2018
Annual
Report
Dear Fellow Stockholders:
2018, our 80th anniversary year, ended on an especially strong
note with a record in both fourth quarter shipments and year-end
sales. Net sales for 2018 were $1,302.3 million, an increase of
15% from 2017. Results include the North American roll out of
Copenhagen-based Muuto, the affordable luxury Scandinavian
design company acquired in early 2018 that expands our offering
of ancillary products. Operating profit for the year increased 43%
to $115.2 million, compared to operating profit of $80.5 million for
the year ended December 31, 2017. We were especially pleased
with our industry leading levels of profitability in a year where
external forces challenged our margins; we achieved our
strongest adjusted EPS performance in the fourth quarter of 2018.
The Knoll proposition that good modern design has an impact
on the quality, well-being, productivity and happiness of the way
people live and work remains as relevant today as it did during
the years that Hans and Florence Knoll pioneered concepts
in workplace and residential space planning and built a global
brand. I encourage you to visit the Archive at knoll.com, which
offers a continuous celebration of the connections between the
people, products and events that have shaped Knoll and set
the standard for the future.
Today, the value of our constellation of design-driven brands—
from Knoll Office to DatesWeiser; Muuto to HOLLY HUNT,
and KnollTextiles to FilzFelt—is more relevant than ever as the
boundaries between how we work and live are closer than ever
before. Together, the constellation of brands gives us the singular
ability to solve our clients’ requirements like no one else. The
proof: some of our most contemporary client environments,
across all sectors, celebrate the dynamic relationship between
classic KnollStudio designs by Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies
van der Rohe and the recently introduced Rockwell Unscripted
by Rockwell Group, renowned for creating places where people
want to be. In short, the “resimercialization” of the workplace
and the blending of accompanying products, complemented by
innovative materials and finishes, is an environment tailor-made
for Knoll. To this end, we are continuing to expand our range of
flexible products, including adjustable height desks, simple work
chairs and the Rockwell Unscripted Creative Wall platform, to
serve the most inspiring interiors.
The evidence of our enhanced relevance is this past year’s
growing number of clients and dollars spent on Knoll designs in
addition to the fact that we monetized the interest to generate
both improved and industry-leading levels of profitability. We
are encouraged that our total Workplace sales, which includes
our Office products as well as Lifestyle products sold into
workplace settings grew by 13% in 2018 versus prior year,
significantly exceeding the 2018 4.7% industry growth reported
by BIFMA, the not-for-profit trade association for business and
institutional furniture manufacturers.
Steps to address our manufacturing capabilities complement
marketplace activity. Our supply chain reinvention efforts and
continuous improvement initiatives continue to yield positive
near-term results. Looking forward, we have an exciting
roadmap for the years ahead to build a leaner more efficient
Knoll as we reduce excess capacity, prune older, less profitable
designs and better leverage our global supply chain.
Our business in Europe had another record year of sales and
profits as the Knoll Europe team continued to elevate the
KnollStudio brand and showcase new products. Knoll Europe’s
presentation at the January 2019 Cologne International
Furniture Fair represented the ongoing strategy to expand and
elevate our dealer presence.
We remain committed to four strategic initiatives that drive us:
+ Targeting underpenetrated and emerging ancillary
categories and markets for growth
+ Expanding our reach into residential and decorator
channels around the world
+ Maximizing office segment profitability and growth
+ Leveraging technology to expand our market
visibility and improve our efficiency
It’s about a lot more than products and culture that have
helped Knoll thrive over the past 80 years, and that’s the 3,500
associates around the world and our dealer partners. I want to
thank them for their commitment to our mission and thank our
clients, architects, designers and design enthusiasts who come
to Knoll to allow us to help them shape the environments where
they live and work.
In closing, I also want to pay tribute to Florence Knoll, design
pioneer and our guiding light, who died in January of 2019. Her
influence on the “total design” sensibility of Knoll cannot be
overstated. She viewed design as a problem-solving activity. As
both a design director and executive, she was a trailblazer for
women in the design and business professions. She remains an
inspiration to all of us. Her standards will always be something
we at Knoll measure ourselves and our work against.
Andrew Cogan
Chairman and CEO
Knoll, Inc.
This annual report contains forward-looking statements that are based on numerous assumptions about future events and conditions which may prove to
be inaccurate. See “Forward-Looking Statements” beginning on page 26 of this annual report.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File No. 001-12907
KNOLL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
13-3873847
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
1235 Water Street
East Greenville, PA 18041
(215) 679-7991
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number including area code of principal executive offices)
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
Title of each class
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Name of 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 issuer is a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.)
No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange
Yes
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 every Interactive Data File required to be
submitted 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 such files). Yes
No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and
will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in
Part III of this Form 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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Yes
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.)
No
As of June 30, 2018, the aggregate market value of the registrant's common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was
approximately $1,035,238,941 based on the closing sale price as reported on the New York Stock Exchange.
As of February 25, 2019, there were 49,762,067 shares (including 934,357 shares of non-voting restricted shares) of the
Registrant's common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for its 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by
reference into Part III of this report on Form 10-K to the extent stated therein.
Item
Page
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Business
1.
1A. Risk Factors
1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
2.
3.
4.
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures
PART I
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
5.
6.
7.
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
8.
9.
9A. Controls and Procedures
9B. Other Information
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures
PART III
10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
11.
12.
13.
Executive Compensation
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
15.
16.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Form 10-K Summary
Signatures
PART IV
2
3
12
21
21
22
22
23
25
26
39
40
80
80
82
82
82
82
82
82
83
86
87
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General
PART I
Knoll, Inc. (“Knoll,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our”) is a leading global manufacturer of commercial and residential
furniture, accessories and coverings, including textiles, felt and leather. Our constellation of design-driven brands coupled with
our perspectives on space planning allow our clients to create inspired modern interiors. Simply stated, we provide the furnishings
to bring the beauty and benefits of modern design to the way we live and work. Our businesses represent a diversified portfolio
that responds to evolving trends and performs throughout business cycles, sharing reputations for high-quality and sophistication.
To the architects and designers we work with, to our clients in the commercial, education, healthcare and government sectors,
and to the many consumers we reach, Knoll represents a commitment to innovative solutions and an unmatched heritage of
modern design.
How people live and work is constantly being reshaped by changing technology and lifestyle trends. Our founders, Hans
and Florence Knoll, believed in the power of design to enhance people’s lives. Since our founding over 80 years ago, Knoll has
won a place in iconic settings and in museums worldwide, earning numerous design honors and awards. Today, we have an
unsurpassed collection of classic products to introduce, and reintroduce, as well as groundbreaking new designs. We leverage
strong relationships with contemporary furniture and industrial designers, and a reputation that attracts talented new designers.
We focus on two distinct “to-the-trade” specifier markets, workplace and residential. Workplace, the largest portion of
our business, is where we see strategic opportunities through the expansion of underpenetrated categories and ancillary markets.
At the same time, in the residential market, we are expanding further into consumer and decorator channels worldwide leveraging
our experience with products that cross-over between the office and the home. We reach customers primarily through a broad
network of independent dealers and distribution partners, our direct sales force, our showrooms, home design shops and our
online presence.
We manage our business through our reportable segments: Office and Lifestyle. All unallocated costs are included within
Corporate.
The Office segment includes a complete range of workplace products that address diverse workplace planning paradigms
in North America and Europe. These products include: office systems furniture, seating, storage, tables, desks and KnollExtra®
accessories.
The Lifestyle segment includes KnollStudio®, HOLLY HUNT®, DatesWeiser, Muuto®, KnollTextiles®, Spinneybeck®
(including Filzfelt®), and Edelman® Leather. KnollStudio products, which are distributed in North America and Europe, include
iconic seating, lounge furniture, side, café and dining chairs as well as conference, training, dining and occasional tables, lighting,
rugs, textiles, high-quality fabrics, felt, leather and related architectural products. The Lifestyle segment products represent an
important part of our workplace business.
The Corporate function represents the accumulation of unallocated costs relating to shared services and general corporate
activities including, but not limited to, legal expenses, acquisition expenses, certain finance, human resources, administrative
and executive expenses and other expenses that are not directly attributable to an operating segment. Dedicated, direct selling,
general and administrative expenses of the segments are included within segment operating profit. As we continue to grow both
organically and through acquisitions, the central support of the Corporate function will evolve and grow as well.
For further information regarding our segments see the section below, and Note 21 in the accompanying financial
statements.
Strategy
We draw on our constellation of businesses to provide products and designs that meet the needs of our customers. Our
offerings range from our classic signature pieces to our ancillary products which include the Rockwell Unscripted® collection
by The Rockwell Group and the product portfolio of our most recent acquisition of Muuto; from dramatic fabrics, to Filzfelt
architectural products for acoustical control. We solve a variety of needs for each customer, and our goal for each engagement
is to maximize the opportunity from the start. To that end, we deploy strategic programs to better synchronize our workplace
and residential teams and resources to deliver a single compelling customer experience. We also continue to invest in technology
for our dealer partners to make it easier to do business with Knoll.
Our growth strategy also focuses on specific international markets where we can significantly build our share, such as
Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and selected underpenetrated areas across the globe where there is a concentration
of discerning clients.
3
Office Segment
Maximizing the sales growth and profitability of Office, our largest segment, has been a continuing priority. With respect
to growth in our Office segment, a variety of initiatives will contribute to making this growth possible: broadening our products
portfolio including those in the Lifestyle segment; enhancing strategic sales coverage, including a focus on global accounts; and
strengthening our Knoll dealer distribution network. At the same time, we aim to increase profitability through operational
improvements and investments in our infrastructure. Our lean manufacturing initiative, combined with continued modernization
of our facilities, is allowing us to progressively deliver on this goal.
The commercial market has shifted dramatically in the last decade. As clients are readdressing the relationship between
individual and collaborative workspaces, they are reducing the footprint of individual workstations and investing in more ancillary
furniture. Knoll is committed to maintaining our leadership in open floor-plan workspaces and private offices, while inventing
and innovating new ways for people to work. Our constellation of businesses positions us well to deliver in the evolving work
environment, where people choose how and where they work throughout the day, as the traditional boundaries between residential
and workplace products blur, and the importance of a total environment outshines any one particular element.
We are looking beyond traditional office product categories - systems, task seating and storage - to furniture for activity
spaces and the in-between spaces where people meet. We believe that our success in our traditional office products gives us an
advantage throughout the workplace. As we design new products suited to flexible spaces, we are also responding to demands
at different price points with different materials and finishes. Our Rockwell Unscripted™ collection received enthusiastic
recognition at the 2018 NeoCon® national industry trade show for addressing the idea of a hospitality work experience. Rockwell
Unscripted brings a sense of theater and play to the workplace, putting people at the center of the work life experience and
creating a warm and welcoming place where people want to be. Our k.TM bench collection also received national industry
recognition at the 2018 NeoCon conference for its straightforward and adaptable concept which delivers a clean, compact
workstation solution with intuitive adjustments and people centered design.
With the evolution from individual workstations to collaborative spaces and ancillary products, Knoll is not only expanding
the breadth of our offerings through our constellation of brands but also strengthening our presence in the marketplace. We are
continuing to partner with our dealers to ensure our customers understand that Knoll provides not just systems or workstations
and work chairs but rather a complete family of complementary ancillary products. Together, we are meeting the demands of
our customers while capturing more of their total spend and elevating the profitability of our engagements.
This approach has served as a catalyst for dealers to invest in their spaces. Their showrooms are becoming extensions of
our own, offering not just product showcases but places to find new integrated workplace solutions from all of Knoll. Dealers
help people to understand workplace needs and planning capabilities, and Knoll is providing more of the training and education
that helps them add value and increase their profits when they sell Knoll.
Our principal Knoll Office product lines, described below, include systems furniture, seating, storage, tables, desks and
KnollExtra ergonomic accessories. The Office segment comprised approximately 60.1% of our sales in 2018, 63.8% of our sales
in 2017, and 66.0% of our sales in 2016.
Systems Furniture
Our office systems furniture encompasses a range of architect and designer-oriented products at different price levels,
with a variety of planning models and product features. Systems furniture comprises integrated panels or table desks, work
surfaces and storage units, power and data systems, and lighting. Many of these components can be moved, re-configured and
re-used to create flexible, space-efficient work environments, tailored to each organization's business objectives with wide range
of laminates, paints, veneers and textiles. Knoll systems can adapt to virtually any office environment, from team spaces to
private executive offices. Through product line enhancements for clients to add to their installations, and through integration
with other Knoll lines, we maximize the long-term value of their investment in Knoll.
Knoll systems furniture product lines include these panel, technology wall and desk-based planning models:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Rockwell Unscripted®
Antenna® Workspaces
AutoStrada®
Currents®
Dividends Horizon®
Reff® Profiles
4
Seating
We constantly research and assess the general office seating market, and develop work chairs that enhance Knoll’s
reputation for ergonomics, aesthetics, comfort and value. The result is an increasingly innovative, versatile seating collection
consistent with the Knoll brand.
Clients evaluate work chairs based on ergonomics, aesthetics, comfort, quality and affordability - all Knoll strengths. We
offer market leading, high quality office chairs at a range of price points, performance levels and materials.
Our principal seating product lines include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Chadwick ™
LIFE®
Generation by Knoll®
MultiGeneration by Knoll®
ReGeneration by Knoll®
Remix™
Files and Storage
Our files and storage products, featuring the Template®, Calibre® and Series 2™ product lines, are designed with unique
features to maximize storage capabilities throughout the workplace. Our core files and storage products consist of lateral files,
mobile pedestals and other storage units, bookcases and overhead cabinets.
The range of files and storage augments our product offering, allowing clients to address all of their office furniture needs
with us, especially in competitive bid situations where Knoll systems, seating, tables and desks have been specified. The breadth
of the product line also enables our dealers to offer stand-alone products to businesses that have smaller storage requirements.
Files and storage are available in a wide range of sizes, configurations and colors, which can be integrated with other
manufacturers' stand-alone furniture. In addition, some elements of the product line can be configured as freestanding furniture
in private offices or open-plan environments.
Our principal storage product lines include:
•
•
•
•
•
Anchor™
Calibre®
Series 2™
Template®
Rockwell Unscripted®
Desks and Tables
We offer collections of adjustable tables as well as meeting, conference, training, dining, stand-alone and table desks.
Our Tone™, Upstart® and Antenna® Simple Tables product lines include adjustable, work, meeting, conference and
training tables. In 2014, we introduced Tone, a comprehensive collection of height-adjustable tables compatible with the
Dividends Horizon, Antenna Workspaces, and Reff Profiles systems. Tone features a wide range of support and adjustment
options that integrate seamlessly with Knoll open plan, private office and activity spaces furniture, or are used independently
to create flexible work areas. We also expanded the Reff Profiles product line with a series of meeting tables. Our k. bench and
k. stand products offer height-adjustable tables, which are easy to specify, assemble and use, offer an expanded price point option
for today's office needs.
KnollExtra®
KnollExtra offers accessories that complement Knoll office furniture products, including technology support accessories,
desktop organizational tools, lighting and storage. KnollExtra integrates technology comfortably into the workplace, with flat
panel monitor supports and central processing unit holders that deliver adjustability and save space. The Sapper Monitor Arm
Collection, designed by renowned industrial designer Richard Sapper, offers a clean, modern solution to technology challenges
in the modern workplace; the collection is now in the permanent collection of New York's Museum of Modern Art. KnollExtra
also includes marker boards, free-standing and mounted LED lighting and other technology support for the changing workplace.
5
Lifestyle Segment
The Lifestyle segment includes KnollStudio, HOLLY HUNT, DatesWeiser, Muuto, KnollTextiles, Spinneybeck (including
Filzfelt), and Edelman Leather. KnollStudio products, which are distributed primarily in North America and Europe, include
iconic seating, lounge furniture, side, café and dining chairs as well as conference, training, dining and occasional tables. HOLLY
HUNT is known for high quality residential furniture, lighting, rugs, textiles and leathers. In addition, HOLLY HUNT also
includes Vladimir Kagan Design Group, a renowned collection of modern luxury furnishings. DatesWeiser, known for its
sophisticated meeting and conference tables and credenzas, sets a standard for design, quality and technology integration. The
KnollTextiles, Spinneybeck|FilzFelt, and Edelman Leather businesses provide a wide range of customers with high-quality
fabrics, felt, leather and related architectural products. The acquisition of Muuto rounds out the Lifestyle segment with its
ancillary products and affordable luxury furnishings, which includes seating, lounge furniture, dining and occasional tables,
lighting and accessories. These various offerings make the Lifestyle segment an all encompassing “resimercial”, high performance
workplace, from uber-luxury living spaces to affordable luxury residential living.
KnollStudio
Drawing upon Knoll's iconic heritage, KnollStudio works with today's most innovative thinkers to bring exceptional
modern design to the home and office. The Company focuses on both classic and contemporary designs, bringing cutting-edge
concepts to both residential and corporate audiences.
For eighty years, Knoll has worked with celebrated architects and designers from around the world, including Ludwig
Mies van der Rohe, Marcel Breuer, Harry Bertoia, Eero Saarinen, Isamu Noguchi, Warren Platner, Frank Gehry, Maya Lin and
Richard Schultz, among others. Many of their designs have remained in production since their initial launch, while others have
been mined from the archives and re-imagined in recent years for a modern audience. In this tradition, KnollStudio continues
to collaborate with innovative contemporary designers and architects including David Adjaye, Mark Krusin and Marc Newson,
to create future classics for residential and commercial markets. Signature KnollStudio designs display elevated detailing, artistry
and comfort, across price points, and often draw designers and customers into the larger Knoll constellation of brands. Moving
forward, KnollStudio has a multi-year strategy to build its classics portfolio by mining its archive and adding new finishes, as
well as to grow its contemporary collections for both home and office with innovative designs by the new voices of today.
Our principal KnollStudio product lines include seating, lounge furniture, side, café and dining chairs as well as conference,
training and occasional tables. While KnollStudio® designs represent different viewpoints and eras, they all embrace a modernist
aesthetic. As a result, designers can integrate our ensemble of products into harmonious and inspiring settings furnished entirely
with Knoll products.
With the trend towards residentially-inspired workplaces, KnollStudio products have gained cross-over appeal between
residential and workplace settings. The company employs distinct distribution strategies to grow both workplace and residential
businesses. The KnollStudio contract sales force continues to expand in size and reach, with a focus on corporate projects, hotels
and restaurants, as well as government and educational institutions. To grow its residential channel, KnollStudio has expanded
its audience in recent years through the branded flagship Knoll Home Design Shop in New York City and Los Angeles Home
Design Shop, as well as the knoll.com website, which reach retail consumers and designers alike. Additionally, the company
continues to invest in the Knoll Space retail sales program, which brings consumers the best of Knoll furnishings for their home
and home office, through more than 50 specialty retailers and e-tailers, with collectively more than 90 locations in the United
States and Canada.
HOLLY HUNT
As both a premier provider and distributor of furnishings, lighting, textiles and leathers, HOLLY HUNT significantly
expands our reach into the high-end, "to-the-trade" residential marketplace. Our strategy continues to focus on premium product
category expansion and optimizing best-in-class client and operational service levels across domestic, international, and digital
trade channels.
KnollStudio - Europe
In addition to our presence in North America, the KnollStudio business is represented by three monobrand showrooms
in Paris, London and Milan and through exclusive retailers. The KnollStudio Europe offerings consist of products that
balance seating, tables and desks with a domestic look that also works perfectly in executive offices and modern classics that
epitomize elegance and fine craftsmanship, through the distinctive, emblematic details of Knoll style. Our presence in the
European market pursues the Company’s objective of offering design, innovation, functional excellence and quality, and
extending our reach into all markets through an intensive network of selected dealers.
6
DatesWeiser
Our Lifestyle segment includes DatesWeiser which designs, produces, and showcases high-end contemporary conference
room and client-facing furniture for the workplace. DatesWeiser's customers tend to be within the elite professional services
markets. DatesWeiser's product offerings specialize in solutions to meet the needs of signature business interiors.
KnollTextiles
Our Lifestyle segment includes KnollTextiles, which continues to extend its distribution to reach new customers, notably
through a KnollTextiles showroom in New York City's Decoration & Design building, Knoll consumer retail spaces in New
York City and Los Angeles and through the knolltextiles.com website. KnollTextiles products appeal to contract, hospitality,
healthcare and residential clients and we offer a full range of products, from upholstery to drapery and from wallcovering to
healthcare curtains. Our KT Collection of upholstery marries classic modern design for everyday use, in a range of high-
performance patterns and textures at an affordable price. The company continues to win awards for its design excellence including
Best of NeoCon® awards and best product awards from leading design publications.
Spinneybeck | FilzFelt
Our Lifestyle segment includes Spinneybeck/FilzFelt which is expanding from being just a supplier of raw material to
being a provider of finished products. The same trends that have been transforming KnollOffice workspaces have created new
opportunities for architectural products that offer flexible space divider panels and acoustic control. Spinneybeck has evolved
from being an upholstery leather company to being a natural materials company that provides architects and interior designers
with architectural and acoustic solutions. Filzfelt 100% wool felt, offered in 63 colors, meets the demand for new and renewable
materials, and offers unique properties as an architectural and sound absorbing product. Now we provide not only felt panels,
but also the track systems to hang them on, and are exploring innovative new uses of easy-to-install cork tiles for walls or
ceilings. Finished architectural products such as these offer the opportunity for more large-scale orders than does upholstery
alone.
Edelman Leather
Our Lifestyle segment includes Edelman Leather which offers beautiful, natural leathers for the global design community.
Edelman is a "to-the-trade" supplier and goes to market by leveraging eight branded showrooms and sales representation around
the world. Edelman successfully expanded beyond leather coverings by offering rug furnishings through its distribution partner
Ruckstuhl, and in 2016 added Kyle Bunting, a unique Texas manufacturer of handcrafted, one-of-a-kind rugs. Edelman is also
developing new leather coverings for the hospitality business, offering quality within the financial constraints of today’s hotels
and restaurants.
Muuto
The acquisition of Muuto in January 2018 added a resimercial, design-driven provider of affordable luxury furniture,
lighting and accessories for the workplace and home to our Lifestyle segment. Muuto is rooted in Scandinavian design traditions
characterized by enduring aesthetics, functionality, craftsmanship and an honest expression. Muuto products pair seamlessly
with the range of modern Knoll designs, offering an expanded breadth and depth of affordable luxury products that reflect today's
evolving workstyles and trends in residential design, with particular appeal to a younger generation of architects, designers and
clients seeking a homier, more relaxed aesthetic.
Muuto's principal furniture product lines include:
•
•
•
•
•
Outline Series
Nerd Series
The Dots Series
Fiber Chairs
Visu Chairs
The Lifestyle segment represented approximately 39.9% of our sales in 2018, 36.2% of our sales in 2017, and 34.0% of
our sales in 2016.
7
Product Design and Development
Our design philosophy and modern perspective reflects a historical commitment to partnering with preeminent industrial
designers and architects to commercialize products that meet evolving workplace and residential needs. By combining designers'
creative vision with our commitment to innovative materials and technologically advanced processes, we continue to cultivate
brand loyalty among target clients. Our enviable history of nurturing the design process fosters strong, lasting relationships that
attract the world's leading designers. In addition, these collaborations are consistent with our commitment to a lean organization
and incentive-based compensation, by utilizing a variable royalty-based fee as opposed to the fixed costs typically associated
with a larger in-house design staff.
Our broad range of research, which explores the connection between workspace design and human behavior, health and
performance, and the quality of the user experience, drives our product development initiatives. Our most recent research
identified a new way to think about space, referred to as Immersive Planning, and contributed to the development of our most
recent product launch in the Office segment - Rockwell Unscripted.
In addition, our Office and Lifestyle segments product development relies upon a New Product Commercialization Process
to ensure quality and consistency of our methodology, reducing product development cycle time without sacrificing quality
objectives. We use Pro/ENGINEER® solids modeling tools and rapid prototyping technology to compress development cycles
and to improve responsiveness to special requests for customized solutions. Working closely with the designers during the early
phases of development provides critical focus to yield the most viable products, balancing innovative modern design with
practical function. Cross-functional teams are employed for all major development efforts with dedicated leaders who facilitate
a seamless flow into manufacturing while aggressively managing cost and schedule opportunities. Increasingly, total
environmental impact is factored into product material and manufacturing process decisions.
Sales and Distribution
We generate workplace sales with our direct sales force and through a network of independent dealers, who jointly market
and sell our products. We generally rely on these independent dealers to also provide a variety of important specification,
installation and after-market services to our clients. Our dealers generally operate under short-term (one to three year), non-
exclusive agreements. Our residential sales products are sold by our own internal sales force through a network of showrooms,
as well as through a network of independent retailers.
Our workplace clients are typically Fortune 1000 companies, governmental agencies and other medium-to-large sized
organizations in a variety of industries including financial, legal, technology, entertainment, accounting, education, government,
healthcare and hospitality. Our direct sales force and independent dealers in North America work in close partnership with clients
and design professionals to specify distinctive work environments. Our direct sales representatives, in conjunction with the
independent dealers, sell to and call directly on key clients. Our independent dealers also call on many other medium and small
sized clients to provide seamless sales support and client service. We estimate that we have an installed base of office systems
of over $11.9 billion, which provides a strong platform for recurring and add-on sales. “Installed base” refers to the amount of
office systems product we have sold in North America during the previous fifteen years.
We have aligned our sales force to target strategic areas of opportunity to include global accounts, healthcare, higher
education and others. We have also placed sales representatives and technical specialists into certain dealerships to support
programs such as Knoll Essentials, which is described below. We expanded our sales force to cover a more dispersed market
which has shifted to include increased small to mid-size projects and fewer large projects.
In addition to coordinating sales efforts with the sales representatives, our dealers generally handle project management,
installation and maintenance for client accounts after the initial product selection and sale. Although many of these dealerships
also carry products of other manufacturers, they have agreed not to act as dealers for our principal direct competitors. We have
not experienced significant dealer turnover. Our dealers' substantial commitment to understanding our product lines, and their
strong relationships with us, serve to discourage dealers from changing vendor affiliations. We are not significantly dependent
on any one dealer, the largest of which accounted for approximately 4.8%, 4.6%, and 3.5%, of our North American sales in
2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.
As part of our commitment to building relationships with our dealers, we offer the Knoll Essentials program. Knoll
Essentials is a catalog program developed in response to dealer requests for a consolidated, user-friendly selling tool for day-
to-day systems, seating, storage, and accessory products. The Knoll Essentials program includes dealer incentives to sell our
products. We also employ a dedicated team of dealer sales representatives to work with our dealerships.
Sales to U.S. and state and local government agencies, respectively, aggregated approximately 3.5% and 4.6%,
respectively, of our consolidated sales in 2018. The U.S. government typically can terminate or modify any of its contracts with
us either for its convenience or if we default by failing to perform under the terms of the applicable contract.
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Our residential sales are sold through a global network of showrooms and independent dealers. Our clients range from
“to the trade” professionals, such as interior designers, to individual consumers.
