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Tennant Company

tnc · NYSE Industrials
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Sector Industrials
Industry Industrial - Machinery
Employees 4500
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FY2016 Annual Report · Tennant Company
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Tennant Company  For the year ended December 31, 2016 

Form 10-K 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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, 2016

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

Common Stock, par value $0.375 per share

  Name of exchange on which registered

New York Stock Exchange

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

Indicate by check mark if the 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).
Yes
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2016, was $929,372,459.
As of February 10, 2017, there were 17,695,327 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

No

Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 2017 annual meeting of shareholders (the “2017 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

Debt

1
2 Management Actions
Acquisitions
3
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 Events

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
Item 16

Form 10-K Summary
Signatures

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TENNANT COMPANY
2016
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 $525.3 million, 
$517.9 million and $479.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 
2015 and 2014, respectively. Long-lived assets located in the United States 
were $109.2 million and $92.2 million as of the years ended December 31, 
2016  and  2015,  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 4 and 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

that 

Although 

the  Company  considers 

its  patents,  proprietary 
technologies and trade secrets, 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 
item or category of intellectual property. We take appropriate measures to 
protect our intellectual property to the extent such intellectual property can be 
protected.

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, 2016 and 2015.

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 2016, 
2015 and 2014, the Company spent $34.7 million, $32.4 million and $29.4 
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 3,236 people in worldwide operations as of 

December 31, 2016.

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  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 
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. 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 
negatively  affect  investor  perception  relative  to  our  publicly  stated  growth 
targets.

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.

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  we  may  not  have  adequate  talent 
acquisition resources and employee development resources to support our 
future hiring needs and provide training and development opportunities to all 
employees. This, in turn, could impede our workforce from embracing change 
and  leveraging  the  improvements  we  have  made in  technology  and other 
business process enhancements.

We may consider acquisition of suitable candidates to accomplish 
our growth objectives. We may not be able to successfully integrate the 
businesses  we  acquire  to  achieve  operational  efficiencies,  including 
synergistic and other benefits of acquisition.

We may consider, as part of our growth strategy, supplementing our 
organic  growth  through  acquisitions  of  complementary  businesses  or 
products. We have engaged in acquisitions in the past and believe future 
acquisitions may provide meaningful opportunities to grow our business and 
improve  profitability. Acquisitions  allow  us  to  enhance  the  breadth  of  our 
product offerings and expand the market and geographic participation of our 
products and services. 

4

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.

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.

However,  our  success  in  growing  by  acquisition  is  dependent  upon 
identifying businesses to acquire, integrating the newly acquired businesses 
with  our  existing  businesses  and  complying  with  the  terms  of  our  credit 
facilities.  We  may  incur  difficulties  in  the  realignment  and  integration  of 
business  activities  when  assimilating  the  operations  and  products  of  an 
acquired business or in realizing projected efficiencies, cost savings, revenue 
synergies and profit margins. Acquired businesses may not achieve the levels 
of revenue, profit, productivity or otherwise perform as expected. We are also 
subject to incurring unanticipated liabilities and contingencies associated with 
an acquired entity that are not identified or fully understood in the due diligence 
process. Current or future acquisitions may not be successful or accretive to 
earnings if the acquired businesses do not achieve expected financial results.

In addition, we may record significant goodwill or other intangible assets 
in connection with an acquisition. We are required to perform impairment tests 
at least annually and whenever events indicate that the carrying value may 
not be recoverable from future cash flows. If we determine that any intangible 
asset values need to be written down to their fair values, this could result in 
a charge that may be material to our operating results and financial condition.

 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.

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.

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.

5

We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over 
financial reporting. If our remedial measures are insufficient to address 
the  material  weaknesses,  or  if  additional  material  weaknesses  or 
significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting 
are  discovered  or  occur  in  the  future,  our  consolidated  financial 
statements may contain material misstatements, which could adversely 
affect  our  stock  price  and  could  negatively  impact  our  results  of 
operations.

As  of  December  31,  2016,  we  concluded  that  there  were  material 
weaknesses  in  our  internal  control  over  financial  reporting.  A  material 
weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control 
over  financial  reporting  such  that  there  is  a  reasonable  possibility  that  a 
material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be 
prevented or detected on a timely basis. See Item 9A in Part II of this Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for details.

While we are committed to remediating the control deficiencies that gave 
rise  to  the  material  weaknesses,  there  can  be  no  assurances  that  our 
remediation efforts will be successful or that we will be able to prevent future 
control  deficiencies  (including  material  weaknesses)  from  happening  that 
could cause us to incur unforeseen costs, negatively impact our results of 
operations,  cause  our  consolidated  financial  results  to  contain  material 
misstatements,  cause  the  market  price  of  our  common  stock  to  decline, 
damage  our 
reputation  or  have  other  potential  material  adverse 
consequences.

ITEM 1B – Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

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;  Chicago, 
Illinois; and Uden, the Netherlands are owned by the Company. Manufacturing 
facilities located in Louisville, Kentucky; 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 our former 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.

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 and to a lesser 
extent in 2016.

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. 

6

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 February 10, 2017, 
there were 348 shareholders of record. The common stock price was $71.10 per share on February 10, 2017. 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

2016

2015

High

Low

High

Low

$

55.71

$

45.92

$

72.52

$

56.33

66.54

76.80

49.97

52.51

60.21

70.12

66.38

62.92

63.14

62.59

54.00

54.39

DIVIDEND INFORMATION – Cash dividends on Tennant’s common stock have been paid for 72 consecutive years. Tennant’s annual cash dividend payout 
increased for the 45th consecutive year to $0.81 per share in 2016, an increase of $0.01 per share over 2015. Dividends are generally declared each quarter. 
On February 15, 2017, the Company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.21 per share payable March 15, 2017, to shareholders of record on March 2, 
2017.

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 2017 Proxy Statement.

SHARE REPURCHASES – On October 31, 2016, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional 1,000,000 shares of our common 
stock. This was in addition to the 395,049 shares remaining under our prior repurchase program as of December 31, 2016. 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, 2016

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, 2016

November 1–30, 2016

December 1–31, 2016

Total

106

1,228

157

1,491

63.88

64.25

52.42

$62.98

—

—

—

—

1,395,049

1,395,049

1,395,049

1,395,049

(1) 

Includes 1,491 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

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, 2011, including the reinvestment of all dividends.

5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN COMPARISON

Tennant Company

S&P SmallCap 600

Morningstar Industrials Sector

2011

$100

$100

$100

2012

$115

$116

$115

2013

$180

$164

$164

2014

$194

$174

$179

2015

$153

$170

$174

2016

$196

$167

$206

8

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

Years Ended December 31

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

Financial Results:

Net Sales

Cost of Sales

Gross Margin - %

Research and Development Expense

% of Net Sales

Selling and Administrative Expense

% of Net Sales

Loss (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

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

808,572

456,977

43.5

34,738

4.3

248,210

30.7

149

—

—

—

68,498

8.5

(2,007)

66,491

8.2

19,877

29.9

46,614

5.8

2.66

2.59

17,976,183

0.81

470,037

36,194

278,543

2.2

11.5%

57,878

(25,911)

31,967

18,300

3,236

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

811,799

462,739

43.0

32,415

4.0

252,270

(1)

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

413,684

(3)

44.0

29,263

4.0

232,976

(2)

234,114

(3)

31.0
—

—

—

—

31.7

(784)

(3)

(0.1)

—

—

62,403

(2)

62,703

(3)

8.3

(2,525)

8.5

(2,813)

59,878

(2)

59,890

(3)

8.0

8.1

19,647

(2)

18,306

(3)

32.8

30.6

40,231

(2)

41,584

(3)

5.3

5.6

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

The results of operations from our 2011 acquisition have 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

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. 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.

Tennant continues to invest in innovative product development with 4.3% 
of 2016 Net Sales spent on R&D. During 2016, we continued to invest in 
developing innovative new products for our traditional core business, as well 
as advancing a suite of sustainable cleaning technologies. New products are 
a key driver of sales growth. There were 10 new products and product variants 
launched in 2016 including three models of emerging market floor machines, 
two models of the M17 battery-powered sweeper-scrubber, three large next-
generation  cleaning  machines:  the  M20  and  M30  integrated  sweeper-
scrubbers, and the T20 heavy-duty industrial rider scrubber, and two models 
of the commercial dryer/air mover.

We ended 2016 with a Debt-to-Capital ratio of 11.5%, $58.0 million in 
Cash and Cash Equivalents compared to $51.3 million at the end of 2015, 
and  Shareholders’  Equity  of  $278.5  million.  During  2016,  we  generated 
operating cash flows of $57.9 million, paid a total of $14.3 million in cash 
dividends  and  repurchased  $12.8  million  of  common  stock.  Total  debt 
increased to $36.2 million as of December 31, 2016, compared to $24.7 million 
at the end of 2015, due primarily to the 2016 acquisitions.

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 2016 totaled $808.6 million, down 0.4% from $811.8 million 
in the prior year primarily due to an unfavorable impact from foreign currency 
exchange of approximately 1.0%, an unfavorable net impact of 0.5% resulting 
from the sale of our Green MachinesTM outdoor city cleaning line, partially 
offset by the acquisition of the Florock® Polymer Flooring brand ("Florock"), 
and lower sales of commercial equipment, particularly within the Asia Pacific 
("APAC") region. These impacts were more than offset by strong sales of 
industrial equipment and sales of new products, particularly in the Americas 
region.  2016  organic  sales  growth,  which  excludes  the  impact  of  foreign 
currency exchange and acquisitions and divestitures, was up approximately 
1.1% from 2015 with growth in the Americas and Europe, Middle East and 
Africa ("EMEA") geographical regions. 2016 Gross Profit margin increased 
50 basis points to 43.5% from 43.0% in 2015 primarily due to a more favorable 
product mix (with relatively higher sales of industrial equipment and lower 
sales of commercial equipment). This was somewhat offset by manufacturing 
productivity challenges in North America. Selling and Administrative Expense 
(“S&A Expense”) decreased 1.6% to $248.2 million in 2016 from $252.3 million 
in 2015, which included the third and fourth quarter restructuring charges we 
recorded in 2015 of $3.7 million that did not repeat in 2016. Further details 
regarding  the  2015  restructuring  actions  are  discussed  in  Note  2  to  the 
Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  Operating  Profit  was  $68.5  million  in 
2016, as compared to Operating Profit of $53.2 million in the prior year which 
included  $11.2  million  for  the  pre-tax  non-cash  Impairment  of  Long-Lived 
Assets as a result of the classification of our Green Machines assets as held 
for sale and also the $3.7 million pre-tax restructuring charges recorded in 
2015. Operating Profit margin increased 190 basis points to 8.5% in 2016 
from 6.6% in 2015. 2016 Operating Profit was also favorably impacted by 
higher Gross Profit despite the lower Net Sales in 2016 as compared to 2015. 
Due to the overall strengthening of the U.S. dollar  relative to other currencies 
in 
foreign  currency  exchange  reduced  Operating  Profit  by 
approximately $1.2 million. 

  2016, 

Net Earnings of $46.6 million for  2016 were $14.5 million greater than 
2015. 2015 Net Earnings were impacted by the $11.2 million pre-tax non-cash 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets as a result of the classification of our Green 
Machines  assets  as  held  for  sale  as  well  as  the  $3.7  million  pre-tax 
restructuring charges that did not repeat in 2016. 

