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HNI Corporation

hni · NYSE Industrials
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Ticker hni
Exchange NYSE
Sector Industrials
Industry Business Equipment & Supplies
Employees 7600
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FY2011 Annual Report · HNI Corporation
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HNI Corporation 2011 Annual Report

Financial Highlights

(Amounts in thousands, except for per share and member data)

2011

2010

Income Statement Data

Net sales

Gross profit

Selling and administrative expenses

Restructuring related and impairment charges

Operating income

Net income attributable to HNI Corporation

Net income attributable to HNI Corporation as a % of:

  Net sales

  Average shareholders’ equity

Per common share:

$1,833,450

$1,686,728

639,063

554,315

3,261

81,487

45,986

2.5%

11.1%

585,616

518,257

9,449

57,910

26,941

1.6%

6.5%

  Net income attributable to HNI Corporation – basic

$÷«      1.03

$÷«      0.60

  Net income attributable to HNI Corporation – diluted

  Cash dividends 

Balance Sheet Data

Total assets

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations

Debt/capitalization ratio

HNI Corporation’s shareholders’ equity

Working capital

Other Data

1.01

0.92

0.59

0.86

$«1,054,258

$   997,880

150,540

26.4%

150,111

26.9%

$«÷419,057

$÷«407,985

45,130

46,810

Capital expenditures (including capitalized software)

$«÷÷31,143

$÷÷«26,722

Cash flow from operations

Weighted-average shares outstanding – basic

Weighted-average shares outstanding – diluted

Share repurchases

Number of shareholders at year-end

Members (employees) at year-end

Net  
Sales
(in millions)

3
2
6
,
1
$

09 

3
3
8
,
1
$

7
8
6
,
1
$

10 

11

HNI Corporation 2011 Annual Report

Net  
Income
(in millions)

6
4
$

7
2
$

10 

11

6
$
-

09 

134,278

44,803,248

45,694,278

÷÷$ ÷÷10,000

7,259

9,490

94,384

44,993,934

45,808,704

$««« 17,817

7,866

8,470

Diluted  
Earnings  
per Share
(dollars)

4
1
.
0
$
-

09 

1
0
.
1
$

9
5
.
0
$

10 

11

 
 
 
 
Dear Shareholders:

Stan A. Askren
Chairman, President  
and Chief Executive Officer

2011 was a year of strong performance for  

Growth in our supplies-driven business was modest  

HNI Corporation. All businesses achieved solid  

as employment and broader economic concerns 

growth and corporate profits improved by over  

weighed on small business confidence. We performed  

70 percent. We made significant progress on our  

well relative to the market as investments in new  

strategies, and our growth investments are yielding 

products and selling initiatives are paying off. 

attractive returns. The continued improvement in 

HNI is the leader in the supplies-driven office furniture 

the economy is encouraging, and we are determined  

channel, and we continue to invest to strengthen  

to build on our momentum in 2012. We are compet- 

our competitive position.

itively well positioned in our markets, and the  

prospects for our businesses are excellent.

Hearth Business—Strong Profit Improvement 

Despite challenging market conditions and declining  

Office Furniture—Encouraging Growth 

housing starts, our hearth business leveraged its  

Our overall market position in office furniture is  

leading market position to increase sales and drive  

strong with the broadest and deepest product offering 

significant profit improvement. We are investing in  

and distribution. We are investing to keep our brands 

new products and expanding our selling and marketing 

relevant and to help our partners compete more  

capabilities to enhance our competitive advantage.  

effectively and profitably. 

With the hearth industry’s strongest brands, best  

products, and superior manufacturing and distribution 

Growth in our corporate projects-driven office  

capabilities, we are well positioned for continued  

furniture businesses was robust, particularly in  

strong profitable growth.

the first half of the year. Business spending  

increased as the economy improved, and demand 

Strong Cash Generation—Focused Capital Deployment 

benefited from corporate investment in real estate 

Our operating cash flow remained strong at over  

strategies to reduce lease and occupancy costs. 