Our products and knowledgeable sales force have generated strong brand recognition and loyalty among architects,
designers and corporate facility managers, all of whom are key decision-makers in the furniture purchasing process. Our strong
relationships with architects and design professionals help us stay abreast of key workplace and residential furniture trends and
position us to better meet the changing needs of clients.
Manufacturing and Operations
Our global supply chain manufactures and assembles products to specific customer orders and operates all facilities under
a philosophy of continuous improvement and lean manufacturing. Our Office Segment is supported by operational and
administrative facilities in Canada, Michigan and Pennsylvania. The Lifestyle Segment is supported by sites in Connecticut,
Illinois, Italy, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas. In addition, we utilize many third parties to produce a variety of our Office
and Lifestyle designs.
We continue to look for ways to ensure that our manufacturing capabilities match our supply chain strategy providing
the most value for Knoll. The root of our continuous improvement efforts lies in the philosophy of lean manufacturing that drives
operations. As part of this philosophy, we partner with suppliers who can facilitate efficient and often just-in-time deliveries,
allowing us to manage our raw materials inventory. We also utilize “Kaizen” work groups in the plants to develop best practices
to minimize scrap, time and material waste at all stages of the manufacturing process. The involvement of employees at all levels
ensures an organizational commitment to lean and efficient manufacturing operations. These projects improved customer
responsiveness, quality and significantly improve productivity.
Raw Materials and Suppliers
In addition to the continued focus on enhancing the efficiency of the manufacturing operations, we also seek to reduce
costs through our global sourcing effort. We have capitalized on raw material and component cost savings available through
lower cost global suppliers. This broader view of potential sources of supply has enhanced our leverage with domestic supply
sources, and we have been able to reduce cycle times by extracting improvements from all levels throughout the supply chain.
The purchasing function in North America is centralized at the East Greenville facility for Office, KnollStudio North
America, and Textiles. This centralization, and the close relationships with our primary suppliers, has enhanced our ability to
realize purchasing economies of scale and implement “just-in-time” inventory practices. Steel, lumber, paper, paint, plastics,
laminates, particleboard, veneers, glass, fabrics, leathers, upholstery filling material, aluminum extrusions and castings are used
in our manufacturing process. The purchasing function for KnollStudio Europe is based in Italy, Muuto is based in Denmark,
Holly Hunt is based in Illinois, Edelman is based in Connecticut, Spinneybeck and DatesWeiser are based in New York. Both
domestic and overseas suppliers of these materials are selected based upon a variety of factors, with the price and quality of the
materials and the supplier's ability to meet delivery requirements being primary factors in such selection. We do not generally
enter into long-term supply contracts and, as a result, we can be vulnerable to fluctuations in the prices for these materials. No
supplier is the only available source for a particular component or raw material. However, because of the specialization involved
with some of our components, it can take a significant amount of time, money and effort to move to an alternate source.
Backlog
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the company's backlog of unfilled orders was $249.7 million and $220.5 million,
respectively. We expect that substantially all the orders comprising the backlog at December 31, 2018, will be filled during the
next fiscal year. Many orders received by the Company are reflected in the backlog for only a short period while other orders
specify delayed shipments and are carried in our backlog for up to one year. Accordingly, the amount of the backlog at any
particular time does not necessarily indicate the level of net sales for a particular succeeding period.
Competition
The markets in which we compete are highly competitive. We compete on the basis of (i) product design, including
performance, ergonomic and aesthetic features; (ii) product quality and durability; (iii) relationships with clients, architects and
designers; (iv) strength of dealer and distributor network; (v) on-time delivery and service performance; (vi) commitment to
environmental standards by offering products that help clients achieve LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
certified facilities and minimize environmental impact; and (vii) price. We estimate that our share of the North American
workplace market in 2018 and 2017 was 7.5% and 7.4%, respectively.
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Some of our workplace competitors, especially those in North America, are larger and have significantly greater financial,
marketing, manufacturing and technical resources than us. Our most significant competitors in primary markets are Herman
Miller, Inc., Steelcase, Inc., Haworth, Inc. and, to a lesser extent, Teknion Corporation and Allsteel, Inc., an operating unit of
HNI Corporation. These competitors have a substantial volume of furniture installed at businesses throughout North America,
providing a continual source of demand for further products and enhancements. Moreover, the products of these competitors
have strong acceptance in the marketplace. Despite our competitors' strength in the marketplace, we believe that we have been
able to compete successfully in the markets to date.
Competition in the residential sector is much more fragmented than in the workplace market. Our Lifestyle businesses
serve the mid-to high-end of the market, but compete against many companies, none of which has a dominant market share.
Patents and Trademarks
We consider securing and protecting our intellectual property rights to be important to the business. We own approximately
55 active U.S. utility patents on various components used in our products and systems and approximately 120 active U.S. design
patents. We also own approximately 320 patents in various foreign countries. The scope and duration of our patent protection
varies throughout the world by jurisdiction and by individual product. In particular, patents for individual products extend for
varying periods of time according to the date a patent application is filed, the date a patent is granted and the term of patent
protection available in the jurisdiction granting the patent (generally 20 years from the date of filing in the U.S., for example).
We believe that the duration of the applicable patents we are granted is adequate relative to the expected lives of our products.
We own approximately 77 trademark registrations in the U.S., including registrations to the following trademarks, as well as
related stylized depictions of the Knoll word mark: Knoll®, KnollExtra®, Knoll Luxe®, KnollStudio®, KnollTextiles®, Good
Design Is Good Business®, Antenna®, Autostrada®, Calibre®, Currents®, Dividends®, Edelman® Leather, Modern Always®,
Propeller®, Reff®, Sapper XYZ®, Spinneybeck® Leather, Toboggan®, Generation by Knoll®, Regeneration by Knoll®,
MultiGeneration by Knoll®, Remix®, Rockwell Unscripted®, HighLine®, HOLLY HUNT®, GREAT OUTDOORS A HOLLY
HUNT COLLECTION®
, VLADIMIR KAGAN® and MUUTO®.
We also own approximately 386 trademarks registered in foreign countries. The scope and duration of our trademark
protection varies throughout the world, with some countries protecting trademarks only as long as the mark is used, and others
requiring registration of the mark and the payment of registration (generally ten years from the date of filing in the U.S., for
example). In order to protect the indefinite duration, we make filings to continue registration of our trademarks.
In October 2004, we received registered trademark protection in the United States for five iconic furniture designs by
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe-the Barcelona Chair, the Barcelona Stool, the Barcelona Couch, the Barcelona Table and the Flat
Bar Brno Chair. This protection recognizes the renown of these designs and reflects our commitment to ensuring that when
architects, furniture retailers, businesses and individuals purchase a Ludwig Mies van der Rohe design, they are acquiring the
authentic product, manufactured in accordance with the designer's historic specifications. Barcelona® is a registered trademark
in the U.S., Canada and European Community owned by Knoll, Inc.
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Environmental Matters
We believe that we are substantially in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations for the protection of the
environment and the health and safety of our employees based upon existing facts presently known to us. Compliance with
federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations relating to the discharge of substances into the environment,
the disposal of hazardous wastes and other related activities has had and will continue to have an impact on our operations, but
has, since 1990, been accomplished without having a material adverse effect on our operations. There can be no assurance that
such laws and regulations will not change in the future or that we will not incur significant costs as a result of such laws and
regulations. We have trained staff responsible for monitoring compliance with environmental, health and safety requirements.
Our goal is to reduce and, wherever possible, eliminate the creation of hazardous waste in our manufacturing processes. While
it is difficult to estimate the timing and ultimate costs to be incurred due to uncertainties about the status of laws, regulations
and technology, based on information currently known to management, we do not expect environmental costs or contingencies
to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, competitive position, or cash flows.
The operation of manufacturing plants entails risks in these areas, however, and we cannot be certain that we will not incur
material costs or liabilities in the future which could adversely affect our operations.
We have been identified as a potentially responsible party pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response
Compensation and Liability Act, or “CERCLA,” for remediation costs associated with waste disposal sites previously used by
us. CERCLA can impose liability for costs to investigate and remediate contamination without regard to fault or the legality of
disposal and, under certain circumstances, liability may be joint and several resulting in one responsible party being held
responsible for the entire obligation. Liability may also include damages for harm to natural resources. The remediation costs
and our allocated share at some of these CERCLA sites are unknown. We may also be subject to claims for personal injury or
contribution relating to CERCLA sites. We reserve amounts for such matters when expenditures are probable and reasonably
estimable.
Knoll is committed to using materials and technology efficiently to conserve natural resources, developing energy-efficient
processes; diverting waste generated by our operations and products; and protecting the health and safety of our associates and
communities. Products that contribute to sustainable development include our GREENGUARD Children & Schools(SM) certified
Generation and Remix families of chairs; and our BIFMA Level 3 certified Dividends Horizon and Antenna Workspace products.
Each year we issue an Environmental Health & Safety Annual Report which tracks our pursuit of sustainability across all Knoll
businesses.
Employees
As of December 31, 2018, we employed a total of 3,541 people, consisting of 1,869 hourly and 1,672 salaried employees.
The Grand Rapids, Michigan plant is the only unionized plant within North America and has an agreement with the Carpenters
Union, Local 1615, of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Affiliate of the Carpenters Industrial
Council (the “Union”), covering approximately 187 hourly employees or 5.3% of the Company's labor force. The Collective
Bargaining Agreement was entered into on May 1, 2018 and expires in April 2022. From time to time, there have been unsuccessful
efforts to unionize at our other North American locations. We believe that relations with our employees are good. Nonetheless,
it is possible that our employees may continue attempts to unionize. Certain workers in the facilities in Italy are also represented
by unions.
Available Information
Our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to
those reports are made available free of charge through the “Investor Relations” section of our website at www.knoll.com, as
soon as practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
RISK FACTORS
Risks Related to our Business
Our product sales are tied to corporate spending and service-sector employment, which are outside of our control. Our sales
and/or growth in sales would be adversely affected by a recessionary economy characterized by decreased corporate spending
and service-sector employment.
Our sales are significantly impacted by the level of corporate spending primarily in North America, which, in turn, is a
function of the general economic environment. In a recessionary economy, business confidence, service-sector employment,
corporate cash flows and residential and non-residential commercial construction decrease, which typically leads to a decrease
in demand for furniture and our other products. In addition, a recessionary economy may also result in saturation of the market
by “just new” used office systems, leading to a decrease in demand for new office environments. Sales of office systems, which
have historically accounted for almost half of our revenues, represent longer term and higher cost investments for our clients.
As a result, sales of office systems are more severely impacted by decreases in corporate spending than sales of seating, ancillary
products, coverings, studio products, and demand for office systems typically takes longer to respond to an economic recovery.
Geopolitical uncertainties, terrorist attacks, acts of war, natural disasters, increases in energy and other costs or
combinations of such and other factors that are outside of our control could at any time have a significant effect on the economy,
and, therefore, our business. The occurrence of any of these or similar events in the future could result in downward pressure
on the economy, which we would expect to cause demand for our products to decline and competitive pricing pressures to
increase.
Weakness in the economy or uncertainty in the financial markets may adversely affect our results of operations and financial
condition, as well as the financial soundness of our customers and suppliers.
Weakness in the economy or uncertainty in the financial markets may inhibit our ability to access capital and could be
restricted at a time when we would like, or need, to access financial markets. In addition, interest rate fluctuations, financial
market volatility or credit market disruptions may negatively affect our customers' and our suppliers' abilities to obtain credit
to finance their businesses on acceptable terms. As a result, our customers' needs and abilities to purchase our products or services
may decrease, and our suppliers may increase their prices, reduce their output or change their terms of sale. If our customers'
or suppliers' operating and financial performance deteriorates, or if they are unable to make scheduled payments or obtain credit,
our customers may not be able to pay, or may delay payment of, accounts receivable owed to us, and our suppliers may restrict
credit or impose different payment terms on us. Any inability of customers to pay us for our products and services, or any
demands by suppliers for different payment terms, may adversely affect our earnings and cash flow.
We may have difficulty increasing or maintaining our prices as a result of price competition, which could lower our profit
margins. Our competitors may develop new product designs that give them an advantage over us in making future sales.
We compete with our competitors on the basis of, among other things, price and product design. Since our competitors
offer products that are similar to ours, we face significant price competition from our competitors, particularly in the Office
segment. This price competition impacts our ability to implement price increases or, in some cases, maintain prices, which could
lower our profit margins.
Additionally, our competitors may develop new product designs that achieve a high level of customer acceptance, which
could give them a competitive advantage over us in making future sales.
Our efforts to introduce new products that meet customer and workplace requirements may not be successful, which could
limit our sales growth or cause our sales to decline.
To keep pace with workplace trends, such as changes in workplace design and increases in the use of technology, and
with evolving regulatory and industry requirements, including environmental, health, safety and similar standards for the
workplace and for product performance, we must periodically introduce new products. The introduction of new products requires
the coordination of the design, manufacturing and marketing of such products, which may be affected by factors beyond our
control. The design and engineering of certain of our 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 in introducing new products if we cannot successfully align
ourselves with independent architects and designers who are able to design, in a timely manner, high-quality products consistent
with our image. Accordingly, the launch of any particular product may be later or less successful than originally anticipated by
us. Difficulties or delays in introducing new products or lack of customer acceptance of new products could limit our sales
growth or cause our sales to decline.
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We may not be able to manage our business effectively if we are unable to retain our experienced management team or recruit
other key personnel.
The success of our business is highly dependent upon our ability to attract and retain qualified employees and upon the
ability of our senior management and other key employees to implement our business strategy. We believe there are only a
limited number of qualified executives in the industry in which we compete. The loss of the services of key members of our
management team could harm our efforts to successfully implement our business strategy.
We are dependent on the pricing and availability of raw materials and components, and price increases and unavailability
of raw materials and components could lower sales, increase our cost of goods sold and reduce our profits and margins.
We require substantial amounts of raw materials, which we purchase from outside sources. Steel, plastics, wood-related
materials, and leather are the main raw materials used in our products. The prices and availability of raw materials are subject
to change or curtailment due to, among other things, the supply of, and demand for, such raw materials, changes in laws or
regulations, including duties and tariffs, suppliers' allocations to other purchasers, interruptions in production by raw materials
or component parts suppliers, changes in currency exchange rates and worldwide price levels. We can be significantly impacted
by price increases in these raw materials.
Although no supplier is the only available source for a particular component or raw material, some of our products and
components are extremely specialized and, therefore, it can take a significant amount of time and money to move from one
supply source to another. Any failure to obtain raw materials and components on a timely basis, or any significant delays or
interruptions in the supply of raw materials or components, could prevent us from being able to produce products ordered by
our clients in a timely fashion, which could have a negative impact on our reputation and our dealership network, and could
cause our sales to decline.
We are affected by the cost of energy and increases in energy prices could reduce our margins and profits.
The profitability of our operations is sensitive to the cost of energy through our transportation costs, the cost of petroleum-
based materials, like plastics, and the cost of operating our manufacturing facilities. Energy costs have been volatile in recent
years due to changes in global supply and demand. Although we have been successful in countering energy price increases,
primarily through our global sourcing initiatives and continuous improvement programs, we have not been able to offset these
costs entirely.
We rely upon independent furniture dealers, and a loss of a significant number of dealers could affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
We rely on a network of independent dealers for the joint marketing of our products to small and mid-sized accounts, and
to assist us in the marketing of our products to large accounts, particularly in the Office segment. We also rely upon these dealers
to provide a variety of important specification, installation and after-market services to our clients. Our dealers operate, generally,
under short-term, non-exclusive agreements. There is nothing to prevent our dealers from terminating their relationships with
us. In addition, individual dealers may not continue to be viable and profitable and may suffer from the lack of available credit.
While we are not significantly dependent on any single dealer, our largest dealer accounted for 4.8% of our North American
sales in 2018; if dealers go out of business or are restructured, we may suffer losses as they may not be able to pay us for products
previously delivered to them. The loss of a dealer relationship could also negatively affect our ability to maintain market share
in the affected geographic market and to compete for and service clients in that market until a new dealer relationship is established.
Establishing a viable dealer in a market can take a significant amount of time and resources. The loss or termination of a significant
dealer or a significant number of dealer relationships could cause significant difficulties for us in marketing and distributing our
products, resulting in a decline in our sales.
Currently, one of our largest clients is the U.S. government, a relationship that is subject to uncertain future funding levels
and federal procurement laws and requires restrictive contract terms; any of these factors could curtail current or future
business.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, we derived approximately 3.5% and 4.6% of our revenue from sales to U.S. and
state and local government agencies, respectively. Our ability to compete successfully for and retain business with the U.S.
government is highly dependent on cost-effective performance and compliance with complex procurement laws. Historically,
federal procurement laws required government agencies to purchase furniture products from Federal Prison Industries,
Incorporated. If these or similar laws would be re-instituted, it would make it more difficult for us to sell our furniture to agencies
and departments of the U.S. government.
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In addition, the U.S. government typically can terminate or modify its contracts with us either for its 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. Furthermore, if we were found to have
committed fraud or certain criminal offenses, we could be suspended or debarred from all further government contracting.
Given the significance of our governmental business, we are sensitive to decreases in governmental spending. Federal,
state and local government budgets have experienced deficits recently and are under significant pressure to reduce spending.
These spending pressures have resulted in, and may continue to result in, decreased furniture spending, which has negatively
impacted (and may continue to negatively impact) our governmental sales.
Our efforts to diversify our sources of revenue may not be effective and may expose us to new risks.
Historically, the majority of our revenues were derived from the sales of office systems in North America. We have pursued
a strategy to diversify our sources of revenue and reduce our dependence on North American office system sales by, for example,
growing our seating, international, ancillary and lifestyle businesses. While we believe that this strategy enables us to better
maintain and grow our sales and profitability during cyclical ups and downs in the industry, there can be no assurance that this
diversification strategy will be effective in achieving these goals. Our diversification strategy involves the continued expansion
of our lifestyle businesses, and business growth internationally, which may expose us to business risks that we have not
experienced. We also may incur significant costs in pursuing our diversification strategy, and those costs may not be fully offset
by increased revenues associated with new business lines.
We operate with leverage, and a significant amount of cash will be required to service our indebtedness. Restrictions imposed
by the terms of our indebtedness may limit our operating and financial flexibility.
As of December 31, 2018, we had total consolidated outstanding debt of approximately $465.3 million under our credit
facility.
On January 22, 2018, we amended and extended our existing credit facility ("Existing Credit Facility"), dated May 20,
2014, with a new $750.0 million credit facility maturing on January 23, 2023, consisting of a revolving commitment in the
amount of $400.0 million, a US Dollar term loan commitment in the amount of $250.0 million, and a multicurrency term loan
commitment of €81.7 million. The Amended Credit Agreement ("Amended Credit Agreement") also includes an option to
increase the size of the credit facility or incur incremental term loans by up to an additional $250.0 million, subject to the
satisfaction of certain terms and conditions. The Amended Credit Agreement is described in more detail in "Capital Resources
and Liquidity" under Item 7 as well as in Note 13, Indebtedness to the Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of this
Annual Report on Form 10-K.
At December 31, 2018, if we were to borrow the maximum available to us under Existing Credit Facility and those of
our foreign subsidiaries, we would have total consolidated outstanding debt of approximately $725.6 million. The high level of
our indebtedness could have important consequences to holders of our common stock, given that:
• a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations must be dedicated to fund scheduled payments of principal and
debt service and will not be available for other purposes;
• our ability to obtain additional debt financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, research and
development or acquisitions may be limited by the terms of our credit facility; and
• the terms of our credit facility also impose other operating and financial restrictions on us, which could limit our
flexibility in reacting to changes in our industry or in economic conditions generally.
Our Amended Credit Agreement prevents us and our subsidiaries from incurring any additional indebtedness other than
(i) borrowings under our existing credit facility; (ii) certain types of indebtedness that may be incurred subject to aggregate
dollar limitations identified in the credit facility, including, without limitation, purchase money indebtedness and capital lease
obligations, indebtedness incurred in connection with a permitted acquisition, and loans obtained through an expansion of the
facility, all of which cannot exceed $250.0 million at any time, and (iii) other types of indebtedness that are not limited to specific
dollar limitations, such as indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business and unsecured, subordinated indebtedness.
The aggregate amount of indebtedness that we may incur pursuant to these exceptions is further limited by the financial covenants
in our credit facility and, therefore, will depend on our future results of operations and cannot be determined at this time. As a
result of the financial covenants, our capacity under our credit facility could be reduced if our trailing consolidated EBITDA
(as defined by our credit agreement) declines due to deteriorating market conditions or poor performance. Furthermore, although
we may incur unlimited amounts of certain types of indebtedness, subject to compliance with these financial covenants, the
amount of indebtedness that we may be able to incur will depend on the terms on which such types of debt financing are available
to us, if available at all.
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As a result of the foregoing, we may be prevented from engaging in transactions that might further our growth strategy
or otherwise be considered beneficial to us. A breach of any of the covenants in our credit facility could result in a default
thereunder. If payments to the lenders under our credit facility were to be accelerated, our assets could be insufficient to repay
in full the indebtedness under our credit facility and our other liabilities. Any such acceleration could also result in a foreclosure
on all or substantially all of our subsidiaries' assets, which would have a negative impact on the value of our common stock and
jeopardize our ability to continue as a going concern.
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, information technology
upgrades and new product development. To the extent that 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. Any
equity or debt financing, if available at all, may be on terms that are not favorable to us. Equity financings could result in dilution
to our stockholders, and the securities may have rights, preferences and privileges that are 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.
An inability to protect our intellectual property could have a significant impact on our business.
We attempt to protect our intellectual property rights, both in the United States and in foreign countries, through a
combination of patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws, as well as licensing agreements and third-party nondisclosure
and assignment agreements. Because of the differences in foreign trademark, copyright, patent and other laws concerning
proprietary rights, our intellectual property rights do not generally receive the same degree of protection in foreign countries as
they do in the United States. In some parts of the world, we have limited protections, if any, for our intellectual property. Our
ability to compete effectively with our competitors depends, to a significant extent, on our ability to maintain the proprietary
nature of our intellectual property. The degree of protection offered by the claims of the various patents, copyrights, trademarks
and service marks may not be broad enough to provide significant proprietary protection or competitive advantages to us, and
patents, copyrights, trademarks or service marks may not be issued on our pending or contemplated applications. In addition,
not all of our products are covered by patents or similar intellectual property protections. It is also possible that our patents,
copyrights, trademarks and service marks may be challenged, invalidated, canceled, narrowed or circumvented.
In the past, certain of our products have been copied and sold by others. We try to enforce our intellectual property rights,
but we have to make choices about where and how we pursue enforcement and where we seek and maintain intellectual property
protection. In many cases, the cost of enforcing our rights is substantial, and we may determine that the costs of enforcement
outweigh the potential benefits. If we are unable to maintain the proprietary nature of our intellectual property with respect to
our significant current or proposed products, our competitors may be able to sell copies of our products, which could adversely
affect our ability to sell our original products and could also result in competitive pricing pressures, which may negatively affect
our profitability.
If third parties claim that we infringe upon their intellectual property rights, we may incur liabilities and costs and may have
to redesign or discontinue an infringing product.
We face the risk of claims that we have infringed upon third parties' intellectual property rights. Companies operating in
our industry routinely seek patent protection for their product designs, and many of our principal competitors have large patent
portfolios. Prior to launching major new products in our key markets, we normally evaluate existing intellectual property rights.
However, our competitors may have filed for patent protection which is not, at the time of our evaluation, a matter of public
knowledge. Our efforts to identify and avoid infringing upon third parties' intellectual property rights may not be successful.
Any claims of patent or other intellectual property infringement, even those without merit, could (i) be expensive and time
consuming to defend; (ii) cause us to cease making, licensing or using products that incorporate the challenged intellectual
property; (iii) require us to redesign, reengineer, or rebrand our products or packaging, if feasible; or (iv) require us to enter into
royalty or licensing agreements in order to obtain the right to use a third party's intellectual property.
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We could be required to incur substantial costs to comply with environmental requirements. Violations of, and liabilities
under, environmental laws and regulations may increase our costs or require us to change our business practices.
Our past and present ownership and operation of manufacturing plants are subject to extensive and changing federal,
state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to discharges to air, water and land, the
handling and disposal of solid and hazardous waste and the cleanup of properties affected by hazardous substances. As a result,
we are involved from time to time in administrative and judicial proceedings and inquiries relating to environmental matters
and could become subject to fines or penalties related thereto. We cannot predict what environmental legislation or regulations
will be enacted in the future, how existing or future laws or regulations will be administered or interpreted or what environmental
conditions may be found to exist. Compliance with more stringent laws or regulations, or stricter interpretation of existing laws,
may require additional expenditures by us, some of which may be material. We have been identified as a potentially responsible
party pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, or CERCLA, for
remediation costs associated with waste disposal sites previously used by us. In general, CERCLA can impose liability for costs
to investigate and remediate contamination without regard to fault or the legality of disposal and, under certain circumstances,
liability may be joint and several, resulting in one party being held responsible for the entire obligation. Liability may also
include damages for harm to natural resources. The remediation costs and our allocated share at some of these CERCLA sites
are unknown. We may also be subject to claims for personal injury or contribution relating to CERCLA sites. We reserve amounts
for such matters when expenditures are probable and reasonably estimable.
We are subject to potential labor disruptions, which could have a significant impact on our business.
Certain of our employees located in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Italy are represented by unions. The collective bargaining
agreement for our Grand Rapids location expires April 26, 2022. We have also had attempts to unionize our other North American
manufacturing locations, which to date have been unsuccessful. We have experienced a number of brief work stoppages at our
facilities in Italy as a result of national and local issues. While we believe that we have good relations with our workforce, we
may experience work stoppages or other labor problems in the future, and further unionization efforts may be successful. Any
prolonged work stoppage could have an adverse effect on our reputation, our vendor relations and our dealership network.
Moreover, because substantially all of our products are manufactured to order, we do not carry finished goods inventory that
could mitigate the effects of a prolonged work stoppage.
Product defects could adversely affect our results of operations.
Our customers may encounter product defects that could potentially arise in the course of our development of new products
or due to manufacturing problems. If product defects do arise, we could incur product warranty costs, product liability costs and
costs associated with recalling and repairing defective products. While we maintain a reserve for our product warranty costs
based on estimates of the costs that may be incurred under the warranties on all of our products, our actual warranty costs may
exceed this reserve, resulting in a need to increase the amounts accrued for warranty costs. We also maintain product liability
and other insurance coverage that we believe to be generally in accordance with industry practices, but our insurance coverage
does not extend to field visits to repair, retrofit or replace defective products, or to product recalls. As a result, our insurance
coverage may not be adequate to protect us fully against substantial claims and costs that may arise from product defects,
particularly if we have a large number of defective products that we must repair, retrofit, replace or recall. Sales of our products
could be adversely affected by excessive warranty claims, product recalls and adverse perceptions of product quality. As a result
of these factors, product defects could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
We may be vulnerable to the effects of currency exchange rate fluctuations, which could increase our expenses.