10

Historical Results

The following table compares the historical results of operations for the 
years  ended  December 31,  2016,  2015  and  2014  in  dollars  and  as  a 
percentage  of  Net  Sales  (in  thousands,  except  per  share  amounts  and 
percentages):

2016

%

2015

%

2014

%

Net Sales

Cost of Sales

Gross Profit

$808,572

100.0

$811,799

100.0

$821,983

100.0

456,977

351,595

56.5

43.5

462,739

349,060

57.0

43.0

469,556

352,427

57.1

42.9

Operating Expense:

Research and
Development Expense

Selling and
Administrative
Expense

Impairment of Long-
Lived Assets

Loss on Sale of
Business

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 Diluted
Share

34,738

4.3

32,415

4.0

29,432

3.6

248,210

30.7

252,270

31.1

250,898

30.5

—

149

—

—

11,199

—

283,097

68,498

35.0

8.5

295,884

53,176

330

(1,279)

(392)

(666)

—

(0.2)

—

(0.1)

172

(1,313)

(954)

(657)

1.4

—

36.4

6.6

—

(0.2)

(0.1)

(0.1)

—

—

280,330

72,097

302

(1,722)

(690)

(449)

—

—

34.1

8.8

—

(0.2)

(0.1)

(0.1)

(2,007)

(0.2)

(2,752)

(0.3)

(2,559)

(0.3)

66,491

19,877

$ 46,614

8.2

2.5

5.8

50,424

18,336

$ 32,088

6.2

2.3

4.0

69,538

18,887

$ 50,651

8.5

2.3

6.2

$

2.59

$

1.74

$

2.70

Consolidated Financial Results

Net Earnings for 2016 were $46.6 million, or $2.59 per diluted share, 
compared to $32.1 million, or $1.74 per diluted share, for 2015. Net Earnings 
were impacted by:

• 

• 

A decrease in Net Sales of 0.4% primarily due to an unfavorable 
impact from foreign currency exchange of approximately 1.0%, an 
unfavorable net impact of 0.5% resulting from the sale of our Green 
Machines outdoor city cleaning line, partially offset by the acquisition 
of Florock, and lower sales of commercial equipment, particularly 
within  the APAC  region. These  impacts  were  more  than  offset  by 
strong  sales  of  industrial  equipment  and  sales  of  new  products, 
particularly in the Americas region. 2016 organic sales growth, which 
excludes the impact of foreign currency exchange and acquisitions 
and divestitures, was up approximately 1.1% from 2015 with growth 
in  the  Americas  and  Europe,  Middle  East  and  Africa  ("EMEA") 
geographical regions.

A  50  basis  point  increase  in  Gross  Profit  margin  due  to  a  more 
favorable  product  mix  (with  relatively  higher  sales  of  industrial 
equipment  and  lower  sales  of  commercial  equipment).  This  was 
somewhat offset by manufacturing productivity challenges in North 
America.

• 

• 

• 

A decrease in S&A Expense as a percentage of Net Sales of 40 basis 
points compared to 2015 which included the third and fourth quarter 
restructuring charges we recorded in 2015 of $3.7 million and there 
were  no  restructuring  charges  recorded  in  2016.  Further  details 
regarding the 2015 restructuring actions are discussed in Note 2 to 
the Consolidated Financial Statements. In addition, there was a net 
favorable impact to S&A Expense in 2016 as a result of disciplined 
spending  control  more  than  offsetting  investments  in  key  growth 
initiatives.

A  pre-tax  non-cash  impact  of  $11.2  million  in  2015  due  to  the 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets as a result of the classification of 
our Green Machines assets as held for sale that did not repeat in 
2016.

A  favorable  impact  of  $0.6  million  with  Net  Foreign  Currency 
Transaction Losses of $0.4 million in 2016 as compared to $1.0 million 
in 2015.

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  of  $3.7  million,  described  in  Note  2  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. 

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

Profit  Before  Income Taxes  for  2016  was  $66.5  million  compared  to 

$50.4 million for 2015 and $69.5 million in 2014.

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

operations for each year ended December 31 were as follows:

2016

%

2015

%

2014

%

U.S. operations

$ 54,018

81.2

$ 51,189 101.5 $ 52,315

75.2

Foreign
operations

Total

12,473

18.8

(765)

(1.5)

17,223

24.8

$ 66,491 100.0 $ 50,424 100.0 $ 69,538 100.0

11

 
 
Profit Before Income Taxes from foreign operations increased by $13.2 
million in 2016 compared to 2015. The increase resulted primarily from the 
$11.2 million non-cash Impairment of Long-Lived Assets included in 2015 as 
a result of our decision to hold the assets and liabilities of our Green Machines 
outdoor  city  cleaning  line  for  sale  that  did  not  repeat  in  2016.  We  further 
describe this decision in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 
This impairment affected the results of operations in our EMEA region. In 
addition, 2015 Profit Before Income Taxes in our EMEA and APAC subsidiaries 
included an additional expense of $1.9 million and $0.7 million, respectively, 
as  a  result  of  two  worldwide  restructuring  actions,  which  are  more  fully 
described in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Profit Before 
Income Taxes in our Latin America subsidiaries increased approximately $0.6 
million in 2016 primarily due to sales increases. Profit Before Income Taxes 
in our APAC subsidiaries decreased by $1.3 million primarily due to lower 
sales resulting from economic slowdowns in the region and fewer large deals.

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.

Other Comprehensive Loss Changes 

Foreign  Currency  Translation Adjustments  –  For  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2016, we recorded a pre-tax foreign currency translation gain 
of  $0.1  million.  For  the  years  ended  December 31,  2015  and  2014,  we 
recorded pre-tax foreign currency translation losses of $12.5 million and $10.1 
million,  respectively,  in  Other  Comprehensive  Loss.  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 2016, we recorded translation gains of $3.4 million relating to the 
Brazilian real, and translation losses of $1.3 million for the Euro, $1.0 million 
for the Chines renminbi, $0.9 million for the British pound 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 3% and 17%, and the 
strengthening of the Brazilian real of 22% in 2016.

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.

Pension  and  Retiree  Medical  Benefits  –  For  the  years  ended 
December 31,  2016  and  2015,  we  recorded  pre-tax  pension  and 
postretirement liability adjustments consisting of losses of $2.2 million and 
gains  of  $4.1  million,  respectively,  in  other  comprehensive  loss  as  further 
disclosed in Note 13 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. 
For the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded a loss of $5.4 million in 
other comprehensive loss 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

2016

2015

2014

Net actuarial loss (gain)

$

2,357 $

(2,940) $

5,931

Amortization of prior service cost

Amortization of net actuarial loss

Total recognized in other
comprehensive loss (income)

(41)

(68)

(67)

(1,114)

(37)

(512)

$

2,248 $

(4,121) $

5,382

The $2.2 million loss in 2016 was primarily due to a $2.4 million net 
actuarial loss relating to an increase of $3.2 million in the projected benefit 
obligation resulting from a 16 basis point decrease in the U.S. pension discount 
rate, a 95 basis point decrease in the non-U.S. discount rate and a 12 basis 
point decrease in the postretirement discount rate. There was an approximate 
$0.6  million  decrease  in  the  pension  benefit  obligation  in  2016  relating  to 
demographic  experience  and  other  changes,  as  well  as  a  $0.2  million 
decrease  due  to  a  higher  than  expected  actual  return  on  assets. The  net 
actuarial loss was partially offset by a $0.1 million credit relating to amortization 
of accumulated actuarial losses and prior service costs.

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.

Net Sales

In 2016, consolidated Net Sales were $808.6 million, a decrease of 0.4%
as compared to 2015. Consolidated Net Sales were $811.8 million in 2015, a 
decrease of 1.2% as compared to 2014.

12

The  components  of  the  consolidated  Net  Sales  change  for  2016  as 

compared to 2015, and 2015 as compared to 2014, were as follows:

Growth Elements

Organic Growth:

Volume

Price

Organic Growth

Foreign Currency

Acquisitions & Divestiture

Total

2016 v. 2015

2015 v. 2014

1.1%

—%

1.1%

(1.0%)

(0.5%)

(0.4%)

3.3%

1.0%

4.3%

(5.5%)

—%

(1.2%)

The 0.4% decrease in consolidated Net Sales for 2016 as compared to 

2015 was primarily due to the following:

• 

• 

• 

An  unfavorable 
approximately 1.0%.

impact 

from 

foreign  currency  exchange  of 

An unfavorable net impact of 0.5% resulting from the sale of our Green 
Machines outdoor city cleaning line, partially offset by the acquisition 
of the Florock brand. 

An organic sales increase of approximately 1.1% which excludes the 
effects  of 
foreign  currency  exchange  and  acquisitions  and 
divestitures,  due  to  an  approximate  1.1%  volume  increase.  The 
volume  increase  was  primarily  due  to  strong  sales  of  industrial 
equipment and sales of new products, particularly in the Americas 
region,  being  somewhat  offset  by  lower  sales  of  commercial 
equipment, particularly within the APAC region. Sales of new products 
introduced  within  the  past  three  years  totaled  37%  of  equipment 
revenue in 2016. This compares to 26% of equipment revenue in  
2015 from sales of new products introduced within the past three 
years. There was essentially no price increase in 2016 due to no 
significant new selling list price increases since prior year selling list 
price increases with an effective date of February 1, 2015. 

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.

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

Americas – In 2016, Americas Net Sales increased 2.6% to $607.0 
million as compared with $591.4 million in 2015. The primary drivers of the 
increase in Net Sales were strong sales of industrial equipment, sales of new 
products and robust sales in Latin America. The direct impact of the Florock 
acquisition  favorably  impacted  Net  Sales  by  approximately  0.7%.  An 
unfavorable  direct  impact  of  foreign  currency  translation  exchange  effects 
within the Americas impacted Net Sales by approximately 0.5% in 2016. As 
a  result,  organic  sales  increased  approximately  2.4%  in  2016  within  the 
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.

Europe, Middle East and Africa – EMEA Net Sales in 2016 decreased 
7.7% to $129.0 million as compared to 2015 Net Sales of $139.8 million. In 
2016, organic sales growth was achieved in all regions except the UK and 
the Central Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa markets primarily due to 
Brexit and challenging economic conditions, respectively. In 2016, there was 
an unfavorable impact on Net Sales of approximately 5.9% as a result of the 
sale of our Green Machines outdoor city cleaning line in January 2016. In 
addition, the direct impact of foreign currency exchange effects within EMEA 
unfavorably impacted Net Sales by approximately 2.0% in 2016. As a result, 
organic sales increased approximately 0.2% in 2016 within EMEA.

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.

Asia Pacific – APAC Net Sales in 2016 decreased 10.0% to $72.5 million
as compared to 2015 Net Sales of $80.6 million. Organic sales decreased 
approximately 10.0% in 2016 with lower sales of commercial and industrial 
equipment. Organic sales declines in all of our Asian markets were primarily 
due to economic slowdowns in the region and fewer large deals. Direct foreign 
currency translation exchange effects had essentially no impact on Net Sales 
in 2016 within APAC.

APAC 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.

