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PFB Corporation

pfb · TSX Basic Materials
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Employees 201-500
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FY2014 Annual Report · PFB Corporation
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2014 Annual Report 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PFB’s Commitment to Sustainability 

At PFB Corporation, we are concerned with the future of the planet and the effects that modern lifestyles may be having on 
climate change. PFB Corporation is committed to conducting its operations responsibly and mindful of the economic, 
environmental and social impacts of its operations. Several years ago, PFB established a Sustainability Committee with 
participants drawn from across all functions within our company. The Committee’s mandate includes working with our 
management groups and employees to drive continuous improvements initiatives that support sustainability. We are focused on 
improving how we convert inputs, such as materials, energy, and water; into outputs, such as products, emissions, effluents and 
waste. 

PFB has chosen to take a transparent approach by reporting performance metrics in its annual report. More detailed 
information can be found on our sustainability website: www.pfbsustainability.com.   

The following extracts represent some key metrics that we use to track our performance.  

Environmental 

The calculation of the data in the chart below was revised in 2014 and the corresponding data for the prior years has been 
revised accordingly to provide consistency in presentation.    

Health and Safety 

Occupational Health and Safety is of paramount importance at PFB Corporation. We have incorporated safety initiatives into 
everything we do. We recognize that our employees are our most valuable resource so we provide them with the training, tools 
and environment to maximize their performance in the safest manner possible. 

1   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
 
 
 
PFB Corporation 

Letter to shareholders 

The focus of management is to annually increase revenues and funds flow from our operating activities while maintaining 
strong balance sheet integrity and providing a reliable stream of dividends to our shareholders. We manufacture building 
insulation and insulating building products in thirteen locations in Canada and the United States that employ 400 regular 
employees. We strive for industry leadership with our products and for a corporate culture of sustainable operations that we 
report transparently on our pfbsustainability.com website.  

Sales in 2014 were $89,905,000 compared with $84,549,000 in the prior year. Funds flow from operations was $6,182,000 
compared with $4,083,000 in the prior year. Common shares outstanding have remained relatively unchanged except for minor 
open market purchases under a Normal Course Issuer Bid when shares were available at less than book value. Complete 
disclosure of our operations is available in the management’s discussion and analysis section of this annual report and in our 
annual filings.   

During the period since the financial crisis that occurred in 2008 we experienced strong resistance to price increases for our 
products from our customers, despite the high cost of our raw materials that resulted from steadily rising crude oil prices during 
the period. Since the economic upheaval created during the Great Recession and recently as the price of crude oil has 
dramatically fallen, these margin pressures have abated somewhat.   

The rapid decline in the exchange rate of the Canadian dollar with the United States dollar has had mixed effects on our 
business in Canada. Raw material purchases are generally priced in USA currency resulting in raw material price increase 
pressures while, at the same time, the price of raw materials in USA dollar terms has decreased. The net effect on the 
Corporation to-date has been positive. Some USA dollar balances accrue from our sales to customers in the United States.    

The Corporation, in compliance with an agreement, maintains a defined benefit pension plan for a small group of employees at 
a single operating site. During the past several years the Corporation has been making additional payments to the plan. 
Currently the assets and obligations of the plan are approximately in balance.  

In 2013, the Company sold four of its real estate properties and leased them from the purchaser, a real estate investment trust 
(REIT), for 20 years with rights of renewal for further 10 year periods, respectively. The Corporation still owns five of its 
operating locations, two in Canada and three in the United States. The effects of the transaction were that equity capital in the 
Corporation was reduced by paying a special dividend, all long-term debt was eliminated and working capital was increased. 
2014 was the first complete year of operations since this transaction. Under International Financial Reporting Standards the 
leases are disclosed as financial leases in our consolidated financial statements. The Corporation holds units in the REIT as an 
investment and receives regular cash distributions. 

Management is optimistic that the year ahead will be positively affected by improving business conditions in markets in which 
we operate. Thank you to all our employees for their past and continuing efforts. 

C. Alan Smith 
President & Chief Executive Officer 

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PFB Corporation 

Management’s discussion and analysis for 2014 

1.  Advisory regarding forward-looking statements 

Securities laws encourage public issuers to disclose forward-looking information in their management’s discussion and 
analysis (MD&A) so that investors can get a better understanding of the company’s future prospects and make informed 
investment decisions. 

Forward-looking information and statements included in this MD&A about PFB’s objectives and management’s 
expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies for the future are not guarantees of future performance and should not be 
unduly relied upon.  

All forward-looking statements reflect management’s current views as at March 6, 2015, with respect to future events, and 
they are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause the actual results, performance or 
achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such 
forward-looking statements.  

Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions; the cost and 
availability of capital; actions by government authorities; actions by regulatory authorities; availability of raw materials; 
changes in raw materials prices; currency exchange rates; interest rates; competitor activity; industry pricing pressures; 
seasonality of the construction industry; and weather related factors. 

You will find a more detailed assessment of the risks that could cause actual results to materially differ from our current 
expectations in the Risk Management and Assessment section of this MD&A. 

2.  Other advisories regarding this MD&A 

The following MD&A of the operating results and financial condition of PFB Corporation (“PFB” or the “Corporation”) 
for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 should be read in conjunction with PFB’s audited consolidated financial 
statements and related notes which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on PFB’s website at www.pfbcorp.com.  

The consolidated financial statements of PFB, for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, have been prepared in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS” or “GAAP”) as issued by the International 
Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”). 

This MD&A was reviewed by the Audit Committee and approved by PFB’s Board of Directors on March 6, 2015. Any 
events occurring after that date may affect the usefulness of the information contained in this document.  

The currency presented in this MD&A is Canadian dollars ($ thousands) unless otherwise stated. 

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. 

3.  Business overview 

PFB is a Canadian publicly-traded company incorporated under the Alberta Business Corporations Act. PFB’s corporate 
office is located at 100, 2886 Sunridge Way NE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T1Y 7H9. The principal business activity of 
PFB is manufacturing insulating building products made from expanded polystyrene materials and marketing those 
products in North America. We report our results of operations under two segments; Canada and the United States of 
America (“USA”). 

Plasti-Fab Ltd., the Corporation’s Canadian wholly-owned subsidiary, operates manufacturing and sales facilities in the 
provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario in Canada. PFB America Corporation, the 
Corporation’s wholly-owned subsidiary in the USA, operates manufacturing and sales facilities in the states of Michigan, 
Ohio, and Idaho. 

Our operations are vertically-integrated in that expandable polystyrene resin is manufactured at PFB’s polymer plant 
located in Crossfield, Alberta, for use exclusively in downstream expanded polystyrene (“EPS”) manufacturing operations. 
Expandable polystyrene resin is also sourced from other suppliers to supplement internally produced raw materials. Plasti-
Fab® EPS Product Solutions® supplies EPS foam cores used to manufacture Insulspan® SIPS (Structural Insulating Panel 

3   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
 
Systems). The PFB Custom Homes Group provides a complete supply and installation capability for Precision Craft Log 
& Timber Homes® and Riverbend® Timber Framing structures which are typically sold with an accompanying Insulspan® 
SIPS enclosure package. Complete design services are provided by M.T.N. DesignSM to compliment the product offering. 

Plasti-Fab EPS Product Solutions are products manufactured using EPS as base raw materials, that are delivered to 
customers’ in five market channels: rigid insulation board; insulating building systems; geotechnical engineered 
applications; buoyancy, and products for packaging and display applications. 
Advantage ICF Systems® are insulating concrete forming systems which, by incorporating concrete and steel, are 
employed to build insulated foundations and walls in both residential and commercial construction markets. Insulspan 
SIPS are used to create a building’s structural wall frame and to replaces trusses on roof systems to form an energy-
efficient structural envelope.   

4.  Financial information 

4.1 Financial highlights summary – quarterly 

Years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 
$ thousands except per share amounts 

Sales 
Gross profit 1 

Gross profit % 
Operating income (loss) 1  

Net income (loss) 

Earnings (loss) per share: 

    Basic 

    Diluted 
EBITDA 1 
EBITDA per share 1 

2014 
    Q4 
$ 25,013 

2014 
    Q3 
$ 27,414 

2014 
    Q2 
$ 23,068 

2014 
    Q1 
$ 14,410 

2013 
    Q4 
$ 21,140 

2013 
    Q3 
$ 25,504 

2013 
    Q2 
$ 22,698 

2013 
    Q1 
$ 15,207 

5,574 

22.3 

1,956 

1,116 

0.17 

0.17 

2,921 

0.43 

6,069 

22.1 

2,440 

1,549 

0.23 

0.23 

3,371 

0.50 

3,943 

     925 

3,512 

17.1 

554 

 6.4 

(2,362) 

95 

(1,843) 

0.01 

0.01 

(0.27) 

(0.27) 

1,470 

(1,447) 

0.22 

(0.22) 

16.6 

829 

460 

0.07 

0.07 

1,783 

0.26 

5,211 

20.4 

1,494 

933 

0.14 

0.14 

2,424 

0.38 

3,641 

     1,718 

16.0 

663 

311 

 11.3 

(1,506) 

     5,128 

0.05 

0.05 

1,598 

0.25 

0.77 

0.77 

6,647 

1.00 

1 Non-GAAP financial measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and are therefore unlikely to be comparable 
to similar measures presented by other issuers. Definitions of non-GAAP and additional GAAP measures used in the above table along 
with relevant other notes are detailed in Section 20 of this MD&A. 

PFB’s operations exhibit seasonal variations concurrent with those that generally influence the construction industry, 
including variability in weather patterns. Typically, sales revenues are lowest in the first quarter and highest in the 
second or third quarters of the fiscal cycle.      

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.2 Selected annual financial information for years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 

$ thousands except where indicated 

2014 

2013 

2012 

Operating results 
Consolidated results: 

Sales 
Gross profit  1 
Operating income 1 
Net income  
Funds flow from operations 1 
EBITDA 1 

Sales by operating segment: 

Canada 
USA 

Operating income (loss) by segment: 

Canada 
USA 

Per common share data 
Earnings per share – Basic 
Earnings per share – Diluted 

Dividend paid per share – Regular  
Dividend paid per share – Special 
Funds flow from operations per share 1 
EBITDA per share - Basic 1 
Book value 1 

Financial condition 
Total assets 
Current assets 
Current liabilities 
Non-cash working capital  1 
Property, plant and equipment (net) 
Intangible assets (net) 
Goodwill 
Long-term debt including current portion 
Finance lease obligations including current portion 
Other long-term liabilities 
Shareholders’ equity 1 

Financial ratios 
Gross profit margin 1 
Operating margin 1 
Net income margin 1 
Current ratio 1 
Return on equity 1 

$ 89,905 
16,511 
2,588 
917 
6,182 
6,315 

$ 84,549 
14,082 
1,480 
6,832 
4,083 
12,452 

$ 82,078 
14,827 
111 
130 
3,603 
3,547 

68,994 
20,911 

71,226 
13,323 

70,741 
11,337 

2,551 
148 

2,763 
(1,849) 

2,898 
(1,968) 

0.14 

0.14 
0.24 
- 
0.92 
0.94 
6.35 

69,247 

27,546 
10,600 
8,783 
34,484 
1,298 
2,093 
- 
14,416 
1,931 
42,621 

18.4% 

2.9% 
1.0% 
2.60x  
2.2% 

1.02 

1.02 
0.24 
1.00 
0.61 
1.86 
6.30 

68,895 

26,716 
10,082 
8,914 
34,882 
1,369 
1,968 
- 
14,417 
2,272 
42,377 

16.7% 

1.8% 
8.1% 
2.65x  
15.9% 

0.02 

0.02 
0.24 
- 
0.55 
0.54 
6.36 

62,594 

21,818 
14,707 
7,600 
36,442 
1,513 
1,878 
6,409 
400 
3,705 
43,050 

18.1% 

0.1% 
0.2% 
1.48x  
0.3% 

1 Non-GAAP financial measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and are therefore unlikely to be comparable 
to similar measures presented by other issuers. Definitions of non-GAAP and additional GAAP measures used in the above table along 
with relevant other notes are detailed in Section 20 of this MD&A.  

5   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.  Consolidated results of operations 

The results of PFB’s operations in the United States of America are translated into Canadian dollars on a periodic basis for 
inclusion in the consolidated financial statements. 

Sales 
Consolidated sales in 2014 increased by 6.3% or $5,356 to $89,905 as compared to sales of $84,549 in 2013.  

As described in the reportable operating segments section which follows (Section 6), sales by the USA segment increased 
in 2014 as compared to sales in 2013 whereas sales in the Canadian segment decreased. 

Gross profit 
Gross profit in 2014 was $16,511, an increase of 17.2% or $2,429 as compared to gross profit of $14,082 reported in 2013. 
The gross profit margin in 2014 improved to 18.4% from 16.7% in 2013. Gross profit margins steadily improved in 2014 
as the year progressed through a combination of improved product sales mix, selective price increases, and increased 
volumes.  

Selling expenses 
Consolidated selling expenses increased to $9,000 in 2014 from $8,151 in 2013, an increase of $849.  The expense 
increases were mainly payroll related in the USA segment where sales revenues increased by 57%. 

Administrative expenses 
Consolidated administrative expenses reduced to $4,855 in 2014 from expenses of $5,012 reported in 2013, a decrease of 
$157. One-time administrative expenses in 2013 amounted to $391 as compared to $Nil in 2014.  

Other gains and losses 
In 2014, other losses in the amount of $68 included foreign exchange losses of $101 offset by a gain on the disposal of 
property, plant and equipment of $33. In 2013, significant foreign exchange gains of $953 arose on an inter-segment loan. 
In December 2013, PFB re-capitalized its USA operations by converting the inter-segment loan into equity of the 
subsidiary. This eliminated the associated currency exposure in 2014. 

Gain on sale of real estate 
In the previous year ended December 31, 2013, PFB recorded a gain on the sale of real estate in the amount of $7,297 
which was part of a sale and leaseback transaction completed in March of that year.   

Contingent shares  
In the current year, PFB did not have any contingent shares outstanding. In the previous year ended December 31, 2013, 
PFB concluded a settlement agreement with respect to contingent common shares which resulted in a loss of $80 reported 
in the consolidated statement of income.   

Investment income  
Investment income reported in 2014 was $199 versus $201 in 2013. Investment income consisted of $157 (2013 - $130) 
received in distributions on restricted marketable securities, $29 (2013 - $36) for interest earned on bank balances, and $13 
(2013 - $35) of interest collected from customers on past due trade receivables.   

Finance costs 
Finance costs in 2014 were $1,438 as compared to $1,209 reported in 2013, an increase of $229. Overall, finance costs on 
lease obligations, mostly for buildings, increased from $1,062 in 2013 to $1,435 in 2014. The finance leases for buildings 
began in March of 2013. Accordingly costs in fiscal 2013 were representative of only 9.5 months.  

Interest on bank indebtedness in 2014 reduced to $3 from $43 in 2013 as draws on the operating line were less frequent. 
PFB had no long term debt in 2014 whereas it paid interest expense of $104 on long-term debt in 2013 in the first quarter 
only.  

Income before taxes 
Income before taxes in 2014 was $917 as compared to income before taxes of $6,832 in 2013. Income before taxes in the 
2013 included several one-time occurrences which consisted of a pre-tax gain of $7,297 on the sale of real estate, non-
operating administrative expenses of $391, and a contingent share loss of $80 which combined to increase pre-tax income 
by a net amount of $6,826. Excluding the collective effect of those one-time occurrences from the 2013 results, pre-tax 
income in 2014 increased by $911 on a year-over-year comparative basis.  

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   6 

 
 
 
 
 
Income taxes 
Income tax expense in the current year was $432 as compared to income tax expense of $857 in 2013. The effective tax 
rate in 2014 was 32.0% and was distorted upwards by the combined impact of non-deductible permanent differences and a 
higher tax rate applicable to taxable income in the USA. In 2013, the effective tax rate was 11.2% as a result of a lower tax 
rate being applicable on a significant capital gain arising on the sale of real estate.  

Net income and earnings per share 

Consolidated net income in 2014 was $917 as compared to consolidated net income of $6,832 in 2013. Basic and diluted 
earnings per share of $0.14 in 2014 compared to basic and diluted earnings per share of $1.02 in 2013. However, net 
income in 2013 included a significant after-tax gain of $5,988 on the sale of real estate which was equivalent to basic and 
diluted earnings per share of $0.89.   

The weighted average number of basic and diluted common shares outstanding in the current year was 6,719,412 shares as 
compared to 6,709,494 in 2013.  

6.  Reportable operating segments 

Operating segments 

Description of segments 

Canada 

United States of America (USA) 

Manufacturing and sales operations located in Canada for expanded 
polystyrene (EPS) products and structural insulating panels  
Brands:  Plasti-Fab® EPS Product Solutions®; Advantage ICF System®; 

and Insulspan® SIPS; DuroFoam® 

Manufacturing and sales operations located in the USA for EPS products, 
building systems and structures, design services and installations 
Brands:  Plasti-Fab® EPS Product Solutions®; Insulspan® SIPS; 

Riverbend® Timber Framing; Precision Craft® Log & Timber 
Homes; M.T.N. DesignSM; Total Home Solution®; Point ZeroTM; 
TimberScapeTM 

PFB has two reportable operating segments, Canada and the USA, and each segment mirrors PFB’s accounting policies (as 
described in Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements for year ended December 31, 2014), its internal 
controls and its reporting systems. Segment performance predominantly focuses on the types of goods and services offered 
and their geographical locations of manufacturing and distribution. 

The chief operating decision maker evaluates performance on the basis of operating income or loss, as reported on a 
periodic basis. This performance measure is considered to be the most relevant in evaluating the results of each operating 
segment. 

6.1 Segment revenues and operating income 

Segment sales represent sales revenues directly attributable to each segment. Inter-segment sales have been 
eliminated. There are varying levels of integration between each segment. 

The Canadian segment primarily derives its revenues from the sale of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam products, 
which it manufactures at its facilities in Canada. The USA segment primarily derives its revenues from the sale of 
EPS foam products, customized log and timber structures made at its facilities in the United States, along with the 
provision of design and installation services for its manufactured products. 

Segment operating income (loss) represents the income or loss reported by each segment excluding any allocations for 
corporate income or expense, one-time non-operating expenses, and foreign exchange gains or losses on an inter-
segment loan.  

7   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Information regarding each reportable operating segment for years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 is set out 
below: 

Canada 

USA 

Total for segments 

Corporate - expense 

Corporate - one-time, non-operating expenses 

Foreign exchange gain on inter-segment loan 

Consolidated operating income 

Canadian segment 

Segment sales revenues 

2014 

2013 

Segment operating  
income (loss) 
2014 

2013 

$  68,994 

$  71,226 

$  2,551 

$  2,763 

20,911 

13,323 

$  89,905 

$  84,549 

148 

2,699 

(113) 

- 

2 

(1,849) 

914 

(20) 

(391) 

977 

$  2,588 

$  1,480 

Sales 
Sales reported by the Canadian operating segment decreased from $71,226 in 2013 to $68,994 in 2014, a decrease of 
$2,232 or 3.1%. The entire year-over-year shortfall in sales occurred in the first half of the year and was partly 
attributed to the effects of harsh winter weather conditions which prevailed across most of Canada in the first quarter. 
This caused delays to customers’ projects which had an adverse impact on demand in the second quarter as well. EPS 
foam sales to a large public works project were significantly lower in the current year than equivalent sales in 2013 as 
the project was successfully completed in 2014.  

In the second half of 2014, EPS Foam sales in most regions recovered to end the year ahead of sales in the 
comparative year, with fourth quarter sales being particularly strong. The only exception to this trend was the 
reduction in sales attributed to the completed public works project. Orders and quoting activities remained robust and 
limited improvements in selling prices helped with margin recovery. 

Sales of building systems’ products decreased slightly in the current year as compared to sales in 2013.  

Operating income 
Operating income generated by the Canadian segment in the current year was $2,551, a decrease of $212 or 7.7% 
from operating income of $2,763 in 2013. Similar to the sales revenue trend, the year had two distinctive halves from 
a margins perspective. Margins were squeezed heavily in the first half of the year as a result of major spike in U.S. 
dollar denominated raw material input costs which occurred in the first quarter which also corresponded with a 
weakening Canadian dollar versus the USA dollar, which further aggravated the effect on margins. Input costs 
moderated in the second half of the year although the full benefits were partially dampened by continued depreciation 
of the Canadian dollar. Margins strengthened as the year closed out but the overall improvement was insufficient to 
recover all of the earlier weaknesses. 

SG&A expenses in 2014 were closely aligned with those in 2013. 

USA segment 
Sales 
All operations in the USA contributed to a significant aggregate increase in sales in 2014 as compared to sales 
reported in 2013. Sales in the current year were $20,911 versus sales of $13,323 in 2013, an increase of $7,588 or 
57.0%. These figures are stated in Canadian dollars and a weaker Canadian dollar in 2014 created a favourable 
currency effect when USA segment sales transacted in U.S. dollars are converted for consolidation purposes.  
Excluding the currency translation effects, USA segment sales increased year-over-year by 46.5%. 