We primarily sell our products and report our financial results in U.S. dollars, but we generate some of our revenues and
pay some of our expenses in other currencies. Paying our expenses in other currencies can result in a significant increase or
decrease in the amount of those expenses in U.S. dollar terms, which affects 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. The principal foreign currencies in
which we conduct business are the Canadian dollar, the Euro, and the Danish Krone. Approximately 18.1% of our revenues in
2018 and 28.5% of our cost of goods sold in 2018 were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. From time to time,
we review our foreign currency exposure and evaluate whether we should hedge our exposure.
16
Pension costs or funding requirements could increase at a higher-than-anticipated rate.
We administer two defined benefit pension plans, which hold significant amounts of equity securities. Changes in interest
rates or other plan assumptions or in the market value of plan assets could affect the funded status of our pension plans. This
could cause volatility in our benefits costs which could increase future funding requirements of our pension plans and have a
negative impact on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Our future funding obligations also are affected
by the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (“PPA”), which established certain required funding targets. Volatility in the economic
environment and/or a decline in the equity markets could cause the value of investment assets held by our pension plans to
decline. As a result, we may be required to increase the amount of our cash contributions to our pension plans in order to meet
the funding level requirements of the PPA.
If we fail to protect the integrity and security of our information technology systems and confidential information, it could
adversely affect our 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. We also receive certain customer-specific
data, including credit card information, in connection with orders placed through our various businesses, including our e-
commerce websites and our retail store. The secure operation of these information technology systems, and the processing and
maintenance of this information, is critical to our business operations and strategy. These systems 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 systems, 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 systems, or access
to or disclosure of information stored in or transmitted by our 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.
In addition, states and the federal government are increasingly enacting laws and regulations to protect consumers against
identity theft. Also, as our business expands globally, we are subject to data privacy and other similar laws in various foreign
jurisdictions. If we are the target of a cybersecurity attack resulting in unauthorized disclosure of our customer data, we may be
required to undertake costly notification procedures. Compliance with these laws will likely increase the costs of doing business.
Further, if we fail to implement appropriate safeguards or to detect and provide prompt notice of unauthorized access as required
by some of these laws, we could be subject to potential claims for damages and other remedies, which could harm our business.
We are in the process of implementing a new enterprise resource planning system, and problems with the design or
implementation of this system could interfere with our business and operations.
We are engaged in a multi-year implementation of a new global enterprise resource planning system (ERP). The ERP is
designed to accurately maintain the company's books and records and provide information to the company's management team
important to the operation of the business. The company's ERP has required, and will continue to require, the investment of
significant human and financial resources. We may not be able to successfully implement the ERP without experiencing delays,
increased costs and other difficulties. If we are unable to successfully design and implement the new ERP system as planned,
our financial positions, results of operations and cash flows could be negatively impacted.
We may not be able to successfully integrate acquired businesses, which may result in an inability to realize the anticipated
benefits of our acquisitions.
One of our key operating strategies is to selectively pursue acquisitions. We have made a number of acquisitions in the
past and we expect that a portion of our future growth may come from such transactions. We evaluate potential acquisitions on
an ongoing basis. However, we may not be able to identify suitable acquisition candidates at prices we consider attractive.
Further, our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses could be negatively impaired because of difficulties, costs and
delays that may include:
• Negative impacts on employee morale and performance as a result of job changes and reassignments;
• Unforeseen difficulties, costs or complications in integrating the companies' operations, which could lead to us not
achieving the synergies we anticipate;
• Unanticipated incompatibility of systems and operating methods;
• Resolving possible inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies, business cultures and compensation
structures;
17
• The diversion of management's attention from ongoing business concerns and other strategic opportunities;
• Unforeseen difficulties in operating acquired business in parallel with similar businesses that we operated previously;
• Unforeseen difficulties in operating businesses we have not operated before;
• Unanticipated difficulty of integrating multiple acquired businesses simultaneously;
• The retention of key employees and management of acquired businesses;
• The coordination of geographically separate organizations;
• The coordination and consolidation of ongoing and future research and development efforts; and
• Possible tax costs or inefficiencies associated with integrating the operations of a combined company.
In connection with any acquisition that we make, there may be liabilities that we fail to discover or that we inadequately
assess. Acquired entities may not operate profitably or result in improved operating performance. Additionally, we may not
realize anticipated synergies. If our acquisitions perform poorly, our business and financial results could be adversely affected.
Tax matters, including the changes in corporate tax rates, disagreements with taxing authorities and imposing of new taxes
could impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Our effective tax rates, and tax payments, could be affected by numerous factors, including but not limited to entry into
new geographies, changes to our existing business and operations, acquisitions, changes in our stock price, changes in our
deferred tax assets and liabilities and the related valuation, and changes in relevant tax, accounting, and other laws, regulations,
administrative practices, principles, and interpretations.
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the
"Tax Act") which represents a significant overhaul of the U.S. federal tax code. The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes
to the U.S. tax code, including but not limited to reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. The Tax Act
requires judgments to be made in interpretation of the provisions of the Tax Act and significant estimates in the related calculations.
The Department of Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service, and other standard-setting bodies have not implemented all relevant
regulations or issued substantive guidance to-date; therefore, these standard-setting bodies could interpret or issue guidance on
how provisions of the Tax Act will be applied that may differ from our current interpretation. See Note 18, Income Taxes, to the
consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 for further discussion of the Tax Act.
We need to comply with new, evolving or revised tax laws and regulations. The enactment of or increases in tariffs, or
other changes in application or interpretation of the Tax Act, or on specific products that we sell or with which our products
compete, may have an adverse effect on our business or on results of operations.
Any attempt by the Administration to withdraw from or materially modify NAFTA and certain other international trade
agreements could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
A significant portion of our business activities are conducted in foreign countries, including Canada and Mexico. The
current Administration has made comments suggesting that certain existing international trade agreements may change. At this
time, it remains unclear what the current Administration will or will not do with respect to these international trade agreements.
If the Administration takes action to withdraw from or materially modify certain international trade agreements, our business,
financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
The implementation of tariffs and export controls on our products may have a material impact on our business.
Our global business operations and supply chain may be disrupted by any additional tariffs imposed on our products.
Between July and September 2018, the U.S. Trade Representative imposed additional duties, ranging from 10% to 25%
on a variety of goods imported from China that will potentially be subjected to a 10% tariff until 2019, when the tariffs will
increase to 25%. As a result of operational changes, we do not expect that the increase in these tariffs will have a significant
impact on our business, supply chain, operations or financial results. However, if the United States increases the amount of these
tariffs or adds additional items to the list of products subject to tariff, tariffs could materially adversely affect our business,
financial results and operations.
In addition to the increased tariffs imposed by the United States, China has implemented additional retaliatory tariffs on
products made in the United States. While these tariffs currently do not materially impact us, if China increases its tariffs or
places additional tariffs or other nations impose tariffs on our products, it could materially adversely affect our business, financial
results and operations.
18
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
Our corporate documents and Delaware law contain provisions that could discourage, delay or prevent a change in control
of our company.
Provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a merger
or acquisition involving us that our stockholders may consider favorable. For example, our amended and restated certificate of
incorporation authorizes our board of directors to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock. Without
stockholder approval, the board of directors has the authority to attach special rights, including voting and dividend rights, to
this preferred stock. With these rights, preferred stockholders could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us. In
addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides for a staggered board of directors, whereby directors
serve for three-year terms, with approximately one-third of the directors coming up for reelection each year. Having a staggered
board will make it more difficult for a third party to obtain control of our board of directors through a proxy contest, which may
be a necessary step in an acquisition of us that is not favored by our board of directors.
We are also subject to the anti-takeover provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Under these
provisions, if anyone becomes an “interested stockholder,” we may not enter into a “business combination” with that person for
three years without special approval, which could discourage a third party from making a takeover offer and could delay or
prevent a change of control. For purposes of Section 203, “interested stockholder” means, generally, someone owning 15% or
more of our outstanding voting stock or an affiliate of ours that owned 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock during the
past three years, subject to certain exceptions as described in Section 203. Upon any change in control, the lenders under our
credit facility would have the right to require us to repay all of our outstanding obligations under the facility.
Our stock price may be volatile, and your investment in our common stock could suffer a decline in value.
There has been significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of equity securities, which may be unrelated
to the financial performance of the companies issuing the securities. These broad market fluctuations may negatively affect the
market price of our common stock. You may not be able to resell your shares at or above the price at which you purchased them
due to fluctuations in the market price of our common stock caused by changes in our operating performance or prospects and
other factors. Some specific factors that may have a significant effect on our common stock market price include:
• actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results or future prospects, including actual or perceived fluctuations
in the demand for our products;
• our announcements or our competitors' announcements of new products;
• the public's reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements and our filings with the SEC;
• strategic actions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic investments, or restructurings;
• new laws or regulations or new interpretations of existing laws or regulations applicable to our business;
• changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;
• changes in our growth rates or our competitors' growth rates;
• our inability to raise additional capital;
• conditions of our industry as a result of changes in financial markets or general economic conditions, including those
resulting from war, incidents of terrorism and responses to such events;
• trading volumes in Knoll common stock;
• sales of common stock by us or members of our management team; and
• changes in stock market analyst recommendations or earnings estimates regarding our common stock, other comparable
companies or our industry generally.
19
Our corporate documents provide, subject to certain exceptions, that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the
exclusive forum for substantially all disputes between us and our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability
to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees.
Our Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the exclusive forum
for any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty, any action asserting
a claim against us arising pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation
or our Amended and Restated Bylaws, or any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine.
This provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us
or our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and other
employees. Alternatively, if a court were to find this provision in our Amended and Restated Bylaws to be inapplicable or
unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which
could adversely affect our business and financial condition.
20
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We operate over 4.2 million square feet of facilities, including manufacturing plants, warehouses and sales offices. Of
these facilities, we own approximately 2.5 million square feet and lease approximately 1.8 million square feet. The location,
square footage, and use of the facilities as of December 31, 2018 are shown below.
Owned Locations
East Greenville, Pennsylvania
Square
Footage
(in thousands)
Use
735
Corporate Headquarters, Manufacturing,
Warehouses, and Administration
Grand Rapids, Michigan
607
Manufacturing, Distribution, and Administration
Toronto, Canada
386 Manufacturing, Distribution, Warehouses, and
Muskegon, Michigan
Foligno, Italy
Administration
367
Manufacturing and Administration
259 Manufacturing, Distribution, Warehouses, and
Administration
Reportable Segment
Office and
Lifestyle
Office
Office
Office
Office and
Lifestyle
Graffignana, Italy
108 Manufacturing, Distribution, Warehouses, and
Office
Paris, France
Administration
7
Sales Offices
Leased Locations
Square
Footage
(in thousands)
Use
Miscellaneous Showrooms
424 Sales Offices
Allentown, Pennsylvania
290 Warehouse, Distribution
Office and
Lifestyle
Reportable Segment
Office and
Lifestyle
Office and
Lifestyle
LeGrange Highlands, Illinois
210 Warehouse, Distribution (Holly Hunt Enterprises
Lifestyle
Toronto, Canada
Ringsted, Sjaelland
Muskegon, Michigan
Buffalo, New York
New Milford, Connecticut
Getzville, New York
Knoll, Europe—various
locations
180
Manufacturing, Warehouses, Distribution and
Administration
150 Warehouse, Distribution (Muuto, Inc.)
105 Manufacturing
Office
Lifestyle
Office
89
Manufacturing and Administration (DatesWeiser) Lifestyle
55 Manufacturing and Administration (Edelman
Lifestyle
Leather)
Manufacturing and Administration (Spinneybeck) Lifestyle
45
41 Sales Offices, Administration, and Warehouses
Lifestyle
East Greenville, Pennsylvania
40 Warehouses, Distribution
Office and
Lifestyle
Chicago, Illinois
Dallas, Texas
Chicago, Illinois
34 Warehouse, Distribution (Holly Hunt Enterprises) Lifestyle
30 Warehouse, Distribution (Holly Hunt Enterprises) Lifestyle
26 Administration (Holly Hunt Enterprises)
Lifestyle
Lifestyle
Copenhagen, Hovenstaden
17
Administration (Muuto, Inc.)
Clifton, New Jersey
13 Warehouse, Distribution (Holly Hunt Enterprises) Lifestyle
We believe that our plants and other facilities are sufficient for our needs for the foreseeable future.
21
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we are subject to litigation or other legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Based
upon information currently known to us, we believe the outcome of such proceedings will not have, individually or in the
aggregate, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
22
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information and Dividend Policy
Our common stock has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) since December 14, 2004, the date of
our initial public offering, under the symbol “KNL.” As of December 31, 2018, there were approximately 248 stockholders of
record of our common stock.
Performance Graph
The following line graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock with the cumulative
total return of the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index and with the cumulative total return of a peer group of companies selected
by us for the period commencing on December 31, 2013 and ending on December 31, 2018. Our share price at the beginning
of the measurement period is $18.31 per share. The graph and table assume that $100 was invested on December 31, 2013 in
each of our common stock, the stock of our peer group, and the S&P 500 Index, and that all dividends were reinvested. Our peer
group is made up of six publicly-held companies, Herman Miller, Inc., Steelcase, Inc., HNI Corp, Kimball International Inc.,
Interface Inc., and Movado Group Inc. The stock performance on the graph below does not necessarily indicate future price
performance.
$100 invested on 12/31/13 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending December 31.
Knoll, Inc.
S&P 500
Peer Group
_______________________________________________________________________________
12/14
155.54
117.27
189.67
12/15
141.44
123.37
170.15
12/13
100.00
100.00
100.00
12/16
215.52
128.93
224.32
12/17
183.01
159.40
232.10
12/18
134.76
171.11
193.60
* The performance graph and the related chart should not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 or incorporated by reference into any of our filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, unless we specifically incorporate the performance graph by reference therein.
23
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following is a summary of share repurchase activity during the three months ended December 31, 2018.
On August 17, 2005, our board of directors approved a stock repurchase program (the “Options Proceeds Program”),
whereby they authorized us to purchase shares of our common stock in the open market using the cash proceeds received by us
upon exercise of outstanding options.
On February 2, 2006, our board of directors approved an additional stock repurchase program, pursuant to which we are
authorized to purchase up to $50.0 million of our common stock in the open market, through privately negotiated transactions,
or otherwise. On February 4, 2008, our board of directors expanded this previously authorized $50.0 million stock repurchase
program by an additional $50.0 million.
Period
October 1, 2018 - October 31, 2018
November 1, 2018 - November 30, 2018
December 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Total
(2)
Average
Price Paid
Per Share
—
$
$
23.48
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
—
911
911
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
—
—
—
—
Maximum Dollar Value
of Shares that May Yet
be Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs(1)
$
$
$
32,352,413
32,352,413
32,352,413
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1) There is no limit on the number or value of shares that may be purchased by us under the Options Proceeds Program. Under our $50.0
million stock repurchase program, which was expanded by an additional $50.0 million in February 2008, we are only authorized to spend
an aggregate of $100.0 million on stock repurchases. Amounts in this column represent the amounts that remain available under the
$100.0 million stock repurchase program as of the end of the period indicated. There is no scheduled expiration date for the Option Proceeds
Program or the $100.0 million stock repurchase program, but our Board of Directors may terminate either program in the future.
(2) In October 2018, 2,000 shares of outstanding restricted stock vested. Concurrently with the vesting, 911 shares were forfeited by the
holders of the shares to cover applicable taxes paid on the holders’ behalf by the Company.
24
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with “Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our audited consolidated financial statements and the related
notes included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The selected consolidated financial data for the years ended December 31, 2016,
2017 and 2018 and as of December 31, 2017 and 2018 are derived from our audited financial statements included elsewhere in
this Form 10-K. The selected consolidated financial data for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2015 and as of December 31,
2014, 2015 and 2016 are derived from our audited financial statements not included in this Form 10-K.
Sales
Net earnings
Net earnings attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders
Per Share Data:
Earnings per share:
Basic
Diluted
Cash dividends declared per share:
Working capital
Total assets
Total long-term debt, including current portion
Total liabilities
Total equity
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income Data
Years Ended December 31,
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
$ 1,050,294
$ 1,104,442
$ 1,164,292
$ 1,132,892
$ 1,302,272
$
$
$
$
$
46,585
46,585
0.98
0.97
0.48
$
$
$
$
$
65,948
65,963
1.38
1.36
0.51
$
$
$
$
$
82,114
82,084
1.71
1.68
0.60
$
$
$
$
$
80,192
80,163
1.66
1.63
0.60
$
$
$
$
$
73,255
73,248
1.51
1.49
0.60
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
As of December 31,
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
(in thousands)
$
80,045
$
92,732
$
54,435
$
55,190
$
58,837
868,943
258,000
665,725
213,218
853,803
219,718
598,329
255,474
858,613
218,383
549,144
309,469
861,041
191,048
502,312
358,729
1,226,949
461,083
840,439
386,510
25
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations provides an account of our financial
performance and financial condition that should be read in conjunction with the accompanying audited consolidated financial
statements.
Forward-looking Statements
This annual report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements, principally in the sections entitled “Business,”
“Risk Factors,” “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.” Statements and financial discussion and analysis contained in this Form 10-
K that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to
future trends, plans, events, results of operations or financial condition, or state other information relating to us, based on our
current beliefs as well as assumptions made by us and information currently available to us. Forward-looking statements generally
will be accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,”
“possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” or other similar words, phrases or expressions. This includes, without limitation,
our statements and expectations regarding any current or future recovery in our industry, our publicly announced plans for
increased capital and investment spending to achieve our long-term revenue and profitability growth goals, our integration of
acquired businesses, and our expectations with respect to leverage. Although we believe these forward-looking statements are
reasonable, they are based upon a number of assumptions concerning future conditions, any or all of which may ultimately prove
to be inaccurate. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include,
without limitation: the risks described in Item 1A and in Item 7A of this annual report on Form 10-K; changes in the financial
stability of our clients or the overall economic environment, resulting in decreased corporate spending and service sector
employment; changes in relationships with clients; the mix of products sold and of clients purchasing our products; the success
of new technology initiatives; changes in business strategies and decisions; competition from our competitors; our ability to
recruit and retain an experienced management team; changes in raw material prices and availability; restrictions on government
spending resulting in fewer sales to the U.S. government, one of our largest customers; our debt restrictions on spending; our
ability to protect our patents, copyrights and trademarks; our reliance on furniture dealers to produce sales; lawsuits arising from
patents, copyrights and trademark infringements; violations of environmental laws and regulations; potential labor disruptions;
adequacy of our insurance policies; the availability of future capital and the cost of borrowing; the overall strength and stability
of our dealers, suppliers, and customers; access to necessary capital; our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses;
the success of our design and implementation of a new enterprise resource planning system; and currency rate fluctuations. The
factors identified above are believed to be important factors but not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Unpredictable or unknown factors
could also have material adverse effects on us. All forward-looking statements included in this Form 10-K are expressly qualified
in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. Except as required under the Federal securities laws and the rules and
regulations of the SEC, we undertake no obligation to update, amend, or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result
of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Overview
We design, manufacture, market and sell high-end commercial and residential furniture, accessories, textiles, fine leathers
and designer felt for the workplace and residential markets, as well as modern outdoor furniture. We work with clients to create
inspired modern interiors. Our design-driven businesses share a reputation for high-quality and sophistication offering a
diversified product portfolio that endures throughout evolving trends and performs throughout business cycles. Our products
are targeted at the middle to upper-end of the market where we reach customers primarily through a broad network of independent
dealers and distribution partners, our direct sales force, our showrooms, and our online presence.
Business Highlights
During the last decade we have diversified our sources of revenue among our varying operating segments. During 2018,
these efforts to diversify our sources of revenue into higher margin Lifestyle categories both organically and through acquisitions
like Muuto, combined with efforts to improve the profitability of our Office segment, are led to growth and margin expansion.
We believe we are well positioned to continue to build on these initiatives and benefit from the trend to more social and hospitality-
based workplaces in 2019 and beyond.
Our efforts to diversify our sources of revenue among our operating segments has not detracted from our continued focus
on growing and improving the operating performance of our Office segment. We are looking beyond the traditional office product
categories of systems, task seating and storage, to furniture that supports activity areas and the in-between spaces where people
meet. We believe that our success in traditional office products gives us an advantage throughout the workplace. Our Rockwell
Unscripted collection, as well as Muuto offerings, encompass every product category ranging from seating and lounge to
26
architectural walls and storage. These offerings address the needs of organizations that seek alternatives to the traditional
workspace, and are substantially additive to our current product portfolio. In addition to these initiatives, we aim to increase
profitability through operational improvements and investments in our physical and technological infrastructure.
We also remained committed to building a more efficient and responsive customer centric service culture and technology
infrastructure across our organization. Our capital expenditures are reflective of this commitment as we continued to invest in
the business through technology infrastructure upgrades, continued investments in our manufacturing facilities focusing on lean
initiatives and showroom presence.
Results of Operations
Comparison of Consolidated Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017
Net Sales
Gross profit
Operating profit
Pension settlement charge
Interest expense
Other expense (income), net
Income tax expense
Net earnings
Net earnings attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders
Net earnings per common share attributable to Knoll, Inc.
stockholders:
Basic
Diluted
Statistical Data
Gross profit %
Operating profit %
Net Sales
Year Ended December 31,
2018 vs. 2017
2018
2017
$ Change
% Change
(Dollar in thousands)
$ 1,302,272
$ 1,132,892
$
169,380
481,524
115,193
5,735
20,911
(9,604)
24,896
73,255
73,248
414,579
80,537
2,162
7,483
(7,700)
(1,600)
80,192
80,163
66,945
34,656
3,573
13,428
(1,904)
26,496
(6,937)
(6,915)
15.0 %
16.1 %
43.0 %
165.3 %
179.4 %
24.7 %
(1,656.0)%
(8.7)%
(8.6)%
$
$
1.51
1.49
$
$
1.66
1.63
$
$
(0.15)
(0.14)
(9.0)%
(8.6)%
37.0%
8.8%
36.6%
7.1%
Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2018 were $1,302.3 million, an increase of $169.4 million, or 15.0%, from
sales of $1,132.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Net sales for the Office segment were $782.0 million during
the year ended 2018, an increase of $59.0 million, or 8.2% compared to the year ended 2017. Newer workplace platforms and
ancillary products experienced significant sales growth complemented by modestly increased legacy product sales. Net sales
for the Lifestyle segment were $520.3 million during the year ended 2018, an increase of 26.9% compared with the year ended
2017. This increase was primarily driven by the inclusion of eleven months of sales from Muuto as well as increased volume
in contract markets within our Lifestyle businesses.
Gross Profit
Gross profit for 2018 was $481.5 million, an increase of $66.9 million, or 16.1%, from gross profit of $414.6 million in
2017. During the year ended 2018, gross margin increased to 37.0% from 36.6% in the year ended 2017. The increase in gross
margin was primarily the result of favorable margins from the Muuto acquisition combined with increased volume driving fixed
cost leverage and favorable net price realization.
Operating Profit
Operating profit for 2018 was $115.2 million, an increase of $34.7 million, or 43.0%, from operating profit of $80.5
million for 2017. Operating profit as a percentage of sales increased from 7.1% in 2017 to 8.8% in 2018.
27
Operating expenses were $366.3 million for the year ended 2018, or 28.1% of net sales, compared to $334.0 million, or
29.5%of net sales, for the year ended 2017. The increase in operating expenses was related primarily to incremental operating
expenses from the acquisition of Muuto, increased warehousing and showroom investments, and additional incentive
compensation due to greater profitability. Operating expenses also included $1.9 million of acquisition-related expenses related
to the Muuto transaction and restructuring charges of $2.6 million related to the supply chain optimization initiative,
organizational realignment and headcount rationalization in the office segment that will result in greater operational efficiency
and control. Additionally, as a result of adopting ASU 2017-07, Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715), we reclassified
$1.4 million and $7.4 million of net periodic benefit income from operating expense to other income on the Consolidated
Statement of Operations for the year ending December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Pension Settlement Charge
In 2018, the Company incurred $5.7 million of pension settlement charges related to the purchase of annuities for certain
pension plan retirees as well as cash payments from lump sum elections. In 2017, the Company incurred of $2.2 million of
pension settlement charges related to cash payments from lump sum elections.
Interest Expense
Interest expense for 2018 was $20.9 million, an increase of $13.4 million from $7.5 million for 2017. The increase in
interest expense was due primarily to additional debt from the Muuto acquisition and higher interest rates during 2018. During
2018 and 2017, the Company's weighted average interest rates were approximately 3.6% and 2.4%, respectively.
Other Income, net
Other income in 2018 was $9.6 million compared to $7.7 million in 2017. Other income during the year ended 2018 was
primarily related to foreign exchange gains and net periodic benefit income from the Company's pension and other post-
employment benefit plans. Other income during the year ended 2017 was primarily related to net periodic benefit income from
the Company's pension and other post-employment benefit plans and foreign exchange losses.
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense
The effective tax rate for the year ended 2018 was 25.4%, up from (2.0)% in the year ended 2017. The effective tax rate
in 2018 is reflective of a significantly reduced corporate Federal statutory rate of 21%. The effective tax rate for the year ended
2017 was primarily impacted by the one-time re-measurement benefit of $26.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 resulting
from the impacts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Reform”) being signed into law in December of 2017. The mix of
pretax income and the varying effective tax rates in the countries and states in which we operate directly affects our consolidated
effective tax rate.
Comparison of Consolidated Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016
Sales
Gross profit
Operating profit
Pension settlement charge
Interest expense
Other income, net
Income tax expense
Net earnings
Net earnings attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders
Net earnings per common share attributable to Knoll, Inc.
stockholders:
Basic
Diluted
Statistical Data
Gross profit %
Operating profit %
Year Ended December 31,
2017 vs. 2016
2017
2016
$ Change
% Change
(Dollar in thousands)
$ 1,132,892
$ 1,164,292
$
(31,400)
414,579
80,537
2,162
7,483
(7,700)
(1,600)
80,192
80,163
445,976
130,508
—
5,405
(2,435)
45,424
82,114
82,084
(31,397)
(49,971)
2,162
2,078
(5,265)
(47,024)
(1,922)
(1,921)
(2.7)%
(7.0)%
(38.3)%
100.0 %
38.4 %
216.2 %
(103.5)%
(2.3)%
(2.3)%
$
$
1.66
1.63
$
$
1.71
1.68
$
$
(0.05)
(0.05)
(2.9)%
(3.0)%
36.6%
7.1%
38.3%
11.2%
28
Net Sales
Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $1,132.9 million, a decrease of $31.4 million, or 2.7%, from sales
of $1,164.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. The decrease was largely due to a $45.9 million decrease in Office
sales driven by volume declines in both government and commercial sales, primarily in the first half of the year. The decrease
in Office segment sales was partially offset by an increase in Lifestyle sales. The increase in the Lifestyle segment was due
primarily to growth from HOLLY HUNT and Knoll Europe, as well as incremental sales from a full year of DatesWeiser acquired
in December of 2016.
Gross Profit
Gross profit for 2017 was $414.6 million, a decrease of $31.4 million, or 7.0%, from gross profit of $446.0 million in
2016. During 2017, gross margin decreased to 36.6% from 38.3% in 2016. This decrease was due primarily to lower fixed-cost
leverage resulting from lower volume in the Office segment, as well as higher commodity inflation.
