MSC Industrial Direct
Annual Report 2015

Plain-text annual report

75 YEARS REMEMBERING THE PAST, REIMAGINING THE FUTURE. MSC INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY CO. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT DEAR SHAREHOLDERS, 2016 marks our 75th year in business, a noteworthy anniversary that we celebrate with our customers, suppliers, shareholders, associates, and com munities where we live and work. When our founder, Sid Jacobson, began selling tools from the trunk of his car in 1941, putting cus- tomers first and treating everyone with respect were the fundamental principles that drove his success in the early years. These values remain at our core despite the incredible changes the distribution industry and MSC have undergone since. We also celebrate our 20th year as a pub- lic company, having grown sales and earnings per share 13% and 12%, respectively, on a compound annual growth rate basis over the period, while achieving a total shareholder return of 11%. As we look back on our remarkable history, we take pride in the contributions that have made MSC an industry leader. Looking back on fiscal 2015, we produced solid results in what proved to be a very challenging macro-economic environment. We continued to focus on what we could control by increasing market share and optimiz- ing efficiency. Our customers continue to embrace our value proposition of technical metalworking expertise, inventory management solutions and an extremely broad offering of maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products. MSC achieved the following results in fiscal 2015, despite challenging demand conditions and a soft pricing environment: achieve their business objectives. By keeping their plants and facilities running efficiently to accelerate time to market, MSC is very well-positioned as the value-added distribution partner. Our ability to remain ahead of the market is critical to our customers’ suc cess. Our investments in technology, infrastructure and talent reflect our focus on anticipating and getting ahead of change. Our associates leverage their industry-leading knowledge and expertise to lead our business forward and capably serve our customers. Supporting the evolving needs of customers is our investment in facilities. Two years ago, we completed our new co-headquarters and Customer Support Center in Davidson, North Carolina, and just last year we opened our Customer Fulfillment Center in Columbus, Ohio, enhancing our ability to grow and serve customers with technologically advanced, scalable facilities. 6 7 . 3 $ 4 7 . 3 $ As we look to the future, I am confident in the earnings leverage and continued cash generation potential of MSC. B 9 . 2 $ B 8 . 2 $ M 2 . 3 8 3 $ M 5 . 9 7 3 $ 4 1 0 2 5 1 0 2 NET SALES 4 1 0 2 5 1 0 2 OPERATING INCOME M 1 . 6 3 2 $ 4 1 0 2 M 3 . 1 3 2 $ 5 1 0 2 4 1 0 2 5 1 0 2 NET INCOME DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE An Industry with Exciting Opportunities With $160 billion in annual spending on MRO products spread among thousands of distributors across North America, our industry is large and fragmented. Customers require greater speed and savings from managing their supply chain, and insights to drive informed decisions. We see this as an exciting opportunity to support our customers’ day-to-day operational MRO needs while solving their mission-critical challenges by providing tech- nical knowledge and metalworking expertise, inventory management capabilities, and a streamlined procurement process. A natural result of the evolving needs of MRO customers is an acceler- ation in the reduction of distributors utilized by customers, a positive development for customers and the industrial distribution industry. A trusted partner with an established track record, scale to serve well beyond delivery, and a commitment to innovation are all benefits of doing business with MSC. We are increasingly leveraging our know-how to help customers realize the benefits of an optimized supply chain and sophisticated inventory management and eCommerce solutions. We are also delivering trusted brands, including our own exclusive brand products, technical knowledge and reliable service with the precision and speed to help customers We will continue to maintain a balanced approach to allo- cating capital, making disciplined organic investments in the business, participating in the consolidation of the industry, and returning capital to our shareholders. Our capital allocation during fiscal 2015 exemplifies our balanced approach. We invested $51.4 million in capital expenditures, while paying a quarterly dividend that was 21% higher than the prior year. We also paid a special dividend of $3 per share and repurchased 444,000 shares during the year. Our Bright Future Despite the near-term headwinds, we are very opti- mistic about our long-term growth prospects. The soft pricing envi- ronment and challenging demand conditions are expected to improve as the manufacturing environment rebounds. Fiscal 2016 will be another successful year for MSC as we expect to see the benefit of continued market-share gains. We will execute on our growth initiatives and continue evolving our business to deliver value-added solutions. We also will continue to expand our channels to market, building on our position as a trusted partner. Doing so will fuel our market and wallet share, while delivering greater value to our customers, suppliers and shareholders. Respectfully, Note: Please see “Forward-Looking Statements” on page 1 of the accompanying Annual Report on Form 10-K. Erik Gershwind President and Chief Executive Officer UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 __________________________________ FORM 10-K _______________________________________________________ (Mark One) (cid:95) (cid:134) ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended August 29, 2015 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 number 1-14130 __________________________________ MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) __________________________________ New York (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) 75 Maxess Road, Melville, New York (Address of Principal Executive Offices) 11-3289165 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 11747 (Zip Code) (516) 812-2000 (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: __________________________________ Title of Each Class Class A Common Stock, par value $.001 Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered The New York Stock Exchange Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None __________________________________ Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes (cid:95) No (cid:134) Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes (cid:134) No (cid:95) 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 (cid:95) No (cid:134) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes (cid:95) No (cid:134) 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. (cid:95) 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. (Check one): Large accelerated filer (cid:95) Accelerated filer (cid:134) Non-accelerated filer (cid:134) (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company (cid:134) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes (cid:134) No (cid:95) The aggregate market value of Class A common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of February 28, 2015 was approximately $3,471,671,271. As of October 15, 2015, 48,366,309 shares of Class A common stock and 13,295,747 shares of Class B common stock of the registrant were outstanding. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE The registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 2016 annual meeting of stockholders is hereby incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ITEM 1. BUSINESS ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS ITEM 2. PROPERTIES ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES PART IV ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES SIGNATURES Page 1 1 11 16 16 17 17 18 20 21 34 36 61 61 64 64 64 64 64 64 65 66 i [This page intentionally left blank.] FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS PART I. Except for historical information contained herein, certain matters included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are, or may be deemed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933. The words “will,” “may,” “designed to,” “believe,” “should,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this annual report. These forward-looking statements are contained principally under Item 1, “Business,” and under Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Because these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results could differ materially from the expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements include those described in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” In addition, new risks emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors or to assess the impact of such risk factors on our business. Given these risks and uncertainties, the reader should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. ITEM 1. BUSINESS. General MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, “MSC,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is a leading North American distributor of metalworking and maintenance, repair and operations (“MRO”) products and services. We help our customers drive greater productivity, profitability, and growth with more than one million products, inventory management and other supply chain solutions, and deep expertise from 75 years of working with customers across industries. We operate primarily in the United States, with customers in all 50 states, through a network of 12 customer fulfillment centers (eight customer fulfillment centers are located within the United States, one is located in the United Kingdom (the “U.K.”), and three are located in Canada) and 98 branch offices (97 branches are located within the United States and one is located in the U.K). MSC’s primary customer fulfillment centers are located in or near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Atlanta, Georgia; Elkhart, Indiana; Reno, Nevada; and Columbus, Ohio. In addition, we operate 7 smaller customer fulfillment centers in or near Hanover Park, Illinois; Dallas, Texas; Shelbyville, Kentucky (repackaging and replenishment center); Wednesbury, United Kingdom; Edmonton, Canada; Beamsville, Canada; and Moncton, Canada. We offer a nationwide cutoff time of 8:00 P.M., Eastern Time on qualifying orders (excluding Class C Solutions Group “CCSG”), which will be delivered to the customer the next-day at no additional cost over standard MSC ground delivery charges. Our experience has been that areas accessible by next-day delivery generate significantly greater sales than areas where next-day delivery is not available. We offer approximately 1,000,000 stock-keeping units (“SKUs”) through our master catalogs, weekly, monthly and quarterly specialty and promotional catalogs, brochures and our websites, mscdirect.com and use-enco.com (the “MSC Websites”). Many of our products are carried in stock, and orders for these in-stock products are typically fulfilled the day on which the order is received. Our business strategy is to provide an integrated, lower cost solution to the purchasing, management and administration of our customers’ day-to-day MRO needs. We provide solutions to our customers’ MRO needs by providing technical knowledge, metalworking expertise and inventory management capabilities. We believe we add value to our customers’ purchasing process by reducing their total costs for MRO supplies, taking into account both the direct cost of products and the administrative, personnel and financial cost of obtaining and maintaining MRO supplies. We reduce our customers’ costs for their MRO supplies in the following manner: • our extensive product offerings enable customers to reduce the administrative burden of dealing with many suppliers for their MRO needs; • we guarantee same-day shipping of our catalog SKUs, which represent our core metalworking and MRO products, and offer next-day delivery on qualifying orders (excluding CCSG) placed up until 8:00 P.M., Eastern Time, which enables our customers to reduce their inventory investment and carrying costs; 1 • we consolidate multiple purchases into a single order, provide a single invoice relating to multiple purchases over varying periods of time and offer direct shipments to specific departments and personnel within a single facility or multiple facilities, allowing our customers to reduce administrative paperwork, costs of shipping and personnel costs related to internal distribution and purchase order management; • we have extensive eCommerce capabilities that enable our customers to lower their procurement costs. These include many features such as sophisticated search and transaction capabilities, access to real-time inventory, customer specific pricing, workflow management tools, customized reporting and other features. We can also interface directly with many purchasing portals, such as ARIBA and Perfect Commerce, in addition to ERP Procurement Solutions, such as Oracle and SAP; and • we offer inventory management solutions with our Vendor Managed Inventory (“VMI”), Customer Managed Inventory (“CMI”) systems and vending solutions, that can lower our customers’ inventory investment, reduce sourcing costs and out-of-stock situations and increase business efficiency. Orders generated through these inventory management solutions are integrated directly with mscdirect.com and many third party eProcurement software solutions. Our customers include a wide range of purchasers of industrial supply products, from individual machine shops to Fortune 100 companies, to government agencies such as the General Services Administration (“GSA”) and the Department of Defense. Our business focuses on selling relatively higher margin, lower volume products for which we had an average order size of approximately $417 in fiscal 2015 (excluding U.K. operations). Exclusive of U.K. operations, we have approximately 366,000 active customers (defined as those that have purchased at least one item during the past 12 months). Our customers select desired products from MSC’s various publications and the MSC Websites and place their orders through MSC Websites, eProcurement platforms, telephone or facsimile. In addition, customers may place their orders through direct communication with our outside sales associates. Industry Overview MSC operates in a large, fragmented industry characterized by multiple channels of distribution. We believe that there are numerous suppliers that serve MRO customers, including retail outlets, small distributorships, national, regional and local distributors, direct mail suppliers, large warehouse stores and manufacturers’ own sales forces. Almost every industrial, manufacturing and service business has an ongoing need for MRO supplies. We believe that, except in the largest industrial plants, inventories for MRO supplies generally are not effectively managed or monitored, resulting in higher purchasing costs and increased administrative burdens. In addition, within larger facilities, such items are frequently stored in multiple locations, resulting in excess inventories and duplicate purchase orders. MRO items also are frequently purchased by multiple personnel in quantities that are not economical and a substantial portion of most facilities’ MRO supplies are generally “one-time purchases,” resulting in higher purchasing costs and time-consuming administrative efforts by multiple plant personnel. We believe that there are significant administrative costs associated with generating and manually placing a purchase order. Awareness of these high costs and purchasing inefficiencies has been driving large companies to streamline the purchasing process by utilizing a limited number of suppliers which are able to provide a broad selection of products, inventory management solutions, eCommerce procurement solutions, prompt delivery and superior customer service. Customized billing practices and report generation capabilities tailored to customer objectives are becoming increasingly important to customers seeking to reduce costs, enabling them to significantly reduce the need for purchasing agents and administrative resources. We believe that industry trends and economic pressures have caused customers to reduce their supplier base and move toward more efficient cost-saving models, such as those offered by larger companies like MSC. Despite the inefficiencies of the traditional MRO purchasing process, long-standing relationships with local retailers and distributors have generally perpetuated the status quo. Due to limited capital availability, eCommerce capabilities and operating leverage, smaller suppliers to the industrial market have been experiencing increasing pressure to consolidate and/or curtail services and certain product lines in order to remain competitive. We believe that the relative inability of these smaller, more traditional distribution channels to respond to these changing industry dynamics has created a continuing opportunity for the growth of larger distributors with the financial strength, skills, eCommerce capabilities and resources of larger distributors such as MSC. As a result of these dynamics, we continue to capture an increased share of sales by providing lower total purchasing costs, broader product selection and a higher level of service to our customers. 2 We provide a low-cost solution to the purchasing inefficiencies and high costs. Customers that purchase products from us will generally find that their total purchasing costs, including shipping, inventory investment and carrying costs, administrative costs and internal distribution costs are reduced. We achieve these reduced costs through the following: • • • • • • • • • consolidation of multiple sources of supply into fewer suppliers; consolidation of multiple purchase orders into a single purchase order; consolidation of multiple invoices into a single invoice; significant reduction in tracking of invoices; significant reduction in stocking decisions; reduction of purchases for inventory; reduction in out-of-stock situations for our customers; eCommerce and eProcurement integration capabilities; and inventory management solutions including VMI, CMI and vending solutions. Business Strategy MSC’s business strategy is to help our customers drive greater productivity, profitability and growth by reducing their total cost for obtaining, using, and maintaining their MRO supplies. We do that by offering more than one million products, inventory management and other supply chain solutions, superior customer service and value-added offerings, and deep expertise from 75 years of working with customers across industries. Our strategy includes the following key elements: • • • • • • • providing a full suite of inventory management solutions, services and skills to reduce the total cost of procuring, using and disposing of inventory; providing a broad selection of in-stock products, including national industry brands and brands exclusive to MSC; providing prompt response, same-day shipping, and next-day delivery; delivering superior, “one call does it all” customer service and technical support; providing a unique, specialized technical process to optimize our customers’ tooling usage; using advanced technologies to reduce procurement costs; and offering competitive pricing that reflects our value offering. Inventory Management Solutions. Our inventory management solutions approach starts with the understanding that a proper customer assessment is critical to determining the service or group of services that will best meet our customers’ needs. Through our associates and their expertise with managing inventory solutions, we are able to develop and recommend solutions that provide a value driven response. Solution options that are customized to address customer size, complexity and processes as well as specific product, technical and cost targets, might include one or several of eProcurement, CMI, VMI, Vending, crib control, or part time or full time on-site resources. The success of each customer engagement is optimized by our world class sourcing, logistics and business systems that provide predictable, reliable and scalable service. Broad Selection of Products. Our customers are increasingly purchasing from fewer suppliers to reduce the administrative burden of ordering from multiple sources. We believe that our ability to offer customers a broad spectrum of brand name, MSC exclusive brand and generic MRO products and a “good-better-best” product selection alternative has been critical to our success. We offer products with varying degrees of brand name recognition, quality and price, thus permitting 3 the customer to choose the appropriate product based on cost, quality and the customer’s specific needs. We offer approximately 1,000,000 SKUs, many of which are in stock and available for immediate shipment, and we aim to provide a broad range of merchandise in order to become our customers’ preferred supplier of MRO products. Same-Day Shipping and Next-Day Delivery. We guarantee same-day shipping of our core metalworking and MRO products. This prompt fulfillment and delivery enables customers to reduce the administrative burden of dealing with many suppliers and reduces their inventory investment and carrying costs. We fulfill our same-day shipment guarantee approximately 99% of the time. We offer a nationwide cutoff time of 8:00 P.M., Eastern Time on qualifying orders (excluding CCSG), which will be delivered to the customer the next-day at no additional cost over standard MSC ground delivery charges. Historically, our results indicate that areas accessible by next-day delivery generate significantly greater sales than areas where next-day delivery is not available. Superior Customer Service. Customer service is a key element in becoming a customer’s preferred provider of MRO supplies. Our commitment to customer service is demonstrated by our investment in sophisticated information systems and extensive training of our associates. Utilizing our proprietary customer support software, MSC’s in-bound sales representatives implement the “one call does it all” philosophy. In-bound sales representatives are able to inform customers on a real-time basis of the availability of a product, recommend substitute products, verify credit information, receive special, custom or manufacturer direct orders, cross-check inventory items using customer product codes previously entered into our information systems, and arrange or provide technical assistance. We believe that our approach to fulfilling all purchasing needs of a customer through highly trained customer service representatives supported by our proprietary information systems, results in greater efficiency for customers and increased customer satisfaction. To complement our customer service, we seek to ease the administrative burdens on our customers by offering customized billing services, customer savings reports and other customized report features, electronic data interchange ordering, eCommerce capabilities, bulk discounts and stocking of specialty items specifically requested by customers. We also offer our customers technical support in our value-added solutions for their diverse procurement needs, as well as customized one-on-one service through our field or telemarketing sales representatives. We continue to develop our technical support capabilities in order to better serve our customers. Our customers recognize the value of a distributor that can provide technical support to improve their operations and productivity. We deliver this support through a field-based team of metalworking specialists that provide on-site technical applications support for our customers. In addition, we have centralized technical support teams that can provide phone and email support to both our sales teams and customers on MRO products and applications. Commitment to Technological Innovation. We take advantage of technological innovations to support growth, improve customer service and reduce our operating costs through more effective buying practices, automated inventory replenishment and efficient order fulfillment operations. MSC’s proprietary software tracks all of the SKUs available on the MSC Websites (approximately 1,000,000 SKUs) and enables customers and sales representatives to determine the availability of products in stock on a real-time basis and evaluate alternative products and pricing. The MSC Websites contain a searchable online catalog with electronic ordering capabilities designed to take advantage of the opportunities created by eCommerce. The MSC Websites offer a broad array of products, services, workflow management tools and related information to meet the needs of customers seeking to reduce process costs through eCommerce-enabled solutions. Our information systems have been designed to enhance inventory management and turnover, customer service and cost reduction for both MSC and our customers. In addition to internal and customer information systems, we continually upgrade our distribution methods and systems to improve productivity and efficiency. We also provide comprehensive electronic ordering capabilities (“EDI” and “XML”) to support our customers’ purchase order processing. We continue to invest in inventory management solutions with our VMI, CMI, and vending solutions. These solutions enable our customers to streamline their replenishment processes for products and lower their overall procurement costs by maintaining lower inventory levels at their sites, reducing consumption, and providing product accountability. The vending solutions also broaden the range of products that customers may purchase from MSC, as customers with vending solutions often choose to also reduce their overall number of vendors. MSC’s vending solutions include different kinds of machines such as storage lockers or carousels, that can stand alone or be combined with other machines. MSC vending machines use network or web-based software to enable customers to manage inventory throughout their production areas. Advanced Technologies and www.mscdirect.com. We offer advanced technologies that reduce customers’ acquisition costs for MRO supplies. These programs include solutions such as vending, VMI, CMI, eCommerce, eProcurement, and workflow management tools. Industrial vending solutions are becoming increasingly valued by our customers as they focus on improving their operations, cost control and vendor consolidation. These solutions can accommodate a range of products from precision cutting tools to MRO supplies. We will continue to invest in our vending program in support of our overall growth strategy as well as our goal to support the identified needs of our customers. The MSC Websites are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing personalized real-time inventory availability, 4 superior search capabilities, online bill payment, delivery tracking status and a number of other enhancements, including work flow management tools. The user-friendly search engine allows customers to search for SKUs by keyword, part description, competitive part number, vendor number or brand. We believe the MSC Websites are a key component of our strategy to reduce customers’ transaction costs and internal requisition time. Many large customer accounts transact business with MSC using eProcurement solution providers that sell a suite of eCommerce products designed to meet the needs of businesses seeking reduced procurement costs and increased effectiveness of their MRO/direct materials ordering process by using Internet-enabled solutions. We have associations with many of these providers, including ARIBA (now part of SAP), Perfect Commerce, Oracle, and SAP. We continue to evaluate and expand our eProcurement capabilities, as the needs of our customers grow. Competitive Pricing. Customers are increasingly evaluating their total cost of procurement, of which pricing is a component. We offer market competitive pricing to our customers reflective of the service level and solutions we provide in reducing our customers’ overall procurement costs. Growth Strategy Our goal is to become the preferred supplier of MRO supplies for businesses throughout the United States. We continue to implement our strategies to gain market share relative to other suppliers, generate new customers, increase sales to existing customers, and diversify our customer base by: • • • • • • • • • expanding government and national account programs; expanding our direct sales force and increasing their productivity; expanding and enhancing our metalworking capabilities to aggressively penetrate customers in heavy and light manufacturing; increasing sales from existing customers and generating new customers by offering various value-added programs designed to reduce our customers’ supply chain costs, including vendor and customer managed inventory, along with point-of-use vending; expanding our product lines, including the addition of new products and exclusive brand alternatives; improving our direct marketing programs; enhancing our eCommerce capabilities; improving our excellent customer support service and technical support capabilities; and selectively pursuing strategic acquisitions. Expanding programs for government and national account customers. We have customized government and national account programs to meet the specific needs