuss 

certain EBITDA ratios, such as EBITDA margin (being EBITDA as  a percentage of revenues),  

net debt-to-EBITDA (net debt as per section 5.3 as compared to EBITDA), and net debt-to-total 

capitalization (net debt as compared to total capitalization as per section 5.3).  In addition to 

profit, we consider EBITDA and EBITDA ratios (such as net debt-to-EBITDA and net debt-to-

total capitalization) to be useful supplemental measures of the Company’s ability to meet debt 

service and capital expenditure requirements, and we interpret trends in EBITDA and EBITDA 

ratios (such as EBITDA margin) as an indicator of relative operating performance.

EBITDA is not an earnings measure recognized by International Financial Reporting Standards 

(“IFRS”) and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS.  Investors are cautioned 

that EBITDA should not replace profit or cash flows (as determined in accordance with IFRS) 

as an indicator of our performance.  Our method of calculating EBITDA may differ from the 

methods  used  by  other  issuers.  Therefore,  our  EBITDA  may  not  be  comparable  to  similar 

measures  presented  by  other  issuers.  For  reconciliation  between  EBITDA  and  profit  as 

determined in accordance with IFRS, please refer to the discussion of Results of Operations 

described in section 3.0 of this report.

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
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Contents    

This MD&A includes the following sections:

1.0 

Executive Summary

1.1 

1.2 

1.3 

Overview

Strategy

Outlook 

2.0 

Background

2.1 

2.2 

Company Overview

Business and Industry Overview

3.0 

Results of Operations 

3.1 

3.2 

Years Ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014

Three-Month Periods Ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 

4.0 

Selected Financial Information and Seasonality

4.1 

4.2 

Quarterly Financial Information

Annual Financial Information

5.0 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

5.1   Cash Flows from Operating, Investing and Financing Activities

5.2    Working Capital

5.3 

5.4 

5.5 

5.6 

5.7 

5.8 

Revolving Credit Facilities and Debt Management Strategy

Contractual Obligations 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Financial Instruments

Share Data

Dividends

6.0 

7.0 

8.0 

9.0 

Related Party Transactions

Critical Accounting Estimates and Adoption of Changes in Accounting Policies

7.1 

7.2 

Critical Accounting Estimates

Adoption of New Accounting Policies

Risks and Uncertainties

Disclosure Controls and Procedures and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

10.0  Note Regarding Forward Looking Information 

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
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1.0 Executive Summary

1.1 Overview 

We established new records for sales, EBITDA and profit in 2015 as we executed our “strengthen 

commercial”  and  “leverage  imports”  strategies,  responded  to  market  opportunities  and 

continued to benefit from a strengthening US dollar. For the year ended December 31, 2015, 

sales increased 25.4% to $571.6 million, EBITDA grew 36.6% to $34.8 million, and profit 

climbed 43.7% to $20.1 million.

Organic and Acquisition-Based Growth

Our strong sales growth reflects a $102.2 million increase in sales as a result of a combination 

of organic growth related to increased residential and commercial market sales, higher sales of 

import products, and favorable foreign exchange influences, partially offset by lower average 

prices for hardwood lumber products.  The balance of our sales growth was acquisition driven 

and reflects a full year of operations from the HMI business we acquired on April 28, 2014. 

Market Conditions

The US residential market continued its gradual recovery in 2015, with housing starts increasing 

10.4% to 1,107,000 based on information from the US Census Bureau. Canadian housing starts 

were flat in 2015 according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. 

The US non-residential or "commercial" construction market strengthened by 8.9% in 2015 

according to the American Institute of Architects. This growth was supported by improving 

economic conditions in a number of regional markets. 

Product pricing was generally weaker in 2015 than in 2014 according to the Hardwood Review 

Express, with average prices for hardwood lumber declining by approximately 17% compared 

to 2014. Panel pricing remained generally stable year-over-year.

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Our business continued to benefit from a stronger US dollar relative to the Canadian dollar as 

the US dollar strengthened from $1.16 at the start of the year to $1.38 at year end. A stronger 

US dollar benefits us by:  i) increasing the value of sales and profits earned in our US operations 

when translated into Canadian dollars for financial reporting purposes; ii) increasing the selling 

price of US dollar-denominated products sold to our Canadian customers; and iii) improving 

the export competitiveness of our Canadian industrial customers.

Profitability and Efficient Operations

Our gross profit margin remained relatively stable at 17.4% in 2015, up from 17.3% in 2014.  

We consider a profit margin in this range to be sustainable based on recent product pricing, 

competition levels and our current revenue mix.

Operating expenses increased year-over-year as we supported growth in our business, however 

as a percentage of sales, operating expenses improved to 11.8% in 2015 from 12.2% last year, 

reflecting the efficiency of our business model. Bad debt for the 2015 year was 0.3% of sales, 

below our long-term average of 0.5%.  EBITDA as a percentage of sales increased to 6.1%, 

from 5.6%, a strong performance for our business.

Balance Sheet

Cash from operating activities increased by $8.3 million year-over-year, primarily due to higher 

EBITDA and efficient management of working capital.  The increased cash flow enabled us to 

internally finance our 2015 organic growth, while also funding dividends and reducing debt. 

As at December 31, 2015, our net debt-to-EBITDA ratio was a conservative 0.8 times, our debt-

to-capital ratio was just 16.8% and we had $60.8 million of unused borrowing capacity.

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
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1.2 Strategy

Our strategy remains focused in two areas.

Leverage Imports

Import products continue to be a major growth engine for Hardwoods. We have built a strong 

competitive advantage by working directly with overseas manufacturers to create high-quality, 

proprietary products that provide a strong value offering to our customers.

During  2015,  we  continued  to  leverage  this  program,  increasing  our  product  offering  and 

expanding our supply lines in Africa, Southeast Asia, Russia and parts of Europe. Sales of import 

products currently represent approximately 30% of our total sales.

Strengthen Commercial

Our  “strengthen  commercial”  strategy  focuses  on  expanding  our  base  of  customers  in  the 

commercial  and  institutional  sectors  as  we  work  to  balance  our  exposure  to  residential 

construction. Currently comprising about 20% of our sales we continue to view the commercial 

market as a significant opportunity for the Company and we intend to become a more significant 

participant.  During 2015 we continued to grow our supply of first-tier quality product supply 

for commercial customers and capitalized on our import capabilities to offer both domestic and 

off-shore product solutions to the commercial sector. We also continued to expand our sales 

capabilities with training and other initiatives focused on the commercial market.

1.3 Outlook 

Job growth and income levels are gaining momentum in the US and are expected to help propel 

the continuing recovery in the US residential construction market in 2016 and beyond. Home 

improvement  spending  is  also  projected  to  pick  up  pace  as  housing  markets  continue  their 

gradual recovery. In addition, forecasts from the American Institute of Architects predict overall 

growth of 8.2% for the US non-residential building segment in 2016, with the strongest gains 

anticipated in the commercial sector, which includes office buildings, hotels and retail. 

With approximately 75% of our business in the US and approximately 60% of our products 

going into the residential construction market and 20% into the commercial market, we are well 

positioned to capitalize on the US market growth.

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
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The outlook for the Canadian market remains neutral, with 2016 housing starts expected to 

remain consistent with 2015 levels and commercial construction expected to remain in line with 

inflation. 

Industry forecasts predict overall hardwood lumber prices will generally remain soft through 

the balance of 2016 as increased supply works its way through the market and demand from 

export markets remains less predictable. Prices for hardwood plywood are expected to remain 

steady and prices for some composite panel products are expected to decrease modestly.

Our focus in 2016 will be on continuing to expand our share of the US residential and commercial 

construction markets.  Our priorities will be to build on our “leverage imports” and “strengthen 

commercial” strategies, while pursuing well-priced, acquisition opportunities that support our 

objectives.

The Board will continue to review our financial performance and assess dividends on a regular 

basis.  However in terms of cash utilization our primary focus in 2016 will remain on retaining 

the financial flexibility to finance the market growth opportunity in the US and to keep our 

balance sheet strong to support strategic acquisitions.

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
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2.0 Background

2.1 Company Overview

Hardwoods  Distribution  Inc.  is  a  publicly  traded  company  that  holds,  indirectly,  a  100% 

ownership interest in Hardwoods Specialty Products LP and Hardwoods Specialty Products US 

LP (collectively, “Hardwoods” or the “Business”).  Hardwoods Distribution Inc. is listed on the 

Toronto Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol HWD.

2.2 Business and Industry Overview

Serving customers for over 50 years, Hardwoods is one of North America’s largest distributors 

of high-grade hardwood lumber and specialty sheet goods to the cabinet, moulding, millwork, 

furniture and specialty wood products industries.  As at March 11, 2016 we operated 33 facilities 

located in 17 states and 5 provinces throughout North America.  Five of these facilities include 

light  manufacturing  capabilities  which  enable  us  to  create  custom  moulding  and  millwork 

packages for our customers; and one facility, HMI is a fully integrated producer and exporter 

of high-quality, value-added hardwood lumber.  To maximize inventory management, we utilize 

a hub-and-spoke distribution system. Our major hub distribution centres hold the bulk of our 

inventory  and  we  make  regular  truck  transfers  to  replenish  stock  in  surrounding  satellite 

distribution centres located in smaller markets.    

Approximately 52% of our 2015 sales were made up of hardwood plywood and non-structural 

sheet  goods  such  as  medium-density  fiberboard,  particleboard  and  melamine-coated  stock. 

Approximately 38% of our sales were of high-grade hardwood lumber.  Our sheet goods and 

lumber are complementary product lines; customers typically use both of these key products in 

the manufacture of their own end-use products. The balance of our product sales, about 10%, 

was made up of other specialty products.

Our primary role in the industry is to provide the critical link between mills that manufacture 

large volumes of hardwood lumber and sheet goods, and industrial customers that require smaller 

quantities of many different hardwood products for their own manufacturing processes.  We 

provide a means for hundreds of hardwood mills to get their product to thousands of small-to-

mid-sized industrial manufacturers.  We add value to our suppliers by buying their product in 

volume and paying them promptly, effectively acting as their third-party sales force.  We add 

value for our customers by providing them with the materials they need on a just-in-time basis, 

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
12

remanufacturing  materials  to  customer  specifications  when  required,  selling  in  smaller 

quantities, and offering a wider range of product selection than the customer would be able to 

purchase directly from an individual mill.  We also provide an important source of financing 

for our customers by allowing them to buy material from us on approved credit.

Our customer base manufactures a range of end-use products, such as cabinetry, furniture and 

custom  millwork.    These  products,  in  turn,  are  sold  into  multiple  sectors  of  the  economy, 

including  new  home  construction,  renovation,  non-residential  construction  and  institutional 

markets.  As a result of this diversity, it is difficult to determine with certainty what proportion 

of our products end up in each sector of the economy.  We estimate about 60% of our products 

are used in new residential construction, in the form of cabinets, mouldings, custom finishing, 

and home furniture.  We believe the balance of our products ends up in other sectors of the 

economy not associated with new residential construction, such as home renovations, finishing 

millwork for office buildings, recreational vehicles, restaurant and bar interiors, hotel lobbies, 

retail point-of-purchase displays, schools, hospitals, custom motor coaches, yacht interiors and 

other specialty areas.

The majority of the hardwood lumber distributed in North America is harvested from North 

American hardwood forests, located principally in the Eastern United States, and is milled by 

hundreds of small mills. Imported hardwood lumber is largely limited to specialty species that 

generally do not compete with domestic hardwood lumber.  Sheet goods are generally produced 

in  North America  by  large  manufacturers  using  domestic  hardwoods  and  other  materials, 

although  imported  hardwood  plywood  volumes  have  been  increasing.    Both  domestic  and 

imported hardwood lumber and plywood are distributed principally by third parties such as us. 

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
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3.0 Results of Operations

3.1 Years Ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014

Selected Unaudited Consolidated Financial Information (in thousands of Canadian dollars)

For the year

For the year

ended December 31

ended December 31

$ Increase % Increase

Total sales

Sales in the US (US$)

Sales in Canada

Gross profit

Gross profit %

Operating expenses

Profit from operating activities

Add: Depreciation and amortization

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and

amortization ("EBITDA")

Add (deduct):

Depreciation and amortization

Net finance income (expense)

Income tax expense

Profit for the period

Basic profit per share

Diluted profit per share

$

$

$

$

$

Average Canadian dollar exchange rate for one US dollar $

Sales

$

2015

571,598

355,724

116,805

99,633

17.4%

(67,422)

32,211

2,593

2014

(Decrease)

(Decrease)

455,694

318,089

104,334

78,767

17.3%

(55,427)

23,340

2,138

$ 115,904

37,635

12,471

20,866

11,995

8,871

455

25.4 %

11.8 %

12.0 %

26.5 %

21.6 %

38.0 %

21.3 %

34,804

$

25,478

$

9,326

36.6 %

(2,593)

143

(12,208)

20,146

1.21

1.20

1.28

$

$

$

$

(2,138)

(381)

(8,944)

14,015

0.85

0.84

1.10

(455)

524

(3,264)

$

6,131

43.7 %

For the year ended December 31, 2015, total sales increased 25.4% to $571.6 million, from 

$455.7 million in 2014. Of the $115.9 million year-over-year increase, $51.9 million was due 

to stronger underlying sales and $64.0 million reflects the positive impact of a stronger US 

dollar when translating our US sales to Canadian dollars for reporting purposes.

Sales from our US operations, which comprise approximately three quarters of our revenues, 

increased by US$37.6 million, or 11.8%, to US$355.7 million, from US$318.1 million in 2014.  

Organic growth accounted for US$26.9 million of the US sales uplift as we increased sales 

volumes in response to higher demand and yielded sales gains from our efforts to leverage 

import products and strengthen our sales into commercial construction accounts. HMI, acquired 

on April 28, 2014, contributed US$10.7 million. 