Operating income (loss) 
The growth in sales revenues along with a significant improvement in margin quality helped the USA segment convert 
an operating loss of $1,849 reported in 2013 into operating income of $148 in 2014, a positive turnaround of $1,997. 
Payroll related selling expenses increased in 2014, however, the ratio of selling expenses to sales revenues reduced as 
compared to the equivalent ratio in 2013.  

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   8 

 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The USA segment’s operating results for the comparative year have been re-presented to exclude a large unrealized 
foreign exchange gain of $977 which arose on an inter-segment loan that was extinguished at the end of 2013. The re-
presentation provides a more representative year-over-year comparison of the operating performance improvement 
delivered by the USA segment. 

6.2 Segment assets and liabilities 

Management measures capital employed using net segmented assets. The reconciliation of segmented assets and 
segmented liabilities in relation to total consolidated assets and liabilities is set out in the table below: 

Assets 

Liabilities 

Segment assets 
Assets not allocated to segments: 
   Cash and cash equivalents 
   Freehold land and buildings 
   Restricted marketable securities 
   Corporate taxes recoverable 

Total assets 

Segment liabilities 
Liabilities not allocated to segments: 
   Finance lease obligations 
   Corporate taxes payable 

Total liabilities 

Net segment assets 

Canada 
USA 

Other segment information 

Additions to non-current assets: 

Canada 
USA 

Total 

Depreciation and amortization: 

Canada 
USA 
Total 

Inter-segment sales 

As at 
Dec 31, 2014 
$  51,413 

As at 
Dec 31, 2013 
$  51,107 

8,933 
6,642 
2,227 
32 

8,938 
6,458 
2,392 
- 

$  69,247 

$  68,895 

$  12,210 

$  11,007 

14,416 
- 

14,417 
1094 

$  26,626 

$  26,518 

$  32,002 
7,201 

$  32,658 
7,442 

2014 

2013 

$  1,957 
240 

$  788 
116 

$  2,197 

$  904 

$  2,570 
681 

$  3,251 

$  2,429 
735 

$  3,164 

$  2,029 

$  779 

9   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7.  Results of operations - fourth quarters ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 

$ thousands except where indicated 
Consolidated results: 

Sales 
Gross profit 1 
Operating income  1 
Net income 
Funds flow from operations 1 

Earnings per share – Basic 
Earnings per share – Diluted 

2014 

2013 

$ 25,013 
5,574 
1,956 
1,116 
2,772 

0.17 
0.17 

$ 21,140 
3,512 
829 
460 
1,128 

0.07 
0.07 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic and diluted 

6,717,869 

6,735,286 

Sales by operating segment: 

Canada 
USA 

Operating income (loss) by segment: 

Canada 
USA 

17,886 
7,127 

17,027 
4,113 

1,218 
758 

594 
(222) 

1  The definitions of additional GAAP measures used in the above table along with relevant other notes are detailed in Section 20 of this 

MD&A. 

Sales 
Consolidated sales in the fourth quarter of 2014 were $25,013, an increase of $3,873 or 18.3% as compared to sales of 
$21,140 reported in the fourth quarter of 2013. Most of the growth in fourth quarter sales came from the USA segment 
which reported a 73.3% increase with Canadian segment sales increasing by a more modest rate of 5.0% as compared to 
sales in Q4/13.  

Gross profit 
Gross profit, expressed as a percentage of sales, strengthened from 16.6 % in the fourth quarter of 2013 to 22.3% in the 
current year’s quarter. Margins expanded in the Canadian segment as a result of lower  raw material costs  and, in the USA 
segment, as a result of  sales mix that resulted in a higher ratio of PFB manufactured products sales over sales of  services.   

Operating income 
Increased sales and better-quality margins factored into much improved operating income results in the current quarter 
versus Q4/13. Operating income was $1,956 in the current quarter as compared to $829 in Q4/13. The USA segment 
turned an operating loss of $222 in Q4/13 into operating income of $758 in the current quarter.  

Net income and earnings per share 
Net income in the current quarter was $1,116 as compared to a net income of $460 in the comparative quarter of 2013, an 
improvement in net income of $656.  

Basic and diluted earnings per share in the current quarter were $0.17 as compared to basic and diluted earnings per share 
of $0.07 reported for the fourth quarter of 2013.  

Funds flow from operations 
Funds flow from operations in the current quarter was $2,772 as compared to funds flow from operations of $1,128 in the 
comparative quarter of 2013, an improvement of $1,644. The increase in quarterly funds flow was reflective of the 
improvement in net income enhanced by the utilization of tax losses in the USA segment carried over from prior years.  

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   10 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.  Liquidity and capital resources 

Sources of liquidity 
PFB maintained the healthy liquidity position it had at the beginning of the current year and improved funds flow from 
operations further solidified the position. Future liquidity depends on PFB being able to sustain cash flows from operating 
activities in conjunction with the availability of bank credit facilities. PFB anticipates that future liquidity will allow it to 
adequately fund its ongoing business activities including anticipated changes in non-cash working capital, capital 
expenditures, repayment of financial obligations, and payment of regular dividends over the next twelve months.  

PFB’s revolving credit facility was unused as at December 31, 2014, and the Corporation’s bank withdrew the financial 
covenant of having to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalent balances as at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows: 

Cash 
Short-term investments 
Restricted cash 

December 31, 2014  December 31, 2013 

$  5,038 
3,503 
392 

$  8,933 

$  4,362 
4,515 
61 

$  8,938 

As at December 31, 2014, PFB held net cash balances of $8,933, virtually identical to the cash position as at December 31, 
2013. Within the overall cash balance, $3,503 was invested in a premium investment account with a large Canadian bank 
and restricted cash amounted to $392.  

Restricted cash comprises cash collected from certain customers of the USA segment which is contractually segregated 
from other cash as it is held exclusively for disbursements to suppliers and service providers specific to those individual 
customer contracts. 

PFB’s cash balances typically fluctuate throughout the year in line with the seasonality of its business. 

Bank credit facilities 
In May 2014, the Corporation’s Canadian subsidiary changed its credit facility arrangements with a Canadian bank from a 
revolving facility of $8,000 and a non-revolving facility of $4,300 to a single revolving facility of $10,000.  

The new revolving facility is secured by a first ranking security interest in trade receivables and inventories of the 
Canadian subsidiary. Under the facility, the Canadian subsidiary was subject to certain covenants, one of which was a 
financial covenant to maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.25:1. In December 2014, the bank issued 
an amendment to the agreement in which it removed the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio requirement.  

The Corporation continues to provide a guarantee and postponement of claim to the bank in the amount of $10,000 which 
is unchanged from prior agreements with the bank. The interest rate applicable on draws made against the facility is the 
Canadian bank’s prime rate plus 0.5% and the facility carries a monthly standby fee when not being utilized. 

Change in non-cash working capital 
Changes in the individual components making up of non-cash working capital in 2014 and 2013 are highlighted in the 
following table. 

Trade receivables 
Inventories 
Prepaid expenses 
Trade and other payables  
Deferred revenue 
Total non-cash working capital 

2014 

$ 8,931 
8,894 
763 
(7,089) 
(2,716) 
$ 8,783 

2013 

$ 8,785 
8,321 
672 
(7,012) 
(1,852) 
$ 8,914 

Change  

$ 146 
573 
91 
(77) 
(864) 
$ (131) 

In 2014, non-cash working capital decreased by an amount of $131 to $8,783 at the end of the current year from $8,914 in 
2013.  

11   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
 
 
 
Trade receivables increased by $146 in 2014. At the end of 2013, trade receivables in the amount of $8,785 were inclusive 
of $1,340 representing contractual holdbacks whereas the contractual holdback balance had decreased to $245 at the end of 
the current year and the remaining holdback amount was collected in full in March 2015. Excluding the effects of the 
change in holdback amounts, increased trade receivables at the end of 2014 was reflective of increased sales in the fourth 
quarter as compared to in Q4/13. The value of trade receivables written off in the current year decreased to $124 from 
$140 in 2013. 

The carrying cost of inventories at the end of 2014 was $8,894 as compared to $8,321 at the end of 2013, an increase of 
$573. Raw material and work-in-process inventory volumes were at elevated levels.  

Trade and other payables were $77 higher at the end 2014 as compared to at the end of 2013 which was a minor change. 
Deferred revenues increased by $864 in 2014 resulting from an increase in advance deposits collected from customers 
mainly in the USA segment. 

Summary of cash flows 
A summary of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are shown in the following table. 

Net cash flows from (used in): 

Cash from operating activities after changes in non-cash working capital 
Income taxes paid 
Net cash generated by operating activities 
Investing activities 
Financing activities 
Effect of foreign exchange on cash held in foreign currency – gain 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents 

(a)  Operating activities 

2014 

2013 

$ 6,607 
(1,280) 
5,327 
(1,940) 
(3,403) 
11 
$ (5) 

$ 2,868 
(699) 
2,169 
8,990 
(4,035) 
116 
$ 7,240 

In 2014, cash from operating activities after changes in non-cash working capital was $6,607 as compared to $2,868 in 
the comparative year, an increase of $3,739. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to improved net income 
performance as compared to net income in 2013 that was inclusive of two significant non-cash events; firstly, a gain 
on the sale of real estate in the amount of $7,297 and, secondly, an unrealized foreign exchange gain of $1,097 most 
of which arose on an inter-segment loan. In addition, non-cash working capital decreased by $131 in the current year 
versus an increase of $1,314 in the prior year, a favourable net change of $1,445. Deferred operating lease obligations 
of $178 in the current year reflect the timing difference between when amounts are expensed on a straight-line basis 
and when amounts are contractually paid to the lessors. 

Income taxes paid in 2014 were $1,280 versus $699 paid in 2013. The amount of income taxes paid in 2014 included 
taxes arising on the gain on sale of real estate reported in 2013 which were paid in February 2014. 

(b)  Investing activities 

Cash used in investing activities in 2014 was $1,940 as compared to cash from investing activities of $8,990 in 2013, 
a net change of $10,930. The most significant contributor to the net change was the cash proceeds from the disposal of 
lands in 2013 in the amount of $9,662. 

In the current year, purchases of property, plant and equipment (PP&E) were $2,153 and purchases of intangible 
assets were $44 as compared to PP&E purchases of $867 and intangible asset purchases of $37 in 2013, an overall net 
change of $1,293. PP&E expenditures in 2014 were mainly directed at the maintenance of business operations. 

(c)  Financing activities 

Cash used in financing activities in 2014 was $3,403 as compared to $4,035 in 2013, a decrease of $632.  

In 2013, as part of a sale leaseback transaction involving four locations in Canada, proceeds from leaseback financing, 
net of costs, amounted to $12,372 which was realized in Q1/13. Part of those proceeds was used to repay all bank term 
debt in the amount of $6,421. Consequently, PFB has had no long-term debt since that time. 

Repayment of finance lease obligations in 2014, which included buildings and vehicles leases, amounted to $314 as 
compared to lease repayments of $360 in 2013. Finance costs incurred on leases in 2014 were $1,438 as compared to 
finance costs of $1,209 paid in 2013.  

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In both 2014 and 2013, PFB paid regular quarterly dividends of $0.06 per common share in February, May, August, 
and November.  Additionally, in the second quarter of 2013, PFB paid a one-time special dividend in the amount of 
$1.00 per common share which increased total dividends paid in 2013 to an aggregate amount of $8,345 as compared 
to dividends paid in 2014 of $1,613.  

In each of years 2014 and 2013, PFB purchased shares for cancellation under a Normal Course Issuer Bid. In 2014, 
the purchased shares cost $38 with respect to 8,400 shares and in 2013 the purchased shares cost $72 with respect to 
14,800 shares (see the normal course issuer bid section below for more details).  

Outstanding share data 
The issued and outstanding number of common shares as at March 6, 2015 was 6,716,003. 

Capital structure and capital management 
PFB manages its capital structure to ensure its consolidated operations continue to operate as a going concern, to optimize 
returns to shareholders, and to safeguard corporate assets.  

PFB’s capital structure as at December 31, 2014 and 2013, consisted of shareholders’ equity in the amounts of $42,621 
and $42,377, respectively. PFB has had no long-term debt since March 2013.  

PFB considers the amount of capital it requires in proportion to the associated risks. Adjustments may be made to PFB’s 
capital structure in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of the underlying assets. The capital 
structure can be maintained or adjusted in a variety of ways as circumstances may change, including: adjusting the amount 
of dividends paid to shareholders; purchasing shares for cancellation (under Normal Course Issuer Bids); issuing new 
shares; and increasing or repaying any debt financing. 

PFB pursues its capital management objectives by prudently managing the capital generated through internal growth of its 
operations, optimizing the use of lower cost capital when required, and raising share capital when deemed appropriate, to 
fund significant strategic growth initiatives. 

Entities within PFB’s consolidated group have non-capital tax losses carried forward to be utilized against future taxable 
income that is expected to be generated by those entities. 

Share-based options 
PFB did not grant any share options in the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, and no share options were exercised 
in either year.  

Dividends 
In the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Corporation’s Board of Directors declared regular quarterly 
dividends of $0.06 (2013 – $0.06) per common share which were paid in the months of February, May, August and 
November of each year.  

In the year ended December 31, 2013, the Corporation’s Board of Directors declared a one-time, special dividend of $1.00 
per common share which was paid on May 31, 2013. No special dividends were paid in 2014. 

Aggregate dividends paid in the year ended December 31, 2014, amounted to $1,613 (2013 - $8,345). 

Dividends paid by PFB qualify as eligible dividends and satisfy the enhanced gross-up and dividend tax credit change 
enacted under Canadian tax law. 

Normal course issuer bid 
In September 2014, PFB obtained approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange to renew its Normal Course Issuer Bid (the 
“Bid”) program for a 12-month period which commenced on September 11, 2014, and ends no later than September 10, 
2015. The renewal allows PFB to purchase, up to a maximum of 50,000 of its common shares representing 0.74% of 
PFB’s 6,719,703 issued and outstanding common shares as at September 9, 2014, subject to daily maximum purchases of 
1,000 common shares. PFB will purchase from time-to-time its common shares at market prices by means of open market 
transactions on the Toronto Stock Exchange. 

In the year ended, December 31, 2014, the Corporation purchased for cancellation 8,400 (2013 – 14,800) of its common 
shares under the current Bid for an aggregate price of $38 (2013 - $72), of which $12 (2013 - $26) was charged to retained 
earnings as a premium on redemption of the common shares. 

13   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
 
 
9.  Contractual obligations and commitments  

In the normal course of business, PFB is obligated to make future contractual payments. As at December 31, 2014, PFB’s 
contractual obligations and commitments are as outlined in the following table: 

Contractual obligations 
(Payment due periods)  
Finance lease obligations 
Operating leases 
Commitments for PP&E 
     and intangible assets 

Total 

$ 32,677 

17,249 

   Within  
1 year 

$ 1,743 

1,471 

2-3  
years 

$ 3,219 

2,624 

4–5  
years  

Over 
5 years 

$ 3,287 

$ 24,428 

2,127 

11,027 

612 

612 

- 

- 

- 

Total contractual obligations 

$ 50,538 

$ 3,826 

$ 5,843 

$ 5,414 

 $ 35,455 

Finance lease obligations are with respect to buildings in Canada used for manufacturing (see below), automobiles used by 
employees, and minor materials handling equipment. Operating leases are with respect to leases for land, certain facilities 
used in PFB’s operations, and general items of office equipment. 

From time-to-time, under the terms of certain sales contracts, PFB’s subsidiaries may be required to provide performance 
bonds as security.  Performance bonds are considered normal practice for suppliers and contractors participating in larger 
construction projects, usually of a public nature. In the USA, government agencies in certain states have requirements for 
bonds to be posted when certain types of licensing applications are made in those states.  

As at December 31, 2014, the aggregate value of estimated shipments required to satisfy a Canadian contract secured with 
a performance bond was $1,600. In the USA, performance bonds in the amount of $614 were pledged to various 
government agencies as at December 31, 2014. 

10. Financial instruments and financial risks 

Fair value of financial instruments 

PFB’s financial assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis have been classified into one of 
three categories based upon the following fair value hierarchy:  

Level 1:  Fair value is based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for 

identical assets or liabilities. 

Level 2:  Fair value is based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable either 

directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. 

Level 3:  Fair value is based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant 

to the overall fair value measurement. 

A summary of the categories and fair values of financial instruments held by PFB as at December 31, 2014 and 2013, are 
stated in the following table. The carrying cost of each financial instrument for each year in the consolidated balance 
sheets are equal to their fair values.  

Financial instrument 
Cash and cash equivalents  
Restricted marketable securities   Available for sale 
Trade receivables  

Category 
FVTPL 

Measurement 
Fair value 
Fair value 
Loans and receivables 
Amortized cost  N.A. 
Other financial liabilities  Amortized cost   N.A. 
Other financial liabilities  Amortized cost   N.A. 

Hierarchy 
Level 1 
Level 1 

Trade and other payables 

Finance lease obligations 

Deferred operating lease 
obligations 

2014 
Fair Value 
$  8,933 
 2,227 
 8,931 

2013 
Fair Value 
$  8,938 
 2,392 
 8,785 

(7,089) 
(14,416) 

(7,012) 
(14,417) 

Other financial liabilities 

Amortized cost   Level 2 

(178) 

- 

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit risk management 

Credit risk is defined as the risk that PFB’s counterparties in a transaction fail to meet or discharge their obligation to PFB.  

PFB’s exposure to credit risk is associated with trade receivables and the potential risk that any customer is unable to pay 
amounts when due. Allowances for doubtful accounts and bad debts are estimated and maintained as at the balance sheet 
date. The amounts reported for trade receivables on the balance sheet are net of allowances for doubtful accounts and the 
net carrying value represents PFB’s maximum exposure to credit risk. 

PFB’s subsidiaries provide trade credit to their customers in the normal course of business and PFB’s credit policy is 
universally adopted across all its businesses. The policy requires the credit history of each new customer to be closely 
examined before credit is granted, which may involve performing solvency tests if a particular account is expected to 
become significant. It is not normal practice to require customers’ to provide collateral or security as a condition of 
approving trade credit. The diversity of PFB’s customer base and product offering combine to minimize overall exposures 
to credit risks.  

Customers ordering highly-customized manufactured products are required to make advance payments at various 
predefined stages of a sales contract. All payments received in advance of invoicing are reported as deferred revenue under 
the current liability section of the balance sheet. Final contract balances are typically required to be paid in full before 
products are shipped.  

Management diligently reviews past due trade receivables balances on a weekly basis to monitor potential credit risks. 
Accounts are considered for impairment on a case-by-case basis when they are past due or when objective evidence is 
received that a customer may default. A number of factors are considered in determining the likelihood of impairment. All 
bad debt write-offs and changes in the doubtful trade receivables reserve are expensed or credited, as applicable, to selling 
expenses in the consolidated statement of income.   

PFB believes that credit risk associated with its trade receivables is limited for the following reasons: 

  Trade receivables balances are spread amongst a broad customer base which is dispersed across a wide geographic 

range 

  The aging profile of trade receivables balances are systematically monitored by management 
  Larger customers are offered a discount off invoice value if full payment is received by an agreed date in the month 

following the month of sale   

  Payments for highly-customized orders are received in advance of products being shipped 

Potential credit risk associated with contractual holdback amounts pertaining to certain large projects is considered to be 
low as the customers involved are required to provide bonding to the owners of the projects. The credit risk on cash 
balances is limited because the counterparties are large commercial banks in Canada and the United States. 

Payments of interest collected from customers on past due trade receivables balances is included as part of investment 
income in the consolidated statement of income. 

Foreign currency risk  

Currency risk is defined as the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because 
of changes in foreign exchange rates. 

PFB operates in both Canada and the United States of America and is exposed to foreign exchange risks arising from 
changes in foreign exchange rates between the two countries. At the present time, PFB has a net exposure to the United 
States dollar, as the prices of most raw materials used in its businesses are denominated in U.S. dollars. Raw material 
supplies denominated in U.S. dollars are usually paid within thirty days or less of receiving actual deliveries, which is 
consistent with industry practices.  

Periodically, management may commit to entering into foreign exchange contracts to attempt to protect earnings against 
relatively short-term fluctuations in exchange rates. In such cases, management attempts to make informed judgements in 
entering such transactions but there is a possibility that markets may not respond in ways predicted. To the extent that PFB 
does not fully hedge its foreign currency exposure and exchange rate risk, or PFB’s subsidiaries are not able to or do not 
raise their selling prices accordingly when exchange rates are moving in an unfavourable direction, the profitability of the 
business could be adversely affected. PFB does not enter into currency driven derivative financial instruments for 
speculative purposes. PFB did not hold any foreign exchange contracts as at December 31, 2014. 

Historically, PFB has mainly financed its USA operations from internal resources with demand loans denominated in 
Canadian dollars on which the USA operations is exposed to currency risk. As the exchange rate between the Canadian 

15   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
and U.S. dollars fluctuated, unrealized gains and losses arising on the loans were recorded in the consolidated statement of 
income in accordance with IFRS. In December 2013, the USA operations were re-capitalized and the loan outstanding at 
that date was converted into equity of the subsidiary. From that date forward, loan balances have been very minor and 
significant foreign currency volatility was eliminated from the consolidated statement of income. 

Interest rate risk  

Interest rate risk is defined as the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate 
because of change in market interest rates.  

