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Tennant Company

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Employees 4500
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FY2015 Annual Report · Tennant Company
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

[
]
OR

[   ]

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from __________ to __________.

Commission File Number 001-16191

TENNANT COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Minnesota
State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization

41-0572550
(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

701 North Lilac Drive, P.O. Box 1452
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 763-540-1200

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

Title of each class

  Name of exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.375 per share

Preferred Share Purchase Rights

New York Stock Exchange

New York Stock Exchange

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

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

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

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

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

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

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

[

]

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

Large accelerated filer 

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer   

(Do not check if a smaller reporting
company)

  Smaller reporting company  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2015, was $1,170,672,343.
As of January 29, 2016, there were 17,649,840 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

Yes

No

Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 2016 annual meeting of shareholders (the “2016 Proxy Statement”) are incorporated by reference in Part III.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 
 
 
 
 
 
Tennant Company
Form 10–K
Table of Contents

PART I

PART II

Business

Item 1
Item 1A Risk Factors
Item 1B Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2
Item 3
Item 4

Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures

Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Selected Financial Data
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Item 5
Item 6
Item 7
Item 7A Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 8

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Newly Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Debt

1
2
3 Management Actions
Divestiture
4
Inventories
5
Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale
6
7
Property, Plant and Equipment
8 Goodwill and Intangible Assets
9
10 Other Current Liabilities
11 Derivatives
12 Fair Value Measurements
13 Retirement Benefit Plans
14 Shareholders' Equity
15 Commitments and Contingencies
16
17 Share-Based Compensation
18 Earnings Per Share
19 Segment Reporting
20 Consolidated Quarterly Data (Unaudited)
21 Related Party Transactions
22 Subsequent Event

Income Taxes

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Item 9
Item 9A Controls and Procedures
Item 9B Other Information

Executive Compensation

Item 10 Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 11
Item 12 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters
Item 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Item 14 Principal Accountant Fees and Services

PART III

PART IV

Item 15 Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

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Table of Contents

TENNANT COMPANY
2015
ANNUAL REPORT
Form 10–K
(Pursuant to Securities Exchange Act of 1934)
PART I

ITEM 1 – Business

General Development of Business

Tennant  Company,  a  Minnesota  corporation  founded  in  1870  and 
incorporated  in  1909,  is  a  world  leader  in  designing,  manufacturing  and 
marketing  solutions  that  empower  customers  to  achieve  quality  cleaning 
performance,  significantly  reduce  environmental  impact  and  help  create  a 
cleaner,  safer,  healthier  world.  Tennant  is  committed  to  creating  and 
commercializing breakthrough, sustainable cleaning innovations to enhance 
its broad suite of products, including: floor maintenance and outdoor cleaning 
equipment,  detergent-free  and  other  sustainable  cleaning  technologies, 
aftermarket  parts  and  consumables,  equipment  maintenance  and  repair 
service, specialty surface coatings and asset management solutions. Tennant 
products  are  used  in  many  types  of  environments  including:  Retail 
establishments, distribution centers, factories and warehouses, public venues 
such  as  arenas  and  stadiums,  office  buildings,  schools  and  universities, 
hospitals and clinics, parking lots and streets, and more. Customers include 
contract cleaners to whom organizations outsource facilities maintenance, as 
well  as  businesses  that  perform  facilities  maintenance  themselves.  The 
Company reaches these customers through the industry's largest direct sales 
and service organization and through a strong and well-supported network of 
authorized distributors worldwide.

Segment and Geographic Area Financial Information

The  Company  has  one  reportable  business  segment.  Sales  to 
customers geographically located in the United States were $517.9 million, 
$479.5 million and $422.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 
2014 and 2013, respectively. Long-lived assets located in the United States 
were $92.2 million and $82.2 million as of the years ended December 31, 
2015  and  2014,  respectively.  Additional  financial  information  on  the 
Company’s segment and geographic areas is provided throughout Item 8 and 
Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Principal Products, Markets and Distribution

The Company offers products and solutions consisting of mechanized 
cleaning  equipment,  detergent-free  and  other  sustainable  cleaning 
technologies, aftermarket parts and consumables, equipment maintenance 
and repair service, specialty surface coatings, and business solutions such 
as financing, rental and leasing programs, and machine-to-machine asset 
management solutions. The Company markets and sells the following brands: 
Tennant®, Nobles®, Green Machines™, Alfa Uma Empresa Tennant™, IRIS®  
and  Orbio®.  Orbio  Technologies,  which  markets  and  sells  Orbio-branded 
products  and  solutions,  is  a  group  created  by  the  Company  to  focus  on 
expanding the opportunities for the emerging category of On-Site Generation 
(OSG).  OSG  technologies  create  and  dispense  effective  cleaning  and 
antimicrobial solutions on site within a facility.  

As of January 31, 2016, we closed on the sale of our Green Machines 
outdoor city cleaning line to Green Machines International GmbH and affiliates, 
subsidiaries of M&F Management and Financing GmbH, which is also parent 
company of the master distributor of our products in Central Eastern Europe, 
Middle East and Africa, TCS EMEA GmbH. Therefore, as of February 2016, 
Green  Machines  is  no  longer  a  Company-owned  brand.  Further  details 
regarding  the  sale  of  our  Green  Machines  outdoor  city  cleaning  line  are 
discussed in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

The Company's principal markets include targeted vertical industries 
such  as  retail,  manufacturing/warehousing,  education,  healthcare  and 
hospitality, among others. The Company sells products directly in 15 countries 
and  through  distributors  in  more  than  80  countries. The  Company  serves 
customers in these geographies via three geographically aligned business 
units:  The Americas,  which  consists  of  North America  and  Latin America, 
EMEA, which consists of Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and APAC, which 
consists of the Asia Pacific region.

Raw Materials

The Company has not experienced any significant or unusual problems 
in the availability of raw materials or other product components. The Company 
has sole-source vendors for certain components. A disruption in supply from 
such vendors may disrupt the Company’s operations. However, the Company 
believes that it can find alternate sources in the event there is a disruption in 
supply from such vendors.

Intellectual Property

Although 

the  Company  considers 

its  patents,  proprietary 
technologies, customer relationships, licenses, trademarks, trade names and 
brand names in the aggregate constitute a valuable asset, it does not regard 
its  business  as  being  materially  dependent  upon  any  single  intellectual 
property.

that 

Seasonality

Although  the  Company’s  business  is  not  seasonal  in  the  traditional 
sense, the percentage of revenues in each quarter typically ranges from 22% 
to 28% of the total year. The first quarter tends to be at the low end of the 
range reflecting customers’ initial slow ramp up of capital purchases and the 
Company’s efforts to close out orders at the end of each year. The second 
and fourth quarters tend to be towards the high end of the range and the third 
quarter is typically in the middle of the range.

Working Capital

The Company funds operations through a combination of cash and cash 
equivalents  and  cash  flows  from  operations.  Wherever  possible,  cash 
management is centralized and intercompany financing is used to provide 
working  capital  to  subsidiaries  as  needed.  In  addition,  credit  facilities  are 
available for additional working capital needs or investment opportunities.

Major Customers

The Company sells its products to a wide variety of customers, none of 
which are of material importance in relation to the business as a whole. The 
customer base includes several governmental entities which generally have 
terms similar to other customers.

Backlog

The  Company  processes  orders  within  two  weeks,  on  average. 
Therefore, no significant backlogs existed at December 31, 2015 and 2014.

We  are  subject  to  competitive  risks  associated  with  developing 
innovative products and technologies, including but not limited to, not 
expanding  as  rapidly  or  aggressively  in  the  global  market  as  our 
competitors, our customers not continuing to pay for innovation and 
competitive challenges to our products, technology and the underlying 
intellectual property.

Our  products  are  sold  in  competitive  markets  throughout  the  world. 
Competition  is  based  on  product  features  and  design,  brand  recognition, 
reliability, durability, technology, breadth of product offerings, price, customer 
relationships and after-sale service. Although we believe that the performance 
and price characteristics of our products will produce competitive solutions 
for our customers’ needs, our products are generally priced higher than our 
competitors’  products.  This  is  due  to  our  dedication  to  innovation  and 
continued  investments  in  research  and  development.  We  believe  that 
customers will pay for the innovations and quality in our products. However, 
in the current economic environment, it may be difficult for us to compete with 
lower  priced  products  offered  by  our  competitors  and  there  can  be  no 
assurance  that  our  customers  will  continue  to  choose  our  products  over 
products offered by our competitors. If our products, markets and services 
are not competitive, we may experience a decline in sales volume, an increase 
in  price  discounting  and  a  loss  of  market  share,  which  adversely  impacts 
revenues, margin and the success of our operations.

Competitors may also initiate litigation to challenge the validity of our 
patents or claims, allege that we infringe upon their patents, violate our patents 
or they may use their resources to design comparable products that avoid 
infringing our patents. Regardless of whether such litigation is successful, 
such litigation could significantly increase our costs and divert management’s 
attention from the operation of our business, which could adversely affect our 
results of operations and financial condition.

Foreign  currency  exchange  rate  fluctuations,  particularly  the 
strengthening of the U.S. dollar against other major currencies, could 
result in declines in our reported net sales and net earnings.

We earn revenues, pay expenses, own assets and incur liabilities in 
countries using functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Because our 
consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, we translate 
revenues and expenses into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate during 
each reporting period, as well as assets and liabilities  into U.S. dollars  at 
exchange  rates  in  effect  at  the  end  of  each  reporting  period.  Therefore, 
increases or decreases in the value of the U.S. dollar against other major 
currencies will affect our net revenues, net earnings, earnings per share and 
the value of balance sheet items denominated in foreign currencies as we 
translate  them  into  the  U.S.  dollar  reporting  currency.  We  use  derivative 
financial  instruments  to  hedge  our  estimated  transactional  or  translational 
exposure to certain foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities as 
well as our foreign currency denominated revenue.  While we actively manage 
the  exposure  of  our  foreign  currency  market  risk  in  the  normal  course  of 
business by utilizing various foreign exchange financial instruments, these 
instruments involve risk and may not effectively limit our underlying exposure 
from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations or minimize the effects on 
our  net  earnings  and  the  cash  volatility  associated  with  foreign  currency 
exchange  rate  changes.  Fluctuations  in  foreign  currency  exchange  rates, 
particularly the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against major currencies, could 
materially affect our financial results, such as it did in 2015.

Table of Contents

Competition

While  there  is  no  publicly  available  industry  data  concerning  market 
share, the Company believes, through its own market research, that it is a 
world-leading manufacturer of floor maintenance and cleaning equipment. 
Several global competitors compete with Tennant in virtually every geography 
in  the  world.  However,  small  regional  competitors  also  exist  who  vary  by 
country, vertical market, product category or channel. The Company competes 
primarily  on  the  basis  of  offering  a  broad  line  of  high-quality,  innovative 
products  supported  by  an  extensive  sales  and  service  network  in  major 
markets.

Research and Development

The  Company  strives  to  be  an  industry  leader  in  innovation  and  is 
committed to investing in research and development. The Company’s Global 
Innovation Center in Minnesota and engineers throughout its global locations 
are dedicated to various activities, including researching new technologies to 
create meaningful product differentiation, development of new products and 
technologies,  improvements  of  existing  product  design  or  manufacturing 
processes and exploring new product applications with customers. In 2015, 
2014 and 2013, the Company spent $32.4 million, $29.4 million and $30.5 
million on research and development, respectively.

Environmental Compliance

Compliance with Federal, State and local provisions which have been 
enacted or adopted regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, 
or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment, has not had, and 
the Company does not expect it to have, a material effect upon the Company’s 
capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position.

Employees

The Company employed 3,164 people in worldwide operations as of 

December 31, 2015.

Available Information

The  Company  makes  available  free  of  charge,  through  the  Investor 
Relations website at investors.tennantco.com, its annual report on Form 10-
K,  quarterly  reports  on  Form  10-Q,  current  reports  on  Form  8-K  and 
amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 
15(d)  of  the  Exchange Act  as  soon  as  reasonably  practicable  when  such 
material  is  filed  electronically  with,  or  furnished  to,  the  Securities  and 
Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

ITEM 1A – Risk Factors

The following are significant factors known to us that could materially 

adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results.

We may encounter financial difficulties if the United States or other 
global  economies  experience  an  additional  or  continued  significant 
long-term economic downturn, decreasing the demand for our products 
and negatively affecting our sales growth.

Our product sales are sensitive to declines in capital spending by our 
customers. Decreased demand for our products could result in decreased 
revenues, profitability and cash flows and may impair our ability to maintain 
our operations and fund our obligations to others. In the event of a continued 
significant  long-term  economic  downturn  in  the  U.S.  or  other  global 
economies, our revenues could decline to the point that we may have to take 
cost-saving measures, such as restructuring actions. These actions would be 
particularly challenging due to the increase in employee headcount over the 
past few years. In addition, other fixed costs would have to be reduced to a 
level that is in line with a lower level of sales. A long-term economic downturn 
that  puts  downward  pressure  on  sales  could  also  lower  street  credibility 
relative to our publicly stated growth targets.

4

Table of Contents

Our ability to effectively operate our Company could be adversely 
affected if we are unable to attract and retain key personnel and other 
highly skilled employees, provide employee development opportunities 
and create effective succession planning strategies.

Our continued success will depend on, among other things, the skills 
and services of our executive officers and other key personnel. Our ability to 
attract  and  retain  highly  qualified  managerial,  technical,  manufacturing, 
research, sales and marketing personnel also impacts our ability to effectively 
operate our business. As the economy recovers and companies grow and 
increase their hiring activities, there is an inherent risk of increased employee 
turnover and the loss of valuable employees in key positions, especially in 
emerging markets. We believe the increased loss of key personnel within a 
concentrated region could adversely affect our sales growth.

  In  addition,  there  is  a  risk  that  there  may  not  be  adequate  talent 
acquisition resources in place to support the hiring of new employees in a 
timely and efficient manner to appropriately align with our growth strategy. 
The lack of talent acquisition resources could also inhibit our ability to provide 
training and development opportunities to all employees. This, in turn, could 
impede  our  workforce 
the 
improvements  we  have  made  in  technology  and  other  business  process 
enhancements.

from  embracing  change  and 

leveraging 

We  may  not  be  able  to  upgrade  and  evolve  our  information 
technology  systems  as  quickly  as  we  wish  and  we  may  encounter 
difficulties  as  we  upgrade  and  evolve  these  systems,  which  could 
adversely  impact  our  abilities  to  accomplish  anticipated  future  cost 
savings,  better  serve  our  customers  and  protect  against  information 
system disruption, corruption or intrusions.

We have many information technology systems that are important to the 
operation of our business and are in need of upgrading in order to effectively 
implement our growth strategy. Given our greater emphasis on customer-
facing technologies, we may not have adequate resources to upgrade our 
systems at the pace which the current business environment demands. This 
could increase the risk that the Information Technology infrastructure, such 
as access and cybersecurity, is not adequately designed to protect critical 
data  and  systems  from  theft,  corruption,  unauthorized  usage,  viruses, 
sabotage  or  unintentional  misuse. Additionally,  significantly  upgrading  and 
evolving the capabilities of our existing systems could lead to inefficient or 
ineffective use of our technology due to lack of training or expertise in these 
evolving  technology  systems.  These  factors  could  lead  to  significant 
expenses, adversely impacting our results of operations and hinder our ability 
to offer better technology solutions to our customers.

Increases in the cost of, quality, or disruption in the availability of, 
raw materials and components that we purchase to manufacture our 
products  could  negatively  impact  our  operating  results  or  financial 
condition.

Our sales growth, expanding geographical footprint and continued use 
of sole source vendors (concentration risk), coupled with suppliers’ potential 
credit issues, could lead to an increased risk of a breakdown in our supply 
chain. There is an increased risk of defects due to the highly configured nature 
of our purchased component parts that could result in quality issues, returns 
or production slow-downs. In addition, modularization may lead to more sole 
sourced  products  and  as  we  seek  to  outsource  the  design  of  certain  key 
components, we risk loss of proprietary control and becoming more reliant on 
a sole source. There is also a risk that the vendors we choose to supply our 
parts  and  equipment  fail  to  comply  with  our  quality  expectations,  thus 
damaging our reputation for quality and negatively impacting sales.

The SEC has adopted rules regarding disclosure of the use of “conflict 
minerals” (commonly referred to as tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold) which 
are  mined  from  the  Democratic  Republic  of  the  Congo  in  products  we 
manufacture or contract to manufacture. These rules have required and will 
continue to require due diligence and disclosure efforts. There are and will 
continue  to  be  costs  associated  with  complying  with  this  disclosure 
requirement, including costs to determine which of our products are subject 
to the rules and the source of any "conflict minerals" used in these products. 
Since our supply chain is complex, ultimately we may not be able to sufficiently 
discover the origin of the conflict minerals used in our products through the 
due diligence procedures that we implement. If we are unable to, or choose 
not to certify that our products are conflict mineral free, customers may choose 
not to purchase our products. Alternatively, if we choose to use only suppliers 
offering conflict free minerals, we cannot be sure that we will be able to obtain 
metals,  if  necessary,  from  such  suppliers  in  sufficient  quantities  or  at 
competitive prices. Any one or a combination of these various factors could 
harm our business, reduce market demand for our products, and adversely 
affect our profit margins, net sales, and overall financial results.

We may not be able to effectively manage organizational changes 
which  could  negatively  impact  our  operating  results  or  financial 
condition.

We are continuing to implement global standardized processes in our 
business  despite  lean  staffing  levels.  We  continue  to  consolidate  and 
reallocate  resources  as  part  of  our  ongoing  efforts  to  optimize  our  cost 
structure in the current economy. Our operating results may be negatively 
impacted  if  we  are  unable  to  implement  new  processes  and  manage 
organizational changes. In addition, if we do not effectively realize and sustain 
the benefits that these transformations are designed to produce, we may not 
fully realize the anticipated savings of these actions or they may negatively 
impact our ability to serve our customers or meet our strategic objectives.

Inadequate funding or insufficient innovation of new technologies 
may result in an inability to develop and commercialize new innovative 
products and services.

We  strive  to  develop  new  and  innovative  products  and  services  to 
differentiate ourselves in the marketplace. New product development relies 
heavily on our financial and resource investments in both the short term and 
long term. If we fail to adequately fund product development projects or fund 
a project which ultimately does not gain the market acceptance we anticipated, 
we  risk  not  meeting  our  customers'  expectations,  which  could  result  in 
decreased revenues, declines in margin and loss of market share.

We are subject to product liability claims and product quality issues 
that could adversely affect our operating results or financial condition.

Our  business  exposes  us  to  potential  product  liability  risks  that  are 
inherent  in  the  design,  manufacturing  and  distribution  of  our  products.  If 
products are used incorrectly by our customers, injury may result leading to 
product  liability  claims  against  us.  Some  of  our  products  or  product 
improvements may have defects or risks that we have not yet identified that 
may give rise to product quality issues, liability and warranty claims. Quality 
issues may also arise due to changes in parts or specifications with suppliers 
and/or changes in suppliers. If product liability claims are brought against us 
for damages that are in excess of our insurance coverage or for uninsured 
liabilities and it is determined we are liable, our business could be adversely 
impacted. Any losses we suffer from any liability claims, and the effect that 
any product liability litigation may have upon the reputation and marketability 
of our products, may have a negative impact on our business and operating 
results. We could experience a material design or manufacturing failure in our 
products, a quality system failure, other safety issues, or heightened regulatory 
scrutiny that could warrant a recall of some of our products. Any unforeseen 
product quality problems could result in loss of market share, reduced sales, 
and higher warranty expense.

5

ITEM 2 – Properties

The Company’s corporate offices are owned by the Company and are 
located  in  the  Minneapolis,  Minnesota,  metropolitan  area.  Manufacturing 
facilities located in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Holland, Michigan; and Uden, the 
Netherlands are owned by the Company. Manufacturing facilities located in 
Louisville,  Kentucky;  Falkirk,  United  Kingdom;  São  Paulo,  Brazil;  and 
Shanghai, China are leased to the Company. Sales offices, warehouse and 
storage facilities are leased in various locations in North America, Europe, 
Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand and Latin America. The Company’s 
facilities are in good operating condition, suitable for their respective uses and 
adequate  for  current  needs.  Further  information  regarding  the  Company’s 
property and lease commitments is included in the Contractual Obligations 
section of Item 7 and in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Effective with the sale of our Green Machines outdoor city cleaning line 
in January 2016, we sub-leased the manufacturing facility in Falkirk, United 
Kingdom  to  the  buyer  of  the  Green  Machines  business.  Further  details 
regarding  the  sale  of  our  Green  Machines  outdoor  city  cleaning  line  are 
discussed in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 3 – Legal Proceedings

There are no material pending legal proceedings other than ordinary 

routine litigation incidental to the Company’s business.

ITEM 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Table of Contents

We may experience a disruption to the value chain process, such 
as  sourcing,  distribution,  logistics  or  customer  support,  and  related 
systems  causing  delays  in  delivery,  customer  dissatisfaction  and 
potentially high costs and litigation.

We rely on our sourcing, distribution, logistics and customer support 
functions in order to effectively deliver raw materials to our manufacturing 
facilities, fulfill customer orders and deliver our products and services to our 
customers. Should we experience disruptions in any of these areas for any 
reason  such  as  natural  disasters  or  severe  weather  events,  information 
technology  failures,  port  labor  disputes,  employee  turnover  or  civil 
disturbances, our costs could increase and there could be an adverse impact 
on our customers.

We may be unable to conduct business if we experience a significant 
business interruption in our computer systems, manufacturing plants 
or distribution facilities for a significant period of time.

We rely on our computer systems, manufacturing plants and distribution 
facilities to efficiently operate our business. If we experience an interruption 
in the functionality in any of these items for a significant period of time for any 
reason,  including  unauthorized  access  to  our  systems,  we  may  not  have 
adequate business continuity planning contingencies in place to allow us to 
continue our normal business operations on a long-term basis. In addition, 
the  increase  in  customer  facing  technology  raises  the  risk  of  a  lapse  in 
business  operations.  Therefore,  significant  long-term  interruption  in  our 
business could cause a decline in sales, an increase in expenses and could 
adversely impact our financial results. 

Our  global  operations  are  subject  to  laws  and  regulations  that 
impose significant compliance costs and create reputational and legal 
risk. 

Due to the international scope of our operations, we are subject to a 
complex system of commercial, tax and trade regulations around the world. 
Recent years have seen an increase in the development and enforcement of 
laws regarding trade, tax compliance, labor and safety and anti-corruption, 
such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and similar laws from other 
countries. Our numerous foreign subsidiaries and affiliates are governed by 
laws,  rules  and  business  practices  that  differ  from  those  of  the  U.S.,  but 
because we are a U.S. based company, oftentimes they are also subject to 
U.S. laws which can create a conflict. Despite our due diligence, there is a 
risk that we do not have adequate resources or comprehensive processes to 
stay current on changes in laws or regulations applicable to us worldwide and 
maintain compliance with those changes. Increased compliance requirements 
may lead to increased costs and erosion of desired profit margin. As a result, 
it is possible that the activities of these entities may not comply with U.S. laws 
or business practices or our Business Ethics Guide. Violations of the U.S. or 
local laws may result in severe criminal or civil sanctions, could disrupt our 
business, and result in an adverse effect on our reputation, business and 
results  of  operations  or  financial  condition.  We  cannot  predict  the  nature, 
scope or effect of future regulatory requirements to which our operations might 
be subject or the manner in which existing laws might be administered or 
interpreted. 

ITEM 1B – Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

6

Table of Contents

ITEM 5 – Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

MARKET INFORMATION – Tennant's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, under the ticker symbol TNC. As of January 29, 2016, 
there were 380 shareholders of record. The common stock price was $54.11 per share on January 29, 2016.The accompanying chart shows the high and low 
sales prices for the Company’s shares for each full quarterly period over the past two years as reported by the New York Stock Exchange:

PART II

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

2015

2014

High

Low

High

Low

$

72.52

$

63.14

$

67.81

$

70.12

66.38

62.92

62.59

54.00

54.39

77.35

77.78

75.01

57.15

61.17

66.77

63.91

DIVIDEND INFORMATION – Cash dividends on Tennant’s common stock have been paid for 71 consecutive years. Tennant’s annual cash dividend payout 
increased for the 44th consecutive year to $0.80 per share in 2015, an increase of $0.02 per share over 2014. Dividends are generally declared each quarter. 
On February 17, 2016, the Company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share payable March 15, 2016, to shareholders of record on February 
29, 2016.

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT OR DIRECT DEPOSIT OPTIONS – Shareholders have the option of reinvesting quarterly dividends in additional shares of 

Company stock or having dividends deposited directly to a bank account. The Transfer Agent should be contacted for additional information.

