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Hardwoods Distribution

hdi · TSX Industrials
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FY2016 Annual Report · Hardwoods Distribution
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Profile 

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

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

distributor  of  non-structural  architectural  grade  building  products  to  the  residential  and 

commercial  construction  markets.  We  sell  high-grade  hardwood  lumber,  sheet  goods, 

architectural millwork and  create custom moulding and millwork packages for customers. We 

also own a sawmill and kiln drying operation in Michigan.

Our  Customers:    Our  business  serves  over  35,000  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  52%  of  the  products  we  sell  to  our 

manufacturing  customers  end  up  in  new  residential  construction,  30%  in  the  commercial/

institutional construction sector, and 18% in other markets.

Our Products and Services:  Our sales mix is comprised of approximately 51% sheet good 

products, 30% hardwood lumber products, and 19% architectural and other specialty products.  

We provide custom milling services to our customers from twenty three of our locations.

Our  People:    We  employ  over  1,000  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  and  growing  commercial  and  related  construction  markets.    In  addition  to 

capturing market growth, our strategy is to i) leverage our established global expertise in product 

sourcing to secure high-quality, differentiated products for our customers; ii) grow our sales 

into commercial markets, which represent a significant demand opportunity; and, iii) pursue 

acquisitions that complement our strategies. Since 2011, we have added 37 new locations, which 

together have added over $500 million (pro forma) in new annual sales from acquisitions.

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
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Our Network:  With the addition of the Rugby operations, approximately 85% of our pro-forma 

annual sales are expected to be generated in the United States and 15% in Canada.  We operate 

four brands from 59 locations as follows:

Table of Contents 

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

Page
3
6
43

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To our Shareholders

2016 was a year of growth and achievement for Hardwoods as we completed a major acquisition, 

established new records for top and bottom-line results, and continued to pursue our successful 

business strategies.

The Accretive Rugby Acquisition

Our US$107 million acquisition of Rugby in July 2016 was a transformative transaction for 

Hardwoods  and  the  highlight  of  our  year.    Rugby  is  a  large  and  successful  US  wholesale 

distributor of architectural-grade building products, with a focus on customers that manufacture 

end-products for the commercial market. With the addition of Rugby’s 28 distribution facilities, 

Hardwoods has emerged as the number one North American distributor in our sector, with a 

total of 58 distribution facilities, more than 35,000 customers and pro-forma annual sales of 

approximately $1 billion dollars. 

Rugby has significantly increased our footprint in the US, including in the Eastern US where 

we did not previously have a presence.  It has also expanded our access to the commercial 

market, helping to balance our exposure to the more cyclical residential construction market. 

On a full-year basis, approximately 85% of our sales will now be transacted in the US, compared 

to 75% previously, while going forward approximately 35% of our sales will be focused on the 

commercial  market,  up  from  20%  previously.  Our  product  mix  has  also  expanded  with  the 

addition of Rugby’s product offerings. 

The strategic fit of our two organizations is excellent. Other than combining our Boise and Salt 

Lake City facilities with Rugby's facilities in the same locations, there has been minimal overlap 

in targeted customer base between our networks. The integration is also going smoothly and it 

has been a pleasure to welcome Rugby’s talented employees. Rugby’s full team of managers 

and employees joined Hardwoods following the acquisition and has increased our bench strength 

considerably. We continue to work on realizing synergies of the deal including those related to 

increased purchasing power, operational efficiencies, and tax structuring.

As we anticipated, the transaction has also proved accretive to our annual results. In the five-

and-a-half months that we operated this business in 2016, Rugby contributed revenues of $175.1 

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million.  Adjusted diluted profit per share also grew by 10.8% to $1.33 in 2016, even after 

increasing our share base to finance the acquisition.

Executing our Strategies to Achieve Growth 

In addition to the significant growth provided by Rugby, our 2016 results were supported by 

organic  growth,  although  the  pace  of  growth  reflected  unevenness  in  the  US  residential 

construction market and some economic uncertainty in the US in the midst of an election year.  

Organic growth accounted for $20.4 million of our year-over-year sales growth as we continued 

to execute our “leverage imports” and “strengthen commercial” strategies. Foreign exchange 

was also a positive influence on  full-year results, accounting for $22.2 million of our sales 

growth.

As we move forward, we are focused on ensuring that our business strategies remain well aligned 

with market opportunities and challenges. As discussed in section 1.3 of our Management’s 

Discussion & Analysis, the recent launch of a US trade case against imported Chinese hardwood 

plywood, together with the potential for broader changes to US trade policy, could impact our 

import program in the US. Conversely, proposed changes to US economic policy, such as a 

lowering  of  corporate  taxes  and  investment  in  infrastructure,  could  prove  beneficial  to  our 

business. We are keeping a close eye on the evolving US macro environment and will adapt our 

strategies accordingly.

On the whole, we believe market conditions will continue to provide us with opportunities for 

profitable growth. At 1.2 million, US housing starts remain well below the 1.5-to-1.6 million 

level considered to be normal and sustainable for the industry.  Accordingly most forecasters 

predict a continued gradual strengthening trend for the US residential construction market. In 

addition,  the  commercial  construction  market  is  enjoying  solid  growth  as  the  US  economy 

strengthens and key segments like retail, office and hospitality-related construction projects 

benefit.  With our increased access to the commercial market, we are better positioned than ever 

to take advantage of this opportunity.

The highly fragmented US architectural building products distribution industry also provides 

us with numerous growth opportunities. With our larger size and scale, and our strong balance 

sheet, Hardwoods is well positioned to pursue smaller single or multi-site distributors that take 

us into new markets, expand our presence in current markets in which we operate, and provide 

accretive growth for our shareholders. The acquisition on March 13, 2017 of Eagle Plywood 

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and Lumber ("Eagle") is an example of our ability to expand our presence in an existing market.  

Having  completed  five  successful  acquisitions  in  the  past  five  and  a  half  years,  we  have 

demonstrated our ability to achieve profitable growth in this way. 

Overall, Hardwoods has emerged from 2016 as the North American industry market leader, 

with a strong, well-balanced distribution platform and a compelling future. We will pursue the 

broad  range  of  opportunities  we  see  before  us,  and  we  thank  you,  our  shareholders,  for 

participating in our continued growth. We look forward to rewarding your trust in us again in 

2017. 

Sincerely,

Rob Brown
President and Chief Executive Officer

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Management’s Discussion and Analysis  

March 17, 2017

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

Distribution Inc. (“Hardwoods” or the “Company”) as of March 17, 2017.  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, 2016 

and 2015.  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, we discuss certain EBITDA 

Ratios, such as EBITDA margin (being EBITDA as a percentage of sales), net debt-to-EBITDA 

(net debt as described in section 5.3 as compared to EBITDA), and certain Liquidity Ratios 

such  as  working  capital  (as  defined  in  section  5.2  of  this  report)  and  net  debt-to-total 

capitalization  (net  debt  as  compared  to  total  capitalization  as  described  in  section  5.3).    In 

addition to profit, we consider EBITDA, EBITDA Ratios, and Liquidity Ratios to be useful 

supplemental measures of our 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.

In this MD&A, references to "Adjusted EBITDA" are EBITDA as defined above, before certain 

items related to business acquisition activities. "Adjusted EBITDA margin" and "Adjusted net 

debt-to-EBITDA" (together the "Adjusted EBITDA Ratios") are as defined above, before certain 

items related to business acquisition activities. References to "Adjusted profit", "Adjusted basic 

profit per share", and "Adjusted diluted profit per share" are profit for the period, basic profit 

per  share,  and  diluted  profit  per  share,  before  certain  items  related  to  business  acquisition 

activities. "Adjusted cash flow per share" is cash provided by operating activities before changes 

in non-cash working capital and certain items related to business acquisition activities, divided 

by  diluted  weighted  average  common  shares  outstanding.  The  aforementioned  adjusted 

measures are collectively referenced as "the Adjusted Measures". We consider the Adjusted 

Measures to be useful supplemental measures of our profitability, our ability to meet debt service 

and capital expenditure requirements, our ability to generate cash flow from operations, and as 

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
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an  indicator  of  relative  operating  performance,  before  considering  the  impact  of  business 

acquisition activities.

EBITDA, EBITDA Ratios, Liquidity Ratios and the Adjusted Measures (collectively "the Non-

GAAP Measures") are not measures recognized by International Financial Reporting Standards 

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

that the Non-GAAP Measures should not replace profit, earnings per share or cash flows (as 

determined  in  accordance  with  IFRS)  as  an  indicator  of  our  performance.    Our  method  of 

calculating  the  Non-GAAP  Measures  may  differ  from  the  methods  used  by  other  issuers. 

Therefore, our Non-GAAP Measures may not be comparable to similar measures presented by 

other issuers. For a reconciliation between Non-GAAP Measures and measures as determined 

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

section  3.0,  Cash  Flows  from  Operating,  Investing  and  Financing Activities  in  section  5.1, 

Working Capital in section 5.2, and Revolving Credit Facilities and Debt Management Strategy 

in section 5.3 of this report.

Furthermore,  in  discussing  the  acquisition  of  Rugby  we  refer  to  pro-forma  annual  sales  of 

approximately $1 billion.  This represents management's estimate of what the Company's sales 

for  2016  would  have  been  had  the  acquisition  of  Rugby Architectural  Building  Products 

("Rugby") occurred on January 1, 2016 instead of July 15, 2016.

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Contents    

1.0 

Executive Summary

1.1 

1.2 

1.3 

Overview

Business Strategy

Outlook 

2.0 

Background

2.1 

2.2 

2.3 

Company Overview

Rugby Acquisition

Business and Industry Overview

3.0 

Results of Operations 

3.1 

3.2 

Years Ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015

Three-Month Periods Ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 

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 

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1.0 Executive Summary

1.1 Overview 

We set new sales, Adjusted EBITDA, profit and Adjusted profit records in 2016, driven by our 

accretive acquisition of Rugby Architectural Building Products (“Rugby”), continued execution 

of our business strategies, and the foreign exchange benefits of a stronger US dollar. For the 

year ended December 31, 2016, sales increased 38.1% to $789.3 million and profit increased 

18.4% to $23.9 million compared to 2015. After adjusting for expenses associated with the 

Rugby acquisition, Adjusted EBITDA grew 32.6% to $46.1 million and Adjusted profit climbed 

26.0% to $25.4 million.

During  the  third  quarter  of  2016,  we  issued  4.0  million  common  shares  of  Hardwoods  in 

connection with the bought deal financing and 0.6 million common shares were purchased by 

sellers of Rugby. Even with the increase in our share base, our diluted profit per share grew 

4.2% to $1.25 per share. After adjusting for expenses associated with the Rugby acquisition, 

Adjusted diluted profit per share grew 10.8% to $1.33 in 2016, from $1.20 in 2015. The $0.13

per share improvement reflects accretion related to the Rugby acquisition and our 2016 operating 

performance.