As at December 31, 2014, the Corporation had no long-term debt and the Corporation’s Canadian subsidiary had access to 
a revolving credit facility with a Canadian bank. The revolving credit facility had a limit of $10,000 based on marginable 
trade receivables and inventories and the revolving credit facility was unused (December 31, 2013 – limit of $8,000 and 
facility unused).  

Liquidity risk  

Liquidity risk is defined as the risk that an entity will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with financial 
liabilities. 

The Corporation’s liquidity risk is that it is not able to settle liabilities when due or that it can do so only at an abnormally 
high cost. Accordingly, one of management’s primary goals is to maintain an optimum level of liquidity by actively 
managing assets, liabilities and cash flows generated by operations. The Corporation’s future strategies can be financed 
through a combination of cash flows generated by operations, borrowing under existing credit facilities, and the issuance 
of equity. Management prepares regular budgets and cash flow forecasts to help predict future changes in liquidity.  

11. Off-balance sheet arrangements 

PFB does not believe it has any off balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or 
future material effect on its financial performance or financial condition.  

12. Related party transactions 

All related party transactions are constituted in the ordinary course of business and they have been measured at the agreed 
exchange amounts which approximate fair value. All transactions with related parties have been approved by PFB’s Board 
of Directors.  

Balances and transactions between PFB and its subsidiaries, which are related parties of PFB, have been eliminated on 
consolidation. 

In years 2014 and 2013, PFB had transactions with the following related parties which are summarized in the table below.  

Related party 

Nature of transaction 

2014 

2013 

Increase 
(decrease) 

Aeonian Capital Corporation 
Frank B. Baker and Baker 

Investments, LLC 

James B. Young  
Totals 

Management services 

  $ 350 

  $ 350 

          $ - 

Stipend and travel expenses 
Real property lease 

- 
        - 
  $ 350 

49 
        77 
  $ 476 

 (49) 
     (77) 
        $ (126) 

Aeonian Capital Corporation (“Aeonian”), and its affiliates, owned 2,967,668 (2013 - 2,921,668) common shares of PFB 
representing 44.2% (2013 – 43.4%) of the 6,716,003 issued and outstanding shares as at December 31, 2014. Aeonian is 
controlled by C. Alan Smith, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of PFB. The Corporation is charged fees 
by Aeonian for management services including those provided by Mr. Smith. The fees are reported under administrative 
expenses in the consolidated statement of income. As at December 31, 2014 and 2013, all fees applicable to each year had 
been paid in full.  

Frank B. Baker (Baker Investments, LLC), a director of PFB, ceased to be a related party on May 31, 2013, and James B. 
Young ceased to be a related party effective June 30, 2013.   

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
         
         
     
 
13. Subsequent events 

Declaration of regular quarterly dividend 
On January 30, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.06 per common share which was 
paid on February 27, 2015, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 13, 2015. 

14. Outlook 

Input costs for our key raw material remained at elevated levels throughout most of 2014 which caused a squeeze on 
margins throughout the year. Following the course of crude oil price declines, input costs reduced during the fourth quarter 
of 2014.  The decreases have accelerated further in the first quarter of 2015. At the same time, a weakening Canadian 
dollar exchange rate versus the U.S. dollar partly counteracted the benefits of reducing costs. A continuation of this trend 
could lead to a further recovery in margins in 2015. 

After a difficult start to the 2014 year, operations in Canada generally improved in the final six months and this positive 
trend has carried over to the early part of 2015. The first quarter is the most difficult seasonally from a financial results 
perspective and additional focus has been directed at implementing cost improvement initiatives in our operations. We 
operate in a highly competitive Canadian market for EPS products where impulsive competitor actions can create 
challenging conditions for all participants.  

Our operations in the United States had a successful year in 2014 and we remain cautiously optimistic that the positive 
momentum will continue through 2015. Interest in our customized products manufactured in the USA has remained strong 
and our EPS facility in Lebanon, Ohio, has steadily expanded its regional customer base which we expect to continue in 
2015.  

PFB’s balance sheet remains strong and liquid. 

15. Disclosure controls and procedures (DC&P) 

Subject to the limitation described in the next paragraph, PFB’s DC&P have been designed to provide reasonable 
assurance that all material information relating to PFB and its operations is identified and communicated to the Chief 
Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) as it becomes known so that appropriate decisions can be 
made regarding public disclosures, as required under the continuous disclosure requirements of securities legislation.  

An evaluation of the effectiveness of PFB’s DC&P was conducted as of December 31, 2014, under the supervision of the 
CEO and CFO. Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that PFB’s DC&P, as defined in National 
Instrument 52-109, Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings, have been designed to provide 
reasonable assurance that material information relating to PFB, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to 
them by others in those entities, and to provide reasonable assurance that accurate and complete disclosures in annual and 
interim filings is completed within the time periods specified. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no absolute assurances can be made that PFB’s controls over disclosure will detect or 
prevent all failures of individuals within the organization to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth 
in reports or news releases issued by PFB. 

16. Internal controls over financial reporting 

 Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial reporting to provide 
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial reports for external 
reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP.  

All control systems contain inherent limitations, no matter how well designed and operated. As a result, management 
acknowledges that PFB’s internal controls over financial reporting will not prevent or detect all misstatements due to error 
or fraud. In addition, management’s evaluation of controls can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that all 
control issues that may result in material misstatements, if any, have been detected. 

The CEO and CFO assessed the effectiveness of PFB’s internal controls over financial reporting as at December 31, 2014, 
using the internal control framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission 
in 2013. The assessment concluded that they were effective and that no material weaknesses in PFB’s internal controls 
over financial reporting had been identified. 

17   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
17. Risk management and assessment 

PFB is subject to risks and uncertainties inherent in the operation of its business. Management defines risk as the 
possibility that an event might happen in the future that could negatively affect the financial condition and/or results of 
operations of the Corporation. The following section describes specific and general risks that could affect PFB. The Audit 
Committee and the Board of Directors play an important role in developing risk management programs and reviewing and 
monitoring them on a quarterly basis. As it is difficult to predict whether any risk will happen or its related consequences, 
the actual effect of any risk on PFB’s business could be materially different from anticipated. 

The following descriptions of general and specific risks do not include all possible risks, as there may be other risks 
existing of which the Corporation is currently unaware. 

17.1  Raw material price and supply  

The price of raw materials, specifically, styrene monomer, expandable polystyrene resin, polypropylene copolymers, 
oriented strand board, and raw timbers combined represent a significant portion of manufacturing costs in PFB’s 
businesses. Historically, there have been considerable cyclical and other causes of volatility in the price of these 
materials which is outside the control of PFB. There are no futures markets for these materials available to PFB, 
which limits the ability to lock in prices for fixed periods of time.  

PFB may, from time-to-time, build inventories of both raw materials and finished goods which can lead to the 
assumption of risk due to an inability to match carrying costs to selling prices under certain fixed price sales 
contracts. Conversely, from time to time, PFB may be short of inventory that has been contracted to be delivered 
under fixed price sales contracts that can lead to the assumption of risk also due to an inability to match costs to 
selling prices.  

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) is a brominated flame retardant used in expanded polystyrene (EPS) resin by 
manufacturers to ensure insulation products meet strict building code fire performance requirements when used as a 
component in building assemblies (see environmental section below). Commercially available alternatives to HBCD 
have been developed for use in EPS foam and PFB has successfully production tested a replacement compound. 
However, sufficient quantities of replacement compounds are not commercially available at this time. Over time, 
HBCD availability will begin to diminish as the availability of alternative compounds become readily available. If 
availability of supply of either HBCD or alternative compounds should be adversely impacted then this may pose a 
risk to future raw materials supply. So far, PFB has been able to secure adequate supplies of HBCD to satisfy its 
requirements albeit at increased pricing.  

Management continues to explore opportunities to minimize the impact that price swings in purchasing raw materials 
has on PFB’s earnings. The changing dynamics in the petrochemical industry, primarily driven by world oil prices 
and other global events, and changing dynamics affecting other industries, are difficult to predict. Such changes may 
create the potential for raw material supply disruptions or shortages which would be detrimental to PFB’s operations.  

17.2  Economic and market conditions 

PFB’s business is affected by prevailing general economic conditions, consumer confidence and spending, and both 
the demand for and prices of its EPS products and insulating building systems in those geographic areas in which it 
operates. Weaker economic conditions, the impact of changing mortgage rates and other interest rates potentially 
affecting the construction industry, and the possibility of slowdowns in residential and/or commercial construction 
activity, typically evidenced by the change in the number of building permits issued, may translate into lower 
demand for PFB’s products. Such effects may also adversely affect the financial condition and credit risk of PFB’s 
customers, including their ability to obtain credit to finance their businesses, which could create uncertainty over the 
collectability of trade receivables.  

17.3  Competition 

As a market leader in its industry, PFB faces intense and growing competition from other manufacturers of all sizes 
located in both Canada and the United States, new entrants into the markets we serve, along with manufacturers of 
substitute products which compete with EPS. Competition can affect PFB’s pricing strategies and lower its sales 
revenues and net income. Competition can also affect PFB’s ability to retain existing customers and attract new ones. 
A competitive business climate increases the resolve to provide exceptional customer service, quality products, and 
the need to be price competitive. Management continues to identify ways to grow revenues, manage expenses and 
increase productivity. This requires anticipating and responding quickly to the constant changes in its businesses and 
markets. 

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   18 

 
 
 
 
 
17.4  Currency  

PFB has a net exposure to the U.S. dollar which makes it vulnerable to fluctuations in the foreign exchange rate 
between the Canadian dollar and the U.S. dollar. The timing of foreign exchange rate fluctuations between the 
Canadian dollar and the U.S. dollar can have a significant effect on PFB’s operating results, the effect and magnitude 
of which depends on the product mix of sales and raw material purchases. 

From time-to-time, management may commit to utilizing derivative financial instruments in the normal course of 
business as a means of management of its foreign currency exposure. Management attempts to make informed 
judgements in such transactions but there is the possibility that markets may respond in ways not predicted. To the 
extent that PFB does not fully hedge its foreign currency exposure and exchange rate risk, or PFB’s subsidiaries are 
not able or do not raise their selling prices accordingly when exchange rates are moving in an unfavourable direction, 
the profitability of the business could be adversely affected. 

17.5  Acquisitions 

PFB’s growth strategy includes making strategic acquisitions when possible. There is no assurance that it will find 
suitable companies to acquire or that it will have the financial resources needed to complete any acquisition. There 
could also be challenges integrating the operations of any acquired company with existing operations. 

17.6  Financing and liquidity 

In developing business operations to their full potential, significant capital and operating expenditures may be 
required on an ongoing basis. PFB has historically generated sufficient cash flow from its operations to fund its 
capital expenditure requirements, repay financing obligations, and maintain regular dividend payments. Future 
development of new products and the growth of PFB’s business through internal expansion or by acquisitions may 
depend on access to external financing. PFB’s cash position and existing credit facilities are considered adequate to 
meet its current and medium-term needs. There is no guarantee that financing for future expansion of PFB’s 
operations will be available on acceptable terms, if required.  

17.7  Reputation  

Negative publicity regarding PFB’s business practices, regardless of whether true or false, could adversely affect 
PFB’s reputation which, in turn, could affect its operations, customers, and share value. PFB manages reputational 
risk by placing the utmost importance on corporate governance and full and fair disclosure. Good corporate 
governance practice emanates from an effective board of directors. PFB’s board of directors and its board committees 
have been shaped to competently perform the role of overseeing the appropriate management of PFB’s affairs with 
the objective of maximizing the long-term value of PFB. A detailed summary outlining PFB’s corporate governance 
practices can be found in the most recent Management Information Circular. 

17.8  Trade credit  

PFB’s subsidiaries provide trade credit to their customers in the normal course of business. PFB’s credit policy is 
universally adopted across its businesses. The policy requires the credit history of each new customer to be closely 
examined before credit is granted, which may include performing solvency tests if a particular account is expected to 
become significant. Management diligently reviews past due trade receivables on a weekly basis, which helps 
minimize credit risk. The diversity of PFB’s activities and customer base also helps minimize the credit risk to which 
it may be exposed.    

17.9  Environmental considerations 

Environmental issues are gaining in importance for PFB’s stakeholders. PFB is committed to responsibly managing 
the direct and indirect impact it has on the environment. PFB believes that it is in substantial compliance with 
applicable environmental laws in jurisdictions where it has operations.  PFB takes custody of hazardous materials 
when the goods physically arrive at its facilities. All construction materials must adhere to fire safety requirements 
during their manufacture, transportation and storage. HBCD is a brominated flame retardant used in EPS resin by 
manufacturers to ensure insulation products meet strict building code fire performance requirements when used as a 
component in building assemblies. Environment Canada and Health Canada have published a Screening Assessment 
Report on HBCD. The report concluded that HBCD is not entering the environment in a quantity or under conditions 
that constitute or may constitute a risk in Canada to human life or health but that HBCD meets the criteria to be 
labeled as toxic to the environment. PFB will continue to work with Environment Canada and other industry partners 
to develop a risk management strategy for HBCD. A sustainable alternative flame retardant to replace HBCD has 
been tested but commercial quantities of the compound are unavailable at this time. 

19   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
 
17.10 Information technology 

PFB makes extensive use of information technology in conducting its businesses. This involves web-based 
connections, access to secure, centrally located servers and databases, and maintaining both existing and 
implementing new business software applications. The security and safeguarding of information technology assets 
and protocols will continue to be increasingly important to PFB. PFB minimizes its exposure to I.T. risks by 
continuously reviewing its access and application controls, performing disaster recovery testing, locating its 
backbone I.T. assets in an industry-leading secure location, and hiring and training specialist employees with respect 
to the protection and use of I.T. assets and related intellectual property. Failure in the completeness, accuracy, 
availability or security of PFB’s information systems or a breach of data security could adversely affect its 
operations and financial results. Correspondingly, computer viruses, cyber-attacks, security breaches, 
unforeseen natural disasters and related events or disruptions could result in information systems failures that 
may adversely affect PFB’s operations and financial results.  

17.11 Seasonality and climatic factors affecting the construction industry 

Due to the seasonal nature of the construction industry, PFB’s actual reported sales exhibit variations when viewed 
on a quarter-by-quarter basis. Typically, sales are weakest in the first quarter of the year and strongest in the second 
or third quarters. Sales in any quarter can be significantly influenced by weather events, particularly the timing of 
when winter begins and ends, and the severity thereof.  

17.12 Plant and facilities 

PFB operates a number of manufacturing facilities across North America, most of which operate at or near capacity 
for significant portions of the year.  Any disruption to operations at any plant and facility arising from natural or 
man-made causes such as fire, flood, labour disputes, interferences with access or egress, or other events, could have 
a material impact on PFB and its business operations. 

17.13 Employee future benefits 

A defined benefit pension plan (the “Plan”) exists for certain Ontario-based employees who are members of the 
United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied industrial and Service Workers 
International union.  Effective January 1, 2013, PFB adopted IAS 19 (as revised in 2011). The latest accounting 
valuation of the Plan calculated in accordance with IAS 19 (as revised in 2011) was completed as at December 31, 
2014, and it identified that the Plan had a decreased net liability arising from defined benefit obligations of $56 
compared to $76 at the end of the comparative year. Throughout 2014 and 2013, PFB made both normal service and 
special payment contributions to the Plan. The actual rate of return on plan assets and changes in interest rates and 
other variables could result in changes in PFB’s funding requirements for the Plan. The Plan assets are not immune 
to market fluctuations and, as a result, PFB may be required to make additional cash contributions in future. 

PFB operates group 401K plans for all qualifying employees located in Michigan, Ohio and Idaho, USA, in which 
qualifying employees may elect to defer current wages for retirement. PFB has the option to match employee 
contributions to the plans. The plans were consolidated into a single plan effective January 1, 2012. The assets of the 
plan are held separately from those of PFB by a trust company which is governed by a custodial agreement 
(ERISA). PFB also utilizes the services of registered investment brokers and third party administrators in the 
fulfillment of its actuarial and fiduciary responsibilities with respect to the plans. 

17.14 Human resources 

PFB’s success depends on the abilities, experience, engagement, and succession of its management teams. The loss 
of key employees through either attrition or retirement could adversely impact the Company’s future business and 
financial results. PFB attempts to mitigate these risks by offering competitive compensation and benefits packages, 
training, succession planning, and providing a positive cultural environment. 

17.15 Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Operating Leases 

The Corporation does not believe it has any off balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to 
have, a current or future material effect on its financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. 

17.16 Internal and Disclosure Controls 

Ineffective internal controls over financial reporting or inadequate disclosure controls could result in an increased 
risk of a material mis-statement in financial reporting and public disclosures. In accordance with guidelines adopted 
for publicly-traded companies in Canada, PFB assesses the effectiveness of its internal and disclosure controls using 
a top-down, risk-based approach in which both qualitative and quantitative measures are considered. An internal 
control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, but not absolute, 

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   20 

 
 
 
 
assurance to management and the Board of Directors regarding the achievement of results. PFB’s current systems of 
internal and disclosure controls places reliance on key personnel across the Company to perform a variety of control 
functions which include performing reviews, analysis, reconciliations and monitoring. The undetected failure of 
individuals performing such functions or implementing controls as designed could adversely impact PFB’s financial 
results. 

17.17 Volatility of Market Share Price 

The market price of PFB’s common shares may be volatile and could be subject to fluctuations in response to 
quarterly variations in financial results or other events or factors. Consequently, broad market fluctuations or the 
failure of PFB’s financial results to meet expectations in a particular reporting period may adversely affect the 
market price of its common shares. 

18.  Critical accounting judgements and estimates 

In the application of PFB’s accounting policies, as described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for the 
years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, management is required to make judgments, estimates and assumptions about 
the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on a combination of 
historical experience, available knowledge of current conditions, and other factors that are considered to be reasonable and 
relevant under the circumstances. Actual costs and outcomes may significantly differ from these estimates and 
assumptions.  

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are 
recognized in the year in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that year or in the year of the revision 
and future years if the revision affects both current and future years.  

The following are the key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimating uncertainty at the end of 
the reporting year, that have a significant risk of causing material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and 
liabilities within the next financial year.    

18.1  Cash-generating unit (“CGU”) 

Determination of which assets constitutes a CGU is subject to management judgements. Also, the asset composition 
of a CGU can directly impact the recoverability of assets included therein. The recoverable amount of a CGU is 
assessed at the CGU level and is the higher of the CGU’s fair value less costs of disposal and its value in use. A CGU 
may be impaired when its carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. Key assumptions used for the value in 
use calculations are set out in Note 14 of the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 
31, 2014. 

 18.2 Impairment of goodwill 

Determining whether goodwill is impaired requires an estimation of the value in use of the cash-generating unit(s) to 
which goodwill has been allocated. The value in use calculation requires management to estimate the future cash 
flows expected to arise from the cash-generating unit and determining a suitable discount rate in order to calculate 
present value.  

In the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, no impairment of goodwill was recognized. Notwithstanding, 
reasonable changes in one or more of the variable assumptions or the discount rate used to estimate the present value 
of future cash flows could have a bearing on the valuation outcomes and conclusions. 

18.3 Impairment of tangible and intangible assets 

Determining whether tangible and intangible assets are impaired requires an estimation of the value-in-use of the 
cash-generating units to which they have been allocated. The value-in-use calculation requires management to 
estimate the future cash flows expected to arise from the cash-generating unit and a suitable discount rate to be 
determined in order to calculate present value.  

In the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, no impairment of intangible and intangible assets was recognized. 
Notwithstanding, reasonable changes in one or more of the variable assumptions or the discount rate used to estimate 
the present value of future cash flows could have a bearing on the valuation outcomes and conclusions. 

21   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
 
 
18.4 Valuation of inventories 

Management reviews the carrying amount of finished goods inventories at the end of each reporting year and the 
recorded amount is adjusted to the lower of cost or net realizable value.  As part of the review, management is 
required to make certain assumptions when determining expected realizable amounts.  

An inventory reserve is maintained for slow-moving raw materials and work-in-progress inventories. The value of 
slow-moving inventories is based on management’s assessment of market conditions for its products as determined 
by historical usage and estimated future demand. Any write downs in value may be reversed if the circumstances 
which caused them no longer exist. 

18.5 Allowance for doubtful accounts 

Management reviews the aging profile of trade receivables on a customer-by-customer basis at least at the end of 
each reporting year and an allowance for doubtful accounts reserve is maintained. The value of the allowance for 
doubtful accounts reserve typically tracks the seasonality trend of trade receivables. Specific reserves may be created 
for individual customers in exceptional circumstances. Bad debts are written off against the reserve. 

18.6 Income taxes 

PFB is subject to income taxes in both Canada and the USA. When preparing current and future tax expense at the 
end of each reporting year, management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions regarding the timing 
of when temporary differences will reverse and tax rates that will be in force at that time. Unknown future events and 
circumstances, such as changes in tax rates and laws, may materially affect the assumptions and estimates made from 
one year to the next and thereby affect the consolidated financial statements. 