2016

%

2015

%

2014

Gross Profit

Americas

$607,026

2.6

$591,405

3.9

$569,004

Europe, Middle East and
Africa

Asia Pacific

Total

129,046

(7.7)

139,834

(15.6)

165,686

72,500

(10.0)

80,560

(7.7)

87,293

$808,572

(0.4) $811,799

(1.2) $821,983

Gross Profit margin was 43.5% in 2016, an increase of 50 basis points 
as compared to 2015. Gross Profit margin in 2016 was favorably impacted 
by product mix (with relatively higher sales of industrial equipment and lower 
sales of commercial equipment), partially offset by manufacturing productivity 
challenges in North America.

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.

13

Operating Expenses

Income Taxes

Research and Development Expense – Research and Development 
("R&D") Expense increased $2.3 million, or 7.2%, in 2016 as compared to 
2015. As a percentage of Net Sales, 2016 R&D Expense increased 30 basis 
points  compared  to  the  prior  year.  We  continue  to  invest  in  developing 
innovative new products for our traditional core business, as well as advancing 
a suite of sustainable cleaning technologies. New products are a key driver 
of sales growth. There were 10 new products and product variants launched 
in 2016 including three models of emerging market floor machines, two models 
of the M17 battery-powered sweeper-scrubber, three large next-generation 
cleaning machines: the M20 and M30 integrated sweeper-scrubbers, and the 
T20 heavy-duty industrial rider scrubber, and two models of the commercial 
dryer/air mover.

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.

Selling and Administrative Expense – S&A Expense decreased by 
$4.1 million, or 1.6%, in 2016 compared to 2015. As a percentage of Net Sales, 
2016 S&A Expense decreased 40 basis points to 30.7% from 31.1% in 2015 
due to two restructuring charges totaling $3.7 million we recorded in 2015 to 
reduce our infrastructure costs that did not repeat in 2016. In addition, there 
was a net favorable impact to S&A Expense in 2016 as a result of disciplined 
spending control more than offsetting investments in key growth initiatives.

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.

Other Income (Expense)

Interest Income – Interest Income was $0.3 million in 2016, an increase 
of $0.1 million from 2015. The increase between 2016 and 2015 was due to 
higher levels of cash deposits.

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 Expense – Interest Expense was $1.3 million in 2016 and 2015. 

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.

Net Foreign Currency Transaction Losses – Net Foreign Currency 
Transaction Losses were $0.4 million in 2016 as compared to $1.0 million in 
2015. The favorable change in the impact from foreign currency transactions 
in 2016 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 $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.

The overall effective income tax rate was 29.9%, 36.4% and 27.2% in 

2016, 2015 and 2014, 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  overall  effective  tax  rate  to  29.9%  in  2016  as 
compared to 29.6% in the prior year, excluding the effect of the 2015 one-
time charges, was primarily related to the mix in expected full year taxable 
earnings by country.

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

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  $58.0  million  at 
December 31, 2016, as compared to $51.3 million as of December 31, 2015. 
Cash and Cash Equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries totaled $19.0 
million  as  of  December 31,  2016,  as  compared  to  $14.9  million  as  of 
December 31, 2015. 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, 2016 and  2015, and 
our working capital was $165.1 million and $160.4 million, respectively.

Our  Debt-to-Capital  ratio  was  11.5%  as  of  December 31,  2016, 
compared  with  8.9%  as  of  December 31,  2015.  Our  capital  structure  was 
comprised of $36.2 million of Debt and $278.5 million of Shareholders’ Equity 
as of December 31, 2016.

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

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

Operating Activities

Investing Activities:

2016

2015

2014

$ 57,878

$ 45,232

$ 59,362

Purchases of Property, Plant and
Equipment, Net of Disposals

Acquisitions of Businesses, Net of
Cash Acquired

Issuance of Long-Term Note
Receivable

Proceeds from Sale of Business

Decrease (Increase) in Restricted
Cash

(25,911)

(24,444)

(19,292)

(12,933)

(2,000)

285

116

—

—

—

—

1,185

1,416

(322)

6

Financing Activities

(9,558)

(61,405)

(28,038)

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on
Cash and Cash Equivalents

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and
Cash Equivalents

(1,144)

(1,908)

(1,476)

$ 6,733

$(41,662) $ 11,978

14

Operating Activities – Cash provided by operating activities was $57.9 
million in 2016, $45.2 million in 2015 and $59.4 million in 2014. In 2016, cash 
provided by operating activities was driven primarily by cash inflows resulting 
from $46.6 million of Net Earnings and an increase in Income Taxes Payable 
of  $5.4  million.  These  cash  inflows  were  partially  offset  by  cash  outflows 
resulting from an increase in Accounts Receivable of $9.3 million, a decrease 
in Accounts Payable of $3.9 million and a net cash outflow from Other Assets 
and Liabilities of $2.2 million. The increase in Accounts Receivable was due 
to the higher sales levels, particularly in December 2016, the variety of terms 
offered and mix of business. The decrease in Accounts Payable was due to 
making earlier payments to utilize cash discounts. The net cash outflow from 
Other Assets  and  Liabilities  was  due  primarily  to  changes  in Accumulated 
Other Comprehensive Loss. Cash provided by operating activities was $12.6 
million higher in 2016 as compared to 2015 primarily due to more favorable 
timing of income tax payments and accruals and a lower level of cash used 
for working capital.

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 due to 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.

For 2016, 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

2016

59

89

2015

61

89

2014

62

84

DSO decreased 2 days in 2016 as compared to 2015 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.

DIOH in 2016 was the same as DIOH in 2015 primarily due to progress 
from inventory reduction initiatives, offset by increased levels of inventory in 
support of higher sales levels and the launches of new products.

Investing Activities – Net cash used for investing activities was $40.4 
million in 2016, $23.6 million in 2015 and $17.9 million in 2014. Net capital 
expenditures used $25.9 million during 2016 as compared to $24.4 million in 
2015  and  $19.3  million  in  2014.  Our  2016  and  2015  capital  expenditures 
included  investments  in  information  technology  process  improvement 
projects,  tooling  related  to  new  product  development,  and  manufacturing 
equipment.  Capital  expenditures  in  2014  included  investments  in  tooling 
related  to  new  product  development,  and  manufacturing  and  information 
technology process improvement projects.  In addition, our acquisition of the 
Florock  brand  and  the  assets  of  Dofesa  Barrido  Mecanizado,  a  long-time 
distributor based in Central Mexico, used $12.9 million, net of cash acquired, 
in 2016. Further details regarding these 2016 acquisitions are discussed in 
Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We also used $2.0 million
as  a  result  of  a  non-interest  bearing  cash  advance  to TCS  EMEA  GmbH. 
Further details regarding the cash advance are discussed in Note 4 to the 
Consolidated Financial Statements. These cash outflows were partially offset 
by cash inflows resulting from Proceeds from Sale of Business, which provided 
$0.3 million in 2016, $1.2 million in 2015 and $1.4 million in 2014.

Financing Activities – Net cash used for financing activities was $9.6 
million  in  2016,  $61.4  million  in  2015  and  $28.0  million  in  2014.  In  2016, 
dividend payments used $14.3 million, the purchases of our common stock 
per our authorized repurchase program used $12.8 million and the payment 
of Long-Term Debt used $3.5 million. These cash outflows were partially offset 
by proceeds resulting from the incurrence of Long-Term Debt of $15.0 million, 
the issuance of Common Stock of $5.3 million and the excess tax benefit on 
stock plans of  $0.7 million. 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,  partially  offset  by 
proceeds from the issuance of Common Stock of $2.3 million. Our annual 
cash dividend payout increased for the 45th consecutive year to $0.81 per 
share in 2016, an increase of $0.01 per share over 2015.

On October 31, 2016, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase 
of an additional 1,000,000 shares of our common stock. At December 31, 
2016, there were 1,395,049 remaining shares authorized for repurchase.

There were 246,474 shares repurchased in 2016 in the open market, 
764,046 shares repurchased in 2015 and 225,034 shares repurchased during 
2014, at average repurchase prices of $51.78 during 2016, $60.20 during 
2015 and $62.64 during 2014. 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, 2016, we had committed lines of 
credit totaling approximately $125.0 million and uncommitted lines of credit 
totaling approximately $85.0 million. There were $25.0 million in outstanding 
borrowings under our JPMorgan facility (described below) and $11.1 million
in outstanding borrowings under our Prudential facility (described below) as 
of December 31, 2016. In addition, we had stand alone letters of credit and 
bank guarantees outstanding in the amount of $3.8 million. Commitment fees 
on unused lines of credit for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $0.2 
million.

15

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, 2016, our 
indebtedness  to  EBITDA  ratio  was  0.49  to  1  and  our  EBITDA  to  interest 
expense ratio was 70.20 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:

16

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

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 $50.0 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, 2016, we were in compliance with all covenants 
under this Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. There were $25.0 million 
in outstanding borrowings under this facility at December 31, 2016, with a 
weighted average interest rate of 1.64%.

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 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 $50.0 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 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,  2016,  there  were  $11.1  million  in  outstanding 
borrowings under this facility, consisting of the $4.0 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 2017 to 2018, and the $7.1 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 2017 to 2021. The 
second payment of $2.0 million on Series A notes was made during the first 
quarter of 2015. The third payment of $2.0 million on Series A notes was made 
during the first quarter of 2016. The first payment of $1.4 million on Series B 
notes was made during the second quarter of 2015. The second payment of 
$1.4 million on Series B notes was made during the second quarter of 2016. 
We were in compliance with all covenants under this Shelf Agreement as of 
December 31, 2016.

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, 2016, 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.

17

Contractual  Obligations  –  Our  contractual  obligations  as  of 
December 31, 2016, 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) $ 36,143

$ 3,429

$ 4,857

$27,857

$

—

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

2,291

51

775

31

1,193

20

10

6

1,281

1,281

4

—

323

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

6,754

1,072

1,877

822

2,983

21,258

8,866

8,390

2,800

1,202

41,200

12,549

41,200

12,549

—

—

—

—

—

—

$121,537

$69,209

$16,341

$31,802

$ 4,185

(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, 2016 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 2017 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  $6.7  million  as  of 
December 31, 2016. 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 2017 expected 
contribution in the contractual obligations table.

(3)  The  unfunded  deferred  compensation  arrangements  covering 
certain current and retired management employees totaled $6.8 million as of 
December 31, 2016. 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, 2016.