of these types of customers. Significant growth opportunities exist within these types of customers. Allocating the appropriate resources to these customers has allowed us to provide better support and expand our customer acquisition and penetration activities, as this is a key component in our overall growth strategy. While we've been providing MRO and metalworking supplies to the commercial sector for 75 years, the development of our Government Solutions program is more recent. In addition to a large, growing contract business with numerous federal, state, and local/education agencies, we are enjoying significant success with government contractors, and the USPS as well. These agencies have responded very positively to the value proposition we offer, including the breadth and depth of inventory; world-class service with same-day shipping; government contract vehicles, and best-in-class eSolutions, from our website to the barcoding replenishment of consumable items. Increasing the size and improving the productivity of our direct sales force. We believe that increasing the size of our sales force, providing high levels of customer service and improving sales force productivity can have a positive effect on our sales per customer. The focus is to enable our sales force to spend more time with our customers and provide increased support during the MRO purchasing process thereby capturing more of their MRO spend. As of August 29, 2015, we had 5 1,972 field sales representatives, including U.K. operations, and 1,131 in-bound sales representatives. We believe that continued investment in our sales force enables us to increase our market share, and we will continue to do so. Expanding and enhancing our metalworking capabilities to aggressively penetrate customers in heavy and light manufacturing. Our goal is to become the preferred distributor of choice for our customers’ metalworking needs. We intend to accomplish this through continued expansion of our metalworking sales team, increased technical support, and enhanced supplier relationships. In addition, we will continue to develop and introduce value-added solutions, services and products to support the identified needs of our customers. Our product focus will include the continued development of high performance metalworking products marketed under MSC proprietary brand platforms as well as leading industry brands. We will continue to drive high value product alternatives for our customers. Through this combined focus, we seek to gain market share with existing customers and attract new customers for metalworking products. Our metalworking field specialists and centralized technical support team members have diverse backgrounds in machining, programming, management and engineering. We leverage their expertise to drive time and cost savings for customers by selecting the right tool for the job from our deep supplier base to optimize performance. Increasing sales from existing customers and generating new customers with various value-added programs. In order to increase sales to existing customers and generate new customers, we offer value-added programs that reduce customers’ acquisition costs for MRO supplies. Value-added programs include: business needs analysis; inventory management solutions such as vending, VMI, CMI and eCommerce; training; and workflow management tools. Industrial vending solutions specifically are becoming increasingly valued by our customers as they focus on improving their operations and controlling their costs. These solutions can accommodate a range of products from precision cutting tools to MRO supplies. We will continue to invest in our vending program in support of our overall growth strategy as well as our goal to support the identified needs of our customers. Increasing the number of product lines and productive SKUs. Customers continue to drive more of their fulfillment needs electronically. To support this trend, we believe that increasing the breadth and depth of our online product offering and removing non-value-added SKUs is critical to our continued success. In addition, we are focused on providing our customers with new product alternatives that will help them achieve their cost savings objectives while meeting their demands for higher quality products. In fiscal year 2015, we added approximately 150,000 SKUs to our searchable database on www.mscdirect.com, bringing the total to approximately 1,000,000 SKUs, net of SKU removals. This increase in SKUs translated to our full ordering database, bringing MSC’s total, active, saleable SKU count to approximately 1,350,000 SKUs. We expect this SKU expansion plan driven by our eCommerce strategy to continue throughout fiscal 2016. The most recent MSC catalog issued in September 2015 merchandises approximately 505,000 core metalworking and MRO products, which are included in the SKU totals above. Approximately 17% of these SKUs are MSC exclusive brands. We guarantee same-day shipping of our core metalworking and MRO products, and offer next-day delivery on qualifying orders placed up until 8:00 P.M., Eastern Time. We fulfill our same-day shipment guarantee approximately 99% of the time. We have also begun to leverage the depth and breadth of MSC’s product portfolio within our CCSG sales channel and have extended full access of MSC catalog SKUs to the CCSG sales team. Improving our direct marketing programs. Through our marketing efforts, we have accumulated an extensive buyer database and industry expertise within specific markets. We utilize empirical information from our marketing database to prospect for new customers and target the circulation of our master catalogs to those most likely to purchase. We supplement our master catalogs with direct mail, online digital catalogs, search engine marketing, and email to further increase customer response and product purchases. Industry specific expertise is used to target customer growth areas and focus sales and marketing campaigns. Enhancing eCommerce capabilities. MSC’s Websites are a proprietary business-to-business horizontal marketplace serving the metalworking and MRO market and are supported by the complete MSC service model. All qualified orders placed online at mscdirect.com are backed by our same-day shipping guarantee, unless otherwise stated. The MSC Websites utilize the same highly trained sales force and support services as MSC’s traditional business, emphasizing MSC’s values of placing customers’ needs first. The MSC Websites are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing personalized real-time inventory availability, superior search capabilities, online bill payment, delivery tracking status and a number of other enhancements, including work flow management tools. The user-friendly search engine allows customers to search for SKUs by keyword, part description, competitive part number, vendor number or brand. We believe the MSC Websites are a key component of our strategy to reduce customers’ transaction costs and internal requisition time. Most 6 orders move directly from the customer’s desktop to our customer fulfillment center floor, removing human error, reducing handling costs and speeding up the transaction flow. MSC continues to evaluate the MSC Websites and solicit customer feedback, making on-going improvements targeted at ensuring that they remain premier websites in our marketplace. The marketing campaign of the MSC Websites continues to raise awareness and drive volume to the websites. Many large customer accounts transact business with MSC using eProcurement solution providers that sell a suite of eCommerce products designed to meet the needs of businesses seeking reduced procurement costs and increased effectiveness of their MRO/indirect materials ordering process by using Internet-enabled solutions. We have associations with many of these providers and continue to evaluate and expand our eProcurement capabilities, as the needs of our customers grow. Improving our excellent customer support service. Our goal is to anticipate our customers’ service needs. We are continuing to proactively expand the services that we provide and respond and build programs at customer requests. MSC’s “one call does it all” philosophy continues to be the cornerstone of our service model even as the complexity of the needs of our customers continues to grow. This focus on our customers’ needs provides a market differentiator, which enables us to retain existing customers and to grow our customer base. In addition, MSC employs customer comment cards, surveys and other proactive customer outreach tools to maintain an open line of communication with our customers. The feedback from these contact points is used to drive change and improvement that enhances the customer experience. We also continue to develop our technical support capabilities in order to better serve our customers. Our customers recognize the value of a distributor that can provide technical support to improve their operations and productivity. Selectively pursuing strategic acquisitions. We actively pursue strategic acquisitions that we believe will either expand or complement our business in new or existing markets or further enhance the value and offerings we are able to provide to our existing or future potential customers. We completed our acquisition of CCSG in fiscal year 2013. We believe that the highly fragmented nature of the MRO supply industry will continue to provide acquisition opportunities. We expect that any future acquisitions will be financed with internally generated funds and/or additional debt. Products Our products represent a broad range of MRO products that include cutting tools; measuring instruments; tooling components; metalworking products; fasteners; flat stock; raw materials; abrasives; machinery hand and power tools; safety and janitorial supplies; plumbing supplies; materials handling products; power transmission components; and electrical supplies. We believe that by offering a large number of SKUs we enable our customers to reduce the number of suppliers they use to meet their MRO needs, thereby reducing their costs. In this regard, we intend to continue to add new value-adding products to our existing product categories. Our assortment of products from multiple manufacturers at different price and quality levels provides our customers a “good-better-best” product selection alternative. This value proposition provides similar product offerings with varying degrees of brand recognition, quality and price, which enables our customers to choose the appropriate product for a specific application on the most cost-effective basis. MSC seeks to distinguish itself from its competition by offering name brand, exclusive brand, and generic products, as well as by offering significant depth in its core product lines, while maintaining competitive pricing. Our in-bound sales representatives and technical support associates are trained to assist customers in making suitable cost-saving purchases. We believe this approach results in significant amounts of repeat business and is an integral part of our strategy to reduce our customers’ industrial supply costs. We purchase substantially all of our products directly from approximately 3,000 suppliers. No single supplier accounted for more than 6% of our total purchases in fiscal 2015, fiscal 2014, or fiscal 2013. Customer Fulfillment Centers A significant number of our products are carried in stock. Approximately 79% of sales are fulfilled from our customer fulfillment centers or branch offices. Certain products, such as specialty or custom items and some very large orders, are shipped directly from the manufacturer. Our primary customer fulfillment centers are managed via computer-based SKU tracking systems and radio frequency devices that facilitate the location of specific stock items to make the selection process more efficient. We have invested significant resources in technology and automation to increase efficiency and reduce costs, and continually monitor our order fulfillment process. We currently utilize 12 customer fulfillment centers for product shipment. 7 Sales and Marketing Our customers include a broad range of purchasers of industrial supply products, from individual machine shops, to Fortune 100 companies, to government agencies. Our core business focuses on selling relatively higher-margin, lower- volume products, for which we had an average order size of approximately $417 in fiscal 2015 (excluding U.K. operations). With the acquisition of CCSG, we have increased our presence in the Fastener and Class C (“Consumables”) product categories and significantly increased our presence in the VMI space. VMI involves not only the selling of the maintenance consumables by our associates, but also the management of appropriate stock levels for the customer, writing the necessary replenishment orders, putting away the stock, and maintaining a clean and organized inventory area. We market to small, medium and large companies in a wide range of sectors, including, but not limited to, durable and non-durable goods manufacturing (which accounted for a substantial portion of our revenue in fiscal 2015), education, government and health care. We also have government and national account programs designed to address the needs of these customers. Another focus area for our sales force is the execution of contracts with various federal, state, and local government agencies. These relationships are for MRO products and are well matched to MSC’s product breadth and depth. Federal government customers include large and small military bases, Veterans Affairs hospitals, federal correctional facilities, the United States Postal Service, and the Department of Defense. In addition to the individual state contracts that MSC already has, we continue to pursue and are engaged in a number of state cooperatives that present MSC an opportunity to leverage a single relationship over numerous states and agencies. Our national account program also includes large, Fortune 1000 companies, as well as large privately-held companies, and international companies doing business in the U.S. The MSC value proposition is consistent with the procurement strategies of these companies as they seek to reduce their supply base by partnering with suppliers that can serve their needs nationally and drive costs out of their supply chain while providing them a higher degree of visibility utilizing eCommerce and inventory management solutions such as mscdirect.com, VMI, CMI and vending solutions. We have identified hundreds of additional national account prospects and have given our sales team tools to ensure we are targeting and implementing programs with the companies that best fit the MSC model. Typically, a customer’s industrial supply purchases are managed by several buyers within its organization responsible for different categories of products. In fiscal year 2013, we implemented advanced analytics and the findings from an advanced buyer segmentation study to significantly increase the return on our direct marketing investments designed to acquire new customers and increase our share of business with current customers. While master catalogs, promotional catalogs and brochures continued to play an important role in our efforts, we accelerated a shift in our focus to search engine marketing, email marketing and online advertising in line with changes in our customers’ buying behavior. We use our own database of over three million contacts together with external mailing lists to target our offline and online investments to buyers with the highest likelihood to buy from MSC. By applying new analytics and moving expenditures to more efficient online tactics, we reduced publication circulation while significantly increasing revenue contribution. Our sales representatives are highly trained individuals who build relationships with customers, assist customers in reducing costs, provide technical support, coordinate special orders and shipments with vendors and update customer account profiles in our information systems databases. Our “one call does it all” philosophy is predicated on the ability of the sales representative, utilizing our information systems’ comprehensive databases as a resource, to respond effectively to the customer’s needs. When a customer places a call to MSC, the sales representative taking the call has immediate access to that customer’s company and specific buyer profile, as well as inventory levels by the customer fulfillment center on all of the SKUs offered by MSC. The customer’s profile includes historical and current billing information, historical purchasing information, and plant and industry information. Our in-bound sales representatives at our call centers undergo an intensive seven-week training course, are required to attend regular on-site training seminars and workshops, and are monitored and evaluated at regular intervals. Additionally, the sales representatives are divided into teams that are evaluated monthly and monitored on a daily basis by team supervisors. Sales representatives receive technical training regarding various products from vendors and in-house training specialists. We also maintain a separate technical support group dedicated to answering specific customer inquiries, assisting customers with the operation of products and finding the most efficient solutions to manufacturing problems. We entered into an exclusive agreement with ToolingU-SME, a company owned by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, to create certified online training for MSC associates, who are already among the industry’s most highly trained metalworking specialists. 8 As of August 29, 2015, we had 1,972 field sales representatives working throughout North America and the United Kingdom. Our field sales representatives are responsible for increasing sales per customer and servicing existing customers. The sales representatives accomplish this by communicating our product offering, distribution capabilities, customer service models and value-added programs directly to the customer. These associates are a touch point to the customer and provide the organization with feedback on the competitive landscape and purchasing trends, which contributes to customer service improvements. Branch Offices We currently operate 98 branch offices. There are 97 branch offices within the United States located in 40 states, and one location in the U.K. We have experienced higher sales growth and market penetration in areas where we have established a branch office and believe our branch offices are important to the success of our business strategy of obtaining and penetrating new and existing accounts. There were no branch openings during fiscal 2015. Publications Our primary reference publications are our master catalogs, which are supported by specialty and promotional catalogs and brochures. MSC produces two annual catalogs: the MSC Big Book, which contains a comprehensive offering across all product lines, and the MSC Metalworking catalog, which is focused on our metalworking product offering along with a broad range of ancillary products. We use specialty and promotional publications to target customers in specific areas, such as metal fabrication, facilities management, safety and janitorial. We distribute specialty and promotional catalogs and brochures based on information in our databases and purchased mailing lists of customers whose purchasing history or profile suggests that they are most likely to purchase according to specific product categories or product promotions. Consequently, specialty and promotional catalogs offer a more focused selection of products at a lower catalog production cost and more efficient use of advertising space. Historically, MSC’s in-house marketing staff has primarily designed and produced all of our catalogs and brochures, but we have begun outsourcing more and more of these capabilities to experts in these areas. Each publication contains photographs, detailed product descriptions and a toll-free telephone number and website address to be used by customers to place a product order. We balance ongoing strategies to improve direct marketing productivity and increase overall return on advertising dollars spent against programs designed to increase revenue and lifetime value. As a result, the quantity mailed from year to year may fluctuate as we develop programs to target greater product penetration at existing customers, acquire new customers, and develop new industry sectors. (cid:3) Fiscal Years Ended (1) August 31, 2013 (52 weeks) (2) August 30, 2014 (52 weeks) 95 16,308,000 101 18,152,000 August 29, 2015 (52 weeks) 98 18,265,589 Number of publication titles Number of publications mailed (1) Excludes U.K. operations. (2) Excludes CCSG operations. Customer Service One of our goals is to make purchasing our products as convenient as possible. Over 50% of our orders are submitted digitally through our technology platform (i.e., website, vending machines, and eProcurement). The remaining orders are placed via the telephone. The efficient handling of orders is an extremely important aspect of our business. Order entry and fulfillment occurs at each of our branches and our main call centers, mostly located at our customer fulfillment centers. Calls are received by customer service phone representatives who utilize online terminals to enter customer orders into computerized order processing systems. In general, our telephone ordering system is flexible and in the event of a local or regional breakdown, it can be re-routed to alternative locations. When an order is entered into the system, a credit check is performed; if the credit is approved, the order is generally electronically transmitted to the customer fulfillment center closest to the customer where the order is shipped. We believe that our relationships with all of our freight carriers are satisfactory. Customers are invoiced for merchandise, shipping and handling promptly after shipment. 9 Information Systems Our core business’ information systems enable centralized management of key functions, including communication links between customer fulfillment centers, inventory and accounts receivable management, purchasing, pricing, sales and distribution, and the preparation of daily operating control reports that provide concise and timely information regarding key aspects of our business. These systems enable us to ship to customers on a same-day basis, respond quickly to order changes, provide a high level of customer service, achieve cost savings, deliver superior customer service and manage our operations centrally. Our eCommerce environment is built upon a combined platform of our own intellectual property, state of the art software components from the world’s leading internet technology providers and world class product data. This powerful combination of resources helps us deliver an unmatched online shopping experience to our customers with extremely high levels of reliability. Most of our information systems operate over a wide area network and are real-time information systems that enable each customer fulfillment center and branch office to share information and monitor daily progress relating to sales activity, credit approval, inventory levels, stock balancing, vendor returns, order fulfillment and other measures of performance. We maintain a sophisticated buying and inventory management system that monitors all of our SKUs and automatically purchases inventory from vendors for replenishment based on projected customer ordering models. We also maintain an Electronic Data Interchange (“EDI”) purchasing program with our vendors with the objectives of enabling more efficient order placement, reducing order cycle processing time, and increasing order accuracy. In addition to developing the proprietary computer software programs for use in the customer service and distribution operations, we also provide a comprehensive EDI and Extensible Markup Language (“XML”) ordering system to support our customer-based purchase order processing. We provide product information and ordering capabilities on the MSC Websites. We also maintain a proprietary hardware and software platform in support of our VMI program which allows customers to integrate scanner-accumulated orders directly into our Sales Order Entry system and website. Our CMI program enables our customers to simply and effectively replenish inventory by submitting orders directly to our website. Our customized vending systems are used by our customers in manufacturing plants across the U.S. to help them achieve supply chain and shop floor optimization, through inventory management and reduced tooling and labor costs. Our VMI, CMI and vending capabilities function directly as front-end ordering systems for our e-Portal based customers. These solutions take advantage of advanced technologies built upon the latest innovations in wireless and cloud based computing. Our core business’ systems run in a highly distributed computing environment and utilize world class software and hardware platforms from key partners. We utilize disaster recovery techniques and procedures, which are adequate to fulfill our needs and are consistent with best practices in enterprise IT. Given such a distributed IT environment, we regularly review and upgrade our systems. We believe that our current systems and practice of implementing regular updates are adequate to support our current needs. With the advent of advanced mobile technologies such as smart phones and tablets, access to information and decision making can now be made anytime, anywhere. Recognizing this need, we have deployed technology to securely manage and maintain access to enterprise information from mobile devices that meet our security standards. Our sales force is equipped with proprietary mobile technology that allows them to tap into the power of MSC’s supply chain directly from our customers’ manufacturing plants to make sure that critical inventory is always on site and available. In addition, we are enhancing our customer websites and portals to reflect this new mobile reality at a pace in line with customer adoption of mobile technology. Competition The MRO supply industry is a large, fragmented industry that is highly competitive. We face competition from traditional channels of distribution such as retail outlets, small dealerships, regional or national distributors utilizing direct sales forces, manufacturers of MRO supplies, large warehouse stores and larger direct mail distributors. We also face emerging competitors participating primarily in the online distribution space whose primary customers we believe are typically individuals and small merchants. We believe that sales of MRO supplies will become more concentrated over the next few years, which may make MRO supply distribution more competitive. Some of our competitors challenge us with a large variety of product offerings, financial resources, services or a combination of all of these factors. In the industrial products market, customer purchasing decisions are primarily based on one or more of the following criteria: price, product selection, product availability, technical support relationship, level of service and convenience. We believe we compete effectively on all such criteria. 10 Seasonality During any given time period, we may be impacted by our industrial customers’ plant shutdowns (particularly during the summer months or our fourth fiscal quarter). In addition, we may be impacted by weather-related disruptions. Compliance with Health and Safety and Environmental Protection Laws Our operations are subject to and affected by a variety of federal, state, local and non-U.S. health and safety and environmental laws and regulations relating to the discharge, treatment, storage, disposal, investigation and remediation of certain materials, substances and wastes. We continually assess our compliance status and management of environmental matters in an effort to ensure that our operations are in compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations. Operating and maintenance costs associated with environmental compliance and management of sites are a normal and recurring part of our operations. With respect to all other matters that may currently be pending, in the opinion of management, based on our analysis of relevant facts and circumstances, compliance with applicable environmental laws is not likely to have a material adverse effect upon our capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position. Associates As of August 29, 2015, we employed 6,642 associates (6,533 full-time and 109 part-time associates), which includes our U.K. and Canada operations. No associate is represented by a labor union. We consider our relationships with associates to be good and have experienced no work stoppages. Available Information We file annual, quarterly and current reports, and other reports and documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at Station Place, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is http://www.sec.gov. The Company’s Internet address is http://www.mscdirect.com. We make available on or through our investor relations page on our website, free of charge, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and beneficial ownership reports on Forms 3, 4, and 5 and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after this material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. We also make available, on our website, the charters of the committees of our Board of Directors and Management’s Code of Ethics, the Code of Business Conduct and Corporate Governance Guidelines pursuant to SEC requirements and New York Stock Exchange listing standards. Information on our website does not constitute a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. ITEM 1A. Risk Factors In addition to the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the following factors should be considered in evaluating the Company and its business. Our future operating results depend upon many factors and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The known material risks and uncertainties which may cause our operating results to vary from anticipated results or which may negatively affect our operating results and profitability are as follows: Our business depends heavily on the operating levels of our customers and the economic factors that affect them. Many of the primary markets for the products and services we sell are subject to cyclical fluctuations that affect demand for goods and materials that our customers produce. Consequently, demand for our products and services has been and will continue to be influenced by most of the same economic factors that affect demand for and production of our customers’ products. When, as occurred in the latest economic downturn, customers or prospective customers reduce production levels because of lower demand or tight credit conditions, their need for our products and services diminishes. Selling prices and terms of sale come under pressure, adversely affecting the profitability and the durability of customer relationships. Credit losses increase as well. Volatile economic and credit conditions also make it more difficult for distributors, as well as customers and suppliers, to forecast and plan future business activities. 