18.7 Measurement of retirement benefits 

Post-employment benefits are accounted for on an actuarial basis. PFB engages the services of an independent 
actuary to perform valuations of PFB’s defined benefits plan and the actuary provides a certified opinion thereon. For 
inclusion in the valuation, management is required to make certain assumptions including an appropriate discount 
rate and the estimated return of plan assets. The estimates are reviewed for reasonableness by the actuary. Due to the 
nature of the assumptions made and used in the valuations, there is the potential for fluctuations of a material nature 
in the value of the defined benefits in future years. 

18.8 Property, plant and equipment 

PFB estimates the useful life of property plant and equipment that it owns or is held under a finance lease. The actual 
useful life of assets and components of assets could vary significantly from the estimated useful lives used in 
determining periodic depreciation expense. Additionally the amortization of financial lease obligations associated 
with leasing these assets can be based on parameters that are notional and not precisely measured. The effect of 
employing these estimates does not necessarily match cash flows from operations with costs recorded as expense. 
Management reviews the useful lives of the assets at least annually to ensure that expected and actual lives are as 
closely aligned as is practical. 

18.9 Finance leases 

Management uses judgment in determining whether a lease should be accounted for as a finance lease. In doing so, 
management considers the lease terms and, in some cases, those terms may not always conclusively support the 
classification as a finance lease. Management used judgment when determining the fair value allocation between land 
and buildings in each of the sale and leaseback transactions completed in 2013. 

19. Application of new and revised International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) 

19.1 New and revised IFRSs affecting amounts reported and/or disclosures in the consolidated financial statements 

The Corporation has applied a number of new and revised IFRSs issued by the International Accounting Standards 
Board (IASB) that are mandatorily effective for an accounting year that begins on or after January 1, 2014. 

  Amendments to IAS 32 Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities 

Amendments to IAS 32 clarify the requirements relating to the offset of financial assets and financial liabilities. 
Specifically, the amendments clarify the meaning of ‘currently has a legally enforceable right to set-off’ and 
‘simultaneous realization and settlement’.  

The amendments to IAS 32 had no material impact on the disclosures or on the amounts recognized in the 
consolidated financial statements. 

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   22 

 
 
 
 
  Amendments to IAS 36 Recoverable Amount Disclosures for Non-Financial Assets 

The overall effect of the amendments is to reduce the circumstances in which the recoverable amount of assets or 
cash-generating units is required to be disclosed, clarify the disclosures required, and to introduce an explicit 
requirement to disclose the discount rate used in determining impairment (or reversals) where the recoverable 
amount (based on fair value less costs of disposal) is determined using a present value technique. 

The amendments to IAS 36 had no material impact on the disclosures or on the amounts recognized in the 
consolidated financial statements. 

  Amendments to IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement 

All recognized financial assets that are within the scope of IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and 
Measurement are required to be subsequently measured at amortized cost or fair value. Specifically, debt 
investments that are held within a business model whose objective is to collect the contractual cash flows, and 
that have contractual cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal outstanding 
are generally measured at amortized cost at the end of subsequent accounting periods. All other debt investments 
and equity investments are measured at their fair value at the end of subsequent accounting periods. In addition, 
under IFRS 9, entities may make an irrevocable election to present subsequent changes in the fair value of an 
equity investment (that is not held for trading) in other comprehensive income, with only dividend income 
generally recognized in profit or loss. 

The amendments to IAS 39 had no material impact on the disclosures or on the amounts recognized in the 
consolidated financial statements. 

  Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12, and IAS 27 Investment Entities 

Investment Entities (Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 27) apply to a particular class of business that 
qualify as investment entities. The IASB uses the term ‘investment entity’ to refer to an entity whose business 
purpose is to invest funds solely for returns from capital appreciation, investment income or both. An investment 
entity must also evaluate the performance of its investments on a fair value basis. Such entities could include 
private equity organizations, venture capital organizations, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and other 
investment funds. Under IFRS 10, Consolidated Financial Statements, reporting entities were required to 
consolidate all investees that they control (i.e. all subsidiaries). Now, the Investment Entities amendments 
provide an exception to the consolidation requirements in IFRS 10 and require investment entities to measure 
particular subsidiaries at fair value through profit or loss, rather than consolidate them. The amendments also set 
out disclosure requirements for investment entities.  

The amendments of IFRS 10, IFRS 12, and IAS 27 had no material impact on the disclosures or on the amounts 
recognized in the consolidated financial statements. 

  Amendments to IAS 19 Employee Benefits 

Employee Benefits are amended to clarify how contributions from employees or third parties should be 
apportioned to the period of employee service. A practical expedient permits contributions to be recognized as a 
reduction in the service costs if the contributions are independent of the years of service.    

The amendments of IAS 19 had no material impact on the disclosures or on the amounts recognized in the 
consolidated financial statements. 

  Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2010-2012 & 2011-2013 Cycle 

The IASB’s issued its Annual Improvements Cycle 2010-2012 & 2011-2013in 2014. Each amendment has been 
reviewed, considered and adopted as appropriate. 

 

IFRIC 21 Levies 
Provides guidance on when to recognize a liability for a levy imposed by a government, both for levies that are 
accounted for in accordance with IAS 37, Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets and those 
where the timing and amount of the levy is certain.  

The application of IFRIC 21 had no material impact on the disclosures or on the amounts recognized in the 
consolidated financial statements. 

23   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
 
 
19.2 New and revised IFRSs in issue but not yet effective 

 

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers 
The new standard outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising 
from contracts with customers. It supersedes the IASB’s current revenue recognition guidance including IAS 18 
Revenue, IAS 11 Construction Contracts, and related interpretations.  

The core principle of the new standard is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised 
goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be 
entitled in exchange for those goods and services. 

IFRS 15 was issued in May 2014 and applies to reporting periods on or after January 1, 2017, with earlier 
adoption permitted.  

The Corporation has not determined at this time what impact, if any, adopting the new standard will have on its 
consolidated financial statements.  

  Amendments to IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements: Accounting for Acquisition of Interests in Joint Operations 
The objective of the amendment is to add new guidance to IFRS 11 on accounting for the acquisition of an 
interest in a joint operation in which the activity of the joint operation constitutes a business, as defined in IFRS 
3 Business Combinations. Acquirers of such interest are to apply the relevant principles on business combination 
accounting in IFRS 3 and other standards, as well as disclosing the relevant information specified in these 
standards for business combinations. The most significant impact will be on the recognition of goodwill, if 
applicable, and the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities.  

The amendments were issued in May 2014 and apply to reporting periods on or after January 1, 2016 with earlier 
adoption permitted.  

The Corporation has determined that, at this time, the amendments will not have any effect on its consolidated 
financial statements. 

  Amendments to IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment, and IAS 38 Intangible Assets: Clarification of 

Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and Amortization 
In issuing the amendments, the IASB has clarified that the use of revenue-based methods to calculate the 
depreciation of an asset is not appropriate because revenue generated by an activity that includes the use of an 
asset generally reflects factors other than the consumption of the economic benefits embodied in the asset. The 
IASB also clarified that revenue is generally presumed to be an inappropriate basis for measuring the 
consumption of the economic benefit embodied in an intangible asset. This presumption can only be rebutted in 
two limited circumstances: (a) the intangible asset is expressed as a measure of revenue and (b) the revenue and 
consumption of the intangible asset are highly correlated.  

The amendments were issued in May 2014 and are to be applied prospectively and effective for annual reporting 
periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016 with earlier adoption permitted.  

The Corporation has determined that, based on its current depreciation and amortization policies, the 
amendments will not have any effect on its consolidated financial statements. 

 

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments 
The new standard outlines a comprehensive response for entities to use in accounting for financial instruments. It 
replaces the IASB’s current IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.  The core principles 
of the new standard incorporate a single principle-based approach to classification and measurement, the 
introduction of a new, expected-loss impairment model for the recognition of expected credit losses, a reformed 
model for hedge accounting, derecognition, and changes to the so-called ‘own credit’ issue.  

IFRS 9 was issued in July 2014 and applies to reporting periods on or after January 1, 2016 with earlier adoption 
permitted.  

The Corporation has not determined at this time what impact, if any, adopting the new standard will have on its 
consolidated financial statements. 

  Amendments to IFRS 14 Regulatory Deferral Accounts  

The amendments are applicable to first-time adopters of IFRS with rate-regulated activities, permitting a 
transitional approach to regulatory deferral account balances.   

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   24 

 
 
 
 
The Corporation has determined that, the amendments will not have any effect on its consolidated financial 
statements. 

  Amendments to IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment, and IAS 41 Agriculture  

IAS 16 now includes bearer plants within its scope rather than IAS 41, allowing such assets to be accounted for 
as property, plant and equipment and measured after initial recognition on a cost or revaluation basis in 
accordance with IAS 16.  

The amendments were issued in June 2014 and are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 
January 1, 2016, with earlier adoption permitted.  

The Corporation has determined that, the amendments will not have any effect on its consolidated financial 
statements. 

  Amendments to IAS 27 Equity Method in Separate Financial Statements 

In issuing the amendments, the IASB has reinstated the equity method as an accounting option for investment in 
subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates in an entity’s separate financial statements. Separate financial 
statements are not required by IFRSs, but may be required by local regulation or other financial statement users 
to measure investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates. The amendments allow an entity to account 
for investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates in its separate financial statements:  

i)  at cost,  
ii)  in accordance with IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, or 
iii) in accordance with IFRS 28 Investment in Associates and Joint Ventures      

The amendments were issued in August 2014 and are to be applied retrospectively and effective for annual 
reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016 with earlier adoption permitted.  

The Corporation has determined that, at the present time, the amendments will not have any effect on its 
consolidated financial statements. 

  Amendments to IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements, and IAS 28 Investments in Associates and 

Joint Ventures  
Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28 are based on the IASB’s publication of ‘Sale or Contribution of Assets 
between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture’ to address a conflict between the requirements of IAS 28 
and IFRS 10 and clarify that in a transaction involving an associate or joint venture the extent of gain or loss 
recognition depends on whether the assets sold or contributed constitute a business.  

The amendments were issued in September 2014, are to be applied prospectively, and are effective for annual 
reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016, with earlier adoption permitted.  

The Corporation has determined that, at this time, the amendments will not have any effect on its consolidated 
financial statements. 

  Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2012-2014 Cycle 

The IASB’s Annual Improvements Cycle 2012-2014 was issued in September 2014 and makes amendments to 
the following four standards: 

 

 

 

 

IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations 

IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures 

IAS 19 Employee Benefits 

IFRS 34 Interim Financial Reporting 

The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016, with earlier 
adoption permitted. Entities are permitted to early adopt any individual amendment without early adopting all 
other amendments.  

The Corporation has determined that, at this time, the amendments will not have any effect on its consolidated 
financial statements. 

25   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
 
 
 

IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements 
On December 18, 2014, the IASB amended certain disclosure requirements within IAS 1, as part of a broad, 
ambitious review of disclosure requirements and professional judgments as part of a ‘Disclosure Initiative’ 
project. The amendments clarify:  

 

Immaterial information can detract from useful information, 

  Materiality applies to the whole of the financial statements,  

  Materiality applies to each disclosure requirement in an IFRS,  

  Removing an interpretation as to any specific order of the notes in the financial statements,  

  Flexibility & judgments related to accounting policy disclosures.  

The amendments are to be applied prospectively, and are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or 
after January 1, 2016, with earlier adoption permitted.  

The Corporation has determined that, at this time, the amendments will not have any effect on its consolidated 
financial statements. 

  Amendments to IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements, IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interest in Other 

Entities and IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures 
Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 28 were issued on December 18, 2014 and address issues in applying 
the consolidation exception for investment entities. The amendments clarify exemptions from preparing 
consolidated financial statements for an intermediate parent entity, a subsidiary providing related services, 
application issues of the equity method to an associate or a joint venture and additional disclosure requirements 
under IFRS 12 for investment entities measuring all subsidiaries at fair value. 

20. Non-GAAP and additional GAAP measures 

PFB uses measurements primarily based on IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and also 
additional non-GAAP measurements.  

The additional non-GAAP measures used by PFB are considered to be useful as complimentary measures in assessing 
PFB’s financial performance, liquidity and financial position. Non-GAAP measurements do not have a standardized 
meaning prescribed by IFRS and, as such, are unlikely to be comparable in definition to similar measures presented by 
other companies.   

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
The definitions of non-GAAP and additional GAAP measurements used in this MD&A can be found in the section below. 

Measure 

Definition 

Funds flow from operations 

EBITDA 

Net cash from operating activities before changes in non-cash working capital, 
unrealized foreign exchange gain or loss relating to non-cash working capital, and 
income taxes paid or recovered.   

EBITDA represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. 
EBITDA is a measure of our operating profitability and provides an indication of the 
results generated by our business activities prior to how the activities are financed, 
how assets are depreciated and amortized, or how results are taxed. 

Funds flow from operations 

per share 

Funds flow from operations divided by the weighted average number of shares 
issued and outstanding for the year. 

EBITDA per share 

EBITDA divided by the basic weighted average number of shares outstanding. 

Gross profit 

Operating income 

Non-cash working capital 

Gross profit represents sales less cost of sales 

Operating income shows us how we have performed before the effects of certain 
non-operating expenses, financing decisions and taxes. 

A financial measure to monitor how much capital we have committed to the day-to-
day operations of our business. Non-cash working capital represents current assets 
(excluding cash or cash equivalents, and income taxes recoverable) less current 
liabilities (excluding income taxes payable and current portions of finance lease 
obligations). 

Book value 

Shareholders’ equity divided by the actual number of common shares outstanding as 
at December 31 each year. 

Shareholders’ equity 

Share capital, retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive income. 

Gross profit margin 

Gross profit divided by sales. 

Operating margin 

Gross profit less selling expenses, administrative expenses and other gains (losses) 
divided by sales. 

Net income margin 

Net income divided by sales. 

Current ratio 

Return on equity 

Current assets divided by current liabilities. 

A financial measure used to assist in analyzing shareholder value. Net income for 
the year divided by opening shareholders’ equity. 

The following table shows the reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and related per share amounts for the years ended 
December 31: 

Net income 
Add back (deduct): 
Income taxes 
Finance costs 
Investment income 
Depreciation 
Amortization 

EBITDA 

EBITDA per share 

27   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

2014 

$ 917 

2013 

$ 6,832 

432 
1,438 
(199) 
3,511 
216 
$ 6,315 

$ 0.94 

857 
1,209 
(201) 
3,495 
260 
$ 12,452 

$ 1.86 

2012 

$  130 

(407) 
495 
(25) 
3,169 
185 
$  3,547 

$ 0.54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table shows the reconciliation of quarterly net income to quarterly EBITDA and related per share amounts 
for each of the quarters in 2014 and 2013: 

Net income (loss) 
Add back (deduct): 
Income taxes 
Finance costs 
Investment income 
Depreciation 
Amortization 

EBITDA 1 
EBITDA per share 1 

2014 
    Q4 

2014 
    Q3 

2014 
    Q2 

2014 
    Q1 

2013 
    Q4 

2013 
    Q3 

2013 
    Q2 

2013 
    Q1 

 $ 1,116 

$  1,549 

  $  95 

 $ (1,843) 

$  460 

$  933 

$  311 

$  5,128 

532 
359 
(51) 
898 
67 

576 
359 
(44) 
882 
49 

141 
362 
(44) 
868 
48 

(817) 
358 
(60) 
863 
52 

77 
359 
(67) 
869 
85 

270 
342 
(51) 
869 
61 

48 
360 
(56) 
878 
57 

462 
148 
(27) 
879 
57 

2,921 

3,371 

1,470 

(1,447) 

1,783 

2,424 

1,598 

6,647 

0.43 

0.50 

0.22 

(0.22) 

0.26 

0.38 

0.25 

1.00 

Stephen P. Hardy 
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 
March 6, 2015 

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management's Report 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of PFB Corporation and all information included therein is the responsibility of 
the management of the Corporation and has been reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors upon recommendation by the 
Audit Committee.  

Management has prepared the consolidated financial statements based on the information available and in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. The consolidated financial 
statements and other financial information have been prepared using the accounting policies described in Note 2 to the consolidated 
financial statements and reflect management’s best estimates and judgments based on available information. Financial information 
presented throughout this report is consistent with data presented in the consolidated financial statements. 

PFB Corporation maintains systems of internal controls in order to provide reasonable assurance that the consolidated financial 
statements are accurate and complete in all material respects. These systems include established policies and procedures, the selection 
and training of qualified personnel, and an organization structure providing for appropriate delegation of authority and segregation of 
responsibilities.  

The Board of Directors discharges its duties related to the consolidated financial statements by reviewing and approving financial 
information prepared by management and through the activities of its Audit Committee. The Audit Committee, made up of four 
unrelated and independent directors, meets with management and its responsibilities include reviewing the consolidated financial 
statements. The Audit Committee also meets with the Corporation’s independent auditors to discuss the audit approach, and the results 
of their audit examination prior to recommending approval of the consolidated financial statements to the Board of Directors. 

The shareholders’ auditor, Deloitte LLP, Chartered Accountants, have audited the consolidated financial statements as at and for the 
years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, in accordance with Canadian Generally Accepted Auditing Standards. Their independent 
report outlines the scope of their examination and opinion on the consolidated financial statements and is presented herein. 

C. Alan Smith                      Stephen P. Hardy 
Chairman, President                Vice President 
and Chief Executive Officer       and Chief Financial Officer 
March 6, 2015                      March 6, 2015 

29   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 

To the Shareholders of PFB Corporation 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of PFB Corporation, which comprise the consolidated 
balance sheets as at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and the consolidated statements of income, consolidated 
statements of comprehensive income, consolidated statements of changes in equity and consolidated statements of cash flows 
for the years then ended, and the notes to the consolidated financial statements.  

Management's Responsibility for the Consolidated Financial Statements 
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance 
with International Financial Reporting Standards, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to 
enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or 
error. 

Auditor's Responsibility 
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our 
audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards.  Those standards require that we comply with ethical 
requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial 
statements are free from material misstatement. 

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated 
financial statements.  The procedures selected depend on the auditor's judgment, including the assessment of the risks of 
material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, 
the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity's preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial 
statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing 
an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's internal control.  An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of 
accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the 
overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained in our audits is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit 
opinion.  

Opinion 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of PFB 
Corporation as at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and its financial performance and its cash flows for the years 
then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.  

Chartered Accountants  
March 6, 2015 
Calgary, Alberta

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   30 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets 
As at December 31, 2014 and 2013 
Thousands of Canadian dollars  

ASSETS 

Current assets  

Cash and cash equivalents 
Trade receivables 
Inventories 
Income taxes recoverable 
Prepaid expenses 
Total current assets 
Non-current assets 

Restricted marketable securities 
Property, plant and equipment 
Intangible assets 
Goodwill 
Deferred income tax assets 

Total non-current assets 

Total assets 
LIABILITIES 

Current liabilities 

Trade and other payables 
Deferred revenue 
Income taxes payable 
Finance lease obligations 

Total current liabilities 
Non-current liabilities 

Finance lease obligations 
Deferred operating lease obligations 
Accrued defined benefit pension plan  
Deferred income tax liabilities 

Total non-current liabilities 
Total liabilities 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY 

Common shares 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 
Retained earnings 
Shareholders’ equity 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity 

  Note 

December 31, 2014 

December 31, 2013 

9 
10 
11 
7 

19, 21 
12 
13 
14 
7 

16 
7 
19 

19 
18 
15 
7 

20 

$  8,933   
8,931 
8,894 
25 
763 
27,546 

2,227 
34,484 
1,298 
2,093 
1,599 
41,701 
$  69,247  

$  7,089   
2,716 
474 
321 
10,600 

14,095 
178 
56 
1,697 
16,026 
26,626 

20,947 
928 
20,746 
42,621 
$  69,247 

$  8,938 
8,785 
8,321 
- 
672 
26,716 

2,392 
34,882 
1,369 
1,968 
1,568 
42,179 
$  68,895 

$  7,012 
1,852 
965 
253 
10,082 

14,164 
- 
76 
2,196 
16,436 
26,518 

20,973 
(50) 
21,454 
42,377 
$  68,895 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 24), and operating leases (Note 23). 

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

Approved by the Board of Directors 

C. Alan Smith                              Gordon G. Tallman 
Director                                    Director 

31   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Income  
For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 
Thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts  

Sales 
Cost of sales  

Gross profit 
Selling expenses 
Administrative expenses 
Administrative expenses – one-time, non-operating 
Other (losses) gains  

Operating income 
Gain on sale of real estate 
Contingent shares – loss  
Investment income 
Finance costs 

Income before taxes 
Income tax expense 

Net income for the year 

Earnings per share - $ per share 

Basic & diluted 

Note 

2014 

2013 

$  89,905   
(73,394) 

$  84,549 
(70,467) 

16,511 
(9,000) 
(4,855) 
- 
(68) 

2,588 
- 
- 
199 
(1,438) 

1,349 
(432) 

14,082 
(8,151) 
(5,012) 
(391) 
952 

1,480 
7,297 
(80) 
201 
(1,209) 

7,689 
(857) 

$  917   

$  6,832 

$  0.14   

$  1.02 

6 

7 

8 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – Basic & diluted  

8 

6,719,412 

6,709,494 

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

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   32 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income  
For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 
Thousands of Canadian dollars 

Net income for the year 

$  917 

$  6,832 

Note 

2014 

2013 

Other comprehensive income (loss): 

Items that may subsequently be reclassified to income: 

Foreign currency translation adjustments 

Exchange differences on translating foreign operations  
(net of tax $nil) 

Restricted available for sale financial assets  

19, 21 

Unrealized loss on available for sale financial assets, net of tax 

Items that will not be subsequently reclassified to income:   

Defined benefit pension plan valuation change 

Unrealized (loss) gain  on valuation change, net of tax 

Other comprehensive income (loss) for the year 

Comprehensive income for the year 

All comprehensive income in each year is attributable to the shareholders of the Corporation. 