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR – Shareholders with a change of address or questions about their account may contact:

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Shareowner Services
P.O. Box 64874
St. Paul, MN 55164-0854
(800) 468-9716

EQUITY  COMPENSATION  PLAN  INFORMATION  –  Information  regarding  equity  compensation  plans  required  by  Regulation  S-K  Item  201(d)  is 

incorporated by reference in Item 12 of this annual report on Form 10-K from the 2016 Proxy Statement.

SHARE REPURCHASES – On June 22, 2015, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 1,000,000 shares of our common stock. 
Share repurchases are made from time to time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, primarily to offset the dilutive effect of shares 
issued through our share-based compensation programs. Our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and Shelf Agreement restrict the payment of dividends 
or repurchasing of stock if, after giving effect to such payments, our leverage ratio is greater than 2.00 to 1, in such case limiting such payments to an amount 
ranging from $50.0 million to $75.0 million during any fiscal year. If our leverage ratio is greater than 3.25 to 1, our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement 
and Shelf Agreement restrict us from paying any dividends or repurchasing stock, after giving effect to such payments.

For the Quarter Ended
December 31, 2015

Total Number of Shares 
Purchased (1)

Average Price Paid Per
Share

Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced Plans
or Programs

Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs

October 1–31, 2015

November 1–30, 2015

December 1–31, 2015

Total

6,448

110,211

66

116,725

$57.84

59.58

62.19

$59.48

6,069

109,498

—

115,567

751,021

641,523

641,523

641,523

(1) 

Includes 1,158 shares delivered or attested to in satisfaction of the exercise price and/or tax withholding obligations by employees who exercised 
stock  options or restricted stock under employee share-based compensation plans.

7

Table of Contents

STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH – The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on Tennant’s common stock to two indices: 
S&P SmallCap 600 and Morningstar Industrials Sector. The graph below compares the performance for the last five fiscal years, assuming an investment of 
$100 on December 31, 2010, including the reinvestment of all dividends.

5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN COMPARISON

Tennant Company

S&P SmallCap 600

Morningstar Industrials Sector

2010

$100

$100

$100

2011

$103

$101

$99

2012

$118

$118

$114

2013

$185

$166

$163

2014

$199

$176

$178

2015

$157

$172

$173

8

Table of Contents

ITEM 6 – Selected Financial Data
(In thousands, except shares and per share data)

Years Ended December 31

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Financial Results:

Net Sales

Cost of Sales

Gross Margin - %

Research and Development Expense

% of Net Sales

$

811,799

462,739

43.0

32,415

4.0

Selling and Administrative Expense

252,270

(1)

% of Net Sales

Gain on Sale of Business

% of Net Sales

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

% of Net Sales

Profit from Operations

% of Net Sales

Total Other Expense, Net

Profit Before Income Taxes

% of Net Sales

Income Tax Expense

Effective Tax Rate - %

Net Earnings

% of Net Sales

Per Share Data:

Basic Net Earnings

Diluted Net Earnings

Diluted Weighted Average Shares

Cash Dividends

Financial Position:

Total Assets

Total Debt

Total Shareholders’ Equity

Current Ratio

Debt-to-Capital Ratio

Cash Flows:

Net Cash Provided by Operations

Capital Expenditures, Net of Disposals

Free Cash Flow

Other Data:

Depreciation and Amortization

Number of employees at year-end

$

$

$

$

$

$

31.1

—

—

11,199

1.4

53,176

(1)

6.6

(2,752)

50,424

(1)

6.2

18,336

(1)

36.4

32,088

(1)

4.0

1.78

1.74

(1)

(1)

18,493,447

0.80

432,295

24,653

252,207

2.2

8.9%

45,232

(24,444)

20,788

18,031

3,164

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

821,983

469,556

42.9

29,432

3.6

250,898

30.5

—

—

—

—

72,097

8.8

(2,559)

69,538

8.5

18,887

27.2

50,651

6.2

2.78

2.70

18,740,858

0.78

486,932

28,137

280,651

2.4

9.1%

59,362

(19,292)

40,070

20,063

3,087

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

752,011

426,103

43.3

30,529

4.1

$

738,980

$

753,998

413,684

(3)

434,817

(4)

44.0

29,263

4.0

42.3

27,911

3.7

232,976

(2)

234,114

(3)

241,625

(4)

31.0

—

—

—

—

31.7

(784)

(3)

(0.1)

—

—

32.0

—

—

—

—

62,403

(2)

62,703

(3)

49,645

(4)

8.3

(2,525)

8.5

(2,813)

6.6

(915)

59,878

(2)

59,890

(3)

48,730

(4)

8.0

8.1

6.5

19,647

(2)

18,306

(3)

16,017

(4)

32.8

30.6

32.9

40,231

(2)

41,584

(3)

32,713

(4)

5.3

5.6

4.3

2.20

2.14

(2)

(2)

18,833,453

0.72

456,306

31,803

263,846

2.4

10.8%

59,814

(14,655)

45,159

20,246

2,931

$

$

$

$

$

$

2.24

2.18

(3)

(3)

19,102,016

0.69

420,760

32,323

235,054

2.2

12.1%

47,566

(14,595)

32,971

20,872

2,816

$

$

$

$

$

$

1.74

1.69

(4)

(4)

19,360,428

0.68

424,262

36,455

220,852

2.2

14.2%

56,909

(13,301)

43,608

21,418

2,865

The results of operations from our 2011 acquisition has been included in the Selected Financial Data presented above since its acquisition date.

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

2015 includes restructuring charges of $3,744 pre-tax ($3,095 after-tax or $0.17 per diluted share) and a non-cash Impairment of Long-Lived Assets 
of $11,199 pre-tax ($10,822 after-tax or $0.58 per diluted share).

2013 includes restructuring charges of $3,017 pre-tax ($2,938 after-tax or $0.15 per diluted share) and a tax benefit of $582 (or $0.03 per diluted 
share) related to the retroactive reinstatement of the 2012 U.S. Federal Research and Development ("R&D") Tax Credit.

 2012 includes a gain on sale of business of $784 pre-tax ($508 after-tax or $0.03 per diluted share), a restructuring charge of $760 pre-tax ($670 
after-tax or $0.04 per diluted share) and tax benefits from an international entity restructuring of $2,043 (or $0.11 per diluted share).

9

Table of Contents

(4) 

2011 includes a Product Line Obsolescence charge of $4,300 pre-tax ($3,811 after-tax or $0.20 per diluted share) and an international executive 
severance charge of $1,217 (or $0.06 per diluted share).

Net  Earnings  for  2014  were  $10.4  million  greater  than  2013.  The 
increase in net earnings resulted primarily from robust organic sales growth 
and a lower tax rate in 2014 compared to 2013 due to the mix in taxable 
earnings  by  country  and  favorable  settlements  on tax  positions  from  prior 
years. 2014 Gross Profit margin decreased 40 basis points to 42.9% from 
43.3% in 2013 primarily due to strong sales to strategic accounts and through 
distribution that tend to have lower gross margins and also costs related to 
hiring  and  training  additional  manufacturing  employees  to  support  higher 
levels of production. Net Sales in 2014 totaled $822.0 million, up from $752.0 
million in the prior year primarily due to strong sales to strategic accounts and 
through distribution, continued demand for new products such as the T17 rider 
scrubber, gains in commercial, industrial and outdoor equipment and selling 
price increases. 2014 organic sales growth, excluding the unfavorable impact 
of foreign currency exchange of approximately 1.0%, was up approximately 
10.3% with growth in all major geographical regions. S&A Expense increased 
7.7%, but decreased 50 basis points as a percentage of Net Sales, from $233.0 
million in 2013 to $250.9 million in 2014 primarily due to investments in direct 
sales,  distribution  and  marketing  to  build  organic  sales.  Operating  Profit 
increased 15.5% and Operating Profit margin increased 50 basis points to 
8.8% in 2014 from 8.3% in 2013 due to higher Net Sales and lower R&D 
Expense and S&A Expense, somewhat offset by lower Gross Margin, as a 
percentage of Net Sales.

Tennant continues to invest in innovative product development with 4.0% 
of 2015 Net Sales spent on R&D. During 2015, we continued to invest in 
developing innovative new products for our traditional core business, as well 
as in our Orbio Technologies Group, which is focused on advancing a suite 
of sustainable cleaning technologies. New products and technologies are a 
key  driver  of  sales  growth.  36  new  products  and  product  variants  were 
launched in 2015, including new ergonomic backpack vacuum models, our 
next generation ec-H2O NanoClean™ technology, the T300 family of walk-
behind commercial floor scrubbers and our IRIS® Asset Manager onboard 
technologies to remotely track machine productivity and maintenance needs.

We ended 2015 with a Debt-to-Capital ratio of 8.9%, $51.3 million in 
Cash and Cash Equivalents compared to $93.0 million at the end of 2014, 
and  Shareholders’  Equity  of  $252.2  million.  During  2015,  we  generated 
operating cash flows of $45.2 million, paid a total of $14.5 million in cash 
dividends and repurchased $46.0 million of common stock. Total debt was 
$24.7 million as of December 31, 2015, compared to $28.1 million at the end 
of 2014.

ITEM  7  –  Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis  of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

Tennant Company is a world leader in designing, manufacturing and 
marketing  solutions  that  empower  customers  to  achieve  quality  cleaning 
performance,  significantly  reduce  environmental  impact  and  help  create  a 
cleaner,  safer,  healthier  world.  Tennant  is  committed  to  creating  and 
commercializing breakthrough, sustainable cleaning innovations to enhance 
its broad suite of products, including: floor maintenance and outdoor cleaning 
equipment,  detergent-free  and  other  sustainable  cleaning  technologies, 
aftermarket  parts  and  consumables,  equipment  maintenance  and  repair 
service, specialty surface coatings and asset management solutions. Tennant 
products  are  used  in  many  types  of  environments  including:  Retail 
establishments, distribution centers, factories and warehouses, public venues 
such  as  arenas  and  stadiums,  office  buildings,  schools  and  universities, 
hospitals and clinics, parking lots and streets, and more. Customers include 
contract cleaners to whom organizations outsource facilities maintenance, as 
well  as  businesses  that  perform  facilities  maintenance  themselves.  The 
Company reaches these customers through the industry's largest direct sales 
and service organization and through a strong and well-supported network of 
authorized distributors worldwide.

Net Sales in 2015 totaled $811.8 million, down from $822.0 million in 
the prior year primarily due to an unfavorable impact from foreign currency 
exchange of approximately 5.5%, lower sales of outdoor equipment and sales 
declines to our Master Distributor for Russia. These impacts were partially 
offset by robust sales to strategic accounts in North America and global sales 
of  new  products  and  also  selling  list  price  increases.  2015  organic  sales 
growth,  which  excludes  the  impact  of  foreign  currency  exchange  (and 
acquisitions and divestitures when applicable), was up approximately 4.3% 
from 2014 with growth in the Americas and APAC geographical regions. 2015 
Gross Profit margin increased 10 basis points to 43.0% from 42.9% in 2014 
primarily  due  to  improved  operating  efficiencies  in  both  the  direct  service 
organization  and  manufacturing  operations. This  was  somewhat  offset  by 
foreign  currency  headwinds  that  unfavorably  impacted  gross  margin  by 
approximately  80  basis  points.  Selling  and Administrative  Expense  (“S&A 
Expense”) increased 0.5% from $250.9 million in 2014 to $252.3 million in 
2015 primarily due to our 2015 third and fourth quarter restructuring charges, 
described in Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, of $3.7 million, 
or 50 basis points as a percentage of Net Sales. This was somewhat offset 
by continued cost controls and improved operating efficiencies that favorably 
impacted S&A Expense in 2015. Operating Profit of $53.2 million  in 2015 was 
down  from    $72.1  million  in  the  prior  year  and  Operating  Profit  margin 
decreased 220 basis points to 6.6% in 2015 from 8.8% in 2014. Operating 
Profit during 2015 was unfavorably impacted by $14.9 million, or 180 basis 
points as a percentage of Net Sales, for the non-cash Impairment of Long-
Lived Assets and the third and fourth quarter restructuring charges. Operating 
Profit was also unfavorably impacted by higher R&D Expense of $3.0 million 
as compared to 2014. Due to the strength of the U.S. dollar in 2015, foreign 
currency exchange reduced Operating Profit by approximately $13.0 million. 
Net Earnings for 2015 were unfavorably impacted by the $11.2 million pre-
tax, or $0.58 per diluted share after-tax, non-cash Impairment of Long-Lived 
Assets as a result of the classification of our Green Machines assets as held 
for sale in the third quarter of 2015. There were also two restructuring charges 
included in the 2015 S&A Expense of $3.7 million pre-tax, or $0.17 per diluted 
share after-tax, to reduce our infrastructure costs. 

10

Table of Contents

Historical Results

The following table compares the historical results of operations for the 
years  ended  December 31,  2015,  2014  and  2013  in  dollars  and  as  a 
percentage  of  Net  Sales  (in  thousands,  except  per  share  amounts  and 
percentages):

2015

%

2014

%

2013

%

$811,799

100.0

$821,983

100.0

$752,011

100.0

462,739

349,060

57.0

43.0

469,556

352,427

57.1

42.9

426,103

325,908

56.7

43.3

32,415

4.0

29,432

3.6

30,529

4.1

252,270

31.1

250,898

30.5

232,976

31.0

11,199

1.4

—

—

—

—

295,884

53,176

36.4

6.6

280,330

72,097

34.1

8.8

263,505

62,403

35.0

8.3

172

(1,313)

(954)

(657)

—

(0.2)

(0.1)

(0.1)

302

(1,722)

(690)

(449)

—

(0.2)

(0.1)

(0.1)

390

(1,761)

(671)

(483)

0.1

(0.2)

(0.1)

(0.1)

(2,752)

(0.3)

(2,559)

(0.3)

(2,525)

(0.3)

Net Sales

Cost of Sales

Gross Profit

Operating Expense:

Research and
Development Expense

Selling and
Administrative
Expense

Impairment of Long-
Lived Assets

Total Operating
Expenses

Profit from Operations

Other Income (Expense):

Interest Income

Interest Expense

Net Foreign Currency
Transaction Losses

Other Expense, Net

Total Other
Expense, Net

Profit Before Income
Taxes

Income Tax Expense

Net Earnings

Net Earnings per Diluted
Share

$

1.74

$

2.70

$

2.14

Consolidated Financial Results

Net Earnings for 2015 were $32.1 million, or $1.74 per diluted share, 
compared to $50.7 million, or $2.70 per diluted share for 2014. Net Earnings 
were impacted by:

• 

• 

• 

• 

A decrease in Net Sales of 1.2% primarily due to an unfavorable 
impact from foreign currency exchange of approximately 5.5%, lower 
sales  of  outdoor  equipment  and  sales  declines  to  our  Master 
Distributor for Russia. These impacts were partially offset by robust 
sales to strategic accounts in North America and global sales of new 
products, such as the T12 and T17 rider scrubbers and the T300 walk 
behind scrubber, and also selling list price increases.

A 10 basis point increase in Gross Profit margin due to improved 
operating  efficiencies  in  both  the  direct  service  organization  and 
manufacturing  operations,  somewhat  offset  by  foreign  currency 
headwinds that unfavorably impacted gross margin by approximately 
80 basis points.

An increase in S&A Expense as a percentage of Net Sales of 60 basis 
points primarily due to our 2015 third and fourth quarter restructuring 
charges,  described  in  Note  3  to  the  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements.  This was somewhat offset by continued cost controls 
and  improved  operating  efficiencies  that  favorably  impacted  S&A 
Expense.

An unfavorable impact of 130 basis points, as a percentage of Net 
Sales, net of tax, for the non-cash Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. 

11

• 

An  unfavorable  direct  foreign  currency  exchange  impact    to  Net 
Earnings of 110 basis points, as a percentage of Net Sales.

Net Earnings for 2014 were $50.7 million, or $2.70 per diluted share, 
compared to $40.2 million, or $2.14 per diluted share for 2013. Net Earnings 
were impacted by:

• 

• 

• 

An increase in Net Sales of 9.3%, primarily due to increased sales 
to strategic accounts and through distribution, continued demand for 
new products, gains in commercial, industrial and outdoor equipment, 
and selling list price increases, typically in the range of 2 percent to 
4 percent in most geographies, in March 2014.

A 40 basis point decrease in Gross Profit margin due to strong sales 
to strategic accounts and through distribution that tend to have lower 
gross  profit  margins  and  also  costs  related  to  hiring  and  training 
additional manufacturing employees to support the higher levels of 
production.

A decrease in S&A Expense as a percentage of Net Sales of 50 basis 
points  due  to  continued  cost  controls  and  improved  operating 
efficiencies,  somewhat  offset  by  investments  in  direct  sales, 
distribution and marketing to build organic sales.

Profit  Before  Income Taxes  for  2015  was  $50.4  million  compared  to 

$69.5 million for 2014 and $59.9 million in 2013.

The breakdown of Profit Before Income Taxes between U.S. and foreign 

operations for each year ended December 31 were as follows:

2015

%

2014

%

2013

%

U.S. operations

$ 51,189 101.5 $ 52,315

75.2 $ 54,702

91.4

Profit Before Income Taxes from foreign operations decreased by $18.0 
million in 2015 compared to 2014. The decrease was partially due to the $11.2 
million non-cash Impairment of Long-Lived Assets recorded in 2015 as a result 
of our decision to hold the assets and liabilities of our Green Machines outdoor 
city cleaning line for sale. We further describe this decision in Note 6 to the 
Consolidated  Financial  Statements. This  impairment  affects  the  results  of 
operations in our EMEA region. In addition, Profit Before Income Taxes in our 
EMEA subsidiaries  decreased by an additional $1.9 million as a result of two 
worldwide restructuring actions, which are more fully described in Note 3 to 
the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  These  restructuring  actions  also 
unfavorably impacted Profit Before Income Taxes in our APAC subsidiaries 
by an additional $0.7 million. Furthermore, Profit Before Income Taxes in our 
EMEA subsidiaries decreased by an additional $2.9 million in 2015 compared 
to 2014 primarily due to a 15.6% decrease in Net Sales as a result of foreign 
exchange devaluations and the difficult economic conditions in the European 
region.  Profit  Before  Income  Taxes  in  our  Latin  America  subsidiaries 
decreased  by  approximately  $2.8  million  in  2015  primarily  due  to  a  26% 
decrease in net sales due to the devaluation of the Brazilian real and difficult 
economic conditions in the Latin American countries. Profit Before Income 
Taxes in our APAC subsidiaries increased by $1.3 million primarily due to 
lower  intercompany  interest  expense  as  a  result  of  new  intercompany 
financing agreements and lower intercompany allocations as a result of a legal 
entity reorganization in 2014.

50,424

18,336

$ 32,088

6.2

2.3

4.0

69,538

18,887

$ 50,651

8.5

2.3

6.2

59,878

19,647

$ 40,231

8.0

2.6

5.3

Foreign
operations

Total

(765)

(1.5)

17,223

24.8

5,176

8.6

$ 50,424 100.0 $ 69,538 100.0 $ 59,878 100.0

 
 
Profit Before Income Taxes from foreign operations increased by $12.0 
million in 2014 compared to 2013. The increase was partially due to a $3.0 
million restructuring charge recorded in 2013 as a result of two restructuring 
actions in our EMEA region, which were not present in 2014. Additionally, 
Profit  Before  Income  Taxes  in  our  EMEA  subsidiaries  increased  by  an 
additional $5.6 million in 2014 compared to 2013, primarily due to a 5.4% 
increase in net sales, strong cost controls over S&A Expense and improved 
manufacturing efficiencies. Profit Before Income Taxes in our APAC region 
increased by approximately $3.1 million in 2014, primarily due to an 8.8% 
increase  in  Net  Sales,  strong  cost  controls  over  S&A  Expense  and  lower 
foreign exchange losses.

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Changes 

Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments – For the years ended 
December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we recorded pre-tax foreign currency 
translation losses of $12.5 million, $10.1 million and $2.2 million, respectively, 
in Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income. These adjustments resulted from 
translating the financial statements of our non-U.S. dollar functional currency 
subsidiaries into our reporting currency, which is the U.S. dollar, as well as 
other adjustments permitted by ASC 830 – Foreign Currency Matters.

During 2015, we recorded translation losses of $6.5 million relating to 
the  Brazilian  real,  $5.3  million  for  the  Euro,  $0.6  million  for  the  Chinese 
renminbi and $0.1 million for various other currencies. These adjustments 
were caused by the appreciation of the U.S. dollar against these currencies 
of between 5% and 32% in 2015.

During 2014, we recorded translation losses of $7.0 million relating to 
the Euro, $1.7 million for the Brazilian real, $1.1 million for the British pound 
and $0.3 million for various other currencies. These adjustments were caused 
by the appreciation of the U.S. dollar against these currencies of between 5% 
and 15% in 2014.

During 2013, we recorded translation losses of $3.5 million relating to 
the Brazilian real, offset partially by translation gains of $0.7 million for the 
British pound, and translation gains for various other currencies of $0.6 million. 
The Brazilian real weakened by approximately 13% at the end of 2013, while 
the British pound strengthened slightly.

Pension  and  Retiree  Medical  Benefits  –  For  the  years  ended 
December 31,  2015  and  2014,  we  recorded  pre-tax  pension  and 
postretirement  liability  adjustments  consisting  of  gains  of  $4.1  million  and 
losses of $5.4 million, respectively, in Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income 
as  further  disclosed  in  Note  13  to  the  Company's  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements. For the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded a gain of 
$12.3 million in Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income for these items.

The summarized changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss 

for the three years ended December 31 were as follows:

Pension and Postretirement
Medical Benefits

2015

2014

2013

Net actuarial (gain) loss

$

(2,940) $

5,931 $ (10,351)

Amortization of prior service (cost)
credit

Amortization of net actuarial loss

Total recognized in other
comprehensive (income) loss

(67)

(1,114)

(37)

(512)

30

(1,961)

$

(4,121) $

5,382 $ (12,282)

The $4.1 million gain in 2015 was primarily due to a $2.9 million net 
actuarial gain relating to a decrease of $2.4 million in the projected benefit 
obligation resulting from a 32 basis point increase in the U.S. Pension discount 
rate, a 21 basis point increase in the non-U.S. discount rate and a 31 basis 
point increase in the postretirement discount rate. There was an approximate 
$3.3  million  decrease  in  the  pension  benefit  obligation  in  2015  relating  to 
demographic experience and other changes, as well as a $3.0 million increase 
due to a lower than expected actual return of assets. The net actuarial gain 
was  supplemented  by  a  $1.2  million  credit  relating  to  amortization  of 
accumulated losses and prior service costs.

The $5.4 million loss in 2014 was primarily due to a $5.9 million net 
actuarial loss relating to an increase of $2.1 million in the projected benefit 
obligation from adopting a new mortality table in 2014, as well as an increase 
of $6.6 million in the projected benefit obligation resulting from an 87 basis 
point decease in the U.S. pension discount rate, a 95 basis point decrease in 
the non-U.S. discount rate and a 71 basis point decrease in the postretirement 
discount rate. There was an approximate $0.8 million decrease in the pension 
benefit  obligation  in  2014  relating  to  demographic  experience  and  other 
changes, as well as a $2.0 million decrease due to higher than expected actual 
return on assets. The net actuarial loss was partially offset by a $0.5 million 
credit relating to amortization of accumulated actuarial losses and prior service 
costs.

The $12.3 million gain in 2013 was primarily due to a $10.4 million net 
actuarial  gain  relating  to  a  $5.6  million  decrease  in  the  projected  benefit 
obligation  resulting  from  an  84  basis  point  increase  in  the  U.S.  pension 
discount rate, and an 83 basis point increase in the postretirement discount 
rate. There was an approximate $0.3 million increase in the pension benefit 
obligation in 2013 relating to demographic experience and other changes, as 
well as a $5.1 million decrease due to a higher than expected actual return 
on assets. The net actuarial gain was supplemented by a $1.9 million credit 
relating  to  amortization  of  accumulated  actuarial  losses  and  prior  service 
costs.

Net Sales

In 2015, consolidated Net Sales were $811.8 million, a decrease of 1.2% 
as compared to 2014. Consolidated Net Sales were $822.0 million in 2014, 
an increase of 9.3% as compared to 2013.

The  components  of  the  consolidated  Net  Sales  change  for  2015  as 

compared to 2014, and 2014 as compared to 2013, were as follows:

Growth Elements

Organic Growth:

Volume

Price

Organic Growth

Foreign Currency

Total

2015 v. 2014

2014 v. 2013

3.3%

1.0%

4.3%

(5.5%)

(1.2%)

9.3%

1.0%

10.3%

(1.0%)

9.3%

The 1.2% decrease in consolidated Net Sales for 2015 as compared to 
2014  was  primarily  due  to  an  unfavorable  impact  from  foreign  currency 
exchange of approximately 5.5%, lower sales of outdoor equipment and sales 
declines to our Master Distributor in Russia. These impacts were partially 
offset by robust sales to strategic accounts in North America and global sales 
of new products, such as the T12 and T17 rider scrubbers and the T300 walk 
behind scrubber. Sales of new products introduced within the past three years 
totaled 26% of equipment revenue in 2015. The 1 percent price increase was 
the result of selling list price increases, typically in the range of 2 percent to 
4 percent in most geographies, with an effective date of February 1, 2015.