11 In addition, as various sectors of our industrial customer base face increased foreign competition, and in fact lose business to foreign competitors or shift their operations overseas in an effort to reduce expenses, we may face increased difficulty in growing and maintaining our market share and growth prospects. Changes in our customer and product mix, or adverse changes to the cost of goods we sell, could cause our gross margin percentage to fluctuate, or decrease. From time to time, we have experienced changes in our customer mix and in our product mix. Changes in our customer mix have resulted from geographic expansion, daily selling activities within current geographic markets, and targeted selling activities to new customers. Changes in our product mix have resulted from marketing activities to existing customers and needs communicated to us from existing and prospective customers as well as from business acquisitions. As our large account customer program sales grow, we will face continued pressures on maintaining gross margin because these customers receive lower pricing due to their higher sales volumes. In addition, our recent expansion of our vending program has placed pressure on our gross margin. There can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain our historical gross margins. In addition, we may also be subject to price increases from vendors that we may not be able to pass along to our customers. We operate in a highly competitive industry. The MRO supply industry, although consolidating, still remains a large, fragmented industry that is highly competitive. We face competition from traditional channels of distribution such as retail outlets, small dealerships, regional or national distributors utilizing direct sales forces, manufacturers of MRO supplies, large warehouse stores and larger direct mail distributors. We believe that sales of MRO supplies will become more concentrated over the next few years, which may make the industry more competitive. Our competitors challenge us with a greater variety of product offerings, financial resources, services or a combination of all of these factors. In addition, we also face the risk of companies which operate primarily outside of our industry entering our marketplace. We also face emerging competitors participating primarily in the online distribution space whose primary customers we believe are typically individuals and small merchants. Our industry is consolidating which could adversely affect our business and financial results. The business of selling MRO supplies in North America is currently undergoing some consolidation. This consolidation is being driven by customer needs and supplier capabilities as greater economies of scale are achieved by suppliers. Traditional MRO suppliers are attempting to consolidate the market through internal expansion, through acquisitions or mergers with other industrial and construction suppliers, or through a combination of both. This consolidation allows suppliers to improve efficiency and spread fixed costs over a greater number of sales, and to achieve other benefits derived from economies of scale. Customers are increasingly aware of the total costs of fulfillment, and of their need to have consistent sources of supply at multiple locations. Consistent sources of supply provide not just reliable product quantities, but also consistent pricing, quality, and service capabilities. We believe these customer needs could result in fewer suppliers as the industry consolidates, and as the remaining suppliers become larger and capable of being a consistent source of supply. The trend of our industry toward consolidation could make it more difficult for us to maintain our operating margins. There can be no assurance that we will be able to take advantage of the trend or that we can do so effectively. Volatility in commodity and energy prices may adversely affect operating margins. In times of commodity and energy price increases, we may be subject to price increases from our vendors and freight carriers that we may be unable to pass along to our customers. Raw material costs used in our vendors’ products (steel, tungsten, etc.) and energy costs may increase, which may result in increased production costs for our vendors. The fuel costs of our independent freight companies have been volatile. Our vendors and independent freight carriers typically look to pass increased costs along to us through price increases. When we are forced to accept these price increases, we may not be able to pass them along to our customers, resulting in lower operating margins. 12 In addition to increases in commodity and energy prices, decreases in those costs, particularly if severe, could also adversely impact us by creating deflation in selling prices, which could cause our gross profit margin to deteriorate, or by negatively impacting customers in certain industries, which could cause our sales to those customers to decline. As a United States government contractor, we are subject to certain laws and regulations which may increase our costs of doing business and which subject us to certain compliance requirements and potential liabilities. As a supplier to the United States government, we must comply with certain laws and regulations, including the Trade Agreements Act, the Buy American Act and the Federal Acquisition Regulation, relating to the formation, administration and performance of United States government contracts. These laws and regulations affect how we do business with government customers, and in some instances, impose added compliance and other costs on our business. From time to time, we are subject to governmental or regulatory inquiries or audits relating to our compliance with these laws and regulations. A violation of specific laws and regulations could result in the imposition of fines and penalties or the termination of our United States government contracts and could harm our reputation and cause our business to suffer. Our business is exposed to the credit risk of our customers which could adversely affect our operating results. We perform periodic credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition and collateral is generally not required. Receivables are generally due within thirty days. We evaluate the collectability of accounts receivable based on numerous factors, including past transaction history with customers and their credit worthiness and we provide a reserve for accounts that we believe to be uncollectible. A significant deterioration in the economy could have an adverse effect on the servicing of these accounts receivable, which could result in longer payment cycles, increased collection costs and defaults. The risk of cancellation or rescheduling of orders may cause our operating results to fluctuate. The cancellation or rescheduling of orders may cause our operating results to fluctuate. Although we strive to maintain ongoing relationships with our customers, there is an ongoing risk that orders may be cancelled or rescheduled due to fluctuations in our customers’ business needs or purchasing budgets, including changes in national and local government budgets. Additionally, although our customer base is diverse, ranging from individual machine shops to Fortune 100 companies and large governmental agencies, the cancellation or rescheduling of significant orders by larger customers may still have a material adverse effect on our operating results from time to time. Work stoppages and other disruptions, including those due to extreme weather conditions, at transportation centers or shipping ports may adversely affect our ability to obtain inventory and make deliveries to our customers. Our ability to provide same-day shipping and next-day delivery of our core metalworking and MRO products is an integral component of our overall business strategy. Disruptions at transportation centers or shipping ports, due to labor stoppages or severe weather conditions affect both our ability to maintain core products in inventory and deliver products to our customers on a timely basis, which may in turn adversely affect our customer relationships and results of operations. In addition, severe weather conditions, including winter storms, could adversely affect demand for our products in particularly hard hit regions and impact our sales. The terms of our credit facility impose operating and financial restrictions on us, which may limit our ability to respond to changing business and economic conditions. We currently have a $650.0 million unsecured term loan and revolving loan credit facility, with the right to increase the aggregate amount available to be borrowed by an additional $200.0 million, in $50.0 million increments, subject to lending group approval. The term loan facility matures on, and the revolving loan facility is available through April 22, 2018. We are subject to various operating and financial covenants under the credit facility which restrict our ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, make particular types of investments, incur certain types of liens, engage in fundamental corporate changes, enter into transactions with affiliates or make substantial asset sales. Any failure to comply with these covenants may constitute a breach under the credit facility, which could result in the acceleration of all or a substantial portion of any outstanding indebtedness and termination of revolving credit commitments under the facility. Our inability to maintain our credit facility could materially adversely affect our liquidity and our business. Disruptions of our information systems could adversely affect us. We believe that our information technology (“IT”) systems are an integral part of our business and growth strategies. We depend upon our IT systems to help process orders, to manage inventory and accounts receivable collections, 13 to purchase, sell and ship products efficiently and on a timely basis, to maintain cost-effective operations, to operate our websites and to help provide superior service to our customers. Our IT systems may be vulnerable to damage or disruption caused by circumstances beyond our control, such as catastrophic events, power outages, natural disasters, computer system or network failures, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins, and cyber-attacks. The failure of our IT systems to perform as we anticipate could disrupt our business and could result in transaction errors, loss of data, processing inefficiencies, downtime, litigation, substantial remediation costs (including potential liability for stolen assets or information and the costs of repairing system damage), and the loss of sales and customers. In addition, changes to our information systems could disrupt our business operations. Any one or more of these consequences could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our success is dependent on certain key personnel. Our success depends largely on the efforts and abilities of certain key senior management. The loss of the services of one or more of such key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. We do not maintain any key-man insurance policies with respect to any of our executive officers. Our business depends on our ability to retain and to attract qualified sales and customer service personnel. There are significant costs associated with hiring and training sales and customer service professionals. We greatly benefit from having associates who are familiar with the products we sell and their applications, as well as with our customer and supplier relationships. We could be adversely affected by a shortage of available skilled workers or the loss of a significant number of our sales or customer service professionals. The loss of key suppliers or supply chain disruptions could adversely affect our operating results. We believe that our ability to offer a combination of well-known brand name products and competitively priced exclusive brand products is an important factor in attracting and retaining customers. Our ability to offer a wide range of products and services is dependent on obtaining adequate product supply and services from our key suppliers. The loss of, or a substantial decrease in the availability of products or services from key suppliers at competitive prices, or the loss of a key brand could cause our revenues and profitability to decrease. In addition, supply interruptions could arise due to transportation disruptions, labor disputes or other factors beyond our control. Disruptions in our supply chain could result in a decrease in revenues and profitability. Opening or expanding our customer fulfillment centers exposes us to risks of delays and may affect our operating results. In the future, as part of our long-term strategic planning, we may open new customer fulfillment centers to improve our efficiency, geographic distribution and market penetration and intend to make, as we have in the past, capital improvements and operational enhancements to certain of our existing customer fulfillment centers. Moving or opening customer fulfillment centers and effecting such improvements requires a substantial capital investment, including expenditures for real estate and construction, and opening new customer fulfillment centers requires a substantial investment in inventory. In addition, the opening of new customer fulfillment centers would have an adverse impact on distribution expenses as a percentage of sales, inventory turnover and return on investment in the periods prior to and for some time following the commencement of operations of each new customer fulfillment center. Additionally, until sales volumes mature at new customer fulfillment centers, operating expenses as a percentage of sales may be adversely impacted. Further, substantial or unanticipated delays in the commencement of operations at new customer fulfillment centers could have a material adverse effect on our geographic expansion and may impact results of operations. In order to support our growth strategy and maintain our signature service model as we grow, we recently built a new customer fulfillment center in Columbus, Ohio. We spent approximately $3.3 million in fiscal 2015 and $49.9 million in fiscal 2014 for the purchase of the land and costs to construct and outfit the facility. We have completed construction and began operations on September 30, 2014. An interruption of operations at our headquarters or customer fulfillment centers could adversely impact our business. Our business depends on maintaining operations at our co-located headquarters and customer fulfillment centers. A serious, prolonged interruption due to power outage, telecommunications outage, terrorist attack, earthquake, hurricane, fire, flood or other natural disaster, or other interruption could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. 14 We are subject to litigation risk due to the nature of our business, which may have a material adverse effect on our business. From time to time, we are involved in lawsuits or other legal proceedings that arise from business transactions. These may, for example, relate to product liability claims, commercial disputes, or employment matters. In addition, we could face claims over other matters, such as claims arising from our status as a government contractor or corporate or securities law matters. The defense and ultimate outcome of lawsuits or other legal proceedings may result in higher operating expenses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. We are subject to environmental, health and safety laws and regulations. We are subject to federal, state, local, foreign and provincial environmental, health and safety laws and regulations. Fines and penalties may be imposed for non-compliance with applicable environmental, health and safety requirements and the failure to have or to comply with the terms and conditions of required permits. The failure by us to comply with applicable environmental, health and safety requirements could result in fines, penalties, enforcement actions, third party claims for property damage and personal injury, requirements to clean up property or to pay for the costs of cleanup, or regulatory or judicial orders requiring corrective measures, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. We are subject to disclosure requirements of our use of “conflict minerals” in certain of the products we distribute, which will impose costs on us and could raise reputational and other risks. Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the SEC established disclosure requirements regarding the use of certain minerals, known as “conflict minerals”, that are mined from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and adjoining countries. There are costs associated with complying with these disclosure requirements, including costs to determine which of our products are subject to the rules and the source of any “conflict minerals” used in those products. In addition, these rules could adversely affect the sourcing, pricing and availability of materials used in the manufacture of certain of our products. Also, we may face reputational challenges if we determine that certain of our products contain minerals not determined to be conflict free or if we are unable to sufficiently verify the origins for all conflict minerals used in our products through the procedures we implement. Goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets recorded as a result of our acquisitions could become impaired. As of August 29, 2015, our combined goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets amounted to $638.8 million. To the extent we do not generate sufficient cash flows to recover the net amount of any investments in goodwill and other indefinite life intangible assets recorded, the investment could be considered impaired and subject to write-off. We expect to record further goodwill and other indefinite life intangible assets as a result of future acquisitions we may complete. Future amortization of such assets or impairments, if any, of goodwill or indefinite life intangible assets would adversely affect our results of operations in any given period. We may encounter difficulties with acquisitions, which could harm our business. We have completed several acquisitions of businesses, including our acquisition of CCSG completed in fiscal 2013, and we expect to continue to pursue strategic acquisitions that we believe will either expand or complement our business in new or existing markets or further enhance the value and offerings we are able to provide to our existing or future potential customers. Acquisitions involve numerous risks and challenges, including the following: • • • • • • diversion of management’s attention from the normal operation of our business; potential loss of key associates and customers of the acquired companies; difficulties managing and integrating operations in geographically dispersed locations; the potential for deficiencies in internal controls at acquired companies; increases in our expenses and working capital requirements, which reduce our return on invested capital; lack of experience operating in the geographic market or industry sector of the acquired business; and 15 • exposure to unanticipated liabilities of acquired companies. To integrate acquired businesses, we must implement our management information systems, operating systems and internal controls, and assimilate and manage the personnel of the acquired operations. The difficulties of this integration may be further complicated by geographic distances. The integration of acquired businesses may not be successful and could result in disruption to other parts of our business. Our common stock price may be volatile. We believe factors such as fluctuations in our operating results or the operating results of our competitors, changes in economic conditions in the market sectors in which our customers operate, notably the durable and non-durable goods manufacturing industry, which accounted for a substantial portion of our revenue for fiscal year 2015, fiscal year 2014 and fiscal year 2013, and changes in general market conditions, could cause the market price of our Class A common stock to fluctuate substantially. Our principal shareholders exercise significant control over us. We have two classes of common stock. Our Class A common stock has one vote per share and our Class B common stock has ten votes per share. As of October 15, 2015, the Chairman of our Board of Directors, his sister, certain of their family members including our President and Chief Executive Officer, and related trusts collectively owned 100% of the outstanding shares of our Class B common stock and approximately 1.8% of the outstanding shares of our Class A common stock, giving them control over approximately 73.8% of the combined voting power of our Class A common stock and our Class B common stock. Consequently, such shareholders will be in a position to elect all of the directors of the Company and to determine the outcome of any matter submitted to a vote of the Company’s shareholders for approval, including amendments to our certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated by-laws, any proposed merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets and other corporate transactions. Because this concentrated control could discourage others from initiating any potential merger, takeover or other change of control transaction that may otherwise be beneficial to our shareholders, the market price of our Class A common stock could be adversely affected. ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS. None. ITEM 2. PROPERTIES. We have customer fulfillment centers in or near the following locations: (cid:3) Location Atlanta, Georgia Elkhart, Indiana Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Reno, Nevada Wednesbury, United Kingdom Columbus, Ohio Hanover Park, Illinois Dallas, Texas Edmonton, Canada Beamsville, Canada Moncton, Canada Shelbyville, Kentucky(2) Approx. Sq. Ft. 721,000 545,000 637,000 419,000 75,000 468,000 182,000 135,000 32,000 110,000 16,000 110,000 Operational Leased/ Date 1990 1996 1997 1999 1998 2014 2003 2003 2007 2004 1981 1973 Owned Leased(1) Owned Owned Owned Leased Owned Leased Leased Leased Owned Owned Owned (1) The related party lease for this facility expires on July 1, 2030. (2) Repackaging and replenishment center. We maintain 97 branch offices within the United States located in 40 states and one location in the U.K. The branches range in size from 1,800 to 55,000 square feet. The leases for these branch offices will expire at various periods 16 between October 2015 and August 2024. The aggregate annual lease payments on these branch offices and the leased customer fulfillment centers in fiscal 2015 were approximately $14.5 million. We maintain our co-located headquarters at a 170,000 square foot facility that we own in Melville, New York and a 162,000 square foot facility that we own in Davidson, North Carolina. In addition, we maintain office space in a 50,000 square foot facility that we lease in Southfield, Michigan. We believe that our existing facilities are adequate for our current needs and will be adequate for the foreseeable future; we also expect that suitable additional space will be available as needed. In order to support our growth strategy and maintain our signature service model as we grow, we recently built a new customer fulfillment center in Columbus, Ohio. We began operations on September 30, 2014. ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. There are various claims, lawsuits, and pending actions against the Company incidental to the operation of its business. Although the outcome of these matters is currently not determinable, management does not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity. ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES Not applicable. 17 PART II. ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES. MSC’s Class A common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “MSM”. MSC’s Class B common stock is not traded in any public market. The following table sets forth the range of the high and low sales prices as reported by the NYSE and cash dividends per share for the period from September 1, 2013 to August 29, 2015: Fiscal Year Ended August 29, 2015 First Quarter – November 29, 2014 Second Quarter – February 28, 2015 Third Quarter – May 30, 2015 Fourth Quarter – August 29, 2015 Fiscal Year Ended August 30, 2014 First Quarter – November 30, 2013 Second Quarter – March 1, 2014 Third Quarter – May 31, 2014 Fourth Quarter – August 30, 2014 $ $ Price of Class A Common Stock High Low $ 91.91 83.03 74.13 72.40 77.52 72.92 68.16 64.50 Price of Class A Common Stock High Low $ 87.54 89.36 93.02 96.62 74.87 76.33 84.08 84.26 (cid:3) (cid:3) (cid:3) Dividend Per Share Common Stock Class A & Class B(1) $ $ 3.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 Dividend Per Share Common Stock Class A & Class B 0.33 0.33 0.33 0.33 (1) In the first quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company paid a special cash dividend of $3.00 per share. On July 10, 2003, our Board of Directors instituted a policy of paying regular quarterly cash dividends to our shareholders. The Company paid total annual cash dividends of $4.60 and $1.32 per share for fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014, respectively. This policy is reviewed periodically by the Board of Directors. On October 21, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.43 per share, payable on November 24, 2015 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 10, 2015. The dividend will result in a payout of approximately $26.5 million, based on the number of shares outstanding at October 15, 2015. On October 15, 2015, the last reported sales price for MSC’s Class A common stock on the NYSE was $61.46 per share. The approximate number of holders of record of MSC’s Class A common stock as of October 15, 2015 was 650. The number of holders of record of MSC’s Class B common stock as of October 15, 2015 was 67. Purchases of Equity Securities The following table sets forth repurchases by the Company of its outstanding shares of Class A common stock, during the quarter ended August 29, 2015: Period 06/01/15-07/01/15 07/02/15-08/01/15 08/02/15-08/29/15 Total Total Number of Shares Purchased(1) Average Price Paid Per Share(2) (cid:3) — $ 100,086 396 100,482 $ — 69.67 70.27 69.67 Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs(3) — 100,000 — 100,000 Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs 1,842,548 1,742,548 1,742,548 18 (1) During the three months ended August 29, 2015, 482 shares of our common stock were purchased by the Company as payment to satisfy our associate’s tax withholding liability associated with our share-based compensation program and are included in the total number of shares purchased. (2) Activity is reported on a trade date basis. (3) During fiscal 1999, our Board of Directors established the MSC Stock Repurchase Plan, which we refer to as the Repurchase Plan. The total number of shares of our Class A common stock initially authorized for future repurchase was set at 5,000,000 shares. On January 8, 2008, our Board of Directors reaffirmed and replenished the Repurchase Plan and set the total number of shares of Class A common stock authorized for future repurchase at 7,000,000 shares. On October 21, 2011, the Board of Directors reaffirmed and replenished the Repurchase Plan and set the total number of shares of Class A common stock authorized for future repurchase at 5,000,000 shares. As of August 29, 2015, the maximum number of shares that may yet be repurchased under the Repurchase Plan was 1,742,548 shares. There is no expiration date for the Repurchase Plan. Performance Graph The following stock price performance graph and accompanying information is not deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which we refer to as the Exchange Act, or be subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in any such filing. The following graph compares the cumulative total return on an investment in our common stock with the cumulative total return of an investment in each of the S&P Midcap 400 Index, the Dow Jones US Industrial Supplier Index (“New Index”), and the Dow Jones US Business Support Services Index (“Former Index”). Both Dow Jones indices represent subsectors based on Dow Jones’ Sector Classifications. The Former Index contains “providers of nonfinancial services to a wide range of industrial enterprises and governments. Includes providers of printing services, management consultants, office cleaning services, and companies that install, service and monitor alarm and security systems”, while the New Index contains “Distributors and wholesalers of diversified products and equipment primarily used in the commercial and industrial sectors. Includes builders merchants.” according to the Dow Jones Sector Classification: Structure and Definitions map found at https://www.djindexes.com/mdsidx/downloads/Sector_Classification_Structure_Definitions.pdf. Given the Company’s status as a leading distributor of diversified MRO products and services, the Company believes the New Index more closely aligns with its business. Further, the New Index maintains more significant stock price correlations to MSC than the Former Index, as shown in the chart below. Correlation is a measure of how securities move in relation to each other, with a correlation of 1 representing a perfect positive correlation. The higher correlations reflect a stronger alignment between MSC and the New Index and suggest they are affected by similar market forces. As a result, the Company has chosen to change to the New Index for Fiscal 2015, which more closely aligns with the industry of MSC and the group of publicly traded companies currently used by the Compensation Committee for benchmarking compensation of our named executive officers. The Former Index is included for comparative purposes. The graph assumes $100 invested at the closing price of our Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange and each index on August 28, 2010 and assumes that all dividends paid on such securities during the applicable fiscal years were reinvested. Indices are calculated on a month-end basis. The comparisons in this table are based on historical data and are not intended to forecast or to be indicative of the possible future performance of our Class A common stock. 