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ScS Group

scs · NYSE Industrials
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Industry Business Equipment & Supplies
Employees 10,000+
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FY2017 Annual Report · ScS Group
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2017
ANNUALREPORT

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Stock Performance
($ Dollars)

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

02/24/12

02/22/13

02/28/14

02/27/15

02/26/16

02/24/17

S&P 500 Stock Index

Peer Group

Steelcase

NOTES:

1. This graph shows the yearly percentage change in 

3. The Peer Group consists of three companies that manufacture 

cumulative total shareholder return, assuming a $100 
investment on February 24, 2012.

2. The S&P 500 Stock Index is used as a performance 

indicator of the overall stock market.

office furniture and have industry characteristics that we 
believe are similar to Steelcase. The peer group consists of 
Herman Miller, Inc., HNI Corporation and Knoll, Inc. The returns 
of each company in this group are weighted by their relative 
market capitalization at the beginning of each fiscal year.

Revenue
($ Billions)

Gross Margin
(% Of Revenue)

Net Income 
($ Millions)

Cash Returned
to Shareholders

($ Millions)

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FY: 13

14

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FY:

13

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17

FY:

13

14

15 16

17

FY:

13

14

15

16

17

Common Stock Repurchases
Dividends Paid

To our shareholders:

We saw the benefits in fiscal year 2017 of the restructuring and business model improvements we’ve 
done over the past decade. For the year, Steelcase reported $200 million in operating income, the 
highest since the start of the financial crisis in fiscal year 2009. This represented 6.6 percent of revenue, 
which was our best operating income margin since fiscal year 2001. 

And we achieved this in a year when sales were essentially flat, which I will talk about later in this letter.

During fiscal year 2017, the restructuring and disruption costs experienced over the past two years 
because of our EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) manufacturing footprint changes had ended. 
Although uncertain economic and political environments continue to impact demand in some markets, 
our EMEA operations network is now stable and providing even better service to our customers than 
before the restructuring activities began. In addition, gross margins in that segment are improving 
and, despite posting an operating loss for the full year, EMEA achieved a small operating profit in the 
third quarter and significantly improved full year results compared to the prior year, evidence that the 
restructuring actions are paying back. 

We believe this past year could also mark a turning point for our Asia Pacific business, which exceeded 
our expectations and was nicely profitable for the full year. With the greatest momentum in China and 
India, our Asia Pacific team ended the year with record sales and orders in the fourth quarter. And it’s very 
promising to see our customer base in the region begin to evolve toward large, local companies that are 
expanding outward from Asia and seeking our help in other parts of the world. 

In the Americas, our project orders strengthened in the second half of fiscal year 2017, contributing to 
organic revenue growth in the second half of the year compared to declines earlier in the year. We saw 
significant declines in demand from the energy sector and were not able to fully offset this drop. We are 
disappointed by the lack of overall sales growth, but we are confident in our ability to respond. 

In the Americas and other established markets, many customers are making the transition from traditional 
corporate applications, where we have a large installed base, to a wide range of new work environments 
to support new ways of working and a new generation of workers. In the short run, customers preparing 
for larger changes ahead are scaling back incremental updates of existing spaces, which creates a 
headwind. But in the longer run, we believe these forces will lead to more large project opportunities 
among our legacy accounts. That’s good for our business.

These new work environments often include furniture inspired by hospitality and residential trends, 
which creates an opportunity for us to broaden our offering. We have introduced new products that are 
on trend – and sales of these products are ahead of our internal forecasts – and updated our spaces 
and marketing materials to demonstrate ways that we can support customers who want to be “less 
corporate.” We will continue to build our offering through our own product development and through 
partnerships, aimed at recapturing our share of wallet with customers and our dealers, by delivering the 
quality, reliability and scale efficiencies our customers expect from Steelcase. 

There are other significant themes that will drive our business in the coming year and beyond. More 
and more companies are recognizing our point of view that the workspace is a key driver of employee 
engagement and retention. CEOs who are competing for talent want offices that support creativity and 
innovation, which requires a range of individual and shared work settings.

Another theme that is beginning to emerge is the desire to understand the effectiveness of these different 
types of spaces. Companies want to track utilization to ensure they are making the best use of their real 
estate and are helping their people do their best work.

Steelcase has been investing for several years in the development of the “smart and connected” office. 
Several months ago, we announced an alliance with Microsoft. We’re working together on a couple of 
fronts to solve customer issues – about how to integrate space and technology to unlock creativity and 
productivity of people, and about how we can add value for our customers by providing data about how 
spaces are being used.

At our NeoCon trade show this past June, we demonstrated two products – Steelcase® Workplace Advisor 
and Personal Assistant – that track, store and analyze space utilization data in a secure way. We believe 
customers will be willing to subscribe to this steady stream of information, and that users will find value in  
a tool that helps them easily find available spaces to meet or do heads-down work.

With a strong balance sheet and having put restructuring activities behind us, our company is ready to 
invest in growth. The general business climate appears favorable for our industry and we believe that we  
are positioned to gain market share – both in our core business and in new categories such as technology. 
We are adding resources to support product innovation and customer relationships, and we continue to 
seek partners who can help us expand our offerings.

Finally, a bit of personal recognition: Bill Crawford has been a member of our board since 1979 and he 
will be retiring in July. Bill already retired from Steelcase once – 17 years ago – after nearly 35 years of 
employee service that included serving as President of the Steelcase Design Partnership. Bill has been  
a valuable advisor, a great advocate for people and a living example of our core values.

At the same time, we have welcomed two new board members during the past year, and nominated a third. 
Tim Brown, CEO and president of IDEO, and Todd Kelsey, president and CEO of Plexus Corp, are already 
making their contributions felt. Jenny Niemann, president and CEO of Forward Space, an independent 
Steelcase dealership, has been nominated as a candidate for approval by shareholders at our annual 
meeting in July. 

Our team, from the members of our board of directors to our employees around the world, is committed to 
building shareholder value. Our people are the biggest reason why we continue to lead our global industry, 
and why I’m positive about the future. Thanks for your continued interest in Steelcase.

James P. Keane
President and Chief Executive Officer
Steelcase Inc.

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
____________________________ 
FORM 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended February 24, 2017 

OR

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

Commission File Number 1-13873
____________________________ 

STEELCASE INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Michigan
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

901 44th Street SE
Grand Rapids, Michigan
(Address of principal executive offices)

38-0819050
(IRS employer identification number)

49508
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (616) 247-2710
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Class A Common Stock

Title of each class

Name of each exchange on which registered
New York Stock Exchange

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

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 

         No  
        No  

during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing 
requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  

        No   

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

        No  

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and 

will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K 
or any amendment to this Form 10-K.   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an 

emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in 
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer 

         Non-accelerated filer 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any 

         Smaller reporting company 

        Emerging growth company 

         Accelerated filer 

new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity of the registrant held by non-affiliates, computed by reference to the closing 

         No  

price of the Class A Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange, as of August 26, 2016 (the last day of the registrant’s most recently completed second 
fiscal quarter) was approximately $1.2 billion. There is no quoted market for registrant’s Class B Common Stock, but shares of Class B Common Stock may 
be converted at any time into an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock.

As of April 10, 2017, 86,903,762 shares of the registrant’s Class A Common Stock and 31,097,549 shares of the registrant’s Class B Common Stock 

were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be held on July 12, 2017, are incorporated by 

reference in Part III of this Form 10-K.

STEELCASE INC.

FORM 10-K

YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 24, 2017 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part I

Item 1.
Item 1A.

Item 1B.

Item 2.

Item 3.

Item 4.

Part II

Item 5.

Item 6.

Item 7.

Item 7A.

Item 8.

Item 9.

Item 9A.

Item 9B.

Part III

Item 10.

Item 11.

Item 12.

Item 13.

Item 14.

Part IV

Business

Risk Factors

Unresolved Staff Comments

Properties

Legal Proceedings

Mine Safety Disclosures

Supplementary Item. Executive Officers of the Registrant

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

Selected Financial Data

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

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial 
Disclosure

Controls and Procedures

Other Information

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Executive Compensation

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

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

Form 10-K Summary

Item 15.
Item 16.
Signatures
Schedule II
Index of Exhibits

Page No.   

1

6

11

11

11

11

12

14

16

17

34

37

88

88

88

89

89

89

89

89

90
90
91
S-1
E-1

 
  
  
PART I

Item 1.  Business:

The following business overview is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information included 
elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Report”).  As used in this Report, 
unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires, all references to “Steelcase,” “we,” “our,” 
“Company” and similar references are to Steelcase Inc. and its subsidiaries in which a controlling interest is 
maintained.  Unless the context otherwise indicates, reference to a year relates to the fiscal year, ended in February 
of the year indicated, rather than a calendar year.  Additionally, Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 reference the first, second, third 
and fourth quarter, respectively, of the fiscal year indicated.  All amounts are in millions, except share and per share 
data, data presented as a percentage or as otherwise indicated.

Overview

At Steelcase, our purpose is to unlock human promise by creating great experiences at work, wherever work 

happens, and in environments that include education and healthcare.  Through our family of brands that include 
Steelcase®, Coalesse®, Designtex®, PolyVision® and Turnstone®, we offer a comprehensive portfolio of solutions 
that support the social, economic and sustainability needs of people and are inspired by the insights gained from 
our human-centered research process.  We are a globally integrated enterprise, headquartered in Grand Rapids, 
Michigan, U.S.A., with approximately 11,700 employees.  Steelcase was founded in 1912 and became publicly 
traded in 1998, and our stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SCS”.

Our growth strategy continues to focus on translating our research-based insights into products, applications 
and experiences that will help the world’s leading organizations amplify the performance of their people, teams and 
enterprise.  We help our customers create workplace destinations that augment human interaction by supporting 
the physical, cognitive and emotional needs of their people, while also optimizing the value of their real estate 
investments.  We continue to invest in research and product development and have launched new products, 
applications and experiences designed to address the significant trends that are impacting the workplace, such as 
global integration, disruptive technologies, worker mobility, distributed teams and the need for enhanced 
collaboration and innovation. 

We also continue to focus on growth through leveraging our global scale.  Our global scale allows us to 
provide local differentiation, as we serve customers around the globe through significant sales, manufacturing and 
administrative operations in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific.  We remain committed to our strategy as a 
globally integrated enterprise and growing our presence in emerging markets alongside our global customers and 
where we believe we can serve the needs of workers and organizations. 

We market our products and services primarily through a network of independent and company-owned 
dealers and also sell directly to end-use customers.  We extend our reach with a limited presence in retail and web-
based sales channels.

Our Offerings

Our brands provide an integrated portfolio of furniture settings, user-centered technologies and interior 
architectural products across a range of price points.  Our furniture portfolio includes panel-based furniture systems, 
storage, desks, benches, tables and complementary products such as worktools.  Our seating products include task 
chairs which are highly ergonomic, seating that can be used in collaborative or casual settings and specialty seating 
for specific vertical markets such as healthcare and education.  Our technology solutions support group 
collaboration by integrating furniture and technology.  Our interior architectural products include full and partial 
height walls and doors.  We also offer services designed to reduce costs and enhance the performance of people, 
wherever they work.  Among these services are workplace strategy consulting, lease origination services, furniture 
and asset management and hosted spaces.

Steelcase

The Steelcase brand takes our insights from research and delivers high performance, sustainable work 
environments while striving to be a trusted partner.  Being a trusted partner means understanding and helping our 
customers and partners who truly seek to elevate their performance.  The Steelcase brand's core customers are 
leading organizations (such as corporations, healthcare organizations, colleges/universities and government 

1

entities) that are often large with ever-changing complex needs and have an increasingly global reach.  We strive to 
meet their diverse needs while minimizing complexity by using a platform approach—from product components to 
common processes—wherever possible.

Steelcase sub-brands include:

•  Steelcase Health, which is focused on creating healthcare environments that enable empathy, 

empowerment and connection for patients, care partners and providers engaged in the healthcare 
experience.

•  Steelcase Education, which is focused on helping schools, colleges and universities create the most 

effective, rewarding and inspiring "active learning" environments to meet the evolving needs of students 
and educators.

Coalesse

Coalesse offers a collection of furnishings that expresses a new freedom at work.  Coalesse targets the 
rapidly growing crossover and ancillary market—homes and offices, meeting rooms and social spaces, private 
retreats and public places—and is addressing the fluid intersections of work and life where boundaries are 
collapsing and creativity is increasing.

Designtex

Designtex offers applied materials that enhance environments and is a leading resource for applied surface 

knowledge, innovation and sustainability.  Designtex products are premium fabrics and surface materials and 
imaging solutions designed to enhance seating, walls, work stations and floors and can provide privacy, way-
finding, motivation, communications and artistic expression.

PolyVision

PolyVision is the world's leading supplier of ceramic steel surfaces for use in various applications including 

static whiteboards and chalkboards used in educational institutions and architectural panels or special applications 
for commercial or infrastructure projects.

Turnstone

Turnstone is based on the belief that the world needs more successful entrepreneurs and small businesses 

and that great spaces to work can help that happen.  Turnstone makes it easier for these companies to create 
insight-led places to work, going to market through our dealer channel or using web-based tools. 

Reportable Segments

We operate on a worldwide basis within our Americas and EMEA reportable segments plus an Other 
category.  Additional information about our reportable segments, including financial information about geographic 
areas, is contained in Item 7: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 
Operations and Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements.

Americas Segment

Our Americas segment serves customers in the United States (“U.S.”), Canada, the Caribbean Islands and 
Latin America. Our portfolio of integrated architecture, furniture and technology products is marketed to corporate, 
government, healthcare, education and retail customers through the Steelcase, Coalesse and Turnstone brands.

We serve Americas customers mainly through approximately 400 independent and company-owned dealer 
locations, and we also sell directly to end-use customers. Our end-use customers tend to be larger multinational, 
regional or local companies and are distributed across a broad range of industries and vertical markets, including 
healthcare, manufacturing, higher education, financial services, insurance, information technology and government.  
No industry or vertical market individually represented more than 13% of the Americas segment revenue in 2017.

Each of our dealers maintains its own sales force which is complemented by our sales representatives who 

work closely with our dealers throughout the selling process. The largest independent dealer in the Americas 
accounted for approximately 6% of the segment’s revenue in 2017, and the five largest independent dealers 
collectively accounted for approximately 18% of the segment’s revenue in 2017.

2

In 2017, the Americas segment recorded revenue of $2,231.9, or 73.6% of our consolidated revenue, and as 
of the end of the year had approximately 7,900 employees, of which approximately 5,300 related to manufacturing.

The Americas office furniture industry is highly competitive, with a number of competitors offering similar 
categories of products. The industry competes on a combination of insight, product performance, design, price and 
relationships with customers, architects and designers. Our most significant competitors in the U.S. are Haworth, 
Inc., Herman Miller, Inc., HNI Corporation and Knoll, Inc. Together with Steelcase, domestic revenue from these 
companies represents approximately one-half of the U.S. office furniture industry.

EMEA Segment

Our EMEA segment serves customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa primarily under the Steelcase 

and Coalesse brands, with an emphasis on freestanding furniture systems, storage and seating solutions. Our 
largest presence is in Western Europe, where we believe we are among the market leaders in Germany, France 
and Spain. In 2017, approximately 84% of EMEA revenue was from Western Europe. The remaining revenue was 
from other parts of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. No individual country in the EMEA segment represented 
more than 6% of our consolidated revenue in 2017.

We serve EMEA customers through approximately 350 independent and company-owned dealer locations.  

No single independent dealer in the EMEA segment accounted for more than 3% of the segment’s revenue in 2017. 
The five largest independent dealers collectively accounted for approximately 11% of the segment’s revenue in 
2017.  In certain geographic markets, we sell directly to end-use customers. Our end-use customers tend to be 
larger multinational, regional or local companies spread across a broad range of industries and vertical markets, 
including financial services, higher education, healthcare, government and information technology.

In 2017, our EMEA segment recorded revenue of $503.9, or 16.6% of our consolidated revenue, and as of 
the end of the year had approximately 2,100 employees, of which approximately 1,000 related to manufacturing.

The EMEA office furniture market is highly competitive and fragmented. We compete with many local and 
regional manufacturers in many different markets. In several cases, these competitors focus on specific product 
categories.

Other Category

The Other category includes Asia Pacific, Designtex and PolyVision.

Asia Pacific serves customers in the People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong), India, Australia, 

Japan, Singapore, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia and other countries in Southeast Asia, primarily under the Steelcase 
brand with an emphasis on freestanding furniture systems, seating and storage solutions. We sell directly and 
through approximately 50 independent dealer locations to end-use customers. Our end-use customers tend to be 
larger multinational or regional companies spread across a broad range of industries and are located in both mature 
and emerging markets. Our competition in Asia Pacific is fragmented and includes large global competitors as well 
as many regional and local manufacturers.

Designtex primarily sells textiles, wall coverings and surface imaging solutions specified by architects and 

designers directly to end-use customers through a direct sales force primarily in North America.

PolyVision manufactures ceramic steel surfaces for use in various applications globally, including static 

whiteboards and chalkboards sold through third party fabricators and distributors to the primary and secondary 
education markets and architectural panels and other special applications sold through general contractors for 
commercial and infrastructure projects.

In 2017, the Other category accounted for $296.6, or 9.8% of our consolidated revenue, and as of the end of 

the year had approximately 1,700 employees, of which approximately 900 related to manufacturing.

Corporate

Corporate expenses include unallocated portions of shared service functions such as information technology, 

corporate facilities, finance, human resources, research, legal and customer aviation.

3

Joint Ventures and Other Equity Investments

We enter into joint ventures and other equity investments from time to time to expand or maintain our 
geographic presence, support our distribution network or invest in new business ventures, complementary products 
or services. As of February 24, 2017, our investment in these unconsolidated joint ventures and other equity 
investments totaled $50.5. Our share of the earnings from joint ventures and other equity investments is recorded in 
Other income (expense), net on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Customer and Dealer Concentrations

Our largest customer accounted for approximately 1% of our consolidated revenue in 2017, and our five 

largest customers collectively accounted for approximately 5% of our consolidated revenue. However, these 
percentages do not include revenue from various U.S. federal government agencies.  In 2017, our sales to U.S. 
federal government agencies represented approximately 3% of our consolidated revenue. We do not believe our 
business is dependent on any single or small number of end-use customers, the loss of which would have a 
material adverse effect on our business.

No single independent dealer accounted for more than 5% of our consolidated revenue in 2017. The five 
largest independent dealers collectively accounted for approximately 13% of our consolidated revenue in 2017. We 
do not believe our business is dependent on any single dealer, the loss of which would have a sustained material 
adverse effect upon our business.

Working Capital

Our accounts receivable are from our dealers and direct-sale customers.  Payment terms vary by country and 

region.  The terms of our Americas segment, and certain markets within the EMEA segment, encourage prompt 
payment from dealers by offering an early settlement discount.  Other international markets have, by market 
convention, longer payment terms.  We are not aware of any special or unusual practices or conditions related to 
working capital items, including accounts receivable, inventories and accounts payable, which are significant to 
understanding our business or the industry at large.

Backlog

Our products are generally manufactured and shipped within two to six weeks following receipt of an order; 
however, in recent years our mix of project business has increased and customer-requested shipment dates have 
increasingly extended beyond historical averages. Nevertheless, we do not view the amount of backlog at any 
particular time as a meaningful indicator of longer-term shipments.

Global Manufacturing and Supply Chain

Manufacturing and Logistics

We have manufacturing operations throughout North America (in the U.S. and Mexico), Europe (in France, 

Germany, Spain, the Czech Republic and Belgium) and Asia (in China, Malaysia and India).  Our global 
manufacturing operations are centralized under a single organization to serve our customers’ needs across multiple 
brands and geographies.

Our manufacturing model is predominately make-to-order with lead times typically ranging from two to six 

weeks.  We manufacture our products using lean manufacturing principles, which allow us to achieve efficiencies 
and cost savings and minimize the amount of inventory on hand.  As a result, we largely purchase direct materials 
and components as needed to meet demand.  We have evolved our manufacturing and supply chain systems 
significantly over the last two decades by implementing continuous one-piece flow, platforming our processes and 
product offerings and developing a global network of integrated suppliers.  We also purchase finished goods 
manufactured by third parties predominantly on a make-to-order basis.

These changes to our manufacturing model have reduced the capital needs of our business and the footprint 

of our manufacturing space and have allowed us to improve quality, delivery performance and the customer 
experience.  We continue to identify opportunities to improve the fitness of our business and strengthen our long-
term competitiveness.

In addition to our ongoing focus on enhancing the efficiency of our manufacturing operations, we also seek to 
reduce costs through our global sourcing effort.  We have capitalized on the platforming of our product offering and 

4

are capturing raw material and component cost savings available through lower cost suppliers around the globe.  
This platforming of our product offering and global development of potential sources of supply has enhanced our 
leverage with supply sources, and we have been able to reduce cycle times through improvements with our 
partners throughout the supply chain.

Our physical distribution system utilizes commercial transport, dedicated fleet and company-owned delivery 

services.  We have implemented a network of regional distribution centers to reduce freight costs and improve 
service to our dealers and customers.

Raw Materials

We source raw materials and components from a significant number of suppliers around the world.  Those 

raw materials include steel, petroleum-based products, aluminum, other metals, wood, particleboard and other 
materials and components.  To date, we have not experienced any significant difficulties in obtaining these raw 
materials.

The prices for certain commodities such as steel, petroleum-based products, aluminum, other metals, wood 
and particleboard have fluctuated in recent years due to changes in global supply and demand.  Our global supply 
chain team continually evaluates current market conditions, the financial viability of our suppliers and available 
supply options on the basis of quality, reliability of supply and cost.

Research, Design and Development

Our extensive global research—a combination of user observations, feedback sessions and sophisticated 
analyses—has helped us develop social, spatial and informational insights into work effectiveness.  We maintain 
collaborative relationships with external world-class innovators, including leading universities, think tanks and 
knowledge leaders, to expand and deepen our understanding of how people work.

Understanding patterns of work enables us to identify and anticipate user needs across the globe.  Our 
design teams explore and develop prototypical solutions to address these needs.  These solutions vary from 
furniture, architecture and technology solutions to single products or enhancements to existing products and across 
different vertical market applications such as professional services, healthcare and higher education.  
Organizationally, global design leadership directs strategy and project work, which is distributed to design studios 
around the world and sometimes involves external design services.

Our marketing team evaluates product concepts using several criteria, including financial return metrics, and 

chooses which products will be developed and launched.  Designers then work closely with engineers and suppliers 
to co-develop products and processes that incorporate innovative user features with efficient manufacturing 
practices.  Products are tested for performance, quality and compliance with applicable standards and regulations.

We invested $35.8, $33.0 and $35.4 in research, design and development activities in 2017, 2016 and 2015, 

respectively.  We continue to invest more than one percent of our revenue in research, design and development 
each year.  In addition, we sometimes pay royalties to external designers of our products as the products are sold, 
and these costs are not included in research and development expenses.

Intellectual Property

We generate and hold a significant number of patents in a number of countries in connection with the 
operation of our business.  We also hold a number of trademarks that are very important to our identity and 
recognition in the marketplace.  We do not believe that any material part of our business is dependent on the 
continued availability of any one or all of our patents or trademarks or that our business would be materially 
adversely affected by the loss of any of such, except the “Steelcase,” “Coalesse,” “Designtex,”  “PolyVision” and 
“Turnstone” trademarks.

We occasionally enter into license agreements under which we pay a royalty to third parties for the use of 

patented products, designs or process technology.  We have established a global network of intellectual property 
licenses with our subsidiaries.

5

Employees

As of February 24, 2017, we had approximately 11,700 employees, of which approximately 7,200 work in 
manufacturing.  Additionally, we had approximately 1,900 temporary workers who primarily work in manufacturing.   
Approximately 100 employees in the U.S. are covered by collective bargaining agreements.  Outside of the U.S., 
approximately 2,900 employees are represented by workers' councils that operate to promote the interests of 
workers.   Management promotes positive relations with employees based on empowerment and teamwork.

Environmental Matters

We are subject to a variety of federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations relating to the discharge of 

materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment (“Environmental Laws”).   
We believe our operations are in substantial compliance with all Environmental Laws.  We do not believe existing 
Environmental Laws have had or will have any material effects upon our capital expenditures, earnings or 
competitive position.

Under certain Environmental Laws, we could be held liable, without regard to fault, for the costs of 

remediation associated with our existing or historical operations.  We could also be held responsible for third-party 
property and personal injury claims or for violations of Environmental Laws relating to contamination.  We are a 
party to, or otherwise involved in, proceedings relating to several contaminated properties being investigated and 
remediated under Environmental Laws, including as a potentially responsible party in several Superfund site 
cleanups.  Based on our information regarding the nature and volume of wastes allegedly disposed of or released 
at these properties, the total estimated cleanup costs and other financially viable potentially responsible parties, we 
do not believe the costs to us associated with these properties will be material, either individually or in the 
aggregate.  We have established reserves that we believe are adequate to cover our anticipated remediation costs.   
However, certain events could cause our actual costs to vary from the established reserves.  These events include, 
but are not limited to: a change in governmental regulations or cleanup standards or requirements; undiscovered 
information regarding the nature and volume of wastes allegedly disposed of or released at these properties; and 
other factors increasing the cost of remediation or the loss of other potentially responsible parties that are financially 
capable of contributing toward cleanup costs.

Available Information

We file annual reports, quarterly reports, proxy statements and other documents with the Securities and 

Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”).  The public may 
read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Office of FOIA Services at 100 F Street, NE, 
Washington, D.C. 20549-2736.  The public may obtain information on the operation of the Office of FOIA Services 
by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.  Also, the SEC maintains an Internet website at www.sec.gov that contains 
reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers, including Steelcase, that file 
electronically with the SEC.

We also make available free of charge through our internet website, www.steelcase.com, our annual reports 
on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to these reports, 
as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such reports with or furnish them to the SEC.  In 
addition, our Corporate Governance Principles, Code of Ethics, Code of Business Conduct and the charters for the 
Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees are available free of charge through 
our website or by writing to Steelcase Inc., Investor Relations, GH-3E-12, PO Box 1967, Grand Rapids, Michigan 
49501-1967.

We are not including the information contained on our website as a part of, or incorporating it by reference 

into, this Report.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors:

The following risk factors and other information included in this Report should be carefully considered. The 

risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face.  Additional risks and uncertainties that we do 
not know about currently, or that we currently believe are less significant, may also adversely affect our business, 
operating results, cash flows and financial condition.  If any of these risks actually occur, our business, operating 
results, cash flows and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

6

Our industry is influenced significantly by cyclical macroeconomic factors that are difficult to predict.

Our revenue is generated predominantly from the office furniture industry, and demand for office furniture is 

influenced heavily by a variety of factors, including macroeconomic factors such as corporate profits, non-residential 
fixed investment, white-collar employment and commercial office construction and vacancy rates. According to the 
U.S.-based Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association and European-based Centre for 
Industrial Studies, the U.S. and European office furniture industries have gone through two major downturns in 
recent history. Consumption declined by more than 30% and 20% from calendar year 2000 to 2003, and again by 
over 30% and 23% from 2007 to 2009, in the U.S. and Europe, respectively. While the U.S. office furniture industry 
has generally recovered, the European industry has not improved significantly following the most recent downturn. 
During these downturns, our revenue declined in similar proportion and our profitability was significantly reduced. 
Although we have made a number of changes to adapt our business model to these cycles, our profitability could 
be impacted in the future by cyclical downturns. In addition, the pace of industry recovery, by geography or vertical 
market, may vary after a cyclical downturn. These macroeconomic factors are difficult to predict, and if we are 
unsuccessful in adapting our business as economic cyclical changes occur, our results may be adversely affected.

Failure to respond to changes in workplace trends and the competitive landscape may adversely affect 

our revenue and profits.

Advances in technology, the globalization of business, changing workforce demographics and shifts in work 
styles and behaviors are changing the world of work and may have a significant impact on the types of workplace 
products and services purchased by our customers, the level of revenue associated with our offerings and the 
geographic location of the demand. For example, in recent years, these trends have resulted in a reduction in the 
amount of office floor space allocated per employee, a reduction in the number, size and price of typical 
workstations, an increase in work occurring in more collaborative settings and in a variety of locations beyond the 
traditional office, an increase in residential and lounge-type settings, and broader price offering levels. The 
confluence of these factors has attracted new competitors from outside the traditional office furniture industry, such 
as real estate management service firms, technology-based firms, general construction contractors and retail and 
online residential furniture providers, offering products and services which compete with those offered by us and our 
dealers. 

In addition, the traditional office furniture industry is highly competitive, with a number of competitors offering 

similar categories of products. We compete on a variety of factors, including: brand recognition and reputation; 
insight from our research; product design and features; price, lead time, delivery and service; product quality; 
strength of dealers and other distributors and relationships with customers and key influencers, such as architects, 
designers and facility managers. If we are unsuccessful in developing and offering solutions which respond to 
changes in workplace trends and generate revenue to offset the impact of reduced numbers, size and price of 
typical workstations, or we or our dealers are unsuccessful in competing with existing competitors and new 
competitive offerings which could arise from outside our industry, our revenue and profits may be adversely 
affected.

We may not be able to successfully develop, implement and manage our diversification and growth 

strategies.