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The 9.3% increase in consolidated Net Sales for 2014 as compared to 
2013 was primarily due to sales volume increases to strategic accounts and 
through distribution, continued demand for new products such as the T17 rider 
scrubber and gains in commercial, industrial and outdoor equipment.

The following table sets forth annual Net Sales by operating segment 
and the related percentage change from the prior year (in thousands, except 
percentages):

2015

%

2014

%

2013

Americas

$591,405

3.9

$569,004

10.6

$514,544

Europe, Middle East and
Africa

Asia Pacific

Total

139,834

(15.6)

165,686

80,560

(7.7)

87,293

$811,799

(1.2) $821,983

5.4

8.8

9.3

157,208

80,259

$752,011

Americas – In 2015, Americas Net Sales increased 3.9% to $591.4 
million as compared with $569.0 million in 2014. The primary driver of the 
increase in Net Sales was attributable to robust sales to strategic accounts 
in North America and sales of newly introduced products, including the T12 
and T17 rider scrubbers and the T300 walk behind scrubber. The direct impact 
of  foreign  currency  translation  exchange  effects  within  the  Americas 
unfavorably impacted Net Sales by approximately 2.5%. As a result, organic 
sales increased approximately 6.4% in 2015.

In  2014, Americas  Net  Sales  increased  10.6%  to  $569.0  million  as 
compared with $514.5 million in 2013. The primary driver of the increase in 
Net Sales was attributable to higher sales to strategic accounts, including 
sales  of  scrubbers  in  North  America,  scrubbers  equipped  with  ec-H2O 
technology and walk-behind burnishers. Unfavorable direct foreign currency 
translation exchange effects decreased Net Sales by approximately 1.0%.

Europe,  Middle  East  and Africa  –  Europe,  Middle  East  and Africa 
(“EMEA”) Net Sales in 2015 decreased 15.6% to $139.8 million as compared 
to 2014 Net Sales of $165.7 million. Organic sales decreased approximately 
2.1% in 2015, which reflected a fragile European economy resulting in lower 
sales of outdoor equipment and sales declines to our Master Distributor for 
Russia, somewhat offset by higher sales to strategic accounts and through 
distribution in Western Europe. Unfavorable direct foreign currency exchange 
effects decreased EMEA Net Sales by approximately 13.5% in 2015.

EMEA Net Sales in 2014 increased 5.4% to $165.7 million as compared 
to 2013 Net Sales of $157.2 million. An organic sales increase of approximately 
4.4% was primarily due to higher sales of outdoor equipment, including strong 
sales of 500ze lithium-ion battery-powered sweepers. Favorable direct foreign 
currency exchange effects increased EMEA Net Sales by approximately 1.0% 
in 2014.

Asia Pacific – Asia Pacific Net Sales in 2015 decreased 7.7% to $80.6 
million  as  compared  to  2014  Net  Sales  of  $87.3  million.  Organic  sales 
increased approximately 1.3% in 2015 due primarily to organic sales growth 
in China and Australia, more than offsetting the slower economy in other Asian 
countries. Unfavorable direct foreign currency exchange effects decreased 
Net Sales by approximately 9.0% in 2015.

Asia  Pacific  Net  Sales  in  2014  increased  8.8%  to  $87.3  million  as 
compared to 2013 Net Sales of $80.3 million. An organic sales increase of 
approximately 12.8% was primarily due to strong sales performance in China, 
Japan,  Southeast  Asia  and  Korea.  Unfavorable  direct  foreign  currency 
exchange effects decreased Net Sales by approximately 4.0% in 2014.

Gross Profit

Gross Profit margin was 43.0% in 2015, an increase of 10 basis points 
as compared to 2014. Gross Profit margin in 2015 was favorably impacted 
by  operating  efficiencies  in  both  the  direct  service  organization  and 
manufacturing  operations.  This  was  somewhat  offset  by  foreign  currency 
headwinds that unfavorably impacted gross margin by approximately 80 basis 
points.

Gross Profit margin was 42.9% in 2014, a decrease of 40 basis points 
as compared to 2013. Gross Profit margin in 2014 was unfavorably impacted 
by stronger sales to sales channels that tend to have lower gross margins 
and  also  costs  related  to  hiring  and  training  additional  manufacturing 
employees and temporary workers to support the higher levels of production, 
including the continued ramp up to meet the growing demand for new products.

Operating Expenses

Research and Development Expense – R&D Expense increased $3.0 
million, or 10.1%, in 2015 as compared to 2014. As a percentage of Net Sales, 
2015 R&D Expense increased 40 basis points to 4.0% in 2015 from 3.6% in 
the prior year primarily due to an increase in the number of R&D employees 
and the timing of new product development projects. We continued to invest 
in developing innovative new products and technologies.

R&D Expense decreased $1.1 million, or 3.6%, in 2014 as compared to 
2013. As a percentage of Net Sales, 2014 R&D Expense decreased 50 basis 
points to 3.6% in 2014 from 4.1% in the prior year primarily due to the timing 
of new product development projects. We continued to invest in developing 
innovative new products for our traditional core business, as well as our Orbio 
business.

Selling and Administrative Expense – S&A Expense increased by 
$1.4 million, or 0.5%, in 2015 compared to 2014. As a percentage of Net Sales, 
2015 S&A Expense increased 60 basis points to 31.1% from 30.5% in 2014 
due to continued investments in direct sales and marketing to build organic 
sales. There were also two restructuring charges totaling $3.7 million, or 50 
basis points as a percentage of Net Sales, to reduce our infrastructure costs. 
These were somewhat offset by strong cost controls and improved operating 
efficiencies that favorably impacted S&A Expense.

S&A Expense increased by $17.9 million, or 7.7%, in 2014 compared 
to 2013. As a percentage of Net Sales, 2014 S&A Expense decreased 50 
basis points to 30.5% from 31.0% in 2013 due to continued cost controls and 
improved  operating  efficiencies,  somewhat  offset  by  investments  in  direct 
sales,  distribution  and  marketing  to  build  organic  sales  that  unfavorably 
impacted S&A Expense.

Other Income (Expense)

Interest Income – Interest Income was $0.2 million in 2015, a decrease 
of $0.1 million from 2014. The decrease between 2015 and 2014 was due to 
lower levels of cash deposits.

Interest Income was $0.3 million in 2014, a decrease of $0.1 million from 
2013. The decrease between 2014 and 2013 was due to decreases in interest 
rates on cash invested.

Interest  Expense  –  Interest  Expense  was  $1.3  million  in  2015  as 
compared to $1.7 million in 2014. This decrease was primarily due to a lower 
level of debt.

Interest Expense was $1.7 million in 2014 as compared to $1.8 million 
in 2013. This decrease was primarily due to lower interest rates on long-term 
adjustable rate borrowings.

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Net Foreign Currency Transaction Losses – Net Foreign Currency 
Transaction Losses were $1.0 million in 2015 as compared to $0.7 million in 
2014.  The  unfavorable  change  in  the  impact  from  foreign  currency 
transactions in 2015 was due to fluctuations in foreign currency rates and 
settlements of transactional hedging activity in the normal course of business.

Net Foreign Currency Transaction Losses were $0.7 million in 2014 and 

2013.

Income Taxes

The overall effective income tax rate was 36.4%, 27.2% and 32.8% in 

2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. 

The tax expense for 2015 included a $0.4 million tax benefit associated 
with an $11.2 million Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and a $0.6 million tax 
benefit associated with restructuring charges of $3.7 million. We are not able 
to recognize a tax benefit on the impairment charge until the assets are sold 
due to a tax valuation allowance. Excluding these items, the 2015 overall 
effective tax rate would have been 29.6%.

The increase in the 2015 overall effective tax rate as compared to the 
prior year, excluding the effect of the 2015 one-time charges, was primarily 
related to the mix in our full year taxable earnings by country.

There were no special items that affected the tax rate in 2014.

The tax expense for 2013 included a $0.1 million tax benefit associated 
with restructuring charges of $3.0 million. The tax expense also included a 
first quarter discrete tax benefit of $0.6 million for the enactment of the Federal 
R&D credit retroactively impacting the tax year ended December 31, 2012. 
Excluding these special items, the 2013 overall tax rate would have been 
32.3%.

We do not have any plans to repatriate the undistributed earnings of 
non-U.S. subsidiaries. Any repatriation from foreign subsidiaries that would 
result in incremental U.S. taxation is not being considered. It is management's 
belief that reinvesting these earnings outside the U.S. is the most efficient use 
of capital.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity  –  Cash  and  Cash  Equivalents  totaled  $51.3  million  at 
December 31, 2015, as compared to $93.0 million as of December 31, 2014. 
Cash and Cash Equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries totaled $14.9 
million  as  of  December 31,  2015,  as  compared  to  $15.8  million  as  of 
December 31, 2014. Wherever possible, cash management is centralized and 
intercompany financing is used to provide working capital to subsidiaries as 
needed. Our current ratio was 2.2 as of December 31, 2015 and was 2.4 as 
of December 31, 2014, and our working capital was $160.4 million and $201.5 
million, respectively.

Our Debt-to-Capital ratio was 8.9% as of December 31, 2015, compared 
with 9.1% as of December 31, 2014. Our capital structure was comprised of 
$24.7  million  of  Debt  and  $252.2  million  of  Shareholders’  Equity  as  of 
December 31, 2015.

Cash  Flow  Summary  –  Cash  provided  by  (used  in)  our  operating, 

investing and financing activities is summarized as follows (in thousands):

Operating Activities

Investing Activities:

Purchases of Property, Plant and
Equipment, Net of Disposals

Acquisitions of Businesses, Net of
Cash Acquired

2015

2014

2013

$ 45,232

$ 59,362

$ 59,814

(24,444)

(19,292)

(14,655)

Proceeds from Sale of Business

1,185

1,416

—

—

(750)

4,261

(Increase) Decrease in Restricted
Cash

Financing Activities

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on
Cash and Cash Equivalents

Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and
Cash Equivalents

(322)

6

(253)

(61,405)

(28,038)

(21,495)

(1,908)

(1,476)

122

$(41,662) $ 11,978

$ 27,044

Operating Activities – Cash provided by operating activities was $45.2 
million in 2015, $59.4 million in 2014 and $59.8 million in 2013. In 2015, cash 
provided by operating activities was driven primarily by cash inflows resulting 
from  $32.1  million  of  Net  Earnings,  which  includes  a  non-cash  pre-tax 
impairment charge of $11.2 million, and a decrease in Receivables, somewhat 
offset by a decrease in Accounts Payable and an increase in Inventories. The 
decrease in Receivables was the continued proactive management of our 
receivables by enforcing tighter credit limits and continuing to successfully 
collect past due balances.The increase in Inventories was in support of the 
launches of many new products. Cash provided by operating activities was 
$14.1 million lower in 2015 as compared to 2014 primarily due to lower Net 
Earnings and a year over year increase in Inventories to support the launches 
of many new products.

In 2014, cash provided by operating activities was driven by $50.7 million 
of  Net  Earnings  and  increases  in Accounts  Payable  somewhat  offset  by 
increases in Inventories and Receivables. The increase in Inventories was in 
support of higher sales levels and the launches of many new products. The 
increase in Receivables was due to higher sales levels, the variety of terms 
offered and mix of business. Cash provided by operating activities was $0.5 
million lower in 2014 as compared to 2013 primarily due to increases year 
over year in working capital to support the growth in sales.

For 2015, we used operating profit and operating profit margin as key 
indicators of financial performance and the primary metrics for performance-
based incentives.

Two metrics used by management to evaluate how effectively we utilize 
our net assets are “Accounts Receivable Days Sales Outstanding” (“DSO”) 
and “Days Inventory on Hand” (“DIOH”), on a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis. 
The metrics are calculated on a rolling three month basis in order to more 
readily reflect changing trends in the business. These metrics for the quarters 
ended December 31 were as follows (in days):

DSO

DIOH

2015

61

89

2014

62

84

2013

61

81

DSO decreased 1 day in 2015 as compared to 2014 primarily due to the  
continued proactive management of our receivables by enforcing tighter credit 
limits and continuing to successfully collect past due balances having a larger 
favorable impact than the unfavorable trend in the variety of terms offered and 
mix of business.

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Table of Contents

DIOH increased 5 days in 2015 as compared to 2014 primarily due to 
increased levels of inventory in support of higher sales levels and the launches 
of many new products somewhat offset by progress from inventory reduction 
initiatives.

Investing Activities – Net cash used for investing activities was $23.6 
million in 2015, $17.9 million in 2014 and $11.4 million in 2013. Net capital 
expenditures were $24.4 million during 2015 as compared to $19.3 million in 
2014  and  $14.7  million  in  2013.  Our  2015  capital  expenditures  included 
investments in information technology process improvement projects, tooling 
related to new product development, and manufacturing equipment. Proceeds 
from Sale of Business provided $1.2 million in 2015, $1.4 million in 2014 and 
$4.3 million in 2013.

Capital expenditures in 2014 and 2013 included investments in tooling 
related  to  new  product  development,  and  manufacturing  and  information 
technology process improvement projects. 

Financing Activities – Net cash used for financing activities was $61.4 
million in 2015, $28.0 million in 2014 and $21.5 million in 2013. In 2015, the 
purchases of our common stock per our authorized repurchase program used 
$46.0 million, dividend payments used $14.5 million and the payment of Long-
Term Debt used $3.4 million, partially offset by proceeds from the issuance of 
Common Stock of $1.7 million and the excess tax benefit on stock plans of 
$0.9 million. In 2014, payments of dividends used $14.5 million, payments of 
Long-Term Debt used $2.0 million and payments of Short-Term Debt used 
$1.5 million. In 2013, payments of dividends used $13.2 million and payments 
of Long-Term Debt used $1.1 million, partially offset by Short-Term Borrowings 
of  $1.5  million.  Our  annual  cash  dividend  payout  increased  for  the  44th 
consecutive year to $0.80 per share in 2015, an increase of $0.02 per share 
over 2014.

Proceeds from the issuance of Common Stock generated $1.7 million 

in 2015, $2.3 million in 2014 and $8.3 million in 2013.

On June 22, 2015, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of 
an additional 1,000,000 shares of our common stock. At December 31, 2015, 
there were 641,523 remaining shares authorized for repurchase.

There were 764,046 shares repurchased in 2015 in the open market, 
225,034 shares repurchased in 2014 and 434,118 shares repurchased during 
2013, at average repurchase prices of $60.20 during 2015, $62.64 during 
2014 and $51.04 during 2013. Our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement 
with JPMorgan Chase Bank limits the payment of dividends and repurchases 
of stock to amounts ranging from $50.0 million to $75.0 million per fiscal year 
based on our leverage ratio after giving effect to such payments for the life of 
the agreement.

Indebtedness – As of December 31, 2015, we had committed lines of 
credit totaling approximately $125.0 million and uncommitted lines of credit 
totaling approximately $87.2 million. There were $10.0 million in outstanding 
borrowings under our JPMorgan facility (described below) and $14.6 million 
in outstanding borrowings under our Prudential facility (described below) as 
of December 31, 2015. In addition, we had stand alone letters of credit and 
bank guarantees outstanding in the amount of $3.2 million. Commitment fees 
on unused lines of credit for the year ended December 31, 2015 were $0.3 
million.

Our  most  restrictive  covenants  are  part  of  our  2015 Amended  and 
Restated Credit Agreement (as defined below), which are the same covenants 
in our Shelf Agreement (as defined below) with Prudential (as defined below), 
and require us to maintain an indebtedness to EBITDA ratio of not greater 
than 3.25 to 1 and to maintain an EBITDA to interest expense ratio of no less 
than 3.50 to 1 as of the end of each quarter. As of December 31, 2015, our 
indebtedness  to  EBITDA  ratio  was  0.37  to  1  and  our  EBITDA  to  interest 
expense ratio was 64.39 to 1.

Credit Facilities

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

On June 30, 2015, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit 
Agreement (the "Amended and Restated Credit Agreement") that amended 
and restated the Credit Agreement dated May 5, 2011 between us and JP 
Morgan  Chase  Bank,  N.A.  ("JPMorgan"),  as  administrative  agent  and 
collateral agent, U.S. Bank National Association, as syndication agent, Wells 
Fargo  Bank,  National  Association,  and  RBS  Citizens,  N.A.,  as  co-
documentation agents, and the Lenders (including JPMorgan) from time to 
time party thereto, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated April 25, 2013 
(the  “Credit  Agreement”).  The  Amended  and  Restated  Credit  Agreement 
provides  us  and  certain  of  our  foreign  subsidiaries  access  to  a  senior 
unsecured credit facility until June 30, 2020, in the amount of $125.0 million, 
with an option to expand by up to $62.5 million to a total of $187.5 million. 
Borrowings may be denominated in U.S. dollars or certain other currencies. 
The Amended  and  Restated  Credit Agreement  contains  a  $100.0  million 
sublimit on borrowings by foreign subsidiaries.

The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement principally provides the 

following changes to the Credit Agreement:

• 

• 

• 

• 

changed the fees for committed funds from an annual rate ranging 
from 0.20% to 0.35%, depending on our leverage ratio, under the 
Credit Agreement to an annual rate ranging from 0.175% to 0.300%, 
depending on our leverage ratio, under the Amended and Restated 
Credit Agreement;

removed RBS Citizens, N.A. as a co-documentation agent;

changed the rate at which Eurocurrency borrowings bear interest from 
a rate per annum equal to adjusted LIBOR plus an additional spread 
of 1.30% to 1.90%, depending on our leverage ratio, under the Credit 
Agreement to a rate per annum equal to adjusted LIBOR plus an 
additional spread of 1.075% to 1.700%, depending on our leverage 
ratio, under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement;

under the Credit Agreement, Alternate Base Rate (“ABR”) borrowings 
bore interest at a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the prime 
rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% and (c) the adjusted LIBOR 
rate for a one month period plus 1.00%, plus, in any such case, an 
additional spread of 0.30% to 0.90%, depending on our leverage ratio. 
The ABR borrowings bear interest under the Amended and Restated 
Credit Agreement at a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the 
prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% and (c) the adjusted 
LIBOR rate for a one month period plus 1.00%, plus, in any such case, 
an additional spread of 0.075% to 0.700%, depending on our leverage 
ratio.

The Amended  and  Restated  Credit Agreement  gives  the  Lenders  a 
pledge  of  65%  of  the  stock  of  certain  first  tier  foreign  subsidiaries.  The 
obligations  under  the Amended  and  Restated  Credit Agreement  are  also 
guaranteed by certain of our first tier domestic subsidiaries.

The  Amended  and  Restated  Credit  Agreement  contains  customary 
representations,  warranties  and  covenants,  including  but  not  limited  to 
covenants restricting our ability to incur indebtedness and liens and merge or 
consolidate with another entity. It also incorporates new or recently revised 
financial regulations and other compliance matters. Further, the Amended and 
Restated Credit Agreement contains the following covenants:

• 

• 

a covenant requiring us to maintain an indebtedness to EBITDA ratio 
as of the end of each quarter of not greater than 3.25 to 1. Under the 
Credit Agreement, the required indebtedness to EBITDA ratio as of 
the end of each quarter was not greater than 3.00 to 1;

a covenant requiring us to maintain an EBITDA to interest expense 
ratio as of the end of each quarter of no less than 3.50 to 1;

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Table of Contents

• 

• 

• 

a covenant restricting us from paying dividends or repurchasing stock 
if, after giving effect to such payments, our leverage ratio is greater 
than 2.00 to 1, in such case limiting such payments to an amount 
ranging from $50.0 million to $75.0 million during any fiscal year based 
on our leverage ratio after giving effect to such payments; 

a covenant restricting us from paying any dividends or repurchasing 
stock, if, after giving effect to such payments, our leverage ratio is 
greater than 3.25 to 1; and

a covenant restricting our ability to make acquisitions, if, after giving 
pro-forma effect to such acquisitions, our leverage ratio is greater 
than 3.00 to 1, in such case limiting acquisitions to $25.0 million. Under 
the  Credit  Agreement,  our  leverage  ratio  restriction  under  this 
covenant was 2.75 to 1.

A copy of the full terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated 
Credit Agreement are incorporated by reference in Item 15 to Exhibit 10.1 to 
the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 7, 2015.

As of December 31, 2015, we were in compliance with all covenants 
under this Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. There were $10.0 million 
in outstanding borrowings under this facility at December 31, 2015, with a 
weighted average interest rate of 1.29%.

Prudential Investment Management, Inc.

On July 29, 2009, we entered into a Private Shelf Agreement (the “Shelf 
Agreement”) with Prudential Investment Management, Inc. (“Prudential”) and 
Prudential  affiliates  from  time  to  time  party  thereto.  The  Shelf Agreement 
provides us and our subsidiaries access to an uncommitted, senior secured, 
maximum aggregate principal amount of $80.0 million of debt capital. The 
Shelf  Agreement  contains  representations,  warranties  and  covenants, 
including  but  not  limited  to  covenants  restricting  our  ability  to  incur 
indebtedness and liens and to merge or consolidate with another entity. 

A  copy  of  the  full  terms  and  conditions  of  the  Shelf Agreement  are 
incorporated by reference in Item 15 to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed on July 30, 2009.

On June 30, 2015, we entered into Amendment No. 3 to our Private Shelf 
Agreement ("Amendment No. 3"), which amends the Shelf Agreement by and 
among the Company, Prudential and Prudential affiliates from time to time 
party thereto, as amended by Amendment No. 1 and Amendment No. 2. 

Amendment No. 3 principally provided the following changes to the Shelf 

Agreement:

• 

• 

• 

• 

extended the Issuance Period to June 30, 2018 from July 24, 2015;

changed the covenant regarding our indebtedness to EBITDA ratio 
at the end of each quarter to not greater than 3.25 to 1. The previous 
covenant required a ratio of not greater than 3.00 to 1;

added  the  covenant  restricting  us  from  paying  any  dividends  or 
repurchasing stock, if, after giving such effect to such payments, our 
leverage ratio is greater than 3.25 to 1; and

changed the covenant restricting us from making acquisitions, if, after 
giving  pro-forma  effect  to  such  acquisitions,  our  leverage  ratio  is 
greater  than  3.00  to  1,  in  such  case  limiting  acquisitions  to  $25.0 
million. The previous covenant limiting our ability to make acquisitions 
under Amendment No. 1 was 2.75 to 1.

A  copy  of  the  full  terms  and  conditions  of  Amendment  No.  3  are 
incorporated by reference in Item 15 to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed on July 7, 2015.

As  of  December 31,  2015,  there  were  $14.6  million  in  outstanding 
borrowings under this facility, consisting of the $6.0 million Series A notes 
issued in March 2011 with a fixed interest rate of 4.00% and a term of seven 
years, with remaining serial maturities from 2016 to 2018, and the $8.6 million 
Series B notes issued in June 2011 with a fixed interest rate of 4.10% and a 
term of 10 years, with remaining serial maturities from 2016 to 2021. The first 
payment of $2.0 million on Series A notes was made during the first quarter 
of 2014. The second payment of $2.0 million on Series A notes was made 
during the first quarter of 2015. The first payment of $1.4 million on Series B 
notes was made during the second quarter of 2015. We were in compliance 
with all covenants under this Shelf Agreement as of December 31, 2015.

On May 5, 2011, we entered into Amendment No. 1 to our Private Shelf 

The Royal Bank of Scotland Citizens, N.A.

Agreement (the “Amendment”).

The Amendment principally provided the following changes to the Shelf 

Agreement:

• 

• 

elimination  of  the  security  interest  in  our  personal  property  and 
subsidiaries; and

an amendment to our restriction regarding the payment of dividends 
or  repurchase  of  stock  to  restrict  us  from  paying  dividends  or 
repurchasing  stock  if,  after  giving  effect  to  such  payments,  our 
leverage ratio is greater than 2.00 to 1, in such case limiting such 
payments to an amount ranging from $50.0 million to $75.0 million 
during any fiscal year based on our leverage ratio after giving effect 
to such payments.

A  copy  of  the  full  terms  and  conditions  of  the  Amendment  are 
incorporated by reference in Item 15 to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Form 
10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011.

On July 24, 2012, we entered into Amendment No. 2 to our Private Shelf 
Agreement (“Amendment No. 2”), which amended the Shelf Agreement. The 
principal  change  effected  by Amendment  No.  2  was  an  extension  of  the 
Issuance Period for Shelf Notes under the Shelf Agreement. 

