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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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FY2015 Annual Report · HNI Corporation
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2015 ANNUAL REPORT
HNI CORPORATION

FINANCIAL
HIGHLIGHTS

(Amounts in thousands, except for per share)

2015

2014

Increase

INCOME STATEMENT DATA
Net sales
Gross profit
Selling and administrative expenses
Restructuring related and impairment charges
Non-GAAP net income attributable to HNI Corporation*
Non-GAAP net income as a % of net sales*
Per common share:
  Non-GAAP net income attributable to HNI Corporation—diluted*
  Cash dividends

$ 2,304,419
$  847,398
$  671,930
$ 
11,792
$  117,020

$ 2,222,695
$  784,200
$  638,332
33,019
$ 
89,730
$ 

5.1%

4.0%

$ 
$ 

2.58
1.045

$ 
$ 

1.97
0.99

3.7%

30.4%

31.0%

BALANCE SHEET DATA
Total assets
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations
Debt/capitalization ratio
HNI Corporation’s shareholders’ equity
Working capital

OTHER DATA
Capital expenditures (including capitalized software)
Cash flow from operations
Weighted-average shares outstanding—diluted

$ 1,263,925
$  185,000

$ 1,239,334
$  197,736

28.5%

32.3%

$  476,954
2,470
$ 

$  414,587
(1,774)
$ 

$  114,966
$  173,352
45,440,653

$  112,713
$  167,796
45,578,872

*GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliation

2015

2014

2013

GAAP net income

Adjustments

  Restructuring and impairment

  Transition costs

(Gain) loss on sale of assets

  Total adjustments

  Tax impact of adjustments

Amount

% of  
Net Sales

Earnings 
Per Share

Amount

% of  
Net Sales

Earnings 
Per Share

Amount

% of  
Net Sales

Earnings 
Per Share

$ 105,436

4.6%

$2.32

$  61,471

2.8%

$1.35

$ 63,683

3.1%

$1.39

$  12,569

4,704

$  17,273

(5,689)

$  38,232

4,894

(10,723)

$  32,403

(4,144)

$ 

333

—

2,460

$  2,793

(960)

Non-GAAP net income

$ 117,020

5.1%

$2.58

$  89,730

4.0%

$1.97

$65,516

3.2%

$1.43

HNI CORPORATION

 
VALUE
CREATION

01

(2013–2015)

(2013–2015)

(2013–2015)

12%

REVENUE GROWTH

77%

PROFIT GROWTH

$506m

CASH GENERATED

NET SALES  
(in millions) 

NON-GAAP*
NET INCOME  
(in millions) 

CASH FLOW  
FROM OPERATIONS 
(in millions) 

0
6
0
2
$

,

3
2
2

,

2
$

4
0
3

,

2
$

6
6
$

0
9
$

7
1
1
$

5
6
1
$

8
6
1
$

3
7
1
$

2013

2014

2015

2013

2014

2015

2013

2014

2015

CASH DIVIDEND  
(per common share) 

2
7
.
0
$

8
7
.
0
$

6
8
.
0
$

6
8
.
0
$

6
8
.
0
$

2
9
.
0
$

5
9
.
0
$

6
9
.
0
$

9
9
.
0
$

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

5
4
0
.
1
$

2015

*See GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliation on the inside front cover.

2015 ANNUAL REPORT

02

DEAR
SHAREHOLDER

2015  was  another  strong  year.  We  delivered  a  thirty  percent 
improvement  in  non-GAAP  earnings  on  modest  sales  growth. 
We  again  generated  solid  cashflow  to  support  our  long-term 
business investments and increased our already strong dividend.

Our businesses performed well versus the competition in a chal-
lenging,  slow-growth  economic  environment.  Office  Furniture 
markets  were  negatively  impacted  in  the  second  half  of  2015  
by muted CEO and small business confidence and the economic 
turmoil  in  China.  In  our  Hearth  markets,  single  family  housing 
starts  continued  to  improve  modestly  while  warmer  weather  
and  dramatically  lower  oil  prices  severely  impacted  the  bio-
mass market.

We  executed  well  on  our  core  strategies  in  2015:  focus  on  the 
core,  split  and  focus  with  leverage,  core  plus  and  Rapid 
Continuous Improvement driven by the strength of our member/
owner culture.

HEARTH BUSINESS—ANOTHER YEAR OF RECORD EARNINGS
Our  Hearth  business  achieved  another  year  of  record  earnings, 
delivering $80 million of operating profits on sales of $527 mil-
lion. Sales results across the business were mixed. Solid growth 
in the new construction and retail gas businesses was partially 
offset  by  a  significant  decline  in  the  biomass  business  due  to  
low  oil  prices  and  warm  weather.  We  continued  investing  to 
strengthen  our  industry  leading  brands,  products  and  distribu-
tion, and we are the preferred choice for builders and homeown-
ers.  We  are  focused  on  significant  investment  and  structural 
cost reduction opportunities to drive additional value creation in 
our Hearth business.

OFFICE FURNITURE—OUTSTANDING PROFIT IMPROVEMENT
Our  Office  Furniture  business  profitability  improved  by  twenty- 
five  percent  on  modest  sales  growth.  Strong  operational  
performance,  consistent  flawless  execution  for  our  customers 
and  benefits  from  strategic  investments  were  key  drivers  for 
increased earnings.

Our North America sales increased two percent led by growth in 
our  contract  business  of  approximately  five  percent.  Our  
supplies driven business sales were flat driven by muted small 
business  con fidence.  Sales  in  our  international  business  were  
up  three  percent  despite  the  drag  from  the  economic  upheaval  
in China.

Looking forward, we see significant opportunities for increased 
investments  and  structural  cost  reductions  to  deliver  attractive 
financial  returns  and  additional  profit  improvement  across  our 
Office  Furniture  businesses,  even  in  a  challenging  economic 
environment.

HNI CORPORATION

03

BUSINESS SYSTEM TRANSFORMATION
We  continued  our  investment  and  commitment  to  Business 
Systems  Transformation  (BST).  We  made  strong  progress  sim-
plifying  and  transforming  our  business  processes  to  deliver 
more value to our customers and reduce non-value added costs. 
BST remains a significant focus for the organization and a major 
strategic investment for HNI.

OUR CULTURE—A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
We  remain  committed  to  our  unique  culture,  core  beliefs  and 
values. Our member owner culture continues to stand the test of 
time and is what sets us apart from the competition. We believe 
the key to value creation is an intense focus on creating value for 
customers. When we create value for customers by consistently 
delivering  more,  better,  faster  with  less,  we  create  value  for 
shareholders, and ultimately for our members.

LOOKING FORWARD—2016
As we look to 2016, we expect the weak economic environment 
to  continue,  impacting  our  competitive  markets.  Despite  facing 
potential  sales  declines,  we  are  aggressively  driving  significant 
structural  cost  reductions  while  investing  for  the  future  across 
our  businesses.  I  am  confident  we  are  focused  on  the  right 
actions to deliver long-term value for customers, members and 
shareholders.

THANK YOU
Finally, I want to thank our customers, members, and suppliers 
for  their  contributions  to  our  success.  We  appreciate  the  con-
tinued loyalty and trust placed in us by customers, suppliers and 
shareholders.  Thank  you  to  our  members  for  their  continued 
dedication and hard work to drive long-term value creation.

“

2015 was another strong year. We 
delivered a thirty percent improvement  
in non-GAAP earnings on modest  
sales growth.”

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

2015 ANNUAL REPORT

04

®

®

Helping organizations 
deliver workplace  
outcomes that matter

Inspired by practicality and invested 
in understanding the furniture needs 
of today’s workplace

Inspired design and uncompromised  
craftsmanship in elegant furniture and  
fabrics for high impact customer spaces

The trusted partner for the professional services client, 
providing a broad range of premium furniture solutions 
that enhance comfort, collaboration and productivity

®

TM

®

®

®

India’s leading office furniture  
company and pioneer of 
modern modular furniture

K–12 thought leader helping 
educators prepare students 
for what’s next

Asia’s trusted leader in  
making great workplace  
design accessible

Office furniture systems with plan-
ning and design technologies for 
small and mid-sized businesses

Delivering relevant solu-
tions with differentiated 
service

HNI CORPORATION

05

The #1 preferred brand by builders 
and remodelers

The design and innovation leader. 
No one builds a better fire

Performance and easy operation come 
standard. Nothing burns like a Quad

Premium wood and pellet stoves.  
Built to a standard, not a price

®

®

®

®

®

Handcrafted stoves and inserts 
that deliver a lifetime of warmth

Built to last with versatile design 
options to fit your style

Clean style and designs from the vent 
free experts

America’s most prominent specialty 
hearth retailer and builder design center

2015 ANNUAL REPORT

06

OUR
VISION

We, the members of HNI Corporation, are dedicated to creating 
long-term value for all stakeholders, exceeding our customers’ 
expectations and making our company a great place to work.  
We will treat each other, customers, suppliers, shareholders and 
our communities, with fairness and respect. Our success depends 
on rapid continuous improvement, member engagement, individ-
ual and collective integrity, and innovation in everything we do. 
We relentlessly pursue the following longstanding commitments:

WE WILL

BE A PREFERRED PROVIDER OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.

CREATE LONG-TERM VALUE FOR SHAREHOLDERS.

BE A GREAT PLACE TO WORK.

BE A RESPONSIBLE GLOBAL CITIZEN.

GROW PROFITABLY.

HNI CORPORATION

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 10-K 

(Mark One) 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended January 2, 2016 

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

An Iowa Corporation

Commission File Number 1-14225

HNI Corporation
408 East Second Street
P. O. Box 1109
Muscatine, IA 52761-0071
563/272-7400

IRS Employer No. 42-0617510

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class
Common Stock, with par value of $1.00 per share.

Name of each exchange on which registered
New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes 

 No 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes 

 No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such 
reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes 

 No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every 
Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during 
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes 

 No 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not 
contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements 
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a 
smaller reporting company.  See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in 
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes 

 No 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the Registrant, as of July 4, 2015 was $1,373,219,063, 
based on the New York Stock Exchange closing price for such shares on that date, assuming for purposes of this calculation that 
all 5% holders and all directors and executive officers of the Registrant are affiliates.

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's common stock, as of February 5, 2016, was 44,159,340.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

Portions of the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on 
May 10, 2016 are incorporated by reference into Part III.

Table of Contents

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

Page

Item    1.

Item 1A.

Item 1B.

Item    2.

Item    3.

Item    4.

Item    5.

Item    6.

Item    7.

Item 7A.

Item    8.

Item    9.

Item 9A.

Item 9B.

Item 10.

Item 11.

Item 12.

Item 13.

Item 14.

Item 15.

Signatures

Business

Risk Factors

Unresolved Staff Comments

Properties

Legal Proceedings

Mine Safety Disclosures
Table I – Executive Officers of the Registrant

PART II

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of 
Equity Securities

Selected Financial Data 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Controls and Procedures

Other Information

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Executive Compensation

PART III

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder 
Matters

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

PART IV

Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Financial Statements

Financial Statement Schedules

Index of Exhibits

4

10

16

17

18

18

19

20

21

22

30

31

31

31

31

32

32

32

32

32

33

34

36

37

39

43

69

-3-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

General

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

PART I

HNI Corporation (the “Corporation”, “we”, “us” or “our”) is an Iowa corporation incorporated in 1944.  The Corporation is a 
provider of office furniture and hearth products.  Office furniture products include panel-based and freestanding furniture systems 
and complementary products such as seating, storage and tables.  These products are sold primarily through a national system of 
dealers,  wholesalers  and  office  product  distributors  but  also  directly  to  end-user  customers  and  federal,  state  and  local 
governments.  Hearth  products  include  a  full  array  of  gas,  wood  and  pellet  burning  fireplaces,  inserts,  stoves,  facings  and 
accessories.  These  products  are  sold  through  a  national  system  of  dealers  and  distributors,  as  well  as  Corporation-owned 
distribution and retail outlets.  In fiscal 2015, the Corporation had net sales of $2.3 billion, of which approximately $1.8 billion 
or 77% was attributable to office furniture products and $0.5 billion or 23% was attributable to hearth products.  Please refer to 
Reportable  Segment  Information  in  the  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for  further  information  about  operating 
segments.

The Corporation is organized into a corporate headquarters and operating units with offices, manufacturing plants, distribution 
centers and sales showrooms in the United States, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India and Taiwan.  See Item 2."Properties" for 
additional related discussion.

Nine operating units, marketing under various brand names, participate in the office furniture industry.  These operating units 
include:  The HON Company LLC ("HON"), Allsteel Inc., Maxon Furniture Inc., The Gunlocke Company L.L.C., Paoli LLC, 
Hickory Business Furniture, LLC (“HBF”), Artco-Bell Corporation ("Artcobell"), HNI Hong Kong Limited (“Lamex”) and BP 
Ergo Limited ("BP Ergo").  Each of these operating units provides products which are sold through various channels of distribution 
and segments of the industry.  HNI International Inc. (“HNI International”) sells office furniture products manufactured by the 
Corporation’s operating units in select markets outside the United States and Canada. 

The operating unit Hearth & Home Technologies LLC (“Hearth & Home”) participates in the hearth products industry.  The retail 
and distribution brand for this operating unit is Fireside Hearth & Home.  During fiscal 2014, the Corporation completed the 
acquisition  of Vermont  Castings  Group  ("VCG"),  a  leading  manufacturer  of  free-standing  hearth  stoves  and  fireplaces,  for  a 
purchase price of approximately $62 million. 

The Corporation has been committed to systematically eliminating waste through its process improvement approach known as 
Rapid Continuous Improvement (“RCI”), which focuses on streamlining design, manufacturing and administrative processes.  The 
Corporation's  RCI  program  has  contributed  to  increased  productivity,  lower  costs,  improved  product  quality  and  enhanced 
workplace safety.  In addition, the Corporation's RCI efforts enable it to offer short average lead times, from receipt of order to 
delivery and installation, for most products.

The Corporation's product development efforts are focused on developing and providing relevant and differentiated solutions  
delivering quality, aesthetics and style.

An important element of the Corporation's success has been its member-owner culture, which has enabled it to attract, develop, 
retain and motivate skilled, experienced and efficient members (i.e., employees).  Each of the Corporation's eligible members has 
the opportunity to own stock in the Corporation through a number of stock-based plans, including a member stock purchase plan 
and a profit-sharing retirement plan, which drives a unique level of commitment to the Corporation’s success throughout the 
workforce.

For further financial-related information with respect to acquisitions, divestitures, operating segment information, restructuring 
and the Corporation’s operations in general, refer to “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
Results of Operations” in Part II of this report, and the following sections in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements:  Nature 
of Operations, Business Combinations and Reportable Segment Information.

-4-

Table of Contents

Industry

According  to  the  Business  and  Institutional  Furniture  Manufacturer's Association  (“BIFMA”),  U.S.  office  furniture  industry 
shipments were estimated to be $10.2 billion in 2015, an increase of 5% compared to 2014, which was a 4% increase from 2013 
levels.  

The U.S. office furniture market consists of 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, primarily for 
new office facilities, relocations or department or office redesigns, which are frequently customized to meet specific client and 
designer preferences.  Contract furniture is generally purchased through office furniture dealers who typically prepare a custom-
designed office layout emphasizing image and design.  The selling process is complex and lengthy and generally has several 
manufacturers competing for the same projects.

The supplies-driven channel of the market, in which the Corporation is a leader, primarily represents smaller orders of office 
furniture purchased by small/medium businesses on the basis of price, quality, selection and speed and reliability of delivery.  Office 
products dealers, wholesalers and national office product distributors are the primary distribution channels in this market.  Office 
furniture and products dealers publish content on the internet and periodic catalogs displaying office furniture and products from 
various manufacturers.

The Corporation also competes in the hearth products industry, where it is a market leader.  Hearth products are typically purchased 
by  builders  during  the  construction  of  new  homes  and  homeowners  during  the  renovation  of  existing  homes.  Both  types  of 
purchases  involve  seasonality  with  remodel/retrofit  activity  being  concentrated  in  the  September  to  December  time-
frame.  Distribution is primarily through independent dealers, who may buy direct from the manufacturer or from an intermediate 
distributor.  

Strategy

The Corporation's strategy is to build on its position as a leading manufacturer of office furniture and hearth products in North 
America and pursue select global markets where opportunities exist to create shareholder value.  The components of this growth 
strategy are to introduce new products, build brand equity, provide outstanding customer satisfaction by focusing on the end-user, 
strengthen the distribution network, respond to global competition, pursue complementary strategic acquisitions, enter markets 
not currently served and continually reduce costs.

The Corporation’s strategy has a dual focus:  working continuously to extract new growth from its core markets while identifying 
and developing new, adjacent potential areas of growth.  The Corporation focuses on extracting new growth from each of its 
existing businesses by deepening its understanding of end-users, using new insights gained to refine branding, selling and marketing 
and developing new products to serve them better.  The Corporation also pursues opportunities in potential growth drivers related 
to its core business, such as vertical markets or new distribution models.

Employees/Members

As of January 2, 2016, the Corporation employed approximately 10,400 persons, 10,000 of whom were full-time and 400 of whom 
were temporary personnel.  The Corporation believes its labor relations are good.

Products and Solutions

Office Furniture

The Corporation designs, manufactures and markets a broad range of office furniture systems and seating across a range of price 
points.  The Corporation's portfolio includes panel-based and freestanding furniture systems and complementary products such 
as seating, storage and tables.  The Corporation offers a complete line of office panel system products and freestanding desks, 
classroom solutions, bookshelves and credenzas in order to meet the needs of a wide spectrum of organizations.   The Corporation 
offers a variety of storage options designed either to be integrated into the Corporation's office systems products or to function as 
freestanding  furniture  in  office  applications.   The    Corporation's  seating  line  includes  chairs  designed  for  all  types  of  office 
work.  The chairs are available in a variety of frame colors, coverings and a wide range of price points.  

-5-

Table of Contents

To meet the demands of various markets, the Corporation's products are sold under the Corporation's brands – HON®, Allsteel®, 
Maxon®, Gunlocke®, Paoli®, HBF®, artcobellTM, Midwest Folding ProductsTM, American DeskTM,  basyx®  by HON, Lamex® and 
ERGO®, as well as private labels.

Hearth Products

The  Corporation  is  North America’s  largest  manufacturer  and  marketer  of  prefabricated  fireplaces,  hearth  stoves  and  related 
products, primarily for the home, which it sells under its widely recognized Heatilator®, Heat & Glo®, Majestic®, Monessen®, 
Quadra-Fire®, Harman StoveTM , Vermont Castings®and PelProTM brand names. 

The Corporation’s line of hearth products includes a full array of gas, wood and pellet burning fireplaces, inserts, stoves, facings 
and accessories.  Heatilator®, Heat & Glo®, Majestic® and Monessen® are brand leaders in the two largest segments of the home 
fireplace market: gas and wood fireplaces.  The Corporation is the leader in “direct vent” fireplaces, which replace the chimney-
venting system used in traditional fireplaces with a less expensive vent through the roof or an outer wall.  In addition, the Corporation 
is  the  leader  in  wood  and  pellet-burning  stoves  and  furnaces  with  its  Quadra-Fire®,  Harman  StoveTM,Vermont  Castings® and 
PelProTM product lines which provide home heating solutions using renewable fuels.  See “Intellectual Property” under Item 1. 
"Business" for additional details.

Manufacturing

The Corporation manufactures office furniture in Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, New York, North Carolina, Texas, China and India.  The 
Corporation manufactures hearth products in Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Washington.

The Corporation purchases raw materials and components from a variety of suppliers, and generally most items are available from 
multiple sources.  Major raw materials and components include coil steel, aluminum, zinc, castings, lumber, veneer, particleboard, 
fabric, paint, lacquer, hardware, glass, plastic products and shipping cartons.

Since its inception, the Corporation has focused on making its manufacturing facilities and processes more flexible while at the 
same time reducing cost, eliminating waste and improving product quality.  The Corporation applies the principles of RCI and a  
lean manufacturing philosophy leveraging the creativity of its members to eliminate and reduce costs.  To achieve flexibility and 
attain efficiency goals, the Corporation has adopted a variety of production techniques, including cellular manufacturing, focused 
factories, just-in-time inventory management, value engineering, business simplification and 80/20 principles.  The application 
of RCI has increased productivity by reducing set-up and processing times, square footage, inventory levels, product costs and 
delivery times, while improving quality and enhancing member safety.  The Corporation's RCI process involves production and 
administrative  employees,  management,  customers  and  suppliers.  The  Corporation  has  facilitators,  coaches  and  consultants 
dedicated to the RCI process and strives to involve all members in the RCI process.  Manufacturing also plays a key role in the 
Corporation's concurrent product development process in order to design new products for ease of manufacturability.

Product Development

The Corporation's product development efforts are primarily focused on developing relevant and differentiated end-user solutions 
focused on quality, aesthetics, style, sustainable design and on reducing manufacturing costs.  The Corporation accomplishes this 
through  improving  existing  products,  extending  product  lines  and  platforms,  applying  ergonomic  research,  improving 
manufacturing processes, applying alternative materials and providing engineering support and training to its operating units.  The 
Corporation conducts its product development efforts at both the corporate and operating unit level.  The Corporation invested 
approximately  $31.1  million,  $29.7  million  and  $27.3  million  in  product  development  during  fiscal  2015,  2014  and  2013, 
respectively.

Intellectual Property

As of January 2, 2016, the Corporation owned 245 U.S. and 262 foreign patents with expiration dates through 2040 and had 
applications pending for 25 U.S. and 84 foreign patents.  In addition, the Corporation holds 198 U.S. and 460 foreign trademark 
registrations and has applications pending for 29 U.S. and 26 foreign trademarks.

The Corporation's principal office furniture products do not require frequent technical changes.  The Corporation believes neither 
any individual office furniture patent nor the Corporation's office furniture patents in the aggregate are material to the Corporation's 
business as a whole.

-6-

Table of Contents

The Corporation’s patents covering its hearth products protect various technical innovations.  While the acquisition of patents 
reflects Hearth & Home’s position in the market as an innovation leader, the Corporation believes neither any individual hearth 
product patent nor the Corporation’s hearth product patents in the aggregate are material to the Corporation’s business as a whole.

The Corporation applies for patent protection when it believes the expense of doing so is justified, and the Corporation believes 
the duration of its registered patents is adequate to protect these rights.  The Corporation also pays royalties in certain instances 
for the use of patents on products and processes owned by others.