19 Cumulative Total Stockholder Return for the Period from August 28, 2010 through August 29, 2015 MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. S&P Midcap 400 Dow Jones US Industrial Supplier Dow Jones US Business Support Services (cid:3) (cid:3) 8/28/2010 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 8/27/2011 132.02 115.37 134.16 120.13 9/1/2012 157.31 136.20 176.18 146.38 8/31/2013 175.32 168.48 199.30 (cid:3) 183.00 8/30/2014 211.14 207.65 206.91 209.69 8/29/2015 167.43 209.04 172.31 230.72 ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA. The following selected financial information is qualified by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained elsewhere herein. The selected consolidated income statement data for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2013, August 30, 2014 and August 29, 2015 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of August 30, 2014 and August 29, 2015 are derived from MSC’s audited consolidated financial statements which are included elsewhere herein. The selected consolidated income statement data for the fiscal years ended August 27, 2011 and September 1, 2012, and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of August 27, 2011, September 1, 2012 and August 31, 2013 are derived from MSC’s audited consolidated financial statements not included herein. 20 Consolidated Income Statement Data: Net sales Gross profit Operating expenses Income from operations Income taxes Net income Net income per common share: Basic Diluted Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic Diluted Cash dividends declared per common share(2), (4) Consolidated Balance Sheet Data (at period end): Working capital Total assets Short-term debt including capital lease and financing obligations Long-term debt including capital lease obligations, net of current maturities Deferred income taxes and tax uncertainties Shareholders’ equity Selected Operating Data:(1), (3) Active customers(5) Approximate Number of SKUs Orders shipped(5) Number of publications mailed(5) Number of publication titles (not in thousands)(5) Fiscal Years Ended August 30, 2014 (52 weeks) August 31, 2013 (52 weeks) (In thousands, except per share data) September 1, 2012 (53 weeks) August 27, 2011 (52 weeks) 1,118,516 $ 2,787,122 $ 2,457,649 $ 2,355,918 $ 2,021,792 940,925 591,160 349,765 130,544 218,786 1,078,203 665,987 412,216 153,111 259,031 1,286,256 903,072 383,184 143,458 236,067 732,990 385,526 145,434 237,995 3.78 3.76 3.77 3.75 4.12 4.09 62,026 62,339 62,695 63,011 62,434 62,803 1.32 $ 1.20 $ 1.00 $ 3.45 3.43 62,902 63,324 1.88 652,251 $ 679,910 $ 749,596 $ 2,060,747 1,943,003 1,444,876 586,232 1,244,423 $ $ August 29, 2015 (52 weeks) $ 2,910,379 1,316,575 937,046 379,529 141,833 231,308 3.75 3.74 61,292 61,487 4.60 609,739 2,101,206 $ $ 213,515 96,829 14,184 1,007 — 214,789 131,210 1,332,870 240,235 112,785 1,398,563 241,566 97,475 1,390,383 2,189 85,061 1,187,111 — 79,109 993,112 366 1,000 6,626 18,266 98 364 850 6,630 18,152 101 322 685 5,957 16,308 95 325 600 6,150 18,032 100 320 600 5,784 18,600 111 (1) See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—General.” (2) In the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company paid a special cash dividend of $1.00 per share. (3) CCSG data is included in Selected Operating Data beginning in fiscal 2014. (4) In the first quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company paid a special cash dividend of $3.00 per share. (5) Excludes U.K. operations. ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. General MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, “MSC,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is a leading North American distributor of a broad range of metalworking and maintenance, repair, and operations (“MRO”) products and services. Our goal is to help our customers drive greater productivity, profitability, and growth with more than one million products, inventory management and other supply chain solutions, and deep expertise from 75 years of working with customers across industries. We continue to implement our strategies to gain market share, generate new customers, increase sales to existing customers, and diversify our customer base. Our experienced team of more than 6,500 associates works with our customers to help drive results for their businesses, from keeping operations running efficiently today to continuously rethinking, retooling, and optimizing for a more productive tomorrow. We offer approximately 1,000,000 stock-keeping units (“SKUs”) through our master catalogs; weekly, monthly and quarterly specialty and promotional catalogs; brochures; and the Internet, including our websites, 21 mscdirect.com, and use-enco.com (the “MSC Websites”). We service our customers from 12 customer fulfillment centers (eight customer fulfillment centers are located within the United States which includes five primary customer fulfillment centers, one is located in the United Kingdom (the “U.K.”), and three are located in Canada) and 98 branch offices. Many of our products are carried in stock, and orders for these in-stock products are typically fulfilled the day on which the order is received. Overview For the fiscal years ended August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014, net sales increased by 4.4% and 13.4%, respectively, over the 2014 and 2013 fiscal years. We have invested in our business by increasing our sales force and making various productivity and infrastructure investments. Additionally, by increasing our investments in custom supply chain and inventory management solutions such as vending solutions, Vendor Managed Inventory (“VMI”), Customer Managed Inventory (“CMI”), eCommerce and electronic procurement tools, we have strengthened our strategic position with our customers. We believe these investments, combined with our strong balance sheet, extensive product assortment, high in- stock levels, same-day shipping, and high levels of execution, have increased our competitive advantage over smaller distributors. The waterfall chart below displays a three-year comparison of our net sales: (1) Pricing is offset by changes in customer and product mix, discounting and other items. The table below shows the pattern to the change in our fiscal quarterly and annual average daily sales by total company and by customer type from the same periods in the prior fiscal year: 22 Average Daily Sales Percentage Change (unaudited) Thirteen Week Period Ended Fiscal Q1 Thirteen Week Period Ended Fiscal Q2 Thirteen Week Period Ended Fiscal Q3 Thirteen Week Period Ended Fiscal Q4 Fiscal Year Ended 7.8 % 4.8 % 15.6 % (cid:3) (cid:3) (cid:3) 6.8 % 4.1 % 14.0 % (cid:3) (cid:3) (cid:3) 3.5 % 1.2 % 10.1 % (cid:3) (cid:3) (cid:3) 0.1 % (1.8)% 5.4 % (cid:3) (cid:3) (cid:3) 4.4 % 2.0 % 11.0 % (cid:3) (cid:3) (cid:3) Average Daily Sales Percentage Change (unaudited) Thirteen Week Period Ended Fiscal Q1 Thirteen Week Period Ended Fiscal Q2 Thirteen Week Period Ended Fiscal Q3 Thirteen Week Period Ended Fiscal Q4 Fiscal Year Ended 17.5 % 5.0 % 5.1 % 3.9 % 16.2 % 3.9 % 3.9 % 3.1 % 13.1 % 7.1 % 6.3 % 8.9 % 7.8 % 8.6 % 7.4 % 11.6 % 13.4 % 6.2 % 5.8 % 6.8 % 2015 vs. 2014 Fiscal Period Total Company(1) Manufacturing Customers(1) Non-Manufacturing Customers(1) 2014 vs. 2013 Fiscal Period Total Company(1) Total Company(2) Manufacturing Customers(2) Non-Manufacturing Customers(2) (1) Includes CCSG operations. (2) Excludes CCSG operations. The trends noted above reflect that, excluding our U.K. operations, our manufacturing customers represented approximately 70% of our business and our non-manufacturing customers represented approximately 30% of our business during fiscal 2015. During fiscal 2014, excluding CCSG and U.K. operations, our manufacturing customers represented approximately 76% of our business and our non-manufacturing customers represented approximately 24% of our business. Exclusive of customers in the U.K., average order size increased to approximately $417 in fiscal 2015 as compared to $409 in fiscal 2014 and $403 in fiscal 2013 (fiscal 2013 excludes CCSG operations). We believe that our ability to transact business with our customers through various electronic portals and directly through the MSC Websites gives us a competitive advantage over smaller suppliers. Sales made through our eCommerce platforms, including sales made through Electronic Data Interchange systems, VMI systems, Extensible Markup Language ordering based systems, vending machine systems, hosted systems and other electronic portals, represented 55.6% of consolidated net sales in fiscal 2015, compared to 48.0% of consolidated net sales in fiscal 2014 and 44.0% of consolidated net sales in fiscal 2013 (fiscal 2014 and 2013 exclude CCSG operations). We grew our field sales associate headcount to 1,972 at August 29, 2015, an increase of approximately 2.5% from field sales associates of 1,923 at August 30, 2014. Field sales associate headcount also increased 7.4% to 1,923 at August 30, 2014 from 1,790 at August 31, 2013. There were no branch openings during fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014. These headcount increases support our strategy to acquire new accounts and expand existing accounts across all customer types. We plan to continue to increase our field sales associate headcount through fiscal 2016. We will continue to manage the timing of field sales associate increases and branch openings based on economic conditions and our selected mix of growth investments. Customers continue to drive more of their fulfillment needs electronically. To support this trend, we believe that increasing the breadth and depth of our online product offering and removing non-value-added SKUs is critical to our continued success. In addition, we are focused on providing our customers with new product alternatives that will help them achieve their cost savings objectives while meeting their demands for higher quality products. In fiscal 2015, we added approximately 150,000 SKUs to our searchable database on www.mscdirect.com, bringing the total to approximately 1,000,000 SKUs, net of SKU removals. This increase in SKUs translated to our full ordering database, bringing MSC’s total, active, saleable SKU count to approximately 1,350,000 SKUs. We expect this SKU expansion plan driven by our eCommerce strategy to continue into fiscal 2016. 23 The most recent MSC catalog issued in September 2015 offers approximately 505,000 core metalworking and MRO products. Approximately 17% of these SKUs are MSC exclusive brands. We have also leveraged the depth and breadth of MSC’s product portfolio within our CCSG sales channel and now offer all MSC catalog items to our CCSG customers. We also continue to focus on expanding our Large Account Customer business, which consists of our national account customers and government accounts, and continues to be an important component of our overall customer mix, revenue base, and planned business expansion. Servicing our Large Account Customer business is more complex as we look to provide customer specific solutions as our Large Account Customers continue to focus on ways to drive costs out of their businesses. By expanding sales to these customers, which involve customers with multiple locations and high volume MRO needs, we have diversified our customer base beyond small and mid-sized customers. Sales to our government accounts represented approximately 9% and 8%, respectively, of our total sales for the fiscal years ended August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014. We utilize various indices when measuring our business. The Institute for Supply Management’s Purchasing Manager's Index (“PMI”), which measures the economic activity of the U.S. manufacturing sector, is important to our planning because it historically has been an indicator of our manufacturing customers’ activity. Approximately 70% of our revenues came from sales in the manufacturing sector during fiscal 2015, including certain national account customers. A PMI reading below 50.0% generally indicates that the manufacturing sector is expected to contract. Conversely, a PMI reading above 50.0% generally indicates that the manufacturing sector is expected to expand. The PMI evidenced an expanding manufacturing sector environment throughout our fiscal year 2015, however, at an overall declining pace. The ISM index was 50.2% for the month of September 2015 and averaged 53.4% for the past twelve months. The rapid drop in oil prices along with reduced export demand has contributed to an overall declining index. Details released with the most recent index indicate that economic activity in the manufacturing sector related to new orders, production and employment are growing, while inventories are contracting from the previous month. Pricing continues to decline and to be constrained due to the lack of commodities inflation and the most recent index has indicated a decrease in raw materials prices for the eleventh consecutive month. In addition to the PMI, we utilize The Metalworking Business Index (“MBI”). The MBI measures the economic activity of the metalworking industry, focusing only on durable goods manufacturing. The MBI functions similarly to the PMI, where a value below 50.0 generally indicates contraction and a value above 50.0 generally indicates expansion. The MBI of 44.1 showed that the industry contracted in September 2015 for the sixth month in a row and averaged 48.8 for the past twelve months. The rate of contraction accelerated significantly in July 2015 and August 2015 to its lowest level since July 2009 when the index was 36.5. New orders, production, and pricing sub-indices began to contract in the second half of our fiscal 2015 with accelerated contraction occurring in our fiscal fourth quarter of 2015. Employment was expanding during the majority of our fiscal 2015, with contraction occurring in September 2015 after a significant drop from July 2015. We will continue to monitor the current economic conditions for its impact on our customers and markets and continue to assess both risks and opportunities that may affect our business. Our gross profit margin decreased in fiscal 2015 to 45.2% from 46.1% in fiscal 2014. The decrease was primarily a result of increases in product costs, changes in pricing, customer and product mix and growth in our vending program sales. Our gross profit margin in fiscal 2014 increased to 46.1% from 45.5% in fiscal 2013. The increase in gross profit margin was primarily driven by higher gross margins from CCSG which includes a full year’s impact in fiscal 2014 compared to only a portion of the year in fiscal 2013, partially offset by increases in product costs, changes in customer and product mix and an increased percentage of sales from our vending programs. Operating expenses increased 3.8% in fiscal 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014. The increase is primarily the result of increased payroll and payroll related costs to support our increased revenues, increased depreciation expense associated primarily with our recent infrastructure and other growth investments, and increased advertising costs related to additional advertising activities. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in the incentive compensation accrual, in addition to decreases in non-recurring integration costs and restructuring charges associated with the CCSG acquisition and in relocation expenses associated with the establishment of our co-located headquarters in Davidson, North Carolina. Operating expenses increased 23.2% in fiscal 2014 as compared to fiscal 2013. The increase is primarily the result of additional operating expenses incurred as a result of the acquired CCSG operations. In addition, we incurred operating expenses for fiscal year 2014 related to non-recurring integration costs and restructuring charges associated with the acquisition. Excluding CCSG, operating expenses increased as a result of increased payroll and payroll related costs, increased freight costs, increased depreciation and amortization related to our infrastructure and other investment programs, and increased advertising costs. 24 We expect operating costs to continue to increase throughout fiscal year 2016 as compared to fiscal year 2015 due to increased operating costs associated with the establishment of our new customer fulfillment center in Columbus, Ohio, increased compensation expenses and fringe benefits costs as a result of an increase in our staffing levels primarily related to sales associates and other program development and volume related positions to support our growth initiatives, and increased costs associated with executing on our vending and other investment programs. We will continue to opportunistically seek additional growth opportunities that will help position us for future expansion. We believe that cash flows from operations, available cash and funds available under our revolving credit facility will be adequate to support our operations and growth plans for the next twelve months. We are continuing to take advantage of our strong balance sheet, which enables us to maintain optimal inventory and service levels to meet customer demands, while many of our smaller competitors in our fragmented industry continue to have difficulties in offering competitive service levels. We also believe that customers will continue to seek cost reductions and shorter cycle times from their suppliers. Our business model focuses on providing overall procurement cost reduction and just-in-time delivery to meet our customers’ needs. We focus on offering inventory, process and procurement solutions that reduce MRO supply chain costs and improve plant floor productivity for our customers. We will seek to continue to drive cost reduction throughout our business through cost saving strategies and increased leverage from our existing infrastructure, and continue to provide additional procurement cost savings solutions to our customers through technology such as our CMI, VMI, and vending programs. Results of Operations Fiscal Year Ended August 29, 2015 Compared to the Fiscal Year Ended August 30, 2014 The table below summarizes the Company’s results of operations both in dollars (in thousands) and as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated: Fiscal Years Ended August 29, 2015 August 30, 2014 Change Net sales Cost of goods sold Gross profit Operating expenses Income from operations Total other expense Income before provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Net income $ % $ % $ 2,910,379 1,593,804 1,316,575 937,046 379,529 (6,388) 373,141 141,833 231,308 $ 100.0% $ 2,787,122 1,500,866 54.8% 1,286,256 45.2% 903,072 32.2% 383,184 13.0% (3,659) (0.2)% 379,525 12.8% 4.9% 143,458 7.9% $ 236,067 100.0% $ 53.9% 46.1% 32.4% 13.7% (0.1)% 13.6% 5.1% 8.5% $ $ 123,257 92,938 30,319 33,974 (3,655) (2,729) (6,384) (1,625) (4,759) % 4.4% 6.2% 2.4% 3.8% (1.0)% 74.6% (1.7)% (1.1)% (2.0)% Net Sales Net sales increased 4.4% or approximately $123.3 million, for the fiscal year ended 2015. We estimate that this $123.3 million increase in net sales is comprised of: (i) approximately $135.1 million of higher sales volume; partially offset by (ii) $3.7 million from pricing, which includes changes in customer and product mix, discounting and other items; and (iii) approximately $8.1 million from unfavorable foreign currency fluctuations. Of the above $123.3 million increase in net sales, our government and national account programs (“Large Account Customer”) increased by approximately $108.0 million and there was an increase in our remaining business of approximately $15.3 million. 25 Gross Profit Gross profit margin was 45.2% in fiscal 2015 as compared to 46.1% in fiscal 2014. The decline in gross profit margin was primarily a result of increases in product costs, changes in pricing, customer and product mix and growth in our vending program sales. Operating Expenses Operating expenses increased 3.8% to $937.0 million in fiscal 2015, as compared to $903.1 million in fiscal 2014. The increase is primarily the result of increased payroll and payroll related costs to support our increased revenues, increased depreciation expense associated primarily with our recent infrastructure and other growth investments, and increased advertising costs related to additional advertising activities. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in the incentive compensation accrual, in addition to decreases in non-recurring integration costs and restructuring charges associated with the CCSG acquisition and in relocation expenses associated with the establishment of our co-located headquarters in Davidson, North Carolina. Approximately $1.1 million and $11.8 million of expenses related to non- recurring integration costs and restructuring charges associated with the CCSG acquisition were included in operating expenses in fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively. Approximately $3.4 million and $3.0 million of executive separation costs were included in operating expenses for fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively. In addition, approximately $2.6 million of expenses associated with the establishment of our co-located headquarters in Davidson, North Carolina were included in operating expenses in fiscal 2014. Operating expenses represented approximately 32.2% of net sales in fiscal 2015, as compared to approximately 32.4% in fiscal 2014, respectively. Excluding the reduction in the non-recurring charges discussed above, operating expenses as a percentage of net sales in fiscal 2015 increased as compared to the prior fiscal year. Payroll and payroll related costs represented approximately 53.3% of total operating expenses in fiscal 2015, as compared to approximately 53.5% in fiscal 2014, respectively. Included in these costs are salary, incentive compensation, sales commission and fringe benefit costs. Salary, incentive compensation and sales commission increased in fiscal 2015 as compared to the prior fiscal year, primarily due to an increase in salaries as a result of an increase in our staffing levels primarily related to sales associates and other program development and volume related positions to support our growth initiatives as well as significant investments in vending programs. Fringe benefit costs increased as a result of increased medical costs of our self-insured group health plan. There was an increase in the number of participants in the plan as a result of the increases in headcount discussed above, which resulted in an increase in the number of medical claims filed. The number of medical claims filed increased 7.0% in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014. In addition, the average cost per claim increased by 5.3% in fiscal 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in the incentive compensation accrual. Payroll and payroll related costs decreased as a percentage of operating expenses in fiscal 2015 as compared to the prior fiscal year as a result of increased other operating expenses due to the factors discussed above. Freight expense was approximately $123.9 million in fiscal 2015, as compared to approximately $119.8 million in fiscal 2014. The primary driver of this increase was increased sales. Income from Operations Income from operations decreased 1.0% to $379.5 million in fiscal 2015, as compared to $383.2 million in fiscal 2014. This decrease was primarily attributable to the increase in operating expenses described above, offset in part by an increase in gross profit. Income from operations as a percentage of net sales decreased to 13.0% in fiscal 2015 as compared to 13.7% for the prior fiscal year primarily due to a decrease in the gross profit margin as discussed above. Other Expense The increase in other expense in fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014 was primarily due to increases in interest expense due to increased borrowings under our Credit Facility in fiscal 2015. 26 Provision for Income Taxes Our fiscal 2015 effective tax rate was 38.0% as compared to 37.8% in fiscal 2014. This fluctuation resulted from changes in the tax laws, income allocation and regulations in the various jurisdictions in which we operate and expiring statutes of limitations. Net Income The factors which affected net income for fiscal 2015 as compared to the prior period have been discussed above. Fiscal Year Ended August 30, 2014 Compared to the Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2013 The table below summarizes the Company’s results of operations both in dollars (in thousands) and as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated: Net sales Cost of goods sold Gross profit Operating expenses Income from operations Total other expense Income before provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Net income Fiscal Years Ended August 30, 2014 August 31, 2013 Change $ % $ % $ $ 2,787,122 1,500,866 1,286,256 903,072 383,184 (3,659) 379,525 143,458 236,067 $ 100.0% $ 2,457,649 1,339,133 53.9% 1,118,516 46.1% 732,990 32.4% 385,526 13.7% (2,097) (0.1)% 383,429 13.6% 5.1% 145,434 8.5% $ 237,995 100.0% $ 54.5% 45.5% 29.8% 15.7% (0.1)% 15.6% 5.9% 9.7% $ 329,473 161,733 167,740 170,082 (2,342) (1,562) (3,904) (1,976) (1,928) % 13.4% 12.1% 15.0% 23.2% (0.6)% 74.5% (1.0)% (1.4)% (0.8)% Net Sales Net sales increased 13.4%, or approximately $329.5 million, for the fiscal year ended 2014. We estimate that this $329.5 million increase in net sales is comprised of: (i) approximately $183.8 million of incremental net sales from CCSG operations, reflecting a full year of CCSG net sales, as compared to CCSG net sales for only a portion of the year in fiscal 2013; (ii) approximately $128.7 million of higher sales volume; (iii) approximately $13.6 million from improved pricing, which includes changes in customer and product mix, discounting and other items; and (iv) approximately $3.4 million from favorable foreign currency fluctuations. Of the above $329.5 million increase in net sales, our Large Account Customers increased by approximately $82.3 million and there was an increase in our remaining business of approximately $247.2 million. Gross Profit Gross profit margin was 46.1% in fiscal 2014 as compared to 45.5% in fiscal 2013. Gross profit margin increased in fiscal 2014 primarily as a result of higher gross margins from CCSG, which included a full year of impact in fiscal 2014 compared to only a portion of the year in fiscal 2013. This was partially offset by increases in product costs, changes in customer and product mix and an increased percentage of sales from our vending programs. Price increases were constrained as a result of low commodity inflation. Operating Expenses Operating expenses increased 23.2% to $903.1 million in fiscal 2014, as compared to $733.0 million in fiscal 2013. Operating expenses represented approximately 32.4% of net sales in fiscal 2014, as compared to approximately 29.8% in fiscal 2013, respectively. The increase in operating expense in dollars and as a percentage of net sales for fiscal year 2014, as compared to the prior period, was primarily a result of additional operating expenses incurred as a result of the acquired CCSG operations, as well as non-recurring integration costs and restructuring charges associated with the acquisition. 