Our longer-term success depends on our ability to successfully develop, implement and manage strategies 
that will preserve our position as the world’s largest office furniture manufacturer, as well as expand our offerings 
into adjacent and emerging markets. In particular, our diversification and growth strategies include:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

translating our research regarding the world of work into innovative solutions which address market and 
user needs,

growing our market share with existing customers and new customers,

continuing our expansion into adjacent markets such as healthcare clinical spaces, classrooms, libraries 
and other educational settings and smaller companies,

expanding our product categories to include additional architecture and technology product offerings,

growing our market share in markets such as China, India and central, eastern, and southern Europe, the 
Middle East and Africa,

investing in acquisitions and new business ventures and

developing new alliances and additional channels of distribution.

7

If these strategies to diversify and increase our revenues are not sufficient, or if we do not execute these 

strategies successfully, our profitability may be adversely affected.

We have been and expect to continue making investments in strategic growth initiatives and new product 

development. If our return on these investments is lower, or develops more slowly, than we anticipate, our 
profitability may be adversely affected.

We may be adversely affected by changes in raw material and commodity costs.

We procure raw materials (including steel, petroleum-based products, aluminum, other metals, wood and 

particleboard) from a significant number of sources globally. These raw materials are not rare or unique to our 
industry. The costs of these commodities, as well as fuel and energy costs, can fluctuate due to changes in global 
supply and demand, larger currency movements and changes in import tariffs and trade barriers, which can also 
cause supply interruptions. In the short-term, significant increases in raw material and commodity costs can be very 
difficult to offset with price increases because of existing contractual commitments with our customers, and it is 
difficult to find effective financial instruments to hedge against such changes. As a result, our gross margins can be 
adversely affected in the short-term by significant increases in these costs. If we are not successful in passing along 
higher raw material and commodity costs to our customers over the longer-term because of competitive pressures, 
our profitability could be negatively impacted.

Our global presence subjects us to risks that may negatively affect our profitability and financial 

condition.

We have manufacturing facilities, sales locations and offices in many countries, and as a result, we are 

subject to risks associated with doing business globally. Our success depends on our ability to manage the 
complexity associated with designing, developing, manufacturing and selling our solutions in a variety of countries. 
Our global presence is also subject to market risks, which in turn could have an adverse effect on our business, 
operating results or financial condition, including:

• 

• 

differing business practices, cultural factors and regulatory requirements,

political, social and economic instability, natural disasters, security concerns, including terrorist activity, 
armed conflict and civil or military unrest, and global health issues, and

• 

intellectual property protection challenges.

Our global footprint makes us vulnerable to currency exchange rate fluctuations and currency controls.

We primarily sell our products in U.S. dollars and euros, but we generate some of our revenues and pay 

some of our expenses in other currencies. Our results are affected by the strength of the currencies in countries 
where we manufacture or purchase goods relative to the strength of the currencies in countries where our products 
are sold.  We use foreign currency derivatives to hedge some of the short-term volatility of these exposures.  There 
can be no assurance that such hedging will be economically effective.  If we are not successful in managing 
currency exchange rate fluctuations, it could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial 
condition.

Although we operate globally in multiple currencies, we report our results in U.S. dollars, and thus our 
reported results may be positively or negatively impacted by the strengthening or weakening of the other currencies 
in which we operate against the U.S. dollar.

In addition, we face restrictions in certain countries that limit or prevent the transfer of funds to other countries 

or the exchange of the local currency to other currencies, which could have a negative impact on our profitability. 
We also face risks associated with fluctuations in currency exchange rates that may lead to a decline in the value of 
the funds held in certain jurisdictions, as well as the value of intercompany balances denominated in foreign 
currencies.

Changes in tariffs, global trade agreements or government procurement could adversely affect our 

business.

More than 40% of the goods we sell to customers in the U.S., including U.S. government agencies, are 
manufactured outside of the U.S., predominantly by our subsidiaries in Mexico.  Our Mexican manufacturing 
subsidiaries operate as maquiladoras, importing the majority of their raw materials and component parts from the 
U.S.  We also operate shared services centers in several foreign locations that support our business globally, 

8

including our U.S. locations.  The implementation of any new tariffs or a border adjustment tax, the repeal of the 
North American Free Trade Agreement or other global trade agreements, or changes in U.S. government 
procurement rules requiring goods to be produced in the U.S. could have an adverse impact on our business, 
operating results or financial condition.

We are increasingly reliant on a global network of suppliers.

Our migration to a less vertically integrated manufacturing model has increased our dependency on a global 
network of suppliers. We are reliant on the timely flow of raw materials, components and finished goods from third-
party suppliers. The flow of such materials, components and goods may be affected by:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

fluctuations in the pricing, availability and quality of raw materials,

the financial solvency of our suppliers and their supply chains,

changes in international trade agreements or tariffs,

disruptions caused by labor activities and

damage and loss of production from accidents, natural disasters and other causes.

Any disruptions or fluctuations in the pricing, supply and delivery of raw materials, component parts and 
finished goods or deficiencies in our ability to manage our global network of suppliers could have an adverse impact 
on our business, operating results or financial condition.

The elimination of redundant capabilities among our regional manufacturing facilities could adversely 

affect our business.

Over the past two decades, we made significant changes to our manufacturing model as a result of the 

implementation of lean manufacturing principles, and we decreased our total manufacturing footprint globally by 
approximately 65%.  These changes also eliminated redundant capabilities, and many of our products are currently 
produced in only one location in each of the three geographic regions in which we operate (the Americas, EMEA 
and Asia Pacific).  In addition, our manufacturing model is predominately make-to-order.  As a result, any issue 
which impacts the production capabilities of one of our manufacturing locations, such as natural disasters, 
disruptions in the supply of materials or components, equipment failures or disruptions caused by labor activities, 
could have an adverse impact on our business, operating results or financial condition.

We rely largely on a network of independent dealers to market, deliver and install our products, and 
disruptions and increasing consolidations within our dealer network could adversely affect our business.

From time to time, we or a dealer may choose to terminate our relationship, or the dealer could face financial 

insolvency or difficulty in transitioning to new ownership. Our business is influenced by our ability to initiate and 
manage new and existing relationships with independent dealers, and establishing new dealers in a market can 
take considerable time and resources. Disruption of dealer coverage within a specific local market could have an 
adverse impact on our business within the affected market. The loss or termination of a significant number of 
dealers or the inability to establish new dealers could cause difficulties in marketing and distributing our products 
and have an adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition. In the event that a dealer in a 
strategic market experiences financial difficulty, we may choose to make financial investments in the dealership, 
which would reduce the risk of disruption but increase our financial exposure.  Alternatively, we may elect to 
purchase and operate dealers in certain markets which also would require use of our capital and increase our 
financial exposure.

Our diversification and growth strategies into adjacent markets, such as healthcare and education, and the 
increasing complexity of our technology and architectural products are driving the need for our dealers to develop 
additional capabilities and invest in additional resources to support such products and markets.  Some of our 
smaller dealers do not have the scale to leverage such investments, and as a result, we have seen and may 
continue to see increased consolidation within our dealer network.  This increased concentration and size of dealers 
could increase our exposure to the risks discussed above.

We may be adversely impacted by product defects.

Product defects can occur within our own product development and manufacturing processes or through our 
increasing reliance on third parties for product development, manufacturing and testing activities. We incur various 
expenses related to product defects, including product warranty costs, product recall and retrofit costs and product 

9

liability costs, which can have an adverse impact on our results of operations. In addition, the reputation of our 
brands may be diminished by product defects and recalls.

We maintain a reserve for our product warranty costs based on certain estimates and our knowledge of 
current events and actions, but our actual warranty costs may exceed our reserve, resulting in a need to increase 
our accruals for warranty charges. We purchase insurance coverage to reduce our exposure to significant levels of 
product liability claims and maintain a reserve for our self-insured losses based upon estimates of the aggregate 
liability using claims experience and actuarial assumptions. Incorrect estimates or any significant increase in the 
rate of our product defect expenses could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

We may be required to record impairment charges related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible 

assets which would adversely affect our results of operations.

We have net goodwill of $106.7 as of February 24, 2017.  Goodwill and other acquired intangible assets with 

indefinite lives are not amortized but are evaluated for impairment annually and whenever an event occurs or 
circumstances change such that it is more likely than not that an impairment may exist. Poor performance in 
portions of our business where we have goodwill or intangible assets, or declines in the market value of our equity, 
may result in impairment charges, which would adversely affect our results of operations.

Changes in corporate tax laws could adversely effect our business.  

We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and various foreign jurisdictions, and more than 55% of our 

income tax expense in 2017 related to the U.S. federal corporate income tax.  As of February 24, 2017, we had 
deferred tax assets of $99.5 based on the current U.S. corporate income tax rate of 35%.  Corporate tax reform and 
tax law changes are being considered in many jurisdictions, including the U.S.  Such tax law changes, if enacted, 
could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial position.  Specifically, a 
reduction in applicable tax rates may require us to revalue and write-down our deferred tax assets.

There may be significant limitations to our utilization of net operating loss carryforwards to offset future 

taxable income.

We have deferred tax assets related to net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) residing primarily in various 

non-U.S. jurisdictions totaling $57.0, against which valuation allowances totaling $7.9 have been recorded.  We 
may be unable to generate sufficient taxable income from future operations in the jurisdictions in which we maintain 
deferred tax assets related to NOLs, or implement tax, business or other planning strategies, to fully utilize the 
recorded value of our NOLs.  We have NOLs in various currencies that are also subject to foreign exchange risk, 
which could reduce the amount we may ultimately realize.  Additionally, future changes in tax laws or interpretations 
of such tax laws may limit our ability to fully utilize our NOLs.

Costs related to our participation in a multi-employer pension plan could increase. 

Our subsidiary SC Transport Inc. contributes to the Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension 

Fund, a multi-employer pension plan, based on obligations arising under a collective bargaining agreement with our 
SC Transport Inc. employees. The plan is not administered by or in any way controlled by us. We have relatively 
little control over the level of contributions we are required to make to the plan, and it is substantially underfunded. 
As a result, contributions are scheduled to increase, and we expect that contributions to the plan may be subject to 
further increases. The amount of any increase or decrease in our required contributions to the multi-employer 
pension plan will depend upon the outcome of collective bargaining, actions taken by trustees who manage the 
plan, governmental regulations, the actual return on assets held in the plan, the continued viability and contributions 
of other employers which contribute to the plan, and the potential payment of a withdrawal liability, among other 
factors. 

Under current law, an employer that withdraws or partially withdraws from a multi-employer pension plan may 
incur a withdrawal liability to the plan, which represents the portion of the plan’s underfunding that is allocable to the 
withdrawing employer under very complex actuarial and allocation rules. We could incur a withdrawal liability if we 
substantially reduce the number of SC Transport Inc. employees.  There were a total of 16 SC Transport Inc. 
employees as of February 24, 2017. The most recent estimate of our potential withdrawal liability is $27.1 as of 
February 24, 2017.

10

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments:

None.

Item 2.  Properties:

We have operations at locations throughout the U.S. and around the world. None of our owned properties are 

mortgaged or are held subject to any significant encumbrance. We believe our facilities are in good operating 
condition and, at present, are sufficient to meet volume needs currently and for the foreseeable future. Our global 
headquarters is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.A. Our owned and leased principal manufacturing and 
distribution center locations with greater than 100,000 square feet are as follows:

Segment/Category Primarily Supported

Number of Principal
Locations

Owned

Leased

Americas

EMEA

Other

Total

12

5

4

21

5

4

2

11

7

1

2

10

In 2017, we added one leased distribution facility in EMEA and exited one leased manufacturing facility in the 

Americas.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings:

We are involved in litigation from time to time in the ordinary course of our business. Based on known 
information, we do not believe we are a party to any lawsuit or proceeding that is likely to have a material adverse 
effect on the Company.

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures:

Not applicable.

11

Supplementary Item.    Executive Officers of the Registrant:

Our executive officers are:

Name

Guillaume M. Alvarez

Sara E. Armbruster

Ulrich H. E. Gwinner

James P. Keane

Robert G. Krestakos

Terrence J. Lenhardt

James N. Ludwig

Mark T. Mossing

Gale Moutrey

Lizbeth S. O’Shaughnessy

Eddy F. Schmitt

Allan W. Smith, Jr.

David C. Sylvester

Age
57

46

53

57

55

57

53

59

58

55

45

49

52

Senior Vice President, EMEA

Position

Vice President, Strategy, Research and New Business Innovation

President, Asia Pacific

President and Chief Executive Officer, Director

Vice President, Global Operations

Vice President, Chief Information Officer

Vice President, Global Design and Product Engineering

Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

Vice President, Communications

Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General
Counsel and Secretary

Senior Vice President, Americas

Vice President, Global Marketing

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Guillaume M. Alvarez has been Senior Vice President, EMEA since March 2014.  Mr. Alvarez was Senior Vice 

President, Sales, EMEA from October 2011 to March 2014 and has been employed by Steelcase since 1984.

Sara E. Armbruster has been Vice President, Strategy, Research and New Business Innovation since 
January 2014.  Ms. Armbruster was Vice President, WorkSpace Futures and Corporate Strategy from May 2009 to 
January 2014 and has been employed by Steelcase since 2007.

Ulrich H. E. Gwinner has been President, Asia Pacific since March 2014.  Mr. Gwinner was President, 

Steelcase Asia Pacific from May 2007 to March 2014 and has been employed by Steelcase since 2000.

James P. Keane has been President and Chief Executive Officer since March 2014.  Mr. Keane was 

President and Chief Operating Officer from April 2013 to March 2014, Chief Operating Officer from November 2012 
to April 2013 and President, Steelcase Group from October 2006 to November 2012.  Mr. Keane has been 
employed by Steelcase since 1997.

Robert G. Krestakos has been Vice President, Global Operations since February 2015.  Mr. Krestakos was 

Vice President, Chief Information Officer and Operations-Americas from December 2013 to February 2015 and Vice 
President, Chief Information Officer from June 2007 to December 2013.  Mr. Krestakos has been employed by 
Steelcase since 1992.

Terrence J. Lenhardt has been Vice President, Chief Information Officer since January 2015.  Mr. Lenhardt 

was Vice President, Finance-Americas, EMEA & Asia Pacific from February 2013 to January 2015 and Vice 
President, Finance-Steelcase Group Americas & EMEA from February 2011 to February 2013.  Mr. Lenhardt has 
been employed by Steelcase since 1994.

James N. Ludwig has been Vice President, Global Design and Product Engineering since March 2014.  Mr. 
Ludwig was Vice President, Global Design from March 2008 to March 2014 and has been employed by Steelcase 
since 1999.

Mark T. Mossing has been Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer since April 2008 and has been 

employed by Steelcase since 1993.

Gale Moutrey has been Vice President, Communications since March 2014.  Ms. Moutrey was Vice 
President, Brand Communications from March 2001 to March 2014 and has been employed by Steelcase since 
1984.

12

Lizbeth S. O’Shaughnessy has been Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel 

and Secretary since June 2014.  Ms. O'Shaughnessy was Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary 
from April 2011 to June 2014 and has been employed by Steelcase since 1992.

Eddy F. Schmitt has been Senior Vice President, Americas since March 2014.  Mr. Schmitt was Senior Vice 

President, Sales and Distribution, Americas from February 2011 to March 2014 and has been employed by 
Steelcase since 2003.

Allan W. Smith, Jr. has been Vice President, Global Marketing since September 2013.  Mr. Smith was Vice 

President, Applications & Product Marketing-Steelcase Brand from January 2011 to September 2013 and has been 
employed by Steelcase since 1991.

David C. Sylvester has been Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer since April 2011 and has been 

employed by Steelcase since 1995.

13

PART II

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of 

Equity Securities:

Common Stock

Our Class A Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SCS”.  Our Class B 

Common Stock is not registered under the Exchange Act or publicly traded.  See Note 14 to the consolidated 
financial statements for additional information.  As of the close of business on April 10, 2017, we had outstanding 
118,001,311 shares of common stock with 6,055 shareholders of record. Of these amounts, 86,903,762 shares are 
Class A Common Stock with 5,989 shareholders of record and 31,097,549 shares are Class B Common Stock with 
66 shareholders of record.

Class A Common Stock
Per Share Price Range

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Fourth
Quarter

2017

High

Low

2016

High

Low

Dividends

$

$

$

$

15.89 $

12.47 $

16.36 $

16.35 $

13.06 $

12.67 $

20.45 $

16.88 $

19.79 $

20.30 $

16.06 $

17.07 $

18.14

15.35

20.37

11.67

The declaration of dividends is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and to compliance with 

applicable laws.  Dividends in 2017 and 2016 were declared and paid quarterly.  The amount and timing of future 
dividends depends upon our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, future business 
prospects, general business conditions and other factors that our Board of Directors may deem relevant at the time.

Our unsecured revolving syndicated credit facility does not include any restrictions on cash dividend 
payments or share repurchases.  See Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

2017
2016

Total Dividends Paid

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Fourth
Quarter

Total

$
$

15.2 $
15.1 $

14.4 $
14.0 $

14.5 $
14.0 $

14.4 $
13.9 $

58.5
57.0

Fourth Quarter Share Repurchases

The following is a summary of share repurchase activity during Q4 2017:  

(a)
Total Number of
Shares 
Purchased

(b)
Average Price
Paid per Share
—
17.10
—

— $
577 $
— $
577 (2)

(c)
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs (1)

(d)
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares
that May Yet be
Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs (1)

— $
— $
— $
—

126.5
126.5
126.5

Period

11/26/2016 - 12/30/2016
12/31/2016 - 01/27/2017
01/28/2017 - 2/24/2017
Total

_______________________________________

(1) 

In January 2016, the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program permitting the repurchase of 
up to $150 of shares of our common stock.  This program has no specific expiration date.  On October 10, 
2016, we entered into a stock repurchase agreement with a third party broker under which the broker is 
authorized to repurchase up to 5 million shares of our common stock on our behalf during the period from 
October 11, 2016 through March 23, 2017, subject to certain price, market and volume constraints specified 

14

  
 
in the agreement.  Shares purchased under the agreement are part of the Company's share repurchase 
program approved in January 2016.

(2)  All of these shares were repurchased to satisfy participants’ tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of 

restricted stock unit grants, pursuant to the terms of our Incentive Compensation Plan.

15

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data:

Financial Highlights

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

February 28,
2014

February 22,
2013

Year Ended

Operating Results:

Revenue

Gross profit

Operating income

Income before income tax expense

Net income

Supplemental Operating Data:

Restructuring costs

Goodwill and intangible asset impairment
charges

Capital expenditures

Share Data:

Basic earnings per common share

Diluted earnings per common share

Weighted average shares outstanding -
basic

Weighted average shares outstanding -
diluted

Dividends paid per common share

Balance Sheet Data:

Cash and cash equivalents

Short-term investments

Company-owned life insurance ("COLI")

Working capital (1)

Total assets

Total debt

Total liabilities

Total shareholders’ equity

Statement of Cash Flow Data:

Net cash provided by (used in):

Operating activities

Investing activities

Financing activities

________________________

$

3,032.4 $

3,060.0 $

3,059.7 $

2,988.9 $

2,868.7

1,010.4

200.2

196.3

124.6

971.2

174.6

174.8

170.3

916.0

144.9

137.0

86.1

945.2

165.9

147.2

87.7

866.0

59.3

54.9

38.8

$

(5.1) $

(19.9) $

(40.6) $

(6.6) $

(34.7)

—

(61.1)

—

(93.4)

—

(97.5)

(12.9)

(86.8)

(59.9)

(74.0)

$

$

$

$

$

1.03 $

1.03 $

1.37 $

1.36 $

0.69 $

0.68 $

0.70 $

0.69 $

0.30

0.30

120.7

124.3

124.4

126.0

127.4

121.2

125.3

126.0

127.3

0.48 $

0.45 $

0.42 $

0.40 $

197.1 $

181.9 $

176.5 $

201.8 $

73.4

168.8

295.8

1,792.0

297.4

1,025.5

766.5

84.1

160.4

266.4

1,808.6

299.1

1,071.7

736.9

68.3

159.5

264.9

1,719.6

282.1

1,055.8

663.8

119.5

154.3

295.3

1,724.0

289.7

1,052.3

677.1

129.1

0.36

150.4

100.5

225.8

237.1

1,686.4

292.2

1,024.8

668.0

170.7 $
(48.4)
(105.9)

186.4 $
(87.8)
(90.1)

84.2 $
(14.3)
(89.8)

178.8 $
(25.2)
(101.6)

187.3
(85.5)
(64.2)

(1)  Working capital equals current assets minus current liabilities, as presented in the Consolidated Balance 

Sheets.

16

  
Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:

The following review of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our 

consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto included elsewhere within this Report. 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This item contains certain non-GAAP financial measures. A “non-GAAP financial measure” is defined as a 
numerical measure of a company’s financial performance that excludes or includes amounts so as to be different 
than the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the consolidated 
statements of income, balance sheets or statements of cash flows of the company. Pursuant to the requirements of 
Regulation G, we have provided a reconciliation below of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly 
comparable GAAP financial measure.

The non-GAAP financial measures used are: (1) organic revenue growth (decline), which represents the 

change in revenue over the prior year excluding estimated currency translation effects and the impacts of 
acquisitions and divestitures, and (2) adjusted operating income (loss), which represents operating income (loss) 
excluding restructuring costs (benefits). These measures are presented because management uses this information 
to monitor and evaluate financial results and trends. Therefore, management believes this information is also useful 
for investors.

Financial Summary

Results of Operations

Our reportable segments consist of the Americas segment, the EMEA segment and the Other category. 

Unallocated corporate expenses are reported as Corporate.

Statement of Operations Data—
Consolidated

February 24,
2017

Year Ended

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

Revenue

Cost of sales

Restructuring costs

Gross profit

Operating expenses

Restructuring costs

Operating income

Interest expense
Investment income
Other income, net

Income before income tax expense

Income tax expense

Net income
Earnings per share:

Basic
Diluted

$ 3,032.4
2,017.8

4.2
1,010.4

809.3

0.9
200.2
(17.2)
1.4
11.9

196.3

71.7

124.6

1.03

1.03

$

$

$

100.0% $ 3,060.0

100.0% $ 3,059.7

100.0%

66.5

0.2

33.3

26.7

—

6.6
(0.5)
—
0.4

6.5

2.4

2,075.5

13.3

971.2

790.0

6.6

174.6
(17.6)
1.5
16.3

174.8

4.5

67.8

0.5

31.7

25.8

0.2

5.7
(0.6)
0.1
0.5

5.7

0.1

4.1% $

170.3

5.6% $

2,106.2

37.5

916.0

768.0

3.1

144.9
(17.7)
1.4
8.4

137.0

50.9

86.1

68.8

1.2

30.0

25.1

0.1

4.8
(0.6)
—
0.3

4.5

1.7

2.8%

$

$

1.37

1.36

$

$

0.69

0.68

17

Organic Revenue Growth (Decline)—Consolidated

Prior year revenue
Divestitures
Currency translation effects *
   Prior year revenue, adjusted
Current year revenue
Acquisition
   Current year revenue, adjusted
Organic growth (decline) $
Organic growth (decline) %

________________________

Year Ended

February 24,
2017

$ 3,060.0
—
(12.5)
3,047.5
3,032.4
(6.8)
3,025.6
(21.9)

$

February 26,
2016
$ 3,059.7
(3.2)
(110.1)
2,946.4
3,060.0
(22.6)
3,037.4
91.0

$

(1)%

3%

* Currency translation effects represent the net effect of translating prior year foreign currency revenues using the 
average exchange rate on a monthly basis during the current year.

Reconciliation of Operating Income to 
Adjusted Operating Income

February 24,
2017

Year Ended

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

Operating income

Add: restructuring costs

Adjusted operating income

$

$

200.2

5.1
205.3

6.6% $

174.6

5.7% $

144.9

0.2

19.9

0.7

40.6

6.8% $

194.5

6.4% $

185.5

4.8%

1.3

6.1%

Overview

In 2017, revenue declined slightly compared to the prior year; the Americas and EMEA each experienced a 

modest revenue decline and the Other category achieved revenue growth of 5%, driven largely by Asia Pacific.  The 
revenue decline reflected an ongoing shift in demand in the Americas from products for traditional private offices 
and cubicle spaces towards more open-plan and collaborative solutions as well as continued reduction in demand 
within the energy sector.  This decline was partially offset by revenue generated by a number of products launched 
over the past 18 months to address the emerging trends and other strategic initiatives.  We believe that these 
actions have built momentum across all segments of our business including the strengthening of our internal 
estimates of project orders in the Americas expected to ship over the next four quarters compared to the prior year.

Despite the decline in revenue, we recorded an operating income margin of 6.6% in 2017 which represented 
our highest operating income margin in over 15 years. Our restructuring actions in EMEA were completed, and we 
have stabilized our industrial model through the elimination of disruption costs and inefficiencies associated with 
operational footprint changes and other manufacturing and distribution issues experienced in the prior year.  As a 
result, cost of sales as a percentage of revenue in EMEA improved by 640 basis points compared to the prior year, 
which contributed significantly to the 130 basis point improvement of consolidated cost of sales.  We have been and 
expect to continue increasing our operating expenses and capital investments in support of our various growth 
initiatives.

2017 compared to 2016

We recorded net income of $124.6 and diluted earnings per share of $1.03 in 2017 compared to net income 

of $170.3 and diluted earnings per share of $1.36 in 2016.  Net income in 2016 was positively impacted by the 
reversal of a valuation allowance recorded against net deferred tax assets in France of $56.0 and the gain from the 
partial sale of an investment in an unconsolidated affiliate.  Operating income in 2017 increased by $25.6 to $200.2 
compared to the prior year.  The improvement was driven by a reduction of cost of sales as a percent of revenue in 
EMEA and lower restructuring costs, partially offset by higher operating expenses in the Americas.  After adjusting 
for the impact of restructuring costs, adjusted operating income of $205.3  in 2017, or 6.8% of revenue, represented 
an increase of $10.8 compared to the prior year.

Revenue of $3,032.4 in 2017 represented a decrease of $27.6, or less than 1%, compared to the prior year.  

The decrease in revenue was driven by lower revenue in the Americas and EMEA, partially offset by revenue 
growth in the Other category.  After adjusting for a $6.8 favorable impact of an acquisition in the Americas and $12.5 

18

of unfavorable currency translation effects, the organic revenue decline was $21.9 or less than 1%.  On an organic 
basis, revenue declined by 1% in the Americas and 2% in EMEA, while revenue in the Other category grew by 6%.

Cost of sales decreased by 130 basis points to 66.5% percent of revenue in 2017 compared to 2016.  The 

improvement was primarily due to a 640 basis point improvement in EMEA, driven by the elimination of disruption 
costs and inefficiencies associated with operational footprint changes and other manufacturing and distribution 
issues experienced in the prior year, as well as benefits from cost reduction efforts, gross margin improvement 
initiatives and favorable shifts in business mix.  Disruption costs and inefficiencies included labor premiums paid to 
employees during transition periods and labor inefficiencies caused by work stoppages or slowdowns resulting from 
restructuring activities. They also included incremental logistics costs caused by split shipments (linked to labor 
inefficiencies) and interim supply chains during production moves. Lastly, these costs included duplicate labor and 
overhead at the new Czech Republic facility and other plants impacted by production moves.  Cost of sales in the 
Americas and Other category improved modestly compared to the prior year.

Operating expenses of $809.3 in 2017 represented an increase of 90 basis points as a percent of revenue 

compared to the prior year.  Operating expenses increased by $13.0 in the Americas, $3.4 in EMEA and $3.3 in the 
Other category.  The increase in the Americas was driven by higher sales, product development and marketing 
costs, partially offset by a reduction in variable compensation expense.  The increase in EMEA was primarily driven 
by costs associated with the new Learning + Innovation Center in Munich, Germany partially offset by favorable 
currency translation effects.  The increase in the Other category was driven by Designtex and Asia Pacific which 
posted strong revenue growth compared to the prior year.

We recorded net restructuring costs of $5.1 in 2017 compared to net restructuring costs of $19.9 in 2016.  

The 2017 amount included final costs related to the closure of the manufacturing facility in High Point, North 
Carolina, the closure of the manufacturing facility in Durlangen, Germany and the establishment of the Munich 
Learning + Innovation Center.  The 2016 amount included costs associated with those three projects as well as the 
exit of a manufacturing facility in Wisches, France, partially offset by a $2.8 gain related to the sale of a facility in the 
Americas.  See further discussion in Note 19 to the consolidated financial statements.

Our 2017 effective tax rate was 36.5% compared to a 2016 effective tax rate of 2.6%.  The 2017 effective tax 
rate reflected discrete tax expense associated with a change in the statutory tax rate in France which was partially 
offset by discrete tax benefits related to the outcome of a tax audit in EMEA.  The 2016 rate reflected a discrete tax 
benefit related to the reversal of a valuation allowance recorded against net deferred tax assets in France of $56.0 
which resulted from the implementation of a contract manufacturing model in Q4 2015 between our U.S. parent 
company and our Steelcase European subsidiaries.  As a result of this discrete tax benefit, our 2016 effective tax 
rate was significantly lower than the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35%.  See further discussion in Note 15 to the 
consolidated financial statements.

2016 compared to 2015

We recorded net income of $170.3 and diluted earnings per share of $1.36 in 2016 compared to net income 

of $86.1 and diluted earnings per share of $0.68 in 2015.  Net income in 2016 was positively impacted by the 
reversal of a valuation allowance recorded against net deferred tax assets in France and a gain from the partial sale 
of an investment in an unconsolidated affiliate in Q4 2016. These significant items, net of the associated variable 
compensation expense and income tax expense, had a combined favorable impact on net income of approximately 
$53 and on diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.42.  The comparison of net income from 2016 to 2015 
was also positively impacted by restructuring charges which were $20.7 lower in 2016 compared to 2015.  Our 
2016 results reflected strong operating performance in the Americas and improved operating performance in Asia 
Pacific, partially offset by higher costs in EMEA associated with manufacturing footprint changes and other 
operational challenges. 