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

1,147 

(122) 

(124) 

(124) 

(105) 

(105) 

(45) 

(45) 

184 

184 

978 

(43) 

$  1,895   

$  6,789 

33   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity 
As at December 31, 2014 and 2013 
 Thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares 

Common shares 

Note 

No. of 
Shares 

Share 
capital 

6,764,203  $  20,064 

Balance at January 1, 2013 

Net income for the year 

Other comprehensive (loss) income for the year, net of tax 

Total comprehensive income (loss) for the year 

Payment of dividends 

Shares repurchased pursuant to normal course issuer bid 

Settlement of contingent shares held in escrow 

Cancellation of contingent shares held in escrow 

20 

20 

- 

(14,800) 

- 

(25,000) 

- 

(46) 

955 

- 

Accumulated other comprehensive income 
Defined 
benefit 
pension plan 
valuation 
change,  
net of taxes 

Unrealized  
loss on 
available for 
sale assets,  
net of taxes 

Foreign 
currency 
translation 
adjustments 

Retained 
earnings 

Total 

$  58 

- 

(122) 

(122) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

$  - 

- 

(105) 

(105) 

- 

- 

- 

- 

$  (65) 

$  22,993 

$  43,050 

- 

184 

184 

- 

- 

- 

- 

6,832 

- 

6,832 

(8,345) 

(26) 

- 

- 

6,832 

(43) 

6,789 

(8,345) 

(72) 

955 

- 

Balance at December 31, 2013 

6,724,403  $  20,973 

$  (64) 

$  (105) 

$  119 

$  21,454 

$  42,377 

Net income for the year 

Other comprehensive income (loss) for the year, net of tax 

Total comprehensive income for the year 

Payment of dividends 

Shares repurchased pursuant to normal course issuer bid 

20 

20 

(8,400) 

(26) 

1,147 

1,147 

- 

- 

(124) 

(124) 

- 

- 

(45) 

(45) 

- 

- 

917 

- 

917 

(1,613) 

(12) 

917 

978 

1,895 

(1,613) 

(38) 

Balance at December 31, 2014 

6,716,003  $  20,947   

$  1,083   

$  (229)   

$  74   

$  20,746   

$  42,621   

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

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   34 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 
For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 
Thousands of Canadian dollars 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 

Net income for the year 
Adjustments for:  

Depreciation expense 
Amortization expense 
(Gain) loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
Gain on sale of real estate 
Defined benefit pension plan  
Contingent shares – loss  
Finance costs 
Investment income 
Income tax expense  
Unrealized foreign exchange gain  

Funds flow from operations 
Changes in non-cash working capital  
Unrealized foreign exchange gain relating to non-cash working capital  
Changes in deferred operating lease obligations 
Cash from operating activities 
Income taxes paid 

Net cash from operating activities 

CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES 

Purchase of property, plant and equipment 
Purchase of intangible assets 
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment  
Interest received 
Distributions received from marketable securities 
Cash proceeds from disposal of land, net of costs 

Net cash (used in) from investing activities 

CASH FLOWS (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES 

Proceeds from leaseback financing, net of costs 
Repayment of long-term debt 
Repayment of finance lease obligations 
Finance costs paid 
Dividends paid to shareholders 
Payment for buy-back of common shares 

Net cash (used in) financing activities 

Unrealized foreign exchange gain on cash and cash equivalents held in 

foreign currencies  

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

Note 

2014 

2013 

$  917   

$  6,832 

12 
13 
6, 12 

7 
6 

25 

18 

12 
13 

20 
20 

9 

3,511 
216 
(33) 
- 
(80) 
- 
1,438 
(199) 
432 
(20) 
6,182 
131 
116 
178 
6,607 
(1,280) 
5,327 

(2,153) 
(44) 
58 
42 
157 
- 
(1,940) 

- 
- 
(314) 
(1,438) 
(1,613) 
(38) 
(3,403) 

3,495 
260 
1 
(7,297) 
(56) 
80 
1,209 
(201) 
857 
(1,097) 
4,083 
(1,314) 
99 
- 
2,868 
(699) 
2,169 

(867) 
(37) 
49 
65 
118 
9,662 
8,990 

12,372 
(6,421) 
(360) 
(1,209) 
(8,345) 
(72) 
(4,035) 

11 
(5) 
8,938 
$  8,933   

116 
7,240 
1,698 
$  8,938 

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

35   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.  General information 

PFB Corporation (“PFB” or the “Corporation”) is a Canadian public company incorporated under the Alberta Business 
Corporations Act and has its head office in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Corporation’s corporate office is located at 100, 
2886 Sunridge Way NE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T1Y 7H9. The principal business activity of the Corporation is 
manufacturing insulating building products made from expanded polystyrene materials and marketing these products in 
North America.  

The Corporation’s wholly-owned subsidiaries operate manufacturing facilities and sales operations in the provinces of 
British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario in Canada, and in the States of Michigan, Idaho and 
Ohio, USA.  

2.  Significant accounting policies 

2.1  Statement of compliance 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (“IFRS”).  

2.2  Basis of preparation 

The consolidated financial statements were prepared on a historical cost basis except for certain financial instruments 
and contingencies which are valued at fair value through profit or loss. Historical cost is generally based on the fair 
value of the consideration given in exchange for assets. 

Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the presentation adopted in the current year. 

The accounting policies set out below have been applied consistently in the preparation of the consolidated financial 
statements for all years presented. 

Sales of the Corporation’s products are driven by consumer and industrial demand for insulation and building 
products. The timing of customers’ construction projects can be influenced by a number of factors including the 
prevailing economic climate and weather. Seasonality of construction results in demand for the Corporation’s 
products to be typically stronger in the second and third quarters and less strong in the first and fourth quarters of its 
fiscal cycle. 

2.3  Basis of consolidation 

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the accounts of the Corporation and its subsidiaries (entities 
controlled by the Corporation). All subsidiaries are wholly-owned by the Corporation (Note 27). 

All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated in full on consolidation.  

2.4  Revenue Recognition 

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable. Revenue is reduced for estimated 
amounts attributable to customer returns, customer rebates and other similar allowances. 

2.4.1 Goods manufactured 

Revenue from the sale of manufactured goods is recognized when the goods are delivered and titles have 
passed, at which time all of the following conditions are satisfied: 

  The Corporation has transferred to the buyer the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods; 

  The Corporation retains neither continuing managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with 

ownership nor effective control over the goods sold; 

  The amount of revenue can be measured reliably; 

 

It is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the Corporation; and 

  The costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably. 

2.4.2 Rendering of services 

Revenue from a contract to provide services is recognized by reference to the stage of completion of the 
contract which is determined as follows: 

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   36 

 
 
 
  Design fees are recognized when the performance obligations of each design contract with a customer are 

fulfilled; 

  Advisory fees are recognized when the performance obligations of each advisory contract with a customer 

are fulfilled; and 

 

Installation revenues are recognized when the performance obligations of each installation contract with a 
customer is fulfilled.  
2.4.3 Construction contracts 

Revenues and costs for construction contracts, which include full design build services and the Total Home 
Solution® offering, are recognized upon achievement of discrete performance obligations of each individual 
contract which are determined at the inception of the contract.  

When the outcome of a construction contract cannot be determined reliably, contract revenue is recognized to 
the extent of contract costs incurred that it is probable will be recoverable. Contract costs are recognized as 
expenses in the year in which they are incurred. 

When it is probable that total costs will exceed contract revenue, the expected loss is recognized as an expense 
immediately. 

Amounts received before work is performed are included in the consolidated balance sheet as deferred revenue. 
Amounts billed for work performed but not yet paid by the customer are included in the consolidated balance 
sheet under trade receivables.  

2.4.4 Investment income  

Dividend income from investments is recognized when the Corporation’s right to receive payment has been 
established (provided that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Corporation and the amount 
of income can be measured reliably).  

Interest income from a financial asset is recognized when it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to 
the Corporation and the amount of income can be measured reliably. Interest income is accrued on a time basis, 
by reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate applicable, which is the rate that 
exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to that asset's net 
carrying amount on initial recognition. 

2.5  Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term highly liquid 
investments with original maturities of 90 days or less, restricted cash and bank overdrafts.  Cash equivalents are 
designated at fair value through profit or loss (Note 21). 

Restricted cash comprises cash collected from certain customers of the USA segment which is contractually 
segregated from other cash as it is held solely for disbursements to suppliers and service providers specific to those 
customer’s contracts. 

2.6  Inventories 

Inventories, which comprise raw materials and supplies, work-in-progress and finished products, are stated at the 
lower of cost and net realizable value. Costs of inventories are predominantly determined using the weighted average 
cost method and includes the cost of purchase, the cost of conversion (labour and overhead) and other costs required 
to bring the inventories to their present location and condition. Some customized work-in-progress and finished 
product inventories are held at actual cost using the First-in, First-out (“FIFO”) method and are segregated by 
customer job number. Inventories which have costs determined using the FIFO method represent a small portion of 
the Corporation’s inventories on hand at any point in time and such inventories turn frequently. Net realizable value 
represents the estimated selling price for inventories, less all estimated costs of completion and costs necessary to 
make the sale. The cost of work-in-process and finished product inventories includes the cost of materials, the cost of 
direct labour, and a systematic allocation of manufacturing overheads based on a normal range of capacity for each 
production facility. 

Inventories are written down to net realizable value when the cost of inventories is estimated to be unrecoverable due 
to obsolescence, damage or declining selling prices. When circumstances that previously caused inventories to be 
written down below cost no longer exist or when there is clear evidence of an increase in selling prices, the amount of 
write-down previously recorded is reversed. 

37   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
2.7  Property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”) 

PP&E are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses. Assets acquired under finance 
leases are recognized at an amount equal to fair value or, if lower, the present value of the minimum lease payments, 
less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses. Gains and losses, determined as the difference between net 
sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset, arising on the disposal of individual assets are recognized in 
earnings in the year of disposal. 

PP&E in the course of construction for production are carried at cost, less any recognized impairment loss. Such 
properties are classified to the appropriate categories of PP&E when completed and ready for intended use. 

Depreciation commences when the assets are available for use and is recognized on a straight-line basis to depreciate 
the capitalized cost of assets to their estimated residual values over their estimated useful lives. When significant 
parts of an asset have different expected useful lives, they are accounted for as separate components of the asset and 
depreciated over their estimated useful lives and depreciation method. Freehold land is not depreciated. Assets held 
under finance leases are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term and their expected useful lives.  

Asset class: 
Freehold land 
Buildings 
Plant and equipment 
Assets under finance lease 
Assets under construction 

Useful life: 
Unlimited useful life, not depreciated 
15 to 40 years 
3 to 20 years 
Lesser of the expected useful life and the term of the lease 
Depreciation commences when the asset is constructed and placed in use 

An item of PP&E is derecognized upon disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected to arise from the 
continued use of the asset. Any gain or loss arising on derecognizing an item of PP&E is measured as the difference 
between the net sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognized in profit or loss. 

PP&E is reviewed quarterly to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. Depreciation methods, 
useful lives, and residual values are reviewed at least annually and adjusted as appropriate.  

2.8  Leasing   

Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the leases transfer substantially all of the risks and 
rewards of ownership to the Corporation. All other leases are recorded as operating leases.  

Assets held under a finance lease are initially recognized as assets of the Corporation at their fair value at the 
inception of the lease or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum lease payments. The corresponding liability to 
the lessor is included in the consolidated balance sheets as current and long-term finance lease obligations. 

Lease payments are apportioned between finance expenses and reduction of the lease obligation so at to achieve a 
constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. Finance expenses are recognized immediately in 
profit and loss.   

Operating lease payments are recognized in the consolidated statement of income as an expense on a straight-line 
basis over the lease term. Lease incentives received and predetermined fixed escalation of the minimum rent are 
recognized as an integral part of the total lease expense, over the term of the lease. The Corporation leases properties 
with rental incentives and predetermined fixed escalations of the minimum rent. 

2.9  Intangible assets 

Intangible assets with finite useful lives that are acquired separately are carried at cost less accumulated amortization 
and any accumulated impairment losses. Amortization is recognized on a straight-line basis over their estimated 
useful lives. The estimated useful life and amortization method are reviewed at the end of each reporting year and the 
effect of any changes in estimates is accounted for on a prospective basis.  

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   38 

 
 
 
 
 
 
A summary of estimated useful life by asset class is as follows: 

Class: 

Useful life: 

Patents 
Product development costs 
Software 
Registered trade names 
Order backlog 

17 years 
3 years 
3 to 5 years 
Indefinite life – not amortized 
lives of individual contracts (max. 3 years) 

Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives that are acquired separately are carried at cost less accumulated 
impairment losses and the carrying amounts are tested for impairment at least annually or whenever there is an 
indication that an asset may be impaired. In the case of impairment, the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated 
in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss, if any (Note 2.11). 

Intangible assets acquired in a business combination and recognized separately from goodwill are initially recognized 
at their fair value at the acquisition date, which is considered to be the asset’s deemed cost. Subsequent to their initial 
recognition, intangible assets acquired in a business combination are reported at cost less accumulated amortization 
and accumulated impairment losses, on the same basis as intangible assets that are acquired separately. 

An intangible asset is derecognized on disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected from use. Any gain 
or loss arising from derecognition of an intangible asset, measured as the difference between the net disposal 
proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset, is recognized in profit or loss when the asset is derecognized. 

2.10  Goodwill 

Goodwill arising on an acquisition of a business is carried at cost as established at the date of acquisition of the 
business less accumulated impairment losses, if any. Goodwill is not amortized. 

For the purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to each of the Corporation’s cash-generating units 
(“CGU”) that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination.  

A cash-generating unit to which goodwill has been allocated is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently 
when there is an indication that the unit may be impaired. If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is 
less than its carrying amount, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill 
allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit, pro-rata based on the carrying amount of each asset in the 
unit. Any impairment loss for goodwill is recognized directly in the consolidated statement of income. An 
impairment loss recognized for goodwill is not reversed in subsequent years. 

2.11  Impairment of tangible and intangible assets other than goodwill 

At the end of each reporting year, the Corporation reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets 
to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication 
exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if 
any). When it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the Corporation estimates the 
recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. When a reasonable and consistent basis of 
allocation can be identified, corporate assets are also allocated to individual cash-generating units, or otherwise they 
are allocated to the smallest group of cash-generating units for which a reasonable and consistent allocation basis can 
be identified.  

Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and intangible assets not yet available for use are tested for impairment 
at least annually, and whenever there is an indication that the asset may be impaired.  

The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. In assessing value in use, 
the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a discount rate that reflects current market 
assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows 
have not been adjusted. The process of determining cash flows requires management to make estimates and 
assumptions which include forecasted future sales, earnings, capital investment, and discount rates. 

If the recoverable amount of an asset or cash-generating unit is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the 
carrying amount of the asset or cash-generating unit is reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is 
recognized immediately in profit or loss. 

39   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset or cash-generating unit is 
increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amount does not exceed 
the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset or cash-
generating unit in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognized immediately in profit or loss.  

2.12  Foreign currency translation 

The Corporation’s primary economic environment in which it operates its businesses is Canada. The consolidated 
financial statements are presented in Canadian dollars, which is the Corporation’s functional and presentation 
currency.  

At the end of each reporting year, monetary items denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at exchange 
rates prevailing at that date. Gains and losses arising from this retranslation are included in profit or loss in the year in 
which they arise. Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured at their historical cost in a foreign currency 
are not retranslated. 

The Corporation’s subsidiaries located in the United States have a functional currency of U.S. dollars. The assets and 
liabilities of the Corporation’s foreign operations are translated into Canadian dollars using exchange rates prevailing 
at the end of each reporting year. Income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates applicable to 
the years when recorded. Equity balance sheet amounts denominated in U.S. dollars are translated using historical 
exchange rates. Exchange differences arising, if any, are recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated 
in equity.  

Goodwill and fair value adjustments on identifiable assets and liabilities assumed through acquisition of a foreign 
operation are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign operation and translated at the rate of exchange prevailing 
at the end of each reporting year. Exchange differences arising are recognized in other comprehensive income.  

2.13  Provisions  

Provisions are recognized when the Corporation has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past 
event, it is probable that the Corporation will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate can be made 
of the amount of the obligation.  

The amount recognized as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation 
at the end of the reporting year, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. When a 
provision is measured using the cash flows estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying amount is the 
present value of those cash flows (where the effect of the time value of money is material).  

The Corporation’s provisions are not significant and are included in trade and other payables. 

2.14  Financial instruments 

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognized initially at fair value when the Corporation or a subsidiary of 
the Corporation becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument (Note 21).  

Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of financial assets and financial liabilities 
(other than financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss) are added to or deducted from 
the fair value of the financial asset or financial liabilities, as appropriate, on initial recognition. Transaction costs that 
are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value through 
profit or loss are recognized immediately in profit or loss. 

2.15  Financial assets 

The Corporation’s financial assets are classified into the following specified categories: financial assets ‘at fair value 
through profit or loss’ (FVTPL); and loans and receivables. The classification depends on the nature and purpose of 
the financial assets and is determined at the time of initial recognition.  

2.15.1 Financial assets at FVTPL 

A financial asset, other than a financial asset held for trading, may be designated as at FVTPL upon initial 
recognition. 

Financial assets at FVTPL are stated at fair value, with any gains and losses arising on re-measurement 
recognized in profit or loss. 

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   40 

 
 
 
 
 
2.15.2 Loans and receivables 

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not 
quoted in an active market. The Corporation’s loans and receivables include trade receivables and are 
measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment. 

2.15.3 Impairment of financial assets 

The Corporation assesses its financial assets, other than any classified at FVTPL, for indicators of 
impairment at the end of each reporting year. Financial assets are considered to be impaired when there is 
objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the 
financial asset, the estimated future cash flows of the investment have been affected. 

Objective evidence of impairment could include: 

 

 

 

 

significant financial difficulty of the issuer or counterparty; 

breach of contract; 

it becoming probable that the borrower will enter bankruptcy or financial reorganization; or 

the disappearance of an active market for financial assets because of financial difficulties. 

For certain categories of financial assets, such as trade receivables, assets that are assessed not to be 
impaired individually are, in addition, assessed for impairment on a collective basis. Objective evidence for 
a portfolio of receivables could include the Corporation’s past experience in collecting payments or an 
increase in the number of delayed payments in the portfolio past the average credit terms allowed, as well as 
observable changes in national or local economic conditions that correlate with default on receivables. 

For financial assets carried at amortized cost, the amount of the impairment loss recognized is the difference 
between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at the 
financial asset’s original effective interest rate. 

For financial assets carried at cost, the amount of the impairment loss is measured as the difference between 
the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the current 
market rate of return for a similar financial asset. Such impairment loss will not be reversed in subsequent 
years. 

The carrying amount of the financial asset is reduced by the impairment loss directly for all financial assets 
with the exception of trade receivables, where the carrying amount is reduced through the use of an 
allowance account. When a trade receivable is considered uncollectable, it is written off against the 
allowance account. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited against the 
allowance account.  Changes in the carrying amount of the allowance account are recognized in profit or 
loss. 

For financial assets measured at amortized cost, if, in a subsequent year, the amount of the impairment loss 
decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment loss was 
recognized, the previously recognized impairment is reversed through profit or loss to the extent that the 
carrying amount of the investment at the date the impairment is reversed does not exceed what the 
amortized cost would have been had the impairment not been recognized. 

2.16  Financial liabilities 

The Corporation’s financial liabilities are classified as ‘other financial liabilities’ and include any borrowings and 
trade and other payables. Other financial liabilities are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective 
interest method. The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortized cost of a financial liability 
and of allocating interest expense over the relevant year. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts 
estimated future cash payments through the expected life of the financial liability.  

2.17  Taxation 

Income tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable, deferred tax and prior year adjustments. 

2.17.1 Current tax 

The tax currently payable is based on taxable income for the year. Taxable income differs from ‘income 
before tax’ as reported in the consolidated statements of income because of items of income and expense that 

41   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
are taxable or deductible in other years and items that are never taxable or deductible. The Corporation’s 
current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the 
reporting year.  

2.17.2 Deferred tax 

Deferred tax is recognized on temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in 
the consolidated financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable 
income. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognized for all taxable temporary differences. Deferred tax 
assets are generally recognized for all deductible temporary differences to the extent that it is probable that 
taxable profits will be available against which those deductible temporary differences can be utilized. Such 
deferred tax assets and liabilities are not recognized if the temporary difference arises from the initial 
recognition (other than in a business combination) of assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither 
the taxable income nor the accounting income. In addition, deferred tax liabilities are not recognized if the 
temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of goodwill. 