Operating Profit
Operating profit for 2017 was $80.5 million, a decrease of $50.0 million, or 38.3%, from operating profit of $130.5
million for 2016. Operating profit as a percentage of sales decreased from 11.2% in 2016 to 7.1% in 2017.
Operating expenses for 2017 were $334.0 million, or 29.5% of sales, compared to $315.5 million, or 27.1% of sales,
for 2016. In addition to selling, general and administrative expenses, operating expenses for 2017 included an asset impairment
of $16.3 million, restructuring charges of $2.2 million, and acquisition costs of $0.5 million. The remaining decrease of $2.5
million was primarily related to lower incentive compensation due to decreased profitability, partially offset by increased sales
headcount.
Pension Settlement Charge
In 2017, the Company incurred of $2.2 million of pension settlement charges related to cash payments from lump sum elections.
Interest Expense
Interest expense for 2017 was $7.5 million, an increase of $2.1 million from interest expense of $5.4 million for 2016.
The increase in interest expense was due primarily to a higher average outstanding debt balance, and increased interest rates
during 2017. During 2017 and 2016, the Company's weighted average interest rates were approximately 2.4% and 2.0%,
respectively.
Other Income, net
Other income in 2017 was $7.7 million compared to other income of $2.4 million in 2016. Other income in 2017 was
related primarily to net periodic benefit income from the Company's pension and other post-employment benefit plans offset in
part by foreign exchange losses that resulted from the revaluation of intercompany balances between our U.S. and foreign entities
in both 2017 and 2016.
Income Tax Expense
The effective tax rate for 2017 was (2.0)% compared to 35.6% for 2016. The primary driver of the lower effective tax
rate in 2017 was a $26.6 million benefit resulting from the impacts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 ("Tax Act") being
signed into law in December of 2017. Additional factors impacting the rate included the vesting of a large quantity of equity
awards during the first quarter of 2017, and the reversal in the third quarter of 2017 of a valuation allowance against certain
foreign jurisdiction deferred tax assets. In addition, our effective tax rate is directly affected by the mix of pretax income and
the varying effective tax rates in the countries and states in which we operate.
Segment Reporting
The Company manages our business through our reportable segments: Office and Lifestyle. All unallocated expenses are
included within Corporate. The Office segment includes a complete range of workplace products that address diverse workplace
planning paradigms in North America and Europe, while the Lifestyle segment includes high quality residential furniture,
ancillary products and affordable luxury furnishings for high performance workplaces, as well as uber-luxury living spaces to
affordable-luxury residential living.
See Item 1 Business contained in this annual report on Form 10-K for further information regarding the business segments.
The comparisons of segment results found below present our segment information with Corporate costs excluded from
operating segment results.
29
Comparison of Segment Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017
SALES
Office
Lifestyle
Corporate
Knoll, Inc.
OPERATING PROFIT
Office
Lifestyle
Corporate
Knoll, Inc. (1)
Year Ended December 31,
2018 vs. 2017
2018
2017
$ Change
% Change
(Dollar in thousands)
$
$
$
$
782,020
$
722,984
$
520,252
—
1,302,272
50,382
89,097
(24,286)
$
$
409,908
—
1,132,892
28,233
76,406
(24,102)
$
$
59,036
110,344
—
169,380
22,149
12,691
(184)
115,193
$
80,537
$
34,656
8.2%
26.9%
—%
15.0%
78.5%
16.6%
15.1%
43.0%
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1) The Company does not allocate interest expense or other (income) expense, net to the reportable segments.
Office
Net sales for the Office segment in 2018 were $782.0 million, an increase of $59.0 million, or 8.2%, when compared
with 2017. The increase in the Office segment was due primarily to strong volume growth in new workplace platforms and
ancillary products, as well as strategic price increases implemented in 2018. Operating profit for the Office segment in 2018
was $50.4 million, an increase of $22.1 million, or 78.5%, when compared with 2017. The increase in operating profit for the
Office segment was due primarily to increased sales volume.
Lifestyle
Net sales for the Lifestyle segment in 2018 were $520.3 million, an increase of $110.3 million, or 26.9%, when compared
with 2017. This increase was driven by the inclusion of Muuto acquired late in January 2018 as well as higher sales volume
across our Lifestyle businesses. Operating profit for the Lifestyle segment in 2018 was $89.1 million, an increase of $12.7
million, or 16.6%, when compared with 2017 due primarily to the inclusion of eleven months of Muuto and increased warehousing
and showroom investments.
Corporate
Corporate costs in 2018 were $24.3 million, an increase of $0.2 million, or 15.1%, when compared with 2017. The increase
was driven by higher spending on consulting services and acquisition-related costs which were offset by lower employee benefit
costs during 2018.
30
Comparison of Segment Results for the Years Ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016
SALES
Office
Lifestyle
Corporate
Knoll, Inc.
OPERATING PROFIT
Office
Lifestyle
Corporate
Knoll, Inc. (1)
Year Ended December 31,
2017 vs. 2016
2017
2016
(Dollar in thousands)
$ Change
% Change
$
$
$
$
722,984
$
768,873
$
409,908
—
1,132,892
28,233
76,406
(24,102)
$
$
395,419
—
1,164,292
72,134
80,597
(22,223)
$
$
(45,889)
14,489
—
(31,400)
(43,901)
(4,191)
(1,879)
80,537
$
130,508
$
(49,971)
(6.0)%
3.7 %
— %
(2.7)%
(60.9)%
(5.2)%
15.1 %
(38.3)%
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1) The Company does not allocate interest expense or other (income) expense, net to the reportable segments.
Office
Net sales for the Office segment in 2017 were $723.0 million, a decrease of $45.9 million, or 6.0%, when compared with
2016. This decrease in the Office segment for the year was due to decline in volume, primarily in the first half of the year. Operating
profit for the Office segment in 2017 was $28.2 million, a decrease of $43.9 million, or 60.9%, when compared with 2016. The
decrease in operating profit was primarily due to infrequent charges of $21.2 million which includes a $16.3 million asset
impairment charge, a $2.2 million pension settlement change, a $2.2 million restructuring charge and acquisition costs of $0.5
million.
Lifestyle
Net sales for the Lifestyle segment in 2017 were $409.9 million, an increase of $14.5 million, or 3.7%, when compared
with 2016. The increase in the Lifestyle segment was driven by growth from HOLLY HUNT® and Knoll Europe, incremental
sales from a full year of DatesWeiser and continued year-over-year growth from Spinneybeck FilzFelt particularly in the
architectural space. Operating profit for the Lifestyle segment in 2017 was $76.4 million, a decrease of $4.2 million, or 5.2%,
when compared with 2016.
Corporate
Corporate costs in 2017 were $24.1 million, a decrease of $1.9 million, or 15.1%, when compared with 2016. The decrease
was driven primarily by reduced costs associated with employee benefits and incentive compensation expense in 2017.
31
Foreign and Domestic Operations
Our principal manufacturing operations and markets are in North America, and we also have manufacturing operations
and markets in Europe. Our sales to clients and net property, plant and equipment are summarized by geographic areas below.
Sales are attributed to the geographic areas based on the origin of sale.
2018
Sales
Property, plant, and equipment, net
2017
Sales
Property, plant, and equipment, net
2016
United
States
Canada
Europe
Other
Consolidated
$ 1,066,810
$
37,299
$
197,401
$
762
$
1,302,272
172,653
26,876
15,424
—
214,953
$
977,669
$
52,894
$
100,233
$
2,096
$
1,132,892
157,805
29,307
13,518
—
200,630
Sales
$ 1,031,920
$
36,813
$
93,420
$
2,139
$
1,164,292
Property, plant, and equipment, net
157,856
26,452
12,776
—
197,084
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The following table highlights certain key cash flows and capital information pertinent to the discussion that follows:
Cash provided by operating activities
Capital expenditures, net
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired
Cash used in investing activities
Purchase of common stock for treasury
Proceeds from credit facilities
Repayment of credit facilities
Proceeds from term loan
Repayment of term loans
Payment of dividends
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities
2018
2017
2016
(in thousands)
$
108,208
$
103,734
$
104,295
(40,289)
(307,983)
(348,272)
(4,411)
490,500
(383,000)
350,247
(177,937)
(29,984)
64
239,804
(40,587)
—
(40,587)
(10,950)
310,000
(338,000)
—
—
(30,193)
601
(74,542)
(40,105)
(18,456)
(58,561)
(5,464)
377,500
(379,500)
—
—
(29,217)
2,847
(38,834)
We have historically funded our business through cash generated from operations, supplemented by debt borrowings.
Available cash is primarily used for our working capital needs, ongoing operations, capital expenditures, the payment of quarterly
dividends, and the repurchase of shares. Our investment in capital expenditures shows our commitment to improving our operating
efficiency, innovation and modernization, showroom investment, new product tooling, manufacturing equipment and technology
infrastructure. During 2018, we made annual dividend payments of $0.60 per share, returning $30.0 million of cash to our
shareholders.
32
Cash provided by operating activities was $108.2 million, $103.7 million, and $104.3 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016,
respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2018, cash provided by operating activities consisted primarily of $73.3 million
of net income and $55.7 million of various non-cash charges, including $35.3 million of depreciation and amortization, $9.1
million of stock-based compensation and a $4.8 million provision for deferred income taxes, offset in part by $20.8 million of
unfavorable changes in assets and liabilities primarily driven by growth in accounts receivable and inventory as a result of growth
in sales and ramping up inventory for our current order backlog. For the year ended December 31, 2017, cash provided by
operating activities consisted primarily of $80.2 million of net income and $38.0 million of various non-cash charges, including
$26.6 million of depreciation and amortization, a $16.3 million asset impairment charge, and $9.6 million of stock-based
compensation , offset in part by $14.5 million of unfavorable changes in assets and liabilities primarily driven by a $26.6 million
benefit in current and deferred income taxes as a result of the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act. For the year ended December 31,
2016, cash provided by operating activities consisted primarily of $82.1 million of net income and $69.0 million of various non-
cash charges, including $26.0 million of deferred taxes driven by discretionary pension funding, $23.0 million of depreciation
and amortization, and $10.5 million of stock based compensation, offset by $46.8 million of unfavorable changes in assets and
liabilities primarily driven by our discretionary pension plan contribution during the year of $53.2 million.
Investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 included the purchase of Muuto for $308.0 million, net of cash
acquired. In addition, during 2018, we used $40.3 million of cash for capital expenditures. During 2017, we used $40.6 million
of cash for capital expenditures. During 2016, we spent $40.1 million and $18.5 million of cash for capital expenditures and the
purchase of businesses, respectively. The capital expenditures are reflective of our commitment to enhance and modernize our
sales, manufacturing and information technology infrastructure. Acquisitions are reflective of our strategy of building our global
capabilities as a singular resource for high-design workplaces and homes.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, we amended and extended our Existing Credit Facility. The proceeds from
our term loans and revolving credit facilities under our Amended Credit Agreement were $350.2 million and $490.5 million,
respectively. Borrowings under our term loans and our revolving credit facilities were used to finance a portion of the Muuto
acquisition, repay the outstanding balance on the term loans of our Existing Credit Facility of $165.0 million, and to fund our
working capital needs. Additionally, we paid $30.0 million of cash to fund dividend payments to our shareholders, $4.4 million
of cash for the repurchase of shares used to offset the cost of employee tax withholdings, and $5.7 million of fees related to the
issuance of the Amended Credit Facility, of which $4.7 million was capitalized as deferred financing fees and $1.0 million was
expensed as a loss on extinguishment. During 2017, we used cash of $74.5 million to fund dividend payments to shareholders
of $30.2 million, $28.0 million of repayments net of re-borrowings under our revolving credit facilities, $10.9 million for share
repurchases associated with the repurchase of shares used to offset the cost of employee tax withholdings, and $6.0 million of
a contingent purchase price payment related to an earn-out for the HOLLY HUNT acquisition in 2014. For the year ended
December 31, 2016 we used cash of $38.8 million to fund dividend payments to shareholders of $29.2 million, $5.5 million for
share repurchases associated with the repurchase of shares used to offset the cost of employee tax withholdings, and $5.0 million
of a contingent purchase price payment related to the earn-out for the HOLLY HUNT acquisition.
As of December 31, 2018, we were in compliance with all covenants and conditions in our Amended Credit Agreement.
We believe that existing cash balances and internally generated cash flows, together with borrowings available under our credit
facility, will be sufficient to fund working capital needs, capital spending requirements, debt service requirements and dividend
payments for at least the next twelve months. Future debt payments may be paid out of cash flows from operations, from future
refinancing of our debt or from equity issuance.
On January 23, 2018, we amended and extended our Existing Credit Facility, dated May 20, 2014, with a new $750.0
million credit facility maturing on January 23, 2023. We use our credit facility in the ordinary course of business to fund our
working capital needs and investments and, at times, make significant borrowings and repayments under the facility depending
on our cash needs and availability at such time. Borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement may be repaid at any time,
but no later than January 23, 2023.
The Amended Credit Agreement requires that we comply with two financial covenants, consolidated leverage ratio,
defined as the ratio of total indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA (as defined in our credit agreement) and consolidated interest
coverage ratio, defined as the ratio of our consolidated EBITDA (as defined in our credit agreement) to our consolidated interest
expense. Our consolidated leverage ratio cannot exceed 4.25 to 1 and our consolidated interest coverage ratio must be a minimum
of 3.0 to 1. However, because of the financial covenant mentioned above, our capacity under our credit facility could be reduced
if our trailing consolidated EBITDA (as defined by our credit agreement) declines due to deteriorating market conditions or
poor performance. We are also required to comply with various other affirmative and negative covenants including, without
limitation, covenants that prevent or restrict our ability to pay dividends, engage in certain mergers or acquisitions, make certain
investments or loans, incur future indebtedness, engage in sale-leaseback transactions, alter our capital structure or line of
business, prepay subordinated indebtedness, engage in certain transactions with affiliates and sell stock or assets.
33
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our contractual cash obligations as of December 31, 2018 (in thousands):
Long-term debt (a)
Operating leases
Purchase commitments
Pension and other post-employment benefit plan
obligations (b)
Other liabilities (c)
Total *
Payments Due by Period
Less than
1 year
1 to 3
years
3 to 5
years
More than
5 years
$
26,162
$
67,869
$
434,930
$
— $
26,427
4,287
301
750
42,940
1,923
—
—
32,287
1,587
—
—
38,778
108
—
—
Total
528,961
140,432
7,905
301
750
$
57,927
$
112,732
$
468,804
$
38,886
$
678,349
_______________________________________________________________________________
(a) Contractual obligations for long-term debt and short-term borrowings include principal and interest payments. Interest payments have been
computed based on an estimated variable interest as of December 31, 2018. The estimated variable interest rate is based on the company's
expected consolidated leverage ratio and the forecasted LIBOR rate for each period presented. The computation of interest, as included
in the above table, is based on our Amended Credit Facility.
(b) Due to the uncertainty of future cash outflows, contributions to the pension and other post-employment benefit plans subsequent to 2019
have been excluded from the table above.
(c) Other liabilities consists of contingent payouts due to DatesWeiser, which is based on the future performance of the businesses.
* Due to the uncertainty of future cash outflows, uncertain tax positions have been excluded from the table above.
Environmental Matters
Our past and present business operations and the past and present ownership and operation of manufacturing plants on
real property are subject to extensive and changing federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations, including
those relating to discharges to air, water and land, the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous waste and the cleanup of
properties affected by hazardous substances. As a result, we are involved from time-to-time in administrative and judicial
proceedings and inquiries relating to environmental matters and could become subject to fines or penalties related thereto. We
cannot predict what environmental legislation or regulations will be enacted in the future, how existing or future laws or regulations
will be administered or interpreted or what environmental conditions may be found to exist. Compliance with more stringent
laws or regulations, or stricter interpretation of existing laws, may require additional expenditures by us, some of which may
be material. We have been identified as a potentially responsible party pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (“CERCLA”) for remediation costs associated with waste disposal sites that we
previously used. The remediation costs and our allocated share at some of these CERCLA sites are unknown. We may also be
subject to claims for personal injury or contribution relating to CERCLA sites. We reserve amounts for such matters when
expenditures are probable and reasonably estimable.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not currently have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often
referred to as structured finance or special-purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating
off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. In addition, we do not engage in trading
activities involving non-exchange-traded contracts. As a result, we are not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market
or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in these relationships.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in
the U.S. (“GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the consolidated financial
statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from such estimates. We believe that the critical accounting
policies that follow are those policies that require the most judgment, estimation and assumption in preparing our consolidated
financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were recognized under ASC 605, Revenue Recognition, when
(i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement existed, (ii) delivery occurred or services were rendered, (iii) the price was fixed or
determinable and (iv) collectability was reasonably assured.
34
ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, was adopted for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2018. Per the
new standard, we determine revenue recognition by applying the following steps: (i) identify the contract with a customer, (ii)
identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to
the performance obligations and (v) recognize revenue as the performance obligations are satisfied.
We recognize revenue when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied. Our
primary performance obligation to our customers is the delivery of products. Control of the products sold typically transfers to
the customer upon shipment or delivery depending on the shipping terms of the underlying contract.
Each customer contract sets forth the transaction price for the products and services purchased under that arrangement.
Some customer arrangements include variable consideration, such as volume rebates, some of which depend upon the customers
meeting specified performance criteria, such as a purchasing level over a period of time. We use judgment to estimate the most
likely amount of variable consideration at each reporting date. When estimating variable consideration, we apply judgment when
considering the probability of whether a reversal of revenue could occur and only recognize revenue subject to this constraint.
We use historical customer return data as a basis of estimation for customer returns and records the reduction of sales at
the time revenue is recognized. Customer returns have historically not been significant. We may receive deposits from customers
before revenue is recognized, thus resulting in the recognition of a contract liability (customer deposits).
Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling of products are included in sales and the related costs we incur
for shipping and handling are included in cost of sales. If shipping activities are performed after a customer obtains control of
a product, we account for shipping and handling as an activity to fulfill the promise to transfer the product to the customer.
We exclude from the measurement of the transaction price all taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both
imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction and that we collect from a customer.
Practical Expedients Elected in adopting ASC 606
Incremental Costs of Obtaining a Contract - We have elected the practical expedient permitted in ASC 340-40-25-4, which
permits us to recognize incremental costs to obtain a contract as an expense when incurred if the amortization period will be
less than one year.
Significant Financing Component - We have elected the practical expedient permitted in ASC 606-10-32-18, which allows
us to not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if a contract has a
duration of one year or less. As our contracts are typically less than one year in length, consideration will not be adjusted. Our
contracts generally include a standard payment term of 30 days, consequently there is no significant financing component within
our contracts.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our clients and dealers
to make required payments. The allowance is determined through an analysis of the aging of accounts receivable and assessments
of risk that are based on historical trends. We evaluate the past-due status of our trade receivables based on contractual terms of
sale. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, additional allowances may be required. Accounts receivable
are charged against the allowance for doubtful accounts when we determine that the likelihood of recovery is remote, and we
no longer intend to expend resources to attempt collection.
Inventory
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method.
We reserve inventory that, in our judgment, is impaired or obsolete. Obsolescence may be caused by the discontinuance of a
product line, changes in product material specifications, replacement products in the marketplace and other competitive
influences.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
We record the excess of purchase price over the fair value of the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired as
goodwill. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested for impairment at least annually, as of October 1, and
whenever events or circumstances occur indicating that a possible impairment may have been incurred. Intangible assets with
finite lives are amortized over their useful lives.
35
We assess whether goodwill impairment exists using both the qualitative and quantitative assessments. The qualitative
assessment involves determining whether events or circumstances exist that indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value
of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If based on this qualitative assessment we determine it
is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount or if we elect not to perform a
qualitative assessment, a quantitative assessment is performed to determine whether a goodwill impairment exists at the reporting
unit.
We compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value and if the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds
its carrying value, goodwill is not impaired and no further testing is required. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than
the carrying value, the difference is recorded as an impairment loss.
We estimate the fair value of its reporting units using a combination of the fair values derived from both the income
approach and the market approach. Under the income approach, we calculate the fair value of a reporting unit based on the
present value of estimated future cash flows. Cash flow projections are based on our estimates of revenue growth rates and
operating margins, taking into consideration industry and market conditions. The discount rate used to determine the present
value of future cash flows is based on the weighted-average cost of capital adjusted for the relevant risk associated with business-
specific characteristics and the uncertainty related to the business's ability to execute on the projected cash flows. The market
approach estimates fair value based on market multiples of revenue and earnings derived from comparable publicly-traded
companies with similar operating and investment characteristics as the reporting unit.
We assess whether indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment exists using both the qualitative and quantitative
assessments. The qualitative assessment involves determining whether events or circumstances exist that indicate it is more
likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. If, based on this qualitative
assessment, we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its
carrying amount or if we elect not to perform a qualitative assessment, a quantitative assessment is performed to determine
whether an indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment exists. We test the indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment by
comparing the carrying value to the fair value based on current revenue projections of the related operations, under the relief
from royalty method. Any excess of the carrying value over the amount of fair value is recognized as an impairment. Any such
impairment would be recognized in full in the reporting period in which it has been identified.
Based on the results of the annual impairment test as of October 1, 2018, we determined there were no indications of
impairment for goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets.
Business Combinations
The purchase price of an acquired company is allocated between tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities
assumed from the acquired business based on their estimated fair values with the residual of the purchase price recorded as
goodwill. The results of operations of the acquired businesses are included in our operating results from the dates of acquisition.
Warranty
We generally offer a warranty for our products. The specific terms and conditions of those warranties vary depending
upon the product. We estimate the costs that may be incurred under our warranties and record a liability in the amount of such
costs at the time product revenue is recognized. Factors that affect our warranty liability include historical product-failure
experience and estimated repair costs for identified matters. We periodically assess the adequacy of our recorded warranty
liabilities and adjust the amounts as necessary.
Pension and Other Post-Employment Benefits
We sponsor two defined benefit pension plans and two other post-employment benefit plans (“OPEB”). Several statistical
and other factors, which attempt to anticipate future events, are used in calculating the expense and liability related to the plans.
Key factors include assumptions about the expected rates of return on plan assets, discount rates, and health care cost trend rates.
We consider market and regulatory conditions, including changes in investment returns and interest rates, in making these
assumptions.
We determine the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets based on aggregating the expected rates of return for
each component of the plan's asset mix. We use historic plan asset returns combined with current market conditions to estimate
the rate of return. The expected rate of return on plan assets is a long-term assumption and generally does not change annually.
The discount rate reflects the market rate for high-quality fixed income debt instruments as of our annual measurement date and
is subject to change each year. Holding all other assumptions constant, a one-percentage-point increase or decrease in the assumed
rate of return on plan assets would decrease or increase 2018 net periodic pension expense by approximately $2.6 million.
Likewise, a one-percentage-point increase or decrease in the discount rate would increase or decrease 2018 net periodic pension
expense by approximately $0.1 million or $0.7 million, respectively.
36
Unrecognized actuarial gains and losses are recognized over the expected remaining lifetime of the plan participants.
Unrecognized actuarial gains and losses arise from several factors, including experience and assumption changes with respect
to the obligations and from the difference between expected returns and actual returns on plan assets. These unrecognized gains
and losses are systematically recognized as a change in future net periodic pension expense in accordance with the appropriate
accounting guidance relating to defined benefit pension and OPEB plans.
We utilize a full yield curve approach in the estimation of this component by applying the specific spot rates along the
yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to the relevant projected cash flows.
Key assumptions that we use in determining the amount of the obligation and expense recorded for OPEB, under the
appropriate accounting guidance, include the assumed discount rate and the assumed rate of increases in future health care costs.
In estimating the health care cost trend rate, we consider actual health care cost experience, future benefit structures, industry
trends and advice from our actuaries. We assume that the relative increase in health care costs will generally trend downward
over the next several years, reflecting assumed increases in efficiency and cost-containment initiatives in the health care system.
For purposes of measuring the benefit obligation associated with the Company's OPEB plans as of December 31, 2018, as well
as the assumed rate for 2019, a 6.50% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed
and a 9.00% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered prescription drug benefits was assumed. The rate was then
assumed to decrease to an ultimate rate of 4.50% for 2025 and thereafter for both the medical plan and prescription drug plan
and thereafter for the benefit obligation. Increasing the assumed health care cost trend by one-percentage-point in each year
would increase the benefit obligation as of December 31, 2018 by a minimal amount and increase the aggregate of the service
and interest cost components of net periodic benefit cost for 2018 by a minimal amount. Decreasing the assumed health care
cost trend rate by one percentage point in each year would decrease the benefit obligation as of December 31, 2018 by a minimal
amount and decrease the aggregate of the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit cost for 2018 by a minimal
amount.
In accordance with the appropriate accounting guidance, we recognize in our consolidated balance sheet the funded status
(i.e., the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation) of our defined benefit pension and
OPEB plans. To record the unfunded status of our plans, we recorded an additional liability and an asset and an adjustment to
accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax.
The actuarial assumptions we use in determining our pension and OPEB retirement benefits may differ materially from
actual results due to changing market and economic conditions, higher or lower withdrawal rates, or longer or shorter life spans
of participants. While we believe that the assumptions used are appropriate, differences in actual experience or changes in
assumptions may materially affect our financial position or results of operations.
Commitments and Contingencies
We establish reserves for the estimated cost of environmental and legal contingencies when such expenditures are probable
and reasonably estimable. A significant amount of judgment is required to estimate and quantify our ultimate exposure in these
matters. We engage outside experts as deemed necessary or appropriate to assist in the evaluation of exposure. From time to
time, as information becomes available regarding changes in circumstances for ongoing issues as well as information regarding
emerging issues, our potential liability is re-assessed and reserve balances are adjusted as necessary. Revisions to our estimates
of potential liability, and actual expenditures related to commitments and contingencies, could have a material impact on our
results of operations or financial position.
Taxes
We account for income taxes in accordance with the appropriate accounting guidance relating to income taxes, which
requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences
between book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. The appropriate accounting guidance also requires that deferred
tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will
not be recognized.
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the
“Tax Act”). The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code, including but not limited to reducing the U.S.
federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. The Tax Act requires judgments to be made in interpretation of the provisions of
the Tax Act and significant estimates in the related calculations. The Department of Treasury, the Internal Revenue Service, and
other standard-setting bodies have not implemented all relevant regulations or issued substantive guidance to-date; therefore,
they could interpret or issue guidance on how provisions of the Tax Act will be applied that is different from our current
interpretation.
37
Furthermore, on December 22, 2017, SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, Income Tax Accounting
Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“SAB 118”) that allows registrants to record provisional amounts during a measurement
period, which is not to extend beyond one year. Accordingly, amounts recorded may require further adjustments due to evolving
analysis and interpretations of law and regulations, including interpretations of how accounting for income taxes should be
applied. Consistent with SAB 118, we were able to make reasonable estimates and we incorporated provisional amounts for the
impact of the Tax Act at December 31, 2017. Required adjustments to provisional amounts have been incorporated into our
December 31, 2018 figures in accordance with the measurement period guidelines in SAB 118.