 
(6)  Other obligations include residual value guarantees as discussed 

Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting

in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Total contractual obligations exclude our gross unrecognized tax benefits 
of  $2.5  million  and  accrued  interest  and  penalties  of  $0.5  million  as  of 
December 31, 2016. 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.  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  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 expects to adopt this 
accounting  standard  update  on  a  modified  retrospective  basis  in  the  first 
quarter  of  fiscal  2018,  and  we  are currently  evaluating  the  impact  of  this 
accounting standards update on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 
842). This ASU changes current U.S. GAAP for lessees to recognize lease 
assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for those leases classified 
as operating leases under previous U.S. GAAP. Under the new guidance, 
lessor accounting is largely unchanged. The amendments in this ASU are 
effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including 
interim periods within that reporting period, which is our fiscal 2019. Early 
application  is  permitted.  Lessees  and  lessors  must  apply  a  modified 
retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, 
the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial 
statements.  The  transition  approach  would  not  require  any  transition 
accounting  for  leases  that  expired  before  the  earliest  comparative  period 
presented.  A  full  retrospective  transition  approach  is  prohibited  for  both 
lessees and lessors. Upon adoption in 2019, we will establish right of use 
assets and lease liabilities. This amount is still to be determined as we are 
currently evaluating the impact of this amended guidance on our Consolidated 
Financial Statements and related disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation - 
Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based 
Payment Accounting. This ASU modified U.S. GAAP by requiring the following, 
among  others:  (1)  all  excess  tax  benefits  and  tax  deficiencies  are  to  be 
recognized as income tax expense or benefit on the income statement (excess 
tax benefits are recognized regardless of whether the benefit reduces taxes 
payable in the current period); (2) excess tax benefits are to be classified 
along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity in the statement 
of cash flows; (3) in the area of forfeitures, an entity can still follow the current 
U.S. GAAP practice of making an entity-wide accounting policy election to 
estimate  the  number  of  awards  that  are  expected  to  vest  or  may  instead 
account for forfeitures when they occur; and (4) classification as a financing 
activity in the statement of cash flows of cash paid by an employer to the 
taxing authority when directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes. 
The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after 
December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, 
which is our fiscal 2017. Had we early adopted the standard, we estimate 
2016 full year net earnings would have increased by $0.7 million and diluted 
weighted average shares outstanding would have increased by 82,384 shares 
which would have resulted in a favorable effect on basic and diluted earnings 
per share of $0.04 and $0.03, respectively. We will adopt this ASU during the 
first quarter of 2017.

Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments  
–  Credit  Losses  (Topic  326):  Measurement  of  Credit  Losses  on  Financial 
Instruments. Among other things, the ASU requires the measurement of all 
expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based 
on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable 
forecasts. Companies will now use forward-looking information to better inform 
their  credit  loss  estimates. The  amendments  in  this ASU  are  effective  for 
annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods 
within  that  reporting  period,  which  is  our  fiscal  2020.  Early  application  is 
permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this amended guidance 
on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments

In August  2016,  the  FASB  issued ASU  2016-15, Statement  of  Cash 
Flows  (Topic  230): Classification  of  Certain  Cash  Receipts  and  Cash 
Payments. ASU  2016-15  addresses  how  certain  cash  receipts  and  cash 
payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows under 
Topic 230, Statement of Cash Flow, and other Topics. This ASU is effective 
for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including 
interim periods within that reporting period, which is our fiscal 2018. We are 
currently evaluating the impact of this amended guidance on our Consolidated 
Financial Statements and related disclosures.

Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory

In  October  2016,  the  FASB  issued ASU  No.  2016-16, Income Taxes 
(Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. This ASU 
changes the timing  of income  tax recognition  for an intercompany  sale of 
assets. The ASU requires the seller’s tax effects and the buyer’s deferred 
taxes  to  be  recognized  immediately  upon  the  sale  instead  of  deferring 
accounting for the income tax implications until the assets are sold to a third 
party or recovered through use. This ASU is effective for annual reporting 
periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within 
that reporting period, which is our fiscal 2018. We are currently evaluating the 
effect that this guidance will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

No other new accounting pronouncements issued during 2016 but not 
yet effective have had, or are expected to have, a material impact on our 
results of operations or financial position.

18

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, 
2016 and based upon our analysis, the estimated fair values of our reporting 
units substantially exceeded their carrying amounts. We had Goodwill of $21.1 
million as of December 31, 2016.

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 1.5% in 2016, 1.4% in 2015 and 1.3% in 2014. 
As of December 31, 2016, we had $11.0 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.

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  0.1%  in  2016,  0.2%  in  2015  and  0.1%  in  2014.  As  of 
December 31,  2016,  we  had  $3.1  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, 2016, we had 
$3.6 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.

19

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,  2016,  a  valuation  allowance  of  $6.9  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  7, 
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.

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

Ability to achieve operational efficiencies, including synergistic and 
other benefits of acquisitions.

Ability to effectively manage organizational changes.

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

Ability to develop and commercialize new innovative products and 
services. 

Unforeseen product liability claims or product quality issues.

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

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

Occurrence of a significant business interruption.

Ability to comply with laws and regulations.

Inability  to  implement  remediation  measures  to  address  material 
weaknesses in internal control.

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 2016, we experienced minor net deflation on our raw materials 
and other purchased component costs. 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 2017.

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, Brazilian real and Mexican peso 
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.  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  12  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 
instruments  outstanding  at  December 31,  2016, 
currency  derivative 
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

$

8,522

1.358

Foreign currency forward
contracts:

Canadian dollar

2,127

1.350

Derivatives not designated
as hedging instruments:

Foreign currency forward
contracts:

Australian dollar

$

Brazilian real

Canadian dollar

Euro

Japanese yen

Mexican peso

4,480

5,402

6,790

21,101

1,393

3,700

1.393

3.287

1.347

0.941

116.487

20.758

12

3

6

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.

21

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 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the 
related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the 
period ended 
December 31, 2016.  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.  These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility 
is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits.

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

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Tennant Company 
and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the 
period 
ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, 
when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth 
therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Tennant Company’s internal 
control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee 
of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 1, 2017 expressed an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of 
the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ KPMG LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 1, 2017

22

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Tennant Company:

We have audited Tennant Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control 
Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  Tennant Company's management 
is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial 
reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the 
Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

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

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

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

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility 

that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

Material weaknesses related to an insufficient number of trained resources with assigned responsibility and accountability over the design and operation 
of internal controls; ineffective risk assessment process that identified and assessed necessary changes in significant accounting policies and practices that 
were responsive to changes in business operations and new product arrangements; ineffective general information technology controls, specifically program 
change controls in the service scheduling system; ineffective automated and manual controls over the accounting for revenue related to equipment maintenance 
and repair service;  ineffective design and documentation of management review controls over the accounting for certain inventory adjustments, incentive 
accruals and performance share awards; and ineffective control over the determination of technological feasibility and the capitalization of software development 
costs have been identified and included in management’s assessment.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance 
sheets of Tennant Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, 
shareholders’ equity, and cash flows, and the related financial statement schedule, for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016.  
The material weaknesses were considered in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the 2016 consolidated financial 
statements, and this report does not affect our report dated March 1, 2017, which expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

In our opinion, because of the effect of the aforementioned material weaknesses on the achievement of the objectives of the control criteria, Tennant 
Company has not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control-
Integrated Framework 2013 issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

Tennant Company acquired selected assets and liabilities of Crawford Laboratories, Inc. and affiliates thereof (“Florock”) and Dofesa Barrido Mecanizado 
(“Dofesa”) during 2016 which were accounted for as business combinations, and management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of Tennant 
Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016 Florock and Dofesa’s internal control over financial reporting associated with total 
assets of $14 million and total revenues of $9 million included in the consolidated financial statements of Tennant Company and subsidiaries as of and for the 
year ended December 31, 2016.  Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of Tennant Company also excluded an evaluation of the internal control 
over financial reporting of Florock and Dofesa.

/s/ KPMG LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 1, 2017

23

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

Loss on Sale of Business

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 Income (Loss):

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, net of tax

Comprehensive Income

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

24

2016

2015

2014

$

808,572

$

811,799

$

456,977

351,595

34,738

248,210

—

149

283,097

68,498

330

(1,279)

(392)

(666)

(2,007)

66,491

19,877

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

46,614

$

32,088

$

821,983

469,556

352,427

29,432

250,898

—

—

280,330

72,097

302

(1,722)

(690)

(449)

(2,559)

69,538

18,887

50,651

2.66

2.59

$

$

1.78

1.74

$

$

2.78

2.70

17,523,267

17,976,183

18,015,151

18,493,447

18,217,384

18,740,858

0.81

$

0.80

$

0.78

$

$

$

$

2016

2015

2014

$

46,614

$

32,088

$

50,651

109

(2,248)

(305)

32

504

114

(1,794)

(12,520)

4,121

164

25

(1,265)

(61)

(9,536)

$

44,820

$

22,552

$

(10,112)

(5,382)

—

13

1,859

—

(13,622)

37,029

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 $3,108 and $3,615, respectively
Other

Net Receivables

Inventories
Prepaid Expenses
Other Current Assets
Assets Held for Sale

Total Current Assets
Property, Plant and Equipment
Accumulated Depreciation

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net

Deferred Income Taxes
Goodwill
Intangible Assets, Net
Other Assets

Total Assets

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
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
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; 17,688,350 and 17,744,381 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.

25

2016

2015

$

$

58,033
517

51,300
640

145,299
3,835
149,134
78,622
9,204
2,412
—
297,922
298,500
(186,403)
112,097
13,439
21,065
6,460
19,054
470,037

3,459
47,408
35,997
2,348
43,617
—
132,829

32,735
21,134
171
4,625
58,665
191,494

$

$

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

—

—

6,633
3,653
318,180
(49,923)
278,543
470,037

$

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

$

$

$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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
Loss on Sale of Business
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
Issuance of Long-Term Note Receivable
Proceeds from Sale of Business
Decrease (Increase) in Restricted Cash

Net Cash Used for Investing Activities

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Payments of Short-Term Debt
Payments of Long-Term Debt
Issuance 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 INCREASE (DECREASE) 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:

Long-Term Note Receivable from Sale of Business
Capital Expenditures in Accounts Payable

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

26

2016

2015

2014

$

46,614

$

32,088

$

50,651

17,891
409
—
(1,172)
3,875
468
149
(345)

(9,278)
23
(3,904)
124
(185)
5,427
(2,218)
57,878

(26,526)
615
(12,933)
(2,000)
285
116
(40,443)

—
(3,460)
15,000
(12,762)
5,271
686
(14,293)
(9,558)
(1,144)
6,733
51,300
58,033

14,172
1,135

5,489
2,045

$

$
$

$
$

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

$

$
$

$
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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, 2013

18,491,524 $

6,934 $

31,956 $

249,927 $

(24,971) $

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

Net Earnings

Other Comprehensive Loss

Issue Stock for Directors, Employee Benefit

and Stock Plans, net of related tax
withholdings of 23,113 shares

Share-Based Compensation

Dividends paid $0.81 per Common Share

Tax Benefit on Stock Plans

Purchases of Common Stock

Balance, December 31, 2016

—

—

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) $

—

—

190,443

—

—

—

—

—

71

—

—

—

—

—

3,939

3,875

—

686

(246,474)

(92)

(4,847)

46,614

—

—

—

(14,293)

—

(7,823)

—

(1,794)

—

—

—

—

—

17,688,350 $

6,633 $

3,653 $

318,180 $

(49,923) $

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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

46,614

(1,794)

4,010

3,875

(14,293)

686

(12,762)

278,543

27

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, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was a net loss of $44,444, $44,585 and $32,090, 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 $517 as of December 31, 2016 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, trade name and technology. Intangible Assets with a definite life are amortized 

on a straight-line basis.

28

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 in 2015; 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. 

Purchase of Common Stock – We repurchase our Common Stock under 2016 and 2015 repurchase programs authorized by our Board of Directors. 
These programs allow us to repurchase up to an aggregate of 1,395,049 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 – 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. Pension plan costs are accrued based on actuarial estimates with the required 
pension cost funded annually, as needed. No new participants have entered the defined benefit 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.