The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at the end of each reporting year and reduced to the 
extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable income will be available to allow all or part of the 
deferred tax assets to be recovered.  

Deferred tax liabilities and assets are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the year in which 
the liability is settled or the asset is realized, based on tax rates that have been enacted or substantively 
enacted by the end of the reporting year. The measurement of deferred tax liabilities and assets reflects the tax 
consequences that would follow from the manner in which the Corporation expects, at the end of the reporting 
year, to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities.  

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when they relate to income taxes levied by the same 
taxation authority and the Corporation has a legally enforceable right to offset and intends to settle its current 
tax assets and liabilities on a net basis. 

2.17.3 Current and deferred tax for the year 

Current, deferred and prior period tax adjustments are recognized in profit or loss, except when they relate to 
items that are recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, in which case, the current, 
deferred and prior year tax adjustments are also recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in 
equity, respectively.  

2.18  Employee retirement benefit plan 

The Corporation has a defined benefit plan (the “Plan”) providing pension benefits to certain eligible employees who 
are members of a union which is their certified bargaining agent. The Plan is registered with the Financial Services 
Commission of Ontario and with the Canada Revenue Agency and is funded in accordance with applicable 
legislation. Commencing April 1, 2012, the defined benefit plan was closed to all new hires. 

The cost of providing benefits under the Plan is determined using the projected unit credit method prorated based on 
service, with actuarial valuations being carried out at the end of each annual reporting period. Re-measurement, 
comprising actuarial gains and losses, the effect of the changes to the asset ceiling, and the return on plan assets 
(excluding interest), is reflected immediately in the consolidated balance sheet with a charge or credit recognized in 
other comprehensive income in the year in which they occur. Re-measurement recognized in other comprehensive 
income is reflected immediately in retained earnings and will not be reclassified to profit or loss. Past service cost is 
recognized in profit or loss in the period of a plan amendment. Net interest is calculated by applying the discount rate 
at the beginning of the period to the net defined benefit liability or asset. Defined benefit costs are categorized as 
follows: 

  Service cost (including current and past service cost, as well as gains and losses on curtailments and 

settlements); 

  Net interest expense or income; and 

  Re-measurement. 
The Corporation presents service costs in the consolidated statements of income in the line item cost of sales. 

The retirement benefit obligation recognized in the consolidated balance sheets represents the actual deficit or surplus 
in the Corporation’s defined benefit plan.  

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   42 

 
 
 
2.19  Earnings per share 

Basic earnings per share is determined by dividing profit attributable to common shareholders of the Corporation by 
the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year.  

The Corporation uses the treasury stock method of calculating diluted earnings per common share. The treasury stock 
method is used to compute the dilutive effect of stock options, warrants and similar instruments. Under this method, 
the exercise of stock options is assumed to have occurred at the beginning of the year and the related common shares 
are assumed issued at that time. The proceeds from exercise are assumed to have purchased common shares of the 
Corporation for cancellation at the average market value price during the year. The incremental shares (the difference 
between the number of shares assumed issued and the number of shares assumed purchased) are included in the 
denominator of the diluted earnings per common share calculation.  Diluted earnings per common share exclude all 
potential dilutive common shares where the effect is anti-dilutive. 

3.  Critical accounting judgements and estimates 

 In the application of the Corporation’s accounting policies, as described in Note 2, management is required to make 
judgments, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities. The estimates and associated 
assumptions are based on a combination of historical experience, available knowledge of current conditions, and other 
factors that are considered to be reasonable and relevant under the circumstances. Actual costs and outcomes may 
significantly differ from these estimates and assumptions.  

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are 
recognized in the year in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that year or in the year of the revision 
and future years if the revision affects both current and future years.  

The following are the key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimating uncertainty at the end of 
the reporting year, that have a significant risk of causing material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and 
liabilities within the next financial year.  

3.1  Cash-generating unit (“CGU”) 

Determination of which assets constitute a CGU is subject to management judgments. Also, the asset composition of 
a CGU can directly impact the recoverability of assets included therein. The recoverable amount of a CGU is 
assessed at the CGU level and is the higher of the CGU’s fair value less costs of disposal and its value in use. A 
CGU may be impaired when its carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. Key assumptions used for the value 
in use calculations are set out in Note 14.  

3.2  Impairment of goodwill 

Determining whether goodwill is impaired requires an estimation of the value in use of the cash-generating units to 
which goodwill has been allocated. The value in use calculation requires management to estimate the future cash 
flows expected to arise from the cash-generating unit and determine a suitable discount rate in order to calculate 
present value.  

3.3  Impairment of tangible and intangible assets 

Determining whether tangible and intangible assets are impaired requires an estimation of the value-in-use of the 
CGUs to which they have been allocated. The value in use calculation requires management to estimate the future 
cash flows expected to arise from the cash-generating unit and a suitable discount rate to be determined in order to 
calculate present value.  

3.4  Valuation of inventories 

Management reviews the carrying amount of finished goods inventories at the end of each reporting year and the 
recorded amount is adjusted to the lower of cost or net realizable value.  As part of the review, management is 
required to make certain assumptions when determining expected realizable amounts.  

An inventory reserve is maintained for slow-moving raw materials and work-in-progress inventories. The value of 
slow-moving inventories is based on management’s assessment of market conditions for its products as determined 
by historical usage and estimated future demand. Any write downs in value may be reversed if the circumstances 
which caused them no longer exist. 

43   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
 
 
3.5  Allowance for doubtful accounts  

Management reviews the aging profile of trade receivables on a customer-by-customer basis at least at the end of 
each reporting year and an allowance for doubtful accounts reserve is maintained. The value of the allowance for 
doubtful accounts reserve typically tracks the seasonality trend of trade receivables. Specific reserves may be created 
for individual customers in exceptional circumstances. Bad debts are written off against the reserve. 

3.6  Income taxes 

The Corporation is subject to income taxes in both Canada and the USA. When preparing current and deferred tax 
expense at the end of each reporting year, management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions 
regarding the timing of when temporary differences will reverse and tax rates that will be in force at that time. 
Unknown future events and circumstances, such as changes in tax rates and laws, may materially affect the 
assumptions and estimates made from one year to the next and thereby affect the consolidated financial statements.  

3.7  Measurement of retirement benefits 

Post-employment benefits are accounted for on an actuarial basis. The Corporation engages the services of an 
independent actuary to perform valuations of the Corporation’s defined benefits plan and the actuary provides a 
certified opinion thereon. For inclusion in the valuation, management is required to make certain assumptions 
including an appropriate discount rate and the estimated return of plan assets. The estimates are reviewed for 
reasonableness by the actuary. Due to the nature of the assumptions made and used in the valuations, there is the 
potential for fluctuations of a material nature in the value of the defined benefits in future years. 

3.8  Property plant and equipment 

The Corporation estimates the useful life of property, plant and equipment that it owns or is held under a finance 
lease. The actual useful life of assets and components of assets could vary significantly from the estimated useful 
lives used in determining periodic depreciation expense.  Management reviews the useful lives of the assets at least 
annually to ensure that expected and actual lives are closely aligned. 

3.9  Valuations performed during a business combination 

The Corporation makes judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the quantitative and qualitative valuation of 
business combinations. These may include: estimates of future cash flows and working capital requirements; 
potential acquisition synergies; costs to complete the transaction; the value of contingent consideration; strategic 
direction; management effectiveness, and operating efficiencies. Unknown future events and changes in assumptions 
and estimates may impact future cash flows and materially impact the valuation of each business combination.  

3.10  Finance leases  

Management uses judgment in determining whether a lease should be accounted for as a finance lease. In doing so, 
management considers the lease terms and, in some cases, those terms may not always conclusively support the 
classification as a finance lease. 

4.  Application of new and revised International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) 

4.1  New and revised IFRSs affecting amounts reported and/or disclosures in the consolidated financial statements 

The Corporation has applied a number of new and revised IFRSs issued by the International Accounting Standards 
Board (IASB) that are mandatorily effective for an accounting year that begins on or after January 1, 2014.  

  Amendments to International Accounting Standards (“IAS”) 32 Offsetting Financial Assets and Financial 

Liabilities 
Amendments to IAS 32 clarify the requirements relating to the offset of financial assets and financial liabilities. 
Specifically, the amendments clarify the meaning of ‘currently has a legally enforceable right to set-off’ and 
‘simultaneous realization and settlement’.  

The amendments to IAS 32 had no material impact on the disclosures or on the amounts recognized in the 
consolidated financial statements. 

  Amendments to IAS 36 Recoverable Amount Disclosures for Non-Financial Assets 

The overall effect of the amendments is to reduce the circumstances in which the recoverable amount of assets or 
cash-generating units is required to be disclosed, clarify the disclosures required, and to introduce an explicit 

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   44 

 
 
 
requirement to disclose the discount rate used in determining impairment (or reversals) where the recoverable 
amount (based on fair value less costs of disposal) is determined using a present value technique. 

The amendments to IAS 36 had no material impact on the disclosures or on the amounts recognized in the 
consolidated financial statements. 

  Amendments to IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement 

All recognized financial assets that are within the scope of IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and 
Measurement are required to be subsequently measured at amortized cost or fair value. Specifically, debt 
investments that are held within a business model whose objective is to collect the contractual cash flows, and 
that have contractual cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal outstanding 
are generally measured at amortized cost at the end of subsequent accounting periods. All other debt investments 
and equity investments are measured at their fair value at the end of subsequent accounting periods. In addition, 
under IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, entities may make an irrevocable election to present subsequent changes in 
the fair value of an equity investment (that is not held for trading) in other comprehensive income, with only 
dividend income generally recognized in profit or loss. 

The amendments to IAS 39 had no material impact on the disclosures or on the amounts recognized in the 
consolidated financial statements. 

  Amendments to IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements, IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interest in Other 

Entities, and IAS 27 Investment Entities 
Investment Entities (Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 27) apply to a particular class of business that 
qualify as investment entities. The IASB uses the term ‘investment entity’ to refer to an entity whose business 
purpose is to invest funds solely for returns from capital appreciation, investment income or both. An investment 
entity must also evaluate the performance of its investments on a fair value basis. Such entities could include 
private equity organizations, venture capital organizations, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and other 
investment funds. Under IFRS 10, Consolidated Financial Statements, reporting entities were required to 
consolidate all investees that they control (i.e. all subsidiaries). Now, the Investment Entities amendments 
provide an exception to the consolidation requirements in IFRS 10 and require investment entities to measure 
particular subsidiaries at fair value through profit or loss, rather than consolidate them. The amendments also set 
out disclosure requirements for investment entities.  

The amendments of IFRS 10, IFRS 12, and IAS 27 had no material impact on the disclosures or on the amounts 
recognized in the consolidated financial statements. 

  Amendments to IAS 19 Employee Benefits 

IAS 19 was amended to clarify how contributions from employees or third parties should be apportioned to the 
period of employee service. A practical expedient permits contributions to be recognized as a reduction in the 
service costs if the contributions are independent of the years of service.    

The amendments to IAS 19 had no material impact on the disclosures or on the amounts recognized in the 
consolidated financial statements. 

  Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2010-2012 & 2011-2013 Cycle 

The IASB issued its Annual Improvements Cycle 2010-2012 & 2011-2013 in 2014. Each amendment has been 
reviewed, considered and adopted as appropriate. 

 

IFRS Interpretations Committee (“IFRIC”) 21 Levies 
IFRIC 21 provides guidance on when to recognize a liability for a levy imposed by a government, both for levies 
that are accounted for in accordance with IAS 37, Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets and 
those where the timing and amount of the levy is certain.  

The application of IFRIC 21 had no material impact on the disclosures or on the amounts recognized in the 
consolidated financial statements. 

4.2  New and revised IFRSs in 2014 , but not yet effective 

 

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers 
The new standard outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising 
from contracts with customers. It supersedes the IASB’s current revenue recognition guidance including IAS 18 
Revenue, IAS 11 Construction Contracts, and related interpretations.  

45   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
The core principle of the new standard is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised 
goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be 
entitled in exchange for those goods and services. 

IFRS 15 was issued in May 2014 and applies to reporting periods on or after January 1, 2017 with earlier 
adoption permitted.  

The Corporation has not determined at this time what impact, if any, adopting the new standard will have on its 
consolidated financial statements.  

  Amendments to IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements: Accounting for Acquisition of Interests in Joint Operations 
The objective of the amendment is to add new guidance to IFRS 11 on accounting for the acquisition of an 
interest in a joint operation in which the activity of the joint operation constitutes a business, as defined in IFRS 
3 Business Combinations. Acquirers of such interest are to apply the relevant principles on business combination 
accounting in IFRS 3 and other standards, as well as disclosing the relevant information specified in these 
standards for business combinations. The most significant impact will be on the recognition of goodwill, if 
applicable, and the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities.  

The amendments were issued in May 2014 and apply to reporting periods on or after January 1, 2016 with earlier 
adoption permitted.  

The Corporation has determined that, at this time, the amendments will not have any effect on its consolidated 
financial statements. 

  Amendments to IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment, and IAS 38 Intangible Assets: Clarification of 

Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and Amortization 
In issuing the amendments, the IASB has clarified that the use of revenue-based methods to calculate the 
depreciation of an asset is not appropriate because revenue generated by an activity that includes the use of an 
asset generally reflects factors other than the consumption of the economic benefits embodied in the asset. The 
IASB also clarified that revenue is generally presumed to be an inappropriate basis for measuring the 
consumption of the economic benefit embodied in an intangible asset. This presumption can only be rebutted in 
two limited circumstances: (a) the intangible asset is expressed as a measure of revenue and (b) the revenue and 
consumption of the intangible asset are highly correlated.  

The amendments were issued in May 2014 and are to be applied prospectively and effective for annual reporting 
periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016 with earlier adoption permitted.  

The Corporation has determined that, based on its current depreciation and amortization policies, the 
amendments will not have any effect on its consolidated financial statements. 

 

IFRS 9 Financial Instruments 
The new standard outlines a comprehensive response for entities to use in accounting for financial instruments. It 
replaces the IASB’s current IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.  The core principles 
of the new standard incorporate a single principle-based approach to classification and measurement, the 
introduction of a new, expected-loss impairment model for the recognition of expected credit losses, a reformed 
model for hedge accounting, derecognition, and changes to the so-called ‘own credit’ issue.  

IFRS 9 was issued in July 2014 and applies to reporting periods on or after January 1, 2016 with earlier adoption 
permitted.  

The Corporation has not determined at this time what impact, if any, adopting the new standard will have on its 
consolidated financial statements. 

  Amendments to IFRS 14 Regulatory Deferral Accounts  

The amendments are applicable to first-time adopters of IFRS with rate-regulated activities, permitting a 
transitional approach to regulatory deferral account balances.   

The Corporation has determined that the amendments will not have any effect on its consolidated financial 
statements. 

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   46 

 
 
 
 
 
  Amendments to IAS 16 Property, Plant and Equipment, and IAS 41 Agriculture  

IAS 16 now includes bearer plants within its scope rather than IAS 41, allowing such assets to be accounted for 
as property, plant and equipment and measured after initial recognition on a cost or revaluation basis in 
accordance with IAS 16.  

The amendments were issued in June 2014 and are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 
January 1, 2016, with earlier adoption permitted.  

The Corporation has determined that the amendments will not have any effect on its consolidated financial 
statements. 

  Amendments to IAS 27 Equity Method in Separate Financial Statements 

In issuing the amendments, the IASB has reinstated the equity method as an accounting option for investment in 
subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates in an entity’s separate financial statements. Separate financial 
statements are not required by IFRSs, but may be required by local regulation or other financial statement users 
to measure investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates. The amendments allow an entity to account 
for investments in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates in its separate financial statements:  

i)  at cost,  
ii)  in accordance with IFRS 9 Financial Instruments, or 
iii) in accordance with IFRS 28 Investment in Associates and Joint Ventures.      

The amendments were issued in August 2014 and are to be applied retrospectively and effective for annual 
reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016 with earlier adoption permitted.  

The Corporation has determined that, at the present time, the amendments will not have any effect on its 
consolidated financial statements. 

  Amendments to IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements, and IAS 28 Investments in Associates and 

Joint Ventures  
Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28 are based on the IASB’s publication of ‘Sale or Contribution of Assets 
between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture’ to address a conflict between the requirements of IAS 28 
and IFRS 10 and clarify that, in a transaction involving an associate or joint venture, the extent of gain or loss 
recognition depends on whether the assets sold or contributed constitute a business.  

The amendments were issued in September 2014, are to be applied prospectively, and are effective for annual 
reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016, with earlier adoption permitted.  

The Corporation has determined that, at this time, the amendments will not have any effect on its consolidated 
financial statements. 

  Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2012-2014 Cycle 

The IASB’s Annual Improvements Cycle 2012-2014 was issued in September 2014 and makes amendments to 
the following four standards: 

 

 

 

 

IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations 

IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures 

IAS 19 Employee Benefits 

IFRS 34 Interim Financial Reporting 

The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2016, with earlier 
adoption permitted. Entities are permitted to early adopt any individual amendment without early adopting all 
other amendments.  

The Corporation has determined that, at this time, the amendments will not have any effect on its consolidated 
financial statements. 

47   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
 
 
 

IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements 
On December 18, 2014, the IASB amended certain disclosure requirements within IAS 1, as part of a broad, 
ambitious review of disclosure requirements and professional judgments as part of a ‘Disclosure Initiative’ 
project. The amendments clarify:  

 

Immaterial information can detract from useful information, 

  Materiality applies to the whole of the financial statements,  

  Materiality applies to each disclosure requirement in an IFRS,  

  Removing an interpretation as to any specific order of the notes in the financial statements,  

  Flexibility and judgments related to accounting policy disclosures.  

The amendments are to be applied prospectively, and are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or 
after January 1, 2016, with earlier adoption permitted.  

The Corporation has determined that, at this time, the amendments will not have any effect on its consolidated 
financial statements. 

  Amendments to IFRS 10 Consolidated Financial Statements, IFRS 12 Disclosure of Interest in Other 

Entities and IAS 28 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures 
Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 28 were issued on December 18, 2014 and address issues in applying 
the consolidation exception for investment entities. The amendments clarify exemptions from preparing 
consolidated financial statements for an intermediate parent entity, a subsidiary providing related services, 
application issues of the equity method to an associate or a joint venture and additional disclosure requirements 
under IFRS 12 for investment entities measuring all subsidiaries at fair value.  

The Corporation has determined that, at this time, the amendments will not have any effect on its consolidated 
financial statements. 

5.  Segment information 

The Corporation has two reportable operating segments, Canada and the USA, and each segment applies the same 
accounting policies (Note 2), internal controls and reporting systems. Segment performance predominantly focuses on the 
types of goods and services provided and their geographical locations of manufacturing and distribution. 

The chief operating decision maker evaluates performance on the basis of operating income or loss, as reported on a 
periodic basis. This performance measure is considered to be the most relevant in evaluating the results of each operating 
segment. 

5.1  Segment sales revenues and income 

Segment sales represent sales revenues directly attributable to each segment. Inter-segment sales have been 
eliminated. There are varying levels of integration between each segment. 

The Canadian segment primarily derives its revenues from the sale of expanded polystyrene (“EPS”) foam products, 
which it manufactures at its facilities in Canada. The USA segment primarily derives its revenues from the sale of 
EPS foam products, customized log and timber structures made at its facilities in the United States, along with 
providing design and installation services for its manufactured products. 

Segment operating income (loss) represents the income or loss as reported by each segment excluding any allocations 
for corporate income or expenses, one-time non-operating expenses, and foreign exchange gains or losses arising on 
an inter-segment loan.   

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   48 

 
 
 
 
 
Information regarding each reportable operating segment for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 is set out 
below: 

Canada 

USA 

Total for segments 

Corporate – expense 

Corporate – one-time, non-operating expenses 

Foreign exchange gain on inter-segment loan 

Consolidated operating income 

5.2  Segment assets and liabilities 

             Sales revenues 

2014 

2013 

Operating income (loss) 
2013 

2014 

  $  68,994 

$  71,226 

$  2,551   

$  2,763 

20,911 

13,323 

$  89,905   

$  84,549 

148 

2,699 

(113) 
- 

2 

(1,849) 

  914 

(20) 
(391) 

977 

$  2,588   

$  1,480 

Management measures capital employed using net segmented assets. The reconciliation of segmented assets and 
segmented liabilities in relation to total consolidated assets and liabilities as at December 31 is set out in the table 
below: 

Management measures capital employed using net segmented assets. The reconciliation of segmented assets and 
segmented liabilities in relation to total consolidated assets and liabilities as at December 31 is set out in the table 
below: 

Assets 

Segment assets 
Assets not allocated to segments: 

Cash and cash equivalents 
Freehold land and buildings 
Restricted marketable securities 
Corporate taxes recoverable 

Total assets 

Liabilities 

Segment liabilities 
Liabilities not allocated to segments: 

Finance lease obligations 
Corporate taxes payable 

Total liabilities 

Net segment assets 

Canada 
USA 

49   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

2014 

2013 

$  51,413  

$  51,107 

8,933 
6,642 
2,227 
32 

8,938 
6,458 
2,392 
- 

$  69,247  

$  68,895 

$  12,210   

$  11,007 

14,416 
- 

14,417 
1,094 

$  26,626   

$  26,518 

$  32,002 

$  32,658 

7,201 

7,442 

 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.3  Other segment information 

Additions to non-current assets: 

Canada 
USA 

Total 

Depreciation and amortization: 

Canada 
USA 

Total 

Inter-segment sales 

6.  Other (losses) gains  

Unrealized foreign exchange gains  

Realized foreign exchange losses 

Gain (loss) on disposals of property, plant and equipment 

7.  Income taxes 

7.1  Income taxes recognized in the year 

Current tax expense 
Deferred tax recovery 

Income tax expense  

2014 

2013 

$  1,957   
240 

$  2,197  

$  788 
116 

$  904 

$  2,570   

$  2,429 

681 

735 

$3,251   

$  3,164 

$  2,029   

$  779 

2014 

$  20 

(121) 

33 

2013 

$  1,097 

(144) 

(1) 

$  (68)   

$  952 

2014 

$  744 
(312) 

$  432  

2013 

$  1,678 
(821) 

$  857 

In the year ended December 31, 2014, deferred income tax recovery of $57 (2013 - $28 deferred income tax 
expense) was recognized directly in other comprehensive income. 