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Acquisition-Based and Organic Growth

Our 2016 results include approximately five-and-a-half-months of financial contribution from 

Rugby, which expanded our US distribution network with 28 new distribution facilities and 

contributed $175.1 million to sales.  Organic growth accounted for $20.4 million of our sales 

growth,  with  the  balance  driven  by  favorable  foreign  exchange  influences  resulting  from  a 

stronger US dollar. 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, 

many of whom have the capability to sell their manufactured products in the US.

Improved Profitability 

Gross profit margin grew to 18.2%, from 17.4% in 2015. Our improved gross profit margin 

performance reflects our ability to capitalize on product pricing opportunities and the positive 

impact of Rugby’s product lines, which carry a higher gross profit margin. 

As anticipated, operating expenses were higher year-over-year. This reflects the addition of the 

Rugby  operations,  as  well  as  one-time  transaction-related  costs  of  $2.4  million.  Operating 

expenses as a percentage of revenue were also higher at 13.3% in 2016 compared to 11.8% in 

2015.  This increase reflects the one-time transaction expenses, as well as Rugby’s sales model, 

which involves supplying more orders to more customers, but with smaller average order sizes.  

Bad debt expense represented just 0.1% of sales, below our long-term historical average of 

approximately 0.4% of sales.

Balance Sheet

In response to trade uncertainties (see section 1.3) we also increased our inventory balances to 

ensure product supply availability for our customers. Even with this increase in inventory, our 

balance sheet remains strong. As at December 31, 2016, our net debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA ratio 

was 2.1 times, our debt-to-capital ratio was just 30.1%, and we had $57.8 million of unused 

borrowing capacity. 

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1.2 Business Strategy

Our  strategy  in  2016  focused  on  three  key  areas:  i)  leveraging  our  import  program,  ii) 

strengthening access to commercial markets, and iii) pursuing accretive acquisitions.

Leveraging Imports

Hardwoods  has  created  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 2016, 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 represented approximately 25% of our 2016 sales. Going forward, we 

will continue to leverage our product sourcing capabilities to secure a steady supply of high-

quality, well-priced product solutions for our customers, drawing on the most advantageous 

combination of imported and domestic supply.  

Strengthening Commercial

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

commercial and institutional sectors as we work to diversify our end markets served. In 2016, 

our  acquisition  of  Rugby  significantly  increased  our  focus  on  the  commercial  market  with 

commercial sales expected to represent approximately 35% of our total sales going forward, 

compared to 20% previously. We also continued to grow our supply of first-tier quality products 

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

off-shore product solutions to the commercial sector. In addition, we further expanded our sales 

capabilities with training and other initiatives focused on the commercial market. In 2017, we 

will continue to focus on growing both our commercial customer base and the line-up of attractive 

and differentiated products we supply to this market. 

Pursuing Accretive Acquisitions

We have completed five successful acquisitions in the past five and a half years which have 

increased our sales by approximately $500 million annually on a pro-forma basis, added 37 

locations to our network, and provided us with a national footprint and reach into almost every 

region in North America.  Our 2016 acquisition of Rugby was the largest of these transactions 

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
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and provided us with access to new markets, strengthened our access in existing markets, and 

provided immediate accretion for shareholders. 

Going  forward,  we  now  have  the  size,  scale,  and  strong  balance  sheet  position  to  continue 

pursuing  growth  by  acquisition,  and  the  highly  fragmented  nature  of  the  US  architectural 

building  products  industry  provides  numerous  opportunities.  We  plan  to  continue  pursuing 

opportunities that take us into new markets, expand our presence in existing markets, and that 

can be added on an accretive basis for shareholders. The acquisition on March 13, 2017 of Eagle 

Plywood and Lumber ("Eagle") is an example of our ability to expand our presence in an existing 

market.

1.3 Outlook 

The recent change in US government administration is expected to usher in new approaches to 

trade and economic growth in the US. While it is still too early to identify what specific policies 

will be implemented or how they will impact the US economy, proposals for a large infrastructure 

spending program, a reduction in the corporate tax rate, and a more protectionist approach to 

trade, including the potential for a border adjustment tax (BAT), have been discussed.  

With a strong majority of our operations now domiciled in the US, Hardwoods is positioned to 

benefit from policies that stimulate the US economy or prove generally positive for US-based 

businesses.  However we could also be negatively impacted, at least in the near term, by trade 

decisions that affect our import program. As we discussed in our press release of November 21, 

2016, a trade case has been initiated in the US with respect to imported hardwood plywood from 

China.  Although  we  sell  more  domestically  sourced  hardwood  plywood  than  imported, 

approximately 11% of our total sales could be affected by this case. In the event that trade duties 

are levied against hardwood plywood, this would impact the market for hardwood plywood in 

the US with the potential for significant changes in selling prices, margins, and/or product supply 

availability.  Should the US government move to impose a BAT, we could see similar effects 

on a wider range of our import products, and not just those from China.  We are watching both 

the current trade case and broader US trade policy decisions closely, and have worked to secure 

a range of alternative supply solutions.  Furthermore, we have increased our inventory balances 

and positioned ourselves to respond in the event significant changes occur.

Notwithstanding the uncertainty around US trade and economic policy, our outlook for 2017 is 

positive. We expect that our gross profit margin as a percentage of sales will remain above the 

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
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levels Hardwoods has traditionally achieved, reflecting Rugby’s higher-margin product mix. 

Operating expenses are also expected to be moderately higher due to Rugby’s sales model. 

While EBITDA on a dollar basis is expected to benefit from increased sales, EBITDA as a 

percentage  of  revenue  is  expected  to  be  moderately  lower  due  to  the  increased  operating 

expenses. 

In terms of market outlook, the unevenness and relatively slow growth experienced in the US 

residential construction market in 2016 is expected to continue into 2017. As a result, we expect 

organic growth to remain modest in the near term.   Market fundamentals remain sound however, 

with US job growth and income levels gaining momentum. Harvard's Joint  Center for Housing 

Studies June 2016 report on "state of the nation’s housing" concluded that housing construction 

should average at least 1.6 million units a year over the next decade in order to replace older 

units and meet demand. With average housing starts at 1.2 million in 2016, there is considerable 

room for growth in this market, although we expect it will take time to reach the 1.6 million 

level.  

In the non-residential construction market, the American Institute of Architects predicts growth 

of 6.7% in 2017, with the strongest gains anticipated for the commercial sectors that we focus 

on.

Strategically, we will continue to implement our strategies, including leveraging our product 

sourcing capabilities, capitalizing on significant opportunities in the commercial market and 

pursuing strategic acquisitions, such as our acquisition on March 13, 2017 of Eagle. 

Our Board will continue to review our financial performance and assess dividend levels on a 

regular basis. However, our primary focus will be to retain the cash necessary to finance the 

significant market growth opportunity in the US and to keep our balance sheet strong, reduce 

debt and support future strategic acquisitions.

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Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
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2.0 Background

2.1 Company Overview

Hardwoods Distribution Inc. is a publicly traded company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange 

and trades under the symbol HWD.

2.2 Rugby acquisition 

On July 15, 2016, we acquired Rugby for a base purchase price of $138.8 million (US $107.0 

million), plus up to another $16.9 million (US $13.0 million) of purchase consideration and 

bonuses  based  on  future  performance.    Rugby  is  a  leading  US  wholesale  distributor  of 

architectural grade building products to customers that supply end-products to the commercial 

market. It also serves industrial, retail, residential and institutional construction end-markets. 

Rugby has a strong national US footprint, operating 28 strategically located distribution facilities 

that serve over 22,000 customers across 48 US states.

The  transaction  was  financed  using  approximately  $55.7  million  (US$43.0  million)  of  net 

proceeds from a bought deal share offering, $74.1 million (US$57.0 million) of draw-down of 

our amended US credit facility, and the issuance of 563,542 common shares of Hardwoods for 

proceeds of $9.0 million (US$7.0 million).  

2.3 Business and Industry Overview

Serving customers for over 50 years, Hardwoods is North America’s largest distributor of non-

structural architectural grade building products to the cabinet, moulding, millwork, furniture 

and specialty wood products industries.  As at March 17, 2017 we operated 58 distribution 

facilities located in 25 US states and 5 Canadian provinces.  Certain of these facilities include 

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

packages  for  our  customers. An  additional  facility,  HMI,  is  a  fully  integrated  producer  and 

exporter of high-quality, value-added hardwood lumber.

Approximately 51% of our 2016 sales were made up of hardwood plywood and non-structural 

sheet goods such as medium-density fiberboard, particleboard and thermally fused laminate. 

Approximately 30% 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 

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the manufacture of their own end-use products. The balance of our product sales, about 19%, 

was made up of architectural and other products.

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

large volumes of hardwood lumber, sheet goods and specialty products, and industrial customers 

that  require  smaller  quantities  of  many  different  architectural  products  for  their  own 

manufacturing processes.  We provide a means for hundreds of 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, 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 that 52% 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, as 

well as by overseas hardwood plywood manufacturers.  Both domestic and imported hardwood 

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

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3.0 Results of Operations

3.1 Years Ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015

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 $

$

2016

789,321

498,198

129,935

143,778

18.2%

(104,871)

38,907

4,806

2015

(Decrease)

(Decrease)

571,598

355,724

116,805

99,633

17.4%

(67,422)

32,211

2,593

$ 217,723

142,474

13,130

44,145

37,449

6,696

2,213

38.1 %

40.1 %

11.2 %

44.3 %

55.5 %

20.8 %

85.3 %

43,713

$

34,804

$

8,909

25.6 %

(4,806)

(1,465)

(13,580)

23,862

1.27

1.25

1.32

$

$

$

$

(2,593)

143

(12,208)

20,146

1.21

1.20

1.28

(2,213)

(1,608)

(1,372)

$

3,716

18.4 %

Analysis of Specific Items Affecting Comparability (in thousands of Canadian dollars)

For the year

For the year

ended December 31

ended December 31

$ Increase % Increase

2016

2015

(Decrease)

(Decrease)

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and

amortization ("EBITDA"), per the table above

Transaction expenses

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA as a % of revenue

Profit for the period, as reported

Transaction expenses, net of tax

Adjusted Profit

Basic profit per share, as reported

Net impact of above items per share

Adjusted basic profit per share

Diluted profit per share, as reported

Net impact of above items per share

Adjusted diluted profit per share

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

43,713

2,436

46,149

5.8%

23,862

1,516

25,378

1.27

0.08

1.35

1.25

0.08

1.33

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

34,804

$

8,909

2,436

25.6 %

11,345

32.6 %

—

34,804

6.1%

20,146

—

20,146

1.21

—

1.21

1.20

—

1.20

3,716

1,516

5,232

0.06

0.08

0.14

0.05

0.08

0.13

$

$

$

$

18.4 %

26.0 %

5.0 %

11.6 %

4.2 %

10.8 %

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
17

Sales

For the year ended December 31, 2016, total sales increased 38.1% to $789.3 million, from 

$571.6  million  in  2015.  Of  the  $217.7  million  year-over-year  increase,  $175.1  million, 

representing a  30.6% increase in sales, was due to the addition of Rugby’s operations and $20.4

million, representing a 3.6% increase in sales, was due to organic growth. Sales results also 

benefited from a $22.2 million positive impact of a stronger US dollar when translating our US 

sales to Canadian dollars for reporting purposes.