At December 31, 2018, our deferred tax liabilities of $112.4 million exceeded deferred tax assets of $25.9 million by
$86.5 million. At December 31, 2017, deferred tax liabilities of $82.7 million exceeded deferred tax assets of $28.1 million by
$54.6 million. The increase in deferred tax liabilities is primarily related to acquisition accounting.
Our deferred tax assets at December 31, 2018 and 2017 of $25.9 million and $28.1 million, respectively, are net of
valuation allowances of $4.8 million. We have recorded the valuation allowance primarily for net operating loss carryforwards
in foreign tax jurisdictions where we have incurred historical tax losses from operations or acquired tax losses through acquisition,
and have determined that it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will not be realized.
We evaluate on an ongoing basis the realizability of our deferred tax assets and adjust the amount of the allowance, if
necessary. The factors used to assess the likelihood of realization include our forecast of future taxable income and our assessment
of available tax planning strategies that could be implemented to realize the net deferred tax assets.
We account for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance relating to uncertainty in
income taxes. Accordingly, we report a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken, or
expected to be taken, in an income tax return. We recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits
in income tax expense.
Derivative Financial Instruments
From time to time, we enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts and foreign currency option contracts to
manage our exposure to foreign exchange rates. In 2018, the company entered into an interest rate swap agreement to manage
its exposure to interest rate changes and its overall cost of borrowing. The company's interest rate swap agreement was entered
into to exchange variable rate interest payments for fixed rate payments over the life of the agreement without the exchange of
the underlying notional amounts. The notional amount of the interest rate swap agreement is used to measure interest to be paid
or received and does not represent the amount of exposure to credit loss.
We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. We recognize derivatives as
either assets or liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and measures those instruments at fair value. Changes
in the fair value of such contracts are reported in earnings as a component of “Other (income) expense, net.”
Stock-Based Compensation
We measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-
date fair value of the award. We recognize compensation expense using the straight-line method over the vesting period.
Compensation expense relating to restricted stock units that are subject to performance conditions is recognized if it is probable
that the performance condition will be achieved. Expense is adjusted as forfeitures occur.
The fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units, excluding market-based restricted stock units is based upon
the closing market price of our common stock on the date of grant.
The fair value of the market-based restricted stock units is estimated at the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation
model, which requires management to make certain assumptions based on both historical and current data. These awards vest
based upon the performance of our stock price relative to a peer group. The assumptions included in the model include, but are
not limited to, risk-free interest rate, expected volatility of our and the peer group's stock prices, and dividend yield. The risk-
free rate is based upon the applicable U.S. Treasury Note rate. Expected volatility is estimated based on the historical volatility
of our stock prices. The dividend yield is based on our historical data.
38
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
During the normal course of business, we are routinely subjected to market risk associated with interest rate movements
and foreign currency exchange rate movements. Interest rate risk arises from our debt obligations. Foreign currency exchange
rate risk arises from our non-U.S. operations and purchases of inventory from foreign suppliers.
We also have risk in our exposure to certain materials and transportation costs. Steel, leather, wood products and plastics
are all used in our products. For the year ended December 31, 2018, we estimated that materials inflation was approximately
$6.9 million and transportation inflation was approximately $7.9 million. During 2017, we estimated that materials and
transportation inflation were approximately $6.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively. We continue to work to offset price
increases in raw materials and transportation through our global sourcing initiatives, cost improvements and price increases to
our products.
Interest Rate Risk
We have variable rate debt obligations that are denominated in U.S. dollars. A change in interest rates will impact the
interest costs incurred and cash paid on the variable rate debt. During 2018 and 2017, our weighted average interest rates were
approximately 3.6% and 2.4%, respectively.
The following table summarizes our market risks associated with our debt obligations as of December 31, 2018. For debt
obligations, the table presents principal cash flows and related average interest rates by year of maturity. Variable interest rates
presented for variable-rate debt represent the average interest rates on our credit facility borrowings as of December 31, 2018.
The fair value of the Company's long-term debt approximates its carrying value, as the variable rate debt and the associated
terms are comparable to market terms as of the balance sheet date.
The weighted-average interest rate is a floating rate as described in Note 13 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,
which at December 31, 2018 was 3.79%. An increase in our weighted-average interest rate of 1%, adjusted for our interest rate
swap, would increase annual interest expense by approximately $1.6 million during 2019, $1.9 million during 2020, $2.2 million
during 2021 and $2.6 million during 2022 due to the step-down of the notional amount of our interest rate swap for each of those
periods. See footnote 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion. We will continue to review our
exposure to interest rate fluctuations and evaluate whether we should manage such exposure through derivative transactions.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
We manufacture our products in the United States, Canada and Italy, and sell our products primarily in those markets as
well as in other European countries. Our foreign sales and certain expenses are transacted in foreign currencies. Our production
costs, profit margins and competitive position are affected by the strength of the currencies in countries where we manufacture
or purchase goods relative to the strength of the currencies in countries where our products are sold. Additionally, as our reporting
currency is 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. The principal foreign currencies in which we conduct business are the Canadian dollar,
Danish krone and the Euro. Approximately 18.1% and 12.6% of our revenues in 2018 and 2017, respectively, and 28.5% and
25.9% of our cost of goods sold in 2018 and 2017, respectively, were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations resulted in $2.0 million of translation gains and $1.8 million of translation losses
for 2018 and 2017, respectively.
From time to time, we enter into foreign currency hedges to manage our exposure to foreign exchange rates. The terms
of these contracts are typically less than a year. Changes in the fair value of such contracts are reported in earnings in the period
the value of the contract changes. The net gain or loss upon settlement and the change in fair value of outstanding contracts is
recorded as a component of other expense (income).
39
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Knoll, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Knoll, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2018
and 2017, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, equity and cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at
Item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial
statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2018 and 2017, and
the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity
with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established
in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(2013 framework) and our report dated February 26, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion
on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and
are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether
due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial
statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included
examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included
evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as the Company's auditor since 1996.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
February 26, 2019
40
KNOLL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Customer receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,724 and $4,039,
respectively
Inventories
Prepaid expenses
Other current assets
Total current assets
Property, plant, and equipment, net
Goodwill
Intangible assets, net
Pension asset
Other noncurrent assets
Total Assets
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt
Accounts payable
Other current liabilities
Total current liabilities
Long-term debt
Deferred income taxes
Post-employment benefits other than pensions
Pension liability
Other noncurrent liabilities
Total liabilities
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 65,778,891 shares issued
and 49,431,178 shares outstanding (including 725,252 non-voting restricted shares and net
of 16,347,713 treasury shares) at December 31, 2018 and 65,460,014 shares issued and
49,339,552 shares outstanding (including 841,610 non-voting restricted shares and net of
16,120,462 treasury shares) at December 31, 2017
Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Total Knoll, Inc. stockholders' equity
Noncontrolling interests
Total equity
Total Liabilities and Equity
December 31,
2018
December 31,
2017
$
1,560
$
2,203
120,157
170,549
25,624
13,725
331,615
214,953
320,759
353,946
4,245
1,431
86,687
144,945
29,272
15,163
278,270
200,630
142,113
238,581
—
1,447
$ 1,226,949
$
861,041
$
17,185
$
126,748
128,845
272,778
443,898
86,497
3,301
13,930
20,035
10,000
108,922
104,158
223,080
181,048
54,671
3,575
21,671
18,267
840,439
502,312
494
58,770
395,434
(68,394)
386,304
206
386,510
$ 1,226,949
$
493
54,455
347,304
(43,774)
358,478
251
358,729
861,041
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
41
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
KNOLL, INC.
Sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
Restructuring charges
Write-off of property, plant, and equipment
Operating profit
Pension settlement charge
Interest expense
Other income, net
Income before income tax expense
Income tax expense (benefit), net
Net earnings
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net earnings attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders
Net earnings per common share attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders:
Basic
Diluted
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic
Diluted
Net earnings
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized loss on interest rate swap, net of tax
Pension and other post-employment liability adjustment, net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Foreign currency translation adjustment on long term intercompany notes
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Total comprehensive income
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Years ended December 31,
2018
$ 1,302,272
2017
$ 1,132,892
2016
$ 1,164,292
820,748
481,524
363,717
2,614
—
115,193
5,735
20,911
(9,604)
98,151
24,896
73,255
7
718,313
414,579
315,586
2,150
16,306
80,537
2,162
7,483
(7,700)
78,592
(1,600)
80,192
29
718,316
445,976
315,468
—
—
130,508
—
5,405
(2,435)
127,538
45,424
82,114
30
73,248
$
80,163
$
82,084
1.51
1.49
$
$
1.66
1.63
$
$
1.71
1.68
$
$
$
48,657,015
48,422,558
48,093,294
49,218,193
49,160,492
48,919,108
$
73,255
$
80,192
$
82,114
(1,250)
2,645
(13,140)
(8,114)
(19,859)
53,396
7
—
(5,239)
4,868
—
(371)
79,821
29
—
(6,573)
488
—
(6,085)
76,029
30
Comprehensive income attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders
$
53,389
$
79,792
$
75,999
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
42
KNOLL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Common
Stock
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
Retained
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Total
Knoll, Inc.
Stockholders'
Equity
Noncontrolling
Interests
Total
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2015
$
488
$
47,165
$
244,947
$
(37,318) $
255,282
$
192
$ 255,474
Net earnings
Other comprehensive loss
Shares issued for consideration:
Exercise of stock options
Shares issued under stock
incentive plan
Shares issued to Board of
Directors in lieu of cash
Stock-based compensation
Cash dividend ($0.60 per share)
Purchase of common stock
—
—
2
3
—
—
—
(2)
—
—
2,770
(3)
75
10,603
—
(5,462)
82,084
—
—
—
—
(134)
(29,886)
—
—
(6,085)
—
—
—
—
—
—
82,084
(6,085)
2,772
—
75
10,469
(29,886)
(5,464)
30
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
82,114
(6,085)
2,772
—
75
10,469
(29,886)
(5,464)
Balance at December 31, 2016
$
491
$
55,148
$
297,011
$
(43,403) $
309,247
$
222
$ 309,469
Net earnings
Other comprehensive loss
Shares issued for consideration:
Exercise of stock options
Shares issued under stock
incentive plan
Shares issued to Board of
Directors in lieu of cash
Stock-based compensation
Cash dividend ($0.60 per share)
Purchase of common stock
—
—
—
7
—
(1)
—
(4)
—
—
472
(3)
125
9,659
—
(10,946)
80,163
—
—
—
—
—
(29,870)
—
—
(371)
80,163
(371)
—
—
—
—
—
—
472
4
125
9,658
(29,870)
(10,950)
29
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
80,192
(371)
472
4
125
9,658
(29,870)
(10,950)
Balance at December 31, 2017
$
493
$
54,455
$
347,304
$
(43,774) $
358,478
$
251
$ 358,729
Net earnings
Adoption of ASU 2018-02
Other comprehensive loss
Shares issued for consideration:
Shares issued under stock
incentive plan
Shares issued to Board of
Directors in lieu of cash
Stock-based compensation
Cash dividend ($0.60 per share)
Purchase of common stock
Other
—
—
—
3
—
—
—
(2)
—
—
—
(1)
62
8,646
—
(4,392)
—
73,248
4,761
—
—
—
—
(29,879)
—
—
—
(4,761)
(19,859)
—
—
—
—
—
—
73,248
—
(19,859)
2
62
8,646
(29,879)
(4,394)
—
7
73,255
—
—
(19,859)
—
—
—
—
—
2
62
8,646
(29,879)
(4,394)
(52)
(52)
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
494
$
58,770
$
395,434
$
(68,394) $
386,304
$
206
$ 386,510
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
43
KNOLL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation
Amortization expense (including deferred financing fees)
Provision (benefit) for deferred taxes
Loss on extinguishment of debt
Change in fair value of acquisition related contingent consideration
Inventory obsolescence
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Unrealized foreign currency losses
Stock-based compensation
Non-cash write-off of property, plant and equipment
Bad debt and customer claims
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
Customer receivables
Inventories
Accounts payable
Current income taxes
Prepaid and other current assets
Other current liabilities
Other noncurrent assets and liabilities
Cash provided by operating activities
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired
Cash used in investing activities
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from revolving credit facility
Repayment of revolving credit facility
Proceeds from term loans
Repayment of term loans
Payment of financing fees
Payment of fees related to debt extinguishment
Payment of dividends
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock
Purchase of common stock for treasury
Contingent purchase price payment
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest
Years Ended December 31,
2018
2017
2016
$
73,255
$
80,192
$
82,114
25,493
9,841
4,846
1,445
(350)
1,654
2,667
533
9,211
278
123
(24,977)
(16,173)
12,455
2,621
(3,513)
11,386
(2,587)
108,208
(40,289)
(307,983)
(348,272)
490,500
(383,000)
350,247
(177,937)
(4,652)
(1,023)
(29,984)
64
(4,411)
—
239,804
(383)
(643)
2,203
1,560
$
22,749
3,954
(19,634)
—
—
1,882
212
1,297
9,658
16,306
1,616
(5,500)
(4,045)
12,120
(7,011)
(3,350)
(4,813)
(1,899)
103,734
(40,587)
—
(40,587)
310,000
(338,000)
—
—
—
—
(30,193)
601
(10,950)
(6,000)
(74,542)
3,744
(7,651)
9,854
2,203
$
19,071
3,954
26,016
—
—
2,376
5
827
10,469
—
6,303
26,591
(2,157)
4,591
(6,871)
(13,815)
(3,430)
(51,749)
104,295
(40,105)
(18,456)
(58,561)
377,500
(379,500)
—
—
—
—
(29,217)
2,847
(5,464)
(5,000)
(38,834)
(1,238)
5,662
4,192
9,854
18,334
$
7,605
$
5,228
$
$
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
44
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
1. DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Description of the Business
Knoll, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Knoll”) are engaged in the design, manufacture, market and sale of
high-end furniture products and accessories, for both workplace and residential markets, as well as modern outdoor furniture.
The Company is also engaged in the sale of fine leather, textiles, and felt, focusing on the middle to high-end segments of the
market. The Company primarily operates in the United States (“U.S.”), Canada and Europe, and sells its products through a
broad network of independent dealers and distribution partners, through a direct sales force, through its showrooms, and online.
Basis of Presentation
The Company follows accounting standards set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). The FASB
establishes accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Rules and interpretive releases of the
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP
for SEC registrants, which the Company is required to follow. References to GAAP issued by the FASB in these footnotes are
to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), which serves as a single source of authoritative non-SEC accounting
and reporting standards to be applied by non-governmental entities. All amounts are presented in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise
noted.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned
subsidiaries and any partially-owned subsidiaries that the Company has the ability to control. Significant intercompany
transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
The results of the Company's European subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements, and are presented
on a one-month lag, with the exception of Muuto, to allow for the timely preparation of consolidated financial information. The
effect of this lag in presentation is not material to the consolidated financial statements.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results
may differ from such estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and highly-liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at
the date of purchase.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were recognized under ASC 605, Revenue Recognition, when
(i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement existed, (ii) delivery occurred or services were rendered, (iii) the price was fixed or
determinable and (iv) collectability was reasonably assured.
ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, was adopted for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2018. Per the
new standard, the Company determines revenue recognition by applying the following steps: (i) identify the contract with a
customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction
price to the performance obligations and (v) recognize revenue as the performance obligations are satisfied.
The Company recognizes revenue when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are
satisfied. The Company's primary performance obligation to its customers is the delivery of products. Control of the products
sold typically transfers to the customer upon shipment or delivery depending on the shipping terms of the underlying contract.
Each customer contract sets forth the transaction price for the products and services purchased under that arrangement.
Some customer arrangements include variable consideration, such as volume rebates, some of which depend upon the customers
meeting specified performance criteria, such as a purchasing level over a period of time. The Company uses judgment to estimate
the most likely amount of variable consideration at each reporting date. When estimating variable consideration, the Company
45
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
applies judgment when considering the probability of whether a reversal of revenue could occur and only recognize revenue
subject to this constraint.
The Company uses historical customer return data as a basis of estimation for customer returns and records the reduction
of sales at the time revenue is recognized. Customer returns have historically not been significant. The Company may receive
deposits from customers before revenue is recognized, thus resulting in the recognition of a contract liability (customer deposits).
Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling of products are included in sales and the related costs incurred
by the Company for shipping and handling are included in cost of sales. If shipping activities are performed after a customer
obtains control of a product, the Company applies a policy election to account for shipping and handling as an activity to fulfill
the promise to transfer the product to the customer.
The Company applies an accounting policy election to exclude from the measurement of the transaction price all taxes
assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction
and collected by the Company from a customer.
Practical Expedients Elected in adopting ASC 606
Incremental Costs of Obtaining a Contract - The Company has elected the practical expedient permitted in ASC
340-40-25-4, which permits an entity to recognize incremental costs to obtain a contract as an expense when incurred if the
amortization period will be less than one year.
Significant Financing Component - The Company has elected the practical expedient permitted in ASC 606-10-32-18,
which allows an entity to not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component
if a contract has a duration of one year or less. As the Company’s contracts are typically less than one year in length, consideration
will not be adjusted. The Company’s contracts generally include a standard payment term of 30 days, consequently there is no
significant financing component within its contracts.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for losses associated with accounts receivable balances that
are estimated to be uncollectible. The allowance is determined through an analysis of the aging of accounts receivable and
assessments of risk that are based on historical trends. The Company evaluates the past-due status of its customer receivables
based on the contractual terms of sale. If the financial condition of the Company's customers were to deteriorate, additional
allowances may be required. Accounts receivable and corresponding allowance for doubtful accounts are written off when the
Company determines that the likelihood of recovery is remote and the Company no longer intends to expend resources to attempt
collection.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value and include material, labor and overhead. Cost is
determined using the first-in, first-out method. The Company adjusts for inventory that it believes is impaired or obsolete.
Obsolescence occurs as the result of several factors, including the discontinuance of a product line, changes in product material
specifications, replacement products in the marketplace and other competitive influences.
Property, Plant, and Equipment
Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the
straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The useful lives are as follows:
Category
Useful Life (in years)
Leasehold improvements (1)
Buildings
Building improvements
Office equipment
Software
Machinery and equipment
Various
45-60
10-20
3-10
3-10
4-12
(1) Useful lives for leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the economic lives or the term of the lease.
Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Interest on capital projects is capitalized during the construction period.
46
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
The Company reviews the carrying values of its property and equipment for possible impairment whenever events or
changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable based on undiscounted estimated
cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. The factors considered by the Company in performing this
assessment include current operating results, business trends affecting the use of certain assets and other economic factors. In
assessing the recoverability of the carrying value of property and equipment, the Company must make assumptions regarding
future cash flows and other factors. If these estimates or the related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be
required to record an impairment loss for these assets.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested for impairment at least annually, as of October 1, and more
frequently whenever events or circumstances occur indicating that a possible impairment may have been incurred. Intangible
assets with finite lives are amortized over their useful lives.
The Company assesses whether goodwill impairment exists using both the qualitative and quantitative assessments. The
qualitative assessment involves determining whether events or circumstances exist that indicate it is more likely than not that
the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If based on this qualitative assessment the
Company determines it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, or if the
Company elects not to perform a qualitative assessment, a quantitative assessment is performed by determining the fair value
of the Company's reporting units.
The Company estimates the fair value of its reporting units using a combination of the fair values derived from both the
income approach and the market approach. Under the income approach, the Company calculates the fair value of a reporting
unit based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. Cash flow projections are based on management's estimates of
revenue growth rates and operating margins, taking into consideration industry and market conditions. The discount rate is based
on the weighted-average cost of capital adjusted for the relevant risk associated with business-specific characteristics and the
uncertainty related to the business's ability to execute on the projected cash flows. The market approach estimates fair value
based on market multiples of revenue and earnings derived from comparable publicly-traded companies with similar operating
and investment characteristics as the reporting unit.
If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not impaired and no further testing is required.
If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which
the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of
goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
When performing a qualitative assessment, the Company assesses numerous factors to determine whether it is more likely
than not that the fair value of the reporting units are less than their respective carrying values. The Company considered factors
that would impact the reporting unit fair values as estimated by the market and income approaches used in the last quantitative
assessment. The Company reviewed current projections of cash flows and compared these current projections to the projections
included in the most recent quantitative assessment, and considered the fact that no new significant competitors entered the
marketplace in the industry and that consumer demand for the industry’s products remains relatively constant, if not growing
slightly. Also, economic factors during the year did not significantly affect the discount rates used for the valuation of these
reporting units. The Company concluded that events occurring since the last quantitative assessment did not have a significant
impact on the fair value of each of these reporting units. Therefore, the Company determined that it was not necessary to perform
a quantitative goodwill impairment test for certain of these reporting units as the fair value of each reporting units appeared to
exceed its respective carrying value.
47
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
The Company assesses whether indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment exists using both the qualitative and
quantitative assessments. The qualitative assessment involves determining whether events or circumstances exist that indicate
it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. If based on
this qualitative assessment, the Company determines it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible
asset is less than its carrying amount or if the Company elects not to perform a qualitative assessment, a quantitative assessment
is performed to determine whether an indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment exists. The Company tests the indefinite-lived
intangible assets for impairment by comparing the carrying value to the fair value based on current revenue projections of the
related operations, under the relief from royalty method. Any excess of the carrying value over the amount of fair value is
recognized as an impairment. Any such impairment is recognized in the reporting period in which it has been identified.
Finite-lived intangible assets such as customer relationships, non-compete agreements, and licenses are amortized over
their estimated useful lives. The Company reviews the carrying values of these assets for possible impairment whenever events
or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable based on undiscounted estimated
cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. The Company continually evaluates the reasonableness of
the useful lives of these assets.
Business Combinations
The purchase price of an acquired company is allocated between tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities
assumed from the acquired business based on their estimated fair values, with the residual of the purchase price recorded as
goodwill. The results of operations of the acquired business are included in the Company's operating results from the date of
acquisition.
Deferred Financing Fees
Financing fees that are incurred by the Company in connection with the issuance of debt are deferred and amortized to
interest expense over the life of the underlying indebtedness. Deferred financing fees are presented in the Company's consolidated
balance sheets as a direct reduction from long-term debt.
Research and Development Costs
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred, and are included as a component of selling, general, and
administrative expenses. Research and development expenses were $20.1 million for 2018, $19.2 million for 2017, and $21.7
million for 2016.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability approach, which requires deferred tax assets and
liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates to measure the effect of temporary differences between book and tax bases on
recorded assets and liabilities. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets, if it is more likely than not some
portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be recognized. The need to establish valuation allowances against deferred tax
assets is assessed quarterly. The Company maintained a valuation allowance primarily for net operating loss carryforwards in
foreign tax jurisdictions where the Company has incurred historical tax losses from operations, and has determined that it is
more likely than not these deferred tax assets will not be recognized. The primary factors used to assess the likelihood of
realization are reversals of taxable temporary timing differences, forecasts of future taxable income and available tax planning
strategies that could be implemented to realize the net deferred tax assets.
The Company evaluates tax positions to determine whether the benefits of tax positions are more likely than not to be
sustained upon audit based on the technical merits of the tax position. For tax positions that are more likely than not to be
sustained upon audit, the Company recognizes the largest amount of the benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized
upon ultimate settlement. For tax positions that are not more likely than not to be sustained upon audit, the Company does not
recognize any portion of the benefit. If the more likely than not threshold is not met in the period for which a tax position is
taken, the Company may subsequently recognize the benefit of that tax position if the tax matter is effectively settled, the statute
of limitations expires, or if the more likely than not threshold is met in a subsequent period.
The Company recognizes income tax-related interest and penalties in income tax expense and accrues for interest and
penalties in other noncurrent liabilities.
48
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Act”), as signed by the President of the United States on December 22, 2017,
significantly revised U.S. tax law. The law included significant changes to the U.S. corporate income tax system, including a
Federal corporate rate reduction from 35% to 21%, limitations on the deductibility of interest expense and executive
compensation, and the transition of U.S. international taxation from a worldwide tax system to a territorial tax system. As a
result in the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $26.6 million, which primarily related to the
remeasurement of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities in the U.S. based on the new lower corporate income tax
rate and the one-time transition tax. During 2018, the Company finalized the calculations and recorded an additional tax benefit
of $1.7 million related to the rate differential on the deferred provision to return.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company uses the following valuation techniques to measure fair value for its financial assets and financial liabilities:
Level 1
Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2
Inputs are quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical or similar
assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable and market-
corroborated inputs which are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3
Inputs are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or value drivers are
unobservable.
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between
market participants at the measurement date. The Company and its subsidiaries use, as appropriate, a market approach (generally,
data from market transactions), an income approach (generally, present value techniques and option-pricing models), and/or a
cost approach (generally, replacement cost) to measure the fair value of an asset or liability. These valuation approaches
incorporate inputs such as observable, independent market data and/or unobservable data that management believes are predicated
on the assumptions market participants would use to price an asset or liability. These inputs may incorporate, as applicable,
certain risks such as nonperformance risk, which includes credit risk.
Derivative Instruments
The Company utilizes derivative instruments to mitigate volatility related to interest rates on certain debt instruments.
The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company recognizes
derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and measures those instruments at fair value. Changes
in the fair value of those instruments are initially reported in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) if they qualify
for hedge accounting and is subsequently recognized in earnings when the hedged exposure affects earnings. Derivatives qualify
for hedge accounting if they are designated as hedge instruments and if the hedge is highly effective in achieving offsetting
changes in the cash flows of the asset or liability hedged. Hedge effectiveness is assessed on a regular basis. Changes in fair
value of derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognized immediately in current net earnings.
Commitments and Contingencies
The Company establishes reserves for the estimated cost of environmental, legal and other contingencies when such
expenditures are probable and reasonably estimable. A significant amount of judgment is required to estimate and quantify the
ultimate exposure in these matters. The Company engages outside experts as deemed necessary or appropriate to assist in the
evaluation of exposure. From time to time, as information becomes available regarding changes in circumstances for ongoing
issues as well as information regarding emerging issues, the potential liability is reassessed and reserve balances are adjusted
as necessary. Revisions to the estimates of potential liability, and actual expenditures related to commitments and contingencies,
could have a material impact on the results of operations or financial position.
Warranty
The Company generally offers an assurance-type warranty for its products. The specific terms and conditions of those
warranties vary depending upon the product sold. The Company estimates the costs that may be incurred under its warranties
and records a liability in the amount of such costs at the time product revenue is recognized. Factors that affect the Company's
warranty liability include historical product-failure experience and estimated repair costs for identified matters. The Company
regularly assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liabilities and adjusts the amounts as necessary.
49
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company's customer receivables are comprised primarily of amounts due from independent dealers and direct
customers. The Company monitors and manages the credit risk associated with the individual dealers and direct customers. The
independent dealers are responsible for assessing and assuming the credit risk of their customers, and may require their customers
to provide deposits or other credit enhancement measures. Historically the Company has had a concentration of federal and local
government receivables; however, they carry minimal credit risk.