$130 million. We grew our businesses without adding 

working capital, which allowed us to reinvest for 

Our international business delivered exceptional  

growth and generate attractive free cash flow. We are 

performance, especially in China where we are  

committed to an industry-leading dividend, which we  

a market leader. We are investing aggressively to 

increased by 7 percent in 2011. We reduced debt, 

expand within our existing international markets 

strengthened our balance sheet and increased our 

and pursue new growth frontiers.

financial flexibility.

HNI Corporation 2011 Annual Report

 
We continue investing to build strong businesses  
and drive long-term shareholder value-creation.

Value-enhancing acquisitions remain a priority. We  

reach more customers and make it easier for our partners 

bolstered our growing position in the education mar-

to do business with HNI. Our investments in industry-

ket with the acquisition of Sagus, a leading provider 

leading selling programs and processes are designed 

of high-quality and well-priced educational furniture 

to make HNI the preferred choice—the first time, every 

solutions. HNI Corporation is now the industry leader 

time for our partners and customers. We are adding sell-

in the K–12 education market and offers the most 

ing and marketing capabilities to deeply penetrate our 

extensive line of products. 

existing markets and extend the reach of HNI into new 

markets. We are building for the future, today.  

Competitive Advantage

HNI’s split-and-focus business model is core to our  

Looking Forward With Confidence  

success and competitive advantage. Our decentralized 

Looking forward, I am optimistic about the future despite 

structure enables our businesses to operate close  

an uncertain economy. HNI is well positioned for long-

to the markets they serve, deeply understand custom-

term profitable growth given our leadership in attractive 

ers and create tailored selling and fulfillment models 

markets. Our businesses are strong, competitive and 

to serve them. Our management teams are equipped 

agile. Our strategies are focused, and we have solid, 

to rapidly respond to emerging opportunities and  

executable plans to capture the growth potential  

generate new sources of growth.  

created by our strategies. Our members are engaged 

We know how to compete, manufacture and execute.  

Our principles and values are enduring and will guide 

We have a strong culture of lean thinking, and our  

the company forward to continued success.

and empowered to make a positive difference.  

pursuit of performance improvement is relentless. 

Our members continuously collaborate across our 

Thank You  

businesses to identify opportunities to fully leverage 

I would like to thank our members for their dedication 

the scale of HNI in core functions such as purchasing,  

and passion. They make HNI a great place to work.  

information technology, logistics, product develop-

Finally, thank you to our customers and partners  

ment and manufacturing.

for their loyalty, and to our shareholders for their 

investment and continued trust.

Investing for Profitable Growth 

We continue investing to build strong businesses and 

drive long-term shareholder value-creation. In 2011  

we launched 51 new product series, a reflection of our 

Stan A. Askren 

commitment to build market leadership with innovative 

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

products. We are building e-business capabilities to  

HNI Corporation

HNI Corporation 2011 Annual Report

 
Office  
Furniture

HNI Corporation is the second-largest office furniture manufacturer in the 

world. Our office furniture businesses compete in two primary channels: the 

contract channel and the supplies-driven channel. The contract channel has 

traditionally been characterized by sales of office furniture and services to 

large corporations, frequently customized to meet specific client and designer 

preferences. The supplies-driven channel represents primarily smaller orders  

of office furniture purchased by small businesses and home office users.  

Our office furniture sales are similar in both channels. 

Hearth

Net Sales
(in millions)

Operating Profit
(in millions)

8
2
5
,
1
$

5
0
4
,
1
$

5
4
3
,
1
$

8
8
$

0
0
1
$

3
5
$

09         

 10          

11

09         

 10          

11

HNI Corporation is the nation’s leading manufacturer and marketer of gas- and 

wood-burning fireplaces. Our hearth business competes in two primary  

channels: new construction and remodel/retrofit. Hearth products sold in the 

new construction channel typically are purchased by builders during the construc-

tion of new homes, and remodel/retrofit channel sales traditionally are homeowner 

purchases of an additional heating source during the renovation of existing 

homes. The corporation sells approximately 65 percent of its hearth products  

in the remodel/retrofit channel.

Net Sales
(in millions)

Operating Profit
(in millions)

5
0
3
$

8
7
2
$

2
8
2
$

09         

 10          

11

5
1
$

3
$

5
1
$
-

09         

 10          

11

HNI Corporation 2011 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
®

Allsteel designs, builds and delivers relevant 
innovation in workplace furniture.

®

Inspired by practicality, offering a full line  
of high-quality solutions serving  
the small and medium-size workplace.

Innovative brands that offer the best of style,       

®

An industry leader in the design,  
manufacture and marketing of premium 
wood office furniture.

®

A leading provider of high-quality and 
well-priced wood office furniture.

HNI Corporation 2011 Annual Report

®

China’s leading manufacturer and marketer  
of a full range of office furniture solutions.

®

Award-winning design and superior craftsmanship 
in wood furniture and fabrics created for  
demanding clients worldwide.

     functionality, durability and price in today’s marketplace.

®

Office furniture systems for small to  
medium-size workplace solutions.

™

Industry leader for K–12 educational furniture.

HNI Corporation 2011 Annual Report

®

The number-one preferred fireplace  
brand among homebuilders  
since 1927.

®

The innovation and design leader in gas 
hearth systems – the industry’s most 
award-winning brand.

Brands that make a house feel more like a home.

®

Renowned for performance, durability  
and control in wood, pellet and gas-fueled  
hearth products.

®

America’s largest network  
of hearth product and service outlets 
for consumers and homebuilders.

The hearth industry’s foremost producer  
of precision quality-crafted wood  
and pellet stoves.

™

HNI Corporation 2011 Annual Report

A Unique Culture

Members Make a Difference

Every member has the opportunity to participate in HNI Corporation’s unique  

and powerful member-owner culture and to share in the company’s success.  

Our culture is built around Rapid Continuous Improvement (RCI) and the  

belief every member has something valuable to contribute.  We know when  

our people share their ideas, and management acts on those ideas,  

we achieve something powerful: 9,000-plus individuals working actively  

to make the corporation better. 

HNI Corporation 2011 Annual Report

Our Vision

We, the members of HNI Corporation,  

We will be profitable.

are dedicated to creating long-term value 

We pursue mutually profitable relationships with customers and suppliers. 

for all of our stakeholders, to exceeding 

Only when our company achieves an  adequate profit can the other  

our customers’ expectations and to  

making our company a great place to 

work. We will always treat each other,  

as well as customers, suppliers,  

shareholders and our communities,  

with fairness and respect. Our success 

depends upon business simplification, 

rapid continuous improvement and 

elements of this Vision be realized. 

We will create long-term value for shareholders.

We create long-term value for shareholders by earning financial returns 

significantly greater than our cost of capital and pursuing profitable growth 

opportunities. We will safeguard our shareholders’ equity by maintaining a 

strong balance sheet to allow flexibility in responding to a continuously 

changing market and business environment.

innovation in  everything we do, individual 

We will pursue profitable growth.

and collective integrity, and the relent-

We pursue profitable growth on a global basis in order to provide continued 

job opportunities for members and  financial success for all stakeholders.

We will be a supplier of quality products and services.

We provide reliable products and services of high quality and brand value to 

our end-users. Our products and services exceed our customers’ expectations 

and enable our distributors and our company to make a fair profit.

We will be a great place to work.

We pursue a participative environment and support a culture that encourages 

and recognizes excellence, active involvement, ongoing learning and  

contributions of each member; that seeks out and values diversity; and that 

attracts and retains the most capable people who work safely, are motivated 

and are devoted to making our company and our members successful.

We will be a responsible corporate citizen.

We conduct our business in a way that sustains the well-being of society, 

our environment and the economy in which we live and work. We follow 

ethical and legal business practices. Our company supports our volunteer 

efforts and provides charitable contributions so that we can actively participate 

in the civic, cultural, educational, environmental and governmental affairs  

of our society.

To our stakeholders:

When our company is appreciated by its members, favored by its  

customers, supported by its suppliers, respected by the public and admired 

by its shareholders, this Vision is fulfilled.

less pursuit of the following 

long-standing beliefs:

HNI Corporation 2011 Annual Report

Financial Information

2011

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Board of Directors

Stan A. Askren 
Chairman, President and  
Chief Executive Officer, 
HNI Corporation

Mary H. Bell 
Vice President, 
Building Construction 
Products Division, 
Caterpillar Inc.