Sales in Canada, which comprise approximately one quarter of our revenues, increased by $12.5

million, or 12.0%, year-over-year.  The increase in Canadian sales reflects our success in winning 

new business, as well as the positive impacts of a stronger US dollar as described in Section 

1.1.  

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
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Gross Profit

Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased 26.5% to $99.6 million, from 

$78.8 million in 2014.  This $20.9 million improvement reflects the higher sales for the year, 

together with a slightly higher gross profit margin.  As a percentage of sales, gross profit margin 

increased to 17.4% in 2015, from 17.3% in 2014.   

Operating Expenses 

For the year ended December 31, 2015 operating expenses increased to $67.4 million, from 

$55.4 million in 2014.  The $12.0 million increase primarily reflects $7.3 million of higher 

expense due to the impact of a stronger US dollar on translation of US operating expenses, $4.1 

million of added costs to support our organic growth and $0.6 million in incremental costs from 

the acquired HMI business. As a percentage of sales, operating expenses improved to 11.8%

from 12.2% in 2014. 

EBITDA

EBITDA grew 36.6% to $34.8 million in 2015, an increase of $9.3 million from $25.5 million 

in 2014.  The significant growth in EBITDA reflects the $20.9 million increase in gross profit, 

partially offset  by  the  $11.5  million  increase in  operating expenses  before  depreciation and 

amortization.

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
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Net Finance Income (Cost)

(in thousands of Canadian dollars)

For the year
ended
December 31
2015

For the year
ended
December 31
2,014

$ Increase
(Decrease)

Finance expense:

Interest on bank indebtedness
Accretion of finance lease obligation

Total finance expense

Finance income:

Interest on trade receivables, customer

notes, and employee loans

Foreign exchange gain

Total finance income

$

(1,217) $
(116)
—
(1,333)

(1,189) $
(110)

(1,299)

421
1,055
1,476

389
529
918

Net finance income (expense)

$

143

$

(381) $

(28)
(6)

(34)

32
526
558

524

For the year ended December 31, 2015, net finance income was $0.1 million, compared to a 

net finance cost of $0.4 million in 2014. The year-over-year improvement primarily reflects the 

impact of changes in the Canadian/US dollar exchange rate on translation for reporting purposes 

of intercompany debt held by subsidiaries of the Company.  

Income Tax Expense 

Income tax expense increased to $12.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, from 

$8.9 million in 2014.  This increase primarily reflects higher taxable income.

 Profit for the Period

Profit for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased 43.7% to $20.1 million, from $14.0

million in 2014.  The $6.1 million increase reflects the $9.3 million increase in EBITDA and 

the $0.5 million increase in net finance income, partially offset by the $3.3 million increase in 

income tax expense, and a $0.5 million increase in depreciation and amortization.

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
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3.2 Three-Month Periods Ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 

2014

Selected Unaudited Consolidated Financial Information (in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Three months

Three months

ended December 31

ended December 31

$ Increase % Increase

2015

2014

(Decrease)

(Decrease)

$

141,017

$

114,324

$

26,693

84,384

28,058

24,988

17.7%

(18,039)

6,949

702

78,872

24,716

19,087

16.7%

(14,452)

4,635

603

5,512

3,342

5,901

3,587

2,314

99

23.3 %

7.0 %

13.5 %

30.9 %

24.8 %

49.9 %

16.4 %

$

$

$

$

7,651

$

5,238

$

2,413

46.1 %

(702)

83

(2,571)

4,461

0.27

0.27

1.34

$

$

$

$

(603)

(39)

(1,788)

2,808

0.17

0.14

1.14

(99)

122

(783)

$

1,653

58.9 %

Total sales

Sales in the US (US$)

Sales in Canada

Gross profit

Gross profit %

Operating expenses

Profit from operating activities

Add: Depreciation and amortization

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and

amortization ("EBITDA")

Add (deduct):

Depreciation and amortization

Net finance income (expense)

Income tax expense

Profit for the period

Basic profit per share

Diluted profit per share

Average Canadian dollar exchange rate for one US dollar $

Sales

For the three months ended December 31, 2015, total sales increased 23.3% to $141.0 million, 

from  $114.3  million  during  the  same  period  in  2014.  Of  the  $26.7  million  year-over-year 

increase, $9.8 million was due to organic growth in our business and $16.9 million reflects the 

positive impact of a stronger US dollar when translating our US sales to Canadian dollars for 

reporting purposes.

Sales from our US operations, which comprise approximately three quarters of our revenues, 

increased by US$5.5 million, or 7.0%, to US$84.4 million, from US$78.9 million in the same 

period  in  2014.  This  growth  was  entirely  organic  and  reflects  our  success  in  winning  new 

business. Sales in Canada, which comprise approximately one quarter of our revenues, increased 

by  $3.3  million,  or  13.5%,  year-over-year.   The  increase  in  Canadian  sales  reflects  organic 

growth and overall higher product prices in Canada resulting from the stronger US dollar, and 

other positive foreign exchange impacts as described in Section 1.1.  

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
17

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the three months ended December 31, 2015 increased 30.9% to $25.0 million, 

from $19.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2014.  This $5.9 million improvement reflects the 

higher sales for the period, combined with a higher gross profit margin.  As a percentage of 

sales, fourth quarter gross profit margin increased to 17.7%, from 16.7% last year. Our margin 

results are within the range we consider sustainable at this point in the business cycle. 

Operating Expenses 

Operating expenses increased to $18.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, from $14.5 million 

during the same period last year. The $3.6 million increase primarily reflects $2.1 million of 

higher expense due to the impact of a stronger US dollar on translation of US operating expenses 

and $1.5 million of added costs to support growth. As a percentage of sales, operating expenses 

remained stable at approximately 12.8% in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to 12.6% in 

the fourth quarter of 2014. 

EBITDA

We generated fourth quarter EBITDA of $7.7 million, an increase of $2.4 million, or 46.1%, 

from $5.2 million in the same period last year.  The increase reflects the $5.9 million increase 

in  gross  profit,  partially  offset  by  the  $3.5  million  increase  in  operating  expenses  before 

depreciation and amortization.

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
18

Net Finance Income (expense)

(in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Three months
ended
December 31
2015

Three months
ended
December 31
2014

$ Increase
(Decrease)

Finance expense:

Interest on bank indebtedness
Accretion of finance lease obligation
Foreign exchange losses

Total finance expense

Finance income:

Interest on trade receivables, customer

notes, and employee loans

Foreign exchange gain

Total finance income

$

$

(234)
(30)

(264)

$

(314)
(28)

(342)

123
224
348

64
239
303

Net finance income (expense)

$

83

$

(39)

$

80
(2)

78

59
(15)
45

122

Fourth quarter net finance income increased by $0.1 million primarily as a result of lower interest 

on  bank  indebtedness  arising  from  lower  debt  balances  in  2015. There  were  no  significant 

changes in the composition of net finance income.  

Income Tax Expense 

Income tax expense increased to $2.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, from $1.8 million 

in the same period in 2014.  The $0.8 million increase primarily reflects higher taxable income.

 Profit for the Period

Profit for the three months ended December 31, 2015 increased 58.9% to $4.5 million, from 

$2.8 million during the same period in 2014.  The $1.7 million improvement primarily reflects 

the $2.4 million increase in EBITDA partially offset by the $0.8 million increase in income tax 

expense. 

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
19

4.0 Selected Financial Information and Seasonality

4.1 Quarterly Financial Information

(in thousands of dollars)

Q4

2015

Q3

2015

Q2

2015

Q1

2015

Q4

2014

Q3

2014

Q2

2014

Q1

2014

Total sales

Profit

$ 141,017 $ 152,114

143,351 $ 135,116 $ 114,324 $ 121,398 $ 119,038 $ 100,934

4,461

5,963

5,009

4,713

2,808

4,246

3,996

2,965

Basic profit per share

Fully diluted profit per share

0.27

0.27

0.36

0.35

0.30

0.30

0.28

0.28

0.17

0.17

0.26

0.25

0.24

0.24

0.18

0.18

EBITDA

7,651

10,227

9,280

7,646

5,238

7,594

7,543

5,103

The preceding table provides selected quarterly financial information for our eight most recently 

completed fiscal quarters.  This information is unaudited, but reflects all adjustments of a normal, 

recurring nature which are, in our opinion, necessary to present a fair statement of the results of 

operations for the periods presented.  

comparisons of our financial results are 

not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance.  

Historically, the first and fourth quarters have been seasonally slower periods for our business.  In 

addition,  net  earnings  reported  in  each  quarter  may  be  impacted  by  acquisitions,  such  as  our 

acquisition of the HMI business in the second quarter of 2014, and by changes in the foreign exchange 

rate of the Canadian and US dollars.

4.2 Annual Financial Information

(in thousands of dollars except per unit amounts)

For the year

For the year

For the year

Total sales

Profit

Basic profit per share

Fully diluted profit per share

Total assets

Total non-current financial liabilities

EBITDA

Dividends per share

ended December
31

ended December
31

ended December
31

2015

2014

$

571,598 $

455,694

20,146

14,015

1.21

1.20

0.85

0.84

2013

371,215

13,067

0.80

0.79

190,004

160,813

128,264

696

34,804

4,120

25,478

$

0.21 $

0.18 $

828

21,368

0.14

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
20

5.0 Liquidity and Capital Resources

5.1 Cash Flows from Operating, Investing and Financing Activities

Selected Unaudited Consolidated Financial Information (in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31

Three months ended December 31

2015

2014

$ change

2015

2014

$ change

Cash provided by operating activities before

changes in non-cash working capital

$

26,788 $

19,687 $

7,101

$

6,707 $

3,624 $

Changes in non-cash working capital

(6,044)

(7,232)

Net cash provided by operating activities

20,744

12,455

1,188

8,289

Net cash used in investing activities

(1,352)

(17,175)

15,823

10,688

17,395

(389)

5,460

9,084

(264)

3,083

5,228

8,311

(125)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities
Increase (decrease) in cash

Cash, beginning of period

Cash, end of the period

(19,405)

4,655

(24,060)

(17,006)

(8,823)

(8,183)

(13)

13

(65)

78

52

(65)

—

—

(3)

16

$

— $

13 $

(13) $

— $

13 $

3

(16)

(13)

Net cash used in operating activities

For the year ended December 31, 2015, net cash provided by operating activities was $20.7

million, compared to $12.5 million in 2014. Cash provided by operating activities before changes 

in  non-cash  working  capital  increased  by  $7.1  million  primarily  reflecting  an  increase  in 

EBITDA of $9.3 million and a foreign exchange gain of $0.5 million, partially offset by an 

increase in income taxes paid of $2.7 million. Investment in non-cash working capital decreased 

by $1.2 million in 2015 compared to 2014.  An analysis of changes in working capital is provided 

in section 5.2 of this report.

For  the  three  months  ended  December 31,  2015,  net  cash  provided  by  operating  activities 

increased to $17.4 million, from $9.1 million in the same period in 2014, an improvement of 

$8.3 million. Cash provided by operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital 

increased by $3.1 million period-over-period, primarily reflecting an increase in EBITDA of 

$2.4  million, a  decrease  in  income  taxes  paid  of  $0.4  million,  and  a  change  in  share  based 

compensation expense of $0.3 million. Investment in non-cash working capital decreased by 

$5.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the fourth quarter of 2014.  An analysis 

of changes in working capital is provided in section 5.2 of this report.

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
21

Net cash used in investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities decreased by $15.8 million to $1.4 million in 2015, from 

$17.2 million in 2014.  The decrease primarily relates to the $16.5 million paid on acquisition 

of HMI on April 28, 2014.  

Capital expenditures in our traditional distribution business have historically been low as we 

lease our buildings and typically contract out all freight delivery services.  Capital expenditures 

in this part of our business are principally for the replacement of forklifts, furniture and fixtures, 

leasehold improvements and computer equipment.  

Our Paxton business, which includes five branches, requires some additional ongoing investment 

in moulders and other light manufacturing equipment. Paxton also buys trailers and leases tractor 

units for use in delivery of product to customers, whereas other Hardwoods operations contract 

out this freight delivery service to third-party carriers.  

Our HMI business requires ongoing investment in machinery and equipment.  We anticipate 

incurring  $0.6 million annually to maintain the productive capacity of the HMI business.

We believe we have made sufficient expenditures to sustain productive capacity of our business 

as it relates to our needs for property, plant and equipment.  

For the three months ended December 31, 2015 cash used in investing activities increased by 

$0.1 million. The increase primarily relates to purchases of equipment.   

Net cash provided by financing activities

For the year and three months ended December 31, 2015 net cash from financing activities 

decreased $24.1 million and $8.2 million respectively as compared to the same periods in 2014.  

There were no significant changes in the composition of cash provided by financing activities, 

with changes in the Company’s credit facilities and dividends paid to shareholders being the 

main financing activities during the period. 

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
22

5.2 Working Capital 

Our  business  requires  an  ongoing  investment  in  working  capital,  which  we  consider  to  be 

comprised of accounts receivable, inventory, and prepaid expenses, partially offset by provisions 

and  short-term  credit  provided  by  suppliers  in  the  form  of  accounts  payable  and  accrued 

liabilities.  We had working capital of $149.4 million as at December 31, 2015, compared to 

$123.8  million  at  December  31,  2014.    Most  of  this  increase  is  attributable  to  increased 

investment in accounts receivable and inventory to support sales growth and the impact of a 

strengthening US dollar when translating the working capital of our US operations. 