Revenue for 2016 of $3,060.0 represented a slight increase compared to the prior year.  Growth in the 

Americas of 3% was offset by a decline of 13% in EMEA.  The growth in the Americas was driven by increased 
volume, and approximately one-third of the growth rate was attributable to improved pricing.  The revenue 
comparison in EMEA reflected $79.2 of unfavorable currency translation effects.  Organic revenue growth for 2016 
was $91.0 or 3%, with growth of 3% in the Americas segment, 1% in the EMEA segment and 4% in the Other 
category.

Operating income in 2016 of $174.6 or 5.7% of revenue compared to $144.9 or 4.8% in the prior year.  The 
increase was driven by a $20.7 reduction in restructuring costs, strong operating performance in the Americas and 
improved operating performance in Asia Pacific, partially offset by an increase in cost of sales as a percent of 

19

revenue in EMEA and $13.7 of variable compensation expense associated with the large favorable tax item and 
non-operating gain recorded in Q4 2016.  Adjusted operating income in 2016 increased by $9.0 or 4.9% to $194.5 
compared to the prior year.  The 2016 adjusted operating income margin of 6.4% represented a 30 basis point 
improvement compared to the prior year and reflected an impact of approximately 50 basis points from variable 
compensation expense associated with the two large items recorded in Q4 2016.

Cost of sales in 2016 was 67.8% as a percent of revenue, a 100 basis point decrease compared to 2015.  
The improvement was primarily driven by a 120 basis point improvement in the Americas, due to lower material, 
freight and distribution costs and improvements in negotiated customer pricing, partially offset by a 190 basis point 
decline in EMEA driven by manufacturing and distribution issues associated with the manufacturing footprint 
changes and an unfavorable shift in business mix.  Cost of sales included disruption costs and inefficiencies of 
approximately $20 and $28 in 2016 and 2015, respectively, in EMEA.

Operating expenses of $790.0 in 2016 increased by $22.0 or 70 basis points as a percent of revenue 
compared to the prior year.  Higher variable compensation expense of $21, additional expenses of $4 related to 
acquisitions, net of divestitures and other increases in operating expenses, including costs associated with 
establishing our new Learning + Innovation Center in Munich, were partially offset by approximately $24 of 
favorable currency translation effects.

We recorded net restructuring costs of $19.9 in 2016 compared to net restructuring costs of $40.6 in 2015.  

The 2016 amount included costs primarily associated with the closure of the Durlangen facility, and severance 
provisions related to the relocation of activities to the Learning + Innovation Center in Munich.  The 2015 amount 
was primarily associated with manufacturing footprint changes in EMEA, partially offset by a gain related to the sale 
of an idle facility in the Americas.

In Q4 2015, we implemented changes in EMEA to align our tax structure with the management of our globally 

integrated business.  Our U.S. parent company became the principal in a contract manufacturing model with our 
Steelcase European subsidiaries.  During 2016, we generated taxable income for our French subsidiaries and 
allowed for partial utilization of the net operating loss carryforwards in France.  In Q4 2016, we recognized a 
discrete tax benefit of $56.0 related to the reversal of the remaining valuation allowance recorded against our 
French net deferred tax assets.  As a result of this discrete tax benefit, our 2016 effective tax rate of 2.6% was 
significantly lower than the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35%.  Our 2015 effective tax rate was 37.2%.

Interest Expense, Investment Income and Other Income, Net

Interest Expense, Investment Income and Other Income, Net

Interest expense

Investment income

Other income (expense), net:

Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

Miscellaneous, net

Total other income, net

Total interest expense, investment income and other income, net

$

Year Ended

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

$

(17.2) $

(17.6) $

(17.7)

1.4

1.5

1.4

9.7
3.4
(1.2)
11.9
(3.9) $

13.4
(4.0)
6.9
16.3

0.2 $

15.2
(5.0)
(1.8)
8.4
(7.9)

Miscellaneous, net in 2016 included an $8.5 gain related to the partial sale of an unconsolidated affiliate.

Business Segment Disclosure

See Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding our business 

segments.

20

 
 
Americas

The Americas segment serves customers in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean Islands and Latin America with 

a portfolio of integrated architecture, furniture and technology products marketed to corporate, government, 
healthcare, education and retail customers through the Steelcase, Coalesse and Turnstone brands.

Statement of Operations Data—
Americas

February 24,
2017

Year Ended

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

Revenue

Cost of sales
Restructuring costs (benefits)

Gross profit
Operating expenses
Restructuring costs (benefits)
Operating income

$ 2,231.9
1,453.4

100.0% $ 2,256.0
1,473.6

65.1

100.0% $ 2,180.7
1,449.3

65.3

100.0%
66.5

2.6
775.9
530.7
—

245.2

$

0.1
34.8
23.8
—

2.4
780.0
517.7
(2.9)

0.1
34.6
23.0
(0.1)

(10.0)
741.4
481.5
—

(0.5)
34.0
22.1
—

11.0% $

265.2

11.7% $

259.9

11.9%

Organic Revenue Growth (Decline)—Americas

Prior year revenue

Currency translation effects *

   Prior year revenue, adjusted

Current year revenue

Acquisition

   Current year revenue, adjusted

Organic growth (decline) $

Organic growth (decline) %

________________________

Year Ended

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

$ 2,256.0

$ 2,180.7

(0.9)

2,255.1

2,231.9

(6.8)

(19.0)

2,161.7

2,256.0

(22.6)

2,225.1

2,233.4

$

(30.0)

$

71.7

(1)%

3%

* Currency translation effects represent the net effect of translating prior year foreign currency revenues using the 
average exchange rate on a monthly basis during the current year.

Reconciliation of Operating Income to
Adjusted Operating Income—Americas

February 24,
2017

Year Ended

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

Operating income

Add: restructuring costs (benefits)
Adjusted operating income

$

$

245.2

2.6
247.8

11.0% $

265.2

11.7% $

259.9

0.1

(0.5)

—

(10.0)

11.1% $

264.7

11.7% $

249.9

11.9%

(0.5)

11.4%

2017 compared to 2016 

Operating income in the Americas decreased by $20.0 in 2017 compared to the prior year.  The decline was 
driven by lower sales volume and higher sales and marketing costs.  After adjusting for the impact of restructuring 
costs, adjusted operating income decreased by $16.9 in 2017 compared to the prior year.

The Americas revenue represented 73.6% of consolidated revenue in 2017.  Revenue for 2017 of $2,231.9 

represented a decrease of $24.1 or 1% compared to 2016, and the decrease was due to lower volume.  The 
decrease in revenue was driven by an ongoing shift in demand from products for traditional private offices and 
cubicle spaces towards more open-plan and collaborative solutions as well as a decline of approximately $45 in the 
Energy vertical market.  These declines were partially offset by revenue generated by new products launched over 
the past 18 months.  After adjusting for $0.9 of unfavorable currency translation effects and a $6.8 favorable impact 
of an acquisition, the organic revenue decline in 2017 was $30.0 or 1% compared to the prior year.

21

Cost of sales in 2017 was 65.1% of revenue which compared to 65.3% of revenue in 2016.  The slight 

decrease was primarily due to the benefits associated with cost reduction efforts, partially offset by unfavorable 
shifts in business mix.

Operating expenses in 2017 increased by $13.0, or 80 basis points as a percent of revenue, compared to the 
prior year.  The increase was primarily due to $10.5 of higher sales, product development and marketing costs and 
higher corporate costs, partially offset by a reduction of $5 in variable compensation expense.  We have been, and 
expect to continue increasing our operating expenses in support of various growth initiatives including new product 
introductions and other strategic actions.

Restructuring costs of $2.6 in 2017 were associated with the closure of the High Point facility and compared 

to net restructuring benefits of $0.5 in 2016 which included a $2.8 gain related to the sale of a facility, partially offset 
by costs associated with the High Point closure.  See further discussion in Note 19 to the consolidated financial 
statements.

2016 compared to 2015 

Operating income in the Americas in 2016 improved by $5.3 compared to the prior year.  Benefits associated 

with the revenue growth and lower cost of sales as a percent of revenue were partially offset by higher operating 
expenses and a reduction in net restructuring benefits compared to the prior year.  The variable compensation 
expense associated with the large favorable tax item and non-operating gain recorded in Q4 2016 had a $10.6 
impact on operating income.  Adjusted operating income improved by $14.8 to 11.7% of revenue; the variable 
compensation expense associated with the two large items recorded in Q4 had an impact of approximately 50 basis 
points on adjusted operating income as a percent of revenue.

The Americas revenue represented 73.7% of consolidated revenue in 2016.  Revenue for 2016 of $2,256.0 
increased $75.3 or 3.5% compared to 2015 and reflected $19.0 of unfavorable currency translation effects and a 
$22.6 favorable impact of an acquisition.  The revenue growth included higher volume and approximately one-third 
of the growth rate was attributable to improvements in negotiated customer pricing.  Revenue growth in 2016 is 
categorized as follows:

•  Product categories — Six out of seven product categories grew in 2016, led by Furniture, Turnstone and 
Seating.  Architectural Solutions also improved by achieving a double-digit percentage growth rate. 
Technology declined compared to the prior year.

•  Vertical markets — Federal Government, Financial Services, Technical and Professional and 

Manufacturing experienced strong growth rates, while Energy declined.

•  Geographic regions — The East and South Business Groups showed growth over 2015, while the West 

Business Group declined.

•  Contract type — Project sales and continuing business experienced growth, while marketing programs 

declined year-over-year. 

Organic revenue growth in 2016 was $71.7 or 3% compared to the prior year.  

Cost of sales decreased 120 basis points to 65.3% of revenue in 2016 compared to 66.5% of revenue in 
2015.  The primary drivers of the improvement were lower material, freight and distribution costs, which had an 
impact of approximately 200 basis points, and improvements in negotiated customer pricing, partially offset by 
unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates (Canadian dollar to U.S. dollar) and higher variable compensation 
costs.

Operating expenses in 2016 increased by $36.2, or 90 basis points as a percent of revenue, compared to the 
prior year primarily due to $14 of higher variable compensation expense of which $7.2 related to the two large items 
recorded in Q4 2016, $7 related to a small dealer acquisition and $5 of higher sales and marketing costs.

A net restructuring benefit of $0.5 recognized in 2016 included a $2.8 gain related to the sale of our Corporate 
Development Center that was closed as part of previously announced restructuring actions, partially offset by costs 
associated with the closure of the High Point facility.  A net restructuring benefit of $10.0 in 2015 primarily related to 
proceeds received from the sale of an idle manufacturing facility exited as part of previously announced 
restructuring actions, partially offset by costs related to the closure of the High Point facility.

22

EMEA

The EMEA segment serves customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa primarily under the Steelcase 

and Coalesse brands, with an emphasis on freestanding furniture systems, storage and seating solutions.

Statement of Operations Data—EMEA

February 24,
2017

Revenue

Cost of sales
Restructuring costs

Gross profit
Operating expenses
Restructuring costs

Operating loss

$

$

503.9
370.7

1.6
131.6
151.6

0.9
(20.9)

100.0 % $

73.6

0.3
26.1
30.1

0.1

Year Ended

February 26,
2016

520.6
416.3

10.9
93.4
148.2

9.5

100.0 % $

80.0

2.1
17.9
28.5

1.8

February 27,
2015

595.4
465.2

47.5
82.7
162.4

3.1

100.0 %
78.1

8.0
13.9
27.3

0.5

(4.1)% $

(64.3)

(12.4)% $

(82.8)

(13.9)%

Year Ended

Organic Revenue Growth (Decline)—EMEA

Prior year revenue
Divestitures
Currency translation effects *
   Prior year revenue, adjusted
Current year revenue
Organic growth (decline) $
Organic growth (decline) %

________________________

February 24,
2017
520.6
—
(9.0)
511.6
503.9
(7.7)

$

$

February 26,
2016
595.4
(3.2)
(79.2)
513.0
520.6
7.6

$

$

(2)%

1%

* Currency translation effects represent the net effect of translating prior year foreign currency revenues using the 
average exchange rate on a monthly basis during the current year.

Reconciliation of Operating Loss to
Adjusted Operating Loss—EMEA

February 24,
2017

Year Ended

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

Operating loss

Add: restructuring costs

Adjusted operating loss

2017 compared to 2016 

$

$

(20.9)
2.5
(18.4)

(4.1)% $

(64.3)

(12.4)% $

(82.8)

(13.9)%

0.4

20.4

3.9

50.6

8.5

(3.7)% $

(43.9)

(8.5)% $

(32.2)

(5.4)%

Operating results in EMEA improved significantly in 2017 compared to the prior year.  The improvement was 

due to a significant decrease in cost of sales as a percent of revenue and lower restructuring costs compared to the 
prior year.  After adjusting for the impact of restructuring costs, the adjusted operating loss improved by $25.5 
compared to the prior year.

EMEA revenue represented 16.6% of consolidated revenue in 2017.  Revenue declined by $16.7 or 3% 
compared to the prior year due to volume declines in the United Kingdom, Middle East and Africa, partially offset by 
revenue growth in central Europe, Iberia, Germany and France.  After adjusting for $9.0 of unfavorable currency 
translation effects, the organic revenue decline was $7.7 or 2%.

Cost of sales as a percent of revenue decreased significantly in 2017 compared to the prior year, driven by 

the elimination of disruption costs and inefficiencies associated with operational footprint changes and other 
manufacturing and distribution issues experienced in the prior year.  We incurred approximately $3 of costs related 
to these issues in 2017 compared to approximately $26 in 2016.  The 2017 results also benefited from cost 
reduction efforts, gross margin improvement initiatives and favorable shifts in business mix.

23

Operating expenses in 2017 increased by $3.4 compared to the prior year and reflected higher costs 
associated with our new Learning + Innovation Center in Munich partially offset by favorable currency translation 
effects.  Operating expenses as a percent of revenue increased by 160 basis points in 2017.

Restructuring costs of $2.5 incurred in 2017 were related to the closure of the Durlangen facility which was 

completed in Q1 2017 and the establishment of the Learning + Innovation Center in Munich.  Restructuring costs of 
$20.4 incurred in 2016 primarily related to the same two projects.  See further discussion in Note 19 to the 
consolidated financial statements.

2016 compared to 2015 

Operating results in EMEA reflected a significant decrease in restructuring costs compared to the prior year, 
offset by an increase in cost of sales and operating expenses as a percent of revenue compared to the prior year.  
EMEA's adjusted operating loss increased by $11.7.

EMEA revenue represented 17.0% of consolidated revenue in 2016.  Revenue for 2016 reflected $79.2 of 

unfavorable currency translation effects and a $3.2 unfavorable impact from divestitures.  Organic revenue growth 
was $7.6 or 1%, driven by growth in Iberia.

Cost of sales as a percent of revenue increased by 190 basis points in 2016 compared to the prior year.  

During 2016, we experienced manufacturing and distribution issues including power outages and equipment 
failures at our new facility in the Czech Republic and other startup related issues which resulted in incremental 
costs, labor inefficiencies and dealer incentives and reimbursements of approximately $6 in aggregate which were 
incurred in the second and third quarters of 2016.  The 2016 results also reflected unfavorable shifts in product and 
business mix partially offset by the benefits from restructuring activities.

Cost of sales in 2016 and 2015 included $20 and $28, respectively, of disruption costs and inefficiencies 

associated with the manufacturing footprint changes initiated in prior years.

Operating expenses in 2016 decreased by $14.2 compared to the prior year.  The 2016 operating expenses 

reflected favorable currency translation effects of $19.  Operating expenses in local currency increased in 2016 
primarily due to costs associated with establishing our new Learning + Innovation Center in Munich and higher 
variable compensation expense.  Operating expenses as a percent of revenue increased by 120 basis points in 
2016.

Restructuring costs of $20.4 incurred in 2016 primarily consisted of costs associated with the closure of the 

Durlangen facility and severance provisions related to the relocation of activities to the Learning + Innovation 
Center in Munich.  Net restructuring costs of $50.6 incurred in 2015 were primarily associated with the transfer of 
the assets and activities of the Wisches manufacturing facility to a third party and costs related to the closure of the 
Durlangen facility.

Other

The Other category includes Asia Pacific, Designtex and PolyVision.  Asia Pacific serves customers in Asia 

and Australia primarily under the Steelcase brand with an emphasis on freestanding furniture systems, seating and 
storage solutions.  Designtex primarily sells textiles, wall coverings and surface imaging solutions specified by 
architects and designers directly to end-use customers through a direct sales force primarily in North America.  
PolyVision manufactures ceramic steel surfaces for use in various applications globally, including static whiteboards 
and chalkboards sold through third party fabricators and distributors to the primary and secondary education 
markets and architectural panels and other special applications sold through general contractors for commercial 
and infrastructure projects.

24

Statement of Operations Data—Other

February 24,
2017

Year Ended

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

Revenue

Cost of sales
Restructuring costs
Gross profit
Operating expenses
Restructuring costs
Operating income

$

296.6
193.7
—
102.9
89.9
—

100.0% $

65.3
—
34.7
30.3
—

283.4
185.6
—
97.8
86.6
—

100.0% $

65.5
—
34.5
30.5
—

283.6
191.7
—
91.9
87.1
—

$

13.0

4.4% $

11.2

4.0% $

4.8

100.0%
67.6
—
32.4
30.7
—

1.7%

Organic Revenue Growth—Other

Prior year revenue

Currency translation effects *

   Prior year revenue, adjusted

Current year revenue

Organic growth $

Organic growth %

________________________

Year Ended

February 24,
2017
283.4

$

February 26,
2016
283.6

$

(2.6)

280.8

296.6

$

15.8

$

(11.9)

271.7

283.4

11.7

6%

4%

* Currency translation effects represent the net effect of translating prior year foreign currency revenues using the 
average exchange rate on a monthly basis during the current year.

Reconciliation of Operating Income to
Adjusted Operating Income—Other

February 24,
2017

Year Ended

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

Operating income

Add: restructuring costs

Adjusted operating income

2017 compared to 2016 

$

$

13.0

—

13.0

4.4% $

11.2

4.0% $

—

—

—

4.4% $

11.2

4.0% $

4.8

—

4.8

1.7%

—

1.7%

Operating results in the Other category improved in 2017 compared to the prior year driven by improved 

performance in Asia Pacific, partially offset by lower income at PolyVision, while operating performance at 
Designtex was consistent with the prior year.  The 2017 performance in Asia Pacific represented record sales and 
operating income levels.

Revenue in the Other category represented 9.8% of consolidated revenue in 2017.  Revenue in 2017 
increased by $13.2 or 5% compared to the prior year due to strong growth in Asia Pacific and Designtex partially 
offset by lower volume at PolyVision.

Cost of sales as a percent of revenue decreased slightly in 2017 compared to the prior year.  Asia Pacific and 

Designtex posted improvements, while gross margin performance at PolyVision was consistent with the prior year.

Operating expenses as a percent of revenue decreased slightly in 2017 compared to the prior year.  The 

improvement was driven by Asia Pacific, while operating expenses as a percent of revenue at Designtex and 
PolyVision increased modestly compared with the prior year.

2016 compared to 2015 

Revenue in the Other category represented 9.3% of consolidated revenue in 2016.  Operating results in the 
Other category in 2016 improved significantly compared to the prior year.  Improved operating performance in Asia 

25

 
Pacific offset lower operating performance at PolyVision, while operating performance at Designtex was 
comparable to the prior year.

Cost of sales as a percent of revenue decreased by 210 basis points in 2016 compared to the prior year.  
Improvements in Asia Pacific were partially offset by higher costs at PolyVision. The decrease in cost of sales in 
Asia Pacific was driven by favorable foreign currency exchange rates and improved business and product mix.

Asia Pacific recorded operating income in the 2016 compared to an operating loss in the prior year.  The 
improvement was driven by organic revenue growth, favorable foreign currency exchange rates and improved 
business mix.

Operating income at PolyVision declined compared to the prior year.  The decline was driven by reduced 

volume, an increase in cost of sales as a percent of revenue and higher operating expense.

Corporate

Corporate expenses include unallocated portions of shared service functions, such as information technology, 

corporate facilities, finance, human resources, research, legal and customer aviation, plus deferred compensation 
expense and income or losses associated with COLI.

Operating expenses

Statement of Operations Data—Corporate

Year Ended

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

$

37.1 $

37.5 $

37.0

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity

Based on current business conditions, we target maintaining a range of $75 to $150 in cash and cash 

equivalents and short-term investments to fund day-to-day operations, including seasonal disbursements, 
particularly the annual payment of accrued variable compensation and retirement plan contributions in Q1 of each 
fiscal year.  In addition, we may carry additional liquidity for potential investments in strategic initiatives and as a 
cushion against economic volatility.

Liquidity Sources

Cash and cash equivalents

Short-term investments

Company-owned life insurance

Availability under credit facilities

Total liquidity

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

$

197.1 $

73.4

168.8

150.3

$

589.6 $

181.9

84.1

160.4

151.7

578.1

As of February 24, 2017, we held a total of $270.5 in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. 
The majority of our short-term investments are located in the U.S. Of our total $197.1 in cash and cash equivalents, 
72% was located in the U.S. and the remaining 28%, or $56.0, was located outside of the U.S., primarily in France, 
China (including Hong Kong), Mexico, and Canada.  Amounts located outside the U.S. would be taxable if 
repatriated to the U.S. as dividends, but we do not anticipate repatriating such amounts or needing them for 
operations in the U.S.  Such amounts are considered available to repay intercompany debt, available to meet local 
working capital requirements or permanently reinvested in foreign subsidiaries.

The majority of our short-term investments are maintained in a managed investment portfolio, which primarily 

consists of corporate debt securities and U.S. agency debt securities.

Our investments in COLI policies are intended to be utilized as a long-term funding source for long-term 

benefit obligations.  However, COLI can be used as a source of liquidity. We believe the financial strength of the 
issuing insurance companies associated with our COLI policies is sufficient to meet their obligations. COLI 
investments are recorded at their net cash surrender value.  See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for 
more information.

26

Availability under credit facilities may be reduced related to compliance with applicable covenants.  See 

Liquidity Facilities for more information.

The following table summarizes our consolidated statements of cash flows:

Net cash flow provided by (used in):

Cash Flow Data

Operating activities

Investing activities

Financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

Cash provided by operating activities 

Cash Flow Data—Operating Activities

Net income

Depreciation and amortization

Gain from partial sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate 

Deferred income taxes

Restructuring gains on sale of fixed assets

Non-cash stock compensation

Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates

Dividends received from unconsolidated affiliates

Other

Changes in accounts receivable, inventories and accounts payable

Assets related to derivative instruments

VAT recoverable

Long-term income taxes receivable

Changes in employee compensation liabilities

Changes in other operating assets and liabilities
Net cash provided by operating activities

Year Ended

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

$

170.7 $

186.4 $

(48.4)

(105.9)

(1.2)

15.2

181.9

(87.8)

(90.1)

(3.1)

5.4

176.5

$

197.1 $

181.9 $

84.2

(14.3)

(89.8)

(5.4)

(25.3)

201.8

176.5

Year Ended

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

$

124.6 $

170.3 $

60.3

—

26.8

—

19.8

(9.7)

9.9

(8.8)

16.3

(1.8)

17.0

(18.5)

(8.8)

(56.4)

65.7

(8.5)

(68.3)

(2.8)

21.0

(13.4)

12.4

0.3

3.4

22.3

(28.9)

—

20.4

(7.5)

$

170.7 $

186.4 $

86.1

59.9

—

0.4

(12.0)

18.4

(15.2)

10.7

(5.1)

(58.3)

(23.8)

(4.3)

—

(0.8)

28.2

84.2

The decrease in cash provided by operating activities in 2017 compared to 2016 was partially driven by 

higher variable compensation payments compared to the prior year and a decrease in various accrued expense 
accounts offset by a reduction in VAT recoverable. 2016 also included proceeds from the settlement of foreign 
exchange forward contracts. The increase in cash provided by operating activities in 2016 compared to 2015 was 
largely due to a decrease in the use of working capital related to modest organic revenue growth in Q4 2016 
compared to strong organic revenue growth in Q4 2015 and the settlement of foreign exchange contracts, partially 
offset by an increase in VAT recoverable. 

27

Cash used in investing activities

Cash Flow Data—Investing Activities

Capital expenditures
Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets
Purchases of investments
Liquidations of investments
Proceeds from partial sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate 
Other
Net cash used in investing activities

February 24,
2017

Year Ended

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

$

$

(61.1) $
1.9
(112.6)
126.6
—
(3.2)
(48.4) $

(93.4) $
5.6
(105.7)
95.1
18.0
(7.4)
(87.8) $

(97.5)
19.7
(91.4)
149.1
—
5.8
(14.3)

Capital expenditures in 2017 were primarily related to investments in manufacturing operations and the 
establishment of the Learning + Innovation Center in Munich.  Capital expenditures in 2016 included $26.0 in 
progress payments toward a new aircraft and investments in manufacturing operations.  Capital expenditures in 
2015 were primarily related to investments in manufacturing operations, including a new manufacturing location in 
the Czech Republic, and product development.

Liquidations of short-term investments were higher in 2017 compared to 2016 in order to fund higher variable 

compensation payments and other liquidity needs.  The net increase in investments in 2016 was related to our 
increase in cash provided by operating activities and the proceeds from the partial sale of an investment in an 
unconsolidated affiliate.  The net reduction in investments in 2015 was primarily related to the funding of 
restructuring costs in EMEA. 

Cash provided by investing activities in 2015 included the receipt of proceeds related to the sale of a former 

manufacturing facility. 

Cash used in financing activities 

Cash Flow Data—Financing Activities

Dividends paid

Common stock repurchases

Excess tax benefit from vesting of stock awards

Net borrowings and repayments of debt

Net cash used in financing activities

Year Ended

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

$

(58.5) $

(57.0) $

(48.4)

3.3

(2.3)

(56.4)

7.0

16.3

(52.5)

(36.3)

1.6

(2.6)

$

(105.9) $

(90.1) $

(89.8)

We paid dividends of $0.12, $0.1125 and $0.105 per common share during each quarter in 2017, 2016 and 

2015, respectively. On March 21, 2017, our Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.1275 per common share to 
be paid in Q1 2018.

During 2017, 2016 and 2015, we made common stock repurchases of $48.4, $56.4, and $36.3, respectively, 
all of which related to our Class A Common Stock. As of February 24, 2017, we had $126.5 of remaining availability 
under the $150 share repurchase program approved by our Board of Directors in Q4 2016.

Share repurchases of Class A Common Stock to enable participants to satisfy tax withholding obligations 
upon vesting of restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance units, pursuant to the terms of our Incentive 
Compensation Plan, were $6.9, $13.0, and $4.9 in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Capital Resources

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We are contingently liable under loan and lease guarantees for certain independent dealers in the event of 

default or non-performance of the financial repayment of a liability. In certain cases, we also guarantee completion 
of contracts by our dealers. Due to the contingent nature of guarantees, the full value of the guarantees is not 

28

recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets; however, when necessary, we record reserves to cover potential 
losses. As of February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016, there were no reserves for guarantees recorded on our 
Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Contractual Obligations

Our contractual obligations as of February 24, 2017 were as follows:

Contractual Obligations

Total

Payments Due by Period
1-3
Years

Less than
1 Year

3-5
Years

Long-term debt and short-term borrowings
Estimated interest on debt obligations
Operating leases
Committed capital expenditures
Purchase obligations
Other liabilities
Employee benefit and compensation obligations
Total

$

$

297.4 $

68.7
211.4
21.6
63.6
0.9
278.8
942.4 $

2.8 $

16.8
50.3
21.6
39.8
0.9
148.0
280.2 $

5.5 $

254.0 $

33.5
71.1
—
17.1
—
36.0

17.4
43.5
—
6.7
—
18.7

163.2 $

340.3 $

After 5
Years

35.1
1.0
46.5
—
—
—
76.1
158.7

Total consolidated debt as of February 24, 2017 was $297.4. Of our total debt, $248.8 is in the form of term 

notes due in 2021 and $48.0 is related to financing secured by two of our corporate aircraft due in 2024.

We have commitments related to certain sales offices, showrooms, warehouses and equipment under non-

cancelable operating leases that expire at various dates through 2026. Minimum payments under operating leases, 
net of sublease rental income, are presented in the contractual obligations table above.

Committed capital expenditures represent obligations we have related to property, plant and equipment 

purchases.

Purchase obligations represent obligations under non-cancelable contracts to purchase goods or services 

beyond the needs of meeting current backlog or production.

Other liabilities represent obligations for foreign exchange forward contracts.

Employee benefit and compensation obligations represent contributions and benefit payments expected to be 

made for our post-retirement, pension, deferred compensation, defined contribution, severance arrangements and 
variable compensation plans. Our obligations related to post-retirement benefit plans are not contractual, and the 
plans could be amended at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. We limited our 
disclosure of post-retirement and pension contributions and benefit payments to 10 years as information beyond 
this time period was not available. See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

The contractual obligations table above is presented as of February 24, 2017. The amounts of these 
obligations could change materially over time as new contracts or obligations are initiated and existing contracts or 
obligations are terminated or modified. We anticipate the cash expected to be generated from future operations, 
current cash and cash equivalents and short-term investment balances, funds available under our credit facilities 
and funds available from COLI will be sufficient to fulfill our existing contractual obligations.