A  copy  of  the  full  terms  and  conditions  of  Amendment  No.  2  are 
incorporated by reference in Item 15 to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current 
Report on Form 8-K filed on July 26, 2012.

On September 14, 2010, we entered into an overdraft facility with The 
Royal  Bank  of  Scotland  Citizens,  N.A.  in  the  amount  of  €2.0  million  or 
approximately $2.2 million. There was no balance outstanding on this facility 
as of December 31, 2015.

HSBC Bank (China) Company Limited, Shanghai Branch

On June 20, 2012, we entered into a banking facility with the HSBC Bank 
(China) Company Limited, Shanghai Branch in the amount of $5.0 million. As 
of December 31, 2015, there were no outstanding borrowings on this facility.

Collateralized Borrowings

Collateralized borrowings represent deferred sales proceeds on certain 
leasing transactions with third-party leasing companies. These transactions 
are  accounted  for  as  borrowings,  with  the  related  assets  capitalized  as 
property, plant and equipment and depreciated straight-line over the lease 
term.

Capital Lease Obligations

Capital  lease  obligations  outstanding  are  primarily  related  to  sale-
leaseback transactions with third-party leasing companies whereby we sell 
our manufactured equipment to the leasing company and lease it back. The 
equipment covered by these leases is rented to our customers over the lease 
term.

16

Table of Contents

Contractual  Obligations  –  Our  contractual  obligations  as  of 
December 31, 2015, are summarized by period due in the following table (in 
thousands):

Less
Than 1
Year

Total

1 - 3
Years

3 - 5
Years

More
Than 5
Years

Long-term debt(1) $ 24,571

$ 3,429

$ 6,857

$12,857

$ 1,428

Interest 
payments on 
long-term
debt(1)

Capital leases

Interest
payments on
capital leases

Retirement 
benefit plans(2)

Deferred 
compensation 
arrangements(3)

Operating
leases(4)

Purchase 
obligations(5)

Other(6)

Total
contractual
obligations

2,065

82

631

31

16

6

1,419

1,419

847

51

10

—

493

—

—

—

94

—

—

—

7,127

1,003

1,783

1,284

3,057

23,927

7,707

9,277

4,270

2,673

59,446

59,446

9,439

9,439

—

—

—

—

—

—

$128,092

$83,111

$18,825

$18,904

$ 7,252

(1)  Long-term debt represents borrowings through our Amended and 
Restated  Credit Agreement  with  JPMorgan  and  our  Shelf Agreement  with 
Prudential.  Our Amended  and  Restated  Credit Agreement  with  JPMorgan 
does not have specified repayment terms; therefore, repayment is due upon 
expiration  of  the  agreement  on  June 30,  2020.  Interest  payments  on  our 
Amended  and  Restated  Credit  Agreement  were  calculated  using  the 
December 31, 2015 LIBOR rate based on the assumption that the principal 
would be repaid in full upon the expiration of the agreement. Our borrowings 
under our Shelf Agreement with Prudential have 7 and 10 year terms, with 
remaining serial maturities from 2016 to 2021 with fixed interest rates of 4.00% 
and 4.10%, respectively.

(2)  Our  retirement  benefit  plans,  as  described  in  Note  13  to  the 
Consolidated Financial Statements, require us to make contributions to the 
plans  from  time  to  time.  Our  plan  obligations  totaled  $5.9  million  as  of 
December 31, 2015. Contributions to the various plans are dependent upon 
a number of factors including the market performance of plan assets, if any, 
and future changes in interest rates, which impact the actuarial measurement 
of plan obligations. As a result, we have only included our 2016 expected 
contribution in the contractual obligations table.

(3)  The  unfunded  deferred  compensation  arrangements  covering 
certain current and retired management employees totaled $7.1 million as of 
December 31, 2015. Our estimated distributions in the contractual obligations 
table are based upon a number of assumptions including termination dates 
and participant distribution elections.

(4)  Operating  lease  commitments  consist  primarily  of  office  and 
warehouse facilities, vehicles and office equipment as discussed in Note 15 
to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(5)  Purchase  obligations  include  all  known  open  purchase  orders, 
contractual  purchase  commitments  and  contractual  obligations  as  of 
December 31, 2015.

17

(6)  Other obligations include residual value guarantees as discussed 

in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Total contractual obligations exclude our gross unrecognized tax benefits 
of  $2.3  million  and  accrued  interest  and  penalties  of  $0.5  million  as  of 
December 31, 2015. We expect to make cash outlays in the future related to 
uncertain tax positions. However, due to the uncertainty of the timing of future 
cash flows, we are unable to make reasonably reliable estimates of the period 
of cash settlement, if any, with the respective taxing authorities. For further 
information  related  to  unrecognized  tax  benefits,  see  Note  16  to  the 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

Newly Issued Accounting Guidance

Revenues from Contracts with Customers 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued 
Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts 
with  Customers  (Topic  606).  This  ASU  will  replace  all  existing  revenue 
recognition standards and significantly expand the disclosure requirements 
for revenue arrangements. This guidance requires an entity to recognize the 
amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised 
goods or services to customers. This guidance provides a five-step analysis 
of  transactions  to  determine  when  and  how  revenue  is  recognized.  Other 
major provisions include capitalization of certain contract costs, consideration 
of time value of money in the transaction price, and allowing estimates of 
variable consideration to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in 
certain  circumstances.  This  guidance  also  requires  enhanced  disclosures 
regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash 
flows arising from an entity's contracts with customers. 

In August  2015,  the  FASB  issued ASU  No.  2015-14,  Revenue  from 
Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, which 
defers the effective date of the new revenue recognition standard by one year 
from the original effective date specified in ASU No. 2014-09. The guidance 
now  permits  us  to  apply  the  new  revenue  recognition  standard  to  annual 
reporting  periods  beginning  after  December  15,  2017,  including  interim 
periods within that reporting period, which is our fiscal 2018. The provisions 
of the ASU permit companies to adopt the new revenue standard early, but 
not before the original public organization effective date, which is for annual 
periods beginning after December 15, 2016, which is our fiscal 2017. 

The  new  standard  may  be  adopted  retrospectively  for  all  periods 
presented, or adopted using a modified retrospective approach. Under the 
retrospective approach, the fiscal 2017 and 2016 financial statements would 
be adjusted to reflect the effects of applying the new standard on those periods. 
Under the modified retrospective approach, the new standard would only be 
applied for the period beginning January 1, 2018 to new contracts and those 
contracts that are not yet complete at January 1, 2018, with a cumulative 
catch-up  adjustment  recorded  to  beginning  retained  earnings  for  existing 
contracts that still require performance. Management is currently evaluating 
the  methods  of  adoption  allowed  by  the  new  standard  and  the  effect  the 
standard  is  expected  to  have  on  our  financial  statements  and  related 
disclosures.

Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest – Imputation 
of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance 
Costs. This guidance requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized 
debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the 
carrying amount of the related debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. 
The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not 
affected  by  the  amendments  in  this ASU.  The  provisions  of  the ASU  are 
effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2016. We do not anticipate 
the  adoption  of  this  guidance  to  have  a  material  impact  on  our  financial 
statements and related disclosures.

 
Table of Contents

In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15, Interest – Imputation 
of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of 
Debt  Issuance  Costs  Associated  with  Line-of-Credit  Arrangements  – 
Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 
18, 2015 EITF Meeting, which clarifies the treatment of debt issuance costs 
from  line-of-credit  arrangements  after  the  adoption  of  ASU  2015-03.  In 
particular, ASU 2015-15 clarifies that the SEC staff would not object to an 
entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs related to a line-of-credit 
arrangement  as  an  asset  and  subsequently  amortizing  the  deferred  debt 
issuance  costs  ratably  over  the  term  of  such  arrangement,  regardless  of 
whether  there  are  any  outstanding  borrowings  on  the  line-of-credit 
arrangement. We do not anticipate the adoption of this guidance to have a 
material impact on our financial statements and related disclosures.

Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, Intangibles –Goodwill 
and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting 
for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement. This amended guidance 
requires customers to determine whether or not an arrangement includes a 
software license element. If the arrangement includes a software license, the 
customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement 
consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If the arrangement 
does  not  contain  a  software  license,  the  customer  should  account  for  the 
arrangement as a service contract. The provisions of the ASU are effective 
for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2016. An entity can elect to adopt the 
amendments  either  prospectively  to  all  arrangements  entered  into  or 
materially  modified  after  the  effective  date;  or  retrospectively.  We  do  not 
anticipate the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our 
financial statements and related disclosures.

Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): 
Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. This amended guidance changes 
the measurement principle for inventory from the lower of cost or market to 
lower of cost and net realizable value. The provisions of the ASU are effective 
for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2017. We are currently evaluating the 
impact of this amended guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Income Taxes 
(Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. This guidance 
simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes by requiring an entity to 
classify  deferred  tax  liabilities  and  assets  as  noncurrent  in  the  classified 
statement of financial position. The amendments in this update apply to all 
entities that present a classified statement of financial position and does not 
affect the current requirement that deferred tax liabilities and assets be offset 
and  presented  as  a  single  amount.  The  amendments  in  this  Update  are 
effective for our annual period beginning January 1, 2017, and interim periods 
within those annual periods. 

However,  earlier  application  is  permitted  for  all  entities  as  of  the 
beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. Thus, we have decided to 
early adopt ASU No. 2015-17 during the fourth quarter of 2015 and classify 
any  deferred  tax  liabilities  and  assets  as  noncurrent  in  our  Consolidated 
Balance  Sheets.  Please  refer  to  Note  2  to  the  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements for more information on the adoption of this ASU, including the 
method of transition and the overall impact on our financial position.

No other new accounting pronouncements issued during 2015 but not 
yet effective have had, or are expected to have, a material impact on our 
results of operations or financial position.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our Consolidated Financial Statements are based on the selection and 
application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 
of America, which require us to make estimates and assumptions about future 
events  that  affect  the  amounts  reported  in  our  Consolidated  Financial 
Statements and the accompanying notes. Our significant accounting policies 
are described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Future 
events  and  their  effects  cannot  be  determined  with  absolute  certainty. 
Therefore, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. 
Actual results could differ from those estimates, and any such differences may 
be material to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We believe that the 
following policies may involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity in 
their  application  and  represent  the  critical  accounting  policies  used  in  the 
preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements. If different assumptions 
or conditions were to prevail, the results could be materially different from our 
reported results.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts – We record a reserve for accounts 
receivable  that  are  potentially  uncollectible.  A  considerable  amount  of 
judgment is required in assessing the realization of these receivables including 
the current creditworthiness of each customer and related aging of the past-
due balances. In order to assess the collectability of these receivables, we 
perform  ongoing  credit  evaluations  of  our  customers’  financial  condition. 
Through these evaluations, we may become aware of a situation where a 
customer may not be able to meet its financial obligations due to deterioration 
of its financial viability, credit ratings or bankruptcy. The reserve requirements 
are based on the best facts available to us and are reevaluated and adjusted 
as additional information becomes available. Our reserves are also based on 
amounts  determined  by  using  percentages  applied  to  trade  receivables. 
These percentages are determined by a variety of factors including, but not 
limited to, current economic trends, historical payment and bad debt write-off 
experience. We are not able to predict changes in the financial condition of 
our customers and if circumstances related to these customers deteriorate, 
our estimates of the recoverability of accounts receivable could be materially 
affected and we may be required to record additional allowances. Alternatively, 
if more allowances are provided than are ultimately required, we may reverse 
a portion of such provisions in future periods based on the actual collection 
experience.  Bad  debt  write-offs  as  a  percentage  of  Net  Sales  were 
approximately  0.2%  in  2015,  0.1%  in  2014  and  0.2%  in  2013.  As  of 
December 31,  2015,  we  had  $3.6  million  reserved  against  Accounts 
Receivable for doubtful accounts and sales returns.

Inventory Reserves – We value our inventory at the lower of the cost 
of inventory or fair market value through the establishment of a reserve for 
excess,  slow  moving  and  obsolete  inventory.  In  assessing  the  ultimate 
realization of inventories, we are required to make judgments as to future 
demand requirements compared with inventory levels. Reserve requirements 
are developed by comparing our inventory levels to our projected demand 
requirements  based  on  historical  demand,  market  conditions  and 
technological and product life cycle changes. It is possible that an increase 
in our reserve may be required in the future if there are significant declines in 
demand for certain products. This reserve creates a new cost basis for these 
products and is considered permanent. As of December 31, 2015, we had 
$3.5 million reserved against Inventories.

Goodwill – Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value 
of net assets of businesses acquired and is allocated to our reporting units at 
the time of the acquisition. We analyze Goodwill on an annual basis and when 
an event occurs or circumstances change that may reduce the fair value of 
one of our reporting units below its carrying amount. A goodwill impairment 
loss occurs if the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s Goodwill exceeds its 
fair value.

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Table of Contents

We performed an analysis of qualitative factors to determine whether it 
is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its 
carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform 
the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. The first step of the two-
step model is used as an indicator to identify if there is potential goodwill 
impairment. If the first step indicates there may be an impairment, the second 
step is performed which measures the amount of the goodwill impairment, if 
any. We perform our goodwill impairment analysis as of year end and use our 
judgment to develop assumptions for the discounted cash flow model that we 
use, if necessary. Management assumptions include forecasting revenues 
and margins, estimating capital expenditures, depreciation, amortization and 
discount rates.

If our goodwill impairment testing resulted in one or more of our reporting 
units’  carrying  amount  exceeding  its  fair  value,  we  would  write  down  our 
reporting  units’  carrying  amount  to  its  fair  value  and  would  record  an 
impairment charge in our results of operations in the period such determination 
is made. Subsequent reversal of goodwill impairment charges is not permitted. 
Each of our reporting units were analyzed for impairment as of December 31, 
2015 and based upon our analysis, the estimated fair values of our reporting 
units substantially exceeded their carrying amounts. We had Goodwill of $16.8 
million as of December 31, 2015.

Warranty Reserves – We record a liability for warranty claims at the 
time of sale. The amount of the liability is based on the trend in the historical 
ratio of claims to net sales, the historical length of time between the sale and 
resulting warranty claim, new product introductions and other factors. Future 
claims experience could be materially different from prior results because of 
the introduction of new, more complex products, a change in our warranty 
policy in response to industry trends, competition or other external forces, or 
manufacturing changes that could impact product quality. In the event we 
determine that our current or future product repair and replacement costs 
exceed our estimates, an adjustment to these reserves would be charged to 
earnings in the period such determination is made. Warranty expense as a 
percentage of Net Sales was 1.4% in 2015, 1.3% in 2014 and 1.4% in 2013. 
As of December 31, 2015, we had $10.1 million reserved for future estimated 
warranty costs.

Income Taxes – We are required to estimate our income taxes in each 
of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves estimating our 
actual current tax obligations based on expected income, statutory tax rates 
and tax planning opportunities in the various jurisdictions. We also establish 
reserves for uncertain tax matters that are complex in nature and uncertain 
as to the ultimate outcome. Although we believe that our tax return positions 
are fully supportable, we consider our ability to ultimately prevail in defending 
these matters when establishing these reserves. We adjust our reserves in 
light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the closing of a tax audit. 
We believe that our current reserves are adequate. However, the ultimate 
outcome may differ from our estimates and assumptions and could impact 
the income tax expense reflected in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Tax law requires certain items to be included in our tax return at different 
times than the items are reflected in our results of operations. Some of these 
differences are permanent, such as expenses that are not deductible in our 
tax returns, and some differences will reverse over time, such as depreciation 
expense on property, plant and equipment. These temporary differences result 
in  deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities,  which  are  included  within  our 
Consolidated Balance Sheets. Deferred tax assets generally represent items 
that can be used as a tax deduction or credit in our tax returns in future years 
but  have  already  been  recorded  as  an  expense  in  our  Consolidated 
Statements of Earnings. We assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets 
will be recovered from future taxable income, and, based on management’s 
judgment, to the extent we believe that recovery is not more likely than not, 
we  establish  a  valuation  reserve  against  those  deferred  tax  assets.  The 
deferred tax asset valuation allowance could be materially different from actual 
results because of changes in the mix of future taxable income, the relationship 
between  book  and  taxable  income  and  our  tax  planning  strategies. As  of 
December 31,  2015,  a  valuation  allowance  of  $5.9  million  was  recorded 
against foreign tax loss carryforwards, foreign tax credit carryforwards and 
state credit carryforwards.

Cautionary  Factors  Relevant 
Information

to  Forward-Looking 

This annual report on Form 10-K, including “Management’s Discussion 
and Analysis  of  Financial  Condition  and  Results  of  Operations”  in  Item  2, 
contain certain statements that are considered “forward-looking statements” 
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 
Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-
looking  terminology  such  as  “may,”  “will,”  “expect,”  “intend,”  “estimate,” 
“anticipate,” “believe,” “project,” or “continue” or similar words or the negative 
thereof. These statements do not relate to strictly historical or current facts 
and  provide  current  expectations  of  forecasts  of  future  events. Any  such 
expectations or forecasts of future events are subject to a variety of factors. 
Particular risks and uncertainties presently facing us include:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Geopolitical and economic uncertainty throughout the world.

Competition in our business.

Relative  strength  of  the  U.S.  dollar,  which  affects  the  cost  of  our 
materials and products purchased and sold internationally.

Ability  to  attract,  retain  and  develop  key  personnel  and  create  
effective succession planning strategies.

Ability to successfully upgrade, evolve and protect our information 
technology systems.

Fluctuations in the cost or availability of raw materials and purchased 
components.

Ability to effectively manage organizational changes.

Ability to develop and commercialize new innovative products and 
services. 

Unforeseen product liability claims or product quality issues.

Disruptions to the value chain process causing delays in delivery, 
customer dissatisfaction, high costs and litigation.

Occurrence of a significant business interruption.

Ability to comply with laws and regulations.

19

We  caution  that  forward-looking  statements  must  be  considered 
carefully and that actual results may differ in material ways due to risks and 
uncertainties both known and unknown. Information about factors that could 
materially affect our results can be found in Part I, Item 1A - Risk Factors. 
Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider 
these factors in evaluating forward-looking statements and are cautioned not 
to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.

We  undertake  no  obligation  to  update  or  revise  any  forward-looking 
statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 
Investors are advised to consult any further disclosures by us in our filings 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in other written statements 
on related subjects. It is not possible to anticipate or foresee all risk factors, 
and investors should not consider any list of such factors to be an exhaustive 
or complete list of all risks or uncertainties.

ITEM 7A – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About 
Market Risk

Commodity Risk – We are subject to exposures resulting from potential 
cost  increases  related  to  our  purchase  of  raw  materials  or  other  product 
components. We do not use derivative commodity instruments to manage our 
exposures to changes in commodity prices such as steel, oil, gas, lead and 
other commodities.

Various  factors  beyond  our  control  affect  the  price  of  oil  and  gas, 
including but not limited to worldwide and domestic supplies of oil and gas, 
political instability or armed conflict in oil-producing regions, the price and level 
of foreign imports, the level of consumer demand, the price and availability of 
alternative  fuels,  domestic  and  foreign  governmental  regulation,  weather-
related  factors  and  the  overall  economic  environment.  We  purchase 
petroleum-related component parts for use in our manufacturing operations. 
In addition, our freight costs associated with shipping and receiving product 
and sales and service vehicle fuel costs are impacted by fluctuations in the 
cost of oil and gas.

Fluctuations in worldwide demand and other factors affect the price for 
lead, steel and related products. We do not maintain an inventory of raw or 
fabricated steel or batteries in excess of near-term production requirements. 
As a result, increases in the price of lead or steel can significantly increase 
the cost of our lead- and steel-based raw materials and component parts.

During 2015, our raw materials and other purchased component costs 
were favorably impacted by commodity prices and we were able to negotiate 
short and long term price reductions on key commodities. We continue to 
focus on mitigating the risk of future raw material or other product component 
cost  increases  through  supplier  negotiations,  ongoing  optimization  of  our 
supply chain, the continuation of cost reduction actions and product pricing. 
The  success  of  these  efforts  will  depend  upon  our  ability  to  leverage  our 
commodity  spend  in  the  current  global  economic  environment.  If  the 
commodity  prices  increase  significantly  and  we  are  not  able  to  offset  the 
increases with higher selling prices, our results may be unfavorably impacted 
in 2016.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk – Due to the global nature of 
our operations, we are subject to exposures resulting from foreign currency 
exchange fluctuations in the normal course of business. Our primary exchange 
rate exposures are with the Euro, Australian and Canadian dollars, British 
pound, Japanese yen, Chinese renminbi and Brazilian real against the U.S. 
dollar. The direct financial impact of foreign currency exchange includes the 
effect of translating profits from local currencies to U.S. dollars, the impact of 
currency fluctuations on the transfer of goods between our operations in the 
United  States  and  our  international  operations  and  transaction  gains  and 
losses. In addition to the direct financial impact, foreign currency exchange 
has an indirect financial impact on our results, including the effect on sales 
volume within local economies and the impact of pricing actions taken as a 
result of foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

20

In the normal course of business, we actively manage the exposure of  
our  foreign  currency  exchange  rate  market  risk  by  entering  into  various 
hedging  instruments  with  counterparties  that  are  highly  rated  financial 
institutions. In 2015, we expanded our risk management program to include 
foreign  exchange  cash  flow  hedging.  We  may  use  foreign  exchange 
purchased  options  or  forward  contracts  to  hedge  our  foreign  currency 
denominated forecasted revenues or forecasted sales to wholly owned foreign 
subsidiaries.  Additionally,  we  hedge  our  net  recognized  foreign  currency 
assets and liabilities with foreign exchange forward contracts. We hedge these 
exposures to reduce the risk that our net earnings and cash flows will be 
adversely affected by changes in foreign exchange rates. We do not enter 
into any of these instruments for speculative or trading purposes to generate 
revenue.

These contracts are carried at fair value and have maturities between 
one  and  15  months.  The  gains  and  losses  on  these  contracts  generally 
approximate changes in the value of the related assets, liabilities or forecasted 
transactions. Some of the derivative instruments we enter into do not meet 
the criteria for cash flow hedge accounting treatment; therefore, changes in 
fair  value  are  recorded  in  Foreign  Currency  Transaction  Losses  on  our 
Consolidated Statements of Earnings. For further information regarding our 
foreign  currency  derivatives  and  hedging  programs,  see  Note  11  to  the 
Consolidated Financial Statements.

The  average  contracted  rate  and  notional  amounts  of  the  foreign 
currency  derivative 
instruments  outstanding  at  December 31,  2015, 
presented  in  U.S.  dollar  equivalents  are  as  follows  (dollars  in  thousands, 
except average contracted rate):

Notional
Amount

Average
Contracted
Rate

Maximum
Term
(Months)

Derivatives designated as
hedging instrument:

Foreign currency option
contracts:

Canadian dollar

$

11,271

1.347

Foreign currency forward
contracts:

Canadian dollar

2,486

1.319

Derivatives not designated
as hedging instruments:

Foreign currency forward
contracts:

Australian dollar

$

Brazilian real

Canadian dollar

Euro

Japanese yen

Mexican peso

5,915

3,061

10,129

22,881

1,870

1,995

1.382

3.947

1.381

0.908

120.336

17.274

15

3

12

1

12

12

1

1

For  details  of  the  estimated  effects  of  currency  translation  on  the 
operations of our operating segments, see Item 7 – Management's Discussion 
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Other Matters – Management regularly reviews our business operations 
with  the  objective  of  improving  financial  performance  and  maximizing  our 
return on investment. As a result of this ongoing process to improve financial 
performance,  we  may  incur  additional  restructuring  charges  in  the  future 
which, if taken, could be material to our financial results.

Table of Contents

ITEM 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Tennant Company:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Tennant Company and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2015 and 
2014, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, cash flows, and shareholders’ equity for each of the years in the three-year 
period ended December 31, 2015. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement schedule 
as included in Item 15.A.2. We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established 
in Internal Control Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  The Company's 
management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assertion 
of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. 
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting 
based on our audits.