Our investment in working capital fluctuates from quarter-to-quarter based on factors such as 

seasonal sales demand, strategic purchasing decisions taken by management, and the timing of 

collections from customers and payments made to our suppliers.  Historically the first and fourth 

quarters are seasonally slower periods for construction activity, resulting in reduced demand 

for hardwood products. As a result, sales and working capital requirements may be lower in 

these quarters.  A summary of changes in our non-cash operating working capital during the 

twelve and three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 is provided below. 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Source (use) of funds

2015

2014

2015

2014

Years ended
ended
December 31

Years ended
ended
December 31

Three months
ended
December 31

Three months
ended
December 31

Accounts receivable

Inventory

Prepaid expenses

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and provisions

$

(2,930)

$

3,257

$

(4,499)

39

1,346

(11,783)

(255)

1,549

$

9,242

3,775

282

(2,612)

7,784

(1,780)

329

(873)

Increase in non-cash operating working capital

$

(6,044)

$

(7,232)

$

10,688

$

5,460

Continued compliance with financial covenants under our credit facilities is important to ensure 

that we have adequate financing available to meet our working capital requirements. The terms 

of our revolving credit facilities are addressed in section 5.3 of this report.

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
23

5.3 Revolving Credit Facilities and Debt Management Strategy 

Selected Unaudited Consolidated Financial Information  (in thousands of dollars)

Cash
Bank indebtedness
Net Debt
Shareholders' equity
Total Capitalization

Net debt to total capitalization

Previous 12 months EBITDA

Net debt to previous 12 months EBITDA

As at

As at

December 31, 2015

December 31, 2014

$

$

$

—
28,894
28,894
142,948
171,842

16.8%

34,804

0.8

$

$

$

(13)
38,742
38,729
108,489
147,218

26.3%

25,478

1.5

We consider our capital to be bank indebtedness (net of cash) and shareholders’ equity.  As 

shown above, our net debt balance decreased by $9.8 million to $28.9 million at December 31, 

2015, from $38.7 million at December 31, 2014.  The decrease in net debt reflects an increase 

in cash provided by operating activities.  Overall net debt compared to total capitalization stood 

at 16.8% as at December 31, 2015, compared to 26.3% at December 31, 2014.    At December 31, 

2015 our ratio of net debt-to-EBITDA for the previous 12 months was 0.8 times, compared to 

1.5 times at December 31, 2014.  Net debt-to-EBITDA and net debt to total capitalization serve 

as indicators of our financial leverage, however they are not measures prescribed by IFRS and 

our method of calculating these measures may differ from methods used by other issuers.

We have independent credit facilities in both Canada and the U.S.  These facilities may be drawn 

down  to  meet  short-term  financing  requirements  such  as  fluctuations  in  non-cash  working 

capital, and in the case of the Canadian credit facility, to also make capital contributions to our 

US operating subsidiary.  The amount made available under our Canadian and US revolving 

credit  facilities  is,  from  time-to-time,  limited  to  the  extent  of  the  value  of  certain  accounts 

receivable and inventories held by subsidiaries of the Company. Credit facilities also require 

ongoing  compliance  with  certain  credit  ratios.    A  summary  of  our  credit  facilities  as  at 

December 31, 2015 is provided in the following table.  

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
24

Selected unaudited consolidated financial information (in thousands of dollars)

Maximum borrowings under the credit
facility

Credit facility expiry date

Available to borrow

Credit facility borrowings

Unused credit facility

Financial covenants:

Canadian Credit

Facility

US Credit

Facility

$

$

$

$

15.0 million

August 7, 2016

15.0 million

5.3 million

9.7 million

Covenant  does  not  apply 
when  the  unused  credit 
facility  available  exceeds 
$2.0 million, which it did at 
December 31, 2015

$

$

$

$

103.8 million (US$75.0 million)

April 27, 2017

71.5 million (US$51.6 million)

20.4 million (US$14.7 million)

51.1 million (US$36.9 million)

Covenant does not apply when the unused 
credit  facility  available  exceeds  US$7.5 
million, which it did at December 31, 2015

In the second quarter of  2014, we amended our US credit facility to extend its term to April 

27, 2017 and to increase the maximum borrowings available under the credit facility. The revised 

credit facility was comprised of US$75.0 million available under revolving credit facilities and 

US$4.1 million under a term loan that would have matured on April 27, 2017, with monthly 

payments based on a five-year amortization.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2015 we 

settled the term loan in full thus the credit facility as at December 31, 2015 is comprised of US

$75 million available under revolving credit facilities.    At December 31, 2015 we had total 

borrowing capacity of $60.8 million.

The terms of the agreements with our lenders provide that dividends cannot be made to our 

shareholders in the event that our subsidiaries are not compliant with their financial covenants.  

Our operating subsidiaries were compliant with all required credit ratios as at December 31, 

2015.  Accordingly there were no restrictions on dividends arising from non-compliance with 

financial covenants.

Our debt management strategy is to roll and renew (as opposed to repay and retire) our revolving 

credit  facilities  in  Canada  and  the  US  when  they  expire  in August  2016  and April  2017, 

respectively.  We do not intend to restrict future dividends in order to fully extinguish our bank 

debt obligations upon their maturity.  The amount of bank debt that will actually be drawn on 

our available revolving credit facilities will depend upon the seasonal and cyclical needs of the 

business,  and  our  cash  generating  capacity  going  forward.    When  making  future  dividend 

decisions, we will consider the amount of financial leverage, and therefore bank debt, we believe 

is  appropriate  given  existing  and  expected  market  conditions  and  available  business 

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
25

opportunities.  We do not target a specific financial leverage amount.  We believe our current 

credit facilities are sufficient to finance our working capital needs and market expansion strategy.

5.4 Contractual Obligations 

The table below sets forth our contractual obligations as at December 31, 2015.  These obligations 

relate to leases on various premises and automobiles and become due in the fiscal years indicated.

(in thousands of dollars)

2016

$8,209

2017

$5,387

2018

$4,377

2019

$3,606

2020

$2,581

thereafter

Total

$9,468

$33,628

5.5 Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

5.6 Financial Instruments

Financial assets include cash and current and non-current receivables, which are measured at 

amortized cost.  Financial liabilities include bank indebtedness, accounts payable and accrued 

liabilities,  income  taxes  payable,  dividend  payable  and  finance  lease  obligations  which  are 

measured at amortized cost. The carrying values of our cash, current accounts receivable, income 

taxes payable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and dividend payable approximate their 

fair values due to the relatively short period to maturity of the instruments.  The fair value of 

non-current receivables and finance lease obligations are not expected to differ materially from 

carrying value given the interest rates being charged and term to maturity.  The carrying values 

of the credit facilities approximate their fair values due to the existence of floating market-based 

interest rates. 

5.7 Share Data

As at March 11, 2016, the date of this MD&A, we had 16,762,071 common shares issued and 

outstanding.  In addition, at March 11, 2016, we had outstanding 49,209 performance shares 

and 86,827 restricted shares under the terms of our long-term incentive plan.  The performance 

and restricted shares can be settled in common shares of the Company issued from treasury, 

common shares purchased by the Company in the market, or in an amount of cash equal to the 

fair  value  of  our  common  shares,  or  any  combination  of  the  foregoing.   The  restricted  and 

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
26

 
performance shares vest over periods of up to three years and we intend to issue common shares 

from treasury to settle these obligations as they vest.

5.8 Dividends

In the fourth quarter of 2015, we declared a quarterly dividend of $0.055 per share, which was 

paid on January 29, 2016 to shareholders of record as at January 19, 2016.  On March 11, 2016

we declared a quarterly dividend of $0.055 per share, payable on April 29, 2016 to shareholders 

of record as at April 19, 2016.  The Board regularly assesses our dividend strategy, giving due 

consideration to anticipated cash needs for additional working capital to support growing the 

business, appropriate debt levels, acquisition opportunities which may be available, expected 

market conditions, demand for our products, and other factors.

6.0 Related Party Transactions 

There  were  no  material  related  party  transactions  in  the  three  and  twelve  months  ended 

December 31, 2015 or in the comparative periods in the prior year.

7.0 Critical Accounting Estimates & Adoption of Changes in 

Accounting Policies

7.1 Critical Accounting Estimates 

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires that we make estimates 

and assumptions that can have a material impact on our results of operations as reported on a 

periodic basis.  We base our estimates and assumptions on past experience and other factors 

that are deemed reasonable under the circumstances.  Actual results could differ from these 

estimates.  The critical estimates used in preparing our financial statements are:

Accounts receivable provision:  Due to the nature of our business and the credit terms we provide 

to our customers, we anticipate that a certain portion of required customer payments will not 

be made, and we maintain an allowance for these doubtful accounts.  The allowance is based 

on our estimate of the potential of recovering our accounts receivable, and incorporates current 

and expected collection trends.

Deferred income taxes:  We are required to make estimates and assumptions regarding future 

business results, as well as the amount and timing of certain future discretionary tax deductions 

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
27

available to us.  These estimates and assumptions can have a material impact upon the amount 

of deferred income tax assets and liabilities that we recognize.  

Valuation of inventory:  We are required to make estimates and assumptions regarding the net 

realizable value of our inventory.  The estimates and assumptions may have a material impact 

on the values at which we recognize inventory.

7.2 Adoption of New Accounting Policies 

There were no new standards effective January 1, 2015 that have an impact on our consolidated 

financial statements.

A number of new standards, amendments to standards and interpretations, are not yet effective 

for the year ended December 31, 2015, and have not been applied in preparing these consolidated 

financial statements. We consider the following pronouncements to be the most significant of 

several pronouncements that may affect the consolidated financial statements in future periods.  

IFRS 9, Financial Instruments (“IFRS 9”)

IFRS 9 will replace the multiple classification and measurement models in IAS 39 Financial 

Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, with a single model that has only two classification 

categories: amortized cost and fair value. The new standard also requires a single impairment 

method  to  be  used,  provides  additional  guidance  on  the  classification  and  measurement  of 

financial liabilities, and provides a new general hedge accounting standard.

The mandatory effective date has been set for January 1, 2018, however early adoption of the 

new standard is permitted. We do not intend to early adopt IFRS 9. The adoption of IFRS 9 is 

currently not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements given 

the  nature  of  our  operations  and  the  types  of  financial  instruments  that  we  currently  hold; 

however,  we  will  continue  to  assess  the  extent  of  impact  as  the  mandatory  adoption  date 

approaches. 

IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“IFRS 15”)

IFRS 15 is effective for fiscal years commencing on or after January 1, 2018 and will replace 

IAS  18,  Revenue  and  a  number  of  revenue  related  standards  and  interpretations.    IFRS  15 

contains  a  single  model  that  applies  to  contracts  with  customers  and  two  approaches  to 

recognizing revenue: at a point in time or over time. The model features a contract-based five-

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
28

step analysis of transactions to determine whether, how much and when revenue is recognized. 

New  estimates  and  judgmental  thresholds  have  also  been  introduced,  which  may  affect  the 

amount and/or timing of revenue recognized.

We  intend  to  adopt  IFRS  15  in  our  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  annual  period 

beginning on January 1, 2018. We are assessing the impact of this new standard, but do not 

expect the amendments to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements

Amendments to IAS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements (“IAS 1”)

On December 18, 2014, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1 as part of its major initiative to 

improve presentation and disclosure in financial reports.  The amendments are effective for 

annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016 with early adoption permitted.  We intends 

to  adopt  these  amendments  in  our  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  annual  period 

beginning on January 1, 2016.  The impact of the adoption of this amendment is not expected 

to have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.

IFRS 16, Leases ("IAS 16")

On January 13, 2016, the IASB published a new standard, IFRS 16, Leases, eliminating the 

current dual accounting model for lessees, which distinguishes between on-balance sheet finance 

leases and off-balance sheet operating leases. Under the new standard, a lease becomes an on-

balance sheet liability that attracts interest, together with a new right-of-use asset. In addition, 

lessees will recognize a front-loaded pattern of expense for most leases, even when cash rentals 

are constant. IFRS 16 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019, with 

earlier adoption permitted. We are assessing the impact of this new standard and the impact of 

adopting this standard has not yet been determined.

8.0 Risks and Uncertainties

We are exposed to a number of risks and uncertainties in the normal course of business that 

could have a negative effect on our financial condition or results of operations.  We identify 

significant risks that we were aware of in our Annual Information Form which is available to 

readers along with other disclosure documents at www.sedar.com.  

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
29

9.0  Disclosure  Controls  and  Procedures  and  Internal  Control  over 

Financial Reporting

Our management, under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief 

Financial Officer (“CFO”), is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate disclosure 

controls and procedures (“DC&P”) and internal control over financial reporting (“ICFR”). Any 

systems of DC&P and ICFR, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, 

even  those  systems  determined  to  be  effective  can  provide  only  reasonable  assurance  with 

respect  to  information  required  to  be  disclosed  and  financial  statement  preparation  and 

presentation.

As required by Multilateral Instrument 52-109 issued by the Canadian Securities Administrators, 

we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our DC&P as of December 31, 2015. The 

evaluation was carried out under the supervision of, and with the participation of, the CEO and 

CFO.  Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our DC&P were effective 

as of December 31, 2015.

As required by Multilateral Instrument 52-109 issued by the Canadian Securities Administrators, 

we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our ICFR as of December 31, 2015. The 

evaluation  was  carried  out  within  the  criteria  set  forth  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring 

Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission  ("COSO")  in  Internal  Control  -  Integrated 

Framework (2013) (the "2013 COSO framework") and under the supervision of, and with the 

participation of, our CEO and the CFO.  Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded 

that our ICFR were effective as of December 31, 2015.

There have not been any changes in our ICFR during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 that 

have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our ICFR.  

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
30

10.0 Note Regarding Forward Looking Information

Certain statements in this MD&A contain forward-looking information within the meaning of 

applicable securities laws in Canada (“forward-looking information”). The words “anticipates”, 

“believes”, “budgets”, “could”, “estimates”, “expects”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “may”, “might”, 

“plans”, “projects”, “schedule”, “should”, “will”, “would” and similar expressions are often 

intended to identify forward-looking information, although not all forward-looking information 

contains these identifying words. 