Sales from our US operations increased by US$142.5 million, or 40.1%, to US$498.2 million, 

from US$355.7 million in 2015.  Rugby, which was acquired on July 15, 2017, contributed sales 

of US$132.6 million. Organic growth accounted for US$9.9 million of the US sales uplift as 

we increased sales volumes in response to higher demand. 

Sales in Canada increased by $13.1 million, or 11.2%, 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.  

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased 44.3% to $143.8 million, from 

$99.6 million in 2015.  This $44.1 million improvement reflects higher gross profit margin from 

both  the  Rugby  and  Hardwoods  businesses,  together  with  higher  sales  for  the  year. As  a 

percentage of sales, gross profit margin increased to 18.2% in 2016, from 17.4% in 2015.   

Operating Expenses 

For the year ended December 31, 2016, operating expenses increased to $104.9 million, from 

$67.4 million in 2015. The $37.4 million increase includes Rugby operating expenses of $29.3

million, $2.4 million of transaction expenses related to the Rugby acquisition, a $3.0 million 

increase in expenses due to the impact of a stronger US dollar on translation of US operating 

expenses, and $2.7 million of added costs to support our organic growth.  As a percentage of 

sales, operating expenses increased to 13.3% from 11.8% year-over-year, primarily reflecting 

Rugby’s higher ratio of operating expenses as a percentage of sales.  

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
18

Depreciation and Amortization 

For the year ended December 31, 2016, amortization expense increased to $4.8 million, from 

$2.6  million  in  2015. The  $2.2  million  increase  primarily  relates  to  amortization  of  Rugby 

property,  plant  and  equipment  of  $0.9  million,  a  $0.9  million  increase  to  amortization  of 

intangible  assets  related  to  customer  relationships  acquired  in  connection  with  the  Rugby 

acquisition, and a $0.4 million increase from the Hardwoods business.

Adjusted EBITDA

For the year ended December 31, 2016 Adjusted EBITDA grew 32.6% to $46.1 million, an 

increase of $11.3 million from $34.8 million in 2015. The growth in Adjusted EBITDA primarily 

reflects the $44.1 million increase in gross profit, partially offset by the $32.8 million increase 

in operating expenses (before expenses related to the Rugby acquisition and before an increase 

in depreciation and amortization).

Net Finance Income (Cost)

(in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Finance expense:

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

Total finance expense

Finance income:

Interest on trade receivables, customer

notes, and employee loans

Foreign exchange gain

Total finance income

For the year
ended
December 31
2016

For the year
ended
December 31
2015

$ Change

$

(1,675) $
(137)
(11)
(1,823)

(1,217) $
(116)
—
(1,333)

358
—
358

421
1,055
1,476

(458)
(21)
(11)
(490)

(63)
(1,055)
(1,118)

Net finance income (expense)

$

(1,465) $

143

$

(1,608)

We recorded a net finance expense of $1.5 million in 2016 as compared to net finance income 

of $0.1 million in 2015. The $1.6 million year-over-year increase reflects the impact of changes 

in the value of the US dollar on US dollar denominated intercompany debt between the two 

years. On June 21, 2016 we settled the intercompany debt in full.  The increase in net finance 

expense also reflects higher interest expense related to increased borrowings to finance part of 

the purchase price of Rugby.  

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
19

Income Tax Expense 

Income tax expense increased to $13.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, from 

$12.2 million in 2015.  This increase primarily reflects higher taxable income.

Profit for the Period

Profit for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased 18.4% to $23.9 million, from $20.1

million in 2015.  The $3.7 million improvement reflects the $8.9 million year-over-year increase 

in EBITDA, partially offset by the $1.4 million increase in income tax expense, the $1.6 million 

increase in net finance cost, and a $2.2 million increase in depreciation and amortization.

Adjusted profit, which excludes the $1.5 million in expenses related to the Rugby acquisition, 

net of tax, increased to $25.4 million in 2016. This was $5.2 million or 26.0% higher than 2015. 

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
20

3.2 Three-Month Periods Ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015

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

Three months

Three months

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 $

2016

239,449

155,661

31,676

43,523

18.2%

(34,785)

8,738

2,125

2015

(Decrease)

(Decrease)

$

141,017

$

98,432

84,384

28,058

24,988

17.7%

(18,039)

6,949

702

71,277

3,618

18,535

16,746

1,789

1,423

69.8 %

84.5 %

12.9 %

74.2 %

92.8 %

25.7 %

202.7 %

10,863

$

7,651

$

3,212

42.0 %

(2,125)

(668)

(1,493)

6,577

0.31

0.29

1.33

$

$

$

$

(702)

83

(2,571)

4,461

0.27

0.27

1.34

(1,423)

(751)

1,078

2,116

$

47.4 %

Analysis of Specific Items Affecting Comparability (in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Three months

Three months

ended December 31

ended December 31

$ Increase % Increase

2016

2015

(Decrease)

(Decrease)

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and

amortization ("EBITDA"), per the table above

Transaction expenses

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA as a % of revenue

Profit for the period, as reported

Transaction expenses, net of tax

Adjusted Profit

Basic profit per share, as reported

Net impact of above items per share

Adjusted basic profit per share

Diluted profit per share, as reported

Net impact of above items per share

Adjusted diluted profit per share

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

10,863

50

10,913

4.6%

6,577

31

6,608

0.31

—

0.31

0.29

—

0.29

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

7,651

—

7,651

5.4%

4,461

—

4,461

0.27

—

0.27

0.27

—

0.27

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

3,212

50

3,262

2,116

31

2,147

0.04

—

0.04

0.02

—

0.02

42.0 %

42.6 %

47.4 %

48.1 %

14.8 %

14.8 %

7.4 %

7.4 %

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
21

Sales

For the three months ended December 31, 2016, total sales increased 69.8% to $239.4 million, 

from  $141.0  million  during  the  same  period  in  2015.  Of  the  $98.4  million  year-over-year 

increase, $93.5 million, representing a 66.3% increase in sales, was due to the addition of Rugby’s 

operations and $5.8 million, representing a 4.1% increase in sales, was due to organic growth.  

The sales gain was partially offset by a $0.9 million negative foreign exchange impact resulting 

from a stronger Canadian dollar when translating our US sales to Canadian dollars for reporting 

purposes.

Sales from our US operations increased by US$71.3 million, or 84.5%, to US$155.7 million, 

from US$84.4 million in the same period in 2015. Rugby, which was acquired on July 15, 2016, 

contributed US$70.1 million of this increase, with the remaining increase relating to organic 

growth. Sales in Canada increased by $3.6 million, or 12.9%, year-over-year.  The increase in 

Canadian sales reflects our success in winning new business.  

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the three months ended December 31, 2016 increased 74.2% to $43.5 million, 

from $25.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2015. This $18.5 million improvement reflects higher 

gross profit margin from both the Rugby and Hardwoods operations. As a percentage of sales, 

gross profit margin increased to 18.2% in the fourth quarter of 2016, from 17.7% in the fourth 

quarter 2015.    

Operating Expenses 

Operating expenses increased to $34.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, from $18.0 million 

during the same period in 2015. The $16.7 million increase includes Rugby operating expenses 

of $16.3 million, $0.1 million of transaction expenses related to the Rugby acquisition, and $0.5

million of added costs to support organic growth.  These increases were partially offset by a 

$0.1 million decrease in expenses due to the impact of a stronger Canadian dollar on translation 

of US operating expenses. As a percentage of sales, operating expenses increased to 14.5% from 

12.8%  year-over-year,  primarily  reflecting  Rugby’s  higher  ratio  of  operating  expenses  as  a 

percentage of sales.  

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
22

Depreciation and Amortization 

For the three months ended December 31, 2016, amortization expense increased to $2.1 million, 

from $0.7 million in 2015. The $1.4 million increase primarily relates to amortization of Rugby 

property, plant and equipment of $0.5 million, and a  $0.9 million increase to amortization of 

intangible  assets  related  to  customer  relationships  acquired  in  connection  with  the  Rugby 

acquisition.

Adjusted EBITDA

For the three months ended December 31, 2016 Adjusted EBITDA grew 42.6% to $10.9 million, 

from $7.7 million in the same period in 2015. The $3.3 million growth in Adjusted EBITDA 

primarily reflects the $18.5 million increase in gross profit, partially offset by the $15.2 million 

increase in operating expenses (before expenses related to the Rugby acquisition and before an 

increase in depreciation and amortization). 

Net Finance Income (expense)

(in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Three months
ended
December 31
2016

Three months
ended
December 31
2015

$ Change

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

$

$

(607)
(38)
(86)
(731)

$

(234)
(30)
—
(264)

63
—
63

123
224
347

Net finance income (expense)

$

(668)

$

83

$

(373)
(8)
(86)
(467)

(60)
(224)
(284)

(751)

For the three months ended December 31, 2016, we recorded a net finance expense of $0.7 

million as compared to net finance income of $0.1 million during the same period in 2015. The 

$0.8 million increase in net finance expense is primarily comprised of a foreign exchange loss  

and an increase in interest expense as a result of higher bank indebtedness.  

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
23

Income Tax Expense 

Income tax expense decreased to $1.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, from $2.6 million 

in the same period in 2015.  The $1.1 million decrease primarily reflects adjustments to our tax 

estimates in the fourth quarter of 2016 to reflect the impact of certain corporate restructuring 

activities during the second half of 2016.

 Profit for the Period

Profit for the three months ended December 31, 2016 increased 47.4% to $6.6 million, from 

$4.5 million during the same period in 2015.  The $2.1 million improvement reflects the $3.2

million increase in EBITDA and the $1.1 million decrease in income tax expense, partially 

offset by the $0.8 million increase in net finance cost, and a $1.4 million increase in depreciation 

and amortization.