The income tax expense can be reconciled to the accounting income as follows: 

Income before taxes 

Income tax expense calculated at 25.4% (2013 – 25.1%)  

Effect of different tax rates of subsidiaries operating in other jurisdictions 

Non-taxable portion of capital gain 

Expenses not deductible in determining taxable income 

Other 

Income tax expense  

2014 

2013 

$  1,349  

$  7,689 

$ 343 

$  1,927 

46 

- 

32 
11 

(201) 

(851) 

48 
(66) 

$  432   

$  857 

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   50 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The statutory tax rate in the table above is the combined Canadian federal and blended provincial income tax rate of 
25.4% (2013 – 25.1%).  

7.2  Current tax assets and liabilities 

Current tax assets 

Income taxes recoverable 

Current tax liabilities 

Income taxes payable 

7.3  Deferred tax balances 

As at  
Dec 31, 2014 

As at  
Dec 31, 2013 

$  25 

474 

$  - 

965 

The Corporation is subject to tax in multiple jurisdictions and deferred tax assets and liabilities arising in different 
jurisdictions cannot be netted against each other. The analysis of deferred tax assets and liabilities presented in the 
consolidated balance sheets is as follows: 

Deferred tax assets 

Non-capital tax losses carried forward 

Reserves 

Other 

Intangible assets 

Land 

Property, plant and equipment 

Deferred tax liabilities 

Property, plant and equipment 

Other 

Intangible assets 
Deferred operating lease obligation 
Reserves 
Lease items 

Non-capital tax losses carried forward expire in years 2029 through 2033. 

8.  Earnings per share 

The following table sets forth the reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share: 

Net income for the year 

Weighted average number of common shares 

outstanding – basic & diluted 

Earnings per share: 

Basic & diluted 

51   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

As at  
Dec 31, 2014 

As at  
Dec 31, 2013 

$  1,970 

$  2,003 

452 

56 

(77) 

(103) 

(699) 

187 

- 

(46) 

- 

$  (575) 

$  1,599     

$  1,568 

$  (1,895)   
(38) 
(32) 
45 
50 
173 

$  (1,697)   

$  (2,198) 
(13) 
(54) 
- 
57 
12 

$  (2,196) 

2014 

2013 

$  917   

$  6,832 

6,719,412 

6,709,494 

$  0.14  

 $  1.02 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9.  Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash held with banks  

Short-term investments 

Restricted cash 

As at 
Dec 31, 2014 

As at 
Dec 31, 2013 

$  5,038   

$  4,362 

3,503 

392 

4,515 

61 

$  8,933 

$  8,938 

Interest income earned on bank balances and short-term investments is reported as investment income in the consolidated 
statements of income.  

Restricted cash comprises cash collected from certain customers of the USA segment which is contractually segregated 
from other cash as it is held exclusively for disbursements to suppliers and service providers specific to those individual 
customer contracts.  

10. Trade receivables 

Eligible trade receivables held by the Corporation’s subsidiaries in Canada have been pledged as security with a bank in 
support of a revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility was unused as at December 31, 2014. 

10.1  Current trade receivables 

Aging profile 

Current and past due for less than 30 days 

Past due for between 31 and 90 days 

Past due for 91 days or longer 

Total gross current trade receivables 

Allowance for doubtful accounts 

Current trade receivables, net 

As at 
Dec 31, 2014 

As at 
Dec 31, 2013 

$  8,562   

$  6,738 

109 

897 

9,568 

(637) 

795 

1,819 

9,352 

(567) 

$  8,931     

$  8,785 

The average trade credit allowed on the sale of goods is between 45 and 60 days from the date of shipment. For sales 
of customized products and services, deposits and/or payment installments are typically incorporated into contract 
terms to mitigate the potential for default. Deposits and installments received on individual accounts which exceed 
the value of goods and/or services invoiced are recorded as deferred revenue on the consolidated balance sheets. 

The Corporation has recognized an allowance for doubtful trade receivables on accounts that are past due by more 
than 60 days based on estimated irrecoverable amounts determined by reference to past experiences. As at December 
31, 2014 and 2013, the allowance for doubtful accounts reserve includes amounts to cover continuing exposure with 
several long-standing customers in the USA which have trade receivables included in the past due for 91 days or 
longer category.  

Also, as at December 31, 2014, the amount past due for 91 days or longer includes a contractual holdback in the 
aggregate amount of $245 (2013 - $1,340) in connection with a large completed project for which no allowance for 
doubtful accounts has been assumed. The holdback amount is expected to be paid in 2015.  

In determining the recoverability of a trade receivable, the Corporation considers any change in the credit quality of 
the trade receivable from the date credit was initially granted up to the end of the reporting year. The concentration of 
credit risk is limited due to the fact that the customer base is large and diversified. 

10.2  Change in allowance for doubtful accounts 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending carrying amounts of the Corporation’s allowance for doubtful accounts 
is as follows: 

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   52 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of year 

Additional amounts provided for during the year 

Trade receivables written off during the year 

Balance at end of year 

11. Inventories 

Raw materials 

Work in progress 

Finished goods 

2014 

2013 

$  (567) 

$  (540) 

(194) 

124 

(167) 

140 

$  (637)   

$  (567) 

As at 
Dec 31, 2014 

As at 
Dec 31, 2013 

$  4,978   

$  4,169 

2,256 

1,660 

1,958 

2,194 

$  8,894   

$  8,321 

Eligible inventories held by the Corporation’s Canadian subsidiary have been pledged as security with a bank in support of 
revolving credit facilities. The revolving credit facilities were unused as at December 31, 2014. 

The cost of inventories recognized as an expense in cost of sales in the year ended December 31, 2014, was $59,201 (2013 
- $63,710). Included in the cost of inventories recognized as an expense were write-downs from full cost to net realizable 
value in the amount of $812 (2013 - $184). There were no reversals of any write-downs in either 2014 or 2013. 

12. Property, plant and equipment 

In the tables below, assets under finance leases include buildings, automobiles and materials handling equipment. As at 
December 31, 2014, automobiles and materials handling equipment had a carrying amount of $445 (2013 - $343) and 
buildings had a carrying value of $13,313 (2013 - $14,042) for a total amount of assets under finance lease of $13,758 
(2013 - $14,385). Automobile leases include provisions whereby the automobiles can be purchased for their residual value 
whereas the individual building leases have no such rights to purchase at any residual value.  

Assets under construction as at December 31, 2014 are expected to be available for use in 2015. 

53   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost 

Freehold land 

Buildings 

Plant and 
equipment 

Assets under 
 finance leases 

Assets under 
construction 

Total 

Balance at January 1, 2013 

$  2,062 

$  30,108 

$  33,422 

$  951 

$  1,407 

$  67,950 

Additions 

Disposal of PP&E assets 

Sale leaseback transaction  

Transfer between asset groups 

Effect of foreign currency exchange 

differences 

- 

- 

- 

- 

56 

- 

- 

(21,608) 

112 

345 

16 

(42) 

- 

189 

(165) 

14,622 

851 

- 

- 

2,108 

(108) 

(2,113) 

1,056 

(207) 

(6,986) 

- 

290 

3 

28 

722 

Balance at December 31, 2013 

  2,118 

  8,957 

  35,794 

  15,492 

  174 

  62,535 

Additions 

Disposal of PP&E assets 

Transfers between asset groups 

Effect of foreign currency exchange 

differences 

- 

- 

- 

79 

164 

(28) 

910 

489 

3 

(453) 

866 

310 

(210) 

(26) 

1,986 

- 

(1,750) 

2,463 

(691) 

- 

447 

16 

- 

1,031 

Balance at December 31, 2014 

$  2,197   

$  10,492   

$  36,657   

$  15,582   

$  410   

$  65,338   

Accumulated Depreciation 

Balance at January 1, 2013 

Depreciation expense 

Disposal of PP&E assets 

Sale leaseback transaction 

Effect of foreign currency exchange 

differences 

Balance at December 31, 2013 

Depreciation expense 

Disposal of PP&E assets 

Transfers between asset groups 

Effect of foreign currency exchange 

differences 

$  - 

$  10,779 

$  20,305 

$  424 

$  - 

$  31,508 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

710 

- 

(7,412) 

2,020 

(37) 

- 

67 

114 

4,144 

22,402 

577 

(28) 

78 

140 

2,002 

(445) 

(52) 

212 

765 

(84) 

- 

2 

1,107 

932 

(193) 

(26) 

4 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

3,495 

(121) 

(7,412) 

183 

27,653 

3,511 

(666) 

- 

356 

Balance at December 31, 2014 

$  - 

$  4,911   

$  24,119   

$  1,824   

$ -   

$30,854   

Net book values 

2013 

2014 

$  2,118 

$  4,813 

$  13,392 

$  14,385 

$  174 

$  34,882 

2,197 

5,581 

12,538 

13,758 

410 

34,484 

Depreciation commences when assets are available for use. Depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2014 in 
the amount of $3,110 (2013 - $3,129) is included in cost of sales, with an amount of $252 (2013 - $245) included in selling 
expenses, and an amount of $149 (2013 - $121) included in administrative expenses. 

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   54 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
13. Intangible assets 

Cost 

Patents 

costs  Software 

Product 
development 

Registered 
trade 
names 

Order 
backlog 

Non-
compete 
agreement 

Total 

Balance at January 1, 2013 

$  70 

$  900 

$  2,283 

$  942 

$  148 

$  28 

$  4,371 

Additions 

Transfer between asset groups 

Effect of foreign currency exchange 

Balance at December 31, 2013 

Additions 

Disposal of intangible assets 

Effect of foreign currency exchange 

- 

- 

- 

70 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(7) 

15 

37 

12 

22 

- 

(5) 

65 

908 

2,354 

1,002 

- 

- 

22 

44 

(71) 

34 

- 

- 

91 

- 

- 

10 

158 

- 

- 

14 

- 

- 

2 

37 

- 

114 

30 

4,522 

- 

- 

3 

44 

(71) 

164 

Balance at December 31, 2014 

$  70   

$  930   

$  2,361   

$  1,093   

$  172   

$  33   

$  4,659   

Accumulated Amortization 

Balance at January 1, 2013 

$  34 

$  891 

$  1,821 

$  - 

$  103 

Amortization expense 

Transfer between asset groups 

Effect of foreign currency exchange 

Balance at December 31, 2013 

Amortization expense 

Disposal of intangible assets 

Effect of foreign currency 
exchange 

5 

(1) 

- 

38 

5 

- 

- 

- 

2 

15 

908 

- 

- 

204 

(2) 

12 

2,035 

194 

(71) 

22 

25 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

32 

- 

7 

142 

17 

- 

13 

$  9 

19 

1 

1 

30 

- 

- 

3 

$  2,858 

260 

- 

35 

3,153 

216 

(71) 

63 

Balance at December 31, 2014 

$  43   

$  930    $  2,183   

$  -   

$  172   

$  33   

$  3,361   

Net book values 
2013 

2014 

$  32 

27 

$  - 

- 

$  319 

$  1,002 

$  16 

178 

1,093 

- 

$  - 

- 

$  1,369 

1,298 

Amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2014 in the amount of $23 (2013 - $37) is included in cost of 
goods sold, an amount of $ 74 (2013 - $86) is included in selling expenses, and an amount of $ 119 (2013 - $137) is 
included in administrative expenses.  

55   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14. Goodwill 

14.1  Cost 

Balance at beginning of year 

Effect of foreign currency exchange differences 

Balance at end of year 

2014 

2013 

$  1,968 

$  1,878 

125 

90 

$  2,093   

$  1,968 

For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill is allocated to CGUs (Note 14.2). As at the testing date selected, the 
Corporation determined that the value in use of each cash-generating unit exceeded their carrying amounts and 
therefore no provision for impairment was provided. In order to determine whether impairment is incurred, the 
Corporation estimates the recoverable amount of each CGU. Recoverable amounts are determined on the basis of 
value in use calculations. Classification of CGUs and value in use in 2014 was determined the same way as in 2013.  

14.2  Allocation of goodwill to cash-generating units 

The carrying amount of goodwill has been allocated for impairment testing purposes to the following cash-generating 
units: 

Canada 

USA 

As at 
Dec 31, 2014 

As at 
Dec 31, 2013 

$  580   

1,513 

$  580 

1,388 

$  2,093   

$  1,968 

The recoverable amounts of the cash-generating units are determined by performing value in use calculations which 
use cash flow projections based on a one-year financial budget approved by the directors plus future financial 
projections covering an additional four-year period. The cash flow projections for the four year period following the 
budget year are prepared in a manner consistent with past experience and reflect management’s expectation of the 
medium term operating performance of the CGUs and the markets in which they operate. The valuation model also 
takes into account working capital requirements and capital investments required to support the sales revenue 
projections, and terminal values.  

The Corporation used a discount rate of 11.0% (13.0% in 2013). The discount rate was determined based on an 
estimate of the Corporation’s weighted average cost of capital. 

The key assumptions used for value in use calculations in 2014 and 2013 were as follows: 

Year 

2014 

2013 

Cash generating unit 

Compound annual 
growth rate (5 Years)  

Long-term  
growth rate 

Discount rate 

Canada 

USA 

Canada 
USA 

3.5 % 

10.8 % 

2.6 % 

12.8 % 

2.0 % 

2.0 % 

2.5 % 
3.0 % 

11.0 % 

11.0 % 

13.0 % 

13.0 % 

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   56 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15. Retirement benefits plans 

15.1  Group registered retirement savings plan 

The Corporation operates a group registered retirement savings plan for all qualifying employees in Canada. The 
assets of each individual in the plan are held separately from those of the Corporation in investment instruments 
under the control of a large Canadian Chartered Bank. An individual employee’s assets held in the plan are self-
administered by the employee. The Corporation’s obligation with respect to the group registered retirement savings 
plans is to administer employee contributions via the payroll and to part-match contributions made by employees 
based on an established policy.  

15.2  Group 401K plan 

The Corporation operates group 401K plans for all qualifying employees located in Michigan and Idaho, USA, in 
which qualifying employees may elect to defer current wages for retirement. The Corporation has the option to match 
employee contributions to the plans.  

The assets of the plans are held separately from those of the Corporation by a trust company and governed by a 
custodial agreement under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”). The Corporation also utilizes 
the services of registered investment brokers and third party administrators in the fulfillment of its actuarial and 
fiduciary responsibilities with respect to the plans.  

15.3  Defined benefit pension plan 

The Corporation operates a funded defined benefit pension plan for qualifying Ontario-based employees who are 
members of the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service 
Workers International Union. Under the plan, retiring employees receive on a monthly basis a fixed benefit amount 
multiplied by the number of years of eligible service. No other post-retirement benefits are provided to these 
employees except for a minimal amount of life insurance coverage. 

The most recent actuarial valuation of plan assets and the present value of defined benefit obligation were determined 
as at March 31, 2014 and the accounting valuations were subsequently updated to December 31, 2014, by the 
independent actuary. 

The table below outlines the amounts included in the consolidated balance sheets arising from the Corporation’s 
obligation in respect of its defined benefit plan:  

Present value of the funded defined benefit obligation 

Fair value of plan assets 

Net liability arising from defined benefit obligation 

As at 
Dec 31, 2014 

As at 
Dec 31, 2013 

$  1,653   
(1,597) 

$  1,435 
(1,360) 

$ 56   

$  76 

The principal assumptions used for the purpose of the actuarial accounting valuations were as follows: 

Discount rate (end of fiscal year) 
Expected return on plan assets 

2014 
4.00 % 
4.00 % 

2013 
4.75 % 
4.75 %  

57   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts recognized as an expense in respect of the defined benefit plan were as follows: 

Current service costs 
Administration costs 
Interest costs 
Interest income 

2014 

$  36     
29 
69 
(67) 

$  67   

2013 

$  39 
29 
61 
(47) 

$  82 

The expense for the years is included in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. 

Movements in the present value of the defined benefit obligation were as follows: 

Opening defined benefit obligation 
Current service costs 
Interest cost on obligation 
Benefit payments 

Actuarial loss (gain) 

Closing defined benefit obligation 

Movements in the present value of the plan assets were as follows: 

Opening fair value of plan assets 
Actual return on plan assets 

Employer contributions 

Administration costs 

Benefit payments 

2014 

$  1,435 
36 
69 
(45) 

158 

2013 

$  1,514 
39 
61 
(45) 

(134) 

$ 1,653  

$  1,435 

2014 

$  1,360 

2013 

$  1,135 

164 

147 

(29) 

(45) 

161 

138 

(29) 

(45) 

Closing fair value of plan assets 

$  1,597   

$  1,360 

The major categories of plan assets are as follows:  

Equity instruments 

Fixed income securities 

Cash and cash equivalents 

Total 

Distribution of plan assets 

As at 
Dec 31, 2014 

As at 
Dec 31, 2013 

90 % 

8 % 
2 % 

100 % 

83 % 

12 % 
5 % 

100 % 

To the best of management’s knowledge, none of the plan assets are invested in the Corporation’s shares. 

The Corporation expects to make contributions of $140 (2013 - $147) to the defined benefit plan in the 2015 
financial year. 

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   58 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16. Deferred revenue  

As at December 31, 2014, the Corporation held deposits collected from customers in the amount of $2,716 (December 31, 
2013 - $1,852) for work to be performed at a future date.  The Corporation typically expects all customer deposit amounts 
to be recognized as revenue within 12 months of their collection. 

17. Borrowings 

17.1  Operating credit facilities 

Canada  
In May 2014, the Corporation’s Canadian subsidiary changed its credit facility arrangements with a Canadian bank 
from having a revolving facility of $8,000 and a non-revolving facility of $4,300 to a single revolving facility of 
$10,000.   

The new revolving facility is secured by a first ranking security interest in trade receivables and inventories of the 
Canadian subsidiary. Under the facility, the Canadian subsidiary is subject to certain covenants, one of which is a 
financial covenant to maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage ratio of not less than 1.25:1. The financial covenant and 
parent guarantee were unchanged from the previous agreement. The Corporation continues to provide a guarantee 
and postponement of claim to the bank in the amount of $10,000. 

In December 2014, the bank amended the credit facility agreement to remove the Fixed Charge Coverage ratio 
requirement. The interest rate applicable on draws made against the facility is the Canadian bank’s prime rate plus 
0.5% and the facility carries a monthly standby fee when not being utilized. 

USA  
As at December 31, 2014, the Corporation had no long-term debt in the USA. The Corporation’s USA operations do 
not have access to any bank credit facilities at this time.  

17.2  Long-term debt 

As at December 31, 2014, the Corporation had no long-term debt. All bank term debt was repaid from proceeds of a 
sale of real estate transaction completed in March 2013. 

18. Deferred operating lease obligations 

The Corporation’s Canadian subsidiary is a party to several operating lease agreements for real estate which are by its 
operations. Rent expenses under those agreements are recognized in the consolidated statement of income on a straight-
line basis over the term of each lease. The straight-line method creates timing differences between actual rent amounts 
paid to the owners of the properties and the amounts recorded as an expense. These differences arise as a result of future 
contractual rent escalations being recognized sooner than they are required to be paid.  

As at December 31, 2014, a deferred operating lease obligation was recorded in the amount of $178 as a long-term liability 
on the consolidated balance sheet (2013 - $Nil). 

19. Finance lease obligations 

Finance leases exist for automobiles and buildings. Lease obligations for automobiles are secured by the lessors’ title to 
the automobiles.  

In March 2013, the Corporation entered into carefree triple net lease agreements as part of a sale leaseback arrangement 
with a Canadian REIT for four Canadian properties, each having a lease term of twenty years. Monthly rent expenses are 
fixed over the first five years of each term with predetermined rent increases after years five, ten and fifteen of the twenty-
year terms. A renewal option exists for a second term of ten years with market rates for rent to be determined at the time of 
renewal. Under the terms of the lease agreements, the Corporation is responsible for the operating costs of the leased 
premises including all major repairs necessary to maintain the properties in a state of good order and condition. 