29

Liquidity Facilities

Our total liquidity facilities as of February 24, 2017 were:

Liquidity Facilities

Global committed bank facility

Various uncommitted lines

Total credit lines available

Less: borrowings outstanding

Available capacity

February 24,
2017

$

$

125.0

25.3

150.3
—

150.3

We have a $125 global committed five-year bank facility which was entered into in Q3 2017. This facility 
amended and restated our former facility which was scheduled to expire in Q1 2018. As of February 24, 2017, there 
were no borrowings outstanding under the facility, our availability was not limited, and we were in compliance with 
all covenants under the facility. 

The various uncommitted lines may be changed or canceled by the applicable lenders at any time. There 

were no outstanding borrowings under uncommitted facilities as of February 24, 2017. 

In addition, we have credit agreements of $35.2 which can be utilized to support letters of credit, bank 
guarantees, or foreign exchange contracts.  Letters of credit and bank guarantees of $12.3 were outstanding under 
these facilities as of February 24, 2017.  We had no draws against our standby letters of credit during 2017 or 2016.

Total consolidated debt as of February 24, 2017 was $297.4. Our debt primarily consists of $248.8 in term 

notes due in Q4 2021 with an effective interest rate of 6.6%. In addition, we have a term loan with a balance as of 
February 24, 2017 of $48.0.  This term loan has a floating interest rate based on 30-day LIBOR plus 1.20% and is 
due in 2024. The term notes are unsecured, and the term loan is secured by two of our corporate aircraft.  The term 
notes and the term loan contain no financial covenants and are not cross-defaulted to our other debt facilities. 

See Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Liquidity Outlook

Our current cash and cash equivalents and short-term investment balances, funds available under our credit 

facilities, funds available from COLI and cash generated from future operations are expected to be sufficient to 
finance our known or foreseeable liquidity needs.  We continue to maintain a conservative approach to liquidity and 
have flexibility over significant uses of cash including our capital expenditures and discretionary operating 
expenses.

Our significant funding requirements include operating expenses, non-cancelable operating lease obligations, 
capital expenditures, variable compensation and retirement plan contributions, dividend payments and debt service 
obligations.

We expect capital expenditures to total approximately $80 to $90 in 2018 compared to $61 in 2017. This 
amount includes investments in our global manufacturing operations, product development and new Learning + 
Innovation Center in Munich, Germany. We closely manage capital spending to ensure we are making investments 
that we believe will sustain our business and preserve our ability to introduce innovative new products.

On March 21, 2017, we announced a quarterly dividend on our common stock of $0.1275 per share, or $15.3, 

to be paid in Q1 2018. Future dividends will be subject to approval by our Board of Directors.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon our 
consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  Our consolidated financial statements were prepared 
in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  These principles 
require the use of estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported and disclosed in the consolidated 
financial statements and accompanying notes.  Although these estimates are based on historical data and 
management’s knowledge of current events and actions it may undertake in the future, actual results may differ 

30

from the estimates if different conditions occur.  The accounting estimates that typically involve a higher degree of 
judgment and complexity are listed and explained below.  These estimates were discussed with the Audit 
Committee of our Board of Directors and affect all of our segments.

Income Taxes

Our annual effective tax rate is based on income, statutory tax rates and tax planning strategies in various 

jurisdictions in which we operate.  Tax laws are complex and subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and 
respective governmental taxing authorities. Significant judgment is required in determining our tax expense and in 
evaluating tax positions.

We are audited by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under the Compliance Assurance Process (“CAP”). 

Under CAP, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service works with large business taxpayers to identify and resolve issues 
prior to the filing of a tax return.  Accordingly, we expect to record minimal liabilities for U.S. Federal uncertain tax 
positions.  Tax positions are reviewed regularly for state, local and non-U.S. tax liabilities associated with uncertain 
tax positions and balances are adjusted as new information becomes available.  Our liability for uncertain tax 
positions in these jurisdictions is $0.2 as of February 24, 2017.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences 

attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and 
liabilities and their respective tax bases.  These assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates 
expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse.  In 
evaluating our ability to recover deferred tax assets within the jurisdiction from which they arise, we consider all 
positive and negative evidence.  These expectations require significant judgment and are developed using 
forecasts of future taxable income that are consistent with the internal plans and estimates we are using to manage 
the underlying business.  Changes in tax laws and rates could also affect recorded deferred tax assets and 
liabilities in the future.

Future tax benefits of tax losses are recognized to the extent that realization of these benefits is considered 

more likely than not.  As of February 24, 2017, we recorded tax benefits from net operating loss carryforwards of 
$57.0.  We also have recorded valuation allowances totaling $7.9 against these assets, which reduced our recorded 
tax benefit to $49.1.  It is considered more likely than not that a $49.1 cash benefit will be realized on these 
carryforwards in future periods.  This determination is based on the expectation that related operations will be 
sufficiently profitable or various tax, business and other planning strategies will enable us to utilize the 
carryforwards. To the extent that available evidence raises doubt about the realization of a deferred tax asset, a 
valuation allowance would be established or adjusted.  A change in judgment regarding our expected ability to 
realize deferred tax assets would be accounted for as a discrete tax expense or benefit in the period in which it 
occurs.  

During 2017, we amended certain of our U.S. federal income tax returns for prior periods to claim an 
aggregate of $17.0 of foreign tax credits.  We believe that the refunds generated by these amendments will not be 
received within the next 12 months, and we have classified them as non-current assets.  As of February 24, 2017, 
the remaining deferred tax assets related to tax credit carryforwards was $17.4 and consisted primarily of U.S. 
foreign tax credits and investment tax credits granted by the Czech Republic.  The U.S. foreign tax credit 
carryforward period is 10 years, and utilization of foreign tax credits is restricted to 35% of foreign source taxable 
income in that year.  We have projected our pretax domestic earnings and foreign source income based on 
historical results and expect to fully utilize the remaining excess foreign tax credits (as well as the remaining other 
credits) within the allowable carryforward period.  The carryforward period for the Czech Republic investment tax 
credits is also 10 years.  We have projected our pretax earnings in the Czech Republic and also expect to fully 
utilize these credits within the allowable carryover period.  Similar to our treatment of operating loss carryforwards, 
a valuation allowance would be established on the credit carryforwards if available evidence raises doubt about 
their expected realization.

A 10% decrease in the expected amount of cash benefit to be realized on the carryforwards would have 

resulted in a decrease in net income for 2017 of approximately $6.7.

See Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

31

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the difference between the purchase price and the related underlying tangible and 
identifiable intangible net asset values resulting from business acquisitions.  Annually in Q4, or earlier if conditions 
indicate it is necessary, the carrying value of the reporting unit is compared to an estimate of its fair value.  If the 
estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, goodwill is impaired and is written down to 
its estimated fair value.  Goodwill is assigned to and the fair value is tested at the reporting unit level.  In 2017, we 
evaluated goodwill and intangible assets using six reporting units: the Americas, Red Thread, EMEA, Asia Pacific, 
Designtex and PolyVision.

Annually in Q4, or earlier if conditions indicate it is necessary, we also perform an impairment analysis of our 
intangible assets not subject to amortization using an income approach based on the cash flows attributable to the 
related products.  An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its 
estimated fair value.  In testing for impairment, we first determine if the asset is recoverable and then compare the 
discounted cash flows over the asset’s remaining life to the carrying value.

During Q4 2017, we performed our annual impairment assessment of goodwill in our reporting units.  In the 

first step to test for potential impairment, we measured the estimated fair value of our reporting units using a 
discounted cash flow (“DCF”) valuation method.  The DCF analysis calculated the present value of projected cash 
flows and a residual value using discount rates that ranged from 10.0% to 15.0%.  Considerable management 
judgment is necessary to evaluate the impact of operating changes and to estimate future cash flows in measuring 
fair value. Assumptions used in our impairment valuations, such as forecasted growth rates, expected levels of 
operating income and estimated capital investment, are consistent with our current internal projections.  These 
assumptions could change over time, which may result in future impairment charges.

There were no impairments for any reporting units in 2017.

As of February 24, 2017, we had remaining goodwill and net intangible assets recorded on our Consolidated 

Balance Sheet as follows:

Reportable Segment

Americas

EMEA

Other category

Total

Goodwill

Other Intangible
Assets, Net

$

$

88.2 $

—

18.5

106.7 $

12.6

0.3

3.9

16.8

As of the valuation date, the enterprise value available for goodwill determined as described above is in 

excess of the underlying reported value of goodwill as follows:

Americas
Other category

Reportable Segment

Enterprise Value
Available in Excess
of Goodwill

$

1,297.0
33.0

For each reporting unit, the excess enterprise value available for goodwill is primarily driven by the residual 
value of future years.  Thus, increasing the discount rate by 1%, leaving all other assumptions unchanged, would 
reduce the enterprise value in excess of goodwill to the following amounts:

Americas
Other category

Reportable Segment

Enterprise Value
Available in Excess
of Goodwill

$

1,094.0
25.0

As of February 24, 2017, no reporting unit had goodwill balances in excess of enterprise value available for 

goodwill based on the sensitivity analysis above.

See Note 2 and Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

32

Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefits

We sponsor a number of domestic and foreign plans to provide pension, medical and life insurance benefits 

to retired employees.  As of February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016, the benefit obligations, fair value of plan 
assets and funded status of these plans were as follows:

Fair value of plan assets
Benefit plan obligations
Funded status

Defined Benefit
Pension Plans

Post-Retirement
Plans

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

$

$

46.7 $
96.8
(50.1) $

47.3 $
93.4
(46.1) $

— $

46.0
(46.0) $

—
66.2
(66.2)

The post-retirement medical and life insurance plans are unfunded.  As of February 24, 2017, approximately 

67% of our unfunded defined benefit pension obligations is related to our non-qualified supplemental retirement 
plan that is limited to a select group of management approved by the Compensation Committee.  Our investments 
in whole life and variable life COLI policies with a net cash surrender value of $168.8 as of February 24, 2017 are 
intended to be utilized as a long-term funding source for post-retirement medical benefits, deferred compensation 
and defined benefit pension plan obligations.  The asset values of the COLI policies are not segregated in a trust 
specifically for the plans and thus are not considered plan assets.  Changes in the values of these policies have no 
effect on the post-retirement benefits expense, defined benefit pension expense or benefit obligations recorded in 
the consolidated financial statements.

We recognize the cost of benefits provided during retirement over the employees’ active working lives.  
Inherent in this approach is the requirement to use various actuarial assumptions to predict and measure costs and 
obligations many years prior to the settlement date.  Key actuarial assumptions that require significant management 
judgment and have a material impact on the measurement of our consolidated benefits expense and benefit 
obligations include, among others, the discount rate and health care cost trend rates.  These and other assumptions 
are reviewed with our actuaries and updated annually based on relevant external and internal factors and 
information, including, but not limited to, benefit payments, expenses paid from the plan, rates of termination, 
medical inflation, regulatory requirements, plan changes and governmental coverage changes.

To conduct our annual review of discount rates, we perform a matching exercise of projected plan cash flows 

against spot rates on a yield curve comprised of high quality corporate bonds as of the measurement date (the 
Ryan ALM Top Third curve).  The measurement dates for our retiree benefit plans are consistent with the last day in 
February.  Accordingly, we select discount rates to measure our benefit obligations that are consistent with market 
indices at the end of February.

Based on consolidated benefit obligations as of February 24, 2017, a one percentage point decline in the 

weighted-average discount rate used for benefit plan measurement purposes would have changed the 2017 
consolidated benefits expense by less than $1 and the consolidated benefit obligations by less than $7.  All 
obligation-related experience gains and losses are amortized using a straight-line method over the average 
remaining service period of active plan participants.

To conduct our annual review of healthcare cost trend rates, we model our actual claims cost data over a 
historical period, including an analysis of the pre-65 age group and other important demographic components of our 
covered retiree population.  This data is adjusted to eliminate the impact of plan changes and other factors that 
would tend to distort the underlying cost inflation trends.  Our initial healthcare cost trend rate is reviewed annually 
and adjusted as necessary to remain consistent with recent historical experience and our expectations regarding 
short-term future trends. As of February 24, 2017, our initial rate of 7.28% for pre-age 65 retirees was trended 
downward by each year, until the ultimate trend rate of 4.50% was reached.  The ultimate trend rate is adjusted 
annually, as necessary, to approximate the current economic view on the rate of long-term inflation plus an 
appropriate healthcare cost premium.  Post-age 65 trend rates are not applicable as our plan provides a fixed 
subsidy for post-age 65 benefits. 

Based on consolidated benefit obligations as of February 24, 2017, a one percentage point increase or 
decrease in the assumed healthcare cost trend rates would have changed the 2017 consolidated benefits expense 
by less than $1 and changed the consolidated benefit obligations by less than $1.  All experience gains and losses 
are amortized using a straight-line method, over at least the minimum amortization period prescribed by accounting 
guidance.

33

Despite the previously described policies for selecting key actuarial assumptions, we periodically experience 

material differences between assumed and actual experience.  Our consolidated net unamortized prior service 
credits and net experience losses are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the 
Consolidated Balance Sheets.

See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Forward-Looking Statements

From time to time, in written and oral statements, we discuss our expectations regarding future events and 

our plans and objectives for future operations. These forward-looking statements discuss goals, intentions and 
expectations as to future trends, plans, events, results of operations or financial condition, or state other information 
relating to us, based on current beliefs of management as well as assumptions made by, and information currently 
available to, us. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” 
“could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” or other similar 
words, phrases or expressions. Although we believe these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they are 
based upon a number of assumptions concerning future conditions, any or all of which may ultimately prove to be 
inaccurate. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results 
to vary from our expectations because of factors such as, but not limited to, competitive and general economic 
conditions domestically and internationally; acts of terrorism, war, governmental action, natural disasters and other 
Force Majeure events; changes in the legal and regulatory environment; changes in raw materials and commodity 
costs; currency fluctuations; changes in customer demands; and the other risks and contingencies detailed in this 
Report and our other filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to update, amend or clarify forward-looking 
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding recently issued accounting 

standards.

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk:

We are exposed to market risks from foreign currency exchange, interest rates, commodity prices and fixed 

income and equity prices, which could affect our operating results, financial position and cash flows.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk primarily on sales commitments, anticipated sales 
and purchases and assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. In 2017, 2016 and 
2015, we transacted business in 17 primary currencies worldwide, of which the most significant were the U.S. 
dollar, the euro, the Canadian dollar, the United Kingdom pound sterling, the Mexican peso, the Chinese renminbi 
and the Malaysian ringgit. Revenue from foreign locations represented approximately 31% of our consolidated 
revenue in 2017, 30% in 2016 and 32% in 2015. We actively manage the foreign currency exposures that are 
associated with committed foreign currency purchases and sales created in the normal course of business at the 
local entity level. Exposures that cannot be naturally offset within a local entity to an immaterial amount are often 
hedged with foreign currency derivatives or netted with offsetting exposures at other entities. We do not use 
derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. Our results are affected by the strength of the currencies in 
countries where we manufacture or purchase goods relative to the strength of the currencies in countries where our 
products are sold.

We estimate that an additional 10% strengthening of the U.S. dollar against local currencies would have 

decreased operating income by less than $5 in 2017 and increased operating income by less than $5 in 2016 and 
2015.  These estimates assume no changes other than the exchange rate itself. However, this quantitative measure 
has inherent limitations. The sensitivity analysis disregards the possibility that rates can move in opposite directions 
and that gains from one currency may or may not be offset by losses from another currency.

The translation of the assets and liabilities of our international subsidiaries is made using the foreign currency 
exchange rates as of the end of the fiscal year. Translation adjustments are not included in determining net income 
but are included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within shareholders’ equity on the 
Consolidated Balance Sheets until a sale or substantially complete liquidation of the net investment in the 

34

international subsidiary takes place. In certain markets, we could recognize a significant gain or loss related to 
unrealized cumulative translation adjustments if we were to exit the market and liquidate our net investment. As of 
February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016, the cumulative net currency translation adjustments reduced 
shareholders’ equity by $63.3 and $50.9, respectively.

Foreign currency exchange gains and losses reflect transaction gains and losses, which arise from monetary 
assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than a business unit’s functional currency and are recorded in 
Other income (expense), net on the Consolidated Statements of Income.  In 2017 net foreign exchange gains were 
$3.4.  In 2016 and 2015, net foreign currency exchange losses were $4.0 and $5.0, respectively.

See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to interest rate risk primarily on our short-term and long-term investments and short-term 
and long-term borrowings. Our short-term investments are primarily invested in U.S. agency debt securities, U.S. 
government debt securities and highly-rated corporate debt securities. The risk on our short-term and long-term 
borrowings is primarily related to a floating interest rate loan with a balance of $48.0 and $50.1 as of February 24, 
2017 and February 26, 2016, respectively.  This loan bears a floating interest rate based on 30-day LIBOR plus 
1.20%.

We estimate a 1% increase in interest rates would have increased our net income by less than $1 in 2017, 

2016 and 2015, mainly as a result of higher interest income on our investments. Significant changes in interest 
rates could have an impact on the market value of our managed fixed-income investment portfolio. However, this 
quantitative measure has inherent limitations since not all of our investments are in similar asset classes. In 
addition, our investment manager actively manages certain investments, thus our results could be better or worse 
than market returns. As of February 24, 2017, approximately 57% of our fixed-income investments mature within 
one year, approximately 10% in two years, approximately 10% in three years and approximately 23% in four or 
more years.

See Note 6 and Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Commodity Price Risk

We are exposed to commodity price risk primarily on our raw material purchases.  These raw materials are 

not rare or unique to our industry.  The cost of steel, petroleum-based products, aluminum, other metals, wood, 
particleboard and other commodities, such as fuel and energy, has fluctuated in recent years due to changes in 
global supply and demand.  Our gross margins could be affected if these types of costs continue to fluctuate.  We 
actively manage these raw material costs through global sourcing initiatives and price increases on our products.  
However, in the short-term, rapid increases in raw material costs can be very difficult to offset with price increases 
because of contractual agreements with our customers, and it is difficult to find effective financial instruments to 
hedge against such changes.

As a result of changes in commodity costs, cost of sales decreased approximately $6 and $40 during 2017 
and 2016, respectively, and cost of sales increased approximately $6 in 2015.  The decrease in commodity costs 
during 2017 was driven primarily by lower transportation and other costs, partially offset by higher steel costs.  The 
decrease in commodity costs during 2016 was driven primarily by lower steel costs.  We estimate that a 1% 
increase in commodity prices, assuming no offsetting benefit of price increases, would have decreased our 
operating income by approximately $12 in 2017, 2016 and 2015.  This quantitative measure has inherent limitations 
given the likelihood of implementing pricing actions to offset significant increases in commodity prices.

Fixed Income and Equity Price Risk

We are exposed to fixed income and equity price risk primarily on the cash surrender value associated with 
our investments in variable life COLI policies. Our variable life COLI policies were allocated at approximately 40% 
fixed income and 60% equity investments as of February 24, 2017. 

We estimate a 10% adverse change in the value of the equity portion of our variable life COLI investments 

would reduce our net income in 2017, 2016  and 2015 by approximately $3, $3 and $2, respectively. However, 
given that a portion of the investments in COLI policies are intended to be utilized as a long-term funding source for 
deferred compensation obligations, any adverse change in the equity portion of our variable life COLI investments 
may be partially offset by favorable changes in deferred compensation liabilities. We estimate that the risk of 

35

 
changes in the value of the variable life COLI investments due to other factors, including changes in interest rates, 
yield curve and portfolio duration, would not have a material impact on our results of operations or financial 
condition. This quantitative measure has inherent limitations since not all of our investments are in similar asset 
classes.

See Note 6 and Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

36

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting. 

This system is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the 
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally 
accepted in the United States of America.

Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the 

maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of 
our assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of 
financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, 
and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the 
Board of Directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized 
acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting can provide only 
reasonable assurance and may not prevent or detect all misstatements. Further, because of changes in conditions, 
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting may vary over time.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the system of internal control over financial reporting based on 

the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management determined that our system 
of internal control over financial reporting was effective as of February 24, 2017.

Deloitte & Touche LLP, the independent registered certified public accounting firm that audited our financial 
statements included in this annual report on Form 10-K, also audited the effectiveness of our internal control over 
financial reporting, as stated in their report which is included herein.

37

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

STEELCASE INC.

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Steelcase Inc. and subsidiaries (the 
“Company”) as of February 24, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework 
(2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company's 
management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment 
of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report 
on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal 
control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board 

(United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about 
whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included 
obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness 
exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, 
and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit 
provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the 

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

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of 

collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be 
prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal 
control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate 
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial 

reporting as of February 24, 2017, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework 
(2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board 

(United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year 
ended February 24, 2017 of the Company and our report dated April 14, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion on 
those financial statements and financial statement schedule.

/s/    Deloitte & Touche LLP

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Grand Rapids, Michigan

April 14, 2017

38

 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of

STEELCASE INC.

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Steelcase Inc. and subsidiaries (the 

“Company”) as of February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016, and the related consolidated statements of income, 
comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period 
ended February 24, 2017. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. 
These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. 
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedule based on 
our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight 
Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance 
about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test 
basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes 
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the 
overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial 
position of Steelcase Inc. and subsidiaries at February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016 and the results of their 
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended February 24, 2017, in conformity 
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial 
statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, 
presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board 

(United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of February 24, 2017, based on the 
criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring 
Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated April 14, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion 
on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

/s/    Deloitte & Touche LLP
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Grand Rapids, Michigan
April 14, 2017

39

 
STEELCASE INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in millions, except per share data)

Year Ended

Revenue

Cost of sales

Restructuring costs

Gross profit

Operating expenses

Restructuring costs

Operating income

Interest expense

Investment income

Other income, net

Income before income tax expense

Income tax expense

Net income

Earnings per share:

Basic

Diluted

February 24,
2017
3,032.4 $

February 26,
2016
3,060.0 $

February 27,
2015
3,059.7

$

2,017.8

2,075.5

2,106.2

4.2

1,010.4

809.3

0.9

200.2

(17.2)

1.4

11.9

196.3

71.7

13.3

971.2

790.0

6.6

174.6

(17.6)

1.5

16.3

174.8

4.5

124.6 $

170.3 $

37.5

916.0

768.0

3.1

144.9

(17.7)

1.4

8.4

137.0

50.9

86.1

1.03 $

1.03 $

1.37 $

1.36 $

0.69

0.68

$

$

$

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
40

STEELCASE INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in millions)

Net income

Other comprehensive income (loss), gross:
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments
Pension and other post-retirement liability adjustments
Derivative adjustments
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Total other comprehensive income (loss), gross

Other comprehensive income (loss), tax (expense) benefit:

Unrealized gain (loss) on investments
Pension and other post-retirement liability adjustments
Derivative adjustments
Foreign currency translation adjustments

Total other comprehensive income (loss), tax (expense) benefit

Other comprehensive income (loss), net:
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments
Pension and other post-retirement liability adjustments
Derivative adjustments
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net
Comprehensive income

Year Ended

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

$

124.6 $

170.3 $

86.1

(1.4)
4.7
—
(12.4)
(9.1)

0.5
(2.4)
—
—
(1.9)

(0.2)
2.6
—
(12.2)
(9.8)

—
(0.4)
—
—
(0.4)

—
(16.8)
0.1
(19.2)
(35.9)

—
5.7
—
—
5.7

(0.9)
2.3
—
(12.4)
(11.0)
113.6 $

(0.2)
2.2
—
(12.2)
(10.2)
160.1 $

—
(11.1)
0.1
(19.2)
(30.2)
55.9

$

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
41

 
STEELCASE INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions, except share data)

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $11.2 and $11.7
Inventories
Prepaid expenses
Other current assets

Total current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $959.6 and $936.8
Company-owned life insurance ("COLI")
Deferred income taxes
Goodwill
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $43.2 and $42.7
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
Other assets
Total assets

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt
Accrued expenses:

Employee compensation
Employee benefit plan obligations
Accrued promotions
Customer deposits
Product warranties
Other

Total current liabilities
Long-term liabilities:

Long-term debt less current maturities
Employee benefit plan obligations
Other long-term liabilities

Total long-term liabilities
Total liabilities
Shareholders’ equity:

Preferred stock-no par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and 
outstanding
Class A common stock-no par value; 475,000,000 shares authorized, 85,975,298 
and 87,759,355 issued and outstanding
Class B common stock-no par value, convertible into Class A common stock on a 
one-for-one basis; 475,000,000 shares authorized, 31,348,049 and 31,611,411 
issued and outstanding

Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Retained earnings
Total shareholders’ equity
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

$

197.1 $

73.4
307.6
163.1
19.1
58.9
819.2
408.1
168.8
179.6
106.7
16.8
50.5
42.3
1,792.0 $

216.8 $
2.8

$

$

154.3
35.0
19.0
15.9
20.4
59.2
523.4

294.6
134.3
73.2
502.1
1,025.5

—

—

181.9
84.1
322.7
159.4
19.6
56.2
823.9
411.6
160.4
211.6
106.4
13.7
51.0
30.0
1,808.6

209.6
2.5

169.9
36.5
21.7
18.6
20.5
78.2
557.5

296.6
142.5
75.1
514.2
1,071.7

—

—

—
—
(50.6)
817.1
766.5
1,792.0 $

—
—
(39.6)
776.5
736.9
1,808.6

$

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
42

STEELCASE INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in millions, except share and per share data)

Common
Shares
Outstanding

Class A
Common
Stock

Class B
Common
Stock

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

Retained
Earnings

Total
Shareholders’
Equity

February 28, 2014

Common stock issuance

Common stock repurchases

Tax effect of exercise of stock awards

Performance units issued as common stock

Restricted stock units issued as common stock

Performance units and restricted stock units expense

Other repurchases related to stock vested not yet issued

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Dividends paid ($0.42 per share)

Net income

February 27, 2015

Common stock issuance

Common stock repurchases

Tax effect of exercise of stock awards

Performance units issued as common stock

Restricted stock units issued as common stock

Performance units and restricted stock units expense

Other repurchases related to stock vested not yet issued

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Dividends paid ($0.45 per share)

Net income

February 26, 2016

Common stock issuance

Common stock repurchases

Tax effect of exercise of stock awards

Performance units issued as common stock

Restricted stock units issued as common stock

Performance units and restricted stock units expense

Other repurchases related to stock vested not yet issued

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Dividends paid ($0.48 per share)

Net income

February 24, 2017

122,876,764

$

— $

— $

— $

0.8

$

676.3

$

48,064

(2,365,897)

453,627

455,989

121,468,547

$

— $

— $

39,052

(3,737,573)

1,026,000

574,740

(21.7)

(30.2)

(52.5)

86.1

$

(29.4) $

688.2

$

(25.0)

0.8

(14.6)

1.6

17.6

(0.4)

5.0

0.7

(31.4)

7.0

20.3

(1.6)

119,370,766

$

— $

— $

— $

(39.6) $

776.5

$

(10.2)

(57.0)

170.3

48,045

(3,507,238)

469,232

942,542

0.7

(22.9)

3.3

19.1

(0.2)

(25.5)

(11.0)

(58.5)

124.6

117,323,347

$

— $

— $

— $

(50.6) $

817.1

$

677.1

0.8

(36.3)

1.6

17.6

(0.4)

(30.2)

(52.5)

86.1

663.8

0.7

(56.4)

7.0

20.3

(1.6)

(10.2)

(57.0)

170.3

736.9

0.7

(48.4)

3.3

19.1

(0.2)

(11.0)

(58.5)

124.6

766.5

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
43

STEELCASE INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions)

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

Gain from partial sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate 

Deferred income taxes

Restructuring gains on sale of fixed assets

Non-cash stock compensation

Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates

Dividends received from unconsolidated affiliates

Other

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition

Accounts receivable

Inventories

Assets related to derivative instruments

VAT recoverable

Long-term income taxes receivable

Other assets

Accounts payable

Employee compensation liabilities

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

Net cash provided by operating activities

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Capital expenditures

Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets
Purchases of investments

Liquidations of investments

Proceeds from partial sale of investment in unconsolidated affiliate 

Other

Net cash used in investing activities

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Dividends paid

Common stock repurchases

Excess tax benefit from vesting of stock awards

Borrowings of long-term debt and lines of credit, net of issuance costs

Repayment of long-term debt and lines of credit

Net cash used in financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

Income taxes paid, net of refunds received

Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized

Year Ended

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

$

124.6

$

170.3

$

86.1

60.3

—
26.8

—
19.8
(9.7)
9.9
(8.8)

11.9
(5.1)
(1.8)
17.0
(18.5)
(19.6)
9.5
(8.8)
(36.8)
170.7

(61.1)
1.9
(112.6)
126.6

—
(3.2)
(48.4)

(58.5)
(48.4)
3.3

—
(2.3)
(105.9)
(1.2)
15.2

181.9

65.7
(8.5)
(68.3)
(2.8)
21.0
(13.4)
12.4

0.3

0.7

6.8
22.3
(28.9)
—

2.9
(4.1)
20.4
(10.4)
186.4

(93.4)
5.6
(105.7)
95.1

18.0
(7.4)
(87.8)

(57.0)
(56.4)
7.0
51.1
(34.8)
(90.1)
(3.1)
5.4
176.5

$

$

$

197.1

$

181.9

$

67.7

17.0

$

$

57.0

17.1

$

$

59.9

—

0.4
(12.0)
18.4
(15.2)
10.7
(5.1)

(43.7)
(27.2)
(23.8)
(4.3)
—
12.1

12.6
(0.8)
16.1

84.2

(97.5)
19.7
(91.4)
149.1

—

5.8
(14.3)

(52.5)
(36.3)
1.6

—
(2.6)
(89.8)
(5.4)
(25.3)
201.8

176.5

60.4

17.2

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
44

  
STEELCASE INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. 

NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Steelcase is the global leader in furnishing the work experience in office environments. Founded in 1912, we 

are headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.A. and employ approximately 11,700 employees. We operate 
manufacturing and distribution center facilities in 21 principal locations. We distribute products through various 
channels, including independent and company-owned dealers in more than 800 locations throughout the world, and 
have led the global office furniture industry in revenue every year since 1974. We operate under the Americas and 
EMEA reportable segments plus an “Other” category. Additional information about our reportable segments is 
contained in Note 18.

2. 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Steelcase Inc. and its subsidiaries.  We 
consolidate entities in which we maintain a controlling interest.  All material intercompany transactions and balances 
have been eliminated in consolidation.  We also consolidate variable interest entities when appropriate.

Investments in entities where our equity ownership falls between 20% and 50%, or where we otherwise have 

significant influence, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting.  All other investments in 
unconsolidated affiliates are accounted for under the cost method of accounting.  These investments are reported 
as Investments in unconsolidated affiliates on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and income from equity method 
and cost method investments are reported in Other income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income.  See 
Note 11 for additional information.

Fiscal Year

Our fiscal year ends on the last Friday in February, with each fiscal quarter typically including 13 weeks.  The 

fiscal years ended February 24, 2017, February 26, 2016 and February 27, 2015 contained 52 weeks.  Reference to 
a year relates to the fiscal year, ended in February of the year indicated, rather than the calendar year, unless 
indicated by a specific date.  Additionally, Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 reference the first, second, third and fourth quarter, 
respectively, of the fiscal year indicated.  All amounts are in millions, except share and per share data, data 
presented as a percentage or as otherwise indicated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the 

United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the 
amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  Although these 
estimates are based on historical data and management’s knowledge of current events and actions we may 
undertake in the future, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Foreign Currency

For most foreign operations, local currencies are considered the functional currencies.  We translate assets 

and liabilities of these subsidiaries to their U.S. dollar equivalents at exchange rates in effect as of the balance 
sheet date.  Translation adjustments are not included in determining net income but are recorded in Accumulated 
other comprehensive income (loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets unless and until a sale or a substantially 
complete liquidation of the net investment in the international subsidiary takes place.  We translate Consolidated 
Statements of Income accounts at average exchange rates for the applicable period.

Foreign currency transaction gains and losses, net of derivative impacts, arising primarily from changes in 
exchange rates on foreign currency denominated intercompany loans and other intercompany transactions and 
balances between foreign locations, are recorded in Other income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

45

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include demand bank deposits and highly liquid investment securities with an 

original maturity of three months or less.  Cash equivalents are reported at cost and approximate fair value.  
Outstanding checks in excess of funds on deposit are classified as Accounts payable on the Consolidated Balance 
Sheets.  Our restricted cash balance as of February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016 was $2.5, and consisted of 
funds held in escrow for potential future workers’ compensation claims.  Our restricted cash balance is classified in 
Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Allowances for Credit Losses

Allowances for credit losses related to accounts receivable and notes receivable are maintained at a level 

considered by management to be adequate to absorb an estimate of probable future losses existing at the balance 
sheet date.  In estimating probable losses, we review accounts that are past due or in bankruptcy.  We consider an 
accounts receivable or notes receivable balance past due when payment is not received within the stated terms.  
We review accounts that may have higher credit risk using information available about the debtor, such as financial 
statements, news reports and published credit ratings.  We also use general information regarding industry trends, 
the economic environment and information gathered through our network of field-based employees.  Using an 
estimate of current fair market value of any applicable collateral and other credit enhancements, such as third party 
guarantees, we arrive at an estimated loss for specific concerns and estimate an additional amount for the 
remainder of trade balances based on historical trends and other factors previously referenced.  Receivable 
balances are written off when we determine the balance is uncollectible.  Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited 
to bad debt expense when received.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Our trade receivables are primarily due from independent dealers who, in turn, carry receivables from their 

customers.  We monitor and manage the credit risk associated with individual dealers and direct customers where 
applicable.  Dealers are responsible for assessing and assuming credit risk of their customers and may require their 
customers to provide deposits, letters of credit or other credit enhancement measures.  Some sales contracts are 
structured such that the customer payment or obligation is direct to us.  In those cases, we typically assume the 
credit risk.  Whether from dealers or customers, our trade credit exposures are not concentrated with any particular 
entity.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market.  The Americas segment primarily uses the last in, first 

out (“LIFO”) method to value its inventories.  The EMEA segment values inventories primarily using the first in, first 
out method.  Businesses within the Other category primarily use the first in, first out or the average cost inventory 
valuation methods.  See Note 7 for additional information.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost.  Major improvements that materially extend the useful lives 

of the assets are capitalized.  Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred.  
Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

Long-lived assets such as property, plant and equipment are tested for impairment when conditions indicate 

that the carrying value may not be recoverable.  We evaluate several conditions, including, but not limited to, the 
following: a significant decrease in the market price of an asset or an asset group; a significant adverse change in 
the extent or manner in which a long-lived asset is being used, including an extended period of idleness; and a 
current expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset or asset group will be sold or otherwise disposed of 
significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life.  We review the carrying value of our held and used 
long-lived assets utilizing estimates of future undiscounted cash flows.  If the carrying value of a long-lived asset is 
considered impaired, an impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived 
asset exceeds its estimated fair value.

46

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

When assets are classified as “held for sale,” losses are recorded for the difference between the carrying 

amount of the property, plant and equipment and the estimated fair value less estimated selling costs.  Assets are 
considered “held for sale” when it is expected that the asset is going to be sold within twelve months.

Operating Leases

Rent expense under operating leases is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term unless the lease 

contains an escalation clause which is not fixed and determinable.  The lease term begins when we have the right 
to control the use of the leased property, which is typically before rent payments are due under the terms of the 
lease.  If a lease has a fixed and determinable escalation clause, the difference between rent expense and rent paid 
is recorded as deferred rent.  Rent expense under operating leases that do not have an escalation clause or where 
escalation is based on an inflation index is expensed over the lease term as it is payable.  See Note 17 for 
additional information.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the difference between the purchase price and the related underlying tangible and 

identifiable intangible net asset fair values resulting from business acquisitions.  Annually in Q4, or earlier if 
conditions indicate it is necessary, the carrying value of the reporting unit is compared to an estimate of its fair 
value.  If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, goodwill is impaired and is 
written down to its estimated fair value.  Goodwill is assigned to and the fair value is tested at the reporting unit 
level.  We evaluate goodwill and intangible assets using six reporting units: the Americas, Red Thread, EMEA, Asia 
Pacific, Designtex and PolyVision.  See Note 10 for additional information.

Other intangible assets subject to amortization consist primarily of proprietary technology, trademarks, 
customer relationships and non-compete agreements and are amortized over their estimated useful economic lives 
using the straight-line method.  Other intangible assets not subject to amortization, consisting of certain trademarks, 
are accounted for and evaluated for potential impairment in a manner consistent with goodwill.  See Note 10 for 
additional information.

Contingencies

Loss contingencies are accrued if the loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably 
estimated.  Legal costs associated with potential loss contingencies are expensed as incurred.  We are involved in 
litigation from time to time in the ordinary course of our business.  Based on known information, we do not believe 
we are party to any lawsuit or proceeding, individually and in the aggregate, that is likely to have a material adverse 
impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Self-Insurance

We are self-insured for certain losses relating to domestic workers’ compensation, product liability and 
employee medical, dental, and short-term disability claims.  We purchase insurance coverage to reduce our 
exposure to significant levels of certain of these claims.  Self-insured losses are accrued based upon estimates of 
the aggregate liability for uninsured claims incurred as of the balance sheet date using current and historical claims 
experience and certain actuarial assumptions.  These estimates are subject to uncertainty due to a variety of 
factors, including extended lag times in the reporting and resolution of claims, and trends or changes in claim 
settlement patterns, insurance industry practices and legal interpretations.  As a result, actual costs could differ 
significantly from the estimated amounts.  Adjustments to estimated reserves are recorded in the period in which the 
change in estimate occurs.

47

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

Net Reserve for Estimated Domestic Workers' Compensation Claims

Assets:

Long-term - Other assets

Liabilities:

Current - Accrued expenses - other

Long-term - Other long-term liabilities

Net reserve

Year Ended

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

$

4.0 $

4.0

2.4

13.9

16.3

$

12.3 $

3.5

13.4

16.9

12.9

The other long-term asset balance represents the portion of claims expected to be paid by a third party 

insurance provider. 

Net Reserve for Estimated Product Liability Claims

Assets:

Long-term - Other long-term assets

Liabilities:

Current - Accrued expenses - other

Long-term - Other long-term liabilities

Net reserve

Year Ended

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

$

2.4 $

1.4

7.3

8.7

$

6.3 $

2.7

1.5

8.3

9.8

7.1

The other long-term asset balance represents the portion of claims expected to be paid by a third party 

insurance provider. 

The estimate for unpaid employee medical, dental, and short-term disability claims incurred as of February 

24, 2017 and February 26, 2016 was $4.5 and $3.8, respectively, and is recorded within Accrued expenses: Other 
on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Product Warranties

We offer warranties ranging from 3 years to lifetime for most products, subject to certain exceptions. These 

warranties provide for the free repair or replacement of any covered product, part or component that fails during 
normal use because of a defect in materials or workmanship. The accrued liability for product warranties is based 
on an estimated amount needed to cover product warranty costs, including product recall and retrofit costs, incurred 
as of the balance sheet date determined by historical claims experience and our knowledge of current events and 
actions.

Roll-Forward of Accrued
Liability for Product Warranties

Balance as of beginning of period
Accruals related to product warranties, recalls and retrofits
Reductions for settlements
Currency translation adjustments

Balance as of end of period

Year Ended

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

$

42.1 $

39.4 $

19.5

(20.1)

(0.2)

18.1

(16.0)

0.6

$

41.3 $

42.1 $

37.3

17.1

(13.6)

(1.4)

39.4

48

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

Our reserve for estimated settlements expected to be paid beyond one year as of February 24, 2017 and 

February 26, 2016 was $20.9 and $21.6, respectively, and is included in Other long-term liabilities on the 
Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefits

We sponsor a number of domestic and foreign plans to provide pension benefits and medical and life 
insurance benefits to retired employees. We measure the net over-funded or under-funded positions of our defined 
benefit pension plans and post-retirement benefit plans as of the end of each fiscal year and display that position as 
an asset or liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Any unrecognized prior service credit (cost) or experience 
gains (losses) are reported, net of tax, as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in 
shareholders’ equity. See Note 13 for additional information.

Environmental Matters

Environmental expenditures related to current operations are expensed or capitalized as appropriate. 
Expenditures related to an existing condition allegedly caused by past operations, and not associated with current 
or future revenue generation, are expensed. Generally, the timing of these accruals coincides with completion of a 
feasibility study or our commitment to a formal plan of action. Liabilities are recorded on a discounted basis as site-
specific plans indicate the amount and timing of cash payments are fixed or reliably determinable. We have ongoing 
monitoring and identification processes to assess how known exposures are progressing against the accrued cost 
estimates, as well as processes to identify other potential exposures.

Environmental Contingencies

Current:

Accrued expenses - other

Long-Term:

Other long-term liabilities

Total environmental contingencies (discounted)

Year Ended

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

$

$

0.6 $

3.3

3.9 $

1.0

3.5

4.5

The environmental liabilities were discounted using a rate of 4.0% as of February 24, 2017 and February 26, 

2016. Our undiscounted liabilities were $4.8 and $5.7 as of February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016, respectively.  
Based on our ongoing evaluation of these matters, we believe we have accrued sufficient reserves to absorb the 
costs of all known environmental assessments and the remediation costs of all known sites.

Asset Retirement Obligations

We record all known asset retirement obligations for which the liability’s fair value can be reasonably 
estimated. We also have known conditional asset retirement obligations that are not reasonably estimable due to 
insufficient information about the timing and method of settlement of the obligation. Accordingly, these obligations 
have not been recorded in the consolidated financial statements. A liability for these obligations will be recorded in 
the period when sufficient information regarding timing and method of settlement becomes available to make a 
reasonable estimate of the liability’s fair value. In addition, there may be conditional asset retirement obligations we 
have not yet discovered, and therefore, these obligations also have not been included in the consolidated financial 
statements.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue consists substantially of product sales and related service revenue. Product sales are reported net 

of discounts and are recognized when title and risks associated with ownership have passed to the dealer or 
customer. Under sales contracts with our dealers, this typically occurs when product is shipped to the dealer or 
directly to the customer. In cases where we have a direct sales contract with the customer, title and risks associated 
with ownership often transfer upon delivery or acceptance by the customer. Revenue from services is recognized 
when the services have been rendered. Revenue does not include sales tax, as we consider ourselves a pass-
through entity for collecting and remitting sales taxes.

49

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales includes material, labor and overhead. Included within these categories are such items as 
compensation expense, logistics costs (including shipping and handling costs), facilities expense, depreciation and 
warranty expense.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses include selling, general and administrative expenses not directly related to the 

procurement, manufacturing and delivery of our products. Included in these expenses are items such as employee 
compensation expense, research and development expense, rental expense, depreciation, royalty expense, 
information technology services, professional services and travel and entertainment expense.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses, which are expensed as incurred, were $35.8 for 2017, $33.0 for 2016 

and $35.4 for 2015.

Income Taxes

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences 
attributable to temporary differences between the consolidated financial statements carrying amounts of existing 
assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. These deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured 
using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the temporary differences are 
expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred income tax assets and liabilities is recognized 
in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the period that includes the enactment date.

We have net operating loss carryforwards available in certain jurisdictions to reduce future taxable income. 

Future tax benefits associated with net operating loss carryforwards are recognized to the extent that realization of 
these benefits is considered more likely than not. This determination is based on the expectation that related 
operations will be sufficiently profitable or various tax, business and other planning strategies will enable us to utilize 
the net operating loss carryforwards. In making this determination we consider all available positive and negative 
evidence. To the extent that available evidence raises doubt about the realization of a deferred income tax asset, a 
valuation allowance is established.

We record reserves for uncertain tax positions except to the extent it is more likely than not that the tax 
position will be sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. Periodic changes in reserves for 
uncertain tax positions are reflected in the provision for income taxes. See Note 15 for additional information.

Share-Based Compensation

Our share-based compensation consists of restricted stock units and performance units. Our policy is to 

expense share-based compensation using the fair-value based method of accounting for all awards granted, 
modified or settled.

Restricted stock units and performance units are credited to shareholders' equity as they are expensed over 

the requisite service periods based on the grant date fair value of the shares expected to be issued. See Note 16 for 
additional information.

Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of our financial instruments, consisting of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and 

notes receivable, accounts and notes payable and certain other liabilities, approximate their fair value due to their 
relatively short maturities. Our short-term investments, foreign exchange forward contracts and long-term 
investments are measured at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our total debt is carried at cost and 
was $297.4 and $299.1 as of February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016, respectively. The fair value of our total debt 
is measured using a discounted cash flow analysis based on current market interest rates for similar types of 
instruments and was approximately $330 and $326 as of February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016, respectively.  
The estimation of the fair value of our total debt is based on Level 2 fair value measurements.

50

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

See Note 6 and Note 12 for additional information.

We periodically use derivative financial instruments to manage exposures to movements in interest rates and 

foreign exchange rates. The use of these financial instruments modifies the exposure of these risks with the 
intention to reduce our risk of short-term volatility. We do not use derivatives for speculative or trading purposes.

Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts

A portion of our revenue and earnings is exposed to changes in foreign exchange rates. We seek to manage 
our foreign exchange risk largely through operational means, including matching same currency revenue with same 
currency costs and same currency assets with same currency liabilities. Foreign exchange risk is also partially 
managed through the use of derivative instruments. Foreign exchange forward contracts serve to reduce the risk of 
conversion or translation of certain foreign denominated transactions, assets and liabilities. We primarily use 
derivatives for intercompany loans and certain forecasted transactions. The foreign exchange forward contracts 
relate principally to the euro, the Mexican peso, the United Kingdom pound sterling, the Canadian dollar, the 
Australian dollar and the Japanese yen. See Note 6 for additional information.

Assets and liabilities related to derivative instruments as of February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016 are 

summarized below:

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Other current assets
Accrued expenses
Total net fair value of derivative instruments (1)

________________________

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

$

$

3.5 $
(0.9)
2.6 $

1.8
(3.3)
(1.5)

(1)  The notional amounts of the outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts were $101.2 as of February 24, 

2017 and $145.4 as of February 26, 2016.

Net gains (losses) recognized from derivative instrument activity in 2017, 2016 and 2015 are summarized 

below:

Gain (Loss) Recognized in Consolidated Statements of Income

Cost of sales
Operating expenses
Other income, net
Total net gains

February 24,
2017

Year Ended

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

$

$

(1.1) $
0.8
1.2
0.9 $

(0.8) $
(0.8)
3.0
1.4 $

(1.6)
(0.6)
23.8
21.6

The net gains or losses recognized from derivative instruments in other income, net are largely offset by 

related foreign currency gains or losses on our intercompany loans and intercompany accounts payable.

3. 

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update 

("ASU") No. 2017-04, Intangible - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), which simplifies the test of goodwill impairment.  
The updated guidance eliminates Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test which required an entity to compare the 
implied fair value of a reporting unit's goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill.  The goodwill impairment 
test will now only require an entity to perform its annual, or interim, comparison of the fair value of a reporting unit to 
its carrying amount.  The amended guidance should be adopted on a prospective basis for the annual, or any 
interim, goodwill impairment test in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019.  Early adoption is permitted for 
interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017.  We plan to early 
adopt this standard as of the date of our next interim or annual goodwill impairment test.  We do not anticipate that 
the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

51

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

In November 2016 and August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18 and ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of 

Cash Flows (Topic 230), which update the guidance as to how restricted cash, certain cash receipts and certain 
cash payments should be presented and classified.  The updates are intended to reduce diversity in practice.  The 
amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 
2017, with early adoption permitted, including adoption in an interim period.  We do not anticipate that the adoption 
of this standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In October 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740).  The update is intended to 
improve the accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory.  We 
plan to adopt this accounting guidance in Q1 2018.  The updated guidance will not have a material impact on our 
consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), which 

replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current U.S. GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected 
credit losses.  The update is intended to provide financial statement users with more useful information about 
expected credit losses.  The amended guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, 
beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for the fiscal years, and interim periods within 
those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018.  We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of 
this standard on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718), which 

is part of the FASB Simplification Initiative. The updated guidance simplifies the accounting for share-based 
payment transactions. The amended guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, 
beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted.  We plan to adopt this accounting guidance in 
Q1 2018.  Under the new standard the income tax effects of our share-based compensation awards will be 
recognized as a component of income tax expense instead of as a component of additional paid-in capital.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which establishes a new lease 
accounting model for lessees. The updated guidance requires an entity to recognize assets and liabilities arising 
from a lease for both financing and operating leases, along with additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures. 
The amended guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after 
December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted.  We expect the adoption of this guidance will result in a material 
increase in the assets and liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10), 
which updates the recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. The updated guidance 
changes the accounting and disclosure of equity investments (except those that are consolidated or accounted for 
under the equity method). The amended guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those 
years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of 
the adoption of this standard on our consolidated financial statements. 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), 
which establishes a new standard on revenue recognition.  The new standard outlines a single comprehensive 
model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most 
current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance.  The core principle of the revenue model 
is that an entity should recognize 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 or 
services.  The standard is designed to create greater comparability for financial statement users across industries 
and jurisdictions and also requires enhanced disclosures.  The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim 
periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted for fiscal years 
beginning after December 15, 2016.  We are in the process of evaluating the impact that will result from the 
adoption of the new standard, but based on analysis performed as of February 24, 2017, we do not anticipate a 
significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.  We currently plan to apply the new standard using the 
modified retrospective method beginning in 2019.

4. 

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Earnings per share is computed using the two-class method. The two-class method determines earnings per 

share for each class of common stock and participating securities according to dividends or dividend equivalents 
and their respective participation rights in undistributed earnings. Participating securities represent restricted stock 

52

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

units in which the participants have non-forfeitable rights to dividend equivalents during the performance period. 
Diluted earnings per share includes the effects of certain performance units in which the participants have forfeitable 
rights to dividend equivalents during the performance period.

Net income

Computation of Earnings per Share

Adjustment for earnings attributable to participating securities

Net income used in calculating earnings per share

Weighted-average common shares outstanding including participating
securities (in millions)

Adjustment for participating securities (in millions)

Shares used in calculating basic earnings per share (in millions)

Effect of dilutive stock-based compensation (in millions)

Shares used in calculating diluted earnings per share (in millions)

Earnings per share:

Basic

Diluted

Total common shares outstanding at period end (in millions)

Anti-dilutive performance units excluded from computation of diluted
earnings per share (in millions)

5. 

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Year Ended

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

$

$

$

$

124.6 $

170.3 $

(2.4)

(3.4)

122.2 $

166.9 $

120.7

(2.3)

118.4

0.5

118.9

124.3

(2.5)

121.8

1.0

122.8

1.03 $

1.03 $

1.37 $

1.36 $

117.3

119.4

86.1

(1.6)

84.5

124.4

(2.3)

122.1

1.6

123.7

0.69

0.68

121.5

0.3

—

—

The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated balances of other comprehensive income (loss) 

during the years ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016:

Balance as of February 27, 2015

$

0.8 $

8.5 $

(38.7) $

(29.4)

Unrealized
gain on
investments

Pension and
other post-
retirement
liability
adjustments

Foreign
currency
translation
adjustments

Total

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss)

Net other comprehensive income (loss) during period

—

(0.2)

(0.2)

7.2

(12.2)

(5.0)

(5.0)

2.2

—

(12.2)

Balance as of February 26, 2016

$

0.6 $

10.7 $

(50.9) $

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss)

Net other comprehensive income (loss) during period

(0.5)

(0.4)

(0.9)

6.8

(12.4)

(4.5)

2.3

—

(12.4)

Balance as of February 24, 2017

$

(0.3) $

13.0 $

(63.3) $

53

(5.2)

(10.2)

(39.6)

(6.1)

(4.9)

(11.0)

(50.6)

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

The following table provides details about reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income 

(loss) for the years ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016:

Amount Reclassified from Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Year Ended

Detail of Accumulated Other Comprehensive
 Income (Loss) Components

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

Affected Line in the Consolidated
Statements of Income

Unrealized gains on investments

$

(0.5) $

(0.2) Other income (expense), net

Amortization of pension and other post-
retirement liability adjustments

Actuarial (gains) losses

Actuarial losses

Prior service credit

Prior service credit

Settlements

0.1

(0.4)

(0.2)

0.1

(4.0)

(4.8)

0.9

3.5

(4.5)

— Income tax expense

(0.2) Net income

0.2 Cost of sales

0.8 Operating expenses

(4.2) Cost of sales

(5.0) Operating expenses

— Cost of sales

3.2 Income tax expense

(5.0) Net income

Total reclassifications

$

(4.9) $

(5.2)

54

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

6. 

FAIR VALUE

Fair value measurements are classified under the following hierarchy:

Level 1 — Inputs based on quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets at the 

measurement date.

Level 2 — Inputs based on quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for 

identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all 
significant inputs or significant value-drivers are observable in active markets.

Level 3 — Inputs reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use to price the 

asset or liability at the measurement date in model-driven valuations. The inputs are unobservable in the 
market and significant to the instrument’s valuation.

Fair value measurements are classified according to the lowest level input or value-driver that is significant to 
the valuation. A measurement may therefore be classified within Level 3 even though there may be other significant 
inputs that are readily observable.

55

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 24, 2017 and 

February 26, 2016 are summarized below:

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

February 24, 2017

Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

Restricted cash

Managed investment portfolio and other investments

Corporate debt securities

U.S. agency debt securities

Municipal debt securities

Asset-backed securities

U.S. government debt securities

Foreign exchange forward contracts

Auction rate securities

Liabilities:

Foreign exchange forward contracts

$

197.1 $

2.5

—

—

—

—

2.4

—

—

— $

—

33.6

18.6

15.1

3.7

—

3.5

—

— $

197.1

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

3.5

2.5

33.6

18.6

15.1

3.7

2.4

3.5

3.5

$

$

$

202.0 $

74.5 $

3.5 $

280.0

— $

— $

(0.9) $

(0.9) $

— $

— $

(0.9)

(0.9)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

February 26, 2016

Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

Restricted cash

Managed investment portfolio and other investments

Corporate debt securities

U.S. agency debt securities

Municipal debt securities

Asset-backed securities

U.S. government debt securities

Foreign exchange forward contracts
Auction rate securities
Canadian asset-backed commercial paper restructuring
notes

$

181.9 $

2.5

—

—

—

—

8.2

—

—

—

— $

—

31.7

34.7

0.3

9.2

—

1.8

—

3.1

— $

181.9

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

4.4

—

2.5

31.7

34.7

0.3

9.2

8.2

1.8

4.4

3.1

Liabilities:

Foreign exchange forward contracts

192.6 $

80.8 $

4.4 $

277.8

— $

— $

(3.3) $

(3.3) $

— $

— $

(3.3)

(3.3)

$

$

$

56

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

Managed Investment Portfolio and Other Investments

Our managed investment portfolio consists of U.S. agency debt securities, corporate debt securities, asset 

backed securities, U.S. government debt securities and municipal debt securities.  Our investment manager 
operates under a mandate to keep the average duration of investments under two years.  Our managed investment 
portfolio and other investments are considered available-for-sale.  Fair values for these investments are based upon 
valuations for identical or similar instruments in active markets, with the resulting net unrealized holding gains or 
losses reflected net of tax as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the Consolidated 
Balance Sheets.

The cost basis for these investments, determined using the specific identification method, was $73.4 and 

$84.1 as of February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016, respectively.  Net unrealized losses were $0.1 for 2017 and 
$0.0 for 2016.  As of February 24, 2017, approximately 57% of the debt securities mature within one year, 
approximately 10% in two years, approximately 10% in three years and approximately 23% in four or more years.

Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts

From time to time, we enter into forward contracts to reduce the risk of translation into U.S. dollars of certain 

foreign-denominated transactions, assets and liabilities.  We primarily hedge intercompany working capital loans 
and certain forecasted currency flows from foreign-denominated transactions.  The fair value of foreign exchange 
forward contracts is based on a valuation model that calculates the differential between the contract price and the 
market-based forward rate.

Canadian Asset-Backed Commercial Paper Restructuring Notes

As of February 26, 2016, we held four floating-rate Canadian asset-backed commercial paper restructuring 
notes.  These notes replaced an investment in Canadian asset-backed commercial paper, which, as a result of a 
lack of liquidity in the market in 2008, failed to settle on maturity and went into default.  These assets were 
considered to be Level 2 investments due to increased market liquidity and price transparency since that time.  All 
four notes have been liquidated as of February 24, 2017.

Auction Rate Securities

As of February 24, 2017, we held auction rate securities (“ARS”) with a total par value of $6.5.  While there 

has been no payment default with respect to our ARS, these investments are not widely traded and therefore do not 
currently have a readily determinable market value.  We receive higher penalty interest rates on the securities 
ranging from 30-Day LIBOR plus 2.0 to 2.5%.  We have the intent and ability to hold these securities until recovery 
of market value or maturity, and we believe the current inability to easily liquidate these investments will have no 
impact on our ability to fund our ongoing operations.

To estimate fair value, we used an internally-developed discounted cash flow analysis.  Our discounted cash 
flow analysis considers, among other factors, (i) the credit ratings of the ARS, (ii) the credit quality of the underlying 
securities or the credit rating of issuers, (iii) the estimated timing and amount of cash flows, (iv) the formula 
applicable to each security which defines the penalty interest rate and (v) discount rates equal to the sum of (a) the 
yield on U.S.  Treasury securities with a term through the estimated workout date plus (b) a risk premium based on 
similarly rated observable securities.  These assumptions are based on our current judgment and our view of 
current market conditions.  Based upon these factors, ARS with an original par value of approximately $6.5 have 
been adjusted to an estimated fair value of $3.5 as of February 24, 2017.  The difference between par value and fair 
value is comprised of other-than-temporary impairment losses and unrealized losses on our ARS investments of 
$2.5 and $0.5, respectively.  The investments other-than-temporarily impaired were impaired due to general credit 
declines, and the impairments were recorded in Investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Income. 
Unrealized gains are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the Consolidated Balance 
Sheets.  The unrealized gains are due to changes in interest rates and are expected to fluctuate over the 
contractual term of the instruments.  A deterioration in market conditions or the use of different assumptions could 
result in a different valuation and additional impairments.  For example, an increase to the discount rate of 100 basis 
points would reduce the estimated fair value of our investment in ARS by approximately $0.4.

57

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

Below is a roll-forward of assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value using Level 3 inputs for the 

years ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016:

Roll-forward of Fair Value Using Level 3 Inputs

Balance as of February 27, 2015

Unrealized gain on investments

Redemption of auction rate securities at par

Balance as of February 26, 2016

Unrealized loss on investments

Balance as of February 24, 2017

Auction Rate
Securities

$

$

$

$

9.7

(0.1)

(5.2)

4.4

(0.9)

3.5

There were no other-than-temporary impairments or transfers into or out of Level 3 during either 2017 or 
2016.  Our policy is to value any transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy based on end of period fair 
values. 

7. 

INVENTORIES

Inventories

Raw materials and work-in-process
Finished goods

Revaluation to LIFO

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

$

79.6 $

101.7
181.3
18.2

$

163.1 $

80.4
96.9
177.3
17.9
159.4

The portion of inventories determined by the LIFO method aggregated $77.9 and $76.3 as of February 24, 

2017 and February 26, 2016, respectively.