27 CCSG’s operating expenses accounted for approximately $144.6 million and $52.1 million of total operating expenses for fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, respectively. In addition, approximately $11.8 million and $11.6 million of expenses related to non-recurring integration costs and restructuring charges associated with the CCSG acquisition were also included in operating expenses for fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, respectively. Excluding CCSG, operating expenses increased in fiscal 2014 primarily due to an increase in payroll and payroll related costs (including an increase in incentive compensation), increased freight costs, increased depreciation and amortization related to our infrastructure and other investment programs, increased costs associated with our vending program and increased advertising costs. In addition, approximately $3.0 million and $2.6 million of non-recurring executive separation costs and relocation costs, respectively, was included in operating expenses for fiscal 2014. Payroll and payroll related costs represented approximately 53.5% of total operating expenses in fiscal 2014, as compared to approximately 54.0% in fiscal 2013, respectively. Included in these costs are salary, incentive compensation, fringe benefits, and sales commission. These costs increased in fiscal 2014 as compared to fiscal 2013, primarily due to increased costs associated with the acquired CCSG operations, increased incentive compensation, and an increase in our staffing levels primarily related to sales associates, other program development and volume related positions to support our growth initiatives. We experienced an increase in the medical costs of our self-insured group health plan in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013. This is a result of an increased number of participants in the plan and an increase in the number of medical claims primarily due to additional headcount as a result of the CCSG acquisition. The number of medical claims filed increased 15.4% in fiscal 2014 as compared to fiscal 2013, which was driven by increased associate participation in the plan through increased company headcount. The average cost per claim increased by 8.7% in fiscal 2014 as compared to fiscal 2013. Payroll and payroll related costs decreased as a percentage of operating expenses in fiscal 2014 as compared to the prior fiscal year as a result of increases in other operating expenses due to the factors discussed above. Freight expense was approximately $119.8 million in fiscal 2014, as compared to $105.2 million in fiscal 2013. The primary driver of this increase was increased sales from the acquired CCSG business. Income from Operations Income from operations for fiscal 2014 was $383.2 million, a decrease of $2.3 million, or 0.6% as compared to fiscal 2013, and as a percentage of net sales, decreased to 13.7% in fiscal 2014 from 15.7% in fiscal 2013. The decrease in income from operations was primarily attributable to the increases in operating expenses described above. Included in operating expenses for fiscal 2014 were non-recurring integration costs and restructuring charges associated with the CCSG acquisition and costs associated with the establishment of our new co-located headquarters in Davidson, North Carolina. This decrease in income from operations was offset in part by increases in net sales and gross profit described above. Income from operations as a percentage of net sales decreased in fiscal 2014 as compared to fiscal 2013 due to increases in operating expenses as discussed above. Other Expense The increase in other expense in fiscal 2014 compared to fiscal 2013 was primarily due to increases in interest expense due to borrowings under our Credit Facility. We incurred interest expense on the outstanding balance of our Credit Facility for the full year during fiscal 2014 compared to only a portion of the year in fiscal 2013. Provision for Income Taxes Our fiscal 2014 effective tax rate was 37.8% as compared to 37.9% in fiscal 2013. This fluctuation resulted from changes in the tax laws, income allocation and regulations in the various jurisdictions in which we operate and expiring statutes of limitations. Net Income The factors which affected net income for fiscal 2014 as compared to the prior period have been discussed above. Liquidity and Capital Resources As of August 29, 2015, we held $38.3 million in cash and cash equivalent funds. We maintain a substantial portion of our cash, and invest our cash equivalents, with well-known financial institutions. Historically, our primary capital needs 28 have been to fund our working capital requirements necessitated by our sales growth, the costs of acquisitions, adding new products, new facilities, facility expansions, investments in vending solutions, technology investments, and productivity investments. Cash generated from operations, together with borrowings under credit facilities, have been used to fund these needs, to repurchase shares of our Class A common stock, and to pay dividends. At August 29, 2015, total borrowings outstanding, representing amounts due under the Credit Facility (discussed below) and all capital leases and financing arrangements, were approximately $428.3 million. At August 30, 2014, total borrowings outstanding, representing amounts due under the Credit Facility and all capital leases and financing arrangements, were approximately $337.1 million. The table below summarizes information regarding the Company’s liquidity and capital resources: August 29, 2015 Fiscal Years Ended August 30, 2014 August 31, 2013 Net cash provided by operating activities Net cash used in investing activities Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents $ $ $ $ $ 249,791 (51,405) (207,045) (Amounts in thousands) 272,406 $ (94,206) $ (187,039) $ (228) (8,887) $ $ 117 (8,722) $ $ $ $ $ 325,437 (638,021) 200,061 (54) (112,577) The major component contributing to the source of cash for fiscal 2015 was borrowings of $336.0 million under the revolving loan facility, partially offset by repayments on the Credit Facility of $243.0 million relating to both the revolving credit note and term loan. The major component of the use of cash for fiscal 2015 was cash dividends paid of $284.2 million to shareholders of record, which consisted of the regular quarterly cash dividends of $0.40 per share and a special cash dividend of $3.00 per share approved by our Board of Directors on October 27, 2014. On October 21, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.43 per share, payable on November 24, 2015 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 10, 2015. The dividend will result in a payout of approximately $26.5 million, based on the number of shares outstanding at October 15, 2015. As a distributor, our use of capital is largely for working capital to support our revenue base. Capital commitments for property, plant and equipment generally are limited to information technology assets, warehouse equipment, office furniture and fixtures, building and leasehold improvements, construction and expansion, and vending machines. Therefore, the amount of cash consumed or generated by operations other than from net earnings will primarily be due to changes in working capital as a result of the rate of increases or decreases in sales. In periods when sales are increasing, as in our fiscal year 2015, the expanded working capital needs are funded primarily by cash from operations. In addition to our working capital needs, for fiscal 2015, we paid $284.2 million to shareholders in the form of cash dividends and we repurchased approximately 0.4 million shares of our Class A common stock for approximately $33.4 million. We believe, based on our current business plan, that our existing cash, cash equivalents, funds available under our revolving credit facility, and cash flow from operations will be sufficient to fund our planned capital expenditures and operating cash requirements for at least the next 12 months. Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities for the fiscal years ended August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014 was $249.8 million and $272.4 million, respectively. There are various increases and decreases contributing to this change. An increase in inventories to support increased sales volume contributed to the majority of the decrease in net cash provided by operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities for the fiscal years ended August 30, 2014 and August 31, 2013 was $272.4 million and $325.4 million, respectively. There are various increases and decreases contributing to this change. An increase in inventories and accounts receivable related to increased sales contributed to the majority of the decrease in net cash provided by operating activities. 29 August 29, 2015 Fiscal Years Ended August 30, 2014 August 31, 2013 Working Capital Current Ratio $ 609,739 2.4 (Dollars in thousands) 652,251 $ 3.1 $ 679,910 4.2 Working capital was $609.7 million, $652.3 million, and $679.9 million at August 29, 2015, August 30, 2014 and August 31, 2013, respectively. At these dates, the ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 2.4, 3.1, and 4.2, respectively. The decrease in working capital and the current ratio at August 29, 2015 compared to August 30, 2014 is primarily related to the additional borrowings under the revolving loan facility in fiscal 2015, partially offset by the increase in inventories. The decrease in working capital and the current ratio at August 30, 2014 compared to August 31, 2013 is primarily related to the additional borrowings under the Credit Facility in fiscal 2014 and an increase in current maturities of long-term debt. Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities for the fiscal years ended August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014 was $51.4 million and $94.2 million, respectively. The decrease in net cash used in investing activities resulted primarily from cash used of approximately $25.0 million for investment in available for sale securities during fiscal 2014, relating to the Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority arrangement to construct our new customer fulfillment center in Columbus, Ohio. In addition, cash used for expenditures for property, plant, and equipment decreased primarily due to the outfit of this new customer fulfillment center, which occurred principally in fiscal 2014. Net cash used in investing activities for the fiscal years ended August 30, 2014 and August 31, 2013 was $94.2 million and $638.0 million, respectively. The decrease of approximately $543.8 million in net cash used in investing activities resulted primarily from cash used of approximately $548.8 million in the acquisition of CCSG in April 2013. Financing Activities Net cash used in financing activities for the fiscal years ended August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014 was $207.0 million and $187.0 million, respectively. The major components contributing to the use of cash for fiscal 2015 were cash dividends paid of $284.2 million, repayments on the Credit Facility of $243.0 million related to both the revolving loan facility and term loan, and the repurchase of shares of Class A common stock of $33.4 million. This was partially offset by borrowings under the revolving loan facility in the amount of $336.0 million. Net cash used in financing activities for the fiscal year ended August 30, 2014 was $187.0 million compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $200.1 million for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013. The major components contributing to the use of cash for fiscal 2014 were the repurchase of shares of Class A common stock of $191.4 million, cash dividends paid of $82.6 million, and repayments on the Credit Facility of $77.5 million related to both the revolving credit note and term loan. This was partially offset by borrowings under the Credit Facility in the amount of $135.0 million. The major component contributing to the source of cash for fiscal 2013 were borrowings of $370.0 million under the Credit Facility, which was entered into in connection with the acquisition of CCSG, offset by repayments on the revolving credit facility of $120.0 million. The other component contributing to the source of cash for fiscal 2013 were net proceeds received from the exercise of the Company’s Class A common stock options in the amount of $21.7 million. Net cash provided by financing activities was partially offset by cash dividends paid of $75.9 million. Long-term Debt and Credit Facilities In April 2013, in connection with the acquisition of CCSG, we entered into a $650.0 million credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility, which matures in April 2018, provides for a five-year unsecured revolving loan facility in the aggregate amount of $400.0 million and a five-year unsecured term loan facility in the aggregate amount of $250.0 million. 30 The Credit Facility also permits us, at our request, and upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, to add one or more incremental term loan facilities and/or increase the revolving loan commitments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $200.0 million. Subject to certain limitations, each such incremental term loan facility or revolving commitment increase will be on terms as agreed to by us, the Administrative Agent and the lenders providing such financing. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest, at our option, either at (i) the LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) rate plus the applicable margin for LIBOR loans ranging from 1.00% to 1.375%, based on our consolidated leverage ratio; or (ii) the greatest of (a) the Administrative Agent’s prime rate in effect on such day, (b) the federal funds effective rate in effect on such day, plus 0.50% and (c) the LIBOR rate that would be calculated as of such day in respect of a proposed LIBOR loan with a one-month interest period, plus 1.00%, plus, in the case of each of clauses (a) through (c), an applicable margin ranging from 0.00% to 0.375%, based on our consolidated leverage ratio. Based on the interest period we select, interest may be payable every one, two, three or six months. Interest is reset at the end of each interest period. We currently elect to have loans under the Credit Facility bear interest based on LIBOR with one-month interest periods. We are required to pay a quarterly undrawn fee ranging from 0.10% to 0.20% per annum on the unutilized portion of the Credit Facility based on our consolidated leverage ratio. We are also required to pay quarterly letter of credit usage fees ranging between 1.00% to 1.375% (based on our consolidated leverage ratio) on the amount of the daily average outstanding letters of credit, and a quarterly fronting fee of 0.125% per annum on the undrawn and unexpired amount of each letter of credit. The Credit Facility contains several restrictive covenants including the requirement that the Company maintain a maximum consolidated leverage ratio of total indebtedness to EBITDA (earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock based compensation) of no more than 3.00 to 1.00, and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio of EBITDA to total interest expense of at least 3.00 to 1.00, during the term of the Credit Facility. At August 29, 2015, we were in compliance with the operating and financial covenants of the Credit Facility. During fiscal 2015, we borrowed $336.0 million under the revolving loan facility and repaid $218.0 million of the revolving loan balance and $25.0 million of the term loan. As of August 29, 2015, there were $212.5 million and $188.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the term loan facility and the revolving credit facility, respectively, of which $213.0 million represents current maturities. As of August 30, 2014, there were $237.5 million and $70.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the term loan facility and the revolving credit facility, respectively, of which $95.0 million represents current maturities. The Company repaid borrowings of $65.0 million under the revolving loan facility in total in September 2015 and October 2015. The current unused balance of $277.0 million of the revolving loan facility is available for working capital purposes, if necessary. Infrastructure Investments In connection with our new customer fulfillment center in Columbus, Ohio, we spent approximately $3.3 million in fiscal 2015 and $49.9 million in fiscal 2014 for the purchase of the land and costs to construct and outfit the facility. We completed construction and began operations on September 30, 2014. Contractual Obligations We are affiliated with one real estate entity (the “Affiliate”), which leased our Atlanta Fulfillment Center to us as of August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014. The Affiliate is owned by our principal shareholders (Mitchell Jacobson, our Chairman, and his sister Marjorie Gershwind Fiverson, and by their family related trusts). Effective November 1, 2010, we relocated from the branch office owned by another affiliated real estate entity and currently lease only our Atlanta Customer Fulfillment Center from the Affiliate. We paid rent under an operating lease to the Affiliate of approximately $2.3 million for each of fiscal years 2015, 2014, and 2013, in connection with our occupancy of our Atlanta Customer Fulfillment Center. 31 The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at August 29, 2015 (in thousands): Contractual Obligations Operating lease obligations with non-Affiliates(1) Operating lease obligations with Affiliates(1) Capital lease obligations and financing obligations with non-Affiliates(2) Maturities of Credit Facility Interest on Credit Facility(3) Total contractual obligations $ Total 41,117 36,748 Less than 1 year $ 14,330 1 – 3 years $ 17,533 $ 3 – 5 years 6,900 More than 5 years $ 2,354 2,351 4,725 4,820 24,852 30,616 400,500 1,165 213,000 1,564 187,500 27,887 — — — 5,344 2,618 2,726 $ 514,325 $ 233,464 $ 214,048 $ 39,607 $ 27,206 (1) Certain of our operations are conducted on leased premises, one of which is leased from the Affiliate, as described above. These leases (most of which require us to provide for the payment of real estate taxes, insurance and other operating costs) are for varying periods, the longest extending to the year 2030. In addition, we are obligated under certain equipment and automobile operating leases, which expire on varying dates through 2020. (2) As of August 29, 2015, the Company has entered into various capital leases and financing obligations for certain information technology equipment, which expire on varying dates through 2017. In addition, included in this table is the long-term capital lease with the Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority entered into in connection with the construction of the Company’s customer fulfillment center in Columbus, Ohio. (3) Assumed interest rate of 1.33% through the maturity date which was the applicable borrowing rate for the Company for any borrowings outstanding under the term loan facility at August 29, 2015. The Company has recorded a non-current liability of $4.8 million for tax uncertainties and interest for the fiscal year ended August 29, 2015. This amount is excluded from the table above, as the Company cannot make reliable estimates of these cash flows by period. See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements We have not entered into any off-balance sheet arrangements. Critical Accounting Estimates We make estimates, judgments and assumptions in determining the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The estimates are used to form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the amount of revenues and expenses reported that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Our significant accounting policies are described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. The accounting policies described below are impacted by our critical accounting estimates. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts We perform periodic credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition and collateral is generally not required. The Company considers several factors to estimate the allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable including the age of the receivables and the historical ratio of actual write-offs to the age of the receivables. The analyses performed also take into consideration economic conditions that may have an impact on a specific industry, group of customers or a specific customer. Based on our analysis of actual historical write-offs of uncollectible accounts receivable, the Company’s estimates and assumptions have been materially accurate in regards to the valuation of its allowance for doubtful accounts. For fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, actual results did not vary materially from estimated amounts. Inventory Valuation Reserve We establish inventory valuation reserves for shrinkage and slow-moving or obsolete inventory. The analysis includes inventory levels, sales information, inventory count adjustments, and the on-hand quantities relative to the sales history for the product. 32 Inventories consist of merchandise held for resale and are stated at the lower of weighted average cost or market. We evaluate the recoverability of our slow-moving or obsolete inventories at least quarterly. We estimate the recoverable cost of such inventory by product type while considering factors such as its age, historic and current demand trends, the physical condition of the inventory, as well as assumptions regarding future demand. Our ability to recover our cost for slow- moving or obsolete inventory can be affected by such factors as general market conditions, future customer demand and relationships with suppliers. Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets The purchase price of an acquired company is allocated between intangible assets and the net tangible assets of the acquired business with the residual of the purchase price recorded as goodwill. The determination of the value of the intangible assets acquired involves certain judgments and estimates. These judgments can include, but are not limited to, the cash flows that an asset is expected to generate in the future and the appropriate weighted average cost of capital. At August 29, 2015, our goodwill totaled $623.6 million and our indefinite-lived intangible assets totaled $15.1 million. The Company annually reviews goodwill at the reporting unit level and intangible assets that have indefinite lives for impairment in its fiscal fourth quarter and when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets might exceed their current fair values. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment by first evaluating qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of goodwill and indefinite- lived intangible assets are less than their carrying values. If it is concluded that this is the case, it is necessary to perform the currently prescribed quantitative impairment test. Otherwise, the quantitative impairment test is not required. We conducted our qualitative assessment of goodwill and intangibles in the fiscal fourth quarters of 2015 and 2014. The results of the assessments indicated that based on the qualitative assessment of goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite lives, it was not likely that the fair values are less than the carrying amounts. Income Taxes The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The tax balances and income tax expense recognized by the Company are based on management’s interpretations of the tax laws of multiple jurisdictions. Income tax expense reflects the Company’s best estimates and assumptions regarding, among other items, the level of future taxable income, interpretation of tax laws and uncertain tax positions. Other Other significant accounting policies, not involving the same level of measurement uncertainties as those discussed above, are nevertheless important to an understanding of the financial statements. Policies such as revenue recognition, depreciation, intangibles, long-lived assets and warranties require judgments on complex matters that are often subject to multiple external sources of authoritative guidance such as the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) and the SEC. Possible changes in estimates or assumptions associated with these policies are not expected to have a material effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company. More information on these additional accounting policies can be found in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory (Topic 330), which requires an entity to measure inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value, which consists of the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable cost of completion, disposal, and transportation. For public entities, the updated guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The guidance is to be applied prospectively with earlier application permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company does not expect adoption of ASU 2015-11 to have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. 33 Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (Subtopic 835-30), which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. For public business entities, the ASU is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Entities should apply the new guidance on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period presented should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. Upon transition, entities are required to comply with the applicable disclosures for a change in an accounting principle. The Company does not expect adoption of ASU 2015-03 to have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Revenue from Contracts with Customers In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for the Company for its fiscal 2019 first quarter. Early application is permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has neither selected a transition method, nor determined the impact that the adoption of the pronouncement may have on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK. Interest Rate Risks In April 2013, in connection with the acquisition of CCSG, we entered into a $650.0 million credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility, which matures in April 2018, provides for a five-year unsecured revolving loan facility in the aggregate amount of $400.0 million and a five-year unsecured term loan facility in the aggregate amount of $250.0 million. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest, at our option, either at (i) the LIBOR rate plus the applicable margin for LIBOR loans ranging from 1.00% to 1.375%, based on our consolidated leverage ratio; or (ii) the greatest of (a) the Administrative Agent’s prime rate in effect on such day, (b) the federal funds effective rate in effect on such day, plus 0.50% and (c) the LIBOR rate that would be calculated as of such day in respect of a proposed LIBOR loan with a one-month interest period, plus 1.00%, plus, in the case of each of clauses (a) through (c), an applicable margin ranging from 0.00% to 0.375%, based on our consolidated leverage ratio. Based on the interest period we select, interest may be payable every one, two, three or six months. Interest is reset at the end of each interest period. We currently elect to have loans under the Credit Facility bear interest based on LIBOR with one-month interest periods. The applicable borrowing rate for us for any borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility at August 29, 2015 was 1.33%, which represents LIBOR plus 1.125%. The Credit Facility also requires that we maintain a maximum consolidated leverage ratio of total indebtedness to EBITDA (earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock based compensation) of no more than 3.00 to 1.00, and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio of EBITDA to total interest expense of at least 3.00 to 1.00, during the term of the Credit Facility. Borrowings under the Credit Facility are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries. As of August 29, 2015, there were $400.5 million of borrowings outstanding under the term loan facility and the revolving credit facility, of which $213.0 million represents current maturities. At August 29, 2015, we were in compliance with the operating and financial covenants of the Credit Facility. Borrowings under our Credit Facility are subject to fluctuations in the interest rate, which have a corresponding effect on our interest expense. A 100 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates would impact our interest costs by approximately $4.1 million under our current capital structure. We have monitored and will continue to monitor our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. In addition, our interest income is most sensitive to changes in the general level of interest rates. In this regard, changes in interest rates affect the interest earned on our cash and cash equivalents. 34 We do not currently use interest rate derivative instruments to manage exposure to interest rate changes. Foreign Currency Risks Approximately 97% of our sales are denominated in U.S. dollars and are primarily from customers in the United States. As a result, currency fluctuations are currently not material to our operating results. To the extent that we engage in more significant international sales in the future, an increase in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies could make our products less competitive in international markets. We have monitored and will continue to monitor our exposure to currency fluctuations. 35 ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA. INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AT AUGUST 29, 2015 AND AUGUST 30, 2014 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED AUGUST 29, 2015, AUGUST 30, 2014 AND AUGUST 31, 2013 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED AUGUST 29, 2015, AUGUST 30, 2014 AND AUGUST 31, 2013 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED AUGUST 29, 2015, AUGUST 30, 2014 AND AUGUST 31, 2013 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED AUGUST 29, 2015, AUGUST 30, 2014 AND AUGUST 31, 2013 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PAGE 37 38 39 40 41 43 44 36 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The Board of Directors and Shareholders of MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended August 29, 2015. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries at August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended August 29, 2015, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of August 29, 2015, 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 October 28, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Jericho, New York October 28, 2015 37 MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except share data) CURRENT ASSETS: ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $11,312 and $9,310, respectively Inventories Prepaid expenses and other current assets Deferred income taxes Total current assets Property, plant and equipment, net Goodwill Identifiable intangibles, net Other assets Total assets LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Revolving credit note Current maturities of long-term debt Accounts payable Accrued liabilities Total current liabilities Long-term debt, net of current maturities Deferred income taxes and tax uncertainties Total liabilities COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Preferred stock; $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding Class A common stock (one vote per share); $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 56,400,070 and 55,980,199 shares issued, respectively Class B common stock (ten votes per share); $0.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 13,295,747 shares issued and outstanding Additional paid-in capital Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive loss Class A treasury stock, at cost, 8,037,696 and 7,657,386 shares, respectively Total shareholders’ equity Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity August 29, August 30, 2015 2014 $ 38,267 $ 47,154 403,468 506,631 39,067 44,643 1,032,076 291,156 623,626 119,805 34,543 2,101,206 188,000 25,515 114,328 94,494 422,337 214,789 131,210 768,336 $ $ 382,784 449,814 40,410 41,253 961,415 294,348 629,335 138,314 37,335 2,060,747 70,000 26,829 116,283 96,052 309,164 240,235 112,785 662,184 — 56 — 56 13 604,905 1,232,381 (17,252) (487,233) 1,332,870 2,101,206 $ 13 573,730 1,286,068 (5,054) (456,250) 1,398,563 2,060,747 $ $ $ See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 38 MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In thousands, except net income per share data) NET SALES COST OF GOODS SOLD Gross profit OPERATING EXPENSES Income from operations OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME: Interest expense Interest income Other expense, net Total other expense Income before provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Net income PER SHARE INFORMATION: Net income per common share: Basic Diluted Weighted average shares used in computing net income per common share: Basic Diluted For the Fiscal Years Ended August 29, 2015 (52 weeks) 2,910,379 1,593,804 1,316,575 937,046 379,529 (6,340) 771 (819) (6,388) 373,141 141,833 231,308 3.75 3.74 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ August 30, 2014 (52 weeks) 2,787,122 1,500,866 1,286,256 903,072 383,184 (3,874) 414 (199) (3,659) 379,525 143,458 236,067 3.78 3.76 August 31, 2013 (52 weeks) 2,457,649 1,339,133 1,118,516 732,990 385,526 (2,164) 117 (50) (2,097) 383,429 145,434 237,995 3.77 3.75 $ $ $ $ 61,292 61,487 62,026 62,339 62,695 63,011 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 39 MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (In thousands) Net income, as reported Foreign currency translation adjustments Comprehensive income For the Fiscal Years Ended August 29, August 30, August 31, 2015 2014 2013 (52 weeks) (52 weeks) (52 weeks) $ $ 231,308 (12,198) 219,110 $ $ 236,067 $ (627) 235,440 $ 237,995 (1,984) 236,011 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. (cid:3) 40 S E I R A I D I S B U S D N A . C N I , . O C T C E R I D L A I R T S U D N I C S M Y T I U Q E ’ S R E D L O H E R A H S F O S T N E M E T A T S D E T A D I L O S N O C , ) s k e e w 2 5 ( 3 1 0 2 , 1 3 T S U G U A D N A , ) s k e e w 2 5 ( 4 1 0 2 , 0 3 T S U G U A , ) s k e e w 2 5 ( 5 1 0 2 , 9 2 T S U G U A D E D N E S R A E Y L A C S I F E H T R O F ) s d n a s u o h t n I ( d e t a l u m u c c A 1 1 1 , 7 8 1 , 1 $ ) 2 6 1 , 5 6 2 ( $ l a t o T t a t n u o m A t s o C s e r a h S 2 4 3 , 5 e v i s n e h e r p m o C s s o L d e n i a t e R s g n i n r a E n I - d i a P l a t i p a C t n u o m A ) 3 4 4 , 2 ( $ 5 6 9 , 0 7 9 $ 2 8 6 , 3 8 4 $ 6 1 $ 0 6 5 , 5 1 s e r a h S t n u o m A 3 5 $ 2 8 5 , 2 5 s e r a h S k c o t S y r u s a e r T A s s a l C r e h t O l a n o i t i d d A k c o t S n o m m o C B s s a l C k c o t S n o m m o C A s s a l C (cid:3) — ) 2 ( ) 9 1 4 , 1 ( 2 9 1 4 , 1 — 5 8 2 , 7 2 — — — — 5 8 7 , 3 8 3 0 , 2 ) 3 5 ( — 2 3 2 ) 3 7 7 , 3 ( 4 2 8 , 5 1 ) 5 4 2 , 8 5 ( ) 2 3 2 ( ) 4 8 9 , 1 ( ) 5 1 6 , 7 1 ( 5 9 9 , 7 3 2 — — — ) 3 7 7 , 3 ( — — — — — — — — 2 5 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — ) 4 8 9 , 1 ( — — — — — — — ) 5 4 2 , 8 5 ( — ) 2 3 2 ( ) 5 1 6 , 7 1 ( 5 9 9 , 7 3 2 5 8 2 , 7 2 7 4 7 , 1 — 2 3 2 4 2 8 , 5 1 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 4 1 — — — — — — — — — — — $ 1 4 1 , 4 1 3 8 3 , 0 9 3 , 1 $ ) 7 9 8 , 6 6 2 ( $ 1 4 3 , 5 ) 7 2 4 , 4 ( $ 8 6 8 , 2 3 1 , 1 $ 0 7 7 , 8 2 5 $ — 0 2 0 , 6 2 — — — — 8 9 9 , 3 6 0 0 , 2 ) 4 5 ( — 0 6 2 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — ) 1 ( ) 5 4 8 ( 0 2 0 , 6 2 2 9 9 , 1 — 0 6 2 — — — — 1 4 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — 5 5 1 — — — — 4 0 5 — 9 2 1 — — — — — — — — $ 4 3 6 , 4 5 5 4 8 2 0 4 — 9 9 — k c o t s n o m m o c B s s a l C f o e g n a h c x E 2 1 0 2 , 1 r e b m e t p e S t a E C N A L A B k c o t s n o m m o c A s s a l C r o f , s n o i t p o k c o t s n o m m o c f o e s i c r e x E f o s t i f e n e b x a t e m o c n i g n i d u l c n i 1 2 6 5 $ , , s t i n u k c o t s d e t c i r t s e r m o r f d e u s s i s e r a h S s t i n u t n e l a v i u q e d n e d i v i d g n i d u l c n i , k c o t s n o m m o c d e t c i r t s e r f o e c n a u s s I s n o i t a l l e c n a c f o t e n e t a i c o s s a r e d n u d e u s s i k c o t s n o m m o C n a l p e s a h c r u p k c o t s t n e m t s u j d a n o i t a l s n a r t y c n e r r u c n g i e r o F d e r a l c e d s t i n u t n e l a v i u q e d n e d i v i D k c o t s n o m m o c B s s a l C f o e g n a h c x E , s n o i t p o k c o t s n o m m o c f o e s i c r e x E f o s t i f e n e b x a t e m o c n i g n i d u l c n i k c o t s n o m m o c A s s a l C r o f 3 1 0 2 , 1 3 t s u g u A t a E C N A L A B e m o c n i t e N 3 7 5 5 $ , , s t i n u k c o t s d e t c i r t s e r m o r f d e u s s i s e r a h S s t i n u t n e l a v i u q e d n e d i v i d g n i d u l c n i , k c o t s n o m m o c d e t c i r t s e r f o e c n a u s s I s n o i t a l l e c n a c f o t e n e t a i c o s s a r e d n u d e u s s i k c o t s n o m m o C n a l p e s a h c r u p k c o t s A s s a l C n o d i a p s d n e d i v i d h s a C n o i t a s n e p m o c d e s a b - k c o t S k c o t s y r u s a e r t f o e s a h c r u P B s s a l C n o d i a p s d n e d i v i d h s a C k c o t s n o m m o c k c o t s n o m m o c ) 3 9 3 , 4 6 ( ) 0 6 2 ( ) 7 2 6 ( ) 4 1 2 , 8 1 ( 7 6 0 , 6 3 2 — — — — — — — — — — 8 8 6 , 6 1 ) 9 5 3 , 1 9 1 ( — ) 9 5 3 , 1 9 1 ( — 0 7 3 , 2 — — — — — — ) 7 2 6 ( — — ) 3 9 3 , 4 6 ( — ) 0 6 2 ( ) 4 1 2 , 8 1 ( 7 6 0 , 6 3 2 — — — — — — 8 8 6 , 6 1 3 6 5 , 8 9 3 , 1 $ ) 0 5 2 , 6 5 4 ( $ 7 5 6 , 7 ) 4 5 0 , 5 ( $ 8 6 0 , 6 8 2 , 1 $ 0 3 7 , 3 7 5 $ 8 1 4 , 4 1 — 5 8 2 , 4 1 3 4 , 2 — 8 0 7 5 9 1 , 4 1 ) 4 1 4 , 3 3 ( ) 1 7 0 , 3 2 2 ( ) 4 6 7 ( ) 0 6 1 , 1 6 ( ) 8 9 1 , 2 1 ( 8 0 3 , 1 3 2 — — — ) 4 1 4 , 3 3 ( — — — — — — ) 3 6 ( — — — 4 4 4 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — ) 8 9 1 , 2 1 ( — — — — — — ) 1 7 0 , 3 2 2 ( — ) 4 6 7 ( ) 0 6 1 , 1 6 ( 8 0 3 , 1 3 2 8 1 4 , 4 1 4 5 8 , 1 — 8 0 7 5 9 1 , 4 1 — — — — — — 0 7 8 , 2 3 3 , 1 $ ) 3 3 2 , 7 8 4 ( $ 8 3 0 , 8 ) 2 5 2 , 7 1 ( $ 1 8 3 , 2 3 2 , 1 $ 5 0 9 , 4 0 6 $ — — — — — — — 3 1 — — — — — — — — — — — 3 1 — — — — — — — $ 6 9 2 , 3 1 — — — — — — — — — — — $ 6 9 2 , 3 1 — — — — — — — 6 5 — — — — — — — — — — — 6 5 — — — — — — — t n e m t s u j d a n o i t a l s n a r t y c n e r r u c n g i e r o F d e r a l c e d s t i n u t n e l a v i u q e d n e d i v i D e m o c n i t e N A s s a l C n o d i a p s d n e d i v i d h s a C n o i t a s n e p m o c d e s a b - k c o t S k c o t s y r u s a e r t f o e s a h c r u P B s s a l C n o d i a p s d n e d i v i d h s a C k c o t s n o m m o c k c o t s n o m m o c $ 0 8 9 , 5 5 4 1 0 2 , 0 3 t s u g u A t a E C N A L A B 5 8 1 — 7 9 8 3 1 — — — — — — — , s t i n u k c o t s d e t c i r t s e r m o r f d e u s s i s e r a h S s t i n u t n e l a v i u q e d n e d i v i d g n i d u l c n i , k c o t s n o m m o c d e t c i r t s e r f o e c n a u s s I s n o i t a l l e c n a c f o t e n e t a i c o s s a r e d n u d e u s s i k c o t s n o m m o C n a l p e s a h c r u p k c o t s , s n o i t p o k c o t s n o m m o c f o e s i c r e x E f o s t i f e n e b x a t e m o c n i g n i d u l c n i 9 9 2 3 $ , t n e m t s u j d a n o i t a l s n a r t y c n e r r u c n g i e r o F d e r a l c e d s t i n u t n e l a v i u q e d n e d i v i D e m o c n i t e N A s s a l C n o d i a p s d n e d i v i d h s a C n o i t a s n e p m o c d e s a b - k c o t S k c o t s y r u s a e r t f o e s a h c r u P B s s a l C n o d i a p s d n e d i v i d h s a C k c o t s n o m m o c k c o t s n o m m o c $ 0 0 4 , 6 5 5 1 0 2 , 9 2 t s u g u A t a E C N A L A B . s t n e m e t a t s l a i c n a n i f d e t a d i l o s n o c o t s e t o n g n i y n a p m o c c a e e S 2 4  MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED AUGUST 29, 2015, AUGUST 30, 2014 AND AUGUST 31, 2013 (In thousands) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization Stock-based compensation Loss on disposal of property, plant, and equipment Provision for doubtful accounts Deferred income taxes and tax uncertainties Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation Write-off of deferred financing costs on previous credit facility Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of amounts associated with business acquired: Accounts receivable Inventories Prepaid expenses and other current assets Other assets Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Total adjustments Net cash provided by operating activities CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Expenditures for property, plant and equipment Investment in available for sale securities Cash used in business acquisitions, net of cash received Net cash used in investing activities CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Purchases of treasury stock Payments of regular cash dividends Payment of special cash dividend Payments on capital lease and financing obligations Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation Proceeds from sale of Class A common stock in connection with associate stock purchase plan Proceeds from exercise of Class A common stock options Borrowings under financing obligations Borrowings under Credit Facility Credit facility financing costs Payment of notes payable and revolving credit note under the Credit Facility Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of the year CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of the year SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Cash paid for income taxes Cash paid for interest For the Fiscal Years Ended August 29, August 30, August 31, 2015 2014 2013 (52 weeks) (52 weeks) (52 weeks) $ 231,308 $ 236,067 $ 237,995 69,729 14,195 1,453 6,665 15,035 (3,956) — (29,347) (59,008) 1,268 (1,354) 3,803 18,483 249,791 (51,405) — — (51,405) (33,414) (98,828) (185,403) (2,290) 3,956 4,285 11,119 530 336,000 — (243,000) (207,045) (228) (8,887) 47,154 38,267 122,988 5,843 $ $ $ $ $ $ 64,946 16,688 2,361 4,629 11,829 (5,480) — (41,460) (30,342) (6,319) 1,857 17,630 36,339 272,406 (70,617) (25,023) 1,434 (94,206) (191,359) (82,607) — (1,851) 5,480 3,998 20,447 1,353 135,000 — 49,479 15,824 941 3,499 6,360 (6,040) 594 (15,630) 23,409 (1,619) (1,784) 12,409 87,442 325,437 (89,252) — (548,769) (638,021) (3,773) (75,860) — (1,300) 6,040 3,785 21,664 1,417 370,000 (1,912) (77,500) (187,039) 117 (8,722) 55,876 47,154 $ (120,000) 200,061 (54) (112,577) 168,453 55,876 128,558 $ 3,087 $ 130,342 1,281 See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 43 MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Dollar amounts and shares in thousands, except per share data) 1. BUSINESS MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company” or “MSC”) is a distributor of metalworking and maintenance, repair and operations (“MRO”) supplies with co-located headquarters in Melville, New York and Davidson, North Carolina. The Company has an additional office support center in Southfield, Michigan and serves primarily domestic markets through its distribution network of 98 branch offices and 12 customer fulfillment centers. 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MSC and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain liabilities of the North American distribution business (the “Class C Solutions Group” or “CCSG”) of Barnes Group Inc. (“Barnes Group”) on April 22, 2013. The results of the Class C Solutions Group are included since the date of acquisition. Fiscal Year The Company’s fiscal year is on a 52 or 53 week basis, ending on the Saturday closest to August 31st of each year. The financial statements for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 contain activity for 52 weeks. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to years contained herein pertain to the Company’s fiscal year. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions used in preparing the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all short-term, highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Concentrations of Credit Risk The Company’s mix of receivables is diverse, with approximately 366,000 active customer accounts (customers that have made at least one purchase in the last 12 months) at August 29, 2015 (excluding U.K. operations). The Company sells its products primarily to end-users. The Company’s customer base represents many diverse industries primarily concentrated in the United States. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and collateral is generally not required. Receivables are generally due within 30 days. The Company evaluates the collectability of accounts receivable based on numerous factors, including past transaction history with customers and their credit worthiness and provides a reserve for accounts that are potentially uncollectible. 44 The Company’s cash and cash equivalents include deposits with commercial banks and investments in money market funds. The Company maintains the majority of its cash and invests its cash equivalents with high quality financial institutions. Deposits held with banks may exceed insurance limits. While MSC monitors the creditworthiness of these commercial banks and financial institutions, a crisis in the United States financial systems could limit access to funds and/or result in a loss of principal. The terms of these deposits and investments provide that all monies are available to the Company upon demand. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The Company establishes reserves for customer accounts that are deemed uncollectible. The method used to estimate the allowances is based on several factors, including the age of the receivables and the historical ratio of actual write-offs to the age of the receivables. These analyses also take into consideration economic conditions that may have an impact on a specific industry, group of customers or a specific customer. While the Company has a broad customer base, representing many diverse industries primarily in all regions of the United States, a general economic downturn could result in higher than expected defaults, and therefore, the need to revise estimates for bad debts. Inventory Valuation Inventories consist of merchandise held for resale and are stated at the lower of weighted average cost or market. The Company evaluates the recoverability of our slow-moving or obsolete inventories quarterly. The Company estimates the recoverable cost of such inventory by product type while considering such factors as its age, historic and current demand trends, the physical condition of the inventory, as well as assumptions regarding future demand. The Company’s ability to recover its cost for slow-moving or obsolete inventory can be affected by such factors as general market conditions, future customer demand, and relationships with suppliers. Substantially all of the Company’s inventories have demonstrated long shelf lives and are not highly susceptible to obsolescence. In addition, many of the Company’s inventories are eligible for return under various supplier rebate programs. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment and capitalized computer software are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred; costs of major renewals and improvements are capitalized. At the time property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the asset and accumulated depreciation accounts and the profit or loss on such disposition is reflected in income. Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment are computed for financial reporting purposes on the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over either their respective lease terms or their estimated lives, whichever is shorter. Estimated useful lives range from three to forty years for leasehold improvements and buildings and three to twenty years for furniture, fixtures, and equipment. Capitalized computer software costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life. These costs include purchased software packages, payments to vendors and consultants for the development, implementation or modification of purchased software packages for Company use, and payroll and related costs for employees associated with internal-use software projects. Capitalized computer software costs are included within property, plant and equipment on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets The Company’s business acquisitions typically result in the recording of goodwill and other intangible assets, which affect the amount of amortization expense and possibly impairment write-downs that the Company may incur in future periods. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price paid over the fair value of the net assets acquired in connection with business acquisitions. Goodwill decreased $5,709 in fiscal 2015, related to foreign currency translation adjustments. The Company annually reviews goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite lives for impairment in its fiscal fourth quarter and when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying values of these assets might exceed their current fair values. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment by first evaluating qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are less than its carrying value. If it is concluded that this is the case, it is necessary to perform the currently prescribed quantitative 45 impairment test. Otherwise, the quantitative impairment test is not required. Based on the qualitative assessment of goodwill performed by the Company in its fiscal fourth quarter, there was no indicator of impairment of goodwill for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013. Based on the qualitative assessment of intangible assets that have indefinite lives performed by the Company in its fiscal fourth quarters of 2015 and 2014 and the quantitative assessment performed by the Company in its fiscal fourth quarter of 2013, there were no indicators of impairment of intangible assets that have indefinite lives. The components of the Company’s other intangible assets for the fiscal years ended August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014 are as follows: For the Fiscal Years Ended August 29, 2015 August 30, 2014 Customer Relationships Non-Compete Agreements Contract Rights Trademark Trademarks Total Weighted Average Useful Life (in years) 5 - 18 2 - 3 10 1 - 5 Indefinite (cid:3) Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization $ $ 175,160 $ — 23,100 2,900 15,130 216,290 $ (73,508) $ — (21,368) (1,609) — (96,485) $ 175,160 $ 1,348 23,100 3,380 14,918 217,906 $ (57,994) (1,210) (19,058) (1,330) — (79,592) For fiscal years 2015 and 2014 the Company recorded approximately $212 and $259 of intangible assets, respectively, consisting of the registration and application of new trademarks. The Company’s amortizable intangible assets are recorded on a straight-line basis, including customer relationships, as it approximates customer attrition patterns and best estimates the use pattern of the asset. Amortization expense of the Company’s intangible assets was $16,580, $16,851, and $13,059 during fiscal years 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows: Fiscal Year 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 $ 14,304 7,870 7,667 7,301 6,448 Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company periodically evaluates the net realizable value of long-lived assets, including definite lived intangible assets and property and equipment, relying on a number of factors, including operating results, business plans, economic projections, and anticipated future cash flows. Impairment is assessed by evaluating the estimated undiscounted cash flows over the asset’s remaining life. If estimated cash flows are insufficient to recover the investment, an impairment loss is recognized. No impairment loss was required to be recorded by the Company during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013. Deferred Catalog Costs The costs of producing and distributing the Company’s principal catalogs are deferred ($4,948 and $7,237 at August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014, respectively) and included in other assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. These costs are charged to expense over the period that the catalogs remain the most current source of sales, which is typically one year or less. The costs associated with brochures and catalog supplements are charged to expense as distributed. The total amount of advertising costs, net of co-operative advertising income from vendor sponsored programs, included in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of income, was approximately $24,101, $20,799 and $11,505 during the fiscal years 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. In most cases, 46 these conditions are met when the product is shipped to the customer or services have been rendered. The Company reports its sales net of the amount of actual sales returns and the amount of reserves established for anticipated sales returns based upon historical return rates. Sales tax collected from customers is excluded from net sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Vendor Consideration The Company records cash consideration received for advertising costs incurred to sell the vendor’s products as a reduction of the Company’s advertising costs and is reflected in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of income. In addition, the Company receives volume rebates from certain vendors based on contractual arrangements with such vendors. Rebates received from these vendors are recognized as a reduction to the cost of goods sold in the consolidated statements of income when the inventory is sold. Product Warranties The Company generally offers a maximum one-year warranty, including parts and labor, for some of its machinery products. The specific terms and conditions of those warranties vary depending upon the product sold. The Company may be able to recoup some of these costs through product warranties it holds with its original equipment manufacturers, which typically range from thirty to ninety days. In general, many of the Company’s general merchandise products are covered by third party original equipment manufacturers’ warranties. The Company’s warranty expense has been minimal. Shipping and Handling Costs The Company includes shipping and handling fees billed to customers in net sales and shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight in operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The shipping and handling costs in operating expenses were approximately $123,900, $119,796, and $105,150 during fiscal years 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Self-Insurance The Company has a self-insured group health plan. The Company is responsible for all covered claims to a maximum liability of $550 per participant, after meeting a one-time $150 aggregating specific deductible during a September 1 plan year. Benefits paid in excess of $550 are reimbursed to the plan under the Company’s stop loss policy. The Company estimates its reserve for all unpaid medical claims including those incurred but not reported based on historical analysis of claim trends, reporting and processing lag times and medical costs, adjusted as necessary based on management’s reasoned judgment. Group health plan expense for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $67,061, $61,018, and $48,249, respectively. Stock-Based Compensation In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718, “Compensation — Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”), the Company estimates the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the grant date fair value and recognizes compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the associate’s vesting period or to the associate’s retirement eligible date, if earlier. The stock-based compensation expense related to stock option plans and the Associate Stock Purchase Plan included in operating expenses for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $4,951, $5,623 and $5,387, respectively. Tax benefits related to this expense for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $1,753, $2,023 and $1,951, respectively. The Company grants Non-Qualified Stock Options, which allow the tax benefit to be recorded as options are expensed. The stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested restricted share awards included in operating expenses was $8,139, $8,898 and $8,309 for the fiscal years 2015, 2014, and 2013 respectively. Tax benefits related to this expense for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $3,093, $3,381 and $3,157, respectively. The stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock unit awards included in operating expenses was $1,105, $2,167 and $2,128 for the fiscal years 47 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Tax benefits related to this expense for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $420, $823 and $809, respectively. Related Party Transactions The Company is currently affiliated with one real estate entity (the “Affiliate”). The Affiliate is owned by our principal shareholders (Mitchell Jacobson, our Chairman, and his sister, Marjorie Gershwind Fiverson, and by their family related trusts). The Company leases a customer fulfillment center located near Atlanta, Georgia from its Affiliate. Monthly rental payments range from approximately $196 to $218 over the remaining lease term. See Note 13 for a discussion of leases. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying values of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. In addition, based on borrowing rates currently available to the Company for borrowings with similar terms, the carrying values of the Company’s capital lease obligations also approximate fair value. The fair value of the Company’s taxable bonds are estimated based on observable inputs in non-active markets. Under this method, the Company’s fair value of the taxable bonds was not significantly different than the carrying value at August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, including current maturities are estimated based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities. Under this method, the Company’s fair value of any long-term obligations was not significantly different than the carrying values at August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014. Foreign Currency The local currency is the functional currency for all of MSC’s operations outside the United States. Assets and liabilities of these operations are translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the end of each period. Income statement accounts are translated at the average exchange rate prevailing during the period. Translation adjustments arising from the use of differing exchange rates from period to period are included as a component of other comprehensive income within shareholders’ equity. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in net income for the period. Income Taxes The Company has established deferred income tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between the financial reporting bases and the income tax bases of its assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such assets or liabilities are realized or settled pursuant to the provisions of ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”), which prescribes a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, classification, and disclosure of uncertain tax positions. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The amounts of unrecognized tax benefits, exclusive of interest and penalties that would affect the effective tax rate were $4,693 and $4,573 as of August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014, respectively. Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income consists of consolidated net income and foreign currency translation adjustments. Foreign currency translation adjustments included in comprehensive income were not tax effected as investments in international affiliates are deemed to be permanent. Geographic Regions The Company’s sales and assets are predominantly generated from United States locations. Sales and assets related to the United Kingdom (the “U.K.”), Mexico and Canada branches are not significant to the Company’s total operations. For fiscal 2015, U.K., Mexico and Canadian operations represented approximately 3% of the Company’s consolidated net sales. 48 Segment Reporting The Company utilizes the management approach for segment disclosure, which designates the internal organization that is used by management for making operating decisions and assessing performance as the source of our reportable segments. The Company’s results of operations are reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer on a consolidated basis and the Company operates in only one segment. Substantially all of the Company’s revenues and long-lived assets are in the United States. New Accounting Pronouncements Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory (Topic 330), which requires an entity to measure inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value, which consists of the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable cost of completion, disposal, and transportation. For public entities, the updated guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The guidance is to be applied prospectively with earlier application permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company does not expect adoption of ASU 2015-11 to have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (Subtopic 835-30), which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. For public business entities, the ASU is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Entities should apply the new guidance on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period presented should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. Upon transition, entities are required to comply with the applicable disclosures for a change in an accounting principle. The Company does not expect adoption of ASU 2015-03 to have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Revenue from Contracts with Customers In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for the Company for its fiscal 2019 first quarter. Early application is permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has neither selected a transition method, nor determined the impact that the adoption of the pronouncement may have on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Reclassifications Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2015 presentation. These reclassifications did not have a material impact on the presentation of the consolidated financial statements. 3. FAIR VALUE Fair value accounting standards define fair value as 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 following fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels, with Level 1 being of the highest priority. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows: Level 1—Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2—Include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace. Level 3—Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity. 49 As of August 29, 2015, the Company did not have any cash equivalents. As of August 30, 2014, the Company measured cash equivalents consisting of money market funds and that invest primarily in United States government and government agency securities and municipal bond securities at fair value on a recurring basis for which market prices are readily available (Level 1), which aggregated $2,263. In connection with the construction of the Company’s new customer fulfillment center in Columbus, Ohio, the Company entered into an arrangement with the Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority (“Finance Authority”) which provides savings on state and local sales taxes imposed on construction materials to entities that finance the transactions through them. This arrangement allows for MSC to purchase taxable bonds from the Finance Authority in order to finance the structure and site improvements of the Company’s customer fulfillment center. The taxable bonds were approximately $27,023 at August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014. The taxable bonds are classified as available for sale securities in accordance with ASC Topic 320. The securities are recorded at their estimated fair value in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The fair values of these securities are based on observable inputs in non-active markets, which are therefore classified as Level 2 in the hierarchy. The Company did not record any significant gains or losses on these securities during fiscal year 2015. The outstanding principal amount of each bond bears interest at the rate of 2.4% per year. Interest is payable on a semiannual basis in arrears on each interest payment date. In addition, based on borrowing rates currently available to the Company for borrowings with similar terms, the carrying values of the Company’s capital lease obligations also approximate fair value. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, including current maturities, is estimated based on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities. The carrying amount of the Company’s debt at August 29, 2015, approximates its fair value. The Company’s financial instruments, other than those presented in the disclosure above, include cash, receivables, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities. Management believes the carrying amount of the aforementioned financial instruments is a reasonable estimate of fair value as of August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014 due to the short-term maturity of these items. During the fiscal years ended August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014, the Company had no measurements of non- financial assets or liabilities at fair value on a non-recurring basis subsequent to their initial recognition. 4. NET INCOME PER SHARE The Company’s non-vested restricted stock awards contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends and meet the criteria of a participating security as defined by ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share”. Under the two-class method, net income per share is computed by dividing net income allocated to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. In applying the two-class method, net income is allocated to both common shares and participating securities based on their respective weighted average shares outstanding for the period. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share under the two- class method for the fiscal years ended August 29, 2015, August 30, 2014 and August 31, 2013, respectively: For the Fiscal Years Ended August 29, August 30, August 31, 2015 2014 2013 (52 weeks) (52 weeks) (52 weeks) Net income as reported Less: Distributed net income available to participating securities Less: Undistributed net income available to participating securities $ $ 231,308 (1,350) — $ 236,067 (481) (1,146) 237,995 (492) (1,289) Numerator for basic net income per share: Undistributed and distributed net income available to common shareholders $ Add: Undistributed net income allocated to participating securities Less: Undistributed net income reallocated to participating securities 229,958 $ 234,440 $ 236,214 — — 1,146 (1,140) 1,289 (1,283) 50 Numerator for diluted net income per share: Undistributed and distributed net income available to common shareholders $ 229,958 $ 234,446 $ 236,220 Denominator: Weighted average shares outstanding for basic net income per share Effect of dilutive securities Weighted average shares outstanding for diluted net income per share 61,292 195 61,487 62,026 313 62,339 62,695 316 63,011 Net income per share Two-class method: Basic Diluted $ $ 3.75 $ 3.74 $ 3.78 $ 3.76 $ 3.77 3.75 Antidilutive stock options of 678 were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the fiscal year ended August 29, 2015. There were no antidilutive stock options included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the fiscal years ended August 30, 2014 and August 31, 2013. 5. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS On April 22, 2013, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain liabilities of the Class C Solutions Group from Barnes Group, pursuant to the terms of the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated February 22, 2013, between the Company and Barnes Group. In connection with the acquisition, the total cash consideration the Company paid to Barnes Group was $547,335 which is net of a post-closing working capital adjustment in the amount of $1,434 that was received by the Company in September 2013. The acquisition was funded by borrowings under the Company’s unsecured credit facility (described in Note 10 below), which was closed simultaneously with the acquisition, and the remaining portion of the purchase price was funded from available cash reserves. Class C Solutions Group is a leading distributor of fasteners and other high margin, low cost consumables with a broad distribution footprint throughout the U.S. and Canada. Class C Solutions Group has a strong presence with customers across manufacturing, government, transportation and natural resources end-markets. Class C Solutions Group specializes in lowering the total cost of its customers’ inventory management through storeroom organization and vendor managed inventory (or VMI). With this acquisition, the Company added a highly complementary provider of fasteners and other high margin consumable products and services (often referred to as “Class C” items) with an experienced field sales force and VMI solution. With the integration of the two businesses, the Company has the opportunity to bring our MRO offering to Class C Solutions Group’s customers, and Class C Solutions Group’s Class C product offering and VMI system to MSC’s customers. The acquisition of Class C Solutions Group was accounted for as a business purchase pursuant to ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations” (“ASC 805”). The results of operations for Class C Solutions Group have been included in our consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition. 6. RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES As a result of the Class C Solutions Group acquisition, the Company had incurred restructuring charges associated with associate severance costs, stay bonuses, and the impairment of long-lived assets due to the closure of facilities. No liabilities remain in the consolidated balance sheet relating to the restructuring activities as of August 29, 2015. Activity for the fiscal year ended August 29, 2015 consists of the following: Accrued restructuring balance, August 30, 2014 Charged to operating expenses Cash payments Accrued restructuring balance, August 29, 2015 Workforce Reductions 402 376 (778) Facility Closings 603 $ (310) (293) $ — $ — $ $ $ Total 1,005 66 (1,071) — 51 7. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT The following is a summary of property, plant and equipment and the estimated useful lives used in the computation of depreciation and amortization: Number of Years 2015 2014 August 29, August 30, Land Building and improvements Leasehold improvements Furniture, fixtures and equipment Automobiles Computer systems, equipment and software — 3 - 40 The lesser of lease term or 31.5 3 - 20 5 3 - 5 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization Total $ $ 20,783 150,870 4,384 165,589 — 289,873 631,499 340,343 291,156 $ $ 20,851 144,955 4,600 157,253 435 261,618 589,712 295,364 294,348 The amount of capitalized interest, net of accumulated amortization, included in property, plant and equipment was $847 and $889 at August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014, respectively. Depreciation expense was $52,799, $47,729 and $36,169 for the fiscal years ended August 29, 2015, August 30, 2014, and August 31, 2013, respectively. 8. INCOME TAXES The provision for income taxes is comprised of the following: Current: Federal State and local Deferred: Federal State and local Total (cid:3) (cid:3) (cid:3) (cid:3) (cid:3) (cid:3) (cid:3) $ $ August 29, 2015 For the Fiscal Years Ended August 30, 2014 (cid:3) (cid:3) 115,186 (cid:3) 16,528 (cid:3) 131,714 (cid:3) (cid:3) 10,369 (cid:3) 1,375 (cid:3) 11,744 (cid:3) 143,458 (cid:3) $ $ August 31, 2013 119,470 18,629 138,099 7,403 (68) 7,335 145,434 109,575 17,339 126,914 13,987 932 14,919 141,833 $ $ Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows: Deferred tax liabilities: Depreciation Deferred catalog costs Goodwill Deferred tax assets: Accounts receivable Inventory Deferred compensation Stock based compensation Intangible amortization $ August 29, 2015 August 30, 2014 (51,204) $ (1,155) (73,996) (126,355) 3,807 9,036 2,409 9,831 11,788 (46,722) (1,937) (59,387) (108,046) 2,933 7,504 1,799 11,582 10,950 52 Other Net Deferred Tax Liabilities $ 7,772 44,643 (81,712) $ 6,485 41,253 (66,793) Reconciliation of the statutory Federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows: U.S. Federal statutory rate State income taxes, net of Federal benefit Other, net Effective income tax rate For the Fiscal Years Ended August 29, August 30, August 31, 2015 35.0 % 3.1 (0.1) 38.0 % 2014 35.0 % 3.1 (0.3) 37.8 % 2013 35.0 % 3.0 (0.1) 37.9 % The aggregate changes in the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits during fiscal 2015 and 2014 were as follows: Beginning Balance Additions for tax positions relating to current year Additions for tax positions relating to prior years Reductions for tax positions relating to prior years Settlements Lapse of statute of limitations Ending Balance August 29, 2015 August 30, 2014 $ $ 9,350 2,617 104 — (41) (1,697) 10,333 $ $ 8,192 2,628 — (60) — (1,410) 9,350 Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at August 29, 2015 is $1,383 related to tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts could significantly change during the next twelve months. This amount represents a decrease in unrecognized tax benefits comprised primarily of items related to expiring statutes of limitations in state jurisdictions. The Company recognizes interest expense and penalties in the provision for income taxes. The fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 provisions include interest and penalties of $19, $0 and $92, respectively. The Company has accrued $163 and $166 for interest and penalties as of August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014, respectively. With limited exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to Federal income tax examinations through fiscal 2013 and state income tax examinations through fiscal 2011. 9. ACCRUED LIABILITIES Accrued liabilities consist of the following: Accrued payroll and fringe Accrued bonus Accrued sales, property and income taxes Accrued sales rebates and returns Accrued other Total accrued liabilities August 29, 2015 August 30, 2014 25,597 12,820 12,259 (cid:3) 13,394 30,424 (cid:3) 94,494 $ $ 23,015 22,823 10,496 10,362 29,356 96,052 $ $ 53 10. DEBT AND CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS Debt at August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014 consisted of the following: Credit Facility: Revolver Term loan Capital lease and financing obligations Total debt Less: current portion of Credit Facility Less: current portion of capital lease and financing obligations Long-term debt $ $ $ August 29, 2015 August 30, 2014 188,000 212,500 27,804 428,304 (213,000) (515) 214,789 $ $ $ 70,000 237,500 29,564 337,064 (95,000) (1,829) 240,235 Credit Facility In April 2013, in connection with the acquisition of the Class C Solutions Group, the Company entered into a new $650,000 credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility, which matures in April 2018, provides for a five-year unsecured revolving loan facility in the aggregate amount of $400,000 and a five-year unsecured term loan facility in the aggregate amount of $250,000. The Credit Facility also permits the Company, at its request, and upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, to add one or more incremental term loan facilities and/or increase the revolving loan commitments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $200,000. Subject to certain limitations, each such incremental term loan facility or revolving commitment increase will be on terms as agreed to by the Company, the Administrative Agent and the lenders providing such financing. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest, at the Company’s option, either at (i) the LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) rate plus the applicable margin for LIBOR loans ranging from 1.00% to 1.375%, based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio; or (ii) the greatest of (a) the Administrative Agent’s prime rate in effect on such day, (b) the federal funds effective rate in effect on such day, plus 0.50% and (c) the LIBOR rate that would be calculated as of such day in respect of a proposed LIBOR loan with a one-month interest period, plus 1.00%, plus, in the case of each of clauses (a) through (c), an applicable margin ranging from 0.00% to 0.375%, based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio. The Company is required to pay a quarterly undrawn fee ranging from 0.10% to 0.20% per annum on the unutilized portion of the Credit Facility based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio. The Company is also required to pay quarterly letter of credit usage fees ranging between 1.00% to 1.375% (based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio) on the amount of the daily average outstanding letters of credit, and a quarterly fronting fee of 0.125% per annum on the undrawn and unexpired amount of each letter of credit. The applicable borrowing rate for the Company for any borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility at August 29, 2015 was 1.33%, which represented LIBOR plus 1.125%. Based on the interest period the Company selects, interest may be payable every one, two, three or six months. Interest is reset at the end of each interest period. The Company currently elects to have loans under the Credit Facility bear interest based on LIBOR with one-month interest periods. The Credit Facility contains several restrictive covenants including the requirement that the Company maintain a maximum consolidated leverage ratio of total indebtedness to EBITDA (earnings before interest expense, taxes, depreciation, amortization and stock based compensation) of no more than 3.00 to 1.00, and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio of EBITDA to total interest expense of at least 3.00 to 1.00, during the term of the Credit Facility. Borrowings under the Credit Facility are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries. During fiscal 2015, the Company borrowed $336,000 under the revolving loan facility and repaid $218,000 and $25,000 of the revolving loan facility and term loan facility, respectively. During fiscal 2014, the Company borrowed $135,000 under the revolving loan facility and repaid $65,000 and $12,500 of the revolving loan facility and term loan facility, respectively. 54 At August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with the operating and financial covenants of the Credit Facility. Maturities of the Credit Facility as of August 29, 2015 are as follows: Fiscal Year 2016 2017 2018 Total Maturities of Credit Facility 213,000 50,000 137,500 400,500 $ $ Capital Lease and Financing Obligations In connection with the construction of the Company’s new customer fulfillment center in Columbus, Ohio, the Company entered into an arrangement with the Finance Authority which provides savings on state and local sales taxes imposed on construction materials to entities that finance the transactions through them. This arrangement consists of the Finance Authority issuing taxable bonds to finance the structure and site improvements of the Company’s customer fulfillment center. The Finance Authority holds the title to the building and entered into a long-term lease with the Company. The lease has a 20-year term with a prepayment option without penalty between 7 and 20 years. At the end of the lease term, the building’s title is transferred to the Company for a nominal amount when the principal of and interest on the bonds have been fully paid. The lease has been classified as a capital lease in accordance with ASC Topic 840. At August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014, the capital lease obligation was approximately $27,023. From time to time, the Company enters into capital leases and financing arrangements to purchase certain equipment. The equipment acquired from these vendors is paid over a specified period of time based on the terms agreed upon. During the fiscal year ended August 29, 2015, the Company entered into various financing obligations for certain information technology equipment totaling $530. During the fiscal year ended August 30, 2014, the Company entered into various capital leases and financing obligations for certain information technology equipment totaling $1,353. The gross amount of property and equipment acquired under these capital leases and financing agreements at August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014 was approximately $32,535 and $33,505, respectively. Related accumulated amortization totaled $4,815 and $3,339 as of August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014, respectively. There was no non-cash financing activity related to capital leases for fiscal 2015. The non-cash financing activity related to capital leases for fiscal 2014 was $25,023. Amortization expense of property and equipment acquired under these capital leases and financing arrangements was approximately $2,486 for the fiscal year ended 2015. At August 29, 2015, approximate future minimum payments under capital leases and financing arrangements are as follows: Fiscal Year 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 and beyond Total minimum lease payments Less: amount representing interest Present value of minimum lease payments Less: current portion Long-term capital leases and financing arrangements 55 Payments under capital leases and financing arrangements $ $ $ $ 1,165 915 649 649 27,238 30,616 2,812 27,804 515 27,289 11. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Treasury Stock Purchases During fiscal 1999, the Board of Directors established the MSC Stock Repurchase Plan (the “Repurchase Plan”). On October 21, 2011, the Board of Directors reaffirmed and replenished the Repurchase Plan so that the total number of shares of Class A common stock authorized for future repurchase was 5,000 shares. As of August 29, 2015, the maximum number of shares that may yet be repurchased under the Repurchase Plan was 1,743 shares. The Repurchase Plan allows the Company to repurchase shares at any time and in any increments it deems appropriate in accordance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. During fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014, the Company repurchased 444 shares and 2,370 shares, respectively, of its Class A common stock for $33,414 and $191,359, respectively. Approximately 112 and 60 of these shares were repurchased by the Company to satisfy the Company’s associates’ tax withholding liability associated with its share-based compensation program during fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014, respectively. The Company accounts for treasury stock under the cost method, using the first-in, first-out flow assumption, and includes treasury stock as a component of stockholders’ equity in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The Company reissued approximately 63 and 54 shares of treasury stock during fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014, respectively, to fund the Associate Stock Purchase Plan (See Note 12). (cid:3) Common Stock Each holder of the Company’s Class A common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of record on the applicable record date on all matters presented to a vote of shareholders, including the election of directors. The holders of Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes per share on the applicable record date and are entitled to vote, together with the holders of the Class A common stock, on all matters which are subject to shareholder approval. Holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock have no cumulative voting rights or preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for any stock or other securities and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions with respect to such stock. The holders of the Company’s Class B common stock have the right to convert their shares of Class B common stock into shares of Class A common stock at their election and on a one-to-one basis, and all shares of Class B common stock convert into shares of Class A common stock on a one to-one basis upon the sale or transfer of such shares of Class B common stock to any person who is not a member of the Jacobson or Gershwind families or any trust not established principally for members of the Jacobson or Gershwind families or to any person who is not an executor, administrator or personal representative of an estate of a member of the Jacobson or Gershwind families. Preferred Stock The Company has authorized 5,000 shares of preferred stock. The Company’s Board of Directors has the authority to issue the shares of preferred stock. Shares of preferred stock may have priority over the Company’s Class A common stock and Class B common stock with respect to dividend or liquidation rights, or both. As of August 29, 2015, there were no shares of preferred stock issued or outstanding. Cash Dividend On July 10, 2003, the Board of Directors instituted a policy of regular quarterly cash dividends to shareholders. This policy is reviewed regularly by the Board of Directors. On October 21, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.43 per share, payable on November 24, 2015 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 10, 2015. The dividend will result in a payout of approximately $26,515, based on the number of shares outstanding at October 15, 2015. 56 12. ASSOCIATE BENEFIT PLANS Stock Compensation Plans 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan At the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders held on January 15, 2015, the shareholders approved the MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (“2015 Omnibus Plan”). The 2015 Omnibus Plan replaced the Company’s 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Prior Plan”) and beginning January 15, 2015, all awards are granted under the 2015 Omnibus Plan. Awards under the 2015 Omnibus Plan may be made in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, other share-based awards, and performance cash, performance shares or performance units. All outstanding awards under the Prior Plan will continue to be governed by the terms of the Prior Plan. Upon approval of the 2015 Omnibus Plan, the maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock authorized to be issued under the 2015 Omnibus Plan was 5,217 shares. Stock Options A summary of the status of the Company’s stock options at August 29, 2015 and changes during the fiscal year then ended is presented in the table and narrative below: Outstanding - beginning of year Granted Exercised Canceled/Forfeited Outstanding - end of year Exercisable - end of year 2015 Shares Weighted-Average Exercise Price 1,186 421 (185) (148) 1,274 514 $ $ $ 68.24 83.01 60.14 78.60 73.10 63.75 The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the fiscal years ended August 29, 2015, August 30, 2014 and August 31, 2013 was $3,390, $13,988, and $16,402, respectively. The unrecognized share-based compensation cost related to stock option expense at August 29, 2015 was $7,281 and will be recognized over a weighted average of 1.7 years. The fair value of each option grant for the fiscal years ended August 29, 2015, August 30, 2014 and August 31, 2013 is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: Expected life (in years) Risk-free interest rate Expected volatility Expected dividend yield Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value 2015 3.9 1.09 % 24.5 % 1.70 % $ 14.06 $ (cid:3) 2014 3.9 0.93 % 26.6 % 1.70 % 14.98 $ 2013 3.8 0.55 % 32.9 % 1.70 % 15.33 The risk-free interest rate represents the United States Treasury Bond constant maturity yield approximating the expected option life of stock options granted during the period. The expected option life represents the period of time that the stock options granted during the period are expected to be outstanding, based on the mid-point between the weighted time-to- vesting and the contractual expiration date of the option. The expected volatility is based on the historical market price volatility of the Company’s common stock for the expected term of the options. 