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

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

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

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Tennant Company 
and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended 
December 31, 2015, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the accompanying financial statement schedule, 
when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein. Furthermore, 
in our opinion, Tennant Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on 
criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

/s/ KPMG LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 26, 2016

21

Table of Contents

Consolidated Statements of Earnings
TENNANT COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(In thousands, except shares and per share data)

Years ended December 31

Net Sales

Cost of Sales

Gross Profit

Operating Expense:

Research and Development Expense

Selling and Administrative Expense

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Total Operating Expense

Profit from Operations

Other Income (Expense):

Interest Income

Interest Expense

Net Foreign Currency Transaction Losses

Other Expense, Net

Total Other Expense, Net

Profit Before Income Taxes

Income Tax Expense

Net Earnings

Net Earnings per Share:

Basic

Diluted

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:

Basic

Diluted

Cash Dividends Declared per Common Share

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
TENNANT COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(In thousands)

Years ended December 31

Net Earnings

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:

Foreign currency translation adjustments

Pension and retiree medical benefits

Cash Flow Hedge

Income Taxes:

Foreign currency translation adjustments

Pension and retiree medical benefits

Cash Flow Hedge

Total Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, net of tax

Comprehensive Income

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

22

2015

2014

2013

$

811,799

$

821,983

$

462,739

349,060

32,415

252,270

11,199

295,884

53,176

172

(1,313)

(954)

(657)

(2,752)

50,424

18,336

469,556

352,427

29,432

250,898

—

280,330

72,097

302

(1,722)

(690)

(449)

(2,559)

69,538

18,887

32,088

$

50,651

$

752,011

426,103

325,908

30,529

232,976

—

263,505

62,403

390

(1,761)

(671)

(483)

(2,525)

59,878

19,647

40,231

1.78

1.74

$

$

2.78

2.70

$

$

2.20

2.14

18,015,151

18,493,447

18,217,384

18,740,858

18,297,371

18,833,453

0.80

$

0.78

$

0.72

$

$

$

$

2015

2014

2013

$

32,088

$

50,651

$

40,231

(12,520)

4,121

164

25

(1,265)

(61)

(9,536)

(10,112)

(5,382)

—

13

1,859

—

(13,622)

$

22,552

$

37,029

$

(2,242)

12,282

—

(15)

(4,663)

—

5,362

45,593

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Consolidated Balance Sheets
TENNANT COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(In thousands, except shares and per share data)

December 31
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Restricted Cash
Receivables:

Trade, less Allowances of $3,615 and $3,936, respectively
Other

Net Receivables

Inventories
Prepaid Expenses
Deferred Income Taxes, Current Portion
Other Current Assets
Assets Held for Sale

Total Current Assets
Property, Plant and Equipment
Accumulated Depreciation

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net

Deferred Income Taxes, Long-Term Portion
Goodwill
Intangible Assets, Net
Other Assets

Total Assets

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Short-Term Debt and Current Portion of Long-Term Debt
Accounts Payable
Employee Compensation and Benefits
Income Taxes Payable
Other Current Liabilities
Liabilities Held for Sale

Total Current Liabilities

Long-Term Liabilities:
Long-Term Debt
Employee-Related Benefits
Deferred Income Taxes, Long-Term Portion
Other Liabilities

Total Long-Term Liabilities
Total Liabilities

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 15)
Shareholders' Equity:
Preferred Stock of $0.02 par value per share, 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding

Common Stock, $0.375 par value per share, 60,000,000 shares authorized; 17,744,381 and 18,415,047 issued and

outstanding, respectively

Additional Paid-In Capital
Retained Earnings
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Total Shareholders’ Equity
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

23

2015

2014

$

$

51,300
640

92,962
352

136,344
4,101
140,445
77,292
14,656
—
2,485
6,826
293,644
276,811
(181,853)
94,958
12,051
16,803
3,195
11,644
432,295

3,459
50,350
34,528
1,398
43,027
454
133,216

21,194
21,508
5
4,165
46,872
180,088

$

$

147,228
5,155
152,383
80,511
9,552
9,738
1,591
—
347,089
262,214
(175,671)
86,543
8,165
18,355
15,588
11,192
486,932

3,566
61,627
33,842
1,087
45,508
—
145,630

24,571
25,711
5,989
4,380
60,651
206,281

—

—

6,654
—
293,682
(48,129)
252,207
432,295

$

6,906
26,247
286,091
(38,593)
280,651
486,932

$

$

$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
TENNANT COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(In thousands)

Years ended December 31

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net Earnings
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Earnings to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:

Depreciation
Amortization
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Deferred Income Taxes
Share-Based Compensation Expense
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Returns
Other, Net
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities:

Receivables, Net
Inventories
Accounts Payable
Employee Compensation and Benefits
Other Current Liabilities
Income Taxes
Other Assets and Liabilities

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Purchases of Property, Plant and Equipment
Proceeds from Disposals of Property, Plant and Equipment
Acquisition of Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired
Proceeds from Sale of Business
(Increase) Decrease in Restricted Cash

Net Cash Used for Investing Activities

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Short-Term Debt Borrowings
Payments of Short-Term Debt
Payments of Long-Term Debt
Purchases of Common Stock
Proceeds from Issuances of Common Stock
Excess Tax Benefit on Stock Plans
Dividends Paid

Net Cash Used for Financing Activities

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash Paid During the Year for:

Income Taxes
Interest

Supplemental Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:

Capital Expenditures in Accounts Payable

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

24

2015

2014

2013

$

32,088

$

50,651

$

40,231

16,550
1,481
11,199
(1,129)
8,222
1,089
(100)

4,547
(10,190)
(10,455)
716
(402)
(4,283)
(4,101)
45,232

(24,780)
336
—
1,185
(322)
(23,581)

—
—
(3,445)
(45,998)
1,677
859
(14,498)
(61,405)
(1,908)
(41,662)
92,962
51,300

23,421
1,167

1,830

$

$
$

$

17,694
2,369
—
129
7,314
1,504
24

(18,811)
(21,155)
10,192
1,927
2,782
3,466
1,276
59,362

(19,583)
291
—
1,416
6
(17,870)

—
(1,500)
(2,016)
(14,097)
2,269
1,793
(14,487)
(28,038)
(1,476)
11,978
80,984
92,962

11,342
1,470

1,197

$

$
$

$

17,686
2,560
—
5,622
6,116
1,279
219

(7,618)
(11,967)
6,120
(4,178)
5,552
(248)
(1,560)
59,814

(14,775)
120
(750)
4,261
(253)
(11,397)

1,500
—
(1,096)
(22,157)
8,313
5,178
(13,233)
(21,495)
122
27,044
53,940
80,984

13,458
1,602

1,090

$

$
$

$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
TENNANT COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

(In thousands, except shares and per share data)

Common
Shares

Common
Stock

Additional
Paid-in Capital

Retained
Earnings

Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Loss

Total
Shareholders'
Equity

Balance, December 31, 2012

18,464,450 $

6,924 $

22,398 $

236,065 $

(30,333) $

Net Earnings

Other Comprehensive Income

Issue Stock for Directors, Employee Benefit

and Stock Plans, net of related tax
withholdings of 9,457 shares

Share-Based Compensation

Dividends paid $0.72 per Common Share

Tax Benefit on Stock Plans

Purchases of Common Stock

Balance, December 31, 2013

Net Earnings

Other Comprehensive Loss
Issue Stock for Directors, Employee Benefit

and Stock Plans, net of related tax
withholdings of 46,152 shares

Share-Based Compensation

Dividends paid $0.78 per Common Share

Tax Benefit on Stock Plans

Purchases of Common Stock

Balance, December 31, 2014

Net Earnings

Other Comprehensive Loss

Issue Stock for Directors, Employee Benefit

and Stock Plans, net of related tax
withholdings of 23,160 shares

Share-Based Compensation

Dividends paid $0.80 per Common Share

Tax Benefit on Stock Plans

Purchases of Common Stock

Balance, December 31, 2015

—

—

461,192

—

—

—

(434,118)

—

—

173

—

—

—

(163)

—

—

6,549

6,689

—

5,178

(8,858)

40,231

—

—

—

(13,233)

—

(13,136)

—

5,362

—

—

—

—

—

18,491,524 $

6,934 $

31,956 $

249,927 $

(24,971) $

—

—

148,557

—

—

—

—

—

56

—

—

—

—

—

(804)

7,314

—

1,793

(225,034)

(84)

(14,012)

50,651

—

—

—

(14,487)

—

—

—

(13,622)

—

—

—

—

—

18,415,047 $

6,906 $

26,247 $

286,091 $

(38,593) $

—

—

93,380

—

—

—

—

—

35

—

—

—

(764,046)

17,744,381 $

(287)

6,654 $

—

—

384

8,222

—

859

(35,712)

32,088

—

—

—

(14,498)

—

(9,999)

—

(9,536)

—

—

—

—

—

— $

293,682 $

(48,129) $

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

235,054

40,231

5,362

6,722

6,689

(13,233)

5,178

(22,157)

263,846

50,651

(13,622)

(748)

7,314

(14,487)

1,793

(14,096)

280,651

32,088

(9,536)

419

8,222

(14,498)

859

(45,998)

252,207

25

Table of Contents
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations – Our primary business is in designing, manufacturing and marketing solutions that empower customers to achieve quality cleaning 
performance, significantly reduce environmental impact and help create a cleaner, safer, healthier world. Tennant is committed to creating and commercializing 
breakthrough, sustainable cleaning innovations to enhance its broad suite of products, including: floor maintenance and outdoor cleaning equipment, detergent-
free and other sustainable cleaning technologies, aftermarket parts and consumables, equipment maintenance and repair service, specialty surface coatings 
and asset management solutions. Tennant products are used in many types of environments including: Retail establishments, distribution centers, factories and 
warehouses, public venues such as arenas and stadiums, office buildings, schools and universities, hospitals and clinics, parking lots and streets, and more. 
Customers  include  contract  cleaners  to  whom  organizations  outsource  facilities  maintenance,  as  well  as  businesses  that  perform  facilities  maintenance 
themselves. The Company reaches these customers through the industry's largest direct sales and service organization and through a strong and well-supported 
network of authorized distributors worldwide.

Consolidation – The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Tennant Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions 
and balances have been eliminated. In these Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Tennant Company is referred to as “Tennant,” “we,” “us,” or “our.”

Translation of Non-U.S. Currency – Foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities have been translated to U.S. dollars at year-end exchange 
rates, while income and expense items are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the year. Gains or losses resulting from translation are 
included as a separate component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. The balance of cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments recorded 
within Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was a net loss of $44,585, $32,090 and $21,991, respectively. The 
majority of translation adjustments are not adjusted for income taxes as substantially all translation adjustments relate to permanent investments in non-U.S. 
subsidiaries. Net Foreign Currency Transaction Losses are included in Other Income (Expense).

Use of Estimates – In preparing the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"), 
management must make decisions that impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and the related disclosures, including disclosures 
of contingent assets and liabilities. Such decisions include the selection of the appropriate accounting principles to be applied and the assumptions on which 
to base accounting estimates. Estimates are used in determining, among other items, sales promotions and incentives accruals, inventory valuation, warranty 
reserves, allowance for doubtful accounts, pension and postretirement accruals, useful lives for intangible assets, and future cash flows associated with impairment 
testing for Goodwill and other long-lived assets. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgments. Management 
evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors that management believes to be reasonable under 
the circumstances. We adjust such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. A number of these factors include, among others, economic 
conditions, credit markets, foreign currency, commodity cost volatility and consumer spending and confidence, all of which have combined to increase the 
uncertainty inherent in such estimates and assumptions. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual amounts could differ 
significantly from those estimated at the time the consolidated financial statements are prepared. Changes in those estimates resulting from continuing changes 
in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods.

Cash and Cash Equivalents – We consider all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash 

equivalents.

Restricted Cash – We have a total of $640 as of December 31, 2015 that serves as collateral backing certain bank guarantees and is therefore restricted. 

This money is invested in time deposits.

Receivables – Credit is granted to our customers in the normal course of business. Receivables are recorded at original carrying value less reserves for 
estimated uncollectible accounts and sales returns. To assess the collectability of these receivables, we perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ 
financial condition. Through these evaluations, we may become aware of a situation where a customer may not be able to meet its financial obligations due to 
deterioration of its financial viability, credit ratings or bankruptcy. The reserve requirements are based on the best facts available to us and are reevaluated and 
adjusted as additional information becomes available. Our reserves are also based on amounts determined by using percentages applied to trade receivables. 
These percentages are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to, current economic trends, historical payment and bad debt write-off 
experience. An account is considered past-due or delinquent when it has not been paid within the contractual terms. Uncollectible accounts are written off against 
the reserves when it is deemed that a customer account is uncollectible.

Inventories – Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined on a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis except for Inventories in North 

America, which are determined on a last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) basis.

Property, Plant and Equipment – Property, plant and equipment is carried at cost. Additions and improvements that extend the lives of the assets are 
capitalized while expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. We generally depreciate buildings and improvements by the straight-line 
method over a life of 30 years. Other property, plant and equipment are generally depreciated using the straight-line method based on lives of 3 years to 15 
years.

Goodwill – Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets of businesses acquired. We analyze Goodwill on an annual basis as 
of year end and when an event occurs or circumstances change that may reduce the fair value of one of our reporting units below its carrying amount. A goodwill 
impairment occurs if the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s Goodwill exceeds its fair value. In assessing the recoverability of Goodwill, we use an analysis of 
qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining 
whether it is necessary to perform the two-step Goodwill impairment test.

Intangible Assets – Intangible Assets consist of definite lived customer lists, service contracts and technology. Intangible Assets with a definite life are 

amortized on a straight-line basis.

26

Table of Contents
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

Impairment of Long-lived Assets and Assets Held for Sale – We periodically review our intangible and long-lived assets for impairment and assess 
whether events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. We generally deem an asset group to be impaired if 
an estimate of undiscounted future operating cash flows is less than its carrying amount. If impaired, an impairment loss is recognized based on the excess of 
the carrying amount of the individual asset group over its fair value.

Assets held for sale are measured at the lower of their carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. Upon retirement or disposition, the asset cost and 
related accumulated depreciation or amortization are removed from the accounts and a gain or loss is recognized based on the difference between the fair value 
of proceeds received and carrying value of the assets held for sale. In fiscal 2015, we adopted a plan to sell assets and liabilities of our Green Machines™ 
outdoor city cleaning line as a result of determining that the product line does not sufficiently complement our core business. The long-lived assets involved 
were tested for recoverability at the end of third quarter; accordingly, a pre-tax impairment loss of $11,199 was recognized, which represents the amount by 
which the carrying values of the assets exceeded their fair value less costs to sell. The impairment charge is included in the caption "Impairment of Long-Lived 
Assets" in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Earnings. For additional information regarding the impairment of our Green Machines outdoor city 
cleaning line and the related accounting impact, refer to Note 6. 

Purchases of Common Stock – We repurchase our Common Stock under a 2015 repurchase program authorized by our Board of Directors. This program 
allows us to repurchase up to an additional 1,000,000 shares of our Common Stock. Upon repurchase, the par value is charged to Common Stock and the 
remaining purchase price is charged to Additional Paid-in Capital. If the amount of the remaining purchase price causes the Additional Paid-in Capital account 
to be in a debit position, this amount is then reclassified to Retained Earnings. Common Stock repurchased is included in shares authorized but is not included 
in shares outstanding.

Warranty – We record a liability for estimated warranty claims at the time of sale. The amount of the liability is based on the trend in the historical ratio of 
claims to sales, the historical length of time between the sale and resulting warranty claim, new product introductions and other factors. In the event we determine 
that our current or future product repair and replacement costs exceed our estimates, an adjustment to these reserves would be charged to earnings in the 
period such determination is made. Warranty terms on machines range from one to four years. However, the majority of our claims are paid out within the first 
six to nine months following a sale. The majority of the liability for estimated warranty claims represents amounts to be paid out in the near term for qualified 
warranty issues, with immaterial amounts reserved to be paid out for older equipment warranty issues.

Environmental – We record a liability for environmental clean-up on an undiscounted basis when a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated.

Pension and Profit Sharing Plans – We have pension and/or profit sharing plans covering substantially all of our employees. Pension plan costs are 
accrued based on actuarial estimates with the required pension cost funded annually, as needed. No new participants have entered the pension plan since 
2000.

Postretirement Benefits – We accrue and recognize the cost of retiree health benefits over the employees’ period of service based on actuarial estimates. 

Benefits are only available for U.S. employees hired before January 1, 1999.

Derivative Financial Instruments – In countries outside the U.S., we transact business in U.S. dollars and in various other currencies. We hedge our net 
recognized foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities with foreign exchange forward contracts to reduce the risk that the value of these assets and 
liabilities will be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates. We may also use foreign exchange option contracts or forward contracts to hedge certain 
cash flow exposures resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We enter into these foreign exchange contracts to hedge a portion of our 
forecasted currency denominated revenue in the normal course of business, and accordingly, they are not speculative in nature.

We account for our foreign currency hedging instruments as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measure them at fair value. Gains and 
losses resulting from changes in fair value are accounted for depending on the use of the derivative and whether it is designated and qualifies for hedge 
accounting. Gains and losses from foreign exchange forward contracts that hedge certain balance sheet positions are recorded each period to Net Foreign 
Currency Transaction Losses in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Foreign exchange option contracts or forward contracts hedging forecasted foreign 
currency revenue are designated as cash flow hedges under accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities, with gains and losses recorded each 
period to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, until the forecasted transaction occurs. When the forecasted transaction 
occurs, we reclassify the related gain or loss on the cash flow hedge to Net Sales. In the event the underlying forecasted transaction does not occur, or it 
becomes probable that it will not occur, we reclassify the gain or loss on the related cash flow hedge from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss to Net 
Foreign Currency Transaction Losses in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings at that time. If we do not elect hedge accounting, or the contract does not 
qualify for hedge accounting treatment, the changes in fair value from period to period are recorded in Net Foreign Currency Transaction Losses in our Consolidated 
Statements of Earnings. See Note 11 for additional information regarding our hedging activities.

Revenue Recognition – We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, title and risk of ownership have passed to the 
customer, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Generally, these criteria are met at the time the product is shipped. 
Provisions for estimated returns, rebates and discounts are provided for at the time the related revenue is recognized. Freight revenue billed to customers is 
included in Net Sales and the related shipping expense is included in Cost of Sales. Service revenue is recognized in the period the service is performed or 
ratably over the period of the related service contract.

Customers may obtain financing through third-party leasing companies to assist in their acquisition of our equipment products. Certain lease transactions 
classified as operating leases contain retained ownership provisions or guarantees, which results in recognition of revenue over the lease term. As a result, we 
defer the sale of these transactions and record the sales proceeds as collateralized borrowings or deferred revenue. The underlying equipment relating to 
operating leases is depreciated on a straight-line basis, not to exceed the equipment’s estimated useful life.

Revenues from contracts with multiple element arrangements are recognized as each element is earned. We offer service contracts in conjunction with 
equipment sales in addition to selling equipment and service contracts separately. Sales proceeds related to service contracts are deferred if the proceeds are 
received in advance of the service and recognized ratably over the contract period.

27

Table of Contents
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

Share-based Compensation – We account for employee share-based compensation using the fair value based method. Our share-based compensation 

plans are more fully described in Note 17 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Research and Development – Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

Advertising Costs – We advertise products, technologies and solutions to customers and prospective customers through a variety of marketing campaign 
and promotional efforts. These efforts include tradeshows, online advertising, e-mail marketing, mailings, sponsorships and telemarketing. Advertising costs are 
expensed as incurred. In 2015, 2014 and 2013 such activities amounted to $7,418, $8,583 and $6,412, respectively.

Income Taxes – Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the book 
and tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is provided when, in management’s judgment, it is more likely than not that some portion 
or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. We have established contingent tax liabilities using management’s best judgment. We follow guidance provided 
by Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 740, Income Taxes, regarding uncertainty in income taxes, to record these contingent tax liabilities (refer to Note 
16 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information). We adjust these liabilities as facts and circumstances change. Interest Expense is 
recognized in the first period the interest would begin accruing. Penalties are recognized in the period we claim or expect to claim the position in our tax return. 
Interest and penalties expenses are classified as an income tax expense.

Sales Tax – Sales taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are presented on a net basis.

Earnings per Share – Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing Net Earnings by the Weighted Average Shares Outstanding during the period. 

Diluted earnings per share assume conversion of potentially dilutive stock options, performance shares, restricted shares and restricted stock units.

2.  Newly Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. This guidance simplifies 
the presentation of deferred income taxes by requiring an entity to classify deferred tax liabilities and assets as noncurrent in the classified statement of financial 
position. The amendments in this update apply to all entities that present a classified statement of financial position and does not affect the current requirement 
that deferred tax liabilities and assets be offset and presented as a single amount. Early application of the amendments is permitted for all entities as of the 
beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. 

Furthermore, the ASU allows entities to apply the guidance either prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods 
presented. If the entity applies the guidance prospectively, the entity should disclose in the first interim and first annual period of change, the nature of and 
reason  for  the  change  in  accounting  principle  and  a  statement  that  the  prior  periods  were  not  retrospectively  adjusted.  If  an  entity  applies  the  guidance 
retrospectively, the entity should disclose in the first interim and first annual period of change the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle 
and quantitative information about the effects of the accounting change on prior periods.

We have decided to early adopt the amendments of this ASU prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets. We believe adopting these amendments 
early and prospectively is reasonable as the ASU gives the option for early adoption and allows for explicit transition guidance to adopt the standard prospectively. 
The change only affects the classification of our deferred tax liabilities and assets reported in 2015 on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Deferred tax liabilities 
and assets reported as current in 2014 were not retrospectively adjusted. 

3.  Management Actions

Q3 2015 Action – During the third quarter of 2015, we implemented a restructuring action to reduce our infrastructure costs that we anticipate will improve 
Selling and Administrative Expense operating leverage in future quarters. The pre-tax charge of $1,779 recognized in the third quarter of 2015 consisted primarily 
of severance, the majority of which was in Europe, and was included within Selling and Administrative Expense in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. 
We believe the anticipated savings will offset the pre-tax charge in approximately one year. The charge impacted our Americas, EMEA and APAC operating 
segments. We do not expect additional costs will be incurred related to this restructuring action.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending liability balances is as follows:

Q3 2015 restructuring action

Cash payments

Foreign currency adjustments

December 31, 2015 balance

Severance and
Related Costs

$

$

1,779

(815)

(19)

945

28

Table of Contents
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

Q4 2015 Action – During the fourth quarter of 2015, we implemented an additional restructuring action to reduce our infrastructure costs that we anticipate 
will improve Selling and Administrative Expense operating leverage in future quarters. The pre-tax charge of $1,965, including other associated costs of $481, 
consisted primarily of severance and was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2015. the pre-tax charge was included within Selling and Administrative Expense in 
the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. We believe the anticipated savings will offset the pre-tax charge in approximately 1.5 years. The charge impacted 
our Americas, EMEA and APAC operating segments. We do not expect additional costs will be incurred related to this restructuring action.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending liability balances is as follows:    

Q4 2015 restructuring action

Cash payments

December 31, 2015

4.  Divestiture

Severance and
Related Costs

$

$

1,484

(517)

967

On July 31, 2012, we entered into a Share Purchase Agreement (“SPA”) with M&F Management and Financing GmbH (“M&F”) for the sale of ownership 
of our subsidiary, Tennant CEE GmbH, and our minority interest in a joint venture, OOO Tennant. In exchange for the ownership of these entities, we received 
€815, or $1,014, in cash, as of the date of sale and financed the remaining €5,351, for a total purchase price of €6,166. A total of €2,126, or $2,826, was received 
in equal quarterly payments during 2013 and the first anniversary payment of €1,075, or $1,435, was received on July 31, 2013. The second anniversary payment 
of €1,075, or $1,418, was received on July 31, 2014. The third and final anniversary payment of €1,075, or $1,185, was received on July 31, 2015. As a result 
of this divestiture, we recorded a pre-tax gain of $784 in our Profit from Operations in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the year ended December 
31, 2012. 

M&F is now a master distributor of Tennant products in the Central Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa markets. In addition, as further discussed in 
Note 21, M&F was a related party to Tennant at the time of the transaction. We have identified M&F as a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and have performed a 
qualitative assessment that considered M&F's purpose and design, our involvement and the risks and benefits and determined that Tennant is not the primary 
beneficiary of this VIE. The only financing Tennant has provided to M&F was related to the SPA, as noted above, and there are no arrangements that would 
require us to provide significant financial support in the future.

5. 

Inventories

Inventories as of December 31, consisted of the following:

Inventories carried at LIFO:

Finished goods

Raw materials, production parts and work-in-process

LIFO reserve

Total LIFO inventories

Inventories carried at FIFO:

Finished goods

Raw materials, production parts and work-in-process

Less: Inventories held for sale

Total FIFO inventories

Total inventories

The LIFO reserve approximates the difference between LIFO carrying cost and FIFO.