8. 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, Plant and Equipment

Land
Machinery and equipment
Buildings and improvements
Capitalized software
Furniture and fixtures
Leasehold improvements
Construction in progress

Accumulated depreciation

Estimated
Useful Lives
(Years)

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

3 – 15
10 – 40
3 – 10
5 – 8
3 – 10

$

31.7 $

703.8
383.4
104.5
55.9
59.0
29.4
1,367.7
(959.6)
408.1 $

$

32.7
660.7
379.3
105.4
56.9
56.0
57.4
1,348.4
(936.8)
411.6

A majority of the net book value of property, plant and equipment as of February 24, 2017 relates to 

machinery and equipment of $184.7 and buildings and improvements of $110.2.  A majority of the net book value of 
property, plant and equipment as of February 26, 2016 relates to machinery and equipment of $158.5 and building 
and improvements of $110.1. Depreciation expense on property, plant and equipment was $59.3 for 2017, $63.3 for 
2016 and $57.1 for 2015. The estimated cost to complete construction in progress was $21.6 and $27.5 as of 
February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016, respectively.

58

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

9. 

COMPANY-OWNED LIFE INSURANCE

Our investments in company-owned life insurance (“COLI”) policies are recorded at their net cash surrender 

value.

Our investments in COLI policies are intended to be utilized as a long-term funding source for post-retirement 

medical benefits, deferred compensation and defined benefit pension plan obligations, which as of February 24, 
2017 aggregated approximately $146, with a related deferred tax asset of approximately $54.  The designations of 
our COLI investments as funding sources for our benefit obligations do not result in these investments representing 
a committed funding source for these obligations. They are subject to claims from creditors, and we can redesignate 
them to another purpose at any time.

The costs associated with the long-term benefit obligations that the investments are intended to fund are 

recorded in Operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.  As these costs may exceed the net 
returns in cash surrender value, normal insurance expenses and any death benefit gains related to our investments 
in COLI policies (“COLI income”), we record all COLI income in Operating expenses on the Consolidated 
Statements of Income.  COLI income recorded in Operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income 
totaled $9.5 in 2017, $0.8 in 2016 and $5.8 in 2015.

The balances of our COLI investments as of February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016 were as follows: 

Type
Whole life
COLI policies

Ability to Choose
Investments
No ability

Variable life
COLI policies

Can allocate
across a set of
choices provided
by the insurance
companies

Net Return

A rate of return
set periodically
by the
insurance
companies
Fluctuates
depending on
performance of
underlying
investments

Target Asset
Allocation as of
February 24, 2017
Not applicable

Net Cash Surrender Value

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

$

125.6 $

121.7

40% fixed 
income; 60% 
equity

43.2

38.7

$

168.8 $

160.4

59

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

10.  GOODWILL & OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

A summary of the changes in goodwill during the years ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016, by 

reportable segment, is as follows:

Goodwill

Americas

EMEA

Other

Total

Goodwill

Accumulated impairment losses

Balance as of February 27, 2015

Currency translation adjustments

Goodwill

Accumulated impairment losses

Balance as of February 26, 2016

Currency translation adjustments

Goodwill

Accumulated impairment losses

Balance as of February 24, 2017

$

$

90.4 $

265.0 $

116.5 $

471.9

(1.7)

(265.0)

(98.0)

(364.7)

88.7 $

— $

18.5 $

107.2

(0.8)

89.6

(1.7)

—

265.0

(265.0)

—

116.5

(98.0)

(0.8)

471.1

(364.7)

$

87.9 $

— $

18.5 $

106.4

0.3

89.9

(1.7)

—

265.0

(265.0)

—

116.5

(98.0)

0.3

471.4

(364.7)

$

88.2 $

— $

18.5 $

106.7

Our goodwill impairment evaluation is a two step process. In step one, we compare the fair value of each 

reporting unit to its carrying value. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value, goodwill is not 
impaired, and no further testing is required. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, we 
perform step two to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any.  In step two, the reporting unit's fair value is 
allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, including any unrecognized intangible assets, in a 
hypothetical analysis that calculates the implied fair value of goodwill in the same manner as if the reporting unit 
was being acquired in a business combination. If the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill is less than 
the carrying value, the difference is recorded as an impairment loss.

We estimated the fair value of our reporting units using the income approach, which calculates the fair value 

of each reporting unit based on the present value of its estimated future cash flows. Cash flow projections are 
based on management's estimates of revenue growth rates and operating margins, taking into consideration 
industry and market conditions. The discount rates used are based on the weighted-average cost of capital adjusted 
for the relevant risk associated with business-specific characteristics and the uncertainty related to the reporting 
units' ability to execute on the projected cash flows. The estimation of the fair value of our reporting units represents 
a Level 3 measurement.

Based on the results of the annual impairment test, we concluded that no goodwill impairment existed as of 

February 24, 2017 or February 26, 2016. We will continue to evaluate goodwill, on an annual basis in Q4, and 
whenever events or changes in circumstances, such as significant adverse changes in business climate or 
operating results, changes in management's business strategy or significant declines in our stock price, indicate that 
there may be a potential indicator of impairment.

60

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

As of February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016, our other intangible assets and related accumulated 

amortization consisted of the following:

Other Intangible Assets

Intangible assets subject to
amortization:

Proprietary technology

Trademarks
Non-compete agreements

Other

Intangible assets not subject to
amortization:

Trademarks and other

February 24, 2017

February 26, 2016

Weighted
Average
Useful Life
(Years)

Gross

Accumulated
Amortization

Net

Gross

Accumulated
Amortization

Net

8.3 $ 26.8 $

23.0 $

10.0

5.1

5.0

9.0

1.6

9.8
47.2

9.0

1.6

9.6

43.2

3.8 $ 22.8 $
—

9.2

—

0.2

4.0

1.6

10.1

43.7

22.7 $

9.2

1.4

9.4

42.7

0.1
—

0.2

0.7

1.0

n/a

12.8
$ 60.0 $

—

12.8

12.7

—

12.7

43.2 $ 16.8 $ 56.4 $

42.7 $ 13.7

In 2017 and 2016, no intangible asset impairment charges were recorded.

We recorded amortization expense on intangible assets subject to amortization of $1.0 in 2017, $1.8 in 2016 

and $1.6 for 2015. Based on the current amount of intangible assets subject to amortization, the estimated 
amortization expense for each of the following five years is as follows:

Year Ending in February

Amount

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

$

$

0.6

0.4

0.4

0.4

0.4

2.2

Future events, such as acquisitions, dispositions or impairments, may cause these amounts to vary.

61

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

11. 

INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES

We enter into joint ventures and other equity investments from time to time to expand or maintain our 
geographic presence, support our distribution network or invest in new business ventures, complementary products 
and services. Our investments in unconsolidated affiliates and related direct ownership interests are summarized 
below:

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

February 24, 2017

February 26, 2016

Investment
Balance

Ownership
Interest

Investment
Balance

Ownership
Interest

Equity method investments

Dealer relationships

Manufacturing joint ventures

IDEO and other

Cost method investments

Dealer relationship

Other

$

25.2 20%-40%

$

23.4 20%-40%

8.7 49%

9.9 10%-35%

43.8

11.5 49%

9.6 10%-39%

44.5

5.8 Less than 10%

0.9 Less than 10%

5.8 Less than 10%

0.7 Less than 10%

6.7

50.5

6.5

51.0

$

Total investments in unconsolidated affiliates

$

Our equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates is recorded in Other income (expense), net on the 

Consolidated Statements of Income and is summarized below:

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

Dealer relationships

Manufacturing joint ventures

IDEO and other

Total equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates

Dealer Relationships

Year Ended

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

$

$

8.0 $

6.9 $

1.1

0.6

4.8

1.7

6.5

5.7

3.0

9.7 $

13.4 $

15.2

We have invested in dealers from time to time to expand or maintain our geographic presence and support 

our distribution network.

Manufacturing Joint Ventures

We have entered into manufacturing joint ventures from time to time to expand or maintain our geographic 

presence. The manufacturing joint ventures primarily consist of Steelcase Jeraisy Company Limited, which is 
located in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and is engaged in the manufacturing of wood and metal office furniture 
systems, accessories and related products for the Kingdom.

IDEO

IDEO LP is an innovation and design firm that uses a human-centered, design-based approach to generate 

new offerings and build new capabilities for its customers. IDEO serves Steelcase and a variety of other 
organizations within consumer products, financial services, healthcare, information technology, government, 
transportation and other industries.  During Q4 2016, we sold a portion of our equity interest in IDEO and recorded 
a gain of $8.5 in Other income (expense), net on the Consolidated Statement on Income.  As of February 24, 2017 
and February 26, 2016 we owned a 10% equity interest in IDEO.

62

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

The summarized financial information presented below represents the combined accounts of our equity 

method investments in unconsolidated affiliates.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Total current assets

Total non-current assets

Total assets

Total current liabilities

Total long-term liabilities

Total liabilities

Statements of Income

Revenue
Gross profit

Income before income tax expense

Net income

Supplemental Information

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

$

$

$

$

177.3 $

37.9

215.2 $

98.6 $

9.9

108.5 $

180.2

35.6

215.8

101.7

11.8

113.5

Year Ended

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

$

649.1 $
182.2

635.1 $
182.1

40.8

36.9

43.5

40.4

573.5
167.3

49.7

46.2

Year Ended

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

Dividends received from unconsolidated affiliates

$

9.9 $

12.5 $

Sales to unconsolidated affiliates

Amount due from unconsolidated affiliates

270.0

10.6

273.3

10.6

10.7

277.4

11.0

63

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

12. 

 SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS AND LONG-TERM DEBT

Debt Obligations

Interest Rate Range as
of February 24, 2017

Fiscal Year
Maturity Range

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

U.S. dollar obligations:

Senior notes (1)

Revolving credit facilities (2)(4)

Notes payable (3)

Capitalized lease obligations

Foreign currency obligations:

Revolving credit facilities (4)

Notes payable

Capitalized lease obligations

Total short-term borrowings and long-term debt

Short-term borrowings and current portion of 
long-term debt (5)

Long-term debt

________________________

6.375%

2.0%

6.0%- 9.0%

1.4%

2021 $

248.8 $

248.2

2022

2024

2020

—

48.0

—

296.8

—

0.3

0.3

—

50.1

0.1

298.4

—

0.3

0.4

297.4

299.1

2.8

2.5

$

294.6 $

296.6

(1)  We have $250 of unsecured unsubordinated senior notes, due in February 2021 (“2021 Notes”). The 2021 

Notes were issued at 99.953% of par value. The bond discount of $0.1 and direct debt issuance costs of $3.0 
were deferred and are being amortized over the life of the 2021 Notes. Although the coupon rate of the 2021 
Notes is 6.375%, the effective interest rate is 6.6% after taking into account the impact of the direct debt 
issuance costs, a deferred loss on interest rate locks related to the debt issuance and the bond discount. The 
2021 Notes rank equally with all of our other unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness, and they contain no 
financial covenants. We may redeem some or all of the 2021 Notes at any time. The redemption price would 
equal the greater of (1) the principal amount of the notes being redeemed; or (2) the present value of the 
remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual 
basis at the comparable U.S. Treasury rate plus 45 basis points; plus, in both cases, accrued and unpaid 
interest. If the notes are redeemed within 3 months of maturity, the redemption price would be equal to the 
principal amount of the notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest. Amortization expense related 
to the direct debt issuance costs and bond discount on the 2021 Notes was $0.3 in 2017, 2016 and 2015.

(2)  We have a $125 global committed five-year bank facility which was entered into in Q3 2017.  This facility 

amended and restated the former facility which was scheduled to expire in Q1 2018.  As of February 24, 2017 
and February 26, 2016, there were no borrowings outstanding under the facilities, our availability was not 
limited, and we were in compliance with all covenants under the facilities. We have $5.0 in other revolving 
credit facilities, from which we had no borrowings outstanding as of February 24, 2017 and February 26, 
2016.

In addition, we have revolving credit agreements of $35.2 which can be utilized to support bank guarantees, 
letters of credit, overdrafts and foreign exchange contracts. As of February 24, 2017, we had $12.3 in 
outstanding bank guarantees and standby letters of credit against these facilities. We had no draws against 
our standby letters of credit during 2017 or 2016.

(3)  We have a $48.0 note payable with an original amount of $50.0 at a floating interest rate based on 30-day 

LIBOR plus 1.20%. The loan has a term of seven years and requires fixed monthly principal payments of $0.2 
on a 20-year amortization schedule with a $32 balloon payment due in 2024.  The loan is secured by two 
corporate aircraft, contains no financial covenants and is not cross-defaulted to our other debt facilities.

(4)  We have unsecured uncommitted short-term credit facilities of up to $1.6 of U.S. dollar obligations and up to 
$18.7 of foreign currency obligations with various financial institutions available for working capital purposes 
as of February 24, 2017. Interest rates are variable and determined at the time of borrowing. These credit 
facilities have no stated expiration date but may be changed or canceled by the banks at any time. There 
were no borrowings on these facilities as of February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016.

64

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

(5)  The weighted-average interest rate for short-term borrowings and the current portion of long-term debt was 

1.8% as of February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016.

The annual maturities of short-term borrowings and long-term debt for each of the following five years are as 

follows: 

2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Thereafter

Year Ending in February

Amount

$

$

2.8
2.8
2.7
251.4
2.6
35.1
297.4

Global Credit Facility

Our $125 committed five-year unsecured revolving syndicated credit facility expires in 2022.  At our option, 

and subject to certain conditions, we may increase the aggregate commitment under the New Facility by up to $75 
by obtaining at least one commitment from one of the lenders.  There are currently no borrowings outstanding under 
the facility.

We can use borrowings under the facility for general corporate purposes, including friendly acquisitions.  Interest 

on borrowings is based on the rate, as selected by us, between the following two options:

• 

the greatest of the prime rate, the Federal fund effective rate plus 0.5%, and the Eurocurrency rate for a 
one month interest period plus 1%, plus the applicable margin as set forth in the credit agreement; or

• 

the Eurocurrency rate plus the applicable margin as set forth in the credit agreement. 

The facility requires us to satisfy two financial covenants:

•  A maximum leverage ratio covenant, which is measured by the ratio of (x) indebtedness (as determined 
under the credit agreement) less unrestricted cash (as determined under the credit agreement) to (y)  
trailing four quarter Adjusted EBITDA (as determined under the credit agreement) and is required to be no 
greater than 3:1. (In the context of certain permitted acquisitions, we have a one-time ability, subject to 
certain conditions, to increase the maximum ratio to 3.25 to 1.0 for four consecutive quarters).

•  A minimum interest coverage ratio covenant, which is measured by the ratio of (y) trailing four quarter 

Adjusted EBITDA (as determined under the credit agreement) to (z) trailing four quarter interest expense 
and is required to be no less than 3.5:1.

The facility does not include any restrictions on cash dividend payments or share repurchases.  As of February 
24, 2017 and February 26, 2016, we were in compliance with all covenants under the current facility and our previous 
unsecured revolving syndicated credit facility, respectively.

65

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

13. 

  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OBLIGATIONS

Employee Benefit Plan Obligations (net)

Defined contribution retirement plans
Post-retirement medical benefits
Defined benefit pension plans
Deferred compensation plans and agreements

Employee benefit plan assets

Short-term asset
Long-term asset

Employee benefit plan obligations

Current portion
Long-term portion

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

$

23.8 $
46.0
50.1
49.2

$

169.1 $

22.5
66.2
46.1
43.1
177.9

$

$

$

$

0.2 $
—
0.2 $

—
1.1
1.1

35.0 $

134.3
169.3 $

36.5
142.5
179.0

Defined Contribution Retirement Plans

Substantially all of our U.S. employees are eligible to participate in defined contribution retirement plans, 
primarily the Steelcase Inc. Retirement Plan (the “Retirement Plan”).  Company contributions, including discretionary 
profit sharing and 401(k) matching contributions, and employee 401(k) pre-tax contributions fund the Retirement 
Plan.  All contributions are made to a trust which is held for the sole benefit of participants.  Company contributions 
for our defined contribution retirement plans are discretionary.

Total expense under all defined contribution retirement plans was $32.7 for 2017, $28.8 for 2016 and $26.3 for 

2015.  We expect to fund approximately $34.5 related to our defined contribution plans in 2018, including funding 
related to our discretionary profit sharing contributions.

Post-Retirement Medical Benefits

We maintain post-retirement benefit plans that provide medical and life insurance benefits to certain North 

American-based retirees and eligible dependents.  The plans were frozen to new participants in 2003.  We accrue 
the cost of post-retirement benefits during the service periods of employees based on actuarial calculations for each 
plan.  These plans are unfunded, but our investments in COLI policies are intended to be utilized as a long-term 
funding source for these benefit obligations. See Note 9 for additional information.  While we do not expect the timing 
of cash flows to closely match, we intend to hold the policies until maturity, and we expect the policies will generate 
insufficient cash to cover the obligation payments over the next several years and generate excess cash in later 
years.

In Q4 2017, we made changes to certain retiree participation assumptions based on the results of our retiree 
participation experience study.  These changes resulted in a reduction to the accumulated post-retirement projected 
benefit obligation of $17.8.

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

Our defined benefit pension plans include various qualified domestic and foreign retirement plans as well as 

non-qualified supplemental retirement plans that are limited to a select group of management approved by the 
Compensation Committee.  The benefit plan obligations for the non-qualified supplemental retirement plans are 
primarily related to the Steelcase Inc. Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan.  This plan is unfunded, but our 
investments in COLI policies are intended to be utilized as a long-term funding source for these benefit obligations. 

66

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

See Note 9 for additional information.  The funded status of our defined benefit pension plans (excluding our 
investments in COLI policies) is as follows:

Defined Benefit Pension
Plan Obligations

Qualified Plans

Domestic

Foreign

Non-qualified
Supplemental
Retirement
Plans

Qualified Plans

Domestic

Foreign

Non-qualified
Supplemental
Retirement
Plans

February 24, 2017

February 26, 2016

Plan assets

Projected benefit plan obligations

Funded status

Short-term asset

Long-term asset

Current liability

Long-term liability

Total benefit plan obligations

Accumulated benefit obligation

$

$

$

$

$

$

7.9 $

38.8 $

— $

8.1 $

39.2 $

7.9

55.1

33.8

9.5

50.9

—

33.0

(16.3) $

(33.8) $

(1.4) $

(11.7) $

(33.0)

— $

— $

— $

—

—

0.2 $

— $

(0.1)

(16.4)

— $

(16.3) $

7.9 $

51.0 $

— $

— $

(3.5)

(30.3)

(33.8) $

33.5 $

— $

— $

—

(1.4)

— $

1.1 $

(0.1)

(12.7)

(1.4) $

(11.7) $

9.5 $

47.2 $

—

—

(3.4)

(29.6)

(33.0)
32.6  

 As of February 24, 2017, we had two qualified domestic plans in fully funded status and one qualified foreign 
plan in an over-funded status, as plan assets of $18.4 exceeded projected benefit plan obligations of $18.2 by $0.2.  
Subsequent to year-end, we entered into agreements to annuitize the remaining benefit plan obligations, resulting in 
a settlement charge of approximately $7 for losses previously accumulated in other comprehensive income for these 
three plans.

Summary Disclosures for Defined Benefit Pension and Post-Retirement Plans

The following tables summarize our defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans.

67

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

Changes in Assets, Benefit Obligations and Funded Status

Change in plan assets:

Defined Benefit
Pension Plans

Post-Retirement
Plans

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year

$

47.3

$

54.5

$

— $

Actual return on plan assets

Employer contributions

Plan participants’ contributions

Estimated Medicare subsidies received

Expenses

Currency changes

Benefits paid

Fair value of plan assets, end of year

Change in benefit obligations:

Benefit plan obligations, beginning of year

Service cost

Interest cost

Net actuarial (gain) loss

Plan participants’ contributions

Medicare subsidies received

Currency changes

Benefits paid

Benefit plan obligations, end of year

Funded status

Amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

Short-term asset

Long-term asset

Current liability

Long-term liability

Net amount recognized

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive
income—pretax:

Actuarial loss (gain)

Prior service cost (credit)

Total amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive
income—pretax

Estimated amounts to be amortized from accumulated other
comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost over
the next fiscal year:

Actuarial loss (gain)

Prior service cost (credit)

Total amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive
income—pretax

68

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

4.7

6.0

—

—

(0.2)

(2.7)

(8.4)

46.7

(1.2)

4.0

—

—

(0.2)

(4.2)

(5.6)

47.3

93.4

103.6

2.8

3.1

9.4

—

—

(3.5)

(8.4)

96.8

3.1

3.0

(6.2)

—

—

(4.5)

(5.6)

93.4

—

5.2

2.3

0.1

—

—

(7.6)

—

66.2

0.5

2.8

(18.3)

2.3

0.1

—

(7.6)

46.0

(50.1) $

(46.1) $

(46.0) $

0.2

$

— $

— $

—

(3.6)

(46.7)

1.1

(3.5)

(43.7)

—

(3.9)

(42.1)

(50.1) $

(46.1) $

(46.0) $

23.4

$

19.4

$

(28.4) $

(0.7)

(0.9)

(9.3)

—

—

3.4

2.7

0.1

—

—

(6.2)

—

73.7

0.7

2.6

(7.0)

2.7

0.1

(0.4)

(6.2)

66.2

(66.2)

—

—

(4.5)

(61.7)

(66.2)

(10.9)

(17.9)

22.7

$

18.5

$

(37.7) $

(28.8)

7.6

$

(0.2)

0.8

$

(0.2)

(3.7) $

(7.0)

7.4

$

0.6

$

(10.7) $

(0.8)

(8.6)

(9.4)

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

Components of
Expense

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

Pension Plans

Year Ended

Post-Retirement Plans

Year Ended

Components of expense:

Service cost

Interest cost

Amortization of net loss (gain)

Amortization of prior year service
cost (credit)
Expected return on plan assets
Adjustment due to plan curtailment
Adjustment due to plan settlement

Net expense (credit) recognized in
Consolidated Statements of Income

Other changes in plan assets and
benefit obligations recognized in
other comprehensive income
(pre-tax):

Net actuarial loss (gain)

Prior service cost (credit)

Amortization of gain (loss)

Amortization of prior year service
credit (cost)

Gain (losses) recognized as part of
the curtailment / settlement

Prior service cost recognized as a
part of curtailment / settlement

Total recognized in other
comprehensive income

Total recognized in net periodic
benefit cost and other
comprehensive income (pre-tax)

$

2.8 $

3.1 $

3.2 $

0.5 $

0.7 $

3.1

0.7

(0.2)
(1.9)
—

0.9

5.4

6.9
—
(1.7)

0.2

—

—

5.4

3.0

0.9

(0.2)
(2.5)
—

—

4.3

(2.4)

—

(0.9)

0.2

—

—

(3.1)

3.6

0.8

—
(3.2)
0.1

(2.2)

2.3

7.8

(1.4)

(0.8)

—

(1.0)

(0.1)

4.5

2.8

(0.8)

(8.6)
—
—

—

(6.1)

(18.3)

—

0.8

8.6

—

—

(8.9)

2.6

0.1

(9.0)
—
—

—

(5.6)

(7.0)

—

(0.1)

9.0

—

—

1.9

0.6

2.9

(0.5)

(9.1)
—
—

—

(6.1)

4.8

—

(0.2)

9.1

—

—

13.7

$

10.8 $

1.2 $

6.8 $

(15.0) $

(3.7) $

7.6

69

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

Pension and Other Post-Retirement Liability Adjustments

Balance as of February 27, 2015

Amortization of prior service cost (credit) included in net periodic pension
cost

   Net prior service (cost) credit during period

Net actuarial gain (loss) arising during period

Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss included in net periodic pension
cost

   Net actuarial gain (loss) during period

Foreign currency translation adjustments

   Current period change

Balance as of February 26, 2016

Amortization of prior service cost (credit) included in net periodic pension
cost

   Net prior service (cost) credit during period

Net actuarial gain (loss) arising during period

Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss included in net periodic pension
cost

   Net actuarial gain (loss) during period

Foreign currency translation adjustments

   Current period change

Balance as of February 24, 2017

Before Tax
Amount

Tax (Expense)
Benefit

$

7.7 $

0.8 $

Net of
Tax Amount
8.5

(9.2)

(9.2)

9.4

1.0

10.4

1.4

2.6

3.6

3.6

(3.5)

(0.4)

(3.9)

(0.1)

(0.4)

(5.6)

(5.6)

5.9

0.6

6.5

1.3

2.2

$

10.3 $

0.4 $

10.7

(8.7)

(8.7)

11.4

0.8

12.2

1.2

4.7

3.4

3.4

(5.4)

(0.2)

(5.6)

(0.2)

(2.4)

(5.3)

(5.3)

6.0

0.6

6.6

1.0

2.3

$

15.0 $

(2.0) $

13.0

Weighted-Average
Assumptions

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

Pension Plans

Year Ended

Post-Retirement Plans

Year Ended

Weighted-average assumptions
used to determine benefit
obligations:

Discount rate

Rate of salary progression

Weighted-average assumptions
used to determine net periodic
benefit cost:

Discount rate

Expected return on plan assets

Rate of salary progression

2.90%

2.70%

3.30%

2.30%

3.10%

2.30%

3.86%

4.34%

3.73%

3.60%
4.30%
2.80%

3.70%
4.20%
2.80%

3.90%
4.20%
2.70%

4.29%

3.72%

4.32%

The measurement dates for our retiree benefit plans are consistent with our fiscal year-end.  Accordingly, we 

select discount rates to measure our benefit obligations that are consistent with market indices at the end of each 
year.  In evaluating the expected return on plan assets, we consider the expected long-term rate of return on plan 
assets based on the specific allocation of assets for each plan, an analysis of current market conditions and the 
views of leading financial advisors and economists.

70

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

The assumed healthcare cost trend was 7.28% for pre-age 65 retirees as of February 24, 2017, gradually 

declining to 4.50% after ten years.  As of February 26, 2016, the assumed healthcare cost trend was 7.72% for pre-
age 65 retirees, gradually declining to 4.50% after eleven years.  Post-age 65 trend rates are not applicable as our 
plan provides a fixed subsidy for post-age 65 benefits.  A one percentage point change in assumed healthcare cost 
trend rates would have had the following effects as of February 24, 2017:

Health Cost Trend Sensitivity
Effect on total of service and interest cost components

Effect on post-retirement benefit obligation

Plan Assets

One percentage
point increase
$

— $

One percentage
point decrease
—

$

0.2 $

(0.2)

The investments of the domestic plans are managed by third-party investment managers.  The investment 
strategy for the domestic plans is to maximize returns while taking into consideration the investment horizon and 
expected volatility to ensure there are sufficient assets to pay benefits as they come due.

The investments of the foreign plans are managed by third-party investment managers who follow local 

regulations.  In general, the investment strategy is designed to accumulate a diversified portfolio among markets, 
asset classes or individual securities in order to reduce market risk and assure that the pension assets are available 
to pay benefits as they come due.

Our pension plans’ weighted-average investment allocation strategies and weighted-average target asset 

allocations by asset category as of February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016 are reflected in the following table.  
The target allocations are established by the investment committees of each plan in consultation with external 
advisors after consideration of the associated risk and expected return of the underlying investments.

Asset Category

Equity securities

Debt securities

Real estate

Other (1)

Total

________________________

February 24, 2017

February 26, 2016

Actual
Allocations

Target
Allocations

50%

54%

Actual
Allocations
57%

29

2

19

27

—

19

34

2

7

Target
Allocations

55%

39

—

6

100%

100%

100%

100%

(1)  Represents guaranteed insurance contracts, money market funds and cash.

71

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

The fair value of the pension plan assets as of February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016, by asset category 

are as follows:

Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

February 24, 2017

Cash and cash equivalents
Equity securities:
International

Fixed income securities:

Bond funds

Other investments:

Group annuity contract (1)
Guaranteed insurance contracts (2)
Property funds

$

6.3 $

— $

— $

6.3

—

—

—
—
0.8
7.1 $

23.4

13.6

—
—
—
37.0 $

—

—

1.9
0.7
—
2.6 $

23.4

13.6

1.9
0.7
0.8
46.7

$

Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

February 26, 2016

Cash and cash equivalents

$

0.5 $

— $

— $

Equity securities:

U.S. large-cap

U.S. small-cap

U.S. index

International

Fixed income securities:

Bond funds

Other investments:

Group annuity contract (1)

Guaranteed insurance contracts (2)

Property funds

________________________

0.8

0.8

0.8

—

—

—

—

0.9

—

—

—

23.8

16.7

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2.0

1.0

—

0.5

0.8

0.8

0.8

23.8

16.7

2.0

1.0

0.9

$

3.8 $

40.5 $

3.0 $

47.3

(1)  Group annuity contracts are valued utilizing a discounted cash flow model. The term “cash flow” refers to the 

future principal and interest payments we expect to receive on a given asset in the general account.  The 
model projects future cash flows separately for each investment period and each category of investment.

(2)  Guaranteed insurance contracts are valued at book value, which approximates fair value, and are calculated 

using the prior year balance plus or minus investment returns and changes in cash flows.

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy for any periods presented.