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
24

4.0 Selected Financial Information and Seasonality

4.1 Quarterly Financial Information

(in thousands of dollars)

Q4

2016

Q3

2016

Q2

2016

Q1

2016

Q4

2015

Q3

2015

Q2

2015

Q1

2015

Total sales

Profit

Basic profit per share

Diluted profit per share

$ 239,449 $ 235,428 $ 157,031 $ 157,413 $ 141,017 $ 152,114 $ 143,351 $ 135,116

6,577

7,296

5,367

4,622

4,461

5,963

5,009

4,713

0.31

0.29

0.35

0.35

0.32

0.32

0.28

0.27

0.27

0.27

0.36

0.35

0.30

0.30

0.28

0.28

EBITDA

10,863

13,186

10,231

9,433

7,651

10,227

9,280

7,646

Adjusted profit

6,608

8,084

6,200

4,622

4,461

5,963

5,009

4,713

Adjusted basic profit per share

Adjusted diluted profit per share

0.31

0.29

0.39

0.39

0.37

0.37

Adjusted EBITDA

10,913

14,280

11,523

Adjusted cash flow per share

0.31

0.55

0.48

0.28

0.27

9,433

0.29

0.27

0.27

0.36

0.35

7,651

10,227

0.40

0.53

0.30

0.30

9,280

0.39

0.28

0.28

7,646

0.27

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 the impact 

of our acquisition of Rugby on Q3 and Q4 2016, 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

ended December
31

ended December
31

ended December
31

2016

2015

$

789,321 $

571,598

23,862

20,146

1.27

1.25

1.21

1.20

2014

455,694

14,015

0.85

0.84

371,076

190,004

160,813

1,877

43,713

696

34,804

4,120

25,478

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
25

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

2016

2015

$ change

2016

2015

$ change

Cash provided by operating activities before

changes in non-cash working capital

$

28,844 $

26,788 $

2,056

$

6,692 $

6,706 $

(14)

Changes in non-cash working capital

Net cash provided by operating activities

(14,172)

(6,044)

14,672

20,744

(8,128)

(6,072)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

(138,814)

(1,352)

(137,462)

(2,172)

4,520

292

10,689

17,395

(12,861)

(12,875)

(389)

681

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

124,908

(19,405)

144,313

(4,721)

(17,006)

12,285

Increase (decrease) in cash

Cash, beginning of period

Cash, end of the period

766

—

(13)

13

779

(13)

91

675

—

—

$

766 $

— $

766

$

766 $

— $

91

675

766

Calculation of Adjusted Cash Flow per Share (in thousands, except per share amounts)

Years ended December 31

Three months ended December 31

2016

2015

$ change

2016

2015

$ change

Cash provided by operating activities before changes

in non-cash working capital

$

28,844 $

26,788 $

2,056

$

6,692 $

6,706 $

Transaction expenses

2,436

—

2,436

50

—

(14)

50

Adjusted Cash provided by operating activities before
changes in non-cash working capital

Weighted average common shares - diluted

Adjusted cash flow per share

$

$

31,280 $

26,788 $

19,018

16,781

1.64 $

1.60 $

4,492

2,237

0.04

$

$

6,742 $

6,706 $

36

21,498

16,810

4,688

0.31 $

0.40 $

(0.09)

Net cash used in operating activities

For the year ended December 31, 2016, net cash provided by operating activities was $14.7

million, compared to $20.7 million in 2015. Cash provided by operating activities before changes 

in  non-cash  working  capital  increased  by  $2.1  million  primarily  reflecting  the  $8.9  million 

increase in EBITDA, partially offset by a $6.2 million increase in income taxes paid and an 

increase in interest paid of $0.3 million. Investment in non-cash working capital increased by 

$8.1  million in 2016 compared to 2015.  An analysis of changes in working capital is provided 

in section 5.2 of this report.

For  the  three  months  ended  December 31,  2016,  net  cash  provided  by  operating  activities 

decreased to $4.5 million, from $17.4 million in the same period in 2015, a reduction of $12.9

million. There was no change in fourth quarter cash provided by operating activities before 

changes in non-cash working capital.  Investment in non-cash working capital increased by 

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
26

$12.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, compared to the fourth quarter of 2015.  An analysis 

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

For the year ended December 31, 2016, adjusted cash flow per share increased by $0.04 to 

$1.64, as compared to 2015. For the three months ended December 31, 2016 adjusted cash flow 

per share was $0.31 compared to $0.40 in the same period in the prior year.  The decrease of 

$0.09 primarily relates to an increase in taxes paid of $2.7 million in the quarter, relating to 

timing of these payments. Adjusted cash flow per share is one of the measures we review to 

assess  the  operating  performance  of  the  business  and  the  cash  flow  available  to  finance 

investments in non-cash working capital, and financing and investing activities.   

Net cash used in investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities increased by $137.5 million to $138.8 million in 2016, 

from  $1.4  million  in  2015.    The  increase  primarily  relates  to  the  $136.9  million  paid  on 

acquisition of Rugby on July 15, 2016.  

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

lease our buildings and typically contract out delivery equipment.  Capital expenditures in this 

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

leasehold improvements and computer equipment.  

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, 2016 cash used in investing activities decreased by 

$0.7 million. This decrease primarily relates to fewer purchases of property, plant and equipment 

in the quarter as compared to the same quarter in 2015.   

Net cash provided by financing activities

For the year ended December 31, 2016 net cash provided by financing activities increased by 

$144.3 million as compared to 2015. The increase primarily relates to an increase in our credit 

facilities and the issuance of common shares to finance the purchase of Rugby.

For three months ended December 31, 2016 net cash used in financing activities decreased $12.3

million as compared to the same period in 2015.  There were no significant changes in the 

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
27

composition of cash provided by and used in financing activities, with changes in our credit 

facilities and dividends paid to shareholders being the main financing activities during the period. 

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 $220.8 million as at December 31, 2016, compared to 

$149.4 million at December 31, 2015.  The increase is attributable to the acquisition of Rugby, 

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 and, as a result, sales and working 

capital requirements may be lower in these quarters.  In the fourth quarter of 2016 however we 

made additional investments in inventory in response to trade uncertainties (see section 1.3) 

and this increased our investment in working capital.  A summary of changes in our non-cash 

operating working capital during the twelve and three month periods ended December 31, 2016

and 2015 is provided below. 

(in thousands of Canadian dollars)

Source (use) of funds

2016

2015

2016

2015

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

$

(956)

$

(2,930)

$

10,350

$

(15,723)

187

2,320

(4,499)

39

1,346

(8,224)

1,350

(5,648)

9,242

3,775

284

(2,612)

Increase in non-cash operating working capital

$

(14,172)

$

(6,044)

$

(2,172)

$

10,689

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.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
28

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 Adjusted EBITDA

Net debt to previous 12 months Adjusted EBITDA

As at

As at

December 31, 2016

December 31, 2015

$

$

$

766
97,886
97,120
225,999
323,119

30.1%

46,149

2.1

$

$

$

—
28,894
28,894
142,948
171,842

16.8%

34,804

0.8

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

shown above, our net debt balance increased by $68.2 million to $97.1 million at December 31, 

2016, from $28.9 million at December 31, 2015.  Overall net debt compared to total capitalization 

stood  at  30.1%  as  at  December 31,  2016,  compared  to  16.8%  at  December  31,  2015. At 

December 31, 2016 our ratio of net debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA for the previous 12 months was 

2.1 times, compared to 0.8 times at December 31, 2015.  The net debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA for 

the previous 12 months includes approximately 5.5 months of Rugby's results and we expect 

the net debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA ratio to decrease from its current levels once a full 12 month 

of  Rugby's  results  are  included.    Net  debt-to-Adjusted  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 limited to the extent of the value of certain accounts receivable and inventories 

held by our subsidiaries. Credit facilities also require ongoing compliance with certain credit 

ratios.  A summary of our credit facilities as at December 31, 2016 is provided in the following 

table.  

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
29

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

$

$

$

$

20.0 million

August 5, 2021

19.4 million

12.5 million

6.9 million

$

$

$

$

167.4 million (US$125.0 million)

July 14, 2021

135.8 million (US$101.3 million)

84.9 million (US$63.4 million)

50.9 million (US$37.9 million)

Covenant  does  not  apply 
when  the  unused  credit 
facility  available  exceeds 
$2.0 million, which it did at 
December 31, 2016

Covenant does not apply when the unused 
credit facility available exceeds 10% of  the 
maximum  borrowings  under 
the  credit 
facility  or  US$12.5  million,  which  it  did  at 
December 31, 2016

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, 

2016.  Accordingly, there were no restrictions on dividends arising from non-compliance with 

financial covenants.

In connection with the closing of the Rugby acquisition on July 15, 2016, we entered into a new 

US credit facility with our lender ("the USLP Credit Facility"). The USLP Credit Facility replaces 

the existing US credit facility and consists of a revolving credit line of US$125.0 million. The 

amounts made available under the USLP  Credit Facility are limited based on a borrowing base 

determined by reference to the value of certain eligible accounts receivable and inventories held 

by certain of our subsidiaries.  

The financial covenants under the USLP Credit Facility include, among others, a springing fixed 

charge coverage ratio of 1.0x, triggered if excess availability under the USLP Credit Facility 

falls below 10% of the USLP Credit Facility at any time. 

In addition to the financial covenants, the ability of our subsidiaries to pay distributions and 

dividends, complete acquisitions, make additional investments, take on additional indebtedness, 

allow  assets  to  become  subject  to  liens,  complete  affiliate  transactions  and  make  capital 

expenditures are limited and subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. The USLP Credit 

Facility has a five-year term and can be prepaid at any time with no prepayment penalty.

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
30

On August 5, 2016 we renewed our Canadian credit facility with our existing lender ("the LP 

Credit  Facility").  The  LP  Credit  Facility  replaces  the  existing  Canadian  credit  facility  and 

consists of a revolving credit line of $20.0 million. The amounts made available under the LP 

Credit Facility are limited based on a borrowing base determined by reference to the value of 

certain  eligible  accounts  receivable  and  inventories  held  by  our  Canadian  subsidiary.  The 

covenants under the LP Credit Facility relate to our Canadian subsidiary and include, among 

others: (i) a springing fixed charge covenant ratio of 1.0x, triggered if excess availability under 

the  LP  Credit  Facility  falls  below  $2.0  million,  and  (ii)  restrictions  on  our  ability  to  pay 

distributions  and  dividends,  complete  acquisitions,  make  additional  investments,  take  on 

additional  indebtedness,  allow  our  assets  to  become  subject  to  liens,  complete  affiliate 

transactions and make capital expenditures. We were in compliance with these covenants as at 

December 31, 2016. The new Canadian credit facility has a five-year term and can be prepaid 

at any time with no prepayment penalty.

On February 24, 2017 we amended the LP Credit Facility such that the credit line was increased 

from $20.0 million to $25.0 million.

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

facilities as they expire.  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 

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, 2016.  These obligations 

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

(in thousands of dollars)

2017

2018

2019

$19,218

$13,685

$11,238

2020

$8,503

2021

$5,763

thereafter

Total

$8,118

$66,525

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
31

 
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, notes 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, notes payable 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 17, 2017, the date of this MD&A, we had 21,350,572 common shares issued and 

outstanding.  In addition, at March 17, 2017, we had outstanding 58,601 performance shares 

and 73,661 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 us 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 performance 

shares vest over periods of up to three years and employees have the option, when the restricted 

and performance share vest, to receive up to half the fair value in cash and the remainder in 

common shares.  We intend to issue common shares from treasury to settle the portion of the 

obligation not paid to employees in cash.

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
32

5.8 Dividends

In the fourth quarter of 2016, we declared a quarterly dividend of $0.0625 per share, which was 

paid on January 31, 2017 to shareholders of record as at January 20, 2017.  On March 17, 2017

we declared a quarterly dividend of $0.0625 per share, payable on April 28, 2017 to shareholders 

of record as at April 17, 2017.  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, 2016 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 

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.  

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
33

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.

Rugby acquisition:  We are required to make estimates and assumptions related to the Rugby 

acquisition, including the net asset value acquired, the amounts payable under the earn-out, the 

fair values of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and the value of goodwill and 

intangible assets assumed.   

7.2 Adoption of New Accounting Policies 

There were no new standards effective January 1, 2016 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, 2016, 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 

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
34

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.