As part of the sale leaseback transaction, a proportion of the consideration received was in units of the Canadian REIT 
which were pledged as security for the minimum rent obligations for the building leases over the first ten years of the lease 

59   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
 
term. The Canadian REIT units are held in an escrow account and marked-to-market at the end of each reporting period. 
The units had a fair value of $2,227 (2013 - $2,392) as at December 31, 2014 (see Note 21). The Canadian REIT currently 
pays monthly distributions on the units and distributions flow to the Corporation when paid and are included as investment 
income in the consolidated statements of income.  

The Corporation’s finance lease obligations as at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are stated in the following table: 

Not later than one year 

Later than one year and not later than five years 

Later than five years 

Total minimum lease payments 

Less: amounts representing finance costs 

Present value of minimum lease payments 

Minimum lease payments 

Dec 31, 2014 

Dec 31, 2013 

$  1,743   

$  1,672 

6,506 

24,428 

32,677 

18,261 

6,313 

26,081 

34,066 

19,649 

$  14,416   

$  14,417 

Finance lease obligations are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as follows: 

Current 
Long-term 

Total 

20. Issued capital 

20.1  Authorized 

  Dec 31, 2014  Dec 31, 2013 

$  321   
14,095 

$  253 
14,164 

$  14,416   

$  14,417 

The Corporation’s authorized share capital represents: 

(a)  An unlimited number of voting common shares without nominal or par value which carry one vote per share and 

carry a right to dividends.  

(b)  An unlimited number of preferred shares without nominal or par value, issuable in series at the discretion of the 

directors of the Corporation of which none are outstanding. 

20.2  Share-based payments 

The Corporation has a stock option plan under which the maximum number of shares issuable is equal to 10% of the 
number of issued and outstanding common shares. A stock option allows the grantee of the option to acquire 
common shares of the Corporation, at the strike price established at the time of grant. Options may be exercised at 
any time from the vesting date to the date of expiry which is the fifth anniversary of the effective date of grant. The 
strike price of each stock option is determined as the weighted average market price of the Corporation’s common 
shares established two business days preceding the effective date of grant.  

Each employee share option converts into one ordinary share of the Company upon exercising. No amounts are paid 
or payable by the recipient on initial receipt of the option. The options carry neither rights to dividends nor voting 
rights.  

No share options were granted in the year ended December 31, 2014, and there were no options outstanding under 
the Corporation’s share option plan as at December 31, 2014 and 2013.  

20.3  Normal Course Issuer Bid 

In September 2014, the Corporation obtained approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange to renew its Normal Course 
Issuer Bid (the “Bid”) program for a 12-month period which commenced on September 11, 2014, and ends no later 
than September 10, 2015. The renewal allows the Corporation to purchase up to a maximum of 50,000 of its common 
shares, representing 0.74% of the Corporation’s 6,719,703 issued and outstanding common shares as at September 9, 

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   60 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014, subject to daily maximum purchases of 1,000 common shares. The Corporation will purchase from time-to-
time its common shares at market prices by means of open market transactions on the Toronto Stock Exchange. 

In the year ended, December 31, 2014, the Corporation purchased for cancellation 8,400 (2013 – 14,800) of its 
common shares under the current Bid for an aggregate price of $38 (2013 - $72), of which $12 (2013 - $26) was 
charged to retained earnings as a premium on redemption of the common shares.   

20.4  Dividends 

In the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Corporation’s Board of Directors declared regular quarterly 
dividends of $0.06 (2013 – $0.06) per common share which were paid in the months of February, May, August and 
November of each year.  

In the year ended December 31, 2013, the Corporation’s Board of Directors declared a one-time, special dividend of 
$1.00 per common share which was paid on May 31, 2013. 

Aggregate dividends paid in the year ended December 31, 2014, amounted to $1,613 (2013 - $8,345). 

21. Financial instruments 

21.1  Capital management 

The Corporation manages its capital structure to ensure that the Corporation and its subsidiaries will be able to 
continue as going concerns, maximizing the return to shareholders through the optimization of the debt and equity, 
and to safeguard corporate assets.  

The Corporation’s capital structure as at December 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of shareholders’ equity in the 
amounts of $42,621 and $42,377, respectively. The corporation has had no long-term debt since March 2013. 

The Corporation considers the amount of capital it requires in proportion to the associated risks. Adjustments may be 
made to the Corporation’s capital structure in light of changes in economic conditions and the risk characteristics of 
the underlying assets. The capital structure can be maintained or adjusted in a variety of ways as circumstances may 
change, including: adjusting the amount of dividends paid to shareholders; purchasing shares for cancellation (under 
Normal Course Issuer Bids); issuing new shares; and increasing or repaying any debt financing. 

The Corporation pursues its capital management objectives by prudently managing the capital generated through 
internal growth of its operations, optimizing the use of lower cost capital when required, and raising share capital 
when deemed appropriate, to fund significant strategic growth initiatives. 

21.2  Categories of financial instruments 

The Corporation, through its financial assets and liabilities, is exposed to a variety of risks that may affect the fair 
value of its financial instruments with each carrying varying degrees of significance which could affect the 
Corporation’s ability to achieve its strategic objectives of growing its operations and increasing shareholder returns.  

The following fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value of 
financial instruments classified as FVTPL. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below: 

Level 1:  Fair value based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date 

for identical assets or liabilities. 

Level 2:  Fair value based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable either 

directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. 

Level 3:  Fair value based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and 

significant to the overall fair value measurement.  

61   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
 
 
A summary of the categories, measurement basis, hierarchy, carrying values and fair values of financial instruments 
held by the Corporation are stated in the following table:  

Financial instrument 

Category 

Measurement 

Hierarchy 

December 31, 2014  December 31, 2013 
Fair  
Value 

Carrying 
Amount 

Carrying 
Amount 

Fair  
Value 

Cash and cash 
equivalents 

FVTPL 

Fair value 

Level 1 

$ 8,933 

$ 8,933 

$ 8,938 

$ 8,938 

Restricted marketable 
securities 

Available for 
sale 

Trade receivables 

Trade and other 
payables 

Finance lease 
obligations 

Loans and 
receivables 

Other financial 
liabilities 

Other financial 
liabilities 

Deferred operating lease 
obligations 

Other financial 
liabilities 

Fair value 

Level 1 

2,227 

2,227 

2,392 

2,392 

Amortized cost 

N/A 

8,931 

8,931 

8,785 

8,785 

Amortized cost 

N/A 

(7,089) 

(7,089) 

(7,012) 

(7,012) 

Amortized cost 

N/A 

(14,416) 

(14,416) 

(14,417) 

(14,417) 

Amortized cost 

Level 2 

(178) 

(178) 

- 

- 

The Corporation has determined the fair value of its financial instruments as follows:  

  The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, and trade and other payables 

approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of those instruments.  

  Marketable securities – restricted, consist of unit of a publicly-traded Canadian REIT, which are marked-to-
market based on the quoted price of the units on the Toronto Stock Exchange at the end of each reporting 
period.   

21.3  Credit risk 

Credit risk is defined as the risk that the Corporation’s counterparty in a transaction fails to meet or discharge their 
obligation to the Corporation. 

The Corporation’s exposure to credit risk is associated with trade receivables and the potential risk that any customer 
is unable to pay amounts due. Allowances for doubtful accounts and bad debts are estimated as at the balance sheet 
date. The amounts reported for trade receivables on the balance sheet are net of allowances for doubtful accounts and 
the net carrying value represents the Corporation’s maximum exposure to credit risk. 

The Corporation’s subsidiaries provide trade credit to their customers in the normal course of business and the 
Corporation’s credit policy is universally adopted across all businesses. The policy requires the credit history of each 
new customer to be closely examined before credit is granted, which may involve performing solvency tests if a 
particular account is expected to become significant. It is not normal practice to require customers to provide 
collateral or security as a condition of approving trade credit. The diversity of the Corporation’s customer base and 
product offering combine to minimize overall exposures to credit risks.  

Customers ordering highly-customized manufactured products are required to make advance payments at various 
predefined stages of a sales contract. All payments received in advance of invoicing are reported as deferred revenue 
in the current liability section of the balance sheet. Final contract balances are typically required to be paid in full 
before products are shipped.  

Management diligently reviews past due trade receivables balances on a weekly basis to monitor potential credit 
risks. Accounts are considered for impairment on a case-by-case basis when they are past due or when objective 
evidence is received that a customer may default. A number of factors are considered in determining the likelihood of 
impairment. All bad debt write-offs and changes in the doubtful trade receivables reserve are expensed or credited, as 
applicable, to selling expenses in the consolidated statement of income.  

PFB believes that credit risk associated with its trade receivables is limited for the following reasons: 

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   62 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Trade receivables balances are spread amongst a broad customer base which is dispersed across a wide 

geographic range; 

  The aging profile of trade receivables balances is systematically monitored by management; 
  Larger customers are offered a discount off invoice for prompt payment which is strictly enforced; and    
  Payments for highly-customized orders are received in advance of products being shipped. 

Potential credit risk associated with contractual holdback amounts pertaining to certain large projects is considered to 
be low as the customers involved are required to provide bonding to the owners of the projects. The credit risk on 
cash balances is limited because the counterparties are large commercial banks in Canada and the United States. 

Payment of interest by customers arising on past due trade receivables balances is included in investment income in 
the consolidated statements of income. 

21.4  Foreign currency risk  

Currency risk is defined as the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate 
because of changes in foreign exchange rates. 

The Corporation operates in both Canada and the United States of America and is exposed to foreign exchange risks 
arising from changes in foreign exchange rates between the two countries. At the present time, the Corporation has a 
net exposure to the U.S. dollar, as the prices for most raw materials used in its operations are denominated in that 
currency. Raw material supplies denominated in U.S. dollars are usually required to be paid within thirty days or less 
of receiving actual deliveries, which is consistent with industry practices.  

Periodically, management may commit to entering into foreign exchange contracts to attempt to protect earnings 
against relatively short-term fluctuations in exchange rates. In such cases, management attempts to make informed 
judgments in entering such transactions but there is a possibility that markets may not respond in ways predicted. To 
the extent that the Corporation does not fully hedge its foreign currency exposure and exchange rate risk, or the 
Corporation’s subsidiaries are not able to or do not raise their selling prices accordingly when exchange rates are 
moving in an unfavourable direction, the profitability of the business could be adversely affected. The Corporation 
did not hold any foreign exchange contracts as at December 31, 2014. 

The following tables detail the Corporation’s exposure to foreign currency risk as at December 31, 2014 and 2013, 
including a sensitivity analysis to changes in foreign exchange rates: 

December 31, 2014 

December 31, 2013 

USD 

Change in 
currency 

Effect on 
after tax 
income (loss) 

Change in 
currency 

USD 

Effect on 
after tax 
income (loss) 

Net monetary assets 

Net monetary liabilities 

$  3,292   

(1,808) 

5.0% 

5.0% 

$  114   

$  2,812 

(63) 

(1,286) 

5.0% 

5.0% 

$  96 

(44) 

21.5  Interest rate risk  

Interest rate risk is defined as the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate 
because of change in market interest rates.  

As at December 31, 2014, the Corporation had no long-term debt and the Corporation’s Canadian subsidiary had 
access to a revolving credit facility with a Canadian bank. The revolving credit facility had a limit of $10,000, based 
on marginable trade receivables and inventories. The revolving credit facility was unused (December 31, 2013 - 
$8,000 unused).  

21.6  Liquidity risk  

Liquidity risk is defined as the risk that an entity will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with 
financial liabilities. 

The Corporation’s liquidity risk is that it is not able to settle liabilities when due or that it can do so only at an 
abnormally high cost. Accordingly, one of management’s primary goals is to maintain an optimum level of liquidity 
by actively managing assets, liabilities and cash flows generated by operations. The Corporation’s future strategies 
can be financed through a combination of cash flows generated by operations, borrowing under existing credit 

63   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
facilities, and the issuance of equity. Management prepares regular budgets and cash flow forecasts to help predict 
future changes in liquidity.  

The Corporation has financial liabilities with the following maturities: 

Current 
less than 12 
months 
$  7,089   

Due within  
 12 to 24 
months 
$  - 

Due within  
 25 to 36 
months 
$  - 

Due within  
37 to 48 
months 
$  - 

Due after  
48 months 
$  - 

Total 
$  7,089   

32,677 

1,743 

1,677 

1,542 

1,628 

26,087 

$  39,766   

$  8,832   

$  1,677 

$  1,542 

$  1,628 

$  26,087 

As at December 31, 2014 
Trade and other payables  
Finance lease obligations  
Total 

As at December 31, 2013 
Trade and other payables  

Finance lease obligations 

34,066 

1,672 

$  7,012 

$  7,012 

$  - 

1,632 

$  - 

1,552 

$  - 

1,505 

$  - 

27,705 

Total 

$  41,078 

$  8,684 

$  1,632 

$  1,552 

$  1,505 

$  27,705 

22. Related party transactions 

All related party transactions are constituted in the ordinary course of business and they have been measured at the agreed 
to exchange amounts which approximate fair value. All transactions with related parties have been approved by the Board 
of Directors.  

Balances and transactions between the Corporation and its subsidiaries, which are related parties of the Corporation, have 
been eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed in this note (see Note 5). Details of transactions between the 
Corporation and other related parties are disclosed below. 

22.1  Trading transactions 

Related party transactions are constituted in the ordinary business and they have been measured at the agreed to 
exchange amounts which closely approximate fair value.  

In the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Corporation had the following trading transactions with related 
parties: 

Nature of transactions 

Aeonian Capital Corporation 

Management services 

James B. Young 

Real property lease 

Baker Investments, LLC 

Stipend and travel expenses 

2014 

2013 

$  350   

$  350 

- 

- 

77 

49 

$  350   

$  476 

Aeonian Capital Corporation (“Aeonian”), and its affiliates, owned 2,967,668 (2013 - 2,921,668) common shares of 
the Corporation representing 44.2% (2013 – 43.4%) of the 6,716,003 issued and outstanding shares as at December 
31, 2014. Aeonian is controlled by C. Alan Smith, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of PFB. The 
Corporation is charged fees by Aeonian for management services including those provided by Mr. Smith. The fees 
are reported under administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of income.  

Baker Investments, LLC and James B. Young ceased to be related parties effective May 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013, 
respectively. No related party balances were outstanding at the end of the reporting periods.  

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   64 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
22.2  Compensation of key management personnel 

The remuneration of directors and other members of key management personnel for the year ended were as follows: 

Short-term benefits 1 
Post-employments benefits 
Other long-term benefits 
Share-based payments 
Termination benefits 

2014 

$  875   

- 
- 
- 
- 

$  875   

2013 

$  852 
- 
- 
- 
- 

$  852 

1 Short-term benefits includes the following: salaries and associated employer-related costs for payroll and health benefits; 

bonuses; management and directors fees (as applicable).  

The remuneration of directors and the key executives is recommended to the Board of Directors by the Human 
Resources and Compensation Committee and having regard to the performance of individuals and market trends. 

23. Operating lease arrangements 

Operating leases generally have varying terms of between 12 months and 20 years, with options to renew in some cases. 
Several leases have either rent incentives or rent escalation clauses. There are no contingent rents or sublease payments 
applicable to any operating lease. 
The Corporation’s future minimum payments under non-cancellable, operating lease arrangements for lands, buildings and 
equipment, as at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are as stated in the table below: 

Not later than one year 

Later than one year and not later than five years 

Later than five years 

24. Commitments and contingencies 

24.1  Performance bonds 

2014 

2013 

$  1,471   

$  1,431 

4,751 

11,027 

4,225 

9,643 

$  17,249   

$  15,299 

From time to time, under the terms of certain sales contracts, the Corporation’s subsidiaries may be required to 
provide a performance bond as security. Performance bonds are considered normal practice for suppliers and 
contractors participating in larger construction projects, usually of a public nature. In the USA, government agencies 
in certain states have requirements for bonds to be posted when certain types of licensing applications are made in 
any of those states. As at December 31, 2014, the estimated aggregate value of shipments required to satisfy 
Canadian contracts secured by performance bonds was $1,600 (December 31, 2013 - $2,900). In the USA, 
performance bonds in the amount of $614 (December 31, 2013 - $340) were pledged to various government agencies 
as at December 31, 2014. 

24.2  Expenditures for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 

Under the terms of the carefree triple net property leases with a Canadian REIT, the Corporation’s subsidiary, Plasti-
Fab Ltd., is responsible for all major repairs necessary to maintain the leased properties in a state of good order and 
condition over the duration of the leases. As at December 31, 2014, no definitive schedule of major repairs has been 
determined. 

65   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Corporation had the following commitments for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets as at 
December 31, 2014 and 2013: 

Property, plant and equipment 

Intangible assets 

24.3  Contingent liabilities 

As at 
Dec 31, 2014 

As at 
Dec 31, 2013 

$  591   

21 

$  612   

$  385 

- 

$  385 

In the normal course of its operations, the Corporation and/or its subsidiaries may occasionally become involved in 
various claims. While the final outcome with respect to any claims pending cannot be predicted with certainty, it is 
the opinion of management that their resolution will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial 
position, consolidated results of operations or cash flows. 

24.4  Environment 

The Corporation’s subsidiaries are subject to various laws, regulations, and government policies relating to health 
and safety, production operations, storage and transportation of goods, disposal and environmental emissions of 
various substances and materials, and to the protection of the environment in general. It is the opinion of management 
that the Corporation and its subsidiaries are in compliance with such laws, regulations and government policies in all 
material respects. 

25. Supplementary cash flow information 

25.1  Changes in non-cash working capital 

Decrease (increase) in: 

Trade receivables 

Inventories 

Prepaid expenses 

Trade and other payables 

Deferred revenue 

25.2  Non-cash transactions excluded from the consolidated statement of cash flows 

Property, plant and equipment acquired with 

finance lease obligations 

26. Subsequent events 

26.1  Declaration of regular quarterly dividend 

2014 

2013 

$  (146)   

$  (464) 

(573) 

(91) 

77 

864 

(567) 

(117) 

(583) 

417 

$  131   

$  (1,314) 

2014 

2013 

$  (310) 

$  (14,788) 

On January 30, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.06 per common share 
payable on February 27, 2015, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 13, 2015. 

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   66 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
27. Subsidiaries 

Subsidiary 

Principal activities 

Place of 
incorporation 
and operation 

Proportion of ownership interest 
and voting power held  
by the Corporation 
December 31, 
2013 

December 31, 
2014 

Canada 
Plasti-Fab Ltd. 

USA 

Manufacturing 

Alberta, Canada 

100% 

100% 

PFB America Corporation 

Holding company 

Delaware, USA 

PFB Custom Homes Group, LLC  Design and construction 

Delaware, USA 

services 

PFB Manufacturing, LLC 

Manufacturing  

Delaware, USA 

PFB America Real Estate, LLC 

Real estate holdings 

Delaware, USA 

100% 

100% 

100% 

100% 

100% 

100% 

100% 

100% 

28. Approval of financial statements 

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorized for issue on March 6, 2015. 

67   PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DIRECTORS 

Frank B. Baker 
Director 

Bruce M. Carruthers 
Chief Operating Officer 
PFB Corporation 

Donald J. Douglas 
Chairman Emeritus 
United Communities Inc. 

Edward H. Kernaghan 
Executive Vice President 
Kernaghan & Partners Ltd. 

John K. Read 
President 
John K. Read Investments Ltd. 

C. Alan Smith 
President 
Aeonian Capital Corporation 

William H. Smith, Q.C. 
Principal, William H. Smith Professional Corp. 

Gordon G. Tallman 
Corporate Director 

OFFICERS 

C. Alan Smith 
Chairman, President and 
Chief Executive Officer 

Stephen P. Hardy 
Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer 

Bruce M. Carruthers 
Chief Operating Officer 

William H. Smith, Q.C. 
Corporate Secretary 

OPERATIONS 

Head Office 

Calgary, Alberta 

Plasti-Fab Ltd. 

EPS Moulding Operations: 
Delta, British Columbia 
Crossfield, Alberta 
Edmonton, Alberta 
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 
Winnipeg, Manitoba 
Kitchener, Ontario 
Ajax, Ontario 

Insulspan SIPS Division: 
Delta, British Columbia 

PFB America Corporation 

PFB Custom Homes Group, LLC 

Meridian, Idaho 
Blissfield, Michigan 
PFB Manufacturing, LLC 

Lebanon, Ohio 
Blissfield, Michigan 

PFB America Real Estate, LLC 

WEBSITES 
www.pfbcorp.com            www.advantageicf.com 
www.plastifab.com           www.insulspan.com 
www.riverbendtf.com        www.pfbsustainability.com 
www.precisioncraft.com     www.pfbamerica.com  
www.mtndesign.com         www.timberscape.com  
www.pointzerohomes.com 

BANKERS 
Royal Bank of Canada 

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR 
Alliance Trust Company 

AUDITORS 
Deloitte LLP 

STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING 
The Toronto Stock Exchange 

STOCK SYMBOL 
PFB 

PFB Corporation Annual Report 2014   68 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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100, 2886 Sunridge Way N.E. 
Calgary, AB T1Y 7H9 
Canada 

Tel:  403.569.4300 
Fax:  403.569.4075 
Email: mailbox@pfbcorp.com 

www.pfbcorp.com