72

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

Below is a roll-forward of plan assets measured at estimated fair value using Level 3 inputs for the years 

ended February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016:

Balance as of February 27, 2015

Roll-forward of Fair Value Using Level 3 Inputs

Unrealized return on plan assets, including changes in foreign exchange rates

Purchases, sales, and other, net

Balance as of February 26, 2016

Unrealized return on plan assets, including changes in foreign exchange rates

Purchases, sales, and other, net

Balance as of February 24, 2017

Group
Annuity
Contract

$

$

$

2.1 $

0.1

(0.2)

2.0 $

0.1

(0.2)

1.9 $

Guaranteed
Insurance
Contracts
1.3

—

(0.3)

1.0

—

(0.3)

0.7

We expect to contribute approximately $5 to our pension plans and fund approximately $4 related to our post-

retirement plans in 2018.  The estimated future benefit payments under our pension and post-retirement plans are as 
follows:

Year Ending in February

2018 (1)

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023 - 2027

________________________

Pension Plans

$

22.8 $

4.7

4.3

3.4

3.9

25.0

Post-
retirement
Plans

4.0

3.9

3.8

3.7

3.6

16.6

(1)  The future benefit plan payments in 2018 include approximately $18 related to the annuitization of three 

qualified plans.

Multi-Employer Pension Plan

Our subsidiary SC Transport Inc. contributes to the Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension 

Fund based on obligations arising from a collective bargaining agreement covering 16 SC Transport Inc. employees. 
This plan provides retirement benefits to participants based on their service to contributing employers.  The benefits 
are paid from assets held in trust for that purpose.  Trustees are appointed by employers and unions; however, we 
are not a trustee.  The trustees typically are responsible for determining the level of benefits to be provided to 
participants and for such matters as the investment of the assets and the administration of the plan.

Based on the most recent information available, we believe that the projected benefit obligations in this multi-

employer plan significantly exceed the value of the assets held in trust to pay benefits.  Because we are one of a 
number of employers contributing to this plan, it is difficult to ascertain what the exact amount of the under-funding 
would be, although we anticipate the contribution per participating employee will increase at each contract 
renegotiation.  We believe that funding levels have not changed significantly since year-end.

The risks of participating in a multi-employer plan are different from the risks associated with single-employer 

plans in the following respects:

•  Assets contributed to the multi-employer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to 

employees of other participating employers.

• 

If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be 
borne by the remaining participating employers.

73

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

• 

If a participating employer chooses to stop participating in a multi-employer plan or otherwise has 
participation in the plan drop below certain levels, that employer may be required to pay the plan an 
amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability.

Our participation in this plan is outlined in the tables below.  Expense is recognized at the time our 
contributions are funded, in accordance with applicable accounting standards.  Any adjustment for a withdrawal 
liability would be recorded at the time the liability is both probable and can be reasonably determined.  The most 
recent estimate of our potential withdrawal liability is $27.1.

EIN - Pension
Plan Number

Plan
Month /
Day End
Date

366044243-001

12/31

Pension
Protection Act
Zone Status (1)

2016

Red

2015

Red

FIP/RP Status
Pending /
Implemented
(2)

Implemented

Contributions

2017

$0.3

2016

$0.3

2015

$0.3

Surcharges
Imposed or
Amortization
Provisions

No

Pension Fund

Central States, Southeast and 
Southwest Areas Pension 
Fund

________________________

(1)  The most recent Pension Protection Act Zone Status available in 2016 and 2015 relates to the plan's two most 
recent fiscal year-ends.  The zone status is based on information received from the plan certified by the plan’s 
actuary.  Among other factors, red zone status plans are generally less than 65 percent funded and are 
considered in critical status. 

(2)  The FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented column indicates plans for which a financial improvement plan or a 

rehabilitation plan is either pending or has been implemented by the trustees of the plan.

The following table describes the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement associated with the multi-

employer plan in which we participate:

Pension Fund

Total Collective
Bargaining
Agreements

Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Fund

1

Expiration
Date

3/31/2018

% of Associates
Under Collective
Bargaining
Agreement

Over 5%
Contribution
2017

0.1%

No

At the date the financial statements were issued, the Form 5500 was not available for the plan year ending in 

2016.

Deferred Compensation Programs

We maintain four deferred compensation programs. The first deferred compensation program is closed to new 

entrants.  In this program, certain employees elected to defer a portion of their compensation in return for a fixed 
benefit to be paid in installments beginning when the participant reaches age 70.  Under the second plan, certain 
employees may elect to defer a portion of their compensation.  The third plan is intended to restore retirement 
benefits that would otherwise be paid under the Retirement Plan but are precluded as a result of the limitations on 
eligible compensation under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(17).  Under the fourth plan, our non-employee 
directors may elect to defer all or a portion of their board retainer and committee fees.  The deferred amounts in the 
last three plans earn a return based on the investment option selected by the participant.

These deferred compensation obligations are unfunded, but our investments in COLI policies are intended to 

be utilized as a long-term funding source for these deferred compensation obligations.  See Note 9 for additional 
information.

Deferred compensation expense, which represents annual participant earnings on amounts that have been 

deferred, and restoration retirement benefits were $8.5 for 2017, $5.9 for 2016 and $5.7 for 2015.

14.  CAPITAL STRUCTURE

Terms of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock

The holders of common stock are generally entitled to vote as a single class on all matters upon which 
shareholders have a right to vote, subject to the requirements of applicable laws and the rights of any outstanding 

74

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

series of preferred stock to vote as a separate class.  Each share of Class A Common Stock entitles its holder to 
one vote, and each share of Class B Common Stock entitles its holder to 10 votes.  Each share of Class B Common 
Stock is convertible into a share of Class A Common Stock on a one-for-one basis (i) at the option of the holder at 
any time, (ii) upon transfer to a person or entity which is not a Permitted Transferee (as defined in our Second 
Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended), (iii) with respect to shares of Class B Common Stock acquired 
after February 20, 1998, at such time as a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or charitable 
organization holding such shares ceases to be controlled or owned 100% by Permitted Transferees and (iv) on the 
date on which the number of shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding is less than 15% of all of the then 
outstanding shares of common stock (calculated without regard to voting rights).

Except for the voting and conversion features described above, the terms of Class A Common Stock and 
Class B Common Stock are generally similar.  That is, the holders are entitled to equal dividends when declared by 
our Board of Directors and generally will receive the same per share consideration in the event of a merger and be 
treated on an equal per share basis in the event of a liquidation or winding up of Steelcase Inc.  In addition, we are 
not entitled to issue additional shares of Class B Common Stock, or issue options, rights or warrants to subscribe 
for additional shares of Class B Common Stock, except that we may make a pro rata offer to all holders of common 
stock of rights to purchase additional shares of the class of common stock held by them, and any dividend payable 
in common stock will be paid in the form of Class A Common Stock to Class A holders and Class B Common Stock 
to Class B holders.  Neither class of stock may be split, divided or combined unless the other class is proportionally 
split, divided or combined.

Preferred Stock

Our Second Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, authorize our Board of Directors, without any 

vote or action by our shareholders, to create one or more series of preferred stock up to the limit of our authorized 
but unissued shares of preferred stock and to fix the designations, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and 
restrictions thereof, including the voting rights, dividend rights, dividend rate, conversion rights, terms of redemption 
(including sinking fund provisions), redemption price or prices, liquidation preferences and the number of shares 
constituting any series.

Share Repurchases and Conversions

The 2017 and 2016 activity for share repurchases is as follows (share data in millions):

Share repurchases

Class A Common Stock

Class B Common Stock

Year ended

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

Total number
of shares

Price Paid

Total number
of shares

Price Paid

3.5 $

— $

48.4

—

3.7 $

— $

56.4

—

During 2017 and 2016, 0.3 million and 0.6 million shares of our Class B Common Stock were converted to 

Class A Common Stock, respectively.

75

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

15. 

INCOME TAXES

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes on income before income taxes consists of:

Provision for Income Taxes—Expense

February 24,
2017

Year Ended

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

Current income taxes:

Federal

State and local

Foreign

Deferred income taxes:

Federal

State and local

Foreign

Income tax expense

$

18.4 $

47.7 $

9.5

17.0

44.9

21.4

1.2

4.2

26.8

12.5

12.6

72.8

(12.7)

(3.3)

(52.3)

(68.3)

$

71.7 $

4.5 $

40.0

8.8

1.7

50.5

4.9

1.3

(5.8)

0.4

50.9

Income taxes were based on the following sources of income (loss) before income tax expense:

Source of Income (Loss) Before Income Tax Expense

Domestic
Foreign

February 24,
2017

Year Ended

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

$

$

136.0 $

114.9 $

60.3

59.9

196.3 $

174.8 $

146.2
(9.2)
137.0

The total income tax expense we recognized is reconciled to that computed by applying the U.S. federal 

statutory tax rate of 35% as follows:

Income Tax Provision Reconciliation

Year Ended

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

Tax expense at the U.S. federal statutory rate

$

68.7 $

61.2 $

State and local income taxes, net of federal
Valuation allowance provisions and adjustments (1)
Foreign investment tax credits (2)
COLI income (3)
Foreign operations, less applicable foreign tax credits (4)
Impact of change to statutory tax rates (5)
Research tax credit
Tax reserve adjustments (6)
Other
Total income tax expense recognized

________________________

6.5

(2.2)

—

(3.3)

(2.0)

9.3

(1.8)

(5.3)

1.8

6.7

(59.9)

(1.5)

(0.7)

(1.6)

(0.1)

(1.9)

—

2.3

$

71.7 $

4.5 $

48.0

6.3

6.1

(5.7)

(2.0)

(1.7)

0.2

(1.7)

(2.0)

3.4

50.9

(1)  The valuation allowance provisions were based on current year activity, and the valuation allowance 

adjustments were based on various factors, which are further detailed below.

76

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

(2) 

Investment tax credits were granted by the Czech Republic for investments in qualifying manufacturing 
equipment.

(3)  The increase in the cash surrender value of COLI policies, net of normal insurance expenses, plus death 

benefit gains are non-taxable.

(4)  The foreign operations, less applicable foreign tax credits, amounts include the rate differential from the U.S. 

rate on foreign operations.

(5)  During Q4 2017 a reduction to the French corporate tax rate was enacted and the rate reduction resulted in 

the revaluation of certain deferred tax assets of our French tax group, causing an increase of $7.9 to tax 
expense.  Also during 2017, further reductions to the United Kingdom statutory rate were recognized, and 
these reductions increased tax expense by $1.5.  Other tax rate changes in various jurisdictions accounted for 
$0.1 of net reductions in tax expense.

(6)  Tax reserve adjustments in 2017 related to a French income tax audit that was effectively settled upon 
completion in 2017.  Tax reserve adjustments in 2015 related to a German income tax audit which was 
completed in 2015.

Deferred Income Taxes

The significant components of deferred income taxes are as follows:

Deferred Income Taxes

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

Deferred income tax assets:

Employee benefit plan obligations and deferred compensation

$

108.8 $

114.4

Foreign and domestic net operating loss carryforwards

Reserves and accruals

Tax credit carryforwards

Other, net

Total deferred income tax assets

Valuation allowances

Net deferred income tax assets

Deferred income tax liabilities:

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Prepaid expenses

Total deferred income tax liabilities

57.0

29.8

17.4

21.2

234.2

(7.9)

226.3

40.9

3.6

3.1

47.6

Net deferred income taxes
Net deferred income taxes is comprised of the following components:

Deferred income tax assets—non-current
Deferred income tax liabilities—non-current

$

178.7 $

179.6

(0.9)

69.7

29.1

28.2

18.9

260.3

(10.6)

249.7

36.4

2.7

—

39.1

210.6

211.6

(1.0)

In general, it is our practice and intention to reinvest the earnings of our non-U.S. subsidiaries in those 

operations.  Under U.S. GAAP, we are generally required to record U.S. deferred taxes on the anticipated 
repatriation of foreign income as the income is recognized for financial reporting purposes.  An exception under 
certain accounting guidance permits us not to record a U.S. deferred tax liability for foreign income that we expect 
to reinvest in foreign operations and for which remittance will be postponed indefinitely.  If it becomes apparent that 
some or all undistributed income will be remitted in the foreseeable future, the related deferred taxes are recorded 
in that period. In determining indefinite reinvestment, we regularly evaluate the capital needs of our foreign 
operations considering all available information, including operating and capital plans, regulatory capital 
requirements, debt requirements and cash flow needs, as well as the applicable tax laws to which our foreign 
subsidiaries are subject.  We expect existing foreign cash, cash equivalents and cash flows from future foreign 

77

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

operations to be sufficient to fund foreign operations.  Debt and capital financing are available from the U.S. in the 
event foreign circumstances change.  In addition, we expect our existing domestic cash balances and availability of 
domestic financing sources to be sufficient to fund domestic operating activities for at least the next 12 months and 
thereafter for the foreseeable future.  Should we require more capital in the U.S. than is available domestically, we 
could repatriate future earnings from foreign jurisdictions, which could result in higher effective tax rates.  As of 
February 24, 2017, we have not made a provision for U.S. or additional foreign withholding taxes on approximately 
$121.0 of unremitted foreign earnings and profits we consider permanently reinvested.  We believe the U.S. tax 
cost, net of related foreign tax credits, on the unremitted foreign earnings would be approximately $13.5 if the 
amounts were not considered permanently reinvested.

We establish valuation allowances against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that all or a 
portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  All evidence, both positive and negative, is identified and 
considered in making the determination.  Future realization of the existing deferred tax asset ultimately depends, in 
part, on the existence of sufficient taxable income of appropriate character within the carryforward period available 
under tax law applicable in the jurisdiction in which the losses were incurred. 

At February 24, 2017, the valuation allowance of $7.9 included $7.5 relating to foreign deferred tax assets.  In 

2017, there was an aggregate decrease of $2.7 in the valuation allowances, including tax rate changes and 
expirations of $2.2 and currency fluctuations and other adjustments of $0.5.  In Q4 2015, we implemented changes 
in EMEA to align our tax structure with the management of our globally integrated business.  Our U.S. parent 
company became the principal in a contract manufacturing model with Steelcase European subsidiaries.  In Q4 
2016, we reached the conclusion that there was sufficient positive evidence, including acceptance of our new tax 
structure by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, sustained profitability in our French subsidiaries and other factors, 
which caused us to reverse valuation allowances of $56.0 recorded against net deferred tax assets in France. 

In updating our assessment of the ultimate realization of deferred tax assets, we considered the following 

factors:

• 

• 

• 

• 

the nature, frequency and severity of cumulative losses in recent years,

the predictability of future income,

prudent and feasible tax planning strategies that could be implemented, to protect the loss of the 
deferred tax assets and

the effect of reversing taxable temporary differences.

Based on our evaluation of these factors, particularly increasing cumulative losses, we were unable to assert 

that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets in our owned dealers in France and the United Kingdom, 
Morocco, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Belgium and Brazil would be realized as of February 24, 2017.

Taxes Payable or Refundable

During 2017, we amended certain of our U.S. federal income tax returns for prior periods to claim certain 
foreign tax credits.  We believe that the refunds generated by these amendments will not be received within the next 
12 months, and we have classified them as non-current assets.

Income taxes currently payable or refundable are reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:

Income Taxes

Other current assets:

Income taxes receivable

Other long-term assets:

Income taxes receivable

Accrued expenses:

Income taxes payable

78

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

$

$

$

19.0 $

18.5

6.4 $

5.5

—

5.2

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

Net Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards

Operating loss and tax credit carryforwards expire as follows:

Net Operating Loss
Carryforwards (Gross)

Net Operating Loss
Carryforwards (Tax Effected)

Year Ending February
2018

2019

2020

2021

2022-2037

No expiration

Valuation allowances

Net benefit

Federal
$ — $ — $

State

International

Federal

State

International

Total

2.4 $ — $ — $

0.8 $

0.8 $

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
23.1

—

$ — $ 23.1 $

2.5

2.4
—

—

202.9

210.2

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1.3

—

1.3

(0.4)

0.7

0.5

—

—

53.7

55.7

(7.5)

0.7

0.5

—

1.3

53.7

57.0

(7.9)

$ — $

0.9 $

48.2 $ 49.1 $

—

—

—

—

17.4

—

17.4

—

17.4

Tax Credit
Carryforwards

Future tax benefits for net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards are recognized to the extent that 
realization of these benefits is considered more likely than not.  It is considered more likely than not that a benefit of 
$66.5 will be realized on these net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.  This determination is based on the 
expectation that related operations will be sufficiently profitable or various tax, business and other planning 
strategies available to us will enable utilization of the carryforwards.  We assess the available positive and negative 
evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to utilize the existing deferred tax assets.  
Valuation allowances are recorded to the extent realization of these carryovers is not more likely than not.

Uncertain Tax Positions

We are subject to taxation in the U.S. and various states and foreign jurisdictions with varying statutes of 
limitation.  Tax years that remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions include: the United States 2017, 
Canada 2014 through 2017, France 2013 through 2017 and Germany 2013 through 2017.  We adjust these 
reserves, as well as the related interest and penalties, in light of changing facts and circumstances.

We are audited by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under the Compliance Assurance Process (“CAP”). 

Under CAP, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service works with large business taxpayers to identify and resolve issues 
prior to the filing of a tax return.  Accordingly, we have recorded no liabilities for U.S. Federal uncertain tax positions.

We recognize interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions in income tax expense, and these 

items were insignificant for 2017, 2016 and 2015.

As of February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016, the liability for uncertain tax positions, including interest and 

penalties, reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets was as follows:

Liability for Uncertain Tax Positions

Other accrued expenses
Other long-term liabilities

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

$

$

— $

0.2

0.2 $

—

0.2

0.2

79

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

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

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

Balance as of beginning of period

Gross decreases—tax positions in prior period

Currency translation adjustment

Balance as of end of period

Year Ended

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

$

$

8.6 $

8.8 $

(5.3)

(0.5)

—

(0.2)

2.8 $

8.6 $

12.7

(1.9)

(2.0)

8.8

We have taken tax positions in a non-U.S. jurisdiction that do not meet the more likely than not test required 

under the uncertain tax position accounting guidance.  Since the tax positions have increased net operating loss 
carryforwards, the underlying deferred tax asset is shown net of an $2.6 liability for uncertain tax positions.

Unrecognized tax benefits of $2.8, if favorably resolved, would be recorded as an income tax benefit.  It is 

unlikely that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change due to expiring statutes or audit 
activity in the next twelve months.

16.  SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

The Steelcase Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Incentive Compensation Plan”) provides for the 
issuance of share-based compensation awards to employees and members of our Board of Directors.  There are 
25,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock reserved for issuance under our Incentive Compensation Plan, with 
7,880,288 and 8,982,609 shares remaining for future issuance under our Incentive Compensation Plan as of 
February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016, respectively.

A variety of awards may be granted under the Incentive Compensation Plan, including stock options, stock 
appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, cash-
based awards, phantom shares and other share-based awards.  Outstanding awards under the Incentive 
Compensation Plan vest over a period of three years.  Our Board of Directors may amend or terminate the Incentive 
Compensation Plan at its discretion subject to certain provisions as stipulated within the plan.

For awards granted prior to July 15, 2015, in the event of a “change in control,” as defined in the Incentive 

Compensation Plan,

• 

if at least six months have elapsed following the award date, any performance-based conditions imposed 
with respect to outstanding awards shall be deemed to be fully earned and a pro rata portion of each such 
outstanding award granted for all outstanding performance periods shall become payable in shares of 
Class A Common Stock; and

• 

all restrictions imposed on restricted stock units that are not performance-based shall lapse.

For awards granted after July 15, 2015, in the event of a "change in control", 

• 

• 

performance-based conditions imposed on outstanding awards will be deemed to be, immediately prior to 
the change in control, the greater of (1) the applicable performance achieved through the date of the 
change in control or (2) the target level of performance; and

all restrictions imposed on all outstanding awards of restricted stock units and performance units will 
lapse if either (1) the awards are assumed by an acquirer or successor and the awardee experiences a 
qualifying termination during the two year period following the change in control or (2) the awards are not 
assumed by an acquirer or successor.

80

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

Share-based awards currently outstanding under the Incentive Compensation Plan are as follows:

Total Outstanding Awards

Performance units (1)
Restricted stock units
Total outstanding awards

________________________

February 24,
2017
916,420
1,731,507
2,647,927

(1)  This amount includes the maximum number of shares that may be issued under outstanding performance unit 

awards; however, the actual number of shares which may be issued will be determined based on the 
satisfaction of certain criteria, and therefore may be significantly lower.

Performance Units

Performance units have been granted only to our executive officers.  These awards are earned after a three-

year performance period and only if the performance criteria stated in the applicable award are achieved.  After 
completion of the performance period, the number of performance units earned will be issued as shares of Class A 
Common Stock.  The aggregate number of shares of Class A Common Stock that ultimately may be issued under 
performance units where the performance period has not been completed ranged from 0 to 916,420 shares as of 
February 24, 2017.  The awards will be forfeited if a participant leaves the company for reasons other than 
retirement, disability or death or if the participant engages in any competition with us, as defined in the Incentive 
Compensation Plan and determined by the Administrative Committee in its discretion.

A dividend equivalent is calculated based on the actual number of units earned at the end of the performance 

period equal to the dividends that would have been payable on the earned units had they been held during the 
entire performance period as Class A Common Stock. At the end of the performance period, the dividend 
equivalents are paid in the form of cash. 

All of the performance units granted in 2017 and half of the performance units granted in 2016 and 2015 can 

be earned based on achievement of certain total shareholder return results relative to a comparison group of 
companies ("TSR PSUs"), which is a market condition.  The number of shares that may be earned under the TSR 
PSUs can range from 0% to 200% of the target amount.  The TSR PSUs are expensed and recorded in Additional 
paid-in capital on the Consolidated Balance Sheets over the performance periods.  Based on actual performance 
results, the TSR PSUs granted in 2015 were earned at 55.0% of the target level and 84,009 shares of Class A 
Common Stock were issued to participants in Q1 2018.

The remaining half of the performance units granted in 2016 and 2015 can be earned based on our three-

year average return on invested capital ("ROIC PSUs"), which is a performance condition.  The number of shares 
that may be earned under the ROIC PSUs can range from 0% to 200% of the target amount.  The ROIC PSUs are 
expensed and recorded in Additional paid-in capital on the Consolidated Balance Sheets over the performance 
periods based on the probability that the performance condition will be met.  The expense recorded is adjusted as 
the estimate of the total number of ROIC PSUs that will ultimately be earned changes.  The weighted-average grant 
date fair value per share of ROIC PSUs granted in 2016 and 2015 was $18.68 and $16.69, respectively.  The fair 
value is equal to the closing price of shares of our Class A Common Stock on the date of the grant.  Based on 
actual performance results, the ROIC PSUs granted in 2015 were earned at 172.0% of the target level and 262,735 
shares of Class A Common Stock were issued to participants in Q1 2018.

81

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

The fair values of the TSR PSUs were calculated on their respective grant dates using the Monte Carlo 
simulation model, which resulted in a fair value of $3.1, $5.7 and $6.1 for the TSR PSUs granted in 2017, 2016 and 
2015, respectively.  The Monte Carlo simulation was computed using the following assumptions:

Three-year risk-free interest rate (1)

Expected term

Estimated volatility (2)

________________________

2017 Awards
0.9%

2016 Awards
0.8%

2015 Awards
0.7%

3 years

31.2%

3 years

29.4%

3 years

42.2%

(1)  Based on the U.S. Government bond benchmark on the grant date.
(2)  Represents the historical price volatility of our Company’s Class A Common Stock for the three-year period 

preceding the grant date.

The Monte Carlo simulation resulted in the following weighted-average grant date fair values per TSR PSU:

Grant Date Fair Value per TSR PSU
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share of TSR PSUs granted 
during 2017, 2016 and 2015

Year Ended

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

$

16.33 $

24.15 $

23.25

The total performance units expense and associated tax benefit in 2017, 2016 and 2015 was as follows:

Performance Units

Expense

Tax benefit

The 2017 activity for performance units is as follows:

Nonvested as of February 26, 2016

Maximum Number of Nonvested Units

Granted
Vested

Nonvested as of February 24, 2017

Year Ended

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

$

5.6 $

2.0

7.4 $

2.7

5.1

1.8

Total
1,147,844 $
379,600
(611,024)
916,420

Weighted-Average
Grant Date
Fair Value per Unit
20.66
16.33
20.00
19.31

As of February 24, 2017, there was $3.7 of remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested 
performance units.  That cost is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average period of 1.5 years. 

The total fair value of performance units vested following completion of the three-year performance periods 
during 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $5.6, $7.0 and $20.9, respectively.  The fair value was determined based upon the 
closing price of shares of our Class A Common Stock as of the date the Compensation Committee of our Board of 
Directors certified the awards.

Restricted Stock Units

Restricted stock units (“RSUs”) have restrictions on transfer which lapse three years after the date of grant, at 

which time RSUs are issued as unrestricted shares of Class A Common Stock. These awards will be forfeited if a 
participant leaves the company for reasons other than retirement, disability or death or if the participant engages in 
any competition with us, as defined in the Incentive Compensation Plan and determined by the Administrative 
Committee in its discretion.  RSUs are expensed and recorded in Additional paid-in capital on the Consolidated 
Balance Sheets over the requisite service period based on the value of the shares on the grant date.

82

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

The weighted-average grant date fair value per share of RSUs granted in 2017, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:

Grant Date Fair Value per Share

Year Ended

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

Weighted-average grant date fair value per share of RSUs granted

$

14.66 $

18.82 $

16.68

The total RSUs expense and associated tax benefit in 2017, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:

Restricted Stock Units

Expense

Tax benefit

Year Ended

February 24,
2017

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

$

13.5 $

12.9 $

4.9

4.6

12.5

4.5

Holders of RSUs receive cash dividends equal to the dividends we declare and pay on our Class A Common 

Stock, which are included in Dividends paid on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

The 2017 activity for RSUs is as follows:

Nonvested as of February 26, 2016

Nonvested Units

Granted
Vested
Forfeited

Nonvested as of February 24, 2017

Weighted-Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
per Share

18.45
14.66
16.47
16.90
16.38

Total
1,638,888 $
975,663
(846,337)
(36,707)
1,731,507

There was $9.1 of remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to RSUs as of February 24, 2017.  

That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years.

The total fair value of RSUs vested was $13.1, $16.6 and $10.9 during 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  
The fair value was determined based upon the closing price of shares of our Class A Common Stock on the dates 
the awards vested.

Unrestricted Share Grants

Under the Incentive Compensation Plan, unrestricted shares of our Class A Common Stock may be issued to 

members of our Board of Directors as compensation for director’s fees.  We granted a total of 48,045, 39,052 and 
48,064 unrestricted shares at a weighted average grant date fair value per share of $15.20, $18.24 and $16.22 
during 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

17.  COMMITMENTS

We lease certain sales offices, showrooms, warehouses and equipment under non-cancelable operating 
leases that expire at various dates through 2026.  During the normal course of business, we have entered into sale-
leaseback arrangements for certain facilities.  Accordingly, these leases are accounted for as operating leases, and 
the related gains from the sale of the properties are recorded as deferred gains and are amortized over the lease 
term.  Total deferred gains are included as a component of Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance 
Sheets and amounted to $1.5 as of February 24, 2017 and $3.8 as of February 26, 2016.

Gross rent expense under all non-cancelable operating leases was $49.8, $48.8 and $50.5 for 2017, 2016 
and 2015, respectively.  Sublease rental income was $4.0, $5.2 and $5.3 for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

83

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

Our estimated future minimum annual rental commitments and sublease rental income under non-cancelable 

operating leases as of February 24, 2017 are as follows:

Year Ending in February

Minimum annual
rental commitments

Minimum annual
sublease rental income

2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Thereafter

$

$

50.3 $
38.6
32.5
23.7
19.8
46.5

211.4 $

Minimum annual
rental commitments, net
46.1
35.4
29.3
20.8
17.0
44.6
193.2

(4.2) $
(3.2)
(3.2)
(2.9)
(2.8)
(1.9)
(18.2) $

18.  REPORTABLE SEGMENTS 

Our reportable segments consist of the Americas segment, the EMEA segment and the Other category. 

Unallocated corporate expenses are reported as Corporate.

The Americas segment serves customers in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean Islands and Latin America with 

a portfolio of integrated architecture, furniture and technology products marketed to corporate, government, 
healthcare, education and retail customers through the Steelcase, Coalesse and Turnstone brands.

The EMEA segment serves customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa primarily under the Steelcase 

and Coalesse brands, with an emphasis on freestanding furniture systems, storage and seating solutions.

The Other category includes Asia Pacific, Designtex and PolyVision.  Asia Pacific serves customers in Asia 

and Australia primarily under the Steelcase brand with an emphasis on freestanding furniture systems, seating and 
storage solutions. Designtex primarily sells textiles, wall coverings and surface imaging solutions specified by 
architects and designers directly to end-use customers through a direct sales force primarily in North America.  
PolyVision manufactures ceramic steel surfaces for use in various applications globally, including static whiteboards 
and chalkboards sold through third party fabricators and distributors to the primary and secondary education 
markets and architectural panels and other special applications sold through general contractors for commercial 
and infrastructure projects.

We primarily review and evaluate operating income by segment in both our internal review processes and for 

external financial reporting. We also allocate resources primarily based on operating income.  Total assets by 
segment include manufacturing and other assets associated with each segment.

Corporate costs include unallocated portions of shared service functions such as information technology, 
corporate facilities, finance, human resources, research, legal and customer aviation. Corporate assets consist 
primarily of unallocated cash, short term investment balances and COLI balances.

No single customer represented more than 5% of our consolidated revenue in 2017, 2016 or 2015.

84

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

Operating Segment Data

Americas  

EMEA

Other

Corporate

Consolidated  

2017

Revenue

Operating income (loss)

Total assets

Capital expenditures

Depreciation & amortization

2016

Revenue

Operating income (loss)

Total assets

Capital expenditures

Depreciation & amortization

2015

Revenue

Operating income (loss)

Total assets

Capital expenditures

Depreciation & amortization

$

2,231.9 $

503.9 $

296.6 $

— $

3,032.4

245.2

960.7

35.9

42.7

(20.9)

297.4

20.6

12.7

13.0

191.1

4.6

4.9

(37.1)

342.8

—

—

200.2

1,792.0

61.1

60.3

$

2,256.0 $

520.6 $

283.4 $

— $

3,060.0

265.2

981.1

71.2

48.5

(64.3)

332.6

14.7

11.7

11.2

179.9

7.5

5.5

(37.5)

315.0

—

—

174.6

1,808.6

93.4

65.7

$

2,180.7 $

595.4 $

283.6 $

— $

3,059.7

259.9

956.1

49.5

40.1

(82.8)

290.2

42.0

13.5

4.8

163.1

6.0

6.3

(37.0)

310.2

—

—

144.9

1,719.6

97.5

59.9

The accounting policies of each of the reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 2. 

Revenue comparisons have been impacted by divestitures and deconsolidations along with currency translation 
effects. In addition, operating income (loss) has been significantly impacted restructuring costs.  See Note 19 for 
additional information.

Reportable geographic information is as follows:

Reportable Geographic Data

Revenue:

United States
Foreign locations

Long-lived assets:
United States
Foreign locations

February 24,
2017

Year Ended

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

$

$

$

$

2,104.4 $
928.0
3,032.4 $

2,152.7 $
907.3
3,060.0 $

2,075.7
984.0
3,059.7

655.8 $
130.8
786.6 $

633.8 $
127.8
761.6 $

615.2
130.1
745.3

Revenue is attributable to countries based on the location of the customer. No country other than the 
U.S. represented greater than 10% of our consolidated revenue or long-lived assets in 2017, 2016 or 2015. Our 
EMEA business is spread across a number of geographic regions, with Western Europe representing approximately 
84% of EMEA revenue in 2017.

85

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

Our global product offerings consist of furniture, interior architecture, technology and services. These product 

offerings are marketed, distributed and managed primarily as a group of similar products on an overall portfolio 
basis. The following is a summary of revenue by product category. As product line information is not readily 
available for the Company as a whole, this summary represents a reasonable estimate of revenue by product 
category based on the best information available:

Year Ended

Product Category Data

Systems and storage

Seating

Other (1)

Total

________________________

February 24,
2017
1,428.2 $

February 26,
2016
1,533.4 $

February 27,
2015
1,588.7

$

917.8

686.4

938.9

587.7

954.8

516.2

$

3,032.4 $

3,060.0 $

3,059.7

(1)  Other consists primarily of consolidated dealers, textiles and surface materials, worktools, architecture, 

technology, and other uncategorized product lines, and services, none of which are individually greater than 
10% of consolidated revenue.

19.  RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES

In Q1 2016, we announced restructuring actions in EMEA related to the establishment of a Learning + 

Innovation Center in Munich, Germany.  In connection with these actions, we incurred $2.8 of business exit and 
other related costs in the EMEA segment, including $0.9 during 2017 and $1.9 during 2016.  We also incurred $6.9 
of employee termination costs in the EMEA segment, including $0.2 during 2017 and $6.7 during 2016.  These 
restructuring actions are complete.

In Q2 2015, we announced restructuring actions in EMEA related to the exit of a manufacturing facility in 
Wisches, France, and the transfer of its activities to other existing facilities in the EMEA region.  We incurred $1.1 of 
business exit and other costs in the EMEA segment in connection with these actions during 2016.  During 2015, we 
incurred $32.8 of business exit and other costs in the EMEA segment in connection with these actions, including 
$27.3 for a facilitation payment related to the transfer of the facility to a third party.  These restructuring actions are 
complete.

In Q1 2015, we announced restructuring actions in the Americas to close a manufacturing facility in High 

Point, North Carolina.  In connection with these actions, we incurred a total of $4.2 of business exit and other 
related costs in the Americas segment, including $2.6 during 2017, $0.9 during 2016 and $0.7 during 2015.  We 
also incurred $3.1 of employee termination costs in the Americas segment, including $1.5 during 2016 and $1.6 
during 2015.  These restructuring actions are complete.

In Q1 2015, we recognized a $12.0 gain related to the sale of an idle manufacturing facility in the Americas 

segment that was closed as part of previously completed restructuring actions.

In Q3 2014, we announced restructuring actions in EMEA to close a manufacturing facility in Durlangen, 
Germany, and to establish a new manufacturing location in Stribro, Czech Republic.  In connection with this project, 
we incurred a total of $8.8 related to business exit and other related costs in the EMEA segment, including $1.6 
during 2017, $4.9 during 2016 and $1.6 during 2015.  We also incurred $17.5 of employee termination costs, 
including $4.8 during 2016 and $12.7 during 2015.  These restructuring actions are complete.

In Q1 2014, we announced restructuring actions in EMEA to reorganize the sales, marketing and support 
functions in France.  We incurred $1.9 of employee termination costs in the EMEA segment in connection with these 
actions during 2015.  These restructuring actions are complete.

86

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

STEELCASE INC.

Restructuring costs are summarized in the following table:

Restructuring Costs

Cost of sales

Americas

EMEA

Other

Operating expenses

Americas

EMEA

Other

February 24,
2017

Year Ended

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

$

2.6 $

2.4 $

(10.0)

1.6

—

4.2

—

0.9

—

0.9

10.9

—

13.3

(2.9)

9.5

—

6.6

47.5

—

37.5

—

3.1

—

3.1

$

5.1 $

19.9 $

40.6

Below is a summary of the charges, payments and adjustments to the restructuring reserve balance during 

2017, 2016 and 2015:

Reserve balance as of February 28, 2014

Restructuring Reserve

Additions
Payments
Adjustments

Reserve balance as of February 27, 2015

Additions
Payments
Adjustments

Reserve balance as of February 26, 2016

Additions
Payments
Adjustments

Reserve balance as of February 24, 2017

Workforce  
Reductions  

Business Exits  
and Related  
Costs  

Total  

$

$

$

$

7.7 $

16.4
(8.6)
(1.8)
13.7 $
14.5
(17.8)
(0.4)
10.0 $

0.3
(5.7)
(0.3)
4.3 $

2.0 $

35.0
(34.5)
(0.9)
1.6 $
8.2
(8.0)
(1.0)
0.8 $
4.8
(4.3)
(0.3)
1.0 $

9.7
51.4
(43.1)
(2.7)
15.3
22.7
(25.8)
(1.4)
10.8
5.1
(10.0)
(0.6)
5.3

The workforce reductions reserve balance as of February 24, 2017 primarily relates to restructuring actions in 

EMEA.

87

 
20.  UNAUDITED QUARTERLY RESULTS

Unaudited Quarterly Results

First  
Quarter  

Second  
Quarter  

Third  
Quarter  

Fourth  
Quarter  

Total  

2017

Revenue

Gross profit

Operating income

Net income

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

2016

Revenue

Gross profit

Operating income

Net income

Basic earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share

$

718.8 $

758.0 $

786.5 $

769.1 $

3,032.4

229.8

263.1

261.9

255.6

1,010.4

33.3

19.4

0.16

0.16

61.9

38.2

0.32

0.31

54.6

41.2

0.34

0.34

50.4

25.8

0.22

0.21

200.2

124.6

1.03

1.03

$

705.5 $

819.0 $

787.6 $

747.9 $

3,060.0

216.6

266.8

253.5

234.3

33.5

20.0

0.16

0.16

60.1

37.2

0.30

0.30

55.2

35.6

0.29

0.28

25.8

77.5

0.63

0.62

971.2

174.6

170.3

1.37

1.36

Revenue comparisons have been impacted by currency translation effects along with acquisitions and 
divestitures. In addition, operating income has been significantly impacted by restructuring costs.  See Note 19 for 
further details. 

Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure:

None.

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures:

(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of 

our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and 
procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as amended), as of February 
24, 2017. Based on such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of 
February 24, 2017, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in (1) recording, processing, summarizing 
and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit 
under the Exchange Act and (2) ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in such reports is 
accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial 
Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we have included a report of management’s 

assessment of the design and effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as part of this Report. 
The independent registered public accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP also attested to, and reported on, the 
effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report and the independent registered 
public accounting firm’s attestation report are included in this Report in Item 8: Financial Statements and 
Supplementary Data under the captions entitled “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial 
Reporting” and “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”

(c) Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial 

reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during our fourth fiscal quarter that 
have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B.  Other Information:

None.

88

PART III

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance:

Certain information regarding executive officers required by this Item is set forth as a Supplementary Item at 

the end of Part I of this Report. Other information required by this item is contained in Item 1: Business under the 
caption “Available Information” or will be contained in our 2017 Proxy Statement under the captions “Proposal 1 — 
Election of Directors,”  “Committees of the Board of Directors,” “Other Corporate Governance Matters” and 
“Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and is incorporated into this Report by reference.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation:

The information required by Item 11 will be contained in our 2017 Proxy Statement, under the captions 

“Committees of the Board of Directors,” “Director Compensation,” “Compensation Committee Report,” 
“Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Executive Compensation, Retirement Programs and Other 
Arrangements” and is incorporated into this Report by reference.

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder 

Matters:

The information required by Item 12 that is not listed below will be contained in our 2017 Proxy Statement, 
under the caption “Stock Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners,” and is incorporated into this 
Report by reference.

Securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans as of February 24, 2017 are as follows:

Number of securities 
to be issued upon 
exercise
of outstanding 
warrants and rights

Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
warrants and rights

Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans
(excluding securities
reflected in the
second column)

2,647,927 (1)

n/a (2)

7,880,288

—   

2,647,927   

n/a   

n/a   

—

7,880,288

Plan Category

Equity compensation plans approved by

security holders

Equity compensation plans not approved by

security holders

Total

________________________

(1)  This amount includes outstanding restricted stock units and the maximum number of shares that may be 

issued under outstanding performance units.

(2)  The weighted average exercise price excludes performance units and restricted stock units, as there is no 

exercise price associated with these awards.  The only outstanding warrants or rights are performance units 
and restricted stock units.

All equity awards were granted under our Incentive Compensation Plan. See Note 16 to the consolidated 

financial statements for additional information.

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence:

The information required by Item 13 will be contained in our 2017 Proxy Statement, under the captions 
“Director Independence” and “Related Person Transactions” and is incorporated into this Report by reference.

Item 14.  Principal Accounting Fees and Services:

The information required by Item 14 will be contained in our 2017 Proxy Statement under the caption “Fees 

Paid to Principal Independent Auditor” and is incorporated into this Report by reference.

89

PART IV

Item 15.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules:

(a) Financial Statements and Schedules

The following documents are filed as part of this report:

1. Consolidated Financial Statements (Item 8)

•  Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

•  Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

•  Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended February 24, 2017, February 26, 2016 and 

February 27, 2015

•  Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended February 24, 2017, February 

26, 2016 and February 27, 2015 

•  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 24, 2017 and February 26, 2016 

•  Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended February 24, 

2017, February 26, 2016 and February 27, 2015 

•  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended February 24, 2017, February 26, 2016 and 

February 27, 2015 

•  Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

2. Financial Statement Schedules (S-1)

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

All other schedules required by Form 10-K have been omitted because they are not applicable or the required 

information is disclosed elsewhere in this Report.

3. Exhibits Required by Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-K

See Index of Exhibits

(b) Exhibits

The response to this portion of Item 15 is submitted as a separate section of this Report. See Item 15(a)(3) 

above.

(c) Financial Statement Schedules

The response to this portion of Item 15 is submitted as a separate section of this Report. See Item 15(a)(2) 

above.

Item 16.  Form 10-K Summary:

None.

90

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has 

duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

SIGNATURES

STEELCASE INC.

By:

/s/    MARK T. MOSSING        

Mark T. Mossing
Corporate Controller and
Chief Accounting Officer
(Duly Authorized Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)

Date: April 14, 2017 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the 

following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

Signature

/s/    JAMES P. KEANE
James P. Keane

/s/    DAVID C. SYLVESTER
David C. Sylvester

/s/    MARK T. MOSSING
Mark T. Mossing

/s/    LAWRENCE J. BLANFORD

Lawrence J. Blanford

/s/    TIMOTHY C.E. BROWN

Timothy C.E. Brown

/s/    WILLIAM P. CRAWFORD

William P. Crawford

/s/    CONNIE K. DUCKWORTH

Connie K. Duckworth

/s/    DAVID W. JOOS

David W. Joos

/s/    TODD P. KELSEY

Todd P. Kelsey

/s/    ROBERT C. PEW III

Robert C. Pew III

/s/    CATHY D. ROSS

Cathy D. Ross

/s/    PETER M. WEGE II

Peter M. Wege II

/s/    P. CRAIG WELCH, JR.

P. Craig Welch, Jr.

/s/    KATE PEW WOLTERS

Kate Pew Wolters

Title

President and Chief Executive Officer,
Director (Principal Executive Officer)

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

   Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting
Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Chair of the Board of Directors, Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

91

Date

April 14, 2017

April 14, 2017

April 14, 2017

April 14, 2017

April 14, 2017

April 14, 2017

April 14, 2017

April 14, 2017

April 14, 2017

April 14, 2017

April 14, 2017

April 14, 2017

April 14, 2017

April 14, 2017

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
SCHEDULE II

STEELCASE INC.

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

Allowance for Losses on Accounts Receivable

Balance as of beginning of period
Additions:

Charged to costs and expenses
Charged to other accounts

Deductions (1)
Other adjustments (2)
Balance as of end of period

________________________

(1)  Primarily represents excess of accounts written off over recoveries.

(2)  Primarily represents currency translation adjustments.

Valuation Allowance for Deferred Income Tax Assets

Balance as of beginning of period
Additions:

Charged to costs and expenses
Charged to other accounts
Deductions and expirations
Other adjustments (1)
Balance as of end of period

________________________

(1)  Primarily represents currency translation adjustments.

February 24,
2017

Year Ended

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

$

11.7 $

14.6 $

13.0

4.5
—
(5.2)
0.2

$

11.2 $

5.5
—
(7.8)
(0.6)
11.7 $

5.5
—
(2.3)
(1.6)
14.6

February 24,
2017

Year Ended

February 26,
2016

February 27,
2015

$

10.6 $

72.7 $

81.8

(1.8)
—
(0.4)
(0.5)
7.9 $

(58.3)
—
(1.5)
(2.3)
10.6 $

6.3
—
—
(15.4)
72.7

$

S-1

  Exhibit  
  No.  
3.1

3.2

4.1

4.2

4.3

10.1

10.2

10.3

10.4

10.5

10.6

10.7

10.8

10.9

10.10

10.11

10.12

10.13

10.14

10.15

10.16

10.17

10.18

10.19

10.20

10.21

10.22

10.23

10.24

10.25

10.26

10.27

Index of Exhibits

Description

Second Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (1)

Amended By-laws of Steelcase Inc., as amended April 17, 2014 (2)

Indenture for Senior Debt Securities, dated as of August 7, 2006 among Steelcase Inc.
as Issuer and JP Morgan Trust Company, National Association as Trustee (3)

Form of Global Note Representing 6.375% Senior Notes Due 2021 (4)

Officers’ Certificate of Steelcase Inc. establishing the terms of the 6.375% Senior Notes
Due 2021 (5)

Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of September 23, 2016
among Steelcase Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent; Bank
of America, N.A., and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as Co-Syndication
Agents; HSBC Bank USA, National Association as Documentation Agent; and certain
other lenders (6)
Steelcase Inc. Restoration Retirement Plan (7)

2015-1 Amendment to the Steelcase Inc. Restoration Retirement Plan (8)

2016-1 Amendment to the Steelcase Inc. Restoration Retirement Plan (9)

Steelcase Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (10)

2009-1 Amendment to the Steelcase Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (11)

2013-1 Amendment to the Steelcase Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (12)

2015-1 Amendment to the Steelcase Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (13)

Deferred Compensation Agreement dated May 4, 1998, between Steelcase Inc. and
William P. Crawford (14)

Steelcase Inc. Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and
restated effective July 10, 2012 (15)

Steelcase Inc. Executive Severance Plan (16)

2009-1 Amendment to the Steelcase Inc. Executive Severance Plan (17)

2010-1 Amendment to the Steelcase Inc. Executive Severance Plan (18)

2010-2 Amendment to the Steelcase Inc. Executive Severance Plan (19)

Steelcase Inc. Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan, as amended and restated as of
March 27, 2003 (20)

2006-1 Amendment to the Steelcase Inc. Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan (21)

2006-2 Amendment to the Steelcase Inc. Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan (22)

2009-1 Amendment to the Steelcase Inc. Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan (23)

2012-1 Amendment to the Steelcase Inc. Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan (24)

2015-1 Amendment to the Steelcase Inc. Executive Supplemental Retirement Plan (25)

Steelcase Inc. Management Incentive Plan, as amended and restated as of
February 24, 2012 (26)
Steelcase Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended and restated as of July 15,
2015 (27)
Steelcase Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan Form of Performance Units Agreement
(TSR) (FY 2015) (28)
Steelcase Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan Form of Performance Units Agreement
(ROIC) (FY 2015) (29)
Steelcase Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement
(FY 2015) (30)
Steelcase Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan Form of Performance Units Agreement
(TSR) (FY 2016) (31)

Steelcase Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan Form of Performance Units Agreement
(ROIC) (FY 2016) (32)

E-1

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Exhibit  
  No.  
10.28

10.29

10.30

10.31

10.32

10.33

10.34

10.35

10.36

21.1

23.1

31.1

31.2

32.1

101.INS

101.SCH

101.CAL

101.LAB

101.PRE

101.DEF

Description
Steelcase Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement
(FY 2016) (33)

Steelcase Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan Form of Performance Units Agreement
(TSR) (FY 2017) (34)

Steelcase Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan Form of Cash-Based Award Agreement
(ROIC) (FY 2017) (35)

Steelcase Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement
(FY 2017) (36)

Steelcase Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan Form of Performance Units Agreement
(TSR) (FY 2018)

Steelcase Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan Form of Cash-Based Award Agreement
(ROIC) (FY 2018)

Steelcase Inc. Incentive Compensation Plan Form of Restricted Stock Units Agreement
(FY 2018)

Summary of Steelcase Benefit Plan for Outside Directors (37)

Summary of Compensation for the Board of Directors of Steelcase Inc., as updated April
14, 2016 (38)

Subsidiaries of the Registrant

Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP

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

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

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

XBRL Instance Document

XBRL Schema Document

XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document

XBRL Labels Linkbase Document

XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document

XBRL Definition Linkbase Document

________________________

(1)  Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on July 15, 2011 (commission 

file number 001-13873), and incorporated herein by reference.

(2)  Filed as Exhibit No 3.2 to the Company's Form 10-K, as filed with the Commission on April 17, 2014 

(commission file number 001-13873), and incorporated herein by reference.

(3)  Filed as Exhibit No. 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on August 7, 2006 

(commission file number 001-13873), and incorporated herein by reference.

(4)  Filed as Exhibit No. 4.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on February 3, 2011 

(commission file number 001-13873), and incorporated herein by reference.

(5)  Filed as Exhibit No. 4.3 to the Company’s Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on February 3, 2011 

(commission file number 001-13873), and incorporated herein by reference.

(6)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Company's Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on September 28, 2016 

(commission file number 001-13873), and incorporated herein by reference.

(7)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended 

November 28, 2008, as filed with the Commission on January 7, 2009 (commission file number 001-13873), 
and incorporated herein by reference.

(8)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.2 to the Company's Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on January 16, 2015 

(commission file number 001-13873), and incorporated herein by reference. 

E-2

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
(9)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended 

August 28, 2015, as filed with the Commission on September 29, 2015 (commission file number 001-13873), 
and incorporated herein by reference.

(10)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended 

November 28, 2008, as filed with the Commission on January 7, 2009 (commission file number 001-13873), 
and incorporated herein by reference.

(11)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.4 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended 

November 28, 2008, as filed with the Commission on January 7, 2009 (commission file number 001-13873), 
and incorporated herein by reference.

(12)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended 

August 24, 2012, as filed with the Commission on October 1, 2012 (commission file number 001-13873), and 
incorporated herein by reference.

(13)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended 
November 28, 2014, as filed with the Commission on December 23, 2014 (commission file number 
001-13873), and incorporated herein by reference.

(14)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.8 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 

February 27, 1998, as filed with the Commission on May 28, 1998 (commission file number 001-13873), and 
incorporated herein by reference.

(15)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended 

August 24, 2012, as filed with the Commission on October 1, 2012 (commission file number 001-13873), and 
incorporated herein by reference.

(16)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on February 9, 2007 

(commission file number 001-13873), and incorporated herein by reference.

(17)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.6 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended 

August 29, 2008, as filed with the Commission on October 7, 2008 (commission file number 001-13873), and 
incorporated herein by reference.

(18)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended 

August 28, 2009, as filed with the Commission on October 5, 2009 (commission file number 001-13873), and 
incorporated herein by reference.

(19)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended 

November 27, 2009, as filed with the Commission on January 5, 2010 (commission file number 001-13873), 
and incorporated herein by reference.

(20)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.19 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 

February 28, 2003, as filed with the Commission on May 16, 2003 (commission file number 001-13873), and 
incorporated herein by reference.

(21)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.33 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 

February 25, 2005, as filed with the Commission on May 6, 2005 (commission file number 001-13873), and 
incorporated herein by reference.

(22)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.01 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended 
May 27, 2005, as filed with the Commission on July 1, 2005 (commission file number 001-13873), and 
incorporated herein by reference.

(23)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.7 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended 

August 29, 2008, as filed with the Commission on October 7, 2008 (commission file number 001-13873), and 
incorporated herein by reference.

(24)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.18 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 

February 24, 2012, as filed with the Commission on April 23, 2012 (commission file number 001-13873), and 
incorporated herein by reference. 

(25)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on January 16, 2015 

(commission file number 001-13873), and incorporated herein by reference.

(26)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on July 16, 2012 

(commission file number 001-13873), and incorporated herein by reference.

E-3

(27)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended 

August 28, 2015, as filed with the Commission on September 29, 2015 (commission file number 001-13873), 
and incorporated herein by reference.

(28)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.25 to the Company's Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2014, as filed 
with the Commission on April 17, 2014 (commission file number 001-13873), and incorporated herein by 
reference.

(29)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.26 to the Company's Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2014, as filed 
with the Commission on April 17, 2014 (commission file number 001-13873), and incorporated herein by 
reference.

(30)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.27 to the Company's Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2014, as filed 
with the Commission on April 17, 2014 (commission file number 001-13873), and incorporated herein by 
reference.

(31)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.1 to the Company's Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on April 17, 2015 

(commission file number 001-13873), and incorporated herein by reference.

(32)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.2 to the Company's Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on April 17, 2015 

(commission file number 001-13873), and incorporated herein by reference.

(33)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.3 to the Company's Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on April 17, 2015 

(commission file number 001-13873), and incorporated herein by reference.

(34)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.30 to the Company's Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended February 26, 2016, as filed 
with the Commission on April 15, 2016 (commission file number 001-13873), and incorporated herein by 
reference.

(35)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.31 to the Company's Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended February 26, 2016, as filed 
with the Commission on April 15, 2016 (commission file number 001-13873), and incorporated herein by 
reference.

(36)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.32 to the Company's Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended February 26, 2016, as filed 
with the Commission on April 15, 2016 (commission file number 001-13873), and incorporated herein by 
reference.

(37)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.42 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 

February 26, 2010, as filed with the Commission on April 26, 2010 (commission file number 001-13873), and 
incorporated herein by reference.

(38)  Filed as Exhibit No. 10.34 to the Company's Form 10-K, for the fiscal year ended February 26, 2016, as filed 
with the Commission on April 15, 2016 (commission file number 001-13873), and incorporated herein by 
reference.

E-4

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Directors

Lawrence J. Blanford   1, 3
Retired; formerly President
and Chief Executive Officer,
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc.

Timothy C.E. Brown 
Chief Executive Officer and President,  
IDEO LP

William P. Crawford
Retired; formerly President
and Chief Executive Officer,
Steelcase Design Partnership

Connie K. Duckworth   2, 3, 4
Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer,
ARZU, Inc.

David W. Joos   1, 2
Retired; formerly President 
and Chief Executive Officer,
CMS Energy Corporation and
Consumers Energy Company

James P. Keane   3
President and 
Chief Executive Officer,
Steelcase Inc.

Todd P. Kelsey
President and Chief Executive Officer,  
Plexus Corp. 

Robert C. Pew III   3
Chair of the Board of
Directors, Steelcase Inc.;
Private Investor

Cathy D. Ross   1, 2
Retired; formerly
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer,
Federal Express Corporation

Peter M. Wege II   1, 4
Chairman of the
Board of Directors,
Contract Pharmaceuticals
Limited

P. Craig Welch, Jr.   2, 4
Member Manager, 
Honzo Fund, LLC

Kate Pew Wolters   2
Philanthropist;
President, Kate and
Richard Wolters Foundation

Executive Officers

Guillaume M. Alvarez
Senior Vice President,
EMEA

Sara E. Armbruster
Vice President,
Strategy, Research and 
New Business Innovation

Ulrich H. E. Gwinner
President, Asia Pacific

James P. Keane
President and 
Chief Executive Officer

Robert G. Krestakos
Vice President,
Global Operations

Terrence J. Lenhardt
Vice President,
Chief Information Officer

James N. Ludwig
Vice President, Global Design
and Product Engineering

Mark T. Mossing
Corporate Controller and
Chief Accounting Officer

Gale Moutrey
Vice President,
Communications

Lizbeth S. O’Shaughnessy
Senior Vice President,
Chief Administrative Officer,
General Counsel and Secretary

Eddy F. Schmitt
Senior Vice President, Americas

Allan W. Smith, Jr.
Vice President,
Global Marketing

David C. Sylvester
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer

1 = Audit Committee 

2 = Compensation Committee 

3 = Executive Committee 

4 = Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

CORPORATE INFORMATION

Global Headquarters
Steelcase Inc.
901 44th Street
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
Phone: (616) 247-2710

Products and Services
For the address and telephone
number of your nearest
Steelcase dealer or for information
about our products, please
call (800) 333-9939 or visit our
website at www.steelcase.com.

Common Stock Data
Steelcase Inc. Class A Common
Stock is listed on the New York
Stock Exchange under the
symbol SCS. The Class B
Common Stock is not publicly
traded but is convertible into
Class A Common Stock on a
one-for-one basis.

Shareholder Account Inquiries
Registered shareholders can 
access their account online. Log 
on to www.shareowneronline.com
to view share balance, change
address, complete certain
transactions and get answers to
other stock-related inquiries.
You can also write or call the
Steelcase transfer agent at:

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Shareowner Services
P.O. Box 64874
St. Paul, MN 55164-0874
Phone: (866) 457-8829
Outside the continental
U.S. and Canada:
(651) 450-4064

Independent Auditors
Deloitte & Touche LLP
38 Commerce, SW
Suite 600
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 336-7900

Shareholder Reports and
Investor Inquiries
You can request copies of financial 
documents, such as this annual 
report and Form 10-K, free of 
charge, by contacting:

Steelcase Inc.
Investor Relations
P.O. Box 1967
Grand Rapids, MI 49501-1967
Phone: (616) 246-4251
Fax: (616) 247-2627
Email: ir@steelcase.com

Investor Relations on the Web
If you wish to review investor
information as soon as it becomes
available, please visit ir.steelcase.com. 
You can subscribe to email alerts 
and receive notification whenever 
events, SEC filings or news releases 
are posted to the website. You may 
also submit requests for printed 
financial materials.

Corporate Sustainability Report
This report details our efforts to
protect the environment and
be good corporate citizens.
You can read the report online at
www.steelcase.com/discover/
steelcase/sustainability.

Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of Steelcase
shareholders will be held on
Wednesday, July 12, 2017, at 
11 a.m. EDT via a live webcast at 
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/
scs2017.

Contact the Steelcase
Board of Directors
To report issues about Steelcase
accounting, internal controls and
procedures, auditing matters or other
concerns to the Board of Directors or
Audit Committee, write to:

Steelcase Board of Directors 
Chair of the Board
c/o Steelcase Inc.
P.O. Box 1967
Grand Rapids, MI 49501-1967
Phone (800) 437-6167
(in the U.S., Canada or Mexico)
Collect (704) 943-1134
(from outside the United States)

Certifications
Steelcase has included as Exhibits 
31.1 and 31.2 to its Annual Report on
Form 10-K for fiscal year 2017 filed 
with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission all required certifications 
of the Steelcase Chief Executive 
Officer and Chief Financial Officer 
regarding the quality of the company’s 
public disclosures in its fiscal
2017 reports in accordance with 
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley 
Act of 2002. In July 2016, the 
Steelcase Chief Executive Officer 
provided to the New York Stock 
Exchange (NYSE), the annual CEO 
certification regarding Steelcase
compliance with the NYSE’s corporate
governance listing standards.

Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements in this document
are “forward-looking statements” 
within the meaning of the Private 
Securities Litigation Reform Act. 
These statements are based 
on management’s current
expectations and are subject to
uncertainty and changes in 
circumstances. Actual results may 
differ materially from those included 
in these statements due to a variety 
of factors. For more information
about forward-looking statements 
and the factors that may cause 
actual results to vary, please see the 
Forward-looking Statements section 
in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, 
which is included herein.

Call 800.333.9939 or visit Steelcase.com

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©2017 Steelcase Inc. All rights reserved. All specifications subject to change without notice.  
Trademarks used herein are the property of Steelcase Inc. or of their respective owners. Printed in U.S.A. FSC certified.