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

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. Upon adoption of IFRS 16, the Company's operating leases, which 

are principally comprised of its warehouse facilities and automobiles, will be recorded in the 

statement of financial position with a corresponding lease obligation.  We are assessing the 

impact of this new standard and the impact of adopting this standard has not yet been determined.

IAS 12, Income Taxes (Amendments)

On January 19, 2016, the IASB issued Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for Unrealized Losses 

as an amendment to IAS 12. The amendments clarify that the existence of a deductible temporary 

difference depends solely on a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset and its tax base 

at the end of the reporting period, and is not affected by possible future changes in the carrying 

amount or expected manner of recovery of the asset.  The amendments apply retrospectively 

for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017 with early adoption permitted. We 

intend to adopt the amendments to IAS 12 in our consolidated financial statements for the annual 

period beginning on January 1, 2017. We do not expect the amendments to have a material 

impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
35

IFRS 2, Share-Based Payment (Amendments)

On June 20, 2016, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 2 clarifying how to account for certain 

types  of  share-based  payment  transactions.  The  amendments  provide  requirements  on  the 

accounting for: the effects of vesting and non-vesting conditions on the measurement of cash-

settled share-based payments; share-based payment transactions with a net settlement feature 

for withholding tax obligations; and a modification to the terms and conditions of a share-based 

payment that changes the classification of the transaction from cash-settled to equity-settled.

The amendments apply for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018. As a practical 

simplification, the amendments can be applied prospectively. Retrospective, or early, application 

is permitted if information is available without the use of hindsight.  We intend to adopt the 

amendments to IFRS 2 in our consolidated financial statements for the annual period beginning 

on  January  1,  2018. The  extent  of  the  impact  of  adoption  of  the  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.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
36

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, 2016. 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, 2016.

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, 2016. 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, 2016.

There have not been any changes in our ICFR during the quarter ended December 31, 2016 that 

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

The CEO and CFO have limited the scope of their design of disclosure controls and procedures 

and internal control over financial reporting to exclude controls, policies and procedures of the 

Rugby business unit, which we acquired on July 15, 2016.  Summary financial information 

about the acquired Rugby business can be found in section 3.0.

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
37

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: Going forward, 

we will continue to leverage our product sourcing capabilities to secure a steady supply of high-

quality, well-priced product solutions for our customers, drawing on the most advantageous 

combination of imported and domestic supply; in 2017, we will continue to focus on growing 

both our commercial customer base and the line-up of attractive and differentiated products we 

supply to this market; we plan to continue pursuing opportunities that take us into new markets, 

expand  our  presence  in  existing  markets,  and  that  can  be  added  on  an  accretive  basis  for 

shareholders; Hardwoods is positioned to benefit from policies that stimulate the US economy 

or  prove  generally  positive  for  US-based  businesses;  Hardwoods  could  also  be  negatively 

impacted,  at  least  in  the  near  term,  by  trade  decisions  that  affect  our  import  program; 

approximately 11% of our total sales could be affected by the trade case; in the event that trade 

duties  are  levied  against  hardwood  plywood,  this  would  impact  the  market  for  hardwood 

plywood in the US with the potential for significant changes in selling prices, margins, and/or 

product supply availability; should the US government move to impose a BAT, we could see 

similar effects on a wider range of our import products, and not just those from China; our 

outlook for 2017 is positive; we expect that our gross profit margin as a percentage of sales will 

remain above the levels Hardwoods has traditionally achieved, reflecting Rugby’s higher-margin 

product mix; operating expenses are also expected to be moderately higher due to Rugby’s sales 

model; EBITDA on a dollar basis is expected to benefit from increased sales; EBITDA as a 

percentage  of  revenue  is  expected  to  be  moderately  lower  due  to  the  increased  operating 

expenses; in terms of market outlook, the unevenness and relatively slow growth experienced 

in the US residential construction market in 2016 is expected to continue into 2017; we expect 

organic growth to remain modest in the near term; market fundamentals remain sound however, 

with US job growth and income levels gaining momentum; Harvard's Joint  Center for Housing 

Studies June 2016 report on "state of the nation’s housing" concluded that housing construction 

should average at least 1.6 million units a year over the next decade in order to replace older 

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
38

units  and  meet  demand,  and  with  average  housing  starts  at  1.2  million  in  2016,  there  is 

considerable room for growth in this market, although we expect it will take time to reach the 

1.6 million level; historically, the first and fourth quarters have been seasonally slower periods 

for our 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; we do not intend to 

restrict future dividends in order to fully extinguish our bank debt obligations upon their maturity; 

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 opportunities; we believe our current credit facilities are sufficient to 

finance our working capital needs and market expansion strategy, we intend to issue common 

shares from treasury to settle the portion of the LTIP obligation not paid to employees in cash.

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 

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 

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
39

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.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
40

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.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
41

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, 2016 and 2015, 
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, 2016 and 2015, 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 17, 2017
Vancouver, Canada

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42

Consolidated Financial Statements
(Expressed in Canadian dollars)

HARDWOODS DISTRIBUTION INC.

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

43

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

Note

December 31,
2016

December 31,
2015

Assets

Current assets:

Cash
Accounts and other receivables
Inventories
Prepaid expenses
Total current assets

Non-current assets:

Non-current receivables
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Deferred income taxes
Goodwill
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:

Finance lease obligation
Other liabilities
Total non-current liabilities

Total liabilities

Shareholders’ equity

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

7
8

7
9
10
14
4

11

12(a)
5

12(a)
13(b)

13(a)

$

$

$

$

766
94,534
164,547
2,689
262,536

1,378
20,710
20,114
11,631
54,707
108,540

—
56,156
103,476
2,193
161,825

969
16,200
36
10,974
—
28,179

371,076

$

190,004

$

97,886
40,978
1,949
1,055
1,332

143,200

905
972
1,877

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

46,360

696
—
696

145,077

47,056

112,362
104,333
(14,258)
23,562
225,999

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

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

371,076

$

190,004

Subsequent event (note 5 and note 11)
Commitments (note 12)

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

44

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

Note
16
8

$

2016
789,321
(645,543)

$

2015
571,598
(471,965)

143,778

99,633

Sales
Cost of goods sold

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

Net profit

17
17

15
15

14
14

(77,070)
(27,801)
(104,871)

38,907

(1,823)
358
(1,465)

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

32,211

(1,333)
1,476
143

37,442

32,354

(13,600)
20
(13,580)

23,862

(341)

23,521

1.27
1.25

$

$
$

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

20,146

16,399

36,545

1.21
1.20

Other comprehensive income:

Exchange differences translating foreign operations

Total comprehensive income

Basic net profit per share
Diluted net profit per share

13(c)
13(c)

$

$
$

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

45

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

Note

Share
capital

Contributed
surplus

Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income -
translation
reserve

Deficit

Total

Balance at January 1, 2015

Share based compensation
expense

$ 45,830

$ 105,154

$

7,504

$ (49,999) $ 108,489

13 (b)

—

1,299

—

—

1,299

Share based compensation tax
adjustment
Shares issued pursuant to LTIP 13 (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

Share based compensation
expense

Shares issued in connection
with the bought deal financing,
net of share issue costs

13 (b)

—

1,130

13 (a)

54,434

—

Shares issued concurrent with
the Rugby acquisition
13 (a)
Shares issued pursuant to LTIP 13 (b)

Share reclassified to liabilities

13 (b)

Deferred tax recovery on share
issue costs
Profit for the year
Dividends declared
Translation of foreign operations

9,091
1,162

—

816
—
—
—

—
(1,162)

(1,182)

—
—
—
—

—

—

—
—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—
—
—
(341)

—
23,862
(4,759)
—

1,130

54,434

9,091
—

(1,182)

816
23,862
(4,759)
(341)

Balance at December 31, 2016

$ 112,362

$ 104,333

$

23,562

$ (14,258) $ 225,999

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

46

Note

2016

2015

$

23,862

$

20,146

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

Cash flow from operating activities:

Profit for the year
Adjustments for:

Depreciation and amortization
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
Note repayment
Issue of common shares, net of share issue costs
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

Increase (decrease) in cash

Cash, beginning of year

Cash, end of year

Supplementary information:

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

9,10
9
13(b)
14
15

11

13(a)
5

4

$

$

Deferred income tax on share issue costs in share capital
Future cash settlement of LTIP's in accrued liabilities and
   non-current liabilities
Property, plant and equipment purchases in accrued
   liabilities and non-current liabilities
Transfer of accounts receivable to non-current customer

notes receivable

13(b)

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

47

4,806
(171)
1,130
13,580
1,465
358
(1,651)
(14,535)
28,844

(956)
(15,723)
187
2,320
(14,172)
14,672

67,343
(1,204)
(407)
63,525
(4,349)
124,908

(2,785)
421
(136,875)
425
(138,814)

766

—

766

$

$

1,404
816

1,182

596

199

2,593
(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

—

860
—

—

—

192

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

1.    Nature of operations:

Hardwoods Distribution Inc. (the “Company”) is incorporated under the Canada Business Corporations Act and trades on the 
Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “HWD.”  The Company operates a network of 58 distribution centers in Canada and 
the  US  engaged  in  the  wholesale  distribution  of  hardwood  lumber,  sheet  goods,  specialty  products  and  non-structural 
architectural grade building products to customers that supply end-products to the residential and commercial construction 
markets.  The Company also has a sawmill and kiln drying operation in Clinton, Michigan. The Company's principal office is 
located at #306, 9440 202nd Street, Langley, British Columbia V1M 4A6.

On July 15, 2016 (the "Acquisition date"), the Company acquired through one of its wholly owned subsidiaries substantially all 
the assets used in the business of Rugby Acquisition, LLC and its subsidiaries ("Rugby") and assumed certain of Rugby's 
liabilities (the "Acquisition") for a base purchase price of $138.8 million (US$107.0 million) (the “Purchase Price”) plus up to 
another $16.9 million (US$13.0 million) in earn-outs based on future performance (note 4). Rugby operates a network of 28 
distribution centers in the US and is engaged in the wholesale distribution of non-structural architectural grade building products 
to customers that supply end-products to the commercial construction market. Rugby also serves industrial, retail, residential 
and institutional construction end-markets.

2.  Basis of preparation:

(a)  Statement of compliance:

These consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting  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 17, 2017.

(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.  
The Company's subsidiaries operating in the United States have a US dollar 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 Acquisition of Rugby;

•  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.

48

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

2.    Basis of preparation (continued):

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

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 12 - the classification of lease obligations; and

•  Note 14 - the valuation of deferred income taxes and utilization of tax loss carry forwards.

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 and business acquisitions:

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 GP Inc. II, Hardwoods Specialty Products USLP, Hardwoods Specialty Products USGP, 
Hardwoods Specialty Products (Washington) Corp., Hardwoods USLP II, LP, Hardwoods US LLC, Hardwoods Finance 
LLC, Hardwoods Finance Company Inc., Paxton Hardwoods LLC, HMI Hardwoods LLC and Rugby Holdings LLC.

The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method when control is transferred to the Company. 
The consideration transferred in the acquisition is measured at fair value, as are the identifiable net assets acquired. The 
Company measures goodwill in business acquisitions as the fair value of the consideration transferred less the fair value 
of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, all measured as of the acquisition date. 