The forward-looking information in this MD&A includes, but is not limited to: We estimate 

that approximately 60% of the products we sell to our manufacturing customers end up in new 

residential construction, 20% in the commercial/institutional construction sector, and 20% in 

renovation/remodeling and other markets; US housing starts remain well below the 1.5 million 

level considered sustainable for the industry; most forecasters predict a continued multi-year 

strengthening  trend  for  the  US  residential  construction  market;  we  see  significant  growth 

potential ahead with respect to the commercial market; we consider a profit margin in the current 

range to be sustainable based on recent product pricing, competition levels and our current 

revenue mix; we intend to become a more significant participant in the commercial market; job 

growth and income levels are gaining momentum in the US and are expected to help propel the 

continuing  recovery  in  the  US  residential  construction  market  in  2016  and  beyond;  home 

improvement  spending  is  also  projected  to  pick  up  pace  as  housing  markets  continue  their 

gradual recovery; forecasts predict overall growth of 8.2% for the US non-residential building 

segment in 2016, with the strongest gains anticipated in the commercial sector, which includes 

office buildings, hotels and retail; the outlook for the Canadian market remains neutral, with 

2016 housing starts expected to remain consistent with 2015 levels and commercial construction 

expected to remain in line with inflation; forecasts predict overall hardwood lumber prices will 

generally remain soft through the balance of 2016 as increased supply works its way through 

the  market  and  demand  from  export  markets  remains  less  predictable;  prices  for  hardwood 

plywood  are  expected  to  remain  steady  and  prices  for  some  composite  panel  products  are 

expected to decrease modestly; 

comparisons of our financial results are not 

necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance; 

historically, the first and fourth quarters have been seasonally slower periods for our business; 

we anticipate that additional annual capital expenditure requirements of approximately $0.6 

million will be required to maintain the productive capacity of the HMI business; our investment 

in working capital fluctuates from quarter-to-quarter based on factors such as seasonal sales 

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
31

demand, strategic purchasing decisions taken by management, and the timing of collections 

from customers and payments made to our suppliers; historically the first and fourth quarters 

are  seasonally  slower  periods  for  construction  activity,  resulting  in  reduced  demand  for 

hardwood products potentially lower levels of sales and working capital requirements in these 

quarters; we do not intend to restrict future dividends in order to fully extinguish our bank debt 

obligations upon their maturity; the amount of bank debt that will actually be drawn on our 

available revolving credit facilities will depend upon the seasonal and cyclical needs of the 

business, and our cash generating capacity going forward; we believe our current credit facilities 

are sufficient to finance our working capital needs and market expansion strategy; due to the 

nature of our business and the credit terms we provide to our customers, we anticipate that a 

certain  portion  of  required  customer  payments  will  not  be  made;  we  are  required  to  make 

estimates and assumptions regarding future business results, as well as the amount and timing 

of  certain  future  discretionary  tax  deductions  available  to  us;  and  we  are  required  to  make 

estimates and assumptions regarding the net realizable value of our inventory.

The  forecasts  and  projections  that  make  up  the  forward-looking  information  are  based  on 

assumptions which include, but are not limited to: there are no material exchange rate fluctuations 

between the Canadian and US dollar that affect our performance; the general state of the economy 

does not worsen; we do not lose any key personnel; there are no decreases in the supply of, 

demand for, or market values of hardwood lumber or sheet goods that harm our business; we 

do not incur material losses related to credit provided to our customers; our products are not 

subjected to negative trade outcomes; we are able to sustain our level of sales and EBITDA 

margins; we are able to grow our business long term and to manage our growth; there is no new 

competition in our markets that leads to reduced revenues and profitability; we do not become 

subject to more stringent regulations; we do not become subject to product liability claims that 

could  adversely  affect  our  revenues,  profitability  and  reputation;  importation  of  products 

manufactured with hardwood lumber or sheet goods does not increase and replace products 

manufactured  in  North America;  our  management  information  systems  upon  which  we  are 

dependent are not impaired; our insurance is sufficient to cover losses that may occur as a result 

of our operations; and, the financial condition and results of operations of our business upon 

which we are dependent is not impaired. 

The forward-looking information is subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could 

cause  actual  results  to  differ  materially  from  historical  results  or  results  anticipated  by  the 

forward-looking  information.  The  factors  which  could  cause  results  to  differ  from  current 

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
32

expectations include, but are not limited to:  exchange rate fluctuations between the Canadian 

and US dollar could affect our performance; our results are dependent upon the general state of 

the economy; we depend on key personnel, the loss of which could harm our business; decreases 

in the supply of, demand for, or market values of hardwood lumber or sheet goods could harm 

our business; we may incur losses related to credit provided to our customers; our products may 

be subject to negative trade outcomes; we may not be able to sustain our level of sales or EBITDA 

margins; we may be unable to grow our business long term to manage any growth; competition 

in our markets may lead to reduced revenues and profitability; we may become subject to more 

stringent regulations; we may be subject to product liability claims that could adversely affect 

our revenues, profitability and reputation; importation of products manufactured with hardwood 

lumber or sheet goods may increase, and replace products manufactured in North America; we 

are dependent upon our management information systems; our insurance may be insufficient 

to cover losses that may occur as a result of our operations; we are dependent upon the financial 

condition  and  results  of  operations  of  our  business;  our  credit  facilities  affect  our  liquidity, 

contain restrictions on our ability to borrow funds, and impose restrictions on distributions that 

can be made by our operating limited partnerships; our future growth may be restricted by the 

payout of substantially all of our operating cash flow; and, other risks described in our Annual 

Information Form our Information Circular and in this MD&A. 

All forward-looking information in this MD&A is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary 

statement and, except as may be required by law, we undertake no obligation to revise or update 

any forward-looking information as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after 

the date hereof.

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
33

Management’s Statement of Responsibilities

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of management and 

have  been  reviewed  and  approved  by  the  Boards  of  Directors.    The  consolidated  financial 

statements  have  been  prepared  by  management,  in  accordance  with  International  Financial 

Reporting  Standards  and,  where  appropriate,  reflect  management’s  best  estimates  and 

judgments.  Management has also prepared financial and all other information in the annual 

report  and  has  ensured  that  this  information  is  consistent  with  the  consolidated  financial 

statements.  

The Company maintains appropriate systems of internal control, policies and procedure, which 

provide management with reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded and the financial 

records are reliable and form a proper basis for preparation of financial statements.  

The  Boards  of  Directors  ensure  that  management  fulfills  its  responsibilities  for  financial 

reporting  and  internal  control  through  an Audit  Committee.    This  committee  reviews  the 

consolidated financial statements and is comprised of independent Directors.  The auditors have 

full and direct access to the Audit Committee.

The  consolidated  financial  statements  have  been  independently  audited  by  KPMG  LLP,  in 

accordance  with  Canadian  generally  accepted  auditing  standards.    Their  report  herewith 

expresses their opinion on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.  

Robert J. Brown

President and Chief Executive Officer

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
34

Independent auditors’ Report

To the Shareholders of Hardwoods Distribution Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Hardwoods Distribution Inc., 
which comprise the consolidated statements of financial position as at December 31, 2015 and 2014, 
the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows 
for the years then ended, and notes, comprising a summary of significant accounting policies and other 
explanatory information.

Management’s Responsibility for the Consolidated Financial Statements

Management  is  responsible  for  the  preparation  and  fair  presentation  of  these  consolidated  financial 
statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, and for such internal control 
as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements 
that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditors’ Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our 
audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. 
Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to 
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free from material 
misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures 
in the consolidated financial statements. The procedures selected depend on our judgment, including 
the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether 
due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, we consider internal control relevant to the 
entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in order to design audit 
procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion 
on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness 
of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as 
well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained in our audits is sufficient and appropriate to provide 
a basis for our audit opinion.

Opinion

In  our  opinion,  the  consolidated  financial  statements  present  fairly,  in  all  material  respects,  the 
consolidated financial position of Hardwoods Distribution Inc. as at December 31, 2015 and 2014, and 
its  consolidated  financial  performance  and  its  consolidated  cash  flows  for  the  years  then  ended  in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.

KPMG LLP (signed)

Chartered Professional Accountants

March 11, 2016
Vancouver, Canada

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
35

Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC.

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

36

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC.
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Note

December 31,
2015

December 31,
2014

Assets

Current assets:

Cash
Accounts receivable
Inventories
Prepaid expenses
Total current assets

Non-current assets:

Non-current receivables
Property, plant and equipment
Deferred income taxes
Intangible asset
Total non-current assets

Total assets

Liabilities

Current liabilities:

Bank indebtedness
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Income taxes payable
Finance lease obligation
Dividend payable

Total current liabilities

Non-current liabilities:
Bank indebtedness
Finance lease obligation
Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Shareholders’ equity

Share capital
Contributed surplus
Deficit
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Shareholders’ equity

7
8

7
9
13

10

11(a)
5

10
11(a)

12(a)

$

— $

56,156
103,476
2,193
161,825

969
16,200
10,974
36
28,179

13
46,127
85,401
1,951
133,492

1,253
13,764
12,277
27
27,321

$

$

190,004

$

160,813

$

28,894
12,438
2,987
1,119
922

46,360

—
696
696

35,371
9,682
1,383
1,024
744

48,204

3,371
749
4,120

47,056

52,324

46,859
105,547
(33,361)
23,903
142,948

45,830
105,154
(49,999)
7,504
108,489

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

190,004

$

160,813

Subsequent event (note 5)
Commitments (note 11)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Approved on behalf of the board of directors:

(Signed) GRAHAM M. WILSON    Director 

(Signed) WILLIAM R. SAUDER    Director

37

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income 
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

Note
15
8

$

2015
571,598
(471,965)

$

2014
455,694
(376,927)

99,633

78,767

Sales
Cost of sales

Gross profit

Operating expenses:

Selling and distribution
Administration

Profit from operations

Finance expense
Finance income
Net finance income (expense)

Profit before income taxes

Income tax expense:

Current
Deferred

Profit

14
14

13
13

(52,965)
(14,457)
(67,422)

32,211

(1,333)
1,476
143

(43,441)
(11,986)
(55,427)

23,340

(1,299)
918
(381)

32,354

22,959

(9,732)
(2,476)
(12,208)

20,146

16,399

36,545

1.21
1.20

$

$
$

(7,188)
(1,756)
(8,944)

14,015

5,999

20,014

0.85
0.84

Other comprehensive income:

Exchange differences translating foreign operations

Total comprehensive income

Basic profit per share
Diluted profit per share

12(c)
12(c)

$

$
$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

38

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

Note

Share
capital

Contributed
surplus

Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income -
translation
reserve

Deficit

Total

Balance at January 1, 2014

Share based compensation
expense

12 (b)

Share based compensation tax
adjustment
Shares issued pursuant to LTIP 12 (b)
Profit for the year
Dividends declared
Translation of foreign operations

$ 45,298

$ 104,911

$

1,505

$ (61,031) $ 90,683

—

—
532
—
—
—

694

81
(532)
—
—
—

—

—

694

—
—
—
—
5,999

—
—
14,015
(2,983)
—

81
—
14,015
(2,983)
5,999

Balance at December 31, 2014

45,830

105,154

7,504

(49,999)

108,489

Share based compensation
expense

12 (b)

—

1,299

—

—

1,299

Share based compensation tax
adjustment
Shares issued pursuant to LTIP 12 (b)
Profit for the year
Dividends declared
Translation of foreign operations

—
1,029
—
—
—

123
(1,029)
—
—
—

—
—
—
16,399

—
20,146
(3,508)
—

123
—
20,146
(3,508)
16,399

Balance at December 31, 2015

$ 46,859

$ 105,547

$

23,903

$ (33,361) $ 142,948

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

39

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

Note

2015

2014

9

9
12(b)
13
14

Cash flow from operating activities:

Profit for the year
Adjustments for:
Depreciation
Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant

and equipment

Share-based compensation expense
Income tax expense
Net finance expense (income)

Interest received
Interest paid
Income taxes paid

Changes in non-cash working capital:

Accounts receivable
Inventories
Prepaid expenses
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

Net cash provided by operating activities

Cash flow from financing activities:

Increase (decrease) in bank indebtedness
Principle payments on finance lease obligation
Dividends paid to shareholders
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

Cash flow from investing activities:

Additions to property, plant and equipment
Proceeds on disposal of

property, plant and equipment

Business acquisition
Payments received on non-current receivables
Net cash used in investing activities

5

4

Decrease in cash

Cash, beginning of year

Cash, end of year

Supplementary information:

Property, plant and equipment acquired
under finance leases, net of disposals

Transfer of accounts receivable to non-current

customer notes receivable, being a
non-cash transaction

$

20,146

$

14,015

2,593

2,138

(29)
1,299
12,208
(143)
421
(1,333)
(8,374)
26,788

(2,930)
(4,499)
39
1,346
(6,044)
20,744

(15,030)
(1,045)
(3,330)
(19,405)

(1,850)

140
—
358
(1,352)

(13)

13

— $

126
694
8,944
381
386
(1,299)
(5,698)
19,687

3,257
(11,783)
(255)
1,549
(7,232)
12,455

8,348
(881)
(2,812)
4,655

(1,507)

100
(16,467)
699
(17,175)

(65)

78

13

860

$

859

192

99

$

$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

40

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

1.  Nature of operations:

Hardwoods Distribution Inc. (the “Company”) is incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act 
trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “HWD.”  Subsidiaries of the Company operate a 
network of 32 distribution centers in Canada and the US engaged in the wholesale distribution of hardwood 
lumber and related sheet goods and specialty products.  The Company also has a sawmill and kiln drying 
operation in Clinton, Michigan (note 4).

The Company's principal office is located at #306, 9440 202nd Street, Langley, British Columbia V1M 4A6.

2.  Basis of preparation:

(a)  Statement of compliance:

These  consolidated  financial  statements  of  the  Company  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with 
International Financial Accounting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards 
Board.  The  consolidated  financial  statements  were  authorized  for  issue  by  the  Board  of  Directors  on 
March 11, 2016.

(b)  Basis of measurement:

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis.

(c)  Functional and presentation currency:

These  consolidated  financial  statements  are  presented  in  Canadian  dollars,  which  is  the  Company’s 
functional currency.  All financial information presented in the financial statements, with the exception of 
per share amounts, has been rounded to the nearest thousand dollar.

(d)  Use of estimates and judgment:

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires management to make judgments, 
estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of 
assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and 
expenses during the reporting year.  Actual amounts may differ from the estimates applied in the preparation 
of these financial statements. 

Estimates  and  underlying  assumptions  are  reviewed  on  an  ongoing  basis.    Revisions  to  accounting 
estimates are recognized in the year in which the estimates are revised and in any future years affected.

Information  about  significant  areas  of  estimation  uncertainty  in  applying  policies  that  have  the  most 
significant effect on the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements is included in the 
following notes:

•  Note 4 - the estimate of fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed and proforma sales and 

profitability associated with the Hardwoods of Michigan Inc. (“HMI”) business combination;

•  Notes 6 and 7 - the collectability of accounts receivable and the determination of the allowance for 

credit loss; and

•  Note 8 - the valuation of inventories;

Critical judgments in applying policies that have the most significant effect on the amounts recognized in 
the consolidated financial statements are included in the following notes:

•  Note 11 - the classification of lease obligations; and

•  Note 13 - the valuation of deferred income taxes and utilization of tax loss carry forwards.

41

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

2.  Basis of preparation (continued):

(d)  Use of estimates and judgment (continued):

In assessing the Company’s vehicle leases judgment is required in determining whether substantially all 
of the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred to the Company.  This involves assessing the term 
of each lease, the risk associated with the residual value of leased vehicles and assessing the present 
value of the minimum lease payments in relation to the fair value of the vehicle at the inception of the 
lease. For deferred income taxes, judgment is required in determining whether it is probable that the 
Company’s net deferred tax assets will be realized prior to their expiry. In making such a determination, 
the Company considers the carry forward periods of losses and the Company’s projected future taxable 
income.

3.  Significant accounting policies:

The  significant  accounting  policies  that  have  been  used  in  the  preparation  of  these  consolidated  financial 
statements are summarized below.  These accounting policies have been applied consistently by the Company 
and its subsidiaries to all years presented in these consolidated financial statements.

(a)  Principles of consolidation:

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries.  All 
significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.

Wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company are Hardwoods Specialty Products LP, Hardwoods Specialty 
Products  GP,  Hardwoods  Specialty  Products  USLP,  Hardwoods  Specialty  Products  USGP,  Paxton 
Hardwoods LLC, Hardwoods Specialty Products (Washington) Corp., and HMI Hardwoods LLC.

(b)  Foreign currencies:

Foreign currency transactions

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the respective functional currencies of the Company, and 
its subsidiaries, using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions.  Monetary assets and 
liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the reporting date are translated to the functional currency 
at the exchange rate in effect at the financial statement date.  The foreign currency gain or loss on monetary 
items is the difference between the amortized cost in the functional currency at the beginning of the year, 
adjusted for effective interest and payments during the year, and the amortized cost in the foreign currency 
translated  at  the  exchange  rate  at  the  end  of  the  year.    Such  exchange  gains  or  losses  arising  from 
translation are recognized in profit and loss for the reporting year in net finance costs.

Translation of foreign operations for consolidation

For purposes of consolidation, the assets and liabilities of foreign operations with functional currencies 
other than the Canadian dollar are translated to Canadian dollars using the rate of exchange in effect at 
the financial statement date.  Revenue and expenses of the foreign operations are translated to Canadian 
dollars  at  exchange  rates  at  the  date  of  the  transactions.    Foreign  currency  differences  resulting  from 
translation of the accounts of foreign operations are recognized directly in other comprehensive income 
and are accumulated in the translation reserve as a separate component of shareholders' equity.

Gains  or  losses  arising  from  a  monetary  item  receivable  from  or  payable  to  a  foreign  operation,  the 
settlement of which is neither planned nor likely in the foreseeable future, are considered to form part of 
the net investment in a foreign operation and are recognized directly in other comprehensive income in 
the cumulative amount of foreign currency translation differences.

When a foreign operation is disposed of the amount of the associated translation reserve is fully transferred 
to profit or loss.

42

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

3.  Significant accounting policies (continued):

(c)  Segment reporting:

Operating segments are based on the information about the components of the business that management 
uses to make decisions about operating matters.  The subsidiaries of the Company engage in one main 
business activity being the sourcing and distribution of hardwood lumber and related sheet goods and 
specialty  products,  hence  operating  segment  information  is  not  provided.    Geographical  segment 
information is provided by country of operations in note 15.

(d)  Revenue recognition:

Revenue from the sale of hardwood lumber, sheet goods and specialty products is measured by reference 
to the fair value of consideration received or receivable by the operating subsidiaries of the Company, 
excluding taxes, rebates, and trade discounts.  Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence exists 
that the Company has transferred to the buyer the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods 
supplied, collection of the consideration is probable and the revenue and associated costs can be measured 
reliably.  Significant risks and rewards are generally considered to be transferred when the customer has 
taken undisputed delivery of the goods. 

(e)  Finance expense and income:

Finance expense is primarily comprised of interest on the Company’s operating lines of credit and the 
unwinding of the discount on the Company’s finance lease obligations.  Interest on bank indebtedness 
and accretion of the lease obligation is expensed using the effective interest method.  

Finance income is comprised of interest earned on cash balances, imputed interest income on employee 
loans receivable, and interest charged and received or receivable on trade accounts receivable and notes 
receivable from customers.  Finance income is recognized as it accrues using the effective interest method.

Foreign exchange gains and losses are reported on a net basis as either finance income or finance expense.

(f) 

Inventories:

Finished goods are measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value.  Raw materials are measured 
at the lower of cost and replacement cost.  Work-in-process and goods-in-transit are measured at cost.  
For purchased wood products, cost is determined using the weighted average cost method and includes 
invoice cost, duties, freight, and other directly attributable costs of acquiring the inventory.  For manufactured 
wood products, cost is defined as all costs that relate to bringing the inventory to its present condition and 
location under normal operating conditions and includes manufacturing costs, such as raw materials, labor 
and production overhead, and depreciation and amortization costs.

Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less any applicable 
selling expenses.

Volume rebates and other supplier discounts are included in income when earned.  Volume rebates and 
supplier trade discounts are accounted for as a reduction of the cost of the related inventory and are earned 
when inventory is sold.

(g)  Property, plant and equipment:

Items of property, plant and equipment are carried at acquisition cost less accumulated depreciation and 
accumulated impairment losses.  Cost includes expenditures that are directly attributable to the acquisition 
of the asset.  Depreciation is provided at straight-line rates sufficient to depreciate the cost of the assets 
over their estimated useful lives less estimated residual values as follows:

43

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

3.  Significant accounting policies (continued):

(g)  Property, plant and equipment (continued):

Assets

Buildings, machinery and equipment
Leased vehicles
Leasehold improvements

Estimated useful life

3 to 30 years
Over the term of the lease
Over the term of the lease

Leased assets are depreciated over the lease term unless the useful life is shorter than the lease term.  If 
a significant component of an asset has a useful life that is different from the remainder of the asset, then 
that component is depreciated separately.

Depreciation methods, material residual value estimates and estimates of useful lives are reviewed at each 
financial year end and updated as considered necessary.

Gains or losses arising on the disposal of property, plant and equipment are determined as the difference 
between the disposal proceeds and the carrying amount of the assets and are recognized in profit or loss 
at the time of the disposal.

(h)  Impairment:

Non-financial assets

The carrying values of the Company’s non-financial assets are reviewed at each reporting date to assess 
whether  there  is  any  indication  of  impairment.    If  any  such  indication  is  present,  then  the  recoverable 
amount of the assets is estimated.

The recoverable amount of an asset or cash-generating unit is the greater of its value in use or its fair 
value less costs to sell.  In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their 
present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of 
money and the risks specific to the asset.  For the purposes of impairment testing, assets are grouped at 
lowest  levels  that  generate  cash  inflows  from  continuing  use  that  are  largely  independent  of  the  cash 
inflows of other assets or groups of assets (the “cash-generating unit”).  

An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset or its cash-generating unit exceeds 
its estimated recoverable amount.  Impairment losses are recognized in profit and loss.  Impairment losses 
recognized in prior years are assessed at each reporting date for any indications that the loss has decreased 
or no longer exists.  An impairment charge is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount 
does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortization, 
if no impairment loss had been recognized.

Financial assets

A financial asset is assessed at each reporting date to determine whether there is any objective evidence 
that it is impaired.  A financial asset is considered to be impaired if objective evidence indicates that one 
or more events have had a negative effect on the estimated future cash flows of that asset.

Objective  evidence  that  financial  assets  are  impaired  can  include  default  or  delinquency  by  a  debtor, 
restructuring of an amount due to the Company on terms that the Company would not consider otherwise, 
or indications that a debtor or issuer will enter bankruptcy.

The Company considers evidence of impairment for financial assets, and in particular receivables, at both 
a specific asset and account balance level. 

44

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

3.  Significant accounting policies (continued):

(h)  Impairment (continued):

Financial assets (continued)

All  individually  significant  receivables  are  assessed  for  specific  impairment.    Receivables  that  are  not 
individually significant are collectively assessed for impairment by grouping together receivables with similar 
risk characteristics.  In assessing collective impairment of receivables, management considers the aging 
of receivables, the nature and extent of security held, historical trends of default, and current economic 
and credit conditions to estimate impairments.

An impairment loss in respect of a financial asset measured at amortized cost is calculated as the difference 
between its carrying amount and the present value of the estimated future cash flows, discounted at the 
original effective interest rate. 

An impairment loss is reversed if the reversal can be related objectively to an event occurring after the 
impairment loss is recognized.  For financial assets measured at amortized cost, this reversal is recognized 
in profit or loss.

(i)  Financial instruments:

Financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities  are  recognized  when  the  Company  becomes  a  party  to  the 
contractual provisions of the financial instrument.  Financial assets are derecognized when the contractual 
rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire, or when the financial asset and all substantial risks 
and  rewards  are  transferred.   A  financial  liability  is  derecognized  when  it  is  extinguished,  discharged, 
cancelled or expires.

Financial assets and financial liabilities are measured initially at fair value plus transaction costs, except 
for financial assets and financial liabilities carried at fair value through profit or loss, which are measured 
initially at fair value.

The classification and measurement of the Company’s financial instruments is disclosed in note 6 of these 
consolidated financial statements.

Financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents

The Company considers deposits in banks, certificates of deposit and short-term investments with original 
maturities of three months or less when acquired as cash and cash equivalents.

Receivables

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are 
not quoted in an active market.  After initial recognition these are measured at amortized cost using the 
effective interest method, less provisions for impairment, if any.  Discounting is omitted where the effect 
of discounting is immaterial.

Individual  receivables  are  considered  for  impairment  when  they  are  past  due  or  when  other  objective 
evidence exists that a specific counterparty will default.  Impairment of trade receivables is presented within 
selling and distribution expenses.

Loans receivable consist of notes from customers and loans to employees for relocation costs, discounted 
using the effective interest method.  Interest revenue on these loans is recognized within finance income.

45

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

3.  Significant accounting policies (continued):

(i)  Financial instruments (continued):

Financial liabilities

Loans and payables are non-derivative financial liabilities with fixed or determinable payments that are not 
quoted in an active market.  After initial recognition these liabilities are measured at amortized cost using 
the effective interest method.  Discounting is omitted when the effect of discounting is immaterial.  The 
revolving bank line of credit is not discounted; rather, actual interest accrued is based on the daily balances 
and is recorded each month.

(j) 

Income taxes:

Income tax expense comprises current and deferred tax and is recognized in profit and loss except to the 
extent that it relates to items recognized directly in equity or in other comprehensive income.  Current 
income tax is the expected tax payable on the taxable income for the year, using tax rates enacted or 
substantively enacted at the reporting date, and any adjustment to tax payable in respect of the previous 
years.

Deferred tax is recognized by the Company and its subsidiaries in respect of temporary differences between 
the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for 
taxation purposes.   Deferred tax  is  not recognized  for the  initial  recognition of  assets or  liabilities  in a 
transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss; 
differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that it is probable that they will not reverse 
in the foreseeable future; and taxable differences arising on the initial recognition of goodwill.

Deferred tax is measured at the tax rates that are expected to be applied to temporary differences when 
they reverse, based on the laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date. 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset only when the Company has a legally enforceable right and 
intention to set off current tax assets and liabilities from the same taxation authority.

A deferred tax asset is recognized for unused tax losses, tax credits and deductible temporary differences, 
to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which they can be utilized.  
Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer 
probable that the related tax benefit will be realized.

(k)  Leases:

Automobile leases for which the Company assumes substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership 
are classified as finance leases.  Upon initial recognition, the leased asset is measured at an amount equal 
to the lower of its fair value and the present value of the minimum lease payments and a lease obligation 
is recorded equal to the present value of the minimum lease payments.

Subsequent to initial recognition, the leased asset is accounted for in accordance with the accounting 
policies applicable to property, plant and equipment.  Minimum lease payments made under finance leases 
are  apportioned  between  finance  expense  and  the  reduction  of  the  outstanding  liability.    The  finance 
expense is allocated to each period during the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of 
interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

Other leases are operating leases and as such the leased assets are not recognized in the Company’s 
statement of financial position.  Payments made under operating leases are recognized in profit or loss 
on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.  Lease incentives received are recognized as an integral 
part of the total lease expense, over the term of the lease. 

46

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

3.  Significant accounting policies (continued):

(l)  Provisions:

Provisions are recognized in the statement of financial position when the Company has a present legal or 
constructive obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will 
be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.  
Provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows at a pre-tax rate that reflects 
current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability.