57 The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at August 29, 2015: Range of Exercise Prices $38.07 – $44.17 44.18– 66.69 66.70 – 73.71 73.72 – 83.03 Number of Options Outstanding at August 29, 2015 Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life Weighted- Average Exercise Price Number of Options Exercisable at August 29, 2015 Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life Weighted- Average Exercise Price Intrinsic Value Intrinsic Value 64 305 233 672 1,274 1.0 2.7 4.2 5.7 4.5 $ 43.66 $ 1,514 61.35 1,861 69.56 82.45 — — $ 73.10 $ 3,375 64 257 109 84 514 1.0 $ 2.6 4.2(cid:3) 5.2(cid:3) 3.2(cid:3) $ 43.66 $ 60.35 1,514 1,824 69.56 81.79 — — 63.75 $ 3,338 Restricted Stock Awards A summary of the non-vested restricted share awards (“RSA”) granted under the Company’s incentive plans for the fiscal year ended August 29, 2015 is as follows: Non-vested restricted share awards at the beginning of the year Granted Vested Canceled/Forfeited Non-vested restricted share awards at the end of the year 2015 Shares 428 133 (134) (36) 391 $ $ Weighted- Average Grant- Date Fair Value 68.67 81.69 60.47 75.66 75.39 The fair value of each RSA is the closing stock price on the New York Stock Exchange of the Company’s Class A common stock on the date of grant. Upon vesting, a portion of the RSA may be withheld to satisfy the minimum statutory withholding taxes. The remaining RSAs will be settled in shares of the Company’s Class A common stock after the vesting period. The fair value of shares vested during the fiscal years ended August 29, 2015, August 30, 2014 and August 31, 2013 was $8,107, $14,214 and $11,373, respectively. The unrecognized compensation cost related to the non-vested RSAs at August 29, 2015 is $16,140 and will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years. Restricted Stock Units A summary of the Company’s non-vested restricted stock unit (“RSU”) award activity for the fiscal year ended August 29, 2015 is as follows: Non-vested restricted stock unit awards at the beginning of the year Granted Vested Canceled/Forfeited Non-vested restricted stock unit awards at the end of the year 2015 Shares Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value 184 1 (123) — 62 $ $ 54.65 83.03 54.60 — 55.09 The fair value of each RSU is the closing stock price on the New York Stock Exchange of the Company’s Class A common stock on the date of grant. Upon vesting, a portion of the RSU award may be withheld to satisfy the minimum 58 statutory withholding taxes. The remaining RSUs will be settled in shares of the Company’s Class A common stock after the vesting period. These awards accrue dividend equivalents on outstanding units (in the form of additional stock units) based on dividends declared on the Company’s Class A common stock and these additional RSUs are subject to the same vesting periods as the RSUs in the underlying award. The dividend equivalents are not included in the RSU table above. The unrecognized compensation cost related to the RSUs at August 29, 2015 was $786 and is expected to be recognized over a period of 1.5 years. Associate Stock Purchase Plan The Company has established a qualified Associate Stock Purchase Plan, the terms of which allow for eligible associates (as defined in the Associate Stock Purchase Plan) to participate in the purchase of up to a maximum of 5 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock at a price equal to 90% of the closing price at the end of each stock purchase period. On January 7, 2009, the shareholders of the Company approved an increase to the authorized but unissued shares of the Class A common stock of the Company reserved for sale under the Associate Stock Purchase Plan from 800 to 1,150 shares. On January 15, 2015, the shareholders of the Company approved an increase to the authorized but unissued shares of the Class A common stock of the Company reserved for sale under the Associate Stock Purchase Plan from 1,150 to 1,500 shares. As of August 29, 2015, approximately 303 shares remain reserved for issuance under this plan. Associates purchased approximately 63 and 54 shares of common stock during fiscal 2015 and 2014 at an average per share price of $66.96 and $75.74, respectively. Savings Plan The Company maintains a defined contribution plan with both a profit sharing feature and a 401(k) feature which covers all associates who have completed at least one month of service with the Company. For fiscal years 2015, 2014, and 2013, the Company contributed $6,665, $6,174 and $5,243, respectively, to the plan. The Company contributions are discretionary. 13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Leases Certain of the operations of the Company are conducted on leased premises, one of which is leased from an entity affiliated with Mitchell Jacobson, the Company’s Chairman, Marjorie Gershwind Fiverson, Mr. Jacobson’s sister, and by their family related trusts. The leases (most of which require the Company to provide for the payment of real estate taxes, insurance and other operating costs) are for varying periods, the longest extending to the year 2030. Some of the leased premises contain multiple renewal provisions, exercisable at the Company’s option, as well as escalation clauses. In addition, the Company is obligated under certain equipment and automobile operating leases, which expire on varying dates through 2019. At August 29, 2015, approximate minimum annual rentals on all such leases are as follows: Fiscal Year 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Thereafter Total Total (Including Related Party Commitments) $ $ 16,681 12,587 9,671 6,550 5,170 27,206 77,865 Related Party Commitments 2,351 2,353 2,372 2,409 2,411 24,852 36,748 $ $ Total rental expense (exclusive of real estate taxes, insurance and other operating costs) for all operating leases for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $14,504, $16,329 and $13,243, respectively, including approximately $2,401, $2,297 and $2,293, respectively, paid to a related party. 59 14. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS There are various claims, lawsuits, and pending actions against the Company incidental to the operation of its business. Although the outcome of these matters is currently not determinable, management does not expect that the ultimate costs to resolve these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity. 15. SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED) The following table sets forth unaudited financial data for each of the Company’s last eight fiscal quarters. Fiscal Year Ended August 29, 2015 Fiscal Year Ended August 30, 2014 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter (Unaudited) Consolidated Income Statement Data: Net sales Gross profit $ 731,091 $ 706,400 $ 745,483 $ 727,405 $ 678,510 $ 661,513 $ 720,476 $ 726,623 330,149 320,874 338,417 327,135 314,855 306,821 333,394 331,186 Income from operations 93,971 85,874 104,244 95,440 96,750 81,722 104,886 Net income Net income per share: Basic Diluted 57,417 51,527 63,342 59,022 59,046 49,512 64,696 0.92 0.91 0.84 0.83 1.03 1.03 0.96 0.96 0.93 0.93 0.80 0.79 1.04 1.03 99,826 62,813 1.01 1.01 60 ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE. None. ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of August 29, 2015. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of August 29, 2015, such disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is 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. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (i) (ii) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the Company’s assets; 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 the Company’s management and directors; and (iii) 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. Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of August 29, 2015. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013 Framework). Based on this assessment, management determined that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of August 29, 2015. Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of August 29, 2015 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears in this Item under the heading “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.” 61 Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended August 29, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting. 62 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The Board of Directors and Shareholders of MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. We have audited MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries’ (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of August 29, 2015, 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). 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 conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether 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. A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of August 29, 2015, based on the COSO criteria. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of August 29, 2015 and August 30, 2014 and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended August 29, 2015 of the Company and our report dated October 28, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Jericho, New York October 28, 2015 63 ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION. None. PART III. ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE. Information called for by Item 10 is set forth under the headings “Election of Directors” and “Corporate Governance” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in January 2016, or the 2015 Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by this reference. ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. Information called for by Item 11 is set forth under the headings “Executive Compensation”, “Corporate Governance—Compensation Committee.” “Compensation Committee Report” and “Director Compensation” in the 2015 Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by this reference. ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS. Information called for by Item 12 is set forth under the headings “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in the 2015 Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by this reference. ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE. Information called for by Item 13 is set forth under the heading “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions” and “Corporate Governance” in the 2015 Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by this reference. ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES. Information called for by Item 14 is set forth under the heading “Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the 2015 Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by this reference. 64 ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES. (a)(1) Index to Financial Statements PART IV. Financial statements filed as a part of this report are listed on the “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” at page 36 herein. (a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules For the three fiscal years ended August 29, 2015. Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Page S-1 All other schedules have been omitted because the information is not applicable or is presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto. (a)(3) Exhibits Exhibits are filed with this report or incorporated by reference to the Exhibit Index immediately preceding the exhibits attached to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 65 Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. SIGNATURES MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. By: /s/ ERIK GERSHWIND Erik Gershwind Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) Dated: October 28, 2015 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Signature Title Date /s/ MITCHELL JACOBSON Mitchell Jacobson Chairman of the Board of Directors October 28, 2015 /s/ DAVID SANDLER David Sandler Executive Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors October 28, 2015 /s/ ERIK GERSHWIND Erik Gershwind President and Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) October 28, 2015 /s/ RUSTOM JILLA Rustom Jilla Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) /s/ JONATHAN BYRNES Jonathan Byrnes /s/ ROGER FRADIN Roger Fradin /s/ LOUISE GOESER Louise Goeser /s/ MICHAEL KAUFMANN Michael Kaufmann /s/ DENIS KELLY Denis Kelly /s/ STEVEN PALADINO Steven Paladino /s/ PHILIP PELLER Philip Peller Director Director Director Director Director Director Director 66 October 28, 2015 October 28, 2015 October 28, 2015 October 28, 2015 October 28, 2015 October 28, 2015 October 28, 2015 October 28, 2015 MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (In thousands) Description Deducted from asset accounts: For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013 Allowance for doubtful accounts(1) Deducted from asset accounts: For the fiscal year ended August 30, 2014 Allowance for doubtful accounts(1) Deducted from asset accounts: For the fiscal year ended August 29, 2015 Allowance for doubtful accounts(1) Balance at Beginning of Year Charged to Costs and Expenses Charged to Other Accounts Deductions(2) Balance at End of Year $ 6,934 $ 3,499 $ — $ 2,910 $ 7,523 $ 7,523 $ 4,629 $ — $ 2,842 $ 9,310 $ 9,310 $ 6,665 $ — $ 4,663 $ 11,312 Included in accounts receivable. (1) (2) Comprised of uncollected accounts charged against the allowance. S-1 [This page intentionally left blank.] Exhibit No. EXHIBIT INDEX Description 2.01 Stock Purchase Agreement by and among JLK Direct Distribution, Inc., Kennametal Inc., MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. and MSC Acquisition Corp. VI dated as of March 15, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 16, 2006) (SEC File No. 001-14130). 2.02 Asset Purchase Agreement, dated February 22, 2013, between MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. and Barnes Group Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 26, 2013) (SEC File No. 001-14130). 3.01 Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.* 3.02 Amended and Restated By-laws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on October 26, 2012) (SEC File No. 001-14130). 4.01 Specimen Class A Common Stock Certificate.* 10.01 Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement, dated December 3, 2014 between MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. and Erik Gershwind (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2014) (SEC File No. 001-14130).† 10.02 Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement, dated December 3, 2014 between MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. and Douglas Jones (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2014) (SEC File No. 001-14130).† 10.03 Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement, dated December 3, 2014 between MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. and Steve Armstrong (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on April 9, 2015) (SEC File No. 001-14130).† 10.04 Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement, dated December 3, 2014 between MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. and Charles Bonomo (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on April 9, 2015) (SEC File No. 001-14130).† 10.05 Change in Control Agreement, dated December 3, 2014 between MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. and Kari Heerdt (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on April 9, 2015) (SEC File No. 001-14130).† 10.06 Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement, dated December 3, 2014 between MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. and Christopher Davanzo (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on April 9, 2015) (SEC File No. 001-14130).† 10.07 Agreement of Lease, dated as of July 13, 1989, by and between Mitchmar Atlanta Properties, Inc. and Sid Tool Co., Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 7, 2008) (SEC File No. 001-14130). 10.08 First Amendment to Lease, dated as of August 10, 1996, by and between Mitchmar Atlanta Properties, Inc. and Sid Tool Co., Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 7, 2008) (SEC File No. 001-14130). 10.09 Second Amendment to Lease, dated as of May 7, 2003, by and between Mitchmar Atlanta Properties, Inc. and Sid Tool Co., Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 7, 2008) (SEC File No. 001-14130). 10.10 Third Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated as of November 11, 2003, by and between Mitchmar Atlanta Properties, Inc. and Sid Tool Co., Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 7, 2008) (SEC File No. 001-14130). 10.11 Fourth Amendment of Lease Agreement, dated as of March 17, 2007, by and between Mitchmar Atlanta Properties, Inc. and Sid Tool Co., Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 7, 2008) (SEC File No. 001-14130). 10.12 Fifth Amendment of Lease Agreement, dated as of March 25, 2008, by and between Mitchmar Atlanta Properties, Inc. and Sid Tool Co., Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 7, 2008) (SEC File No. 001-14130). 10.13 MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. Amended and Restated Associate Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.04 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (333-201523) filed with the SEC on January 15, 2015).† 10.14 Executive Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on January 7, 2010) (SEC File No. 001- 14130).† II-1 Exhibit No. 10.15 Restricted Stock Unit Agreement awarded to David Sandler, dated October 19, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 21, 2010) (SEC File No. 001-14130).† Description 10.16 Second Amended and Restated Agreement dated October 19, 2010 between the Registrant and David Sandler (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.02 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 21, 2010) (SEC File No. 001-14130).† 10.17 Summary of Non-Executive Directors’ Compensation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on January 8, 2015) (SEC File No. 001- 14130).† 10.18 MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended through November 13, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on January 8, 2015) (SEC File No. 001-14130).† 10.19 MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.01 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (333-201522) filed with the SEC on January 15, 2015).† 10.20 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement under the MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on April 7, 2011) (SEC File No. 001-14130).† 10.21 Form of Restricted Stock Award under the MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on April 7, 2011) (SEC File No. 001-14130).† 10.22 MSC Industrial Direct Relocation Policy (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.02 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 30, 2011) (SEC File No. 001-14130).† 10.23 Relocation Reimbursement Agreement & Policy Acknowledgment (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.03 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 30, 2011) (SEC File No. 001- 14130).† 10.24 Credit Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2013, by and among MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 23, 2013) (SEC File No. 001-14130). 10.25 Separation Agreement, dated October 30, 2014 between MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. and Thomas Cox (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 31, 2014) (SEC File No. 001(cid:486)14130).† 10.26 Retirement and Transition Agreement, dated December 2, 2014 between MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. and Jeffrey Kaczka (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2014) (SEC File No. 001(cid:486)14130).† 10.27 Rustom Jilla Offer Letter, effective July 6, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 6, 2015) (SEC File No. 001(cid:486)14130).† 21.01 List of Subsidiaries.** 23.01 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.** 31.1 Chief Executive Officer’s Certificate, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.** 31.2 Chief Financial Officer’s Certificate, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.** 32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*** 32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*** 101.INS XBRL Instance Document.** 101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.** 101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.** 101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.** 101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.** 101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.** * ** *** † Filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration Statement No. 33- 98832, as amended. Filed herewith. Furnished herewith. Management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement. II-2 SUBSIDIARIES OF MSC INDUSTRIAL DIRECT CO., INC. CORPORATION Sid Tool Co., Inc. Primeline International, Inc. MSC Services Corp. Swiss Precision Instruments Inc. Enco Manufacturing Company, Inc. J&L America, Inc. MSC Acquisition Corp VI MSC Contract Management, Inc. MSC Foreign Properties Corporation American Specialty Grinding Co., Inc. MSC Acquisition Corp VII Mission Real Estate Acquisition Company ATS Industrial Supply, S. de R.L. de C.V. MSC Industrial Supply ULC MSC Acquisition Corp III EXHIBIT 21.01 STATE OF INCORPORATION New York New York New York California New York Michigan New York New York Delaware Massachusetts New York Delaware Mexico Canada New York CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements: (1) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-48901), pertaining to the MSC Industrial Direct 401(k) Plan; EXHIBIT 23.01 (2) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-70293), pertaining to the Associate Stock Purchase Plan; (3) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-130899 and Form S-8 No. 333-164362), pertaining to the 2005 Omnibus Incentive Plan; (4) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-156850 and Form S-8 No. 333-201523), pertaining to the MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. Amended and Restated Associate Stock Purchase Plan; and (5) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-201522), pertaining to the 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan of our reports dated October 28, 2015, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. and Subsidiaries, included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. for the year ended August 29, 2015. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Jericho, New York October 28, 2015 CERTIFICATIONS EXHIBIT 31.1 I, Erik Gershwind, certify that: 1. 2. 3. 4. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.; 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; 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; The registrant’s other certifying officer 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) (b) (c) (d) 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; 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; 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 Disclosed in this report any changes 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 materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant’s other certifying officer 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) (b) 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 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: October 28, 2015 /s/ ERIK GERSHWIND Erik Gershwind President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) EXHIBIT 31.2 I, Rustom Jilla, certify that: CERTIFICATIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.; 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; 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; The registrant’s other certifying officer 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) (b) (c) (d) 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; 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; 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 Disclosed in this report any changes 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 materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant’s other certifying officer 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) (b) 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 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: October 28, 2015 /s/ RUSTOM JILLA Rustom Jilla Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 EXHIBIT 32.1 In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (the “Company”) for the fiscal year ended August 29, 2015, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Erik Gershwind, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: (1) (2) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. Date: October 28, 2015 /s/ ERIK GERSHWIND Erik Gershwind President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. and will be retained by it and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 EXHIBIT 32.2 In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (the “Company”) for the fiscal year ended August 29, 2015, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Rustom Jilla, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: (1) (2) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. Date: October 28, 2015 /s/ RUSTOM JILLA Rustom Jilla Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. and will be retained by it and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. 2015 CORPORATE INFORMATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS JONATHAN BYRNES Senior Lecturer Massachusetts Institute of Technology ROGER FRADIN ERIK GERSHWIND LOUISE GOESER Vice Chairman Honeywell International Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer MSC Industrial Supply Co. President and Chief Executive Officer Grupo Siemens S.A. de C.V. (Siemens Mesoamerica) MITCHELL JACOBSON Non-Executive Chairman of the Board MSC Industrial Supply Co. MICHAEL KAUFMANN Chief Financial Officer DENIS KELLY Managing Partner STEVEN PALADINO Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Cardinal Health, Inc. Scura Paley LLC Henry Schein, Inc. PHILIP PELLER DAVID SANDLER Independent Director Retired Partner, Arthur Andersen LLP Executive Vice Chairman of the Board MSC Industrial Supply Co. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS DAVID SANDLER ERIK GERSHWIND RUSTOM JILLA DOUGLAS JONES Executive Vice Chairman of the Board President and Chief Executive Officer Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Executive Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer STEVE ARMSTRONG Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary STEVEN BARUCH CHARLES BONOMO Senior Vice President, Strategy and Marketing Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer CHRISTOPHER DAVANZO Senior Vice President, Finance and Corporate Controller KARI HEERDT GREGORY POLLI DAVID WRIGHT Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer Senior Vice President, Product Management Senior Vice President, Sales CORPORATE INFORMATION ANNUAL MEETING INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT The 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held at: Hilton Long Island/Huntington 598 Broad Hollow Road Melville, NY 11747 on Thursday, January 21, 2016 at 9 a.m. COMPANY HEADQUARTERS MSC Industrial Supply Co. 75 Maxess Road Melville, New York 11747 MSC Industrial Supply Co. 525 Harbour Place Drive Davidson, North Carolina 28036 Visit the Company’s website on the Internet at www.mscdirect.com. John Chironna MSC Industrial Supply Co. (704) 987-5231 Copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 29, 2015 are available without charge, upon request. INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM Ernst & Young LLP Jericho, New York LEGAL COUNSEL Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP New York, New York Computershare Trust Company, N.A. c/o Computershare Investor Services P.O. Box 30202 College Station, TX 77842-9909 COMMON STOCK LISTED MSC Industrial Supply Co.’s Class A common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “MSM.” DIVIDEND POLICY The Company has instituted a policy of regular quarterly cash dividends to share- holders. Currently, the quarterly dividend rate is $0.43 per share, or $1.72 per share annually. MSC Industrial Supply Co. 75 Maxess Road Melville, New York 11747 516.812.2000 www.mscdirect.com NYSE listed: MSM 

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