Any  contingent  consideration  is  measured  at  fair  value  at  the  date  of  acquisition.  If  an  obligation  to  pay  contingent 
consideration  that  meets  the  definition  of  a  financial  instrument  is  classified  as  equity,  then  it  is  not  re-measured  and 
settlement is accounted for within equity. Otherwise, other contingent consideration is re-measured at fair value at each 
reporting date and subsequent changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration are recognized in profit or loss.

Transaction costs, other than those associated with the issuance of debt or equity securities, are expensed as incurred.

(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.

49

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

3.  Significant accounting policies (continued):

(b)  Foreign currencies (continued):

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.

(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 16.

(d)  Revenue recognition:

Revenue from the sale of hardwood lumber, sheet goods, specialty products and non-structural architectural grade building 
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, notes payable and the 
unwinding of the discount on the Company’s finance lease obligations.  Interest on these liabilities 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 and labor and production overhead.

50

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

3.    Significant accounting policies (continued):

(f) 

Inventories (continued):

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:

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)  Intangible assets:

Intangible assets with finite lives consist of acquired customer relationships. These customer relationships are amortized 
on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life of 10 years and are measured at cost less accumulated amortization. 

Amortization methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at each reporting date and adjusted if appropriate.

After initial measurement in a business combination (note 3(a)), goodwill is recorded at cost less accumulated impairment 
losses.

(i) 

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.   
Goodwill is tested annually regardless of whether there is any indication of impairment. 

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”).  

51

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

3.    Significant accounting policies (continued):

(i) 

Impairment (continued):

Non-financial assets (continued)

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. An impairment loss 
for goodwill is not reversed.

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. 

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.

(j)  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

The Company considers deposits in banks as cash.

52

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

3.    Significant accounting policies (continued):

(j)  Financial instruments (continued):

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.

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.

(k) 

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.

(l)  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.

53

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

3.    Significant accounting policies (continued):

(l)  Leases (continued):

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. 

(m)  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.

(n)  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. 

(o)  Share based compensation:

The Company has a share based long-term incentive plan as described in note 13(b).  At the discretion of the Board of 
Directors, the Restricted Shares and Performance Shares to which a grantee is entitled may be settled by the Company 
in Shares or in an amount of cash equal to the fair market value of such Shares, or a combination of the foregoing. 

The Company is accounting for half of 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. For the remaining 50% of Restricted and Performance 
Shares that can be settled in either cash or common shares at the employees option, the Company accounts for the award 
as cash-settled share based compensation. Compensation expense is recorded over the vesting period based on the 
estimated fair value at the date of grant. The fair value of this 50% portion of the Restricted and Performance Shares is 
subsequently re-measured at each reporting date with any change in fair value reflected in share based compensation 
expense  in  the  statement  of  comprehensive  income.  The  liability  associated  with  cash-settled  awards  is  recorded  in 
accounts payable and accrued liabilities, for amounts expected to be settled within one year, and in non-current liabilities 
for amounts to be settled in excess of one year.    

(p)  New accounting policy:

Amendments to IAS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements

Effective January 1, 2016, the Company adopted the amendments to IAS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements that 
improved  the  presentation  and  disclosure  in  financial  reports. The  adoption  of  these  amendments  did  not  impact  the 
Company's consolidated financial statements. 

(q)  Future accounting pronouncements:

A number of new standards, amendments to standards and interpretations, are not yet effective for the year ended December 
31, 2016, 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.  

54

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

3.    Significant accounting policies (continued):

(q)  Future accounting pronouncements (continued):

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. 

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.

IFRS 15 permits two methods of adoption: (i) the retrospective method, under which comparative periods would be restated, 
and the cumulative impact of applying the standard would be recognized as at January 1, 2017, the earliest period presented; 
and (ii) the cumulative effect method, under which comparative periods would not be restated and the cumulative impact  
of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial adoption January 1, 2018. The Company expects to use 
the cumulative effect method, however it continues to monitor industry developments. Any significant industry developments 
could change the Company's expected method of adoption. 

The majority of the Company's revenue is generated from the sale of hardwood lumber, sheet goods, specialty products 
and non-structural architectural grade building products to customers. The Company does not expect the adoption of this 
standard will have a material impact on the measurement of revenue generated from the sale of its products to customers. 

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. The main 
provision of IFRS 16 is the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet by lessees for those leases 
that were previously classified as operating leases. Under IFRS 16, a lessee is required to do the following: (i) recognize 
a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, on the balance 
sheet; and (ii) recognize a front-loaded pattern of expense for most leases, even when cash rentals are constant, as the 
right-of-use asset is depreciated and the lease liability is accreted using the effective interest method. The new standard 
also requires qualitative disclosures along with specific quantitative disclosures. IFRS 16 is effective for annual periods 
beginning on or after January 1, 2019, with earlier adoption permitted. Upon adoption of IFRS 16, the Company's operating 
leases, which are principally comprised of its warehouse facilities and automobiles, will be recorded in the statement of 
financial position with a corresponding lease obligation. The Company continues to assess the impact of adopting this 
standard on its consolidated financial statements.

55

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

3.    Significant accounting policies (continued):

(q)  Future accounting pronouncements (continued):

IAS 12, Income Taxes (Amendments)

On January 19, 2016, the IASB issued Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for Unrealized Losses as an amendment to 
IAS 12. The amendments clarify that the existence of a deductible temporary difference depends solely on a comparison 
of the carrying amount of an asset and its tax base at the end of the reporting period, and is not affected by possible future 
changes in the carrying amount or expected manner of recovery of the asset.  The amendments apply retrospectively for 
annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017 with early adoption permitted.

The Company intends to adopt the amendments to IAS 12 in its consolidated financial statements for the annual period 
beginning on January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect the amendments to have a material impact on the consolidated 
financial statements.

IFRS 2, Share-Based Payment (Amendments)

On June 20, 2016, the IASB issued amendments to IFRS 2 clarifying how to account for certain types of share-based 
payment transactions. The amendments provide requirements on the accounting for: the effects of vesting and non-vesting 
conditions  on  the  measurement  of  cash-settled  share-based  payments;  share-based  payment  transactions  with  a  net 
settlement feature for withholding tax obligations; and a modification to the terms and conditions of a share-based payment 
that changes the classification of the transaction from cash-settled to equity-settled.

The  amendments  apply  for  annual  periods  beginning  on  or  after  January  1,  2018. As  a  practical  simplification,  the 
amendments can be applied prospectively. Retrospective, or early, application is permitted if information is available without 
the use of hindsight.  The Company intends to adopt the amendments to IFRS 2 in its consolidated financial statements 
for the annual period beginning on January 1, 2018. The extent of the impact of adoption of the standard has not yet been 
determined.

4.    Rugby acquisition:

On July 15, 2016, a subsidiary of the Company completed the Acquisition of Rugby (note 1). The base purchase price was 
comprised of (i) $129.8 million (US$100.0 million) in cash consideration and the assumption of notes payable, and (ii) $9.0 
million (US$7.0 million) in cash that was immediately used by the sellers to acquire 563,542 common shares of the Company 
from treasury. The base purchase price paid in cash was adjusted downwards by $0.9 million (US$0.7 million) for the value of 
notes payable assumed by the Company.

The base purchase price was determined on the basis that the sellers would deliver working capital, as defined in the asset 
purchase agreement as net asset value ("NAV"), on closing of the acquisition of between US$47.5 million and US$48.5 million 
and, to the extent that the NAV is outside this range at closing of the Acquisition, the purchase price will be adjusted on a dollar 
for dollar basis. As security for the NAV adjustment, the Company retained $1.0 million (US$0.8 million) of the base purchase 
price as a holdback. The holdback, which is accrued in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, is expected to be paid to the 
sellers in tranches over the next 12 months. As of the date of these financial statements, the NAV delivered by the sellers has 
not been finalized.

As disclosed in note 1, in addition to the base purchase price, the parties agreed to an earn-out which is intended to pay future 
consideration, to be determined at the two-year anniversary of closing of the Acquisition based on achievement of certain gross 
profit thresholds during such two-year period (the "Earn-Out Period"), of up to US$4.8 million (the "Earn-Out Consideration") 
to one of the principals of the sellers (the "former owner"). In addition, the earn-out is also intended to pay certain management 
of Rugby, who will be employed by the Company after closing of the Acquisition ("Rugby Management"), remuneration of up 
to US$8.2 million (the "Earn-Out Bonuses") for the achievement of the same gross profit thresholds during the Earn-Out Period. 
The earn-out is payable in either cash or common shares at the Company's option. The Earn-Out Consideration is accounted 
for as purchase price consideration, while the Earn-Out Bonuses are accounted for as compensation expense over the next 
two years.  The Company estimates that neither the Earn-Out Consideration nor the Earn-Out Bonuses will result in further 

56

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

4.    Rugby acquisition (continued):

payments by the Company and no value was attributed to the Earn-Out Consideration in the purchase price allocation and, as 
at the date of these financial statements, no accrual has been made in respect of either the Earn-Out Consideration or the 
Earn-Out Bonuses.

The Acquisition has been accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method, with the Company being the 
acquirer and Rugby being the acquiree, and where the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their fair values 
at the Acquisition date.

In connection with the Acquisition, the Company incurred, $2.4 million in transaction costs which are included in administration 
expense in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.  In addition to transaction costs, the Company incurred to 
December 31, 2016, additional fees of $3.3 million related to the financing of the Acquisition, which are described in notes 11 
and 13(a).

Fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed

The estimated fair value of Rugby's identified assets and liabilities assumed in accordance with the acquisition method are as 
follows:

Cash consideration
Notes payable assumed
Consideration

Assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
  Accounts and other receivables
  Inventories
  Prepaid expenses
  Non-current receivables
  Property plant and equipment
  Intangible assets - customer relationships
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Estimated identifiable net assets acquired

Goodwill
Estimated net assets acquired

US$
106,291
709
107,000

28,931
35,546
549
577
3,166
15,700
(18,213)
66,256

40,744
107,000

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

CDN$
137,913
920
138,833

37,538
46,121
712
749
4,108
20,371
(23,631)
85,968

52,865
138,833

The above is the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Rugby as of the Acquisition date.  The estimate 
will remain preliminary until the Company is able to finalize the NAV acquired. During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company 
completed  its  valuation  of  intangible  assets  acquired,  resulting  in  a  reduction  in  the  value  of  goodwill,  and  an  increase  in 
intangible assets of $20.4 million (US$15.7 million) from the purchase price allocation presented at September 30, 2016.

The goodwill of $52.9 million (US$40.7 million) is attributable primarily to the skills and talent of Rugby's workforce, and synergies 
expected to be achieved in respect of purchasing power with vendors, increases in market share, and operational efficiencies 
related to the combined operations. The goodwill is deductible for tax purposes.  

The intangible asset of $20.4 million (US$15.7 million) represents the value of customer relationships acquired and is being 
amortized over 10 years, which is the period the Company expects to benefit from these relationships. Amortization related to 
intangible assets from the Acquisition date to December 31, 2016 was $0.9 million and this expense was recorded in the fourth 
quarter. The intangible asset is deductible for tax purposes.

The Company financed the Acquisition through a combination of an equity offering (the "Bought Deal Financing") (note 13(a)) 
and a renegotiated Hardwoods USLP Credit Facility (note 11).

57

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

4.    Rugby acquisition (continued):

Had the Acquisition occurred on January 1, 2016 management estimates that the Company’s consolidated sales would have 
been  approximately  $989.3  million  and  profit  before  tax  would  have  been  approximately  $42.6  million  for  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2016. Included in these consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 are sales of 
$175.1 million (US$132.6 million) and profit before tax of $4.0 million (US$3.1 million) relating to Rugby.

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,
2016

December 31,
2015

$

$

(766) $

97,886
225,999

—
28,894
142,948

323,119

$

171,842

The terms of the Company’s US and Canadian credit facilities are described in note 11.  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, 2016 and December 31, 2015, and accordingly there were no restrictions on 
distributions arising from non-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, 2016.

On November 8, 2016, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.0625 per common share to shareholders of record as of 
January 20, 2017. The dividend was paid to shareholders on January 31, 2017.  On March 17, 2017, the Company declared 
a cash dividend of $0.0625 per common share to shareholders of record as of April 17, 2017, to be paid on April 28, 2017.

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, notes 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.

58

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

6.  Financial instruments (continued):

Fair value hierarchy (continued):

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

Fair values of financial instruments

The carrying values of cash, accounts and other receivables, 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, notes payable 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.

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 $96.7 million at December 31, 2016 (December 31, 2015 - $57.1 
million), represents the Company’s maximum exposure to credit risk.

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 2.5% (December 31, 2015 - 3.9%) of trade accounts 
receivable and customer notes receivable at December 31, 2016.  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.

59

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

6.    Financial instruments (continued):

(i)  Credit risk (continued):

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.

Cash:

Cash balances are maintained with high credit quality financial institutions. The Company does not believe there is any 
material credit risk associated with cash.

(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, 2016, in Canada, a subsidiary of the Company had a revolving credit facility of up to $20.0 million, and, 
in the US, a subsidiary of the Company had a revolving credit facility of up to $167.8 million (US$125.0 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 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 11 for further information regarding the Company’s credit 
facilities and borrowing capacity.

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 12 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, 2016 bank indebtedness balance of $97.9 million, a 1% increase or decrease in the interest 
rates charged would result in a decrease or increase to profit after tax by approximately $0.6 million.

Currency risk

As the Company conducts business in both Canada and the United States it is exposed to currency risk.  Most of the 
products sold by the Company in Canada are purchased in U.S. dollars from suppliers in the United States.  Although the 
Company reports its financial results in Canadian dollars, approximately 85% 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 products 
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 products are resold in Canada it is generally sold at a 

60

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

6.    Financial instruments (continued):

Financial risk management (continued):

(iii)  Market risk (continued):

Currency risk (continued)

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, 2016, 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 (2016 - US$0.2 million, 
2015 - US$0.1 million) and accounts payable to U.S. suppliers (2016 - US$0.4 million, 2015 - US$0.3 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, 2016 or December 31, 2015.  

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, 2016 and December 31, 2015 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. 

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.

61

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

7.  Accounts and other receivables:

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

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

December 31,
2016

December 31,
2015

$

14,246
81,776
2,417
1,133
99,572

11,937
47,586
726
751
61,000

5,038

4,844

94,534

$

56,156

$

424
758
1,329
2,511

1,133
1,378

$

546
631
543
1,720

751
969

December 31,
2016

December 31,
2015

$

70,936
17,467
4,957

2,662

96,022

$

44,377
9,142
3,122

2,882

59,523

$

$

$

$

$

$

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, 2016 was $5.0 
million (December 31, 2015 - $4.8 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.

62

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

7.  Accounts and other receivables (continued):

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

2016

4,844 $
1,764
(1,426)
(144)

2015

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

5,038 $

4,844

$

$

Bad debt expense, net of recoveries, for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $0.8 million which equates to 0.1% of sales 
(year ended December 31, 2015 - $1.5 million, being 0.3% of sales). 

8. 

Inventories:

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

Lumber
Sheet goods
Architectural and other

December 31,
2016

December 31,
2015

$

$

1,779
5,021
10,927

43,279
76,224
27,317

1,265
5,054
7,611

38,649
42,102
8,795

$

164,547

$

103,476

After the acquisition of Rugby, architectural and other now includes specialty products, solid surface countertops, post-form 
countertops, high-pressure laminate, interior and exterior doors and millwork, cabinets and casework, mouldings, and industrial 
wood coatings.  The Company regularly reviews and assesses the condition and value of its inventories and records write-
downs to net realizable value as necessary. 

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

Inventory write-downs, included in cost of goods sold

Cost of inventory sold
Other cost of goods sold
Total cost of goods sold

2016

1,972

$

620,115
25,428
645,543

$

2015

1,530

455,544
16,421
471,965

$

$

63

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

9.  Property, plant and equipment:

Cost

Balance at January 1, 2015
Additions
Disposals
Adjustments:

Foreign currency
transaction

Balance at December 31, 2015
Additions
Acquisition of Rugby (note 4)
Disposals
Adjustments:

Foreign currency
transaction

Balance at December 31, 2016

Accumulated depreciation

Balance at January 1, 2015
Depreciation
Disposals
Adjustments:

Foreign currency
transaction

Balance at December 31, 2015
Depreciation
Disposals
Adjustments:
Foreign currency
transaction

Balance at December 31, 2016

Net book value:

December 31, 2015
December 31, 2016

Leased 
vehicles
(note 12(a))

Land

Buildings,
machinery
and
equipment

Leasehold
improvements

Total

580 $
—
—

3,149 $
1,200
(1,088)

18,156 $
1,695
(277)

824 $
155
(119)

22,709
3,050
(1,484)

112

692
151
—
—

432

3,151

3,693
1,656
—
(1,452)

22,725
3,124
3,861
(482)

49

909
113
247
—

3,744

28,019
5,044
4,108
(1,934)

(19)

(82)

(432)

3

(530)

824 $

3,815 $

28,796 $

1,272 $

34,707

— $
—
—

1,235 $
962
(747)

6,950 $
1,584
(173)

760 $
47
(113)

8,945
2,593
(1,033)

—

—
—
—

—

176

1,097

1,626
1,077
(1,059)

9,458
2,620
(357)

41

735
125
—

1,314

11,819
3,822
(1,416)

(30)

(194)

(4)

(228)

— $

1,614 $

11,527 $

856 $

13,997

692 $
824 $

2,067 $
2,201 $

13,267 $
17,269 $

174 $
416 $

16,200
20,710

$

$

$

$

$
$

64

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

9.  Property, plant and equipment (continued):

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $3.8 million (2015 - $2.6 million) 
and is included in the statement of comprehensive income as follows:

Cost of sales
Selling and distribution
Administration

2016

1,477 $
2,195
150

3,822 $

2015

1,080
1,447
66

2,593

$

$

Gains  and  losses  on  disposal  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  for  the  year  ended  December 31,  2016  was  a  net  gain  of 
$171,000 (2015 - net gain of $28,566) and is included in selling and distribution in the statement of comprehensive income.

10.  Intangible assets:       

Cost

Balance at December 31, 2015
Acquisition of Rugby (note 4)
Eliminate fully amortized intangibles
Adjustments:

Foreign currency transaction

Balance at December 31, 2016

Accumulated amortization

Balance at December 31, 2015
Amortization
Eliminate fully amortized intangibles
Adjustments:

Foreign currency transaction

Balance at December 31, 2016

Net book value:

December 31, 2015
December 31, 2016

Customer
relationships

57
20,371
(57)

709

21,080

21
984
(57)

18

966

36
20,114

$

$

$

$

$
$

        Amortization of intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2016 was $0.9 million (2015 - nil) and is included in     

        selling and distribution expenses in the statement of comprehensive income.

65

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

11.  Bank indebtedness:

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

(December 31, 2016 - US$63,398

 December 31, 2015 - US$14,835)

December 31,
2016

December 31,
2015

$

$

480
12,546

84,860
97,886

$

$

3,049
5,314

20,531
28,894

Bank indebtedness consists of cheques 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,  Rugby Holdings LLC, Paxton Hardwoods LLC and HMI Hardwoods 
LLC, and the Hardwoods USLP partnership units held indirectly by the Company.

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 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.

Hardwoods LP Credit Facility ("LP Credit Facility")

In August 2016, a subsidiary of the Company renewed the LP Credit Facility for a period of five years. As part of the renewal, 
the LP Credit Facility was increased to $20.0 million from $15.0 million.  The amount made available under the LP Credit Facility  
is limited to the extent of 90% of the net book value of eligible accounts receivable and the lesser of 60% of the book value or 
85% of appraised value of eligible 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 LP Credit Facility.  Hardwoods LP is required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.0 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, 2016, the LP Credit Facility has unused availability of $6.9 million, before cheques issued in excess of funds on 
deposit of $0.5 million (December 31, 2015 - $9.7 million, cheques issued in excess of funds on deposit - $0.9 million).  

In February 2017 the LP Credit Facility was amended to increase the amount made available under the facility from $20.0 
million to $25.0 million. 

66

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

11.  Bank indebtedness (continued):

Hardwoods USLP Credit Facility ("USLP Credit Facility")

In connection with the closing of the Acquisition, a subsidiary of the Company entered into a new USLP Credit Facility with its 
lender, and has made the funds available to Hardwoods USLP. The USLP Credit Facility has a five year term and can be prepaid 
at any time with no prepayment penalty.  The USLP Credit Facility is guaranteed by certain of the Company's subsidiaries and 
replaces the previous credit facility. The USLP Credit Facility consists of a revolving credit facility of up to US$125.0 million 
with the amount made available limited to the extent of 85% of the value of eligible accounts receivable, and 60% of the value 
of eligible inventory plus the lesser of (i) 55% of the book value of eligible in-transit inventory or (ii) $2.0 million.

The financial covenants under the USLP Credit Facility include, among others, a springing fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 
to 1, triggered if excess availability under the USLP Credit Facility falls below 10% of the USLP Credit Facility at any time.

In addition to the financial covenants, the ability of the Company's US subsidiaries to pay distributions and dividends, complete 
acquisitions, make additional investments, take on additional indebtedness, allow its assets to become subject to liens, complete 
affiliate transactions and make capital expenditures are limited and subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions.  

In  connection  with  the  USLP  Credit  Facility,  the  Company  incurred  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2016,  $0.3  million, 
respectively, in fees, which are netted against bank indebtedness in the consolidated statement of financial position.  These 
fees will be amortized over the term of the USLP Credit Facility.

At December 31, 2016, the USLP Credit Facility has unused availability of $50.9 million (US$37.9 million), before cheques 
issued in excess of funds on deposit of nil. At December 31, 2015, the USLP Credit Facility had unused availability of $51.1 
million (US$36.9 million), before cheques issued in excess of funds on deposit of $2.1 million (US$1.5 million).