Miguel M. Calado 
Director and Chief 
Financial Officer,  
Hovione SA 

Gary M. Christensen
Executive Advisor Partner,  
Wind Point Partners

Cheryl A. Francis 
Co-Chairman,
Corporate Leadership Center

James R. Jenkins
Senior Vice President
and General Counsel,
Deere & Company

Dennis J. Martin
President and  
Chief Executive Officer,  
Federal Signal Corporation 

Larry B. Porcellato
Chief Executive Officer,
The Homax Group, Inc.

Abbie J. Smith
Chaired Professor, 
University of Chicago 
Booth School of Business

Brian E. Stern
Director, Starboard Capital
Partners, LLC

Ronald V. Waters, III*
Independent Business  
Consultant, 
Former Director,  
President and  
Chief Executive Officer,
LoJack Corporation

Committees 
of the Board 

Audit
Miguel M. Calado, 
Chairperson

Mary H. Bell 
James R. Jenkins

Human Resources  
and Compensation
Abbie J. Smith,  
Chairperson

Cheryl A. Francis 
Dennis J. Martin
Brian E. Stern

HNI Corporation Officers

Operating Companies

Public Policy and  
Corporate Governance
Larry B. Porcellato,
Chairperson

Gary M. Christensen
Ronald V. Waters, III

* Lead Director

Stan A. Askren
Chairman, President and  
Chief Executive Officer

Steven M. Bradford
Vice President, General  
Counsel and Secretary

Gary L. Carlson
Vice President, Member  
and Community Relations

Tamara S. Feldman 
Vice President,  
Financial Reporting 

Derek P. Schmidt 
Treasurer and
Vice President,  
Corporate Finance 

Alan R. Moorhead
Vice President,  
Internal Audit 

Kurt A. Tjaden 
Vice President and  
Chief Financial Officer

Charles C. Bell
President,  
HBF

Redus W. Brooks
President,  
Maxon Furniture 

Peter C. M. Chu
President,
Lamex

Bradley D. Determan
Executive Vice President,
HNI Corporation
President,
Hearth & Home Technologies 

Jerald K. Dittmer
Executive Vice President,
HNI Corporation
President,  
HON Company

Eric F. Jackson
President,
Sagus

Jeffrey D. Lorenger
Executive Vice President,
HNI Corporation
President, 
Allsteel 

Donald T. Mead
Executive Vice President, 
HNI Corporation
President, 
Gunlocke  

Marco V. Molinari
Executive Vice President,  
HNI Corporation
President,  
HNI International  

Brandon T. Sieben
President,
Paoli 

Investor Information

Fiscal 2012 Quarter-End Dates
1st Quarter: Saturday, March 31
2nd Quarter: Saturday, June 30

3rd Quarter: Saturday, September 29
4th Quarter: Saturday, December 29

Annual Meeting
The Corporation’s annual shareholders’ meeting will be held at  
10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at the Clarion Hotel, 2915 North 
Highway 61, Muscatine, Iowa. Shareholders and other interested 
investors are encouraged to attend the meeting.

Form 10-K Report
All financial information, including the Corporation’s annual report  
on Form 10-K, can be accessed on the Corporation’s website at  
www.hnicorp.com.

Corporate Headquarters and Investor Relations
HNI Corporation
408 East Second Street
P.O. Box 1109
Muscatine, IA 52761-0071
Telephone: 563.272.7400
Company Fax: 563.272.7114
Investor Relations Fax: 563.272.7655
Investor Relations Email: investorrelations@hnicorp.com

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
One North Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606

Common Stock
HNI Corporation common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange  
(NYSE) under the symbol: HNI. 

Transfer Agent
Shareholders may report a change of address or make inquiries  
by writing or calling:

Wells Fargo Shareowner Services
161 North Concord Exchange
South Saint Paul, MN 55075
Telephone: 800.468.9716

HNI Corporation  408 East Second Street, Muscatine, Iowa 52761  hnicorp.com