2015

2014

41,225

$

22,158

(27,645)

35,738

$

41,687

24,458

(28,166)

37,979

32,421

$

13,812

(4,679)

41,554

77,292

$

$

29,851

12,681

—

42,532

80,511

$

$

$

$

$

29

Table of Contents
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

6.  Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale

On August 19, 2015, we adopted a plan to sell assets and liabilities of our Green Machines outdoor city cleaning line as a result of determining that the 
product line, which constitutes approximately two percent of our total sales, does not sufficiently complement our core business. The long-lived assets involved 
were tested for recoverability as of the 2015 third quarter balance sheet date; accordingly, a pre-tax impairment loss of $11,199 was recognized, which represents 
the amount by which the carrying values of the assets exceeded their fair value, less costs to sell. The $11,199 consisted of $10,577 of intangible assets and 
$622 of fixed assets. The impairment loss is recorded as a separate line item ("Impairment of Long-Lived Assets") in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. 
The carrying value of the assets and liabilities that are held for sale are separately presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in the captions "Assets Held 
for Sale" and "Liabilities Held for Sale," respectively. The long-lived assets classified as held for sale are no longer being depreciated.

On January 19, 2016, we signed a Business Purchase Agreement ("BPA") with Green Machines International GmbH and affiliates, subsidiaries of M&F, 
which is also parent company of the master distributor of our products in Central Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, TCS EMEA GmbH, for the sale of our 
Green Machines outdoor city cleaning line. Per the BPA, the sale officially closed on January 31, 2016.

The assets and liabilities of Green Machines held for sale as of December 31, consisted of the following:

Assets:

Accounts Receivable

Inventories

Prepaid Expenses

Property, Plant and Equipment, net

Total Assets Held for Sale

Liabilities:

Employee Compensation and Benefits

Other Current Liabilities

Total Liabilities Held for Sale

7.  Property, Plant and Equipment

2015

1,715

4,679

239

193

6,826

338

116

454

$

$

$

$

Property, Plant and Equipment and related Accumulated Depreciation, including equipment under capital leases, as of December 31, consisted 

of the following:

Property, Plant and Equipment:

Land

Buildings and improvements

Machinery and manufacturing equipment

Office equipment

Work in progress

Less: Gross Property, Plant and Equipment held for sale

Total Property, Plant and Equipment

Accumulated Depreciation:

Accumulated Depreciation

Add: Accumulated Depreciation on Property, Plant and Equipment held for sale

Total Accumulated Depreciation

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net

2015

2014

$

4,232

$

52,118

117,197

80,972

24,481

(2,189)

4,265

52,962

117,622

73,677

13,688

—

$

$

$

$

276,811

$

262,214

(183,849) $

(175,671)

1,996

—

(181,853) $

(175,671)

94,958

$

86,543

We recorded an impairment loss on Green Machines' fixed assets during 2015, totaling $622, due to our strategic decision to hold the assets of the Green 
Machines product line for sale. This amount was recorded in Accumulated Depreciation as a write off against Property, Plant and Equipment. The impairment 
charge was included within Impairment of Long-Lived Assets in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Further details regarding the sale of our Green 
Machines outdoor city cleaning line are discussed in Note 6.

Depreciation expense was $16,550 in 2015, $17,694 in 2014 and $17,686 in 2013. 

30

Table of Contents
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

8.  Goodwill and Intangible Assets

For purposes of performing our goodwill impairment analysis, we have identified our reporting units as North America, Latin America, EMEA and APAC. As 
of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we performed an analysis of qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a 
reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. Based on our 
analysis of qualitative factors, we determined that it was not necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test for any of our reporting units.

The changes in the carrying amount of Goodwill are as follows:

Balance as of December 31, 2013

Foreign currency fluctuations

Balance as of December 31, 2014

Foreign currency fluctuations

Balance as of December 31, 2015

Goodwill

Accumulated
Impairment
Losses

Total

$

$

$

68,906

(4,048)

64,858

(4,411)

60,447

$

$

$

(49,977) $

3,474

(46,503) $

2,859

(43,644) $

18,929

(574)

18,355

(1,552)

16,803

The balances of acquired Intangible Assets, excluding Goodwill, as of December 31, are as follows: 

Customer Lists
and
Service Contracts

Trade
Name

Technology

Total

Balance as of December 31, 2015

Original cost

Accumulated amortization

Carrying amount

Weighted-average original life (in years)

Balance as of December 31, 2014

Original cost

Accumulated amortization

Carrying amount

Weighted-average original life (in years)

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

19,781

(19,232)

549

15

21,946

(12,099)

9,847

15

3,859

$

(3,859)

— $

14

$

$

4,300

(2,068)

2,232

14

$

$

$

$

6,596

(3,950)

2,646

13

6,915

(3,406)

3,509

13

30,236

(27,041)

3,195

33,161

(17,573)

15,588

We recorded an impairment loss on the Green Machines customer lists, trade name and technology intangible assets during the third quarter of 2015, 
totaling $10,577, due to our strategic decision to hold the assets of the Green Machines product line for sale. The impairment was included within Impairment 
of Long-Lived Assets in the 2015 Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Further details regarding the sale of our Green Machines outdoor city cleaning line are 
discussed in Note 6.

Amortization expense on Intangible Assets was $1,481, $2,369 and $2,560 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Estimated aggregate amortization expense based on the current carrying amount of amortizable Intangible Assets for each of the five succeeding 

years is as follows:

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Thereafter

Total

$

$

407

315

309

309

309

1,546

3,195

31

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

9.  Debt

Debt as of December 31, consisted of the following:

Long-Term Debt:

Credit facility borrowings

Collateralized borrowings

Capital lease obligations

Total Debt

Less: current portion

Long-term portion

2015

2014

24,571

28,000

—

82

24,653

(3,459)

$

21,194

$

7

130

28,137

(3,566)

24,571

As of December 31, 2015, we had committed lines of credit totaling approximately $125,000 and uncommitted credit facilities totaling $87,173.There were 
$10,000 in outstanding borrowings under our JPMorgan facility (described below) and $14,571 in outstanding borrowings under our Prudential facility (described 
below) as of December 31, 2015. In addition, we had stand alone letters of credit and bank guarantees outstanding in the amount of $3,249. Commitment fees 
on unused lines of credit for the year ended December 31, 2015 were $275.

Our most restrictive covenants are part of our 2015 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as defined below), which are the same covenants in our 
Shelf Agreement (as defined below) with Prudential (as defined below), and require us to maintain an indebtedness to EBITDA ratio of not greater than 3.25 to 
1 and to maintain an EBITDA to interest expense ratio of no less than 3.50 to 1 as of the end of each quarter. As of December 31, 2015, our indebtedness to 
EBITDA ratio was 0.37 to 1 and our EBITDA to interest expense ratio was 64.39 to 1.

Credit Facilities

JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

On June 30, 2015, we entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Amended and Restated Credit Agreement") that amended and 
restated the Credit Agreement dated May 5, 2011 between us and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. ("JPMorgan"), as administrative agent and collateral agent, 
U.S. Bank National Association, as syndication agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, and RBS Citizens, N.A., as co-documentation agents, and the 
Lenders (including JPMorgan) from time to time party thereto, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated April 25, 2013 (the "Credit Agreement"). The Amended 
and Restated Credit Agreement provides us and certain of our foreign subsidiaries access to a senior unsecured credit facility until June 30, 2020, in the amount 
of $125,000, with an option to expand by up to $62,500 to a total of $187,500. Borrowings may be denominated in U.S. dollars or certain other currencies. The 
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains a $100,000 sublimit on borrowings by foreign subsidiaries.

• 

• 

• 

• 

The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement principally provided the following changes to the Credit Agreement:

changed the fees for committed funds from an annual rate ranging from 0.20% to 0.35%, depending on our leverage ratio, under the Credit Agreement 
to an annual rate ranging from 0.175% to 0.300%, depending on our leverage ratio, under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement;

removed RBS Citizens, N.A. as a co-documentation agent;

changed the rate at which Eurocurrency borrowings bear interest from a rate per annum equal to adjusted LIBOR plus an additional spread of 1.30% 
to 1.90%, depending on our leverage ratio, under the Credit Agreement to a rate per annum equal to adjusted LIBOR plus an additional spread of 
1.075% to 1.700% , depending on our leverage ratio, under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement;

under the Credit Agreement, Alternate Base Rate (“ABR”) borrowings bore interest at a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the prime rate, (b) 
the federal funds rate plus 0.50% and (c) the adjusted LIBOR rate for a one month period plus 1.00%, plus, in any such case, an additional spread of 
0.30% to 0.90%, depending on our leverage ratio. The ABR borrowings bear interest under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement at a rate per 
annum equal to the greatest of (a) the primate rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50% and (c) the adjusted LIBOR rate for a one month period plus  
1.00%, plus, in any such case, an additional spread of 0.075% to 0.700%, depending on our leverage ratio.

The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement gives the Lenders a pledge of 65% of the stock of certain first tier foreign subsidiaries. The obligations 

under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are also guaranteed by certain of our first tier domestic subsidiaries.

The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants, including but not limited to covenants 
restricting our ability to incur indebtedness and liens and merge or consolidate with another entity. It also incorporates new or recently revised financial regulations 
and other compliance matters. Further, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains the following covenants:

• 

• 

• 

a covenant requiring us to maintain an indebtedness to EBITDA ratio as of the end of each quarter of not greater than 3.25 to 1. Under the Credit 
Agreement, the required indebtedness to EBITDA ratio as of the end of each quarter was not greater than 3.00 to 1;

a covenant requiring us to maintain an EBITDA to interest expense ratio as of the end of each quarter of no less than 3.50 to 1;

a covenant restricting us from paying dividends or repurchasing stock if, after giving effect to such payments, our leverage ratio is greater than 2.00 to 
1, in such case limiting such payments to an amount ranging from $50,000 to $75,000 during any fiscal year based on our leverage ratio after giving 
effect to such payments;

32

 
 
 
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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

• 

• 

a covenant restricting us from paying any dividends or repurchasing stock, if, after giving effect to such payments, our leverage ratio is greater than 
3.25 to 1; and

a covenant restricting our ability to make acquisitions, if, after giving pro-forma effect to such acquisitions, our leverage ratio is greater than 3.00 to 1, 
in such case limiting acquisitions to $25,000. Under the Credit Agreement, our leverage ratio restriction under this covenant was 2.75 to 1.

A copy of the full terms and conditions of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are incorporated by reference in Item 15 to Exhibit 10.1 to the 

Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 7, 2015.

As of December 31, 2015, we were in compliance with all covenants under this Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. There were $10,000 in outstanding 

borrowings under this facility at December 31, 2015, with a weighted average interest rate of 1.29%.

Prudential Investment Management, Inc.

On July 29, 2009, we entered into a Private Shelf Agreement (the “Shelf Agreement”) with Prudential Investment Management, Inc. (“Prudential”) and 
Prudential affiliates from time to time party thereto. The Shelf Agreement provides us and our subsidiaries access to an uncommitted, senior secured, maximum 
aggregate principal amount of $80,000 of debt capital. The Shelf Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants, including but not limited to 
covenants restricting our ability to incur indebtedness and liens and to merge or consolidate with another entity. 

A copy of the full terms and conditions of the Shelf Agreement are incorporated by reference in Item 15 to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report 

on Form 8-K filed on July 30, 2009.

• 

• 

On May 5, 2011, we entered into Amendment No. 1 to our Private Shelf Agreement (the “Amendment”).

The Amendment principally provided the following changes to the Shelf Agreement:

elimination of the security interest in our personal property and subsidiaries; and

an amendment to our restriction regarding the payment of dividends or repurchase of stock to restrict us from paying dividends or repurchasing stock 
if, after giving effect to such payments, our leverage ratio is greater than 2.00 to 1, in such case limiting such payments to an amount ranging from 
$50,000 to $75,000 during any fiscal year based on our leverage ratio after giving effect to such payments.

A copy of the full terms and conditions of the Amendment are incorporated by reference in Item 15 to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Form 10-Q for the 

quarter ended June 30, 2011.

On July 24, 2012, we entered into Amendment No. 2 to our Private Shelf Agreement (“Amendment No. 2”), which amended the Shelf Agreement. The 

principal change effected by Amendment No. 2 was an extension of the Issuance Period for Shelf Notes under the Shelf Agreement. 

A copy of the full terms and conditions of Amendment No. 2 are incorporated by reference in Item 15 to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on 

Form 8-K filed on July 26, 2012.

On June 30, 2015 we entered into Amendment No. 3 to our Private Shelf Agreement ("Amendment No. 3"), which amends the Shelf Agreement by and 

among the Company, Prudential and Prudential affiliates from time to time party thereto, as amended by Amendment No. 1 and Amendment No. 2.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Amendment No. 3 principally provided the following changes to the Shelf Agreement:

extended the the Issuance Period to June 30, 2018 from July 24, 2015;

changed the covenant regarding our indebtedness to EBITDA ratio at the end of each quarter to not greater than 3.25 to 1. The previous covenant 
required a ratio of not greater than 3.00 to 1;

added the covenant restricting us from paying any dividends or repurchasing stock, if, after giving such effect to such payments, our leverage ratio is 
greater than 3.25 to 1; and

changed the covenant restricting us from making acquisitions, if, after giving pro-forma effect to such acquisitions, our leverage ratio is greater than 
3.00 to 1, in such case limiting acquisitions to $25,000. The previous covenant limiting our ability to make acquisitions under Amendment No. 1 was 
2.75 to 1.

A copy of the full terms and conditions of Amendment No. 3 are incorporated by reference in Item 15 to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on 

Form 8-K filed on July 7, 2015.

As of December 31, 2015, there were $14,571 in outstanding borrowings under this facility, consisting of the $6,000 Series A notes issued in March 2011 
with a fixed interest rate of 4.00% and a term of seven years, with remaining serial maturities from 2016 to 2018, and the $8,571 Series B notes issued in June 
2011 with a fixed interest rate of 4.10% and a term of 10 years, with remaining serial maturities from 2016 to 2021. The first payment of $2,000 on Series A 
notes was made during the first quarter of 2014. The second payment of $2,000 on Series A notes was made during the first quarter of 2015. The first payment 
of  $1,429  on  Series  B  notes  was  made  during  the  second  quarter  of  2015.  We  were  in  compliance  with  all  covenants  under  this  Shelf Agreement  as  of 
December 31, 2015.

The Royal Bank of Scotland Citizens, N.A.

On September 14, 2010, we entered into an overdraft facility with The Royal Bank of Scotland Citizens, N.A. in the amount of €2,000, or approximately 

$2,173. There was no balance outstanding on this facility as of December 31, 2015.

33

Table of Contents
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

HSBC Bank (China) Company Limited, Shanghai Branch

On June 20, 2012, we entered into a banking facility with the HSBC Bank (China) Company Limited, Shanghai Branch in the amount of $5,000. During 
the first quarter of 2014, we repaid previous borrowings under this facility amounting to $1,500 and, as of December 31, 2015, there were no outstanding 
borrowings on this facility.

Collateralized Borrowings

Collateralized borrowings represent deferred sales proceeds on certain leasing transactions with third-party leasing companies. These transactions are 

accounted for as borrowings, with the related assets capitalized as property, plant and equipment and depreciated straight-line over the lease term.

Capital Lease Obligations

Capital  lease  obligations  outstanding  are  primarily  related  to  sale-leaseback  transactions  with  third-party  leasing  companies  whereby  we  sell  our 

manufactured equipment to the leasing company and lease it back. The equipment covered by these leases is rented to our customers over the lease term.

The aggregate maturities of our outstanding debt, including capital lease obligations as of December 31, 2015, are as follows:

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Thereafter

Total minimum obligations

Less: amount representing interest

Total

10.  Other Current Liabilities

Other Current Liabilities as of December 31, consisted of the following:

Other Current Liabilities:

Taxes, other than income taxes

Warranty

Deferred revenue

Rebates

Freight

Restructuring

Miscellaneous accrued expenses

Other

Less: Other Current Liabilities held for sale

Total Other Current Liabilities

$

$

$

4,097

3,958

3,807

1,704

11,646

1,523

26,735

(2,082)

24,653

2015

2014

$

5,030

$

10,093

2,512

10,399

6,461

1,927

4,230

2,491

(116)

7,052

9,686

2,368

11,503

5,006

—

6,581

3,312

—

$

43,027

$

45,508

The changes in warranty reserves for the three years ended December 31 were as follows:

Beginning balance

Product warranty provision

Foreign currency

Claims paid

Ending balance

2015

2014

2013

$

$

9,686

$

9,663

$

11,719

(207)

(11,105)

10,605

(215)

(10,367)

10,093

$

9,686

$

9,357

10,649

(48)

(10,295)

9,663

34

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

11.  Derivatives

Hedge Accounting and Hedging Programs

In 2015, we expanded our foreign currency hedging programs to include foreign exchange purchased options and forward contracts to hedge our foreign 
currency denominated revenue. We recognize all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and measure them 
at fair value. Gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value are accounted for depending on the use of the derivative and whether it is designated and 
qualifies for hedge accounting.

We evaluate hedge effectiveness on our hedges that are designated and qualify for hedge accounting at the inception of the hedge prospectively, as well 
as retrospectively, and record any ineffective portion of the hedging instruments in Net Foreign Currency Transaction Losses on our Consolidated Statements 
of Earnings. The time value of purchased contracts is recorded in Net Foreign Currency Transaction Losses in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Our hedging policy establishes maximum limits for each counterparty to mitigate any concentration of risk. 

Balance Sheet Hedging - Hedges of Foreign Currency Assets and Liabilities

We hedge our net recognized foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities with foreign exchange forward contracts to reduce the risk that the value 
of these assets and liabilities will be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates. These contracts hedge assets and liabilities that are denominated in 
foreign currencies and are carried at fair value as either assets or liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets with changes in the fair value recorded to Net 
Foreign Currency Transaction Losses in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings. These contracts do not subject us to material balance sheet risk due to 
exchange rate movements because gains and losses on these derivatives are intended to offset gains and losses on the assets and liabilities being hedged. 
At December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the notional amounts of foreign currency forward exchange contracts outstanding not designated as hedging 
instruments were $45,851 and $34,631, respectively. 

Cash Flow Hedging - Hedges of Forecasted Foreign Currency Transactions

In countries outside the U.S., we transact business in U.S. dollars and in various other currencies. We may use foreign exchange option contracts or 
forward contracts to hedge certain cash flow exposures resulting from changes in these foreign currency exchange rates. These foreign exchange contracts, 
carried at fair value, have maturities of up to 15 months. We enter into these foreign exchange contracts to hedge a portion of our forecasted foreign currency 
denominated revenue in the normal course of business, and accordingly, they are not speculative in nature. The notional amount of outstanding foreign currency 
forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges was $2,486 as of December 31, 2015. The notional amount of outstanding foreign currency option contracts 
designated as cash flow hedges was $11,271 as of December 31, 2015. There were no outstanding foreign currency forward or option contracts designated as 
cash flow hedges as of December 31, 2014.

To receive hedge accounting treatment, all hedging relationships are formally documented at the inception of the hedge, and the hedges must be highly 
effective in offsetting changes to future cash flows on hedged transactions. We record changes in the fair value of these cash flow hedges in Accumulated Other 
Comprehensive Loss in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, until the forecasted transaction occurs. When the forecasted transaction occurs, we reclassify the 
related gain or loss on the cash flow hedge to Net Sales. In the event the underlying forecasted transaction does not occur, or it becomes probable that it will 
not occur, we reclassify the gain or loss on the related cash flow hedge from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss to Net Foreign Currency Transaction 
Losses in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings at that time. If we do not elect hedge accounting, or the contract does not qualify for hedge accounting 
treatment, the changes in fair value from period to period are recorded in Net Foreign Currency Transaction Losses in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

The fair value of derivative instruments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, consisted of the following:

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

Foreign currency option contracts(1)(2)

Foreign currency forward contracts(1)

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

Foreign currency forward contracts(1)

2015

2014

Fair Value
Asset
Derivatives

Fair Value
Liability
Derivatives

Fair Value
Asset
Derivatives

Fair Value
Liability
Derivatives

$

$

$

387

113

— $

—

— $

—

171

$

7

$

130

$

—

—

—

(1) 

(2) 

Contracts that mature within the next twelve months are included in Other Current Assets and Other Current Liabilities for asset derivatives and 
liabilities derivatives, respectively, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Contracts with a maturity greater than twelve months are included in Other Assets and Other Liabilities for asset derivatives and liability 
derivatives, respectively, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

As of December 31, 2015, we anticipate reclassifying approximately $169 of gains from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss to net earnings during 

the next twelve months.

35

Table of Contents
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

The effect of foreign currency derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges and foreign currency derivative instruments not designated 

as hedges in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the three years ended December 31 were as follows:

2015

2014

2013

Foreign
Currency
Option
Contracts

Foreign
Currency
Forward
Contracts

Foreign
Currency
Option
Contracts

Foreign
Currency
Forward
Contracts

Foreign
Currency
Option
Contracts

Foreign
Currency
Forward
Contracts

Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:

Net gain recognized in Other Comprehensive Loss, net of tax(1)

$

31

$

77

$

— $

— $

— $

Net gain reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive 
Loss into earnings, net of tax(2)

Net gain (loss) recognized in earnings(3)

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

—

6

5

(2)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Net gain recognized in earnings(4)

$

— $

4,047

$

— $

2,384

$

— $

1,068

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

Net change in the fair value of the effective portion classified in Other Comprehensive Loss.

Effective portion classified as Net Sales.

Ineffective portion and amount excluded from effectiveness testing classified in Net Foreign Currency Transaction Losses.

Classified in Net Foreign Currency Transaction Losses.

12.  Fair Value Measurements

Estimates  of  fair  value  for  financial  assets  and  financial  liabilities  are  based  on the  framework  established  in  the accounting  guidance  for fair  value 
measurements. The framework defines fair value, provides guidance for measuring fair value and requires certain disclosures. The framework discusses valuation 
techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow) and the cost approach 
(cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). The framework utilizes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation 
techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The following is a brief description of those three levels:

• 

• 

• 

Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar 
assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions.

Our population of assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurements at December 31, 2015 is as follows:

Assets:

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

Foreign currency option contracts

Total Assets

Liabilities:

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

Total Liabilities

Fair
Value

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

$

$

$

$

284

387

671

7

7

$

$

$

$

— $

—

— $

— $

— $

284

387

671

7

7

$

$

$

$

—

—

—

—

—

Our foreign currency forward exchange and option contracts are valued using observable Level 2 market expectations at the measurement date and 
standard valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present value amount. Further details regarding our foreign currency forward exchange and 
option contracts are discussed in Note 11.

The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, Receivables, Other Current Assets, 

Assets Held for Sale, Accounts Payable, Other Current Liabilities and Liabilities Held for Sale approximate fair value due to their short-term nature.

The fair market value of our Long-Term Debt approximates cost based on the borrowing rates currently available to us for bank loans with similar terms 

and remaining maturities.

From time to time, we measure certain assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis, including evaluation of long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangible 

assets for impairment using company-specific assumptions which would fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

36

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

13.  Retirement Benefit Plans

Substantially all U.S. employees are covered by various retirement benefit plans, including defined benefit pension plans, postretirement medical plans 
and defined contribution savings plans. Retirement benefits for eligible employees in foreign locations are funded principally through defined benefit plans, 
annuity or government programs. The total cost of benefits for our plans was $12,428, $11,334 and $11,766 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

We have a qualified, funded defined benefit retirement plan (the “U.S. Pension Plan”) covering certain current and retired employees in the U.S. Pension 
Plan benefits are based on the years of service and compensation during the highest five consecutive years of service in the final ten years of employment. No 
new participants have entered the plan since 2000. During 2015, the plan was amended to freeze benefits for all participants effective January 31, 2017. The 
plan has 361 participants including 69 active employees as of December 31, 2015.

We have a U.S. postretirement medical benefit plan (the “U.S. Retiree Plan”) to provide certain healthcare benefits for U.S. employees hired before January 

1, 1999. Eligibility for those benefits is based upon a combination of years of service with us and age upon retirement.

Our defined contribution savings plan (“401(k)”) covers substantially all U.S. employees. Under this plan, we match up to 3% of the employee’s annual 
compensation in cash to be invested per their election. We also make a profit sharing contribution to the 401(k) plan for employees with more than one year of 
service in accordance with our Profit Sharing Plan. This contribution is based upon our financial performance and can be funded in the form of Tennant stock, 
cash or a combination of both. Expenses for the 401(k) plan were $8,098, $7,475 and $6,423 during 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

We have a U.S. nonqualified supplemental benefit plan (the “U.S. Nonqualified Plan”) to provide additional retirement benefits for certain employees whose 

benefits under our 401(k) plan or U.S. Pension Plan are limited by either the Employee Retirement Income Security Act or the Internal Revenue Code.

We also have defined pension benefit plans in the United Kingdom and Germany (the “U.K. Pension Plan” and the “German Pension Plan”). The U.K. 

Pension Plan and German Pension Plan cover certain current and retired employees and both plans are closed to new participants.

 We expect to contribute approximately $243 to our U.S. Nonqualified Plan, $835 to our U.S. Retiree Plan, $308 to our U.K. Pension Plan and $33 to our 
German Pension Plan in 2016. No contributions to the U.S. Pension Plan are expected to be required during 2016. There were no contributions made to the 
U.S. Pension Plan during 2015. 

Weighted-average asset allocations by asset category of the U.S. and U.K. Pension Plans as of December 31, 2015 are as follows:

Asset Category

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Mutual Funds:

U.S. Large-Cap

U.S. Small-Cap

International Equities

Fixed-Income Domestic

Investment Account held by Pension Plan (1)

Total

Quoted Prices in 
Active Markets for 
Identical Assets
(Level 1)

Significant 
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant 
Unobservable 
Inputs
(Level 3)

Fair Value

$

$

954

$

954

$

— $

9,194

2,258

2,206

32,589

10,691

9,194

2,258

2,206

32,589

—

—

—

—

—

—

57,892

$

47,201

$

— $

—

—

—

—

—

10,691

10,691

(1) 

This category is comprised of investments in insurance contracts.

37

 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

Weighted-average asset allocations by asset category of the U.S. and U.K. Pension Plans as of December 31, 2014 are as follows:

Asset Category

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Mutual Funds:

U.S. Large-Cap

U.S. Small-Cap

International Equities

Fixed-Income Domestic

Investment Account held by Pension Plan (1)

Quoted Prices in 
Active Markets for 
Identical Assets
(Level 1)

Significant 
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant 
Unobservable 
Inputs
(Level 3)

Fair Value

$

486

$

486

$

— $

12,955

4,004

3,788

30,652

9,989

12,955

4,004

3,788

30,652

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

9,989

9,989

Total

$

61,874

$

51,885

$

— $

(1) 

This category is comprised of investments in insurance contracts.

Estimates  of  the  fair  value  of  U.S.  and  U.K  Pension  Plan  assets  are  based  on  the  framework  established  in  the  accounting  guidance  for  fair  value 
measurements. A brief description of the three levels can be found in Note 12. Equity Securities and Mutual Funds traded in active markets are classified as 
Level 1. The Investment Account held by the U.K. Pension Plan invests in insurance contracts for purposes of funding the U.K. Pension Plan and is classified 
as Level 3. The fair value of the Investment Account is the cash surrender values as determined by the provider which are the amounts the plan would receive 
if the contracts were cashed out at year end. The underlying assets held by these contracts are primarily invested in assets traded in active markets. 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the Level 3 investments of our U.K. Pension Plan during the years ended are as follows:

Fair value at beginning of year

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net

Net gain

Foreign currency

Fair value at end of year

2015

2014

$

$

9,989

$

52

1,232

(582)

10,691

$

9,733

(96)

974

(622)

9,989

The primary objective of our U.S. and U.K. Pension Plans is to meet retirement income commitments to plan participants at a reasonable cost to us and 
to maintain a sound actuarially funded status. This objective is accomplished through growth of capital and safety of funds invested. The pension plans' assets 
are invested in securities to achieve growth of capital over inflation through appreciation and accumulation and reinvestment of dividend and interest income. 
Investments are diversified to control risk. The target allocation for the U.S. Pension Plan is 60% debt securities and 40% equity. Equity securities within the 
U.S. Pension Plan do not include any direct investments in Tennant Company Common Stock. The U.K. Pension Plan is invested in insurance contracts with 
underlying investments primarily in equity and fixed income securities. Our German Pension Plan is unfunded, which is customary in that country. 

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as of December 31 are as follows:

U.S. Pension Benefits

2015

2014

Non-U.S.
Pension Benefits

Postretirement
Medical Benefits

2015

2014

2015

2014

Discount rate

Rate of compensation increase

4.08%

3.00%

3.76%

3.00%

3.59%

3.50%

3.38%

3.50%

3.70%

—

3.39%

—

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs as of December 31 are as follows:

U.S. Pension Benefits

Non-U.S.
Pension Benefits

Postretirement
Medical Benefits

2015

2014

2013

2015

2014

2013

2015

2014

2013

Discount rate

Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets

Rate of compensation increase

3.76%

5.20%

3.00%

4.63%

5.70%

3.00%

3.79%

6.50%

3.00%

3.38%

4.40%

3.50%

4.33%

5.60%

4.50%

4.41%

4.70%

4.50%

3.39%

4.10%

3.27%

—

—

—

—

—

—

38

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

The discount rate is used to discount future benefit obligations back to today’s dollars. Our discount rates were determined based on high-quality fixed 
income investments. The resulting discount rates are consistent with the duration of plan liabilities. The Citigroup Above Median Spot Rate is used in determining 
the discount rate for the U.S. Plans. The expected return on assets assumption on the investment portfolios for the pension plans is based on the long-term 
expected returns for the investment mix of assets currently in the portfolio. Management uses historic return trends of the asset portfolio combined with recent 
market conditions to estimate the future rate of return.

The accumulated benefit obligations as of December 31, for all defined benefit plans are as follows:

U.S. Pension Plans

U.K. Pension Plan

German Pension Plan

2015

2014

$

41,537

$

9,720

870

45,695

10,658

1,027

Information for our plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets as of December 31 is as follows:

Accumulated benefit obligation

Fair value of plan assets

2015

2014

$

2,616

$

—

13,872

9,989

As of December 31, 2015, the U.S. Nonqualified and the German Pension Plans had an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets. As of 
December 31, 2014, the U.S. Nonqualified, the U.K. Pension and the German Pension Plans had an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets.

Information for our plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets as of December 31 is as follows:

Projected benefit obligation

Fair value of plan assets

2015

2014

$

2,616

$

—

14,207

9,989

As  of  December 31,  2015,  the  U.S.  Nonqualified  and  the  German  Pension  Plans  had  a  projected  benefit  obligation  in  excess  of  plan  assets. As  of 

December 31, 2014, the U.S. Nonqualified, the U.K. Pension and the German Pension Plans had a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets.

Assumed healthcare cost trend rates as of December 31 are as follows:

Healthcare cost trend rate assumption for the next year

Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)

Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate

2015

2014

6.76%

5.00%

2031

7.50%

5.00%

2031

Assumed healthcare cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for healthcare plans. To illustrate, a one-percentage-point change 

in assumed healthcare cost trends would have the following effects:

Effect on total of service and interest cost components

Effect on postretirement benefit obligation

1-Percentage-
Point
Decrease

1-Percentage-
Point
Increase

$

$

(37) $

(803) $

42

910

39

 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

Summaries related to changes in benefit obligations and plan assets and to the funded status of our defined benefit and postretirement medical 

benefit plans are as follows:

Change in benefit obligation:

Benefit obligation at beginning of year

$

47,027

$

43,653

$

12,014

$

11,238

$

13,292

$

13,186

U.S. Pension Benefits

Non-U.S.
Pension Benefits

Postretirement
Medical Benefits

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

Service cost

Interest cost

Plan participants' contributions

Actuarial (gain) loss

Foreign exchange

Benefits paid

Settlement

480

1,711

—

(3,352)

—

(1,944)

(2,148)

Benefit obligation at end of year

$

41,774

Change in fair value of plan assets and net accrued liabilities:

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

$

51,885

Actual return on plan assets

Employer contributions

Plan participants' contributions

Foreign exchange

Benefits paid

Settlement

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

Funded status at end of year

$

(933)

341

—

—

(1,944)

(2,148)

47,201

5,427

Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of:

Noncurrent Other Assets

Current Liabilities

Long-Term Liabilities

Net accrued asset (liability)

$

$

7,173

(243)

(1,503)

493

1,964

—

5,907

—

(1,706)

(3,284)

47,027

52,397

4,236

242

—

—

(1,706)

(3,284)

51,885

4,858

7,051

(185)

(2,008)

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

153

396

20

(718)

(681)

(301)

—

10,883

9,989

1,232

333

20

(582)

(301)

—

10,691

$

$

155

476

21

1,421

(815)

(482)

—

12,014

9,733

974

365

21

(622)

(482)

—

9,989

$

$

96

393

—

(1,618)

—

(1,019)

—

128

497

—

591

—

(1,110)

—

11,144

$

13,292

— $

—

1,019

—

—

—

—

1,110

—

—

(1,019)

(1,110)

—

—

—

—

(192) $

(2,025) $

(11,144) $

(13,292)

678

$

— $

— $

(33)

(837)

(37)

(1,988)

(835)

(10,309)

5,427

$

4,858

$

(192) $

(2,025) $

(11,144) $

Amounts recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss consist of:

Prior service cost

Net actuarial loss

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

$

$

(42) $

(109) $

— $

— $

— $

(5,127)

(5,993)

(111)

(1,682)

(560)

(5,169) $

(6,102) $

(111) $

(1,682) $

(560) $

The components of the net periodic benefit cost for the three years ended December 31 were as follows:

—

(947)

(12,345)

(13,292)

—

(2,178)

(2,178)

Service cost

Interest cost

Expected return on plan assets

Amortization of net actuarial loss

Amortization of prior service cost (credit)

Foreign currency

Curtailment charge

Settlement charge

U.S. Pension Benefits

Non-U.S.
Pension Benefits

Postretirement
Medical Benefits

2015

2014

2013

2015

2014

2013

2015

2014

2013

$

480

$

493

$

690

$

1,711

1,964

1,803

$

153

396

$

155

476

142

422

(2,613)

(2,683)

(2,911)

(433)

(539)

(402)

$

96

$

393

—

—

—

—

—

—

$

128

497

—

—

(6)

—

—

—

154

443

—

201

(103)

—

—

—

9

—

21

—

—

147

1,751

54

—

(35)

—

—

73

—

—

—

835

42

—

25

225

705

$

43

—

—

356

320

$ 1,406

$

135

$

40

9

—

(61)

—

—

40

Net periodic benefit cost

$

$

192

$

489

$

619

$

695

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

The changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss for the three years ended December 31 were as follows:

U.S. Pension Benefits

Non-U.S.
Pension Benefits

Postretirement
Medical Benefits

2015

2014

2013

2015

2014

2013

2015

2014

2013

Net actuarial loss (gain)

$

195

$ 4,353

$ (9,817) $ (1,517) $

987

$

467

$ (1,618) $

591

$ (1,001)

Amortization of prior service (cost) credit

Amortization of net actuarial loss

Total recognized in other comprehensive

(income) loss

Total recognized in net periodic (cost) benefit
and other comprehensive (income) loss

$

$

(67)

(1,060)

(43)

(503)

(73)

(1,751)

—

(54)

—

(9)

—

(9)

—

—

6

—

103

(201)

(932) $ 3,807

$(11,641) $ (1,571) $

978

(227) $ 4,127

$(10,235) $ (1,436) $ 1,018

$

$

458

$ (1,618) $

597

$ (1,099)

650

$ (1,129) $ 1,216

$

(404)

The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, are expected to be paid for our U.S. and Non-U.S. plans:

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021 to 2025

Total

U.S. Pension
Benefits

Non-U.S.
Pension Benefits

Postretirement
Medical Benefits

$

$

2,296

$

2,450

2,594

2,573

2,637

13,582

26,132

$

$

225

230

238

244

251

1,377

2,565

$

835

890

914

959

1,010

4,574

9,182

The following amounts are included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss as of December 31, 2015 and are expected to be recognized 

as components of net periodic benefit cost during 2016:

Net actuarial loss

Prior service cost

14.  Shareholders' Equity

Authorized Shares

Pension
Benefits

$

Postretirement
Medical
Benefits

$

64

42

173

—

We are authorized to issue an aggregate of 61,000,000 shares; 60,000,000 are designated as Common Stock, having a par value of $0.375 per share, 
and 1,000,000 are designated as Preferred Stock, having a par value of $0.02 per share. The Board of Directors is authorized to establish one or more series 
of preferred stock, setting forth the designation of each such series, and fixing the relative rights and preferences of each such series.

Purchase Rights

On November 10, 2006, the Board of Directors approved a Rights Agreement and declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right for each 
outstanding share of Common Stock. Each right entitles the registered holder to purchase from us one one-hundredth of a Series A Junior Participating Preferred 
Share of the par value of $0.02 per share at a price of $100 per one hundredth of a Preferred Share, subject to adjustment. The rights are not exercisable or 
transferable apart from the Common Stock until the earlier of: (i) the close of business on the fifteenth day following a public announcement that a person or 
group of affiliated or associated persons has become an “Acquiring Person” (i.e., has become, subject to certain exceptions, including for stock ownership by 
employee benefit plans, the beneficial owner of 20% or more of the outstanding Common Stock), or (ii) the close of business on the fifteenth day following the 
first public announcement of a tender offer or exchange offer the consummation of which would result in a person or group of affiliated or associated persons 
becoming, subject to certain exceptions, the beneficial owner of 20% or more of the outstanding Common Stock (or such later date as may be determined by 
our Board of Directors prior to a person or group of affiliated or associated persons becoming an Acquiring Person). After a person or group becomes an Acquiring 
Person, each holder of a Right (other than an Acquiring Person) will be able to exercise the right at the current exercise price of the Right and receive the number 
of shares of Common Stock having a market value of two times the exercise price of the right, or, depending upon the circumstances in which the rights became 
exercisable, the number of common shares of the Acquiring Person having a market value of two times the exercise price of the right. At no time do the rights 
have any voting power. We may redeem the rights for $0.001 per right at any time prior to a person or group acquiring 20% or more of the Common Stock. 
Under certain circumstances, the Board of Directors may exchange the rights for our Common Stock or reduce the 20% thresholds to not less than 10%. The 
rights will expire on December 26, 2016, unless extended or earlier redeemed or exchanged by us.

41

 
 
 
Table of Contents
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, net of tax, within the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Statements of Shareholders' 

Equity as of December 31 are as follows:

Foreign currency translation adjustments

Pension and retiree medical benefits

Cash flow hedge

Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

2015

2014

2013

$

$

(44,585) $

(32,090) $

(3,647)

103

(6,503)

—

(48,129) $

(38,593) $

(21,991)

(2,980)

—

(24,971)

The changes in components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, net of tax, are as follows:

December 31, 2014

Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications

Amounts reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income

December 31, 2015

Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustments

Pension and
Postretirement
Benefits

Cash Flow Hedge

Total

$

$

(32,090) $

(12,495)

—

(12,495)

(44,585) $

(6,503) $

— $

2,153

703

2,856

(3,647) $

108

(5)

103

103

$

(38,593)

(10,234)

698

(9,536)

(48,129)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss associated with pension and postretirement benefits and cash flow hedges are included in Notes 13 and 11, 

respectively.

15.  Commitments and Contingencies

We lease office and warehouse facilities, vehicles and office equipment under operating lease agreements, which include both monthly and longer-term 
arrangements. Leases with initial terms of one year or more expire at various dates after 2025 and generally provide for extension options. Rent expense under 
the leasing agreements (exclusive of real estate taxes, insurance and other expenses payable under the leases) amounted to $17,804, $18,446 and $17,873 
in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The minimum rentals for aggregate lease commitments as of December 31, 2015, were as follows:

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

Thereafter

Total

$

7,707

5,421

3,856

2,607

1,663

2,673

$

23,927

Certain operating leases for vehicles contain residual value guarantee provisions, which would become due at the expiration of the operating lease 
agreement if the fair value of the leased vehicles is less than the guaranteed residual value. The aggregate residual value at lease expiration of those leases 
is $11,674, of which we have guaranteed $9,439. As of December 31, 2015, we have recorded a liability for the estimated end-of-term loss related to this residual 
value guarantee of $290 for certain vehicles within our fleet. Our fleet also contains vehicles we estimate will settle at a gain. Gains on these vehicles will be 
recognized at the end of the lease term.

During the third quarter of 2015, we renewed a lease for our facility in the United Kingdom. This lease has a term of ten years with a total commitment of 

$2,776. 

During the fourth quarter of 2015, we entered into a lease agreement for the purposes of relocating our Australian headquarters. This lease has a term of 

seven years with a total commitment of $3,722.

During the fourth quarter of 2015, we entered into an agreement with a supplier, commencing April 1, 2016, with a total commitment of $1,792 extending 

through December 31, 2016. 

In the ordinary course of business, we may become liable with respect to pending and threatened litigation, tax, environmental and other matters. While 
the ultimate results of current claims, investigations and lawsuits involving us are unknown at this time, we do not expect that these matters will have a material 
adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. Legal costs associated with such matters are expensed as incurred.

42

Table of Contents
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

16.  Income Taxes

Income (Loss) from continuing operations for the three years ended December 31 was as follows:

U.S. operations

Foreign operations

Total

Income tax expense (benefit) for the three years ended December 31 was as follows:

Current:

Federal

Foreign

State

Deferred:

Federal

Foreign

State

Total:

Federal

Foreign

State

Total Income Tax Expense

2015

2014

2013

51,189

(765)

50,424

$

$

52,315

17,223

69,538

$

$

54,702

5,176

59,878

2015

2014

2013

15,117

$

11,903

$

3,992

1,685

3,373

1,543

20,794

$

16,819

(481) $

(1,888)

(89)

(2,458) $

2,650

(524)

(58)

2,068

14,636

$

14,553

2,104

1,596

2,849

1,485

$

$

$

$

18,336

$

18,887

$

13,551

3,567

1,136

18,254

1,856

(424)

(39)

1,393

15,407

3,143

1,097

19,647

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

U.S. income taxes have not been provided on approximately $30,786 of undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries. We do not have any plans to 
repatriate the undistributed earnings. Any repatriation from foreign subsidiaries that would result in incremental U.S. taxation is not being considered. It is 
management’s belief that reinvesting these earnings outside the U.S. is the most efficient use of capital.

We have Dutch and German tax loss carryforwards of approximately $9,889 and $11,834, respectively. If unutilized, the Dutch tax loss carryforward will 
expire after 9 years. The German tax loss carryforward has no expiration date. Because of the uncertainty regarding realization of the Dutch tax loss carryforward, 
a valuation allowance was established. This valuation allowance increased in 2015 due to results of operations.

We have Dutch foreign tax credit carryforwards of $1,102. Because of the uncertainty regarding utilization of the Dutch foreign tax credit carryforward, a 

valuation allowance was established.

A valuation allowance for the remaining deferred tax assets is not required since it is more likely than not that they will be realized through carryback to 

taxable income in prior years, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and future taxable income.

Our effective income tax rate varied from the U.S. federal statutory tax rate for the three years ended December 31 as follows:

Tax at statutory rate

Increases (decreases) in the tax rate from:

State and local taxes, net of federal benefit

Effect of foreign operations

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Effect of changes in valuation allowances

Domestic production activities deduction

Other, net

Effective income tax rate

43

2015

2014

2013

35.0%

35.0%

35.0%

2.2

(5.1)

7.0

1.5

(2.7)

(1.5)

1.7

(4.6)

—

(0.9)

(1.6)

(2.4)

1.7

(3.3)

—

3.7

(1.6)

(2.7)

36.4%

27.2%

32.8%

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

Deferred tax assets and liabilities were comprised of the following as of December 31:

Deferred Tax Assets:

Employee wages and benefits, principally due to accruals for financial reporting purposes

$

16,395

$

16,696

2015

2014

Warranty reserves accrued for financial reporting purposes

Receivables, principally due to allowance for doubtful accounts and tax accounting method for equipment rentals

Tax loss carryforwards

Tax credit carryforwards

Other

Gross Deferred Tax Assets

Less: valuation allowance

Total Net Deferred Tax Assets

Deferred Tax Liabilities:

Inventories, principally due to changes in inventory reserves

Property, Plant and Equipment, principally due to differences in depreciation and related gains

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Total Deferred Tax Liabilities

Net Deferred Tax Assets

3,101

1,446

5,834

1,102

603

28,481

(5,884)

22,597

617

6,619

3,315

10,551

12,046

$

$

$

$

$

2,895

1,549

6,845

1,043

1,246

30,274

(5,699)

24,575

305

6,745

5,611

12,661

11,914

$

$

$

$

$

The valuation allowance at December 31, 2015 principally applies to Dutch tax loss and tax credit carryforwards that, in the opinion of management, are 
more likely than not to expire unutilized. However, to the extent that tax benefits related to these carryforwards are realized in the future, the reduction in the 
valuation allowance will reduce income tax expense.

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

Balance at January 1,

Increases as a result of tax positions taken during the current year

Decreases relating to settlement with tax authorities

Reductions as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations

Decreases as a result of foreign currency fluctuations

Balance at December 31,

2015

2014

$

3,029

$

532

(72)

(760)

(403)

$

2,326

$

3,660

610

(6)

(1,033)

(202)

3,029

Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2015 and 2014 are potential benefits of $1,992 and $2,684, respectively, that if 

recognized, would affect the effective tax rate from continuing operations.

We recognize potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. In addition to the 
liability of $2,326 and $3,029 for unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, there was approximately $504 and $557, respectively, for 
accrued interest and penalties. To the extent interest and penalties are not assessed with respect to uncertain tax positions, the amounts accrued will be revised 
and reflected as an adjustment to income tax expense.

We and our subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of numerous state and foreign jurisdictions. We are generally no 
longer subject to U.S. federal tax examinations for taxable years before 2012 and, with limited exceptions, state and foreign income tax examinations for taxable 
years before 2007.

We are currently undergoing income tax examinations in various state and foreign jurisdictions covering 2007 to 2014. Although the final outcome of these 

examinations cannot be currently determined, we believe that we have adequate reserves with respect to these examinations.

We do not anticipate that total unrecognized tax benefits will change significantly within the next 12 months.

17.  Share-Based Compensation

We have four plans under which we have awarded share-based compensation grants: The 1999 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan (“1999 
Plan”), which provided for share-based compensation grants to our executives and key employees, the 1997 Non-Employee Directors Option Plan (“1997 Plan”), 
which provided for stock option grants to our non-employee Directors, the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (“2007 Plan”) and the Amended and Restated 2010 Stock 
Incentive Plan, as Amended (“2010 Plan”), which were adopted as a continuing step toward aggregating our equity compensation programs to reduce the 
complexity of our equity compensation programs.

44

 
 
 
 
 
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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

The 1997 Plan was terminated in 2006 and all remaining shares were transferred to the 1999 Plan as approved by the shareholders in 2006. Awards 
granted under the 1997 Plan prior to 2006 that remain outstanding continue to be governed by the respective plan under which the grant was made. Upon 
approval of the 1999 Plan in 2006, we ceased making grants of future awards under these plans and subsequent grants of future awards were made from the 
1999 Plan and governed by its terms.

The 2007 Plan terminated our rights to grant awards under the 1999 Plan.  Awards previously granted under the 1999 Plan remain outstanding and continue 

to be governed by the terms of that plan.

The 2010 Plan, originally approved by our shareholders on April 28, 2010 and amended and restated by our shareholders on April 25, 2012, terminated 
our rights to grant awards under the 2007 Plan; however, any awards granted under the 2007 or 2010 Plans that do not result in the issuance of shares of 
Common Stock may again be used for an award under the 2010 Plan. The 2010 Plan was amended and restated by our shareholders on April 24, 2013, 
increasing the number of shares available under the amended 2010 Plan from 1,500,000 shares to 2,600,000 shares.

As of December 31, 2015, there were 262,498 shares reserved for issuance under the 1997 Plan, the 1999 Plan and the 2007 Plan for outstanding 
compensation awards and 1,078,271 shares were available for issuance under the 2010 Plan for current and future equity awards. The Compensation Committee 
of the Board of Directors determines the number of shares awarded and the grant date, subject to the terms of our equity award policy.

We recognized total Share-Based Compensation Expense of $8,222, $7,314 and $6,116, respectively, during the years ended 2015, 2014 and 2013. The 
total excess tax benefit recognized for share-based compensation arrangements during the years ended 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $859, $1,793 and $5,178, 
respectively.

Stock Option Awards

We determined the fair value of our stock option awards using the Black-Scholes valuation model that uses the assumptions noted in the table below. The 
expected life selected for stock options granted during the year represents the period of time that the stock options are expected to be outstanding based on 
historical data of stock option holder exercise and termination behavior of similar grants. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the 
stock option is based on the U.S. Treasury rate over the expected life at the time of grant. Expected volatilities are based upon historical volatility of our stock 
over a period equal to the expected life of each stock option grant. Dividend yield is estimated over the expected life based on our dividend policy and historical 
dividends paid. We use historical data to estimate pre-vesting forfeiture rates and revise those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from 
those estimates.