The Corporation applies for trademark protection for brands and products when it believes the expense of doing so is justified.  
The Corporation actively protects trademarks it believes have significant value.  The Corporation believes neither the loss of any 
individual  trademark  nor  the  loss  of  the  Corporation's  trademarks  in  the  aggregate  would  materially  adversely  affect  the 
Corporation's business as a whole, except for HNI, HON and Allsteel.

Sales and Distribution: Customers

The Corporation sells its office furniture products through five principal distribution channels.  The first channel consisting of 
independent, local office furniture and office products dealers, specializes in the sale of a broad range of office furniture and office 
furniture systems to business, government, education and health care entities.

The second distribution channel comprises national office product distributors including Staples, Inc. and Office Depot, Inc. which 
have announced a planned merger.  These distributors sell furniture along with office supplies through a national network of 
dealerships and sales offices, which assist their customers with the evaluation of office space requirements, systems layout and 
product selection and design and office solution services provided by professional designers.  These distributors also sell through 
on-line and retail office products stores.

The third distribution channel is where the Corporation has the lead selling relationship with the end-user.  

The fourth distribution channel comprises wholesalers serving as distributors of the Corporation's products to independent dealers 
and national office products distributors.  The Corporation sells to the nation's largest office supply/furniture wholesalers, Essendant 
and S.P. Richards Company.  Wholesalers maintain inventory of standard product lines for resale to the various dealers and national 
office products distributors.  They also special order products from the Corporation in customer-selected models and colors.  The 
Corporation's wholesalers maintain warehouse locations throughout the United States, which enables the Corporation to make its 
products available for rapid delivery to resellers anywhere in the country.

The fifth distribution channel comprises direct sales of the Corporation's products to federal, state and local government offices.

The  Corporation's  office  furniture  sales  force  consists  of  regional  sales  managers,  salespersons  and  firms  of  independent 
manufacturers' representatives who collectively provide national sales coverage.  Sales managers and salespersons are compensated 
by a combination of salary and variable performance compensation.

Office products dealers, national wholesalers and national office product distributors market their products over the Internet and 
through catalogs published periodically.  These catalogs are distributed to existing and potential customers.  

The Corporation also makes export sales through HNI International to office furniture dealers and wholesale distributors serving 
select foreign markets.  Distributors are principally located in the Middle East, Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean.  Through 
Lamex and BP Ergo, the Corporation manufactures and distributes office furniture directly to end-users and through independent 
dealers and distributors in Asia, primarily China and India.

Limited quantities of select finished goods inventories primarily built to order and awaiting shipment are at the Corporation's 
principal manufacturing plants and at its various distribution centers.

Hearth & Home sells its fireplace and stove products through dealers, distributors and Corporation-owned distribution and retail 
outlets.  The  Corporation  has  a  field  sales  organization  of  regional  sales  managers,  salespersons  and  firms  of  independent 
manufacturers' representatives.

In fiscal 2015, the Corporation's five largest customers represented approximately 22% of its consolidated net sales.  No single 
customer accounted for 10% or more of the Corporation’s consolidated net sales in fiscal 2015.  The substantial purchasing power 
exercised by large customers may adversely affect the prices at which the Corporation can successfully offer its products.  

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The above percentages do not include revenue from various government agencies.  In aggregate, purchases by federal government 
entities collectively accounted for approximately 3% of the Corporation's consolidated net sales.  

As of January 2, 2016, the Corporation had an order backlog of approximately $173.8 million, which will be filled in the ordinary 
course of business within the first few months of the fiscal year.  This compares with $192.4 million as of January 3, 2015.  Backlog, 
in terms of percentage of net sales, was 7.6% and 8.7% for fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively.  The Corporation’s products are 
typically manufactured and shipped within a few weeks following receipt of order or later upon customer request.  The dollar 
amount of the Corporation’s order backlog is, therefore, not considered by management to be a leading indicator of the Corporation’s 
expected sales in any particular fiscal period.

Competition

The Corporation is a leading global office furniture manufacturer and believes it is the largest provider of furniture to small- and 
medium-sized workplaces.  The Corporation is North America's largest manufacturer and marketer of fireplaces.

The  office  furniture  industry  is  highly  competitive,  with  a  significant  number  of  competitors  offering  similar  products.  The 
Corporation  competes  by  emphasizing  its  ability  to  deliver  compelling  value  products,  solutions  and  a  high  level  of  tailored 
customer service.  The Corporation competes with large office furniture manufacturers, which cover a substantial portion of the 
North America market share in the contract-oriented office furniture market, such as Steelcase Inc., Haworth, Inc., Herman Miller, 
Inc. and Knoll, Inc.  The Corporation also competes with a number of other office furniture manufacturers, including The Global 
Group (a Canadian company), Kimball International, Inc., Krueger International Inc. (KI), Virco Mfg. Corporation and Teknion 
Corporation (a Canadian company), as well as global importers.  The Corporation faces significant price competition from its 
competitors and may encounter competition from new market entrants.

Hearth products, consisting of prefabricated fireplaces and related products, are manufactured by a number of national and regional 
competitors.  The  Corporation  competes  primarily  against  a  broad  range  of  manufacturers,  including  Travis  Industries  Inc., 
Innovative Hearth Products, Wolf Steel Ltd. (Napoleon) and FPI Fireplace Products International Ltd. (Regency).

Both office furniture and hearth products compete on the basis of performance, quality, price, complete and on-time delivery to 
the customer and customer service and support.  The Corporation believes it competes principally by providing compelling value 
products designed to be among the best in their price range for product quality and performance, superior customer service and 
short lead-times.  This is made possible, in part, by the Corporation's on-going investment in brands, product development, highly 
efficient and low cost manufacturing operations and an extensive distribution network.

For further discussion of the Corporation's competitive situation, refer to “Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations” later in this report.

Effects of Inflation

Certain business costs may, from time to time, increase at a rate exceeding the general rate of inflation.  The Corporation’s objective 
is to offset the effect of normal inflation on its costs primarily through productivity increases in combination with certain adjustments 
to the selling price of its products as competitive market and general economic conditions permit.

Investments are routinely made in modernizing plants, equipment, information technology capabilities and RCI programs.  These 
investments collectively focus on business simplification and increasing productivity which helps to offset the effect of rising 
material and labor costs.  The Corporation also routinely employs ongoing cost control disciplines.  In addition, the last-in, first-
out ("LIFO") valuation method is used for most of the Corporation's inventories, which ensures changing material and labor costs 
are recognized in reported income and, more importantly, these costs are recognized in pricing decisions.

Environmental

The Corporation is subject to a variety of environmental laws and regulations governing the use of materials and substances in 
products, the management of wastes resulting from use of certain material and the remediation of contamination associated with 
releases of hazardous substances used in the past.  Although the Corporation believes it is in material compliance with all of the 
various regulations applicable to its business, there can be no assurance requirements will not change in the future or the Corporation 
will  not  incur  material  costs  to  comply  with  such  regulations.  The  Corporation  has  trained  staff  responsible  for  monitoring 
compliance with environmental, health and safety requirements.  The Corporation’s environmental staff works with responsible 
personnel at each manufacturing facility, the Corporation’s environmental legal counsel and consultants on the management of 

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environmental, health and safety issues.  The Corporation’s environmental objective is to reduce and, when practical, eliminate 
the human and ecosystem impacts of materials and manufacturing processes.

The Corporation’s environmental management system has earned the recognition of numerous state and federal agencies as well 
as non-government organizations.  Aligning continuous improvement initiatives with the Corporation’s environmental objectives 
creates a model of the triple bottom line of sustainable development where members work toward shared goals of personal growth, 
economic reward and a healthy environment for the future.

Over  the  past  several  years,  the  Corporation  has  expanded  its  environmental  management  system  and  established  metrics  to 
influence product design and development, supplier and supply chain performance, energy and resource consumption and the 
impacts of its facilities.  In addition, the Corporation is providing sustainability training to senior decision makers and has assigned 
resources  to  documenting  and  communicating  its  progress  to  an  increasingly  knowledgeable  market.  Integrating  sustainable 
objectives into core business systems is consistent with the Corporation’s vision and ensures its commitment to being a sustainable 
enterprise remains a priority for all members.  

Compliance with federal, state and local environmental regulations has not had a material effect on the capital expenditures, 
earnings  or  competitive  position  of  the  Corporation  to  date.  The  Corporation  does  not  anticipate  financially  material  capital 
expenditures will be required during fiscal 2016 for environmental control facilities.  It is management’s judgment that compliance 
with current regulations should not have a material effect on the Corporation’s financial condition or results of operations.  However, 
there can be no assurance new environmental legislation, material science or technology in this area will not result in or require 
material capital expenditures.

Business Development

The development of the Corporation's business during the fiscal years ended January 2, 2016, January 3, 2015 and December 28, 
2013 is discussed in “Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”.

Available Information

Information regarding the Corporation’s annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 
8-K, and any amendments to these reports, will be made available, free of charge, on the Corporation’s website at www.hnicorp.com, 
as soon as reasonably practicable after the Corporation electronically files such reports with or furnishes them to the Securities 
and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  The Corporation’s information is also available from the SEC’s Public Reference room 
at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, or on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this report to the extent they are not statements of historical or present fact, including statements as to plans, outlook, 
objectives and future financial performance, are “forward-looking” statements, within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities 
Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the 
Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform Act  of  1995.  Words,  such  as  “anticipate,”  “believe,”  “could,”  “confident,”  “estimate,” 
“expect,” “forecast,” “hope,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” 
“would” and variations of such words and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Corporation’s actual results 
in the future to differ materially from expected results.  The most significant factors known to the Corporation that may adversely 
affect the Corporation’s business, operations, industries, financial position or future financial performance are described later in 
this report under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”  The Corporation cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any 
forward-looking statement which speaks only as of the date made and to recognize forward-looking statements are predictions of 
future results, which may not occur as anticipated.  Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-
looking statements and from historical results due to the risks and uncertainties described elsewhere in this report, including under 
the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” as well as others that the Corporation may consider immaterial or does not anticipate at this 
time.  The risks and uncertainties described in this report, including those under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” are not 
exclusive  and  further  information  concerning  the  Corporation,  including  factors  that  potentially  could  materially  affect  the 
Corporation’s financial results or condition, may emerge from time to time.

The  Corporation  assumes  no  obligation  to  update,  amend  or  clarify  forward-looking  statements,  whether  as  a  result  of  new 
information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.  The Corporation advises you, however, to consult 

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any further disclosures made on related subjects in future quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed 
with or furnished to the SEC.

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

The following risk factors and other information included in this report should be carefully considered.  If any of the following 
risks actually occur, our business, operating results, cash flows or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

The existence of various unfavorable macroeconomic and industry factors, or deterioration of economic conditions, for a prolonged 
period could adversely affect our business operating results or financial condition.

Office furniture industry sales are impacted by a variety of macroeconomic factors including service-sector employment levels, 
corporate  profits,  small  business  confidence,  commercial  construction  and  office  vacancy  rates.    Industry  factors,  including 
corporate restructuring, technology changes, corporate relocations, health and safety concerns, including ergonomic considerations, 
and the globalization of companies also influence office furniture industry revenues.  We experienced softening in the U.S. economy 
in fiscal 2015 and we expect economic uncertainty to continue into 2016, which could decrease demand for our office furniture 
products and have adverse effects on our operating results.

Hearth products industry sales are impacted by a variety of macroeconomic factors as well, including housing starts, overall 
employment levels, interest rates, consumer confidence, energy costs, disposable income and changing demographics.  Industry 
factors, such as technology changes, health and safety concerns and environmental regulation, including indoor air quality standards, 
also influence hearth products industry revenues.  Deterioration of the economic conditions or a slowdown in the recovery in the 
homebuilding industry and the hearth products market could decrease demand for our hearth products and have additional adverse 
effects on our operating results.  Additionally, the recent decline in oil and other fuel prices has negatively impacted demand for 
our pellet stoves and we expect demand to remain soft in our pellet business as oil and other fuel prices are projected to remain 
low.

Economic growth has slowed, and may continue to slow, in several key international markets, including China and India, which 
could have adverse effects on our international office furniture sales and our operating results.

Deteriorating economic conditions could affect our business significantly, including:  reduced demand for products; insolvency 
of our dealers resulting in increased provisions for credit losses; insolvency of our key suppliers resulting in product delays; 
inability of customers to obtain credit to finance purchases of our products; decreased customer demand, including order delays 
or cancellations; and counter-party failures negatively impacting our treasury operations.

We may need to take additional impairment charges related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, which would adversely 
affect our results of operations.

Goodwill and other acquired intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but are tested for impairment annually, and 
when an event occurs or circumstances change making it reasonably possible an impairment may exist.  As of January 2, 2016, 
we had goodwill of $278 million recorded on our balance sheet.  We test for impairment annually during the fourth quarter of the 
year and whenever indicators of impairment exist.  We test goodwill for impairment by first comparing the carrying value of net 
assets to the fair value of the reporting unit.  If the fair value is determined to be less than carrying value, a second step is performed 
to determine the implied fair value of goodwill associated with the reporting unit.  If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the 
implied  fair  value  of  goodwill,  the  excess  represents  the  amount  of  goodwill  impairment,  and  accordingly,  an  impairment  is 
recognized.

We estimate the fair values of the reporting units using discounted cash flows.  Forecasts of future cash flows are based on our 
best estimate of longer term, broad market trends.  We combine this trend data with estimates of current economic conditions in 
the U.S. and other countries where we have a presence, competitor behavior, the mix of product sales, commodity costs, wage 
rates, the level of manufacturing capacity and the pricing environment.  In addition, estimates of fair value are impacted by estimates 
of the market-participant-derived weighted average cost of capital.  Changes in these forecasts could significantly change the 
amount  of  impairment  recorded,  if  any.   As  a  result  of  impairment  testing,  we  recorded  goodwill  and  other  long-lived  asset 
impairments of $11 million during 2015. 

The office furniture and hearth products industries are highly competitive and, as a result, we may not always be successful.

Both the office furniture and hearth products industries are highly competitive, with a significant number of competitors in both 
industries offering similar products.  While competitive factors vary geographically and between differing sales situations, typical 
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factors for both industries include:  price; delivery and service; product design and features; product quality; strength of dealers 
and other distributors; and relationships with customers and key influencers, including architects, designers, home-builders and 
facility managers.  Our principal competitors in the office furniture industry include The Global Group, Haworth, Inc., Kimball 
International, Inc., Steelcase Inc., Herman Miller, Inc., Teknion Corporation, Virco Mfg. Corporaton, Krueger International Inc. 
(KI) and Knoll, Inc.  Our principal competitors in the hearth products industry include Travis Industries Inc., Innovative Hearth 
Products, Wolf Steel Ltd. (Napoleon) and FPI Fireplace Products International Ltd. (Regency).  In both industries, most of our 
top competitors have an installed base of products that can be a source of significant future sales through repeat and expansion 
orders.  These competitors manufacture products with strong acceptance in the marketplace and are capable of developing products 
that have a competitive advantage over our products.

Our continued success will depend on many factors, including our ability to continue to manufacture and market high quality, 
high performance products at competitive prices and our ability to adapt our business model to effectively compete in the highly 
competitive environments of both the office furniture and hearth products industries.  Our success is also subject to our ability to 
sustain and grow our positive brand reputation and recognition among existing and potential customers and use our brands and 
trademarks effectively in entering new markets.

In both the office furniture and hearth products industries, we also face significant price competition from our competitors and 
from new market entrants who primarily manufacture and source products from lower cost countries.  Price competition impacts 
our ability to implement price increases or, in some cases, even maintain prices, which could lower our profit margins.  In addition, 
we may not be able to maintain or raise the prices of our products in response to rising raw material prices and other inflationary 
pressures.  

The concentration of our customer base, changes in demand and order patterns from our customers, as well as the increased 
purchasing power of these customers, could adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.

We sell our products through multiple distribution channels.  These distribution channels have been consolidating  and may continue 
to consolidate in the future.  Consolidation may result in a greater proportion of our sales being concentrated in fewer customers, 
including as a result of the recent mergers and announced mergers of national office product distributors.  The increased purchasing 
power exercised by larger customers may adversely affect the prices at which we can successfully offer our products.  As a result 
of this consolidation, changes in the purchase patterns or the loss of a single customer may have a greater impact on our business, 
operating results or financial condition than the events would have had prior to the consolidation.

The growth in sales of private-label products by some of our largest office  furniture customers  may reduce  our revenue and 
adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.

Private-label products are products sold under the name of the distributor or retailer, but manufactured by another party.  Some 
of our largest customers have aggressive private-label initiatives to increase sales of office furniture.  If successful, they may 
reduce our revenue and inhibit our ability to raise prices and may, in some cases, even force us to lower prices, which could result 
in an adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition.

Increases in basic commodity, raw material, component and transportation costs, as well as disruptions to the supply of basic 
commodities, raw materials and components or transportation and shipping challenges, could adversely affect our profitability.

Fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of the commodities, raw materials and components used by us in manufacturing 
could have an adverse effect on our costs of sales, profitability and our ability to meet customers' demand.  We source commodities, 
raw materials and components from domestic and international suppliers for both our office furniture and hearth products.  From 
both  domestic  and  international  suppliers,  the  cost,  quality  and  availability  of  commodities,  raw  materials  and  components, 
including steel, one of our largest raw material categories, have been significantly affected in recent years by, among other things, 
changes in global supply and demand, changes in laws and regulations (including tariffs and duties), changes in exchange rates 
and worldwide price levels, natural disasters, labor disputes, terrorism and political unrest or instability.  These factors could lead 
to further price increases or supply interruptions in the future.  Our profit margins could be adversely affected if commodity, raw 
material and component costs remain high or escalate further, and we are either unable to offset such costs through strategic 
sourcing initiatives and continuous improvement programs or, as a result of competitive market dynamics, unable to pass along 
a portion of the higher costs to our customers.

We rely primarily on third-party freight and transportation providers to deliver our products to customers.  Increasing demand for 
freight providers and a shortage of qualified drivers may cause delays in our shipments and increase the cost to ship our products, 
which  may  adversely  affect  our  profitability.   Additionally,  we  import  and  export  products  and  components,  primarily  using 
container ships, which load and unload through several U.S. ports, including ports on the West Coast.  Port-caused delays in the 
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shipment  or  receipt  of  products  and  components,  including  labor  disputes,  could  cause  delayed  receipt  of  our  products  and 
components.  These delays could cause manufacturing disruptions, increased expense resulting from alternate shipping methods 
or the inability to meet customer delivery expectations, which may adversely affect our sales and profitability.

Our efforts to introduce new products to meet customer and workplace requirements may not be successful, which could limit our 
sales growth or cause our sales to decline.

To meet the changing needs of our customers and keep pace with market trends in both the office furniture and hearth products 
industries, we regularly introduce new products.  Trends include changes in workplace and home design and increases in the use 
of technology and evolving regulatory and industry requirements, including environmental, health, safety and similar standards 
for  the  workplace  and  home  and  for  product  performance.  The  introduction  of  new  products  in  both  industries  requires  the 
coordination of the design, manufacturing and marketing of the products, which may be affected by factors beyond our control.  The 
design and engineering of certain new products can take up to a year or more, and further time may be required to achieve client 
acceptance.  In  addition,  we  may  face  difficulties  introducing  new  products  if  we  cannot  successfully  align  ourselves  with 
independent architects, home-builders and designers who are able to design, in a timely manner, high quality products consistent 
with our image and our customers' needs.  Accordingly, the launch of any particular product may be later or less successful than 
we originally anticipated.  Difficulties or delays introducing new products or lack of customer acceptance of new products could 
limit our sales growth or cause our sales to decline and may result in an adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial 
condition.

We have grown, and may continue to grow, our business through acquisitions and alliances, which could adversely affect our 
business, operating results or financial condition.

One of our growth strategies is to supplement our organic growth through acquisitions of, and or strategic alliances with, businesses 
with technologies or products complimenting or augmenting our existing products or distribution or adding new products or 
distribution to our business.  In the past few years, we acquired Vermont Castings Group, a hearth stoves and fireplace company, 
Artcobell, an education furniture company, and BP Ergo, an office furniture company in India, each of which we continue to 
integrate into our business.  The benefits of these acquisitions, or future acquisitions or alliances may take more time than expected 
to develop or integrate into our operations, and we cannot guarantee any completed or future acquisitions or alliances will in fact 
produce any benefits.  In addition, acquisitions and alliances involve a number of risks, including, without limitation:

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diversion of management’s attention, including significant management time devoted to integrating acquisitions;
difficulties in assimilating the operations and products of an acquired business or in realizing projected efficiencies, cost 
savings and revenue synergies;
potential loss of key employees or customers of the acquired businesses or adverse effects on existing business relationships 
with suppliers and customers;
adverse impact on overall profitability if acquired businesses do not achieve the financial results projected in our valuation 
models;
reallocation  of  amounts  of  capital  from  other  operating  initiatives  or  an  increase  in  our  leverage  and  debt  service 
requirements to pay the acquisition purchase prices, which could in turn restrict our ability to access additional capital 
when needed or to pursue other important elements of our business strategy;
inaccurate assessment of undisclosed, contingent or other liabilities or problems and unanticipated costs associated with 
the acquisition; and
incorrect estimates made in accounting for acquisitions, incurrence of non-recurring charges and write-off of significant 
amounts of goodwill that could adversely affect our operating results.

Our ability to grow through future acquisitions will depend, in part, on the availability of suitable acquisition candidates at an 
acceptable price, our ability to compete effectively for these acquisition candidates and the availability of capital to complete the 
acquisitions.  These risks could be heightened if we complete several acquisitions within a relatively short period of time.  In 
addition, there can be no assurance we will be able to continue to identify attractive opportunities or enter into any transactions 
with acceptable terms in the future.  If an acquisition is completed, there can be no assurance we will be able to successfully 
integrate the acquired entity into our operations or achieve sales and profitability justifying our investment in the businesses.  Any 
potential acquisition may not be successful and could adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.

Our continuing activities to reduce structural costs and drive consistent, flawless execution may result in customer disruption 
and may distract management from other activities.

As part of our commitment to taking structural cost out of our business, we regularly close, reconfigure or transform manufacturing 
and distribution facilities.  In the past two years, we have closed several facilities in the United States and internationally.  We 
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have implemented, and will continue to implement, restructuring actions to transform our business and reduce our manufacturing 
footprint. These actions may take longer than anticipated, prove more costly than expected and may distract management from 
other activities.  If we do not fully realize the expected benefits of our restructuring activities, our financial condition and ability 
to meet customer needs could be negatively affected.

We are subject to extensive environmental regulation and have exposure to potential environmental liabilities.

The past and present operation and ownership by us of manufacturing facilities and real property are subject to extensive and 
changing federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to discharges in air, water and land, 
the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous waste and the remediation of contamination associated with releases of hazardous 
substances.  Compliance with environmental regulations has not had a material effect on our capital expenditures, earnings or 
competitive position to date; however, compliance with current laws or more stringent laws or regulations which may be imposed 
on us in the future, stricter interpretation of existing laws or discoveries of contamination at our real property sites which occurred 
prior to our ownership or the advent of environmental regulation may require us to incur additional expenditures in the future, 
some of which may be material.

Increasing healthcare costs could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

We provide healthcare benefits to the majority of our members and are self-insured.  Healthcare costs have continued to rise over 
time, which increases our annual spending on healthcare and could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial 
condition.

Our inability to improve the quality/capability of our network of independent dealers or the loss of a significant number of dealers 
could adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.

In both the office furniture and hearth products industries, we rely in large part on a network of independent dealers to market our 
products to customers.  We also rely upon these dealers to provide a variety of important specification, installation and after-market 
services to our customers.  Many of our dealers may terminate their relationships with us at any time and for any reason.  The loss 
or termination of a significant number of dealer relationships could cause difficulties for us in marketing and distributing our 
products, resulting in a decline in our sales, which may adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition.

Our international operations expose us to risks related to conducting business in multiple jurisdictions outside the United States.

We manufacture, market, and sell our products in international operations and sales, including in China and India.  We plan to 
continue to grow internationally.  We primarily sell our products and report our financial results in U.S. dollars; however, our 
increased business in countries outside the United States exposes us to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, including 
the recent weakening of the Rupee in India and the Canadian Dollar.  Paying our expenses in other currencies can result in a 
significant increase or decrease in the amount of those expenses in terms of U.S. dollars, which may affect our profits.  In the 
future, any foreign currency appreciation relative to the U.S. dollar would increase our expenses that are denominated in that 
currency.  Additionally, as we report currency in the U.S. dollar, our financial position is affected by the strength of the currencies 
in countries where we have operations relative to the strength of the U.S. dollar.

Further, certain countries have complex regulatory systems which impose administrative and legal requirements which make 
managing international operations more difficult, including approvals to transfer funds into certain countries.  If we are unable to 
provide financial support to our international operations in a timely manner, our business, operating results and financial condition 
could be adversely affected.

We periodically review our foreign currency exposure and evaluate whether we should enter into hedging transactions.

Our international sales and operations are subject to a number of additional risks, including, without limitation:

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social and political turmoil, official corruption and civil and labor unrest;
restrictive government actions, including the imposition of trade quotas and tariffs and restrictions on transfers of funds;
changes in labor laws and regulations affecting our ability to hire, retain or dismiss employees;
the need to comply with multiple and potentially conflicting laws and regulations, including environmental and corporate 
laws and regulations;
preference for locally branded products and laws and business practices favoring local competition;
less effective protection of intellectual property and increased possibility of loss due to cyber-theft;
unfavorable business conditions or economic instability in any particular country or region;

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infrastructure disruptions;
potentially conflicting cultural and business practices; and
difficulty in obtaining distribution and support.

Restrictions imposed by the terms of our credit facility and note purchase agreement may limit our operating and financial flexibility.

Our credit facility and other financing arrangements, including the note purchase agreement related to our senior notes which 
mature in April 2016, limit our ability to finance operations, service debt or engage in other business activities that may be in our 
interest.  Specifically, our credit facility restricts our ability to incur additional indebtedness, create or incur certain liens with 
respect to any of our properties or assets, engage in lines of business substantially different than those currently conducted by us, 
sell, lease, license or dispose of any of our assets, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, make certain restricted payments 
or  take  certain  restricted  actions  and  enter  into  certain  sale-leaseback  arrangements.  Our  note  purchase  agreement  contains 
customary restrictive covenants, among other things, placing limits on our ability to incur liens on assets, incur additional debt, 
transfer or sell our assets, merge or consolidate with other persons or enter into material transactions with affiliates.  Our credit 
facility and note purchase agreement also require us to maintain certain financial covenants.

Our failure to comply with the obligations under our credit facility may result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, 
may cause accelerated repayment of the indebtedness under the credit facility.  We cannot be certain we will have sufficient funds 
available to pay any accelerated repayments or we will have the ability to refinance accelerated repayments on terms favorable to 
us or at all.

Costs related to product defects, including product liability costs, could adversely affect our profitability.

We incur various expenses related to product defects, including product warranty costs, product recall and retrofit costs and product 
liability costs.  These expenses relative to product sales vary and could increase.  We use chemicals and materials in our products 
and include components in our products from external suppliers, which we believe are safe and appropriate for their designated 
use; however, harmful effects may become known which could subject us to litigation, including health-related litigation, and 
significant losses.  We maintain reserves for product defect-related costs based on estimates and our knowledge of circumstances 
indicating the need for such reserves.  We cannot, however, be certain these reserves will be adequate to cover actual product 
defect-related claims in the future.  We also purchase insurance coverage to reduce our exposure to significant levels of product 
liability claims and maintain a reserve for our self-insured losses based upon estimates of the aggregate liability using claims 
experience and actuarial assumptions, but we cannot be certain insurance would cover all losses related to product claims.  Incorrect 
estimates or any significant increase in the rate of our product defect expenses could have a material adverse effect on operations.

We may require additional capital in the future, which may not be available or may be available only on unfavorable terms.

Our  capital  requirements  depend  on  many  factors,  including  capital  improvements,  tooling,  new  product  development  and 
acquisitions.  To the extent our existing capital is insufficient to meet these requirements and cover any losses, we may need to 
raise additional funds through financings or curtail our growth and reduce our assets.  Our ability to generate cash depends on 
economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that may be beyond our control.  Future borrowings or 
financings may not be available to us under our credit facility or otherwise in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our debt or 
meet our liquidity needs.

Any equity or debt financing, if available at all, could have terms unfavorable to us.  In addition, financings could result in dilution 
to our shareholders or the securities may have rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of our common stock.  If our need 
for capital arises because of significant losses, the occurrence of these losses may make it more difficult for us to raise the necessary 
capital.

Our sales to the U.S. government have declined in recent years and our sales to the U.S. state and local governments are subject 
to uncertain future funding levels and federal, state and local procurement laws and are governed by restrictive contract terms; 
any of these factors could limit current or future business.

We derive a portion of our revenue from sales to various U.S. federal, state and local government agencies and departments.  Our 
ability to compete successfully for and retain business with the U.S. government, as well as with state and local governments, is 
highly dependent on cost-effective performance.  Our government business is highly sensitive to changes in procurement laws; 
national, international, state and local public priorities; and budgets at all levels of government, which have recently experienced 
downward pressure and, in the case of the federal budget, are subject to uncertainty due to continuing budget cuts.  Sales to  federal 

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government entities decreased by 8% in 2015 after being up 10% in the prior year and they may decline going forward, which 
could adversely impact our operating results.

Our contracts with government entities are subject to various statutes and regulations that apply to companies doing business with 
the government.  The U.S. government, as well as state and local governments, can typically terminate or modify their contracts 
with us either for their convenience or if we default by failing to perform under the terms of the applicable contract.  A termination 
arising out of our default could expose us to liability and impede our ability to compete in the future for contracts and orders with 
agencies and departments at all levels of government.  Moreover, we are subject to investigation and audit for compliance with 
the  requirements  governing  government  contracts,  including  requirements  related  to  procurement  integrity,  export  controls, 
employment practices, the accuracy of records and reporting of costs.  If we were found to not be a responsible supplier or to have 
committed fraud or certain criminal offenses, we could be suspended or debarred from all further federal, state or local government 
contracting.

Increased government focus on enforcement may significantly increase our operating costs.

The federal government has increased its focus on enforcement under a wide range of laws and regulations impacting our business, 
particularly in the following areas:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

antitrust and competition;
foreign corrupt practices;
government contracting;
securities and public company reporting;
labor and employment practices;
fraud and abuse; and
tax reporting.

Should we become the target of a government investigation or enforcement action, we could incur significant costs and suffer 
damage to our reputation which could adversely impact our business, operating results or financial condition.

Our implementation and use of a new business software system, and accompanying transformation of our business processes, 
could result in problems that could negatively impact our business and results of operations.

We are engaged in a multi-year, broad-based program, which we refer to as business systems transformation ("BST"),  to implement 
new integrated software systems to support and streamline our business processes.  We expect implementation of BST will require 
transformation of business and financial processes to realize the full benefits of the project.  Significant efforts are required to 
design, test and implement BST, requiring investment of resources, including additional selling, general and administrative and 
capital expenditures.  There can be no assurance other issues relating to BST implementation will not occur, including compatibility 
issues, integration challenges and delays, and higher than expected implementation costs.  Additionally, when implemented, BST 
could function improperly or not deliver the projected benefits, which could significantly disrupt our business, including our ability 
to provide quotes, process orders, ship products, invoice customers, process payments, generate management and financial reports 
and otherwise run our business.  Our business and results of operations may be adversely affected if we experience problems 
related to BST. 

We rely on information technology systems to manage numerous aspects of our business, and a disruption or failure of these 
systems could adversely affect our business.

In the ordinary course of business, we rely upon information technology networks and systems to process, transmit and store 
electronic information, and to manage numerous aspects of our business and provide information to management.  Additionally, 
we collect and store sensitive data of our customers and suppliers, as well as personally identifiable information of our employees, 
in data centers and on information technology networks. The secure operation of these information technology networks, and the 
processing and maintenance of this information, is critical to our business operations and strategy. These networks and systems, 
despite security and precautionary measures, are vulnerable to, among other things, damage and interruption from power loss or 
natural disasters, computer system and network failures, loss of telecommunications services, physical and electronic loss of data, 
security breaches, hackers and employee misuse. We may face unauthorized attempts by hackers seeking to harm us or as a result 
of industrial espionage to penetrate our network security and gain access to our network, steal intellectual or other proprietary 
data, including design, sales or personally identifiable information, introduce malicious software or interrupt our internal systems, 
manufacturing or distribution.  Though we attempt to prevent and detect these incidents, we may not be successful.  Any disruption 
of our information technology networks or systems, or access to or disclosure of information stored in or transmitted by our 

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systems, could result in legal claims and damages, loss of intellectual property or other proprietary information, including customer 
data, disrupt operations, result in competitive disadvantage and damage our reputation, which could adversely affect our business 
and results of operations.  We are also required to comply with certain information technology standards, including standards 
imposed by credit card providers regarding the storage, processing and transmission of cardholder data.  These standards continue 
to become more challenging to meet, and any failure of our systems to meet these standards could result in our inability to accept 
certain forms of customer payments or risk of cardholder data being breached as described above.

Natural disasters, acts of God, force majeure events or other catastrophic events may impact the Corporation's production capacity 
and, in turn, negatively impact profitability.

Natural disasters, acts of God, force majeure events or other catastrophic events, including severe weather, military action, terrorist 
attacks, power interruptions and fires, could disrupt operations and likewise the ability to produce or deliver our products.  Several 
of our production facilities, members and key management are located within a small geographic area in eastern Iowa and a natural 
disaster or catastrophe in the area could have a significant adverse effect on our results of operations and business conditions.  
Further, several of our production facilities are single-site manufacturers of certain products, and an adverse event affecting any 
of  those  facilities  could  significantly  delay  production  of  certain  products  and  adversely  affect  our  operations  and  business 
conditions.  Members are an integral part of our business and events including an epidemic could reduce the availability of members 
reporting for work.  In the event we experience a temporary or permanent interruption in our ability to produce or deliver product, 
revenues could be reduced, and business could be materially adversely affected.  In addition, any continuing disruption in our 
computer system could adversely affect our ability to receive and process customers' orders, manufacture products and ship products 
on a timely basis and could adversely affect relations with customers, potentially resulting in reduction in orders from customers 
or loss of customers.  We maintain insurance to help protect us from costs relating to some of these events, but it may not be 
sufficient or paid in a timely manner in the event we suffer such an event.

Our business is subject to a number of other miscellaneous risks that may adversely affect our business, operating results or 
financial condition.

Other miscellaneous risks include, without limitation:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

reduced demand for our storage products caused by changes in office technology, including the change from paper record 
storage to electronic record storage;

our ability to realize cost savings and productivity improvements from our cost containment, business simplification, 
manufacturing consolidation and logistical realignment initiatives;

volatility in the market price and trading volume of equity securities may adversely affect the market price for our common 
stock;

our ability to protect our intellectual property, including trade secrets and key business operations data;

labor or other manufacturing inefficiencies due to items including new product introductions, a new operating system or 
turnover in personnel;

our ability to effectively manage working capital and maintain our effective tax rate;

potential claims by third parties that we infringed upon their intellectual property rights;

our insurance may not adequately (1) insulate us from expenses for product defects and the negligent acts and omissions 

of our members and agents and (2) compensate us for damages to our facilities and equipment and loss of business; and

• 

our ability to retain our experienced management team and recruit other key personnel.

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

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ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

The Corporation maintains its corporate headquarters in Muscatine, Iowa, and conducts operations at locations throughout the 
United States, Canada, China, Hong Kong, India and Taiwan, which house manufacturing, distribution and retail operations and 
offices totaling an aggregate of approximately 10.7 million square feet.  Of this total, approximately 1.6 million square feet are 
leased.

Although the plants are of varying ages, the Corporation believes they are well maintained, equipped with modern and efficient 
equipment, in good operating condition and suitable for the purposes for which they are being used.  The Corporation has sufficient 
capacity to increase output at most locations by increasing the use of overtime or the number of production shifts employed.

The Corporation's principal manufacturing and distribution facilities (200,000 square feet in size or larger) are as follows:

Location
Cedartown, Georgia

Dongguan, China

Hickory, North Carolina
Lake City, Minnesota

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Milan, Illinois
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa

Muscatine, Iowa

Muscatine, Iowa

Muscatine, Iowa

Muscatine, Iowa

Muscatine, Iowa

Nagpur, India

Orleans, Indiana

Paris, Kentucky

Temple, Texas

Temple, Texas

Wayland, New York

Approximate
Square Feet
550,000

1,007,716

206,316
241,500

400,000

244,017

288,006

272,900

578,284

236,100

636,250

237,800

355,135

1,196,946

300,000

395,428

354,000

716,484

Owned or
Leased
Owned

Owned

Owned
Owned

Leased

Leased
Owned

Owned

Owned

Owned

Owned

Owned

Owned

Owned

Owned

Owned

Leased

Owned

Description
of Use

Manufacturing office furniture (1)

Manufacturing office furniture (1)
Manufacturing office furniture

Manufacturing fireplaces

Warehousing office furniture

Warehousing office furniture components
Manufacturing fireplaces (1)

Manufacturing office furniture

Warehousing office furniture

Manufacturing office furniture

Manufacturing office furniture

Manufacturing office furniture

Manufacturing office furniture

Manufacturing office furniture (1)

Manufacturing fireplaces
Manufacturing office furniture

Warehousing office furniture

Manufacturing office furniture (1)

(1)  Also includes a regional warehouse/distribution center

Other Corporation facilities, under 200,000 square feet in size, are located in various communities throughout the United States, 
Canada, China, Hong Kong, India and Taiwan.  These facilities total approximately 2.6 million square feet with approximately 
1.4 million square feet used for the manufacture and distribution of office furniture and approximately 1.0 million square feet for 
hearth products.  Of this total, approximately 1.0 million square feet are leased.  The Corporation also leases sales showroom space 
in office furniture market centers in several major metropolitan areas.

There are no major encumbrances on Corporation-owned properties.  Refer to Property, Plant, and Equipment in the Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements for related cost, accumulated depreciation and net book value data.

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ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Corporation is involved in various disputes and legal proceedings that have arisen in the ordinary course of its business, 
including pending litigation, environmental remediation, taxes and other claims.  It is the Corporation’s opinion, after consultation 
with legal counsel, that liabilities, if any, resulting from these matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the 
Corporation’s financial condition, cash flows or on the Corporation’s quarterly or annual operating results when resolved in a 
future period.

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

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TABLE I
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
January 2, 2016 

Name
Julie M. Abramowski

Age
40

Family
Relationship
None

Position
Vice President, Corporate Controller

Position
Held Since
2015

Stan A. Askren

55

None

Steven M. Bradford

58

None

Bradley D. Determan

54

None

Jerald K. Dittmer

58

None

Jeffrey D. Lorenger

50

None

Donald T. Mead

Donna D. Meade

Marco V. Molinari

Kurt A. Tjaden

56

50

56

52

None

None

None

None

Chairman of the Board                
Chief Executive Officer        
President
Director

Senior Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary

Executive Vice President
President, Hearth & Home
Technologies Group
Executive Vice President
President, The HON Company LLC

Executive Vice President
President, HNI Contract Furniture
Group

Executive Vice President
President, The Gunlocke Company
L.L.C.
Vice President, Member Relations

Executive Vice President
President, HNI International Inc.
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer

2004
2004
2003
2003
2015

2005
2015

2008
2008

2010
2014

2011
2008

2014

2006
2003
2015

Other Business Experience
During Past Five Years

Director, Financial Reporting
(2014-2015); Director, Financial
Planning and Analysis, Leveraged
Furniture Operations (2013-2014);
Corporate Controller, The HON
Company (2007-2013)

Vice President, General Counsel and 
Secretary (2008-2015)

President, Hearth & Home
Technologies LLC (2003-2015)

President, Allsteel, Inc.
(2008-2014)

Vice President, Member and
Community Relations, Allsteel Inc.
(2009-14)

Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer (2008-2015)

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PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND 
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The Corporation’s common stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the trading symbol HNI.  As 
of year-end 2015, the Corporation had 7,171 stockholders of record.

Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, St. Paul, Minnesota, serves as the Corporation’s transfer agent and registrar of its common 
stock.  Shareholders may report a change of address or make inquiries by writing or calling:  Wells Fargo Shareowner Services, 
P.O. Box 64874, St. Paul, MN 55164-0854 or telephone 800/468-9716.

Information regarding historical sale prices of and dividends paid on the Corporation's common stock is presented in the Investor 
Information section which follows the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements filed as part of this report and is incorporated 
herein by reference.

The Corporation expects to continue its policy of paying regular quarterly cash dividends.  Dividends have been paid each quarter 
since the Corporation paid its first dividend in 1955.  The average dividend payout percentage for the most recent three-year period 
has been 77% of prior year earnings.  Future dividends are dependent on future earnings, capital requirements and the Corporation’s 
financial condition, and are declared in the sole discretion of the Corporation’s Board of Directors.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities:

The following is a summary of share repurchase activity during the quarter ended January 2, 2016.    

(a) Total Number
of Shares (or
Units) Purchased
(1)

(b) Average
Price Paid
per Share or
Unit

2,000

38,000

3,700

43,700

$42.48

$42.91

$43.80

(d) Maximum
Number (or 
Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Shares (or Units)
that May Yet be 
Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs

$194,514,152

$192,883,610

$192,721,564

(c) Total Number 
of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased as Part 
of Publicly 
Announced
Plans or Programs

2,000

38,000

3,700

43,700

Period

10/04/15 - 10/31/15

11/01/15 - 11/28/15

11/29/15 - 1/02/16

Total

(1) No shares were purchased outside of a publicly announced plan or program.

The Corporation repurchases shares under previously announced plans authorized by the Board as follows:

• 

Plan announced November 9, 2007, providing share repurchase authorization of $200,000,000 with no specific expiration 
date, with increase announced November 7, 2014, providing additional share repurchase authorization of $200,000,000 
with no specific expiration date.

•  No repurchase plans expired or were terminated during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, nor do any plans exist under 

which the Corporation does not intend to make further purchases.

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ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA — FIVE-YEAR SUMMARY

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Operating Results (Thousands of Dollars)

Net Sales

$ 2,304,419

$ 2,222,695

$ 2,059,964

$ 2,004,003

$ 1,833,450

Gross Profit as a % of Net Sales

36.8%

35.3%

34.7%

34.4%

34.9%

Net Income Attributable to HNI Corporation

$

105,436

$

61,471

$

63,683

$

48,967

$

45,986

4.6%

2.8%

3.1%

2.4%

2.5%

Net Income Attributable to HNI Corporation as
a % of Net Sales

Share and Per Share Data (Basic and Dilutive)
Net Income Attributable to HNI Corporation –
basic

Net Income Attributable to HNI Corporation –
diluted

Cash Dividends
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding During
Year – basic (in Thousands)

Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding During
Year – diluted (in Thousands)

Financial Position (Thousands of Dollars)

Current Assets

Current Liabilities

Working Capital

Total Assets

$

$

$

$

$

$

2.38

2.32

1.045

$

$

$

1.37

1.35

0.99

44,285

44,760

45,441

45,579

438,370

$

455,559

435,900

2,470

$ 1,263,925

$

457,333
(1,774)
$ 1,239,334

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

1.41

1.39

0.96

45,251

45,956

433,228

411,584

21,644

$

$

$

$

$

$

1.08

1.07

0.95

45,211

45,820

402,375

389,171

13,204

$

$

$

$

$

$

1.03

1.01

0.92

44,803

45,694

431,504

382,270

49,234

$ 1,134,705

$ 1,077,066

$ 1,051,722

% Return on Beginning Assets Employed

13.3%

9.9%

9.8%

8.3%

8.2%

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations $

185,000

Shareholders’ Equity

$

476,954

$

$

197,736

414,587

$

$

150,197

436,328

$

$

150,372

420,359

$

$

150,540

419,057

% Return on Average Shareholders’ Equity

23.7%

14.4%

14.9%

11.7%

11.1%

2014 reflects a 53-week year

Reflects Artcobell acquisition beginning in 2011, BP Ergo acquisition beginning in 2012 and VCG acquisition beginning in 2014.

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Table of Contents

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF 
OPERATIONS

The following discussion of the Corporation’s historical results of operations and of its liquidity and capital resources should be 
read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Corporation and related notes.  Statements that are not 
historical are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and 
elsewhere in this report.

Overview

The Corporation has two reportable segments:  office furniture and hearth products.  The Corporation is a leading global office 
furniture  manufacturer  and  North America’s  leading  manufacturer  and  marketer  of  gas  and  wood  burning  fireplaces.  The 
Corporation utilizes its split and focus, with leverage, decentralized business model to deliver value to its customers with various 
brands and selling models.  The Corporation is focused on growing its existing businesses while seeking out and developing new 
opportunities for growth.

The  Corporation  delivered  another  strong  year  in  2015  with  top-line  growth  in  both  the  office  furniture  and  hearth  products 
segments.  Our businesses performed well in a challenging, slow-growth economic environment.  Growth in the office furniture 
segment was led by continued momentum in the contract channel.  The supplies channel of the office furniture segment was flat 
due to muted small business confidence.  The Corporation's hearth products segment saw mixed results as solid growth in new 
construction and retail/retrofit businesses was partially offset by a significant decline in the biomass business due to low oil prices 
and unseasonably warm weather.  Strong operational performance, consistent flawless execution for our customers and benefits 
from operational investments were key drivers for increased earnings over 2014.  The Corporation remains committed to long-
term profitable growth across its core businesses and continued focused investments in selling, marketing, manufacturing and 
product initiatives.  

Net sales during 2015 were $2.3 billion, an increase of 3.7 percent, compared to net sales of $2.2 billion in 2014.  The sales increase 
was driven by increased volume in the contract channel of the office furniture segment as well as the new construction channel 
of the hearth products segment.  The Corporation completed the acquisition of Vermont Castings Group ("VCG"), a manufacturer 
of free-standing hearth stoves and fireplaces, during the fourth quarter of 2014.  The VCG acquisition increased sales $62.7 million 
in 2015.  

Fiscal 2015 included 52 weeks compared to 53 weeks in 2014.  Due to the Corporation's holiday schedule and production shutdowns, 
the extra week in 2014 had minimal impact on net sales and operating income.  

The Corporation recorded $11.2 million and $29.4 million of goodwill and intangible impairment charges during 2015 and 2014, 
respectively,  related to reporting units in the office furniture segment acquired over the past five years.  These impairment charges 
are the result of current and projected market conditions and product and operational transformation. 

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth the percentage of consolidated net sales represented by certain items reflected in the Corporation’s 
Consolidated Statements of Income for the periods indicated.

Fiscal
Net Sales
Cost of products sold
Gross profit
Selling and administrative expenses
(Gain) loss on sale of assets
Restructuring related charges
Operating income
Interest expense net
Income before income taxes
Income taxes
Net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation

Net Sales

2015

2014

2013

100.0%
63.2
36.8
29.2
—
0.5
7.1
0.3
6.8
2.2
—
4.6%

100.0%
64.7
35.3
29.2
(0.5)
1.5
5.1
0.4
4.7
2.0
—
2.8%

100.0%
65.3
34.7
29.4
0.1
—
5.1
0.5
4.7
1.6
—
3.1%

Net sales during 2015 were $2.3 billion, an increase of 3.7 percent, compared to net sales of $2.2 billion in 2014.   Compared to 
the prior year, the acquisition of VCG increased sales $62.7 million.  On an organic basis, sales increased 0.9 percent.   Sales in 
the office furniture segment were driven by continued momentum in the contract channel while the supplies channel was flat due 
to muted small business confidence.  Sales in the hearth products segment were driven by new construction growth while the 
remodel/retrofit channel declined due to the impact of warm weather and low oil prices on biomass sales.  Both segments experienced 
price realization compared to 2014.

Net sales during 2014 were $2.2 billion, an increase of 7.9 percent, compared to net sales of $2.1 billion in 2013.  Both the office 
furniture segment and the hearth products segment experienced better price realization and increased volume.  Compared to 2013, 
the acquisition of VCG, net of divestitures of several small businesses, including office furniture dealers, increased sales $7.5 
million.  

Fiscal 2014 included 53 weeks compared to 52 weeks in 2015 and  2013.  Due to the Corporation's holiday schedule and production 
shutdowns, the extra week had minimal impact on net sales and operating income.  

Gross Profit

Gross  profit  as  a  percent  of  net  sales  increased  150  basis  points  in  2015  as  compared  to  2014  driven  by  strong  operational 
performance, structural cost reductions, lower restructuring charges, favorable material costs and price realization partially offset 
by lower volume and unfavorable product mix.  Gross profit as a percent of net sales increased 60 basis points in 2014 as compared 
to 2013 due to higher volume, price realization and strong operational performance offset partially by unfavorable product mix, 
investments in operations, higher warranty costs and increased restructuring and transition costs.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expenses increased 3.6 percent in 2015 but were flat as a percentage of net sales driven by higher freight 
costs, strategic investments and acquisition impact, offset by lower incentive based compensation and cost reductions.  Selling 
and administrative costs increased  7.0 percent in 2014 due to  volume related expenses, higher freight costs, investments in selling 
and growth initiatives, increased group medical costs, higher incentive-based compensation and costs associated with an acquisition. 

Selling  and  administrative  expenses  include  freight  expense  for  shipments  to  customers,  product  development  costs  and 
amortization expense of intangible assets.  Refer to Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Goodwill and Other Intangible 
Assets in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the comparative expense levels for 
these items.

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Gain/Loss on Sale of Assets

The Corporation realized gains totaling $10.7 million on the sale of two facilities and California air emission credits in 2014. The 
Corporation realized a $2.5 million loss on the sale of a non-core office furniture business in 2013.

Restructuring and Impairment Charges

As a result of the Corporation's ongoing business simplification and cost reduction strategies, the Corporation made the decision 
to  exit  a  small  line  of  business  within  our  hearth  products  segment  during  2015.   The  Corporation  incurred  $0.9  million  of 
restructuring charges as the result of this decision, of which $0.8 million were included in Cost of Sales.

During 2014, the Corporation made decisions to close three office furniture manufacturing facilities located in Florence, Alabama, 
Chicago,  Illinois  and  Nalagarh,  India  and  consolidate  production  into  existing  office  furniture  manufacturing  facilities.    In  
connection with these decisions, the Corporation recorded  $8.8 million of pre-tax charges in 2014, which included $5.2 million 
of accelerated depreciation on machinery and equipment recorded in cost of sales and $3.6 million of severance and facility exit 
costs which were recorded as restructuring charges during the year.   During 2015, the Corporation  incurred $0.4 million of pre-
tax restructuring charges related to these closures in the form of facility exit costs partially offset by lower than anticipated post 
employment costs.

During 2010, the Corporation completed the shutdown of an office furniture facility in South Gate, California and consolidated 
production  into  existing  office  furniture  manufacturing  facilities.  During  2013,  the  Corporation  incurred  $0.3  million  of 
restructuring charges due to ongoing costs related to a vacant building from this closure.

The Corporation recorded $11.2 million  and $29.4 million of goodwill and intangible impairments in 2015 and 2014, respectively, 
related to reporting units in the office furniture segment acquired over the past five years.  These impairment charges are the result 
of current and projected market conditions and product and operational transformation. 

Operating Income

Operating  income  increased  $50.9  million  to  $163.7  million  in  2015,  compared  to  $112.8  million  in  2014, driven  by  strong 
operational performance, structural cost reductions, lower restructuring and impairment charges, favorable material costs and price 
realization.  These factors were offset partially by lower volume, unfavorable product mix, higher freight costs and strategic 
investments.

Operating income increased $6.9 million to $112.8 million in 2014, compared to $106.0 million in 2013.  The increase was due 
to higher volume, price realization, strong operational performance and gains on sale of assets.  These drivers were offset partially 
by investments in operations, unfavorable product mix, increased warranty costs, higher freight costs, increased group medical 
costs, higher incentive-based compensation and restructuring, impairment and transition costs

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes reflect an effective tax rate of 32.9 percent, 41.7 percent and 34.5 percent for 2015, 2014 and 2013, 
respectively.  The 2015 decrease in the effective tax rate was driven by the non-deductibility of goodwill impairment in 2014, an 
increased tax benefit for the U.S. Manufacturing Deduction, and an increase in the R&D credit.  The 2014 effective tax rate increase 
over 2013 was primarily driven by the non-deductibility of goodwill impairment. 

Net Income Attributable to HNI Corporation

Net income attributable to HNI Corporation increased 71.5 percent to $105.4 million in 2015 compared to $61.5 million in 2014 
and $63.7 million in 2013.  Net income per diluted share increased 71.9 percent to $2.32 in 2015 compared to $1.35 in 2014 and 
$1.39 in 2013.  

Office Furniture

Office  furniture  comprised  77  percent,  78  percent,  and  82  percent  of  consolidated  net  sales  for  2015,  2014  and  2013, 
respectively.  Net sales for office furniture increased $38.8 million or 2.2 percent in 2015 to $1.778 billion compared to $1.739 
billion in 2014 including price realization of $31 million. The Corporation experienced growth in the contract channel while the 
supplies channel remained flat.  BIFMA reported 2015 shipments up 5 percent from 2014 levels, which were up 4 percent from 
2013 levels.

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Net sales for office furniture increased $53.8 million or 3.2 percent in 2014 to $1.739 billion compared to $1.685 billion in 2013 
including price realization of $36 million.  Compared to prior year, divestitures of several small businesses, including office 
furniture dealers, reduced sales by $17.7 million.  The Corporation experienced growth in both the supplies-driven and contract 
channels.  

Operating profit as a percent of net sales was 7.7 percent in 2015, 5.0 percent in 2014 and 5.8 percent in 2013.  The improvement 
in operating margins for 2015 was due to increased volume, strong operational performance, cost reductions, lower restructuring 
and impairment charges, favorable material costs and price realization.  These drivers were partially offset by unfavorable product 
mix, higher freight costs, strategic investments, and incentive based compensation.  The decrease in operating margins in 2014 
from  2013  was  due  to  unfavorable  product  mix,  investment  in  operations,  higher  freight  costs,  increased  incentive-based 
compensation, restructuring charges, goodwill and intangible impairments and transition costs.  These factors were partially offset 
by higher volume, better price realization, strong operational performance and gains on sale of assets. 

Hearth Products

Hearth products sales increased $43.0 million or 8.9 percent in 2015 to $527 million compared to $484 million in 2014 including 
price realization of $6 million and incremental sales from the VCG acquisition of $63 million.  Sales in the new construction 
channel grew as the housing market continued to recover but were offset by a decline in the biomass portion of the remodel/retrofit 
channel due to unseasonably warm weather and low oil prices.

Hearth products sales increased 29.1 percent in 2014 to $484 million compared to $375 million in 2013 including price realization 
of $6 million and incremental sales from the VCG acquisition of $25 million.  The sales increase was also due to an increase in 
both the new construction channel due to the continued housing market recovery and the remodel/retrofit channel due to strong 
biomass product sales.  

Operating profit as a percent of sales in 2015 was 14.8 percent compared to 15.9 percent in 2014 and 12.5 percent in 2013.  The 
2015 decrease in operating margins was due to dilution caused by the VCG acquisition and decreased volume partially offset by 
by cost reductions, lower material costs, and price realization.  The increase in operating margins in 2014 compared to 2013 was 
due to higher volume and better price realization, partially offset by increased material costs, higher warranty expense, increased 
incentive-based compensation and acquisition impact. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flow – Operating Activities

Cash generated from operating activities in 2015 totaled $173.4 million compared to $167.8 million generated in 2014.  The 
increase in cash generated was driven by higher net income partially offset by working capital.  Changes in working capital balances 
resulted in a $28.1 million use of cash in 2015 compared to $2.3 million source of cash in the prior year.  Cash generated from 
operating activities in 2013 totaled $165.0 million and changes in working capital balances resulted in a $16.8 million source of 
cash.

The use of cash related to working capital balance in 2015 was primarily driven from lower accounts payable of $26.3 million 
due to timing of payments.  Other uses of cash include higher receivables due to sales timing and increased inventory due to 
strategic investments.

The use of cash related to working capital balance in 2014 was primarily driven from higher inventory of $23.4 million due to 
strategic initiatives, impact of west coast port congestion and timing of shipments.  This use of cash was offset partially by an $8.6 
million decrease in trade receivables due to strong collection efforts and timing and a $21.8 million increase in current liabilities 
from timing of accounts payable and higher compensation, benefits and marketing accruals partially offset by a decrease in tax 
related accruals.

The Corporation places special emphasis on management and control of working capital with a particular focus on trade receivables 
and inventory levels.  The success achieved in managing receivables is in large part a result of doing business with quality customers 
and maintaining close communication with them.  Management believes recorded trade receivable valuation allowances at the 
end of 2015 are adequate to cover the risk of potential bad debts.  Allowances for non-collectible trade receivables, as a percent 
of gross trade receivables, totaled 1.7 percent, 2.1 percent and 2.6 percent at the end of fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 

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The Corporation’s inventory turns were 12, 12 and 15, for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The decrease in inventory 
turns from 2013 is due to strategic initiatives.

Cash Flow – Investing Activities

Capital expenditures, including capitalized software, were $115.0 million in 2015, $112.7 million in 2014 and $78.9 million in 
2013.  These expenditures continue to focus on machinery, equipment and tooling required to support new products, continuous 
improvements  and  cost  savings  initiatives  in  our  manufacturing  processes  as  well  as  the  implementation  of  new  integrated 
information systems to support business process transformation.  The Corporation anticipates capital expenditures for 2016 to 
total $105 million to $110 million, primarily related to new products, operational process improvements and capabilities and the 
business process transformation project referred to above.

In 2014, the investing activities reflected a net cash outflow of $61.8 million related to the acquisition of VCG.  The acquisition 
of VCG adds brands, strong customer relationships and quality products to the Corporation's Hearth and Home Technologies 
business.  Refer to the Business Combination note in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.  

In 2014, the Corporation completed the sales of a facility located in South Gate, California, a facility and equipment located in 
Chicago, Illinois and California air emission credits.  The proceeds from these sales of $16 million are reflected in the Consolidated 
Statement of Cash Flows as “Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment” for  2014.

Cash Flow – Financing Activities

The Corporation, certain domestic subsidiaries of the Corporation, the lenders and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as 
administrative agent, entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") on June 9, 2015. 
The Credit Agreement amended and restated the Corporation's existing $250 million revolving credit facility dated September 28, 
2011.

As of January 2, 2016, there was $40 million outstanding under the $250 million revolving credit facility of which $35 million 
was classified as long-term as the Corporation does not expect to repay the borrowings within a year and $5 million was classified 
as current as the Corporation does expect to repay the borrowings within a year.

The Corporation, certain domestic subsidiaries of the Corporation, the lenders and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as 
administrative agent, entered into the First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement 
Amendment") on January 6, 2016.  The Credit Agreement Amendment amends the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement 
dated as of June 9, 2015.

The Credit Agreement was amended to, among other things, increase the revolving commitment of the lenders from $250 million 
to $400 million (while retaining the Corporation's option under the Credit Agreement to increase its borrowing capacity by an 
additional $150 million) in order to provide funding for the expected pay off of maturing Senior Notes and to extend the maturity 
date from June 2020 to January 2021.  

The revolving credit facility is the primary source of committed funding from which the Corporation finances its planned capital 
expenditures and strategic initiatives, such as acquisitions, repurchases of common stock and certain working capital needs.  Non-
compliance  with  the  various  financial  covenant  ratios  in  the  revolving  credit  facility  or  the  Senior  Notes  could  prevent  the 
Corporation from being able to access further borrowings under the revolving credit facility, require immediate repayment of all 
amounts outstanding with respect to the revolving credit facility and Senior Notes and/or increase the cost of borrowing.

The Credit Agreement contains a number of covenants, including covenants requiring maintenance of the following financial 
ratios as of the end of any fiscal quarter:

• 

• 

a consolidated interest coverage ratio of not less than 4.0 to 1.0, based upon the ratio of (a) consolidated EBITDA (as 
defined in the Credit Agreement) for the last four fiscal quarters to (b) the sum of consolidated interest charges; and
a consolidated leverage ratio of not greater than 3.5 to 1.0, based upon the ratio of (a) the quarter-end consolidated funded 
indebtedness (as defined in the Credit Agreement) to (b) consolidated EBITDA for the last four fiscal quarters.

The most restrictive of the financial covenants is the consolidated leverage ratio requirement of 3.5 to 1.0 included in the Credit 
Agreement.  Under the Credit Agreement, consolidated EBITDA is defined as consolidated net income before interest expense, 
income taxes and depreciation and amortization of intangibles, as well as non-cash, nonrecurring charges and all non-cash items 
increasing net income.  At January 2, 2016, the Corporation was well below the maximum allowable ratio and was in compliance 
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with all of the covenants and other restrictions in the Credit Agreement and the note purchase agreement.  The Corporation expects 
to remain in compliance over the next twelve months.

In 2006, the Corporation refinanced $150 million of borrowings outstanding under its prior revolving credit facility with 5.54 
percent, ten-year unsecured Senior Notes (due 2016) issued through the private placement debt market.  Interest payments are due 
semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year and the principal is due in a lump sum on April 6, 2016.   These Senior Notes 
were classified as long term as of January 2, 2016 since the Corporation will pay off the Senior Notes upon maturity with revolving 
credit facility borrowings expected to remain outstanding for more than twelve months.

During 2015, the Corporation repurchased 550,000 shares of its common stock at a cost of approximately $26.7 million, or an 
average price of $48.47 per share.  The Board authorized $200 million on November 9, 2007, and an additional $200 million on 
November 7, 2014, for repurchases of the Corporation’s common stock.  As of January 2, 2016, approximately $192.7 million of 
this authorized amount remained unspent.   During 2014, the Corporation repurchased 1,665,850 shares of its common stock at a 
cost of approximately $67.9 million, or an average price of $40.76 per share.  During 2013, the Corporation repurchased 740,000 
shares of its common stock at a cost of approximately $27.5 million, or an average price of $37.15 per share.       

A cash dividend has been paid every quarter since April 15, 1955, and quarterly dividends are expected to continue.  Cash dividends 
were $1.045 per common share for 2015, $0.99 for 2014 and $0.96 for 2013.  The last quarterly dividend increase was from $0.25 
to $0.265 per common share effective with the May 29, 2015 dividend payment for shareholders of record at the close of business 
on May 15, 2015.  The average dividend payout percentage for the most recent three-year period has been 77 percent of prior year 
earnings or 28 percent of prior year cash flow from operating activities.

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $32.8 million at the end of 2015 compared to $37.2 million at the end 
of 2014 and $72.3 million at the end of 2013.  These funds, coupled with cash from future operations, borrowing capacity under 
the existing facility as amended January 6, 2016 and the ability to access capital markets are expected to be adequate to fund 
operations and satisfy cash flow needs for at least the next twelve months.  As of the end of 2015, $13.1 million of cash was held 
overseas and considered permanently reinvested.  If such amounts were repatriated it could result in additional tax expense to the 
Corporation.  The Corporation does not believe asserting this cash as permanently reinvested will have any impact on its liquidity.

Contractual Obligations
The following table discloses the Corporation’s obligations and commitments to make future payments under contracts:

(In thousands)

Long-term debt obligations, including
estimated interest (1)

Operating lease obligations

Purchase obligations (2)

Other long-term obligations (3)

Total

Payments Due by Period

Total

Less than
1 Year

1 – 3
Years

3 – 5
Years

More than
5 Years

$

195,222

$

159,604

$

35,618

$

— $

98,706

64,403

47,835

30,241

64,403

7,034

40,324

—

11,665

17,873

—

3,197

$

406,166

$

261,282

$

87,607

$

21,070

$

—

10,268

—

25,939

36,207

(1)  Interest has been included for all debt at the fixed or variable rate in effect as of January 2, 2016, as applicable.  See Note 

10 "Long-Term Debt" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

(2)  Purchase obligations include agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable, legally binding and specify 

all significant terms, including the quantity to be purchased, the price to be paid and the timing of the purchase.

(3)  Other long-term obligations represent payments due to members who are participants in the Corporation’s deferred and 
long-term  incentive  compensation  programs,  liability  for  unrecognized  tax  liabilities  and  contribution  and  benefit 
payments  expected  to  be  made  pursuant  to  the  Corporation’s  post-retirement  benefit  plans.  It  should  be  noted  the 
obligations related to post-retirement benefit plans are not contractual and the plans could be amended at the discretion 
of the Corporation.  The disclosure of contributions and benefit payments has been limited to 10 years, as information 
beyond this time period was not available.

Litigation and Uncertainties
The Corporation is involved in various kinds of disputes and legal proceedings that have arisen in the ordinary course of business, 
including pending litigation, environmental remediation, taxes and other claims.  It is the Corporation’s opinion, after consultation 
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with legal counsel, that additional liabilities, if any, resulting from these matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect 
on the Corporation’s financial condition, cash flows or on the Corporation’s quarterly or annual operating results when resolved 
in a future period.

Looking Ahead

Management remains optimistic about the office furniture and hearth markets and the Corporation's long-term prospects.  

The Corporation remains focused on creating long-term shareholder value by growing its business through investment in building 
brands, product solutions and selling models, enhancing its strong member-owner culture and remaining focused on its long-
standing rapid continuous improvement programs to build best total cost and a lean enterprise.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Corporation does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future
material effect on the Corporation's financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures
or capital resources.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

General

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon the Consolidated Financial 
Statements, prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP").  The preparation of these financial 
statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue 
and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  Management bases its estimates on historical experience 
and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis 
for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  Senior 
management has discussed the development, selection and disclosure of these estimates with the Audit Committee of the Board.  
Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

An accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate be made based on assumptions about matters 
uncertain at the time the estimate is made, and if different estimates that reasonably could have been used, or changes in the 
accounting estimates that are reasonably likely to occur periodically, could materially impact the financial statements.  Management 
believes the following critical accounting policies reflect its more significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation 
of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable – The allowance for doubtful accounts receivable is based on several factors, including 
overall customer credit quality, historical write-off experience, the length of time a receivable has been outstanding and specific 
account analysis that projects the ultimate collectability of the account.  As such, these factors may change over time causing the 
Corporation to adjust the reserve level accordingly.

Long-lived assets - The Corporation reviews long-lived assets for impairment as events or changes in circumstances occur indicating 
the amount of the asset reflected in the Corporation’s balance sheet may not be recoverable.  The Corporation compares an estimate 
of undiscounted cash flows produced by the asset, or the appropriate group of assets, to the carrying value to determine whether 
impairment  exists.  The  estimates  of  future  cash  flows  involve  considerable  management  judgment  and  are  based  upon  the 
Corporation’s assumptions about future operating performance.  The actual cash flows could differ from management’s estimates 
due to changes in business conditions, operating performance and economic conditions.  Asset impairment charges associated 
with the Corporation’s restructuring activities are discussed in Restructuring Related and Impairment Charges in the Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

Goodwill and other intangibles – The Corporation evaluates its goodwill for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth 
quarter or whenever indicators of impairment exist.  The Corporation reviews goodwill at the reporting unit level within its office 
furniture  and  hearth  products  operating  segments.  These  reporting  units  constitute  components  for  which  discrete  financial 
information is available and regularly reviewed by segment management.    The accounting standards for goodwill permit entities 
to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its 
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carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform a two-step goodwill impairment test.   If the two-
step is required, the Corporation estimates the fair value of its reporting units.   In estimating the fair value, the Corporation relies 
on an average of the income approach and the market approach. In the income approach, the estimate of fair value of each reporting 
unit is based on management’s projection of revenues, gross margin, operating costs and cash flows considering historical and 
estimated  future  results,  general  economic  and  market  conditions  as  well  as  the  impact  of  planned  business  and  operational 
strategies.  The valuations employ present value techniques to measure fair value and consider market factors.   In the market 
approach,  the  Corporation  utilizes  the  guideline  company  method,  which  involved  calculating  valuation  multiples  based  on 
operating data from guideline publicly-traded companies.  These multiples are then applied to the operating data for the reporting 
units and adjusted for factors similar to those used in the discounted cash flow analysis.  Management believes the assumptions 
used for the impairment test are consistent with those utilized by a market participant in performing similar valuations of its 
reporting units.  Management bases its fair value estimates on assumptions they believe to be reasonable at the time, but such 
assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainty.  Actual results may differ from those estimates.  

If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an additional step is required to determine the implied fair 
value of goodwill associated with that reporting unit.  The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by first allocating the fair 
value of the reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities and then computing the excess of the reporting unit’s fair value over 
the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities.  If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, 
such excess represents the amount of goodwill impairment and, accordingly, such impairment is recognized.

Assessing the fair value of goodwill includes, among other things, making key assumptions for estimating future cash flows and 
appropriate market multiples.  These assumptions are subject to a high degree of judgment and complexity.  The Corporation 
makes every effort to estimate future cash flows as accurately as possible with the information available at the time the forecast 
is developed.  However, changes in assumptions and estimates may affect the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, and could 
result in an impairment charge in future periods.  Factors that have the potential to create variances in the estimated fair value of 
the reporting unit include but are not limited to economic conditions in the U.S. and other countries where the Corporation has a 
presence, competitor behavior, the mix of product sales, commodity costs, wage rates, the level of manufacturing capacity, the 
pricing environment and currency exchange fluctuations.  In addition, estimates of fair value are impacted by estimates of the 
market-participant derived weighted average cost of capital. 

Additionally, the Corporation compares the estimated aggregate fair value of its reporting units to its overall market capitalization.

The Corporation also evaluates the fair value of indefinite-lived trade names on an annual basis during the fourth quarter or 
whenever indication of impairment exists.   The estimate of the fair value of the trade names is based on a discounted cash flow 
model using inputs which include: projected revenues from management’s long-term plan, assumed royalty rates that could be 
payable if the trade names were not owned and a discount rate.  

The  Corporation  has  definite-lived  intangibles  that  are  amortized  over  their  estimated  useful  lives.  Impairment  losses  are 
recognized if the carrying amount of an intangible, subject to amortization, is not recoverable from expected future cash flows 
and its carrying amount exceeds its fair value. 

Key to recoverability of goodwill, indefinite-lived intangibles and long-lived assets is the forecast of economic conditions and its 
impact on future revenues, operating margins and cash flows.  Management’s projection for the U.S. office furniture and domestic 
hearth markets and global economic conditions is inherently subject to a number of uncertain factors, such as global economic 
improvement, the U.S housing market, credit availability and borrowing rates, and overall consumer confidence.  In the near term, 
as management monitors the above factors, it is possible it may change the revenue and cash flow projections of certain reporting 
units, which may require the recording of additional asset impairment charges.

Self-insured reserves – The Corporation is primarily self-insured or carries high deductibles for general, auto, and product liability, 
workers’ compensation, and certain employee health benefits.  The general, auto, product, and workers’ compensation liabilities 
are  managed  via  a  wholly-owned  insurance  captive  and  the  related  liabilities  are  included  in  the  accompanying  financial 
statements.  The Corporation’s policy is to accrue amounts in accordance with the actuarially determined liabilities.  The actuarial 
valuations are based on historical information along with certain assumptions about future events.  Changes in assumptions for 
such matters as the number or severity of claims, medical cost inflation, and magnitude of change in actual experience development 
could cause these estimates to change in the near term.

Income taxes – The provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability approach taking into account guidance 
related to uncertain tax positions.  Deferred income taxes are provided for the temporary differences between the financial reporting 
basis and the tax basis of the Corporation’s assets and liabilities.  The Corporation provides for taxes that may be payable if 

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undistributed earnings of overseas subsidiaries were to be remitted to the United States, except for those earnings that it considers 
to be permanently reinvested.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In  May  2014,  the  Financial Accounting  Standards  Board  (“FASB”)  issued ASU  No.  2014-09,  Revenue  from  Contracts  with 
Customers (Topic 606). The new standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. The core principle 
of the ASU requires companies to reevaluate when revenue is recorded on a transaction based upon newly defined criteria, either 
at a point in time or over time as goods or services are delivered. The ASU requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, 
timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and estimates, 
and changes in those estimates. The new standard becomes effective for us in fiscal 2018, and allows for both retrospective and 
modified-retrospective methods of adoption. We are currently evaluating the effect, if any, that the updated standard will have on 
our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) - Simplifying Presentation 
of Debt Issuance Costs. The core principle of the ASU is that an entity should present debt issuance costs as a direct deduction 
from the face amount of that debt in the balance sheet similar to the manner in which a debt discount or premium is presented, 
and not reflected as a deferred charge or deferred credit. The ASU requires additional disclosure about the nature of and reason 
for  the  change  in  accounting  principle,  the  transition  method,  a  description  of  the  prior-period  information  that  has  been 
retrospectively adjusted and the effect of the change on the financial statement line item (that is, the debt issuance cost asset and 
the debt liability). The new standard becomes effective for us in fiscal 2016, and requires retrospective implementation in which 
the balance sheet of each individual period presented is to be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new 
guidance, early adoption is permitted. Subsequent to the issuance of ASU 2015-03 the SEC staff made an announcement regarding 
the presentation of debt issuance costs associated with line-of-credit arrangements, which was codified by the FASB in ASU 
2015-15. This guidance, which clarifies the exclusion of line-of-credit arrangements from the scope of ASU 2015-03, is effective 
upon adoption of ASU 2015-03. We are currently evaluating the effect, if any, that the updated standard will have on our consolidated 
financial statements and related disclosures.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) - Customer’s Accounting for Fees 
Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement. The ASU applies to cloud computing arrangements including software as a service, 
platform as a service, infrastructure as a service, and other similar hosting arrangements, and was issued to help entities evaluate 
the accounting for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement. The ASU provides guidance about whether the 
arrangement includes a software license. The core principle of the ASU is that if a cloud computing arrangement includes a software 
license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of 
other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for 
the arrangement as a service contract. The guidance will not change U.S. GAAP for a customer’s accounting for service contracts. 
The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 
15, 2015. The company anticipates the adoption in the effective period and we are currently evaluating the effect, if any, that the 
ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. The 
ASU  eliminates  the  requirement  for  an  acquirer  to  retrospectively  adjust  the  financial  statements  for  measurement-period 
adjustments that occur in periods after a business combination is consummated. The core principle of the ASU is that entities will 
be required to recognize the cumulative impact of a measurement period adjustment (including the impact on prior periods) in the 
reporting period in which the adjustment is identified.  The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim periods 
within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015.  However early adoption is permitted. The company anticipates 
the adoption for fiscal 2016 with minimal impact.

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

During the normal course of business, the Corporation is subjected to market risk associated with interest rate movements.  Interest 
rate risk arises from our variable interest debt obligations.  For information related to the Corporation’s long-term debt, refer to 
the Long-Term Debt disclosure in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements filed as part of this report.  The Corporation 
does not currently have any interest rate swap agreements in place.  The Corporation does not currently have any significant foreign 
currency exposure.

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 The Corporation is exposed to risks arising from price changes for certain direct materials and assembly components used in its 
operations.  The most significant material purchases and cost for the Corporation are for steel, plastics, textiles, wood particleboard 
and cartoning.  Steel, aluminum and wood/wood related products are the most significant raw material used in the manufacturing 
of products.  The market price of plastics and textiles, in particular, are sensitive to the cost of oil and natural gas.  The cost of 
wood particleboard has been impacted by continued downsizing of production capacity as well as increased volatility in input and 
transportation costs.  All of these materials are impacted increasingly by global market pressure.  The Corporation works to offset 
these increased costs through global sourcing initiatives, product re-engineering and price increases on its products.  Margins have 
been negatively impacted in the past due to the lag between cost increases and the Corporation’s ability to increase its prices.  The 
Corporation believes future market price increases on its key direct materials and assembly components are likely.  Consequently, 
it views the prospect of such increases as an outlook risk to the business.

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The financial statements listed under Item 15(a)(1) and (2) are filed as part of this report and are incorporated herein by reference.

The Summary of Unaudited Quarterly Results of Operations follows the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements filed as part 
of this report and are incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL 
DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Corporation in the 
reports it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized 
and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.  Disclosure controls and procedures are also designed 
to ensure information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial 
Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Under the supervision and with the participation of management, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the 
Corporation have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures 
as defined in Rules 13a – 15(e) and 15d – 15(e) under the Exchange Act.  As of January 2, 2016, and, based on their evaluation, 
the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded these controls and procedures are effective.  There have 
not been any changes in the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended 
January 2, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation’s internal control over 
financial reporting.

Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting and the attestation report of the Corporation’s independent 
registered public accounting firm are included in Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules of this report under the headings 
“Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” and “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting 
Firm,” respectively and management's annual report is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION

None.

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Table of Contents

PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information under the caption "Proposal No. 1 - Election of Directors" of the Corporation's Definitive Proxy Statement on 
Schedule 14A for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 10, 2016, is incorporated herein by reference.  For 
information with respect to executive officers of the Corporation, see Table I - Executive Officers of the Registrant included in 
Part I of this report.

Information relating to the identification of the audit committee and audit committee financial expert of the Corporation is contained 
under the caption “Information Regarding the Board” of the Corporation’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the 
Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 10, 2016, and is incorporated herein by reference.

Code of Ethics

The information under the caption “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics” of the Corporation’s Definitive Proxy Statement on 
Schedule 14A for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 10, 2016, is incorporated herein by reference.

Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act

The information under the caption "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance" of the Corporation's Definitive 
Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 10, 2016, is incorporated herein by 
reference.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information under the captions “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation” of the Corporation's Definitive 
Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 10, 2016, is incorporated herein by 
reference.

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND 
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information under the captions “Security Ownership” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” of the Corporation's 
Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 10, 2016, is incorporated 
herein by reference.

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information under the captions “Information Regarding the Board” and “Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions 
with Related Persons” of the Corporation's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders 
to be held on May 10, 2016, is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The  information  under  the  caption  “Fees  Incurred  for  KPMG  LLP  and  PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP”  of  the  Corporation’s 
Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 10, 2016, is incorporated 
herein by reference.

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Table of Contents

ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)(1)   Financial Statements

PART IV

The following consolidated financial statements of the Corporation and its subsidiaries included in the Corporation's 

2015 Annual Report to Shareholders are filed as a part of this Report pursuant to Item 8:

Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended January 2, 2016 , January 3, 2015, and December 28, 
2013

Consolidated Balance Sheets –  January 2, 2016 and January 3, 2015

Consolidated Statements of Equity for the Years Ended January 2, 2016, January 3, 2015, and December 28, 2013

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended January 2, 2016, January 3, 2015, and December 28, 2013
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Investor Information

(2)   Financial Statement Schedules

Page

36

37

39

40

41

42

43

68

All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the SEC are not 

required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and, therefore, have been omitted.

(b) 

Exhibits

An exhibit index of all exhibits incorporated by reference into, or filed with, this Report appears on Page 71.  The 

following exhibits are filed herewith:

Exhibit

(21)  
(23.1)  
(23.2)
(31.1)  
(31.2)  
(32.1)

101

Subsidiaries of the Registrant

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (KPMG)

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PwC)

Certification of the CEO Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Certification of the CFO Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Certification of CEO and CFO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

The following materials from HNI Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 
January 2, 2016 formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) and furnished 
electronically herewith: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Consolidated Statements of 
Comprehensive Income; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Equity; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash 
Flows; and (iv) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this 
Annual Report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

HNI Corporation

Date: February 29, 2016

By:

/s/ Stan A. Askren
Stan A. Askren
Chairman, President and CEO

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons 
on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.  Each Director whose signature appears below authorizes 
and appoints Stan A. Askren as his or her attorney-in-fact to sign and file on his or her behalf any and all amendments and post-
effective amendments to this report.

Signature

Title

Date

/s/ Stan A. Askren
Stan A. Askren

/s/ Kurt A. Tjaden
Kurt A. Tjaden

/s/ Mary H. Bell
Mary H. Bell

/s/ Miguel M. Calado
Miguel M. Calado

/s/ Cheryl A. Francis
Cheryl A. Francis

/s/ James R. Jenkins
James R. Jenkins

/s/ Mary K. W. Jones
Mary K. W. Jones

/s/ Dennis J. Martin
Dennis J. Martin

/s/ Larry B. Porcellato
Larry B. Porcellato

Chairman, President and CEO,

Principal Executive Officer,

and Director

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial

Officer, Principal Financial Officer and

Principal Accounting Officer

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

-34-

February 29, 2016

February 29, 2016

February 29, 2016

February 29, 2016

February 29, 2016

February 29, 2016

February 29, 2016

February 29, 2016

February 29, 2016

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Signature

Title

Date

/s/ Abbie J. Smith
Abbie J. Smith

/s/ Brian E. Stern
Brian E. Stern

/s/ Ronald V. Waters, III
Ronald V. Waters, III

Lead Director

February 29, 2016

Director

Director

February 29, 2016

February 29, 2016

-35-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management of HNI Corporation is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting 
as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  HNI Corporation’s internal control over 
financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the 
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United 
States of America.  HNI Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting includes those written policies and procedures that:

• 

• 

• 

pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions 
of the assets of HNI Corporation;
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in 
accordance  with  accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in  the  United  States  of America,  and  that  receipts  and 
expenditures of HNI Corporation are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors 
of HNI Corporation; and
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of 
assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Internal control over financial reporting includes the controls themselves, monitoring (including internal auditing practices), and 
actions taken to correct deficiencies as identified.

Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect  misstatements.  Also, 
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk controls may become inadequate because of 
changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management  assessed  the  effectiveness  of  HNI  Corporation’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of  January 2, 
2016.  Management based this assessment on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in  Internal 
Control  –  Integrated  Framework  (2013)  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway 
Commission.  Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design of HNI Corporation’s internal control over financial 
reporting and testing of operational effectiveness of HNI Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.  Management 
reviewed the results of its assessment with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

Based on this assessment, management determined, as of January 2, 2016, HNI Corporation maintained effective internal control 
over financial reporting.

The effectiveness of HNI Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of January 2, 2016 has been audited by KPMG 
LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report which appears herein.

February 29, 2016 

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Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of HNI Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of HNI Corporation (the Company) and subsidiaries 
as of January 2, 2016 and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for the 
year ended January 2, 2016.  We also have audited HNI Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of 
January  2,  2016,  based  on  criteria  established  in  Internal  Control  -  Integrated  Framework  (2013)  issued  by  the 
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). HNI Corporation’s management is 
responsible  for  these  consolidated  financial  statements,  for  maintaining  effective  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting,  and  for  its  assessment  of  the  effectiveness  of  internal  control  over  financial  reporting,  included  in  the 
accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express 
an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial 
reporting based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United 
States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the 
financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting 
was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of the consolidated financial statements included examining, on a 
test  basis,  evidence  supporting  the  amounts  and  disclosures  in  the  financial  statements,  assessing  the  accounting 
principles  used  and  significant  estimates  made  by  management,  and  evaluating  the  overall  financial  statement 
presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal 
control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design 
and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such 
other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable 
basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding 
the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance 
with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those 
policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly 
reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions 
are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations 
of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely 
detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on 
the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. 
Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become 
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may 
deteriorate.

In  our  opinion,  the  consolidated  financial  statements  referred  to  above  present  fairly,  in  all  material  respects,  the 
financial position of HNI Corporation and subsidiaries as of January 2, 2016, and the results of their operations and 
their cash flows for the year ended January 2, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. 
Also in our opinion, HNI Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial 
reporting as of January 2, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued 
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) .

Chicago, Illinois
February 29, 2016

/s/ KPMG LLP

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Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of HNI Corporation:

In our opinion, the consolidated balance sheet as of January 3, 2015 and the related consolidated 
statements of comprehensive income, statements of equity, and statements of cash flows for each of two 
years in the period ended January 3, 2015 present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of 
HNI Corporation and its subsidiaries at January 3, 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash 
flows for each of the two years in the period ended January 3, 2015, in conformity with accounting 
principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the 
responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these 
financial statements based on our audits.  We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with 
the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards 
require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial 
statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence 
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles 
used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement 
presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.  

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 27, 2015

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Table of Contents

HNI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Amounts in thousands, except for per share data)
For the Years

Net sales

Cost of products sold

Gross profit

Selling and administrative expenses

(Gain) loss on sale of assets

Restructuring and impairment charges

Operating income

Interest income

Interest expense

Income before income taxes

Income taxes

Net income

Less: Net (loss) attributable to the  noncontrolling interest

Net income attributable to HNI Corporation

Net income attributable to HNI Corporation per common share – basic

Weighted average shares outstanding – basic

Net income attributable to HNI Corporation per common share –
diluted

Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted

Foreign currency translation adjustments
Change in unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities (net of
tax)
Change in pension and postretirement liabilty (net of tax)

Change in derivative financial instruments (net of tax)

Other comprehensive income(loss) net of tax

Comprehensive income
Less: Comprehensive (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest

Comprehensive income attributable to HNI Corporation

2015

2014

2013

$

2,304,419

$

2,222,695

$

2,059,964

1,457,021

1,438,495

1,344,672

847,398

672,125
(195)
11,792

163,676

395

6,901

157,170

51,764

105,406
(30)
105,436

2.38

$

$

784,200

649,055
(10,723)
33,019

112,849

418

8,336

104,931

43,776

61,155
(316)
61,471

1.37

$

$

715,292

606,512

2,460

333

105,987

626

9,906

96,707

33,338

63,369
(314)
63,683

1.41

44,285,298

44,759,716

45,250,665

2.32

$

1.35

$

1.39

45,440,653

45,578,872

45,956,280

(1,901) $

(691) $

(2,562)

(39)
1,256

873

189

105,595
(30)
105,625

$

$

(44)
(4,622)
(983)
(6,340) $
54,815
(316)
55,131

$

(124)
2,151

187
(348)
63,021
(314)
63,335

$

$

$

$

$

$

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

-39-

 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

HNI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Amounts in thousands of dollars and shares except par value)

As of Year-end
Assets
Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Receivables, net
Inventories, net
Deferred income taxes
Prepaid expenses and other current assets

Total Current Assets
Property, Plant, and Equipment
Goodwill
Other Assets

Total Assets

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Note payable and current maturities of long-term debt and capital
lease obligations
Current maturities of other long-term obligations

Total Current Liabilities

Long-Term Debt
Other Long-Term Liabilities
Deferred Income Taxes
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders’ Equity
Preferred stock - $1 par value

Authorized:  2,000
Issued:  None

Common stock - $1 par value
Authorized:  200,000
Issued and outstanding:  2015 - 44,158; 2014 - 44,166

Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Total HNI Corporation shareholders’ equity

Noncontrolling interest

Total  Equity
Total Liabilities and  Equity

2015

2014

28,548
4,252
243,409
125,228
—
36,933
438,370
341,159
277,650
206,746
1,263,925

$

$

424,405

$

5,477
6,018
435,900
185,000
76,792
88,934

34,144
3,052
240,053
121,791
17,310
39,209
455,559
311,008
279,310
193,457
1,239,334

453,754

160
3,419
457,333
197,736
80,353
89,411

—

—

44,158

44,166

4,407
433,575
(5,186)
476,954
345
477,299
1,263,925

$

867
374,929
(5,375)
414,587
(86)
414,501
1,239,334

$

$

$

$

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

-40-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

HNI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(Amounts in thousands)

Parent Company Shareholders’ Equity

Common
Stock

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

Retained
Earnings

Accumulated 
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss)/Income

Non-
controlling
Interest

Total
Shareholders’
Equity

Balance, December 29, 2012

$

44,951

$

20,153

$ 353,942

$

1,313

$

301

$

420,660

Comprehensive income:

Net income

Other comprehensive income (net of
tax)

Distributions to noncontrolling interest

Change in ownership of
noncontrolling interest

Cash dividends; $0.96 per share

Common shares – treasury:

Shares purchased
Shares issued under Members’ Stock
Purchase Plan and stock awards

(740)

(26,748)

771

23,324

63,683

(314)

63,369

(348)

(167)

269

(479)
(43,494)

(348)

(167)

(210)

(43,494)

(27,488)

24,095

Balance, December 28, 2013

$

44,982

$

16,729

$ 373,652

$

965

$

89

$

436,417

Comprehensive income:

Net income (loss)

Other comprehensive (loss) (net of
tax)

Distributions to noncontrolling interest

Change in ownership of
noncontrolling interest

Cash dividends; $0.99 per share

Common shares – treasury:

Balance, January 3, 2015

Comprehensive income:

Net income (loss)

Other comprehensive (loss) (net of
tax)

Distributions to noncontrolling interest

Change in ownership of
noncontrolling interest

Cash dividends; $1.045 per share

Common shares – treasury:

Shares purchased

(1,666)

(50,522)

(15,720)

Shares issued under Members’ Stock
Purchase Plan and stock awards

850

34,660

$

44,166

$

867

$ 374,929

$

(5,375) $

(86) $

414,501

105,436

(30)

105,406

61,471

(316)

61,155

(6,340)

(5)

146

(146)
(44,328)

(6,340)

(5)

—

(44,328)

(67,908)

35,510

189

(461)
(46,329)

461

189

—

—

(46,329)

(26,657)

30,189

Shares purchased

(550)

(26,107)

Shares issued under Members’ Stock
Purchase Plan and stock awards

542

29,647

Balance, January 2, 2016

$

44,158

$

4,407

$ 433,575

$

(5,186) $

345

$

477,299

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

-41-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

HNI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Amounts in thousands)

For the Years
Net Cash Flows From (To) Operating Activities:

Net income
Noncash items included in net income:

Depreciation and amortization
Other postretirement and post-employment benefits
Stock-based compensation
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation
Deferred income taxes
Net (gain) loss on sale of long-lived assets
Loss on impairment of intangibles
Loss on sale of business
Other – net

Changes in working capital, excluding acquisition and disposition:

Receivables
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Income taxes

Increase (decrease) in other liabilities

Net cash flows from (to) operating activities

Net Cash Flows From (To) Investing Activities:

Capital expenditures
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Capitalized software
Acquisition spending, net of cash acquired
Purchase of investments
Sales or maturities of investments
Other – net

Net cash flows from (to) investing activities

Net Cash Flows From (To) Financing Activities:
Purchase of HNI Corporation common stock
Withholding related to net share settlements of equity based awards
Proceeds from note and long-term debt
Payments of note and long-term debt and other financing
Proceeds from sale of HNI Corporation common stock
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation
Dividends paid

Net cash flows from (to) financing activities

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

$

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

-42-

2015

2014

2013

$

105,406

$

61,155

$

63,369

57,564
1,856
9,097
(1,581)
15,257
1,222
11,241
—
(1,216)

(3,592)
(4,221)
(5,940)
(21,121)
6,799
2,581
173,352

(82,610)
2,201
(32,356)
—
(3,660)
3,550
—
(112,875)

(26,657)
(171)
448,449
(455,222)
12,276
1,581
(46,329)
(66,073)
(5,596)
34,144
28,548

$

56,722
1,239
8,597
(2,161)
14,655
(10,327)
29,382
—
4,693

8,631
(23,437)
(4,622)
32,915
(11,165)
1,519
167,796

(74,323)
16,361
(38,390)
(61,823)
(3,801)
7,770
(4)
(154,210)

(67,908)
(79)
282,808
(235,595)
18,469
2,161
(44,328)
(44,472)
(30,886)
65,030
34,144

$

46,621
1,309
7,451
(2,211)
18,451
344
—
2,177
4,419

(21,029)
1,606
526
31,215
4,525
6,229
165,002

(60,977)
421
(17,918)
—
(1,107)
5,053
(891)
(75,419)

(27,488)
(1,598)
157,967
(163,524)
9,591
2,211
(43,494)
(66,335)
23,248
41,782
65,030

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

HNI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1.  Nature of Operations
HNI Corporation with its subsidiaries (the “Corporation”) is a provider of office furniture and hearth products.  Both industries 
are reportable segments; however, the Corporation’s office furniture business is its principal line of business.  Refer to Reportable 
Segment Information for further information.  Office furniture products include panel-based and freestanding furniture systems 
and complementary products such as seating, storage and tables.  These products are sold primarily through a national system of 
dealers, wholesalers and office product distributors but also directly to end-user customers and federal, state and local governments. 
 Hearth products include a full array of gas, wood and pellet burning fireplaces, inserts, stoves, facings and accessories.  These 
products  are  sold  through  a  national  system  of  dealers  and  distributors,  as  well  as  Corporation-owned  distribution  and  retail 
outlets.  The Corporation’s products are marketed predominantly in the United States and Canada.  The Corporation exports select 
products to a limited number of markets outside North America, principally the Middle East, Mexico, Latin America and the 
Caribbean, through its export subsidiary and manufactures and markets office furniture in Asia and India; however, based on sales, 
these activities are not significant.

Fiscal year-end – The Corporation follows a 52/53-week fiscal year which ends on the Saturday nearest December 31.  Fiscal 
year 2015 ended on January 2, 2016; 2014 ended on January 3, 2015; and 2013 ended on December 28, 2013.  The financial 
statements for fiscal year 2014 are on a 53-week basis.  The financial statements for fiscal years  2015 and 2013 are on a 52-week 
basis.  A 53-week year occurs approximately every sixth year.

Note 2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and transactions of the Corporation and its subsidiaries.  Intercompany 
accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments
Cash and cash equivalents generally consist of cash and money market accounts.  The fair value approximates the carrying value 
due  to  the  short  duration  of  the  securities.    These  securities  have  original  maturity  dates  not  exceeding  three  months.  The 
Corporation has short-term investments with maturities of less than one year and also has investments with maturities greater than 
one year included in Other Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Management classifies investments in marketable securities 
at the time of purchase and reevaluates such classification at each balance sheet date.  Debt securities including government and 
corporate bonds are classified as available-for-sale and stated at current market value with unrealized gains and losses included 
as a separate component of equity, net of any related tax effect.  The specific identification method is used to determine realized 
gains and losses on the trade date.  

At January 2, 2016 and January 3, 2015, cash, cash equivalents and investments consisted of the following:

Year-End 2015

(In thousands)
Held-to-maturity securities

Certificates of deposit
Available-for-sale securities

Debt securities
Cash and money market accounts

Total

Cash and cash
equivalents

Short-term
investments

Long-term
investments

$

$

— $

252

$

—

—

28,548

4,000

—

28,548

$

4,252

$

8,067

—

8,067

The amortized cost basis of the debt securities as of January 2, 2016 was $12.1 million.  Immaterial unrealized gains are recorded 
in accumulated other comprehensive income as of January 2, 2016 for these debt securities. 

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Year-End 2014

(In thousands)
Held-to-maturity securities

Certificates of deposit
Available-for-sale securities

Debt securities
Cash and money market accounts

Total

Cash and cash
equivalents

Short-term
investments

Long-term
investments

$

$

— $

252

$

—

—

34,144

2,800

—

34,144

$

3,052

$

9,240

—

9,240

The amortized cost basis of the debt securities as of January 3, 2015 was $12.0 million.  Unrealized gains of $0.1 million and 
unrealized losses of $0.0 million are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income as of January 3, 2015 for these debt 
securities. 

Receivables
Accounts receivable are presented net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4.3 million and $5.1 million for 2015 and 2014, 
respectively.  The allowance is developed based on several factors including overall customer credit quality, historical write-off 
experience, and specific account analyses projecting the ultimate collectability of the account.  As such, these factors may change 
over time causing the reserve level to adjust accordingly.

Allowance for doubtful accounts

Year ended January 2, 2016

Year ended January 3, 2015

Year ended December 28, 2013

Balance at
beginning of
period

Charged to costs
and expenses

5,096

6,208

5,151

1,394

343

2,590

Amounts
written off, net
of recoveries
and other
adjustments

2,203

1,455

1,533

Balance at end
of period

4,287

5,096

6,208

Inventories
The Corporation valued 78 percent and 71 percent of its inventory by the LIFO method at January 2, 2016 and January 3, 2015, 
respectively.  During 2014 and 2013, inventory quantities were reduced at certain reporting units.  This reduction resulted in a 
liquidation of LIFO inventory quantities carried at lower costs prevailing in prior years as compared with the cost of current year 
purchases, the effect of which decreased cost of goods sold by approximately $0.03 million and $0.2 million in 2014 and 2013, 
respectively.  If the FIFO method had been in use, inventories would have been $25.1 million and $28.0 million higher than 
reported at January 2, 2016 and January 3, 2015, respectively. 

Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost.  Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.  Major 
improvements that materially extend the useful lives of the assets are capitalized.  Depreciation has been computed using the 
straight-line method over estimated useful lives:  land improvements, 10 – 20 years; buildings, 10 – 40 years; and machinery and 
equipment, 3 – 12 years.

Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment as events or changes in circumstances occur indicating the amount of the asset 
reflected in the Corporation’s balance sheet may not be recoverable.  An estimate of undiscounted cash flows produced by the 
asset, or the appropriate group of assets, is compared to the carrying value to determine whether impairment exists.  The estimates 
of future cash flows involve considerable management judgment and are based upon assumptions about expected future operating 
performance.  The actual cash flows could differ from management’s estimates due to changes in business conditions, operating 
performance and economic conditions.  Asset impairment charges recorded in connection with the Corporation’s restructuring 
activities are discussed in Restructuring Related Charges.  These assets included real estate, manufacturing equipment and certain 
other fixed assets.  The Corporation’s continuous focus on improving the manufacturing process tends to increase the likelihood 
of assets being replaced; therefore, the Corporation is regularly evaluating the expected lives of its equipment and accelerating 
depreciation where appropriate.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
See Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets note to consolidated financial statements.

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Product Warranties
The Corporation issues certain warranty policies on its furniture and hearth products that provide for repair or replacement of any 
covered product or component failing during normal use because of a defect in design, materials or workmanship.  Reserves have
been established for the various costs associated with the Corporation's warranty programs.  

A warranty reserve is determined by recording a specific reserve for known warranty issues and an additional reserve for unknown 
claims  expected  to  be  incurred  based  on  historical  claims  experience.  Actual  claims  incurred  could  differ  from  the  original 
estimates, requiring adjustments to the reserve.  Activity associated with warranty obligations was as follows:

(In thousands)
Balance at the beginning of the period
Accrual assumed from acquisition
Accruals for warranties issued during the period
Accrual(Recovery) related to pre-existing warranties
Settlements made during the period
Balance at the end of the period

2015
16,719
—
19,995
(334)
(20,153)
16,227

$

$

2014
13,840
1,100
18,951
172
(17,344)
16,719

$

$

2013
13,055
—
21,878
106
(21,199)
13,840

$

$

The portion of the reserve for estimated settlements expected to be paid in the next twelve months was $8.2 million and $8.5 
million as of January 2, 2016 and January 3, 2015, respectively, and is included in "Accounts payable and accrued expenses" in 
the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The portion of the reserve for settlements expected to be paid beyond one year was $8.0 million 
and $8.2 million, as of January 2, 2016 and January 3, 2015, respectively, and are included in "Other Long-Term Liabilities" in 
the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Revenue Recognition
Sales of office furniture and hearth products are generally recognized when title transfers and the risks and rewards of ownership 
have passed to customers.  Typically title and risk of ownership transfer when the product is shipped.  In certain circumstances, 
title  and  risk  of  ownership  do  not  transfer  until  the  goods  are  received  by  the  customer  or  upon  installation  and  customer 
acceptance.  Revenue  includes  freight  charged  to  customers;  related  costs  are  recorded  in  selling  and  administrative 
expense.  Rebates, discounts and other marketing program expenses directly related to the sale are recorded as a reduction to net 
sales.  Marketing program accruals require the use of management estimates and the consideration of contractual arrangements 
subject to interpretation.  Customer sales that achieve or do not achieve certain award levels can affect the amount of such estimates 
and actual results could differ from these estimates.

Product Development Costs
Product  development  costs  relating  to  development  of  new  products  and  processes,  including  significant  improvements  and 
refinements to existing products, are expensed as incurred.  These costs include salaries, contractor fees, building costs, utilities 
and administrative fees.  The amounts charged against income were $31.1 million in 2015, $29.7 million in 2014 and $27.3 million 
in 2013 and were recorded in "Selling and Administrative Expenses" on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Freight Expense
The Corporation records freight expense on shipments to customers in "Selling and Administrative Expenses" on the Consolidated 
Statements of Income.  Amounts recorded were $133.4 million in 2015, $131.0 million in 2014 and $123.8 million in 2013.

Stock-Based Compensation
The Corporation measures the cost of employee services in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date 
fair  value  of  the  award  and  recognizes  cost  over  the  requisite  service  period.  See  the  Stock-Based  Compensation  note  to 
consolidated financial statements for further information.

Income Taxes
The Corporation uses an asset and liability approach that takes into account guidance related to uncertain tax positions and requires 
the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized 
in the Corporation’s financial statements or tax returns.  Deferred income taxes are provided to reflect differences between the tax 
bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements.  The Corporation provides for taxes that may 
be payable if undistributed earnings of overseas subsidiaries were to be remitted to the United States, except for those earnings it 
considers to be permanently reinvested.  There were approximately $33.9 million of accumulated earnings considered permanently 
reinvested in China, Hong Kong and India as of January 2, 2016.  The Corporation believes the U.S. tax cost on unremitted foreign 
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earnings would be approximately $10.3 million if the amounts were not considered permanently reinvested. See the Income Tax 
note to consolidated financial statements for further information.

Earnings Per Share
Basic  earnings  per  share  are  based  on  the  weighted-average  number  of  common  shares  outstanding  during  the  year.  Shares 
potentially issuable under stock options, restricted stock units and common stock equivalents under the Corporation's deferred 
compensation plans have been considered outstanding for purposes of the diluted earnings per share calculation.  The following 
table reconciles the numerators and denominators used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS):

(In thousands, except per share data)

Numerators:

2015

2014

2013

Numerators for both basic and diluted EPS net income attributable to
parent company

$

105,436

$

61,471

$

63,683

Denominators:

Denominator for basic EPS weighted- average common shares
outstanding

Potentially dilutive shares from stock option plans

Denominator for diluted EPS
Earnings per share – basic

Earnings per share – diluted

44,285

1,156

45,441
2.38

2.32

$

$

44,760

819
45,579
1.37

1.35

$

$

45,251

706
45,956
1.41

1.39

$

$

Certain exercisable and non-exercisable stock options were not included in the computation of diluted EPS for fiscal years 2015, 
2014 and 2013 because inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.  The number of stock options outstanding which met this criterion  
was 493,202; 500,058 and 769,394 for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 

Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires 
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying 
notes.  The more significant areas requiring use of management estimates relate to allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory 
reserves, marketing program accruals, warranty accruals, accruals for self-insured medical claims, workers’ compensation, legal 
contingencies, general liability and auto insurance claims, valuation of long-lived assets, and useful lives for depreciation and 
amortization.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Self-Insurance
The Corporation is primarily self-insured for general, auto and product liability, workers’ compensation, and certain employee 
health benefits.  The general, auto, product and workers’ compensation liabilities are managed using a wholly owned insurance 
captive and the related liabilities are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  As of January 2, 2016, these 
liabilities totaled $27.7 million.  The Corporation’s policy is to accrue amounts in accordance with the actuarially determined 
liabilities.  The  actuarial  valuations  are  based  on  historical  information  along  with  certain  assumptions  about  future 
events.  Changes  in  assumptions  for  such  matters  as  legal  actions,  medical  cost  inflation  and  magnitude  of  change  in  actual 
experience development could cause these estimates to change in the future.

Foreign Currency Translations
Foreign currency financial statements of foreign operations where the local currency is the functional currency are translated using 
exchange  rates  in  effect  at  period  end  for  assets  and  liabilities  and  average  exchange  rates  during  the  period  for  results  of 
operations.  Related translation adjustments are reported as a component of Shareholders’ Equity.  Gains and losses on foreign 
currency transactions are included in the “Selling and administrative expenses” caption of the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made within the financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.  

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Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred 
Taxes. The new guidance requires that all deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, be classified 
as noncurrent on the balance sheet. The guidance is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, 
beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The new guidance has been adopted on a prospective basis by 
the Company for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2016.

Note 3.  Restructuring and Impairment Charges   
As a result of the Corporation's ongoing business simplification and cost reduction strategies, the Corporation made the decision 
to exit a line of business within our hearth products segment during 2015.  The Corporation incurred $0.9 million of restructuring 
charges as the result of this decision of which $0.8 million were included in Cost of Sales.

During 2014, the Corporation made decisions to close three office furniture manufacturing facilities located in Florence, Alabama, 
Chicago,  Illinois  and  Nalagarh,  India  and  consolidate  production  into  existing  office  furniture  manufacturing  facilities.    In  
connection with these decisions, the Corporation recorded  $8.8 million of pre-tax charges in 2014, which included $5.2 million 
of accelerated depreciation on machinery and equipment recorded in cost of sales and $3.6 million of severance and facility exit 
costs which were recorded as restructuring charges during the year.   During 2015 the Corporation  incurred $0.4 million  of pre-
tax restructuring charges related  to these closures in the form of facility exit costs partially offset by lower than anticipated post 
employment costs.

During 2010, the Corporation completed the shutdown of an office furniture facility in South Gate, California and consolidated 
production  into  existing  office  furniture  manufacturing  facilities.  During  2013,  the  Corporation  incurred  $0.3  million  of 
restructuring charges due to ongoing costs related to a vacant building from this closure.

The following table summarizes the restructuring accrual activity since the beginning of fiscal 2013.

(In thousands)

Restructuring reserve at December 29, 2012

Restructuring charges

Cash payments

Restructuring reserve At December 28, 2013

Restructuring charges

Cash payments

Restructuring reserve At January 3, 2015

Restructuring charges

Cash Payments

Restructuring reserve At January 2, 2016

Severance
Costs

Facility
Termination &
Other Costs

Total

$

$

$

$

192
(8)
(135)
49

2,933
(1,769)
1,213
(706)
(257)
250

$

$

$

$

18

$

341
(353)
6

705
(711)

$

— $

1,255
(1,240)
15

$

210

333
(488)
55

3,638
(2,480)
1,213

549
(1,497)
265

The Corporation recorded $11.2 million of goodwill and long-lived asset impairments in 2015 included in the “Restructuring and 
Impairment Charges” line item on the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets note to 
consolidated financial statements for more information.

Note 4.  Business Combinations
The Corporation completed the acquisition of Vermont Casting Group, a leading manufacturer of free-standing hearth stoves and 
fireplaces, on October 1, 2014 for a purchase price of $62.2 million in an all cash transaction.  There were $24.9 million of intangible 
assets other than goodwill associated with this acquisition with estimated useful lives ranging from  five  to  fifteen  years with 
amortization recorded on a straight line basis based on the projected cash flow associated with the respective intangible assets’ 
existing relationships. There was $17.0 million of goodwill associated with this acquisition assigned to the hearth products segment. 
The goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes.   

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Note 5.  Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The Corporation's cash payments for interest and income taxes and non-cash investing and financing activities are as follows: 

(In thousands)
Cash paid for:
  Interest paid (net of capitalized interest)
  Income taxes paid
Changes in accrued expenses due to:
  Purchases of property and equipment
  Purchases of capitalized software

Note 6.  Inventories

(In thousands)

Finished products

Materials and work in process
LIFO reserve

Note 7.  Property, Plant, and Equipment

(In thousands)

Land and land improvements

Buildings

Machinery and equipment

Construction and equipment installation in progress

Less:  accumulated depreciation

2015

2014

2013

$

$

7,066
28,252

$

8,301
36,637

(327)
(2,806)

3,873
2,183

2015

68,478

$

81,860
(25,110)
125,228

$

$

$

2015

$

28,801

$

298,516

515,131

31,986

874,434

533,275

$

341,159

$

9,909
9,576

3,769
1,114

2014

65,126

84,677
(28,012)
121,791

2014

27,329

298,170

492,646

27,704

845,849

534,841

311,008

Total depreciation expense was $46.5 million, $46.1 million and $36.3 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 

Note 8.  Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

As a result of the required annual impairment assessment performed in the fourth quarter of 2015, the Corporation determined the 
fair value of a recently acquired reporting unit within the office furniture segment was below its carrying value.  The decline in 
the estimated fair value of this reporting unit was largely driven by lower than expected operating performance in 2015.  The 
projections used in the impairment model reflected management's assumptions regarding revenue growth rates, economic and 
market trends, cost structure, investments required for sales force and operational transformation and other expectations about the 
anticipated short-term and long-term operating results of the reporting unit.  Based on the two-step analysis, the Corporation 
recorded a $3.0 million goodwill impairment charge in 2015, and there was no remaining net goodwill in the reporting unit as of 
January 2, 2016.  Additionally and prior to the goodwill impairment assessment, the Corporation tested the recoverability of the 
long-lived assets in that reporting unit, other than goodwill, which included definite-lived intangible assets consisting of customer 
lists and trade names, and recorded an impairment charge of $8.3 million.    

Based on the results of the annual impairment tests, the Corporation concluded that no other goodwill impairment existed apart 
from the impairment charges discussed above.  For all other reporting units included in the annual two-step impairment test except 
the two noted below, the estimated fair value is significantly in excess of carrying value. 

For one of the office furniture reporting units that exceeded its carrying value by approximately 12.9 percent, the Corporation 
assumed a discount rate of 13.0 percent, near term growth rates ranging from 3.5 percent to 7.5 percent and a terminal growth rate 
of 3.0 percent.  The fair value model assumes continued positive economic momentum and transformation of the reporting unit 

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including sales and marketing initiatives, new product development and operational processes.  Holding other assumptions constant 
a 100 basis point increase in the discount rate would result in a $5.0 million decrease in the estimated fair value of the reporting 
unit and a 100 basis point decrease in the long-term growth rate would result in a $2.0 million decrease in the estimated fair value 
of the reporting unit.  Neither of these scenarios individually would result in the reporting unit failing step one.

For the other office furniture reporting unit that exceeded its carrying value by approximately 17.8 percent, the Corporation assumed 
a discount rate of 15.0 percent, near term growth rates ranging from negative 10.7 percent to positive 8.0 percent and a terminal 
growth rate of 4.0 percent.  The fair value model assumes continued positive economic momentum and transformation of the 
reporting  unit  including  sales  and  marketing  initiatives,  new  product  development  and  operational  processes.    Holding  other 
assumptions constant a 100 basis point increase in the discount rate would result in a $5.0 million decrease in the estimated fair 
value of the reporting unit and a 100 basis point decrease in the long-term growth rate would result in a $2.5 million decrease in 
the estimated fair value of the reporting unit.  Neither of these scenarios individually would result in the reporting unit failing step 
one.

The Corporation also owns certain trademarks and trade names having a carrying value of $41.0 million as of January 2, 2016, 
$41.0 million as of January 3, 2015, and $41.0 million as of December 28, 2013.  These trademarks and trade names are deemed 
to have indefinite useful lives because they are expected to generate cash flows indefinitely.  As a result of the review performed 
in the fourth quarter of 2015, the Corporation determined the fair value of all trade names exceeded the respective carrying value 
and, therefore no impairment was recorded.

One trade name within the office furniture segment had a minimal amount of headroom on its valuation.  This trade name exceeded 
its carrying value by approximately $1.0 million and had a carrying value of $11.2 million.  For this trade name the Corporation 
assumed a discount rate of 12.0 percent, terminal growth rate of 3.0 percent and a royalty rate of 2.5 percent.  Holding other 
assumptions constant, a nominal change in the discount rate or royalty rate could trigger an impairment.     

The table below summarizes amortizable definite-lived intangible assets, which are reflected in Other Assets in the Corporation’s 
Consolidated Balance Sheets:

(In thousands)
Patents
Software
Trademarks and trade names
Customer lists and other

Net definite lived intangible
assets

January 2, 2016

Accumulated
Amortization
18,615
$
21,193
753
60,063

$

Gross

18,645
122,892
6,564
105,586

$

Net

30
101,699
5,811
45,523

$

Gross

18,945
93,343
11,424
113,671

January 3, 2015

Accumulated
Amortization
18,724
$
17,711
1,724
58,019

$

Net

221
75,632
9,700
55,652

$

253,687

$

100,624

$

153,063

$

237,383

$

96,178

$

141,205

The Corporation recorded an impairment charge of $8.3 million to adjust the customer list and trade names associated with a small 
office furniture reporting unit to fair market value as discussed above.

Amortization  expense  for  capitalized  software  for  2015,  2014  and  2013,  was  $3.5  million,  $3.3  million  and  $2.9  million, 
respectively.  Amortization expense for all other definite-lived intangibles for 2015, 2014 and 2013, was $7.6 million, $7.2 million 
and $7.4 million, respectively. All amortization expense was recorded in Selling and Administrative Expenses on the Consolidated 
Statements of Income.  Based on the current amount of intangible assets subject to amortization, the estimated amortization expense 
for each of the following five fiscal years is as follows:

(in millions)

Amortization expense

2016

2017

2018

2019

$

11.6

$

17.6

$

17.8

$

17.1

$

2020

16.5

The occurrence of events such as acquisitions, dispositions or impairments in the future may result in changes to amounts.

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The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill since December 28, 2013, are as follows by reporting segment:

(In thousands)

Balance as of December 28, 2013

Goodwill

Accumulated impairment losses

Goodwill acquired during the year

Impairment losses

Foreign currency translation adjustment

Balance as of January 3, 2015

Goodwill

Accumulated impairment losses

Impairment losses

Final purchase price allocations/contingent payments from prior year
acquisitions

Foreign currency translation adjustment

Balance as of January 2, 2016

Goodwill

Accumulated impairment losses

Office
Furniture

Hearth
Products

Total

$

149,969
(29,359)
120,610

—
(22,802)
(256)

149,713
(52,161)
97,552
(2,963)

—

5

149,718
(55,124)
94,594

$

$

166,188
(143)
166,045

15,713

—

—

181,901
(143)
181,758

—

1,298

—

183,199
(143)
183,056

316,157
(29,502)
286,655

15,713
(22,802)
(256)

331,614
(52,304)
279,310
(2,963)

1,298

5

332,917
(55,267)
277,650

The goodwill increases relate to acquisitions completed.  See the Business Combinations note.  The decreases in goodwill in the 
office furniture segment in 2014 and 2015 were due to the impairment charges described above. 

Note 9.  Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

(In thousands)

Trade accounts payable

Compensation

Profit sharing and retirement expense

Marketing expenses

Freight

Other accrued expenses

2015

2014

$

197,579

$

224,026

43,380

29,089

35,969

16,384

102,004

$

424,405

$

46,619

27,956

39,175

15,531

100,447

453,754

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Note 10.  Long-Term Debt

(In thousands)

2015

2014

Note payable to bank, revolving credit facility with interest at a variable rate (2015 -
1.5%; 2014 - 1.8%)

$

40,300

$

Senior notes due April 2016 with interest at a fixed rate of 5.54% per annum.

Other notes and amounts

Total debt

Less:  current portion

Long-term debt

Aggregate maturities of long-term debt are as follows:

(In thousands)

2016

2017

2018

2019
2020

Thereafter

150,000

177

190,477

5,477

47,700

150,000

91

197,791

55

$

185,000

$

197,736

$

5,477

35,000

—

—
—

150,000

The carrying value of the Corporation's outstanding variable-rate, long-term debt obligations at January 2, 2016 and January 3, 
2015 was $40 million and $48 million, respectively, which approximated fair value.  The fair value of the Corporation’s outstanding 
fixed rate long-term debt obligations was estimated based on discounted cash flow method (Level 2) to be $148 million at January 2, 
2016 and $154 million at January 3, 2015 compared to the carrying value of $150 million.

The  Corporation  increased  the  borrowing  capacity  (while  preserving  the  existing  $150  million  accordian  feature)  under  the 
revolving credit facility on January 6, 2016 to $400 million and will use the additional borrowings to pay off the Corporation's 
Senior Notes due April 6, 2016.  These Senior Notes were classified as long term as of January 2, 2016 since the Corporation will 
pay off the Senior Notes upon maturity with revolving credit facility borrowings expected to remain outstanding for more than 
twelve months.

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Note 11.  Income Taxes
Significant components of the provision for income taxes including those related to noncontrolling interest and discontinued 
operations are as follows:

(In thousands)
Current:
Federal
State
Foreign
Current provision

Deferred:
Federal
State
Foreign
Deferred provision

2015

2014

2013

$

$

27,768
5,258
1,713
34,739

15,348
2,217
(540)
17,025
51,764

$

$

22,738
4,623
972
28,333

13,692
2,013
(262)
15,443
43,776

$

$

12,077
1,036
2,153
15,266

16,614
2,558
(1,100)
18,072
33,338

The differences between the actual tax expense and tax expense computed at the statutory U.S. Federal tax rate are explained as 
follows:

Federal statutory tax expense

State taxes, net of federal tax effect

Credit for increasing research activities

Deduction related to domestic production activities

Valuation allowance

Goodwill Impairment

Change in uncertain tax positions

Other – net

Total income tax expense

2015

2014

$

55,020

$

36,836

$

4,269
(3,320)
(3,320)
—

—
(1,344)
459

$

51,764

$

4,118
(2,569)
(1,751)
2,474

4,298

1,099
(729)
43,776

$

2013

33,957

2,469
(1,338)
(1,396)
—

—

773
(1,127)
33,338

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities 
for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.

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Significant components of the Corporation’s deferred tax liabilities and assets are as follows:

(In thousands)

Deferred Taxes

Allowance for doubtful accounts

Compensation

Inventory differences

Marketing accrual

Stock-based compensation

Accrued post-retirement benefit obligations

OCI tax effected items

Vacation accrual

Warranty Accrual

Other – net

Total deferred tax assets
Deferred income

Goodwill

Prepaids

Tax over book depreciation

Total deferred tax liabilities

Valuation allowance

Total net deferred tax liabilities

Current net deferred tax assets

Long term net deferred tax liabilities

Total net deferred tax liabilities

2015

2014

$

1,089

$

15,491

4,497

1,355

11,923

6,682

3,169

4,181

6,052

12,167

$

66,606
(4,907)
(79,471)
(7,876)
(59,308)
(151,562) $
(3,978)
(88,934) $

—
(88,934)
(88,934) $

$

$

$

$

1,240

16,817

5,691

1,454

9,906

6,341

3,887

3,875

6,023

10,774

66,008
(4,836)
(80,366)
(7,724)
(41,770)
(134,696)
(3,413)
(72,101)

17,310
(89,411)
(72,101)

The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is as follows:

Valuation allowance for deferred tax asset (in
thousands)

Year ended January 2, 2016

Year ended January 3, 2015

Year ended December 28, 2013

Balance at
beginning of
period

3,413

1,579

1,580

Charged to
expenses

Adjustments to
balance sheet

Balance at end of
period

—

2,474

—

565
(640)
(1)

3,978

3,413

1,579

At January 2, 2016, the Corporation has approximately $6.4 million of U.S. state tax net operating losses and $2.2 million of 
U.S. state tax credits which expire over the next twenty years.

The Corporation has adopted ASU No. 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes on 
a prospective basis for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2016. The new guidance requires that all deferred tax assets and 
liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. 

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A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

(in thousands)
Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period
Increases in positions due to purchase accounting
Increases in positions taken in a prior period
Decreases in positions taken in a prior period
New positions taken in a current period
Decrease due to settlements
Decrease due to lapse of statute of limitations
Unrecognized tax benefits, end of period

2015
4,250
—
82
(1,611)
793
—
(656)
2,858

$

$

$

$

2014
2,809
400
406
(124)
1,422
—
(663)
4,250

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits which would impact the Corporation’s effective tax rate, if recognized, was $2.8 million 
at January 2, 2016 and $4.2 million at January 3, 2015.

As of January 2, 2016, it is reasonably possible the amount of unrecognized tax benefits may increase or decrease within the twelve 
months following the reporting date.  These increases or decreases in the unrecognized tax benefits would be due to new positions 
that may be taken on income tax returns, settlement of tax positions and the closing of statutes of limitation.  It is not expected 
any of the changes will be material individually or in total to the results or financial position of the Corporation.

The Corporation recognized interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating 
expenses consistent with the recognition of these items in prior reporting.  Interest and penalties recognized in the Consolidated 
Statements of Income amounted to a benefit of $0.1 million, $0.0 million and $0.1 million in January 2, 2016, January 3, 2015 
and December 28, 2013, respectively.  The Corporation had recorded a liability for interest and penalties related to unrecognized 
tax benefits of $0.1 million and  $0.2 million as of January 2, 2016 and January 3, 2015, respectively.

Tax years 2012 through 2015 remain open for examination by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS").  The Corporation is currently 
under examination in various state jurisdictions, of which years 2009 through 2014 remain open to examination.

Deferred income taxes are provided to reflect differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts 
in the financial statements.  The Corporation provides for taxes that may be payable if undistributed earnings of overseas subsidiaries 
were  to  be  remitted  to  the  United  States,  except  for  those  earnings  it  considers  to  be  permanently  reinvested.    There  were 
approximately $33.9 million of accumulated earnings considered permanently reinvested in Canada, China, and Hong Kong as 
of January 2, 2016.  The Corporation believes the U.S tax cost on unremitted foreign earnings would be approximately $10.3 
million if the amounts were not considered permanently reinvested.

Note 12.  Fair Value Measurements of Financial Instruments

For recognition purposes, on a recurring basis, the Corporation is required to measure at fair value its marketable securities.  The 
marketable securities are comprised of investments in government securities, corporate bonds and money market funds.  When 
available, the Corporation uses quoted market prices to determine fair value and classifies such measurements within Level 1.  In 
some cases where market prices are not available, the Corporation makes use of observable market based inputs (prices or quotes 
from published exchanges/indexes) to calculate fair value using the market approach, in which case the measurements are classified 
within Level 2.

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Assets measured at fair value for the year ended January 2, 2016 were as follows:

$

$

$

$

(in thousands)

Government securities

Corporate bonds

Derivative financial instruments $

Fair value as of
measurement date

Quoted prices in active 
markets for identical assets
(Level 1)

Significant other 
observable inputs
(Level 2)

Significant 
unobservable inputs
(Level 3)

9,663

2,405

$

$

(1,252) $

— $

— $

— $

9,663

$

$
2,405
(1,252) $

—

—

—

Assets measured at fair value for the year ended January 3, 2015 were as follows:

(in thousands)

Government securities

Corporate bonds

Derivative financial instruments $

Note 13.  Shareholders’ Equity

Common Stock, $1 Par Value

Authorized

Issued and outstanding

Preferred Stock, $1 Par Value

Authorized

Issued and outstanding

Fair value as of
measurement date

Quoted prices in active 
markets for identical assets
(Level 1)

Significant other 
observable inputs
(Level 2)

Significant 
unobservable inputs
(Level 3)

9,835

2,205

$

$

(1,374) $

— $

— $

— $

9,835

$

$
2,205
(1,374) $

—

—

—

2015

2014

200,000,000

200,000,000

44,158,256

44,165,676

2,000,000

2,000,000

—

—

The  Corporation  purchased  550,000,  1,665,850,  and  740,000  shares  of  its  common  stock  during  2015,  2014  and  2013, 
respectively.  The par value method of accounting is used for common stock repurchases.  

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The following table summarizes the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and the changes in accumulated 
other comprehensive income loss:

(in thousands)

Foreign 
Currency
Translation 
Adjustment

Unrealized Gains
 Losses) on 
Marketable 
Securities

Pension 
Postretirement
Liability

Derivative 
Financial
Instruments

Accumulated 
Other
Comprehensive 
Loss

Balance at December 29, 2012

$

5,475

$

205

$

(4,291) $

(76) $

Other comprehensive income
before reclassifications

Less: Taxes

Amounts reclassified from
accumulated other comprehensive
income, net of tax

Balance at December 28, 2013

Other comprehensive income
before reclassifications

Less: Taxes
Amounts reclassified from
accumulated other comprehensive
income, net of tax

Balance at January 3, 2015

Other comprehensive income
before reclassifications

Less: Taxes

Amounts reclassified from
accumulated other comprehensive
income, net of tax

(2,562)

—

—

2,913

(690)

—

—

2,223

(1,901)

—

—

Balance at January 2, 2016

$

322

$

(191)
(67)

—

81

(67)
(23)

—

37

(60)
(21)

3,389

1,312

74
(2,140)

(7,280)
(2,657)

—
(6,763)

1,975

718

538

197

(154)
111

(1,728)
(631)

114
(872)

(1,188)
(433)

—
(2) $

—
(5,506) $

1,627

— $

1,313

1,174

1,442

(80)
965

(9,765)
(3,311)

114
(5,375)

(1,174)
264

1,627
(5,186)

The following table details the reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended 
January 3, 2015 and January 2, 2016 (in thousands):

Details about Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income Components

Affected Line Item in the Statement Where
Net Income is Presented

2015

2014

Derivative financial instruments

Diesel hedge

Selling and administrative expenses
Tax (expense) or benefit

Net of tax

$

$

(2,562) $
935
(1,627) $

(180)
66
(114)

The Corporation determined in fourth quarter 2015 that the qualifications for hedge accounting treatment on the diesel hedge 
derivative financial instruments were not met and reversed $1.3 million recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income 
as a reduction to net income.

In May 2007, the Corporation registered 300,000 shares of its common stock under its 2007 Equity Plan for Non-Employee 
Directors of HNI Corporation, as amended (the “Director Plan”).  The Director Plan permits the Corporation to issue to its non-
employee  directors  options  to  purchase  shares  of  Corporation  common  stock,  restricted  stock  or  restricted  stock  units  of  the 
Corporation and awards of Corporation common stock.  The Director Plan also permits non-employee directors to elect to receive 
all or a portion of their annual retainers and other compensation in the form of shares of Corporation common stock. During 2015, 
2014, and 2013, 20,146; 27,272; and 26,520 shares, respectively, of Corporation common stock were issued under the Director 
Plan.

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Cash dividends declared and paid per share for each year are:

(In dollars)

Common shares

2015

1.045 $

2014

0.99 $

2013

0.96

$

During  2007,  shareholders  approved  the  2002  Members’  Stock  Purchase  Plan  (the  "Purchase  Plan"),  as  amended  January  1, 
2007.  Under the plan, 800,000 shares of common stock were initially registered for issuance to participating members.  On June 
12, 2009, an additional 1,000,000 shares of common stock were registered for issuance to participating members.  Beginning on 
June 30, 2002, rights to purchase stock are granted on a quarterly basis to all participating members who customarily work 20 
hours or more per week and for five months or more in any calendar year.  The price of the stock purchased under the Purchase 
Plan is 85% of the closing price on the exercise date.  No member may purchase stock under the Purchase Plan in an amount which 
exceeds a maximum fair value of $25,000 in any calendar year.  During 2015, 73,874 shares of common stock were issued under 
the Purchase Plan at an average price of $32.18.  During 2014, 84,065 shares of common stock were issued under the plan at an 
average price of $27.92.  During 2013, 86,291 shares of common stock were issued under the Purchase Plan at an average price 
of $25.63.  An additional 373,268 shares were available for issuance under the Purchase Plan at January 2, 2016.

The Corporation has entered into change in control employment agreements with certain officers.  According to the agreements, 
a change in control occurs when a third person or entity becomes the beneficial owner of 20% or more of the Corporation’s common 
stock, when more than one-third of the Board is composed of persons not recommended by at least three-fourths of the incumbent 
Board, upon certain business combinations involving the Corporation or upon approval by the Corporation’s shareholders of a 
complete liquidation or dissolution.  Upon a change in control, a key member is deemed to have a two year employment agreement 
with the Corporation, and all of his or her benefits vest under the Corporation’s compensation plans.  If, at any time within two 
years of the change in control, his or her employment is terminated by the Corporation for any reason other than cause or disability, 
or by the key member for good reason, as such terms are defined in the agreement, then the key member is entitled to receive, 
among other benefits, a severance payment equal to two times (three times for the Corporation’s Chairman, President and CEO) 
annual salary and the average of the prior two years’ bonuses.

Note 14.  Stock-Based Compensation
Under the Corporation’s 2007 Stock-Based Compensation Plan (the “Plan”), effective May 8, 2007, as amended, the Corporation 
may award options to purchase shares of the Corporation’s common stock and grant other stock awards to executives, managers 
and key personnel.  Upon shareholder approval of the Plan in May 2007, no future awards were granted under the Corporation’s 
1995 Stock-Based Compensation Plan, but all outstanding awards previously granted under that plan shall remain outstanding in 
accordance with their terms.  As of January 2, 2016, there were approximately 3.7 million shares available for future issuance 
under the Plan.  The Plan is administered by the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board.  Restricted stock 
units awarded under the Plan are expensed ratably over the vesting period of the awards.  Stock options awarded to members under 
the Plan must be at exercise prices equal to or exceeding the fair market value of the Corporation’s common stock on the date of 
grant.  Stock options are generally subject to four-year cliff vesting and must be exercised within 10 years from the date of grant.

The Corporation measures the cost of employee services in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date 
fair value of the award and recognizes cost over the requisite service period.

Compensation cost charged against operations for the Plan and Purchase Plan described in Note 13 of the consolidated financial 
statements was $9.1 million, $8.6 million and $7.5 million for the years ended January 2, 2016, January 3, 2015 and December 28, 
2013, respectively.  The total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for share-based compensation arrangements 
was $3.1 million, $3.1 million and $2.6 million for the years ended January 2, 2016, January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, 
respectively.

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The stock compensation expense for the years ended January 2, 2016, January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, was estimated on 
the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions by grant year:

Expected term

Expected volatility:

Weighted-average

Expected dividend yield:

Weighted-average

Risk-free interest rate:

Range used

Year Ended
Jan, 2, 2016

Year Ended
Jan, 3, 2015

Year Ended
Dec. 28, 2013

6 years

5 years

5 years

43.54%

42.49%

50.39%

1.94%

1.69%

2.76%

1.54%

3.02%

0.93%

Expected volatilities were based on historical volatility as the Corporation does not feel that future volatility over the expected 
term of the options is likely to differ from the past.  The Corporation used a calculation method based on daily frequency for the 
prior six years for 2015 and a simple-average calculation method based on monthly frequency points for the prior five years for 
2014 and 2013.  The Corporation used the current dividend yield in all years as there are no plans to substantially increase or 
decrease its dividends.  The Corporation used historical exercise experience in all years to determine the expected term.  The risk-
free interest rate was selected based on yields from treasury securities as published by the Federal Reserve equal to the expected 
term of the options being valued for 2015 and yields from U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the 
expected term of the options being valued for 2014 and 2013.

The following table summarizes the changes in outstanding stock options since the beginning of fiscal 2013.

Outstanding at December 29, 2012
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited or Expired
Outstanding at December 28, 2013
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited or Expired
Outstanding at January 3, 2015
Granted
Exercised
Forfeited or Expired
Outstanding at January 2, 2016

Number of
Shares
3,456,514
611,599
(394,476)
(43,070)
3,630,567
536,275
(542,837)
(288,560)
3,335,445
350,038
(302,635)
(24,525)
3,358,323

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
27.96
31.79
14.86
35.05
29.94
34.78
28.53
38.55
29.93
51.54
30.22
39.14
32.09

$

$

$

$

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A summary of the Corporation’s nonvested stock options as of January 2, 2016 and changes during the year are presented below:

Nonvested Stock Options

Nonvested at January 3, 2015

Granted

Vested

Forfeited

Nonvested at January 2, 2016

Weighted-
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value

10.14

22.66

11.56

11.63

11.86

Shares

2,286,997

$

350,038
(480,585)
(17,726)
2,138,724

$

At January 2, 2016, there was $3.3 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock option awards, which 
the Corporation expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of 1.2 years.  Information about stock options expected to 
vest or currently exercisable at January 2, 2016, is as follows:

Options
Expected to vest
Exercisable

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
33.39
$
29.30
$

Number
2,084,026
1,219,599

Weighted-
Average
Remaining Life 
in
Years

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
($000s)

7.3
3.7

$
$

13,155
13,078

The  weighted-average  grant-date  fair  value  of  options  granted  was  $18.45,  $10.48  and  $10.85,  for  2015,  2014  and  2013, 
respectively.  Other information for the last three years is as follows:

(In thousands)

Total fair value of shares vested

Total intrinsic value of options exercised

Cash received from exercise of stock options

Tax benefit realized from exercise of stock options

Jan. 2, 2016

Jan. 3, 2015

Dec. 28, 2013

$

5,554

$

5,735

$

6,412

9,145

2,111

8,389

15,489

2,982

1,127

6,445

5,862

2,291

The Corporation has occasionally issued restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to executives, managers and key personnel.  The RSUs 
vest at the end of three years after the grant date.  No dividends are accrued on the RSUs.  The share-based compensation expense 
associated with the RSUs is based on the quoted market price of HNI Corporation shares on the date of grant less the discounted 
present value of dividends not received on the shares and is amortized using the straight-line method from the grant date through 
the earlier of the vesting date or the estimated retirement eligibility date.

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The following table summarizes the changes in outstanding RSUs since the beginning of fiscal 2013:

Outstanding at December 29, 2012
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
Outstanding at December 28, 2013
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
Outstanding at January 3, 2015
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
Outstanding at January 2, 2016

Number of
Shares

Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

157,219
—
(132,693)
—
24,526
15,500
(14,000)
—
26,026
23,000
(10,526)
—
38,500

$

$

$

$

21.71
—
21.47
—
23.01
32.23
21.47
—
27.76
51.54
21.19
—
43.77

At January 2, 2016, there was $1.0 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to RSUs which the Corporation expects to 
recognize over a weighted-average period of 0.6 year.  The total value of shares vested in 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $0.2 million, 
$0.3 million and $2.8 million, respectively. 

Note 15.  Retirement Benefits
The Corporation has defined contribution profit-sharing plans covering substantially all employees who are not participants in 
certain defined benefit plans.  The Corporation’s annual contribution to the defined contribution plans is based on employee eligible 
earnings and results of operations and amounted to $29.1 million, $26.8 million, and $23.3 million, in 2015, 2014, and 2013, 
respectively.  A portion of the annual contribution is in the form of common stock of the Corporation.  The amount of the stock 
contribution was $6.8 million, $6.4 million, and $6.1 million in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

The Corporation sponsors a defined benefit plan which covers a limited number of former salaried and hourly members.  The 
Corporation’s funding policy is generally to contribute annually the minimum actuarially computed amount.  Net pension costs 
relating to these plans were $281,000, $167,000 and $185,000, in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The actuarial present value 
of obligations, less related plan assets at fair value, is not significant.

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Note 16.  Postretirement Health Care
Guidance on employers’ accounting for other postretirement plans requires recognition of the overfunded or underfunded status 
on the balance sheet.  Under this guidance, gains and losses, prior services costs and credits and any remaining transition amounts 
under previous guidance not yet recognized through net periodic benefit cost are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive 
income (loss), net of tax effects, until they are amortized as a component of net periodic benefit cost.  Also, the measurement date 
– the date at which the benefit obligation and plan assets are measured – is required to be the Corporation’s fiscal year-end.