29

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 2016, 2015 and 2014 such activities amounted to $7,269, $7,418 and $8,583, 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.  Management Actions

During the third quarter of 2015, we implemented a restructuring action to reduce our infrastructure costs that we anticipated would 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 
estimated the savings would offset the pre-tax charge approximately one year from the date of the action. The charge impacted our Americas, EMEA and APAC 
operating segments. We do not expect additional costs will be incurred related to this restructuring action.

During the fourth quarter of 2015, we implemented an additional restructuring action to reduce our infrastructure costs that we anticipated would 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 estimated the savings would offset the pre-tax charge approximately 1.5 years from the date of the action. 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:

2015 restructuring actions

Cash payments

Foreign currency adjustments

December 31, 2015 Balance

2016 Utilization:

Cash payments

December 31, 2016 balance

3.  Acquisitions

Severance and
Related Costs

$

$

$

3,263

(1,332)

(19)

1,912

(1,912)

—

On July 28, 2016, pursuant to an asset purchase agreement and real estate purchase agreement with Crawford Laboratories, Inc. and affiliates thereof 
("Sellers"), we acquired selected assets and liabilities of the Seller's commercial floor coatings business, including the Florock® Polymer Flooring brand ("Florock"). 
Florock  manufactures  commercial  floor  coatings  systems  in  Chicago,  IL. The  purchase  price  was  $11,804,  including  estimated  working  capital  and  other 
adjustments per the purchase agreement, is comprised of $10,965 paid at closing, with the remaining $839 to be paid in two installments within seven months
of closing. We paid the first installment of $575 on October 14, 2016. 

On September 1, 2016, we acquired selected assets and liabilities of Dofesa Barrido Mecanizado ("Dofesa"), which was our largest distributor in Mexico 
over many decades. The operations are based in Aguascalientes, Mexico, and their addition allows us to expand our sales and service network in an important 
market. The purchase price was $5,000 less assumed liabilities of $3,448, subject to customary working capital adjustments. The net purchase price of $1,552
is comprised of $1,202 paid at closing, and a value added tax of $191, with the remaining $350 subject to working capital adjustments. The working capital 
adjustment has not yet been finalized, but we do not expect to pay additional cash.

30

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

The acquisitions have been accounted for as business combinations and the results of their operations have been included in the Consolidated Financial 
Statements since their respective dates of acquisition. The impact of the incremental revenue and earnings recorded as a result of the acquisitions are not 
material to our Consolidated Financial Statements. The purchase price allocations for the Florock acquisition are complete with the exception of preliminary 
valuations of Intangible Assets and Property, Plant and Equipment which is expected to be complete by the end of the second quarter of 2017. The purchase 
price allocations for the Dofesa acquisition are complete except for a preliminary valuation of Intangible Assets and finalization of the working capital adjustment. 
We expect our valuation will be complete in the second quarter of 2017.

The preliminary components of the purchase price of the business combinations described above have been allocated as follows:

Current Assets

Property, Plant and Equipment, net

Identified Intangible Assets

Goodwill

Other Assets

Total Assets Acquired

Current Liabilities

Other Liabilities

Total Liabilities Assumed

Net Assets Acquired

4.  Divestiture

$

$

5,939

4,359

3,731

3,787

7

17,823

4,764

53

4,817

13,006

On January 19, 2016, we signed a Business Purchase Agreement ("BPA") with Green Machines International GmbH and Green Machines Sweepers UK 
Limited ("Buyers"), subsidiaries of M&F Management and Financing GmbH, which is also the 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. The sale closed on January 31, 2016. 
Including working capital adjustments, the aggregate consideration for the Green Machines business was $5,774. 

Subsequent to the closing date, we entered into a distributor agreement with Green Machine Sweepers UK Limited, an affiliate of Green Machines 
International GmbH, for the exclusive right for Tennant to distribute, market, sell, rent and lease Green Machines products, aftermarket parts and consumables 
in the Americas and APAC. As part of this distributor agreement, we entered into a purchase commitment obligating us to purchase $12,000 of products and 
aftermarket parts and consumables annually for the next two years, for a total purchase commitment of $24,000.

On October 25, 2016, we signed Amendment No. 1 to the distributor agreement ("amended distributor agreement") with Green Machine Sweepers UK 
Limited, whereby we waived our exclusive rights to distribute Green Machine products and parts in specified APAC and Latin America countries, and our obligation 
to purchase $24,000 of Green Machines products, aftermarket parts and consumables over two years was canceled. In connection with the amended distributor 
agreement, we provided a $2,000 non-interest bearing cash advance to TCS EMEA GmbH, the master distributor of our products in Central Eastern Europe, 
Middle East and Africa, who is an affiliate of Green Machine Sweepers UK Limited. The cash advance is repayable in 36 equal installments beginning in January 
2017. 

Also on October 25, 2016, we signed Amendment No. 1 to the BPA ("Amended BPA") with the Buyers. The Amended BPA finalized the working capital 

adjustment and amended the payment terms for the remaining purchase price. The total aggregate consideration will be paid as follows:

• 

• 

Initial cash consideration of $285, which was received during the first quarter of 2016.

The remaining purchase price of $5,489 will be financed and received in 16 equal installments on the last business day of each quarter, commencing 
with the quarter ended March 31, 2018.

In 2016, as a result of this divestiture, we recorded a pre-tax loss of $149 in our Profit from Operations in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The 
impact of the recorded loss and the sale of Green Machines is not material to our earnings as Green Machines only accounted for approximately two percent
of our total sales.

We have identified Green Machines International GmbH as a variable interest entity ("VIE") and have performed a qualitative assessment to determine if 
Tennant is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. We have determined that we are not the primary beneficiary of the VIE and consolidation of the VIE is not considered 
necessary.

31

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

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

2016

2015

$

$

$

$

$

39,142

$

23,980

(28,190)

34,932

$

31,044

$

12,646

—

43,690

78,622

$

$

41,225

22,158

(27,645)

35,738

32,421

13,812

(4,679)

41,554

77,292

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

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 constituted approximately two percent of our total sales, did 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 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 4.

The assets and liabilities of Green Machines held for sale as of December 31, 2015 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

32

$

$

$

$

1,715

4,679

239

193

6,826

338

116

454

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

7.  Property, Plant and Equipment

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

2016

2015

$

6,328

$

58,577

116,221

89,838

27,536

—

4,232

52,118

117,197

80,972

24,481

(2,189)

$

$

$

$

298,500

$

276,811

(186,403) $

(183,849)

—

1,996

(186,403) $

(181,853)

112,097

$

94,958

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 4 and Note 6.

Depreciation expense was $17,891 in 2016, $16,550 in 2015 and $17,694 in 2014. 

8.  Goodwill and Intangible Assets

For purposes of performing our goodwill impairment analysis, we have identified our reporting units as North America, Latin America, Coatings, EMEA and 
APAC. As of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, 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, 2014

Foreign currency fluctuations

Balance as of December 31, 2015

Additions

Foreign currency fluctuations

Balance as of December 31, 2016

Goodwill

Accumulated
Impairment
Losses

Total

$

$

$

$

$

64,858

(4,411)

60,447

3,787

(5,837)

(46,503) $

2,859

(43,644) $

—

6,312

58,397

$

(37,332) $

18,355

(1,552)

16,803

3,787

475

21,065

33

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

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

Customer Lists

Trade
Name

Technology

Total

Balance as of December 31, 2016

Original cost

Accumulated amortization

Carrying amount

Weighted-average original life (in years)

Balance as of December 31, 2015

Original cost

Accumulated amortization

Carrying amount

Weighted-average original life (in years)

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

8,016

(5,948)

2,068

15

19,781

(19,232)

549

15

$

$

2,000

—

2,000

15

3,859

$

(3,859)

— $

14

$

$

$

$

5,136

(2,744)

2,392

13

6,596

(3,950)

2,646

13

15,152

(8,692)

6,460

30,236

(27,041)

3,195

The additions to Goodwill during 2016 were based on the preliminary purchase price allocation of our acquisitions of the Florock brand and the assets of 

Dofesa Barrido Mecanizado, as described further in Note 3.

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. Therefore, the accumulated amortization balances for the year ended December 31, 
2015 included these fully impaired customer lists, trade name and technology intangible assets that were impaired as part this sale. Further details regarding 
the sale of our Green Machines outdoor city cleaning line are discussed in Note 6.

Amortization expense on Intangible Assets was $409, $1,481 and $2,369 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, 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:

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Thereafter

Total

9.  Debt

Debt as of December 31, consisted of the following:

Long-Term Debt:

Credit facility borrowings

Capital lease obligations

Total Debt

Less: current portion

Long-term portion

$

$

558

553

553

553

553

3,690

6,460

2016

2015

$

$

36,143

$

24,571

51

36,194

(3,459)

32,735

$

82

24,653

(3,459)

21,194

As of December 31, 2016, we had committed lines of credit totaling approximately $125,000 and uncommitted credit facilities totaling $85,000. There were 
$25,000 in outstanding borrowings under our JPMorgan facility (described below) and $11,143 in outstanding borrowings under our Prudential facility (described 
below) as of December 31, 2016. In addition, we had stand alone letters of credit and bank guarantees outstanding in the amount of $3,774. Commitment fees 
on unused lines of credit for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $222.

34

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

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, 2016, our indebtedness to 
EBITDA ratio was 0.49 to 1 and our EBITDA to interest expense ratio was 70.20 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;

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, 2016, we were in compliance with all covenants under this Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. There were $25,000 in outstanding 

borrowings under this facility at December 31, 2016, with a weighted average interest rate of 1.64%.

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.

35

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

• 

• 

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, 2016, there were $11,143 in outstanding borrowings under this facility, consisting of the $4,000 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 2017 to 2018, and the $7,143 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 2017 to 2021. The second payment of $2,000 on Series A 
notes was made during the first quarter of 2015. The third payment of $2,000 on Series A notes was made during the first quarter of 2016. The first payment of 
$1,429 on Series B notes was made during the second quarter of 2015. The second payment of $1,429 on Series B notes was made during the second quarter 
of 2016. We were in compliance with all covenants under this Shelf Agreement as of December 31, 2016.

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. As of 

December 31, 2016, 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, 2016, are as follows:

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Thereafter

Total aggregate maturities

36

$

3,459

3,449

1,429

26,428

1,429

—

$

36,194

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

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

Severance and Restructuring

Miscellaneous accrued expenses

Other

Less: Other Current Liabilities held for sale

Total Other Current Liabilities

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

Beginning balance

Product warranty provision

Acquired Warranty Obligations

Foreign currency

Claims paid

Ending balance

11.  Derivatives

Hedge Accounting and Hedging Programs

2016

2015

$

7,122

$

10,960

2,366

11,102

4,274

394

4,385

3,014

—

5,030

10,093

2,512

10,399

6,461

1,927

4,230

2,491

(116)

$

43,617

$

43,027

2016

2015

2014

$

10,093

$

9,686

$

12,413

42

82

11,719

—

(207)

(11,670)

(11,105)

$

10,960

$

10,093

$

9,663

10,605

—

(215)

(10,367)

9,686

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, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the notional amounts of foreign currency forward exchange contracts outstanding not designated as hedging 
instruments were $42,866 and $45,851, 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 1 year. 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 were $2,127 and $2,486 as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The notional amount 
of outstanding foreign currency option contracts designated as cash flow hedges were $8,522 and $11,271 as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015,  
respectively. 