(m)  Basic and diluted profit per share:

The Company presents basic and diluted profit per share data for its outstanding common shares.  Basic 
profit per share attributable to shareholders is calculated by dividing profit by the weighted average number 
of common shares outstanding during the reporting year.  Diluted profit per share is determined by adjusting 
the  profit  attributable  to  common  shareholders  and  the  weighted  average  number  of  common  shares 
outstanding for the effects of all dilutive potential common shares. 

(n)  Share based compensation:

The Company has a share based long-term incentive plan as described in note 12(b).  The Company is 
accounting for the Restricted Shares and Performance Shares as employee equity settled awards whereby 
the compensation cost is determined based on the grant date fair value and is recognized as an expense 
with  a  corresponding  increase  to  contributed  surplus  in  equity  over  the  period  that  the  employees 
unconditionally become entitled to payment.  The amount recognized as an expense is adjusted to reflect 
the number of awards for which the related service and non-market vesting conditions are expected to be 
met.  

(o)  New accounting policies:

(i)  Change in accounting policy:

There  were  no  new  standards  effective  January  1,  2015  that  had  an  impact  on  the  Company’s 
consolidated financial statements.

(ii)  New standards and interpretations not yet adopted:

A number of new standards, amendments to standards and interpretations, are not yet effective for 
the  year  ended  December  31,  2015,  and  have  not  been  applied  in  preparing  these  consolidated 
financial statements. The following pronouncements are considered by the Company to be the most 
significant of several pronouncements that may affect the consolidated financial statements in future 
periods.  

IFRS 9, Financial Instruments (“IFRS 9”)

IFRS 9 will replace the multiple classification and measurement models in IAS 39 Financial Instruments: 
Recognition  and  Measurement,  with  a  single  model  that  has  only  two  classification  categories: 
amortized cost and fair value. The new standard also requires a single impairment method to be used, 
provides additional guidance on the classification and measurement of financial liabilities, and provides 
a new general hedge accounting standard.

The mandatory effective date has been set for January 1, 2018, however early adoption of the new 
standard is permitted. The Company does not intend to early adopt IFRS 9. The adoption of IFRS 9 
is currently not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements given the 
nature  of  the  Company’s  operations  and  the  types  of  financial  instruments  that  it  currently  holds; 
however, the Company will continue to assess the extent of impact as the mandatory adoption date 
approaches. 

47

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

3.  Significant accounting policies (continued):

(o)  New accounting policies (continued):

(ii)  New standards and interpretations not yet adopted (continued):

IFRS 15, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“IFRS 15”)

IFRS 15 is effective for fiscal years commencing on or after January 1, 2018 and will replace IAS 18, 
Revenue and a number of revenue related standards and interpretations.  IFRS 15 contains a single 
model that applies to contracts with customers and two approaches to recognizing revenue: at a point 
in time or over time. The model features a contract-based five-step analysis of transactions to determine 
whether, how much and when revenue is recognized. New estimates and judgmental thresholds have 
also been introduced, which may affect the amount and/or timing of revenue recognized.

The Company intends to adopt IFRS 15 in its consolidated financial statements for the annual period 
beginning on January 1, 2018. The Company is assessing the impact of this new standard, but does 
not expect the amendments to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Amendments to IAS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements (“IAS 1”)

On December 18, 2014, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 1 as part of its major initiative to improve 
presentation and disclosure in financial reports.  The amendments are effective for annual periods 
beginning on or after January 1, 2016 with early adoption permitted.  The Company intends to adopt 
these  amendments  in  its  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  annual  period  beginning  on 
January 1, 2016.  The impact of adoption of the amendments is not expected to have a significant 
impact on the consolidated financial statements.

IFRS 16, Leases ("IFRS 16")

On January 13, 2016, the IASB published a new standard, IFRS 16, eliminating the current dual 
accounting model for lessees, which distinguishes between on-balance sheet finance leases and 
off-balance sheet operating leases. Under the new standard, a lease becomes an on-balance sheet 
liability that attracts interest, together with a new right-of-use asset. In addition, lessees will 
recognize a front-loaded pattern of expense for most leases, even when cash rentals are constant. 
IFRS 16 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019, with earlier adoption 
permitted. The Company is assessing the impact of adopting this standard on its consolidated 
financial statements.

4.  Business acquisitions:

Hardwoods of Michigan Acquisition

On April 28, 2014, a subsidiary of the Company purchased the business operations of Hardwoods of Michigan 
Inc., a fully integrated producer and distributor of high quality hardwood lumber from its sawmill and kiln drying 
operations  located  on  23  acres  in  Clinton,  Michigan.    The  Company’s  subsidiary  purchased  the  accounts 
receivable, inventory, prepaid expenses, and property, plant and equipment of HMI for cash consideration of 
$16.5 million (US$15.0 million) and hired HMI’s employees to continue operating the business.  The purchase 
price was satisfied with cash consideration, funded by the draw-down of the Hardwoods USLP Credit Facility 
(note 10).  

48

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

4.  Business acquisitions (continued):

The allocation of the purchase price to identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed is as follows:

Accounts receivable
Inventories
Prepaid expenses
Property, plant and equipment
Accrued liabilities

Cash paid

$

4,679
6,175
392
5,386
(165)

$

16,467

Had the acquisition occurred on January 1, 2014, management estimates that the Company’s consolidated 
sales would have been approximately $471.6 million and profit would have been approximately $14.8 million 
for the year ended December 31, 2014. Included in these consolidated financial statements for the  year ended 
December 31, 2014 are sales of $24.1 million (US$21.8 million) and profit before tax of $1.1 million (US1.0 
million) relating to HMI.

5.  Capital management:

The  Company’s  policy  is  to  maintain  a  strong  capital  base  so  as  to  maintain  investor,  creditor  and  market 
confidence  and  to  sustain  future  growth  of  the  business.    The  Company  considers  its  capital  to  be  bank 
indebtedness (net of cash) and shareholders’ equity.  

The Company’s capitalization is as follows:

Cash
Bank indebtedness
Shareholder’s equity

Total capitalization

December 31,
2015

December 31,
2014

$

$

— $

28,894
142,948

(13)
38,742
108,489

171,842

$

147,218

The terms of the Company’s US and Canadian credit facilities are described in note 10.  The terms of the 
agreements with the Company’s lenders provide that distributions cannot be paid by its subsidiaries in the event 
that its subsidiaries do not meet certain credit ratios.  The Company’s operating subsidiaries were compliant 
with  all  required  credit  ratios  under  the  US  and  Canadian  credit  facilities  as  at  December 31,  2015  and 
December 31, 2014, and accordingly there were no restrictions on distributions arising from compliance with 
financial covenants. 

Dividends are one way the Company manages its capital.  Dividends are declared having given consideration 
to a variety of factors including the outlook for the business and financial leverage.  There were no changes to 
the Company’s approach to capital management during the year ended December 31, 2015.

On November 9, 2015, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.055 per common share to shareholders 
of record as of January 19, 2016.  The dividend was paid to shareholders on January 29, 2016.  On March 11, 
2016, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.055 per common share to shareholders of record as of 
April 19, 2016, to be paid on April 29, 2016.

49

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

6.  Financial instruments:

Financial instrument assets include cash and current and non-current receivables, which are designated as 
loans and receivables and measured at amortized cost.  Non-derivative financial instrument liabilities include 
bank indebtedness,  accounts payable and accrued  liabilities,  income taxes payable, dividend  payable  and 
finance lease obligation. All financial liabilities are designated as other liabilities and are measured at amortized 
cost.  There are no financial instruments classified as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity.  

Fair value hierarchy

IFRS 13 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value.  
The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for 

identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 -  Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, 

either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full contractual term.

Level 3 - Inputs for the asset or liability are not based on observable market data.

The Company has no financial assets or financial liabilities measured in the statement of financial position at 
fair value or included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Fair values of financial instruments

The carrying values of cash, accounts receivable, income tax payable, dividend payable and accounts payable 
and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values due to the relatively short period to maturity of the instruments.  
The fair value of non-current receivables and finance lease obligations are not expected to differ materially 
from their respective carrying values, given the interest rates being charged.  The carrying values of the credit 
facilities approximate their fair values due to the existence of floating market based interest rates.  The fair 
value of these non-derivative financial assets and liabilities has been estimated based on the present value of 
future cash flows, discounted at a market rate of interest at the reporting date, being level 2 of the fair value 
hierarchy.

Financial risk management:

The Board of Directors of the Company and its subsidiaries has the overall responsibility for the establishment 
and oversight of the Company’s risk management framework.  The Company’s risk management policies are 
established to identify and analyze the risks faced by the Company, to set appropriate risk limits and controls, 
and to monitor risks and adherence to limits.  Risk management policies and systems are reviewed regularly 
to reflect changes in market conditions and in response to the Company’s activities.  Through its standards 
and procedures management has developed a disciplined and constructive control environment in which all 
employees  understand  their  roles  and  obligations.    Management  regularly  monitors  compliance  with  the 
Company’s  risk  management  policies  and  procedures  and  reviews  the  adequacy  of  the  risk  management 
framework in relation to the risks faced by the Company.

The Company has exposure to credit, liquidity and market risks from its use of financial instruments.

(i)  Credit risk:

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Company if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument 
fails to meet its contractual obligations.  Credit risk arises principally from the Company’s current and non-
current receivables from its customers.  Cash held at banks, employee housing loans and security deposits 
also present credit risk to the Company.  The carrying value of these financial assets, which total $57.1 
million at December 31, 2015 (December 31, 2014 - $47.4 million), represents the Company’s maximum 
exposure to credit risk.

50

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

6.  Financial instruments (continued):

Financial risk management (continued):

(i)  Credit risk (continued):

Trade accounts receivable

The  Company’s  exposure  to  credit  risk  is  influenced  mainly  by  the  individual  characteristics  of  each 
customer.  The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event it is unable to collect in full amounts receivable 
from  its  customers.   The  Company  employs  established  credit  approval  practices  and  engages  credit 
attorneys when appropriate to mitigate credit risk.  The Company attempts to secure credit advanced to 
customers whenever possible by registering security interests in the assets of the customer and by obtaining 
personal guarantees.  Credit limits are established for each customer and are regularly reviewed.  In some 
instances  the  Company  may  choose  to  transact  with  a  customer  on  a  cash-on-delivery  basis.    The 
Company’s largest individual customer balance amounted to 3.9% (December 31, 2014 - 3.9%) of trade 
accounts receivable and customer notes receivable at December 31, 2015.  No one customer represents 
more than 1.4% of sales.

More detailed information regarding management of trade accounts receivable is found in note 7 to these 
consolidated financial statements.

Employee housing loans:

Employee loans are non-interest bearing and are granted to employees who are relocated.  Employee 
loans are secured by a deed of trust or mortgage depending upon the jurisdiction.  Employee loans are 
repaid in accordance with the loan agreement.  These loans are measured at their fair market value upon 
granting the loan and subsequently measured at amortized cost.

Customer notes:

Customer notes are issued to certain customers to provide fixed repayment schedules for amounts owing 
that have been agreed will be repaid over longer periods of time.  The terms of each note are negotiated 
with the customer.  For notes issued the Company requires a fixed payment amount, personal guarantees, 
general security agreements, and security over specific property or assets.  Customer notes bear market 
interest rates ranging from 5%-10%.

Security deposits:

Security deposits are recoverable on leased premises at the end of the related lease term.  The Company 
does not believe there is any material credit risk associated with its security deposits.

(ii)  Liquidity risk:

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due.  
The Company’s approach to managing liquidity is to ensure that it will have sufficient cash available to 
meet its liabilities when due, under both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable 
losses or risking damage to the Company’s reputation.  At December 31, 2015, in Canada, a subsidiary 
of the Company had a revolving credit facility of up to $15.0 million, and, in the US, a subsidiary of the 
Company had a revolving credit facility of up to $103.8 million (US$75.0 million).  These credit facilities 
can be drawn down to meet short-term financing requirements, including fluctuations in non-cash working 
capital.  The amount made available under the revolving credit facilities from time to time is limited to the 
extent of the value of certain accounts receivable and inventories held by subsidiaries of the Company, as 
well as by continued compliance with credit ratios and certain other terms under the credit facilities.  See 
note 10 for further information regarding the Company’s credit facilities and borrowing capacity.

51

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

6.  Financial instruments (continued):

Financial risk management (continued):

(ii)  Liquidity risk (continued):

The  Company’s  accounts  payable  and  accrued  liabilities  are  subject  to  normal  trade  terms  and  have 
contracted maturities that will result in payment in the following quarter.  The undiscounted contractual 
maturities of finance lease obligations are presented in note 11 to these consolidated financial statements.

(iii)  Market risk:

Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices, such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and 
commodity prices will affect the Company’s net earnings or value of its holdings of financial instruments.

Interest rate risk

The Company is exposed to interest rate risk on its credit facilities which bear interest at floating market 
rates.

Based upon the December 31, 2015 bank indebtedness balance of $28.9 million, a 1% increase or decrease 
in the interest rates charged would result in a decrease or increase to profit after tax by approximately $0.2 
million.

Currency risk

As the Company conducts business in both Canada and the United States it is exposed to currency risk.  
Most of the hardwood lumber sold by the Company in Canada is purchased in U.S. dollars from suppliers 
in the United States.  Although the Company reports its financial results in Canadian dollars, approximately 
three-quarters of its sales are generated in the United States.  Changes in the currency exchange rates 
of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar will affect the results presented in the Company’s financial 
statements and cause its earnings to fluctuate.  Changes in the costs of hardwood lumber purchased by 
the Company in the United States as a result of the changing value of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. 
dollar are usually absorbed by the Canadian market.  When the hardwood lumber is resold in Canada it 
is generally sold at a Canadian dollar equivalent selling price, and accordingly revenues in Canada are 
effectively increased by decreases in value of the Canadian dollar and vice versa.  Fluctuations in the 
value of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar will affect the amount of cash available to the Company 
for distribution to its shareholders.