(In thousands)
Change in benefit obligation

2015

2014

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

$

21,972

$

803

816
(1,009)
(1,698)
20,884

$

— $
—

1,009

—
(1,009)

— $
(20,884) $

16,448

504

735
(1,280)
5,565

21,972

—
—

1,280

—
(1,280)
—
(21,972)

1,014

19,870

$

$

1,004

20,968

2,730

$

4,665

—

—

—

—

2,730

$

4,665

$

4,665
(1,698)

(237)

(900)
5,565

—

—

—

2,730

$

4,665

Service cost

Interest cost

Benefits paid

Actuarial (gain)/loss

Benefit obligation at end of year

Change in plan assets

Fair value at beginning of year
Actual return on assets

Employer contribution

Transferred out

Benefits paid

Fair value at end of year

Funded Status of Plan

Amounts recognized in the Statement of Financial Position consist of:

Current liabilities

Noncurrent liabilities

Amounts recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (before tax)
consist of:

Actuarial (gain)/loss

Transition (asset)/obligation

Prior service cost

Change in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (before tax):

Amount disclosed at beginning of year

Actuarial (gain)/loss

Amortization of actuarial gain or loss

Amortization of transition amount

Amortization of prior service cost

Amount disclosed at end of year

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

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Estimated Future Benefit Payments (In thousands)

Fiscal 2016
Fiscal 2017
Fiscal 2018
Fiscal 2019
Fiscal 2020
Fiscal 2021 – 2025

Expected Contributions During Fiscal 2016

Total

$

1,014
1,020
1,018
1,042
1,076
6,375

$

1,014

The discount rates at fiscal year-end 2015, 2014 and 2013, were 4.2%, 3.8% and 4.6%, respectively.  The Corporation's payment 
for  these  benefits  has  reached  the  maximum  amounts  per  the  plan;  therefore,  healthcare  trend  rates  have  no  impact  on  the 
Corporation’s cost.  There were no funds designated as plan assets.

Components of Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (in thousands)
Service cost
Interest cost
Amortization of net (gain)/loss
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost/(income)

2016
735
846
62
1,643

$

$

A discount rate of 4.2% was used to determine net periodic benefit cost for 2016.  The discount rate is set at the measurement date 
to reflect the yield of a portfolio of high quality, fixed income debt instruments.  There are no plan assets invested.

Note 17.  Leases
The Corporation leases certain warehouse and plant facilities and equipment.  Commitments for minimum rentals under non-
cancelable leases at the end of 2015 are as follows:

 (In thousands)

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Thereafter

Total minimum lease payments

Operating
Leases

30,241

23,640

16,684

11,422

6,451

10,268

98,706

$

$

There are no capitalized leases at January 2, 2016.  The present value of net minimum capital lease payments at January 3, 
2015 was $105 thousand, all of which was classified as current. 

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Property, plant and equipment at year-end include the following amounts for capitalized leases:

(In thousands)

Office equipment

Less:  allowances for depreciation

2015

— $

—

— $

2014

570

460

110

$

$

Rent expense for the years 2015, 2014 and 2013, amounted to approximately $34.0 million, $48.0 million and $41.5 million, 
respectively.  There was no contingent rent expense under either capitalized and operating leases (generally based on mileage of 
transportation equipment) for the years 2015, 2014, and 2013.

Note 18.  Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies
The Corporation utilizes letters of credit in the amount of $10 million to back certain financing instruments, insurance policies 
and payment obligations.  The letters of credit reflect fair value as a condition of their underlying purpose and are subject to fees 
competitively determined.

The Corporation is involved in various kinds of disputes and legal proceedings that have arisen in the course of its business, 
including pending litigation, environmental remediation, taxes and other claims.  It is the Corporation’s opinion, after consultation 
with legal counsel, that additional liabilities, if any, resulting from these matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect 
on the Corporation’s quarterly or annual operating results and cash flows when resolved in a future period.

Note 19.  Reportable Segment Information
Management views the Corporation as being in two reportable segments based on industries:  office furniture and hearth products, 
with the former being the principal segment.  The aggregated office furniture segment manufactures and markets a broad line of 
metal and wood commercial and home office furniture which includes storage products, desks, credenzas, chairs, tables, bookcases, 
freestanding office partitions and panel systems and other related products.  The hearth products segment manufactures and markets 
a broad line of gas, electric, wood and biomass burning fireplaces, inserts, stoves, facings and accessories, principally for the 
home.

For purposes of segment reporting, intercompany sales transfers between segments are not material, and operating profit is income 
before income taxes exclusive of certain unallocated corporate expenses.  These unallocated corporate expenses include the net 
costs of the Corporation’s corporate operations, interest income and interest expense.  Management views interest income and 
expense as corporate financing costs and not as a reportable segment cost.  In addition, management applies an effective income 
tax  rate  to  its  consolidated  income  before  income  taxes  so  income  taxes  are  not  reported  or  viewed  internally  on  a  segment 
basis.  Identifiable assets by segment are those assets applicable to the respective industry segments.  Corporate assets consist 
principally of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, long-term investments and corporate office real estate and related 
equipment.

No geographic information for revenues from external customers or for long-lived assets is disclosed since the Corporation’s 
primary market and capital investments are concentrated in the United States.

-63-

 
Table of Contents

Reportable segment data reconciled to the consolidated financial statements for the years ended 2015, 2014, and 2013, is as follows 
for continuing operations:

(In thousands)

Net sales:

Office furniture

Hearth products

Operating profit:
Office furniture (a)
Hearth products (b)
Total operating profit

Unallocated corporate expenses

Income (loss) before income taxes

Depreciation and amortization expense:

Office furniture
Hearth products

General corporate

Capital expenditures (including capitalized software):

Office furniture

Hearth products

General corporate

Identifiable assets:

Office furniture

Hearth products

General corporate

2015

2014

2013

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

1,777,804

526,615

2,304,419

136,593

78,162

214,755
(57,585)
157,170

42,415
8,430

6,719

57,564

64,850

11,078

39,038

114,966

739,915

341,813

182,197

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

1,739,049

483,646

2,222,695

87,053

77,066

164,119
(59,188)
104,931

45,891
5,415

5,416

56,722

62,696

6,342

43,675

112,713

724,293

341,315

173,726

1,685,205

374,759

2,059,964

97,339

46,662

144,001
(47,294)
96,707

36,992
5,288

4,341

46,621

51,954

4,220

22,721

78,895

722,697

255,978

156,030

1,263,925

$

1,239,334

$

1,134,705

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

(a)  Included in operating profit for the office furniture segment are pretax charges of $11.7 million, $33.0 million and $0.3 

million, for closing of facilities and impairment charges in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

(b)  Included in operating profit for the hearth products segment are pretax charges of $0.9 million related to exiting a line 

of business in 2015.

The Corporation's net sales by product category were as follows for the years ended 2015, 2014 and 2013:

(in thousands)

2015

2014

2013

Systems and storage

$

1,140,369

$

1,156,170

$

1,132,885

Seating

Other

Hearth products

561,392

76,043

526,615

498,389

84,490

483,646

469,220

83,100

374,759

$

2,304,419

$

2,222,695

$

2,059,964

-64-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Note 20.  Subsequent Events

On January 29, 2016 the Corporation acquired a small office furniture distribution company with annual sales of approximately 
$27 million at a cost of approximately $34 million.

On February 17, 2016 the Corporation approved the closure of its Paris, Kentucky hearth manufacturing facility as part of ongoing 
efforts to reduce structural costs and enhance efficiencies.  The Corporation estimates the consolidation will save $9.0 million 
annually beginning in 2017.  The Corporation estimates pre-tax charges of $8.9 million related to the closure and consolidation.

-65-

Table of Contents

Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
The following table presents certain unaudited quarterly financial information for each of the past 8 quarters.  In the opinion of 
the Corporation’s management, this information has been prepared on the same basis as the consolidated financial statements 
appearing elsewhere in this report and includes all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) necessary to state 
fairly the financial results set forth herein.  Results of operations for any previous quarter are not necessarily indicative of 
results for any future period.

Year-End 2015:                                                       
(In thousands, except per share data)

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Fourth
Quarter

$

523,477

$

568,226

$

615,850

$

Net sales

Cost of products sold

Gross profit

Selling and administrative expenses

(Gain) on sale of assets

Restructuring related charges (income)

Operating income (loss)

Interest income (expense) – net

Income (loss) before income taxes

Income taxes

Net income (loss)

Less: net income attributable to the
noncontrolling interest

Net income (loss) attributable to HNI Corporation $

Net income (loss) attributable to HNI Corporation
per common share – basic

$

Weighted-average common shares outstanding –
basic

Net income (loss) attributable to HNI Corporation
per common share – diluted

$

Weighted-average common shares outstanding –
diluted

As a Percentage of Net Sales

Net sales

Gross profit
Selling and administrative expenses

Restructuring related charges

Operating income (loss)

Income taxes

Net income (loss) attributable to HNI Corporation

338,977

184,500

168,704

—

377

15,419
(1,899)

13,520

5,068

8,452

(26)
8,478

0.19

$

$

362,102

206,124

167,278

—
(560)
39,406
(1,849)

37,557

13,680

23,877

(2)
23,879

0.54

$

$

384,219

231,631

170,371

—

172

61,088
(1,623)

59,465

18,619

40,846

(2)
40,848

0.92

$

$

596,866

371,723

225,143

165,772
(195)
11,803

47,763
(1,135)

46,628

14,397

32,231

—

32,231

0.73

44,304

44,416

44,263

44,158

0.19

$

0.52

$

0.90

$

0.71

45,524

45,621

45,403

45,199

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

35.2
32.2

0.1

2.9

1.0

1.6

36.3
29.4
(0.1)
6.9

2.4

4.2

37.6
27.7

—

9.9

3.0

6.6

37.7
27.8

2.0

8.0

2.4

5.4

-66-

 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Year-End 2014:
(In thousands, except per share data)

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Fourth
Quarter

$

452,201

$

509,143

$

614,690

$

Net sales

Cost of products sold

Gross profit

Selling and administrative expenses

(Gain) on sale of assets

Restructuring related charges

Operating income (loss)

Interest income (expense) – net

Income (loss) before income taxes

Income taxes

Net income (loss)

Less: net income attributable to the
noncontrolling interest

Net income (loss) attributable to HNI Corporation $
Net income (loss) attributable to HNI Corporation
per common share – basic

$

Weighted-average common shares outstanding –
basic

Net income (loss) attributable to HNI Corporation
per common share – diluted

$

Weighted-average common shares outstanding –
diluted

As a Percentage of Net Sales

Net sales

Gross profit

Selling and administrative expenses

(Gain) on sale of assets

Restructuring related charges

Operating income (loss)

Income taxes

Net income (loss) attributable to HNI Corporation

297,029

155,172

145,210
(8,400)
(28)
18,390
(2,132)

16,258

5,242

11,016

(80)
11,096

0.25

328,010

181,133

155,288
(1,346)
10,282

16,909
(2,041)

14,868

5,203

9,665

(40)
9,705

0.22

$

$

$

$

394,758

219,932

166,216

—

987

52,729
(1,861)

50,868

17,372

33,496

(92)
33,588

0.75

$

$

646,661

418,698

227,963

182,341
(977)
21,778

24,821
(1,884)

22,937

15,959

6,978

(104)
7,082

0.16

45,039

45,020

44,690

44,324

0.24

$

0.21

$

0.74

$

0.16

45,838

45,868

45,611

45,202

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

34.3

32.1
(1.9)
—

4.1

1.2

2.5

35.6

30.5
(0.3)
2.0

3.3

1.0

1.9

35.8

27.0

—

0.2

8.6

2.8

5.5

35.3

28.2
(0.2)
3.4

3.8

2.5

1.1

-67-

 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

INVESTOR INFORMATION

Common Stock Market Prices and Dividends (Unaudited)

Quarterly 2015 – 2013 

2015 by
Quarter
1st
2nd
3rd
4th

Total Dividends Paid

2014 by
Quarter
1st
2nd
3rd
4th

Total Dividends Paid

2013 by
Quarter
1st
2nd
3rd
4th

Total Dividends Paid

High

Low

Dividends
per Share

$56.47

57.74

52.52

47.68

High

Low

$39.42
39.29

40.43

52.90

High

Low

$35.74

38.53

40.73

40.10

$38.01

46.19

41.29

35.53

$31.00
31.61

34.62

34.75

$28.28

31.45

32.38

32.83

Dividends
per Share

Dividends
per Share

$0.25

0.265

0.265

0.265

$1.045

$0.24
0.25

0.25

0.25

$0.99

$0.24

0.24

0.24

0.24

$0.96

Common Stock Market Price and Price/Earnings Ratio (Unaudited)

Fiscal Years 2015 – 2011 

 Year

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Five-Year Average

Market Price

High

$57.74

52.90

40.73

32.02

36.48

Low

$35.53

31.00

28.28

21.57

15.78

Diluted
Earnings
per
Share

$2.32

1.35

1.39

1.07

1.01

Price/Earnings Ratio

High

Low

25

39

29

30

36

32

15

23

20

20

16

19

-68-

 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

ITEM 15(c) - INDEX OF EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number

Description of Document

(3.1)

(3.2)

(3.3)

(10.1)

(10.2)

(10.3)

(10.4)

(10.5)

(10.6)

(10.7)

(10.8)

(10.09)

(10.10)

(10.11)

(10.12)

(10.13)

(10.14)

(10.15)

(10.16)

(10.17)

Articles of Incorporation of HNI Corporation, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the 
Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2010

Amended and restated By-laws of HNI Corporation, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's 
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 8, 2014

Amended and restated By-laws of HNI Corporation, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to 
the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 18, 2016

HNI Corporation 2007 Stock-Based Compensation Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Appendix 
A to the Corporation's Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC March 23, 2015)*

2007 Equity Plan for Non-Employee Directors of HNI Corporation, as amended (incorporated by reference 
to Appendix D to the Corporation’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC March 23, 2015)

Form of HNI Corporation Change In Control Employment Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 
10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 16, 2006*

HNI Corporation Supplemental Income Plan (f/k/a HNI Corporation ERISA Supplemental Retirement Plan), 
as amended and restated, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 
8-K filed February 22, 2010*

Form of HNI Corporation Amended and Restated Indemnity Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 
10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 14, 2007*

Form  of  2007  Equity  Plan  For  Non-Employee  Directors  of  HNI  Corporation  Participation  Agreement, 
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 
January 2, 2010*

Form  of  HNI  Corporation  2007  Stock-Based  Compensation  Plan  Stock  Option  Award  Agreement, 
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter 
ended July 4, 2009*

Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, including all schedules and exhibits, dated as of June 9, 
2015, by and among HNI Corporation, as Borrower, certain domestic subsidiaries of HNI Corporation, as 
Guarantors,  certain  lenders  party  thereto  and Wells  Fargo  Bank,  National Association,  as Administrative 
Agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 
12, 2015
First  Amendment  to  Second  Amended  and  Restated  Credit  Agreement,  dated  as  of  January  6,  2016, 
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 11, 
2016
HNI Corporation Long-Term Performance Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Appendix C to the 
Corporation’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC March 23, 2015)*

HNI Corporation  Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 
10.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 4, 2015*

Note Purchase Agreement dated as of April 6, 2006, by and among HNI Corporation and the Purchasers 
named therein, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed 
April 10, 2006

HNI Corporation Directors Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 
10.2 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 4, 2015*

HNI Annual Incentive  Plan,  as  amended  (incorporated  by  reference  to Appendix B  to  the  Corporation’s 
Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC March 23, 2015)*

Form of HNI Corporation Amendment No. 1 to Change in Control Employment Agreement incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 10, 2007*

Form of HNI Corporation 2007 Stock-Based Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, 
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter 
ended April 4, 2009 (for restricted stock unit awards granted in 2009)*

HNI Corporation Stock-Based Compensation Plan, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to 
the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006*

-69-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Exhibit Number

Description of Document

(10.18)

(10.19)

(10.20)  

(10.21)  

(10.22)  

(21)  
(23.1)  
(23.2)
(31.1)  
(31.2)  
(32.1)

101

Form  of  Exercise  of  Stock  Option  granted  under  the  HNI  Corporation  Stock-Based  Compensation  Plan, 
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter 
ended September 27, 2008*
Form of HNI Corporation Stock-Based Compensation Plan Stock Option Award Agreement, incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 99D to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 22, 2005*
Form of HNI Corporation 2007 Stock-Based Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, 
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter 
ended April 3, 2010 (for restricted stock unit awards granted in 2010)*
Form of HNI Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan Deferral Election Agreement, incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 
2010*

Form of HNI Corporation Directors Deferred Compensation Plan Deferral Election Agreement, incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 
2010*
Subsidiaries of the Registrant+
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm+  (KPMG)
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm+ (PwC)
Certification of CEO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002+
Certification of CFO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002+

Certification of CEO and CFO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of 
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002+
The  following  materials  from  HNI  Corporation's Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year  ended 
January 2, 2016 formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) and furnished electronically 
herewith:  (i)  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets;  (ii)  Consolidated  Statements  of  Comprehensive  Income;  (iii) 
Consolidated Statements of Equity; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements

* 
+ 

Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.
Filed herewith.

-70-

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Performance Graph 

Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Return 

HNI Corporation
S&P500
OFIG*

$200

$175

$150

$125

$100

$75

$50

$25

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Annual Return
HNI Corporation
S&P500
OFIG*

2010
$100
$100
$100

2011
$87
$102
$77

2012
$100
$116
$105

2013
$140
$156
$144

2014
$184
$178
$150

2015
$134
$181
$140

*The Office Furniture Industry Group (OFIG) is a composite peer index constructed by the Corporation weighted by market 
capitalization and comprised of the following companies:  Herman Miller, Inc.; Kimball International, Inc., Knoll, Inc. and 
Steelcase Inc.  It is weighted at the beginning of each year according to the market capitalization of its constituents on the 
last trading day of the Corporation's prior fiscal year. 

Total returns for HNI Corporation, S&P 500 and OFIG are depicted at the end of Corporation's fiscal years.  The total return 
assumes $100.00 invested in  each of the Corporation's  common  stock,  the  S&P 500  and OFIG  stocks  at the  end of the 
Corporation's 2010 fiscal year, plus further reinvestment of dividends on the date of dividend payment.  S&P 500 returns 
assume S&P 500 dividends are paid and reinvested on the last trading day of each of the Corporation's fiscal quarters. 

The comparative performance of the Corporation's common stock against the indexes as depicted in this graph is dependent 
on the price of stock at a particular measurement point in time.  Since individual stocks are more volatile than broader stock 
indexes, the  perceived  comparative  performance of the Corporation's  common  stock  may  vary  based  on  the  strength  or 
weakness of the stock price at the new measurement point used in each future performance graph.  For this reason, the 
Corporation does not believe this graph should be considered as the sole indicator of the Corporation's performance. 

This page intentionally left blank

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

Cheryl A. Francis
Co-Chairman,
Corporate Leadership 
Center

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

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

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

Miguel M. Calado
Vice President, 
Hovione SA

*Lead Director
**Committee Chairperson

Mary K.W. Jones
Senior Vice President 
and General Counsel, 
Deere & Company

Dennis J. Martin
Executive Chairman,
Federal Signal 
Corporation

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

Brian E. Stern
Director,  
Starboard Capital
Partners, LLC  
and Former Senior  
Vice President,  
Xerox Corporation

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

COMMITTEES  
OF THE BOARD

Audit
Cheryl A. Francis**
Dennis J. Martin
Larry B. Porcellato

Human Resources 
and Compensation
Mary A. Bell
Miguel M. Calado
Ronald V. Waters, III**

Public Policy and 
Corporate Governance
James R. Jenkins**
Mary K.W. Jones
Abbie J. Smith
Brian R. Stern

HNI CORPORATION OFFICERS AND COMPANY EXECUTIVES

Stan A. Askren
Chairman, President and 
Chief Executive Officer

Peter C. M. Chu
President,  
Lamex

Cooper V. Evans
Vice President,  
Internal Audit

Sudhir Mambully
Managing Director,
BP Ergo

Brandon T. Sieben
President,  
Allsteel

Julie M. Abramowski
Vice President, 
Corporate Controller

Vincent P. Berger
President,  
Hearth & Home 
Technologies

Todd C. Birlingmair
Treasurer

Steven M. Bradford
Senior Vice President, 
General Counsel and 
Secretary

Gary L. Carlson
Vice President,  
Community Relations

David E. Crimmins
Vice President and 
General Manager,
Maxon

David W. Gardner
Vice President, 
Operations
Furniture Operations

Donald T. Mead
Executive Vice President,  
and President,
Gunlocke and HBF

Timothy R. Summers
Vice President, 
Integrated Supply Chain
Furniture Operations

Kurt A. Tjaden
Senior Vice President 
and Chief Financial 
Officer

Bradley D. Determan
Executive Vice President,  
and President,
Hearth & Home 
Technologies Group

Jerald K. Dittmer
Executive Vice President,  
and President,
The HON Company

Thomas D. Eberhard
Vice President,  
Lean Enterprise 
Furniture Operations

Mona K. Hoffman
President,  
Paoli

Eric F. Jackson
President,  
Artcobell 

Richard K. Johnson
Vice President and  
Chief Information Officer

Jeffrey D. Lorenger
Executive Vice President, 
and President, HNI 
Contract Furniture Group

Donna D. Meade
Vice President,
Member Relations

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

Mark R. Roumfort
Senior Vice President, 
Product and Solutions 
Development 

INVESTOR INFORMATION

Fiscal 2016 Quarter-End Dates
1st Quarter:  April 2
2nd Quarter: July 2
3rd Quarter:  October 1
4th Quarter:  December 31, 2016

Annual Meeting
The Corporation’s annual  
shareholders’ meeting will be  
held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, 
May 10, 2016, at the Allsteel 
Corporate Head quarters, 2210 
Second Avenue, Muscatine, Iowa.

Form 10-K Report
Financial information can be 
accessed on the Corporation’s 
website at www.hnicorp.com.

Corporate Headquarters and 
Investor Relations
HNI Corporation
408 East Second Street
Muscatine, IA 52761-0071
Telephone: 563.272.7400
Investor Relations Email:  
investorrelations@hnicorp.com

Independent Registered Public 
Accounting Firm
KPMG LLP
Suite 5500
200 East Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60601 

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
1110 Centre Point Curve, Suite 101
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
Telephone: 800.468.9716
www.shareowneronline.com

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408 East Second Street, Muscatine, Iowa 52761  www.hnicorp.com