37

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

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)

2016

2015

Fair Value
Asset
Derivatives

Fair Value
Liability
Derivatives

Fair Value
Asset
Derivatives

Fair Value
Liability
Derivatives

$

$

184

$

—

— $

13

$

387

113

12

$

162

$

171

$

—

—

7

(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, 2016, we anticipate reclassifying approximately $71 of losses from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss to net earnings during 

the next twelve months.

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:

Derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships:

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

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

Net (loss) gain recognized in earnings(3)

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

2016

2015

2014

Foreign
Currency
Option
Contracts

Foreign
Currency
Forward
Contracts

Foreign
Currency
Option
Contracts

Foreign
Currency
Forward
Contracts

Foreign
Currency
Option
Contracts

Foreign
Currency
Forward
Contracts

$

(259) $

(73) $

31

$

77

$

— $

(148)

(11)

7

2

—

6

5

(2)

—

—

—

—

—

Net (loss) gain recognized in earnings(4)

$

— $

(890) $

— $

4,047

$

— $

2,384

(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.

38

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

• 

• 

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, 2016 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

$

$

$

$

12

184

196

175

175

$

$

$

$

— $

—

— $

— $

— $

12

184

196

175

175

$

$

$

$

—

—

—

—

—

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.

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 $12,108, $12,428 and $11,334 in 2016, 2015 and 2014, 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. The plan has 351 participants including 61 active employees as of December 31, 2016. During 2015, the 
plan was amended to freeze benefits for all participants effective January 31, 2017. On February 15, 2017, the Board of Directors approved the termination of 
the U.S. Pension Plan, effective May 15, 2017.

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 $8,359, $8,098 and $7,475 during 2016, 2015 and 2014, 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 $238 to our U.S. Nonqualified Plan, $828 to our U.S. Retiree Plan, $185 to our U.K. Pension Plan and $30 to our 
German Pension Plan in 2017. No contributions to the U.S. Pension Plan are expected to be required during 2017. There were no contributions made to the 
U.S. Pension Plan during 2016. 

39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
—

—

—

—

—

—

9,562

9,562

—

—

—

—

—

10,691

10,691

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, 2016 are as follows:

Asset Category

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Mutual Funds:

U.S. Large-Cap

U.S. Small-Cap

International Equities

Fixed-Income Domestic

Collective Investment Funds

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

$

663

$

663

$

— $

9,803

2,584

2,244

4,564

26,531

9,562

9,803

2,584

2,244

4,564

—

—

—

—

—

—

26,531

—

Total

$

55,951

$

19,858

$

26,531

$

(1) 

This category is comprised of investments in insurance contracts.

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)

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

—

—

—

—

—

—

Total

$

57,892

$

47,201

$

— $

(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. Collective Investment Funds are measured at fair value using quoted market prices. They are classified as Level 2 as they trade in a non-active market 
for which asset prices are readily available. 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

2016

2015

10,691

$

7

674

(1,810)

9,562

$

9,989

52

1,232

(582)

10,691

$

$

40

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

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 70% debt securities and 30% 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

2016

2015

Non-U.S.
Pension Benefits

Postretirement
Medical Benefits

2016

2015

2016

2015

Discount rate

Rate of compensation increase

3.92%

3.00%

4.08%

3.00%

2.64%

3.50%

3.59%

3.50%

3.58%

—

3.70%

—

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

2016

2015

2014

2016

2015

2014

2016

2015

2014

Discount rate

Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets

Rate of compensation increase

4.08%

5.20%

3.00%

3.76%

5.20%

3.00%

4.63%

5.70%

3.00%

3.59%

4.60%

3.50%

3.38%

4.40%

3.50%

4.33%

5.60%

4.50%

3.70%

3.39%

4.10%

—

—

—

—

—

—

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

2016

2015

$

40,961

$

10,067

871

41,537

9,720

870

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

2016

2015

$

12,597

$

9,562

2,616

—

As of December 31, 2016, the U.S. Nonqualified, the U.K. Pension and the German Pension Plans had an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of 
plan assets. As of December 31, 2015, the U.S. Nonqualified 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

2016

2015

$

12,794

$

9,562

2,616

—

As of December 31, 2016, the U.S. Nonqualified, the UK Pension and the German Pension Plans had a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan 

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

41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

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

2016

2015

6.56%

5.00%

2031

6.76%

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

$

$

(35) $

(751) $

39

850

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

$

41,774

$

47,027

$

10,883

$

12,014

$

11,144

$

13,292

U.S. Pension Benefits

Non-U.S.
Pension Benefits

Postretirement
Medical Benefits

2016

2015

2016

2015

2016

2015

Service cost

Interest cost

Plan participants' contributions

Actuarial loss (gain)

Foreign exchange

Benefits paid

Settlement

354

1,659

—

690

—

(3,516)

—

Benefit obligation at end of year

$

40,961

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

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

$

47,201

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

$

2,457

247

—

—

(3,516)

—

46,389

5,428

Amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of:

Noncurrent Other Assets

Current Liabilities

Long-Term Liabilities

Net accrued asset (liability)

$

$

7,087

(239)

(1,420)

480

1,711

—

(3,352)

—

(1,944)

(2,148)

41,774

51,885

(933)

341

—

—

(1,944)

(2,148)

47,201

5,427

7,173

(243)

(1,503)

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

103

358

14

1,939

(1,852)

(309)

—

11,136

10,691

673

303

14

(1,810)

(309)

—

9,562

$

$

153

396

20

(718)

(681)

(301)

—

10,883

9,989

1,232

333

20

(582)

(301)

—

10,691

$

$

76

396

—

6

—

(1,082)

—

96

393

—

(1,618)

—

(1,019)

—

10,540

$

11,144

— $

—

1,082

—

—

—

—

1,019

—

—

(1,082)

(1,019)

—

—

—

—

(1,574) $

(192) $

(10,540) $

(11,144)

— $

678

$

— $

(30)

(1,544)

(33)

(837)

(828)

(9,712)

5,428

$

5,427

$

(1,574) $

(192) $

(10,540) $

Amounts recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss consist of:

Prior service cost

Net actuarial loss

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

$

$

— $

(42) $

— $

— $

— $

(5,720)

(5,127)

(1,802)

(111)

(566)

(5,720) $

(5,169) $

(1,802) $

(111) $

(566) $

42

—

(835)

(10,309)

(11,144)

—

(560)

(560)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

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

U.S. Pension Benefits

Non-U.S.
Pension Benefits

Postretirement
Medical Benefits

2016

2015

2014

2016

2015

2014

2016

2015

2014

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

$

354

$

480

$

493

$

1,659

1,711

1,964

$

103

358

$

153

396

155

476

$

76

$

96

$

396

393

(2,400)

(2,613)

(2,683)

(452)

(433)

(539)

41

41

—

—

—

835

42

—

25

225

705

$

147

43

—

—

356

320

27

—

97

—

—

54

—

(35)

—

—

$

133

$

135

$

9

—

(61)

—

—

40

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

128

497

—

—

(6)

—

—

—

Net periodic benefit (credit) cost

$

(305) $

$

472

$

489

$

619

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

2016

2015

2014

2016

2015

2014

2016

2015

2014

Net actuarial loss (gain)

$

633

$

195

$ 4,353

$ 1,718

$ (1,517) $

987

$

Amortization of prior service (cost) credit

Amortization of net actuarial loss

(41)

(41)

(67)

(1,060)

(43)

(503)

—

(27)

—

(54)

—

(9)

Total recognized in other comprehensive loss

(income)

Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and

other comprehensive loss (income)

$

$

551

246

$

$

(932) $ 3,807

$ 1,691

$ (1,571) $

978

(227) $ 4,127

$ 1,824

$ (1,436) $ 1,018

$

$

6

—

—

$ (1,618) $

591

—

—

6

—

6

$ (1,618) $

597

478

$ (1,129) $ 1,216

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

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022 to 2026

Total

U.S. Pension
Benefits

Non-U.S.
Pension Benefits

Postretirement
Medical Benefits

$

$

2,289

$

2,436

2,422

2,499

2,567

13,130

25,343

$

$

215

221

228

235

243

1,344

2,486

$

828

887

924

979

882

4,141

8,641

The following amounts are included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss as of December 31, 2016 and are expected to be recognized 

as components of net periodic benefit cost during 2017:

Net actuarial loss

Prior service cost

Pension
Benefits

$

Postretirement
Medical
Benefits

111

$

—

—

—

43

 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

14.  Shareholders' Equity

Authorized Shares

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 expired on December 26, 2016.

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

2016

2015

2014

$

$

(44,444) $

(44,585) $

(5,391)

(88)

(3,647)

103

(49,923) $

(48,129) $

(32,090)

(6,503)

—

(38,593)

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

December 31, 2015

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

Amounts reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)

December 31, 2016

Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustments

Pension and
Postretirement
Benefits

Cash Flow Hedge

Total

$

$

(44,585) $

(3,647) $

103

$

141

—

141

(1,815)

71

(1,744)

(332)

141

(191)

(44,444) $

(5,391) $

(88) $

(48,129)

(2,006)

212

(1,794)

(49,923)

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 through 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 $18,640, $17,804 and 
$18,446 in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

44

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

The minimum rentals for aggregate lease commitments as of December 31, 2016, were as follows:

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

Thereafter

Total

$

8,866

5,056

3,334

1,852

948

1,202

$

21,258

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 $15,571, of which we have guaranteed $12,549. As of December 31, 2016, we have recorded a liability for the estimated end-of-term loss related to this 
residual value guarantee of $483 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.

On March 23, 2016, we entered into a four year Joint Development Agreement with a partner to develop software. As part of that agreement we have 
committed to spend $3,000 during the first year of the agreement and $8,000 over the life of the agreement, subject to regular time and materials billing and 
achievement of contract milestones.

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.

16.  Income Taxes

Income 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

2016

2015

2014

54,018

12,473

66,491

$

$

51,189

(765)

50,424

$

$

52,315

17,223

69,538

2016

2015

2014

15,962

$

15,117

$

3,035

1,859

3,992

1,685

20,856

$

20,794

$

(472) $

(481) $

(434)

(73)

(1,888)

(89)

(979) $

(2,458) $

15,490

$

14,636

$

2,601

1,786

2,104

1,596

19,877

$

18,336

$

11,903

3,373

1,543

16,819

2,650

(524)

(58)

2,068

14,553

2,849

1,485

18,887

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

U.S. income taxes have not been provided on approximately $14,650 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.

45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

We have Dutch and German tax loss carryforwards of approximately $17,276 and $10,764, 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 2016 due to the sale of our Green Machines outdoor city cleaning line.

We have Dutch foreign tax credit carryforwards of $1,228. 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

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

2016

2015

2014

35.0%

35.0%

35.0%

1.7

(5.5)

—

1.9

(2.2)

(1.0)

2.2

(5.1)

7.0

1.5

(2.7)

(1.5)

1.7

(4.6)

—

(0.9)

(1.6)

(2.4)

29.9%

36.4%

27.2%

2016

2015

Deferred Tax Assets:

Inventories, principally due to changes in inventory reserves

$

332

$

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

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

14,723

3,617

1,413

7,821

1,228

2,126

31,260

(6,865)

24,395

$

$

— $

6,947

4,180

11,127

13,268

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

—

16,395

3,101

1,446

5,834

1,102

603

28,481

(5,884)

22,597

617

6,619

3,315

10,551

12,046

The valuation allowance at December 31, 2016 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.