Foreign Currency Translation
Results of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using average exchange rates during the year, while assets
and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates as of the balance sheet dates. The resulting translation
adjustments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Transaction gains and losses resulting from exchange rate changes on transactions denominated in currencies other than
the functional currency of the applicable subsidiary are included in the consolidated statements of operations, within other
income, net, in the year in which the gain or loss occurs.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on
the grant-date fair value of the award. The Company recognizes compensation expense using the straight-line method over the
vesting period. Compensation expense relating to restricted stock units that are subject to performance conditions is recognized
if it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved. Forfeitures are recognized when they occur.
The fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units, excluding market-based restricted stock units, is based upon
the closing market price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant.
The fair value of the market-based restricted stock units is estimated at the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation
model, which requires management to make certain assumptions based on both historical and current data. These awards vest
based upon the performance of the Company's stock price relative to a peer group. The assumptions included in the model
include, but are not limited to, risk-free interest rate, expected volatility of the Company's and the peer group's stock prices, and
dividend yield. The risk-free rate is based upon the applicable U.S. Treasury Note rate. Expected volatility is estimated based
on the historical volatility of the Company's stock prices. The dividend yield is based on the Company's historical data.
Pension and Other Post-Employment Benefits
The Company sponsors two defined benefit pension plans and two other post-employment benefit plans ("OPEB"). Several
statistical and other factors, which attempt to anticipate future events, are used in calculating the expense and liability related
to the plans. Key factors include assumptions about the expected rates of return on plan assets, discount rates, and health care
cost trend rates. The Company considers market and regulatory conditions, including changes in investment returns and interest
rates, in making these assumptions.
The Company determines the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets based on aggregating the expected rates
of return for each component of the plan's asset mix. The Company uses historic plan asset returns combined with current market
conditions to estimate the rate of return. The expected rate of return on plan assets is a long-term assumption and generally does
not change annually. The discount rate reflects the market rate for high-quality fixed income debt instruments as of the Company's
annual measurement date and is subject to change each year.
Unrecognized actuarial gains and losses are recognized over the expected remaining lifetime of the plan participants.
Unrecognized actuarial gains and losses arise from several factors, including experience and assumption changes with respect
to the obligations of the pension and OPEB plans, and from the difference between expected returns and actual returns on plan
assets. These unrecognized gains and losses are systematically recognized as a change in future net periodic pension expense
in accordance with the appropriate accounting guidance relating to defined benefit pension and OPEB plans.
Key assumptions used in determining the amount of the obligation and expense recorded for the OPEB plans include the
assumed discount rate and the assumed rate of increases in future health care costs. In estimating the health care cost trend rate,
the Company considers actual health care cost experience, future benefit structures, industry trends and advice from its actuaries.
The Company assumes that the relative increase in health care costs will generally trend downward over the next several years,
reflecting assumed increases in efficiency and cost-containment initiatives in the health care system.
50
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
In accordance with the appropriate accounting guidance, the Company has recognized the funded status (i.e., the difference
between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation) of the defined benefit pension and OPEB plans in the
consolidated balance sheets. To record the unfunded status of the plans, the Company recorded an additional liability and an
adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax. Other changes in the benefit obligation including net actuarial
loss (gain) and prior service cost (credit) are recognized in other comprehensive income.
The actuarial assumptions the Company used in determining the pension and OPEB retirement benefits may differ
materially from actual results due to changing market and economic conditions, higher or lower withdrawal rates, or longer or
shorter life spans of participants. While the Company believes that the assumptions used are appropriate, differences in actual
experience or changes in assumptions may materially affect the financial position or results of operations.
Segment Information
The Company has two reportable segments: Office and Lifestyle. The Office reportable segment is comprised of the
operations of the Office operating segment. The Lifestyle reportable segment is an aggregation of the Lifestyle, Europe
Studio, and Muuto operating segments. All unallocated expenses are included within Corporate.
The Office reportable segment includes a complete range of workplace products that address diverse workplace planning
paradigms. These products include: systems furniture, seating, storage, tables, desks and KnollExtra® accessories as well as the
international sales of our North American Office products.
The Lifestyle reportable segment aggregates three operating segments: Lifestyle, Europe Studio and Muuto. Our Lifestyle
reportable segment products, which are distributed in North America and Europe, include iconic seating, lounge furniture, side,
café and dining chairs as well as conference, training, dining and occasional tables, lighting, rugs, textiles, high-quality fabrics,
felt, leather and related architectural products.
Corporate costs represent the accumulation of unallocated costs relating to shared services and general corporate activities
including, but not limited to, legal expenses, acquisition expenses, certain finance, human resources, administrative and executive
expenses and other expenses that are not directly attributable to an operating segment. Dedicated, direct selling, general and
administrative expenses of the segments are included within segment operating profit. Management regularly reviews the costs
included in the Corporate function, and believes disclosing such information provides more visibility and transparency of how
the chief operating decision maker reviews the results for the Company.
During 2018, the Company changed the structure of its internal organization that caused the composition of its
reportable segments to change. Prior to the reorganization, the Company had three reportable segments: Office, Studio and
Coverings. While the Office reportable segment was previously comprised of the operations of the Office operating segment,
the Studio and Coverings reportable segments were each comprised of multiple operating segments that had been previously
aggregated. Subsequently, these operating segments that previously comprised the Studio and Coverings reportable segments
were reorganized and now represent components of the Lifestyle and Europe Studio operating segments. As a result of this
change, the Company retrospectively revised prior period results, by segment, to conform to the current period presentation.
New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance codified in ASC 842, Leases, which supersedes the guidance in ASC 840,
Leases. ASC 842 will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2019, and the Company will adopt the standard using the
modified retrospective approach. While the Company continues to evaluate the provisions of ASC 842 to determine how it will
be affected, the primary effect of adopting the new standard will be to record assets and obligations for current operating leases.
Lessees will classify leases as either finance or operating leases and lessors classify all leases as sales-type, direct financing or
operating leases. For operating leases, the consolidated statement of operations presentation and expense recognition is similar
to that of operating leases under ASC 840 with single lease cost recognized on a straight-line basis. The Company has no financing
leases.
During 2018, the Company made progress on implementing the new standard which included surveying the Company’s
businesses, assessing the Company’s portfolio of leases and compiling a central repository of active leases. The Company
evaluated key policy elections and considerations under the standard which the Company will utilize to develop an internal
policy to address the new standard requirements. Additionally, the Company selected a lease accounting software solution to
support the new reporting requirements and started implementation of the software. While the Company continues to assess the
impact on its accounting policies, internal control processes and related disclosures required under the new guidance, the Company
expects to record lease liabilities of approximately $133 million, with an offsetting increase to right-of-use assets of approximately
$120 million for all leases with an initial term of greater than twelve months regardless of their classification. These conclusions
may change as the Company continues to evaluate the new standard or if there are any changes in the Company’s lease portfolio.
51
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
In 2018, the FASB issued clarifying guidance to the topic in ASUs No. 2018-10 and No. 2018-11, which clarified certain
aspects of the new leases standard and provided an optional transition method. The Company has elected the package of practical
expedients and will adopt utilizing the optional transition method defined within ASU 2018-11 upon adoption on January 1,
2019. The Company did not elect the hindsight expedient.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 - Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit
Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology for measuring and
recognizing credit losses with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range
of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. This amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning
after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of the ASU on its
consolidated financial statements.
In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation - Stock compensation (Topic 718) which simplifies several
aspects of the accounting for nonemployee share-based payment transactions resulting from expanding the scope of Topic 718,
Compensation-Stock Compensation, to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from
nonemployees. Some of the areas for simplification apply only to nonpublic entities. The amendments specify that Topic 718
applies to all share-based payment transactions in which a grantor acquires goods or services to be used or consumed in a
grantor’s own operations by issuing share-based payment awards. The amendments also clarify that Topic 718 does not apply
to share-based payments used to effectively provide (1) financing to the issuer or (2) awards granted in conjunction with selling
goods or services to customers as part of a contract accounted for under Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
The amendments in this Update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018,
including interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not plan to early adopt this
ASU but does not believe there will be a material impact to the financial statements as a result of adopting this ASU.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) which modifies the disclosure
requirements of fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. For public companies the ASU removes
disclosure requirements for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the policy for timing of transfers
between levels and the valuation process for Level 3 fair value measurements. The ASU modifies the disclosure requirements
for investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value and clarifies that the measurement uncertainty disclosure is to
communicate information about the uncertainty in measurement as of the reporting date. The ASU adds the disclosure requirement
for changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair
value measurements held at the end of the reporting period and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable
inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. The amendments in this update are effective for all entities for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2019 including interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted. The
Company does not plan to early adopt this ASU and the Company does not believe there will be a material impact to the financial
statements as a result of adopting this ASU.
Accounting Standards Adopted
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, also referred to as ASC
606, which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with
customers. This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in FASB ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and
most industry-specific guidance. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and
interim periods therein. The Company adopted the standard as of January 1, 2018.
The Company adopted ASC 606 for all open contracts as of January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition
method, and applied the guidance to report new disclosures surrounding the Company’s recognition of revenue. The adoption
of the new standard did not have a material impact on the financial position of the Company, the results of its operations or its
cash flows as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018, and the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. There
was no cumulative effect of adopting the standard at the date of initial application in retained earnings. The new standard further
requires quantitative and qualitative disclosures about the Company’s contracts with customers which have been included within
this Form 10-K.
52
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General
(Subtopic 715-20). The ASU removes the requirements to disclose: amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income
expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year, the amount and timing of plan
assets expected to be returned to the employer, related party disclosures about the amount of future annual benefits covered by
insurance and annuity contracts and significant transactions between the employer or related parties and the plan, and the effects
of a one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates. The ASU requires disclosure of the explanation of the
reasons for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period. The amendments in the update
are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 including interim periods within that fiscal year.
Early adoption is permitted and the amendments in this update are required to be applied on a retrospective basis to all periods
presented. The Company adopted the update in the fourth quarter of 2018 and there is no material impact to the financial
statements as a result of adopting this ASU.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715). The new standard requires
the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost to be presented in the same income statement line as other employee
compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period and the other components of net periodic benefit cost to
be presented separately from the income statement lines that include service cost and outside of any subtotal of operating income.
The Company adopted the new standard for the period beginning January 1, 2018, resulting in no change in presentation of the
service cost component of net periodic benefit cost, which has historically been reported in selling, general and administrative
expenses along with other employee compensation costs. The retrospective adoption resulted in the Company reclassifying $9.6
million and $5.8 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively, of the other components of net periodic benefit cost from Selling,
general and administrative to Other income, net.
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). The new standard is intended to
better align a company’s risk management strategies and financial reporting for hedging relationships. Under the new guidance,
more hedging strategies will be eligible for hedge accounting and the application of hedge accounting is simplified. In addition,
the new guidance amends presentation and disclosure requirements. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2018 with early adoption permitted, including the interim periods within those years. The Company early adopted
the standard as of January 1, 2018. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated
financial statements.
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”) was signed into law. Subsequently, the Securities and
Exchange Commission staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) which provides guidance regarding situations
when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable
detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act. In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05,
Income Taxes (Topic 740) which incorporates the provision of SAB 118 into the accounting standards codification. In 2017 in
accordance with SAB 118, the Company made a reasonable estimate of the effects on its existing deferred tax balances and one-
time transition tax including the impact of the assertion to repatriate foreign earnings, which was anticipated to change as data
became available through the tax return preparation process allowing more accurate scheduling of the deferred tax assets and
liabilities primarily related to depreciable assets, inventory, employee compensation and commissions. The measurement period
ended in the fourth quarter of 2018 in accordance with SAB 118 standards, and the Company finalized its accounting.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220).
The new standard will allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded
tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”). The amendments eliminate the stranded tax effects resulting
from the Tax Act and will improve the usefulness of information reported to financial statements users. However, because the
amendment only relates to the reclassification of the income tax effects of the Tax Act, the underlying guidance that requires
that the effect of a change in tax laws or rates be included in income from continuing operations is not affected. The guidance
is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 with early adoption permitted, including the interim periods
within those years. The Company early adopted the standard effective January 1, 2018 and reclassified $4.8 million from
accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings related to the Company’s pension and other postretirement
liabilities.
53
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
NOTE 3. REVENUE
Disaggregation of Revenue
The majority of the Company’s revenue presented as “Sales” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and
Comprehensive Income is the result of contracts with customers for the sale of the Company’s products.
The Company’s sales by product category were as follows (in thousands):
Office Segment
Office Systems
Seating
Files and Storage
Ancillary
Other
Total Office Segment
Lifestyle Segment
Studio
Coverings
Total Lifestyle Segment
Total Sales
Contract Balances
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2018
2017
2016
$ 435,135
$ 422,681
$ 488,751
128,855
118,454
124,732
91,537
92,372
34,121
90,362
59,487
32,000
85,696
38,150
31,544
$ 782,020
$ 722,984
$ 768,873
410,239
110,013
300,948
108,960
285,885
109,534
$ 520,252
$ 409,908
$ 395,419
$ 1,302,272
$ 1,132,892
$ 1,164,292
The Company has contract assets consisting of Customer receivables in the Consolidated Balance Sheets which represent
the amount of consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for the goods or services rendered to its customers.
When the Company receives deposits, the recognition of revenue is deferred and results in the recognition of a contract
liability (Customer deposits) presented as a component of Other Current Liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Subsequent
recognition of revenue and the satisfaction of the contract liability is typically less than one year as the Company’s standard contract
is less than one year. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the contract liability related to customer deposits was
$37.7 million and $30.5 million, respectively. The Company recognized revenues that were included in the contract liability at
the beginning of the current year of $30.5 million. In addition, the Company assumed a contract liability of $1.5 million related
to a business combination during the year.
4. ACQUISITIONS
On September 9, 2016, Holly Hunt Enterprises, Inc. (“HOLLY HUNT®”) completed the acquisition of Vladimir Kagan
Design Group (“Vladimir Kagan”), known for its elegant, mid-century and contemporary designs. The aggregate purchase price
for the acquisition was $8.5 million. The purchase price was funded from borrowings under the Company's revolving credit
facility. The Company recorded the acquisition of Vladimir Kagan using the acquisition method of accounting and recognized
the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their fair values as of the date of the acquisition. The results of operations of
Vladimir Kagan have been included in the Company's Lifestyle segment beginning September 9, 2016.
On December 1, 2016, the Company completed the acquisition of DatesWeiser Furniture Corporation (“DatesWeiser”),
a designer and manufacturer of contemporary wood conference and meeting room furniture. The aggregate purchase price for
the acquisition was $11.0 million, plus certain contingent payouts of up to $4.0 million in the aggregate based on the future
performance of the business. The purchase price was funded from borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facility.
The Company recorded the acquisition of DatesWeiser using the acquisition method of accounting and recognized the assets
acquired and liabilities assumed at their fair values as of the date of the acquisition. The results of operations of DatesWeiser
have been included in the Company's Lifestyle segment beginning December 1, 2016.
The results of Vladimir Kagan and DatesWeiser in 2016, as well as pro forma financial information, have not been
presented as the financial impact of these acquisitions are not considered material for the year ended December 31, 2016.
54
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
On January 25, 2018, the Company acquired one hundred percent (100%) of the shares of Muuto Holding ApS and MIE4
Holding 5 ApS, which collectively hold all the business operations of Muuto ApS (“Muuto”). Muuto’s affordable luxury products
span commercial and residential applications, adding scale and diversity to the Company’s business. The aggregate purchase
price for the acquisition was $307.7 million, net of $7.6 million of cash acquired and subject to certain customary adjustments.
The Company recorded the acquisition of Muuto using the acquisition method of accounting and recognized the assets acquired
and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. The results of operations of Muuto have been
included in the Company’s Lifestyle segment beginning January 25, 2018. The Company funded the acquisition with borrowings
from the Amended Credit Agreement as well as cash on hand. See Note 13 for information on the Company’s borrowings. The
Company recorded acquisition and certain other costs of $5.1 million within selling, general, and administrative expenses in its
Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income, during the twelve months ended December 31, 2018.
The amount of sales and net loss that resulted from the acquisition and attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders included
in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income during the twelve month period ended December 31,
2018 were as follows (in thousands):
Sales
Net Income (loss) attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2018
$
$
85,575
(1,305)
The following table summarizes the fair values assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and resulting
goodwill as of the January 25, 2018 acquisition date (in thousands):
Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition
Date
Cash
Customer receivables
Inventory
Other current assets
Property, plant, and equipment, net
Intangible assets
Other non-current assets
Total assets acquired
Accounts payable
Other current liabilities
Deferred income taxes
Total liabilities assumed
Net assets acquired
Purchase price
Less: Fair value of acquired identifiable assets and liabilities
Goodwill
$
$
$
$
$
$
7,605
8,617
11,085
453
1,266
135,600
296
164,922
3,418
10,591
29,919
43,928
120,994
315,313
120,994
194,319
The excess of the purchase price over the net tangible and intangible assets is recorded to goodwill and primarily reflects
the assembled workforce and expected synergies. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes.
55
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of Muuto’s identifiable intangible assets and their estimated
useful lives (in thousands):
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Trade name
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Wholesale customer relationships
Contract customer relationships
Copyrights & designs
Non-competition agreements
Total intangible assets
Fair Value as of
January 25, 2018
Estimated Useful Life
(in years)
66,000
Indefinite
35,800
25,000
7,500
1,300
135,600
15
9
7
3
$
$
Unaudited pro forma information for the Company for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 as if the
acquisition had occurred January 1, 2017 is as follows (in thousands):
Pro forma sales
Pro forma net earnings attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2018
1,306,420
78,964
$
$
2017
1,203,158
77,892
$
$
The unaudited pro forma financial information has been presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily
indicative of results of operations that would have been achieved had the acquisition taken place on the date indicated, or the
future consolidated results of operations of the Company. The pro forma financial information presented above has been derived
from the historical consolidated financial statements of the Company and from the historical consolidated financial statements
of Muuto.
The pro forma financial information presented above include adjustments for: (1) incremental amortization expense
related to fair value adjustments to identifiable intangible assets, (2) incremental interest expense for outstanding borrowings
to reflect the terms of the Amended Credit Agreement, (3) nonrecurring items, (4) the tax effect of the above adjustments.
The pro forma information presented for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 excludes expenses for future
payments that are considered compensation for post combination service of $3.2 million, loss on debt extinguishment of $1.4
million, acquisition costs of $1.9 million, and acquisition-related inventory step-up valuation adjustment of $0.9 million, and
includes incremental interest expense of $0.1 million and incremental amortization of intangibles of $0.8 million. The income
tax impact of these adjustments for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 was $1.3 million. The pro forma information
presented for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 includes incremental amortization of intangibles of $6.6 million,
acquisition costs of $1.9 million, future payments that are considered compensation for post combination service of $3.5 million,
incremental amortization of deferred financing fees of $1.2 million, incremental interest expense of $1.7 million, and an
acquisition-related inventory step-up valuation adjustment of $0.9 million. The income tax impact of these adjustments for the
twelve months ended December 31, 2017 was $4.6 million. The pro forma financial information does not include adjustments
for potential future cost savings.
56
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
5. INVENTORIES
Information regarding the Company's inventories is as follows (in thousands):
Raw materials
Work-in-process
Finished goods
December 31,
2018
2017
$
$
65,185
8,282
97,082
170,549
$
$
58,725
6,943
79,277
144,945
6. PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Information regarding the Company's property, plant and equipment is as follows (in thousands):
Land
Leasehold improvements
Buildings
Office equipment
Software
Machinery and equipment
Construction-in-progress
Property, plant and equipment
Accumulated depreciation
Property, plant, and equipment, net
December 31,
2018
2017
$
11,985
$
59,604
68,852
19,533
43,436
237,194
52,730
493,334
(278,381)
214,953
$
$
12,489
54,995
67,465
18,193
40,378
243,939
32,481
469,940
(269,310)
200,630
During 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company capitalized interest of approximately $0.8 million, $0.8 million and $0.7
million, respectively.
During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company completed a global design review of the next phases of its enterprise
resource planning system implementation. Through this review, the Company identified certain software items that were no
longer useful to the future phases of the enterprise resource planning system. As a result, the Company recorded a $16.3 million
write-off of capitalized software costs in 2017.
7. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
Information regarding the Company's other intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):
December 31, 2018
December 31, 2017
Gross
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Amount
Gross
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Amount
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Tradenames
$
285,529
$
— $
285,529
$
225,600
$
— $
225,600
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Customer relationships
Copyrights & design
Various
Total
78,382
6,960
13,510
$
384,381
$
(18,418)
(999)
(11,018)
(30,435) $
59,964
5,961
2,492
22,497
—
12,088
353,946
$
260,185
$
(11,575)
—
(10,029)
(21,604) $
10,922
—
2,059
238,581
There were no impairment charges recorded relating to goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets during 2018, 2017
or 2016.
57
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
The Company's amortization expense related to finite-lived intangible assets was $8.9 million, $3.3 million, and $3.3
million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The expected amortization expense based on the
finite-lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2018 is as follows (in thousands):
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Estimated Amortization
8,605
$
8,466
7,960
7,635
7,564
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment are as follows (in thousands):
Balance as of December 31, 2016
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Purchase accounting adjustment
Balance as of December 31, 2017
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Goodwill acquired
Balance as of December 31, 2018
8. OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
$
Office
Segment
35,701
519
—
36,220
(597)
—
Lifestyle Segment
105,690
$
Total
$
141,391
—
203
105,893
(15,351)
194,594
519
203
142,113
(15,948)
194,594
320,759
$
35,623
$
285,136
$
Information regarding the Company's other current liabilities is as follows (in thousands):
Accrued employee compensation
Customer deposits
Warranty
Other
Other current liabilities
December 31,
2018
2017
$
$
40,568
37,716
9,623
40,938
128,845
$
$
41,144
30,484
9,174
23,356
104,158
58
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
9. LEASES
The Company has commitments under operating leases for certain machinery and equipment as well as manufacturing,
warehousing, showroom and other facilities used in its operations. Some of the leases contain renewal provisions and generally
require the Company to pay certain operating expenses, including utilities, insurance and taxes, which are subject to escalation.
At times the Company enters into lease agreements which contain a provision for cash abatements related to certain leasehold
improvements. These abatements are recognized on a straight-line basis as a reduction to rent expense over the lease term. The
unamortized portions as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 were $6.0 million and $5.9 million, respectively. Total rent expense
for 2018, 2017, and 2016 was $32.1 million, $28.9 million, and $29.8 million, respectively. Future minimum rental payments
required, excluding maintenance and other miscellaneous charges, under those operating leases are as follows (in thousands):
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Subsequent years
Total minimum lease payments
Future Minimum
Rental Payments
26,427
$
23,805
19,135
17,224
15,063
38,778
140,432
$
10. PENSION AND OTHER POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
The Company has two domestic defined benefit pension plans and two plans providing for other post-employment benefits,
including medical and life insurance coverage. One of the pension plans and one of the OPEB plans covered eligible U.S.
nonunion employees while the other pension plan and OPEB plan covered eligible U.S. union employees. The Company uses
a December 31 measurement date for all of these plans.
During 2015, the Company approved amendments, effective December 31, 2015, to both the union and nonunion U.S.
defined benefit pension plans. The Company also amended its remaining post-employment medical plan in 2015. The
amendments eliminated the accrual of future benefits for all participants in the defined benefit pension plans and closed entry
to new retirees into the post-employment medical plan.
During 2018, the Company contributed $7.9 million in discretionary contributions to the union pension plan and did not
contribute to the nonunion pension plan. During 2017, the Company did not make any contributions to the union or nonunion
pension plans. During 2016, the Company contributed $9.0 million and $43.0 million in discretionary contributions to the union
and nonunion pension plans, respectively.
59
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the related benefit obligation and plan assets related to the benefits
provided by the Company (in thousands):
Pension Benefits
Other Benefits
2018
2017
2018
2017
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of the period
$
295,566
$
280,193
$
3,806
$
Expected administrative expenses
Interest cost
Plan amendments
Participant contributions
Actuarial (gain) loss
Benefits paid
Benefits paid related to settlement
Loss (gain) related to settlement
Administrative expenses paid
Projected benefit obligation at end of the period
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of the period
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of the period
Actual return on plan assets
Employer contributions
Participant contributions
Actual expenses paid
Benefits paid
Benefits paid related to settlement
Fair value of plan assets at the end of period
Funded status
$
$
$
$
$
940
10,160
—
—
(26,385)
(7,095)
(29,480)
893
(984)
243,615
243,615
273,895
(10,306)
7,900
$
$
$
700
9,455
—
—
27,925
(7,617)
(11,969)
(472)
(2,649)
295,566
295,566
263,027
33,103
—
—
(984)
(7,095)
(29,480)
233,930
$
(9,685) $
—
(2,649)
(7,617)
(11,969)
$
273,895
(21,671) $
—
120
—
209
(43)
(490)
—
—
—
$
$
$
3,602
$
— $
— $
—
281
209
—
(490)
—
— $
(3,602) $
5,736
—
173
(1,317)
206
(284)
(708)
—
—
—
3,806
—
—
—
502
206
—
(708)
—
—
(3,806)
The actuarial loss in 2017 was mainly due to approximately a 50 basis point drop in discount rates used to value the
projected benefit obligation. The actuarial gain in 2018 was mainly driven by approximately a 70 basis point increase in the
discount rates, which lowered the value of the projected benefit obligation. Additionally, each year the plans experienced
other sources of gains and losses due to other changes in assumptions and demographic data. Also during 2018, benefits paid
related to settlement increased from 2017 due to settling the liability for certain beneficiaries. Also in 2018, the Company
contributed $7.9 million to the union plan ($0 in 2017). No employer contributions were made to the nonunion plan in 2017
or 2018.
Assumptions used in computing the benefit obligation as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:
Discount rate
Expected return on plan assets
Rate of compensation increase
Pension Benefits
Other Benefits
2018
4.37% - 4.46%
4.60% - 7.10%
2017
2018
2017
3.70 - 3.77% 3.30% - 4.32%
N/A
7.10%
2.48 - 3.66%
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
60
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
The following table presents the fair value of the Company's pension plan investments as of December 31, 2018 and 2017
(in thousands):
Equity Securities
U.S. equity securities
Non-U.S. equity securities
Debt Securities
Equity Securities
U.S. equity securities
Non-U.S. equity securities
Debt Securities
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
$
— $ 54,484
$
— $
—
28,036
$
— $ 75,944
$
— $
—
37,042
—
—
—
—
54,484
28,036
151,410
233,930
75,944
37,042
160,909
273,895
Fixed income funds and cash investment funds
121,663
29,747
December 31, 2018
$
121,663
$ 112,267
$
— $
Fixed income funds and cash investment funds
123,867
37,042
December 31, 2017
$
123,867
$ 150,028
$
— $
See Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements for the description of the levels of the fair value hierarchy.