The Company has a letter of credit outstanding at December 31, 2016 totaling $0.8 million (US$0.6 million) (2015 -  nil) against 
the USLP Credit Facility to support self-insured benefit claims. 

The average annual interest rates paid in respect of bank indebtedness for the year ended December 31, 2016 were 3.2% and 
2.8% (2015 - 3.4% and 2.7%) for the LP and USLP credit facilities, respectively.  

12.  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. 

67

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

12.  Leases (continued):

(a)  Finance leases as lessee (continued):

Finance lease liabilities are payable as follows:

Minimum lease payments due

December 31, 2016:

Future minimum lease payments
Interest

Present value of minimum payments

December 31, 2015:

Future minimum lease payments
Interest

Present value of minimum payments

$

$

$

$

Within one year

One to three
years

1,137 $
82

1,055 $

1,190 $
71

1,119 $

938 $
33

905 $

719 $
23

696 $

Total

2,075
115

1,960

1,909
94

1,815

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 automobile leases that 
require future minimum rental payments as follows:

With
one year

One to
five years

After
five years

Total

Minimum lease payments due:

December 31, 2016

$

18,081 $

41,422 $

4,947 $

64,450

Minimum lease payments recognized as an expense during the year ended December 31, 2016 amounted to $13.5 million 
(2015 - $7.3 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.

13.  Share capital:

(a)  Share capital

At December 31, 2016, the authorized share capital of the Company comprised an unlimited number of common shares 
without par value (“Shares”).

68

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

13.  Share capital (continued):

(a)  Share capital (continued)

A continuity of share capital is as follows:

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

Balance at December 31, 2015

Bought deal financing - conversion of subscription receipts, net of share issue
costs of $3.1 million
Issued concurrent with the Rugby acquisition (note 4)
Issued pursuant to long term incentive plan
Deferred income tax on share issue costs
Share adjustment

Shares

Total

16,651,414
110,657

$

16,762,071

3,966,350
563,542
58,607
—
2

45,830
1,029

46,859

54,434
9,091
1,162
816
—

Balance at December 31, 2016

21,350,572

$

112,362

In July 2016, the Company issued 563,542 common shares for cash consideration to the sellers of Rugby in accordance 
with the terms of the Acquisition (note 4) and issued 3,966,350 common shares as part of the financing arrangement related 
to the Acquisition, as described below.

Bought Deal Financing

In connection with the Rugby Acquisition, the Company entered into an agreement with a syndicate of investment dealers 
pursuant to which the underwriters agreed to purchase for resale to the public on a bought deal basis 3,449,000 subscription 
receipts of the Company, at a price of $14.50 per receipt with an over-allotment option for an additional 517,350 subscription 
receipts for gross overall proceeds of $57.5 million ($54.4 million net of fees associated with the offering).

On June 30, 2016, the Bought Deal Financing closed and $50.0 million, representing 3,449,000 subscription receipts, was 
received by the Company and was held in escrow pending the closing of the Acquisition. Each subscription receipt was 
converted to one common share of the Company on the Acquisition date for no additional consideration in accordance 
with the terms of the subscription agreement. The over-allotment option, representing 517,350 subscription receipts, was 
fully exercised by the underwriters in July 2016 and these subscription receipts were also converted on the basis of one 
subscription receipt to one common share of the Company on the Acquisition date.

In connection with the Bought Deal Financing, the Company incurred $3.1 million in share issue costs. These amounts 
were recorded in equity on closing of the Acquisition as share issue costs, along with the associated deferred income tax 
impact of $0.8 million.

(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 

69

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

13.  Share capital (continued):

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

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. 
In December 2016, the Board of Directors provided grantees with the option to settle up to 50% of the Restricted Shares 
and Performance Shares in cash. The Company has made an estimate of the amount it expects to settle in cash related 
to future vestings of Restricted Shares and Performance Shares. As at December 31, 2016 the fair value of the Restricted 
Shares and Performance Shares estimated to be settled in the future in cash is $1.2 million (December 31, 2015 - nil) and 
this value has been removed from contributed surplus and classified within accounts payable and accrued liabilities and 
non-current liabilities. 

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.

A continuity of the LTIP Shares outstanding is as follows:

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
LTIP shares issued during the year
LTIP shares forfeited during the year
LTIP shares settled
Balance at December 31, 2016

Performance
Shares

Restricted
Shares

20,952
43,005
(14,748)
49,209
20,502
(2,763)
(8,347)
58,601

98,913
70,588
(82,674)
86,827
53,166
(8,292)
(58,040)
73,661

On December 31, 2016, 8,347 (December 31, 2015 - 14,748) Performance Shares and 58,040 (December 31, 2015 - 
82,674) Restricted Shares became fully vested and were settled by the issuance of  58,607 (December 31, 2015 - 110,657) 
Shares and $0.3 million in cash (December 31, 2015 - nil). On issuance of the Shares, the accumulated share-based 
compensation expense of $1.2 million (December 31, 2015 - $1.0 million) associated with the settled Performance Shares 
and Restricted Shares was transferred from contributed surplus to share capital.

70

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

13.  Share capital (continued):

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

Non-cash LTIP compensation expense of $1.1 million was recognized in the consolidated statement of comprehensive 
income for the year ended December 31, 2016 (2015 - $1.3 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 net profit per share is based on the net profit for the year ended December 31, 
2016 of $23.9 million (December 31, 2015 - $20.1 million).  The weighted average number of common shares outstanding 
in each of the reporting years was as follows:

Issued ordinary shares at

beginning of year

Effect of shares issued during the year
Pursuant to long-term incentive plan
Pursuant to Bought Deal Financing
Pursuant to Rugby acquisition

Weighted average common shares - basic
Effect of dilutive securities:
Long-term incentive plan

December 31,
2016

December 31,
2015

16,762,071

16,651,414

13,322
1,817,910
258,290

815
—
—

18,851,593

16,652,229

166,377

128,649

Weighted average common shares - diluted

19,017,970

16,780,878

14.  Income taxes:

Current tax expense
Deferred tax expense

2016

(13,600) $

20

2015

(9,732)
(2,476)

(13,580) $

(12,208)

$

$

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 ended December 31, 2016 is 26.4% (2015 - 26.3%) and in the 
United States is 39.4% (2015 - 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 tax rate applicable to the United States.  

71

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

14.  Income taxes (continued):

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, other rate changes and restructuring
Non-deductible expenses
Change in unrecognized deferred tax assets
Other

2016

2015

$

37,442

$

32,354

39.4%

39.4%

(14,752)
1,798
(73)
(363)
(190)

(12,747)
697
(484)
(43)
369

Income tax expense

$

(13,580) $

(12,208)

Certain comparative period figures in the table above have been changed to adhere to the current period presentation. 

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 and intangibles
Tax loss carry forwards and future interest deductions
Share and debt issuance costs
Other

Deferred tax liabilities:

Prepaid expenses
Property, plant and equipment
Other

Deferred tax asset

December 31,
2016

December 31,
2015

$

$

2,838 $
1,629
1,985
681
5,711
810
1,122
—
14,776

(325)
(2,725)
(95)
(3,145)
11,631 $

1,902
556
1,539
654
7,797
1,209
—
224
13,881

(248)
(2,659)
—
(2,907)
10,974

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,  2016,  the  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  have  operating  loss  carry  forwards  for  income  tax  purposes  of 
approximately $3.1 million in Canada that may be utilized to offset future taxable income (December 31, 2015 - $4.3 million). 
These losses, if not utilized, expire between 2026 and 2031.  The Company’s US subsidiaries have no operating loss carry 
forwards.

72

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

14.  Income taxes (continued):

At  December 31,  2016,  the  Company  and  its  Canadian  subsidiaries  have  capital  losses  of  approximately  $23.1  million 
(December 31, 2015 - $24.1 million), and suspended capital losses of approximately $44.7 million (December 31, 2015 - $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, 2015 - $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.

15.  Finance income and expense:

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

Net finance (expense) income

16.  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.

73

Note

11
12(a)

7

2016

2015

$

(1,675) $
(137)

(11)
(1,823)

358
—
358

$

(1,465) $

(1,217)
(116)

—
(1,333)

421
1,055
1,476

143

2016

2015

129,935
659,386

$

116,805
454,793

789,321

$

571,598

December 31,
2016

December 31,
2015

$

1,552
93,979

1,347
14,889

95,531

$

16,236

$

$

$

$

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

17.  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

2016

72,528 $
1,078
1,130

2015

45,116
831
1,300

74,736 $

47,247

$

$

Employee benefit expenses are included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income as follows:

Cost of sales
Selling and distribution
Administration

(b)  Pensions: 

2016

14,967 $
43,936
15,833

2015

8,996
29,636
8,615

74,736 $

47,247

$

$

Hardwoods USLP, Rugby Holdings LLC, Paxton Hardwoods LLC and HMI Hardwoods LLC maintain defined contribution 
401(k) retirement savings plans (the “USLP Plan”, the "Rugby 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, 
2016, Hardwoods USLP contributed and expensed $0.5 million (US$0.4 million) (2015 - $0.4 million (US $0.3 million)) in 
relation to the USLP Plan.  

The assets of the Rugby Plan are held and related investment transactions are executed by the Plan’s Trustee, Fidelity 
Management Trust Company and, accordingly, are not reflected in these consolidated financial statements.  During the 
year ended December 31, 2016, Rugby Holdings LLC contributed and expensed $0.1 million (US $0.1 million) in relation 
to the Rugby 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, 
2016, Hardwoods USLP contributed and expensed $0.1 million (US $0.1 million) (2015 - $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 make 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, 2016, Hardwoods LP contributed and expensed $0.3 million 
(2015 - $0.3 million) in relation to the LP plan.

74

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

Years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

18.  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 Financial Officer, Senior Vice President and Vice Presidents.  Key management personnel remuneration includes 
the following expenses:

Short-term employee benefits:

Salaries and benefits including bonuses
Automobile benefit
LTIP Share compensation

Total remuneration

(b)  Transactions with post-employment benefit plans:

2016

2015

$

$

4,260 $
38
896

5,194 $

2,915
39
932

3,886

The defined contribution plans referred to in note 17(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 17(b).  The Company has not 
entered into other transactions with the pension plans,  nor has  it any  outstanding balances  at December 31,  2016 or 
December 31, 2015.

19.  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  insured,  would  be  material  in  relation  to  the  Company’s  consolidated  financial  statements  as  at 
December 31, 2016. 

Decommissioning

The Company and its subsidiaries are not obligated in a material way for decommissioning or site restoration.

75

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 H. 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, United States  

Jim C. Macaulay 
Chief Financial Officer, Marvin Companies 

Dan Figgins
Vice President, Imports

John Griffin
Vice President, Paxton 

Dave Hughes
President, Rugby 

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 H. Karmally
Chief Financial Officer
Telephone:604-881-1982
fkarmally@hardwoods-inc.com 

Listings 
The Toronto Stock Exchange 
Trades under HWD 

Transfer Agent
Computershare Trust

Hardwoods Distribution Inc.  |  2016  |  Annual Report
76