At  December 31,  2015,  the  primary  exposure  to  foreign  denominated  financial  instruments  was  in  the 
Company’s Canadian subsidiaries and relates to US dollar cash balances, accounts receivable from U.S. 
customers (2015 - US$0.1 million, 2014 - US$0.3 million) and accounts payable to U.S. suppliers (2015 - 
$0.3 million, 2014 - US$0.9 million).

Based on the Company's Canadian subsidiaries exposure to foreign denominated financial instruments, 
the Company estimates a $0.05 weakening or strengthening in the Canadian dollar as compared to the 
U.S. dollar would not have a material effect on net income for the years ended December 31, 2015 or 
December 31, 2014.  

This foreign currency sensitivity is focused solely on  the currency  risk associated with the Company’s 
Canadian subsidiaries exposure to foreign denominated financial instruments as at December 31, 2015
and December 31, 2014 and does not take into account the effect of a change in currency rates will have 
on the translation of the balance sheet and operations of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries nor is it intended 
to  estimate  the  potential  impact  changes  in  currency  rates  would  have  on  the  Company’s  sales  and 
purchases. 

52

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

6.  Financial instruments (continued):

Financial risk management (continued):

(iii)  Market risk (continued):

Commodity price risk:

The Company does not enter in to any commodity contracts.  Inventory purchases are transacted at 
current market rates based on expected usage and sale requirements and increases or decreases in 
prices are reflected in the Company’s selling prices to customers.

7.  Accounts receivable:

The  following  is  a  breakdown  of  the  Company’s  current  and  non-current  receivables  and  represents  the 
Company’s principal exposure to credit risk.

December 31,
2015

December 31,
2014

$

11,937
47,586
726
751
61,000

10,490
37,960
786
369
49,605

4,844

3,478

56,156

$

46,127

$

546
631
543
1,720

751
969

$

429
679
514
1,622

369
1,253

December 31,
2015

December 31,
2014

$

44,377
9,142
3,122
2,882

35,428
8,041
2,752
2,229

59,523

$

48,450

$

$

$

$

$

$

Trade accounts receivable - Canada
Trade accounts receivable - United States
Sundry receivable
Current portion of non-current receivables

Less:

Allowance for credit loss

Non-current receivables:

Employee housing loans
Customer notes
Security deposits

Less:

Current portion, included in accounts receivable

The aging of trade receivables is:

Current
1 - 30 days past due
31 - 60 days past due
60+ days past due

53

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

7.  Accounts receivable (continued):

The Company determines its allowance for credit loss based on its best estimate of the net recoverable amount 
by  customer  account.   Accounts  that  are  considered  uncollectable  are  written  off.    The  total  allowance  at 
December 31, 2015 was $4.8 million (December 31, 2014 - $3.5 million).  The amount of the allowance is 
considered sufficient based on the past experience of the business, current and expected collection trends, 
the security the Company has in place for past due accounts and management’s regular review and assessment 
of customer accounts and credit risk.

The change in the allowance for credit loss can be reconciled as follows:

Balance as at January 1
Additions during the year
Use during the year
Changes due to currency rate fluctuations

Balance as at December 31

2015

3,478 $
1,922
(1,217)
661

2014

2,988
1,178
(967)
279

4,844 $

3,478

$

$

Bad debt expense, net of recoveries, for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $1.5 million which equates 
to 0.3% of sales (year ended December 31, 2014 - $1.0 million, being 0.2% of sales). 

8. 

Inventories:

Raw materials
Work in process
Goods in-transit
Finished goods:

Lumber
Sheet goods
Specialty

December 31,
2015

December 31,
2014

$

$

1,265
5,054
7,611

38,649
42,102
8,795

1,624
5,044
9,594

31,059
31,127
6,953

$

103,476

$

85,401

The Company regularly reviews and assesses the condition and value of its inventories and records write-
downs to net realizable as necessary.

Inventory related expenses are included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income as follows:

Inventory write-downs, included in cost of sales

Cost of inventory sold
Other cost of sales
Total cost of sales

2015

1,530

$

455,544
16,421
471,965

$

2014

1,149

363,275
13,652
376,927

$

$

54

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

9.  Property, plant and equipment:

Leased 
vehicles
(note 11(a))

Land

Buildings,
machinery
and
equipment

Leasehold
improvements

Total

Cost

Balance at January 1, 2014
Additions
Disposals
Adjustments:

Foreign currency transaction

Balance at December 31, 2014
Additions
Disposals
Adjustments:

Foreign currency transaction

$

— $

548
—

32

580
—
—

112

2,807 $
1,070
(902)

11,085 $
6,288
(357)

774 $
29
(2)

14,666
7,935
(1,261)

174

1,140

23

1,369

3,149
1,200
(1,088)

18,156
1,695
(277)

824
155
(119)

22,709
3,050
(1,484)

432

3,151

49

3,744

Balance at December 31, 2015

$

692 $

3,693 $

22,725 $

909 $

28,019

Accumulated depreciation

Balance at January 1, 2014
Depreciation
Disposals
Adjustments:

Foreign currency transaction

Balance at December 31, 2014
Depreciation
Disposals
Adjustments:

Foreign currency transaction

$

— $
—
—

981 $
811
(621)

5,500 $
1,268
(205)

64

1,235
962
(747)

387

6,950
1,584
(173)

—

—
—
—

—

693 $
50
(2)

19

760
47
(113)

7,174
2,129
(828)

470

8,945
2,593
(1,033)

176

1,097

41

1,314

Balance at December 31, 2015

$

— $

1,626 $

9,458 $

735 $

11,819

Net book value:

December 31, 2014
December 31, 2015

$
$

580 $
692 $

1,914 $
2,067 $

11,206 $
13,267 $

64 $
174 $

13,764
16,200

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $2.6 million (2014 
- $2.1 million) and is included in the statement of comprehensive income as follows:

Selling and distribution
Cost of sales
Administration

Balance as at December 31

55

2015

1,447 $
1,080
66

2,593 $

2014

1,211
866
52

2,129

$

$

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

9.  Property, plant and equipment (continued):

Gains and losses on disposal of property, plant and equipment for the year ended December 31, 2015 was a  
net gain of $28,566 (2014 - net loss of $126,415) and is included in selling and distribution in the statement of 
comprehensive income.

10.  Bank indebtedness:

Checks issued in excess of funds on deposit
Credit facility, Hardwoods LP
Credit facility, Hardwoods USLP

(December 31, 2015 - US$14,835

 December 31, 2014 - US$24,004)

Term loan, Hardwoods USLP

December 31, 2014 - US$3,625)

Less: non-current portion of term loan

December 31,
2015

December 31,
2014

$

$

3,049
5,314

1,368
5,318

20,531

27,851

—
28,894

—

4,205
38,742

3,371

$

28,894

$

35,371

Bank indebtedness consists of checks issued in excess of funds on deposit and advances under operating 
lines of credit (the “Credit Facilities”) available to subsidiaries of the Company, Hardwoods Specialty Products 
LP (“Hardwoods LP”) and Hardwoods Specialty Product USLP (“Hardwoods USLP”). 

Each of the Credit Facilities is separate, is not guaranteed by the other partnership, and does not contain cross 
default provisions to the other Credit Facility.  The Credit Facility made available to Hardwoods LP is secured 
by a first security interest in all of the present and after acquired property of Hardwoods LP and the Hardwoods 
LP  partnership  units  held  directly  and  indirectly  by  the  Company.    The  Credit  Facility  made  available  to 
Hardwoods USLP is secured by a first security interest in all of the present and after acquired property of 
Hardwoods USLP, Paxton Hardwoods LLC and HMI Hardwoods LLC, and the Hardwoods USLP partnership 
units held indirectly by the Company.

The Hardwoods LP Credit Facility, which has a maturity date of August 7, 2016, provides financing up to $15.0 
million.  On  April  28,  2014,  the  Company  amended  the  credit  facility  of  its  subsidiary  Hardwoods  USLP 
concurrently with completing the acquisition of Hardwoods of Michigan, Inc. (note 4).  The term of the Hardwoods 
USLP Credit Facility was extended to April 27, 2017, and the maximum available borrowing under the Credit 
Facility  increased  from  US$50.0  million  to  US$79.1  million,  comprised  of  US$75.0  million  available  under 
revolving  credit  facilities,  and  US$4.1  million  under  a  term  loan  that  matures April  27,  2017,  with  monthly 
payments based on a five year amortization. During the quarter ended September 30, 2015, the Company 
settled the term loan in full and thus the Hardwoods USLP Credit Facility at December 31, 2015 is comprised 
of US$75.0 million available under revolving credit facilities.  

The Credit Facilities are payable in full at maturity.  The Credit Facilities are revolving credit facilities which the 
Company may terminate at any time without prepayment penalty.  The Credit Facilities and term loan bear 
interest at a floating rate based on the Canadian or US prime rate (as the case may be), LIBOR or bankers’ 
acceptance rates plus, in each case, an applicable margin.  Letters of credit are also available under the Credit 
Facilities on customary terms for facilities of this nature.  Commitment fees and standby charges usual for 
borrowings of this nature were and are payable.

56

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

10.  Bank indebtedness (continued):

The amount made available under the Credit Facility to Hardwoods LP from time to time is limited to the extent 
of 85% of the book value of accounts receivable and the lesser of 60% of the book value or 85% of appraised 
value of inventories with the amount based on inventories not to exceed 60% of the total amount to be available.  
Certain identified accounts receivable and inventories are excluded from the calculation of the amount available 
under the Credit Facility.  Hardwoods LP is required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio (calculated as 
the ratio of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) less cash taxes, capital 
expenditures and distributions, divided by interest plus principal payments on finance lease obligations) of not 
less than 1.1 to 1.  However, this covenant does not apply so long as the unused availability under the credit 
line is in excess of $2.0 million.  At December 31, 2015, the Hardwoods LP Credit Facility has unused availability 
of $9.7 million, before checks issued in excess of funds on deposit of $0.9 million (December 31, 2014 - $8.2 
million, checks issued in excess of funds on deposit - $nil).

As part of the amendment on April 28, 2014, the amount made available under the Credit Facility to Hardwoods 
USLP from time to time was increased to 90% of the book value of accounts receivable and 65% of the book 
value of inventories (with certain accounts receivable and inventory being excluded). During the quarter ended 
June 30, 2015, the Company reduced the advanced rates back to those previously available to Hardwoods 
USLP of 85% of the book value of accounts receivable, and 55% of the book value of inventories.  Hardwoods 
USLP is required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio (calculated as EBITDA less cash taxes and capital 
expenditures, divided by the sum of interest, principal payments on finance lease obligations and distributions) 
of 1.0 to 1.  This covenant of the Hardwoods USLP Credit Facility does not need to be met, however, unless 
the  unused  availability  under  the  Credit  Facility  is  in  excess  of  certain  thresholds.    The  minimum  unused 
availability that must be maintained for the fixed charge coverage ratio not to apply at December 31, 2015 is 
US$7.5 million. At December 31, 2015, the Hardwoods USLP Credit Facility has unused availability of $51.1 
million (US$36.9 million), before checks issued in excess of funds on deposit of $2.1 million (US$1.5 million). 
At December 31, 2014, the Hardwoods USLP Credit Facility had unused availability of $28.7 million (US$24.8 
million), before checks issued in excess of funds on deposit of $1.3 million (US$1.1 million).

The average annual interest rates paid in respect of bank indebtedness for the year ended December 31, 2015
were 3.4% and 2.7% (2014 - 3.3% and 2.7%) for the Hardwoods LP and Hardwoods USLP credit facilities, 
respectively.  

11.  Leases:

(a)  Finance leases as lessee:

Subsidiaries of the Company lease vehicles with terms ranging from 18 to 36 months.  Hardwoods LP 
guarantees a residual value under the terms of the leases in Canada, and any difference between the 
amount realized and the guaranteed residual value is either paid to or paid by Hardwoods LP.  In the US, 
the lease payments cover the full capitalized cost over the term of the lease, and any proceeds from the 
sale of the vehicle are paid to Hardwoods USLP.  The Company and its subsidiaries have determined that 
these vehicle leases are considered finance leases and are recorded on the statement of financial position. 

57

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

11.  Leases (continued):

(a)  Finance leases as lessee (continued):

Finance lease liabilities are payable as follows:

Minimum lease payments due

Within one year

One to three
years

December 31, 2015:

Future minimum lease payments
Interest

Present value of minimum payments

December 31, 2014:

Future minimum lease payments
Interest

Present value of minimum payments

$

$

$

$

1,190 $
71

1,119 $

1,100 $
76

1,024 $

719 $
23

696 $

777 $
28

749 $

Total

1,909
94

1,815

1,877
104

1,773

The present value of the lease payments is calculated using the interest rate implicit in the lease, which 
range from 4.1% - 7.1%.

(b)  Operating leases as lessee:

The Company’s subsidiaries are obligated under various operating leases, including building and trucking 
equipment leases that require future minimum rental payments as follows:

Minimum lease payments due

With
one year

One to
five years

After
five years

Total

Minimum lease payments due:

December 31, 2015

$

7,019 $

17,683 $

7,017 $

31,719

Minimum lease payments recognized as an expense during the year ended December 31, 2015 amounted 
to $7.3 million (2014 - $6.5 million).  

The Company’s warehouse leases are combined leases of the land and building; however both the land 
and building elements are considered operating leases as the risk and reward of ownership remains 
with the landlord. The Company’s operating lease agreements do not contain any contingent rent 
clauses.  Some operating warehouse lease agreements contain renewal options.  Renewal options are 
reviewed regularly by management.  The operating lease agreements do not contain any restrictions 
regarding distributions, further leasing or additional debt.

12.  Share capital:

(a)  Share capital

At December 31, 2015, the authorized share capital of the Company comprised an unlimited number of 
common shares without par value (“Shares”).