The following table sets forth the consolidated balance sheets presentation for components relating to the Company's
pension and OPEB plans (in thousands):
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets
consist of:
Noncurrent assets
Current liabilities
Noncurrent liabilities
Net amount recognized
Amounts recognized in accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss) before taxes:
Net actuarial loss
Prior service (credit)
Net amount recognized
Pension Benefits (2)
Other Benefits (2)
2018
2017
2018
2017
$
$
$
$
4,245
$
—
(13,930)
(9,685) $
— $
—
(21,671)
(21,671) $
— $
(301)
(3,301)
(3,602) $
55,923
—
55,923
$
$
60,256
—
60,256
$
$
$
1,043
(2,580)
(1,537) $
—
(231)
(3,575)
(3,806)
1,015
(3,310)
(2,295)
At December 31, 2018, the union pension plan had a fair value of plan assets of $50.6 million and both a projected benefit
obligation (PBO) and accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) of $46.4 million, leading to an excess of the fair value of plan
assets over the PBO/ABO of $4.2 million. Also at December 31, 2018, the nonunion pension plan had both a PBO and ABO of
$197.2 million a fair value of plan assets of $183.3 million, leading to an excess of PBO/ABO over the fair value of plan assets
of $13.9 million.
The following table sets forth changes in the benefit obligation before income taxes recognized in other comprehensive
income for the Company's pension and OPEB plans (in thousands):
61
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
Net actuarial loss (gain)
Prior service (credit)
Amortization of:
Prior service credit
Actuarial (loss) gain
Loss recognized related to settlement
Total recognized in OCI
Pension Benefits
Other Benefits
2018
2017
2018
2017
$
2,390
$
12,794
$
—
—
(43) $
—
(227)
(1,400)
—
(988)
(5,735)
(4,333) $
—
(704)
(2,162)
9,928
$
730
71
—
$
758
$
1,485
(3)
—
(145)
The following table sets forth the components of the net periodic benefit cost (income) for the Company's pension and
OPEB plans (in thousands):
Pension Benefits
Other Benefits
2018
2017
2016
2018
2017
2016
Expected administrative expenses $
940
$
700
$
1,870
$
— $
— $
10,160
(17,574)
9,455
(18,444)
9,662
(14,782)
—
988
5,735
—
704
2,162
—
492
—
120
—
(730)
(71)
—
173
—
(1,485)
3
—
—
196
—
(1,120)
(248)
—
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Amortization of prior service cost
(credit)
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)
Settlement related expense (1)
Net periodic benefit cost
(income)
$
249
$
(5,423) $
(2,758) $
(681) $
(1,309) $
(1,172)
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1) The pension settlement charge for 2018 related to the purchase of annuities for certain plan retirees as well as cash payments for lump sum elections. The
pension settlement charge for 2017 related to lump sum elections made by employees affected by the restructuring activities in the second quarter of 2017.
Assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 were
as follows:
Pension Benefits
Other Benefits
2018
2017
2016
2018
2017
2016
Discount rate
3.70 - 3.77% 3.80 - 4.25% 4.55 - 4.65%
2.48 - 3.66% 2.35 - 4.20% 2.30 - 4.51%
Expected return on plan assets
Rate of compensation increase
7.10%
N/A
7.10%
N/A
7.10%
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
The expected long-term rate of return on assets is based on management's expectations of long-term average rates of
return to be earned on the investment portfolio. In establishing this assumption, management considers historical and expected
returns for the asset classes in which the plan assets are invested.
62
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
For purposes of measuring the benefit obligation associated with the Company's OPEB plans as of December 31, 2018,
as well as the assumed rate for 2018 the following rates were assumed to affect the per capita costs of the following covered
benefits:
Healthcare
Prescription drug
Benefit obligation
Net periodic benefit cost
2018
2027 and thereafter
2018
2025 and thereafter
6.50%
9.00%
4.50%
4.50%
5.60% - 7.20%
10.10%
4.50%
4.50%
The Company's pension plans' weighted-average asset allocations as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, by asset category
were as follows:
Asset Category:
Temporary investment funds
Equity investment funds
Fixed income funds
Total
Plan Assets at
December 31,
2018
2017
3%
35%
62%
100%
1%
41%
58%
100%
The Company's pension plans' investment policy includes an asset mix based on the Company's risk posture. The
investment policy follows a glide path approach that shifts a higher portfolio weighting to fixed income as the funded status
increases. The investment policy states a target allocation based on the plans’ funded status of approximately 35% equity funds
and 65% fixed income funds. Inclusion of the fixed income assets is to hedge risk associated with the plans’ liabilities along
with providing potential growth through income. These assets should primarily invest in fixed income instruments of the U.S.
Treasury and government agencies and investment-grade corporate bonds. The equity fund investments can consist of broadly
diversified domestic equity, international equity, fixed income (return seeking), alternative investments, commodities, and real
estate assets. The purpose of these assets is to provide the opportunity for capital appreciation, income, and the ability to diversify
investments. A mix of mutual funds, ETF’s, and separate accounts are used as the plans' investment vehicles with clearly stated
investment objectives and guidelines, as well as offer competitive long-term results.
The Company expects to contribute $0.3 million to its OPEB plans in 2019. Currently, no contributions are expected in
2019 for the Company's pension plans. Estimated future benefit payments under the pension and OPEB plans are as follows (in
thousands):
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024 - 2027
Pension Benefits
Other Benefits
$
$
16,919
17,246
17,330
17,366
17,031
79,360
301
254
263
262
263
1,235
The Company also sponsors 401K retirement savings plans for all U.S. associates. Under the 401K retirement savings
plans, participants may defer a portion of their earnings up to the annual contribution limits established by the Internal Revenue
Service. The Company's total expense under the 401K plans for U.S. employees was $3.9 million for 2018, $5.5 million for
2017 and $9.8 million for 2016. Employees of the Canadian, Belgium, Denmark and United Kingdom operations also participate
in defined contribution pension plans sponsored by the Company. The Company's expense related to these plans for 2018, 2017,
and 2016 was $1.7 million, $1.0 million, and $1.0 million, respectively.
63
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
11. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Financial Instruments
The fair values of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy,
approximate carrying value due to their short maturities.
The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy, approximates its
carrying value, as it is variable rate debt and the terms are comparable to market terms as of the balance sheet dates.
Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following table represents the assets and liabilities, measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the basis for that
measurement (in thousands):
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap
Contingent purchase price payment -
DatesWeiser
Interest Rate Swap
Fair Value as of December 31, 2018
Fair Value as of December 31, 2017
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
$
— $
1,689
$
— $
1,689
$
— $
— $
— $
—
—
—
750
750
—
—
1,100
1,100
The Company’s interest rate swap is with a counter-party with a credit rating of A- according to S&P and Fitch. The fair
value of the interest rate swap agreement is based on observable prices as quoted for receiving the variable one month London
Interbank Offered Rates (LIBOR) and paying fixed interest rates and therefore were classified as Level 2 within the fair value
hierarchy.
Contingent Purchase Price Payment
Pursuant to the agreement governing the acquisition of DatesWeiser, the Company may be required to make annual
contingent purchase price payments. The payouts are based upon DatesWeiser reaching an annual net sales target, for each year
through 2020. The Company classifies this as a Level 3 measurement and is required to remeasure this liability at fair value on
a recurring basis. The fair value of such contingent purchase price payments, totaling $1.1 million, was determined at the time
of acquisition based upon net sales projections for DatesWeiser through 2020 and a discount rate of 10%. Excluding the initial
recognition of the liability for the contingent purchase price payments and payments made to reduce the liability, any changes
in the fair value will be included within selling, general and administrative expenses. During 2018, the Company remeasured
the fair value of the liability and recorded a $0.4 million reduction in fair value due to DatesWeiser not meeting the net sales
target for 2018. The maximum amount of possible future contingent payments under the agreement as of December 31, 2018
is $4.0 million.
There were no additional assets and/or liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2018 or
2017.
Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
There were no assets and/or liabilities remeasured to fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2018 or 2017
and for the years then ended.
12. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
The Company is exposed to interest rate risks related to its business operations. To reduce the interest rate risk the
Company uses an interest rate swap contract. The Company does not use derivatives for speculative trading purposes.
64
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
Cash flow hedge
To offset the variability of cash flows in interest payments associated with a portion of the Company’s variable rate
debt, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract in January 2018 which is designated as a cash flow hedge.
The interest rate swap hedges one month LIBOR which effectively converts a portion of the variable-rate debt to a fixed
interest rate. The interest rate swap effective date is December 31, 2018 and the maturity date is January 23, 2023. As of
December 31, 2018, the Company’s interest rate swap agreement, which hedges certain long-term debt obligations, has
an initial notional amount of $300.0 million, which decreases over time by $50 million increments as follows:
Period
Through December 2019
January 2020 - December 2020
January 2021 - December 2021
January 2022 - December 2022
January 2023
Notional amount outstanding
$300 million
$250 million
$200 million
$150 million
$100 million
The swap contract has a fixed rate of 2.63%. The following table illustrates the location and fair value of the
Company’s interest rate swap at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Interest rate swap
Interest rate swap
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Derivatives
December 31, 2018
Balance Sheet Location
Other current liabilities
Other noncurrent liabilities
Fair
Value
$255
1,434
$1,689
December 31, 2017
Balance
Sheet
Location
Fair
Value
n/a
n/a
$0
—
$0
The interest rate swap is included at its estimated fair value as an asset or a liability in the Consolidated Balance
Sheet based on a discounted cash flow model using applicable market swap rates and certain assumptions. The fair value
of the swap recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) may be recognized in the Consolidated Statement
of Operations if certain terms of the agreement change, are modified or if the loan is extinguished. The Company had no
ineffectiveness related to its swap agreement as of December 31, 2018. The Company expects to reclassify in the next
twelve months a loss of approximately $0.3 million from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings,
as a component of interest expense, related to the Company's interest rate swap based on the borrowing rates at December 31,
2018.
13. INDEBTEDNESS
The Company's long-term debt is summarized as follows (in thousands):
Balance of revolving credit facility
Balance of term loan
Total long-term debt
Less: Current maturities of long-term debt
Less: Deferred financing fees, net
Long-term debt
December 31,
2018
2017
$
134,500
$
330,802
465,302
17,185
4,219
27,000
165,000
192,000
10,000
952
$
443,898
$
181,048
At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company's weighted-average interest rates were approximately 3.6% and 2.4%,
respectively.
65
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
Credit Facilities
The following revolving credit facilities were in place at December 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands):
December 31, 2018
December 31, 2017
Expiration
Date
Capacity
Borrowed
Letter of
Credit
Unused
capacity
Expiration
Date
Capacity
Borrowed
Letter of
Credit
Unused
capacity
Jan 2023
$
400,000
$
134,500
$
5,167
$
260,333 May 2019
$
300,000
$
27,000
$
5,367
$
267,633
At December 31, 2018, borrowings under the revolving credit facility include $2.5 million at a base rate of 6.25% and
$132.0 million at a weighted average LIBOR rate of 4.25%. At December 31, 2017, borrowings under the revolving credit
facility accrued interest at 2.62%. At December 31, 2018 and 2017 the letters of credit issued under the revolving credit
facility incurred interest at 1.75% and 1.25%, respectively.
On January 23, 2018, the Company completed an amendment to its existing credit facility, dated May 20, 2014 (the
“Existing Credit Agreement”), whereby the Existing Credit Agreement was amended and restated in its entirety by the Third
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, among the Company and certain foreign subsidiaries of the Company, as borrowers,
and certain domestic and foreign subsidiaries of the Company, as guarantors, (the “Amended Credit Agreement”).
The Amended Credit Agreement provides for a $750.0 million credit facility that matures in five years, consisting of a
revolving commitment in the amount of $400.0 million, which may be available in U.S. dollars, Euro, British Pound and other
foreign currencies, a U.S. term loan commitment in the amount of $250.0 million and a multicurrency term loan commitment
in the amount of €81.7 million. The Amended Credit Agreement also includes an option to increase the size of the revolving
credit facility or incur incremental term loans by up to the greater of $250.0 million or 90% of the EBITDA of the Company
and its subsidiaries for the four fiscal quarters prior to such increase or additional loan, subject to the satisfaction of certain terms
and conditions. The proceeds of the credit facility were used to (1) consummate the Muuto acquisition and, (2) refinance certain
indebtedness and will also be used, among other things, for general corporate and operational purposes. Borrowings under the
revolving credit facility may be repaid at any time, but no later than the maturity date on January 23, 2023. The Company retains
the right to terminate or reduce the size of the revolving credit facility at any time. Borrowings under the term loan facilities
amortize in equal quarterly installments equaling 5% per annum, with the remaining borrowings due on the maturity date.
Interest on the revolving credit and term loans will accrue, at the Company’s election, at (i) the Eurocurrency Rate (as
defined in the Amended Credit Agreement), plus additional percentage points based on the Company’s leverage ratio or (ii) the
Base Rate (a rate based on the higher of (a) the prime rate announced from time-to-time by Bank of America, N.A., (b) the
Federal Reserve System’s federal funds rate, plus .50% or (c) the Eurocurrency Rate, plus 1.00%; Base Rate is defined in detail
in the Amended Credit Agreement), plus additional percentage points based on the Company’s leverage ratio. At December 31,
2018 the U.S. term loan and multicurrency term loan incurred interest at 4.27% and 1.75%, respectively. At December 31, 2017
the U.S. term loan incurred interest at 2.82%. The Eurocurrency rates used for the U.S. dollar-denominated term loan and the
Euro-denominated term loan are one month LIBOR and one month Euribor, respectively.
The Amended Credit Agreement requires the Company to comply with various affirmative and negative covenants,
including without limitation (i) covenants to maintain a minimum specified interest coverage ratio and maximum specified net
leverage ratio (or under certain circumstances, a maximum specified net secured leverage ratio), and (ii) covenants that prevent
or restrict the Company’s ability to pay dividends, engage in certain mergers or acquisitions, make certain investments or loans,
incur future indebtedness, engage in sale-leaseback transactions, alter its capital structure or line of business, prepay subordinated
indebtedness, engage in certain transactions with affiliates and sell stock or assets.
Repayments under the Amended Credit Agreement can be accelerated by the lenders upon the occurrence of certain events
of default, including, without limitation, a failure to pay any principal, interest or other amounts in respect of loans when due,
breach by the Company (or its subsidiaries) of any of the covenants or representations contained in the Amended Credit Agreement
or related loan documents, failure of the Company (or its material subsidiaries) to pay any amounts owed with respect to other
significant indebtedness of the Company or such subsidiary, or a bankruptcy event with respect to the Company or any of its
material subsidiaries.
The indebtedness incurred under the Amended Credit Agreement is secured by substantially all of the Company’s tangible
and intangible assets, including, without limitation, the Company’s intellectual property. The Company’s direct and indirect
wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries have also guaranteed the obligations of the Company and the foreign borrowers under the
Amended Credit Agreement and pledged substantially all of their tangible and intangible assets as security for their obligations
under such guarantee. Certain of the Company’s wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries have guaranteed the obligations of the
66
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
foreign borrowers under the Amended Credit Agreement and pledged certain of their assets as security for their obligations
under such guarantee.
The aggregate maturities of long-term debt are as follows (in thousands):
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Thereafter
Total
Deferred Financing Fees
Future minimum debt payments
$
$
17,185
17,184
17,184
17,184
396,565
—
465,302
Deferred financing fees, net of accumulated amortization, totaled $4.2 million and $1.0 million as of December 31, 2018
and 2017, respectively. Amortization expense related to the deferred financing fees, included in interest expense, was $1.1 million
for the year ended December 31, 2018, and $0.7 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. In conjunction
with terminating the Company's Existing Credit Agreement, $0.4 million in unamortized debt issuance costs and $1.0 million
of third party fees related to debt extinguishment were written-off as a loss on extinguishment of debt, recorded as a component
of interest expense on the accompanying statements of operations and comprehensive income for the year ended December 31,
2018.
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Litigation
The Company is currently involved in matters of litigation, including environmental contingencies, arising in the ordinary
course of business. The Company accrues for such matters when expenditures are probable and reasonably estimable. Based
upon information presently known, management is of the opinion that such litigation, either individually or in the aggregate,
will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Collective Bargaining
At December 31, 2018, the Company employed a total of 3,541 people. Approximately 8.2% of the total number of
employees are represented by unions globally. The Grand Rapids, Michigan Plant is the only unionized plant within North
America and has an agreement with the Carpenters Union, Local 1615, of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of
America, Affiliate of the Carpenters Industrial Council, covering approximately 187 hourly employees or 5.3% of the labor
force. The Collective Bargaining Agreement expires April 26, 2022. Approximately 104 workers in Italy, or 2.9% of the labor
force, are also represented by state-sponsored unions. The union contracts under which these Italian workers are represented
expired in December 2018. The contract is under negotiation and expected to be finalized in 2019.
Warranty
The Company provides for estimated product warranty expenses, which are included in other current liabilities, when
related products are sold. Because warranty estimates are forecasts that are based on the best available information, primarily
historical claims experience, future warranty claims may differ from the amounts provided.
67
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
Changes in the warranty reserve are as follows (in thousands):
DECEMBER 31, 2018
Balance, beginning of the year
Provision for warranty claims
Warranty claims incurred
Warranties acquired through business acquisition
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Balance, end of the year
15. STOCK PLANS
2018
2017
2016
9,174
$
8,906
$
7,726
(7,898)
611
10
9,623
$
7,099
(6,735)
—
(96)
9,174
$
8,513
6,792
(6,272)
—
(127)
8,906
$
$
As of December 31, 2018, the Company sponsors three stock incentive plans under which awards denominated or payable
in shares, units or options to purchase shares of Knoll common stock may be granted to officers, certain other employees,
directors and consultants of the Company. The following table summarizes the Company approved plans, the number of shares
authorized to be issued and the number of shares available to be issued as of December 31, 2018:
2010 Stock Incentive Plan
2013 Stock Incentive Plan
2018 Stock Incentive Plan
Total available for issuance
Authorized for issue
Available for issue
2,000,000
2,000,000
2,000,000
56,959
513,399
2,000,000
2,570,358
The Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors, has sole discretion concerning administration of the
plans including selection of individuals to receive awards, types of awards, the terms and conditions of the awards and the time
at which awards will be granted.
68
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units
The Company awards restricted shares and restricted stock units to employees, as well as non-employee directors, under
various plans. The restrictions on these awards generally lapse between three and four years from the date of the awards. The
Company records expense for restricted shares and restricted stock units awards in an amount equal to the fair market value of
the underlying awards on the grant date of the award, over the period the awards lapse. The following table shows the details
for each of the 2016, 2017 and 2018 restricted shares and restricted stock units grants:
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
$
Number of
restricted shares
and restricted
stock units
283,000
30,632
163,509
109,000
586,141
277,250
24,488
147,938
98,625
548,301
223,988
37,788
150,009
100,000
511,785
Grant Date
2016 grants
Total 2016
grants
2017 grants
Total 2017
grants
2018 grants
Total 2018
grants
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
Vesting
18.69 Cliff - Subject to service conditions
18.28 Graded - Subject to service conditions
Vesting Period
Three Years
Three Years
18.81 Cliff - Subject to service and performance conditions
Three Years
12.03 Cliff - Subject to service and market conditions
Three Years
22.80 Cliff - Subject to service conditions
22.87 Graded - Subject to service conditions
Three - Four Years
Three Years
22.77 Cliff - Subject to service and performance conditions
Three Years
10.63 Cliff - Subject to service and market conditions
Three Years
21.21 Cliff - Subject to service conditions
19.89 Graded - Subject to service conditions
Three Years
Two Years
21.20 Cliff - Subject to service and performance conditions
Three Years
13.87 Cliff - Subject to service and market conditions
Three Years
The following table summarizes the Company's restricted shares activity during the year:
Outstanding at December 31, 2017
Granted
Forfeited
Vested
Outstanding at December 31, 2018
Restricted
Shares
Weighted-Average Grant Date
Fair Value
841,610
261,776
(20,940)
(357,194)
725,252
$
$
20.41
21.02
22.01
19.62
21.03
The fair value of restricted shares that vested during 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $7.4 million , $9.5 million, $4.9 million,
respectively.
The Company estimated the fair value of the restricted stock units with market-based vesting conditions using the monte-
carlo valuation model. In determining these values, the following weighted-average assumptions were used for the stock units
granted during the fiscal years indicated:
69
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
Weighted-average fair value on grant date
Assumptions used to compute fair value :
Volatility
Risk free interest rate
Expected term
Expected dividend yield
2018
2017
2016
$
13.87
$
10.63
$
12.03
27.3%
2.3%
3 years
2.8%
27.2%
1.6%
27.3%
0.7%
3 years
2.6 years
2.6%
2.3%
The following table summarizes the Company's restricted stock units activity during the year:
Outstanding at December 31, 2017
Restricted
Stock Units -
Service Based
15,000
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
$
14.04
Restricted
Stock Units -
Performance
Based
327,486
$
Granted
Forfeited
Vested
Expired
Outstanding at December 31, 2018
—
—
—
—
(15,000)
14.04
—
— $
—
—
150,009
(16,270)
(55,921)
—
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
20.44
21.20
20.05
21.21
—
Restricted
Stock Units -
Market Based
236,708
100,000
(10,845)
(503)
(55,163)
270,197
$
$
Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
12.46
13.87
11.84
11.80
14.88
12.46
405,304
$
20.92
Fair value of restricted stock units that vested during 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $1.4 million, $9.9 million, and $0.0 million,
respectively.
Stock Options
A summary of the status of the Company's options as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and changes during the year ended
December 31, 2018, is presented below.
Number
of
Options
Weighted-
Average
Grant-Date
(Per Share)
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
(per Share)
Weighted- Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
(years)
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2017
Granted
Outstanding at December 31, 2018
Exercisable at December 31, 2018
— $
— $
20,000
20,000
$
4.01
4.01
$
— $
— $
—
22.59
22.59
—
4.6
0
$
$
—
—
The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value, based on the KNL market
price, less the strike price, as of the end of the period presented, which would have been received by the option holders had all
option holders exercised in-the-money options as of that date. Total intrinsic value of options exercised in 2018, 2017 and 2016
was $0.0 million, $0.2 million and $1.6 million, respectively. No options were exercised during fiscal 2018. Options granted in
2018, 2017 and 2016 had a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $0.1 million, $0.0 million and $0.0 million, respectively.
There were no options which vested in 2018 and the total fair value of options vested during 2017 and 2016 were less than $0.1
million, respectively.
Total Awards
Compensation costs related to stock-based compensation for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 totaled
$9.2 million pre-tax ($6.9 million after-tax), $9.6 million pre-tax ($6.1 million after-tax) and $10.5 million pre-tax ($6.8 million
after-tax) respectively, and are included within selling, general, and administrative expenses.
At December 31, 2018, the total compensation cost related to non-vested awards not yet recognized equaled $11.8 million
for restricted share awards and restricted stock units, with less than $0.1 million costs related to non-vested stock options. The
weighted-average remaining period over which the cost is to be recognized is 1.5 years.
70
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
16. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred Stock
The Company's Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par
value of $1.00 per share. Subject to applicable laws, the Board of Directors is authorized to provide for the issuance of preferred
shares in one or more series, for such consideration and with designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating,
optional or other special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be determined by the Board of
Directors. There was no preferred stock outstanding as of December 31, 2018, 2017 or 2016.
Common Stock
The following table demonstrates the change in the number of shares of common stock outstanding during the years ended
December 2018, 2017, and 2016 (excludes non-voting restricted shares).
Shares outstanding as of December 31, 2015
Purchase of common stock
Shares issued under stock incentive plan, net of awards surrendered to pay applicable taxes
Exercise of stock options
Shares issued to Board of Directors in lieu of cash
Shares outstanding as of December 31, 2016
Purchase of common stock
Shares issued under stock incentive plan, net of awards surrendered to pay applicable taxes
Exercise of stock options
Shares issued to Board of Directors in lieu of cash
Shares outstanding as of December 31, 2017
Shares issued under stock incentive plan, net of awards surrendered to pay applicable taxes
Shares issued to Board of Directors in lieu of cash
Shares outstanding as of December 31, 2018
Treasury Stock
47,828,079
(123,577)
192,050
202,500
3,276
48,102,328
(17,445)
385,037
22,500
5,522
48,497,942
204,855
3,129
48,705,926
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company held 16,347,713 and 16,120,462 treasury shares, respectively. The
Company records repurchases of its common stock for treasury at cost.
71
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows (in thousands):
Beginning
Balance
Before-Tax
Amount
Tax Benefit
(Expense)
Net-of-Tax
Amount
ASU
2018-02
Ending
Balance
December 31, 2016
Pension and other post-employment liability
adjustment
$ (22,832) $ (10,785) $
4,212
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) $ (37,318) $ (10,297) $
(14,486)
488
—
4,212
December 31, 2017
Pension and other post-employment liability
adjustment
$ (29,405) $ (9,783) $
1,025
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) $ (43,403) $ (1,396) $
(13,998)
8,387
—
1,025
$ (6,573) $
488
$ (6,085) $
— $ (29,405)
— (13,998)
— $ (43,403)
$ (8,758) $
8,387
(371) $
$
— $ (38,163)
(5,611)
—
— $ (43,774)
December 31, 2018
Pension and other post-employment liability
adjustment
Interest rate swap derivative
Foreign currency translation adjustment
$ (38,163) $
—
(5,611)
$
3,575
(1,689)
(13,140)
(930) $
2,645
(1,250)
439
— (13,140)
$ (4,761) $ (40,279)
(1,250)
—
— (18,751)
Foreign currency translation adjustment on long-
term intercompany notes
—
(8,114)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
$ (43,774) $ (19,368) $
—
(8,114)
(8,114)
(491) $ (19,859) $ (4,761) $ (68,394)
—
The following reclassifications were made from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to the statements of
operations (in thousands):
Amortization of pension and other post-employment liability
adjustments
Prior service credits (1)
Actuarial losses (1)
Loss recognized during settlement
Total before tax
Tax (benefit) expense
Net of tax
December 31,
2018
2017
2016
$
$
$
730
(917)
(5,735)
(5,922)
(1,502)
(4,420) $
$
1,485
(707)
(2,162)
(1,384)
(548)
(836) $
1,120
(244)
—
876
312
564
(1) These accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components are included in the computation of net periodic pension costs. See Note 10 for additional
information.