46

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

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

Increases (Decreases) as a result of foreign currency fluctuations

Balance at December 31,

2016

2015

$

2,326

$

3,029

545

(6)

(523)

135

532

(72)

(760)

(403)

$

2,477

$

2,326

Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2016 and 2015 are potential benefits of $2,114 and $1,992, 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 $2,477 and $2,326 for unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, there was approximately $490 and $504, 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 2013 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.

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, 2016, there were 252,598 shares reserved for issuance under the 1997 Plan, the 1999 Plan and the 2007 Plan for outstanding 
compensation awards and 656,339 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 $3,875, $8,222 and $7,314, respectively, during the years ended 2016, 2015 and 2014. The 
total excess tax benefit recognized for share-based compensation arrangements during the years ended 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $686, $859 and $1,793, 
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.

47

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

The following table illustrates the valuation assumptions used for the 2016, 2015 and 2014 grants:

Expected volatility

Weighted-average expected volatility

Expected dividend yield

Weighted-average expected dividend yield

Expected term, in years

Risk-free interest rate

2016

29 - 32%

32%

2015

32 - 36%

36%

2014

47 - 50%

50%

1.3 - 1.5%

1.1 - 1.2%

1.1 - 1.3%

1.3%

5

1.2%

5

1.3%

6

1.1 - 1.4%

1.4 - 1.6%

1.8 - 2.0%

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, 2016 and no SARs were granted during 2016, 2015 or 2014.

The following table summarizes the activity during the year ended December 31, 2016 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

1,018,958

$

258,895

(135,744)

(23,028)

(5,699)

1,113,382

736,650

$

$

39.69

52.80

38.82

59.46

60.26

42.34

34.75

The weighted-average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $13.61, $20.08 and 
$26.93, respectively. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $3,408, $1,702 and 
$2,972, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2016 was $32,152 and $26,868, respectively. The 
weighted-average remaining contractual life for options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2016, was 5.9 years and 4.4 years, respectively. As 
of December 31, 2016, there was unrecognized compensation cost for nonvested options of $2,103, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-
average period of 1.3 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 of 
our restricted share awards. Expenses on these awards are recognized over the vesting period.

48

 
 
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, 2016 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

138,819

$

27,921

(49,306)

(200)

117,234

$

43.83

53.02

39.96

61.26

47.62

The total fair value of shares vested during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $1,970, $1,054 and $827, respectively. As of 
December 31, 2016, there was $1,679 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.

The following table summarizes the activity during the year ended December 31, 2016 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

141,374

$

58,454

(36,054)

(34,678)

129,096

$

56.07

52.56

47.25

47.30

59.30

The total fair value of shares vested during the year ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $1,703, $1,713 and $4,346, respectively. As of 
December 31, 2016, achievements of performance targets on unvested performance shares were determined to be not probable and we expect to incur no 
further expense on these awards. If the achievement of such performance targets becomes probable, we would recognize $5,642 of total compensation costs 
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, 2016 for nonvested restricted stock units:

Nonvested at beginning of year

Granted

Vested

Forfeited

Nonvested at end of year

49

Shares

Weighted-Average
Grant Date Fair
Value

32,646

$

15,450

(13,190)

(3,868)

31,038

$

66.89

54.35

68.80

61.83

60.47

 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

The total fair value of shares vested during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $907 and $10, respectively. Since 2015 was the first year 
we paid out on vested restricted stock units, there were no restricted stock units that vested for the year ended December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2016, 
there was $723 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, 2016 and 2015, we had $155 and $149 in total share-based liabilities recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively. 
During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we paid out $62, $53 and $275 related to 2013, 2012 and 2011 share-based liability awards, 
respectively.

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

2016

2015

2014

$

46,614

$

32,088

$

50,651

17,523,267

18,015,151

18,217,384

452,916

478,296

523,474

17,976,183

18,493,447

18,740,858

$

$

2.66

2.59

$

$

1.78

1.74

$

$

2.78

2.70

Options to purchase 356,598, 222,092 and 91,199 shares of Common Stock were outstanding during 2016, 2015 and 2014, 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 geographic area for the years ended December 31:

Net Sales:

Americas

Europe, Middle East, Africa

Asia Pacific

Total

The following table presents long-lived assets by geographic area as of December 31:

Long-lived assets:

Americas

Europe, Middle East, Africa

Asia Pacific

Total

2016

2015

2014

607,026

$

591,405

$

129,046

72,500

139,834

80,560

808,572

$

811,799

$

569,004

165,686

87,293

821,983

2016

2015

2014

134,737

$

110,842

$

103,958

19,606

4,334

11,100

4,658

24,051

3,669

158,677

$

126,600

$

131,678

$

$

$

$

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 end user country 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. 

50

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

Long-lived assets consist of Property, Plant and Equipment, Goodwill, Intangible Assets and certain other assets. Long-lived assets located in the Netherlands 
totaled $14,742, $9,724 and $14,066 as of the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. There are no other individual foreign locations 
which have long-lived assets which represent more than 10% of our consolidated long-lived assets.

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

Basic Earnings per Share

Diluted Earnings per Share

Net Sales

Gross Profit

Net Earnings (Loss)

Basic Earnings (Loss) per Share

Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share

2016

2015

2014

$

491,075

$

499,634

$

173,632

114,719

29,146

175,697

112,622

23,846

$

808,572

$

811,799

$

500,141

182,845

114,027

24,970

821,983

2016

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

179,864

$

216,828

$

200,134

$

211,746

77,502

4,439

0.25

0.25

$

$

95,289

15,328

0.88

0.85

$

$

2015

85,295

11,477

0.66

0.64

$

$

93,509

15,370

0.88

0.85

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

$

$

88,657

(951)

(0.05) $

(0.05) $

87,289

13,196

0.74

0.73

$

$

$

$

$

$

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 $0.81 per share in 2016, or $0.20 per share per for the first three quarters of 2016 and $0.21 per share for the 

last quarter of 2016, and $0.80 per share in 2015, or $0.20 per share per quarter.

21.  Related Party Transactions

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 Events

On February 13, 2017, we announced a joint venture with i-team Global, a Future Cleaning Technologies (FCT) company headquartered in Eindhoven, 
The Netherlands. The joint venture will operate as the distributor of the i-mop, a heavy-duty scrubber that combines the cleaning performance of an autoscrubber 
with the agility of a flat mop, in North America. i-team North America will begin selling and servicing the i-mop starting April 3, 2017.

On February 15, 2017, the Board of Directors approved the termination of the U.S. Pension Plan, effective May 15, 2017.

On February 23, 2017, we announced the signing of a definitive agreement with private equity fund Ambienta to acquire the stock of IPC Group in an all-
cash  transaction  valued  at  approximately  $350,000,  or  €330,000.  IPC  Group,  based  in  Italy,  is  a  privately  held  designed  and  manufacturer  of  innovative 
professional cleaning equipment, tools and other solutions sold under the brand names IPC, IPC Forma, IPC Eagles, IPC Gansow, ICA, Vaclensa, Portotecnica, 
Sirio and Soteco, Readysystem, Euromop and Pulex. In 2016, IPC Group generated annual sales of about $203,000, or €192,000. The transaction is expected 
to close in the 2017 second quarter, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Tennant anticipates that the acquisition will be accretive 
to the 2018 full year earnings per share.

On February 23, 2017, in connection with the Company's planned acquisition of IPC Group, the Company entered into a foreign exchange call option for 

a notional amount of €180,000 that expires on April 3, 2017.

51

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 (In thousands, except shares and per share data)

On February 23, 2017, we announced a restructuring charge to reduce our global workforce by three percent, with the majority of the actions occurring in 
March. As a result, we anticipate recording a restructuring charge in the 2017 first quarter in the range of $7,000 to $8,000 pre-tax, or $0.27 to $0.30 per diluted 
share. The savings from this action are estimated to be $7,000 in 2017 and $10,000 in 2018.

52

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, including our Chief Executive Officer and Principal 
Financial  and  Accounting  Officer,  have  conducted  an  evaluation  of  the 
effectiveness  of  the  design  and  operation  of  our  disclosure  controls  and 
procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act 
of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) as of December 31, 2016. Our Chief 
Executive Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer concluded 
that, as a result of the material weaknesses in internal control over financial 
reporting as described below, our disclosure controls and procedures were 
not effective as of December 31, 2016.

  For  purposes  of  Rule  13a-15(e),  the  term  disclosure  controls  and 
procedures  means  controls  and  other  procedures  of  an  issuer  that  are 
designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the issuer in 
the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78a et 
seq.) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods 
specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures 
include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that 
information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or 
submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the 
issuer’s  management,  including  its  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  Principal 
Financial and Accounting Officer, or persons performing similar functions, 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 
Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act.

The  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:

(i)  Pertain  to  the  maintenance  of  records  that,  in  reasonable  detail, 
accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the 
assets of the company;

(ii)  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

(iii)  Provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding  prevention  or  timely 
detection  of  unauthorized  acquisition,  use  or  disposition  of  the 
company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial 
statements.

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

A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in 

internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable 
possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim 
financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

Under the supervision of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors 
and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive 
Officer  and  Principal  Financial  and Accounting  Officer,  we  conducted  an 
evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting 
using the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013)
issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway 
Commission  (COSO).   Based  on  our  assessment  and  those  criteria, 
management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting as of 
December  31,  2016  was  not  effective  due  to  the  material  weaknesses 
described as follows:

• 

• 

The Company did not have sufficient number of trained resources 
with assigned responsibility and accountability over the design and 
operation of internal controls; and

The Company did not have an effective risk assessment process that 
identified and assessed necessary changes in significant accounting 
policies and practices that were responsive to changes in business 
operations and new product arrangements, specifically the Company 
did  not  have  an  adequately  designed  and  documented  technical 
accounting  analysis  over  the  application  of  generally  accepted 
accounting principles to a software development arrangement.

As a consequence, the Company did not have effective process level 

control activities over the following:

• 

• 

 effective  general  information  technology  controls,  specifically 
program  change  controls  in  our  service  scheduling  system  and 
therefore  the  Company  did  not  maintain  effective  automated  and 
manual controls over the accounting for revenue related to equipment 
maintenance and repair service;  

adequately designed and documented management review controls 
over  the  accounting  for  certain  inventory  adjustments,  incentive 
accruals  and  performance  share  awards,  specifically, 
the 
management 
review  controls  did  not  adequately  address 
management’s expectations, criteria for investigation, follow up on 
outliers  and  the  level  of  precision  used  in  the  performance  of  the 
review controls;

• 

effective control over the determination of technological feasibility and 
the capitalization of software development costs.

The  control  deficiencies  described  above  created  a  reasonable 
possibility  that  a  material  misstatement  to  the  consolidated  financial 
statements would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The control 
deficiencies  described  above  resulted  in  immaterial  misstatements  in  the 
preliminary consolidated financial statements that were corrected prior to the 
issuance of the consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal year 
ended December 31, 2016.   