The following table illustrates the valuation assumptions used for the 2015, 2014 and 2013 grants:

Expected volatility

Weighted-average expected volatility

Expected dividend yield

Weighted-average expected dividend yield

Expected term, in years

Risk-free interest rate

2015

32 - 36%

36%

2014

47 - 50%

50%

1.1 - 1.2%

1.1 - 1.3%

1.2%

5

1.3%

6

2013

51%

51%

1.6%

1.6%

6

1.4 - 1.6%

1.8 - 2.0%

0.9 - 1.1%

Employee stock option awards prior to 2005 included a reload feature for options granted to key employees. This feature allowed employees to exercise 
options through a stock-for-stock exercise using mature shares, and employees were granted a new stock option (reload option) equal to the number of shares 
of Common Stock used to satisfy both the exercise price of the option and the minimum tax withholding requirements. The reload options granted had an exercise 
price equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the grant date. Stock options granted in conjunction with reloads vested immediately and had a 
term equal to the remaining life of the initial grant. Compensation expense was fully recognized for reload stock options as of the reload date. The final reload 
options outstanding were exercised in January 2014.

Beginning in 2004, new stock option awards granted vest one-third each year over a three year period and have a ten year contractual term. These grants 
do not contain a reload feature. Compensation expense equal to the grant date fair value is recognized for these awards over the vesting period. Stock options 
granted to employees are subject to accelerated expensing if the option holder meets the retirements definition set forth in the 2010 Plan.

In addition to stock options, we also occasionally grant cash-settled stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) to employees in certain foreign locations. There 

were no outstanding SARs as of December 31, 2015 and no SARs were granted during 2015, 2014 or 2013.

45

 
Table of Contents
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

The following table summarizes the activity during the year ended December 31, 2015 for stock option awards:

Outstanding at beginning of year

Granted

Exercised

Forfeited

Expired

Outstanding at end of year

Exercisable at end of year

Shares

Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

908,030

$

177,020

(54,060)

(10,814)

(1,218)

1,018,958

756,470

$

$

34.21

66.49

31.03

59.22

60.67

39.69

31.68

The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $20.08, $26.93 and 
$19.62, respectively. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $1,702, $2,972 and 
$15,641, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2015 was $19,260 and $18,926, respectively. The 
weighted-average remaining contractual life for options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2015, was 6 years and 5 years, respectively. As of 
December 31, 2015, there was unrecognized compensation cost for nonvested options of $2,187 which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average 
period of 1.2 years.

Restricted Share Awards

Restricted share awards for employees generally have a three year vesting period from the effective date of the grant. Restricted share awards to non-
employee directors vest upon a change of control or upon termination of service as a director occurring at least six months after grant date of the award so long 
as termination is for one of the following reasons: death; disability; retirement in accordance with Tennant policy (e.g., age, term limits, etc.); resignation at 
request of Board (other than for gross misconduct); resignation following at least six months’ advance notice; failure to be renominated (unless due to unwillingness 
to serve) or reelected by shareholders; or removal by shareholders. We use the closing share price the day before the grant date to determine the fair value 
our restricted share awards. Expenses on these awards are recognized over the vesting period.

The following table summarizes the activity during the year ended December 31, 2015 for nonvested restricted share awards:

Nonvested at beginning of year

Granted

Vested

Forfeited

Nonvested at end of year

Shares

Weighted-Average
Grant Date Fair
Value

144,475

$

23,048

(24,245)

(4,459)

138,819

$

40.51

66.33

43.47

55.96

43.83

The total fair value of shares vested during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $1,054, $827 and $643, respectively. As of December 31, 
2015, there was $1,568 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested shares which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average 
period of 1.8 years.

Performance Share Awards

We grant performance share awards to key employees as a part of our long-term management compensation program. These awards are earned based 
upon achievement of certain financial performance targets over a three year period. The number of shares of common stock a participant receives will be 
increased (up to 200 percent  of target levels) or reduced (down to zero) based on the level of achievement of the financial performance targets. We use the 
closing share price the day before the grant date to determine the fair value of our performance share awards. Expenses on these awards are recognized over 
a three year performance period. Performance shares are granted in restricted stock units. They are payable in stock and vest solely upon achievement of 
certain financial performance targets during this three year period.

46

 
 
Table of Contents
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

The following table summarizes the activity during the year ended December 31, 2015 for nonvested performance share awards:

Nonvested at beginning of year

Granted

Vested

Forfeited

Nonvested at end of year

Shares

Weighted-Average
Grant Date Fair
Value

152,555

$

50,010

(38,902)

(22,289)

141,374

$

49.20

66.63

44.03

53.75

56.07

The total fair value of shares vested during the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $1,713 and $4,346, respectively. There were no shares 
paid out for the year ended December 31, 2013. As of December 31, 2015, there was $2,660 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested 
shares which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.

Restricted Stock Units

We grant restricted stock units to employees, which generally vest within three years from the date of the grant. Vested restricted stock units are paid out 
in stock. We use the closing share price the day before the grant date to determine the fair value our restricted stock units. Expenses on these awards are 
recognized over a three year period.

The following table summarizes the activity during the year ended December 31, 2015 for nonvested restricted stock units:

Nonvested at beginning of year

Granted

Vested

Forfeited

Nonvested at end of year

Shares

Weighted-Average
Grant Date Fair
Value

16,549

$

18,061

(150)

(1,814)

32,646

$

69.24

64.58

65.26

65.52

66.89

The total fair value of shares vested during the year ended December 31, 2015 was $10. Since 2015 was the first year we paid out on vested restricted 
stock units, there were no restricted stock units that vested for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. As of December 31, 2015, there was $1,078 of 
total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested shares which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.2 years. 

Share-Based Liabilities

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had $149 and $139 in total share-based liabilities recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively. 
During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we paid out $53, $275 and $3,134 related to 2012, 2011 and 2010 share-based liability awards, 
respectively.

47

Table of Contents

18.  Earnings Per Share

The computations of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

Numerator:

Net Earnings

Denominator:

Basic - Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

Effect of dilutive securities

Diluted - Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

Basic Earnings per Share

Diluted Earnings per Share

2015

2014

2013

$

32,088

$

50,651

$

40,231

18,015,151

18,217,384

18,297,371

478,296

523,474

536,082

18,493,447

18,740,858

18,833,453

$

$

1.78

1.74

$

$

2.78

2.70

$

$

2.20

2.14

Options to purchase 222,092, 91,199 and 132,803 shares of Common Stock were outstanding during 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, but were not 
included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. These exclusions are made if the exercise prices of these options are greater than the average market 
price of our Common Stock for the period, if the number of shares we can repurchase under the treasury stock method exceeds the weighted shares outstanding 
in the options, or if we have a net loss, as the effects are anti-dilutive.

19.  Segment Reporting

We are organized into four operating segments: North America; Latin America; Europe, Middle East, Africa; and Asia Pacific. We combine our North America 
and Latin America operating segments into the "Americas" for reporting net sales by geographic area. In accordance with the objective and basic principles of 
the applicable accounting guidance, we aggregate our operating segments into one reportable segment that consists of the design, manufacture and sale of 
products used primarily in the maintenance of nonresidential surfaces.

The following table presents Net Sales by operating segment for the years ended December 31:

Net Sales:

Americas

Europe, Middle East, Africa

Asia Pacific

Total

The following table presents long-lived assets by operating segment as of December 31:

Long-lived assets:

Americas

Europe, Middle East, Africa

Asia Pacific

Total

2015

2014

2013

591,405

$

569,004

$

139,834

80,560

165,686

87,293

811,799

$

821,983

$

514,544

157,208

80,259

752,011

2015

2014

2013

110,842

$

103,958

$

106,409

11,100

4,658

24,051

3,669

28,296

3,882

126,600

$

131,678

$

138,587

$

$

$

$

Accounting policies of the operations in the various operating segments are the same as those described in Note 1. Net Sales are attributed to each 
operating segment based on the country from which the product is shipped and are net of intercompany sales. Information regarding sales to customers 
geographically located in the United States is provided in Item 1, Business - Segment and Geographic Area Financial Information. No single customer represents 
more than 10% of our consolidated Net Sales. Long-lived assets consist of Property, Plant and Equipment, Goodwill, Intangible Assets and certain other assets.

48

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

The following table presents revenues for groups of similar products and services for the years ended December 31:

Net Sales:

Equipment

Parts and consumables

Service and other

Specialty surface coatings

Total

20.  Consolidated Quarterly Data (Unaudited)

Net Sales

Gross Profit

Net Earnings (Loss)

Basic Earnings (Loss) per Share

Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share

Net Sales

Gross Profit

Net Earnings

Basic Earnings per Share

Diluted Earnings per Share

2015

2014

2013

$

499,634

$

500,141

$

175,697

112,622

23,846

182,845

114,027

24,970

$

811,799

$

821,983

$

444,773

176,442

109,533

21,263

752,011

2015

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

185,740

$

215,404

$

204,802

$

205,853

78,081

5,026

0.27

0.27

$

$

95,033

14,817

0.81

0.79

$

$

2014

88,657

(951)

(0.05) $

(0.05) $

87,289

13,196

0.74

0.73

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

183,979

$

219,084

$

202,643

$

216,277

76,917

5,795

0.32

0.31

$

$

95,263

15,523

0.85

0.83

$

$

87,163

11,792

0.65

0.63

$

$

93,084

17,541

0.96

0.93

$

$

$

$

$

$

The summation of quarterly data may not equate to the calculation for the full fiscal year as quarterly calculations are performed on a discrete basis.

Regular quarterly dividends aggregated to $0.80 per share in 2015, or $0.20 per share per quarter, and $0.78 per share in 2014, or $0.18 per share for 

the first quarter of 2014 and $0.20 per share for the last three quarters of 2014.

21.  Related Party Transactions

On July 31, 2012, we entered into a SPA with M&F, as further discussed in Note 4. Two of the M&F shareholders are individuals who were employed by 

Tennant prior to the transaction date and are no longer employed by Tennant as of the transaction date.

During the first quarter of 2008, we acquired Sociedade Alfa Ltda. and entered into lease agreements for certain properties owned by or partially owned 
by the former owners of this entity. Some of these individuals are current employees of Tennant. Lease payments made under these lease agreements are not 
material to our financial position or results of operations.

22.  Subsequent Event

On January 19, 2016, we signed a BPA with Green Machines International GmbH and affiliates, subsidiaries of M&F, which is also parent company of the 
master distributor of our products in Central Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, TCS EMEA GmbH, for the sale of our Green Machines outdoor city cleaning 
line. Per the BPA, the sale officially closed on January 31, 2016. Further details regarding the sale of our Green Machines outdoor city cleaning line are discussed 
in Note 6.

49

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

ITEM 9 – Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants 
on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

ITEM 9A – Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer 
and  our  Principal  Financial  and  Accounting  Officer,  have  evaluated  the 
effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures for the period ended 
December 31, 2015 (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the 
Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934  (the  “Exchange  Act”)).  Based  on  that 
evaluation,  our  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  our  Principal  Financial  and 
Accounting  Officer  have  concluded  that  our  disclosure  controls  and 
procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed 
by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, 
processed,  summarized  and  reported  within  the  time  periods  specified  in 
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  rules  and  forms,  and  that  such 
information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including 
our principal executive and our principal financial officers, as appropriate to 
allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our  management  is  responsible  for  establishing  and  maintaining 
adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in 
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with 
the participation of our management, including our Principal Executive Officer 
and Principal Accounting and Financial Officer, we conducted an assessment 
of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on 
the  framework  in  Internal  Control  –  Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the 
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based 
on  our  assessment  under  the  framework  in  Internal  Control  –  Integrated 
Framework  (COSO)  (2013),  our  management  concluded  that  our  internal 
control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2015.

KPMG  LLP,  an  independent  registered  public  accounting  firm,  has 
audited the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report 
on Form 10-K and, as a part of this audit, has issued their report, included in 
Item 8, on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ H. Chris Killingstad

H. Chris Killingstad
President and Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Thomas Paulson

Thomas Paulson
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

Attestation Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The attestation report required under this item is contained in Item 8 of 

this annual report on Form 10-K.

Changes in Internal Control

There were no significant changes in our internal control over financial 
reporting during the most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially 
affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over 
financial reporting.

ITEM 9B – Other Information

None.

50

PART III

ITEM  10  –  Directors,  Executive  Officers  and  Corporate 
Governance

Information required under this item with respect to directors is contained 
in the sections entitled “Board of Directors Information” and “Section 16(a) 
Beneficial  Ownership  Reporting  Compliance”  as  part  of  our  2016  Proxy 
Statement  and is incorporated herein by reference.

The list below identifies those persons designated as executive officers 
of the Company, including their age, positions held with the Company and 
their business experience during the past five or more years.

David W. Huml, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing

David W. Huml (47) joined the Company in November 2014 as Senior 
Vice President, Global Marketing. From 2006 to October 2014, he held various 
positions with Pentair plc, a global manufacturer of water and fluid solutions, 
valves and controls, equipment protection and thermal management products, 
most recently as Vice President, Applied Water Platform. From 1992 to 2006, 
he  held  various  positions  with  Graco  Inc.,  a  designer,  manufacturer  and 
marketer of systems and equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and 
spray fluid and coating materials, including Worldwide Director of Marketing, 
Contractor Equipment Division.

H. Chris Killingstad, President and Chief Executive Officer

H.  Chris  Killingstad  (60)  joined  the  Company  in April  2002  as  Vice 
President, North America and was named President and CEO in 2005. From 
1990 to 2002, he was employed by The Pillsbury Company, a consumer foods 
manufacturer. From 1999 to 2002 he served as Senior Vice President and 
General Manager of Frozen Products for Pillsbury North America; from 1996 
to  1999  he  served  as  Regional  Vice  President  and  Managing  Director  of 
Pillsbury  Europe,  and  from  1990  to  1996  was  Regional  Vice  President  of 
Haagen-Dazs Asia  Pacific.  He  held  the  position  of  International  Business 
Development  Manager  at  PepsiCo  Inc.,  from  1982-1990  and  Financial 
Manager for General Electric, from 1978-1980.

Carol E. McKnight, Senior Vice President, Global Human Resources

Carol E. McKnight (48) joined the Company in June 2014 as Senior Vice 
President,  Global  Human  Resources.  From  2002  to  May  2014,  she  held 
various positions with Alliant Techsystems, Inc. (ATK), an aerospace, defense 
and  sporting  goods  company,  most  recently  as  Vice  President,  Human 
Resources.  From  2000  to  2002,  she  was  a  Compensation  Consultant/
Manager at NRG Energy, Inc., a wholesale power generation company. From 
1994 to 2000, she provided consulting and project management services for 
SilverStone Group, Inc. (formerly Mathis & Associates, LLC), a compensation 
and benefits consulting firm.

Jeffrey C. Moorefield, Senior Vice President, Global Operations

Jeffrey C. Moorefield (52) joined the Company in April 2015 as Senior 
Vice President, Global Operations. From 2001 to 2008 and 2010 to March 
2015, he held various positions with Pentair plc, a global manufacturer of 
water  and  fluid  solutions,  valves  and  controls,  equipment  protection  and 
thermal management products, most recently as Global Vice President of 
Operation  -  Technical  Solutions.  From  2008  to  2010,  he  was  Head  of 
Operations  for  Netshape Technology,  a  technical  start-up  company.  From 
1987 to 2001, he held various positions with Emerson Electric Company, a 
worldwide  technology  and  engineering  company,  culminating  in  Vice 
President, Operations. From 1985 to 1987, he was a Design Engineer at Smith 
& Proffit Machine & Engineering, a custom equipment engineering company.

Thomas Paulson, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Thomas  Paulson  (59)  joined  the  Company  in  March  2006  as  Vice 
President and Chief Financial Officer and was named Senior Vice President 
and Chief Financial Officer in October 2013. Prior to joining Tennant, he was 
Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Innovex from 2001 to 
February  2006.  Prior  to  joining  Innovex,  a  manufacturer  of  electronic 
interconnect solutions, he worked for The Pillsbury Company for over 19 years. 
He became a Vice President at Pillsbury in 1995 and was the Vice President 
of Finance for the $4 billion North American Foods Division for over two years 
before joining Innovex. 

Michael W. Schaefer, Senior Vice President, Chief Technical Officer

Michael W. Schaefer (55) joined the Company in January 2008 as Vice 
President,  Chief Technical  Officer  and  was  named  Senior  Vice  President, 
Chief Technical Officer in October 2013. From 2000 to January 2008, he was 
Vice President of Dispensing Systems, Lean Six Sigma and Quality at Ecolab, 
Inc., a provider of cleaning, sanitizing, food safety and infection prevention 
products and services, where he led R&D efforts for their equipment business, 
continuous improvement and standardization of R&D processes. Prior to that, 
he  held  various  management  positions  at  Alticor  Corporation  and  Kraft 
General Foods.

ITEM 11 – Executive Compensation

Information required under this item is contained in the sections entitled 
“Director Compensation” and “Executive Compensation Information” as part 
of our 2016 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12 – Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial 
Owners and Management and Related Shareholder 
Matters

Information required under this item is contained in the sections entitled 
“Equity Compensation Plan Information” and “Security Ownership of Certain 
Beneficial Owners and Management” as part of our 2016 Proxy Statement 
and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13 – Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, 
and Director Independence

Information required under this item is contained in the sections entitled 
“Director Independence” and “Related Person Transaction Approval Policy” 
as part of our 2016 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

Heidi M. Wilson, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

ITEM 14 – Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Information required under this item is contained in the section entitled 
“Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” as part of our 
2016 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

Heidi M. Wilson (65) joined the Company in 2003 as Assistant General 
Counsel and Assistant Secretary. She was named Vice President, General 
Counsel and Secretary in 2005 and Senior Vice President, General Counsel 
and Secretary in October 2013. She was a partner with General Counsel Ltd. 
during 2003. From 1995 to 2001, she was Vice President, General Counsel 
and Secretary at Musicland Group, Inc. From 1993 to 1995, she was Senior 
Legal Counsel at Medtronic, Inc. Prior to that, she was a partner at Faegre & 
Benson LLP (predecessor to Faegre Baker Daniels LLP), a Minneapolis law 
firm, which she joined in 1976.

Richard H. Zay, Senior Vice President, The Americas

Richard H. Zay (45) joined the Company in June 2010 as Vice President, 
Global Marketing. He was named Senior Vice President, Global Marketing in 
October 2013 and Senior Vice President, The Americas in July 2014. From 
2006 to June 2010, he held various positions with Whirlpool Corporation, a 
manufacturer of major home appliances, most recently as General Manager, 
KitchenAid Brand. From 1993 to 2006, he held various positions with Maytag 
Corporation, including Vice President, Jenn-Air Brand, Director of Marketing, 
Maytag Brand, and Director of Cooking Category Management.

Business Ethics Guide

We  have  adopted  the Tennant  Company  Business  Ethics  Guide,  as 
amended by the Board of Directors in December 2011, which applies to all of 
our employees, directors, consultants, agents and anyone else acting on our 
behalf. The Business Ethics Guide includes particular provisions applicable 
to  our  senior  financial  management,  which  includes  our  Chief  Executive 
Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Controller and other employees performing 
similar functions. A copy of our Business Ethics Guide is available on the 
Investor Relations website at investors.tennantco.com, and a copy will be 
mailed upon request to Investor Relations, Tennant Company, P.O. Box 1452, 
Minneapolis,  MN  55440-1452.  We  intend  to  post  on  our  website  any 
amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of our Business Ethics Guide that 
applies to our Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Principal 
Accounting Officer, Controller and other persons performing similar functions 
promptly following the date of such amendment or waiver. In addition, we have 
also posted copies of our Corporate Governance Principles and the Charters 
for our Audit, Compensation, Governance and Executive Committees on our 
website.

51

Table of Contents

ITEM 15 – Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

A.  The following documents are filed as a part of this report:

1. 

Financial Statements

PART IV

Consolidated Financial Statements filed as part of this report are contained in Item 8 of this annual report on Form 10-K.

2. 

Financial Statement Schedule

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

(In thousands)

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Returns:

Balance at beginning of year

Charged to costs and expenses

Reclassification (1)

Charged to other accounts (2)

Deductions (3)

Balance at end of year

Inventory Reserves:

Balance at beginning of year

Charged to costs and expenses

Charged to other accounts (2)

Deductions (4)

Balance at end of year

Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets:

Balance at beginning of year

Charged to costs and expenses

Charged to other accounts (2)

Balance at end of year

2015

2014

2013

$

$

$

$

$

$

3,936

$

4,526

$

1,087

172

(159)

(1,421)

3,615

3,272

1,728

(160)

(1,300)

3,540

5,699

734

(549)

$

$

$

$

999

—

(319)

(1,270)

3,936

3,250

622

(194)

(406)

3,272

7,243

(636)

(908)

$

$

$

$

5,884

$

5,699

$

4,399

1,279

—

102

(1,254)

4,526

3,724

1,044

(88)

(1,430)

3,250

4,719

2,239

285

7,243

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

Includes amount reclassified from Other Current Liabilities to Allowance for Doubtful Accounts to properly classify a customer's open receivables 
balance.

Primarily includes impact from foreign currency fluctuations.

Includes accounts determined to be uncollectible and charged against reserves, net of collections on accounts previously charged against reserves.

Includes inventory identified as excess, slow moving or obsolete and charged against reserves.

All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes 

thereto.

52

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

3.  Exhibits

Item #

Description

Method of Filing

Restated Articles of Incorporation

Certificate of Designation

Amended and Restated By-Laws

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3i to the Company’s Form
10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(iii) to the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 14, 2010.

Rights Agreement, dated as of November 10, 2006, between the
Company and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Rights Agent

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to Form 8-A dated
November 14, 2006.

Tennant Company Executive Nonqualified Deferred
Compensation Plan, as restated effective January 1, 2009, as
amended*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form
10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012.

Form of Amended and Restated Management Agreement and
Executive Employment Agreement*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Schedule of parties to Management and Executive Employment
Agreement

Filed herewith electronically.

Tennant Company Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (as
amended and restated effective May 6, 2004)*

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Form
10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.

Tennant Company Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive
Plan*

Tennant Company 2007 Stock Incentive Plan*

Incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy
Statement for the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed on
March 15, 2006.

Incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy
Statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed on
March 15, 2007.

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of June 30,
2015

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 7, 2015.

Deferred Stock Unit Agreement (awards in and after 2008)*

Deferred Stock Unit Agreement (awards in and after 2008)*

3i

3ii

3iii

4.1

10.1

10.2

10.3

10.4

10.5

10.6

10.7

10.8

10.9

Tennant Company 2014 Short-Term Incentive Plan*

10.10

Private Shelf Agreement dated as of July 29, 2009

Incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Company's Proxy
Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed on
March 11, 2013.

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 30, 2009.

10.11

10.12

10.13

10.14

21

23.1

31.1

31.2

32.1

32.2

Amendment No. 1 to Private Shelf Agreement dated as of May 5,
2011

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Form
10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011.

Amendment No. 2 to Private Shelf Agreement dated as of July
24, 2012

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 26, 2012.

Amendment No. 3 to Private Shelf Agreement dated as of June
30, 2015

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 7, 2015.

Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, as Amended*

Incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company's Proxy
Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed on
March 11, 2013.

Subsidiaries of the Registrant

Consent of KPMG, LLP Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm

Filed herewith electronically.

Filed herewith electronically.

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer

Filed herewith electronically.

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer

Filed herewith electronically.

Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer

Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer

Filed herewith electronically.

Filed herewith electronically.

53

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Contents

101

The following financial information from Tennant Company’s
annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31,
2015, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2016, formatted in
Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the
Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended
December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, (ii) the Consolidated
Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended
December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, (iii) the Consolidated
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, (iv) the
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, (v) the Consolidated
Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended
December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, and (vi) Notes to the
Consolidated Financial Statements.

Filed herewith electronically.

* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this annual report on Form 10-K.

54

 
Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on 

its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

TENNANT COMPANY

By

Date  

/s/ H. Chris Killingstad
H. Chris Killingstad
President, CEO and
Board of Directors
February 26, 2016

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons on 

behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By

Date  

By

Date  

By

Date  

By

Date  

By

Date  

By

Date  

/s/ H. Chris Killingstad
H. Chris Killingstad
President, CEO and
Board of Directors
February 26, 2016

/s/ Thomas Paulson
Thomas Paulson
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
February 26, 2016

/s/ Azita Arvani
Azita Arvani
Board of Directors
February 26, 2016

/s/ William F. Austen
William F. Austen
Board of Directors
February 26, 2016

/s/ Carol S. Eicher
Carol S. Eicher
Board of Directors
February 26, 2016

/s/ James T. Hale
James T. Hale
Board of Directors
February 26, 2016

By

Date

By

Date  

By

Date  

By

Date  

By

Date

/s/ Donal L. Mulligan
Donal L. Mulligan
Board of Directors
February 26, 2016

/s/ Stephen G. Shank
Stephen G. Shank
Board of Directors
February 26, 2016

/s/ Steven A. Sonnenberg
Steven A. Sonnenberg
Board of Directors
February 26, 2016

/s/ David S. Wichmann
David S. Wichmann
Board of Directors
February 26, 2016

/s/ David Windley
David Windley
Board of Directors
February 26, 2016

55