72
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
17. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share excludes the dilutive effect of common shares that could potentially be issued due to the exercise
of stock options and vesting of unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units, and is computed by dividing net income
available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS
reflects the potential dilution that would occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted
into common stock. At December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company had outstanding stock options, restricted stock, and
restricted stock units, which could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future. The following table sets forth the
reconciliation from basic to dilutive average common shares (in thousands):
Years ended December 31,
2018
2017
2016
Numerator:
Net earnings attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders
$
73,248
$
80,163
$
82,084
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per shares - weighted-average shares
48,657
48,423
48,093
Effect of dilutive securities:
Potentially dilutive shares resulting from stock plans
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - weighted-average shares
Antidilutive equity awards not included in weighted-average common shares—
diluted
561
49,218
737
826
49,160
48,919
20
—
—
Net earnings per common share attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders:
Basic
Diluted
$
$
1.51
1.49
$
$
1.66
1.63
$
$
1.71
1.68
73
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
18. INCOME TAXES
Income before income tax expense consists of the following (in thousands):
U.S. operations
Foreign operations
Total
Income tax expense (benefit) is comprised of the following (in thousands):
Current:
Federal
State
Foreign
Total current
Deferred:
Federal
State
Foreign
Total deferred
Income tax expense (benefit)
2018
67,240
30,911
98,151
2018
4,276
2,101
13,673
20,050
6,297
908
(2,359)
4,846
24,896
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2017
62,609
15,983
78,592
2017
11,712
2,404
3,918
18,034
(20,595)
2,541
(1,580)
(19,634)
(1,600) $
2016
107,803
19,735
127,538
2016
11,980
2,840
4,588
19,408
23,814
2,347
(145)
26,016
45,424
$
$
$
$
The following table sets forth the tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the deferred tax assets and liabilities
(in thousands):
Deferred tax assets
December 31,
2018
December 31,
2017
Accounts receivable, principally due to allowance for doubtful accounts
$
(32) $
Inventories
Net operating loss carryforwards
Accrued pension
Stock-based compensation
Compensation-related accruals
Warranty
Obligation for post-employment benefits other than pension
Accrued liabilities and other items
Gross deferred tax assets
Valuation allowance
Net deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangibles
Plant and equipment
Gross deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax liabilities
5,939
6,898
2,121
3,722
696
2,055
935
8,350
30,684
(4,789)
25,895
(85,553)
(26,839)
(112,392)
(86,497) $
$
858
5,939
7,460
5,591
2,972
3,063
1,779
1,312
3,886
32,860
(4,789)
28,071
(58,701)
(24,041)
(82,742)
(54,671)
Income taxes paid, net of refunds received, by the Company during 2018, 2017, and 2016, totaled $9.6 million, $22.4
million, and $27.4 million, respectively.
74
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
As of December 31, 2018, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards totaling approximately $26.5 million in
the United Kingdom, Germany and Brazil. The net operating loss carryforwards may be carried forward indefinitely. The
Company regularly evaluates positive and negative evidence as it relates to realizability of deferred tax assets in each jurisdiction.
As a result of this analysis, the Company determined that the valuation allowance related to United Kingdom net operating
losses should be reversed during 2017 as a history of positive earnings and anticipated future earnings supports the realization
of the deferred tax asset. The result of this reversal was an income tax benefit of $2.6 million. The Company still provides a
valuation allowance against Germany and Brazil net foreign deferred tax assets (principally the net operating loss carryforwards)
due to the uncertainty that they can be realized.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the effective income tax rate:
Federal statutory tax rate
Increase (decrease) in the tax rate resulting from:
State taxes, net of federal effect
Effect of tax rates of other countries
Section 199 deduction
Change in contingency reserve
Limitation on deduction of officer’s compensation
Tax Act
Valuation allowance release
Other
Effective tax rate
2018
21.0 %
2017
35.0 %
2016
35.0 %
2.4 %
0.5 %
— %
— %
0.4 %
(3.2)%
— %
4.3 %
25.4 %
5.2 %
(1.8)%
(0.7)%
— %
1.3 %
(33.9)%
(3.3)%
(3.8)%
(2.0)%
3.3 %
(1.4)%
(0.8)%
(0.2)%
0.6 %
— %
— %
(0.9)%
35.6 %
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts (“Tax Act”) was enacted into law. The new tax legislation represents
a fundamental and dramatic shift in U.S. taxation. The new legislation contains several key tax provisions that will impact the
Company, including the reduction of the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. The new
legislation also includes a variety of other changes, such as a one-time transition tax on unrepatriated accumulated foreign
earnings, a limitation on the tax deductibility of interest expense, repeal of the Section 199 domestic production activities
deduction, acceleration of business asset expensing, and reduction in the amount of executive pay that could qualify as a tax
deduction, among others. ASC 740 requires the Company to recognize the effect of the tax law changes in the period of enactment.
The SEC staff issued SAB 118 which allowed the Company to record provisional amounts during a one year measurement
period. At December 31, 2017 the Company had not completed the accounting for the tax effects of enactment of the Tax Act;
however, as described below the Company made a reasonable estimate of the effects on existing deferred tax balances and the
one-time transition tax. The Company recorded an estimated benefit as a result of the new legislation of $26.6 million in the
fourth quarter of 2017. The revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities at the lower corporate rate of 21% resulted in a
benefit of $28.3 million, offset by a one-time transition tax on unrepatriated accumulated foreign earnings of $0.2 million and
a withholding tax on distribution of those earnings in the amount of $1.5 million. In accordance with SAB 118, the Company
finalized the calculations in 2018 and recorded an additional tax benefit of $1.7 million related to the rate differential on the
deferred provision to return. As of December 31, 2018, the accounting for the income tax effects of the Tax Act have been
completed and recorded in the Company’s financial statements and no further provisional measurement period adjustments will
be made.
As of December 31, 2018, to the extent the Company’s earnings attributable to its foreign subsidiaries are not
considered permanently reinvested, a deferred tax liability for the tax consequences of remitting the accumulated earnings has
been provided in the financial statements. As of December 31, 2017, the Company provisionally recorded a liability for
unremitted earnings. This provisional amount was recorded under SAB 118 and reflected withholding taxes of approximately
$1.5 million. Upon further examination in the measurement period provided for in SAB 118, the Company has determined
that the previously taxed unremitted earnings can be brought back tax-free. As such, the Company has reversed the deferred
tax liability as of December 31, 2018 as a SAB 118 adjustment. With respect to all other non-US foreign subsidiaries, the
earnings are considered to be permanently reinvested and therefore a liability has not been provided with respect to those
earnings.
75
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company's unrecognized tax benefits during 2018, 2017, and
2016 (in thousands):
2018
2017
2016
Balance, beginning of the year
Additions for tax position related to the current year
Additions for tax position related to the prior year
Decreases for tax position related to the prior year
Prior year reductions:
Lapse of statute of limitations
Settlements
Balance, end of the year
$
$
875
125
—
—
875
125
—
—
(125)
—
(125)
—
$
875
$
875
$
$
4,407
125
56
(250)
(125)
(3,338)
875
All of the unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2018, if recognized, would affect the Company's effective tax
rate. During 2018 and 2017, the Company recognized no interest and penalties, and in 2016 the Company recognized $0.1
million of interest and penalties. The Company has paid all accrued interest and penalties recognized prior to December 31,
2018, therefore the Company has no accruals for the payment of interest and penalties as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
As of December 31, 2018, the Company is subject to U.S. Federal Income Tax examination for the tax years 2015 through
2018, and to non-U.S. income tax examination for the tax years 2011 to 2018. In addition, the Company is subject to state and
local income tax examinations for the tax years 2014 through 2018.
19. OTHER INCOME, NET
The components of other income, net are as follows (in thousands):
Foreign exchange losses (gains)
Net periodic benefit income
Other, net
Other income, net
Years Ended December 31,
2018
(1,965) $
(7,107)
(532)
(9,604) $
$
$
2017
2016
$
1,781
(9,594)
113
(7,700) $
3,725
(5,800)
(360)
(2,435)
76
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
20. QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED)
The following tables contain selected unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income data
for each quarter for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily
indicative of results for any future period. The quarterly results are as follows (in thousands):
2018
Sales
Gross profit
Net earnings
Net earnings attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders
Earnings per share—Basic
Earnings per share—Diluted
2017
Sales
Gross profit
Net earnings
Net earnings attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders
First
Quarter
Second
Quarter
Third
Quarter
Fourth
Quarter
Fiscal
Year
$
296,559
$
323,351
$
327,737
$
354,625
$
1,302,272
107,711
15,267
15,259
119,287
13,123
13,124
122,794
20,323
20,323
131,732
24,542
24,542
$
$
0.31
0.31
$
$
0.27
0.27
$
$
0.42
0.41
$
$
0.50
0.50
$
$
481,524
73,255
73,248
1.51
1.49
(1) (2) (3) (6)
(1) (2) (3) (6)
(1) (2) (3) (6)
(1) (2) (3) (6)
$
256,820
$
268,694
$
291,256
$
316,122
$
1,132,892
95,674
15,396
15,404
99,958
12,960
12,938
106,610
19,161
19,132
112,337
32,679
32,693
414,579
80,192
80,163
1.66
1.63
—
(4) (5) (6)
(4) (5) (6)
(4) (5) (6)
(4) (5) (6)
Earnings per share—Basic
Earnings per share—Diluted
$
$
0.32
0.31
$
$
0.27
0.26
$
$
0.39
0.39
$
$
0.67
0.67
$
$
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1) During the second, third and fourth quarters of 2018, the Company recorded pension settlement charges of $4.6 million, $0.6 million and $0.5 million,
respectively.
(2) During the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2018, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $0.5 million, $0.8 million, $1.2 million and $0.1
million, respectively within the Office segment related to an organizational realignment that will result in greater operating efficiency and control.
(3) During the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2018, the Company recorded acquisition costs of $1.0 million, $0.5 million, $0.2 million and $0.2
million, respectively related to the acquisition of Muuto.
(4) During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company recorded pension settlement charges of $2.2 million and a $16.3 million write-off of property, plant, and
equipment.
(5) During the second quarter of 2017, Knoll recorded restructuring charges of $2.2 million related to headcount rationalization and modernization of equipment
in the Office Segment.
(6) The fourth quarters of 2017 and 2018 results include the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and SAB 118 of $26.6 million and $1.7 million, respectively.
77
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
21. SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC REGION INFORMATION
The tables below present the Company’s segment information (in thousands):
SALES
Office
Lifestyle
Corporate
Knoll, Inc.
INTERSEGMENT SALES (1)
Office
Lifestyle
Corporate
Knoll, Inc.
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION (2)
Office
Lifestyle
Corporate
Knoll, Inc.
OPERATING PROFIT
Office(3)
Lifestyle (4)
Corporate (4)
Knoll, Inc.(5)
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
Office
Lifestyle
Corporate
Knoll, Inc.
2018
2017
2016
782,020
$
722,984
$
520,252
409,908
—
1,302,272
1,644
10,769
—
12,413
19,760
14,046
595
34,401
50,382
89,097
(24,286)
115,193
31,978
8,982
879
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
—
1,132,892
1,331
10,941
—
12,272
18,334
6,828
887
26,049
28,233
76,406
(24,102)
80,537
32,515
6,700
462
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
768,873
395,419
—
1,164,292
1,877
14,138
—
16,015
14,967
5,565
653
21,185
72,134
80,597
(22,223)
130,508
34,065
7,149
1,481
41,839
$
39,677
$
42,695
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1) Intersegment sales are presented on a cost-plus basis which takes into consideration the effect of transfer prices between legal entities.
(2) Excludes amortization of deferred financing fees.
(3) Within the Office segment, Knoll recorded a $16.3 million write-off of property, plant, and equipment during 2017; a $5.7 million and $2.2 million pension
settlement charge during 2018 and 2017, respectively; and a $2.6 million and $2.2 million restructuring charge during 2018 and 2017, respectively.
(4) Knoll recorded acquisition costs of $0.6 million and $1.3 million related to the acquisition of Muuto within the Lifestyle segment and Corporate, respectively,
during 2018.
(5) The Company does not allocate interest expense or other (income) expense, net to the reportable segments.
Many of the Company's facilities manufacture products for all both reportable segments. Therefore, it is impractical to
disclose asset information on a segment basis.
78
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
DECEMBER 31, 2018
The Company markets its products in the United States and internationally, with its principal international markets being
Canada and Europe. The table below contains information about the geographical areas in which the Company operates. Sales
are attributed to the geographic areas based on the origin of sale, and property, plant, and equipment, net is based on the geographic
area in which the asset resides (in thousands):
2018
Sales
Property, plant, and equipment, net
2017
Sales
Property, plant, and equipment, net
2016
United
States
Canada
Europe
Mexico
Consolidated
$ 1,066,810
$
37,299
$
197,401
$
762
$
1,302,272
172,653
26,876
15,424
—
214,953
$
977,669
$
52,894
$
100,233
$
2,096
$
1,132,892
157,805
29,307
13,518
—
200,630
Sales
$ 1,031,920
$
36,813
$
93,420
$
2,139
$
1,164,292
Property, plant, and equipment, net
157,856
26,452
12,776
—
197,084
79
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURES
None
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. We, under the supervision and with the participation of our management,
including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation
of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as of the end of
the period covered by this report (December 31, 2018) ("Disclosure Controls"). Based upon the Disclosure Controls evaluation,
our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Disclosure Controls are effective in reaching
a reasonable level of assurance that (i) information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the
Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms and (ii) information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that
we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to our management, including
our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely
decisions regarding required disclosure.
INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management's annual report on internal control over financial reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing
and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, for the Company. Internal control over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Internal control over financial reporting includes
without limitation, maintaining records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions, providing reasonable
assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of our financial statements, providing reasonable assurance
that receipts and expenditures of company assets are made in accordance with management authorization, and providing
reasonable assurance that unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of company assets that could have a material effect on
our financial statements would be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control
over financial reporting is not intended to provide absolute assurance that a misstatement of our financial statements would be
prevented or detected.
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in
Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(2013 framework). Our evaluation of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Muuto
ApS. (“Muuto”), which was acquired on January 25, 2018, and is included in our 2018 consolidated financial statements and
constitutes 26.8% of total assets as of December 31, 2018 and 6.6% and 7.3% of sales and net earnings, respectively, for the
year then ended. The Company is currently in the process of integrating Muuto into its internal control over financial reporting
process pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Company is evaluating changes to processes, information technology
systems and other components of internal controls over financial reporting as part of its ongoing integration activities, and as a
result, controls will be periodically changed. The Company believes, however, that it will be able to maintain sufficient controls
over its financial reporting throughout this integration process. Based on our assessment, with the exclusion of Muuto,
management concluded that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2018.
The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 has been audited
by Ernst & Young LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report included in Item
8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. During the period covered by this report, there has been no change
in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the
Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over
financial reporting.
80
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of Knoll, Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Knoll, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria
established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Knoll, Inc. (the Company) maintained, in all material
respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on the COSO criteria.
As indicated in the accompanying Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting,
management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include
the internal controls of Muuto, which is included in the 2018 consolidated financial statements of the Company and
constituted 26.8% of total assets as of December 31, 2018 and 6.6% and 7.3% of sales and net earnings, respectively, for the
year then ended. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of the Company also did not include an evaluation of
the internal control over financial reporting of Muuto.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States) (PCAOB), the 2018 consolidated financial statements of the Company and our report dated February 26, 2019 expressed
an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s annual
report on internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control
over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be
independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all
material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material
weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and
performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable
basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
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.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
February 26, 2019
81
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by Item 10 relating to directors, director nominees and executive officers of the registrant is
incorporated by reference from the information under the captions “Board of Directors,” “Election of Directors,” “Executive
Officers,” “Board Meetings and Committees,” “Code of Ethics,” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance” contained in our Proxy Statement for our 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”).
The information relating to the identification of the audit committee, audit committee financial expert and director
nomination procedures of the registrant is incorporated by reference from the information under the caption “Board Meetings
and Committees” contained in our Proxy Statement.
Our Board of Directors has adopted a code of ethics for all employees. This code is made available free of charge on our
website at www.knoll.com. For further information see subsection “Code of Ethics” in our Proxy Statement.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by Item 11 is hereby incorporated by reference from the information under the caption “Executive
Compensation” contained in our Proxy Statement.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
Plan Category
Equity compensation plans approved by
security holders
Equity compensation plans not
approved by security holders
Total
Equity Compensation Plan Information
As of December 31, 2018
Number of Securities
to be Issued upon
Exercise of
Outstanding Options
(a)
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options
(b)
Number of Shares Remaining for
Future Issuance Under Equity
Compensation Plans (Excluding
Securities Reflected in Column (a))
(c)
20,000
$
—
20,000
22.59
—
2,570,358
—
2,570,358
If there is an expiration, termination, or cancellation of any benefit granted under the plans without the issuance of shares,
the shares subject to or reserved for that benefit may again be used for new stock options, rights, or awards of any type authorized
under the plans.
All other information required by Item 12 is hereby incorporated by reference from the information under the caption
“Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” contained in our Proxy Statement.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by Item 13 is hereby incorporated by reference from the information under the captions
“Transactions with Related Persons” and “Director Independence” contained in our Proxy Statement.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by Item 14 is hereby incorporated by reference from the information under the caption
“Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” contained in our Proxy Statement.
82
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
PART IV
(a)
Documents filed as part of this Form 10-K:
(1) CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (ITEM 8)
• Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017
• Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and
2016
• Consolidated Statements of Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
• Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
• Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
• Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
(2) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
• Financial Statement Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts is filed with this Form 10-K on page S-1 of this
Form 10-K. All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable regulation of the Commission have either
been presented in the Company's financial statements or are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable
and therefore have been omitted.
(3) EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
2.1 (b)
2.2 (g)
3.1 (a)
3.2 (i)
Description
Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 10, 2017, among Knoll Denmark ApS, Maj Invest
Equity 4 K/S, B Holding 2005 ApS, KB ApS, Unos ApS and AK Cleemann Holding APS.
Securities Purchase Agreement, dated February 3, 2014, among Knoll, Inc., Holly Hunt Enterprises,
Inc., HHMI LLC, the Shareholders of Holly Hunt Enterprises, Inc. and the Members of HHMI LLC.
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Knoll, Inc.
Amended and Restated By-Laws of Knoll, Inc.
4.1 (m)
Form of Stock Certificate.
10.1 (b)
Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 23, 2018, by and among
Knoll, Inc., certain of the domestic subsidiaries of Knoll, Inc., Bank of America, N.A., as
Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated, as Joint Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner, and certain other lenders and the other
lenders party thereto.
10.2 (d)*
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2016, between Knoll, Inc. and
Andrew B. Cogan.
10.3 (l)*
Amended and Restated Knoll, Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Plan.
10.4 (o)*
Amended and Restated Knoll, Inc. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan
83
Exhibit
Number
Description
10.5 (e)
Amended and Restated Knoll, Inc. 2018 Stock Incentive Plan
10.6 (k)
Amended and Restated Knoll, Inc. Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan.
10.7 (h)*
Form of Restricted Share Agreement under the Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan (time
vesting).
10.8 (f)*
Form of Restricted Share Agreement under the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (time vesting).
10.9 (f)*
Form of Restricted Share Agreement under the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (time vesting with
accelerated performance vesting).
10.10 (f)*
Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan.
10.11 (p)*
Form of Performance-Based Stock Unit Agreement under the 2013 Stock Incentive Plan.
10.12 (n)*
10.13 (c)*
10.14 (c)*
10.15 *
10.16 *
10.17 *
Form of Performance-Based Stock Unit Agreement under the 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (enhanced
vesting).
Form of Restricted Share Agreement under the 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (updated change in
control).
Form of Performance-Based Stock Unit Agreement under the 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (updated
change in control).
Form of Performance-Based Stock Unit Agreement under the 2018 Stock Incentive Plan.
Form of Restricted Share Agreement under the 2018 Stock Incentive Plan.
Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the 2018 Stock Incentive Plan.
10.18 (a)*
Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement.
10.19 (j)*
10.20 (j)*
Andrew B. Cogan 2019 Incentive Compensation Letter, dated December 4, 2018.
2019 Incentive Compensation Letter for Named Executive Officers (other than CEO), dated
December 4, 2018.
10.21 (i)*
Severance Agreement between Company and Charles W. Rayfield.
10.22 (i)*
Severance Agreement between Company and Michael A. Pollner.
21.00
23.10
24.10
31.10
31.20
32.10
32.20
Subsidiaries of Knoll, Inc.
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Power of Attorney [(included on signature page)].
Certification for Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.
Certification for Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.
Certification for Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certification for Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002.
84
Exhibit
Number
101.00
Description
The following materials from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended
December 31, 2018, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, (ii) Consolidated Statements of
Operations and Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2018, December 31, 2017
and December 31, 2016, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Equity for the years ended December 31,
2018, December 31, 2017, and December 31, 2016, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for
the years ended December 31, 2018, December 31, 2017, and December 31, 2016 and (v) Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements.**
_______________________________________________________________________________
* Management Contract or Compensatory Plan or Arrangement required to be identified by Item 15(a) (3) of Form 10-K.
** Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement
or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
(k)
(l)
Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-118901), which was declared effective by the Commission
on December 13, 2004.
Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on January 25, 2018.
Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on May 10, 2017.
Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on August 9, 2016.
Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 9, 2018.
Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 3, 2014.
Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Commission on August 9, 2018.
Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 10, 2018.
Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 11, 2010.
(m)
Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
(n)
(o)
(p)
Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 26, 2013.
Incorporated by reference to Knoll, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
85
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
86
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused
this report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on this 26th day of February
2019.
KNOLL, INC.
By:
/s/ ANDREW B. COGAN
Andrew B. Cogan
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and
appoints Andrew B. Cogan and Charles W. Rayfield, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full
power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this
Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and
purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of
them, or his or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report on Form 10-K has been signed by the
following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.
/s/ ANDREW B. COGAN
Andrew B. Cogan
/s/CHARLES W. RAYFIELD
Charles W. Rayfield
/s/ DANIEL W. DIENST
Daniel W. Dienst
/s/ JEFFREY A. HARRIS
Jeffrey A. Harris
/s/ RONALD R. KASS
Ronald R. Kass
/s/ KATHLEEN G. BRADLEY
Kathleen G. Bradley
/s/ JOHN F. MAYPOLE
John F. Maypole
/s/ SARAH E. NASH
Sarah E. Nash
/s/ STEPHEN F. FISHER
Stephen F. Fisher
/s/ STEPHANIE STAHL
Stephanie Stahl
/s/ CHRISTOPHER G. KENNEDY
Christopher G. Kennedy
February 26, 2019
February 26, 2019
February 26, 2019
February 26, 2019
February 26, 2019
February 26, 2019
February 26, 2019
February 26, 2019
February 26, 2019
February 26, 2019
February 26, 2019
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer,
Knoll, Inc.
Chief Financial Officer
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
87
(This page has been left blank intentionally.)
SCHEDULE II
KNOLL, INC.
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Description
Allowance for doubtful accounts:
Year ended December 31, 2016
Year ended December 31, 2017
Year ended December 31, 2018
Valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets:
Year ended December 31, 2016
Year ended December 31, 2017
Year ended December 31, 2018
(In Thousands)
Balance at
Beginning
of Year
Additions
Charged to
Expenses
(Income)
Charge-Offs
Other(1)
Balance at
End of Year
7,919
8,059
4,039
6,317
6,161
4,789
6,653
(2,203)
123
451
(2,578)
—
(6,514)
(1,839)
(454)
—
—
—
1
22
16
(607)
1,206
—
8,059
4,039
3,724
6,161
4,789
4,789
______________________________________________________________________________
(1) Primarily the impact of currency changes
S-1
(This page has been left blank intentionally.)
Exhibit 31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
I, Andrew B. Cogan, certify that:
(1) I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Knoll, Inc.;
(2) Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
(3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly
present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the
periods presented in this report;
(4) The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls
and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be
designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being
prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to
be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our
conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report
based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred
during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to material affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
(5) The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal
control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or
persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial
reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report
financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in
the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: February 26, 2019
/s/ Andrew B. Cogan
Andrew B. Cogan
President and Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer
I, Charles W. Rayfield, certify that:
(1) I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Knoll, Inc.;
(2) Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
(3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly
present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the
periods presented in this report;
(4) The Registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls
and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be
designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated
subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being
prepared;
(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to
be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our
conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report
based on such evaluation; and
(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred
during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has
materially affected, or is reasonably likely to material affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
(5) The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal
control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or
persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial
reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report
financial information; and
(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in
the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: February 26, 2019
/s/ Charles W. Rayfield
Charles W. Rayfield
Chief Financial Officer
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 32.1
In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Knoll, Inc. (the “Company”) for the year ended December 31,
2018, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), Andrew B. Cogan, Chief
Executive Officer of the Company, certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002), that to my knowledge:
a. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934; and
b. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and
results of operations of the Company.
February 26, 2019
/s/ Andrew B. Cogan
Andrew B. Cogan
President and Chief Executive Officer
Certification of Chief Financial Officer
Exhibit 32.2
In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Knoll, Inc. (the “Company”) for the year ended December 31,
2018, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), Charles W. Rayfield, Chief
Financial Officer of the Company, certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002), that to my knowledge:
a. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934; and
b. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and
results of operations of the Company.
February 26, 2019
/s/ Charles W. Rayfield
Charles W. Rayfield
Chief Financial Officer
Locations
Knoll, Inc.
Knoll Office KnollStudio
KnollExtra KnollTextiles
1235 Water Street
East Greenville, PA 18041
215 679-7991
For showrooms and sales offices:
knoll.com
DatesWeiser
45 West 21st Street
New York, NY 10010
212 727-8555
For showrooms and sales offices:
datesweiser.com
Edelman Leather
80 Pickett District Road
New Milford, CT 06776
860 350-9600
For showrooms and sales offices:
edelmanleather.com
FilzFelt
425 CrossPoint Parkway
Getzville, NY 14068
716 446-2380
For showrooms and sales offices:
filzfelt.com
Muuto
Østergade 36-38
DK-1100 Copenhagen
Denmark
For showrooms and sales offices:
muuto.com
HOLLY HUNT
801 West Adams Street # 700,
Chicago, IL 60607
312 329-5999
For showrooms and sales offices:
hollyhunt.com
Spinneybeck
425 CrossPoint Parkway
Getzville, NY 14068
716 446-2380
For showrooms and sales offices:
spinneybeck.com
Corporate Information
Officers
Andrew B. Cogan
Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer
Charles W. Rayfield
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Christopher M. Baldwin
President and Chief Operating
Officer, Knoll Office
Benjamin A. Pardo
Executive Vice President and
Director of Design
David L. Schutte
Executive Vice President,
Lifestyle
Michael A. Pollner
Senior Vice President,
Chief Administrative Officer,
General Counsel and Secretary
Roxanne B. Klein
Senior Vice President,
Human Resources
Executive Offices
Knoll, Inc.
1235 Water Street
East Greenville, PA 18041
215 679-7991
knoll.com
Board of Directors
Kathleen G. Bradley
Director
Andrew B. Cogan
Director
Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer
Daniel W. Dienst
Director
Stephen F. Fisher
Director
Jeffrey A. Harris
Director
Ronald R. Kass
Director
Christopher G. Kennedy
Director
John F. Maypole
Director
Sarah E. Nash
Director
Stephanie Stahl
Director
Stock Listing
New York Stock Exchange
Ticker Symbol: KNL
Annual Stockholders Meeting
The annual meeting of Knoll, Inc.
stockholders is scheduled for
Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 8:30
Bear Creek Mountain Resort
101 Doe Mountain Lane
Macungie, PA 18062
AM
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Ernst & Young, LLP
Two Commerce Square
Suite 4000
2001 Market Street
Philadephia, PA 19103
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
PO Box 43023
Providence, RI 02940-3023
www.computershare.com
© 2019 Knoll, Inc. All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States.