58

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

12.  Share capital (continued):

(a)  Share capital (continued)

A continuity of share capital is as follows:

Balance at December 31, 2013
Issued pursuant to long term incentive plan

Balance at December 31, 2014
Issued pursuant to long term incentive plan

Shares

16,539,378
112,036

$

16,651,414
110,657

Total

45,298
532

45,830
1,029

Balance at December 31, 2015

16,762,071

$

46,859

(b)  Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”):

The Company has an approved long term incentive plan which authorizes the issuance of a maximum of 
1,650,000 Shares to qualified trustees, directors, officers, employees and consultants to align the interests 
of such persons with the interests of shareholders. 

The LTIP is comprised of Restricted Shares and Performance Shares.  Each Restricted Share will entitle 
the holder to be issued the number of Shares of the Company designated in the grant agreement for that 
Restricted Share. Shares issuable pursuant to Restricted Share grants will vest and be issued on the date 
or dates determined by the Company’s Compensation Committee and set out in the grant agreement, 
provided such date or dates are not later than December 31st following the third anniversary of the date 
the Restricted Share was granted. Each Performance Share will entitle the holder to be issued the number 
of Shares designated in the grant agreement for the Performance Share multiplied by a payout multiplier 
which may range from a minimum of zero to a maximum of two depending on the achievement of the 
defined performance criteria.  Shares issuable pursuant to Performance Shares will be issued on the date 
set out in the grant agreement if the performance criteria are satisfied, provided such date is not later than 
December 31st following the third anniversary of the date the Performance Share was granted.

The Shares to which a grantee is entitled under a Restricted Share or Performance Share may, at the 
discretion of the Board of Directors, be settled by the Company in Shares issued from treasury, Shares 
purchased by the Company in the secondary market, in an amount of cash equal to the fair market value 
of such Shares, or any combination of the foregoing. 

If any Restricted Shares or Performance Shares granted under LTIP expire, terminate or are cancelled for 
any reason without the Shares issuable under the Restricted Share or Performance Share having been 
issued in full, those Shares will become available for the purposes of granting further Restricted Shares 
or Performance Shares under the LTIP. To the extent any Shares issuable pursuant to Restricted Shares 
or Performance Shares are settled in cash or with Shares purchased in the market, those Shares will 
become available for the purposes of granting further Restricted Shares or Performance Shares. 

The LTIP provides for cumulative adjustments to the number of Shares to be issued pursuant to Restricted 
Shares or Performance Shares on each date that dividends are paid on the Shares by an amount equal 
to a fraction having as its numerator the amount of the dividends per Share and having as its denominator 
the fair market value of the Shares on the trading day immediately preceding the dividend payment date. 
Fair market value is the weighted average price that the Shares traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange 
for the five trading days on which the Shares traded immediately preceding that date.

The LTIP provides that the number of Shares issued to insiders pursuant to the plan and other Share 
compensation arrangements of the Company within a one year period, or at any one time, may not 
exceed 10% of the issued and outstanding Shares.

59

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

12.  Share capital (continued):

(b)  Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) (continued):

A continuity of the LTIP Shares outstanding is as follows:

Balance at December 31, 2013
LTIP shares issued during the year
LTIP shares settled by exchange for free-trading Shares
Balance at December 31, 2014
LTIP shares issued during the year
LTIP shares settled by exchange for free-trading Shares
Balance at December 31, 2015

Performance
Shares

Restricted
Shares

30,618
7,383
(17,049)
20,952
43,005
(14,748)
49,209

108,719
63,356
(73,162)
98,913
70,588
(82,674)
86,827

On  December 31,  2015,  14,748  (December 31,  2014  -  17,049)  Performance  Shares  and  82,674 
(December 31, 2014 - 73,162) Restricted Shares became fully vested and were settled by the issuance 
of 110,657 (December 31, 2014 - 112,036) Shares. On issuance of the Shares, the accumulated share-
based compensation expense of $1.0 million (December 31, 2014 - $0.5 million) associated with the settled 
Performance Shares and Restricted Shares was transferred from contributed surplus to share capital.

Non-cash LTIP compensation expense of $1.3 million was recognized in the consolidated statement of 
comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2015 (2014 - $0.7 million). The key estimate in 
determining the compensation in any period is whether the performance criteria have been met and the 
amount of the payout multiplier on the Performance Shares.  The payout multiplier is reviewed and approved 
by the Company’s compensation committee on an annual basis.

(c)  Weighted average shares: 

The  calculation  of  basic  and  fully  diluted  profit  per  share  is  based  on  the  profit  for  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2015 of $20.1 million (December 31, 2014 - $14.0 million).  The weighted average number 
of common shares outstanding in each of the reporting years was as follows:

December 31,
2015

December 31,
2014

16,651,414

16,539,378

815

307

16,652,229

16,539,685

128,649

85,182

16,780,878

16,624,867

Issued ordinary shares at

beginning of year

Effect of shares issued during the year
pursuant to long-term incentive plan

Weighted average common shares - basic
Effect of dilutive securities:
Long-term incentive plan

Weighted average common shares -

diluted

60

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

13.  Income taxes:

Current tax expense
Deferred tax expense

2015

(9,732) $
(2,476)

2014

(7,188)
(1,756)

(12,208) $

(8,944)

$

$

Under current income tax regulations, subsidiaries of the Company are subject to income taxes in Canada and 
the United States.  The applicable statutory rate in Canada for the year ending December 31, 2015 is 26.3% 
(2014 - 26.0%) and in the United States is 39.4% (2014 - 39.4%).  The majority of the Company’s tax expense 
is generated from its US subsidiaries, and as such the Company reconciles its consolidated income tax expense 
to the statutory rate applicable in the United States.  

Income tax expense differs from that calculated by applying U.S. federal and state income tax rates to earnings 
before income taxes for the following reasons:

Profit before income tax

Statutory rate

Computed tax expense at statutory rate
Effect of lower tax rates in Canada and other rate changes
Non-deductible expenses
State tax
Other

2015

2014

$

32,354

$

22,959

39.4%

39.4%

(12,747)
697
(484)
(143)
469

(9,046)
278
(200)
(227)
251

Income tax expense

$

(12,208) $

(8,944)

61

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

13.  Income taxes (continued):

The tax effect of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred income tax assets 
and liabilities is as follows:

Deferred tax assets:

Accounts receivable
Accounts payable and provisions
Inventory
Finance lease obligations
Goodwill
Tax loss carry forwards and future interest deductions
Other

$

Deferred tax liabilities:

Prepaid expenses
Property, plant and equipment
Employee house loans

December 31,
2015

December 31,
2014

1,902 $
556
1,539
654
7,797
1,209
224
13,881

(248)
(2,659)
—
(2,907)

1,349
534
1,230
624
8,427
2,109
51
14,324

(195)
(1,846)
(6)
(2,047)

Deferred tax asset

$

10,974 $

12,277

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the substantively enacted rates expected to apply at the 
time such temporary differences are forecast to reverse.

At December 31, 2015, the Company and its subsidiaries have operating loss carry forwards for income tax 
purposes  of  approximately  $4.3  million  in  Canada  that  may  be  utilized  to  offset  future  taxable  income 
(December 31, 2014 - $7.8 million). These losses, if not utilized, expire between 2026 and 2031.  The Company’s 
US subsidiaries have no operating loss carry forwards.

At December 31, 2015, the Company and its Canadian subsidiaries have capital losses of approximately 
$24.1 million (December 31, 2014 - $24.1 million), and suspended capital losses of approximately $44.7 
million (December 31, 2014 - $44.7 million) available to offset future Canadian taxable capital gains.  These 
capital losses arose as a result of internal restructuring and inter-entity transactions during the year ended 
December 31, 2009.  The deferred income tax asset of $8.9 million (December 31, 2014 - $8.9 million) 
associated with these capital losses has not been recorded because it is not probable that future taxable 
capital gains will be generated to utilize the benefit.

62

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

14.  Finance income and expense:

Finance expense:

Interest on bank indebtedness
Accretion of finance lease obligation

Total finance expense

Finance income:

Interest on trade receivables, customer

notes, and employee loans

Foreign exchange gain

Total finance income

Note

10
11(a)

7

2015

2014

$

(1,217) $
(116)

(1,333)

(1,189)
(110)

(1,299)

421
1,055
1,476

389
529
918

Net finance income (expense)

$

143

$

(381)

15.  Segment reporting:

Information about geographic areas is as follows:

Revenue from external customers:
Canada
United States

Non-current assets(1):
Canada
United States

(1) Excludes financial instruments and deferred income taxes.

16.  Employee remuneration:

(a)  Employee benefits expense:

Expenses recognized for employee benefits are summarized below.

Wages, salaries and benefits
Pensions - defined contribution plans
LTIP share based compensation

63

2015

2014

116,805
454,793

$

104,334
351,360

571,598

$

455,694

December 31,
2015

December 31,
2014

$

1,347
14,889

991
12,800

16,236

$

13,791

2015

45,116 $
831
1,300

2014

36,832
703
694

47,247 $

38,229

$

$

$

$

$

$

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

16.  Employee remuneration (continued):

(a)  Employee benefits expense: (continued)

Employee  benefit  expenses  are  included  in  the  consolidated  statement  of  comprehensive  income  as 
follows:

Cost of sales
Selling and distribution
Administration

(b)  Pensions:

2015

7,400 $

31,232
8,615

2014

4,908
26,576
6,745

47,247 $

38,229

$

$

Hardwoods USLP, Paxton Hardwoods LLC and HMI Hardwoods LLC maintain defined contribution 401
(k) retirement savings plans (the “USLP Plan”, the “Paxton Plan” and the “HMI Hardwoods Plan”).  The 
assets of the USLP Plan are held and related investment transactions are executed by the Plan’s Trustee, 
ING National Trust, and, accordingly, are not reflected in these consolidated financial statements.  During 
the year ended December 31, 2015, Hardwoods USLP contributed and expensed $0.4 million (US$0.3 
million) (2014 - $0.3 million (US $0.3 million)) in relation to the USLP Plan.  

The assets of the Paxton Plan are held and related investment transactions are executed by the Plan’s 
Trustee, PNC Bank, and, accordingly, are not reflected in these consolidated financial statements.  During 
the year ended December 31, 2015, Hardwoods USLP contributed and expensed $0.1 million (US $0.1 
million) (2014 - $0.1 million (US $0.1 million)) in relation to the Paxton Plan. 

The assets of the HMI Hardwoods Plan are held and related investment transactions are executed by the 
Plan’s Trustee, Voya Financial (Voya Institutional Trust Company) and, accordingly, are not reflected in 
these consolidated financial statements.  There is no requirement for an employer contribution to this plan 
and accordingly HMI Hardwoods LLC did not contribute any contributions to this plan.

Hardwoods LP does not maintain a pension plan.  Hardwoods LP does, however, administer a group 
registered retirement savings plan (“LP Plan”) that has a matching component whereby Hardwoods LP 
makes contributions to the LP Plan which match contributions made by employees up to a certain level.  
The assets of the LP Plan are held and related investment transactions are executed by LP Plan’s 
Trustee, Sun Life Trust Inc., and, accordingly, are not reflected in these consolidated financial 
statements. During the year ended December 31, 2015, Hardwoods LP contributed and expensed $0.3 
million (2014 - $0.3 million) in relation to the LP plan.

17.  Related party transactions:

The Company’s related parties include key management personnel and post-employment benefit plans for the 
employees of the Company’s subsidiaries.

 (a)  Transactions with key management personnel:

Key management of the Company includes members of the Board of Directors, the President and Chief 
Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Regional Vice Presidents.  Key 
management personnel remuneration includes the following expenses:

64

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC. 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Tabular amounts expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014

17.  Related party transactions (continued):

 (a)  Transactions with key management personnel (continued):

Short-term employee benefits:

Salaries and benefits including bonuses
Company car
LTIP Share compensation

Total remuneration

2015

2014

$

$

2,915 $
39
932

3,886 $

2,255
38
244

2,537

The Company offers housing loans to employees required to relocate.  Key management personnel had 
no loans outstanding at either December 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

(b)  Transactions with post-employment benefit plans:

The defined contribution plans referred to in note 16(b) are related parties of the Company.  The Company’s 
transactions with the pension plans include contributions paid to the plans, which are disclosed in note 16
(b).  The Company has not entered into other transactions with the pension plans, nor has it any outstanding 
balances at December 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

18.  Provisions:

Legal

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to legal proceedings from time to time that arise in the ordinary 
course of its business.  Management is of the opinion, based upon information presently available, that it is 
unlikely that any liability, to the extent not provided for or through insurance, would be material in relation to 
the Company’s consolidated financial statements as at December 31, 2015.

Decommissioning

The Company and its subsidiaries are not obligated in a material way for decommissioning or site restoration.

65

Corporate Information

Directors  

Robert J. Brown  
Director  

Officers

Robert J. Brown
President & Chief Executive Officer

Graham M. Wilson 
President, Grawil Consultants Inc. 

Lance R. Blanco
Senior Vice President, Corporate Development 

E. Lawrence Sauder 
Chair, Interfor Corporation 

Faiz Karmally
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

William Sauder   
President, Emax Investments Ltd.  

Jason West
Vice President, Canada

Peter M. Bull 
President, Blenheim Realty Ltd.   

Dan A. Besen
Vice President, California and Lake States  

Brian D. Graham
Vice President, Pacific Northwest, Rocky 
Mountain and Texas

Dan Figgins
Vice President, Imports 

John Griffin
Vice President, Paxton 

Head Office 

Auditors 

Investor Relations

#306 - 9440 202nd Street  
Langley, BC Canada V1M 4A6  Vancouver, British Columbia 
Telephone:  604-881-1988 
Facsimile:  604-881-1995 

KPMG LLP 

Faiz Karmally
Chief Financial Officer
Telephone:604-881-1982

Email:  fkarmally@hardwoods-inc.com 

Listings 
The Toronto Stock Exchange 
Trades under HWD 

Transfer Agent
Computershare Trust

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2015  |  Annual Report
66