53

Tennant Company acquired selected assets and liabilities of Crawford 
Laboratories,  Inc.  and  affiliates  thereof  (“Florock”)  and  Dofesa  Barrido 
Mecanizado (“Dofesa”) in August 2016 and September 2016, respectively, 
which  were  accounted  for  as  business  combinations,  and  management 
excluded  from  its  assessment  of  the  effectiveness  of Tennant  Company’s 
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016 Florock and 
Dofesa’s internal control over financial reporting associated with total assets 
of $14 million and total revenues of $9 million included in the consolidated 
financial statements of Tennant Company and subsidiaries as of and for the 
year ended December 31, 2016.  This exclusion is in accordance with the 
SEC’s guidance, which permits companies to omit an acquired business’s 
internal control over financial reporting from management’s assessment for 
up to one year after the date of the acquisition.

KPMG  LLP,  an  independent  registered  public  accounting  firm,  has 
audited  the  effectiveness  of  the  Company’s  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting as of December 31, 2016, and has issued an adverse report which 
is included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Remediation  Plan  for  Material  Weaknesses  in  Internal  Control  over 
Financial Reporting

The Company will execute the following steps in 2017 to remediate the 
aforementioned  material  weaknesses  in  its  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting:

• 

• 

• 

The Company will sponsor ongoing training related to the COSO 2013 
Framework  best  practices  for  personnel  that  are  accountable  for 
internal control over financial reporting;

The Company will perform a complete review of our accounting for 
revenue  related  to  equipment  maintenance  and  repair  service  to 
ensure the adequacy of the design and implementation of automated 
and manual controls;

The  Company  will  design  and  implement  controls  over  the 
determination  of  technological  feasibility  and  the  capitalization  of 
software development costs.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Except for the identification of the material weaknesses noted above 
during the fourth quarter, there were no other changes in internal control over 
financial  reporting  during  the  fourth  quarter  of  2016  that  have  materially 
affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, 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)

ITEM 9B – Other Information

None.

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  2017  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 (48) joined the Company in November 2014 as Senior 
Vice President, Global Marketing. In January 2016, he also assumed oversight 
for the Company's APAC business unit and in January 2017, he assumed 
oversight for the Company's EMEA business. 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  (61)  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 
Häagen-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 (49) 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 (53) 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.

54

Thomas Paulson, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Thomas  Paulson  (60)  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 (56) 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 2017 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 2017 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 2017 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 
2017 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.

Heidi M. Wilson (66) 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 (46) 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.

55

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

2016

2015

2014

$

$

$

$

$

$

3,615

$

3,936

$

561

—

(19)

(1,049)

3,108

3,540

1,455

(50)

(1,301)

3,644

5,884

1,295

(314)

$

$

$

$

1,087

172

(159)

(1,421)

3,615

3,272

1,728

(160)

(1,300)

3,540

5,699

734

(549)

$

$

$

$

6,865

$

5,884

$

4,526

999

—

(319)

(1,270)

3,936

3,250

622

(194)

(406)

3,272

7,243

(636)

(908)

5,699

(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.

56

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3i

3ii

10.1

10.2

10.3

10.4

10.5

10.6

10.7

10.8

10.9

3.  Exhibits

Item #

Description

Method of Filing

Restated Articles of Incorporation

Amended and Restated By-Laws

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

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 3iii to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K dated December 14, 2010.

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

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

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)*

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

101

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.

Filed herewith electronically.

Filed herewith electronically.

Filed herewith electronically.

Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer

Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer

The following financial information from Tennant Company’s
annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31,
2016, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2017, formatted in
Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the
Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended
December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, (ii) the Consolidated
Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended
December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, (iii) the Consolidated
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, (iv) the
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, (v) the Consolidated
Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended
December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, and (vi) Notes to the
Consolidated Financial Statements.

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

57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 16 – Form 10-K Summary

None.

58

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 27, 2017

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

/s/ Stephen G. Shank
Stephen G. Shank
Board of Directors
February 27, 2017

/s/ Steven A. Sonnenberg
Steven A. Sonnenberg
Board of Directors
February 27, 2017

/s/ David S. Wichmann
David S. Wichmann
Board of Directors
February 27, 2017

/s/ David Windley
David Windley
Board of Directors
February 27, 2017

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 27, 2017

/s/ Thomas Paulson
Thomas Paulson
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
February 27, 2017

/s/ Azita Arvani
Azita Arvani
Board of Directors
February 27, 2017

/s/ William F. Austen
William F. Austen
Board of Directors
February 27, 2017

/s/ Carol S. Eicher
Carol S. Eicher
Board of Directors
February 27, 2017

/s/ Donal L. Mulligan
Donal L. Mulligan
Board of Directors
February 27, 2017

59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Listed below are subsidiaries of Tennant Company as of December 31, 2016.

Subsidiaries of the Registrant

Subsidiary
Applied Kehrmaschinen GmbH
Applied Sweepers Group Leasing (U.K.)
Applied Sweepers Holdings. Limited
Applied Sweepers International Limited
Floorep Limited
Hofmans Machinefabriek
Nobles Floor Machines Limited
Recumbrimientos Tennant, S. de R.L. de C.V.
Servicios Integrados Tennant, S.A. de C.V.
Sociedade Alfa Ltda.
Tennant Asia Pacific Holdings Private Ltd.
Tennant Australia Pty Limited
Tennant CAD Holdings LLC
Tennant Cleaning Solutions Ireland Ltd.
Tennant Cleaning Systems and Equipment (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
Tennant Cleaning Systems India Private Limited
Tennant Coatings, Inc.
Tennant Company
Tennant Company Far East Headquarters PTE LTD
Tennant Company (Thailand) Ltd.
Tennant Company Japan, Ltd.
Tennant Europe B.V.
Tennant Europe N.V.
Tennant S.A.
Tennant GmbH & Co. KG
Tennant Holding B.V.
Tennant Holdings LLC
Tennant Hong Kong Limited
Tennant International Holding B.V.
Tennant NL B.V.
Tennant N.V.
Tennant Netherland Holding B.V.
Tennant New Zealand Ltd.
Tennant Portugal E. de L., S.U., L. da
Tennant SA Holdings LLC
Tennant Sales & Service Canada ULC
Tennant Sales and Service Company
Tennant Sales and Service Spain, S.A.
Tennant Scotland Limited
Tennant Sverige AB
Tennant UK Cleaning Solutions Limited
Tennant UK Limited
Tennant Uruguay S.A.
Tennant Ventas & Servicios de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
Tennant Verwaltungs-gesellschaft GmbH

Exhibit 21

Jurisdiction of Organization
Federal Republic of Germany
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Netherlands
United Kingdom
United Mexican States
United Mexican States
Federative Republic of Brazil
Republic of Singapore
Australia
Minnesota
Ireland
People’s Republic of China
Republic of India
Minnesota
Minnesota
Republic of Singapore
Thailand
Japan
Netherlands
Belgium
French Republic
Federal Republic of Germany
Netherlands
Minnesota
Hong Kong
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
New Zealand
Portuguese Republic
Minnesota
British Columbia, Canada
Minnesota
Kingdom of Spain
United Kingdom
Kingdom of Sweden
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Eastern Republic of Uruguay
United Mexican States
Federal Republic of Germany

TNC CV
Walter-Broadley Machines Limited
Walter-Broadley Limited
Water Star, Inc.

Joint Ventures

I-Team North America B.V.

Netherlands
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Ohio

Netherlands

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

Exhibit 23.1 

The Board of Directors 

Tennant Company:

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements (Nos. 333-160887, 
333-84372, 033-62003) on Form 
S-8 and No. 333-207747 on Form S-3 of Tennant Company of our reports dated March 1, 2017, with respect to the consolidated balance sheets 
of Tennant Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, 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, 2016, and the related financial 
statement schedule, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, which reports appear in the 
December 31, 2016 annual report on Form 10-K of Tennant Company.

Our report dated March 1, 2017 on internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, contains an explanatory paragraph that 
states management excluded from its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, 
Crawford Laboratories, Inc. and affiliates thereof (“Florock”) and Dofesa Barrido Mecanizado’s (“Dofesa”) internal control over financial reporting 
associated with total assets of $14 million, and total revenues of $9 million, included in the consolidated financial statements of Tennant Company 
and subsidiaries as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of Tennant Company 
also excluded an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Florock and Dofesa.

Our report dated March 1, 2017, on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, expresses our opinion 
that Tennant Company did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016 because of the effects of 
material weaknesses on the achievement of the objectives of the control criteria and contains an explanatory paragraph that states that material 
weaknesses related to an insufficient number of trained resources with assigned responsibility and accountability over the design and operation 
of internal controls; ineffective risk assessment process that identified and assessed necessary changes in significant accounting policies and 
practices that were responsive to changes in business operations and new product arrangements; ineffective general information technology 
controls, specifically program change controls in the service scheduling system; ineffective automated and manual controls over the accounting 
for revenue related to equipment maintenance and repair service;  ineffective design and documentation of management review controls over 
the accounting for certain inventory adjustments, incentive accruals and performance share awards; and ineffective control over the determination 
of technological feasibility and the capitalization of software development costs have been identified and included in management's assessment.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 1, 2017

CERTIFICATIONS

Exhibit 31.1

I, H. Chris Killingstad, certify that:

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Tennant Company;

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material 
fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not 
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present 
in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the 
periods presented in this report;

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and 
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as 
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be 
designed  under  our  supervision,  to  ensure  that  material  information  relating  to  the  registrant,  including  its 
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in 
which this report is being prepared;

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting 
to  be  designed  under  our  supervision,  to  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding  the  reliability  of  financial 
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted 
accounting principles;

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report 
our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period 
covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred 
during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual 
report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control 
over financial reporting; and

5. 

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control 
over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or 
persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) 

b) 

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial 
reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize 
and report financial information; and

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role 
in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:

March 1, 2017

/s/ H. Chris Killingstad
H. Chris Killingstad
President and Chief Executive Officer

 
 
 
 
 
CERTIFICATIONS

Exhibit 31.2

I, Thomas Paulson, certify that:

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Tennant Company;

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material 
fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not 
misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present 
in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the 
periods presented in this report;

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and 
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as 
defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be 
designed  under  our  supervision,  to  ensure  that  material  information  relating  to  the  registrant,  including  its 
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in 
which this report is being prepared;

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting 
to  be  designed  under  our  supervision,  to  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding  the  reliability  of  financial 
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted 
accounting principles;

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report 
our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period 
covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred 
during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual 
report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control 
over financial reporting; and

5. 

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control 
over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or 
persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) 

b) 

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial 
reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize 
and report financial information; and

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role 
in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:

March 1, 2017

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

 
 
 
 
 
 
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Exhibit 32.1

In connection with the annual report of Tennant Company (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 
2016 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, H. Chris Killingstad, President 
and Chief Executive Officer, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)  The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 

1934; and

(2)  The information contained in this periodic report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition 

and results of operations of the Company.

Date:

March 1, 2017

/s/ H. Chris Killingstad
H. Chris Killingstad
President and Chief Executive Officer

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Exhibit 32.2

In connection with the annual report of Tennant Company (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 
2016 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Thomas Paulson, Senior Vice 
President and Chief Financial Officer, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the 
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)  The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 

1934; and

(2)  The information contained in this periodic report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition 

and results of operations of the Company.

Date:

March 1, 2017

/s/ Thomas Paulson
Thomas Paulson
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer